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[Frumple]

Generally, if a country actually cares about preventing child labor, they prevent child labor regardless of the country of origin of the child, at least officially.

In this case, it seems more like a "we have no choice" scenario.

Maybe I'm optimistic.  Although, the "kids" are older than 12, right?  In that case, some cultures treat them as adults (like Dwarf Fortress, I should mention).

Yeah... it's kind of a "at least officially" thing. The archangel itself, as well as the gundams were... basically black ops. They were EA prototype weapon platforms being researched and constructed on a neutral colony (Think switzerland researching and building nukes for germany back in WWII as a hypothetical parallel, basically.), and the Earth Alliance already had a history of genocidal actions* (Dunno if it's come up in game yet or not, though -- checking over the text it looks like not. Still, it's backstory more than direct plot related.).

Things even up on the asshole scale later into the series, but right now... EA's basically genocidal racist assholes that wrecked some civvies and then got their teeth kicked in by superior ZAFT technology. Murrue and Mu's actually fairly decent individuals, but they're also basically officers in a close equivalent to the Nazi military -- though again, things even up later in the series on the asshole scale.

Which basically boils down to the EA being jerkwads and probably not caring about child soldiers (and wait until later in the series, ahaha -- also, the EA officers technically have/will have a mandate to murder Kira. Good thing for him he's useful ), but some of the Archangel's command staff probably do. Right now it's a last resort kind of thing, but in SRW plot especially it doesn't really pan out. They could have someone drop the kids off somewhere pretty easily.

As for actual legality... I've not actually seen enough of SEED to know if it came up in the show, but gundam being gundam probably not. Still... EA probably does have child soldier laws, going by support staff and enemy combatants and suchlike, and likely something closer to US law than anything else. ZAFT probably has a lower age limit, though. Unlike the AA crew that got shanghai'd, Athrun and crew are trained military elite and in roughly the same age group. There's also some other pressures on ZAFT for younger military (lower population, slower pop growth, etc. Plus the whole gene engineering thing. They go for more quality over quantity.).

And... I've now officially wrote too much, methinks. Still, general ramblings out, whee.

*

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

They nuked a civilian agricultural spinner -- Athrun's mom died in the attack.

[Seriyu]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I believe Athrun mentions his mom died in the bloody valentine at least once, and "bloody valentine" has come up multiple times, although I don't think they've really explained what it is.

[Seriyu]

Just got the chapter listings done, lemme know if you find any misplaced URL's, if someone wants to take the time to make sure. And if not oh well.

[Seriyu]

Update in a couple of days! Anyone that hasn't gotten their vote in, etc. Just a reminder!

EDIT: Update tomorrow.

EDIT: Actually, I just realized, I'll be doing something for the next two days (I knew this ahead of time), but I'll have much more time to do things after these two days, so I'll push back the update until that's done. I normally wouldn't do this, but gundam SEED can be pretty wordy, and I would hate for a dialogue transcribing thing to take more then a day if I can help it. So, see you then. Two more days to vote obviously.

EDIT2: Wait, maybe 3 days? When the weekend is over, and maybe monday.

EDIT3: Update tomorrow for serious!

[Seriyu]

Update is being typed up now!

EDIT: So much goddamn text. I'll be glad when this little gundam SEED torrent is over.

EDIT2: Yeah, update tomarrow. Luckily after next mission gundam SEED will be over for a while and the exposition should be lowered. I... think.

[Seriyu]

Welcome back to robots. I put the Apogee motor on Combattler V (Which apparently adds 5 mobility AND a point of movement, I would've asked you all if I realized. If you want me to move it to someone else, lemme know, we can do that.) The sniper scope on the Nadescio (Sniper scope adds 10% to any attack accuracy, should've asked about that too. I think I just forgot to check parts last time or something. Again, if you want it moved lemme know.) Hyoma (lead pilot of combattler V) gets the support attack +1, as frumple suggested. Calvina gets a hit rate +5, Yurika gets a Defense +5 aaaannnddd Kira gets an ability +5 to hopefully promote defensive skills, which'd be a nice bonus for his kinda shaky defensive situation. Eiji gets 2 HP, Archangel gets 1 EN, Strike gets 1 armor, Akito's Aesti gets 1 evasion. We've got 130715 money left. Anyway, onward.





... That explains why it was able to move so fluidly.

Athrun:Forgive my conduct, Commander. I was extremely shocked by the revelation... Hence my failure to report it until now.
Creuset:No... You were understandably disturbed. War is rife with ironies. I take it this Kira Yamato must have been a good friend of yours?
Athrun:...Yes.
Creuset:Does this also mean you won't be able to fire on him now that he's become our enemy?
Athrun:Kira is being used by the Naturals. I'm sure of it! I knew him as a kid. He's good-natured and naive... But he's also a Coordinator. That's why I have to speak with him... I know I'll be able to reason with him, Commander!
Creuset:And if he refuses to listen?
Athrun:Then... I'll kill him.
Creuset:I can see you're determined, but I have a special mission for you.
Athrun:But commander, I still have to-
Creuset:The last ship we met with didn't arrive to support us. More importantly, it left to search for the Supreme Council Charmain's daughter and PLANT's songstress, lady Lacus Clyne... ...Your fiancee, if I'm not mistaken.
Athrun:I... I see.
Creuset:They lost contact while overseeing the Junius Seven memorial service in the debris field. There's a good chance they met with either Jovian Lizards or those alien monsters. Orders have since been given to search for her.
Athrun:Then we should move together with the search party. The debris field is also one of the paths that the enemy ships are expected to take. We could pursue them and...
Creuset:My, my... What a cold man you are! I have no intention of dropping our pursuit because of a single little girl. We are soldiers, after all. The Vesalius will continue the chase, but only you will take part in the search. Your father, Chairman Zala of the National Defense Comittee, personally requested that you take part.
Athrun:They want me to save her and return as a triumphant hero, I take it?
Creuset:Clutching her dead body and wailing bloody murder is also acceptable.
...Wow.

Athrun:......
Creuset:It will serve as a strong emotional appeal to the citizens. I know how you must feel, but your father is the Chairman of National Defense. I cannot overrule him.

Back to the Archangel.

Hyoma:I knew this was the gathering place for space junk, but holy cow! I mean, this can't be sustainable, guys!
Kosuke:It's only gotten worse since the battle with the Jovian Lizards began. The wreckage of ships and fighters increased significantly, and they even say the leftover refuse of destroyed colonies ends up here!
Noal: Man... Space junk, indeed!
Akatsuki:This is an important job, too. If we can't resupply the ammo and materials we used up, the Nadesico and the Archangel won't be able to last much longer.
Mu:Sorry for making you help out with this. I'm glad you can handle the small salvage craft, at least. We really appreciate you helping us out!
Katia: It's almost like a space graveyard.
Calvina:And that makes us grave robbers. Specifically, we're here to pillage the containers of sunken warships.
Mu:Man, don't say that, 2nd Lieutenant. We can't help it.
Calvina:...Former 2nd Lieutenant, Cdr. Flaga. I'm not a soldier anymore.
Mu:Yeah, that's right... Sorry about that. Let's go.
Izumi:...Here they come. The spirits of the soldiers, seeking revenge.
Ryoko:W-Will you s-stop saying crap like that, Izumi?!
Koji:Don't tell me you're scared of ghosts, Ryoko?!
Akito:Ha! I knew it! Sweet little Ryoko is a girl after all! How cute!
Ryoko: Y-You too, Tenkawa! Where do you get off saying "I knew it," anyway?! Quit running your mouth and WORK!
Hikaru:Touchy, touchy...
Ryoko:Shut up!
David: By the way, where's Kira's Strike?
Eiji:I think I saw him heading for that patch of debris over there.
Kira:Sorry for the delay. I just returned, and... I think I found another escape pod.
Mu:Hm. Looks like a one-seater. You think a body'll spring out at us if we open it? ...Wait a sec. Isn't this a PLANT pod?
Murrue:Commander, are you sure?
Mu: I think so... What now, Captain? If the person inside is alive, they're not going to recieve any assistance in a place like this. Maybe we should take it to the Nadesico?
Murrue:...Hm. No, that won't be necessary. Bring it back here.
Koji:An escape pod! Let's go take a look.
Hyoma:Heh, I'm looking forward to seeing who's inside.
David: Maybe when we open it, a Princess will come out and give us a kiss for saving her?
... Uh. Kay.

Hyoma:Isn't it PLANT's? I don't think they've got any princesses over there.
Chizuru: Keep it down, you three.

Meanwhile, in the Archangel's Hangar.

Murrue: This is the PLANT escape pod?
Natarle:Looks like we've found ourselves in another sticky situation... ...Sgt. Murdoch, how's it coming?
Murdoch: Just a little more and... There we go! It's all yours.


Lacus Clyne here is from Gundam SEED.

Kira: Uh... what?
Lacus: Huh? What's wrong?


yessssssssss, haro. Haro is the stand in for the adorable mascot in Gundam, and as a result appears in most Gundam serieses. Little flying ball robot things. Mostly bounce around and look adorable. Although there are some instances of Haro's piloting mobile suits. (Some is kind've an understatement, I think in at least one series all of the opposing enemy grunt suits are piloted by Haros. Think of them as AI's.)

Akatsuki: Well, well... What a surprise.
Lacus: Wait, isn't this a ZAFt ship?
Haro:YEAH!
I seriously cannot get enough of these things.

Natarle:......
Murrue:...N-Not quite.
Mu:Well, uh... We're from the UEFA. And... who are you?
Lacus: I see. Thank you very much for rescuing my pod. My name is Lacus Clyne, and this is my friend, Haro.
Athrun made this Haro as well, as a note.

Haro:HARO, HARO! AND HARO TO YOU, TOO!
eeeheeheeheehee

Akatsuki: Clyne, right? I'm pretty sure i've heard that name before... Ah, yes, that's right. The current Chairman of PLANT's Supreme Council is a man by the name of Siegel Clyne, if I'm not mistaken.
Lacus:Siegel Clyne is my father. Do you know him?
Natarle:What?! You're the daughter of the man heading PLANT's Supreme Council?!
Mu: Seriously...
Hyoma:She's a genuine Princess after all, guys!
Koji:Y-Yeah...
Sayaka:But she's a Coordinator, too... ...Koji, stop staring!
Murrue:*chuckle* So, what were you doing in a place like this, Ms. Clyne?
Lacus:I was overseeing the Junius Seven memorial service, but the ship I was in came under attack. The crew stuffed me inside that pod and said I had to escape, at the very least.
Natarle:Attacked? By whom?
Lacus:I'm not too sure, but... I think they may have been from the Federation.
Mu: Could it have been the Jovian Lizards or the aliens?

Off to the Archangel Cafeteria

David:Oh, hey... Here's the caeteria, guys!
Sayaka:The Nadesico's is a lot bigger and more comfortable.
Akito:Yeah, compared to the Nadesico, this screams "army."
Roanne:That's true. The Nadescio's definitely outside the norm when it comes to creature comforts on a warship.
Koji:Oof... This place is cramped as hell! I bet the food's a lot better on the Nadesico, too.
Sai:Yeah, I bet the Nadescio must be great, huh?
Hyoma:Oh, you're the students staying on this ship? Are these your friends, Kira?
Kira:Yeah.
Miriallia: I'm still getting over the shock. We heard from him that most of the people over on the Nadesico were close to the same age as ours. Are all of you really pilots?
Sayaka:Yes. Really.
David:Well, unlike Koji and Hyoma here, Roanne and I had to fight tooth and nail just to make it back from Mars in one piece.
The life of a B-lister.

Sai:It's true, then? That rumor about aliens being mixed with Earthlings?
Roanne:You mean Eiji? It's true. He didn't come with us today, but it's thanks to him that we were able to return to Earth alive.
Lacus:Um, excuse me, but... What are you talking about?
Kira:Huh?!
Lacus:Sorry, did I surprise you? I was hungry, so I came out to look for some food.
Haro:FEELIN' FINE!
Kira:H-Hold on!
Flay:No way! Why's ZAFT's idol getting to walk around the ship?!
Juzo: Hey, weren't you locked up? Man, the security in this place must really suck!
Lacus:I'm not from ZAFT. ZAFT is the name of the milit-
Flay:But you MUST be with them! After all, you're a Coordinator!
Kira:......
Lacus: I'm not a part of the military. You're not a soldier either, right? That means you're the same as me! Sorry for the belated introduction. I am Lac-
Flay:Stop it! Stlop talking to me! Why would I become friends with a space monster like you?! You're a Coordinator! Don't try acting friendly to me! I know what you're really up to!
Flay really starts to take a turn for the less reasonable around here, but more on that later.

Kira:......!
Sai:Flay!
Flay:W-What?! I didn't mean it, Kira...
Chizuru: Kira, please take Lacus back to her room. I'll bring some drinks for her later.
Kira:... Yeah, okay. Sorry for the trouble.

Time passes...

Sayaka:Goodness, Flay... Are you a member of that extremist group, "Blue Cosmos"?
Flay:No, I'm not. But, despite the bad things thehy've done, what they say isn't wrong. Messing around with people's genes to create better humans... ...The existence of Coordinators is wrong!
Akito:There may be some truth to that, but it's thanks to genetic engineering that I was able to live a peaceful existance on Mars, just like everyone else!
Flay:B-But...!
Miriallia:Don't you feel bad about Kira, though? You should go apologize to him later.
Flay:...All right.
Kuzzey:Um, Guys... Are we really safe now?
Juzo:What do you mean?
Kuzzey:I mean ZAFT is still after us. I heard we won't be safe until we get to the Moon. I didn't hear all the details, but...
Sai:Kuzzey, they aren't going to tell us anything new.
Hyoma:It's all right. That's what we're fighting for. Kira, too! He's doing the best to protect the Archangel, all for the sake of his friends!
Tolle:Kira...
Sayaka:You guys get restless pretty easily... Why don't you find something to do? Kira isn't just sitting around worrying, you know!
Koji:Yeah, Sayaka's right. If you want things to turn out all right, you gotta help too!
Kuzzey:But if we do that, we'll just slow everyone else down...
Roanne:It was the same way with David and me. Eiji protected us for a while, until we realized that we were only running away from our problems. That's when we decided to do something about them.
David:Right. We weren't happy with Eiji fighting to protect us on his own, so we asked him to teach us how to be pilots. We did that to survive. If you don't do what you can, then you're only going to regret it later. Trust me.
Roanne:To be honest, I was petrified by the thought of fighting until recently. I only fought in order to return to Earth as soon as possible. But now that all is said and done, I have to agree with David.

Yet more time passes.

Tolle:If there's something you can do, then do it, huh?
Sai:Kira and Cdr. Flaga said the same thing.
Tolle:Yeah... I deinitely don't think letting Kira do all the work is the right thing to do.
Miriallia:For sure. Kira risks his life while we just sit around and do nothing.
Sai:You know... Capt. Ramius said the bridge was short on hands.
Kuzzey: B-But can we really do that kind of job?
Tolle:It may be a little out of our league at first, but I bet we can help out!
Kira:Please don't leave your room again. Since this is a UEFA ship, there aren't many people who are fond of Coordinators. I'll bring your food later.
Lacus:That's too bad... I wanted to talk to everyone. Still, you're treating me kindly, aren't you?
Kira:...That's because I'm a Coordinator, too.
Lacus:I can tell it's in your nature to be kind. What's your name?
Kira:It's Kira. Kira Yamato.
Lacus: I see. Thank you, Kira.
Haro: YOU TOO!

He leaves the room and walks down a passage.

Kira:......
Sai:Hey, Kira.
Kira:Oh, hi guys... What's with the uniforms?
Tolle:We have to wear them if we want to enter the bridge. We figured it wasn't right to leave all the work up to you, Kira. So we joined up! Still, it kinda sucks... ...There's not even a rank insignia on these things!
Mirallia:Well, that's just how things are. We have to do what we can!
Kira:You guys...
Sai:Sorry for before. Flay didn't mean any harm. Besides... I love Lacus' songs, and her voice is beautiful!
In my opinion Macross I think it was, did the whole space pop star thing better but eh. Just kinda feels tacked on here.

Kira:Yeah...
Sai:Although... Isn't her voice a result of genetic modification, too?
Kira:Well, um...
Sai:Either way, we'll be on the bridge. See you later!
Kira:......
Mu:A pink-haired Princess, eh? Things just refuse to settle down, don't they?
Akatsuki:We've little choice in the matter, Commander. That said, she may end up becoming a high card for us.
Erina:Right. We can always use her as a bargaining chip with ZAFT.
Yurika:But isn't that the kinda thing the bad guys would do?!
Erina:Oh, don't say that. What difference is there if we get taken down? I mean, if ZAFT destroys the Archangel, she'll die all the same.
Natarle:I'm of the same opinion as Akatsuki. We can use her presence here to our advantage.
Murrue: But she's only a child! And a civilian, to boot!
Natarle:Have you already forgotten? The same goes for the crew of the Nadesico. IN addition we're counting on the children and Kira Yamato to cooperate, so I don't see why she should be any exception. Besides, she's the daughter of the Chairman. A "normal" civilian? Hardly!
Murrue:......
Ruri:...I hate this.
Megumi:Yeah, no joke... Argh, how did things end up like this?!
Miriallia:Lt. Badgigruel, we've recieved a trasmission from a friendly ship.
Natarle: What?

Time passes.

Yurika:Well? What did they want?
Murrue:It seems the 8th Fleet sent an advance force to resupply and finish manning the Archangel. We're to meet up with them soon.
Yurika:The 8th Fleet... Adm. Halberton's, right?
Murrue:Yes. The man behind the "G" Project's development.
G project, gundam seed. Created the X numbers and the Archangel Class ship.

Prospector:After we meet with them, the Archangel is going to come under the command of the 8th Fleet. That means it'll be good-bye for us.

In the archangel cafeteria

Tolle: I just heard that Secretary Allster from Foreign Affairs is coming along with the 8th Fleet. Looks like they're bringing a supplemental crew, too.
Flay:Dad's coming?!
Sai:Isn't that great, Flay?
Flay:Yeah. Thanks, Sai.
Kuzzey: That means we'll be safe, too!
Miriallia:... Probably.
Kira:Whew...
Murdoch: They're sending pilots too, but you're still responsible for the Strike until they're safely onboard. Go do a full check of the unit in the meantime. Who knows? Maybe you'll have a change of heart at the last minute.
Kira:...Don't joke about that.

Meanwhile, on the bridge of the Archangel, people finally stop repeating themselves

Murrue:What?! The advance force is under attack?!
Ruri:Yes. There's no mistake. They are currently engaged in battle with ZAFT.
Mu: Tch... The Creuset Squadron found us. What a persistant son of a bitch!
Yurika: Let's assist them as soon as possible!
Murrue:Gah...
Natarle:That's too dangerous, Captain. This means the ZAFT forces on the path to the Moon may not be present anymore.
Yurika:Please hear me out! If the enemy is the Creuset Squadron, then those four special units must be there, too. They'll be too much for the advanced force to handle, won't they?
Ruri:Based on a data analysis, the advance fleet stands no chance of victory. No chance at all.
Yurika:Are you telling us to abandon our friends and run just to save ourselves?!
Natarle: ...Our mission is to take this ship and the Strike safely back to HQ. Avoiding battle is a top priority.
Yurika: But that's so... cruel!
Natarle: Cruelty is not the issue, Captain.
Murrue:......
Yurika:Understood. The Nadesico will assist the advance force independently.
Natarle:What?
Erina:Wait, Captain! Do you want to put the Nadesico in danger THAT badly?!
Yurika:I just can't abandon them. That's all... All right, let's go help!
Murrue:...Even if we escape the Creuset Squadron's pursuit now, we'll be an easy target for the Jovian Lizards and aliens without the Nadesico's backup. Mr. Yamato and Cdr. Flaga won't be able to handle them on their own. The Archangel will assist, too!
Natarle:...This will be going on your record, Captain.
Murrue:Do as you please. Unless we return alive, it's all meaningless, anyway.

Archangel, residential section
Flay:Kira, wait!
Kira:Flay... I have to launch. Please remain in your room. It's dangerous here!
Flay:A battle? What about the advance party? They're all right, aren't they? Dad's ship is all right... Right?!
Kira:...It's fine, Flay. We're here, after all.
Flay:Please, Kira! Wipe out ZAFT and save my dad! You promise?
Kira:...Yeah.

FINALLY!

[Seriyu]

All right, starting the combat section. Prolly take a few days like usual. I recall it being shorter then usual but I also thought that about every other stage too.

EDIT: Miiight get done by tomorrow, but I'm gonna go ahead and say it'll prolly be done the day after.

EDIT2: Due to technical difficulties (and by that I mean I'm an idiot and forgot to turn irfanview on again), push everything back by a day. Luckily I realized before I hit the end so the update will still make sense and mesh perfectly well, I just basically lost a day of work. Frankly I'm okay with this.

[Seriyu]

Update tomorrow!

EDIT: Update being posted now! Also tomorrow typo fixed. Damnit.

[Seriyu]

Return of GUNDAAAAAAAAM.

Yurika:Ruri, how's the advance force?
Ruri:No problems yet, but ZAFT mobile suits are coming our way. We can't join up with them.

Two gundams, a battleship, and a load of GINNs appear.

Yzak:The Nadesico and the Legged Ship?! There's no way we can ignore it after they killed all those friends of ours!
Dearka:Isn't this for the best? Now we can take them all out in one shot! Heheh... Stupid Naturals!
Yzak:*Yzak* That's true. Let's go, Dearka! This time, they're going down!
Miriallia:Catapault standby. Strike, launch! Take care, Kira!
Kira:Miriallia? Why are you...
Miriallia:From now on, I'll be your controller. Pleased to make your acquaintance!
Sai:Kira, Flay's Dad is with the advance force. Make sure you save them!
Kira:I know.
Mu:If we don't finish those guys here, then we can't get to the advance force. So uh, try not to waste to much time, okay?

And with that, we can deploy. Also, new things. We now have 4 new pilots worth of SP in the Archangel. Sai, with Scan, Tolle, with Accel and Alert, Miriallia, with Cheer, And Kuzzey with luck. (Scan = Reveal enemy stats, lower evasion by 10%, Accel = Movement +3 for one turn, Alert = 100% to evade, Cheer = Ally gets 2x EXP for one fight, unless he misses, in whichcase it persists, Luck = user gets 2x money unless you miss, in whichcase it persists) So, the Archangel has officially come into it's own. Also, Kira is still in the Aile pack, as it's really the only one that works that well in space.

TURN ONE!




We've actually got a pretty nice defensive position here, with the belt of asteroids at our starting point, so, as usual, I'm just gonna let them come and get us while we get adjusted.

ENEMY PHASE!

Everything moves closer to us.

TURN TWO!

I'm not gonna bother with maps for turns where nothing particularly complicated is happening. We just get more oriented. In fact, I'm just gonna skip forward until units make contact. See you in a turn.

TIME PASSES

TURN FOUR!

Okay, the mass of GINNs are nearby enough for Bellzelute to start this off.





He's too far away to counter. Nadesico pastes a GINN with a Gravity blast, and a little help from Mu. Mu follows this up by attacking a GINN, no counter. Cut it's HP in half or so. I move Strike to a Debris Field near the GINNs and finish the one Mu attacked. Almost. It has double digit health now. Mazinger Z moves in next to Strike to provide a bit of cover and additional firepower. I also send blue earth up closer for the repairs that will no doubt be nessacery next turn. Turn's over.

ENEMY PHASE!

Two GINNs get countered by Mazinger for most of their health. Then one of the mostly wrecked one attacks Strike. Let's see how this plays out.










Nice. Three more GINN's attack Mazinger and are smashed up in return. Then a GINN manages to smash himself up on Combattler V from about 9 tiles away. Two more GINNs attack a defending Mazinger, then the Buster Gundam heads up and goes after the Strike.

Kira:I have to finish this quick and save the advance party!
Dearka:Damn, you've got some real spirit! There's no way you're gonna get past me, though!

Mazinger takes the hit for Strike and Strike lands a hit in return. Miguel attacks Mazinger as well. He's got about 700 HP left. WILL HE LIVE?! He damn well better. I will not brook the shame of losing Mazinger Z two missions in a row.






Excellent. Also there's Koji's "low HP in Mazinger" message.

TURN FIVE!




We pull Mazinger and Strike back after doing some nice damage to the GINN squad, mostly to get Mazinger repaired. Everyone that can repair, repairs mazinger. Bellzelute takes a shot at sniping the buster gundam.








Surprsingly not enough to make him retreat. I'm gonna take this as an excuse to show off exactly how Amazing mu can be. Mu uses Focus and Wall and moves up to take out the Buster gundam. He has a 100% chance to hit, and a 15% chance to be hit by the Gundam. That's fairly impressive already.









Note the kind've funny back and forth between Mu and Dearka. Mu, being a big time ace in the military, was supposed to be getting one of the X numbers, and well, he's clearly still kind've irritated about this turn of events. Anyway, didn't kill Dearka, but we're not here to show off his offensive skills, because that's definitely his weak point. The Nadesico and Combattler snipe a GINN and finish one off each. We'll end turn here.

ENEMY PHASE!

First up, the Nazca Class attacks Mu. No chance to hit, 100% chance to be hit. The obvious happens. A generic GINN attacks Mu. 7% chance to hit, 100% chance to be countered. What you expect, happens. a GINN with miguel support has no chance to hit, and 100% chance to be countered. He attacks, Misses, and is killed in the counterattack, preventing miguel from supporting him. Mu gains a level, and gets another level of Potential, He has 2 now. GINN three attacks mu, 0% chance to hit, 100% chance to be countered. What you think happens, happens. He dies in the counterattack. A GINN, seeing the futility of trying to attack a Focused Mu, goes after the archangel. And dies in the counterattack anyway. Murrue and Natarle gain levels. Nothing special happens. A GINN, following the previous one's lead, attacks the Strike instead of Mu. Misses. But he DOESN'T DIE. Smart man. Another attacks the Strike with similar results. The final one attacks Mu. 0% chance to hit, 100% chance to be countered. More then half his HP is lost in the counterattack. The Duel Gundam flies past Mu and attacks the blue earth instead. Manages to hit it, but takes a hit in return. Dearka, feeling sassy, tries to hit Mu again. 16% chance to hit, 100% chance to be counterattacked.




Hard to tell, but he did dodge that.






Eiji avenged. I feel better about that now. He gets a level from the officer kill, and an EN Chip (ooohhh, this is nice, we'll be going over it later) and a propellant tank. Miguel attacks Mu, capping this turn with his 27% hit rate, the highest of any of the enemy units. Miguel is apparently the best pilot here. Huh. 100% chance to be countered.



Dodged.





Yep. He dodged every single attack on that turn, killed about four gins, a single officer, and damaged the rest that attacked him. And I remind you, during this entire turn, he had wall activated. So if he did somehow manage to get hit, he only would've taken ten damage.

This is why Mu is an awesome pilot. Incidentally this is fairly true to the series too, Mu is fairly well known for going toe to toe with gundams and Mobile Suits (IE GINNS, giant robots that aren't Gundams in the gundam series) in a very outdated and under equipped unit. (the Mobius Zero)

TURN SIX!




Alright, we'll move everyone up since the vast majority of the threat is wrecked. Bellzelute leads the charge (by shooting at someone from a standstill, naturally)









I've come to like the bellzelute more as time has gone on. Good if you can get a defensive line of sorts set up, and shot launcher has enough of a range that you can at least pop a few weaker shots off if you can't stop moving your units around for whatever reason. Anyway, after that we move her up near a GINN, to see if we can't make use of that command aura she has, and to get her set up for the future. Kira takes out a GINN with a little help from Mu.
















As you may have noticed, that little "Mu vs the world" drained his energy pretty heavily. Luckily his Linear Gun runs off ammo, and not energy, so he's hardly defenselses. Just can't snipe dudes until we resupply him. Kira gains a level and gets alert out of it. (Alert = 100% chance to dodge one attack)

Ruri: The advance force is in danger. At this rate, they're all going to be destroyed.
And if it sounds rediculous that they took them out so fast, remember, they do have Rau Le Creuset and a gundam with them. We are very much the exception to the rule in this, in that we have a bunch of well known and proven pilots that can fend off higher grade military tech (arguably, but we'll get into that more when we get into some of the super robot plotlines), and the rest of the military is basically running off of a less powerful version of the mobius zero, and very few of them are anywhere near Mu's skill with the thing. A gundam, partially due to plot wizardry and partially due to advanced tech, is actually a pretty nasty weapon, especially when the other side effectively only has maybe three weapons that can stand up to them in any way. And remember GINN's also heavily outclass the Moebius! Basically the Federation is very much relying on superior numbers, rather then superior tech, and it's starting to backfire now that ZAFT managed to steal their aces in the hole, not that they were doing amazing before that happened.

This has been your random plot jibber jabber for the day.

Yurika:Push the Field to maximum power! Full speed ahead! Break their formation!
Minato:It's no use! We're still in the middle of repairs!
Yurika:Gah... Hurry up, everyone!

Reinforcement warning, as per usual. I don't think there's a single map in the game that doesn't have at least two waves of enemies. Anyway. The Archangel nukes a GINN, and the Nadesico pulls up so the Aesties can head in and mop up, while taking a potshot at Miguel. They finish him off. Izumi, laggign a bit behind the rest of the Aesties heads in and attacks Yzak.











Damn, hit him pretty hard too. Hikaru heads in and wrecks the remaining GINN, and the rest of the Aesties head towards the Nazca class. Buldy takes a shot at the Duel Gundam.








I didn't think to get a damage screen for this. It didn't kill him.

Leaving him with 18 HP. Nice. Eiji moves in to finish him.











Eiji gains a level, revealing he's only level 6. I'll have to make a note to let him get more combat. Annnd Yzak's gimmick didn't activate. I'll just explain, the Duel gundam is very heavily armored for a gundam, typically taking very little damage, and having a beam coat (reduces damage from beams) and I BELIEVE a shield (Cuts physical damage in half if it activates), along with phase shift armor. Which makes it all the more nasty when he dies, he doesn't "die", he ejects the highly damaged outer armor, increasing his mobility and greatly reducing his armor. You in essence have to kill a tank, then a an average gundam. Dunno why it hasn't been activating. Anyway, we need to finish that Nazca class. Mu takes a potshot at it, does about 600 damage. End of the turn.

ENEMY PHASE!

The Nazca Class takes a gamble and uses it's MAP attack on the Baybull and the Moebius Zero, about a 25% chance to hit both. Annnd misses both, natch.

TURN SEVEN!




Bellzelute leads us off as usual, and nails the Nazca class with a 3.5k hit from the O rifle A. Ryoko attacks it with a rapid rifle, 25% chance to be hit, and is hit in return, getting one shotted through the distortion field. I'd be more concerned about this, but it was a small robot with about 3.5k HP (pretty low, overall) attacking a 2L, the largest size category, as opposed to Eiji's situation last battle which was I believe an M attacking an S. The damage bonuses were pretty massive. Still something to take note of if you want us to use that particular Aesti in the future. Most people seem to like Akito more though. Anyway. The Nadesico moves in and launches missles, not quite finishing it. Akito moves in...












And finishes it. Nice. Now, mental breakdown.

Next post.

[Seriyu]

Now for a little somethin for that one Combattler V fan in the audience. You know what's up. 

Flay: Dad's ship... Where's Dad's ship? WHERE IS IT?!
Murrue:We're in the middle of a battle! All non-military personnel, stay off the bridge!
Sai:Flay, stop!
Flay:Let me go! That boy, Kira... What's he doing?! He said it would be all right! He said if we helped it would be all right!
Mirallia:Flay, please...
Murrue:Argh...
Ruri:Advance party, all ships destroyed. Searching for escape pods.
Natarle:All destroyed...?!
Flay:What the... It can't be! D-Dad?!
Sai:Flay, c'mon!
Flay:I-I don't believe it! It's NOT TRUE! NOOOOOOOOOO!
Yurika:Oh, no... We didn't make it in time?
Murrue:...Capt. Misumaru, let's depart from this area.
Natarle:Did you really think we would make it in time?!

Several GINNs and a Nazca-Class appear.

Creuset:This might be pushing our luck, but you can never have too many trophies... Can Nicol still use his unit?
Generic Captain: It's currently hidden with its Mirage Colloid, sir. Additionally, Athrun Zala has informed us that he's abandoning his search for Lady Clyne. He will be here shortly to assist us.
Creuset:Hmph... I see. How will this play out, I wonder?
Kay, this reveals that the mirage colloid, as it's name implies, is a cloaking device. In battle this just functions as a 50% chance to miss him irregardless of hit rate. Also the victory condition has changed, we can either shoot down Rau Le Creuset, or the Nazca-Class they brought. A fairly small second wave to boot. Should be over in a couple more turns. We'll be hanging out down here in the center, getting folks repaired and waiting for them to come to us as usual. Roanne gains a level from repairs, no new skills. More repairs and shuffling about. I'll get back to you when the enemy units make contact.

Meanwhile...

David gains a level, no new spirits, from resupplying Mu.

Later..

TURN NINE!




Bellzelute one shots a GINN from across the map, Mu attacks another from a similar range, cuts it about in half. Combattler V rushes the same GINN and finishes it.











Mazinger Z one shots a GINN with Breast Fire. Nadesico does the same with Gravity Cannon. Kira focuses and attacks a GINN with beam saber, kind've putting him in the center of a giant pile of GINNs. I'm fairly confidant this will end up okay for him. He gets hit with a counterattack at a 30% chance to be hit. This..... is not a good omen. Unfortunatly nobody is nearby to help him out, so here's hoping! Luckily we won't lose if he gets shot down. Buldy blasts a GINN, no counterattack possible from him. Baybull heads in, hoping to finish it off.










And does. Also note robot bouncing off the space ground somehow. Huh. The Archangel attacks a GINN nearby Baybull, and Blue Earth heads in and finishes it off. Eiji focuses and heads in to smash up a GINN. Now, let's see how kira does with those like, 7 GINNs.

ENEMY PHASE

A Nazca-Class attacks him and he dodges it, because 2L vs M is not good accuracy odds for the 2L. Let's just ignore that ryoko got one shotted by one earlier, and was smaller then M. Another GINN attacks Combattler. Big Blast Counterattack commences, doesn't quite kill it. Another GINN attacks combattler, he defends because I realized he's in a similar situation to Kira. Another GINN attacks Kira, 2% chance to hit. I think he's gonna be fine. Another GINN attacks Mazinger Z, gets nearly oneshotted with rust hurricane on the counterattack. Yet another GINN attacks Mazinger. An Aesti takes the hit for him and doesn't take any damage from it. ANOTHER GINN attacks Mazinger. Let's get some images to break up GINNfest 2012.








Koji gets a level from that, he's level 9. And gained a fourth level of potential. A GINN attacks Combattler V and another attacks Baybull. Combattler Defends, Baybull evades. Both take hits. Creuset Attacks Combattler. They're down to 2140 HP, and I'm kind've worried about Combattler here, so they'll be defending.







They managed to avoid being murdered, luckily.

TURN TEN!




First thing we do, have Daisaku use Guts, recovering all of combattlers HP. Now, they cast Wall and Strike and move in to show Creuset how you finish a fight.

Combattler TV intro music.























Take that you nutty Char knockoff. This is why Combattler is AWESOME. Once he gets 150 will, a strike cast and Super EM spin will decimate most real robot bosses, and take a huge chunk out of super robot bosses. And when a... buddy of Combattler's shows up, it's gonna get even better. All the combattler pilots gain a level, and Chizuru gets the Luck spirit.

Creuset:You're certainly giving me quite a bit of trouble... Time to use it!

Athrun appears.

Athrun:Captain, how goes the battle?
He just got totally fucked up is what.

Creuset:Ah, there you are, Athrun. Nicol is about to take down the Legged Ship. All that remains is the Nadesico.
Oh wait, the Blitz Gundam was cloaked wasn't it?

Nicol:...Gotcha!
The Archangel shakes.

Natarle: Where did that come from!?
Murrue: Ugh... What just happened?!
The Blitz gundam appears next to the Archangel

Nicol:Checkmate. I can destroy the bridge from here with one shot. Please, surrender!
Something of note is that Nicol is similar to Kira in the sense that he would rather everyone just stop duking it out and get along for once. An idealist in a very extremist world and all that.

Natarle:The Blitz?!
Murrue:It was hidden with the Mirage Colloid?! I don't believe this...!
Nicol:We have no desire to spill unnecessary blood. That is why I'm asking you to surrender or be destroyed. Please, don't make me do it! Suspend the battle and surrender!
Kira:The Archangel's in danger?!
Creuset:Heh, Nicol is too soft. Why didn't he just take out the bridge and be done with it?
Inez:The Mirage Colloid... The technology which enables that mobile suit to completely evade radar and visual detection, I take it.
Kosuke:Wow, there's already something like that?
Ruri:The Archangel can't escape from this. Captain, what are we going to do?
Erina:Surrender? What a joke! We have no reason to listen to them, Captain!
Yurika:But...
Hyoma:Hey, why don't you people think a little, for once? Why didn't you assume they would use this on us?!
That is a really good point actually.

Natarle:It's a military secret! There's no way we could've known they'd use it on us beforehand!
It's a military secret = Never use military secret or people will KNOW ABOUT IT. Not buying it.

Ryoko: And THIS is the result! Thanks a bunch, sister! You're a GREAT soldier!
Natarle:We have something to break this stalemate... Attention all ZAFT units! This is the UEFA warship Archangel. We currently have Lacus Clyne, the daughter of PLANT Supreme Councilman Siegel Clyne, in our custody. Cease your attack if you want her to live!
Nicol:Huh?
Athrun: What did she say?!
Murrue:Wait, Lt. Badgiruel! We can't use her to-
Natarle:As it was the humane thing to do, we resuced her life pod and treated her well. However we will recognize any hostile actions on your part as a forfeit of her life. Any obligation we have towards her well-being will be relinquished, and she will be dealt with accordingly.
Kira:No way... Why are you doing this?!
Akatsuki:Hm... I had a feeling it would turn out like this.
Yurika:Lt. Badgiruel, that's going too far!
Ruri:It's almost like we're the villains.
Aki:What an unbelievable situation...
Koji:Enough, Lieutenant! This isn't happening!
Hyoma:Hey, Juzo, what're they doing?!
Juzo:Pay attention, screw-up! That overbearing Lieutenant is threatening to kill the Princess!
Akito:They're using that girl as a hostage?! What the hell are you thinking?!
Calvina:No other choice, huh? Honestly, Lieutenant...
Creuset:(Getting caught by the enemy... What a troublesome woman.)
Nicol:It can't be.... Ms. Clyne's been taken hostage?! Athrun, we have to do something!
Athrun:Guh... You cowards!
Creuset:They have an advantage we can't overcome. As much as I hate to admit it, we're powerless in this situation. All units ,retreat for the time being! (Really, though... Going to these lengths for the life of one girl? How bothersome.)
This is about the point a lot of people didn't like the plot turns Gundam SEED was taking. This is the most extreme case of it, fortunatly.

Nicol:Roger.
Athrun:Kira... Did you hear that, Kira?!
Kira:Athrun, I...
Athrun:You're using a civilian your people saved as a hostage! Is fighting for those cowards your idea of justice?! I WILL save her... Mark my words!

The opposing army vanishes. You better run!

Kira:......
Natarle:Capt. Ramius, the enemy cannot be allowed to have the Strike or the Archangel.
Murrue:...I know, Natarle.

As a fan of Combattler myself I couldn't be happier with how this ended.

[Seriyu]

Update tomorrow.

[USEC_OFFICER]

Update tomorrow.

Excellent.

[Seriyu]

I hope you were all watching the return of Toonami. And if not look into it. That was like, half of my childhood.

Murdoch:Hey, what's the deal?! You can't just bust on in here all at once! You gotta land in the other ship!
Koji:What's the meaning of this, Captain?!
Kira:Is taking little girls hostage the way the UEFA does things?!
Sayaka:We're not abiding by it, either!
Mu:Think about our circumstances before you complain. Or are you going to dump the Archangel and escape with the Nadesico? That would leave a bad taste in our mouths, too.
Kira:But-!
Mu:Besides, aren't your friends here? Were you going to silently watch them become POWs at the hands of the enemy? Hell, this whole ship could've been destroyed, with them onboard!
Kira:Guh...
Akito:You army scumbags are always like this!
Akatsuki:Stop it. This bickering achieves nothing.
Noal:It's only natural, isn't it?
Hyoma:What, are you saying it's all right for them to use such a dirty trick?!
Akatsuki:No, I'm not, but the Captain's right; We had no other options. Everyone here wishes there was a better way to settle this.
Except maybe Natarle, let's be honest.
Akito:Anything goes for you guys, then?!
Koji:Yeah, what gives?! We bought time for you to escape!
Akatsuki:Listen. You can complain all you want, but it won't change our situation. What's done is done, and the result is that we escaped safely and unharmed. Can any of you claim you could've done the same?
Ryoko: Then... Are you saying what they did was all right?! That's dirty pool!
Akatsuki:I'm not condoning their actions. I'm saying you need to examine the situation with some foresight and maturity. Everyone here is trying to survive, just like you.
Akito:What do you mean by that?! Just because they're fighting doesn't mean that-
Akatsuki:Yes, sure... Keep on shouting. I wonder what that's going to change? None of you have any right to condemn Lt. Badgiruel and Capt. Ramius. You can do nothing but bemoan what's already been done. It's time for you to move on!
Koji:We refuse to accept it, that's all!
Noal:Same here. I don't think there's a soul onboard who feels satisfied with the outcome.
I just realized it's been AGES since Noal said something. Huh.

Akatsuki:That's right. Instead of standing here shouting, why don't you go take in some recreation? That should give you some quality time to think.
Sayaka:I can't believe your attitude...!
Akatsuki: Don't you get it already?! We're all worthy of shame in this situation!
Akito:How can you look so proud when you say that?!
Mu:Everyone here needs to calm down. I believe that Akatsuki's advice is the best we've heard, so far. All I'm going to add is that we had to do what we did to come out of this alive. Don't forget that.

Nearby....

Kira:Miri... Flay is...
Miriallia:Kira, I'm sorry...
Flay:Hey, Kira! How's Dad's ship, huh?! Well? Hey, come on! You lied! You LIED about my dad's ship!
Sai:Flay, calm down.
Kira:......
Flay:You LIAR! Didn't you say it would be all right?! Why didn't you protect his ship?! Why didn't you kill every last one of those mutant bastards?!
Miriallia:Flay, Kira risked his life and fought to the bes-
Flay:But he was the one who said it would be all right! You... You didn't fight for real because they were Coordinators! That's it, isn't it?!
Kira:Wh-?!
Miriallia:How could you even suggest that, Flay?!
Flay:But... But... Because of him, Dad is....! ...Dad's DEAD because of you!

In the Archangel's viewing room.

Kira:Unngghhh....
Birdy:Birdy!
Kira:*sob**sob* Uwaaaaaahhh! Uhh.... Uwaaaaaahhh!
I'm not saying it's an unreasonable reaction given the situation he's in, but Kira is kind've an unlikable charecter when you realize up to this point he's said maybe 3 sentences, all of which amount to complaining. Luckily Mu is here to be rad. And Kira gets a bit better later too if I recall.

Lacus:What's the matter?
Kira:Lacus Clyne? What are you...
Lacus:Lil' Pinkie here just loves a walk. Even if they seal the door, he just opens the lock again and goes out on his own.
As much as I like haro's, you'd think that'd be a pretty huge security concern.

Haro: I WON'T ACCEPT THAT! I WON'T ACCEPT THAT!
I can't stay mad at you.

Lacus:You look so sad...
Kira:I-I don't want to fight ZAFT...

Kira:...I'm a Coordinator, but I was good friends with Athrun, too!
Lacus:Athrun?
Kira:Athrun Zala. He became a ZAFT mobile suit pilot, and now we have (to?) fight each other...
Lacus:I wonder why? You're both such nice people!
Kira:You know Athrun, too?
Lacus: Why, yes! I'm engaged to him, you know.
Kira:Huh...?
Lacus:He's a quiet man with a gentle soul. He gave this Haro to me as a present.
Kira:...He's still the same as ever, I see. He made my Birdy, too.
Birdy:Birdy!
Lacus:Oh, is that so? It would be wonderful if you two didn't have to fight each other anymore...

ALRIGHT! We have some decisions to make

Modules to decide on:

Counter - Grants the counter ability. Fairly simple, pretty much anyone can benefit from this, but units with high attack and low defense will benefit more obviously. A list of units that already have the counter skill is as follows.

David - Baybull
Ryoko - Aesti

So don't bother giving it to them.

Parts to decide on:

EN Chip - Reduces energy costs of attacks by 10%
Solar Panel - 10% EN regeneration each turn

Both of these are obviously best on units that suck up a lot of energy. Nadesico, maybe Mu, I could go for archangel, Mazinger obviously, etc. Of course, feel free to put it on whatever. Putting it on an aesti is obviously a bad idea since it gets it's energy maxed out every turn anyway.

Robot suggestions:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I'm not gonna suggest we upgrade ryoko's armor due to the whole massive size difference and the fact that she gets most of her armor from the distortion field anyway, but if you want to I wouldn't argue with it. Was proabbly just a freak incident though. Mazinger Z is getting fragile, I'd reccomend an armor upgrade for him. Mu honestly is hitting pretty lightly, but that's just the nature of the suit he's currently in. With that said, if you want to favorite-ize Mu, upgrading the mobius isn't a terrible idea. I wouldn't invest whole hog in it quite yet, as we'll find out the reason for later.

With all that, state your update votes! We'll be back in a week or so as usual.

[Seriyu]

Still a few days to go (I'm thinking the sixth, maybe fifth) until I start up again. Just a heads up.

[Korbac]

Combattler certainly kicked ass there.