First for remember when we thought slow burn threads would mean more frequent threads?

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"...One sec, Templar," you tell your new unitmate, a hulking, soft-spoken knightly armadillosaurus. "I need to take care of something."

He inclines his head by way of response, but says nothing. Slowly, almost gingerly, you step through the open door to Overclock Conda's quarters.

The surroundings are... sterile. Cold. Untouched, and uncannily so for it. It looks like any officer of the Fourth might trot in here, tired after a long day and a hard hunt, drop their bag in the corner, and climb into the charger bay for a well-earned rest. Not even the dust has laid claim, yet, and with the impending barracks move, it never will.

But what draws your attention is the blinking red MESSAGE WAITING light. The time stamp is after the attack.

Despite yourself, you hit Play.

MESSAGE BEGINS

"Hey, Conda? This is Baccarat. ... heh, listen to me, leaving a message for a dead man. I'm sorry--well, you know what I mean, it's just..."

He sighs, and even through the light crackle on the speaker, you can tell his speech is labored.

"There's no coming back for us. I know you tried to make me believe otherwise, that we were--that we were fixed, but--well, I'm just glad you didn't live to see this. See Doppler, see it all come out."

He doesn't cough, per se--most Reploids that aren't 'humanized' don't pick up the habit, but his voicebox glitches and he takes a moment to steady himself and let it zero out before he speaks again.

"There's no cure, Conda. It was all bull--it was all a lie. It was all a lie."

You shiver, despite yourself, at the absoltue surety in his voice.

"There is no coming back from this."

He chuckles, voice modulation glitching again, an unpleasant screech of feedback from the terminal's speaker bleeding into the sound.

"So, I figured... before it happens? Before I go--I'm gonna go do something I shouldn't. Take out as many of them as I can. Do some good, so I don't do any more harm. Die hunting, you know? Like you did.

... I'm sorry, Conda. I tried to believe you, I did."

One more, one last, steadying breath.

"See you."

END OF MESSAGE

You sit there for a moment, palm hovering over the terminal, the red 'message waiting' light winking off. ... Before it chirps once and pipes an input to you.

Coordinates.

LAST CONTACT LOCATION: BACCARAT

... You shut down the terminal before you step out of the room, the lights dimming behind you. If he heard anything, Madillo shows no sign of it. He looks at you quietly, waiting for you to break the silence first.

>...Old times. Forget it, let’s go.
>Conda had history I never really learned. But he died hunting.

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>>1171285
No bully!

>>1171293
>>1171293
Aren't you supposed to be kill?

FUCK YES IT'S BACK

>Conda had history I never really learned. But he died hunting.

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>>1171302
Well, if it makes you feel better, I immediately got the thread number wrong, so feel free to mock me roundly. Got it right on the archive, at least, this is thread 74.

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>>1171311
Bravo.

>>1171286
>Conda had history I never really learned. But he died hunting.

So more than one mav produced reploid was recruited. Intradasting.

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>>1171293
>Conda had history I never really learned. But he died hunting.

And maybe we could learn it, between missions.

Also, welcome back.

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>>1171293
never not bully

>>1171286
>Conda had history I never really learned. But he died hunting.

>>1171286
>>Conda had history I never really learned. But he died hunting.
Welp. This is off to a depressing start.

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So, as always, hello again, all, it's been a spell.

Things are busy--good busy, but busy. I usually keep my personal life out of these threads, but long story short is I got hired in to the job I've been doing as a contractor full-time. Lots of positive changes (LOTS of positive changes, holy shit), but a lot of work to do in the process. Other than that, usual life shenanigans and a couple winter storms to contend with, along with the ongoing project to resurrect the mighty Snowfucker, my noble steed for combatting the wintry wastes of the Beast Coast.

How are you all doing tonight?

>>1171286
>Conda had history I never really learned. But he died hunting.

Right when I go to bed? Really? I'm excited and pissed off all at once!
If you guys end up voting for a movie, I pre-cast a vote for Hot Fuzz.

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>>1171408
>How are you all doing tonight?
Past two days of work have been a bit of a shitshow because of a fuckup at the warehouse, but I'm off this weekend so yay lounging around MHQing in between vidya.

>>1171408
I'm pretty comfy.

>>1171286
>...Old times. Forget it, let’s go.

>>1171408
>How are you all doing tonight?
Pretty damn good. Wrapped up the second session of a freshly started roleplay campaign a few hours ago.

>>1171286
>Conda had history I never really learned. But he died hunting.
>>1171408
Not too bad. Got the 4 day off work, so I'm just keeping comfy.

>>1171408
>the ongoing project to resurrect the mighty Snowfucker, my noble steed for combatting the wintry wastes of the Beast Coast.

Piece of advice! Check to see if your public works dept hands out free salt. I just learned this winter that mine does. I went right up there and filled a big ol' bucket. I've always been stingy with the salt, because I had to buy it myself, but NO MORE. NO! MORE!

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>>1171493
Oh that's glorious, though I'm not holding my breath. That said, I've got a landlord who should be on deck for any expenses related to snow or landscaping--we negotiated a hair off the rent in exchange for doing it ourselves.

Which is the other thing that happened (relatively) recently, I moved.

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>>1171408
IT HAPPENED
WRITING ANODE X WREN PORN GOT HUNTER COMMAND TO UPDATE

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>>1171657
That was kind of impressively ghoulish. And I'm pretty good at coming up with fucked up stuff.

>>1171668
I felt more like Cain Labs when I wrote it, in all honesty.

>>1171657
Wait was this in the last thread or am I missing something?

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>>1171762
No man, I posted it in IRC the other day. I won't post it here.

Okay, fuck it, I'll post it here.

http://pastebin.com/1abJ89Cx
Basically, the day of that snowstorm HC was talking about, everything here in NYC got shut down and I ended up spending the day getting drunk and reading archived quest threads. (Great combination there, by the way.) Thing is, I was sober by the time I actually wrote most of that abomination.

>>1171286
>Conda had history I never really learned. But he died hunting.
So we can actually move on with the quest who am I kidding I've irreversibly derailed it

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>>1171302
>>1171351
>>1171374
>>1171385
>>1171391
>>1171412
>>1171485
>>1171818
“I never really knew Conda,” you say quietly.

Templar keeps his head bowed, either in patience or reverence.

“I think that bothers me the most. I mean, I guess I couldn’t have--why would he tell me everything he had going on? But still--I’m learning more about him after he’s gone than I ever did while he was alive.“ You turn to look at him. “That’s kind of fucked up, you know?”

Madillo is silent a moment before responding. “I know.”

You huff in resigned exasperation. Sounds like there’s another life that’s been lived. You hope, idly, bitterly, that Templar--and you, you suppose--will live long enough to get that story. What was it that cartoonist said? Hunting is needful work, but it’s not good?

“He still died a hunter,” you murmur, more to set it from between your teeth to let it out onto the air. “No matter where he came from, he lived and died like this.”

After an uncomfortable moment of contemplation, you shake it off, turning to leave. “Come on.”

With duty on your mind, your steps bring you to the command room--with excellent timing, as not thirty seconds into your spiel about the pad and navigators and selecting and arming a complement, Gopher winks into existence in a bolt of red and orange. He steps forward, immediately all business, even as he unpins what looks like the latest in a long line of medals from his breastplate. “You done?”

“Just about, yeah,” you say with a salute. “All yours, boss.”

He nods, and then turns to Madillo. “Everything okay so far?”

“It all seems quite in order, Gopher sir,” Templar replies evenly. “With thanks to the good Captain for the tour.”

Gopher chews on that for a minute, before nodding. “Good Captain. Yeah. All right, Anode, I’ll take it from here. Dismissed.”

You turn to go--”Anode?”

“Sir.”

“You seen the news today?”

You blink. “No sir, why?”

“Don’t worry about it, I have it handled. You just do your job.”

Uh. “Yes, sir.”

He steps past you, Madillo filing behind--giving you one last appraising glance--and leaving you in the command room, alone.
>Well, as long as you’re here, whistle up a plan for engaging Mortarphant.
>Okay, you can’t NOT figure out what the hell that last quip was about.
>Other?

>>1171848
>Okay, you can’t NOT figure out what the hell that last quip was about.
We're SO about to have our day ruined.

>>1171848
>>Well, as long as you’re here, whistle up a plan for engaging Mortarphant.
ignore it completely and let it build up and bite us in the ass later.

...What if it involves Schwarz?

>>1171848
>>Okay, you can’t NOT figure out what the hell that last quip was about.
This is going to be important. Also going to suck.

>>1171848
>Well, as long as you’re here, whistle up a plan for engaging Mortarphant.
"I'm gonna call up every 14th officer available, plus Firefly and Sabomole, and see what they have to suggest. I know the OP has a mole-related pun in the thread title, but I want to know if the most obvious course of action will kill us."
Don't word it like that.

>>1171848
>Okay, you can’t NOT figure out what the hell that last quip was about.

"FIFTY-SEVEN BEE BLADERS ARRANGED IN SKY TO SPELL 'COMMAND IS DILDOS', CULPRIT UNKNOWN"

>>1171848

I *really* want to
>Well, as long as you're here, whistle up a plan for engaging Mortarphant.

...but he's right. I just can't NOT.

>Okay, you can't NOT figure out what the hell that last quip was about.

>>1171848
>Okay, you can’t NOT figure out what the hell that last quip was about.

Of all the things I thought I would see after coming home from work, MHQ was not one of them.

great to see this again.

>>1171848
>Well, as long as you’re here, whistle up a plan for engaging Mortarphant.
I desperately want to find out what it is that gopher is dangling in front of us in such a tantalizingly vague way, but we really need to organize this thing.

Besides, I'm sure we'll hear about it later, to an accompaniment of blaring sirens. As usual.

>>1171286

>Conda had history I never really learned. But he died hunting.

Just name drop him near the guy with super double classified background, maybe shake some ploy loose.

I have an unbusy weekend for a change.

>>1171848

As much as it actively pains me to write this,

>Well, as long as you’re here, whistle up a plan for engaging Mortarphant.

I really, really want to know what that thing is about, but I want to not die more.

>>1171848
>Okay, you can’t NOT figure out what the hell that last quip was about.

Can't not take the bait.

>>1171848
>Okay, you can’t NOT figure out what the hell that last quip was about.

My bet: Halcyon announces that all future Hunters will be Bird-types, declares that nothing could possibly go wrong

>>1171848
>Okay, you can’t NOT figure out what the hell that last quip was about.

You can't tell someone not to worry about something and not expect them to find out what it is.

>>1171848
>Well, as long as you’re here, whistle up a plan for engaging Mortarphant.
Nope. Not gonna push the shiny red button.

>>1172467
Aw, but it is so shiny and red! How can you not trust a button like that?

But on a more serious note, depending on the news it might actually be useful for planning with, or if it is something really bad, planning for.

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>>1171848
>HC is running again
Glad to have you back.

Ok, we can either not look into it, let it bother us until we break and check on it or someone tells us; or we look into it, skip all the anxiety and go straight to depression.
Maybe if we keep ourselves busy we can avoid letting the curiosity and dread fester by throwing ourselves into our work. That's healthy, right?
>Well, as long as you’re here, whistle up a plan for engaging Mortarphant.

I suspect our 'human killer' reputation made its way into the wider public eye, and we're getting raked over the coals on the news. Dunno what else we've done to prompt news attention, unless they've just made something us.

>>1171848
>Well, as long as you’re here, whistle up a plan for engaging Mortarphant.
mortarphant is going to fuck us up even without distraction from other issues.

Do you guys think Phantom's up to something in mortarphant's base?

>>1172590
seeing how we just met him probably not. From what I remember from other megaman games is that three mini bosses will pop up in random stages and then we'll see them again some point in the final level(s). If we do bump into someone like phantom it will be... well, not phantom.

>>1172596
I'm just saying, a well-defended base is a good location to get a lot of covert stuff done. The defenses are mostly long-range, and no production is being done, so what's all the empty space being used for?

>>1172596
PHANTOM's a group. The guy from Sabomole's op was named Ink Stylist.

>>1172590
I thought Mortarphant didn't have a base, just a big rock she stands on top of that gives her good lines of sight. There might be a PHANTOM boss room underneath the rock though.

>>1172611
I thought it was a base tucked in a valley.

>>1172614
It looks like
>She operates out of the remains of a 15th remote base, situated on a mesa in Algeria, overlooking a shelled-out town in a valley.
Also I take back >>1171873, apparently 15th is the artillery one, not 14th. Don't bring the pro wrestling division or whatever to our meeting.

>>1171848
>Okay, you can't NOT figure out what the hell that last quip was about.

>>1171848
We're gonna watch the news, and it's gonna suck, won't it?

>>1171848
I READ THE NEWS TODAY, OH BOY

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Good morning, folks. Checking the news takes it (surprisingly narrowly). Writing.

>>1173080
Continue with the story, nigger!

>>1173080
Good afternoon, HC.

>>1171818
On the topic of IRC, there was also this discussion

<Anonymous> Does X have the Hadoken and Shoryuken
<Anonymous> just kidding
<Anonymous> my real question was about pre-Sigma maverick threats
<Cain_Labs> alrighty, well
<Anonymous> Just give me the biggest one
<Cain_Labs> the first really significant threat is referred to as the Eight Crisis
<Cain_Labs> Eight A-Class Threats staging simultaneous attacks
<Cain_Labs> among them, for the first time, Hunters gone rogue
<Cain_Labs> some of them were due to glitches, but others were intentional, which was extremely serious.
<Cain_Labs> The follow-up to that was the Command Crisis, probably the worst pre-Sigma attack. Several Mavericks attacked Hunter HQ together and murdered Commander Thomas Wong.
<Anonymous> I remember him
<Cain_Labs> Resulting in chaos and further Maverick outbreaks, with the original group acting as ringleaders and moving quite deliberately.
<Bisby> I guess he picked the Wong day to come into work
<Cain_Labs> a bit :P
<Anonymous> Alright, I can see how the Hunters accumulated so much firepower now
<Cain_Labs> anyway, the Greek Division had already been tasked to design a Reploid capable of tackling A-Class Threats in multiples with little downtime, so they had an S-Rank ready with Alpha, who was upgraded with command software and sent into the field
<Anonymous> he assembled 5 reploids with attitude
<Cain_Labs> that upgrade made his systems unstable, though, so he resigned and was replaced by a competent but less powerful subordinate
<Cain_Labs> when Beta experienced similar issues in the laboratory environment and Gamma went in the wrong direction with overly ambitious and costly designs that the technology simply wasn't ready for, Cain Labs helped to develop the PPC protocols to manage specifications for a new Hunter commander.
<Anonymous> Gamma was later accidentally killed by a pre-X robot that was spinning around too quickly
<Cain_Labs> lol
<Cain_Labs> not quite.
<Cain_Labs> anyway, as you know, eventually they got themselves a Sigma.

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>>1171856
>>1171871
>>1171894
>>1171914
>>1171922
>>1172181
>>1172248
>>1172363
>>1172922
…

You should probably ignore that.

You should definitely ignore that.

You punch up the central command terminal and switch over to the news.

“--uestion on everybody’s mind is, was this avoidable?”

Over the crawl, the topic of the day on the headlines? UN HOLDS HEARINGS ON HUNTER OPERATIONS IN FRANCE

“Whether we get an answer to that or not, the discussion today in New York was animated, sometimes heated, with all manner of questions raised, ranging from the necessity of international assets used to the qualifications of the maverick hunter in command on the ground.”

They play a clip--with a rather sizeable presentation with some still images of the now-destroyed Erebor. “What we should be asking France--what we should be asking the Maverick Hunters,” a woman (American?) says, “is ‘who receives a thirty million dollar combat platform and uses it as… a crumple zone, a chew toy, to blunt a maverick attack, and why?’”

“I should think we’ve made that plain by now,” a more familiar voice responds, ignoring the raised tone. Standing at attention, arms at her back in a parade rest, Rosé stands at a podium calmly. “Hurricane Wren destroyed it. Erebor is a total loss, and--”

“And you should take responsibility!” Interrupts the other. “With Erebor destroyed and Eriador crippled, there is a question of global defense coverage, and who will account for the loss of it. When these assets are deployed--”

The feed cuts back to the talking head. “At the center of the controversy was Captain Vingt Rosé, in command of the French forces deployed to the region over the last week, refusing any responsibility for the loss of the peacekeeping mechaniloid. Claiming that these machines ‘exist for precisely this,’ and over a scathing two hours, refused to grapple with the question of blame at all, firm in her belief that there was no fault to be had.”

Well. Shit.

“However, her answers were not well-received by an angry review board, who seemed, more than anything, to be looking to address the issue of who would foot the bill. The question turned from French and German involvement in the conflict to the Maverick Hunter contingent deployed from Geneva.”

Well. Shit.

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>>1173179
An old, Italian man looks down, eyes cast over his papers as he adjusts his glasses. “Captain Anode, I’m told, has not held that distinction for a month yet. There is the question of the Captain’s credentials on both seniority--and his lack of it--and his design specifications, which fail to identify him as a specialist in any sense on this type of matter. It is my understanding that a hunt like this would most typically be within the purview of the Seventeenth Elite unit, a name that I understand is well-deserved. While we can appreciate the shortage of manpower in light of the attack on Geneva, I feel we must stress that these command decisions should not be taken lightly, and that these missions should not be undertaken lightly.”

“The public records on the maverick hunter in question found him to be a relatively inexperienced officer, with involvement on several high-profile operations, including the Anchorage, Alaska retirement of Winter Wolfspider that resulted in an avalanche claiming several civilian lives. The Captain, then a Lieutenant, was cleared of any wrongdoing, but not before an investigative suspension.”

Wow, your name up in lights. And a photo of you. Fuck that.

“Anode gained some minor public notice from viral phone footage taken from the defense of a coastal marina, in pursuit of Splashdown Skipjack--”

They play the jumpy phone footage of you throwing Lockon Hunters out into the water, standing at the edge of the docks, long enough to include the distant thump of explosions paired with gouts of water kicked up in a spray.

“Initially his presence had been requested by the United Nations council, but these attempts were blocked by Commander Firestorm Gopher, himself a recent appointee.”

It cuts over once again to the UN floor, though the timestamp suggests it’s much, much more recent--just a few minutes ago. “Captain Anode is not on trial here,” Gopher says. “He is a fully qualified hunter operative, and tasking him on Wren was my decision. Given the damage she was doing, I--and he--have been fully justified in that decision by his results.”

If they didn’t like Rosé’s devil-may-care attitude about eating the blame, they hate that. “You come into our countries, you engage without a moment’s consideration, and then you leave, like--”

“The Maverick Hunters are not on trial here, either,” Gopher booms, suddenly All Business with a harsh glance towards the speaker, who you can feel shrink back. “You have been provided an unprecedented level of intel on a hunt that is less than two days old, fresh into a global conflict. Our analysts are turning over the data as fast as they can process it. And you, right now, are dragging my officer’s name into the light because you want a patsy.”

You find yourself grinning at that, relaxing your grip on the sides of the console you didn’t know you were clenching. Damn, boss.

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>>1173180
“Gopher, a decorated veteran and commander of Fourth Overland’s Japan contingent for four years, was firm in his defense of the Captain, citing his assistance in the transition of command in Geneva. Though he refused to lay or accept any blame for the damage to the UN mechaniloid assets, Gopher adamantly protected his subordinate, telling the panel that if there were any issues with the retirement of Hurricane Wren, they should fall on his shoulders. Captain Rosé, on the other hand, was much more blunt in her defense of the sometimes controversial anti-maverick organization.”

You tap a button and opt to stream a provided clip of her remarks after the hearing.

“Let’s be clear. They don’t care about the cost,” she says, her voice as poised and calm as it was against Wren or in the assembly. “No one’s asking France how much it cost us to put an end to this carnage. No one’s asking Germany. And they certainly aren’t asking the hunters. This is about bad blood and mistrust. Erebor was just a convenient angle for that.”

As a flurry of questions arise, you tab back to the hearing report.

“Lastly, when the question of Captain Anode’s character was raised, Rosé had this to say.”

“Hurricane Wren, by herself and with minimal or no support at all, killed nearly ten thousand people in just under a week,” Rosé states, eyes up and facing the camera. “She destroyed mobile batteries, heavy combat suits, trucks, tanks, and cut aircraft down as they passed. Another hunter, Stillwater Phasian, was incapacitated in less than thirty seconds of direct engagement. He had his arm disabled, repaired, and then severed entirely, and he pressed his attack. Do you know why the Captain is not here to defend himself right now?” She casts a glance around the room. “Because he is currently preparing to hunt the next Hurricane Wren. And the one after that. And the one after that. You’ve asked me to condemn him, but frankly I don’t think he needs my help."

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>>1173183

“In her closing statements, Rosé had this to say about the Maverick Hunters themselves.”

“One of my officers, Lieutenant Vingt Blanc, has requested he be given leave from the armed forces to serve with the hunters for a year,” she says, carefully measured. “Learn how they operate, what they do, how they survive. He wants to bring this knowledge home to France, so we are better prepared for maverick outbreak in the future. But he also feels that we--the French--owe them a debt of gratitude, and I am inclined to agree. There is a debt here, but not to the United Nations. And we intend to repay it.”

“The panel will reconvene tomorrow at 9 AM, Eastern Daylight Time, to discuss a motion advising member states withdraw international equipment on loan to France to retask where Erebor would be called into service. This has already met resistance from the German chair, who has demanded a roll-call vote...”

You turn off the screen, leaning back with a long, exasperated sigh. So THAT happened. You find yourself briefly grateful press passes are currently on hold due to the recent attack on HQ, so you can avoid getting jumped by a reporter about something you didn’t even know was going on.

>You know what sounds good right now is ANYTHING ELSE.
>Fuck it, call on Sabomole.
>Other?

>>1173179
>a thirty million dollar combat platform
Not Zenny?

>>1173185
I restate my decision to
>meet with artillery specialists in addition to Sabomole

>>1173185
>Fuck it, call on Sabomole.
At least we've got people batting for us.

>>1173185
>meet with artillery specialists in addition to Sabomole
this sounds neat.

But we're still going in with primarily Anode and the team, right?

>>1173186
I bet America still clings to the dollar like they cling to Imperial inches and Daylight Savings Time.

>>1173185
>Call on Sabomole.
See what he suggests about approaching a mesa with an artilleryphant on it.

>>1173185
>Make a note to send a message to Rosé at some point.
>You know what sounds good right now is ANYTHING ELSE.

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Good to know we're appreciated.

>>1173185
>Note to self: Send Rosé a token of thanks.
>Meet with artillery specialists in addition to Sabomole.

>>1173185
>Sabomole time
Our new boss is a good'un.

>>1173212

This works.


>Note to self: Send Rosé a token of thanks.
>Meet with artillery specialists in addition to Sabomole.

Do you guys have a battle plan?

Megaman Legends Beta Quest GM here. The Megaman quest with really slow updates, salutes you.

>>1173245
At the moment, Plan A is ostensibly
>bring Sabomole
>dig a hole, dig a hole, dig a hole
>pop up right next to Mortarphant and push her shit in
>nofunallowed.jpg
If it turns out we can't dig very quickly or Mortarphant can detect seismic activity/loud drilling noises, we'll have to think of something else.

>>1173185
>Other
Make note to thank the French-bots

Then call the 15th and find out how hard we're going to die this time

>>1173245
>The Megaman quest with really slow updates
So you also run MHQ?

>>1173212
we should thank gopher as well. He'll probably be annoyed by it but still thing we should at least give him a quick thank you for standing up for us.

but yeah
>Meet with artillery specialists in addition to Sabomole.

>>1173245
>battle plan
hoping to just have sabomole dug us under Mammoth's fire zone and right up to her base so we can take her down but I doubt it will be that easy. Easier then playing hot potato with Mammoth's artillery salvos but still not easy.

>>1173255

I run MLBQ

Megaman Legends Beta Quest on Sufficient Velocity.

Is a sandbox quest staring Roll as a thief, although she has not stolen much yet. And the AU nature of the quest let's me plan around a bit. For Example, Roll has a liquid metal armor that she can't take off, Tron is her big sister figure, Volnutt was not found and awaken yet, and one of the rivals is an amesiac prototype Megaman

>>1173185
>>Fuck it, call on Sabomole.
I'm actually pleased by this; the bureaucrats are trying to cause trouble, but our allies and our commander are going to bat for us. I think this'll go a long way in warming us up to him.

There's also the fact that they were more concerned about the loss of just one very expensive weapon platform, and not the tens of thousands of lives lost and all of the equipment, mechaniloids, and vehicles that they were using.

>>1173275
it's politics. We could cure cancer and they'd bitch at us for all the doctors we just put out of business. But yeah, it's actually kinda nice to see the effect we have on the world when we actually do our job. Like that one guy with one leg who we saved from jagwire who gave us a pep talk when we needed it most... he still alive? I think I remember hearing he was still kicking.

>>1173275

As we said before, Gopher is the right kind of man for the job. He is defending us not because he cares about us, but because we bring results.

Before, going after A+ and S class treats was sabotage or misinformation, now is Gopher sending us against those kind of threats intensionaly.

Don't mistake things, he doesn't feel anything for us, we are just a valuable asset. The mission always comes first for him.

The reason Frog ended wrecked? Because he took personal interest in his subordinates.

Gopher is still sending us on mission were we barely survive.

Oh and I bet that the elephant will have someone else with him.

>>1173285
He found us again at one point and shook our hand, if I wasn't mistaken.

>>1173290
That was pre-invasion though, so depending on whether he was based in Geneva HQ (he signed up to train as a Hunter), he could well be dead. We may want to look him up to check he's still alive. Roy or Ray, I think he was called.

>>1173290
wasn't that during the pep talk he gave us or after dopler's attack?

>>1173283

Sigma got them in their pocket. A rank Hunters cost way more than a weapon platform if they survive for at least five years.

Heck if it wasn't because of how damn easy is to subvert mechanoid programing it would be way cheaper to just use mechanoids to hunt any threat under B rank.

A B+ mechanoid, meaning something stronger than a B rank hunter is cheaper, costs lest maintenance and time and always follows orders. Sadly even a C rank Maverick could subvert them if they have that speciality. And even insulation wouldn't work well if the maverick had like a touch/chain shot virus. Meaning any contact with the enemy would put the mechanoids under the guy control.

ALL YOUR MECHANOIDS ARE BELONG TO US

>>1173183
>citing his assistance in the transition of command in Geneva.
Also, what's up with this part? Something I'm missing, or is Gopher just bullshitting them to support us?

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>>1173298
You remember when he called you "the good Captain?"

There's two Captains in Overland Geneva right now.

>>1173298
We haven't been a dick to him and have been completing missions he's assigned without too much bitching.

Compared to the rest of the 4th's old guard, Anode is super helpful

>>1173298
Possibly actively not giving him shit and doing our best to keep our friends from mutiny. Sometimes you need a guy who knows that much as they may hate a situation you may hand them, it has to be done and they have no other choice but you. Even if it may cost you dearly.

>>1173300

Great, the other guy is an asshole that will get our bro killed.

But then Emerald is suicidal. Why haven't we made an intervention yet? We might not be a good wordmith but we can just trow the fox and the pilot at him.

"Ouch!"

"What the hell?"

"I didn't mean it literally."

>>1173312
Em IS the other Captain.

>>1173315
I believe that was the joke
Unless Tango thinks that Rezador is the other Captain

>>1173315
A suicidal asshole that will get himself killed. So I think Tango is technically correct on that one...

>>1173317
I was pretty sure the latter is what Tango thought, but perhaps that was a joke I missed. Whoosh, right over my head!

>>1173315
>>1173317

Emerald is kind of an asshole with himself, don't you think?

>>1173312
Sometimes you gotta let them hit rock bottom before they wake up. Personally, I don't think getting on his case is going to do anything except make him pull harder the other way. Can't reason down the unreasonable.

>>1173341
Except Rock Bottom in this case is literally a grave

>>1173341

The problem is, in this case Em is gonna kill himself before that.

Hence why I think we should have the fox and our not girlfriend talk to him.

>>1173349
I am decently sure our relationship with India is not romantic.

>>1173349
You keep saying 'not girlfriend'. Are you talking about Indy? The woman who's in love with her spaaaaaace-gf and so definitely won't be our girlfriend any time soon, if ever?

>>1173363
Hence why she is not our girlfriend.

>>1173367
By that logic, we should refer to all females as our not girlfriend, and all males as our not boyfriend.

... I'm okay with doing this ICly.

>>1173373
There's a bit more to it than that lad

>>1173373

That would be way too many people and it would get old fast.

Any way to improve faster? I mean we already have EM beating the shit out of us, should we train with someone else?

>>1173180
>>1173183
That's actually a lot more positive support for Anode than I would have expected. Looking at it from Anode's point of view, at least. I mean:
>“Hurricane Wren, by herself and with minimal or no support at all, killed nearly ten thousand people in just under a week,” Rosé states
-that certainly puts things in a different perspective. Our having to send a crapton of human soldiers to their deaths, so that we could take our Wren's repair-backup, was thoroughly gut-wrenching. Especially for someone designed from the ground up to destroy mavericks and protect humans.

It's nice to be reminded that other people recognize the difficulty of that decision, and respect it.

It's almost as therapeutic as having an actual therapist to talk to.

>>1173402
TOO SOON

>>1173403
As soon as Cain Labs reappears, he's going to help kill off Rosé and Blanc, isn't he?

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>>1173403
Don't worry my guy, I've got a replacement therapist for Anode

>>1173408

Eh, we barelly know them so why bother?

He will probably assist Em with his suicide

>>1173418
>"So what can you tell me, Doctor Rubberstamp?"
>>"I guess go to the barracks and start drinking? What do you want from me?"

>>1173408
Maybe, if we show no interest in meeting them again whatsoever or make any mention on about them from this point forward, CainLabs will only brutally kill them offscreen for a news update.

>>1173434
Honestly, I'm less worried about Emerald getting killed this arc then I am about him joining Repliforce.

>>1173408
Oh come now, that doesn't sound exactly like me.

Hello everybody!

>>1173486
>spoiler
That seems unlikely, as he refused to upgrade his busters so if he does go Maverick he'd be defeatable in his Rock-Paper-Scissor thing.

>>1173513
Hello, satan.

>>1173513
Hi, Satan!

>>1173513
Quickly, deploy the smooth jazz!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0wzA8qf6bU

>>1173522
>That seems unlikely, as he refused to upgrade his busters so if he does go Maverick he'd be defeatable in his Rock-Paper-Scissor thing.

It goes deeper than that, though exactly how deep it goes is as yet a mystery. We managed to catch a glimpse of it when Em told us about how he used to actually use his rinkydink buster.

Em is a russian nesting doll of neurosis,

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>>1173556
I really gotta get off my ass and write that flashback mission for you guys. You've got another one for Schwarz you unlocked, too, but God knows where my notes on that are right now.

Also, still plugging away at the update. This thread is gonna be, hopefully, a lot of player-side planning with the individual pieces and parts you're given, rather than a lot of plot movement.

>>1173580
Is Cath ever going to find out we forgot our own birthday?

>>1173486

He has too lbrittle armor for that.

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>>1173186
>>1173189
>>1173190
>>1173194
>>1173212
>>1173213
>>1173245
>>1173254
>>1173262
>>1173275
Well, no sense delaying it any further, you’ve got a mission to plan. Navigation sets you up on a linked call, and after a moment, two panels light on the screen, side by side.

The one on the left picks up first--sparse, plain, and stark, with white walls and glaring lights, you see Disruptor Sabomole’s tired face. He manages sort of a half-smile.

“Hey, kid,” he says.

“Hey, Sabomole. You okay? They treating you all right?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m okay,” he says. “Things are good. Good as they can be, anyway.”

A moment later, you get a chime in your ear--a Navigator. “You’ll be connected with Commander Thylacox personally,” he says. “I’ve been asked by his staff to inform you that he doesn’t have time to provide you more than the basics. I’ll put you through to your supporting officer after he signs off.”

“Roger that,” you reply--it doesn’t surprise you, thinking about it, he runs Artillery, which has no presence outside Geneva, on a war footing, and he still wants to give you the time of day.

Sure enough, the screen on the right winks on--presenting a long-toothed, bearded face you saw at the memorial.

“Commander,” you greet with a salute.

He returns it briskly, though his voice is as soft as you recall despite the fierce appearance. “This is Disruptor Sabomole?”

“Yessir,” the digger replies.

“Mm. Iapetus Thylacox. First, thank you both for taking on this operation, and pardon my brevity.”

You nod. “What’s our status?”

He taps a button off-screen, and you’re presented with a small bombardment of data and dossiers.

“To give you the lay of the land, Mortarphant is stationed here, in what’s left of our former base. She has superior elevation, a hardened command bunker, and clear line of sight with which to use superior weapons. She’s had days to gather telemetry data for every inch of her territory, and she’s dug in to dare us to take it back. She has the coastline to the North covered by the navy massing off Malta, so Marine can’t get in to support. That leaves us.”

“Okay…”

“We know she’s being supplied and supported, and she has three satellite positions that are coordinating their fire with her own to keep us from massing ours. More than that, they can provide support for her mesa both on the approach and when you engage. Mortarphant is sturdy enough to take it, and insane enough to try.”

“So we need to take those positions out first,” you note.

“That’s right. The hardest will be the Northernmost, it’s against the sea. The trick will be getting in and back out again quickly. Mortarphant is expecting an attack, and open ground will be a death sentence.”

“Could we tunnel to it?” You ask, eyeing Sabomole, who nods grimly.

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>>1173756
“Maybe, but that’s a one way trip. Mortarphant has more than enough firepower to collapse a tunnel on you, but it would guarantee we knock that one out first.”

“Okay. What about the other two?”

“The Westernmost is nearest to our planned insertion point, overlooking a ravine. You can hit it fast and hard with no time for casualties, but the word will go out fast. The last is Southeastern, installed after Mortarphant turned. It’s up against a cliff, but it still has sight lines to the other bases and Mortarphant’s command post. That one you stand a good chance of digging to.”

“Another thing,” Sabomole volunteers. “I could go off on my own--or under guard, or whatever, and try to collapse one of these sites while you’re elsewhere.”

Thylacox glances off-camera a moment, before he turns back. “I’m afraid I have to leave that to you, from here. Good hunting.”

A moment later the feed skips to a different unit--though lacking the tusks and plated face, a massive optic more than makes up for that on her face. “Major Arc Ukumari,” she greets. “I’ll be commanding our element for this attack.”

You make the requisite introductions and fill her in--fortunately, she’s already been briefed. “One more thing for you to consider. My secondary weapon--effective range 5-10 kilos targeted, half-kilo general--should be compatible with your charge systems,” she tells you.

You nod, thinking it over--having some juice on demand could open up this mission a little more. “How much can you do?”

“You’d need a target painter to light yourself up, and even then, it’s a long-range arc pylon,” she replies. “I can probably get you as many as 8 or 10 strikes, but that assumes Mortarphant won’t have countermeasures--and she will. At that range, all she needs to do is put out something else to act as an attractor. Don’t expect it to work more than once.”

Briefing data:
4th Overland contingent:
Captain Anode (Retiring officer, commander)
Support:
15th Artillery contingent:
Commander Iapetus Thylacox (advisement)
Arc Ukumari (adjutant, commanding 15th complement)

Primary objectives:
Retire Barrage Mortarphant (A-class, S-class artillery)
Disable secondary batteries (3x)

Assets:
15th Artillery
Disruptor Sabomole (detention center)

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>>1173763
Disposition:
15th is pinned by superior counterbattery fire, massed from several prime locations and chiefly Mortarphant herself. Mortarphant is positioned atop a central mesa that was a former 15th Artillery outpost. Supporting this fortified position are three secondary batteries of missile and mortar mechaniloids with light officer contingents. These positions can and will fire on any target in range, in support of Mortarphant directly. To avoid a constant rain of fire during the primary engagement, these positions need to be neutralized.

Mortarphant's command center is hardened and has a commanding view of the environs--once the forward team has been detected the counterattack will be swift and brutal.

Secondary battery one is at the top of a defile that may be a choice avenue for approach--it will let you quickly neutralize one battery, but the others will likely receive ample warning.
Secondary battery two is at the far side of the operational theatre, relatively exposed but sheltered by protected coastline on one side. Waterborne maverick forces off Malta make this avenue inadvisable.
Secondary battery three was employed by Mortarphant after turning, and is shielded from artillery by the high cliff it was built under. It has the least footprint on the operating zone, but has full lines of effect to the other batteries and to Mortarphant's mesa.

Disruptor Sabomole is available to provide assistance on this mission. Data suggests he could either provide a subterranean infiltration route to the cliffside battery, or he could be tasked to sap one of the remote artillery positions.
15th itself will be tasked exchanging volleys after go-loud, trying to keep the primary attack team covered as long as possible. Once all three secondary batteries have been disabled, they will be able to engage Mortarphant directly despite her superior range and position. The hope is that with her focus split between Overland and Artillery, she will be vulnerable for direct engagement.

Primary insertion point will be the remains of a village that Mortarphant has destroyed. The remains of buildings will provide some cover, but mechaniloid patrols have been spotted. From there, Overland can task for either the Western or Southern secondary battery.

Detection is almost a certainty, so a fast-moving strike force is advised. Mortarphant has had days to prepare telemetry for every inch of her territory, and will be able to bring down overwhelming fire on extremely short turnaround. Artillery advises that no officer take any approach that will leave them without shelter.

You may attempt to requisition support in personnel, equipment, and mechaniloids based on 4th’s and, to a lesser extent, 15th’s availability.

>Plan.

>>1173769

distract elephant woman by having the army go after the bateries while we tunnel next to her with the mole?

Also what's stopping us from destroying those sats?

>>1173769
Can we ask Sabamole which would be easier for him to hit and trash if he goes on his own (or under light guard)?

>>1173769

Can Fox Soulfire hack the satellite feeds the enemy?

>>1173780
>Also what's stopping us from destroying those sats?
Artillery fire. Mortarphant and the secondary batteries all have line of fire on each other, and Mortar is crazy enough for Danger Close.

>>1173769
>Have we got explosives powerful enough to take down the secondary batteries from below? Assuming there aren't high grade seismic sensors in place, we could rig a site to blow (probably the tricky one by the sea), position to hit the second, trigger the boom, then hit the next one manually.

>>1173769
I'm thinking if we can knock out SB3 first we can get ourselves some solid shelter and possible FOB where we can see how things develop after the initial assault.

>>1173819

The sats are in orbit, she is grounded and doesn't have that kind of range to shot our forces if they are in LEO.

I am talking about the sats not the reception equipment.

>>1173829
"Satellites" refers to "satellite bases," not actual satellites. They're all in Libya in the area surrounding Mortarphant's command bunker on the mesa.

>>1173769
When they mentioned being able to cleanly take the hardest one, the northern one and it being one way. What's to stop us from rigging it to blow and using demo charges once we get back out through the tunnel?

Timing the assault on the north with that, we'd probably be able to take the western one quickly leaving the last one. Which seems like a prime target for our digger friend.

>>1173834

Can't we interfere with their reception then? They are getting their telemetry data from something is the sky, unless is a bunch of orbital flying capable Mavericks is way easier to take that out than the bases.

>>1173865
***stupid cellphone keyboard***

>>1173769
By the sounds of it, we need to make sure the enemy has no means to cause direct fire on more than one point. Taking out the satelites is important to face her. If all three sites are attacked at once, she will have to pick and choose. Sabomole can likely dig out of the way, and if we have a means to rush in, either through tunnels or bike, we could have a chance.
Way I see it, we take two, sabomole takes three, artillery support and some mechanoids take 1. With a ride chaser we can make the fast track to the main zone. The battle starts once we are noticed either way.

>>1173769
>Secondary battery one is at the top of a defile
Western
>Secondary battery two is at the far side of the operational theatre, relatively exposed but sheltered by protected coastline on one side.
Northern
>Secondary battery three was employed by Mortarphant after turning, and is shielded from artillery by the high cliff it was built under.
Southeastern

We start somewhere around the Southwest, it looks like.

Best option to me seems to be going for the Southeastern battery first - it covers the other two batteries. If we can be juuust stealthy enough to take it out first without getting hammered, the remaining batteries will only have Mortarphant herself to give them supporting fire. That would be ideal.

>>1173841

The enemy wasn't created to have seismic sensors, why not risk the underground option? There is no way we can get close enough otherwise.

>>1173876
>ride chaser
There's a good chance whatever equipment we take out isn't coming back. We need to figure out how to not get ded by India for blowing up more of her chasers.

>>1173769
>Disruptor Sabomole is available to provide assistance on this mission. Data suggests he could either provide a subterranean infiltration route to the cliffside battery,

Ooh, that. That's what I meant by stealth. (didn't read that properly the first time over) That would be perfect.

I'd rather not send Sabomole off on his own, desu. Not that I'm suspicious of him, but he's basically a civilian reploid pressganged by mavericks. It wouldn't feel right to just throw him into a live combat zone, against an S-ranked artillery maverick, no less, without any major support.

I assume Sabo is guaranteed clear of viral infection or any other sort of potential compromise? Not to be Twitchy McNoided, or anything, but it'd really suck pretty hard if a Mav long-con was being pulled on us or if the viral load somehow had a delayed onset, and he turned mid-mission.

That said, assuming he's in the clear, would it be possible to dig the tunnel to the Northernmost battery, then wait before attacking and have him go under guard/with support to the Southeastern, then launch a simultaneous attack?

>>1173904
While I heartily agree about not throwing him into live combat, the whole point of having him along is that by tunneling we can avoid combat until the parts where we have to. He doesn't need a full fireteam if all he's doing is planting a bigass bomb underneath a base for us.

>>1173769
I really want to hit the North first, since its open area and thus going to suck the worst, but the only way to pull that off looks to be tunneling with Sabomole, who I'd rather use to hit the Southeast by himself while we take another (probably West).

We should definitely only use Sabomole to take out one of bases and then get him out of the combat area; Mortarphant's going to catch on to the trick quickly and I don't recall him being super zippy above ground. Plus he's a civilian.

Can we call up the UN and see if they'll lend us the remaining dragon? We might be able to use its scrapped remains for cover or something.

>>1173880

Why not have Foxfire mess with the data the enemy is getting? Like add a virus or something?

Not to mention telemetry data is from satellites in the sky, why not find which
ones the enemies are likely to be using? Satellities go around the world so to have usable data all day you need several.

Guys honesty why not use Foxfire when this is ABOUT DATA?

Granted not take her on site but make her run interference or something.

>>1173915
>Can we call up the UN and see if they'll lend us the remaining dragon? We might be able to use its scrapped remains for cover or something.
And that's how the entirety of the UN had a collective heart attack from one phone call.

>>1173928
The telemetry is already gathered, Mortarphant has the firing data for every inch of the battlefield, all she needs is a mechaniloid with some mk 1 telescopic optics to tell her where to point the hurt.

>>1173931

Guys.

Wanna know the elephant weakness?

Can't do close combat!

Is a mass bombardment type, right?

We just need to get close enough.

And no we cannot use the mole for a solo mission too risky.

We are not 100% sure that he doesn't have a deathswitch. We are talking about a GENIUS PROGRAMMER here.

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>>1173769
I don't like having to take the North (seaside) one after the enemy is alert. That would pinch our engagement between the navy and the bases in the one site with the least cover. It's a death sentence attacking over land, right? So don't.

Spend our tunnel on North 1 with Sabomole under guard, and maybe take along chasers for their escape. Because it will need to be a fast escape, as far away from the tunnel track as possible.

Meanwhile, we can time his undermining to our attacking not West 2 but Southeast 3. Yes it's further out, but leaving it for last would mean having to run directly towards it.

And for goodness' sake get Foxfire to do something productive when the attack begins. I know she's not listed as an asset, but maybe she can beam K-pop into enemy audio.

>>1173960

Then why are hitting the bases? Distraction or what?

>>1173974
Because the bases can fire on Mortarphant's position and she is both sturdy enough to take the hits and crazy enough to order them.

So from what I can gather, once we take out one battery, the others will notice and put countermeasures into place. So once we take out the first battery (two if Sabomoe is working separately), the third will be really goddamn hard to deal with.
If that's the case, I can think of three options for the third battery.
>1. 15th contingent blows up the battery. With fewer batteries active, they might be able to focus fire on one target.
>2. Capture a battery and use it to bombard another, then nope the fuck right out of there. Having 3 different dash systems could help here. We would also have to know how to operate artillery, however.
>3. Arc Ukumari destroys the beachside battery. The secondary batteries won't be as well-equipped as Mortarphant, and the salt and moisture in the air will act as a conductor.

>>1173756
How does he smile if he doesn't have a mouth?

>>1173974
So they don't blow us up while we're trying to engage Mortarphant

>>1173968
And! Arc Ukumari sounds like a free capacitor charge that we need only call. If I'm reading it right, she's our Overwatch Ana. If we (Anode) take out Southeast 3 before West 2, we'll be proceeding away from the cliff, an obstruction that might block her boosting.

>>1173988

India is right, if they had not totally wrecked the space program we could take down the bases from orbit since the Elephant cannot reach LEO.

But well...

Let's save the Mole to get close to her, okay?

>>1173763
>“You’d need a target painter to light yourself up, and even then, it’s a long-range arc pylon,” she replies. “I can probably get you as many as 8 or 10 strikes, but that assumes Mortarphant won’t have countermeasures--and she will. At that range, all she needs to do is put out something else to act as an attractor. Don’t expect it to work more than once.”

A Chaff Rocket might work, to attract long-range lightning to us. Big metal cloud, nice and conductive. Also a huge bullseye for Mortarphant, so... yeah. Fisting our own cloud of shrapnel can be our emergency-recharge Plan B, for when the shit really hits the fan.

>>1173988

And why we can't cordinate a simultaneous attack in all three bases? We don't have enough troops?

>>1174010
We could, but holding off Mortarphant at the same time might be painful. Still,

>Call up Arc Ukumari and see if her primary weapon is also electrical.

>>1174037

Get someone to go with Sabamole since he is still under arrest, it will cover our ass legally. It has to be someone at least B rank, right? An A rank would be better but Em is busy with his suicide plan.

If we split it would be...

Us in a base.

Sabamole plus company in another.

Army in the third?

And attacking the three bases at the same time would mean that Mortarphant would have to pick targets and if she attacks the bases she is fucking herseft over.

Without the bases and with less telemetry data she will be an easier target.

Damn too bad Em is too brittle to attack one of the bases otherwise we could do all at the same time.

>>1174060
The problem is that any overland assets would be travelling, well, over land. Above ground. The LAST place you want to be when in view of multiple artillery platforms. The moment any massed army force makes a run on any platform, they'll get blown to kingdom come, and I don't think chasers or anything of the sort will escape predictive fire from Mortarphant. Remember, she's got telemetry and logistics on this entire theater, so there's no way she's going to miss her fire. We need to play this safe and can't allow anyone to be out in the open.

>>1174079
Or if anyone ever has to be in the open, don't present a massed target.

If we send Sabomole and a couple handlers to take out the North base from underground, they have a nonzero chance of escaping quick-like over land while she slams the open ground everywhere up there, looking to collapse the tunnel.

>>1174106

But that still leaves two bases. And risks losing the Mole for our plan of facing her.

Does Mortarphant or the satellite platforms have any ack-ack in place?

So would Maverick forces notice the tunnels being dug, or would only assaulting the bases trigger an alarm?

>>1174168
I thought having him take out one of the bases -was- our plan for facing her.

>>1174106
Sabomole's plan was to plant explosives directly underneath a battery's position, which shouldn't put him into too much danger either.

>>1174193

Considering that it would be quite stupid to hace forces ubderground when their boss loves mass bombarment. We are likely to pull it on the first try.

Hence why I wanted others to face the bases while we go for the elephant, at the same time, forcing her to pick targets.

And the Mole still needs company, who we sent with him?

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>>1174193
You don't know. Bear that in mind when electing your plan of attack.

>>1173798
You can. I'll save up some questions and, if needed, do a round of ask-answer to give Anode more intel.

>>1173815
No, she's in Weissritter hands and unavailable.

>>1173819
Sabomole can handle the sapping on his own, explosives won't help any since you only get (at most) one surprise tunnel.

>>1173841
You'd need to visit it to lay those charges.

>>1173865
The data is already in hand.

>>1173883
You don't know that.

>>1173913
Insofar as you can possibly know, yes.

>>1173915
Oh man, that would go well, in the Cain Labs definition of well.

>>1174009
Artillery can and will provide you with something to paint yourself for a zap.

>>1174175
Yes.

>>1174238
You'd most likely send a small contingent from your forces. Which, again, you have options on, once we know more broadly what you're planning.

>>1174253

While things tend to not go as planned. The Elephant sounds like a maniac.

And aboveground is suicide, a single shot and we are dead. We are way less sturdy than reinforced buildings.

And even a clonemole is less scary than mass bombarment without a place to take refuge.

>>1174253
My definition of "well" is the same as everyone else's.

Big deep hole in the ground, usually filled with water.

So I'm leaning towards a three-pronged attack, which I'm going to call Plan Cerberus because it sounds cool

A) Dispatch sabomole to dig a tunnel to the cliff overlooking base 3, significantly above it. Not all the way through it - leave a couple inches of stone right at the end. Virtually all seismic detection methods are directional. I'm willing to believe there's a chance they'll look for attacks from BELOW, but who is going to look for a burrowing attack from ABOVE?

Leave a team in place, waiting for a signal.

B) Sabomole then leads a team underground to hit base 2 (northern coastline).

C) Synchronized with the attack on base 2, a lightning assault hits base 1 (top of the defile), a big beefy reploid breaks through the thin layer of stone above base 3, and they drop in to take out the arty there.

>>1174381
I like this plan.

>>1173769
I think we should hit battery one hard and fast without support, then go for battery two while artillery fires on battery three.

From there, we get sabomole's help to tunnel skip directly to Mortarphant. If the way back gets collapsed, Sabomole can collapse any path of mechaniloid reinforcement from battery three and what will remain of battery one.

>>1174381
It's a good plan, but I'm not too keen on sending in Sabomole in a complete combat role.

>>1174253
>You don't know. Bear that in mind when electing your plan of attack.
Fun!

>>1174381
Alternately, we could lay explosives in the tunnel above Base 3 and try to trigger a rockslide. I also still think lightning (if you're talking about Arc) would work better against Base 2.

>>1174402

Hence why we sebd someone else with him.

We really should have hired our demoman earlier - -

>>1174253
could we send Sabomole to collapse the supply lines instead, when/if we find them during the mission?

>>1174409
how heavy could Sabomole's firing guard be that they could take a base, anyway? We're not talking about just B/C class hunters, are we?

>>1174444

Let's seitch to the bomb and escort plan for Sabamole then.

We're in Northern Algeria, which is quite fortunate; this is one of the most earthquake-prone areas of Africa (there have already been at least five earthquakes reported in Northern Algeria this month).

HC confirmed we haven't seen the mavs shelling the shit out of any random areas around the combat zone, which (to me) indicates that they likely don't have a lot of seismic sensors, or if they do, they don't respond to them immediately.

>>1174487
The other option is that their sensors are sophisticated enough to tell the difference between geological events and a tunneler.

>>1174502

That's very hard without specialised equipment. Is way more likely for them to have a clonemole.

>>1174457
Actually on second thought, maybe C-class with a couple B class might make the cut.

>>1174253
But is that the kind of firepower available to us?

>>1174539

What's wrong with the bomb idea and having domeone go with him?

>>1174564
I like the bomb one to trigger a rockslide on base 3

>>1173769
>>Plan.
Nonconventioanl approach #1:
Have the 15th fire us in. They're outranged, yes, but Anode can leap from the apex of the shot and get More Range to land, presumably, at the desired satellite for a Flashy Entrance.

Nonconventioanl approach #2:
Impromptu Trench Tactics. Have the 15th support our approach with artillery shells that make deep, vertical holes that can be used as artillery shelter, and we can dive/dash in between them. Again, range limited, but the bonus here is where this works, we can move a lot more forces through this channel.

These might be able to be combined with split diversions or whatever, too.

>>1174728
>#1
Clay pigeon shooting

>#2
>Using trench warfare against it's own hard counter

Good ideas

>>1174728
2 i don't see happening.

1.....
>Air Dash
>Raikousen
>Jump Jets
>At least one of these is time-based as opposed to "gotta land on ground"-based
.....it's still crazy, but at least it will look good.

>>1174728

Too big distance, we will get shot down.

This is a teamwork mission.

We should have never formed a team if we wanted more solo missions.

I think that whatever plan we go with, if we go with Sabo we should talk with him a bit before battle. Feel him out, get him a little prepared for the fray, whether that means a pep talk, or just a bit of counseling, or what.

>>1174739
The rocket he rides in, but not the multi-dash Anode afterwards. Artillery is mostly area saturation, not point defense, and with the amount of speeds involved even point defense with perfect telemetry will catch an air-dashing anode leaping off the apex point of a ridden rocket. Even hitting the rocket would be hax (but not hax I'll put past mortarphant), but hitting an Anode launching from the rocket? Not even hax will get that.

I have the best plan:

Paint a large red X inside their range somewhere. Stand in the middle of it. What will happen, assuredly, is that X will see the X-Signal and beam down to help you.

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>>1174796
Don't tempt me. If I get drunk enough, I'd do it.

>>1174796
Are you insane!?

We don't have time to make an X-signal, we need to make a Z-signal. Commander Zero will surely complete this mission faster!

>>1174381
This is sort of what I was thinking. Throw in a bit of >>1174407 and you have the makings of a plan.

Make a tunnel to a point above Base 3 and lay explosives. Then Sabamole digs to under Base 2 in an effort to sap it directly. He needs to move carefully, in case of Seismic senors. Then Anode starts the assault himself by lightning assaulting Base 1. If all goes well, Anode can wipe out Base 1, Sabs deals with Base 2, and Base 3 gets crushed by a rockslide.

If all goes well.

The problems inherent in this plan are if the enemy has good seismic senors. Underground tunneling seems like an obvious weakness to prepare for. A rockslide may fail to crush Base 3, I don't know how tough the mechaniloids there are. And then Sabamole gets trapped under Base 2 while Mortarphant opens fire, trying to crush any tunnels. Though if ANode hops on a ride chaser and tries to rush her, this may get her attention.

I need to think about this a bit more.

>>1174816
>Are you insane!?

Yes.

>>1174812
>New plan, get alcohol to HC.

>>1174857
Oh please, by all means do. I'll be over here writing up the consequences of pulling X away from his own assignments to catch rockets with his face. Don't mind me.

>>1174844

And I will name the next monster in my quest after you.

Let's call in a mercenary.

I hear Dynamo is reliable.

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>>1173769

I'd suggest that Sabomole, with guards (for his protection, not supervision), sap the most defensible position, while we strike one and a joint force strike the other.

Everyone is talking about mole burrowing to two locations, that will take a while, time we may not have.

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Okay, so--

Overall plan is as follow, yes/no:
1: Deploy Sabomole to dig a tunnel to satellite base three, then retask to sap base two.
2: Have Anode hit satelltie base one in time with strikes on the other two.

Is this, loosely, what you want to attempt?

>>1175972
I wanted sabomole to set long fuse bombs on base 3 to trigger a landslide

While the escort and later Anode does the heavy lifting for base 2. Sabomole is mainly in base 2 for tunneling again.

>>1175972
I'm all with having him sap Base 3, but Base 2 is going to be a bitch. After thinking it over some more, that one is really hard to get to. But I really don't know how to deal with that one without having somebody out in the open, which is suicide.

Speaking of which, does Anode just rush the central base after the satellites are destroyed?

>>1175991

We can go over the feasibility of a tunnel vs rockslide at 3 with our allies, along with working out the force composition for the simultaneous assaults on 1 and 2.

That sound good, HC?

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>>1176000
Well, that's part of what you need to plan. The short version is yes, the long version is whatever you can do to mitigate that. In theory, with the three batteries down, 15th can move in to counterfire on Mortarphant's position and reduce the heat coming down on Anode--or at least take it onto themselves, permitting his approach.

Again, as with your plan, don't assume too much of the disposition. You know what the hunters know. The quality and caliber of maverick forces and tactics, you have to try to guess.

>>1175972
That sounds about right. We should maybe ask Sabo how long it'll take him to do that diggin', but yeah.

>>1176000

If we leave the predug tunnel incomplete (or otherwise conceal the entrance for 3) we should be able to deliver a strike force to 2 underground directly with mole without alerting them that tunnel 3 exists.

>>1176022
I agree with this

>>1176029
I also wonder how this wasn't the first thing we asked him

>>1176041
Set up some bombs and have mechaniloids trigger them later?

>>1176000
>>1176023
Any way we can reduce visibility when going for the Northern base (artillery sized smoke grenades or something?) It'd at least make it harder for Mortarphant to

>>1175023
Is Red Alert a thing yet? They seem reasonably disposable for this kind of mission.

>>1176408
Extended timers would be quieter. No need to have detectable communication if you set them to explode 2 hours later.

>>1176549
My guess is that they're mainly composed of Repliforce remnants and therefore not big yet, but that's headcanon

>>1175972
I'm not so sure. This plan puts a lot of emphasis on everything going off all at once. It doesn't leave much room for mistakes and unforeseen problems, like if one of the bases is more fortified or takes too long to blow up.

Anode should be hitting satellite base 2 (coast) or 3 (cliff), since those sound like the toughest nuts to crack. Our support in the 15th would be best used hitting base 1 (defile), what with the easier approach and more open sight lines for their artillery specialty.

I'd be more comfortable if Anode waited in Sabomole's tunnel by Base 3. If there's any sign that Sabomole has been detected heading for Base 2 (ie, the bunker busters start to fly), then everyone springs into action. Anode crushes the cliff base, 15th goes for first base (OH MY), and we leg it overland to assist Sabomole in busting up the coastal one. Flashily, if possible, to draw Mortarphant's fire away from our squishier, less mobile allies.

>>1176022
A rockslide plan isn't likely to go far. Mortarphant isn't going to have a base set up where a rockslide could take it out. Her artillery could trigger one too easily.

Then again... maybe that's the whole point? A rockslide also makes a great trap for a Hunter, after all. We'd need more information, to know, and we can only really know by going there.

The number of times I have misspelled Mortarphant as Mortarpants today is amazing. Brain, please, work with me here.

>>1176650
Mortarpants sounds like an amazing failure of a proof-of-concept reploid.

>>1176669
>the name stems from an incident where she was talking to someone and a bunch of mortar rounds fell out of her pocket

>>1176669
Satan approves of this. I think you're onto something!

>>1176782
Do I? I didn't know I'd even been consulted.

>>1177046
>Cain Labs
>C ain L abs
>Lain Cabs
Are you actually god in a taxi?

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>>1176748
Well if I can make MHQ lewdfics I can make this

>>1177091
MY GOOD SIR

so this is probably a stupid question, but one of the bases is up against a cliff right? Instead of stormitng the place, could we just have our digger buddy drop the cliff on it?

>>1177936
... Take a page from Wile E. Coyote, huh? I can get behind this.

>>1177936
that's the rockslide plan

ah, so it is. never mind then.

>>1176650
I agree the core plan seems good but we need to plan for the obvious contingencies in any event anode needs a ride chaser either so he can blitz to the center or make his mad dash in case of a screw up and sabmole needs one so he has a speed option to ex filtrate in. Other thatn that we need plans for early detection. Also If i am up to speed the plan is bomb the cliff tunnel to the cost and kick ass and mortar the hell out of 3. What are thoughts on bombing both the cost and the cliff and making a blitz for the center all at the same time?

>>1178447
I would pay good money to see Sabomole trying to balance on top of a ride chaser.

>>1178447
problem with ride chaser is that the Bravely Broken would be completely screwed. It'd be either stay in base 1 or get bombarded to bits.

I feel that expecting 2 bombings to go well is too much.

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>>1178544
If I recall, the overall sentiment had been not to deploy them on this mission. There are other hunter assets.

Of course, if you guys want to, you still can.

>>1178447
Squats. Do em.

>>1178552
Personally I think it's better if the Bravely Broken stay out of this op.

>>1178552
oh. Like, not at all? I thought the whole point was that we can't afford to keep not bringing them places for the really tough shit.

Were they supposed to be Sabomole's escorts?

>>1178575
Mortarphant is a specific blend of 'fuck berets'. The approach alone is a run across an artillery field, where anything resembling a near miss is probably STILL close enough to ruin a beret's day.

MAYBE once we actually engaged Mortar, the berets would be useful, but until then they're just casualties waiting for the shell to land.

Possible plan amendment: Have a group of lighter-armored units on standby for an air drop once Mortar is sufficiently distracted for such a drop to be successful.

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>>1178575
Re: Tough hunts, it was, but you were also outfitting them to take on greater challenges with better equipment. Part of the plan (again, if I remember right, it was two threads and 47 years ago) was to let them train on the first EAS system you purchased and practice with their combat shields before they go into the mix.

As for an escort for Sabomole, plenty of mechaniloids or hunter enlisted could help there, and if you're just looking for minders instead of a strike team, you could go with a faster pack.

>>1178447
We definitely need some contingencies for when Mortarphant reveals she's working with Phantom #4 or whatever major thing we don't know.

For Anode we've got Ukumari's lightning cannon, I also agree we should bing a Ride Chaser because mobility is going to be our next best option over cover.

Sabomole should definitely have an escort, not as sure about Ride Chasers for them since they'll be in tunnels most of the time. We should check to see if we can get some mechaniloids designed for digging, either to help Sabomole tunnel or as a distraction in case Mortarphant has a way of detecting seismic activity.

Honestly this plan needs one more good distraction, something that can draw Mortarphant's fire for a bit when someone gets delayed or caught out of position. Problem is all I can come up with is mechaniloids: can we requisition a Metool Suicide Squad?

>>1178618
Do we have any kind of psych profile for Mortarphant?

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>>1178657
>>1178657
You know she was calm, gentle, and intelligent before she went maverick.

Since turning, she has been, for lack of a better term, ballistic, attacking wildly and relentlessly with heretofore unseen viciousness. Her mesa and its overlook are depopulated.

>>1178668
Must have been repressing a lot of anger. On the plus side, it should be easy to goad and annoy her over open comms to put her on tilt, Spider-Man style.

On the other hand, if she's already pissed and doing this hot, we can't guarantee pissing her off more will affect her judgement any harder than it already is, but it might at least draw her fire. Maybe we can have the 15th shell out MORTARPANTS or something in the dirt.

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>>1178668
>I swear to god, if I get one more pizza delivery prank call on the battle net I AM SENDING THEM THAT PIZZA

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>>1174253
“Okay,” you say. “Three sites to hit, and odds are good they’re on alert as soon as one goes down. Sabomole, how long do you think it would take you to tunnel through that cliff?”

“Through it?” He taps his nose. “What’s it gonna be, top-layer sandstone, limestone? Ah, not long, but they’d probably notice. Ten, fifteen minutes? If I went quiet, half hour to an hour..”

“What if we can get him in sooner?” Ukumari asks. “Maybe we can try to send him ahead with a scout team… unless you’re thinking--”

“No, no,” you say, and you notice the palpable relief on Sabomole’s face. “Not to attack. Just to get that tunnel--almost--dug through over the cliffside position. Then, we either set explosives and drop the whole thing on them, or we attack through the tunnel when we hit it.”

Ukumari frowns. “That still leaves one, if you blow it at the same time you hit another.”

“That’s where the timing comes in. Sabomole, after you dig the tunnel, you go off and sap the furthest one out, we hit the one at the top of the defile at the same time. Do you think you can do that?”

“I…” you seem him waver. “...I, yeah, I think so. I’ll try. I want to help.”

“What about getting him out?” You ask. “Can you drive?”

“I can dig,” Sabomole offers. “If I’m dropping ‘em from under I don’t even need to surface.”

Ukumari folds her arms. “Cold comfort, if Mortarphant puts her guns on him.”

“That’s what we’re for. Can 15th get Mortarphant’s attention, if we have to?”

“If we have to. Setting up before those satellites are down is going to put a lot of hurt on us, Captain.”

You think back to Thylacox’s speech about the issues 15th is facing. “Not if they have to split their fire. I’m pretty good at making myself obnoxious.”

“What about you, then?” Arc asks. “Once you’re in range, they’re not going to let up until they’re gone or you are.”

“I can move pretty quickly, especially if you can give me a jump-charge. I figure I’ll hit the defile base and then make straight for the mesa.”

The artillerywoman mulls that over. “Don’t expect more than one or two zaps before they catch wise, but… yeah, I think it will work, especially if you have a Chaser. So, is it a plan? We get ready to roll in outside the op zone while Sabomole infils. You go in through the village and hit the defile, that’s our go?”

You shrug. “It’s a start, at least.”

“How do we send him in?”

>Call up Advance. If he runs into trouble--or causes it--they’ll handle it.
>Ask for Recon. They can get him in without getting seen.
>Contact the Rangers. They’ll cover ground the fastest.

And, of course, any alterations or details you want to specify, go ahead.

>>1178887
>Call up Advance. If he runs into trouble--or causes it--they’ll handle it.

>>1178887
>Call up Advance. If he runs into trouble--or causes it--they’ll handle it.

Recon. This plan hinges almost entirely on Sabo's earthmoving not being discovered early on.

>>1178887
>Call up Advance. If he runs into trouble--or causes it--they’ll handle it

> Ask for Recon. They can get him in without getting seen.

>>1178887
>Ask for Recon. They can get him in without getting seen.

He needs to be as stealthy as possible for his part to work.

>>1178887
>Ask for Recon. They can get him in without getting seen.

>>1178887
>Ask for Recon. They can get him in without getting seen.

>>1178887
>Ask for Recon. They can get him in without getting seen.

He's not a fighter, but Advance won't do much good if they're being bombarded. And the Rangers' speed won't be very helpful if they're spotted.

>>1178887
>Ask for Recon. They can get him in without getting seen.

Sneaking mission, etc.

>>1178887
I want to say advance but Recon should also be able to handle most threats, and will also be able to avoid a lot of threats without raising alarms.

>>1178887
>>Contact the Rangers. They’ll cover ground the fastest.
Rangers are guerilla, right? They'll avoid open combat but won't be helpless in an ambush.

>>1178887
>Ask for Recon. They can get him in without getting seen.

If he runs into trouble on approach, the plan is basically fubar already.

>>1178887
>Contact the Rangers. They’ll cover ground the fastest.
seems like a good middle ground. Sneaker then the 1st and less squishy then the 2nd. Plus if things do go to shit and Mortarphant starts trying to collapse the tunnels having someone who could haul everyone's collect asses out of their quick could be a god send.

>>1178887
>Ask for Recon. They can get him in without getting seen.

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>>1178887

>Call up Advance. If he runs into trouble--or causes it--they’ll handle it.

Remember, teamwork is key to success in a mission

so do we have a plan for if things go wrong and some of the satellite positions stay up?

>>1180074
What do you mean, 'if' things go wrong?

>>1180074
Rule number one of GMing Shadowrun: something must always go wrong.

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>>1180074

>>1180074
i think it depends on the position. if it is the coast we leave the 15th to decide if they want to deal with it and how on the fly but we will try to tank its fire while we engage mortophant. if it is the cliff the 15th should tackle it instead of try to shake out and disrupt mortorphant directly the final post should be at our desecration to relieve the 15th or tank it and head for the primary. If two stay up IDK if all three we should just call the engagement a loss and try again.

Say. If we call in Advance, is it possible we could get Cathode to run with us? It's been some time since we've worked in tandem. If ever?

>>1180464
We wouldn't even be close to each other, though. Unless Cathode can call thunderstorms to remote charge us, I'm not sure if you could call it "tandem".

>>1180535
She can charge us, that's part of her design.

>>1180540
Again, not close. She's not the goddess of the battlefield like Arc is.

Anybody we called in would be going with Sabomole, not with us.

>>1180540
She can only do so in close proximity with line of sight.

Arc Ukumari seems to be our goddess of indirect charging.

>>1180557
Right, thought anon meant with us, not attacking another site. My reading comprehension is fantastic.

>>1180568
I....can see how I could have worded that better.

>>1178887
>Contact the Rangers. They’ll cover ground the fastest.

Recon would be good for keep everything going as planned, but since no plan survive's first contact with the enemy, I'm worried they won't have the firepower to keep Sabomole safe. Advance seems like the exact opposite, Rangers should be a good middle ground.

>>1181524

>Contact the Rangers. They’ll cover ground the fastest.

Just to make things clear, we are still honna blow up one of the three sites, right?