>>2885779
[2/2]

He stares at you, in disbelief. “You sound coached. Did someone put you up to this?” You shake your head. “You are an absolute mystery to me then. If I didn’t know any better, you’re either signing up because your girlfriend has a soldier fetish or you’re an actual patriot.” Silence from you. Don’t tell him the actual reason why you’re enlisting. He seems to admire you. He sighs, leaning back in his chair like you do. “Listen. Your papers are green. Your physical disposition is green too. All that’s left is to process you and you’ll be officially enlisted. I’ll take you out to the Processing Station today in fact and we can get you squared away.”

“Great.” You stand up out of your chair. He doesn’t move however. He seems to want to say one more thing.

He lights up another cigarette. “But tell me, boy. Do you understand exactly what you’re getting into?”

…

…

You open your eyes and turn over in the bed. You see Graves smoking a cigarette, pacing around the prefab while Morrison naps quietly. Tierney is back to her corner too, also smoking like a chimney. The faint sounds of scraping and snipping are in the background as Nielson is operated on in the improvised surgical theatre. Graves must have had a hell of a time sterilizing the place for a surgery. In fact, this place is much cleaner than it was than when you last saw it. Less blood on the floor for one thing, debris and items were swept to the side too. Someone was busy.

You sit up and look at Graves. She looks down at you.

“Nice morning wood, jackass.” What. You adjust yourself quickly, glaring at her. No off switch for her it seems. “Careful, you might poke someone’s eye out with that.”

“How’s Nielson?” Off that topic really quickly.

“AutoDoc is working on him now,” she says. “Had to clean up the place a little bit. You see, blood and guts everywhere isn’t exactly a sterile environment. And his arm was infected enough as it is so I had to break open my frakking maid uniform and get down on all fours and expose my pretty white panties to the world. Too bad you were frakking asleep.”

Morrison grumbles, throwing his arm over his eyes. “Oh my God. Graves, shut the frak up, please. I’m trying to sleep.” Graves rolls her eyes, going back to quietly pacing around the prefab.

“He’ll be out in a couple of hours, Nielson that is,” says Graves. “But don’t expect much activity out of him for a little bit. He needs some time to heal.” Fair enough.

> Open a C-Ration. Been a while since you’ve had a meal.
> Pick up your carbine and patrol around Devil’s Den.
> Strike up conversation with someone (Who?)
> Go out and explore the area, see what you can see.
> Other

>>2885780
Leaving this for overnight. We'll update soon as I can or whenever I get back from work tomorrow.

If you got questions, you know what to do.

>>2885780
> Open a C-Ration. Been a while since you’ve had a meal.

>>2885780
> Open a C-Ration. Been a while since you’ve had a meal.
Gotta calorie up, since we're the only one that seems to get things done.

>>2885780
>Open a C-Ration. Been a while since you’ve had a meal.

>>2885780
>Open a C-Ration. Been a while since you’ve had a meal.
Nothing like a nice cold breakfast

> Open a C-Ration. Been a while since you’ve had a meal.

You get up out of bed then grab a C-Ration out of the mutual pile of them on the floor. You pull off the top portion then tear the tab. After several seconds of heating, you take off the lid and peek inside. Two little sausages and scrambled eggs. Not bad. You take the spork and start feasting on chewy scrambled eggs and tender breakfast sausages. “Did we see any contact outside while I was asleep?” you ask.

“Nah.” Graves shakes her head, tossing the cigarette to the floor and stamping it out. “Likely the Lizards haven’t picked up our scent or our scent is covered up by the sheer amount of bodies that are here. If they catch us downwind, they might hesitate.”

Morrison sighs deeply, apparently realizing he’s not going to get any sleep with you two awake. He sits up a bit. “Speaking of which. We got a plan for getting out of here?”

“We’re not getting out of here.” You three look to Tierney. “… I mean, he claims to have a plan but I know full well that getting out of here is a pipe dream.”

“They ain’t just gonna leave us here,” Morrison says. “I mean, I know the retreat was chaotic and everything but come on.”

“We’re just a bunch of grunts,” Graves remarks. “We’re replaceable, Morrison. Five of us isn’t going to make a difference to them Upstairs. The way I see things, if we want to get off this planet, we need to do it for ourselves. Cope had the Orbital Transmitter but after we got separated, who knows where it is. It could be destroyed for all we know.”

“No, no. I saw Cope,” Morrison says. “He made a run for it with the Navy liaison and a group of guys. He’s probably still out there.”

“He’s just as likely to be dead,” says Graves. “The big thing though is that we can’t stay here.”

“Why not?” asks Tierney.

“They broke this line before, against a force that was bigger and better equipped than we were,” Graves states bluntly. She pulls another cigarette from her pack, then lights up. “Once they find out five fresh bodies are lounging around here, they’re going to call a free buffet on us. That’s not going to be pretty.”

“We can’t leave though.” Morrison leans forward, resting his hand on his broken leg. “There’s no safe place for miles. Cope may have made it to the swamps yes, but the swamps were a no-go zone. You listened to the briefings. Even the Lizards don’t go into that place they told us. And we don’t have a vehicle either so that means we’ll have to hoof it. That means walking through enemy territory against Lizards that can outrun us, outjump us, and outmaneuver us on their home turf. This is a safe place.”

Graves looks to you, apparently wanting your opinion.

> “We have to make this our home until further notice.”
> “We have to look for the Orbital Transmitter. By any means.”
> “You all make good points. But we need more time to think on this maybe.”
> Other

>>2887108
>> “You all make good points. But we need more time to think on this maybe.”
A couple of hours aren't gonna kill us. The ultimate goal should be the transmitter, but maybe something else will pop up

>>2887108
>“You all make good points. But we need more time to think on this maybe
Honestly staying is bad since we're eventually going to be discovered. But we can't just go into the swamp without any prep either. So more scavenging would probably be best or looking for information.

>>2887108
> “You all make good points. But we need more time to think on this maybe.”

>>2887108
>> “You all make good points. But we need more time to think on this maybe.”

> “You all make good points. But we need more time to think on this maybe.”

“You all make good points. But we need time to think on this, plan out our next move, even steal and scavenge whatever we don’t have. I’m the only one here with an actual plasma rifle for one thing.” You point to Morrison. “You’re not even armed. Neither is Nielson. Everyone else has to make do with pistols, knives, and harsh language. We’re in no condition to move. But we’re definitely not going to stay here forever.”

Graves sighs, folding her arms. “Sound logic.” Morrison nods too, grim expression on his face. “You said you looted the medevac, right?”

“Only what I could carry,” you say. “The fore and aft sections I couldn’t get into because of the Lizards.”

“And we still haven’t got to RV Point Alpha either.” Graves sits down on Morrison’s bed, next to his leg. “We were going to scavenge what we could but obviously you remember what we told you last night.” They were ambushed, split up, some of their party killed. You’re aware.

“Do you know what’s at Alpha?” you ask. They shake their heads. “Well, whatever’s there must be a big surprise.”

“It’s already mid-day,” says Graves. “You’re not seriously thinking of going back out there, are you?”

“We need weapons and equipment,” you say. “Almost everything here has been chewed to shit.” Though…

> Head to RV Point Alpha and scavenge what you can.
> Go back to the medevac crash site and loot what you can.
> Head to RV Point Bravo and scavenge whatever you can find.
> Best to use the rest of the day to shore up the defenses here. In case the Lizards come probing.
> Other

>>2887349
Do we actually NEED medical supplies? I don't mind hopping back there, but only if necessary. > Head to RV Point Bravo and scavenge whatever you can find.

>>2887349
we should scavenge whatever is closest, we have a distinct lack of everything at this point.

> Head to RV Point Bravo and scavenge whatever you can find.

“I’m going to head to RV Point Bravo and scavenge whatever I can find. We still haven’t hit that place yet. And even a functional plasma rifle or two will go a long way for us. Not to mention if we find any explosives or a DMR for myself.” You’re dying for a DMR at this point. Even a scope to attach to your carbine would be like God’s gift to you.

Graves stands up. “I’ll go with you then. You’ll be able to pull more things back with two people rather than one.”

“And leave us here with no one to watch us?” asks Morrison.

“Tierney can watch you.” Graves motions to Tierney. You look over at her. She’s still huddled in her corner, smoking her cigarette to the filter. She doesn’t even respond when mentioned. “Besides, it’s not like we’ll be gone long or be going very far. Bravo isn’t too far away, only about two hundred meters out if I recall correctly. It’ll be a dawdle.”

> “Alright. Let’s go then, Graves.”
> “You’d better stay here, Graves.”
> Other

>>2887551
>> “Alright. Let’s go then, Graves.”

>>2887551
>> “Alright. Let’s go then, Graves.”

>>2887551
>Let's gooooo Graves
"You follow my lead tho. Sewing things up is your game, and sneaking around is mine."

> “Alright. Let’s go then, Graves.”

“Alright. Let’s go then.” Graves slightly pulls her machete out of its sheath to check the blade then pushes it back in. Armed with a pistol as well and carrying some medical equipment too, she’ll be able to help you if you get injured. “You follow my lead though. Medical stuff, that’s yours. But sneaking around and scouting, that’s mine.”

Graves says, “Trust me.” She points to the gauze covering her ruined right eye. “You’ll be my new right eye, buddy.” She motions to her right. “Everything here now is a mystery to me. Now are we going or what?” She steps past you out the curtains of the door.

Morrison leans over, looking at you. “Stay safe out there. I don’t want to be the only adult around here.” You give him a thumbs up in response. He sighs, settling back as you walk out. You have to give him props, after a bit of sleep he’s got a cool head on his shoulders. You check your carbine again. Fully functional and ready for combat. Alright. Time to get out there.

…

…

You and Graves skulk through the woods, quietly. She crouches behind you as you take point. You’re having to take extra care to watch your right too considering her injury. The high rocks and the trees keep you covered effectively though. And judging by the sound of birds and insects once more in the wilderness, there aren’t any big predators nearby. Silence usually means everyone is hiding. Graves is on guard, one hand on her machete hilt, the other holding a pistol. Despite her blustery mouthy attitude, at least she knows when to shut up.

RV Point Bravo isn’t too far now.

Though as you walk, you notice the woods are getting quieter. You hold up a fist, and Graves immediately stops. The two of you get low. She sidles up to you and whispers to you. “Why are we stopped?”

“It’s quiet,” you say. “When it’s quiet. Means there’s a predator running around.”

“Like us?” she asks.

“They quieten down because of us, yes,” you explain. “But if we stay still, and it’s still quiet. Then there’s something else here in the area.” Graves nods slowly. The two of you sit still, glancing around, silent as can be.

After five minutes, or what feels in your heart to be five hours, the place comes back to life. The birds again sing and the insects start chirping. You motion for Graves to continue following you. She grabs your back, keeping her pistol up as she watches behind you.

For a second there, you thought something was stalking you.

...

...

You see smoke rising in the distance in the direction of RV Point Bravo. It’s light, cloudy, just barely visible. Likely a small fire or something. You and Graves continue to push past the bushes and the foliage until finally you come upon the site.

> APPROACHING SITE: EVACUATION RENDEZVOUS POINT BRAVO

Like Charlie, the place looked to be pillaged. Unlike Charlie though, it seems the defenders here put up a hell of a fight. There were as many dead human bodies as there were dead Troodon and Raptors. There was even the corpse of a Ceratosaurus among the pile, with plasma marks scorching its hide. Carrion birds pecked at everything, with incredibly tiny lizards snapping and nipping at the skin to try and tear open the meat inside. Graves flinches away from them, getting close to you. “What are they?”

“Compsognathus,” you say. “Segisaurus are the night time scavvers, these little buggers are the daytime according to the xenobiology reports.” And they were out in force. But unlike other Lizards, once the Compies saw you, they immediately flee and bolt for the woods.

The big thing that catches yours and Graves’ eye though was what was trapped in a shell crater, partially hidden by a fallen tree. It was a Land Rover, a big thick four wheeled all-terrain car. There was no armor as they were primarily designed for recon and fast attack cavalry ops, but it made up for it with being able to climb and drive over any kind of terrain with its big wheels.

No, what was more exciting was the fact that the back held a Type 66M Phased Plasma Pulse Cannon. With ammo to spare too! There was a power pack still attached, along with two power packs strapped to the bed next to it. They were big obviously, and carrying one is a chore but between you and Graves… if you had a way to dismount this thing. Forget that, if you could get this thing out. It seems the engine is the cause of the smoke though. Probably something wrong with it. Means you can’t move it.

No, no. Right. Focus on what you need first.

> Loot the bodies. There must be a rifle or something around here.
> Work with Graves to try and detach the cannon.
> Secure the area first. Have Graves do the scavenging. Make sure things are safe for her.
> Other

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I'm taking a break for a night time's sleep. I'll post first thing in the morning. Leave your votes here. Be back.

>>2887938
> Secure the area first. Have Graves do the scavenging. Make sure things are safe for her.
No surprises while looting please

>>2887939
Night QM

>>2887938
>> Secure the area first. Have Graves do the scavenging. Make sure things are safe for her.

>2887938
>Secure the area first. Have Graves do the scavenging. Make sure things are safe for her.

>>2887938
>> Secure the area first. Have Graves do the scavenging. Make sure things are safe for her.
There's likely something stalking us.

>>2887938
> Other
Tail hook on the way back.

Maybe set a trap too.

> Secure the area first. Have Graves do the scavenging. Make sure things are safe for her.

“I’ll secure the area. Start finding whatever’s worth taking.” She nods, moving to scavenge the nearest body. You raise the carbine again, listening closely as you walk. Keep your fottsteps light and your breathing slow. Don’t panic. As Graves turns one of the bodies over, she starts grabbing at whatever she can find. You can’t pay attention to that now, you have to secure the area first.

The north side looks clear. Now for the east side. You keep your carbine raised, edging into the bushes and the trees as you look around. Rays of light shine through the leaves and rocks. Nothing is disturbing them. No. What is disturbing you is that the wildlife has gone quiet again. You pause, glancing around. The tree branches are still. The grass is only swaying in the light winds. You put your eye to the sights, waiting and watching closely.

“Hey!” You flinch, then turn around and see Graves holding something up. “Found a frag grenade!” You put your finger to your lip, shushing her. She seems to realize her mistake and quickly nods, going back to looting. Ugh, she scared the piss out of you.

Then you hear some quick rustling in the bushes. You turn back around. Nothing.

The Compsognathuses quickly vacate the bushes however, running out into the open and back towards the way you came. Graves watches them, confused. She then turns to you.

> Okay. No. Frak this. Back the way you came.
> Go investigate what it was.
> No. Stay here with Graves. This thing is alone, it knows well enough not to attack a group.
> Other

>>2888578
>No. Stay here with Graves. This thing is alone, it knows well enough not to attack a group.

File: fh-db.jpg (42 KB, 313x285)

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>>2888578
>>2888299
*correction*
> Other
double back and fishhook the stalker. Maybe use the grenade to trap a fork in the road by having graves turn back and we prep an ambush.

>>2888585
*graves go back to camp.*
not turn.

>>2888578
> No. Stay here with Graves. This thing is alone, it knows well enough not to attack a group.
We should probably warn her something might be stalking us.

File: hurrrrrrr.jpg (43 KB, 1024x576)

43 KB JPG

>>2888578
>She seems to realize her mistake and quickly nods, going back to looting.

COOOOOONNNNSCCCCCRRRRIPPPPTSSS!!!

>>2888585
Supporting

> No. Stay here with Graves. This thing is alone, it knows well enough not to attack a group.
> Other

You quickly double back to Graves then crouch next to her. “Please tell me you found something other than a grenade,” you whisper. She shakes her head. Figures. She hasn’t been given any time to really thoroughly check the place. There could be loads more things lying around if you gave it a better look. Still, you have to tell her this one thing. “By the way. Very rookie mistake calling me out like that.”

Graves sighs, ‘this is going to suck’ written all over her face. “I got overexcited.”

“A frag grenade to end our suffering quickly, I’d be excited too,” you mutter. She nudges you, clearly not enjoying you reveling in her mistake. “Listen, something’s stalking us. I can’t see it. It’s not going to attack us while we’re together like this.” You grab her collar and pull her close, so nothing can see you whisper into her ear. “Head back towards camp then double back to me. I’ll split off and hide and try to ambush it.” She nods. “Give me that.” You swipe the grenade from her. “And be quick. No mistakes.”

“Right.” The two of you break then start moving back the way you came. You watch back for any movement. Nothing that you can particularly make out. Graves takes the lead, hurrying out. She then swings right up ahead while you slide to the ground and roll into a bush to the left. You crouchwalk back towards the way you came.

You grab the frag grenade then pull the pin. You press the spoon inwards however then pull it off, which reveals a translucent liquid-cable inside. Good for about three meters. Fragile but once something breaks the line, the grenade goes off. You wrap the line around a tree, then plant the grenade amongst a rock and some roots. You quickly go and hide at a safe distance, then present your carbine towards the grenade.

Now you wait.

…

[1/2]

>>2888704
[2/2]

You hear the soft rustling of leaves. The woods again go silent. You wait with bated breath for it to come into view.

But it doesn’t. After ten minutes of waiting, it does not even once show itself.

Were you just imagining things?

Then you hear a stick crack. You turn your head slowly in the direction of where that is.

Standing there, completely still among the thick foliage and leaves was a Lizard. No combat harness except for a dark brown helmet with leaves and spots painted all over it. It resembled a Rex, except your size, with ridges going along its head and spine. But the skin is colored to the environment around it. And slowly you can see it move forward, it’s light and dark greens and browns now exposing it to the environment around it, as if it were a cut-out against a painting.

It can camouflage.

It stood away from you only ten meters away, staring at you. Perhaps its wondering if it can see you. You can definitely see it.

> DRYPTOSAURUS
> No Intel Available

> Stare back at it. Until Graves comes back to help you.
> Shoot at it! Now!
> Slowly back away, keep your eyes directly on it.
> Other

>>2888708
Is it armed? Whats it body language signaling?

> Other
Wait and do nothing for a bit to stall and buy time for graves to catch up.

Then raise our weapon in its direction but don't point it at the thing. Make eye contact and decide what to do accordingly.

Also how did it follow us like that? Unless its not tracking us by footprints but by scent, in which case we should have done the fishhook in the other direct with the wind.

>>2888726
Not armed save for teeth and claw.

As for body language, it's standing stiff, straight, almost no movement aside from just staring at you.

>>2888726
Supporting

>>2888726
SURE

> Other

Sweat starts running down your face. It’s like one of those tigers in those hunting preserves. You keep your eye on them, they won’t move. Just wait. Wait and hope it doesn’t move. You can see its eyes tracking you, as if daring you to make a move. You take a breath, slowly level your weapon in its direction. It raises its head, growling. Alright. You’ll take this slow. It knows you’re a human. It knows you’re good eating judging by how many human corpses have been slaughtered out here.

…

No movement from either of you. The first one who blinks loses.

You feel sweat on your nose and in your collar. Don’t blink. It growls, lowering its head. You see it start forward now. Oh boy. You raise your carbine.

Then a bolt of plasma hits it in the side. It roars, shaking the trees. A fresh little burning orange hole flashes on its side from the impact. You stand up and back away. You look over to see Graves firing at it with her pistol. The big Lizard immediately turns to her, then starts backing away. Is it running away?

It turns around and starts running.

Wait. If it gets away, it might alert other Lizards! You can’t let that happen!

> After him!
> He’s gone. Go back to looting what you can from the site.
> Back to base.
> Other

>>2888998
> After him!
Can't we just shoot him? Bullets are faster.

>>2889012
Good point.

Add in:
> Shoot him!

>>2888998
Does it look amphibian?

>>2889012
Technically we are firing plasma....

W

>>2889019
These lizards aren't amphibian.

At least, the xenobiologists agree they aren't amphibian.

>>2889017
>> Shoot him!

>>2889017
> Shoot him!

Roll some 3d10s.

Rolled 8, 8, 3 = 19 (3d10)

>>2889069

Rolled 7, 8, 2 = 17 (3d10)

>>2889069

Rolled 3, 6, 4 = 13 (3d10)

>>2889069
AAAAAA

> Shoot him!

You fire off a single shot. The shot slams into the back of its knee, sending it spiraling forward. It slams into the ground, crumbling like a building on a steep hill. Graves step up next to you, watching as it falls before it goes limp. You and her quickly run over to it. If it gets out a rallying cry, it’ll bring down more of them on you.

There you find it lying on its side, trying to kick its wounded leg back into gear. All it does is useless spray its blood on the ground, trying to get back up. It cries out. Trying to signal for help maybe? But Graves quickly puts an end to it by blasting its head repeatedly with her pistol. A few shots cook the skin only, but one finally gets through and roasts its brain, killing it.

…

You don’t hear any calls in response. Nothing. Seems you’ve managed to get away with it. “You’re a crack shot,” says Graves. “Where’d you learn to shoot like that?” She places the pistol back on her belt, curiously looking at you.

“Grew up on a farm. Used to hunt for kicks,” you say. You remember hunting with a few pals of yours before you enlisted. Hopewell Bighorns always made you good money, especially the 40 pounders. Not to mention ladies loved the hides. But you never were able to take full advantage of that, unlike your cousin Rob. Then there was always a weekend at the big game preserves where the Dominion had declared large swathes of land to be preserved for the “genetic and biologic legacy of Earth and mankind” when really they just dumped a bunch of cloned animals onto a land and told them to go wild. Hopewell never liked those preserves and were always keen to let hunters go buck wild in there but never too wild.

“Hm.” Graves nods, looking at your carbine, then at you. “Well, we better get to looting that site. Maybe we can find something useful then.”

> “I’d rather we head back. I don’t want to risk anything.”
> “Sure. Let’s see what we can find.”
> Other

>>2889217
>> “Sure. Let’s see what we can find.”
>> Other
Examine that dead dino in detail.
Gets Graves's opinion on it too, she must have studied biology.

>>2889278
supporting

>>2889278
>>2889217
and get our grenade back.

>>2889278
+1

> “Sure. Let’s see what we can find.”
> Other

You kneel down beside the dead dino. Aside from the helmet, it looks like there’s nothing else on him. “It looks like a Dryptosaurus. Intel didn’t have anything to say on these guys though.”

Graves nods, kneeling down beside you as she taps the skin with her hand. “Must be fairly solitary. You’d think the Lizards would set these guys up in packs given their camo.” The coloring still remains on the skin even in death. “Feel that skin? Pretty thick too.” You grab at the skin lightly. It feels leathery, with some rough patches for the scales on it too. No feathers however. She sticks her finger into the hole made by the plasma, which makes you cringe a little at the sight. She sticks another finger in then practically tears open a wide hole. It takes some effort however, and a lot of blood gets on her gloves and her arms. “See how thick that skin? That must be a couple of centimeters at least. And this blood too…”

“Don’t let that stop you from smearing it all over yourself,” you mutter. Graves looks at you, unamused. “Just saying. You don’t know where it’s been.”

She rolls her eye then says, “What I’m saying is that this how they’re so resistant to plasma weaponry. The big ones at least. Their thick skin is actually quite good at making sure the plasma doesn’t roast the insides on the initial shots. Smaller ones like Raptors and Troodon must not have thick hides but these guys do. As for it’s active camo…” She takes another good look at the skin, squinting a little. She points out a piece of skin starting to turn dark grey. “Look. See that? It’s like in chameleons. When they die they lose control of something called the chromatophores, that’s what allows them to change color. Now as to why it has that ability when it’s obviously an apex predator and not some bottom feeding Lizard trying to make sure it doesn’t get caught, I don’t know.”

“What do you mean?” you ask.

“Normally animals or any kind of normal fauna have active camo like that to hide from other predators, not to hunt prey,” she explains. “See, the only other exception to that I know is the Tirilean Jungle Crawlers on Tiril, but they use that camo to communicate. It’s not really camo, it’s more because they have underdeveloped eyes due to their living on the jungle floor where it’s all dark. See, they use the chromatophores on their skin to change colors to reflect mood. They supplement that with-“

You hold up a hand, stopping her. “Okay, I wanted to check the Lizard in more detail, not get a science lesson, sorry.” She shrugs, understanding. “How do you know all that?”

“I dated a xenobiologist major for a few months,” she says. Oh. Really? “Broke up when he found out I enlisted, had problems with it.” She snorts. “He was a pussy anyway.” She points to the dead Lizard. “Question though, how did it find you?”

[1/2]

>>2889609
[2/2]

“It snuck up on me. Wasn’t following the footprints either or it would’ve tripped the grenade,” you explain.

“Two explanations. Scent-based tracking or it’s way better at stalking than you realize,” Graves says. “Only saving grace here is that it wasn’t armed with any kind of weapons otherwise it would’ve sniped you. These puppies must be some kind of infiltrator for the Lizards. Scouts, not like force recon or anything.” She stands up. “Count yourself lucky that the Lizards don’t seem to be that smart, otherwise we’d be dead ten times over.” You take another look at the head of the Lizard. Limp, and lifeless in the eyes too. You stand up as well.

“We better get back to scavving what we can from the site,” you say.

She nods, right. The two of you decide to leave the Lizard where it lies. You can’t carry it, and you certainly won’t bury it. Already a pair of compsognathus come out and start pecking at the corpse. They’ll finish it off for you. You pick up your tripmine grenade on the way out too.

…

…

You turn over the dead half-chewed body of another soldier like you. You look through his IFAK, nothing. But you do find a spare powerpack for the carbine. “Hey, look here.” Graves calls to you and shows you something. It’s a rifle. Finally.

> TYPE 40 PLASMA PULSE RIFLE – 40 WATT
> The standard weapon for Dominion Soldiers. With a medium-sized barrel, engagements can happen at nearly all combat ranges. A rail on the top and clamps at the bottom of the barrel allow for multiple attachments to further enhance it, creating a versatile platform any Dominion soldiers. It fires in single shot, three round burst, and full auto at 1300 RPM.

> ATTACHMENTS: NONE
> POWER LEVEL: 75 SHOTS REMAINING

[2/3]

>>2889615
[3/3]

Graves checks it herself, then hands it off to you. Hm. Longer barrel means more accuracy too. Though, you’ve kinda grown attached to your Carbine buddy here. You sigh. You actually remember you left a second spare perfectly good Carbine back at RV Point Charlie. Would’ve been useful but it’s probably dangerous to go back for it now. She continues searching. You do as well.

On top of a dead officer, clutched in his stone cold hands was a flare gun too.

> FLARE LAUNCHER - PISTOL
> Flare guns are an important tool for marking targets, illuminating dark areas, and for signaling. This pistol flare launcher can be stowed on the belt for easy access.

> SHOTS: 1 (Chambered)

You take it and place it on your belt. Quietly, you have to admire the bravery of the Officer too. Unlike the Colonel and most of the command staff, he actually stayed and fought with his company. You check his rank. Second Lieutenant Jim Ridley. Hm.

“Another rifle!” says Graves. She slings it behind her back, then keeps on looking. She picks up three power packs for the rifles too, then joins you. Two rifles, a flare gun, three power packs, and a grenade. Not a bad haul. “All I could find. Including this.” She kicks over a good helmet to you. Huh. You pick it up as well. “What do you think?” She motions to the Land Rover. It has a perfectly good working plasma pulse cannon. And it’s not in bad shape save for the engine.

> Dismount the cannon. You’ll come back for the Land Rover later probably.
> Start to work on the engine. You’ve never fixed an engine before, but the Dominion probably designs these for easy maintenance, right?
> Leave it for now. You’ve got enough stuff to carry.
> Other

>>2889620
> Leave it for now. You’ve got enough stuff to carry.

We could try pushing it all the way back, get the heavy weapon girl to push while we ride in the thing.... To help steer it of course.

> Other
find some other useful stuff and pile it into the rover. Maybe some decent comms equipment?

>>2889620
>Leave it for now. You’ve got enough stuff to carry.

>>2889620
Like do we have short range radios that we can communicate back to the guys at the Den? Do our helmets have em?

>>2889620
>> Leave it for now. You’ve got enough stuff to carry.
Pretty sure the guy who lost his legs wasn't too bad with tech. We can have him look at it.

>>2889620
> Leave it for now. You’ve got enough stuff to carry.

>>2889838
Short ranges aren't working or are out of juice. It'd be good to find working ones (of which there aren't any here)

> Leave it for now. You’ve got enough stuff to carry.

“We better leave it for now,” you say.

“Agreed. I’m not quite interested in pushing a Land Rover out of a shell crater,” she remarks. “Shall we go back then?” You nod. You mark the place on the map for later so you can get back here. That Land Rover will save you a lot of grief once you get it working. She packs up her things then gets moving behind you. You sling the spare rifle then get moving too.

…

…

“You’re thinking aren’t you?” she asks.

“I’m just wondering if I should trade in the carbine for the rifle,” you say. “I like my carbine. It’s been with me through quite a bit.”

“We’ve only been trapped on this planet for a few days,” she says. A few days of Lizard killing mayhem, yes. “Were we going to stop by the Medevac on our way back?”

“I’m not sure if we need any more medical equipment. It’s pretty close anyway, we can always make a second trip,” you explain. You take a swig of water out of your canteen, grimacing a little. Could go for another meal too given all this walking you’ve been doing. Graves nods, quiet. You look back at her.

“What?” she asks.

“Nothing,” you say, looking forward.

“Is this about the eye?” she says. She gently pushes you forward. “I’ve told you, it’s fine. Once we get back Upstairs anyway, they can get me a new one. The scars are a different story but I think they suit me.”

> “You said you dated a xenobiology major. You went to college?”
> “I’m just concerned you might run into things.”
> “You said you enlisted. Why enlist?”
> Other

>>2889959
>“You said you dated a xenobiology major. You went to college?”

>>2889959
> “You said you dated a xenobiology major. You went to college?”

>>2889959
> Other
wrap your boots in bandages, I'm sick and tired of stepping over your footprints.

> “You said you dated a xenobiology major. You went to college?”

“You said you dated a xenobiology major.” She tilts her head, a little confused. “You went to college?”

“Yeah. Went to college late though,” she remarks. “Had the funny idea of pursuing a degree so I could get a better chance of a receiving a Class Two rating. But then the shit popped off with the Lizards and I decided to enlist, figured voluntary service would look better.”

“And a medic?” you ask.

“Truth be told, I thought being a medic meant I could sit on a base all day, inject drugs, and laze around. Instead my first couple of months as a medic involved being a babysitter for all the conscripts.” She sighs, rubbing her nose a little. “Lots of stories I could tell, but I don’t wanna bore you. Truth be told I’d rather be shoving a tube up someone’s ass to hydrate them rather than be stuck here.” Fair point. “You go to college too?”

“Yeah.” You adjust your shoulder sling a bit. “I was going to a Trade School studying Practicals then I enlisted.”

“You realize Practical Education degree means you’re exempt from conscription, right?” she says. Yeah. Exactly what your Recruiter said. “Why enlist?”

“Eh. Long story,” you say. Best not to just say that to Graves. She’ll turn it into a big frakking deal. “So we’re both college educated somewhat, and enlisted. At least I’m not the only enlistee here.”

“Sorry, did you think you were special?” she asks mockingly. You roll your eyes. Oh sweet merciful God, please.

“By the way.” You look back, pointing to her boots. “Wraps some gauze around your boots. Helps cover your tracks.” She stops, then sighs, pulling gauze from her pack then moving to wrap them around her boots. “I probably should’ve told you that sooner but oh well. They’ll lose at this exact spot perhaps. Who knows.”

“Yeah, thanks, Daddy,” she mutters. Oh please, do not make that the nom de guerre for yourself. You admit, it excites you a little bit but you’re definitely not going to show that. She finishes up wrapping her boots, then motions for you to continue. “After we get back to base, what’s the plan? You gonna have a combat jack or something?”

> Scavenge some more, make a second trip to the Medevac, maybe even RV Point Alpha perhaps.
> Fortify the base, in case some Lizards come knocking.
> “We’ll see when we get there.”
> “I’m going to grab some gauze and stuff your mouth shut if you don’t shut up.”
> Other

>>2890226
> “We’ll see when we get there.”
i'm sure something went tits up while we were gone.

>>2890226
>Scavenge some more, make a second trip to the Medevac, maybe even RV Point Alpha perhaps.
>Supplies and information. Got to be more info on the jungle somewhere. Besides we may find another beacon without having to go into the Jungle of DOOM.

>>2890226
>Scavenge some more, make a second trip to the Medevac, maybe even RV Point Alpha perhaps.

> Scavenge some more, make a second trip to the Medevac, maybe even RV Point Alpha perhaps.

“We’ll scavenge some more. Make a second trip to the Medevac. Maybe even over to RV Point Alpha if we have time.” Getting caught out at night is undesirable. It’s not a deal breaker but it’s just not something you want to have to deal with. You look up at the sky. Star is already past the high point and going down. Regardless, you need more supplies, maybe even information. Maybe you’ll even run into survivors.

Graves sighs, then says, “Alrighty then.” If she doesn’t want to go, she doesn’t have to.

You won’t force her. You still have a base to defend.

…

…

The two of you enter the medical prefab with all your loot. You find Nielson resting in a bed, with Morrison stood up over him, leaning on the metal headrest. He looks back at you, smiling a little. “Back already? I was just about to shoot myself.” You hand him a rifle, and he nods in thanks. “Find anything else?”

“There’s a Land Rover with a busted engine back at Bravo,” says Graves. “It has a working cannon too. Not to mention there’s enough space for the five of us.” Morrison grins, probably the first good news he’s heard in a while. “We might be able to fix it up given some time and energy.”

“Both we don’t exactly have,” Morrison mutters. He nods to Nielson, sitting back on another bed to relieve his leg. “AutoDoc just finished up with Nielson. He’s healing now.” You see several stiches along his arms, legs, and more. The arm that was almost amputated is covered in more potent medi-gel. It was like gluing his arm back together as if he were a toy soldier. “Now, would you mind?”

Graves roll her eye. “You were just standing up a second ago.”

“Doesn’t mean I don’t like being carried, woman,” Morrison remarks. Graves grabs his good knee and raises her pistol. “Okay, okay, okay! Help me up!” Graves snorts, smirking as she grabs his hand and helps him up to his feet. She walks him over to surgery.

You blink. Wait. “Morrison.” He looks back, Graves stopping so you two can talk. “Where’s Tierney?”

“She said she was going to look around a little in the storeroom,” says Morrison. Graves keeps walking over to the AutoDoc then. Hm.

> Have yourself another C-Ration and relax a little.
> Go look for Tierney. Leaving her alone is probably a bad idea.
> Head back out for the Medevac. See what you can find.
> Other

>>2890606
> Go look for Tierney. Leaving her alone is probably a bad idea.

Hey op, where can I find the first thread of the quest.

File: marine.jpg (345 KB, 900x623)

345 KB JPG

>>2890636
Oh sorry, I forgot to include the archive in the OP now.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2851964/

>>2890606
> Go look for Tierney. Leaving her alone is probably a bad idea.

>>2890636
It's in the archive, but I don't think it's on suptg yet.

>>2890606
>Go look for Tierney. Leaving her alone is probably a bad idea.

> Go look for Tierney. Leaving her alone is probably a bad idea.

You decide to open the storeroom and see where she is. You step inside and already you hear the faint sound of her whimpering and sobbing. You cringe, your heart sinking below your stomach at this point. You don’t exactly know how to deal with people at their worst moments. And at a time like this… gonna be difficult. You step in further and see her crying, huddled in a corner, her face against her knees. “Tierney?” you call. You step slowly to her.

“I don’t wanna be here,” she mutters between labored breaths. “I wanna go home.” You keep on advancing towards her, trying not to be too loud or too fast. You don’t want to spook her.

“Tierney, it’s alright,” you say quietly. “It’s okay.” You pause, trying to think of something good to say. “We uh… we brought back some rifles and some ammo. We even killed a cloaking Lizard on our way there too. They’re not so tough you know.”

She’s quiet, sniffling as she keeps her face hidden.

“Tierney, it’s me, come on,” you say. “Are you… are you hurt, are you injured?” She slightly shakes her head. “Look, I told you, I do have a plan to get us out of here. Alright? You trust me?”

No response.

> “Come on. We’re not going to get out of here by crying. Man up.”
> Sit next to her. Sometimes all a person needs is company.
> “Look. Let me get Graves in here. She can help you better than I can.”
> Other

>>2890849
>Sit next to her. Sometimes all a person needs is company.

>>2890849
> Sit next to her. Sometimes all a person needs is company.
CALL ME DADDY

>>2890849
>> Sit next to her. Sometimes all a person needs is company.

> Sit next to her. Sometimes all a person needs is company.

You decide to just sit down next to her and listen to her crying and sobbing. You’re not sure what you can add here really. If she’s this far down in the hole with her depression, sweet words aren’t going to do much but hurt her more when she gets hurt later.

Takes you back to when your Dad saw you crying because you didn’t want to shoot your first Bighorn. You had your hands on the rifle, finger on the trigger. But when it came time to do it, you just couldn’t Big fluffy thing with big iron horns just leapt away once it heard you sobbing. Dad never let you hear the end of it. Told you that you needed to man up or otherwise you’d get chewed up and spat out. Then he went back to the ATVs. If you didn’t know any better, you were sure he would’ve left you there. He didn’t say a single word to you on the way back. Not a word to your Mom either about how it happened. And you certainly didn’t tell her anything either.

Next time you went on a hunting trip with him, you bagged that Bighorn. Shot it right in the heart.

“At least you got him that time,” he said to you. “You might just make this family proud yet, boy.”

Only thing enlisting so far has got you is a ghosting from a girl who said she loved a man in uniform, some broken watch from your Dad, and being stranded on a planet.

Small wonder why you aren’t crying along with Tierney. You place a hand on her shoulder. She flinches a little, but doesn’t try to bat your hand away. “You have people at home?” you ask. She nods. “You miss them?” She nods again, hissing as she tries to catch her breath.

She looks up lightly, letting you see her wet cheeks and her overflowing eyes. “I just wanna see my parents again,” she mumbles. She wipes her eyes with her forearm, but she hesitates, only ending up covering her eyes again. “I wanna hug them, I wanna go home and stay there.” She makes a pinching motion. “My momma, she used to make the best cookies. And whenever I came home from school, they’d always be on the table waiting. They were all kinds of frakking flavors too, like she had chocolate chip, they were sugar cookies for a week too, and then for some reason she tried nutmeg, I really hated those but I want them now! I just want to have her cookies again!” She starts bawling, squealing as she presses her face against your shoulder. Your sleeve starts getting wet from her tears and slobber.

Conscription is the worst.

“Promise me you’ll get me home!” she whimpers. “Promise me, please! Please… I don’t wanna die out here.”

> “I promise.”
> “You know I can’t promise that. I’m sorry.”
> Remain silent. You can’t promise her that but you can’t guarantee her safety either.
> Other

>>2891175
>“I promise.”
papa's gonna bring his kids home

>>2891175
>> “I promise.”

>>2891175
> “I promise.”
> "Hey, wanna hear why I enlisted?"
mite be smart to get her to think about something else, even for a short while

>>2891175
>”I’ll either get you out of here or die trying.”

>>2891175
>> “I promise.”

> “I promise.”

“I promise.” She grabs your arm, clutching you tight like a security blanket. You don’t know what triggered her to go into the storeroom and cry her eyes out like this. But you certainly can’t be your Dad here in this scenario. You can’t guarantee her safety. But you will be responsible for her fate. You’ll make sure she gets home to her parents one way or the other. Even if it means her life or yours.

Graves steps in, looking at you two. “You two alright?” she asks. You nod, then motion to Tierney. She nods, a look of quiet concern on her face. “Morrison’s in the AutoDoc now. Nielson needs time to recover too.” She looks at Tierney. “You alright, Tierney?” She nods, taking a couple of sharp breaths as she looks up at you with watering eyes. “I’ll stay behind and make sure things are safe here. You said you wanted to do some scavenging, right?”

“Right.” You stand up, sighing. Tierney sits back against the wall, going back to sulking. “Keep on an eye on Tierney for me, alright?”

“You got it.” Graves folds her arms, glancing at Tierney before looking back at you. “Be careful out there, alright? No insane risks.”

You take your Plasma Carbine, nodding to her. One more trip out there and you’ll be back.

…

…

>>2891544
[2/2]

You had a quick lunch out of the C-Ration you opened today. Spicy rice curry with some beef. Not too bad. Definitely filling. Though, now that you’re alone out here in the woods, you were kind of missing having Graves. For one thing, Graves at least kept you company with that mouth of hers. You suppose you work better alone. Less people to take care of that way. Still, now it was back to being alone for now until you came back to base.

You need to find a working short range at some point. Anything to keep in contact with Devil’s Den.

As you walk however, you hear a moaning cry out in the woods. This was different from the guttural, growling calls and howls. This was a long droning –pained- call to the sky. You decide to take a look. You walk around and hear it get closer and closer. If it’s a Lizard, you’re going to make like a nut and bolt.

Then you almost slip and fall. You catch yourself and look down. A small glen, with a little stream of water flowing southwards towards the river. Given the grass and the sloping terrain around you, you almost didn’t notice. A fall like that would’ve…

Then you see it. It cries out painfully, its call echoing against the walls of the glen. A Troodon, with no combat harness and no weapons of any kind. It was lying flat on its side against the wall, with several rocks piled up against one of its legs. It must have fallen in by mistake. And given that it had no combat harness, the other Troodon must have simply looted it and moved on without it. That didn’t prevent it from calling out for help however.

It cries out again, its tail whipping against the ground as it lays against the rocky floor. It doesn’t even seem to notice you, not yet at least. It keeps howling in pain, its arms uselessly flailing against the ground.

> Be kind and put it out of its misery.
> Move on. Those things eat people without mercy anyway.
> Help it out.
> Other

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123 KB JPG

I'll be back in the morning with the next post. Gotta sleep. Leave your votes here and any questions you got too.

>>2891555
>> Help it out.
I mean...

>>2891555
> Be kind and put it out of its misery.
We're not here to be buddy buddy and make friends with the enemy. We are here to survive and get our guys out.

>>2891555
>Move on. Those things eat people without mercy anyway.
this ain't Hacksaw Ridge

>>2891555
>> Move on. Those things eat people without mercy anyway.

>>2891555
> Other
Move some of the rocks off it, but not enough so it can pounce on us, but enough that it can eventually get free.

>>2891555
>> Move on. Those things eat people without mercy anyway.

Fucking lizards REEEEE

> Move on. Those things eat people without mercy anyway.

You’re not sparing any energy for these man-eating alien fiends. It continues to cry out for any kind of help as you go around the glen for a narrow point where you can jump it. Any sympathy for these things will get you killed at best and at worst eaten alive. This isn’t the story of that lion with the thorn in its paw. You pull the thorn out of the lizard, it’ll still bite your head off and eat you without a second thought.

You go past the glen and head towards the Medevac. As you get away, the crying of the Troodon starts becoming fainter and fainter until it finally stops.

…

…

You arrive at the Medevac crash site. Several compsognathuses roam around pecking at the insects in the grass. But as you approach, they immediately scatter. The Medevac crash site more or less has not changed since you last came here. Aside from the crew chief’s body now being fought over by carrion birds, nothing has seemed to come and scavenge the remains. That’s good for you at least. There might still be useful items here.

Since you checked the contents of the crash spilled out in the gulley, you now have two options here.

> Check the rear half of the Medevac. Maybe there’s something other than medical equipment in there.
> Check the front half of the Medevac. Perhaps a pilot still lives, or their communications equipment still works.
> Other

>>2892409
>Check the front half of the Medevac. Perhaps a pilot still lives, or their communications equipment still works.

>>2892409
>> Check the front half of the Medevac. Perhaps a pilot still lives, or their communications equipment still works.
tfw no dino buddy

>>2892409
>Check the front half of the Medevac. Perhaps a pilot still lives, or their communications equipment still works.

>>2892409
>Check the rear half of the Medevac. Maybe there’s something other than medical equipment in there.

> Check the front half of the Medevac. Perhaps a pilot still lives, or their communications equipment still works.

The front half is more or less just the cockpit and some bits of the front end. You pull open the hatch and look inside. There you find two limp bodies of the pilots and a crushed open windscreen. The impact must have killed them. You hope the impact killed them anyway. You check the survival kits underneath their seats. Gone. Huh. Someone must have been here already. The carbines are gone, along with everything else. Strange. You stand up then check the bodies. The co-pilot is a male, with a piece of metal through his neck and blood dripping all over his chest. You look at the pilot. She’s a woman, with a piece of glass stuck in her chest and her legs smashed up by the wrecked console in front of her. But in her hands you find something. It’s a personal audio diary. You never had much use for these but…

You take it from her dead hands, then press play.

> FSGT. F. FAIRVIEW – 327.621.62FF
> 04.23.2441
> PLAY…

> [0215]: I- I can’t feel my legs. I’m… bleeding pretty badly. Daniels is dead too. I ain’t getting out of here. I can’t get my straps off. My short and long range radios are busted too, I can’t call for help. To um, to anyone who’s listening to this, you’re probably hearing my last words. There’s lotsa gunfire outside and I can hear them lizards skulking around. I don’t think they can get into the cockpit so… at least if someone finds me, I can have an open casket.

> [SKIPPING THREE MINUTES OF SILENCE]

> [0218]: It really hurts. I didn’t think bleeding to death would hurt so badly but… I kinda just want this to be over with.

> [SKIPPING ONE MINUTE OF SILENCE]

> [0219]: Mom. Um. If you’re listening to this. I just want to tell you I’m so sorry I enlisted without your permission. I- I just wanted to do something with my life, I wanted to do something that mattered… I’m… I’m so sorry. I love you, Mom. And I- I-… ahh…

> [NO FURTHER AUDIO DETECTED]

> [RECORDING PAUSED]

[1/2]

>>2892508
[2/2]

You hold the audio diary in hand, quiet.

You check the communications console. Busted too. Of course it is. You check the rest of the controls for anything useful. Then you see something flash on the dashboard. You press the button beneath the light, and out pops a data disc. It’s the Medevac’s Dumb AI. It still works, but judging by the condition of the disc, it doesn’t appear to be all there. You pick it up, then tap it against the back of your helmet.

> FULL EVACUATION ORDER IN EFFECT *ERROR* FULL EVACUATION ORDER IN EFFECT
> 101st DIVISION OVERRUN, REPORTING EXTENSIVE CASUALTIES
> TO ALL RETRIEVAL PILOTS, ORDERS ARE AS FOLLOWS
> EXTRACT GROUND TROOPS FROM MISSION SECTOR, REDIRECT SECOND WAVE BACK TO FLEET
> 3rd FLEET ON STAND BY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
> *ERROR*
> *ERROR*

Does that mean what you think it means? Is the Fleet still in orbit? Can you still call for help?

Possibly. You pocket the data disc. You look around. There’s nothing else here in the cockpit.

> Return to Devil’s Den.
> Investigate the rear half.
> Other

>>2892513
>> Investigate the rear half.

>>2892513
>Investigate the rear half.

>>2892513
>> Investigate the rear half.

>>2892513
>Investigate the rear half.

> Investigate the rear half.


…

…

The rear half of the Medevac was open for all to see. Unfortunately, it looks like most of the equipment was destroyed or broken in the crash. Not like you could carry any of it back anyway. The beds, just like medical prefab, were covered in blood and gore and viscera. Seems the Lizards got to this place as they did back at the prefab. Again, like foxes in a henhouse. You look towards back and see a cabinet on the wall. You step inside and almost slip on something. You look down. Pain-stop. Lots of used pain-stop syrettes. What the hell? You step past them and go towards the cabinet. You open it up. Two shots of Adren-O-Line, a jar of medi-gel, and below the cabinet were four bags of U-Blood. Excellent, you could grab some of that for Nielson.

You grab a bag and start packing everything inside. You keep on looking around as you pack up, then see a spare carbine resting next to one of the bed side. Is that one of the survival kit Carbines? What the hell? How did it get there?

“Hey.” You freeze. You turn back towards the entrance and see a soldier like you, drenched in blood all over his armor and his fatigues. He stares at you with a very neutral expression, and in his hands was a Carbine. “Who said you could take my stuff?”

You pause. You didn’t think there was anybody here. Okay…

“Sorry.” You place the bag down. “I didn’t realize.” He keeps looking at you with those dead eyes of his. Something is incredibly wrong with him.

> “Are you okay?”
> “Listen, you come with me, we have a better position at Devil’s Den.”
> “What happened here? Who are you?”
> Other

>>2892658
> “What happened here? Who are you?”
We need to be careful, this guy is probably high on painkillers.

>>2892658
> “Listen, you come with me, we have a better position at Devil’s Den.”

>>2892658
>“Are you okay?”

>>2892658
>Tell him our squad and unit and ask him his. I.e. “PFC blank, A company 1st squad, you?”

>>2892658
>> “Are you okay?”

>>2892658
>> “What happened here? Who are you?”
>>2892678
Has the right of it. We don't know what mental state this guy's in he could turn hostile if we're not cautious.

>>2892658
>> “Listen, you come with me, we have a better position at Devil’s Den.”

>>2892721
this

>>2892721
Supporting

>>2892721
Supporting.
First we identify ourselves, then we ask who he is.

>>2892775
>>2892721
Supporting these.

> “What happened here? Who are you?”
> Other

“I’m from A Company, first squad.” You step back slightly. He stands there, stiff as a statue, staring at you. “What about you? Who are you?”

“Tombs. Medic, with Bravo Company. I was riding on this Medevac to tend to the wounded aboard. Had like sixteen guys packed head to head here,” he says quietly. He glances at the beds, then at your bag full of stuff. “Were you just taking my stuff here?”

“I didn’t know anyone was here,” you say. “Look.” You decide to change the subject. “What happened here? How did you get here?”

He’s quiet, starting to sway on his feet as he looks around. “When we crashed, Medevac broke apart. There wasn’t uh… there wasn’t any safe place to evac the wounded or for myself to egress.” He motions to one of the beds. “Sergeant riding with me, said he’d clear out a spot, he’d be back. Never came back.” He takes a breath, taking a step closer. You stand your ground. Don’t make him think you’re scared of him. He’s clearly out of it. “Lizards were coming. I couldn’t egress outside so…” He makes a jabbing motion to his neck. “Gave pain-stop to all the wounded.” He points to a man-sized footlocker for storage. “Stuffed myself in there. Waited ‘til they stopped eating.”

…

You blink, shaken. He let the wounded get eaten? He stares at you still. He then motions to one of the beds. “I uh… I didn’t know they’d still be awake when they were being eaten. I thought they wouldn’t feel anything.”

You feel your gut scream at you that there’s bad vibes in the air. He looks behind himself, then at you. “Um. I was out there looking for some food and water. Was hiding in here too. Guess we never ran into each other. I was trying to uh… call people too.”

“Your short range works?” you ask.

He nods. “Yeah. Yeah, my short range radio works,” he says. “I can’t reach nobody else though. Dunno why. You think Lizards have ECM or is it just the terrain that’s bothering us?” You shrug. You’re not quite sure of that yourself. “Been trying to reach someone, anyone.” He taps his helmet. “All I get is God.”

“God?”

“Yeah.” He nods, smiling lightly. “He tells me I did the right thing.”

> “Look. Let me get you back to Devil’s Den.”
> “Well. I better go. I’ll leave this stuff here with you.”
> “Can I have your short-range?”
> Other

>>2892950
>> “Can I have your short-range?”
say something like "I was in tech school, let me see if there's anything wrong with it"

>>2892956
Supporting, guys this dude is fucked I don't know how we can bring him with us

>>2892950
>Look. Let me get you back to Devil’s Den.”

>>2892950
>> “Can I have your short-range?”
Then
> “Look. Let me get you back to Devil’s Den.”

We can take his stuff then without a fight if he comes with us. Regardless he's another body against the lizards, but we've got to warn the others first. He's clearly not stable.

>>2892990
Supporting.

After everything he's been through in the last few, he's clearly developed some psychological condition. I think it's worth getting Graves to see if she can do anything for him.

>>2892950
> “Look. Let me get you back to Devil’s Den.”
what's with medic names in this company?

> “Can I have your short-range?”
> “Look. Let me get you back to Devil’s Den.”

“Look. Let me get you back to Devil’s Den,” you say. He stands there, not even acknowledging that you just said that. “Listen, can I have your short range?” He turns to you now, suddenly interested. “I used to go to a trade school. We used to fix radios occasionally. I think I can help get it back to working order.”

He steps back, his hands tightly gripping his carbine now. “You’re just here to steal my stuff, ain’t ya?”

“No, no, no,” you say quickly. You step back, one hand tight on the grip of your carbine, the other holding a hand out to reassure him. “Look. We’re just trying to survive until we can call for help. Your short range can help with that.”

He stares at you, his smile fading a little. “Survive?” You nod. Yes, of course, survive. He shakes his head. “Buddy. There was a sauve-qui-peut in effect. The Dominion isn’t coming back for us,” he states. “We’re stuck here. Either until the Dominion decides they want to come back with a bigger force, or they decide to just turn this place into a new Earth wasteland.” He sighs deeply, then leans on one of the beds. “I ain’t going nowhere. There ain’t a point to it.” He glances down at his carbine, then back at you. “We’re gonna die either way.”

You step closer to him, slowly. “Look. If you-“

“I don’t really have it in me to shoot myself you know,” you say. “But… pain-stop. And just hope some Raptors find you and kill you quick.” He makes a pricking motion at his neck again. “That’s what I’m doing. I can help you along with that. I still got some left.”

“I really don’t think-“

“I insist,” he says. He stands up straight again. “Trust me. It’s better that way.”

> “I better just go.”
> “You better step back before I put a hole in you.”
> Train your gun on him.
> Other

>>2893273
>> “You better step back before I put a hole in you.”
> Train your gun on him.

>>2893273
>> Train your gun on him.
Fuck him. He's beyond saving

>>2893273
> “You better step back before I put a hole in you.”
probably a lost cause.

>>2893273
>“You better step back before I put a hole in you.”

>>2893273
>Tell him about the recorded logs in the busted AI's head
Didn't out guy think there were still ships in orbit because of It? Phoneposting so I can't be bothered to check

>>2893344
lets try this

>>2893344
I don't mind adding this as an addition. Something like:
"You better step back before I put a hole in you."
"Now listen, you psychotic piece of filth. I've got the recording from the pilot back there. Says in it that there's still ships in Orbit." ect.

>>2893273
>> “You better step back before I put a hole in you.”
>> Train your gun on him.

>>2893273
>> “You better step back before I put a hole in you.”
>> Train your gun on him.

>>2893344
Supporting.

> “You better step back before I put a hole in you.”
> Train your gun on him.

“You better step back before I put a hole in you.” He freezes when you train your gun on him. Even from the hip, at this range it’s no contest. You will shoot him square in the heart or in the head. Whichever puts him down faster. “I don’t want to but God’s sake I will.” He stares at you, as if confused as to why you’re apparently interested in your own self-preservation. “Now listen,” you say. “I heard the recordings from the dumb AI in the cockpit. There are still ships in orbit. There’s still a chance that we can for help. And we can still make it outta here. They’re on stand-by, all of 3rd Fleet. Now, as for calling for help… I don’t know that yet but if we find an Orbital Transmitter, we can call for help and they’ll send it down to us.”

“And if they don’t?” he asks. You’re quiet at that. “It’s not like the Lizards have a space shuttle as far as we know.”

“We can’t just give up,” you say. “I know things are bad.” He continues just staring at you with those blank eyes of his. “Look. I will put you down if you try to stop me. But we can still work together here.”

…

He reaches for his helmet, almost making you shoot him. But instead he takes it off then tosses it over to you. He steps back, then goes slump against a bed, and slides down to sit down on the floor. “Do what you want,” he says quietly. “I can’t. I know I did the right thing. But I can’t.”

You pick up the helmet, looking down at it. You tap the earpiece and hear a faint millisecond of feedback. It works. You breathe a sigh of relief. He wasn’t lying. Thank God. You look at Tombs, and find him just slump against the bed, staring off into the floor.

> Leave without him. There’s nothing you can do for him.
> Pick him up, drag him back if you have to.
> Other

>>2893586
> Other
Look if you change your mind or find it in ya to at least give the lizards some more payback and help us life a bit longer then you know where to find us. But make that decision soon, cuz we probably are gonna leave the Den in a few days.

>>2893586
>Pick him up, drag him back if you have to.
Fuckin section 8

>>2893591
Supporting.

>>2893591
>> Pick him up, drag him back if you have to.
This but if he still refuses
> Pick him up, drag him back if you have to.
"When we get back you're going to have a long chat with our medic."

>>2893586
>>Pick him up, drag him back if you have to.
No one gets left behind.

>>2893645
Also, we better get a goddamn medal or five after we make it topside!

>>2893586
>> Pick him up, drag him back if you have to.
No men left behind, if I can help it

Wanting a liability that will get people killed.

Why don't we just go back and save that lizard while we are at it?

>>2893707
As much as I want a lizard bro, this guy is human. We'll take him back, restrain him, and see if we can talk some sense into him

Maybe him seeing our effort to survive will light a fire under his ass

>>2893714
Till he runs off with our supplies after capping our *other* medic.

Fuck, I'd rather go for the lizard than this guy honestly.

>>2893728
I mean you bring up a good point, we could get the Lizard too

>>2893728
>>2893743
There's always a chance to get another. Who knows maybe we'll find a nest and eggs?

>>2893743
Sure why not?

Then the lizard can eat the crazy guy or something.

>>2893743
But how would we even communicate with the lizard?

Give it treats?

>>2893755
Yeah and rub it's tummy

Real shit, these animals are intelligent, it would understand what we were doing

>>2893767
I'm not sure bringing a (maybe-tame) lizard to a group of traumatised people who lost various bits of their bodies is a very good idea...

>>2893779
No he'll do rolls and stuff and wag his tail

it'll be great

>>2893767
>Xenos lovers
Fucking conscripts I swear

>>2893792
Hey doesn't mean we can't conscript Lizards.
"Private LIZAWRD report!" "RAWGR"

>>2893792
I just joined to fuck them, anon

> Pick him up, drag him back if you have to.

You sling the carbine. Nuts to leaving him like this. He may be a complete section eight but he’s still a human being. You’re not going to let him die a preventable death. You walk on over to him, then grab his arm. “Come on.” He looks up at you in surprise, as if he’s baffled that you’re showing him basic empathy. “I’m not leaving you here.”

“Why?” he asks.

“No one gets left behind, you know that,” you say firmly. He blinks, still befuddled. “Come on.” You grab the bag full of medical equipment then place it on his back. “Let’s go.” He slowly follows on after you, not knowing what else to do it seems here. The two of you come out of the rear half of the Medevac, just as the sun begins to set.

Hm. You wanted to take some time to investigate RV Point Alpha. But if you’re caught out at night, things are going to get difficult. And as much as you want to keep Tombs alive, you don’t exactly trust him with your life.

What should you do?

> Return to base for the night.
> Tell Tombs to head back to Devil’s Den. You’ll go to RV Point Alpha alone.
> Head to RV Point Alpha with Tombs anyway.
> Other

>>2893923
>> Return to base for the night.

>>2893923
>> Return to base for the night.

>>2893923
Any chance we can swing by the trapped lizard? May just be severely injured and unconscious not necessarily dead.

>>2893980
Possibly. If you write-in for it.

>>2893923
> Return to base for the night.
It aint going anywhere lets consult the group before doing so.

>>2893923
>Return to base for the night.

>>2894008
Is it on the way back?

>>2894042
Indeed. You're basically just walking back the way you came.

>>2893923
>> Return to base for the night.

>>2894046
Aight, might as well see if it's still alive

>>2894046
supporting

>>2893923
Changing this
>>2893928
To
>Return to base for the night.
> Check on the trapped lizard on the way back.

> Return to base for the night.
> Other

…

…

You decide to return to base for the night. You had to wrap some gauze around Tombs’ boots first before you went. And before you arrived, you decided to stop by one place to see what was going on. You got back to the glen where you found that wounded Troodon. “You found a wounded Lizard?” Tombs asks as you walk there.

You nod. “I decided to leave it.” You shrug a little. “Was no less than most of those lizards deserve considering what they do to us.”

Tombs nods, frowning a little. “Not to mention the Incident.” Ah yes, the Incident. The thing that got the Dominion to declare war on the Lizards. Well, you can’t really declare war on something that’s not as civilized as you are. It’s more of a culling you suppose. Still, the fact that they managed to beat back a division of the army is quite a big deal. There’s morbid curiosity building up in you to see what the reaction is like at home. Whether or not people will stick to their guns and still think of the Lizards as savage animals or give them the due credit they probably deserve.

You arrive at the glen, just at the spot where you saw the Lizard.

It’s still there, lying limply. A pair of compsognathuses peck at it. “Is it dead?” asks Tombs.

“I don’t know,” you ask. You squint at it. You spot its body still rising up and down faintly. Still breathing at least.

> Shoot it then get moving.
> Keep moving.
> Help it out. Just this once.
> Other

>>2894228
>Help it out. Just this once.

>>2894228
>> Help it out. Just this once
So we're the aggressor

>>2894248
The Incident is a lot more complicated than who is the aggressor and who isn't.

>>2894228
>> Help it out. Just this once.

>>2894228
> Help it out. Just this once.

>>2894228
>Help it out. Just this once.

> Help it out. Just this once.

You jump into the glen, then step across the river. The compies quickly disperse, running away to observe what you’re doing at a safe distance. You move the rocks off of the Troodon’s leg one by one. Finally, it’s free. It raises its head, apparently realizing what’s happened. Tombs comes over, aiming his carbine at it in case it tries something. The Troodon calls out in a raspy tone, then rights itself. You step back, also aiming your carbine at it.

It then limps away northwards away from you two. It gives you one last look, before immediately limping away from you two.

“Well.” Tombs looks at you, confused. “That was worth it.” You give him a stern glance then move to climb out of the glen. “Why go back and help it? It’s not like it’s a dog you know.”

> Remain silent.
> “I don’t know.”
> “It just felt wrong to leave it.”
> Other

>>2894387
>> “I don’t know.”

No one gets left behind not even dinoes

>>2894387
>> “It just felt wrong to leave it.”
something something no man left behind

>>2894387
>it's just a grunt following orders, and getting fucked over. Just like us.

>>2894387
> Other
A rare act of compassion. Something this planet is severely lacking in.

>>2894387
> “It just felt wrong to leave it.”

>>2894428
its fellow grunts fucked it over and stole its stuff, left it to die.

>>2894434
Yeah, it followed its orders and subsequently got fuck over. The who doesn't matter.

>yfw it reports us

> “It just felt wrong to leave it.”

“It just felt wrong to leave it,” you say. Killing your enemy is one thing. Leaving them to die a slow death by starving or dehydration or letting them be pecked at by carrion is another. It got a raw deal, but that doesn’t mean you can’t let it suffer.

But you’re not going to say that to Tombs. You don’t want him to think you’re going soft on the aliens. The last thing you need is for people right now to think that you rut with aliens or something. “Come on,” you say. “Devil’s Den isn’t too much farther.” You get climbing up out of the glen. Tombs follows you, looking back where the Troodon ran off for a second before climbing up with you.

…

…

You arrive back at Devil’s Den just as the sun starts to cross the horizon. Graves pops out of the Medical Prefab, wielding one of the rifles. Then she sees your companion and she lowers it down. “Holy hell. Tombs.” She blinks, staring at him. “I thought you were dead.” Tombs shrugs, not really knowing what to say it seems. “How’d you find him?” she asks you.

“He was hiding in the Medevac wreck,” you say. “Who knows how long.”

“Oh my God.” Graves steps up to him then places her hands on his cheeks, checking his eyes. “He looks absolutely shell-shocked. Come on. Get inside.” The two of you head in. Tierney sits on a bed, smoking a cigarette calmly, staring off into space. Morrison is probably in back getting his surgery done still. But what matters right now is Nielson.

There you find Nielson with a pillow beneath his head and in his hands a portion of a C-Ration. “Nielson,” you call to him. He looks over and grins at you. You toss him Tombs’ helmet, and it lands in his lap. Nielson almost loses his dinner over that. “You look spry for almost bleeding to death. How are you?”

“Better,” he says. “Graves says the AutoDoc did wonders fixing me up. I’m probably gonna need a day or two before I’m 100% but at least now I’m awake and I’m not…” He motions to himself, snickering a little. “Dying or anything.” He points to the helmet. “What’s this?”

“A gift,” you say, kneeling down beside him. “A working short-range. If you can look over that, can you get the rest of ours working?”

“Y-… Yeah,” he says. He beams brightly, then sets his meal aside to take the helmet in his hands. He pulls the short range out of the helmet and takes a look at it. “Gimme a few minutes with this and I’ll tell you what I got, okay?” You nod, standing up. “And hey. Thanks.”

“For what?” you ask. “The helmet?”

“No. For saving me.” He nods, then offers his hand. You grab it and press it firm against your chest. He leans forward, attempting to do the same, but he flinches in pain. “Ow, okay. Can’t move.”

“Hey! Stop frakking about over there!” yells Graves as she sets Tombs on a bed. “I told you, bed rest! Idiot.”

> Consult with Graves on Tombs’ condition.
> Check on Tierney, see how she’s doing.
> Crack a C-Ration open and eat.
> Other

>>2894569
> Consult with Graves on Tombs’ condition.
Let's see how our newest member is doing first
After that,
> Check on Tierney, see how she’s doing
while
> Crack a C-Ration open and eat.

>>2894569
> Consult with Graves on Tombs’ condition.

>>2894575
sure

>>2894569
>> Consult with Graves on Tombs’ condition.
Tell her everything. He may end up a problem.

>>2894575
Switching to this. Gotta make sure the kid is okay and fuel up.

>>2894575
Supporting

>>2894569
>> Consult with Graves on Tombs’ condition.

> EVERYTHING

You step on over to Graves as she examines a very passive and tired looking Tombs. She looks up at you. “You find him like this?”

“Somewhat.” She stands up, then motion her over to a corner where you two can talk quietly. “Found him in the medevac. It’s complicated for him. He hid in a locker like Tierney but… he had wounded with him. He gave them all pain-stop.” Graves’ eyes widen at the realization. You fold your arms, sighing a little. She places her hands on her hips, glancing at Tombs, then back at you. It’s a silent request for confirmation, so you simply nod.

“… right,” she whispers. “Let me guess. Little loopy in the head?” You nod again. “Did he claim to talk to God too?” Surprisingly, yes. You nod as well to that. “Right. Section Eight I suppose. But he seems stable.”

“Any visible injuries?” you ask. She shakes her head. “Listen, Graves. I don’t want to seem-“

“Like an asshole? No, you don’t seem, you are,” she says firmly. You stare at her. What. “Joking. I’ll keep an eye on him. I’ll make sure he’s not alone. I’ll even watch him piss if I have to.”

“Thank you.” You take up a C-Ration and allow her to get back to work. She goes back to kneeling beside Tombs, examining him for wounds or any internal injuries you may have missed. You sit down across from Tierney on another one of the beds, cracking open a dinner portion. You pull the tab to heat it up, then lift the lid. “Ooh. Look at this.” You hold it up. “Fried chicken.” She looks at it briefly, then goes back to staring at the floor. “You know, I always wondered how they managed to keep it crispy after you heat it up.” Silence. “Did you eat yet?” She nods.

“I see you brought another guy back here,” says Tierney.

“Yeah.” You crunch down on the crispy skin and the tender meat.

“Maybe if we keep you out there the whole day you can bring us back a dog or something to play with,” she says. You tilt your head, quirking your brow. “Th-… that was a joke,” she says. Oh. Right. You smile, or well, try to. “Yeah. Graves tells me that humor can help with managing stress. Helps make things not seem as bad as they are.”

You stare at her. “Graves told you humor can help with managing stress.”

Graves glances at you two. “Are you two implying I’m not funny?” You flip her the bird. She rolls her eye then goes back to checking on Tombs.

“Well, keep at it,” you say. “But make sure you don’t treat the situation too lightly, alright?” She nods, crossing her legs as she slouches forward on the bed. “Last thing I need is jokes and snark and quips being thrown left and right.”

Tierney tilts her head. “You’re not a joke person?”

> “I can tell jokes. Just not good ones.”
> “Not really.”
> “The real joke is how I enlisted honestly.”
> Other

>>2894821
>> “The real joke is how I enlisted honestly.”

>>2894846
Supporting.
Sorry for making you write everything QM, all of the options you give us seem good and that seemed like a situation where everything could be done.

>>2894821
>“I can tell jokes. Just not good ones.”

>>2894821
> “The real joke is how I enlisted honestly.”
A little self deprecation is healthy.

>>2894821
>> “The real joke is how I enlisted honestly.”

>>2894821
>> “The real joke is how I enlisted honestly.”

> “The real joke is how I enlisted honestly.”

“Um. Real joke is how I enlisted honestly.” She takes a huff from her cigarette, listening. “Um. There was this girl back in school. She was really nice. Really a cute girl. All that good stuff. She told me she’d be impressed by a guy who enlisted and I thought, maybe I can make her smile at me. Show her a real man in uniform. Even deferred my education, you know.” Tierney stares at you, as if quietly trying to comprehend why you’d do such a thing. “And she said she’d send me letters too.”

“Did she?” asks Tierney.

“No,” you say. Tierney frowns a little, apparently disappointed by that response. “Uh, haven’t contacted her in a while. I don’t think she bothers honestly though so… Yeah.”

“But did you two at least…” She makes a soft jabbing motion with her fist, squinting at you. “You know.”

… even she asks about this? “Uh, we-“

“They didn’t.” You turn back. Betrayed by Nielson of all people. He looks over from his work on the short-range. “What? You never said you did.”

“I said I answered your question,” you say.

“No you did not,” he says, snickering. “Heh. Sorry, Tierney. I think your boy here is as pure as the day he was born.” Oh sweet merciful God, please. Tierney chortles quietly, covering her mouth. Oh Goddamn it! Nielson, she’s laughing at you now! Nielson, this is the thanks you get!?

“That’s a shame,” says Tierney. She gently kicks at her your shin, smirking. “Figured you as an experienced guy.” Ugh. She shrugs. “I never really had any boys to impress back home myself so I wouldn’t know the whole routine with… you know.”

You’re about to say something when Morrison interjects. He steps out of surgery, his hand on his leg, but apparently all better now. “Surprise, surprise! Look who’s walking again!” Graves looks back and briefly gives a very genuine smile at him. He looks over at Tombs, then back at you.

“New guy,” you say.

“Our little family grows, excellent!” Morrison sits down on a bed, looking at you all. “So, what did I miss?”

“Guys!” Nielson calls out to everyone. “Drop your cocks, I got something. Y’all might wanna hear this.” Everyone comes over to Nielson’s bed, huddling around him. Tierney nudges up next to you, her attention squarely on Nielson. “Now, Tombs’ short-range is actually receiving a signal. There’s a lot of interference in the air, probably ECM from the Lizards. But I can code our frequencies to work around that and allow our short-ranges to work now. But only within about two to three hundred meters. After that, signal gets too choppy.”

“What about the signal?” asks Morrison.

Nielson looks at everyone, then flips the short-range on.

>>2895171
[2/2]

> … to any surviving Dominion Forces. This is Staff Sergeant Cope of Charlie Company. I have so far ten soldiers including myself and a Navy groundside liaison in my squad. We are on our way to Hill 47 in the swamps downriver to the west. We have located a defensible location there where we can call for help and fortify until we contact command for extraction.

> I will leave this message on repeat until further notice.

Everyone is quiet. There’s another group of soldiers out there.

But they’re going to Hill 47.

Morrison lays out a map on top of Nielson’s legs. He shines his helmet light on it. “We are here.” He points to one end of the map. “Hill 47 is…” He points away from your current location all the way west. “Here. Approximately 100 kilometers away.” Everyone balks at that. 100 kilometers is a long walk. A very long walk. Not to mention it’s through hostile territory. First you’ll have to contend with this terrain now, then you have to consider the slow transition from gentle woodland to fierce muggy swamp. And that’s not even mentioning the Lizards and the wildlife. “Now. Considering last night. Sergeant Cope in all likelihood is not there yet. He has a head start on us.”

“He might not even get there,” says Graves. Tierney flinches, a solemn look of hopelessness on her face.

Morrison cringes a little at that, then says, “Regardless… 100 kilometers is a long ways away. But Sergeant Cope’s a good man. He’ll know how to get there.”

Nielson looks at you all. “I mean, safety in numbers, right? We go with Cope we might even have a full platoon.”

“That’s if anyone receives the signal and even reaches him,” says Graves more firmly. “Say he gets there with all of his guys and we get there too. That’s still only fifteen or sixteen people. Not to mention that there’s a reason the Swamp was not made our landing site too. We got our asses kicked in terrain we found suitable for combat. The Swamp? It’s going to be a nightmare traversing that.”

Morrison sighs, then says, “Graves is right. We… it’s a big risk.”

> “We have to take it.”
> “We need time to scavenge and get more supplies.”
> “We shouldn’t bother. It’s too risky.”
> Other

>>2895175
>> “We have to take it.”
Who knows how long they'll wait

>>2895175
>“We have to take it.”

>>2895175
> “We have to take it.”
Can't wait forever, everyone better buckle up.

>>2895175
>> “We have to take it.”
Definitely get the buggy first

>>2895175
>>2895263
second. That buggy will hopefully help us meet them quicker

> “We have to take it.”

“We have to take it,” you say. Everyone looks at you. After all, you’ve been the one doing the supply runs, gather everyone together like this. You feel it’s time to put your opinion in on it. “Way I see it, if we take it, we’ll just be killed at worst. And at best, we get a new stronghold and more allies to work with. If we don’t. We get killed here. We don’t have an orbital transmitter or anything to call the Fleet with. We’re alone down here. And who knows how long the Navy is willing to wait on us.”

Nielson says, “I’m with him.”

“So am I,” says Tierney. You glance at her, then look at Morrison and Graves, the two nay-sayers.

Morrison looks at Graves, seeking a response. Graves rubs her chin, thinking on it hard. She steps back from the huddle, pacing around the room. Everyone is quiet as they wait for her response on this. Truth be told, it’s times like this you wish you were a Sergeant. You’d just tell them to ruck up and go hiking. But here, it’s a democracy. She pauses, then turns around and looks at you. “That Land Rover.” She looks at Nielson. “Can you fix it?”

Nielson smirks. “I can fix anything.”

She points to you. “Tomorrow morning. We go back for the Land Rover.” She points to Nielson. “I am not letting him leave now, not so soon after surgery.”

“So it’s decided then.” Morrison twiddles his fingers, looking at everyone. “Road trip.”

“One condition,” says Nielson. “I drive.”

Graves leans over, almost pointing her body 90 degrees. “Frak if you think I’m letting a fresh surgery patient –drive-.” Nielson rolls his eyes. “Pffft.” She lights up a cigarette.

So it’s decided then. Time to go on a trip. You look outside however.

Darkness is coming.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-luZXfkZ9k

That's it for this weekend I'm afraid. I'll drop a post in /qtg/ for when I'm running next but I think we can make another session for this coming weekend. Hope you're all enjoying what you're seeing so far. Thanks.

>>2895334
Night man, good quest.
Can't wait for the road trip next week. If anyone asks if we're there yet they're getting the plasma.

>>2895334
good shit as always.
see ya next time

>>2895334
I dig this shit hella hard my dude.

>>2895334
This quest is fucking lit man.

>>2895334
Top quest
Caught the first one on the archive and upvoted it.
Pretty hyped for more. Kinda hoping we can get some more scavenging in before we go on the road trip

You hear the distant calls of Raptors in the distance. They’re less like wolf howls, but more like sharp barks that explode out into the air, as if quick check ins to see who’s out and about. Everyone is quiet as they tend to themselves. Morrison eats out of a C-Ration, Tierney sits on a bed curled up, Graves continues to check Tombs’ condition while Nielson lies back and rests. You lean against the sandbags up against the window, the other window was guarded by the motion detector. “What do you think they’re saying?” asks Morrison.

Graves says, “It’s like wolf howls.” The sharp barking is cut off by one long howl, a sort of deep booming note that is immediately answered by sharper but just as long howls. It was a chorus of Lizards crying out into the night. “That first one was probably a leader of a Pride. The rest answer, subservient. It’s like yelling out ‘who’s here’ and getting ‘I’m here’ in return so to speak.” She flashes a pen light into Tombs’ eyes to check his pupils. “If any of you actually paid attention in xenobiology class, you would know this.”

Morrison snorts, chewing on some baked beans as he speaks. “We didn’t have xenobio class in my school. Principal said it promotes alien thinking.”

“Neither did we,” says Nielson. “I’m surprised it’s even a thing. Aliens are aliens, you know? Does it matter what they look like?”

“It kind of does,” says Graves. “Because…” She points out to the window, looking at Nielson. “Those aliens almost tore you to pieces.” She looks to Morrison. “One of those aliens broke your leg. And some of these aliens broke poor Tombs’ brain I’m afraid.” You clear your throat, then nod over to Tierney. “Oh, and Tierney I guess is scared too.” Tierney glares at her, obviously offended at that. “I’m joking, Tierney. Point I’m making is that maybe you should show some respect.”

“Respect nothing…” Morrison drops the empty C-Ration tin on the ground, glaring at the window. “The Lizards don’t deserve anything from us except hot plasma.” Nielson nods in agreement, his face hardening up in a look of quiet anger as he fiddles with Tombs’ helmet. The two of have legitimate grievance, almost having been killed by them and all. And you have to agree with them too in some ways. It’s one thing for them to beat you in open combat. It’s another to eat the corpses and desecrate the dead. They have access to exosuits, ranged weapons, farming, all kinds of tech and yet they debase themselves to eating the dead and dying? Savages.

“So what are we going to do for tonight?” asks Tierney quietly, glancing between everyone.

[1/2]

>>2905361
[2/2]

Morrison settles himself on the bed, leaning to the side on a pillow. “Mmm. Good question. We could start a fire, sing a couple of songs. Maybe go for a combat jack in the storeroom or something.” Tierney stares at him, confused.

“Hey. Morrison.” Graves looks at him with a look that barely suppresses her hidden rage. “It’s my schtick to act like a tool. Shut up.” Morrison rolls his eyes. “Don’t you roll your eyes at me, frakface.”

“Hey, at least I have –eyes-!” Morrison snaps back. Graves starts snickering, shaking her head as she goes back to examining Tombs. He sighs, rubbing his nose. “Look at us, we’re already going stir crazy in here. This is the worst.”

> Settle down for watch. Sounds like a lot of Raptors out there. And who knows how many Troodon.
> Head out and scavenge Rally Point Alpha. It’s the only other site you haven’t checked so far.
> “Hell with all of you, I’m going to sleep. Someone take watch.”
> Other

Leaving this post up overnight. Will update when I get home (might be a little later than usual, have some errands to run after work but will try to be home ASAFP.)

Discuss best dinosaurs and maybe girls I guess if you're into those kinds of things.

>>2905362
>> Head out and scavenge Rally Point Alpha. It’s the only other site you haven’t checked so far.

>>2905362
>> Head out and scavenge Rally Point Alpha. It’s the only other site you haven’t checked so far.

>>2905365
triceratops da bes

>>2905362
>> Head out and scavenge Rally Point Alpha. It’s the only other site you haven’t checked so far.

>>2905362
> Head out and scavenge Rally Point Alpha. It’s the only other site you haven’t checked so far.
We can see what the dinos are doing while we're out.

> Head out and scavenge Rally Point Alpha. It’s the only other site you haven’t checked so far.

You stand up off the bed and grab your trusty carbine. “I’m going to go see what I can see at RV Point Alpha,” you state. Everyone looks at you in surprise. Yes. You’re going out at night. You haven’t been killed yet so it’s obviously not -that- bad of an idea. And if you eliminate that spot for any potential loot, you can save some time tomorrow morning when you have to take Nielson to fix the Land Rover. Less time spent here, the better you figure.

Graves however says, “I wouldn’t go out there alone.”

“You plan on coming with me?” you ask.

She sighs. “I would. But.” She points to Tombs. “I want to make sure he can at least sleep without waking up in the middle of the night screaming.” That’s a fair point. “Morrison?”

Morrison blinks, shifting around on the bed he sits on. “Um. I mean…”

Graves stares at him, then looks at Tierney. “Tierney.” Tierney shakes her head, obviously not interested in it. You look at Tombs. He simply stares passively at a wall, scratching at his arm. Yeah. You probably shouldn’t trust him. She looks at you. “I mean. Up to you, Dad. Go hunt to feed the family why don’t you. Bring us back some Raptor meat or some shit.”

“W-… Wait.” Morrison stands up, grabbing a rifle. “I mean- I am- I-…” He stops himself repeatedly, unsure. “Look, if you want me to go out there with you, then hell yeah. But I’m not sure if I could be any help. So… up to you I guess.”

> “Tag along. I could use the extra hands.”
> “Stay here. I work better alone anyway.”
> Other

>>2906970
>other
Call off the scavenging run, obviously people forgot it was night time. Better take a night's sleep alongside the watch shifts and set for Rally Point Alpha first thing in the morning.

We shall still wait for a few more votes.

>>2906997
+1

> Other

You sigh. “On second thought. Maybe going out there is a bad idea.” Morrison frowns. He seems disappointed, but he doesn’t say anything when he sits back down. Graves shrugs, then starts gently nudging Tombs so he can lie back. “I’ll take up the first watch. Let’s hit the lights and go dark.”

“Righto,” says Graves.

Lights from your helmets, your visors, C-Rations, anything, are turned off. All that’s left is moonlight and darkness. You take up a chair and sit by the sandbags, watching. Everyone goes quiet as they wait. Nielson is already fast asleep judging by how motionless he is. Tombs as well too. From your position you can see Tierney sat down on top of bed, apparently unable to sleep. She simply folds her arms, rocking back and forth gently. Graves meanwhile settles herself by the door with one of the Carbines. And on the other side is Morrison too, helped out by the motion detector.

You lean against the sandbags, keeping an eye out east for any contact or movement.

…

You’re getting restless now. Goddamn it. Now you really want to go out there and see what’s what. It’s dangerous, especially alone.

You hear another shrill howl in the distance to the east. It’s responded by more Raptor calls. It has to be some kind of communication thing. Maybe they haven’t fully figured out radios so instead they just howl really loudly to signal to each other.

Then you feel something settle beneath your feet.

Graves looks at you. Another tremor. Soft, but noticeable. Morrison looks up and around, confused. Another one. Soft shocks of the ground.

Then an ear-splitting roar fills the air. You all freeze in shock. It’s a long throaty yet incredibly piercing screech that could destroy windows and make your bones brittle. The Raptors stop calling in response. Graves looks to you with fear in her eye, as does Morrison. Tierney has already retreated underneath a bed while Nielson has sat up, awake. All of you look outside the window. That was no Allosaurus, nor Ceratosaurus, or any other big monster you’ve already seen.

That was a Rex’s roar.

Graves clicks her teeth, getting your attention. She starts signing out to you with her hands in the dark. “Big Lizard Outside. How Far?”

You sign back. “Noise Loud. Close?”

Graves frowns, then looks at Morrison. Morrison frantically signs back. “Why Look Me?”

The two of them look at you.

> Stay in shelter. It’ll probably pass. It’s got no reason to come up here.
> Go and investigate. Worse comes to worse, you can lead it away from them perhaps.
> Other

>>2907321
>Go and investigate. Worse comes to worse, you can lead it away from them perhaps.

>>2907321
>> Go and investigate. Worse comes to worse, you can lead it away from them perhaps.

If the Raptor betrayed us, I vote we name it Judas.

> Go and investigate. Worse comes to worse, you can lead it away from them perhaps.

You get off the chair then move on over to the door. Graves reaches out to you, as if to ask what you’re doing. You stop, turn, and shush her. Tierney reaches out from her bed, apparently in some attempt to stop you, but you quickly make a stop gesture, and shush her as well. They both freeze. You point to Morrison, and point to the ground. He nods, keeping his plasma rifle ready. You’ll only be going out for just a little bit. You pull the curtains back, then drop to your knees and start crouch running.

You drop down into one of the old trenches, then take a look out. You can’t see much in the darkness. Damn it. If only you had-

Graves tosses you a helmet. Oh. Right. You quickly take the helmet then pull take your own damaged one. You pull the old electronics out of your old one then quickly snap the new ones in from the other helmet. You could just use the new helmet but most of you really wants to keep that scar on it as a trophy. Let others know what you survived. Plus, if anyone asks, you have proof.

You pull it on then drop the universal monocle. Night-vision. The green filters start giving way to more vision. You see the sharp rustle of trees accompanied by crackling of wood and bark to the east. Can’t be more than twenty meters away. The Rex though is obscured by the high rocks and trees. It’s definitely close. You see faint spots of light as well near ground level too. Probably escorted by something. Raptors most likely. And maybe Troodon.

You sigh, rubbing your nose. Damn it, damn it. One wrong sniff and they’ll be on top of you. You’re not equipped to fight a Rex and its escort.

Right. Think. Rexes have an amazing olfactory lobe if you remember correctly. Not to mention if there’s Troodon out and about…

What about the flare gun? You have one shot in it. In theory, if you fire it away from the base, they might follow it and get misled. At least for the night. But if they’re smart (no kidding they –are- smart) they’ll just as likely track where the shot came from instead of just following the pretty light.

Or you could just distract them yourself. You’re a fast runner. Rexes according to military intelligence can get up to 30 kilometers an hour in open ground. Rocky hills punctuated by trees and rocky outcroppings? Definitely not open ground. You may have a chance.

> Run out and lure them away and hope you can hide out.
> Fire the flare gun, see if it draws them away.
> Do nothing and hope they pass over the base.
> Get fortifying. They're probably going to search the base.
> Other

>>2907560
>> Do nothing and hope they pass over the base.

>>2907560
> Run out and lure them away and hope you can hide out.
>Rather than simply running out find a good vantage point to run from and fire a shot in order to bait them over before withdrawing.
>If time permits set up traps. The less dino's chasing you the better.

Time to go full Vietnam.

I would be all for hunkering down if not for this part "Rexes have an amazing olfactory lobe". Seems a pretty big hint there on what's going to happen if we try to hide. We can always use the flair to make our own getaway.

Survive any chance we can make improvised explosives with our ammo?

>>2907560
>Run out and lure them away and hope you can hide out.

> Run out and lure them away and hope you can hide out.

Right. Think back on when you were hunting on the preserves back on Hopewell. There were times where you had to hunt lions that broke out and attacked people’s livestock. Not to mention the wolves. Good God, the wolves. But enough of that. If there is anything that hunting has taught you about hunting animals that move in packs, it’s this: defeat in detail. String them out. Take out stragglers. They can howl and roar to each other all they want, but if they can’t support each other they’re as good as dead.

You grab two frag grenades and get moving. You pull a tree branch off and get moving down the hill. With quick thinking, you also shut off your short range. Nothing can give away your position now except your screaming when they inevitably find you and eat you. Pessimistic yes, but you have to keep your mind open to failure. You come down the trail and stop.

An impact tremor. You see lights coming towards the hill. Another impact tremor. Alright. You have a few minutes at most. You pull the spoon then release the tripwire inside. You stake the grenade down behind a rock, then pull the tripwire across the trail leading up to the hill. You stake it down against another rock, then quick dive into the bushes and get moving. You feel more impact tremors coming down towards you. Keep a light step. It probably can’t feel your presence based purely on how much weight it carries in each stomp of its foot. Lights start flooding the darkness. Raptors with helmet lights. You pause behind a tree and look.

A pair of Raptor Minors sweep the area with helmet lights. A pack of about twenty Troodon follow them, chittering quietly as they slow march.

Behind them were a pack of more Raptors, four Raptor Minors and a Raptor Major bringing up the rear.

But in between them was the big daddy himself. His already tough skin was covered up in a harness carrying plate metal of some kind, segmented to allow for easy movement and maximum protection. His tough head was done up in a helmet, painted steel gray with a ferocious dark blue stripe running down the nose and a metallic crest on top of its snout. On its sides, coordinated by its little arms, were a pair of massive railguns, fed by belts leading up to an ammo pack on its back. And on its tail was a double-bladed axe head. It bares its teeth, stopping as it sniffs around.

You never saw one of them before, but you certainly heard them during the attack.

The T-Rex.

>>2907953
[2/2]

> TYRANNOSAURUS REX
> The Tyrannosaurus Rexes enjoy a high spot in the Lizard hierarchy. Their imposing size and surprising intelligence awards them a deadliness which few other lizard castes can challenge. They lead massive groups of Lizards in attacks, and lead by example by wielding a pair of railguns capable of penetrating suit and tank hulls along with being accurate up to 300 meters. Their thick skin is supplemented by an unidentified metallic armor that seems resistant to plasma fire. And their brutality and lust for battle is unmatched by any other Lizard caste.

The T-Rex scans around. On its helmet were a pair of laser finders, which conveniently let you see where it’s actually looking. And so far, just straight ahead. It simply cocks its head around, scanning around. It snorts, growling lowly to the lead Raptors. The Raptor Minors continue ahead.

And explode in a fiery burst of fragmentation. The Troodon scream and scatter. The Rex screams at them. The air almost seems to shatter as you run around them to their rear. But the Troodon, suddenly seeing their leaders evaporate in a random explosion, bolt, howling like mad. The Raptor Minors and Major try to get in their way. That lets you sneak around and plant a quick tripwire grenade behind them.

One poor Troodon trips it and is gutted by a burst of shrapnel. The others are showered by dirt and metal fragments. They go from one panicky blob of Lizards to a now completely leaderless mass of meat running away in several directions. The Raptors call out at them, barking as they try to impose order. The Rex roars, turning around and smashing a tree to pieces with its mighty tail. The Raptors start scattering as they try to rally their Troodon back, leaving the Rex on its lonesome in the trail.

Alright…

> You’ve done enough. The Rex isn’t going anywhere alone. It knows it needs support to truly be useful.
> Pull the Rex away from the base, otherwise it might not leave.
> Shoot the Rex.
> Other

>>2907956
>> Shoot the Rex.
Time to shoot it's eye out.

>>2907969
Cancel this

Changing to
> Pull the Rex away from the base, otherwise it might not leave.

Better to face it on our ground. See if we can trap it. They have tiny arms right, if it gets trapped somewhere it'll be unlikely to get back up. So maybe find an incline, cliff, ravine or large ditch and try to trigger a landslide with explosions.

>>2907956
>Pull the Rex away from the base, otherwise it might not leave.

> Pull the Rex away from the base, otherwise it might not leave.

You grab a rock then smash it against another. The noise of the banging gets its attention. It turns towards you and sees you flee into the woods. The Rex screams out. The slow methodical tremors of its step suddenly become a rapid earthquake of movement as the Rex starts pursuing you. You hurry to dive through bush and under branch and over log to get it away from the base. You don’t even know which direction you’re going at this point. As long as it doesn’t involve getting eaten honestly.

The Rex smashes through tree and rock to get at you. They’re fast in open ground. But in this rough terrain he has no way to catch you or gain ground. It’ll become a stalemate at this point. And a stalemate it has become.

So instead, once you enter into his sights, he fires one of his railguns. The shot goes wide, but absolutely disintegrates a rock that happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. No dust or debris or anything, just a poof and a cloud of what used to be a proud slab of rock. Not to mention the sound of the explosion, it wasn’t as loud as the round traveling through the air that’s for sure. The Rex continues roaring at you as it pursues you through the woods. Maybe if you can get it stuck in a gully or something.

Gully!

You try to stop yourself but still end up falling into the little gully. The Rex starts stopping itself up, now falling in with you and clearly not being able to fit either. It steps over and looks down ad sees you getting back up. It roars you. The sound of its mighty war cry echoes against the walls, almost bursting your eardrums for the sheer power of it. You duck down, hurrying down one end of the gully. If you climb, he’ll snatch you up or blast you to pieces. The Rex follows you. By God’s good grace, it can’t lower its rail guns low enough to hit you. So it’s reduced to just tracking you while you’re down here. The Rex smashes its foot, growling as it lowers its body down and slinks its head down to try and snap at you. You stop yourself and turn around. Wait, wait, wait! You quickly run the other way. The Rex pulls its head out, trying hard to pursue you. Shit, shit, shit! You keep running down to the other end of the gully. You look back and see it turn around and… leave?

You stop. What the hell?

Then a suddenly a tree gets dumped into the gulley, almost near where you stand. Oh! That’s why! It’s trying to throw things in here to crush you instead! You hear it uprooting another tree. You see it fly through the air briefly before it comes down. You duck down and see it smash to pieces against the hard rock wall before settling at the bottom with you.

Okay, think, you’re not in its peripheral vision…

> Play dead and hide among the trees. It can’t fit down here anyway to check if you’re actually dead and its escort is long scattered.
> Run to the end of the gully and hope it doesn’t see you.
> Try and climb out before it sees you.
> Other

Must sleep. Will update first thing in the morning. Do leave your votes here.

> All these typos I see as I look at it.

I need to go to sleep earlier. To clarify the Rex is NOT in the gully with you.

>>2908116
> Run to the end of the gully and hope it doesn’t see you.

Keep tossing mother fucker, let's loop around and take his eye out.

>>2908116
>Run to the end of the gully and hope it doesn’t see yo

>>2908116
>Run to the end of the gully and hope it doesn’t see you.

> Run to the end of the gully and hope it doesn’t see you.

You leap over the fallen tree and over splintered wood to one end of the gully. Another tree crashes down into the gully. The one good thing about this is that he can’t see you running away. Oh man, if your Dad could see you now… No, push that away. Right now it’s your survival at stake! And right now you’re about to get staked by falling trees! A tree splinters itself apart coming down into the gully. You jump around it then find yourself coming up a rise. The end of the gully.

You hurry up the slightly muddy rise then look back. The Rex looks down into the gully, roaring inside of it. He seems to think you’re still in there. Alright, great, good!

Then he takes a sniff. He turns his head and looks right at you. You can see him squinting his eyes at you, as if to say ‘did you really think that would work?’

Well, it did for like two seconds.

He starts advancing towards you, baring his teeth. No railguns this time. He wants to show you the inside of his mouth it seems.

> Only weakspot you can see are his eyes. Shoot them out and hope he runs away.
> Keep running and build some distance. In this rough terrain he’ll have a hard time keeping up.
> Welp. Back into the gully!
> Other

>>2908736
What about shooting its snout?

>>2908736
>> Keep running and build some distance. In this rough terrain he’ll have a hard time keeping up.
Dont want him to start blind firing

>>2908785
Snouts armored up save for the nose holes.