In their designated hanger in Atlas, Jaune and Winter are putting the finishing touches on Winter's new robot. A sleeker, smaller, more feminine model and if Arc's calculations are correct, faster but at the cost of raw power. The weapons array system was currently giving them problems, as Winter insisted on a Dust powered engines and now the two are busy finding a way around the problem.
Marrow decided to tag along to get ahead in mech training, the official training not being held until the completion of their Zorps- I mean Guard Attack Systems are ready. Jaune corrected his thoughts as Marrow did the important task of washing Mrgas free of dirt, mud, burn marks, buff out sum dents, tightened some bolts, and cut out meteors that gut stuck in Mrgas body with power tools he had no idea how to use, but that is where good ole' aura came into play. Jaune could here Marrow almost snapping his arms from the industrial angle grinder.
"Winter, if you just let me install the 671 J-Huffer we could be done already." Jaune complained as he got another rejection from the weapons systems. Winter released a frustrated sigh walking over to Jaune
"I'll contact Oscar so he can prep it for shipping." Winter announced, some how taking Jaune's HUD out of the hangar with Jaune following behind, both left the hanger leaving Marrow unintentionally by himself.
"Okay Jaune I think I got out all the space rocks. Can I please drive Mrgas?" Marrow walking over to where Jaune once stood as he wiped his face with a towel, not noticing the pilots are gone.
When he looked back up it was to blinding that quickly made him hide his eyes again. When it faded, four women posed in front of him in different colored sailer uniforms.
"This looks like the place." The one in read commented as they looked about.
"Wow, is that him?" The one wearing yellow asked pointing directly at Marrow. The intruders rushed to a paralyzed Marrow as he tried to rationalize his situation. Oh crap! Are they aliens? Ironwood warned this might happen. Marrow's tail tried to hide under the specialist but he stopped that by hold it.
"Are you him?" Purple asked confusing Marrow.
"We're looking for the ace-pilot of the big blue robot, the one named Jaune." Red clarified.
"Jaune? Yeah he's"
"He's cuter than I expected." Purple cut him off.
Now Marrow had a conundrum, he could either A) tell the truth and get to the bottom of this or B) Claim to be Jaune and get cute girls. Of course you know what he picked.
"Thanks for the compliment but I'm not Jaune. I think he's somewhere in the base." Marrow fished out his scroll sending a message to Ironwood, then two more for Winter and Jaune as he lead the new arrivals to General Ironwoods office. The Ultra Cadets could not look away from Marrow's tail as they commented on it.
As Marrow entered he saw Jaune sitting in one of chairs behind Ironwoods desk, facing the and working on the central processing unit for Winter's mech. Winter stood to form behind the General. The man himself released a sharp sigh coming to realize that Atlas is very much at a security risk from space, but that is what he paid Jaune to take care of.
"Oh, great one we are desperate," Nova (red) started, pleading to Jaune "We need you to fight a horrible creature that has wreaking havoc on our world."
"Not interested. Plus I'm too busy trying to get 'Frostbite' up and running." Jaune said easily never taking his focus off the C.P.U. General Ironwood had to agree. This was not Remnants fight, if Magnanimous had asked for the same Ironwood would have sent Jaune, as Magnanimous is an official ally of Atlas, but these girls are a complete unknown. So far trusting an unknown has gotten Ironwood technology his scientist would have never thought of.
"We cannot spare you Arc for the aforementioned reasons but we can send an Ace-Ops pilot?" Ironwood offered.
"I nominate Marrow, he's the only Ace-Ops that can likely get Mrgas into second-gear."
The Ultra Cadets huddles together.
"So we're trading the cute blonde for the cute Dogboy? Nova take the deal." Galaxia demanded, (purple)
"As the only Dogboy enjoyer, I agree." Comet (blue) threw in. "This could be our chance to date a furry, don't ruin it for us." Turning back to the General, Nova agreed to the terms.
"Specialist Amin, I grant you access to off Remnant. Get your bags together and meet in the GAS hangar. Winter, show our guests to the food hall." Winte silently saluted leading the Cadets away.
"Yes, sir!" Marrow saluted excitedly, tail flailing back and forth. As he left Ironwood turned to Arc.
"You want me to follow them, don't you?" Jaune asked tightening a panel. "I was planning on it anyways. I want to see if he's serious about piloting."
Later
Ironwood and his personnel stood in the GAS hangar with the cadets. The Ace-Ops are seeing Marrow off and Jaune installing the cpu in Frostbyte with Winter breathing down his neck. Turning to the Cadets Marrow had to ask.
"So, how are we getting to your planet?" The Cadets raised their hands into the air before making a transparent heart of energy, starting from the ground up the five individuals began to disappear into the hearts. Jaune calmly looked on as he drank his Mega-Slush, a rare thing to find in Atlas.
"Cool. I'll begin tracking the system." Jaune walked over to Mrgas.
Different Planet
The spaceship housing the Cadets and Marrow just returned to its home world, with Marrow embarrassingly pressing his face against the glass while his tail went crazy. Seeing a city walled in is a common sight but what those walls protected is what excited him, the city seemingly more advanced than Atlas is beautiful. Nova began to explain their plight once more. As they landed in a hangar.
"Our planet has fallen under attack by a fowl creature called the Krrdock."
"How bad can this Krrdock be?"
"Even us four, with all our power can't stop it and we're pretty strong as is." Pulsar explained. That really didn't answer Marrow's question, how strong are they? He had to ask himself.
"But we know Remnants have defeated for worse!" Galaxia cheered
"That's likely do to the giant robot that I don't pilot." He explained rethinking his decision.
"Don't worry," she began revealing a robot heavily loaded with weapons. "You can use this one." Marrow felt better about his chances before that robot was moved to show and all pink weaponless wonder. Those hopes are now down the toilet.
"It a little old but Remnants are ace pilots, so you'll have no problem." The girls began to push Marrow as he tried to stay away from the robot but the Cadets uncaring of this just manhandled him.
"Because of that viscous Krrdock's constant attacks, we were forced to build a protective dome over our city." Now that was something Marrow will need to remember for later.
"But we don't know how much longer it will hold." Pulsar finished.
"You're our only hope."
"Yeah, is there anyway I can get some practice in?" Marrow's question went unanswered as they pushed him into the robot.
"Good luck out there cutie." Galaxia said, blowing a kiss.
"Wait, you're not helping in the fight?"
"We've seen videos of the prowess of Remnants pilots, we'd just get in the way. I'm sure you can defeat the Krrdock alone." Nova explained blowing her own kiss as the bridge the Cadets are standing on receded and hatch to the cockpit closed, locking Marrow inside.
"Note too self: When cray alien space babes ask you to fight a giant monster, YOU SAY NO!" Marrow raged as his robot moved forward thanks to the treads on it's feet and automatic systems. The movement knocked Marrow off his feet and into the pilots seat, where he is locked in with the controls moving closer ,
,covering everything from his toes to his lap.
Pink Power was paraded through the city as it made for the exit of the domes. Outside was a little to quite for the dog faunus. Scanning the immune area with his eye, Marrow tried figure out the controls. Never noticing a blue robot land in heavy foliage as a massage from the Cadets came got his attention.
"We've all got a our fingers crossed for you Marrow." Nova said, doing said action.
"Letsgoonadatewhenyougetback." Pulsar quickly stated.
"Okay?" Marrow asked, trying to decipher her words before the feed was cut by an angry Nova. Shaking his he got his bearings, okay Marrow just a little self tutorial and your ready.
Jaune and Winter just landed when they spotted Pink Power. Jaune is actually impressed with the robot and how quickly Marrow is getting the completely alien tech to walk about, even if it is just in a circle going both directions. It shows he put in the hours in the simulations Jaune and Winter programmed for the Ace-Ops training.
Then the arms came up as Pink Power bounced in place in a boxers' stance throwing practice jabs, it was wobbly at first but balance started come into play a few moments later.
Marrow stopped all commands when he spotted the tree tops started moving and impact tremors shook the ground. Hitting zoom, he spied face of the Krrdock just it broke through the trees.
"Woah!" Marrow balked slightly accidentally pulling a lever that activated the jets on Pink Power's back, sending the poor noob careening towards Krrdock.
"Oh man! What did I do?" Marrow panicked as he tried to cancel the jet, instead he barely managed to correct the flight pose and scream.
Cadets
"Wow, Marrow is going right for the Krrdock."
"He's so brave."
MRGAS
"Yeah, hit it with a clothesline!" Jaune cheered sending popcorn everywhere as he and Winter both watch and record the fight. He dipped a caramel-apple into the bucket before taking a large bite, he jokingly offered some to Winter, he was a little shocked when she took the treat with no hesitation.
Marrow
Marrow barely managed to raise to arm up in time fulfill His move in time, carrying both combatants to the ground. Pink's head dug into the ground with the jets still going, pivoting Pink back to an upright position and then further into the forest. The Krrdock gave chance after getting back up, inhaling deeply the beast spat great gouts of flames, encompassing our hero in a wall of inferno.
Pink seemed completely undamaged, explaining why this model was picked to fight the monster, Marrow tried hitting random buttons not realizing that it was a lever that would stop the rockets.
Eventually the jet shut off from overheating and Marrow decided to lead the thing away on foot, even as clumsily as he did. Fireballs rain downed around him like on lvl. 12 of the simulations as Pink desperately sidestep as it ran.
Cadets
"Look he's leading the Krrdock away." Nova commented.
"Aw, but now he's out of sensor range. We can't see him." Pulsar stated sulking with her sisters-in-arms, before lifting everyone's spirits "I bet that Krrdock is begging for its life."
Marrow
"Let me live! Let me live! Let. Me. Live." Begged as he dodged more streams of flames and fireballs while circling back to place the monster between him and the volcano. Not realizing a powered down Mrgas was camouflaged behind him.
Krrdock charged forward with new found speed nailing a flaming fist into Pink's chest. Marrow screamed as he sailed back and crashed into something, standing up Pink looked over to Mrgas with Jaune hanging out the window.
"Alright you slugma wanna be! You terrorize these people, you tried to kill me, and now you embarrass me in front of my new friends!"
Mrgas
Jaune felt a tear escape his eye at the beautiful rant, pride growing in his chest for being an inspiration.
Marrow
"STAY!" Marrow barked loudly activating his semblance before sending Pink into a full charge, spearing the giant fire monster to the ground before mounting the beast delivering three hammer blows before the tail WACKED him away.
When Krrdock stood Pinks hand grabbed it's face before bashing the monster skull into a cliff side, a solid wide swing followed getting grunts of pain from Krrdock. Krrdock charged another fireball, shooting it out with more speed than the others before it, it hit Pink's chest sending the the warrior flying off its feet from the following explosion.
Krrdock removed two of the many crystals sticking out it's back, throwing them at Pink, one nicked the robot as it dodged, the projectiles exploded on impact with the ground. Krrdock fired off small flaming bullets, they seemed to do nothing against the armor until energy glowed from the impact zone creating a massive explosion.
Marrow activated the jet once again, screaming as he charged delivering two punches to the face before dropping a double hammer on Krrdock's shoulders, garnering More cries of pain from the monster. Pink reared back for a heavy punch that sent Krrdock into the volcano. Seeing the fight over Marrow turned back to Mrgas helping it stand.
Mrgas
"The Double Duce? Nice." Jaune complimented over the comm-links as both robots walked through a hardy reception and impromptu parade. People cheered as Pink Power rolled through, waving to the people while Mrgas walked steady pace behind.
Marrow displayed everything Jaune and Winter needed to see to make him an official pilot. Planning, adapting, the natural sense to go to the training simulator. Now, Jaune feels compelled to build Marrow his own robot, instead of letting him suffer ing the Zorps knock-offs, but those thoughts could wait as the Cadets welcomed everyone in the hangar. The girls immediately surrounded Marrow after he stepped out of the robot, waisting no time in spiriting him away, except for Nova who staid behind to talk to Jaune. Winter watched the two from the corner of her eye as she scanned the tech around her.
"So you decided to fight the Krrdock after?" She asked. Jaune shook his head bringing up a video of the fight starting from the rant all the way to the point Pink punched Krrdock of camera. "Wow, he really did defeat the monster. As long as Krrdock didn't land in the volcano."
Jaune controlled his nerves knowing that's exactly where the monster landed. Swallowing his fears.
"What would happen then?"
"The Krrdock gets its powers from the volcano, so it will come back twice as strong. Why?" Nova asked noticing Jaune speed walk over to Mrgas.
"No reason. I'll be right back!" Jaune floored the gas racing out the hangar and then the dome. When he arrived to the volcano, Krrdock just rises from the bubbling depths and releasing a challenging roar. Jaune and Mrgas did the same as giant Crocea Mors cut the head from the monster.
"DECAPITATION~" Jaune sang out.
Omake
Marrow couldn't be happier, not only was his first intergalactic mission a success but he also has a date planned with Pulsar. She recently returned to Remnant a week after the mission, with a delivery for Jaune.
Speaking of Jaune, he had just sent Marrow a message over his scroll to meet in the 'GAS station' as Jaune's hangar has become known. Apparently there is a surprise waiting for him.
Entering the GAS Station, Marrow gazed at the finished product of Frostbyte, then he turned to the Ace-Ops Zorps. Marrow was not looking forward to piloting those things, they're too dorky in his opinion. Then something covered by a giant tarp grabbed his attention. Jaune and Winter are standing in front of it with Pulsar off to the side looking like she she's about to explode with excitement.
"What do need to see me for Jaune?"
Jaune and Winter answered pulling the tarp off a familiar mech to Marrow but with a few key differences. Pink Power is now colored to match Marrow's uniform, on the new robots head are floppy metallic dog ears, and sticking out the back is a dog tail. Marrow was frozen with awe as he inspected the robot with Jaune going over a few features.
"Okay, so you got your basic melee system but I think you will like weapons system I installed." Marrow sat in his pilot seat starting up the weapons system. The tail on the back of the Robot flung itself over before it caught the now bladed boomerang.
"Nice~"