File: ptsd man.png (434 KB, 800x900)

434 KB PNG

>>997660
A human you've never met before is mourning a friend in your bar, your friend.

And a mysterious message on a datapad(, your datapad) glows up at you from the bartop.

'Someone dear to him is in the bar.'

You look around warily--no one who looks out of place, though for all you know an enigmatic enlisted is in the back typing out cryptic bullshit.

Still, though. The man seems real enough. Standing up, you approach hesitantly, leaving Susan behind you to mull over his drinks in stormy silence. As you draw close, the man doesn't seem to notice, simply flipping the pages of his sketchbook back and forth, back and forth.

"He was a good hunter," you say by way of greeting. "This was where he made his stand."

The man--old, in his sixties or seventies, maybe, pauses in his flipping, looking up at you. "He was a cartoon."

"He what?"

He flips the book back to the beginning, showing you a simplistic, robotic Dodo--closer to a mechaniloid, or an artist's impression, than the Reploid you knew. Over it reads DASH, in big, block letters.

"I'm a cartoonist," the man explains sadly, turning the pages--touch-ups and redesigns, playing around with this or that element of design, a thousand tweaks, a million redesigns of the lettering. "Dash Dodo, the mascot? He was originally my design. He was the closest thing I ever had to a son."

You blink, trying to wrap your head around that--it must be surreal. This guy's lived... what, ten times as long as Dodo? And to see him go from a drawing on a page to a real, live being, to...

The man opens a small wooden box by his elbow, Dodo's Decoration of Valor gleaming up at you in shining perfection.

>Stay and chat... but really, what is there to say? (Write-in)
>Go somewhere else. (Write-in)
>Go look for work. You have a mission to plan.
>Other?

Great to see you again, HC.

>>997662
>Stay and chat... but really, what is there to say? (Write-in)

"What was he like before he joined the Hunters?

>>997660
When I made my jest towards you an hour ago I didn't expect you to put up a thread this quick.
>>997670
second

>>997662
>Stay and chat... but really, what is there to say? (Write-in)
Not really much to say, but it'd be a disservice to just bounce on the guy after we engaged with him.

>Stay and chat... but really, what is there to say? (Write-in)

Ask about their relationship to each other. The good times, the stories. Let him say what he needs to say, however much or little it is, and console him with stories of Dodo's valor. Fathers love to hear about their sons' success, and it means more than you might think coming from a stranger.

>>997662
Seconding >>997676

File: Cain Labs.jpg (36 KB, 500x312)

36 KB JPG

And Happy New Year, all.

I'd really (really really) wanted to have at least one more thread in 2016, but things shook out poorly. I've also realized I'm plain never going to get any less busy, so in 2017 my goal is to try to switch from my tried, proven, wholly unsuccessful "run a marathon thread on a free weekend" plan to the more constant but gradual writing more frequently, taking advantage of the slowness of /qst/ to write low and slow instead of all-in or not at all.

Also, as a side note, holy shit the ad filter is a pain in the ass to get past! The reason we have a big old reference link in the header now is because I couldn't get the OP through without it. It wouldn't even let me use a URL shortener (or mention it here! I had to delete it).

Today's thread will be all downtime--and planning your assault on Barrage Mortarphant. You're a Captain, now, and you have a bit more agency and control over planning your missions and their approach. You can contact other units or your teammates for assistance, but they may not all be available, or agree to commit their finite resources to your plan of attack. Ask and work with them, build favors and call them in, and gather information by asking Cain Labs and myself for clarification, and we'll help provide the data you need (as far as you or the hunters have it, anyway) to make informed decisions.

>>997672
Well, I really did want to run a thread through the New Year, but holy shit this cold.

>>997676
As a reminder to wary readers who notice post IDs (especially after the last few threads), Draught Dromedary is, in fact, my roommate, a longtime friend and reader of MHQ. Don't panic if you see him, he's only taken a name to differentiate himself while sharing an IP with me.

>>997670
>>997676
Seconding these.

And a happy new year to all! Good to see MHQ back.

For what it's worth, I have no significant knowledge of any future events that any vote could have any sway over. Being such a longtime friend (and a fellow author) we have of course planned together, but what ultimately makes it in or gets changed in either of our works is respectfully kept secret in its final incarnation.

Also I'll mostly be sitting out tactical decisions; I'm really more invested in the personal interactions <3

File: 1463840723897.jpg (1.51 MB, 2000x1500)

1.51 MB JPG

>>997662
>Stay and chat... but really, what is there to say? (Write-in)
"Did you have much contact after he joined up?"
"Was the decision to construct him yours?"
Things like that.

And welcome back. Updated the Recap with, uh, six words.

http://pastebin.com/wMtuXJM2

File: HOW ARE YOU GENTLEMEN.jpg (84 KB, 942x942)

84 KB JPG

Happy New Year, everybody

Glancing over the character sheet, Anode's designation is LLN133-RN01. LL is obviously Liberty Labs (and 01 may or may not make him the older sibling), but any clarification on what the rest stands for?

File: CathodeandAnodespar.gif (843 KB, 499x281)

843 KB GIF

>>997759
Liberty Labs had 132 prior projects, but none were on Reploids.
RN-01 indicates that he was their "first."

You might recall they messed with the serials to make it difficult for him and Cathode to tell which of them is "older," a subject they spar over whenever it comes up.

>>997662
>Stay and chat... but really, what is there to say? (Write-in)
Ask about what Dodo was like before he became a Hunter.

>>997681
>>997750
Happy new year.

>>997750
>>997764
Happy New Year! Glad to see one of my favorite quests back again. I hope the different posting schedule means you can run more often, but we'll see.

>>997662
>Stay and chat... but really, what is there to say? (Write-in)
Ask him about what Dodo was like while he was young.
I wish we'd gotten to know him better.

>>997764

"Well... I like cartoons. I think I got all the Pink Panther episodes somewhere, or my sister stole them and then I lost the digital copy."

In other news I run Megaman Legends Beta Quest in sufficient velocity, what's up?

File: Volnutt and Roll find Bar(...).jpg (35 KB, 400x300)

35 KB JPG

>>997878
Nice, how's that going?

As for posting, stand by, more alarming quantities of dayquil are required. This'll be a lot slower and run over multiple days at a time, anyway. Everyone get comfy and just check thread every now and again, no breakneck pace (if ever there was one).

>>997881
Slow because is summer around here and because of the past holidays season. Still SV is the place to go for slow quests anyway. Plus I got Disgaea DS and is hard to stop.playing an adictive portable game were you grind like a maniac.

>>997662

Ask him about Dodo, and tell him everything we can remember about our friend. Dodo lives on so long as he is remembered.

File: Light realizes he's creat(...).jpg (389 KB, 1038x1280)

389 KB JPG

>>997670
>>997672
>>997674
>>997676
>>997678
>>997682
>>997744
>>997778
>>997786
“What was it like?” you ask. “Did you have a say in his…” You fish for a word. “Being built?”

He chuckles, slowly closing the medal box again. “Not really. I was contracted, paid royalties for the likeness by the company. They did ask me to come back to work with their engineers, believe it or not. That was interesting. I did it for free. I mean, how often do you get to see one of your creations literally stand up off the page?”

“That must be...I mean, that must have been something.” Shit.

He doesn’t seem to react. “Dodo was always so… driven. He did things at full speed or not at all.”

You look at the pages he’s sifting through--here and there are photos. “He stayed in touch?”

The cartoonist nods. “Every year, birthdays, Christmas. A few people he met during his time as a mascot. After he left for here, he tried to make it back at least once a year. We tried to talk at least once every month or two.”

He falls to silence, leaving you to look at the sketchbook. Pictures of various events, parties, business office openings. Dodo cutting the tape at a new building, visiting a kid in the hospital. And then his new armor, missing a few parts that you realize must have been the weapons he was improved with. A mile-away shot of him out in a desert somewhere, a colossal plume of dust rising hundreds of feet in the air in his wake, the cartoonist’s hand in-frame holding up five fingers--maybe how long it took him to clear the distance?

“We got on well,” he says sadly.

“He did a lot of good here,” you offer. “Here and everywhere. We’ll all miss him, but--well, he probably wouldn’t want us moping around.”

The cartoonist laughs a little. “Probably not. He’d call me an old fool.”

“He was a bit of a hothead,” you agree. “We only ever deployed together once, and it wasn’t a combat mission.”

“He never talked much about his work,” the cartoonist says. “Both before and after the hunters. He tried to keep his business to business hours. Except...“

“Except what?”

“There was once--did he ever tell you why he became a hunter?”

“A maverick used his company for a bombing,” you say with a nod.

“He called me, once, a few years ago. All he said was ‘I got him.’ I thought maybe he would retire after that, go back to civilian life, but…” He coughs and wipes his eyes with the back of his sleeve, busying himself with a glass of water before continuing. “But there was something about what he found here that made him stay.”

“It’s good work,” you say. “And obviously important.”

“It’s hard work, and it’s needful work, but I wouldn’t dare call it good,” the cartoonist says, looking up at you for the first time--piercing grey eyes that almost match the silver etching away at his temples.

File: Reploid tries coffee for (...).gif (2 MB, 250x212)

2 MB GIF

>>998471
“It is hard, I agree,” you reply, a little off-put. “But coming home and knowing the difference you made? I don’t think I could go back from that.”

“Maybe you should try,” the man says quietly, turning back to his sketchbook. “This is the only life you’ve ever known, isn’t it?”

You don’t say anything. He doesn’t need to, either.

“Thanks for being there for him,” the cartoonist finally murmurs, standing up with a slight groan. “And for your kind words. It’s good to know… I’m not the only one who misses him.”

“I just wish there had been time to get to know him better.” And that you COULD have been there, for him--but would it have mattered? Would it have made a difference, or would you have just been one more for the memorial? You push that one away, knowing somewhere in the back of your head it will be back in your quiet, unguarded moments.

The man squares down a cap over his greying hair, and then offers a hand to shake. “Stay safe, friend. Thank you again, good night.”

“You as well,” you reply lamely, taking his gnarled, cool hand.

He departs quietly, box and notebook tucked under one arm, leaving you in a stilted silence at the head of the bar with nothing.

...Nothing but a datapad of bizarre, untraceable messages. Telling you to find someone you can trust, warning that “they” may not survive without you. The Black Dog, the Serpent… they’re hints at something, delivered with what seems like knowledge of you and your surroundings.

… You should get a move on.
>Look for someone. (Specify)
>Take a walk. Clear the existential dread by healthier means than drinking it away.
>Plan your next mission.
>Other?

>>998473
>>Take a walk. Clear the existential dread by healthier means than drinking it away.

>>998473
>>Take a walk. Clear the existential dread by healthier means than drinking it away.

Right when I'm going to bed? Fine, I didn't need sleep anyway.

>>998473
>>Take a walk. Clear the existential dread by healthier means than drinking it away.

Happy New Year Hunter Command
Hope you feel better soon

>>998473
>Look for someone. (Specify)
Check up on Em if he's back.

>>998473
>Take a walk. Clear the existential dread by healthier means than drinking it away.

Happy New Year y'all!

>>998473
>>Take a walk. Clear the existential dread by healthier means than drinking it away.

File: super fighting food poisoning.png (33 KB, 300x219)

33 KB PNG

>>998507
Thanks, and thank fuck I don't have work tomorrow.

>>998473
>Take a walk. Clear the existential dread by healthier means than drinking it away.

Perhaps additionally
>>998508

>>998473
>Plan your next mission.

>>998519
>Take a walk. Clear the existential dread by healthier means than drinking it away.
>Then find Em and take together an easy simulation to unwind. Or try to double team the simulation of X, whatever works.

>>998473
>Take a walk.
And maybe puzzle out the Serpent hint. "Where he was coiled."

Then plan for the mission.

>>998473
>Take a walk.
>Check in on Em while you're at it.

File: FUCK.gif (27 KB, 184x144)

27 KB GIF

>>998486
>>998492
>>998507
>>998508
>>998510
>>998517
>>998519
>>998776
>>998805
>>998871
You decide to take a walk, get some air, and not think about a guy over 20 times your age telling you that your career is for suckers. You bid Susan a goodbye, leaving Max to counsel him to have a little bit of food so his auto repair can help show the booze-nanites the door. He catches your eye and gives you a nod, and you follow the cartoonist--you never got his name--out the door.

It’s a cool, clear day outside, the morning sun high and bright. The faint rumble of trucks catches your attention--movers, you think. You remember they’re packing up and moving shop--starting soon, tomorrow maybe, you’ll be stationed in the main base sprawl of Geneva. It’s not like they don’t suddenly have dozens of vacancies, you tell yourself dryly.

Still, with the sun beaming, it’s hard to stay negative. You--

“Anode?” Comms Gopher. “My office.”

Nevermind, doom and gloom back on track.

You report with a salute, which he immediately (and gruffly) tells you to knock off. “I’m heading out,” he says bluntly. “I need you to meet a new officer for me.”

You blink. “Uh, me? What, now?”

He waves a hand, even as he roots through a few things in his desk (surprisingly cluttered, considering it was still Frog’s not all that long ago). “Later. You’ll get the call. I’m picking you because you’ve got the most polish and the least damage.”

You look down at yourself and your battered plating reflexively. “I, uh--”

“I’m not talking about the physical kind. Listen, Captain, and keep this under your hat.” You look up at him to see him hunched over the desk, leaning forward on his palms intently. “This guy has been in service longer than you. No idea what his actual record looks like, because it’s all been sealed by the Weissritter.”

Oh, joy. “Sealed?”

“I had to ask Frog. From his dossier, I can put together that he’s someone’s pet project. That means that you can assume that they’re keeping tabs. So you’re meeting this guy as my appointed representative of the Geneva Overland complement. Whatever you do, don’t make me or my unit look bad. Is that clear?”

You resist a grimace. “Yes sir.”

“Good.”

>Questions?

>>999475
What is the meeting going to be about?

>>999475
>Questions?
Prior service with which other unit?

>>999475

>Questions?

Name? Base details? Want to make sure we know who we're supposed to meet. Also, replo-Google the guy before he shows up.

>>999475

Am I the only one horrified at the idea of Anode being the best face officer left in the 4th?

File: oh shit.png (133 KB, 506x142)

133 KB PNG

>>999652
WELCOME

TO

THE FOURTH

Overclock was someone's 'pet project'. Let's not judge to hard on that.

I say 'Welcome to the Forth',

That said... yeah basic name, rank, ranking (what class?) and any known prior service that isn't sealed?

File: COCAINE.gif (256 KB, 509x400)

256 KB GIF

Okay, so, now I take some nyquil and we see if A: I can keep writing, and B: it becomes HILARIOUS.

Odds are low, though.

>>999805
Is not a crazy harpy, right?

File: Readers see bird on roster.png (302 KB, 1018x928)

302 KB PNG

>>999874
No, no, of course not. It's a bird! Everyone loves bird-type models, right?

File: everything is fine.gif (710 KB, 140x130)

710 KB GIF

>>999887

>>999475

...This gif would make an *awesome* commercial cut-in for a Megaman X anime.

Anyway, as much as I'd like to laugh at Anode being the absolute worst person for this job* I smell politics. The fourth's funding may depend on this going well, for all we know.


>"Anything special in particular I should avoid?"

*Well okay maybe not the worst but definitely top five at least...

File: varying degrees of bomb man.jpg (525 KB, 1280x1263)

525 KB JPG

>>999497
>>999575
>>999609
>>999729
“Okay, what’s the meeting about?” you ask. He snorts.

“Induction. He’s joining the Fourth.”

Huh, no shit. “Prior history?”

“He was slated for Eighth Armored for a shakedown in ‘proper’ rotation--dunno if you know this, but sometimes the Weissritter will just hold on to ‘promising field agents’ and send them on milk runs for five years before they actually see real combat.”

You balk at that. “That sounds horrible.”

“I bet.”

“That was this guy’s been up to?”

He shrugs. “Hard to say. He’s been rated at an A, recently, so he’s at least gonna be able to pull his weight. Most of his combat records are classified. I’ve looked at the ones I can get my hands on, but I’m not going to lean too hard on Frog unless I have to.”

“We got a name, rank, anything, at least?”

“Lieutenant Templar Madillo,” Gopher replies. “Combat active, in whatever capacity, for about three years. Primary abilities classified, but I’m going to see if I can get a few of you a security clearance for this shit.”

“That where you’re headed?” You ask. He snorts again.

“No. But I’ll tell you this, Anode. Keep your eyes forward and if anyone asks you anything, you don’t know. Play dumb. I’ll handle them.”

Um. “Yes… sir?”

“Dismissed.”

You salute, and depart the office, more than a little alarmed about whatever the hell that means. It doesn’t take much more motivation for you to decide you want to go find a friend.

File: aftereffects of typical n(...).jpg (31 KB, 500x589)

31 KB JPG

>>999936
And on that note, I'm bowing to exhaustion and over-the-counter medication for the night! More super fighting PLOT tomorrow!

Worry not HC, you can always continue later. Anyway, its been 4 months since I got to do this.

+5 sword of retardation supporters represent!

>>999936
Well now I all sort of curious about this guy. I hope we can get clearance for his abilities at least; it'll be hard to work with him otherwise.
>>999947
Good night, Thanks for running, and see you tomorrow. It's great to have you back!.

>>999982
>Well now I all sort of curious about this guy. I hope we can get clearance for his abilities at least; it'll be hard to work with him otherwise.

I'm seeing three possibilities. One, Templar is Sabomole under a new name with some armor slapped on. Two, it's a "rescued" maverick. Three, it's a copy of Armored Armadillo.

>>999936
>if anyone asks you anything, you don’t know. Play dumb.
Finally, something we can ace!

>>1000454
>told to play dumb
>accidentally comes off as genius with high clearance level

As long as we can get through this without blowing something up, I'll count it as a win.

File: Em defeats Slide.png (124 KB, 5000x2571)

124 KB PNG

>>999936
As you leave the office, you’re surprised to see some unusually animated Berets hustling down the hall.

“--still going on, he says,” one is telling the other. “It’s been ten minutes.”

The pair heads toward the range. Curious, you follow them and see a few more enlisted filing in with them. As you get close, you hear what sounds like rain and static. It’s only once you actually get in, peering over the heads of the enlisted, that you realize you’re hearing beam blade contact.

Emerald and Rezador are sparring.

It’s closer to a duel. Em’s face is set with grit teeth and intense focus, a pair of blades whirling with every step, always in motion. Rezador, two arms folded behind his back, matches them with a set of his own, his long, thin body weaving left and right with quick, nimble movements. You almost can’t make them out, Em’s bright armor and diminutive frame practically hidden by the glow of four flashing sabers. The sound has built from rainfall to a constant, buzzing drone, staccato claps of beam against beam spitting and hissing. Each hit is so small you almost don’t register the change in movement--rather than powering through, each strike is a small deflection, a counter to a counter that started minutes before you even walked in. Around the central sparring ring, everyone, enlisted or otherwise, has stopped what they’re doing to watch.

You realize a moment too late that Em isn’t moving fast enough, that he should be repositioning instead of standing to duke it out--it’s only just occurred to you that he’s been held down by a steady assault by Rezador when he finally breaks out, a sudden crossways lash batting aside two pinning strikes. Em turns aside, shoulder rolling and saber windmilling to ward off the follow-up as he kips and rolls over a swing aimed at his feet. He stops short as a downward stroke arrests his movement, momentum swaying through him full-body as he weaves back and forth, avoiding yet another blade as he brings his own up from below, stepping back and following up the instant after a horizontal sweep tries to take his head off. He ducks back and forth, bobbing as he shifts his weight, bending back to let Rezador’s strikes fly over his head, yanking his lead boot up an instant before the mantis hacks it off, leaving him balanced precariously for a moment off-center and on one foot. Rezador moves to capitalize, but Em’s already fulcrumed his weight to spring aside, twisting like a falling cat in the air and catching the would-be finishing blow with a double-beam cross and wheeling both to push back off.

Neither of them seems to have landed a hit on the other. Just as well, because their weapons are live.

>Keep watching.
>Other?

File: emerald confronts Shiva.jpg (13 KB, 276x183)

13 KB JPG

>>1001403
>Other?
Ask one of the bystanders what started this and who authorized it, 'cause Em is too valuable in wartime to be sidelined (or removed entirely) by a spar.

>>1001408
Seconding, but try to look casual about it. No need to stir anything up.

Keep an eye on the fight anyway, the more we know about how both fight, the better, in case of future joint missions.

>>1001408
Third this can be fine but this is high risk and we are the range master if the answers don't satisfy us we have the right to call this off and possibly a duty to preserve hunter assets on the other hand we don't want to be hasty and disrupt a valuable training exercise/ demonstration.

>>1001408
That's a good write in, I'll back it

>>1001408
Seconding, but word it to be less about Em specifically and more about getting valuable assets sidelined.

>>1001426
But deep in our shiny, metal heart, we know the truth; fuck Rezador.

>>1001403
>Fire buster in the air.
>Demand to know what is this bullshit going on in our range.
>Tug Em out by his ear.

>Save your little friend, you are a Captain and you are in a war situation.

"So, who was the motherfucker who authorised this? One is a heavy combat model and has atrong armor and four swords, the other has an armor that might as be made of paper so a single hit would be more than enough!"

"We are at war you morons! We can't afford to injure one of our own over something stupid!"

>>1001408
WHO THE FUCK
IS FIGHTING WITH LIVE SABERS
ON ~MY~ RANGE

>>1001467
"Always remember to set your lightsabers to stun mode during practice."

>>1001408
Keep it civil at least until we get a better idea of the story. Much as we want to bite into either of these two, we need to see the large picture first. Not only that but Razador is going to be a damn pain to deal with. His authority trumps ours in every sector so trying to be a drill sarge to him will end badly.
Still, we can make this useful for everyone involved. Use the duel as a learning experience for the berets, ask them questions, their thoughts, see what they learned from the fight and the effective danger zone of trying to get near them. Considering their differences, knowing to avoid the major threat while keep tabs on them would be useful for survival on a major battlefield.

>>1001412
>>1001418
>>1001426
>>1001583
Good points. In context, Rezador himself probably "authorized" it. Convincing him to stop might be easiest done by pointing out that fewer active Hunters means fewer dead Mavericks.

>>1001603
There is also the matter of handling Emerald. Rezador is probably a mix of somethings he really needs.. in the absolute worse ways possible. He does need to be shown there are more skilled foes than him, but rather than trying to shore up his weak spots to be more robust and capable of handling a specialist, he might try to beat Razador at his own game and screw himself over in the process. We may need to ask him, from a non melee perspective what weak points Razador would have.

>>1001603
"So, did you get you damn bored you are killing our own now?"

>>1001657
Guy won't upgrade even if his family tells him. What are you gonna do? Have our Boss order compulsory upgrade or Em gets a kick in the behind and a pension?

>>1001673
There are ways to work around his preferences. Code locking gear, weapons that have a mid range option to them(Moonlight greatsword for example), and learning to work as a team with Anode. He wants to remain fragile so he can be taken down if he goes maverick. With diamond gone, he has no one who could do the deed. Razador could, but razador is also a dick. One way we could do it is give him armor similar to armor armadillos. Falls off with electric shenanigans/emp.

>>1001697
He refused to upgrade specifically for Diamond, rather than for anyone else who might try to take him out. Now Diamond's dead, I wonder if we can edge him toward improving the armour, especially if we spin it as a way to get into S-rank and have a better choice of missions/higher clearance (i.e. to help figure out what happened to Diamond).

>>1001697
>>1001726

Okay.

>Give Em the "Talk" not that one but the "You are going suicidal" Talk. Recluit anyone that can help, yes even the damn Fox. Call an emergency meeting, you will deal with the fallout if the Boss gets angry but you won't let one of your best friends do this dammit.

"Em, if you go Mav, I will take you out, if I go Mav you can take me out and if we both go Mav certain pilot will hunt down with her scary ship of doom.

File: Possible Saetos upgrade.gif (1.46 MB, 291x188)

1.46 MB GIF

>>1001408
>>1001412
>>1001418
>>1001422
>>1001426
>>1001437
>>1001462
>>1001467
>>1001583
You frown, immediately mistrustful of the stupid mantis asshole and anything involving live weapons. “Where’s Looey?” You ask, not needing to raise your voice for the silence in the room.

“Over there,” one Beret replies, not looking up as he gestures to your left.

Looey is as fixed on the spar as the others, but with a different sort of intensity--a small datapad is perched in one hand, a finger wavering over it. As you draw near, you see it’s an infraction report, just waiting for him to hit “send.”

“This above-board, Looey?” You ask.

“All cleared, all good,” he replies, eyes widening and narrowing as Em wildly cartwheels out of range of an advancing slash, a flail of beam blades with another barreling in right after. “FOR NOW.”

That relieves some of your concern, at least, but you still don’t like it. Not long ago Em was warning you to never go on a mission with that asshole, and he wouldn’t say why. Now, all of a sudden, they’re duking it out at full speed? No, you don’t like it.

Especially because, you realize, the last time you saw a duel like this, it was Wren. It all happened so fast, but next to her--next to this? Stillwater Phasian, who you’re sure would have taken you to school in swordplay, looked like she was standing still. This might be faster. No, this is faster.

You remember some of those attacks as they came bearing in on you, Wren impossibly nimble, impossibly fast. Both of them, you realize, are going at least that speed on every exchange. It’s an unpleasant reminder of how many fish are in your little pond, and how many are bigger than you.

You’re about to break it up when you realize it’s coming to an end. Like before, you realize it too late, Em stopping short, arm cocked back for an overhead swing, as he immediately spits a curse. Rezador doesn’t even finish the motion, his own winning sword stroke disappearing as he tucks his arms back to join the other pair.

“Better,” Rezador says. “Slightly. Too reactive. Frail and defensive is a losing combination.”

“Goddamnit,” Em mutters. “Goddamnit. One more?”

“No time. Command room, five minutes.” Rezador turns and departs the circle, Berets and LTBs parting around him in a wave. Enlisted scatter before him and gather behind him as he stalks right by you, his eyes pure contempt on his way past.

“Asshole,” you mutter, pushing your way back through the throng. A low murmur rises, everyone discussing what they saw with their fellows. Em sees you coming with an extremely sour expression, flinty eyes still flitting wildly and jaw firmly set.

File: Emerald takes on the Sigma sim.gif (2.87 MB, 640x480)

2.87 MB GIF

>>1001754
“Em, what the fuck?” you ask, finally clearing the mill of bodies. “Didn’t you tell me--”

“Yeah,” he spits sourly. “Yeah, I did. But listen--Gopher ordered me off any ex-Seventh targets, right? But he can’t do SHIT--” He hooks a thumb over his shoulder. “About him.”

God damn it, Em. “This is a bad idea.”

“I don’t care. It’s the only way I can go on these goddamned missions. All he wanted was a fight, and he’ll take me along.”

“Em--”

He interrupts you, still heated from the match. “It’s not like I haven’t done my share. Gopher still hasn’t even gotten me my next targets yet.”

“Come on, man. This is fucked up.”

“I know, all right? I fucking know. But I can’t let it go. It’s the only way I’m going to find out what happened to Diamond. I have to. I HAVE to.”

>You’re cozying up to Halcyon’s cold, murderous golden boy and you know it. There’s no way this ends well.
>I’m not your dad, I can’t tell you what to do. Just be careful, all right? Some of us are still alive to worry about you.
>...This is about more than your brother, isn’t it? It’s about Rezador.
>Other?

>>1001726
Well, either that or spin it so we can take him down. His EMP defenses are pretty low so an AOE 'burst' could cause him to fritz. He likely won't go for armor improvements for the sake of S-rank, and having him focus on Diamond solely is a bad idea. Sort of the problem with being a avenger. Once you are done avenging, whats next?

>>1001759
>...This is about more than your brother, isn’t it? It’s about Rezador.
Emerald's out to prove a point. Motherfucker.

>>1001759
"How to up this... either you upgrade to the bare minimum light armor an A class cab have or you are a dead man walking. Didn't you only survive the last time because you had certain weapon that could also be used as a shield?" Tap your lance.

>>1001759
>I’m not your dad, I can’t tell you what to do. Just be careful, all right? Some of us are still alive to worry about you.
>Would it help to talk about things? In a disgusting Feeling way that we'll repress afterwards?

>>1001759
>>...This is about more than your brother, isn’t it? It’s about Rezador.
Be a bro, talk to him about this. Be the ear he needs to scream into if he must. The guy has a lot of issues and Rezador is the big shining beacon of them all.
>>1001765
Ok, this is most definetly not the time to talk about armor if this is as bad as it seems. Calm him down, get him to open up, then deal with the situation.

>>1001759
>...This is about more than your brother, isn’t it? It’s about Rezador.

>>1001766
Anode and Emerald have talked about this at length several times. He's still banged up about Diamond, and it's developed into a latent deathwish. He's going too hard, too fast, and he doesn't want to listen to anyone about it.

>>1001759
>...This is about more than your brother, isn’t it? It’s about Rezador.

Asking for one more paints a slightly different picture than what hes saying.

>>1001779
We've had semi-drunken discussions and angry talks in public places, but we haven't actually sat down in private and gone in-depth beyond 'my brother is dead and I basically have no real plan to find out how, so I'm going to lash out and piss off my new boss because that'll really heeeeeeelp'.

He's operating on hurt, anger and illogical thinking, and honestly the best thing we could do is nudge him towards a professional therapist.

>>1001773
How? Even his family can't get to him ans is not like we can beat him unless we go.lethal right away... and then goodbye Em.

>>1001759
>You’re cozying up to Halcyon’s cold, murderous golden boy and you know it. There’s no way this ends well.

>...This is about more than your brother, isn’t it? It’s about Rezador.

>>1001786
Part of the healing process however is identifying the issues as well. He's piling his problems higher and higher with more stuff and unless we can identify whats eating him, being there won't help.
>>1001791
And thats the thing. He doesn't want to talk about it to even his family and he just got jabbed about it by fucking Rezador. The more I look at the two, the more I see why Em is so angry at him. Yeah he's skilled as all hell, but he's also a lot of shit that would piss off Em. He's a murder weapon who cares nothing about family, just killing Mavs. He does everything in his power to be strong even if it would make taking him down hard if not deadly. Rez is everything Em hates and denies balled up into a commanding officer. He's ANTI-Em and this sort of shit needs to be addressed because as long as he's going full suicidal, he will not stop.

>>1001814

We need help then we are a combat model not diplomacy.

>Recluit anyone that can help, yes even the damn Fox and the totally not your girlfriend. Call an emergency meeting, you will deal with the fallout if the Boss gets angry but you won't let one of your best friends do this dammit.


Basically we gang up on him with an intervention.

>>1001759
>You’re cozying up to Halcyon’s cold, murderous golden boy and you know it. There’s no way this ends well.
>It's not paranoia if we're right.
>Also, come the fuck on and open up already, you yutz.

>>1001759
>Em we need to talk. Actually talk lets go somewhere private and let me help you.

>>1001759

>I’m not your dad, I can’t tell you what to do. Just be careful, all right? Some of us are still alive to worry about you.

Point out that with Frog and Hund gone, if he dies that leave India as our counseling voice. We need him to come back.

>>1001759
>>I’m not your dad, I can’t tell you what to do. Just be careful, all right? Some of us are still alive to worry about you.
and this
>>1001924

>>1001825
We are also his friend and need more information. Interventions require actual planning and knowing whats going on and we are barely scratching the surface. At the very least, confronting him on Rezador is doable and gives us something to work with. Besides, we only have 5 minutes of his time. An intervention will not be quick enough.
We are generally soft when it comes to Em, but this time we REALLY need to poke him about the Rezador issue.

File: Mantis school best school.jpg (174 KB, 640x429)

174 KB JPG

Oh come now everybody, I'm sure he's just fine. He's just training. You know, with the best. For totally not crazy reasons.

Forgot to say this earlier, but for a totally crazy idea; seeing as we count as a 'friend' of Seventh, how about we call them up and ask why they're not saying what happened to Diamond? We have no idea if it's actually classified, or they don't even know what happened, or if they're trying not to let Em know that his brother was secretly Maverick.

It might be easier to find easier ways to help Em investigate if we know why they're refusing to speak.

>>1001779
Honestly, I'm starting to think the best way of resolving the matter is to try to get the idiot reclassed to B until he unfucks his armor situation.

>>1001979
Hence why we are getting everyone we can even his family in teleconferencing if we can.

>>1002087
I presume you mean Sapphire, 'cause the rest of them don't give two shits.

>>1002087
..Alright, you want to try and get a conference going, started, and producing something more than more trouble in 5 minutes and bring in his sister who may be busy working on a vital mission, and his father who treats his son like a tool and that Em actually does not like at all. You want to get all that together in less than 5 minutes with no real plan but hoping the intervention works.
Do you have any sense of scale when it comes to time? Because beyond being impossible, I honestly do not think it could even produce good results because we are scratching only the surface of Em's problems. This is also the worst sort of situation for it because all it will do is isolate him further since he will just think everyone is trying to stop him or think he's worthless. Validating his fears via >>1002081 will make things worse because he will just try harder and not smarter, panicing more.
Falling off the treadmill is a scary thing for Hunters. Seven had a huge chip on his shoulder because he could never be S rank due to his faulty gun. Em, who was originally a C falling to a B would take that even harder.

File: human hunter maintains B-rank.gif (1.62 MB, 350x197)

1.62 MB GIF

>>1001764
>>1001766
>>1001773
>>1001776
>>1001781
>>1001794
>>1001831
>>1001888
>>1001924
>>1001959
“Em…” You grab his shoulder as he reaches the exit, far from the dispersing crowd. “This isn’t about your brother.”

He snaps back, wrenching his arm free. “Don’t--”

“What’s going on with the four-armed prick, Em?”

He glowers at you for a moment before huffing an exasperated sigh. “He’s better than me.”

“Well, no shit. You think he’s the only one?”

“...Maybe.”

“What? That’s--”

Em holds up a hand sharply. “No, you listen for a change. Did you ever hear about how they talked about Schwarz? Combat models, projections, all that shit? Still got it memorized. ‘Has been analyzed as potentially capable of matching even Commander Zero in a straight battle.’ And you know something, Anode?”

You say nothing. He leans in, voice low and lethal.

“I’m better than him.”

“Up close, yes, but that’s not--”

“Not the point. I was better than him two years ago. For a while, I stalled out, but now, with this shit? With High n’ Mighty Four-Arms and his Grim Fandango? I’m better than ever. I’m better than I was YESTERDAY.”

“That still doesn’t make a goddamned difference. He’s poison, and you know it.”

“Yeah, and he’s my only ticket away from that fuckwad that replaced Frog. I’m not transferring out of my unit.”

“You could try to work with him, and may--forget it, we’re getting away from the point. You’re good at one thing. You were never the best--no one is.”

He growls. “Someone is. And right now, as far as I know, it’s that asshole.”

“Em. Come on, man.”

“Skill is ALL I HAVE, Anode. I don’t give a shit about rank or favors or command.”

“Then for fuck’s sakes, why don’t you just upgra--”

“Or goddamned weapons and armor,” he cuts you off brusquely.

“Diamond’s gone, Em,” you say bluntly, matching the heat--and shutting him up, the look on his face twisting like your stomach at your declaration. Still, with nothing else for it, you push through. “There’s no reason not to go for it any more.”

“There’s my SISTER, asshole,” he replies bitterly. “I was built to fucking kill her. I’m not gonna do that. I’m never gonna do that.” The heat slowly drains from his voice, as his aggression diminishes. “She’s still alive, okay? And she’s got a chance to stay that way, even if--even if I flip out. She can upgrade all she wants. I help her out with it, even.”

You almost ask him what he’d do if she turned, but you immediately get the feeling that would go horribly, horribly wrong. “How is she gonna feel if you get yourself killed like this, Em?” You ask quietly. “How do you think I’m gonna feel?”

File: Emerald confesses to his waifu.jpg (694 KB, 900x2614)

694 KB JPG

>>1002127
He turns away with a huff, studying the doorway. “You know I used to lean on my buster? Before you were even alive?”

You laugh at that, however shaky it is, welcome for the excuse for humor. “What, you? Bullshit.”

He turns back to you, tension finally deflated a little. “It’s true. Used to kind of admire the thing, recoil felt like a handcannon whenever it went off.”

“What happened?”

For a moment he stops looking at you and starts looking past you, eyes somewhere very different. “I’ll tell you later. Don’t have time, but… a hunt went bad. All I had was a saber. And I couldn’t use it well enough to s--to win.” He takes a breath and steadies himself, fingers digging into the doorjam, the metal twisting and bowing a little. “I can’t ever be there again, Anode. I can stare down any gun, but no one--no one--can put me there again. I won’t let them. Not Rezador, not Shiva, not fucking anyone.”

He takes a step back, flexing and unflexing his hand. “I gotta go. Sorry, Anode.” He turns almost reluctantly before taking off for the command room at a sprint.

>Well, fuck. This calls for MORE WALKING!
>Forget it. Just go find this Templar Madillo guy and hope he’s better than the mantis.
>Other?

>>1002131
May as well go proactive and take a look at Templar.

>>1002131
>Forget it. Just go find this Templar Madillo guy and hope he’s better than the mantis.

>>1002131
>Find Templar
>Suffer

>>1002131

>...
>Well, fuck. This calls for MORE WALKING!
>Don't let hunter kill Em! Yet...

>>1002131
>Well, fuck. This calls for MORE WALKING!

We won't get more than a few feet out the door before we get called to this meeting, but we have to at least TRY. Otherwise, we'll have FAILED our FEET.

File: Cain Labs helps Emerald.jpg (140 KB, 995x604)

140 KB JPG

I like to think that Rezador and I have vastly improved Emerald's temperament and upstanding moral character. He's definitely heading in a good direction. I hope you all appreciate the results of my hard work.

I'm the best.

File: you have been retired.gif (1.84 MB, 245x186)

1.84 MB GIF

>>1002164

>>1002164
Agreed. Emerald is the hero we deserve.

>>1002160

I agree, this is totally heading for him to do suicide by asshole.

>Well, fuck. This calls for MORE WALKING!

>>1002164
I totally will have to name one of the enemies in my quest after you!

>>1002131
>>Well, fuck. This calls for MORE WALKING!
at least try to get him to get some personal shields like we have. I mean he rode our ass to get one when we came back from every mission looking like we got into a fight with a massive can opener.

>>1002131
>Well, fuck. This calls for MORE WALKING!
Only thing to do when shit turns shittier.

>>1002175
Or just have him go on a sword & Shield combo.

>>1002131
>Forget it. Just go find this Templar Madillo guy and hope he’s better than the mantis.

We're making progress with Em but if we push too hard it'll turn sour. I'm pretty certain that following him right now would be a poor choice. Also we were kind of ordered to do something that isn't debating Em, see: Templar.

File: 1471892976203.jpg (206 KB, 500x647)

206 KB JPG

>>1002164
Its alright, I'm sure that fueling Em with rage can only end well once he hits S rank.

>>1002131
>Forget it. Just go find this Templar Madillo guy and hole he's better than the mantis.

I mean... isn't that what we were ordered?

>>1002203
Yea because we cannot take five minutes for our friend.

>>1002205
We're military, with an asshole CO. We cannot, in fact, do personal stuff while we should be acting out orders. Bumping into Em and talking to him is one thing, chasing after him is another.

>>1002203
No, we just need to be on standby for when he shows up.

>>999475
>You report with a salute, which he immediately (and gruffly) tells you to knock off. “I’m heading out,” he says bluntly. “I need you to meet a new officer for me.”
>You blink. “Uh, me? What, now?”
>He waves a hand, even as he roots through a few things in his desk (surprisingly cluttered, considering it was still Frog’s not all that long ago). “Later. You’ll get the call. I’m picking you because you’ve got the most polish and the least damage.”

>>1002220
That is unfair to gopher he is not an asshole he is not the bro among brows frog was but he is not an asshole.

>>1002223
>>1002220
Ah! My bad then. Change >>1002203 to >MORE WALKING!

File: Dr Cain's prescription.png (40 KB, 600x700)

40 KB PNG

>>1002200
I think you mean S Class

>Well, fuck. This calls for MORE WALKING!

>>1002260
All the better for the fanfiction.

>>1002131

This sounds about right.
>>1002157

I feel like we're making progress with Em, I just hope we aren't too late.

>>1002317
And now I want to kill all humans. Thanks anon.

>>1002317
As a semi-professional chef (it's just a diner), the egg one is what made me decide to murder everyone within a five block radius. The rest just made me decide 'eh, fuck it, let's go for ten blocks'.

File: killallhumans.png (280 KB, 400x534)

280 KB PNG

>>1002348
Hot off the presses.

File: 1374980773272.png (218 KB, 640x360)

218 KB PNG

>>1002317
That is the most successful stress-inducing gif I have ever seen. The egg especially made me hurt.

>>1002317
I must be terrible then, as I laughed at pretty much all of them (though to be fair, the egg one will hurt later when dinner hits)

...I'm sure this means I'll be turning on someone shortly.

>>1002228
We already argued that he is not a nice man but he is good at his job. We are just second to the mission for him, that's all. We respect him for doing what's need to be done and hate him for not being a father to his men like Frog.

Trust me when the third season comes over, we will miss him because Abelious Cain will give us someone worse

Random thought, how difficult would it be to get a Nitrogen Misericorde for each of the Bravely Broken?

>>1002737
pretty hard. Our weapon is sorta one of a kind there.

File: 1414773196932.jpg (693 KB, 1452x1350)

693 KB JPG

>>1002131
>More Walking! ... Toward this new guy.

Also, damn, Em just gets more engagingly complicated with time. He fits the shape of the series, In a better world, he's the sort of character we'd see from Capcom first.

>>1002783
So he is Zero? Abelious Cain won't revive him if he gets killed.

>>1002737
The Misericorde is a kitbash that threatens to buckle under its own usage. It is not worth recreating.

>>1003069
Recreating as-is, no, but purpose-building a replacement with proper hardware wouldn't be a bad idea.

The thing was literally a civilian-grade beamsaber when we first got it, it's really rather surprising we managed to turn it into the piece of kit it is.

>>1003069
true, but something designed to do the same thing might not be a bad idea. grunts with one shot sabers that can punch through high-end S class armor would be one hell of a nasty trick.

What if we combine in with the Rockouts? As in, turn it into a piercing warhead for a chaff payload. That'd play absolute hell with the guts of any reploid.

>>1002737
i don't think a touch-range assassination weapon is a good fit for steel berets.
it goes against their nature. you can't advance on enemy positions under a hail of backstabs.

>>1003094
If you're making penetrating explosives, you'd be better off with something like magnetic shrapnel rather than wimpyass chaff.

File: easy mode.gif (322 KB, 512x288)

322 KB GIF

>>1003069
>>1003083
>>1003084
>>1003084
To be more specific, Em more or less stubborned it together for you. He was never really happy with his work and would be more than willing to help you improve it.

TL;DR it's one-of-a-kind, but temperamental or not, it's not a dud. There aren't any trap upgrades in MHQ and there never will be.

Unless I do it specifically because it's funny.

>>1003109
I FUCKING TOLD YOU ALL THE SWORD WOULD HAVE WORKED

>>1002131
>Fuck it, MORE WALKING!
Hey, HC! Good to have you and Cain back! Though that reminds me to get off my own ass so there can be story times if needed...
Anyway, can we toss in a bit of our own assistance? Namely an offer to take Diamond's place if needed?

>>1003116
We knew it would work.

we also knew it would only work when Command allowed us to use it, which would have been almost never because of how dangerous it is to both enemy and ally alike.

I'd rather have something we can use whenever we want than a nuke we can only use against the final boss.

>>1003109
I like how that gif makes it look like zero is just cutting down a bunch of humans.

>>1003109
I'm down at some point in the future to go over it again with Em, it could also help keep his mind off of the TOTALLY NORMAL AND SAFE path he seems keen on going down.

File: Anode Horizon.jpg (449 KB, 898x772)

449 KB JPG

>>1003126
You can, you absolutely can. But that's a decision that's going to be very, very personally significant for the both of you, due to Em's (severe) issues. It's going to be put to a vote, if there's call for it.

And stand by, last post of the night going up.

File: you are an impeccable hos(...).jpg (83 KB, 653x638)

83 KB JPG

>>1002160
>>1002162
>>1002172
>>1002175
>>1002185
>>1002231
>>1002269
>>1002783
You sigh, examining the damaged frame. You look back to see Looey tossing his datapad behind him, giving you an exaggerated shrug.

Shaking your head, you give him a wave and head out the door, hoping the ever-less-vague, ever increasing unease about Em doesn’t bear out.

You continue on what might be your last walk around the compound--it will still be here, you remind yourself, and you’ll probably still be out here to make use of the hangars, mechaniloid bays, all the general things that aren’t lodgings.

And hell, you’ll have the bar. You’re just thinking of ducking out and heading over when you hear a laugh from one of the oft-unused breakrooms.

Hell, this was where you first saw India and Seven talking, a few months and a lifetime ago.

No pilots and pricks here, just a new pair, off on their own. Flares Firefly and Spider (appropriately enough) seem to be enjoying a snack. Spider turns and gives you a nod when Flares calls, beckoning you over as she kicks her heavily armored boots over to the side of her chair.

“Howdy,” Spider greets with a lazy wave, one arm cocked relaxedly over the back of his chair.

“How’s it going?” You ask. “Settling in okay?”

Flares nods. “Mostly. Haven’t made too many friends in the unit, yet, so we figured we’d grab a bite on our own.”

“Not too many officers ‘round these parts,” Spider drawls. “For obvious reasons, I s’pose.”

You nod a little sheepishly. “Yeah, I guess I’ve been off-base or in for repairs for a while, and, uh…”

Spider ticks it off on his fingers. “The bear is scarce, the kid is always scowlin’, the pilot’s on the warpath, and the mantis… well, forget about the mantis.”

You snort. “Yeah, let’s. You two been to the Dodo yet?”

“Once or twice,” Firefly nods. “But, well, transferring is tough. I was thinking of trying to get a table together tonight, see if anyone has deployed with the 15th before.”

“I know a few who have,” you reply. “Dunno if they’ll want to talk about it, they all got their heads shot off that op.”

She giggles. “I think I heard about that op. That was…”

“Wallaby, yeah,” you say. “With Kiloton--ah.”

Firefly’s bright face falters just a shade. Oof. “Yeah.”

“Well, hey,” you offer, trying to rally. “The 15th can count on the 4th. And did we ever give you a proper welcome?”

“The way I hear it, a Fourth Overland welcome is something to avoid,” Spider observes wryly, setting down a plastic cup of what looks like tea.

“Maybe that’s why it’s so hard to make new friends,” Firefly adds good-naturedly. “They all got the welcome and now they’re sour about it.”

Spider nods, tapping his finger on the glass. “Or deranged, can’t count that out.”

File: Flares Firefly (Mask Up).jpg (46 KB, 535x523)

46 KB JPG

>>1003173
“I represent that remark,” you reply. “You know, if tonight’s free, maybe I could try to drag you clowns together for a movie night.”

“You do movie nights?” Firefly asks, leaning forward. Spider raises an eyebrow.

“I do. You a cinephile, Flares?”

“I love a little Hollywood glamour,” she admits.

“Beggin’ your pardon, but aren’t we moving out tonight?” Spider asks. “Not to rain on your parade before it starts.”

>Midnight movie showing! We all pile into my room, and then you all help me move my stuff.
>Well, they’re not uprooting the bar. Maybe we could talk Max into letting us hold it there.
>Other?

>>1003183
>Well, they’re not uprooting the bar. Maybe we could talk Max into letting us hold it there.
Max is going to regret Anode saving his life.

>>1003183
>>Well, they’re not uprooting the bar. Maybe we could talk Max into letting us hold it there.
I wonder what sort of movies Max might like?

>>1003183
>>Midnight movie showing! We all pile into my room, and then you all help me move my stuff.
...ok we really should keep this short though since we do need to meet the new guy.

>>1003193
Play Roadhouse, just to see how Max responds.

>>1003183
>Well, they’re not uprooting the bar. Maybe we could talk Max into letting us hold it there.

>>1003183
>Well, they’re not uprooting the bar. Maybe we could talk Max into letting us hold it there.
If not host it at our place anyways.

>>1003168
It's certainly important that we know the deep meaning behind this. Don't want to accidentlly propose to Em or something along the lines. 'Be the bottom to my boss chain link' Is a serious commitment.
>>1003183
>>Well, they’re not uprooting the bar. Maybe we could talk Max into letting us hold it there.
And then we can meet the new guy and offer him to the movie night at the Bar.

>>1003183
>Midnight movie showing!
Lieutenant Fullmetool has been lonely in there.

>>1003234

We should buy that Meet, is not that much money and having a pet would help. I mean, is not like we are going back to therapy any time soon

>>1003245
Didn't our therapist die?

>>1003261
yup.

File: you actually thought you (...).jpg (12 KB, 288x192)

12 KB JPG

>>1003261
Can I just say that I love that this seems to have become a recurring question? It just says so much about the story.

>>1003261
No, he's still tending the bar.

>>1003261
>>1003292

Yes.

But really, building a Meet is the kind of join project the whole gang can join in!

Even the Fox

>>1003097
I was thinking for if an enemy gets in their face, they have an effective melee weapon

>>1003183
>Well, they’re not uprooting the bar. Maybe we could talk Max into letting us hold it there.

>>1003530
Yes.

>>1003109
Let's do the MARK II then. The second generation for the second season, is not all torturing the readers, have to give them a few shinnies too.

>>1005209
Eh, give it some time, think we just burnt through a decent chunk of change.

>>1005209
We likely can wait until we deice the Gibbon to replace the Misericorde.

>>1005297
Don't forget we have to pay for three more EAS as well.

>>1005297
>taking it for granted that Gibbon went mav
>21xx
I seriously hope you guys don't do this.

It's certainly not impossible, mind you, but it's more likely that some mavs stormed the compound and murderized him.

>>1005303
Even in the cases where we took our opponents (Super strength from Sabomole and Illusion-piercing from Foxfire) alive we have come out with relevant upgrades.

Even if Gibbon did not go Mav, replacing our Civ-grade Ice saber with a Mil-grade version might be in the reward set.

>>1005339

Yes.

Also what part of SECOND SEASON IS HARD MODE dis you forget?

File: 1336002971937.jpg (578 KB, 792x1080)

578 KB JPG

>>1005624
Second season isn't hardmode, we just don't have the "won't fuck your shit up for making dumb decisions" safety net anymore, and I'm reasonably sure that outside that time my semiserious vote to tether onto some live torpedos got picked, we've never done anything that warranted the net.

>>1005650
We made a Hammer joke in front of Frog, that was damn near suicidal.

>>1003183
It's probably prudent to hold the movie night ourselves, since the bar's open only so long, and we kind of do need to prioritize finding the new guy for now.

>>1005650
You remember when the author or so helpfully made us do very confusing votes? That was in easy mode.

And you must be new because what the author said was "Now I can kill you guys, hahaha!"

>>1005947
Technically we'll get a call when we need to meet Templar, so finding him isn't a priority until then. That said, when does the bar even close? It's not like Reploids need much sleep.

>>1005968
Maybe not, but you can't very well be in the middle of getting drunk off your aft plate and then you get called in for a mission while inebriated. That's at least a citation or something.

>>1005990
Robot, remember? They've got special de-drunking nanites or some shit that cause instant sobriety.

File: Zerohasaproblem.jpg (124 KB, 800x600)

124 KB JPG

>>1005990
They DO have a thing for that--forcible nanite removal via system purge. Anode got it once and it was his least favorite thing next to mesospheric suplex.

Technically, woth the hunters on a war footing at all hours, the bar, and all officers' clubs like it, are prohibited since everyone is on-duty, particularly with the mandatory downtime between missions removed. The hunter administration isn't blind to more prosaic concerns, despite being dildos, so they're frowned-upon but no one has dared to take away the watering holes of the most powerful single concentration of power in human history. Plus, a lot of times a hunter is out of rotation for other reasons--like waiting for the next phase of repairs to come up--and so they're not really losing any time.

Also stand by, going to try to get a post in for you guys tonight.

>>1006013

Though most reploids still try to sober-up "naturally" since the flushing nanites suuuuuuuuck.

>>1006020
Can't they allow the booze but ban the nanites? From past threads, it looks like they come in packets that Max puts in separately, anyway.

>>1006038
They do come separately, but most Reploids aren't Schwarz (or, to a lesser extent, Em)--they're not there for the taste, they're there to get plastered on their drug of choice.

>>1006038
I figure it'd be the same as non-alcoholic beer: not much point.

>>1005958
>And you must be new because what the author said was "Now I can kill you guys, hahaha!"
I think you have the author confused with Cain Labs, sir.

>>1006020
Well there is always the option of being the sober guy at the bar to make sure there is no drunken brawling when we are getting a new member in. We did get a drink before after all. Could go with some Bond movies.

>>1006074

Actually, Cain Labs probably feels that death would be too swift and not enough suffering.

>>1006020
>Iragination art

Holy shit I feel old looking at that thing. That's from... 2002? Jesus.

Wonder how they're doing lately. Still drawing Mega Man fanart, maybe?

File: Samurai Jack grabs a drin(...).jpg (298 KB, 800x800)

298 KB JPG

>>1003192
>>1003193
>>1003202
>>1003207
>>1003228
>>1003530
“Well, we’ve got a bar that needs a little camaraderie,” you note. “Maybe I’ll ask Max about it. I mean, hell, if he says no, I can always just hold it at my place.”

“So, it’s a date?” Firefly asks.

“Yeah, call it… ten or twelve tonight, depending on if I have to go lug my shit over to the bar. See you both there?”

“Sure, sure,” Spider says lazily. “Got any films about gambling?”

You nod. “I’ll bring Maverick. ...Unrelated to, y’know.”

“I’ll take your word for it,” he replies with a chuckle. “Take care.”

You depart, making your way to the bar--you only just have time to lean in for a word with Max--and get a surprisingly positive reception to your movie night idea--when your comms ping. “You have a visitor,” Rho’s voice tells you.

You remember, distantly, being the one touching down in a hunter transport on an unfamiliar landing pad, months ago. Em and Frog were stacking and inventorying supply crates.

The armored, hulking glyptodont stepping out of the VTOL craft at least looks more in place than you ever felt--you immediately understand why he was slated for the Eighth. He straightens up--well over eight feet tall at his fullest, and gives you a slow, but perfect, salute.

“I’m going to guess you’re Templar Madillo,” you offer by way of greeting.

“And you would be correct, Captain… Anode?”

“That’s me. Welcome to the Fourth. I’m here on behalf of Commander Gopher.” … You’re never going to get used to that, not that it’s any less absurd than ‘Commander Frog,’ when you think about it.

“I see. Appreciated, Captain. Now, I understand this unit’s soon to move?“

“That’s what they tell me,” you nod. “So I guess we don’t have quarters for you, just yet. Do you have any gear?”

“Accounted for upon my back, Captain.” He thumbs at his shell.

>Whatever appearances tell him, this place is still the same old madhouse. Tell him to skip the rank.
>...No, Gopher’s clearly a bit more of a stickler for protocol, you may as well get with the times.

Also:
>Ask anything?

File: 2016eve-hny2017.jpg (211 KB, 638x869)

211 KB JPG

>>1006148
He's doing games more often, but yes, on rare occasions. His most recent art has been these OCs in the pic and some Mighty No.9.
http://www.iragination.com/

>>1006298
>...No, Gopher’s clearly a bit more of a stickler for protocol, you may as well get with the times.

>>1006298
>For the most part it's still the same madhouse, just with a new warden. As a compromise, assure him that it's fine to forego rank around you, but otherwise, stick to protocol unless otherwise noted.
Be sure to emphasize that the choice is his in this regard; if he wants to call you Captain, then that's his prerogative; you've made your preference known.

>>1006298
>...No, Gopher’s clearly a bit more of a stickler for protocol, you may as well get with the times.
For the time being, we can keep the rank until we get to know him a bit more. However, that does not mean we need to be a stick in the mud. Be the sort of superior officer Seven should have been for us when we came in.

As for Questions, could ask him for basic entry level stuff. What country he is from, role preference in combat, hobbies, if he's into movies or the like. We don't need to look into the data files to find the man under the shell. Could even give him a brief tour of the facilities that aren't dorms if he's going to use them.

>>1006377
This.

>>1006298
>"Save the ranks for Gopher, he cares more about them."

Other questions...
>"So, Eighth Armored? That'll come in handy..."
>"I know you've got some classified files, but what can you tell me about yourself?"

>>1006298
Voting for a combination of these two.
>>1006399
>>1006377

Namely, letting him slide without rank with us, introducing him to the escaped patients we call coworkers and working to get to know the new guy, but letting him know Gopher seems to put more weight on protocol.

>>1006298

>Whatever appearances tell him, this place is still the same old madhouse. Tell him to skip the rank.

Try to keep ourself reasonably orderly, but there's no point it giving this guy a false impression of this unit. Besides, it seems kinda dickish to make a guy with more and classified experience than us suck up to our still-fresh brass. Treat him and his experience with respect.

Gopher may want to run a tighter ship, but the Fourth, the Fourth never changes. We can pretend to be orderly and regimented and then India will bounce right into the middle of it and cover everything in crazy.

>>1006435
Ok.

>>1006298
>Skip the rank. At least when the big brass aren't around.

Invite him to movie night.

File: you're a heavy sleeper.jpg (264 KB, 1003x1280)

264 KB JPG

To bed with me, but feel free to keep voting. This is the kind of pace we're probably looking at if I'm doing this on workdays--a few moderate days and then a bunch of slow ones.

How's everyone liking it? It's definitely an adjustment, but squeezing in one post on weeknights feels pretty doable.

>>1006560
It feels nice, to see things build gradually. I like the more relaxed pace, personally, because it means that I don't have to worry as much about making sure I don't miss when you run.

>>1006560
It'll allow for more activity and yet, also easier to make sure that people don't feel like they're missing out (which I know has happened more than once for me lately)

Other than that, if it helps you out as well, I think it's a plus all around.

File: 100 - Market.jpg (169 KB, 720x540)

169 KB JPG

>>1006566
>>1006576
My sentiments exactly. You described it as "low and slow" a couple days up the thread, and that's how it feels. Time enough to think, time enough to barbecue instead of flamethrower.

>>1006591

Omake: Welcome to the First

"SABER LILY!"

The catgirl shaped Maverick Hunter just responded like nothing was wrong. "Yes, Cathode?"

"Are you using a flametrower to do this barbecue?"

"Yes, here." The catgirl then stuffed a slice of meat into the other Reploid mouth.

"Mmmth, mmm... oh this is good... why is this good? You are not suposed to cook meat using a flamethrower!"

"Back in the time when old bastard Sigma still ran the place... I used to be Fire Lily and I was a plant and fire themed Reploid. Since I got trashed so hard during the time when the bastard turned traitor I got rebuild into a more human shape... well somewhat." The catgirl flicked her tail in annoyance. "Let's just took whatever was left of my mind and stuffed it in another body, because they did not destroy my head do..."

Saber Lily then unsheathed her claws, desinfected them and cut the meat in perfext small slices for the human Hunters attending the barbecue.

"I am actually the oldest Reploid here after the last... incident. And considering the dog is gone and how you almost died facing a super S threat, whatever High Command says otherwise... want to have a mentor?"

"SS? Like the nazis?" Cathode asked confused.

"Take an S class and give it a weapon so illegal and lethal it would turn a C class into an A rank threat just by having it. A SS is what happens when an S decides to go for overkill with stuff even the bastard himself would be nervous to use. A G is build to be that lethal, a SS is a Maverick, and is always a Maverick, is a S class deciding to go murderhobo."

"But aren't you just a B class?"

"Gor dropped from A due to lack of upgrades after X took out the bastard, less danger, less idiots to order arround.... but... I been saving for a rainy day..."

The catgirl then smiled, it wasn't a nice smile. "Who do you think is paying this party? HQ cuts us funding, even paying less for A class and highter missions. But I made a few smart inversions so I got enough for the massive upgrade I got recently and this party. After today I won't have enough money to expend like this for a while. Oh and check the last trick I am beta testing!"

Suddenly there was two Saber Lilys "Solid hologram IBW, Inbuild Weapon, cannot be copied by VWD, it only lasts a minute and then I cannot use it again until the system gets recharged since it has its own power source, and because I wasn't fully redesigned to use it. This is a Beta Testing Chassis turned A class combat model once more but... nice don't you think?"

Meet Saber Lilly, she doesn't have VWD the usual way because she is not compatible but her Beta Testing Classis lets her test IBW before they use them into the finished model, sadly she can only use one by mission because of how complicated the system is, but that gives her an edge VWD cannot easily supass unless you have like eight or something. Oh and she totally isn't Saber Lily from Fate if she was a cat girl.

>>1006377
Seconding.

>>1007788
I don't want to be a dick but i hate it.
1) the writing is off and feels stilted and unwell and reeks of sue and snowflake especially with all the self aggrandizement.
2) I don't like the restructure/salvage idea presented as part of the back story and teh(sic) lol im(sic) young but also super old.
3) The he presentation of the units weapon as uncopyable is anti lore as anything can be used or adapted to make a VWES WEAPON.
4) The way it paints Cath is painful and off.
5) there is a lot of new acronims being thrown around that is usualy a bad sign.
6) the references to Sigma don't seem appropriate to much joke and levity and an impression he was always seen as an ass not a fallen messiah like you would expect an older hunter.
7) the whole ran bouncing and custom enemy rating thing is not well presented.
Thank you for your time and attention.

>>1006298
seconding >>1006377

>>1008040
I think we're all just politely ignoring it.

>>1007788
It's in the "clearly ESL" level of quality.

>You are not supposed to cook meat using a flamethrower
you really aren't. Sticky fuel all over your meat generally tastes bad and is unsanitary even including the heat. Blowtorches, now those have some use, but they can't cook a steak thoroughly on their own, and they definitely do not have enough raw power to be used as a weapon.

I agree with the other anon that referencing Sigma is a bad way to introduce it. Start with Fire Lily and use an official-sounding designation, like First Maverick Uprising.

>oldest reploid
>unique weapon that is VWD incompatible
>based on something else only in looks
>based on something else "if X was a catperson"
the cringe is real

>>1008048
Good call

>>1006298

>Gopher likes protocol; we should at least *try* for his sake. At least, until something happens to shatter the illusion, at which point we can say "We tried." *then* we can tell him to skip rank.

>>1006429

Are we supposed to let him know we know he has classified files?

>Just in case let's not do that.

>>1008409
Classifying somebody's files and not telling them sounds like a wonderful way to have infsec breached every which way. I doubt anybody's retarded enough to do that.

File: Hunter Command gets back (...).jpg (28 KB, 500x377)

28 KB JPG

Back from a late-night post-work workout. Need to now do my other workout (long story), get dinner, and I'll try to write.

>>1007788
I'm flattered to see more like this after Origami, but like a few anons have said (with varying levels of kindness), there's a lot of work to be done here.

I'm not going to out-and-out discourage you, because writing is how you get better at writing and, whether we like to admit it or not, we were all there once. That's the kind of thing that needs encouragement, not trampling.

That said, if you'd like, I can give this another read and give you a proper critique--just be warned, a proper critique hurts, or at least, a good one does.

>>1008775
I think they disappeared, HC.

>>1009337
Everybody's dead.

File: Oh shit I'm Wily.jpg (82 KB, 650x539)

82 KB JPG

>>1008775
Welcome back HC

>>1009337
>>1009364
I'll probably pass out in half an hour or so.

>>1009364
I am only mostly dead. Winter flu season has been hitting my family like a pack of S-class bird mavericks and I don't get any sweet upgrades from it.

File: Aegis Garm battles Sigma.jpg (102 KB, 476x621)

102 KB JPG

>>1006377
>>1006415
>>1006433
>>1006399
>>1006538
>>1007911
>>1008047
You grin at Madillo’s formality. “I totally don’t regret to tell you that you’ve fallen in with the most deranged unit in the hunters. New warden, same old cell block. I don’t mind the rank if you prefer, but just Anode’s fine by me.”

The massive, armored fellow with a surprisingly soft voice strokes his chin. “I'll keep it still at Captain, by your leave. The Overland's... idiosyncrasies did pique my interest quite some time ago. To see it otherwise would have dismayed.”

Your grin widens into that Cartoonishly Off-Putting level of manic you haven’t felt like in a long, long time. “Our reputation as madmen and loons precedes us, I guess?”

“A moment, please,” he replies. Templar pauses in his walk, leaning very slightly around you like a tank meets a streetpole. He continues to do so for a good few seconds, your grin dimming and finally slipping entirely in your confusion. You look up at him, puzzled. “I fail to see the loons.”

Oh, he--oh. Oh, okay. He DOES have a sense of humor. “So where are you from?”

He shrugs--more of a tidal rise and fall of his shoulderplates. “Around. From base to base, where need was great.”

Shuttled around a lot, you figure, but… no home country? Damn. Well, whatever. “How about your combat style?”

“Support. I do the close and heavy sort.”

“Well, I had THAT part figured out,” you note, eyeing the massive flanged mace on his hip.

“Regrettably, the details must needs wait.”

You nod. “Gopher was saying you’ve got some classified goodies?”

“I do. 'Tis nothing freely spoken of.”

“Well, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Got any hobbies?”

He makes a musing sort of noise in the back of his throat. “I have been known to read a book or two. Aside from that, I simply lack the time.”

>Offer a tour? Maybe you can make some introductions.
>Take him aside and warn him about the … mixed morale around the place, and what to look out for.
>Other?

File: emerald rnr.jpg (159 KB, 1280x960)

159 KB JPG

And now I'M dead. Nyquil's been downed, time for rest.

>>1009427
>Offer a tour? Maybe you can make some introductions.
Give him the full rundown of the fourth.

>>1009427
>Offer a tour? Maybe you can make some introductions.
>Take him aside and warn him about the … mixed morale around the place, and what to look out for.
>Invite to movie night, and offer somewhere secure to ditch his stuff for tonight.

>>1009427
>Offer a tour? Maybe you can make some introductions.
Let's get him properly acquainted with the inmates of this madhouse.

>>1009427
>>Offer a tour? Maybe you can make some introductions.

>>1009427
>>Offer a tour? Maybe you can make some introductions.
and
>Invite to movie night, and offer somewhere secure to ditch his stuff for tonight.

>>1009496

This.

>>1009427
>>Offer a tour? Maybe you can make some introductions.
>>Take him aside and warn him about the … mixed morale around the place, and what to look out for.
>>Invite to movie night, and offer somewhere secure to ditch his stuff for tonight.

>>1009427
>>Offer a tour? Maybe you can make some introductions.
>>Take him aside and warn him about the … mixed morale around the place, and what to look out for.
>>Invite to movie night, and offer somewhere secure to ditch his stuff for tonight

>>997878
>char gen, the bad kind
>replacing canon characters
>making expies of OTHER canon characters
I'm sure SV isn't as bad as qtg makes it out to be, but what is waiting beyond that kind of start? Good mechanics for combining junk?

File: armordillos.jpg (668 KB, 1106x801)

668 KB JPG

>>1009427
Tour, but maybe mention what not to say to whom, re: morale.

>>1009427
>Offer a tour? Maybe you can make some introductions.
Tour is good. No need to burden him with morale stuff. He seems pretty formal and unlikely to offend someone, anyway.

>>1009653
If I made Roll be her canon self, there wouldn't have been much of a quest, not to mention that was because of votes. The other option was an amnesiac Megaman and there were three paths for each character, picking HERO and the male protagonist would have made the quest way more similar to the games.

And SV has BEST CAT QUEST aka Cat Homura quest. But mostly Megaman Legends Beta Quest is there because SV seems to be the most quest oriented forum I already have an account on.

Plus I got kinda scared with the fact 4chan might be gone in a few months or a year because is not making enough money.

>>1011078
that wasn't....nevermind, I took a look anyway. It's a pretty standard fanfic "sandbox" type quest, with all that implies.

For real though, are you going to give more control over making inventions at some point?

>spoiler
I heard that was a load of bollocks, but nothing wrong with being careful.

>>1011078
Don't listen to Hiroyuki's lies. He pulled this shit with 2ch in order to get them to pay more and then mysteriously credit card info got """"stolen.""""

>>1011103
Maybe.

File: genericsalute.jpg (315 KB, 618x800)

315 KB JPG

>>1009465
>>1009471
>>1009483
>>1009496
>>1009586
>>1009598
>>1009919
“Well, maybe Overland will give you a little break to live a little?” You offer. “I mean, it’s busier, but…”

“Perhaps, but, on war footing? I’ve my doubts,” Madillo replies.

You shrug. “Guess we’ll find out, but--hey, if you ARE free and want to find a new hobby, I’m always trying to get some movie nights going. Consider yourself invited, next one is late tonight.”

“Intriguing offer! I’ll evaluate,” he promises.

“In the meantime, care for a walkthrough? This place isn’t all getting torn down, we’re just moving closer to the center sprawl.”

He nods, as you step into the Overland command building together. “I graciously accept, if you’ve the time.”

“Sure, no problem. Maybe we can see who’s on-base. Though…” You pause.

“‘Though?’” he asks.

You sigh. “Some of the new faces aren’t exactly friendly. It’s probably the same everywhere, but 4th went through the wringer.”

He nods again, more deliberately, eyes maintained on yours carefully. “So I’ve been told.”

“Our CO quit, not that I blame him, our senior officer--who happened to be our tutor--disappeared a day or so before the attack, and we’re expecting the worst. The next most senior officers, by rank and combat rating, turned traitor and each took one of ours down before escaping. Our pilot was critically wounded, and... “

“‘And?’” Madillo prods--carefully--at the obvious sore issue.

“Gopher’s old school discipline, Frog was always more laid-back, and he’s transferring in from another base, he wasn’t here before. Likewise for Ursa--big and friendly enough guy, but no one knows him here. Our current most senior combat officer… does the name Flash Rezador mean anything to you?”

He leans back pensively, giving you the impression of nothing so much as Godzilla rearing back to roar. “Hmmmm. I do confess his name is known to me, from my time in and amongst the White Knights.”

You raise a brow. “Is that so?”

“‘Twas quite a coup indeed, to gain those eight. Halcyon was most pleased.” He looks away, and everything about the gesture seems poised and very meaningfully intended. “Most pleased indeed.”

You chuckle darkly. “But I didn’t hear that from you.”

He turns back, giving you a wry sort of expression for someone without a fully-articulating mouth. “Already, you comprehend discretion, and its worth. But--some more on the roster?”

File: maverick hunter quest.png (1.01 MB, 702x981)

1.01 MB PNG

>>1012595
“Right, right. Anyway, Rezador--he’s been attached to the Fourth, but he doesn’t answer to Gopher. I suspect he doesn’t answer to Halcyon, or anyone, really. We got a transfer from 15th, I worked with her once before--Flares Firefly, former 15th. Trying to help her fit in. Then there’s Spider, he’s a merc. Real smooth, real laid back.”

“Rated as a B,” Templar notes. “Perhaps undersold.”

You’re about to ask whether that’s public or private information, and decide that’s probably going to be a riddle in and of itself, thinking better of it. “Right, right. And then there’s the rest of the old guard, such as we are. India, pilot, the--” you airquote, putting on your best movie narrator voice. “Hero of Vienna, and a pretty fucking great lady to have watching your back, on or off base. And…”

He tilts his chin, ever so slightly. “And?”

>...And my best friend, who is currently a snarling ball of sabers and issues. Watch yourself.
>...And Captain Emerald, our most decorated local. Very businessminded, lately.
>Other?

>>1012600
>...And Captain Emerald, our most decorated local. Very businessminded, lately, but a good guy.
Poor Cranky, eternally forgotten.

File: Crankshaft escapes India'(...).gif (1.33 MB, 500x281)

1.33 MB GIF

>>1012620
Currently over at 4th Japan.

>>1012600
>>...And my best friend, who is currently a snarling ball of sabers and issues. His sibling just died and he's in a bad place right now. Normally He's much nicer guy...

>>1012634
Good plan, run as far from Halcyon's bullshit as possible.

>>1012620
Businessminded might not be the best word to use, really.

Also don't forget Foxy. DO NOT forget to warn the newbie about Foxfire.

>>1012600
>...And Captain Emerald, our most decorated local. Very businessminded, lately.
Don't go spreading peoples' personal bullshit issues around to strangers. That's asking for disaster.

Also:
>“Hmmmm. I do confess his name is known to me, from my time in and amongst the White Knights.”
Holy shit. Did he just straight up tell us he worked for Halcyon? Seems they may have not parted on the best of terms, if THIS is where he is now...

>>1012656
>Holy shit. Did he just straight up tell us he worked for Halcyon? Seems they may have not parted on the best of terms, if THIS is where he is now...
We were literally told by gopher he was transferring from the weissritter. This is hardly news.

>>1012650
There's being friendly, and there's oversharing on a first meeting.

That said, agreed, adding to my vote to warn about Foxfire.

>>1012600
>... And my best friend Captain Emerald, our most decorated snarling ball of sabers and issues. Watch yourself, he's been very... businessminded lately.

>>1012600
>...And Captain Emerald, our most decorated local. Very businessminded, lately.
Keep it sorta professional.

>>1012600
>>...And Captain Emerald, our most decorated local. Very businessminded, lately.
Our russian infiltrator got reassigned, didn't he? And mention Foxfire, seeing as she has more or less free run of the place.

>>1012677
Is it also worth mentioning Foxfire and Grach if he's still around?

>>1012600
>...And Captain Emerald, our most decorated local. Very businessminded, lately.
>By the way, there's this one girl who's running loose. A real fox, if you catch my drift. Don't pay her much mind, though. No reason to worry about her. Nope, no reason whatsoever.

>>1012600
>>...And Captain Emerald, our most decorated local. But in an exceedingly bad mood, lately.
>Mention Foxfire

>>1012600

Very this:
>>1012672

>>1012600
>...And Captain Emerald, our most decorated local. Very businessminded, lately.

It'll come up if it needs to come up.