Ravion the Red

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

Arrish

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Arrish quietly listened as Aurora went over the basic battle plan and positioning. For the most part it was a sound strategy that didn't take any unnecessary risks and played to the strengths of their frames. What would be best to include was known threats and weaknesses. "I'm sure the enemy is just as aware that Sleepy is going to be a key foundation to our success, and because of that they're going to either focus on taking it down quickly or diverting resources to focus on it. Placing me in the center will allow the horst to quickly assist Sleepy if you do come under fire. That being said, if the enemy does make a charge for sleepy they're going to underestimate our frontline."

"While I haven't seen Griff in combat, his Shiva is backing up some serious firepower. Supported I believe he could tear through their supports before we focus on their main combative force." he paused before continuing. "Other than our strengths, I would say my main concern is mother goose. Together we could take it down if it were alone, but I wouldn't want any of our framework's to go toe to toe with a machine that large and with a rocket hammer no less. Other than taking down key targets, or executing damaged frameworks, I think it would be best if Sleepy focused its fire on Stella."

He drummed his fingers on the table while in thought. There was also the matter of their supports. I haven't gotten a good look at most of their systems, but if any of their smaller frames has repair drones then we're going to be in trouble. We have the advantage of having heavier armor overall, but that advantage is going to be lost if they can keep up on the repairs. That's why I think we should take down their smaller frames first, knock out any supports to put us on even footing in combat and avoid a battle of attrition that we simply cannot win."

Arrish thought things were looking to be in their favor, which only meant that he wasn't considering hidden threats. What else was there?"I believe we have good chances if we can knock out their supports and destroy mother goose before she can get in melee range against sleepy. He frowned. He wished he had more time to talk to some of the others before this test. He only ever got a good read on Minerva, and other than some history with Bugatti, he didn't really know what to make of the other pilots. The only other thing I would worry about is some unknowables. We can always take a look at the frames but I've only had some experience with some of the pilots. I know Minerva will do anything to win the mission, even if it means throwing her life away, and on the opposite spectrum, Astolfo will do anything to keep himself from losing even if that means keeping his distance and taking shots at range. We shouldn't underestimate the resolve of those two."

It bothered him that he didn't know the other pilots personally. There was an old earth book that said if you knew yourself, and knew your enemy, you would win every battle. He barely knew most of the squad that was with him, and even less about his fellow pilots that he was going to face. He wondered if that meant they were fated to lose. Arrish didn't like that thought. "I would say Serah, Sparks, and Ava are a mystery to me. Stella seems straightforward but I'll admit that I don't know anything about her either." He motioned towards Mema-ka. "Otherwise, Mema-ka can tell us about his brother. If anyone else has anything to say about our fellow pilots and opponents then now would be a good time to share." Maybe someone else on his team would know something about their opponents. At the very least Mema-ka could warn the team about his brother, but then, that meant Zel-Ghin had that same advantage. He could only hope that they had the smarter of the pair. Arrish rubbed at his jaw from talking so much. Maybe the less said was the better, but then again, the could never know enough.

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

There had been dissolution in the room when the mission parameters were given out and already some of the familiar faces had disappointed looks. He wondered why? This was an opportunity for everyone to show what they could do and what better opponents than the rest of the squad? An AI 'might' be able to convey strengths and weaknesses, but an ally on the field could bolster you, enchance your strenghts and even fill in for your weaknesses. If they were fighting Cruxi, they wouldn't always have time to look at one another, but a human opponent got a very real and very good look at what you could and couldn't do.

His thoughts were shattered when a soft voice spoke up to him, and the woman that was standing beside him. Aurora answered before he had gotten a word out, and then stepped away to turn and announce sharply to the room.

Attention! Strike Force Apple! Form up!"

He found himself frowning as she continued to speak. That was it then? Play with the frames and forget all the names, but when its time to do business that's when you demand attention? He didn't know if she was a noble, and in fact, nothing he looked up suggested she was a noble, but Aurora certainly reminded him of some nobles. Alright, if she wanted to play ball then it was in her court. Let her lead for now, he thought to himself.

He turned to talk to Elora while the members of Team Apple gathered around and took her hands in his. "Of course, Elora. I'm willing to hear your request now if—

Arrish watched in horror as the young girl was stolen before him, lifted up into the metal arms of the lilim from Team Mango. His mouth was agape at first, unable to process what had happened for a few seconds, and then curled into a grin. Let's play ball indeed.

He turned to Aurora and spoke. "Well, boss, looks like you've got your first real challenge here. Since our time is limited, I'll gather up the rest of the squad and meet you in one of the nearby meeting rooms for a war council. I don't imagine it should take you long to handle this, since you're so personable and good with people" There was a teasing, albeit chiding, tone to his voice. He wondered if Aurora couldhandle something like this. It certainly would be a good example of her authority."Looks like you've got a little help too, from the other team."

It was a test, he figured, if Aurora could handle this before it became a problem than maybe she would be a good squad leader. All in all, he could see this as an advantage for Team Mango too. He wondered if someone had put Stella up to this or if this was one of those 'lucky opportunities'.

He paused before moving, waiting to see how Aurora would react.
@Shifter_Master

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

@Dezuel@AtomicNut
Arrish took a long deep sigh and looked up briefly towards the ceiling as they walked along and he listened to the two of them prattle between one another. If someone like Griff could annoy Bug that easily then there must have really been karmic justice in the world. "Mostly it was a lecture going over the different types of Cruxi we're going to have to face. I'm sure you won't mind a refresher, bug, and I need to make sure Griff here understands what we're going to be facing. I'm sure you've both heard of the Cruxi War Machines, the poster child of our enemy, but what you really should known is how dangerous the hunter-assassin's can be—"

Arrish would then go on to talk about each of the different types of Cruxi, everything he had known about them and what was explained during the lecture, up to and including the seduction tactics of the hunter-assassins. He made sure to ask questions, and make sure the two of them were also asking questions and paying attention. Any time Griff's mind started to wander Arrish would try and get him to refocuse, and to really think about the creatures they were going to have to fight. By the end of it, he hoped he got through to Griff and maybe Bug would have gotten something out of it too. Finally, as they were nearing the Green Room, he told them about the Video.

"Lorezno said it was was classified, and I've certainly never seen it before and I've been had the privilege of knowing things most people do not. It was a video from a citizen's phone, Cruxi roaming the streets and from the loudspeaker a human voice could be heard." Arrish mocked a shuddering motion to imply how horrifying the scene really was."It was something like '"Supplication immediate, configuration lifelessness.Supplication immediate, configuration lifelessness.' over and over again, in a dull and almost sleepy sort of voice. A human voice. Lorenzo thinks it could be mind control"

He looked between the two men that he was walking along with. He tried to get a grasp on their feelings on the matter. Griff was the type to show his feelings, and often his thoughts, on his sleeve. Astolfo was more like Arrish. He kept his true feelings hidden and tucked away for later. Maybe he could read between the lines between them both and get a real measure of how grim their situation really was.

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

@AtomicNut @Dezuel
Arrish tactfully batted away Bug's outstretched hand. "Now now, there's no need to go to such formalities, Bug. After all, Griff is a man's man and doesn't appreciate the more formal frivolities that we're so graced to endure" With a twirl to his feet and a motion for them to follow, Arrish would begin to leave without giving Griff so much as a chance to answer."Come along, gentlemen, there's a lot to do and time waits for no man. Besides, I need to fill in what you missed during Lorenzo's class. Both of you, I mean."

"Trust me, after what we all saw in that lecture hall, you're both going to want to hear about this." He wasn't quite sure where to head to next. He didn't think it appropriate or necessary to head off to the female quarters to find anyone. Maybe he could find Aurora or Sparks around the frames, and the VR rooms seemed to be especially popular with the more serious of their squad. He settled on heading to the Green Room. It sounded like a good place to relax, and maybe he would just manage to find someone there.

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

@AtomicNut
"Lieutenant Ritsu is one of the good ones and I don't mean looks. You can trust her to do her job." He eyed Bug while they walked, already the prince had met a good number of their team, Elora, Ava, Minerva and Ritsu. "I haven't had a chance to speak with Ava myself, but from a distance she seems capable. Pretty too, if redheads are your taste. I'll agree with you on Elora, what she lacks isn't so much as skill as it is confidence in herself. Minerva... She lacks direction, or perhaps, has too much of it. I worry that she will one day throw herself at the enemy and be unable to pull away."

He wouldn't be leading bug to the brig but rather towards Griff's quarters. It was about the last possible place that Arrish thought to check but he couldn't find the man practically anywhere else. "Pardon, your highness, I've mislead you. I don't believe he's in the brig any longer, we'll meet with him at his lodging." It wasn't long till they ended up at his door and Arrish would rap hiw knuckles against the flat surface before stepping back. He thought to himself, he had talked about his companion's flaws, would this come back to bite him in some way? Astolfo offered a parley, but that didn't mean the prince would tarnish the image that Arrish kept so careful and neat.

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

@AtomicNut
"Don't be ridiculous, bug. Whatever should I have need to parley for?" under his breathe he added. "please you scum of the earth Whatever reason do I need to be your enemy?" stepped back when bug pulled away and motioned for the prince to walk alongside him and only once they were in rhythm side by side would he continue talking.

"I would be the last to admit this openly, but for once its a relief to see you here. It's been like going through private school all over again except half the students are trauma victims and the other half doesn't realize how bad things actually are." He side eyed Bug as they walked along. "Even if you come from a family of backstabbers, I am nonetheless, glad to have you at my back. It means I have someone that won't break in the middle of combat or rush the enemy in suicidal zealotry. Its not that I don't believe we have something special here, but our ideologies aren't unified and I can't trust anyone yet."

Arrish took a short breathe and kept walking."There's another that I'm looking for. Got himself sent to the brig for not paying attention in class, his name is Griff. He's a bit of a meat head sometimes and I haven't seen him in combat yet but if he's here then he must have a lot of potential. I'm trying to make sure his brains are as powerful as his eagerness to get himself into a fight. Though I suppose, I could show you around and introduce you to the rest of the squad and get you up to speed, if you like.

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

There was something to be said about looking for a man where you're most likely to find him, and Griff wasn't in the Gym, brig or the Cafeteria. He pursed his lips and brought a hand up to his chin. Did Griff float off into space? Did Arrish just make him up as an imaginary person in his brain? No, no, none of that made any sense to him. Griff had to be somewhere... the showers..? Arrish shuddered thinking of how long it had taken him to clean up both the men's and the women's bathroom. What if Griff fell into the same trap he had... that was crazy thought, right? He harrumphed and determined that if Griff couldn't be found in any of his normal haunts than he must of learned that you can fight Cruxi in the simulations.

Arrish was determined to find the blonde, and nothing was going to stop him.

Nothing except the past. He had been walking along just fine at a quickened pace, rounding the corner when he heard the voice of Ava pick up. Ah, maybe she had seen Griff! He quickly turned the corner with a hand raised and a smile on his face when he froze, perfectly still, with neither limbs nor smile leaving his face. There he was, the picture perfect representation of what Arrish feared to become. He was of course talking about the one and only prince Astolfo Wilhelm Bugatti, affectionately known as Bug.

A million scenario's ran through Arrish's head a second and he settled on squaring his shoulders, walking up to bug with his hands held out in an embrace to hug his old friend. "Bug! It's so good to see you! What a surprise! I haven't seen you since, oh what was her name, your dear sister Lucy! Oh, but she would just kill me if I called her that. How is Princess Lucrezia, hm? and how are you? It's good to see you in such good health, my good man." Arrish would hug the man tightly, almost too tight, because he hated loved him so much.

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

It was only after Lorenzo had left the room and turned off the screen that Arrish would slouch into his chair, and take off his sunglasses. Tired eyes looked over to the spot that the projector had been beaming its emotional payload and thought to himself.


What the hell was that?

He had known about some of the creatures they were facing, and even that potentially what was thought to be a caste system could just be genetically enhanced slave drones, but that was something else. Had the Cruxi been kidnapping sentient life to add to its collective, or were they transforming any species they came across into their own personal slaves and warping them so far as to be unrecognizable for a specific use? What would humans look like if they were stretched so thin as to be another species entirely? He shuddered at the thought.

He needed to get away from this, and into another room. He needed to put himself to use. The redhead stood up from his chair and was about to dismiss himself from the class as Elora had done, only to see the other person left was Minerva. When did that happen? He whipped his head over to where Minerva had been sitting and forced the words out."Muh-Minerva, where did everyone go? Forget that, do you know where I can find Griff? I need to catch him up on the lecture he missed. He wouldn't still be in the brig, would he?"

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

When Lorenzo leaned up against his deck and glared at him, Arrish found his shoulders squaring and his back straightening out. It was true that Arrish had since learned about the position of squad leader and how the more ambitious of his squad mates were chasing after the position, and it would be remiss for Arrish to not join them as well."What's on my mind, sir, is that my squad mates are a scattered bunch of children. You can see it in some of their eyes and how they act. Some are frozen in some terrible moment in time, ready to throw themselves into the fire for revenge, and others are unaware or unwilling to see the depth of the threat we're facing. Put on the battlefield we'll have suicidal zealots throwing themselves into the enemy, or immature children pretending to be one of their childhood heroes, trying to be the strong man that saves the day and end up forgotten as nothing but a fool. What they lack is in stability, unity and vision."

"Many of them are young, but their minds need to grow up and realize there's no time for selfishness. We need to work together, and we need to work towards a goal that will change the shape of the war." Arrish took a long deep breathe before concluding. It was true that he was pursuing a head position, but it wasn't entirely for prestige or glory, or even because he wanted to clean his family's name. In fact, it was simpler than that. He didn't wanna fucking die. Maybe it was a sort of arrogance that made him think he could be the one to get himself and everyone out alive and out the other side. "There is one other thing, sir. I would like you to give aurora certification to work on the framewerks. If not, than the engineering privilege to my framewerk. I promised her I would speak to you, and here we are. Was there anything else, sir?" His voice had the tone of defiance to it as though daring to tell off Arrish for daring to speak to him that way, and to make a request—no a demand like that.

@Ariamis

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

"There are always more questions, professor, but none more for now. Thank you for putting into words, and even showing us why the Cruxi are such a threat." Arrish would stand up from where he was seated and begin to announce.

"I would like to clarify, I have no love for the Cruxi menace but saying things like 'they don't care' or 'they're not civilized' does not properly convey how much of a threat we're facing, and to someone unfamiliar who might still try to show compassion those words are useless." He looked around the room, taking in the appearances of his squad mates. Most he had talked to briefly, and some he even had a moment to share with. "The truth is I do not know everyone here. I do not know if they're a veteran from the war, nor if they come from education, and I do not know if they've had any personal experience or tragedy befallen to them by the Cruxi. Maybe there are some stories I'll never be privileged to know but that does not matter. We are have been gathered here as a team to work together, to fight together and if the day comes perhaps we will even die together. I would thank you again, Professor for your authority on the matter, and I think it should help to unify us against the Cruxi threat by putting us all on the same level of understanding."

Arrish gave a bow to the room and seated himself back down with a slight frown.