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>>3488744
You tumble back ass-over-kettle, crashing against the back wall upside-down, boots hanging over your ears. Em, your esteemed friend, drinking buddy, sparring partner, and death pact cosignatory hops from foot to foot, shaking out his hand.

“All right,” you say, retracting the wires on your makeshift grapple fist. “I think it’s the Berets’ turn.”

“Yeah, all right.” Em agrees. “But you’re working with ‘em, not me.”

“Buh?” You ask.

He hops the table adroitly and alights behind you. “That thing’s losing pressure, cables are slowing down. That’s why that last hit got you. So--” The little green hunter rattles the box of parts he brought with him. “I’m gonna make you the real thing.”

“What about… y’know, training?” You ask--your squad got cut up last op, and you’d rather that not happen again.

He waves it off. “I’ll be watching. Two brains, remember?”

Susan shrugs. “You’re gonna be better than any of us in a brawl anyway, sir.”

“Not necessarily,” Em replies, waving a screwdriver at him without looking up.

>Well, since you volunteered, you’re first, Susan.
>Flak, time to learn how to scrap with all your kit on.
>Marx! Front and center.
>You’re up, Derby.

>>3488746
>Well, since you volunteered, you’re first, Susan.

Finally caught up. Nice to see that this is still going HC.

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>>3488760
Yeah, I'm sorry it's been delayed. I'm still pretty out of it, the last week's been tough, both on myself and CL.

>>3488746
>Well, since you volunteered, you’re first, Susan.
Morning Hunter Command

>>3488764
Your health is more important. Not CL's health, though.

>>3488746
>get beaten up by Susan

>>3488746
Do it in order of motherfuckery. If I was a fast moving maverick with high mobility and a desire for glory, I'd go leader, heavy weapons, then other.
Susan gets poked, then we add in Flak(would be closest and has dash), then Marx(has dash so would respond sooner) and finally Derby. If any of them can give reason to support the team before they make the field, they are to offer the advice.
Teamwork is their strength, dealing with sudden shit is their weakness if I recall. Could look into maybe MP prototype grapples for them. Would be cheaper and they could likely afford it.

>>3488746
>Well, since you volunteered, you’re first, Susan.

HC could we get a thread to show what would’ve happened if Anode went Mac?

>>3488746
>You're up, Derby.

>>3488746
>Marx! Front and center.
He offered to be the guinea pig with the dash, time to pay the piper

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>>3489040
On one hand that'd be interesting to learn.

On the other hand poor Cathode.

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>>3489040
Story ain't done yet, there's still time.

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>>3489040
If he went Mac there's a good chance he'd still die in one hit to the Z-Saber like Mac does

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>>3489040
Maybe someday.

>>3489307
Filename immediately being presented to Cain Labs for future Anode menacing.

>>3488746
>>Well, since you volunteered, you’re first, Susan.

>>3488746
>Well, since you volunteered, you’re first, Susan

>>3488764
I hope you feel better soon HC!

>>3488746
>Marx! Front and center.
he's got shield AND dash, so maybe figure out how to actually use the shield

>>3488746
>Marx! Front and center.
For the life of me I can't remember why he's called Marx. I picture him with a sharpie Groucho moustache.

Good to see ya HC!
>>3488746
>Marx! Front and center.
Let's knock out some new equipment training first.

>>3488746
>Marx! Front and center.

>>3488746

>Flak, time to learn how to scrap with all your kit on.

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>>3488760
>>3488775
>>3488786
>>3488806
>>3488818
>>3489645
>>3490268
“Well, since you’re so eager--”

“Crap,” Susan hisses.

Flak guffaws as his partner in crime throws up his hands and joins you in the ring. “This isn’t gonna go well,” he gripes.

Em holds up a finger. “He’s not here to dunk on you--”

“That’s his job,” you add cheerfully, and he switches which finger he has up.

“--He’s here to help.”

“My savior,” Susan grumbles. “I don’t have one of the dashes or a shield.”

Em’s having none of it. “Perfect. Gotta start with the basics.”

“Fiiiine…”

You grin. “Why, Corporal, is that some hesitation I hear in your ever-dutiful voice?”

He rolls his eyes and draws his beam knife. “Not anymore, sir.”

He lunges, but his form quickly bunches back up as you deflect--he’s defensive and compact, keeping a small profile and focusing on defense. Makes sense--he’s not exactly a built-to-brawl model.

“Everyone else, watch,” you hear Em say with the first thing approaching authority. “Pay attention…”

You lose focus on his voice as Susan swings again, a quick one-two lash. You bat his strike aside with a backhand--the mockup isn’t exactly a grappling hook anymore, but it’s still a perfectly good standin for a fist weapon. He hunches low and back on his feet, raising his knife again. This time, you spring forward, bait out a jab, and brush past, planting a boot on his chestplate and giving him a kick.

He skids back, off-balance, but regains his footing, readying again with a grimace.

“Pretty bottom-heavy build, huh?” Em asks.

“Low center of gravity,” Susan replies tersely, expression wary as he circles.

“Helps with bracing against a weapon,” Flak adds.

“Probably meant to help avoid you getting bowled over,” Em replies. “It’s easy to get a quick finish off a knockdown.”

“Noticed that,” Susan mutters.

You exchange a few more times--even taking it easy, you can tell the Beret can’t keep up, preferring to remain on the defensive. He’s a quick learner, at least--you don’t get another feint on him again. You wonder, vaguely, if you would be as far past Susan as Em’s swordplay is past you.

“Pretty observant,” Em offers from the sidelines. “You can do a lot with a little if you know what to do and when.”

“General plan is to not let them get close enough to have to.”

Flak claps brightly. “But you always have a plan B!”

“...Near enough,” Susan says reluctantly.

Em chuckles. “Anyway, I’d A: Have a plan for melee, and B: Look for tells and getting in on them. Anyone else?”

Deafening silence from the peanut gallery.

>Next?

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>>3492278
Let's go in order of the first vote's tally, which means
>Marx is next.

>>3492278
>Marx next

>>3492278
Next like next thing to do, or who's up next?

If the latter, Derby.

>>3492278
>Marx
We've seen what they can do with basics, let's see the finished product.

>>3492278
Marx would be a good one. He has a shield and dash and learning how to block blows, draw aggro, and not get fucked up would be good.

>>3492278
>>3492384

>Marx next
Yeah, this makes a lot of sense. Though I feel like Anode teaching a class on how not to get fucked up is like an ostrich teaching a class on flying.

>>3492278
>“Pretty observant,” Em offers from the sidelines. “You can do a lot with a little if you know what to do and when.”
>Em chuckles. “Anyway, I’d A: Have a plan for melee, and B: Look for tells and getting in on them. Anyone else?”

Economy of motion. Know what you want to happen. Do as much as you can with as little as you need.

That's a pretty strong mindset to have, no? Feels like Susan may be beating himself up too much, instead of working to his strengths.

>Marx

>>3492469
Well, for starter, what we can face and what they can is different. Less fancy moves are required to dodge a ball and chain than trying to dodge Birds. And while things get fucked up, its never fatally so for us. The extra armor has certainly saved their lives a few times.

>>3492278
>Marx

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NO UPDATE TONIGHT

STONED QM

>>3495107
Stone man strikes again

Robot alcohol is a thing but what about Roboweed?

>>3495971
We've seen other stuff too, one basically reploid cigars (I think), another on IV. Roboweed is likely out there somehow

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>>3492317
>>3492334
>>3492349
>>3492384
>>3492469
>>3492478
>>3493260
“Marx!” You call. “Time to show off that dash.”

He nods, tagging in as Susan files past, hefting that shield.

“Been practicing with that, too?” You ask.

He shrugs. “Not as much. Ready.”

He shifts his weight from side to side, crouching into a slight forward lean, eyes meeting your across the rim. He keeps his knife at his side, tipped up and out.

You come in with a dash, and he comes out with one. Landing heavily on his feet, he’s ready for your chasing spring, shouldering back at you behind the alloy wall. You drop low to push his knife-stroke aside with your lance hilt, then level into a thrust.

He shunts it away from himself with the edge of the shield, but his dash cycles before you can open him up--he definitely prefers the “run” part of hit and run.

“Would rather be doing this with a buster!” He calls.

“Maybe you could fit a brace to the lip?” You suggest, readying up again.

“Better to go with a pistol, in that case,” Em replies. “Imagine getting it stuck and fumbling for a moment.”

Marx grimaces. “Point taken.”

You lunge again, but this time, you change it up--cocking back your fist and slamming it into the shieldwall. He pushes back, but Marx is no Collide.

This time, though, you grip the edge and power through, pushing him back as sparks kick and leap up from your boots. “The f--” Em asks beneath the static storm as you shove Marx back on his heels, fingers gripped tight against the rim of his shield. You Shriver him down, forcing the shield away into his knife, keeping him off you. Finally, with a wrenching twist, you slam his shield down to the ground and knee him in the chest, sending him sprawling.

“Good,” Em repeats--though his eyes are suddenly fixed on you and your little static lightshow, making you feel self-conscious of your new damage once again. Knowing that behind the intense stare, Em’s connecting the dots, makes you feel like you’re shot through with a spotlight. His pupils flit and return to position so quickly you barely notice the move as he puts it together. The moment of uncomfortable bug-under-glass passes as he continues, tone still normal. “What’d you pick up from that?”

“Not to try to bump uglies with the Captain,” Marx grouses, and Flak falls over laughing. Derby shakes his head and offers a hand to help Marx up.

“Is no one doing phrasing anymore?” Susan asks rhetorically.

“Focus,” Em says. “Anode?”

“Trying to slip away was a good call, but it left you out of position,” you suggest.

“Right,” Em agrees. “You also used the dash first thing. Unless you know you’re not gonna need it until it cycles again, you don’t want to lead in with it.”

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>>3496673
Flak raises a hand. “Um, about the ‘out of position’ thing… you mean it let you catch him?”

You nod. “Once it came off cooldown, I caught up and then just stayed on him. Then, once you were locked in...”

Marx nods reluctantly. “Easy to overpower. Yeah, I got it.”

“Still, good focus on mobility, especially with a shield,” Em says. “Maybe look into a pistol. That’d suit you pretty well, I think.”

“Have you got one?” Flak asks.

Emerald sloooowly turns his head to stare blankly at Flak, his beam sabers adorning every armor plate in view.

“...Right. Sorry. I just thought, you seem to have everything else...” Flak mumbles, trailing off.

“Quit while you’re behind, Flak,” Susan suggests helpfully.

>No. Your humiliation must continue. Into the arena, Flak!
>Derby, your go. See how he uses the shield without a dash.

>>3496682
>Derby, your go. See how he uses the shield without a dash.

>>3496682
>Derby, your go. See how he uses the shield without a dash.

>>3496682
>No, your humiliation must continue. INTO THE ARENA, FLAK!

>>3496682
>No. Your humiliation must continue. Into the arena, Flak!

>>3496682
>No, your humiliation must continue. INTO THE ARENA, FLAK!

Does Em know we suplexed a train? We should inform we suplexed a train. It's very important.

>>3496682
>No. Your humiliation must continue. Into the arena, Flak!

We'll tell Em about Lots and Lots of Train after we're done with the arena. Don't want to scare off our squad.

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>>3496682
>No. Your humiliation must continue. Into the arena, Flak!
hahaha
HAHA YOU FUCKED UP NOW, FLAK

>>3496682
>Derby, your go. See how he uses the shield without a dash.

>>3496682
>No. Your humiliation must continue. Into the arena, Flak!

>>3496682
>>No. Your humiliation must continue. Into the arena, Flak!
You have only yourself to blame Flak. Still, this is good advice for us just as it is for them. If we find ways to minimize our movements, we could try to do so with our charge as well.

>>3496682
>No. Your humiliation must continue. Into the arena, Flak!
Flak, with the dash and shield, is going to be focused on a lot in combat, needs the practice more.

Maybe instead of a Pistol, could get a short buster shotgun? Go full riot gear, without that rubber bullets?

>>3496682
>>No. Your humiliation must continue. Into the arena, Flak!

>>3497372
Marx is dash and shield. Flak is dash and heavy weapons.

>Maybe instead of a Pistol, could get a short buster shotgun? Go full riot gear, without that rubber bullets?

I suspect that there might be wide/spread dispersal buster pistols available somewhere.

>>3496682
>Derby, your go. See how he uses the shield without a dash.

>>3497372
Or maybe a shoulder mount later, allow him to keep his hands free on the shield.

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CL is out at horrific real-world festivities and I'm a bit out of it, so post will either be late or delayed. Thanks, patience, etc.

In the meantime, how are people liking stuff? Feeling okay with going low and slow for a while in between-mission downtime?

>>3498951
S'not bad. Anode has needed a cool down after the train of missions he's had, better mindset or not. Gives him a chance to talk to his friends, train his squad, meet people, and of course talk about potential future UPGRADES. You know, fun stuff.
I do like em's advice. Its the same sort of stuff we can use for anode, and him noticing the damage can help us handle it or use it better.

>>3498951
Anode needs dat date before she dies offscreen or something

>>3499021
I am expecting the date to be derailed by everyone wanting to talk to the guy who suplexed a train.

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>>3499033

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>>3499093
>Ukumari is an obsessive train enthusiast and is horrified and offended that you damaged miles of Skyloop track and rolling stock

>>3498992
>train of missions
I see what you did there
>train his squad
And there

>>3499346
And >>3499033
>expecting the date to be derailed

>>3498951
I'm glad to keep getting regular updates, and down time is always appreciated to flesh out our friends and the world. Would really like to hang with Templar, but sadly he seems to be going the Dodo/Conda route.

>>3499033
Oh shit, we doing this? We actually acknowledging all the reasons this date's gonna fail?
*ahem*
Anode + /qst/: Foot in mouth
Anode + /qst/: too desperate/creepy
Ukumari is already dating someone
Ukumari is not interested in dating anyone
Ukumari is not interested in dating Anode
Emerald is drunk, ruins mood
Rezador shows up, picks fight over Em's free time
Cathode decides to aid her brother ala Cyrano de Bergerac
Cathode's bat decides to go for a preemptive strike
Bravely Broken decide to watch & provide commentary
Foxfire decides to fight for her man (lol)
India shows up, leaves with Arc
Foxfire + India tag-team: NO SURVIVORS

>>3499566
Well, allow me to preempt a few other possibilities.

Tiger drops in for a 'visit'
Schwarz drops in for a 'visit'
CL drops in for a 'visit', literally
The Canadians seek revenge for the train
The train seeks revenge for itself
Foxfire spends her time narrating the date over the comms
India spends her time narrating the date over the comms
Writing the line here would just a formality

Finally, and most likely, the ghost of Anode's dead shrink whispers in his ear.

>>3499575
Yes, I meant Tanker for that first one. I'mma get some coffee, I'll need it just to type today, evidently.

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>>3499566

>>3499575
>Foxfire spends her time narrating the date over the comms
>India spends her time narrating the date over the comms

>Foxfire and India color commentate on the date as if it was a sporting event.

>>3499710
I mean there's virtually no way that this doesn't happen.

>>3499732
>>3499710
Clearly they must get Templar in as a random guest on this too

>>3499732
I can make it even better Cain.

>The date happens while we are trying to calibrate the Interpolator.

>>3499732
What, no Cathode?

>>3500071
>bears are to Cathode as Bats are to Anode.
>She wears a bear pelt when she talks to her.

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>>3500193
So I think I'm going to just sit back and let you guys keep riffing back and forth like this, and write the whole date for me.

>>3500261
Don't forget to have Aardwolf pass by for some reason, decide to take us up on that drink, and crash the date as an oblivious third wheel.

>>3500261
You won't get out that easily. We will give you the overview, but you will need to do the details.

It is always a sign of a good game when the players willingly jump in on the insanity. HC and CL, you have both done a great job on this quest.

>>3499575
Engima Cannon seeks revenge for itself.
Halcyon wants to speak to Anode, privately.
The nanitebooze goes mavericks.

But honestly what it's going to be?
Somebody brings up dogs.

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>>3500780
>The booze goes maverick

>>3500934
>alcohol nanites contain maverick virus
>all of geneva hq is maverick within two days

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Arc's opinions on hunting and politics.
The television goes to the news, which is showing Anode in the worst possible light.
The date goes well but Arc is KIA or goes Maverick on her next mission.
Arc is killed or goes Maverick on the date itself.
Eriador seeks revenge for Erebor.
Arc thinks movies are stupid and a waste of time.
The date goes well and Anode and Arc have a healthy and fulfilling relationship until the events of X4, when one of them has joined Repliforce and the other is still with the Hunters.
The date goes well, but Arc is just WAY too freaky in bed for them to have a healthy and fulfilling relationship.
The date goes well, but Anode realizes his bromance with Emerald is something more when he stands outside of the bar with a boombox serenade.
The date goes well, but at the last minute Arc leans in and whispers "Hail Sigma" in Anode's ear.
Sigma drops in for a 'visit'.

>>3501133
>Giant French Dragon attack
>”Hail Sigma”
Would b funny

>Arc turns out to just be Uralmash wearing some tesla coils
>Arc's only getting close to you because she's in on Halcyon's project to turn you into a superweapon, Arc being artillery, this superweapon will consist of her throwing you

>>3496682
>Derby, your go. See how he uses the shield without a dash.

Seems like it'd come up in a real situation.

>>3500261
>Inb4 Arc questions why we went Jumppack and Not SWORD

>>3501969
Do we actually have an answer for that, though
I mean one that isn't just 'All the voices in my head had a collective brain meltdown'

>>3502009
There is no good answer

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Sorry for continuing continuance of continued delays, folks. Schedules, coordinating with CL, medications, sleep and the lack thereof, and plain old bad decisions and laziness.

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>>3496763
>>3496797
>>3496834
>>3496853
>>3496856
>>3497014
>>3497165
>>3497372
>>3497374
“Not so fast, my friend,” you offer with a grin. “You must pay your penance in blood.”

“We don’t bleed,” Susan says flatly.

You roll your eyes. “It’s a figure of speech, Carl.”

“All right, all right,” Flak interrupts before the two of you can get into another volley. He examines his heels as he’s dragging them, clearly not fancying his chances. You notice Susan is keeping a silent eye on things, paying attention a little more closely.

“You’ll be fine,” you offer.

“Better here than out there,” Em adds.

“Right… Yeah, okay. Ready,” Flak declares.

Unfortunately, his reluctance is warranted--he’s just not made for scrapping. He’s used to planting his feet, not picking them up, and though he can dash fairly ably, he lacks the reflexes and mind to use it for anything but trying to bail out when he’s getting overwhelmed. Still a step up there, at least, a gunner that can reposition, but as you push aside his half-hearted knife flails and shove him back once again, none of the squad can think of something to offer.

“All right, c’mon,” Susan says from the sidelines. “Let’s pack it in.”

“No, no, I want to learn,” Flak insists unhappily. “It’s just my balance feels off without a tube.”

“Wait. Shit, right, you’re the gunner?” Em asks, more to himself than anything.

“Yes…” Flak replies hesitantly.

“Okay, fuckin’... all right. Get an alloy shroud for your big gun and just swing the damn thing like a club.”

You blink. “Really?”

“Really.” He gestures down at Flak’s boots. “Use those ground stakes for traction and just shove them straight off. You’ve got good stability.”

Susan frowns. “What if they’re too strong for that?”

“Then you cut and run with the dash. But if you’ve got no business mixing it up--”

“Ouch,” Derby mutters.

“--Then focus on pushing ‘em off you to keep doing your thing while your squad helps you out.”

Flak nods. “I think I could do that.”

“If you want more options, look into a bayonet ring and brace against a charge,” Em adds. “Either plant your feet or duck and run. Don’t halfass either.”

“Right…”

Derby steps in past Flak, hefting his shield. “My go, now?”

You nod. “Let’s finish it up. Everyone get your thinking hats on.”

“...Did you actually just say that out loud?” Em asks.

“Just make the punch glove, wonderboy,” you shoot back.

“All right.” Derby takes a ready profile, shield up at a slight angle between you. “All ready.”

You lunge, and Derby twists, keeping the shield up like a bullfighter’s cloak as he deflects you off to one side. He sweeps his knife out with a light, probing jab that you fend aside with your lance on a backswing.

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>>3502882
You’re moving to counterstrike, but he’s already pushing forward, shield leading and knife not far behind. You spring back and wind up, using a burst of Shriver and a dead-center punch to his shield to shove him straight back. He keeps his footing, advancing again as soon as he stops skidding.

Behind him, you see Emerald sitting up and studying the Beret more intently.

You opt to switch to your own knife (“Ooooh!,” exclaims Flak), sensing he might be on to something here.

He’s pretty damned nimble, for a Beret--lacking your speed and strength, Derby answers with quick and clever preventive action, keeping you from taking openings with a steady, measured offense. He’s definitely a dab hand with that shield--heavy though it might be, he deflects and redirects with aplomb, and once or twice manages to forestall you with a surprise shoulder-check from behind it. Flak and Marx are clapping and cheering when you finally break away and put up a hand, ending the spar.

“That’s what I’m talking about!” Flak cheers.

Derby allows himself a little smirk. “That felt all right.”

You nod, yourself feeling a bit relieved after Flak’s dismal showing.

“So you’re gonna need to practice more,” Em says. “You’re good at keeping your head in the game. Use that.”

He nods.

“Now then.”

Em tosses you a matte-black brick. “Just the base model.”

You turn it over in your hand--grey, carbon-fiber looking housing with an outer alloy facing tipped with two hooks. You can see that they’re hollow, four small tips coming together to a point, most likely splaying out into the grapnel when fired. A recessed fitting under the blocky plate breaks up the angular lines with curves to match your fingers in the grip.

You look up at Em, who isn’t speaking. You hear him on your comms, a private transmission.

“So if you’ve got shit to do, whatever, it can wait. But we’re having another match with that thing before I let you take it out for real.”

>Now’s fine. Let’s try this out.
>I do have stuff going on. Later, Em.

>>3502884
>>Now’s fine. Let’s try this out.

>>3502884
>Now’s fine. Let’s try this out.
fiiiine

>>3502884
>Now’s fine. Let’s try this out

>>3502884
>Now’s fine. Let’s try this out.

>>3502884
>Now’s fine. Let’s try this out.
Dude could just ask about the sparking, no need to be sneaky about it.

>>3502884
>>Now’s fine. Let’s try this out.
Are you being tsundere about our sparks Em? Because if you are, Foxfire is gonna find out and there will be slash fiction.

>>3502884
>Now’s fine. Let’s try this out

>>3502884
>>Now’s fine. Let’s try this out.

Let's DOOO this!

>>3502884
>Now’s fine. Let’s try this out.

>>3502884
>Now’s fine. Let’s try this out.

>>3503141
As if there isn't already slash fiction.

>>3504021
>As if there isn't already slash fiction.

Isn't any fiction involving Emerald automatically /slash/ fiction?

>>3505038
Not always. Sometimes its just people taking a stab at it.

>>3505038
>>3505060
>Cain Labs will remember this.

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>>3505251
But does he remember Fire Hydrant?

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>>3505256
Ohhh yes he does.

Also, today is a very Ouch. Stand by while I try to get my brain off the floor.

Is sparking all over the reploid equivalent of having your fly open?

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Blugh, sorry folks, can't get anything off the ground. Crazy Monday at work threw a wrench in the works. Hopefully update tomorrow.

In the meantime, since you're going at it with Em ("shut up" -- CL), feel free to think out loud on your approach, and I'll try to work what I can into the eventual update.

>>3505551
Well, basics of basics, lets take some of those lessons into practice. Efficiency of resources and trimming down the motions. Test the gauntlet, figure out how fast the wires go out and how they reel us in. If we can alter our course, or keep the momentum up with it, then we have a means to further control the battlefield.
Another thing to test is our control in terms of our shriver and dash. See if we can fake em out with it in combination with other moves. Sooner we can get used to both, the better.

>>3505551
We may want to ask if our new razzle dazzle powers are going to short our the grapple. Or Em. Marx's shock only seemed figurative, so maybe it's a non-issue?

>>3505551
Hey no problem man, I'm having one hell of a week too so I understand. I'll try to think of a coherent plan or ideas once I'm capable of forming said coherent ideas.

>>3505551
Get some punches in, but also get a feel for holding the misericorde while wearing these gauntlets.

Feint with a grapplehook, expecting it to miss and hit a wall. Reel it in while pulling out the lance, then stop the reel early and switch directions with a dash. Test out how it handles when we need to detach or leave the cable hanging.

Also, since these are now nonlethalized, try wrapping the coil around the target to immobilize them nonlethally. We need to figure out how to do that properly if we're ever going to do the real thing.

>>3505551
Test firing the cables during punches: at the very least a flying spike should provide a distraction, and if we manage to tag our opponent, wire-guided punch! Otherwise, work on chaining attacks, that was Em's biggest gripe about us last time we sparred.

I'd really love to Shiver-toss Em, it's rapidly become my favorite of Anode's moves.

>>3506503
>I'd really love to Shiver-toss Em
Gopher would love to too, and he doesn't even HAVE Shriver.

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>>3506529
"Morale problems? Insubordinate officers? Just yeet them away!"

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>>3502884
>Now’s fine. Let’s try this out.

You slide the gauntlet over your arm, flexing your fingers as they fit to the grips. You tap your buster, and there’s a moment as your systems read the gauntlet and negotiate a connection. It handshakes something with your VWES and then reports back a connection, T. Coils throughput to it.

“Here’s fine,” you comm back. “Now’s good.”

Em keeps his sharp-eyed gaze on you for a long moment, before speaking out loud. “Okay.”

And then: “Get clear.”

The Berets scramble as Emerald vaults the desk, one hand planted over the top as his saber slings free in a sweeping overhead slash. You had no idea he could jump that high, your own blade just meeting his as he crashes down in the ring, sending you skidding back. You recover, but he doesn’t let up, hilt unslung from his shoulder and swept around wide. The blaze of his flambard whirls ‘round, halting your advance as he turns back to you.

The glare of the beam fades as you lunge back, driving in with your misericorde. He rolls his wrist and deflects it aside, only for your fist to surge in for the follow-up. The flambard comes back up in a hellish surge of flame, forcing you to use momentum to go past, rather than stay in. You turn back as Em raises the hilt of the hibeam before him, dips it low, and then springs.

You hunch and weave left past his thrust, coming in with a jab at his midsection that he bats away with his off-hand, steps, and sweeps again. You break off and lunge back, both of you on offense at the same moment. He dances around and comes in with crisscrossed edges, and you catch them on the end of your knife.

His knee comes up and crunches into your damaged middle, forcing you back. You snap your gauntlet forward and fire the hooks, the tips springing out and latching onto the hilt of the flambard. Em pursues as you yank the hilt from his hand--and he cracks you in the chest with his elbow, kris springing free from the impact and flying to hand. He fulcrums the tapered point before making a drawing lash, catching the cable as it retracts and freeing his captured blade to clatter to the floor.

“You guard too high,” he comms in silence--the evenness of his tone at odds with the ferocity of his assault. “Is this how he got you?”

“Yeah,” you grunt.

“Footwork.” His voice is emphatic. “If you don’t have it, don’t commit. Don’t stay still.”

He dashes suddenly and up-close, around your leg and reversing his knife to jam into your thigh. You answer with your own, rocketing away and leaping high. The hooks spring out again, this time biting into the ground as you yank yourself back the way you came, snapping back into the ring from above with a diving sweep.

Em sidesteps, but you don’t overstay your welcome, skidding past on your momentum. You tuck and roll, coming back up with your lance in place of the knife. Em folds his arms, tucking the kris back into its sheathe on his arm.

>

>>3507428
Maybe try shooting a coil mid-dash? If we catch a body or hilt, we can shriver yank it perpendicular while our other hand uses the shriver to sweep forward. If he dashes to us again we'll catch him, if he dashes for the coil we've bought a bit of time to reel it in.

....oh. Also, is there value in DELAYING the coil travel? Fire the coil, then dash BACKWARDS to mess up the timing of when the coil hits.

>>3507766
Might be good for a juke once or twice. Any way we can dash towards, through, then shriver Em over our head if we catch him off guard? Maybe grapple him in the air and throw him back down if we don't get a dagger in the shoulder for our trouble. No reason not to go balls to the walls to put our gear through its paces.

>>3507766
I could kind of see that working as part of a combo. Fire a slow coil, dash sideways, re-engage with the coil now moving in a wonky curve around the target. It hits the wall, snaps taut, acts as an offensive on one side while we go in from another.

>>3507428
>“You guard too high,” he comms in silence--the evenness of his tone at odds with the ferocity of his assault. “Is this how he got you?”
>“Footwork.” His voice is emphatic. “If you don’t have it, don’t commit. Don’t stay still.”

Okay then... Keep working on basics?

Use the lance for lower sweeps and jabs, but no big swings that would leave an obvious opening. If he tries to go over or get in close, we fist him good. Lance backed up with the threat of the Shriver is one of things he recommended working with back in the Sim spar, but he kept getting inside Anode's reach. Fist should help with that, bang him around or batter him back to lance-range. Tagging him with a coil would be nice, but just icing on top. He's awfully wiggly.

Using the coils to disengage or reposition short distances also seems to work well. Anode's footwork may be stompy, but his coils are nice and speedy. Might as well practice that, since they're no longer on an ammo counter. Didn't Jagwire do that too? Been a while, memory hazy.

>>3507428
Try to snag him. You could try firing one coil high and one low, which wouldn't catch him but would force him to move to dodge the one he can't parry.

>>3507428
58 threads later, Em is still telling us to work on our footwork. The more things change, the more they stay the same, I guess.

Try for a grapple? Our strength is pretty much the only thing we've got over Em, though it still runs into the overall problem of actually hitting him. Still, he's the only opponent we can even practice this kind of shit on.

>>3509471
We could use our strength and shriver to push his weapons away. Bat them aside and force openings to appear if need be.

Sorry again, folks. Crap day, I need a night.

I really wish this'd stop happening.

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>>3510019
Update is written, CL got Thursnapped before he could proof it. Delays, apology, etc.

>>3512487
Got to wonder, what mavs did Cathode face for season 1? Know there was the capture globule and the shell stakes, along with those bits, but I am curious what she did and if she ever got to do some crazy stuff.

>>3512487
Are you and CL still on the fence about including elements from the manga?

I'm mainly asking because I'm the exact kind of guy who would set X up with Martei just so we can pre-emptively clamjam Alia, since we know that in canon she's complicit in some real black ops shit in an attempt to merc our pal Blizzard Wolfang and generally just ruin the life of her old colleague Gate who kind of deserves it in some cases, but not quite in others. Also, since we're actively working alongside mercenaries in the form of Grach and Spider, working with "pirates in name only" like Martei and her crew wouldn't feel too out of place either, I think.

>>3512487
Would we be able to purchase a version of Wallaby's Phase Pistol for Marx? I know we could were able to make Susan's rifle and Flak's launcher by templating our VWES data, but since the phase tech came from a captured weapon, I'm not clear if we could get a copy.

>>3513155
>Would we be able to purchase a version of Wallaby's Phase Pistol for Marx?
Official statement is: no, that would be overpowered, so softretcon that option is not available anymore.

>>3513159
Wallaby's phase tech was also something of a one-off in and of itself. Also, everything else that remained of him got obliterated so hard there was nothing else to recover.

Also, stand by, throwing last night's update out on lunch break.

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>>3507766
>>3507873
>>3508058
>>3508260
>>3509335
>>3509471
>>3509562
Right, footwork, basics, tricks, and mobility. You can do that.

Em’s oddly intense stare doesn’t break as you square up for round two, set low, and lunge.

He counterthrusts, narrow profile letting him cut right by. He pivots and snaps his saber across at your heels, and you wheel back to deflect it, driving back in with a punch. He twists back in an acrobatic dodge, kicking your hand up and leaving him inside your guard. You fire the coils with an appreciable little punch of recoil, feel them bite into the ceiling, and snap yourself out of the way of his cross-stroke.

You drop back down at the ready, sparks sizzling at your heels an instant before you rocket forward on a charged dash. He takes the path of least resistance, sidestepping with an economy of motion you only just register on your way past. Experience tells you he’s right on your heels with the follow-up, so you pivot and surge right back. You treasure that momentary widening of his eyes as you engage the Saetos dash and blaze right in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zttAORhVMsc

His flambard cuts a dividing line between you, the wreathe of flame flaring out along the beam as your momentum carries the two of you past the painted line without slowing. Back, back, back, the blur of your surroundings finally grinding down slow enough to perceive as they go by.

And then you engage the Blueshift.

Fingers tightening on the hilt, Em grits his teeth and digs in his boots as you resume pushing him to the back wall, flashing arcs setting the room alight. Finally, he twists the beam up overhead and away, and you once more rocket by. The aura dims again, boosters spent, as Emerald lunges in after you like a howling banshee.

Your cables bite the far wall and pull you clear, twisting ‘round to plant your feet and spring back at him, levering your blade in a wide chop at his neck. He ducks low, saber flashing as he deflects you and steps past, shifts balance, and comes right back at you. You pivot on your heel and sling your blade back around at reach, forestalling his advance and letting you surge back in with a punch.

He rolls his beam and slaps your fist aside, a slight nick between the knuckles the only wear. You fire the hooks right into his chest, swing, and sling. You launch him back the way you came, but he saw it coming, cutting through them with an offhand slice. The cables drop and two more wink into being in their place--your VWES reads 7/8. Right, this was the base version.

Em brushes the hooks free with his thumb, stowing the knife and adopting a one-handed stance again. He flicks the tip up at you, as if asking if you’re good for another.

You slam your knuckles into your palm and hunch low.

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>>3513278
You dash, leaping straight up to arrest your momentum and break up the timing. He reads it and adjusts his own, keeping his feet on the ground rather than following you into the air. You snap your coils down at your feet and reach the ground a bare instant before his chasing blade arcs through your descent. You come up in a rising slash that he turns aside, stepping in for a thrust. You hook your knuckles in and straight punch his blade away, then shoulder in, trying, for a change, to get inside his guard.

Blades spark as counter meets counter and strike meets strike. You surge forward with Shriver and fairly well wrench his arm to the sky, and he lets you, somersaulting back, landing low, and springing. Your counterpunch has your whole weight behind it, timing foiling tell with the hooks launching out ahead and past. You skid ‘round on your knee and spring up for the next trade, snapping the cables back into place with a dogged grin.

Em rolls his blade in his hand and comes in again--you dart past with the coils, then slingshot ‘round with your dash.

This time, his boot catches you in the stomach, a full-body jolt wrenching through you as your momentum crashes cold and you fold around the middle.

”Footwork,” Em hisses.

You grab his boot and twist, Shriver-enhanced flip sending his little body spiraling. You come in again, but he alights on one foot, balance already recovered, crouches, and trips you before you can realign.

“Footwork!”

You roll back to your feet, and he chases, cutting again and again. You try to rally, stepping in to break his initiative, only for him to slip low and come up with a jaw-crunching backhand that leaves his blade at your throat.

“Footwork!”

He’s about to say something else when a chorus of cheers erupts. You look around--somewhere in that, you drew an audience. A captive audience, given the scratches and scoremarks now dotting the whole of the training floor, your little fighting ring far behind you. Berets and Lanceteamers hoot and clap, as you suddenly clock your chronometer. That was minutes--plural--in the ring with Emerald.

From the back of the room, you see the faint glint of Rezador’s eye as he turns his back, leaving in silence.

>

>>3513279
>"One more round, then we take a break."
>Try nonelethal stuff, and/or fighting without any dashes or shriver.

>>3513291
Seconding.

Maybe try to improve our footwork a little, I've got this weird feeling Em wants us to work on it.

>>3513279
"Right, footwork." Much as going into the ring would be nice, let's ask for his last morsels of advice. We are still healing, all said and done, plus it gives us time to think of our moves. We should also ask about his thoughts of our sparking. How we can use it, how we can make it less of a problem.
We ARE improving though. We haven't got a clean hit, but we are holding him back with melee and wires.

>>3513279
Wait a minute, green, moody, important supporting character, frequently repeated one particular training tip... Is Em turning into TFS's rendition of Piccolo?

>>3513507
but how is he supposed to give Anode his daily dose when he never got that endo?

>>3513507
Footwork is a fancy way of saying dodge when you think about it.

>>3513279
>Footwork
So... kick him? But yeah, I guess go defensive and work on not getting hit until Em calms down.

>given the scratches and scoremarks now dotting the whole of the training floor
Man, Looey's gonna be pisssssed.

>>3513279
> Challenge Rezador to a sparring match
If he's still in earshot, anyway. Em's pretty unfairly hard on himself, but watching us get knocked around by Jerkface McSenpaidick might knock him into seeing things from a different perspective.

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>>3513526
You are all very bad people, and the only one worse is me for getting it.

>>3513279
Louie is gonna kill us.

>>3513768
Didn't you specify that Foxfire's armor was green and purple

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>>3513888
She's more of a Dickalo Pic than the other way around.

>>3513888
>>3513932
Why am I not surprised that she's a literal walking shitpost?

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>>3513124
I felt as much too!

The spinoff quest I wrote, Shooting Star, does feature Marty in one stage and Alia in a cameo, but the story takes place after X4.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Shooting+Star

>>3513279
Methinks Em noticed Rezador watching, based on how intense his fighting got at the end there. Well. How about a perfectly innocent observational comment to break the tension?

>nod over at where Rezador just exited
>"Oh, he came."

>>3513279
Follow Rezador. Ask what he found so fascinating.

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>>3514211
Always fun to meet a fellow fan of Marty/Martei. ... Or however you spell her name in English. Japanese is tricky like that.

By no means do I hate Alia; she clearly regrets her past actions, but considering the handful of other characters in the X Series that show even a passing interest in him, Alia is blander than white bread, even with her redesign in X8.

The player gets emotionally invested with Nana, because we rescue her from Silver Horn's clutches, and Martei's considerably more badass, being a character made to be a potential love interest in the manga, as Alia hadn't even existed in the series yet. Berkana's only a bit more interesting than Alia, being an antagonist, but is otherwise kind of flat as well.

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>>3513279
>"You ok, bro?"

>>3513291
>seconding

I've been thinking, Em's been doing so much for us, what with making and coming up with new toys for us. We should return the favor.

I thought we could design some kind of spear/trident that snaps into a catchpole with high beam 'teeth' that inject those exploding nanites from his notes. and for the coup de grais, a hidden pledriver from the shaft that electrocutes on piercing he target, thereby trigger said nanites.

Possibly incorperate our plasma phasin for extra defensive options.

If that's a no go, we could just faff around with him coming up with ideas, like a hammer or gladius for our shield boys.

>>3514579
that seems infeasible on multiple fronts.

>Emerald just has a lot more disposable income than us
>Anode spends much, MUCH more time on the operating table than Em, and has less free time to work with. For the same reasons you don't do your math homework during surgery, I do not recommend designing while the lifesavers work.
>Em's a quartermaster, he's had plenty of time taking things apart to know the ins and outs.
>HC JUST said that we can't stick phase tech anywhere else
>We can't just provide electric components better than anyone else. Unless you want to literally take a chunk of our DNA or something and bake it into a cake yandere style

As for the idea itself, I'm kinda meh on it. You'd need the injection to penetrate armor to be noticeably different from an explosion on a stick or the original weaboo.exe, but could look getting an injector array that can do that.

I'd lean more on adding a second configuration to the exploding katana: Painting a target with LN THEN with exploding nanites sounds more effective. If there's an idea to give, it would be on how to trap LN in that same suspension field without it evaporating from heat.

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>>3514667
I didn't mean for us to build it ourselves, just pass the idea along to him and hash it out with him. We did have to pay for our claw after all.

Really I just want to get him to do something with us other than training and arguing about heavy shit.

>>3514681
Considering that we agreed to being his executioner if he ever goes Mav, I think we're doing plenty for him. At least for the time being. After the Doppler War, we can think about giving back in other ways.

>>3513279
If he wants footwork then let's give him footwork. Go full defense, and save our weapons and dash to help us improve our dodging and being noncommittal in combat. Feints, timing shake ups, if he goes in for a hit find a way to deflect repel or throw. Throw out grapples at odd angles or dodge away from a grapple point and, if we have the charge to spare from jumping around so much, feint activating shriver in favor of using another option for a surprise hit or to gtfo. We just need to DOOOOOODGE.

>>3513279
>Challenge Rezador.
... to poker.

Do the Mavericks hold any significant territory or is it more akin to a well organized insurgency.

>>3518254
There is at least one City under full Maverick control.

>>3518341
Dopplertown?

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>>3513291
>>3513334
>>3513437
>>3513744
>>3514579
You eye Em over the length of his poised saber--he’s punchy today. Something’s up.

“One more?”

He stares back at you for a long moment before stowing the blade, clicking it back behind his shoulder. “Yeah, okay.”

He turns and moves back to the circle, as you tap your comms. “You guys pay attention to any of that?”

“What we could see,” Susan replies. “Sir.”

“That was really cool,” Flak breathes.

“I wasn’t doing that for my health,” you remind him.

“Erm. Right, sorry sir.”

You wave it off. “Right then. Lessons?”

“‘Footwork,’ apparently,” Derby offers.

“Yeah, I got that one,” you reply. “What about you?”

“Er,” Marx chimes in. “Save yourself an out?”

You nod. “And stay flexible. He rolled me up when he got me in a pattern.”

To be fair to yourself, though, that was part of the exercise--you’d be shooting at him if the range were clear and you were simming it.

Em turns to face you from the opposite end of the circle as you step back inside.

Your turn to private-line comm him. “You okay?”

He exhales through his nose. “Tell you later. Ready?”

You nod… and stow your lance. Just fist and feet, for now.

“Right.”

He comes in and up with a centerline rising thrust. You hop aside and jab back, and he rounds out to sweep past, coming up ready for your chasing cross. He slaps your hand aside and comes in with a narrow slice that nearly cuts across your cheek but for a hasty pivot--you bring your elbow down to pin him and catch a nick on the underside of your arm for your trouble.

Still too fast, surprising no one. You adjust your posture as he sizes up the next exchange, deciding to stay defensive. He comes in again, and this time you opt to feint, swinging wide and then snapping the coils off, away, and out. He chases after, but you’ve got enough time to wind up and slam your fist into his saber beam directly, punching it down and away. You push in, but so does he, meeting your superior size and speed with nimble positioning and better leveraging. His turning body-tackle shunts you backwards with a resounding clang.

You finally manage to avoid being caught by a follow-up, springing back and just avoiding his second stroke. He doesn’t let up, trying to keep the initiative as you fall back, fully committed to defense to avoid his lashing blade.

>Try for a counteroffense. Come back in and swing.
>Focus on the defense. You might learn something.
>He’s committed. Change it up with your weapons.
>Other?

>>3519705
>Focus on the defense. You might learn something.

>>3519705
>>3519705
>Focus on the defense. You might learn something
And dont lock up. Assuming that Footwork barrage was because Anodes getting too reliant on his dashes so hes starting to set his feet a lot, and now we have an additional tell. So weave a bit, do some short hops, sidesteps. Go full heretic and play tekken to our usual MvC.

>>3519705
>>Focus on the defense. You might learn something.
Apply what we learned from our fights so far. >>3519831
Going to agree here. While we have so many options, we never really considered being out of them. Losing our charge during moloch crippled us bad. If he commited, we would be dead.
>Go full heretic and play tekken to our usual MvC.
What if I want to go SNK instead?

>>3519705
>>3519831 This. We are pretty stompy when we aren't dashing, and we use our kit to compensate for lack of skill. Stay on defense. I think Em specifically has enough processing power to see through most trajectory based evasion we can muster up, so we just need to git gud at dodges.

>>3519850
>What if I want to go SNK instead?
I was going for a 3d movement reference, but for SNK, I think we'd want to stay 2D

>>3519705
>Focus on the defense. You might learn something

>>3519705
>Focus on the defense. You might learn something.
Schwarz said that surprise is one of the best ways to kill Em, and nothing would surprise Em more than us actually trying to not get hurt.

>He exhales through his nose. “Tell you later. Ready?”
Wonder if he knew Higurashi? Trouble with Rezador? Or just tired of watching his only friend keep coming home in pieces?

>>3520009
Fine, King of Fighters then. I want to punch Hutchins out of a skyscraper.

>>3519705
>Focus on the defense. You might learn something.
>Incorperate gauntlet to parry, even if just a little

I recall something about him saying he had trouble with a keepaway mav, and only solved it by riding a missile. We flat out have more range than him and can do that easily and he has no missiles to ride.

>>3521138
Keepaway only works if we have the means to keep away. Under our current rules of engagement, we don't have said means.

>>3521138
your right, that reminds me of something.

>>3519705
>stutter step EAS
for clarification, its when you dash in game and hit left and right quickly. rarely useful but it sometimes fakes out enemies.

>>3519705
>Try for a counteroffense. Come back in and swing.
See if the gauntlet gives more options here.

our shield boys need some kind of side arm right?
How about we take the Shell Driver data and scale it down(way down) and make some beagle deagles.

>>3521531
Probably stupidly expensive, unfortunately. Likely near Wrenade expense, which I think was 100k for a slaved version? I forget. But Marx could probably benefit from a built in buster, given no holsters and quick draw, and Derby definitely could as he seems a potential melee buff

>>3521560
there are some options, but from what I recall the shell driver would be 50-70k with 2 shots. One Idea I can see is a sort of 'get away you!' option; have it produce a charge on the shield and send them flying.
Course, there is some upgrades in the catalogs as well. The one saber part that can push away foes or the heavy duty buster would be handy.

>>3521568
I'd considered a Tumult shell repulsor built into the shield to shove enemies backwards.

oh well, we'll see whats available down the line.

Anode needs to sit down and have a propper talk with Derbie and Marx. we don't really know all that much about them compared to Flal and Susan.

>>3521560
I'd definitely second setting up Marx and Derby with Busters, but it might take a while for them to get the money for it, and people dont seem to like spending money on the squad anymore.

Ive been wondering if you can get WEAPON based fabricators for grenade type stuff, for a while now.
Like a belt that just makes grenades for you to throw manually

>>3521864
less about spending money on the squad, more about costs and upgrades being varied alongside the cost of the grapple gauntlet. They should have some money left over for upgrades, and as is they are making a decent sum.
We should look into getting gear from missions though. The Culvern is a damn nice piece of gear, and if there are some good busters or sabers, giving them to the squad is wise.

>>3521864
I think Marx should take Em's advice and roll with a pistol instead of anything arm mounted.

>>3521933
Shoulder/wrist mount it

>>3521933
We should send Marx to go talk to India. Her pistol was customized out the ass, she's probably got some insights into what he could go for. Plus, every person she's driving nuts is one less opportunity for her to dunk on Anode. It's like ablative armor, but for social interactions!

>>3521584
I remember Slide, the ex-17th Emerald fought at the end of season one, had a kinetic buster: lower damage than a typical buster but much higher knock back. Maybe we could look into sidearms with that kind of tech?

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Blah, sorry folks. Brain has been absolutely crushed to paste lately, work has been brutal. Trying to get my head back together.

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>>3523346
no big deal, dude, take a load off. we wouldn't want you to crash.

>>3523346
>>3523550
And if all else fails and you don't know what to do, just ask yourself; What would Cain Labs do?

>>3519705
>>Try for a counteroffense. Come back in and swing.

>>3519705
>>Focus on the defense. You might learn something.
... like if Em falls into a pattern or not that can be opportunitized upon. I think he's so used to reading his foes that he might be aware he's readable himself.

>>3524307
err, he might NOT be aware

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>>3519722
>>3519831
>>3519850
>>3519917
>>3520032
>>3520061
>>3520753
“So what do you think?” You ask, hopping back out of range.

“Good start,” Em replies gruffly, springing back up to meet you.

You see an opening, but hold off--sure enough, had you stepped in like you planned, he’d had a follow-up strike at the ready. He segues perfectly into an advancing swing, and you close up your guard, making sure to hop back as he moves to sweep you again.

Back, back, back you go, not intentionally but for lack of other options. You deflect and evade and crunch down low to avoid punishing exploits of your not-so-stellar guard, unable to find a safe place, let alone launch a counter.

You leap back as he makes a heavy overhead strike, slamming his saber down with enough force to crack the ground at your feet. He looks up at you as you take your guarded stance again, fists raised and stance low.

“Holding back on the dash?” He asks, eyeing you warily.

“Going without,” you reply, hunkering down. “Gotta learn sometime.”

He nods, and a faint smile actually graces his flinty features. “Good.”

“I actually--” He lunges, and you barely twist your midsection out of the way of his lashing blade, “--got disabled--” You twist around and narrowly avoid an advancing stab, “--last hunt.”

He pauses in his assault, eyeing you as he dims the saber in his hand. His unmoving posture tells you the fight’s not yet done. “How’d that go?”

You gesture down at yourself and the temporary stent torso.

“Ah.”

The momentary silence shatters as the razors of Em’s eyes fill yours, right on top of you in a fraction of an eyeblink. You raise your hand, stepping back, as his saber comes up and snarls to life, a deflect barely avoiding the cut. His sudden assault is relentless, each move a perfect stepladder for the one that follows. Finally, though, a glimmer of an opening--you step in and thrust with your gauntlet, a snapped backhand that practically parts the sea of his defense as you come back in for the riposte. He slides back, saber raised in a reverse overhead to catch the strike. He dulls the blade again.

Then he steps forward, cocking the hilt back behind his opposite shoulder.

>Duck.
>Parry.
>Counter.

>>3524979
What was Em's advice on this, previously, as far as economy of movement goes? Don't dodge what you can parry, don't parry what you can counter?

Which means the question is, can we counter this?

>>3524979
>>Counter.

>>3525020
Sounds about right. Ducking would just be setting ourselves up for a decapitation if he's swinging from the shoulder. Parrying would work, but he just ballerinas back into place, and we're back to square one.

We can probably counter this. Trying to overpower the Shriver with a heavy strike is a bad bet to make, even for larger, stronger reploids. Assuming he isn't winding up to throw his saber, that is (What kind of lunatic throws his weapon during a melee?).

>Counter.

>>3525020
If it's the flamberg, we have seen it a few times and faced it as well. We also have the means to cause him to back off. A feint with a shriver infused fist to either bap him with the other or just head butt him if he is too close.

>>3524979
>Counter

>>3524979
>Parry
don't get hit

Ah, wait. It was more like... "Don't dodge what you can block, don't block what you can deflect." I don't think there was anything about countering there.

>"Yes and no. You want to be able to move fluidly. You'll need to manage when you tense up. Second--get better at dodging. Even if you're stronger than I am, sabers are tricky--they don't always catch on one another, you might be dueling someone with a hibeam, they can slide off each other easily, and they don't react like solid swords do. In general, never block what you can redirect, never redirect what you can dodge, and never dodge if you don't have to. Any committed melee engagement is about denying the other fighter options until you can land a hit. If you can leave yourself the freedom to disengage, you're coming in at a strong advantage."

So yeah, it turns out that I got his advice ENTIRELY wrong, and if you based your vote off of that misquote you should probably reconsider it.

>>3525639
That said, I think I'm going to formally vote for a counter, based on the second part of that advice.

>You nod, taking that in. "So what do most exchanges end up at?"

"Redirection. You can try to create or exploit an opening, or defend yourself if you've been left open. The best defense is keeping your balance and being able to quickly step away from a hit. Your best offense is waiting until you have an opening and exploiting it in a way they can't avoid or ignore. You hit hard, take advantage of that. Leverage your strength while avoiding theirs."

I would say to watch out for the pop-up knife he's got but if I recall, it's electric-element so it might help us more than hurt us.

And sorry for multiposting.

>>3525655
His trick-release kris (elbow) is just reinforced so he can stab people with the hilt. His boot knife is the electric one. Not much chance of him going for the electric knife, since he's got like six other blades that'll chop us up just fine.

>>3525079
He did chuck one at us during the sim fight, though that was to cut a cable. I'm wondering if he's outfitted one of his weapons to sling saber waves.

File: Anode acquires saberwave tech.webm (2.91 MB, 1280x720)

2.91 MB WEBM

>>3525753
>saber waves
we've already got dibs on that

>>3524979
>Parry.

File: Are you referencing thing(...).png (590 KB, 1000x1135)

590 KB PNG

CL's got his usual Thursday engagements, so no post tonight. Hoping to get at least one more in before thread's end, etc etc.

>>3524979
>Parry.

>>3524979
>Counter.

>>3525639
Your hunting down of the actual quote is very much appreciated.
Doesn't change much for me, though. He's committed to a motion, meaning it could be redirected instead of just blocked. And ducking Em at close range is a silly idea for silly people.

>"So if I'd ducked that swing, how many times would you have stabbed me in the head with your other swords? Just curious!"

Just googled Parry for the hell of it, and the first definition: 'ward off (a weapon or attack) with a countermove.' English, why. WHY MUST YOU CONFOUND ME SO.

>>3525639
This may be a "you don't have to" dodge situation. Emerald's telegraphing this attack pretty heavily.

>>3524979
also watch out for the blade switch off trick

>>3524979
>Counter.
Definitely not parry. Dodging might've worked if we could mix in a proper grab on his other hand with the grapple, but I don't think we have the right angle for that.

>>3524979
>Counter