[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/oucpacU.jpg?2[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/fYcjlBN.png?1[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/HWhWXIx.png[/img] [h1][b]& [color=ed1c24]Lotus[/color] [color=7bcdc8]Squadron[/color][/b][/h1]
[h3][u][b]Intermission 1 Collab: "Upgrades people. Upgrades."[/b][/u][/h3][/center]
[u]Participants[/u]: [@Lewascan2], [@Conscripts]
[hr]
[b]Audience Hall, Sison Auditorium, Municipality of Lingayen - 10/11/2022, 6:30 UTC+8[/b]

By the time Rear Admiral Adrián Abasolo had returned order to the meeting and started quietly consulting with Noel, Qingshe was already heading for the door. While a part of her was glad to see the breakdown of the command structure had been nipped in the bud and no further intervention on her part necessary, she couldn't help feel some curdle of dissatisfaction.

Shooting a final glance back, slitted golden eyes narrowed at the form of Myron, before the door shut behind her.

Clucking her tongue, she mulled over what just happened, as she strode the halls of the repurposed auditorium. Again, that dissatisfaction pervaded her thoughts. The actions of the First Lieutenant... Admittedly, they made her worry. Not for herself, particularly, but for the rest of the Task Force.

She couldn't shake the feeling that Obsidian was going to be in over their head, that ASEAN, particularly the Philippines, was putting too much of their hopes on a group comprised mostly of glorified mercenaries and volunteers. Oh sure, the Task Force had mundanes among them, like the impressive Lotus Squadron, but the real meat of things was clearly the Arms Masters...

Hrmm...

Perhaps she could do something about that.

Sending out a thin thread of her shadow with an eyeball peering from it, she quickly cast her gaze back along the way she came, navigating the barracks until she came across the Vietnamese pilots.

Bingo.

Casting her thread of shadow out of sight, the shadow at her feet expanded, and she dipped into the bubbling depths. Only a moment later, her head broke the surface of a spot just outside of eye-witnesses. No need to rile up observers after all.

Retracting the majority of her shadow, she turned the corner and smiled brightly, approaching the pilots with a languid, inviting stride. [color=39b54a]"Gentlemen of Lotus Squadron, a distinct pleasure~. I come with a proposition."[/color]

The Russian man was not the first one closest to the snake lady, but he was the first to approach her quite freely and openly, the one least likely to be fazed by the presence of neither Noble Arms masters nor the fact that she was inadvertently introduced as a Chinese defector. He too stepped over the presence of another individual, his squadron captain Tuan, but the man didn't put his foot down. It was good to have subordinates who took initiative. 

[color=ed1c24]"Ladies too. But we digress."[/color] Nikolay extended a handshake standing straight with confidence. [color=ed1c24]"We're glad to be worth your attention. Let me grab my buddy first."[/color] 

Nikolay briefly remembered seeing his friend speaking to this white-haired girl presumably from the Task Force, so he went back into the auditorium, seeing his black neat hair from a distance away, standing out from the very 'interesting' and exceptionally diverse hairstyles everybody sported. He made sure to wave for his attention and signalled him to come over. 

[color=ed1c24]"Alright, Ms. Qingshe. What do you have for us?"[/color] Nikolay said, once Cuong arrived by his side.

Smiling wider with a glint of teeth, Qingshe's eyes squinted pleasantly, as she clasped Nikolay's hand and shook firmly. [color=39b54a]"The pleasure's all [i]mine[/i], Mr. Phan~."[/color] She waited patiently, releasing the shake, while the Russian called over Cuong.

As soon as they returned and her intentions inquired after, her posture became a touch more business. [color=39b54a]"To be forthright, gentlemen, what happened in that briefing room wasn't pleasant to watch, and I shall admit, as much as I wish I could trust such a flub to not happen again, I can't shake the idea that it won't... in a much more high-stakes environment next time."[/color]

[color=39b54a]"Therefore, I find myself compelled to 'hope for the best and prepare for the worst'... as they say."[/color] Cupping her chin with her right palm, she asked, [color=39b54a]"What do you know of my Noble Arm?"[/color]

[color=7bcdc8]"Well, we're all ready to die here, aren't we?"[/color] Cuong made a sort of morbid joke, which while receiving mixed responses, everyone were relatively onboard with Qingshe's mentality, nodding along. When the question regarding Qingshe's Noble Arms came up, the rest of the squadron, including the captain and Cuong looked at Nikolay, seeming to egg him to answer, with smug looks. They knew...

[color=ed1c24]"You people."[/color] Nikolay rolled his eyes before looking at Qingshe. [color=ed1c24]"As far as our intelligence go, you have a tower shield, lots of sharp edges, works like hoverboards too. You control your own shadows, snatch people and create fancy stuffs with it."[/color] He said rather vague descriptions, some of them were on propaganda before it got tore down due to her defection, but some could be deduced as works of military intelligence. To which extent though is quite unknown.

Qingshe chuckled at Cuong's morbid quip. [color=39b54a]"Some more ready than others. Resigned even. Personally, I've never subscribed to such an 'it can't be helped' mentality."[/color] Fighting until the bitter end, flipping the bird to the dying light. She could honestly say she valued humanity's spite and defiance far more than she'd ever appreciate those useless louses that decided to accept the end was near before it was already upon them.

Turning her attention to Nikolay, she chuffed in amusement at the description of her ability. [color=39b54a]"Well, I suppose that's not incorrect data. Incomplete by far, but ultimately not flawed."[/color] Rapping the fingers of the hand cupping her face upon her cheek, she smiled. [color=39b54a]"While I don't feel quite at liberty to explain its every nuance, Ouroboros allows me to manage a sort of... workshop space. I can create anything I sufficiently understand, and anything I drag into my shadow's workshop space long enough [i]becomes[/i] something I understand in due time."[/color]

The greenette gestured vaguely in the direction of where the medical area of the base had been established. [color=39b54a]"You may have seen the line provoked by my work before, but among other things, this 'understanding' allows me to heal or repair with a bit of individual study. And, more relevantly to my proposition specifically, I can modify and [i]improve[/i] things I understand, whether they be a person or the weapons they wield."[/color]

Raising a brow, she grinned congenially. [color=39b54a]"I suppose you might have an idea where I'm headed with this, but before we go any further, I suppose I should inquire. Are you authorized to requisition Arms Master-derived equipment or modifications of either a technological or biological nature?"[/color] She chuckled. [color=39b54a]"I'd hate to think I did something too overt and caused you trouble in the long run."[/color]

Both pilots looked at each other, stroking their chin upon the idea. Their immediate response that came to mind would be yes. As weird as it sounded, Noble Arms military members weren’t this group of juggernauts completely separated from the main body of the army, at least for the Vietnamese’s. In fact, a large amount of equipment maintenance and resupply were done by one of their own Noble Arms, a surprising decision to put one of their scarce high-ranks into logistics work rather than the glamour of open-battle. But in this case, it was more dubious, as not only she had the baggage of being a defector, the QRS had not proven themselves much in terms of loyalty or even capability just yet, having barely declared their alliance to ASEAN.

But for the boots on the ground, or in this case the joysticks in the air, they knew of Qingshe’s feat in the Lingayen battle, and her efforts in tending for the army afterwards. It’s at least worth hearing what she had to say. 

[color=7bcdc8]”Yes, but then again, you’re you. It’s a bit more complicated.”[/color] Cuong said, laying out the premise with as much neutrality as possible. [color=7bcdc8]”Maybe if you can let us in further on what you want to do to our equipment, it’ll help us figure out if we can.”[/color]

Qingshe gave a tiny little patter of claps at the positive answer, before giggling mildly at Cuong pointing out, indeed, a notable hiccup. [color=39b54a]"Indeed, I am me. I won't claim I'm not, nor that I've had some dramatic heel-face turn as a person. What I did under China was not entirely under orders... but past a certain point, the lines they crossed went beyond even the idea of a greater good for humanity or even their own people. Our differences became irreconcilable, and so... here I am."[/color] She shrugged, as her grin sharpened. [color=39b54a]"Naturally, that's why I cannot condemn Agent Myron without it being frank hypocrisy. My misgivings are personal."[/color]

[color=39b54a]"As for potential modifications?"[/color] She smirked, tapping her pouting lip for a moment in contemplation. [color=39b54a]"Among others, improvements to handling, structural integrity, and a more... [i]generous[/i] fuel supply are certainly on the board, but I figured you gentlemen would know best~!"[/color] She chuckled. [color=39b54a]"And if you're feeling like taking the [i]biological[/i] plunge, then, personally, that's where I think we can get much more [i]exciting[/i]. Bodies more resilient to G-Forces, vision and reflexes brought to the peak of human performance -if not beyond- and even more still if you but pose the idea. The sky's the limit really; after all, I like to think the biological is my specialty."[/color]

Slitted eyes squinting amiably, she elaborated, [color=39b54a]"Who else should I ask what could use improvement than those for whom those planes are but extensions of their bodies? For all their uniform production, I'm aware to some degree that Occult Programming Language has been used, given their performance. And with that, there are bound to be some... 'quirks'."[/color] Rapping her fingers on her cheek lightly, she asked, [color=39b54a]"So, then, I figured before all else, what would [i]you[/i] like to see improved if you could?"[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"Wow, sounds ambitious. Personally, I’m down for both, but…”[/color] Nikolay glanced over to his two colleagues, who were pretty clear from their countenance alone. [color=ed1c24]”Maybe the equipment for now, because that’s easier to get used to in such a short period of time that we’re allowed to prepare for this operation. Our high command definitely would have questions, but easier to ask for forgiveness than permissions, am I right?”[/color]

Especially if it came from the nation’s top fighter squadron, it’s a bit hard to put much disciplinary action on them without coming off looking bad.

[color=ed1c24]"We’re down for all those upgrades, though if we’re going for those body upgrades, there is one thing for our aircrafts that at the very least I’m down for.”[/color]

“That would be for later though, Nikolay.” Finally the squadron captain, Tuan, spoke up. “Structural integrity, handling, fuel capacity is good yes, but also armaments too. There is a certain ratio of fuel/missiles that we maintain, so as not to use too much precious fuel reserved for our troops.” 

“As for the biological upgrade, that’ll have to be consulted. Likely the high command wouldn’t refuse you, but will be sending someone to observe the work, so as not to, you know.”

Qingshe nodded easily, her smile unwavering. Any improvement at all was improvement worth celebrating. Even if Lotus Squadron's high command ended up turning down the idea of biological modifications, just upgrading their armament would be a net win in the long run.

[color=39b54a]"I can certainly help with getting used to any changes made,"[/color] Qingshe replied. [color=39b54a]"I should be able to manufacture some form of simulators, so you don't need to go through the inconvenience of scheduling full drills in what limited time we have before tomorrow's operation."[/color] Humming to herself, she nodded. [color=39b54a]"Yes, I think that would do nicely. We can test-run modifications as they are considered, find what's most comfortable for you."[/color]

[color=39b54a]"As for what upgrades are practical..."[/color] Her emerald brow pinched in thought. [color=39b54a]"Well, without biological improvements to handle more extreme performance, what I can do for handling and speed will be limited. Otherwise it would just endanger you due to the aforementioned G-force stress. So, I suppose you'd rather prioritize structural integrity, fuel, and armament?"[/color] Her lips pursed, before she tacked on, [color=39b54a]"Maybe a bit more power to the thrust, just in case the other improvements add a bit more weight than preferred."[/color]

[color=ed1c24]"A simulator? That's quite a convenience eh?"[/color] Nikolay remarked, glancing at Qingshe up and down. [color=ed1c24]"Thrust certainly works. The less work we need to adjust, the better. But..."[/color] Cuong's eye-roll already gave hints to what crazy idea this guy had. [color=ed1c24]"If we're going for biological improvements later on, I'm gonna want more of that thrust capability."[/color] 

"Well, anymore of the talk would just be theoretical at this point." Tuan waved his hands to get the attention on him. "May we introduce you to the women of our dreams then? My Sukhoi is still under repair from the last fight, but it's the final steps and should be ready when the operation commences."

[color=39b54a]"I'll toss some ideas around, but I think I can cobble together something passable,"[/color] Qingshe replied airily, a cheeky grin betraying the more casual nature of her confidence. Giving it some thought, perhaps if she utilized a bit of Occult Programming Language, she could simulate flight conditions inside some... pods? Booths? [color=39b54a]"Perhaps something akin to those arcade games, but a little more... [i]elaborate[/i]."[/color]  She chuckled to herself, mind still whirring with possibilities. She couldn't quite recall making something like this before specifically, so it would be a brand new project, off the cuff and with limited time to experiment, a thought that raised a bubbling of earnest anticipation in her chest.

Nodding to Tuan, she gestured broadly with a sweep of her left arm. [color=39b54a]"By all means, lead the way~! Let's get your ladies spruced up in the latest fashion, shall we? There's a party on the horizon that they can hardly afford to miss. [i]Ah~[/i], and..."[/color]  Her lips curled impishly, eyes squinting in mirth. [color=39b54a]"I do believe I should have no trouble expediting Sukhoi's repairs should she be in timely reach of us."[/color]
[hr]
[hider=Upgrades Provided to Lotus Squadron]
Armament: Missiles have been given dual Active-homing and Semi-active-homing capabilities. A trifeca of infrared, visual locks and onboard missile radar used in tandem work to counter various forms of interference. Minor AI helps missiles differentiate targets. Of special note, the visual lock has been upgraded with the capacity to recognize, snapshot and pursue a single biological target, like an individual person, allowing enemy Arms Masters -for example- to be targeted directly; though, this is not as accurate or protected against interference. (Blueprints provided.)

Structure: D30 variant non-newtonian kinetic armor, layered under the surface of the main body. Effective against most plane-mounted cannons and non-missile AA. Also rated against physical impacts/stress in general. No use typically against mundane elemental/exotic effects. Doesn't shield areas like the flaps, windshield and thrusters. (Blueprints provided).

Power: Liquid fuel system completely chucked and replaced with electrical. The jets are now off-brand Teslas with high-efficiency solar panels on either side of the spine. Internal battery good for 12 hours of high/active combat performance and can be recharged at coasting/traveling speeds or less. OPL has been primarily utilized here to lower the weight of the new system and protect against EMP attacks. Also allows the recharging to occur at night, generating electricity in the absence of other sources. (Blueprints provided.)

Qingshe can be assumed to provide replacement ammunition or repairs to modified sections between battles/missions where feasible until a line of resupply can be attained from Vietnam now replicating those improvements.
[/hider]