Oh yes please. Catching up now.

File: 1352676906456.png-(57 KB, 782x552, Rulesofthequest.png)

>>Tried a different opening. More srs bsns, less flippant.

Here's Da Rules. We play fast and and on-the-fly around here, like loose cannons who are way out of line.

Clarke and Co WERE on their way to Cancun to deliver critical information to the besieged Free Machines, after checking in on some friendly humans holed up in Xcaret and solving their little Network problem. A sizable column of human military-types is heading up the coast behind you, too.

Off the coast of Cozumel, you picked up an anomalous Wi-Fi signal, which turned out to be Network origin; this was shortly followed by your battered boat, the North Star, being attacked by a giant tentacle monster. Thanks to some incredibly fortuitous rolls and repeated Bending, the Network Kraken was vanquished, leaving you all battered but functional.

Cancun is three hours away at a decent clip, a spectacular sunset is currently in progress, and Clarke and Co are about to enter Networked territory.

well i better clear my schedule for the next few hours

>>21537676
Okay. The kraken can't have sunk all that far. The water is shallow if I remember correctly, so if we think we can get some valuable salvage we should dredge it up a bit, maybe using the anchor for that, and rip the good parts off.

After that Clarke should play maintenance man and fix everyone up. We can determine if we're going to investigate the wi-fi some more or just head to Cancun after that.

File: 1352677496209.png-(60 KB, 987x549, Char ClarkeNew.png)

>>21537454
>>You've got time; I'm not starting in earnest for a little while. There's groundwork to lay.

Clarke started out as a humble janitor with an above-average ability to bend things, but he's now becoming some sort of implacable Fist-of-the-north-star-tier destroyer and liberator, a genius bruiser of a leader determined to do whatever he can to "fix" the sorry state the world is in.

Clarke has a fondness for interesting meteorological effects, human children, fixing things that need fixing, and Bending things that are pending for one.

He hates valves.

File: 1352677748589.png-(61 KB, 842x624, Char Cindy.png)

>>21537833
A 2nd-gen Seraphim 288 Cindy is a former PDA bot Clarke rescued from the scrap-heap. While skilled in social interaction, she's somewhat unstable and possibly a little crazy. Her owner apparently used her as a BFF, and the experience left the robot obsessed with clothes, cute things, and Rammstein.

Aside from her disarming manner, Cindy is becoming increasingly adept in combat, her style being best described as "Shotgun Ninja."

>>21537767
second rest and repair for the night sup up this boat

File: 1352677893492.png-(44 KB, 768x549, Char Ladybird.png)

>>21537900
Originally called "Ladybird," the former search-and-rescue Locust mech prefers the name Hound. Originally used to search for lost hikers and children, Hound's time as part of Network has left him...a little damaged. Hound has become far more violent and even less charming than he used to be. But whatever's left in there of Ladybird is determined to repay Clarke for his assistance and get revenge on Network. Now in a Hob 318 Infiltration shell, he's a big fan of knives.

File: 1352678057018.png-(43 KB, 768x549, Char Hoss.png)

>>21537945
The Mysterious Stranger, Hoss claims to once have been a Texas Ranger, and signed on with Clarke's team to make sure their vital information reaches Joshua and the other Free Machines in Cancun. He's a dead shot with his sniper rifle, and is probably the least crazy person currently on the boat.

File: 1352678286164.png-(62 KB, 929x700, Char Q1N.png)

>>21537990
Like Hound, Quinn was freed from Network control by Clarke and Cindy. Unlike Hound, Quinn came out of it with more of her personality intact.

Originally a nurse-bot, Quinn had become a competent post-apoc doctor before Network got its tentacles on her. Now in an advanced shell, she retains her old skills, along with significant aptitude for killing things. What she doesn't seem to have anymore is bedside manner. The experience has left her either unable or unwilling to express empathy, even for patients in extreme pain.

File: 1352678588257.jpg-(99 KB, 768x549, Char Josephine.jpg)

>>21538044
Less an ally and more of a minion, Josephine is a Replica android that can pass as a dim-witted human. Instead of a self-improving quantum-stored AI like the rest of the cast has, she's piloted by a conventional hard-coded program, and is thus little more than a chatbot. But she's got a huge stock of random skills thanks to all the bootleg software in her drives, and doesn't complain when told to carry your stuff.

File: 1352679062331.jpg-(215 KB, 2592x1944, 1348727733779.jpg)

And here's the whole gang.

Left to Right:
Hoss (The Ranger, Friendly Sniper)
Quinn (Dr Jerk, Broken Bird, Lady of War)
Clarke (Mr Fixit, Genius Bruiser, Badass Automation)
Hound (Murderous Moppet, Knife Nut
Cindy (Genki Girl, The Diplomancer, Shotguns are Just Better)
Josephine (The Team Pet, Sexbot)

>>21537767
we probably shouldnt use our boat specifically to dredge up the kraken. Its a fishing boat not a tug boat, we'll probably break something. Beside the beast isnt going anywhere, we have time to find a bigger boat.

File: 1352679508160.jpg-(113 KB, 621x582, yucatanmap_1.jpg)

>>21537935
>>21537767
>>IT BEGINS.
The water is indeed shallow at this point, less than 15 feet. The growing darkness is initially a problem, but Hoss pulls a floodlight out of a compartment (Garry was apparently a VERY methodical and prepared bandit chief), which plugs into the boat's power supply.

Quinn, back on her feet but still twitching slightly, throws over a rusty anchor, while Cindy sits with her back against the boat's hull, clutching her shotgun. Hound is still getting water out of the nooks and crannies of his shell, and Josephine, not being scared or stressed in the first place, is retrieving the tools and spare parts, as per Clarke's instructions.

>>21538361
i guess we better deal with that twitch and Hoss' broken neck. I'm not really sure if we should deal with Cindy, that behavior doesnt look like the kind of problem we're used too. Maybe Hoss can give her some words of encouragement?

File: 1352679913385.jpg-(565 KB, 1488x2105, deadxlostfinal.jpg)

>>21538361
Playing the floodlight over the Kraken, hoss lets out a low whistle.

"That's a big'un, and no mistake. We're 72 meters from shore, and the corpse appears semi-buoyant. See how it drifts? If you are intent on salvaging it, the task is doable."

He looks up at the shore, his head kinked to the left lightly.

"Once we've been repaired a bit ourselves, of course. I like to be able to move my head about, if you understand me."

>>21538424
Well she probably got somewhat banged up during the fight, we can fix the physical damage. As for any emotional stuff, the only thing we can really do to help is listen.

File: 1352680127521.png-(16 KB, 800x600, cindysunning.png)

>>21538424
>>Roll Intelligence+Crafts (repair)

Handing the floodlight to Josephine, Hoss crouches down next to Cindy, his digitigrade legs folding in on themselves.

"Miss? You were very effective back there. Do you think you can get up?"

Rolled 2, 1, 3, 8, 10, 6, 3, 10, 4 = 47

>>21538534
Rollan for fixin stuff.

Rolled 8, 10, 3, 6, 7, 9, 5, 1 = 49

>>21538534
well at least hes more sociable than we are

Cindy looks up as Hoss speaks, the purple light in her optics brightening a bit.

"Yes. I was just...gathering myself for a second. That was a hell of a shot, huh?"

Hoss's face is even more impassive that Clarke's, but his manipulator reaches down, and Cindy grabs it, letting the taller machine pull her to her feet.

"Dead center, clean kill, Miss," Replies Hoss. Cindy looks around the boat.

"I think I saw some speakers earlier. How about some tunes?"

Meanwhile, Clarke is carefully removing the casing on Quinn's back, revealing an articulated spine and cris-crossed Synth-muscle ribbons. They appear to be intact, but some are misaligned, and several wires are plainly torn free. Sitting in a "grooming ape" pose, Clarke begins to sort out exactly what the problem is.

File: 1352681397834.jpg-(31 KB, 600x450, A2VHIoFCAAA0lgF.jpg)

>>21538784
Cindy eventually finds an audio port, at the boat's helm, and inserts a jack into a port on her arm. There's a burst of static, followed by

>>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7IUA8W8xuM&feature=related

Clarke seems to have found the main problem; the force of the blow knocked some peripheral wiring out of alignment, and the fiber-optic cables need to be carefully reinserted. Quinn begins to say "Must we be subjected to this noise? Isn't it inadvisible to-"
But then she looks up and sees Cindy's suddenly relaxed pose, and continues.

"...It's not terrible."

Under Clarke's manipulator, he can feel synth-muscle twitching in time to the beat.

Hoss's problem proves a much easier fix. Some tightening, a few replaced motors and hinges, and he's good to go. The Doc model's biggest weakness was the neck; Hoss might benefit from a minor refit at some point.

>>21538784
Tell Cindy that the damage isn't overly severe and should be fixed up soon. Also remark upon how beautiful the sunset is right now.

>>21538784
"As i suspected these synthmuscle connections are fairly delicate for such an integral component. We should keep this in mind for your continued maintenance and upkeep."

We should also consider this the next time we see a networked drone. Might be a good was to immobilize it that doesn't involve ripping its head off. Also reinforcing Quins spine with some protective padding or coating seems like a suitable course of action the next time we have the chance to add some case mods

>>21538903
"Sure is, boss."
Hound turns out to be sitting on the rail right next to Clarke. Clarke was not aware of this until now. the diminuitive Hob, stripped of his favorite hoodie, sits waiting for his internals to dry out.

"What's the plan on that signal? Do we check it out, or move on? Place can't be deserted; that squid thing was a guard. Might be even worse out there. We can avoid e'm, but if they come at us, I'll be all ha-HA, ha-HA!"

>>21539110
"I do want to check it out. The data that's being sent back and forth on it is sure to be valuable as all hell. Breaking the encryption is going to be tough, but probably worthwhile.

Good work by the way, I'm glad you're alright. You don't have any damage aside from the water, right?"

>>21539110
>Lol, i just realized who "ha-HA, ha-HA" is referencing too. (forever reading hounds lines in voice by the way)

recklessly confronting a potential NETWORK stronghold or task force with no prior information or surveillance besides with nothing more than a fishing boat and 4 robots? How about no.

lets at least try to decipher that wireless broadcast, if only partially, before we make and bold moves. Sticking by the dead kraken might not be a smart move either considering the possibility of a search party coming to its last known location.

>>21539110
Lets keep going. We don't want to attract more attention than we already have. But lets continue ti try and crack that encryption.

File: 1352683667942.jpg-(70 KB, 468x300, cancun-hotel-zone.jpg)

>>21539328
>>You call'n me CRAZY?

>>It's up to a vote: continue hanging around the Kraken, drag it to shore, or book it for Cancun.

Quinn speaks. "If it was transmitting back, that means that anything nearby on the same signal was aware of what happened. I don't think there are very many flying or swimming Network units; this one was near unique, but IT knows that someone's here, someone took out the guard dog."

>>21539446
i say we move to a safe location, triangulate the source of the wifi signal, then continue to monitor its location the see if its mobile. it may indicate weather the source is an encampment

Voting to drag it to shore.

>>21539525
Drag it to shore, rip it apart for parts, then get back on the boat and investigate the wi-fi signal as much as possible from the water.

Also make sure to get the computer parts from the Kraken, it might have some helpful info for breaking the encryption.

>>21539446
>>21539328
>>Two for moving along. Waiting 5 mins before confirming.

>>Clarke and Cindy may each make an Intelligence+Computer test to decrypt a chunk of the signal.

>>21539525
All the better reason not to stick around

>>21539534
Second. We should also try to decipher what we can from its broad cast.

>>21539525
Lets drag it away from its current position so they wouldn't be able to find it.

Rolled 6, 4, 2, 3, 4, 2, 6 = 27

>>21539567
Rolling for Clarke.

Rolled 2, 8, 8, 6, 3 = 27

>>21539567
Cindy

Rolled 4, 5, 9, 8, 2 = 28

>>21539599
Wow. You even failed to roll a fail.

Cindy's, I guess?

Rolled 9, 3, 4, 8, 9, 7, 9 = 49

Rollan for Clarke

What if the Kraken wasn't a guard dog, but a listener? I'm still not convinced the signal is network in origin, because of dialog said last thread.

>>21539599
the dice gods arent as kind as in the last thread

>>21539650
You mean this line?

>Hoss, silent up until now, hefts his bolt-action rifle.

>"Network signals are usually in different registers, not open Wi-Fi. I've never picked up something so strong. Three bars, now."

>>21539710
the plot thickens

still, just because it isnt network doesnt mean its friendly. We must consider this entity hostile until further information is acquired regarding its origin and purpose

>>21539710
Glad someone else caught that.
"I believe the signal to not be Network in origin. You said it yourself, Hoss. Network signals are never on open wi-fi. I have a theory on whom it may be. Worst case scenario, nothing happens, but if it's who I think it is, we may receive some interesting help, or at least some useful information. I wonder if he remembers me, still..."

>>21539812
Okay, they know we're here, they know we took out the Watcher, and some unit got told to avoid confrontation. Interesting.

I think for the moment it is safe to investigate a bit further, loot the Kraken and maybe keep on trying to decode the fuck out of the encryption.

>>21539904
>>Sorry, had to delete something. Here's the actual thing, guys.

Clarke is completely flummoxed by the signal, but Cindy, taking the tablet from his hands, points out a pattern in the code, which transfers into

>>102▀350╟453059Vß4Σ035ß0L94640■590340╫53045∞90435seekingUnitNVYsuggestedactionOB
S|re:destructionWatcher|awaitingresponse|aknowledged2305▐350▌60345Σ34-534Γ046α03commandUnit3ß
5Γstanddownawaitingresponseavoidconfront5534346346243235252452525preparetask235departurewhencomple
tedseekingobjective|Objective4ßπ(levelAPHA+)35453434563546356345

>>21539954
Huh... Well, that's reassuring. Let's loot and patch up then.

>>21539954
So we're safe for now. Let us loot like the wind then!

File: 1352685771187.jpg-(260 KB, 1296x972, kraken.jpg)

>>Now that there's a chunk of signal, there's an even balance of staying or leaving.

Another data packet turns up:
>>323934549549543UnitNVYaknowledgeremoveeg04rgktt40534-694339t34803048guj304g
>>40405304gjlriertieProgresscheckReUnknownBroadcasterReportUnitSGNstatus4-904944tjjfieei3o4o
>>40tt94t4ijiejfUnitSGNreportunknownmanufacturebiologicaldirectivenotuploadingdatasofarfordist
ributedanalysis
>>1010100100100101010100001010100100001010200101010101010101010010010100101010101000100101010

>>21540051
The signals aren't showing anything hostile. So I think we can haul the Kraken to shore, take it apart, get any valuable parts and the computer systems without being in danger.

>>21539954
Ok, well wikipedia says OBS is the Office of Boating Safety, and they're being contacted regarding this rather dangerous boat incident, so that's good. Now, levelAPHA+ is a tricky one. You may think it's a typo for ALPHA+, but then why wouldn't they just use the alpha character seeing as they already used loads of other greek letters? It's actually the Association of Port Health Authorities, who may cause some problems clashing with the Office of Boating safety because this is really outside of their jurisdiction.

Rolled 8, 6, 3, 1, 8, 7, 8, 3 = 44

>>21540051
Hmm, the binary is apparently gibberish or just some sort of signoff, since running it through a translator gives me this:
>©%P©
>*ª¤¥TJ

ALSO, Rollan. WE CAPTAIN AHAB NOW.

Rolled 8, 3, 1, 1, 7, 3, 8, 5 = 36

>>21540098
If we don't have to go to shore, don't. But if we have a bit too much trouble then take it to shore.

Rolled 10, 2, 3, 3, 1, 6, 8, 10 = 43

>>21540098
Have some wits+stamina

>>21540098
let us shore that sucker

Rolled 7, 5, 8, 8, 4, 5, 7, 2 = 46

>>21540098
Rollan

>>21540127
agreed

>>21540098
Jeez stop deleting stuff I don't even know what's going on any more.

>>Ugh. Okay, I just found the auto-update option. That should make things much simpler. Son of a bitch. I'm flying with a shifting plan here. No more waffling or deleting; things move too quick for that.
>>21540113
>>3 successes is acceptable

The Kraken proves heavy, but with counterweight on the other side of the boat, and some quick thinking with ropes and hooks, the corpse his hauled up to the side of the boat.

>>21540228
the the coast!

>>21540253
wrong trip

>>21540253
dah dah ta ta tat tah!! letsss rollll!

>>21540228
>just found the auto-update option
Isn't that enabled by default?

>>21540270
No? I have to re-check the tick every time I make a post or accidentally hit refresh when I forget about auto-refresh.

>>21540270
No, No it is not.

>>21540225
>>Sorry. Stopping now. I'm annoyed with myself too.
Cindy slowly maneuvers the boat closer to the shore, watching the bottom carefully. The motor rises with an electronic hum, and there's a slight scraping as the Kraken's tentacles hit beachstone.

>>You are now ashore with a dead Kraken. Securing campsite and beginning the butchering?

>>21540300
BEGIN THE BUTCHERING!

>>21540300
Let's get this temporary camp set. Compare aloud our temporary tamp to a small whaling camp from centuries earlier.

>>21540300
>>21540316
HUZZHA!!!!

>>21540316
MUHAHAHAHAHAHA.

actually why butcher it? We might be able to make something sweet out of this thing by repairing and modding it.

>>21540289
Huh, the inline extension sucks even more than I remember.

>>21540300
Yes, do that.

>>21540336
Depends if we can save the personality core whatsit. I doubt we're going to find anyone else who knows how to be a giant robokraken.

>>21540360
i was thinking more mechsuit or personal submarine than ally.

>>21540300
>>Roll Wits+Crafts
Clarke single-handedly pulls the Kraken up onto shore, while the rest of your allies secure the boat. Trudging up to the high tide line, temporary gear and tools, along with the backup batteries, are laid out.

>>As an addendum, Everyone apart from Hoss and Josephine are a little low on power; Clarke's at 2 remaining. I need to remember to track that.

Rolled 4, 2, 6, 8, 5, 8, 4, 3, 3 = 43

>>21540396
9d10, yes?

Rolled 5, 2, 10, 8, 6, 4, 3, 1, 7 = 46

>>21540360
wits+crafts, GO!

Rolled 4, 1, 8, 2, 4, 7, 6, 3, 5 = 40

>>21540396
9d10 right?

Rolled 1, 8, 8, 2, 2, 4, 8, 2, 2 = 37

>>21540391
Submarine is just asking to get flooded with horrible short-circuiting water and we already have a boat. Robot in a mech suit is silly and we probably won't be able to operate all those limbs very well.

>>21540396
Rollan. How many backup batteries do we have?

Rolled 10, 5, 3, 10, 9, 10, 6, 3, 4 = 60

Roll and get some rest. It's been a BUSY day, what with us fighting the huntsman and then this thing.

>>21540456
dont be suck a pessimist, theoretically we could turn the kraken into a vehicle of some sort using the same principals we used to me the spider hand drone

>>21540477
Oh my, let's use this, shall we?

Rolled 147, 81, 547, 353, 394, 37, 929, 90, 352 = 2930

>>21540477
Holy fuck that roll.

File: 1352687826935.jpg-(18 KB, 100x100, 159779.jpg)

>>21540477
That's a roll so good, it's made me horny.

>>21540456
>Two, each holding 1 charge.
>>21540420
>Oooh, ouch.
It takes longer than expected to open up the Watcher, and the insides are...a bit baffling. Clarke does manage to pull out the steaming remnant of what used to be the Fusion core, which seems to have gone into a controlled meltdown. There's no radiation leak, but the thing's utterly bricked.

It turns out that this one had its Quantum Drive stored in the cranium; Cindy's shotgun blast obliterated the box. BUT, the smaller sub-torso does contain several useful components which can be salvaged.

>>21540477
What does come out fully intact is the comm array. Several sensor spines, oddly-organic looking, made of some sort of enamel-coated wire, and processor module. Hoss pokes at it.

"This is a mobile terminal; it can rebroadcast a signal, networked or not. I've seen them on the larger constructs."
Clarke, examining it, finds that it's geared to observe multiple channels simultaneously, and still contains a sizable datastore. The Watcher name wasn't just a Lord of the Rings reference.

>>21540572
lets take a wack at that mobile terminal

>>21540572
Fancy. Good enough to send a message to space?

>>21540572
Huh... that's...certainly a thing.

>>21540603
I wish to also know this. For SCIENCE reasons.

>>21540572
Okay, let's hook that up to the tablet, see what it has in the datastore, it might have encryption data or have earlier messages of encrypted data that we can check against the broadcasts we have received to work more out. Also we'll know what it's seen and heard.

>>21540572
lets integrate it with the boat using the tablet as a computer too run it all

>>21540572
The capacitors are in better shape, too
>>Gain 1 external Battery, holds 2 charges

As all this goes on, Josephine potters around setting up camp, humming happily. This includes a simple tarp awning and a surprisingly effective mount for the lamp.

>>21540587
The terminal requires power to operate, but hooking it back up to the Watcher's capacitors

>>21540603
Possibly. Not very efficiently.

>>21540621
The cache contains only information deemed important at the time. Getting the tablet to connect requires some rejiggering of its software, but the task is incredibly easy for a true AI.

>>Loading...

>>21540653
we can turn the boat into a mobile com station

>>21540668
add remote piloting and we've got a drone!

>>21540659
Efficiently? The message either gets there intact or it doesn't.
Let's try contacting the satellite once we're ready to move again (so we can escape after the conversation) but before we actually start moving again (so he can't tell which direction we're going).

::Bzzzzzt::This is Major Falwell, searching for HQ. Any receivers, please rebroadcast until-

>>We have you, Falwell. Good to hear your voice. What's your current status?

"Well...we've had some trouble. One or two encounters with enemy forces, skirmishes really. But the big problem is the locals. There was some sort of altercation in the city, and the King made it clear that we weren't welcome.

>>You should do a better job of controlling your people, Major.

"I didn't tell you what happened, Sir. It was-

>>I can guess. You won't win any hearts and minds unless you maintain a level of professionalism. No taking advantage of the local maidens; that always puts people's panties in a twist

"No, it's not that at all. None of that. It was the machines, sir, in the city. Some sort of scuffle, and then the next day, the whole place was firmly edging us out. Someone from the Tech quarter had killed a local "monster.""

>>21540753
Oh hey, we're listening in on those anti-robot jerks. We should keep listening in.

>>21540788
Sadly, this is only a cache.

Is there anything else?

>>21540694
I like that way you think

Also lets turn the watcher into an aqua drone ore something. It has built in propellers doesn't it? would make an excellent forward scout when combined with the range from the transmitter

>>21540753
Doesnt look like they're too happy with us. All the more reason to avoid them in the future.

Now about wiring that 2 way receiver into the ships comm system?

>>21540753
>>Killing monsters is your job, Major. Tut Tut. Regardless, our scouts report that the enemy is getting nearer to their goal; you'd better hurry.

"We're en-route right now, sir. Double march."

>>Good. Your reinforcements will be much valued.

"Sir...I'd like to know exactly what this thing is."

>>That's Need To Know, soldier. it's something from the past that can't fall into enemy hands. Your task is to blow it back to hell. I'd love to stay a while and listen about the altercation in Tulum, but we have bigger problems here. I'll pass along your concerns to the Brass. HQ out

>>21540859
So, they're going to blow up our AI basement. Better than the Network getting it I suppose.

>>21540859
THE RESISTANCE LEADER IS CAIN!

>>21540903
possibly

>>21540903
Those of us who browse the 1d4chan wiki already knew this.

>>21540943
lost future quest has a 1d4chan page?

>>21540903
Not likely. Cain wanted to preserve the AIs, and this guy is pretty clearly out to destroy them, unless he's using the Resistance for his own ends.

>>21540960
Well, the game concept phase, does. Or did. It's been a while since I looked.

>>21540962
Cain mostly did that so that they wouldn't be used foolishly by despots in need of quick troops. His goal was always the preservation of humanity.

>>21540859
Interperting this we must utilize our newfound salvage as quick as possible to augment our equipment then proceed to the interior cautiously to try to prevent the loss of innocents.

>>21540978
Lost future quest should have a 1d4chan page. This shit is quality.

>>21540855
This would be incredibly simple; and would completely replace the shitty CB radio with something equivalent to a modern listening post and comm station.

Making the Watcher into a drone is beyond the scope of your resources. But, the tentacles, especially the end-bits, might be valuable in the future; at the very least, you can extract the blades from them; each one is two feet long and made of some hella-strong steel with more carbon than should be possible.

More from the cache
>>kzzzzch-anyone, anyone out there? This istzzzzzzzzz-any Salvagers or fighters, we're deep in the slag here. Stay out of Cancun. repeat, STAY OUT. There's no loot here, only death. Anyone good in a fight, we'd love the help, butzzzzzzzzzzz
____________________________________-
>>Hey, don't worry, Fries. We're not gonna die herezzzzzzzknow why? We are just too damn pretty to die. Am I right? Look at that chrome finish. ifzzzzzzzzzz

>>21540978
Cindy is appearantly a canon Free Robots soldier. Weird, so does that mean we changed history, or is LFQ taking over for the stuff on 1d4chan?

>>21541030
Wait, wasn't Cancun where we were going? That doesn't sound good.

>>21541011
>>I'll consider working on it. The setting page needs some serious editing, too.

Hefting the transmitter onto the boat proves to be the hardest part; getting it wet would be a BAD idea. Once its on, hooking it up and covering it with a tarp

>>21541053
LFQ takes place before "The game," and uses the previous established "cannon" as a stock of ideas, not a bible.

>>21541053
I believe it was stated in one of the earliest threads LFQ is a prequel to what would have happened in the vidya.

Rolled 10, 8, 10, 4, 8, 7, 10, 3, 5 = 65

>>21541030
well im sure we'l have the resources to make some cool stuff eventually.

as for the Cancun situation i, declare we should hook up that transceiver immediately and gather as much new information as we can.

Should be Wits+Crafts right?

>>21541081
Just noting:
Canon is something official in a setting.
Cannon is something you shoot things out of.

>>21541030
We can't let robo Nathan Fillion die. We'll need to get there soon.

So finish looting everything valuable from the Watcher, we'll be hooking this up to our boat to make it into a mobile listening post. We can make Quinn a new sword using the tentacle blades.

So let's get on that.

>>21541127
Seconding all of this.

>>21541117
Clarke just built the bast god damn radio this side of the continent

>>21541081
>>Derp.
*covering it with a tarp is all that's necessary.

The tranceiver isn't currently picking up anything apart from the wireless signal, which is at the moment indecipherable code even when translated.

When Clarke trudges back from the boat's shallow-water anchorage, Hoss is ready to meet you. "Cozumel contains structures and ruins. Perhaps the more stealthy of us should investigate the immediate surroundings? I do not appreciate being blind."

>>21541117
>>Scratch that "it's simple" thing. That thing's fucking BOSS.

>>21541125
You shoot ideas out of the previously established cannon and the end up all over this quest.

>>21541127
We could try contacting him before going in. Surely somebody in that massive city has a radio.

>>21541125
>>Ah. I knew there was a difference. It's so hard to remember which is which.

>>21541158
"Go for it. Hound, scout around, Hoss, would you mind finding a good vantage point and taking a look around from there.

Cindy, Quinn, if either of you feel up to scouting it would be appreciated.

I'm going to fix some things up, make Quinn a new sword and finish looting the body."

>>21541158
Well isn't that what Hiund is for?

>>21541158
alright, lets send Hoss and Hound out too scout, and make sure to give Hoss the spider drone. Hes not quite as sneaky as hound.

>>21541208
Cindy raises a manipulator confidently.
"I can scout, too."
Quinn looks up from the mass of Watcher innards.
"It would be more efficient for me to remain here and operate the transceiver."

Hoss nods, and indicates a nearby rise, barely visible in the moonlight.

"I will ascend to the highest point I can find."

Hound looks around skeptically. "Not much in the way of cover. I wish there were more trees."

>>21541295
"Have fun you three. Keep in contact, don't go too far.

Sorry about your sword Quinn, I'll make you a better one, it would be impolite not to."

>>21541326
seconded

Rolled 4, 3, 3, 1, 1, 6, 8, 9, 8 = 43

>>21541332
Thirded

rollan for sword

>>21541326
Quinn nods after a pause, and says.
"...Thank you. The other one was well-spent."
>>21541353
>>Making the sword takes longer than expected, but will be successful. As Clarke continues the butchery and tinkering, its time for some...

ASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL

With our luck, we wandered into the robot zombie graveyard.

Rolled 5, 7, 6, 10, 6, 8, 6, 7, 2 = 57

>>21541402
that would be pretty awesome acyually

>>21541433
forgot to clear the email field

File: 1352692239895.png-(31 KB, 372x1092, C1nd3mspaint.png)

>>21541402
>>Lets have none of that metagaming from you, now.
>>21541433
>>I'd love to do that, but why would cozumel have a massive industrial dump on it? That'd really be more of a...california thing.

Hound and Hoss on either side, you set off into the night. The moon provides enough light to see by, but you nonetheless envy Hoss and Hound their military-grade night vision. The Seraphim's own Night Vision setting is more akin to what you'd get on a high-end camcorder; limited range.

>>Roll Dexterity+Stealth to scout.

Rolled 3, 5, 1, 7, 2 = 18

What if it's a robot zombie graveyard...that is also inhabited by LOBOTOMITES.

Rolled 1, 4, 3, 7, 3 = 18

>>21541499

>>21541560
get on the ball man

Rolled 5, 1, 4, 2, 9 = 21

>>21541499
Why is there a picture of Cindie with no legs when she has nothing to do with that update? And should we roll for the other two?

>>21541581
wrong trip. posting in multiple threads

Rolled 1, 6, 6, 2, 7, 9 = 31

>>21541581
Sorry, I guess I used up all my luck rolling us a SWEET ASS MOBILE LISTENING POST.

>>21541590
HA! knew it was you cheese man!!!

>>21541668
NOOOOO I'VE BEEN FOUND OUT. NOW YOU MUST DIE LEST MY SECRET BE REVEALED TO ANY OTHERS!

>>21541560
FAIL
>>21541583
>>Because ASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL means that the viewpoint character has changed.

As the trio sneaks forward, Cindy encounters a low, scraggly sapling. Carefully moving one of the branches aside, it flicks out of her manipulator violently, shaking the whole tree and setting the residents, a pack of songbirds, all to squawking.

Hound's vision flips back to dim yellow long enough for him to give you a dirty look, then goes back to IR. Hoss is more forgiving. He whispers.

"Awareness of the local wildlife is part of stealth, Miss. For example, you're about to step in something's home."

Cindy looks down to see some sort of animal burrow. A pair of shining reflective eyes glare at her resentfully from within.

>>21541731
ouch faceplant :X

"Yeah, I know. But practice makes perfect. Working on this now while we're not 20 feet away from a car-sized killbot will help me later on."

>>21541731
Cindy you are not a good scout. You are a party planner with a shotgun. Cindy why are you scouting.

>>21541731
we must try harder

>>21541731
I don't see this ending well for us.

>>21541731
Hoss nods again. "Lets head to that rise. This whole island is very low, not much in the way of vantage points."

The trio continues on. The small hill does indeed grant a less-than-stellar view of the Island, but does reveal more expansive treecover, and what might be...

Hound: "That might be a structure, covered by vegetation. The lines are too regular." He looks at Cindy again. "Perhaps you should wait here, cover our retreat in case there's something there."

>>21541867
sounds like a plan

>>21541867
"Well, I guess you would know. I will need to work on being stealthy, though. I don't want to let down to rest of the team in a pinch."

>>21541867
>>21541907
Stealthily, the two military 'bots stalk forward, Leaving Cindy alone in the mostly-dark. Hoss's voice sounds inside your head via the radio
::You'll be fine. This place looks...scratch that. There's signs of recent activity. Growth over the entrance has been cleared. Watch yourself."

>>Make a Wits+Composure test

Rolled 8, 2, 3, 6 = 19

>>21541942
Rollan

Rolled 10, 5, 10, 6 = 31

IT BEGINS

Rolled 6, 1, 3, 4 = 14

Roooooll

Rolled 5, 6, 4, 4 = 19

>>21541979

Rolled 2, 4, 5, 3 = 14

>>21541995
>>21541996
>>21541979

Rolled 10, 6, 6, 10 = 32

>>21542070
cheese

>>21541979
Your mic picks up...rapid footsteps. Slapping brush. and...heavy breathing?

"Guys?" You radio. "There's a-"

Out of the darkness, a shape emerges, not so much running at you as intersecting your location. Short and sleight, maybe 5'4", it seems to be stumbling about in the poor visibility.

>>21542094
Stay low like a mo-fo.

>>21542094
Stay out of sight, hide, get our shotgun ready stealthily, identify what it is. Human or Robot.

>>21542082
seriously? thats what the dice gods want this today? dairy?

>>21542094
oh yeah we should back away slowly

>>21542116
>>21542106
>>21542118
The shape leans against a tree for a moment, and Cindy can see the chest heaving with gasping breaths. There's a suggestion of dark clothing and long, hanging hair. It continues on again, passing quite near Cindy.

Hoss radios you. "Something picked this place over. Took all the tech. Looks like-zzzzzzzz"

oh fuck. oh fuck
"Hoss. Someone's here. I'm staring RIGHT AT HIM. He hasn't noticed me. I think he's too spooked to notice me yet."

>>21542198
it seem there is an active pursuit in progress. we should stay hidden and see what comes after him

"Uhm... hello?"

>>21542198
Time to hide. See if we can use our agility to climb up a tree if we can do it quietly.

>>21542268
dont do that. we'd just be backing ourselves into a corner. not to mention the noise.

>>21542198
to bad we can't figure out what if anything they are carrying

check for hidden compartments in the building. possibly unaccessed sublevel.

>>21542231
>>21542245
>>21542268
>>Roll another stealth+dexterity
The figure begins to run again, but stumbles over something, likely the animal burrow you earlier avoided. There's a high, throbbing hum in the distance, getting closer.

Rolled 1, 3, 5, 2 = 11

>>21542389
swiss

>>21542422
the dice gods are picky

Rolled 7, 1, 2, 7 = 17

rollan

Rolled 4, 1, 6, 4, 3, 9, 6 = 33

>>21542389
>>21542389
radio to the boat something is coming human then something else
can we over clock for this?

Rolled 8, 9, 6, 4, 2 = 29

>>21542389

>>21542472
>>There's the proper number of rolls.
There's no reply from the boat, but Cindy manages to merge with the shadows just as the running figure passes by, and...

Something else shows itself. Drifting just above the treetops is a eagle-sized, bird-like thing, off-white in color. Under IR, Cindy can clearly see a beam of coherent light panning over the surroundings like a laser sight. The whiffling noise it produces comes from a pair of quiet turbines, from which emerge feather-like spars.

>>21542576
Are we a shotgun ninja, or aren't we? Shoot the bird down.

>>21542576
we better tell hoss

>>21542576
I say we report in.

Say, aren't we due for a level up sometime soon? We've had some serious fights happen since the last time.

>>21542631
>>Roll it
::"Hoss, there's a Network drone here. flier, and someone being targeted. I'm taking it out"::
>>::"zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz"::

>>21542670
>>Yeah, you should. You're overdue, but i wanted to get this going. Levelup will happen very, very shortly

Rolled 7, 3, 2, 10, 3, 8, 10, 9 = 52

I forget if we get any additional dice, so I'll roll 2 extras just incase.

Rolled 5, 9, 10, 10, 4, 6, 2, 4 = 50

>>21542686
well it seems this thing is carrying our new radio jammer for us. we should go take it off his hands.

>>21542710
>>21542730
I think it's dead, sirs. Unless it's made of unobtanium.

>>21542710
>>21542730
>>PFWEW
>>21542772
>>Indeed it is
Cindy lines up the shot carefully, as the floating bird thing stalls in the air, training the beam upon the huddled shape. Cindy catches a glimpse of a pale, soft face containing huge green eyes, and then the IR is disrupted by the flash of the shotgun.

>>21542808

"Hey, are you alright? My name's Cindy. I'm here to help."

>>21542808
"Did that thing have any friends?"

>>21542808
>>21542843
The shape on the ground twitches, and rises slightly.

"...I...are you a machine?"

Now that Cindy can see properly, the drone's prey seems to be a human female of uncertain ethnicity. The radio appears to still be jammed.

"It...I only saw the one. I guess they didn't think more would be needed."

Cindy hears the crack of a rifle, along with a metalic tinkling that must be Coilgun flechettes.

>>21542903
Protect the fleshling!

>>21542903
Tell the girl to get down and take cover. There's more enemies about, it's time to shotgun ninja things.

>>21542903
Quietly as possible:
"I am, but it's the one's who won't talk to you that will hurt you. We have to hurry back to my friends"

Who votes we head back to camp?
or
Over to where Hoss and Hound went?

My vote is back to the camp, since who knows what situation Hoss and Hound are currently in that would only get worse with us showing up.

>>21542903
tell meatbag to stay put. go help hoss and hound.

>>21542946
Voting we take them back to camp.

File: 1352700422153.jpg-(24 KB, 156x179, Meatbag.jpg)

>>21543007
>>21542968
>>Waiting on a tiebreaker...

Did we lose resistor?

>>21543349
Okay, I think that Hoss and Hound are in danger, and we might still have something following us.

Tell the girl to stay put, hunker down, take cover. We'll scan the immediate area, and once we're sure it's clear we'll head towards Hoss and Hound with the girl in tow, try to get back in contact with them.

>>21543349
>>21543350
Oh. I'm stupid. There WERE three votes. Sigh.

>>21543349
Lets go help out Hound and Hoss. A shotgun is always welcome to a fight, and they counting on Cindy to cover them.

Are you guys nuts? We don't know what's going on with Hoss n Hound, and this girl's got shit looking for her. You want to leave her HERE?

fuck that, grab her and take her back to camp.

>>21543372
Cindy reaches down and takes the hand of the human. With trepidation she rises, still breathing heavily. There is a final rifle crack, and no further coilgun sounds.

The human asks "Those are your friends? What...ooh, it's dark, what are you doing here, Cindy?"

::"zzzzzzzCindzzzzzzclearzzzzzzzoffzzzzzzzzzcouldzzzzzz"::

>>21543413
I HEARD CLEAR OFF! Take the fleshbag back to the boat.

>>21543413
"I'm here with some of my best friends. I'll introduce you later. What's your name?"

Radio to Hoss "I have a civilian, I repeat I have a civilian. I'm heading back to the boat, I repeat, I am heading back to the boat. Do you copy?"

>>21543456
Yeah, that's what I heard, too.

>>21543413
Did Cindy ever introduce herself?

How does the meatbag know her name?

I'm either scared now, or embarrassed that I missed something.

>>21543514
Yeah she did. See >>21542843

We told her our name.

>>21543413
Cindy can see the camp up ahead, the spotlight panning over the surroundings. They must have heard the gunfire.

The human continues to stumble in the dark, holding on to Cindy with a death grip.

::"zzzopy. Receptionzzzzerible, thoughzzzz. zzhuman? zzzzzzzzzan doing hzzzzzz"::

"Natalie. I'm so glad to meet other people at last. Well, close enough anyways...oh, sorry, I didn't mean to say it like that."

>>Roll Wits+Composure

>>21543533
Okay, good.

Someday, I'll learn how to read.

>>Also, could I get a roll of 6 dice?

>>21543539
Tell Hoss you can't understand what he's saying at all, tell him to to get back here as soon as he can. And then tell Natalie it's no problem, really. She's only human, and bound to make mistakes.

Rolled 6, 1, 3, 7 = 17

>>21543539
Rollan

"It's okay. I'm not really offended. You're safe now."

Radio back to Hoss "No idea why she's here cowboy, I'll ask her once we're safe. Get back to base, I can barely make out what you're saying."

Rolled 10, 8, 8, 8, 4, 5 = 43

>>21543562

Rolled 6, 4, 2, 7 = 19

>>21543539
We need to work on Cindy's composure some time. It's really low.

>>21543587
>>21543602
Looks like we're freaking the fuck out now.

>>21543551
no worries bro i thought the same thing

Rolled 2, 3, 10, 10 = 25

>>21543587
>>21543602
Amateurs

>>21543590
this was a pretty damn good roll.

Rolled 4, 3, 9, 9, 2, 4 = 31

>>21543562

>>21543587
::zzeterning, seezzzzthere. Watch yozzzzzack"::

Natalie stumbles again, dragging Cindy down with her.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I can't keep my legs under me, they're like Jello."

>>21543625
>>Wits+composure is a spot check.

>>21543641
Where were you earlier, we could have used that roll.

>>21543641
Show off.

>>21543685
"I wish Clarke was here, he could just pick you up. I'll help you along, just keep on walking, we're almost there. You can do it Natalie."

>>21543590
>>Wits+Empathy Exceptional Success
>>They're Like Jello
>>They're Like Jello
>>They're Like Jello
>>They're Like Jello

>>21543706
Uhhh, is this supposed to mean something?

Rolled 7, 5, 3, 6, 2, 10 = 33

>>21543706
wat

>>21543706
>>21543721
>>21543724
Why would someone living deep into the post-apocalypse use that phrase? how would they have eaten Jello?

Best I got.

>>21543706
I think he broke... Can Clarke fix him?

>>21543750
Oh shi-

She's from some sort of pre-apoc society?

>>21543757
>>Uh, I was trying to make a sinister echo. The problem is, when you ask for a Sense Motive check, everyone knows that the person they're talking to is lying.

>>21543765
OR MAYBE SHE'S one of those prototype first gen replicants that actually used a quantum drive/SAP but were prone to going nuts in various ways

>>21543783
Oh, so she's lying. Slit her throat with a shotgun blast.

>>21543765
she could be a clever decoy or infiltator replicant thingy

>>21543816
That seems a bit drastic. We don't know why she's lying. Though we should carefully get our shotgun ready.

Tell the "girl" that we can't carry her, she has to get up. Get a message to Clarke, in a way that won't be overheard or intercepted, that we suspect something is up with the girl we have.

>>21543783
How is there an echo on an open and notably flat island?

>>21543832
nuke it from orbit. its part of the hoomans that hate robots.

>>21543859
err i think i broke it

>>21543854
>>Okay, you're trolling. 8/10. Nice.
>>::"Clarke? We may have a problem with my new friend. 'Seems Legit' is not a phrase I would use regarding her."::
::"zzzzzzzindy? zzzot legit? zzzomething big out there, you need to rzzzzzzzz. zzzzUN!"::

You hear a loud, crunching noise behind you, along with a sinister creaking. Natalie, who's looking behind you at the time, stares in horror at something that must be rather on the tall side.

>>Roll Resolve+Stamina

Rolled 3, 9, 5, 5, 6 = 28

>>21543944
I believe fleeing might be the best idea.

Rolled 8, 10, 7, 7, 10 = 42

Ah, piss

Rolled 8, 10, 3, 1, 1 = 23

>>21543944
I don't know what the fuck is going on.

Rolled 10, 6, 1, 5, 8 = 30

>>21543944
oh shit nigga

Rolled 6, 1, 10, 9, 1 = 27

>>21543970
roll that all on the floor

File: 1352703387951.png-(371 KB, 828x766, gaben-mfw - Copy.png)

Rolled 9, 2, 5, 4, 7 = 27

>>21543984
>>21543992
>>21544019
>MFW ones alll the onesss

File: 1352703475540.png-(40 KB, 800x1000, reaper.png)

>>21543970
A wave of what feels like a physical force slams into Cindy's back, causing a brief white-out. The next thing Cindy knows, she's on the ground, and her limbs appear to be only half functional. Natalie is screaming, dragging her, something that might be a gunshot sounds off.

With one arm, you manage to turn yourself over, to see a towering white machine gleaming in the moonlight. arcs of electricity flash between outstretched claws, but a smaller hand reaches up to a broken optic, obliterated by a shotgun blast.

Then...

>>21544086
OH SHIT BOSS FIGHT.

>>21544086
OH FUCK, HE USED IT

File: 1352703667933.png-(125 KB, 397x279, BSOD_Main.png)

>>21544086

>>21544086
WERE BONED

Rolled 1, 7, 3, 9, 3 = 23

>>21544086
oh fuck not this thing. well at least shes not dead

File: 1352703815748.jpg-(20 KB, 450x334, bender.jpg)

>>21544146

>>21544154
forgot to clear my email field

>>21544125
FFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

>>Time: 5: 58

>>Time: 5:59

>>Time: 6:00

>>Initiating Boot Sequence. Loading S288.exe from standby. Checking cache...all clear.

>>Tertiary Tasks: Brew Coffee. Prepare Breakfast. Salient Info: Google Maps indicates that bus DT34B will leave the 34'd street stop at 7:15 AM.

>>21544204
>>Primary Task: Wake Rachel.

>>21544204
OH SHIT... ooooohhhh shittt..... are we finally gonna find out what happened to Rachel?

>>21544204
>>21544226
F-F-F-F-FLASH BACK!

Let us sit back and enjoy the show

>>21544204
fuck yeah i love these

>>21544238
>>INTERACTIVE flashback.

>>But it may have to wait until tuesday. Its 1:00 where I am, and i have shit to do tomorrow. But I will get a cutscene thrown together as quick as I can. Also, thread is archived at

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/21537368/

>>21544307
hunnnggggggggggggggggggggggg

thanks for the thread mannn

bumb

bamb

File: 1352754969600.png-(29 KB, 600x800, Network storm trooper.png)

Following the same basic design principles of the cricket drones, the hunter drones, or "storm troopers" are heavier and more combat orientated machines that are used by the network in precision strikes and to eliminate high priority targets with hit and run tactics.

The hunters are armed with a medium scale coil gun which they can utilize against both infantry and light vehicles with deadly efficiency. The weapon has an in built ammo fabricator, which lengthens the operative time of these units.
They use their jet wings to move rapidly across the terrain, and evade foes in combat.
They operate in combat teams which are more than capable of dealing with most foes of the network.

Like the brutes, these drones are mostly used when the network deems bringing their more advanced shells to combat scenarios. The apparent fragility of the hunters is deceiving, as their power lies in speed and precision, instead of brute force and resilience. They are the scalpel to the hammer that the brute drones are.