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>>29621681

HOLLOW SUN: 26.0%

http://pastebin.com/z93fyLYa

RED COMET GUIDE:

http://pastebin.com/7vzY4Zp2

(Updates:

Reduced cost of EXEC_BARRIER, and changed the mechanics: Playtesting revealed the original function was too unwieldy.)

Oh boy time for this clusterfuck to finally go down.

I've been trying to think of a way to run damage control and the simplest way to explain things to Argent. We're known for having a bone to pick with the Smilers, right? Fumito wants us to 'plug the leaking boat' and keep the Smilers attention off him, right? Well, what better way than to have none other than Us truly show up and start wrecking shit with a merry band of health pickups. If we can get Rook to say WE were the driving force behind this Raid and not him, we can shift all of the heat off Argent, Rook and the Silver players that followed him, onto us. Argent is going to be pissed no matter what, but this at least mitigates SOME of the fallout. He'll probably say "never involve my subordinates again. Or else" line, but at least we'll get off with a pat on the wrist.

>>29621837

Oh damnit you marvelous basteard, I've got work in 7 hours

>>29621716
>Reduced cost of EXEC_BARRIER, and changed the mechanics: Playtesting revealed the original function was too unwieldy.)

.... you playtest this? Op, i love you more and more. Will we ever get rules for it?

(e actually DO need to use barrier some time, but we haven't fought codeburst users recently at all tho)

>>29621862

It's so ingeniously simple that I'm surprised nobody has brought it up. We're charismatic enough that people would follow us and believe the fact that we "asked" Rook to help organize and find like-minded individuals who were crazy enough to do hit a Smiler base. All it takes is asking him, nicely, to say we were the ones to get the ball rolling.

Everyone here knows Rook has one hell of a hard-on to see Smilers die. It wouldn't be that farfetched to say that we approached him at some point and asked him if he knew anybody.

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Beyond the walls of the crooked house, the wind moans. The abrading storm howls, unabated - A scratchy, eerie surrusation, like the clawing of nails in the blind dark. Within this dismaying ruin, the single vast chamber is lit by a dim illumination that filters from everywhere and nowhere at one: A light that does nothing at all except to make the dark dirty.

Your optic visor buzzes, taking in the six players before you. The imposing bulk of Titanium Gigant - The predatory curiosity of Silver Cross, and the hunched gloom of Iron Ogre. You've seen some of them, perhaps, in passing: Figures glimpsed and forgotten, from the corner of your eye.

There's something coarse about them, something hardened and callous: They look sullen, world-weary, as though all mercy and compunction have been drained out of them, leaving only cold calculation and wariness.

They look like they would kill without hesitation.

And every one of them - All of their attention - is focused on you. Your armour chimes with soft locks: Probed by sensors and vision-modes, the air bitter with ozone - Growing close, charged, like the calm before the storm.

At your side, Palladium Rook draws himself to his full height: You can feel the tension within him, the slight expansion of his armour plating and myomer fibres - It's an instinctive response, a predator's threat-display in the face of a challenger.

(Continued)

>>29621958
Someone read "Know No Fear" recently

>>29621989

Oh shit. Where's watashiwa when we need speeches?

remember where we left off?
We need to introduce ourselves

>>29622013

The only thing we do is sit the Arsenal Beacon down and accidentally an Armoury Guardian. Nothing else.

>>29622021

Not so. We need to sell our presence here, get everyone working together and into this operation so the teamwork doesn't break down and we all die in a meatgrinder. Here's the prompt from last time.

Thus, speeches.

>A low murmur goes up: A rustle, a whisper, as if from the storm itself. Heads crane, to regard you - The air thickening with ozone and electrical machines. The words come in whispers, in hushed confirmation of your existence-
>It's the *Red Joker.*


>>29459475

>"About time," IVORY ZOUAVE growls, a suggestion of inner light issuing from his eyeslits, the vents of his flight pack whirring as they adjust to the change in atmospheric conditions. The blade-tip of his polished lance scrapes against the unyielding ground, drawing sparks.

> "-You had our attention, Rook...Now, you have our *interest.*" IRON OGRE - *LORD* OGRE, his targeting profile offers - rasps, in a metal-on-metal scrape, looking down at you - But not down *on* you - through wary, grilled sockets.

> "The floor's yours, Joker - Better make it good."


JokerOp, we had some ideas for comms/communication a thread or two ago - someone had radios(rook?), talk of using the leokocyte to establish temporal comms, or something about pythia - were any of them actually accomplished between then and now?

because haha fuck we seriously need a way to organize our fireteams.
The best on i recall fuzzy details of involved repeaters and signal boosters - i think it was either rook or the tristars

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>>29621883

> Will we ever get rules for it?

(It's still very much a work in progress, beyond the core system. But I'll definitely think about it.)

"This," he says - In a voice pitched to carry, buzzing from his speakers - "-is the Red Jok-"

"We know." Agite Striker's voice is clipped, curt. Blood-red armour gives way to bare myomer, like an anatomist's study of flayed musculature. Streamers of crimson vapour boil from her form, like twisting ribbons - The mirror-bright shard of her dagger clamped in one carnelian gauntlet.

"-We know who this is, Rook."

A pause.

"You promised us an *target*, Rook. An enemy fat with blood and ripe for the sword. *That's* what we're here for. *His* presence is entirely besides the point."

A pause.

"Get on with it."

Close by, a cough. It's a delicate sound, a fuzz of static - White noise, measured and pitched. "-I wouldn't be so hasty," Vertigo Trisagion cuts in. He's a riot of colours, his smoke-cloak draped around his lanky form - A golden instrument, all curves and angles, slung across his back.

"The Red Joker's presence means, all of a sudden, that this may be rather more than it seems. After all-" His face twitches, in the vague approximation of a smile - "...Only something truly catastrophic could lure him out of hiding."

He glances at you. "No offense meant."

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>29622115

The only real means of communication we have is the beacons down in the tunnels. I don't think we ever did get a chance to make contact with Pythia.

>>29622115

(It's been the space of a few hours since the Leukocyte's launch - Tyrian hasn't had the opportunity to explore the possibilities.)

>>29622139

"None taken. I would like to hear your summations on the rumors of Phantom Edge's return before we begin, however. News is rather sparse when one lives in seclusion."

>>29622139

> "I didn't come empty-handed, if that's what you're asking."

Activate the Arsenal Beacon.

>>29622146
>The only real means of communication we have is the beacons down in the tunnels.

I think someone promised to get us those, but I think its a fairly reasonable assumption that we could have the hollow sun make them, and then send them down via the arsenal beacon.

We were just there to make the leukocyte after all.

>>29622139
>...Only something truly catastrophic could lure him out of hiding."

Laugh. LAUGH. "Not hiding. Preparing. It only LOOKS that way because i've got bigger fish to fry than players trying to snatch the suit. "

"So. Yes. I'm THE red joker. I am sure you have all heard stories, so I won't waste time.. Some of them are exaggerations. "

Pause for effect. "Others are not. I am, howerver, giving this talking first instead of shooting first thing a shot. What this means is that I'm you're backup for this mission, if you will have me."

"Also, I brought hardware n goodies for everyone. "

>>29622139
>He glances at you. "No offense meant."

"Absolutely none taken. I think my reputation is a little overblown, but you're on the money, vertigo. "

>>29622139
Laugh, perhaps even cackle.

"Quite the opposite, I'm flattered. Though I will correct you on one thing, I do not hide, I wait and prepare.

My friend I would consider myself an expert on disasters, I certainly cause enough of them, and we are looking forward to a catastrophe of the highest order. This day shall end in no small amount of fire, pain, and death. I assure you, you will have your fill of carnage, if I am a conductor than we shall weave a terrible symphony of destruction.

I was even a good host, I decided to bring you all instruments. Say 'Please' and Uncle Joker will hand out your presents."

Drop the Arsenal Beacon and summon in a pile of weapons.

"Now, I think I've made myself clear at this point. We're going to war, and there shall be no mercy to our foes."

Tell them where we're hitting, when, how hard, and all of that.

Then open the floor to tactical discussion.

>>29622371

Yeah, I'll veto this one. It's kind of overdoing it. Something more understated like

>>29622355
>>29622308

are better.

>>29622139

"Perceptive indeed. As a matter of fact, yes, this operation does have an incredibly high chance of ending in failure. It just so happens Rook's goals and mine correspond handsomely. How could I not accept his generous offer when I heard he was putting this little shindig together?"

Pause.

"I do not know how much he's informed you, but I'll give him the floor to speak. I've gotta do something real quick."

Deploy the Arsenal Beacon and start pulling Hellion weaponry out.

>>29622139
"If I'd known I was being asked to do public speaking I'd have shot Rook and then myself and saved everyone the trouble.

"But since you asked, the catastrophe isn't for a week. I'd like to make a point; I don't think destroying the Spire got my message across to the Smilers."

Evening OP. Not the flu, I hope?

>>29622396
>Yeah, I'll veto this one. It's kind of overdoing it. Something more understated like

I don't know, i kinda like it.

The red joker has a certain charm to maintain among close friends and allies.

>Laugh, perhaps even cackle.

"Quite the opposite, I'm flattered. Though I will correct you on one thing, I do not hide, I wait and prepare.

My friend I would consider myself an expert on disasters, I certainly cause enough of them, and we are looking forward to a catastrophe of the highest order. This day shall end in no small amount of fire, pain, and death. I assure you, you will have your fill of carnage, if I am a conductor than we shall weave a terrible symphony of destruction.

THIS i reallly like.

One thing we're missing about the arsenal beacon spammers:

We take orders, THEN summon it. We don't want excess hellion weaponry lying around unused.

Also those weapon advertisements from last thread were so fucking hilarious we can't NOT use them.

>>29622139

"Striker. If this operation ends in success, I have far more targets of interest that all of you may feel needs a little ransacking. That only happens if we get out of this alive, of course."

>>29622160

>Tyrian hasn't had the opportunity to explore the possibilities

Jesus Christ man. That's terrifying.

>>29622434

If OP actually uses them, I'll think of more HELLO I AM RUSSIA selling points. Been busy all week so i haven't had a chance.

>>29622355
>>29622425

"Indeed?" Trisagion says, with mock delight; He does...*something*, you're not quite sure what - to his instrument, producing a low, atonal sound - Subsonic, just on the edge of hearing, but actually quite unpleasant.

"Oh-so-humble, this one," he remarks, with a slight tilt of his head - At his side, Titanium Gigant just grunts, a non-commital sound.

>>29622446

She stiffens, at your words. "That," Striker answers, "-remains to be seen."

>>29622233

An uneasy murmur arises; Apparently, it's not a popular topic of discussion.

"-Pazuzu did it," Silver Cross says - It's not loud, but he says it with a quiet confidence that gives his words weight. "That's what we've heard. He's back, and he brought the storm with him."

Iron Ogre rises - Unfolds, really - with a clank of articulating armour segments. "Lies," he growls, with a metal-on-metal scrape. "Phantom Edge is a myth." His armoured fingers - Studded with rivets - curls into a fist. "It's a trick, nothing more - Only idiots believe."

(Continued)

>>29622525
>If OP actually uses them, I'll think of more HELLO I AM RUSSIA selling points. Been busy all week so i haven't had a chance.

Please op so much fucking this

>>29622577

>it's a trick nothing more

He has no clue does he. I kind of want to see his reaction if we do tell him we witnessed what happened.

>>29622577
>"-Pazuzu did it,"
Ahahahaha, obvious lies and misinformation to us, but a deeper truth behind it.

>>29622750

Yeah, I busted out laughing too. Hence, my curiosity of his reaction if we tell him what really happened.

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Silver Cross's answering stare is flat, unfriendly. The soft *chnnnk-click* of his autoloaders are entirely audible in the confined space-

"...Boys will be boys," Trisagion says, lightly. "-Isn't it wonderful when we get together like this?" Another glance, in your direction: "To answer your question: There *are* rumours, of course. There are *always* rumours. Separating truth from dross, however, is the-"

"*Will* you shut up?" Agite hisses - "*Enough* already, you mincing *pimp*."

There's another of those long, uncomfortable silences - A silence that teeters on the knife-edge of violence. "But of course, my most unmannered Lady," Trisagion says, archly, with a bow - "My wish is, as ever, your command."

She sniffs, and turns away.

>>29622310
>>29622371
>>29622412

You plant the Arsenal Beacon's trigger unit against the ground - The pull-to-unlock sheath unfurling, like the petals of a metal flower: The teleport homer within glowing a harsh, actinic blue, a light that casts sharp-edged shadows against the walls.

Silence descends - The reaction is immediate. Titanium Gigant takes a step forward, as Vector Geist inclines his head to get a closer look - Even Silver Cross straightens from his slouch, his arms coming down by his sides...

The Beacon hums, the light pulsing - The transportation field expanding, weird phantom images crackling at the edge of your vision; Tendrils of lightning flickering outwards, in brief jags of St. Elmo's fire-

And then comes the loud, plosive bang of displaced air, as reality judders and skips a step. The overpressure of the violent apport cracks like a whip - Metal caskets slamming down, with a leaden *thud*, in the center of the chamber. Vapour fumes from the dense surfaces: Autodeploying with a groan of telescoping hinges, a *hiss* that hangs in the air like a protracted threat.

(Continued)

I am incredibly surprised they haven't tried to turn us into a loot pinata yet...

>>29622791

> I AM BRING WONDERFUL WEAPON OF HOMELAND. FIRST DEMONSTRATION OF WEAPON IS ARC GUN. GUN MAKE ARC. VERY SATISFY. MAKE FELLOW COMRADE KISS FLOOR ENVY.
> I AM BRING MANY WEAPON FOR SHOW. OTHER WEAPON CHOOSE IS EMP GUN. EMP GUN MAKE EMP! FRY FELLOW COMRADE. MAKE POPCORN! POP POP!
> FAVORITE GUN OF CHOOSE IS GRAVITY. I NO EXPLAIN GRAVITY. GRAVITY OF GUN MAKE PANCAKE OF FELLOW COMRADE IF AIM CARELESS.

The weapons hum, in turn, as they come to life in your hands: Charging elements and telltale lights engaging, crosshairs flickering across your HUD. The Arc Gun fizzles, lightning crackling as the weapon cycles - The Maser badging your sensors with lurid green radiation warnings.

> PHASE SWORD DECEPTIVE. I NEAR CUT HAND CLEAN OFF WHEN SWITCH ON! CLEVER CHOOSE WHEN FIGHT IN DARK.
> FRICTION AXE MAKE FIRE IF SWUNG. NO EXPLAIN NECESSARY.

You've got Silver Cross's attention, now - He's watching you intently, a gleam of avarice in his optics as you take a practice swing with the Friction Axe: The Phase Sword's infinitely sharp edge leaving coils of vapour in it's wake, the air rending with a shriek.

> PHOTON LANCE RELY. MAKE MANY LANCE. RELIABLE LIKE COMRADE KALASHNIKOV. DIG GRAVE OF LANCE SEVERAL MONTH. KNOCK DIRT LOOSE. USE! SIMPLE!
> GLADIUS OF ELECTROMAGNETISM MAKE SHOCK OF PERSON WHEN TOUCH. CAREFUL WHEN HANDLE WET. GREAT CHOOSE IF FIGHT SURROUND BY EEL.

You hear Agite snort - Her shoulders quivering, with barely-restrained laughter - but she starts at the crackling *snap* of the Gladius, when a flick of your wrist makes the charged blade dance with cohered lightning. You plant the Photon Lance point-first into the ground; A hard tug wrenches it free, leaving a deep, scouring scar against the ground.

(Continued)

>>29622839
In a random match up they might go for the kill, but in a meeting like this there are concerns that one of their "friendly" rivals would take advantage of the Joker vs. all melee to eliminate the competition, or worse, side with the Joker to wipe the rest of them out.

More to the point, they're here to entertain an offer from the Red Joker. Attacking him when he enters the room is a fantastic way to ruin their reputations. Bad move in a gang war.

>>29622905
>Russian Joker
My sides are reaching for the stars. We have to do the rest of these now.

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>>29622905

>he actually went through with it

Son of a bitch I actually haft to do something now.

>>29622905
I'm crying over here.

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>>29622905

Vector Geist is the first one to break ranks: The temptation's just too much for him. He grips a Pulse Carbine in each fist, with a grunt of grudging admiration - Neon light flickers along his arms, as the charging elements engage - He swings both weapons up and over, weighing them in his grasp-

...You've hooked him.

Close by, a booming laugh. Titantium Gigant's arms are long, his muscles steel-cabled: When he brings his hands together, they're come a long way to meet each other, his applause like a thunderclap.

"Very good! Very good! This one I like already, eh?" He nudges Iron Ogre, with a *clang* like two saucepans being clashed together: "-Make much noise with these, yes?"

"These guns," Geist cuts in. There's a pause, after his words: He just can't put his paired weapons, down - Like a child at a toy story, refusing to part with a new favorite. You can hear the tension...And the greed, muted but unalloyed, in every word. His mono-optic sensor rotates, locking squarely on you:

"Might there be...More of them?"

[ ] "-Maybe."
[ ] "You want them? They're yours. A gift."
[ ] "How many do you want?"
[ ] "A *lot* more."
[ ] "What do you think, Rook?"
[ ] "On condition, of course."
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>29623027

"THERE IS MORE WEAPON OF CHOOSE. QUALITY OF GUARANTEE QUESTION. CANNOT SUPPLY IF CUSTOMER NO TRY WEAPON IN STOCK."

"MANY WEAPON IN STOCK, COMRADE. I HAVE THIS, THIS, THIS."

>>29623027

> [X] "You want them? They're yours. A gift."

"Consider it a sign of goodwill. If you need heavier ordinance, I can get that too."

>>29623027
>[ x] "What do you think, Rook?"
>[x ] "On condition, of course, You listen to the commands Rook and I give you, make an effort to work together with the other squad leaders and after the raid, I can call on you if needed

And you can't use the weapons against me or Argent's forces unless you are forced into a duel.

>>29623027

>>29623027
>>29623173

What the fuck, did it not post? Anyway...

"THIS LASER SCATTER. CREATE MANY LIGHT IF STUCK DARK ROOM. CAN NO GUARANTEE ROOM INTEGRETITY USE LASER."

"BEAM PHOTON MAKE PHOTO OF ENEMY. POINT AT ENEMY TAKE PHOTO. ENEMY NO SURVIVE PHOTO SHOT, SAD SAY."

"THIS, COMRADE, IS FINE WORK OF ENGINEER. RUSSIA MAKE BAZOOKA REVOLVE. I NO UNDERSTAND HOW BAZOOKA REVOLVE. BAZOOKA SHOULD NO REVOLVE, BUT IT DO. MAKE ARMOR DISAPPEAR, THOUGH!"

>>29623027
"That depends. You see, I find myself in a predicament. There exists a certain group with plans inimical to a city that, despite everything, I have some attachment to. In the process of fucking up everything they're planning, I came across a cache of some worth. I use what I can of it, but I only have two hands.

The things I take I keep, but I am a very busy Player, and perhaps I might forget to secure the gateway. Perhaps the outer levels of the cache might be ransacked, the items within taken by Players who might find a use for them in killing those who wear a mockery of my mark. Perhaps these noble thieves might see the value in the small trinkets they stole and approach me in full, as equals.

"Perhaps then I might finally share the most valuable treasures in this Red World: Truth, and victory.

"Idle thinking, of course. Oh my, it seems the gate is left open."

>>29623027
>"Might there be...More of them?"

[ ] "-Maybe.""
[ ] free: "I really just wanted to practice the speeches. Gotta put the Joker in my name, you know?"
[ ] "What do you think, Rook?"

>>29623231
This is also good.

Lets see what he thinks first. Show of teamwork.

>>29623027
I like >>29623231

It's classy.

>>29623231

Geist pulls out the Armoury Guardian.

"Take it. I have something bigger."

>>29623308

You know, that is an interesting thought. If we had the Joker Cave break our ride down, would it be able to reduce some of the cost to create our super tank?

>>29623140
>>29623169

> [X] "You want them? They're yours. A gift."
> "If you need heavier ordinance, I can get that too."

"There's *more*?" Agite Striker sounds almost appalled - Half-surprised, half-disbelieving. Vertigo only chuckles; He's made no move towards the weapon caskets, but there's an air of renewed calculation to his gaze, now - As if he's seeing you in a different light.

"I'll admit - I'm impressed," he says. "-The audacity of it; I approve."

> [X] "What do you think, Rook?"

Rook seems to consider this - Then he nods, diffidently, just a slight twitch of his head: One that belies his carefully-concealed relief. "Whatever you're doing - Keep doing it," he mutters, just loud enough for you to hear.

>>29623169

"Deal," Geist snaps, immediately - For a moment, he sounds far younger than his initial composure would let on. He recovers, an instant later: Even as he mag-clamps his new acquisitions to his weapon racks.

"-I don't know where you got *these* from, but...I'm convinced."

>>29623231

There's a subtle shift in the air, now, from the initial wariness and reserve: Something reassuringly human, almost palpable in it's intensity.

Greed.

(Continued)

>>29623361

Suddenly, they're listening *very* intently. Even Vertigo, who seems to pride himself on remaining aloof, is watching your every motion. Agite Striker - Still holding herself slightly apart from the others - finally condescends to sheath her mirror-dagger, drawing a phase sword from the rack.

"These are...most serviceable," she says, at last, as she peers into the humming blade - It's a grudging admission, but an honest one. "-Even with the presumptuous conditions you've imposed...I find them to be reasonable."

>>29623185

> "THIS LASER SCATTER. CREATE MANY LIGHT IF STUCK DARK ROOM. CAN NO GUARANTEE ROOM INTEGRETITY USE LASER."
> "BEAM PHOTON MAKE PHOTO OF ENEMY. POINT AT ENEMY TAKE PHOTO. ENEMY NO SURVIVE PHOTO SHOT, SAD SAY."
> "THIS, COMRADE, IS FINE WORK OF ENGINEER. RUSSIA MAKE BAZOOKA REVOLVE. I NO UNDERSTAND HOW BAZOOKA REVOLVE. BAZOOKA SHOULD NO REVOLVE, BUT IT DO. MAKE ARMOR DISAPPEAR, THOUGH!"

(Continued)

>>29623536

The tri-barreled Scatter Laser. The Photon Beamer. The Revolve Bazooka - Titanium Gigant aside, his massive Gigant Launcher clamped to his back, you doubt they've seen weapons like these before. The Hellion Arsenal lacks, perhaps, the power and uniqueness of Relic firearms...But the guns are *here*, ready for the taking, *now*.

> "Perhaps then I might finally share the most valuable treasures in this Red World: Truth, and victory."

"Most generous of you," Vertigo Trisagion remarks. He hefts an Arc Gun, in one hand - Sighting along the weapon's length, before he sets it back down. "-I wonder, however, if you've thought this through?"

(Continued)

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>>29623631

There's something smug and self-satisfied in his voice - For a moment, he seems ready to elaborate further: The need to pontificate quite eclipsing what's in his best interest. And then-

At your side, Palladium Rook stiffens. "Trouble," he warns - He shifts, his right hand closing around the hilt of his tachyon blade-

"*Enough*." Bullish and heavy-set, Iron Ogre pushes his way to the front. He takes a step towards you, with ponderous fury: Hydraulic pistons hiss in his legs, the ground shuddering at each step. "Enough of this...*bullshit*."

He looks round, his voice gusting dry and rasping from the synthesisers in his armour: "He's *mocking* you, you idiots. He's mocking *all* of us." His gauntlet closes on a Fusion Beamer, and *squeezes* - Metal shrieks, as the barrel begins to warp, crumpling like tin foil in his crushing grasp.

"Weapons - Pah. He offers us trinkets, and expects us to fight his war." There's a sneer in his voice, as he looms over you: His horns accentuating his personal menace, drillspikes rising from his shoulders - A sulfurous light bleeding from the slits of his eyes. "You think you can *buy* us, you little fucker? Make us bitch to you?"

Iron Ogre's finger jabs against your cuirass - He's a full head taller than you, each word delivered with seething force.

"-Should call you the Red *Jackal* instead, you vulture. I could break you like a *twig*, you shit."

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>29623639
"Actually, the intention was to make this OP easier and raise moral.
You must be quite self-absorbed if you don't see the value in additions to your loadout.

Oh and that last comment was quite uninformed."
Show him the Crisis Arm. He doesn't need to know that it's only the arm that we can transform.

>>29623595
"I don't expect to buy you. If you don't want the weapons, give them back now. I'm just.helping Rook. If you want to sit this one out, fine with me.

Ask Rook if I bought "him". Ask him if he feels mocked by me.

>>29623639

Headbutt him. Right in the fucking face. Use the Cobalt Booster to do it.

>>29623678
Actually, I would use the Smiler angle.

"I don't care if you join in. There's Smilers to murder and that's why I'm here. That's why I help Rook in the first place."

>>29623595
>"-Should call you the Red *Jackal* instead, you *vulture*. I could break you like a twig."

"I will correct you on one thing. Phantom edge is not a myth. I've held pieces of him in my hands. "
"I've beaten kraken by myself, went toe-to-toe with pazuzu. I've seen the black joker, and lived to tell the tale. ALL of it. "

"You're mistaken, though. This is rooks operation. He called me in to back YOU up, and make sure that nobody dies that doesn't need to. I expect you to WIN. If that means sharing some toys to get us an edge, it'll happen. If I need to take a bullet for one of you, it'll happen too."

"That good enough for you? "

>>29623684
...I just had the tempting idea of Crisis Arm arm wrestling.

>>29623684

This. Talk to him in the language he understands, because he's not going to back down.

>>29623639

It's happening.

"No, Ogre, I never expected to buy your trust - never intended to. I expect to *earn* it, through the killing and pillaging of our enemies. What I offer is weapons to bring that goal to fruition. If you think this is an insult, the door is right there. If you are with me and the rest of us, well..."

Extend your hand.

"I hope to build a working relationship built upon the corpses of our foes."

>>29623737
>Extend your hand.
This should be done with the Crisis arm.
I'd wager that our normal hand is too small.

>>29623663
>>29623678
>>29623704
>>29623710

Guys, that isn't going to work. He's making a play for top dog, and he's trying to physically intimidate us. We need to slap him down NOW, before he can sway opinion in his favour.

We can't back down from any obvious threat.

>>29623639
Grab his hand with the Crisis Arm and throw him away.
"My job here is to make sure that Rook's operation ends with more Smilers dead and more of you alive. If you have something against that, then you're free to ignore me, but don't be a nuisance unless you want to demonstrate your incompetence."

>>29623754
...There's always the option of a fist fight.

>>29623754
>Guys, that isn't going to work. He's making a play for top dog, and he's trying to physically intimidate us. We need to slap him down NOW, before he can sway opinion in his favour.

Check up top. he was the one who was saying 'oh wwaah phantom edge is a myth'. He's an ignorant jackass who doesn't understand shit, but talks big.

The jab at phantom edge was actually a very, very calculated jab at his insecurities.

>>29623639
"Is that a challenge, Ogre? Make it official. I DARE you."

>>29623754

Yeah, I vote for krogan headbutt diplomacy first, then the reasonable talk.

Red Joker:
Master at Ork diplomacy as a much as the finer parts of civilized politics.

Just a heads up, Ogre is going to be the first to start team killing. We haft to make absolutely sure he's dead.

>>29623754
If we start attacking a Player, will the others still trust us ? I'd like Wata's opinion on that.

Building Meter is good, if it carries over into the raid. But going into the raid injured and spent is not wise.

>>29623828
>If we start attacking a Player, will the others still trust us ? I'd like Wata's opinion on that.
Everyone else sees him as a shithead.

> But going into the raid injured and spent is not wise.
We can heal.

>>29623639
Turn our arm into the Crisis Arm. Grab the wrist of the hand poking us and push him back.

"Don't fuck with me Ogre.

I'm here for a very simple reason. I want as many Smilers to die as possible, giving you weapons helps me accomplish this.

You're free to leave if you don't want to fight."

By the way, could the Hollow Sun create nanosuits?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUBX0NLCZEE
We could totally make ads and sell those things when the worlds merge.

>>29623842
>Everyone else sees him as a shithead.
Then why the hell is he a squad leader ? Is physical strength the only thing that counts for these people ?

>>29623894
You look at it the wrong way:
The Orks follow him.
Other kinds of players follow other kinds of leaders.
He simply appeals to a specific kind of player.

>>29623737
>>29623663
>>29623787

> "Is that a challenge, Ogre? Make it official. I DARE you."

His hand falls on your shoulder, his eyes catching witchfire highlights. "You want to try me, little fucke-"

>>29623791
>>29623684
>>29623724
>>29623800

The blue glow of the Cobalt Booster flares, just for an instant: Cold power surging through you, your limbs stinging with strength-

And then you headbutt him. Right in the face.

The sound it makes is a hammer-on-anvil *CLANG*, loud and sonorous in the chamber's confines - It's a head-on impact, like two locomotives colliding at full speed.

In a word: WHAM.

Iron Ogre staggers back a step - He grunts, in utter surprise, suddenly clumsy; Sinking to one knee with a furious oath, hydraulics whirring as his ironbound mass fights for balance - There's a dent right in the middle of his faceplate, as he stops his half-fall, half-stumble.

The impact doesn't do your helmet a lot of good, either: But you're braced for it, buttressed by your reinforced armour - Static fizzes across your vision, an auxiliary lens rupturing. For a moment, your left visual field blurs, before your systems compensate, the world snapping back into focus.

A ripple of laughter echoes around the chamber - It's spontaneous, momentary, as Iron Ogre hauls himself upright: Even Silver Cross is sniggering, a nasty chuckle, at the sudden reversal-

(Continued)

>>29623828
Why me specifically? This is something anyone could reason out. Still, to put it on the table:

If we make the first move we look bad, either insecure or too aggressive. Intimidating him into quiessence will work in the short term but come back to bite us in the ass. Defeating him in combat is safer, killing him afterward is safest. Depending on what he's like, mercy might work out, but we need to prove both that Red Joker is stronger than him, and that the Hollow Sun weapons have value.

One of them was certain to fight us, there's no way that a group of territory holders would bend over for anyone so easily. Standing up to Red Joker could be a major coup, politically speaking.

>>29623894
Strength IS everything in the Red World. The ability to stake a claim and hold it has value. People follow those who can protect them, and offer services in return. Sort of like feudalism, but with fewer steps between "Give me what I want or I sword you."

>>29623945
>Why me specifically? This is something anyone could reason out. Still, to put it on the table:

You're the most prominent of socially competent named players

Congratulations! You're basically the party face

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>>29623972
And that's why I'm eagerly writing suggestions.
To take away that role from Watashi. He is far from perfect.

>>29624005

He has some ideas on what we should do that I don't agree with entirely, and some I do, but one thing he's bloody great at is reading a situation, and more importantly, conveying it to the other players who either don't get it or aren't as well informed

>>29623945
>Strength IS everything in the Red World. The ability to stake a claim and hold it has value. People follow those who can protect them, and offer services in return. Sort of like feudalism, but with fewer steps between "Give me what I want or I sword you."

If that were true. Iron Ogre would be top dog. But he isn't. Charisma, tactical insight are also factors. This is why Argent survived. This is why Phyxia has a place in the Red World. This is why the Hyades don't only choose dumb brutes for champions. This is why Tyrian still lives

>>29623943

And then, black suns form - Twin spheres with a revolving pupil of swollen colour at their fiery hearts, sizzling coronas of anti-light crackling and spitting as they collide, sparks spitting from the point of impact.

The laughter stops, as Iron Ogre looks up. His helmet's expression doesn't change, but you can tell - With an instinctive certainity - that he's narrowing his eyes.

RED JOKER

VS

IRON OGRE

"Oi, oi-" Geist mutters, as he takes a step back - A motion echoed by the others, as the chamber begins to shift and distort; The floor descending, into a recessed pit, hellish emerald flames igniting across the circumference - "Ogre, don't go too far-"

Ogre doesn't answer, his words lost in a throat-deep snarl: Cables in his neck wrench his head around. "Red Joker or not," he growls - "It's your *time*, you shit."

(Continued)

>>29624088
Let's make sure to not murder him, if that's possible.

>>29624088

Really Ogre? Really? Try to keep the damage to a minimal. We do need him to be a health pickup when we start the raid.

Guys, I guess that he's a CQC frame.
It would be most humiliating to fight him on his turf. And it would impress everyone else, considering that we are obviously not geared for that kind of combat.

>>29623972
>>29624005
>>29624019
While flattering, leave me out of discussion, please. When talk moves to participants rather than the story itself we have a problem.

>>29624067
Different kinds of strength. Physical strength or weapon skill is the most obvious and the easiest to apply, hence why you get more meatheads in charge than people with smarts, and why the people who are smart and in charge tend to be really fucking scary.

You'll also note that Pythia, the Hyades and Tyrian can only survive by attaching themselves to an offensive Player. It is a two way relationship, but the balance of power is clearly in one direction.

>>29624088
"A person of lordly caliber must offer SOME concessions. I'm going to prove a point, Ogre: I'm only using the arsenal weapons for this fight. Just remember the rule, "Lord" Ogre: Winner takes all."

Music related, this is an Ogre Battle. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-SMOsXCc0c

>>29624134

Only use the weapons from the Hollow Sun to drive home the point of how effective they are. Ogre will be positive enforcement to the rest of them to purchase our wears.

>>29624134
Don't underestimate him. See how fast he is first, and how advanced his targeting capabilities are.
If he is slow, get behind him and cut his off his arm or something.

Also, look at the two black suns. Is ours bigger ?

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>>29624088

A narrow span of less than six meters separates you: The roof of the crooked house about twenty meters above, the gloom lit by the flare of interface. There's a trunctuated thunderclap, as the iron-bound mass of a kinetic mace - The flanged head barbed, studded with hooks and spikes - sketches itself into existence, his right fist gripping the haft...

-As his left pauldron smolders with actinic blue flame, the Hyades mark burning with eye-searing illumination.

He charges. The ground shakes, as he brings his arm around in a great, cleaving *sweep* - The mace-head flaring with brittle sparks as it clears the ground, the drillspikes on his shoulders blurring as they accelerate to lethal velocities - A full-throated rage bellow wrenched from his speakers as he tears forward, a noise dreadful in both volume and tone.

HP: 210.0%
COBALT BOOSTER: 130%
ASSAULT SHROUD: 150%
METER: 17%

TIER ONE WEAPONRY UNLOCKED

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>29624088
>"Red Joker or not," he growls - "It's your *time*, you shit."

Deploy vulcan. Shoot red joker symbol on the ground.


"I've seen that look before. Every time someone gets greedy and wants the armor. That's the real reason the mark got started. A warning to others to not even try."


"I've killed kraken three times. You think phantom edge and the black joker are myths, and i've actually met them. And walked away. Do you really think you compare to them?"

Gesture at the mark.

>>29624180

(Yes, but not significantly.)

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>>29624185
>-As his left pauldron smolders with actinic blue flame, the Hyades mark burning with eye-searing illumination.

Alright, no fucking around now.

He dies.

Deploy our bits and keep distance for now, bring vulcans into play.

>>29624185
>-As his left pauldron smolders with actinic blue flame, the Hyades mark burning with eye-searing illumination.
That explains everything.
Also, I'd wager that he's a codeburst user.

Play it defensively first. Use Vulcans and keep at range.

I'd say this is a good moment for EXEC_BARRIER.

>>29624185

>>29624211
Well, but everyone else needs to.

"Oh, I see. Your hyades ordered you to kill me. You shouldn't have given up your free will so easily, Iron Ogre. "
"You tell your master to back off and change her mind, or she's going to be down a champion. Which on is she, again?"

>>29624185
Laugh, this'll be fun. Remember to put on a show this time. No concessions, he's a Hyades follower.

"You know Ogre, you were wrong when you said Phantom Edge was a myth. I've seen it with my own eyes. It's pretty in its own way."

Activate afterimages on the Assault Shroud, strobe him with a Photonic Flash from the Tyrant Burst, then shoot him in the face with a Cobalt Boosted Plasma Caster as we dodge to the side.

Then get more distance, peppering him with Vulcan fire.

>>29624185

He has a Hyades? no wonder he's mental.

We don't want to kill him. We want to drive a point home. We'll have more than enough time to heal up any damage so pop the Carnifex, grab the mace mid-swing with the Crisis Arm and simply say "No."

>>29624245
This has so much style that I'd vote in favor.

But also add EXEC_Barrier. It's a continuous effect, isn't it?

>>29624245
>>29624250
>We'll have more than enough time to heal up any damage so pop the Carnifex

Veto carnifex. SAVE THAT SHIT FOR THE SMILERS WERE CHARGING IN RIGHT AFTER

>>29624245
>Activate afterimages on the Assault Shroud,

Dont waste assault shroud reserves before we wreck smilers. This is a speedbump. The key is to not waste resources we can't replenish between here and there.


Tldr; DOIN IT WRONG.
use meter and cobalt booster only

>>29624269
>use meter and cobalt booster only
You do have a point.

OP, can we regenerate our ejected armor if we deactivate the Carnifex?

>>29624269

Carnifex can be turned on and off. Cybele's emblem can regen our duster, given time and booster charge.

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>>29624269

This is not mearly a speed bump. This is a hyades backed player and unless his patron choose very poorly, based on the previous calibre of hyades opponents, we are in for a fight for our lives.

>>29624278

Armor doesn't eject anymore, remember? We spent a level attuning it.

>>29624284
It's a weird situation.
On the one hand, we want to showcase dominance.
On the other, this is a fucking boss fight.

>>29624286
I thought it only ejected in such a way that it didn't expose vulnerable components.

>>29624279
>Carnifex can be turned on and off

Thats not the point.

It permanently nerfs our armor, we can't fix it, AND it has real life/permafatigue consequences.

We do NOT pop the carnifex before having ot deal with kraken/pazuzu/the whole fucking damn gang of smilers, without any sort of ability to recharge between.

>tl;dr - If you're not careful, you can easily cripple or even kill yourself with the Carnifex. If the Carnifex is already in use when you enter the Red World, all the effects (good and bad) are immediately applied to your armour.

>>29624309
...The crippling effect is when it's used on the real. Because, you know, IT FUCKING REMOVES OUR SUBCONSCIOUS LIMITERS.
I can do that WITHOUT the Carnifex.

>>29624303
>>29624309

Now attuned with the Carnifex, the Red Joker's armour has been modified to accommodate both the explosive release of armour, and the hypertrophy of your myomer musculature. In addition to reducing your relative vulnerability (and the risk of a catastrophic malfunction), activating the Carnifex now allows you to continuously channel the raw power of the Cobalt Booster - Effectively engulfing you in photonic flame, and enhancing your weapons and Relics accordingly.

>>29624245
You mean Fatal Abyss. Phantom Edge was the Player.

>>29624185
I'd like to go with what I previously suggested and just beat the shit out of him with the Hollow Sun weaponry. But the Hyade mark changes things...

"So YOU'RE Zayin's brute. Ever wonder what happens to one of the Hyades when their champion dies? I can't tell you, but you're about to find out."

>>29624286
Still ejects, check the arsenal. We just keep more of it. We might want to avoid Carnifex though, because we're in an area where the shrapnel can hit others.

>>29624309
We're in the Red World, the fatigue doesn't necessarily go the other way. And the armor regenerates after battle, see the fight where we first got the Carnifex. As long as we win there shouldn't be any negative long term consequence.

>>29624324
>Note that the Carnifex reduces your maximum HP cap for the encounter. For instance, if your HP had a 100% maximum before, your new maximum is 65%.

I'm pretty sure this is still in effect, and I'd rather not be down 35% HP until we reset.

At least not yet. Evaluate the enemy first, get a handle on what tricks he has up his sleeves before we drop an ace.

>>29624303
>I thought it only ejected in such a way that it didn't expose vulnerable components.
>>29624321
...The crippling effect is when it's used on the real
Its hits both real and red world. Simultaneously, with lasting effects beyond the battle.

No, it gets rid of all our armor, AND a shitton of HP.
again, veto on the carnifex.

Here's a better battle plan

Barrier UP
Sinistral UP
artifact pistol in our sinistral hand - incinerator, i think? It doesn't need charging elements.
Plasma Shotgun on other hand.

When he closes to melee, burst the flamer in his eyes and sensors, then shotgun his face and/orcounterparry with the crisis arm

>>29624309
So no Carnifex unless Ogre proves to have an ungodly amount of armor. Higher tier weapons also recommended, sadly, the Gravity Gun in particular

>>29624245

The Assault Shroud's nanomaterial disperses, shimmering afterimages trailing in your wake: The Tyrant Burst system igniting with a flare of blinding illumination, a blast that bleaches everything into stark black and white-

> "You know Ogre, you were wrong when you said Phantom Edge was a myth. I've seen it with my own eyes. It's pretty in its own way."

A chorus of yells rises from the stands; Trisagion flinches, as he averts his gaze, momentarily dazzled-

>>29624233
>>29624255

A half-sphere of interlocking hexagons shimmers into existence around you, rotating like the teeth of a fractal dragon - Your fists clench on the grips of your forearm Vulcans, blitzing a hail of plasma fire in Iron Ogre's direction. Each searing shot scorches across the distance, as your shoulder binders release your Rifle Bits...

-And suddenly, Iron Ogre is moving with a speed that defies all comprehension, like a movie in fast-forward: The acceleration *wrenches* him forward, in a blinding burst of speed, his huge armour-plated bulging aggressively as you spring back-

> "So YOU'RE Zayin's brute. Ever wonder what happens to one of the Hyades when their champion dies? I can't tell you, but you're about to find out."

"YOU TALK-"

It's a roar, as his mace sweeps across: You wrench the Sinistral up, the hard-light field flaring into existence-

You're too slow.

"-TOO MUCH!"

The impact is like a hand grenade. Point-black. The Sinistral's barrier explodes: The concussive blast erupting in every direction at once, sharp chips of shield segments flying into the air for a microsecond before evaporating, the barrels of your left-arm Vulcan distorting with an ugly *crunch* - The casing itself buckles, as the weapon warps to uselessness; The dull red light of a misfire flickering in the corner of your HUD.

(Continued)

>>29624374

>misfire

We rolled a 1. There goes the arm.

>>29624374
Eh, looks like Carnifex IS a good idea.

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>>29624374

Right. Voting for carnifex.

We cant handle that kind of speed.

>>29624386
>>29624392

Hold one.

What if its not enough?

Because damn, if we carnifex and he still lands a blow, we're totally fucked.

Also, sinistral at l3 may deflect his explosive hammer back at him. If we still have it

what we really need to do is take to the air, where his hammer is less useful

>>29624392
Take to the air pronto. Are there any EXECS we can use, like Harrow or Swarm ?

>>29624386
Question about the Carnifex, are we forced to Cobalt Boost things used? Because I'd much rather use a non-Boosted Chain Mine against him than a Boosted one, Napalm isn't that good against heavily armored players.

>>29624374

He's not blinded - He hasn't been blinded at all. You don't know *how* he's managed that; The blow lofts you up into the air, tumbling - Your Tempest Scrander firing, a jet of thrust arresting your tumble: Your heels skid against the ground, drawing sparks as you catch yourself, Rifle Bits flitting towards him in a flurry of lasers-

Iron Ogre smashes the first one from the air, with a one-handed swing - As you back away, blasting shots at him, the plasma bolts scorch and sear his armour, leaving sooty black marks of char; He seems oblivious, searing red light glowing from each shallow impact crater. With a growl, he clenches his left hand, his Emblem burning brighter - For a moment, you glimpse a suggestion of motion, a distorted blur...

-And with a *crunch*, the first superdense sphere of meteoric iron slams down right in front of you: The ground cracks, fractures spiderwebbing across the unyielding surface. It has the rough size and density of cannon shot - The second one smashes down to your right, closer now, tile chips clattering from your armour as the Sinistral's field recoheres.

"I *shit* better men than you, Joker - Come *on*!"

HP: 183.5%
COBALT BOOSTER: 102%
ASSAULT SHROUD: 112.2%
METER: 21%
RIFLE BITS: 4/5 (4 ACTIVE)

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>29624278

(Yes.)

>>29624309

(The real-life consequences only apply if you activate the Carnifex in the real world, actually. My apologies, I should have clarified that.)

>>29624430

(Only if you have the Cobalt Booster mode active.)

>>29624436

he has Truesight.Stop using illusions.

he's burning through his power reserves fairly fast, though.

Coalesce tau gun.

Hit him with Disrupt and booster-tau-arguslockon his hyades symbol.

Either that, or its fusion time. We haven't used the blaster in a while.

Offhand the Immolator, since its an artifact and don't need no charging elements, in armor penetration mode

>>29624436

God damn it. Burn Cobalt Booster to repair our left arm, and switch to the Immolator.

>>29624436
Let's NOT take to the air, looks like he's got some kind of mass acceleration power. We don't have perfect aerial mobility. Stay on the ground and don't stand still.

Pull out the Immolator, use the alt fire mode with the right hand. Activate Cybele's Emblem, heal up the left arm (pay Meter), then use left Vulcan. Rifle Bits should harry, keep them mobile. We want to build as much Meter as possible.

>>29624486
By the same token, no Tau Gun. Don't stand still to take hits. We don't have enough meter to draw the Annihilator yet. Also, Disrupt is expensive, if we want to keep Barrier going we can't use the Booster any other way.

>>29624486
>he's burning through his power reserves fairly fast, though.
dunno, the Hyades emblem might give him a shitload of power.

>>29624518

I think we should use Disrupt, though. It's been EXTREMELY useful, and if it gets rid of any of his stuff, it's a bonus.

>>29624436

Say nothing. Keep kiting and shooting him with plasma. Get our Sinistral up pronto, burn meter if we haft to. Use the Scrander to keep ahead of his giant balls. Build meter and test the waters before we commit.

>>29624436
Get the Argus System on, have it start noticing and tracking him and him throwing things. Also, it has tracking and predictive capabilities, make use of those.

Activate Cybele's Emblem

Use the Nova Cannon on him, aim for his knees, we want to take out his mobility.

With our other hand use the Immolator's secondary fire mode to send some slugs downrange towards him.

Don't use Carnifex until we have more Meter, we want to make full use of our time with it active.

Have the bits keep on firing at him, their first priorities is dealing with any projectiles he throws that they can do anything about, second is aiming for sensors, joints, and other weak points.

Keep our distance, dodge around a lot, keep on building up Meter and if he wants to play a ranged battle of attrition with us than he is free to be our guest.

If he goes in for a Charge then Cobalt Boost a Plasma Caster, aim for center of mass.

>>29624510

>>29624518
>Let's NOT take to the air, looks like he's got some kind of mass acceleration power. We don't have perfect aerial mobility. Stay on the ground and don't stand still.

Alright, I'll back this. We could cobalt boost our rifle bits easily enough while maintaining barrier - its 2% per bit.

Disrupt is 60% with the guantlet, though We can afford that.

The easiest way to finish this is just to feed him to the Nihl. A quick kill will make the rest of them think twice. Plus the longer this goes on the more HP we'll lose thus increasing the chances the remaining 7 will try and turn US into that loot pinata...

>>29624560
>>29624518
>By the same token, no Tau Gun. Don't stand still to take hits

Why no tau gun? Its not a railgun. We can fire it while moving.

>>29624560

Revealing the nihl sphere in front of everyone hs is a fucking terrible idea

>>29624542
Boosting the bits is wasted. unless we boost their (evasion) speed. he will crunch them very soon. And they don't seem to hurt him. I'm surprised he bothered to take one out.

Maybe if the remaining bits focus on shooting him in the face, that'll annoy him.

>>29624577

>why no tau gun

Because something that takes an eternity to aim and fire at knifefighting range is smart now.

>>29624586

I'm just saying that the longer this fight goes on, the more likely the remaining 7 will see an easy kill in Joker if they get the idea to team up and gank us.

>>29624586
I don't like to spam a comment so close after the last, but this needs to be adressed.

Use the Nihl. The Red Joker is expected to have Fatal Abyss-level relics.

And Nihl/Argus sweep the fucker to see weaknesses or something else

>>29624592
>Maybe if the remaining bits focus on shooting him in the face, that'll annoy him.
I just played DUST 514.
As a sniper. I did plenty of kills.
We were winning, so one retard on our team stood in front of my face and shot and punched to annoy me. I didn't know that it was possible for someone to invade your private space in a videogame.

Anyway, I'm absolutely in favor. Shoot at his eyes.

>>29624598
>Because something that takes an eternity to aim and fire at knifefighting range is smart now.

Its not a bad idea if you Disrupt someone at the same time to land hits
Also firing twice in a turn with a booster isn't slow.
Its more like a heavy pistol than a sniper rifle, like you're thinking of

>>29624610
>Anyway, I'm absolutely in favor. Shoot at his eyes.
The one he doesn't need to see to hit us? Tyrant flare didn't work btw.

>>29624609

He DOES have Fatal Abyss level relics. It's called the Joker Cave.

That he jacked from Kraken.

>>29624627

we STILL need to see what's up with that sarcophagus we jacked from kraken. Stop ignoring it every time we're at the sun, guys :V

Cybele's Emblem - The mark of the serrated sun - flares with pellucid blue flame: A twin to the hellfire glow of Iron Ogre's symbol. Your Cobalt Booster feeds power to it, and...

-Nothing happens.

The Immolator sketches itself into existence: Green schematics snapping into sharp relief, your finger squeezing hungrily on the trigger - The gun *booms*, searing shells scorching through the supernova light, burning away from you on trembling blowtorch tails. The spray of flame and sparks makes Iron Ogre stagger - He shoves his hand in your direction and-

Something solid and impossibly dense *slams* into you; It's just a blur, but the momentum it communicates is *tremendous*. Your reinforced armour doesn't give, under the strain - But the impact hurls you backward, and you smash into the wall hard enough to crack it. You rebound from it, as the floor rushes up to slam you in the face with stunning force-

...This really isn't your day.

You will more power to Cybele's Emblem, and nothing happens.

"Had a falling-out with your bitch?" Iron Ogre rumbles - Winding up for the swing, his shadow hulking and brutal as his mace rears back. "-I can fix that."

(Continued)

>>29624647
>You will more power to Cybele's Emblem, and nothing happens.

The other emblem. Remember it's shape

>>29624645

We're delegating tasks now. Tyrian is on that.

>>29624647

Try Hellebore's Emblem.

>>29624609
>>29624560
The Nihl Sphere is too big to use. We don't want to encourage people who know what it is to try and take it from us. We got lucky in the pickpocketing incident; if Megumi had lifted the Sphere we'd be fucked.

>>29624627
More like, it's called "Being the Red Joker". We take it for granted, but look how most of these guys reacted to the Hollow Sun weapons that are inferior to our base gear.

>>29624647
Haha oh wow, that's not good.

>>29624659
>>29624663

Hellebore MODIFIED Cybele's emblem. Probably won't work.

>>29624647
>...This really isn't your day.
The dice gods have spoken.

>>29624671
>Haha oh wow, that's not good.

>>29624404
>Also, sinistral at l3 may deflect his explosive hammer back at him. If we still have it
lets just hope that works :V

Do you really want to continue combat at a heavy speed disadvantage?

>>29624647
Boosted Sinistral might work to keep this from bashing our skull open.

Guys. We have our codeburst nullifier running.

HINT HINT

>>29624699

Hm. Just noticed this
>This Codeburst creates a ravenous swarm of armor-consuming parasites - Vaguely reminiscent of locusts - to devour any enemy within line of sight. While individually weak, the sheer weight of their numbers can be substantial; Also, the summoned swarm is surprisingly resilient to physical force.

Worth using?

>>29624693
It looks like he's got an acceleration power. It's not that he's naturally fast, he can just speed things up suddenly. So he's fast. Disrupt should take it out.

>>29624699
This doesn't block codebursts, just ones targeting us. We'd get a message if something hit us.

We probably SHOULD drop Barrier though, it's not doing anything but draining. Forgot to suggest it earlier.

>>29624696

Wait. Better idea. Can we use an l3 sinistral to -shear through- his hammer's haft and make the head go flying away?

He's using it with a LOT of force. If you swing it right into a cutting edge, it only amplifies it. And the sinistral is very, very sharp

>>29624713

If Sanic had this emblem we'd be toast.

>>29624724

Crisis arm might be better at wreckin it completely.

>>29624706
I'm not sure. It depends on if him doing his speed thing in the swarm would end up with a pile of splatted bugs, or him not being able to move as well due to all the bugs in the way.

>>29624730
Everyone gets an emblem for their weakness.
Our weakness is armor.

Very funny, Cybele.

Fuck you.

>>29624736

Actually, our weakness is that we are a jack of all trade. We have something for nearly every situation and every range imaginable, but when we go up against someone specialized, that's when we run into trouble.

>>29624663
>>29624659

(It's the same Emblem, actually - There was a slight modification made to Cybele's Emblem, but there's been no noticeable change.)

You hear the air whistle as the hammer comes down-

...As you trigger EXEC_DISRUPT. The sound is a sharp *bang*, a thunderclap of displaced air - Wrong-footed, Ogre stumbles forward, committed to a swing with a weapon that no longer exists. "What-" he has time to growl, in blank surprise-

And you shoot him in the face.

At this range, the shot tears into his helmet: The impact flips him backwards, his hands coming up to claw at his faceplate, growls of distress wrenched from his speakers. The sounds are strangled, choking, an unmusical squeal as Iron Ogre's fingers wrench at the shell as you stagger to your feet...

-You distress him further, an instant later, when you set his head on fire. The Immolator switches modes, with a chugging *cough* - A cone of sour, glutinous flame erupting forth from the blackened barrel, bathing him in napalm. "RRRRRAAAGGGGHHHHHHHH-" Momentary blinded, Iron Ogre blunders past you - He swings a fist down, hard enough to crack the tiles, missing blindly - Then swings again in your vague direction, each heavy, splitting blow delivered with lethal force.

The Sinistral hums, as the field builds - Expanding to a brilliant wedge of shearing energies, your right arm reconfiguring itself as the Plasma Caster's schematics overlay the limb: The muzzle choke expanding, chambering a charged Cobalt round-

An expanding halo of plasma shot engulfs Iron Ogre, high-velocity scattershot punching through his armour at last - You hit him broadsides, flechettes shearing through his thick iron plate, punching new holes through his cuirass and greaves - He lashes out, blindly, and catches you with an opportunistic sweep; His shoulder drillspike chattering as it bites into your armour, for a grinding, churning instant before you wrench yourself free.

(Continued)

>>29624746
To be fair, she's a hurt little girl who realized that love is a two way street, and more than just mind control

She saved our life and had us ragequit from the saving.

She's fucking pissed at us.

>>29624780
And? Fuck her. Be pissy all you want when it doesn't matter, not in the middle of a fight.

Warms my heart to know that she will never get the armor.

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>>29624772
>>29624772

Wait a minute, Rock Bison is that you?

>>29624797

Hm. We don't need the emblem to heal. We could Consume him to top ourselves off

>>29624814
Ahem, sorry. COnsume as in the codeburst, not as in feeding all of him to the sphere

>>29624814
>>29624823
We should do that. I don't think being battered around these chimps is a good idea. They need a show of force.

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>>29624814
>>29624823

Death, they would understand.

RED JOKER feasting on their souls would be a terrifying thing and probably get more of them to either run or gang up on us.

>>29624772

"YOU CHEAT!" he roars, in blind fury - Sinking to one knee, his left leg giving out: Sparks flare at the knee joint, as it struggles to take his weight-

The cracked tile of the floor is dappled with checkerboard shadows, then the whistle of incoming artillery. Spheres of superdense iron - Each one as big as your head - slam down on all sides, each one materializing for a bare instant before it plummets down: The dry *crunch* of each impact like the snapping of brittle bone, as his rage plays itself out.

You're hammered - buffeted - by the random barrage: You bring the Sinistral up in time, but the sphere slams into it with so hard, the shield *splinters* in a scatter of energy fragments. Another sphere grazes you from behind - The third one slams into your back, with staggering force: You stumble forward, a step, just out of reach of Iron Ogre's clawing hands.

One of your Rifle Interceptors lets out an electronic squeal as it's crushed by the pitch-black meteors; The other three flit around him, like flies tormenting their prey, stitching his form with their searing scalpel-lasers. There are rents in his armour to exploit, now - Smoke boiling out from the ragged holes, as his hand closes on his helmet...

-And he pulls his face off.

(Continued)

>>29624765
The Red Joker's specialty is having a stupid number of plasma weapons. We're actually quite specialized in that most everything we do involves energy beams somehow. Our problem is with enemies that resist energy beams, More Force and a Vulcan upgrade should end the problem.

>>29624797
Christ man, she's mentally ten at most, and she's spent years on a spaceship that did nothing to break her of the notion that the world revolves around her.

>>29624814
No we couldn't, that's a finishing move and he's not cooperating. Besides, we're keeping the Nihl Sphere in the same cabinet we keep the fact that we have a weapons factory, the one marked "TOP SECRET AIN'T ENOUGH".

>>29624850

Tell me we didnt lose the sinistral, fuck.

>>29624861

Field went down again. Took a beating.

>>29624861
The energy field that it projects was destroyed again. Remember, the Sinistral is the armguard, it projects a force shield.

>>29624850
Well, this is not going to end well for us.

Nothing ever ends well when people take off their faces.

>>29624850

It's sudden, and absolutely horrible. Metal shrieks as it rends, pulling away entirely: Beneath, you make out raw myomer fibre, staring eye-lens set in features of twisted cable. You actually hear your audience wince aloud, at the primal, vicious sound he makes: He flings the twisted sharpnel to the side, fixing you with one furious eye-

"I *see* you," Iron Ogre snarls, his fingers twitching into claws - "I'm going to pull you *limb-from-limb*-"

HP: 154.7%
COBALT BOOSTER: 13%
ASSAULT SHROUD: 78.2%
METER: 26%
RIFLE BITS: 3/5 (3 ACTIVE)

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>29624898
Tyrant burst for blindness. Then shoot him in the face again.

>>29624746

Dude, we really were kind of a dick to her, that time. She was willing to seriously injure herself to help us, and we were pretty cold to her in response.

No wonder she's sulking.

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>>29624898

Argus lock.

Chain Mine the fucker.

>>29624906

Not sure if it'll still work but his helm is off... So yea, try that.

>>29624887

Douse his face with the Immolator. Use the last of our juice in the booster to blind him. Get that delicious chain mine rolling.

>>29624898
"Hello, Ugly."
Flash him, but don't take any second chances and start moving right after. Aim the Immolator at his face so that he guards it and shoot the Chain Mine at him.

>>29624898
>METER: 26%

SO CLOSE to tier 3.

Stare him in the eye, give him the Finger as a gesture - and cobalt boost one lone single rifle bit and lance out his camera in that moment of eye contact. Use an argus lock to ensure hit.

>>29624906
didn't work last time. This plan is superior due to, you know, damage.

>>29624937

taunt "Now you see me, now you don't"

>>29624898
Two steps back and Immolator to the face. I recall that bullets that get lodged do horrific damage.

"Just so you know, this gun came from the cache as well. Good night, Beast."

>>29624898

I'm starting to think our next relic upgrade should be the interceptors from the Joker Cave. Our little social justice warriors are starting to come to the end of their usefulness.

>>29624898
Argus lock him.

Cobalt Boost our active Rifle Bits, have them aim right for his exposed eye.

Shoot him in the head with the Immolator flame, all of those exposed wires are extremely vulnerable to fire. It'll also blind and enrage him.

Then hopefully we have enough Meter to drop a Chain Mine on him.

>>29624898
Cobalt boosted immolater right in the face sounds good.

>>29624906
>>29624919
>>29624926
>>29624929

Your Tyrant Burst system flares - This time, you actually see the mechanisms of his helmet working, automatic glare-shields deploying: The lens of his armour darkening to momentary opaquecity, as you level the Immolator in his direction...

His arms come up, as you bathe him in raw flame. The firestorm swirls around him, a vast exhalation of furnace-heat as he lumbers forward - Smoke trails from the scorched fibres of Iron Ogre's face, twitching in the approximation of a lipless snarl. He's on his last legs: Whatever power he was using before, he's exhausted it in that last display of fury.

It's your turn to deal punishment.

>>29624919

Your Argus sensor pings, as you hold your arm level: The boxy launcher of the Chain Mine shimmering into existence, the crosshairs thrumming with the golden glow of a target lock. Laughter ripples from the stands above - It's an expression of pure schadenfreude, a collective enjoyment that comes as you prepare to deal the coup de grace.

"STOP-" Iron Ogre bellows, the sound blasting forth from his chest.

"LAUGHING-"

(Continued)

The *whoosh* of the Chain Mine's launch drowns out his words. Smoke boils around you, as the multi-stage warhead streaks across the narrow distance: Already deploying, honeycombed segments falling apart - Magnetic explosives tumble away, on tiny vernier thrusters of their own: They hover in the air, bright and malicious, before their simple targeting sensors lock onto the target-

They converge, in a cloud of overlapping explosions - The detonations shaking the arena floor, the brilliant blasts blossoming over Iron Ogre, sowing havoc. Black smoke pours from the holes in his shredded armour: He's burning from within, the massive, corded myomer fibres that make up his musculature charred to nothing, glowing, half-melted shards of iron sloughing to the ground.

In a font of burning metal fragments, his left leg snaps off, spinning him to the ground: With a crunch, he falls heavily onto his wounded flank, everything below the knee reduced to smoking scraps.

Somehow, he's still alive: The raised horns of his armour have snapped off, his face scorched all the way to the metal skull - One drillspike still rumbling, the other sparking and twisted from the blasts. The fingers of one remaining hand dig into the ground, as he tries to claw his way towards you...

He grinds to a stop, acutators fusing. His Emblem bleeds azure light, twisting strands coiling upwards from his left pauldron - As if fighting to pull free of him.

"You - rrrrrrggghhhh - *You*-"

Iron Ogre's arm locks at half-extension.

"-I *surrender*." It sounds like he's chewing rocks, a shudder racing through his scorched form. "I surrender, you bastard. I *give*."

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>29625147
>He grinds to a stop, acutators fusing. His Emblem bleeds azure light, twisting strands coiling upwards from his left pauldron - As if fighting to pull free of him.
Did his Hyades just tell him to give up or did he fight against the brainwashing in order to give up?
For the former, we should kill him. For the latter, he'd make a nice ally.

>>29625147

Hmm, should we play the crowd?

Like a gladiator?

>>29625147
Just kill him. He's unstable, wouldn't have spared us and I don't want him at our backs when shit hits the fan.

>>29625166

I don't think it works that way. From the previous threads, it looks like there's simply a compunction to love your hyades partner. It's just that we're not affected by the bond in the slightest.

>>29625147
I say let off. This is a pretty novel experience, someone actually surrendered to us.
Make sure to remind him not to be an asshole the next time someone gives him free stuff.

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>>29625147

We need a talk with him. At least to inform him of the mind control.

"Yes. Yes I did. Did you know the Hyades mind control their champions? Every last one I've met has loved them at first sight. Know that you are being used. Their pawn to play with."

>>29625166

Well it appears to be trying to sever the bond somewhat. Talking to him would extend the time we have before we might have to kill him.

In that time we can see if it is possible for the emblem to disappear completely. Then theres hope we don't need to kill Kouichi.

>>29625147


Have I earned your respect now?"

Extend your hand.

"Call me naive. Call me a fool. I refrain from killing allies, Ogre. Especially if those allies are strong enough to go toe-to-toe and live to tell the tale."

>>29625147
Look down at him and give off a mad cackle of laughter. And begin drawing our symbol on the floor surrounding Ogre. Not too close to him though.

"You started this Ogre. You chose to tangle with the Red Joker.

Give me a reason, give me a single good fucking reason to believe you won't try and stab me in the back later to get revenge for me kicking your teeth in just now."

>>29625196
let *him* off.

>>29625147
"You know the RULES, Ogre. Winner takes all, and don't fuck with the Joker. You lost, so everything that's yours is mine. Your faction, your knowledge, and the time when you die. That's the only offer you get."

OP, can we overcharge codebusts? I want to spend all the Cobalt Booster we have left on a permanent Exec_Harrow in his facial cavity. Full featured, so if he betrays us it's a fingersnap and he burns from within.

>>29625210
Not here. Save the Hyades talk for elsewhere.

>>29625147

>guys, he's surrendering
>guys, THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE
>GUYS, WHAT DO WE DO?!

>>29625147

I'd say we should let him go. We've established who's top dog by beating some sense into him. If we kill him, we lose access to whoever's in his faction.

>>29625226
>>29625216

I think it'd be even more badass if we could get the killsat in orbit to slowly draw the Joker Symbol. We'd just be standing there and suddenly a small beam of light descends into the arena and carves the sign.

>>29625239
Now we can finally test if non-lethal damage causes bad luck.

>>29625239

Shit, you're right. There was that one Player Natsumi begged up to spare, which is going to bite us in the ass later, but this is the first time someone has SURRENDERED to us.

>>29625172

That makes us look weak. It's not a democracy: We spare him, or we kill him. It's up to us.

>>29625147

"I won't kill you. Not before we're done with the op. Not before you've seen what we can do in alliance. Not before you've recovered enough to challenge me again, if you still want to when we're through."

"But all this only applies if it's the real Ogre talking. Not the Hyades puppetteering you."

>>29625270

I think we should spare him. It'll make him look even weaker amongst his fellow warlords as he actively begged for mercy.

This is a politics straight and simple.

>>29625283
I think we should spare him just to see what happens.

>>29625293

This really.

Is so odd we've never actually had this happen before.

>>29625147

"You can apologize to my partner first. She's angry enough with me as it is."

>>29625147
"I'm not sparing your life, it's mine now and I'm lending it to you, you can earn it back by slaughtering Smilers.

And apologize, to me for scuffing my armor, and to my partner for insulting her."

>>29625328
>>29625344

I'll veto this, mostly because we're the ones who pissed off Cybele, not him.

>>29625347
He did call her a bitch, yeah we have our own troubles with her, but that doesn't mean we like people calling her a bitch.

>>29625347

It's brownie points. If she's watching, she'll see that we defended her 'honor'. What little she has anyway.

>>29625226

(Unfortunately, no: It would cease to apply when he left the Red World, at any rate.)

>>29625276
>>29625283
>>29625293
>>29625196
>>29625304

"You-"

It's a hiss, a kindled glow in those sulfurous eyes. Iron Ogre's head ratchets back, looking up at you - An awful, choking noise, like the gears of a machine grinding together, echoing in the arena's space.

It takes you a moment to realize that he's laughing.

"You're a total bastard, Joker," he growls, but it's somehow approving: He reaches up, and his massive, plated fist closes around your gauntlet, accepting the support. His joints groan, as he hauls himself upright - Sparks flickering from the ragged stump where his left leg ends.

Somehow, he manages to right himself - Gears meshing, internal gyroscope whirring as he towers over you. He shakes his head, the raw mechanisms squirming and ratcheting where they haven't been scorched bare.

He doesn't let go, not until his armoured forearm bangs against your damaged arm, with a dull metal-on-metal clang:

"This is my battle wound," he says, in that scraping, grinding voice. "This is your battle wound. Our wounds are one. Our Essence is one." Without the helmet, you can make out the maw where his mouth should be - Slate-grey shards the shape of iron nails cross-stitching the hollow grille of his vox.

"-I know what you are now, Joker," Iron Ogre grates - Releasing your hand at last, the half-light giving his eyeslits a feral yellow glitter.

"Like you say: Don't fuck with the Joker."

He gives you a ringing slap to the shoulder that sends you staggering, almost overbalancing in the process: Gyros whirr perilously as he hauls himself back into alignment, motes of emerald light bleeding from the rents in his armour.

"Now: Let's go kill some fucking *Smilers*."

JOKER QUEST

EPISODE 76

TO BE CONTINUED

>>29625147
You know, I *should* kill you. I mean, you rumbled with the Red Joker; you've been around long enough to know what that means. So here I am, wondering why I haven't just finished this yet and if I really, truly NEED you. and the answer, Ogre, is yes. Yes, I *do* need you, because I'm throwing down against Pazuzu, and Rust Kaiser, and Kraken, and all their assorted scum and slaves. I kill Smilers, Ogre. Because I hate them. Because I hate Pazuzu. Because I won't be complete till I've erased every last one of those fucks from the world. So, yes, I need you. I need everyone who is willing to kill those smiling fucks. Consider this a gift from God, Ogre, that I hate Pazuzu so much more than I could ever hate you.

(Figured this would be impressive enough for him and everyone else we won't look weak for not killing him.)

>>29625350
>>29625355

(My sincerest apologies, I missed those two - However, I'll be sure to keep them in mind for the next session.

Gentlemen, I'd love to continue - However, it's extremely late on my end, and I'm entirely exhausted. My apologies for the late start: I'm still recovering from a bout of fever, and I'm not in the best condition.

This looks like a natural end-point, for now: I was intending to cover more ground, but this went in a unexpected direction.

Good night and God bless: I hope to catch you again next week.)

>>29625434

I think we made a bro. That makes 3 Hyades' champions that we've signed a mutual truce with.

>>29625456

Was fun. Looking forward to the next one.

Wonderful, now there's two cripples going to war.

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>>29625457
Reminds me of someone.

>>29625500
The difference is that we aren't godmodded.

>>29625500

...

I never made the connection until now. How horrifying. We really are a friendship monster.

>>29625498

I'm actually curious about that. We've always transitioned out at the end of an arena match to the real. We've never once transitioned back to the red from an arena. Will be interesting to see if we actually do regain all of our HP and expendables.

>>29625456
Thanks for running OP. No relapses, please.

>>29625519
Red Joker has a gun that shoots black holes. I think he might be godmodded.

>>29625567
>Red Joker has a gun that shoots black holes. I think he might be godmodded.
If he was like Nanoha, he'd be shooting black holes while in civilian form after strengthening the gauntlet between the worlds.

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>>29625647
Still a lot of time for that to happen. Mid-season dramatification, yeah?

Pic unrelated, it's that guy whose name I always mix up with the statues from Zelda.

>>29625500

To be fair, this is literally the ONLY player we've befriended via combat. Everyone else just died. We never fought Bishamon and the other dudes, or even Chrome Cypher.

>>29625794

I'm personally glad the OP avoids the more melodramatic of the speeches. Some of them are enough to make me cringe in reflexive shame.

>>29624671
>We don't want to encourage people who know what it is to try and take it from us
Who's going to take it from us ? We're the fucking Red Joker.

What goes for the Sphere goes for awesome ietems like the Carnifex, Sinistral, etc.

>>29624860
>we're keeping the Nihl Sphere in the same cabinet we keep the fact that we have a weapons factory
Which we revealed by spamming weapons from the beacon

>>29626001

I don't think they actually know about the Hollow Sun. They know that the guns are from somewhere, but that's about it.

I still think people have been rather horrible towards Cybele, though. I mean, she literally went:

> "The purpose of my existence is to be in love with you."

and we've reacted terribly. Sure, she's crazy, but it's a kind of crazy that's centered on us. It might not even be her fault.

>>29626140
>and we've reacted terribly
Partly due to the fact that Hecate might be still around. But were we and Hecate ever officially dating ? Did Hecate say she loved us ?

>>29626184

It would be such a punch in the gut if we rescued her and it turns out she doesn't actually love us. I think she did like us, at least.

>>29626140

Because that is actually exceedingly creepy and not attractive at all.

>>29626184

Not in as many words. But she stayed in an active combat zone to help save Joker and died for that.

Her actions speak for themselves.

>>29626209
And this is why we should go for the Hyades girl.
Assuming that she meant the love between a man and a woman, and not something else

>>29626209
>It would be such a punch in the gut if we rescued her and it turns out she doesn't actually love us.
One word:
Mio

This statement is kind of hipocritical.

>>29626254

Is that legal? Isn't she ten years old or something?

>>29626292
>Is that legal?
Says the killer.

>>29626292

No, that's just a guess. She was pretty young when she died, but it's been six years since then. Unless those years don't count, she's at least around our age.

>>29626260

Fuck, I nearly forgot. At this point, it seems to be a three-way conflict between Hecate, Mio and Cybele. I can't imagine this having a positive outcome, because every one of the girls are insanely jealous.

Too bad there's no harem route. Having Mio and Hecate in bed together would be amazing.

>>29626375
Cybele wants freedom more than our love.
The love thing was only an issue because we were supposed to be brainwashed.

Give her freedom and she is happy.

Mio and Hecate, though, will be messy. Especially because Mio will likely play the "Don't worry, choose Hecate and I'm happy for you!" role and then kill herself or something.

>>29626475

>Especially because Mio will likely play the "Don't worry, choose Hecate and I'm happy for you!" role and then kill herself or something.

Oh god.

By the way, if we accidently Iron Ogre, be sure to replace him as squad leader

>>29626375

I hope that once the Quest is over, OP will cover the alternate routes we didn't take. This has been one of the most interesting quests so far, in the vast amount of possibilities we've missed.

I personally want to know what the other combinations in the beginning would have given us, and what would happen in other 'routes'.

>>29626601

We should probably go with his squad. He seems to be a stand-up kind of guy after the compulsory fisticuffs.

>>29626556

I'n waiting for the meltdown. Personally, I about 50-50 convinced that Naoya is banging her like a brass drum.

>>29626715
>Personally, I about 50-50 convinced that Naoya is banging her like a brass drum.
No matter what we do, if that's true, I want us to murder the guy.
Technically, we are in the wrong here. But that's absolutely in-character for the Red Joker.
Hurt him and he'll casually murder you, even if he was worse himself.

>>29626184
>But were we and Hecate ever officially dating ? Did Hecate say she loved us ?
Well, we officially asked her out. Don't think she ever put it in words, though the dynamic was definitely there.
>>29626375
>Too bad there's no harem route. Having Mio and Hecate in bed together would be amazing.
Fuck no. All the girls being jealous and selfish is one of the things I love about Joker Quest.

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>>29626715
>I'n waiting for the meltdown. Personally, I about 50-50 convinced that Naoya is banging her like a brass drum.
I laughed at this more than I should have. I'll need to ask the guy from /a/ to make a corrupted version of Mio's pic and add "rape isn't so bad after the 10th time".

Red Joker - Master at both human and orkish diplomacy, as well as Russian marketing.

And don fuck his girls or he'll fuck you with a piston.

>>29626318
She's older.

>>29626475
If only. She wants both, and she has a child's mentality towards these things.

>>29630838
>If only. She wants both, and she has a child's mentality towards these things.
Let's make this VERY clear:
Are you talking about her being mentally a child and physically a woman or her being a child in both ways?

Because children can not fall in love. They can only get crushes, which are very harmless.

>>29630920
Physically adult, mentally a child. And some children react VERY poorly to not getting their way.

>>29630983
She will grow up very quickly.
The reason for the selfishness of children is that they don't have empathy.
Part of it is because the necessary hormonal development happens during puberty.

>>29631020
Not necessarily. Ever read about the Russian orphans, the ones who grew up basically without human contact? They're permanently damaged because they lack proper socialization, and even years of therapy can't undo the damage.

>>29631105
I only know about some children that grew up with animals.
It was quite fascinating to read that they don't react to cold.

But she did have a proper childhood before she was caught in her own Reality Marble.
I lost quite a few years as a teenager and had lots of bullshit to suffer through as a child, but somehow I manage.
...Well, actually, I AM permanently damaged, but let's ignore that.

So what the hell are we going to do if our and Ogres' HP does not recover? Ogres beat to shit and we're about 3/4 of the way to shit. If the two of us don't recover, we can basically rule Ogre out from this OP right from the start.

>>29632783
Pretty sure we're going to go to the Hive through the real world. Logging out and logging back in should heal us up.

If not, we wait for one of the periodic rejuvenation waves that I can't remember the name of.