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  • File: 1329950234.gif-(168 KB, 539x358, subtextwhatsubtext.gif)
    168 KB Maverick Hunter Quest, Thread Six: Three Sheet Metals to the Wind Hunter Command 02/22/12(Wed)17:37 No.18058580  
    Prior thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/18013469/
    Music (still): http://youtu.be/gQWAcgefsQQ

    You are Anode, A-rank, 4th Overland, and you couldn't remember your serial number right now if there was a gun leveled at your head.

    To your left is Shwarzhund, quiet night-fighter dog-reploid, who helped you cheer up after some unhappy ruminations into your glass. To your right is Emerald, energetic mechanic and swordsman, presently quite inebriated.

    As the evening's progressed the 4th's officer's club, the Pond, has only gotten busier, crowded with human and reploid staff. The volume is steadily climbing as the din of two dozen conversations builds. Shwarz grinds his teeth. "Loud," he says, inaudible from three feet away.

    ...And then he looks at you intently. He takes a long pull of his nanite-laced beer (another instance where he's helped to educate you), and wipes his mouth, a smirk forming.

    "Ever been someplace so loud you can't even hear yourself think?" he calls. "Do this." He clears his throat and turns back toward the throng.

    "SO THERE I WAS," he booms, taking you aback, "WITH MY DICK IN HER ASS..."

    Em's eyes widen. He shares a slow, incredulous glance with you, the reality of what just happened driving through your respective buzzes like a spike.

    "AND I FELT SOMETHIN' WEIRD!" The tacit(?) dog continues, even as you can practically feel the volume inside drop and eyes turn to you. "AND WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT--THERE WERE THE MISSING BATTERIES!"

    Silence. Dozens of hungry expressions point your way, wishing they'd heard the first half of that story. Emerald starts giggling, coughing, and finally loses it, howling with glee until he literally pitches sideways off his stool and falls, still hysterically laughing.

    >wat
    >wat
    >wat
    >> Hunter Command 02/22/12(Wed)17:39 No.18058613
    Also: Hello! Sorry for the delay. The surgery went fine, but unfortunately a quick test demonstrated that the meds they gave me don't cause hilarious levels of impairment, so no matching Anode's drunk with my high. Not that I've needed them, thus far, I guess I got lucky.

    Also, someone suggested linking all prior threads, so I'll just do this: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Maverick%20Hunter%20Quest
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)17:50 No.18058725
    Try to restrain your own laughter and fail miserably.
    >> Hunter Command 02/22/12(Wed)18:14 No.18059075
         File: 1329952491.jpg-(158 KB, 557x450, problemlight.jpg)
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    >>18058725
    Oh dear God, it hurts.

    It's all you can do to keep it together, hunching double over the bar and using both hands for stability, helmet nearly hitting the oak as you quietly, helplessly heave. You can still FEEL their eyes on you. Two reploids losing their shit, while a third casually looks back out at them, nursing another beer.

    "...Much better," Schwarz adds, breaking the silence he just built. It's too much for you, and with a horrible sputter you lose your shit. From somewhere on the floor Em's whoops of laughter redouble, all while that crafty son of a bitch dogbot takes a slow, well-earned pull on his beer.

    It's a good five minutes, still giggling, before you're able to get your shit together. Slowly, the volume picks back up, but not quite as intensely as before. With some effort, you manage to help pull Em back up and into his seat, still gasping.

    "Wh--wharn me next time before you go and do that," he wheezes. Schwarzhund says nothing, but just his eyes tell of the shit-eating grin behind his beer.

    >I need another drink after that. And maybe a smoke.
    >Okay, I think we've officially jumped the roboshark. Let's go, Em.
    >WE CAN NEVER BE SEEN IN THIS PLACE AGAIN.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)18:35 No.18059324
    >Okay, I think we've officially jumped the roboshark. Let's go, Em.

    Shwarz gets an extra round before we leave, though. I like him.
    >> Hunter Command 02/22/12(Wed)19:17 No.18059780
         File: 1329956223.jpg-(464 KB, 1940x3064, MyLittleHunter.jpg)
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    >>18059324
    "Ha ha. Whoo. Hoooooooo..." You take a few more steadying breaths as Em looks up into the ceiling. "We're... probably not gonna see anything funnier than that tonight, are we." He shakes his head.

    "Probably not, no. Home?"

    "Home. Szchwa, it was a pleasure meeting you, you are a gentleman and a scholar and a reploid dog man." You're pretty sure that's not his name, but you're also pretty sure you're drunk. QED. On your way out, you buy him one more, earning you a nod of thanks and then you slowly amble out of there.

    Em might be a more experienced drinker, but he paced himself terribly, and you're clearly better off than he is as you stumble your way across the base grounds. At some point, he bumps into you. "Hey. Heyyy. We should--we should go and fuck with Sev'n. Strike while the iron is hot and stuff."

    You're definitely feeling the mischief. You're full of happy, sober enough to plot, and dizzy enough to ignore the Bad Idea alarms. If ever there was a time to concoct a scheme, it's now.

    >OKAY, SO HERE'S WHAT WE DO... [write in, surprise me]
    >No... my vengeance will be something something served cold. And sober.
    >> Hunter Command 02/22/12(Wed)20:14 No.18060478
    Page 7... Gonna bump this to refresh its lifespan, then check on it in a little while. Worst case I save what I have thus far and try it again later.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)20:19 No.18060533
    >OKAY, SO HERE'S WHAT WE DO... [write in, surprise me]

    Acquire a non-damaging-to-electronics lubricant that is hard to wash off the armor of Hunters.
    Fill a bucket and a large spray bottle with it.
    Work out a simple perch that'll activate and dump the bucket once it detects a door opening.
    Put it in Seven's room, above his door, so he gets covered in the stuff, head to toe.
    Then coat the entire floor of his room in the same lubricant with the spray bottle.
    IT'LL BE MAVERICK HUNTERS ON ICE, STARRING SEVEN THE SLIP-SLIDING SUCKER.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)20:23 No.18060581
    >>18060478
    Also OP, >>18060533 here.
    I think you mighta just had bad timing was all because it seems SEVERAL other quests are running at once.
    Totally down with trying to suggest, but if it seems no one besides me is participating, it might be best to save it for tomorrow or later.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)21:00 No.18060949
    It's a shame I didn't see this sooner. I'd hate to see this go to waste.

    Getting on topic,
    >>18060533
    sounds like a neat idea. We need pictures, though. (picturesofspiderman.jpg)

    What was your surgery for, by the way, Command?
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)21:11 No.18061074
    >>18060949
    I do think Command's packed up and gone for the night. Been at least an hour since that last post.

    Suppose this is a bump just to keep it alive in hopes he otherwise hasn't left.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)21:19 No.18061148
    Damn, I was looking forward to this too.

    Just got here in time for it to die.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)21:22 No.18061183
    >"SO THERE I WAS," he booms, taking you aback, "WITH MY DICK IN HER ASS..."

    I had a friend of mine do this the other day.

    Just as fucking hilarious in the thread.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)21:30 No.18061284
    >>18060533
    for the love of god, this.
    >> Hunter Command 02/22/12(Wed)21:40 No.18061429
    I live! I just figured a little break would let the later crowd come on.
    >>18060949
    Wisdom teeth. Nothing major.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)21:42 No.18061446
    >>18061429

    Shit son, I feel sorry for you. I had a friend have to do that.

    He was in pain and talked really funny for like a week.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)21:57 No.18061635
    >>18061446
    Always a pain to get those out, Command.
    But yeah, if you had mentioned it was your wisdom teeth getting pulled, anyone who's had it done coulda told you that the drugs the dentist would give you won't knock you on your ass.
    Not unless you have a super-weak constitution or are considerably affected by any drug.
    It shoulda just numbed your mouth so much you sound like you fought a few rounds with Tyson and survived.
    >> Hunter Command 02/22/12(Wed)22:02 No.18061701
         File: 1329966156.jpg-(471 KB, 2048x2048, lightitup.jpg)
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    >>18061446
    Honestly, thus far I'm pretty good. About three days in now, which is apparently when the worst is, so we'll see how I am in a day. I've had precisely one vicodin, which was not the magical paradise drug I was hoping it would be. All it did was reset my threshold so the pain was more noticeable when it wore off.
    >>18060533
    ...Yes. YES.

    "Em! Em. Em. ShutthafuckupIgotit. We neeed," you stab him in the chest with a finger, "We need lube."

    "Whoa! Didn't think our rela'shunship was that far along." He might be a slurring mess, but Em's never at a loss for an innuendo.

    "Shaddap, swordboy, I'm serious. Don't we have, like, machine grade oil or whatever for the lechanimoid joints?"

    "Mnyeah? Plenty, same grade we use on th' transports."

    "Okay, awesome, I gotta get me some of that. And! And we need ... NOZZLES." Em scrutinizes you, narrowing his unfocused optics.

    "Nozzles."

    "Nozzles." You nod gravely.

    "...And you're SURE this isn't leading to some fraterni-whatsit."

    "Just quit with the doe eyes an' help me scrap this kit together, loverboy."

    ----


    The next morning began as many hundreds of others did, relatively quiet as the rays crept over the earth, battered by long years of habitation and industrialization, but still turning.

    And then the screaming started.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)22:07 No.18061769
    >>18061701

    God yes.

    Hopefully they don't know it was us.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)22:08 No.18061778
         File: 1329966512.gif-(71 KB, 145x120, 1323780105704.gif)
    71 KB
    >>18061701
    disgonbgud.jpg
    Also, I wonder if reploids suffer hangovers.
    >> Hunter Command 02/22/12(Wed)22:09 No.18061788
         File: 1329966553.jpg-(42 KB, 321x399, enormousballs.jpg)
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    >>18061769
    Oh, they fucking know it was you. Hopefully you guys won't mind my improv.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)22:11 No.18061827
    >>18061788

    >They know.

    Isn't one of them known for holding grudges AND outranks us?

    This should be fun.

    Oh well, I guess that's what we get for brilliant plans while fucking tanked.

    Might as well admire our handiwork. From a safe distance.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)22:13 No.18061847
    >>18061827
    Hey, they're the ones who, after we came back injured and crippled after our very first op as a Hunter, dressed us up as Lady Justice and posted the picture at the front of the complex.

    They had to get it sooner or later.
    >> Hunter Command 02/22/12(Wed)22:15 No.18061865
         File: 1329966900.jpg-(361 KB, 600x523, BITCHINCAMAROBITCHINCAMARO.jpg)
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    >>18061701
    The early morning calm shattered with the roar of engines as a single hunter fumbled his way out of the base and onto the grounds, slip-sliding the whole way.

    A second later his screams redoubled with the roar of an industrial engine and the buzz of beating wings at his back. There, with just the last touches of their drinks filtering through their systems, came two more reploids. One stood atop a roader, legs bowed for balance, hot on his helpless victim's heels. In his hands was an industrial sprayer, running through a sturdy hose up to the second reploid, surfing on the back of a mechanical dragonfly, a heavy tank of tread lubricant on his back. The fly followed the roader closely, swerving this way and that.

    The two-man team whooped and cackled, chasing the hunter known as Seven across the base. Whichever way he turned, his feet found no purchase. Only more lubricant.

    Lubricant everywhere.

    -----
    "DIE, YOU SON OF A BITCH!" You scream gleefully, turning the nozzle on for another blast. "DIE BY THE VERY WEAPONS YOU ADORE!"
    You're pretty sure this was the worst idea you've ever had, but you're also pretty sure it's the best idea you've ever had. Inside, outside, all around the base, you and Em ride your respective mechaniloids, turning the hose wherever Sev tries to run. Now he's a REAL slick bastard.

    >yfw you and Em just rode on a two-wheeled boar and a dragonfly laying down a path of greasy humiliation after chasing Sev around his equally frictionless room until he finally managed to get himself out the door
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)22:16 No.18061887
    >>18061847

    Oh I'm not saying they didn't have it coming, I just don't want to be in chokeing distance of a pissed off superior when we're pretty high up on the list of possible culprits.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)22:19 No.18061910
    We're gonna have to clean all of this up but it will be so completely worth it.

    Also India is going to either murder us or thank us for not involving her and I don't know which.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)22:20 No.18061933
    >>18061865

    That's pretty magnificent, actually.

    I thought we were going to lay a more traditional trap, but that works.

    >You're pretty sure this was the worst idea you've ever had, but you're also pretty sure it's the best idea you've ever had. Inside, outside, all around the base, you and Em ride your respective mechaniloids, turning the hose wherever Sev tries to run. Now he's a REAL slick bastard.

    I get the feeling covering half the base in lubericant is 'going to far' as far as colateral damage does.

    On the other hand, the mental image is fucking amazing.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)22:23 No.18061954
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    >>18061865
    >You're pretty sure this was the worst idea you've ever had, but you're also pretty sure it's the best idea you've ever had.
    We've only been activated recently, so that sounds about right.

    Still, my fucking face.

    >Expectation owIntr
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)22:24 No.18061971
         File: 1329967466.jpg-(36 KB, 390x414, 6857637456.jpg)
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    Is this the same guy who did the Megaman 40k quest?
    >> Hunter Command 02/22/12(Wed)22:24 No.18061975
         File: 1329967486.jpg-(71 KB, 563x733, BROARM.jpg)
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    >>18061865
    "HEY EM!" You yell over your engines, the spraying machine lube, and, of course, Seven's delicious little bitch screams. "HOW MUCH WE GOT LEFT?"

    "ABOUT AN EIGHTH A TANK!" He yells back.

    "AND HOW FUCKED ARE WE?"

    "REALLY FUCKING FUCKED!" He adjusts the hose on his backpack, then throws you a thumbs-up.

    Worth it. Worst case you spend all day cleaning up your mess. Well, no. Worst case you get executed or something, but whatever. Finally, the pressure winds down, and the last glob of lubricant spatters across Seven's back with a satisfying splat, and you pull back on the Roader, slowly skidding to a halt. Em's Tombort hovers near behind as he unslings the backpack. Seven, meanwhile, keeps running and screaming, until finally he slides with slow, beautiful, ballerina grace, facefirst into the wall of the mechaniloid bay.

    "So!" Em says cheerfully as he hops down from his impromptu jetski. "Think anyone saw us?"

    You look behind you. At least a dozen personnel are looking at the serpentine trail of slippery devastation you left in your wake.

    "Possibly."

    "Shall we run along and get the cleaning agents before Frog delivers them to us as a suppository?"

    >Yes
    >Very yes
    >?
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)22:25 No.18061979
    >>18061971

    Probably not.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)22:26 No.18061989
    >>18061975
    Very yes.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)22:26 No.18061997
    Very yes. This was better than I'd expected.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)22:26 No.18061999
    >>18061979
    Did that just die or what? The last I remember someone killed the dog and everyone was being a gigantic douche to megaman
    >> Hunter Command 02/22/12(Wed)22:29 No.18062018
    >>18061979
    >>18061971
    Not I, sir.

    Also, it goes without saying that I have to see this scene get drawn at some point.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)22:29 No.18062021
    >>18061975

    Ask if we can rig the soap and shit the same way we did the oil.

    To make the cleaning faster of course.

    Then again, if it's oil....

    An 'accident' might clean it up before we can.

    How many fire based Reploids are on base?

    And PLEASE tell me we had the presence of mind to record this,so we can put it to 'Yakkity Sax' and play it on every monitor in the base later, in case somebody missed the live performance.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)22:31 No.18062037
    >>18062021
    We're reploids. I'm pretty sure our optics are remote cameras. There's no way we couldn't have been recording.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)22:33 No.18062053
    >>18062021

    >And PLEASE tell me we had the presence of mind to record this,so we can put it to 'Yakkity Sax' and play it on every monitor in the base later, in case somebody missed the live performance.

    YES.

    This is where India comes in.

    When we get talked to about how much is too much dicking around, we send the encrypted signal, look at the clock and wince.

    "I should probably apologize for what's about to happen."

    And the curtains rise.
    >> Hunter Command 02/22/12(Wed)22:48 No.18062235
         File: 1329968908.jpg-(44 KB, 453x640, vilesigh.jpg)
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    I just grinned so wide at this whole bit that I opened my sutures a little. I regret nothing.
    >>18061989
    >>18061997
    "Yeah, let's get on that yesterday."

    Em nods. "Say no more." He calmly hops right into the long skid Seven's flight produced, and adroitly skates his way along the ground, right past him. "Come fly, with me, Lucille~ in my merry Oldsmobile~" he sings. "One side, old chap."

    Fortunately, the lubricant you picked was apparently so effective they formulated a solution just to neutralize it. You've already made some hefty progress, watching the ribbon of grease evaporate on contact with air seconds after you work in the solution. Not easy work, but it doesn't require a lot of effort. You already cleaned off the tires on your Roader and hosed down Sev with the stuff ("Is this harmful?" "No." "Oh, good."), letting him stalk away in quiet ignominy. Em's gone back inside to mark off the grease trail, not that it's hard to spot.

    You've almost made it to the doors yourself when Frog shows up. He folds his arms and looks at you expectantly.

    >Say something?
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)22:50 No.18062269
    >>18062018
    Hey Command, >>18060533 here.
    I'll see if I can't get it done.
    Can't promise anything speedy but I giggled with madmanic glee imagining the scenario while reading.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)22:54 No.18062307
    >>18062235
    "Sir, Emerald and myself were training our comrade Seven how to handle a surprise attack scenario in a frozen battle enviroment, using the lubricant to substitute ice, sir."

    And when he calls bullshit, "I regret nothing." and take your punishment like a boss.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)22:58 No.18062375
    >>18062307
    Not just yet. Assume nothing.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)23:00 No.18062403
    >>18062235

    Wait until he says something.

    Continue cleaning.
    >> Hunter Command 02/22/12(Wed)23:19 No.18062654
         File: 1329970791.gif-(35 KB, 160x120, yeeeeeah.gif)
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    >>18062375
    >>18062403
    >>18062307
    "Boss." You say by way of greeting, working on the job.

    "Anode," he answers.

    And then he waits, quietly. You slowly move forward with the project. When you move ahead, so does he.

    "So..."

    "Just pointing out the value of our polar region terrain specialist, sir."

    "An improvised exercise, then." It's remarkable how even and level his voice is.

    "Just so."

    You lapse back into silence. He punches the door button for you when you get there, leaning against the wall calmly.

    "...Too far?" You finally ask.

    "Too far."

    "No regrets. Do you smash my head in here, or after the cleanup?"

    That gets a chuckle. "No, you live with it."

    "Damocles' hammer?"

    "Just so," he replies in the same tone you just used on him.

    "Well, the damage isn't so bad. I can pay for the supplies, if that's a problem."

    "The 4th won't collapse because of a missing oil drum, but dealing with Seven is going to be a bear for the next week and a half."

    "Ah, damn, I hadn't thought of that. Sorry, sir. Was just trying for a little turnabout. At least anyone who saw only would have caught snippets of it."

    "Very true," Hammer answers. "Except for India."

    You look up.

    "And her multiple-angle recording of the entire fracas."

    He looks down at you.

    "Already playing on the entry terminal."

    You feel an irrepressible smirk growing, despite yourself.

    "With grainy film-screen sepia filter and ragtime music."

    OH GOD.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)23:30 No.18062780
         File: 1329971438.gif-(22 KB, 318x237, 1216320990937.gif)
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    >>18062654
    Anode and Emerald, right now.
    >> Hunter Command 02/22/12(Wed)23:32 No.18062803
         File: 1329971554.jpg-(16 KB, 171x233, sniperjoemad.jpg)
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    >>18062654
    "Sir?"

    "Yes, Anode?" Frog asks bluntly.

    "Permission to lose my shit, sir!"

    "...Granted."

    AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA OH DEAR FUCKING GOD SHE DIDN'T.

    Oh.

    Oh god you're gonna die.

    "Better?" Frog asks as you recollect yourself after a storm of giggles fit to kill God.

    "I think so," you manage, taking one more deep breath of useless oxygen before continuing. "So, to paraphrase what I was asking Emerald about our little endeavor, sir--how much trouble are we talking?"

    "How fucked are you?" He asks.

    "Yeah, that."

    "Not particularly. Sev knew what he was getting into, hazing the newbie. Or maybe he didn't," he adds with the barest hint of amusement in his dour tone. "I'd bash your skull in if you weren't already cleaning up after yourself. Anyway, fine for the use of materials and equipment, a quick shift doing some menial thing or other, and the understanding that you only get one."

    "Yes, sir."

    "Carry on, Anode."

    >?
    >> Hunter Command 02/22/12(Wed)23:34 No.18062840
    >>18062269
    Awesome, thanks. I appreciate it.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)23:38 No.18062881
    >>18062803
    Finish cleanup.
    Find India.
    Kiss India.
    Maybe find Cathode, wherever she went, and show off to her. "BIG BROTHER'S A BIG OL' BADASS."
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)23:38 No.18062884
    rolled 1 = 1

    >>18062803
    >>18062654

    After we clean up responsibly, we find India, kiss her full on the lips because that was fucking beautiful, and leave, laughing. Hopefully before she can recover.

    Then we find something to do out of the way until we know what her reaction was.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)23:42 No.18062940
    >>18062884
    >>18062881

    Riding the same wavelength there?

    I like it.
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)23:49 No.18063034
    If not full on kiss, then at least full contact hug and dancing with repeated cries of WE'RE NOT WORTHY! WE'RE NOT WORTHY!
    >> Anonymous 02/22/12(Wed)23:53 No.18063093
    >>18063034

    No, kiss.

    Because there's no way she'll se that coming.

    Then we walk away laughing at her brilliance, humming the tune she put to it.

    Hopefully it'll take her a second to process, which is long enough to make out get-away.

    The key is to be gone before she recovers from it, in case she freaks out.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)00:02 No.18063192
    "I'mma go do somethin' else stupid, boss." Then proceed to go find and kiss India.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)00:10 No.18063292
    >>18063192

    Nah.

    Let's make this our little secret.

    >>18062840

    Hey, this might sound like a weird question, but how 'human' are human reploids? I mean, I know we're human SHAPED, and we have more or less human psychologies, but how close to human are we?

    I mean, Em took off his helmet, and had hair, but is there a very human body underneath it all? Or is the armor our actual body?

    Are we... equipped? Or like ken/barbie anatomy?

    Before anyone asks, I'm not fishing for robot sex or anything creepy, I just want to know this shit so I can better understand the characters and the world.
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)00:10 No.18063295
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    >>18062884
    >>18062881
    You finish your work in near-record time--turns out Em stocked up on more cleaner and started working from the opposite side, a passing hunter tells you, so the two of you should be done...

    Sometime...

    Your train of thought derails as you come within earshot of the main terminals.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_dI6BZt06U&feature=related

    Oh god. Frog didn't do it justice.

    THERE ARE MUSTACHES.

    Great, swooshy, curling wisps of sinister black facial hair, combined with top hats, making you and Em the dastardly villains chasing the righteous hero Sheriff Seven across town aoh my god is that a tumbleweed

    It is

    God damn that woman is a genius

    You watch as you level your rakish cane at Seven and another jet of blessed, blessed industrial grease paves the way to Humiliation Junction. Which she helpfully labeled.

    It's about then you notice the "RECORDINGS 1,000 ZENNY -- HELP PAY THESE GLORIOUS IDIOTS' FINES" blinking at the bottom.

    Genius. She is a genius.

    Cont.
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)00:12 No.18063314
         File: 1329973935.png-(118 KB, 700x667, dathope.png)
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    >>18063295
    Half-dazed, you stumble away, job unfinished, barely registering pats on the back or applause until you find India, as ever, thumbing through a datapad.

    "Oh hey. How'd you like mymmph?!"

    There are of course limits to these things, so you only really plant one on the lips for a brief second...then pop down on one knee in classic proposal fashion. She looks down at you, eyes still wide from shock for a moment.

    "...That's a nut, dumbass."

    "You think a man who goes through as much mustache wax as I do can afford a ring?" She laughs, and punches you in the face. With the nut on her finger. Ow.

    "Glad you liked it, then. I know I sure as hell did. So how fucked are you?"

    "Barely at all, but I need to go finish the cleanup or we're right back to dead motherfucker."

    "Go on then, shoo. And take this damn thing." She pelts you with the nut, bouncing it off your head.

    "Heartbreak!" You wail, "'Tis no wonder I turned to villainy and revenge against that rapscallion Sheriff Seven!"

    "If you try tying me to any train tracks I'm shoving your engagement ring up your ass," she calls.

    "You?" You grin and call over your shoulder as you leave. "Hell no, I'm tying up Seven."

    "I'll hold you to that," she says with a grin. "Thank Em for me, would you?"

    >?
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)00:16 No.18063360
    Clean! And whistle while we work! We have done THE LORD'S work today.

    >xhyster about

    God damned Xhyster! I told him not to come round these parts no more!
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)00:18 No.18063380
    >>18063314
    Is the video only broadcasting at the entrance, or is it scattered across all of Hunter HQ?
    If the latter, we've just become fucking legends.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)00:18 No.18063383
    >>18063360

    Whistle the tune from the video.

    It must be done.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)00:19 No.18063390
    >>18063380

    Oh god I hope it's the latter.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)00:23 No.18063444
    Clean and make sure to give India's regards to Em.
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)00:24 No.18063455
    >>18063292
    Being completely honest, I'm still up in the air on this, as well as many things. 'ere we go:
    For starters, though, there's no hard and fast rule. Em has hair under his helmet because he was built that way. Some, even most (particularly mass-production models), tend to have very simple designs where their armor layer IS their body.
    Reploids can also buy what's termed endoconstruction, or endostruction: Basically a body beneath their bulkier existing armored frame. Some are made that way, but most aren't. Most hunters, being function-over-form by design, don't bother with this.
    Last, even if not in Tab A-Slot B style, reploids can have sexual activity. Studying "reproduction" is an ongoing process, and it obviously requires a body one could put amalgam data into.

    TL;DR reploids in general can either be built with or later purchase physical parts, or you can not have them at all and do the Bedtime Buster Duel with nothing but wires.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)00:30 No.18063527
    Make a future plan to invest in a mustache implant that'll let you choose from a different assortment of whiskers that you can grow on command.

    This way, should the call for a prank war ever be made, Anode the Agitator shall ride again!

    That and so you can look stylin' as -fuck- with a Reynolds 'stache or something of the sort.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)00:33 No.18063563
    >>18063455

    All very interesting.

    Thanks for clearing that up.
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)00:51 No.18063784
         File: 1329976288.png-(471 KB, 629x579, CANNOT UNHEAR.png)
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    >>18063360
    >>18063380
    >>18063383
    You return down the hall with a spring in your step (literally, with those K-Coils installed) and pick up where you left off. You jauntily whistle along to the sound of music hundreds of years your senior. The music of victory. The song of your people. Or, well, the people who built your people.

    In any case, you're pretty damn chipper. Doffing a nonexistent hat and twirling an ethereal mustache at passerby, you feel like you've struck a great blow for abused new guys everywhere, and really cemented yourself as part of the Fourth.

    Which is about when the alarms start, and Frog's voice filters over the basewide speakers, echoed in your personal comms:
    "This is Hammer Frog. All combat personnel are hereby on active duty until further notice."

    Oh, damn it.

    >TO BE CONTINUED!
    >PROBABLY TOMORROW, SO LONG AS THE THREAD LIVES!

    But seriously I'd keep going but I swear I laughed about five stitches loose tonight and I'm getting pretty tired.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)00:51 No.18063786
    >>18063455
    >TL;DR reploids in general can either be built with or later purchase physical parts, or you can not have them at all and do the Bedtime Buster Duel with nothing but wires.
    Also, there should be a little bit of 'recombobulation' that reploids are instinctively programmed capable of, considering they eat, drink and breathe nanites.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)08:06 No.18066907
         File: 1330002367.jpg-(104 KB, 682x896, 1313295601249.jpg)
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    HWAWSHIT

    I don't think we ever got a chance to jam our upgrades in, in between drunken revelry and drunken shenanigans.

    Still worth it.
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)11:36 No.18068140
    I'M UP

    ARE YOU GUYS?
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)12:46 No.18068551
    >>18063784
    You redouble your efforts on the cleanup--if people are going to be mobilizing, they'll be marching through here.

    Sure enough, it's not long before you see Frog again, with dozens of Berets behind him. He marches right past--you kip up and follow him a ways.

    "What's the situation?" You ask.

    "G-class threat," he replies tersely. "1st, 4th, 7th, and 15th on deck. 10th as advisers. You're staying here. I'm not leaving the base unguarded if this is a feint."

    "Hell of a feint," you note.

    "17th and 0th are occupied, an-"

    "Sir!" It's India, rounding the corner briskly. "Situation?"

    "You're coordinating with the 7th," Frog answers, all business. "Air threat and you're the most experienced with ship-to-ship. Sev's overseeing civilian evac, Conda's screening, Schwarz is doing recon. Too risky to mobilize the 2nd. The rest are with me." He turns back to you. "Anode, right now it's going to be you and Dash on-base. Tanker's due back sometime soon from his own mission. I'm not expecting anything here, but that's exactly how ambushes happen. Any questions?"

    >?
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)13:05 No.18068681
    >>18068551
    Anything that has the Hardcore Traitor Buster Unit and the MOTHERFUCKIN NINJAS Unit busy has to be worth talking about.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)13:41 No.18068912
    >>18068551
    If a P-class is Sigma, then what's a G-class threat?
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)13:42 No.18068919
         File: 1330022537.jpg-(31 KB, 256x214, butmyshirtisntred.jpg)
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    >>18068681
    "Both are occupied?" You ask. "To a man?"

    "May as well be," Frog says grimly. "They're sending along people when they can, but we can't rely on them. That's part of why I'm leaving a picket--all our heavy hitters occupied at once speaks to a plan."

    "So what are we dealing with?" Your turn to get the door for him this time, standing to either side as the berets file out.

    "They're calling it the Skyjammer. Every bit of aerial machinery around it just shuts down. It's leading an attack on Vienna. Air Cav is grounded until we can find a way to disable that thing. As for 17th and 0...no idea." Outside you can see a sizable force marshaling--more than you've ever seen assembled at once--out in the base yard. "Okay, the mass teleporter's set up," Frog adds. "We've got to move."

    "Good luck, sir."

    "Yeah," he says, mostly to himself, and out he goes, leaving you with an almost empty base and a half-finished job.

    >Wat do?
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)13:47 No.18068959
    >>18068912
    P is "Perfect," the grade above G. That's where, if you can, you pull everybody out and bomb the shit out of the site. G-class response doctrine is mandatory evacuation and elements of multiple units required just to set up the attack, then letting the 17th or 0 unit operatives working in tandem make an attempted arrest. Mechaniloid support is mandatory, and individual engagement is forbidden.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)13:51 No.18068988
    >>18068959
    Well... Kinda wish we didn't fry the Enigma...
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)13:51 No.18068989
    >>18068919
    A mechanism that literally shuts down an entire air force? Sheeeeeeit. Well, how big is the 4th's complex at Hunter HQ? We should link up with Dash and get organized. Otherwise, I can't think of anything else but start patrolling the complex. If anything, we can start building a sizable charge while we wait for an attack that might not even come.

    >>18068959
    So a good chunk of this is just a setup for X and Zero to show up and be awesome. Figured, considering their track record. Do we get a mechaniloid complement for our guard detail?
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)13:53 No.18069004
    >>18068988
    Guns Wallaby shot up the gun while trying to access it, and we were backed up against a wall out of options. It's too late for that now, so we'll make do.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)14:01 No.18069069
    What, Maverick Hunters only have the one big weapon?
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)14:04 No.18069085
    >>18069069
    They're busting the other immediately ready one out of storage, codenamed Congo. Someone from the Shinobi unit went out to the site.
    >>18068989
    Nah, X and Zero show up to be awesome later. The reason they're throwing the works at this is because they can't get any 17th/0 support.
    You do have some mechaniloids left, but most of them have been deployed. Sizewise, the base is quite a bit for two hunters to cover, but there are still some berets, servicemen, and so on.

    >>18068919
    You frown. May as well make sure you're coordinated, you decide, keying your basewide comms. "Dash?"

    You don't have to wait long. "Here," comes his answer. "What's up?"

    "Just making sure we're coordinated. You probably know more than I do at this point."

    "Yeah, I was there when Frog got the call." He doesn't sound particularly worried, but then, you only saw him once, on your first day.

    "Just wanted to make sure we were in contact. What's the game plan?"

    "Business as usual. Just keep working on whatever you were doing."

    You look back at the grease trail. "Shit."

    "That boring, huh?"

    "Something like that. You been near the base front today?"

    "No," Dodo answers. "Why?"

    >
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)14:06 No.18069096
    >>18069085
    "Oh, are you in for a surprise."
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)14:12 No.18069139
    >>18069085
    Careful where you step.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)14:29 No.18069247
    >>18069085
    Well, we're defaulting to seniority on this one. If Dash says "business as usual," then we remind ourselves our glorious grease escapade isn't going to clean itself up.
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)14:32 No.18069266
    >>18069096
    >>18069139
    You let the mirth creep back into your voice. "No reason. Why don't you come on up here so we can coordinate?"

    "All right..."

    "Mind your step, though. Out."

    It's not long before you see Dodo again. He makes eye contact with you, just as the ragtime music starts looping from the top again. You watch him look at you. To the screen. To the grease. To the screen. Back to you.

    "...Not bad, kid," he finally decides. "I would have gone with Ride of the Valkyries."

    "I think my finely-groomed dastardly facial hair speaks for itself," you respond primly.

    "Fair enough. Dash Dodo. It's a bit late, but welcome to the Fourth." He extends a hand, which you shake.

    "Funny, that was what Sev told me."

    "Don't get any funny ideas."

    Dodo hangs around while you clean up the last of the trail, eventually reaching where Em left off before the alert went up.

    And then you hear a yell from the command room.

    "Where the fuck is everyone?!"

    Dodo facepalms. Investigate?
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)14:34 No.18069285
    >>18069266
    Better fill them in.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)14:36 No.18069299
         File: 1330025784.jpg-(332 KB, 596x917, Mmx2overdriveostrich.jpg)
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    >>18069266
    Do we recognize the voice?

    Also, is it bad if I keep picturing Dash Dodo as a mildly altered (read: not as huge a neck) Overdrive Ostrich?
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)14:51 No.18069395
    >>18069285
    You look over at Dash. "I recognize that voice."

    "It's Tanker. He's not gonna like this. Ugh, better get it over with."

    The two of you almost walk straight into him as he storms out. Now that you've actually seen him for the first time, he's ... imposing. He towers over you and Dash, looking like a shark with an almost boatlike body frame. Black and yellow bands stripe his arms, with bulky pressure tanks on his shoulders, forearms, and likely more on his back. A massive pressure gauge assembly and nozzle runs down the length of one of his arms. His legs are actually almost transparent, filled with some kind of ballast and pressure control system. Steam flashes from gill-shaped vents on his neck. Bladed, angular teeth with a nasty hydraulic clamp open and close with a faintly audible hiss as he speaks.

    "Sorry, big man," Dodo says. "Hammer just got called out with half the base on a G. You're in charge."

    "DAMN IT." You notice he's also superficially damaged--the banged-up look somehow only serves to make him more intimidating. And he's looking at you.

    Um.

    >?
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)14:55 No.18069422
    >>18069395
    Only makes sense to introduce ourselves. Dash should probably fill him in on everything else.

    "Anode, newest member of the 4th Overland, at your service. It's just me and Dash here."
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)14:56 No.18069434
    >>18069395
    Don't be rude, We should introduce ourselves.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)14:57 No.18069442
    >>18069422
    Don't forget to throw in a salute, just to hammer home how fucking green we are.
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)15:00 No.18069462
    >>18069422
    >>18069434

    Anode? What kind of name is that for a hunter? Get out of my way little man, I have some unfinished business to take care of.

    Saying that he walks off and punches a wall hard enough to leave a dent before rounding a corner.

    You and Dash both look at each other with quizzical looks.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)15:01 No.18069478
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    rolled 14 = 14

    I don't think he's the type to apreciate our humorous antics, at least not in this present state. kill the video feed if possible.

    Ask him how to best cover the base. Find out about any weakpoints the enemy could possibly exploit.

    Also see if you can't get the loids to patroll the grounds with whatever Berets are on hand
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)15:02 No.18069490
    >>18069462
    Oi. Stop that.

    >>18069434
    >>18069422
    To be fair, you did meet, it's just you were blind at the time.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)15:06 No.18069517
    >>18069490
    Well, now we can introduce ourselves properly.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)15:07 No.18069523
         File: 1330027656.jpg-(118 KB, 821x972, reploid_girl_2_by_lurkingtyger(...).jpg)
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    Also try calling our sis to see how she is. She probably didn't get deployed this time since she's still a newbie in the 1st
    >> Not really Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)15:09 No.18069541
    >>18069490
    Sorry... I thought it would be funny
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)15:13 No.18069574
    >>18069523
    I should assume we have Cathode's comms information ever since our activation, since we're compatible and all. Whether calling her in the middle of a scramble is a good idea or not is debatable, though. Plus, she's more artillery than us, making me wonder if they'd keep her at HQ during this time. Then again, we don't even know what sort of missions she's run, if any.

    I'm still of the opinion that a reunion is in order at some point.
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)15:16 No.18069603
         File: 1330028168.jpg-(43 KB, 500x500, abatmanwhoknowshesfree.jpg)
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    >>18069517
    Fair enough.

    If he expects you to wilt, he's disappointed as you give a snappy salute to the base Second-in-Command. "Sir. Nice to meet you properly."

    He stares at you inquisitively for a second. "...Yeah. The hell, Dash?"

    Dodo shrugs. "Call came priority. It's you, me, and him. Sorry, Tanker."

    Tanker abruptly spins on his massive heel and departs.

    "...Where are you going?"

    "Training." After a second, he pauses and looks back. "...Why, you wanna come?"

    >?
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)15:20 No.18069633
    >>18069603
    Take a rain check for now, go get what loids are still lying around active and get them patrolling. Get on the coms to get any SB that aren't preocupied to come and do a patroll on the grounds and give orders to report anything that even smells suspicious.

    Then we can go get ourselves humiliated in the training area.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)15:23 No.18069661
    >>18069633
    I second this
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)15:28 No.18069695
    >>18069574
    Don't forget we still have some cleaning left. Though it could become an asset if we make sure we know where the spots we didn't hit yet are...
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)15:29 No.18069697
    >>18069661
    >>18069633
    Thirded. Let's face it. The rules of story telling demand that shit shall hit the fan, verily.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)15:31 No.18069715
    >>18069697
    Regardless, Having possible prior notice wouldn't hurt...
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)15:35 No.18069741
    >>18069695
    Cleaning finished just as Tanker arrived at base. There's really nothing left but patrols or getting rattled by Tanker in training.

    Do we have any charge, or is it nothing worth noting?
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)15:37 No.18069759
    >>18069299
    >>18069695
    Shit. Get that cleaned up before we kill Dodo.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)15:38 No.18069766
    >>18069741
    Ah. Ok then.
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)15:38 No.18069768
    >>18069633
    "Maybe in a bit," you call after him. "Gonna get the Berets patrolling. Never hurts to be a little paranoid." He waves over his shoulder and stalks off.

    "...You realize he's been trying to get new a sparring partner for ages, right?" Dodo asks.

    "No... what does that mean?"

    "It means he's bored of everyone he fights. He hasn't fought you."

    "So I'm..."

    "Fresh meat?" He offers.

    "Great word choice, THANK you."

    He grins cheekily. Beakily? "Anytime. Come on, I'll help get the 'loids going."

    You start issuing orders by comm, not that they're terribly necessary. Seems like patrols are elevated just in case--Hammer knows his shit. Dash finishes relaying orders to the last of the old, first-gen mechaniloids.

    "Didn't take long," you note.

    "Nope. So are you gonna go train?"

    "I dunno. I was thinking about it."

    "Word of warning," he says. "Tanker's SA. He won't kill you or anything, but...you're probably not winning that one. You know the rule of 2?" You shake your head. "Two Cs to a B, two Bs to an A, two As to an SA. That's to have an even chance. After SA it kinda falls apart, and it's more a rule of thumb, not consistent, but..."

    "Well, there's two of us, aren't there?" He shakes his head.

    "I'm B-rank, kid. Sorry. Although, you could just go in for the training sims instead."

    >Since when have I ever run away from an asskicking?
    >Sims, you say?
    >NOPE NOPE NOOOOOPE
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)15:42 No.18069797
    >>18069768
    As much as I love the idea of getting our ass kicked by a shark, the LAST thing in the world that we need is for the two highest ranking on-base members to beat each other into scrap before a possible attack. Let's play it safe... maybe just stick with the simulations.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)15:42 No.18069799
    >>18069768
    LETS DO THIS!

    TRY THEM NEW LANCE THINGY!
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)15:44 No.18069823
    >>18069799
    No. But at soon as we get the all-clear, go for it.
    >>18069797
    Yes.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)15:44 No.18069824
    >>18069768
    No one told us Guns was SA, and we only beat him after hijacking the power supply of an ORBITAL CANNON. If we literally feed ourselves to the shark, it'll be doable, but an uphill battle.

    Then again, we probably haven't even seen the training facilities in general, so it's worth checking out at any rate. I want to try the sims first before we go reploid-balls-deep against Tanker.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)15:50 No.18069886
         File: 1330030250.png-(53 KB, 650x400, RevolverWallaby.png)
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    >>18069768
    Go with sims this time. We can challenge Tanker once we get our bling. for now, lets get humbled by a non tangible opponent.

    Like Zero, or maybe even Guns, if there's data of him. Maybe smooth out some regrets.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)15:51 No.18069895
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    >>18069799
    What upgrades did we actually get installed, not counting our K. Coils? We've only ever had the potential for upgrades given to us.

    Em was tinkering with our lance earlier, but I can't remember if he actually implemented Guns's phasing tech into it, allowing us to "block" shots.

    We could've used Chaff's weapons data raw to give us a signal-scrambling shotgun/flechette cannon, but we defaulted on that to wait for R&D to come and give it a proper once over.

    I can't remember if we had ourselves altered to allow us to store our lance inside one of our busters, letting us stick it out the front for stabbing/charging.

    We also don't yet have an electro-dash or any other alterations to our capacitors or anything, but I'm sure we're inventive enough to come up with things as we go.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)16:00 No.18069984
    >>18069895
    That's true; we're still woefully un-upgraded in most respects. I suppose a choice now is, do we call R&D to see if they can get us equipped, risking being mid-upgrade if an attack comes, or do we pray we can handle any possible ambushes with our current gear?
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)16:02 No.18070000
    TANKER IS WATER: We are electricity. I think we may be his weakness.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)16:03 No.18070007
    >>18069984
    I doubt R&D's gonna be moving about with a G-class hanging over our heads. They probably won't risk moving until the situations been pacified.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)16:09 No.18070040
    Command is having trouble with the Updating Index error; expect a post shortly.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)16:10 No.18070051
    >>18069984
    >>18070007
    The ethos of a good Maverick Hunter is to make do with what you've got and what's on hand. We're clever, and we know what we can do. It's why we're 2-0 against Mavericks right now.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)16:18 No.18070132
         File: 1330031895.jpg-(149 KB, 1024x768, chaplainnotchaplin.jpg)
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    How does training work? Is there anything in place to safeguard from accidental death or debilitating injury?

    UNRELATED: Do reploids have religion? Do the Maverick Hunters have military chaplains?
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)16:20 No.18070159
    "I'm not so much worried about getting my ass kicked as much as I am getting my ass kicked and then being attacked," you muse.

    "Good point." Dodo agrees. "Tanker will be grumpy."

    "...You mean that wasn't grumpy?"

    "No, that was him trying to be diplomatic so you'd spar with him. For Tanker? That was positively friendly."

    "So I'm fucked either way, is what you're telling me."

    "Welcome to the Fourth."

    The two of you head down to the training facilities where, sure enough, there's Tanker, beating the everloving hell out of a training drone of some sort.

    "Sorry, not today," you say. "I'll take a rain check for a later ass-kicking."

    "Just in case we do get hit," Dodo adds, placating. "We're gonna run him on sims."

    "Oh, that's always fun to watch!" Tanker says with an unsettlingly wide grin. "Hey, hey. We should make him run the Sigma simulation." He walks over to a pod similar to the recharge bay bed in your room, rapping on its hull with a massive knuckle.

    >SELECT SIMULATION:
    >NOTICE: Simulations of active unit members is not permitted.
    >Megaman X (B-rank)
    >Zero (SA-rank)
    >Sigma (P-rank)
    >Guns Wallaby (A-rank)
    >Other [input]

    Meta-note here: The Sigma program has nothing to do with actual Sigma, virus or otherwise--it's recorded and projected from his combat data and the stats left on file.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)16:21 No.18070170
    >>18070132
    I can't remember a single religious thing from the games, aside from maybe the final boss going I'M GOD!
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)16:22 No.18070177
    Let's do it, to mollify Tanker and to satisfy our own curiosity.

    It's always good to know one's limits. It sets the baseline for pushing them.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)16:24 No.18070202
    >>18070159
    Tempting as it is to throw ourselves against Sigma, we'll take a pass on that. Although I'm pretty sure Tanker's trying to kill us.

    Let's start with Zero, making sure our melee is up to snuff. After that, we'll take on X and that crazy Mega Buster of his.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)16:24 No.18070204
    >>18070159
    Guns
    Is X the newb that he was as a simulation? We could try warming up with that, if not just go ahead and start with Guns
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)16:25 No.18070223
    >>18070204
    This quest takes place between X2 and X3, so I'm pretty sure X's legend as a bonafide badass has been solidified by now.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)16:29 No.18070254
    >>18070223
    He's still considered B rank though... I'm guessing he probably downgrades himself volountarily after the games.

    Goddamn pacifist.

    Also, if I can make a random request? Slash Beast, if he exists already. Was my fav for quite a while.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)16:30 No.18070262
    >>18070159
    Alternatively, since we won't actualy get hurt, why not just do them all, starting from the lowest rank and working or way up to the big man himself
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)16:40 No.18070342
    Okay, test here. If I'm still getting the error (I had someone else post the last update for me), I'm gonna take a break for a little while and resume later tonight.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)16:41 No.18070355
    rolled 57 = 57

    >>18070342
    Lets fight Fan Man!
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)16:41 No.18070363
    >>18070342
    Figures.

    Right now there's one vote for Sigma, one vote for X, one vote for Zero, one vote for Guns, and one vote for Slash Beast.

    DISCUSS AMONGST YOURSELVES, I WILL BE WAITING AND IN NO WAY PLAYING SHOGUN 2 WHILE YOU DECIDE.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)16:54 No.18070491
    Guy suggesting Slash Beast here.

    Come on. Guy can outrun a train and has a flash kick that shoots lasers.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)16:54 No.18070493
    >>18070363
    Throwing in a vote for fighting X. We need a little more experience against long-range opponents, and B-Rank or not he's pretty much the best around when it comes to blasting holes in Mavericks.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)16:58 No.18070528
    >>18070491
    I love the idea of fighting Slash Beast, but if we can start requesting we may be here all night, because I want to fight Magma Dragoon.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)16:59 No.18070539
    >>18070528
    Fight X with the shoryuken and hadouken upgrades.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)17:01 No.18070560
    rolled 12 = 12

    >>18070491
    >>18070493
    >>18070528
    >>18070539

    So... we're not going to fight fan man?
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)17:03 No.18070581
    I don't know if Slash Beast exists yet, since Repliforce doesn't exist yet. It's possible, but not likely.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)17:09 No.18070641
    >>18070581
    Yeah, he probably doesn't.

    Fuck it, lets fight X or Zero.
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)17:19 No.18070726
         File: 1330035571.jpg-(80 KB, 704x476, schematics.jpg)
    80 KB
    "You know what? I've always wanted to beat up my dad."

    Tanker guffaws. "X it is, then."

    You climb inside the pod as the information processes.

    "Okay, so basically you're going to be in a cyberspace simulation. No harm is transferred, though it feels real enough," Dodo says as he punches a few buttons. "We can--and will--provide commentary through the system."

    And just like that, everything filters out, replaced line by line with a projection directed straight to your processors.

    And there, in front of you, is the most singularly recognizable maverick hunter alive--X. That same distinctive blue armor you've seen in countless vids and recordings shines in the simulated lighting as the space around you is transformed into flat, blocky field in a radial burst.

    He takes a stance, narrowing his profile and raising his buster behind him. You hear the distinctive, building whine of charging plasma.

    WAT
    DO
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)17:21 No.18070748
    >>18070726
    Take this moment to wonder if his pacifism extends to non-lethal combat.

    And then dash in on him, jump the inevitable buster shot, and get in an electrified thrust.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)17:25 No.18070782
    >>18070748
    Seconding this, but don't jump until he fires! Last thing you want is to eat a charged shot point-blank, in midair no less. If we have our shot-disrupting lance, I recommend spinning it in case he follows up the charge shot with smaller shots.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)17:31 No.18070832
    >>18070782
    That is assuming we can spin our lance at all without looking like a moron. Were we programmed with finesse?
    I assume there's no cover around, so getting in close really is the best idea.
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)17:50 No.18071011
    No disruption saber yet. Also, yeah, you can wheel your lance about defensively.

    Also, short break after this post. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MANY MOONS, TEAM JERKASS HAS SHOWN THEIR WICKED FACES.

    >>18070748
    >>18070782
    >>18070832
    Thinking back, you consider what you learned from the fight with Guns, another ranged fighter--he was smart enough to know about his melee vulnerability and had taken steps to correct it.

    You're not surprised that X has done the same--he fires, and in the blinding glare of plasma wake he's darted back and leaped onto a wall. You vault the charged shot, feeling virtual heat pass under you and come down where he was. Your foresight pays off, and you hadn't committed to a lancestroke, letting you level your buster on X as he climbs, launching a counter-volley.

    He kicks off the wall, the vibration through it telling you he engaged his EAS for distance, and lands far, far out of range. Your shots miserably impact where he had been a solid second late. He's got distance again, and he's building another charge.

    >React?
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)17:58 No.18071103
    >>18071011
    Well hell. Repeat the same strategy, but see if you can jump a bit lower over the blast, reduce our time spent in the air. As we do so, shoot a few times- higher than necessary, accuracy isn't super important. Just see if we can discourage him from going airborn again while we continue our charge. I doubt it, but if we can get close enough to attack make it a fast one.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)18:00 No.18071130
    He ain't no slouch, that's for certain.

    Let's see here... Can we... Electrify our plasma blasts somehow?
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)18:06 No.18071194
    >>18071011
    Let's charge him and keep spitting plasma with our dual busters. We need to disrupt X's tempo and keep those charged shots further and further apart. The more under fire he is, the more defensive he has to be.
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)19:14 No.18072058
    Distracted and slow, team Jerkass works their dark magic. Sorry, but I'm still hereish. Worst case I delay until I get back where I can focus.
    >>18071103
    >>18071130
    Nada. Plasma's electric-ish anyway. You can look into electrical upgrades later.
    >>18071194
    This time you answer his attack on the run, rapid-firing as you go. You're able to foil his shot, letting you duck it as his charged blast goes wide. You continue firing over his head, preventing him from jumping. Instead, he slides down the wall, hopping off at the bottom. And then he dashes right for you!

    >?!
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)19:18 No.18072124
    >>18072058
    Quick-draw the lance and go to work.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)19:23 No.18072194
    >>18072058
    Crap. Still, progress! I recommend attacking quickly- stabbing is probably our fastest, but might want to aim for his upper extremities with it. Jumping is pretty much his main form of mobility, after all, and we're going to be in a bad way if he hops over us. With any luck we can catch his leg or something with a high-aimed attack if he tries it, and if he doesn't we can really mess him up.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)19:45 No.18072543
    Kick the shit out of him!
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)21:03 No.18073540
    Take him down.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)21:13 No.18073659
    Try to avoid getting shoot as much as possible while closing in close.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)21:24 No.18073771
    We really need to catch up with Cathode after this, it has been too long, and given our current damage track record I think if we wait too long she won't recognize us.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)21:28 No.18073827
    >>18073771
    That's a great idea. Especially because we really don't know how she's settling in with her new station, either. Gotta wait till the crisis is settled, I guess... come to think of it, I hope she's doing alright, considering how much of a mess the front lines seemingly are.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)22:05 No.18074382
    >>18073771
    >>18073827
    I'd been talking about meeting with her for a long while, especially considering we nearly KILLED OURSELVES taking down Guns. If possible, maybe roping her into the 4th so that Command can actually see how well the two work together. Anode and Cathode were designed with inherent chemistry in mind, after all.
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)22:19 No.18074600
    >>18074382

    Not a bad idea. But we should wait until we deal with the current crisis.
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)22:25 No.18074676
    So, Captcha just totally died while I was over there, not that I was doing a great job of paying attention anyway. Something to do with cloudflare, apparently. Kind of out of it myself, just wanted to let you guys know where I vanished to. I'll try to get a second wind to go for a little longer if I can.
    >> Hunter Command 02/23/12(Thu)23:51 No.18076002
    Okay yeah, I got nothin'. Bumping one last time, hope the thread makes it another night. I know where I'm going with this, I'm just a bit more tired than I expected. I'm willing to pin that one on the surgery if you are. See you tomorrow.

    Also, >competing with SWQ
    >laughing axemax.gif
    >> Anonymous 02/23/12(Thu)23:57 No.18076101
    >>18076002
    Sorry Command. Just type up a last post and end it here till tomorrow?
    >> Cain Labs 02/24/12(Fri)00:45 No.18076745
    Cain Labs here, helping out on the behind-the-scenes stuff for Hunter Command as co-conspirator. While Command is out for a while, I figured I'd drop in and help out with any questions related to exposition, backstory, setting, what have you.

    If you have questions or just want to chat about MHQ, I'm all ears. For the next little bit, anyway.
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)00:54 No.18076871
    >>18076745
    Aighty.

    Where's Anode from; what military made him?

    Is there any form of spirituality amongst the reploid population, or discussion of what it means to have a "soul"?

    How does cyberspace work? Is it something people can actually go into and dick around in, like XTreme or Cyber Peacock's stage?

    Where IS Cain? Is he the adviser of the Maverick Hunters or something?

    Is X's copying juju special somehow? I seem to remember something about this in the games.

    How many Mavericks and encounters and such you guys got between you, or is that a secret?
    >> Cain Labs 02/24/12(Fri)01:00 No.18076969
    >>18076871

    We've decided to leave Anode's origin up to the readerbase. It'll come up at some point.

    The notion of spirituality does have a small foothold. The ideas of free agency and the abilities that distinguish Reploids from Mechaniloids or the Robot Masters of a century prior, combined with a devilish inability to entirely analyze the otherwise replicatable "black box" elements of X, have given a small number of Reploids stirrings of cyberspirituality.
    >> Cain Labs 02/24/12(Fri)01:09 No.18077097
    >>18076871

    Cyberspace is an ever-expanding concept. Currently, it can be physically entered, but only in certain areas, with special equipment, and it's not fully accessible in that way. What it's developing towards is a sort of overlapping "data dimension," but at this point it's not even close to that level. The Hunters' work in Cyberspace, and really a large portion of global work on it, is spearheaded by an advanced data processing Reploid named Rho.

    Cain in our canon is part of the oversight council that monitors Hunter Command and reports to international bodies. He is the primary liaison between that council (and thus those international bodies) and Hunter HQ, due to his John Hammond-like involvement in developing and propagating Reploids.

    X's Variable Weapons System is special, though not completely unique. His most standout trait is his supposed "limited potential," part of the black box inner workings that still have not been analyzed, combined with equally cryptic and unpredictable enhancements seemingly provided by his creator from beyond the grave.

    I don't know how much Hunter Command has in his corner, but my own resources are substantive. If need be I could draw on dozens of prepared Mavericks given about five minutes.
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)01:25 No.18077354
    Can you name an in-game example of a C-Rank and G-Rank threat?

    What's up with India and Pakistan? Any other big turnarounds in the global community?

    How are human-reploid relations?
    >> Cain Labs 02/24/12(Fri)01:52 No.18077797
    >>18077354

    G-Rank threats include Vile and the X-Hunters. A fairly sturdy C-Rank would be the Hoganmer from X1.

    Indian-Pakistani relations improved with a combination of a devastating earthquake ripping through Pakistan - to which India responded with tremendous aid - and nationalist sentiment in the Kashmir region creating an independent state, which has over the past few generations normalized and improved relations between the two previously feuding states and also its own position. There have been other major political shifts, but you'll have to wait until we bring those up to see!

    Human-Reploid relations are... generally good, but there are racists on both sides who vocally campaign against the others. Maverick Hunters only get involved when there is actual Maverick activity, rather than simple discrimination. Admittedly, the various conflicts have not helped, but the contributions of Reploids in a vast array of fields have led to general acceptance.
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)02:02 No.18077943
    What's your and Command's favorite Mavericks? How does your co-conspirating usually work?
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)02:03 No.18077953
    >>18077797
    Who's commanding the Hunters at present?
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)02:19 No.18078137
    Where exactly do the events of X2 take place, anyway? Kind of weird to have an island with all those different biomes on it.
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)02:23 No.18078209
    What's the stance of Reploid free will? I mean, we're a dedicated Warbot, but what if we decided that we couldn't deal with fighting any more? Would we be forced to keep on? (if so, that'd explain quite a bit regarding defections).

    Or what about a Steel Beret or other reploids?
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)02:31 No.18078308
    Who are the major producers of Reploids?
    >> Cain Labs 02/24/12(Fri)02:37 No.18078407
    >>18077943

    I really like Dynamo. Going by normal bosses, I'd have to give it to Chill Penguin. Hunter Command's out of contact right now, so you'll have to wait on his answer.

    >>18077953
    Commander Rhodes accepted his commission a few months prior after having distinguished himself during the latter part of the Maverick War.

    >>18078137

    It's an artificially enhanced island on a volcanic foundation with a weather control station capable of drastic changes. Biomes are irrelevant. Myself, I'd place it somewhere in the Pacific.

    >>18078209
    Reploids have free will. Maverick Hunters are free to resign their commissions. Most of them are designed so that the work will appeal to them, but free will means that such design may not take, or may not last, so there have been prior defections. One of the most notable would be Squid Adler, who resigned during the Maverick Wars in protest after what he saw as an arbitrary retirement action taken on circumstantial evidence.

    And with that, I'm done for the evening.
    >> Cain Labs 02/24/12(Fri)02:39 No.18078442
    >>18078308

    Just spotted this question. I'll respond to it tomorrow if the thread's still active, or else next time MHQ is up.
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)08:46 No.18080348
    I wish I had a question to bump...

    Oh, how does the transporter work? I was always wondering that.
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)09:15 No.18080555
         File: 1330092945.jpg-(922 KB, 1224x792, ben_franklin_vs__zeus_by_sharp(...).jpg)
    922 KB
    I don't have any more questions at the moment, but as far as origin goes, I nominate Philadelphia.

    Pic related.
    >> Cain Labs 02/24/12(Fri)11:08 No.18081363
    >>18078308

    Not being a commercial product, Reploids are mainly developed by major science organizations or state governments. Cain Labs has remained a preeminent trailblazer in the field of Reploid development, though they have transitioned toward a role more aligned with stewardship of current Reploid production standards (represented via Reploid "generations"). Other bodies include APEX, SunLight and Zeus Technology Development. The 16th R&D also does Reploid research.

    >>18080348

    The transporter works through a spatial warp compression field. It's pretty sensitive and relies on precleared arrival sites with field decompressors readied, or else on internal systems that provide the same function (which aren't tremendously viable if field disruptors are active). Those who don't want unauthorized access to their sites employ (or contain) field disruptors that severely limit beam-in, though as establishing the field is easier, systems allowing beam-out are comparatively common. The process is *not* a teleporter or wormhole and requires that the compression beam be able to physically arrive from the departure site to the arrival location.
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)12:16 No.18082023
    Y'know what might be a good name for that forearm thing? The Buster Bump. Cause that's basically what those forearms are, aren't they?
    >> Hunter Command 02/24/12(Fri)12:28 No.18082133
         File: 1330104482.jpg-(76 KB, 760x478, thehunteryourhuntercouldhuntli(...).jpg)
    76 KB
    >>18080555
    Oh, I like that.
    >>18077943
    Favorite mav is actually pretty hard. There's a bunch of criteria to go off. Stage, theme, design, and actual boss fight, off the top of my head. Damn. I'll have to get back to you, because I can't come up with one off the top of my head.

    >>18072124
    >>18072194
    >>18072543
    >>18073540
    >>18073659
    You go for your lance--if he's going to let you get close, no reason not to punish him for it. You move for a quick strike, countercharging him, just as you realize that he isn't shooti--

    HOOF

    X's other arm comes up from behind and he slugs you in the stomach, hard, propelled by his dash-thrust. You actually feel yourself get a bit of airtime as he powers through you and keeps going, leaving you to tumble across the floor as he rounds out his move and turns around for another pass.

    "Scrappy little bastard," you hear Tanker note from somewhere in the sky while you haul yourself to your feet.

    >?
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)12:33 No.18082175
    >>18082133
    Whatever you do, remember to vary up your moves constantly. Don't get into a pattern with X, he'll rip you apart if you do that.

    In fact, try making your attacks seem like they have a pattern, then pull out a new move to catch him off guard.
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)12:38 No.18082205
    >>18082133
    I don't know how well he can control that dash. Does it look like he can change directions quickly?
    >> Hunter Command 02/24/12(Fri)12:54 No.18082330
    Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjnEezSfdKE
    >>18082133
    "How ya doin', big guy?" Dodo calls.

    "B-rank my ass!" you yell back, taking quick stock--okay, the damage was minimal (just exceedingly, exceedingly painful), and if nothing else that dash-punch alone jumped your charge up ten percent. It's floating up around 17% now.

    You're reminded of your enemy by a volley of plasma launched downrange. You jump the first, charged blast, and twist your body to evade a follow-up bombardment of weaker shots. You raise your arm and return fire, forcing him to move. Quickly, you dash at him again, and once again he takes to the wall. Not this time, buddy.

    He vaults as you surge forward--only this time, two things are different. He doesn't have a shot to cover behind, and you know what he's up to. You catch yourself on your feet, and hop backwards, engaging your dash as you angle it forward. You moonslide beneath X, taking your lance in both hands as you match his speed. He twists in midair, trying to set up to defend, firing his half-charged shot to try to dislodge you, but you're committed. He comes down, and you swing for the fences.

    X flies across the room, impacting on the far wall with a deep slash through his torso, the deep wound sparking inside. If he can register pain, he doesn't show it, hauling himself up, much as you just did. For the moment, the momentum is yours.

    >Use it.
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)13:06 No.18082424
    >>18082330
    Stay on him! Stick to him like feet to a movie theater floor!
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)13:14 No.18082492
    >>18082424
    Pin him down with dual busters, get close and swing for another home run.

    >israeuma stage
    Interesting thing to call it, Captcha.
    >> Hunter Command 02/24/12(Fri)13:28 No.18082629
    >>18082424
    No giving him any breathing room--that trick won't work a second time. You dash in, leveling your lance and peppering him with shots as you advance. He dive-rolls to one side as you collide with the wall, and rakes your side with return-fire. You put a stop to that with a heavy, sideways swing, putting your lance between him and you, then moving for the thrust. He uses his roll to get distance and haul away, charging up again as he goes. You stow the lance and open up with both barrels, scoring a few hits on his back as you advance after him. Halfway through he turns and fires again, putting you off-guard as you waited for a full shot. You jump it, but then he dashes forward again and tackles you. You struggle to bring your lance in, but he's able to hold your arm away from inside your reach. You skid across the ground as he pushes the mouth of his buster against your chestplate.

    You hear the whine of charged plasma again.

    >PANIC
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)13:32 No.18082659
    Rake his cameras with your hand.
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)13:32 No.18082662
    rolled 55 = 55

    >>18082629
    Headbutt this blue sonofabitch, right in the bridge of his nose... I don't know if he can feel pain, but I intend to find out if he's going to try to light us up like a cheap Chinese lantern...
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)13:40 No.18082725
    Jam a finger in it and release stored electricity!
    >> Hunter Command 02/24/12(Fri)13:45 No.18082759
         File: 1330109156.jpg-(73 KB, 658x800, notdoneyet.jpg)
    73 KB
    >>18082659
    >>18082662
    Pinned, you realize that you have one hand free while he has his gun on you. You can't get a shot, but you CAN wail on him as hard as you fucking can. You smash his head as the charge builds, repeatedly bludgeoning him with all the strength you can muster. His helmet crunches, and the optical gem in the forehead cracks. He's got to be seeing fractal, and you feel his strength lessening as you daze him with repeated concussive blows. You wind up for one more, hard swing...

    Just as he fires, point blank, into your chest. You connect with him at the same time as the recoil sends the two of you bouncing across the ground in opposite directions, each in a world of pain. Your chest burns, figuratively and literally, the armor literally melting off around a still-glowing hole in your middle. Gritting your teeth, you slowly stand, while X does the same. You exchange another glance.

    ...And then, in a bright flash, X's battered blue armor is replaced by gleaming white plates with red trim.

    >oh god what
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)13:50 No.18082789
    What's our charge at from that boisterous beating?
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)13:55 No.18082828
    >>18082759
    Motherfucker.

    How'§s our charge? Shoulda shocked him while he was on top of us...
    >> Hunter Command 02/24/12(Fri)14:06 No.18082915
         File: 1330110389.jpg-(306 KB, 776x870, howaboutIbustyourshit.jpg)
    306 KB
    >>18082759
    "What the HELL?" You hear Dodo exclaim. "He can DO that?!" Tanker is laughing.

    Your charge is only 32%. Enough, maybe for a solid whack.

    Speaking of charging, he's practically lambent over there. ...And it's coming from both arms. Ah, shit.

    >
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)14:19 No.18083028
    Err... dodge?

    ...

    Let's look at it differently. He's the boss. We are the underdog. We need to find some weakspot there. Or play like a bitch, runaway and chip him.
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)14:32 No.18083162
    Evasive maneuvers and obvservation, we can build up our charge while dodging his.
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)14:34 No.18083179
    >>18082915
    He has all his X1 upgrades. Shit is not going our way very quickly. Stronger (dual) buster, ablative armor, improved dashing and an especially thick head. We need to back off and see what he's doing. Charging him now is suicide.
    >> Hunter Command 02/24/12(Fri)14:35 No.18083191
    >>18083179
    Actually, he just went full X2.

    Bite the pillow, son.

    Also I'll keep going a bit but I just got some bad news about a friend of mine, which kind of took me out of it. Writing now, regardless, but I might leave to go drop in on the poor bastard.
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)14:38 No.18083213
    >>18083191
    Go for it.
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)14:41 No.18083244
    >>18083191
    So (about) omnidirectional air dashes and improved radar, ON TOP OF improved armor and busters. Fuckin' A. Now he knows where we are and can chase us down from wherever.

    May as well chase him down and pop him in the eye, show him who's boss.
    >> Hunter Command 02/24/12(Fri)15:00 No.18083425
    >>18083028
    >>18083162
    You dodge the shot--barely--feeling it on your back as it sizzles by, and, sure enough, you hear him release a second blast hot on its heels. You engage your dash, and again only just evade a blistering wave of plasma.

    You return fire as you run, looking for any cover the cyberspace-projection might be kind enough to provide, and come up basically empty. Fuck you too, simulation.

    You pelt him with shots, but they practically slide off his armor, barely registering. He charges after you again, with an audible 'chuff' of released energy from his dash thrusters, upgraded along with the rest of him.

    And he's gaining fast. This is getting ugly...

    >?
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)15:06 No.18083475
    Can we pole vault with our lance?

    I think we're going to have to get in a killing blow, here. We can't drag this out much longer.
    >> Hunter Command 02/24/12(Fri)15:11 No.18083514
    >>18083475
    Pole-vaulting is a little much. You might eventually be able to either make a telescopic hilt to give you the reach for that, or just start carrying multiple weapons.
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)15:17 No.18083565
    Get in close for a hit. Dodge what we can, but we have to get in close for a hit, and when we hit, put all of our thunder into it.
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)15:17 No.18083567
    >>18083425
    We might be a little outclassed at the moment. But no one can say we didn't go down swinging. It's obvious we're gonna get pasted in ranged combat; we're not that good at it yet. We need to get inside and stick to him like Crash Man's bombs stick to walls.

    >the enticir
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)15:38 No.18083773
    >>18083567
    Note that this version of MM unlike the game version can smack you in the face.

    ...

    Maybe he DOES have the shoryuken upgrade.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCiOAWW4Ljw

    Still, I agree. Maybe we should do a break turn, dash back and try to lance him while he's chasing us.
    >> Hunter Command 02/24/12(Fri)15:49 No.18083863
         File: 1330116599.png-(4 KB, 256x222, OHSHITWEREFUCKED.png)
    4 KB
    >>18083565
    >>18083567
    You turn and square yourself, holding your lance ready. In a flash, X is on you again, but this time you're ready. You thrust, finding purchase as you manage to stab him through the thigh. Not waiting to see his response, you trigger your capacitors and unload all of your juice through him. The light is blinding and lightning snaps in your ears as you fry him.

    The smoke clears, and he's still fucking standing. He locks eyes with you one last time as you swear you hear a faint 'ping!'

    And then he rises into the air, armor springing alight, the small reploid's frame silhouetted in a blinding wave of white...

    >SIMULATION OVER -- YOU HAVE BEEN RETIRED
    >FINAL COMBAT ESTIMATE: A

    Abruptly your senses rush back to you as the pod opens, lifting off and flooding your sensors with the light of the training facility. Your pain is instantly gone, just a hollow echo of it remaining as your body processes the sudden change in stimulus. Tanker is laughing. Dodo fumes.

    >?
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)15:54 No.18083911
    rolled 31 = 31

    >>18083863
    >Dodo fumes.
    What? Why?
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)16:01 No.18083969
    >>18083911
    I bet he lost a bet. Though if he thought we'd actually beat X, he really is a Dodo.
    >> Hunter Command 02/24/12(Fri)16:17 No.18084094
    >>18083911
    >>18083969
    "Should I ask?" you interject, rubbing the back of your head.

    "I just can't believe he's never actually made it far enough to see X armor up," Tanker wheezes between laughs.

    "I don't normally have occasion to fight simulations of X," Dodo grouses. Tanker laughs harder.

    "If you two are done bickering, could you at least tell me how I did?"

    "Better than me," Dodo says flatly.

    "Well, no shit," Tanker jibes.

    The dodo huffs. "Bite me."

    Tanker triggers his teeth, snapping his pneumatic jaws with a sharp clang, before turning to you. "Not terrible, kid. Your shooting needs work, but you know what to do and when to do it, and that's half the job right there." He grins. "Lookin' forward to sparring with you. Haven't had a proper opponent for a while."

    Well, simulation over, and it was definitely an educational experience.
    >What do?
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)16:17 No.18084097
    Like... get out?

    Also, why aren't we on max capacity? Can't we just stick our fingers into a socket and charge up before missions?
    >> Hunter Command 02/24/12(Fri)16:21 No.18084138
    >>18084097
    Ostensibly, you could. Though you're basically a walking power plant when your capacitors are full, and you have to vent anything over maximum capacity or it will hurt you. You wouldn't want to suddenly have to discharge a load of electricity in the middle of paperwork, or walking around base, or what have you.
    It's also not good for you to hold the energy long. It's less an easily accessed battery reserve and more a volatile bucket of death you can build up and then throw on someone.
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)16:26 No.18084203
    >>18084138
    It's just that building it up is hard and we can't really too often do it. Most of the time it was basically "grab conveniently hanging cables and channel something" with the sole exception being that time we fell down.

    So it's like a one shot/mission thing, if that much

    In this fight, for example we didn't even get half charge.
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)16:32 No.18084245
    >>18084203
    So, we should charge up to at least 50% before every mission.

    Shit, we better do that now, actually. In case this is a feign.
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)17:14 No.18084639
    >>18084245
    Yeah, that's pretty much what I was trying to convey.
    >> Hunter Command 02/24/12(Fri)17:41 No.18084905
    Wheeee hardware problems

    Gonna take a break for a bit, might try again later tonight, can't promise anything.
    >> Cain Labs 02/24/12(Fri)19:11 No.18085854
    While Command is down, I'm back to take questions/comments.
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)19:23 No.18086006
    rolled 57 = 57

    >>18085854
    I just finished watching Strike Witches and Sky Girls, and I'm almost done with Hayate no Gotoku.... What Should I start next
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)20:15 No.18086579
    >>18085854

    How badly would Sigma have wrecked our shit?

    Wouldn't fighting Zero have been more appropriate than X in a way, since he's kinda the guy to beat as far as Melee goes?
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)20:15 No.18086583
    >>18086006

    Old School Gundam.
    >> Cain Labs 02/24/12(Fri)20:26 No.18086672
    >>18086006

    Some colleagues have been trying to sell me on Carnival Phantasm; if you've seen Fate/Stay Night and Tsukihime, you may want to take a gamble on that madness. Beyond that, I don't know that I'm qualified to make recommendations.

    >>18086579

    Sigma can kill basically any Reploid in ~4 hits tops. It would have been a bloodbath. Figuratively speaking.

    Zero might have been a fun sim to run as well, but it wasn't up to us and Anode could probably use the ranged combat practice.
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)20:50 No.18086897
    >>18086672
    It's a bit off of the topic at hand, but I was wondering what the Human situation in the current day and age was. I know the population took some heavy hits later in the X series, but we're already up to 2 and a half Maverick uprisings... What do they think about all of this Reploid nonsense?
    >> Cain Labs 02/24/12(Fri)20:58 No.18086986
    >>18086897

    They're actually still doing pretty well. It's a bit touch-and-go at times, but they're still thriving, surviving and progressing. SunLight's Reploids have been spearheading environmental reclamation and sustainable habitat efforts, so humanity has been working on viable orbital colonies to get out of the way. A fair number of floating cities are already up in the sky and running very well.

    There are definitely anti-Reploid movements, of course, but the efforts of Reploids to counter their Maverick kin during the Maverick Wars and preceding crises, as well as the damage done to Reploid citizens, has generally made for a realization that both groups have shared the pain.
    >> Anonymous 02/24/12(Fri)21:23 No.18087236
    >>18086986
    What's the split between Human science making advances in Reploid technology and Reploid science making advances? If they don't want certain Maverick Hunters becoming too powerful/self sufficient, how do they feel about Reploids building/designing other Reploids? Are there limitations in place for that sort of thing? I guess I'm a bit more interested in the politics of the world at the moment.
    >> Cain Labs 02/24/12(Fri)21:40 No.18087418
    >>18087236

    Humans are actually pulling off a lot of novel things in Reploid design; they've been the predominant proponents of "humanizing" Reploids as well as the trend of zoomorphic Reploids, and their research contributes a great deal to Reploid life and culture. Reploid-driven research and development, on the other hand, is a little more practical, focusing on advances to the nature and development of Reploids and more future-oriented answers. These are, of course, generalizations.

    There's been fear of "bio-obsolescence" through Reploids propagating Reploids, which the Maverick threat does nothing to help, but Reploids aren't a single political or cultural bloc, as these people have feared. In fact, they tend to integrate more with compatible human groups, where possible; so Italian Reploids may perceive more allegiance to Italy than to "Reploidness," for example. Several nations have definitely tried to limit autonomous Reploid development, but it's actually been fairly self-limiting, since a vast majority of Reploids just want to live their lives as citizens; humans remain the driving force behind Reploid production in terms of direct involvement.



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