Gundam Build Divers: Rise of the Crimson Seraphs
Chapter 5: Birth of a squad
Grinning as his friends walked up the young man couldn't resist smiling, it had been a while since they'd last hung out and they were all excited. According to his best friend the girl's had logged in once before though only for a little while, this would for all intents and purposes be their first real mission. Despite the nervous feeling in his stomach the young man was excited, it would be interesting to see what machines they chose. Reaching into his pocket the new player withdrew his cellphone, scroll through a bunch of screens he eventually pulled up the Gundam Battle Nexus App.
"Somebody's earlier than we agreed upon, couldn't wait to get started huh?" Monica questioned as the young man chuckled, it was just like his ex to make fun of his early arrival. Reaching into her backpack the young lady pulled out a manga, unsurprisingly it was a magical girl series though he didn't know which one. She'd always enjoyed those stories and he couldn't blame her, even though he didn't enjoy the genre it had some pretty cool moments.
"We've been coming up with designs for over a week, it's time we stopped designing and began playing." Jamey explained as the young man sighed but nodded that his friend was correct, unfortunately he'd yet to come up with a competent design. Studying his notes the young man groaned in mock disappointment, the young man had several ideas but most of them were outlandish at best. Due to his constant revisions it was better if they offered some help, because of this his friends suggested meeting up and pursuing the game shop for some ideas.
"Good morning everyone, is there anything you're looking for or just browsing?" Cassandra questioned as the model shop's doors whooshed open, walking inside the young man smiled knowing it was going to be a very long but enjoyable process. Meandering through several aisles the young man figured he'd know whatever he was looking for after seeing it, three aisles later he was still looking for something that really jumped out at him. Glancing over at the female shop keeper the girl chuckled, during his second visit the young man had despite not logging in asked for her guidance.
"Choosing a model is beyond difficult, there's so many different models to choose from and most of them look pretty cool." Travis had complained while looking at the models, fixated on the Gundam Seed units it was the series he felt most comfortable exploring. Stepping outside your comfort zone while necessary could be intimidating, as such he'd kinda decided it would be a unit from either Seed or if he could find something which called to him 00.
"We can order you something if that helps, or if you need specialized guidance we do offer that service." Cassandra explained as the young man waved her off, even if he was struggling it was necessary that he picked out himself. Studying the boxes in front of him intently the young man couldn't decide, everything looked so cool and he only got one shot at picking out a free model so it needed to be just right.
"I've been thinking of a couple designs but most of them seem pretty complex, any suggestions for a base model?" Travis questioned before sitting down at the workshop desk, it was fairly deserted which allowed the young man any seat he desired. Selecting one which faced the models he began contemplating his ideas, they were all pretty intricate which meant they'd probably be costly build. Right now he wasn't exactly strapped with cash and needed a decent staring point, the unit he selected also needed to be a fairly useful machine in case he needed to save up for a more expensive model.
"Depends on what kind of unit your looking for, there's a couple of really good close quarters or mid range units on sale right now but that might not be your style." Cassandra explained as the young sighed thinking it over, close range wasn't exactly his thing but it could work if necessary. Mid-range combat was something he loved but wasn't entirely sure if he could handle it, one mission wasn't exactly a good basis for knowing what play style suited him. Gazing at the models his eyes drifted to a familiar red machine, walking over he picked it up and smiled before raising it upwards.
"Seed mobile suits are kind my thing in our group, my very first Gunpla was part of its series." Travis questioned as the young woman nodded that it was a good first choice, it was kinda expensive but that was only natural. Assuming the old phrase about getting what you paid for was accurate in this game it was only natural great units would be expensive, operating under that mindset it was probably a mid to high rank unit.
"Aegis is a speedy unit that's capable of both close and mid range combat, it's even got a mobile armor form which should provide better mobility." Cassandra explained as the young man simply blinked in reply, blushing a little she nodded that it was a pretty good starting unit. Deciding it was exactly the right choice for him the young man picked up the model and walked over to her checkout register, setting the model down he reached into a pocket and withdrew a somewhat damaged leather wallet.
"Sounds right up my dream ally." Travis explained as the young woman giggled but rolled her eyes, it was an extremely bad line that he'd just delivered with no regrets. Actually in some regards the young man's demeanor was appreciated, unlike the customers she'd been dealing with lately he seemed genuinely apprecivate. Opening his wallet the young man pulled out his cash silently hoping it would be enough, watching as she rang it up the cashier grinned when his eyes shrank.
"Okay a sale is one thing but free doesn't seem like a very realistic price." Travis explained as the young woman looked at him like there was something awkward on his face, actually given the surprise of it ringing up as free there was a pretty good chance his expression did look awkward.
"Did you forget about the whole compensation for playing a joke on you?" Cassandra questioned as the young man's eyes lit up, until now he'd completely forgotten about that little exchange during their first login. Smacking his own forehead the young woman laughed at his actions, it was a really pretty laugh that in his opinion seemed both elegant and playful. Under different circumstances he would've asked the lady out but it was kinda strange flirting at their place of business, nodding that he finally remember the young man placed their wallet back into his jean's right pocket.
Grabbing the completely paid for model he walked over to a empty chair and sat down, other than a single guy playing in the computer room he was the only customer sticking around. Knowing that it wouldn't be a model he could finish in a single day the young man just wanted to get a decent look, going into a project blind regardless of the model was a bad idea. Slowly removing the box's top he began looking at the instruction guide, it was a pretty straightforward model but he loved it.
"So what are you doing after this?" Cassandra questioned breaking the young man's focus, giving her a quick shrug there wasn't much else he could do. Jamey had to work a double shift which ruled out discussing model plans, more likely than not he'd probably just go home and watch some TV. until bedtime. Since he really wasn't much of a party guy bars were something he avoided, sure he'd visit them with friends but only if they really insisted.
"Don't really know, there's not a lot to do at night when you don't like drinking or nightclubs." Travis replied as the young woman smiled before nodding in agreement, the whole nightclub scene didn't really interest her either. She'd gone once because a cousin asked her but she didn't like it, it was just too chaotic and in her opinion never worth the headache.
"We could grab a bite to eat, there's a really good sushi and hibachi place nearby if that sounds good?" Cassandra questioned as the young man looked at her surprised, did she really just ask him out to dinner. Actually he'd thought of asking the young lady out a couple of times now but always decided against it, flirting with her during business hours just didn't seem right. Since the young lady asked him out instead there wasn't any need to feel guilty, nodding that it sounded really good the young man zipped up his backpack to ensure the model wouldn't fall out.
"Sounds like fun." Travis replied before looking into the computer room, under different circumstances he might've logged in for a little while but not tonight. Running a session by himself didn't sound particularly fun and both of the players he already knew were busy, thankfully his ex and the girl's best friend agreed to meet up in a few days and try squad based missions.
"Okay well my shift ends in about thirty minutes, until then you're welcome to hang out and pursue the store." Cassandra explained as the young man nodded in reply, exploring the shop was a pretty good idea so it's exactly what he'd do.
Making his way down several aisles it was pretty clear they liked being well stocked, there were even a good number of models he'd never known existed. Some of them even looked as if they could defeat an entire squad by themselves, admittedly most of those Gunpla were mobile armors but his point stood. Glancing at the model in his bag it was going to be really fun assembling it, before he could get very far however the young man's eyes landed on another model.
"Dang it your store has way too many cool Gunpla." Travis explained holding up the box in question, it was definitely a cool model but it was also quite pricey. Much as he wanted the Gunpla it would've cost him nearly four weeks pay, as such it was a unit that might be possible down the road but was currently too far outside his price range.
"Somebody's got expensive taste, it's a really cool model but its hard to justifying purchasing it." Cassandra explained as the young man sighed but nodded that he understood, Gundam units from lesser known series were usually more expensive. According to his friend it was about supply and demand, if they didn't make a whole lot then it cost more. Still it was a dang cool model and one he planned on getting down the road, setting the box down he looked back at it for just a moment.
"Gundam TR-6 Haze'n-thley II-Rah it's expensive alright but one day it will be mine, oops that sounded a little more intimidating than it should've." Travis explained laughing and blushing at his mistake, giving him a quick wink she jotted down a note before placing it on the box. Grinning at the words on it he knew she was messing with him, it wasn't like she could just hold the model in question forever though it would've been nice. Assuming somebody else wanted it and could pay for it then so be it, unfortunately that price was going to make buying it nearly impossible for your casual players or builders.
"Okay my shift's done, wanna get outta here?" Cassandra questioned as the young man gulped before nodding, it had been nearly eight years since his last date. So much had changed in those years and it made him feel a little uncertain, pushing the doubt away he grabbed the bag containing his model. Offering the young lady his right arm she laughed before playfully shoving him, switching the lights off they both walked out into the cool night air.
"Ummm hello earth to Gundam nerd." Monica joked snapping his attention back to reality, realizing he'd been standing there like an idiot he blushed.
Making his way over to a nearby desk set up for model building he pulled a chair out, sitting down he realized the other female member of his group was holding a box. Since he didn't really get to visit with her very often it would be interesting to see what the girl had chosen, gazing at the box he was more than a little surprised that her model was from Gundam F91. Giving her a quick thumbs up she raised both palms in mock surrender, while both ladies enjoyed looking at models they didn't feel comfortable build it.
"I don't mind helping you on this model but eventually you'll need to start learning how to build it yourself." Travis explained as the young ladies nodded, whenever they purchased a model he usually ended up building it. Unfortunately it wasn't like he could build them and his own model in a speedy fashion, as such it was about time both ladies started assembling their own models. Okay so maybe that sounded a little rude but it wasn't meant from a good place, if they didn't learn to build models eventually it would make customizing them even harder.
"Vighna Ghina is a really good starter unit, it's got really impressive speed and both long and close range options." Cassandra explained as she pulled up the Gundam Wiki page, sure there were people against using it but she'd always found it reliable. Glancing over at the young man's best friend she grinned, they'd picked out his model a couple of days ago but he'd wanted to keep it a secret from the group.
"Ain't no Gundam like the Burning Gundam." Jamey explained as the entire group winced at his joke, combining it with his propensity for overly dramatic gestures and it could be a little much. Still it kept their group level headed if nothing else, they could always rely on him if things ever got too serious. Grabbing the model kit building tools he sat down and began clipping out his model pieces, if it was anything like his own it might take a little while.
"Considering this is our first squad based mission it's probably better if we stick to easy builds, although there's still one member who needs to pick a model." Travis explained looking at the only member who'd yet to pick a unit, she didn't really know much outside of Wing units but that wasn't a problem. She'd most likely end up picking the scythe wielder for a couple of reasons, firstly it was her preferred mobile suit and second it was capable of stealth which fit right up her ally. Despite pursing a career in theater she was actually pretty meek during combat, she preferred a tactical blow opposed to running in guns blazing.
"Dude you still haven't shown us your model." Jamey teased as his friend sighed, the young man had been so invested in their choices he'd forgotten about his own.
Reaching into his backpack the young man pulled out his unit of choice and the girls both whistled, unlike them his best friend was a little more skeptical. Aegis was a mobile suit the young man's friend didn't care for but it was admittedly pretty sleek, it was a machine he'd used several times in video games so if he got lucky its move set would be pretty similar in the online game.
"Aegis is probably my favorite rival character's Gundam, well it and Sazabi but that seemed like overkill." Travis explained as the young man's best friend nodded in agreement, the girl's didn't know why but it was a subject of great debate between friends.
Jamey claimed the machine was too powerful and in some regards he might've been correct, it had several powerful weapons but it was the funnel system he despised. According to him it would most likely prevent the girl's from defeating anything which in turn would ruin their experience, even though he didn't see it that way he'd eventually comprised by agreeing to wait until later. Since it was ultimately his complaints which lead the young man to pick a different model he couldn't argue with the new choice, looking at the girls both of them nodded it was a much better choice.
"We should probably just use rentals for now, there's a couple of pretty cool ones in the display case." Monica explained as their entire group nodded that she was right, it wouldn't quite as epic using the rentals but it was kinda necessary. Getting up from his seat the young man pushed his chair in before making his way over to a really cool display case, there were models from just about every series including his favorite.
"Dibs on the Burning Gundam." Jamey shouted making his entire group laugh, the young man was if nothing else persistent in getting exactly what he decided fit him. Grabbing the model in question he rushed into the back leaving his group blinking, it was amazing how quick the young man could be given the right incentive.
"Okay then for me it's gonna be Deathscythe." Monica explained as the group nodded in agreement, it was the mobile suit everyone had assumed she would pick. Grabbing the rental unit she winked at her best friend and rushed into the back, seconds later the other female in his group picked up a model of her own.
"Well seems you're the last one, there's a model with your name on it assuming the machine suits you." Cassandra explained as the young man cringed at her terrible pun, when he'd recovered from it she reached into the display case grabbing a unit. She'd positioned herself between the young and said case on purpose, it would keep him from discovering her surprise before it was ready. Giving him a wink she motioned for him to close both eyes, sighing but doing as the lady requested it was being to seem a little fishy.
"So a little birdie told me you liked Gundams from After War X and this is your favorite." Cassandra explained as the young man opened his eyes, gasping as he realized the machine in question was one he truly loved. Red and black with a devil like motif it was the first enemy Gundam he'd fallen in love with, most series had good rival mobile suits but enemy Gundams were at least in his opinion usually lacking. Grabbing the model he began studying it looking for any deformities, it was masterfully built with everything being in just the right place. Staring at it the young man could feel a sense of enticement running through his veins since it was model he'd always wanted to build, until today he'd never been able to find one in nearly as good of condition.
"Dude this is amazing who built it?" Travis questioned looking over at the young lady assisting him, slowly raising their hand with a blush on her face it was pretty clear she'd built it. Realizing she'd built for him the young man was conflicted, while part of himself longed to build an unique machine this was one he absolutely loved. Giving her a quick wink the young man rushed into the back carrying it, sitting down next to his friend the young man's eyes brightened.
"Somebody's happy it's almost like someone told your new girlfriend about your favorite mobile suit." Jamey teased as the young man contemplated smacking his friend, one date hardly made them a couple although it would've been pretty epic. She already knew his favorite mobile suit and their date went pretty good so maybe being a couple wasn't so outlandish, still it was probably better if the young man kept his private life and his GBN character's life separate from each other.
Setting it down on the action base the machine lit up, seconds later the bright white light filled his eyes. Despite logging in once before the light was still overwhelming, actually he didn't know if that would ever change but it didn't really matter. Bright lights were a small cost for getting to pilot a mobile suit, when the lights finally dimmed he was inside the player base. Glancing over at his friends the young man wasn't surprised by their decisions, it was pretty much exactly what he imagined they'd pick.
"We're supposed to use avatar names right, in that case my name is Angelica." Monica explained as the young man smiled, their avatar was deck out exactly like he guessed it would be. Dressed in a beautiful gown it had angel wings on the back, it seemed a little overly flamboyant though he enjoyed it.
"Nefatari at your service." Nikki explained as the young lady walked up smiling, dressed in traditional Egyptian garb her ears reminded them of a wolf. According to her it was supposed to be a Jackal's but none of them saw it, eventually she let it go before looking over at his friend.
"Call me Burnstorm" Jamey explained as the young man sighed, the guy did have a thing for catchy names. Dressed in a red jacket which the young man knew came from a video game they both loved and blue jeans it was pretty freaking anime, add in the image on his jacket which came from Monster Hunter and it screamed original character. Still he'd already found a couple of different names that were just as bad if not worse, it was kinda scary just how little imagination some people used in creating their user name. Just yesterday he'd logged in for a couple of minutes, in that small window he'd come across three players with horrendous names.
Player killers were something he'd never understood and this game was no different, if you advertised that with a stupid name didn't it mean you wanted to be found out. Actually it was because of them he'd never really looked into online games, it just seemed cruel for someone to wait outside a campaign zone just to ambush other players. Usually it was done to farm equipment but in this game it seemed pointless, it wasn't like defeating another player would give you their mobile suit.
"Okay you guys let's begin our first real mission." Sarenthia explained as she walked up grinning, it was his assumption the young lady would be far too engrossed in her work. Opening her command window she clicked a few buttons in quick order, seconds later they were standing inside a new hangar. While he couldn't be entirely sure it looked bigger than he remembered, it only made sense that if more people were in your group the hangar needed to be larger.
"We're gonna be facing Dark Army minions right?" Blazing Ace questioned as the young woman nodded, knowing it would make his friend ecstatic the young man chuckled a little. Grabbing his own command window he pressed the sortie button, moments later he was inside the cockpit of a brand new Gundam. Clicking the button once more he pushed both control sticks forward, walking onto the nearby slingshot it began a rather loud countdown.
Smiling as the room passed him by it was just like being in a real mobile suit, engaging his thrusters after clearing the hangar it was much faster than his original unit. Maybe it was because the unit was newer but it also felt more responsive, pushing the right control stick forward and the left one down it proceeded to do a quick roll.
"If you're done playing around we've got a mission." Angelica reminded him as the young man blushed then nodded, it was kinda his own fault but dang the mobile suit was nice. Under different circumstances he would've experimented a little more, but as for right now the entire squad was nearing a zone gate. Once they passed beyond it his group would be engaging in a frantic battle, if he wasn't careful it might just end with their defeat. Gripping the control stick even tighter he pushed it forward, passing through it his group was determined they'd be ready for anything.