Infinite Stratos Character Creation and Fanfiction Discussion

[StratoSpear]

Foreshadows, foreshadows everywhere:

In the operations room, Gerald stands alone as he examine what appears to be archived files with confidential documents dating back to even before the White Knight Incident. The documents mostly contain data of the former Hyperion research institute and the works of its personnel, most of which are based on their “Jabber” AI project.

Gerald browses through the archive; files containing the declaration of defection where the defectors claim unanimous ownership of the Jabber AI, files with records of various institutes around the world receiving the ambiguous Infinite Stratos Core modules from an unregistered source. None of them interests Gerald as much as one particular file archived alongside the unknown distribution of IS Cores throughout the globe.

The file, classified as top secret, is labeled with one word; Athena.

Dating back to about half a year after the White Knight Incident and a couple of months after the mass distribution of IS Cores, the Athena is unlike any other records as it contains only three pictures that are flashed in a sequence; Mount Tsukuba where the Praxidike HQ currently resides, Mount Miyanoura and the Tanegashima Space Center. Such a record would immediately pose a puzzling challenge to others but to Gerald, it was only a mere refresh to his memories.

[agetreme]

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/inte...ory-characters

Why do I have a strange feeling that the mecha look so awesome that somebody here would wet his pants?

....
.....
......

Because it is?

[demino_hellsin]

Drat. The only inspiration I have for mech designs right now is megaman.

[StratoSpear]

Originally Posted by demino_hellsin

Drat. The only inspiration I have for mech designs right now is megaman.

You and me bro, you and me... and I can't stop watching Day Of Sigma for some reason

[Eratas123]

Well, break has officially started for me. Starting tomorrow, I'm going back to updating.

[demino_hellsin]

Mythos armor is so bad ass I actually want to make it the standard for all future work on exo-armor.

>.<

My version of Byakushiki Setsura and Shenlong 2nd shift both are inspired from megaman zero designs.

[ZeroXSEED]

Spoiler for Final Ace 04 Part 1:

24 September 2004, Saint Ark Airspace

“Break! Break!”

A trio of lightweight fighter clashed in the sky, ten thousand feet above the ocean, ISAF’s F-20C Tigershark screamed trying to get out of Erusian Mirages’ chase, which is not that hard to do thanks to the great difference of power output.

However, being outnumbered will press any aviator into the state of panic most of the time, especially when they’re young and inexperienced.

Ran 'Hinagiku' Gotanda is no exception.

Even though she donned her mask, she felt like her lung crushed by the sheer mental pressure. Cold sweat dampened every inch of her skin, felt like her still-delicate fingers will slip out of the control stick and mess with everything.

Her eyes can’t even blink, and it hurt like no tomorrow. But the numerous mental images of failure and blunder haunted her all the way, made her keep awake.

She looked at the radar instrument; she did manage to escape their ambush and took extra distance from the cluster of bandits. Nothing like thoughts of counterattacking them ever came, she wasn’t that stupid.

Her RWR blared; no less than three missiles came from the enemy’s direction, rushing like birds of prey trying to pick a helpless rabbit. Ran execute the standard maneuver: Banking hard aside, waiting for the missile to come close. Then, she released countermeasure and jinked on the opposite direction.

All three missile exploded midair, far enough for her plane to came almost unscathed.

She had enough decoy to fool one or two more salvo, but would that be enough?

Eighteen miles from her position, the other member of Hanagumi is having a problem of their own. They fought a flight of three Typhoons, which apparently manned by professionals, unlike the Mirage pilots they fought before.

That’s not to mention the amount of Mirages they found today, fighting decently enough that it gave the Hanagumi trouble even before the typhoons arrived, her seniors barely managed to critically damage two, scaring them out of battlefield.

“[Still alive, baby?]” Madoka’s voice was heard “[You should just retreat]”

“No” Ran’s voice went through her rattling teeth, “I...I am an official member of hanagumi, we will fight together as team no matter what”

This is a test, from here on; the extremely undermanned ISAF will press forward marching for victory. She won’t let everyone’s sacrifice become vain.

“[I’m so touched, but that’s kinda stretching]”

“I’m betting my future the moment I accepted the assignment” Ran screamed, kicked the rudder pedal so hard her plane seemingly flip horizontally on the spot, g-force hit her body like a massive, crushing wave.

Blood drained out of her head, her vision become blurry, and then, the world lost its color for a second or so.

It’s well known that Tigershark is one magnificent plane with one of the worst luck, ever. The first two out of three prototype Tigershark units crashed, killing their pilots due to G-LOC. In fact, it was ISAF who saved the plane from sinking into obscurities, bought the third prototype and fixed their flaw using more advanced, fully integrated FBW control and slight modification on its aerodynamic profile.

And now, while still a lot less forgiving than the much weaker tigers; Tigershark formed the bulk of ISAF Air force until the early stages of war, where their number has been reduced greatly thanks to Stonehenge’s relentless attack.

“ORAAAAA!!!”

She pressed the missile button hard and launched a pair of Sidewinder, full brunt of explosive force punching one of the Mirages right on the cockpit and left intake, shredded the front section of the aircraft into pieces of burning, tiny aluminum scraps and everything else.

“Come here to mommy” Ran smiled, licked what little blood off her soft lips (she bit her lip just now).

She had only her guns left, but if it’s only one, there should be no problem at all. It’s not like they can shoot backward.

Right?

Oh, how false the accusation is, a missile made a circular, sharp turn outward as they’re launched, and she is the target.

The accumulating velocity and her lack of experience made it too late. Burst of metal fragments smacked her canopy and bashed the rest of her side. The resulting turbulence shook her body violently.

“Everyone… sorry”

“[Good job, Hinagiku]”

A single BVR missile already there within her radar but she doesn’t realize it due to Python-induced panic, blasting the bandit to smithereens, chaff field only help a little due to the missile’s angle of attack, and the fact that the bandit probably distracted.

A sea blue Fulcrum dove out of the blinding shade of the sun, rapidly descending and cut the path of a pair of Erusian Kfir, Ran recognized that maneuver and skill.

“Mobius One…” she mumbled, though her mind instead said “Ichika-san”

“[I’ll handle it from here]”

“…Roger that, Hinagiku will return ASAP”

Her heart told her she wanted to fight, but the smoking right side of her aircraft and the cracked canopy made her think twice, she’s fighting for victory and/or survival, not meaningless death. She’s going to wait.

She looked behind, and Ichika’s situation clearly mirroring her own, and yet, he’s most definitely less hard-pressed than she is. His maneuvers are unpredictable, and yet, something about it is plain amazing, he’s just plain better.

When her right side landing gear tumbled on the airstrip, her canopy’s cracks spread even further, but miraculously stood in one piece. She’s thankful to God that it can hold out so long, if it breaks completely when she’s in supersonic condition, all sort of nasty stuff can happen.

And then, the canopy break as she opened the lock, she can’t help but laugh weakly.

Houki’s plane already shown some damage, which hindered her Eagle from performing at maximum efficiency. Likewise, Madoka’s Fulcrum lost one of its rudders, practically miraculous that she still able to fly and kicking around.

The Typhoons are hardly unscathed as well; everyone realized that the conclusion of this brutal fight is either a futile deathmatch or a tactical draw. But so far, neither side is willing to take initiative

“[This is tower; Hinagiku has arrived safe and sound]”

“Roger that, waiting for further orders” Maya confirmed, it’s a lie if she said she didn’t want a victory as outcome, but first thing first is the strategic value of everything, the completion of objective and ESPECIALY the survival of her squad members, become the priority.

“[Taichou, seems like Navy had send them at last]” between laugh, Madoka informed “[This might be sounds cocky, but victory is ours]”

A two-seater flanker going past the battlefield, intercepting a pair of Kfir at full speed before they can join the fray. The ensuing fierce battle only last for a little more than thirty second, as one of the delta wing aircraft befell upon the might of superior Yuktobania manufactured plane.

“Hmm, I see the Navy began to actively deploy the experimental support team” the young Squadron Leader contemplated, certainly odd configuration. But if the timing is right, it’ll be very effective method in increasing total manpower, especially in a small, high demand mission.

Finally, it’s seems that the enemy noticed their disadvantage, having lost four planes in total, they decided to retreat swiftly.

Ran and kick ass shouldn't even belong to the same sentence, but now they did. But of course, Tatenashi and Ichika totally stole the spotlight... again.

The three Typhoons? That's a major characters as well, specifically: Charlotte, Cecilia, and Chelsea. Anti-villain? Yes. Lawful? Yes. Selfish? Yes. Evil? hardly. Next draft will have Erusian POV

[blitz1/2]

Originally Posted by agetreme

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/inte...ory-characters

Why do I have a strange feeling that the mecha look so awesome that somebody here would wet his pants?

....
.....
......

Because it is?

I'm in it for the dark story.

[ZeroXSEED]

Considering it's Production IG... we could always expect that, mind fuck, or both. So I'm out.

Not even harem bait can work.

[StratoSpear]

I'm writing another flashback scene that's going dive very deep into Athena-verse's past. Just to make sure it can make sense, I'll need you guys to read it if that's okay. :3

[DarkJak2050]

Post away man.

[ZeroXSEED]

^^ My body is ready

[StratoSpear]

Here it goes...!

Spoiler for Flashback:

========== Nine years ago ==========

With the world already back on its feet a year after the White Knight Incident, the moment where nations around the globe shook as they witnessed the intelligence, pride and power of their respective militaries obliterated by a single Infinite Stratos unit. Hordes of ballistic missiles, fleets of ships and even squadrons of the world’s most advanced fighter jets could not withstand the power of the White Knight as it unleashes its full potential. Not even spy satellites that are thought to be out of reach were safe from the IS’ rampage.

By then, technological institutes no longer ridiculed the idea of the IS as they did when the creator, Tabane Shinonono, first introduced its theoretical potential. Said potential was no longer theoretical; it was proved practical and acknowledged by the world in a single major event of apparent terrorism.

As per their acknowledgement, 467 Infinite Stratos Cores were distributed worldwide from an unknown source and Core 001, the first IS core that belonged to the mysterious White Knight, was among those that were given to technological institutions.

The Hyperion Corporation, an institution in the United States known for their forte in autonomous systems development, received one of the IS Cores but the director of the institution kept the transaction secret from the rest of its personnel… except for one. Gerald Bastion, one of the Corporation’s most resourceful engineers, was entrusted with safekeeping the IS Core by the director who foresaw the eventual fall of Hyperion as most of its personnel would soon abandon the institution in favor of contributing their knowledge of artificial intelligence to the development of the country’s first Infinite Stratos, the Silver Gospel.

“Sir… this Core is our gemstone! If your prediction of Hyperion’s fall is true, this thing will help us prevent it!”

Young Gerald has always been fond of developing AIs of various specializations. During then, the Hyperion Corporation has been trying to develop an AI that can assume control of a space-faring vehicle and do independent research on worlds beyond Earth. The hopeful Gerald has always dreamt of space exploration and has been working on developing the ideal AI unit that can undertake the task even before the Infinite Stratos came into existence.

“I’m afraid that chance has come and gone, friend. Humans have always been caught up with evolution and the need to be stronger than anyone else… I cannot risk having this… child… weaponized into another war machine. We don’t need those anymore in this world.”

“But… the Corporation will—”

“It already has, Bastion. There’s nothing we can do that will stop its derailment.”

Sitting before Gerald, the Corporation’s director stood up with a sealed titanium box and walks towards him. Without a single sign of reluctance, he hands the box to Gerald who gently receives it, firmly holding the box with both hands.

“Listen here, friend. I want you to take this Core to Yakushima Island, south-west of Japan. There lies an underground research facility which holds a database of Japan’s countless space vehicle and equipment development projects.”

“…What? H-How do you know of this?”

“Hyperion Corporation’s past Director made strong ties with some of Japan’s astronautical engineers and he secretly commissioned a two-sided beneficial initiative known as the Miyanoura Project, an independent database that would hold information of both the United States’ and Japan’s space projects. When the military began taking interest in AI usage in warfare, their involvement with the Corporation did not sit well with the Director and he made an agreement with his Japanese counterparts to seal off the facility for good…”

“It was sealed off…?”

“Yes. According to him, it was the most painful call he had to make… and I agreed. More so with the sudden appearance of the Infinite Stratos…”

The director places his hands on both of Gerald’s shoulders, fully entrusting him to the Corporation’s secrets.

“This child must not fall into military hands, no matter the cost. Bring the Core to the underground database facility in Yakushima Island where I have already arranged a couple of our fellow Japanese rocket scientists to link up with you. They will know what to do with the Core… After that, I want you to look after her.”

“'Her’… Sir?”

The director walks to his desk and takes a brown, medium-sized folder with the word “Athena” imprinted on its cover and a very thin stack of documents in its contents then passes it to Gerald.

“Athena. That is her name.”

“Who’s name, sir…?”

“The child, the artificial intelligence that resides within the Core I gave you.”

Never would it have struck Gerald that the IS Core would contain an AI despite how advanced the equipment is. He stares at the box with a shocked face and looks back to the director in disbelief.

“She will be given complete access to the database. While she studies humanity’s knowledge, I want you to watch over her and protect her when need be. Let her learn and refine our knowledge so that she can develop the ideal space exploration vehicle and equipment.”

Gerald briefly remained silent as he thinks through the various possibilities; an artificial intelligence, possessing the capacity to process information in ways far superior to a human being’s, being given knowledge to humanity’s greatest feats and the mistakes that lead to the most tragic of accidents. Time-consuming as it may be, Gerald has been through a lot to know that the greatest achievements come with relentless patience and resilience to overcome the challenge of time.

He takes the folder from the director with confidence sparkling in his eyes.

“I understand… and I will do what’s necessary, Director.”

“Thank you, friend.”

[ZeroXSEED]

Originally Posted by StratoSpear

Here it goes...!

Spoiler for Flashback:

========== Nine years ago ==========

With the world already back on its feet a year after the White Knight Incident, the moment where nations around the globe shook as they witnessed the intelligence, pride and power of their respective militaries obliterated by a single Infinite Stratos unit. Hordes of ballistic missiles, fleets of ships and even squadrons of the world’s most advanced fighter jets could not withstand the power of the White Knight as it unleashes its full potential. Not even spy satellites that are thought to be out of reach were safe from the IS’ rampage.

By then, technological institutes no longer ridiculed the idea of the IS as they did when the creator, Tabane Shinonono, first introduced its theoretical potential. Said potential was no longer theoretical; it was proved practical and acknowledged by the world in a single major event of apparent terrorism.

As per their acknowledgement, 467 Infinite Stratos Cores were distributed worldwide from an unknown source and Core 001, the first IS core that belonged to the mysterious White Knight, was among those that were given to technological institutions.

The Hyperion Corporation, an institution in the United States known for their forte in autonomous systems development, received one of the IS Cores but the director of the institution kept the transaction secret from the rest of its personnel… except for one. Gerald Bastion, one of the Corporation’s most resourceful engineers, was entrusted with safekeeping the IS Core by the director who foresaw the eventual fall of Hyperion as most of its personnel would soon abandon the institution in favor of contributing their knowledge of artificial intelligence to the development of the country’s first Infinite Stratos, the Silver Gospel.

“Sir… this Core is our gemstone! If your prediction of Hyperion’s fall is true, this thing will help us prevent it!”

Young Gerald has always been fond of developing AIs of various specializations. During then, the Hyperion Corporation has been trying to develop an AI that can assume control of a space-faring vehicle and do independent research on worlds beyond Earth. The hopeful Gerald has always dreamt of space exploration and has been working on developing the ideal AI unit that can undertake the task even before the Infinite Stratos came into existence.

“I’m afraid that chance has come and gone, friend. Humans have always been caught up with evolution and the need to be stronger than anyone else… I cannot risk having this… child… weaponized into another war machine. We don’t need those anymore in this world.”

“But… the Corporation will—”

“It already has, Bastion. There’s nothing we can do that will stop its derailment.”

Originally Posted by StratoSpear

Spoiler for Flashback:

Sitting before Gerald, the Corporation’s director stood up with a sealed titanium box and walks towards him. Without a single sign of reluctance, he hands the box to Gerald who gently receives it, firmly holding the box with both hands.

“Listen here, friend. I want you to take this Core to Yakushima Island, south-west of Japan. There lies an underground research facility which holds a database of Japan’s countless space vehicle and equipment development projects.”

“…What? H-How do you know of this?”

“Hyperion Corporation’s past Director made strong ties with some of Japan’s astronautical engineers and he secretly commissioned a two-sided beneficial initiative known as the Miyanoura Project, an independent database that would hold information of both the United States’ and Japan’s space projects. When the military began taking interest in AI usage in warfare, their involvement with the Corporation did not sit well with the Director and he made an agreement with his Japanese counterparts to seal off the facility for good…”

“It was sealed off…?”

“Yes. According to him, it was the most painful call he had to make… and I agreed. More so with the sudden appearance of the Infinite Stratos…”

The director places his hands on both of Gerald’s shoulders, fully entrusting him to the Corporation’s secrets.

“This child must not fall into military hands, no matter the cost. Bring the Core to the underground database facility in Yakushima Island where I have already arranged a couple of our fellow Japanese rocket scientists to link up with you. They will know what to do with the Core… After that, I want you to look after her.”

“'Her’… Sir?”

The director walks to his desk and takes a brown, medium-sized folder with the word “Athena” imprinted on its cover and a very thin stack of documents in its contents then passes it to Gerald.

“Athena. That is her name.”

“Who’s name, sir…?”

“The child, the artificial intelligence that resides within the Core I gave you.”

DAT FLESHED UP BACKSTORY. AWESOME! XD

But I guess like reality had proven: nothing Military wouldn't use, and sometimes displacement effect will occur...

[StratoSpear]

Thanks so much!!

Personally, I enjoy writing out the part where Athena is mentioned. Aside from namesake, it also gives Gerald a purpose instead of just being Praxidike's "Mr Big Boss."

There's so much backstory to how things came to be, as well as how Inami gets chosen as Minerva's ideal pilot. So much to write!

[ZeroXSEED]

I just realized, even without Tabane introduce WK with a bang, military will use I.S. regardless, but the change will be gradual.

[StratoSpear]

Definitely

As per the Director's words;

Humans have always been caught up with evolution and the need to be stronger than anyone else...

He saw the Silver Gospel coming even before it got developed.

[ZeroXSEED]

I even had separate backstories in the two verse I worked in.

1. The project is NOT supported by government, but by mad scientists, greedy corporations, and all sort of shady people, FNC included.

2. The second is supported by the government, but the true I.S. and WK is different kind of beast. The original I.S. are real robot to the core, Tabane & co made WK as pet project.

[StratoSpear]

Originally Posted by ZeroXSEED

1. The project is NOT supported by government, but by mad scientists, greedy corporations, and all sort of shady people, FNC included.

Interestingly, that's what I thought for pre-rewrite Athena version of Praxidike.(though it didn't turn out well for me...)

Though I need to ask, what project is it? The Silver Gospel?

Originally Posted by ZeroXSEED

2. The second is supported by the government, but the true I.S. and WK is different kind of beast. The original I.S. are real robot to the core, Tabane & co made WK as pet project.

This manner, it would mean that Tabane is the one that could give an IS the super robot properties

Slightly odd but if that's how it goes, it means +1 God point for Tabane.

[ZeroXSEED]

Originally Posted by StratoSpear

Interestingly, that's what I thought for pre-rewrite Athena version of Praxidike.(though it didn't turn out well for me...)

Eh? I always thought Pre-write Athena being good on it's own. I mean, c'mon, no one else managed to make duplicate machine INTERESTING like you did.

Originally Posted by StratoSpear

Though I need to ask, what project is it? The Silver Gospel?

Bleeding edge technology in general, but they ended up backstabbing each other because each of them wanted a monopoly.

Fallen Nation Corps are formed by the remnants of that project who called a truce, funding certain terrorist group and made them their puppet. They're pissed when Tabane revealed that she's WAY ahead their league.

Originally Posted by StratoSpear

This manner, it would mean that Tabane is the one that could give an IS the super robot properties

Slightly odd but if that's how it goes, it means +1 God point for Tabane.

It was on purpose, but even Tabane is human and not invincible.

By a certain pint, Tabane's machination caused the regression of world order and sparking global war, EVERYONE has their own I.S.-copy (or something that could match them, at least). It's like going from Real life Cold War to Strangereal-level mayhem.