DarkRecon

Souls of Steel: A Giant Mecha RP

"Ok...if this is a trap, it's a convincing one...those Cruxi look as if they really ARE surprised to see us in here", Jake said as their infiltration mission continued.

As they continued, Jake had launched his three remaining recon drones to help keep an eye on things in the general area around his squad inside the station. As he said before, he had left the other two outside to help the attack squad with information gathering. One thing he noted was the two new units that were out there. The two stubby Cruxi and the crystal like one.

"Base. It's Jake. Our mission is going smoothly so far. I saw some data on the two drones outside the station that I left in your control though. About those "mist grade parts" metioned in the meeting several days ago...that crystal unit looks like it went towards that thing. Not sure where the "tube" part is though. Needless to say, don't get too close to it. I also saw that annoying "regeneration" trick through the video feed...those two stubby units with the glowing spider-like legs might be the culprits. My advice: prioritze those two units first for a butt-whooping."

Then, that's when Jake and Mai saw the tubes...filled with human beings...

"...ugh...no...", was all Jake could say as he saw the sight.

"...it's...just like the first time I saw these", Mai slowly said.

"...and high command wanted you to keep it quiet?", Jake asked.

"...something like this...would decrease morale...or anger...an...g..."

"...Mai? You ok?", Jake then asked.

"...This is Seven. Requesting order to proceed on foot."

"Wha-you kidding?! Those Cruxi-"

"Jake. I no not who but someone left me an assault rifle. If Elora or others are out-of-reach of frameworks, one has to proceed on foot for a rescue attempt", "Seven" said, cutting him off.

"...Katya. It's Jake. As you heard, Mai lied about not doing anything stupid."

Souls of Steel: A Giant Mecha RP

Hey Ariamis. Just a heads up since it looks like you missed it. Jake left two of his recon drones to Lorenzo or Ritsu on the bridge of the flagship so you control those two that are outside the station. I made up some techno BS that Jake linked two of his drones to the ship's bridge so...yeah...-__-'

Souls of Steel: A Giant Mecha RP

As the team began deployment phases, it seemed Both the Neo Angel and Weissritter didn't deploy immedately.

"Katya. It's Jake. Like we talked about once before. If you think you'll need my recon drones inside, put me with the infiltration team. If I have to, I can also link at least two of my drones to the main ship where either Lorenzo or Ritsu could control them from the bridge. That way, we'd have some outside the station and some inside. You call either way."

"...Katya. It's Mai. I also recommend me as infiltration. It's...not the first time I've gone into a Cruxi controlled station. Don't worry...I won't do anything stupid", Mai then said over the line.

Truth be told, both knew that this wasn't going to be easy. Even with their new and perhaps powerful commander framework pilots, there were just way too many "unknowns" going into this. Too many for even Jake to plan around.

But the general "two squad" team was the best plan for now. They weren't trying to take over this place. Just recuse a P.O.W. and perhaps more if there were more than Elora.

But Mai's past comments on what she saw the "last time" she was on a Cruxi controlled station didn't settle well with him. Still, it was time to do this.

"...hey Lorenzo. Ritsu. No matter what call is made on my deployment, your going to get two recon drones. Just don't break them since then I'll start taking loans", Jake then said, trying to rhyme 'drones' and 'loans'.

As for equipment, Mai still had her two magnum pistols and had four clips for them. Jake had one energy spare energy clip in case he burnt out the first one and three bullet clips plus one more already loaded into the Neo Rifle.

Souls of Steel: A Giant Mecha RP

Still here. Sorry. Work has been rough.

Don't have much time to talk right now but to quickly sum things up, whoever's team lead position Mai and Jake as you wish. But I'd imagine Jake being apart of the assault phase and Mai being the one going inside the base since Mai herself once said that she had been in a Cruxi controlled station during her Helldivers service.

I'll talk more over the weekend. Sorry for holding things up.

Souls of Steel: A Giant Mecha RP

That's just it. I don't...not yet anyways. I haven't really planned this out but the short version is that while Mai and the other six pilots of the Helldivers were transfered all over the place to keep them seperated, Caulder himself was never found when soldiers went looking for him after the Helldivers were decommissioned.

This sort of turns into an internal struggle with Mai and "Seven" since Mai does like Squad Sigma but Seven perfered how "professional" the Helldivers were. It was just a plot device or "side quest" I had thought about pitching to you guys since Mai...well...has alot of baggage in terms of her "classified" history. From the Helldivers to her Ace mother to the Telekenetic system...

Souls of Steel: A Giant Mecha RP

Still here. Though I should be more active.

Also, at some point, I was thinking Mai starts showing signs of...well perhaps "distrust" when rumors spread that Mai's first commander/scientist, Caulder, was trying to rebuild the Helldivers division dispite high command warning him not to. Eh, just shooting an idea since I don't say much here.

Souls of Steel: A Giant Mecha RP

Hi all. Just to let you all know, again, that I'm alive and still in this. Actually, I just finished a co-op post with Apollo. He should be posting it up since I posted last. Just sorry for the wait.

Souls of Steel: A Giant Mecha RP

"...Paladin...like it or not, we still care despite your circumstances", Jake responded.

"Say what you want about my recklessness lately but unlike others, we actually give a damn as to what happens to you", Mai added.

She then squatted onto the ground and opened the backpack she had brought. Jake watched as she then pulled out what looked liked a tablet of sorts but when she started spreading out the equipment attached to it, that's what caught his attention. What looked liked a pair of small speakers and the second was a headset similar to his except there was a mic attached to the right ear-side of said headset.

"...so what's that?", Jake asked.

"It's a piece of experimental tech from my days with the Helldivers division. Basically, it plugs into just about any port of the cockpit of a framework and..."attempts" to hear those supposed creepy voices you may hear if your sync rate is too low. This was just one of a few "official" equipments that we were assigned to the Helldivers back in the day. Though this piece was discontinued since some thought trying to talk or even listen to those voices was just a hoax", Mai responded.

"...and HOW per say did you even get this tech?", Jake asked.

"...like I said, an old contact...actually, said "contact" contacted me...I'm sorry Jake...can't say more..."

"That's fine. As a recon expert, I understand the whole "secret agent" thing", Jake said with a nod.

Nodding, Mai then looked at Paladin.

"Paladin...I'm sure someone had told you about my other persona "Seven"...so I kind of know what your going through but before we start taking any risks, let's try this safer approach first. If Ariin is in there, then let's see if we can talk to him first. Of course, your going to have to sync up "normally" first to make it easier to check frequencies. Just don't move the framework around or "Hardline" if that was what your plan was."

"...baby steps first Paladin. I know it sounds like too much "theory" work but it sounds safer. I remember hearing something about this tech as well. So let's give this a try first", Jake adds in.

Souls of Steel: A Giant Mecha RP

Inside the frameworks hangar, Jake had decided to wait for "Paladin" by his framework. He wasn't sure if he could do much but as a mechanic, he could provide support.

From what he could understand, "Paladin" was the result of some fault within the framework. Based on reports, taking a grazing shot from MIST's attack was more than enough to do something...mental to the pilot.

Or perhaps...it went beyond that.

Either way, if there was a chance to at least have "Paladin" talk to Ariin inside the framework, then at least he could help provide Ariin with conversation and the like. And perhaps find a way to reverse the effect.

He was just listening to his tunes through his headset when he saw, of all people, Mai Twilight approach. She also was carrying a backpack of sorts on her back.

Taking off his headset he then asked, "So what bring you here Mai?"

"Same reason as you I'd imagine. Say what you want about my recklessness but when it comes to helping others, I will do so", Mai responded.

"Cool beans. Don't be means", Jake said with an attemped rhyme.

Mai just rolled her eyes then asked, "Has he shown up yet?"

"Nope. I imagine if he were going to attempt this, now would be best. I just hope I got plenty of rest."

"Ok seriously. Stop. This is serious", Mai said with a hint of annoyance.

Jake simply nodded then said, "Truth be told, got alot on my mind with this mission. Hope I can help get this done to some extent so I have some peace of mind...by the way, what's with the backpack?"

"...something special...I uh...got in touch with an old contact...I hope it can help", Mai simply said as she gently put the backpack onto the ground.

"...whoa that's shady. But I know better in this case than to ask."

"If "Paladin" shows, I'll explian Jake. Let's see if he comes this way. If not, we'll go looking for him."

Souls of Steel: A Giant Mecha RP

Ugh. Still here sorry. Been busy lately or...really, depressed I guess. Hadn't been in the right frame of mind for some reason lately.

I'll try to get a quick post out soon saying that both Jake and Mai were looking for Paladin to see if they could help him talk to Ariin through the framework if that was the general plan.