UEEF - The Shadow Chronicles - IC Thread

[Sherwood]

Jake records the conversation, he'd rather not be distracted in the moment to take notes. "In all that time, have you had many encounters with the Invid? The intelligence we've acquired on them thus far is limited. Any tactical information you could provide would help us kick those skittering gits out of here."

Gelth chuckles. "I like the way you think. The most important thing to remember of the Invid is that there is no such thing as just one Invid. They always work in groups, and try to overwhelm their foes with numbers. If they can, they use their Inorganic forces to absorb as much of the counterattack as possible and soften their foes before sending in the rest of their forces. Also, these worthless greklins like to burrow into the dirt and conceal themselves, sometimes for as long as several months, just to burst forth when they sense a target to attack."

 

[Sherwood]

By now, the convoy of vehicles with the Veritech escort is pulling up to the Forward Operating Base, and the wounded onboard the trucks are being triaged by the medics to see which ones can be treated in the lower priority MASH tents, and the ones that need to be whisked up to the waiting cruisers in orbit for the more advanced medical facilities there.

With his task of delivering the wounded complete, Gelth is now also being escorted to one of the Horizont transports to go up to the MacArthur. Before he leaves, he takes a moment to go up to Ian and shake your hand, being careful not to squeeze too hard. "I will remember your name, Lieutenant." Giving you a nod, Gelth and several of his fellow Bearmen then make their way into the personnel transport and prepare to leave.

But while that is going on, Manticore Squad gets sent over to the Titan GMU to speak with Col. Marx. He wastes no time with pleasantries, saying, "Well done in finding the crashed ship, but right now, I am more interested in a full report of what you have learned from this Karbarran."

 

[jaydude]

Ian gave Gelth a friendly grin and a nod. Truth be told, the bear-like humanoid was starting to remind him of an old drinking partner.

"Sure thing, Colonel." Ian said while clasping his hands behind his back respectfully, albeit in a slightly lackadaisical manner. "As I said over the radio, the Karbarrans assisted us during the rescue operation. Their leader, Gelth, claimed to be an important leader among his people, and also told us a bit about their political structure. He also said that Karbarra had once been part of the Robotech Master empire, with several thousand of them being brought to this planet by the Clone Masters, but that the planet was taken by the Invid after the Robotech Masters vanished, along with others."

"He and his people seemed to have had experience with battling the Invid, as they were able to give us some insights into them and their tactics." he concluded, before repeating what Gelth had told Jake.

 

[Sherwood]

After a few more questions, Marx nods in satisfaction. "Good. Excellent work, Lieutenant. Every little bit helps out." He glances at a terminal, then says, "I am going to go ahead and release you back to your station on the MacArthur. Take some time and get caught up on some chow and rest. I'm sure that there will be plenty of action in your future. Dismissed."

By the time you get back to your Veritechs, you are already getting signals to go back up to the Command Cruiser.

 

[Rykon]

Jake lets out a deep sigh, looking over his console before clicking on the comms to hail the squad. "Am I the only one nervously watching my missile count the longer these missions go? I mean, the lasers aren't so bad, but I can't help but worry about being dead meat if the ammo runs out. I swear I'm tempted to name these things the Copperfields for how nifty they are at making bugs disappear. Anyhow, good to know we're clear to return home and resupply. In more ways then one." His stomach growled audibly over the radio. "Case in point. Y'all holdin up alright over there? Boss? Bigs? Vik?"

jaydude Psychie D. Rex

 

[jaydude]

"Fine over here, thanks. Aside from looking forward to some food and tea myself." replied Ian. "And yeah, I get where you're coming from regarding the missiles. They're valuable in terms of strategic worth, hence why you've got to be mindful about how many you have."

 

[Psychie]

Bigs gives off a chuckle. "As long as we have good access to resupply, we should be good on our missile numbers. But you do make a good point. I for one don't plan on going through them like water, using my gun pod to hit those Invid fuckers right in the eye when I can. One shot, one kill. You know what I'm sayin'?"

She stretches, then says, "I don't know about you guys, but once we get back to the MacArthur, I could use a shower."

 

[jaydude]

She stretches, then says, "I don't know about you guys, but once we get back to the MacArthur, I could use a shower."

"Wouldn't mind a shower myself, now that you mention it." replied Ian, giving a little chuckle.

 

[Sherwood]

The flight back up into orbit to land back on the Command Cruiser is blessedly uneventful, and there is no problem for the team as you make your approach and get tucked neatly into the launch bay. As you unload from your Veritechs, the deck crews begin to swarm over your mecha to make sure that they are at 100% for the next sortie . . . whenever that may be. At the moment, though, you have some spare time to hit the showers and grab some food in the cafeteria instead of being forced to try and stomach some field rations.

Manticore Squad is not the only one that has been recalled back up to the Mac. There are many teams here, all prepping themselves for the next run. After two hours of down time where you have your chance to clean up, eat and catch a power nap, your wristcomps all buzz with orders to report to Briefing Room Three.

Once you arrive and before you go inside, you see that there is a strong security presence outside the briefing room in the form of six Cyclones and twelve marines in their regular CVR-3 armor. The lead NCO of this group politely but firmly stops you and checks your id before letting you pass, saying, "Sirs, just to give you a heads up, we have some serious brass in there."

Sure enough, the room is bustling with many high ranking officials from several ships of the 3rd AED, including Admiral Kutuzov from his flagship Lenin, and even Admiral Rick Hunter from the SDF-3, the leader of the whole UEEF expedition! Also in the room are several different non-humans, some that you have seen before, others that are new to your eyes. Along with four of the massive Bearmen from Karbarra, there are six drop-dead gorgeous women that stand out from the human crowd by each being over seven feet tall and dressed like they just walked out of a movie about ancient Greece.

There are three humanoid figures that look like they could be made out of rock or crystal, another trio of fox/cat people that are wearing respirators to help them breathe, and finally there are two cloaked figures off to one side, hoods over their heads that disguise their features.

As you enter and try to take in the sights of the room, much of the conversation comes to a stop as many eyes turn to regard you, making you feel like a bug pinned to a cork board. One of the aliens in the room is Gelth, and he breaks the silence by calling you guys over to join him at the table.

 

[jaydude]

Once you arrive and before you go inside, you see that there is a strong security presence outside the briefing room in the form of six Cyclones and twelve marines in their regular CVR-3 armor. The lead NCO of this group politely but firmly stops you and checks your id before letting you pass, saying, "Sirs, just to give you a heads up, we have some serious brass in there."

Sure enough, the room is bustling with many high ranking officials from several ships of the 3rd AED, including Admiral Kutuzov from his flagship Lenin, and even Admiral Rick Hunter from the SDF-3, the leader of the whole UEEF expedition!

The Second Lieutenant nodded in understanding, before stepping into the room. He soon saw that the NCO hadn't been exaggerating, and guessed that this was a very serious occasion of some kind.

...there are six drop-dead gorgeous women that stand out from the human crowd by each being over seven feet tall and dressed like they just walked out of a movie about ancient Greece.

Ian glanced over at the sextet, but only briefly. Besides not wanting to be caught staring, he'd never been one for women who were more than an inch taller than him, however attractive he might otherwise find them.

As you enter and try to take in the sights of the room, much of the conversation comes to a stop as many eyes turn to regard you, making you feel like a bug pinned to a cork board. One of the aliens in the room is Gelth, and he breaks the silence by calling you guys over to join him at the table.

Assuming that the lack of anyone calling them over meant that Manticore Squadron was free to socialize for at least a bit of time, Ian approached Gelth's table, while shooting glances at the senior officers in anticipation of something happening. He didn't take a seat for the same reason.

"Acha." he said with a little smile, figuring that it would be a bit more polite to use the other being's title. "How have you been holding up so far? Have our people been treating you well?"

Once those questions had been answered, he looked around at the gathering of humans and aliens, before looking back at Gelth. "Any idea what's going on here?"

 

[Psychie]

When Motoko walks into the briefing room, her eyes go wide. Normally, she is not one to be intimidated by the brass, but there are just so many here that it does make a bit of a difference! She lets Ian take the point here, since he is the squad leader. But even as they are being called over to see Gelth and his people, she can't help but join Ian's question with a comment of her own. In a quiet voice she murmurs, "Wow. I never expected to see so many upper ranked members of the UEEF all at once, but here they are. Not to mention all of these non-humans! At least these guys are not attacking us, unlike the Invid and the way that the Zentraedi used to be."

 

[Sherwood]

Once those questions had been answered, he looked around at the gathering of humans and aliens, before looking back at Gelth. "Any idea what's going on here?"

As you all enter, the room stays quiet, with most of the eyes on Manticore Squadron. Gelth says, "We, as in the various assembled races that have been under Invid occupation for years if not decades, now see a chance to free our homeworlds from the oppression of these slugs and stand upright and proud for ourselves. That chance has presented itself in the form of this UEEF fleet that has arrived in the Fantoma system, hoping to speak with the Robotech Masters and sue for peace between your worlds. Between the first hand experience your people have now had with the Invid, combined with the stories being told to your Admiralty by your allied Zentraedi and the assembled races here, it seems that your leadership is finally getting an image in their minds of just what it means to live under their control. But I digress."

"As Acha of my Clan, I sometimes do not have a full reading on the lives of those that work with their hands, getting dirty maintaining the tools of our society. Because of that, I have made it a habit of talking with those on the front lines of life. You and your team, Lieutenant Ian Grimsbury, risked your lives to save others in the city of Lowress, lives that you have never met. I would have you, Lieutenant, share with your Admiral Rick Hunter just what you have seen and experienced in that fight."

 

[jaydude]

As you all enter, the room stays quiet, with most of the eyes on Manticore Squadron. Gelth says, "We, as in the various assembled races that have been under Invid occupation for years if not decades, now see a chance to free our homeworlds from the oppression of these slugs and stand upright and proud for ourselves. That chance has presented itself in the form of this UEEF fleet that has arrived in the Fantoma system, hoping to speak with the Robotech Masters and sue for peace between your worlds. Between the first hand experience your people have now had with the Invid, combined with the stories being told to your Admiralty by your allied Zentraedi and the assembled races here, it seems that your leadership is finally getting an image in their minds of just what it means to live under their control. But I digress."

"As Acha of my Clan, I sometimes do not have a full reading on the lives of those that work with their hands, getting dirty maintaining the tools of our society. Because of that, I have made it a habit of talking with those on the front lines of life. You and your team, Lieutenant Ian Grimsbury, risked your lives to save others in the city of Lowress, lives that you have never met. I would have you, Lieutenant, share with your Admiral Rick Hunter just what you have seen and experienced in that fight."

Ian nodded. "I imagine the Admiral would have the same of me as well." he replied.

The continued staring was starting to make him a little uncomfortable. "Speaking of, he's probably going to call us over at some point. Is there anything else you'd like to talk about, while we're here?"

 

[Sherwood]

Gelth shakes his head. "You will be fine, I am sure. Just relax, and answer the questions you are asked as simply as you can. Prepare your mind, and steel your hearts. Our people's lives depend on your UEEF."

Sure enough, Admiral Kutuzov raises up his voice and says in his thick Russian accent, "Shall we come to order? Everyone, take your seats, please." He waits for a moment as the various groups of aliens settle down into their chairs, even if the chairs are almost comically small for them. He says, "For the benefit of our newly arrived pilots, we have been discussing the possibility of forming a coalition to engage the Invid on each of your home planets and work to free them. Not everyone is convinced that this is possible to do, and the Acha over here requested that we talk to your team, Lt. Grimsbury, to get some feedback on the status of the fighting from your point of view. What do you think about this, Lieutenant?"

 

[jaydude]

Ian was taken aback at being put on the spot like this, but quickly managed to clear his throat and formulate an answer.

"With all due respect, Admiral, I would put that question to the officers who rank above me. I think they're likely to have a much wider picture of the current situation than me." he said. "I will say that Manticore squadron has managed to handle itself well enough in previous engagements with the Invid, but I cannot say whether or not this holds true for the rest of our forces. That said, I like to believe that any conflict can be won, as long as there are sufficient resources on hand, alongside proper usage of strategy and tactics."

 

[Rykon]

Jake scribbles a note on a card and hands it to his superior jaydude . Proper military decorum dictated it wasn't his turn to speak, but the lax mechanic saw no harm in feeding a potential talking point over to the Lieutenant. On the card he pressed for an address of his own concerns since the beginning.

Our intelligence on this species is still highly limited. Missiles seem to work great for killing them, but would it be possible to capture and study one? The more we can dig into their psychology and objectives the better we can predict their next move and strike at their leadership. Alternatively, study of live samples might help us fine-tune weaponry across the board.

Spoiler: OOC Commentary

If I'm following correctly, it sounds like they are expressing doubt that it's possible to secure long-term victory against the Invid on a galactic scale, or at least across multiple planets. Jake wants to pressure leadership to acquire and distribute more public intelligence than 'they like to swarm in large numbers' or raw machine specs.

As I see it there's a few things we can try to tip the scales:

• Weapon Development for anti-invid specialty arsenals or just more of the good ol' tried and true explosion.
• Communications/Jamming research, if we inhibit their capacity to coordinate attacks on a target we also reduce the impact their numbers have on the battlefield.
• Cut off the head, find their leaders and break their chain of command over our knee.
• Do whatever it takes to keep them from making more. Bomb hives, intercept resources, anything.

 

[Sherwood]

One of the other flag officers sees how uncomfortable that Ian is, and she comes to his rescue. "Let him alone, Laventri. While his squad has been a part of taking the fight to the Invid, he is hardly in a place to be able to provide us all with actionable intelligence that the Zentraedi have not. Go ahead and take your seat, Lieutenant."

Over the course of the next several hours, there is a lot of bickering between the various alien races and the Admiralty, each one wishing that their own home world would be the next one on the list to be freed from Invid occupation. This is a rather boring time for the team as you sit in the conference room, waiting for permission to leave. Finally, a consensus is reached, and a decision is made. The next target of the UEEF and their new allies will be Karbarra. The deciding factor for their world is the technical expertise of the Karbarrans, and the hope that they can soon be able to upgrade the arsenal of the UEEF. The other aliens seem to be a bit grumpy about that, but they don't fight the decision once it is made.

As everyone rises and starts to leave, Gelth places a beefy paw on Ian's shoulder. "I know that this meeting must have been rather dull for you and your people, Lieutenant, but I hope that you were able to see that some good has come of this time. My people can be an invaluable help to your war effort against the Invid, using our skills both as fighters and as mechanics to make this go easier. Perhaps if you have some time, I will be able to show your team just how pleasant Karbarra can be for honored guests!"

One of the towering seven and a half foot tall women lets out a laugh. "Gelth, you are shameless! These humans are not here to experience a party! Can't you see that they are true warriors? How else were they able to defeat the Zentraedi when they attacked their home world! No, if they wish to enjoy their time, it will be with us, the sisters of battle on Paraxis! Once our home is liberated, we will have a tournament in your honor the likes of which you have never seen! It will be glorious!"

Gelth gives the woman a playful nudge with his fist, saying, "Bella, you are the one that is shameless."

Then, one of the two creepy looking beings that have been hovering over on the other side of the room floats over. In a raspy voice, it speaks for the first time in the several hour meeting, "The pebble cannot alter the course of the avalanche." Then, it rejoins its fellow and they drift out of the room.

Both Gelth and Bella seem to be rattled, almost to the point of being scared. Bella shudders, then says, "The Haydonites are the most bizarre race we have ever encountered. I get a bad feeling from them. Tell me, Gelth, have you ever seen one without their robes covering them? What do they really look like?"

Gelth shakes his head. "No. In fact, this has been the closest I have ever been to one, even in my role as Acha of my clan. I am not embarrassed to admit that they do give me an uneasy feeling." He then leans forward and says in a rumbly whisper, "I have heard that they are more machine than organic, and spend most of their time linked to some sort of hive mind on their homeworld. But this is only rumor, and the truth is not known to me. Perhaps these Earth people will find out more about them."

He then turns to look at the Paraxian and says, "So Bela! Now that we have formed our alliance, perhaps we can benefit from the hospitality of these fighters here?" He says in a loud voice (as if anything that Gelth does is quiet) and says, "You shall show us what this ship has to offer! Tell us, what do you do when you are not flying around in those marvelous Veritechs of yours!"

 

[jaydude]

Ian surreptitiously took Jake's written note, but was unable to voice it before the other officer spoke up. He did however manage to hand it over before discussions began.

As everyone rises and starts to leave, Gelth places a beefy paw on Ian's shoulder. "I know that this meeting must have been rather dull for you and your people, Lieutenant, but I hope that you were able to see that some good has come of this time. My people can be an invaluable help to your war effort against the Invid, using our skills both as fighters and as mechanics to make this go easier. Perhaps if you have some time, I will be able to show your team just how pleasant Karbarra can be for honored guests!"

Ian shrugged and grinned. "You get used to the bureaucracy and strategizing after a while, once you accept that it's just as much a part of warfare as actually fighting the enemy." he replied. "Still, I wouldn't say no to having a look around your planet at some point."

One of the towering seven and a half foot tall women lets out a laugh. "Gelth, you are shameless! These humans are not here to experience a party! Can't you see that they are true warriors? How else were they able to defeat the Zentraedi when they attacked their home world! No, if they wish to enjoy their time, it will be with us, the sisters of battle on Paraxis! Once our home is liberated, we will have a tournament in your honor the likes of which you have never seen! It will be glorious!"

Gelth gives the woman a playful nudge with his fist, saying, "Bella, you are the one that is shameless."

"I...can't say I'd describe myself as a warrior." Ian said. "I'm a soldier. I don't do this job out of love for battle, as much as I do it out of a sense of duty to my planet and my people. That said, I can't say I'd mind a demonstration of Paraxis hospitality at some point in the future..."

Then, one of the two creepy looking beings that have been hovering over on the other side of the room floats over. In a raspy voice, it speaks for the first time in the several hour meeting, "The pebble cannot alter the course of the avalanche." Then, it rejoins its fellow and they drift out of the room.

Both Gelth and Bella seem to be rattled, almost to the point of being scared. Bella shudders, then says, "The Haydonites are the most bizarre race we have ever encountered. I get a bad feeling from them. Tell me, Gelth, have you ever seen one without their robes covering them? What do they really look like?"

Gelth shakes his head. "No. In fact, this has been the closest I have ever been to one, even in my role as Acha of my clan. I am not embarrassed to admit that they do give me an uneasy feeling." He then leans forward and says in a rumbly whisper, "I have heard that they are more machine than organic, and spend most of their time linked to some sort of hive mind on their homeworld. But this is only rumor, and the truth is not known to me. Perhaps these Earth people will find out more about them."

"Personally, I'm more concerned about what that pebble metaphor was referring to." admitted Ian, looking towards where the Haydonites had floated away. "If this was a movie or videogame, a line like that would be a hint of things to come..."

He then turns to look at the Paraxian and says, "So Bela! Now that we have formed our alliance, perhaps we can benefit from the hospitality of these fighters here?" He says in a loud voice (as if anything that Gelth does is quiet) and says, "You shall show us what this ship has to offer! Tell us, what do you do when you are not flying around in those marvelous Veritechs of yours!"

Ian shrugged. "Mostly it's just training and resting up, in preparation for our next mission." he answered. "As for the tour...well, I don't know how much I'm at liberty to offer such a thing..."

 

[Psychie]

Bigs says, "We can introduce you to the largest floating poker game on the ship. Since you don't have any UEEF credits, this will have to be just a game for fun, and not profit. I'll teach you the rules, and see how well you do."

 

[jaydude]

"Heh. If there's poker going on, I insist on being involved." Ian said with a smug grin.

 

[Sherwood]

Gelth and Bella both give you wide grins, and the Paraxian woman nods. She says, "Excellent! Show us the way to play this 'poker' you speak of. And you can show us around your mighty ship, and tell us tales of your great deeds!" It seems that the Paraxian doesn't do anything quietly or low key at all.

As the tall warrior woman speaks, Ian suddenly gets a text message on his wrist watch. A quick read shows that it is from Admiral Kutzuzov! The message reads, "Lieutenant, you may show the two of them around the ship, except for the bridge and engineering spaces. To help make sure that they are not left unattended, you will have an added escort of four marines to make sure that there are no troubles. They will meet you at the door momentarily." Looking up, you see that the Admiral is watching you, and gives a slight nod of his head before turning away to speak with one of the other flag officers in the room.

Leading the two aliens out of the room, you come across the four soldiers that the Admiral's message promised you would see. It is a sergeant, a corporal, and two privates, and the lead NCO gives you a salute. "Sir, noted guests, we have been assigned to be an honor guard to the two of you while you are onboard the MacArthur. Lt. Grimsbury here is still going to be your guide for now. Just pretend that we're not here."

 

[Psychie]

Bigs eyes the four security guards, then takes a glance at the massive figure of Gelth and the tall form of Bella, and wonders if the two aliens really did decide to go nuts if the guards would be able to stop them. Well, they are all pretty cool so far, so I guess that puts them in the low risk category. Besides, it sounds like this ship tour has been ok'd by the bigwigs, so the pressure is not on our shoulders.

Smiling at the pair of huge aliens, she says, "Well, it seems that we are your official guides to the mighty MacArthur. She's a good ship, and there are many things to see that might interest you that we can show you. Do you want the tour first, or after a few hands of poker?"

 

[Rykon]

"If we start with poker we might not get to the tour though. Some of us can get pretty competitive." Jake added with a shrug, knowing he was likely the worst offender. "I wouldn't know nothin' about that though, I'm just in it for the drinks."

 

[Sherwood]

Bella laughs. "You see? I told you that these people were a bunch of true warriors. Since your poker is a long thing, why not show us your transforming mecha? We have all seen the Bioroids of the Robotech Masters and the various mecha that the Invid use, but never have we seen anything like your shape shifting vehicles. Tell us more about these combat vehicles. I am very curious."

 

[jaydude]

Ian nodded, chuckling at the bit about "poker" and "a long thing".

"We can certainly show you to the hangers where we keep and maintain the Veritechs." he said. "This way."

As they walked, he'd explain a bit about the Veritechs. "We developed them - and pretty much all of the technology we use nowadays - from an alien warship that crash landed on our planet in what we call the year 1999, about 25 years before now." he said. "As you mentioned earlier, they can transform and shift their shapes to either a humanoid form, the form of an aerial vehicle, or a hybrid of these two forms that provides a balance of both their capabilities. It's this ability to shapeshift that allows the Veritechs to be used in a variety of combat situations and environments."

"May I ask how your people make war?" he then asked politely. "Not to sell ourselves short, but both of your species seem more physically robust than ours. As if you wouldn't need Veritechs or Bioroids to the extent that we do."

Spoiler: OOC

Assuming that "engineering" refers to stuff specifically aimed at keeping the MacArthur operational, rather than stuff relevant to the Veritechs.