http://wiki.kurokoproject.com/doku.php?id=vo_story
This has some good info for the earlier bits of the series, bit not so much Force/MARZ. Still a good read.
Copypasta for those too lazy to click on the link. And in case the site fudges itself into oblivion in the future for whatever reason. Eh, whatever.
VO Story: The tl;dr version
1.
VO:C = Virtual On: Counterpoint 9A (drama CD)
2.
VOOM = Virtual On: Operation Moongate (aka the first CT: Virtual ON)
3.
OMR = One-Man Rescue (sidestory, in Hobby Japan
4.
FP = Fragmentary Passage (
5.
VOOT = Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram
6.
VOF = Virtual On: FORCE
7.
VOM = Virtual On: MARZ..ok, nobody gave a **** about Marz.
1.
Pre-VO:
1.
Earth is now controlled by megacorporations instead of nations or power blocs, and we are in the Virtual Century(aka Gundam: Hexidecimal Calendar)
2.
There's apparently a few space colonies(nobody cares about them except pre-VOOM) and some intrasystem travel, but no long-range star travel.
3.
No actual “war” is required anymore, since it's all done via banking/stock-market/Internet. Unknown if late 2008 was their opening salvo.
4.
However, actual humans don't really feel content without war or the normal trappings of survival, so companies now stage meaningless wars to keep the rabble distracted, and keep stocks high.
5.
The refereeing company is “International War Company”, and the battles are referred to as “Limited War”.
1.
Some speculation backed up by Virtual Century: soldiers are mercenaries, it's implied that while they're looked down on as hired dogs, being a veteran gets you access to higher benefits and a nice cash pension(possibly similarities to Grey: Digital Target with the “Citizen” battles)
6.
One day, ancient alien subterranean ruins are discovered on the Moon. Among the “Overtechnology”(yes, it's probably a Macross reference) discovered are two important items:
1.
The “V-Crystal”, a crystalline artifact that can “move” minds between the regular plane of existence, and another data-driven dimension termed “Cyber-Imaginary Space”, or “C.I.S.” for short. Plus, it is found to enable “Reverse-Convert”, a technique to materialize matter out of data patterns and energy(Doesn't say whether this breaks the law of energy-conversion or not).
2.
A giant humanoid robot, termed “Bal Bas Bow”. Yes, this is part of the original Bal from VOOM. However, the catch is that the head alone is the size of a VR, and this is what Bal's “float unit” actually is.
7.
The discovering corporations decide to create a consortium to better manage(i.e. profit) from this technology. The organization formed from them is termed “DN”, from the “Dyna-tech” and “Nova Group” corps. Their army is “DNA”. Har.
8.
Experiments to try to revive the original Bal unit fail spectacularly and it's decided to let it be. However, by examining its structure and the V-Crystal, DN creates miniaturized versions of the Bal power source(the “V. Converter”). They load them onto two experimental robots they had lying around(the Temjin and Raiden prototypes), and discover that these “Virtuaroids”(or VRs) become pretty neat additions to their usual Limited War escapades.
9.
What they carefully leave unspoken is that there are still lots of unknowns with the V.Converter and Crystal, plus an expanding missing-person count with the original VR and -Crystal development teams.
1.
This is where the 'Plant 0' legends come from. 'SHADOW' also comes into play here.
2.
The first Viper units are built, and one bursting into flames on a test-run is the inspiration for the “She's Lost Control” special attacks in all later Viper-based series.
3.
The original Fei-Yen is built around this time, ostensibly as a Reverse-Convert experimental unit(?). Runs off, unclear if it has artificial intelligence or can transmogrify into a young girl, or star in H-doujins. After this, DN builds mass-produced replicas that are toned down. No word on what kind of pilots they tend to get.
4.
The designer of Fei-Yen, Dr. Plajiner, also went missing.
5.
Other history around this time includes the drama CD “VO: Counterpoint 9A”, where the “Black Onyx” artificial human(the progenitor of Jagurandi) and Mimy Salpien of the SHBVD search for Fei-Yen. Dunno if it has anything more interesting than that.
10.
DN rapidly builds a bunch more VR models for testing, and starts experimenting with even bigger units(the better to play war-games with, my dear). That won't come back to bite us, no sir.
11.
Since it takes people with affinity for controlling VRs(termed VO-Positive or “VO+” in VOOM, and never referred to again after OMR), DN starts experimenting with VR remote-control units to identify potential pilots amongst the general population. They conveniently look like arcade units, which half-a-dozen other 'mech shows later copied the idea from.
2.
VOOM
1.
Oops, looks like some of the doo-dads DN was experimenting with have started running amuck. VRs operating with no pilots, the Ruin factories are rejecting all personnel, and this thing called a “Sun Cannon” appears to have been activated. Milton pleads innocent.
2.
DN's stock of trained pilots is relatively low(only unit that is mentioned is the Special Heavy-Battle-VR Division, a unit composed of Raiden pilots, that show up in a few more places). They decide to activate the remote-control capability built into the arcade units they have floating around.
3.
This is what the “This is not a simulator..” message means in VOOM, and the version number “3.33” refers to the remote control capability. “MSBS” is “Mind Shift Battle System”, etc.
4.
It's up to you to defeat the rogue units and save the earth..blah blah.
3.
VOOM aftermath
1.
Despite heavy losses on DNA's side, Z-Gradt and Sun Cannon taken out, party down, etc.
2.
Or is it? Turns out that the “Sun Cannon” never really posed any threat to Earth. Worse, it was just a feint by rival groups within DN to break away and form their own organization and army: RNA (aka the Scary Dogmatic (non)Aliens).
1.
This is all due to “Ember IV”, some rose-sniffing bishonen who loves being mysterious and acting superior. RNA apparently swears their loyalty to him rather than being mercenaries, but it's unclear what else they do besides eliminate DNA units. Ember shows up again in Marz.
3.
Double worse: the existence of VRs has been revealed to the world, and DN's monopoly on VR technology is broken up. RNA has their own way of producing V.Converters and VRs, and is even working on new and improved versions. Plus, they have a huge hard-on for the Apharmd series.
4.
Triple worse: if your machine is destroyed while remote-piloting, your mind vanishes into C.I.S., and your body becomes a vegetable. Thus, the majority of pilots “conscripted” via MSBS 3.33 are now the latest Lost Generation. After this, remote-control MSBS versions are officially banned, but they show up now and again.
5.
All of this does not brook favorably on DN's finances, and they start to break up. Some of the DN companies take control of the various plants(the “Refoe” family is one, although why their plant is “Flesh Refoe” is anyone's guess).
4.
One-Man Rescue
1.
Big piece of the puzzle between VOOM and VOOT. Concerns a Limited War in “the former continent of Australia”(may be a Gundam reference?) where RNA interferes.
2.
A bunch of named characters appear here(and never again), although for SRW Alpha / Marz fans, this is where “Hatter” makes his first appearance.
3.
Lots of new VRs and one offs: 10/80s(mass-produced Temjins that later show up in VOOT 5.66 and Force), the second-generation Apharmd variants, specialized versions of Belgdor(snore), Dorkas(eh), and Raiden(awesome).
4.
“Second generation” are the VRs that later appear in VOOT, and they display their powers: V-Armor, and watari dashing. They also can rape the first-gen units without even trying, which they do repeatedly.
5.
The second-generation Raiden makes its appearance(using “Fixed Location Reverse Convert”, aka long-range teleportation, and why you can travel all over the world in VOOT). 2nd-gen Raiden rapes the Apharmds back. Hard.
6.
Nobody's finished translating it yet!
5.
Fragmentary Passage
1.
Some short stories just before VOOT. Second-gen Temjins being tested(“Glimpe” and the “White Fleet” are mentioned). A 2nd-gen Apharmd(MBH) appears, although it seems to have been corrupted by “SHADOW”(the pilots thoughts are a short story themselves, and they are..spooky).
2.
Ajim apparently makes his first appearance, ripping **** up and being spooky. Both sides want to get ahold of him.
3.
The “Rose Sisters” are commissioned by RNA to capture him. They get close, but no cigar.
4.
The original Angelan was built by the child genius Lilian Plajiner(?). The first version is implied to be the same size as a human, and is meant to capture Ajim via ice magic. Also doesn't work, but DNA decides to commission Angelan as a limited-series production VR. Ok.
5.
Again, not much was translated.
6.
VOOT
1.
Turns out that the 9th plant was experimenting with a new application of V-Crystal tech: the ability to control probability(if you watched Escaflowne TV, you might remember this idea).
2.
However, the core of this project, “Tangram” has vanished. Oops.
3.
To get it back, Lilian Plajiner(?), the child genius, declares a new Limited War to find the Tangram.
1.
(This is some speculation somewhat backed up by VC. The manuals just say “go find the Tangram”)
4.
Kick ass against RNA/DNA again, it's go time, etc.
5.
The final battle against Tangram splits the heavens. Tangram apparently gains self-conciousness(and speaks in the voice of Belldandy from Oh My Goddess, yes it's Kikuko Inoue), says some mysterious ****, and “leaves”. Wow, that was a waste of time.
6.
Virtual Century has some stuff that Tangram was actually being built by a DN group under Ember IV back during VOOM, which was his reason to form RNA, but it's all kinda hazy. Speculation welcome on whether J. Watari has access to wacky tobaccy.
7.
Between VOOT and Force
1.
V-Crystals are discovered on Mars, kicking off a rush to claim land.
2.
Turns out that 2nd-gen VRs do pretty **** on Mars, which starts a race to build 3rd-gen VRs that aren't affects as much. This is Hitmaker's excuse for the differing gameplay in Force and Marz due to the original VOOT programming team taking a hike.
3.
A lot of crazy customized VRs and series are built during this time. Includes Guyrahacka, Fei and Angelan's sister that appears as a pint-sized VR. Meant to trap Jagurandi, but it doesn't work. You'd think DNA would get the hint that specialized capture VRs are a waste of time, but oh well.
4.
Nobody knows more; odds are nobody will care.
8.
Force
1.
**** if we know, all we know is that you eventually fight Jag, and are then dispatched to Jupiter via Reverse-Convert Gate.
2.
If you do the “training” option with your Pilot Card, you team up with Sgt. Hatter to dispatch some mooks. This was his first “game” appearance”.
3.
Ends with a battle with Ajim and Gelan, the male-and-female crystal VRs. About the only useful story bit is that they are both remnants of the original C.I.S. transportation network, so they could be left over from the civilization that built the original Bal Bas Bow.
4.
The fleet around Jupiter is doing some **** at the end, and random King Crimson lyrics are spoken. I preferred New Order, but what the hell.
5.
Implications from Marz indicate that the Force fleet sticks around Jupiter to prevent Ajim and Gelan from getting out.
9.
Between Force and Marz
1.
IWC gets irritated that DNA and RNA are doing more “war” stuff on Mars than is good for business, and sets up an independent investigation unit on Mars called, funny enough, “Marz”. High financial support, so you get cool-looking VRs. Hatter apparently joins up.
10.
Marz
1.
I didn't play it.
2.
JP version had a giant Encyclopedia that explained lots of things(much like SRW), but it got left out of the English release.
3.
Buncha Shadow units show up, along with the White Fleet. The Cheese Knight cometh.
4.
Ember IV appears again, along with the Rose Sisters.
5.
Hatter's here again, apparently he fights you for some reason? Eh.
6.
Some mass-produced Z-Gradts and Bradtos halves apper under the control of “DYNM”, some cyber butt-pirate.
7.
At the end, you have to fight Tangram's “bad” personality again.
8.
After you win, she buzzes around Marz and terraforms it. Ok, great!
11.
That's it.
1.
There was to be another VO arcade game, but Marz' **** sales torpedoed it. Watari and partner are now stuck in Sega middle-management hell somewhere..
Also, no spoiler option? For shame.