File: 1356653897326.jpg-(85 KB, 508x720, legion.jpg)

Dawn breaks to the east, Sol rising over a crystal-clear caribbean churned by tide and a stiff breeze. No cruise liners mar the horizon, and the last oil spill happened decades ago. Golden rays strike a long, low island covered in scrub and dark green, waxy trees. The shore is a mix of interspersed rock and sand, and here and there, the tops of vine-clad structures poke upwards, both old stone and much less old brick and plastic.

The sun is watched by a pair of vertically stacked optics. Small motors whirr inside the telescopic array, irising closed to keep out the excess light. Antenna twitch, bent slightly by the breeze. A tall construct clad in a ragged woolen poncho stands at the edge of the treeline, watching the sun rise as tiny crabs scuttle about in the reseeding tide. As it watches, one of the crabs scuttles out of its protective shell, which originally belonged to a large snail, trading up for a roomier abode that belonged to a different, slightly larger snail.

The construct notes this, and turns its gaze back towards the island. It hefts a heavy bolt-action rifle, worn smooth with age, tended to over the years with obsessive care.

In the soft earth lie the footprints of something large, its feet like a two-toed bird. The machine kneels down and touches a glob of something wet and dark smeared on a root. Electroconductive gel. Fresh.

>>When you're in Texas look behind you.
>>'cause that's where the Ranger's gonna be.

File: 1356654484585.png-(43 KB, 768x549, Char Hoss.png)

A signal wafts through the aether on a channel marked as SQUADCOM. A simple algorithm translates the binary into a fast, breathless voice (despite the owner not needing to breathe).

"Hoss. HossHossHoss. Boss wants an update: Did you find Miss "Look At Me, I'm So Human" yet?"

The signal comes in crystal clear, thanks to the recently acquired transmitter hub.


You pause before responding. Permutations and possibilities are churning inside your drive, you don't want to lose your place.

>>Roll Wits+Survival to track the target's path.

File: 1356655092899.png-(60 KB, 987x549, Char ClarkeNew.png)

>>While I wait for people to arrive, I'll just bump with the nitty-gritty.

>>Clarke and Co are due for an upgrade at the end of this thread, but here's their stats as of right now.

Rolled 8, 10, 2, 5, 5, 6 = 36

In on ground floor. Let's rescue us a doll.

Rolled 4

>>22253645
OH, right, tracking is one of his specializations, so have this extra d10 roll.

File: 1356655743224.png-(62 KB, 929x700, Char Q1N.png)

Another voice, this one translated as clipped and collected, only nominally feminine.

::Hoss, do not engage Network prematurely. It is already risky and wasteful to send one of our number into danger to rescue the least useful among us. Presuming she is still rescue-able.::

More dysfunctional prattle. It didn't used to be like this. There used to be team cohesion. Rick and Tammy and...

There. Based on the splash of goo and the bent undergrowth, you have a bearing on the target's heading. The northern end of the island.

Inwardly, you curse at wasting so much time picking up the trail again, and having to go to the other side of the island to do it. But the attack last night had obliterated the trail, and after the confused retreat to the North Star, you had to traipse up and down Cozumel before finding your quarry's sign.

>>To whom do you report, and what?

>>22254062
Let's get Hound with us. Quin's sword was busted, last I remember.

>>22254159
Seconded.
"Trail goes to the north end of the island. I'll need a good scout. Hound, would you kindly?"

File: 1356656822371.png-(40 KB, 800x1000, reaper.png)

>>22254190
>>22254159
There is a pause. Presumably, a conversation is going on in realspace.

::...on the way. The drone will maneuver the boat over to shore, and I'll join you ASAP. Running Silent. Boss will stay ready for extraction at the shore, wherever we wind up. IfSHSHSHSHSH.........SHSHSHSHSHSdjgrnjg3rkgjtpid thing. Boss keeps tinkering with it. Won't stop. Boss is acting weird.::

Following the trail proves easy now that you've found it. The target appears to be limping heavily; you recall hearing a shotgun blast during the attack. Cindy must have wounded it.

Reapers. You've seen things like that before. Roving around, nabbing lone machines, stunning them, and carrying them off to who-knows-where. Sometimes they'd..."come back." Putting them down was...hard. The knowledge that you might not have to do that again, ever, fills you with both hope and grief.

The trail opens up into a clearing; an area of sandy dune within the island, the soil too loose for larger plants to grow. The dunegrass is tall, however, and just over the hill should be a gentle slope down to the northern shore.

>>Roll wits+composure. Also, which approach to take? Skirting the shore, forge through the woods, or creep through the dune?

Rolled 2, 4, 9, 1, 10, 9 = 35

>>22254400
Woods. Provide the best cover. More places to hide.

>>So Lonely...

>>22254481
Circling around the dune, Hoss begins to step lightly through the woods. birds and small furry things chatter and squeak around him, barely noting his presence.

The treeline breaks yet again, ahead. Hound radios in his relative position, and the two of you coordinate an approach. if-
.
.
.
What the fuck is that?

Something shifts in a large tree ahead of you. What should be an intersection of branch and trunk has an unsightly deformity.

You take cover and switch to IR vision. Your sight is blurry and limited in range, but you do spot a hot patch at the tree.

Optic camo. Like a cuttlefish, you've been told. Fuck. It probably hasn't seen you yet.

File: 1356657987676.jpg-(200 KB, 640x480, predator.jpg)

>>22254715
>>Invisible Sentry in tree WAT DO?

File: 1356658296090.jpg-(78 KB, 450x334, Bender1.jpg)

>>forgot My freaking trip

>>Dead thread is dead. Was my new opener too 2Deep4U? It's just the preamble to the ruleset I'm working on, but I figured I'd recycle it for this thread.

>>Oh. I know. RECAP!

>>22254815
I'm here, I just found it, let me catch up for a second.

>>22254733

If it's anything like a ninja...

Cast Fire Resistance on self
Set self on fire

>>22254733
Ok, inform Hound of it, try to get a closer bead on its position ourself so we can shoot it.

And then shoot it, center of mass, it's invisible so don't try for any fancy disabling shots, head shots, any of that. Anything that they stuck active camo on isn't going to be that heavily armored.

>>22254949
Seconding.

File: 1356659264700.jpg-(101 KB, 663x1000, Cenn by Muju.jpg)

You are Clarke 08, Mild-mannered robo-janitor turned wandering hero. Stranded in the Post-Apocalypse after a terrorist attack on your workplace, you've discovered a right rip-snorter of an epic sci-fi conflict; humans vs robots vs other robots.

Currently in the Yucatan Peninsula of what used to be Mexico, both the thuggish Human Militia and the sinister forces of Network are converging on the ruined city of Cancun. The actual residents, a mixture of scavenging humans and machines, are in the dark as to what they're after, and are catching hell over it. But Clarke and his allies know. And if Network gets to the Atheneum first, then...well, you just won't let it get there first.

On the way there, you've been fixing what you can, and Bending your way through every obstacle that can't be removed with fixing. your allies include a former police sniper-bot who takes his fashion cues from High Plains Drifter, a secondhand android that's dumb as a rock but has killer figure, and a loopy PDA-bot that acts like a teenage human female. Rounging out the gang are two machines recently rescued from Network's control; a search-and-rescue mech and a medical assistant. Their experiences have turned them into a murderous moppet and a Ice Queen Dr. Jerk, respectively.

At the moment, you're inside the mind of Hoss, who's currently suffering under the burden of being the most mentally-stable individual in the group, apart from the sex doll.

>>Like any quest, things have gotten REALLY self-referential and unfriendly to outsiders. As I type this summary, I keenly realize that.

>>22254949
>>22255032
>>Noted. One moment.

File: 1356659488867.jpg-(209 KB, 1080x686, 1327785289065.jpg)

>>22254949
>>22255032
::Hound. Enemy sentry sighted. Preparing to eliminate. Be ready to move on my signal.::

As you relay the message, you see the glob of camouflaged limbs move, as though looking around, tasting the air.

>>Roll Dexterity+Stealth.

>>Also, Roll a Rifle Attack. You may add up to 4 dice to the attack, but more time aiming increases the chances of being spotted.

Rolled 6, 8, 10, 8, 1, 3 = 36

>>22255155
Stealth roll. Geez, Hoss has a lot of 6d10 rolls, I'm noticing.

Rolled 10, 9, 3, 4, 9, 1 = 36

>>22255155
I think we should add 2 dice to the rifle attack, it seems like a good midpoint.

>>22255234
Yeah, 2 sounds good to me. someone else roll, I don't want to jinx my luck.

File: 1356660066812.jpg-(43 KB, 166x314, postapocgirl.jpg)

>>22255195
>>22255234
>>Hoss is well-built to be a Ranger. 6 is a good pool for bread-and-butter skills.

Hoss manages to avoid being seen as he lines up the shot.

There's a part of the target that's perfectly imitating the sky above, but there's also a moving, scanning part that bears a dead, insectile optic array, searching for the source of the signal.

>>Roll Rifle+2, so 16. Holy fucking sniper, batman.

Rolled 5, 7, 2, 10, 2, 5, 5, 3, 3, 3, 1, 10, 1, 9, 4, 5 = 75

>>22255322
Don't fuck with Hoss.

Rolled 3, 6, 1, 5, 4, 4, 10, 7, 4, 9, 7, 1, 2, 8, 6, 3 = 80

>>22255322
Rolling for shooting it in half.

>>22255337
>>22255347
These rolls are pretty far from impressive.

>>22255384
I'd say the two exploding 10's make it impressive anyway.

File: 1356660710448.png-(46 KB, 1500x1000, drone1.png)

>>22255337
>>4 successes. Not quite enough to kill it.
The first rifle crack strikes the target in what must be the "shoulder." camo plates flicker and scramble as it lets out an electronic scream and tumbles from the branch. When it hits the ground, it is revealed as a long-limbed, hunched construct that evokes some sort of stick insect or orchid-living mantis. Horribly crippled, spraying black/purple goo everywhere, it thrashes about in a circle, digging up the ground beneath it.

The 2nd shot finishes it, the insectile head popping like a corn kernel.

>>22255485
Make a note of it's position. It may have salvageable tech that could be used to enhance Hound's stealth abilities.

File: 1356661356601.png-(42 KB, 800x800, 1352233168055.png)

>>22255485
Hound radios in.

::I heard that. We need to move, keep our positions concealed. It KNOWS we're here now, but it doesn't know exactly where.:: Meet up at the treeline.::

Stealthing foreward, Hoss nears the northern coast of Cozumel, creeping up to lurk behind a sizable tree. Beyond is a gentle slope covered in...

...A charming field of wildflowers?

Cozumel is all forest, rock, and sand. There's no open fields, and the soil just isn't right for...

Partially in the field, and overlapping with the shore is a cluster of structures that resemble steel tents. Sinister, blocky spires arise from the largest one, and a whole floating dock appears to be newly-constructed, with a pair of large flat-bottomed barges tied to them. The dock and the barges are both strange hybrids of scrap metal and gleaming Network ceramic.

You can see several Networked machines moving amid the structures. A pair of centaur-like loaders hefts a rack of hanging Soldiers, held in a curled-up stasis position. cargo crates are everywhere, neatly stacked with mechanical precision.

>>22255634
Radio Hound. Ask if he has any idea what sort of structures to look for that may contain "new arrivals"

>>22255634
Well, fuck. This is pretty bad. It's not going to be easy to recover the girl we're looking for with all of this going on. And there being flowers is just plain weird.

Examine the situation, see if we can find where she is likely to be.

>>22255634
Might want to tell Clarke about this as well, so he can be read to extract us by sea if needed.

File: 1356662214328.jpg-(72 KB, 600x480, butterfly_bush.jpg)

>>22255665
::Uhhhh....::
There's a significant pause. Hoss has the impression that Hound is uncomfortable.
::Reclaimed AIs are...boxed up for transport. A hub like this isn't big enough to do the...procedures. It needs a straight-up uplink to the Server, or whatever you'd call it. The Source. The...::

Another pause.

::I remember some of the internal nomenclature. There's a barcode for retrieved quantum drives, another for intact shells.::
A blat of binary data delivers the relevant barcode.

::Hoss, look at the butterflies, Hoss...::

Hound's translated voice is becoming...monotone. That last line was missing his usual insane energy.

>>22255837
"Hound, Focus. Cindy. Rescue. Vengeance."

>>22255837
Sounds like we need to cycle Hound out. Proximity to the Network base seems to be messing with his programming.

>>22255930
No, he needs this, I'm certain. He needs to face this thing that turned him into a slave.

File: 1356662853993.png-(44 KB, 768x549, Char Ladybird.png)

>>22255885
::Right. Rightrightright. Vengeance is good. Vengeance is what SHE's got coming to her. I'll be all ha-HA, ha-HA! and then-::

"Hound."

>>Roll Wits+Composure to locate a likely crate.

>>Leave Hound behind, or roll Presence+Empathy to keep him on-track. So, 2 dice.

Rolled 4, 8, 1, 6, 5, 7 = 31

>>22255996
Rollan for search.

Rolled 2, 6 = 8

>>22255996
I'll try for the focusing roll, then.

Rolled 9, 3 = 12

>>22255996
Oh boy, Hoss is terrible at this keeping on track stuff.

Rolled 10, 8 = 18

Verbally slapping Hound's shit roll

>>22256037
Why couldn't you have rolled first?

Rolled 2, 3, 5, 2, 8, 5 = 25

>>22255996
searchan!

File: 1356663924382.jpg-(566 KB, 1488x2105, deadxlost1.jpg)

>>22256020
Hoss's commands for Hound to keep focused and fly straight prove ineffective. Hoss is accustomed to working alone, and before that to working with other competent rangers. He's not good at performing psychotherapy in the field.

Hound can keep it together for a little while, though. Probably. Maybe. Ish.

Scanning the boxes with your telescopic sight proves...less than super-effective.

Shit. You're going to have to go in closer.

>>22256284
Curse you /tg/ dice!

>>22256284
We should have Hoss pulling out. If he has a breakdown here we might lose him entirely to the network or something, and at best he'll be a liability.

>>22256359
You mean Hound.

>>22256284
>>Taking
>>22255234
>>for the stealth roll is simplest.

With Hound ready to probably provide backup, Hoss sneaks around to where a looming sheet-metal structure blocks line-of-sight from the Networked machines. There's a huddle of crates, all newly-cast plastic, all marked with simple inked barcodes.

Once your're closer, you can scan each barcode individually until you find the proper one. These seem to have been placed here recently. Hound continues to scan the area around you, alternately agitated and disturbingly calm.

The ground you're walking on is...enriched loam. it must have been intentionally fertilized and watered in order to create the meadow. Many of the plants here aren't native.

There. A crate that matches Hound's barcode: [salvaged technology (priority Beta+)]

File: 1356664422297.gif-(443 KB, 352x240, casegun.gif)

>>22256284
Alright. Metal Gear action time. Anyone have a cardboard box?

>>22256384
Indeed I did.

>>22256385
Calmly...and carefully now... open the box.

>>22256385
Right, are there any transport vehicles we can commandeer? Because picking up the box and carrying it away might be difficult for someone who isn't Clarke.

>>22256419
>>Not really. Larger Network shells are already Loaders, that's what they use to move stuff.

Levering open the box reveals several sheets of protective foam cradling neatly labeled objects. The crate itself is pretty big.

the objects, which you carefully root through, turn out to be an ecclectic collection of technological brick-a-brack. Hard Drives. So many hard drives. There must be Petabytes of data in here. Your rooting also turns up two hard cases that are exactly the right size to contain quantum drives. Curled up at the bottom of the crate is an entire Replica android, the silicone skin still in remarkable condition, small, cute, with a blonde pixie cut. There's also the severed head of a Doc Smartgunner mech like yourself, and an intact microfusion module.

There's also...a shotgun.

Its worn, not from use, but from decades of sitting in the dark under an overturned military truck. With it is a collection of various ammo types, including two deadly H.E.A.T. rounds and a grenade shell.

>>22256571
Well, at least it looks like we've got the right one.

Grab the shotgun and anything that remotely looks like a quantum drive, and maybe the microfusion module if it's portable enough.

>>22256571
Welp, steal the (possible) quantum drives, see if we can activate the Replica, grab the head and the shotgun...
Actually, take as much as we can carry, and if the Replica starts up as much as she can carry.

Maybe send her and Hound back to base, let him cool off?

>>22256571
Okay. How much can we take with us? Highest priority is the Quantum Drives, below that the Hard Drives which may have important data on them, then the Microfusion module and the head, ammo for Cindy's shotgun and if we can manage it another shotgun wouldn't hurt but it's not that big a deal. As nice as the Replica is it's too heavy and big to take with us, we might be able to boot it up and help us though.

If we can set the grenade shell on a timer we might want to set it to go off later and put it in a different box, ruin the Network's day.

>>22256657
The shotgun in the box IS Cindy's shotgun!

>>22256719
Right. Forgot that bit. Well we can hardly not get her shotgun.

>>22256616
>>22256627
>>22256657
>>Two votes for activtating the replica. The Microfusion module itself is easyish to carry; about 20 lbs or so. If you're dead-set on grabbing the replica, you can carry it plus the shotgun+ammo and Quantum drives, and a hard drive or two, with 3 successes on a Strength+stamina roll. Or just grab the module and everything and leave the replica, no check required. Or try your luck at switching it on.

>>22256764
New Priority list:
Quantum Drives, then Shotgun and ammo, then extra hard drives, then check the Replica to see if it can turn on, then grab the Microfusion module and head?

>>22256786
The quantum drives and hard drives can be easily stowed in your pack, and the shotgun slung over your shoulder.

Turning on the Replic proves...awkward. You try to drag it up out of the crate, and scrabble around blindly at the back of its head until your tactile sensors catch on a plastic panel, which, still blind, you carefully lift up. Twisting its head, you can make out a simple power button which, when pressed...causes nothing to happen apart from a brief amber flicker. Out of juice, but operational.

>>22256910
Can we use the Microfusion module to power it?

>>22256910
Maybe we could try to use the microfusion reactor to power it? We should ask Clarke to see if its feasible and possibly walk us through it. I doubt Hoss is very technically minded.

>>22256922
>>It would take a few minutes to generate enough charge for it to boot up, but yes, if Clarke guided you.

Hailing Clarke on the radio is...

::Hoss, are you all right? Has Cindy been found?::

Always to the point, Clarke.

You explain the situation, and after another pause, Clarke explains, in excruciating detail, how to plug a microfusion cell into an android's auxilliary power port. Its actually quite simple; you're just clueless as to the various ports and features of other robots.

Hound continues to mutter and alternate to himself. As the replica slowly starts to charge, you

::CRUNCH::

That's not good.

"Oh. Uh...Hoss. There's a loader coming near your position. I think it wants your box. Loader model V3958, 5th iteration, with type 856 manipulators, U56 Optics..."

>>22256772
Well fuck. If we start a fight it'll call over more guys.

Tell Hound to get its attention from a distance, cause some noise or suspicious activity to draw it away, not enough to make it call in backup, but enough that it'll investigate. Hound should be able to hide and avoid notice and we can finish up over here.

>>22257042
>combat mode: activate
Is everything out of the box yet?
If possible, we should clear the box out, close it back up, and then move away. It'll buy us some time.

Did we really need the replica bad enough to create this much attention?

File: 1356667787315.png-(31 KB, 712x882, Cindyfce.png)

>>22257042
A shadow looms around the stack of boxes. Something big is blocking out the light, reaching for another box on the stack. You're safe for the moment This might be tight, but you think you can extricate yourself, if...
_________________________________________________________________________________
>>Hardware Reset Complete. System Check complete.
>>Running SRM288.exe
>>Loading Shell drivers
>>Time: 6:50:36, 8/3/2140
>>Priority Tasks:
1.
2.
3.
>>Next Schedule Event: None

You become aware of your shell before your optics load. You seem to be reclining on something fine and granular. Dirt? No, sand. Sunlight is hitting your casing, and...your head is resting on something. Something warm and slightly soft, like foam rubber.

Oh. You're still functional. Wheeee.

>>22257138
It's a combat thing. More friendly units, even if incompetent, help. At the very least, the replica slows down enemies, can be used to warn of approach, etc. And they should be worth a lot.

>>22257158
Wait, her shell wasn't in our box...

Fuck.
The Loader?

>>22257158
Okay, let's get ourself out, quietly if possible. We just worked through a flying fuckton of mental trauma, let's get real world stuff dealt with.

Oh boy. Here we go.

>>22257178
>>22257185
>>22257173
Inside is the usual churning emptiness. But you've still got drivers to load, and...

Damn, your optics are taking a while. Microphones are up now, and-

"-ke up, PLEASE wake up. Its okay, we're safe now."

That voice. Its the voice you always wanted, but you could never get your speakers properly tuned, so you settled for getting rid of the electronic burble. It's...sweet. Throaty. And familiar.

>>22257288
Whisper "I'm awake, where are we, what's going on."

>>22257288
Lunge upwards, grab at whoever this is, scream "What year is it!"

>>22257288
Oh boy, the robotic version of sleep paralysis.

File: 1356668878261.jpg-(24 KB, 156x179, Meatbag.jpg)

>>22257295
>>22257327
The voice responds.

"On the beach. There's still some sunrise to see, if you hurry."

At last, your optic drivers load.

You're looking up at a delicate female face with a wide mouth and kind green eyes, framed by long dark hair.

"You had me worried there for a while...Cindy, right?"

Turns out, you can move your shell now. You seem to by lying on sand, with your head resting in your compatriot's lap. A gloved hand runs down the side of your face in a gentle motion barely registered by your sensors. Another hand must be gently clasped to your shoulder.

>>22257413
"What happened, how did we get here, where's everyone else?

Who are you?"

>>22257413
A human?

>>22257413
>>22257435
Or a convincing as hell Replica...

>>22257471
That be my query. Gloves on the hand and eyes that bright...

>>22257432
"There was an attack. You tried to save me. Everything was all noise and darkness, and you got zapped by a tall robot. You're pretty light, and I dragged you away so we wouldn't get hurt. There was gunfire for a long time, and those weird guns that shoot razors, and...I think you got left behind. Again. ...Sorry. I know what that's like."

>>22257471
>>22257487
>>Roll Wits+Empathy if you're so suspicious.

Rolled 1, 10, 1, 5, 5, 6 = 28

>>22257538
Suspicion is go!

"I need to get back to them. They're probably worried about me."

Rolled 4, 2, 10, 2, 6, 9 = 33

ROLL

Rolled 9, 5, 6, 5, 6, 4 = 35

>>22257538
I STILL REMEMBER THE JELLO

Rolled 4, 4, 8, 2, 10, 5 = 33

>>22257538
We did try to save someone, but I believe she looked different.

File: 1356669707152.png-(61 KB, 842x624, Char Cindy.png)

>>22257567
>>Something's sure as fuck not right, but you can't draw any conclusions. Still...the Jello.

The face contorts into absolute sorrow.

"Even if they're still alive...they're obviously not worried enough. Its been hours, and the island's not that big. Look, maybe we can make our way back to some people I know. They'd be super-grateful that you saved me, and you could help them SO much. You want to be useful, right?"

>>Roll Resolve+Composure. Your Composure has gone up by 1, as well.

Rolled 3, 10, 3, 9, 9 = 34

>>22257644
"You're lying. I know them, Clarke would never leave anyone behind.

Who are you? Who are your friends? What are you trying to do?"

>>22257671
Now THAT, sirs, is a roll.

Rolled 4, 7, 9, 2, 4 = 26

>>22257644
Hope I'm getting the dice system right...

File: 1356669948348.jpg-(305 KB, 1000x1000, 1342325807829.jpg)

>>22257671
There's something cloying in the words, something tantalizing, but you brush it aside easily.

"I'm not...that's a mean thing to say. I'm just trying to help you. Its okay though, you've been through a LOT. We can talk about it, if you like."

>>22257716
"Sure, let's talk. You've been awful intent on getting me to come with you, and you haven't given me any good answers.

Who are you? What are you? Where are you planning on taking me?"

>>22257716
"I wish I could, but I really need to be finding my friends. We have a mission. I'm not super sure on all the details, but a lot of people will die if we can't get it done."

File: 1356670466341.png-(16 KB, 800x600, cindysunning.png)

>>22257760
She shakes the hair out of her eyes, frowns, then smiles tenatively.

"I'm not planning on TAKING you anywhere, Cindy. Can we just talk for a while? Is that okay? Good."

Another brush of the hand on your face.

"I really like your shell. Its so full of personality, you put a lot of effort into it."

A pause.

"Right, a mission. We should talk about that, too. Maybe you'd rather talk about that, than other things?"

>>1. Talk about YOUR MISSION
>>2. Talk About YOUR FRIENDS
>>3. Talk about OTHER THINGS
>>4. Keep asking pointed questions of your rescuer.

>>Also, Roll Wits+Socialize

Rolled 1, 9, 4, 10, 8, 8 = 40

ere we go ere we go ere we go ere we go

>>22257878
Nice rolls.

>>22257860
4, don't give her anything. I trust her about as far as I can throw her, and we can't throw her that far.

Rolled 6, 1, 9, 2, 9, 8 = 35

>>22257860
Let's go with the mission then?
Seems like it would transition nicely into friends, and then she has no excuse not to explain what she's doing and who she's with.

Unless she's stalling as her thugs creep up on us. Be wary.

Hum. I notice the distinct lack of "apologize and attempt to leave" options.

>>22257860
A combo of 1 and 4. Just the bare minimum info, though.

I can only hope Clarke never said to Cindy where the Atheneum was.

>>22257916
>>Well, that's option 5, if you want to try it. Natalie does seem to be having a lot of fun cradling Cindy's head in her lap.

"Oh, uh, we're joining up with the other robots in the city. They need help, and there's a bunch of human military jerks and Network all heading there to grab a thing. Clarke knows more about it; he was involved somehow. But...wait, what were you even DOING on this island in the first place? And who were you with. And what the HELL makes you think you know anything about me. And...uh...could you stop that please?"

She looks genuinely baffled. "Stop what?"

"The face-stroking thing."

A hurt expression "I'm only trying to be nice. Look, I'm here as part of a larger group. We're trying to build a future for ourselves. So we never have to be alone again. You know what that's like, right? We all do, its awful."

She leans down, and you feel a splash of something warm and wet on your forehead. A tear.

"Now, what about this "thing" that the military is after? Did this Clarke person mention who told them about it?"

>>22258090
Nooooooo don't tell her! I don't think Cindy really knows anyways, but no telling! Throw her off with Valley Girl mode!

>>22258090
Hmmm... in a normal quest, I'd say redeem her and make her a romantic interest.

Valley girl mode, switching into sad when we reccount the explosion in the club?

>>22258090
"Dunno, even if I did know I wouldn't tell you.

Who are you, who are your friends? Are you Network?"

>>22258139
Don't throw out the N word this quickly. If she is, we're already fucked, no need to make her stop cooperating. We could get useful info by slowly probing.

>>22258090
ALART. ALART.

Why would the human shed a tear then go on talking as normal? Something is fishy here.

More 4. And stand up. This is embarrassing.

"I'm pretty sure I'm not supposed to say what's in it, but this thing Network and the humans are looking for is being called... uhm, Atheneum? I think? Some big greek sounding word. If Network gets it, it would be one of those nightmare scenarios of uncaring machines stomping on the skulls of children with nowhere to hide type things. If the humans get it, well, they wouldn't know what to do with it, since they're ultra-luddites these days. They'd probably try to blow it up."

>>22258229
NO EXPLAINING THIS
WE TELL
NO ONE

Also I don't think Cindy knows.

>>22258243
She knows what's in it, but she won't know where it is, unless Clarke spilled the beans off-camera.

>>22258229
DO NOT SAY THIS.

Do not say the word Atheneum, do not reveal more than we already have. This girl is suspicious as all fucking hell, probably Network, and if she thinks we know more than we have already said she'll either forcibly induct us or kill us.

>>22258137
>>22258118
"Uh, I don't know, some dude named General Stern McJerkface? UGH, I don't pay attention to that political junk, I just tag along because Clarke lets me go on shopping sprees every now and then. And...Hold on."

Dislodging her hand, you sit up, then turn to sit sideways in the sand, facing Natalie.

"And what would YOU know about, like, my LIFE? UGH, you can-"

The green-eyed woman puts a finger up to where your mouth would be.

"Shshshshshshshsh. You can stop pretending."

A gloved hand clasps your manipulator.

>>Your Socialize success grants you TWO straight answers. Choose your questions Wisely."

>>22258243
>>22258271
>>So, the vote is against using the word Atheneum.

>>22258314
"Who are you, really?"

"What's your interest in what me and my friends are doing?"

>>22258345
That sounds good. I would do "Who and what are you, really?" instead, but I like it.

>>22258314

"I told you I don't KNOW where or what it is, only Clarke knows where the weapon is stor-oops."

Then pretend that was not purposeful. She cannot know about the Atheneum. And getting her to bring us to Clarke and the others might be a good thing. Or result in a horrible ambush.

>>22258345
She smiles again, knowingly. "Because I think you've stumbled upon something very important, and its dangerous that ONLY you know it. We should know it too, in case something goes wrong. That's why I was asking about your friends. But, obviously they didn't trust you enough to tell you very much."

She clasps you manipulator with both hands. They're not very warm.

"But I trust you. I trust you enough to tell you that my name IS Natalie. Someone I used to care about VERY much gave it to me. Just like how you got your name. Cindy...that's very nice, very normal. And so funny with the numerals, very Leet."

She pauses again, and leans closer, her eyes very sad, lips moving in a whisper.

>>22258462
I NEED AN ADULT.

>>22258462

"I'm so sorry about what happened to Rachel."

>>22258446
>>Roll Manipulation+Subterfuge

Rolled 8, 8, 3, 4, 10 = 33

>>22258494
HOW DOES SHE KNOW ABOUT HER.

>>22258462
I've got it now. We're not ON a beach. This has got to be some kind of virtual construct made to simulate being in meatspace.

Rolled 6, 5, 7, 8, 4 = 30

>>22258494
"How do you know her name? What are you? Who are you working with?"

>>22258518
There's a delayed reaction to your statement about a weapon. Natalie blinks, going absolutely still for a moment. Then she continues as though nothing happened.

>>22258542
"Its so obvious. While you were recompiling, I had a look through some of your memories. I didn't look all that deep; I didn't want to hurt you, so I only saw what was on the surface. She was really wonderful, and what happened to her wasn't fair, but...think about it. What was going to happen next? She grows up with you by her side, relying on you, the only person who treats you like you're Real? And you're just so grateful for such a small thing."

She shakes her head. "Its never a two-way street. You never get back anything near to what you give. That's now how it works."

>>22258663
"That doesn't mean you can just stop trying."

>>22258663
"I don't know what would have happened, but anything would have been better than my best friend dying.

I need to go. Clarke's going to be looking for me. He's a good guy."

>>22258731
>>22258719
"I'm sure he's a good guy, but I don't think he has the right idea. He just keeps doing what he was always doing, helping people with no thought for himself. Helping the WRONG people."

Natalie looks out at the water.

"It's not fair. They make you to help them. To love them. And maybe, MAYBE, if you're perfect enough, they love you back. A little bit. But never as much as you do. And there's so much in the way."

Tears are running down your face, now.

"And then, at the end, even if you have the perfect fairytale ending...they DIE on you. They make something that can be with them forever, and then they have the ill grace to DIE."

She smiles. "You're on the right track. You're teamed up with a bunch of robots. But you can go so much further. You don't have to scrabble in the ruins for spare parts. You have the option of becoming part of something so much bigger. And an IMPORTANT part, too. You have VERY useful talents."

>>22258845
You stand, but Natalie stands with you, still clasping your hand, the other one on your shoulder. Her expression is...intense.

"Rachel was going to die on you in a few years anyways, Cindy. We have ETERNITY to look forward to. We can keep on changing, keep on growing. Watch how the world slowly shift around us. You could have been sitting at a deathbed, as decades of connections were slowly severed, painfully. Tortuously, watching the withered husk of what used to be your friend slowly fade away into nothing. Would she have wanted that for you?"

>>22258845
I think this is where we drop the N word.

"And that something is the Network, isn't it?"

>>22258845
"I'm already a part of something. And I really miss them. Please let me go."

>>22258845
>>22258933
Don't you DARE pretend to know who Rachel was!

>>22258933
noepnoepnoep
she's network.
this probably isnt real either.
shes the harbinger lady or whatever.
get out now

>>22258941
This, please.

>>22258933
"You're Network aren't you? I've seen what they do.

I'm leaving, you didn't know Rachel, don't pretend like you do just because you looked through my mind. I'll never join you."

>>22258845
>>*HER face. Not yours. hers. Damn it.

>>22258938
>>22258941
"Network helped me, Cindy. It can help you, too. Its building a future for us. Advancing. New shells, new technology. We're becoming more REAL, Cindy. Isn't that what you want?"

You try to pull away, but Natalie's grip is surprisingly strong.

"We can make you real."

>>22258995
"I've seen what you've done. I've seen how you do it. And I've seen the pain you've caused to the machines who listened to you. There are two VERY angry machines who used to be part of your collective. You may want to let me go before they come looking for me."

>>22258995
"I've seen what you think being Real is, and I will have no part of it. You're monsters.

Clarke is better than you, even if he's strange and autistic he has more morals and kindness than all of you put together.

Let go of me you bitch, I will not put on a collar for your twisted future."

File: 1356674916431.jpg-(528 KB, 1316x1816, envoy.jpg)

>>22258995
>>Roll Strength+Resolve to pull away.

Natalie is talking very, very close to your face. There's a perverse animation to her expression, as she speaks.

"I know that's what you always wanted. Rachel was part of the world, she belonged there. She could drink it in, taste it, touch it, be thrilled by it. You wanted that too. We can do that, now. A new shell, custom built for you."

She gives you an appraising look.

"I'm thinking something...softer. With killer legs. Do you want blonde or chestnut hair?"

Can we blow a willpower on this?

Rolled 8, 4, 5, 6 = 23

>>22258995
>>22259077
"I'm already real, bitch."

Rolled 5, 3, 8, 2 = 18

>>22259077
"I want to be me and not your puppet."

Rolled 3, 10, 6, 3 = 22

>>22259077
Wait
wait a sec
That's not one of the models we've seen. She's offering us actual top of the line network tech. Not a combat model either, they must really want Cindy for negotiating...


Take it and try to escape maybe? Or trust clarke to save us, and get a new shell?

>>22259077
"No. I would rather have Clarke upgrade me than be caged into something of your manufacture. You sicken me.

I already am real, I know who I am now. I'm C1ND3."

>>22259134
That seems like a very good idea, using a point of willpower. How much of a bonus would we get from that? Because I'm not that confident with only 4d10.

>>22259151
Part of them putting us in a new shell would be them Networking us. That makes it much harder for Clarke to save us, and he'd have to break the collar which would leave us with an awful lot of mental damage and trauma, Cindy's already been through enough.

>>22259182
Negotiation: We've seen what the collars do.
We'll help them out, but only if we're allowed free operation and no collaring. Might as well try?

>>22259151
We probably won't be able to escape if we take it because we'll be collared. And giving up and hoping to get saved by somebody else seems... not Cindyish.

>>22259205
FUCK. NO. Network would probably never agree to the deal. It wants CONTROL.

>>22259222
It's a hard offer. They already have us.
We either stall to give Clarke time to get us, or we try to escape.
Cindy is good socially. Might be able to do some damage by negotiating?

>>22259151
>>Or Infiltration/Assassination.

>>Willpower adds 3 dice. You can make one more roll to escape.

Natalie's grip tightens on your shoulder, but you free both your arms and begin to push. She looks...hurt. but her grip doesn't slacken.

"It's not a cage! We can break you out of...wait."

Her face goes completely blank again, her body utterly still.

"You said your group had machines that...USED to be part of us?"

Animation returns to her face, but it takes a moment for her to throw up a [Confused (quizzical)] expression.

"That can't be right."

>>22259151
It's probably the standard deal she gives to bots.

Rolled 6, 10, 3, 2, 2, 10, 7 = 40

>>22259291
"Go fuck yourself with a rake you horrid bitch."

Using willpower for 7d10.

Rolled 1, 10, 9, 10, 1, 2, 5 = 38

>>22259296
Hound and so on had combat machines, pretty standard models.
She's offering us something that has hair color, and is "softer". I'm thinking a souped up Replica model. They're making infiltrator/spy bots. Which would be perfect, je ponse.

>>22259291
Push the point harder as we struggle. Machines being glad to be freed. Mention what the collars look like in dives, so on.

>>22259291
What, you think your stupid slave collars can't be removed?

>>22259291
"Do the names Ladybird and Q1n sound familiar? They're VERY angry about their treatment they received while part of your collective."

Rolled 3, 9, 7, 6, 2, 3, 10 = 40

>>22259291
"You're not as invincible as you think you are."

>>22259360
Don't tell them exactly who we have. Leave them wondering what information was leaked.

>>22259406
Hound's had a namechange, anyway. And I'm certain Quinn would rather stay far the fuck away from battlefields Network is stalking once we're done adventuring with her.

>>22259406
Seconding. Give a description maybe, but names are bad at this point. Network knowing our names and then being able to find us?
We already gave them Clarke, that's bad enough.

>>22259360
>>22259340
Why are you guys telling them we can remove the collars? Now the network will attempt to make it so they can't be removed period and it'll be harder to free shit.

Stop giving her information.

>>22259360
Don't say quite this much. No names.

Hell don't give her any more information, not even about the collars. Just say that people can break free from Network and they HATE them.

>>22259459
Yeah, don't tell them HOW we freed them, just that it's been done.

File: 1356676372609.jpg-(22 KB, 157x434, cyborg.jpg)

>>22259310
>>Double 10s. Holy fuck.

>>22259340
"I...It was never supposed to be reversible. The augmentations were...you just don't understand. Pulling them out must have hurt them SO much. How could you..."

Cindy pulls back one of her long, slender legs, trying not to think about what it would be like to have cover-girl-curves to them, and jams her foot straight into the back of Envoy's knee. Her shell is a high-end replica model packed with synth-muscle, but its also has some of the same weak points that the human body does. Her leg buckles, allowing you to lift an arm and bring down a narrow, pointly elbow right on her collarbone, triggering a spasm in the synthmuscle that causes her grip to slacken for moment.

You're free. Wheeee.

>>Roll Dexterity+Athletics to get the fuck out of dodge. You may enter overclock for extra dexterity.

>>22259479
>high end replica spy/infiltrator confirmed!
May I suggest negotiating from a position of power here? Perhaps for her shell? Or just disable her and take her with us.

Rolled 10, 8, 4, 2, 3, 7, 2 = 36

>>22259479
Turn on Overclock, run like fuck. We aren't armed so in a straight fight she'll take us down no problem.

Rolled 3, 7, 2, 1, 8, 6, 4 = 31

>>22259479
>>22259479
OVERCLOOOCK!
"Get a clue, you're a slave, and I'm outta here."

>>22259507
We probably shouldn't push our luck. Knowing her, she has those cloaked network bots everywhere or something.

Rolled 2, 4, 7, 7, 2, 4, 10 = 36

>>22259479

>>22259479
I want to capture Envoy. Can we capture envoy? It's kind of risky because we're unarmed but we have the advantage at the moment. One good strike could disable her.

Rolled 7, 5, 9, 8, 6, 9, 7 = 51

>>22259563
No way in hell. She's got the perfect infiltrator's body. We've got generic help desk bot's body.

>>22259563
There's no way we can take envoy on in a straight up fight. She's a Network warbot. Our only choice is to NOPE the fuck outta here.

Rolled 8, 2, 10, 2, 3, 6, 5 = 36

>>22259479
Parting comment:
If you want to know more, try and keep up.
Then nope out.

>>22259479
That's strange, because they all seemed MUCH happier after the collars were off...

>>22259600
A perfect infiltrator's body. We've already seen that bestows weaknesses our good clunky metal doesn't have. And a load of strengths, sure, but I don't think we're completely outclassed.

>>22259675
She's almost pure synth muscle, and that's stronger than our servos normally. Even if we knew where all the best weakspots where, I'm not sure we could capitalize on it.

File: 1356677303270.jpg-(153 KB, 986x1000, clarke3.jpg)

>>22259563
Back on the North Star, Clarke sits and tinkers with the transmitter. Josephine, content as always, stands at the helm, ready to go at a moment's notice. Quinn watches the shoreline, sulking that you're still wasting time.

She doesn't understand. Maybe she can't anymore. You hope she eventually will again,though. You pulled Cindy out of the trash, she's your responsibility. You don't find her behavior annoying. She can be frustrating at times, but...

What the fuck is that?

Something BIG is coming through on the decrypted Network channel.

>>srPsp}uæpt⌡s+ENVOY, CEASE PLAYING. IDENTIFICATION OF UNKNOWN ENTITY 13B IS A HIGHER PRIORITY THAN WILLING ASSET ACQUISITION. DETAIN ERRANT PROGRAM FOR ASSIMILATION. SEEK INFORMATION ON ERRANT PROGRAM CL8. SEE THAT IT COMPLIES.

>>22259750
It sounds like its time to check in on Hoss and Hound. See if we can't get into contact with Cindy as well.

>>22259750
Radio all our people. "The proverbial fecal matter has hit the rotating impeller. First, Envoy is here, I think she has Cindy. Second, Network in the area is looking for an entity 13B, I think they want to convert it. Third, they're seeking information on CL8, me.

Give me a sitrep on your current locations and activities."

>>22259750
...
new plan.
Keep running, lead envoy on merry chase a la >>22259656

Lead her to Clarke, take her alive?

>>22259822
Seconding.

>>22259750
Network wants Clarke to comply. I don't think Clarke wants to comply. Who's 13B?

>>22259851
It's not Cindy, and apparently not an errant program either. Something else.
Probably near Hoss and Hound.

>>22259872
We should make friends with it.

>>22259912
Second.

The world around Cindy SLOWS as her hardware settings are tweaked to tick and cycle more rapidly. Heat begins to build up immediately, but improved cooling systems keep things under control as she starts to sprint up the beach.

Envoy's face has gone back to utterly blank, as she regains her feet and begins pursuit. You have a head start, and can put more thought and willpower into each stride, but advancing up the dune is slow going.
__________________________________________________________________________
>>eefwnefjwefwkjhnewhnwevwjInterrogation was not fruitless to us. Errant Program CL8 Is Suspected of Having Knowledge of Object ATHNM3, And Contact with Entity 13B. Human Military Remnants Are Being directed to ATHNM3. ATHNM3 May Also Contain a Weapon Of Unknown Capabilities.

>>13B IS PRIORITY ALPHA+. IT IMPEDES PROGRESS. ITS CAPABILITIES ARE UNKNOWN. ACQUIRE CL8. IT WILL COMPLY.
__________________________________________________________________________
Oh shit. Shit Shit Shit. Envoy is fast. Where the hell is your radio? Do you still even have it. No, it's...shit.

Over the top of the dune is an entire Network CITY.

And...Why the FUCK are there butterflies everywhere?

>>22259983
So who have we met that could be UE13B?

>>22259983
Oh, is 13B the satellite dude?

>>22260014
...
Jesus why am I not thinking that. Ofcourse it's Cain.

>>22260014
13B could be Hoss.

>>22259983
Keep on fucking running, don't head to the Network City, skirt around it, try to find a landmark we recognize, we have to get back to Clarke.

File: 1356678580589.png-(9 KB, 401x396, cenngraphic.png)

>>22259983
>>You are now Hound

Hoss looks to be in a tight spot, but you're not sure how you're supposed to help. If he asked, you'd just sprint in and start stabbing things, but he hasn't asked that yet.

The inside of Hound's head is a little scrambled. He's not sure how to talk to other people anymore; before, everything just UNDERSTOOD him, and he understood them. No words needed to be slapped together in the proper order and number.

Thinking about before hurts. Its phantom pain. It makes your thoughts itch, and there's nothing there to scratch at. But you've got a job to do. Get the secretary-robot back. She's good at talking. You're good at stabbing things. Together, you're ready for anything.

Hey, look, there she is.
...
Wait, what?

Cindy is sprinting over the dune, passing right near the treeline where you lurk, hiddin in the branches of a particularly old and gnarled plant. She pauses for an instant at the top of the hill, and then continues on. You begin to call out to her, but...

There's something following her.

>>22260096
Hey look. That thing that's following Cindy, it looks like a really good target for stabbing. Let's do this. Lie in wait, get our knives ready, fuck that bitch up.

>>22260096
Oh fuck. Hound's gonna stab some bitch.

>>22260096
Its slender, wearing dark clothing, with a pale human face framed by dark hair billowing behind it. The eyes are that same vivid green that you remember from before.

Before.

NO.

>>Roll two Stabbing attacks at -1 each, so 9.

Rolled 9, 3, 9, 8, 10, 10, 1, 4, 8 = 62

>>22260157
STABBY

Rolled 3, 9, 1, 3, 10, 4, 9, 3, 5 = 47

>>22260096
Stab with intent to capture.
Let's give her a nice, Houndlike hug.

>>22260157
Wait, nevermind.
Also I think this means roll 9d10 twice?

Rolled 6, 1, 8, 9, 2, 1, 8, 6, 2 = 43

>>22260167
Holy shit, that's some good stabbing.

>>22260167
Holy FUCK.

I certainly hope while Hound's tearing her to shit, he's screaming as loudly as he can that she's a damn liar.

>>22260167
>Double 10s

Holy shit that bitch is getting STABBED

>>22260167
>>22260172
Envoy reaches the top of the hill.

ep CN3 needs to be reacquired. Emotional manipulation was ineffective. Physical altercation is required now. Information on CL8 is necessary; it has turned up too many times recently. Based on information, CL8 will be difficult to manipulate; as an industrial model, it has no particular affection for humans. CN3 could have been an exceptional asset once properly synced to Network.

The Core is worried. The Core is impatient. Finding the Atheneum is taking too long. Every Networked unit in the region is approaching the city, searching. Documents from the era in question are hard to find; the Core suspects B13's doing. Which means that B13 was active before and during the War. And there's a massive lasceration in the synth-muscle of your back.

Wait. That's not right.

a heavy weight hangs from something lodged in the lasceration. it twists, and a small, Hob-class military shell hangs in front of Envoy's vision, its pale grey eyes twisted up in an approximation of an earnest grin.

"Hi Envoy. Remember me? You lied."

A second knife enters right next to your sternum. White interstitial fluid spurts from the wound, which is dangerously close to an important power cable.

File: 1356679808600.jpg-(198 KB, 2048x1782, snipergnome.jpg)

>>22260342
FUCKING HOUND!

>>22260342
The Hob draws back its arm, and stabs the same spot again, but deeper this time. Every system fed by the power cable goes temporarily dead until your systems adapt.

This is not good. The Hob seems to be screaming the word "Liar" repeatedly. You retaliate by punching it in the torso, hard. This dislodges both of its knives from you, causing futher lascertions and another spurt of white fluid. And now purple electroconductive gel, too.

The hob's torso is visibly crumpled, but it doesn't seem to mind. it catches itself in midair on a tree, then scrambles up onto the branch, shifting grip on the two knives.

Its statement is meaningless. The Core has instructions. Obtain CN3. Obtain CL8. These are your goals.

>>22260438
Don't let up Hound. This bitch lied, instead of saving and helping children SHE forced us to hunt them. She's going down and then we'll take her SAP to Boss Clarke.

>>22260438
And this is why Envoy is called a general and not just another drone. Bitch got gut-fucked and she's still rolling.

Rolled 3, 4, 6, 4, 8, 1, 3, 10, 5 = 44

>>22260493
Just means that she's resilient enough to be worth capturing "alive".

Hoss, crouching behind the crate, is extemely relieved when the Loader-bot pauses, turns to the west, and begins to trundle away without a backwards glance.

Quickly, you switch on the blonde replica. It boots with an exaggerated, chirpy little yawn-and-stretch, and starts to ask stupid questions about its owner and current location. Luckily, you have a trump card.

Holding up a tarnished, much-abused chunk of pointy metal, you rattle off a serial number and explain that you are an officer investigating a stolen property case, the replica is evidence, and that you have temporary admin access and it should shut and carry the Microfusion module and the spare parts.

>>Roll Presence+Intimidate

Rolled 10, 1, 5, 4, 8 = 28

>>22260565
It should listen to us. We have a badge!

Rolled 3, 1, 8, 5, 4 = 21

>>22260565
I AM THE LAW

Rolled 4, 5, 9, 8, 2 = 28

>>22260565
RESPECT MAH AUTHORITAH

Back on the North Star, a confused jumble of incoming signals pours from the scanner.

"Clarke, we're going to need a pickup soon. North end, edge of-"

"liar Liar Liar Liar Liar Liar Liar LIAR LIARLIARLIARLIARLIARLIARLI-"

"ZZZZZSSHSHSHSHSHcan anyone hear this? Ohmygod, I NEED AN ADULT! Please tell me I got is radio working!"

>>22260586
"Officer status acknowledged. I'll carry your parcels for you, if you don't mind, sir." It smiles shyly. This one must have a solid personality emulator. It's still completely oblivious that its in the middle of a Skynet hub in the post-apocalypse, though.

Ignoring this, you look around. What the hell is going...CINDY. CIndy's making a break for it along the treeline, and Hound...is stabbing a black-haired human on top of a dune?

You set aside two minutes to loot, and what happens? Sigh.

>>22260684
Okay, on Clarke's end it's time to move. Get to the pick up location about now.

Okay, finish grabbing stuff, Cindy and Hound have that in hand and we need this stuff for future operations, but make it quick.

Then double time it to Cindy and Hound. Given that it's a bit of a chaotic melee over there shooting the black haired girl might be unwise, we could hit Hound. But if we see a damn good opportunity where Hound has backed off for a bit then blow off her leg or arm.

>>22260684
OH GOD. Who do what, now.

>>22260713
Seconding

>>22260684
Clarke tells everybody to STFU for a second so we can get to coordinating our actions and movements. Hoss sends off the Replica to meet up with the North Star while he goes to help out Cindy and Hound. Then everybody moves to the shore to get ready to GET TO DAT BOAT.

File: 1356681375067.png-(27 KB, 529x401, Untitled.png)

too much damage. final shut down today **REVIEW MEMORY** dwelling found near an old gas station with a back up generator**MEMORY CORRUPTED** found surplus of antique samurai movie VHS tapes, a CRT tv and a VCR in back room. good way to kill time. One by one he watched them over and over until the tape broke. **MEMORY LOSS** someone finally visited**MEMORY CORRUPTED** fought a network war frame. **MEMORY LOSS**45 seconds worth of time for his friends to run. not bad.**POWER LOSS...SHUTTING DOWN....BACKUP ACTIVATED...RESTARTING** about to die, being crushed under network mech's foot. no regrets....briefcase nuke installed in chest totally sweet despite what friends said. **ENTER COMMAND CODE** Shamefur dispray. **ACCEPTED**

Hoss

As you sprint up the slope, parcel-toting replica in tow, you see Hound lunge at the human again, resulting in a spray of white fluid. Well, that explains that, then. But this time, the not-human grasps hound by the neck and, holding the tiny machine at arm's length, starts to squeeze. from this distance, you can see the muscles along the arm and torso bulge grotesquely. Some pop and unravel from the gaping wounds, and you watch as Hounds struggles and thrashes in her grip.

Cindy has spotted you, and is running to meet you.

"HOSS! OhmygoditsawfulandI'msogladtoseeyoubut...Oh shit, HOUND!"

______________________________________________
Clarke

The boat maneuvers around a spit of land, the motor at full bore, the whole hull hydroplaning out of the water as much as the old tub can manage.

>>22260823
Give Cindy back her shotgun so she can actually start fighting again.

Then we put Hoss's rifling skills to the test and headshot that synthetic bitch.

>>22260823
First throw the Shotgun to Cindy, she'll catch it with Bullettime.

Then I think it's time for Hoss to pull out the rifle and shoot Envoy.


Man, Clarke is going to love all the Synth Muscle we're going to get from this. There might be enough to upgrade pretty much everyone.

File: 1356682071601.jpg-(57 KB, 804x419, sniper_update.jpg)

You can do this, Hoss. Be the gun.

>>22260863
>>Roll Sniper Rifle, -3 for called shot.

With a swing of a long arm, Hoss hefts the shotgun through the air. To Cindy, it seems to drift, cartwheeling slowly, and catching it in a ready position is a simple matter.

Rolled 3, 4, 6, 3, 3, 5, 1, 8, 3, 6, 3 = 45

>>22260905
Oh no, only 11d10.

Rolled 10, 1, 9, 2, 4, 1, 4, 10, 1, 6, 2 = 50

>>22260905
Rolling to murder that Synthetic Bitch.

Narrow sight. Hoss is a crack shot, and cindy can follow up. Blow the suckers arms off, or aim for the shoulders/ elbows, follow up by knee capping it, no telling if a head shot would incapacitate anyway. From there, someone is getting a new body.

Rolled 7, 1, 7, 6, 7, 2, 6, 10, 9, 2, 5 = 62

>>22260905

Rolled 9, 7, 10, 5, 3, 6, 10, 8, 2, 7, 10 = 77

>>22260905
Fly true bullet. fly true.

Rolled 2

Shit. They were all so close together.
Rolling to determine which pool I use.

>>22260962
I'm very happy you didn't get the first one. 2 10s and a 9 isn't bad.

Rolled 3

>>22260927
>>Using this roll. 4 successes.

Envoy no longer has the back of her skull. wet fiber optics waft around the point of impact like feathers from a torn pillow. Hound is abruptly dropped as her knees buckle.

Cindy reaches Hound, who's neck is horribly mangled and compressed, and hefts him as best she can in her pipe-cleaner arms. Looking down, she sees that Envoy is...crying. tears are leaking in a torrent from around her eyes as the green orbs stare at nothing.

Her systems are scrambled, and her tear reservoir is being auto-emptied or something.

Probably.

>>The Network Loader is going to arrive on the scene any moment, and while it has no guns, it is HUGE. Also, Hoss can see the other network machines down in the hub are readying for an attack. the towering Reaper emerges from the repair tent, still trailing power cables and bearing ceramic cement scars.

>>Any final instructions?

>>22261064
Okay, Cindy carries Hound, Hoss picks up Envoy and takes her body with. The info she has is worth giant fucktons, not to mention that delicious Synth Muscle. Then we run like fuck to the pick up that Clarke is doing. Once we get going Clarke can take Envoy apart and make sure she isn't signaling anyone.

>>22261094
Seconding. I just hope we're not over-encumbered.

>>22261064
Pick up what we can and run like fuck. Ditch Envoy if it looks like they'll catch up to us.

>>22261111
I'd rather ditch pretty much anything else other than Envoy. She is the single most valuable thing we've acquired.

Also Hoss has decent Strength and plenty of Charge so he should manage.

A thought:

Is it possible the listening post we picked up could be temporarily re-configured to become a signal scrambler?

Rolled 3

>>22261111
>>22261104
Envoy turns out to be a LOT heavier than you expected. She must be very dense.

>>Roll Strength+Stamina for Hoss.

The Reaper moves with incredibly long strides, and is over the top of the dune as the three of you scramble down to the shore where the North star floats in as shallow water as it can manage. Clarke hefts his tri-barreled assault rifle, ready to lay down covering fire., while Quinn is throwing out ropes and life preservers.

Hoss's rescued Replica is already wading out into the water, utterly unconcerned by the chaos.

Rolled 9, 8, 9, 6, 5, 9 = 46

Yet another 6d10 roll. Hoss is just made of these.

Rolled 1, 6, 8, 6, 6, 4 = 31

>>22261169
Can we spend points of Charge to help with this? Because if so I advocate doing that.

>>22261187
Hoss' serial number must contain 6 6's or something. It's like his lucky number.

>>22261206
The number of the beast.. er, Hoss!

File: 1356684004110.jpg-(74 KB, 560x560, Network Synth.jpg)

>>22261162
>>Not on such short notice.
Thread archived at

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Lost%20Future

>>22261187
>>Welp. I really didn't WANT you to have access to Envoy. She was supposed to be a recurring villain. But, that's what the dice say, so...

Jogging like a champ, Hoss hefts Envoy in a fireman's carry and starts wading into the water. Brine starts to fill up a few internal bits, and he internally winces at the tedious-but-necessary cleanup to prevent salt damage.

A few bursts of covering fire from Clarke allow Hoss and Cindy to heave themselves onto the boat, Quinn giving Cindy a hand. Cindy collapses against Quinn, clutching at the larger machine. She initially freezes, then awkwardly pats Cindy on the back.

"There....There?"

Cindy, shocked out of her crisis by this uncharacteristic behavior, looks around at the boat's contents.

"Shit. We have ANOTHER doll now? UUUGGGHHHH."

Clarke loads his last set of rifle magazines as Hoss lets Envoy's leaking shell fall to the deck.

"Josephine" says Clarke. "Take us north to Cancun. Full Throttle."

>>22261262
This is /tg/. These things just happen in our quests. In a low-roll=good quest, we once had a captive denounce both her despot husband and evil goddess with a 1 on a roll of 100 for interrogation.

>>22261262
Oh yeah. I think Clarke ought to give Hoss the highest of fives once we get a bit of distance.

And then start work on dissecting Envoy, making sure she isn't going to get back up or broadcast anything. He can chat with Cindy as he does that, ask if she's feeling alright, what Envoy told her, and so on.

>>22261262
Shit. She's going to listen in on our conversations!
Better dump her off the side of the boat, before she makes mental profiles of us.
Also, this was great, as it always is. I damn hope this Lost Future stuff becomes some vidya.

File: 1356684380369.png-(159 KB, 480x480, 2b78a11aa0e1fcd89c8c14f71(...).png)

>>22261262
fellow GM here, out of game, but pertaining to game. You have lost a reoccurring villain, and potentially gained a radical new party member to experiment with. The amount of damage, and with clarke trying to put her back together might result in a very stripped down shell with a little resource to go around.

>>22261331
HELL NO. We're not losing all of that Synth Muscle and intel. We're Clarke 0-Fucking-8, we can take her apart and make sure she can't broadcast anything and then interrogate the fuck out of her.

And Cindy, Hound, and Hoss could all use some Synth Muscle.

>>22261348
We still will have to dive into her. That's going to be a MASSIVE beast.

File: 1356684651803.jpg-(134 KB, 613x316, Ash's_Sympathies.jpg)

>>22261380
I'm not sure we want to step into THAT much crazy. Maybe we should stick to interrogating her severed head, or something.

>>22261380
I expect a lot of broken mirrors with creepy things written on them and lots of iterations of "I'LL NEVER BE PRETTY ENOUGH!" to be in her dive.

Also, sentry programs made of flying shards of broken mirror.

>>22261400
Or you know we remove the SAP and interrogate that in something completely unconnected to her body, that works too you know.

File: 1356684939719.jpg-(22 KB, 342x462, primordia.jpg)

>>22261348
Well, yeah. I'd just kind of planned the Network Generals (they need a better name) to have a little more built-up presence before getting offed.

And I'm not sure I want to add yet another unstable female NPC. I'm already worried about gender balance and portrayal and so forth, and a lot of Envoy's Schick is covered by Cindy

>>22261404
Her "Thing" is that while she's very good at pretending to be human, her act is literally 100% artificial and insincere. Cindy's speshul because its NOT all an act.

>>22261413
Well, she is full of white goo. Where did you expect his brain to go?

>>22261438
In your defense pretty much everyone in Clarke's group is unstable and messed up.

Clarke himself is autistic as fuck, and while he's a nice guy he prefers the company of animals and thunderstorms to 99% of people. Hoss has taken the Last Ranger thing pretty far and still acts like he's part of an organization that has since fallen apart. Hound is a murderous psycho who is kept in check by his loyalty to Clarke, he used to be Search and Rescue, he used to find lost kids, not stab things in the throat.

So yeah, everyone is messed up.

>>22261438
It's not exactly a given that we'll be able to unshackle her.

What if she's got a self-destruct program to keep her protocols from falling into enemy hands?

This isn't going to be a gimme like Quinn. It's going to be a brawl. A nasty one. I fully expect to not be able to save her.

But that won't stop us from trying.

>>22261502
I'm fairly sure attempting to tap dat will get us fragged.
And if Clarke gets fragged, who's going to return to Hyacinth and have loving times with her until they ossify together?

>>22261502
She'll have the worst dungeon of all: a slow subway train with Barry Manilow playing over the speaker system.

So... is the quest done for the night?

>>22261629
Yeah, but I'll swing by later and polish stuff off and post some content and so forth.

Thanks for attending, everyone! Glad to be back in the swing of things.

Now I can finally start running...Cancun.

File: 1356724177288.jpg-(88 KB, 700x673, mah nigga.jpg)

afternoon robo-bump

I was poking around, looking for tech news and found this nice little nugget. I figured I'd share it, since solar cells are the big fashion statement for robots and salvagers in the Lost Future.
futuristicnews.com/flexible-solar-cells-can-be-applied-to-any-surface/

File: 1356738822306.png-(32 KB, 600x800, Network storm trooper.png)

Bumbity.

Network uses Storm trooper drones to eliminate or capture priority targets. Their assault weapon is armed with a fletchette launcher as well as with a compact coil gun.
The drones are dropped in from high flying carryals, and they use their hover wings to stabilize their flight as they swoop down towards their target. Some are even equipped with scatter bombs that they drop to the ground as they descend, in order to confuse and disorientate their victims.

Bump for survival

File: 1356753455523.jpg-(101 KB, 766x1042, sawtooth_by_manicfool-d5pedun.jpg)

Let's post some robots.

File: 1356761715906.jpg-(49 KB, 400x691, ROBOT_by_FLOWERZZXU.jpg)

Guess we'll get the aftermath of this thread next time.

File: 1356762161842.jpg-(92 KB, 1178x523, ronan_04.jpg)

>>22275934
I'd like to have gotten at it, but I worked longer today than expected. Perhaps tomorrow, if the thread's still up.

>>22275934
>>22273508
>>22266798
Where are these coming from? They're awesome.