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Prior Thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2431270/
Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Maverick%20Hunter%20Quest
The IRC: suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com, #MHQ
The Twitter: https://twitter.com/HunterCommand
The Recap (thanks to Scarab): http://pastebin.com/wMtuXJM2
Character sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18-L31ukeOd_0XvfqErwY7GogqiwMU8zyIYfXxjTUb-c/

You are maverick hunter Anode, and this is the news.
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>>2574827
• Satellite downing freezes communications
The northwestern United States is experiencing a severe communications disruption after a major routing satellite was blasted out of its orbit by a laser pulse originating from near the Arctic Circle. Portions of Western Canada and some of the Pacific Interlink have also been impacted.

• Iquique to remain closed: international evaluators
UN investigators have negotiated with Chile to keep the free port of Iquique closed until further notice, amid concerns that contraband materials are being trafficked through Brazil. Investigators refused to discuss the identity of the traffickers or which parties might be involved, but Maverick Hunters from MHHQ Americas have been dispatched to the city.

• Celion says reasons for optimism as 6th Marine makes gains
Commander Berg Celion spoke today about a string of successful operations by the Maverick Hunters 6th Marine. In the wake of the naval struggle in the Sea of Marmara, Doppler-aligned naval forces have fallen back to concentrate around a few major bases. While Celion refused to discuss the possibility of a move against any of these naval fortresses at this time, he expressed optimism about the broader strategic scenario with the retreat of Maverick forces from Pacific islands, the Strait of Gibraltar, the Panama Canal, and Sri Lanka.

• Maverick gang sparks uproar in Vancouver
High-profile kidnappings and terrorist attacks have spread across the city of Vancouver, believed by Hunter experts to be the work of a gang of production model Mavericks armed with special weaponry who have been traced from California and Washington. Local law enforcement has imposed transport restrictions while awaiting further Hunter support and has released an image of the figure believed to be at the head of the gang, an unknown lizard Reploid.

• "Ultimate Reploid" project nearing completion - but why two?
The team behind Halcyon's ambitious "Ultimate Reploid" project have introduced their prototype, but questions loom about whether the project's cost overruns and controversial WARDEN protocol have produced a runaway success or a questionable boondoggle.

• Halcyon presents prototype "Ultimate Reploid," to join 5th Division
The prototype Ultimate Reploid, a female dubbed Iris, has been slated to join the 5th Communications Division of the Maverick Hunters as a navigator. "Commander Halcyon has positioned Iris to learn from our most experienced Hunters," reads the press release from Hunter Command, "before transitioning to her ultimate combat role as part of the 17th."
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>>2574827
Welcome back! Good to see you.
>>
>>2574833
• Ankara in chaos as contentious election continues to cause clashes
While a Maverick assault on Turkey was pushed back thanks to the valiant efforts of local peacekeeping forces and Maverick Hunters, the domestic instability within Turkey continues to roil. The late Altan Kangawa has been succeeded by Iskandar Jahani as leader of the political party Al-Magest, and the country's armed forces and bureaucracy wait with bated breath for judicial review of the electoral results.

• Fans continue to hold "living vigil" for Maverick celebrity
Fans of Stellar Atlantica remain encamped in the arena where her last public performance took place, coming from around the globe to pay tribute to the artist-turned-kidnapper with all the trappings and atmosphere of a public funeral. Say fans: "her magic is gone, but her music lives on." Many commentators consider the vigils in poor taste. More at 11.

• Philosopher retired in Sumatra
Sources confirmed early last night that Zero has retired the Philosopher Bisanu, one of Doppler's most trusted operatives and a lynchpin of Maverick activities around the world. The concealed lagoon harbour operated by the Philosopher's forces is being stripped down by local authorities to track recent activities and plots he was involved with.

• Port Harcourt hydropolis destroyed
Evacuation efforts are underway for the citizens of the Nigerian hydropolis of Port Harcourt after an attack by Maverick forces led by the Philosopher Shiva, which has left over 70,000 dead or missing.

• Glaston resists calls to seal borders
British Prime Minister John Glaston continues to face criticism from within his own party as plans for a quarantine of the British Isles stall in Parliament. Glaston has reasserted his concern that Maverick operatives may have already crossed the border and that isolating the British community at this time might result in an opportunistic attack from within. The European community praised the move, promising continued support between their countries should Doppler's forces attack Western Europe in a mirror of the recent strike on Turkey.
>>
Hot damn, I'm actually around for the start of one of these, for once.
>>2574833
>laser pulse originating from near the Arctic Circle
Welp. Guess we can go ahead and confirm maverick on that one.
>>
>>2574839
Clicking off the news feed, you tap a button on your datapad and Gopher’s dissemination of the articles you just saw comes up, dotting it here and there. You scroll away from it for now, switching over to the internal news.

• 17th Elite Unit’s Karin promoted to Special A ranking
Major Karin, a longtime fixture as the highest-rated A-rank maverick hunter, has cleared her latest test and has officially been re-appraised and rated at Special A, taking her place among the Blackcoats. Though Command has not yet officially designated the highest ranking A to take her place, speculation is already growing, with 14th as a favorite for the distinction.

• DEN protocols begin on first production of next-generation infantry model
Crystal Labs has announced that it has been awarded a coveted contract for a new line of production infantry. Citing cost efficiency, “focused direction,” and proven field results for the win, Stock in the Massachusetts firm rose 16% overnight with the announcement, on the heels of a brief but intense bidding war.

• Maverick retreat from major coastal offensives
In the wake of the repelled assault on Istanbul, maverick naval forces are concentrating around several strongpoints, indicating a defensive shift. Several contested battlegrounds have now been ceded to local and Maverick Hunter forces, relaxing a deathgrip on several critical international shipping lanes. Unfortunately, those remaining enemy bases are more fiercely defended than ever, and with nearby advantageous staging points in shambles, it will be some time before they can be pried free.

• Footage confirms multiple Maverick abductions in Turkey
Grim news out of embattled Istanbul corroborates testimony from eyewitnesses on the ground, with video documentation of mavericks aiding Reploid evacuation during the race riots in the wake of Al Magest’s surprise victory in the elections. At this time no refugees recorded seeking shelter with the mavericks have yet been found, suggesting they were taken offsite during the maverick retreat. 16th R&D has reviewed the data and their preliminary findings are that these refugees are to be infected and recruited.
>COL. GOPHER: Our old friend Seven took a personal hand in this. After he threw all his officers into the mix, he filled that CF-1 of his with “rescues.” We’re guessing as many as 20 per CF-1 that made it out… and a lot made it out.

Terrific.

You’re just tossing the pad aside on that sour note when it chimes, the signal running through your hand.

I0126//signal trace fail
THE FORTUNATE MAKES HIS OWN LUCK, TRUSTING NOTHING MORE THAN HIS SKILL.

THE CHEATER COUNTS CARDS AND SEES EVERY HAND. DO NOT CALL HIS BLUFF, CHANGE THE GAME.

...Yeah.

You need to go someplace and think.
>The Dodo. Not to get hammered. Maybe one, no more than two.
>Out on the roof. You could stand to sunbathe.
>Go and watch Overland’s original base be torn down.
>Go and take a patrol around your new environs.
>>
>>2574844
And, late as ever, welcome back, everyone!

So let's get the bad news out of the way first--I'm already indisposed for at least half of tomorrow. Team Jerkass made plans, as is their nature. However, since there's plenty of news to chew on, we figured this would be a good opportunity to ease us all back into things after such a lengthy delay.

Second, are you aware we've got a spinoff? Shooting Star, taking place in the future of MHQ, run by our own Scarab. It stars Meteor Showa, a fire koi, in the wake of the Repliforce war. Give it a read! Shitpost directly at HC as your fellow player and squabble over upgrades with a fickle god!
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Shooting%20Star

So with that, how is everybody doing tonight?
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>>2574844
>Go and take a patrol around your new environs.

A very enthusiastic welcome back. Let's take stock of where we are.
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>>2574854
>Second, are you aware we've got a spinoff? Shooting Star, taking place in the future of MHQ, run by our own Scarab. It stars Meteor Showa, a fire koi, in the wake of the Repliforce war. Give it a read! Shitpost directly at HC as your fellow player and squabble over upgrades with a fickle god!
You forgot to mention the timely threads.
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>>2574869
NO BULLY
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>>2574844
>Go and watch Overland’s original base be torn down.
Take a break from all the wanton destruction to watch wanton CONTROLLED destruction!
>>2574833
>• Satellite downing freezes communications
>freezes
ha
>>
We're BAAAaaack...!
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>>2574869
>>2574874
HC has a more eventful daily life than I. If I had all the stuff they're responsible for, I'd have long-awaited threads too!
>>
>>2574901

We all know the real reason you have time to post so much

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKTtUpDfj4Q
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>>2574844
>Out on the roof. You could stand to sunbathe.
Did we get paid?

I wonder if well need to spec a little more into killing CF-1s faster if so many are still out there.
>>
>>
>>2574975
No, but Candemir Group's CEO, Rafael Candemir, paid each hunter officer on the mission Z100,000 out of pocket. You spent it on...

Bilgelik 919 “Kuşatma” Tracker: Reads buster shot impacts to detect shield frequencies, weaknesses, and resonance; calculates with repeat fire to output optimized charged shots for bigger damage.
Ejderha ZA6 “Pullu” Shield Supplement: 2-cell variant. Ablates minor hits but needs a small refractory period to do it again. Partially ablates larger hits. Comes with 2-cell, 3-cell, and 4-cell versions. Can be burnt out by serious hits and major damage. Not priced as a consumable, but not so costly that it’s too onerous to replace - sweet spot where it’s worth having if you fight like someone who tanks too many minor hits or really needs to escape by the skin of the teeth on a big one. Note that upgrading this component requires replacing it, but the existnig system could be reapplied to a Bravely Broken squadmate. Z24,000-Z72,000 for initial system and cells for 2/3/4 capacity, replacement cells are offered at Z5,000.
Candemir Robertson Anti-Laser Frit: An industrial product, this patterned coating diffuses lasers, reducing their damage. Wears down with impacts and won’t last forever (or for more than a mission or two given how Anode tends to use up his HP) but a worthwhile defense and economical way to approach laser weapons. Does leave vulnerable areas that can’t be fritted. Reproof treatments cost Z10,000.
Rüzgar U6 Ailieron: Improves turning and control with jetpack-based flight.
Birdal I05 “Köpekbalığı” Targeting Pointer: Compensates for water when targeting aim, both within and above the waves.
Ejderha A9 “Pençe” Throwing Knives: Two held. Simple spherical design offers no hint of this tool’s true function. On interacting with a shield frequency, projects a hi-beam through its own surface to stab perpendicular to the discharge. One-use apiece but a terrible surprise for the unaware. Standard issue for Turkish military forces. Z1,600 apiece.
Ejderha A17 “Yıldız” Anti-Robot Flare: One held. Throwable one-use flare emits pattern of high- and low-frequency light that interferes with optics but does not harm humans at low exposures. Can hover during activation. Z800 apiece.
>>
>>2574844
>Go and take a patrol around your new environs.
>>
>Go and watch Overland’s original base be torn down.

Just to be cynical for a moment, statistically speaking at least one member of the demolition crew is going to go maverick, and if they are capable of destroying hardened architecture they'll be strong enough to show up on anode's list in season 3.
>>
>>2575041
Noooonsense.

*takes notes*

Hey demolition crew, are any of you a bird? Asking for a fiend.
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>>2574844
>>Go and watch Overland’s original base be torn down.
>>
>>2574844
>Out on the roof. You could stand to sunbathe.
>>
>>2574844
>Go and take a patrol around your new environs.
>>
>>2574844
>Go and watch Overland’s original base be torn down.
>>
>Go and watch Overland’s original base be torn down.
>>
>>2574844
>>Go and take a patrol around your new environs.
For once, we should look on the brightside. Find some fellow hunters, make friends, and hope they all don't go maverick at once.
>>
>>2575265
>awww hey anode! Us 4 have been talking about joining that military thing. Repliforce, cool name huh?
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>>2575288
>I'm thinking of changing my name once I upgrade my chassis. What do you think of Dynamo?
>>
>>2574854
Pretty good! Glad you're running right now.

I actually started working on this thing right about three days ago. Still learning how to use Blender though.
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>>2575323
Daaaaang!
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>>2575314
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>>2574844
>Go and watch Overland’s original base be torn down.
Good evening Hunter Command
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>>2575412
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>>2575417
I dont think this is what they meant when they said marvel vs capcom infinite
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>>2575417
Kill half the humans and half the reploids! Balance!
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>>2575417
>Zero, I don't feel so good...
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>>2574844
>Go and watch Overland’s original base be torn down.

We need as many depressing images of the brief time we felt like part of something coming to an end as possible for our dark emo album to be a success.
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>>2574844
>THE FORTUNATE MAKES HIS OWN LUCK, TRUSTING NOTHING MORE THAN HIS SKILL.
Is this going to be some sick joke, and Em is actually "the Fortunate"?
>>
>>2575935
Luck of the irish
>>
Cheater is probably Seven. Not sure how to change the game, though. Do background missions?
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>>2575958
Possibly.

...How do we do them again?
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>>2575417
I rather liked that MvC Infinite squarely placed X at the top of the "bullshit OP" scales of both combined universes.

Probably not going to get a morning post out, it'll be a spell. I'll try to keep an eye on the thread via phone to answer questions/shitpost, however.
>>
>Go watch the old 4th HQ be torn down

Crystal Labs is Em's home. Wonder how he feels about a production series being designed?
>>
I'm sure none of that news is consequential in any way.

Also I am hovering this morning to take questions as well.
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>>2576114
Is the wiki presentable enough to advertise? I don't know how many viewers know it exists, since it seemed to be a surprise when somebody mentioned it in the recent spinoff quest thread.

Also, everybody: the recap has been brought up to the present.
>>
>>2576118
It doesn't have a proper UI actually linking the pages together. But noone can be assed to do it, and I neither have the time or the knowhow to do it myself.

I just repeatedly check Recent Changes for stuff Cain Labs adds Every. few days, I'm not THAT crazy
>>
>>2576126
It will at some point. It DOES technically have a front page now. Ish.
>>
>>2576114
So does Collide have the equivalent of like, 8-cell Pullu supplement?
>>
.....shit, I need to update the upgrades piratepad. SO MANY of those can still be bought, even considering the 1.6 multiplier.
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>>2576136
Nah, he's just built like a ceratanium shithouse.
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>>2576142
damn. So his shields just looked at the giant overpenetrating laser and said
>eh. He can take'em.
>>
I don't really think Collide's defensive systems are analogous to the way the Pullu functions.

Any other questions for me at this time?
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>>2576232
Has anyone built a woodchuck-based reploid for woodchucking, and if so, how much wood could it chuck?
>>
>>2576297
I mean, I feel like someone has to have. Ligneous projectile capacity has no recorded upper bound at this time.
>>
>>2576232
Who funds all this Maverick nonsense, and how can we steal all their zennies?
>>
>>2576329
Obviously, things which were not built by Mavericks are funded accordingly. For things built by Mavericks, stolen assets, criminal activity, shadowy front groups, the usual kind of shady back channels one would expect.
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>>2576527
So many alcoholic bribes.
>>
Speaking of the wiki, if anyone has any requests for pages to be added to the queue, throw them in now.
>>
Is there a list of major hunter bases besides geneva?
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>>2576632
I'm interested in where the US is at this point in history.
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>>2576632
>>2576971
And Weisshund.
>>
what's the current list of seven wonders of the 21xx world
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>>2576770
The other major ones are in Mexico (where Scarab's quest takes place), Japan, and the US. US's base is physically larger than Japan's but is lower on the hierarchy due to its proximity to Veracruz.
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Okay, back home. Give me a little bit to recover. Deadpool 2 was basically Movies I'd Write (Again), good times.
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>>2576632
cyberwood
drone systems
regenerating armor(like the beehive thing in ZX, how close to that are we?)
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>>2576992
He dead. Schwarz put him down long ago.

>>2576770
>>2577269
That is my understanding, yes.

In terms of provenance, they go Geneva > Tokyo > Veracruz > Somewhere-in-the-United-States. In terms of physical size, however, Tokyo's is the smallest and the US's is the largest. I imagine Geneva and Veracruz at parity in land area, but differently tasked; Geneva's largest represented unit is the 4th, whereas Veracruz's is the 6th.

The number and location of smaller outposts is, to the best of my knowledge, "Wherever the narrative needs one."
>>
>>2576632
How about a link?
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>>2574875
>>2575041
>>2575104
>>2575204
>>2575259
>>2575412
>>2575746
>>2576103
Putting down the tablet once again, you stand up with a sigh. The engineer nods to you, your installs and upgrades done, and that strange slightly-too-full upgrade feeling to work through, you’re cleared to leave the slab.


Right now? With Schwarz, with your friends, with yourself, with everything that’s gone on, you need to watch something end.

You find it in demolition. It’s almost impressive, really--waste not, want not, barracks that were laid down maybe a decade ago broken back down into prefabricated parts, still salvageable, still of use to something somewhere. Maybe they’ll be funneled right back into the next hunter base, you wonder.

You mull over the mysterious signal trace fail again--why two lines, this time? The same person? Two different ones?

Massive rivets are bared to the world--sized just about perfectly for Scrivers, the businesslike part of your brain adds as a fun little tidbit. Each is extracted by a purpose-made tool, held by a Deploy enlisted. An electro-mechanical whine, a hiss, and then a sharp upturned zip!, and out each rivet comes, bolts the size of a human hand clanking to the ground in a metal rain as the outer sheets are drawn back. There’s a steady rhythm to 3rd’s work, and even from a distance, you can imagine the chatter. You fill in little stories as you people-watch, imagining them having the same sort of conversations you’re having now. Or talking about what sandwich they packed. Heh.

That’s when you get the ping--a message from home.

>Cathode injured in Ankara op. Incapacitated--she’s okay, we’re consulting on her repairs with 1st. Wanted you to hear it from us first. Don’t panic, no permanent damage, but it was close. Love you. --Allie

FUCK.

Your hand moves before your brain acts, whipping the datapad straight into the ground at full force, actually engaging Shriver to smash it down with all your might. It doesn’t so much shatter as evaporate, the tiny little rectangle of silicates turning into a fountain of glittering dust around your feet.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck this, fuck you, fuck everything, FUCK.

For a moment the anger pulses through you like overcharge in your conduits, and you feel like you could burst, heat blooming in your throat as you barely resist screaming your rage out loud. You feel it backing up and burning there, popping the seams on your last gasket and the last, tiny little fuck you have to give about this godforsaken job…

...And then, you have a Moment.
>>
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>>2577980
In a moment, Em’s impenetrable snarl of psychoses and rage is laid bare--you always understood it, broadly, but you never really got it--it was never your sister there. With his guilt and baggage, whatever it is, the end result’s the same, tearing himself apart, mad with worry over his little brother and sister. And, worse, he let one go. You’re sure he’s still blaming himself for it, whatever he tells Sapphire, chasing himself around and around his own head.

In that same moment, you realize what path that’s sent him down--the rage, the regret, the drinking to numb, pride and honor and fear and love all turning into a chaotic green slurry.

And, just like that, you know--you can’t go down that path.

So you don’t.

It’s… almost ridiculous, how far up your own ass you’ve let yourself get. You actually feel that scream in your throat bubble into a laugh--you laugh at yourself.

Cathode could have died--but she didn’t.

You almost died--but you didn’t.

You were nearly decommissioned--but you weren’t.

Your paranoia was justified--but the principal agents have gone.

It all falls like dominoes, clattering around you like an extended metaphor stretched too thin. Someone’s out there sending you cryptic messages--so either someone likes you enough to do this cloak and dagger shit, or you’re a big enough scare to them that they need to try to juke you. Frog’s gone, but he’s doing his own thing. You survived Doppler and you’ve put four of his agents on ice, one way or the other--and twice, you didn’t have to kill them to do it. You’ve found valuable intel on a clandestine maverick cell, and walked away to carry off the warning to Command.

You lost Schwarz, but you have a Blackcoat looking out for you.

Your best friend’s slipping--but he hasn’t slipped yet.

That’s it. That’s all. Tension you didn’t realize you were holding slips away, your shoulders fall, your fists unclench. You’re okay. You’re going to be okay.

God damn it all, you can do this.

You remember Rhodes’s words, somewhere or other--”there will be a great deal of hardship on the road ahead.” He was right, of course, and you know without knowing that you’re going to be at this crossroads again, feel the way you felt a minute ago, the world pressing in and pinning you down. You might not make the same decision twice.

But right now, clear as day, you know exactly what will happen if you follow Em--follow Schwarz--where they’re going, and how much good that won’t do.

>Go to the range--you’ve got some kit to test.
>Go see a friend. You need to spread the love.
>Go see the Commander. He needs a steady second.
>Other?
>>
>>2578005
>Go see a friend. You need to spread the love.
Friendship!
>>
>>2578005
>Go see a friend. You need to spread the love.
>>
>>2578005
>Go see a friend. You need to spread the love.
>>
>>2578005
>Try the Schwarz sim.
Yeah, this goes completely against what you just resolved to do, but we know pretty much jacksquat about how the guy actually looks in a fight. Hell, how much do we know about him in general? Assuming we can't trust a thing he's said, what is there that didn't come from him directly?

Otherwise,
>Go see the Commander. He needs a steady second.
>>
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>>2577980
>They hurt Cathode
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>>2578005
>Go see the Commander. He needs a steady second.

Think Gopher deserves a fair shake.
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>>2577963
http://mhq.wikidot.com

>>2578052
Actually, you know what? Changing my vote to
>Go see the Commander. He needs a steady second.
>>
>>2578005
>>Go see the Commander. He needs a steady second.
And someone that can smooth over his bluntness.
>>
>>2578005
>Go see the Commander. He needs a steady second.
With Em off being an edgelord, Gopher could probably use a cool head at the moment
>>
>>2578005
>Go see the Commander. He needs a steady second
>>
>>2578005
>>Go see the Commander. He needs a steady second.
Guy has gone to bat for us and dealt with our shit. He deserves a shoulder himself.
>>
>>2578005
Did......did we just pass a morale DC not to go Mav?

>commander time
Hey, i feel better now.
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>>2578205
>Did......did we just pass a morale DC not to go Mav?
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>>2578205
Nonsense.

*packs away dice*
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>>2578205
We seemed to have Crit it so hard we seemed to have washed away our angst. Its a good feeling. Maybe we can go back to how things were. Us, Em, Seven, two mechanoids, and a shit ton of lubricant.
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>>2578205
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>>2578205
>>2578211
>>2578221
I did say you guys were due for a change in the winds.
>>
>Clean up that mess first, nobody loves a litterbug.
>>
>>2578005
>>
>>2578231
This is true. Things have been on the downtrend for a while, and Anode has had no real opportunity to feel good about himself for a long while.
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>>2578285
Many fall in the face of chaos, but not this one!... not today.
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>>2578260
This too.
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> DEN protocols begin on first production of next-generation infantry model
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>>2578005
>Go see the Commander. He needs a steady second.

Maybe we should let him know about these mysterious messages? Or at least try to follow up on some of them. Although we did sort of just annihilate our datapad...
>>
>>2578005
>Go see the Commander. He needs a steady second.
>>
>>2578005
>Go see the Commander
>Put in order for new datapad
>Mentally design 'Congratulations for Not Dying' card for Cathode
We bipolar now.
>>
>>2578770
There's a pun in here, I know it.
>>
Theory: if we had beaten stellar early enough, we would have had the option to equip the laser parts that got sent to gibbon as a hardpoint. With Lockon DNA mixed in, we would have something like the lasers in storm owls stage
>>
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>>2579152
If we beat them both, maybe we still can.
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>>2578054
>>2578166
>>2578173
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>>2578770
You decide there’s at least one guy who could use your new, Mister Blue Sky outlook on life right now--one who you know for a fact is conscious, at least.

Gopher doesn’t look up as you enter his office, glancing instead between a desk ringed in monitors in a 270-degree arc and a datapad in his hand (you cleaned up the...uh, powder, left from your destroyed one, and have put in for a cheap replacement through acquisitions). Tapping away at something or other, he turns in his chair to hand the pad to a Beret, who salutes and takes off at a brisk pace.

“Captain,” he says.

“Sir.” While you immediately realize Gopher is more organized tired than Frog was on his best day, his office is nonetheless a testimony to chaos, with neat stacks of reports and tiled windows on some monitors, and a sprawl of loose-leaf sheets and runaway processes on others. You imagine most of that can be chalked up to being mid-transition of command.

“You look better,” he observes.

“Yessir, I am,” you reply.

“At ease. And good. I need you sharp.”

“That’s actually why I’m here,” you reply, relaxing the formality a hair.

He pauses mid-swivel, casting a glance over to you over a shoulder.

You fold your arms, taking a half-step back to rest comfortably against the wall. “Well, I was thinking. Ursa’s your only Major, then it’s me and Em, and--well, Ursa’s a good field guy, and enough said on Em.”

Gopher’s face doesn’t so much as twitch in response, but you swear you can register the amusement in his eyes.

“What I’m getting at here is that you need more officer staff, as much as you need shooters, right?” He turns to give you his full attention, nodding. “So, I guess this is me volunteering.”

“You’ve already got rangemaster duties, don’t you?”

You nod. “Yeah, but the enlisted more or less have the place handled. Don’t even get me started on Looie. Even then, there’s not much actual time demand to it, as far as my base time goes. And I don’t want to bite off too much at once, here, but I’ve also been thinking off and on about what else I could do in the field.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Such as?”

>I’ve seen a few rough hunts that made me wish I were better trained for live capture.
>Part of being an officer is the actual command thing--you could probably use a guy who can lead a battle as well as fight it.
>Other: Specify on-base duties or off-base combat roles you’re interested in training for.

And:
>There’s something else. I’ve been getting these messages...
>Keep it under wraps, for now.
>>
>>2579286
>Part of being an officer is the actual command thing--you could probably use a guy who can lead a battle as well as fight it.

>Keep it under wraps, for now.
>>
>>2579286
Oh shit, this is our moment to Change the Game.
>Other: We're one of the most mobile hunters, and it's wasted every time teleport and lose Charge.
>Give me secondary targets that are far from beam-in pads, whether to keep things off-radar or from sheer logistical problems. Outposts, large swaths of mechaniloids, I can bleed a good chunk and be on my way.

>Keep it under wraps, for now.
we need a more clandestine way to talk about it
>>
>>2579286
>>Part of being an officer is the actual command thing--you could probably use a guy who can lead a battle as well as fight it.
It also would help in terms of organizing relief, support, and civvies. Live capture is going to be tricky with our load out, but talking them down work for the non mavs.
>>
>>2579286
>Part of being an officer is the actual command thing--you could probably use a guy who can lead a battle as well as fight it.
>>
>>2579286
>Part of being an officer is the actual command thing--you could probably use a guy who can lead a battle as well as fight it.
>Keep it under wraps, for now.
>>
>>2579371
Shit, forgot the second vote
>>2579286
>Keep it under wraps, for now.
>>
>>2579286
>Part of being an officer is the actual command thing--you could probably use a guy who can lead a battle as well as fight it.
>Keep it under wraps, for now
>>
>>2578005
>Go see the Commander. He needs a steady second.
Rise from a pawn, become Knight or Bishop. Gain the access and the experience to turn this game around and maybe we can improve our lot.
>>
As a master of the 4chins, I replied without refreshing the thread.

>>2579286
I'm with >>2579326 on changing the game. Gotta go fast.

>Keep it under wraps, for now.
>>
>>2579326
Backing this
>>
>>2579326
>>2579443
>>2579446

While we have the speed to get to secondary objectives we don't have the endurance and we wouldn't really be changing the game.
>>
>>2579286
>Actual command stuff
PLUS
>>2579326
Mobile sounds good although maybe too much work for HC to come up with new side-missions.

>There's something else... etc
>>
>>2579456
I would say get a sort of power pack or cheap electric power for one or two of the barrets. Have him be the stun buddy/Medic.
>>
>>2579469
The lack of endurance that I was referring to is not really a problem power packs/recharges would solve.

After each mission we pretty much always need downtime for repairs. Other hunters complete multiple missions in the time we take to complete one.

The more stuff we fight the more damage we end up taking. More objectives just means more damage taken.
>>
>>2579286
>Part of being an officer is the actual command thing - you could probably use a guy who can lead a battle as well as fight it.

>There's something else. I've been getting these messages...
If we don't tell him about that, we should AT LEAST let him know about what we saw on Conda's monitor.
>>
>>2579286

>Actual command.
Climb that ladder.

>Somebody's being cryptic at me and I can't tell who.
Lest it turns out bad and they think you kept it secret.
>>
>>2579556
We don't lack endurance, the shit we've facetanked would straight up kill a lot of folk. What we lack is the skill to not have to facetank everything, but we're steadily improving on that.
>>
>>2579556
Thats why I said going for the command stuff and that power pack thing. Have the squad provide support and make some of the issues less. Having them handle lower priority situations, such as maintaining a point or getting civvies out of death makes it so we don't need to limit ourselves to options that require us to sacrifice.
My one concern when we eventually face Seven is that he holds people hostage. If we can remove the hostages with ally support, or have Foxfire provide a means to deal with his bullshit luck, we negate a lot of risk and can possibly force Seven to play a game he's not use to. Same applies to Tanker and Schwarz.
>>
>>2579286
>>Part of being an officer is the actual command thing--you could probably use a guy who can lead a battle as well as fight it.
>Keep it under wraps, for now.
>>
>>2579556
I think if we're just rushing in, wiping out a load of 'loids and C-rankers and then teleporting out, we won't really take too much damage. At the very least it should probably downgrade a mission from B to C, freeing up more higher-ranked officers.
>>
>>2579606
That can still cost us a bit depending on the loids, and teleporting decharges us. There is also the case like Yamatoad, mortarphant and Stella where their forces are either fortified or has incredible support. Making too much noise can have them fire some shots or bunker down.
>>
>Other: Specify on-base duties or off-base combat roles you’re interested in training for.
For the record, when we took the rangemaster job there were a few other noncombat positions that were open for us to take...but I can't imagine Anode doing any of them.
>suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/18882708/#18885936

Also, next time we see Cathode we should learn how many datapads she's broken since we became Hunters
>>
>>2579586
My perspective is that if the average A rank hunter has 100 hp and 20 shields then Anode has 110 hp and 25 shields. He isn't a 200 hp 50 shield soloist that can do 2 missions that deal 100 damage and still be ready for a 3rd.

>>2579589
Gotcha and I'm of the same mind.

>>2579606
That's not really taking out secondary objectives, that would be a change in mission type. We would be changing our role from assault to fast attack. Not really changing the game there.

Anode was built to be a team player. Vanguard of a duo to be specific. His best performances have been when he has been leading a team. Heck, when working with Cathode, they mulched a G rank (which HC retconned into an S rank because of how easy we beat him) and were only really stopped by a P rank ambushing them.

A big problem has been that most of the Officers are solo acts. Anode needs a team to lead to really change the game.
>>
>>2579771
>Heck, when working with Cathode, they mulched a G rank (which HC retconned into an S rank because of how easy we beat him) and were only really stopped by a P rank ambushing them.
That makes me wonder what our original design goal was when we were commissioned/designed, and why we were separated upon going into active service. Were we designed as a hunter/killer team for S+ mavericks? How differently would the fight with the BIRD gone if we'd had our other half?


I do find it amusing we've pretty solidly kept to our original design ethos as we've upgraded: Ranged defense/tank. It does explain why our offense is so weak; we unconsciously expect Cathode to handle it.
>>
>>2579820
>>2579300
>>2579326
>>2579348
>>2579371
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>>2579590
“Command,” you tell him. “Plain and simple. They’re not all small-squad bug hunts.”

He nods again, leaning forward and resting his hands on a sheaf of paperwork. “Pretty sure Jaguar and Giraffe are going to come over here and shoot me if I outsource to them one more time.”

“Who usually handled things over here, Seven?”

“Seven and Dodo,” Gopher nods. “Worked with both on warm handoffs a few times. Schwarzhund had the know-how, but he was usually better served putting people in the ground. Tigershark...”

“Enough said,” you say darkly. “Either way, I get the picture.”

“I’ll schedule you for some advanced courses, there’s usually one every few months,” Gopher says, turning back to his nearest monitor and punching something in. “Anything further, Captain?”

You frown, considering letting him know about your mysterious messenger… but no, not yet. “Not for nothing, but if you’ve got any ops that are far from the pad, send them to me. I can’t beam in with charge, but I can make quick work of things if I bring my own.”

“Noted. And speaking of your additional duties...”

“Em, right,” you nod. “He’s taking a nap, Frog probably dragged him over to the Lifesavers by now.”

Gopher makes a vaguely annoyed noise in the back of his throat.

>Talk about Em with Gopher. He’s about as willing to listen as he gets.
>Table it for now. Your bestie is probably Gopher’s leastie.
>Other?
>>
>>2579836
>Talk about Em with Gopher. He’s about as willing to listen as he gets.
The jumping bean has an honest-to-God death wish, and we're still not sure how to break him of it.
>>
>>2579836
>Talk about Em with Gopher. He’s about as willing to listen as he gets.
We need this hot hamster on our side as much as we can get.
>>
>>2579836
>Talk about Em with Gopher. He’s about as willing to listen as he gets.
>>
>>2579836
>Talk about Em with Gopher. He’s about as willing to listen as he gets.
>>
>>2579836
>Talk about Em
Mandatory therapy sessions a go!
>>
>>2579836
>Talk about Em.

Specifically that he was training us to off him.
>>
>>2579836
>Talk about Em with Gopher. He’s about as willing to listen as he gets.
>>
>>2579836
>Talk about Em with Gopher. He’s about as willing to listen as he gets
>>
>>2579469

Instead of a powerpack, how about we just ask them to set the beam in point up 100 feet in the air? It's just like that time anode jumped out of a helicopter - great way to build charge, and more importantly, a cool-as-fuck first impression.
>>
>>2580353
See, now you're talking. Gotta bury at least one guy when we land.
>>
>>2580353
>>2580389
I can just imagine it now
>You want us to what now?
>Fuck you
>>
>>2579836
>Talk about Em with Gopher. He’s about as willing to listen as he gets.
>>
>>2579836
>Talk about Em with Gopher. He’s about as willing to listen as he gets.
>>
Runner is Dodo
Serpent is Conda

Sledge is....Frog? Is the message a guarantee that he won't go Mav? He transferred to the Eighth, and he's certainly had our back.

I still think Fortunate is Em, but Cheater could be Seven OR Collide.
>>
So Iris was just transferred in...

We Xtreme 2 now?

Think we'll get a shot at convincing Colonel not to join up with Repliforce? I mean, it seemed like we basically averted Blizzard Wolfang taking the fall for his team being wiped out, so who knows?
>>
>>2580717
changing canon is piss easy. Just KILL IRIS NOW DOITDOITDOITDOIT
>>
never 4get
>>
>>2580717
Alternately, we could convince Iris to join Repliforce
They'd almost certainly give her the same rank as Colonel, and once Sky Lagoon happens, she'd give orders that contradicted his and cooperate with the Hunters. At best, this keeps General from going through with his independence plans, at worst, their war effort is hampered by infighting.
>>
>>2580760
Never forget indeed.
>>
>>2579848
>>2579908
>>2579931
>>2579990
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>>2580201
>>2580280
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>>2580550
>>2580590
“He’s in a bad way,” you start carefully. Letting your shoulders fall a bit, you glance ceilingward, examining soundproofing and signal-hardening layers in a dense honeycomb weave.

“By rights, I should be having this conversation with him,” Gopher says. “I’ve seen how he hunts. His showing in Istanbul was…” He gestures vaguely at a small stack of missives to his right. “These are all addressed to him.”

“Are they ticking?” You ask helpfully. He equally helpfully ignores you.

“At any rate, his performance as a hunter officer completely belies his conduct.” Or the other way around, you suppose. “Two As, two CF1s and a CF0--good call on the cables, by the way.”

“Thanks.”

“And Amphitrite. To tell you the truth, Captain, I didn’t think he was coming back from that one.”

“I don’t think he did, either,” you say.

THAT gets his attention. “Suicidal?”

“Something like that. Remember that sim session you came in on?” He inclines his head by way of a nod, stone silent. “It started as showing me some pointers. After a few rounds, I realized he was training me on how to deal with him. Personally.”

Gopher is silent and contemplative for a moment, before turning to close a priority window on one of his screens. “So what’s the story on that?”

“He’s scared of going mav,” you tell him honestly. “More than anything. He’s scared of himself.”

“And why’s that?”

You let your annoyance with Em’s behavior show through. “Because he’s a fucking idiot, sir. His brother--Diamond, the KIA? Built to handle him in just such an occasion.”

“So he tried to get you to do it.” He looks back up at you again. “You say yes?”

“...Yeah,” you reply. “Yeah, I did. I think it’ll keep him grounded.”

Gopher nods, stamping his approval on something and pushing it aside. “That can’t have felt good.” From him, that’s practically a brotherly hug.

“Can’t say it did,” you say with a nod. “But he’s my friend.”

“Rough, isn’t it?” He doesn’t elaborate. “What about this thing with Schwarzhund?”

“That... “ you sigh. “That’s gonna be tougher. Schwarz hit me like a truck, and I barely knew him, next to Em. He taught Em pretty much everything he knows. When he saw him, he just lost his shit.”

“And, my Lifesavers tell me,” Gopher flicks a thumb at yet another screen, “he went right for the bar with ‘all but fatal damage.’”

Shit. “It was that close?”

“You’re lucky no one sneezed on him.”

“Terrific.”
>>
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>>2580834
Gopher turns in his chair to fire off a message of some sort, and then turns back to you. “So what do I do with this, Anode?”

You sigh again. “Leave him to me. I don’t know if I can pull his head out of his ass, but I can at least make sure he flails in the right direction.”

“It’s not his performance on the field I’m concerned about, Captain,” Gopher says. “It’s his attitude here.”

“Which, being honest, is probably about to get a lot worse,” you admit.

“Mm. So?”

>You need to play softball. Turn a blind eye for as long as you can. I’ll handle giving him consequences--trust me.
>Honestly, he needs a kick in the ass, and I’m too close for him to get it from me. Do what you have to do.
>Other?
>>
>>2580836
>You need to play softball. Turn a blind eye for as long as you can. I’ll handle giving him consequences--trust me.
Em is just too delicate to properly handing a dressing-down by command right now. Hell, I'm not sure he's actually listening to anyone at this point.
>>
>>2580836
>You need to play softball. Turn a blind eye for as long as you can. I’ll handle giving him consequences--trust me.

He's definitely on a thin line, so I agree with >>2580846 here.
>>
>>2580836
>You need to play softball.
A kick in the ass would land deeper coming from us anyway.
>>
>Other: Lock him into some sort of elaborate alternate reality where he's dating his swords.
>>
>>2580836
>You need to play softball. Turn a blind eye for as long as you can. I’ll handle giving him consequences--trust me.
>>
>>2580898
>>2580971

"I'll handle giving him consequences--*trust me.*"

We'll do it, too.
>>
>How about you give me some pointers, sir? I've gotten a lot amount of experience in the field, but there's still a good few years of just living as a Hunter between me and everyone higher up. What do YOU do about being afraid of going mav?
>He won't get upgrades, it's a landmine. Things could get dicey if you ordered him to.

I'm still angling for equipping him with stuff that would actively make it harder for him to fight us.
>>
>>2580836
>>You need to play softball. Turn a blind eye for as long as you can. I’ll handle giving him consequences--trust me.
Take him to the sims and just.. give him the smack down with some good ol' punches. Less 'prepping to kill' and more duking it out and letting it all come to bear.
>>
>>2580836
>You need to play softball. Turn a blind eye for as long as you can. I’ll handle giving him consequences--trust me.
>Other?
"That being said, I am open to some ideas on how to do that. I'm afraid I might be too lenient when he actually does something that gets him in trouble, but I don't want to go too far in the other direction and have it all blow up in my face."
>>
>>2580836
I don't know.

We're Em's fuck-up buddy, and his junior at that. So how are we going to come across, suddenly doling out the harshness? And what consequences, exactly, would we be able to enforce on him?

On the other hand, I can't see Gopher's approach as yielding anything but Em withdrawing further into Psycho Mantis Time Bomb Land.

So with that in mind, I think we're going to have to take on the responsibility. Look more into the Crystal Labs news about the new production model, try to head that off. We'll have a talk with Em. We'll get firm with him if we have to. But Gopher's gone to bat for us in a big way, with that UN thing, and even if it was more for the Hunters than for us personally, we owe it to him to try and rein Em in.
>>
>>2579820
>That makes me wonder what our original design goal was when we were commissioned/designed, and why we were separated upon going into active service. Were we designed as a hunter/killer team for S+ mavericks?

Original design goal was Diode. Something about Diode's theoretic capabilities spooked people enough that they split the original's energy generation and energy storage and projection capabilities between 2 models and still ended up with a pair of A ranks. Frog brought up the fact that higher up were a bit worried about a Repliod with self-repair capabilities after the Jagwire op and Doppler's shield regen comes from him using Anode's capacitors to convert attacks in life energy. Its looking like the Diode project might have inadvertently found a way to make an infinitely regenerating life cell system using Cathode's generators and Anode capacitors.

Anode and Cathode were split up because a change in design requirements between when the twins were commissioned and assigned. The Hunters added a hard Rock/Paper/Scissors counter requirement to "siblings" with the Diode twins being a preexisting project grandfathered in. Anode and Cathode are a weird harmonious family while most others are discordant.

If Emerald (A+), Diamond (A+) and Sapphire (B) were sent out on an op together they would only really be as effective as 3 neutral B/B+ hunters. Send Anode (A) and Cathode (A) on the same op and you end up sending 2 S/S+ electric hunters.
>>
>>2581209
Honestly I suspect moving from paired units to RPS is part of a deep-cover infiltrator.

With paired units, if you spend the time to flip a paired S rank you just get an A rank asset instead. With RPS you flip a S-rank, you get a S rank who can easily kill at least one other S-rank hunter.

And hunters generally have more depth of reserves, so they can arbitarily assign a suitable hunter to a target and replace a missing paired units more effectively than mavericks can.
>>
The wiki, in all of its rough "glory," can be found at mhq wikidot com.
>>
>>2581414
>MHQ has a fucking wiki now

What a time to be alive
>>
>>2581424
I mean, I don't consider it anywhere near where I'd like it to be... but it's still something.
>>
>>2581414
when the fuck did this become a thing?
>>
>>2581512
Maybe so, but I'm loving the articles that are already there at least.
>>
>>2581513
I believe I kicked it off roughly a year ago with the first few articles.

>>2581515
Good to hear.
>>
>>2581414
Honestly, I can understand why Wily was salty about WEAPON not getting the nobel prize. Fucker literally did mc^2=e
>>
Maybe we should wait on how to handle Em. We don't know if Frog will beat a little sense into him, and talking to Sapphire might give a few ideas.
>>
>>2581779
Em's big thing is that he need to know that someone can and will take him down if he goes Mav. He is absolutely terrified of being to good a what he does. He overperformed during his tryout and this led to a prototype grunt becoming 3 officers.

What he needs is someone (or someones) around his level that can completely stomp him into the ground.

What I want to do once Cathode recovers is to invite Em and Sapphire with the state reason to help with some sims to make certain that Cathode is back up to snuff. After a few sims are done, the twins would challenge EM and Sapphire to a 2v2 match.
>>
>>2581885

Similar to that, I'd also like to do anode vs emerald matches with the BB as team training for them. It'll be especially useful for them since emerald has similar base stats so they can pick up technique.

The number of minions Anode needs to even things up is also a good way of measuring how effective Anode is at countering emerald (and every time that handicap goes down, it's an obvious bit of progress towards beating Emerald - and making visible progress towards that goal will help Emerald's mental state).
>>
>>2581919
This sounds good, plus it might help Em see infantry as worth taking on missions and not just as a responsibility he has to protect.

As an aside, we should really talk to Sabomole soon, as the only guy more fucked up than Em.
>>
>>2581927
>As an aside, we should really talk to Sabomole soon, as the only guy more fucked up than Em.

Agreed. Poor guy...
>>
>>2581927
Not really sure if Anode in particular can be the one to talk to him...
>>
>>2581939
We can talk AT him! While he's curled up in a ball and screaming, but still!
>>
Howdy folks. Going to try to get another post in tonight, but I literally just got back from work/errands/lawn mowing shenanigans. Might not have the time.
>>
>>2583550
We'll be here regardless.
>>
>>2583550
Okay, yeah, no go. I'll see if I can sneak a post out tomorrow during the day, but no promises.

Bright side I took a little time off each week of June, so I ought to be able to be more present.
>>
>Send Cruxifer a message telling him that you've either had an epiphany and broken out of your depressive funk, or have been infected with the virus and just experienced the start of a noticeable personality shift, either way he should probably know, KTHXBYE
>>
>>2583820
Now that's paranoia I can get behind

Don't be worried about everyone else being out to get you, be worried about YOU being out to get you.
>>
>>2583820
Can we actually do this? We should actually do this.
>>
>>2584203
I don't think we're actually losing our ability to give a shit, but with IC knowledge of personality changes, that might actually be sensible. Of course, seeing as we didn't bother to hand important information about weird, secret messages over to our commanding officer, sensible doesn't seem to matter.
>>
>>2584278
Maybe, but we DID trust that information to Crucifer already. In fact, his reaction scanned like he was sending them or had an idea who was. The Madhouse is the only bastion of sanity. Trust the Madhouse.
>>
>>2578005
>>
Hey guys! It's another inevitable work delay!

This one's a good one, at least.
>>
>>2584445
Oh hey, you did a thing.
Nice thing
>>
>>2585138
Update from dinner: new furniture acquired via moving truck, food bribery, and a busted shin.

Going to try for a late night update tonight, bedtime be damned. I make no promises as far as tonight goes, but we'll definitely be running for a good while to cover some ground, that I do promise.
>>
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>>2586014
Aaaand once again, nope. I am wrecked.

Sorry, folks, but like I said, we're going to run for a hot minute. Let's all get comfy.

And everyone tell Neo to stop bullying. He knows who he is.
>>
In the meantime, I will tackle as many questions as I can. And ruthlessly blame HC for anything I can't or won't address.
>>
>>2586278
>>2577360
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>>2586278
We're closing in on the Xtreme 2 timeframe now, right? Will it be possible for us to change events significantly enough, like we did with Blizzard Wolfang? Iris is around now, so does that also mean Colonel is kicking, or at least on the way? Since this is prior to the Repliforce's formation, will it be possible to convince Colonel not to join the Repliforce long before the call for Repliforce to disarm goes out?
>>
>>2586368
Considering we got Yeoujiu safe and sound, we've either averted a major portion of it or made it happen exactly according to canon.
>>
>>2586397
We also messed with the X3 game intro, killing a mav and saving a now S rank officer.
>>
>>2586293
That's not actually "questions," that's "article topics," which... I really should begin moving toward.

Oh, and regenerating armor. I never actually played ZX so I'll have to go see what's being described first.

>>2586368
Yes, the 3.5 timeframe is ahead. We have allocated room for your involvement in events. I have no comment about how very definitely Colonel is en route.

>>2586397
Muahahaha? Muahahaha.

>>2586408
Muahahaha? Muahahaha.
>>
>>2586433
>I never actually played ZX so I'll have to go see what's being described first.
One of the bosses in ZXA is a queen bee. She flies around hefting a beehive more than 4 times as big as her body, generating bee drones and firing attacks.

Attacking the beehive itself will not do damage to her, but if you destroy it she takes damage and tries to fly offscreen to get a new one. Still not sure if she could generate those, or if she literally had like, 6 spare beehives out in the back.
>>
>>2586449
>or if she literally had like, 6 spare beehives out in the back.

...doesn't everyone?
>>
>>2586433
Neat, so Colonel is coming SOON™, then.

With Berkana's DNA Soul fuckery about to go down, what are the odds we'll see a menagerie of our most dangerous kills come back to haunt us? Will we have to endure Saetos 2: the Fuckening? Or Hurricane Wren Returns: Wren Harder? With Soul Foxfire nominally on the side of the Hunters for the time being, will her hacking expertise impact the severity of Cyber Peacock's eventual cyber assault provided she's still under Hunter custody by then, or will it not matter?
>>
>>2586501
I don't discuss your future.

Whether that's because my job is to try to cheat you out of having one, who can say?
>>
>>2586514
Fair enough. What about hypothetical futures of others?

If we somehow blunder our way to averting the death of Iris, would you say Zero might retain his sense of humor, or is he doomed to get a stick up his nonexistent sphincter after X4: MHQ edition, as in canon? Would Zero and Iris' relationship even work in the long run?
>>
>>2586526
We get our foot tangled in some power cords as the shuttle takes off and get towed through space all the way to Final Weapon.

"Well, as long as you're here..."
>>
>>2586278
If we prevent Axl from being born, and thus the next-gen reploid catastrophe, is that a good or evil act?
>>
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>>2586531
>>2586533
>We somehow end up taking Axl's place in the trio.
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>>2586526
>Fair enough. What about hypothetical futures of others?

Wait and see.

>>2586533
I mean if you prevent Axl from being born, I will be very happy. Judge accordingly.
>>
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>Cain seems to have at least partially used my suggestion for how to describe cyberspace

Feels good to be useful, even if it is helping robot satan
>>
>>2586533
I mean, if it results in the next-gen Copy Reploids and the related tech never existing, given his status as their prototype, then that means no Lumine, and no Redips. That's a pretty big shift from canon, for sure.
>>
>>2586531
>Iris shreds herself on the tension coil wolfspider style
>Zero is 2x traumatized and pissed at anode
>>
>>2586564
If Anode didn't have his little epiphany, and went Maverick as a result, would we start playing as mav Anode for a while? Or would we automatically shift to character creation for the new POV character, or would we just start playing as one of the pre-existing cast members?
>>
>>2586548
Or Zero still goes into hibernation after X5 and we take Zero's place as the melee guy. I joked about that possibility in the April Fools thread.

>>2586579
Well Spider/Redips could still end up being the test unit for the DNA copy technology. We may just end up with a different prototype if we story Axl's birth.
>>
>>2586595
Oh, one of those, I'm sure.
>>
>>2586610
>fast forward to MHQ circa X7
>Anode returns to HQ with Axl in tow
>deargodthere'stwoofthem.jpg
>X seriously considers going Maverick over the possibility of having to deal with two Anodes
>tfw we inadvertently cause the Zero series as it was conceived; with a maverick X as the big bad
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>>2586278
I'm not sure if you've answered this before, but what exactly are the Yellow Devil-type enemies?
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>>2586665
Tremendously obnoxious?

Though that does remind me, I was going to include that in Wily's wiki entry. Perhaps tomorrow...
>>
>>2586658
the question is what shenanigans would Anode/Axl/ and Em get into by that point if shit went that way,
>>
>>2586665
Presumably a master class on the oft-overlooked field (in the Mega Man universe, at least) of nanotechnology.
>>
They're just a bunch of silly putty with iron filings in it.

The core at the center is a big magnet with a gun

Nanotech is overkill when all they do is stand in one place and occasionally slosh from one end of the room to the other.
>>
>>2587006
Black devil couldn't keep up with advancing tech. It couldn't handle the power of DUCKING.
>>
Posting from work again--morning folks! Thank you for all the forbearance.

Like CL said, we don't want to tip the hand too hard on your future.

I will say that MHQ Axl, if he exists, will act almost nothing like X7 Axl. I have some ideas for the character that should make him less... you know, Poochie the Dog.
>>
>>2587252
That is good to hear.
>>
>>2587252
Looking forward to an Axl with the personality of a bastard child of Cain Labs and Saetos!
>>
>>2587252
Convinced to follow X's pacifist ethos, Axl soon became known for his proficiency in live capture of even the most dangerous mavericks. His early partnership with Anode allowed for a combat style that revolved around devastating thunderbolts.

Soon everyone know him by name: Axl Ketchum
>>
>>2580836
“You’re not going to like my suggestion.”

Gopher scoffs. “Leave him alone, right?”

“As much as he lets you. You already deputized me to keep him on an even keel, let me handle whatever sticks he needs to go with the carrots.”

He raises an eyebrow, but says nothing.

“...Oh, c’mon,” you say, snickering despite yourself.

“All right, granted. But he’s bad, and getting worse. I won’t sacrifice unit discipline for one prima donna.”

You nod. “Wouldn’t expect you to.”

“Then we have an understanding. Play babysitter--and keep me posted on his behavior. This is already closer to an under-the-table deal than I like.”

You raise an eyebrow, but say nothing.

He allows himself a small smirk as he goes back to organizing a mountain of papers. “Yeah, yeah. Not that this solves our biggest problem.”

“Rezador,” you say.

Gopher nods. “I can’t argue with his results--and since he’s started hanging around Em, the Captain’s combat performance has jumped noticeably.”

“That’s a shit trade, sir.” You state flatly.

He inclines his head. “Agreed. But to be brutally honest, right now I need the edge. We’re at war, and Fourth needs them both to keep our heads above water. Shit trades are the best we’re going to get.”

You fold your arms. “Still--That road only has one end, and I’m here trying to stop that from happening.”

“I understand, Captain, but I can’t touch him. Halcyon ordered me--personally--twice--not to meddle or interfere with his work. I could, hypothetically, transfer him--”

“Really?” You ask, immediately sensing it’s too good to be true.

“...But we have a reformed maverick in Columbus, and Los Mortales don’t believe there’s any such thing.”

“Natch.”

“So that’s America out.” He ticks it off on his fingers. “Tokyo is a very delicate environment right in the heart of the city, and still transitioning away from my command to boot. Commander Jaguar has told me that if Rezador ever sets foot in Overland Veracruz he will personally kill him on sight.”

“Boo hoo?” You offer.

“I’m not about to sacrifice the life and career of a seasoned Commander and a friend to solve a personnel problem,” Gopher says bluntly.

“What about Em?” You ask.

“Transfer him?” Gopher asks, looking up at you. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but that sounds like a Bad Idea.”

“No, definitely not,” you agree quickly. “He already sees you as an intruder on ‘his’ unit. Geneva’s home base, as far as he’s concerned.”

Gopher makes a faintly annoyed growl in the back of his throat, but accedes the point. “I’m already regretting this ‘hands off, let you handle it’ agreement, Anode.”

You chuckle darkly. “I don’t blame you. No, not transfer, but--can’t you order him not to deploy with Rezador?”

“Like his mission performance, it’s not away I’m worried about, it’s home.”
>>
>>2587252
Maybe nobody should act like X7 anything.

Except X himself I guess. From a Doylist gameplay standpoint I was pissed I couldn't play as him, but from a Watsonian storyline point of view it makes sense knowing everything he's been through, especially everything in X6, and I honestly feel for the guy.
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>>2588144
Damn. “Then can you order him to stay away from Rezador while he’s here? Fill his time with unit work?”

“He’s already quartermaster,” Gopher observes. “And I feel like he’ll take that as a challenge, dig in his heels.”

“He would. So, make it stuff he’d be amenable to--maybe melee training program, shit like that.”

“I could threaten to demote him,” Gopher offers.

“I don’t think he’d care. But--actually, hang on.” You tap one of Gopher’s newsfeeds, scrolling the crawl back up to the announcement about Karin. “There’s a two-rank bound for combat rank assessment, right?”

Gopher nods. “Informal, but it may as well be clad in stone. I’ve never heard of a promotion out of step with that.”

You nod again--you might have something here, though it’s a primo dick move, even by your standards. “Right, Seven was a Major because he did a lot of unit work, but Tanker was a Captain because all he did was hunt.”

“What’s your point, Captain?”

You look back up at Gopher. “You may have noticed Em’s got a real chip on his shoulder about being short-sold or underestimated.”

He rolls his wrist. “Yeah, and...”

“And Lieutenants don’t get rank-assessed for Special A,” you finish, tapping the screen. “If he’s going to let his pride rule him, you may as well have a hand on the leash.”

Gopher leans back, impressed. “Brutal, Captain. I like it. I can’t account for all his free time, but I can strongly encourage him to pick up a few more secondary roles to keep him busy.”

“Every little bit helps,” you say. “Thanks, Commander.”

“Mm. Is there anything further?”

>No, sir.
>Yes, sir. (Specify)
>>
>>2588147
>No sir.

Seems like all the high points are covered.
>>
>>2588147
>Back to the topic of shit trades, any thoughts on which mission I should take next?
>>
>>2588147
heh, I can go with >>2588175

It's Yamatoad or Gibbon, and whether we could actually take on Yamatoad as we are.
>>
>>2588147
>No, sir.
>>
>>2588212
Some chatter has made Moloch a possibility as well. Gibbon fired a shot in western Canada and now there is trouble in Vancouver with some reptile mav raising up gangs.
>>
>>2588212
And leave Moloch continued free reign?
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>>2588235
He's collecting DNA and becoming a right monster, but he's still one guy compared to Yamatoad building an army and Gibbon shooting down satellites.

I also wonder if his DNA gets better for us as he upgrades
>>
>>2588243
Perhaps, but for once he is out in the open. Before, the issues with facing him was that he was either hidden or hard to find, but now we have a sort of open zone that seems to be him planning something big. This would be our best chance, and as is Yamatoad is heavily fortified. More so than usual.
>>
What about Stellar Atlantica? Did we take her on yet? Aren't things getting more dicey with her or something?
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>>2588304
We don't know if she's planning MORE things, but she's already completed her first plan and armed Gibbon with a satellite destroyer.
>>
>>2588147
>No, sir.
>>
>>2588304
Stellar has the issues of Yamatoad and being a water level with lasers. If all the enemy ships are in ports, they would likely be in Stella's fort as well.

The way I see it, we have 3 Passive mavs, and one Active.
Yamatoad is resupplying at his base
Stellar is in hers.
Gibbon is at his after doing the attack.

Meanwhile, Moloch is being active and is getting support to block intel on his location. We know where he is, we have signs of it, and it could be another massive strike. Its probably our best bet to stop him in the act.
>>
>>2588147
>>2588175
Supporting.

>>2588336
By that logic, Yamatoad is low on supplies and Gibbon is also out of position. Stellar is the only one in a position of strength, which sucks because she's one of the ones I wanted to do early. Like, I've had a really bad feeling about leaving her for as long as we have. But I can't justify going after her on a feeling, and my gut tells me we're too late anyway. Might as well save her for last. *grumble*
>>
>>2588336
>>2588147
I would also like to go after Moloch, and would like to point out that there are already upgraded DNA mavericks out there. He could easily be a supplier for further upgrades, and has been basically acting as a murder machine without the extra buddies. We all saw what Wren could do as an A, and she flew solo. This guy is going with a gang that is getting stronger with him actively. Do we really want to see him with a small army of Customs at his beck and call too?
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>>2588420
Likewise. I wanted to do Atlantica second at latest for the growing threat I felt she posed, but while we were busy with Wren the navy increased, which put a lid on that.
>>
I hate devil's choices.
>>
>>2588260
>>2588421
Good point.

>>2588243
You know who else is one guy?
Anode

>>2588228
Wait, does that mean Gibbon can cover Moloch now? I mean, he's got that satellite. But maybe it needs time to recharge? If that's the case we really *do* need to attack right the fuck now.

>>2588433
I know. It means the enemy is doing something right. I hate when that happens.

I mean not from a gameplay perspective or anything because it makes for an entertaining challenge but you know what I mean.
>>
>>2588450
we actually have support for most of these missions, so You're Not Alone.
>>
>>2588450
I mean in taking out the sat giving info. My guess is for it to prevent calls for help as he wrecks up the place. Firing a laser AT us would be a lot more difficult when you consider it won't curve.
As is, all threats are elevating, and Moloch has been constantly moving. He won't stay there for long.
>>
>>2588464
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9GpuGO3xyo

Such a happy song.

>>2588433
I, of course, deeply enjoy them.
>>
We should really, REALLY be getting on top of the background missions. I don't like the idea of letting them hang around. Even if we don't let Gopher in on the spooky part of it, we should be pursuing these.

So with that in mind.

>"One more thing, sir. I'd like clearance to check out these coordinates. They were traced from a message in Conda's old quarters, from someone named Baccarat. (Give Gopher co-ordinates. If he doesn't clear us, he can at least have someone look into it.)
>>
>>2589115
I'll support this
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>>2589115
Yeah we should probably get on that.
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>>2589115
Not really the best time. If there was a lul or anything big for our remaining targets sure, but right now we have one of the harder to find ones in the open, starting a massive op that required the help of two other Mavs.
Moloch has also been doing constant damage without prep and rather quick. We should not put him off.
>>
>>2589115
Eh, that externally sounds like a trap, and we've no shortage of mavs to retire. We don't have time to be going haring off after vague stuff like that.
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>>2589115
>Supporting this
>>
>>2589147
If we end up waiting for the "best time", we're going to run out of roster by the time we get around to any of it.

>>2589158
It was indicated that the very lives and livelihood of our friends and perhaps ourselves may be in the balance. It may not be important globally, but I've got a strong hunch that it's damned important personally. It could be nothing. Or it could very much be something, and something big and lurking and best brought to light.

For want of a nail.
>>
>>2588420

HC mentioned Yamatoad is currently up-defended. I think a bigger in-thread breakdown of how the enemy forces have changed would help.
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>>2589115
On second thought, yeah. If background missions are things we have to specifically ask for, then let's get to them.
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>>2589115
I agree with these.

I don't want us to end up not doing them and find out us doing all the mavericks before doing these closed them off.
>>
Home, cleared some adult responsibilities, then writing.


Also, for the most part your background missions aren't going to be crucial, and they're, currently, at least, not going to involve talking to an NPC about to kick off on.
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>>2588147
“Mind if I pick your brain about my roster?” You ask.

He shrugs. “I’ve said my piece on that score.”

“Disposition’s changed,” you observe. “I just want to make sense of the latest intel.”

Gopher leans back in his chair and makes an especially sharp whistle. “All right, shoot.”

“Atlantica, Yamatoad, Gibbon, Moloch,” you count out. “Mortarphant opened up Yamatoad, a little, and I was hoping the navy might be a bit strung out.”

“No such luck. That was where the maverick naval force retreated to--in force.”

“Damaged?”

“Some. A lot that aren’t. And you’ve got three S-classes converged there, at least.”

“Yeah?”

“Amphitrite’s lived this long by knowing how to go to ground. She’s going to lay low with backup for a while. Probably a good, long while.”

“Then there’s Tanker, and Yamatoad himself,” you nod.

“Tough nut to crack.”

“But crackable?”

Gopher shrugs. “Eventually, yes.”

“Won’t it just get stronger, the longer I leave it?”

“More durable, maybe. There’s a certain level of falloff where more ships isn’t going to make a big difference.”

“No, but having the shipyard in our hands would help even that score,” you point out.

“True. But at best, right now they’re brittle. Brittle, but as well-armed and alerted as they’re going to be. And Yamatoad’s kept his fleet disciplined.”

“What about Gibbon and Atlantica? She beamed something to him, and then he lasered a hole in space.”

“Atlantica you might make a play on, but you wouldn’t get any backup going in, and if you got caught out, you’re done, there’s no way you’re slipping past that whole blockade. As for Gibbon… well, you only get a surprise attack like that once. We know he can do it now, so smart money is they hit what they were aiming for. That does give us an idea of their strategy.”

“They hit one of the Lagrange points already, right?”

“They did, but aside from holding it, they haven’t made a push--probably because they know they’d lose the full-court press.”

“Why then?”

“Distraction, I think. Have us afraid they’re trying to pop the cork on Earth orbit.”

“That sounds like it could well be a primary goal, even if that wasn’t Gibbon’s target.”

“Could be. There’s a reason we guard the mining worlds. Imagine mavericks with limitless time, space, and resources.”

“No thanks.”

“Bingo. Right now, that’s Eleventh’s problem. They’re already positioning fast-response assets for a push to escape out of Sol.”

“I’m still not keen on leaving that base free to take another potshot. They will if we let them.”

“Of course,” Gopher nods. “But did you notice what they took out?”

“Comms satellite, right?”

“Over the Pacific Northwest. Where your last customer’s waiting.”
>>
>>2590108
“He can’t be the only one operating there.”

“No, but he’s the loudest. And it means they’ve picked their theatre to focus their efforts for the back nine.”

“Sounds almost as risky as Yamatoad,” you observe. “At least there we know what to expect. So what are my now-and-laters for each?”

Gopher sits back up. “Yamatoad now means a spearhead. You’ll need a lot of backup and you can expect a pretty nasty fight. Strategically, they’re almost spent after Istanbul. They’re going to fight to the last. That’s not going to go clean.”

You nod. “And if I wait?”

“Sixth clears other targets and has more resources to throw at them with you, nibble them down a bit. Safer approach and were it me, I’d be following their lead.”

“Atlantica?”

“Same kind of punchthrough attack. It could work, but if it goes sour, you’re all kinds of screwed. If you hold off, she probably has more time to send materials and entrench, but you can peel her out with time and backup on your side instead of hers.”

Another unknown variable. “Great. Gibbon?”

“More laser bombardment. Honestly once the heat’s off 15th, we might just shell the shit out of the area. Won’t stop him, but suppressing his aim or reducing the range will do the work.“

“And Moloch…”

“Lots more damage, infrastructure and civilian. Probably his little warband grows, and smart money says more dead hunters and weaponized DNA. Whatever he’s up to, it’s not good.”

He glances over his shoulder at a steady little bi-bi-biii notice on one of his screens, pinging for his attention. “Anything further?”

>
>>
Sounds like it's Gibbon or Moloch.

I reallllllllllllllllly wish we could kill Tanker but that's not in the cards you better not rob us of that HC.
>>
>>2590112
>No, that's enough.

>>2590114
>Sounds like it's Gibbon or Moloch.

If we're picking either, I'm hoping we go after Gibbon.
>>
>>2590112
Nope.
Going for Moloch to reduce the total damage and gains they can do. Vancouver would open up a beach head for the enemy to bring more forces, and we need to stem the flow of weaponized DNA.
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>>2590112
>Moloch it is
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>>2590112
"Sounds like I'm going graverobbing."
>>
Moloch sounds like the most immediate threat since he's still running around smashing stuff and stealing from the corpses of those he has slain.
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>>2590112
huh, so maybe it should be Moloch after all. Not too keen on Tanker, Yamatoad, AND Amphritrite.
>>
>>2590140
...Actually, Moloch does sound like the better choice.
>>
Can we de-equip the laser frit if we don't do gibbon?
>>
>>2590112
Mm, sounds like Moloch is the priority target here.

>>2590301
We know Atlantica's kidnapped a laser researcher and been exporting laser weapons, Moloch has been hoarding VWES data, and Yamatoad is holed up with a bunch of other high-class mavericks. We could need it for all 4 of them.
>>
>>2590301
It's frit, it doesn't de-equip; it just scrapes off or degrades.
>>
>>2590432
Just because of commentary on how much we will likely go through this stuff, what would it cost to just have a bathtub full of the stuff we could just face plant into after missions.
>>
>>2590112
Nah, nothing further.

I'd like to ask about the Conda and Baccarat thing, but if he's already got stuff beeping for his attention, it's probably not the best time.

We should really look up WHERE those location co-ords point to, though. So we know ahead of time whether it's a nice and pleasant field full of wild flowers, or a wretched hive packed with yodelling mavericks.
>>
>>2590437
Why not just a spray-tan booth?
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>>2590447
Then how do we justify getting Captain Fullmetool a naval compatriot?
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>>2590112
No. Go for Moloch, I suppose. We've got the frit for Gibbon and maybe Atlantica, but there's no small possibility there might be laser weapons in play with Moloch, given what we know about the VWES-scavenging.
>>
>>2590112
>Really wish my sister wasn't in bed from Istanbul. If she was up and able I might have considered hitting Yamatoad, even with Tanker and Amphitrite there. Taking out 2 or 3 S ranks in one op would be good for morale. Can you see if you can get command to let us do combined ops once she is back on duty?
>>
>>2590112
>Nah senpai, we good
>Moloch Edgelord
>>
Also Moloch is armor penetration, bunker buster style, so maybe we can use that to make a nasty surprise if (when) we fight Collide again
>>
>>2591057
We don't know what exactly it might entail, but thats likely close, I agree. Could find a way to synergyze it with our Shriver Driver Combo. All that force with a armor rending spike would hurt.
Also, might be an idea to find out who Graverend killed in terms of hunters. Find out the common theme.
>>
>>2590432
How about delaying equipping it? Seems kinda pointless to get it immediately0 if we're not gonna jump into laser hell instantly
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>>2591661
Think it might be equipped already, but on the upside it sounds like all the levels may end up being laser hell by now, so hey!
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Bear with me, folks--had to do some computer maintenance (hello, 200F under load, please stop cooking my board) and decided to swap out my desk with that furniture from the other day while I was at it. Aside from needing one slightly longer cable to situate the monitors centrally, I'm about done.
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One(?) more no-update night. I also know tomorrow's busy but I should be able to at least get a post out.

That said, wanted to let you guys know two things per commentary over the last few threads.

1: Background missions aren't usually going to be "enabled" by talking to someone about them, they're just kind of there whenever. At the moment there's no compelling "this will save/kill a character if you took the mission" stuff, it's purely bonus content. Given how hard it is for me to find time to update, I've been leery of diving into one until I can devote a lot of time to covering regular story ground at the same pace.

2: You can postpone applying the anti-laser frit if you're not going to a mission where you think it will come in handy.
>>
>>2592753
Ah, I can stop bringing it up then. Glad to hear it. Anode's life tends to be a bit of a Wild Ride, so it can be hard to know what we actually have to push to get done, and what will come along in its own time.

Also,
INVESTIGATE OLD DOG'S OLD FLAME
>>
I'd love to do Schwarz' background mission.
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>>2590112
Probably Moloch or Gibbon, then. You shake your head.

“Dismissed, Captain.”

You salute and step out, a pair of Berets waiting politely outside for your conversation to wrap up before they stepped in.

The new base structure gleams with new, unworn facings; from the outside it looks like a piece of shaped armor; a flat wall topped by a sloped inward taper, ringing the central headquarters buildings like a fence. The entire thing has a wide transit hall, the inside surprisingly spacious, considering what it’s replacing--though of course, there are some very, very tall Reploids out there.

There are no true divisions between the unit spaces anymore, at least none not imposed by the rosters themselves. Each part of the wider ring is “owned” space, but there are no breaks--you can walk out of Overland and into Deploy. New scanners check your credentials at each door, blinking red twice as you approach something off-limits.

You’ve about exhausted Overland turf--running into Seventh, to the east, and are heading back towards your new living quarters, when you hear the unmistakable sound of an armored Reploid getting body slammed.

“Don’t do that again,” someone hisses.

You hurry forward around the bend to find a pair of Steel Berets--Overland, from their designators--and three enlisted from other units.

One of them, a Beller0phon--that’d be Seventh--takes a step back from the wall, having shoved another hunter into it. “Then don’t repeat yourself.”

The Reploid--Advance, you think--stays cool, but you can hear the throttled anger in his voice. “If you don’t like it, maybe examine that.”

The Air Cavalryman raises his fist.

“Storm Eagle was nothing but a traitor.”

“Hey!” One of the Overland Berets steps forward, but too late--the Beller0phon swings, metal crunching as he punches the offender in the face.

The Advanced enlisted, some variant on the Link Rider model, looks back at his assailant coldly. “Maybe you should spend less time honoring maverick dead instead of our own.”

“Hey!” The Overland Beret yells again, grabbing Air Cav’s hand. He rolls his arm arm and shoulders into the Beret, sending him stumbling back.

“And maybe we would have less dead if your units could carry their weight!” He snaps.

The Beret, bless him, tries to stay calm--he holds open his palms plaintively, stepping forward slowly. Another of the assembled, this one Recon, matches the gesture and speaks up timidly. “Easy. We’re all hurting, okay? We’ve all lost people.”

Air Cav isn’t having it, ignoring him to shine that cold glare on your unit’s Beret. “Yes, we have. Dash Dodo, right? Tell me, are all of your heroes dumb enough to waste themselves so hopelessly?”
>>
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>>2593609
The Beret loses his cool, stepping forward and pushing Recon aside as he winds up for a swing. Advance, pinned to the wall by the throat, sees his chance and clocks Air Cav with his elbow, sending him reeling back a step. You see his hand disappear into his buster as he recovers his balance--

“All right, that’s enough!” You shout. All assembled whirl at the intrusion.

“Question stands, Captain,” the Beller0phon hisses, letting his buster arm fall.

>Yes, ‘Captain.’ Which means a crazy little thing called discipline.
>Oh, no, let’s do this your way. You were saying about my friend?
>Is this how you want to represent your unit? We’re better than this.
>Other?
>>
>>2593610
"Self sacrifice is the highest act of bravery a reploid can achieve - Dodo saved dozens of lives by keeping Tigershark occupied. If you think that's a waste, try telling that to the people who escaped because of him. We can't all run away as effectively as someone from the 7th."
>>
>>2593610
>Is this how you want to represent your unit? We’re better than this.

That answer sounds like what Storm Eagle would say. Use it.
>>
>Other?

Time to escalate

>The only good bird is a dead bird.
>>
>>2593610
>Dash Dodo died saving lives, infantry ones at that. Meanwhile, people like you and (recon dude) are going around starting fights with allies over already dead people. So who's 'wasting their life' exactly?

Air Cavalry was obviously being provoked here, let's not stick it all on him.
>>
>>2593610
>Is this how you want to represent your unit? We’re better than this.
we have reason to take offense at both of those, since Schwarz's case has a few similarities with Eagle.
>Let the dead STAY dead. We have enough horses to beat when they come back as zombies.
>>
>>2593610
>Is this how you want to represent your unit? We’re better than this.
>>
>>2593623
Do most people know about Schwarz yet? Repairs can't have taken that long.
>>
>>2593649
maybe not, I was just thinking of a reason Anode would care about Storm Eagle.
>>
>>2593661
If we keep in good with 7th it probably ups our chances of finding out how Diamond died? Besides just keeping good relations with 7th in general, anyway. We need their help with BIRDS.
>>
>>2593610
>Is this how you want to represent your unit? We’re better than this.
Lets not answer the loaded question with the answer they want, ya’know?
>>
>>2593661
Possibly Wren, of all people. How lucid she was at the end, the regret, the tiredness...that was a tough one.
>>
>>2593615
Aegis Garm died to delay Sigma, didn't he? We should ask if he thinks that was a waste too.
>>
>>2593725
He survived and only recently went missing.
>>
>>2593728
Ah my bad
>>
>>2593704
Agreed. We have no beef with the 7th, we even fulfilled their request to bring back wren's ashes and Diamond was a bro for us in the Saetos fight.
Either way, not the time for more in fighting.
>Is this how you want to represent your unit? We’re better than this.
>Dodo sacrificed himself to save those he can just like many others including the Tenth. Do not rub dirt on those who would do that.
>>
>>2593610
>>Is this how you want to represent your unit? We’re better than this.
We have no shortage of enemies to fight already.
>>
>>2593610
>>2593744
>>
>>2593610
>Is this how you want to represent your unit? We’re better than this.

Thinking back to our talk with the Air Cav guy who was mad at Em (drawing a blank on the name), this response seems most likely to make the best impact. They're pretty big on keeping unit cohesion.
>>
>>2593610
>Is this how you want to represent your unit? We’re better than this.
>>
>>2593622
Seconding this
>>
Seconding all posts that mention Dodo's sacrifice
>>
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>>2593618
>>2593640
>>2593623
>>2593675
>>2593744
>>2593769
>>2593789
>>2594075
You feel the anger bubble up again, a seething boil--

And then you simply let it flow through and past you, taking a breath before you look the Air Cavalryman in the eye. “Is that the example you’re going to hold yourself to?”

He stares right back at you, letting go of the Advance soldier. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

“You can take it however you please. But you’re better than this.”

His own icy cold rage heats when you refuse to. “Do not presume to lecture me, Captain.”

“Well, I’m not going to order you,” you say flatly--engaging on his level is a losing prospect, and both of you know it. “But you’re better than that. Don’t bring Dodo into this.”

“A failed hunter from a failed unit,” the Beller0phon hisses.

“Enough,” you repeat. “Dodo died saving a bar full of enlisted like you. Let him rest. This is between us.”

The Cavalryman bristles, but before he can respond, another voice booms. “Well said, Captain.”

That gets his attention. “Sir.”

“I thought you were discarding protocol,” Firestorm Aardwolf says coldly, striding forward. “Perhaps you ought consider your own honor before questioning his.”

“But--”

“Need I remind you that Overland stood shoulder to shoulder with us when we brought Diamond home? There is family in this unit. There is family in every unit.”

“I was only…”

“It doesn’t matter what you intended, only what you wrought. You are dismissed, Private.”

“But sir, I--”

“You are dismissed, Private.”

“...Sir.” The Beller0phon salutes and gets the hell out of Dodge as fast as he can.

“The rest of you as well,” Aardwolf says curtly. They don’t salute, but Advance and Recon beat feet. The Overland Beret turns to catch your eye, gratitude clear in his, before he scampers. With the masspro soldiers gone, the 7th officer turns to you. “Thank you for staying calm, Captain.”

“Mm. Blowing up doesn’t do anybody any favors, I don’t need to tell you.”

He lowers his head in agreement. “Still, he shamed our unit.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Though, that reminds you-- “How’s Seek?”

He pauses, measuring his words carefully. “Better. Your friend did make good on his promise.”

“Good. And that reminds me.” You open that container you sealed in France, withdrawing the small phial of earth. He looks at you quizzically as you hand it to him.

“Is this…”

“Wren.” You nod.

He takes it with both hands, clasped over yours with reverence. “Thank you.” A pause. “You could have simply flashed this and silenced the Private.”

“I thought about it,” you admit. “But it wouldn’t have been right. To her, or to you.”

>May I ask what brought this about?
>So we’re neighbors now, huh?
>Other?
>>
>>2596042
>>So we’re neighbors now, huh?
This is a fertile ground for pranks, but the tension is too high to be able to pull any off, and we're responsible now and stuff.
>>
>>2596042
>>May I ask what brought this about?
I'd like to know why 1st and 4th were having a tiff with 7th. If we're going to be "roomies" we should probably know as much as we can about inter-unit politics and what to avoid doing/saying.
>>
>>2596042
>May I ask what brought this about?
>>
>>2596042
>>May I ask what brought this about?
Tensions are high, but this is getting nuts.
>>
>>2596042
>Other
"Wanna get drunk and play whack-a-mole with me? There's some jackass in the PNW ruining everything."
>>
>>2596042
>So we’re neighbors now, huh?
sucks that pranks probably wouldn't be taken too well at the moment.
>>
>>2596042
>May I ask what brought this about?
>>
>>2596042
>May I ask what brought this about?
>>
>>2596042
>May I ask what brought this about?
Hopefully this kind of thing isn't going to be a regular occurrence
>>
>>2596042
>So we’re neighbors now, huh?
I know we're not known for doing numbers real good in the 4th, but I'm pretty sure this isn't the order they usually go in.
>>
>>2596774
4th's motto is Any Time, Any Place, so 4th's section can exist anywhere in spacetime. It's science.
>>
Once again bear with me, folks. First day off work in five months and I've come down with something.
>>
>>2596972
>five months
>one day off

Can we find you awesome job or patreon this shit pls
>>
>>2597085
Let me walk that back, I DO get weekends.
>>
>>2596042
>May I ask what brought this about?
>...So we’re neighbors now, huh?
>>
>>2596102
>>2596126
>>2596132
>>2596249
>>2596259
>>2596323
>>2598114
“So, what was that about?” You ask, Aardwolf coming up to look out over the torus hallway segment with you.

“Provoking our more temperamental enlisted has become something of a sport, these days,” he says, watching their retreating backs. “Unfortunately, right now those same troublemakers are just looking for an excuse, themselves.”

“Timing could be better, shoveling us all in right next to each other at once,” you agree.

Aardwolf’s anger and frustration, though composed, is clear in his tense posture. He looks down at the glass in his palm, each of his fingers a match for the slender phial. “Mm. Rivalries are starting to turn into grudges. Do they not know we lost three of our own flying to the aid of other units?”

“Five,” you say, gesturing at his gently closed fist. “Her, and Foxwing Blue, right?”

He turns to look you in the eye. “Commander Albatross said you see things our way.”

“I try to. I met enough of the real Wren to understand that particular tradition, at least.”

Aardwolf is silent for a long time, looking down the hallway. “I’ll have to discipline the Private.”

You glance over at him. “He done this before?”

“Not him personally, no…”

“Let it go. We’re all high-strung right now. Maybe give him a talk, I get the sense you’re pretty good at those.”

He chuckles. “Maybe.”

“Call it a tradition from Fourth. If it can slide, maybe it should.”

“Perhaps.”

You pause again. “Want me to talk to that Beret?”

Aardwolf shakes his head. “I overheard the end of the exchange. Were Dodo ours, I suspect I would not remain composed. But at the end of the day, no one was hurt, and the Private is going to have to live with the knowledge of how he carried himself.”

You frown, considering that. “Sounds like punishment enough for an Air Cavalryman.”

“I won’t let him forget it, but I suspect I won’t need to. We’re better than our worst. You and Captain Emerald helped convince me of that.”

You turn to regard the stoic officer more fully. After a moment, you extend a hand. “To cleaning up our units’ messes?” You offer.

He takes it and shakes it firmly. “And each other’s.”

That dispels some of the grim pall, letting the sheen of new walls and electronics cast cast undimmed. “So how’s Seventh doing?” You ask.

“Cleaning up,” he begins, a new and altogether more visceral presence of anger rolling off him, “some very large messes.”

“Don’t I know it,” you reply with a nod. “Half the reason I think Em’s going off the deep end is Rezador.”

“We got Cormorant,” Aardwolf replies dully.

“I haven’t had the…” You fish for the word.
>>
>>2598934
“Imagine having all your armor plates divested from you, live, with a plasma cutter, before you are summarily tossed into a vat of molten iron, then pitched back out to fly three loops around Headquarters while it cools, hit some birds if you need feathers, and then they tell you this is your new plating. And that it’s coming out of your salary. That is a two-minute conversation with Crash Cormorant.”

You blink, nonplussed by the entirely different brand of eloquence Firestar displayed. “That’d be ‘displeasure,’ then.”

“Mm.”

Still… “That bad?”

He heaves a sigh that raises the temperature in the hall section by two degrees. “Worse. He is the worst Reploid I have ever met in my life, and I am including every single maverick I’ve crossed paths with.”

“Um.”

“I wish, to Eagle and the air itself I wish that was hyperbole. He collects… trophies. He leaves them around. He throws our personnel around if they disturb them. Or him. He waxes philosophical about ‘the virtue of violence.’ Yesterday he skewered a dismembered--live--target on the spire of an office building, and left the damaged enlisted he pressganged into the sortie to fall to the ground.”

Jesus. “You see the footage from Istanbul?” He nods. “You know that collapsed freeway, where it drops to ground level? That was Rezador. He needed a ramp.”

Aardwolf’s scowl is audible. “And after that,” you continue, “He punted a beam saber out of Em’s shoulder while he was down for putting the mission over confirming a kill.”

Aardwolf shakes his head slowly. “‘The Deadly Ones,’ indeed. They failed to specify to whom. They’re like animals. … Well...”

“Well?” You ask.

“He rubs his chin. “I’m told when we deployed alongside Advance, Rush Chevalski thanked our enlisted for their help and sent them on their way.”

“No shit.”

“At this point, I’ll take it. I truly cannot stress enough the trophies.”

The conversation hits another lull, but you decide you don’t want to leave it on the poor bastard’s obvious disquiet. “So I guess we’re neighbors now, huh?”

“We may have a few occasions to test our resolution, yes,“ Firestar replies. “Third, Fourth, Seventh, and Fifteenth had the biggest satellites on campus. Most of the rest were already operating out of the main buildings.”

Ah--that makes sense. “Right. The most mechaniloids, vehicle, space concerns.”

>I suppose I ought to tour my own base a bit more before I meander. To the Range!
>Speaking of vehicles, space, and concerns, I should check up on India.
>Other?
>>
>>2598939
>Speaking of vehicles, space, and concerns, I should check up on India.
The Rider needs some help with her background mission
>>
>>2598958
....or she could be The Peacock.
>>
>>2598939
>Speaking of vehicles, space, and concerns, I should check up on India.
>>
>>2598939
>Speaking of vehicles, space, and concerns, I should check up on India.
>>
>>2598939
>Speaking of vehicles, space, and concerns, I should check up on India.

See how that jet's coming along.
>>
Oh look, 7th enjoys their present from Halcyon as much as you enjoy yours.
>>
>>2599090
Sounds like Cormorant's a real work of art
>>
>>2599090
pretty much,
>>
>>2598939
>>Speaking of vehicles, space, and concerns, I should check up on India.
She's wild enough I worry about her getting into an altercation of her own.
>>
>>2598939
>>Speaking of vehicles, space, and concerns, I should check up on India.
Hopefully she's not getting into the same kind of dumb arguments.
>>
>>2598939
>Speaking of vehicles, space, and concerns, I should check up on India.
I wonder if things were this bad when sigma went maverick? I mean sure unlike doopler he was a much larger figure and took a good chunk of the maverick hunters with him when he left but I have to wonder if then everyone was then paired with a team of complete ass hats that they couldn't do anything about because they can actually back up all their bullshit and then forced into new dorm rooms with new roommates while everyone is still feeling like shit and pissed off at everything.

Again moral probably didn't take as big a hit when doopler did his thing as compared to Sigma but I feel that these little touches like team ass hat are doing their best to shore up the difference.
>>
>>2598939
>>Speaking of vehicles, space, and concerns, I should check up on India.
See what we can do. Maybe 7th can lend a hand as well? They likely have the places to test it.
>>
>>2598939
>Speaking of vehicles, space, and concerns, I should check up on India.
>>
>>2598939
>Speaking of vehicles, space, and concerns, I should check up on India.
>>
>>2599384
They didn't have to worry about building new accommodations when sigma went mav, no.

Plenty of empty space on base.
>>
>>2598939
>India
I like this guy. We should go drinking sometime.

>>2599090
Never thought it would seem lucky to get Rezador!
>>
>>2598939
"At any rate, It's good to have more backup I know I can count on."

>Speaking of vehicles, space, and concerns, I should check up on India.
>>
>“I wish, to Eagle and the air itself I wish that was hyperbole. He collects… trophies"

>Shuffle nervously to hide jetpack
>>
>>2600261
DNA stuff isn't really a trophy
>>
>>2600265
>>2600261
We also aren't sloppy and leave our shit all over the base. I would hate to see his room.
>>
>>2598939
>Speaking of vehicles, space, and concerns, I should check up on India.

>>2599695
>I like this guy. We should go drinking sometime.

Agreed! Seems pretty cool.
>>
>>2599695
>I like this guy. We should go drinking sometime.

Maybe a parting line in the vein of, "I got the first round if you ever need a break."
>>
Hey I just wanted to mention that sourcebooks put X's height at 5'3. Not sure if that puts him as short or shorter than Em, or if that even matters at all.
>>
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>>2600897
If I recall HC said Emerald was 5'5"
>>
>>2601145
And now you realize, that Emerald was designed to be a bigger version Mega Manlet X.
>>
>>2598939
>Check on India.
We haven't spoken to her since Turkey. Let's see how she likes those parts we dropped in her (new) lap.

Also I just finished reading the MHQ archive from top to bottom. It took like, 3 weeks. Christ.
>>
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>>2601172
Definitely worth re-reading once in a while.
>>
>>2601172
>Also I just finished reading the MHQ archive from top to bottom.
Welcome to the hell that is waiting for new threads.
>>
>>2599384
> I wonder if things were this bad when sigma went maverick? I mean sure unlike doopler he was a much larger figure and took a good chunk of the maverick hunters with him when he left but I have to wonder if then everyone was then paired with a team of complete ass hats that they couldn't do anything about because they can actually back up all their bullshit

Just remember, when Sigma went Maverick...

...the eight of them were rogue.
>>
>>2601211
Oh no, make no mistake. That's the entry barrier I set for myself. Now I will participate outside of Shooting Star.
>>
>>2601222
You saved the hard part for last!
>>
>>2601241
Yeah...yeeeeaaaaaah. Speaking of, looking forward to the next entry in the side story as much as the next post for the main one. Y'all run some damn nice threads, they've been nonstop reads for me. Looking to get involved in the IRC, too. Got a recommended client?
>>
>>2601262
I use HexChat myself.
>>
>>2601262
I don't hang around the MHQ channel's server, but I just use mIRC.

And thanks for reading. Next thread might be this week or it might be the one after. HC doesn't mind concurrent threads, but I'd rather space the main and side ones out.
>>
>>2601262
KVIrc here
>>
>>2601295
>Blizzard Wolfgang tries to court Foxfire.
>>
>>2601295
>Foxfire browses the internet behind the 14th's back.
>>
>>2601295
>Soul Foxfire hacking and filling Rho's hard-drives with images of herself.
>>
While I don't see anything inherently wrong with using IRC in this day and age...

Why has no one set up a MHQ Discord? Other than the fact a good chunk of 4chan despises the platform despite it making literally zero difference in regards to thread traffic, and if it does, that's because either the shitposters or people who want to have actual discussions have a mass exodus to the new Discord.
>>
>>2601369
In my case it's because I already have a private/personal one, and I try to keep the streams at least mostly uncrossed.
>>
>>2601369
I do love discord...
>>
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>>2601415
Never took you for a fan of pastel horses. Or are you just in it for de Lancie?
>>
>>2601438
I don't follow.
>>
>>2601459
I don't believe you.
>>
>>2601262
You could always just join me in sending Hunter Command tweets over Twitter about how his lack of runs hurts me on a Physical, Spiritual and Emotional Level
>>
>>2601532
"On every level other than physical, I am the desire for a new MHQ thread."
>>
>>2601369
I post about MHQ sometimes in the mmg discord, but that's about it.
>>
emerald is 5'5 - the same as vegeta
>>
>>2601369
If one was made, I'd definitely join it.
>>
>>2601369
We don't want to let the casuals into our super secret chat so you gotta figure out irc if you wanna get in :^)
>>
>>2602549
(This is a joke by the way)
>>
>>2603015
(By the way you’re a joke)
>>
>>2603112
Rude
>>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFM6q3FHEps
>Megaman 11
Anyone know japanese?
>>
>>2603420
Oh hey it's the guy who invented Raikousen
>>
>>2603420
No need.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcMSEPkDo_8
>>
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Evil eddie is great
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>>2598958
>>2598971
>>2598972
>>2599009
>>2599105
>>2599292
>>2599384
>>2599423
>>2599498
>>2599624
>>2600073
>>2600773
>>2601172
“You know, speaking of flying, I’d been meaning to check on India,” you note. “I better get going.”

“The Lieutenant?” Aardwolf asks. “She’s been assisting us on as many operations as possible--even providing some auxiliary command to our enlisted. She’s… would it be rude to say she missed her calling?”

“I get what you mean,” you reassure him. “She was 11th. She’s wasted on the ground, and no one knows that better than she does.”

“Mm. She’s… coarse, but her excellence speaks for itself.”

You snort. “Just never, ever let her hear that.”

He allows the barest hint of a smile. “I had gotten that impression, yes. Until next time, Captain?”

You nod and toss him a wave as you go. “Come by the Dodo sometime. First round’s on me.”

He returns a prim salute. “I might at that, Captain. Be well.”

You find the vehicle bay where you left it, for a change, even as the base is pulled down right beside it. Sparks from a welder’s torch glitter and cascade in a waterfall, light skittering unevenly across the drab metal interior of Hangar A.

“I’m telling you, I’m wasted on engineering,” you hear a dreadfully familiar voice whine. “Electronics, I’m your gal. But this…”

“You can pass on welding, or you can pass on having your fire systems onlined,” India replies calmly. “Now hold the damn thing steady, Foxfire.”

“Tell me,” you call over a metal saw, “I didn’t hear what I think I just heard.”

Foxfire pivots on her heel--taking a massive chunk of wing with her on her twirl. “Wubsy! You’re home from the war!”

India sighs theatrically, dimming her arc torch, and nonchalantly sets Foxfire’s tail alight. “Hullo, Anode.”

“You’re not seriously thinking of re-arming Yifflord Supreme, are you?” Foxfire swishes her tail under her chin and flutters her eyes theatrically, ignoring the smoke curling off the smoldering tip.

“Hey, you left her in my custody, luv,” India replies. “And she’s actually been a damn sight handier than you’d think. At everything but welding,” she adds, booting Foxfire over with a swift kick in the ass.

You sigh. “Whatever. So how’s the jet coming, Lunatic 1?”

Now that gets you a grin. “She’s airworthy.”

“No shit?” you ask.

“I don’t bullshit about airframes,” India replies serenely. “I need a few more VWES items, and it could use better subsystems, but the Garuda is ready to fly.”

“What can I do?” you ask, getting right down to it.
>>
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>>2604119
She folds her arms, as Foxfire comes up and, after a moment’s deliberation, mimics the gesture, earning an eyeroll. “I’d like to improve its emergency thrusters, that’s going to need some high-grade EAS parts. Armor can always be better, though it’s pretty solid as-is. Weapons I have a handle on, but if you find any particularly choice weapons data, I want as many missile options as I can load this bad boy with.”

You nod. “Any idea where I could start?”

She shrugs. “Unless you feel like donating data or checks, just keep your eyes open. There’s got to be some useful material at that naval base on your docket.”

Yamatoad… that makes sense. “I know I’ve got a laser and optics specialist, too.”

“That could be good.”

>So take me through what you’ve got right now.
>You going to start flying this thing, then?
>Other?
>>
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>>2603686
>Classic series begins with Dr. Wily stealing Dr. Light's work and using it to his own ends
>now Dr. Light is stealing Dr. Wily's creations to stop him

>>2603945
The ruse doesn't work because it's a 1-up instead of a WEAPON capsule

>>2604124
>Weren't you hoping to get that approved for a production run?
>>
>>2604124
>>So take me through what you’ve got right now.
>>
>>2604124
>So take me through what you’ve got right now.
Nice name, by the way.
>>
>>2604124
>>So take me through what you’ve got right now.
We always have our base weapon copies for some of our choices if that is a option. Even if it's not As good, artillery shells and our black out rockets are both great options.
>>
>>2604124
>So take me through what you’ve got right now.
Wren's Typhoon Booster may be a good use of her data. She did say she needed EAS parts.
>>
>>2604124
>You going to start flying this thing, then?
>>
>>2604233
The whole pack may be a good thing to look at, honestly. I mean could you imagine India with a jet that had a dash where it was supposed to be on fire?
>>
>>2604623
Too bad that data cannot be duplicated in any way
>>
>>2604124
>So take me through what you’ve got right now
>Word on the street is your twotiming on Overland with Air Cavalry
>>
>>2604689
I'd be suprised if she hasn't considered strapping members of the 7th on to Garuda's wings so that that would be living maverick killer missiles.
>>
>>2604782
Cormorant, please try to go a full day without antagonizing or endangering the lives of your unitmates
>>
>>2604868
but they consenteeeeeed
>>
>>2604661
Can't be a jet without this
>>
>>2604873
By being within arm's reach. After a protracted and scream-filled chase.
>>
>>2604124
>She shrugs. “Unless you feel like donating data or checks, just keep your eyes open. There’s got to be some useful material at that naval base on your docket.”
>Yamatoad… that makes sense. “I know I’ve got a laser and optics specialist, too.”
>“That could be good.”

That is kind of making me want to go for Atlantica after (finally, I hope?!) dealing with Moloch. Naval blockade be damned.

She only sent Gibbon that laser after the Mortarphant mission... and he fired it the next day... so with a few days in between, I'd expect her and the scientist she abducted to be well into some valuable juicy new project when we show up unannounced.

Just lying around. Waiting to be looted.

I mean. That poor abducted scientist, we should rescue... him? For justice. Not for loot. But we should loot for justice, too. Justice must be done, after all.
>>
>>2604905
Not by simply existing?
>>
>>2604124
>Take me through what you've got right now.
>What kinds of systems would you usually find on a plane like this, just to give us a benchmark to work with?
>>
>>2604124
>Offer to donate movies for inflight entertainment.
>Ask Foxfire if it's possible for her to track 'untraceable' messages.
>>
>>2604967
That scientist has outlived his usefulness by now. I knew there was another reason I wanted to do Atlantica earlier

.>>2604124
So take me through what you've got right now.
>>
>>2604996
Come on now. He's not a monster.
>>
>>2604124
>So take me through what you’ve got right now.
we all know that India loves to talk dirty so let's give her what she wants
>>
>>2605246
... he isn't?
>>
The waiting is the worst part
>>
>>2605217
Atlantica's still got a fleet overhead and plenty of time to squeeze more interesting lasers out of her captive. The optics scientist is probably not in danger of being axed, either out of frothing maverick rage or outliving his usefulness... at least until the fleet is gone and Atlantica starts feeling like her back is against the wall.

If anything, given how the fleet's been growing, she probably feels more secure than ever.

Hence contemplating the idea of doing a blockade run. I'm not totally set on the idea, but it might be our only chance of saving the nerd and getting some sweet loot, informational or otherwise.
>>
>>2605427
We need a strong and fast solo partner if we do the blockade run.
>>
>>2605442
I hate to say it, but... Rezador. If Amphitrite's there, he'll jump at the chance. Plus if he dies, we don't have to give a shit!
>>
>>2605427
Blockade run would be a solo op though, unless you meant the Yamatoad run where he has a minimum of two other S rank buddies on hand, one of which thrashed Rezador.

That said, we have an elusive target about to vanish that Gibbon used his big gun to cut off Intel on, who has been killing Hunters and harvesting DNA. Which is likely making the DNA modded Custom Mavs stronger and allowing maverick projects to probably progress faster - if the Garuda is any model to go by, DNA used to model systems for vehicles can make mean motherfucking vehicles. Nevermind the likely wealth of new VWES and DNA that could come from that too. That said, Gibbon also has a giant sniper laser cannon, so both can be big threats coming up.
>>
>>2605506
I can't really get behind bringing Rezador along. That's just asking for another Skipjack situation. Odds aren't great that we could bring Atlantica in alive, but I'd put those odds at exactly zero if Rezador is somewhere in the background, the way Tanker was.

Hell, I could even imagine him killing the scientist, for "colluding with the enemy".

Come to think of it, has it ever been stated whether the kidnapped scientist is a human or a reploid? Atlantica's mission bio doesn't specify.
>>
>>2605577
I figure Rezador would be busy with Amphitrite (or maybe delaying Tanker), and wouldn't be near while Anode fought Yamatoad. As for the scientist, not a clue.
>>
>>2605542
No argument from me, Moloch should come first.

I'm talking afterwards, choosing between Yamatoad/Gibbon/Atlantica. The choice of the three of them just doesn't look as cut-and-dry to me on a strategic level as it first appeared:

>Yamatoad (to clear the Atlantica blockade) -> Atlantica (rescue the laser specialist) -> Gibbon (laser specialist could have useful insight).

That chain breaks down if Atlantica gets antsy and executes the nerd when her naval perimeter evaporates. Or if Anode gets held up in repairs from taking on Gibbon or Yamatoad before her, then the remaining maverick might get whatever superlaser she's been busy cooking up. The last one was capable of shooting down a satellite; who knows what she'll make next?
>>
>>2605577
>>2605604
Should be obvious from my post but in case I wasn't clear, I'm talking about bringing Rezador along on the Yamatoad ok. Definitely wouldn't bring him on Atlantica's!
>>
Do we bring the BB with us for Moloch, along with any other requisitioned units? Maybe a tag-team partner? Because it sounds like what we thought was gonna be a lone wolf has a pack running with him.
>>
>>2605630

Moloch is a hunted reploid hiding in an urban area.

Grach seems like the obvious choice of partner.
>>
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>>2605401
You aren't wrong.
>>
>>2605722
YES THIS THANK YOU
>>
>>2605722
Considering First and Third were, I think, on this, maybe we can get this op with Cathode too.
>>
>>2605869
Cathode is current out of commission due to Istanbul.
>>
>>2605401
>>2605743
While I love you and miss you and want to get the band together again to game, NO FUCKIN' BULLY
>>
>>2605936
You deserve bully!
>>
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>>2606113
Now now, HC leads a busy life. Delays and stresses are more common than not.
>>
>>2605577
Wait, wouldn't that get him labeled as maverick also?
>>
>>2606128
I've been with the quest years, I know. I miss the old days where we could get a thread a month at least. It's just frustrating, because HC hasn't adjusted the quest to fit.
>>
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>>2606181
It's a hell of a lot easier said than done, my friend. Believe me, I try.
>>
>>2606269
I know, but...HC, fact is you've just gotta cut some content, man, or this quest will never finish.

Sure, we'll have some fun every fun months, and I love it, but it's frustrating that you mentioned for example some secret project of Halcyon's and it's what, almost a year later and we've got nothing on it?
>>
>>2606276
But something did come of it; the "Ultimate Replod" project, which ended up leading to Iris and Colonel's creation. Well... just Iris at this point; Colonel's inbound at some point soon, I'd wager.
>>
>>2606276
We don't need any content cutting, why do you want this to end?
I've been enjoying this for over six years
If I can enjoy this for another six pluss years then Hunter Command is doing great!
>>
>>2606276
Out of curiosity, are you the same guy who was remarking on this last thread?
>>
>>2606351
I honestly don't recall, and after checking you mean the speedrunning thread right? I didn't post in that.

>>2606322
Because I'd like to find out what's going on, see what happens, find out how it ends.

>>2606301
No, we're supposed to be testing some weapon, remember?
>>
>>2606423
>No, we're supposed to be testing some weapon, remember?

No you're not.
>>
>>2606425
What is it, then?
>>
>>2606426
Ah, found it.

"He gives a dark little chuckle. “You don’t know the half of it. So, because we already had to clue you in to get you out of Algeria in one piece, the General is adding you to his guinea pigs.”

You remain silent, shooting him a quizzical look.

“Short version, he has any number of pet projects, and you’re proven, reliable, and a high-ranking A. You’ve got a max theoretical electrical output that’s near the top of the charts. Which means he wants your help testing one of them.”

“Testing… how, exactly,” you ask, already wary.

“Combat,” Gopher replies bluntly. “I’ll tell you when, but right now it’s not a priority.”"

So it's utility?
>>
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>>2606437
Let me ask you this, while I tally: What about that makes you think it has to be an upgrade at all?
>>
>>2606553
oh good we really are being plugged into the Enigma
>>
>>2606571
Watch it be Final Weapon instead.
>>
>>2606437
>>2606571
>>2606587
It could be a lot of things
>Enigma
>Final Weapon
>Particle Accelerator for Truth Hadronization in a combat zone
>We power a beam-in pad for a whole squad
>Something related to someone's Armor, whether we wear something that drains so much power only X could normally pull it off, or Anode himself gets turned into an Armor piece
>>
>>2606647
This is how we get Emerald to wear armor; by being the armor. Or we could be the team buddy for someone too.
>>
>>2606647
> Particle Accelerator for Truth Hadronization in a combat zone

You don't wanna do that.
>>
>>2604119
>So take me through what you’ve got right now.


“Okay, run me down the numbers,” you say, examining the bird. Even unpainted, it has a fearsome, predatory bent, with angled, swept-back wings and a combination of curves and sharp angles that present lethality along every plane.

“Thought you’d never ask.” India grins, slapping a gloved hand against the fuselage. “The Hunter-Four/Fighter Garuda is a single-piece airframe. High-grade alloy, just shy of ceratanium, and a lot more cost-to-weight efficiency on this scale. Honeycomb microstructure and compartments between every flexor to stem any damage with a quick infusion of reinforcing material. It’ll take a few hits.”

“You banking on that?” You ask.

“Cost of doing business these days,” she replies. “But the bigger issue is that you can’t really shield a jet quite the same way. Scaling a LIFE cell up doesn’t really work linearly. After a while you’re better served with an array of them, and that doesn’t lend itself to upscaling a shield system. Either way, though, same as infantry--” She pauses, looking you over with a smirk. “--same as MOST infantry--the predominant defense is not getting hit.”

“Har, har,” you say wryly.

Foxfire kips up on the side of the wing and kicks her heels against four ports on the frame. “That’s what these are for. Lateral thrusters--like an upscaled EAS, the fancy airburst kind. Big whoomph, to move a bird like this.”

“Can’t exactly lean on those every other second, then, can you?” You ask.

“No, but if you need to, you should be flying a Piper or something,” India replies.

You blink. “What’s a Piper?”

“It’s like a Cessna, but you don’t know what that is either. Anyway, no, the point is those are emergency thrust--war emergency power, whatever you want to call it. It’s your Oh Shit button. Most of your evasion should come from maneuvers and good piloting.”

“So it’s fast?”

“Ohhh is it ever. You ever play Bowser in Mario Kart?” India asks.

“You are a fucking nerd. Stop that. You’re doubling up on roles,” you say, gesturing at Foxfire, who traces a holographic heart in the air.

“Anyway, yes. Metal bird go fast, groundling.”

“What are you looking at for weapons?”

“Standard armament is a nose-mount heavy repeating plasma cannon, with an overcompressor for long-range, high-power alpha strikes,” India explains. “And eight missile pods. Additional blanks in storage with a warhead minifabricator slaved to generate warheads on demand--like how the Crossmore plugged into your VWES bank for the cannon.”

“I never really got to try that. … Jackass,” you add.
>>
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>>2606754
“Shame, it was awesome.” India smiles sweetly as you give her the finger. “Anyway. Default template is HE, maximal bloom for shield taxing. I’m looking into multirole warheads, and I have a few front-runners, but if nothing else, you’ve always got boom on standby, and a safe source of a good two, three reloads. Internal WEAPON cell is behind the armor at its thickest point, so almost no chance of a stray hit detonating something touchy.”

“So is it maneuverable?”

“Fairly. Better than any mechaniloid-flown anything, and since mavericks love their big, slow terror weapons, it’ll outfly anything it can expect to run into. If this changes the game and we start seeing faster models picking away at it, I’ve already got four different chassis swaps in mind for better roles.”

“I get to paint the SIGINT variant!” Foxfire says brightly.

“What about sensors?”

“I’m modeling off the 11th’s old Tetras, which had Reploid linkup interface. Nothing quite like it,” she says nostalgically.

“Fun fact,” Foxfire interludes, “They actually use the exact same protocol as paired DNA resequencing. That’s what non-endoconstructed Reploids use for… y’know… and so that makes her a jetf--”

India presses a button and, like magic, two Berets materialize from seemingly out of nowhere, bursting in from your periphery to shoulder-tackle Foxfire to the ground and haul her off, shouting about ‘breaking protocol’ and ‘slipping off again.’

“Doot,” India calls after Foxfire, who is hiss-cackling between a rain of hammer-blows about her head and shoulders. “Clever girl. I like her.”

“I have so many questions I do not want answered,” you reply flatly. “So, circling back, good sensors.”

“As good as the pilot,” India says, “but then again, it’s a custom prototype, for one. And I’ve got as good as it gets.”

>Go to the Dodo. Have a quiet drink, maybe talk to Max.
>Go to the Range. See the Berets--you left things at a weird place with Susan.
>Em might be repaired. Look for him--you’re ready for him now.
>Maybe you can get ahold of Cathode--or at least leave her a message.
>Look for someone else (other?)
>Choose your next mission.
>>
>>2606759
>Maybe you can get ahold of Cathode--or at least leave her a message.
>>
>>2606759
>Choose your next mission.
do teh story
>>
>>2606759
>>Go to the Range. See the Berets--you left things at a weird place with Susan.
If we go Moloch, we will need them.
>>
>>2606759
>Maybe you can get ahold of Cathode--or at least leave her a message.

"Stop face-tanking. That's my job. Love you. -A"
>>
>>2606759
>>Maybe you can get ahold of Cathode--or at least leave her a message.
We're supposed to be the one getting shot, not her.
>>
>>2606841
>>2606843
>"KNOW MY PAIN"
>>
>>2606759
>Maybe you can get ahold of Cathode--or at least leave her a message.
>>
>>2606759
>Maybe you can get ahold of Cathode--or at least leave her a message.

We should get her present to her, at any rate. Even if we aren't around when she wakes up, we can leave it for her or have it sent to her quarters. Maybe with a message about belated Activation Day, saying it's from us and Em (since he did the fabricating of it).

Might also be a good idea to get in touch with Susan.
>>
>>2606759
>Em might be repaired. Look for him.
then
>Take Em to the range, train up with the Berets.
We can talk with Susan about stuff when we take the crew to hunt down Moloch. Speaking of, my vote for next mission when the time comes is
>Moloch
>>
>>2606759
>Go to the Range. See the Berets--you left things at a weird place with Susan.
We should probably interact with them in ways besides mailing them new tech all the time.
>>
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Interestingly enough, the 4th overland shares its motto with a naval air unit known as the "Wizards" that my dad served in during the gulf war.
Note the lightning bolts.
>>
>Look for someone else (other?)

Contingent vote: If we pick hunting Moloch immediately, ask Grach to do overwatch on the Moloch op. Otherwise, ask him if he can help with prep for it while anode's off killing someone else.
>>
>>2607550
Backing both of these
>>
>>2607550
This is good. Grach can help track Moloch and pin him down from range while we engage directly with our berets as support.
>>
I don't know that Grach is going to be available if he's busy with consultant stuff... His input on the situation going in might be useful, though.
>>
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>>2607356
Neat!
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>>2607703
9 billion hours in paint/gimp/etc later
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>>2607778
Nice job so far!

Any plans to do any of the others?
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>>2607781
Oh whoops I forgot to edit the filename, that's not WIP anymore.

And no, probably not, as that did take a significant amount of time.
>>
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>>2607782
That's fair.

I'm probably going to be doing this one next, but I'm busy with other things at the moment.
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>>2606759
>Go to the Range. See the Berets--you left things at a weird place with Susan.
>>
>>2606759
>Call Cathode or leave a message
>Go to the range
Does Susan remember accosting an officer and interrogating him about his payrate? Let's find out!
>>
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>>2607785
Actually I just realized I didn't put 0th on there anywhere and the scroll doesn't connect like you'd usually see on an insignia.
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>>2607812
It says 0th at the bottom of the shield, though?
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>>2607830
Anon...
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>>2607831
Let me drink in peace, fellow anon.
>>
>>2607812
That's quite a nice design though, I'm sure it took a lot of work but the final render is fitting.
>>
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All right, I wanted to get a post out tonight but I got tired hard and fast.

On the bright side, like I mentioned earlier, I've taken the next four Fridays off.
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>>2609995
>On the bright side, like I mentioned earlier, I've taken the next four Fridays off.
>>
>>2609995
Looking forward to it, Boss.
>>
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>>2606787
>>2606841
>>2606843
>>2606861
>>2606876
>>2607804
“I’ll try to keep my eyes open,” you say. “No promises.”

“None to be had in this business,” India shrugs. “But appreciated. I’m about out of funds, but I can try to scrape together a bounty, especially if you give up rights to some particularly valuable data.”

With that, you decide you want to go leave Cathode a little get-well-soon message.

The new Command room is a centralized hub, with terminals (a few manned by enlisted) ringing the edges in a hexagon. Overhead, widescreen monitors stream data and pictures from all sides, cast down at an angle for easy viewing from the floor. Centermost, behind their chairs, the world map turns lazily, still dotted with contacts and targets.

“Not much privacy, huh?” You ask one of the Reploids--this one seeming to be a civilian model, nothing military.

“These are all for coordinating official business,” she explains primly.

“No one’s gonna be playing Galaga on these, got it.” She blinks, and you wave it off. “Forget about it--do we still have private comms available?”

She gestures to the side. “Through there. Secure booths, just finished onlining the last of them.”

“Thanks,” you reply, heading back in as she swivels back to her screen. Inside, there are three booths--the back doors seethrough, hazed glass of some kind, allowing you to see that it’s occupied, but not make out the screens. You press inside the booth--a little cramped, you doubt Templar would be able to fit--and take a seat, the screen winking on automatically.

A pleasant-voiced Comms technician routes you to Advance’s switch, there’s a (very) brief hold, and then he tells you that Cath is still unavailable--but he offers to connect you to her personal account to leave a message. The screen loads for a moment, then blinks a red circle to indicate you’re recording.

“Hey,” you greet. “Stop doing that. That’s my job.” You lean back a bit, your smile looking a little more tired than you’d hope in the PIP window. “Mom 3 told me.” You sigh. “I’m glad you’re okay. Or, well, going to be, about now you’re probably in four pieces on a table somewhere.”

You look around the cell of a comms room, thinking about what to say. “I’ve got your birthday present waiting, still. Let’s make some time to meet up away from work. We need the break.”

That’s that, you guess. “Comm me as soon as you’re back out, okay? Hope it’s soon. Love you, sis.”

You end the call--that’s family business sorted. Now, though, you had a notion and you need to get ahold of your favorite deniable asset.

Grach picks up surprisingly quickly. “Hello, Captain!” He says brightly.

“How’s it going?”

“Well,” he replies. “The Berets take very well to my lessons. I’ve been given some leeway by the new General--I suspect for my safety.”
>>
>>2610920
You take a moment to process that--ah. “Mortales problems of your own, then?”

He shrugs. “None yet, but the thinking is my first would also be my last. I don’t pay it any mind.”

“So hey, I was actually hoping to get some advice from you. I have a mission coming up that you might be able to help me out with.”

That catches his interest. “Oh?”

“Yeah. You hear about Vancouver?”

“The Canucks are favored for the cup this year, yes,” he replies with a smile. “But I suspect you’re referring to the maverick activity.”

“Bingo. That’s where I’m headed, and maybe soon. We’ve had a slippery devil making infrastructure hits and falling off the radar. Now he’s got a crew, and he’s operating within city limits.”

“I see. Yes, I think I can arrange to be available for you.”

“Can you? I didn’t want to assume, but I’d welcome the help from an expert.”

He nods. “I have a fair amount of laxity, and this seems like a worthy cause.”

“Appreciate that, Grach. Thank you.”

“Any time, Captain. After all, you did, quite literally, save my life.”

“Safe travels. I’ll let you know if we’re going soon.”

“I’ll remain on standby. Good hunting.”

You cut the call, and move to stand, only for a quick chime in your ear. “Hello?” you ask.

“Hello,” says the same girl you just spoke to from outside. “I just received a call for you, 15th Artillery--she says it’s not urgent, but as long as you were here…”

“Sure, put it through,” you say.

“Connecting you now.”

The screen pips back on, and Arc Ukumari’s face greets yours. “Captain! Good to see you up and about.”

“Hey,” you reply with a grin, a bit surprised. “How’s it going, Arc?”

“Better, since we got Shellephant back. She’s directing the rebuild of the Mesa operations. 4th Africas is helping us quite a bit.”

“Good to hear.” You pause. “Have you heard anything about, ah, Sabomole?”

Her face falls a bit. “Some. I tried to contact him a few minutes ago. He’s--his counselor told me he doesn’t think it’s a good idea for him to speak to us just yet.”

“Ah.” You’re guessing that includes you, too. Ouch. “Poor guy. I pushed him too far.”

“Don’t blame yourself. You couldn’t have known, and he wanted to help.”

“Yeah, I guess--hope I can see him to apologize in person, though, still.”

She nods. “Agreed. But, ah, that’s not why I’m calling.”

“What’s up?”

She scratches below her eye with a massive claw. “Well, Artillery, we try to get along with everyone, you know? We have a reputation as a fairly easygoing unit, especially since we deploy with so many others.”

“I can’t complain. Kiloton was kind enough.”

“Well, since we’re a dedicated combat unit, and we deploy in support of a retiring officer, we have this… tradition…”
>>
>>2610925
“Uh oh.”

She looks about as embarrassed as a towering armor-plated Reploid bear can look. “Well, we’re all combat grade, you see, and a lot of times, we have to fire, erm, very close to our allies…”

Is… is she trying to talk around something, here? “Danger close, yeah. I mean, you singed me a little--not that I didn’t literally ask for it.”

“That’s, erm, the point. You see, our tradition is…” She heaves a sigh and glances askance. “On any mission where we cause friendly fire to an officer, it is our position that the offending artilleryman should make amends by buying their victim a round.”

You burst out laughing, despite yourself, and she seems to shrink back from the camera. “Oh, no, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, it’s just--that’s what you’re so nervous about?”

She grins sheepishly. “Can I buy you a drink sometime, Captain?”

>What the hell, sure. That sounds like a fun tradition.
>I think I’m going to have to give it a pass, but thank you.
>Other?
>>
>>2610927
>>What the hell, sure. That sounds like a fun tradition.
15th is pretty cool. Maybe we should avoid drinking ourselves under the table though.
>>
>>2610927
>What the hell, sure. That sounds like a fun tradition.
>Must feel weird to actually have someone who considers your friendly fire, well... friendly.
Shall we waifu the electric bear?
>>
>>2610927
>>What the hell, sure. That sounds like a fun tradition.
Ah man, Happy drinking instead of misery drinking!
>>
>>2610927
>What the hell, sure. That sounds like a fun tradition.
Frankly, that makes sense as a standing rule.
>>
>>2610927
>What the hell, sure. That sounds like a fun tradition.
Sounds like a good policy to me. Avoids hard feelings.
>>
>>2610927
>What the hell, sure. That sounds like a fun tradition.

The Vancouver Cunucks favoured to win the Stanley Cup
Ahahahahahahahahaaaaaaa
Are team never wins, I doubt even in the far flung Future that will change
>>
>>2610960
Cain has issued threats of BIRDS and BATS in case of waifuing. That said, something develops ig, something develops - just let it flow naturally. Besides, perfect time to make more friends outside our unit.
>>
>>2611029
Why do you think Moloch headed to Vancouver if not to ensure that?
>>
>>2611044
Plz the whole city throws a riot if the Cunucks even reach the final game
We'll destroy our own city before Moloch even gets the chance
>>
>>2611042
I'd like to point out that the Electric Bear is effectively asking the Electric Knight out on a date using what would normally be an apology tradition.
>>
>>2611059
Like I said, see what the chemistry off the field is. Waifuing implies molding to fit them, or messing with their character to fit us. Long as it feels organic, birds and bats be damned.
>>
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>>2610927
Sounds good to me.
>>
>>2610927
>Beer with bear at bar
>>
>>2611087
I guess that is more our personal definitions of 'Waifuing' clashing. I was defining it more as 'looking at her as a possible/primary romantic interest.' No molding implied.
>>
>>2611059
I'm down with having an electrifying time with our 15th counter part
>>
>>2610927
>What the hell, sure.

Friendship!
>>
>>2610927
>What the hell, sure. That sounds like a fun tradition.

>She looks about as embarrassed as a towering armor-plated Reploid bear can look.
I want pictures of this bear being this embarrassed.
>>
>>2610927
>What the hell, sure. That sounds like a fun tradition.

Like hell we're skipping out on a chance for a drink. Besides, it'll probably be fun.
>>
>>2610927
>What the hell, sure. That sounds like a fun tradition.

We're not one to turn down a trip to the bar, are we?
>>
>>2610927
>What the hell, sure. That sounds like a fun tradition.
>>
>>2611504
>embarrassed
>not emBEARassed
It’s like you’re not even TRYING
>>
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>>2610927
>What the hell, sure. That sounds like a fun tradition.

BAHAHAHAHHAHA

Can't tell if she just doing this genuinely or has ulterior motives, but I am totally fine with either!

The call almost feels like there are a handful of her Artillery friends just off camera, silently giving thumbs up and egging her on.

>>2611504
pic is the closest thing I could find to an embarrassed Spectacled Bear.

Wasn't easy to find, either. Something about these bears just makes them look incredibly, blissfully relaxed, no matter what they're doing; eating or goofing off or standing around or whatever. I think it might be the facial markings?
>>
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Look at how relaxed this bear is. Look at it. I can't fear mauling by this bear. This bear wouldn't even blink if I strolled by it in the forest. The only thing this bear is capable of mauling is a mug hot chocolate.
>>
>>2610927
>What the hell, sure. That sounds like a fun tradition.
>>
>>2610927
>Electric she-bear inviting us out for drinks

Is this a date? It feels like she's asking us out on a date. Either way, I'm game.

>What the hell, sure. That sounds like a fun tradition.
>>
I thought this was some hairy guy in a suit at first, but no. It's a bear. A zoned-out spectacled bear, in a zoo, in an inner-tube chair, rocking a neckbeard I could never manage, just listening to life going by.

The awe of the animal kingdom truly is without end.
>>
>>2610927
>What the hell, sure.
We are not ones to shirk tradition, especially after how we act towards the 7th. Plus this sounds hilarious.
>>
>>2610927
>What the hell, sure. That sounds like a fun tradition.
Quite the way to end a thread, seeing as it's page 10
>>
>>2611937
We've still got a little time, yet.

And I'm gonna be continuing to run once we 404 regardless.
>>
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500th post, just because.

Looking forward to the next!
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>>2612300
Indeed!
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>>2610960
>>2611042
>>2611059
>>2611087
>>2611149
Well, she is our TYPE
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>>2612605
DAMMIT CARLOS
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>>2612605
First of all how dare you.
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>>2612605
Exactly! Now if she was an Ice themed Hunter we'd probably be weak at the knees...
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>>2612605
This is perfect, we should bombard her with movie references, puns and ancient jokes when we meet up, before we even get drunk.
Unleash all Anode's pent up goofball upon this unsuspecting victim
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>>2613027
I'm pretty sure that Navigation, Lifesavers and Artillery are the three groups we absolutely don't want to put on a crazed anti-Anode vengeance spree...
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>>2613027
Speaking of Anode's love of classical pop culture, what does everyone think about a movie night to break in the base? Host it in the Dodo or something and invite any off duty Hunters. I know our downtime is limited, but it might boost morale and even foster better inter-division relations
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We're still going, I just have a bunch of errands and suchnot to worry about today.

In the meantime, Scarab is running Shooting Star again! >>2613211
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>>2613227
Whenever we run the Conda and Schwarz sidequests, will these be with Anode or from a different PoV?
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>>2613531
Conda's you'll see.

Schwarz's would be from Schwarz's perspective.
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>>2613077
It's all fun and games until some asshole schedules blade runner
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>>2610927
>Fucking everyone

“Sounds like a good time,” you say, grinning at her skittish disposition. It’s kinda cute seeing a big lightning launcher fidget and fuss. “Besides, free drink! It’s a date.”

She sits back in her chair, relieved--shooting a dirty look at her side as you almost certainly hear a whisper. “Shut up,” she hisses, before looking back up. “Thank you, Captain. Whenever’s good for you.”

“I should probably get hunting soon,” you admit, “But hey, maybe after that. I’ll shoot you my schedule.”

“Likewise.” She smiles again. “See you soon, Anode.”

The line blips, and you lean back, still feeling a little warm and fuzzy. A date, huh? Maybe you’ll hit it off. Maybe you can rope her into tormenting Cathode’s bat-boy with you.

Yeah, you’ve got your priorities straight.

You walk back into the command room just in time to see the pad cooling down, Spider stretching his arms behind his head with a grunt. He opens one eye lazily as you approach, tossing you a quick two-finger wave. “Howdy.”

“Yo. Just get back from an op?” You look him over--he’s a bit too shiny and unscuffed for that.

“Worse. Good, long grilling session about ‘prior associations,’ that sort of thing.”

You raise an eyebrow. “Shady business?”

“Bad seed relatives, more like. Well, sorta.” He rolls one shoulder, windmilling his arm, and then taps out a card from his wristcuff, turning it over in his hand. “Your boy Seven’s a real popular fella, ain’t he?”

“Huh. Related?”

“Like I said, sorta. Divergent tech, same source. Nobody ever really told me the details. All I know is mine works, his didn’t.” He flicks the card up and snatches it out of the air, tucking it back into his sleeve with a gun’s hammer-click.

“So how’s that work, anyway?” you ask.

He chuckles. “I suppose I can give you the broad strokes, but in my line of work, it’s smarter to play them close to the vest.”

You shrug. “You’re a hunter, at least for now.”

“Your friends in highest command spent a good few minutes making it clear I’m anything but,” Spider drawls, sounding unbothered. “But that’s their business, not yours.”
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>>2614455
He tosses you a card, and you catch it. The paper-thin wafer has repeating patterns of circuit-paths and the distinct, uniform texture of graphene mesh, shining in the light like a holographic layer. Cosmetically, however, it sure as hell looks like someone printed out a 2 of Clubs.

“So what, razor-edged? Does it explode?”

“Quantum harmonics,” Spider replies by way of explanation. “I load ‘em by the handful, scan for frequencies, and then change out one here, one there, build myself a hand and play the game.”

“Any idea what Seven’s got in common with that, then?” You carefully return the card--you can’t help but notice he didn’t tell you whether they explode or not.

“Beats me. Probably something flashy with the harmonics.” He tucks it back into his sleeve with another click.

>Well hey, I was going to go take a few minutes at the bar, you want to tag along?
>Say goodbye and head to the range--you’ve got some work to do.
>Check on the barracks--you’ve got new quarters to inspect, after all.
>Select your next target and plan your mission.
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>>2614460
>Well hey, I was going to go take a few minutes at the bar, you want to tag along?
What kind of tech designer forces a combat-capable unit to LITERALLY play a hand of poker until his power works?
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>>2614460
>Well hey, I was going to go take a few minutes at the bar, you want to tag along?

No point getting excited about our date, Cain Labs will kill her before it happens.
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>>2614460
>>Check on the barracks--you’ve got new quarters to inspect, after all.
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>>2614460
>Well hey, I was going to go take a few minutes at the bar, you want to tag along?

Eh, fuck it.
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>>2614460
>Say goodbye and head to the range--you’ve got some work to do.
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>>2614503
Nonsense, why would I do that?
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>>2614568
>That Image file name
CL plz
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>>2614460
>Well hey, I was going to go take a few minutes at the bar, you want to tag along?
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>>2614568
Nah, if you were going to make us kill her, you'd wait until she was dating Anode for maximum trauma. Waiting that long might be too much shipping for you to stomach.
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>>2614606
As the guy's partner, let me ask you--do you REALLY want to call that bluff?
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>>2614623
It's wonderful drama any way that happens, so win-win for my tastes!

That said, can we add Ukumari to the wiki update list? I take it she's a recent transfer too, based on her absence from the survivors list.
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Ok, so it seems that Seven is in some way related to the New Generation Reploid project.
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>>2614568
...I hope we have good antivirus software.

I *really* don't want to see our options turn into who should we lash out at first.
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>>2614460
>Check on the barracks--you’ve got new quarters to inspect, after all.

WE MUST CONFIRM LT. FULL METOOL'S SAFETY
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>>2614460
>Say goodbye and head to the range--you've got some work to do.
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>>2614460
>Say goodbye and head to the range--you’ve got some work to do.

Got a shitload of new upgrades to test out.

Does the range have an aquatic testing pool? And can we requisition an innertube to go with it? Purely for the professional testing of our new marine-environment targeting pointer, of course.

While Berets toss things at us. And we bat them out of the air with a training stick or something.

Whoever lands the most hits gets the next round of professional melee deflection practice in the aquatic training flotation device, of course.
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>>2614460
>Say goodbye and head to the range--you’ve got some work to do.




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