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As you take out two guards in the hallway you realize again that this is your life now. Doing wetwork for the secretive paramilitary organization known as EXALT. A group that’s been working in the shadows for a very, very, long time. Long before the alien invasion that had started several months prior, turning the entire world into disarray. Really, if anything, the invaders have been a great opportunity for EXALT to make major plays in their shadow war for control, just like what you and the rest of Theta Cell are doing at this very moment…

“Lower floor is secured. Long live EXALT.” Theta-2, your cells Medic, adds over the banter with that… fervor of his. The Medic had already sabotaged the ventilation in the lower floors with those custom made chem grenades of his. He spent a week fine tuning those deadly grenades, making it it based off one the poison spewing alien Skinnies, the doppelgangers that impersonate men in suits, with long elongated limbs and lightning fast accuracy and agility. Theta-2 had managed to replicate the acidic poison clouds they can spit out into grenade form and have crippled all of the guards in the first floor. They’re likely writhing on the ground in excruciating pain after inhaling the black vapors, completely at the mercy of Theta-2. Poor bastards.

You’re reaching closer to your destination, the main office. That’s where the target is. Outside are four guards who are starting to catch on to the situation, one of them is attempting to get a status report onto others, to no avail, Theta-5 had already jammed the communications. They’re getting antsy, understandably so.

“Theta-6.” Helga -- no -- Theta-1 speaks up over the comms, her voice immediately makes Theta-3 and 5 shut up, the former doing so begrudgingly. Theta-1 is your cell’s Handler. Your -- “I’m about to reach the opposite end of the hallway to coordinate a takedown. You are green to eliminate the guards ahead before I get to position if necessary.”

...You could probably take all four of them all out relatively quickly since you’re concealment but you might alert the target. However, waiting for Theta-1 will ensure a clean elimination of all the guards but they might wise up and garrison the office, which would make things difficult.

You currently have a silenced pistol and assault rifle, ammunition, knife, garrote, and HE grenades.

>Take out the guards by yourself. You can’t risk them possibly retreating into the office.
>Wait for Theta-1 to spring an overwatch concealment ambush. Hopefully she can get to her position fast enough.
>Other

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>>2673446
>Take out the guards by yourself. You can’t risk them possibly retreating into the office.
>Eggsalt

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>>2673446
>Wait for Theta-1 to spring an overwatch concealment ambush. Hopefully she can get to her position fast enough.

>>2673446
>>Take out the guards by yourself. You can’t risk them possibly retreating into the office.

>>2673446
>>Take out the guards by yourself. You can’t risk them possibly retreating into the office.

>>2673430
You motherfucker

>>2673446
>Take out the guards by yourself. You can’t risk them possibly retreating into the office.

>>2673464
>>2673511
>>2673523
>>2673571
Taking out the guards it is, writing!

You can tell just by how antsy they are they’re not going to be staying out in the hallway with exposed flanks for too long. They may not fully understand what had happened to their colleagues but they’ve become extremely paranoid and jumpy at the sudden radio silence. They're quietly discussing what to do and any moment they could slip into the office and complicate things.

That would not be part of the plan, EXALT always sticks to the plan.

You tap your mic twice, a silent confirmation that you’ll deal with the guards so as to not alert them with whispering. Your cell had already eliminated the well geared QRF in the wine cellar turned barracks in the premises and these guards here are just men and women wearing two-piece suits, earpieces, and rifles. They’re cheap knock-off brand suits too, that would never be acceptable in EXALT. Them lugging around rifles indoors and all clumped up together is a bad idea anyways, they'll have no good opportunity to retaliate if you do this right.

Your sidearm should do just fine eliminating them.

Steadying yourself you take a breath and step out from cover pistol raised, opening fire before they can even have a chance to react, your concealment giving you the perfect ambush opportunity.

>Roll 1d100 (Bo3)

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>2673607

Rolled 59 (1d100)

>>2673607
Exalt is shit.

Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>2673607

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Your first two shots hit dead on, killing two of the guard immediately before they even realize what’s going on. Clean headshots. One of the two remaining guards however is a lot quicker on the draw then even you had expected, and had already started moving to raise his weapon towards you. She’s not quick enough given your advantage, and you kill her without issue, but she had managed to spoil your shot on the last remaining guard as you only get him in the shoulder instead of the head.

He lets out a cry of pain and and fires a three round burst from his rifle, the bullets going completely wide and destroying a fancy vase, you don’t hesitate as you quickly tap him once in the chest, and one last time in the head with your sidearm, finishing him off before he could do any real damage. Fuck, that could’ve gone better.

“Status report!” Theta-1 nearly bark, her voice tense and alert. Those shots practically rang out all across the mansion.

“The guards are down but one managed to get a shot off. Sorry.” You mutter, cursing under your breath. The curse is muffled by your scarf.

“Did you get hit?”

“Negative.”

Theta-1 mutters something to herself in German. “It’s fine. We’re in the middle of wine country, nobody will hear the gunshots and the targets is a coward. He doesn’t have anywhere to go, mission is still a go.”

“Wow, lucky you, blondie. When I fuck up I never hear the end of it.” Theta-3 sardonically adds.

That was sloppy you admit, but nothing you can do right now. You quickly move up to stack up by the door to the office, as you can hear the frantic panic within the room as the target is losing control of the situation. A few moments pass before you see Theta-1, the Handler taking position on the other side of the door. You expect to get reprimanded for your sloppiness however Theta-1 gives you a reassuring look and motions to the door.

Like it was planned, you breach first, you’re disposable after all.

You charge into the room and see your target, the American politician William Thorne, a known member within The Council. He’s not an Council Member but he’s a lackey for one. An alien sympathizer of all things whose spending time in his lavish estate in France. Really goes to show how decadent and indifferent The Council is to humanity. What you don’t expect however is Thorne brandishing some sort of pistol towards you.

“DIE TERRORIST SCUM!” He shouts as he fires and a streak of red shoots out from the pistol. What the fuck!? A laser weapon!?

“Target is armed! Repeat, target is armed!” Helga -- Theta-1 shouts. Fuck, everything the cell dug up pegged the Thorne as completely anti-gun. Seems like he was full of shit!

Streaks of sizzling hot red laser slice the room around you!

>Take him out!
>Take cover in the room!
> Fall back into the hallway!
>Other

>>2673715
>DIE LIKE THE TERRORIST SCUM YOU ARE

>Take him out!

>>2673715
>Take him out!

Tactical hugs for everyone!

>>2673715
>Take cover in the room!

>>2673715
>Take him out!

>>2673715
>Take cover in the room!

>>2673715
>Take him out!

>>2673715
>>Take cover in the room!

>>2673721
>>2673726
>>2673735
>>2673752
Taking him out it is, writing!

>>2673715
Cute oic, although maybe a orange tie with red stripes would be...Well, I would like to see that.

The target needs to be taken out immediately, that high-tech pistol of his has already burnt a hole in the wall to the side of the office, if it even clipped Theta-1 that would be dire to the Cell as a whole. The only advantage you have in the situation is that while Thorne is armed, he’s a terrible shot and is as much of a danger to himself as he is to Theta-1, the main objective, and yourself. Your mind works quickly as you gauge the situation in the middle of the firefight.

The main objective is Thorne’s secured documents located in the office computer. Theta-5 had managed to track down the information to, stupidly, the guy’s own work computer. It remains isolated however, Council protected computer systems can trump even Theta-5’s hacking capabilities, and losing the computer would mean this entire operation is a wash.

Killing him would be that, simple and safest. However, the secondary objective is possibly capturing Thorne alive and flipping over to work in the pocket of EXALT instead of The Council, the man was deemed mentally ‘flexible’ if put under enough stress by interrogators. Would that be worth the risk of that futuristic pistol of his causing serious collateral damage?

>Kill him
>Attempt to subdue him.
>Other

>>2673832
>>Attempt to subdue him.

>>2673832
>>Attempt to subdue him.
We're disposable after all. Anything for the Mission.

>>2673832
>Attempt to subdue him.

>>2673832
>>Attempt to subdue him.

Remember the basics of CQC

>>2673832
>>Attempt to subdue him.

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>>2673832
>Attempt to subdue him.
This can only go well.

>>2673835
>>2673837
>>2673844
>>2673856
>>2673878
>>2673882
Attempting non-lethal it is, writing!

You know what you need to do. Without hesitating you quickly start to close your distance in the lavish office making as straight of a beeline toward Thorne as you can while still trying to keep his wild aim from locking onto you. EXALT would find Thorne as a very very useful asset, and the possibility of being killed in exchange for Thorne far outweighs things.

You’re disposable. Anything for the mission.

“6, wait!” Theta-1 calls out but before she can grab you she has to duck out of the way lest her hand gets literally chopped off by a searing hot red laser beam.

“Come and get me, terrorist scum!” Thorne yells defiantly, quickly devolving into some sort of crazed ‘hero’ syndrome of some kind as he hastily levels his laser pistol right at you. You can't tell if it's legitimate or if he's psyching himself up. Either way, the barrel of the weapon begins to burn a bright hot red as he prepares to gun you down himself!

>Roll 1d100

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>2673927

Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>2673927

Rolled 24 (1d100)

>>2673927

Rolled 92 (1d100)

>>2673927

Rolled 47 (1d100)

>>2673927

>>2673940
ayyy

>>2673931
>>2673933
>>2673939
Well shit, I'm not sure whether to be happy or sad about this lol.

>>2673957
Time to eat a laser blast to the face.

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You’re fast, but not fast enough as Thorne fires and clips you in the arm. You feel immediate searing how pain that nearly stops you then and there but you already have the momentum that no matter what happened, Thorne wouldn’t be able to stop you from colliding into him. Which you do.

The both of you slam onto the window hard, shards of glass raining all about you and the target as you pin him hard against the window, the pain flaring up from your arm burns like utter hell. It’s not as bad as alien plasma, but it’s up there. In that moment you’re reminded of a certain place months ago, a place that had changed your entire life.

The adrenaline starts to kick in and the pain is forgotten for a moment as Helga crosses the gap, grabs Thorne and slams him hard onto the desk, pinning him to it hard. The moment you are given a bit of relief you drop your rifle and see to where the laser had hit your arm. It’s not plasma bad, but it’s not pretty either.

“Grah! L-Let me go! I am a US Senator! I work for the people! On whose authority do you operate!?” Thorne stammers and thrashes but, Helga has him in an arm lock and with one yank the politician’s defiance is turned into an immediate pained whimper.

“What the hell is wrong with you, 6!?” Helga nearly shouts at you, eyes alight with anger. “You could’ve gotten yourself killed!”

“I was--” You try and say something but all you can really think about now is that damned laser gun. It’s on the floor right there in the carpet. The thing that almost killed you. You trail off, and with a bit of difficulty reach down and grab the pistol with your non-injured hand. You need to focus on something else to ignore the pain. This weapon… how the hell did The Council make this?

(Part 1 / 2)

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“...Theta-2 get to the office ASAP. 6 is injured. Main and secondary objective secured.” Helga grunts -- er -- Theta-1 grunts. Fuck, you’re not thinking straight.

You lean against the broken window, your shoes stepping on crinkling glass as you wait for Theta-2 to arrive.

[C for effort, newbie!] Theta-5 fake robotic Japanese chimes in as consolation to you.

“Nah, that’s a D+ at best.” Theta-3 chuckles, the sniper likely having watched the whole thing from her perch through the window. “Looks like blondie has big damn hero syndrome, hah!”

You can’t really say anything back to either of them you’re just a Junior Field Agent after all. Theta-2 arrives, the Medic quickly making his way over to you as Theta-1 deals with the objectives. The Handler has one hand pinning a sobbing Thorne down on his desk, and another jamming a usb device so that Theta-5 can break into the computer. Theta-2 regards you for a moment.

“You had risked yourself for both the mission and for EXALT without hesitation. You have done the organization proud, you know. You have strong belief.” Theta-2 says as he starts to tend to your wound… you feel like he’s about to go off on another practical sermon on EXALT.

“Oh christ, mute his mic Same-chan, I don’t want to hear this shit again.” Theta-3 groans over the comms.

Theta-2 is part of a growing group of people in the organization that have become really… fervent in their loyalty in EXALT in recent months, not that you’d really know, you’re still new to the organization. He waits patiently from a reply for you as he reaches for his medical supplies, it looks like he’s curious enough to want an answer for your actions as he treats you.

>You were just doing your job. You knew your place.
>You needed to make sure Theta-1 was not at risk with this sudden wild variable.
>You know what? You’ll listen to his spiel again. After all he’s patching you up.
>Other

>>2674020
>>You were just doing your job. You knew your place.

>>2674020
>>You know what? You’ll listen to his spiel again. After all he’s patching you up.

>>2674020
>You were just doing your job. You knew your place.

Rookies are replaceable, Squad Leaders are not.

>>2674020
>You know what? You’ll listen to his spiel again. After all he’s patching you up.

>>2674020
>>You needed to make sure Theta-1 was not at risk with this sudden wild variable.

>>2674020
>You needed to make sure Theta-1 was not at risk with this sudden wild variable

>>2674020
>>You were just doing your job. You knew your place.

>>2674020
>You needed to make sure Theta-1 was not at risk with this sudden wild variable.

>>2674020
>You needed to make sure Theta-1 was not at risk with this sudden wild variable.

>>2674020
>>You needed to make sure Theta-1 was not at risk with this sudden wild variable.

>>2674020
>>You needed to make sure Theta-1 was not at risk with this sudden wild variable.

>>2674020
>You needed to make sure Theta-1 was not at risk with this sudden wild variable.

>>2674058
>>2674067
>>2674089
>>2674099
>>2674100
>>2674101
>>2674103

Wanting to protect Helga -- Theta-1 it is, writing!

I can't help but think that if the bludgeon that is XCOM and the scalpel that is EXALT teamed up they would be fucking unstoppable.

>>2674186
I can't help but think that we're pulling a VMQ1 with the Belkan Knight section.

“The sudden wild change in the situation put Theta-1 in grave danger. I needed to subdue the threat.” You say simply, wincing slightly as Theta-2 begins to administer first aid. EXALT and the rest of the world had to adapt very quickly to treating plasma burns if the poor bastard that got it actually managed to live. This laser weapon is essentially the same thing.

“Ah, I see.” Theta-2 nods in understanding. “The Handler is the lynchpin of every EXALT cell. The chain-of-command leading straight up to the Overseer himself. Yes, the Handler is very important to EXALT as a whole. Of course. Thank you for this interesting perspective Theta-6, I am sure the others would agree.”

“Right…” You say, nodding slowly and leaving Theta-2 to continue to idly speak to himself.

You glance over to Theta-1 who seemed to have been listening to the conversation, having already knocked out and zip-tied Thorne. She looks away and returns to her work, but you swear you saw something in her eyes… you shake your head. No, nothing.

That’s not all of course. You owe her in more ways than one, you would be dead in a ditch somewhere in the desert if it wasn’t for her. Hell, you wouldn’t even be a member of EXALT if it wasn’t for… you feel a sudden jolt as Theta-2 sticks some needle in your arm. You suddenly feel wired and alive. The pain all but disappearing.

“Pupils dilating, elevated heart rate… loss of feeling pain.” Theta-2 notes, nodding to himself. “Good, the combat stims are working perfectly. Thank you again for your assistance to the Greater Good, Theta-6.”
You should’ve expected Theta-2 would stick you with test drugs. Oh well, hopefully these side-effects are much better than last time.

[Oooooh!] You hear Theta-5 chime in. [I’m in! Let’s see here…. Oh wow, Willy here is a real degenerate, hee hee…. Alrighty gang, I got the goodies!]

“Good, let’s go. 2, carry the target. 6, take that laser gun. RnD is going to like that.” Theta-1 says. Both you and the medic comply.

As the three of you make your way through the now cleared mansion strewn with dead guards the air is somewhat tense. Theta-2’s moved on ahead and you’ve naturally been moving slower given your injury. Theta-1 has slowed her pace down with you. She doesn’t say anything, looking dead ahead. She seems upset, was she that worried about you?… Or is she just focused on the mission still?

>It won’t happen again.
>You’d do it again without hesitation.
>Say nothing.
>Other.

>>2674235
>>You’d do it again without hesitation.

>>2674235
>Say nothing.

Gotta keep focus and keep our head on a swivel

>>2674235
>>You’d do it again without hesitation.

>>2674235
>>Say nothing.

>>2674235
>You’d do it again without hesitation.

>>2674235
>Say nothing

>>2674235
>You’d do it again without hesitation.

>>2674239
>>2674247
>>2674262
>>2674270
No hesitation it is, writing!

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“I’d do it again.” You say to Theta-1, making sure your mic is off. The entire mansion has been secure, so if there was an opportunity to have a quiet word with Theta-1 without a certain shark listening back at the safehouse, this would be it.

“Just because you’re expendable doesn’t mean I want you or anyone else killing themselves.” Theta-1 sighs.

“Even Theta-3?” You say, the snarky sniper likely shooting the shit still with Theta-5.

“Yes even her. I don’t want any unnecessary risks, to the cell, at all.” Theta-1 says, shaking her head. “I don’t consider any of you disposable as some of the other Handlers do… and you could have just killed the target outright, you know.”

W-well that is true, but admittedly, getting Thorne was a nice bonus even if it meant risking yourself. You don’t say that aloud, as that’d probably anger Theta-1. You guess some things from your past rubbed off on you for better or worse... The rest of the walk through the cleared estate is without incident, the lower floors having been vented out of Theta-2’s chemical weapon, the remaining guards unfortunate enough to have been caught in the Skinny acid poison cloud were thankfully given mercy kills.

Stepping outside into the front courtyard where the fancy fountain is the escape van parked at the front and your Cell’s explosive expert, Theta-4, looking up at the giant estate, his hands making a picture frame as he studies the the building with interest. Planted on the fountain is a stolen alien device usually found in abduction sites.

“We’re leaving.” Theta-1 says, motioning for Theta-4 to get on with it.

“These things take time, my dear. The ruse must be perfect, after all!” Theta-4 chuckles to himself taking a step to the left, and then to the right, before finding the right angle he’s looking for looking at a window on the second floor. Reaching in his pack, the tosses up some high explosives onto the window, the sticky adhesive on one side attaching to the glass.

"There, that'll do."

(Part 1 / 2)

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Theta-4 grins and then casually makes his way into the van whistling, giving Theta-1 a thumbs up and then winking at you before stepping into the van.

Without another word, you and the rest of the cell take their leave, peeling out of the driveway in the van, with Theta-2 driving.

“Oi, ain’t one of you forgetting somethi-- ACK!” Theta-3 smartass comment is cut short as Theta-4 activates the detonator, proceeding to blow parts of the estate to kingdom come.

Looking back out of the van’s window you can see the sets of explosives planted on each of the four levels of the mansion detonated in just a way to make a perfect hole to the ceiling, leading directly to the alien pod device and destroying the rest of the evidence along the way. To any Council investigators, all they’d see was the remnants of an alien abduction, EXALT’s presence is all but non-existent.

“Perfect.” Theta-4 chuckles to himself, pleased at his work.

Theta-4 begins to relax, idly nudging the unconscious politician bouncing on the floor in the back of the van. While Theta-1 begins to call it in. Theta-5 starts playing Japanese cartoon music over the comms as victory music, it’s not like anyone can stop her from doing it anyways. All the while the van makes its way across the vineyard to pick up the last asset of the cell, Theta-3, before returning back to the safehouse for a proper debriefing with command and finally more importantly getting some downtime.

Mission accomplished...

>Roll 1d100

Rolled 8 (1d100)

>>2674423

Rolled 17 (1d100)

>>2674423

Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>2674423

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>2674423
>inb4 shit hits the fan

>>2674426
>>2674429
>>2674430
I have to say I'm really liking these rolls for EXALT

>>2674426
>>2674429
>>2674430
Amazing.
Am I the only one that has the feeling that Pixel is building up to a three-way shadow war between The Council, XCOM, and EXALT?

>>2674517
Does this mean that we'll be switching back and forth between Dozer and Theta 6 inbetween posts?
That would be pretty cool if it did happen

>>2674535
Its obvious that Theta cell are going to be the shmucks that encounter Strike-1 on this convoy mission. I am very curious to see how that goes down. I'm holding out hope for an eventual XCOM/EXALT team-up.

>>2674570
>XCOM/EXALT team-up.

Sure!

After Dozer enters their minds and convinces them to join the right side.

>>2674570
Dozer is going to scare them shitless.

"What do you mean he took a rocket to the face and kept coming?"

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You, like the others in the team, finally begin to unwind. Your arms going to be shoddy for a while, meaning you aren’t exactly going to be the best in a firefight, but you doubt you’ll be getting into any of those for a while. EXALT picks it’s engagements after all, and after that operation you and the rest of Theta Cell will be placed into hiding to minimized EXALT being compromised. You let out a sigh of relief at the mission being near perfect success, barring you getting sloppy at the end. It’s as this point the others proceed to remove their scarves over their faces, the need to remain anonymous unnecessary.

Helga, Evert, and Petros (Theta-1, -2, and -4 respectively) go about doing their own little rituals to cool down from the operation.

Pulling up to the hill overlooking the estate, Theta-3, Iskra, is waiting just essentially hanging out. Her colorful hair and pink shirt (a complete contrast to everyone else’s kit) completely stands out if anyone where to see her up here, then again everyone’s attention in the area would be to the sudden explosion of the estate.

“Yo!” Iskra ways. “Took you guys long enough, did Evert run over a few non-believers along the way or something?”

“That would go against the number one tenant of the organization, which is to remain in secret.” Evert frowns, shaking his head frowning immensely. “That would be a terrible idea… much like your dress attire.

“Yeah fuck you to, weirdo.” Iskra rolls her eyes.

[It just flies right over his head, huh?] Same-Chan muses.

“Totally.”

As you and the rest of Theta wait for Iskra to pack her kit to leave, you take the opportunity to step out of the van to get some fresh air. It’s not that it’s your injury or anything like that, but you just don’t like being in confined spaces as much ever since you joined EXALT. It stirs bad memories. This gives you just enough of an opportunity to see some sort of high-tech VTOL aircraft start to descend almost silently right above your team. You nearly stumble onto the ground in alarm. Is that the aliens!?

“Contact! Contact above!” You shout scrambling for your rifle inside. The others immediately spring into action but the time to muster is not exactly a smooth one, with members bumping into each other and getting tangled up. You managed to, in the confusion, grab your rifle and raise it up, reading to receive the enemy as it… just touches down on the clearing in front of you.

The others scramble out, weapons at the ready and then Iskra starts swearing angrily, as they begin to lower their weapons. As if there’s some sort of false alarm What? It looks like an alien spacecraft!

“...That’s ours, 6.” Helga says, lowering her smg and frowning immensely. Wait what?

(Part 1 / 2)

>>2674581
>>2674592
Implying it won't end with Theta 6 and Dozer having a all out punch fest ontop of a pile of alien corpses with thunder and lightning in the background while Theta 5 plays Metal Gear Solid music over ALL THE COMMS

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The dropship touches down and much to your surprise painted on the side of the… aircraft… is EXALT’s logo. You were never informed of this! Or… maybe it was in that one document you didn’t get around to reading? Fuck, it looks like you might have just embarrassed the entire Cell in front of other EXALT personnelle. Whoops.

The initial grumblings from the rest of the cell is replaced with the same sense of confusion that you have as they all begin to wonder with you at why this supposed EXALT high-tech aircraft has just touched down. This is new. It’s then that a new voice speaks into the comms, the voice sounds slightly strange to you, but you can’t quite place why.

“Pardon the… interruption, Theta Cell. I didn’t wish to alarm you all. This is Adjutant S speaking.” The voice starts, slightly chuckling to himself. Helga stiffens and you can see her flush ever so slightly in embarrassment the others straighten up their attitude too, oh shit. “I have sent The Sparrowhawk over to pick your cell up personally… there’s been a recent development.”

“What’s the situation, sir?” Helga says, quickly composing herself.

“There’s a major opportunity that the organization can exploit, your cell is being sent to immediately respond.”

“Wait-- could you repeat that?” Helga says, taking a back.

“Ah apologies, is the connection spotty?” The Adjutant chuckles again. “I shall repeat again. You are being sent to another mission to secure an extremely valuable asset right from France’s Council Member himself. Chop chop, Theta, time is of the essence.”

Helga just gapes as the rest of the Cell is equally thrown up. Same-chan sums it up well;

[Wtf?]

>Request for more information, you and the others need to figure out what’s going on.
>Accept your fate. It seems your evening isn’t over yet.
>Other

>>2674603
>Request for more information, you and the others need to figure out what’s going on.

>>2674603
>>Request for more information, you and the others need to figure out what’s going on.


>>2674596
Given that Dozer has Doomguy psi powers? Less a fight and more another glory kill added to the pile.

>>2674622
That's just the No Fun Allowed power activating.

>>2674603
>Request for more information, you and the others need to figure out what’s going on.
>>2674622
Theta-6 is obviously being set up as a rival to Dozer, so it wouldn't shock me if he develops Psi.

>>2674603
>>Accept your fate. It seems your evening isn’t over yet.

>>2674603
>Request for more information, you and the others need to figure out what’s going on.

>>2674609
>>2674622
>>2674650
>>2674674
Requesting for more info it is, writing!

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“Can you ask for more information?” You say to Helga, who is still a bit thrown off by this sudden new call to arms, looking about, it seems the other Theta members are all just as caught off guard by this as Helga is. Given from the two operations you participated in Theta Cell so far (the last one included) planning, preparation, and more planning are the MO of EXALT. After all, why go into situations unprepared when nobody knows you exist? Still… do you need to ask yourself?

Throwing caution to the wind, you speak into the comms.

“Sir.” You say into the comms. “Is there anything any extra information you could give us?”

“Hm? Who is this?” The Adjutant hums, with curiosity. The others in the cell look at you, not expecting you to suddenly take the initiative.

“This is Theta-6, Junior Field Agent--” Before you can say your name you’re cut off by the Adjutant.

“Ah, yes! You! Perfect.” The Adjutant says, suddenly sounding very pleased. “Apologies, I am a bit scatterbrained right now, hahaha. Yes, information would help, I shall explain while you are all enroute to the AO.”

“...What should we do about Senator Thorne?” Helga says, having finally composed herself.

“Oh, don’t worry about him, you can just leave him in the van with the windows open. Another cell will pick him up later. Now, don’t tarry!” The Adjutant insists.

Slowly, you and the rest of Theta Cell board the sparrowhawk. In the passenger bay you note you’re not the only ones as you see a pair of Exalt Elites members waiting inside. The man and woman regard your cell with an air of disdain and disinterest, their specialized alien alloy combat vests being the top of the line in reverse-engineered alien tech, reserved for only the Elites, two military chests sit in the center of their seats between them. They very clearly don't want any normal agents such as yourselves to touch either chest.

“Awkward…” Iskra coughs, taking a seat as far away from the Elites as possible. The sniper might not take any shit from anybody most of the time, but in close range she can’t really do much to defend herself.

(Part 1 / 2)

Once you and the rest of the cell take a seat, the Sparrowhawk’s bay closes and you feel the aircraft lift off and begin to speed away, you can only imagine just how fast this aircraft is going. How many of these does EXALT have? While The Council may have laser weapons apparently, they certainly don’t have an equivalent to the Sparrowhawk.

“Right, information!” The Adjutant can be heard clapping his hands. “Yes… well, The French Council Member has played his hand too obviously and is moving very very important cargo in a military convoy to a ‘secured’ military base in the French countryside. We want your cell to intercept the convoy and secure the cargo for the organization before they reach their base.”

[How the heck did you learn about that? I’ve been trying to sneak into Council servers for months!] Same-Chan asks, the hacker brimming with an almost childish curiosity in… wherever the hell she is.

“We have a member on the inside of course.” The Adjutant chuckles.

“Incredible.” Evert murmurs, satisfied with this. You hear him mutter to himself, likely praising the Adjutant. The two Elites sneer at him.

[T-that’s just cheating…] Same-chan sulks.

“How much time do we have to prepare?” Helga asks. “A week? A few days?”

“Two hours at best.” The Adjutant replies, Helga blanches at that. “We’ve already determined the perfect ambush location and we’ll drop you all off there. The Sparrowhawk will be on standby to exfiltrate your cell and the cargo once you secure it.”

That’s… not a lot of time. Helga takes a moment to come to grips with this and the others don’t like the news either.

“Any questions?” The Adjutant asks.

Helga doesn’t say anything yet, but you have a few questions yourself.

>Where’s the ambush point going to be? Is there any specific terrain details to note?
>What does the enemy convoy consist of?
>Will Theta-Cell have any extra support?
>Other

>>2674882
>What does the enemy convoy consist of?

>>2674882
>Will Theta-Cell have any extra support?

>>2674882
>>What does the enemy convoy consist of?
>Where’s the ambush point going to be? Is there any specific terrain details to note?

>>2674882
>What does the enemy convoy consist of?
Also
>they certainly don’t have an equivalent to the Sparrowhawk.
Strike-1 is going to be a bit of a shellshock for them.

>>2674882
>>What does the enemy convoy consist of?

Calling the vote here, writing!

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“What’s the convoy’s complement?” You ask the Adjutant.

“Hm, lets see here… what we’ve gathered so far is that it is a half-strength armored convoy, as I said France is trying to keep whatever that secret cargo of theirs quiet from the other members of the Council, any larger of a convoy would cause suspicion, which is fortunate for you all. We’ve confirmed the convoy has several armored cars, an APC, and the main truck itself holding the cargo. The convoy itself appears to be manned by several squads of Council security forces as well… nothing you all can’t handle.” The Adjutant explains.

Is it really? That’s a lot of enemies for only one Cell to handle, but it seems the Adjutant has already read your mind.

“Oh and don’t worry, you’re not going to the be only Cell deployed, Beta Cell will be participating in the operation as well, play nice now!”

“Great…” Iskra grumbles.

Bet Cell is the largest cell operating in the field, with dozens of agents. However, from what you heard the Beta’s Handler has a very… eccentric method of commanding his agents. For one thing that Handler didn’t gain the position through merit but through bloodline, supposedly. But you suppose it’s better than nothing.

“I’ll leave you all to it now, but before I leave there is one more thing to make your operation easier, Theta. A gift from both the Overseer and EXALT’s Chief Scientist, Dr. Tygan.” The Adjutant says, a hint of excitement growing.

Helga’s eyes widen at the mention of the Scientist, turning her head to look at the two military crates. Dr. Tygan (Or just Dr. T as everyone calls him) has been one of the main reasons EXALT has been on the bleeding edge of human technology, he probably designed The Sparrowhawk himself alongside the alien alloy armor the Elites are wearing. EXALT owe a lot to Dr. T.

“You’re giving our cell experimental tech? I’m liking the sound of this more and more.” Petros says, eyes widening with glee, possibly hoping it’s explosives of some kind.

“Yeah, what Petros said.” Iskra says, a gleam of eagerness in her eyes.

“Well, we don’t wish to waste our agent’s lives away willy nilly, that would be absurd. We care for you all.” The Adjutant says, amused. Every nods in approval, murmuring something to himself “This will also provide valuable field data for Dr. Tygan and his research on this equipment. Now, ahem, Ingram? Chang? If you would please…!”

Looking closer at the crates in between both Elites you note there's a different logo painted on each crate. It’s not the usual EXALT logo either, but looks similar in design, while being distinct at the same time. Right underneath these new logos is one word; ‘ADVENT’. An interesting name to say the least...

(Part 1 / 2)

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The two Exalt Elites, Ingram and Chang apparently, look at one another and then back at you and the rest of Theta Cell, they seem hesitant to do it. It’s almost as if they want to keep all the fancy toys for themselves, however, the Adjutant’s orders remain absolute and with a bit of reluctance the pair open each of the chests. Inside you and the others of Theta see two incredibly high tech looking sets of equipment, leagues ahead of even the other tech you’ve seen EXALT be equipped with.

One set seems to be some sort of sleek black armor with a red-visored helmet. More interestingly there appears to be some sort of collapsible long. baton of some kind. One of the Elites hold out the baton and press a button on it, activating the device. It crackles to light with red energy, looking like a handheld taser on steroids, the air around you crackles with energy, and your hairs stand up on ends.

The other set of kit appears to be a large and bulky set of white armor, barely able to fit in the case. There appears to be, from what you guess, is some sort of miniature reactor or backpack of some kind, attached to a pair of gauntlets. Both pieces of equipment are clearly made of alien materials and must’ve cost a small country’s worth each. EXALT goes all out with their equipment.

“What you see before you is the Lancer and Shieldbearer EXO suits prototypes. Your team will be assigned one of the suits for the operation.” The Adjutant explains.

“...Only one?” Petros says, sounding disappointed.

“Yes, we don’t want to put all of our eggs into one basket after all!” The Adjutant chuckles. “Oh, and there’s one last caveat. Theta-6 will be wearing equipment.”

“What!?” Iskra shouts. “The fucking new guy!? Did you even see how much he bumbled shit earlier in the opera--”

“Quiet.” Helga hisses, giving Iskra a venomous look for talking so brazenly to an EXALT officer. Iskra immediately shuts up, embarrassed.

You’re just as thrown off as she is, the Adjutant however, continues.

“The Lancer suit will allow the user, Theta-6, increased speed and agility thanks to the suits built in servo walkers in the legs, the baton itself is self explanatory and very deadly. I believe Dr. Tygan added a ‘chain lightning’ ability of sorts? Very nice. The Shieldbearer suit allows the user to make specialized deflective energy shields similar to the alien’s UFO shield tech at their choice. Not only that, it is extremely well armored, allowing the user to shrug off artillery rounds. Also very nice.” The Adjutant says again, delighted. “What interests you, Theta-6?”

Helga looks at you, speechless. You’ve been put in the center of attention once again.

…Well… uh, if you had to choose… you’d pick-

>The Lancer Suit.
>The Shieldbearer Suit.

>>2675211
>>The Lancer Suit.
We stay in concealment even when the rest of the squad breaks it, right. We'll just be a alien Ranger.

>>2675211
>>The Shieldbearer Suit.
My Life For Exalt! We will always be the first to charge in, last to leave!

>>2675211
>>The Lancer Suit.

>>2675211
>>The Lancer Suit.

>>2675211
>The Lancer Suit.

>>2675211
What happens if you shield bash or charge people with the shields ? Can they handle that ?

>>2675300
Sadly the shields they are using are energy shields that omni directional damage soakers, not actual physical shields.

Think star trek energy shields vs. What Rachel had.

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>>2675300
Unfortunately, >>2675324 has hit it right on the head.

Also...

>... It seems real life has suddenly hit me hard and I'm going to have to call it here. Sincere Apologies! We'll be running this one-shot to it's conclusion, which should at most take a week, possibly two. For those who are new to my QMing I run a full session on a Friday (this time was on Saturday due to bad internet) and update when I can throughout the week. This is a good time to stop as any, fortunately, as this is a pretty important vote So, until next update...

Thanks for playing!

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>>2675348

I'd also love to hear what you guys think of this so far, as I put a lot of time preparing for this for some time now and I'm still in the process of drawing more art for it.

I completely underestimated how little we'd get done tonight. It's just like running my very first quest thread all over again! Which is a both nostalgic and completely exhausting. I'll stick around a bit to answer some questions too!

Finally, here's an archive on XCOM Trooper proper, my twitter account, and some documents on Theta CellI made just before the one shot as well!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BurningGray
Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=XCOM%20Trooper%20Quest
EXALT Dossiers: https://imgur.com/a/rKlavBO

>>2675211
>The Shieldbearer Suit.
Protection is always good for staying alive.

>>2675373
While I liked when it started as a brief episode from the other side, the fact that it ends up being actually interacting with the main quest makes me no longer want to play it. Since every bit of what we do will now affect our own mission, the meta knowledge makes me want to avoid this section entirely until we're back to the main cast.

Honestly, if it remained just as a brief glimpse of a day in EXALT with no connection to the main quest then I would've rated it 10/10 for an interesting change in perspective. But knowing we're going to face them specifically as enemies, now I just want them all dead already so they won't get in the way later.

>>2675393
I'm sorry to hear that and I appreciate the honest criticism. I never considered that could be a concern in the time I've been prepping for it. I'll see you next time when we're back to the main quest!

>>2675414
>Blonde
>Has a past event that is making them paranoid
I see what you are doing here... I like it...

Honestly I don't see this going well if everything plays out as a straight XCOM vs EXALT thing. I'm hoping this turns out to be a sort of political intrigue thing where it's a tense ideological battle between EXALT as a group fighting the corrupt powers that be of Earth and XCOM as a group working with those powers to fight against an alien threat greater than anything at home.

I would absolutely love a major victory that's about bringing human factions together rather than ripping aliens apart. As fun as it is to rip aliens apart.

>>2675373
I applaud you for taking on such challenging source material. Its good to have more factions, but for me personally it's hard to take Exalt seriously with these nose clips on their masks and not having psions.

As antagonists, they seem to pale in comparison to the Council (You made us all dislike Bannon intensely f.e.)

However, having a Exalt spy/infiltrator in the Anthive or a ex-Exalt working for X-com would be very interesting...

>>2675647
Hah, I definitely had to work with what I was given! A part of me wanted to make them more "operator" in design, but I felt they'd just become generic merc soldiers instead of their iconic fashionably absurd design. I believe that's express reason they were originally designed that way by Firaxis

>>2675414
I, on the other hand, will gather all the meta-knowledge I can so that we can kill the Theta cell even deader once we return to the main quest.

>>2675719
>I believe that's express reason they were originally designed that way by Firaxis
And that's the thing, your writing is certainly not at stake here, I just don't "get" Exalt.

>>2675719
Soo...Hogwarts specops wannabes?

Sooo I'm pretty sure we'll be picking up one of these as the survivor from the ambush... maybe we'll get Theta 6 as a new recruit for XCOM?

>>2676107
No recruiting EXALT scum. All they're good for is making funny pirouettes when you shoot them in the face.

>>2676177
I'm kinda assuming that we're going the XCOM2 route (eventually reach that stage of story, after everything goes to shit) - and while there is no explanation of whatever happens to the captured trooper from 1, you *do* have EXALT masks in 2 for any squaddies, so it is feasible that we could work together

>>2676189
I haven't played XCOM2 yet because my PC is an old piece of shit(
Though EXALT masks in it can be explained by falseflagging, I think.

>>2676192
Even in XCOM1, EXALT and aliens aren't on the same side - even if the only interact in one mission, it is by trying to kill each other. EXALT doesn't want the aliens to rule, they want power for their organization. When the aliens took over, they sheltered Bradford (or thats what I got from the backstory stuff), who then used their connections to start building the Resistance. Also helps that Tygan seems to be EXALT in this, rather than some random ADVENT scientist who cut out his psionic chip.

>>2676206
In Long War they are filthy collaborators though

Calling it right now: Theta-6 is Burnout's evil twin, complete with blonde goatee

>>2676189
>you *do* have EXALT masks in 2 for any squaddies
Prob just a fashion item. The only thing that might have them work together is if a ufo attacks a Exalt base and xcom decides to help the base.

>>2673430
Reported for Xenophilia

>>2676215
This isn’t Long War. Nor is it EU. It’s a mishmash of everything XCOM to create something unique, and EXALT is not exempt from this.

I have yet to play XCOM2, but I wish EXALT made an actual appearance there. I really liked their evil illuminati banker vibe.

>>2675373
>I'd also love to hear what you guys think of this so far,

I like it but if you're going to make an AU you shouldn't use the exact names as future canon. Why is EXALT calling this ADVENT tech? The aliens in canon had their own reasons for coming up with that name and those reasons aren't applicable to EXALT. Too late now, but next time come up with your own thing.

>>2675373
In for a penny, in for a pound. If we play as XCOM I support XCOM, if we play as EXALT then PRAISE EXALT!!

If you had to pick between the two combat suits, the mobility and versatility of the Lancer suit is a no-brainer. You point to the case, which is slid over towards your seat by one of the Elites. They send a quiet confirmation to the Adjutant as you take the moment to inspect the equipment, holding out the rather menacing stun baton. In particular its well balanced, perfect for a melee weapon. Lightweight too.

Iskra leans over and attempts to snag the red visor helmet in her hands, her curiosity peaked. You point the baton towards her and shake your head. You have to be firm with the Sniper. She smirks at you and wiggles her finger in front of you.

“What? There’s no way you’d zap a pretty girl like me blondie-- ow! Fuck that's sharp!” Iskra pulls her hand back, a pinprick of red blood on her finger. She prodded one of the prongs of the baton by accident. Petros and Same-chan share a laugh.

Iskra grumbles and wipes her bloodied finger on Evert’s red vest, much to his disdain. Helga’s eye twitches but she keeps herself from barking orders, that would look bad for the cell.

“Alrighty then!” The Adjutant happily chimes in, his chipperness cutting off your team. “Once you all get situated onto the ground Dr. Tygan will give Theta-6 a call and run him through the basics of the Lancer suit. Now, do take good care of to not break experimental combat suit, Theta-6, That’ll be going right off of your paycheck if you break it!”

“Yes sir…” You say carefully as the Adjutant chuckles at his own joke.

“Splendid, Agents Ingram and Chang will be supervising the operation from here on out, so if you have any questions ask them. Good hunting, Theta!” The Adjutant signs off at that.

You hear Evert mutter some sort of praise to the Adjutant, unsurprisingly.

The EXALT officer had not really given Helga nor anybody else any real opportunity to speak. In fact, it was an extremely one sided. Perhaps Alpha Command has a bigger picture in mind with you being given this combat suit to field test? Putting the thought aside you and the rest of the EXALT Agents settle down for the rest of the trip over. The Sparrowhawk pilot points out it won’t be too long, much to her satisfaction.

You take a look around the Sparrowhawk.

(Part 1 / 2)

Helga has composed herself and is quickly trying to plan out the operation with what little information she was given. She’s giving off an air of not wishing to be disturbed, but a part of you feels like she would like having someone to bounce off possible ideas with.

Iskra has learned back in her seat and has placed a finger to her earpiece to quietly chat with Same-chan in a private frequency about… something. She keeps quiet but you note Iskra sneaking an odd glance at you every now and then, giggling occasionally. You can almost see Same-chan’s shark avatar in your mind slyly watching you also.

Evert and Petros are taking the moment to double check their equipment, attempting small talk with one another. Given how vastly different each of them are its it's quite interesting from what you overhear.

The Elites remain quiet, watching your cell and keeping the Shieldbearer equipment case as far away from the rest of Theta as possible.

You have some time to kill.

>Try and assist Helga. She looks stressed.
>Find out what Iskra and Same-chan are scheming. It might involve you.
>Chat with Evert and Petros. The pair have interesting conversations.
>Ask the Elites some questions. Maybe they'll answer you.
>Other

>>2679558
>Assist Helga

>>2679558
>Try and assist Helga. She looks stressed.

>>2679558
>Find out what Iskra and Same-chan are scheming. It might involve you.

>>2679558
>>Try and assist Helga. She looks stressed.

>>2679558
>>Try and assist Helga. She looks stressed.

>>2679558
>Try and assist Helga. She looks stressed.

>>2679558
>Find out what Iskra and Same-chan are scheming. It might involve you. And besides, Same-chan probably has the best idea what's going on right now.

>>2679558
>Try and assist Helga. She looks stressed.

>>2679558
>Find out what Iskra and Same-chan are scheming. It might involve you.

>>2679558
>Try and assist Helga. She looks stressed.

We must become the Squad Leader Whisperer

Cool idea this thread.

>>2679558
>assist

>>2679558
>>Try and assist Helga. She looks stressed.

>>2679558
>Try and assist Helga. She looks stressed.

Calling the vote here!

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You set the baton back down into the case and close it. The last thing anybody needs is getting into an accident inside of the passenger hold. If Dr. T is really going to give you a crash course on the kit, you’ll be in good hands. Helga has given the good doctor a lot of praise. Speaking of Helga, you can’t help but be concerned as you see her trying to cobble together some sort of plan for the upcoming second engagement.

Theta-1’s Handler can plan and execute operations with great meticulousness, but that’s usually because she’s had the time to gather as much intel and complete a lot of prep work prior. A perfectionist if there ever was one. You can’t really blame her for struggling to try and organize a convoy raid very much on the spot. The two Elites had given her a bit more information on the AO, located in the outskirts of Cherbourg-Octeville and Helga has been working with that.

Helga’s muttering to herself in German. While you have no idea what she’s saying you do catch repeated usage of ‘fick’ and ‘schiess’, which probably doesn’t bode well.

“Hey.” You say, and get her attention.

“Not now.” Helga dismisses you looking down at her hands and moving them about a bit to try and visualize everything mentally.

“Ma’am.” You press, trying again to get her attention. The second time around she doesn’t even register you speaking to her, so lost in thought. You reach over and shake her shoulder.

She glares at you irritated that you had snapped her out of her stressful concentration.

“You look like you need someone to help, ma’am.” You say quickly, before she can give you an earful. “Let me help.”

Her glare lingers for a few more moments before she relents and sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose and nodding.

“Yes, perhaps another perspective would help. This is… a lot to take in in a short amount of time.” Helga says, shaking her head. “Same - Theta-5 - is already getting street layouts, surveillance footage, amore more of the ambush site, which is better than nothing but... I am well aware there’s not much I can do right now yet I simply cannot help it.”

“There’s nothing wrong with hitting the ground running.” You reassure her.

Helga nods again, and begins to run you through numerous possible situations and complications in the task ahead in rapid fire. You’re almost thrown off right there, but you buckle down and try and work a decent back and forth with your Handler. Two heads are better than one, right?

>Roll 1d100

Rolled 41 (1d100)

>>2681059
inb4 nat 1

Rolled 99 (1d100)

>>2681059

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>2681059
Time for the Fireworks

>>2681068
99 problems but this mission ain't one.

>>2681068
those combat drugs are working in our favour it seems.

>>2681068
>>2681071
Dayum..

Hope this doesn't turn out to be s problem for the main team

There’s a trick you learned that helped to get you and others to snap out of the stress and anxiety of an upcoming firefight, which is simply just to get the person talking, getting those nerves out of them just by keeping a rapport with them and at the same time helping with problem solving. There was a term for it, something involving a rubber duck? Determined, you try and get Helga talking, hoping that it’ll not only get her out of her funk but get her help get her in the right mindset.

It works like a goddamn charm.

Helga, Theta-1, has been a bit of an enigma to everyone in the Cell long before your arrival. From what you’ve overheard she’s highly placed, but for some reason is merely just a Handler. While you don’t gleam any more of her past from the woman, you quickly can see she’s been pretty wound up. Getting her talking not only helps her vent but also shows you how much of a sharp mind she has, helping her get… excited.

“...So we know the convoy has only one APC, likely a VAB/VTT, ja? Well it’s not going to be much of a threat once we get into the firefight. In particular there isn’t going to be any personnel besides the crew as passengers. It will be carrying an empty complement.” Helga very quickly explains to you, her hands moving about with emphasis.

“R-right. Of course.” You say with a somewhat sheepish smile and nod, all but motioning for her to keep going. “...But wait, why wouldn’t there be a fireteam riding in the APC?”

“With the aliens and their plasma weapons and UFOs? Riding in the APCs will be suicide. Sure, it can provide a base of fire with it’s machine gun, but it’s a deathtrap otherwise. It’s likely being brought along with the convoy more as a show of force to any civilians that see the convoy passing by. Something to ease their fear of alien activity. It’s the same reason why if there was a ‘conventional’ invasion by the aliens (which I’m surprised they haven’t) it would be unlikely that anything heavier than IFVs should be fielded in combat against the aliens. But I am getting off track. With this information in mind that would mean…?” Helga tosses the ball back to your court waiting expectantly with big hopeful eyes, wishing very much that you understand where she is going with this.

That would mean...

(Part 1 / 3)

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“...The entirety of the convoy’s security detail will be spread about in the armored cars instead of within the APC and once we kill the APC’s gunner it’s… useless.” You say, piecing the information together.

At that, Helga lets out a very excited squeal of satisfaction as she quickly grabs your hands and starts shaking them with enthusiasm, her eyes bright.

“Exactly, 6! You have the correct idea! Ser guht! I knew I could count on you, 6!” Helga grins widely. “We will accomplish the mission with perfection at this rate!”

You nod back, returning the grin. You’ve managed to get Helga to become focused and prepared for the task ahead. This is the first time you’ve seen her so… well… excited. She’s always been rather serious, this is a completely new side of her. In fact, if it wasn’t for the fact you’re both sitting in the Sparrowhawk, it looked like she might’ve leaned forward and... and… and…

It’s at that exact moment you and Helga realize the rest of the Skyranger has become dead silent. You look to the side and see everyone is just… watching the scene unfold. Several mouths are just slack jawed and agape, Iskra in particular has leaned as far back away from the sight as possible, legitimately horrified. Petros is grinning like a madman and giving you a big thumbs up. The male Elite is looking at you with extreme jealousy.

Looking back at Helga, you’re surprised at how the Handler is capable of looking both pale as a sheet and as red as a tomato at the same time. A horrified deer caught in headlights as she just did all of that in front of everyone in the Sparrawhawk. Hell, even the pilot’s glancing back.

It’s Same-Chan of all people that breaks the silence.

[H-holy crap. The boss really IS a tsunde-]

“Ah! A-apologies! I had simply become too excited at- at-- at how well all the pieces will fall together in the operation. Yes. That’s it! Nothing else! Nothing!” Helga stammers and babbles.

Everyone looks away. Despite Helga having completely embarrassed herself, you think the operation is going to go much smoother now with Theta’s Handler at peak mental performance. So long as she doesn’t distract herself with that little interaction. You hope the other’s don’t mind that sudden outburst too much.

You certainly didn’t mind.

(Part 2 / 3)

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The Sparrowhawk touches down in the AO, it’s ramp lowering as you and the rest of the cell quickly disembark so the dropship can clear the area just as quickly as it arrived. Stepping out, you can smell the sea, which makes sense given the city Cherbourg-Octeville is right by the coast. You’ve never been to a beach once in your life, you had lived in a pretty landlocked part of the United States.

The Sparrowhawk has dropped you off in a near an industrial storage building of some kind and a record store. You are indeed in the outskirts of the city, and the roads here look particularly winding, right up to this final stretch of road you and the rest of the cell are on, which leads right out of the city. The streets are completely empty, which isn’t much of a surprise. France is one of many countries that have instituted national curfews to quell the increase of riots and unrest that the aliens have brought, not that it would help much if the aliens were to strike.

“Yes… yes this ambush site will work perfectly.” Helga says. “We shall use the roofs of both the record store and the storage building as high ground. Same, get me a frequency with… Beta Handler Lionel. ”

Helga’s enthusiasm dampen a bit at having to communicate with the Handler for some reason but she steels herself anyways. Evert, Petros, and Iskra quickly go to set up themselves for the ambush, giving you some time yourself to prepare for the ambush.

You’re obviously going to need to don the Lancer suit before the ambush actually begins and getting it on becoming a bit familiar with the suit before Dr. Tygan calls you would give you an advantage. However, you could also get a lay of the land of the area to give you an edge when the shooting starts. A part of you is also curious about listening in to the communication with Helga and the other Handler, it’ll give you an idea of what to expect when you work with the other Cell…. Who isn’t here yet apparently. Chatting and getting in the right mindset of the other cells would help too.

Time is of the essence.

>Put on the Lancer suit ahead of time. You’ll have no idea what you’re doing but every bit of extra familiarity will help speed things along.
>Study the terrain. Knowing the battlefield is invaluable.
>LIsten in on the Handler communication. It will help with coordinating with Beta Cell.
>Chat with a cell member. It’ll be good to be on the same page with some of them. (Specify)
>Other

>>2681740
>>Study the terrain. Knowing the battlefield is invaluable.

>>2681740
>>Put on the Lancer suit ahead of time. You’ll have no idea what you’re doing but every bit of extra familiarity will help speed things along.

>>2681740
>Put on the Lancer suit ahead of time. You’ll have no idea what you’re doing but every bit of extra familiarity will help speed things along.

>>2681735
Ah, young love.

Pity we will have to kill them both as X-Com.

>>2681740
>Put on the Lancer suit ahead of time. You’ll have no idea what you’re doing but every bit of extra familiarity will help speed things along.

>>2681740
>Put on the Lancer suit ahead of time. You’ll have no idea what you’re doing but every bit of extra familiarity will help speed things along.

>>2681740
>Put on the Lancer suit
>>2681772
Such a shame. Oh well, they should've picked the right side to fight for.

>chat Iskra

>>2681740
>Put on the Lancer suit ahead of time. You’ll have no idea what you’re doing but every bit of extra familiarity will help speed things along.

>>2681740
>Put on the Lancer suit ahead of time. You’ll have no idea what you’re doing but every bit of extra familiarity will help speed things along.

I wouldn't be surprised if the fanatic side of EXALT joins the aliens with the rest having to reluctantly side with XCOM

>>2682691
Even if they don't want to join, there's always the chip. Tygan had one when he was "collaborating"

Calling it here!

>>2683188
ETA?

File: Lancer EXO Suit.jpg (285 KB, 1920x1080)

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>>2685210
Now!

The rest of the cell can handle setting things up, if you’re going to be useful in this operation it would be getting suited up and prepared ahead of time to use the Lancer armor even before Dr. Tygan gives you your crash course. Carrying the crate over to a side to give you both a bit of privacy to change and also some cover if you’re somehow caught in a firefight in your underwear. That would not be a very enjoyable way to die.

The first thing you realize while donning the armor is how light it is. It’s not a bulky set of kevlar and obviously not lighter than the suit you usually wear but it’s clear that the alien alloys and other specialized materials used in the fabrication of this armor gives you both flexibility, mobility, and damage protection. Not only that, it’s pretty ergonomic with it’s design, with a holster for the stun baton and room to spare for your usual gear. You won’t be running around with only the baton and will have a range option.

It’s also a bit ah… tight… in certain parts, but that’s not really that much of an issue beside being a minor distraction.

When you put on the suit’s helmet however is when things get a bit confusing. The red visor isn’t merely just for sure and appears to have a whole suit of HUD elements and readouts and other things that is a bit overwhelming at first to keep track of. There’s a few readouts that make some level of sense, such as an energy readout for your baton and what looks like specialized targeting reticule, but the rest is a mystery. There is one very nice touch, and that’s the open lower half of the helmet, you were a bit confused at why the helmet would not fully be a fully closed system at first… until you realized it's for your scarf. Slipping it on and placing the helmet over is a snug fit and makes you feel like a proper EXALT agent through and through.

Armor equipped and stun baton in hand, you bumble about a few times trying to get a handle of things like swinging the baton a few times or figuring out how to navigate the helmet HUD before you get a call, from your visor of all things. It’s a call from Dr. Tygan.

You had managed to figure out looking at particular bits of the HUD and blinking allows you to access more systems, and you blink-confirm the call with EXALT’s Chief Scientist. You find it a bit hard to believe you just did that, but with laser pistols and sci-fi suits of armor, what’s next? Mech suits? You were always a fan of giant robots…

“Doctor.” You greet him, as a video feed of the scientist appears on the lower left hand corner of your visor, thankfully not in the center where it would have blocked your vision. The scientist is clearly in one the handful of EXALT research labs hidden around the world. In the corner of the feed you see what appears to be a burger wrapper. Guess you caught the good doctor sometime after lunch. He nods to you in greeting.

(Part 1 / 3)

File: Dr. Tygan.jpg (143 KB, 1611x899)

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“Hello Theta-6, I… ah good. You have already equipped the Lancer EXO suit. We do not have to run through putting it on. Impressive, isn’t it? The EXO suits are some of the pinnacle devices built from EXALT’s science team, barring… other unsavory projects.” Dr. Tygan’s greeting turns into a frown before continuing. “How does the armor feel so far, Theta-6?”

“This is some good stuff, doc.” You explain. “A bit, uh, form fitting... but otherwise I’m ready for that crash course.”

“Very well. I shall run you through the basics.” Dr. Tygan says. And so he does.

You are quickly given a runthrough of the basic operation and various tools at your disposal with the Lancer suit, and it looks like Dr. T and his team have pulled out all of the stops for the equipment. From a the built in walker servers to increased your speed and mobility, the various settings and usage of the baton (it’s very versatile) to more importantly an action threat assessment module that calculates the risk of actions in percentages, give or take a few percent.

You can see why Helga likes, Dr. T. He knows his stuff and besides having a slightly odd speech pattern, is very easy to keep up with him. It’s a nice change of pace when dealing with civvies.

(Part 2 / 3)

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As you are run through various bits of the HUD, you notice something slooowly start to peek out from the bottom right of your screen. You nearly stop dead in your tracks when you see what it is, which confuses Dr. Tygan. It’s… Same-chan’s shark avatar. It’s… it’s just peeking in from the side of the visor. What the hell? How did she get into the suit’s system so fast?

“Is something the matter, Theta-6?” Dr. Tygan asks. At that ‘Same-chan’ begins to quickly gesture with her… fins. Pleading you not to let Dr. Tygan know. Above her avatar, text begins to appear.

>let me in, please! I promise i’ll help you out lots and lots just confirm with this box right here!

Sure enough, a blinking box does appear right above her head. Same-chan’s shark avatar continues to plead to you. It’s… yeah.

>[] Don’t let her in.
>[X] Let her in.
>Let Dr. Tygan know Same-Chan’s trying to break in.

>>2685227
>[X] Let her in.

>>2685227
>Let her in

>>2685227
>Let her in.

>>2685227
>Let Dr. Tygan know Same-Chan’s trying to break in.
That pre-marked checkbox, she's going to try no matter what we say.

>In the corner of the feed you see what appears to be a burger wrapper.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zAFA-hamZ0

>>2685227
>>Let Dr. Tygan know Same-Chan’s trying to break in.

>>2685238
>>2685245
>>2685252
Letting the shark in it is, writing!

>>2685227
>Let Dr. Tygan know Same-Chan’s trying to break in.

>>2685227
>[X] Let her in.

Maybe she'll install some Not-Norton-Anti-Virus into our suit.

>>2685227
>[X] Let her in.
Helga trusts Same-chan, right? So we trust her too.

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Same-chan has been a rather infamous member of EXALT as a whole since before you were recruited into the organization. An expert and completely anonymous hacker with an extremely eccentric personality and love of a certain sea creature. Apparently she had broke into EXALT’s hidden secured servers as her ‘job interview’ of all things. She’s been classified as an extremely dangerous threat to the organization as a whole… but honestly, you have good feeling about her. She’s a Theta like you are, and she’s been a valuable asset to the cell. Call it a gut feeling.

Wordlessly, you blink confirm the checkbox, giving her full access of the Lancer suit. The shark avatar begins to cheer and dance about on the side of the screen, numerous hearts springing about around it. A victorious cheer appears at the bottom of your HUD, still in a odd green text.

>i’m in!!!!!
>thanks 6, i take back everyfin i’ve said about you chum!

“Huh. That’s odd there seems to be a fluctuation in one the systems…” Dr. Tygan raises an eyebrow and looks at a monitor just outside of the screen.

>eep! you didn’t sea me!

The shark avatar dives underneath the hood, her fin sticking remaining and poking out. It quivers in fear. You keep your mouth shut as Dr. Tygan unknowingly tries to investigate Same-chan’s interference. A few tense moments pass but Dr. Tygan shakes his head and turns back to the camera.

“Hm… probably nothing.” Dr. Tygan murmurs to himself before turning back to to the camera. Out of the corner of your eye you can see a very smug Same-chan.

>hah, all according to plan! i totally wasn’t scared!

Right…

(Part 1 / 2)

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Same-chan sticks around a bit more openly afterwards, ‘swimming’ about in your HUD as you finish the crash course of the Lancer suit with Dr. Tygan, taking up the last of your free time. Satisfied, you end the call and make your way to the roof of the record store, where the rest of the cell is, clambering up a convenient ladder to get there. The others turn to look you over for a moment with curiosity. You must be quite the sight.

>the built in camera this has is really good, it’s like im really there with you guys in spirit!

The others don’t seem to have realized of Same-chan’s little stunt as she is clearly bantering with Iskra. Of note however is that off to the side and irritated Helga is in the middle of an intense conversation with someone else on a seperate comms frequency

“Helga is sharing a bit of a… disagreement with Beta’s Handler.” Petros shakes his head.

“A shame there is such hostilities among us.” Evert sighs. “We are all EXALT, there is no need for animosity. How can we be humanity’s saviors if there is infighting?”

“You’re not helping.” Iskra grumbles, rolling her eyes. “‘Side’s from what I hear that Lionel guy’s basically lead’s his cell like a Commisar.”

“EXALT does not follow the Communist ideology.” Evert frowns in dissatisfaction.

“It’s from this thing called 40… whatever. Fuck it. It’s not worth explaining to you.” Iskra face palms.

[Heads up guys to the west, Beta’s here!] Same-chan chimes in. As you look over in your HUD, the shark avatar turns around and seems to ‘press’ up against the HUD as if it were a window to get a good look...

Peeling down from the opposite road you see a pair of vans skid to a halt nearby, the doors open and over a dozen EXALT agents pour out, heavily kitted and ready for a firefight as the drivers park the vans in the center of the road.

“Dummkopfs…” Helga mutters as she glares daggers at the very obvious roadblock. “There goes the element of surprise.”

“Oh, I recognize some of them.” Petros notes. “Some them are mercs who worked for Murkywater.”

“They any good?” Iskra asks.

“Hah, no!” Petros guffaws.

Helga continues to frown at the clear clash she’s had with the other cell. You know Helga’s likely has an excellent plan for dealing with the convoy which seems to have been stonewalled by the other Handler.

“Don’t.” Helga says, noticing you considering jumping down the roof.

“Do it.” Iskra grins. “I want to see them shit their pants.”

[I mean, we have like less than ten minutes, I got surveillance on the convoy on the way right now. Totally enough time to do some last minute stuff.] Same-chan not so subtly points out.

Helga frowns, you can tell she’s conflicted. She has a plan for how to deal with the convoy, but she also doesn’t want to cause an internal incident with another handler.

You reckon you could get them to listen...

>Stay put. If Beta wants to screw things up it’ll be their fault.
>Get down there. You’ll make them get their shit together yourself.
>Other

>>2685389
>Stay put. If Beta wants to screw things up it’ll be their fault.

>>2685389

>Stay put. If Beta wants to screw things up it’ll be their fault.

Even better, we've got a nice giant distraction to work with here. Get set up a bit off the road in the direction that the convoy is coming. Then, when they hit the roadblock, we come in from the flank.

>>2685389
>Get down there. You’ll make them get their shit together yourself.

>>2685389
>>Stay put. If Beta wants to screw things up it’ll be their fault.

>>2685389
>Stay put. If Beta wants to screw things up it’ll be their fault.
They can afford to lose teammates, We cannot.

>>2685389
>>2685400
Eh, on second thought changing my vote to
>Stay put. If Beta wants to screw things up it’ll be their fault.

>>2685389
>Stay put. And ask Helga if we should treat Beta like a distraction for us.

>>2685415
That's a good idea that I can get behind.

>>2685394
>>2685398
>>2685403
>>2685404
>>2685410
>>2685415
>>2685419
Staying put it is, writing!

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“Well if they want to do their own thing that’s their loss.” You say, shaking your head. Before realizing something. “...It’s not all bad actually, we could use Beta as a distraction.”

“Yes, that’s true. We can use that.” Helga agrees, who is behind you as you watch the street below. “Good idea, 6...”

>psst helga’s totally staring at your ass.

You nearly drop your rifle over the roof. The outfit did have an odd box shaped slot for the ba--

“Is something wrong, 6?” Helga asks.

“N-nothing. It’s uh, just a shame about Beta.” You cough. Same-chan’s avatar is giggling like crazy.

“Yes... it’s a shame. A waste of assets and there will be collateral damage. I want to keep that and civilian casualties to a minimum but Beta however does not care about that...” Helga sighs as she crouches beside you to watch a pair of EXALT rocketeers load up rockets in their heavy weapons.

“Meh, nothing we haven’t dealt with before!” Iskra shrugs.

“For once, I agree with Field Agent Sillin.” Evert says, closing his eyes.“The enemy has forced us to fight in the shadows, and unwanted civilian losses will be an inevitability for the greater good.”

Petros just shrugs.

The other agents have made their stance on the matter and while you don’t approve it you have a bit of an understanding from where they’re coming from. You have yet to participate in a ethically dubious ‘Grey’ operation, but you know they exist and have been done. Still, you can’t help but appreciate Helga’s idealism, which is a shame others don’t seem to completely share it.

Some of the Beta agents set up in the opposite storage building’s roof, which you realize is apparently a post office warehouse judging by the sign on the other end, but most of them position themselves at their van barricade. Looks like they want to take the brunt of the convoy themselves. The pair of EXALT rocketeers have braced themselves and are prepared to let loose a barrage of missiles. You frown, hopefully they don’t have a shot go wide and impact the cargo itself. Using this as an advantage, Helga repositions the squad to be prepared to ambush the convoy on its flanks, and all that’s left is the waiting game.

You don’t have to wait long.

(Part 1 / 2)

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Same-chan soon confirms they’re reaching the turn in the road that will mark the ambush point. Same-chan even provides you a hacked camera surveillance feed on your HUD of the convoy before they get into view, which is thoughtful of her.

There’s eight vehicles, the APC and cargo truck is included. You catch a glimpse of the distinct dark blue armbands that the Council-affiliated soldiers use. The same ones you saw months ago.This is different than just those paid guards you neutralized earlier, they legitimately work for the Council of Nations.

“Masks on.” Helga says, and the rest of the squad don’t their bandannas and scarves. You don’t need to, but you nod to the others.

You tighten the grip on your weapons, and steel yourself for the firefight. This is it. What you’ve been waiting for. It’s not killing the aliens, but this’ll do just fine..

The first two lead armored cars turn the corner coming face to face with the roadblock created by Beta. The armored cars attempt to hastily skid to a stop or swerve to the side, but the EXALT rocketeers open fire, hitting one of the armored cars outright and turning it into a fireball. The rest of Beta cell immediately opens fire at the rest of the convoy as the Council security forces are initially stunned and thrown off by the start of the ambush. The soldiers attempt to pile out and a few are immediately gunned down by the prepared overwatch, but they still clearly have a numbers advantage.

You and the rest of Theta stay low, waiting patiently and scanning the situation as the firefight continues. Your position on the record store’s roof gives your squad the height advantage on the convoy, who don’t know you’re there yet.

Same-Chan is relaying the battle over the squad’s comms but you can already see it on the HUD thanks to her being in the system. The back of the convoy is hastily disembarking trying to set up a counter attack while the APC is moving to try and drive out and lay covering fire for the pinned down Council troopers in front of Beta’s barricade.

“On my mark… mark!” Helga commands as you and the rest of Theta spring out from cover. The enemy is completely caught with their pants down.

“Surprise motherfuckers!” Iskra cackles.

Your HUD begins to kick in, analyzing situation, supplemented with extra footage from Same-chan herself. There’s the Council troopers in leaving the armored cars, the APC, and the cargo truck itself, your hud giving you literal percentages for risks of each possibility. While it gives you a good guess how well you could do it, Dr. T had reminded you the HUD only gives you an immediate percentage of an action and doesn’t take into account the evolving firefight and your position after. Easier percentages does not necessarily mean better choices. You quickly scan the targets and assess where you could be most useful.

>Eliminate soldiers from the roof (TN: 60)
>Eliminate soldiers on ground with baton (TN 45)
>Neutralize APC Gunner (TN: 75)
>Other (TN: ???)

>>2685525
>Neutralize APC Gunner (TN: 75)

>>2685525
>Neutralize APC Gunner (TN: 75)
Remember, the APC is useless once the gunner is dead.

>>2685525
>Neutralize APC Gunner (TN: 75)

>>2685525
>Neutralize APC Gunner (TN: 75)

>>2685525
>Neutralize APC Gunner (TN: 75)

>>2685525
>>Neutralize APC Gunner (TN: 75)
Make the APC useless first, like we talked about on the Sparrowhawk

>>2685525
>Neutralize APC Gunner (TN: 75)

That Gunner will have the easiest time suppressing us. We have got to get rid of it ASAP.

>>2685528
>>2685529
>>2685530
>>2685531
>>2685535
>>2685542
>>2685544
Neutralizing the APC gunner it is, writing!

>>2685525
>TN: 75
For clarity, is higher harder or easier? I assume it's just the DC?

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>>2685547
Higher is harder, you have to roll a 75 or higher, so it's challenging, but given it's Bo3 I believe it should equal out, mostly low rolls so far notwithstanding. Depending on how things pan out I'll adjust the TN's a bit if need be!

You could say this one-shot is also for testing the viability of d100 resolution for the quest.

>>2685547
Higher is easier.

In this case sniping the gunner is easier than bumrushing an enemy position with a baton

>>2685554
>>2685552
Oh well I'm dumb then.

>>2685554
I've been going for higher rolls to pass as otherwise it's a roll under. But, you raise a good point! I'll adjust some things accordingly.

>>2685552
I'll bet we'll get a shit ton of low rolls with only a couple of crit successes to keep us afloat.

>>2685552
>>2685554
Yeeeah, I figured people would be confused. After all, in XCOM a higher percentage is more likely, not less.

>>2685562
Yeah fair enough, apologies for any confusion!

File: Enemy APC.jpg (125 KB, 1024x680)

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Rolled 65, 54 = 119 (2d100)

As difficult of a shot it is, you know that prioritizing the APC gunner is your best chance of survival, the others in the cell should be able to handle suppressing the infantry, the real threat for your team will be if the APC gunner swiveled it’s position on Theta.

Opting to use your rifle instead of your baton, you attempt to aim and fire at the weapon only for Iskra to shout in over the firefight.

“We’ll see who gets that scrub first!” Iskra yells, already adjusting her aim with her rifle with quick succession. She always was an expert at being a Snap Shot with her rifle or, as she’d call it, her ‘no-scoping’. You honestly don’t care who gets the gunner, as long as the gunner dies. If the competitiveness makes Iskra a better shot so be it. With your rifle propped on the ledge and your aim steadied you open fire just as you hear the crack of Iskra’s rifle.

>Roll 1d100 TN 65 (Readjusted slightly as compensation for QM confusion!)

Rolled 83 (1d100)

>>2685578

Rolled 54 (1d100)

>>2685578

Rolled 81 (1d100)

>>2685578

>>2685581
>>2685583
Got'em

You shoot a precise three-round burst right at the center mass of the APC gunner and then one more burst in the head, ensuring a clean kill. The large impact of a sniper round on the shoulder is a solid and likely would have been a finishing blow for the trooper. Still, the threat has been eliminated.

"Not bad blondie. Even if it was totally just a lucky shot!" Iskra quips.

>i award you 4 points!

The APC continues and turns the corner but is otherwise just moving cover for the remaining council troopers trapped in the open. The door doesn’t open and there is a distinct lack of extra guns opening fire from inside the APC so it seems Helga was correct that the APC really is just a show of a force. Which means the rest of the troopers are strewn out around the rest of the convoy.

With most of the of the security force’s attention focused on Beta cell, the firefight begins in earnest proper. Most of the of the Council troopers focus their attention on Beta as expected and losses are starting to accumulate on both sides in a brutal slugfest. Other soldiers quickly set up a perimeter around the truck which is stuck in the middle of the convoy and is trying to position itself to speed away from the area. Finally an enemy squad engages Theta proper, holding your attention from fully being able to exploit their flanks, however your armor should be able to give you an advantage.

“Prioritize your targets!” Helga shouts as she reloads her smg, bullets ping near her position, crumbling bits of the the ledge’s cover.

>Support Beta. If they all die the remaining convoy will be focused on Theta.
>Take out the enemy squad attacking Theta. They’re the immediate threat.
>Incapacite the cargo truck. The main objective supersedes everything else.
>Other

>>2685645
>Incapacite the cargo truck. The main objective supersedes everything else.

>>2685645
>>Take out the enemy squad attacking Theta. They’re the immediate threat.
Beta played stupid games, and now they won the prize.

>>2685645
>Take out the enemy squad attacking Theta. They’re the immediate threat.

Gotta take the heat off our squad

>>2685645
>Take out the enemy squad attacking Theta. They’re the immediate threat.

>>2685645
>Take out the enemy squad attacking Theta. They’re the immediate threat.

>>2685645
>>Take out the enemy squad attacking Theta. They’re the immediate threat.

>>2685650
>>2685651
>>2685654
>>2685659
>>2685661
Engaging the squad attacking Theta it is, writing!

There’s an immediate threat and that’s the enemy squad attempting to coordinate a counter-attack against your team. They’re using one of the armored cars as cover as they attempt to pin your team down or possibly to score a serious injury or worse on Theta. With them eliminated and out of the way, Theta should be able to fully dictate the rest of the firefight.

The high ground would be the safest place given the height advantage it gives you alongside be able to react to whatever they throw at you, but all it would take is one well thrown grenade to ruin that. Then again, you can always try and chuck one of your two grenades at them before they can react. Of course there’s also your specialized Lancer armor, not only will you be able to completely draw the attention away from Theta but you’ll likely be able to eliminate them rather quickly.

But would revealing EXALT’s real advantage this early be a good idea? Your height advantage and the confusing nature of the firefight has meant the enemy likely hasn’t realized you’re not just any enemy combatant and striking at a later moment could be a game changer.

Your HUD is quickly number crunching the situation for you, having already calculated what your loadout is.

>Stay on the roof and keep shooting. (TN 60)
>Toss a frag. (TN 70)
>Charge them. (TN 45)
>Other (TN ???)

>>2685705
>>Stay on the roof and keep shooting. (TN 60)

>>2685705
>>Stay on the roof and keep shooting. (TN 60)
Save it for later.

>>2685705
>>Toss a frag. (TN 70)

>>2685705
>Stay on the roof and keep shooting. (TN 60)

Remember boys. Two in the chest, One in the head.

>>2685705
>Stay on the roof and keep shooting. (TN 60)

>>2685705
>Stay on the roof and keep shooting. (TN 60)

>>2685705
>>Charge them. (TN 45)

>>2685709
>>2685711
>>2685714
>>2685719
>>2685726
Gunning down some Council scum it is, writing!

You quickly hone in on what the rest of the cell is focused on and turn your fire towards the enemy Council squad who have collected themselves enough to respond against Theta. While you could run down there and cause havoc among them with your Lancer gear, you’ll likely get the attention of the rest of the convoy for being the biggest threat, which could complicate things. And you'd show your hand.

This is what you were trained for first too, all of the fancy gear in the world really won’t mean shit if you don’t have steady aim. Coordinated with the rest of your teammates you unleash a barrage of weapons fire right back at the Council forces. In particular you try and aim for what appears to be the leader of their squad, if you could finish him off, the remaining ones should fall in order.

Conversely that same domino effect would affect Theta if Helga herself got shot. Despite her importance and complete freedom to never participate in a firefight unlike Beta’s Handler. It’s admirable but you want to make damn sure the worst doesn’t happen to her.

>Roll 1d100 (TN 60)

Rolled 7 (1d100)

>>2685800

Rolled 9 (1d100)

>>2685800

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>2685800

Rolled 58 (1d100)

>>2685800
wew lad

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>>2685811
>>2685810
>>2685809
>>2685805
Oh boy did I call that shit from a mile away or did I call that shit from ten miles away!

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Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>2685810
...

>>2685820
inb4 Theta 1 takes an entire mag to the face and dies

You and the rest of the cell return fire and try and pick off the enemy forces, and while your team with the height advantage does manage to gun down one of the six in the enemy squad, they’ve hunkered themselves down rather well. Bullets fly back and forth from both parties and once your gun runs dry you pause to reload.

This is taking way too lo--

Then Helga lets out a pained cry and falls to the ground her white shirt quickly running red with blood. Your heart rate spikes up like a jackhammer as you see her fall and hit the floor of the roof hard.

“Shit! Helga’s been hit!” Petros shouts.

Evert’s already beside her and is quickly dragging Helga back away from the edge of the roof, for all of his strange conversations and odd mannerisms, the man is a medic first before anything else and is quickly attempting to administer first aid to Helga.

Fuck! What the hell is wrong with you!? Why didn’t you just jump down down there and charge into the fray! You have the fucking super suit for christ’s sake! You want to check if she’s alright, you need to check if she’s OK, when Petros pulls you back.

“What are you doing!? Keep shooting! We are down two guns and they’re pushing!” Petros barks snapping you out of it.

Shit, he’s right. The enemy have realized they’ve done something and they’re attempting to pin your squad down with suppression and move up. Likely to get within optimum grenade range.

[Keep it together gang, w-we can do it!] Same-chan tries to reassure the squad but she’s very easily tuned out in the chaos of the firefight.

You could charge in there and start swinging with your baton, but your heightened heart rate and general stress is starting to pick up in the HUD’s system and the risk calculation is fluctuating accordingly. It’s recommending to fall back to the Beta agents in the other building. The tables starting to flip, but you’d lose the high ground and that obviously would be a problem!

You need to act quick!

>Charge! (TN 35-45)
>Frag them! (TN 60-75)
>Keep shooting! (TN 50-80)
>Fall back! (Automatic Success)
>Other (TN ???)

>>2685856
>Charge! (TN 35-45)

>>2685856
>Keep shooting! (TN 50-80)

Such is life in the zone

>>2685856
>>Charge! (TN 35-45)

STRIKE THEM DOWN WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT!

>>2685865
>>2685860
Wait a minute. Why can't we shoot WHILE we charge?

>>2685869
>>2685865
>>2685860
Oh wait we're EXALT lol I forgot.

>>2685856
>Charge! (TN 35-45)

>>2685856
>Charge! (TN 35-45)

>>2685856
>>Charge! (TN 35-45)
the other troops might not notice us, but either way, we need to get some of them downed now.

You can, but it would be difficult quickly switching to your baton to swinging with your super stun baton which is what the Charge option mostly entails. Shooting specifically means holding position on the roof and shooting like prior.

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13 KB JPG

>>2685877
Well I can't be malicious with an answer like that.

>>2685860
>>2685865
>>2685872
>>2685874
>>2685876
Charging it is, writing!

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>>2685879

File: It's time.gif (2.79 MB, 600x338)

2.79 MB GIF

You needed down there charging in like a goddamn lightning bolt, yesterday! Taking one last look at Helga you ready yourself and vault right off of the the roof, landing right onto the sidewalk right in front of the enemy squad. Their shooting stops for half a moment as they stare at you. Your team above pause for a moment as well as the attention of the immediate area is drawn directly to you. They’re not intimidated yet and more confused at your armor and attire..

It’s then that you activate the baton at maximum power, with swing the claws of the device extending out and begin crackling with red energy. Streaks of red sparks snap and whip around you on the ground, with you completely immune to the effects given the Lancer armor’s insulation.

That intimidates them.

“Shoot him!” One of the Council soldiers yells in alarm as they bring their weapons to bear against you. But you’re already charging ahead at full speed, the walker servos in the machine making run much faster. Petros and Iskra provide covering fire from above but you're focused dead ahead of you.

You charge right for the one bastard who you think shot Helga. He dies first.

>Roll 1d100 (TN 35-45)

Rolled 20 (1d100)

>>2685918

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>2685918
here goes nothing

Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>2685918
time to die