The year is 2XX9. Civilization has spread from its humble beginnings on Terra to crisscross the Milky Way, a patchwork of settlements and societies spanning tens of thousands of light years in any direction. Yet, for as far as it had spread, there were no signs of extant life that Terrans didn't bring with them. Once in a very great while, signs could be found of previous civilizations, though nothing more advanced than a toppled wall or a few deliberately-placed stones were documented.

Until one day, on a remote mining colony, so far off the beaten path the system was yet to be named, a discovery was made. Built with materials and techniques unlike any seen before, it resembled the GigaExoSuits generally used for hazardous work, though far larger and bulkier. First thought to be inert, almost immediately after being unearthed a startled voice began demanding answers for where they were, what was going on, and why were so many people prodding at its chassis.

The suit, which identified only as "Balina" after some prompting, had no apparent information as to her own manufacture or prior use, though even a cursory glance would show she was built for combat. Despite this, she lacks the capability to use any of the myriad weapon systems onboard, to the point of refusing to believe they were even installed until components were carefully removed and shown to her.

In order to fully make use of her capabilities (a position the suit herself does not appreciate, but acknowledges that until more information is available to her, she needs to be "of use"), a pilot needed to be found to access her less safe functions. Many prospective candidates have been put in front of her, but to date the only person she deemed suitable and allowed into her cockpit is one Lt Colonel "Mama" Harrison, an accomplished pilot and commander in her own right. Together, the pair are the most dangerous force on this side of the galactic cluster.

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The concept of "sentient mecha that requires a pilot to make full use of their abilities" had been rattling around in my head for a while. The idea was entirely CeeJay's fault, and she was unbelievably good at turning some vague ideas into a full concept for something bigger and grander than I would have managed on my own. The description above cribs super heavily from her original elevator pitch, and none of this would have happened without her ability to conjure new worlds out of thin air at the drop of a hat.

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Art:  Fluxom (original)
Pilot:  PzOwNeD