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>>28303430
Well. Sort of. Saetos is good and dead, but in the form of a parting shot, he left a very special gift--his entire dynamic neural array. Everything you would need to remake Saetos himself--or, reproduce one of his weapons with high fidelity to the genuine, murderous article. And he left it in your head.

"So you're absolutely sure it's not dangerous?" you ask.

"Positive," the Toolcircuit--brought out to the 4th in a hurry in the scare--says with a firm nod.

"Then fuck it, he can sit pretty for a little while. I'm going to go get drunk."

"Er," the TC says. "...Okay."

"Sorry to've called you out on such short notice," Em says with a shrug. "We just wanted to make sure his head wasn't about to explode."

The R&D officer sees himself out. "So," India says, "ARE we going to get drunk? You'll still have a debrief to worry about."

And it'll be a bitch of one, too.

>Get it over with. Might as well be done with this business.
>Em's right, let it go. Don't go crazy with work right away.
>Other?

>>28303449
>>Get it over with. Might as well be done with this business.

Damn it, I forgot about that. Let's get that done, then get shitfaced.

Oh boy oh boy oh boy

Time for depression

>>28303449
>Disregard work, acquire booze

Nobody is going to hold this one against us. Seriously.

>>28303491
This. Can't it wait until after we decompress?

>>28303449
Business before pleasure

"Is it too easy to make fun about me being crazy because evil voices in my head, how about being hunted by my past, or how this battle has left the worst impression on me?

>>28303641
I am not looking forward to explaining why a maverick would leave a copy of himself in our skull.

>>28303449
Let's get the debriefing out of the way. Include note about the present Solstrike left us.

Personally, I'm interested in the idea of India having the hots for Anode.

Let's make a note to look up any classic-craft airshows that may be happening and see if we can't convince her to take a day off with us for it.

Alright! I've been waiting for this all week!
>>28303449
>Get it over with. Might as well be done with this business.
Let's get the official end of this behind us.

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>>28304109
>>28303641
>>28303469
>>28304328
"Egh," you grumble. "I want to, I really do. But I guess I need to put this business to rest." You wince internally at the choice of words--the casualties the hunters took are still fresh on your mind. "May as well call Frog. This one's gonna have to be in person."

"That bad, huh?" Em asks. "I mean, I knew it would be if you got 'Savered, but..."

"That bad," you nod.

"Well shit, man. If you need anything, let me know, I'll be around here."

You nod and head out. You wish Schwarz were here to do the debrief--or at least sit in on it. You feel like you could use someone in your corner for this. Still, you meet Frog in the command room.

"You've got your hands on the chair Seven was using when he ran this op," you say by way of greeting.

"I know," Frog replies, turning it back and forth slowly. "When you went down he swore up a storm, then bent double over the screen and arranged as much support as he had authority to pull. And some he didn't," he adds as an afterthought. "I think he took it personally."

"Well shit, I never knew he cared."

"About the mission, I think," Frog adds. "I'm pretty sure he's not fond of you since--"

"Yeah, yeah," you reply. "...Sir. Can we just get this done?"

He nods. "Go ahead. Start at the top."
>?

>>28304484
Facts and our personal analysis of the mission is all we need here.

Also "I've never been so happy to still be alive"

>>28304484
I'll second
>>28304596
Did we ever get a final death tally?

>>28304626
130 hunters dead. 131, counting yourself.

>>28304484
We start at the top then. Shangri-La, the push up the mountain, the weird signal wonkiness and the tunneling Mavericks, the trap he laid in his base.

Falling for that last stupid signal and expecting him to be waiting patiently in his boss room. I still kick myself for that whenever I think back to that thread.

>>28304638
Jesus christ

>>28304484
Just give him the whole thing. Stupid trapfalling, getting hit by the sun, one on one fight, all of it. No point leaving anything out.

And do it in droning monotone.

>>28304484
Top-to-bottom debrief, going over the timeline of the mission. Note how much Maverick counterintelligence fucked everyone up.

>>28304638
That includes several officers, including both members that the 17th sent.

>>28304663
As a side note, that guy Warwing deserves the Hunter equivalent of the Medal of Honor.

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>>28304793
>>28304762
>>28304663
You rub your face one more time, and begin in as measured a voice you can manage. "I arrived on-site at the hunter perimeter camp in the Himalayas, Shangri-La, got a tactical appraisal, and a review of our forces. We had elements from First, Second, Third, Fifth, Fifteenth, and Seventeenth, with the main body of the force coming from the Seventh and ourselves, with Polar regional support. After establishing chain of command, and with advisement from the Nepalese military representative and the 7th's No-Fly order, we opted for a ground approach. We had several engagements, with early successes and the retirement of a secondary objective target. Then we hit our first major complication."

"The tunnel?" Frog asks--you remember again that it's been two days. He's had time to get the reports--and probably, draw some of his own conclusions.

"Yessir. Several ghost signals matching Saetos's pinged on 5th's detection suite. On a hunch I had them try a seismic scan, and we determined they were planning to sap the base camp from under via a collapsing charge. We arranged for a strike team to clear the tunnel, while sending a contingent back to the base camp in case of attack on our more vulnerable assets."

"I recall something about a counter-charge?"

"The plan was to disable their bomb and simply drop the tunnel on them before they reached under the base."

"I'm given to understand that didn't quite work out."

"Not as such, sir. We decided to finish the maverick tunnel for them. I'll get to that."

He nods. "Proceed."

"We made it up the mountain, the tunnel team reported good progress as led by the 17th. The main strike team engaged an entrenched maverick defense, breached their mountaintop fort, and effected entry. We split down hallways, Diamond of the 7th--not sure I caught his rank--and myself pursuing our primary targets. Ultravion Fly and Saetos, signal holding steady inside the largest room in the facility."

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>>28305265
>>28304793
>>28304762
>>28304663
"Fly turned out not to be there?"

"Fly was a trap from the word go. He was never in the area at all. He sent out a broad-band taunt, and the more I think about it, the more I think that was the signal for what they did."

"What do you mean?" Frog asks.

"While Diamond and I engaged a large mechaniloid, those SIfers--the maverick counterintelligence units that had been projecting false signals--jammed all of our comms at once. Our force was spread across three locations. While they couldn't radio for support, he strafed Shangri-La."

"Casualties were severe, but without Polar there, it might have been a clean sweep," Frog notes. "It seems that your decision to split the force bore out."

"Maybe," you say. "I might have just spread the losses out over our fighting units instead of our support team. Maybe if I had kept us together..."

"Focus. What happened next?"

You sigh. "We arrived topside in time to find Shangri-La burning. Mountain team rooted out a few SIfers while effecting a rapid regroup and we started making for the base camp to support whatever was left."

"And..."

"And that was where he killed me," you note bitterly. "Came in high out of the sun and hit our column on the side of the mountain, where we couldn't shelter. Most of the leadership available was neutralized or killed there, including myself."

"The Lifesavers report that the EM interference might have killed you on emergency extraction, if you hadn't been so high in the air."

"Lucky me," you spit. "Anyway, they gave me emergency repairs, turnaround time was about half an hour."

"I have reports from then," Frog says. "17th took and lost command, losing several more officers."

You sigh again, more heavily, rubbing your eyes. "Sir, it would very literally be easier to list who lived over who died. The Lifesaver told me the tally was one hundred and thirty."

"Did he also tell you that you weren't cleared for Lifesaver support?" Frog asks.

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>>28305308
"I gathered that. I didn't ask for it. I'm pretty sure that Schwarz saved my life."

"On the record, Major Schwarzhund will likely receive a mild disciplinary action for abuse--well, 'abuse'-- of critical Lifesaver assets. Off-the-record, I'm damn glad he did."

"Well, thanks. Sir."

He nods. "Go on."

"I got back and received the sit-rep from Diamond, who had been critically injured and underwent field-repairs in my absence. Having lost Addax--Vector Addax, rather--he had rank on the Seventh and the operation until I got back. After discussing it with my remaining officers, we opted to try one more attack until Zero Unit arrived."

"After the 17th's contingent had tried and failed? Why?"

"Hunch from Seven that I shared, sir. We felt that they had acted too quickly rather than consolidate our forces. If Saetos had been able to wipe us all out, he would have, and I wouldn't be here. Not attacking meant that we could harm him, whereas if we simply hunkered down we would be revealing vulnerability. ...That was the reasoning, anyway."

"I see. And then, he... called you out?"

"Not before making another hit-and-run, but... yes, sir. Apparently he took offense to my not dying. He challenged the presiding commander--that'd be me--to a one on one."

"So what did you do?"

"What else could I do? I said yes and I got ready to cheat."

You catch a bare hint of a smirk on your CO's face at that. "How so?"

"Strikeforce Siskin with the Seventh had a plan--ties back into the tunnel. We got Saetos to agree to fight in the remains of Shangri-La. While that was underway Siskin a team back into the tunnel, completed it, and then used our improvised explosive to collapse the battlefield underneath him."

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>>28305333
"That assumes you got him on the ground."

"We did. It was costly, but when he tried to deploy his plumes again--some sort of self-refueling projectile system--Seventh made the takedown. I'iwi Warwing was killed in the attack, along with most of the remaining air force. Diamond pile-drove the son of a bitch back to earth, and then Siskin warned me to jump and detonated the charges. With his plumes damaged and the hunters providing support overhead, he was stuck in the pit with me."

"And then you retired him?"

You pause, frowning. Your last memory of that fight was not winning. You pumped the bastard full of electricity and shorted out all his power management, but he was still up.
>?

>>28305349
No we fought to a stand still and then he offed himself when back up arrived

>>28305349
From what we were told, we effectively retired him, but he got up only to face a Hunter firing squad at the lip of the pit. He suicided.

At least, that's what we heard.

>>28305349
At that point, I blacked out, with Saetos staring at our reinforcements. I'm not sure what happened next, other than the fact that he shoved a pristine copy of his DNA labelled Solar Saetos right into my head.

>>28305349
We did so damage to him that he would have never made it off the mountain. Wolfang and Siskin would probably have finished him if he hadn't slagged himself.

>>28305382
>>28305387
>>28305390
>>28305422
In other words, we won the fight, but we missed Saetos's dramatic cutscene death because we blacked out.

>>28305446
He probably still could have killed us at that point, but the guy had this huge hard on for "honer." He did make us formally introduce ourselves before the duel.

>>28305446
Ayup

>>28305349
"Sort of. I struck a mortal blow, but then blacked out. Apparently, he had the chance to kill me and didn't take it. Instead, he nuked himself and gave me a parting gift in the form of his DNA. Some fucked up sense of honour, I guess - He knew he wasn't getting out of it, so he was going to lose in a one on one battle instead of getting mowed down.

And that's pretty much the last of it. Solstrike fucking Saetos is dead, along with all the forces under his command and the vast majority of those under mine."

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>>28305382
>>28305387
>>28305390
>>28305422
>>28305446
>>28305488
>>28305495
>>28305595
"We wailed on each other for a while," you reply, "and eventually I figured out that he had so much power draw for all his stupid bells and whistles that he was pushing the limits of what his systems could take. So I overloaded him. Even that didn't kill him, though."

"The report says he self-terminated."

"That's what they tell me, sir. I was dead at the time. From what I hear, he was still up when I went down." You tap your fake leg with your fake arm. "Apparently he lit himself up with one of those suns. Nothing left to autopsy."

"Seems like. Why didn't he take you with him?"

"Hell if I know, sir, and I don't think I want to know. He had some stick up his ass about honor. That, and..."

"And what?"

"Apparently, before he blew himself up, he copied his entire goddamned DNA into my head."

Frog stops. Dead. "He what?"

"I just found out myself," you reply. "I was hearing a weird beeping in my head, and--"

"No. Stop. Go back. He WHAT?"

"I didn't have a lot of say in the matter," you snap. "As soon as we knew it wasn't dangerous--"

Frog interrupts again. "We? Who is we?"

"Jesus Christ, I'm trying. Like I said, beeping. Turned out to be morse code. He left a message, Em and India called someone from R&D. He gave me the all-clear. It's not dangerous."

"It's not dangerous, no," Frog says, very slowly. "What it is...is very, very suspicious."

You throw up your hands. "Oh god damn it, Colonel, what do you want from me? No one even found it until I woke up to hear the fucking beeping."

"What I want," Frog says, taking a slow, deep breath, "is that thing out of your head, and for you to turn over your weapons until this gets sorted out. That's an order."

>Are you fucking kidding me?
>... Yes, SIR.
>?

>>28305707
>Yes, sir.
>Vacation time? Vacation time!

And, yeah, this DOES sound suspicious. We've been suspicious of these Mavericks all along, and... ugh.

Anyway! I'd also like to say that I just LOVE the pictures you pick for the updates. And I *especially* love the filenames you pick for those.

I mean... frog with glasses. Hehe. Hehehehe...

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>>28305707
Curl into the fetal position shout "Im not crazy!"
alternatively, sure I need to go home and get some new limbs anyways, oh and get drunk very very drunk

>>28305707
>... Yes, SIR.
>...wait. I didn't just invite myself to 30 years of sleep in a capsule buried nowhere, did I?

>>28305707
>... Yes, SIR.

"Whatever, I get it. It sounds suspicious as fuck. Take my weapons, and take me off active duty until we know what's up, and then I'm going to drink myself into a fucking stupor. Sir."

Expexted this, and my mind went to the same place when we heard the beeping.

Time for some time off. Still, if command is suspicion of us then that will blow back to our black dog bro. He's the one that let us survive being dropped from orbit.

>>28305733
Yeah, Anode just keeps getting into these stupid situations. First there was that damn spider and his deadman's switch, and then there was the intel leak, and now this bullshit.

Solstrike Saetos destroys himself, foregoing the opportunity to kill us, and in the process gives us his DNA. It *does* sound suspicious.

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>>28305733

So I thought I'd grab some pictures I thought funny, in case you wanted to make use of some.

Caption/filename optional.

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>>28305843

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>>28305843

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>>28305874

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>>28305843
While we're image dumping, I thought you'd like this.

>>28305707
>>... Yes, SIR.
We need to get our leg and arm replaced. And take a break. Taking a break sounds nice.

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>>28305889
>>28305970
Oh hey I think I saw that one a day or two ago around here! Can't quite remember where from.

Aaaand I think that's it for me. Its not like we're likely to hit an image limit for Hunter Command, but, eh, this is a quest thread so I'm not entirely comfortable with just posting lots of pictures. Even if I do find them amusing.

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>>28306050
This is the India version.

And thanks for all the pics, I didn't mind. Made me laugh.

>>28305707
"Well, I need a break for serious repairs anyway, so I'll take this as a vacation. Maybe get myself some endo done."

>>28305707
>Are you fucking kidding me?
>"With all due respect, sir... I didn't ask for his fucking DNA to be put in my head. The only suspicious thing about all of this is why this sort of crap keeps happening to me. First, the deadman's switch, the intel leak, and now this. But in all honesty, downtime sounds like the best thing ever right about now."

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>>28306067

Bah! I was LOOKING for that one, specifically, so I could post both of 'em with a related filename! ... Couldn't find it.

Was probably going to go with something like "A slow day at the office" and "Business as usual" for them.

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>>28306120
Can you tell India is one of my favorites

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>>28306120

>>28305970
Got something sorta matching.

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>>28305733
>>28305767
>>28305773
>>28305774
>>28306009
You take a deep breath, steady yourself, and try to will down the rage at this total bullshit. "Yes, sir. You got it, sir." With deliberate slowness you unclip your lance and set it down on the command table, then draw your misericorde off your belt. "Should I cut my good arm off, then?"

Frog takes the knife from your hands, stowing it alongside the lance. "You can report to medbay and they'll disengage your busters while they remove whatever Saetos put in your head."

You turn to go, hitting the door panel. "I'm really not insane, or maverick, you know," you add, almost as an afterthought. "And I'm getting really--really--tired of this. After I'm done with that, permission to go get wasted, now that I've been Hammered?"

"I'm going to let that one go due to stress," Frog replies dangerously. "And yes, permission granted. I'll be speaking with Rhodes."

Oh, well, terrific. You head down to medbay straightaway and without further complaint. It doesn't take long, all told--they extract some kind of small cylinder from your head and quickly take it away, leaving you quite literally alone with your thoughts again. Disabling your one remaining buster isn't hard either. Almost as an afterthought, they disable your EAS as well, and uncouple your conduit capacitor. As of now, the power is out.

When all that's done, they let you go without a guard or escort or the like, and you stomp off for the Pond to drown your sorrows in booze.

After everything you've gone through and dealt with, you have to admit you feel almost naked without your weapons. Your armor's damaged, your body's missing chunks with cheap standins as a stopgap, you can't even outrun things without a dash, and you're completely disarmed. Considering your paranoia is feeling more and more justified, you're not exactly comfortable. You've been armed your entire life.

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>>28306212
Unfortunately, Schwarz is still out on that mission, so you can't thank him or complain to him about the treatment. You bet he'd have some words to say about it. You do find Em and India at a back table, clearly waiting for you. And, bless their little compact fusion hearts, there's a beer with your name on it.

>?

>>28306212
They're keeping the Saetos data, right?

>>28306257
"No speaking until I am sufficiently impaired that I can't reasonably be blamed for any untoward things I say."

Drown self in booze.

>>28306257
Get wasted. Wonder where and when everything went wrong for us.

Then drown our sorrows in more booze.

>>28306257
"Im going to drink until the height difference in my legs becomes to much of a hurdle for me to walk"

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>>28306212

"There is BLOOD in my ALCOHOL SYSTEM. This must not stand."

>>28306257
IT'S TIME

TO BECOME AN ALCOHOLIC

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>>28306257
Drink, and start crying bitch tears. Fucking everything is going wrong.
>>28306258
Presumably.

"I'm suspended."

>>28306212
Drinky drink drink drunk drink

>>28306436
That, too.

>>28306257
Those two are angels. Take it with thanks and reverence.

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>>28306273
>>28306281
>>28306285
>>28306368
>>28306370
>>28306385
>>28306436
>>28306785
You cross the room in three uneven steps, seize your glass, and hold up a hand to India and Em as they go to ask with a nonverbal 'ah-ah.' You drain the thing in about five seconds, before wiping your mouth and taking Em's beer and doing the same. India laughs, until you take hers and down it in quick succession, slamming the last one down with a cough.

"...You're buying next," India replies dourly.

"Well, I can fucking afford it. Not gonna be spending shit on weapons any time soon. I'm suspended."

"Fucking what?" Em asks. "Bullshit."

"Took my lance, took the knife, switched off all my weapons. Even my dash."

"Bullshit," he repeats.

"Confiscated Saetos's data, too. I'm not even sure I fucking wanted it, you know that? But what it is, Anode, is suspicious. Christ, I shouldn't even be alive. If it weren't for Schwarz, I wouldn't be."

"Hey," Em says. "I don't give a shit about anything else. You're supposed to be alive, man."

You look up at him. "...Thanks."

"Yeah, yeah," India excuses herself. "I'm going to go get more booze for us."

"See what I mean?" Em notes. "Touchy-feely shit sends her running for the hills. I think I'm gonna get a hallmark card and wave it at her like a cross."

You sit back and happily await the triple-dose of nanites to hit you, with the promise of more to follow.
>Bitching session. Get it out of your system.
>Try to think positive. Try.
>Other?

>>28306993
>Bitching session. Get it out of your system.
Sometimes, you just gotta vent. You try your best and everything still goes wrong.

>>28306993
>Other. Speculate. Ponder.

Why did Saetos do this? What's his angle? And is there a danger of his data getting into the wrong hands?

How the fuck can we be expected to win the war with the Mavericks if we're taking these kinds of losses on every mission? What can be done to even the odds?

Why the fuck am I alive when so many good people died?

And where's my next fucking beer?

>>28306993
A small amount of bitching is probably in order.

>>28306993
>Bitching session. Get it out of your system.
>Try to think positive. Try.
whynotboth.jpg

>>28306993
>"I can Afford it" oh god my sides,
try to be positive, fail, drink more,bitch

>>28306993
>"I think I'm gonna get a hallmark card and wave it at her like a cross."

How do you keep coming up with dialogue for these guys...

>Try to think positive. Try.

On our first mission, they managed to get more evidence for the "virus" theory.

As weird, and stressful, as these things are... Well. Not only are we definitely doing good by shutting down Mavericks, we might potentially be getting closer to getting more actual information on just what the fuck is going on.

It's weird. It's scary. It's frustrating. But you have to hold on to the good in life.

>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlBiLNN1NhQ

Maybe we should try singing to feel better...

>>28306993
Bitching in small amounts, but, hey, you have been needing some time off. Some REAL time off. This will probably be good for you, and there's no way they're not going to let you back on active duty. I mean, what, you and Saetos were working together to cock up the mission only to fight to the death in the end? And then he leaves his data in your head, something you willingly reveal to your commander, thus blowing your cover as a Maverick infiltrator?

It's ludicrous.

>>28307138

Actually, you know, now that I think about it...

I feel like it's worth asking something along the lines of "Is my experience typical for newbie Maverick Hunters?"

Because seriously -- DO other people have to deal with shit like this, even right after joining?

Or is our situation atypical in terms of how much shit gets thrown our way?

>>28307160
Some perspective should be helpful. I'm pretty sure within the first month of deployment, you don't engage in Russian black ops, for one.

>>28306993
I like the sound of this
>>28307041

>>28307128
wait, try to be positive, fail, drink, work problems out drunkenly on the dance floor with or uneven legs

>>28307158
Not to mention that Saetos had no idea you'd survive the first time he tried to kill you because not even you knew you had lifesaver support until you were in the field. So Schwartzhund would have to be a maverick too, and you'd all have to be in on it together.

>>28307041
These are the questions which require answers.

Answers involving more beer.

>>28307041
>Why did Saetos do this? What's his angle?

Why didn't the docs find this thing in our head? They had us for 2 days.

>>28307252
I'm willing to bet it was set to be inert till we woke up, and that's why it wasn't found.

>>28306993
>>Try to think positive. Try.

Think of this as mandatory mental health leave. You don't have to deal with any of this maverick bullshit until you're inevitably cleared of suspicion.

Everything is going to be fine.

>>28307346
>You don't have to deal with any of this maverick bullshit until you're inevitably cleared of suspicion.
And when do you think THAT'S gonna happen?

>>28307371
When we plant Bramha's head on a spike in front of our brass throne, sitting atop a mountain of severed maverick heads in the center of a lake of interstitial fluid.

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>>28307451
I like how your think

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>>28307028
>>28307041
>>28307050
>>28307090
>>28307128
>>28307138
>>28307158
>>28307160
>>28307192
>>28307204
>>28307205
>>28307223
>>28307224
>>28307252
>>28307346
"Em," you mutter. "Was it like this for you?"

"What d'you mean?" he asks, currently doodling a heart on the back of a napkin to repel British pilots.

"I'm like one month into this and I've had to deal with... all of this shit," you gesture grandly at the air. "You've been at this for... what, four years?"

"Nothing like this, no," he admits. "I mean, I've seen some shit on the job--everybody has, but--well, the only person I know who's had it like you is Schwarz, and it took him a decade."

"So what, I'm just catastrophically unlucky? Targeted? Chosen by the fates to get kicked in the non-existent dick?"

"I dunno, man," he says. "I dunno."

"I mean, it doesn't follow, does it? I'm on suspicion of maverick leanings, so I conspire with Saetos to almost-but-not kill him in a one-on-one duel, so he could put something in my head that I promptly tell my CO about and get suspended for my trouble?"

"It's all coming to fruition," India adds in her best nefarious voice as she returns to the table with a tray full of drinks. "Having a bit of a whinge, are we? Well go on, then, it's good for you."

You take your sec--fourth beer and start in on it with a gulp. "I'm just trying to figure out what 'my' angle is in this evil scheme. I mean, I didn't know I had 'Saver support, and Saetos sure as hell didn't, he was just as surprised to see me. It's stupid. It's bullshit. Total bullshit. How many other hunters have had to go through this routine for just doing their jobs?"

India leans over the table, steepling her fingers. "Want to hear a story?"

>>28307451
And then the scene changes, and it's revealed that Anode was a maverick the whole time, and he's standing atop the burning ruins of MHHQ.

>>28307502
"I fucking love story time," Em says, discretely covering up his anti-India symbol.

"So, as you can guess, morale around here isn't always stellar," she says, leaning back in practiced relaxation. "So once upon a time, the hunter eggheads came up with a brilliant plan. A pinup calendar."

"A what?" you ask.

"Pin-up," she repeats, examining her nails, "calendar. The Women of Maverick Hunting. Ladies from across the hunters, most of the units."

Em sits up. "And, let me guess, you volunteered?"

"Too right I did."

"Okay, so...?" you ask.

"Well, they run these off and hand 'em out for the year, right? Try to pick up spirits by letting them paw at pretty pictures, or... something. I dunno."

"Not getting your point here, Indy."

"Point is," she says, "At the end of that year, three of the girls featured were maverick and six were dead. Real good for morale, that was. Command doesn't know its arse from its elbow."

"Shit, man," Em contributes, taking a pull from his replacement beer.

"Shiiiit," you agree.

>...So what month were you?
>I am too damn sober for this.
>Other?

>>28307529
...So what month were you?

>>28307529
>...So what month were you?

Goddamn that's depressing.

Fuck beer, we need to meet a wonderful man named Jack Daniels.

>>28307502
>"I mean, it doesn't follow, does it? I'm on suspicion of maverick leanings, so I conspire with Saetos to almost-but-not kill him in a one-on-one duel, so he could put something in my head that I promptly tell my CO about and get suspended for my trouble?"

Eh, I don't think we're being suspected of CONSPIRING here.

If anything, its more like they're worrying about all the strange Maverick-related shit that's been thrown our way.

So it's a matter of wondering if the latest incident has changed or compromised or damaged Anode, rather than specifically thinking that he plotted all this.

>>28307502
>India leans over the table, steepling her fingers. "Want to hear a story?"

Do I!

>>28307529
>"I fucking love story time," Em says, discretely covering up his anti-India symbol.

Em says what we're all thinking.

>>28307529
>Who are the other 2 survivors?

>>28307529
So, what did Command think was "sexy?"

>>28307529
>...So what month were you?

>...So what month were you?

>>28307529
>>I am too damn sober for this.

That is the single dumbest thing I've ever heard.

>>28307529
Were they planning a beefcake addition for the ladies before that idea went to shit?

>>28307529
>...So what month were you?
Is this really our only method of uplifting morale? Getting plastered?

>>28307608
Well one of them was Zero.

>>28307768
I laughed more than I should.

>>28307715
I'm not a fan either, but I don't' know what else cheers us up... except for movies! movies might be good. Or find a hobby that doesn't have responsibility tied to it.

>>28307867
We need a hobby. We've expressed interest in armor repair and liked looking over Ems work, maybe we could combine that with our love of film and make movie replicas. Build an Ecto-1 or a working batman grapple gun or something.

If we want to develop a real hobby, now is the perfect opportunity.

>>28307529

Wait, are you... are you saying I'm a pinup? I mean, the girls were targeted because the calendar made them public figures, got the enemy's attention... But who put me in the spotlight? And why?

And can I see your calendar photo?

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Im baaaaaaAAAAaaack

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>>28308073
WHAT HAVE I DONE

>>28308047
They aren't targeting us, at least not the one's we go after. If anything we're targeting them.

Besides, nothing happened to India and she was in the calender and is the hero of Vienna.

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>>28307577
>>28307595
>>28307608
>>28307615
>>28307662
>>28307715
"Truth be told?" India says. "Looking back, I think it's funnier than hell, if only for the sheer incompetence."

"...So, what month were you?" you ask.

"September. Ass shot with me looking back at the camera," she explains, standing up to demonstrate. "'Eleventh's Lieutenant India volunteers to demonstrate how to properly bounce a target,' or something like that. Why? Want a copy?"

You and Em share a glance before he unceremoniously grabs a wasabi pea and wings it at her ass.

"Oi!" she snaps, "I'm gonna--"

"Back! BACK!" Em shouts, brandishing his doodled napkin-heart. India hisses and springs backward, murder on her face. "I cast thee out from this place!"

"HSSSSSSSSSSSSS--"

Seizing a handful of wasabi peas, he pelts her with them, chasing her away from the table ("THE POWER OF FEELS COMPELS YOU!"). You take her beer while she's away, finally slowing down as the buzz comes down on you like a sledgehammer.

This... this is no way to be. No way to live. You need to do something, just to get them off your back about all this suspicion crap. You need...

"Hey! India!" she turns around, ignoring a steady plinking of bar snacks off her head. "What were the other two months?"

"Fuck and You!" she replies as Em bursts into gleeful cackles.

"And you!" You point at him.

He stops and points at himself. "Me?"

"You! You're getting drunk! Hurry up and catch up with me!"

"...I'll do my best," he shrugs.

Behind the counter, Max sighs in weary resignation.

>>28308112
These two are our rock.

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>>28308112
Its one of those days.

>>28308112
We should look into getting a copy of that calendar.

>>28308036
We should get Em to show use his swords and stuff again, see if we can try to get into it again. Or ask him who around base to ask about learning armoring. Heck, we take enough damage, it might be worth seeing if being a field medic is our thing.

>>28308036

Now that we're disarmed and idling on base, it's the perfect time to study up on the enemy we're facing. Learn all there is to learn about Mavericks, history, tactics, goals, famous battles, weapons, simulations, the works.

>>28308036
That's actually a pretty neat idea.

>>28308358
For purely scientific reasons of course.

>>28308543
>>28308591

Wasn't Schwartzs advice that we needed a hobby that WASN'T work related?

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>>28308112
And boy howdy, do you get drunk.

To get up to speed with you, Em slugs another concentrated dose of nanites, like he did before your fateful barfight. India produces her own hip flask, and refuses to explain what's inside it beyond "it's amazing what isn't criminalized in space." Whatever it is gets you places.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qcd62xRQ9e4

Fun places.

"That's so stupid," India says, slurring mildly.

"THAT'S SO AWESOME." Em insists. "It's a buster," he says slowly, as if trying to communicate the idea carefully, before abandoning it entirely in excitement. "KNIFE GUN."

"Stupid."

"Awesome."

"Stupid!"

"Awesome!"

"Hey!" You interrupt. They both look at you. "...Stupid awesome?"

"...YES," they roar in unison, hailing you as their king.

"Man," Em mumbles. "I wish Schwarz were here."

"Me too, dude," you agree. "I gotta thank him. Dude saved my life. Even with all this shit...never been happier to be here, y'know?"

"You know," Max adds from behind the counter, the sober eye in a drunken maelstrom, "I heard an old flame of his is back in town. As soon as he gets back he's probably going to go see her. He usually drinks out in Geneva if he's catching up."

"Huh. I didn't know he had any flames, let alone old ones," India says, so far still the most sober of the three of you.

"There's a lot you don't know about Schwarz," Max says simply, "And I'm leaving it at that."

"Oh come on," Em says. "He's got dirt on everyone, s'only fair someone gets some back."

"You can't just leave it at that," India agrees. You nod enthusiastically.

Max looks from face to face. "Fine," he relents. "Schwarz is..." He pauses.

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>>28308681
The three of you lean in closer in unison. "Schwarz is..."

Max heaves another deep sigh before finally continuing. "Schwarz is... Right behind you."

All three of you whip around in expectation and/or terror, but no Black Dogs are forthcoming. Max chuckles to himself quietly, polishing his glassware.

"Oh come on, that's hardly fair," India gripes.

"And besides, that's actually a pretty safe bet," you note.

"Exactly," the barkeep replies, "that's why it worked. At any rate, you'll get nothing more from me this evening, be it gossip or booze. All three of you are cut off. I release you into the wilds."

"Awwwwww..." Fine. Fine!

>IDSH MOOBIE TIBE
>Idsh bed dime.
>?

>IDSH MOOBIE TIBE

drunkl moobie tibe is best tibe

>>28308698

INDIA! We will make a new calendar for morale raising purposes. GET YOUR ASS OUT! It's picture time.

>>28308720

Em too. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ASS!

>>28308720
Drunken support is given to this idea

>>28308698
We've got movie sign!

Also, that portable sabre factory s an excellent Idea and Em should get that. In fact, he should go get that right now so that when he wakes up in the morning he has it.

>>28308641
oh, yeah. What can we do around the base that isn't work related though?
>>28308698
>IDISH MOOBIE TIBE

>>28308731
Max! One last thing then we'll leave.

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>>28308720
>>28308731
>>28308739
>>28308791
I CAN'T TAKE YOU GUYS ANYWHERE

>>28308698
>IDSH MOOBIE TIBE

>>28308791
He doesn't have ass. He's got, like, a stick.

>>28308036
>"Sorry Anode, but orders from on high is that you're not allowed access to weapons or armour pending investigation."

>>28308698
>IDSH SHENANIGANS TIBE

>>28308720
I propose we take shots entirely without the face, and call it
>Whose chassis is this anyway?

>>28308720
>>28308698
This is great, lets send it to every one we know.

>>28308720
>>28308731
>>28308791
It must be done! Movies can wait!

>>28308910
As we are all for equal opportunity ass, I say we all think of a zany scheme to get a shot of Rhodes' ass as well.

>>28308791
"....And that why we're banned from the Pond."

>>28308822
Look at it this way: at least no one is drunk-dialing Navigation.

>BITCH
>BITCH
>I LOVE YOU
>I ALWAYS LOVED YOOOOUUUU
>DON'T EVER LEAVE ME

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>>28309023
>Wellington's face when

>>28309023
Wellington!!!

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>>28308858
>Whose chassis is it anyways?

>>28309047
>>28309077
>>28309023
this lets drunk dial our friend wellington.
Anyone else we should be drunk calling?

>>28309003
>Sir, this hunter who is currently under investigation for possible maverick corruption wants a picture of your chassis

Oh that will go over well.

>>28309003
Wait, wait, I know what we do. We claim to have gone maverick and turn ourselves in. Then, once there, pull out a fake deadman's switch right? Then we tell him to drop his pants and show us his ass or we blow up the building. We release the deadman's switch, which is really a camera, and run really fast.

>>28309169
This is a terrible idea and will get us shot.

>>28309169
Do you WANT to ruin your hunter career?

>>28309187
I think he does

>>28309184
>>28309187
>>28309195
Well they asked for the scheme to be zany

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You guys are way better at coming up with bad drunk decisions than I am at writing them.

It's a little bit terrifying.

>>28309236
Go with the prank call and ass picture ones. Not the Rhodes one.

For the greater good of morale!

>>28309236
We have experience with them.
The worst i ever did was dry hump a couch with a group of friends while wearing drag.(it sounded like a hilarious idea at the time)

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>>28308715
>>28308720
>>28308731
>>28308739
>>28308758
>>28308777
>>28308791
>>28308826
>>28308858
>>28308867
>>28308910
"Wait, wait," you say, "I just got the best idea. We need...butts."

"...What."

"Butts! Butts, I say! Equal-opportunity butts! Em! Show me your ass."

"...This IS my ass," he says drunkenly.

"India! Skidplate off! Max, I need you t--"

How he hit all three of you with one swing you'll never know--much less how he managed to corral you all out the door and deposit you in a neat pile without hitting anything on the way. Forget Em or Tanker, clearly Max is the melee badass of the Fourth Overland.

"...So wait, am I still taking off my pants?" India asks, propping herself up on elbow, amused.

"We'll call that plan B," you declare into the dirt. "But first, movie time."

"Movie time?"

"To the my-room-mobile!" you roar. Into the dirt.

Pacific Rim is a little bit less old than your usual fare, but you feel like Em and India are of the right sort to appreciate it. They are also drunk, so there's that.

India collapses into giggles whenever someone mentions 'diesel engines per muscle strand,' and Em starts complaining about digital versus analogue, but the fights have them cheering and whooping and re-enacting. Comparisons are made to ride armors and space fighters and space-fighting ride armors. Then Em starts trying to draw one on his hand while simultaneously drumming to the music while India yells something about "the fucking spoilerons."

Somewhere in the mix you place an accidental call to Navigation, get ahold of Wellington, slur some obscenities, and, after a moment of mortal terror, he begs you to stay with him. "No no, please, stay on the line," he insists. "This is comedy gold."

>>28308858
You don't need access to that stuff to buy a car and some paint.

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>>28309389
All told it's a pretty good evening, though you're going to have that theme song stuck in your head (note to self--blare it from atop the Crossmore), and you're just about ready to crawl into your recharger and pass out in it when the door flies open to Frog, arms folded. He hits the button and a simulated window blasts you with searing daylight. It's...you drank too much. Too fast. Damn. Ow. Damn. Ow.

"...It's 0630," he says. "Am I going to need to order an intoxicant purge?"

>No no, you're awake. Wide awake.
>Probably. You're as fucked up as the hunters are.
>?

>>28309409
Nah, we are good. Damn daylight ruining our fun.

>>28309409
>No no, you're awake. Wide awake.
"I'm ALIVE!"

>>28309409
>No no, you're awake. Wide awake.

>>28309409
"That depends can you file my one leg down so world stops being crooked?"

>>28309409
No, no, that was sobering enough.

>>28309409
>>No no, you're awake. Wide awake.
So how wasted did we get actually?

>>28309409
>Oh. Shit.
>No no, you're awake. Wide awake. Painfully awake.
>Ohgoddon'tfuckthisup
>Salute
"SIR!"

>>28309409
>Probably.
We thought we were suspended. Technically can't hunt without weapons. But now with this hangover he never said we were. Need to be sober for this.

>>28309409
No Sir, I will take one willingly.

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>>28309437
>>28309461
>>28309477
>>28309487
>>28309488
>>28309492
>>28309516
"Dunno, sir," you reply. "Am I back on duty?"

"Not yet," Frog says, looking at you skeptically.

"Then no, I'll be fine," you declare.

"All right, fine. Come on, walk with me."

Stepping over Em and India (the latter is wearing the former's helmet) snoozing peacefully, you stumble back out into the hallway, letting him lead you back to the command room.

"First off, whatever else you think, I want you to know that I went to bat for you. Rhodes wanted you imprisoned until it was clear you were a danger of a security risk, and I fought him all the way. Do you know how hard that is when your boss is ten feet tall and has no patience for bullshit?"

"Getting the picture," you admit. "Thanks, I guess."

"It wasn't easy. But thanks to the testimony from the survivors at the Himalayan op, including a glowing endorsement from the 7th, and corroboration from the Beret detachment--" You sigh in relief at that. Susan and Flak made it. "--You can get your equipment re-engaged, and you'll be returned to active service once you've undergone full repairs. And," he adds, "after tactical appraisal and on-the-ground accounts from the First, Second, and Blizzard Wolfang with Polar, Command is willing to return Solstrike's data to you for use, with a few conditions."

"And what would those be?"

"The first is a waiting period as a 'show of good intentions' from you. In other words, go do your job some more, and they'll give it back. The second is that when you get it back, a Command-appointed dynamic neural array specialist oversees the configuration and implementation of the upgrade. Understood?"

>What was so damned dramatic about all this, anyway? It was just DNA.
>Duly noted. When do I go get fixed up?
>Tell them they can keep it. I want no part of it.
>?

>>28309409
Salute so hard that we fall backwards.

"Leiutenant duty of the anode hunters reporting for maverick sir!"

>>28309785
This man has a plan. I like this plan

>>28309772
>What was so damned dramatic about all this, anyway? It was just DNA.

Don't bother dwelling on it, though.

>Duly noted. When do I go get fixed up?

>>28309772
>What was so damned dramatic about all this, anyway? It was just DNA.
A little bit more respectful along the lines of what could the DNA do. Is it a virus or his mind?

>>28309772
>Duly noted. When do I go get fixed up?

>>28309772
>What was so damned dramatic about all this, anyway? It was just DNA.
Maybe it was the DNA of the reploid before he went Maverick.

>>28309837
Last thread mention that it could be used to do a full resurrection.

>>28309772
I'd be interested in knowing what's up with the DNA. Is it special somehow or is this just virus precautions?

>>28309911
Not just any resurrection, a resurrection of a pre-Maverick version.

>>28309772
They should keep it if they think it's a huge security risk.

>>28309952
Im pretty sure the tech said the DNA was heavily modified compared to the data on file, so I doubt its a pre-Maverick version

>>28309772
>"Thanks, I guess."

No, you thank this man properly.

>>28309939
Probably the latter. The last thing Command wants is another Maverick with Saetos's combat ability.

>>28309983
>>28310001
Nope. The tech said it was pure and unmodified and registered to Solar Saetos. It was his preupgrades data.

>>28309772
Thanks, cant wait to have proper parts again

>>28310039
Well, just saying because in thread 35 there is

>“No, the entry registered is one Solar Saetos. Additional external firmware was added and routed through the array. I would posit that his systems were heavily modified.”

>>28310121
Solar Saetos is his pre-Maverick name.

>>28310141
Im not referring to the name bit, Im refering to the
>Additional external firmware was added and routed through the array. I would posit that his systems were heavily modified.
part.

>>28310167
Command could we get a meaning clarification?

>>28309409
>All told it's a pretty good evening, though you're going to have that theme song stuck in your head (note to self--blare it from atop the Crossmore)

Maybe modify it a little bit first...

>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhE42Noj1Lw

>>28310216
Incorporating it into this next discussion, stand by.

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>>28309820
>>28309837
>>28309905
"Permission to speak freely, sir?"

"I don't recall you asking the last few times," he replies, "but yes. Granted."

"What made this data so damned special that it had me under the gun?"

Frog sighs. "It's a lot of things, Anode. For one you were already under scrutiny for..."

"More total bullshit," you venture.

"We'll go with that. On top of that, the circumstances of acquiring the data were extremely suspect--now that the techs have looked at it, they tell me it was rigged to begin broadcasting once you were active. The damage to your head was minimal, so it was overlooked in favor of the more severe injuries."

"Was it a viral thing?"

"In part," Frog nods. "Remember we don't know how it's transmitted, just that it exists. Nothing's off the table, and proximity with a known maverick's intact neural array sounds... pretty troubling, you have to admit."

"I wasn't thrilled when I found it there. But I never planned to keep it from you."

"A small, stupid part of me kind of wishes you had," Frog replies, "Just gone ahead and used it, not knowing any better. Easier to ask forgiveness than permission, and all. But that's the grunt in me, and right now, I have to be your boss."

"On that note, thank you for standing up for me. It helps."

"Egh, I've done it before. I once had to have a conversation like this with Schwarz. Honestly, I think you're taking it better than he did... heavy drinking aside."

"I still don't really get the distinction. I could have revived Saetos with it, but I wouldn't have."

"Unmodified, intact DNA has a lot more application than weapons data. Once we set it into a configuration, it stops being 'dynamic' and loses a lot of that versatility. With it, though...it would have had all the same sequences and patterns as the genuine article."

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>>28310398
"The Toolcircuit said something about external firmware routing through it."

"Those would be his upgrades," Frog explains. "Once set, the DNA itself can't be altered. Plugging new stuff into it doesn't quite work that way. I'm not an expert, but--basically, external modifications will interface with the existing material, but it requires separate sub-systems, separate software, sometimes even supplementary power cells. The specs we're seeing on Saetos, he could have had two, maybe even three LIFE cells to draw power from."

"God knows he had enough horrible fucking tricks," you note, "Sir. So the data was registered to Solar Saetos because...?"

"Because that was who he was, nicknames aside. From the sounds of it, you got his data as it was when he died."

"Still don't get why he gave it to me."

"And that," Frog says wearily, "is why I had to flip out. Understand?"

"Guess so, sir."

A knock at the door draws your attention before Em--a bit haggard looking (and missing his helmet), but awake, steps in, saluting. "Supply day, boss. Mornin', 'Node."

"Egh," Frog rumbles. "All right. I'll go receive the shipment, you go get the loaders ready."

"Roger that."

"Dismissed," Frog says as he heads out the door, leaving you and Em.

"So," he asks, "What was the deal on the weapon data?"
>?

>>28310419
Tell Em it's being kept in the cookie jar atop the fridge, and if we do really good on our next report card, we get to pull it down from the jar.

>>28310501
seconding this

>>28310501

Thirding.

>>28310419
We can have it as soon as we've killed some more Mavericks, and it can be used to make some really bad ass stuff.

>>28310501
Best analogy ever.

Question -- why don't they just use the data to make a new reploid, similar to Saetos?

A whole reploid would be more useful than pure and un-nerf'd weapons data for *one* weapon.

>>28310630
Illegal and somewhat unethical since robots are considered "equals" to humans.

>>28310657
Also bad shit can happen to the mind during the reanimation process. Those guys that X refights are all pretty much dead inside.

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>>28310691
*cough cough*

>>28310501
HAH, best analogy I've ever heard. Of course, if the joke goes over his head, we just tell him what we meant.

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>>28310501
>>28310539
>>28310566
>>28310567
>>28310595
"Grandma put it in the cookie jar on top of the fridge, and said that if I was a good boy and got straight As on my next report card, they'd let me get it down."

"...So a probationary period or something?"

"Yeah, probationary period."

"Sorry, I just think better in terms of arrests. ... And that's still bullshit, dude."

"Well, yeah, but what can you do?" you shrug.

Em pauses a moment, and then his face lights up. "That gives me an idea. Hang on, stay here."

He turns and makes tracks at high speed, off like a shot toward the lab. Before you can do more than ruminate on your lack of emergency acceleration system, he's back, with something in his hands.

"From what that TC was saying, Saetos was a flying sun-bird asshole, right?" he asks.

"...I think that's the best possible summary, yes," you agree.

"Then here. Take this." Without any further presentation, Em presses a massive, heavy saber hilt into your hands.

You look down at it, turning it over in your hands. "This is..."

"My beam flambard. Call it a substitute. About as long as your lance, hi-beam, thermal element. Probably the best saber I've ever made. It's big and bulky, but it's really wieldy, and you can still probably pack it onto your kit without too much trouble. Hilt's big enough for you to two-hand...Just don't lose the damn thing. And if you want a few pointers...well, aim away from face, for starters."

"Em, I can't take this."

"Hell no you can't, but you can borrow it," he says with a grin. "Come on, take it. At least until they give you back the data."

>Take HI-BEAM FLAMBARD?

>>28310885

Absolutely no reason not to take it. So take it.

>>28310885
Oh dude, no, I can't....

When we get the data, do you think we could put it into this thing before giving it back to Em?

>>28310885
You want me to say no to a hi-beam flaming zweihander?

What are you, stupid?

>>28310630
The DNA is basically an exact copy of Saetos. Any Reploid made with it would have all the same qualities and neural patterns, putting it under the legal definition of 'DNA resurrection,' which is illegal as fuck.

>>28310885
Then I shall become A FLAMING BASTARD

>>28310885
Em, you are a bro. A massive bro.

>Equip flambard

>>28310885
>Take HI-BEAM FLAMBARD
>Offer Em chance to forge Claíomh Solais when we get Solar's Data.

>>28310885

Wait, uh... is this a weapon that HE won't have around to be able to use, if we take it? Or is it just something he had in reserve that he doesn't use?

>>28310885
take only option hold it up and ignite it"I have the POOOWER!!!"

>>28311024
Its like the iron man 3 movie with all his different iron man suits.

>>28311018
Oh god, yes.

Giant two handed greatsword made of supernova

>>28311024
I thought this one was one of his situational show pieces, but no. He actually uses this one.

God, we can't take his heavy hitter.

>>28311018
No, it has to be a surprise if we do that.

>>28310885
Aren't we not allowed to carry right now?

>>28311205
We just got the right back.
I suggest we head home and upgrade the ever loving shit out of ourselves.

>>28311205
We've been reinstituted and are now on medical leave instead of suspension.

We should take a moment to be happy none of our drunken antics ever got to frog perssonally, otherwise we'd be in jail

Anyway, to do list:
1) get memorial or something for those lost in the battle. and/or donate to the lifesavers
2) Find a way to repay frog for keeping us out of jail
3) Learn better CQC.
4) Revisit weapon data we already have (we're fucking rich) we're already missing a lot of our parts so call up the mom's and dad's. Lets upgrade (and make are parent's some dosh in the process)
5) track down calender
6) Check in on those two guys under us. Get them drunk as well as find out more in depth what the hell happened while we were out
7) INVESTIGATE OLD DOGS OLD FLAME

>>28311413
>Revisit weapon data we already have (we're fucking rich) we're already missing a lot of our parts so call up the mom's and dad's. Lets upgrade (and make are parent's some dosh in the process)

Didn't they say they could improve our kinetic chargers if they had an excuse to do a full refit?

>>28311456
this should be looked into further, and with funding

>>28311480
>>28311456
>>28311413
Well the memorial is still 1, but i think we should bump the upgrades up to 2.

>>28311456
I think another guy came up with an idea to improve it further using wolfspiders data.

>>28311503
agreed

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>>28310921
>>28310965
>>28310985
>>28310993
>>28311018
>>28311031
>>28311067
You take the blade and examine it carefully. "Damn, Em. I don't know what to say. Thank you."

"Just promise not to break it, and come back with it alive, and we're square."

"Man, maybe I can make a sun sword out of the bird's data, give that back."

"I wish. Did you see the readouts on that thing when it was rigged up to the computer?" He shakes his head. "Magnetics out the ass, and a steady, stable projection measured in degrees Kelvin. Even if I could swing it, it'd melt the shit out of the electronics."

"What if you made it out of the same grade of shit Saetos was made out of?"

That actually gives him pause. "...I don't think I'd be able to wield it, the EM field to contain it would be ridiculous, but... I bet you could make it. Maybe you could do something like that, but that'd cost... whoof, a lot. A LOT. Oh, uh, shit." Em looks behind him. "I'm kinda leaving Frog hanging, I gotta go."

"Later, Em," you say. "And thanks. God damn, thanks."

"Hey, no problem. Gives me an excuse to practice with the other ones. Maybe I'll try using that gauntlet I made from Terapin and halfsword something into something's face." He turns and heads back out the door at a jog, calling over his shoulder. "Gimme a yell if you want some range time with that thing!"

"I'll do that!" You call back. Oh, sweet lord, how you'll do that. Flaming greatsword. Flaming goddamn greatsword. Oh, yes, the day is yours, and there shall come a reckoning.

But first...
>What do

>>28311556

FORM BLAZING SWORD

>>28311556
1) get memorial or something for those lost in the battle. and/or donate to the lifesavers
2) Revisit weapon data we already have (we're fucking rich) we're already missing a lot of our parts so call up the mom's and dad's. Lets upgrade (and make are parent's some dosh in the process)
3) Find a way to repay frog for keeping us out of jail
4) Learn better CQC.
5) track down calender
6) Check in on those two guys under us. Get them drunk as well as find out more in depth what the hell happened while we were out
7) INVESTIGATE OLD DOGS OLD FLAME

>>28311556
>>28311413
>>28311503
these

>>28311556
Let's get an ETA on our new limbs, since we're now on medical leave instead of suspension. For that matter, let's get our systems hooked back up before we go to the range and make sure shit is in order.

>>28311586
3rd vote for this.

>>28311556
Upgrade the fallen with a memorial to the lifesavers
Then Memorial ourselves with upgrades to our parents

>>28311590
also we should get a hold of sis and let her know were not dead anymore..... and that we died twice

>>28311556
> ...I don't think I'd be able to wield it, the EM field to contain it would be ridiculous, but... I bet you could make it. Maybe you could do something like that, but that'd cost... whoof, a lot. A LOT.

We must build it.

>>28311638
Demand to know if she "Felt" it.

Fake said if she didn't

>>28311638
I'm not sure if Cathode got word about the Himalayan op, even though it's been two days. You'd think she'd be running for us.

>>28311653
Fake sad*

>>28311652
To give ourselves god sword and leave EM without one is too sad. I don't know how but we need to find a way to make the blade smaller or SOMETHING to get it to him. Fuck even if we have to make a giant arm for him to swap out he's been our bro and gave us his favorite sword

to be selfish would be criminal

>>28311656
Remember, the Himalayan op was the least of Commands worries.

>>28311656
>>28311689
either way I think we should tell her we died twice and are going home to get ruffly 30% of us replaced/upgraded/fixed

>>28311719
>30%
More than that actually, i think it is at least 80% of our body is fucked up.
We got more damaged up than when we shot a giant laser.

>>28311680
Lent us his favourite sword.

Also, he could help us build the ubersword. A sword so strong that it literally fucks up electronics which aren't Anode just by being switched on.

>>28311740
My point remains, Id think i would probably tell my twin if i got hit with a sun or dropped from orbit,

>>28311586
Yeah, see about funding some sort a plaque up there where Shangri-La was. Then we call up moms and dads t see about getting fixed up.

>>28311740
Because now we were SHOT with a giant laser

Also suns.

We should invest in some kind of emergency air break system, ya know just in-case

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>>28311740
Maybe a better dash system. We have upgrades and those expensive model dashes as well improved servos for kicking and a more flexible energy control system. Rapid Flash Kicks are good. Maybe add something that will give us a spring in our step literally. Shukuchi anyone?

We need to remember to save a chunk for the ubersword.

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>>28311586
>>28311638
>>28311656
Stowing the flambard away, you decide to get down to brass tacks. You have a laundry list of things you need to do--but right now, the first thing you should do is let Cathode know you're alive. Settling down in the chair Seven was using to chaperone your fateful op, you put in a call.

She picks up on the first ring, making you feel a pang of guilt. "Anode," she sighs, relieved. "Thank God."

"Yeah," you manage. "How are you?"

"Forget about me, how are you? I only just got word that you were back up and around."

"I'm alive, okay? I ... shouldn't be, but I am. One of the officers here pulled some clout, and--"

"And he got on the Liberty Labs Christmas card list," she says. "God, you look awful."

"I've been drinking," you reassure her with a hint of a grin. "I had a rough night."

"I meant that arm and leg, and your side...Jesus, Anode."

"S-class maverick, with counterintel," you reply. "He got us good. He got all of us good."

"I know. We got Delphi back. She sends her regards, by the way," Cath adds with a bit of a smile.

"And you lost Berbis, right? It was a mess. Everyone got hit hard. I actually want to try to make a memorial, or something. But...mostly, I just wanted to let you know I'm okay. I'll be going home soon, to get fixed up. I'm sure everyone's already heard..."

She nods. "They called me earlier today. Apparently the hunters already contracted them to re-fabricate your missing limbs. They couldn't salvage what was left."

"Hey," you joke, trying to lighten the mood. "If I get all of my parts replaced, will I still be your brother?"

"Anode," she declares, "You will always be my brother."

>>28311586
>Check with Grach about leads on that fucking leak
Call me crazy but maybe he's found SOMETHING while we were dead.

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>>28312447
"Awww," you reply, finding yourself getting a bit choked up and trying to mask it. "If you lay it on like that, you might repel one of my unit-mates with an aura of squishy emotions. ... Thanks, Cath."

"No problem, you colossal dingus. And hey, I'm gonna talk to Delphi in med-bay. She might like your memorial idea."

"Thanks. And tell her thank you from me, would you? We only did as well as we did because everyone was on their game. And even then..."

"I know. And I will."

"If I get a chance, I'll come by to visit, or maybe I can get some time off and meet you at Liberty," she says.

"That'd be great. See you soon, Cath."

"Take care," the two of you say at once, before the line cuts.

Well. ...That's that done. You could stand to put aside some money from your accounts for whatever memorial you make. If you want to make any upgrades (and probably make sure there's no need for a memorial to you), you'll need to save some--hell, most--of your payout.
>Current bank account: Z251008 after last night's drinking binge
>Donate: Z?

>>28312469
26k

>>28312469
11k sounds like a lot of zenny and a reasonable donation

>>28312469
How much would das uberschwert cost?

>>28312422
We dont really need an Ubersword, it really wont do anything our lance or flash freeze cant do. Our close game is already pretty good, we'd get more out of just upgrading our lance again, and it would probably cost less.

>>28312493
>>28312518
If I remember right, 100z is roughly equivalent to 1 $US.

>>28312493
Seconding this amount.

We should also see if we can't find a copy of that calendar.

>>28312574
clearly our lance needs to shoot waves of electro-radiation
>>28312578
I thought it was on a 1-1 bases, its been a while

>>28312469
21k in Zenny should do quite nicely for the commission of a memorial plaque.

>>28312574
It'd be replacing the lance, in theory. If the sword had the same length, but was much, much stronger, it would have better defensive coverage and the same or grater offensive power.

>>28312574
Honestly we seem more of a brawler. We joust into people, stab them with our nitro knife, put electricity into them by touch and a giant two handed sword doesn't fit that quite well.

>>28312632
>better defensive coverage
Not really. The reason the lance is so good is because it leaves a trail behind it that destabilizes plasma envelopes, leaving us immune to the primary form of ranged attacks in this setting

>>28312603
I had an idea of the lance having the ability to switch weapon systems and having its own electrical store being about 1/3 compared to our own capacity

>>28312629
Whatever we put there it has to have something good on it, in English, Nepalese and maybe some more languages.

Remember that your lance is also built to tap into your conduit capacitor channels, so you can channel zaps through it. The tech involved in making that is both cumbersome and expensive.

>>28312669
Yeah, we aren't replacing replacing that thing. We've put a lot into it anyway.

>>28312652
Nothing so far has said that we can't include the Phase data in the Ubersword.

>>28312633
Agreed. i've brought it up before, but the only thing I think we'd really need before maxing out what we have would be a Heavy ranged option, since the Lockon Hunter doesnt really fit the bill. Though if everyone really insisted one a melee power, I'd put my money behind some kind of Electromagnetic, exploding sun fueled dragon punch thing. Thats just me though.

>>28312652
We would include that in the sword.

And it would be amazingly badass.

>>28312713
We have an amazingly powerful ranged attack, but we are barred from using it, her names Cathode and she specializes in daka and we are designed be a team

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>>28312711
>>28312735
The entire problem with sun sword is that it needs an EM field SO GREAT lesser bots will DIE FROM HOLDING IT otherwise a SUN WILL COME OUT

You really want to put envelope DISABLING TECH, in THIS FIELD, which CONTAINS A SUN?

While we're being refitted we could also finally get those upgrades that will let us batman around on our wires.

>>28312797
Yes.

It would be a hell of a trump card.

>>28312797
oh god it needs to be able to emit coronal mass ejections as a ranged attack

>>28312797
It works by our sword's EM field disabling the shot's EM field.

>>28312797
Too bad we don't have solstrikes data now, otherwise I'd suggest our rebuild be made out of whatever alloy he was.

Think about it, he took suns with no problem, was as hard as that fucking turtle and was still LIGHT ENOUGH TO FLY

>>28312778
Thats kind of my point. Normally, we could just rely on Cath, but thats not really an option,so we'll have to take a secondary option

>>28312931
I wouldn't recommend something that slows us down though. We hand that option before and I just don't like it

A fire and forget weapon would be good, like missiles. They tend to have quite a payload, are fast, and can be used to harass while closing/gaining distance or lining up a more powerful shot

>>28312857
What, so just disable the EM field for a fraction of a second to fire a beam of fiery death?

I can dig it. It'd give Anode a hell of a calling card.

>>28312493
>>28312518
>>28312629
>>28312586
um so back to the donation thing,
2 for 26k
1 for 11k
1 for 21k,
so looks like were going to go with 26k then?

>>28312778
No, we have an innately powerful ranged attack as well, but that requires a significant electrical charge. Normally, in a team fight, Cathode would power up Anode by juicing his batteries with her electricity, and then they'd both fire immense dakka.

>>28312983
yeah kind of like that, gives us the ubersword and answers the need for devastating range attacks

>>28312990
I'd drop it to the 21K. Who knows, others involved in the op might chip in and 21k is already a good chunk

>>28312990
I'll vote for 21k

>>28312990
Also voting for 21k