File: Spoiler Image (162 KB, 495x495)

162 KB PNG

>>40854342
Your eyes bolt open to find you're face-to-face with someone else, the wide, wild optics of a Steel Beret you don't recognize.

"Death to the maverick hunters," he hisses, raising a beam scalpel overhead in both hands.

You seize him around the head and fling him across the room, crashing through a wheeled cart, medical tools clattering across the floor as you bolt upright on the repair bed.

You recognize, dimly, the Fourth Overland med bay. Slumped against the far wall is one Lifesaver, clutching a wounded side, one arm hanging limp. His eyes are clear and focused, unclouded by pain, first on you, then to the Beret.

The maverick pulls himself to his feet, grinning dangerously. The overhead lights flicker and dim with the dull thump of an explosion high overhead, reverberating through your feet. He begins to charge at you again, brandishing that scalpel.

Act.
>

>>40854344
AWWWW FUCK YES

>Kill the Beret with your blasters, got to save the Lifesaver (irony!) as fast as possible.

>>40854344
>>40854375
Seconding, fuck yes Anode!

>>40854375
Thirding, and thank fuck, it's Anode. I'm not sure all is well though, those readouts don't look healthy or normal.

>>40854342
>And you are alive.
Yeeeeeeeeeessssssss!

>>40854404
So our electric attacks are fucked but everything else.. might be okay? Maybe? Especially if they brought Em's flambard in with us.

We really need to find out how far the 'saver got on repairing us, and where the other one is. I thought there were two of them, anyway.

>>40854427
Yeah, but we might need to be concerned about is the new unknown hardware.

>>40854344
Blaster to the face sounds pretty good about now

>>40854432
By not recognized, I think it just means it can't find/connect to it properly.

>>40854443
We're probably more or less dismantled

>>40854456
so by the sounds of it, we're going to be fighting in our skivvies then?

File: Dash Dodo realizes he lef(...).gif (1.97 MB, 375x246)

1.97 MB GIF

Woo, woke up just in time to get in on the first votes of a new thread!

Now if only I didn't have to go to work today.

>Take down the beret, figure out what the hell is going on.
Be sure to mind our fire, considering we're in friendly territory.

>>40854526
We managed to 'bolt upright', so we can at least move that much.

>last thread shows how Mavericks mind-fuck their captives
>get -1 on Em section, making him more susceptible to mind-fucks
>Em taken alive
Em confirmed for mind-broken end-of-season boss.

File: lifesaverofdisapproval.jpg (119 KB, 560x494)

119 KB JPG

>>40854375
>>40854387
>>40854404
>>40854439
>>40854536
You sight on him with your cyclers and unload, twin streams of buster fire splashing across his armor as he barrels forward. He stumbles under the assault but presses on, and you leap to the right as he slashes wildly with the scalpel. He manages to slice through the repair bed, a cleft of damaged material clattering down atop the upturned instrument tray.

You don't let up, pouring on the heat as he wheels to face you and lunges. You dash away a second time and finally hammer him down, the lunatic making strangled howls and clawing at you as he spasms and dies. The room falls into near-silence for a moment, only the faint, steady grinding rumble from overhead and the distant sounds of wailing alarms breaking the quiet.

With considerable effort, the Lifesaver pulls himself to his feet, one arm still non-responsive. You recognize him by the sharpness in his eyes, still keen--it's the hardass one.

"...You're stable," is how he begins. "Our base is not."

"What's happening?" you ask first, looking around the ruined medical facility.

"All-out attack. Doctor Doppler's gone maverick."

Your hand goes to your stomach reflexively. "Yeah, I know." Your fingers find the white, unpainted surface of substitute plating--like when you needed a replacement arm and leg after Saetos. "...How bad is it?"

"Bad."

You try to take stock of yourself--no melee weapons on you at all. Just your busters... your busters and your VWES, topped back up.
>Blackout Rocket: 8/8
>Lockon Hunter 16/16
>Tumult Shell: 16/16
>Highball Skipper: 16/16
>Capacitor charge: NaN%

...That's not good.

"You can't stay here," the Lifesaver says. "The unit needs you."
>Tell me what happened.
>I need my weapons.

>>40854643
>>Tell me what happened.
>>I need my weapons.
>>You need help

>>40854643
>>I need my weapons.

>>40854643
>Tell me what happened.
And we need to know where the flambard and other Lifesaver are, and if the 'saver's going to be okay here, or if we should get him somewhere fortified.

>>40854643
>I need my weapons.

>>40854643
Why are we asking what happened, we already know Doppler's gone nutty, and now is not the time to get the play-by-play on it.

>Was there a sword with me when I got here, where is it?
>Where is the rest of the unit to regroup with?

If our loner sword isn't here, we're gonna have to go raid Em's collection unless we wanna just go all ranged.

>>Tell me what happened.
>>I need my weapons.
>>You need help

>>40854643
>I need my weapons.

>>40854691
We need to know whether there's anyone holding out, if comms are online, who in 4th might have gone Mav, if any orders have come through on what to do, etc.

>40854342
>I need my weapons.

>>40854643
Get your weapons and ask whats happening in the mean time if possible. At the very least we need to know where to go and where not to. Gonna suck not being able to use our electricity.. but maybe we can find a data bank to get our coil out?

Fuck yeah, MHQ!

>>40854643
>Tell me what happened.

File: cellikodone.png (130 KB, 584x700)

130 KB PNG

Since NAQ didn't run this week, I will drop the final version of Cell Iko's colorjob here. And if the drawfag for this happens to show up or is here, great job man, and I hope I didn't butcher it too bad.

>>40854984
Noice.

File: anode season 2 clear.png (924 KB, 1497x1368)

924 KB PNG

>>40854652
>>40854656
>>40854678
>>40854691
>>40854701
>>40854702
>>40854847
>>40854863
"I need my weapons. Were there...?"

"Beam sabers, yes." The Lifesaver indicates a small box (a few very noteworthy marks of plasma scoring on the lid), built into the wall. "Security lockdown... and I destroyed the key."

Fuck. "Any getting them out?"

"Not while we're under attack. ...Here." He collects a beam scalpel from the upturned tray and pulls himself back upright with effort. "Try not to need it."

You take the thing, just in case. Light, but not flimsy--though you don't doubt a little shear force would snap the handle in half. "Thanks. Are you going to be okay?"

"I'm stable. I can take care of the rest. Don't waste any more time--you're needed."

"It's not safe here," you warn. Then again, it might not be safe anywhere.

"No, it's not." He makes no sign of leaving, instead carefully collecting a few of his tools and inspecting the damage to the repair bed. "Go," is all he says, without looking up.

You need to find someone. Anyone.
>Frog.
>Schwarz.
>Em.
>India.
>Seven.
>Your Berets.
>Other?

>>40855016
>Your Berets.
Are we going to try to go for Em's sabers?

>>40855016
>Frog.

>>40855016
>>Your Berets.

File: ART.png (1.88 MB, 1813x1196)

1.88 MB PNG

>>40855016
>Your Berets
Round em up, look for anyone else after. India, Frog, Schwarz, whoever, but get dose fuckin Berets.

File: Zero realizes he left his(...).jpg (675 KB, 1024x614)

675 KB JPG

>>40854984
Lookin' pretty good.

...I really gotta get on reading that. Just been extra hectic lately with all this job shit going on.

>>40855016
>Your Berets.

They need us. And we need them.

>>40855041
Don't worry, the QM makes the futa vote work.

heheheh

>>40855016
>Seven.

Frog is likely still in Vienna, Em was still in the mav base, and Schwarz is still missing.

>>40855016
The Berets should be first, followed by India, Seven and the others. Unlike Seven, Anode is good at leading and if we find the berets, we may find our russian buddy and the others as well.

Either way, with just a scaple and range, we are either going to have to use CQC or sneaking if we want to conserve ammo. In short.. Anode, this is a sneaking mission!

>>40855016
>>Frog.
can proably take care of himself
>>Schwarz.
if he needs help we're all fucked
>>Em.
Should be fine seeing as he wasn't in here with you
>>India.
maybe, unless she got to a vehicle I'm not to sure how'd she handle ground combat... we never really did get her use to her land legs yet
>>Seven.
...Ehhhhhhhhhhhh, if we happen to bump into him
>>Your Berets.
Probably seeing how they're the squishiest of everyone, plus we do technically lead them.
>>Other?
Honestly I say head to either the barracks or the hanger (whatever is closer) and team up with whoever you can find and we can go from there.

>>40855016
>>Your Berets.

File: sneakingmission.png (196 KB, 620x360)

196 KB PNG

>>40855051
Stealth you say?

>>40855100
Top kek, but where the fuck did you even crop that from?

File: Curses, you survived my c(...).jpg (134 KB, 900x720)

134 KB JPG

Welcome to Season 2, everybody!

File: DeadParrot.png (179 KB, 304x236)

179 KB PNG

>>40855110
>>40855016
Right here, bud.

>>Your Berets.

Shits going south and all hell is breaking loose.

Times like these are when you need backup, and its always good to have more guns pointing at the enemy.

>>40855129
Aaaaand I completely missed that.

Our crazy eyes are gone.

File: BRING ME NICOLAS CAGE.jpg (218 KB, 813x648)

218 KB JPG

>>40855137
>>40855085
>>40855051
>>40855043
>>40855040
>>40855032
>>40855026
You slide the beam scalpel down onto your hip plate, missing both your misericorde and the flambard. With one last look back at the Lifesaver--uprighting the instrument table and stoically preparing for more work--you turn to your own bloody business.

https://youtu.be/CmwRQqJsegw

The hall is in ruins.

It's nighttime in Geneva--the occasional boom and rattle through the windows matched by dust shaking loose from the roof. Small fires, spiderweb cracks, and loose rubble dot your way--you recognize from unfortunate experience the glossy metallic sheen of Reploid and the sticky, iron-thick wet of human blood alike.

Ahead, the dim light of cramped, once-familiar passageways gives way to a brighter night outside. A massive attack helicopter mechaniloid--insect or arachnid, you can't really say--sparks and sizzles atop a mountain of rubble, crashed through the roof atop your building. Buried in concrete and debris up to its side, it provides a tall ramp, stretching out toward the night sky, brief blinks of green and red lights from energy weapons crisscrossing it.

You climb. With one hand on the bared rebar in the wall, you look out under the night sky, onto Maverick Hunter Headquarters.

Geneva is ablaze. In the distance, the city proper is almost disturbingly pristine, spotlights sweeping back and forth across clouded skies. The devastation seems to begin at the distant perimeter wall and build exponentially the deeper in you go. Fires--enormous fires--rage unfought and out of control on the once-pristine grounds. High overhead, an endless, swarming fleet of the attack choppers soar, casting a scathing barrage of lasers down as anti-air batteries spit hate and vengeance back at them.

File: Steel Berets ordered to t(...).gif (108 KB, 500x480)

108 KB GIF

>>40855364
And out in the center of the campus, the central command building stands, bombarded on all sides by a constant assault. Fire from the base of the tower strobes across its cracked reflective windows, even as one of the antennas at the top of the building crashes to the ground, sheared by one of countless strafing passes.

You find yourself staring, unable to take in the scene. This isn't hunting. This is war.

You're not sure how long you watch, how long it takes to tear yourself away. Hopping back down into the wreckage of the Fourth's satellite base, you force the disquiet and the slowly building horror away, and move on.

On a dimmed, flickering screen at the end of the hall, though, you see the unit roster, with information updated as of ten minutes ago.

FOURTH OVERLAND
ACTIVE UNITS ROSTER
>UNIT COMMANDER COLONEL HAMMER FROG - Active
>Major Schwarzhund - MIA
>Major Seven - Active
>Captain Tanker Tigershark - Active
>Captain Emerald - MIA
>Captain Overclock Conda - KIA
>Lieutenant Dash Dodo - Active
>Lieutenant Glacier Gibbon - Active
>Lieutenant India - Active
>Lieutenant Anode - Inactive

MIA. KIA. Jesus Christ, this is really happening, isn't it? Schwarz, Em...

With nothing else to do, you make your way to the range.

You're met by a wall. Upturned tables and range targets, chairs, stuff from the cafeteria and lounge you barely visit. And, after a moment, the barrel of a buster rifle, slowly sliding forward out of the pile.

"ARE HYUU A TRAY-TORRRRRR?"

...Is that LT?
>

>>40855369
Overclock Conda noooo! We just got your back story!

Also, "Good to see you too LT. I'm here to provide back up and look for the berets. What's the situation?"

File: staticshockyall.jpg (121 KB, 500x369)

121 KB JPG

>>40855369
LT, if I was a traitor, then Doppler wouldn't have given me a colonoscopy through a new hole.

>>40855369
>Captain Overclock Conda - KIA
the fuck! thought he'd last a bit longer with him being in the intro story and all

>"ARE HYUU A TRAY-TORRRRRR?"
"Loony is that you?"

>>40855369
At ease soldier, I'm here to help. What's your status?

I like how no-one gives a shit about Schwartz being MIA. Just a sense of, 'Oh, he'll turn up'.

File: That's one.jpg (6 KB, 480x360)

6 KB JPG

>>40855398
>>40855423

>>40855475
but muh conda

>Treachery is a violation of range safety.

>>40855369
>>40855505
Shit, yes. Changing to this.

>>40855505
...it's to good to pass up, voting for this

File: SUPERB.jpg (56 KB, 414x836)

56 KB JPG

>Treachery is a violation of range safety.

>>40855403 here

changing vote to

>>40855505

File: chevrolet movi-viator.gif (3.79 MB, 1152x648)

3.79 MB GIF

>>40855505
Yes.

>>40855505
We have to. We HAVE to.

God, I missed this quest. Great to have you back, HC.

>>40855615
Caught up on the other threads?

>>40855645
Hell yes I am, the interludes were great. Especially Maverick.

File: lanceteamers.jpg (349 KB, 960x832)

349 KB JPG

>>40855505
>>40855518
>>40855538
>>40855564
>>40855595
>>40855598
>>40855615
"Looey? Is that you?"

"I don't know, is that TRAY-TORRRRRRR?" he asks again, barrel aimed squarely between your eyes.

"Treachery is a violation of range safety," you offer, palms up.

"... he's in," Looey mutters to someone behind him.

A moment later, the barricades begin to clear away.

"Anode!" Comes a familiar voice full of genuine relief to see you.

"Flak," you sigh--nice to see a friendly face. "Did everyone else make it?"

"I'm here," Susan says, coming out from beside his friend and slinging his own buster rifle. "Marx and Y are manning the other side."

Around you are a collection of Steel Berets and Lanceteamers--along with a few of the range techs. But...

"The humans didn't stay," Susan explains. "Your Russian friend and his handler tried to sneak out after to keep an eye on them, but..."

"No survivors. Traitor Beret pack." Flak clenches his fists, while Susan just shakes his head.

"Where are they now?"

"The Berets? Dead. Grach and Mike decided to stay out there and try to find other survivors."

"Okay, what have we got for weapons?"

"Not much you could use, sir," Flak says sheepishly. "Maybe you could take a training saber, it could block a real one. For a while."

"Okay, maybe. Who all's left here?" you ask.

"A few noncombat staff, mostly just enlisted looking for orders."

>Got some for you. Fall in, we're hitting back.
>You guys stay here and keep it secure. We can send friendlies here to link up.

>>40855707
Maybe we could get them to secure the med bay?

>>40855707
>You guys stay here and keep it secure. We can send friendlies here to link up.

>>40855707
>You guys stay here and keep it secure. We can send friendlies here to link up.

>>40855707
>Before we decide ask how hard they've been getting hit. If they're not be pushed to much I say have them hold and we can send wounded and other non combat personal back here, we'll even give them a pass code (have them say what we just told Loony).

If they are getting pushed hard then I say take the lead and have them follow you. I'm not to sure how well they'd hold if a non mass produced model comes by to wreak shit so might as well take them with us so we can watch there backs as they watch ours.

>>40855707
It'd probably be a good idea to have a secure spot for friendlies. AS is the place is filled with hostiles and moving fast is important right now.

Still, we could take a training saber for blocking, and a decoy target from the range to use as a distraction/test the waters.

Also, IF we use the nav line we need to be sure it's not tapped. No sensitive info, just the basics before we are sure.

>>40855707
>>40855800
Seconding this guy.

Hunter, Labs. Question

did we upgrade our Berets yet or no? I honestly can't remember if we just talked about it or actually did it

File: RememberWhenIHadALanceIMi(...).gif (42 KB, 408x408)

42 KB GIF

Let's get this intro stage started.

>>40855867
HOLY SHIT

>>40855858
We bought their stuff, don't know if they have it with them. If not, we need to get it for them. The armour and weapons at least.

>>40855707
>>40855800
I can get behind this vote too.

>>40855867
niccccccce

>>40855867
Holy motherfucking son of a cock.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2z8smOnwok

>>40855867
Nice work, M8

>>40855867
You forgot to add in all the bodies of the 4th.

>>40855867
Damn son! Nice work.

File: polly.gif (288 KB, 500x267)

288 KB GIF

>>40855867
Yessssss

>>40855867
was it a full-beam lance? i was under the impression it was more like a mundane lance with a beam blade tip.

File: 1337767150006.png (292 KB, 572x691)

292 KB PNG

>>40856039
Full blade or bust.

>Meet with one of the techs to swap your wonky grenades out, getting the razor wire in exchange
>Use the weapons recharger in the range to spam it, turning this place into a fortified nightmare of razor webs
>Grab a couple of those armored levitating range targets (the ones we tested blackout rockets on way back when) to use as decoys
>You guys stay here and keep it secure. We can send friendlies here to link up.

>>40856117
>>Meet with one of the techs to swap your wonky grenades out, getting the razor wire in exchange
>>Use the weapons recharger in the range to spam it, turning this place into a fortified nightmare of razor webs

This is a good idea and you should feel good.

File: 1312733685560.png (136 KB, 1100x800)

136 KB PNG

>>40855867
You glorious son of a bitch

>>40856117
The grenades are fine, it's the capacitor that's reading NaN%. Still, I support this. Skipper probably fits us the least.

>>40856117
I like the way you think. Voting for this.

>>40856188
According to IRC, Doppler yanked out our capacitor. Don't expect to recharge it any time soon.

File: Cain Labs considers not t(...).jpg (269 KB, 698x712)

269 KB JPG

Stand by, was just doing something incredibly important that definitely wasn't farming Earth Crystals in Monster Hunter.

<Juroko> ..we lost our capacitors for good didn't we?
<~Hunter_Command> So, you know how Anode was dealing with all kinds of paranoia about his electrical capacitor systems being used for self-heals?
<Cain_Labs> oh don't be ridiculous, your Charge Capacitors are an integral part
<anotheranon> Uh-huh.
<~Hunter_Command> You know how Doppler has a self-healing electrical field when you fight him in X3?
<anotheranon> ... oh fuck.
<Cain_Labs> ...of Dr. Doppler

File: 1360535091737.jpg (31 KB, 800x452)

31 KB JPG

>>40856220

File: 1418596259097.jpg (651 KB, 1054x834)

651 KB JPG

>>40856220

>>40856220
Interesting. So if we replaced our electrical system and fought Doppler, would his field heal us as well?

Asking since I haven't played X3 and don't know how far the field extends, etc.

File: 1337243927374.jpg (767 KB, 900x1004)

767 KB JPG

>>40856220

File: Doppler laments the inabi(...).jpg (389 KB, 954x1453)

389 KB JPG

>>40856243
Basically, it's a little counter he does when you shoot at him while he's ready for it. He throws up a green electric field around himself, and he's healed after the first tick of damage for the remainder of the attack.

He can heal Z-saber damage, too. Until you know the timing, it can be Frustrating.

>>40856259
Well... gotta look for the silver lining (since those conduct electricity!). We have an upgrade to look forward to.

>>40856274
Assuming X doesn't steal it and Hunter command (in game command, not OP) lets us keep it.

>>40856299
Yeah, in-universe Hunter Command would be pretty upset at a self-healing system being built into us. We can always dream, though.

File: Steel Beret hits S-rank.gif (2.94 MB, 295x221)

2.94 MB GIF

>>40855707
"What's your status here?" you ask.

Flak scratches his nose. "We're holding pretty strong, but nothing's really tried to make a push for us yet. I don't think we're a very high priority target."

"Not that there's any of those left," Susan adds bitterly.

"Hold on, first thing's first. We've still got power, yeah?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Could we do a VWES swap, real quick? I'm down my capacitors and melee, I could use a little more Batman in my kit."

Even Susan smiles tiredly at that. "It's nice to have you back and saying stupid shit, sir. And yeah, I think Tenpenny could get you set up."

"Heh, thanks. How are comms?"

His frown returns. "Shot. You can get bits and pieces, but they're jamming anything outside local range. No word from Colonel Frog or HQ, and believe me, we've been trying."

"There's a Lifesaver still running the med bay. Maybe you could send word to him that this place is safe." You take a training saber--feels almost comically small, like a slightly larger knife, next to the big two-handers you've been swinging around. Still, every little bit helps. "That fine, Looey?"

"No." He frowns and pauses, examining the signs of battle around him. "...Yes."

"Thanks."

That leaves you with some options--you could help fortify the barricades with T. Coils, though it'll take some time. It might also leave them strong enough that taking your team of four Berets off the line won't be a problem if there's an attack.

>Swap out VWES entities?
>Take or leave fireteam?
>Other?

>>40856359
>Swap out VWES entities?
Yeah.
>Take or leave fireteam?
Yes to this too.

Fortify as well. Our chances of finding anyone wandering around without help are probably pretty small given the size of the base, so we need as much support as possible, and I don't feel comfortable pulling our team out without additional defense here.

>>40856359
Grenades out, coil in. Keep the fire team here and set up a defense parameter with the wire if need be. then we batman to other places.

>>40856359
Swap out hiball skippers for coils, fortify the place, check if our team has their upgrades.

>>40856359
>Swap out VWES entities?
Get Coils, drop 'nades

>Take or leave fireteam?
Leave them

>>40856359
>Swap out VWES entities?
Need coils.

>Take or leave fireteam?
Leave.

>>40856359
>Swap out VWES entities
Get our batman kit
>Take or leave fireteam?
We are already down our lance and our Capacitors so we should take the extra fire power

>>40856359
Fortify the area so they've got a chance to defend if needed. We need those coils to probably proceed decently and make sure the team's got what they need. Switch grenades for coils as we don't know how stable the rest of the area is and lest we destroy everything we know.

File: 1401746778176.gif (46 KB, 768x255)

46 KB GIF

>>40856359
Coils is a must, really. It is a huge boost in flexibility. As for the Bravely Broken? If they have their gear, its go time.

Fortify, make sure you got knee-high wires along each wall. You'll catch that damn kool-aid man.

>>40856436
>.gif
>still picture

File: OOOHYEAH.gif (3.56 MB, 636x477)

3.56 MB GIF

>>40856592
Here baby, let me make it up to you. With a clip of Anode here catching
>>40856496
guess who!

>>40856727
My God, it's full of stars.

File: ART.jpg (154 KB, 420x543)

154 KB JPG

>>40856359
"Have you guys got your upgrades yet?"

"Buster rifles yes, everything else no," Susan says.

"Then stay here," you decide. "But before I go, I'm going to switch gear."

Tenpenny's looking a bit perturbed by everything--you can tell that the humans not trusting them and going off to get themselves killed didn't do them any favors.

...Neither did whoever leaked that you killed humans on the Grach op, come to think of it. They can't exactly be comfortable around you in light of all this, the ones that know.

You get out of their hair in a hurry, switching over your grenades for the old standby coils. You go through an entire set of them cabling off the fortified points--helping secure the barricades in place and leaving low triplines for any potential aggressors to have to wade through. You top back up and run the cables through the bracket mounts you installed on your forearms, ready to zipline.

"I am the night again," you mutter to yourself.

"You sure you don't want us along?" Flak asks.

"No," you admit, "but we need a strongpoint."

"Where are you gonna go?"

>Em's lab. See if I can get ahold of some of his sabers.
>Look for Frog. Maybe we can get a signal from the command room.
>Look for personnel (specify?)
>Other

>>40856909
>Look for Frog. Maybe we can get a signal from the command room.

>>40856909
>Look for personnel (specify?)
India. If she doesn't have a vehicle she probably needs our help.

File: 1427675651925.jpg (349 KB, 1279x1036)

349 KB JPG

>>40856909
Head to Ems, get a proper melee and then get to seeking out Frog. No sense walking around without one of our strong points.

>>40856909
>Em's lab. See if I can get ahold of some of his sabers.

>>40856909
>Look for Frog. Maybe we can get a signal from the command room.

>>40856909
>Em's lab. See if I can get ahold of some of his sabers.

>>40856909
>Em's lab. See if I can get ahold of some of his sabers.
We need REAL melee weapons. Plus, it's not like Em is currently able to complain, and we're in the middle of an emergency. Once we're kitted, we'll find Frog.

>>40856909

Seconding >>40856951, we need something melee and then a way to find out what else is (or isn't) going on. If we just don't have time for a melee weapon, make 100% sure we're topped off and head for Frog or India. (depending on who we need to access more.)

File: baby-bazooka.jpg (107 KB, 476x395)

107 KB JPG

Elsewhere in IRC.

<Juroko> Hey! Bazooka Baby is a valid Hunter and has worked hard in the Artillary unit.

Em's Quartermaster, isn't he? Will his lab have additional general supplies for other base personnel there, or are those separate from his lab?

File: I've seen some shit.jpg (45 KB, 700x458)

45 KB JPG

>>40856951
>>40856967
>>40856991
>>40857000
>>40857006
"I'm gonna hit the labs," you say. "See if I can grab one of Emerald's melee weapons."

"Ah." Susan's expression freezes. "...You realize that the Captain is--"

"Yeah, I know," you reply grimly. You're trying not to think about it. "I guess I'll see you guys."

"Good luck, sir." Flak replies, saluting. LT mimics the action silently, and Susan nods.

The way through is clear, but it's riddled with small arms fire, battle damage, and more signs of life--and death. You barely recognize the once-familiar passageway to the lab. Approaching the door, though--

"I--no, no, that's--how? When?!"

It's Em.

You sprint ahead and through the door to find him staring up at the far wall's terminal screen, hanging from one corner, image fuzzed with static, but still transmitting--barely. Em lies on the floor, laid against a table with his back turned to you, your lance by one side and his helmet dangling from his fingers on the other.

"I'm sorry, Em," says the Reploid on screen--some sort of albatross Reploid, with hunter insignia, before looking up at you. "You've got company."

Em slowly turns to face you, the look on his face one of utter defeat. His eyes are wide and unfocused, one arm hanging limp at his side. The back of his plating is still crushed in from the back from the escape from Shiva, but now scored across his front is a long, deep gash--deep enough to punch through the armor entirely. You can see damaged systems beneath, melted wiring and synthetics suggesting some melting of his internals under intense heat.

"Anode," he murmurs, voice faint. "My brother is dead."

"I've got to go, Em," says the Reploid, still looking at you. "I think Flaminglow is dead. That leaves me ranking officer here. ...Good luck," he adds lamely, cutting the connection.

>

File: RememberWhenIHadAPalILike(...).gif (44 KB, 408x408)

44 KB GIF

Em's lab is right next to the arsenal. High priority target.

File: That's two.jpg (443 KB, 1443x1534)

443 KB JPG

>>40857211

>>40857211

>Get Em to safety (either back to your team or the Lifesavor) and then raid the arsenal. Couple of birds with one stone.

Even better, if things are looking that grim, better to let no one get the arsenal than the bad guys...

>>40857211
Ohhh.. oh dear. And Diamond is the one who was suppose to kill him if he goes maverick.

Be a friend. Offer him support and if he does ask then tell him that we'll be there if the need arises. Either way, we do need to gear up to try and prevent further loss of life. Gonna need a lot of drinking and bro support by the end of today for everyone.

>>40857211
Sympathize, hug if needs be, tell him everyone else still needs him. Get him to Lifesaver or back to Berets. Raid arsenal for great justice.

Full bro 'you're alive!' later.

>>40857211
"I'm sorry. For everything. We'll make sure Diamond gets the honors he deserves, but right now, we have to get out of this alive first. I need two things from you, Em: your focus, and my lance."

File: whosesaberisitanyways.jpg (265 KB, 768x576)

265 KB JPG

>>40857211
>Embrace him. Bro hug. Hard.

>>40857259
Damn CL, you are tearing me apart here.

>>40857259
Will you stop for two fucking seconds? The sadist angle is unbecoming.

>>40857211
Hug it out.

"Can you stand, how bad is the damage? Som berets have set up camp in the range, you should be safer there until you get patched up. If you're fit to fight feel free to join me to the Command Room."
Is it now that it should dawn on him that he doesn't know what happened to Cathode?

>>40857211
>>40857288
>>40857307
>>40857308
>>40857314
I don't think there's anything we can really say to help him right now.
I suspect hugs and motivational speeches might make things worse.

>>40857330
Welcome to the Fou- thread!

Predicted Cain Lab's sadism levels for the next three threads range from 'very high' to 'oh god we're all gonna die', with slight rises into 'oh god i wish we were dead'. Have a nice day!

>>40857337
No, we're in denial. CATH IS FINE. EVERYTHING IS FINE.

>>40857341
Of course there isn't. Em got the news literally two seconds ago. It doesn't change that he still has Sapphire and that HQ is currently under siege, so we don't have time to mope.

>>40857211
On your feet Soldier, we need to get you patched and back in action, we can mourn our losses once we secure the right to live another day

>>40857337
>>40857382
It's not like we can find out what happened to Cathode yet. Most of the campus is jammed, so I doubt we can raise her.

No hugs right now you faggots. We need Em to focus and to help clear out HQ. He can grieve later.

File: chin pull-ups.jpg (42 KB, 1280x720)

42 KB JPG

>>40857382
Who knows?

>>40857418
Seconded. All is not fair in war but we've got to keep moving. We don't want something worse to happen while we're standing still.

>>40857341
You do have a point, but we cannot be completely soulless. The guy lost not only a brother but the one person who would put him down if he went maverick. We don't need to be super feelsy, just show support and be willing to be there for him. We don't want a berserking grieving, damaged Emerald going straight for the enemy.

>>40857482
Nor a catatonic one, which is how he looks to be heading. Guy needs his bro right now.

>>40857494
We should probably stress to Em that our capacitors are completely missing from our chassis and that we feel REALLY VULNERABLE right now without our weapon(s).

In fact, I'm not sure how much that's really set in yet for Anode. His electrical capacitors, his defining gimmick and source of much of his strength, are GONE.

>>40857552
Let's swoon into his arms and beg him to save us, that'll kick his CPU into gear.

>>40857552
>In fact, I'm not sure how much that's really set in yet for Anode.

Probably not at all, having woken up in the middle of all this chaos. I'm sure later on he'll have a hard time of it.

>>40857552
At least he got his big stick back.

File: ptsd man.png (434 KB, 800x900)

434 KB PNG

>>40857211
For a moment, the attack goes out the window, and you pull Em up and into a hug. He totters in place limply, but when you set him down, he manages to remain standing. "I'm sorry, man."

"...Yeah," he manages. "I don't...I can't believe any of this."

"I know." You try to get his focus on the here and now. "You're hit pretty bad. Are you okay?"

He nods dumbly. Before you can ask about it, the terminal behind you winks on again, static dispersing under an incoming signal, letters reading FOURTH OVERLAND flickering on the screen.

You and Em share a look, some sense finally coming back into his eyes, and he slowly reaches over to hit the connect button.

Crankshaft comes on screen. "Who's the--Em, you're alive? Where were you?"

"Just got back," he mumbles. "I managed to hijack a pad after... I don't know. A day? And came back to..."

"This," Crankshaft nods, turning to you. The picture jumps here and there, and after a moment you realize he's on the road, talking as he drives. "Anode. Good to see you're up. You okay?"

"Not...really, no."

"Yeah, I know. Me neither. Who's left?"

You shake your head. "I don't know. I only just woke up. Conda's listed KIA."

"Damn it. But that means someone put that in."

"Is that good, or bad?" you ask.

"Son, I have absolutely no idea. But we need to find out. First off, I need you to find Frog. I'm driving Yuzuki to safety, she's up on the gun. We made as many runs as we could, but I've got to her out of here. Em, you good for more?"

"I--yeah. Yeah."

File: you should see the other guys.jpg (89 KB, 713x502)

89 KB JPG

>>40858009
"That looks pretty bad. Stay in the Fourth, do what you can here. Anode, do whatever you need to and then get to central HQ. That's where Frog was last, and I can't get anyone there on comms." Ranks and structure forgotten in the wake of the attack, you just nod. It dawns on you then that Crankshaft's done this once before--when it was Sigma, not Doppler. "Okay, good. I'll be in touch as soon as I can. I need you to stay focused. And watch out, both of you. We don't know who's friendly or not."

"Noted," you reply grimly.

"Good luck, boys."

"You too, Cranky. Out." You cut the line, leaving the two of you in the wreckage, backlit by the terminal screen static.

Em turns back to you after a moment. "Hey... any word about Cathode?"

"No," you reply. "Trying not to..."

"Yeah. Yeah, okay."

"I could use my lance, capacitors are gone. Lifesaver's got your sword locked down for now."

He nods and collects both it and his helmet, handing you one and turning the other over in his hands. "What should I do? What are you gonna do?"
>

>>40858034
Raid the armory and head out to find frog.
Wif there is a good path we can load up on extra stuff and give it to the berets at the fortification.

>>40858034
Em: Go to the Lifesaver, get a once-over, then link up at the firing range and hold out.
Anode: Head for the armory, get kitted, and make the run to central HQ. See if anyone else can be raised, like India.

File: 1401228088524.jpg (1.48 MB, 1505x1615)

1.48 MB JPG

>>40858034
>You should take a quick trip down to the range and see about the doc at least getting that hole in you plugged. Then we round up my boys and get rolling on HQ as best geared up as we can.

>>40858034
"Em, you go get patched up and link up with the others at the range. I'll go find Frog."

>>40858034
I think Em should hit up the armory instead, maybe with our help. He can bring some stuff to the firing range to help them fortify further while we move on to the command center.

>>40858116
I can agree. At the very least Em needs to be patched up before he can go into heavy combat. He can take his sabers to the berets as well since they only really have training sabers.

Anode will need transportation to get to HQ fast and checking in to make sure india and seven are ok along with any weaponry we can get would be good.

Loot armory
>use mechanaloids and drones to grab as much as you can carry,
>weld the doors shut with a couple scuttling charges,
>Send Em back to the range with weaponry
>Head for command

Wait. Would Cranky's bullshit Mav device be stored in the armoury?

File: does this look like the f(...).png (318 KB, 709x660)

318 KB PNG

>>40858335
If I can take a page from the good Mr. Labs's book, here...


NOT ANYMORE

If it was, there wouldn't be an armory around anymore

>>40858335
Nah, that'd be in the hangar, wouldn't it?

>>40858034
Em and us to armory, then Lifesaver, then Em taking weapons to Berets and us going to Frog.

>>40858335
Probably not. It's probably where the mechaniloids are stored.

BTW, we're only missing our capacitor, right? We could still tank electricity by routing it through our grounding coil or whatever, couldn't we?

>>40858376
I thought Seven already went there, and there didn't seem to be anything except that 'loid he took.

>>40858414
Anode wouldn't know that, though.

>>40858455
Yeah, I was just checking meta-wise.

File: aftereffects of typical n(...).jpg (31 KB, 500x589)

31 KB JPG

>>40858034
"Let's hit the armory, load up as much as we can, and then get it all back to the Berets at the range," you decide. Despite outranking both you and Cranky, Em just nods. "Could you give them some sabers for now?"

"Maybe the short ones," he says. "They haven't had training on longer weapons and now's not the time to start."

You stow your lance, happy to have your weapon back, tossing Em the training saber you grabbed. "You've got more mounts, you take it."

He adds it to a small pile as he grabs a few more from storage. "Some of my better weapons are damaged or run down. Still got my dirk and my lo-beams, though. Should be enough."

"They should have a Lifesaver, too. You should at least get your shields topped up."

Em nods, falling silent once again. Before long the two of you head back out.

"...Oh, fuck," you hear him murmur as you reach the mound of rubble with the downed attack chopper.

"Yeah. It's all over."

"No, I mean..." he climbs up. "Jesus. The Pond."

Your heart drops. "What?"

"It's burning."

>You get these to the Berets, I'll check it out.
>It can wait. Let's drop these off and then I'll go.
>Forget it. We've got bigger fish to fry.

>>40858932
>You get these to the Berets, I'll check it out.
Now THIS is a warcrime.

>>40858932
>You get these to the Berets, I'll check it out.
We could use a giant axeman on our side.

>>40858932
>It can wait. Let's drop these off and then I'll go.

>>40858932
>It can wait. Let's drop these off and then I'll go.

Em's in no shape to be fighting alone. Get him to safety first.

>>40858932
Keep going, get the Beret's armed, I'll take a look.

>>40858932
>You get these to the Berets, I'll check it out.
"You can't drink with that hole in you, anyway - you'll just leak all over your feet."

>>40858932
>Forget it. We've got bigger fish to fry.

Yes, it's important but we were also tasked with getting to Frog and the others. You want to make a small pitstop on the way, go ahead but honestly, I think we need to delay a stop there for the moment.

>>40859023
I just spat cookies all over the screen, thank you.

>>40858932
>It can wait. Let's drop these off and then I'll go.

>>40858932
>>It can wait. Let's drop these off and then I'll go.

A quick stop. We really have better things to be doing though.

>>40858932
>Forget it. We've got bigger fish to fry.

>>40858932
>You get these to the Berets, I'll check it out.

IRC says Emerald is extremely low on HP and charge, just in case it makes any difference.

>>40858932
This is truely the darkest day. We should probably get there to rescue any civilians or injured before it goes down completely. If the grounds are close, Em can get there on his own. If not, we escort him back and we use the coils to rush right back. Save those we can.

>>40859101
Calling vote here, wins by 1. Mostly because I know the instant I'm done writing the other choice will surge ahead.

>>40859195
I thought for a minute you meant this was a terrible decision, and once you finished we'd all be screaming 'why didn't we take the other choice!?'

Then I realized you were just talking about a couple more votes could come in while writing, and my jimmies were less rustled.

How's everyone enjoying the return? I think things are only going to get better.

>>40859529
Better for you, or us?

>>40859529
I hope you mean better for us and Anode, not for your appetite for our tears. But yeah, loving it. Glad to have MHQ back, I've been nuts waiting for it.

File: shark v. skipjack.jpg (218 KB, 810x503)

218 KB JPG

>>40859101
>>40859023
>>40859022
>>40858973
>>40858970
"I'll go. You get to the range."

"...All right," he says. "Be careful."

"You too. ... Thanks, Anode." With that, the two of you split off. You try comms, just in case--still nothing but static.

...Unfortunately, as you get closer, you realize--the grounds are littered with signs of battle. Recent ones.

-----

You are Dash Dodo, B-rank. And with nothing but a clipped warning from Seven, your entire world has been undone.

Here you are, sprinting around the side of the headquarters building, trying desperately to make it ahead of an S-class threat looming on the grounds.

That S-class happens to be your oldest friend.

"I know you're in there, Schwarz!" he bellows, hurling a broken body aside. "You and me! One on one! All the way! No tricks!"

"Schwarz is gone, Tanker," you reply by way of greeting, eyeing him warily as you slow to a halt. "He's not avoiding you."

"Yes he IS!" Tanker roars, slamming his giant fist into (and through) the wall. No one's coming out to challenge him, any more--they're either too afraid, or all dead.

"You can't...I can't let you do this." You try to force down your fear, knowing how hopeless this is.

"Yeah, Dodo?" Pulling his fist out, crushing another chunk of wall to powder in the drill bits. "You gonna take me on? I'll let you, but you know me..."

Yeah. Yeah, you do. If you come at him with everything you've got... he's not going to hold back for anything.

You can't win.

You CAN'T win.

Second by nervous second ticks by, and you know you can't keep the shark's focus forever. You've got a few quirks and tics, and you feel yourself going through all of them.

"I'm gonna make you an offer no one else would get. Just walk away, Dodo." Tanker says, smiling magnanimously with a mouthful of bloody teeth. "I won't blame you. No one will. Or... you can take the first shot." He puts his arms out wide, grinning like a kid in a candy store.

...

...

>

>>40859529
Despite the despair and things being on fire and people dying, pretty fun.

File: cainlabs.png (20 KB, 180x209)

20 KB PNG

>>40859529

>>40859604
>Take the fucking shot, and lead him away
We're fast. Let's use it.

>>40859604
So Tanker is Mav then?

>>40859604
Schwarz got us upgrades for Christmas. May as well use them. Take the first shot, lead him in the direction of other baddies if we can.

>>40859604
Can we get an ability rundown on Dodo? He's a refit civ model, so it's probably not gonna be much, especially against an S, but knowing what we can do will help a lot.

>>40859694
Was that canon?

File: Oh very yes.jpg (46 KB, 594x369)

46 KB JPG

>>40859666
Well I'm uncertain. I mean, he does have human blood all over his jaws, also some Reploid blood-stuff, but I suppose there could be a perfectly reasonable explanation.

>>40859760
Honestly, though? Tanker's the only one I'd accept might have an excuse for that sort of thing. His proximity to bloodshed of any kind is pretty constant.

>>40859760
Hey, he could have bitten some blood-covered mavericks, that'd explain it.

>>40859604
>Take the shot and run.

>>40859820
Maybe he has healing saliva, and was putting his mouth to people's wounds to fix them. What a great guy!

>>40859604
Aaaagh. I have no idea what to do... Dodo is all about harassment and quick movement, I think?

My inclination is to just keep harassing Tanker for as long as possible. Dodo might not be able to do much damage, but Tanker is really single-minded... the madder he gets at Dodo, the less damage he'll cause to everyone else in the meanwhile.

Just remember the most important thing. X is a B-rank, too.

>>40859604
Just walk

>>40859604
Aw man, not Tanker! I actually really liked that guy.

>>40859883
Dodo = X

Uh. Well. Points for optimism?

>>40859883
Yeah. But Dodo ain't X.

>>40859911
...seriously? The dude has always been like five seconds from Mav anyway. Hell, he might have been a Mav the entire time.

>>40859604
...take the shot. Then fucking move like we've you've never moved before.

>>40859760
To be fair, you made it very ambiguous at times what fluids are from which sources, and plenty of reploid blood to go around today.

Also, a pity about Overclock and Diamond, I was hoping to get them friends in and out of their division. Anything you can share on them so I can make their loss hurt more when my guys hopefully hit Doppler?

>>40859943
I'm kinda pissed we JUST got Overclock's backstory, and suddenly DEAD OFF SCREEN WOOP WOOP.

>>40859883
X also doesn't go all-out normally. He's SA when it counts, easy.

File: Zero watching X give a speech.png (1.44 MB, 505x1212)

1.44 MB PNG

>>40859911
Maverick sympathizer detected

>>40859961
The report says he's dead, just as it said Em was still MIA. Who knows if that's right?

>>40859961

KIA just means someone made the data entry. For all we know, he entered that himself and is busy going full subterfuge while fooling the enemy into thinking he's dead.

... Blind optimism? What are you talking about?

>>40859985
Yeah, maybe he was just captured and put right back into the Mav brainwash chamber for another few years!

Optimism!

>>40860015
Yippee! He can keep Wisent company!

>>40859604
Take a shot and run like the littlest bitch ever.

>>40857361
I dunno, I kind of agree. It throws the tone off a little bit when the story is being told and a tragic emotional moment is happening, and then CL is all like HAHAHA FUCK YOU GUYS THIS IS FUN

Like, it's not a huge issue and at the end of the day I'm not going to make a big fuss about it, but still

This i around the side of the HQ, nowhere near the Pond, right? So it probably wasn't Tanker who trashed the place.

>>40859604
This isn't a simulation room or sparring circle. You have space, room to run. If he disengages, hit him and run again. Harass this SA-class mofo out of the fight.

>>40860167
Eh, it's Cain Labs. He's put so much time, thought and effort into hurting u- I mean, this quest, I just kind of suck it up and deal.

>>40859604
You're gonna want to stop this guy from getting anywhere else. Even if it means laying it all on the line. Even if you can disable his movement or limit his firepower, something is better than nothing.

File: maverickhuntersascend.png (219 KB, 500x394)

219 KB PNG

>>40859710
Dodo is equipped with the following:
>GL7A Disarmer Custom shield-penetrating stun weapon, left arm. Not designed for high-class targets.
>P521 Tactical Approach Buster Rifle Custom, right arm. Military-grade buster weapon, arm-and-shoulder mounted. Capable of mid-level charge. Scoped and capable of accurate fire from high speeds, or on high-speed targets.
>Blitz Blur optic disruption weapon, mouth. Emits a burst of patterned light that leaves a Dodo afterimage in the foe's brain for a few milliseconds. Provides enough time to run.
>Adler APOC5 Custom "Mauritius" photon missiles, wind compartments, 3x4 sets. Small flying energy balls, fired in pairs. Moderate travel time, will propagate for a bit on impact with a solid surface.
>Rapid Acceleration System: Non-exhaust-burst acceleration system that overcharges leg fiber structure and permits long bursts of considerable speed and acceleration.
>Polku Custom accelerated motion pather: Guidance system that reads the illuminated environment with Blitz Blur and feeds the data to the RAS. Helps path rapid travel faster than Dodo would otherwise be capable of safely navigating.

So, engaging or retreating?

File: 1397556415011.gif (941 KB, 398x223)

941 KB GIF

>>40860266
>So, engaging or retreating?

>>40860266
Reiterating my previous vote for hit and run. Keep his attention.

>>40860266
Maintaining my vote as >>40860099

>>40860266

Let's engage. Granted, our tactics would be a little hitting, and a whole lot of running.

Keeping him distracted is good. Maybe we can bait him into smacking around some of the other invasion forces. He's not the most discriminating of fighters.

>>40860266
Both. Hit Tanker with photon missles to draw aggro, then run like a bitch.

>>40860315
>>40860266
Agreed.

>>40860266
>>40860344
This is a good plan.

>>40860266
We are the Aegis Garm to his Sigma. Even if we can't win, we have to distract him for the sake of everyone else.

Godspeed, Dash Dodo.

File: over the arm towards the nape.jpg (316 KB, 674x960)

316 KB JPG

>>40860266
>>Rapid Acceleration System: Non-exhaust-burst acceleration system that overcharges leg fiber structure and permits long bursts of considerable speed and acceleration.

MASC ENGAGED

File: runorshoot.jpg (114 KB, 300x1275)

114 KB JPG

>>40860266

>>40860344
Keep in mind to use all we can to keep far, far ahead of him. The Blitz Blur, the dash systems and all the accruements. Make sure he can never get a solid bead on you and make sure he can never catch you. The Polku Custom can help a lot. REMEMBER: This is not a match in fighting, this is survival and running. IF he goes back to wreck shit after harrying him a bit, LEAVE HIM THERE AND BOOK IT.

If we are going to be stupid, we may as well use what we have and run.

>>40860266
We should also mock the fuck out of him to fixate him on us. Compare him poorly to Schwarz, and the like.

>>40860266
Engage. We may go down fighting but we're not going to let him get what he wants. Even if it means taking them both out. Use that RAS and make him see stars.

>>40860527
Oh god. This sounds like a terrible idea. Let's do it.

Bring up some of Tanker's old matches against Schwarz. Talk about how stupid Tanker was for falling for his tricks. Tell him that with Schwarz gone, Tanker is never going to beat him. Schwarz is forever the victor.

>>40860605
>>40860527
LEt's.. not. In a normal situation, a enraged enemy is easier to deal with. But this is a robo shark of massive strength and rage or only advantage is him having fun and playing around. We do not want to piss him off because it will likely cost EVERYONE the moment he starts flossing with our neck.

>>40860712
Yeah, I think people are misreading Tanker's character.

>>40860712
Thirded. Don't taunt.

>>40860741
Hell, if we want to really try and get him to follow, why not make it less a insult and more a game and challenge? One last race before you two part ways? See if he can catch you once you start to motor. He should see you in your best after all, and Schwartz might just be someplace else. The guy likes to hide and there are plenty of empty buildings.

File: ohfuck.jpg (126 KB, 700x522)

126 KB JPG

>>40859651
>>40859848
>>40860099
>>40860171
>>40860225
>>40860315
>>40860318
>>40860337
>>40860344
>>40860352
>>40860360
>>40860374
>>40860396
>>40860602

You've always been impatient. You've always been on-the-go. But right now time is, for once, your enemy. You don't have enough time. Eternity is nothing. Indecision and mortal fear grip you, and you're paralyzed for what feels like an endless march of microseconds.

And then, the stupid hindbrain gut instinct part of you makes up its mind for you. Before you can even really process what you've done, you fan your useless little wings out, and you fire a full spread of photon missiles.

Tanker's eyes widen--not in fear--as they wash over him, strobing and burning on his chest as he stands there, arms outstretched, like Christ on his cross.

"I'm proud of you, Dodo," he says, all smiles, as the smoke and shield glow fade.

And then he lunges.

You're already moving, avoiding him coming in like a tidal wave at a full sprint. You've made a lot of mistakes. You're a hothead. Always were--it's how you wound up in this outfit. This can only end one way. You hold his eye as long as you can, because the moment you retreat, he comes back here and finishes what he started.

You've always been pretty eccentric. You like to collect music. Listen to it on long hauls out on the job, when you lose track of the dunes you've crested, of the laps you've run.

You've got a thing for marching songs. Always have. And knowing deep down the decision you just made, you allow yourself one last indulgence. Putting your comms on open-unsecured, you click through shuffle in your mind--another nervous tic. No. No. No. No.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SLvtP6KMUM

Yes.

It'll do, for your last dance.

File: shit shit shit shit shit shit.jpg (559 KB, 1000x960)

559 KB JPG

>>40860958
Tanker has always been insanely fast for his size, and far more nimble than his hulking build would suggest. You twist to the side and head out at a flat run, crossing the grounds as fast as you can. You round about once more and come in for another salvo. They splash across his back and side as he turns and lunges--you backstep and give him a point-blank blast of the blitz. He still snatches at where you were, just a hair shy as you're already rocketing away. You fire a buster shot as you retreat that slides off his armor without fuss, his shields not even bothering to activate.

Shit. You start building charge as you send a stun shot at him--predictably, doing nothing, but it's another bit of incoming fire to distract him. You outstrip him again as he barrels at you, this time answering him with a charged shot that sends a tremor running up your whole arm and through your body. This time his shields catch it...and come out looking none the worse for wear. He snarls and slams his fist into the ground, cracking the stone and upending pavement, creating uneven terrain as he pummels it like a child having a tantrum.

You lurch suddenly as his drill claws begin to whirl, glowing a bright yellow and dragging you physically back at him. Of course, some sort of VWES entity, he's an S, after all--

You duck and twist, but he's too fast. You feel the crush, the grind, the rip. You try not to scream, firing another point-blank salvo of missiles, the payload burning you as well as him in the desperate melee.

You've done a lot of things. You haven't done enough. You haven't done nearly enough.

File: tanker tigershark - splash T.png (444 KB, 1066x912)

444 KB PNG

>>40860975
>>40860975
"Still friends, Dodo?" he asks, grinning earnestly and honestly through a mouthful of your own mangled wing. You can't respond as he laughs and takes a two-handed grip on you, your vision distorting and your hearing shorting out with a sudden, painful pop as the drill bites and tears away half your face under silently-gnashing teeth. You try to move, try to blind him again, try to shoot, but he just keeps laughing and tearing and punching and laughing and lau

-----

>>40861002
You realize, of course, this means war.

>>40861086
This means we're going shark-fishing.

File: harpoon_gun.jpg (45 KB, 640x380)

45 KB JPG

>>40861002

File: Respect for the bird.jpg (34 KB, 620x349)

34 KB JPG

>>40861002
A moment of silence for Dodo, who died valiantly in service while fighting a superior foe. He was a brave soldier, a reliable officer, a dutiful worker...

>>40861095
With dynamite.

>>40861175
You're not laughing. Why aren't you laughing?

>>40861086
>>40861095
>>40861173
C'mon guys, Schwarz could have jumped in at the end and saved him, right? We can hope!

>>40861220
I do believe in fairies! I do believe in fai- nah. Poor, honourable bastard.

At least he probably gave some others time to escape.

File: That's three.jpg (189 KB, 629x589)

189 KB JPG

>>40861002
>>40861175
...and a good chum.

Keep in mind that Anode vaguely was able to draw with Tanker when we surpriswd hin with the Raikousen.

Remember that we've lost that now, with no capacitors.

File: anodely'.jpg (437 KB, 1492x1152)

437 KB JPG

>>40855016

that's some sexy armor hypothetical anode has here

so i'm a-workin'

>>40861249
You have made me unhappy.

>>40861249
And there it is, everybody.

>>40861249
Way to cheapen the moment.

>>40861267
Wowzers and whoah.

>>40861249
>filename

You glorious bastard, you.

>>40861249
You're starting to annoy even me with this bullshit. Cut it out.

>>40861249
Aaand now I don't feel it anymore.
Thanks for cheering me up, CL.

>>40861289
>>40861318
I disagree. CL heckling is an integral part of the MHQ experience.

>>40861318
GMs who delight in their killcount always leave an iffy taste in my mouth.

>>40861356
Our suffering is his sustenance.

>>40861367
Agreed. Its gets old fast.

>>40861367
I recommend you never, ever enter MHQ IRC, then.

File: whistleconcert.jpg (209 KB, 500x500)

209 KB JPG

>>40859604
>>40860958
>>40860975
>>40861002
A faint signal warbles over comms, like a toy with its battery run down. Looping music, in Russian. In a field of scrap and parts. You recognize about a third of Dash Dodo's beak. A wing, a foot.

You wade through the... remains of the B-rank hunter, towards the Pond. You wish you had known him better. Wish you'd been awake sooner.

The inside is nearly as bad as the outside--someone tore through here. Tables are broken, chairs shattered, pictures and decor destroyed. A strange, pristine island exists, though--the oak countertop, Max the barkeep's prized possession. Unblemished and untouched, even with fire licking at the front walls, it looks clean and neat--like you could just grab one of the stools from where it was thrown, set it upright, and order a drink. If not for the shattered back wall mirror, Max's signature axe embedded in it.

"Over here," a voice coughs. It's him.

His sole hoverpod leg is snapped in half, leaving him trapped behind the bar, among a wreath of broken glasses and fine whiskey.

"You okay?" you ask.

"It was Tanker," he says by way of answer, one of his arms dangling limp, bent backwards. "He came in looking for Schwarz. Trying to settle their score."

"He killed Dodo."

"Dodo saved us all," he replies grimly. "I got the rest of them out during the fight. I stayed."

You don't ask him why, instead carefully hefting him and slowly making your way back towards the range.

>>40861389
The way I see it, this quest isn't just our fight against the Maverick threat. There is, far above our heads, a great war between good and evil, which cannot coexist and yet cannot exist without each other.

Hunter Command is constantly at odds with Cain Labs, just as we are constantly wary of the Maverick threat. It's not just us playing the protagonist. It's HC playing the Hunters, and CL playing the Mavericks. Of course he delights in our pain. We are the enemy.

File: cannons.jpg (83 KB, 1193x800)

83 KB JPG

Well, we all know what needs to be done.

File: India sends Hunter Comman(...).jpg (57 KB, 500x375)

57 KB JPG

>>40861416
>>40861416
You arrive to find Em getting his wound closed up by the Lifesaver--his damaged arm repaired and at least functional, though he does the surgical work one-handed.

Waving you over are two more friendly faces--Grach and Mike. They help you make Max comfortable while you catch up.

"I thought I heard garbled Russian," Grach says sadly. "We didn't have time to stop and try to track it. Though--"

"Yeah, the other signal," Mike nods. "We caught another one, local. On Fourth grounds. We were on our way to respond when we ran into the Captain coming in for repairs."

"I only recognized it from my days operating a helicopter. It was a pilot's transponder."

Oh, shit.

>I'm going over there.
>...I can't. I need to go find Frog.

>>40861433
This shouldn't make as much sense as it does

Fuck...

>>40861452
>...I can't. I need to go find Frog.
Fuck. We can't. No more distractions.

>>40861452
>...I can't. I need to go find Frog.
We have orders. Let's follow them. For once.

File: Cain Labs plays Megaman.png (258 KB, 500x576)

258 KB PNG

>>40861367
As a guy who's played D&D games run by the dude, I can tell you that this is just his shtick, and it's one a lot of the playerbase has come to communicate with him through in the back and fourth. There's no real malice in his routine, just enthusiastically playing the role of bad guy.

>>40861452
>I'm going over there.

>>40861452
>I'm going over there.

Frog can take care of himself if anyone here can.

>>40861452
>... I can't. I need to go find Frog.

Sorry, best to follow orders here and we've been delayed far too long now.

>>40861452
>...I can't. I need to go find Frog.
We've delayed too long.

Em and Grach could wrangle a team together from the firing range, though.

>>40861452
>I'm going over there.

>>40861452
>...I can't. I need to go find Frog.

File: 1353869279048.jpg (91 KB, 1075x646)

91 KB JPG

>>40861452
>I'm going over.

We will save everyone we can. Have to at least try.

>>40861452
>>I'm going over there.

Fragile pilot girl has a smaller chance than the dude who has Hammer in is name.

>>40861452
>I'm going over there.

>>40861452
>...I can't. I need to go find Frog.
Can we get Em to handle India?

>>40861452
>...I can't. I need to go find Frog.
Hard choices. I'm always one for the calculus of loss and chain of command is hella important to not just us but our berets as well. I'm hoping that if we find our commander, less will die in the long run. (Damnit.)

>Anode, do whatever you need to and then get to central HQ.

We need to watch out for our own, is what we need to do. Anyone sending out a signal is someone who's looking for help.

>I'm going over there.

>>40861452
>...I can't. I need to go find Frog.

In the end, finding Frog is gonna help us push back the attack quicker, saving more lives.

>>40861452
>I'm going over there.

Remember this isn't just about Frog, either. The command center is important to coordinating a defense.

>>40861452
>I'm going over there.
Anode will personally rally each member of the Fourth if he has to. No more death.

>>40859604
>"I'm gonna make you an offer no one else would get. Just walk away, Dodo." Tanker says, smiling magnanimously with a mouthful of bloody teeth. "I won't blame you. No one will. Or... you can take the first shot." He puts his arms out wide, grinning like a kid in a candy store.
>>40860958
>Tanker's eyes widen--not in fear--as they wash over him, strobing and burning on his chest as he stands there, arms outstretched, like Christ on his cross."I'm proud of you, Dodo," he says, all smiles, as the smoke and shield glow fade.
>>40861002
>"Still friends, Dodo?" he asks, grinning earnestly and honestly through a mouthful of your own mangled wing.

You know... There's just something very horrifying and very very sad about this.

You can see Tanker Tigershark's personality and characterization through this, you can see him seem to express something like friendship and acknowledgement...

And yet despite that, he's killing him.

He knows this is his friend, he salutes him, and yet he is killing him just like that.

There's something twisted about the Maverick Virus. That *FUCKING* virus.

It doesn't just turn people into berserkers or frothing madmen, it does... this. It's not like a zombie plague that makes mindless super-soldiers, it's... this.

God. It's just... cruel.

I don't know what whoever is responsible for this /intended/ it for, but this thing is despicable and horrifying.

This thing is evil. This thing is fucking evil.

>Get Frog

Thread archived, please upvote rather than traumatised downvoting.

>>40861668
For what it's worth, everyone called it that Tanker woukd be the first to go Mav in the Fourth.

>>40861356
It's killing the feeling. I read this shit because I want to feel something, but when there's somebody heckling it just completely breaks my suspension of disbelief and immersion.

>>40861452
>I'm going over there.

If there's anyone I trust to be able to take care of himself out there, it's Frog.

Right now our forces are more or less in shambles, and desperately trying to re-fortify. If we get everyone back together, we have that much more stable an operation when we get to Frog. Not much use he's going to have for the Fourth if there's no Fourth left. We're more use to him as a unit than we are playing lone hero.

>>40861668
This. Just this

>>40861452
I hate this.. I really, REALLY hate this.. but I have to vote frog. We need to rescue the commander now that he is the last chain in command. I only hope we don't lose both...

>>40861668
I wish I had that 40k image on "Lord of the Red Sands" right now. I don't really think Tanker cares about who he fights. He just deeply enjoys the fight itself, and if that bloodlust means he has more in common with the Maverick side so be it. He respected Dodo because he had the courage to fight, even against a hopelessly outmatched opponent.

>>40861452
>I'm going over there.

>>40861452
Go find frog

>>40861452
>...I can't. I need to go find Frog.

This decision sucks.

>>40861452
>>I'm going over there.

>>40861707
>For what it's worth, everyone called it that Tanker woukd be the first to go Mav in the Fourth.
Yeah. Just... I'm pissed at whomever made this thing in-universe. It's twisting people in a horrifying way; there's enough of them to recognize them as being like themselves, as acting and feeling like themselves...

Whoever made it probably had a cold and monomaniacal focus on something like "wiping out all humans so only Reploids are left", or something equally extreme, and the way they went about it is horrifying and sad.

Of course, that's assuming that there's a purpose and goal and reason for the Maverick Virus. But the idea that some grand accident can cause something as targeted and insidious and permanent as this, feels too unbelievable; it makes more sense if there's something behind it.

>>40861452
>>I'm going over there.

>>40861452
>>I'm going over there.

We need to rally what we can so that we'll be more useful for Frog

>>40861452
>I'm going over there.
come on, we can do it

>>40861452
>...I can't. I need to go find Frog.

This, sadly. Em, Grach, and the Berets can handle finding India, but we really need to find Frog before this all gets worse.

>>40861803
Any one of them can handle it, I mean. Anode needs backup heading into HQ, too.

>>40861782
Hmph. That's my vote. Changing my vote from that, to this:

>>40861452
>>...I can't. I need to go find Frog.

>>40861452
>Frog
We have enough people to split up, but finding Frog needs to be the priority.

>>40861452
>I'm going over there.