>>32013932
It doesn't take long for everyone to be ready to move. Loli raises her hand in the air, about to drop it with some exaggerated move-out order before you realize something obvious.
"Hey, the bunker is in a swamp, right?" Everyone nods. "So we really can't bring the tank."

Viktor scratches his head. "Heh, yeah that's true. Well, I don't mind staying here to watch her while you lot go get this favor sorted out."

Ice nods, "no point all of us going. Just crowd ya in."

[ ]Don't split the team. Leave the tank locked.
[ ]Split the team. Leave some with it. (Who?)
[ ]Other?

>>32013947
If Viktor doesn't mind, let him watch the tank.

>>32013947
damnit I really want an artifact to possess it so it can follow Loli around as a friendly pet but also don't want anyone to steal it...

>[ ]Split the team. Leave some with it. (Who?)
leave Ice and Viktor with it

GIRLS NIGHT

>>32013947
>[ ]Split the team. Leave some with it. (Who?)
Viktor because he's in charge of tank. And at least one more to back him up in case of shit, I'd say either Ice or Vass, but only one of them.

>>32013947
>[ ]Split the team. Leave some with it. (Who?)
Get the tank as close as possible, in a densely overgrown area. Tree cover preferrable. Ice and Victor with the tank, but post them wih some distance, not inside the tank. Establish a defensive perimeter, with trip wires and alarms made from empty tin-cans. Assuming we have radio contact, establish a 30 minute confirmation pattern. When arriving at the bunker, check for radio signal strength. If radio strength is waning/fails, reestablish contact by marching back, then go dark with a time frame that makes sense. Upon time frame conclusion, have Ice and Victor come investigate.

Not taking any chances here, /k/ommando-style.

>>32014138
one lookout and one buttoned up with the AAMG ready would be wiser than both outside the tank

LOLI QUEST IS BAAAAAAAACK!
I like both of your quests, Kaleun

>>32013947
"Yeah, good idea." You smile at Ice, "okay then. You two can stay here, we'll go sort this out. Back soon~!"
You walk past them, out the station. Vass falls in beside you while Loli takes to skipping ahead. You hear Ice sigh wistfully as he watches you leave, and smirk to yourself.

It doesn't take too long to traverse the slope down into the bog towards the bunker, though Vass has you stop once, dropping low to the ground and staying still for a long minute. Apparently some wild dogs passed awful close by but didn't pay any attention to you.

In short order, you arrive at the bunker. A small group of bored-looking guards slouch around a campfire, and one of them begins to stand up to meet you, until Loli waves a greeting to him. He shrugs and waves the lot of you inside.

Leaving Doggy outside, Loli quickly leads you into a double-doored disinfection chamber. As the door locks behind you, you call to Vasa to shut her eyes. She does so just in time for the spray to roll over her, causing a little eep. You feel the corners of your mouth stretch into a light smile. She's cute when she's surprised.
The spray finishes, and Loli opens the inner door, leading you into the clean sanctum.

Inside, in the biggest room filled with towering computers and scientific apparatus, are three men in blue lab coats. The first, a bald, friendly looking man, greets you with a smile stretching from ear to ear. The second, a scrawny man with well-kept black hair, almost exactly what you think of when you think arrogant scientist, doesn't even bother to turn to look at you.
The third, for reasons you can't perceive, makes your blood run cold.
[1/?]

>>32014138
Speaking from a meta perspective, Sergei is so important that none of this will make a difference. Either Kaleun lets us keep him or the zone itself will claim him.

>>32014238
>vass doesn't know about the disinfection chamber

Well fuck. I need to go reevaluate my theories now.

>>32014240
>or the zone itself will claim him.
pfthahahaha

you have that the wrong way around anon

Sergei will claim the zone

>>32014278
Yeah, you're right. Tanks beat Zone. That's why the military has complete control

Oh by the way Kaleun, you forgot to post links to archive. Now I had to go look up old threads myself!

>>32014238
He squats in the corner, coat splaying onto the floor behind him, bright blue eyes roaming across the three of you. As he locks eyes with you, it almost feels as if he is examining the deepest recesses of your mind. You feel a chill run down your spine. It lasts but a moment as he breaks eye contact and looks to Loli beside you instead.
A grin suddenly twists his features, his chest heaving once to let out a breath, sounding something half way between a snort of laughter and a squeal of unconstrained excitement.

The first man breaks the awkward moment with a voiced greeting. "Ah, welcome back Giltinė. We heard the story Topol. I'm glad you rescued your friends. And acquired a tank, too!"
"Hnnn," the delighted squeal from the man in the corner again.
Loli grins, "yeah! But we're back now 'cause I owe you a favor and stuff, right?" He smiles kindly at her.

It's at this moment that the stereotypical scientist finally turns away from his work. "Yes, yes. Good. Now, please sit yourself on the table here, Giltinė. I shall be collecting a small blood and saliva sample from you. Nothing harmless, I assure you. Such an opportunity! To be able to study the specimen first-hand. To be able to see the genetic make-up myself, I look forward to-" The bald scientist coughs twice, before adjusting his glasses.
Stereotype gives him a hard, disapproving stare before continuing.
"Yes, so far you have shown amazing resilience to the Zone's dangers. I hypothesize it is an inherent gift of your DNA, and am eager to prove or disprove this theory."

[ ]Interrupt. Ask what he means.
[ ]Ask if this is all the favor is.
[ ]Let him continue.
[ ]Ask something else. (Write-in)

oh god they're gonna clone loli

a hundred brainwashed lolis fighting in the zone

>>32014350
[X]Let him continue
>Acquire loli stalker DNA
>begin mass-producing Giltène clones

What could possibly go wrong?

>>32014350
>Nothing harmless, I assure you.
We shoot him on the spot. No one harms our loli.

[x] Interrupt. Point out she is a person, not a specimen. Ask what he means, angrily.

>>32014350
>[ ]Let him continue but ask what he means.

>>32014308
>>Oh by the way Kaleun, you forgot to post links to archive.
>>forgot

>No, I just decided not to.
>...Oh fine, if you insist.

Previous threads available on suptg at
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Loli%20STALKER
Part 29 is misarchived here: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/31271862/
Alternatively, Foolz archive here:
https://archive.foolz.us/tg/search/subject/Loli%20S.T.A.L.K.E.R./

I also have a Twitter for updates, @Loli_Kaleun

>>32014350
>Nothing harmless

[ ]Interrupt. Ask what he means.
I'm sure it would be in character for Kris to attempt to protect her monopoly. Gotta know exactly what these guys are up to.

>So, tie vote between let him and interrupt?
>I love me them tie votes.

>>32014350
[ X]Let him continue.
Don't be rude.

>>32014450
>>32014388
>>32014383
Loli didn't respond well the first time someone tried this, but I guess if that's what you guys want... Let's hope she doesn't get violent again.

>>32014350
>[X]Let him continue.

You shuffle uncomfortable as Loli happily hops up onto the table and rolls up her sleeve, ready for the sample to be taken. "Hey, geek. She's a person, not a 'specimen'."

"Of course, of course," he brushes off your rebuke and continues preparing his needle.

The bald man leans in to you, "please excuse Professor Hermann. He is not good with people. He's perfectly harmless, though." You bristle but say no more. The professor, Hermann, jabs Loli lightly in the crease of her elbow and quickly draws a reasonable blood sample. He places this to one side, before also taking a swab of the inside of her mouth.

"There, all done," he dismisses Loli with a wave and turns back to his work, blanking out the world once more.

Vasa looks confused. "I-is that it? We're done?"

"Ah," Hermann pauses, "there is one more thing. There is a passage underneath the Jupiter plant that leads to the center of Pripyat. Another group recently traversed it, and needed closed-cycle respirator suits to do so, due to the fact that it's flooded with lethal gasses that seem to defeat all but the best defenses. We would like a sample of this gas. We will, of course, provide you with such suits to allow you safe passage."

This- this information. And suits, provided freely. You struggle to keep your glee from showing on your face, sticking to your usual smile instead. And then the downside rears its ugly head.

[1/?]

>>32014278
actually, if you listen to some of the NPCs they comment on the army.

"If a nuclear bomb was to be launched, all of Europe would be destroyed".

They pretty much tell you the zone is ALIVE, for instance, the Zone KEEPS some stalkers away from some areas and allows them in others.

For instance, some of the best stalkers are said not to even need guns, that's how much they "understand" the zone's nature and in return the zone leaves them be.

>>32014604
You have no idea what your walking into....

>>32014599
"Ie, shalle go whith them," the man in the corner jumps to his feet, tilting his head as he peers over Hermann's shoulder at you, eyes unnaturally wide.

Hermann looks completely taken by surprise. "Are you sure? They should be able to handle this fine alone."

"Oh, yes. Of that, I have no doubt. It is, what is to come for which they shalle need me."

You speak, keeping the instinctive distaste you feel for the man from your voice, "and who are you, anyway?"

He slips to one side, snaking his way around Hermann, before striding towards you. The way he walks... lifting his thigh to the horizontal, knee bent to a perfect right-angle before dropping it forwards, across his body. It gives him an odd sway. He takes three slow steps forwards, before stopping inches from you. He towers over you, standing at almost six foot. At this range, you can tell even through his clothes that his skinny form is completely formed of lithe muscle, no unnecessary weight anywhere on him.

"Oh, no-one important. Just, a man who did not- yet, feel like taking his nine mike mike retirement fund." His eyes flash at you, as he lets out that squeal again.

"Oh? And your name?"

"Dave. Hnnn. Just Dave."

Loli giggles happily. "Pleased to meet you, Dave! We're going to be good friends, right?"

"Ie, hkope so, my dear." He drops down to squat before her again, looking deep into her eyes. "Ie hkope so."

Well, apparently your de facto leader has readily accepted him to the pack.

[ ]Protest. You don't like him.
[ ]Stay quiet. Just get on with the job.
[ ]Other?

>>32014635
>[ ]Protest. You don't like him.

>>32014604
>They pretty much tell you the zone is ALIVE
first cutscene of the first game tell you this...

>[ ]Protest. You don't like him.

>>32014635
>[ ]Protest. You don't like him.

Cyborg Kiyiya pls go.

>>32014635
>[ ]Protest. You don't like him.

Point out that a small team that has its ties works better, especially on a potentially stressfull, dangerous engagement, than with an outside factor disturbing the flow of such a team. Protest rationally, suppress our distaste - even if the reason to try and sound logical is that exact distaste. But: Trust our gut. This guy spells trouble.

Alternatively, accept him in and retire him, nine mike mike style, at the earliest convenience. But I don't know if we want to be such cunning schemers.

>>32014635
[X]Protest. You don't like him.

"No. Loli, we shouldn't take him. Our team can handle whatever we're up against, bringing more people will just disrupt our flow." Loli looks at you, confusion clear on her face.

"Wha-"

He springs to his feet, spinning on his heels before bending at the waist to bring his face level to yours. "Off course you'd say so. Can't let outside sources, interfere with your great plans now, can you?" He cackles. His rolled R's, random pauses and oddly placed emphasis are grating on you badly, but there's something even deeper than that. You feel this man is your enemy.
"Don't worry yourself, young one. Ie, am not interested in your plots." The power in his eyes burns down into yours, you can almost feel a physical pressure pressing you into the floor.

Both Loli and Vass turns their eyes to you. "Eh? Plots? What does he mean?"

"N-nothing. I don't know what he's talking about." You take a step away from him, gaining distance. This is bad, you can feel your facade melting under his withering gaze. You take another step back, and suddenly find someone grasping your hand.

Vasa "Don't worry. I've got your back."

"Alright, fine. We'll take him," you accept grudgingly. You'll just have to 'retire' him yourself at the first chance you get.

Loli shrugs the situation away, and continues as if nothing had happened.

[1/?]

OP has laid down a railroad for us, so let's hop on the rapetrain that's inevitably going to ride on it.

>>32014796
In short order, your team are equipped with three closed-cycle respirator suits that look sturdy enough to suffer any sort of chemical or biological hazard without a scratch. But the thick rubber isn't going to stand a chance at surviving getting snagged on a branch. You'd best be careful with these. Vasa offers to stash them all in her pack, barring the helmets, which you each have to make room for yourselves.

The walk back is a quiet one, Loli keeping close in front of you and Vass, while 'Dave' keeps several yards off to your left, walking along with his odd gait, occasionally bouncing around, or rushing to a nearby bush and glaring angrily at the sky. He's shirked the blue lab coat in favor of a khaki duster jacket with over-sized pockets. As far as you can tell, he's completely unarmed.

You make it back to the tank, and greet Ice and Viktor. Both look distrustfully at Dave, but greet him warmly enough once Loli introduces him as a friend. You quickly brief them both on the task.
Viktor speaks up, "so we only have three suits? Who's going in, then?"

[ ]"We'll send..."(Write-in)
[ ]"We'll decide when we get there."

AND

[ ]Take the tank to the plant.
[ ]Leave the tank here, send the team on foot.

>>32014872
Since Dave has a suit, we need to go. We need someone who has our back, so Vass is in. Seems like someone else got the same vibes there. Loli is the lead. So:

[ ] "We'll send Loli, Vass, Dave and me."
AND
[ ] "We'll take the tank - let it idle, in case we need to get out of there fast. Victor, Ice you are up again. Same pattern - one stays on the guns, the other perimeter scout."

Mentally, we should be already picking a bullet for Dave. Even if we are being goated into disliking him, and he will probably turn out to be a good guy. But better safe and sorry than in danger and sorry.

>>32014872
Seconding >>32014907

let's try to not make it obvious that we might need to 'retire' him if he makes any wrong move

>>32014907
>>Since Dave has a suit,

>Dave does not have a closed respirator suit. Sorry if I didn't make that clear.

>>32014872
Probably not Loli even if it's her debt technically, in a suit much bigger than herself she'd barely be able to move around. Kris might fit better, and she seems like she'd be good at handling an emergency if something goes wrong down there. Viktor is our only tank driver, so can't risk him. That leaves Vass and Ice because fuck no, I don't trust you Dave.

>>32014941

>>32014939 here
if Loli has no problems with her suit like >>32014957 assumes, then we should bring her and Ice and leave Vasa to watch Dave seeing as we cant bring him with us, we could also swap Vasa for Ice if need be, but I want one of us watching Dave

>Loli will indeed have trouble with her suit.

>So... trying to extrapolate intentions. We're voting for taking Kriss, Vasa and Ice in and leaving Loli, Dave and Viktor with the tank.
>Is anyone opposed to this? Want to swap anyone out?

>>32014941
In that case, this sucks a big mean dick. Don't want to waste a suit on Dave, because that'd put him at a distinct 2:1 position in a hostile environment, where a simple cut of the suit or a mask rupture is potentially lethal.

If Dave has no suit on his own, what is he even doing on this assignment with us? He is useless and only strains our man/girl/lolipower.

[ ] "We'll send our fearless leader if she fits into the suit well enough, if not, then I'll grab Vasa and we'll try to muscle it with the two of us. Vic and Ice stay behind with Loli and Dave in that case - and Ice shuld have the suit at the ready, if we need backup or a rescue."

Also, [ ] Tank is still a go. And we might just become more irrate, as Dave is literally a deadweight that could turn ou to be a bear trap. The snap your leg off kind of bear trap.

[Anger Intensifies]

>>32015054
See >>32015056 - I don't want to leave Dave with Loli and have our tank driver all by his lonesome guard a potential psycho. We'll try for the gas sample with two of us, leave Ice with a suit under the pretense of back-up/rescue and being more stealthy withjust two in instead of three. Also puts another guard on Dave and has Victor's back.

>>32015056
He's here because he forced his way into the party. He wants to be here because
>"Oh, yes. Of that, I have no doubt. It is, what is to come for which they shalle need me."

So basically some kind of shit is going to go down and he wants his hand right in the middle of it. Probably not related to the current mission at all.

>>32015054

>>32015011 here again

in that case I'll second >>32015056 but we may as well bring Ice with us and leave Vik and Loli to guard Dave and Sergei

>>32014872
"Alright, we'll take the tank up to the plant- let it idle near the entrance, in case we need to get out of there fast. Victor, Ice you're up again. Watch the tank. Loli, you can stay with Dave along with them. This is a simple job, so me and Vass should be able to handle it."

Vass gives you a warm smile and an encouraging nod, everyone else chimes their affirmatives. Apart from Dave, whose grin only seems to spread wider.

Viktor hops into his seat and revs up the engine. As you follow the rest of the team in mounting up on its sides, you notice Dave running a hand gently across the hull. "It is ghood to see you again, my friend. I am sorry I took so long." He pulls himself up onto the tank, standing upright and resting one foot on the main gun as Viktor hits the gas, rumbling the tank forward.

A few minutes later, you pull up outside the main gate of the Jupiter plant, Viktor slweing the tank around to face back the way you came. "Alright," he calls, "we're here. I'll leave her idling, and we can go in a moment."

You thank him, hopping down with Vass and quickly discarding your kit in order to fit inside the closed suit. Vass follows suit.

When ready, the both of you pass the gates and head towards the plant. You're almost there when your PDA buzzes in your pocket.
You just received a new mail. From a person you really did not want a message from.
"Hurry up. The old man won't wait forever."
You stuff the device back in your pocket, shoving the implications violently to the back of your mind.

[PERSPECTIVE SWITCH!]

YOU ARE LOLI,

"Hnnnn," he lets out that funny half-laugh thing again. You watch as he jumps up onto the tank once more, and leans over into the commander's hatch. "Eliza? Eliza, are you awake? Hmm, perhaps not. Interesting."

Viktor has his eyes closed, apparently napping in the driver's seat. Ice directs a questioning look at you, before watching Dave again.

>?

>>32015281
"Who are you talking to? Who's Eliza?"

>>32015281
"um, who's Eliza?"

>"It is ghood to see you again, my friend. I am sorry I took so long."
>that tank belonged to Duty
i have a really bad feeling about that...

>>32015281
seconding >>32015315

>>32015281
>YOU ARE LOLI,

"Hey, Dave, who's Eliza? Is she a friend of yours?"

Essentially, seconding >>32015315 like >>32015376 does. Just ... a bit more cheerful.

>>32015386
we should ask whether Eliza wants some chocolate

anyone weirded out by Sergei's sudden sex change?

>>32015281
"Who are you talking to? Who's Eliza? Is she a friend of yours?"

His eyes flicker and refocus, as if suddenly remembering that you're present. "Oh, that is not of importance. Feel free to erase the name from your mind." He reaches into his pocket, producing a large pill bottle. He quickly necks two pills dry, before stashing them again. "Instead, why don't we discuss something more fun. Tell me, do you ever notice how things around you seem to just, happen? Just- go your way?"

>?

>>32015437
>Yeah, that's me.
>Apparently even re-typing the name field in every times doesn't save me from dropping.

>Why can't I hold all these trips?

>>32015437
"Most of the time I notice how much chocolate people have, why do you ask? And you didn't answer my question, I don't like it when people try to hide things from me."

Now would be a good time to sharpen our 2/3+? knives

>>32015437
"You just got here. Are you another of those creepy stalky stalkers stalking me all the time?"

>>32015476
This

>>32015476
Loli only has two to three knives?

She's losing her touch

>>32015437
Ha. Fuck that guy.

Mix >>32015476 with >>32015512, set the record straight. Talk firmly, so our comrades hear it, too.

>>32015437
Explain furthur.

Our little loli mind is unable to handle your implications and abstract concepts.

>>32015534
two fixed blade 'survival' knives and a bayonet IIRC

>>32015534
You mean she's losing her knives. She keeps losing stuff all over the place. Such a wasteful child.

>>32015558
>Why cant i hold all these knives?

>>32015437
"You just got here. Are you another of those creepy stalky stalkers stalking me all the time? But most of the time I notice how much chocolate people have, why do you ask?"

He chuckles, resting himself against the turret. "No, no. Nothing like that. You are an interesting child, one that many more than the simple folk you hafe met are paying much attention to. And you are not a subtle one, either." You frown, not following him. "Ah, forgive me. I say, too much."

"You didn't answer my question, I don't like it when people try to hide things from me. Who's Eliza?"

You pull yourself up to sit on the tank, idly drawing your favorite knife to toy with it. The blade is still plenty sharp and rust-free, but it might need a little extra edge soon.

"Yes, Eliza is a, friend off mine. You could say she is a friend of yours, too. But, she is not, hkere right now so it does not matter." His head lolls, casting his gaze in all directions but yours. "Perhaps we shalle talk more when she is hkere."

[ ]Keep pressing him.
[ ]Shrug it off, wait for the others.
[ ]Ask him something. (Write-in)

>>32015647
>[ ]Ask him something. (Write-in)
You talk funny. Why do you talk like that?

>>32015647
>[ ]Ask him something. (Write-in)
"If she is not here then where is she?" also >>32015732
then
>[ ]Wait for the others.
get sharpening, I've a feeling we might need them soon.

where did everyone go?

>>32015647
[ ] Keep pressing. No one gets off with such vague answers, only to return fire at us. Fukcer is trying to spook us. Also:
>get sharpening
This.

>>32015831
Loli can't be spooked. Papa forgot to teach her to be afraid of things.

>>32015932
He's still trying. Not that it works, but the intent alone deserves sharpening of our knife collection.

>Captcha: edgedo very
It is decided.

>>32015647
"If she is not here then where is she?"

He smiles sadly, "that is a question to which Ie do not hkave the answer."

"You talk funny. Why do you talk like that?" Ice notices you eyeing up your blade, and offers you a sharpening stone from his vest. You thank him, and begin honing the edge.

"Ie could ask you the same. Why do you talk whith a foreign taint to your accent? It is simply the whay we are." You shrug, and return your attention to your knife. Suddenly, his head perks up, neck tense. "Ah, they are here."

Ice whips his gun up to shoulder. "Contact! Just saw a bloodsucker, closing in fast!"

>?

>>32016022
We need to wake up Victor, quickly. He either needs to drive or too shoot. Also, time to put those knives to good use.

But keep an eye on Dave. Avoid tunnel vision in combat. And as an aside - can we radio Kriss and Vass, to make sure they are okay, and alert them to our problem out here?

>>32016022
Wake up Viktor, and try to look for more suckers than the one Ice spotted before they go invisible. The man said 'they'.

>>32016022
Are we by the entrance to the tunnel? We absolutely cannot let a sucker get in behind V&K while they're down there, a single attack will ruin their hazard protection.

>>32016022
seconding >>32016076 & >>32016084

and kindly ask Dave what the fuck he means by that, is he expecting them and is he just going to sit there and let them slaughter us?

>>32016022
You scamper across the tank, tapping Viktor awake. "Bloodsuckers," you hiss. He instantly reaches down and draws a pistol from his belt, holding it to the ready. Ice quickly presses himself against the tank, eyes open in the direction he last saw the movement. You pull yourself back up to sit by the turret beside Dave, waiting, scanning the area.

With a thump that rocks the tank, something lands right next to you. The familiar flickering silhouette of a tentacled monster bare feet from you. Dave spins to face it. "Hkello again, darling."
It solidifies into a visible shape, swinging its razor-sharp claws at Dave even as it does so. He jerks back, rolling clean under the blow and easily hopping off the tank away from it. Ice whips around, bringing his gun up to point at it, but you're in his way.

[ ]Knife it!
[ ]Shoot it!
[ ]Get distance, let Ice shoot it!
[ ]Other.

>>32016324
[ ] Knife it!
http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/Mr+Stabby/

>>32016324
>[ ]Get distance, let Ice shoot it!
Ice has this one, look behind him to kill anything that is probably trying to sneak up behind him now that he turned. Teamplay.

>>32016324
>[ ]Get distance, let Ice shoot it!
lets watch his back and try to get viktor on one of the remote guns in the tank

>>32016324
You leap backwards as well, dropping off the tank and giving Ice a clear shot. He lets rip, emptying his rounds into the monster at close range. It's close enough that he can't miss, and blows it apart in a gory mess. At the same time, you grab for your own gun, strapped over your shoulder. You scan your head around the open space behind Ice and spot a flicker of movement, quickly dropping a few rounds in that direction. The shadow instantly doubles back into the underbrush off the road.

"Viktor, get on the gun!" He pulls himself from the driver's seat and clambers hurriedly up, dropping into the commander's hatch. A few moments later, the gun comes to life and spins in a circle.

Viktor pops his head up to shout down to you, "we've got three more out there, they're running circles around us right now!"

[ ]Push to the plant entrance, make sure it's secure.
[ ]Stick with the tank, keep their attention focused on you.

>>32016537
>[ ]Push to the plant entrance, make sure it's secure.
if the tank can get there, lets drive it closer to secure it

>>32016537
>[ ]Push to the plant entrance, make sure it's secure.
They could be smart enough to skip past us and we'd never know. I don't want to take that chance.

>>32016537
>[ ]Push to the plant entrance, make sure it's secure.
We can surely be loud enough to have them focus on us AND secure the entrance. That is why we're here to begin with.

>>32016577
>That is why we're here to begin with.
yeah, thats why we brought the tank,

>>32016537
>[X]Push to the plant entrance, make sure it's secure.

"Get us to the plant," you call to him. "We need to keep them from getting After Kris and Vasa!"

"You got it!" He jumps out, sliding down to the driver's seat again and gunning the engine. The tank leaps into motion, reversing through the gates and plowing through the barricades. Dave jumps up, clinging to it as it passes. Ice clicks the release on his gun, magazine falling to the floor with a clink as he slams a new one home. He's still cocking the rifle when another tentacled face appears right next to him.

"HELP," he cries, stepping back out the way. You instantly squeeze off several rounds into its face, causing it to squeal in pain. It instantly flickers out of visibility again, but you track its motion and fire again, blowing enough holes into it that its lifeless corpse comes back into view as it ragdolls to the concrete. You nod to Ice, who nods back, before both of you hurry after the tank.

You're almost caught up when you see the tank not quite stop at the entrance to the plant, instead plowing straight into the door and crumbling the entire section of wall around it.

Dave cackles to himself, eyeing up the destruction, before glancing over to you. He raises his hand in a casual gesture. You gather his meaning, dropping to one knee and pulling your gun up as you spin, right as a claw passes through your hair, slicing a few strands free. You duck and roll away from it, but when you pull yourself up to track its movements, you realize with horror that it just blew right past you and through the hole in the wall.

[ ]Radio ahead, stay out here to deal with the other one.
[ ]Go after it, Kris and Vasa are in danger!

>>32016850
>[ ] Other/Both
Radio K/V, grab a piece cloth, pour water from a flask over it, wrap around our face (all this while jogging towards the hole), dash after it. Tell the party to hunt down the other one before getting in there.

Silently curse Victor, but not really. Also, realize that Dave just saved our life.

>>32016850
>[ ]Go after it, Kris and Vasa are in danger!
Even if they know it's there, any kind of struggle is bad news in their current environment.

>>32016910
I don't think the gas is poison as much as just murder-on-contact, so not sure what the rag is supposed to do.

>>32016850
>[X]Go after it, Kris and Vasa are in danger!
but yeah, we should totally give them a quick warning if we can

>>32016969
>>>32016910 (You)
>I don't think the gas is poison as much as just murder-on-contact, so not sure what the rag is supposed to do.

From the description, it is an inhaled agent that requires contact with the soft tissue of the respiratory system. The rag would provide partially sealed/filtered cover of nose and mouth, stopping or reducing the intake of that gas. Since it can be stopped by respirators and sealed clothing - which someone had to find out, and surely not by a binary "Alive here, dead here" revelation - it seems only logical that we can reduce the effects, albeit not for long or efficiently. This is not a solution that makes us immune, but a improvised attempt to get a few more seconds of operation time.

Lethal on contact would be intense. Such gas either loses lethality fast (See Sarin, which dissipates quickly and is broken up by water (as it breaks the phosphorous connections ) or acts slowly. Lingering gas in any given atmosphere with open access would disperse, so we have to assume a heavy weight gas that pooled up in a lower section of a building, which means it can be at least filtered (larger molecules) and probably reacts with water (as most nerve agents do, because phosphorous), and thusly, the rag provides a minor layer of protection. It beats going in without a gasmask.

If we have one, on she goes. I forgot about that, completely.

>>32017108
I'm not going to claim that anything you just said isn't true, but
>anomalies

>>32017201
Fair enough.

>[X] Go after it, Kris and Vasa are in danger!
>[X] Radio ahead, still.

>>32016850
>Pardon the delay. Making food.
>[X]Go after it, Kris and Vasa are in danger!

You hurl yourself upright and sprint after it. Dave watches you pass, expression unchanging, while Ice simply presses back against the tank once more and scans the open space, waiting for further attacks.

You drop into the darkness inside the building, once more in the open space where you ended Kiyiya's life. And there's absolutely no sign of the-

[DC?? DUCK! check]

>ALRIGHTY, we're going to try something new and different!
>Gimme 1d6!
>First four count.

Rolled 3

>>32017227

guys...

we have another fucking suit...

Rolled 2

>>32017227
Rolling for the loli.

>>32017244
Do we really have time to dress up in a suit that doesn't fit us..?

Rolled 4

>>32017227
This isn't going to go well, is it?

Rolled 4

>>32017227
uh uh...

>>32017244
>>32017260
>>32017271
>>32017275
We suck, but only a little bit. We managed to roll 1 point below average on 4d6.

>>32017227
>>32017244
>>32017260
>>32017271
>>32017275
(3+2+4+4) -4 = 9.
75% chance of success = DC 8.
Roll passed by 1.
Yay!

File: thumbsup.gif (495 KB, 500x275)

495 KB GIF

>>32017325

>>32017325
huh, interesting
but i'd prefer 4d5 to 4d6-4

>>32017395
4d5 gives 4 less results than 4d6. The -4 modifier is simply there to shift the range back to 0-20.
4d5-3 would give 1-17, which would be like rolling a weighted 1d17.
4d6 is like a weighted 1d21.

>>32017395
b-but my b-b-big numbers...

>>32017325
I know I only barely passed my class in probability and statistics, but a DC8 using 4d6-4 would require an average of 3 per die, yes? But the chance to roll 3 or higher on a d6 should be 2/3 (66.7%) and not 75% shouldn't it? Or am I just embarrassing myself here?

>>32017461
It's cumulative totals. So you also have to include the chance that while one person rolls a 1, the next person rolls a 5. This gives a total of 6, or 3 between them.
The next person could also roll a 6, and score 7 between them, or 3.5 each.
Basically, it's easier to get 6 between 2 rollers than for one person to roll a 3.
And it stacks with more rolls.

>>32017227
A flicker of movement from the shadows catches your attention, and you immediately duck out the way of the monster's second swing for your head. You draw your knife as you slip under its guard, using the drawing motion and the sucker's own momentum to cut through its belly. It emits a horrifying squeal of pain, but still turns in to attack you again, catching you with a back-hand that throws you back. You barely keep your feet, stabilizing yourself and gripping your knife in both hands as it rushes you once more.

[DC 10 Hack'n'Slash check!]
>Same again, please!

Rolled 5

>>32017573

Rolled 4

>>32017573
Where's doggy

Rolled 6

>>32017573
Blood for the blood god.

Rolled 6

>>32017573
DICEDICEDICE

>>32017612
>>Where's doggy

>Yeah, uh. I totally didn't forget that he's back with the group and leave him sitting outside the scientist bunker.
>[nervous laughter]

>>32017600
>>32017612
>>32017613
>>32017643
This went well.

>>32017649
where's nibbler and the other one I always forget the name of?

>>32017573
>>32017600
>>32017612
>>32017613
>>32017643
(5+4+6+6) -4 = 17
17 -10 = +7 degrees of succes

>>32017649
Why would you admit that? He's always running off and reappearing, you could have totally saved face there.

>>32017661
Nibbler is MIA since the ambush by the bridge. Fluffy hasn't shown himself since the only time we met him ages ago. My speculation is that either he's somewhere near the cordon eating rookies or he was killed by Vasa and served for lunch the day we met Kris and her. Both ideas have absolutely nothing to back them up though.

>>32017687
so, crits/critfails require us to all roll a 6 (or 1 for critfails) that's like, pretty rare, right?

>>32017649
at then end when this is over, you should totally have them all notice/hear a shriek and then see just Doggy, floating at around head height chomping on an invisible Bloodsucker

>>32017751
>0.08% probability of a Crit/Critfail.
>I am now including degrees of success/failure for major over/under rolls, though weighted much lower than the average Crit on a 3d20.

>>32017731
>>Why would you admit that?
>Because I'm too honest for my own good?

>Anyway, writing.

>>32017573
You wait, watching as it rushes towards you. At the last second, you see the gap, and stand up, shifting your weight to one side and easily slipping through its grasp. Your knife extended, you punch for its throat and are rewarded with a huge geyser of blood exploding over you as it impales itself on your blade. You manage to let go as it tears past you, knife stuck in its flesh as it tumbles to the ground, spraying blood in all directions as it rolls to a stop.

Well, that was messier than intended.

It's at this moment that two yellow figures appear from the offices across the room from you, Kris and Vasa rushing over to you.

Kris pops the seal on her mask, removing it to stare in awe at you.
"Uh... so, we got the sample. What on Earth happened out here?"

Vasa pops the seal on her mask, too. "Loli happened, clearly." She smirks at you, and Kris stifles a quiet giggle at the statement.

"Well, we got the sample. Where are the others?"

You lead the two back outside, through the hole in the wall and admire the wreckage Viktor has inflicted. He addresses Kris worriedly when she yelps a demand to know what happened.
"Uh, well it's kind of a little stuck now. I can get a little wiggle out of her, but I just can't get a feeling of where the purchase is and can't pull her out. It might, uh, take a while but I think we'll need to dig her out."

Dave cuts in, "Ie think that maybe, Ie can help. Let me at those controls for a moment, and Ie think I shalle have her out in no time."

[ ]Let him at the controls?
[ ]Refuse, dig Sergei out by hand.

>>32017899
>[ ]Let him at the controls?
with us sitting in the gunners seat where we can easily stab him repeatedly through the turret basket forward travel compartment if we need to

>>32017899
>[ ]Let him at the controls?

But hide a knife, ready to throw, if he does anything funny. He did save our life, but I cannot shake the feeling that this guy is an issue. By which I mean, OP is painting him as such, and Dave is really just and oddball, but a good guy at this core.

>>32017899
>[ ]Let him at the controls?
Oh hey you can drive a tank too? You should show Viktor how you'll get it out, that way we have two guys we can do it!

Subtle enough to not offend?

>>32017899
>[ ]Let him at the controls?
no blind trust

Welp, just past 4am here, good night/morning anons, don't let the creepy russian steal Sergei

>>32017899
>[X]Let him at the controls?

"A-Alright, I guess. How are you going to-"
The moment you acquiesced, instead of going for the driver's seat, he hops from his position standing on the main gun into the commander's seat. You quickly scrabble up to see what he's doing, and notice him accessing some extra electronic controls near the gunner's controls that you hadn't even noticed before now. He's tapping a few buttons on it to no effect.
"What is it?"

"Oh, he mumbles, "just the reason Eliza isn't here yet, apparently." He reaches behind the little box and finds a loose wire, quickly plugging it in where it's supposed to go. The screen suddenly lights up.

[PERSPECTIVE SWITCH!]

???????
You feel yourself jolted awake with a sharp buzz. Everything is dark, and you're feeling pretty uncomfortable. Something's pressing against your back, and you're lying on a slight slope.

"Eliza?" A voice. It's close by. Inside you? "Eliza, can you hear me?"

Dave? Is that you?

"Who are you talking to?" A young voice.

Dave ignores it. "Listen, Eliza, you're stuck right now. I need you to wiggle a little. Wiggle a little forward, can you do that for me?"

Of course, Dave.

File: Eliza.jpg (64 KB, 831x562)

64 KB JPG

>>32018170
You try to do as he says, and wiggle yourself a little. It doesn't go very well, and you realize you're not resting on a slope, but someone's apparently shoved you into a building. You're sitting on rubble. Ughn. You grind your tracks, trying to find purchase. As soon as you do, you push forward and haul yourself over the rubble and onto flat ground in front of you.

"Heheee, that's my girl! Hold on, let me take these limiters off." Another painful jolt, and suddenly your vision returns. The darkness is dispelled, and you find yourself sitting in a compound, tall buildings surrounding you on all sides. Before you are four humans, two adolescent girls and two young men. All awestruck.

What, have they never seen a tank before?

>>32018191
>FEED ME MUTANTS

>>32018191
>>32018170
This is going to be one of those days, isn't it?

>>32017899

Dave is a creepy controller sent by the Zone who controls the mind of our casts' to appears as a human to manipulate Loli's action because the usual Zone manipulations didn't work on Loli.

That's right, our Loli rustled the Zone itself so much it sends a 007 Controller.

>>32018191

DID YOU JUST PUT US ON A TANK'S PERSPECTIVE?

>>32018191

DID WE JUST GET OUR KNIGHT RIDER-ESQUE VEHICLE BUT INSTEAD OF A CAR IT IS A TANK?

>>32018191
A squeal of utter, uncontrolled delight rocks your audio processors, as a little girls hops down from atop you to admire you gleefully.

"Nice to meet you, Eliza! My name's Loli. This is Vasa, Kris, Viktor and Ice! I take it you know Dave already?"

"Hnnn, indeed, we are somewhat acquainted."

"Well, we were about to head back to some scientists with a gas sample. Would you like to come with us?"

[ ]Agree. Follow the little girl.
[ ]Decline. You have better things to do with your time!
[ ]Offer the squishy humans a lift.

>>32018281
he did anon

>>32018191
russian IR-Dazzlers are the best things ever fitted to a tank just because they make them all have faces and eyes filled with the fury of a thousand suns

its like they want people to know that the tank is so angry that you tried to hurt it with ATGMs

>>32018311
>[ ]Offer the squishy humans a lift.
clearly the small frail females require the protection of my mightly composite armor

>>32018311
>[ ]Offer the squishy humans a lift.
oh fuck yes

>>32018311

LSQ just went Sci-fi

>[ ] Offer squishy human a lift

Because crapshoot AI is cliche, please Kaleun no AI turned on humans shit on the zone

>>32018353
It's not an AI. Some crazy scientist (fuck knows the Zone has its fair share of them) just watched too many animes and decided maybe if they put a soul inside a tank it would be even more effective than with just a driver.

>>32018422
The scientist is working with the Zone and set up the tank thing to win us over.

>>32018422

>A SOUL

It is worse than an AI don't you think anon?

>>32018454
Eh, it's not very sciency but it is very crazy. Would you prefer if it was just a human consciousness uploaded into an onboard computer because developing an effective AI turned out to be too much of a bother? Or maybe several consciousnesses just to be safe?

>>32018517
>a human consciousness uploaded into an onboard computer
I think Ultron was bad enough when he was human-shaped.

>>32018517

An AI definitely safer because you can delete a few codes if something goes wrong, human minds? Not so much.

>>32018546
>safety
>mad science
You shouldn't try to combine these, you'll just end up getting hurt. Just see kaleun's twitter for proof.

>>32018311
>[XXXXXXX] Offer the squishy humans a lift.

Fuck yes. Make sure to flex our tracks before we do that and show off our raoring engine!

>>32018575
What happened exactly?

>>32018311
[X]Offer the squishy humans a lift.

Very well. I shall accompany you. Perhaps you would also like to ride atop me, squishy humans? It might save your little legs from the pain of being mortal.

"Eliza whould like to know if you want a lift." Dave just never translates your intent how you want. So frustrating.

One of the girls switches her awed gaze to one of confusion. "Er. How do you know what it wants?"

"Because she told me."

"What?"

The little girl ignores the questions, instead thanking you and hopping back atop you, then waves a hand overhead. "Onwards, to glory!"

You begin to roll slowly forwards, which prompts the other squishies into motion. They scurry up and clamber onto you as you roar your engine, trundling out of the compound in one smooth motion.

[ ]Ask Dave what's going on.
[ ]Ask Dave if you can stretch your tracks.
[ ]Ask Dave if you can squish something.
[ ]Other.

>>32018766
>[ ]Ask Dave if you can squish something.

SQUISHY BIG MEATBALLS

Kaleun , by Eliza are you referring to this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ELIZA

>>32018766
>>[ ]Ask Dave what's going on.
Then ask about squishing.

>>32018766
>[ ]Ask Dave what's going on.

>>32018766
>[X]Ask Dave what's going on.
>[X]Ask Dave if you can squish something.

Dave, I must ask. What is happening? All I remember is you leaving me with some men in black uniforms and then darkness.

"Ie, apologize for that. It was a necessary development, to keep whith the plan. It is progressing whell, by the whay. Within expected defiation."

The older girl's voice. "Huh? Did you say something?"

"Nothing of importance, my dear."

"Left here!" The little girl waves an arm, and you alter course accordingly.

Dave. I want to squish something.

"Ah, off course." He raises his voice. "Is there anyone nearby you have a disliking to?"

"Uh. People? Not really. Though there's always wild mutants."

As if on queue, a pack of blind dogs rush onto the path a few dozen meters ahead of you. Gunning the engine now would likely take one or two by surprise.

[ ]Dogs will do fine.
[ ]I want to squish people! People are better at being squished!

>>32019032
>[ ]Dogs will do fine.
Accelerate with the fury of Russian steel, reverse the tracks that squish them and splatter them all over the area, roaring engine and triumphant diesel smoke and all.

Also: [ ] Ask Dave who these people are.

>>32019032

>THE DOGS I HATE THESE SON OF MUTATED BITCHES

>>32019032
>[ ]Dogs will do fine.
Don't be a diva. These people seem to be Dave's friends and if there's nobody else around he can't really help it, can he?

>>32019032
>[ x]Dogs will do fine.

>>32019032
>[X]Dogs will do fine.
>[X]Ask Dave who these people are.

You gun your engine, hauling yourself up to maximum speed in seconds and throwing forty tons of steel onto the fleshy wastes of natural resources. You instantly flatten three of the five beasts, lurching to a stop and grinding your tracks on the mess as you swing your rear around in a successful attempt to catch a fourth. A shocked squeal lets you know one of the human girls didn't keep a good hold of you and fell off, but she appears unharmed. The fifth wretched being has managed to avoid your movements, and is even now dashing away in a desperate bid to escape you. You jerk your cannon across, almost succeeding in dislodging Dave from his perch, and fire as soon as your gun comes to a stop. The shell launches out in a cough of fire, smoke and dust, hurtling forwards to land on center-mass and splatter the mutt into one long, bloody smear stretching several score feet away from you across the landscape.

You roll back a little to admire your handiwork, a wave of satisfaction rolling over you. "Feeling better?"

Yes.
So, who are these people?

"People of, interest. We shalle whatch them for a while." He says nothing more on the subject, despite several more pointed questions.

The rest of the journey passes without incident. The little girl asks you to park yourself up near the edge of a swamp, then the group of squishies dismounts from you and confer for a few moments. They apparently decide to leave Dave and the two men with you, while the three young girls descend into the swampland.
The two men seem very, very uncomfortable to be left in your presence. You're a little offended.

[1/?]

>>32019573
Doggy beware.

>>32019573
[PERSPECTIVE SWITCH!]

YOU ARE LOLI,

and this time Vasa doesn't need forewarning to close her eyes as the disinfectant is sprayed across the three of you.

"Ah, you have returned already? We were not expecting you so soon," Ozersky welcomes you with a warm smile once more.

"Wasn't exactly a hard job," Vasa comments.

"True, true. Regardless, you have our thanks." He takes the sample she offers, and secures it in an airtight box on the desk.

[ ]Ask for a payment.
[ ]Ask to keep the sealed suits.
[ ]Wish him well, leave.
[ ]Ask him... (Write-in)
[ ]Other.

>>32019766
>[ ]Ask to keep the sealed suits.

They could be useful.

>>32019766
[ ] Ask him for two suits and to radio us when he has interesting findings about our samplings. If he's not too hot on giving us two suits, offer some compensation and give him puppy eyes.

>>32019766
>[ ]Ask him... (Write-in)
What he knows about the Dave guy. He seems really weird.

Also if they have any cool sciency inventions here we could trade for. Do we even have anything to trade with? Oh well, ask anyway.

>>32019766
[X]Ask to keep the sealed suits.
[X]Ask him about Dave.

"Can we keep the suits?"

"Hmm? Yes, of course. I'd intended to let you keep them."

"That's awful generous of you," Kris comments over your shoulder.

"We have a few reserves, but with this sample we are hoping we won't need them in the future," he explains. "It doesn't affect us if you wish to keep them, and I suspect they will be useful to you."

"Oh. Well, thanks." Kris looks a little awkward now.

There's a short silence, so you switch the topic. "Hey, what do you know about that Dave guy? He seems a little... weird."

"Not much, to be honest. He was transferred in from another group. Brought in via helicopter. They said he was our new lab assistant. We just assumed he'd pissed somebody off somewhere. We aren't exactly in need of more hands here in the lab, what we need is field agents. So losing him in return for this sample is a boon to us."

Vasa looks very curious at this information, while Kris' eyes have narrowed to slits.

[ ]Ask about something else.
[ ]Head back to the tank.

>>32020311
[ ] Still ask for a radio missive if he finds anything cool about our blood. Then head back to the tank.

>>32020311
Do they have cool things? Like radiation protection? The suits are nice and all, but if they have more stuff... Can we trade with them?

>>32020311
>Have there ever been any reports in the zone of devices or objects with autonomy of some sort, perhaps even higher levels of intelligence or sentience?
>I have heard rumors...

>>32020311
[ ]Ask about something else.
Who do you think is cuter, Kris or Vass?

>>32020361
>>32020415

These.

>>32020489
One is a pure-hearted maiden, the other is a dick-gargling slut. You have two guesses on who the pure maiden is, who's also the cuter one.

Hint: It's not Kriss

>>32020617
Please, I wanted the scientists opinion. I already know that the days of Kris winning any popularity contests among anons are long past, that's why Kaleun switched her paranoia factor to maximum as well.

I still like her, even though I helped fuel the fires of suspicion.

>>32020617
>>32020698
Pls no bully, I like Kriss.

>>32020311
[X]Ask for a radio missive.
[X]Can we trade with them?

"If you find out anything cool from my blood, can you send me an email? I'd love to know!"

"Eeh, I'm not so certain that information would be fr-" he notices Kris fixing him with an inquisitive gaze, "-would be very interesting. It would all be in science-speak at best, and it likely won't be very 'cool'. Regardless, I shall try to send you a cliff-notes copy if possible."

"Also, these suits are nice and all but, do you have any other useful stuff we could trade for?"

Kris speaks up, "anti-radiation medication would be particularly useful."

"Ah, unfortunately our supplies are somewhat low. Though, we can certainly trade if you wish."

[ ]Trade.
[ ]Leave.

>Note: You have no cash between you, and limited tradeable goods. Mostly weapons and ammunition.

>>32020803
>[X]Leave.

I think we are good for now. At least until we come into some dosh.

>>32020803
>You have no cash between you
Why are we so poor. You'd think of all the corpses in our wake, we'd have actually been able to pick up some money from some of them. Well, ask if he's interested in anything we have. If nothing else, we could consider selling that artifact we picked up, if the trade is good.

>>32020939
Meh might as well see what they are offering for it. I don't want to trade it unless we get something awesome in return though.

>>32020974
There's no harm in asking. People don't usually get too offended if you decide you can't make a deal that works.

Oh, and I still want to ask who he thinks is cuter because everybody loves making Vass uncomfortable.

>>32021037
Heh. That might be fun.

>>32020803
[ ] Leave.
Let's let these guys do their thing, and gewt on with our work.

Your Tradeable Goods:

Khaki Cargo Pack
-3 bars of chocolate
-3 days of tinned food
-First aid kit
-2 Desert Eagles, chambered for .50
-1 Mp5 mag
-1 M1911 mag

Weapons
-MP5K, Empty mag
-M1911 Ebony, Full
-M1911 Ivory, Full
-Survival Knife
-Combat Blade
-Combat Blade
-RPG (No warheads)

Survival Gear
-Torch + headband
-Detector
-2x sleeping bag
-2x bedroll
-3x Closed-Cycle Respirator Suit
Their Tradeable Goods:
-4x anti-radiation meds
-4x psi-protection meds
-First aid kit

>>32021185
They're not going to give us shit for those deagles, even with a pretty smile are they? I seem to recall that Loli was too weak to handle them anyway.

I really want those meds, but if we can't make a trade, I guess that's just too bad.

>>32021185
Meh, I dont see much I want. The anti rad meds would be nice but...

>>32021296
Psi-protection meds seem like something that'd pretty damn useful too. You know, because Monolith.

>>32021316
But anon, Monolith only want what is best for the zone.

>Ssooo, are we making any offers for anything or shall I go ahead and start typing up the next update?
>And yeah, I probably should've spent this time pre-writing it. But I didn't, because I'm a faggot.

>>32021450
Guess not. They won't want our weapons and the artifact (we do still have that don't we?) is too valuable for what they have. Unless he'll trade for a kiss on the cheek I think we're out of luck.

>>32021395
We aren't the zone, even if it has been relatively kind. Psi protection is good and it's a shame we can't have it.

>>32021450
Nah, its cool. Lets just get moving.

>>32021557
>we aren't the zone

That's where you're wrong. WE ALL ARE THE ZONE. IT IS US.

Yeah, let's move on.

>>32021450
Vroom, vroom, motherfucker. Time to take Eliza for a spin and let her go play some more.

>>32021655
That's only true with sufficient quantities of magical shrooms. And they aren't selling that either, so...

>>32020803
You quickly gather with the girls to quietly confer about what things you have that you might be able to trade for things. Turns out the answer is 'not a lot'.

You turn back to Ozersky. "Oh, sorry. I don't think we really have anything you want to trade for."

He shrugs, "don't worry about it. If that is everything then?"

"Oh! One more thing. Who do you think's cuter? Kris or Vasa?"

"Wha-"
"Loli what kind of question is that?"

Vasa's cheeks immediately flush crimson, while Kris fixes you with an indignant glare.

"Ohoho. I think I'll refrain from answering. You're both very cute." This response only serves to further deepen the red of Vasa's cheeks.

With no further business, you take your leave of the bunker, waving goodbye to Topol's squad on your way out. Doggy saunters on up to you from the campfire, after giving the men around him a friendly lick. They give you a friendly nod in return, and you set out back towards the tank.

When you get back, you find Dave say atop the tank, talking jovially to himself, occasionally laughing. Ice and Viktor are sat on the verge a little distance away, talking quietly between themselves, occasionally glancing suspiciously at the man.
They stand to greet you as they spot you returning.
"Alright, everything sorted out? We're good to leave?" Ice asks as soon as you're close enough to talk.

"Yep," you tell him, happily. "That's everything! We're ready to go wherever we like, now!"

Viktor pipes up, "so where exactly are we going, anyway?"

"North, of course!" Apparently Dave can hear you, even from over there.

"North? Why north?

>Character interaction prompt!
[ ]"Because Vasa's dad is somewhere up there!"
[ ]"Because there's less people that way, which means more adventure!"
[ ]"I just have this feeling, it's where I need to go."

>Story arc prompt!
[ ]"Alright, north it is!"
[ ]"Actually, I wanted to explore around here a bit more."
[ ]"Actually..." (Somewhere else?)

>>32021968
>[ ]"I just have this feeling, it's where I need to go."
I don't know if Vasa wants this kept secret, but that's not important. There's something valuable up north, and that is important.

>>32021968
>[ ]"I just have this feeling, it's where I need to go."

Is the thing with Vasa's dad secret? I forget.

[ ]"Alright, north it is!"

>>32021968
>[ ]"Because there's less people that way, which means more adventure!"
>[ ]"I just have this feeling, it's where I need to go."
>[ ]"Alright, north it is!"

ADVENTURE.jpg

Yeah, Vasa made it pretty clear the thing with her dad should be a secret.

>>32021968
[ ]"Because Vasa's dad is somewhere up there!"
She never asked us to keep that secret. You gotta be very specific about that kind of thing when dealing with kids.

Maybe we want to stop by Beard first to stock up on stuff though? But if we do someone will probably shoot at us or something because that seems to happen everywhere we go.

>>32021968
[x]"I just have this feeling, it's where I need to go."
[x]"Alright, north it is!"

>>32022160
ohey that's a really good idea. Let's stop by Beard's first and get really ready! See what we can get Ice and Viktor!

>>32021968
>[ ]"Because Vasa's dad is somewhere up there!"
>[ ]"Alright, north it is!"

>Still waiting for votes
>Idly flick back to thread
>"Oh, I've had 5 votes for the last 10 minutes."

>Hahaha, sorry guys. Looks like the 12 hour mark is where it gets fun. Gonna take a quick break, grab some more caffeine, maybe a few snacks.

So when will we get to lewds with Kriss and Vasa? Loli loves her girlfriends equally.

>>32021968
"I just have this feeling, it's where I need to go." You probably could've found a better way to word it, but it's true. The feeling has been nagging at you since you first entered the Zone. It's always north. The way forward is always north. Always towards the center of the Zone.
Of course, the other reason is that you're trying to find Vasa's dad, but other than Kris giving vague suggestions, you really have no idea where he is or how to find him.

The group seem a little nonplussed at your answer, but they don't call you out on it. Dave just gives you his usual wide-eyed, ear-to-ear grin as he rocks back and forth along Eliza's barrel, legs swinging free beneath him.

"Alright, north it is!" You all mount up on Eliza, but after a few long moments, she hasn't started rolling yet. "Eliza?"

"She doesn't, understand which whay it is you're wanting to go, dear."

You pout. "Well, north. We just said that."

"Yes, but incase you hkadn't noticed, there is quite, a lot of north to the north."

You frown at him. Why is he being so difficult? "Just go north for now! I'll tell you if we need to change direction!"

You sense reluctance, but the engine roars itself to life and you being rolling up the road.

[4D6 Don't Get Lost!]

>Talk to someone on the journey?
>Write-in for who and what to talk about.

Rolled 6, 1, 1, 6 = 14

>>32022725
Eliza pls

Rolled 1

>>32022725
We should talk to Dave. We don't really know who he is, why he's here, why he wanted to come with us, where he's going, or anything!

>>32022785
Wow, those are some rolls. Also, I change my vote. We should talk to Eliza first instead.

Rolled 3, 6, 5, 1 = 15

>>32022725
let's talk to dave, try to know him a little better

>>32022785
>where he's going
Straight up someone's ass

Rolled 3

>>32022725
Ask Dave how come he can talk with Eliza and we can't.

>>32022769
Jesus, dice what are you doing.

>>32022818
That's pretty lewd. We should still find out for sure whose ass he intends.

Rolled 4

>>32022808
>>32022769
Guys please, 1 roll each.

Rolled 2

>>32022808
>>32022870
oh, sorry

>>32022870
And I say that while forgetting to take my roll off. How ironic.

>>32022894
wait, do you think we were samefagging? we weren't

File: 1368793366081.jpg (9 KB, 192x262)

9 KB JPG

>>32022769
>>32022808
>Sorry, yeah. Should've specified that. My bad. Same as before, First 4 1d6 rolls get summed.

>>32022915

>>32022808 here
rerolled here: >>32022885

>>32022725
Hug Vasa. If she asks why, it's so the memory of how happy and safe we feel with her can keep our head safe from the monolith. Because that is how it works.

>>32023015
Unless she tries to separate us and the Monolith asks to very kindly hug her again, with a knife this time, for interrupting true love.

Rolled 3

>>32022725

>>32022725
I feel like we should talk to Eliza or learn how to do that in the first place.

>>32022725
>>32022785
>>32022847
>>32022885
>>32023068
(1+3+2+3) -4 = 5
Hehehe.
So we're shootin' the breeze with Eliza (through Dave) while getting pretty darned lost.
Writing.

>>32023131
Perfect for a little chat with our tank!

>>32022725
The tank rumbles on along the road as everyone settles down for the long journey. Viktor's taken up his usual spot in the driver's seat, despite not having to actually touch any of the controls. Kris and Vasa and tucked into the commander and gunner seats, while Ice has perched himself behind the driver's hatch, resting against the turret. You and Dave, however, are both sat upright on the turret, the wind billowing through your hair as you speed along.

"How long have you been in the Zone, Dave?" You decide to ask him a neutral enough question, maybe get the conversation rolling.

"Oh, a few years. Longer than most, Ie whould say."

"Really? The scientists said you only just transferred in."

"From another group," he corrects you. "Ie came from, one group to another." He gestures with both hands, as if that helps the explanation somehow. The tank rocks over a bump in the road while he has no hands to steady himself, but he doesn't react, simply rolling with the jolt and staying upright.

"Well then, why did you come with us? Why not stay in the bunker?"

"Because," he leans in close to you, pointing one finger directly at you, "Ie thought that maybe you would be fun~!" At this point, he descends into hysterical chuckling for several minutes.

[1/2]

>>32023614
>our tank
>OUR tank
>Owning a sapient

Carbon Fascist.

>>32023662
Heh. I like this guy.

>>32023700
He both terrifies and intrigues me. I don't trust him one bit, but I'll enjoy the time he's around.

>>32023662
When he's settled himself, you try something else. "Hey, Dave, how come he can talk with Eliza and we can't?"

"Talk whith her? Hnnnn." He seems to find this suggestion particularly amusing. "Ie do not 'talk' with her, child. Ie simply- understand, what she intends. It is not so difficult, once you learn to feel these things." You don't really get it, but somehow you get the feeling you're not going to either. You shrug it off.

"But, if I wanted to talk to her, you could relay what she was saying, right?"

"To an extent, I suppo-" he cuts off, suddenly scanning the sky in all directions and muttering rapidly under his breath. As suddenly as he started, he stops and resumes exactly where he left off. "-se. We can give it a try if you'd like. Speaking of which, she would like to know which direction we should be going."

"Wha-? North, of course! Until I say otherwise!" You make the command final.

He shrugs, then gestures ahead. "Better hkold on, then!"
The tank rolls directly off the road, through a small thicket bush, and out onto an open field, surging ahead toward a small town in the distance.

>Write-in if you have any questions for Eliza.
>You have until I finish writing the next bit to make suggestions.

>>32023738
So what's it like being a tank?

>>32023738
Did Viktor put it in your gas tank?

>>32023738
When I like someone I hug them but I think if a tank hugged someone that might be bad so how do you show someone you like them?

>>32023786
So do we still need to keep the tank full now? I mean I would think so, but you never know with these kinda things.

>>32023738
so, what are you? are all tanks really like that?

>>32023738
"Can Eliza defend herself?"
"What does Eliza want - what makes her happy?"

>>32023738
The ride suddenly gets awful bumpy as Eliza's suspension tries to deal with the uneven surface. She hasn't slowed the pace at all, still zooming along at a hefty pace, quickly eating through the mile or so between you and the town.

You ask the first, obvious question. "What's it like being a tank?"

"What's it like being a squishy human? Hnnn~, Ie could have answered that efen without Eliza."

"Hmm," you ponder for another moment, "well, when I like someone, I hug them. But I think if a tank hugged someone that might be bad; so how do you show someone you like them?"

Dave cackles at your question, before cocking his head to one side as if listening intently. "Protecting them is a good way, so she says. People like, being protected." He flashes his eyes at you, before cocking his head to stare at his feet and scratching the back of his head.

"So do we still need to keep you fueled now? I mean, I guess so, but-"

"Yes, yes. She may be Eliza, but she still needs to run on something. The same way you need food."

You choose to ask a very pointed question next. "What -are- you? Are all tanks really like that?"

Dave frowns at you, suddenly deadly serious. "Off course not. Eliza is Eliza. Unique. To even suggest otherwise, hah. For -what- she is, well. That requires a long, long story. Many yhears ago, innn oh-six, there was-"

He suddenly stops his explanation, instead glancing intently at his watch. "Ah," he reaches into his pocket, revealing that pill bottle again, "it is just about time for-"
The tank suddenly lurches forward as the ground beneath you falls away, crumbling down into a deep pit. You barely have time to yelp before the entire weight pitches over the edge and into the hidden ravine.

[1/?]

>>32024202
Well fuck.

>>32024202
uh uh...

>>32024202
inb4 Duty comes to say "HAHA BITCH, DITCH DEFENSES BITCH. Ditch."

>>32024320
>duty tries to get in the tank
>Eliza: yametekudasai.gif
>they all get gunned down

>>32024202
Luckily, the ravine isn't too deep, and mostly clear of hard objects like rocks. The slope isn't too steep, either, meaning Eliza keeps on her tracks for the descent. You hit the bottom hard, however, throwing you, Ice and Dave from the hull and giving a jarring start to others.

You recover your senses first, pulling yourself to your feet and assessing your new surroundings. You've seen enough of these by now that you already know where you are. All sides of the ravine are lined with holes just wide enough for a man to crawl through, and the tunnels seem to stretch out in all directions.
This is a snork nest.

The others start rousing themselves as well. "That was rough," Ice grumbles, checking himself over for injuries. Viktor hops out of the driver's seat, a little unsteady on his feet, but mostly fine. He quickly sets about assessing the slope you'd just come down.

Kris and Vasa quickly spread out to either side of the tank, weapons at the ready and watching every single tunnel.

The last to start moving is Dave. When he rolls over, there's something like panic in his eyes. "Pills. Pills, pills, pills," he mutters over and over. His eyes darting all over the ground around him, hands running over every pocket. "Pillspillspillspills".

You rush over to his side. "Dave? Dave, are you okay?"

"Pills!" is his only response as he frantically scours a wider and wider arc around himself. All of a sudden, you see his actions start to slow down. At the same time, you almost imagine you can see the light in his eyes fading.
When he next speaks, the strange emphasis in his statements is gone, as is the unidentifiable accent. Instead, he speaks in clear Russian with a distinct American accent. "Snork tunnels, eh? So many of them. The poor bastards. And it's all my fault, isn't it?"
[2/3]

>>32024588
"What? Dave, what are you talking about?" As you speak, trying to grab his attention, he looks up to you, looking straight through you.

"Ha. You hear that? They're here. Nothing more to be done. Well, I suppose it always comes down to this."
His eyes go completely blank. "One last Night at the Opera."

And with that, he breaks free of your grip and hurls himself into the darkness of the nearest snork tunnel. Mere seconds later, you hear the horrific roaring of an inhuman creature, and the ripping and tearing of flesh echoes unnaturally from the tunnels all around you.

>?

Uh.

Uh. Fuck yeah pet psychopath snork killer?

>>32024627
What the fuck, Dave.

>>32024627
try to find his pills bottle?
he'll probably come back for it

>>32024627
Yeah lets try and find those pills. I like him better that way.

>>32024750
>>32024768
>PILLSHERE.bmp

We need to get those pills back, fast.

>>32024627
Apparently, those pills were pretty important. He hand them in his hand when you tipped over, so they can't have gone far, right? You start scanning the ground, even as the horrific scream of primordial terror and agony bounce around the ravine around you.

Kris has turned quite pale, Vasa is shaking. Ice is breathing heavily, but keeping his ground, still scanning tunnels. Viktor is distracting himself pretty well, still apparently trying to find a way to get Eliza back up the slope she came in by.

[DC 13 Find 'Em! check]
>1d6's please!

Rolled 3

>>32024974
oh boy i hope they didn't somehow fall under the tank...

Rolled 5

>>32024974

Women? In my Zone?

>>32025011
huh, your roll is weird, anon?

>>32025069
Not really. Sage blanks out the e-mail field. It's been like that for a while.

Rolled 19

>>32024974

Rolled 3

>>32024974
Doing okay, Kaleun?

>>32025011
>>32025139
I'd prefer you not do it, though. I'd like to see what the rolled dice was.

File: download.jpg (11 KB, 208x243)

11 KB JPG

Rolled 4

>>32025151

>>32025188
If I roll multiple dice, it'll show all the results and add them. If a roll a dice too big, I risk the result going over and then you wouldn't trust any of my rolls, and if my dice is too small, then I'm just making things harder.

But if you prefer, I guess it's fine.

>>32025151
>1d6, not 1d20 please. Thank you!

>>32025228
>The issue comes more with trolls TRYING to make it more difficult. e.g. forcing a crit-fail by rolling a hidden 1d1. Obviously, in this new system it'll have less effect, but it still does.
>I'm still counting the roll, just saying I'd prefer to see it.

>>32025158
Purdy good. Yourself?

>>32025322
DAMNIT I FORGOT

Rolled 5

>>32024974

>>32024974
>>32025002
>>32025011
>>32025158
>>32025426
(3+5+3+5) -4 =12
12 -13 = -1 degrees of failure.
Almost!

>>32024974
You keep looking but you just. Can't. Fine them! And that -screaming- isn't making it any easier. You scurry around, checking under the tank, around the area, even a little way into a few of the nearby tunnels but they just aren't down here! The thought crosses your mind that perhaps they fell onto the other side of the ravin-

The horrific cries cut out suddenly, leaving an eerie silence to descend on you.

"Well, that's easier to work with," Viktor comments dryly. "Hey, you guys. I think we've got a way out, but we're going to need to dig the tracks out of the mud here, get her spun around and take it front-on. Unless we want to just abandon the tank. I mean, we could just climb out easily."

"We're not leaving Eliza!" You declare, leaving no room for argument.

"Right, right. So uh, we'd best get digging."

[ ]Get everyone to digging Eliza out.
[ ]Leave a few people to stand guard. (Choose who)
[ ]Send someone to find Dave.
[ ]Keep looking for the pills.

>>32025856
>[ ]Keep looking for the pills.
uh... yeah
it's not as if we couldn't defend ourselves...
well, actually as the screaming stopped we probably won't have to...

>>32025856
[ ]Keep looking for the pills.

While the others dig.

>>32026291
>have people move dirt around while looking for something on the floor
i don't think that's a really good idea

>>32025856
>Sorry! Got distracted. Again.

You leave the others to start chipping away at the earthen ruts around Eliza's tracks while you focus on finding those pills. They've GOT to be around here somewhere, right?

[DC 12 Find 'Em! check]
>1d6's please, first 4 results count!

Rolled 6

>>32026541
[pills here]

Rolled 2

>>32026541

Rolled 6

>>32026541

>>32026551
>>32026644

Nice.

Rolled 6

>>32026541

File: dodge dip duck dive dodge.gif (1000 KB, 306x184)

1000 KB GIF

>>32026687
>>32026644
>>32026615
>>32026551

File: SOoe4.gif (494 KB, 357x197)

494 KB GIF

Rolled 4

We found the fuck out of those meds!

>>32026541
>>32026551
>>32026615
>>32026644
>>32026687
Hot damn.
(6+2+6+6) -4 = 16
16 -12 = +4 degrees of success.

>>32026541
>>32026732
You keep looking, but you're searching the same spots over and over. Think. Think! He had them when he was up top, then you fell, so-
Oh. You look up. And there they are, resting on a ridge of dirt half way up the slope above you. You clamber up the slope, sliding a little as the loose earth gives way under your feet, but you manage to reach them, clutching at them desperately as you lose your footing and slide back down to the others.
Well, you've got the meds now. But you still don't have Dave.
With the faint sounds of heavy breathing and the occasional echo of rapid scuffling still coming from a few of the tunnels, you're not sure you want to risk going looking for him, either. You decide to chip in with helping dig out the tank instead.
Even with everyone helping dig, it still takes the better part of three hours to shift enough dirt to be able to roll Eliza down, turn her around and line her up with her own track-marks again, but you manage it. Dave still hasn't returned, but there's been no snork attacks yet and the eerie noises from the tunnels have died down considerably over time.

It's getting dark by the time you're finally ready to get out of here. Viktor clambers up the slope in front of Eliza, and coaxes her forwards. "Easy now, easy. Keep coming..."
Once she's in position, he gives the signal, and she guns the engine hard as the rest of you throw your weight into her rear. With a ferocious roar, her engine pulls the full forty tons of steel up and onto the slope, tracks digging deep into the soft earth to find purchase.
You never would've believed it if you hadn't seen it yourself, but somehow Eliza finds the purchase she needs to claw her way up and out of the nest, back onto the flat grassy field above.

[1/?]

>>32027463
When you finish hauling yourselves out of the hole after your tank, you take a moment to just sit on the grass and catch your breath. A gentle breeze passes over you in the quiet evening. If it weren't for the mutant lair right next to you, and the conspicuously missing person, it would almost feel peaceful.

Vasa breaks the silence first. "So. Do we leave him?"

"No way, we can't just leave someone behind like that. Isn't right, not even for... him," Viktor argues.

"Well, what do we do, then?" Vasa asks him, anger edging into her voice. "Sit around and hope he comes back?"

Ice chimes in, "well I ain't goin' lookin' for him."

Eliza's engine growls, but she otherwise does not make any sign of interaction.
Kris doesn't voice an opinion, but instead looks to you.

>?

>>32027463

OH SHIT SHE CAN ACTUALLY

>>32027672
shout: "hey dave! i have your pills! come back"

>>32027726
PEEEELLS HEEERE!

>>32027672
seconding >>32027726 and especially >>32027746

>>32027726
Supporting. And if he dosen't come back, we'll go find him I guess. Damn crazy man.

>>32027672
It's getting awful dark, awful fast. You really need to get a camp set up soon. Still, you don't want to leave without him. You move over to the edge of the raving and lean in. "DAAAAAVE!" You wait in silence for a moment before trying again, "DAAAVE! PIIIILLLS HERE! I HAVE YOUR PILLS! COME BAAAACK!"

For a long time, only silence answers you. Just as you're about to give up and go in after him, however, a slight movement catches your attention. Below you, from one of the tunnels in the side of the slope, a face appears, staring right up at you.
"Oh, hey there. Are those mine? Been looking for them." You drop the bottle to him, he deftly catches it in one hand, freeing the lid and necking a few pills before screwing the lid back on and pocketing the bottle. He pulls himself free of the hole and climbs up beside you, allowing you a clear view of his whole form.

He's shirtless, with his duster jacket tied off around his waist, trailing behind him. His entire face, shoulders and upper chest, as well as his forearms, are completely caked in drying blood. Around his neck hangs a grizzly trophy necklace, some twenty or so deformed left ears attached to a string.

After a long moment, he notices your staring. "What? There is something wrong?" He follows your gaze down to his chest. "Oh, Ie apologize," he says as he unties the duster from his waist and dons it once more, closing it shut over his bare chest.

[ ]"Ears? Really?"
[ ]"Where's your shirt?"
[ ]Shrug it off.
[ ](Write-in)

AND

[ ]Set up a camp here.
[ ]Get to the town, set up camp there.
[ ]Other.

>>32028330
>[ ]"Where's your shirt?"

>[ ]Get to the town, set up camp there.

So Dave confirmed for us levels of badassery when he is off his meds. Good to know.

>>32028330
>[ ]"Ears? Really?"
>[ ]"Where's your shirt?"
>[ ](Write-in) "You probably should get cleaned up fast, your starting to smell."

>[ ]Get to the town, set up camp there.

>>32028330
>[ ]"Ears? Really?"
(on an impressed/exited tone)
>[ ]Get to the town, set up camp there.

>>32028330
>snorks
>Collects ears
>Not gasmasks

Dave you psycho fucker, what the hell?