You've been away too long, HC.

I've been through the archives once or twice.

incidentally, so has my DM. guess what the next campaign is? haha.

Get ready for some serious multipost, guys, 'ere we go.
>>18882708
It's a hard decision, but after a bit of thinking you decide to start with a classic of classics, and queue up Casablanca.

You round up everyone you can, and aside from a scattering of base personnel you don't know as well, you end up with Emerald (who set up your entertainment center for you) and India. Schwarzhund declines, saying he has work to do, and you can't get ahold of Crankshaft, but you do catch that human technician Yuzuki before she goes to bed.

The lot of you crowd around your widescreen terminal, and the movie begins to roll.

And so do your unit-mates, fascinated by the experience of a hundred-year-old movie.

As the credits roll, Em straightens up. "I'm diggin' the music."

India is more amused by the transition to La Marseillaise. "Suddenly, France."

The narrator intones; "But the others wait...and wait...and wait...and wait." India snorts.

"Keeeep waiting," she adds helpfully, taking a handful of popcorn from your met helmet, improvised into a bowl. "So Nazis are after two murderers? Seems legit." You shush her.

A short time passes, and the resistance supporter is shot--
"Oh come on," Em says, "I been shot plenty of times, it's not a thing like that."

Yuzuki rolls her eyes. "I'll take your word for it."

Dissidents, refugees, and "beautiful young girls from the savanna" are rounded up, shortly before a pickpocket lifts a man's wallet.
Yuzu chimes in, quietly. "You'll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy." You stare at her.

"...I am so proud of you right now," you manage, wiping away mock-tears.

>>18882719
Sorry about that. Things have been a bit crazy. More on that later.
But hey, fuckin' MMX campaign? Good to hear it.
>>18882722
India double-takes at the screen as the first plane lands. "Whoa whoa wait rewind what was that?"

"They're called airplanes," Em replies. "They--ow." India rather likes the brief glimpse of the airfield. And then the Nazis land.

Em snickers as they disembark. "Poor Italy."

Finally, the scene cuts to the famous saloon for the first time. India nods. "Hey guys, let's go to Rick's."

Em agrees. "Damn, this music's catchy."

"You're missing all the bleak!" you chide the two of them. Em waves it off, though he does pay attention to the screen.

"We got bleak for days," he says.

Meanwhile, India is amused at the table banter at Rick's. "Ooooh, take that, rich guy."

"Your cash is good at the bar," Rick says.

"He's all 'Deal with it.' Man, I like this guy."

"You despise me, don't you?" The movie goes.

Rick replies in classic form. "If I gave you any thought, I probably would." India cackles.

"REALLY like this guy."

"So wait," Em says some time later, "He's got some kind of super-papers? And he wants Rick to hold 'em for him?"

Dodo leans in from the door to provide some of his own commentary. "Seems legit."

The club is in full swing with 'Knock on Wood.' "Big band to the face!" India gleefully cheers.

"I want that guy's suit," Em says as the gang first meets Sam.

"It wouldn't even fit you," Yuzuki observes.

>>18882734
The movie progresses, and India continues to giggle at Rick's glib shenanigans.
"Making fat guys deal with it for eternity," she says. "Living the dream."

"If you're impressed every time Bogart puts on his swag, you're gonna talk through the whole movie," you note.

To wit-- "Where were you last night?" "That's so long ago, I don't rememeber."

"Oh, snap!"

"Make sure she gets home," says Rick.

"Yes, boss."

"And come right back."

"Coooock-blooock!" Em and India crow at the exact same time.

A little more time passes. Em cracks a beer using the pommel of his saber. He passes another to India, who just uses her teeth.

India sits up again at the plane to Lisbon. "Unf!"

You snicker. "Down, girl."

>>18882760
Once again, the hapless Italian officer from the landing strip gets a few seconds as he fails to get a word in edgeways.

"Pooooor Italy," Em repeats.

Yuzuki pads over to the wall to grab another drink for herself, taking it slow. She takes a moment to look over your new models from the museum as the movie plays on.

"Make it ten, I'm only a poor corrupt official," says Renault.

"He said 'official' three times," India adds wryly.

"In Casablanca, I am the master of my fate--" "Major Strosser is here."

Em snorts. "Whipped."

"I have already given him the best, knowing he's German and will take it anyway," says Rick's portly employee.

"Burn," Dodo adds from the door again, "Where's Schwarz for this?"

"What is your nationality?" asks the German major.

"I'm a drunkard," Rick replies calmly.

India snickers. "Hey Em, we found you a countryman." You snort at that, as Bogart flips through his dossier onscreen.

"Are my eyes really brown?" he asks.

"I dunno, are they?" India snarks.

"Black and white is a trip," Em agrees.

>>18882770
Renault, meanwhile, continues to be politely sleazy. "They put it on the bill, I tear up the bill. Very convenient."

"So could you just do that back then?" India asks, hopeful.

The Inspector continues. "If I were a woman, I would be in love with Rick."

"Even in the 1940s, bromance," Em notes.

"Pretty bold for the time, isn't it?" Yuzu says, impressed.

Time goes on, and Laszlo avoids his doom for a night.
"Wow, you could just put off your arrest with manners?" India asks.

"Only in Casablanca," you reply. "And they weren't gonna arrest him."

"I dunno, maybe if mavericks were more cheerful..." Em contributes.

"So what, this is Rick-bait?" India asks, as Sam plays Time Goes By.
"Pretty much," you admit. Rick breezes in and hears--

"'Ah, fuck.'" India helpfully adds for him.

The night goes disastrously, as you well know, and Rick drinks himself into a stupor.

"Man, Sam is a bro," Em notes as the stalwart friend refuses to leave.

"Bogart's perilously close to giving a fuck," India observes.
"Whoops, there he goes."

"That'll happen," you reply.

>>18882778
And then, the Flashback Wipe. Em and India both put their hands up in mock fear. "Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!"

"Here's looking at you, kid," Rick says for the first time. India looks thoughtful.
"Yeah," she decides. "I'd probably hit it."

"He's been bones for well over a century," you note, amused.

"Freddie Mercury," she replies.

"...Point."

The screen transits from their first onscreen kiss to the German invasion.

"Dammit, I hate it when Nazis cock-block me," Em says.

"I know, right?" India says.

Yuzuki looks thoughtful about the 'where were you ten years ago' scene. "It's strange to think that I'm older than all three of you," she says.

"More important," asks Em, "Kissing Humphrey Bogart causes artillery fire?"

"I can do it too," India answers. "Right, Anode?" You choke on your popcorn.

>>18882784
"Kiss me for the last time," says Ingrid Bergman.

"See?" Em says. "Artillery kisses."

"You could learn, it just takes training," India asserts.

"I saved my first drink to have with you," says a miserable Rick, stone drunk. India dissolves into laughter at that, while Yuzu actually tears up a bit as the scene progresses.

Em grins gleefully at "Just another blundering American."

"Yeah! Americans!" he calls.

"Up-top!" you reply, high-fiving.

You enjoy a drink yourself, while Em fiddles with a couple empty bottles. Somewhere along the line, Yuzuki picked up your mettool plush and sits with it in her lap.

Laszlo confronts Renault and Strasser. "And the honor of having served the Third Reich."
India snorts again. "Yeah, that ought to clinch it."

Not long after, Ilsa has a similarly fateful meeting with Rick in the bazaar. "Laszlo is my husband. And was, even when I knew you in Paris."

"Snap," India says, and after that, the gang is silent for a while.

>>18882796
And then Renault is king of the bastards.

"Renault is king of the bastards," Em notes.

Fortunately, his bastardry is quickly counterbalanced by a few spins of 22 on the roulette table.

"Oh wow, Rick grew a care." Em's clearly getting into it.

"Cockblocking evil is its own reward," India replies, amused.

"...Did the Nazis steal the piano?" Em asks.

"They will do that," Yuzu says dryly, as Laszlo gets the band to play La Marseillaise.

Em pumps his fist excitedly. "Music fight! Fuck yeah!"

The movie continues until the club is shut down. "I'm shocked--shocked--to find gambling in here." "Your winnings, sir." And Yuzu, of all people, laughs at that.

Despite her cool attitude, you note with a smirk that India leans in as Ilsa draws a gun on Rick. Though Yuzuki groans at Ilsa's "You'll have to think for both of us."

>>18882801
From here, they're mostly quiet as the movie speeds towards its conclusion. India folds her arms, frowning as Rick prepares to skip out. "I smell a plot."

Rick draws. Em looks at his pistol interestedly. "Man, guns were so...tiny back then."

They're silent for the thrilling conclusion, until finally, the last lines of the movie as the last plane out of Casablanca breaks away.

"Round up the usual suspects," Renault says.

Immediately, your audience is hit by a flash of understanding. "Ohhhhhhhhh."

And hot on its heels--"Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

All three chorus again. "OHHHHHHHHHHHH."

>>18882804
And with that, your first movie night draws to a close. "So what'd you think?" you ask.

"Not bad," India admits. "Pretty fun stuff."

"It was awesome!" Em adds excitedly.

Yuzu nods quietly. "I rather liked it, thank you."

And with that, the crew files out of your room (India dunking the emptied popcorn bowl/helmet on your head on her way out), leaving you with your thoughts and a slightly messy room.

You clean up in the peace and quiet, realizing you still have a good few hours before you're allowed back on duty. Despite that, you can't help but feel a little restless. Truth be told, you're still trying to puzzle out how you feel about things. Cathode, Casablanca, all of it was just nice distraction, but you're running out of those right now. You guess it's normal to think about it.

Schwarz offered to give you a shift in Vienna, if you didn't want to go right back to hunting after Jagwire. You're not sure whether you want to do that or not.

...Bahhhh. Fuck it.

>Not tired. Sleep anyway.
>Marathon some classic movies. Then again, you kind of feel like that would spoil the gift, going through them so quick...
>Hey, just because I can't go on duty doesn't mean I can't go get ready for it. Go meet up with Hammer Frog in Vienna.
>Em suggested finding a niche to fill on-base. Maybe try that.
>Look into picking up a skill? That was another idea.
>Fuck it, easy mode. Hit the Pond.
>Other? Surprise me.

>Hey, just because I can't go on duty doesn't mean I can't go get ready for it. Go meet up with Hammer Frog in Vienna.

Christ, that was a lot.
So first: Yes, I got drunk and watched all of Casablanca so I could write running commentary from the viewers as I went. I am in fact king of the super-dorks, and I reign upon a throne of pocket-protectors.

(It was fun.)

So now that that's out of the way, I want to tell you all how much I fucking love you. Whoever took the bit with Schwarzhund and Koschei and ran with it at the end of thread 11, you are amazing.

Second, sorry for the (extra long) delay. I had to track down Casablanca for the above reasons, then find time to watch it. On top of that, a friend, his brother, and myself are getting started on a business venture (and starting our first project tomorrow), so there's been that. Add the usual shenanigans and a side of fucked-up sleep, and even though I started getting ready a week ago, it took until now to post.

Last and definitely not least, a friend of mine told me that most of my threads had been upvoted to Excellent, and when I went to grab the prior thread link, I found every single one had been. So, from Cain Labs and myself, thank you guys again. It's appreciated. In celebration of 11/11 threads being upped, have this. http://youtu.be/5FFRoYhTJQQ

Now then, with the TL;DR out of the way, let's get to questing.

>>18882896

Look man, you made my DM, who is fucking INFAMOUS for his "3.5e D&D only, final destination" shit not only pick up a new system, but learn the MMX setting in intricate detail and build us a "campaign that's gonna be a long-arc, so get used to being a fucking robot"

in short? First quest since Zeon I enjoyed. not that you give a shit, but still.

>>18882973
I totally give a shit. Let me know how your campaign goes.

Oh, and tell your DM that the series can get absolutely silly at points, so he might want to handwave or spin a few things his own way. Then there's the clusterfuck of reboots or retcons.

Anyway, since it's so early and this decision might end up dominating what Anode's up to for the near future, I'll wait a little while more, should any votes come in. I'll be here all day, so no real hurry.

>>18883007

well, so far, we've had to turn in character concepts. I'm stuck between Built-in-russia bear or a warthog with a GAU-8. have till this Saturday

>Em suggested finding a niche to fill on-base. Maybe try that.
>Look into picking up a skill? That was another idea.
Might be good to mix this two? I mean if the Niche is filled with a skill we can pick up? Willing hands are better than pressed folks. Plus its a distraction.

>>18883007
We've probably been up for a long while. We can either check in with Frog in Vienna or turn in early. Probably the former will lead to more getting done.

I'll say it again that this quest is more than a pleasure and a treat to participate in. What sort of business venture are you getting into, by the by?

>>18884313
Keep in mind reploids don't need to sleep nightly like humans. Have to square this away with Cain, but I'd say that depending on their size, efficiency, and output, some can go anywhere from a week or two all the way up to a month without a necessary recharge. I'd hold X as about as efficient as a reploid's systems can get.

And we're a good couple years off from this even if everything goes swimmingly, but a brewery. My buddies know a hell of a lot more about beer than me, but I'm going to be studying, tasting, and getting certified as a taster.

>>18884388
With any luck, your liver won't come to despise you and all that you stand for. Maybe.
>>18882973
What system is your DM using for this MMX campaign?

[x] Look into finding a skill to find a niche.

I count at least two for going on patrol in Vienna and one for finding a new skillset.

>>18884851
Looks like we're two and two. I can wait a bit longer, yet. We'll probably pick up a few more of the regulars soon, and I've yet to see Cain Labs today anyway.

>>18884929
I've been free all day. My only final for the day was at 7:45 AM EST for a class that, granted, I gradually lost interest in through the semester. This thread is the best pick-me-up I've had yet.

Voting for niche!

>>18884408
Posting from my phone at work so bear with me. From what he's told us, it sounds either like a full home brew or a D20 system. Hoping for the former, but expect the latter

>>18885041
Finding a niche it is.
>>18882811
You pace back and forth a bit, pop your film back into its case, double-check the wall mount for your screen, clean out the met helmet...

Gah. Hell with it.

Leaving your room as clean as you found it, if not a bit cleaner, you finally decide to look into other on-site duties. It's late night (or perhaps very early morning), though the artificial lights deep in the base are as bright as ever as you step into the command room again.

This time, you check out a detailed posting beside the roster, practically a brochure, with writeups and listings for additional duties.

Logistics: Seven's general purview, Logistics focuses on transportation and deployment of hunter assets. Negotiating to get hunters into and out of various countries, optimizing their mobilization, keeping supply lines open and safe, anticipating terrain, weather, and hostile territory delays (and working around them) all fall into the task.

Paperwork: Unglamorous but uncomplicated, the Maverick Hunters must contend with reams of red tape, ranging from writeups for weapon discharges, to operations reports, to financial documents. Several officers already slave away at this ever-growing mountain, but they will take any help they can get.

Performance: Performance agents analyze records in the field against maverick offensives, check these records against standards to see if they are being met, and runs models to adjust for the insufficiency of standards in certain fields. The end goal is to eliminate as many variables as possible in determining whether men and materials are up to par, and then determining precisely what par is. Given the constant march of technology and the endless cycle of new models outclassing old, this task is both perpetually relevant and necessary.

Cont.

>>18885936
Equipment Requisitions: Arranging of supply, be it weapons, replacement parts, or even vehicles, this position is primiarly occupied by Emerald acting as Quartermaster, but openings remain available.

Decoms: Decoms: Decomissioning is the task of sifting through equipment records, both new and old. Decoms involve cross-checking field data, repairs, and so on, to determine what is or is not required. In addition, decommissioning is the term to describe the discharge of personnel, be it honorably or otherwise. Despite the advantages of the reploid frame, not all injuries can be repaired or lost capabilities restored. Sometimes older units are replaced by new models and given the option to step down. Occasionally acting members will resign their posts.

Repairs: A staff of repair technicians is constantly at work, both on damaged equipment and mechaniloids, as well as medical services, though the majority of that is covered by Lifesaver units. On-the-job training is available (and an inevitability).

Unit Analysis: The UA team develops, assigns, and reviews unit makeup and makes specific recommendations on adjustment to other departments. Effectively the quality control of the unit, they are tasked with observing the unit as a group and maximizing its effectiveness, and validating (or rejecting) the projections of the Performance analysts. Rather than simulations and projections, they focus on practical records and determine just how well the members involved functione together.

Cont.

>>18885943
Drills: The Fourth lacks a formal rangemaster and trainer. Given your position as an officer and your relative popularity with the infantry, you could fill this position.

Communications Liaison: An integral part of a Hunter Unit's operation is coordination with the rest of the command structure. This is facilitated through contact with the Fifth Unit, who then serve as the link between individual battlegroups, each other, and command.

Field Report Review: The unfortunate souls of Field Reports have the boring job of debriefing hunters and collecting their operational data, then compiling the results and analyzing findings from the field. They develop briefings on the latest maverick encounters and are responsible for keeping current intel standards up to date. It's long, it's dull, and it involves a great deal of computer reconstruction of correlating battlefield sensor data. They are also responsible for forwarding their findings the relevant desks. "Don't Shoot the Messenger" is effectively their motto.

Recruiting: Recruitment for the Unit entails seeking out contracts with various Labs and manufacturers, as well as selecting candidates from the available rosters. Your task here will involve everything from interviewing volunteers to negotiating development of future agents.

Cont.

>>18885958
Modern Combat Analysis Reporting: Modern Combat Analysis Reporting is the comparative intelligence branch. They prepare "state of the theater" reports predicated on comparisons between field reports and previous intel. They gauge autopsy and triage reports to determine the gulf between expected yield or power and the current reality. They remain onscene after battle to track the implementation of unexpected combat capability. Effectively they are interested in both collaborating overall intelligence data and investigating their own. They are the ones who determine whether that maverick you brought down was specialized in laser weaponry, or whether this is the new standard level.

Unit Coordinator: The Fourth Overland maintains operations around the world at all times, from multiple outposts and bases. Making sure they receive the gear and supplies they need is a crucial aspect of running the unit. Addressing requests for resupply and additional resources--and weighing need versus availability--is the name of the game.

...And that's the last of them.

...Well?
>

>>18885977
These are rather niche positions to be filled. Anode is too young and eager for some of the more weighty positions, but I'm hesitant to assign him to something like Performance or Unit Analysis. Anode plays things pretty fast and loose, and he maintains his X-factor all the way through. Sticking him around numbers and analysis all day might mess things up and make him too "safe," too "careful."

This is a tough call. Hm.

>>18886104
They'll fully expect to be training you for the role, so inexperience is generally not a factor. As for whether you mold Anode into a bean counter from hell, well, we'll just have to see how things play out.

>>18886104
>>18886125
I'm thinking to either leave Anode unassigned and let him continue on his business, or put him into Drills and maintain his rapport with the rank-and-file infantry, at least until he turns batty and starts throwing portable soldering torches at the infantry to see if they're paying attention.

Drills seems like a likely choice. Not to mention pulling Gunnery Sergeant Anode with the evil mustache and keeping a straight face the entire time.

>>18886149
In addition, improved infantry would improve the overall rapport of the Fourth to the rest of the Hunters. After all, we're the ones who get called to HOLD THE LINE, and while we haven't fucked it up (yet), it'd be nice to improve our odds.

Drills, for definitely. Seems like the best fit for us.

Drills sounds like it'd be loads of fun.

Always, always make time to watch Casablanca.

I vote for Repairs or Drills. Drill Sergeant Anode could be fun and all, but knowing how to strap one of our limbs back on in a hostile situation might come in more handy, considering our track record.

In retrospect, that probably wasn't a very hard decision.

Going with Drillmaster, then?

>>18886329
I was also leaning towards Logistics. You have no idea how much I want to argue with a customs official about the legality of crossing the border with a super-strong and generally quite short tempered robo shark.

And on the same note, if we do sign up for drills, we need to get Tanker in on the act. If they can stare him down without springing a leak, then they'll be ready for damn near anything.

On mulling it over, you realize two things:
1: You're durable.
2: You're good at fighting.

This seems to make a natural fit with drilling the rank and file. Plus, if you can train them, maybe you'll never have a fight like the one with Guns.

Drilling requires a combination of things, as your infantry are expected to excel at both melee and ranged combat, be familiar with close-combat and grappling, and maintain discipline. And then there's all that maverick hunter protocol regarding civilians to worry about. Thumbing through the information on it, your interest is directed to your Commanding Officer, and to your on-base training team.

As long as you're in the command room, may as well see about getting that first part out of the way, as you arrange a call to Vienna...

The screen winks on, slightly distorted, and with it you hear a familiar voice, deep and weary. "Frog speaking."

"Hey, boss."

"Anode," he rumbles calmly. "Heard you had a rough time of it."

"Puzzling that out, sir," you admit. "But I think I have a handle on it, at least for now."

"Good, good. Did Schwarzhund give you the news?"

"Letting me patrol Vienna?" you ask. He nods. "I'm not sure yet. I appreciate it, though."

He nods. "I understand. You've got a few more hours before you have to commit, and I'm sure Dodo won't mind either way. So, if you're not calling about that..."

"Still got some time before I'm allowed back on-mission, figured I'd pick up a bit of slack in the unit. Think I've got what it takes to help train the troops?"

Cont.

>>18886867
Frog sighs with relief. "I was expecting someone to give me bad news and more work to do. Yeah, I think you could hack it, but there's a few things you should know."

"Yessir?"

"First of all, you need to understand that power and skill are two different things. And that it can bite you in the ass. Don't go flaunting your A-rank over the Berets--millions were pumped into building you, and they all rolled off an assembly line. They're doing what they can, and if you act like it's their fault you're better, they'll resent you for it."

"How do you tell where limitations end and slack begins, though?"

He grins ruefully. "That's the fun part, isn't it? You'll have to learn to get a feel for it. Talk to Schwarz, he's got a good eye for this sort of thing."

"Talk to Schwarz seems to be solid advice for just about anything on base," you observe.

Your CO chuckles. "Isn't it just? Anyway, I'll try to give you some pointers when I can. In the meantime, you've got a team of the older Lanceteamers managing the basics, and a couple noncom staff overseeing things and making recommendations. They'll help you get set up."

"Yessir. I'll go sign up."

"And Anode? One more thing. You're going to be training people who've been doing this for years. Hunting longer than you've been operational. There's no helping that, but some of them are going to hold an attitude about it. If you want to win their respect, you're going to have to figure out where to draw the line."

"Sounds like fun."

"Sucked just as hard when I did it," he confides.

>Talk a bit more.
>Go get started!

>>18886890
Sounds like general stuff to be expected of someone in our position.
Ask about the general situation in Vienna before we bug out. Frog looks like he's had enough of this shit.

>>18886920
I'll agree with this, and yeah, we don't want to go in there acting like we're too hot. Ideally, we'll learn a decent bit in the process of helping out with this kind of thing.

We ought to get some schematics or diagnostics or somethin' of the kinds of units we'll be training, just to get an idea of their capabilities.

>>18887703
I'll assume it's the standard rank-and-file Steel Berets we worked with before. They're versatile, keep their cool, and they're a decent shot.

Okay, so Team Jerkass strikes again (I swear they have a sixth sense, not that I mind), and that aforementioned fucked-up sleep is starting to wear me down already. Not stopping, not by a longshot, but shit's gonna be slow. Tomorrow I'll spend however long I can before me and my friend meet up for the brewing shenanigans, and Cain will be around to keep the thread relevant in the meantime.

Sorry, and thanks for the patience.

>>18887703
> Lanceteamer
D-Class, 1st Generation Production Model
Group-oriented and focused, Lanceteamers are one of the earliest production model Reploids, supplementing human police forces and serving civic roles as guardians. Lanceteamers have proven competent at working in the civilian environment, but are noted for a streak of indecesiveness and dependency on numbers. Their GL7 Disarmer stun weapon can be supplemented by a P216 Buster Rifle to supply lethal force, but mishaps have forced civil authorities to change policy to issue such weaponry only to supervised Lanceteamers under direct command.

> Lanceteamer Assail
C-Class, 1st Generation Production Model
Group-oriented and focused, Lanceteamer Assails are an update of the earlier Lanceteamer infantry production model with better mobility and upgraded defense to counter the offensive capabilities of Mavericks. Commissioned specifically for the Maverick Hunters at the time of their founding, the LTAs have a highy militaristic bent and require a strict rank hierarchy to remain organized. Their P500 Battery Buster Rifles use a supplementary battery cell to allow for faster, near-continuous shooting and have been optimized for combat performance, though they cannot be charged. LTAs are explicitly for military use and should not be employed for civil duties.

>>18887703
> Lanceteamer Bingo
C-Class, 2nd Generation Production Model
Group-oriented and focused, Lanceteamer Bingos are an update of the previous Lanceteamer infantry production model, improving behavior to include individual target selection based on group needs and priorities. Lanceteamer Bingos adhere very well to rank structure, but very few distinguish themselves. Their P880 Combine Buster Rifles allow a powerful charge to be delivered through a combination of shoulder mount and arm buster link, and each LTB is able to outfit itself with an array of special weapons including grenades, mines and beam bayonets. LTBs have difficulty integrating with human allies and should not be employed for standard police duties.

> Steel Beret
C-Class, 3rd Generation Production Model
More personable and quick-learning than previous infantry production model Reploids, the new Steel Berets have already been noted for their higher-than-normal rate of individual distinction and commendation in their role. With their handsome silver caps and civilian-friendly, utilitarian design, Steel Berets have mobilized well since their production commissioning and have produced individual Reploids of officer-caliber quality. Their P903 Buster Rifles are slightly stronger than standard issue buster weapons, though they have an inferior charge capacity.

>>18887784
We'll make do.

>>18887791
>>18887799
Forgot to identify myself. Hello thread!

>>18887813
Cain Labs in disguise! Cheeky bastard.

Since you're here, how much does the Fourth rely on infantry compared to other divisions?
What's the overall structure of the infantry, as in military standing, composition of forces, officer deployment, and whatnot? If we're gonna be a drill sergeant, we may as well be prepared.

>>18887856
The Fourth is far and away the division most reliant on infantry.

The Fourth has plenty of enlisted personnel, uses some warrant officers, and has officers of Lieutenant, Captain, Major and Colonel rank. Officers have certain requisition privileges for personnel and Mechaniloids and can sign off on various deployments.

>>18888234
Do older models like the Lanceteamers still serve active duty, or do they eventually get cycled out for newer units like the Steel Berets as time goes on? I can understand relegating them to desk jockeys at that point, but I'm wondering what the turnover is on infantry, if any.

Whoops, got a few minutes left after all.
>>18886920
>>18887243
"So, how are things over there?" you ask.

"This place has seen better days," Frog grouses. "Half the city is written off, and there's still plenty of places where it's not remotely safe to be. We lost a few guys to a building collapse. Deploy's been working 24/7 to keep us going."

"How about you?"

Frog rubs his chin. "I'd say I forgot how much I hate standing rechargers, but I didn't. I'm pretty all right, we're just about done sweeping for mavericks and getting into the demolition. Guess who usually gets called in to knock out foundations?"

"I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's the guy with 'Hammer' in his name."

"Bingo," he says. "Not terrible, just long and tedious. And I still have to coordinate while I'm at it."

"Shit sucks. Sir."

"That it does."

"...You like movies, boss?" You venture.

"Wouldn't know, never tried watchin' one," Frog says. "Too busy."

"Well, if you're ever un-busy, I'm going to be putting them on for the Fourth. First try was a big hit."

"Not likely... but thanks."

"No problem, the offer'll keep. I'm cutting transmission, sir."

"Copy that. See you later."

With that out of the way, you're free to go investigate the training facilities again, now that you intend to take them over. Given the size of the unit, it's a pretty safe bet that there's at least some infantry using it.

>>18888309
Whoops forgot my option.

...there is an option.
>wat do?

>>18888309
The obvious option is to check out the training facilities again and find our new advisors-to-be.
Let's be obvious, then.

>>18888284
Infantry get cycled for many reasons, some of which rhyme with Flasma Hexmlosion. Those who don't meet with such an end are offered retirement when Decomissions determines that adequate replacements are available in service. Some choose to stay on, and if they're qualified then Hunter Command keeps them around due to experience.

And of course, some enter the forces after they SHOULD be outdated because of insufficient replacement supply; case in point, Steel Berets are the current infantry "standard" but still not in service enough to replace the Lanceteamer squads.

>>18888371
That said, what's the current spread of infantry units in the Fourth?

>>18888392
Clarify.

>>18888493
Are they, like, 70% Berets, 10% Bingos, etc.?
Is there a headcount somewhere?

>>18888527
Roughly: 8% LT0, 22% LTA, 38% LTB, 24% SB, 8% other.

Looks like Hunter Command has cleared the deck, so I'll open the floor to general questions while we wait for the quest to resume.

>>18888334
You've been to the shooting range and facilities--hell, you helped christen a wall when Tanker put your head through it. But this time it all feels somewhat bigger, more imposing, when you walk in.

Sure enough, a handful of LTBs are at the range, speaking to eachother in quiet, clipped phrases. One of them stands at a table, expertly disassembling a plasma weapon, a small cloth handy to clean the gem emitter and focusing rings.

And when you walk in, all four set their eyes on you. After a moment of uncomfortable silence, they return to what they were doing, albeit no longer speaking loudly enough for you to hear at all.

Great.

In the back, you see a few techs working on a target. Interestingly enough, someone put a training saber through a firing range target.

"Trouble in paradise?" you ask them by way of greeting.

"Something like that," says a human man. "No one's saying anything--surprise--but five gets you ten one of this motley crew did it on a dare."

"LTBs don't seem the type," you say.

"They keep to themselves, but they're just as prone to stupid shit as the rest of us." He looks at you more closely. "...But given they didn't have clearance to borrow a couple mechaniloids and an industrial grease, this was probably the best they could manage."

REALLY great start.

"Relax," he says. "I'm Sam. I help run this place."

"You might be who I'm after, then..." You quickly explain. He nods.

"Fine by me, as long as you know what you're getting into. There's a squad of four LT0s--you know, the first run? They informally manage this place. Talk it over with 'em."

>Stay and talk some more, get to know the tech-team here.
>Go track down those LT0s.
>Start that rapport building thing, go get some range hours in.

>>18888939
Is there any sort of distinction between reploids inherently built for war like Anode and reploids/humans who distinguish themselves by going above and beyond?
Since there are multiple Hunter bases worldwide, are there different branches of the same divisions for each? Like, is there a distinction, if any, between the core Fourth in Geneva and the Fourth America or Fourth Japan?

>>18888993
And on that note, I'm going to segue into an intermission here. I know I'll be distracted over with Team Jerkass, and I'll be dog-tired when I finally get back home, so I'm going to turn the thread over to Cain Labs for a little while for something he's been planning.

>>18888993
Stick with the tech team and learn the lay of the land before we go find the LT0s. We'd like to jump into this feet first.

>>18888999
What kind of distinction do you mean?

The Fourth Division is global, really, and has officers in a lot of departments around the world. The Fourth Division in Japan is the same one as the one in America, Geneva and anywhere else; it's just that Hammer Frog happens to be situated in Geneva. Local division heads exist to coordinate in various regional HQs, but they're all part of the same fold and they all answer to Frog.

>>18889072
Is there any sort of difference in being an officer by merit or an officer by design? Social mores, promotion potential, etc.
Gotcha. That's what I was wondering about.

>>18889096
Officers by design tend to have a healthy respect for officers by merit. You've seen it when they talk about human ace Hunters. From an official standpoint, though, there's little distinction other than that based on seniority, though obviously merit pay happens.

Are there any more questions before we jump into the Fun Activities?

>>18889149
None that immediately come to mind.

Alright then! Off to the Fun Activities!

Frequent viewers of this thread may have gotten to participate in an interview with Schwarzhund a little while ago. We enjoyed it so much that we want to stage a few more.

Now, I won't be doing any of the "onscreen" characters - that's Hunter Command's department - but if there's anyone else you'd like to hear from (preferably not X or Zero, we get quite enough of their side of the story) then let's have at it! I'd like to suggest one of the X1 or X2 Mavericks (pre-defection) or possibly Rhodes, but I'm open to suggestions.

>>18889235
It'd be interesting to hear from Magna Centipede, G-Rank Hunter and former Shinobi Shogun.

>>18889235
Pre-defection interview? Not a beyond-the-grave, er, scrapheap interview? Still, that was quite a hoot last time with Schwarzhund. I think I asked, like, half the questions there.

You access an archival recording of an interview conducted with Magna Centipede, back when he still headed the 0th Unit.

The file loads, and Centipede appears, coiled around the chair he sits on. He speaks with a soft edge to his voice.

"Begin the questioning."

>>18889438
How's it feel being a G-Rank Hunter?
What'd it take to become G-Rank?
Were the Shinobi always known for their disregard for collateral damage?

>>18889470
> How's it feel being a G-Rank Hunter?
"It is not a factor in how I feel."

> What'd it take to become G-Rank?
"I was allocated this rank for my role in retiring the Maverick codenamed Jigoku, then classified as a G-Class threat. My service record reflects additional details of my time serving with the Maverick Hunters."

> Were the Shinobi always known for their disregard for collateral damage?
"Our membership is always alert to reduce collateral damage to a bare minimum. You must be confusing us with the former Hunter named Zero."

>>18889656
>"Our membership is always alert to reduce collateral damage to a bare minimum. You must be confusing us with the former Hunter named Zero."
Ouch.
I'll rephrase. What's it LIKE being a G-Class Hunter? That is to say, is it lonely at the top, or is it still business as usual? Does the Red Sea part everywhere you walk?

>>18889689
> What's it LIKE being a G-Class Hunter?

It is much the same as being S-Class was. My duties remain dangerous and often solitary.

> That is to say, is it lonely at the top, or is it still business as usual?

My role as commanding officer of the 0th Unit has not changed greatly from my new rank. Those I am tasked to retire directly present a greater threat. My colleagues treat me as they always have.

> Does the Red Sea part everywhere you walk?
My magnetic capabilities do not extend to the manipulation of tidal forces.

>>18889760
I was being metaphorical with that last one.

Can you tell us about what you would say your most memorable hunt was?

>>18889760
Is there a hunter by the name of Blast Hornet under your command? If so, whats he like?

>>18889656
>Jigoku

So, I take it this guy was bad news? Could you provide details?

>>18889805
> Can you tell us about what you would say your most memorable hunt was?
The Maverick codenamed RAPID, a G-Class threat and former member of the Maverick "Inner Circle" during the Maverick War. The pursuit was difficult. The hunt was long. The prey was quick.

The hunt lasted for five hours. My E-Tanks were both depleted and then destroyed in the struggle. He was somehow immune to my magnetic toxin, but I was capable of partially disabling the target with tracking mines. In the end, I was wounded terribly. He took some damage which intelligence suggests was permanent. The target escaped. The hunt continues.

>>18889812
> Is there a hunter by the name of Blast Hornet under your command? If so, whats he like?
The officer Blast Hornet has been under my command for some time now. He is an efficient and valued ally. Very quiet. Good company.

>>18890055
Beyond being a G-Class Hunter, what is there that makes Magna Centipede who he is?

>>18889979
> So, I take it this guy was bad news? Could you provide details?
Jigoku was the Maverick behind the Atlantic Conflict that devastated several coastal cities in the Americas. His forces were centrally organized to reinforce his powerful spatial bending weapon. I was assigned in the third attempt to retire the Maverick by covert means after several operations designed around direct engagement failed.

My armaments include a classified special weapon capable of opposing spatial distortion abilities such as those wielded by Jigoku; despite this fact, the Maverick was able to severely damage me and I barely managed to escape intact once I struck his warp induction chamber with my armament. You will of course have access to the relevant footage of the implosion over Kingston.

>>18890317
Who among the Hunters do you respect the most? Who is the most promising? Who needs the most work?

>>18890372
> Who among the Hunters do you respect the most?
I have the utmost respect for a woman named Lauren Marende, who has demonstrated exceptional capability worthy of a place in the roster of the 0th Unit. Sadly, we do not accept human applicants due to our role.

> Who is the most promising?
The Origin is, I believe, unmatched in his potential. One day soon he may be powerful enough to meet my own skill. Of course, in many ways, his promise has already been realized. I have been involved in trials with Dr. Cain's Project P2*, and I believe the Reploid being developed there shows tremendous promise for the future of the Hunters.

> Who needs the most work?
The teacher who closes the door in the face of his student sees fault in still waters. *pause* Off the record: Web Spider. Intelligent but tremendously lazy. He needs to engage himself more instead of substituting new equipment for training and technique. While the officer is an asset to my team in some ways, in serious combat I believe he would fall far too easily for a member of the 0th Unit.

>>18890174
> Beyond being a G-Class Hunter, what is there that makes Magna Centipede who he is?

I am much as other Reploids: electronic parts connecting to a crystalline matrix that serves as my central processor. Several classified systems are incorporated into my design.

Also, I enjoy green tea.

>>18890499
In your opinion, what is the cause of Maverick behavior?

>>18890565
For that matter, what of Sigma himself?

>>18890565
> In your opinion, what is the cause of Maverick behavior?

I believe that there is more than one cause. I have known colleagues whose defection could have been anticipated due to their personal beliefs, while what I have witnessed time and time again suggests that a data error has corrupted others. The truth may lie in our very creation, but I do not discount the possibility of a virus that creates the fundamental Maverick condition.

>>18890656
Do you ever fear that you will turn Maverick yourself?

>>18890649
> For that matter, what of Sigma himself?
I respected Sigma greatly, in that time. More than once I have given over my spare hours to considering why he turned against the world. I can only believe of him that his intellect must have crystallized the very idea of Maverick behavior until the pressures of his logic caused his belief structure to... implode. Sigma was very focused on saving Mavericks and establishing a place in the world for Reploids.

The alternative, that even he was susceptible to some data fault, is of course possible, but does bode ill for the rest of Reploidkind... It is my hope that Project P2* will discover some fundamental error in his design that gave rise to Sigma's defection.

>>18890676
> Do you ever fear that you will turn Maverick yourself?
I fear for my colleagues should that transpire. I have never felt tension between myself and the humans, and I am at peace with the world. Should I become susceptible, I have installed... a failsafe. I have come to terms with the possibility and accepted the necessity of that outcome should I fall.

>>18890762
How long have you served as a Shinobi, never mind as a Hunter?
How did you become Shogun?

>>18890842
How long have you been activated, for that matter?

>>18890842
>How long have you served as a Shinobi, never mind as a Hunter?
I transferred to the 0th Unit when it was created; this would be... roughly four years ago.

> How did you become Shogun?
**Centipede closes his eyes at the title
I received command of the 0th Unit when my predecessor went Maverick. At the time I had a perfect record and strong recommendations from several other division heads. Sigma appointed me to this position; I insisted, after his defection, on being reconfirmed by the new commander.

>>18890967
>How long have you been activated, for that matter?
I was among the first second-generation Reploids to be created... I have been active for five years.

>>18890762

do you believe that reploids with specialties work better than general purpose ones overall, or do you think general purpose models hold an advantage?

>>18891151
> do you believe that reploids with specialties work better than general purpose ones overall, or do you think general purpose models hold an advantage?
*Centipede sips from a cup of green tea.
The magnolia's flower may only be seen once all year, but in its blossom is the beauty that outshines the rest.

We are all the magnolia. There is no true "generalist," there is only a specialist denied the chance to flower. The greatest gift comes from the rarest talent.

>>18891278

shame, then, that all too often, that talent is wasted, lost, or turned to evil pursuits.

>>18891304
>shame, then, that all too often, that talent is wasted, lost, or turned to evil pursuits.
A great shame, yes.

>>18891339

which do you feel is your primary concern: protecting civilians, or destruction of Mavericks?

>>18891430
> which do you feel is your primary concern: protecting civilians, or destruction of Mavericks?
The ninja sees the guardsman as the shadow sees the light. My role is unambiguous.

Do you ask my position on the role of Hunters as a whole? If so, I would tell you that it is the duty of defenders to defend and of Hunters to hunt. I feel the obligation to those my actions will benefit, but I feel more strongly my role and duty, which will ever be to remove the threat. Let others stand shielding the innocent. I am the dagger at the swordsman's throat, I am the bringer of the last day of shields.

>>18891585

ah, so you are a weapon, not a shield. Do you then consider civilian casualties a regrettable necessity in the execution of your duty?

Centipede's tone gets even more cold and edged.

>>18891634
> ah, so you are a weapon, not a shield. Do you then consider civilian casualties a regrettable necessity in the execution of your duty?
If there are casualties, then those whose duty it is to defend them are failing the people. My role is unambiguous and demands singular focus and dedication. Agile, Jigoku, Mazda, these are foes at a threat level that goes beyond being capable of acknowledging a threat to civilians. We operate on the understanding that others stand ready to fulfill their duties. I regret every death that I could not prevent, but it is not my duty to prioritize lives I might possibly save. The threats I face are measurable, quantifiable lives on the line, on the order of hundreds, if not thousands or tens of thousands. No death is necessary that is the death of an innocent; there is always a responsibility.

>>18891748
Have you ever considered retiring, and living quietly? Or at least fantasized about it?

>>18889235
Can we talk to more than one person at once? Because I think it would be interesting to hear from Morph Moth.

Centipede pours a second cup of tea.

>>18891783
> Have you ever considered retiring, and living quietly? Or at least fantasized about it?
Please be cautious when using that word; it has a different meaning to my kind.

I serve a purpose that I cannot deny. I have looked into the face of that which threatens the peace. While such as those can exist, I can only live quietly in the moments between. My hermitage is paid for in combat, and ever the rent is due. To quit would be to cheat myself out of these blessed few moments of peace.

>>18891748

My apologies if I have offended. I understand, of course, that duty must be put before emotion, and that often by performing the very duty we are tasked with, we damn ourselves.

Of course, speaking as one who views his primary duty as that of the shield, occasionally we will be at cross purposes. It is, perhaps, more important to remember that, in the end, we all work towards the same goal.

>>18891853
Morph Moth is a Maverick creation, isn't he? He existed for a very short time before X scrapped him. Then again, I'm not sure what we would ask of who was technically the single most dangerous Maverick up to this point outside of Sigma.

>>18891882
That's what makes him interesting: he was born a Maverick. Not even Sigma has that unique insight.

>>18891853
I'm getting close to ending the interview for the evening, actually. Perhaps next time!

>>18891875
I understand and take no offense. I was... close with Wing Larken before he died, and we valued many of the same principles of protecting the world from collateral damage.

I have time for three more questions.

>>18891915
What is your most cherished moment up to this point?
What do you see as the future for humans and reploids?
Do you feel your job will ever end?

>>18891915
Jigoku and RAPID, were these originaly manufactured by our side? or did the mavericks build them themselves.

Actualy do the Mavericks ever build more of themselves, or do they simply absorb new members?

I apologize if the information is classified, feel free to ignore the question if that is the case

>>18891959
> What is your most cherished moment up to this point?
The look on Mazda's face when I filled him with magnetizing venom.

> What do you see as the future for humans and reploids?
We are not the final step of mechanical life. Perhaps our successors will be able to unite with humanity in some fashion.

> Do you feel your job will ever end?
Winter brings the end of all things. So shall it be with me, I believe. I accept this truth.

Have all questions been answered to your satisfaction? Or is there a question you would like to revisit before I leave?

>>18892033
One last question: WHO WAS PHONE?

>>18892000
> Jigoku and RAPID, were these originaly manufactured by our side? or did the mavericks build them themselves.
Jigoku was a prototype of Sigma's battle body that was completed and directly integrated with a new Reploid brain. Codename RAPID was a Maverick of unknown origin, as were Codename ROUGH and Codename READY. Vile, the former Codename REVOLVER, was the only Inner Circle member known to be developed as a Hunter.

> Actualy do the Mavericks ever build more of themselves, or do they simply absorb new members?
Maverick production facilities do exist and have created serious issues for intelligence.

The record of Centipede's interview ends.

And with that, I return you to your regularly shceduled programming. I hope you all enjoyed this interview.

>>18892217

hey cain, I have a pair of questions.

1) busters: how do they work? is it basically a plasma weapon?

2) on busters: assuming one could power it, would a multi-barrel, multi-chamber buster offer any kind of rate of fire advantage over one rigged for fast discharge?

I'll field these for him.
>>18892101
Phone was spiders.
>>18892410
A buster is basically a superheated, ionized gas projector. A powerful magnetic 'bubble' encapsulates the shot, helping to keep the payload cohesive and thus effective. This magnetic envelope does fade over a relatively short distance, but the projectile is able to maintain its own cohesion within a moderate effective range before dissipation. The plasma is focused through an emitter--these are the bauble-like "gemstones" that dot the bodies of many reploids. Nearly every combat model carries some form of buster. In addition, the closer to the moment of fire, the hotter, stronger, and more coherent the plasma will be, making point-blank shots from even middling busters extremely effective.

Standard busters use a ferrous medium for the plasma, producing a naturally magnetic "core" that lends itself to its own stability.

Cont.

>>18892906
Multiple-barrel busters would be cumbersome, as the parts are typically worked into the entirety of a humanoid-size forearm. The biggest problem with rapid-fire plasma weapons is the distortion and warping of the emitter assembly when superheated for prolonged periods. Other problems that plagued lasers of the past remain, such as contaminants fouling the delicate emitters. Many busters have a "flash-clean" system that fires an unfiltered cloud of plasma, cleaning most if not all matter from the lens and workings. Failing that, switching to and from the buster arm's hand allows the lens to be cleaned internally. The rest involves a simple shroud over the gem, protecting the emitter from the elements.
On the subject of rapid-firing plasma, one relatively new experiment involves rotary lenses housed inside the buster, allowing this to be cycled similarly to multi-barrel weapons. Some are attempting to use this for on-the-fly tuning for any range via differently-calibrated lenses.

Our protagonist's Anode Cyclers are extremely effective repeating buster weapons; though lacking charge capacity, the volume of ionized death they can spit in a short time is impressive, and even from afar can force an opponent back or sharply limit their maneuvering options.

And on that note, I'm tapping out for the evening. If I'm up early enough (and if the last week has been any indication, I fucking will), I'll be writing until my buddy calls me over and we start brewing some porter.

>>18892914
>>18892906

much obliged. Needed that info for the character concept, since I figured a solid-slug system would be pretty limited in terms of battlefield longevity and usefulness in a situation dominated by things with walking fusion reactors and the VWES.

Morning bump. Let me get my eyes to uncross and I'll resume the Anodery.

>>18895131

Yayyy

>>18893089
I'll point out that projectile weapons are still a viable alternative for Hunters; Vile has used bullets on occasion to good effect. They also have the benefit of being a lower power draw, even when talking railguns and coilguns. As a casual bonus, these offer some utility against human targets that plasma has a hard time matching (apparently humans cook or burn or something when exposed to plasma).

>>18888993
You decide you may as well start with what's here.

"I won't pretend I don't need all the help I can get here," you say. "Can you tell me what I'm getting myself into?"

"About what you'd expect," Sam shrugs. "By the way--Alice," one of his techs nods at you and goes back to her work, "and Threepenny." A reploid waves without looking up, trying to cut some melted metal off around that saber and work it free. "But yeah. You get some characters. The ones who spend the most time practicing are your LT0s, LTAs. I'm sure you've noticed they prefer their own groups."

You look back at the four manning the range, shoulders hunched and muttering. Hell, they might be positioning themselves to cover up their marksmanship.

"Yeah, a bit. Are they just gonna wave off anything someone younger says?"

"No, but they won't just lie down and accept it without bitching. My advice? Just try to suggest you can help manage the range with the resources that rank brings. And keep in mind that reality's reality. You're always gonna get problem cases."

"How about you lot? What can I do on the maintenance end?"

Sam laughs. "Mostly just shut up and keep the hell out of the way, sir."

"Noted. Let me know if there's anything I can do for you."

Seems as though the techs are genial enough. You just have to convince a base full of soldiers to listen to the youngest guy on base.

To that end, what now?
>

>>18895239
Once again I forget to identify. It was me.

>>18895992
Loosing your touch Cain?

>>18896007
Nah, just early morning brain failure. Back in the saddle now.

>>18895441
Follow his advice, for the problem child we've got the advantage that we're creative with intimidation. Any good driller can make a troublesome individuals future a pile of bubbling dread with a simple smile and a few words, Em can attest to that.

>>18896258

We could also introduce Anode to the older ones with some self-depreciating humor. Referring to himself as the "4th's newest highly paid private" should get the NCOs to relax.

>>18896333
Works for me.

And on that note, my friend called earlier than I expected him to. TIME TO GO MAKE SOME BEER.

We're probably going to swing back thisaway when we're finished and we've squared away the first batch for fermentation. I'll try to pick up again there.

>>18895441
Set a target more expendable than then one the techs are fixing.
Walk over to the group of Lancers and take out your lance.

"100 Z's says I can nail it from here."

>>18896507
Of course we can nail it from here - that's just showing off. Be more polite than that - mention that we saw the posting, came over to see if it's still open, and see what they have to say.

>>18896524
Just figured getting in on their antics might make it easier for them to accept us

>>18896602

We don't want to overshadow them. That is exactly what we were advised against.

>>18896864
Precisely. They know we can hit that shot no matter what we do. A challenge like that doesn't prove anything. Walk up and ask them how their aim is today.

Quick bump to keep the thread alive. With luck I'll be back home and posting soon.

>>18895441

taking his advice in mind, it may be better to come into it and let the noncoms keep running it- so far, it would appear they've been doing an acceptable job (at least, we don't know any better if they haven't) and just add our officer's rank towards making sure the range doesn't want for anything, and that it sees use.

What kind of real-world analogue training do the Lance teamers and Steel Berets come into service with? are they roughly equivalent to say, Infantry, or is it higher grade, like SF or some other flavor of SOC forces?

>>18895239
well balls. already handed in the concept. if he requires changes, I'll keep it in mind though.

Back home. Really fucking tired. Not gonna just post, like, once today and then hope the thread stays bumped. Fuck that. Have some update.
>>18895441
"Right," you say, deciding to do just that. "Thanks."

"Any time," the tech replies cheerfully.

You make your way to the targeting range again, noting the two spots still nicked and scored with scratch marks from your shrapnel test-fire. Sidling into the booth beside the Lanceteamer Bingos, you wait calmly until you can catch one's eye. Before he can avert his gaze, you grin.

"Hundred zenny says I can peg the one at 25."

And then, before he can answer, you draw and throw. It goes wide, way wide, clattering down the lane with painfully sharp echoes. All four are staring at you, now.

"Guess not."

You grin wider as you hop the barricade and jog downrange, recollecting your lance. You trot back, wiring up four Z100 open-transfers--the digital equivalent of slamming your chips down on the table. They're -really- staring at you now.

"Sup. I'm Anode. Planning to try to run this place."

Finally, absurdity outweighs caution.

"...Why?" One asks quietly.

>Well?

>>18900949

"well, I'm an officer, so I can lend some throw weight to equipment and material requests. Plus, I can lend a hand with arranging training for new units coming into the 4th, and help out when we're running programs against higher-grade threats. I'm not planning on taking over lock, stock, and barrel, I'm too new for that."

let's not be some jackass ring-knocker Lieutenant coming in and taking over from NCOs who know what they're doing because they've been doing it a long damn time. we've been in service for what? a week? two? these guys have us, hard, in the experience department. that counts for a lot here.

>>18900949
"Well, this is the Fourth, a division that relies on its mighty infantry more than anyone else. I figured I could help things along, throw some weight around and get you guys some extra materials and training. I'm not much, but I'm here to help where I can.

"Iiiiis that a problem?"

>>18901095
>>18901177
"I can do some good," you shrug. "If they're going to make me an officer, I might as well throw some of that clout into this place. And hey, I've got pay to match, I can probably use that to supplement whatever they put into managing the range, no offe--"

Your sales pitch is cut short as you're sent flying to the ground with a whoomph and the scrape of metal on metal.

The four LTBs continue staring in increasing perplexity as another, even older Lanceteamer (as in the first run, the "LT0") pins you to the ground, jamming a finger at your nose.

"HYOU," he barks.

"...Wut," you reply.

"HYOU VI'LATED SAFETY PROTO-CALLS!"

>Wut
>Hey fuck you
>Other?

>>18901453

I suppose now would be a good time to ask if we noticed any posted saftey rules.

yes, goddamnit, I know all ranges have the same basic ones (including "DON'T EVER FUCKING WALK DOWN A HOT RANGE EVER FOR ANY REASON EVER") but if it's not posted...

>>18901453
"I was bonding! BOOONDIIIING!"

I suggest we
>not give a fuck

"yeah, and?"

>>18901453
"Oh, you can't tell me half the Fourth doesn't do the same thing. Look me in the eye and tell me Tanker Tigershark uses the range as intended. TELL ME!"

"ARGHFGBL," you manage gracefully.

"There are ROOLS to this range," he half-drawls, half-lisps(?), all-yells. "HWAHN, confirm the safety uv your armament! TOO, check for AWL appropriate safety wear being wearn" ("Wearn?" Seriously?) "by AWL members of yar TRAYNIN' GROOP. THUH-REE--"

"I WAS BONDING!" you roar, "BOONDIIIIING!"

"IMMABOUT TA BOND MY FOOT IN YER AAAAAAAAASS!"

"Oh bullshit," you protest. "Where were you when Tanker put me through that wall?"

"Tanker iz an oaf. ARE HYOU AN OAF, WHITE AND BLOO OFFICER MAN? AAAAARE HYOOOOOOU?" He starts, ineffectually, punching you in the head.

This guy is...what the fuck. You look up at the LTBs.

"...This..." manages one, still stunned, "...is Ell Tee, one of the acting range coordinators. ...We call him Looey."

>...WELP

>>18902025
This guy. This fucking guy.
Push him off of us. "All right, ELLLLLL TEEEEE, where's the rest of your troupe? I'm looking to be the new drill officer, and I was told you were the Lancers to talk to."

>>18902066

something to this effect. ask him where the rest of his guys are.

And the tired has officially caught the fuck up with me and run me down like a semi.

And unfortunately I'm getting kidnapped by friends again tomorrow night. I swear they time it. More writing tomorrow, and with luck we can get a bit more shit done. Sorry, folks. Hopefully I'll start getting better sleep and be able to write in the dead of night, as is right and natural.

>>18902328
At least you're dedicated. See you around.

Fortunately, I'm back! For a bit, anyway.

Would anyone care for some more Q&A? Or perhaps another interview?

>>18902828

I can always run that character concept by you, see if it sounds plausable.

>>18902867
The built-in-Russia bear? Blizzard Buffalo has some competition. When is your game set in?

>>18902891
probably just post 1 or 2. From what he's told us, he wants the hunters to still be rebuilding, and re-thinking how they operate, but not preclude the possibility of units built from old contracts still being brought online.

>>18903078
Tundra Ursine.

>>18903089

Uralmash Ursa, actually.

Heavy firepower guy. the other take was gatling grizzly. concept had to be sent in, background is still far from set.

>>18902867
Feel free!

>>18903192
I suppose you could explain what Russia has been up to, what the state of robotics is, whether Cossack left a legacy, things like that.

>>18903192
Built to fulfill a contract pre-dating the initial maverick rebellion, Uralmash Ursa (UU for short... never w) is constructed to fill a heavy, direct fire support role at medium and short ranges.
In order to execute this mission he's been equipped with a pair of highly experimental rotary buster cannons, mounted beneath his forearms. both units are VWES compliant, but power draw precludes anything but a walking pace when firing, and the weapons will overheat and melt during sustained firing, with a distinct possibility of damage even during shorter bursts.
Heavily armored and large, Ursa is built to take a beating, though both his speed and close combat abilities are less than stellar. that said, his own mass and weight are respectable weapons for close range combat, and his designers made sure he had plenty of brute power to spare. while his systems may not be the most efficient or compact ever, they are extremely durable and easy to replace, should it be necessary.
UU was built, specifically, to operate as a member of a team, covering his comerades with storms of withering plasma fire, and acting as a strongpoint should his team be forced onto the defensive. Not designed with any particular 'elemental' specialty, he is nonetheless VWES compliant, though the prototype nature of his weapons limits him to but one additional configuration.

>>18903210
Russia's been fighting to hold on to and really take ad vangate of its whole territory. The huge resoruces available to the country made it exceedingly wealthy and gave it vital assets during the robotics era.

Russia is a bery large producer of Mechanilouds, especially the larger ones. They have several mahor Reploid developemnet labs and use special environmental testing cfacilities of a scale only Russia could host to focus on special ttypes of Reploids that need heavy weathering.

And yes, Dr. Cossack ledt a legacy, which I shall get into qwhen my sleeping medicatio nis not making a monkey out of me. Good ngiht thread!

>>18903418


in terms of mechanics, it's a D&D-derived D20 system, for the most part (no huge shock there). we used build points for character generation, and stats have been modified a bit.

I took a few flaws- namely, no EMS, limited VWES (baseline buster comes with 2, and all players are assumed to get one base, so that's free. the flaw freed up some BP i needed for the rest of his weapon), and prototype weapon, meaning they can get a step worse results from both critical damage and critical misses (fumbles) Similarly, I took poor power management (weapon) which means, even if i get an Enhanced movement system, I can't use or charge my weapons and use the EMS in the same turn.

In his advantages, I took Rapid fire (max) and fluffed it as tri-barrel buster Gatlings, which increase the attacks I can make with that weapon per action, heavily armored, which decreases both damage taken (hacks a point off all incoming dice) and redundant systems, which means I can ignore the first critical in all system boxes (and gives me another to boot) Similarly, while prototype is a flaw, it does mean the weapon can have 'standard' upgrades done to it (damage, capacity, that kind of thing) slightly cheaper.

bumping from 10

Bumping becuase Fuck Mavericks.

pic pseudorelated.

Thank you the rescue bumps, folks.
>>18903418
>>18903445
Sounds pretty damn fun. I like the thought you put into him.
>>18902066
"All right then, ELL-TEE," you reply with equal crazy as you stand upright sharply, "Where's the rest of your team?"

Now holding onto you (and still punching your head), LT...Looey...whoever--stops and mulls it over. "...Hidin'," he says. "Probly."

"Hiding?" you ask, as he finally stops with the punching.

"They're a liddle...shah," he says. "I been their unoffishul-like spokesman ever since I took that shot to thu hed."

You ALMOST say 'that explains it,' but you catch yourself when you realize that probably leads to another merry romp down facepunch lane.

"So whah?" he asks. "Whadder hya after with to my boyz?"

"Well," you say ruefully, "Believe it or not, I was actually going to look into managing this place."

He stares at you. "HAHA! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!" ...Aaaand then he punches you again. "I like hyou, kid."

"...You know that doesn't hurt, right?"

"'Cuz I don' wannit to. Daaah."

Right, well. You guess that counts as approval. Maybe? "So I'm good to start?"

"Yer gud to trah," Looey jibes. "Me an' mine won't think twahce-" (Yeah, you bet. Also, 'mine' but not 'twice?') "-as long az it's awl thru tha proper channulz. AND YA FOLLOW THE RULESA THERANGE!"

Then he hops off you and stops punching. For now.

Guess the only people left to convince are the scores of hunters using the training facilities.

Got any specific plans about how to address that, Anode? You could do something like record a speech, or just meet and greet for a little while, or...something.
>

>>18906506
I'd imagine it's going to be a little more in-depth than just putting out a public broadcast and saying "I RUN DIS SHIT NOW" just like that. We'll start with a more grassroots campaign. Keep a pubic appearance at the training center, greeting those who come and go and introduce ourselves as the new guy trying to run things and that any inquiries ought to go to us or the Lancers or the tech team or whatever. Word-of-mouth ought to take care of the rest. From there, it's a matter of whether or not people actually want to deal with our face.

Lets learn the "RULESA" first. Both official and unofficial. And lets find out what our rank lets us do.

>>18907300
>public appearance
Heheheh, "pubic."

>>18906506
Agreed.
>>18907526
So far the other characters are a commando snake (MSG fan, no less), a wolf specializing in radioactivity as a weapon, a close combat mantis, and a close combat coyote. And myself of course. Should be interesting. I expect cameos from cannon and MHQ characters, knowing our GM

>>18907669
You pick the oddest posts to reply-link to.

>>18907669
>a wolf specializing in radioactivity as a weapon
That's a hell of a thing. Other than that, your squad sounds like a troupe designed to get stuck in a lot.

>>18907684
That was my bad. Trying to post on the phone from work

>>18907669
>MHQ cameos
I am hype. Let me know if they do. And I can provide dossiers on most of the personnel, if your DM needs a better idea of how to use them.
>>18906506
You decide you'll spend some time here, maybe get some practice in between greeting the new arrivals and getting a sense of how you're received.

And in the mean time, you may as well get on LT's "good" side. "So, what were you saying about rules?" You ask.

His optics widen and practically sparkle. "HWAN..."

It turns out the rules are fairly straightforward, logical things common to any range--keep weapons to a minimal power, stuff to ensure safety and fire discipline, and so on. Beyond the basics, most of the rules are pretty informal, much like the rest of the Fourth. One of the LTBs you were buttering up warms up a bit and explains, and you learn that apparently the oldest run of Lanceteamers have a bit of a Thing about weapon discipline.

Other than that, you find that the LTs have mostly kept the range operational, not necessarily engaged in the training of the infantry.

You notice you're not hearing a lot of stuff about close-quarters training--it's certainly around, and everyone is required to maintain at least a base proficiency in it, but compared to the shooting range there's just not a lot of sparring going on. ...Unless Shark is around.

>What do?

>>18907921
See if anyone present has any immediate or pressing recommendations for the range itself.
As for melee regimens, that'll be interesting. Anode uses a lance, not a traditional saber. Are there any sort of melee training weapons, like solid-material stun sabers and things like that? We could just pair people off and have them go at it. Or we could organize legit training exercises like kendo training. Go through the steps and motions and whatnot. Maybe we could demonstrate by getting everyone equipped with a stun saber and having a handicap match between Anode and, well, everyone else. Our melee should be more than up to snuff, so we can point things out as we go.

>>18907988
We ought to have some ranged training as well. Maybe a contest or two to encourage improved marksmanship.

You've got stun-bats, yeah. Max is infamous for keeping one under the counter and using that infamous 360-degree windup spin to discourage troublemakers from damaging his beloved oak bar.
>>18907988
>>18908050
You examine the sparring ring off to the side--scuffed and tarnished, an old-style painted circle about 25 feet around. The compound wall is lined with training gear, everything from lengths of smooth metal, to wooden weapons, to more advanced stun weaponry. The equipment, at least, is good, if under-appreciated. There's even a few weapons about the size of your lance.

You've got some hours yet. What do you want to start off with?
>Try to get the troops to pair off for sparring.
>Encourage some ranged contests.
>Just use the facilities on your own for a little while, and see if anyone picks up with you.

>>18908262
Let's try and lead by example. Grab a bokken and just start practicing. See if anyone catches on and encourage joining in.

>>18908279

Seconding.

>>18908279
Took me a bit to find this thread again. This is probably the best option we've got.

We should do bare-handed fighting too, defensive and disarming stuff. See if maybe we can get any outside assistance on that, though, since it's not exactly our metier.

>>18908279
>>18908480
You run a hand over the weapon selection, settling on an old-style wooden sword, one of a handful of them. For a human, you might be better off holding this in two hands, but for a reploid of your size, you can only comfortably get one hand around the hilt properly.

Fortunately, you also have the strength to match. Taking a few practice swings, you get a feel for the thing's heft, mentally reminding yourself that the blade is real and material. Fortunately, you've never really taken up any of those fancy styles where you disengage the blade at random, so you're used to your weapon "being there."

From there, you stride out to that neglected old circle, and you start a routine. It's been a while since you practiced with a smaller weapon like this. That's part of why you picked it--reminding yourself of how to use unfamiliar weapons with unfamiliar limitations.

"Hay!" you wince as LT announces himself loudly. "Hwee fight?"

He taps a buster rifle against his boot... and you realize he's mounted a stun-stick to the bottom like a bayonet. A beam knife rests at his side, but given the "Thing" you were warned about...

How do you want to spar him?
>Bokkens and stunbayonets!
>Suggest real gear, to demonstrate safe sparring with live weapons.

Any particular combat style in mind?

>>18908847
You'd have to be pretty ballsy to try and disarm a beam saber.

>>18908853
If he's a stickler for protocol and weapons discipline, then we'll just stick with basic gear. LT is obviously going for a Krav Maga sort of thing. We'll stick to reploid!escrima stick fighting ourselves, since a bokken is about as big as a stick to us.

>>18908858
hey, it's doable. you just have to think laterally.

like maverick zero did against sigma.

Although that may not be a good way to start our working relationship with the trainees.

Sticks and stuns won't break our buns. Save the live weaponry for later, if it all.

So...gonna need a few. Something kind of came up, and short story is "I mad."

Sorry folks. No end of delays these days.

>>18910638
We'll be waiting for your return. Don't sweat it. Things happen and you can't always put your hobbies in front of real life.

>>18907921

Pretty sure he's just planning on short appearances, considering the player pack we were given sets it concurrently with the MHQ here. 'course, we're out of Tokyo, since our GM is a shameless weaboo, but it is what it is. I suspect we'll just hear about things secondhand, like "you hear about that shit in Vienna last week? heavy shit" and so on. though I wouldn't put it past him to have us go in on some ops and run into characters from MHQ, but I kinda doubt it.

Cain, if you're in the area, I got a hell of a question for you.

===Names===
Western -- Japanese

Chill Penguin -- Icy Penguigo
Launch Octopus -- Launcher Octopuld
Armored Armadillo -- Armor Armage
Storm Eagle -- Storm Eagleed
Flame Mammoth -- Burnin' Noumander
Spark Mandrill -- Spark Mandriller
Sting Chameleon -- Sting Chameleao
Boomer Kuwanger is unchanged.

Care to explain/justify that one, Cain?

>>18911510
Kuwang is a specific type of beetle.

That's all there is to it.

It's his species, and it makes a good boomerang pun.

They had beetle twins in the Zero series with similar issues.

>>18911639
I know that part. I've looked up what a "kuwanger" is several times. I'm just asking about the name dichotomy. Are they aliases, localization, what?

>>18911510
I'd assume their names in English are their names here. The Japanese names don't actually factor into this at all, since we're working from the English versions of the games. sometimes a Flame Mammoth is just Flame Mammoth. The only place I can see MHQ favouring the Japanese names over the English ones is dealing with the X5 mavericks (if they're not into using the GnR reference names).

>>18912259
So it's just a localization thing, then?

Maybe the Japanese name is the codename under which the reploid was produced.

Or maybe that's how this whole X Animal stuff got started.

>>18911510
HUNTAA NO KUUESTO V: TIDAL MAKKOEEN NO WANA

18912259 has it right. If we were running it in Japanese, we'd be using the Japanese names. In our canon, the Japanese names simply don't exist. Perhaps they show up in badly-translated Japanese news or something.

Also, yes! I am back! So, Q&A? Or perhaps another interview?

>>18913772
Where does the profit come from for labs that create reploids? Like, what was in it for Liberty Labs to create the Diode Twins? What did they get out of it? They effectively created what counts as life in this day and age.

>>18913867
They're commissioned by an internationally-funded organization. There's often a good deal of cash in sucking on the world government teat.

>>18914064
Were Anode and Cathode the design of Liberty Labs itself, or was it outlined by the international organization's contract ("this reploid needs to be all buzzy and shit with electricity, na'mean?")?

>>18914105
Liberty Labs designed them.

Late-night bump.

very early morning bump

Building on what Cain said...
>>18913867
Basically, when a need is determined, they put out contracts on open market--and mercifully, Lowest Bidder is almost never what they go with. There's tidy profit margins, and the promise of more money in the future--putting out a model for the maverick hunters looks very good on any lab's record. Most labs are either small and privately owned, or a government-subsidized larger facility. The smaller ones tend to specialize more. Due to the expense in making a reploid, very few people have the money to commission life "for life's sake," though there are some measures in place to support and encourage it.

>>18914105
Their designs were the work of Liberty Labs, but it was done following the contract they were given. Contractors generally get the say in what they want, but there's always some degree of flexibility. The only real requirement for the Diode Twins was a pair of electrical-type models built to modern specification. They might have had suggestions for equipment or the like, but most of the interpretation was wide open.

Or at least, that's my first-blush take on it. This is another one of those Up-Before-Cain's-Available answers, so I haven't run it by him yet.

>>18919951

So contracts are open- the diode twins, for example, could have just as easily ended up as a pair of heavyweight close range brawlers as the matched pair they were built as?

Makes it kind of interesting, and from what we've seen it also means that hunter command isn't issuing contracts to fill specific units, since anode and cathode got split up.

>>18919989
To be fair, they do often do that--there's a huge hangtime between when a unit is commissioned, when it's completed, and the disparate military situations between the two. They might well have intended to shuffle the two of you into one place at inception, but a few years went by in fulfilling the order and ensuring neither of you were going to go axe-crazy. Keep in mind that when you were first "conceived," the 8th wasn't obliterated and the 10th wasn't down to a handful of officers.

>>18920002

how often is it that contracts are left to be worked on?

like, is it common for a contract to be issued and left to sit for years while a unit is being built to meet the contract specs?

>>18920002
Hey, if your answering questions then
>>18905693
is their any particular reason that Reploids evolved like this? It seems like every human-like one in the Zero series sports that type of body.

>>18920047
Generally, once it's issued, work begins as soon as someone wins the bidding, it's just that producing a unique, effective war machine can take a long time. There's a bit of a method to it--they get the infrastructure down, and then wait as long as they can before they work on the armor and weapon systems, because if the last decade has taught anything, it's that advances come fast and hit hard. The goal is to roll off the line with state-of-the-art equipment.

Production models, like the Lanceteamers, Assails, Bingos, Berets, those are easier. The biggest time concern on them is their quality control period. Their bodies are also generally designed to accommodate easy upgrading to more modern materials and weaponry, like how Berets tend to use a buster rifle instead of a built-in system.

Contracts of one kind or another are almost constantly issued, several at a time. Demands range from a chassis for mass-produced technicians (see the Toolcircuits) to new infantry. A great deal of the research is done in-house, so to speak; hunters tend to pave the way in the march of tech via R&D and Recon doing their jobs, and doing them well.

>>18920075
Canonically, it's just an artstyle change--in universe everybody looks exactly like they did, with clunky bubble boots and heavy chassis armor.

I'd chalk it up to a combination of factors, including resources (pretty hard to secure outside Neo Arcadia), several tech trees hitting an apex where much of the best gear is far more compact than it was before, and the continuing attempts to make reploids ever more humanlike.

>>18920085

so it's not beyond the realm of possibility for contracts that predate sigma's rebellion to still be out there, with units being activated because of them?

>>18920115
That'd be quite a while, but I suppose I couldn't discount the possibility.

>>18920129

hmm..

Is it possible for a unit to be brought offline and effectively re manufactured? say because of catastrophic damage.

>>18920222
Difficult, expensive, and really fucking finicky, but yes. It's happened before.
The big challenge is in keeping the reploid the way they were before--mavericks reactivate killed models all the time, and they're a shell of their former selves at best. Refit and restoration is an enormous challenge, but one that's sometimes very necessary. Look at Schwarzhund--first generation, and he's had to go in for modernization repeatedly to keep up with the times.

Basically, being made of metal or not, you'd react about as well to your brain being temporarily switched off as a human would.

>>18920241

>you'd react about as well to your brain being temporarily switched off as a human would.

hah! I've actually died twice, technically.

needless to say, neither time was long-term though. less than a second, IIRC, both times.

and I ask because I may end up using that as part of Ursa's backstory- our GM is hesitant to let him be a new unit from an old contract.

plus, having been shut off would explain why he's a bit deranged.

>>18920270
Ouch. But yeah, about the same thing, there. Brief lapses in function won't necessarily cause complications, but you really don't want to push it.

And the process is tricky but not undoable, but there are definite risks, just like reviving a dead reploid. From Cain's writeup on why we don't revive the dead (usually), back in Thread 8:
"Ever seen the Came Back Wrong trope? Imagine that, in a powerful robot body. Imagine cascade failure, imagine a destabilized fusion core getting incorrect instructions from corrupted DNA Data. Even when the Mavericks do it, they make concessions to the difficulty, terminating sense of self and all real identity in those they bring back.

It's a meticulous process plagued by immense difficulties, terrible complications and horrific misfires. It's also something that would be tried constantly and have a taxing effect on society were it not made illegal."

>>18920306

hmm... how about near shutdown states for care, like after we fought guns? that's effectively surgery, but it can be extended because you're working on something that won't decay over time and won't get infected if you leave it open overnight, right?

>>18920331
Yes and no. There's definitely a bit of leeway for reploids there; as long as their neural facilities are intact, you can generally repair almost anything. The real problem is destruction of irreplaceable (or effectively so) systems.

When Rhodes ran the Sigma simulation, the projected damage he'd have taken would have required a week of repairs from an entire team of Lifesavers working around-the-clock.

Basically, very much like humans, reploids are a unique combination of frailty and hardiness. And there are some differences in where each race benefits most.

Also, I'm starting to write, but it's a nice sedate morning, so feel free to keep asking stuff.

>>18920373

sedate for now.

also: how many major hunter bases are there? Geneva and I seem to remember another being mentioned, but is it just the two, or are there others?

>>18920405
The three biggest are probably Geneva, Middle America, and the United States, in that order. The first two are the official main and secondary headquarters.
Japan has a fairly sizable hunter presence for its size, both to administer to the needs of much of the Asiatic landmass from its side, and because of the huge Japanese contribution to technical advance. They had a foot in the door early, so to speak, and their hunter satellite base conveys that. If the big three mentioned above are "Large" bases, then Japan's got a "Medium." The rest are generally small outposts and regional centers that deal more with local matters and recruitment, rather than global hunting operations. They provide assistance on-site when missions crop up in their jurisdiction, and often take care of matters themselves if they're equipped to do so.
I've said before, basically think X-COM. Hunters want a lot of area coverage for fast response. Of course, throw in a splash of Terror From the Deep, because they have to police the marine areas as well. Several hunter bases are converted oil derricks, and there's even a carrier turned mobile operations center floating around somewhere.

The end goal is that no civilized area is more than a stone's throw away from some level of hunter support, though in practice of course that can be difficult.

>>18908853
You size up the deranged Lanceteamer. The last week has been a series of painful lessons about rank, rating, veterancy, and experience. Assuming you can take him is a bad idea.

You'll probably be the stronger up-close; while Lanceteamers are certainly strong, as a frontline combat model made years later, you'll have the advantage. At the same time, he'll probably be a little more nimble in a press. And then the elephant in the room--combat experience. Your systems might triple his expected output on paper, but if he's been alive this long, he's probably gotten very, very good at staying that way.

The last equalizer is your training gear--armor and sturdiness don't count in a contest of skill, and you're not going to win by brute force, either.

All in all, you think, he might actually best you. In a real fight, it'd be no contest, but here, in the ring, you're placed on a nearly-equal footing.

Fine by you. Stepping forward, you wheel the bokken once and take a firm grip on it, keeping your other hand at half-distance for guard. He just takes a light grip on his buster rifle at the stock and guard, activating the stun-bat with a crackle.

>Go aggressive; in a protracted battle he'll probably run rings around you.
>Go defensive; he's got experience and he can use the stock if he knows what he's doing.
>Try to get him in a grapple to lever your strength.

>>18920525
Aggressive. If he has age and experiences, the only way you can overcome that is with raw power.

Also pray to robot god that this fight doesn't ALSO nearly kill you.

>>18920546
Agreeing, in part. Get in there and pull the weapon from his hands before pinning him.

Also yeah, make sure this doesn't, somehow, nearly kill you.

>>18920703
>>18920546
It doesn't take long for you to come to a decision. Most of your worst injuries come from being surprised. If you get him on his back foot, maybe for once you can get the drop on the other guy.

You spring forward, coming in with a high overhead swing. He sidesteps, making to strike your chest with a sideways swing--which you answer by turning into it and following through, giving you time to pull yourself out of the way as you re-angle up and around to a rising slash, deflected with a clack by the back of his gun. Rather than wait for his attack, you immediately move into the next exchange, opening up with a thrust. He bats it aside and goes to counter-stab, but you bring your arm up and deflect the "blade" away inside his guard--

He tries to raise the stock of the gun and hit you, but you're too fast, shoulder-checking him off-balance and bringing your sword up with another satisfying clack as you strike him across the chestplate.

He nods at you approvingly as he recollects himself. "Hwan."

>SECOND ROUND GO
>WAT DO

>>18920991

can't do the same thing twice, he'll get our measure and whup us good.

as an aside, maybe after this, we should get our big reploid hands on a copy of the B5R. 'course, IDK if we like reading...

also: Will try and keep up from work and DM's place. five hour shift and then gametime. should be interesting.

>>18920991
Well, he's definitely proven we have something to worry about here. This time I say we hang back and let him make the first move, then try to either evade or block it and counter with whatever we can while he's off balance. Comebacks are kind of our thing, after all, and we want him to be aware we can do something besides mindlessly charge.

>>18921117
>>18921082
This time you adopt a more conservative approach--you don't change your stance any, at least not yet, just to avoid tipping your hand. You circle around slowly, as LT does the same, trying to get a feel for your next move.

He slowly moves in, and makes with a light jab with the bayonet. You deflect it, but he comes in quick and strong from around your guard, rifle scraping down your blade as he grabs you at the side. Before you can try to maneuver, he's hooked his arm around yours and clocks you with the stock. Not hard, but a touch is a touch. One to one. (Hwan-hwan?)

...Unfortunately, your early lead is quickly demolished, as he reverses momentum and takes three in a row. You try switching back to aggression, but he's gotten a feel for you by then and still manages to put the stun-saber to your chestplate and give you a jolt (not that you care, being electrical).

With 3-1, the match goes to him, but you almost had him a few times, and clearly left a good impression. You shake his hand, and turn to see that the range has gotten a lot busier. Berets, Bingos, LTAs in groups of two and three. Quite a few have been watching your spar with interest.

You've got your audience. What would you like to do?

>>18921719
Ask if any of the crowd want to have a go? We're here to train them, we might as well take all challengers, or hell, if he feels like it LT can take a few on as the winner.
And the next time we go on the defense, we need to wait for them to really commit, not just go in if they take a jab or two at us.

>>18921850
May be a good idea to see if LT is up to put together a close combat training plan, since rifle+bayonet combat is more applicable to our guts than all the beam weapons we've got access to

>>18921850
You look them over, resting your bokken over a shoulder. Old veterans, new recruits, even a couple of the Berets you fought alongside on your outing to the Enigma. Looking from face to face, you don't see disdain or distaste.

You grin. "So who's got next?"

Quite a few of them, as it turns out. You and LT take turns in the ring, occasionally bowing out for an LTB to demonstrate a quick reverse he picked up, or a couple Berets who wants to make sure he's got the basics down right. The two of you adopt a team-advisement style; watching the others go at it and then providing advice based on what you see. It slowly turns almost into a community thing, as others nod and contribute their own anecdotes. A few ask for pointers, which you answer as best you can. Gradually, you build up some rapport, and before long you're helping assign groups of twos and threes (while Looey is managing Lanceteamer-on-Lanceteamer group matches), and you've almost got something of an order going.

Discipline and R. Lee Ermey shit will have to wait, but for now at least you've got them listening to you, and that's a pretty damned good start.

>So, any of you guys familiar with the range?
>Now that I have your attention, speech time... (if you've got anything to add, say it here)
>Here's a good start. Let's go see about Vienna.
>Other

>>18922441
As much fun as it is, we can't avoid our actual job forever. We've still got a decent list of Mavericks to take down, and India's little project needs new homing missiles. I say we tell Frog that we'll pass on Vienna duty for now, get back in the saddle, and go after Bloodhound. Vienna can wait until after that, right? Also, if we haven't already, we might want to go ahead and grab the Tension Coil.

>>18922550

I'll second this.

>>18922550
>>18922727
thirded.

>>18922550
>>18922727
>>18922961
At the very least, before we take off, we'll introduce ourselves to everyone present, get things squared away before we bug out.

"I'm Anode, newest member of the Fourth, and I wanna be your new Drills instructor and make sure you guys are at the top of your game. If anyone has any objections to this, please hit me in the head with your weapon of choice now."

>>18923366

Agreed, just taking off like that seems rude.

>>18922550
>>18922727
>>18922961
Well, things seem to be in order here. You decide to leave Looey to do what he does and step out to go check on the lab. For all LT's...eccentricities...he's actually pretty good at working with you, with a bit of prompting.

But before that, though...

"So," you start. Their eyes are on you. "I'm not really gonna mince words here. I'm here to try and take over the administrating duties of the range." You note a change in the expressions of quite a few--one of the older LTBs literally clenches his jaw. "I know, hear me out. I'm one of the youngest guys on base. I'm not expecting to come in and start pushing the grunts around. If LT and my spar didn't tip you off, I'm not the best fighter the 4th's got. And you know what? That's fine." A few of them nod to one another as you look over the small crowd. "I can manage schedule, set up training regimens, use some clout to get better equipment. I'm not going to boot out the Lanceteamers or the techs who've managed this place well enough without me, either, because that'd be stupid. They--and you--have a good handle on this shit." A few more of them soften up, looking much more amenable, as you wrap up. "So, gimme a shot. I'm not just here to teach. I'm here to learn. Any objections, throw your weapon at me now."

There's a long pause. A few of the older holdouts look about ready to try it, but their unit-mates talk them down with whispers and a hand on the shoulder.

Eventually, an LTA quietly speaks up. "...Can we do it anyway?"

You mull it over for a second. "...Sure, go for it."

A chorus of whaps ring out as you're pelted with stun-sticks, wooden training swords, and Looey helpfully throws his entire beam rifle at you. It's accompanied by a great cheer from the infantrymen of the Fourth.

>>18924070
>welcometotheFourth.gif (animated)
I suppose this makes us legit now, kinda. Now that everything is squared away, let's grab the Tension Coil, see if we're cleared to return to hunting, and find our list of targets.

We need to order an olive drab campaign hat for at least LT/Looey if not the rest of our LT0s. Not something immediate. but something I think we should do.

Keep my name in the field, damn you.
>>18924070
With that, you trot out, handing your bokken off to the same LTA who asked to throw stuff at you, and make your way to the lab.
Em's in the lab again, big surprise, and he looks up from his work with a cheerful grin at your approach.

"'Sup," he greets. "Was looking for you earlier."

"Yo. I was at the range sparring."

"Yeah?" He makes a show of looking you over for signs of grievous injury.

"I know, I'm surprised too. They did throw swords at me, though." He laughs at that. "You look happy," you note.

"Got your misericorde waiting. Threw in a little housing sheathe you can lock onto someplace armored." You inspect the beam weapon (on a neat little stand, no less), noting the ends are topped in brass-like caps. You ignite the weapon, appreciating its intense, bright blade. This thing will do some damage, though the blade is maybe half the length of a typical saber.

"Hilt's designed for easy access," Em explains. "Much like your mother."

"We don't have mothers," you snort, "But thanks. Yeah, looks like parrying with this would be tricky."

"That's what your big stick's for, chief."

"Also for your mother," you reply. He shrugs.

"I went with mom because I know what you'd do if I'd said 'your sister.'"

"Good call, Em. Anyway, thanks."

"Oh, yeah," he adds. "Your weapon data cleared. Go ahead and grab it."

You go to do just that, setting down your new saber-hilt.

Where do you want to mount the misericorde's sheathe?
>

>>18924869
Opposite hip that we keep our lance on. Something that permits quick-draws so we go "AY ESE" and stab someone quick.

>>18924869
In Anode's arm armor or on his waistline.
Either position would allow him to do a quickdraw slash-and-return.

>captcha: proceed willeyr
Yes Captcha, I hope Hunter Command will proceed too.

>>18925030
>>18925044
Quick-draw is the common point here. Go with what Anode would think is easiest.

>>18925065
Your first thought is to mount it on an arm, but it occurs to you that if you needed it in a grapple and that arm was pinned, it wouldn't do you a hell of a lot of good. You eventually decide to mount it on your other hip.

The little sheathe, such as it is, is unobtrusive, letting the hilt rest comfortably where you can grab it with either hand. You practice going for it a few times, nodding in satisfaction. Now that THAT'S out of the way, and your Tension Coil's been grabbed, you're looking at a considerable arsenal here.

"Oh, by the way," Em says. "The saber's focused down, but the internals are all the same size. Can't do much with the hilt, but there's still some room to stuff upgrades in there."

"Glee!" You clap your hands excitedly. He snickers.

So, you're now kitted out, and the last few minutes of your wait are ticking down. Lockon Bloodhound was your intended target, and he should still be available.

>TEAM MISSION TEAM MISSION
>Hope rides ALOOOOOONE
>Other?

>>18925393
Well, Lockon has the guidance technology we need for India's pet project, and it'd be intriguing who has the greater sense of awareness: a tracker or a pilot. Let's ask India if we she wants to come along and if she's good to go. It'd be neat to see her in action.

I think we ought to go it alone.

>>18925393

Even if it is overkill to have 2 officers take on a B, I think we should do a team mission with India.

>>18925441
Anon here has a point.
Along with it, she could also earn that guidance technology for her pet jet with her own hands which'll make her feel more accomplished when it's finally finished.
And if we go it without her, it seems like we'd be walking into a MMX version of MGS 3's The End fight.
Except Lockon won't die from old age.

>>18925393
This feels pertinent now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFr30p0aZl0

>>18925599
Fucking lost it at the music.

>>18925660
I lost it at the cap with razors in the back.
Who the fuck wears that and thinks it's effective?

>>18925592
I'm not quite sure if Lockon is more a sniper or prefers his guided weapons.

>>18925779
From the intel:
>Lockon Bloodhound (B-rank)
A solid B-rank and not to be taken lightly, Lockon Bloodhound is an expert tracker and threat profiler with an elaborate guidance weaponry system. Noted for his ability to 'get the scent' of opponents, he is thus able to fight with disproportionate effectiveness relative to his threat class. Lockon was implicated in a coordinated attack against three human cities, and sources put him at a decommissioned missile base.

>>18925799
Then guided weapons. Sounds like missiles are in our near future.

So, go drag India off to the races?

>>18925919
Sounds like the consensus. Having someone experienced in dodging airborne missiles with a sharp keen eye like a pilot isn't anything but helpful to watch our back.

>>18925919
Assuming she's gotten all her upgrades and is good to go, yes. How long was it since she came back from Vienna and put in the monster list of upgrades to R&D?

>>18925934
>>18925935
"Anyway, I guess I'm out of here. Gonna get back to it."

Em nods. "Take it easy. Try not to get blown up again."

"Well, I was thinking of asking India to tag along, since she needed a guidance system..."

"Yeah? I'd offer to join in, but I've got some supplies coming in I need to sift through, and Frog's not here to help like he usually does."

"Lemme know if you need a hand with that," you offer.

"Nahhh. It's kind of a nice break sometimes, you know how it is."

You bid Em goodbye and go look for India. You find her at the bay, moving crates around with the mechaniloids. Before you're even in sight, she throws a haphazard wave.

"Good ears."

"The best, until my upgrades. Then even better."

"What are you doing?" you ask.

"Sorting the 'loids," she says casually.

"Looks as if you're stacking them vertically."

"Yup."

"Saves some space that way."

"Yup."

"Almost as if you're trying to wedge an F-14 Tomcat in there."

"Yu--alllmost had me there." She grins conspiratorially. "So what's up?"

Cont.

>>18926910
"Wanna go get a guidance system for your fancy-ass jet?"

"I could probably swing that."

"You all upgraded, and shit?"

"Nah, the big stuff is going to take a little while. Like my FUCKING JET..."

"Ahem," you cough lightly.

"...Right, sorry. I've got my gear, but most of the enhancements and refit are gonna take a few days to ready up, get it all done at once. Plenty of new toys already, though."

"So, you think you're good to go, B-class?" She smirks at the challenge.

"Name a time and place, big time, and I'll be running my victory lap before you've started."

"You, me, right now, an abandoned missile silo and a mav named Lockon Bloodhound."

"Let's do this, you dumbass rookie."

And with that, the two of you head for the Command room.

>>18926977
We'll have to find out what goodies she's got once we warp in.

>>18927083

we'll also have to watch her back, too. She's probably more capable than a Steel Beret of handling herself, but she's still a purpose-built pilot, not a grunt like us.

And after four and a half days of slow going, I think I'm okay with letting the thread take a powder for a while.

Give me something like a week before the next thread. Even when I'm not actively writing I'm constantly thinking about what to do, laying shit out, and so on.

NEXT TIME, ON MHQ: ICBM WHAT YOU DID THERE

Well? Hit me.

>>18927379
Oh shit, son.

How long have you been active?
How long have you been flying?
What have you flown?
What's your favorite/most memorable sortie?

>>18927379
(Does India speak with a British accent? I get that she's a British-Indian reploid, but I'm just checking.)

>>18927401
>How long have you been active?
About four, five years? Four, I guess.
>How long have you been flying?
Two actual, two simulated since I landed here. Was pissed when I turned four and realized I've spent half my life on my ass.
>What have you flown?
We had our old IG Tetras. Got its name from the four-pointed solar foil in the back. Damn good bird, beautiful when the sun hit it right. Maneuvering was tricky and they tracked how much we used the boosters.
>What's your favorite/most memorable sortie?
Well, there was this little shindig in Vienna. You may have heard of it.

>>18927448
Yes, yes she does. Her language, of course, is a messy mix of dozens of cultures and terms slamming together over time, especially with a fully multinational military installation.

>>18927351
Some people here seem to be under the impression that you can't handle yourself because you were built to fly things. Tell a story that alleviates those fears.

>>18927483
OUTSIDE of Vienna, what's your favorite?

Did you serve only in the Space Division (11th, right?)?
What did you think when you heard you'd be transferred to the Fourth Overland, of all divisions?
Do you regret being in the Fourth now?

>>18927516

you know, nothing personal. just paranoia for the safety of teammates and all.

wait, that makes it totally personal, doesn't it? shit.

>>18927516
>Some people here seem to be under the impression that you can't handle yourself because you were built to fly things. Tell a story that alleviates those fears.
Some people can sod off. Okay, so I'm flying the colony sweep, boring-ass patrol duty, and one of the Kuiper belt driller platforms up and shoots me the fuck down. Didn't see it coming, because one: It was sunward at the time, two: it was a meteoroid PT gun, and three: normally they're not frigging angled to hit like that. So I crashland on the station. Turns out it had become a gathering place for any mavericks who made it off Earth. Next patrol wouldn't arrive for eleven days.

And you know what? I made it, with a shitty-ass buster and a bunch of equipment fucking DESIGNED to blare my location to everyone on every possible communication frequency. I went to ground, laid low, and not only did I make it, I sabotaged the damn platform so they couldn't move it. Busted up that whole group, and I did it on my own.

>>18927522
Did you serve only in the Space Division (11th, right?)?
Yeah, I was with the Eleventh.
What did you think when you heard you'd be transferred to the Fourth Overland, of all divisions?
Drink. Swear. Swear and drink.
...Maybe rig a mechaniloid to write "COMMAND IS DILDOS" across the bridge window with an arc welder. Heh. Friend of mine says he kept it there.
>Do you regret being in the Fourth now?
Always with the hard questions. Yes and no, I guess. I have to admit I've spent all my time wishing I could go back, and I think I'd jump on the chance if it was offered, but...no, I don't regret it.

>>18927722
The people in the 4th are at least fun though, right? What's your opinion of them?

>>18927722
When you're not sitting in a pilot's seat, going on a mission, organizing mechaniloids, and remaining one step away from being arrested for the manslaughter of Seven, what do you like to do?

Are pilots a superstitious lot?

What's your opinion of the newbie, Anode?

Goddamn you people and your tiny-ass keyboards, I can't type for shit on this thing.
>>18927793
>The people in the 4th are at least fun though, right? What's your opinion of them?
Sure, for different values of fun. Schwarz is nice but uptight, Frog is smart but even more uptight, Dodo is uptight, only fast, Tanker's a nut, Em's like an excited puppy, Seven can blow a buster...

That said, I'm kinda soft on the lot of 'em. Crankshaft's pretty damn funny, when I don't want to murder him. And Yuzuki is frigging adorable. Conda is kinda quiet, Gibbon owes me ten quid.

>>18927843
Anode's a hoot. Sometimes I just set up that recording of him and Em wrecking Sev's shit and just stare at it for a couple of hours. Normally by now I'd have strapped the FNG into the centrifuge and then left it on for three days, but I guess I'm going soft.

>>18927821
>When you're not sitting in a pilot's seat, going on a mission, organizing mechaniloids, and remaining one step away from being arrested for the manslaughter of Seven, what do you like to do?
Pilot training sims and historical documentaries. You ever hear of the Tuskeegee Airmen? Relevant to both of those. But seriously, I spend most of my time off-duty flying sim. Gotta stay sharp or I'd never hear the end of it back in the black.

>Are pilots a superstitious lot?
Depends on the pilot. I knew a kid who'd do an Immelmann around a specific micrometeor he'd tagged with a transponder whenever he came back in-system.

>>18928003
Outside of Yuzuki and any female infantrymen, how does it feel knowing you're single-handedly breaking up the sausagefest of the Fourth? I doubt in this day and age, anyone gives you slack about being a female officer, never mind the Fourth's only female officer, but has it ever come up?

That said, is there anything you look for in a reploid? Does anyone currently catch your eye?

>>18928094
>Outside of Yuzuki and any female infantrymen, how does it feel knowing you're single-handedly breaking up the sausagefest of the Fourth? I doubt in this day and age, anyone gives you slack about being a female officer, never mind the Fourth's only female officer, but has it ever come up?
Once or twice. You'd think with soulless automatons about, they'd have grown out of gender and skin color to bitch over. Speaking of, I've gotten more about that--skin color, that is--than being a woman.

As for the sausagefest, there's actually quite a good number of female staff. As for being the only female officer? I'm not the first here, and there's more posted around the world, but...yeah. Not a lot of ladies about. I guess I don't mind, but it does feel off every now and again.

>That said, is there anything you look for in a reploid? Does anyone currently catch your eye?
Heh, "a reploid." Nothing really jumps out at me, other than people who can actually get shit done. Then again, if that were my only metric, I'd have probably jumped Schwarz or someone years ago.

>>18928245
You're British-Indian, right? How's the UK nowadays? Ever gone back to visit?

>>18927522
Whoops, missed one.
Favorite op aside from Vienna? Probably my first weapons-live mission after I got up there. Got in behind a shuttle full of explosives and gave it a love tap before it could ram into one of the orbital colonies.

>>18928317
>You're British-Indian, right? How's the UK nowadays? Ever gone back to visit?
Yeah, for all that means. If I had to guess, I'd say it's rainy. After my activation I had all of a year in Lancaster before I got thrown into space and spent most of my life in orbit. Until I got swatted back down to Geneva, that is.
I guess I'd like to see home, find out what "home" actually means. A year isn't enough time for that.

>>18928245

Favorite propeller-driven airframe?
Favorite Jet-powered one?

atmospheric aircraft only!

>>18928435
Fokker Eindecker. Your pick of which kind, though of course the later ones had all the neat tech.
And come on, you know this one. F-frigging-14. Though I have a place in my heart for the Super Hornet.

>>18928452
Who would you said is your role model, in the air or otherwise?
Any Hunters/pilots that stick out to you?
What would you say to those looking to become a pilot or a Hunter (or both)?

>>18928452

14s were a thing of beauty, yeh.

and I'm kind of surprised it's not a 'stang. the -51 was an amazing bird in it's time.

any aviation entertainment you prefer? let's assume I don't mean sim time here. Books or video only.

>>18928456
>Who would you said is your role model, in the air or otherwise?
Manfred von Richtoften. I know a lot of it is a few hundred years of romanticism, but the man is practically the Sun Tzu of the air. Beware the Hun in the Sun, bitches.

>Any Hunters/pilots that stick out to you?
My boys back home. If any of you are reading this, tell Astro he was all right for a prancing pegasus. Still dropping a spent rocket stage on him someday.

>What would you say to those looking to become a pilot or a Hunter (or both)?
If you wanna fly? Join the army, not the hunters. Not unless you want to pilot a slow, clumsy-ass transport for the rest of forever.
If you wanna hunt? Grab a gun and get over here. We've had people fight with less.

>>18928500
Hey, if you dropped one on my doorstep I wouldn't complain. Beautiful piece of work. At this point, though, the Fokker is almost as old as planes get, and there's a lot of history there. Just as much from the later wars, but that early in the game, when everything was new and exciting and bloody... can't get enough of it.

Entertainment? ...You'll probably laugh, but I collect museum videos. Air shows. Hell, half of them are made for kids.

>>18928580

ever sit down and watch baa baa blacksheep?

and yeah, the earlier eras were the more interesting. WW1-2 and into the '60s, i guess. Discounting the IDF, after the advent of BVR guided missiles atmospheric combat kinda went from dashing pilots to nerds strapped to computers with engines... discounting the movies.

Do you agree that it's a fighter pilot's job, primarily, to keep the airspace clear so grunts can do their job? or is that a load of crap?

>>18928580
Tell us about your old unit in the Eleventh Space Division.

>>18928003
>Goddamn you people and your tiny-ass keyboards, I can't type for shit on this thing.
(I'd always pictures these interviews as just the reploid in question sitting alone in a comfy chair in a blank room.)

>>18928637
Strictly speaking, you're talking to a computer strapped to a computer with engines. Or, well, technically no, but you catch my drift.
Baa Baa Blacksheep? I missed that one, but I think I remember hearing about it. I'll have to ask Anode, he's apparently the classic films-and-shit guy, he might know.

And a fighter pilot's job really depends on what they're being sent up against. To be honest, most of my stuff has been fighter-bomber material, but I've gotten stuck in more than once. If I were to sum it up, our job is to kick ass. The whats and hows of that depend on the situation. If there's grunts down there who need their faces pulled out of the mud, then maybe.

>>18928641
The Eleventh is a little smaller than the Fourth, since there's less needs. Which is funny, because we only police an area bigger than Earth many times over. CO's Astro Cygnus. Mostly we guard the colonies and play goalie to the stars. The last thing we want is to let mavericks loose outside Earth, and there's been more than a few attempts.
Other members of our little club are ... classified, actually. CO's a public matter, but our officers are actually kept under wraps since there's only a handful of us, and replacement is a bitch. Hell, I hear they only recently got one for me.

>>18928731
Depends on the interviewer. I guess Schwarz did something like that. I'm just using my terminal.

>>18928971
Since you were a space pilot most of your life, what's your opinion of the Hunters' other aerial division? Their designation escapes me. Is there any sort of rivalry between "black pilots" and "red pilots?"

>>18928971

I wasn't gonna point that part out, hah.

got an opinion on CSAR teams?...

hell, do hunters even have CSAR?

since you've been in the 4th, any memorable hostiles you've taken out? discounting the action over Vienna.

>>18929058
The Seventh? We've got the usual banter--they say we're one trick ponies who get chauffeured to and from our battles and hide behind a ship instead of fighting in the air. We say they're pusses who only have to fight conventional air battles and do all their flying with jetpacks strapped to their backs instead of doing it right. We're all space-rated and we still have to fly ourselves out there to our missions by craft because of the sheer scale. Hell, I remember one guy who called us the Justice League because we chill out in a satellite until we're active.

Gotta admit, though, those boys know how to fight. Vienna did a lot for my opinion of them. Still smalltime, of course.

>>18929084
Search and Rescue? Sure, we've got that, though it's more mission parameters than specially-trained teams. We've got specialists, mind you, it's just a bit different. Plus we use air travel for practically everything we can these days. As for me, I ran a space rescue one time, that was a fun lesson in constant paranoia.

>since you've been in the 4th, any memorable hostiles you've taken out? discounting the action over Vienna.
Oh sure, take away my fun. Honestly, I haven't done much in the 4th on the same scale because it's just not what I do. B-rank is nothing to sneeze at, but it's the bread and butter of the place. Most of my targets have been second-stringers or just providing fire support.

Heh. That's about to change, though.

Okay, last call. Got some things to do.

>>18929275
Is there anything you regret?
What is your fondest, happiest memory in general?
What's the one thing you want to do before you turn to rust?

Leave any closing words of your own.

>>18929275
Worked with any human pilots in the past? What was that like, if so?

>>18929448
If there's any grievances you want to air about Maverick Hunter Command, now's the time.

>>18929522
>Worked with any human pilots in the past? What was that like, if so?
There was one, in the 11th. Had to practically live in the gravity-controlled section. Space does nasty shit to humans, but she was dedicated. I can get behind that.
Said she really missed cigarettes.

>>18929448
>Is there anything you regret?
Heh. Yeah. I gave Cygnus a bitch of a hard time when I got sent down here, and it really wasn't his call or his fault. Hell, knowing him he fought it the whole time and just never told me. I'm still surfing his winged ass through re-entry, but he was a pretty good CO, and he didn't deserve it. That time.

>What is your fondest, happiest memory in general?
People keep telling me 'not counting Vienna,' but damn it, Vienna. I did my job--my REAL job--with less and got more done than anybody. And I proved every armchair general and pencil-pushing accountant wrong. Tell 50,000 people and their families pilots are obsolete. Heh, and what's Command gonna do, tell the public they sacked my ass for being mouthy? Ties into >>18929607 too; they screwed me AND themselves.

>What's the one thing you want to do before you turn to rust?
Mile High Club With the Lights Out.

I'm out, ladies and gents. Keep an eye on the sky.

just in case you're in wondering, our GM kinda outdid himself. guess he's been wanting to run something else all along anyway. had a new kid show up too. guess we'll see how it works.

>>18929818
Definitely interested, but I need to go be unconscious for a while. I doubt the thread'll survive, so if it doesn't, regale me next time.

>>18929841
We're two to three posts from autosage, so yeah, this thread is done.

>>18929841

yeah, we're too close to autosage. I'll start taking notes... we play twice weekly. hah.

>>18929706
>Mile High Club With the Lights Out.

well, I guess we know WHAT ANODE'S FIGHTING FOOOOOR