wheeeee
so, where'd we headed next? Antarctica or Japan? Do we get a 'rest period' or something?

>>17229803
TEN days. I cannot into math.

Can we get an update from the probe droid in Antartica? also, check with the farseer council to gauge the threat level in various places. Which paths to victory are steeper?

Huzzah!
Was worried I'd have to generically complain. Ha.

Eight? That sounds off.
Thought the longest we spent in any of our simultaneous stops was almost three days in Transylvania.

>>17229820
Fuck, I was worried when you said we only have 8 days.
10 is still a bad number, too.

Okay, we have a tentative plan of action for scouting Japan from here:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/17206876#17213656

Also, can we get a status update on our forces, how many are in the reconstruction tanks, and which ones are combat ready?
Also the status on the one KI that was nanny-bagged?
Are the transporters on the Inde repaired?
And finally, a point of book-keeping: from the 48 KI, is Darius included in their number, or is he kept separate by being on the Hero Roster?

>>17229803

How are our newly-returned away teams doing?

Also, I recall that we set some X-com psychics and perhaps some other scientists working on helping Cheryl realize her godlike powers or something. How's that coming along?

>>17229819
Probably Antarctic, we still haven't even managed to get a probe to Japan.

>>17229820
Shouldn't it be 11? or did I miss a day somewhere?

Either way, we're running low on time with, probably, the worst places left.

>>17229874
Actually, the probe droid is environmentally sealed for operation in all environments, so we shouldn't need to change and thing there. Good plan for an approach though.

>>17229924
The reason for a submerged delivery is because the atmospheric wind conditions would tear the probe apart, as was shown when we last sent a probe into that storm system.
That's why we need to go in underwater, then deliver a probe once it reaches land.

>>17229819
>>17229882
One thing keeps nagging at me.
What is Ebon Night's 'hook' for Antarctica?
He's brought in at least the Mountains of Madness, but there's not really much there to torment. Shoggoths haven't really been shown to have the ability to feel bad or want for much.
So what does the Dark Power have down there to torment?

>>17229943
I understood that and was agreeing that it was a good plan. Just noting that we didn't need to make anything for the task.

>>17229874
Darius is separate.

There are 2 KIs in the tanks. Combat ready KIs are:
Squad 1: 17 Knights, 4 Silencers.
Squad 2: 18 Knights, 4 Silencers.

>>17229877
Your away teams are all pretty frazzled. The time to regroup included a day to get everyone patched up and regrouped, but they could use another day. If you think you can spare it.

It's only been two days since the X-COM teams have started running Cheryl through the psionics tests. It's going to be at least another two days before they have basic results. Normally it would be a full month, but Cheryl's memories and natural talent are greatly accelerating her progression.

>>17229847
The Probe Droid in the Antarctic has not located any sign of the Peabody Expedition, and the surface levels of the alien city seem to be completely abandoned. It has made a rough map of those above-ground areas.

>>17229975
Possibly the main character, or his companion, from the short story, Mountains of Madness.
There's also the possibility that it's not just the Mountains and the city that were brought. The Thing and the Antarctic research station might also be down there.

ANON, to do a scan for reality distortions so we can narrow our search down.

>>17229993
Good, good, they needed that small rest.
What are we researching right now, and how is it coming along?

>>17230008
Basically, The Thing and a Shoggoth are the same thing. On that note, we should only send down environmental sealed people and set-up pass phrases and tests.

>>17229993
Let's give the away teams another day to rest, while sending additional probes to Africa, India, And the North Pole- any locations that we don't have concrete data on yet.

Having fully rested troops will help minimize casualties, and increase our success rate. I'm willing to wait an extra day for that.

>>17229993
Has the probe noticed anything differing in the hieroglyphic murals from the established story they should tell?

Has it come across the entrance to the underground? Probably avoid that, don't need to lose another droid.

>>17230008
The Storm is now able to detect an additional reality distortion within Japan. It also detects the storm within the mists has weakened by a large amount.

After the mass-destruction at Pennsylvania, you only have the probe droid in Antarctica, and one Protoss Observer to deploy.

>>17230053
Let's let them have what they've had already and try to cycle in some of the unused people if we need to send people down. We are on a time limit afterall, and we've got spare people that haven't been down.

>>17230096
Wasn't the Probe Droid from Transylvania recovered?
It wasn't taking part in the fighting so it should have been okay.

>>17230053
We have teams that haven't been deployed yet, and we don't have the time to not be working.

>>17230096
Does the Storm detect any reality distortions in Antarctica and Africa?

Wasn't the probe droid we were using in Transylvania recovered yet?
Beam it up since it should be safe to do so now.

What's the status of the Indefatigable?

>>17230153
Indefatigable is being repaired still, but it's functional.

>>17230108
Good point. Must've been a record-keeping snafu. I'll add that to the list.

Antarctica has a reality distortion deep underneath the alien city.

>>17230101
What do you think, send down the SCP squad down to assess the Mountains of Madness?

Do we have anything in the way of flamethrowers to equip them with?

Note to self: Request Salamanders at next requisition.

>>17230201
Okay, so question again:
Can the Probe Droids survive being underwater, and can they move at an appreciable speed, so that it could penetrate the storm system surrounding Japan via underwater?
If it can, have it land on the Korean Peninsula and make its way to Japan.

Secondly, there's no reality distortions in Africa? If so, then we can ignore it.

>>17230201
And the two from Silent Hill and Raccoon City as well now.

>>17230227
I was actually thinking Delta Greens, for their Cthulhu Mythos experience, but the SCP are also a good choice. If they need to go underground, then we should have the Inde replicate some comm amplifiers to boost and relay their signals as they go underground, and proximity grenades to make sure that they aren't flanked.

>>17230245
That's right. The Probe Droid from Silent Hill survived; it was the Observer that didn't.
And we had left a Probe Droid at Riverside to watch for a zombie attack that never came, so it should be safe as well.
But the droids we sent to Raccoon City were all destroyed, though, except for the Observer there that stayed above the city.

Alright gentlement, how do we fight Shoggoths?
Because, in theory, that's what awaits us in the undercity.

This question is directed to the rest of the Command Crew, ANON, the Delta Greens, and the SCP folk.

Also, parts of it will probably be underwater. So plan accordingly.

>>17230280
Simple: With superior firepower.

>>17230272
Why did someone send probes into direct combat anyway??

>>17230280
we can conceivably use phaser rifles set to maximum setting. That should be equivalent to some of the weapons used against them by the Old Ones. The troops using them will need to carry spare charge packs, though, since the energy cells likely won't regenerate fast enough. The Mass Rifles should also have an effect.

>>17230302
Because they were expendable, and losing one of them is cheaper than losing a member of one of our specialist teams.

And there is still the question of what, exactly, is Ebon Night's game here anyway?

He wants to use us somehow.

We should try: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/17206876/#17213007
Ask our people what _they_ think EN is up to.

>>17230280
I heard fire worked reasonably well

>>17230245
>>17230272
According to my notes, for the final attack you sent in all the probes you had save the one still mucking around Transylvania/Antartic. The Silent Hill one was back by then.

>>17229993

>Cheryl results

This may mean that Cheryl won't realize her power fully, or in any appreciable amount until our time is up or until we force Ebon Night into a direct confrontation.

>Other stuff

All I know about the Cthulu mythos could fill a mouse's teacup.

As for our Antartica team, the Battlemechs are atmospherically sealed, but generally don't perform very well at all in water. Dunno if we have any aquatic troops either.

how's that sue in a bottle keeping?

OP, on a side note, we managed to grab the Treasury last time, did we get the +1 ghost touch longsword that would have been mixed in there?

+1 ain't much, but the ability to swat spirits and the incorporeal could be mighty handy.

On a related question, do any of the Delta Greens or SCP feel handy with a blade?

>>17230229
Yes they can.

>>17230392
No.

>>17230379
Too big, I fear.

Perhaps we should follow the suggestion someone made last time about trying to find a Eldar Thing that's still in stasis and try to wake it up and make it understand that Shoggoths are loose.

Either way, I've got to go cook dinner. Try not to get anyone too killed.

>>17230413
>>17230392
>No
Hah! I told you we didn't get it!

>>17230407
Okay, then have the Probe Droid drop down in the sea off the coast of Japan, near Tokyo (because it's ALWAYS Tokyo), well outside of the storm system, and have it submerge.
Have it make its way to Tokyo Bay, and surface, then re-establish communication with the Storm.
If it fails to make contact, the Probe Droid is to submerge again, and get out of there, and then re-establish communication from outside of the storm. We'll figure something out then.

>>17230417
Without Peabody's Expedition, we have no idea where the Old Ones might be.

ANON, can the Probe Droid in Antarctica fit through any of the doorways and begin exploring inside the city, making it's way down towards the reality distortion?

We need information, and even if it gets attacked, it'll at least tell us what monsters are active down there.

>>17230440
Well, it seemed reasonable that it should be there.

Anyhoo, looks like someone else wants to cook, so that'll buy a half hour or so, then I'll have left to eat it.

Suggested counter-shoggoth strategies:

-Highly mobile units - such as MI with their jump jets - equipped with flamethrower or plasma weapons. Lure the shoggoth into the open where they can dance around it, and slowly burn away its mass with heat weapons.

-Psionics. Shoggoths were originally designed to be telepathically controlled. They likely are still somewhat vulnerable to psionic attacks. The X-com psychics may be able to control them just as their ancient masters once did.

-Transfiguration. Shoggoths may be big, but all of the aurors working together might be able to transfigure one into some more brittle material that can be harmed by conventional weaponry.

In general, heat should work best against them. Heat, and mental attacks. Additionally, we should look carefully for any surviving Elder Things; they'll likely be able to advise us further in this regard, assuming our telepaths can communicate with them.

>>17230477
>ANON, can the Probe Droid in Antarctica fit through any of the doorways and begin exploring inside the city, making it's way down towards the reality distortion?
Considering the size and shape of the Elder Things, that shouldn't be an issue.
Though I'm hesitant to send the probe droid down.
A cloaked Observer is probably a better choice.

>>17230486
Phasers may also be able to disintegrate away a Shoggoth's mass, so they should also be considered.
Mass Rifles, while they might get through whatever defenses a Shoggoth might have, may not work too well because a Shoggoth doesn't have a vital organ that can be destroyed via black hole.

According to the story, the Old Ones used electricity-based weapons against the Shoggoths when they first rose up against their masters.
Possibly the Prawn suits with the arc weapons might work.

And though it'll be within tunnels and buildings, remember that these structures were meant for beings the size of the Old Ones. The Prawn Suits and MI should be fine.

There are other things to consider. So far the main grabs Ebon Night has been doing have been game based, this might be more the place for Beyond the Mountains of Madness, rather than the original Lovecraft.
Anyone here have that module?

>>17230513

Ah yeah, I forgot about phasers. Set to maximum strength, they should damage a shoggoth. Too bad we don't have Romulan disruptors though, as those would work even better.

I forgot about the electricity vulnerability. Have the prawns warm up their lightning guns as you said, and also tell our magic types to prepare lightning spells.

Let's not get overconfident about maneuverability though. The ruins may be cavernous, but shoggoths are pretty f-ing big, and can form long tentacles at will. As soon as we see one, we should backtrack to the nearest large, open space.

>>17230545
Well, a search of the Transpace Guard Meta-Archives (aka Google)
Gives me this as a top result:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/7024964/Beyond-the-Mountains-of-Madness

Alright, phasers and prawn suits. That gives us some decent options.
SCP is already armed with phasers, aren't they?

Go with SCP and Prawns along with an Observer to help scout?

>>17230477
Yes it can.

With your current plan it will be about 2 hours before the Probe emerges. Are you doing anything in that time?

>>17230635
SCPs have Tiberium enhanced lasers.

>>17230639
2 hours.
Have the replicators produce X-COM motion detectors (can detect motion through walls), exographic scanners (so we can see through walls), and X-COM Proximity Grenades.
Also replicate some Phaser Rifles and spare energy packs, enough to equip a squad.
If not Phaser Rifles, then Type 2 hand phasers.

Also, research status update from our X-COM scientists.

>>17230674
>>17230639
Also, send the Observer to Antarctica, over the City in the mountains. Have it attempt some ground-penetrating scans to come up with a map of the city's underground tunnels.

Also, has the Probe Droid found any evidence of humans?

>>17230655
Well, lasers burn, so at least those are useful.

Whatever human infantry we send down, we should give them phasers AND flamethrowers. Possibly X-com plasma guns as well. In case something doesn't work.

And keep the X-com psychics within mind control range.

>>17230639

Use these hours to brief our troops on the Cthulhu Mythos, and the Plateau of Leng in particular. Also go over The Thing, Xenomorphs, and Predators, in case those show up.

>>17230689
The Observers begins to travel there. The Probe reports no sign of human life in Antarctica.

>>17230674
Production begins on the motion trackers and scanners. You are out of the materials needed to produce phasers.

>>17230697

Lasers only burn a small area. That's not going to do shit to a shoggoth. Plasmas and wide-beam phasers are better options for this. And, of course, the prawns with their lightning guns.

Actually I missed this. The SCP troopers have Tib lasers AND phaser rifles.

Also, in case you forgot, the UNIT boys have Fallout plasma rifles and plasma casters.

Alright so what the hell is in Japan/Anatartica?

>>17230764
We could send in the Delta Greens, the SCP, and the UNIT team, since all three were on either light duty or didn't take part in the ground-side operations till now.

But, as has been shown, the more people we send in, the greater the threat response. It might be better to limit this to just one or two teams.

I'm thinking SCP and UNIT, since they've had the least amount of action so far, and will be the most rested.
Also all of them have Fallout powered armor.

>>17230776

Antarctica has alien ruins, presumably from the Cthulhu Mythos, with a reality distortion buried below them.

Japan has a major reality distortion, but the mist storms around it our too thick for our sensors to penetrate.

Oh, it's /tg/ quest.
We discussed some things after you left, Op. Mostly just people yelling at each-other for being weeaboo, but there were some plans.
One talked of using a submersible to carry a recon rover to Japan, since the air might be too turbulent to allow any flying units to get close.

OP, what regions of the planet still have mists around them? Japan, the Arctic, Africa, Australia, Antarctica, and the Pacific/Indian Oceans?
I figure we need to find the sources of the mist over as many areas as possible, for more simultaneous operations.

>>17230804

I'd say either SCP or Delta Green, MI, and prawns, with X-com psychics aboard the dropship.

>>17230804
Generally agree, though I think we might make use of the Prawns as well. That arc option could be handy here.

>>17230818
Two on Japan it seems. We've decreased the strength of the distortions enough to tell them apart now.

Now I eat, and virtually offer the command crew some chicken fried steak while we ponder the situation.

>>17230826
>>17229803

>>17230804
>>17230833

Outfit 'em with plasma rifles, too.

OP, can we allocate any X-Com psychics without negatively impacting Cheryl's progress?

>>17230861

Nice steak. If this mission goes well, it'll be calamari next time.

Delta Green in Fallout armor with phasers and plasmas, prawns with their suits, MI with plasmas, and X-com psychics should get in that dropship and prepare for landing. We'll send them down as soon as the probe returns.

>>17230833
This is the Antarctica Away Team?
SCPs, Prawns, UNITs (these should all be well-rested). X-com's troops, too. If Shoggoths hate fire, then Shoggoths hate high-explosive packs.
You always need a healer, so send down a few White Mages. Maybe 2 or 3. It'll give us more of a chance to argue over what Lyla's abilities should be.
As for heroes, Spike's fear-immune now, and Darius is no doubt hardened against sanity-breaking horrors.

>>17230833
I'd say that using the SCP, Delta Greens and UNIT squads together with light mechanized support (Prawn suits) would be our best option. We need to travel light, probe deep and strike hard with troops fully prepared for the absolute horror of the Cthulhu Mythos. While the Prawn suits operators could be freaked out, we can rest assured that the SCP, Delta Green and UNIT have seen and survived this kind of shit before. If the Sandmen are combat effective, add them to the group as Shoggoths could find them indigestible.

X-Com Vets could be good, but they took a real beating in Pennsylvania, so I don't think they're combat effective.

The Knights Inductors, we'll want fully rested and patched up for Japan. It promises to be a clusterfuck.

Keep the MI and BattleMechs on standby in case the guys on the ground need it.

So SCP, MI and Prawns, with X-COM psi-veterans with Psi Amps on standby on the Oncoming Storm.
Delta Green and UNIT on standby in case we need more people on the ground.

Liberal use of motion trackers, exographic scanners to see around corners, and proximity grenades to prevent being flanked.

Also, ANON, begin a replication run of electro-flares right after the scanners and trackers are done; beam up raw materials from the cities in the USA if you need more.

>>17230906
Spike's fear-Immune? sweet, which thread did that happen?

Also, has he physically recovered from his wounds?

And didn't Egon have some dealings with Miskatonic at one point? Maybe get his input.

>>17230890
Derp. I can't read today, it seems.
So, mists around Japan, India, Africa, the North and South poles.

While we hax! up a submersible probe to send into Japan, how should we go about investigating India, Africa, and the North pole? Tie a reality-meter or a PKE meter to the Gunstar or a Leopard and have it do a flyover?

>>17230905
Delta Green's already have Chinese Stealth Suits and have blasters and mass rifles.

They also saw action in Strahd's castle, though no direct fighting.

The SCP and UNIT are already equipped with Fallout armor and are trained to use it, while the Delta Greens are not.
We shouldn't change around armor at this point, as the training time is prohibitive.

>>17230906
The White Mages had a realy tough time in both operations, and they probably need a rest.

>>17230927

I agree with this, except that I don't know if X-com mind control can work from orbit. Send the psychics down on the dropship, but have them stay aboard while the rest of the troops enter the ruins.

For healers, lets send some aurors. People keep forgetting that they can heal (though admittedly not nearly as well as the white mages).

Also, if we're going to send a hero, maybe Tosh is the best choice. If anyone stands a chance of communicating with the elder things, its him.

>>17230639
>>17230477
>>17230953
The probe to Japan is already on its way.

ANON has been asked 3 times about reality distortions in Africa, however, and has not yet responded.

>>17230999
Because there are none. As I said, there's one in Japan, and one under the alien city.

>>17230979
I'm weary of sending anyone sensitive to things beyond 3 physical dimensions around the Mythos, but you're right. At least, if we establish communications, we might be able to negotiate with the Elder Things as rational and logical beings (they are rational and logical as we understand it. That's fucking rare in the Mythos.).

Tosh can probably do it, if anyone can. (Ideally, I'd ask for Professor X or the GEoM, but what can you do?)

>>17230947
>Spike's fear-Immune? sweet, which thread did that happen?
After going through Silent Hill, we got fear immunity and psi-resistance on everyone we sent through it. That was Spike, Data, Heather, and Heather's Bum.
As for recovery: We have BLU Medic's Medigun, a crapload of White mages, and Data's competent at anatomy.

>>17230979
Good point. The Aurors didn't see much action so they should be better rested, and Tosh is our psychic hero, and thus well-suited for this.
>>17230967
X-com psi attacks attenuate very strongly with range. Assuming one 'square' is 1mx1mx2m, then X-com psi attacks are unreliable past 50 meters, and completely ineffective past 200.

In my opinion:
Initial team:
Prawns
SCP
UNIT
Aurors
Tosh

On backup:
X-com
MI
Delta Greens
Darius
Egon

>>17231029
Strange. I wonder what could be generating the mists there?

>>17229803
Have the Aurors use scrying at the North Pole, at some populated cities in India, and at some in Africa.
Ask the Seer Council to untangle skeins, asking them if there's anything in Africa/India/North Pole that we need to go and kill.
Use the Mirror on Cheryl.

We've got magical info-gatherers, might as well use 'em.

>>17231029
I find it better that you articulate an answer, even if its negative, otherwise uncertainty is introduced.

>>17231050
I'd have the initial team be Prawns, SCP, UNIT, Delta Green, Tosh, Mobile Infantry, Aurors.
X-COM on standby in the Al'Kesh.

>>17229803

in b4 Ebon Night merges/assimilates the body of Walpurgis Night.

2 hours pass and the probe droid surfaces in Tokyo Bay.

The city seems shrouded in mists, with sullen, fearful looking people walking the streets. Immediately the probe notes there are no cars or auto-motives present, though occasionally someone will ride a bicycle through the roads.

Whatever it is in Japan, it's a sign that we need to go to Japan dead last.

>>17231090
The Farseers sense that the mists in those regions are proto-domains. They do not possess a distortion to anchor them yet, but are latching onto the ones already present.

Using the Mirror on Cheryl shows her reflection, save an aura of golden light around her, almost blinding in brilliance, lending her features somewhat of an angelic cast.

>>17231134
We should have painted the Probe Droid in United Nations colors and affixed UN decals on it. Japan and its animation industry just love the UN.

Anyway, have the Probe Droid attempt to interface with a local telephone connection and see if we can get ahold of whatever remnant Internet is available here.
Also see if there's any electricity at all.

We'll attempt questioning one of the locals as a last resort.

>>17231171
>>17231134
And don't stop the preparations for our Antarctic expedition!
We need to continue to replicate the equipment we'll need, and have the Observer and Probe Droid gaining as much intel as we can gather.

>>17231134

Hell's Gate. Darker Than Black.

This has got to be it, I'm sure of it.

>>17231090
Additionally: Tosh might have some sense of hostiles in Africa, the North pole or India. It's unlikely, but worth a shot.
Does Egon have any input on how the mists work? Particularily, what means exist to look into the mists? They might be transparent to certain waveforms and frequencies.

>>17231134
We need data on winds and atmospheric conditions. Head on over to a weather station and see if we can either steal or politely ask for atmospheric data.
Checking whether any electricity exists in the area seems to be a decent thing to do - for instance, are electrical wires in the area? Put a Compass near one and see if it aligns to them.

>>17231154
Cool. I wonder if there's anything else we should mirror?

>>17231134

Does the city's architecture look more or less in-line with what we would expect from modern-day Japan?

Also, can the probe intercept any radio or TV broadcasts?

>>17231134
>>17231184

Does anyone recall the episodes of Darker Than Black season 1 when they enter Hell's Gate? The one with the electricity dude leaving behind shoes, and the season 1 finale?

>>17231154
Hm. So we don't have a target yet to attack to clear the mists in those areas. Presumably one will open up once we've cleared Antarctica.
>>17231184
I don't know how you can be so sure; all we've seen so far is a lack of cars and a sullen look on people's faces. For all we know, Gas prices suddenly got really expensive and nobody can afford to drive any more, so they're upset.

>>17231134

Have the drone run a scan for rumors about a BK-201 and Contractors.

Let's worry about Japan once we've finished with antarctica.

>>17231245

Hell's Gate in Darker Than Black is a section of the city completely shrouded in mist. From time to time there are weird phantoms and out-of-place things occuring in there.

I wouldn't put it past the idea that those people the probe droid are seeing are people who got trapped by something somehow by Hell's Gate.

>>17231245

Alternately, something is killing tech. No cars could be sign that electronics are down for some reason. Though the probe not being affected for some reason takes away from that argument.

Wait, how much gasoline does Japan have access to. If there has been a complete break down in trade due to the storm around the island nation, it might explain the lack of automobiles. Simply not enough petro to go around.

>>17231289
It's got oil rigs dotted around it.
However, if a powerful hurricane recently went by, the oil rigs or oil tankers may have been destroyed or damaged.

>>17231289
Japan isn't actually heavy on private transportation unlike Western countries. It's all about the trains and buses there.

>>17231171
The Probe Droid swiftly discovers that the internet, and indeed all communication grids are down within Japan. It detects no radios, no internet, nothing. Analysis of the power grid reveals electricity IS present, but minimal.

>>17231192
Egon hasn't had time to look into it yet.

>>17231322
Looks like Hell's Gate swallowed the whole of Japan instead of just a section of Tokyo.

>>17231322
Task a Japanese-speaking member of the Command Crew, or someone via ANON using a real-time translation program, to use the Probe Droid to corner a person and start grilling them for information, such as what government is still in charge, what is walking around besides the people, and if any of the Metropolitan Police Department or the Japanese Self-Defense Force are active.

Are the preparations for our Antarctic expedition readied?
Everyone got cold-weather gear?
Motion trackers, exographic scanners, Federation medkits, tricorder, electro-flares, proximity grenades?

>>17231322
Strange. Have the Probe overhear rumors as it trundles to a weather station. I expect the weather station will be inoperable, but it might have records of atmospheric conditions there.
>>17231322
Well, it shouldn't take THAT long for Egon to spam various frequencies and waveforms of light into the mists. Heck, "Spam all frequencies" was one of our first actions. I'm just wondering whether Egon's bullshit science hax might technobabble something about circular waveforms or step functions.

>>17231362
Cornering a person might just make them panic.
If we're talking to anyone, a decent place to go is a Police Station and just start talking normally to people there.

>>17231362
It will take some time to manufacture all the equipment you asked using only the replicators and the materials we can scavenge from the surface without being detected.

>>17231395
So, no. A few more hours.

>>17231363
Nothing is revealed with the basic spam, no.

>>17231395
Didn't we already have two days in which to do that while the crew rested?
Prioritise the scanners and the electro-flares first.

>>17231405
Shit is gonna be hard to determine about this. We can only guess it's Hell's Gate. It's gonna be hell trying to find very specific occuring (and oddly quantum-reactive) material that only appears inside there (certain meteor fragments, "odd" flowers....).

>>17231405
>So, no. A few more hours.
Alright.

Also, how are the astronauts and cosmonaut we rescued from the ISS holding up?
Any of them mention the Star Destroyer and Federation starship we have in our little fleet?

>>17231409
Just one day. This is the second day, and is currently Day 10. We have 10 days left.

>>17231444
Wrong.

>> you have eight days

>>17231455
No, you're wrong.
>>17229820
>TEN days
>>17229993
>The time to regroup included a day to get everyone patched up and regrouped

>>17231154

Proto-zones, eh?

That either means that Ebon Night hasn't fully taken control of those areas, or is otherwise having trouble asserting his influence in those areas. He still had Azalin and Strahd leftover from the old Ravenloft to assert their influence over part of the US, and took Silent Hill because one of his brothers left his mark on there.

Ebon Night may have asserted his influence over Antarctica because of the potential threat of the Old Ones. From all accounts, they seem to be brilliant and the only Lovecraftian thing that may not utter malevolence about them. They may know some way of how to deal with Ebon Night.

In resolving the Japan proto-domain, perhaps we can learn why Ebon Night hasn't completely taken over them despite it being a likely place for a Darklord to take root.

>>17231515
Japan is NOT a proto-domain, the areas without reality distortions are.

>>17231515
The proto-domains are the North Pole, Africa, and India.
Japan is firmly under Ebon Night's control, and has a reality distortion to anchor the mists there.

>>17231525
Hm. How would we deal with a proto-domain?

In any case, Waiting for Op to give more details about what the probe sees in Japan.

>>17231544
>How would we deal with a proto-domain?
By destroying the nearby reality distortions that they are using as anchors, as said by the Farseers.
So clearing Antarctica and Japan will also take care of Africa, India, and the Arctic.

>>17231544
OP is waiting for you to give the drone orders. There was a suggestion about talking to a townsperson, but it got shouted down. So now what?

>>17231525
Waiting on the Antarctic expedition gear to get ready (a few hours we can afford, a day we can't), and for the Probe Droid to find anything from the Japan Meteorological Agency's main office in Tokyo, and questioning locals if there's nothing there.

>>17231576
Actually the suggestion about talking to a townsperson didn't get shouted down, so much as lost in the noise of people not knowing what to do, not having read relevant posts properly, and just general dicking around when we have a job to do.

>>17231576
>>17231544

Have the droid get data if the stars in the night sky aren't what they're supposed to be/out of sync for this region.

I'm looking for another Hell's Gate symptom.

>>17231544
We don't.

As for the Japan situation, let's use the Pennsylvania excuse. It's a prototype drone (why yes, Groom Lake does test hyper advanced technology, thank you) on "loan" to UN from the US (Alternatively, the US is checking up on its vassal-state of Japan after getting rid of the mists over its own territories).

Using that excuse, we establish communications with a native and get info.

>>17231576
Have the drone look for a police officer or disaster response worker. Preferably military or upper government, but we'll take what we can get.
Have it move towards the Japan Meteorological Agency's main offices as it searches for these requested people, as scientists will likely be at the main office.

If none of the requested types of people show up, just grab a random passerby and begin grilling them for answers.

>>17231576
>>17231582
Those.
Also, don't try to scare any civilians.

Drone's cover story: UN Recon Rover. Much of the world has been misted, and we're trying to understand what's happened to Japan in the chaos.

>>17231618
>Mist
>Stars
Nope

>>17231618
The stars seem perfectly fine.

>>17231622
Are you going to try to get them alone or just waltz out into the open?

>>17231637
Just.

Try.

Maybe the mist would create that as a side-effect.

>>17231654
The open is fine. We're not planning on abducting or murdering the guy, just saying Hi and asking what's up with Japan.

Dinner was good.

Not much progress, eh?

And we've got cold weather gear replicating for the antarctic expedition. Don't forget ice-picks and climbing gear. Been thinking we might put a couple Sandmen with the group as well, have a couple different perspectives along with the SCP guys.

Let's see, Japan.. Bikes, low electricity, but people are moving around.. Have the probe maneuver itself within audio range of a bathhouse and see if it overhears anything of interest. People always talk about shit in the bathhouses.

>>17231637
I was assuming it used some advanced technical sensors able to chart...

...OK, I derped and forgot the mist would block sight.

>>17231654
I vote to waltz out into the open.
It's Japan, there are virtually no guns, and the repulsorlift of the drone can have it hover to safety.

>>17231654
>The stars seem perfectly fine.
As in the stars are visible?

>>17231678
Let's try the eavesdropping first.
Probe droids are pretty crazy looking if they aren't used to sciency things.

rolled 72 = 72

>>17231708
The stars aren't. My derpiness is.

The Probe Droid sneaks behind a wooden fence and puts its photoreceptor to the hole to spy on the bathers...

>>17231708
>stars are visible?
Well apparently not, as evidenced by:

>>17231685
>...OK, I derped and forgot the mist would block sight.

>>17231685
Hm, might not be Darker than Black as some have thought then.

>>17231725
100 years of technological advancement and half a week of planning, and we're using it to spy on bathing women.
Does EVERYTHING in Japan become Hentai?

>>17231682
Check the food carts and pick up rumors. Crazy stuff gets passed around there.

--after all, there is always reason for booze.

>>17231738
At least it doesn't have tentacles, or a tentacle-like manipulator.

Spying on drunk people with loose lips would be easier than spying on bathing housewives.

>>17231746
All that these food carts need is a tank of kerosene. Sometimes they have a generator running.

Trust me, there WILL be people drinking and complaining about the situation.

>>17231725
The Probe Droid overhears the following.

"This is... I still can't believe this is happening. Centuries of scientific progress, of cultural development being wiped out!"

"Shhh! He has spies everywhere! Don't say things you'll regret..."

"His spies have got to have better things to do than listen in on bathhouses! No one's spying on us!"

"I just don't want to end up like those girls..."

"If there were any cars left, we could chance driving out of the city. There's got to be a boat left somewhere..."

"And then what? Where's the rest of the world? For all we know the same thing happened there!"

>>17231754
Not bathing housewives, bathhouse. Guys, girls, sometimes separated.
Closer to the idea of the Roman bathhouses. Social and relaxing.

>>17231791
Maybe Tetsuo from Akira.
We need more information.
These two people seem to know what's going on, but entering the bathhouse will be problematic. And knocking will just cause them to panic.

I suppose we could have the Probe Droid speak up, but they'll still panic regardless for a few minutes.

>>17231791
Now would be a time for the probe droid to introduce itself as a UN Recon Vehicle, ask who "He" is, and whether "He" needs artillery shells dropped on him.

>>17231747
They do have a variety of manipulators..

>>17231791
Looks like playing peeping tom paid off.

Now.. who banishes technology and has spies?
Or does something unpleasant to girls.. though that might be a wide category.

Probe Droid! Take care to keep yourself hidden from anyone else, seems the local threat is anti-tech.

>>17231798
Oh please. The Romans thermae were, on average, much more spacious and comfortable... so long as you wore your wooden sandals and stayed away from the walls in the caldarium or laconicum. The floors and walls were... a bit hot, you might say, but they sure kept the room as hot as it needed to be.

>>17231853
Yes, yes. A said the closer to the idea, not design.
We in the west find group bathing/nudity a bit unusual, on average, so rough examples help.

>>17231844
Abe-no-Seimei from New Getter Robo I guess?

>>17231844
>Now.. who banishes technology and has spies?
Everyone from L5R.

>>17231844
Xavier from Sengoku Rance?

>>17231833
>>17231839
I'd say the Droid should avoid contact, at least with groups. Maybe see if we can catch someone alone, and hide behind a wall of something.
Then again, it is behind a wall right now, if we can speak to them without being seen by anyone, maybe now is a good time to try.

>>17231791
Have the Probe Droid knock a manipulator against the wall to get the bather's attention.
"This is Commander Fuyukawa of the Marine SDF, working with the UN and America. A group of us were caught outside Japan on manuevers when this mist came up. We're working with the UN to figure out what's going on. I need you to tell me who you're talking about."

>>17231880
My Google-fu is largely turning up the historical figure or stubs about the show. Tell us more.

>>17231888
They said a 'he' though, and these people know modern things, someone have been removing them.

While we wait for the OP to get back:

Last thread, it was suggested we recruit a negotiator/diplomat/talker type person for our team, for those times when talking would help us more than sneaking and shooting.
Brainstorm ideas for a negotiator/diplomat/talker type hero. And if someone says "Corbin Dallas" I will kick you in the nuts.

>>17231937
who you are talking about and what's been going on since the mists. Though if there are spies, you probably want to be as brief as you can.

>>17231948
What? OP is right here and we are doing things!

>>17231978
>OP is right here
>Last OP post was 20 minutes ago

>>17231988
You don't watch this quest much, do you?
If we spend 30 minutes deciding what to do, he isn't going to have anything to say.
20 minutes is making good time.

>>17231999
More or less. But to prod this along...
>>17231937
Are you doing this, with the probe droid staying out of sight?

>>17232008
Works for me.

>>17231937
No-go.

This is WTF inducing for ANYONE in a bath house.

it will not go well.

>>17231988
>17 minutes before we even said anything he might respond to.
>It'll be another 10 from there before we're all sure that is what we want to do.
Oh yeah, I'm sure that's his fault.

>>17232008
Yes. Though if they want to see us, just tell them to come around or look through the hole in the wall.
We go with the cover story that as the only Japanese JSDF forces outside Japan, we are working with the UN and the United States, who were gracious enough to loan us this top-secret drone from their military.

>>17232016
Oh. What do we do instead?
We know there's a dude with spies who hates technology. How do we get more information on this dude? It'll tell us at least part of what's going on here.

>>17232016

Agreed. Move on and continue to collect intel as we go. We can try striking up a conversation if the opportunity arises later.

But seriously?

Knocking on the bathroom wall and saying you are an authority figure who is ease dropping and would like more information will just end in screams and generally dickery. Which, while hilarious in those sitcoms on the TV with their wacky misunderstandings, is not what we are after.

>>17232029
>>17232025
>>17232008
I'd say go with it, and be prepared to make a break for the shore.

>>17232046

THIS.

This will not end well at all.

It's a fucking public bath.

>>17232046
By collect intel, do you mean eavesdrop some more?
And how exactly do we hide a 1.6 meter tall robot in Tokyo?

Continuing to wait for OP

>>17232008
Just head towards the Meteorological Agency's main office.
Look for a chance to grab a police officer, but otherwise get to where scientists would flee to, which villains would consider unimportant.

>>17232066
Shut up. Please.
Thank you.

>>17232081
There is none, this isn't Darker Than Black.

>>17232088
What the fuck are you talking about?
The Japan Meteorological Agency is a real agency, with real offices in Tokyo.
http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html

>>17232008


Okay.

It's time to ask Char the question,

"what would he do if he were this type of villain? Banning technology and kidnapping all the young women...".

>>17232095
Yes, but outside of Darker Than Black, why would you go there?

>>17232065

See:

>>17232081

We need the data anyway, and we have a better chance of contacting someone who is not naked and likely to start screaming bloody murder at the sight of a alien-looking device with probes everywhere coming towards their unclothed bodies.

HOWEVER, this is Japan with no internet, so lord only knows what is going on elsewhere. Thus, I make no promises about people not being naked in the future. But we should still look for a better person to strike up a conversation with.

>>17232110
We don't know that it's all the young women.
Besides, we don't want to get him off track thinking about young girls.

>>17232116

Actually, any scientific or academic facility would be good. We should keep to the back alleys as much as possible to avoid unwanted attention. If cars are banned, that are going to be fucking LIVID when they see this mucking about.

rolled 26 = 26

>>17232081
You disappoint millions of viewers as the Probe Droid moves away from the baths, refusing to take part in anime-style shenanigans.

It begins to move through the streets again, alert for anyone it might contact alone while staying out of sight. On the way, it notices something odd. Several times it sights men in medieval armor on barded horses patrolling the streets, or foot-soldiers in livery and mail.

rolled 54 = 54

>>17232130
The best the probe droid can find is an overly tanned woman with dyed blonde hair in an alley. Her clothes make no subtle hint about her profession.

>>17232130
ANON, analyze that livery. Cross-reference with our Canon database.
What historical period does it come from.
Also, analysis on the weapons; Medieval European, or Japanese?

>>17232130
European medieval armor.
Hates tech.
Has spies.
Does something with girls.

Hrm.

>>17232146
A prostitute?
On the one hand, she's unlikely to have any love of the new regime.
But on the other, we've got nothing to offer her.

Move on, continue towards the Agency offices.
Other academic buildings are more famous, and therefore, more likely to have already been overrun.

>>17232146
Bah, fuck it. If we can find a wall or room to talk to her from concealment, let's give it a try.
If we can get a pinch more information, like a name, we can unravel who is at foot here.

>>17232192
Hey, if we can even get a name to go with someone here than'll be a huge help.

>>17232147
Medieval European.

A.N.O.N.'s limited database cannot find a match for the livery, but it is a sword with white wings outstretched on either side.

>>17232207

...Why does this sound like pre-heresy Caliban Knights??

>>17232227
I recall one of Junji Ito's work, it has at least a knight in it.
Said knight in armor gets smacked by a horror thingy. But not sure about the livery.

Expect Junji Ito horrors.

Ok, find a wall to hide behind:
"This is Commander Fuyukawa of the Marine SDF, working with others, what is going on here, who has taken control of this area?"

Are we questioning the prostitute, or are we continuing towards the Agency offices?

I already voted to just go to the offices already in >>17232192

>>17232259
I say give her a quick question and hurry onward.

Wait, why are we in Japan now? Weren't we about to land in antarctica?

>>17232283
This is while we're waiting for the Antarctic expedition to finish getting its equipment replicated.

>>17232283
We are. We're replicating the gear the arctic expedition needs right now, but we also found a way to get a probe to Japan.

Remember, timed mission, do as much at the same time as possible.

So we're harassing a prostitute for a question or two, then continuing on to points of technological interest?

rolled 47 = 47

>>17232258
>>17232269
The Probe Droid hides behind a dumpster and extends a comcord so it seems the voice is coming from somewhere else.

"What? Who- where are you?" the woman says, looking around confused.

>>17232207

Guys. I found the emblem.

>>17232380

"We are trying to keep a low profile mam' while we understand what is happening here. I apologize for the cloak and dagger, but please try to stay calm. We are here to determine the extent of the mists effects on Japan. So far we have gathered that there is some in control that really does not like technology. Given how we got here, the less attention we draw to ourselves the better for all involved. If there is any information you could give us, we would greatly appreciate it. If not, we will press onwards."

Sound reasonable?

>>17232403

OH GOD DAMN IT. What little I know is not good for us.

Beserk fans, get in here. We need your intel, stat!

>>17232403

To elaborate, we're looking at someone taken from the Berserk canon and made into a Darklord or somesuch.

The sigil on the knights' finery indicates that they are members (or are employed by) the Band of The Hawk; this mercenary group was lead by Griffith. The original group was all sacrificed in a dark ritual (save for 2-3 people) in order to make Griffith some sort of dark god. These other Hawks may be conscripts.

>>17232431
Sure.
If she asks, we're working with the UN on this.

>>17232431
"Bullshit," the woman says. "Hows I supposed to know if you're one of Lord Griffith's spies? Or someone looking to earn favors from his court by turning in 'traitors'?"

>>17232446

Since we're dealing with the Berserk canon, it might be helpful to read up on it:

http://berserk.wikia.com/wiki/Griffith

http://berserk.wikia.com/wiki/Band_of_the_Hawk

http://berserk.wikia.com/wiki/Apostle

>>17232497

"Well, at least we know who is in charge. Thank you for your time mam' and please stay safe."

And disappear into the night. We got a very useful piece of info and I wouldn't put it past this lady to TURN US IN for a reward. Projecting and all that jazz.

Alternately, pop a camera up and say
"I HIGHLY doubt we would be approved for use under this "Griffith" person's employ. What with the hundreds of millions of dollars in research that went into designing this."

But I vote just to move on. I doubt we will get anything else from the conversation other than more headaches.

>>17232497
We can roll the Probe Droid out.
"Now do you believe me?"
It's obviously mechanical, and high-tech.

>>17232497
"I suppose you can't, but you've already helped enough. Carry on citizen, and thank you."
And slip away.

Alright between this and anon's find further up, we can confirm for Berserk.

>>17232548

The problem I have with that is I have no trust in this person. And we would be potentially alerting the authorities indirectly that we are here/coming. If the thread wills it though, go for it I guess. Just be ready to stun the bitch if she starts getting ready to rat us out. DO NOT TELL HER WHERE WE MAY/MAY NOT BE GOING.

>>17232548
>>17232545
Stick with slipping away. No need to tip our hand here.

>>17232446
Bad news is, if it's Femto, there is nothing known to the Berserk series that can kill him permanently (or even injure him). Except the Skull Knight's sword (maybe, based on the fact Femto absolutely had to fuck with reality to avoid the blow) or the DragonSlayer (even bigger maybe and it's based on narrativium).

Good news is, Femto (and the Godhand) is small time compared to Morgoth and Berserk-verse Elven Magic can impede, harm or even stop them cold. Get a few good strikes with Ringil and we can (maybe) cut them down to size.

Better news. Even the most high powered Apostles aren't anything special by Space Marine standards. Femto (or any of the Godhand) would be tough to kill especially with their reality warping... except we've got Silencers to shut down their reality fucking (honestly, Berserk magics work sufficiently like the Warp for Nulls/Pariahs to matter).

Alright, looks like we're slipping away. Let's continue on our course, then.

>>17232497
>>17232569
>>17232574

She's just confirmed what we've suspected. It's probably safe to move on.

Now we just need to know at what point did Ebon Night grab Griffith and his minions. Is this Femto with a new Band of the Hawk, or the reincarnated Griffith with the Army of the White Phoenix?

rolled 63 = 63

>>17232606
Where to now? Still trying to find the Meteorological Society?

>>17232670
It's the Meteorological Agency, and yes.
If that turns bust, we'll try the local JSDF base.

>>17232589
Which reminds me again that we need an idea of how the science team's research is going.

>>17232688
The probe droid eventually makes its way to the society building, passing by a few murmuring cityfolk.

"They say that kid summoned some sort of monster to battle one of Griffith's freakshows."

"I'm telling you it's just a rumor. The JSDF remnants got creamed by him. Why would a teenager be any different, even with some sort of superpower?"

>>17232670
If we had the Protoss Observer there, I'd say to continue to investigate until we find their main encampment and then we'd be able to identify the timeline by the composition of his forces. With Protoss cloaking tech, it would have been easy.

With the Probe Droid... I don't know. Look for... large heat signatures on long range thermal sensors. Something that'd look like a good number of fires. Alternatively, remain at a certain (high) altitude and seek out patrols. Once one is found, follow them (from high altitude) to their camp and proceed with investigation. Humans (and derived abominations from Human standard) rarely look up.

>>17232730
Timeline identified. Of course, it's Femto.

We need to identify the "kid". Remain and listen to the rest of this conversation.

>>17232589
Actually, it doesn't make much sense for it to be Femto, if he's going by the name Lord Griffith and employing the Band of the Hawk.
Though that begs the question of whether it is pre or post Femto.
And there's still the question of why all the anti-tech.. or it that something we overblew and the mists stripped them away?

>>17232730
>They say that kid summoned some sort of monster to battle one of Griffith's freakshows.
A Pokemaster? Here?
Or could it be a person from Shin Megami Tensei?

Have the probe droid stop and stay out of sight as it collects more about this "kid and his monster".

>>17232730

WHO'S THAT POKEMON?

Seriously though, a kid summoning monsters could be any of a dozen distinct continuities. We need more info. ONWARDS TO MORE SNOOPING!

>>17232750
It does make sense. In Berserk, all the humans know him as Lord Griffith, most of the Apostles as well. It's only the really high-tier Apostles that know he's Femto (so, only Zodd and the Kushan Emperor, really).

>>17232764
Hm, and >>17232730
seems to confirm it.

Though it is odd that we find someone fighting against him. If past instances are any indication, it might be a competing antagonist from another canon.

>>17232751
>>17232741
"I'm allowed my hopes, aren't I?"

"The way this maniac runs things, I wouldn't be surprised if they enforce mandatory agony."

The conversation then turns towards a program of turning empty lots into gardens and farms to better support the city's populace since their communication with the outlying farms has been cut off.

>>17232822
Alright, we're not getting much more info here. Let's go to the Meteorological Agency. If that turns out as a bust, then we'll try looking around the city for this kid.
This Probe Droid is the one we got back from Transylvania, so it still has a holo-emitter installed. We can use it for optic camouflage or for creating a human looking avatar to speak with people.

>>17232822
Hm, farms are cut off at well.

I think we should make contact with these guys..
Hey, do they still have a radio up or anything?
Maybe we could park by the antenna and tap into the line for a little close circuit communication.

>>17232855
Not so much installed as carried, but I'm down with it being along if OP is.

I'm calling it here because not only is it almost 2:30, but I just lost all 4 of my elite Mechwarriors to a cascade engine failure AND their assault mechs thanks to freak luck, leaving me with nothing but rookies for the rest of the online Battletech campaign I'm in.

My jimmies have been severely rustled.

Friday, tomorrow, 8 PM, continue, blah. Goddamn Daishis....

>>17232917
Egad. Good luck OP.

>>17232917
Aaaand there goes my Nightstar and my Warhammer thanks to QUADRUPLE COCKPIT CRITS.

Fuck you, Megamek. FUCK. YOU.

On an unrelated note, team, I think I know where we can recruit some elite mech pilots from..

Oh yeah, and someone should archive this.

Eh, before I head off, though...
>>17232889
>>17232855
You don't currently have it, but with the storm as light as it is, it shouldn't be a problem to ship it down in a dropship, along with whatever you want to deploy.

>>17233034
We might want to consider that then, along with trying to talk to these guys covertly.

Beyond that I'm sitting here trying to come up with ideas.

>>17233138
Here's a thought. We get Data patched up, and we bring him and Darius down for dealing with Griffith/Femto. Darius has Ringil, and as I recall Data accidentally-ish looted some Great Katana or something. I cannot into Silent Hill stuff, but it sounds like it's good for God-hunting.

Plus Silencers and all that.

As for Antarctica, explore that shit. Explore it like we're gonna loot stuff from it (protip: we probably are because we're lootwhores like that.). I want full maps and all that jazz. All scans, every frequency, all tools. Keep in mind possible insanity-causing architecture.

>>17233274
>His known powers are inter-planar travel between different layers of the world, untouchability against ordinary physical attacks, and a space-wrapping ability that either sucks in everything within its radius or traps a supernatural attack. The extent to which these powers have been passed on to his human form is now determined to be the same as at the Eclipse when, atop Ganishka in his second form, he reverted to his true form.

We're going to need a bit more help here than regular physical attacks.
Now I know why we didn't get that ghost touch weapon.

Suggestion for the Mountains of Madness team: Have the Aurors prepare to cast Fiendfyre as a last resort. It burns everything and can't be extinguished by normal means. If all else fails, we can burn the shoggoths out with that and run like hell.

It's considered Dark Magic, but with everything they've seen so far I think we can convince them.

Also: Am I the only hoping to recruit a dark horror version of Ash Ketchem?

Guys, we need to get Egon and the Farseers to examine the Voiceless Spear again. Now that it's been charged, we need to see what its capabilities are.

Also, now that the BLU Team is back, don't forget that Demoman has the Voiceless Sword, and magical attacks are going to be needed for use against Femto.

>>17235837
Make sure he's got the Chargin' Targe equipped too.

I wonder if the Demomen have been hitting on Elaine and Lyla lately.

>>17236145
Demoman? I'm wondering about Spike hitting on the girls in general, the White Mages bothering Finalon to do up their hair (because apparently Elven dexterity makes him an incredible hair stylist), and maybe the Clanners and Knights Inductors discussing the relative merits between vat-born and post-birth biotic augmentation.

>>17232972

Dear Metaquest OP:

You've clearly exchanged dice-rolling programs between Megamek and TG, what with the truly horrifying misfortunes.

May Murphy have mercy on your probability-condemned soul.

Honestly, we might want to consider getting the Nameless Blade to someone sturdier, and perhaps more skilled.

>>17236911
We could consider giving it to Finalon, seeing as he needs a melee weapon, and as a Tolkien Elf he will be able to wield it with skill and dexterity rivaling a Space Marine.
We could also consider assigning it to another Space Marine, like with the Voiceless Spear.

Do we have time to get the Brasta's VX system looked at? I'd like it to get tuned to work properly, so we can kill stuff dead with it.

In that case, is the Brasta a good fit to kill Apostles with or is it too much? (save it for the Mountains of Madness monsters instead?)

>>17234195
Ash? Ash would be worthless. Now, if we were to hope to recruit someone useful, hope for a version of RED. His story's dark as hell.

>>17237298
At minimum that would take a few days, and we don't have the luxury of waiting for the VX system to be ready.
We have 10 days left, rapidly closing in on 9 days left.

>>17236911
*coughZerocough*

Blatant favouritism on my part aside, do we really have anyone that would qualify at the moment?
>>17236220
OP? Can we get some writefaggotry of this between missions? If its not too much trouble, you're already churning out pure gold as-is.

>>17238008
>do we really have anyone that would qualify at the moment?
As mentioned before, Finalon or one of the other Knights Inductor.

>>17238008
And since he did DIE at the end of Zero 4, we could very easily make a copy of that body. Heck, his mind and body's been copied before.

We just have to leave the original's soul for future events.

>>17238079
ohboyherewego.jpg
Sorry, but this debate has been going in circles since it got proposed, namely whether model Z is Zero. I think we agreed to leave it up to OP.

Unfortunately Zero doesn't have much utility outside of combat, save for his ability to apparently upgrade weapons on touch (according to the Official Complete Works, his Z-buster was just a 9mm pistol until he picked it up). That might prove useful. If we were going to recruit a combat-only hero like Zero, it may best to do it in conjunction with an entirely non-combat hero to balance it out.

>>17238175
Still see no point in getting Zero.

Agrias has more going for her. PLUS A DISCOUNT.

>>17236145
>>17236220
I'll write something up when you return to base. It'd be a better setting for downtime shenanigans anyway.

>>17238175
I'm still thinking about it, but if it happens it won't be for a while. You have a few other high levels due to pop up before then. But I'm not ruling out Zero (with a slash through the center) showing up at some point.

You guys already have two very nice surprises waiting for you when you get back to base thanks to the way you completed earlier missions.

>>17238261
What's our time quote to tuning the VX System?

>>17238272
Messing with the VX system beyond normal repair sounds like you'd need the base's more advanced facilities. Once there it shouldn't be too long, however.

>>17238228
I'm not saying Zero is the be-all and end-all of heroes.But he has canonically:
Fought an entire army nonstop for a year (Megaman Zero 1-2)
Defeated an opponent with his original and superior body and skills (Megaman Zero 3)
And somehow dying several times, coming back several times, often stronger than when he died (Megaman X-X2, X5-X6)
Oh, and as a reploid he can fight in space or underwater with no issues.

He certainly has a survivability that is admirable. I'll grant he's a more direct character than Agrias, but then again, so was Mechagodzilla at Kyoto, and he had a utility all of his own. Mind you, it's not an either/or proposition-we can recruit one or both of them.

Hey OP, since you're here, if we recruit a hero like Zero or Agrias, we get them with all the abilities they've picked up, right?

>>17238322
Yes. I do not abide the "Megaman Rule."

>>17238319
>.multiclass Agrias into yet ANOTHER White Mage
>hurr durr

>>17238261
>I'm still thinking about it, but if it happens it won't be for a while. You have a few other high levels due to pop up before then. But I'm not ruling out Zero (with a slash through the center) showing up at some point.

>You guys already have two very nice surprises waiting for you when you get back to base thanks to the way you completed earlier missions.

OP, have I mentioned I love you? You're my favourite quest OP.

>>17238261
> two very nice surprises waiting for you when you get back to base thanks to the way you completed earlier missions
>the way you completed earlier missions

If we get back to base and there's a very angry lich driving our Super Star Destoryer, I'm going to laugh my ass off.

>>17238370
oh god I LOl'ed.

But what else could it be?

unless-OH GOD WE'RE GETTING MECHAGODZILLA

>>17238391
Well, technically, we had TWO ships being outfitted, but that wouldn't be as funny.

>>17238391
Getting back MechaGodzilla is a sign of future mech battles to come.

>>If wanted to be Meta, we could talk to our crew and say, "If you were an evil presence and you wanted to take over this planet, where would YOU start?". We get lots of sensible suggestions from most of them, then Char will say something totally batshit and random and Char's guess will turn out to be correct.


In any case,I think we should ask our Char Aznable some questions to help us speculate about what else Griffith might be up to.

>>17238421
Note to self: Writefag "Ask Char Aznable" 'advice' column.

>>17238450
"Dear Char,
What would you do if you were Griffith and had control of Japan right now?
-Confused in the Metaverse

Dear Confused,
I would. . . [details exactly what Griffith's plan is] but I know you all think that's crazy, so just do the exact opposite of what everyone else thinks is sane.
-Char

>>17238474
"How could you hope to understand Griffith's plans when your souls are weighed down by gravity?" -Char.

>>17238481
OF COURSE! WE NEED TO INVERT GRAVITY, SO THAT GRIFFITH IS SUCKED INTO SPACE!

CHAR, YOU'RE A GENIUS!

man, I'm glad we brought him on board.

>>17238481
Turn artificial gravity off. Ask again.

>>17238559
"My coffee keeps floating away." -Char

>>17238535
>>17238559

Fuck you, and no.

>>17238421
What kind of faggot would waste time with this and get us killed faster?

>>17238564

Someone get the man a thermos and a straw.

>>17238535
Someone get this man some booze! Oh, wait.. We're saving that for Holtz. Uhm.. Will you accept a cookie? I'm sure we can replicate you a really badass cookie.

One small problem, though. If Griffith's post-Eclipse, he can fly in Femto-mode. It'd be glorious to kill Apostles this way though.

>>17238632
We can replicate him some cheap booze. It's the expensive stuff we've been using to keep our boss drunk and happy with us, regardless of any problems we cause.

>>17238421
>>17238632
No, fuck you, and the horse you rode on.

Stop making this into weeaboo quest.

If I could get rid of all the faggots I'd put a bullet in Char's head in the hangar to prove you a point.

>>17238661

Well, we ARE in Japan, and probably dealing with something straight out of a manga. Just sayin'.

And oddly enough, bringing in Char and company here for firepower would probably have the least distorting effect of anyplace we're going to use mecha...half the people already believe it's possible anyway.

>>17238632 here
I just had a really trolltastic idea of how to distract Griffith and any lurking Apostles!

We take that big holo-emitter... We take it and hang a Reality Emitter on it.. And get this! We make it project a hologram of Guts. Full Black Swordsman gear and all! While the Apostles and Griffith are trying to figure out what crazy new magic "Guts" is tapping into, we sneak up from behind and plaster the backs of their heads or other such vital areas with heavy artillery like Blaster Bombs!

>roramst "Simposio"

Yes, captcha. Simposio. We shall create a symphony of Most Glorious Destruction all over their Hell-bound black souls! Mwahahahahaha!

>>17238661
Dude. We've going from story to story. Fallout, Lord of the Rings, Shadowrun, Ravenloft.

THERE ARE CHARACTERS FROM ANIME, VIDEO GAMES, BOOKS, CARTOONS AND SHITTY FANFICTIONS!

This is the point of the quest, if you don't like the fact that this quest uses EVERYTHING, fuck you and fuck the horse you rode in on.

>>17238689
You won't believe how horribly low-tech most Japan is.

>>17238689

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10543126

Believe me not.

OK, to head off another long argument, I'll be here for a bit so might as well get started early tonight to make up for the loltastic lateness I've been plagued with lately.

Your probe droid is standing by for orders and your men await the order to deploy.

>>17238704
An interesting proposal, but we have to find them first.
Of course, the hologram is just an image, so it won't be able to hurt them.
Also considering the range of the holo-emitter, the best way to get the emitter in position would be to put it on the cloaked Al'Kesh.

We should probably attempt to find out where Femto's base of operations is. Has the droid seen any newspapers around? Are there any giant castles around?

>>17238771
When last we left the droid, it was listening in on some people. Do you want it to continue scouting until it gets a basic map of the area?

>>17238723
The Antarctic expedition is ready?

Alright, have the men go down in the Leopard.
Once they reach the city, have them begin to move down into the tunnels underneath the city. Have the Probe Droid take point, staying ahead of the teams.

Was the Observer able to get an scans to penetrate the ground and map the tunnels?

Good thing I decided to check the thread from my phone.
I think we want the probe to contact those last guys it overheard. Possibly through a radio if they had one.

Who all did we decide for the antarctic trip? SCP and Prawns? Or were we throwing in UNIT and a couple Sandmen as well?

>>17238782
Have the Tokyo Droid continue mapping the area, and be on the lookout for a teenage human that doesn't fit the demographic of the people here.

>>17238818
And stay out of sight. This area is extremely low tech so a droid will stick out like a sore thumb and give Femto the chance to prepare for us.

>>17238806
Delta Green, SCP, UNIT, Prawns, Mobile Infantry.

>>17238789
No, it was the Observer we wanted on point.

>>17238806
>>17238840
Tosh is also supposed to be the Hero lead for this, because of his telepathic abilties which would help in communicating with any Old Ones, and of taking control of shoggoths.

>>17238840
Delta Green was just on an Op. Left them rest up while the other guys go. Also don't want to shove a whole army down there.

>>17238863
Well, if we're not going to use anyone that was deployed recently, then we have to leave Tosh out.

That would make our deployment be:
SCP, UNIT, Prawn Suits, Mobile Infantry.

>>17238850
Wasn't the whole point of this group to send down the other guys for a change while the rest rested?

>>17238827
Remember, Snake; this is a sneaking mission. You can't win in a direct engagement.

Also, this might not necessarily be someone from Pokemon. Alter Users from S-CRY-ed can create "monsters", too. As well as the aforementioned SMT craziness. Have the probe look up and see if the mist has a reddish tinge in the rough direction of the Moon.

Has the probe droid noticed anything about the individuals it's seen so far? Namely, are they anime technicolor, or straight up regular Japanese, or what? Clothing types and colors and cuts/patterns? This might give us a better idea of what would "stick out" demographics-wise.

>>17238886
Well, Tosh and Spike may be a good idea. Tosh has telepathic abilities, and Spike is currently immune to fear and extremely resistant to psychological effects.

>>17238907
But Tosh was just in two major fights, and Spike was in a regeneration tank last I remember. He took a real beating back at Silent Hill, after all.

May I suggest we send the Sandmen to get human intelligence from Tokyo? Possibly with Spike taking the lead once more, like in Rivendell.

>>17238918
No.
Our transporters can't beam in or out living beings, and our last attempt to use transporters to destroy an enemy resulted in damage to the Indefatigable.

>>17238987
The point being, if the Sandmen got in trouble, we don't have a way of getting them support or beaming them out. We can get adequate intel from using the droid without endangering our Sandmen, who are a very limited resource. We can't get more of them, without subjecting someone to the Sandman nanite.

>>17238898
They all appear to be normal Japanese people. Except of course for the occasional knight patrol.

>>17238886
The Leopard is loaded up with those men in short order. Are you or are you not taking Tosh/Spike?

>>17239040
Voting no to both. Spike still needs to recover from Silent Hill, and I suppose Tosh has earned a break.

>>17238987
No, I mean send the Sandmen into Tokyo, where they can pass for human and talk to the natives. Maybe find out more about this summoner.

What did you think I meant when I said like Rivendell?

>>17239064
And that's what I thought you meant, and my response still stands.
We would be sending them into an area from which we can't recover them, and where we can't beam in reinforcements.
It's too much risk for too little reward.

>>17239053
The Leopard finishes loading and departs. It will be on-site in one hour.

The Probe Droid has arrived at the Meteorological Society. The building seems intact.

>>17239291
Have the probe droid do an IR and EM field scan.
Do we pick up any life signs, or signs of habitation?

>>17239311
You do. Since this seems to be on autosage and I have a few quick errands to run, be back at 8, and then new thread.

Maybe we should send Egon to the Antarctic. He hasn't seen any field action so he's fresh, and he's practically an expert in that sort of mission.