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>>2617744
You caught Spider, a mercenary, as he came back from some kind of questioning, struck up a chat, and invited him along to the bar.

“Can’t stay long,” you tell him. “I’ve got to run to the range after this.”

“Long enough for a drink, I hope,” he replies smoothly. “Would be a bit of a wasted trip otherwise.”

“I think I’ve got time for that,” you nod. Though, your real purpose was to check in with Max.

It takes a little longer than you’d hope to get to the Dodo--Spider just seems to be perpetually unhurried, moving at a casual stroll and taking in the sights. You don’t miss the poise under the lackadaisical exterior--he’s like a gunslinger, ready to draw at any time.

At least it makes for decent conversation time. The merc is politely affable, easy to talk to, and just chatty enough to keep it interesting without ever venturing all that much about himself or his business. You can see why Command might be a little leery--especially since they’ve never hired mercenaries to help with the hunt.

Spider kicks back in a chair, resting his boots on the rim of the table--tossing you a few actual, physical credit chits for the both of you. Max nods as you approach, seeing you from halfway over. This time of day, most of the officers are out and the enlisted assigned to base duty are still doing their day jobs.

>Talk to Max about Schwarzhund. He knew him as well as anyone.
>Save that conversation for later. Try to chat a bit more with Spider.

>Save that conversation for later. Try to chat a bit more with Spider.
I'd like to talk about Schwarz, but we can do that any time. Spider, on the other hand, isn't necessarily a character we'll get to interact with much and I'm interested to learn more about him.

>>2617745
>>Save that conversation for later. Try to chat a bit more with Spider.

I wonder if we can save Spider before he gets yoinked by that admiral. Or do I have it backwards?

Plus I'm interested in seeing him fleshed out more too.

>>2617744
>Chat with Spider

That thread title...

>>2617745
>Save that conversation for later. Try to chat a bit more with Spider.
Max seeing us okay will do more for him than us poking about schwarz so soon after the news.

>>2617754
That is SO far in the future that there's not much we can do for him. By Command Mission, tech will be unrecognizable, any upgrades we point him towards would be useless. Beyond generally being a nice dude and connecting him with people who are not Redips, the only concrete action is to break military protocol and mention the highly classified Yeoujiu. And that is very likely to fuck him over in many ways for only the slightest possibility that the info will come in handy for him when he gets ambushed.

>>2617745
>Talk to Max.

Spider's fun, but he likely won't divulge more than he has.

>>2617745
>Talk to Max about Schwarzhund. He knew him as well as anyone.
SIDE QUEST SIDE QUEST SIDE QUEST SIDE QUEST SIDE QUEST

>>2617785
Heh, I was actually angling toward just being his friend so that in his time of need he might have some chance of someone being in his corner to help him. Or at least get to know him well enough to be tipped off if he gets body snatched.

>>2617745
>>Talk to Max about Schwarzhund. He knew him as well as anyone.
We skip this now, it'll be a while before we get the chance again.

>>2617745
>>Save that conversation for later. Try to chat a bit more with Spider.
May as well learn more about him.

>>2617745
>Save that conversation for later. Try to chat a bit more with Spider

>>2617745
>Talk to Max
Our drink with the 15th will hardly be the time.

>>2617745
>Talk to Max about Schwarzhund. He knew him as well as anyone.

>>2617745
>Save that conversation for later. Try to chat a bit more with Spider.

Broaden our horizons a bit, I say. Talk to someone new once in a while.

>>2617745
>Save that conversation for later. Try to chat a bit more with Spider.

>>2617744
>Save that conversation for later. Try to chat a bit more with Spider.

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Time for another sanity break. I just spent four hours getting a giant-ass desk into the right room. I had to dismount a door to get the damned thing in there. Fucker's staying put when I move out, I can tell you that much.

Will try to get a post out tonight, but no promises.

>>2618502
Rest well, boss

>>2618502
I know your pain, When I moved into my apartment I had to get a 8 foot couch around a tight L bend. Thank god the legs could come off but the only way that thing is getting back out is with a hammer and in pieces.

>>2617745
>Save that conversation for later. Try to chat a bit more with Spider.

Mention to Max in passing that if he happens to acquire something unusually nice suitable for a first date, to hang onto it.

Oh right, I forgot to greet you all. Consider yourselves greeted.

>>2619578
>Arc has a page now
her wikipage will soon be filled with a log of all of her dates with Anode

>>2619600
>Howard G005E is now on the wiki
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q81ptFSA4mk

>>2619600
She does indeed, per request.

>>2619644
I mean, I had to.

>>2617745
>Save that conversation for later. Try to chat a bit more with Spider.

I'd like to get to know a bit more about the guy honestly. He seems like quite a character and we could use some time not thinking about the recent past, to be honest.

>>2619722
PREDICTABO

>>2619644
>>2620692

TUU EEZEE.

Did the the mhq wiki get vandalized with a African musicians bio?

>>2621022
No. If you read the whole entry, it's in-universe worldbuilding.

>>2621039
Ah, just kinda jarring considering how terse the rest of the wiki is.

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>>2617752
>>2617754
>>2617784
>>2617785
>>2617843
>>2617865
>>2618077
>>2618135
>>2618267
>>2618771
>>2619737
You frown, mulling it over.

...No, not yet. You give Max a nod, feeling a little more solemn for it. He looks much the same, as far as you can read his emotionless faceplate. Still, he offers up your order, same as ever.

Spider lounges like he rests upon a throne when you get back, in his element. Kicked back in his chair, feet up and arms spread over the back of the chair, he reclines with practiced poise that nonetheless simply radiates laziness.

“Cheers,” you offer, setting his glass down in front of him. He simply lifts his ankles and lets his weight slooowly tilt him back forward. He raises his drink in salute and takes a sip.

“Didn’t take you for a julep man,” you note, sipping your own pilsner.

“Reminds me of home.”

“Racetrack?”

“Casino.”

You blink. “You were a civilian model?”

He smirks. “No, I was a runaway. Found someplace I blended in and got blending. Literally, for a while, did a stretch as a bartender there. Then I got into gambling. Liked dealing more than playing. You win more that way.”

“How’d you get from there to here?” You ask.

“Frequent customer. Only very, very boring, or very, very exciting jobs lend themselves to that kind of life,” Spider replies, tipping back the brim of his hat to better look you in the eye. “And that fella wasn’t the paper-pushing variety, if you follow me.”

“What’d he do?”

Spider chuckles. “He made me an offer. Turns out he was a bounty hunter himself. He was hired to take me back to the ranch. Someone wanted their investment back.”

You’re briefly entertained by the mental image of a cinematic rolling battle through the floor of a casino, chip stacks exploding and roulette wheels tumbling as they dash from table to table. “No shit.”

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>>2621258
“No, sir. See, he didn’t go in blind, looked me up first. So he knew what I could do to him, if I had a notion. He told me we could have it out, and if he won, he’d maybe get half of what he lost paying for damages and repairs. Or, I could come with him, and we could go into business together.”

“No shit,” you repeat. That’s even better.

“Hell of a guy, that Aile,” he says, tracing the rim of his glass with one finger carefully.

“So what, you work for him?”

“More of a partnership--notwithstanding that I bought off my bounty first thing,” Spider chuckles. “I gotta tell you, I don’t trust easy, but I’ll go back-to-back with him in any gunfight. Boy’s got his head on straight, and he’s got a nose for the business. Knows when the quick money just ain’t worth it. He’s the one who vouched for me to pick this job up.”

Huh. “So what’s he up to?”

“Keeping the doors open,” Spider replies lazily. “Though he picks up an odd job for the hunters, here and there. We’re a good pair, I tag along when he goes.”

>So how does bounty hunting stack up to maverick hunting?
>You’ve gotta have a few good stories for me.
>Sounds like you don’t deal well with a boss. Why take this gig?
>Other?

>>2621262
>So how bounty hunting stack up to maverick hunting?

>>2621262
>You’ve gotta have a few good stories for me.

>>2621262

>So how does bounty hunting stack up to maverick hunting?
>You’ve gotta have a few good stories for me.
STORYTIME

>>2621262
>>So how does bounty hunting stack up to maverick hunting?
Seems like there'd be a lot of overlap. We are, technically, bounty hunters ourselves.

>>2621262
>So how does bounty hunting stack up to maverick hunting?

>>2621262
>So how does bounty hunting stack up to maverick hunting?

>>2621262
>So how bounty hunting stack up to maverick hunting?

>>2621262
>Sounds like you don’t deal well with a boss. Why take this gig?
This job is lousy with bosses. Seems like every time we deal with them there are at least eight more.

>>2621262
>Sounds like you don’t deal well with a boss. Why take this gig?

>>2621262
>So how does bounty hunting stack up to maverick hunting?
>You’ve gotta have a few good stories for me.

Nice to get some more backstory for Aile too so let's keep it going.

>>2621514
Wrong Aile, I'd think. ZX character is a girl. Also, Zero series has to happen. Could be a common name or ancestor somehow, but I'd doubt the latter this far back in time.

>>2621262
>Sounds like you don't do to well with a boss...
>How does bounty hunting compare to maverick hunting?

>>2621572
Zero series is at least half a century off as of yet, ZX even further

>>2621262
>So how does bounty hunting stack up to maverick hunting?
>Did you ever meet the Los Mortales before they came back in?

>>2621572
We have very little info on Command Mission Aile, so HC has quite a lot of freedom in fleshing out the character.

>>2621022
You know in a strange way this made it all worth writing out.

>>2621572
Aile is a minor character in Command Mission and his sacrifice supposedly the main reason Spider joins X's party.

The Aile that appears in command Mission is likely another of Redips' disguises.

>>2621682
yo. what.

....SHIT. No wonder Spider lost, taking Aile's form during that ambush would fuck him sideways.

>>2621262
>Sounds like you don’t deal well with a boss. Why take this gig?

>Bombing of Bilma
holy shit the balls on that dude.

I hope everyone is enjoying the wiki-worldbuilding.

>>2622217
A fucking hero, him.

>>2622362
Can I get a link?

>>2622387
mhq.wikidot.com

>>2622217
Jesus. Did he manage to eject? Not that it would've likely mattered, being that close to the warhead.

>>2622396
Thank you

>>2622402
Dont forget, nuclear bombs produce a huge EMP as well, so even if your reploid brain survived the explosion you're still fucked.

>>2621682
Oh shit I forgot. And OH SHIT to that spoiler.

>>2622402
>>2622659
About the only ways I think anyone could survive that are

>Fling the missile Atlatl style and pray it doesn't explode in the process
>Drag the whole thing straight up until it runs out of fuel, risking the missile exploding up in the air and spreading the fallout over a much larger area.
>Bring the missile into a cyberspace zone, jump into cyberspace instead of ejecting, and get the automatic drop coordinates to be as far away as possible

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No post tonight again. Will be late getting home tomorrow but should be able to do something.

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“So how would you compare maverick hunting to regular bounties?” you ask.

Spider rubs his chin. “You know, that’s a good question. I’ve been tossing it back and forth for a while. I’d say it’s easier on the front-end, harder on the back.”

“Yeah?”

He sets down his julep and slides it aside, resting a forearm on the table. “For starters, hunters have more resources than the best bounty hunter on his best day. Intel, backup, recon, field support… truth be told, it’s a little overwhelming. Makes you wonder how there’s any fuss at all.”

You snort. “And then you actually get to the fighting, right?”

He fingerguns at you. “Bingo. I’ve tangled with some woolly characters in my time, but never so many in a row.”

“Fun job, isn’t it?”

“Busting up a gang, going through thugs with jumped up Prossers to get their boss, that comes easy. But the mavs Gopher’s setting me on, they’re organized, supplied.”

“Sounds like a bad matchup.”

“Well, sure,” Spider replies coolly, confidence plain. “If I play it their way. First rule of the business is don’t do that. Doesn’t matter how many guards you have if I come in from behind and flatten you before they even know I’m there.”

You blink. “You pull that trick often, then?”

“Often enough. One benefit of the support I mentioned? Nice, easy distractions. One guy takes the front, I go around the back, and we let problems solve themselves.”

You nod. “Straightforward enough.”

Hooking his drink with the inside of his sleeve-cuff rig, he slides it back and forth across the table, alternating arms at the edge. “Reminds me of how Aile and I work. He flies interference and lets me do the heavy lifting. Suits me fine, he’s the one getting shot at.”

>Speaking of, you want to come along on one of my ops? I could use backup on a few of my roster.
>So level with me, how much are you getting for this?
>Other?

>>2624976
>Other?
All this Yosemite Sam rassa-frassin' about authority a common thing for you? Why subject yourself to the chain of command of a crazy joint like this?

>>2624976
>Sounds like you don’t deal well with a boss. Why take this gig?
>Offer to play distraction if he needs one, bring up possibility of his being backup on yours
Did we ever get that Maverick series for him? Might not be the best time for it after an interrogation, but still.

>>2624976
>Ahh, getting shot at. I like that job.
>Okay, not really, but I'm very, VERY good at it.
>Offer to play distraction if he needs one, bring up possibility of his being backup on yours
I don't think he'd be good with yamatoad, but Moloch and Gibbon might be nice options.

>>2624983
I can now see Grach and Spider buddying it up on the Moloch mission, and it's somewhat terrifying.

>>2624995
And then, mid-mission, Spider receives an offer of a disgusting amount of money from Russia for the 'accidental' death of Grach.

>>2624976
>Speaking of, you want to come along on one of my ops? I could use backup on a few of my roster.

Gibbon in particular might be hard to draw out into an honest fight.

>>2625161
In which case we kill Spider, completely messing up Command Mission for everyone! Yay?

>>2624976
>Speaking of, you want to come along on one of my ops? I could use backup on a few of my roster.

Now there's a thought. I assume he'd be useful anywhere, but the Atlantica mission would go a lot more smoothly if he could get in the back and rescue the kidnapped scientist, just in case she decided to kill her hostage out of spite.

And Anode would go in the front door doing... distracting Anode things. Catching fire and yelling a lot?

>>2624976
>>So level with me, how much are you getting for this?

>>2624976
>So level with me, how much are you getting for this?

>>2624976
>Speaking of, you want to come along on one of my ops? I could use backup on a few of my roster.

>How precisely his file ended up moving to the 4th is a mystery
Seveeeeeen, you motherfuckeeeeeer

>>2626266
Schwarzhund was the one who assembled that roster for us

>>2624976
>Speaking of, you want to come along on one of my ops? I could use backup on a few of my roster.

"Nobody's died when they're with me so far!"

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>>2624977
>>2624978
>>2624983
>>2625161
>>2625237
>>2625463
You fold your arms and lean back--not quite Spider levels of slack, but you make do. “I’m pretty good at the getting shot biz, myself.”

Spider raises an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? That the top line on your resume, chief?”

“Close,” you nod, deflecting the jest. “Sister’s built to dole out punishment, I’m supposed to take it for her.”

“Ain’t that always the way with family,” he remarks.

“Either way, you might have the right brand of ruckus for a team-up sometime.”

“Maybe,” Spider hedges. “Not exactly opposed. And Gopher did say we can buddy up.”

“I assume you’re not one for cracking open maverick bases.” Yamatoad, you suspect, would not go well with him.

“You assume right. But anything delicate, subtle, or complicated? I’m your man.”

“Sounds like a plan. I’ll give you a ring?”

He nods. “Beggin’ your pardon, but I’ll want to plan things out with you. I’m in this for money, not love.”

“Fair enough. I wouldn’t ask you along to crack that particular nut, but I can think of one or two places where you could come in handy.”

“Well, I appreciate that.” He leans back again, crossing his legs over each other to recline further.

“That said, I am curious,” you admit. “Why sign on to follow orders when you clearly don’t get on with them so hot?”

He chuckles. “The price is right. That’s all there is to it. I let them know my terms, they agree, hands shake, papers are signed, and we’re off to the races.”

You squint. “I don’t buy it.”

“Then you’re smarter than you look. Good money for crap work leads to better money for better work. And there’s not much on this turnin’ Earth that pays better than hunter contracts.”

You nod again, more appreciatively. “Good plan. Your idea?”

“Aile’s. Though, poor sap, I think he’s smoking his own brand.” Spider smiles lazily, despite that. “He’s got a soft spot a mile wide. Probably why he took a chance on a good-fer-nothin’ like me.”

“Either way, it’s probably gonna bear out. I doubt you’d have found your way here without him setting things up for years.”

“You’re probably right. See, this is why I leave the numbers to him. I’ll take cards, dice, and guns any day.”

>It’s a date, then. ‘Til then, Spider.
>Sit and chat a while longer--you’ve pried more out of him than you’d hope.
>Other?

>>2626427
>It’s a date, then. ‘Til then, Spider.

>>2626427
>It’s a date, then. ‘Til then, Spider.

>>2626427
>It’s a date, then. ‘Til then, Spider.

>>2626427
>>It’s a date, then. ‘Til then, Spider.

If there are any more article requests, let me know so I can put them into the request list.

>>2626822
I know it's already been covered in threads in the past, but the events of X1 and X2 would be nice to have in a centralized place.

>>2626822
Is there one on Flares? If so, maybe some extraneous bug loids, or Hammer Frog since he has been a major player for the Fourth.

>>2627256
X1 we have, it's in the Maverick War article. I suppose it's not a direct summation of X's specific activity at that time as much as it is a broader overview, though.

>>2627276
4th Overland personnel have not been covered yet. I'll add them to the to-do list.

>>2627286
We got any articles on Blizzard Wolfang?

>>2626427
>It’s a date, then. ‘Til then, Spider.

'You're smarter than you look'. Confirmation that we look like a dumbass.

>>2627399
Not yet, though it has been requested and is on the Page Requests list.

>>2626427
>It’s a date, then. ‘Til then, Spider.

I think it's time to check out the barracks, see how Fullmetool is settling in as the big met on campus, and evaluate the place for movie readiness.

>>2627457
Maybe some random "famous" Mavs? That is to say, the kinds of guys that didn't need to be the tier of the Philosophers, or even Saetos or Wren, to be feared worldwide.

>>2626822
We need an article on Guns and Roses

>>2626427
>It’s a date, then. ‘Til then, Spider.

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>>2626442
>>2626455
>>2626784
>>2626806
>>2627434
>>2627470
>>2627821
“Sounds like a plan, Spider,” you say, leaning forward to offer your hand.

He takes it, letting his grip slip to lock his palm to yours. “See you around, pardner. I’ll be here, gettin’ acquainted with the locals.”

You push away as you rise to your feet, draining the last of your drink. You tip him a silent wave with the glass as you depart, depositing it gently on the tray by the door.

The new 4th Overland range is now a long yard, ancillary to your ancillary ring. It looms empty like a warehouse, with a long expanse for the actual target placement, and most of the furnishings frontloaded to the entryway. Reinforced overhead lights beneath hardened domes cast it all in a dull white glow, the domes occasionally reflecting a plasma charge sizzling past far below.

The sim chambers are adjacent now, you note as you walk in--that makes sense. You count a number of pods, all new fixtures, and a rather larger computer they’re hooked to. IN USE: F. FIREFLY blinks on the door on one of several terminal plates, the rest vacant. You don’t miss the roster detail beside it--or the doors marked “3” and “7” on either side of the facility. You might be sharing personal space more than you expected.

The place is bustling--you have a feeling coming right off a crisis, the enlisted have recent reminder they need to push themselves harder. You can’t help but feel a little proud to see your own squad of Berets right there with them, drilling.

“Easy, easy, okay, try going from me to Derby,” Flak says coachingly.

“All right, okay,” Marx mutters. “All right, I’m engaging on three. One--two--thwhoafu--”

He stumbles at the end of a sudden burst of movement--he must have that EAS installed, you realize--legs flailing once, twice, and finally finding his feet just before Derby’s hands catch his shoulders, steadying his fellow.

“That was better, stayed on your feet this time!” Flak says brightly.

“Yeah...yeah, I think I figured it out. You kind of have to lean into it, see--oh, Commander!” Marx pops up and salutes, the others doing the same.

You return the gesture. “At ease. How’s it going, gang?”

“Pretty good!” Flak says, chipper as ever.

“Where’s Susan?” you ask, looking around.

“He’s here--he was looking for you, actually. Something about your chat with him in the bar?”

Oh, jeez. “Yeah, I’ll take care of it.”

“If it helps, he seemed fine,” Flak replies earnestly. “...For Susan, anyway.”

You nod. “How about the rest of you? Everything good?”

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>>2630125
Derby looks up from measuring a blastmark over Marx’s starting line. “Just getting acquainted with this new dash thing.”

“After you faceplant a few times, it’s pretty fun,” Marx says--and sure enough, you notice his face is scuffed in a few places. “Hardest part is getting your feet back under you.”

“You get a feel for it pretty quick,” you reassure him. “Just make sure you don’t overheat the things.”

“Got ‘em locked and regulated, sir,” he replies with a nod. “I owe the squad in a big way for letting me try these first. I’m not gonna let it go to waste.”

You’re about to reply, when you hear a chorus of cheers from the other end.

The officer who enters is definitely not Deploy or Air Cavalry.

Rose-and-pink armor gilt with white and gold shines on a surprisingly compact frame, the woman’s long hair done up in a blonde ponytail. Her legplates look the most thoroughly developed, giving her a stolid and sturdy posture. Not far behind is her buster arm, a custom-made monstrosity that is no doubt brimming with murder.

“Right,” Karin, new S-rank darling of the 17th Elite Unit calls. “Who’s ready for some drills?”

>Throw in with the Bravely Broken. You don’t get a chance like this often.
>Look for Susan--better to square your guys away first.
>Other?

>>2630130
>Throw in with the Bravely Broken. You don’t get a chance like this often.

Opportunities! Their last S didn't go well at all.

>>2630130
>Look for Susan--better to square your guys away first.
The longer we put this off, the worse things will get with him, even if I wanna see what this gal's capable of.

>>2630130
>>Throw in with the Bravely Broken. You don’t get a chance like this often.

>>2630130
>Throw in with the Bravely Broken. You don’t get a chance like this often.

>>2630130
>Throw in with the Bravely Broken. You don’t get a chance like this often.

How many units share this range now?

>>2630130
>Throw in with the Bravely Broken. You don’t get a chance like this often.
We're going up against moloch, we need all the coordination we can get.

>>2630130
>Throw in with the Bravely Broken. You don’t get a chance like this often.

FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT

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>>2630130
>Throw in with the Bravely Broken. You don't get a chance like this often.

>>2630130
>Volunteer the Bravely Broken
But specify you have to grab one of your squad. Then
>check on Susan and square your shit away

>>2630130
>Look for Susan--better to square your guys away first.
Can't fight as a team if you don't have your team

>>2630130
>Look for Susan--better to square your guys away first.
Let's find him quick then see if we can still catch a match with Karin.

>>2630130
Wait, what does Throw in with the Bravely Broken actually mean

>>2630130
>Throw in the Bravely Broken
>Summon Susan to drill via message

>>2630561
4-on-1 hot sim battle action with Karin

>>2630572
I'm gonna change my vote then, I think.

>Look for Susan--better to square your guys away first.

Wait. If this is just the 4th's new range, why's she here, anyway?

>>2630607
Maybe X sent her because reasons?

>>2630607
17th does what it wants.

>>2630130
>Look for Susan

>>2630130
>Look for Susan--better to square your guys away first.

>>2630130
>Look for Susan--better to square your guys away first.

>>2630130
>Look for Susan--better to square your guys away first.
Bros with hoes' names before hoes

>>2630607
Shared range space.

>>2630607
We're all rubbing shoulders with the other units now, share and share alike, range included.

>>2630130
>Throw in with the Bravely Broken. You don't get a chance like this often
Gotta give a go of it

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>>2631113
Naturally this puts us at a tie of 8 to 8 (counting the vote change from >>2630379
to >>2630576)

If it's that fiercely contested, I might try a half-and-half where Anode rounds up Susan but doesn't personally contribute to the spar. Any objections, let me hear 'em now.

>>2631214
In the interests of a faster update, I'm happy to change to finding Susan.

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>>2631221
I need to run to the gym anyway, so I'll put that one in the bank and see what I come back home to.

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>>2631241
TWIST AND TUCK BITCH

>>2630130
>>Look for Susan--better to square your guys away first.
Needs to get in on this anyways.

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Okay, Susan it is.

Give me a little while, I overdid it. You know it's bad when your abs start hurting before you even make it to your car.

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>>2630130
>>2631214
>>2631367
You frown, thinking. This could be a good…

...Nah, not yet. Besides, she’s already ringed with cheering Berets, eager to join the lesson.

Across the way, though, she glances up at you--easy to do, as you’re a good head taller than your enlisted. She taps her ear, and you hear her voice in yours.

“You are the Rangemaster here, Captain?” She asks.

You comm back. “That’s me, ma’am. Anode.”

“Nice to meet you. I hope you do not mind me putting your infantry through their paces.”

Her formal, polite tone contrasts the turn of phrase nicely. “If it’s fine by them, it’s fine by me,” you reply. “Go ahead and take ‘em for a spin. Though you may want to watch out for Looey.”

She nods across the distance. “I will bear it in mind, thank you. We will speak later, Captain.”

You blink at that--something about the way she phrased that sounded significant.

You shrug it off, for now. “So where’d you see him last?” You ask Flak, watching Karin depart with a gaggle of Berets on her trail.

“Checking out those sims,” Flak replies, gesturing back at the door.

Sure enough, he’s inside, watching over the readings on whatever Flares is up to in there. Polishing that Lockon Rifle, he looks up and nods at you. “Captain.”

“Hangover any?”

He shakes his head. “No, sir. Though, ah, I may need to apologize. I don’t really… do drinking like that, very often.”

“Nothing to worry about. Can’t say I blame you for being a little sour.” You pause. “Do you remember that?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I remember.” He pauses again, and then hops off the corner of his chair. “I remember I told you I’d explain the name, too.”

“If and when you want to when you’re sober,” you add.

“Well, I’m sober. And I appreciate that you did that.” He shrugs. “Honestly, it’s really not that much of a big deal. It’s kinda stupid, honestly. You still wanna know?”

“If you’re telling,” you reply.

“All right, so,” Susan begins, taking a breath. “When you make a masspro line, you develop them all off the same template. That includes the neural makeup. They introduce some randomization in the strings to get divergent personality traits--kinda like encrypting, in a way. You follow me?”

“So far,” you nod.

He leans back into his chair in more of a controlled fall. “You randomize those sequences long enough, you start to get an eye for what the outcomes are, especially since everyone being based on the same stock makes you all pretty similar to begin with. This one’s boisterous, this one’s jovial, this one’s lazy.”

“Lazy?” You pause, blinking. “...You?”

“First thing I hear when they’re inspecting me for defects. Wasn’t meant to, some idiot kept a door open. And all I can think is that I haven’t been alive for six days, and they’re already telling me I’m lazy.”

“That...could stay with a person.”

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>>2632282
He snorts, embers of distant indignance giving heat to his voice. “Just a bit. So while they’re doing their behaviorals, I get on a chair like this, and I start…”

He swings his legs, and describes a neat little 360, turning around, and around. “Spinning.”

You blink. He keeps going, letting his boots drag him to a stop just to wind up and start again. “Spinning, and spinning, and spinning. Until finally, they ask me, what are you doing? And I tell them. I’m being a lazy susan.”

You blink. “That’s… Okay that is not what I was expecting.”

He laughs. “No one does. They didn’t say anything, but the next time I walked by, that Sequencing room door had a new lock on it.” He looks up at you. “Told you it was stupid.”

“Brother, I do stupid for a living. I named our squad for my brand of stupid. You’re in good company.”

He cracks a thin smile at that. “Suppose so. Either way, it gave me some motivation, and a reminder to me that I’m who and what I say I am, nobody else.”

You nod. “‘Lazy’ is definitely not a word I’d use to describe you.”

“It’s hard. Really hard. They were right, I hate doing much of anything if I can help it. But spite gets me out of bed in the morning. And now I’ve got Flak to look after. It’s always easier, taking care of somebody else.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” you mutter.

You’re silent for a moment, the dynamic between you having shifted somewhat with the candid backstory tell-all. Finally, he speaks up. “But really, it is pretty stupid though, right? Be honest.”

>I mean, yeah, kinda.
>It’s my exact brand of stupid.

>>2632287
That you're going against your code and being a better person? Nah.
That you brought the name upon yourself? A little. No one ever gets the callsign they want. Just ask all the pilots who want to be called "Maverick." It beats being called Mr. Pink, trust me.

>>2632316
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W5KhfJHF_4

>>2632287
>It’s my exact brand of stupid.

>>2632287
>It’s my exact brand of stupid

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>>2632287
Okay, I had a giggle at that.
But like >>2632316 says, there's a lot stupider out there.

>>2632287
>It’s my exact brand of stupid.

>>2632287
>It's my exact brand of stupid.

>>2632287
>It’s my exact brand of stupid.
"Remind me later to get you this prank I pulled my first week in Geneva."

>>2632287
>It’s my exact brand of stupid.

>>2632428
>"Remind me later to get you this prank I pulled my first week in Geneva."

Agreed here.

>>2632287
>"Remind me later to get you this prank I pulled my first week in Geneva."
Hehe

>>2632287
>It’s my exact brand of stupid.
>>2632428
Supporting this, too.

>>2632287
>It's my exact brand of stupid.

Bit of an interesting look into reploid... Socialization? Would you call it?

And maybe don't say it, but laziness is really just an unflattering term for being prone to conserve energy and loathe to spend it. One man's laziness is another man's efficiency and discretion.

>>2632287
>It’s my exact brand of stupid.

>>2632287
>It’s my exact brand of stupid.
If it reminds you of why you get up in the morning and do the work that saves lives, it might actually be.....NOT stupid.

It's got complications, but those are expected with any method that relies on spite to keep you going. It could be worse.

>>2632287
>>It’s my exact brand of stupid.
We have Em and India. If we ever become a veteran we will probably be team dad.

>>2633752
If things go long enough Anode will likely end up Commander of the 4th and hopefully well liked by the other Units.

>>2633794
>If things go on long enough
Based on thread rates and presuming no hiatus, Anode should be a Commander in about 2080!

>>2633794
>>2634242
I dunno. He's an HK, remember? Schwarz said that kind of thing had a stigma.

>>2634782
He also has a rep for sacrificing expensive equipment to save lives and is liked by a lot of people.

The if it comes to it the will likely be a lot of debate about the situation considering the humans killed were a Russian wetworks team trying to kill someone who surrendered to the MH.

>>2632287
>It’s my exact brand of stupid.
The sane and straightforward don't survive this job, my friend.

>>2634242
Based on casualty rates he'll be the commander by default within three threads.

So yeah 208x

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>>2636038
NO

FUCKING

BULLY

I haven't thought this through all the way yet, but I want to get it out here before I forget bits of it or start second-guessing myself.

A couple threads back, after the talk with Crucifer, we were pondering what to do with the reserved Himalayas Memorial money (currently 21,000z). General consensus seemed to be that, yeah, a memorial is kind of tacky in the middle of a war; but we didn't get any kind of common idea as to what to actually use the cash for. Just that it's better put to practical use than something symbolic.

Donating it to the Lifesavers has been a popular idea from the start, but after seeing Marx testing out his dash and talking to Susan, I had this thought: why don't we turn it into an upgrade fund for Berets?

The Bravely Broken are kind of our prototype squad for seeing how well Berets adjust to new upgrades, and how effectively they can use them. (Results so far: massive enthusiasm, armor is popular, other practical benefits still pending.) They could continue in that vein, being personally funded by Anode and their own earnings from missions; this particular fund would be for the rest of them, the ones that don't really have a patron or a way to distinguish themselves.

No one's would be getting a dash system for 50,000z, but there's a lot of cheap but effective stuff out there. Maybe someone wants a nice beam saber because they keep getting jumped on by mechaniloids. Maybe someone is skittish after losing use of an arm on a mission, and would like extra upper-body armor. Maybe someone wants one of those disposable scrambler flares we got, for desperate situations where everyone being blind is better than everyone being dead.

Money could be added to it... whenever we can spare it, or maybe regularly by deducting a percentage off our mission pay. Haven't thought it through that far. But the central point is that they'd be able to get an upgrade or piece of gear they've got eyes on, bigger than their own pay would normally allow for, without needing a superior to hand it down to them (Susan seemed pretty torn between gratitude and resentment for everything Anode's done so far... but mostly gratitude).

I don't know how it would be decided who gets what, and in what order, but the Berets seem pretty good at organizing themselves. They could probably hash that out on their own with the bare minimum of secretive fistfighting tournaments, and someone official would just need to sign off on it.

And... it would still work as a memorial fund of sorts. I have a hunch that Diamond, in particular, would have been 110% in favor of a way for mass-produced reploids to personalize themselves and be more than generic cannon fodder.

>>2636174
If we're talking about upgrades that are cheap enough to be mass-produced, but too expensive to already be in their kit, I'd have to say it would either be lo-beams or Tumult Shields. Ablative armor will soon be redundant once the heavier Beret chasis comes along, and the cost of these two things might have gone down with the march of technology.

All told, I think giving everyone a shield that can handle a couple lemons goes a long way for them.

>>2636174
Reminds me of something I tried in the game I ran until it collapsed. Basically, I had Addax have a "gambling habit" he used to foot upgrades for the rank and file without it feeling like handouts. Story timed a bit of it here at least, it was under Charge Tortoise.

Since piratepad has not stopped fucking around, I have tentatively moved and updated the upgrades list here, including the Candemir Catalog pending corrections on the final price of their goods.

https://cryptpad.fr/pad/#/2/pad/edit/n2bmir70zlEGNXhoq7Oa76im/

I'm also going to see if I can find a way to collapse these entries for more readability.

>>2638101
update: I have found a way to collapse entries. Downside, it's a pain in the ass to format everything we already have.

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>>2632287
You snort. “Buddy, if you’re looking for common sense, you picked the wrong boss.”

He looks up at you from his seat. “True.”


“No, I’m serious. We get shot at for a living. We all have to be a little crazy to do this and stay sane.” You pause. “You know what I mean.”

He gives you another wry smirk. “It must be true, because I actually do.”

“There you go, see? You and your stupid idiot name for jerks fit right in.”

That actually gets a full-on laugh out of him. “Get the hell out of here, sir.”

“Going, going. Hey, if you want to get the band together, Karin with the 17th is training squads.”

“Worth a try,” Susan nods. “She might have some perspective on our nonstandard gear, too.”

Right--most Berets aren’t toting around launchers, beam rifles, and ablative armor. “Good point.”

It sounds like Karin’s pretty popular, by the time you’re back out there. Looey is brandishing a clipboard, knee-deep in the enlisted, taking down fireteams by lots for the next appointment with the 17th Major.

What surprises you, though, is seeing the first team she trained with helping set up the next. A few minutes of coaching, and the teams are helping themselves, organizing and setting up and repeating lessons down the line. Three-point firing positions take up spaces in the firing lanes and attack as a squad, laying down a rolling barrage. Others practice evasion--side hops and quick-turns past their partners advancing with a shove.

You’ll have to take some notes.

“So I was talking to the Commander,” you mention to Susan, watching Flak practice quick-upping his rifle and discarding the launcher. “I’m going to be putting in for higher-level ops training.”

“Command yourself, huh?” he asks. “Makes sense. A squad can usually get by alone.”

“It’s not either-or,” you point out. “Besides, you guys are gonna be the testbed for what I can do.”

“Oh joy, I get to be a guinea pig,” he replies dully.

“Yeah? It gets better. You guys learn from me, and you might wind up leading squads of your own.”

Susan slowly swivels to look at you, completely silent. Unblinking, he simply makes the sign of the cross, then lowers his beret as if in mourning.

“Oh, ha, ha,” you reply. “You can get an early jump on practicing, once your turn comes up with Karin.” Sass or not, things seem to have gone pretty well--Susan feels a lot more approachable and open, now.

>Head for the barracks. Get acquainted with “home.”
>It’s been long enough. Select your next target.
>Other?

>>2638423
>Text 'Thank you, Ma'am' to Karin
>Head for the barracks. Get acquainted with “home.”

>>2638423
If we want our team on the next mission, it's kind of stupid to go on it now, when they've just started training. So either
>Stick around and learn what we can
Or
>If there's nothing useful, head to barracks

>>2638423
>Head for the barracks. Get acquainted with “home.”
Is Fullmetool a Captain yet? We need to check in with him. He's probably got all this 'new base' shit on lockdown already.

>>2638423
>Stick around and learn
We should really be getting back to business soon

>>2638423
>Head for the barracks. Get acquainted with “home.”

>>2638423
>Head for the barracks. Get acquainted with “home.”

>>2638423
>>Head for the barracks. Get acquainted with “home.”
We should get back on the job after this, though.

>>2638423
>Barracks

>>2638423
>Stick around, learn what we can.

>>2638423
>It’s been long enough. Select your next target.

>>2638423
>>Head for the barracks. Get acquainted with “home.”

>>2638423
>Head for the Barracks

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No post again tonight, had to adult for a while.

Suppose while it's quiet I'll ask; how's everyone liking thread?

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>>2643146
Feeling like a calm between the storms.

>>2643146
>>2643220
Amen, but it's nice to catch up to stuff when there have been so many changes on the homefront.

>>2643146
It's been a minute since we were able to meet new people (who weren't mission-critical like sabomole) so this is nice.

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>>2643146
Liking how calm and chatty this thread's been. It's been a while since we got to talk with most of the base like this, and it's appreciated.

>>2643146
We get to talk to people, learn things, and in general help bring some good to the mood.

Still taking article requests, as per usual.

>>2643327
Garm?

>>2643327
Something on Liberty Labs, if it hasn't been done yet?

>>2643333
Ah, this is a good point.

>>2643327
A pair of mavericks themed after peanut butter and jelly

>>2643327
The full catalog of the MetMet gachapon line.

The leading brands in antivirus software

>>2643327
Massedriver?

>>2643370
Captain FullMetool's illustrious career with the Maverick Hunters and his trusty aide Anode?

>>2644041
Seconding this, we need his tragic backstory and rise to glory, with everything from a full list of notable accomplishments to favorite ice cream flavors.

>>2643370
The last two members of the Tenth.

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>>2638423
>Head for the barracks. Get acquainted with “home.”

This is probably enough, for now. You should probably get home.

...Such as it is, anyway. You knew you’d be sharing communal spaces, but the long gridlike layouts along massive double-hallways, divided by as-yet unfilled planters? You weren’t expecting this.

And you definitely weren’t expecting officers’ quarters to be long rows, laid out in blocks and cells. New, drab-toned paint lines (backed by reflective strips and digital feeds directly to you) indicate units by color, with arrows to follow for rapid mobilization orders.

Above, high dome-lights and windows. The angular architecture gives you a vaguely beehive-ish feeling, though it’s more lattices than hexes. You pass listings for officers you don’t recognize before you finally reach your subdivision.

From here, there’s a common area--once again, intersected to be shared with others, another block crisscrossing from one end to the other perpendicular to your own.

At least one familiar thing is here, though--

“Templar!” You call. He turns to examine you over one shoulder, something small cradled in his arms.

“Ah, Captain,” he greets. “Good to see you out among the living.”

“What, was that in question?” You ask, trotting across the way lightly.

“Always,” Templar replies good-naturedly. “Though I refer to Istanbul.”

You nod. “Had a hell of a night. Did well enough, I guess.”

“Returned alive. Somewhat important, that.”

You snort. “So they say. Whatcha got there, Templar?”

“I thought I might attempt a cultivar,” he explains, showing you a tiny pot with a tinier nub of a stem growing within.

“A bonsai?” You ask.

“Precisely that. They need time. And patience.”

“Good fit,” you agree. “You settled in yet?”

“Settling, though perhaps like falling rock.” He rolls one massive pauldron towards an open door.

“I’ll let you get back to it. I better see what I’ve got in store.”

“A time for taking stock, indeed. Farewell.”

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>>2645375
Your own quarters are… well, not quite spartan, but devoid of decorations, they’re fairly humble. Your belongings have been boxed (you hope Fullmettool has been given ample breathing room), resting neatly beside a new triple-row of shelves on the back wall. A charger bed--brand new, by the look and feel of it--rests along the innermost corner. Your terminal screen was set up, at least, and looks to be powered on and connected. Below it and extending to part of the wall are some empty cabinets.

You take a few minutes to set things up--not that you have all that much. Though, maybe you could evaluate one of those cabinets for room for a mini-fridge…

One thing at a time. Setting fullmettool down (and straightening his officers’ pins--still a LT for now), you brush your fingers across Cloud Man to spin him on his magnetic base and turn on your wall panel.

...Interesting. They integrated base operations more fully; looks like the screen will work for both business and pleasure.

>Choose your next maverick.
>Do something else (Specify).

>>2645384
>Choose your next maverick.
Moloch.

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>>2645384
>Choose your next Maverick.

Graverend Moloch.

>>2645384
>>Choose your next maverick.

>>2645384
>Choose your next maverick.

>>2645375
>listings for officers you don’t recognize
Foreshadowing?

>>2645384
>Choose your next maverick.
Agreeing with the moloch voters

I gave you a Garm, by the way.

>>2645384
>choose next Mav
Graverend Moloch has downed enough Hunters. We can't afford more long term.

>>2645384
>Choose your next maverick.
The Lizard needs to go

>>2645453
>Apophism
JAGWIRE

>>2645453
I don't know why, but from his description I imagine Garm was akin to a monstrous looking Optimus Prime both visually and vocally

>>2645530
I was imagining some kind of voltron-but-a-dog-lookin fucker

>>2645384
>>Choose your next maverick.
Got to go Moloch.

>>2645384
>Choose your next maverick.
Moloch time

>>2645453
.....wait. So there is possibly a giant, stealthy tank of a reploid who could be anywhere, anytime.

We have our own Collide on the Hunter side?

>>2645625
He's MIA, unfortunately. And where do you see "stealthy?"

>>2645632
Ooh, ooh, is this a riddle? I know the answer!

> You DON'T see stealthy!

>>2645632
nobody knows where he is, and considering his size, that's "stealthy" enough for me.

>>2645640
I wasn't there for that vote, but you really like reminding everyone of the Commander Wong vote, don't you?

>>2645689
It's worldbuilding. And it's neither good nor bad. It just is what it is.

>>2645689
I think I remember HC mentioning the deal with garm in IRC, but I don't want to give it away here, especially without Hc/Cl permission.

>>2645375
>From here, there’s a common area--once again, intersected to be shared with others, another block crisscrossing from one end to the other perpendicular to your own.

This all sounds institutionally sterile to an almost painful degree, and whoever was responsible for installing the hazard warning signs has clearly been slacking off.

We're going to have to put one up ourselves when we have some spare time.

>"Mettool Patrol Area
>WATCH YOUR STEP"

>>2645384
>Choose your next maverick.
Easily Moloch.

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>>2645384
>Choose your next maverick.
Skin the lizard.

>>2645384
>Moloch

>>2645384
We're going Moloch Hunting

>>2645384
Get the Grach, we're going to lizardtown.

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So it looks like Moloch is a Mo-lock.

I was honestly expecting more debate/discussion thereof; that was going to be tonight's vote, since I have work and I can't get you set up to start tactical plannerating tonight.

In lieu of that, tonight I'm just going to ask for a simple yes/no and I'll take the majority: SHOULD we have a proper vote, or do the Molochs have it? I'll do a proper vote cycle if it's called for, but it looks like a fairly easy clinch.

>>2647075
I think it looks pretty decided, barring new information or input.

>>2647075
Seems like Moloch's locked down, and we're set on taking Grach with us.

>>2647075
A vote would probably be redundant, yeah.

I'm fine with that. Aussie Lizard Terrorist sounds like he could use a good thumping, of the "set him on fire and kick him in the balls" variety.

>>2647075
Moloch's seem to have it.

We have pretty much been talking/thinking about the next mission all through this and the last thread. That tactical analysis with Gopher was pretty good for letting us figure out the next mission we want/need to do.

May I suggest that in the future that the between mission arcs follow a rough outline like this:

>Debrief w/ suggested upgrades
>couple hang out scenes
>Upgrade selection
>Tactical analysis
>Another hangout scene set
>Mission selection

This would let us have serious discussions on upgrades and mission selection without freezing the thread while we argue over things.

>>2647075
Lets go Moloch hunting

>>2647075
Moloch is fine.

>>2647075
Moloch is a go

>>2647193
seems like a nice enough idea to try

>>2647193
That's a pretty close outline of what we already do. It just gets bent into a lot of different shapes to accommodate the narrative stuff going on as well.

Like, tracking down Em after getting back from Istanbul? We could have gone for a debrief immediately, but went after him instead. Which turned out to be a really, really good idea given the state he was in... and led to an interesting talk with Crucifer as well, and now unleashing Cheerful Anode on an unsuspecting HQ.

This entire period after Istanbul actually fits your outline near-perfectly, with some minor fudging.

I have always found the seething chaos of our Upgrade Threads to be delightfully fun.

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>>2647075
I think Moeloch is a date!

>>2647075
We should sort out what if any forces we should bring with us besides Grach. Maybe we take a ride armor, inevitably get it wrecked, and use what's left to repair the Crossmore?

>>2647467
>This entire period after Istanbul actually fits your outline near-perfectly, with some minor fudging.
Pretty much why I am suggesting that HC continue to use that rough outline going forward.

>>2647075
It's simple. We kill the lizardman.

>>2647156
Agreed. Though, part of me wants to bring the Berets as well. Assuming Moloch has already went loud with his gang, having them provide counter fire and support for civvies is important. After all, Moloch's modus opperendi is 'do a lot of damage' alongside hunting hunters.
As for weapons.. Wires are needed for mobility, but the other three I am iffy on. Shell Driver is a nice long range weapon or close range 'get out of here' option, but it could do some infrastructure damage. Wrenades are good clean AOEs, but also suffer from friendly fire, Tumults are great if the enemy has a lot of buster fire and to protect civvies/allies, and the Lock on hunter is a is good for precision shooting. Moloch is probably close to mid range with AP abilities, so staying away is a good idea.

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Bad news: Cain Labs is out 'til late and we need to put our heads together to proceed.

Good news: I've got tomorrow off.

Any questions or discussion to be had in the meanwhile?

>>2649720
Well, one idea I was thinking of was using one of our mav kills that have heavier armor to help lower the cost for an armor upgrade. Also, aside from cost, what is the difference between the differently priced Mounts? Less obstructive, more versatile?

>>2649720
Did that human guy we rescued who signed up to be a Hunter survive?

>>2649898
I think that guy is still in recovery. It has only been a few months at most since Anode started as a Hunter.

>>2649911
Last we saw of him, he was walking through the grounds and had been fitted with prosthetics. I guess it comes down to whether the Mavericks preferred to throw all their forces at the main buildings or use some on the weaker but less important trainees.

>>2649720

I'd be up for Anode being the +1 on a friend's mission some time, instead of always being the one having a helper. Any chance of that happening this season?

actually come to think of it doing a ridealong with that cyborg on his first hunt would be pretty cool

>>2650029
Got a feeling that Yamatoad is going to be just that. With Tanker and that other S there, it certainly feels like a big enough mission to involve everyone. Curious if Tanker would drop data as well.

I have a lore question. What is the furthest people have gone to combining humans and machines? How much of a human body can be replaced with mechanical parts? Are brains-in-Reploid-bodies a thing? Can people upload their consciousness into data? Is any of this even being tested?

>>2650187
If we're following canon as close as we can, then we're a ways off from that, given that the most notable case of this occurring was with Weil during the Elf Wars.

Then an indeterminate amount of time after the Zero series, Reploids and humans become functionally indistinguishable, with the only identifying marker for the former is a red triangle tattooed on their forehead, to show that they are in fact a reploid.

By the time Legends rolls around, the distinction between the two is gone entirely, and humanity has been supplanted with Carbons who genetically are identical to humans, and as such are able to grow old and die, but are capable of freely swapping out their limbs and other body parts for more mechanical appendages or weaponry.

>>2650187
>Megaman era
Robot prosthetics

>X era
As, if not more, dextrous than human limbs

>elf wars
Simpler tech but bigger boom. Also, brains in jars.

>zero era
A reploid could pass off as a human as long as you replace parts to simulate aging

>zx
Red triangles are the only difference

>>2650465
>>Legends era
Humans/Reploids dead, replaced by Carbon successor race. Basically Humanity/Reploids 2.0, harder/better/faster/stronger, can replace any part with mechanical equipment with 0 issues.

>>2650465
Brazilian Era: Some robots are actually human brains in a robot body, and it's impossible to tell.

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>>2649843
Generally just taking heavy armor off a guy won't work, for a few reasons, not the least of which being "they immediately thereafter go up in a controlled nuclear explosion." However, if you encounter a maverick with an endoconstructed outer armor layer, you may be able to get it refitted for cost-reduction.

As for "Mounts," do you mean hardpoint weapon mounts? Yes, the higher quality, more expensive ones are less obtrusive, better engineered, and will function more reliably.

In both of the above cases, Anode's design lends very well to these kinds of modifications.

>>2649898
You haven't heard from him, but more people survived than didn't from a numbers standpoint. The maverick attack's goal was knocking out heavy hitters and targets of opportunity, not just running up a high score.

>>2650029
We have some ideas for this, particularly moving forward.

>>2650187
This question goes into a bit more specific lorebuilding; when CL and I have the time we'll circle back and give you the full answer. Heck, it'll probably wind up on the wiki.

In the meantime, I've got the info I need, now I just need to replace my blood with coffee to get writing.

I've also got some news coming up, though it will probably wait until the end of the Moloch op to come to light.

>I've also got some news coming up, though it will probably wait until the end of the Moloch op to come to light.
[WORRY]

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>>2645384
...It’s time.

You double-tap your earpiece and send Gopher word: “I’m going after Moloch.”

His response is brisk. “Copy. I’m on my way, meet me in the Command room.”

You double back the way you came, back through the new cellblock barracks, and into the 4th-only compartment. Gopher’s already there, queuing up a map of the North American west coast.

“This one’s going to be a shit-show,” he tells you bluntly. “Any time the mavs go for an information blackout, it always is.”

You nod. “Part of why I want to get in there. Whatever they’re up to, it’s gonna kill more hunters.“

“Make sure you’re not on that tally. Let’s get started.”

Moloch is operating somewhere in the Vancounver Megacity, having slipped away from a law enforcement cordon after his latest strike. He has not had time to disappear entirely, and we believe he is still within the area.

Commander Gopher has approved deployment of PSC Spider, alongside Chernyee Grach, citing experience in urban operations.

In order to engage, Command strategists have posited three possible approaches:
Open:
The most transparent option, you could opt to make your search conventionally. You would be tasked with reviewing witness testimony, surveying attack sites, speaking with profilers, and questioning suspected confederates who have been incarcerated. Initial support is Canadian RCMP personnel, already available for support. Additional hunter assets may be scrambled for priority response once battle is joined. While evasive, Moloch has not elected to avoid engagement, so we do not believe he will be deterred by reports of open pursuit. It may force his hand early, pushing him to engage you.

Clandestine:
You may elect to attempt a feint, pursuing Doppler-affiliated activity in the area that are not associated with Moloch or his gang. Kicking over the Vancouver maverick underworld may turn up information on Moloch’s operations and safe zones, while Moloch himself will not know he is the primary quarry. Though not yet fully reinvested, trainees from 10th Civic in coordination with 1st Advance will be available for this approach. Chernyee Grach will be accompanying you on this mission, and testifies to the capabilities of his cadets despite their inexperience.

Covert:
The third and final prospective approach is to avoid making your presence known at all, pursuing leads through the criminal underworld and less scrupulous Moloch affiliates. While this telegraphs the least and maximizes our chance of surprise, we will be unable to stage a full-size operation, relying on a smaller strike force comprised of 1st and 2nd unit personnel. The personal risk for this approach is commensurately higher, but PSC Spider attests to experience in these scenarios.

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>>2650917
Be aware these are broad strategic lanes, not hard and fast paths; events unfolding on the ground may change your disposition and force a change of plans on the fly.

And as a reminder, here is your dossier for your target.

Graverend Moloch (A-class)
Known weaponry: Earthrend Spike. Designed to shift earth and rock, this weapon is capable of both punching through heavy armor and causing grievous injury to the systems beneath.
A new maverick, seemingly purpose-built, has begun a campaign of terror along the Pacific coast of North America. Associated with attacks on civilians and targeting of Hunters, he has evaded capture in the wake of repeated activity. Support hunters are already deploying to aid in the civilian evacuation, while local law enforcement are seeking help tracking the maverick down before he slips away once more.
Moloch is a relative unknown, only becoming active approximately one month ago, and only beginning his attacks in earnest in time with the raid on MHHQ. Survivor accounts have described him as brutal and erratic, seeking carnage and destruction for its own sake.
Available support: 3rd Deploy, 1st Advance
UPDATE: Moloch has been confirmed to be operating in the Vancouver area, at the head of a small but violent gang of likeminded mavericks. Satellite outages over the region have prevented us from tracking his progress, but Recon confirms recent visual contact and he has not yet gone to ground. Similar attacks from California, Oregon, and Washington states suggest a wide area of operations, appearing and disappearing at random within them. He does not seem to be moving North as much as striking where there is damage to be done. Moloch and his gang have been implicated in the deaths of several maverick hunters, and forcible reappropriation of their combat assets. Proceed with caution.

>>2650917
Hoo boy, it's happening. The Clandestine approach has the potential to hit all the Maverick forces around there, but the part about support from 10th trainees sounds like a wild card to me. They could do their job perfectly, or get themselves all killed.
Overall, Open and Clandestine sound like better options since a Covert op would leave a lot of Moloch's gang active and still dangerous.

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>>2650917
>Clandestine
As destruction-crazy as Moloch is, if he was stupid he'd have been caught by now. This gives us decent support without being overt about why we're there.

>XCOM images
pic related

>>2650917
>Clandestine Approach
This guy is a real piece of work, and while I believe in Mounties and Spider, I want the biggest sonuvabitch possible on our side for this. Grach will have the best experience dealing with this scale and size of force.

>>2650917
In terms of support, what are we realistically getting for each approach? Are these unique hunters in their own right, berets, other? Will they equate to teammates or will they effectively be "offscreen fighting" to keep us from having to deal with Moloch's gang?

>>2650917
>Clandestine

Gonna have to go with this option.

>>2650917
>Clandestine
There is always going to be a first mission for a unit just standing up and while this does give Moloch more targets to grab we are also working with specialist support. A very successful 3 unit mission should boost moral a lot.

>>2650917
I'd have to say clandestine approach. I get the feeling that more is going on beyond just Moloch, and tunnel visioning on him is a bad idea.

I'd say there's a... More likely than not chance of a PHANTOM on the mission. Let's assume that, anyway.

>>2650917
>Clandestine:
>You may elect to attempt a feint, pursuing Doppler-affiliated activity in the area that are not associated with Moloch or his gang. Kicking over the Vancouver maverick underworld may turn up information on Moloch’s operations and safe zones, while Moloch himself will not know he is the primary quarry. Though not yet fully reinvested, trainees from 10th Civic in coordination with 1st Advance will be available for this approach. Chernyee Grach will be accompanying you on this mission, and testifies to the capabilities of his cadets despite their inexperience.
We need to corner the lizard, and our own unit could help as well.

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Additional clarification, by the way: Both Spider and Grach are accompanying you on this. The three approaches are basically who's favored as "advisor," so to speak. The open approach has Anode in the lead, because it's the most straightforward and conventional to maverick hunting.

>>2650917
>Clandestine
I'd pick open, but goddamn does PHANTOM like pulling weird shit on us. While not entirely unexpected, this isn't something that Anode is known for trying and that they'd predict we'd do with high precision.

>>2650917
>Clandestine

Are our Berets coming on this one?

>>2651339
Well Grach probably won't become one of those Repliforce asshats

>>2650917
Clandestine. Something tells me he'll know if we try Covert, and Covert lets us option less muscle.

I trust Grach's experience more than Spider's for dealing with this guy, so I'm going with
>Clandestine

>>2650917
>Clandestine
Moloch's been blindsiding too many Hunters to rely on Covert, no offense Spider. I'd vote Open just to rely on Anode's ability to take hits to the dick, but as others have pointed out, this guy stinks of PHANTOM fuckery. Clandestine seems the best bet to track down the beast and draw out his handler.

>>2652036
It also helps in a sort of taunting way. Moloch seems the proud sort and NOT being the center of attention would be pretty jarring. Especially if our buddies use their sneaky ways to do a bit of chip damage with traps.

I'm honestly a bit surprised that everyone is going for the exact same option. I'm wondering how that will play out on the mission proper.

>>2652936
it's been so long since we've been with best bud Grach

>>2652996
Sure, but as noted above, Grach is with you on all three plans. As is Spider. You get both.

>>2653002
but now we get primo bonding time skulking(or the closest equivalent, given our size) through alleyways....without leaving us outgunned.

>>2652936
We usually are pretty unified on tactical and strategic choices. Upgrades are usually when we get into serious arguments.

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>>2653037
Hence why I made this image

>>2650917
>Clandestine
I would like to request that, if a suspicious door requires kicking open, Anode be the one to do it while bellowing DIS IS DA POLICE!

Using the Shriver or Shell Driver to punch a door open is an acceptable compromise, if the door is reinforced. But only because explosions are also awesome.

>>2652936
It is a bit odd I suppose, but we did specifically request Grach for this one a couple of times. It would seem a bit odd to not rely on his expertise, if he thinks knocking over a smaller anthill to provoke a reaction would work well.

Also, I am not at all confident in our ability to be covert. At all.

>>2652936
Anode is actually pretty good when it comes to more squad sized conflicts. His mobility is good for short bursts, his defensive options are smaller scale, but keep things off squishy targets, and his combat range allows him to fill the spots needed. He can't really bring his all in a large scale conflict without loses, and Stealth is something Anode has no training with. Grach is good with a bunch of things, and Spider is good when someone runs distraction.

>>2653148
>>2653200
>Also, I am not at all confident in our ability to be covert. At all.
>and Stealth is something Anode has no training with.

Good practice, then!

>>2653247
To hide a tree, use a forest.

Clearly Anode is anywhere and everywhere when you put him in a thundercloud.

>>2653148
We did have the S1 mid-stage, but we had the master to back us up at the time.

>>2653042
Such a classic pic.

>>2653200
The Saetos op (our first large scale) was more a mess due to Chain of Command clashes. 5+ officers and several officers in training after different primary targets make for a lot of clashes especially when the Commanding Officer is also the least experienced officer there and few far familiar with each other.

This time the CoC is preestablished, most of the Officers are all familiar with each other and the primary objectives of all forces are the same.