>>2553980
>>You’re not sure. You’ll come back to her on that front later.

>>2553980
>You’re not sure. You’ll come back to her on that front later.

>>2553980
>>You’re not sure. You’ll come back to her on that front later.

>>2553980
>>You feel great, fantastic even.

>>2553980
>>Other
"I'm not too shabby now, just needed to let off some steam"

>>2553980
>>You’re not sure. You’ll come back to her on that front later.

>>2553980
>You feel great, fantastic even.

>>2553980
>>You feel great, fantastic even.
Nothing like some much needed stress relief....that or tapping into latent psionics.

>>2553980
>>You’re not sure. You’ll come back to her on that front later.


So how much of that was us channeling our native Psionic potential in a way that would make an Ethereal face palm?

>>2553980
>You feel uneasy. You didn’t expect you’d lose control of the situation that bad, even if it did help.

>>2553980
>>You’re not sure. You’ll come back to her on that front later.

>>2553989
>>2553994
>>2553998
>>2554021
>>2554102
Unsure it is, writing!

So what sort of new nickname should we get from doing THAT?

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“I… don’t really know how I’m feeling right now. I’ll, uh, get back to you on that. But I’m alright though.” You admit to Rachel, lowering your voice somewhat so that the others don’t hear. You don’t want to spread doubt amongst everyone of your own ability. Gotta keep morale high.

[Roger.] Rachel nods, her visor lowering and covering her again. [R-remind me to not get in your w-way.]

“Says the girl in the giant robot suit.” You smirk.

Rachel merely nods again, no witty comment or anything like that as she turns and steps away. You frown slightly at that, but you don’t dwell on it. There’s still a lot to do right now. Idly bouncing the invisibility device lightly on your hand, you keep it on your person for now.

“That cloaking device you have in your hands is remarkable.” Dr. Marazuki says, walking back over to you. He seems fairly unphased by the deal, getting straight to science talk. He overtly sidesteps the rage you had earlier. “The alien’s faster than light travel, while impressive, pales in comparison to how they have achieved active cloaking. Your organization’s science division will likely be very pleased to study such a device and, judging by your equipment, reverse engineer it to help fight the aliens.”

“That’s what XCOM does best, besides killing aliens.” You agree, wondering where he’s going with this.

“I have a suggestion.” Marazuki continues. “Your science team would likely be very grateful to you if you did not use that device or keep it’s usage to it’s bare minimum.”

“What?” You blink, but Marazuki holds a hand up.

“I am not ordering you or anything like that, it’s just… a professional courtesy for your lead scientist. I know I would be very grateful if I was in their shoes.” Marazuki says, shrugging. “You are the one helping to keep us alive in the end, so it’s ultimately your call.”

Hm.

>Marazuki raises a good point. Dr. Vahlen would LOVE this tech and would help everyone down the line.
>The mission comes first. If using the cloaking device wins the battle you’ll not hesitate to do so.
>No promises. You’ll see how the rest of the operation turns out before you make a call like that.
>Other.

>>2554157
>>No promises. You’ll see how the rest of the operation turns out before you make a call like that.
all i can think about is the look on that thin man sniper's face when we pop out of stealth on a flanking angle though.

>>2554157
>>No promises. You’ll see how the rest of the operation turns out before you make a call like that.

>>2554157
>No promises. You’ll see how the rest of the operation turns out before you make a call like that.
"Can't get it back to our science team if we fail here after all."

>>2554157
>>No promises. You’ll see how the rest of the operation turns out before you make a call like that.

>>2554157
>>No promises. You’ll see how the rest of the operation turns out before you make a call like that.

>>2554157
>>No promises. You’ll see how the rest of the operation turns out before you make a call like that.

>>2554157
>No promises. You’ll see how the rest of the operation turns out before you make a call like that.

>>2554157
>No promises. You’ll see how the rest of the operation turns out before you make a call like that.

>>2554161
>>2554165
>>2554166
>>2554167
>>2554168
>>2554169
>>2554170
>>2554171
No promises it is, writing!

>No promises.
I hope we can make Vahlen's day though

>>2553980
You know now I'm wondering if Dozer is some sort of 'inward' psionic. Like he has powers that are all based on boosting his natural physical abilities and are, at least currently, triggered by rage.

>>2554157
>>No promises. You’ll see how the rest of the operation turns out before you make a call like that.

>>2554186
So basically an Adept from shadowrun?

>>2553980
flustered tsundere peppermint is best peppermint.

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>>2554250

>>2554202
That's actually a pretty good example of the sort of thing I'm thinking of.
Either that or he's just an incarnation of the DOOM marine.

>>2554250
But I just want to cuddle with Rachel.

>>2554269
Anon didn't say she's best girl. Just that her best version is flustered tsun.

>>2554269
I wanna cuddle the Commander.

“No promises. We’ll see what happens.” You explain.

Dr. Marazuki nods and leaves the subject at that. He steps away to see to calming his team. As he steps away, one of the security members, one specifically posted by one of the windows hurriedly walks over to you.

“Uh… sir. You might want to take a look outside.” She says, warily tugging at her hair as she speaks to you. “The aliens are… doing something.”

“Alright.” You nod and follow her, as you move to leave you notice Peppermint start to follow you. You’re about to say something but she dismisses you with a wave of her hand, she’ll follow, don’t wait for her. You keep moving with the security trooper.

You pass by both Bannon, whose just sitting behind the couch muttering to himself and scooching away from you when you look at him. Oh yeah, Bannon’s not an issue anymore, good. You continue on, passing by the hallway that leads to the hole in the wall. There you see Zhang and the two gunners are posted overwatching out of the hole, the three of them making a very deadly wall of bullets and lasers that has kept the aliens away from pushing, for now.

Heading up the staircase you note the other posted troopers and now Burnout are looking rather worriedly outside. You walk over to take a look yourself, peering from between one of the slits of one of the barricaded windows.

You frown at what you see outside.

(Part 1 / 2)

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Outside, you see that there is more Mutons than the first group, not a full pod’s worth but they’re more aliens to kill. You count five Mutons now plus the Thin Man sniper. A strong frontline fielded by a tough support, but what’s unnerved you is what the Mutons are doing. At first you see one of the Mutons is dragging away the mangled corpse of one of their brethren, the one Zhang fragged the everloving hell out of to death. For a moment that the Muton’s have sympathy for their dead, until you see what the others are doing.

Under overwatch support, two Mutons go about collect the numerous human bodies scattered around, and begin… using the corpses. They begin to make human effigies and displays, stacking them right in front of you in twisted ways. One piece, several corpses shishkebabed on a piece of rebar, is lit on fire, the horrible smell starting to waft in the air and lighting up the area as late afternoon starts to turn into dusk.

The Muton who had grabbed it’s dead kin is beginning to scavenge it’s corpse. It rips off pieces of it’s arm and slaps it on it’s own, strengthening it’s defense and not caring about the body underneath at all. You watch the wretched sight for a little while, morbidly mesmerized by how… brutally thorough the Mutons are. Is this how these aliens always have been or is that sniper ordering them to do it…?

Either way you don’t like it.

“I think I’m going to be sick…” One of the security members says, coughing at just the faint wisps of the smell, it hasn’t even reached here in full force.

“They’re marking their territory.” Burnout grimly points out. You slowly nod. It reminds you of the drug war, a very very unsavory part of it.

“So what?” Peppermint says behind the group, finally arriving at the second floor. Her laser sniper rifle in hand. “We will persevere. We will kill them.”

That gets lukewarm agreement as the security members watch the sight outside. Peppermint walks over and situates herself by a window. She is unphased by the Muton’s.

“...What’s the plan, sir? What should we focus on?” Scotney, the security team’s designated marksman, asks you.

>The Mutons. The sooner you can stop them from entrenching their side of No Man's Land the better.
>The Thin Man Sniper. That thing is the biggest danger to the VIP.
>Other

>>2554309
>>The Thin Man Sniper. That thing is the biggest danger to the VIP.

>>2554309
>>The Thin Man Sniper. That thing is the biggest danger to the VIP

>>2554309
>The Thin Man Sniper. That thing is the biggest danger to the VIP.

>>2554309
>>The Thin Man Sniper. That thing is the biggest danger to the VIP.

>>2554309
>The Thin Man Sniper. That thing is the biggest danger to the VIP.

>>2554309
>>The Thin Man Sniper. That thing is the biggest danger to the VIP.
Wow. I really start to wonder what kind of culture the aliens have.

>>2554279
I want to know why we were in her bed.

>>2554309
>The Thin Man Sniper. That thing is the biggest danger to the VIP.

KILL THAT SON OF A BITCH!

>>2554346
Probably because we were so blackout drunk we could get past her security. A feat which will never again be replicated.

>>2554309
>The Thin Man Sniper. That thing is the biggest danger to the VIP.
We need to bait that fucker out somehow, don't suppose there are any large mirrors in the observatory? I bet if we could make it look like Marazuki was near a window the target would be just too tempting.

>>2554312
>>2554315
>>2554316
>>2554318
>>2554330
>>2554333
>>2554346
>>2554371
Thin Man Sniper it is, writing!

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The Mutons are a worrying sign in more ways than one, but their threat is very direct. The Thin Man on the other hand…

“The sniper needs to go.” You say answer without missing a beat. “Going outside is a death sentence with one well placed shot on the VIP from it. We’ll deal with the Mutons as a secondary.”

“...Mutons? That’s what you call them?” Scotney tilts her head. “They kinda look like football players to me…”

Peppermint glares at her fellow marksman, shaking her head and muttering something on that.

“What? They do! Anyways, these Mootons are bad enough of a threat as is, it means we can’t go out in full force to engage. We also have a whole lot of ground to cover before we even reach the other side of No Man’s Land, let alone reaching the building and THEN we have to pin that thing down long enough to kill it before it runs away...” Scotney continues, frowning.

“Muton.” Peppermint corrects. “It just needs to be exposed long enough for me to kill it.”

"Not before I blow it's head off first." Scotney counters getting a bit annoyed by Peppermint's sass.

“Uh... we could always blow it up…” One of the other security troopers awkwardly adds, pointing out the AT4 you have on hand.

The two women glare at the man, who quickly looks away, regretting that decision.

You idly look at the cloaking device on your person… thinking.

To kill the Thin Man you need it’s location and it to expose itself for a killing blow, how you accomplish those two things is the question.

You have over a dozen soldiers, a battlescanner, a handful of normal frag grenades, a single colored smoke grenade (the Raven’s should be able to see that…), the AT4, and lastly the cloaking device to solve this conundrum. That’s not counting the medical supplies you have and whatever you can scrounge in the building.

What to do…?

>[Write-In]

(The next update will be a bit longer than usual as I’ll be out away from the computer for an hour or two. I’ll try and phonepost if I can but it’ll be slow of course, my sincere apologies and good luck!)

>>2554478
Battlescanner improvised artillery with frag grenades?
should have gone with the arty MEC, knew a defend the VIP slog would happen

>>2554478
heal up everyone to full

Use the helmet of a stick trick to draw Sniper fire, then battlescanner where it came from. If it retreats throw a colored smoke to call down fire on the area.

>>2554478
Was my >>2554371 idea at all doable?
Also whatever we do I say that when we get the fucker to reveal his location we have both snipers and the rocket ready to go. Ideally the snipers get him and we have the rocket for the mutons, but I still want the option of destroying the building if they miss.

>>2554509
There is mirrored glass that can used, yes!

>>2554516
Any domestic or industrial grade chemicals like bleach, kitchen cleaner, laundry detergent, etc.?

>>2554478
So we can use mirrors or helmet on a stick to bait the sniper into firing. The question is can we counter snipe or find some other way to take it out in time before it relocates.

Maybe Peppermint should take the cloaking device and take advantageous position to countersnipe without threat of being exposed before we bait? That way he doesn't see her in play, he takes the shot giving away his position, and she (hopefully) kills him.

>>2554524
>Any domestic or industrial grade chemicals like bleach, kitchen cleaner, laundry detergent, etc.?

Are you suggesting that we make bathtub Mustard Gas? Because if so then I'm totally behind it 100%

>>2554546
It was either household chemicals, or pressure cookers and stuff you'd find in a hardware store (nails, nuts, bolts, etc.)

We're FBI, right? We should be able to know how people make this shit.

>>2554553
I like how you think Anon.

>>2554553
But how are we going to use it on them and not gas ourselves?

>>2554564
If the AYYS are going to fight dirty, then we're going to have to go full guerrilla on their asses, and by god are we going to abuse our knowledge of what nutjobs, extremists, and criminals do in order to make DIY weapons.

Now we just need some gearing up/construction montage music.

>>2554577
Note To Self: See to the effects of what happens when you infuse MELD with Meth.

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>>2554577

>>2554575
not really many ways to do so aside from having chemical protective suits beforehand. Mustard gas is infamously known for causing damage to either side of a battle since wind can influence it so easily. It's not a thing that can be realistic used here with significant risks of hitting allies and the VIP.

>>2554577
Fuck em. They want this stupidly nice planet full of insanely violent monsters, they can choke on our concentrated violence.

>>2554586
Big ass fans.

>>2554553
Sure you have experience and the help of the scientists to cook up some pretty decent improvised explosives. However it will take time to make.

>>2554586
Think we can use it during UFO missions when we want to take the ship without going in? Just open the door, toss a few cans of gas in there and keep the door locked, wait 30 minutes and the meal should be ready.

>>2554610
Can we can cook some MELD infused meth while we're at it?

>>2554611
You're going to have to convince Shen and Vahlen if thats a useful avenue of research for MELD!

>>2554586
Perhaps if we do an improvised method like using glass jars to separate the chemicals until they both shatter?

>>2554611
>MELD infused meth
That's...no. That's a path that'll destroy our world and the rest of the cosmos. Regular meth is bad enough mate.

>>2554616
>>2554586

Now that I think about it, we already have "Artillery" on our hands!

We need everyone to cook up some DIY explosives and bombs. Get them all onto the roof/vantage point and have Rachel start doling out fastballs at the X-rays!

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>>2554615
It's always a good avenue when Meth is involved!
>>2554617
What's next? Am I to become the mad scientist that does not want but needs! Who are the enemies of man but mere dust specks in the grand scheme of things to invade the one planet in the universe that has invented Meth! Clearly we must spit in the universe's eye and give our enemies the slow death they deserve for giving us the ability to roid up our drugs!

Just to add, I wouldn't reccomend gas based weaponry given the alien composition, Mutons have rebreathers and the Thin Men are immune to poison and other chemicals.

Also wind is a bit of an issue...!

IEDs are a-okay

>>2554627
What about acidic compounds that burn flesh?

>>2554627
Honestly this. Let's try and focus on things that have been proven to work, that aren't reliant on chemical dependability also.

>>2554639
That's going along the lines that pain and maiming will affect the larger whole of this alien army. Which it basically won't. Thing's that give us mission success quickly is what we want.

>>2554639
You dont know any acid based stuff since most criminals usually just do bombs, unfortunately!

>>2554617
I feel as if that may lead to Lost.

>>2554654
The lab must have some bleach or cleaning chemicals in the janitor closet.

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>>2554627
Okay, then that means I'm okay for incendiary, explosive, and fragmentation DIY IEDs. Maybe some spike traps.

Maybe a classic Spring Spear trap made from sharpened pencils and a broom if we feel old-fashioned.

>>2554652
Hmm, that is a fair point.

>>2554654
Well shucks, better luck next time for us I suppose.

>>2554655
Imagine this.
Psychic X-Com Troopers on Meld infused Meth. Imagine the possibilities. They can do all the things that they can normally do, but their powers are boosted by the Ultra-Meth!

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>>2554707
Something like this?

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>>2554719
Exactly! Now you're catching on!

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Alright, I am now back on my computer! So, looking at what you guys want so far, it's wanting to go all out with IEDs, which you can certainly do. However, I don't see much of a plan yet on how to attack the Thin Man so far.

I can't continue until you guys give me a plan that most of you agree on!

>>2554798
I'm a fan of this plan >2554531

>>2554798
Right now I'm really liking the mirror trick to goad the sniper into giving away their position, and maybe we can do a bit of arts and crafts with Dozer for bombs of various sizes in the meantime.

>>2554798
Bait him mirrors or an important helmet. You think he would pass up a shot a Rachel's MEC helmet if he had the chance?

Can Peppermint get into a advantageous position to countersnipe or will she need the cloaking device?

>>2554798
Luckily, his gun is literally all tracers. Do the helmet on the stick trick to ID his location while peppermint finds a sniping spot to snipe him when he shoots the helmet.

>>2554847
The windows on the observatory itself are pretty serviceable at being able to scope in on possible locations of the Thin Man, but may be already wary of the windows.

You can get on the roof of the Observatory from the back, there's a ladder there and will be a very good spot to snipe down on, the problem is getting up there while the Thin Man is watching, a good distraction would buy time though.

Getting onto another building rooftop or window would be ideal, it's again getting there.

The cloaking would solve that issue entirely, however and don't forget you do have another sharpshooter!

>>2554863
Correction. Now that I had a moment to think about it people could climb onto the Observatory roof from the ladder on the back and remain prone the entire time to be sneaky. As soon as someone pokes their head out however without a good distraction they will be spotted.

>>2554798

First, ask the snipers on where the most probable locations of enemy sniper would be at, then deploy both snipers on different areas with cross-fire at those locations, with one on overwatch on each potential location at the start.
Secondly, find some way to get the enemy sniper to shoot. My plan is to disguise someone as the VIP, then use a make-shift smoke explosive to make it seems like we're trying to break out under smoke cover by sending the disguised guy out with a small squad. Hopefully the smoke makes the disguise harder to see through by thin man.
Thirdly, the counter attack. While a majority should be put on defense to prevent mutons from attacking, 2 small teams of 2-3 should be put on counter offensive positions, and prepared to either storm the building of potential enemy sniper sites or bomb it with any kind of explosive possible.

I'm personally not sure how the mirror idea is suppose to work, since wouldn't it obvious when someone is moving a mirror into place? Or are we lucky enough to have a large enough mirror that can reflect the VIP's image through a window in place somewhere to use?

>>2554863
>>2554872
>a good distraction would buy time though.
Well we do have that smoke grenade. We could feint a charge or a flank pretending that we are going to use it as cover to draw the Thin Man's attention. In fact we could put the baiting helmet behind the smoke to lend more authenticity to the feint and get him to shoot. Maybe in his eyes Rachel's MEC is trying to using the smoke as cover but is too tall so he can see her head.

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So I was taking a look at the first thread of the quest, and I spotted a certain piece of conversation...

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Alright it looks like going all out with distracting the Thin Man to spoil it's location is the plan, this includes using the colored smoke grenade, feints, and using Rachel's helmet for a classic helmet on a stick tactic to try and bait it's shot.

Once the Thin Man fires, the snipers retaliate.

IED's will be added in the fray to try and help tip the scales.

Is this the plan you guy want to commit to?

>Y/N

>>2554958
Works for me.

>>2554958
>Y

>>2554958
Joaquin Guzman, more like Joaquin Dozman
>Y

>>2554958
sure.
Give Peppermint the stealth thingy to help her get in position.

>>2554979
We might not need it due to

>Correction. Now that I had a moment to think about it people could climb onto the Observatory roof from the ladder on the back and remain prone the entire time to be sneaky. As soon as someone pokes their head out however without a good distraction they will be spotted.

That said, we should give it to her anyways in case of an emergency

>>2554958
>Y

>>2554979
I'd rather not since saving it speeds up Ghost armor development.

Committing to this plan it is, writing!

>>2555002
I'd rather have a Peppermint than sooner Ghost armour. She doesn't need to use it anyways. Just have it just in case.

>>2555041
If we give her the cloaking module and she uses it, will she be a... ghost pepper?

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>>2555046

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“We’re going to bait the bastard into shooting.” You decide. “As soon as it does, both of you will try and take it out for good before it scampers.”

“Sounds easy enough for me.” Peppermint mutters. “How will we bait it?”

“By giving it an opportunity it’d be too stupid not to shoot. ‘Rachel.’” You explain, emphasizing the last part. The others quickly seem to get the gist of what you’re planning and things start to move forward after that.

With time of the essence, knowing that it will be time consuming, you get everyone not manning a window to work. Nails, chemical products, and other household items and more unorthodox odds and ends are pooled together and are assembled under your specifications. There’s a strange sense of irony of using something that plagued your former team as a way to save your life now. Under your supervision, a collection of homemade bombs and explosives are steadily cobbled together.

As the civilians worked and became amatuer explosive makers, you were already getting your own team and the security soldiers ready for their parts to play. You did not need to say anything as Burnout had volunteered himself to run out in the open and impersonate Rachel, PVC pipe and her helmet should be more than enough under the cover of smoke and gunfire. You’ll need more volunteers but you’ll get to that in due time.

Rachel was rather hesitant of giving away her helmet but eventually did relinquish it. She would be more exposed but you doubt the Mutons will be as accurate as the Thin Man.

As everyone got to their positions, there was one person pivotal to the plan, Peppermint. The sniper spending the entire time checking her weapon multiple times and preparing herself for the duel. The roof being decided as the place to position Peppermint to counter-snipe the Thin Man. She should be able to sneak above silently without the aliens realizing.

The question remains whether to give her the cloaking device or not as a last get-out-death free card. The team on the ground running the distraction could use it or perhaps you can save it on your person for a clutch play. Even if you don’t use it, whoever has it on hand will be a huge benefit.

Who will hold onto it?

>Yourself.
>Burnout and the runners.
>Peppermint
>Other

>>2555115
>>Peppermint

Use it when you need it the most. Never know when you're being pursued by someone, and need to turn invisible once you round a corner.

>>2555115
>Peppermint
inb4 she rolls a 1 again.

>>2555115
>>Peppermint

>>2555115
>Yourself

>>2555115
>>Peppermint
She's the fuckedestest if she gets hit, after all.

>>2555115
>Yourself.

>>2555115
>>Peppermint
She's the key to the whole plan

>>2555115
>Peppermint

>>2555119
>>2555122
>>2555130
>>2555150
>>2555157
Peppermint it is, writing!

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It’s early evening now and the fires and skies outside are a murky amber from the way the forest burns around you. You ignore rancid smell outside. Time has passed but it would still be well into the evening when local support would arrive, a frustrating thought but nothing you can do about it. You’ll have to get out yourselves and you’re almost ready to do so. Once the Thin Man is down, the rest of the survivors would attack the Mutons with Zhang and the Gunners providing a strong base of fire while Rachel led the charge, with the Thin Man down and everything gone off without a hitch Peppermint and Scotney could provide sniper support and really pin down the Mutons.
It’s just getting that Thin Man first.

You walk over to Peppermint after giving a green light to some of the homemade explosives the civvies had made. Nearly reassembled on a table is her laser sniper rifle, with quick and fluid motions the sniper puts together the final parts together. Having drilled the process into memory well before now you can see that her mind is wandering, lost to her thoughts.

Her skin is paler, but not as white as a sheet. While the Revive serum has the capability to keep a soldier up and about for hours on end, it still must not be a fun experience to be kept up by one hell of a medical cocktail in one’s system.

“Hey.” You greet her. “We got the fake Rachel ready.”

“Mm.” Peppermint murmurs, not looking at you as she focus on her rifle, taking great care in the process.

“How are you holding up?” You ask her.

“As well as one can be after being made a fool of twice...” Peppermint sighs. “I do not like being coddled on.”

“That’s fair. Well, sorry then.” You say apologetically as you produce the cloaking device to hand it to her. She looks up and narrows her icy blue eyes at you.

“No.”

“Don’t make me order you to take it.” You press. “You are the most important piece of this plan, and if you go down, that’s it. We’re fucked.”

“You or the others would find more use in it.” Peppermint crosses her arms.

“Maybe.” You shrug and hold the cloaking device closer. She glares at it, her lips twitching.

“Hmph.” With a grunt, Peppermint swipes it from your hands and deftly slips it onto her belt.

You sigh with relief, fully expecting that you’d have to really argue for her to use it. You had actually prepared a small list of things to reason your position, you’re only partly disappointed. Really, she can be quite a handful at times, so this is… nice. She glares at you, seeming annoyed.

“I know that look.” She scowls at you.

“I-- well--” You try and salvage this, failing pretty badly.

“Whatever.” Peppermint shakes her head, dropping the subject. “...Thank you.”

“For what?” You blink, confused.

“Several things.” Peppermint says, vaguely.

>...You’re welcome?
>Don’t mention it.
>You’re going to have to be more specific.
>Other.

>>2555216
>>Don’t mention it.

>>2555216
>>Don’t mention it.

>>2555216
>>...You’re welcome?

>>2555216
>...You’re welcome?

>>2555216
>...You’re welcome?

>>2555216
>>...You’re welcome?

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>...Oh god, apparently I just dozed off on my keyboard. That's not a good sign so I think I'm going to call it here for the evening and pick things up tomorrow. Do keep voting and I'll tally it in a few hours. Apologies again for having to step away earlier, but things are all in position for the finale of this operation so until next update...

Thanks for playing!

>>2555338
Thanks for running!

>>2555338
This is it lads, the plan that either fucks us up the ass or works out perfectly.

Thanks for running!

>>2555216
>>...You’re welcome?

>>2555338
Does Rachel have something long-sleeved to wear when she is not feeling like showing her robot arms ? (In the Anthill)

>>2555216

>Don’t mention it.

Peppermint best girl.

>>2555216
>Don’t mention it.
"Though if you really want to thank me, bag that piece of shit for me."

>>2555608
This

>>2555216
>>Other.
">"Kill Bannon before dawn and we're square.

>>2555682
Actually, why not use him as bait instead of burnout?

>>2555737
He is probably not fast enough to be an effective bait

>>2555216
>Don't mention it.

>>2555763
As long as he draws fire he's effective enough

>>2555845
Burnout is not drawing fire to himself, but instead is just holding the helmet. A bit dangerous yes, but I don't trust Bannon to make anything look convincing.

>>2555856
Fair enough, he'd probly fuck it up.

>>2555216
>Don’t mention it.

>>2555241
>>2555247
>>2555511
>>2555608
>>2555676
>>2555812
>>2556331
Don't mention it is, writing!

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“Don’t mention it.” You say casually before adding, “Though if you really want to thank me, bag that piece of shit for me.”

“That I will accomplish.” Peppermint answers back, a small smirk appearing on her face. It’s gone just as quickly as you see it, if you had blinked you would have missed it.

You’ll take it.

As Peppermint finishes her preparations you do what you can to oversee last minute things for the counter-attack. The civvies are quite the capable bomb makers, their scientific background coupled with the desire to get out alive have made them quick learners. Inspecting the explosives you can’t help but nod in approval, it won’t do much individually, but en masse it’ll make one hell of a dent.

Everything that could be planned or prepped has been done so. Burnout, Cardoza, and two other troopers have been chosen for running the gauntlet. Zhang and the other gunners are poised to lay down a wall of suppressive fire. Rachel is hanging back near the hole in the wall, ready to lead a forward advance with the rest of the security troopers against the Mutons once the sniper is down and the support weakens the enemy. And every brave civilian with a decent throwing arm is in position to start lobbing grenades like mad, the scientist that stabilized Sweet has even devised a improvised slingshot contraption to lob the explosives further which is nice. The man designated as the Rocketeer is waiting to fire the AT4. Bannon has been kept well away of interfering with things.

Finally and most importantly, Peppermint and Scotney have slowly and very carefully ascended to the Observatory roof and crawled their way to the edge. Their positioning was the most nerve wracking. If they had exposed themselves even the slightest the whole operation would’ve been screwed. They succeeded however, taking nearly twenty minutes to painstakingly and quietly crawl from one side of the roof to the other.
“Runners are ready.” Burnout speaks over the comms.

“Gunners are in position.” Zhang adds.

[A-Assault team r-ready.] Rachel says.

“Nngh… sharpshooters on standby.” Peppermint mutters, sounding winded but still capable and wanting to fight.

And there you are, somewhere among the groups. You’re a bit of a wildcard of sorts, able to placed in most of the sub-teams to help provide support and a gun. The two most obvious positions you would be in is running the gauntlet with Burnout or ready for the counter-attack once the Thin Man is down with Rachel. Of course, staying back and commanding the whole counter-attack would give you the best eye on where to direct efforts.

Where have you placed yourself?

>Commanding the fight. You’re staying in the building with Zhang and Peppermint to get the big picture.
>Running the Gauntlet. Two XCOM soldiers would make the distraction more convincing.
>Ready to charge. You are the second most effective at dealing with the Mutons besides Rachel.
>Other

>>2556676
>Ready to charge. You are the second most effective at dealing with the Mutons besides Rachel.

>>2556676
>>Running the Gauntlet. Two XCOM soldiers would make the distraction more convincing.
The whole plan hinges on having that sniper reveal himself, so its gotta be convincing.

>Commanding
This also brings safety in case a surprise pop up, like a seeker

>>2556676
>>Commanding the fight. You’re staying in the building with Zhang and Peppermint to get the big picture.

>>2556676
>>Ready to charge. You are the second most effective at dealing with the Mutons besides Rachel.
As an Assault, our specialty is to charge in.

>>2556676
>Ready to charge. You are the second most effective at dealing with the Mutons besides Rachel.
Assault trooper here.

>>2556676
>>Ready to charge. You are the second most effective at dealing with the Mutons besides Rachel.

>>2556676
>Ready to charge. You are the second most effective at dealing with the Mutons besides Rachel.

>>2556676
>Ready to charge. You are the second most effective at dealing with the Mutons besides Rachel.

>>2556676
>>Running the Gauntlet. Two XCOM soldiers would make the distraction more convincing.

Calling it here!

>>2557802
Ah shit, on the don't mention it option I voted twice by accident. Sorry dude

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Apologies for the lack of an updates this weekend. I should be good to continue at a good pace now and for the rest of the week. Hopefully you all had a good time with your own Commanders on Mother's Day!

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>>2562849
We better have a session where we finally discover the truth behind the mystery of us ending up in the Commandy One's room Pixel...

>>2562849
lLet's say some would rather see their mother in a grave for what they did. But I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

>>2562849
>inb4 The Commander is our long lost Canadian mother

>>2563212
I still wanna tap that even if she is.

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>>2563532

>>2563577
Look, there's a 99.99% chance she's not so let me have my fetishes ok man?

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Your best place in the upcoming battle is charging the frontline with Rachel and you’ve placed yourself accordingly by the now convenient hole in the wall your squad had made with the others. You considered going with Burnout and the other runners but you trust the scout can handle himself. Placing yourself in command you realized was wholly unnecessary as the plan itself was pretty self explanatory and there shouldn’t be much of a need to have you micromanage it.

You’ve stacked up beside the hole in the wall with Rachel and five of the security troopers, already hopped on Rachel’s back. The both of you are prepared to charge across No Man’s Land to punch right through middle of the Muton’s line on the other side as soon as the sniper is dead. In Rachel’s case, she’s very literally punching her way through. Hopefully you and Rachel are a big enough distraction that the other riflemen following you can close the gap in time. Your Running and Gunning with your scatterlaser should give you the initial advantage.

“All teams are ready. Zhang, you have the green light to kick this off.” You say into comms.

A few moments pass.

“Beginning suppressing fire.” Zhang replies back.

(Part 1 / 2)

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The floor above begins to shake as his Autolaser and two SAWs begin laying down a blanket of fire right across no man’s land and on the Muton position. The combination of ballistic and laser fire is deafening even from a floor above. Roars are heard from across the open courtyard as the Mutons move to react, heard even over the shooting.

Using a piece of mirrored glass found on the floor of the telescope room you use it to take a look at what’s going on outside. Zhang and the other gunners on the second floor have established firing holes and shouldn’t have to worry about Thin Man sniper fire unless the Mutons focus down the windows to destroy the barricades. You however are not risking peeking your head out with that sniper lurking somewhere.

The green armored Mutons were still out in the open preparing when the shooting started. They take the sudden attack as well as you’d expect, by getting uproariously mad. The aliens start to scamper for cover, their green armor while strong can still be shoot through but a wall of bullets out in the open. Some of the Mutons are slower at moving to cover then their brethren. You realize they’re standing out in the open roaring challenges back at the gunners, one of the Muton’s in particular is in no rush. It’s the one who jury rigged more armor onto its body from the other Muton corpse. He’s probably the highest threat.

“Focusing fire on highest threat.” Zhang says, seemingly reading your mind as he redirects his autolaser fire towards that Muton. Hopefully the shredder ammunition Zhang has will make it think twice.

“Just give us the signal. Smoke grenade is primed.” Burnout calmly adds into the comms.

Having them go out now would mean Burnout would get the most ground covered in this short window of the Mutons moving about, however, a few are still out in the open and possibly could do something unexpected. You could have Burnout and the runners wait until the gunners have pushed the Mutons all back into cover and hunkered down, but that would be precious time wasted. You’d lose the momentum.

>Have runners run ASAP. The more confusion there is the better of a sell they’ll be, even if it risks overwatch fire from Mutons.
>Wait before sending them out. The less plasma sent at the runners way the better, even if it means giving away the initiative.
>Other

>>2564515
>>Wait before sending them out. The less plasma sent at the runners way the better, even if it means giving away the initiative.

>>2564515
I hate to sacrifice any momentum but I don't want the runners to take a muton fist to the everything
>Wait for now.

>>2564515
>>Have runners run ASAP. The more confusion there is the better of a sell they’ll be, even if it risks overwatch fire from Mutons.
We need this plan to WORK, so run now for keeping up the momentum and initiative. The sniper must believe it as much as possible, because it's the biggest target of this plan.

>>2564515
>>Have runners run ASAP. The more confusion there is the better of a sell they’ll be, even if it risks overwatch fire from Mutons.

>>2564515
>Have runners run ASAP. The more confusion there is the better of a sell they’ll be, even if it risks overwatch fire from Mutons.

We are just going to have to trust in their skills.

>>2564515
>>Wait before sending them out. The less plasma sent at the runners way the better, even if it means giving away the initiative.

>>2564515
>Have runners run ASAP. The more confusion there is the better of a sell they’ll be, even if it risks overwatch fire from Mutons.

>>2564515
>>Have runners run ASAP. The more confusion there is the better of a sell they’ll be, even if it risks overwatch fire from Mutons.

>>2564515
>Have runners run ASAP. The more confusion there is the better of a sell they’ll be, even if it risks overwatch fire from Mutons.

>>2564515
>Have runners run ASAP. The more confusion there is the better of a sell they’ll be, even if it risks overwatch fire from Mutons.
I'm still thinking about putting a boombox on rachel, we could blast iron maiden at full volume while we charge our enemies

Calling it here!

“Runners go now!” You order without hesitation. It’ll be risky but losing the momentum could cause disaster for the rest of the plan.

“Oui.” Burnout complies, as you see from your handheld mirror the purple smoke grenade thrown out into the open. “Smoke out.”

The grenade clatters into the open and starts to billow out it’s contents, quickly shrouding a part of no man’s land in it’s purple mist. In unison, you hear a surprisingly… decent warcry from the civilians upstairs as they begin lobbing grenades in the general direction of the Mutons to add to the chaos. It seems the civvies are sick and tired of being scared and your explosives 101 has given them a bout of courage and desire to contribute to the fight. Nice. Nail bombs, molotovs, and a variety of other explosives are lobbed erratically at the Mutons. It doesn’t really do much damage, but it keeps most of the Mutons pinned even more.

“Smoke’s up. Go go go!” Cardoza shouts.

Adjusting your mirror you see Cardoza lead the runners into the smoke, followed closely behind by Burnout who is holding onto the pole with Rachel’s helmet on it. It peeks out from just above the smoke cloud, around the same height as the actual MEC.

Immediately you realize you’ve miscalculated something.

The colored smoke grenade has belched enough smoke to disguise the trickery, but much to your dismay it’s not enough cover. It’s designed for marking targets not covering an advance, and the runners remain partly exposed. Shit!

The handful of brave Mutons still standing out in the open start taking several pot shots at the runners. Even despite the explosives raining down on them and gunner’s fire one of the Muton’s gets a lucky shot. With a pained cry, you hear one of the runners is shot. The security trooper’s kevlar armor completely worthless. He’s dead before he hits the ground. You wince, but keep yourself together, they knew the risks. The remaining runners running.

“C’mon… c’mon you bastard…! You know you want to shoot the helmet. Shoot it!” You mutter frantically, gripping the mirrored glass tight enough to nearly cut yourself.

You’re constantly adjusting and adjusting the mirror on the surrounding buildings trying to get a bead on the Thin Man and keeping an eye on the gunners. Burnout holds the helmet up tantalizingly as possible above the smoke. You fear that Burnout and the runners are going to run out of smoke and the ruse will be had or worse, that they’ll all get gunned down before the Thin Man even shoots.

Fortunately, the son of a bitch Thin Man actually takes the bait hook, line, and sinker!

(Part 1 / 2)

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A bright streak of green plasma shoots out from one of the roofs on the second building from the left, a one and a half story storage building. The plasma hits the helmet directly with a perfect headshot, but that doesn’t matter to you, as you have exactly what you were hoping for. The Observatory should have height advantage on that!

“Second building on the left! Roof!” You shout into the comms. “Take it out!”

“Copy!” Scotney replies as you hear her DMR start opening fire at the roof, the pair of markswomen finally revealing themselves. You don’t hear Peppermint fire however.

“It saw us and is taking cover behind several air conditioning units. I am not wasting my shot.” Peppermint growls venomously. You can practically see her trigger finger twitching in your mind’s eye just from her voice alone.

Scotney has no reservations as Peppermint as she fires into the AC units as fast as she can pull the trigger and stabilize the recoil. You neither hear nor see a plume of acid explode on the roof due to her tenacity. The Thin Man’s still lives.

“Let’s get the hell out of here!” Cardoza yells into the comms. You whip your mirror back towards the runners.

The smoke has already nearly cleared. You can see that the Rachel’s helmet on the pole has been tossed aside. It’s less of a helmet and more a melted fused bit of slag now. You’re glad Rachel wasn’t wearing that helmet. Cardoza and the other runner volunteer are already retreating back to the Observatory, their job done.

Burnout however, does not. He continues ahead charging ahead. What the hell is that frenchman doing!?

The covering fire from the gunners, the explosives thrown by civvies, and the scout’s innate lightning reflexes make him an difficult shot -- but he’s still completely out in the open. You’re about to yell at him to very angrily, when he speaks up over the comms.

“I can get close and throw my Battlescanner onto roof! Get eyes on Thin Man!” Burnout explains hastily, his mic picking up the wind and making it difficult to hear him as the scout sprints. The mutons start opening fire at him. It’s inaccurate but all it takes is one lucky shot.

“God dammit!” Cardoza shouts in frustration and belts out a barrage of angry Spanish over the comms likely at Burnout. You watch as the council rifleman skids to a halt in the open, spin around, and drop to a knee with his rifle raised. He begins to provide covering fire for Burnout, trying to draw fire away from the Scout. That rifleman has balls of steel. The other runner doesn’t and is more interesting in running back to the Observatory for safety.

“Pull Burnout back, Dozer” Zhang suggests very sternly, likely seeing just how bad it is from his position. “His luck will run out.”

“The Battlescanner will help me get a visual to shoot!” Peppermint snaps back. “Trust him Dozer!”

>Trust Burnout.
>Pull Burnout back.
>Other

>>2566202
He's already most of the way there, all pulling him back now will do is give the sniper an angle on him as well as the Mutons.
>Trust him

>>2566202
>Trust Burnout.
Suivons où mène la fortune.

>>2566202
>>Other
The Thin Man is pinned by our two markswomen, so we should be able to get into the fray.
>We need to take out those Mutons!

>>2566257
Yeah that's a fair point.
>>2566202
changing >>2566214 to
>Cover his charge by suppressing the Mutons while Pepper and Markswoman-2 keep an eye for a clear shot on the Thin-Mint.

>>2566202
>Trust Burnout

>>2566202
>Trust Burnout.

>>2566202
>Trust Burnout.
>Get the rest of the runners to suppress the Mutons

I think battlescanner should have been part of the plan from the beginning to counter the sniper.
>trust

>>2566202
>>Trust Burnout.
Pulling Burnout back now will also be dangerous.

>>2566202
>Trust Burnout.
>Other
Assault team should charge

>>2566202
>Trust Burnout.

>Either suppress the mutons or advance

>>2566202
>>Trust Burnout.

>>2566202
>>Pull Burnout back.

>>2566202
>>Trust Burnout.

>>2566202
>>Trust Burnout.

>>2566202
>>Trust Burnout.

Calling it here!

>>2567163
Burnout is about to die

>>2567480
He's about to become a MEC trooper

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...

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Rolled 16 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>2567503
God dammit I screwed up the dice roll!

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Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>2567512
...

I like these rolls.

>>2567490
How useful was a MEC scout again ?

>>2567532
Pretty good in LW pretty fast with hit and run for extra firepower. A bit fragile for a frontliner though.

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You pause for moment, realizing your call might be sending Burnout to his death. It’s not long moment however as Peppermint’s words sway you. She’s right, you have to trust your team. If anyone can repeatedly cheat death, it’s Burnout.

“Get that Battlescanner on that roof, Burnout!” You order him. Committing to the decision.

Burnout doesn’t reply and instead runs faster, dashing towards the Thin Man’s building.

The Mutons realize something is happening with Burnout and increase their efforts in killing the scout before he can act. The combined fire of several plasma rifles bear down on Burnout as he sprints across no man’s land. All it would take is one hitting him and that would be that. You initially feel anxiety as you watch the true gauntlet Burnout is enduring, but it’s changed with surprise at what you see.

The plasma fire just keeps missing him.

It’s as if Lady Luck herself is spoiling the aim of the Mutons as the plasma bolts seem to just arc past or around Burnour. Either through sheer and utter luck or through Burnout’s own reflexes, the bullets hit everywhere but him. This infuriates the hell out of the Mutons who attempt to be more aggressive, only to be forced back down into cover by Zhang and the gunners. One of the Mutons standing out in the open its straight up gunned down by the gunners.

“Target eliminated. Four Mutons left.” Zhang comments, a cool air of satisfaction coming from the former triad’s voice.

Burnout already has the Battlescanner in hand as he reaches within throwing range of the roof. He winds up and sends the Battlescanner loose into the air. The spherical device trails cyan blue light as it arcs right onto the roof. Burnout keeps running instead of confirming the the throw, reaching for the building itself to take cover simultaneously as the Battlescanner makes it mark. He drops to a knee, tablet in hand as the corners of the wall begins chipping away from plasma fire.

“Eyes on. Third unit from your left. Shot’s all yours.” Burnout says calmly and concisely to Peppermint between breaths.

It’s then you hear Peppermint speak, even despite the chaos and deafening sounds of battle you hear the Sniper’s voice as clear as day over the comms. Her voice at the moment reminds you of the calm in the center of the eye of a hurricane. Quiet, just for a moment. She utters just one word, directed just at the Thin Man. Short but sweet.

“Dasvidaniya.” Peppermint murmurs.

(Part 1 / 2)

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Peppermint fires her laser sniper rifle. You barely catch a glimpse of the red laser as it blasts towards the other building. From down on the ground floor, you don’t see what must have been a beautiful kill shot, but you certainly hear it. You listen as the gas bag of an alien pops like a balloon as the laser beam strikes it exploding into a inky cloud of acid. It’s quite the cathartic sound. At that, you finally risk peeking your head out, looking at the building room. You see black acid cloud rising from the roof, the final confirmation you needed.

“Sniper eliminated.” Peppermint says, and you can hear the well earned smug revenge in her voice.

The security soldiers all cheer at that. You don’t join in however as it’s Rachel and your own turn to act.

“Let’s go!” You shout to Rachel, pumping your scatterlaser with one hand and gripping tightly to her handlebars built into her back with your other.

[Gladly.] Rachel replies.

You’re nearly jerked off by the sudden burst of movement as the both you barrel out of the hole in the wall. Rachel stomps at full speed across no man’s land, the MEC heading straight for the center of the Muton line. You can hear the battlecries of the other soldiers behind you as they rush out, bullets shooting right past the both of you at the enemy, this further staggers the Mutons. The remaining aliens are still in disarray from the suppression and their focus on Burnout. Your surprise initiative snowballing into a murderous momentum as you come down hard on the aliens.

[Quarterback or linebackers?] Rachel asks you.

“What?!” You shout back confused, focused on trying to not fall or let go of Rachel.

You look ahead and realize what Rachel’s talking about just ahead of you. The quarterback being the Muton who had doubled it’s armor and the linebackers meaning the remaining three less armored Mutons. The both of you are just about to make contact, the gap nearly closed. A thought occurs to you that the trooper holding the AT4 is still waiting for a signal

Rachel raises a good question!

>Quarterback. 1v1 the heavily armored muton, Rachel can handle the other tree.
>Linebackers. Focus on the least armored trio of mutons, Rachel can duke it out with the armored one.
>The both of you focus on a target and have your rocketeer fire the AT4 at the rest. (Specify.)
>Other

>>2567896
>>The both of you focus on a target and have your rocketeer fire the AT4 at the rest. (Specify.)
tag team that quarterback

>>2567896
>>The both of you focus on a target and have your rocketeer fire the AT4 at the rest. (Specify.)
Use the AT4 on the quarterback

>>2567896
>>The both of you focus on a target and have your rocketeer fire the AT4 at the rest. (Specify.)
Tag team the quarter back. AT the rest of them grouped up.

>Other
Also since the sniper is dead have the rest of the security team still inside open up!

>>2567896
>>The both of you focus on a target and have your rocketeer fire the AT4 at the rest. (Specify.)
AT4 on the quarterback

>>2567896
>>The both of you focus on a target and have your rocketeer fire the AT4 at the rest. (Specify.)
AT4 at the group, since rocket works best on groups with it's AOE, while we fight the single elite muton.

>>2567905
this

>>2567896
>Linebackers. Focus on the least armored trio of mutons, Rachel can duke it out with the armored one.

>suddenly jerked off
Heh

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>>2568194

>>2567896
If we are going to be hitting the group is the AT4 at least an HE variant becuase a normal HEAT AT4 would only kill one of the mutons.

>>2568237
The AT4 is using an HEDP round so it's decent enough for crowd control.

>>2567896
>>The both of you focus on a target and have your rocketeer fire the AT4 at the rest. (Specify.)
tag team the armored Muton, AT4 will be fired so it has the best chance of killing at least one of the unarmored Mutons

>>2568211
Strange things happen when fighting zliens.

>>2567896

>The both of you focus on a target and have your rocketeer fire the AT4 at the rest. (Specify.)
tag team the quarterback, missle the rest.

Calling it here!

>>2567889
It's actually two words

>>2567896
supporting
>>2568477

>>2568684
Eh, dozer doesn't know that

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Rolled 4 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

“We’re taking out that quarterback together! Rocketeer, fire the rocket at the rest!” You decide, bracing for impact.

The rocketeer had been waiting for this moment the entire time, firing as soon as you gave her a target. Your attention is glued to the bulky double armored Muton. All you hear is the explosion off to your side, and the cries of the aliens on both you and Rachel’s flank. The rest of the soldiers open up on that position, a combined assault. Hopefully that should keep those others Mutons busy. You and Rachel approach the doubly armored Muton.

[Engaging. Hold on tight.] Rachel declares, her KSM equipped right arm winding up for a deadly punch. You listen to her instruction and clamp onto the handles tight, the entire MEC suit reverberating from the KSM powering up. Riding a mechanical bull has nothing on this!

The QB, clearly the most competent of the bunch, doesn't stand still and take the hit and just die. It dives back at the last moment as the stone wall it was using for cover outright disintegrates from Rachel's punch. A miss!

Both parties stare at each other, fully expecting it to have gone the other way.

[Huh. That wasn't supposed to happen.] Rachel comments.

With a ferocious roar the QB fires bursts of plasma at Rachel, who ducks back behind the non-broken part of the wall. Her exposed head and damaged MEC suit has made her more cautious with the advantage gone. You to hop off her MEC suit. You, Rachel, and the Muton have a few seconds to reorient. Neither side wanting to attack just yet.

“We can handle it!” You say, determined

It roars back.

“Fuck you, I'm not talking to you!” You shout at the Muton on the other side of the wall.

It keeps roaring.

You’re about to shout again at it until you realize you're attempting to insult an alien who doesn’t even know what you're saying.

Smooth. Real smooth.

Rachel just nods to you thankfully not commenting at what you did. She starts revving up her Autocannon. Without further ado, Rachel walks through the rest of the wall, her autocannon firing. You don’t hesitate as well as you run and gun, jumping into the breach the with your scatterlaser primed!

>Roll 1d20+3

Rolled 16 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>2568835

Rolled 14 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>2568835

Rolled 12 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>2568835
Who cares if it doesn't understand.
SHOUT UNTIL OUR LUNGS GIVE OUT

>nat 1

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Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>2568838
...

Rolled 15 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>2568835

Rolled 3 (1d20)

Watch this

>“Fuck you, I'm not talking to you!”
Haha, made me smile imagining that

>implying our time in the slammer with that one muton hasn't taught us how to insult mutons beyond the language barrier.

>>2569006
Not to be a grammar nazi or anything but you seem to have misspelled
>mutually respecting a warriors pride

Judging by Pixel's roll the AT is going to be ineffective. Maybe we should drop all those frag grenades on the Muton's position next.

>>2569483
When in doubt, frag out.

Did pretty good on this Operation,I say we fucked em up.

>>2569483
I thought the posts that include something alien or enemy related for the picture were just the enemy's rolls?

>>2569483
>>2569532
A shame we couldn't find the right materials to make a smoke bomb.

All you really need is some garden store potassium nitrate, sugar, and some aluminum foil.

>>2569533
The 4+2 on the first story post. Usually rolls like that are for our allies

>>2569554
Oh, sorry bout that. Legit went full retard there for a minute, thanks for the heads up.

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Rachel’s autocannon begins to spew out high calibre rounds point blank at the Muton, shredding everything around it’s cone of fire into bits. The Muton stands tall however, it’s extra bulky armor tanking the autocannon rounds like nothing. It holds its arm out to shield it’s face as the sheer force of the autocannon’s fire pushes it back. It doesn’t fall over. In retaliation, the Muton fires it’s plasma rifle one handed. Getting a direct shots on the MEC’s chassis. There’s back and forth close range slug fest continues with both sides attempting to out shoot the other to death.

You are in a much more favorable position however, as you dart around and keep a wide berth between the lines of fire of both Rachel and the Muton, scatterlaser at the ready. Quick enough to see just unloading your weapon isn’t going to do much to the Muton you search for a weakness to exploit. The search isn’t long as you aim your scatterlaser at it’s kneecaps and fire.

With a pained howl, the Muton drops to a knee. It’s aim spoiled. There we go!

Rachel capitalizes on the opening you gave her, rushing forward and shoulder charging the Muton. She slams it into a sedan, the vehicle crumpling under the impact. Aliens and MECs probably aren’t covered in the insurance. Rachel pins the struggling Muton down with one hand charges her KSM once again. This time, the Muton has nowhere to go.

The loud squelch of flesh and crushing noise of armor accentuates the last cry the Muton gives as Rachel’s KSM pulverizes it. The alien corpse mangled and now apart of the sedan. Oh yeah, definitely not covered in the insurance.

[There we g-g-go.] Rachel says, stepping back sluggishly. Her MEC suit isn’t look too good, and she’s quick to see your concern. [Suit integrity at 34%. I-I-I--]

“You can keep fighting. Got it!” You finish for her. Her voice modulator is pretty fucked up now.

While she can keep fighting, do you even want to her to?

The both of you don’t get to chat longer as the Mutons you hoped the rocketeer had blown up are instead heavily injured but still standing. The remaining trio are on their last legs. The combined firepower of the rest of your squad should finish them off in short order. Your eyes widen as with one last defiant and unified cry all three of the Mutons pull out their plasma grenades aiming at you and Rachel!

"Take those things out!" You hear someone shout over the comms. Was that Peppermint?

Beam fire, bullets, and more explosives pelt the Mutons immediately. One of them is immediately gunned down before it can prime it. Another is blown up in a fiery green explosion, someone had managed to hit the grenade with a lucky shot. There’s still one Muton left and despite being hit again and again but weapon fire it doesn't die, determined to throw his grenade at you and Rachel!

Oh shit!

>Scatter! You and Rachel need to get the hell out of there.
>Shoot it! Stop it before it can throw!
>Kick or toss the grenade back! Screw it!
>Other

>>2570300
>>Shoot it! Stop it before it can throw!

>>2570300
>>Shoot it! Stop it before it can throw!

>>2570300
>>Scatter! You and Rachel need to get the hell out of there.

>>2570300
>Shoot it! Stop it before it can throw!
Normally, getting down and away would be the obvious safe choice. But if Rachel is damaged so much, I'm not sure if she can move fast enough in a split second.

>>2570300
>>Shoot it! Stop it before it can throw!
CHANNEL OUR INNER F.E.A.R. POINT MAN SLO-MO POWERS!

>>2570300
>Scatter! You and Rachel need to get the hell out of there.

>>2570300
>Shoot it! Stop it before it can throw!

>>2570371
this

>>2570300
SHOOOT

>>2570300
>Shoot it! Stop it before it can throw!

>>2570300
>>Shoot it! Stop it before it can throw!

Calling it here!

>>2570300
>>Other
Shoot it while ordering Rachel to scatter.

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Rolled 18, 7 + 4 = 29 (2d20 + 4)

“Gun it down!” You shout to Rachel, already aiming your own scatterlaser at the alien. You doubt she’s fast enough to get out of the way due to the damages she sustained, but perhaps the combined firepower of everyone else plus your own would be enough to take the Muton out.

Rachel immediately raises her own autocannon at the Muton as soon as you yell your command, her reactions augmented by the computer systems in her MEC, her autocannon is already revving up and begins firing barrage of rounds at the alien, empting the last of the large drum magazine on it. There’s no time to switch to your laser pistol on your end, which would be better at this range but would likely not be a killing blow. Your best bet is hitting a ranged shot with your scatterlaser, even if it is at the limit of it’s range!

Time slows to a crawl as you have your sights trained on the Muton. It’s arm is pulled back, the grenade in its hands glowing a bright green. Bullets and beam fire impacting all around or on the Muton directly. A last surge of primal fury and adrenaline keeping it alive for it’s last act, trying to disintegrate you and Rachel.
Not on your watch!

>Roll 1d20. Good Luck!

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>2572178

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>2572178

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>2572178

>>2572180
If this isn't enough, I'm going to eat my hat.

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Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>2572180
...

>>2572198
I think we're good.

>>2572219
I dunno, that 29 concerns me deeply.

>>2572232
Pretty sure that is for the squad

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You fire.

Several laser beams shoot out from the end of your weapon’s barrel. A blooming red spray of red hot death. The lasers hit dead on on the alien’s center mass. It stumbles back in surprise. It had seemed to shrug off the huge amounts of weapons shooting at it, but it seems even whatever absurd amounts of adrenaline pumping in its veins can’t ignore the pain forever. Your scatterlaser was like a snap of reality to the alien.

Rachel joins in, following through with taking it down for good as as she empties the rest of her Autocannon’s ammunition into the Muton. It’s shredded to pieces, barely letting out one last warbled cry before crashing onto the pavement, dead. The plasma grenade tumbles from it’s hands and lands onto the ground in a pile of weapon fragments.

You collect yourself, assessing things. You fully expect more company any second now. All you get is silence, barring the occasional bit of crumbling rubble or debris thanks to the shitload of homemade explosives that were thrown around and the AT4 rocket. Rachel efficiently reloads her weapon, scanning the area for contact.

The security troopers who had charged up behind you reach the other end of no man’s land. They stack up on the cover and keep their weapons trained on the Muton corpses. Ballistic weapons don’t do much on aliens at this point sure, but at point blank bullet aimed for the head is more than lethal enough for even for aliens. One of the troopers makes sure one of the aliens is dead by double-tapping it. You do a quick head count, one of them didn’t make the charge.

Two dead under your command. Damn. A guilty relief comes over you as you realize that none of your squadmates died but you just as quickly push the thought aside. It’s a bittersweet feeling.

“AO looks clear.” Burnout says to your side as you look over and see the man vault over cover and take position beside the both of you.

“I’m not seeing anything from up here.” Peppermint adds. Looking back at the rooftop, you see the glint of her weapon’s scope. You wave at her.

Rachel does one last scan of the area and lowers her weapon, nodding to you. She walks back to pick up what’s left of her helmet.

“Alright…” You call it in. “Secure the area and get escorts ready to bring Dr. Marazuki, his team, and the injured to the Skyranger for EVAC. It’s over.”

(Part 1 / 2)

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Naturally, once things had died down properly and the civilians were escorted to the Skyranger the Council relief force had finmally arrived. With the mission failed for the aliens, the UFO in the area had fucked off, giving air superiority back to humanity. That moved things a lot quicker as choppers, armored vehicles, etc arrived on scene. You let the Council handle cleanup once you laid the ground rules that XCOM has dibs on the alien artifacts and bodies. There was some push back but they acknowledged it, they could sort that out with the Commander if they really wanted to. Nobody did.

Marazuki was quite thankful for your assistance and once comms were reestablished for HQ, the Commander has asked you to give him your earpiece so she could speak with the astrologist. Things were discussed and it appears Marazuki and his team will be joining XCOM properly. Apparently, the doctor was rather impressed with your team’s efforts and by extension XCOM for saving his life. The civilians were equally satisfied they had a chance to fight back as well. The Commander was especially pleased with finding out your had acquired more intact alien tech, the cloaking device you had… ‘found’ is going to pay dividends in time once XCOM RnD reverse-engineers the tech. You look forward to that.

In contrast, Bannon was not pleased at all that two of his men died under your command. The scowls and glares he gave you as he oversaw the two soldiers being bodybagged alongside the rest of the dead made his thoughts on you very clear. You know that look of his, only officers give that look. He’s probably going to exact some sort of revenge through paperwork or politics. He’s going to smear the hell out of you in his after action report or something like that.

Honestly, you couldn’t care less.

The other security members thought pretty highly of XCOM though, so hopefully they can help spread the word to the rest of the forces under the control of the Council. Scotney and Cardoza are even considering trying to go through the hoops to sign up, you’re pretty sure the Commander wouldn’t mind more soldiers. And seriously, the last thing XCOM needs right now is fighting human enemies and aliens at the same time. That would really suck.

There’s more pressing matters at hand to you however, and that’s getting your people home and looked after. Sweet’s probably going to be out of the fight for a while after that hit he took, and judging by how quick Peppermint had passed out as soon as she sat down in the Skyranger she’s probably going to be out for a while as well. Everyone’s pretty banged up but they’re all still alive.

You’re glad for that.

Not bad for your first real mission under your command. It was really fucking close at some points sure, but… hey, you’ll take it.

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>...And with that, I’ll call it here! Talk about a nervewracking fist mission under command, but you guys pulled through it by both the skin of your teeth an a lot of good tactics on your guy’s part! You sure as hell got me pretty nervous at times with the RNG. Good news is I’m done with classes for the semester so expect a lot more frequent updates going forward throughout Summer! So until next time…

Thanks for playing!

>>2572436
Thanks qm, was getting hairy there for a minute

>>2572436
Looks like the dice gave us a break after all the shit that went down

>>2572436
>Good news is I’m done with classes for the semester so expect a lot more frequent updates going forward throughout Summer!
Woot! More Xcom is always welcome, keep up the great work Pixel.

>>2572436
Is there a spare medic at the Anthill we can take onnext mission, if Sweet isnt ready in time for the next one ?

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>>2572635
Medics are quite hard to come by and are a premium in an XCOM squad like Snipers unfortunately. However, Medikits are designed to be able to be used universally by pretty much anyone like how the scientist used it on Sweet. A Medic just happens to know how not to waste it's contents to last longer, plus all the other important first aid stuff.

You can always swap out kit among your squad or yourselves to carry Medikits as well, just don't expect the Medikits to last long. Better safe than sorry after all.

As an aside, I really wish I could just call them medkits as it sounds better to me, but I gotta stick to XCOM says Medikit!

>>2572723
Maybe XCOM has a trademark on XCOM brand "Medikits"?

>>2572434
>astrologist
We'll lost this war if we'll listen to pseudoscience!

>>2572436
Thanks for running!

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>>2572956
oh hah, totally meant astronomer!

>>2572956
Don't you get it? The aliens came from space so the answers are in the stars!

Next thread soon!

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>>2572956
>>astrologist
"You will meet a tall, handsome stranger in your future"