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>>33710877
"The Japanese are already assembling a team to raid the place. However, they're asking that you tag along to assist them. It seems Colonel Anderson's good words about you have reached even them."

"Really?" You blink.

"Of course. Good helo crews are hard to come by, especially those with experience flying behind enemy lines. Plus, considering the nature of the target, it makes the men feel better knowing they have medical professionals on hand."

"I'm sure." You nod. "But that's not all, is there?"

"Well, you DO have a stealth helicopter, and Lieutenant RIchards is actually quite knowledgeable about the area."

"She is?" You raise an eyebrow. You knew she had been deployed to Asia before you met her in Alaska, but you never knew exactly what she did during that time.

"She does indeed." Kelsey nods. "However, due to the nature of this mission, and because this is technically Japan's show, I can't force you to go. Whether you go or not is up to you.

>I'll go.
>I'm sure you can find a better use for me elsewhere.
>Other

>>33710883
>>I'll go.

>>33710883
>>I'll go.

Seasoning food supplies with anthrax kinda crosses the line.

Oh god we are going to face Dr Thrax!?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAxmvNm6Uv0

>>33711016
eh air force general was harder due to his fucking king raptors.

>>33710883
>I'll go.

>>33710883
>>I'll go.

Hell let's do it.

Wait is it just us, but the entire team?

>>33711016
well its not a crazy type of anthrax so we are safe for now

>>33710883
>>I'll go.

>>33710883
>>I'll go.

>>33710883
>I'll go.

REMOV CHEMLAB

>>33710883
If the Japanese we're inserting/extracting is fron Unit 731 I will laugh. Hard.

>>33711274
why?

>>33711287
Sheer bloody irony.

>>33711287
>moments late

HA

>>33711274
...I can actually see that. No lost war means they don't need to shut the program down, and they'd be Japan's most experienced specialists in biological warfare.

>>33711274
so they used bio weapons on the squids.

>>33711274
in this case you better hope we are sending them IN

>>33711406
>Formed in 1935

And a fuckload of Chinese.

>>33711274

Why would they be sending in scientist. Likely just spec ops in full NBC gear and loads of explosives.

>>33711016
he was the worst general to face when you played china

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>>33710883
"I'll go." You nod. "I can't refuse them after they asked so nicely, right?

"All right." Kelsey nods. "They'll be glad to hear it. Now, I hear our German friends are itching to see some action too, so if you think it's necessary you can go see if they can drum up some support from them. Also, Sokolov has been wanting you to meet him. Something about new developments for your helicopters."

"Got it."

"And of course, you can go meet the men you'll be escorting in. IJN Special Warfare. Other than that, make sure you get rested. The Japanese are going to want to attack right when night falls."

"Yes sir." You salute and make your exit. Now, you've got quite a few things on your plate.

>Go meet the Japanese special forces guys you'll be working with.
>Ask Elsa and Hessler if they want to tag along.
>Go see those "new developments" Sokolov was talking about.
>Talk to Tarin about what she did in China.
>Other

>>33711532
>Go see those "new developments" Sokolov was talking about.

then

>Go meet the Japanese special forces guys you'll be working with.

don't want to bring the green horns along for this

>>33711470
>Implying 731 was just scientists

They had chemical/bio-warfare-trained troops for field tests IRL.

>>33711532
>>Go meet the Japanese special forces guys you'll be working with.

>>33711532
>>Go see those "new developments" Sokolov was talking about.

We should probably learn how our helicopter upgrades work.

>>33711532

>Ask Elsa and Hessler if they want to tag along.
>Talk to Tarin about what she did in China.

Gotta take care of our personnel issues.

>>33711532
>>Ask Elsa and Hessler if they want to tag along.

>>33711532
>>Ask Elsa and Hessler if they want to tag along.

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>>33711532
Well, might as well ask Elsa and Hessler if they want to tag along. You grab a ride from a passing jeep and head for the area set aside for the Germans and their trainees. Up ahead, you can see Hessler pacing back and forth on the tarmac, barking a mix of orders and insults as a group of nearly thirty witches are busy dragging tank strikers on sleds in laps around the edges of the tarmac. Those tanks strikers looked really damn heavy, too.

"Keep moving!" Hessler barks, focusing her attention on the trainees lagging to the back. "You move any slower than that and the enemy is going to catch you! Move or die!"

The trainees wordlessly pick up the pace, panting and leaving trails of sweat behind them. That seemed pretty harsh, but then again you were no expert on witch training. Maybe this was normal. Maybe.

However, Hessler seemed to be in the zone, and you were hesitant to interrupt her. You look around for Elsa, but you don't immediately see her anywhere.

>Go talk to Hessler.
>Go look for Elsa.
>Other

>>33711908
>Go look for Elsa.
Don't interrupt the drill sergeant.

>>33711908
>Go look for Elsa.

>>33711908
>>Go look for Elsa.
well we know where Hessler will be when we ask her, wherever those rookies are getting shouted at

>>33711908
>>Go look for Elsa.

>>33711908
>>Go look for Elsa.

>>33711908
>Go look for Elsa.

Don't hassle the Hess.

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>>33711908
You decide to leave Hessler to her training and go look for Elsa instead. You ask a passing German tech where she might be. You're not sure if the tech actually understood your question or not, but he seems to at least guess who you're looking for and points off what looks to be a firing range. There, you see Elsa and her spotter Lisa, surrounded by a smaller group of ten trainees.

"Really? How is this possible?" Elsa sighs in exasperation. "Sung, how could you possibly shoot the WRONG target? Either you weren't paying any GODDAMN attention, or you just simply that bad a shot!"

The trainee in question then begins to tear up and sniffle.

"Oh... oh jeez, please don't do this." Elsa recoils.

Sung then bawls loudly, her fellow trainees crowding around her to try and get her to calm down.

"You... you know what. Fifteen minute break. Take a breather and get your shit together and we'll try this again." Elsa shakes her head and waves her trainees off.

"Having a tough time?" You ask as the trainees quickly make their escape. Lisa follows them from a distance to make sure they'll be all right.

"Well, that's what happens when you try to rain a bunch of country hicks." Elsa frowns. "That's all these kids basically are, farmgirls from Korea joining up with the IJA for better perks. I almost feel bad that we're training these kids only to toss them into the meat grinder."

"Well, that's just the tough reality." You nod sympathetically.

"Anyways, what brings you here?" Elsa asks.

>I'm going on a secret, dangerous op. Wanna tag along?
>Well, besides their marksmanship, how are your trainees doing overall?
>How's Japan treating you?
>Other

>>33712306
>Well, besides their marksmanship, how are your trainees doing overall?
>How's Japan treating you?
>I'm going on a secret, dangerous op. Wanna tag along?
in that order

>>33712306
>>How's Japan treating you?

>>33712306
>>I'm going on a secret, dangerous op. Wanna tag along?

To business.

>>33712306
>>33712338
Yeah

>>33712306
>I'm going on a secret, dangerous op. Wanna tag along?

>>33712464
fucking awesome, though I'm wondering if that Hind is flying the wrong way or retreating

>>33712306
>Well, besides their marksmanship, how are your trainees doing overall?
>How's Japan treating you?
>I'm going on a secret, dangerous op. Wanna tag along?

>>33712464
>>33712510
>>33712536
Question, why are Soviet helo's supporting Nato and friends?

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>>33712640
Neuroi war in the Gulf around the same time as our Desert Storm.

>>33712306
"Well, besides their... marksmanship," you grimace as you see the targets at the end of the range being mysteriously pristine, "How is their training going overall?"

"Well..." Elsa scratches her head. "Hessy would probably be able to answer that better, since she's handling the bulk of the training. But, if I have to compliment these girls, it's that they respect for authority very seriously. Like, you can be as harsh or abusive, and no that doesn't mean I've been harsh and abusive to them, as you want, and they'll take it without a single word of protest. Besides the occasional waterworks show, I've had pretty much zero cases of insubordination."

"Yeah, that IS something." You nod. "So how's Japan been treating the both of you?"

"Well, the heat and humidity are certainly something different." Elsa pulls at the elastic band of her shorts. "My shorts keep riding up my ass and it's really, REALLY uncomfortable."

You resist the urge to make a joke a her expense, as much as you really wanted to.

"But other than that, the people are nice, or at least respectful." Elsa shrugs. "They also apparently got a real hardon for Germans, or something. I can't even take one step off base without getting swarmed by a bunch of curious locals."

"Good to hear." You nod, and decide to get to the point of the matter. "Anyways, I was wondering if you'd like to tag along on a mission with us."

"Is it secret?" Elsa's eyes brighten.

"Yep."

"High risk?"

"Absolutely."


"I'm in!" She says.

"But... I didn't even tell you what the mission was." You blink.

"Screw that! I've been DYING from boredom sitting here bossing around younger girls!"

"Um... okay." You nod. "You think Hessler will want to come?"

"Ah, well, she'll probably chew me out for 'not taking my duties seriously', but she won't stop me. I doubt she'd come along, though. She takes the job too seriously for that."

>I guess you're right.
>Might as well still try.
>Other

>>33712640
He's posting pics from the original Gulf Neuroi war stuff this is based off of. In that everyone is fighting together.

>>33712687
>I guess you're right.

It's probably best not to poach both their instructors.

>>33712682
ah, that makes sense then

>>33712687
>Might as well still try.

>>33712687
>Might as well still try.

She says no. She says no. All the help we can get would be worth getting.

>>33712687
>>Might as well still try.

>>33712687
>>Might as well still try.

>>33712687
>Might as well try.

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>>33712687

>Might as well still try.

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>>33712687
"Well, we might as well try." You shrug.

"All right, but don't say I didn't warn you." Elsa teases.

The both of you make your way back to Hessler's training area. You can see her trainees still going at it, clearly at the point of collapsing.

"Geez, is this really necessary?" You wonder.

"Like I said, Hessy always takes the job seriously." Elsa responds. "Her aim to make training worse than the real thing. Gets you properly prepared."

Germans.

"Ah, Elsa, how's the marksmanship training been going?" Hessler turns to face the both of you.

"Getting there." Elsa shrugs. "Still a ways off."

"I wish you'd take our duties more seriously." Hessler sighs.

"I am! Kinda." Elsa grunts. "Anyways, I'm tagging along with PJ guy here on a mission. You want in?"

"No."

"But you didn't even hear-"

"My mission is to train these girls and get them ready to fight." Hessler huffs. "I'm putting my pride as the Silver Tiger on the line here. These girls WILL be brought up the standard of our finest Panzers, or they'll be sent home."

Man, Elsa was not kidding when she said Hessler was dedicated to the job."

"Well, more kills for me." Elsa shrugs.

"Anyways, I need to be going. I have other business to be taking care of." You say, nodding respectfully to Hessler. "Colonel."

"Just make sure Elsa doesn't do something stupid." Hessler sighs and turns back to her trainees, barking more instructions and insults at them.

"Aw, she really does care." Elsa grins. "Anyways, you mind if I tag along? Need to do something to pass the time."

"What about your training?"

"Eh, Lisa can handle it."

>Sure, why not.
>You should go back.
>Other

>>33713066
>>Sure, why not.

Let her know the details of the mission

>>33713066
>Sure, why not.

>>33713066
>>Sure, why not.

>>33713066
>>Sure, why not.

>>33713066
>>Sure, why not.

>>33713066
>sure

>brief her, ask if she has any recommendations/questions

Aside: assuming we have spooks or something similar on base we can contact, can we ask for recording devices? Cameras, recorders, anything formal.

Even if the UN is too busy to handle a unsanctioned bioweapon use, having something on record could always prove useful at a later date.

>>33713226
it has a assault gun mode

>>33713066
"Yeah, sure." You say as you head over to the nearest collection of vehicles. "I guess you can tag along.

"Nice!" Elsa grins and falls into line next to you. "So, what exactly is this mission we're going on?"

"We're infiltrating into the Chinese mainland to destroy a secret bioweapon lab." You say simply.

"Neat." Elsa nods. "But bioweapons? That's some pretty heavy stuff."

"Which is why we want to make sure the Chinese can't use it." You say. "Getting any second thoughts?"

"As if a few germs are gonna scare me!" Elsa snorts.

Finally, the pair of you reach a line of parked jeeps. You flash your ID at the nearby guards and they let you borrow one of the vehicles.

"I'll drive. I'm pretty sure I know the base layout better than you." Elsa hops into the driver's seat. "Just gotta remember that the Japs drive on the LEFT like those silly Brits..."

Encouraging.

"Anyways, where do you want to go?"

>Meet the Japanese SF.
>Meet Sokolov.
>Meet Tarin.
>Other

>>33713357
>Meet Sokolov.
NEW TOYS!

>>33713357
>Meet the Japanese SF.

>>33713357
>Meet Sokolov.
we need to know what he added

>>33713357
>Sokolov

And ask him if we're dragging biohazard suits with us.

>>33713357
>>Meet Sokolov.
TOYS

>>33713357
>Meet Sokolov
please tell us you made a metal gear.....

>>33713357
>>Meet Sokolov.

>>33713357
>>Meet the Japanese SF.

Wanna meet the guys we'll be working with.

>>33713429
does >>33713226
count?

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>>33713357
"Head over to our hangar. One of our resident eggheads apparently had something to show me." You say.

"Got it!" Elsa nods and slams her foot down on the gas, sending the jeep rocketing forward as she haphazardly weaves it through obstacles and oncoming traffic, all with a smile on her face.

Yeah, you were driving next time.

Thankfully, you reach your hangar in one piece, and you quickly dismount the jeep as soon as it rolls to a stop. Up ahead, you can see the Ghost Hawk and Comanche sitting idly while techs and scientists swarmed all over them.

"Ah, Captain! You've arrived!" Sokolov looks up from his work station and gives you a friendly hug. "And how might this young lady be?"

"Lieutenant Elsa Konig. Fallschirmjager regiment." She says, shaking Sokolov's hand.

"Ah, and do you use flying or tank strikers?"

"Tank strikers. Well, tank in name only. They're actually based on the Wiesel." Elsa chuckles.

"Mmmm, my specialty is in developing tank strikers. Perhaps I could develop something along those lines in the future." Sokolov nods. "Anyways, I have many exciting things to show you, on both vehicles here!"

>Show me the Ghost Hawk first.
>Show me the Comanche first.
>Other

>>33713711
>>Show me the Ghost Hawk first.

most revelant to us

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>>33713711

>Show me the Ghost Hawk first.

>>33713711
>Show me the Comanche first.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADvY1JYeOlU

>>33713711
>>Show me the Ghost Hawk first.

>>33713711
>Show me the Ghost Hawk first.

>>33713748
>jungle strike

the strike series had some CRAZY shit in it. like the super apache in soviet strike that could hold seven people!

>>33713861
Shame it exploded due to engine damage in the first mission in Nuclear Strike. Then you had to use the Huey ...

>>33713861
So, a yank Hind?

>>33710877
Merc, would you run a SRW Quest after you have finished one of your quests?

>>33713917
more or less ya but still looked the same
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afvqhPXlfhM

>>33713928
>/tg/
>in charge of SRW upgrades

CLUSTERFUCK

>>33713958
I don't think /tg/ is ready for shu and the grandzon..

>>33713928
>>33713958
>GM in charge of choosing series to include for SRW quest
>players complain
>GM says fuck it, OG only

I don't see any good end to this

>>33713945
God damn it Nick quit getting captured! its not like a tiger is going to kill you in the first mission of Nuclear Str- oh...

>>33714018
I remember we tried to do a SRW quest earlier this year.....did not go over well

>>33714023
At least its not the DMZ mission with the VTOL A-10

>>33714043

None of the SRWQs on /tg/ have gone well. Other than maybe that long running one on /m/ as Katina

>>33713928
I haven't really thought of it. I have other quest ideas I'm considering!

>>33713711
"How about the Ghost Hawk first?" You say, interested in seeing what your helo can do now.

"Yes yes, come this way!" Sokolov guides you to the Ghost Hawk's passenger compartment. Inside, you... don't really see anything different.

"Well, what do you see?" Sokolov says, barely able to contain his excitement.

"I... I don't see anything." You shrug. "Is this some kind of trick question?"

"In a way." Sokolov chuckles. "What if I told you that the Ghost Hawk was currently carrying enough medical supplies to treat an entire platoon's worth of wounded?"

"I'd say you'd need your glasses checked." You say, looking at the empty compartment again.

"Well, come this way!" Sokolov guides you to the back of the compartment, where you see a small storage box. No way it could be holding that many supplies.

"Now, Miss Konig, would you mind putting on hand on that handle there?" Sokolov points to a bright red handle on the side of the box.

"Um, sure thing." Elsa grips the handle.

"Now channel magic into it. Just a little bit."

Elsa nods and her familiar pops out. The box glows for a bit, and Sokolov pops open the top and starts pulling out entire boxes of bandages, cases of antibiotics and painkillers, blood packs, and enough tools to outfit an entire damn surgical suite. There was no possible way that could have all fit in there!

(cont)

>>33714174

"How...?"

"Magic!" Sokolov spreads his arms out like a performer. "Well, literal magic. You see, while she was in Britain, Dr. Kelsey came across a very, VERY interesting new development."

"You expanded the applications of a striker's dimension altering properties!" Elsa gasped.

"Exactly!" Sokolov snapped his fingers. "So, both me and Dr. Kelsey were thinking... if you could use a striker's dimensional altering properties to allow it to hold a full payload of missiles, why not apply to conventional forms of storage?"

"Is that what this is?" You point to the storage box.

"Exactly! However, it will only work if you're channeling magic directly into it, but you have witch that rides in the helicopter, no? It shouldn't be that much of a problem!"

>That's amazing!
>Can it be expanded further?
>What the hell is going on in Britain, anyways?
>Other

>>33714174

Whoa fuck.

Thats fucking fast implementation of the magic box demonstrators.

>>33714199
>>Other
...You did this with the commanche too, didn't you. Exactly how much ordinance is it carrying now?

>>33714199
>>That's amazing!
also >>33714229
Now Ugly won't need to use his M4 or his M9 when he runs dry as he will never run dry.

>>33714199
>>That's amazing!
>>Can it be expanded further?

>>33714199
Yes ummmm, god forbid, but.... What if something happens to Red? Like she gets wounded/knocked unconscious? Now we can't get to our medical supplies, which means we can't treat Red

We should have a second conventional storage set up just in case

>>33714273
good idea....

>>33714273
yeah, or some sort of focus battery to power and access the thing for people that can't fling magic around

>>33714273
Yeah... I imagine there is one or at least was on the ghost before this. Hopefully it's still there...

>>33714273
Worth at least mentioning.

>>33714273

This is a good idea. Or rather, there should be some supplies placed outside and this is the main backup closet.

>>33714293
Can we be sure it won't break? If so then so much yes, if not than I'd still like an emergency medical setup.... I just really don't want to lose Red

>>33714199
>>That's amazing!
But can we have a standard first aid kit outside the box in case Red gets injured and can't access it.

>>33714199
>>33714273

>encourage Sokolov. Stimulate his intellect with a problem and goal.

Suggest if he could make a mundane failsafe method.

Basically, witch is down and you need access to supplies?

Hit the failsafe, the magic dimension collapses, everything spills out from the box all at once. Possible? Practical? Let him sort it out.

>>33714561

I get this feeling that that results in an explosion

>>33714199
"That's pretty cool." You nod. "But... what if Red's incapacitated, or we don't have an easy source of magic to access it?"

"Rest assured, we thought of that!" Sokolov pats the side of the box. There's a magic battery installed here that can keep the storage unit powered for several hours. A witch simply holding the handle will recharge it. Plus, it won't affect whatever supplies you store outside of the unit. It's meant to enhance your current capabilities, not completely replace them, after all!"

"Makes sense." You nod. "I assume you've set up something like this in the Comanche?"

"Of course!" Sokolov nods. "It was a rather simple modification, too. The Comanche already has an integrated magic circuit, as well as internal weapon bays. With the current build, we've managed to nearly triple its internal storage capacity!"

That meant the Comanche could potentially pack enough Hellfire missiles to take out an entire armored company by itself.

"Does Ugly know about this?" You ask.

"He was the first one I informed. He was really rather overjoyed at the news." Sokolov smiles.

"I'm sure he was." You nod. "Anything else?"

(cont)

>>33714708

"Other than some fine tuning, nothing too much. Oh! We also installed a prototype dual purpose moter into both craft!"

"What exactly are those?" You ask.

"Well, seeing as how your missions often require you to operate behind enemy lines, we developed conventional engines that not only run on regular fuel, but can also be powered by magic!"

"...what."

"Yes! If you want to save on fuel, or if you're running low, you have the option of switching the engine to run on magical power instead of gas! Provided you have a witch nearby, of course. It would certainly help on extended missions."

"Are you sure you're not just going to turn our helos into giant strikers?"

"And what would be the problem in that?"

"Huh... none I guess." You concede.

"Anyways, I still have some more adjustments to take care of, so feel free to look around!"

>Stick around for a bit.
>Meet the Japanese SFs
>Find Tarin
>Other

>>33714726
>>Meet the Japanese SFs

>>33714726
>Meet the Japanese SFs

god damn!

>>33714726
>>Meet the Japanese SFs

>>33714726
>Meet the Japanese SFs

>>33714726
>Meet the Japanese SFs

Thanks Sokolov, but we must be everywhere at once.

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>>33714726
"Well, Elsa, I believe it's time to meet our Japanese partners." You say.

"Neat. Where to?" She asks.

"I.... have no idea."

"Typical." Elsa rolls her eyes.

However, fortuitously enough, you see Jetstream passing by and you wave her over.

"Hey Jetstream!"

"Yes, Captain?" The Japanese witch approaches, a curious look on her face. "What do you need?"

"Do you happen to know where I can find the IJN Special Warfare Group?"

"Why would you need to see them?" Jetstream asks curiously.

"Well, we're going to be working with them on our next mission. I just wanted to get an idea of who we were working with."

"Ah, I see." Jetstream nods in understanding. "Well, I know where to find them, but I don't recommend it. The Umibozu are a very... secretive group."

"Umibozu?" You blink.

"The Imperial Japanese Naval Special Warfare Group is their official name, but everybody calls them the Umibozu, after a fearsome sea demon." Jetstream explains. "Perhaps you'll want to wait until the official briefing to meet them..."

>I guess you're right.
>I want to see the right now.
>Other

>>33715073
>>I want to see the right now.

>>33715073
>>I want to see the right now.

Nonsense.

Unless they're all fujoshi in which case, we get the hell out,.

>>33715073
>I want to see them right now
"Pffftt, please have you not met Tarin?"

If we don't do that than we should
>Other (Go hang out with Tarin)

>>33715073
>I guess you're right.
She knows them best, and their traditions.
They may just not like meeting people except after formal introductions.

>>33715073
>>I want to see the right now.

Pfft

>>33715073
>I guess you're right.

Pff

>>33715073
>I guess you're right.

>>33715073
>"Are they conventional, witches, or both?"

Both or conventional, we go see them, maybe drag Tarin and Jetstream along.

Witches, maybe not. Too much that can happen with just sparkles.

>>33715073
>I want to see the right now.

>>33715291
This guy brings up a very good point...
If it's just sparkles, there is a lot that can go wrong

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>>33715073
"Pffffft, if they can out secret Tarin, then maybe I'd be worried." You roll your eyes. "Let's go see them."

"All right." Jetstream nods and he three of you walk back to the jeep. "You have to understand though, their secrecy isn't because they're being mean or anything, it's just sort of... erm... a tradition, if you will."

Jetstream pulls the jeep out of its parking spot and starts driving.

"You see, the Umibozu had their roots in the Martian War. Initially, they were meant to be a special operations force that would strike enemy bases and cities when needed. When the Martians attacked, they were reassigned to striking and sabotaging Martian installations on the mainland to keep them from reinforcing their footholds on the Home Islands. Afterwards, they fought many shadow wars with China and became widely feared. The lack of information on them is what really creates the aura of mystery and fear."

"So, just like any other SF force." You conclude.

"Oh no, the Umibozu take it one step further." Jetstream laughs. "The names of all unit members are officially struck from all records while they are on active duty. The fact that they even served in the Umibozu will never show up in their public records. They don't even use their real names on mission."

"That's pretty serious." You nod.

"A lot of trouble, if you ask me." Elsa shrugs.

"Well, it's what they do, and they take pride in it." Jetstream says.

Finally, the jeep pulls up to a nondescript building. There were not special features on it or anything, but it still had a rather ominous feel about it.

"Well, are you ready?" Jetstream asks.

>Yeah, I'm ready.
>Actually...
>Other

>>33715506
>>Other
Hell Ye

>>33715506
>Yeah, I'm ready.

>>33715506
"Wait a sec!"
>rape whistle is still in pocket
"Alright I'm good to go"

>>33715506
>>Yeah, I'm ready.

>>33715506
>Yeah, I'm ready.
What is this, ghost stories? I'm not 10 lets do this.

>>33715506
>>Yeah, I'm ready.

>>33715506
>>Actually...
Shouldn't we find Tairn?

>>33715506
>Small talk while walking in.

>"I'd understand remaining out of the public eye, but would the Martians really care about knowing the identities of these guys?

I mean, would these aliums even understand how human society works at the family level?"

"...and this, my girls, are how the witches of the umibozu unit traditionally select their mates."

>>33715571
>>33715679
RUN FOR IT!

>>33715506
>>Yeah, I'm ready.

They're going to CONFIRM THE SITUATION all over us

>>33715506
"Yeah, I'm ready." You nod.

Jetstream leads you to the door which she opens rather warily. Inside, you see a bunch of the biggest, burliest Japanese men that you have ever seen. They're all wearing simple uniforms with no identifying unit marks or patches or anything. Not even name tags. Jetstream was right about them taking their secrecy very seriously. They give you inquisitive stares. Not outright hostile, but definitely wary of your presence.

"Um, hi. I'm Captain Pierce, US Air Force Pararescue." You introduce yourself, trying to keep your cool. "You guys are the IJN Special Warfare Group?"

"We are." One man, wearing a trench coat, sunglasses, an a beret steps forward. He was the spitting image of the stereotypical SF commander. "What business do you have here?"

"Well, I believe you specifically requested me to accompany on your next mission? I just wanted to see what you guys were all about."

"Ah! So you were the ones Colonel Anderson spoke so highly of!" The man smiles and shakes your hand. "My name is- er, my active duty name is Tokugawa. We all use pseudonyms to protect our identities."

>That sounds pretty cool.
>Is that all really necessary?
>You know Anderson?
>Other

>>33715989
>You know Anderson?

New toys for the chopper is always nice to have. Not sure I like what the new systems imply for the setting at large though.

Merlin figured out how to store missiles in strikers, but Merlin is a special person. I kind of got the impression that there was some unique trick to doing it that Merlin had figured out because she is a genius. If other people are starting to make use of the idea then it means that either it was always possible to do and no one thought of it until Merlin came along (which I doubt). Or Merlin's secret (if it ever was) is now out of the bag and basically anyone with a presence at Barin now knows how to make pocket dimensions. Kind of breaks the setting a bit.

>>33715989
>>That sounds pretty cool.
>>You know Anderson?

>>33715989
>>That sounds pretty cool.
>>You know Anderson?

>>33715999
You have to realize, both Sokolov and Christina are genius-level scientists who already specialized in striker interfaces. They are smart enough to put two and two together.

>>33715989
>You know Anderson?

>>33715989

>You know Anderson?

Let's just keep it professional, at the first meeting anyway.

>>33715989
>You know Anderson?

>>33716049
I guess, but they don't have to look at Merlin for this anymore. That was part of the point that made Merlin so special

>>33715999
Dude, all the brass and matron's know about Merlin's work with dimensional pockets, and there were a fair few R&D big names at Barin, the tech is spreading, and its wartime, so you can expect it to spread like wildfire

>>33716095
not really, Merlin will still have her shop in the US when things ain't so crazy so she can work in it, and she's still crazier than Tesla.

someone with her ability to commune with the machine spirit and invent does not run dry after their first or second big find.

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Rolled 13

>>33715989
>Knowledge Check: Japanese History!

"Of totally no relationship to Tokugawa Ieyasu, I assume."

>>33716169
Kid is going to build a striker gear someday

>>33715989
>You know Anderson?

Shouldn't be surprised he knows him or of him. But still...

Aaaaaaaaah. Late.

>>33716203
Or a metal geeeeaar!

>>33715989
>You know Anderson?

>Sorry, I'm running into some delays, so please bear with me.

>>33715989
"You Anderson?" You blink

"Those who live in the shadows form close bonds with one another." Tokugawa says sagely. "We have worked together in the past."

"Uh huh." You nod. "I take it your guys are experienced?"

"If I told you, you'd be arrested." Tokugawa chortles. "But yes, me and my men have spent many years in China, in more ways than one."

"I see." You nod.

>Well, that's all I need to know.
>Ask them about Tarin.
>Ask if they have any witches.
>Other

>>33716422
>>Ask them about Tarin.
>>Ask if they have any witches.

>>33716422
>Ask them about Tarin.

>>33716422
>Ask them about Tarin.

>>33716422
Stay away from talking about Tarin.

She's already warned you a couple times about some of her stuff being "kill on leak." If she actually did work with the Umibozu, then it's probably more of the same.

At best you don't learn anything, at worst you tick one of them off and set up a death flag.

>Ask if they have any witches

>>33716422
>>Ask them about Tarin.
>>Ask if they have any witches.

>>33716422
>>Ask if they have any witches.

If Tarin knows them, let her start things.

>>33716422
"By any chance, do any of you know a Tarin Richards? She's a witch who apparently operated in this area a while ago."

The Umibozu guys all look warily at each other.

"Ah yes, we know Tarin" Tokugawa said. "She was of great help to us in the past, but I'm afraid that is all we can say."

Typical. Man, you really are curious about what she was up to while she was in Asia.

"Let me guess. Super secret need to know."

"Essentially."

"Wonderful."

>Go talk to Tarin.
>Go see if you can get clearance from Kelsey.
>Drop the issue.
>Other

>>33716679
>Drop the issue
>Talk about witches

>>33716679
>Drop the issue.
>Go talk to Tarin.
then we should be ready to gear up and get sneaky

>>33716679
>>Drop the issue.
Just say that Tarin is in our squad and will be coming along.

>>33716679
yesh, this:
>>33716706
then watch how they react, and snicker.

>>33716679
>Drop the issue.

>>33716049
>>33716158
It still doesn't fully add up though. If these people are smart enough to figure it out without Merlin, then why didn't they figure it out without Merlin? Either Merlin was the first person to figure out the secret and everyone copied her telepathically. Or the entire scientific and magical world has been sitting on this technology for decades and never though of using it to do more than store magical girl legs.

Not trying to be nitpicky but I guess I'm just concerned that it's an awful lot of power creep in such a short time. You all saw how quickly the matrons dumped Fronk like yesterdays news when they realized what Merlin was cooking. Not so long ago the most they had to worry about was next-gen steelwings edging into parity with witches in air to air combat. Seems like the tables have turned. Still if I were a matron seeking to keep witches on top of the game I would be more worried about how Nikolov casually drops the fact that you can store magic in a battery.

>>33716679
>Drop the issue.

>>33716792
>If these people are smart enough to figure it out without Merlin
It's more a sympathetic parasitical relationship then merely what your picturing, like competing science labs, newly released theories get the brain juices flowing and like minds keyed onto the same wavelength, one person makes the breakthrough, and the others assimilate and work off of the discovered knowledge

You are overthinking this way too much.

>>33716792
>You all saw how quickly the matrons dumped Fronk like yesterdays news when they realized what Merlin was cooking. Not so long ago the most they had to worry about was next-gen steelwings edging into parity with witches in air to air combat. Seems like the tables have turned.
Welcome to the world of heavy arms development, it does that roughly once a year.

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>>33716679
Eh, you could live without knowing. Probably for the best, anyways.

"By the way, how do you know Tarin?" Tokugawa asks.

"Oh, she's part of my unit." You shrug.

Literally all of the Umibozu commandos go pale.

"She's.... here? On this very base?" Tokugawa chokes.

"Yes, why?" You blink.

"N-no reason." Tokugawa laughs nervously. "Anyways, we have other duties to tend to. Please have a nice day, Captain."

"Jeez." Elsa frowns as you all leave the Umibozu barracks. "What the hell did Tarin do to get those guys running scared?"

"Who knows." You shrug. "None of our business."

"I guess..." Elsa sighs.

"What's going on?" You hear Tarin's voice behind you.

You, Jetstream and Elsa all freeze for a second and you turn around to see Tarn herself standing behind you.

"Tarin, what are you doing there?" You blink.

"Well, Janice was getting worried about where you went off to, so she sent me to find you."

"Oh." You sigh in relief. For a moment there you thought she had been stalking you all day.

"And no, I wasn't stalking you all day." Tarin adds in bluntly.

This girl...

>And that's all for tonight! Sorry if this thread seemed a bit slow and short, but, that's just how it sometimes goes.
>Anyways, next thread is next week like always, and don't forget to catch Gundam Build Fighters on Friday and Cyberpunk Idols on Saturday!

>>33716867
Thanks for the thread Merc

>>33716867

Missed opportunities.

We should have brought tarin to see then.

Dohohoho

Thanks for running merc.

>>33716826
>You are overthinking this way too much.

Welcome to Starshadow. He never shuts up.

>>33716826
I know I know, I'm just trying to imagine how the story is going to progress from here. People are already implementing the technology into things that have nothing to do with strikers. Witches being able to carry full sized missiles won't change the game for long. Steelwings could just respond by using the same magic to carry enough antimissile flares to give those witches a tan.

>>33716837
Oh indeed. Just put Fronk into a Wyvern that doesn't have to carry the weight of it's own fuel and were right back where we started.

>>33716987
>I know I know, I'm just trying to imagine how the story is going to progress from here. People are already implementing the technology into things that have nothing to do with strikers.
Man picked up stone, killed with stone, couple hundred thousands years later we have the internet.

>>33716987
True, but then you're running into the issue of who is going to power all that fancy tech, and for how long. A steelwing with a witch that ISN'T Merlin, with a pilot who ISN'T Frank is going to have certain limitations on what can be powered by them or not. Even having two witches doesn't necessarily solve everything unless they happen to have absurd stamina. At some point, they have to let traditional power systems handle stuff, otherwise you're just going to wind up with very expensive aircraft manned by two very exhausted witches.

Also: flares are not a guaranteed way to defeat infrared missiles fired at a pilot from ranges well under a thousand feet, which is likely what many witches would do. Hell, even something radar-guided would be exceedingly lethal at short ranges, simply because of how fast missiles can travel, and how hard missiles can out-turn anything piloted by actual people. AFAIK, there is no actual warning system for incoming IR missiles other than the Mk. 1 Eyeball. Anything radar guided gets picked up by modern radar warning systems, and even then that's no guarantee that chaff can stop them from tracking.

You could have an active sensor system seeking out missiles, but that would then be some sort of emission that could be tracked back to the fighter and kill what little stealth it might have possessed to begin with.

That and we're already able to make IR missiles that ignore flares, even by 1990 there were MANPADS more the able to ignore even the the sort of flare spam we see at airshows from the C-130. In general, missiles are becoming deadlier and more sophisticated, to the point where even by this time in the PJW, it'd be silly to expect a fighter to carry enough countermeasures to defeat all incoming missiles for sure, even with magical storage spaces. And then what?

>>33717549
Things are gonna get real shitty for normal steelwings that's for sure. They still have to fight witches, only now the witches have the possibility of carrying BVR or agile missiles, plus magic damage/tracking enhancements if they can figure that out too. The only "foolproof" method of defeating a missile hit would be to shield the steelwings, which means at least one witch crew. But this still isn't ideal because A. You are taking witches out of strikers to do this and B. You still need a pilot of Frank's calibre if you're going to engage witches on equal terms.

It's worth noting though that planes like the Wyvren and Vampire are already credible threats to witches as it is. Going forward we will probably see much wider deployment of next gen steelwings, as well as witch/hybrid crews. A combination of high mundane tech and magical integration for elite units. Rather like how Mouse's tanks are shaping up come to think of it.

>>33717729
Thank fuck there will always be the option of a sneaky RPG into the tracks even for sparkle-aided tanks...right?

>>33717729
The Wyvern's a credible threat, but primarily at a cost to the two people driving it. Even Merlin comes out of a fight feeling utterly drained, and Frank basically comes close to killing himself when he turns on the juice, which isn't something that you'd want to reproduce under any circumstances in actual combat. Ideally you'd want as many of the benefits from what he does as possible, without the side effects.

Witches have a number of natural advantages over steelwings, even next-gen steelwings with witch integration. You're simply not going to see steelwings as we know them be potentially as nimble as any witch could possibly be in a knife fight, and that's where the vast majority of kills between modern fighters have actually been made. Now, there are missiles that can track a witch in close-ranged fights (like the Agile 3s, and in real life the modern Sidewinder is able to make shots well off boresight, I think in ideal conditions it can loop back around to engage a threat behind it)... but now Witches can carry those too.

It's a matter of learning how to fight something like Frank and Merlin, and it looks like the answer to that is to not do it alone. For everyone else, it'd just come down to who is better/luckier, and in just about every respect, the odds are tilted in witches favor.

You don't actually need to be as good as Frank is to take on witches in a steelwing, and you don't even need superjets to be a credible threat. Late-Soviet ASFs like the Flanker (especially the Flanker C) had witches in fits over Alaska, and conversely I imagine the F-15, F-16, and F-18 are quite solid against witches (perhaps not to the same extent). Fighting witches is just something that pilots are expected to be able to deal with in the Strikers storyline, no need to be a named character to do it.

>>33717923
>I think in ideal conditions it can loop back around to engage a threat behind it
the newest versions can maneuver to where last confirmed track was to reengage track on its target, so you could lose one and do a couple loops around it and it can still pick you up as long as it regains track

>>33717959
That's goddamned scary.

>>33717971
yep, best bet to defeat them is keep out of its sensors 'sight' and deploy countermeasures to make it pick up a false track, though they are getting smart enough to be able to determine that the track they are following is different from the track they originally targeted if they regain 'sight' of their original track

which is why active/passive engine stealth systems and active kill systems are becoming increasingly important

>>33717993
FUNNELS~

>>33718010

Where are the feels, Hornet? You promised us writings! Come on man, I'm jonseying hard here.

>>33716867
the hell did she do!?

>>33720029
You have a couple of easy options.

1. Snuck into their super secret compound undetected, walked in on their super secret rituals and saw all of them dressed as/doing/watching something weird.

2. Snuck into super secret compound X and stabbed X number of guards to death with a toothpick and a feather she picked off the ground.

3. Killed Witches in front of them with no problem.

4. Just generally being Tarin.

>>33720029
she is going to kill and or rape us one day...

>>33716867
Imagine if we had taken the Tarin Route

>"By the way,how do you know Tarin?" Tokugawa asks
>"Oh, she's in my unit....and my girlfriend"

He would probably shit himself mid handshake

>>33721856

Maybe merc should write a quick what-if scenario for it

>>33722160
Yes he should.

>>33722160
>Pararescue Witches Tarin Omake Edition
Fund it.