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Beside you is Solstrike Saetos, who is many things. Your target, your enemy. Your murderer. You got better. Once.

But on your return to the battle, he was very surprised to see you alive, and he made you an offer you couldn't refuse. Fight him, he said, and win or lose, the rest of your battered force walks. So now, here you are, side-by-side with the most lethal enemy you've ever traded blows with, walking to your battleground.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1Qkzj5bStU

The tension in the air is razor sharp--every hunter left in your strike team has lost friends and unitmates in Saetos's horrific attacks. Disquieted glances flit back and forth between where they're going and the giant solar bird that could rip them apart with his bare hands.

Like he did with Addax, who--you're pretty sure--was S-rank himself. And all he wound up with was a hole in his chest and negative one antlers. Enlisted, officers, and mechaniloids, Saetos tore through them all, striking from high with the sun at his back, and reaping a bloody tally through the hunter leadership, until he arrived, once again, back at you.

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And so you walk, S-class maverick and A-rank hunter, back to your base camp and an agreed upon duel to the finish. Saetos of course looks completely nonchalant and casual, that same haughty smirk telling you what he thinks of your chances.

Well fuck him. You're not stupid, and only fools fight fairly. Strikeforce Siskin, one of the few remaining 7th officers, has some kind of plan in mind to help deal with Saetos's inevitable betrayal. And you're sure of it, there will be one. Saetos has proven far, far too cagey to simply agree to fight you solo on your turf...or what's left of it. Not without a plan.

The long walk back is slow and torturous, every agonizing second of it spent wondering about the fight ahead, or waiting for an inevitable ambush.

>Banter with Saetos a little more. Maybe you can tease more info out of him.
>Walk in silence. Prepare for what's ahead with as much dignity as you can muster.
>Try to break the tension. You need your hunters in top form.

>>27808645
>Banter with Saetos a little more. Maybe you can tease more info out of him.

How the hell did you get all these upgrades? Don't tell us it's all "do it yourself" work.

>>27808645
>Banter

>>27808645
>>Banter with Saetos a little more. Maybe you can tease more info out of him.

You must have some really laid-back superiors if they'd be okay with you pulling a stunt like this.

>>27808645
>Banter with Saetos a little more. Maybe you can tease more info out of him.
Going to enjoy ripping his wings off if we can manage it.

>>27808645
>Walk in silence. Prepare for what's ahead with as much dignity as you can muster.

Ok guys, time to start planning for the fight. I posted some stuff on twitter with hunter command, but anyway;

Blackout rocket, from thread#7:
He spins around in his chair and looks up at you, businesslike. "Several ideas. Add heating element, produce a thermal weapon, compromise IR sensors. Or, load payload into rocket, deliver at a distance. Would be especially effective against air threats, immediately sensor-blinding them midflight, to say nothing of sustained damage. Metal cloud would likely be excellent conductive material. Could attempt to focus on that."

Saetos' armor is really tough, apparently, or more likely his auto-repair is bolstered by solar energy. Remember that his buster is really strong and he fires several high powered energy attacks, plus his seemingly unlimited flight capabilities.

I vote we either dump rockets on him and use partial C. Capacitor blasts to electricify the chaff, or immediately use all of our charged lockon hunter shots (I think we have 7/16 left, Hunter Command? Give us the deets on our weapon charge) and attempt to cripple a wing/flight mechanism. We need to keep him grounded.

His melee is magnetism, which isn't as bad on us as anyone else. If we can get a Raikousen kick, or better yet a Raikousen+couched lance dash off, we should be able to win.

Tumult Shell is going to be important for this fight. We need to counteract his plumes and (possibly) his buster. The buster may be too much for it.

>>27808886
A well timed Raishoryuken might also be a good counter if he dives at us.

>>27808956
>>27808886
If we shoot a chaff missile while in melee range, would it be worse for him or us?

>>27808985
I'm sure our armor is lighter than his, so us.

>>27808998
If it keeps him grounded, so much the better. We could also probably recoup some CC charge from electrifying the cloud while we're in it.

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Someone in the IRC asked for a weapons energy readout (as did >>27808886).
I think this count is accurate, had to go back through the last two threads to tally:
Blackout Rocket/Chaff Missile/Rockout: 7/8 shots.
Tension Coil: 30/32 shots.
Lockon Hunter: 9/16 shots.
Tumult Shell: 10/16 shots.

The bad news is they had to discharge your C. Capacitor to safely repair you, so it's only been slightly charged by the one engagement you've had, and you didn't do much moving to build it up. You're sitting on all of about 7% right now.

We're so fucked.

>>27809013
Try to ground him with rockets and lockons and then throw everything we got at him?

>>27809032
Not if we cheat well enough.

>>27809051
It is not cheating when there are no rules.

>>27809060
It's not cheating when there's QM fiat.

>>27809070
I feel that Command is harsh, but fair. If we catch on to something or come up with something he did not think of he takes the hit and rolls with it. We have yet to run into anything to make us say "That's Bullshit!" I think that makes him a good QM.

>>27809070
"Anode, your next target is Rockfall Arbitraitor..."

>>27809120
Indeed

>>27809140
... That guy is a G... Isn't he?

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>>27809225
What? No, of course not.

He's a P.

>>27809120
Jokes aside, I'm actually pretty thrilled when you guys surprise me. I like it when you're creative and you cook up something unorthodox. Cain Labs, meanwhile, is the more murderous half of our two-man team.

>>27809292
I remember it mentioned how these eight Mavs we're hunting is the quest tutorial, and that the training wheels are off after this segment. Someone else made the comment that considering we've nearly died on nearly every mission we've been on (never mind crippled in some manner in most every case) IN THE TUTORIAL, especially when we're supposed to be inordinately tough as it is, then what chance does Anode have when the quest actually starts?

>>27809292
How coincidental that the cause of so much of our frustration is also the reason so many humans have died, in story.

>>27809339
>>27809339
Better than you think. Anode's still young and learning fast. Look at how he's developed from Weasel's op to this one. Each time he gets roughed up, he takes something away from it.

>>27809350
Come again? You mean stuff like Jagwire's torture/body count, Wolfspider's deadman's switch, and so on?

It's not all coincidence, but at the same time, the more vicious mavericks are the ones who are capable of greater acts of enormity. There's some natural overlap.

Also, writing. Feel free to keep asking and talking, though.

>>27809440
No I meant how Cain Labs the guy is out for our blood and Cain Labs the entity in game produced all these death robots.

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>>27809577
Oh! Well, aside from the "Cain found X and started the Reploid race" thing, the actual Cain Labs didn't produce every single maverick you've fought. Every country has various and sundry laboratories and productions, some official state-sponsored, some privately owned. On a related note, those serial numbers on your VWES data all have a story behind them.

You mean:

>WCL3-CSIG-1: Sensor-disruption razor chaff "Blackout Flare"
>LXR93-S-CREG-4: High-tension bladed cable "Tension Coil"
>BLC-SS-CJ: Variable-penetration directed energy weapon “Lockon Hunter"
>FUSHIGI-5B(PW)-THW-32LS: Haptic projectile defense system "Tumult Shell"

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>>27808694
>>27808725
>>27808735
>>27808839
You decide to take a chance on trading more barbs with Saetos--you can take what he can dish out verbally, at least. Maybe he'll let slip a little more intel you can use against him.

"So what the hell kind of systems do you have, anyway?" you ask. "That's hardly DIY pet project stuff."

"Oh, so you noticed!" Saetos replies, mock-flattered. "Really, there's no end to what you can do when you're not shackling yourself with limits imposed by the humans you're supposed to be protecting."

"You didn't strike me as a political animal. And besides, if you're any indication, that's a pretty justifiable concern."

He smirks wider. "Trying to get on my good side?"

"Trying to figure out what's in this for you. Those are some pretty chill bosses you've got, if they're okay with this."

Saetos laughs. "Don't worry about me, I'm having a grand old time. And I can't imagine your superiors would be thrilled to hear that you agreed to it."

"Fair point," you admit. Seven and his 'no cowboy shit' attitude come to mind. "Still, the question stands."

He shrugs massively. "What's in it for me? You lived when I shot you. That doesn't happen."

"So it's evening up the score?"

"Maybe. Either way, you're interesting enough to merit some of my time."

"Well gee, aren't we just a party of flatterers," Diamond mutters.

You're about to respond, when Warwing interrupts tersely. "We're here."

Shangri-La has been cleared out, artillery, tents, and equipment all lugged out of the way to produce a battleground, a few hundred feet around. At the perimeter, the base team regards your approach warily. You see a battered Wolfang among the force. He nods solemnly to you, but says nothing.

"Well then," Saetos says grandly, "this chat has been fun, but I suppose it's time to get started."

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>>27809946
Diamond moves to the outside of the perimeter, motioning the rest of the hunter forces to come with him. Saetos marches across the field, giving you a chance to size it up while he makes a slow, purposeful stride. There's little in the way of cover or anything to brace against, which will limit your mobility some. That said, your battlefield isn't limited here--you could run in among the rest of the base camp structures and use them to your advantage, but that risks getting your hunters embroiled in the thick of things.
>Tell your hunters to get more distance. This fight's going to spill over.
>Have them stay where they are. You're going to need them ready to respond.

Not only do we not tell them to fan out, shoot Saetos right now.

>>27809961
>>Tell your hunters to get more distance. This fight's going to spill over.
A little distance won't make a difference on whether he slips the net or not.

>>27809961
>Tell your hunters to get more distance. This fight's going to spill over.

>>27809961
>Tell your hunters to get more distance. This fight's going to spill over.

>>27809961
>Have them stay where they are. You're going to need them ready to respond.
The gentleman's agreement already stands that if Saetos touches anyone else, the deal's off and everyone lights him up, and he knows that if everyone lights him up simultaneously, he's done. Keeping them close keeps the arena close, preventing Saetos from moving around too much, and if he decided to raze the battleground and kill other Hunters, every single gun in Shangri-la would slag him.

Apparently Solstrike's plumes help him fly.

"What about his flight systems? I was half-blind when he grabbed me."

Diamond folds his arms. "A lot of boosters. No gravitics like Addax. Siskin was saying he seemed less mobile after throwing the plumes, so they might limit him if we break enough."

Blow 'em up.

>>27810125
There is a difference between directly attacking and someone being danger close.

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>>27809987
>>27810078
>>27810104
"Wave off, guys," you call. "This isn't going to be neat and orderly." The hunters comply, moving back further--not far enough, you think, but it'll give you some more opportunities for cover. Plus, maybe it'll allay Solstrike's suspicions--whatever Siskin has planned, you hope it's good.

"Well said," Saetos replies, turning to face you. "Are you ready?"

"As I'll ever be," you mutter, crouching low, ready to dodge to either side with an opening cascade of fire.

"Then--" Saetos stands and draws himself to his full height. "Solstrike Saetos, Commander, Destroyer Wing, East Asian Revolutionary Forces." He looks at you expectantly.

"...Are you goddamned serious?" you balk.

He chuckles at your outrage. "Let’s do this thing properly, shall we? Indulge me."

"Fucking--fine. Lieutenant Anode, Maverick Hunters 4th Overland Unit."

"Thank you. Was that so hard?" With one last grin, he flaps his wings and rises into the air, raising his buster as he goes.

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>>27810785
And with that, the fight's on. You break to the left as he launches one of those miniature suns, then dart forward as the ground around you starts kicking up gouts of steam and smoke under invisible laser fire. If you stay mobile, you can probably avoid it, but he’s limiting your options and forcing you to go defensive already. In response, you dash straight beneath him and past, leaping and swinging your legs ahead to kick off a wrecked prefab in your new, widened perimeter. You twist back around, drawing your lance in the windup and aiming for a swing--

And you’re forced to reangle into a guard as his foot swiftly flies up toward your head in a snap kick. Blade bites into talon, the lance’s beam envelope warping under the strong magnetic field, but it holds. He winds up and kicks with his other leg, striking the blade and sending you tumbling back to the ground--you catch yourself, landing on your feet and ready to move under his next barrage. No damage, but nothing to show for it--other than that those talons can block.

He’s fast, he’s tough, and you can attest to his damage output. How do you engage?
>

>>27810785
Tumult Shell.

>>27810873
Disregard, I didn't see previous post.

Try to laser his plumes.

>>27810822
As mentioned previously, our first target is his plumes. Whether he spends them or we wreck them before he does, firsthand intelligence suggests losing those plumes inhibits his mobility. I'm of a mind our Blackout Rocket will be the weapon of choice this fight, but the only way those dumbfire rockets are going to hit is if we kill his mobility.

Use Lockons or special targeting or whatever. Wreck those plumes, and we'll see how Big Bird flies without them.

>>27810822
Blackout Rocket. If possible keep the chaff between us. When he launches the plumes Laser them.

>>27810911
It's too soon to use our Blackouts, not with Saetos at maximum mobility.

>>27810822
I'll second
>>27810910

>>27810822
Blackout Rockets, then switch to Lockon Hunter and try to clip his wings as he leaves the smokescreen.

>>27810952
While a direct hit is unlikely, it will still create an obstacle that we may be able use against him.

>>27811019
In this much open space? I'm skeptical. Let's stick to something we know we can hit first.

>>27811040

We could pop the rocket where we want it will a Lockon shoot.

>>27811188
Not really worth it. Just laser the plumes, when he's less mobile rocket him.

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>>27810886
>>27810910
>>27810971
This is a bird hunt. And what do you do if you're trying to catch a bird?

You shoot it down.

Grounding Saetos may not be possible, but as long as he's more maneuverable than you are, this fight's doomed. You check your ammo--just over half your Lockon Hunter shots remaining--enough left for four overcharge and one regular. You fire a volley of ineffectual plasmna with your buster as you move again, stowing your lance and redoubling. Saetos doesn't even move to dodge, letting the fire wash over him as he leads ahead of you with his buster again.

He fires for where you were about to be as you dig in your heels, jump backward, and fire a Lockon Hunter past his body and into his wing, scoring a direct hit a--

Tink.

Saetos raises an eyebrow and dives down on you, leading with his buster again--This time, you snapfire a tumult shell, the two projectiles hitting in midair, canceling out the shell and detonating the fusion shot in midair. He soars through it, flame trailing from his wingtips, completely unharmed as he careens into you.

The angle is shallow, but it has enough force to throw you end over end, tumbling across the battlefield as he pulls back up into the air. You manage to dig in one heel and stabilize with your dash thrusters, coming to an ungainly halt.

Good news: He didn't seem to like you targeting that wing. Bad news: A normal Lockon Hunter didn't do shit. Maybe an overcharge?

You definitely felt that hit, but he couldn't really slam you with full force without introducing his beak to the pavement. You're not terribly damaged aside from scruff-up, and you even got a few percent of charge out of the impact. Unfortunately, he also delivered the first hit in this duel, none the worse for wear.

>Lockon Hunter's a sniper weapon. Try an overcharge shot now!
>Return to midrange and try to get him into a Chaff cloud.
>Other?

>>27811684
>Lockon Hunter's a sniper weapon. Try an overcharge shot now!
Something has to give sooner or later. Let's not commit more resources that we know aren't going to have an effect until we figure out what works and what doesn't.

>>27811684

>Chaff cloud.

Save the lockon overcharge for when he launches the Pinions. Light (even amplified light) just seems to annoy him.

>>27811684
>Return to midrange and try to get him into a Chaff cloud.

And then fire off an overcharged Lockon Hunter at his wing while he is repositioning.

A plink overcharged is probably still just a plink, if I recall my Megaman mechanics. Weapon immunity doesn't matter if it's base or charged. But it does amplify weaknesses. (also I apparently fail at 4chan)

>>27811684
I... I actually made it to a Maverick Hunter Quest on time? Holy shit.

Right, use the chaff, it was MADE for this shit.

>Return to midrange and try to get him into a Chaff cloud.

Then fuck him up with a overcharge shot.

>>27812056
>>27811762
If I were this guy, as soon as a chaff cloud goes out I'd go straight through it and slam the guy on the ground - it's the last thing he'd expect. The moment we put a chaff cloud up he's going to try an assault, and this time it'll hurt. It might be better to chaff and move.

>>27812312
We need a trap in the cloud then.

Tripwire net?

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>>27812056
>>27811776
>>27811762
>>27812136
You don't wait, moving back in as he draws close again. He's faster, but he also has less time to react when you lead your shots, this time firing a blackout rocket into his flight path. He takes the impact dead on, but the tradeoff is that you can't juke out of his way as easily coming at him head-on. You feel a few lasers score across your armor, unseen but definitely felt.

For his part, though, Saetos emerges from the cloud of flak unmarred--god DAMN it--the shrapnel pinging off that fucking armor plating like metallic rain. What is he made of? He swoops low out of the cloud and attempts to barrel into you, forcing you to dive-roll to the side. He wheels around and comes in for another pass--this time, you snap your barrel up and meet him with an overcharge Lockon Hunter. He sees you aim and starts to roll as you fire, your shot striking him in the wingjoint.

His reaction is... different. He doesn't veer off or reel dramatically, but he waves off to one side, body flashing as it projects some kind of light field in response to the hit. You turn and draw your lance, but a third swoop never comes--he turns to regard you again, a faint scorch mark marking the impact.

You CAN hurt the bastard. Not much, but he felt that.

This time, though, he doesn't intend to let you take aim and repeat the performance, as he touches down and then lunges for you in a dead sprint, those long legs of his surprisingly nimble, using his talons for stability as he lopes across the field, barreling straight at you. His movements are rather less predictable than his flight, foiling your chances for another Hunter--not that you're sure you should waste the few you have left anyway. He seems dead intent on closing to melee, lance be damned, and you're pretty sure he can catch you, on foot or on the wing.

>?

So he has some sort of Gundam Seed-esque phase shift armor?

>>27812411
Quick: how did we stop a charging Tanker Tigershark?

Technically it ended in a draw with a Raikousen overpowering him, but given enough forward velocity, we CAN overpower someone larger than us if we charge them ourselves.

Alternately, judo tomoe nage (rolling sacrifice throw) or a wrestling belly-to-belly suplex. That forward momentum of Saetos's is going somewhere, and it's not us.

>>27812411
Well, we hit the bastard. Finally.

If we had higher C.Capacitor charge I'd say meet his charge with a full-bore Raikousen with a couched lance. I'll second >>27812488's judo throw.

>>27812411
I

Uh

Why is he closing to melee? Surely he knows that we don't have many more Hunter shots? He could win this through attrition, since the only weapon we have powerful enough to hurt him barely scratches him.

Should we engage in melee?

>>27812411
Force him to use up his energy attacks untill he is forced to use his father.(this should slow him down and lower his protection.)

>>27812411
Couch lance, wait for him to impact, and then roll backwards, hopefully flipping him over us.

>>2781241

Fuuuuu so it looks like he can shrug off energy (or worse absorb) attacks with some kind of reflective armor, don't suppose we have something to cause some good old blunt force trauma?

>>27812513
Oh, thats a great idea. Feint with the lance while actually going for a throw.

>>27812411
Command do we have our Misericorde?

If we're going to throw him, should we take the opportunity to attach a T.Coil to him?

>>27812533
You do!

>>27812555
Lets crack his wing armor then.

>>27812572
Try to attack with our lance, let him get within our swing, and stab him instead of being caught off guard?

>>27812483
No, he has what amounts to post-hit invincibility, like any MMX boss.

>>27812555
SHANK 'IM IN DA CUNT
But really, now that you mention it the nitrogen misericorde might still be an option. He's got a lot going for him, so we need to either expose a chink in the armor or make one ourselves. Apart from our Lockon Hunter and maybe our lance, the only other thing we have that could penetrate armor is the flash-freeze misericorde. If we can't shiv him in the chest, shiv him in the wing.

Either way, we do need to stop Saetos from running us the hell over.

>>27812589
Bingo!

>>27812603
Remember two threads ago a half charged miserocorde made him flinch. Imagine what a full charge will do.

>>27812663
And then, once we've got our blade in him, we turn his momentum against him and judo throw him. So in short, our combat maneuver is as follows:

>Visibly prep lance
>Thrust it at him, slightly off-center so he dodges towards our other hand, where our second blade is hidden
>Act surprised, then slam the Misericorde home
>Use his surprise to throw him over our shoulder, into the ground

>>27812736
Sounds good to me.

Its gutsy, foolish and completely improvised and perfect example of Anode's style.

>>27812736
Yeah, that's a reasonable idea. Jam the misericorde into a shoulder joint.

we could also brace our lance and counter charge him when he gets close with a raikousen.

>>27813019
As much as I'd love to we're at low charge right now.

>>27812736
>>27812784
I approve of this. We're getting hurt, oh no doubt, but if this works he is getting fuuucked up.

>>27813187
It'll also make him extremely wary of closing into close combat with us.

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You get ready to meet his charge, taking a ready position with your lance. He thunders in at a full sprint, leaping forward--

And then his wings snap out to either side and with a blast of thrust, he halts his forward movement and opens fire on you from close range. You only just dive out of the way of an exploding sun and feel a half dozen lasers burn across your side and back as he sails upward--damn.

While he's close, you twist back and fire, snagging him once again with a T. Coil, pulling your lance back as you're jerked into the air after him. Remembering the bright flash, you close your eyes this time, and sure enough you feel a pulse of heat as it nearly overcomes your sensors even still. Though unable to go for the misericorde, you're already bringing your lance up, and score a long slash across his front--the armor holds, but you've connected solidly. The protective barrier flashes on again as Saetos grunts, more in annoyance than pain.

The next bit takes some doing--in full anticipation of his counterstrike you finish out the motion with your lance and cut your own line. You stow the lance in freefall, switching buster and hand. You draw the misericorde as you fire a second coil, snagging him again, priming yourself to stab--

And he grabs it with both hands, yanking you up at full force. You sail past your target and feel him tear the line off through it. You hang in midair for a moment before your ascent runs out and you begin to plummet--you turn around just in time to see him level his buster and fire.

Only another Tumult Shell saves you, and only just. The shell hits it in midair, and you feel the heat, still painfully hot, as you fall through what was a killzone just a moment before. You have a brief window on Saetos, but at the rate you're falling, you're not sure you can make a solid connection--and if he catches you again, this could be over.

>Fall past him. Land hard, build charge.
>Go for broke. Try to plunge down on him with your knife.

>>27813371
>>Fall past him. Land hard, build charge.
Also see if we can shoot our misericords at him from behind.
>file name
I got a good chuckle.

>>27813371
>Go for broke. Try to plunge down on him with your knife.

He isn't going to use that trick again, so even if we had the charge to raikousen, it wouldn't do us much good.

Either way, keep the tumult shell ready, because that thing is a lifesaver.

>>27813371
>Fall past him. Land hard, build charge.
No point in taking a risk when we can build a solid amount of charge.

>>27813440
Its limited like grenades and i don't like us just throwing them away like candy.

>>27813371
Fall past, build up charge. He's strong enough that our rock-paper-scissors-electric-beats-fire is heavily weakened, but it's still there.

Lightning good, getting ridden all the way down to earth bad.

>>27813371
>Fall past him. Land hard, build charge.
If Saetos is going to use his gimmicks, there's no reason we shouldn't be implementing ours. We know we can hit him, and we know we can hurt him, but we need juice to do anything significant, and we've frankly been running on empty for most of this op.

Also, ask Diamond how long that exchange was and if backup is still en route.

>>27808621
In case it hasn't been mentioned yet, AIM FOR THE WINGS

that seems to be his regeneration bull and speed/main strength, Plus after they're gone his large buster will be (kind of) easy to dodge and his magnet claws will help us fry the hell out of him.

Plus, as wings, I'll assume they're less armored

>>27813371
>Fall past him. Land hard, build charge.

I think he's seen us use every weapon but our inbuilt gimmick. Time to charge that up.

>>27813371
>Fall past him. Land hard, build charge.

>>27813553
The Mavericks already know who we are. They've got a moniker for us and everything ("Double A").

>>27813590
Have we used Raisouken outside of that one practice fight?

I wonder how much charge we can build...

>>27813652
We've used it several times.

>>27813590
We know of the plumes, but they can still catch us off guard. Its the same for him and whatever weapons we use.

>>27813664
The Raishoryuken hasn't been used outside one night of drunken revelry.

>>27813858
Raishoryuken with the lance and if we hit, fry his ass. We should have around 20%-30% charge from that. Empty it.

>>27813858
Which doesn't really help us if there is an intel leak.

Still, it's worth a shot. Hit the ground hard, then use the Hunter to force him close and raishoryuken his ass.

>>27813987
With the laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaance.

>>27814145
In that case it would be more of a Vapor Thrust.

>>27814145
>>27814215
we can throw in a flip and a boost for a flash kick

>>27813371
Speaking of which, what's our charge at?

>>27814290
HC said 20-30% in the chat

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Maybe we should start looking for heart tanks or something.

>>27813371
Land, blackout chaff the ground in front of us when he comes down and hit him with a tumult shell to disrupt his EM fields.

>>27813371
I had a few QUESTIONS.

1) What do Steel Berets look like? I've been imagining them as more stream-lined Redips Guards with steel paintjobs.

2) Are solid metal weapons (like the Z Ichimonji or Soul Saber) still used by Maverick Hunters? If so, can they match up to beam based weapons?

Aaand damnit I had some other questions but I cannot remember them now.

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>>27813438
>>27813443
>>27813496
>>27813519
>>27813553
>>27813575
You opt not to risk it--you get exactly one chance with the knife, and you don't want to lose it. Instead, you pull in your limbs and sail past Saetos, even faster than he was expecting--even the near-constant barrage of lasers miss you clean as you drop like a rock. You unfurl into a crouch at the end of your dive and hit the ground hard, feeling the shock run through your limbs (and wind the almighty hell out of your coils).

You don't even stop long enough to look up, switching weapons again as you trigger the newly-charged raikousen system and leap airward, swinging your lance around and up. Sure enough, you feel it bite into a descending Saetos, clearly keen to follow up while you're recovering. The hit feels good and solid (and throws another couple percent into your capacitors), and, you note with satisfaction, actually staggers the son of a bitch for a moment.

Not long, though--he levels his buster on you at point blank range as you both plummet. This time, it's your turn to deflect the fiery death by swinging for the fences inside his reach, only just deflecting his arm and sending the sizzling ball of death askance. An instant later and you both hit the ground. You dive in opposite directions, him in a leap, you in a roll, coming up for more.

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>>27814484
He's too close to get another shot off, so he doesn't try--thundering in and sending a snap kick at the side of your head. You heft your lance and block it, shrugging him off to your side as you shoulder-tackle into him. When he doesn't budge, you throw some zap into your dash, sending him stumbling backwards. You try to wheel the lance and make a wide overhead slash, aiming for the joints in his pinions, but he sharply knees you in the face, grabbing your wrist and flapping his wings to take off--nothing doing, as you work your free hand around and shoot him in the hand with another Lockon Hunter, forcing him to let go. You try to follow it up by wrapping his wing in a T. Coil, but he simply fans them and rends the damned braid apart without effect. Still, the distraction lets you disengage forcefully, by which you mean you dropkick him and engage your thrusters. He stays put, you go flying, skidding to a halt about thirty feet away. Saetos readied his buster to chase after you, firing another sun-sphere--you immediately redirect your momentum with another raikousen and vault over the ball of death and come in with one more high, overhand cut, digging crossways across his breastplate--now pitted from multiple impacts, but holding strong. He leaps backward again, balancing with his wings as he watches you appraisingly.

And then he rockets skyward, plumes taking on a red-hot glow as he climbs.

>>27814504
Get ready to Tumult Shell his plumes. Make sure to capitalize on the loss of mobility if he lands again.

>>27814504
Might want to use a rocket to give us cover from whatever the fuck he's about to do.

Also maybe a shell

>>27814504
Yeah. He's going to drop like a big hot rock on top of us - I'd want to hear from the rest of the group on this, but I'm leaning towards every defensive move we can manage. If we can survive and dodge this assault, we'll have a window afterwards while he's stunned and recovering from the miss.

>>27814745
Make sure we do it at the last second, this bastard can stop on a dime.

>>27814585
>>27814745
>>27814946
I say flack rocket just to give us some chaif between us and him, gives us time to prep, plus he won't be able to see our color changed to shell mode.. If he does manage to see through it then we can last second shell. If he tries and misses we can try using a storm of buster shots. His armor's starting to strain so it might be more effective now

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>>27814504
You aim after him, but he's off like a shot, far, far out of your effective range. The red glow from the plumes cuts tracers across your eyes even against the sun, as the glow increases in brightness and intensity.

And then I'iwi Warwing quite literally screams in, with a roar of "Oh fucking no you don't!" A dozen hunters are in the air after him, filling the air with plasma, even as they're already being shot down by a storm of UV lasers.

Diamond is up in the air a second later, flying in on an intercept as Warwing slams into Saetos in midair. The plumes fire--shots going wide and missing you as they streak to the earth like blazing javelins. "Seventh, airborne! Jump the bastard!"

This one's out of your hands, now--you might peg him with a Lockon Hunter at extreme range, but you have all of two of the damned things left.

You feel your stomach lurch as Saetos grabs Warwing, seizing him with both hands, and tears the poor bastard in fucking two. Warwing falls, firing his buster up at Saetos with his remaining arm even as he dies. Saetos turns to repeat the performance on the battered Diamond, leveling his buster--

And then an artillery shell strikes him square in the chest. He actually drops a few hundred feet, dazed, and Diamond shoulders into him at full speed. You hear the impact of metal on metal as they start to grapple. A call starts you out of the reverie, though--"Anode! Hit the plumes!"

Sure enough, thanks to Warwing's intervention, they're vulnerable. A few hunters break off from above or rush in, firing at the weaponized feathers before they retract back skyward. You pour on your fire, hoping you don't lose the rest of the Seventh in the few seconds you're not looking up.

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>>27815033
The plumes mostly went wide, one or two embedding in walls or equipment. The parts from slain hunters literally rain down around you as you sweep busterfire across the ground, destroying one plume, then another, then a third. You hope the sacrifice was worth it--and where's Siskin in all of this?

An explosion overhead demands your attention, a sun detonating on some hapless and now very very dead Jetlight with the Air Cavalry. Silhouetted against it are two figures--hell, one and a half. Saetos stands high, even without most of his plumes, literally ablaze with light and fury. Still, though unbowed, he seems disoriented by that artillery shot. Diamond--or what's left of him--pours all his energy into his thrusters and upends the grapple. The two fall to earth like a meteor, and as they get close you can literally see Emerald's brother burning away, one wingfoil shorn off, a shattered arm flapping uselessly behind him, his formerly sterling armor warping and discolored under the heat of a sun. Still, he holds on viciously as the pair plummets. At the last second, he shoots Saetos square in the face and breaks off, fluttering ungainly downward as Saetos hits the ground so hard you feel it from three hundred feet away.

Comms ping. "Kick his ass," Diamond manages through clenched teeth as his flight system finally dies out and he tumbles to earth out in the field.

>>27815033
or this happens

>>27815062
Can we put some of our charge into a lockon shot? if so, clip the mother fucker's wings

>>27815062
Dash up and misericorde the fucker!

>>27815062
Raikousen over there, if our charge is still 20~% lance him and empty it. If he survives, dagger.

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>>27815062
Saetos hauls himself up, no less imposing after that landfall. You don't intend to let him recover any longer than you can help--you close the distance as you get ready to make the attack, maybe now you can get him with--

And that's when your comms ping again. "Hey, Anode?" Siskin's voice calls. "Jump."

You don't need telling twice. You leap as a chain of explosions rip through the ground below. Saetos stumbles as the earth heaves and shudders, and then the entire bottom falls out of Shangri-La.

The tunnel charge is finally detonated, collapsing the ground out from under. You fall another forty or so feet, landing near to the twice-dropped maverick.

"Well," you observe helpfully, "Looks like I got you into the tunnel after all."

There's no anger, or outrage, not even surprise or fear. Saetos simply hauls himself back up, ready for more, none the worse for wear, aside from missing his plumes. He even wears his trademark smirk. "Let's see if it was worth your honor and your dead."

"Honor? You want to talk about fucking honor?" You scoff. "Here's honor--you're built stronger, faster, and better than anyone in this battle, and yet you call me out here talking about a 'fair fight.' Fuck you. There is no such thing as a fair fight. If you're going to hand me an advantage and just breeze in here, I'm going to take it."

"I see." His grin only widens as you circle one another, re-evaluating the battlefield. It's different now--something in his demeanor has changed, but not for the worse. Above you, the Communications unit does their part--on either side of the pit they wheel up floodlamps. They cast a glow across most of the area now, and you suspect this is the "not-quite-UV" you were asking for. "Why?"

"Because this isn't about my life or my honor," you reply, readying up again. "It's about saving lives."

Saetos nudges a piece of scrap in the dirt over with his talon. It's a Reploid hand. "Well done."

>Round two. Go.

>>27814455
Sorry about the delay on answering these, had to get through those posts.
1: They're precursors to X4's Knot Berets.
2: They're rare and situational, but they exist, and in some situations can be more helpful than a beam weapon. A lot of defense systems primed to guard against beam blades are that much more vulnerable to a solid metal one. There's both heavy and light alloy materials available, too.

>>27815536
We still haven't used the misericorde, so we have to make it absolutely count. We only have one shot, so we need to make sure everything is in our favor when we go for the stab. Crack some armor, get him in the jugular, something.

He's lost his plumes, so now he's out one of his weapons and his maneuverability is presumably reduced. Unfortunately, most of our arsenal doesn't seem to work. Let's see if we can't build up a charge for a big finish.

tl;dr -
>Get a solid misericorde shot in something vital.
>Gain some charge for a big electric finish.

>>27815676
It's cool, thanks. I was asking about the blade because I was thinking up a samurai-based Hunter and wondering if a solid metal blade would be a half-decent gimmick or just a useless prop. Of course said Hunter will also have a pair of beam sabers hidden in their armor, but the metal one would be the main weapon.

>>27815536
Get close! Melee is our specialty, so use it! Don't forget the bloody misericorde, it's our best bet for cracking that badass armor of his. Once it's cracked, work the lance and use our electricity.

Per request on the IRC, after that fall your current C. Capacitor charge is sitting around 30%. You've got 8 of your Tumult Shells left and 4/16 Lockon Hunter, which is enough for two more overcharge beams. T. Coils you're not close to running out of, and you've got 6 chaff rockets left.

>>27815536
>If you had kept to your hit and run tactics you would have won and slaughtered us all. There are several dozen Hunters up top side that are currently alive right now because you challenged me. Thank you.

>>27815779
Let's fry us some fowl. Go in and attempt to empty our charge via lance strike

>>27815699
I'll support this.

>>27815699
Our lance with charge assisted boosts seems to hurt him. Apparently it's a matter of momentum

We MIGHT be able to do the same with a shell, the armor may be holding but we might be doing internal damage

First priority is breaking his wings and/or shell, that way the rest of our arsenal (mainly the shit we got plenty of/dont run out of) can actually damage the fucker)

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>>27816114
>>27815827
>>27815769
>>27815699
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urdyRHAzIFM

His mobility's diminished, but not gone--down here, though, you have solid walls to bound off or wire to, and that improves your own. By now, though, you've gotten a feel for Saetos and the immense power he has. By far, he's the stronger at ranged, so you're going to deny that to him now, too.

Not that he's going to make it easy on you.

"Anode?" Siskin comms. "I'm pulling out from the other end of the tunnel with your Berets and Lanceteamers. We're going to get topside and establish a firing line. No matter what happens, he's not getting out of that pit."

You tap your comms back once to confirm, but say nothing. Dozens have died to bring you to this moment, and right now, either you or him is going to be the next.

Saetos's movements are smooth, unhurried, confident. Despite the scramble you've gone through to get him into this glorified ditch, he's still just smirking, the same as ever. It's... well, you can't deny his self-confidence, not that it doesn't piss you off.

Still, you keep a level head yourself, refusing to lose it right at the end.

Saetos opens fire first, releasing a spray of lasers that, for the first time, you see coming--fast moving and indistinct bolts cutting in and out as they pass through the light from the lamps above. It comes in rapid-fire bursts, forcing you to bob and weave. He levels his buster again, but holds fire--likely waiting until you commit to a move. You launch a coil into the wall above his head, jump, and then redirect with another coil down, pulling yourself out of the way as the sizzling ball of heat melts through the first cable cleanly. You close in and duck under a rising kick, cutting him on the back of his leg. Before you can disengage he clocks you in the head with the reverse-crescent.

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>>27817039
Your capacitors shoot up 3% on the impact--apparently those magnetics cut both ways. You tumble to the side with the impact and retreat from a flurry of attacks, backdashing to avoid another volley of fire. He triggers that UV flash this time, masking the positions of the lasers in a blanket of white. Still, he only scores a few glancing hits on you as you turn and come back in for another exchange.

Every time you've tried to nail him, he's seen it coming--stowing the lance just takes too much time. So this time, you take your risk. At around 40% charge, you go from a sprint into a full raikousen. Your lance swings forward--

And then cuts back, throwing off his timing as you surge in on a wake of lightning, snapping your misericorde alight.

The impact takes him square in the chest, a momentary widening of his eyes betraying the surprise. For a hundredth of a second you're face-to-face with the maverick before a gout of steam explodes between you as your knife rams home.

And then his arm lashes through the cloud as he backhands you full-force. Your lance flies from your hand (the misericorde, though LN-depleted, is harder to dislodge) as you soar clear across the room and slam back-first into the far wall. You immediately scrabble to the side, firing a tumult shell ahead of you for his inevitable follow-up.

But it never comes. When the steam cloud disperses, Solstrike Saetos is clutching his chest. He stands, ignoring the shell as it plinks off his shoulder, revealing a colossal rent in the steadfast armor plate that's turned aside so many attacks.

You've cracked his shell--or at least made a vulnerability. He eyes you again, re-evaluating you for the third time. Still no fear, no hesitation--your eyes and his both flit to your lance, and back again.

>Get it!
>It's not worth the risk.

35% charge after that exchange.

>>27817058
We still have some shells, so we should leave the lance where it is. There might be a better chance to grab it, but right now he's looking at us and his buster can do too much damage as we try and get it.

Keep the fight centered around it, so it won't be to hard to commit to getting it should we need it.

Test his new rent armor out too with standard buster and maybe a blackout rocket

>>27817058
Can we use the T. Coil to grab the lance?

Nobody would expect that

>>27817058
He's expecting you to go for it. Feign it, then attack him.

>>27817058
feign going for the lance then lockon hunter the damaged armor

>>27817058
Leave the lance alone for now. We have a hole, and Saetos is finally vulnerable. Alpha strike with some ordnance on his new hole, and grab the lance while he's recovering.

Rolled 10

>>27817058
>>27817058
Lightning dash ri- lost our lance, FUCK. Can we recover our lance? Probably not. Our misericorde is out of LN, but it's still a hi weapon. Hi-beam? Hi-phase? I can't remember. Either way it's stabby. I suggest trying to keep close to our lance, but the main focus here should be shanking his ass.

>>27817125
Or this. For the love of god, if we can do this, fucking do it, then slot it in our buster and DASH DASH DASH.

>>27817058
>Feint. Look like your going for it then Hunter his chest.

>>27817161
We still do have are misericorde, it's just nitroless.

Hell even if it doesn't work he don't know that. For all he knows it's just as potent. We should use it for major feints

>>27817125
That would be fantastic.

We should totally link the lance to a T. Coil permanently and then throw it as a form of attack.

>>27817235
Hell, I don't think we've used our T. Coil well enough.

We should steal tricks from the Gouf Custom.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h4vObEQUAA

>>27817235
Fight now. Upgrade later.

>>27817058
overcharge lockon hunter hole, t-coil lance. He's vulnerable now, time to go for the kill.

>>27817321
That guy lost though

>>27817526
Because he didn't shove his goddamn Heat Sword into the other guy's chest, then use the EZ8 as a meatshield instead of a hostage. That thing has tough armour.

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>>27817171
>>27817161
>>27817159
>>27817158
>>27817137
>>27817125
>>27817115
You take a moment to catch your breath, stow the knife, and examine yourself--you're riddled with laser scorchmarks, and only now you realize that the armor around your heels is half melted from that fucking sunchucker of his. You're tired and feeling the ache, certainly, but damaging Saetos's armor has given you a much needed morale boost. You can hurt him. You can do this.

You dash in, making for the lance at all speed--And then you stop short, pivot, and fire a chaff rocket at him. Saetos boosts up out of the way and you reply with another. He has to stop and cover his chest with his arm--the chaff doesn't damage him, but he can't risk taking some shrapnel to the heart now. Still, he powers out of the chaff cloud as you switch to a T. Coil, snagging the lance and whipping it back toward you. You reach out to catch it on the run, stripping off the bladed coil as you do. Lasers chase you around the room, keeping you defensive as you plot your next attack.

...Got it. You kick off the wall again and clear the room in another bound. You alternate between raikousen and regular dashing, mixing up your speed and avoiding the worst of his laser shots. You feel one burn across your cheek as you draw close, cocking back your lance--

His buster comes up and fires--

In a split second two shots cross paths.

Your lance clatters to the ground for the second time.

A moment later, so does your forearm.

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>>27817797
Saetos slumps back against the wall, the barrel of your buster placed square to his chest, having just been pierced by your second-to-last Lockon Hunter. For a moment, the both of you are too stunned to do anything as the pain floods you all at once.

He moves first, headbutting you, your helmet cracking with a sharp snap. You stumble back and only just leap clear, firing a T. Shell to negate the follow-up fusion buster shot. It peters out, the both of you still reeling from the other's strike.

The laser didn't quite go through clean, taking a little more of the stress-fatigued breastplate with it. The breach is wider, a few sparks of electricity arc inside from the grievous damage you just inflicted, but Saetos is still standing. He locks eyes with you one more time, the still-clear expression tinged with fatigue and resignation.

And then he begins glowing. Rising up in the air, held stable by his thrusters in all directions, he's surrounded by a bubble of crackling EM energy a moment before he begins projecting a giant ball of fusion energy.

Saetos begins guiding the magnetic envelope toward you. Your shots plink off the barrier around him ineffectively.

Something tells you that you don't want to get hit by this.

>?

>>27817832
Throw our arm. Armored and EM resistant enough to survive the Magnets and with luck punch him in the fucking heart, and won't phase like our shots. At best that kills him, at worst he'll lose the EM field and I'll assume be surprised

Alt, Tcoil though I'm sure that'd just fry.

Alt Alt, AKA Coward's way out. Tcoil boost through the hole, we've cracked him enough the field of fire our friends have can finish him with no losses.

Did we loose our right or our left hand?

Do we still have the T. Coil?

>>27817832
>Tumult Shell.
>T. Coil the walls and let the ball hit that to dissipate the EM field.
>Raikousen awaaaaaaaay.

>>27817890
Are you suggesting we pull a Zeus?

>>27817924
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNst3QfD9tE

Why not?

>>27817832
What do we have that destabilizes EM or a magnetic envelope?

>>27817940
Then very much: Yes! Do it!.

>>27817972
Our own magnets.

I don't know if our arm has the configuration for disrupting it.

>>27817972
>>27818001

Of course, our lance! grab that thing a turn it into a javelin! Straight to the heart!

>>27818001
>>27818056
As long as we can pop that envelope like a zit.

>>27817891
T.Coil is linked to your busters, you can still use it.

Also, you guys are insane.

>>27818147
Good kind or bad kind?

>>27818195
...I'll get back to you.

>>27818195
Well, obviously that depends on whether or not we win.

>>27818074
Think we can use our charge right after? Like link the coil to the limb/lance then send a charge to fry him inside and out?

Because I think we should make a fried chicken skewer out of Foghorn Leghorn

I second the idea of roasted bird. If popping his fire balloon doesn't roast him following it up with a jolt into his chest cavity should do the trick

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>>27817890
>>27817974
>>27818056
>>27818074
Saetos grins at you doggedly, guiding and shaping the EM field to direct that ball of death slowly toward you. "Here comes the sun."

You snag your lance again, wind up, and throw, all in one fluid motion--it pierces the EM bubble around Saetos--

And then the blade tinks ineffectually off his glowing side. He pauses for a moment, frowning. "...Seriously?"

You'd shrug, if you weren't missing an arm and being chased by a tiny star. It half-worked, anyway. The maverick resumes his attack, unmolested, pursuing you with the massive energy ball, trying to limit your maneuverability--from here you can see the energy bounding around through the gaping hole in his chest, swathed in it, controlling it, guiding it--how much power does it take t--

Wait. Wait, that's it.

Now you just have to survive--that fusion ball is changing colors, and it reminds you unpleasantly of a simulation you saw of a dying star.

Specifically, an expanding one.

You scramble up the wall, feeling the dirt drying out and your armor melting just by sheer proximity. You slow your climb, waiting despite the growing heat. The fusion orb begins to pulse, converting to raw plasma--

And you drop down, hit the floor, and throw everything you have into a Raikousen, feeling the world shudder and burn behind you. Ahead, the bubble fades from Saetos and his armor returns to its normal color--he raises an arm, converting it to a buster...

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>>27818864
When you fought Jagwire, you killed him by leeching the energy he had drained from his victims. With Saetos, he already has an abundance.

So you give him too much. Thrusting your hand through the breach in his chest, you offload all of your capacitors at once straight into his systems.

The results are immediate--his UV flash begins strobing and the laser gems studding his armor begin blinking rapidly. He shoves you away, gripping his throat, chest burning--he gets off one last shot, blasting you off your feet, just like his first ambush. You hit the ground and tumble, vision swimming, limbs failing to work as you struggle to reach for the lance just outside arm's reach. Your stomach sizzles from a gaping wound, and your leg is gone.

Saetos staggers, bracing against the wall, as your senses cut in and out, critically damaged. He stands upright again, leveling his buster--but there’s no fire. Those sharp green eyes meet yours one last time between pulses of wild energy, all the laser emitters blinking on and off at random.

And this time, there's just the barest hint of a real smile.

He looks up at a noise you can't hear as shadows begin to strobe against the walls from above.

"It would have been," he chuckles, "a hell of a tiebreaker."

Saetos takes a step toward you. Then it all goes dark.

…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFWTFrx3Mmk

>>27818883
...Welp. I know this sounds morbid, but from that scene, all I can picture is Anode cramming energy down Saetos' throat while going "EAT IT FOGHORN!". It makes the fact that we lost so much and juuuust barely survived bareable.

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And that's it for tonight. I'll try to pick this thread back up tomorrow.

I need to go grab some things in town, but I'll be back in about 20 minutes. If you've got any questions (that won't be answered in your immediate future), go ahead and ask 'em.

>>27818883
WHAT A CLIFFHANGER

I can't wait for tommorow.

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>>27818974
So thread. What have we learned from this encounter?
>The Mavericks have competent counterintelligence assets.
>Fuck the sun.

If possible I'd like to do a wake for all of our guys who died on this mission.

>>27819057
Does that include Anode?

>>27819040
At this point, we've actually died once, nearly died on all of our other missions, and indirectly caused the deaths of quite a few humans.

I'm thinking, if we actually survive our eighth mission, Anode needs to retire. Or, at the very least, take an extended vacation back to home base. Get the moms and dads to refit or replace all of our damaged bits and bobs.

>>27819074
There's absolutely no debate that Anode is out of commission for a while. He hasn't been this screwed up since he channeled the Enigma cannon to vaporize Guns Wallaby.

>>27819071
Yes... no... okay, how about a wake for those who irreversibly died.

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>>27819040
>fuck the sun
quite the opposite: the sun is a powerful thing, and one shouldn't fuck WITH it.

Not unless you're one of its champions.

>>27818974
Alright. Got some big ones and now that Saetos is dead, I think it confirmed my theroies from before. If I were to guess, Saetos was likely a much lighter model, if I would assume using solar energy to power his systems and attacks. Hence 'Solstrike' instead of the literal meaning of 'I am going to throw fucking SUNS at you boy.'. His mods are.. if I were to guess the order, the high powered energy reactor so he doesn't require solar energy, increased armor both to insulate and protect that huge power core of his, and to off set his weight and newly gained lack of mobility for being a lighter model with stuff designed for a heavy, those feather boosters.

In short, he was probably designed as a high flying one shot wonder. A mobile kill sat with one really nasty trick and then recharges it slowly, but safely. Then he went 'pfft, silly humans and your safety' and went balls to the walls. Remove the limitations, buffed himself up in other fields then added MORE things to make up for his new weaknesses.

>>27819094
I'd kinda like to hear that conversation. If I remember correctly, our creators are based out of the USA.

"So, uh, don't be mad, but I kinda fried an eagle. To be fair, he was throwing man-sized miniature suns at me at the time."

>>27819118
Was he a bald eagle?
>...No?
Then don't worry about it. USA USA USA

>>27819102
I can confirm that the plumes were not original to Saetos and he had a ton of work done on his power systems.

Okay, so here's the million zenny question.

What do we do with his weapons data?

>>27819146
Depends on what we get.
Helio Breaker?

>>27819040
I think I learned a different lesson along with those.

Bigger enemies need to be taken down bit by bit. Solstrike had huge power, defenses, and mobility, but with clever thinking, we dealt with each part. Strip away his wings, make a chink in his armor, and overload his huge generator. If we treat big targets like that as just a 'go right at the guy with all we got', we WILL die.

Also that those guys from the 17th who killed half our men are dicks. Seriously. What the fuck.

>>27819146
we rename it in honor of those who died for us to get it.

>>27819162
>If we treat big targets like that as just a 'go right at the guy with all we got', we WILL die.
When have we ever actually done that? You always compartmentalize and rationalize.

>>27819146
We need to figure out if his weapons data is the sun-tosser or the invisible UV buster.

If the former, we choke it down a bit in size to limit collateral damage and up the ammo capacity.

If the latter, we add it to the Lock-On Hunter to make it an even better sniper weapon and, hopefully, up the capacity a bit.

Alternatively, if it's the sun-tosser, we could add it to the Blackout Rocket. Attempt to convert the chaff field into a full-on atomic plasma field.

>>27819162
>Also that those guys from the 17th who killed half our men are dicks. Seriously. What the fuck.
....except them. We don't include them when we chiristen whatever we get.

>>27819195
>Alternatively, if it's the sun-tosser, we could add it to the Blackout Rocket. Attempt to convert the chaff field into a full-on atomic plasma field.
Wouldn't that defeat the original purpose of the Blackout Rockets? To scramble enemy systems and deny space?

>>27819195
Honestly, I would suggest a copy of those plume bits designed for our system. Attacking from various angles and using the coil to increase our mobility would make us a more capable and versatile foe. That and we could design them to look like javalines. Give them a new name too so we could make it so Saetos is just a foot note.

And while I am not saying it's not what we do, it is what those two idiots from the 17th did. They tried pressing and got almost all our steel barrets killed.

>>27819216
I am absolutely certain a giant ball of plasma will do both of those things with gusto. And also fire.

>>27819216
Scrambling systems? Kinda. Enough radiation can fuck up any system.

Area-denial? Not so much, if it's a sustained field like he was making at the end there.

Another idea: He was using electromagnetics to direct one there at the end, right? Why not try to make it where we can fire the choked-back mini-suns, and then whip them around, using our C. Capacitor charge.

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>>27819273
Electric-plasma ball-and-chain?

>>27819260
In fact, I suggest that if Diamond is actually gone, that we name them Diamond Javalines. If not, Sparrow Spears for the brave sparrows who sacrificed themselves.

So CL and I agree this is probably one of our favorite threads so far. I definitely can't complain about the turnout.

What did you guys think?

>>27819324
Considering it's the climax to Anode's toughest and most dramatic fight yet, I don't blame you.

>>27819302
Yep. See, the problem I'm seeing with the sun-tosser is that the output is slow. If we can control it, and the mass is small enough, we can whip it around, or slingshot it, to get some extra momentum on it.

Or ball-and-chain it, then let it go, like a sun-throwing sling.

>>27819324
Oh, no kidding.

>>27819333
Indeed. I just hope Diamond is ok. I really don't want to break it to Emerald that we might have got him killed.. and maybe destroyed the Misticord.

>>27819324
I do not have enough thumbs to give the the number of thumbs up I want to give you.

>>27819324
Best one I've been to in a while. Quality's the same, but the action is way higher. Mostly because, well, the enemy was so much stronger.

I gotta say, forcing us to use up our one free death to hammer home the fact that we can die permanently was just a touch dickish, but a really good way to get a point across.

>>27819431
That was a tutorial death. Doesn't count.

The thread has been archived.

>>27819456
Yeah, we just need to go and kill some robot bats until our head falls from them and we should have plenty!

Wait, we are set to just before X3... fuck.

>>27819431
>>27819456
I'd say we've finally broken one of the rules of Iron Man Mode.

Ah well.

Still, great thread, Command.

Wish there was a full body for Saetos so I'd have something to work off of; I don't want to mess up with his design or anything...

>>27819494
Take Storm Eagle, then make him huge and red.

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>>27819494
In lieu of any official full portrait, feel free to do your own thing. ELK and I both love what you've done with your own interpretations. If you want a starting basis, I think ELK said he made him sort of like a ship's figurehead to help make him more regal and further distinguish him from a Storm Eagle recolor.

Awww I just got here... Am reading through it now.

Did we ever get to use the "nickname/insult exchange" thing thought up at the tail end of the last thread?

I was really looking forward to us calling him Foghorn Leghorn.

I'm more for wings like his to give us total maneuverability. Right now we're VERY fast on the ground but can't do shit to air. Taking the plumes as is gives us that ability, as well as throwing feathers that regenerate us. UNLIKE stratos, we're plenty fast even without them so we can dash on the ground while shooting them to harass and area deny

Also we'd have fucking feathers all over the place, which is swag as fuck.

When it comes to altering our tech, we can up our busters to actually do damage as well as fire fucking fast, get an even more insane generator, add super plasma or inviso beams to basically all our attacks and more.

No matter what we choose or upgrade it's going to be great.

On a side note we really need to find a way to get more Nitro into our knife, that and lockon is all we have vs heavy armor targets

>>27819908
also with how much were getting paid for this bullshit we should see about commissioning a memorial and/or revisiting old weapon data

>>27819908
>>27819936
If we could get the feathers, I'm seeing an idea:

The feathers are metal. Include a super-conductor in the design and use a few of them to arc electricity around like crazy and severely deny an area by fully electrifying it while we fly/hang overhead.

>>27819936
Let's electrify our T. Coil.

>>27819973
Electrified and zipline-style retractable.

>>27819936
I was thinking we could donate to Lifesaver Central.

>>27820024
We could do that.

>>27819908
If we could get wings, that would be pretty hardcore. We could lance dive from the stratosphere.

>>27819936
Yes. A memorial needs to be built. Lot of good reploids died to bring down Saetos.

>>27819324

Well this was an awesome thread, yes.

>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J7K3yacig4
>My theme song for this whole fight. Except for a few Ace Combat tunes like White Devil.

I'm a bit sad at the lack of Foghorn Leghorn especially when there was an actual "Bantering" scene, but oh well...

>>27819908
Let's leave the aerial dogfighting to the one who was actually designed for this -- India.

Hell, if she has enough money saved up, she could probably purchase some nice weaponry from the Saetos data.

>>27819936
Hmmm... I'm thinking of giving back in a material way rather than with a memorial. Like maybe what >>27820024 here suggested.


Also... Another odd enemy. His attitude -- not the smug and arrogant bits -- confuses me a bit...

Guys, we really need to upgrade our lance's damage. We've been avoiding it and focusing on busters.

I say we order another copy of Saetos' weapon data, because it is bound to be balla.

>>27820262
Melee training in general seems to be in order. Anode got away with his melee engagements by being inordinately clever this time, plus considering Anode is the more physical of the Diode Twins, it's worth reinforcing that point.

We should constantly preserve Anode's adaptability, though. Being able to excel in most any situation is, according to Schwarzhund himself, his greatest strength.

>>27820384
>Joint sparring with Schwarz and Grach, maybe Ursa as well.
To this music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wga5A6R9BJg

>>27820184
Yeah, I get the feeling that our "saving lives" thing genuinely impressed him. Maybe a little bit of the real him coming out from under the Virus?

>>27820427
That is, without a doubt, where Ursa was made.

...we need to ask if he knows how to dance.

>>27820184
India is good, but like Swartz said, it's best to be able to do everything and do it well. It's more or less the only reason we're still alive

Too strong? We're fast.
Too fast? Area denial weapons like blackout and rapid fire busters
Melee? We got ranged and speed
Ranged? Our two melee weapons cover each other's weaknesses and armor

Throw in the ability to fly and what can't we do?

Until we go mav of course

>>27820544
I don't think Anode can survive being called a peacock for more than two days. Besides, I doubt the plumes will be the weapon data that is offered. If anything, the plumes (or what's left of them) will be confiscated and analyzed by Command.

>>27820544

And yet Schwartz apparently doesn't fly.

Spread yourself too much, and none of your tricks individually match up.

>>27820583
On another note, his magnetic tallons would really be cool to throw into our systems. I'm sure we can find cool ways to use this with our systems and weapons.

Oh, also watch that ALL of this was modified and his true weapon data, all we get, is something retarded like eagle vision

>>27820606
The idea to combine his sun throwing buster and the EM field that he used there at the end to guide it was already tossed out.

See: >>27819273, >>27819302, and >>27819339.

>>27820590
I just pictured Schwarts with plumes of colorful feathers flying around with the grimmest face ever while everyone else looks on confused, horrified, and desperately stifling laughter.

>>27820590
There's a difference between being well-rounded and adding excess gimmicks to APPEAR well-rounded. Flight is honestly one of those gimmicks. Anode doesn't need it.

Or we could go with the blinding SOLAR FLARE! that Saetos had. That seems like a simple, dirty and effective trick.

>>27820650
I was thinking less flight and more melee weapons that can be used as long range area denial. Aka, turning the feathers into javalines. Way I saw it, those plumes were basically verner thrusters for Saetos. He could already fly, but this boosted his speed and mobility. Add the coils and we could really zip around without actually flying.

>>27821150
Again, I'd probably bet that Command is going to take the plumes for themselves for investigation, not to mention how inhumane they are.

>>27819529
oh man
I guess I'll give a go sometime soon, then.

>>27820667
Between Tcoil and Blackout, I dont think we need more of those kind of tricks.
Personally, I put my Vote behind whatever gets the most heavy ranged Artillery. I think it's the one thing we really need, and something that might have helped here. And I dont think think we can really rely on the Lockon hunter for it, considering overcharging it is the only way we can get that kind of power, and limits it's ammo.
Buying more Weapon Data copies sounds like a plan though. Also, man, Some new armor probably sounds like a reeeeeally good idea now. Also curious about maybe fabricating non-VWS weapons based on some of this stuff. Didn't we have the option to make a shotgun out of something at one point?

>>27820667
I'd vote that, if only because that move stayed useful throughout all of Dragonball.

>>27821230
Mr Blue Sky, compared to the mini suns which have wiped out armies and the sheer trauma the bugger did, it's no more inhumane than the variety of tricks he has.

Besides, unlike him, we have something to retrieve them with instead of the energy of the fallen. I don't expect 100% versions of what Saetos has, but right now, their selling point is their mobility boosting and the chance to use them as mid range strategic weaponry. We have a lot of long range, scary short range, but mid range is not our strong suit and while the flak offers area denial, Saetos proved that even that can't stop highly mobile or armored foes.

Not saying power isn't bad, but we need ways to attack via different vectors too. Besides, with how customized saetos is, they may just confiscate all the fun stuff, so why not hope for something like this as we wait?

>>27821411
I think it was an option for the blackout data

>>27821426
Combine Flash with Lightning Dash.
We blind them, close in at super speed, or blind them AT super speed, and end things as quickly.

>>27821411
We don't need armor. Anode is made of cutting-edge stuff and is built to be innately tough. HC has consistently advised down calls of reinforced armor because Anode is already built strong and doesn't need it. He just has bad luck with his engagements. Consider the damage Anode has already survived thus far.

I'm thinking either a lance upgrade or another saber. We specialized our backup. Maybe either a more regular saber or another misericorde or something?

>>27821466
Anode's busters are his mid-range answer. And at least the miniature suns don't literally drain the life from your husk of a body like a vampire. By reploid standards, that alone is a war crime or crime against humanity/reploids.

>>27819118
>>27819124
ya he was probably a golden eagle like Germany or Rome fuck that,

>>27821543
And did I not say to use the coils and such to retrieve them instead of life drain? Hell, I did mention not having that feature. And while the buster is his mid range, it's not that good a mid range nor is it useful against either A: armored foes or B: Mobile foes. Which we usually face a lot of. Even if we increased the out put with Saetos' buster data, if I recall the thing is pretty heavily modded as is.

Still think we'd be well served by a signle giant fuckoff beam/cannon/etc option, for when we really need it. Just one.
If they pay us as much as they should for this one, we shouldn't even have to choose just one option anyway.

>>27821919
We had an option to get a hardpoint a while back but didn't take it because of the mobility loss

>>27822077
I tend to vote down things that make us more bulky or unwieldy than we need to be. A one-off gimmick should not override core upgrades. I remember when the thread was adamant on installing a zipline hardpoint for the T. Coil to sate their Batman boner.

>>27822119
Yeah. Mobility has saved our bacon so many times.

>>27822077
>>27821919
I meant giant in terms of yield, not in size of the weapon itself

>>27822610
those usually follow one another or you lose ammo.

>>27808621
Giving this a bump, so it can be around for the glorious return of Hunter Command.

I'm up, people. And damn, 250ish posts. Working with Cain Labs on the next bit now. Not sure how long the thread will keep, but we should be good to run more today.

>>27825551
Cool. We still have about 50 posts and /tg/ turn over speed so no worries.

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>>27818883
"Don't try to move."

Not the first thing you'd like to wake up to. But on the bright side, it was a Lifesaver.

You open your eyes, expecting them to be nonfunctional, and are pleasantly surprised to find them working. Did you...?

"It's been two days."

Two days--what? You pull yourself up and--

//Subdirectory accessed
//~<MOTOR
//~<GROSS
//~<DRIVERS
//Process accessed. Automatic debug enabled.
//~<PRIMARY<AUTO<RTFN:FLG0011(Autonomy(crpkindrvr.csr))do:TOGGLE(1)
//~RTFN:FLG0011 toggled (0) off
//Debug check: no .csr enabled, enabling root .csr
//crpkindrvr.csr disabled, running extkindrvr.csr, running manualdrvr.csr
//~RTFN:FLG0008 toggled (1) on, press any key to confirm debug
//Confirmed

Abruptly, your body locks up on you.

"I said don't move," the 'saver huffs in exasperation. “I swear, you tell a patient not to do something and they fall over themselves in their hurry to do it. Now then. Walking’s out, but feel free to talk or flip me off or whatever it is you do.”

“I’d settle for knowing what the hell happened,” you grouse.

“I was getting to that,” the Saver replies gruffly. Dude needs to work on his bedside manner. “First of all, you’re alive, as I’m sure you noticed. We’ve been operating at capacity for the last 48 hours, which is why it took until now to get to you.“

“‘Get’ to me?”

“An A-rank officer from a standing occupation force, when I’m up to my arms in 17th and 0 injured? Take a number, son.“

“Okay, okay, point taken. What’s this about casualties?”

“Maverick blitz,” the exceedingly unprofessional Lifesaver replies, a hint of slow drawl in his voice. “I suppose you haven’t heard.”

Well, no shit.

“Watch it, kid,” he growls, tapping the monitor beside the bed you’re linked to, where ‘well no shit’ is pretty clearly displayed onscreen. “I’m in your head.”

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>>27826618
“Look, sorry, but a moment ago I was in a fight to the finish with a giant fucking eagle and I thought I was dead.”

“No, you’re not, and yes, he is. Anyway. Mavericks launched two separate attacks. Houston, Texas and Hoover Dam. Both G.”

Both? Holy hell. “So that’s where 0 Unit was?”

“There, chasing some bugger in the Caucasus, working on Project Erebor, putting down some idiot company’s brilliant scheme to recreate Sigma or something, dealing with a project neither of us are cleared to know about--ever tried to sift through brain damage when half of it’s [REDACTED?] Gets old, let me tell you. Oh, and it was 17th at the Dam.”

“Great, I get the picture, everyone was busy.”

“Don’t you take that tone with me, boy,” says the snarly medic.

“Listen, dude,” you seethe, “I’m pretty sure a hundred-plus people are dead on the op I went down on. I’m not in a great place right now.”

That actually gives him some pause. “A hundred thirty,” he says quietly.

130? Jesus Christ.

“Afraid so. All of 41 left. It was bad.”

You try to process that. Officers and enlisted alike--a full three-quarters of the force sent after Saetos, just gone. And most of them were killed by him personally.

“...What about Saetos--the target, I mean?”

“Well. Better read this first,” he says, handing you a small datapad. It’s your pay.

Combat mission and retirement of target 15000
Captured equipment 20000
High-priority target bounty-Assistance 4500
High-priority target bounty-Assistance 4500
High-priority target bounty-Assistance 4500
High-priority target bounty-Assistance 4500
Intel - N5 SIfer 10000
Bounty (Nepal) 35000
Command Commission 15000
Hazard Pay - Remobilization 30000
Hazard Pay - S-Class threat 50000

TOTAL: Z193,000

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>>27826635
In addition, several notes have been added--an official letter of gratitude from a representative of Nepal, personal messages from Wolfang and Diamond--he made it out alive--sending their thanks, an apology from Danphe for being recalled and congratulations on your victory, and last, a message from Command commending you for your leadership, courage under fire, and the live capture of an S-class--

Wait, what? Saetos is ALIVE?

“Well… no,” the ‘saver answers, having read your thoughts on the terminal. “You were initially credited with his capture, and technically you did, but… your target offed himself. When he saw hunter reinforcements coming--Blizzard Wolfang and Strikeforce Siskin, report says--he lit up a miniature sun inside his own body, burned himself out. Nothin’ left but slag.”

...Nothing, then. Nothing left of Solstrike Saetos but bad memories and a grisly tally. “...Okay, what about these attacks?”

“Houston was the bad one. One of those Philosophers--Brama--gave an ultimatum--all humans leave the city--or he would start turning captured Reploids into suicide bombs.”

“What? How?”

“Some kind of processing plant for a mass-produced model. 0 had to work with the 9th and 10th--they were thrilled, let me tell you--to disable the central control system without tipping their hand. Now steady on, I’m almost through.”

Sure enough, before long he finishes his work, re-enables your locomotion, and sends you on your way--this time, back to Geneva. Back home.

“Now remember,” he warns, “you got trashed twice in 24 hours. There was only so much we could do--your left leg, right arm, and your side are all production standins until the new ones are ready. Hell, you might ask for leave to run back home for proper replacements, but you’ll need to talk to your CO about that. All right?” You nod. “Good, ‘cause I’m done with you. Stay outta trouble.”

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>>27826653
You have so much to think about--it feels like it’s been ages since you were onbase, even though it was just a few hours ago. Well--a few hours and two days. You still can’t get your head around that--two days. Your brain hasn’t caught up, it still feels like you left just this morning. God, so much has happened.

But you’re alive, one of the minority who set out to the Himalayas who can say that.

You’re alive, and you brought down an S-class. And stepping off the pad, you’re finally back at the Fourth Overland base.

And… what the hell is that beeping? You thought it was something in Lifesaver Central, but it’s still audible.

>?

Check out that noise.

>>27826659
Check it out.

>>27826659
Call Schwartz. Tell him you're back and are going to make a side trip to ... Medical? ... before your debriefing.

Go get that noise checked out.

>>27826659
Call the big dog, thank him for the extra life, let him know we won and survived. Kinda. Check that beeping out.

>>27826709
Out, out, out

CARAMELLOOOOOOOO

I think we should spend some of our pay to do the following:

>Make a donation to Lifesaver Central
>Hold a wake for the 130 dead
>Pay India for loosing our bet.

>>27826892
Wake would be a bad idea, people are busy, no need to pull them from shit. Memorial? Yes, monument, something of the sort. All that.

>>27827263
Agreed, even just something in our room, something to help remember and memorialize them. But everyone's being run ragged, we don't have time for a wake or anything like that. Maybe once things calm down, we can have one for everyone lost, not just the 130 in Nepal.

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>>27826674
>>27826709
>>27826712
The first thing you want to do is find Schwarz and thank him for very literally saving your life. You walk back in, feeling weirdly off-balance--your replacement arm and leg are cheap, relatively speaking, and while they work, your regular limbs are much heavier. You're all lopsided, and your side feels stiff and awkward and leaden.

Schwarz is out of base, according to a check on a wall roster, but--

"Hey! Anode!" Em bounds in, relief on his face. "You're back!"

"Hey," you greet. "I was looking for Schwarz."

"He just left about an hour ago," he replies, "Won't be back for a few days, he said. Big mission." He looks you up and down, noticing the replacement standin parts. "Damn."

"Damn is right. He saved my ass."

"Yeah, I heard." Em pats you on the shoulder. "And on that note, I wanted to thank you. From what Diamond was saying, you're the reason he's alive."

"That's probably the other way around. You should have fucking seen him tackle Saetos out of the sky."

"I figured you'd say that. I'm serious man, thank you. And I'm glad to see you. We were all worried."

With good reason. "Not everyone made it back. Most of us didn't, even."

Em frowns. "Look, just--until he gets back, I'm replacement Schwarzhund, okay?" He clears his throat, then puts on his most sour face, screwing up his voice to get it as low and gruff as possible. "Accept the compliment. Take a break. You need it."

The imitation gets a bit of a laugh out of you. "Okay, okay, 'Schwarz,' thanks. It was a mess though."

Emhund holds up a hand. "Always is. Don't think about it. Not right now. Eats at you."

"All right, that's pretty spot on, did he use that one on you once? Besides, what am I supposed to do, ignore it?"

"For now. For now--"

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>>27827730
You cut him off. "Let me guess. Go drink and be glad I'm alive?"

"Get trashed. Take that Em guy along. Modest. Handsome. Best swordsman in the.." His mimicry slips as you start to grin despite yourself, cracking under the fatigue. "Okay? Relax. No one's gonna be mad if you take some time to get it together again."

"Maybe," you relent, "Maybe. But first--I've been hearing this fucking beeping since I woke up."

"...Weird."

"Yeah. Before I do anything else I want to check it out."

"Come on," Em says, "We'll go borrow the lab."

"And you know, that reminds me. Em looks back at you curiously. "I need to run an op with your sister now to have done the whole set."

"Pfft. Don't get any funny ideas, C3PO."

The two of you head back into the lab and Em quickly hops into the computer chair, typing up a storm. "We'll set up a diagnostic and--the hell?"

"What?"

"It's picking up a comm signal on one band, way at the end of the spectrum. And it's just a string of code."

You look at the screen. Scrolling by in time with the beeping in your head is a long line of binary, repeating the pattern in sequence with the noises.

1010 01 10 011110 1
1000 0
1 0000 0
1000 0 000 1
011 00 1 0000 111 001 1
1 0000 00 000

You lean in. "...It says it's broadcasting from within 5 feet."

"Anode," Em says quietly, "I think there's something in your head."

>...That damn bird.
>...That damn Lifesaver.
>Other?

>>27827755
>>...That damn bird.
>>...That damn Lifesaver.
Both~

>>27827755
>Could be one, could be the other, could be both and could be neither. Lets get my head examined.

>>27827755
Other Panic

>>27827755
Hard to say. I mean, we DID get cracked in the head when we scuffled with Saetos. If it's in our systems, could we discern the nature of it?

>>27827755
HERE COMES THE OTHER SHOE

TIME FOR MAVERICK ANODE

>>27827755
>>Other?
Anybody on base know binary?

>>27827951
I'm pretty sure reploids, by nature, know binary.

>>27827755
That looks like we're just seeing the low bit of a plaintext message.

Can we borrow some more equipment to check nearby frequencies, and frequencies an octave above and below? Maybe we can pick up the rest of it.

Also figure out what the hell the object emitting it is.

Hold off on accusations until we know what the fuck it is. For all we know it's something Liberty Labs put in that's malfunctioning thanks to our "concussion". Which is not to say it's legitimate.

>>27827951
Doesn't seem to be binary; its incomplete or junk . Might be morse.

>>27828019
Not necessarily.

>>27827755
This code is rubbish.

I cannot obtain anything but Wingdings from it.
>
"It would have been," he chuckles, "a hell of a tiebreaker."

>Saetos takes a step toward you. Then it all goes dark.
>putting down some idiot company’s brilliant scheme to recreate Sigma or something
>“Houston was the bad one. One of those Philosophers--Brama--gave an ultimatum--all humans leave the city--or he would start turning captured Reploids into suicide bombs.”

Gentlemen? Foreshadowing.

Morse translate the message as:
.-.-AA'.
.----
.-----
.---TO.
-..ME----SG.
.----MO

>>27827755
>others
Place blame later. Find whatever it is that's doing it and take it out.

>>27828165
Not until we know what it is. What if it's supposed to be there and is just fucking up?

>>27828157
That looks like it means something.

AA is Anode's designation to the mavericks.

Which means somebody wants to meet us.

Don't know what to make of the SG and MO though.

>>27828238
Is it the spy?

>>27828227
I'm translating it it seems to be a morse code message.

First line is:
AA AN' E

>>27828165

Is Em up for brain surgery?

>>27828262
>AA
>E
aw fuck
Anode and Emerald?
is it giving our location away?

>>27828292
That's when you call a professional technician onsite.

Translating morse is hard.

Revised current text:
AA WE AT GI-----.--------.-..--.----...--...---------

>>27828262
>>27828387
No. 0 is dot, 1 is dash.
>-.-. .- -. .----. -
>-... .
>- .... .
>-... . ... -
>.-- .. - .... --- ..- -
>- .... .. ...

>CAN'T BE THE BEST WITHOUT THIS

>>27828157
>>27828262
>>27828387

Okay, so it's somebody trying to get Anode and Emerald to meet them?

>>27828405
This is correct.

The output is CAN'TBETHEBESTWITHOUTTHIS