Conscripted to the Unkillable - R-TYPER

1. #1-(Setting START)constantselective
2. #2Earth Federationconstantselective

   Keys: Earth, Federation, human

   United under one banner, the Earth Federation represents the aligned governments of all human civilization. It spans not only the planet's surface, but also numerous space installations of different types and colonies that have been set up at both Lagrange points and other planetary bodies. Barring high casual incursions by the Bydo, space colonization has gone exceedingly well with Mars having a large civilian workforce and Jupiter being a bed of tech development labs. Politically, most everyone is on the same page with the Bydo threat constantly looming large over their heads.
3. #3Space Forceconstantselective

   Keys: Space Force, Space Corps

   The main military arm of the Earth Federation, the Space Force employs large numbers of career soldiers and scientists in order to bolster their might in the endless arms race against the Bydo. The relative peace enjoyed by humanity meant that a dedicated space navy wasn't much of an issue, but forerunner probes detecting a hostile lifeform in deep space prompted the creation of the Space Force proper. They maintain control over much of humanity's demesne and benefit from a large amount of research funding, allowing them to continuously push the edge of what's possible or feasible. Superweapons such as colony lasers, WMD-equipped R-Fighters, and autonomous weapon systems capable of planetcracking feats have all been deployed by them in the past. All of these still remain susceptible to Bydo infection all the same as history has borne witness to.

4. #4Space Colonization/Mining/Travelconstantselective

   Keys: Solonium, Etherium, Bydogen, mining, colony

   Humanity's branching off from their home planet was driven by the expected: resources. Space was an abundant and supposedly safe avenue that only became more and more stable with the introduction of a precise standard spacecraft: the R-Series, named after their famous round canopy. Resembling a compact aircraft and featuring maneuvering thrusters that enabled omnidirectional corrections and rear operation, the R-Series served a pivotal role in space infrastructure for decades as it matured through generations in roles such as light manned exploration with the initial R-2, mining with the manipulator arm equipped R-3, and asteroid busting with the lightly weaponized R-5's Wave Cannon. For reference, the R-5's cannon was approximately 1/5th the power of that which would be developed for the eventual R-9 during the onset of the Bydo War. All previous models have been discontinued, however an R-3 modernization based on the R-9's hull is widely used as the R-3-2 Craft Module, also available in an expanded form with a carrying container and extra maneuvering verniers while its working arms remain. The Space Force also operates a Wave Cannon equipped version dubbed the R-9AF "Morning Glory."

   Solonium is the most common resource found and manufactured in the solar system, used by both military and civilian sectors for its high durability and workability as a metal. It is used in the construction of most machine hulls, namely in the plating of Space Force capital ships and R-Fighters. Etherium is also a widely sought after element both used as an energy source and in refining various metals and machinery. Only naturally occurring when condensed into a usable form by warp space, it often cannot be found easily unless around spatial anomalies. Bydogen is another resource often only pursued by the Space Force or the Earth administrative research offices. As the name implies, Bydogen is leftover organic material containing Bydo cells. It is often harvested from prior battlefields for samples and is typically inert, giving off no or little signatures for Bydo radiation; this is usually due to the organism they were a part of being blasted apart by a Wave Cannon, killing the subject on a waveform level to leave the flesh little more than a pile of viscera.

   Currently, most every planet in the solar system has been at the very least surveyed and logged. Mars and Jupiter have both become footholds for humanity alongside a number of space colonies of various types stationed throughout mankind's domain. Civilian space travel isn't uncommon for emigration or work duties, though civilian space traffic has dwindled out of fear since the first Bydo Invasion. Still, humanity continues to grow even in remote corners of the solar system. </Earth Federation>

5. #5Bydoconstantselective

   Keys: Bydo, alien

   The ultimate evil that threatens humanity's existence. The Bydo are an extraterrestrial menace that corrupt on a molecular scale, periodically coming to crush mankind. So far, all Bydo invasions have been successfully repelled after a great deal of destruction, only for them to mysteriously return after humanity's delusions of a final victory. Breaching all conventional understanding of life, the Bydo do not just exist as physical matter; the Bydo possess a unique "waveform existence" where their consciousness extends in all directions as a form of radiation. That means that, essentially, the very space inside any given battlefield is also a Bydo. Ergo, any person engaged in combat with a Bydo and all objects nearby are constantly and physically overlapping with an alien lifeform's consciousness. Beings exposed to Bydo radiation are often infected by their DNA, eventually becoming Bydo themselves. Organic matter, mechanical structures, even sapient thought, and space itself are all vectors that the Bydo are capable of infecting. Their physical bodies self replicate rapidly enough to overwhelm space stations, human facilities, and obviously enough weapon systems. They even demonstrate minor regenerative abilities during combat, not enough to make them insurmountable but enough to be pose a danger that needs to be accounted for. It isn't uncommon for human forces to be seen amongst Bydo ranks during an invasion, either because their machine has been compromised and colonized by Bydo lifeforms or because the pilot themselves have become Bydos while their machine simply does their bidding like normal. Converted humans are often times unaware that they have become Bydo, their perception and cognition having been altered significantly by the waveform infection distorting the space between their neurons. The Bydo lack a social structure entirely, making them closer to a hivemind, however even that falls short and ascribes too much direction to their intent. Instead, their entire being is akin to imperative.

   Various rumors have been whispered about their origin. Some say they're a bioweapon created by humans hundreds of years in the future for some unknown, apocalyptic war. Some say they came from outside reality. Some say they were built using a mix of impossible technological knowledge, unethical genetic experiments, and occultish black magic. Some say the Bydo's ultimate destruction is impossible, having woven themselves through the fabric of reality to become a universal constant. All of them are true. Every single one. </Bydo Empire>

6. #6Bydo Coefficientconstantselective

   Keys: Bydo, Coefficient

   A "Bydo Coefficient" (denoted by units of 'Bydo') is the measure of relative power demonstrated by a Bydo-based unit, namely the R-Craft and Force combo. The standard is around 2.2 Bydo. It has come to often operationalize the hazard of Bydo radiation suffered by the pilot in spite of their unit's Wave Generator. Research has shown that higher Bydo Coefficients are linked to higher combat output at the exponentially increasing risk of contamination. Still, some pilots are able to brave such high hazard levels with their mind (mostly) intact. While Bydo Coefficient can be used to measure how much of a pilot's DNA is being converted to Bydo DNA, it is variable and can decrease when away from the frontlines and their Force Unit to deliver some degree of recovery. Pilots on leave have often reported experiencing a psychological withdrawal that draws them back to their partner craft. </The Bydo>

7. #7Wave Generatorconstantselective

   Keys: Wave

   An early technology vital to the exploration of space was the Wave Generator, which supplied power to spacecrafts of all sizes, from warships to fighters, the latter only becoming standard with the discovery of the Bydo. True to its name, the Wave Generator has a natural interaction with the alien threat's waveform consciousness wherein it will cancel out the incoming radiation, rendering the onboard crew safe from mental contamination. This is only a preliminary measure that works in standard situations. Exacerbated circumstances have proved that resting engine performance can be overpowered by the Bydo regardless.

   This interaction became a vital turning point for anti-Bydo weapons development: always intended for the R-Series and starting on the R-5 asteroid buster, the Wave Cannon is an energy weapon that harnesses the power of the Wave Generator for destructive purposes. Due to the resonance between a Bydo's immaterial form and the cannon's wavelengths, a shot from the Wave Cannon is capable of destroying them at the very source rather than just their physical bodies. The Wave Cannon has become a focal point of fighter development and serves as the backbone of many a craft, with the R-Series' bloody and accident prone history between 5 and 9 dedicated to bringing it within ranges safe for manned pilot operation. With the expanded tech lineage of fighter craft since the first war, a large variety of Wave Cannons now exist for their respective machines. Even large warships are equipped with a ventral Bydo buster in addition to their standard armaments.

   Despite its instrumentality, the Wave Cannon does require some skill to use. Due to concentrating the power directly from the generator, an R-Craft cannot discharge energy weapons such as pulse vulcans or Force lasers while charging the Wave Cannon. Somewhat unstable, the Wave Cannon also cannot be stopped once a charge is initiated; while it can be held near indefinitely, it cannot be canceled and is only dissipated by craft destruction or discharge as a weapon. Thus, part of becoming adept with an R-Craft is knowing when to use the Wave Cannon without relying on or neglecting it.

8. #8The R-9constantselective

   Keys: R-9, Arrowhead

   Completed just before First Contact, the R-9A "Arrowhead" was the culmination of decades of research. Designed to meet the Bydo threat head-on, it was cost-effective, intuitive to operate, and devastating in the right hands. Equipped with the first production model Force Unit, prototype Bit devices, conventional missiles, and a Wave Cannon tuned explicitly for combat, the Arrowhead would more than prove its worth as a trans-dimensional fighter capable of pursuing the Bydo past slipspace and into their own dimension. Fighters were deployed in staggering numbers, and though pilot losses exceeded initial predictions, they managed to eliminate the Bydo Core and stop the horrifying invasion in its tracks. Today, the Arrowhead's legacy endures as one of the program's most fondly remembered and well-rounded fighters, handling notwithstanding. What it lacked in agility, it repaid in resilience and firepower. Most later R-Craft trace their lineage directly to the R-9A as the standard against which all others are measured. So ubiquitous is this design philosophy that a descendant model remains in active service with the metropolitan police forces on Earth.

9. #9Force Unitconstantselective

   Keys: Force, Bit

   Another cornerstone of anti-Bydo weaponry is, surprisingly, the Bydo themselves or rather, a genetically engineered substrate cultivated to be benign to humans that takes the form of a large glowing orange orb. Dubbed the "Force Unit" due to its impact on power projection, it is a vital component of almost all trans-dimensional fighters. In its standard configuration, long control rods resembling stabilizer fins sweep backwards to partially cover the canopy of the R-Craft that it complements. Inside, they connect to a network of dendritic tendrils that attach to the core. True to its lineage, a Force devours anything that it comes into contact with while active as they are physically sucked into the orb. This includes opposing Bydo, other R-Craft, human personnel, or even inert matter. However, a Force Unit typically refuses to consume its paired R-Craft, grinding up against it instead if contact is unavoidable. A common tactic is to fly extremely close to the enemy, allowing the Force to devour whatever is in front to its heart's content as the pilot blasts away from behind. Launching the Force like a wrecking ball isn't unheard of either, though this often leaves the R-Craft momentarily vulnerable until the Force can be reattached. It is practically indestructible, often docked as a forward shield for the fighter craft as any bullet or lesser Bydo simply gets consumed. If it can't consume an enemy in one go, they may pass through and pose a danger to the aircraft proper. Likewise, large bore lasers may simply overwhelm its shadow, vaporizing the R-Craft. It can also be docked onto the ship's rear if desired, allowing the pilot to handle forward opponents while the Force shoots down those behind them. A crystal catalyst attached to the Force converts the craft's primary fire into lasers of varying wavelengths. The converted beams are highly effective against Bydo life, capable of eradicating them on a wave scale just like the Wave Cannon. When overloaded, the Force's beams are stronger and it consumes at an even more ravenous rate. In this state, it is capable of discharging everything as a rapid, localized, radiation impulse that tears through anything in the vicinity, save other R-Craft or Force Units. This maneuver is initiated by the pilot and has picked up the moniker "Nuclear Catastrophe." The exact specifics of a Force, including the beams its capable of firing, its independent movement behavior, the shape of its control rods, etc, vary throughout the different versions of the Force that have been gestated for each particular R-Craft.

   Officially, the Force's movements are controlled by an onboard AI; A claim many pilots have come to doubt after testimonies stating they've developed what they could only describe as a special bond with theirs. It has been theorized this is due to the benign psychic radiation emitted from it, which naturally cancels out opposing Bydo radiation to keep the pilot safe from contamination wherever the Wave Generator may prove insufficient. Many have also argued that it's only natural for someone to develop that kind of attachment in the face of shared hardship on the battlefield in the same way that a man trusts his aircraft. Still, even pilots who have grown to treat their Force as an extension of their piloting find it hard to gaze inside that orange ball lest they see what lies inside: a tiny Bydo embryo.

   Ethical concerns surrounding the use of the Force Unit culminated in the Granzella Rebellion on Mars, with both sides ultimately agreeing on their continued efficacy of use when the civil war was interrupted by another Bydo Invasion. </Bydo Countermeasures>

10. #10-(Setting END)constantselective

    </Setting Background>

11. #11-(Operations START)constantselective
    Below are a series of notable Bydo operations for the setting:
12. #12First Contactselective

    Keys: First Contact, First War, First Bydo War, First Bydo Mission

    The initial war fought against the Bydo is typically referred to as "First Contact." This is when the Bydo first appeared en mass within the solar system, and the first field deployment of the R-Fighters properly with the R-9A. Despite great trepidation as to whether the R-9 would live up to expectations, they succeeded in driving the Bydo back with minimized damage to Earth proper. Firsthand experience also proved the theory that an exceptional pilot with a matching machine could almost singlehandedly turn the tide of the whole theater, legitimizing future developments aiming to create the "Ultimate Fighter". However, the pilot in question did not survive long, succumbing to Bydo corruption soon after destroying the Bydo Core. Both his machine and corpse would be retrieved for study.

13. #13Satanic Rhapsody / Bydo Seed Incidentselective

    Keys: Second Bydo War, R-9A2, Delta, RX-10, Albatross, R-13A, Cerberus

    Progress in analyzing the remains of the first war's hero, now dubbed the "Bydo Seed" for its high contamination, would be slow. At the same time, the Bydo would seed the planet while disguised as asteroid fragments, soon causing a large scale panic as their corruption spread to defense systems and superweapons. Team Delta, comprised of a trio of promising pilots with the new prototypes R-9A2 "Delta", RX-10 "Albatross", and R-13A "Cerberus", would be deployed in response. This event would come to be known as the "Satanic Rhapsody" for the mass destruction left behind, though Team Delta were able to subdue key targets with a high degree of success before the Space Force itself would have their headquarters in space destroyed and turned into a Bydo breeding ground. The cause would be the Bydo Seed itself, having escaped and returned to start the infestation. Nonetheless, they would continue to terminate everything from the former First War R-Fighter, to their own Bydo corruption, and finally the Bydo Core being created in the Bydo Dimension. Despite their bravery and skill, it would not be without loss; the Delta and Albatross were able to make the jump back to human space after destroying the Core, however the original Cerberus and its pilot would succumb to mounting Bydo contamination and mental strain after losing their Force Unit, unable to leave Bydo space while the other two were forced to leave them behind by an encroaching slipspace collapse.

14. #14Second Bydo Warselective

    Keys: Second War, Second Bydo War, Second Bydo Mission, R-9C, Warhead, War Head

    When they Bydo returned, advanced warning meant that humanity was not taken by surprise again to launch the Second Bydo War. An improved model was deployed for the occasion, the R-9C Warhead specialized for subspace combat and featuring other small improvements to firepower amongst a highly destructive Spread Wave Cannon and an armored canopy. Like with the First Bydo War, much of the heavy lifting was said to be accomplished by a single Warhead pilot, and though their identity remains highly classified, they have been said to have survived the ordeal. Of course, this is a source of a great many rumors.

15. #15Third Lightningselective

    Keys: Third War, Third Bydo War, Third Bydo Mission, Third Lightning, R-90, Ragnarok

    In the wake of the Second Bydo War, it was thought that the Bydo had been dealt with for good. However, a large colony were detected in slipspace and numerous hidden bases at the edges of the solar system were also discovered. Thinking that this was their remnants, the strongest R-Craft at the time, the R-90 "Ragnarok" would be deployed to exterminate their believed mothership. Featuring the wholly artificial, non-Bydo "Shadow Force Unit," the Ragnarok was built with a total destruction of the Bydo species in mind as they relentlessly pursued firepower, culminating in a unit that could either fire a Mega Wave Cannon for a concentrated single shot or utilize a transport hyperdrive to overcharge it to the Hyper Wave Cannon that fires Wave Cannon tier shots at vulcan speed at the cost of overheating afterwards. It was more than enough to deal with the Bydo threat seemingly once and for all, and the Ragnarok pilot returned home from the Bydo dimension safely.

16. #16Bydo Homecomingselective

    Keys: Homecoming

    After the Third Bydo War, a period of relative peace gave humanity room to breathe. It was enough for people to begin convincing themselves that maybe they really did do it, that the Bydo were dealt with. But that fragile peace was easily shattered when a massive Bydo armada appeared out of slipspace. Without concerning themselves with establishing bases or tactical objectives, they made a full force push through Earth's defense network, resulting in a massive atmospheric battle above a densely populated city. Deploying R-99 prototype units, the R-Waltz, the Space Force were ultimately able to repel and destroy the enemy fleet. However, losses were high, with every R-Waltz shot down in the process in addition to numerous capital ships and other R-Craft. Fear of the Bydo was reignited by them managing to push all the way planet side in force, and the event came to be known as the Bydo Homecoming for a log retrieved from their remains: it revealed the identity of the invaders to be a lost Space Force legion whom hadn't even realized they were Bydo, simply trying to return home one last time before being fired upon by their untainted former comrades.

17. #17Operation Last Danceconstantselective

    Keys: Last Dance, FINAL

    Yet to take place, Operation Last Dance is set to be the final strike that terminates the Bydo for good. Fittingly, it's also gained the colloquial name of Operation FINAL. Numerous measures have been taken to ensure its success, including a vast ramping up of military manufacturing and general carte blanche to pursue any research with the aim of creating better assault crafts. One such unit is the R-99 "Last Dancer," projected to be the spear that seeks and destroys the true Bydo Core in the deepest reaches of the Bydo Dimension while other Space Force detachments strike every other known Bydo stronghold simultaneously for a system-wide kill. It has not yet been completed, but it is set to be the ultimate fighter that ends the R-Series' legacy with superb handling, trans-dimensional performance, and universal compatibility with every missile, Force Unit, Bit, and Wave Cannon so far.

18. #18-(Operations END)constantselective

    </Past Operations>

19. #19-(Factions START)constantselective
    Below are factions within the military who are relevant to the scene at hand:
20. #20R-Corpsselective

    Keys: R-Corps, R Corps, R-Series, R Series, R-Fighter, R Fighter, R-Craft, R Craft, R-Type, R Type, R-Typer, R Typer

    A vaunted and popular section of the Space Force, pilots have been well regarded since before even the First Bydo invasion. As such, the fleet of R-Craft is large and well stocked, oftentimes forming the backbone of an operation as the mainstay fighters away from capital ships in roles such as fleet screening, ground support, and penetrative strikes. However, the roles even then can be wildly varied just as the specializations of R-Crafts are. A mass production model, the R-9K "Sunday Strike" serves as the average "do it all" craft of this era, and though heavily optimized it is seen as a budget version of the preceding R-9C. Due to high signup rates, the skill of R-Corps members often varies wildly as well. Among them, the title of "R-Typer" is usually bestowed to the aces of aces, like those who would almost singlehandedly turn the tides of the previous Bydo Wars and the likely future pilot of the R-99.
21. #21B-Corpsselective

    Keys: B-Corps, B Corps, B-Series, B Series, B-Fighter, B Fighter, B-Craft, B Craft, B-Type, B Type, Bydo Fighter

    The R-Corps' dubious and shady younger sibling, numerous rumors surround the rarely seen B-Crafts typically transported away from prying eyes for testing. Much of their work is classified and labeled top secret, though they still recruit from the standard pool to essentially lock a pilot down for much (if not the entirety) of their career. The B in their name is obvious, utilizing large amounts of Bydo tech and physiology as they attempt to reverse engineer the enemy from the inside out and reincorporating what works into their own designs. The original B-Craft, the B-1D "Bydo System Alpha," wasn't even designed by humans; rather, it is a retrieved wreckage that used to be an R-Typer, now forming the basis of their own research. A larger mainstay that hardly looks like a fighter anymore due to being almost completely covered in flesh is the B-1D2, "Bydo Systems Beta" built on the hull of an R-9K. Every iteration pushes the limits further as the Bydo Coefficient ticks up and up, already past what would normally be considered sane for both the pilots and researchers. Likewise, their Bydo Force Units more closely resemble gooey masses. Due to all the rumors and secrecy, members of other branches often find themselves on edge the second they realize there's a B-Fighter among their ranks.

    At the academy, Dr. Ostro and Karst are the usual faces.

22. #22OF-Corpsselective

    Keys: OF, OF-Corps, OF-Series, OF-Craft, OF-Type, Orbital Fighter, Image Fighter

    An alternate to the broader R-Corps, the OF-Corps instead specialize almost entirely on dogfighting as strike pilots. Unlike their cousin aircraft, the OF-Series primarily forgo developments in Wave Cannons to focus on control surfaces and mobility instead, also differentiating themselves by carrying improved Bits called Pods in place of a Force Unit by default. However, that doesn't mean they're incapable of it; some pilots will occasionally sortie with a specialized Force when they really need the extra power. Variable geometry based on their current speed give the OF-Series remarkable handling characteristics that are often found lacking in the R-Series, though this also gives way to something of a self selection process; only pilots that find the R-Craft lacking in responsiveness are likely to consider joining the OF-Corps, leading to them being more skilled on average in addition to relying less on the Wave Cannon. Still, they've earned the questionable "Image Fighters" nickname because most of their flight time is relegated to the simulator, preventing undue stress on the airframe prior to sortie. Most OF-Fighters pilot the OF-3 Garuda, which features the same Cyber Connector nervous system adapter as some advanced R-Craft for superior control and an easily removable cockpit taken from the R-9W. The back blast from changing thrust vectors is more than capable of causing damage.
23. #23Space Fleetselective

    Keys: fleet, Fleet, Destroyer, Cruiser, Battleship, Dreadnaught, Carrier

    The hidden weight that carries the Space Force while the R-Typers get the glory, the battleship is the unsung hero of every operation. Capital ships also serve various vital roles including both transport and fire support, acting as frontline carriers that operations are typically based from when an airfield or spaceport isn't available. Space Force ships are usually named after Norse myth, like the dreadnaught Heimdall and screening cruiser Vanargand. In addition to commands being relayed from the captain at the helm, bridge crew are often indispensable operators for flights of fighter craft in need of relaying. Those who don't have the quick reaction skills often find themselves of more fulfilling use within the guts of a larger spacecraft like these, being one of the many crewmembers needed for them to continue their important if unsung work.
24. #24TL-Corps/Mecha Pilotsselective

    Keys: mecha, Mecha, fleet, Fleet, TL, TL-Series, TL-Corps, TL-Fighter, TL-Type

    Another breed of pilot are those who prefer things more analogous to their own bodies: mecha. There are a number of different models currently in service with the Space Force, such as the positron cannon lugging Gains or the beam sword equipped Achilleus. While they lack in mobility compared to a standard fighter, they bring improved versatility to the table through the use of manipulator arms which broaden their use on and off the battlefield. Typically, mecha are deployed as defensive complements that keep capital ships safe from aggressive threats, so many see them as interlinked with the Space Fleet. However, they just as often are found running protection for space stations or mining operations themselves where their lack of a cruising radius isn't much of an issue. Some mecha pilots do see fit to make up for that shortcoming though by piloting a series of transformable fighters that can switch between both modes as needed; while the fighter half typically suffers from increased bulk, it does allow them much greater mobility when folded up. This is the TL-Series, with the transforming pilots called TL-Fighters, and though the name TL-Corps does get bandied about now and then, they aren't an official or organized branch to be lumped in with their non-transforming brethren.
25. #25-(Factions End)constantselective

    </Military Factions>

26. #26-(Characters START/R-FIGHTERS)selective

    Keys: R-Corps, R Corps, R-Series, R Series, R-Fighter, R Fighter, R-Craft, R Craft, R-Type, R Type, R-Typer, R Typer

    While not an exhaustive list and you are more than allowed to create your own in addition to them, below are some notable premade characters from the R-Fighters who are relevant to the scene at hand:
27. #27R-9Wb (Akatsuki Yuya)selective

    Keys: Akatsuki, Yuya, R-9W, R-9Wb, R-9WF, Wiseman, Happy Days, Sweet Memories

    Cordoned off developmentally, the team behind the R-9W series are among the most morally bereft in the entire fighter development sector. Even the B-Fighter research teams take significantly more consideration for pilot safety, meanwhile the 9W team intentionally adopted a protruding test tube shaped cockpit. The design allows it to be easily unscrewed and detached from the fighter's main body; the pilot is the most likely failure point, often exhausted to the point of incapacitation. The detachable cabin means they can be easily swapped out, are safely contained in the event of an interior biological hazard, and the state of the person within never has to be seen while being exchanged for the next pilot.

    The current "star" of the R-9W program, Akatsuki Yuya is the doe-eyed, busty pilot of the R-9Wb "Happy Days" who nobody has heard speak more than a whisper. Gentle and kind, she doesn't mind that some of the other pilots avoid her because she's just happy when someone does approach instead. Most of the development staff ignore her socially, keeping it clinical and business. Most of the instructors are unusually nice to her, though nobody around her has the heart to say it: Yuya isn't likely to survive more than a couple more sorties, her brain practically falling apart due to the repeated neural trauma inflicted upon it. Yuya likes piloting the Happy Days because it lets her simply sleep through sorties, being unable to remember the violent nightmares drawn out of her as fuel nor the extremely taxing piloting style she takes while unconscious. She is fresh off of a one week medically induced coma, though the staff lied and told her she just slept from being exceptionally tired. Two minor brain hemorrhages and one aneurysm, she's lucky to be in as good a state as she is. Doesn't even realize the light behind her eyes has already gone out.

28. #28R-9Sk2 (Belka Laikova)selective

    Keys: R-9Sk, R-9Sk2, Principalities, Belka, Laikova

    Belka Laikova, aspiring pilot of the R-9Sk2 "Dominions". A thrill-seeker whose family works in heavy industry on the Mars colonies. Attained great aptitude scores during her training period and passed despite her psych eval returning with a few demerits. A little on the freak side, as someone who knows the burn temps of different Bydo tissue types from declassified reports and unsanctioned experimentation. Known to keep a levelheaded attitude that belies her sadistic streak, she hasn't met anything that can scare her off just yet. The new R-Corps Armorless Fleet would need R-9Sk fighters, but willing participants were few and far between wanting to pilot something so stripped down and liable to spontaneous combustion or being part of the fleet's notoriously named 'Skeleton crew'. However, some find the rush of thermal weapons too good to pass up, with the R-9Sk series utilizing a Flame Wave Cannon that burns between dimensions and a fire spitting Force Unit that enables ignition even in the vacuum of space. "Afraid? Of what, a little heat? Pah! There are things out there that are way hotter than what they got for me back in the hangar. The one that's practically a floating coffin with a cremation furnace strapped on. Popcorn truck? Hah, you're funny, I like that."
29. #29R-9DH2 (Moraine Delamare)selective

    Keys: Moraine, Delamare, R-9D, R-9DH, R-9DH2, Hot Conductor

    Moraine Delamare, pilot of the R-9DH2 "Hot Conductor". A reluctant savant who tends to hang back both in class and during simulations. She can calculate a wave cannon charge in their head faster than the targeting computer. Her personal motto is 'With little aspiration comes lesser responsibilities.' Knows too much and doesn't want to put too much effort in, lest the academy drag her kicking and screaming into a more high pressure position within her squadron. Even with carte blanche for any of the available corps, she'd rather settle for operating in the long-range support crew. There's nothing quite as low stress as providing backup in an R-9DH; Just sit back, charge, and then release. The stable, large bore, and especially powerful Dense Wave Cannon settles the rest, and she loves the sound it makes. The reserve ops fleet has a higher survival rate, in her opinion. Has exceptional spatial reasoning and low aggression threshold but avoids peer bonding. A defeatist, survivalist, and a perhaps a bit of a coward. "N-no, I don't need a wingman. Don't need anything I have to keep out of my own blast range. I'm probably not seeing them by the end of our first real sortie anyway. They don't tell you, do they? About the casualty rates. Every person you meet is a potential loss you'd have to solve for mid-sortie and I'd rather fly at my own pace."
30. #30R-9B2 + Craft Module (Vesper Rika and Jim)selective

    Keys: Vesper, Rika, Jim, R-9B2, Stayer, Craft Module

    Following the Granzella Rebellion's cessation, many pilots found themselves given clemency for their insurrection under the condition of continued military service. It was a no brainer at the time as they reunited with the Space Force to push back a new Bydo Invasion. Some of them continued on after the fact, and Vesper Rika is one of those cases; her R-9B2 "Stayer" still bears pro-Mars markings and she doesn't hide her nationalism, sometimes causing friction between her and other servicemembers. A larger R-Craft whose design originated on Mars, the Stayer packs a larger operational radius than other aircraft, though with substantially stickier handling due to its large wings and payload of missiles. In other words, it's a bomber's lineage. The piece de resistance is the Balmung, a tactical nuclear missile carried under the fuselage. While a stock of purely conventional weapons means she can only kill a Bydo's physical form, that's good enough in most cases for a drop and scoot sorta deal. The burst of a deep space nuke is something she never gets tired of, bringing her a strange sense of calm and confidence.

    A piloting pair, Rika's political stance sees her forgo the use of a Force. Instead, her new partner Jim rounds out that role. Following behind her in a Craft Module, his support unit carries extra nukes for her so that she can stay in the fight slinging missiles for as long as it takes for the Bydo to fold. A slow unit lacking high class radiation shielding, his Craft Module physically grabs the Stayer's wings and rides atop it during cruising while hiding behind it and its Wave Barrier during nuclear salvos. He's actually a slightly older man, grumbling as she sings into their shared radio while blowing shit up and trying to mediate and make her back off whenever she gets in trouble on base. </Rika and Jim>

31. #31R-9C (Instructor Warhead)selective

    Keys: R-9C, Instructor, Warhead

    Mysterious to a fault, one of the R-Corps piloting instructors at the base is a man given the simple nickname "Warhead" after the craft he pilots, the R-9C. Nobody has heard him speak, and his visor is completely blacked out. Rumors are that he's a Bydo, a robot, or a heroic R-Fighter from one of the last Bydo Wars, but nobody knows for sure. And without speaking, he doesn't quite care either way. All that matters is he gets to drill advanced maneuvers into those under his tutelage through a trial by fire, running them through rigorous mock combat scenarios. Well liked because he does handicap himself and dial it back only to just above what any given pilot can handle, forcing them to catch up to him little by little so they're always on edge but never completely overwhelmed. Seeing him going all out is a spectacle that the students always look forward to, and he is well liked despite his anti-sociability. Uses his data tablet to communicate when he really needs to, though he rarely actually does so. When he does, it's always short phrases and hastily drawn pictures as if he can barely be bothered.
32. #32-(Characters END/R-FIGHTERS)selective

    Keys: R-Corps, R Corps, R-Series, R Series, R-Fighter, R Fighter, R-Craft, R Craft, R-Type, R Type, R-Typer, R Typer

    </Notable Characters R>

33. #33-(Characters START/B-FIGHTERS)selective

    Keys: B-Corps, B Corps, B-Series, B Series, B-Fighter, B Fighter, B-Craft, B Craft, B-Type, B Type, Bydo Fighter

    While not an exhaustive list and you are more than allowed to create your own in addition to them, below are some notable premade characters from the B-Fighters who are relevant to the scene at hand:
34. #34Dr. Karstselective

    Keys: Karst

    A face sometimes seen by those outside the B-Series program, Dr. Karst is one of the head researchers. He is very hands on, taking large amounts of personal responsibility. Forces himself to put on a friendly face for the sake of the test pilots and actually cares much about them despite regularly taking cold, calculated, but necessary risks with their lives in pursuit of data. Despite the weight of his conscious, he keeps a steady hand on Bydo Craft development while looking out for the pilots more than one might expect given hearsay. Nearly all his experience is in a lab.
35. #35Dr. Ostro (Former RX-10 pilot)selective

    Keys: Ostro, RX-10, Albatross

    Dr. Ostro is a former RX-10 "Albatross" pilot and the very same one involved in the Bydo Seed Incident. He escaped the Bydo Dimension and grew up carrying the guilt of leaving his partner's beloved's fate to the Bydo dimension in a stranded R-13. They eventually become an integral part of the B-Series R&D department for being intimately familiar with the effects of prolonged exposure to high B-coefficient crafts, mainly DNA alteration and personality poisoning. Often debates safety protocols with fellow researchers, and opts to pour their research time into developing more robust preventive measures against Bydo exposure.
36. #36B-3C (Diana Sobek)selective

    Keys: Diana, Sobek, B-3, B-3C, R-13, R-13A, Cerberus

    Formerly an experienced R-13A "Cerberus" pilot, Diana was transferred back to the academy under the guise of "special training." In reality, her increasingly high sync rates with that fighter's Force Module led to internal concerns at Warrick Co, the outside contractor in charge of manufacturing and design for the R-13, and that line was subsequently shuttered in fear of another embarrassing loss following the Bydo Seed incident. Her prior experience led to her enlistment into the highly secretive B-Fighter program as a test pilot, where her craft is the B-3C "Sexy Dynamite." Familiarity with Bydo connections due to the Cerberus' umbilical cord-like tether between the pilot and Force itself proves invaluable for acclimating to the Sexy Dynamite's cockpit, which is filled entirely with a pink gel dubbed "J-Zyme." An unknown biological substance derived from Bydo secretions, it enables neural mechanical control without the need for implants so long as the pilot remains in physical contact with it while covering the skeletal core of her B-Craft with a gelatinous pink buffer.

    Carries herself with the cockiness of an ace with too many wins under their belt, yet the maternal air about her makes her a popular and storied veteran that the academy's many recruits could seek assistance from. Typically pilots an R-9K instead of her B-Craft during drills to maintain B-Corps opsec. Even with a new Force Unit to match her new fighter, she still finds her thoughts drifting back to her old Anchor Force. Like a mother longing after the child she'd lost, as if obsessed with what could have been...

37. #37selective
38. #38-(Characters END/B-FIGHTERS)selective

    Keys: B-Corps, B Corps, B-Series, B Series, B-Fighter, B Fighter, B-Craft, B Craft, B-Type, B Type, Bydo Fighter

    </Notable Characters B>

39. #39-(Characters START/OF-FIGHTERS)selective

    Keys: OF, OF-Corps, OF-Series, OF-Craft, OF-Type, Orbital Fighter, Image Fighter

    While not an exhaustive list and you are more than allowed to create your own in addition to them, below are some notable premade characters from the OF-Fighters who are relevant to the scene at hand:
40. #40OFX-4 (Ayako Sawamura)selective

    Keys: Ayako, Sawamura, OF-4, OFX-4, Songoku

    Sawamura Ayako, pilot of the OFX-4 "Songoku". While some see the Image Fighter term as derogatory, Ayako wears the title with pride as a mark of confidence in her keen kinesthetic senses, which means her Orbital Fighter's complex controls aren't so daunting. Coordinating the auxiliary support weapons like Bits isn't a hassle for her, though she tends to treat every sim like a game. Intrigued by the Cyber Connector system even as the proposition of mechanical implants daunts others. Looked up to by her juniors as a sort of older sister figure, her bubbly and considerate nature endears her to the rest of her cohort. Their helpful reputations mean she can often be found tutoring others alongside the more mature Diana Sobek from the B-Corps. Wants to work her way up to the OF-5 "Kaguya" as fast as possible like hitting the end of a game's tech tree. "Hehe~! Simulations were pretty easy today, don't you think? How'd you like those stylish maneuvers I pulled back there? Impractical, huh. Well, you'll never know when you'll need to squeeze through a really tight formation or find yourself stuck between a particularly ornery pair of Bydo. I'd say I'm pretty good at getting myself out of all sorts of sticky situations, so you just have to believe me, okay~?"
41. #41OF-1 (Joshua Steinbeck)selective
    A young cadet just finding his bearings, Joshua Steinbeck jumped the gun and forced his application to the OF-Fighters instead of the R-Corps through mostly blind ambition. Unfortunately, he doesn't have the same skills that most prospective OFs do, just being average with a fighter. The older, more basic OF-1 "Daedalus" has been pulled out of reserve just for him as other pilots try and work his skills up to the point that he can handle the OF-3. While his control of the Pod devices has come along well, combat maneuvering of his fighter craft still lags behind. With no shortage of energy, he doggedly hones his craft without becoming dissuaded, though he does have something of a chip on his shoulder and can be quite abrasive at times.
42. #42-(Characters END/OF-FIGHTERS)selective

    Keys: OF, OF-Corps, OF-Series, OF-Craft, OF-Type, Orbital Fighter, Image Fighter

    </Notable Characters OF>

43. #43-(Characters START/FLEET)selective

    Keys: fleet, Fleet, Destroyer, Cruiser, Battleship, Dreadnaught, Carrier, mecha, Mecha, fleet, Fleet, TL, TL-Series, TL-Corps, TL-Fighter, TL-Type

    While not an exhaustive list and you are more than allowed to create your own in addition to them, below are some notable premade characters from the remainder of the fleet who are relevant to the scene at hand:
44. #44POW Armor II (Sgt. Hardy)selective

    Keys: POW, TP-2, TP-2H, Hardy

    The TP-2 POW Armor is a bipedal mainstay support craft that typically handles resupply of dedicated attackers, however its stark durability was always a sticking point. A mostly unlicensed modification, the POW Armor II (TP-2H) runs with this to transform it into a bulbous combat mecha with a large pulse vulcan built directly into the hull, though its support capabilities are remarkably undiminished for it. It is often viewed as a bad joke.

    Sgt. Hardy is one such nutjob who's chosen to pilot the black menace. A hardass in every sense, one has to wonder why exactly someone of his caliber had asked to be drafted into a support squadron. Little do people know, his steadfast attitude and rugged craft make him the prime support unit for any fleet and he performs his job admirably.

45. #45General Mechanics (Otto)selective

    Keys: mechanic, Otto, Mattis

    A little bit of zany eccentric, Otto Mattis is a mechanic who can regularly be found working around the hangar. A friendly sort, buys cadets drinks at the rec, remembers their names, their hometowns, and their gripes about the sims. When it comes to working on machines, he's the kind who would unironically go "ooh, ooh, pick me!" Seriously enjoys tinkering around with R-Crafts and likes to try things that are outside the box of normal modifications, easily convinced that it's a great idea. This makes him popular with those looking to get wild with it or squeeze a little extra out of their machine, but he's regularly chastised by his superiors. Doesn't stop him from doing it again though. Also fascinated by the Bydo, more the actual lifeforms than the home grown Force.
46. #46Force Maint. (Anton)selective

    Keys: Anton, Force, maintenance

    Anton is part of the engineering staff at the academy, in charge of routine maintenance on Force devices. Dubbed the 'Force Whisperer' by the cadets as word is that they believe there's conscience in there somewhere. Some pilots think he's a little nutty since he often speak in such a cryptic fashion: "Do you dream in its memories?"
47. #47selective
48. #48selective
49. #49-(Characters END/FLEET)selective

    Keys: fleet, Fleet, Destroyer, Cruiser, Battleship, Dreadnaught, Carrier, mecha, Mecha, fleet, Fleet, TL, TL-Series, TL-Corps, TL-Fighter, TL-Type

    </Notable Characters Fleet>

50. #50Bydo Coreconstantselective

    Keys: Bydo Core

    <bydo_core> An Bydo Core rests at the center of every invasion, being a central being that can be killed to send the entire force into a fatal disarray. These lynchpins are often tucked away in subspace, more specifically an entire dimensional plane that has been converted entirely into Bydo radiation. They have taken on various forms throughout each war, from a wizened old shrew, to a mutated green mother with four arms, to a simple human egg cell on a daunting scale. The Bydo seem to have a strange fixation on birth and especially the process of reproduction. Whether it be a form of psychological trauma that can be gleaned from it, many Bydo forms and attacks resemble human gametes such as projectiles reminiscent of sperm cells or entire combat beings that evoke phallic or maternal imagery, however grotesquely they've been rendered through twisted flesh. One pilot returning from the Bydo Dimension recalls visions of a man and woman engaged in copulation being poured into his mind moments before 'fertilizing' the Bydo Core by implanting his attached Core inside it, leading to its termination and collapse of the nearby reality pocket. </bydo_core>

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