Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Muv%20Luv%20Royal%20QuestTwitter: @ReverseChompPastebin: http://pastebin.com/vW6dDi1u------You are Flying officer Julian Reber of the Royal Air Force. Humanity is fighting a losing battle against the BETA, an alien menace that now dominates most of the Eurasian continent. You are one of the elite few who were chosen to spearhead the reclamation of continental Europe. You've spent the last few weeks establishing a defensive perimeter around your forward operating base at Calais until the logistics people manage to get their hands on enough fuel and bullets to support a larger operation. Your recent schedule has been nothing but sleep, food and patrol or guard duty and you don't remember the last time you had a conversation that lasted longer than five minutes. That's why it's so unusual for you to be off duty. Your best guess is that the logistics are almost done and that command wants TSFs going out on missions today. Which, if you're right, probably means you'll be pulling an all-nighter. Until then, you can spend your time however you want.>Sleep! If you do need to pull an all-nighter, you don't want to be kept up by stimulants.>Hangars! You don't want to go out on a mission with your TSF set to default settings.>Intelligence! Check out what's happening so you don't have to rely on guesswork.
>>29757615>Hangars! You don't want to go out on a mission with your TSF set to default settings.Muv Luv stims are probably damn good. But if we get a chance for a nap as well, take it.
>>29757615>Sleep! If you do need to pull an all-nighter, you don't want to be kept up by stimulants.HOWEVER to add to this, I assume we have a phone/some way to message people. Shoot of a message to our favourite local mechanic and tell them to re-remove the limiters and stuff like last time.
>>29757615> Hangars! You don't want to go out on a mission with your TSF set to default settings.We can have someone go over there and dig for info while we fix our squad's machines.
>>29757695This. We know our TSF and are damn good the best at making it better, but other people can grab intelligence for us
>>29757615>>Hangars! You don't want to go out on a mission with your TSF set to default settings.If you want a job done right...
>>29757721You know, we should talk to the chief mechanic or someone to have our settings be the default for our crew.Saves us trouble in the future.
>>29757615>>Hangars! You don't want to go out on a mission with your TSF set to default settings.
>>29757761Yeah but the guys who run this base are dicks for uniformity, that's why our changes were taken away.
what the hell happened after that party?
>>29757761Yeah, would probably be a good idea for us to find a way to do that.>>29757803>the guys who run this base are dicks for uniformityYou have anything to go with that baseless claim? We've modified our TSFs before, idiot
>>29757847Well obviously we had a foursome, with the Kerbal brothers recording it. It's gonna be spread around the base in a day.
>>29757866Yes, we have modified it. Guess what happened after the mission, they were removed and put back to the original settings. We even had that told to us.
>>29757847we'll find out when we interact with everyone.
>>29757615>>Intelligence! Check out what's happening so you don't have to rely on guesswork.
>>29757866they're just following protocols man.
>>29757895That's called regulations. If you think they're being dicks for scrubbing the system while repairing it, you're a retard. Having new guys brought in and piloting TSFs with modified systems and safety protocols disengaged would be a terrible idea.
>>29758004Clearly someone wants to argue over a small joke of calling our superiors dicks. Good for you. I'm obviously the retard here.
>>29757977Wrong guy m8, I'm not against regs or the people who enforce them. I just meant that we will probably have to get permission from the higher ups to permanently keep the changes we make to the squads TSF systems.
>>29757615You take a look at your clock. The afternoon is just starting, which means it's an acceptable time to visit the hangars. The drugs haven't let you down yet and you'll get all the intel you need during the briefing - if there is one. Engineering will keep your mind off things in the meantime.It's snowing outside. The maintenance crew will have to clear out the roads and runaways, but it looks like it'll just be a formality. It doesn't look like there'll be a storm and it's not even so cold that you need to put on a cold weather uniform. The hangars are is neat and orderly as you remember and while the crews seem busy, it looks like they're keeping up with the workload. Flight lieutenant Wright is overseeing the whole thing from her desk.You casually walk up to her. "Good afternoon, Flight lieutenant," you say.Wright looks up at you and smiles."Good afternoon, Flying officer," she says. "Are you here for the vodka or for the modifications.""Modifications, for now," you say. "I think I'll pass on the vodka for a while. Robinson and I were almost caught by the MPs on our way back to our room and I'm too busy to spend time locked up in the brig.""Perhaps I should bring a bottle to your room next time, then." Wright sorts out the documents on her desk and stands, beckoning you to follow her. "We've just finished working on your squad's TSFs. Please, follow me."You follow her through the hangar. Despite the number of workers going about, it's surprisingly easy to navigate. There are clear walking lanes between all the work stations to prevent obstructions."This is probably going to be a recon mission," Wright says, "so what kind of modifications would you like?">Link the onboard sensors to the seismometers and the satellites.>Coordinate the targeting systems for optimal firing solutions.>Loosen the safeties for agility, same as usual.
>>29758215>Link the onboard sensors to the seismometers and the satellitesIf we're on a recon mission, we'll need that.
>>29758215>Loosen the safeties for agility, same as usual.Then this if time allows>Link the onboard sensors to the seismometers and the satellites.Targeting doesn't seem as important since most of our guys have Gunnery.
>>29758269>recon mission>reconIf only the life of TSF pilot, Julian Reber was that simple. I wouldn't even be surprised if we were the only one who came back alive.
>>29758312That's Muv Luv for you, but it's best to be efficient in our given duty.
>>29758215>Loosen the safeties for agility, same as usual.
>>29758215Prioritize as follows>Loosen the safeties for agility, same as usual.Having worse maneuverability than you're used to is way more dangerous than having slightly less precise targeting.Then >Coordinate the targeting systems for optimal firing solutions.if we have time.Keeping track of the sensors and communicating it to the boots on the ground is Knight's job, after all, and she's been perfectly reasonable at it.We're unlikely to be under metal clouds that will disrupt comms during a pure recon mission, so we shouldn't need hardwired sensors.
>>29758215>>Link the onboard sensors to the seismometers and the satellites.
>>29758269supporting
>>29758215> Link the onboard sensors to the seismometers and the satellites.> Loosen the safeties for agility, same as usual.The first one will help Knight as well as be of use during a recon mission. The second one is for when shit hits the fan.
>>29758389>>29758270These
>>29758215>Loosen the safeties for agility, same as usual.Yeah, depending on how used to this we are, having lowered agility could fuck us up, if only because of instincts.
>>29758215>Link the onboard sensors to the seismometers and the satellites.this first. When we have time, loosen agility controls
>>29758215"If this is going to be recon, let's start with the sensors," you say. "If we have time after that, we tweak the settings for agility.""As you wish," Wright says. "I'll call a team over right away."A lot of the work is simply software, but there are some hardware modifications that need to be tailored to each pilot in the squadron. The default settings are decent for everyone, but the small changes that turn a default TSF into a Storm Vanguard or a Blast Guard add up to a significant difference.>(roll 2d20)
Rolled 4, 8 = 12>>29758672
Rolled 16, 4 = 20>>29758672
Rolled 16, 5 = 21>>29758672
Rolled 2, 2 = 4>>29758672Rolling.
>>29758672Under Wright's guidance, the engineering teams quickly get to work and overhaul Arthur squadron's Tornadoes. The work on the sensors is over quickly; it only required a few adjustments to the tacnet's software. Even optimizing the TSFs for agility doesn't take very long, despite the hardware involved. This isn't the first time they've done this and the crews know the routine. You run a quick check after the work is done and everything comes back green."Looks like you're ready to go," Wright says. "Which is good, because your briefing is in twenty minutes."You never got a notice for the briefing, but you know enough to trust right. "I better get going, then. Good afternoon, ma'am."She quietly waves you off as you leave the hangars. The briefing room isn't that far away, but you only just barely make it on time and take your seat next to Robinson. "Working at the hangars," she asks."Yeah," you say. "Bringing the safety regs back to combat level and coordinating the sensors.""Good," Robinson says. "I really don't like the look of that map."She points at the screen behind the Group captain and it looks like a complete clusterfuck. Arrows everywhere. Circles everywhere. Dots everywhere. X's everywhere. This mission is not going to end well. "All right, quiet down," Hall says. "We've got a busy night ahead of us, so let's get started."He steps to the side to give everyone a clear view of the map behind him.>(cont.)
>>29759040"This is what we got out of our seismometers and satellite coverage," he says. "Full battalions of BETA troops have been roaming all over the area between Lyon and our base. We're sending out all our fighter squadrons to track them down. If we can figure out what they're doing, great. If we can't figure it out, we kill them and call it a large-scale thinning operation. Hopefully, this won't get any more complicated. Any questions?"The briefing isn't all that informative, but looking at the map, you're not sure what else there is to say. It looks like a standard search and destroy mission, with some optional stalking if the opportunity presents itself. >Do you have any questions?
>>29759064composition of enemy forces?
>>29759064What are we to expect, and what's the evacuation plan?
>>29759064How many battalions of BETA are there in total? If there's a whole bunch we MAY want to bring an extra helping of Redshirts to this battle.
>>29759064>If we can figure out what they're doing, great....have we EVER been able to figure out what the BETA are doing?>>Do you have any questions?Do we have an idea of what we're up against? Just grunt troops, or are there laser-class as well? Forts?How much of what we found was due to the seismometers and will be comparatively harder to detect below-ground activity, and how much was available via satellite?
>>29759064How many Lasers? Will we get artillery support?
Rolled 5>>29759064The map gives you an idea of troop movement at the strategic level, but it doesn't give you much tactical information. "Do we have any more intel on enemy troop compositions," you ask."In total, there appears to be between 40 and 50 battalions of up to one thousand BETAs each," Hall says. "The exact composition of each battalion is difficult to determine, but they appear to be mostly Destroyers, Tanks and Grapplers. Some have a small number of Lasers as well. Readings from our seismometers are consistent with surface movements, so we don't believe any of the BETA are moving underground."Hall waits for a moment, but there are no further questions."All right, grab a quick meal and get to your TSFs!" You grab a handful of scones on your way out of the briefing room. It's not much, but it'll keep you full for a while. Robinson follows behind you, cheerfully humming a tune you don't recognize. Less than an hour later, you're in transit to the Calais base and Knight appears in your HUD to give you your precise route. "Good evening, Flying officer," she says."Good evening, Pilot officer," you say. "What have you got for us this time?"A map of France appears in your display, along with a line leading south. "Arthur squadron will be heading south towards Paris," Knight says. "Your priority is reconnaissance, but you will engage enemy forces at Group captain Hall's discretion. I will update your flight as necessary. Good luck." Your transport lands and you disembark alongside Robinson, your Tornadoes at the vanguard of Arthur squadron. You hear Hall through your comms. "Arthur squadron, move out! We'll start on foot and see how things go."You turn south and get moving.>(roll 1d20)
Rolled 2>>29759471
Rolled 4>>29759471Rolling.
>>29759490>>29759549Oh god... Those rolls.
Rolled 9>>29759471
>>29759490>>29759549>tfw horrible rolls>pic related
>>29759591I guess we're gonna experience Muv Luv.
>>29759770I bet the Kerbal bro's die first.
>>29759801Not like being an important character gives you any plot armor.Remember who was the first to die.
Rolled 20>>29759471
>>29759847WHY COULD YOU NOT ROLL THAT EARLIER?!
>>29759471You travel for several hours and encounter no BETA on your way to the objective. You're not sure if that's good or bad. You reach the edge of Paris, but your GPS is the only way you can tell. You've seen pictures of the city, but all the monuments - the ones even the Nazis couldn't bring themselves to destroy during the Second World War - are gone, or so dilapidated that they would be better off destroyed. At least in the pictures, they still look magnificent. "There's nothing here," Hall says, his voice obviously on edge. "Let's head back."It's on your way back that you notice it. It's a small dot on a satellite image. It's just a unexpected vibration that barely registers on the nearest seismometers. It's a spot on your infrared sensors that's just a fraction of a degree above what the ambient temperature should. But it all happens at the same time, and you don't believe in that kind of coincidence. You only just barely manage to notice it, but it's there."Arthur 1, Arthur Crown, this is Arthur 3," you say. "I got an odd reading on the sensors, about 75 miles East. I'm sending you the time stamp."You forward your sensor readings to Hall and Knight. "Hmmm... Could be something, could be nothing," Hall says. "Arthur 2, Arthur 3, how do you want to handle this?">"We might as well send the whole squadron." >"The two of us can do some reconnaissance and update you if there's anything.">"Log it and return to base. It's off our route and this is a decision for the analysts anyway."
>>29759931> "We might as well send the whole squadron."
>>29759931>"We might as well send the whole squadron."Go big or go home... We're going to die horribly.
>>29759931>"We might as well send the whole squadron."Ignoring it would probably be a bad idea, and sending only a couple TSFs is like asking to get killed.
>>29759931>>"We might as well send the whole squadron."it's a trap
>>29759991Admiral Ackbar get out of here, this is Muv Luv not Starwars.
>>29760022You're right, at least Ackbar survived that battle.
>>29759931>>"We might as well send the whole squadron.""If it IS something, we're going to be glad we had backup."
Rolled 14>>29759931"We should bring in the whole squadron, sir," you say."I agree, sir," Robinson says. "This is why we're out here in the first place and we're better off bringing the whole squadron in case something goes wrong.""Agree," the Group captain says. "Arthur Crown, I want full satellite coverage of the area. Let us know the minute something odd comes up. Everyone else, follow the Storm Vanguard."You start moving towards the disturbance at a slow pace. You've been going easy on the engines so far to conserve fuel in case there was a fight and you want to keep this pace as long as you can.>(roll 1d20)
Rolled 7>>29760205
Rolled 2>>29760205Prepare for fail!
Rolled 10>>29760205Rolling.
Rolled 15>>29760216>>29760219>>29760231Oh shit
>>29760216>>29760219>>29760231Did you guys piss off the dice gods again? Sigh, I'll start up the rituals and the sacrifices again.
Rolled 9>>29760205
>>29760216>>29760219>>29760231Yep, time to die.
>>29760205You keep moving until you finally see it. The clouds obstruct the starlight and everything is black in front of you unless it's within range of your TSF's lights, but you know it's there. No matter how hard you try to look away and tell yourself it's just a trick of the light, it's there. And you know it.It's just the first, jagged metal slab of the monument, but it's there and you know exactly what's under it.Your hand punches the Code 991 alert."I have visual confirmation of a monument," you say. "Repeat, I have visual confirmation of a monument approximately 100 miles northeast of Paris." Then the ground in front of you starts to collapse.>Fall back and wait for orders. >Hold position and shoot everything that comes out of that hole.
>>29760483>>Fall back and wait for orders.
>>29760483> Fall back and wait for orders.We're not equipped for this.
>>29760483>>Fall back and wait for orders.Oh shit
>>29760483Oohh fuck!>Fall back and wait for orders.
>>29760483Fall the fuck back.
>>29760483Oh fucking fuck fuck. >Fall back and wait for orders. Get the FUCK out of there.
>>29760483>Fall back and wait for orders.
Rolled 6, 12 = 18>>29760483"Reber!" You hear Robinson scream in your comms. "Get out there!"You don't need to be told twice. You turn around and boost jump back to the rest of the squadron."Arthur squadron, formation Wing 3," Hall says. "Knight, I need an update on the other squadrons." "On it, sir," Knight responds. Robinson takes her position at the point of the formation's right wing and you step in behind her. You're just in time to see the tanks charge at you. >(roll 6d20)
Rolled 4, 7, 9, 10, 4, 9 = 43>>29760678
Rolled 9, 10, 6, 1, 5, 16 = 47>>29760678Fuuuck.
Rolled 17, 16, 4, 8, 18, 15 = 78>>29760678
>>29760678Welp, never let it be said our missions are easy.
>>29760734Just a recon mission they said. Nothing serious they said.
>>29760771Next thing you know they'll be saying "It's just going down to the store to buy some bread, nothing serious" then Russia will invade England and the BETA will then attack England's flanks.
>>29760678The combined firepower of your squadron is more than enough to destroy the Tanks. It looks like there were only a few dozen of them digging tunnels. "Arthur 1, this is Arthur Crown," Knight says. "Lancelot can be at your position in about two hours.""Understood," Hall says. "The question is, what do we do now?"You've accomplished your mission, so no one will hold it against you if you fall back to base. On the other hand, the brass will want this place gone and mapping it now and thinning out the BETA will make that a whole lot easier. You can also wait for reinforcements from Lancelot, but that would also give the BETA time to converge on your position.>"Sir, we should head back to base.">"Sir, we should go in now.">"Sir, we should just wait for Lancelot."
>>29760888>"Sir, we should just wait for Lancelot."
>>29760888>>"Sir, we should go in now."play it cautiously, though
>>29760888>"Sir, we should set up a defensive position while waiting for Lancelot. We have no idea what could come our way, setting up a solid position is our best plan.
>>29760921I support this one hundred percent. At least set up position between the Hive and base.
>>29760888>"Sir, we should just wait for Lancelot.">>29760921I think that's the plan anyway if we're waiting for reinforcements. Hall isn't stupid.
Taking a defensive position is part of waiting for Lancelot, yes.
>>29760997Just had to make sure, wouldn't be the first time people just stood out in the open like lemmings.
>>29760888> "Sir, we should just wait for Lancelot."Will we at least have artillery support or something against laser types?
>>29761029It seems to be a tiny hive, so it probably can't produce Lasers yet.
>>29761062Can't be too sure, though.And reinforcements / tactical advantage never hurt nobody.
>>29761062When we have a monument above the ground, it is no longer a small hive.It is a large hive already. Class III?
>>29761212The monument is literally just the first slab. The Hive is still somewhere in the Phase 1 range.
>>29761262This might be Humanity's first victory against a hive then.Liberation of Europe and mankind intensifies.
Rolled 14, 6 = 20>>29760888"Sir, we should just wait for Lancelot," you say."Agreed," Hall says. "Command will want us to take a look at the hive, but we shouldn't take any risks. All units, maintain formation. This position is defensible enough for now. We'll relocate if we're overwhelmed."You sit back and wait. There's nothing else you can do right now. >(rolling...)
>>29761311Your vigil is miraculously uneventful. Lancelot arrives in other two hours and Hall begins to organize a surprise Hive infiltration. You've done the Volk simulations dozens of times and more than half of the attempts were successful, if you don't consider the squadron's survival to be a primary mission objective. However, those simulations were for a much more advanced Hive. This one must still be in the Phase 1 range and you caught it early. The BETAs swarming all over the area will probably converge here soon, but you can intercept them. If - when you assault this Hive in full, you'll probably face fewer numbers than you did in Calais. Hall's return interrupts your train of thought. It seems his conference with Lancelot is finished. "All right, we're moving into the tunnel," he says. "Storm Vanguard, take point. We'll map the Hive out as much as we can and then pull out. There's no use in taking any risks.""Yes, sir," your squadron answers.>Check with Robinson. Make sure she's feeling up for this.>Check with Knight. You'll probably lose your connection again, so you should make sure she'll be okay.
>>29761478>>Check with Robinson. Make sure she's feeling up for this.>>Check with Knight. You'll probably lose your connection again, so you should make sure she'll be okay.
>>29761478> Check with Robinson. Make sure she's feeling up for this.> Check with Knight. You'll probably lose your connection again, so you should make sure she'll be okay.
>>29761478>Check with Knight. You'll probably lose your connection again, so you should make sure she'll be okay.>Check with Robinson. Make sure she's feeling up for this.I guess we have enough time. In that order, just in case we lose our connection too early.
>>29761478>Check with Robinson. Make sure she's feeling up for this.>Check with Knight. You'll probably lose your connection again, so you should make sure she'll be okay.I'm kinda glad we got those sensor upgrades before the mission, could help inside a Hive.
>>29761478[x] Do both.Also, when we get the duo seaters, are still the storm vanguard or are we the middle man?
>>29761656Storm Vanguard forever. Gotta put the experimental prototype front and centre after all.
Rolled 8, 14, 13 = 35>>29761478"Knight, Robinson, can you deal with this," you ask."No, problem," Robinson says. "Just stick with me.""I..." Knight takes a moment to compose herself. "Yes, sir. I'll be waiting for you when you exit."You link up with Lancelot's storm vanguard and enter the tunnel. The rest of the squadrons follows behind you. You can't see anything in the darkness, but your infrared sensors can. There is a cylinder of heat coming for you. They're on the floor. They're on the walls. They're on the fucking ceiling. All you have is the initiative.>(roll 8d20)
>>29761698I am going to look forward to this Chomp anon.
Rolled 4, 8, 2, 19, 5, 16 = 54>>29761791
Rolled 13, 13, 7, 8, 8, 9, 17, 7 = 82>>29761791Rolling.
Rolled 12, 11, 2, 6, 17, 20, 6, 7 = 81>>29761791Oh, 8 dice.
Rolled 20, 18, 10, 11, 15, 18, 3, 11 = 106>>29761791
lest see if the imitative is enough.
>>29761832This is my anon.I am proud of him.
>>29761832Now let's just hope nobody dies... This may be a small Hive, but fuck it's a Hive someone's gonna die.
>>29761864Thanks, I'm the same guy who got the 212 roll the other day. I expect to fail incredibly hard soon
>>29761832You punch your engines and charge down the tunnel. Robinson and the rest of Arthur squadron follow you effortlessly, but Lancelot can't keep up and starts lagging behind. They're not in a precarious position yet, but they're going to be screwed if they don't get their shit together, and you really can't wait for them. Your counterattack is modest. A few Destroyers and Grapplers go down, but the Tanks take significant damage. It's not surprising, seeing as how they're everywhere and have no armour. Your infrared sensors give you a general idea of how to navigate. The BETA are probably digging outwards from the centre of the Hive, so you should be able to find an exit if you follow heat signatures, or you can head away from them and map out the Hive's interior. Of course, if you go in too deep, following a heat signature will probably lead you to the central chamber, which will be filled with thousands upon thousands of BETA. But you're the one driving this train, so it's your call. >Look for a way out.>Go deeper.
>>29762067>>Look for a way out.
>>29762067> Look for a way out.Can't risk Lancelot as well.
>>29762067>Go deeper.Go big or go home!
>>29762067Do we have an explosive belt?
>>29762067>>Go deeper.
>>29762210I don't think so. We came here for a recon, not to eliminate a hive.
>>29762067>>Look for a way out.are we even equiped for such an engagement
>>29762067The thing about hives is that there will be more beta than you can kill. So you want to be a mobile storm of destruction and keeps on moving.
>>29762067>Go deeper.Go big or go extinct.
>>29762236If we had a nuke, that'd be great...
>>29762210The S-11 Self-Destruct System is not part of your current loadout.
>>29762067Look for a way out
>>29762236>>29762256So we can't even go out in a flash of glory when things go badly.Look for a way out. However, we will be laughing stock of the whole town.We may even need to nuke this phase I hive.
>>29762255
>>29762315The 2nd /a/ TSF squads is made entirely of mirrors?
>>29762315Well I for one want to go DEEPER, but for everyone else? They want to leave like cowards.
>>29762288>nuking a phase 1 hiveWhy? To destroy whatever valuables will be inside instead of just bringing more reinforcements?
>>29762347>like cowardsDespite the naming of our units, we aren't knights. We don't fight for pride or honour, we're fighting for survival.
>>29762288What town?Seriously, though. We can fuck up some BETAs and have a proper cleanup later when we're properly equipped and have support.
>>29762379We are a Swiss Mercenary! Our ancestors would not flee at the sight of so many BETA! They'd think it a challenge!
>>29762418>We are a Swiss MercenaryNo we aren't.
>>29762443We like to think we are.
>>29762418True. But this is Muvluv.We will sacrifice half of our people.But it will be glorious. It will be for Humanity.
Rolled 9, 12, 4 = 25>>29762067You decide to look for a way out. You'll have mapped the outer tunnels and that should be enough to plan a Hive infiltration everything else. You turn towards the nearest heat signature that's in the general direction of where an exit should be and punch your engine boosters. Everyone else follows suit.>(roll 9d20)
Rolled 19, 16, 6, 20, 19, 4, 15, 11, 15 = 125>>29762502
Rolled 15, 10, 8, 8, 6, 18, 19, 14, 2 = 100>>29762502Rolling.
>>29762512Perfect 20. No one roll.
Rolled 12, 3, 12, 13, 4, 20, 3, 5, 10 = 82>>29762502
>>29762512You turn the corner and... *something* pings your sensors from inside the Hive. You can roughly tell where it's coming from, even through the walls, but you don't have time to worry about it right now. Elaine takes point and you quickly follow her lead. Now, it's Arthur squadron that's lagging behind, but they're keeping it together. Lancelot manages to make up for their earlier blunder. You even manage to gun down some more BETA on your way out. Your sense of direction turns out to be entirely accurate and you exit the Hive's tunnel. You and the rest of the squadrons keep low, just in case there are any Lasers waiting for you on the surface. Knight immediately returns to your HUD."Welcome back," she says. "Have you found out anything?""We have a partial map of the interior," Hall says. "We're bringing our flight recordings back now."The Hive may still be in its infancy, but those recordings or immeasurably valuable. If anything, the fact that the Hive is still new makes them even more important. As far as you know, there isn't much information available on the construction of Hives. The Calais base is in chaos when you return. Everyone parts for your two squadrons and you immediately get on your carriers to be ferried back to Dover. Everyone must be losing it over the inevitable Hive infiltration they'll have to deal with.You, however, are thinking about that signal you detected. >Leave it to the analysts. >Make a copy for yourself and see what you can find.
>>29762875>>Make a copy for yourself and see what you can find.
>>29762875>Make a copy for yourself and see what you can find.
>>29762875>Request some time to collaborate with the analysts on investigating the signal we recorded.Having someone who was there when the readings were taken, as well as who was inside the hive itself to corroborate any of their theories about what the readings mean might help them with any questions they might have. And we get to do a bit of our own poking around as well.
>>29762875We are the engineering officer. If we can't understand it no one can.
>>29762875Intel will probably want to take your Tornado's flight recorder right away, along with everyone else's, so you surreptitiously make a second copy of the odd signal in your communication logs. That'll give you plenty of time to have a look at it yourself. If the analysts want your opinion on what happened during the Hive, they'll probably ask you anyway. You quickly get to Dover and unload your TSF. Both the Dover and Round Table bases are far more active than they usually are this time of night. However, all the roads to the hangars are clear. It turns out the hangars are also much more active than they usually are. You settle your TSF in its usual spot and the engineers get working on the flight recorder before the engines have time to cool off. The stimulants will keep you up for a while longer and you have that signal to analyze. But you're not sure if you can analyze it on your own.>Ask Robinson for help. A layman's opinion might be useful, and she's your wingman.>Ask Knight for help. She'll have all the intelligence on Hives.>Ask Wright for help. She has all the computer equipment.>Ask two of them for help. [Specify which.]>Ask all three for help.
>>29763319>>Ask all three for help.
>>29763319>Ask all three for help.
>>29763319>>Ask all three for help.it's good to have many perspectives.
>>29763319You don't want to go behind Robinson's back, Knight probably knows all there is to know about BETA Hives and you know Wright has the best computer equipment around. "Robinson, Knight," you say, "I'd like your opinions on something. Can you meet me at the hangar?""Sure," Robinson says."Yes, sir."You exit your TSF and go looking for Wright. She's still sitting at her desk coordinating all the work, but she's visibly tired. Still, she smiles at you and stands when she sees you."Welcome home, Flying officer," she says."Thank you, ma'am, but I'm in a hurry," you say. "I picked up an odd signal in the Hive. There's a copy of it in my communication logs, and I'd like you to help me analyze it." She raises an eyebrow, but she doesn't seem to oppose the idea."Very well," she says. "I'll have a crew remove your communication logs and bring them to my other hangar. The three of you can meet me there once you're changed."You don't bother asking how she knew Knight and Robinson were going to be there. You quickly change back into your uniform and find Robinson and Knight waiting for you outside the locker when you're done. You briefly explain the signal you found, and that you would like their help analyzing it in Wright's lab."Sure," Robinson says. "But why do you want my opinion?""Because you're my wingman," you say, as if it were blatantly obvious. The guards don't obstruct you when you get to Wright's hangar. She's waiting for you outside, and she leads you through the labs rather than through the hangar itself. When she reaches one of the computer labs, you see a familiar face sitting at a desk."Hello... Reber, was it?" Dodger says.He looks... not well, but at least better than he did the last time you saw him. Wright doesn't seem surprised to learn you two are acquainted. Robinson and Knight seem a bit curious, but they don't ask."Hello, Dodger," you say.>Ask Dodger how he's been.>Get to work right away.
>>29763955>>Ask Dodger how he's been.
>>29763955>Ask Dodger how he's been.Hopefully he's no longer so depressed.
>>29763955>Ask Dodger how he's been.
>>29763955dude! how's it been man!
>>29763955"So, how have you been?""It's been... difficult," Dodger says. "I'm working on the Sangreal's OS now. We were rushing the production since we can get it finished faster than the Excalibur. It won't be ready to assault that new Hive, but it should be ready for Lyon. It's just... not the same..."You put on a pair of retinal display glasses to get an idea of what Dodger is doing and sit next to him."The same as your lady?""Yes," he says softly. "It was a miracle that we could be together. It's impossible to *create* an artificial intelligence; they have to create themselves in response to some stimulus.""Wait," you say. "You're working on artificial intelligence?""Oh, yes," Dodger says. "My colleagues and I have determined that AI support is a necessary component of 4th generation TSFs. My lady wouldn't be suited to such a task, but if I could get her back..."You lean back and think about what Dodger just said.Artificial intelligence... the possibilities for piloting and targeting systems are one thing, but the true power of it would be cyberwarfare. You're tempted to call it a waste of time, but then you remember those Balalaikas...>Thanks to your interactions, Dodger has learned a new skill. Please vote for which skill you would like him to unlock:>Bluff>Computers>Engineering>Gunnery>Stealth
>>29764352>>Computers
>>29764352>ComputersEither this or Engineering would make the most sense.
>>29764352>StealthIsn't this the guy who we get EXP for keeping alive? Lets improve that by giving him stealth!
>>29764417I think that's supposed to be Brian Boitano or whatever his name is.
>>29764352>Computers
>>29764352>ComputersWorks to his strengths and it may let him get to his lady through some tech wizardry.
>>29764417nope, thats group commander Hall, aka Sean Bean>>29764352>Computers
>>29764417Wrong guy, but that'd be leaning on metagaming territory
>>29764352>Dodger has unlocked Computers."I'll leave you to your work, then."You walk to Wright, Robinson, and Knight, who are all wearing the retinal displays. They're looking at a satellite picture of the Hive, along with the accompanying seismic readings and the infrared readings from your TSF. The location of you TSF at the time of the signal is indicated, as is the signal's estimated point of origin. Dodger wanders in behind you. "This looks interesting," he says. You get to work on the analysis. >(roll 4d20)
Rolled 15, 9, 6, 13 = 43>>29764671
Rolled 15, 16, 11, 19 = 61>>29764671Let's see what they find.
Rolled 11, 6, 16, 17 = 50>>29764671
Rolled 10, 4, 3, 19 = 36>>29764671rollan
>>29764791nice!
>>29764671Vivian immediately points at the estimated location of the signal's source."That's definitely where the reactor would be," she says. You take a close look at the signal's sine wave pattern. It lasted less than a second, but even displayed to the millisecond, the distance between each wave is extremely short. "It might be the signal from a high-speed computer processor," you say. "Especially if it came from the Hive's reactor.""Not just that," Wright says. "Have a look at your lifesigns at the precise moment the signal was broadcast." She brings up your suit's life support records and you see a sudden spike at the moment of the signal."It could be a form of bioelectromagnetic induction," Wright says.Behind you, Dodger just snorts."I could totally jam that signal," he says."Yes," Wright says. "Yes, you could. The equipment you'd need would be too big to deploy out in the field, but if the reactor is still being constructed, we might be able to disassemble it and bring it here."She quickly stands up and tosses her glasses aside."I need to speak with Hall," she says. "This could be the breakthrough we needed."
>>29765233So it can be either a human detector or a human fryer.
>>29765233MISSION REPORT- Unlocked one of Dodger's skills (1XP)- Learned about AI support for TSFs (1XP)- Elaine Robinson survived the mission (1XP)- Julian Reber survived the mission (1XP)- Richard Hall survived the mission (1XP)- Completed the scouting mission to Paris (1XP)- Discovered the new Hive (1XP)- Intercepted the reactor's signal (1XP)- Analyzed the reactor's signal (1XP)- Total XP: 9NOTES:- The Hive was discovered before the BETA could properly entrench themselves.- The partial map of the Hive will make the Hive infiltration easier. - Analysis of the Hive reactor's signal provided crucial knowledge of the BETA. CHARACTER STATUS:Julian ReberLevel 3 (22/30XP)Skills: TSF Piloting, Gunnery, Melee, Electronics, ComputersResources: Budget 1, Connections 3 (Swiss Government, RAF, Crusaders), Gear 3, Personnel 1, Rank 1
>>29765354it could be a trap too.well it's not like we have any choice.
That's it for tonight.The dice gods were kind and merciful today. You only just barely made the roll to detect the Hive. If you'd failed that, the Hive infiltration would have become a hell of a lot harder.Next thread will be Sunday at 7PM EST. The Hive infiltration begins. Good night, folks.
>>29765398We only got 1 xp for each of those things we did related to the hive? It might have been only phase 1, but still
>>29765398thanks for running!
>>29765466Night!
>>29765466Good night
Rolled 17, 6, 7, 12 = 42>>29765487from what I've seen, each 'task' only gives 1 xp, its the number of 'tasks' done that determines how much we get
>>29765640I noticed that's how it's been, but why?
can we get more than one shitty XP please? it's getting really annoying now.
