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>>39004134
Web Spider, of the lauded Special Unit Zero, is very clearly not in any mood for questions, and he's tasked you as support for Commander X of the 17th, citing concerns over missing personnel and a mysterious, powerful sniper preying on high-profile officers.

"Just one, and then send me X's way," you say. "Any possibility of other specialists besides this shooter?"

Spider gives you a scathing look like you just insulted his beret. "You're in an enormous maverick facility, with a confirmed sighting--by yourself, no less--of a G-class threat."

"So, yes, got it. And no further information on what or who?"

"Assume anything and everything, Lieutenant."

"Okay, point taken. Where am I headed?"

"To Deploy's field canteen, first of all. It's not far from here. They've got a WEAPON tap set up. Top up your ammo before you go." That'll be good--without your lance, it took damn near half your special weapon counters to bring down the resurrected Wolfspider. "After that, return to the beam-in site you secured to meet up with some reinforcements."

"Roger that." You throw him a slapdash salute and head over to the row of chargers and mobile terminals. The 3rd's techs there tell you they won't be able to swap out data, but they quickly do for your shot counters what that sub tank thing did for your shielding. You're back at full strength.

VWES configuration is Blackout Rockets (8), Lockon Hunter (16), Tumult Shells (16), and Highball Skipper grenades (16). You're down a lance and up a flambard.

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>>39004150
All that handled, you make your way, once again, down the hall you swept, now buzzing with life and activity as hunters come and go. Hard to believe just fifteen minutes ago it was gloomy and ominous. Hunters make their way there and back, the heavily injured going home, with backs straight or heads hung (you try not to dwell on what that might mean for their teams). New blood, meanwhile, makes its way back up to join the base camp, meeting your gaze and nodding, practiced readiness in their features.

You return just as another round of fresh reinforcements is completing. "Over here, Lieutenant," says the woman from the 17th--Karin, you think X said--motioning you to stand by the pad. "Last one of this batch. Tasks have already been assigned, this one's going with you to support the Commander."

The pad blinks on, a bolt of grey-purple compression materializes, and your partner springs into being.

It's Cathode.

>'ey!
>'EYYYYYYYYYYYYY
>Eyther?

>>39004159
>'ey!

>>39004159
>>'EYYYYYYYYYYYYY

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>4:53 start time
>I'm just now about to pass out.
Damn it all.
>>39004159
>'EYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Do the finger pointy thing.

>>39004159
>'EYYYYYYYYYYYYY

>>39004159
>>'EYYYYYYYYYYYYY

>>39004174
I come back home, half drunk and fresh off Hitchcock, to find Maverick Hunter Quest.

I hope it's still up in 7 hours when I wake up again.

>'EYYYYYYYYYYYYY

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>>39004174
I'm sorry to hear that, but as it turns out I had work spring up for tomorrow and I absolutely refused to postpone the finale.

So I guess I had to finish it NOW WHILE I'M READY.

Perfect Song for the moment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmND5_zHUD4

>>39004159
>GUNBUNNY!!!

>>39004159
>'EYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Don't need sleep where we're going.

>>39004159
>'EYYYYYYYYYYYYY

We've still got training wheels on for this thread, right guys?

... Right?

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>>39004173
>>39004174
>>39004187
>>39004191
>>39004198
Your eyes widen in disbelief as you feel a grin creep across your features. Cath looks up at you, and you see its match growing on her face.

"'Ey!"

"'EYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!" You practically bellow, springing forward and dragging her into a crushing hug. The 17th members look on, varying levels of amused (or bemused), your sister clapping her arms against your back with the clang of armor on armor, while you lift her from the middle and give her a swing around.

"How the hell are you?" Cath asks--after you set her down off the pad, anyway.

"I'm standing," you reply. "You look different. You're sure heavier, at any rate."

She punches your arm. "Upgrades, son." Turning around so you can see, you realize that her upper back has been outfitted with a backpack-looking thing, some tubing running from it, down and then into her arms. Auxiliary power supply, no doubt going to feed the double set of gun barrels for her main weapons, now mounted above and below the wrist. "I've more than doubled my gun."

"No shit," you marvel--she's bringing a whole lot of gun to this. "What about--"

"Erm," interrupts Karin--smiling at your sibling-ness despite herself--"With respect, I think the two of you should catch up later. You have your assignment?"

Cathode nods, throwing a just very slightly too late salute. "Sorry, ma'am. We're going after Commander X?"

"Correct. Link up and provide support as best you're able. You'll be answering directly to him. Lieutenant Anode has been here since we started, he can fill you in as you go." Karin hits a button on the terminal and opens the far door, indicating you go ahead.

"Copy that. Movin' out." Motioning for you to follow, Cathode steps out, her grin building again as you put the beam-in site at your backs. "So what do I need to know, champ?"

Man, where to start?
>?

>>39004342
Boring mission so far. Nothing happened. Lot of standing around. Yuuuup.

>>39004342
Will she recognize Em's saber?

>>39004342
Completely deadpan 'Oh god oh god, we're all going to die'

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>>39004368
Only that it's not your lance.

>>39004342
we'll keep it sort for now and go into the full story once we're back at base.

Tell her that this place seems to be a major maverick base that was producing tons of custom mechloids for reasons that we're most likely not good along with revived retired mavericks. We've manage to reck a good portion of the base but it's been a fierce battle. Just know that whatever we're fighting her is more then likely going to be upgraded and more kill-y and less killable and not to be to surprised if she comes across a beefed up mavericks that she's retired. Currently we need to find X and make sure some sniper hunter killer doesn't get the drop on him.

>>39004342
Em and me had a brief encounter with Shiva, and that should tell you all you need to know about how this has gone so far...

>>39004371
I like it.

>>39004342
>Faced several Resurrected Mavericks several that we originally put down. Ran into and shot a G rank. Betting sniper is someone I put down.

>>39004393
Just say you shot Shiva and leave it at that. Let her come up with her own conclusions.

>>39004405
That we shot the Shiva, but didn't shoot the deputy Shiva?

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>>39004371
>>39004396
>>39004393
>>39004403
>>39004405
"We're doomed," you reply blankly. "We're all gonna die. Every single one, every mother's son."

Cath cackles. "Okay, seriously."

You shrug. "It's been a grind. Rebuilt--and upgraded--mavs, heavy combat 'loids all over the place, and I shot Shiva this one time."

Cathode pauses midstep. "...Run that last one by me again?"

"Mechaniloids," you offer helpfully.

"The one after that."

"Shiva?"

"As in the G-class? One of the 'Philosophers' or whatever?"

"Yeah, him." You grin.

"God damn it, Anode."

You mock-pout. "I thought you'd be more impressed!"

Cath scowls. "Putting aside that I wanted to shoot one first, why the hell would you do that?"

"Long story, tell you later. For real, though, you might see someone you took down personally. I've already seen a few."

"All right," she relents, "but you better spill later."

The two of you serious up as you leave hunter territory, and make your way down one of three splitting forks, angling down deeper with each path. Finally, up ahead, your path turns into a single, long hallway, straight and narrow.

And then lights spring on and alarms sound. Panels flip and mechanisms whirl, and your clear shot turns into a gauntlet.

Cathode raises her arms, the barrels of her rays emerging from their shrouds. "I see Meta Capsules, Escanails, and Trappers," she says. Wall-mounted targeted attackers, obstacles, and a sensor-based trap.

"All stuff to slow someone down," you note. "Or guard something. Think I see some base mechaniloid models in there, too." Some kind of lighter-duty Wall Cancer thing, with much smaller "claws" for its guns.

>No way any of that can stand up to us. Let's sweep the field.
>Gotta go fast. Follow my lead, Cath.
>Other?

>>39004547
>No way any of that can stand up to us. Let's sweep the field.
it's been to long since we last got to see our sister, enjoy it while it last I say.

Also HC, I remember that that both Anode and Cath we build to work together, but all I'm remembering about how they were meant to work was that Anode would tank and deal with anyone that got to close while Cath would do her best to make sure they didn't even get that far. That and that Cath could recharge Anode with a laser or something to help build his charge. So is that everything or am I forgetting something?

>>39004547
>No way any of that can stand up to us. Let's sweep the field.

>>39004547
>>>No way any of that can stand up to us. Let's sweep the field.

>>39004547
>No way any of that can stand up to us. Let's sweep the field.

Twin time.

>>39004547
>No way any of that can stand up to us. Let's sweep the field.

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>>39004588
That's the basic version, yeah. You've also spent your formative years--the ones in which Reploids learn both the most and the fastest--training to partner up with her. You're built synergistic and you're an expert at working with one another.

>>39004643
Cathode's a rapier user and Anode abuses Greatswords...

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>>39004588
>>39004592
>>39004593
>>39004598
>>39004599
"Don't think we can bust the Trappers," Cath notes.

"Yeah, but I don't think we'll need to," you reply, charging your busters. "Not much of a concern once we're clear."

"Those are new," Cath observes as you open up in tandem. Two charged shots, flanked by two tightly-compressed energy beams fly downrange, impacting on the first of your targets as you kick off the engagement. The lucky customer, a Meta Capsule, is caught just as it drops its shield to fire on you, being scythed apart by the storm of beams and plasma. The two of you advance as one, turning to rapid buster fire as you sweep across to your next target, already firing back at you. It doesn't get very far before yet more buster shots bring it down--from your sister, not you. Cathode grins as you avoid the small incoming barrage, busters and the ray barrels around them cooling.

"So are those!" you exclaim. Two rays per arm, and one buster. Six weapons to present an enemy with at a time. Damn, Cath. "Man, you have been busy."

Cath holds up a hand, warning you to pause just before a Trapper's sentry beam sweeps across where you were stepping. "What can I say? I asked my boss what he needed and he told me to bring some boom." Each of you makes it past the first of the lines safely as it recycles, covering one another from either side until you're clear.

"Sure, but how's your melee?" You walk another ranged salvo across the back wall as you reach a dead end, blowing the shells off a set of Escanails. Gotta be hard to finesse your rapier like that." Jerking a thumb at the damaged mechaniloids, you opt to cling to the wall directly.

Cathode hitches a ride on the back of the snailbot. "The barrels retract, remember? Besides, not a lot of call for it, if I do it right. How about you? I don't remember you being this jumpy."

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>>39004755
"Lots of practice," you say, skidding down the wall before dashing clear of a swooping dragonfly--Tomborts--just an instant before Cathode shreds it out of the air with ray spam. "I've had to make it all this time solo."

"So've I," Cath replies, jumping ship just an instant before another of those downgraded crab 'loids hits her. She's definitely a bit heavier on her feet than you, less mobile.

"Which is why you shouldn't neglect your melee!" You leap on the counterattacking crab from the far wall, slicing it into two neat halves with the flambard to emphasize your point.

"Yes, mother. Also, what the fuck is that?"

"Borrowing it from Em," you explain with a grin. "He's got my lance."

"I was wondering where it went. Heads up, we're coming to another straightaway at the top."

Sure enough, the shaft tops out, and both you and Cathode have to dive back off in either direction as a Hamma Hamma flail crashes down between you. You catch the far wall as Cathode drops back onto her still-slowly-climbing Escanail.

"Christ, these guys are annoying," you mutter.

"Yeah? Check this out, they have like a zero refresh on their shields." Cathode punctuates her sentence by sending an entire barrage at the thing as her platform rises, the Hamma's shield flickering for a solid two seconds as hit after hit after hit splashes across it. Finally the absurdly tough shields on the thing buckle and fail, the entire body eating away even as it explodes beneath a nonstop barrage of beams and plasma fire.

"...DAMN, sis."

"Still think I need to be worried?" Cath asks smugly.

"Hold on," you point ahead. More Drill Wayings. These ones look upgraded, with what looks like a plasma emitter gem added to the face. The first of them is already locked into place, blocking your path forward. "We need to take this one fast."

"I'm not much at a sprint," Cathode replies. "What do you think?"
>Just try to keep up. I've got front.
>You hang back and support while I go.
>Other?

>>39004759
>You hang back and support while I go.

>>39004759
>>You hang back and support while I go.

>>39004759
>You hang back and support while I go.

>>39004759
>>You hang back and support while I go.
it's what we were built for after all

>>39004759
>You hang back and support while I go.

>>39004759
>You hang back while I go.
For the most part, it should be fine when it comes to just the cannon fodder and in all fairness a lot of our VWES weaponry can cover her from any pot shots from the Mav. Shells against beams and rockets to mess with the maverick's sensors. Hell, we could use the lock on hunter to counter snipe as well with Cathode's sensors.

Who was it last time who didn't have their notes for storytime with them?

>>39005167
lobster... something I believe

>>39005176
Magnet Lobster

>>39005196
that's it

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>>39004763
>>39004775
>>39004783
>>39004784
>>39004832
"Stay back and keep me covered," you say, "I've got this."

"Show me what you've got, little brother," Cath replies, squaring herself and leveling those guns downrange.

The moment you approach the modified Drill Waying its head swivels to face you and opens up with a basic buster shot. You return with a charged pair of your own which, impressively, it manages to tank. It doesn't fare so well when Cathode's rays sweep across and finish the job, leaving the first down.

You spring ahead to the next, the drill launching into the ceiling and the head beginning to fasten down. You dash clear beneath its opening shot, and just barely jump a second coming from the base--it's got two guns, great. The move limited your options somewhat, leaving you moving fast and closing to melee, so you draw the flambard off your shoulder again and bring it down on the Waying's descending head. Cathode's rays go off behind you and streak ahead as you carve through the sturdy mechaniloid, hitting a target ahead as your way clears. Another crab falls from the ceiling, already exploding under Cath's fire, leaving you clear to dash beneath another Trapper laser. A third and final Waying springs up, this one positioned cruelly to leave you beneath another Trapper. You fire on it as you advance, and a moment later extreme-range plasma from your advancing sister joins you, cutting the thing down. Still, not enough time, the Trapper's coming online--

And you just barely clear the hurdle with a Raikousen, vanishing from beneath the thing a scant instant before the sensor alerts.

"Damn, Anode." Cath says as she makes her way across the obstacles rather less quickly than you. "That was pretty cool."

"Still think you don't need to be worried?" You ask playfully.

"Yeah, yeah. Come on, let's--"

>NO.

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>>39005326
Both of you freeze, turning to look at one another. Instant text transmission, and from neither of you. Wordlessly, Cathode points ahead, and the two of you move forward, into another giant room--this one occupied. The figure in the room wears heavy armor, white and red, with purple and blue accenting, even a little gold, cast as a broad and regal figure.

"--do you mean, no?!" the speaker--a maverick, heavily injured, demands, his back to you. "He's coming back! He's right behind me!"

>I HAVE ANALYZED THE COMBAT DATA FROM YOUR ENCOUNTER. THE RESOURCES REQUIRED CANNOT BE SPARED.

"I need repairs! I can beat him, damn it!"

>NO, YOU CANNOT.
>NOT WITHOUT ME.

There's a long pause, before the maverick speaks again, all traces of anger gone from his voice, replaced by something else.

"...Limited--"

>REMAIN CALM, SCHMITT.

"Limited, no. No, you do hear me? I won't--Stop. Stop!"

>NO.

The maverick screams.

You and Cathode share another glance as the scream abruptly cuts off and the figure disappears, yanked upwards and out of view, a harsh light cast out over you from the room. The two of you rush ahead.

The maverick spasms in the air before a giant computer array. In the center of banks and banks of machinery is a strange orb, shaded against a backdrop of some sort of luminous green energy, aglow and floating as if in suspension. Two cable-like arms stretch from the center of the room to the hanging body of the maverick, crackling and snapping as they slowly pull the body of this "Schmitt" in closer.

A moment later, a noise from the left alerts the two of you, as Commander X breaks into the room, no longer clad in his distinctive blue.

You balk for a moment, having seen him like this before. When you ran the combat sim against his data, with the upgraded armor, white crested with red. How is--

X sees you, turning with surprise and a very grave expression. "Get away!" he shouts. "It can take control of Reploids!"

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>>39005333
"We were sent to support you," Cathode replies, her guns up and at the ready to fire on the ... thing.

"You can't stay here," X insists. "Go on ahead, clear whatever you find! That's an order!"

Above you, the body of Schmitt convulses, plating seeming to shift and melt under the sickly green light. "Go!" X yells again, and finally the two of you comply, moving around the central banks and to another door on the far side. It seals behind you, just as the light begins to fade.

"What the hell was any of that?" Cathode asks, busters up and sweeping the expanse ahead.

"I have no goddamn idea, but I want to find out. They'll want to know about X anyway."

>Call it in. What the shit?
>Forget it. We've got orders, let's move.
>Other?

>>39004340
Ahahahahhaa. AHahahahaHAhahahaha.

AHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA.

Sorry, he woke me up early to get the thread going and also what you said is amusing to me.

>>39004371
I like you, you're head's on right. You get the good seats.

>>39005342
>Call it in. What the shit?

>>39005342
>>Call it in. What the shit?
hope the enemy hasn't taped into our comms so the guy we're hunting finds out where X is.

>>39005342
>Call it in. What the shit?

The worst is still to come.

>>39005342
Call it in, but keep mobile and clear what we can. There is no reason not to do both. IF X is fighting something big, we need to make sure that his path is clear when he exits that chamber and that he isn't sniped. Clearing the path will also allow reinforcements to come in quicker as well to assist X if need be.

Still, remember that the thing can control reploids so sending in people so that thing can take control of our best is a bad idea.

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>>39005364
>>39005378
>>39005386
>>39005423
You key your comms. "Spider? You there? Come in, Zero Unit."

Nothing but static. That's not good, are they jamming--wait, you're getting a beep.

"I read you, Lieutenant," says an unfamiliar voice. "This is Commander Modem, 5th. You're on a secure comm line to 16th R&D. Copy for clearance."

R&D? What the hell? "Uh, copy," you say quickly.

An unfamiliar (and unpleasant) buzz sounds and the rest of the world suddenly seems more quiet. A new voice comes in, higher-pitched. "Lieutenant Anode, Lieutenant Cathode, you've been given clearance for the following. You have confirmed sighting of Limited?"

"...What's going on? Who is this?" you ask. You look up at Cathode, who nods, in on the conversation.

"Beams Nautiller, R&D head," comes a brusque reply. "What you've just seen is a maverick project I've been handling the investigation of personally. A supercomputer called Limited. Are you ready to be briefed?"

"That's... one way to put it," Cathode mutters.

"Transmitting data, then," Nautiller replies, voice cold and clinical. "Limited is a Replibrain--not unlike HQ's Rho or Doctor Doppler's Neuro Computer. It's capable of reading, adapting, and developing Reploid technology autonomously--almost organically. It is capable of growth and has been evolving steadily since we made initial contact."

"What do you mean by 'growth?'" You ask warily.

"Initial data sampling indicated Limited required outside assistance to escape once it had fused with and seized control of a Reploid. 0 and 17th units have encountered it repeatedly, and new data shows it autonomously controlling modified, rebuilt mavericks. This is a secondary concern."

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>>39005812
"Secondary. Great. What else?"

"As you've noticed, it 'evolves' the capabilities of any affected Reploid. And can control living specimens. Fascinating thing. Tell me, was Commander X wearing his old armor?"

"He was, yes," you reply. "How did you know?"

"Confirming an old hypothesis. I was involved in the project to reverse-engineer that armor, and I personally broke down about half of it over a long, arduous process. I can tell you the original article is long gone, and that it had data protection roughly on par with trying to crack RSA encryption with an abacus."

"...What?"

"Never mind. Suffice to say, I believe Limited attempted to take control of the Commander and read his systems. And given what I know of X's systems architecture, it likely read Limited back. We know there are a great many black boxes that seem to correspond to the data X has received, and were I to guess, he was able to reverse-engineer Limited's own advancements to reconstitute his armor."

"Uh, okay, great."

"Quite. Now the bad news."

Of course there's bad news. "Yeah?"

"As of right now, Limited is functionally invulnerable. Which is why I have a target for you."

Cathode frowns. "We're listening."

"Limited draws an enormous amount of power, much of which goes to the defenses protecting it. I'm sending you to destroy its power core, so X can disable Limited. Yes, that is an order, and yes, I will direct you to it. Be aware it is deep within the facility and you will be striking well into enemy lines unsupported. Any questions?"

>

>>39005826
No questions. Every second counts.

>>39005826
Nope. Let's move.

>>39005826
So, going deep into enemy lines to blow up the power source of the crazy monster attacking dear old dad with our only back up being our own sister.

Got no questions here, begin the mission.

>>39005826
No questions.

>>39005897
No-one's ever going to want to take a mission with us again. We're cursed.

>>39005955
We'll be fine. Em's a bro, India's already insane, Schwarz is used to this shit and Cathode is our sis.

>>39005955
I dunno, think about the pay. Delaying a G class threat and surviving, killing multiple revived mavericks, securing a teleport station for command, and now taking down the main power supply for super boss so X can win the day.

We might just make more than Saetos op this time around. Add the fact that we still have that perfect data, we could likely make something VERY nice for the start of Act 2.

>>39005826
No questions here.

This is going to be fun.

>>39005986
Schwartz is dead on that mission, Em is already being controlled, India's the traitor and Cath is going to heroically sacrifice herself to save us later.

And we're infected with the Virus.

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>>39005841
>>39005891
>>39005897
>>39005952
>>39005995
"No questions," you reply.

"Same here," Cathode adds.

"Really? Good." Nautiller says. "To the lowest levels of the facility, then. Be swift. 16th out." With a click and a faint pop of static, R&D's Commander drops the call, and the local sound seems to rush back in to fill the gap as whatever security method he used vanishes with him.

Sure enough, he marked the paths via Cathode's targeting systems. And sure enough, they are very, very unsecured. Your first activity is actually catching an enemy squad coming up--three Reploids, mass production models. Two identical looking ones, built sturdy and low, flanking either side of a tall, stocky figure with a massive claw--a Kralmacht.

"Those are ReN4s with him," Cathode says. "Slow buster, force shield, anti-ordnance barrier for non-plasma."

"Big guy hits hard, will be faster than he looks," you reply. "He'll want to get in close."

You draw the flambard in one hand, keeping it disengaged as the two ReN4s spread out and crouch, taking defensive positions to either side of the Kralmacht. Cathode levels her own guns forward again, barrels sliding forward as her hands vanish into her busters. The Kralmacht bangs his claw against his chestplate in a challenge before leveling it on you, cycling a plasma shot as two more, much smaller ones come from his crew.

>You keep the small ones busy, I'll go toe to toe with Clawzilla.
>Wear down the big guy for me, I'll deal with the mooks.
>Other?

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>>39006097
No fair looking ahead!

>>39006145
>Wear down the big guy for me, I'll deal with the mooks.

>>39006145
>You keep the small ones busy, I'll go toe to toe with Clawzilla.

>>39006145
>>You keep the small ones busy, I'll go toe to toe with Clawzilla.

>>39006145
>You keep the small ones busy, I'll go toe to toe with Clawzilla.

Cathode has more guns, so she can shoot more things at once.

>>39006145
>Wear down the big guy for me, I'll deal with the mooks.

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>>39006097
I have a pretty solid prediction on how Em goes out in the end. I know it's solid because HC wrote it down when I postulated it. It's a good one, too.

>You keep the small ones busy

>>39006214
He's not going out. At all.

>>39006145
So some buggers are slowing us down. I'd say Cathode can handle the barrier guys while we hand the big guy who hits hard and fast. We are built for dodging and taking hits. Maybe we can sneak in a hit or two on the mooks as well while they are focused on Cathode? Maybe a grenade?

>>39006214
You are a very wise person. Good seats for you too.

>>39006667
So what happened to that Mongoose guy we replaced?

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>>39006181
>>39006183
>>39006191
>>39006214
"Standard keepaway," you tell Cathode. "I've got the Freddy Krueger Love Machine."

She snickers at that, even as she splits her fire between the two little guys, forcing them to throw up their shields while they build charge. "Jesus, Anode."

You don't have time to quip, dodging aside as the first salvo comes in. The Kralmacht surges forward to meet you, looking to grab your head in his claw and introduce it to the ground. You pour on the dash and get clear, twisting and snapfiring behind you, catching him on the shoulder. He ignores the hit, whirling 'round to backhand with the claw. You only just avoid it on a backstep, then prime the flambard and bring it up and across his front. He jumps back, shields fading, a new score across his chestplate, eyeing you cautiously.

Cathode, meanwhile, only has to work a little bit to keep herself free of the paltry returning fire her two targets have. Beams continually disperse in front of them as they counter the ordnance, but can't do much else. The Kralmacht, on the other hand, decides to try and go for her, turning on his heel. You see the move coming before he's begun and follow, hot on his heels. You trigger a Raikousen and lurch ahead, outstripping his advance and interposing yourself between your sister and him. You bring the flambard back around for a powerful swing, as he lowers his arm and shoulders into you. His claw comes around and gets hold as your shields flash, but you carve deeply into him with the powerful hibeam. His shields cycle before yours, giving you a scant instant to pulse electricity through your capacitors, forcing him back off you. Cathode follows up, sweeping the beams across the two of you--your Capacitors jump back up 7%, while the Kralmacht eats a third consecutive hit, yet more damage burning across his armor.

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>>39006829
Cathode's turn to take a hit from the freed-up shielders, but not a major one, a single hit splashing across her side and dying on her shields. A moment later, she calls out a warning. "Fourth target in the area! On you!"

You leap aside as a plasma shot ripples out from what seems like nowhere, aimed squarely between your shoulderblades.

"Geist," Cath says. "We can switch optic modes to see him, but it takes a sec."

It takes a sec, and you have bigger problems. The Kralmacht is heavily injured but holding strong, ready to make another move on you.
>Cath can put the big guy down in a hurry. Sweep the mooks.
>Keep to the plan, it's working just fine.
>Invisible guy has got to go. Cover me!
>Other?

>>39006857
>little guys, geist, back to the big guy if cath hasn't dropped it by then.

>>39006857
>Cath can put the big guy down in a hurry. Sweep the mooks.
If she can't take him down fast, then keep to the plan.

>>39006818
Unit transfer.

>>39006857
The invisible guy is an issue, but so are Biggs and Smalls. A switch up of the two may be in order to take them out fast to focus on the Geist. Might need to use grenades to try and catch it in the aoe if we have a moment. The rockets are also a good idea, but the jamming would likely screw with us more than him.

>>39006920
Wow. The way no-one's mentioned him, I was thinking there was some terrible, dark secret involved. Like he made too many Hammer puns, and they had to murder him and cover it up.

>>39006857
>>Keep to the plan, it's working just fine.

>>39006963
C'mon, you should know by now that I can never resist a victory lap or two when hero-killing is afoot.

That reminds me, I need to go gas up my car...

>>39006857
>Invisible guy has got to go. Cover me!
Nothing invisible has ever played fair.

>>39006857
>>39007040
>Invisible guy has got to go. Cover me!
Seconded. If there's one invisible asshole, there might be more.

Also, I read through 25+ threads in the last week just to be caught up for this. Holy shit, what a ride it's been.

>>39007228
Only 25 or so? Had you already read the first 25?

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>>39007228
Damn, I'm impressed. Also, thank you for reading and I'm glad you've enjoyed it. I'd love to hear what you think, and hopefully there will be plenty of after-thread time to discuss.

>>39006857
>Cath can put the big guy down in a hurry. Sweep the mooks.

>>39007228
>>39007273
Hopefully there will be plenty more to come. I know Cain is laughing somewhere, but damn it, I want to finally figure out what we can do with Saetoes' data. Even came up with an idea that basically involves a super heated electro magnet.

>>39007299
Saetos data upgrade choices:
>Unmitigated Dickery
>Beatles Knowledge
>Horrific Life-Leeching War Crime

>>39007272
Yeah. Two weeks for the entire thing. I actually got invited to Magnet Lobster's game and had to get up to speed damn quick. No good stories yet other than PvP being Rocket Tag Extreme where we take turns instagibbing each other.

>>39007457
Living in a town where we don't even have a gaming store, and the nearest group is a train-ride away, I am incredibly jealous.

>>39007457
What system do they use? I think he said it before, but I forget where...

>>39007299
>Cain is laughing somewhere

In fairness, when is this not true?

>>39007480
Have you considered changing your name to Wily Labs? It's more appropriate.

>>39007495
Don't spoil the next part of MHQ.

>>39007299
I still want the Sword of Full Retard +5, despite how bad an idea it is. Something about a sword that starts killing everything in the area just from being turned on appeals to me.

Shame Anode can't be made resistant to the effects.

>>39007480
I'd figure you'd stop when you are asleep or eating, but you likely get sustenance from suffering and thus do not require either of those.

Ayyyy just woke up and caught up.

>Keep to the plan

>>39007495
Nah, we have to wait until Anode is the Mavericks for that.

>>39007543
Doesn't it just make Anode feel ill rather than damaging him? I can't recall.

I want it too.

>>39007649
So next arc, then? Got it.

>>39007543
I was sort of working that into the design to a degree. Using a few ideas I have cobbled up with the fact that the data meshes well with anode. Simply put, small heater shield that could be mounted anywhere using the magnetic claws as a means to grip. Thrusters to serve as both as a booster and a handy little flamethrower, and the feather tech to both make it possible to control, but also to allow it to get energy from our charge. Using the super strong material, our electricity, and the heat edge design, we can not hit them constantly, but once we get into a crack, we then proceed to mess with their insides. Defense, offense, and some utility thrown in. A compact size should not get in the way too much, and the claws can make it damn hard to disarm. Could even put in the tumult shell for a bit of that hard light shield idea.

In short, small rocket punch shield that we can then fry their insides by a mix of heat and electromagnet fuckery. I call it the Solstrike shield.

>>39007695
We need an official opinion on whether this is feasible, but if it is...

>>39007479
It's homebrew, based on Run n Gun and, I think?

>>39007695
Also, hi, beam shield anon! I like this revision.

>>39007695
So sort of like a talon/shield combo?

>>39007695
...I still prefer the stupid sword.

>>39007812
There, there, anon. HC might disallow the shield anyway.

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>>39007543
>>39007670
>>39007695
>>39007728
>>39007758
>>39007797
>>39007812
There are some possibilities here, and we're open to discussing them later, when the upgrade is up for use again.

>>39007908
Translation - You won't live long enough to find out, suckers!

>>39007758
Nope, wrong anon, anon. I'm the heat axe guy.

>>39007797
Kind of. Really, I'm trying to use as much of the bird as I can in designing this thing. Sort of a 'welcome to hell' present when Cain takes off his limiters and fights us with 10% of his power.

>>39007908
All I ask. Now we just need to survive this mission annnd I hear Cain Labs laughing now.

>>39007952
Don't worry, he would still have to answer what could be done with it. None of us would stop asking.

>>39007952
>annnd I hear Cain Labs laughing now.

Oh come now, it's not like I've put any crushing walls or spikes in your way.

Ignore the suspicious-looking boxes labeled "The Bird Is The Word." They mean nothing, I assure you.

Hey Hunter Command, Cain Labs:
Was it even possible to beat Solstrike if we'd chosen him as soon as possible? If so, how?

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>>39006913
>>39006913
>>39006917
>>39006941
"Trade!" You call, training your guns on the two ReN4s. Cathode doesn't skip a beat, immediately turning and firing on the Kralmacht as he moves to pursue you. You disengage cleanly, the two turning their force fields to face you as you hit their sides with buster fire. They return fire, but not in time to hit you--another burst of speed and you're clear on the other side of them. They turn to face you, but you're already sending a grenade downrange. It lands between them and detonates, staggering one with a blast from behind. As he stumbles, you pour on a volley and gun him down. The second fires at you again, along with another shot from your invisible friend, but you're already closing to melee. You're on the ReN4 in a hurry, putting him out with a long, wide swing of the flambard, hitting him with the tail end as you streak past.

The two shielders dealt with, you turn to see the Kralmacht bearing down on your sister, claw reeling back for a devastating blow--

And Cathode turns on her heel and punches him square in the gut with her buster, an alloy spike springing to life on the end as she delivers a vicious haymaker. A muffled blast pops on the impact with a dull thump, and the Kralmacht sails past her in two neat pieces, missing the middle third. He explodes behind her as she sweeps the area with her other arm, expression going distant as she changes spectrums on her optics.

You do the same, and before long you see a skulking figure at the edge of the fight, an unsettling humanoid with a smooth, bald head and earports, the top covered in a black glassy material. The rest is smooth and white like plastic. He looks up at the sudden recognition, about to fire on Cathode from the side, and the two of you gun him down.

"That was a 4S. Older model."

"You punched a Kralmacht in half."

"He started it."

"That was fucking awesome."

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>>39008271
"Damn right it was," she grins. "Stake Shells don't give a fuck. Anti-armor charge in a self-propelling stake. Only got three more of the things, though. You all right?"

"He got me once, nothing major. You?"

"Fine. Just a few glancing blows. Let's keep going."

You take off at a sprint (slowing down a little for Cathode), and continue to find that this is very much enemy territory and they are not keen on giving it up. You streak past before any organized obstacles can get in your way, alarms sounding as you run past emerging mechaniloids taking to the walls, and maverick Reploids taking potshots as they try to slow you down. You snag the side of a Tombort as it takes off, Cathode doing the same behind you as they rise into a narrow duct. A moment later, the walls unfurl as some emplaced spike traps (eep) are powered up and bared. The two of you clear the shaft as the walls grind and begin to close, ventilation systems closing off to try and block your passage. Cathode only just makes it clear in time, her ride exploding in a burst of disturbingly lifelike wings as the dragonfly mechaniloid is destroyed.

You find yourself in yet another straightaway. No alarms, mo hostiles. Instead, silence and near-darkness, walls lined with pipes behind reinforced shields.

Cathode looks one over. "Looks like coolant. And it's all heading further in. I think we're on the right track."

"Correct." The two of you look up at yet another outside voice. From down the hall, a lone figure emerges, tall and broad-shouldered, almost stocky. The lights come on overhead as he closes, the two of you raising your weapons at the ready.

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>>39008318
The figure seems massive, in the literal sense--heavyset with armor plating, though he moves with practiced ease. Cast in red-bronze plating with green accent work, and sharp features with opaque, pupil-less eyes. It sets you to unease right away, reminding you of that void of reason in Jagwire's. The maverick's arms rest at his side, holding what looks like the head of an axe in one hand. He looks unconcerned, and greets you with, of all things, a smile.

https://youtu.be/FSzM2h1rV-c

"Greetings, hunters. My name is Nicholz."

>?

>>39008149
>Oh come now, it's not like I've put any crushing walls or spikes in your way.
... You magnificent asshole.

>>39008165
As much as it pains me to say it, it wasn't IMpossible. It would have been much, much more difficult.

>>39008331
"Surprise inspection! We'll need to check your power supply."

>>39008331
Awww fuck

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>>39008165
>>39008365
It would have been a great deal more difficult and rely on additional hunter support, but yes, you could have theoretically taken him on first. Ironically, you took on the weakest target in your roster--Skipjack--dead last.

>>39008331
Crap, when Jagwire is the first thing that pops into our head, that is not a good sign.

"Let me guess, standard monologue, congratulating us for getting so far, unwilling to surrender, and you are actually the good guys schtick or are you going to surprise me with something new?"

Be ready and on guard for anything and everything. Likely something axe related.

>>39008331

Keep eyes peeled and stay on guard. We don't know what he's capable of. Opening banter regardless. It almost feels wrong not to.

"I don't suppose you'll surrender and let us through, right?"
"I don't

>>39008331
think thats our final boss?

>>39008709
No. Final boss is a Limited-controlled Cathode.

>>39008709
>>39008732
The real final boss is the one that kills us

>>39008753
Solstrike 2.0 then?

>>39008753
Nah, we'll just have a furious Lifesaver kill us in our sleep. No Mav required.

>>39008709
The true final boss is Cain Labs.

>>39008823
he's more of a constant enemy

>>39008823
The true final boss is Hunter Command telling Cain Labs his tripcode.

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>>39008962

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>>39008732
>>39008823
>>39008836
>>39008962
>>39009018
All our times have come...
Here but now they're gone...

HC is taking an awfully long time with this one. I hope he's just distracted by something, and not writing our five A4-page length death scene.

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>>39009191
Fuck you, I'll fear whatever the hell I want.

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>>39008367
>>39008417
>>39008486
"London calling," says Cathode coolly, keeping her guns drawn.

"Let me guess," you say. "No surrender, this ends in death, you're race traitors?"

"In as many words," Nicholz says with a shrug and that completely self-confident smile. "I don't hate you, you know. And I certainly don't think you're race traitors. You simply don't understand."

"What, really? That's generous," Cathode scoffs. "Going to help enlighten us?"

He turns and shakes his head at her. "No, I'm afraid not. It would be a waste of time. I'm sorry to say, but it seems as though neither of you really matter. The world will grind on, with or without you. But our new world will come, and I will be there to greet it." He gives you both one last condescending smile before he shifts his balance, taking a combat stance. "Come, hunters, let us make history. Make my fame."

With that, he brings his axehead up, the two halves splitting down the middle and folding down, turning into some kind of tripod in an eyeblink, as he brings his other hand into the midst of it as a handle springs to his waiting finger. You barely dive away as it transforms his arms into a rail cannon, sending a high-velocity plasma slug at you, crackling with energy.

"I think we found our 'high-powered sniper,'" you call, tucking into a roll as another shot almost takes your feet off.

"No shit!" Cathode exclaims, opening fire on Nicholz. "What's your play, big A?"

>Let's see how well he shoots up close.
>Strong but slow--let's wear him down!
>Other?

>>39009334
>Strong but slow--let's wear him down!

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>>39009235
Sorry about that, some stuff came up, including but not limited to washing machines, sleeves of crackers, and the great whirling emptiness that gnaws at our very souls all the time forever.

>>39009334
Cath stays back to shoot, we try to work our way in close, maybe?

>>39009375
>the great whirling emptiness that gnaws at our very souls all the time forever.
Yeah, Cain Labs IS kind of distracting.

>>39009385
Is she fast enough to avoid these shots? She's the slower of us, and we only barely managed to dodge.

I'd say
>Let's see how well he shoots up close.
But I'm not sure what Cathode should do.

Also, I'm surprised we're not getting more capacitor boosts from her. Is our preventing it?

>>39009334
>big A
4u

>I'll get in close, light us up.

>>39009490
Seconding this.

>>39009334
Strong and slow will probably save our butts. We have blackout rockets to mess with his vision, and our own lock on hunter to counter snipe him.

Likewise, we can use the shells as a last second defense and slowly advance towards him, but I have a feeling the guy's weapon is a variable form type. We close in and he'll hit us with something nasty.

>>39009334
>>39009490
Thirding

>>39009334
>Strong but slow--let's wear him down!

>>39009490
Agreed.

>>39009478
>Also, I'm surprised we're not getting more capacitor boosts from her. Is our preventing it?
Haven't really had much opportunity or need for it. Our individual abilities have supplanted it so far. You save the signature team-up attacks for when you really need it.

MHQ-style gamers, how much work would you say it was to homebrew a system into working for Megaman?

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>>39009570
>>39009516
>>39009490
>>39009478
>>39009385
>>39009968
"Let's play football," you tell Cath.

"Hike," she replies, juking aside just barely too late, a shot clipping her side and flashing her shields. Growling, you both press the attack.

https://youtu.be/nugJBnupDnY

"Football" is the most basic, most practiced setup the two of you trained for, and also the one you spent the most time on. It's pretty straightforward--you play interception while she gets to be the tesla quarterback. She always did get the best job. You dash in, closing the gap as Nicholz snap-fires another shot at you, this one glancing off your shoulder with a sting you feel through your defenses. Even in the wake of the glancing hit, you can feel the wake of backpressure and vacuum created by its passing. At the same time, you feel the old, familiar tingle of your sister shooting you in the back. C. Rays splash across your armor and your capacitors begin to climb as you draw the flambard, bringing it down in a heavy slash.

In an eyeblink, Nicholz's weapon morphs again, morphing seamlessly as he meets the flame blade with the edge of his own weapon, the rails from his arms shifted into the haft of a two-handed beam halberd. The blade burns with a clean, concise magenta energy, holding against your own. You push against each other for a moment before he abruptly shifts, sliding his weapon forward and yours aside. You sidestep as he transitions into a wide-arced slash, then reverses and comes back down with a quick chop. You turn it aside, but he turns it into a thrust for your stomach. You sidestep, fortunately--an eyeblink later it sends another plasma round howling downrange from the end. Great. It's still a gun like this.

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>>39010181
Still, have fun aiming like this, jackass. You break off and hop aside as he brings the halberd around for another swing, answering with a chain of buster shots. He leaps back adroitly, bobbing and weaving, right into Cathode's waiting ray beams, scoring a light hit as his shields flare to life. Without pause he springs forward again, intent on forcing you on the defensive.

>Make good on your disengage--you can come in for another pass.
>Backpedal. If he wants to give Cathode more time to charge you and shoot him, that's fine by you.
>Aggress. Retain the momentum and keep his stronger range tied up.
>Other?

>>39010078
Legend is specifically designed to be fluff-agnostic, so there wasn't any particular homebrew involved, just a lot of refluffing things.

>>39010199
>Make good on your disengage--you can come in for another pass.
It's when you keep up the pressure that enemies turn into cheeky little shits with contingencies we don't like.

>>39010199
>Aggress. Retain the momentum and keep his stronger range tied up.
We need to keep him on defense. He's cocky, so he has tricks up his metal sleeves. Lets make him show us them now rather than later.

>>39010199
>Make good on your disengage--you can come in for another pass.

>>39010199
>>Aggress. Retain the momentum and keep his stronger range tied up.

>>39010207
Thanks, downloaded it already.

>>39010199
>Make good on your disengage--you can come in for another pass.

>>39010181
>At the same time, you feel the old, familiar tingle of your sister shooting you in the back.
One day this is going to happen and it won't be a tingle.

>>39010199
>Backpedal, watch for a good opening

Also, what's our charge at?

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>>39010414
19% and climbing.

>>39010414
Not enough?

>>39010181
Ha! Figured as much. Guys a real piece of work with that thing. Still, keep the pressure on him and agress him. Force his shots to go wide keep building up power. Use whatever weapons to deny him range or moving room as well. We do have a VWES for a reason.

>>39010586
With that in mind, I wonder if he'll like a blackout rocket any more Lockon did

>>39011063
Likely isn't effective against him. Bloodhound seemed to be purely specialized maverick when it came to sniping. This guy looks more like an all rounder. A at least, maybe SA.

>>39011063
just woke up and got back to this, I too have been wondering how he'd like a blackout rocket. If nothing else it would fuck up his aim.

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>>39010262
>>39010328
>>39010374
You decide to play for the long game and break off, and are glad for it shortly after as one of his shoulders presents a cannon and launches a tiny, atypical looking blue orb at where you had just been. You don't recognize the projectile type and you're pretty sure you don't want to find out. Unfortunately, now his shots are coming noticeably closer to giving you the ultimate haircut. Now freed up, he reverts his weapon to ranged mode and takes aim for you. Dumping power to your Raikousen, you clear the shot and come up beside Cathode, both of you stopping to evaluate.

"Did you see?" Cathode asks. "His other shoulder, some kind of targeter."

"So he's literally made of gun. That's just great."

"Hey," she replies, "so am I. Come on, round two."

You decide to bring your VWES into play, sighting on with a Lockon Hunter and nailing him in the chest with it, just as he returns the favor. You wince, but the shielding holds and it impacted on the toughest part of your armor anyway. Cathode follows your lead, breaking to the other side and forcing him to split his fire as she charges up... something that isn't plasma.

Damn, she upgraded the hell out of something in her VWES. After a moment, she levels both barrels, and four miniature insect mechaniloids fan out from either barrel. She extends her ray barrels and throws them forward. As if on cue, the little swarm takes off, trailing glowing exhaust like a battery of miromissiles. Nicholz swats about half out of the air on the run, wheeling his halberd defensively with a quick and expert stroke. The rest splashing across his front and arm, and he slides to a halt, lining up to return fire on Cathode.

>>39011383
SA at least, I mean he's taking on 2 hunters without a single worry and no one sent to attack this place was lower then A rank.

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>>39011414
"Get in there," Cathode says, barely avoiding the counterfire with a dash. "I'll screen you! Make another opening!"

You can, but you realize now, having seen him from afar. He's better than you.

If you're not careful, that halberd could very easily be the end of you.

>You better have my back on this, Cath. Banzai!
>Let's stay back for a bit more, try some VWES!
>Other?

>>39011438
>You better have my back on this, Cath. Banzai!
How long does it take to recharge our LN knife if we use it?

>>39011438
>You better have my back on this, Cath. Banzai!
Trust our partner. If we have any advantage in this fight, it is our synergy. He might be stronger than either of us, but he isn't stronger than both of us.

>>39011438
trust Cath to cover you and charge, start off with a high ball skipper to get an early shot in to try and throw his aim. Don't be afraid to disengage and if you do so fire a blackout rocket at him to keep him from trying to shoot you down as you fall back for another charge.

>>39011438
>You better have my back on this, Cath. Banzai!

Just remember Em's advice. Don't try to lock swords against an expert duelist - use mobility to back off.

...And don't drain capacitors to empty, ever, just in case this guy ALSO has a dash system and we need to dodge, FAST.

>>39011438
>You better have my back on this, Cath. Banzai!

>>39011438
>>You better have my back on this, Cath. Banzai!

>>39011515
Don't forget our emergency battery.

>>39011463
It'd be out of LN for the remainder of the mission, but could work as a hibeam blade.

>>39011438
>You better have my back on this, Cath. Banzai!

>>39011463
Isn't it a once per mission kind of thing?

>>39011438
>You better have my back on this, Cath. BANZAI!

Feels like Cath got a hold of some good weapons. If we put a good amount of our stuff into mobility and defense, while trying to keep somewhat rounded, Cathode put everything into 'Dakka' and 'More Dakka'.

>>39011383
>A at least

You dropped something. It's got this sort of curved shape. I think it goes in front of that A.

>>39011468
>he isn't stronger than both of us.

You're funny. I like optimists.

>>39011646
I agree, she seems like our big gun in this fight. We have to keep him off her at all costs because we're faster.

I'd actually like to Blackout this guy, in case he finds the time to get a shot off on her. Super Robot Wars has taught me that lowering the enemies hit chance even a little is a great thing that can create miracles.

>>39011681
I wish you ran a quest, CL. I'd like to see how many posts (not threads) it took before the MC died.

>>39011801
Perhaps someday!

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>>39011463
>>39011468
>>39011498
>>39011515
>>39011544
>>39011554
>>39011646
Putting aside your doubts, you resolve to stick to the team effort. "Yes, princess," you answer, heading back in close.

This time he's ready--you avoid his shots only by dint of your Raikousen, but every round he sends at you is one not sent at Cath, who isn't faring nearly as well at evasion. She builds your capacitors back up as fast as she can while you move in close, switching to your Highball Skippers and lobbing a pair of them in front of you. One goes wide over his shoulder, the other impacts on it, as you come in again for another melee.

He charges in to meet you, forcing you on the defensive, just barely stopping his halberd from biting into your arm with a quick flick of your blade. He pushes you back towards Cathode, whose fire abates as she switches tacks. You hear her advance, gritting your teeth as you duck and slide under a sweep of his halberd, only to be forced back again by the haft circling 'round. You retaliate by dashing in for a thrust, and he twists away to the side of the long blade. Before he can exploit the opening, you trigger Raikousen again and dash past, turning and pivoting on your heel hard enough to scrape the plating and kick up smoke. He's caught between the two of you for a moment as you sharply switch back to your busters and fire another pair of Skippers at his feet. From behind him, you see another octet of micromissiles streak towards him.

Wheeling the halberd to his side, Nicholz simply stands straighter, chest gem alighting with a flare of pink energy before the air around him fills with a storm of particles. Your attacks--on both sides--explode harmlessly on it, nulling them out.

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>>39011922
A moment later, his shoulders detach, taking about half the mass of his torso with them. They split and unfurl into legs, one jumping to the far wall and the other to the floor, leaving you faced with a much more conventional Reploid body type, and two supporting bits; one the targeter, and one the strange blue energy shooter.

Nicholz smirks as his particle field fades, a moment before he retakes his grip on the halberd and advances on you.
>Oh fuck?

>>39011953
He's got Strider options. FUCK.

Kill those bits.

>>39011953
Chaff the sensor part? Shit. I have no idea.
>Keep him busy, Cath takes out the supporting parts.

>>39011953
He still wants to fight us, that's good. Play defensive and keep him tangled up while Cath unloads holy fucking hell on that targeter.

>>39011801
But death is easy. How long it takes, however...

>>39012037
I support chaffing the sensor bit.

>>39012067
CL's already terrified and intrigued me enough. Don't add to my nightmares.

>>39012037
Yeah, chaffing the sensor and then keeping Nicholz's attention seems like the best course.

>>39012037
Thirding adding chaff to my vote.

>>39011953
throw a skipper at him as a feint and shot a blackout at the targeter and leave them for Cath. If we want to live against this guy we're going to need to focus.

>>39012101
Sorry, but every time I DM, I always seem to end up hitting eldritch horrors and malevolent fey. Especially in cute systems.

>>39011953
When in doubt, Anode resorts to chaffing!

shivagrumpyface.jpg

>>39011953

Chaff for the sensor type, shells in case of energy, and ready the lock on hunter at full power when it's possible to shoot through the one bit to get at Nicholz if possible. The sniper beam can also help take care of that sensor spider as well.

>>39012199
If we chaff ourselves, he won't be able to sense us! It's genius!

Is chaff really the best idea considering we're fighting in a hall?

>>39012321
well he probably won't be able to dodge it.

>>39012189
I recently came across these and decided I had to throw them into a game. As angels.

http://imgur.com/gallery/0ec3I

>>39012393
trippy

>>39012393
Nice.

>>39012321
Chaff is always the best idea.
I mean, he could probably use his particle field to destroy it but eh.

>>39012393
I like the one with two faces splitting apart and the one reaching through its own chest. Those definitely seem like the sort of things a proper angel would do.

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>>39011953
"Hit the bits!" You call, backpedaling clear of a running swipe from Nicholz.

"Working on--gah!" Cathode yells in confused pain, and despite your own situation, you turn to look.

Blue energy splashes across her in waves, particularly around the legs, which are visibly rooted as she struggles, waist-up, to free herself. Seeing her paralyzed, Nicholz breaks off his attack and sets his sights on her.

You make a one-two split decision, sending a pair of chaff rockets out in response--one to his turned back, and the other at his sensor bit.

It has an immediate, gratifying effect, the sensor scrambling blindly and collapsing on its legs, though he all but ignores the chaff pinging off his back. He does turn to regard the damaged targeting bit, though, turning back to you with his weapon leveled. Cathode manages to wrest herself free with the moment of time you bought her.

"Now we know what that does, at least," she pants. And how he snipes people, you note.

Still, you made progress. By pissing him off, but you made progress. He's gunning for you again.

It's not hard to figure out why--you hit the nail on the head. You can take out that targeting bit, and that will probably reduce his absurdly high snapfire accuracy to something more reasonable. Now that he knows you know, he's going to try to stop you.

Cathode gets around his side to give you another dose of energy, putting you back up to 30.

>Let's take him apart piecemeal. Cover for me, that target bit's going down.
>Try to mix it up, get Cathode to try to break the stunner with one of her toys.
>Other?

>>39012393
Interesting, though due to certain restraints from the genre I probably have to limit those to some of the more mundane things they see when the group exploring the outer realms hits the odder planes of existence.

>>39012576
>Let's take him apart piecemeal. Cover for me, that target bit's going down.

Oh ye gods I thought I wouldn't make it.

>Use speed to confound and pour the fire of God on that bit.

>>39012576
>Let's take him apart piecemeal. Cover for me, that target bit's going down.

>>39012576
>Let's take him apart piecemeal. Cover for me, that target bit's going down.

>>39012648
YOU. Storytime when?

>>39012576
>Try to mix it up, get Cathode to try to break the stunner with one of her toys.

>>39012677
I have the next one actually compiled, mostly. Not while Command's running though. Maybe spoil everyone's post-thread discussion with it.

>>39012576
On the one hand he's probable never going to let you get a rocket off on the targeting bit again. On the other hand, feinting the targeting bit would be the perfect distraction for Cathode to pour fire on the stunner and destroy it.

>>39012576
>Try to mix it up, get Cathode to try to break the stunner with one of her toys.
He probably doesn't need the sensor if he immobilizes one of us.

>>39012576
>>Let's take him apart piecemeal. Cover for me, that target bit's going down.

>>39012697
Mmm. It's like post-quest dessert.

>>39012576
By the looks of it, that sensor is pretty damn important. I'd honestly say using the lock on hunter to take it out as fast as possible so we can quickly work on the binder. Chances are he'll go for Cathode the moment it's down. Might need to use a lot of tumult shells to protect her if that happens.

>>39012561
Obviously.

>>39012393
Mohrbacher is really good at that kind of thing.

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>>39012630
>>39012648
>>39012669
>>39012677
>>39012757
"Thinking what I'm thinking?" you ask.

"Already there. Make it worth it," Cath says.

You dash away as Nicholz advances, easily avoiding one of his nasty ranged shots (that's a first), with his targeter blinded by the chaff. You put on the Raikousen--

Your eyes widen as he suddenly puts on a burst of speed and actually keeps up with you, boosters at the small of his back coming online and propelling Nicholz ahead. He turns with startling precision through the boost, coming around to face you, raising his halberd to strike as you slow...

And you're saved from a nasty strike by scant milliseconds, as your capacitors jump up 10%. You just--just--clear the blade with another last-second Raikousen, Cathode's split decision to jumpcharge you saving you from heavy damage or worse. Nicholz is fast, but now he's committed--even as he swivels around to pursue, it's too late, you sight on with two more chaff rockets. Then a third and fourth. Finally a fifth, and the bit shudders and collapses, optic shattering and little legs going limp a moment before it explodes.

You actually fucking did it. And once again, Nicholz is out for your blood. Out of juice, you have to backpedal, dive, and tumble as best you can to avoid a withering cascade of halberd sweeps. It's all you can do to avoid him.

"Cathode--"

>Go for the other bit!
>Fuckin' HIT HIM!
>Fuckin' HELP ME!

>>39012988
>Go for the other bit!
We'll the melee fighter. We can stall. Cath has to kill those options now.

>>39012988
>Fuckin' HIT HIM!

>>39012988
Guys, use the emergency battery or save it for later?

>>39012988
>>Go for the other bit!
we have a battery we can use and if that thing pins us we're fucked. Also use the battery

>>39012988

>Overwhelm, meet the charge with firepower. We have shit to do and a progenitor of our race to support.

>>39012988
>Go for the other bit!
we were made to take a beating

>>39012988
>Fuckin' HELP ME!

>>39012988
>Go for the other bit!

>>39012988
This is where a emergency battery is needed. Use it, have cathode finish off the other bit. Losing 10k zenny for a replacement is better than death.

>>39013070
This seems to be as good a time as any. Catherine denies him support, we deny him Cath, and we can even see how he does with a body tackle if he thinks we can't get another Raikousen ready yet.

>>39013070
I agree with this.

>Go for the other bit!

>>39012988
>Go for the other bit!
C'mon, isn't this shit what we have batteries and armor-piercing lasers for?We're gonna have bigger issues if we don't get that thing down.

>>39012988
>Go for the other bit!

Now is the time to use that battery,

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>>39013043
>>39013070
>>39013109
>>39013123
>>39013128
>>39013147
>>39013160
>>39013171
"--Hit the other one!"

"I--yeah, roger," she replies, leaving you alone with Nicholz. He doesn't let up, having committed to bringing you down. You parry one, two times, stumble backwards as he knocks your hand askance with the back of the haft, and comes in, you're wide open--

And once again you're saved only by the barest of margins, rocketing clear as you burn your backup battery, your capacitors climbing once more to carry you to safety.

You wind up at Cathode's side again, the two of you turning back to back firing in either direction--her running through her VWES, you wildly volleying uncharged busterfire downrange at Nicholz. He puts up his shield again, the plasma fizzling harmlessly. Goddamn, this is getting--

"Got it! You're fuckin' kidding me, I got it!" Cathode exclaims. You turn to see the bit stuck to the ground by a blueish glob of water, sparking with its own blue energy. "It was Cling, of all damn things. Cling Globule. My one non-weapon VWES."

"Well, hit it again!"

You barely avoid another round, which catches Cathode in the left shoulder dead-on, taxing her shields. She grits her teeth and fires two more globs of whatever-the-fuck, just as the malfunctioning bit ungums itself and fires again. This time, it shorts itself out entirely and its own stunning ordnance destroys itself.

Nicholz scowls as Cathode turns her fire back on you, giving you a much-needed capacitor recharge. Only a scant 10% before you have to break in either direction, the maverick barreling in between you.

>Go for the misericorde.
>Go for the flambard.
>Back off again, go ranged.

>>39013446
>>Go for the flambard.
flambard can parry attacks better.

>>39013446
>Go for the flambard.
More reach.

>>39013446
>Go for the flambard

>>39013446
>>Go for the flambard.

>>39013446
>Go for the flambard.
Save the misericorde for whoever's behind him.

>>39013446
Misericorde. We need to make a breach in it's armor so that we can finally land the finisher on it. Got one shot with it, but that goop could likely help pin him down as well.

>>39013446
What's our damage status?

>>39013446
>Go ranged.

He's better than us in the close game, and we've taken out his immobilization and targeting. If we can split his fire, We can rip him apart

>>39013613
After this, can we get a readout of Cath upgraded, seeing as she's family?

>>39013613
Nontrivial damage but nothing dangerous yet.
>>39013677
I'd need to take some time to polish it up, and I'm afraid I just don't have it right now. I'm racing the clock as is.

>>39013729
Next time for Cath's layout then?

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>>39013555
>>39013551
>>39013518
>>39013511
You go for the flambard again, the hilt still warm to the touch from the high use it's had in this grueling engagement. You practically roll it over your shoulder and down in a snap ignition draw. Nicholz pivots to face you, bringing the halberd up in a two-handed smash--

And Cathode comes in and punches him square in the back with another one of those Shell Stakes. It detonates, the blast visibly rippling through his shields and setting off a chain of explosions. You slip under him, only for the maverick to whirl around and introduce the back of the polearm to your sister's face, sending her flying back, shields strobing. You don't have time to go for the misericorde, and only a bare window of opportunity--he's already circling around, thrusters on his back damaged but still functional. Time dilates as you lean in, flambard coming up as his halberd comes down...

And finally, you get the better of the exchange, the biting flame of the greatsword slashing up Nicholz's chest and slicing the haft of the beam halberd clean through. The back half snaps off and spirals out of his hand, as the other twists to the side, suddenly unbalanced.

Nicholz doesn't pause, transitioning from one move seamlessly into another. He triggers his projectile shield again, which suddenly darts forward as a storm of particles, pelting you and forcing you back as your shielding protests. Cathode lunges, still close enough to favor melee over range--you lurch forward a step, trying to recover to assist--just as Nicholz throws his hands forward, palms out and fingers together, and a huge pulse of dark energy that you feel as much as see thrums across you.

Instantly, you find you've bled not shields, or armor, but something else.
>Blackout Rocket: 0/8
>Lockon Hunter: 1/16
>Tumult Shell: 4/16
Highball Skipper: 0/16

>>39013763
And China?

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>>39013948
Cathode, meanwhile, was caught in the full blast, her barrels raised and firing exactly nothing. Her entire front looks like it's been sandblasted, paint scored away and armor pitted wickedly. Her expression goes from surprise, to shock, to a hardening rage.

"Okay, asshole," she growls, ray barrels snapping forward again. "Hard way it is."

>His boosters are damaged. Finish them off with the misericorde.
>Keep to the flambard.
>Now he can't melee your face in. Ranged!

>>39013575
Oh god.
It must be another Geist, since we haven't seen it yet.

>>39013979
>His boosters are damaged. Finish them off with the misericorde.
he wants to take our toys away then we'll take his armor

>>39013979
>His boosters are damaged. Finish them off with the misericorde.

>>39013979
>Keep to the flambard
His halberd's fucked, no more parrying us.

>>39013979
>His boosters are damaged. Finish them off with the misericorde.
It might be a limited use trick, but if he doesn't live to talk about it, its one we can keep pulling so long as we do. If we have an opportunity to maim or defeat him, we should take it before we become seriously damaged.

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>>39011383
>This guy looks more like an all rounder. A at least, maybe SA.

I have some wonderful news for you!

>>39013979
>>His boosters are damaged. Finish them off with the misericorde.

If we were a monster hunter instead of a maverick hunter all these bits we're taking off him would be netting us some good prizes.

>>39014111
JESUS FUCK

>>39013979
>His boosters are damaged. Finish them off with the misericorde.

Cathode mad? Then it's time to open him up and give him a weakspot for Cathode to hit for massive damage.

>>39013979
>His boosters are damaged. Finish them off with the misericorde.

Once he can't boost, we can pour on the gun.

>>39014111
Really? He hasn't really been Shiva-tier yet.

>>39014170
To be fair, G rank has to be a fairly broad spectrum. This guy's likely FAR lower down the G rank ladder than Shiva is.

Also, best team is best team.

>>39014222
like G- or something?

>>39013948
AW COME ON

We just restocked that shit!

>>39014170
>He hasn't really been Shiva-tier yet.

>>39014222
>To be fair, G rank has to be a fairly broad spectrum. This guy's likely FAR lower down the G rank ladder than Shiva is.

There you go. Nicholz is a low G-class threat, but he's still up there. Traditionally, wishing you some kind of luck is in order... if only I could figure out which.

By the way, will you be needing Cathode's readout if it's posthumous? Just wondering.

>>39014111
This guy is a G?

Really?

Is this even his final form?

>>39014272
That is a tasty tidbit we can add to the after action report. We certainly don't want that weapon becoming more common.

>>39014275
Dat survivor's guilt when Anode realizes his sister died on his watch.

The sorrow and depression will be sweet, sweet broth.

>>39014275
And there I was thinking she'd go Mav, and -really- turn us into Schwartz.

That said, I guess we're doing OK against him, hopefully.

>>39014275
More information helps when trying to figure out where to even start a game. It's a solid A build, and that's where players will likely gravitate.

>>39014275
Damn it Cain! I can't torture her boyfriend if I've got survivor's guilt! I'm not ready for Batman Anode!

>>39014422
speaking of Batman we still have to show her up birthday wise and give her that utility belt.

>>39014275
If Cathode dies, should we integrate her parts and start calling ourself Diode?

>>39014452
You mean jump her from the ceiling and give the belt, right?

>>39014512
we can even tease her and say we thought she could use it to help get around seeing how slow she is.

>>39014533
Already got Em helping us make it, so it's in production at least.

>>39014335
>And there I was thinking she'd go Mav, and -really- turn us into Schwartz.

I never specified a reason for the posthumous status.

>>39014484
>If Cathode dies, should we integrate her parts and start calling ourself Diode?

I would.

>>39014484
The 'rents can name our human sibling Cathode in honor of her. Confusion abounds!

>>39014551
Assuming Em is still alive, anyways.

After he went further into the compound, alone, I'm not so sure about him.

>>39014551
It's been finished. And Em didn't help, he made the entire damn thing.We really need to get her something else, that wasn't made by our bro.

>Firepower until he stops happening.

>>39014608
Well, "help" in the "this is the price you pay for worrying our sister" sense.

Man, imagine if both Em AND Cath died on this mission.

We'd be in therapy for years.

>>39014484
I can dig it.

>>39014761
Is Maverick time

>>39014836
Nah, we only Maverick after we've already made G-rank and buddied up with X and Zero.
Then in a moment of lucidity we self-destruct to allow them to defeat Sigma.

>>39014484
And now I am picturing Em asking us if we are a boy or a girl now. The multiple cannons and big weaponry wouldn't help.

>>39014836
We've found Cain Labs' new quest. 'Anode Goes Nuts'.

>>39014981
You just know someone would vote for futa. The real answer would be "But I've always been a girl, Em!"

>>39014989
The funny part is that the current quest wouldn't even need to be renamed.

Maverick Hunter Quest.

Read that very carefully.

>>39015035
Kek.

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>>39014022
>>39014044
>>39014091
>>39014115
>>39014129
>>39014142
You take one more opportunity while you still have it, snapping the misericorde up in your free hand and plunging it into Nicholz's lower back. The row of boosters--each of which pivots on a gimbal, giving him that obscene maneuverability--burst into smoke and steam as the LN reservoir is instantaneously transferred and snap-freezes the already-taxed metal. The blade ignition an instant later is finally too much, taking them back up to high heat and shattering the entire thing off his back, trailing a gout of plasma and fire.

Nicholz wheels around again, the two halves of his axehead splitting apart with the motion. You barely register it before you're taken off your feet, catching a new beam as it crackles to life and lashes across your neck. From chest to chinplate you get a new furrow, tumbling end over end from his now-bladed backhand. Nicholz turns to strike at Cathode, who jumps back, giving you a moment to scrabble back to your feet, shields recycling. From here, you can see--the blade armatures have been mounted on his forearms, giving him wicked tonfa-like beam blades. Cathode backs up as she fires, and he simply, dismissively triggers that barrier again, nulling her fire before bombarding her with the particle field.

That last hit...that was solid. You don't know how much longer either of you can keep it up. Nicholz is indefatigable, but his shield strength is finally, finally starting to wane. Hits score across his armor, though none decisive. He rockets at Cathode, who has to dive clear to evade, the maverick impacting the far wall with another dark pulse. He kicks off immediately, bowling Cath back down. Your turn to dive, but you do it with a bit more grace, avoiding the hit and firing after him--this time, he releases the particle field on impact, protecting himself.

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>>39015125
No special weapons worth a damn, a field that can negate your fire, and wicked melee punishment from those forearm blades, and a disinclination to stay fucking still. He scores yet another vicious hit on Cathode, the dark energy pulse catching her in the side as she tries to evade.

"Anode..." Cathode pants, her already-damaged breastplate rent across the mid, almost all color stricken from it. "We've gotta finish this."

>It's the capacitor or nothing. We've got nothing else left.
>He won't give us the time. We need another strategy.

>>39014981
>Implying Emerald isn't also dead
>Implying he isn't a G-Rank threat after integrating Cathode's parts
>Implying Diode doesn't go Maverick almost immediately out of grief

We final boss now

>>39015108
I know - honestly, I wouldn't mind at all. It'd be an interesting perspective twist.

>>39015159
>It's the capacitor or nothing. We've got nothing else left.

>>39015159
It's late and I'm confused. What does 'the capacitor or nothing' vote mean?

>>39015257
Have Cathode charge you up to use the conduti capacitor.

>>39015159
What's our current charge, and how fast can Cathode dump into us if she does nothing else?

>Capacitor
subject to change if we have shit for charge and sis can't dump into us fast enough to make it worthwhile

>>39015257
Our super neat reploid gimmick is an electrical capacitor that we can discharge to zap the fuck out of things.

>>39015276
Bug zapper?

Bug zapper.

>>39015159
We stall him again with the flame sword while Cathode unloads charge into us, then we zap the shit out of him.

>>39015171
>Diode gains access to Em's Saber collection
>lance can now overdrive, temporarily turning into an up-gunned flambard
>all fingers now end with a tiny hi-beam emitter
>body is covered with tiny really weak lo-beam emitters upgraded with phase tech
Enter Mecha-Indra, the fourth philosopher.

>>39015159
>It's the capacitor or nothing. We've got nothing else left.

Pretty much what Anode is made for. Charge him up and send into harm's way to keep Cathode safe.

... although, thinking about it, Nicholz PROBABLY doesn't know chaff clouds conduct electricity, and we did leave an awful lot of them floating around just a second ago. Could we use that against him somehow, to stay out of range of his arm blades?

>>39015159

>It's the capacitor or nothing. We've got nothing else left.
Super final ultimate galactic cosmic ultra mega big bang little bang anode cathode final diode destroyer GO!

>>39015368
Wouldn't it dilute the electricity? We shot those off a little while ago, and the metal in them has to have dispersed more by now.

I know Nicholz doesn't have much armor left, but I doubt anything but a touch will really inconvenience him.

>>39015159
>It's the capacitor or nothing. We've got nothing else left.
we still have some tumult shells and one lockon shot left. Cath charges us and we unleash charged and normal shots to slow him down while using tumults to protect us. I also say we for once use the less powerful but more bendable lockon shot to hit this guy where we knocked off his armor.

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>>39015394
>>39015368
>>39015334
>>39015290
>>39015242
You nod. It's gotta come down to the capacitor. 15%.

You charge up and unleash a pair of shots, trying to catch his attention, while Cathode does her best to get some maneuvering room. She begins to charge you up between passes, barely avoiding Nicholz. After a few sweeps of the room, he comes down on you hard, forcing you to diveroll aside as he carves up the air with an unstoppable frenzy with those forearm blades. All the while, Cath charges you up, alternating her fire to at least try and force him off you.

30%.

He tries to break away to go after Cathode, but you force his attention back to you with the flambard, the hilt now almost too hot to hold.

55%.

You leap away from another of his scatter-shield volleys, launching an ineffectual tumult shell at him to buy yourself a few more seconds of attention, as he almost slaps it out of the air and bounds after you.

70%.

Bob left. Juke right. Duck. He catches your chin with his knee, snapping you back upright as you feel his blade rake across your side, carving a rent in your buster as you stumble.

75%. 90%.

You don't have any more time. The next hit is going to be--

Nicholz stops short, throwing up the barrier again, Cathode's fire now locked entirely on him.

His eyes meet yours as your conduits spring aglow. He strides forward with grim purpose.

The shield flies up as you raise a hand, no lance to channel through. Nicholz’s hand closes around your throat, as you feel his energy build for a point-blank pulse of that dark energy. “The world will grind on…” he intones.

>>39015159
>He won't give us the time. We need another strategy.

Did Cath lose most of her weapons in the Fuck Your VWES beam too?

>>39015440
Maybe if we can body-blow him, shove him back into a cloud and then electrofuckyoudammit both of us?

Or stab him with our shoulder spike, for the novelty.