That’s a 1-4 score in Jimmy’s favor. The fellow SL has smoked your imaginary squad repeatedly except for when you had used your rocketeer to drop a construction site on a pack of charging Chrysalids by blowing up the supports. Jimmy gave you that, but the other scenarios were brutal. Code Blacks left right and center. You’re pretty sure there’s usually no easy way OF winning, but running the scenarios helps with thinking how to mitigate losses.

It’s not a fun thought, but it’s likely to happen.

As Jimmy continues to enjoy his cigar and listen in on yet another argument for the ownership of ‘Billy The Goat’ between XCOM scientists and troopers off to the side of the barracks (said goat as indifferent as ever), You lean back yourself and regard the last week or so. You’ve wasted no time in trying to get yourself as trained as one can be for squad leader. With the help of your 2IC, Loki, you’ve crammed as much knowledge and knowhow as you can to ensure the survival of your squad.

Particularly you’ve focused on;

>Improving your own tactics and leadership. From learning how to assess threats and issue effective commands, you’ve focused on being the glue that holds the squad together.
>Ensuring Strike-1 is cohesive and combat ready. From squad tactics to keeping morale high, you’re made sure everyone is on the same page.
>Getting acquainted with the ‘Geoscape’. Ranging from learning about alien tactics, working with other Squad Leaders, and keeping tabs on the state of the world as a whole, you’ll be more versatile when responding to missions or working with other teams.

(Just to add, whatever the second best vote is, Loki will have worked on that for you to help!)

>>2453454
>>Ensuring Strike-1 is cohesive and combat ready. From squad tactics to keeping morale high, you’re made sure everyone is on the same page.

File: px2qiGmh.jpg (71 KB, 1024x870)

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>>2453454
>Ensuring Strike-1 is cohesive and combat ready. From squad tactics to keeping morale high, you’re made sure everyone is on the same page.

>>2453454
>>Improving your own tactics and leadership. From learning how to assess threats and issue effective commands, you’ve focused on being the glue that holds the squad together.

>>2453454
>>Ensuring Strike-1 is cohesive and combat ready. From squad tactics to keeping morale high, you’re made sure everyone is on the same page.

>>2453448
>Improving your own tactics and leadership. From learning how to assess threats and issue effective commands, you’ve focused on being the glue that holds the squad together.

Computer was being weird and it didn't look like it went through. If I have already voted I will delete this post if it can't please do not count this vote.

>>2453457
>>2453465
>>2453531
Team focused it is, writing!

File: Logo.png (362 KB, 535x535)

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Being a squad leader doesn’t mean much if you don’t know your team. It’s one thing to get to know the others in Strike-1 as a soldier but for better or worse it’s another thing entirely as team leader. They’ve become your responsibility, and not being on top of how they are or have been is a recipe for disaster.

Alongside that, Loki’s been a very helpful secretary (heh) and has helped with improving your own combat tactics in the field, Loki’s politely and repeatedly pointed out your shortcomings, clearly having experience in a leadership role beforehand. Unsurprising given her SAS background before XCOM, the question still remains on why she presented the opportunity to lead again to you, but one day you’ll get that out of her.

On the subject of the team, it’s a bit tricky really. The team exercises and drills generally go off without issue thankfully enough, everyone is a professional after all. The challenge is making sure everyone is truly combat ready. The aliens have affected everyone both physically and mentally in some fashion, all you have to do is think about that anger that’s always in the back of your mind as an example. The alien’s escalation on attacks and bombings haven’t helped to sap XCOM’s morale as well so you’ve been on a keen lookout for any cracks in your team.

You’ve already spoken with Rachel and have given her the space she needs to make her decision, but there’s still the rest of the squad to consider. A few members in particular you’ve flagged to look into and really make sure everything is in the green with them.

Shaojie Zhang is a rather obvious member, a lot of things have been stacked against him from his previous background and his controversial choice of skipping the infamous ‘rookie’ phase for a class specialization and he hasn’t been going out of his way to get to know people either. Your squad of course will work with him, but any bias no matter how little could spell disaster.

Harita is another squad member you’ve been meaning to assist for some time now, even before becoming squad leader. She continues to be an excellent solo operative but her pronounced issue of her lack of confidence out of combat has made the former Gurkha an uncharacteristically down and out member. You do owe her to help her out as she’s helped you out with CQC training, but you only have so much time in the day.

Finally, there’s the elephant in the room. Strike-1’s former squad leader, Rook. You have your own issues with him to make things worse but the squad’s general disposition on the Infantry is not that great. He’s not going to be in combat for a while due to being assessed for what he did plus he’s made himself scarce but you’ll need to speak with him sooner or later.

Speaking of which, it’s best to head out and deal with one of them now as you planned. You thank Jimmy for the thorough hypothetical trouncing he gave you, you set out to meet with…

>Zhang
>Harita
>Rook
>Someone else in the squad (specify)
>Other

>>2453639
>>Harita

>>2453639
>>Rook

>>2453639
>>Harita

>>2453639
>Zhang

>>2453639
>Zhang

>>2453639
>>Harita
Talking to her has been a long time coming.

>>2453652
>>2453680
>>2453751
Harita it is, writing!

File: XCOM Gym.png (520 KB, 1505x312)

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You decide to talk with Harita. You kept this on the backburner for a good while now, and now is as good a time as any to properly address it. As you leave you make your way past Billy’s ‘quarters’, as the soldiers have affectionately coined the goat’s turf. You walk a little bit quicker past it, trying not to make contact.

The absurdity of not trying to make eye contact with a goat hits you but the last thing you need is to get embroiled in the… ‘politics’ of the goat. You’re pretty sure the Commander is letting this fly out of sheer amusement of the situation. You’ve even heard some of the other troopers saying how the stubborn and territorial nature goat signifies XCOM’s stance against the aliens and you are seriously getting distracted by this. You walk faster.

Entering the gym and training areas, all you have to do is find the curious crowd watching your fellow Assault practice with her sword. Walking over and making way you see Harita has taken one of the sparring areas to practice her form and techniques. It’s pretty impressive and admittedly intimidating stuff, watching just precise she is with her sword and you’ve heard she’s even acquired a little bit of a fan club of sorts by some of the XCOM personnelle. Who would’ve thought that a sword would be effective fighting aliens, the aliens always never expect it after all.

Of course, knowing Harita personally while she’s outwardly focused on her practice she certainly does not enjoy the audience she has, it might even trip her up a bit. Maybe you should do something about it and get them to leave? This could be a good thing however, her swordsmanship is something to applaud after all after she’s saved you more than a few times already. Harita hasn’t noticed you yet, as she’s working very hard to ignore everyone else.

Hm.

>Get the crowd to scatter. It’s likely getting to Harita.
>Encourage
>Don’t interrupt. Observe and see what happens.
>Other.

>>2453876
>>Get the crowd to scatter. It’s likely getting to Harita.

>>2453876
>Get the crowd to scatter. It’s likely getting to Harita.

>>2453876
>Get the crowd to scatter. It’s likely getting to Harita.

>>2453876
>Don’t interrupt. Observe and see what happens.

>>2453882
>>2453945
>>2453959
Scattering it is, writing!

Yeah OK, you need to get these yahoos out of here. You can’t have a moment to speak with your squadmate with these folks here. That, and it’s likely getting to her anyways. It would get to you.

“Alright that’s enough of that, get out of here. I need to speak with my squad member.” You start, announcing your presence and getting the crowd to disperse.

A few of the people troopers and staff you know or have acquaintances with get the idea and take their leave but not everyone. A few fellows in particular stand their ground for whatever reason. They seem a bit more belligerent or finding some excuse or reason to not head off, much to your steadily growing annoyance.

You don’t actually want to screw your fellow Assault’s practice here and a sensible voice in the back of your head says just wait, but frankly you are not in the mood to be made to wait around because of some idiot. You’ve got things to do today and you’re not going to be held up and made to wait around. That and of course this is likely getting to Harita. You’ve managed to get most of the folks to fuck off except for a pair of troopers from Strike-2 who seems way to determined to not go anywhere.

We’ll see about that.

>Roll 1d20+3

Rolled 20 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>2454285

Rolled 8 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>2454285
Time to try our new Squad Leader Stare!

Rolled 17 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>2454285

>>2454297
Well shit, did we really earn how to intimidate people from Officer training?

File: That's XCOM Baby.png (308 KB, 558x649)

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>>2454297
Oh my, do you guys want to save that Crit? You have 1 banked!

>Y/N

>>2454309
Y

>>2454309
Y

>>2454309
>N

Time to put on the Authority Face.

>>2454309
>Y

>>2454309
>Y

>>2454309
>Y

>>2454309
Y

>>2454317
>>2454320
>>2454330
>>2454333
>>2454342
>>2454347
Keeping the crit it is, you guys have two Crits banked now, writing!

File: They call you....png (606 KB, 624x792)

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Your eye twitches as you cannot comprehend the sheer audacity of these two very very stupid individuals. You consider decking both of them in the face, but not only is that unnecessary that’s too good for them. Oh no, they deserve much less than that. They continue to yap away, you having long since tuned out their drivel. They certainly enjoy talking on and on, trying to act like a pair of tough and ‘reasonable’ at the same time. Yeah right.

You give them tried and true, condescending officer look but it seems these two haven’t quite figured out you have the credentials to back it up, still they begin to get nervous and eventually… one of them slips.

“Look, we’re just here to enjoy the show here man.” He says, his eyes going wide as he knew in that very moment he fucked up. Ah, it’s just like music to your ears.

“Enjoying the show, huh?” You say, taking a step towards the both of them, eyes narrowing into a glare that could send a Chrysalid into panic. They both immediately step back.

“W-what he meant to say was--” The other soldier attempts to salvage this unsalvageable situation but you’re not going to let him waste his breath.

“That you’re harassing one of my soldiers? Oh that’s gonna go really well with the Commander if she learned about that wouldn’t you agree? But you don’t have to worry about her right now, oh no no no.” You smirk stepping right into both of their personal space, the pair shirking back. “You should both be worrying about me. You’re up against the wall, and I’m the fucking wall.”

The pair are frozen in fear, having completely lost control of the situation. Their tough guy act crumbling under your very legitimate restrained fury. Amusingly, they don’t seem to get the idea of what they should be doing right now. You’ll toss them a bone.

“Get out my sight.” You say dismissively to them. They get the picture then, and with their tails between their legs they evacuate the hell out of there.

Damn that felt good.

“Did you just...?” A familiar voice says in surprise, you turn to see a taken aback Harita. It looks like she finished her practice and caught that last part. She blinks as she watches the two horny losers scamper the fuck away.

>Yes you did, and that’s not going to be happening again if you can help it.
>That’s lesson one, not letting anyone get away with that.
>OK, you may have gone a tad overboard there but it was worth it.
>Other

>>2454522
>>Yes you did, and that’s not going to be happening again if you can help it.

>>2454522
>>Yes you did, and that’s not going to be happening again if you can help it.

>>2454522
>I learned a lot from Rook, god bless him. I just hope I was never that bad.

>>2454522
>>Yes you did, and that’s not going to be happening again if you can help it.

>>2454522
>Yes you did, and that’s not going to be happening again if you can help it.

>>2454525
>>2454530
>>2454544
>>2454552
Calling the vote here, writing!

File: Harita Fatigues.png (54 KB, 533x1136)

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“Yep.” You confirm. “That shit is not going to be flying anymore.”

“You really didn’t have to do that.” Harita says hastily. “It wasn’t that much of an issue, really.”

“It was to me.” You shake your head and cross your arms. “Those two definitely weren’t Assaults. You could’ve told them fuck off yourself, you know. They would’ve gotten the idea much faster from you.”

Harita looks away at that. There’s the heart of the problem there. The nepalese assault has more than enough skills and capability to handle herself, yet her passiveness and desire to not stand out clash. If it wasn’t for the contradicting fact she carries around a sword of all things around with her she likely would have not been the center of attention given her expertise in concealment.

Was it because of how she was trained? The Gurkha’s from what you gathered were some of the friendliest special forces groups around… right until you fucked with them and they pull out a knife or in Harita’s case a sword. Perhaps there’s something there about that? Maybe it’s something more personal?

Harita’s clearly at a loss of what to say but it’s clear you need to get started.

>She has to give you something here. You want to know from directly why she’s so passive.
>Get straight to work on her confidence directly. No need to dance around it
>Suggest to start things off with a sparring match. It’s something familiar and to help ease into the issue.
>Other

>>2454600
>>Suggest to start things off with a sparring match. It’s something familiar and to help ease into the issue.

>>2454600
>Suggest to start things off with a sparring match. It’s something familiar and to help ease into the issue.
Ask why she has the sword. She already had one before joining XCOM.
I believe the last time we asked about the sword we only got "I had it before joning XCOM" as an answer but I may remember wrong

>>2454600
>Suggest to start things off with a sparring match. It’s something familiar and to help ease into the issue.

>>2454600
>Suggest to start things off with a sparring match. It’s something familiar and to help ease into the issue.

>>2454630
support

>>2454605
>>2454630
>>2454636
>>2454639
>>2454648
Sparring and questions it is, writing!

File: Tiny Harita.png (78 KB, 319x480)

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“How about a match?” You suggest motioning to the the sparring ring.

“Sure.” Harita says eagerly, quickly latching onto the idea to move past the slight awkward air.

You need to get back into the swing of practice anyways, now that you’re finally out and about after the rather… difficult stay recovering your wounds in medical it’s best to not make sure you’ve also not become rusty either. As you make your way to the ring, you watch as Harita carefully sheathes her sword. It’s clear she takes great care for the blade, and you’ve always been curious of it’s origins. You decide to start there.

“Whoever pins the other first?” Harita suggests for the terms as she enters the ring.

“That works.” You nod as you warm up a bit.

In agreement, the both of you have at it. Almost immediately Harita has the upper hand in technical skill and experience. She’s just as good in hand to hand as she is with melee weapons. Your advantage continues to be your ability to tank everything she throws at you and shrug it off. Sure all you’d need to do is grab her and you could end the match then and there, this is more of a casual affair than anything to get Harita to open up.

“So!” You grunt as you barely manage to soften a kick at your side. “The sword! You never did tell me about it!”

“There’s not much to say.” Harita says as she expertly ducks out of the way as you attempt to swing at her. “It was given to me during my training and has been like a companion ever since.”

“Well how did you convince the Commander to OK the sword?” You reply as you quickly back away from nearly getting tripped in the nick of time.

“It was her idea, not mine.”

“No shit-- Oof!” She manages to slip past and land a solid hit on you causing you to become winded for a moment. She gives you a concerned look before you dismiss it, you can take a hit.

As you take a step back from Harita to size her up, you realize there’s definitely more to the story. The question is how to get it out of her.

>Challenge that if you win the match, she tells you the whole story. You’ll share some equally embarrassing story if you lose.
>Be direct and ask, she needs to be more direct anyways and opening up is a start.
>Leave it be for now, it’s a start.
>Other

>>2454719
>>Challenge that if you win the match, she tells you the whole story. You’ll share some equally embarrassing story if you lose.

>>2454719
>>Challenge that if you win the match, she tells you the whole story. You’ll share some equally embarrassing story if you lose.

>>2454719
>Challenge that if you win the match, she tells you the whole story. You’ll share some equally embarrassing story if you lose.

>>2454719
>Challenge that if you win the match, she tells you the whole story. You’ll share some equally embarrassing story if you lose.

>>2454719
>Challenge that if you win the match, she tells you the whole story. You’ll share some equally embarrassing story if you lose.

>>2454724
>>2454727
>>2454730
>>2454740
>>2454753
Challenge it is, writing!

File: XCOM Ranger.png (96 KB, 250x446)

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Rolled 15 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

“How about this.” You say, as you keep your distance from Harita for a moment and wipe the sweat from your brow. She does not let up at all. “If I win, you tell me what the full story is about the sword. If I lose, I’ll share something.”

Harita considers this for a moment, and for a moment you are concerned she might back out.

“A really embarrassing story.” You add again, hopefully.

“...Very well!” Harita suddenly, probably faster than even she herself had expected. “Challenge accepted!”

“Alright great-- woah!” You are nearly thrown on your ass as Harita lunges at you out of nowhere, one moment she’s at ease the next she’s hitting you much like she would strike at an alien from the shadows. You grin, alright, looks like you’re going to have to work for this.

That’s fine by you.

>Roll 1d20+1

Rolled 9 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>2454769

Rolled 14 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>2454769

Rolled 15 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>2454769

Rolled 8 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>2454769

Rolled 3 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>2454769

File: Cursed Words.png (86 KB, 589x64)

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You give it your all, throwing all the training you’ve had for dealing with criminals into trying to swiftly and effectively take down Harita. Every second you waste is another second for Harita to get the upper hand. Yet, whatever crazy and intense training Harita had as a Gurkha keeps her just a step ahead. It’s a close battle but she continues to control the momentum of the battle.

At one point you managed to grab a hold of her, only for your attack to be effectively a graze as she slips out of your grasp in the nick of time. Dammit, you hate grazes with a passion.

Steadily your offensive is turned into a retreating defense as Harita begins to coralle you into a corner. You can see what she’s attempting to, limiting your options into a full defense where she can wail on you to her heart’s content or to force you into one last push, one that she’s likely expecting.

Harita is completely in the zone again, her green eyes focused and determined to beat the crap out of you. If you could just somehow have her direct that out of a scuffle she’d be golden, but that’s probably the last thing you should have in your mind right now as you have to keep your arms up to block the constant wailing of accurate strikes.

You need to think of something fast, as you really want to know about that sword already.

>Call her out. You’ll attempt to bulldoze her with one last assault.
>Stay on the defensive and wait for an opening. She might slip up.
>Other

>>2454814
>>Stay on the defensive and wait for an opening. She might slip up.

We were built for tanking.

>>2454814
>Call her out. You’ll attempt to bulldoze her with one last assault.

>>2454814
>Stay on the defensive and wait for an opening. She might slip up.

>>2454814
>Stay on the defensive and wait for an opening. She might slip up.

>Call her out. You’ll attempt to bulldoze her with one last assault.
Guys, Harita doesn't slip up in close combat.

I was thinking we could somehow use the decision to defend as a way to get her to open up when we talk to her after this.

>>2454814
>Call her out. You’ll attempt to bulldoze her with one last assault.

>>2454814
>>Call her out. You’ll attempt to bulldoze her with one last assault.
>>2454839
Yeah, this is Harita's forte.

>>2454817
I thought it was charging/bulldozing?

>>2454827
>>2454839
>>2454857
>>2454868
Offensive it is, writing!

Rolled 19 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

Knowing full well how concisely she can end this bout if going by her melee skills alone, you need to go all out and flip the balance of power to your side asap. You can take one hell of a beating, but Harita would likely go for a decisive takedown. Naturally, this means you’ll have to beat her to the punch.

Harita will probably expects this, but frankly you have no other choice. You pull yourself in, as the nepalese woman continues to batter you down in a steady barrage of strikes. You rally together as much energy as you can muster and with a yell you burst out for one last all out attack on Harita. Putting all of your energy, speed, and raw strength into a tidal wave that will hopefully take out your fellow Assault once and for all.

She sees it coming and attempts to intercept you, long expecting this. She darts back and begins to maneuver herself to try and send you skidding across the ground in a dizzying counter. As long as you can catch her it won’t matter, just trip up!

>Roll 1d20+2

Rolled 18 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>2454891

Rolled 11 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>2454891
Is there even a point in rolling?

Rolled 1 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>2454891

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>2454891
>19 + 2
Ouch, looks like she's got us.

Rolled 8 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>2454891
>19

Well it's nice to see she's on the top of her game.

>>2454891
I mean we just crit-failed anyways.

File: A versatile image.jpg (99 KB, 490x370)

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>>2454903
Ouch! Do you guys want to use one of your saved crits? You have 2 banked!

>Y/N

>>2454922
>N
I hope she doesn't kill us by accident.

>>2454922
>N

>>2454922
>N
Harita isn't an alien.
Right?

File: Ayy Shrug Lmao.png (11 KB, 500x500)

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>>2454925

>>2454922
>N

>>2454922
N

>>2454922
>N
We can get our ass beat by Harita, but if we're charismatic enough we might just get the story out of her anyways.

Hopefully.

Seems pretty decided for not using a crit, writing!

>>2454922
>N

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Unsurprisingly, you play right into Harita’s hands.

As you charge forward, you don’t see the Harita suddenly jabbing at the side of your head. The hit causes your vision to immediately go blurry as you blunder forward like a bull rampaging through a china shop and racking up an obscene amount of property damage. Your vision swims as your speed and momentum become a disadvantage as balance goes all over the place.

Harita doesn’t have to do much to capitalize on your seemingly drunken stupor. In a swift and efficient motion she performs a takedown that sends you face first onto the mat, Before you can even get a chance to realize you’re not standing anymore she’s already got you in one hell of an arm lock that shoots flashes of pain as her grip tightens around you. You’re pretty certain she could dislocate your arm like a twig if she wanted to.

You probably look like complete greenhorn getting schooled by his instructor during training. You’re aware of this as you hear the amused comments of a few of the others in the gym who were casually observing unlike the more involved audience from earlier. Well, while you certainly made those two troopers earlier fear you you doubt you’ll have that same effect to everyone in here anymore.

Once again you are completely at the mercy of a pretty girl, but hey, at least it wasn’t like how Loco did it. Damn her.

“Ow fuck! You win! I concede!” You stammer out as you tap out with as much grace as a floundering fish.

Harita immediately relents on her grip as you lay there, once again getting familiar with being on the ground. Maybe you should take more CQC courses.
“Oh no! I’m sorry, did I go overboard?” Harita says with immediate concern in her voice as she attempts to help you out. Unfortunately, given how thoroughly she kicked your ass you kind do need her help.

“You did great.” You groan as you take no shame in having her help you up, since ow. “Just a few bruises and a deflated ego on my end, nothing serious.”

The disheartened look on Harita’s face quickly makes you explain that last part was a joke. Mostly. You both decide to call the sparring there given you might need to sit down for a bit and remember where the ceiling is. Harita opts to get you something to drink as a hasty consolation prize, which you begrudgingly accept.

“You don’t have to tell me anything about your past if you don’t want to, I don’t mind at all.” Harita says to you feeling a bit bad as she hands you a drink.

>You'll spill the beans, she definitely earned it.
>You’ll take the offer and not embarrass yourself further.
>Other

>>2454969
>You'll spill the beans, she definitely earned it

>>2454969
>You'll spill the beans, she definitely earned it.
A promise is a promise. Failing to uphold the very first agreement we made as a CO seems like a terrible idea.

>>2454969
>You'll spill the beans, she definitely earned it.

>>2454969
>>You'll spill the beans, she definitely earned it.

>>2454969
>>You'll spill the beans, she definitely earned it.

>>2454972
>>2454977
>>2454979
>>2454980
>>2454982
Spilling them beans it is, writing!

>>2454969
>You'll spill the beans, she definitely earned it.

File: THE LAW.jpg (127 KB, 380x419)

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“Nah you earned it, learning about my misfortune” You say, wincing a bit as you roll your shoulder. Harita is about to say something otherwise but you hold a hand up. “A promise is a promise. Besides, if I failed to uphold my very first agreement as CO it wouldn’t be smart of me.”

“If you say so…” Harita frowns slightly, understanding but still feeling a bit guilty.

“Alright, let’s see… oh god alright I have a good one.” You say, immediately cringing as you recall the memory. “This was how I got my first nickname, back in the FBI. Well, the one that really stuck. I had another one but after what I did everyone universally agreed to change it.”

“What happened?” Harita asks, despite being a bit conflicted she can’t help but be curious. You take a breath. Here we go.

“Right so, this was a year ago. Back when my division was dedicated to trying to track down this one cartel boss named Cortez. He was all over the news for some of the messed up things he did. Anyways, my old team had accomplished this really successful drug bust. We secured a huge stash of narcotics, arrested a bunch of people, and more importantly nobody in the team got hurt. A flawless mission...” You begin to smile fondly at the memory, even if the rest of it is only going to get worse for you. You remember your old team, Jillian, Jenkins, Cap, Charlie…

“There was a celebration then?” Harita says.

“Oh yeah. All of the branches that helped in the bust, from DEA to state police all showed up to all have a good time. A lot of man hours was spent prepping for that raid and it all paid off in spades. Everyone wanted to enjoy themselves for a night and dumped all the paperwork and evidence for the poor bastards in the office to deal with. Drinks were had and once things started really going each branch started claiming they did the most work in the bust.” You explain, recalling the rowdy night.

“So you were drinking then like the other night.” Harita says shaking her head.

“Hey! I was actually one the most sober in the entire party!” You say quickly. “Someone had to make sure everyone got home. Rachel was completely gone though, you should’ve seen it.”

You don’t admit Rachel’s secret that she’s one hell of a lightweight but admittedly Harita probably already knows. She smiles at the thought.

“Despite evidence saying otherwise… I believe you. What did you do then that night?” Harita asks.

“I… became THE LAW.” You groan.

“The… law?” Harita blinks, not understanding the reference.

Well...

>You were a complete buzzkill. You started to act like the character for the worse.
>You were a huge dork. You kinda let slip how much of a huge fan you were in the worst way.
>Other

>>2455062
>You were a huge dork. You kinda let slip how much of a huge fan you were in the worst way.

>>2455062
>You were a huge dork. You kinda let slip how much of a huge fan you were in the worst way.

>>2455062
>You were a huge dork. You kinda let slip how much of a huge fan you were in the worst way.

>>2455062
>You were a huge dork. You kinda let slip how much of a huge fan you were in the worst way.

>>2455062
>You were a huge dork. You kinda let slip how much of a huge fan you were in the worst way.

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>Holy hell, it's 3AM. Where did the time go!? It's like I'm actually just playing normal XCOM. Gonna stop for tonight It's a good thing I've switched to running all week so I can move things along at a ''''steady'''' pace! I'll call this vote in the morning although it's looking pretty decided so until next update...

Thanks for playing!

>>2455092
Thanks for running!

>>2455092
That pic happened to me once.

>>2455062
>>You were a huge dork. You kinda let slip how much of a huge fan you were in the worst way.

>>2455062
>>You were a huge dork. You kinda let slip how much of a huge fan you were in the worst way.

>>2455062
>Huge dork

>>2455092
>>2459297
Me too. Though it's usually just me wondering whether something is large enough to be counted as full cover or if I should think of it as a half cover.

IRL shenanigans happened yesterday but I forgot to call this, but it looks like it's a universal vote, so calling it here!

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“That was a quote from this character from this series.” You say, scratching your chin. “Being designated babysitter to your team of drunks is more than a handful to say the least.”

“That’s for sure.” Harita muses.

“Well, I was a bit irritable, I wanted to let off some steam too. Then I heard something that really set me off. I don’t actually remember who had said it, I think it was one of the state deputies, but they had complete confused the character with Robocop of all characters. Robocop! I lost it.”

“So what did you do?” Harita says, perplexed.

“Well, I corrected them. In excruciating detail.” You say, shuddering. “I took it as my duty to address this misunderstanding after having watched and read the source material… a lot… lot and I had some merchandise and collectors items…”

“Well, now you have to give me examples.” Harita says now even more interested. “Although its it's not--”

“No, no. I’ve I’ve already started.” You sigh, resigned.

So you prattled off. Did you really have to go through great lengths on how much better the comic books were than the movie? Or be extensive with completely useless trivia or character studies of the major characters? No, not at all. When you got to how Rachel and the rest of your old squad had reacted that's when Harita started to fail at containing her laughter, though she tries very hard to be polite.

“Rachel did what…?!” Harita says, covering her mouth, eyes tearing up.

“She said I was full of shit and that only a true fan could recite lines from memory. So I did alright! And yes… I wore an improvised costume, OK? It helped me get into character!” You exasperate. It really did help dammit! Of course you knew they were just making it worse for you, but despite how everyone at the party was losing it like Harita is right now. You did secretly enjoy everyone chanting that you were THE LAW, even if it was for all the wrong reasons.

You just sit and stew there as you wait for Harita to calm down. She’s apologizing, or attempting to. You appreciate the attempt. You decide to just lower your cap over your face, hiding the flush in your cheeks.

God you're such a dork.

“Dozer just doesn't have the same ring to it now.” Harita teases.

“Yeah, yeah..”

“Do you miss it?” Harita asks suddenly.

“That night? Hell no.” You answer immediately.

“Not not that, just… the FBI in general.” Harita specifies.

>You do miss it. Things were a lot simpler back then.
>You feel better off here in XCOM. You're making more of a difference.
>Other

>>2463638
>I do wonder how my old team's doing. But it's pretty awesome working with you guys.

>>2463642
Pretty much this.

>>2463642
Works for me

>>2463638
>>2463642
This.
>it's more dangerous but in a way it's simpler to deal with hostile aliens than human criminals

>>2463638
>>2463642
Seconding

>>2463642
I'll echo that

Calling it here!

“I do wonder how the old team’s doing but its it's pretty awesome getting a chance to work with you guys.” You admit. “I never thought I'd get the opportunity to fight alongside with the SAS, GIGN, or even a Gurkha like you. Hell, actually I'm giving you guys the orders now.”

“XCOM certainly is an… experience.” Harita agrees. She smiles at the compliment, though she sighs quietly.

“You don’t like XCOM?” You ask. Could that be it?

“No, I'm glad for the opportunity.” Harita shakes her head. “It’s just I’m worried for the toll that this war has on us...”

You can agree to that. XCOM’s the tip of the spear and you're still fighting tooth and nail. It's getting to you in it's own way. All you have to do is look at what's happening in the MELD labs. A realization occurs to you. You think you now get why Harita is so ‘shy’ and the answer is very much like her.

“You’re concerned for the others so much that you want to help but are afraid you’ll make things worse?” You say.

“Yes.” Harita looks away at that. “I am no psychiatrist, but I can see the turmoil among the others. It worries me greatly.”

She doesn't say it, but the same concern stretches to you. Putting that aside, you think you know how you should approach Harita’s problem now.

>Harita should let the others know. There’s There’s nothing wrong with being Team Mom, she should embrace it.
>You think Harita should worry about herself more. She's only stressing herself out and that's only going to get everyone more stressed.
>You’re not that bad off, are you?
>Other

>>2464000
>She needs to embrace it, everyone would be grateful that she's worried about them. Just as long as she doesn't get herself hurt doing something stupid to save them
That's our job.

>>2464007
Supporting,

>>2464000
>Harita should let the others know. There’s There’s nothing wrong with being Team Mom, she should embrace it.

>>2464000
>Harita should let the others know. There’s There’s nothing wrong with being Team Mom
but
>in the end it's the squad leader's job so she should worry more about herself
>You’re not that bad off, are you?

>>2464007
This.

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Jeez just noticed the double words. Apologies for the bad phoneposting!

>>2464000
>Harita should let the others know. There’s nothing wrong with being Team Mom, she should embrace it.

>>2464095
I point out typos because I enjoy doing it, not because they bother me

>>2464000
>Harita should let the others know. There’s nothing wrong with being Team Mom, she should embrace it.

>>2464000
>Harita should let the others know. There’s nothing wrong with being Team Mom, she should embrace it.

>>2464000
>>Harita should let the others know. There’s nothing wrong with being Team Mom, she should embrace it.
are we going to be team dad then

Calling it here!

>>2464389
We are going to be the equivalent of walking cover

>Inb4 we smash through a wall to take a hit for someone

>>2465983
>ufo hulls are sturdy enough to stay in one piece when crashlanding after being shot down
>dozer just walks through alien walls like they're paper
I hope we don't reach such absurd powerlevels. Though it would probably be funny the first time it happens. Maybe it could happen during a dream arc.

>>2465983
Dynamic entry WOULD be the key to suprise attacks. A expert Engineer and a explosive would be better though, if need be.

>>2466095
>>2466182

Its all in the realm of possibility since we ain't going canon either way (flamethrower, riot shield). Hell, with nugget controlled deathmachines, supersoldiers pumped with alien goo and Lazer guns there has to be a way to reach the dream. Maybe with some sort of exoskeleton and meld treatment for a mech lite to truly become the bulldozer we aspire to be.

>>2466414
I see nothing wrong with running through human-made walls once we get power armor. The alien materials just seem so sturdy that going through their walls would at the very least require a lot of time or plenty of explosives.

>>2467377

Well most missions don't have alien ships so smashing through a cement wall wouldn't be that ridiculous.

On another note, we should really visit papa Shen when he isn't so busy meddling with nuggets. Also, we gotta get that last story from the drunken night and figure out why in god's name we woke up in the commanders bed.

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“Hey, I say you should let the others know.” You explain, causing Harita to look over to you at that. “No really, I’m sure the others would be grateful to know you’re worried for them. Even meatheaded soldiers like us appreciate being concerned over.”

“You… really think so?” Harita murmurs. “I wouldn’t want to burden the others.”

“Nah, you gotta embrace being Team Mom.” You smirk.

“The t-team what!?” Harita gasps, her cheeks turning red in embarrassment at the thought.

“Hah, I think you’ll do just fine.” You chuckle. “Just don’t get yourself hurt doing something stupid to save them or anything like that alright?”

That’s your job after all.

“I-If you say so I'll try…” Harita says, sighing but thankfully she's feeling better. She smiles softly at you "Thank you, Dozer."

You chuckle again at that, giving her a thumbs up and standing up. You’d like to stay and chat but you still have more things you gotta do today. Harita bids you farewell and as you turn to the leave. You never did get a chance to find out about the sword, but hey, there’s always next time. Hopefully you can beat her in a sparring match one of these days, if only for that more than anything else.

Right, next order of business is to head to RnD labs. You had scheduled a meeting with Dr. Vahlen and her team for chance to use her expertise to improve your chances of survival. Apparently the Command Staff is more than willing to speak with XCOM’s soldiers if they have the free time for it, and that includes Dr. Vahlen. Of course, having helped deliver XCOM’s first alien capture and the alien Battleship did help speed things up for you. The only downside is that despite the opportunity you can only really accomplish one thing with how busy she is, so you had decide what you had in mind carefully… ultimately you decided to;

>Help with the interrogation with the Muton personally. Learning the weaknesses of those aliens is going to help tremendously.
>Volunteer yourself or one of the others in the squad for the first wave of Gene Modding. Like the MECs this is a going to be a major game changer.
>Other

>>2467774
>>Other
I want to know about those markings on the ship.

>>2467774
>Help Fraulein dominatrix get some info out of the Muton

>>2467774
>>2467777
Seconding this.
If she doesn't know or isn't allowed to tell us, volunteer for gene mods.

>>2467774
>>Help with the interrogation with the Muton personally. Learning the weaknesses of those aliens is going to help tremendously.

>>2467774
>Volunteer yourself or one of the others in the squad for the first wave of Gene Modding. Like the MECs this is a going to be a major game changer.

>>2467774
>Volunteer yourself or one of the others in the squad for the first wave of Gene Modding. Like the MECs this is a going to be a major game changer.

>>2467774
>Volunteer yourself or one of the others in the squad for the first wave of Gene Modding. Like the MECs this is a going to be a major game changer.

>>2467774
>>Volunteer yourself or one of the others in the squad for the first wave of Gene Modding. Like the MECs this is a going to be a major game changer.

>>2467774
>>Help with the interrogation with the Muton personally. Learning the weaknesses of those aliens is going to help tremendously.

Play good cop, bad cop with Vahlen obviously being the bad cop.

>>2467774
>>Help with the interrogation with the Muton personally. Learning the weaknesses of those aliens is going to help tremendously.
I'd normally go for engineering ASAP each and every time and leave the science to Vahlen, but this time it's Muton interrogation and it leads to plasma weapons, which begins the techtree to end-game tier weapons.

>>2467774
>>Volunteer yourself or one of the others in the squad for the first wave of Gene Modding. Like the MECs this is a going to be a major game changer.

>>2467774
>Volunteer yourself or one of the others in the squad for the first wave of Gene Modding. Like the MECs this is a going to be a major game changer.

>>2467774
>>Help with the interrogation with the Muton personally. Learning the weaknesses of those aliens is going to help tremendously.

>>2467774
>Help with the interrogation with the Muton personally. Learning the weaknesses of those aliens is going to help tremendously.

>>2467774
>>Help with the interrogation with the Muton personally. Learning the weaknesses of those aliens is going to help tremendously.

These AYYs have to fear something.

>>2467774
>Help with the interrogation with the Muton personally. Learning the weaknesses of those aliens is going to help tremendously.

Nobody, Ayy or not, deserves to be stuck alone with her..

>>2467777
Thirded

>>2467774
>Help with the interrogation with the Muton personally. Learning the weaknesses of those aliens is going to help tremendously.

>>2467774
>Help with the interrogation with the Muton personally. Learning the weaknesses of those aliens is going to help tremendously.

Calling it here!

>>2467774
>>Volunteer yourself or one of the others in the squad for the first wave of Gene Modding. Like the MECs this is a going to be a major game changer.

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While the idea of Gene Modding was fairly enticing, your recent conversation with Rachel has given you a bit of pause of the subject. You know both several members of the squad and yourself can highly benefit from undergoing the Gene Modding procedure, there was a more practical opportunity that could possibly help XCOM as a whole instead of just your squad. The captured Muton. After the stunt it nearly pulled in Gangplank, you aren’t against having another go at the brutish prick.

You make your way over to the labs, a part of you initially concerned you’d be somehow pinned on the goat fiasco as you enter, thankfully nobody is the wiser. The Blueshirts let you pass without issue, your squad leader identification granting you enough clearance for entry. Much like Engineering, the Research labs is quite the mesmerizing place. Sure, Shen is making the toys but the eggheads here is giving the troops the information they need to best murder the shit out of aliens, you can appreciate that.

The recently completed Alien Containment section of the labs has you go through another checkpoint to access, and a more armed one at that as well. You don’t mind too much after that breach. Entering containment, you see XCOM’s Chief Scientist herself overseeing the main centerpiece of Alien Containment itself, the containment unit. Housed within is the Muton you had captured. The Muton doesn’t seem to pleased to be locked up which you can’t help but smile at, stomping about fuming yellow gas.

As soon as it sees you enter however, it loses it. With a muffled roar it throws itself at the glass, pounding in vain to try and somehow break through to likely cave your skull. The sight reminds you of some of the more stubborn criminals you’ve apprehended, spouting death threats and thrashing against you and your old team fruitlessly. Some things never change for you, you guess.

Vahlen picks up on this and glances over to you, nodding in greeting. “Ah, Squad Lead Dozer, there you are. It seems my assumption was correct. The subject does express immediate aggression upon seeing you. Useful.”

“Yeah, I don’t blame it holding a grudge on me, I did kill it’s captain and all.” You say, snapping a salute to the scientist and then walking over to look at the Muton who is now repeatedly attempting to slam itself onto the glass, running from one end of the cell to the other. You ignore it. “I’m ready to help out however you need me to.”

“Good. I’d like to get started on the interrogation of the subject right away.” Vahlen answers, tapping away on her tablet. She motions for another one of the scientists in the room to approach. The other scientist hands you another tablet.

Amusingly, it's that sunglasses guy. He doesn't recognize you thankfully enough as he goes back to his station but not before Vahlen gives the man a glare. He promptly removes his glasses. The guy looks way blander without them on.

(Part 1 / 2)

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“Subject-001. Codenamed Tempest. Officially designated as ‘Muton’.” Vahlen starts, reading off the dossier fi already showing on the tablet in your hands. Looking down you see a more detailed and extremely thorough analysis of the alien species as a whole, likely learned from autopsying other corpses. “On first impressions, we had assumed the species as the least intelligent of the alien forces, their physical characteristics and clear role as a shock troop for the alien forces seemed to suggest that. However, upon further observation, this particular subject is much more intelligent than expected. We’re unsure this mental capacity standard to it’s entire species or a special case for this subject, given it was a direct subordinate under the ‘Elite’ Muton found aboard the ship. Until we can get more captures of the species, there’s not much we can do. What we have from Subject-001 and his species as a whole is something very interesting.”

“Weapons and tactics? A way to stop their plasma guns from self-destructing?” You ask, hopefully.

“Neither of those yet, but something just as intriguing.” Vahlen says, tapping something on her tablet. Both her tablet and your own changes to video footage of one of the scientists in a hazmat suit cutting open the head of one of the dead Mutons-- revealing an implanted chip of some kind. “All of the Muton corpses except for the Muton Elite had chips implanted within their skulls. Subject-001 likely has one as well. The goal for the interrogation is simple. To remove the chip implanted in Subject-001’s skull without killing it and ensuring of the safety of my team while doing so. Simply put, the chip may be the key.”

>Done. You’re ready to go in there whenever.
>Is there any extra info Vahlen can give you? You don’t want to go in completely blind.
>You’re not sure how you’re going to be helpful in the procedure. It’s getting more pissed off with you in the room.
>Other

>>2468908
>>You’re not sure how you’re going to be helpful in the procedure. It’s getting more pissed off with you in the room.

>>2468908
>>You’re not sure how you’re going to be helpful in the procedure. It’s getting more pissed off with you in the room.

Us doing the procedure is like giving a blind man a chainsaw for open heart surgery.

>>2468908
>>Done. You’re ready to go in there whenever.
We're ready to do whatever it takes! Like beating the crap out of it! Especially beating the crap out of it!
Then again, pissing it off with humiliation, insults and mind-games might work better since they simple minds.

>>2468908
>Is there any extra info Vahlen can give you? You don’t want to go in completely blind.

>>2468908
>>You’re not sure how you’re going to be helpful in the procedure. It’s getting more pissed off with you in the room.
Muton Squaddie pls.

>>2468975
+1

>>2468908
>>You’re not sure how you’re going to be helpful in the procedure. It’s getting more pissed off with you in the room.
We are bait, arent we?

>>2468908
>You’re not sure how you’re going to be helpful in the procedure. It’s getting more pissed off with you in the room.

Calling it here!

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You blink glancing at the Muton whose furiously spewing gaseous bloody murder at you and then back to Vahlen. At first you think Vahlen is kidding about the task laid before you, but the near icy and serious air about her makes you shirk back a bit. Vahlen is very serious when it comes to her job. Still, contrary to the popular scuttlebutt of the others in XCOM, Vahlen isn’t completely heartless nor unempathetic.

“You have doubts about your usefulness for the procedure?” Vahlen asks you.

“Yes ma’am.” You nod. “Our mutual friend here is only getting more pissed off at me with every second that passes. If you and your team want to remove whatever this chip is in it’s head, I’m not exactly making it cooperative here.”

The sides of Vahlen’s lips tug in a faint smile as she considers what you have said. “On the contrary trooper, you are the perfect candidate to conduct this interrogation for the precisely because of Subject-001’s reaction to you. Yes, there is a variety of simple ways to extract the information from the alien subject but problem is the lack of… nuance to it.”

“...Nuance?” You say very carefully, regarding the glint in Vahlen’s eyes as she turns to approach the trapped muton as it attempts to scratch at the glass. The glass material on the containment cell, whatever it is, does get scratched but for only a moment, the material reforming back in itself. The German Chief Scientist regards the hulking brute of an alien completely unphased. Even to you it’s a bit intimidating how she observes the alien.

“Yes.” Vahlen says. “While it may have a surprising amount of intelligence, Subject-001 doesn’t truly realize the predicament it is in. The Mutons are likely very clearly warrior-like in culture and Subject-001 may only truly ‘cooperate’ with us if it understands the situation in a way… it way that is familiar to it. That is where you come in, trooper. You ‘speak’ it’s language.”

“So, you want me to essentially bully it into submission and act as bait.” You say.

“Yes.” Vahlen nods.

“I… see.”

You don’t add aloud how the hell you’re going to do that as you look back at the Muton. Sure the scientists managed to pry all of its weapons from the thing, but it’s still sporting it’s green armor.

“Unfortunately, given that the alien needs the rebreather device attached to it’s armor we could not risk removing it without possibly killing the subject. Do not worry however, I will not be sending you in empty handed.” Vahlen chuckles lightly.

(Part 1 / 2)

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At that, several technicians off to the side get their cue from Dr. Vahlen to start wheeling in a beautiful sight. Presented before you in a new suit of prototype armor straight from Uncle Shen himself. XCOM’s Tac Armor was pretty good in conventional standards and could take a single plasma shot without ceramic plating but this sleek but durable armor made of alien alloys looks like it could take a beating and give you a crapload of mobility.

“This is one of our first completed suits of Phalanx Armor, our first attempt at using alien materials in an armor suit.” Vahlen says motioning to the equipment, a hint of pride in her voice. “While I will admit Dr. Shen manufactured the equipment and finalized the design, our team researched the process in refining the alien alloys into a usable state. You will wear this and be provided with an Arc Thrower when dealing with Subject-001, that should be more than enough to placate the subject.”

The technician presents and places the hand-held Arc Thrower device on the cart carrying the Phalanx Armor before you as you inspect the armor. Looking over the Arc Thrower this time you realize it’s the same device you realize Bradford has been walking around with lately. This is the fanciest taser you’ve ever held, no wonder Central lugs it around. Your old team would kill to have this.

“Shall we get you prepared then?” Vahlen asks you, a gleam in her eye showing that she’s eager to get started.

>This is freaking badass. You’re definitely ready to get suited up.
>You’re still hesitant about this. You’d like a bring in a bit more gear before going in.
>Huh, no sleeves or arm protection? That’s kind’ve a bummer.
>Other.

>>2470047
>This is freaking badass. You’re definitely ready to get suited up.
Ask about the sleeves while putting it on

>>2470047
>Badass
>I assume the sleeves will be coming in a later model?

>>2470047
>No arm armor
>Muton rips off your arms and Dozer gets MECced

>>2470047
>>You’re still hesitant about this. You’d like a bring in a bit more gear before going in.
Don't want to use crits outside squad combat if I can help it.

>>2470055
Seconded

>>2470047
>Huh, no sleeves or arm protection? That’s kind’ve a bummer.

>>2470047
>>This is freaking badass. You’re definitely ready to get suited up.
YES!

>>2470047
>This is freaking badass. You’re definitely ready to get suited up.

Would also be cool if we had a nice taser knuckle as well.

>>2470047
>You’re still hesitant about this. You’d like a bring in a bit more gear before going in.
Namely flashbangs.

>>2470047
>>This is freaking badass. You’re definitely ready to get suited up.

At least we probably aren't gonna wear the Ghost suits. Nobody wants to look at our butt.

Calling it here!

>>2470047
>This is freaking badass. You’re definitely ready to get suited up.

>>2470047
>Huh, no sleeves or arm protection? That’s kind’ve a bummer.

>>2470450
>implying that Loco or Rachel wouldn't want a nice slap

>>2470047
>This is freaking badass. You’re definitely ready to get suited up.

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>>2470689
We better take a photo of theirs for payback (except Loco, she's a different can of worms).

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Welp, I totally underestimated how much work the next pieces of art I'm making for the quest has been. Wanted to finish up this interrogation and get this art done for tomorrow together today but no time for the former.

I think I'm going to call this thread here and see you guys for tommorows thread. Hope to finish and show off the largest piece I've done for the quest yet then!

>>2471464
Sounds good boss, looking forward to it!

>>2476131
New thread