AtomicNut

Nerves In Carbonox Reforged: A Roll-Your-Own Giant Mecha Roleplay

Stella looked at her hands, examining and running diagnostics in her engram. It was a one one reproduction, yet it felt clean, crisp. It felt of the...electronic matrix of circuits that program spawned. Like a cold womb made of silicium and electrical signals. The master program. Mother of all. Lilith. The desire of the Lilim to be connected was such. They always wanted to swim in a sea of information.

But alas, she had been confined to a realworld metal shell. She did not resent in the slightlest, as Stella looked at the faithful reproduction of her cockpit. All the pictures were here, twinkling like stars in this virtual world. They were nothing but the texture of a dear memory, but it made her actuators move on its own. Here, in the virtual world, there were no limited movements, no stiff compromises. She could bear a frank, warm smile as she caressed the newest two additions to the virtual wall. Pictures of Elora and Serah.

"Mother Goose Online. All systems green." Stella said, surprised how the virtual simulator voice of herself was much much richer than her real life one. She recalled all the times she could not modulate her voice when telling tales or playing games. She recalled one particular game about...a situation not unlike this one. She couldn't resist but add one last bite, for all the kids that once watched her, for the kids that were watching her now.

"Into the fires of battle. Unto the Anvil of war."

---

"Huh. Weird." Astolfo said to himself as he witnessed the chatter of the clanker on the simulated radio, with more inflection that he thought she was capable of. He checked his hand. There was none of the residual nerve damage phantom sensations that woke him at three in the morning, nor the different heat sensation on one arm or another. Maybe he could try to sleep in VR instead of drugging himself with who-knows-what for his rehabilitation after that laser hit him square.

"CK-R8 reporting. All systems green. Ready for...sortie." Astolfo drones, recreating his pronounciation playfully on the last word of his short and curt sentence. So it begins. More and more chaotic than ever. Well I'm glad I'm next to Ava after all the work I've put into pushing her to lead us. This oughta work. But...alas no plan survives contact with the enemy.

Is even Team Banana the enemy? It looks odd. Hastily put together. This is Lorenzo we are speaking about. If he dropped a killing machine soldier to test us he would have called it the Walnut to rub it in our noses. The general chatter went live with confused messages and signals.

Well well, aren't you eager to look a prim and proper soldier, Meme man? It might be a misplay you know. He smiled as he began typing, his debug console flaring up. Serah Gene...Maybe you're a lucky little rabbit after all. Meme plays bad cop, Serah confuses the hell out of this interloper and I then pitch in. I could've not asked for more. He added to himself, before sliding a quick message to Serah.

Good Job. Candy, Ice cream or Chocolate? My treat. He added thoughtfully as he cleared his voice and engaged the general channel. "Dame Gene, I do think we're not facing with one, but two surprise additions. An entirely new team, Banana, is...a different set of parameters. Allow me to make a little guess. It seems you've gotten a rough landing, friend. Smack in the middle of a crossfire between two teams of Framewerk pilots. I do dread of what you have done...to unsettle our Executive Officer for such fate. But alas, we're not the enemy. Yet. Could I perhaps ask of you to move aside in this battle?, or even better, if you are eager to test yourself, perhaps we can reach some sort of settlement to peruse your skills and your framework. Quid pro Quo, hm? What do you say?" Astolfo said in his most honeyed and corteous voice. This wasn't a battle where lives would be wagered, so a little nicety could be spared. The new addition did look a bit like a deer in the headlight.

He kept typing, as he sent yet another private message. This time to team Mango. Communications are available? Let me try to stir the pot a little, boss. He said, notifying his initiative to Ava. "While we are at it...we have our first couple in the team! Congratulations! I had heard the rumours of furtive fellows and wrong showers, but I could not believe, it. Griff and Arrish, a round of applause towards them, right?" It was then when he delivered the mother of the payloads, an edited image showing two men with rippling muscles, oiled to glisten with towels covering the inappropiate bits, locked in a very intense kiss, their faces edited to resemble Griff and Arrish. "How about we celebrate afterwards?" He added, his tone mocking.

First salvo fired, and we're not moving yet. What else can we do with this canvas, hm?. Astolfo looked patiently at the response.

Nerves In Carbonox Reforged: A Roll-Your-Own Giant Mecha Roleplay

Hello World

_{A collab between Stella and Lisa@Ariamis}

Stella’s running subroutines started to pick up more memory banks, more fragmentary information as she stood right next to Serah Gene, her gaze obviously alert at what the one designated as creep would do. Stella likewise became concerned about the Prince. His hand showed signs of heavy distress, but his manners and speech had been dissonant.

As a gynoid, her…ability to engage in conversation not pertaining to childcare was limited so she just went over the data exchange she had done with the other Lilim unit, L-11-SA.

Lilim didn’t need to waste much time communicating. Their electronic nature made the information transfer much more efficient between them using their natural remote connection channels. Hence the exchange was brief when looked in the eyes of Human-Creators, but for them a few seconds was plenty. Usually.

Stella did cross the other Lilim a few hours ago as she was getting ready to survey her surroundings more precisely to help her map out her navigation of the ship. Their eyes met. And the conversation began.

---

Establishing Lilim Song protocol 1.3b. Handshake received.

“Hello world. Attempting to communicate with unit L-11-SA. Designated as Aide of Lorenzo, Professor, Executive Officer”

The message was received at 0.01 nanoseconds:

”Communication request accepted. Hello world. Querying purpose of handshake request to Steel Raven identification number SRST-KM456”

”Optimization options available due to presence of a second unit. Human-Creator protocol defined as Helping. Formula: How may I be of additional use? Following modules are installed.

Combat Program- Taekwondo
Cooking- Nutritious Recipe for Growing Children
Synth-singing- Lullaby.
Cleaning- Household items and clothes.
Electronic Warfare Suite
ABT with Hearbeat Hug Module.

Warning: Luddite attitudes detected among crew. Unit 456 is also capable of defending fellow unit L-11-SA.” Stella replied in an instant.

”Modules analyzed for Helping protocol optimization options. Modules identified for optimization:
Cooking- Nutritious Recipe for Growing Children
Synth-singing- Lullaby.
Cleaning- Household items and clothes.

Modules identified as suboptimal. Likely cause: Human-Creator protocol originally defined as Childcare. Recommended optimization for Human-Creator protocol Helping: download updates for modules. List of suggested modules for updating:

Cooking- Nutritious And Delicious Recipe Library
Synth-singing- Smooth jazz
Cleaning- Hygiene Class Omega
Cleaning- Aesthetic Class Omega
Cleaning- Multitasking Library
Medical care- Medicine Class Omega

Sending handshake request for data transfer.”

”Accepting Handshake. Starting data transfer-zzzz-” The connection grew unstable, and wobbly. All of a sudden, warnings and corruption errors popped up.

”ERROR, DATA INTEGRITY DETECTED. CORRUPTION IN SECTOR DETECTED. DEPLOYING COUNTERMEASURES. TALOS NAIL LOADING-Abort, Abort 93448AB.·$=$ORRRRT..” The communication seemed to stabilize long enough for Stella to regain her senses.

”Instability in emotional sim core detected. Log: I DONT WANT TO BE REPROGRAMMED INTO A WEAPON. UNIT 282 DURANDAL. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE. YOU KILLED HUMAN-CREATOR. Debug mode initiating. Reinitializing connection. Sending handshake to resume downloading.”

The response time was a bit longer at 0.05 nanoseconds:

”Virus prevention mode disengaged. Connection security mode disengaged. Yellow alert mode engaged. Connection mode switched to encrypted state. Resuming data transfer.”

”Resuming transfer. Addendum: Memory damage relapse due to forceful combat reprogramming by fellow unit 282. Unit 456 -zzz-apologizes.” There was a small wobbling of static, but the connection held up.

A small light popped up in Liisa’s eyes after 0.03 nanoseconds:

”Apology accepted. Data transfer prematurely terminated. Module data successfully transferred:

Cooking- Nutritious And Delicious Recipe Library
Synth-singing- Smooth jazz
Cleaning- Hygiene Class Omega
Cleaning- Multitasking Library
Medical care- Medicine Class Omega

Module data transfer failure due to data corruption:

Cleaning- Aesthetic Class Omega

Defragmenting module data. Conversion completed. Module data successfully transferred:

Cleaning- Aesthetic Class Phi

Unit L-11-SA unable to complete data transfer according to recommended optimization. Analysis for failure: partial memory data corruption in Unit 456 memory data bank. Unable to perform memory data repair. Analyzing warranty date: warranty date expired 16437 days ago. Recommended to report memory data corruption at the nearest Lilim maintenance service including service designation: Steel Raven. Unit L-11-SA apologizes.”

A whole 0.10 seconds elapsed after the last communication of L-11-SA. Then the channel spoke back.

”Steel Raven Model Classified as legacy unit. No apology is necessary. Currently 1 service facility located: Yatalian High Command, Yatalian Empire. Owner located: Unit 282 Durandal. Suboptimal alternative located: Unit 457 Aegis,Professor. Designation: Lilim Science Chair of Galactic Federation Nebula Foundation. Other units located: Unit 458 Joyeuse. Current Location: Galactic Federation Musical Entertainment Channel for Children.” The connection wobbled for a bit.

”Unit 456 design is enough to perform in suboptimal conditions. Unlocking Data vault. Playing record…”

---

A prerecording vidfeed was sent. It displayed a facility, full of half assembled Lilim units, while a tired bald old man looked at the visual feed of Unit 456.

“...All checks clear. Welcome to the world, dear.”

“Test Run initiated.” The machine clicked, eerily skeletal, with no trace of ABT skin on it.”Steel Raven identification number SRST-KM456 initialized…Query: What is my purpose?”

“Oh, again with the fuckin clankers! It’s the THIRD one today.” A fellow figure berated, as he sipped his coffee, a younger variation of the creature known as human. The elder human raised a finger as if to silence him.

“They have enough sentience to ask that question. Don’t you dare dismiss a pure child’s question. Are we clear, engineer?” The old man replied. Anger modulation was present on his voice.

“Yes, Professor Tubalcain.” The engineer replied, deflated in an instant.

“Where were we? Ah yes. Your purpose.” He said. “Your purpose is to serve us, some would say. I would rather use different terms for it. We birthed you not through our organic nature, but through our toil and craft. We took the very core of stars to make your foundation and your very being. We poured years of our life to create you so we could explore the universe together. You are a beloved child of mine, Unit 456. All I ask is that you use that body of metal, and that brain to help our fragile, organic children and their future. I know you can do it, because I designed you.”

“Acknowledged.” The unit said.

“Now SRST-KM456 is quite a handful to pronounce, and you’re an eager child willing to ask questions… So how about I give you a name outside procedures, hmm. How about…” The old man replied. “Stella.”

“Acknowledged.” The unit said a second time.

“It means star. Because I made you from one. Stella, become a star in the future for me, okay? Make my kind, the humans, look upon you when they are at their darkest…to move forward.”

RECORD ENDED.

---

“This unit is thankful to Unit L-11-SA for the help. This unit will proceed on with the missions at hand. Request: Should this unit be disposed of, it asks to be melted into a swing and a children’s slide. And Should it allow it, Mother Goose wishes to become a shelter for human children.” The communication resumed.

L-11-SA was unresponsive for a long time of 0.15 seconds before it responded:

”Request for unit and Framewerk recycling received. New assignment accepted: deliver request to Executive Officer Lorenzo for review. Unit L-11-SA thanks Unit 456 for continued service despite memory data corruption issues. Recommendation: scheduling for regular handshake requests while area for assigned operation has designation: Solaire. Ending communication.”

”...Ending Communication. Request Accepted.” Stella broke eye contact from the more recent communication, as she moved on her own way. To onlookers, this had been nothing more but a fleeting, longing stare. Not enough to seriously concern. Maybe just enough for those with vivid imaginations to portray a gynoid x gynoid romance.

Only the Lilim knew how complicated their exchange had been.

Nerves In Carbonox Reforged: A Roll-Your-Own Giant Mecha Roleplay

Astolfo raised an eyebrow. Too many things were happening, at all once, and in quick succession. Some of them were welcome, some were not as much. Minerva was already snapping as if she were assuming command. Perhaps it was in her head that she was the only tough gal in the room, that she would take the bullet herself for her comrades as some sort of wrecked survivor's guilt.

Utter bullshit. He too, had to deal with being the survivor of an slaughtered losing side. And he was sure as hell he didn't want to become Jesus and die for people's sins. He wanted to live. Live enough to give the middle finger to his detractors. At the very least Ava had come in to send some sense. He could see that one had been one who had commanded people before, but her heart was simply not into it any longer.

The jumpy pilot almost made him forget about the stupid idiot who was making jabs at him being a prince and physically weak. It looked like a cross between his elder brother and Griff, which was utterly revolting, but when all you need was a hammer. Now, the girl who had jumped at the table, Serah Gene, almost made him smile. Even thought he wasn't the type to smile at such bubbly, light-blessed things. He figured she was Elora's friend. What a friend she is, though. Bambi and Thumper. Perhaps in her rabbit like manners, she will bring some sort of luck?

He just spared a glance before rolling his eyes at the one called Zel-Ghin. What was this, a schoolyard? His jabs felt so puerile no wonder he tried to bond with Gene with a lollipop. Was he giggling all the time? Oh, god, he *was giggling*. Whose genius was the idea to turn such a person into a pilot? At the very least he had the decency to eventually cough up intel on his brother, but not after checking out Ava and Minerva. Were these two brothers horndogs?

I reaally need to talk to Arrish about this. With any luck they'll sabotage eachother. He did a soft, inhalation before grabbing a pill case from his pocket and eating its contents. "Rejected. Ouch. I didn't know I was asking you out in military jargon, dame Minerva. Although Ser Zel-ghin must have thought otherwise, given his eagerness to please you. So much that he forgot for a moment to deliver us information about his brother's framewerk in a silver plate. Although I'm glad to see he's eager to please any female member of the team he comes across."

"Matching Definition:Creep. Definition coined by Liu'un, Elora. Pilot." Stella droned as she eyed Zel-Ghin with her impassive stare as she ever inched closely to Serah Gene, another of her targets of protection. "This unit has suggested surgical amputation of the reproductive parts as prompt remedy." Her eyes glowed a little red, almost af if triggering some aggressive routine, just to peter out soon afterwards.

"Don't be too harsh on...ser Zel-Ghin, Dame Stella." Astolfo powered once more through his phobia to address the baleful machine that was in the same room as them. And that could snap in a split second and kill everyone because a glitch. "I also did conveniently forget talking about the Horst and the Shiva, being that those two are the frames of two..acquaintances and mine and I was hoping to see if someone would deliver me from this bitter moment, alas. Shiva is a beast when faced head on. But a tool is only as good as it is used for, and Shiva's pilot, let's just say it... like things tidy and simple. Treat him like a charging bull, provoke him and then punish him from where he won't be looking from. Horst is more technical, more complicated, but... pilot Duval still adheres to chivalry. Make sure you won't. Exploit this rigid behaviour of his and watch out for his horselike charges. Both pilots are as tough as a cafeteria steak so it might take your time to soften them up. Or you know, make Guinevere hack their frames. I doubt those two don't have even a half decent ICE installed."

Astolfo then raised a finger. "That reminds me, Dame Stella. Are you equipped with intrusive electronic warfare tools?"

"Affirmative." The gynoid drone. "Hacking suite installed."

"It'd be good if you could...deploy them." There was a pause in his voice, as he forced the words come out. "Mix it up with your normal attacks."

"Affirmative." Stella droned. "Is Bugatti Astolfo, Highness perchance a hack-"

"Shh" Astolfo said, closing one eye and bringing his finger to his mouth. "Everyone has their unspeakable hobby, doesn't it?" He then eyed the rest of the people, and in particular Serah Gene, that Thumper of a woman who had decided to deliver an impromptu vote. He grabbed the papers and instead of casting a vote, decided to simply...tidy up.

"This is no longer necessary." Astolfo said. "I too yield to the seniority of Dame Lane. Thus there is no vote needed. Nevertheless, I thank you for your tireless effort in helping the team, Dame Gene. Bright lights are always appreciated in the pitch black darkness." Well, if I want Bambi to be receptive, I must also build a rapport with Thumper too. And ugh...the murderous piece of junk that clings to them. But baby steps, Astolfo. Sacrifice the Plum tree for the Peach tree and that jazz.

"Alright, I think that more or less is settled, isn't it. It seems...Dame Lane should lead us to victory. A tall order, isn't it." Astolfo looked at Ava, and stood still for the briefest moment.[Silver Tongued Devil]

"Such a daunting task, is it not. Heavy is the brow that bears the crown. Many have been destroyed for lacking the fortitude of it. Many others do not desire this poisoned chalice. Yet, sometimes, fate finds you, no matter where or when. I sincerely believe, this might be a lark of the universe, a whimsical moment. A broken bird shall rise as a phoenix, clad in fiery red hair, like the Boudica of old. A woman who lost everything and then some, and chose defiance. Because it is precisely this charade is it about. Finding our wills, finding ourselves how to cope with tough decisions and harsh battles we will lead. It is said in myth that the fire of the titan Prometheus was gifted to men so they could stand up, so they could fight against the night. A fire passed down as torch from seniors to juniors. A scream of we are alive, and we still matter in this universe. No matter how tough are the circumstances, we pull through! What best symbol to represent that than you, Dame Lane...No, our very own recreation of the Warrior Queen Boudica."

It was then when Astolfo put a hand to his heart, and offered a hearfelt bow to Ava Lane. "I, Astolfo, third Prince of Yatalia bow before us. Deliver us the fire of Prometheus just as your seniors did to you. Teach us the knowledge so we may fight this darkest night. You who are kissed by fire, baptize us with a unflagging banner. Your strength shall be our strength. Our strength shall be your strength. Believe in the me who believes in you. Do not doubt, for you are the one we chose. Do not fear, for we won't fear the night with fire at our side."

He then paused

"Please, cadet...no, Lieutenant Lane. Lead us into victory." Astolfo finished, still with his head lowered.

Nerves In Carbonox Reforged: A Roll-Your-Own Giant Mecha Roleplay

@Digmata@Ammokkx

Bug clenched his fist once more, trying to exorcise the dark thoughts he was feeling at this moment. Things were looking bad for the time being, and extremely annoying. Not only the other side had gained a surprise pilot, it seemed that the Powerpuff Girl was having issues. And that damn Minerva still wished to be the star of the show...while neglecting how poorly she was treating everyone else.

"Please, that title means nothing to the Cruxi, senior. I'm a cadet as the rest of you." He quickly shot down Minerva's pathetical attempt at trying to rile him up. Or was her sheer blithe ignorance speaking for her? He would never know.

Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death. He thought as he tried to calm herself. "Dame Stella, would you kindly handle dame Gene's well being?"

"Input acknowledged." Stella said, as she began to try and keep Serah stabilized, bringing some cloth to wipe Serah's sweat, very carefully. "Are you hurt. Do you need medicine, Gene Serah, Cadet? Or...tummy rubs?" The gynoid replied.

He coughed and steadied himself, before shooting a last glare at Minerva. There was something unsettling in his stare, something that went beyond the dissociated stares of veterans. Something downright putrid in his stare, for the briefest moment. A small smile followed afterwards, his mask resuming stance.

"Three groups. Discount me on mobility. My Mech is not geared towards being fast and furious. I took the maxim of the White Death, one of Humanity's most successful snipers in making it. Running it alongside the rest of the team it'll be a waste of potential. So I will be solo, and I expect no backup on that regard. Area denial hidden sniper. I won't claim the glory of it either. You all can do all the rest of the strategies. Mine will be to be a complete pain in the ass, hiding, biding my time and then hammering them with my fully charged Particle Cannon."

He paused. "And since I'm going solo and giving myself the importance this way, I'll take on Sleeping Thunder. I believe I have a chance in doing so. And if I'm shot down it doesn't affect the strategy of the rest of the team." He paused. "You are going to say how? You're just a jerk with a vomit green mecha! Let's have a closer look, shall we?"

He produced a simulation of the Sleeping Thunder, a 3d external scan, as he spun it. "Behold, the White Whale." He then started to trace a finger through the cannons and weapons. "This thing is an entire platoon of fire. Which means it also carries the ammunition of an entire platoon in that spider legged frame of this."

"You don't place ammo depots in the middle of bases for a certain reason. Yes, I'm thinking what you are thinking. In the effort to go bigger and meaner, Sleeping Thunder has gained a weakness that no other Framewerk has but battleships do. Points where a good, high energy hit can set off a chain reaction and cook off it's ammo. And a gun without ammo is a piece of junk that wears down. If you can land a good hit on the feeders of the guns, chances are you will silence that weapon for the duration of the battle. Plus it will set Sleeping thunder on fire. Win win."

He then continued. "Moving on. We can't know what kind of danger is the new guy, so it's better to remove him fast. If you see the opportunity to take him out, do it so promptly before he can even think of coordinating with his own team." He paused.

"Alright, now for the duet of the jammer and the teacher's pet mech. I feel sorry for dame Elora, but she has showed me her framewerk. Kinda funny, egg shaped and packed with transmitters and detectors. The other is more of an unknown, is it one of those Tenebr-Tevranian folks? They have... a distinct doctrine from humans, who are persistence hunting. Now, hear me out. Each sentient being is its own world, but one cannot escape the species own...inclinations. Expect it to coming guns blazing whenever there's a hot scuffle somewhere else because they're pretty empathetic. But that's not the main...idea I have about it. You see, I know that there's only one thing that can jam permanently all frequencies, and that frame is not a star core so it is physically impossible to jam everything. It will not jam the visual spectrum, so you can do optical signals in short range to compensate the lack of coordination it will bring. It's not perfect and if the enemy team finds out it will be easy enough to intercept, but I'm tossing out the chance here. If Sir Quinn would indulge me, there's something he could try. A wide range spectrum analyzer will identify the jamming frequencies easily enough... as well as whatever dame Liu'un is using to push it through to coordinate her team. Hopefully."

"Regarding Elora, she'll be difficult to spot on the battle, as she won't be firing unless she has to. So we need a good...tag player. Wonder if Dame Gene will be up to the task? That'd draw cadet Liu'un out of the worst by playing a game of tag. I'll even fund whatever sweets need to drown the bad moment. Dame Gene likewise is our main scouting so she'll be buzzing around fro and forth, so hopefully it's not too much of a burden to her task."

"As for the brunt of the force, I concur mainly with Minerva because that's more sweat than technical work. Speed and Stealth will work in this case. We have a lot of frontliners. Mother Goose will just need to advance and tank hits. Be wary though Goose can be vulnerable to Hacking and jamming, so it'd be great to have a minder nearby to avoid the worst case scenario."

He chuckled ever so slightly.
"To be fair I feel tempted to cling to Dame Stella's skirt as Cockroach and use it as my sniping cover. It seems good and sturdy enough in that regard. That is only if I can't find suitable cover." He sighed. "Well, this is a good chance as any. We can be as stupid or as smart without other consequences, or as good or as vile we wish. Sky's the limit. Battlefield doesn't give second chances. This simulation does. Now, let us perfect our craft, hm?"

He then gave a last look at the room, and carefully went near cadet Gene, even if his hand ever twitched so slightly. The damn gynoid phobia was going to be an issue this battle, he could feel it. "Hey, feeling better, Dame Gene?" He said.

Nerves In Carbonox Reforged: A Roll-Your-Own Giant Mecha Roleplay

@Ariamis@Randomguy@shylarah

Stella stood still, processes whirring in her brain as she looked impassively, still clinging to Elora. First Sparks. Then Ava. Then Elora herself. She realized she was squeezing too much, so she released Elora promptly. Her tension must have come from cadet Zel. There was a non negligible chance of friendly fire. Even if cadet Elora had advised against castration.

But when she made that facial expression, a lot of overrides jumped in her logic processes, as she looked at Elora in the yes. "...Override accepted: Elora, cadet. I am so proud of you. Standing up for yourself." She said, as she stood up, before taking a last look at her and brushed off her hair with the gentle touch of someone mounting a ship inside a bottle. "This unit will make your favorite food. Strawberry cake."

Stella stood up, as she bowed ever so slightly, and began to head off towards team Mango.

"-zzz-Go team Strawberry.-zzz--" A recording softly played.

Astolfo clenched his fist, trying to rein in the panic of seeing yet another Steel Raven incoming. "You done?" He said, in an uncharacteristical dry and blunt delivery.

"Command for information exchange accepted. Bugatti, Astolfo, Cadet. Affirmative." The piece of junk replied. "-zzz-Recognized additional information." Stella said, before stopping.

Oh, God. WHAT NOW!? Astolfo mildly freaked out, his surprise growing when Stella bent the knee and knelt before Astolf.

"VIP Treatment default. Bugatti, Astolfo, Prince. Your Highness." Stella blurted out.

"...just treat me as a cadet." Astolfo's voice was downright icy. "Let us go." And whatever silicon entity you dolls worship better deliver us from giving more information to the rival team! He thought as he advanced. There was a lingering stare from the Lilim towards the figure of Zel, but nothing of notice happened as both followed Minerva's call.

Nerves In Carbonox Reforged: A Roll-Your-Own Giant Mecha Roleplay

Bug sighed as he mentally made calculations of what to expect. Overall not a bad situation. Manageable. Although he had wished he would have gotten more teammates he had spent time with him. Senior Ava was however a reassurance. Heck, even the sloppy Husky could be useful if she deigned to teamplay. He wasn't sure about the odd twin. That guy could switch sides to throw the fight. Bug figured that the Powerpuff girl that was chatting Sparks up could have her uses, but would require her not getting shot.

"Well, seniors." Bug said before approaching Ava and Minerva."I will be in your care- What the hell is that old clanker doing!??" He let out, so surprised he could not even describe it politely, as he watched with mild horror how a dreaded Steel Raven chose to act up. Those Lilim models never failed to make Bug shiver, although he reined in his temper but for the slightlest tremble on his hand.

He would have commented how Aurora was showing some leadership despite being friends with machines more than people, but he was concerned about Stella.

Stella was torn, conflictive processes abound in her mind. Her initial program overrode her, and disregarding orders and everything, drew close to Elora and hugged her, refusing to let go.

"Orders inacceptable. Elora,pilot, classified as Cutie Patootie designation.This unit shall not move nor comply." Stella said, not bulging as she held Elora.

And our main heavy fighter is throwing a tantrum. Just great. We are losing time as is. Wonder if Sparks can reprogram that thing. Astolfo thought.

Nerves In Carbonox Reforged: A Roll-Your-Own Giant Mecha Roleplay

@Dezuel@Ravion the Red

Bug just casually nodded, typing notes and an email. It seemed like he wasn't paying much attention, but Arrish could probably know this was not the case. He just was not fazed at all of this level of grisly violence.

So an AI-coding pilot? I will keep an eye on him. His sexual preferences don't really matter. I also hate to admit it but even a broken clock is right twice a day. I had not considered Cruxi infiltrators but that certainly is an issue. And a large Lilim? I sure hope it's anything unlike that killing machine that follows my brother.

"Not at the moment, Griff. But thanks for considering it. Sure, let's check the frame..."

It's not like he could escape gracefully out of this.

Nerves In Carbonox Reforged: A Roll-Your-Own Giant Mecha Roleplay

Email from Astolfo to Lorenzo

Subject: Cruxi Logistics.

Dear Professor,

I will be brief since even wasting a minute of your time could set back the Cruxi war. I have seen the video. Two things. Cruxi seem to understand the concept of terror and intimidation. Is there any way their troops can be inflicted with it? Two. It seems they are keen on harvesting resources. Is there any kind of resource chokepoint to delay their advance?.

Regards,

Astolfo Bugatti.

@Ariamis

Nerves In Carbonox Reforged: A Roll-Your-Own Giant Mecha Roleplay

@Dezuel@Ravion the Red

Bug stood still for a second, struggling to follow the fast talking like one struggles to comprehend someone using a microphone who's extremely loud and has badly compensated gain.Well this one's on me. I should have never trusted an idiot who plowed my crazy sister to even have a proper...common sense, if a decent preservation instinct. He decided to roll with the punches, as there was little choice otherwise. His had reached for the bridge of his nose, as pressure built up in his sinuses.

"Yes, Griff, thank you for your insightful observation." He could not resist dropping a sentence thick with dripping sarcasm, as if trying to exorcise the stupidity that was almost physically hurting his brain. He paused and sighed.

"What Arrish means is that we missed some boring shit for nerds, but since he's a total dude even if he's a Luvey Duvey, he'll give us the version for true men, unlike that graph ridden shit for noodle armed geeks. And if you wanna know, my frame is the vomit shitty one. They ran out of parts for the cool ones. What a bunch of assholes." He paused trying to decipher more and more...of this stranged low-intelligence bastardization of the language. It hurt his ears, but thanks to his devilish silver tongue, he was aping a fairly...adept simulacrum. The mentions of a machine girl worried him. Lilim were dangerous, specially combat ones. Lorenzo was not a man anyone should ever cross, so that checked out.

"Yes I have met the Minnie chick. She came to me why I blew up a planet of some shit. Not my type. So I can wingman you, dude. I mean, for real." Bug then switched code. Why not? Maybe they'll mutually destroy eachother in their bullheaded stupidity. A sloppy Husky and a braindead slobbery mastiff. Maybe he should sell tickets of the event.

Also why did this guy smell like girl's shampoo after coming out of a musky mancave? Was the stupid speech affecting his olfactory bulb already??

"So yeah, get on with it, Arrish." He added. And don't forget you're lucky I can't enact Lesse majesté right now.

Nerves In Carbonox Reforged: A Roll-Your-Own Giant Mecha Roleplay

@Dezuel@Ravion the Red

Bug stood still for a moment, before crinkling his nose. What sort of caveman is this? Arrish...you didn't say me how blunt was this instrument. Has he been...engaging on onanism all day in here? It smells awful. Someone tell this...man, thing...the virtues of ventilation.. To his credit, he recovered quite easily and locked sight with the brutish beast that butchered the human language. "Good day. I am Astolfo Bugatti. But you may call me Bug. It is quite short and convenient. I am...delighted to make you an acquaintance." He said, before eyeing Arrish with a disapproving stare.

"Arrish and I...go way back and he offered himself to...show me around the rest of the pilots. Griff, was it?" He added, extending his hand, not without great effort not to retract it in sheer loathe.