2023-08-08: A Bunch of Dorks
- Cast: Alouette Pommier, Lina Lombardi
- Where: GGG Orbit Base
- Date: U.C. 0097 08 08
- Summary: Lina and Alouette get to know each other, discussing Lina's path to 3G, fashion choices, and girl problems.
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
Alouette can do Italian! Just don't blame her if she mixes up the vocabulary thanks to those fiendish false friends. Luckily for Lina, 3G is truly an international organization, even if it takes its roots in the heart of Nouvelle Tokyo. There might even be another Italian if she looks hard enough...
Listening to Lina's own story, Alouette nods. G-Hound... "So basically, you're a deserter?" She asks, putting it a little less delicately. "I don't particularly blame you." She adds, nonetheless. "Was it the war on ZAFT?" As a Coordinator herself, albeit one who didn't grow up in the PLANTs, you can imagine how mixed her own feelings were.
The mention of the political games on the surface, and how it must be easier to fight monsters and aliens does elicit a slight frown in her, though. "Yes... I can see how you might feel that way. But you fought Amuro Ray, so I don't think I need to tell you they're not all we're up against." For the majority of the current Gutsy Galaxy Guard and the new Gutsy Global Guard, the bulk of the Ruin Apostles are dear comrades, friends.. even family.
"Even BioNet's Pseudo-Zonders... powering each one is a unique, troubled heart. In many ways, our work involves people and emotions just as much as anyone else's." She can't help but smile - she was once a beneficiary of that herself. "So if you're tired of fighting with a conflicted conscience, this might just be the place for you, after all."
As for Duma, and Sigma... "I've known Sigma for a while now. He's usually kind of a dork like that." She laughs, slightly. "But I can see what he was trying to do, at least."
<Pose Tracker> Lina Lombardi has posed.
"I mean, when you put it that way, it sounds a lot worse. I'm not the only one who left when what was happening on those PLANTs got out. And well...a friend I trust a lot said they probably wouldn't stop there." One of her fists clenches when she remembers Rita. She had also abandoned the Phenex Hunt when Michele's true colors had shown. The academy, G-Hound, Rita...she really was a deserter, wasn't she?
Guess it runs in the family, a terrible voice in the back of her head says.
"I mean, yeah, of course it's not always just killing a different monster every week. I was briefed on the Ruin Apostles. I couldn't imagine you all having to go through that. Having someone you love disappear and come back as...that." It was only a half truth. She had gone through the first part already, and had woken up in a cold sweat during the night on more than one occasion vividly imagining the second part.
She casts those demons away and gives her own chuckle. "But...you wouldn't know the pain everyone's been through by looking at them. Takeshi nothing, you're all kinda dorks. But...you're dorks that have so far welcomed me with open arms. And I guess as long as I'm in this getup, I'm a dork too."
BBSYS: Post 1134, 'Mithril Postmortem: TDD-1 Hijacking/(A notice from Mithril Intelligence. It has the signature of Intelligence Chief, General Mayer Amit.)%R%ROn July 1, Mithril's Tuatha de Danaan battlegroup launched an operation to the Perio Archipelago to respond to an attack on a strategic weapons store there. The enemy contingent included several Black Knights operatives, the mercenary Chienne, and the terrorist leader Gauron. The attack was routed; one of the Black Knights, callsign "Queen", and both Chienne and Gauron were captured.%R%RDue to the likelihood of these captives having valuable intelligence about what appears to be an organized hostile element, as well as the experimental nature of all three captured machines, the decision was made to take the prisoners into Shuffle Alliance custody instead of leaving them for the Federation. %R%RSeveral hours later en route back to Merida Island, SRT Jonathan Danigan and Nguyen Bien Bo both betrayed the battlegroup, set the captives free, and seized the bridge of the TDD-1. In the process of this, the hijackers murdered both Private Liang Shaoping and Lieutenant Gail McAllen, the latter of whom was the commander of the battlegroup's Special Response Team. They also captured Mithril & Shuffle Alliance Person of Interest Kaname Chidori as a hostage.%R%RThe hijackers proceeded to use stolen security codes to circumvent the TDD-1's mother AI's protections, and grant super-administrator access to a remote asset code-named OWL. Based on reports from Captain Testarossa, OWL was likely an iteration of the public figure known as Asciel Colette. Intelligence agrees this matches with reports of Colette as a Super-AI of unknown providence.%R%RThey proceeded to stage a drill to evacuate all unwitting personnel from the crew section of the ship into the hangars, allowing the hijackers to operate the vessel uninhibited. It appears at this time that the plan was for the Danaan to simply disappear into the clutches of the organization behind the hijacking.%R%RThrough Captain Teletha Testarossa's quick thinking, Kaname Chidori was able to escape the bridge. This appears to have angered the lead hijacker, Gauron, to the extreme that he abandoned the stated plan and began using the TDD-1's complement of missiles to fire on inland targets and the Orbital Elevators, creating a potential global crisis. Federation assets responded to these attacks. It appears Celestial Being directly intervened to prevent the elevator attacks.%R%RThis put the Danaan in an essentially indefensible position. Using experimental onboard equipment, Kaname Chidori, in association with the Black Knight asset "Queen" as well as SRT Sgt. Seolla Schweitzer, Sgt. Sousuke Sagara, Sgt. Kurz Weber and Sgm. Melissa Mao, and coordinating with Captain Testarossa, were able to retake the vessel's mother AI and expel the hijackers.%R%RGauron attempted to destroy the vessel using his captured machine's Self-Destruct Module, but was launched into the sea before the explosion by Sgt. Sagara. Gauron is believed dead and his machine destroyed. "Queen" was retrieved by a Black Knight exfiltration unit. Chienne was similarly forced to retreat with her own mercenary team.%R%RAt the request of the TDD-1 crew, "Queen's" identity has been redacted from this report out of respect for her assistance.%R%RAlthough the potential damage was catastrophic, Intelligence acknowledges Captain Testarossa's skilful handling of the situation. Once the hijack was discovered, no lives were lost.%R%RWe believe at this time that the TDD-1 has likely been designated as a high-value target by at all Federation factions and likely also Celestial Being. Intelligence advises all members of the Tuatha de Danaan battlegroup to take special care.' has been published to Shuffle Alliance by Sousuke Sagara.
BBSYS: Post 1135, 'Mithril Postmortem: TDD-1 Hijacking' has been published to Shuffle Alliance by Sousuke Sagara.
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
"...Mmm." She nods, about how she's not the only one who left in protest of the PLANT's treatment. "Not to mention the Vist Foundation pulling the strings for them." She adds. "Unfortunately, I've learned what they're capable of first hand." As their prisoner. But she knows 3G has made it their fight - and Martha won't have her way over the Federation forever.
Alouette nods at Lina's half-truth. "It's certainly not easy... especially when I can imagine how much it hurts them to carry out Cosmic Law." Lina should vividly remember the pain coursing through each Fin Funnel that spread from Amuro's Ruin Nu Gundam. "...But we're the only ones who can rescue them from their misery. It's a duty that I don't take lightly." She concludes, as her eyes track across her screen.
Eyes meeting Lina again... she can't counter that she isn't a dork too, because she knows she's definitely one. "People don't tend to find their way to 3G by pure coincidence. Even if your girlfriend or whoever recommended you... you were the one who took the plunge at the end of the day. As long as you swore that Oath... yep, you must be a dork too."
As for the outfit... "It's not a bad getup though, is it? It's quite customizable all things considered... I bet it's way better than whatever G-Hound offered!" She ruffles her own skirt and jacket. "The Dive Suit? Well, that's a whole different story. And Mode Warp's fault!" She's still not over Akane showing up to the Millympic Games in one...
<Pose Tracker> Lina Lombardi has posed.
"Well, if most of them are members of 3G...that makes them my comrades in arms! And I want to meet every one of them! So we're gonna get them back! A soldier never leaves their squad behind!" Lina grins and raises her fist!
And then her cool moment is immediately disarmed by the g word.
Girlfriend.
"H-Hey, it's not like that! ...I think. W-We only went on one date! Is that enough to make it a thing...?" Gaah, she really had to call Sonia when she was back on surface.
Shaking that off, she tosses her scarf over her shoulder. "I suppose it's not that bad. I feel like a real hero in this thing. But no Dive Suit. Ever."
BBSYS: Post 1136, 'The End of Day by Day' has been published to Cutscenes & Logs by Sousuke Sagara.
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
"That's the spirit!" Alouette encourages Lina, who already sees the past members of 3G as her comrades despite never meeting them, except as enemies. "They're all incredible... the people, and the robot people too. They taught me so much, so I'm just as eager to pay them back." A quick sigh, and she adds, "Even if it means showing them what I've learned of combat first."
And then that little moment is interrupted with Lina stammering and flushing about a girlfriend. "So that's how it is? I just took a shot in the dark, but if that's how you're reacting... seems I was right." She smirks. "If you're so unsure, why don't you just... ask her?" And that at least, is genuine advice.
Eyeing Lina's scarf, Alouette nods, when Lina says she feels like a real hero in that. "I'm sure that's what Chief Taiga was going for. And that scarf is a unique touch... definitely makes you look like a classic pilot." She enthuses.
BBSYS: Post 1137, 'Mithril Command - The Withdrawal Of Sousuke Sagara' has been published to Shuffle Alliance by Teletha Testarossa.
BBSYS: Post 1138, 'Withdrawal Notice: Sousuke Sagara' has been published to Gathering to Unite Transnational Schools by Sousuke Sagara.
<Pose Tracker> Lina Lombardi has posed.
"Yeah, actually talking to the robots is pretty new for me. More used to...being in them." The Brave Robos were pretty easy to get along with though, all things considered.
If there's one thing Alouette would learn about Lina, it would be that she was a pretty open book, despite her own best efforts. "I suppose. I haven't known Sonia for too long, but...God, she's a hell of a girl. Really knows how to get under my skin." Her olive cheeks flush slightly red. "...In the best way." Ugh, that was it. She at least had to try for a second date.
She chuckles at the mention of her scarf. "Heh, well, a Lombardi's gotta look the part of an ace pilot."
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
"Super AI is a pretty new domain of research, so I understand why." She nods, about Lina's unfamiliarity with speaking to robots. "Implanting and enriching a personality into a robot is truly a fascinating process... but most of all, I think they're great friends. Have you met Mic yet?" He's definitely the life of the party when it comes to the Strongest Brave Robo Corps.
"Yes, I've only known you for just this conversation... but you do seem the type whose skin is super easy to get under." She smiles, noting that slight blush. "I wish you and Captain Sophia-Grace the best of luck."
"Only look the part? I'd have thought you were aiming for the actual title. Although... between Guy and Renais, the 3G Green Mobile Corps is already some pretty steep competition." She grins. Lina might protest about being up against an Evoluder and a Cyborg... but at least those two are on her side in a real battle.
"Besides... my cravat is a bit of an inherited look, too. Mikoto, the original 3G Mobile Corps Operator used to wear one. And she's exactly the type of woman I wanted to become." She tugs at it with a subdued smile. It also reminds her of what she's fighting for.
<Pose Tracker> Lina Lombardi has posed.
"Well, just you watch. Soon enough, people will be talking about Lina Lombardi, the Green Daredevil! The fight in Tsutsujidai was just the beginning!" Are you allowed to make up your own epithet? Maybe she belonged in 3G more than even she thought. "Anyway, I should probably get going. It was nice to get to know you, Alouette. I look forward to fighting alongside you."
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
<poem> "The Green Daredevil? Did you make that one up? ...Sounds like something out of a Zentie TV show." Alouette calls her out for full damage. "...But yes, it was nice meeting you. Welcome to 3G!" She does want to believe in the pilot that Lina hypes herself up as... As a Mobile Corps operator, Alouette thinks it's important to get to know the people whose lives will be in her hands on the battlefield. Especially as she can feel that they're about to get more dangerous than they ever have been, and it'll take all their collective courage to make it through.