>>31370733
It's time to come up with a plan.

>Deploy seismometres and lure the BETA in. It's the surest way to do it.
>Send out search parties. You don't want to attract attention.
>Forget the tunnels and begin an aggressive culling campaign. It'll save you some time.

>>31370743
> Deploy seismometres and lure the BETA in. It's the surest way to do it.
> Send out search parties. You don't want to attract attention.
We did something similar back when we were scouting that hive, didn't we?

>>31370743
>>Deploy seismometres and lure the BETA in. It's the surest way to do it.

>>31370733
I just finished Alternative today, so this is relevant to my interests.

EVERYTHING PAST EPISODE 7 (inclusive) IS SUFFERING

>Deploy seismometres and lure the BETA in. It's the surest way to do it.

>>31370743
There's no telling when you'll be needed back in England and you can't let the BETA keep their advantage. You need to find them and flush them out as soon as possible. That means setting out seismometres and laying out some bait.

You draw mark out some general areas of interest on your map based on current estimates of where the tunnels are located. You have a lot of ground to cover, but the zones closest to the forward operating bases are more important. You also draw some rough flight paths for the TSFs to follow. You'll need to figure the details out on the fly - if your plan works at all - but you need to make sure reinforcements are always in range.

You roll up your maps and your notes and bring them to Group captain Hall's office.

Your commanding officer is sitting at his desk, drinking some coffee. Going by the look on his face, it's not a very good cup of coffee.

"Sir," you say. "I have a mission plan for you."

"Good." He holds out a hand for the map. "Let me see."

You give him the map, which he unrolls over his desk so he can look at it. He nods slowly a few times and adds a few notes. Finally, he looks back to you.

"Good work, Knight," he says. "It's a bit of a risk, but we need to get this done and to be honest, our reputation could use an impressive victory. I'll coordinate with the local forces and make an announcement once we're ready. You're off duty until then."

"Thank you, sir."

It'll take a few hours for Hall to sort everything out, so you have some time to kill.

>Start thinking about a follow-up operation.
>The Typhoon's command unit needs some work.
>It's been a while since you had a break and you could use a nap.

>>31371310
> Start thinking about a follow-up operation.

>>31371310
>>Start thinking about a follow-up operation.

always make backup plans too, as many as the chinese alphabet.

>>31371310
>>Start thinking about a follow-up operation.

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>>31371310
>The Typhoon's command unit needs some work.

>>31371310
>Start thinking about a follow-up operation

>>31371310
>>The Typhoon's command unit needs some work.

>>31371310
You decide to go back to the office you were given and pull out some of the most extensive maps and records. You had what you needed to solve your immediate problem, but once that's done, you'll need to deal with the rest of the BETA. Italy gets most of its BETA from the Lyon and Budapest Hives, but after all the damage your forces did in France, it's unlikely that Lyon will be sending reinforcements any time soon.

If you render the tunnels non-viable, it might be possible to send some forces around Italy and ambush BETA reinforcement. The timing would have to be perfect and you'd probably need some bait, but it would reduce the pressure on the Italian front for a while. Maybe you could get Julian to intercept BETA signals again and use the intel to plan your attack?

You keep working on your next plan until Hall calls a Arthur squadron to a general briefing through the carrier's speakers.

The briefing room isn't much, but at least there are enough chairs for everyone. You take a seat next to Elaine, who's sitting next to Julian. The two of them great you as you arrive.

"What have we got today," Elaine asks.

"Seismometres to start with, then we'll be acting as bait," you say. "It's dangerous, but it's the best option."

"That'll give us some intel, but if the BETA did dig tunnels..." Julian trails off for a bit. "I'll be honest, I don't know how we can deal with them. Even if we collapse them, they can just build more."

"I'll come up with something," you say. "They might make good kill zones."

>(cont.)

>>31371950
Group captain Hall goes through the briefing. You came up with the plan, so there's nothing you didn't already know. You look around for questions or grumbling, but everyone's nodding in agreement.

"Once we're in position, we'll converge on the first BETA group that gets in range," Hall says. "Don't stray too far and don't get isolated. Dismissed."

The pilots clear out of the room to get to their TSFs. You follow them out to get changed into your own fortified suit.

>Get changed in the women's locker room.
>Get changed in the Typhoon.

>>31371970
>>Get changed in the women's locker room.

>>31371970
> Get changed in the women's locker room.

>>31371970
>>Get changed in the women's locker room.

>>31371970
>>Get changed in the women's locker room.

>>31371970
>Get changed in the women's locker room.

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>>31371970

>Get changed in the women's locker room.
Zero fucks.

>>31371970
You follow Elaine over to the women's locker room. You can't help but notice that she's staring at you from the corner of your eye as you change into your fortified suit. Or rather, she's staring at your semi-transparent red underwear.

"If you're tired of military-issue underwear, I can get in contact with my smuggler and get you something nice when we get back to Dover," you say.

"Thanks, but I'll pass." Elaine winces a little and shakes her head. "I'm not actually that enthusiastic with my feminine charms."

"Julian would probably disagree." You finish putting your suit on and it tightens around your body. "The way you hang off him some times, I thought you'd want some extra help."

"It's different with him." Elaine makes a few adjustments to her suit's fit and contracts it until it becomes skin tight. "I think. It's normal for casual to soldiers to be casual with each other, but that's not all it is. For a while, I was desperate for any kind of company and he was the only man I could trust. There are things I'd like to do, but I need to sort this out first."

You hug Elaine from behind and gently whisper in her ear.

"You can do those things to me if you want."

"Vivian, I think I liked you better when you were an annoying nobility fetishist." Elaine gently frees herself and kiss your cheek. "You're bloody scary now, but I think it might be better for us that way. It'll be worse for the BETA, at least."

The two of you leave and you climb into the Typhoon's cockpit. You lean in to kiss his cheek and take your seat behind him.

You plug your fortified suit into the Typhoon's computer and the strategic map of Italy appears in your retinal HUD.

"We're ready to go," Julian says.

>"Understood. Proceed to point 1 near the shoreline."
>"Understood. Proceed to point 2 near the forward operating base."
>"Understood. Proceed to point 3 near enemy lines."

>>31372579
> "Understood. Proceed to point 1 near the shoreline."
Let's do them in order.

>>31372579
>>"Understood. Proceed to point 1 near the shoreline."

>>31372579
>>"Understood. Proceed to point 1 near the shoreline."

>>31372579
>"Understood. Proceed to point 1 near the shoreline."

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>>31372579
>"Understood. Proceed to point 1 near the shoreline."

Rolled 13, 11, 7 = 31

>>31372579
"Understood," you say. "Proceed to point 1 near the shoreline."

You replace the strategic map of Italy with a map of the area of operation and its surrounding areas. Red dots appear to indicate Arthur squadron's three flights as well as the helicopters carrying the engineering team.

"Arthur vanguard, heading for point 1." Elaine confirms her orders. The other flights soon confirm their departure as well.

"Arthur middle guard, heading for point 2."

"Arthur rear guard, heading for point 3."

Your HUD track Arthur squadron's progress towards the areas of operation. The engineering teams follow at a distance after you. The TSFs settle down first and check the area for BETA, but the scanners linked to the flight's tactical network come back clear.

"Looks like we're clear." You broadcast your directions to the flight. "Maintain the perimeter until the seismometres are up."

"At this distance, we should be fine," Julian says. "You should focus on the other flights."

"The system will alert me immediately if one of the squadron's TSFs declares Code 991," you say. "And I won't let myself become distracted."

The helicopter settles down and the engineers disembark to install the seismometres.

>(roll 3d20)

Rolled 10, 1, 6 = 17

>>31373065
Volling

Rolled 9, 12, 20 = 41

>>31373065
Rolling.

Rolled 8, 7, 4 = 19

>>31373065

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>>31373088
oboi

Rolled 2, 18, 4 = 24

>>31373065
woo just woke up

Apparently the sea and the dice gods don't get along well.

>>31373065
Point 3 gets its seismometre set up and transmitting first, despite landing last. You don't know why, but work at points 1 and 2 is proceeding very, very slowly. Meanwhile, you sit back and do your job. You wait.

Just as your engineering team finishes its work, the rear guard at point 3 declared a code 991. You immediately spring to action and switch your display to their tacnet. They detected the enemy thanks to their seismometre, but the BETA aren't heading for them, they're headed for the middle guard at point 2.

The helicopter you were escorting departs. You see the helicopter at point 3 depart as well.

The problem is point 2. They know the BETA are coming, but it looks like their engineers are still working. The middle guard might need help to fend off the BETA, but you have enough information to pinpoint the location of the BETA tunnel. You might be able to flank the aliens.

> Head directly for point 2.
> Head for the tunnel and call your rear guard to flank the BETA.

Rolled 15, 6, 4 = 25

>>31373346
we have a pretty good roll with >>31373101 so we shouldnt be too screwed

>>31373402
> Head for the tunnel and call your rear guard to flank the BETA.

>>31373402
> Head for the tunnel and call your rear guard to flank the BETA.

>>31373402
> Head for the tunnel and call your rear guard to flank the BETA.

>>31373402
>> Head for the tunnel and call your rear guard to flank the BETA.

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>>31373402
> Head for the tunnel and call your rear guard to flank the BETA.

Rolled 1, 19, 7, 15 = 42

>>31373402
You tag the general location of the tunnel's entrance and transmit it to the vanguard flight. You then tag a point around the middle of the BETA column and send it to the rear guard.

"Arthur vanguard, head towards the BETA tunnel. Arthur rear guard, prepare to intercept the BETA in a flanking manoeuvre. Arthur middle guard, hold your ground and protect the engineers. Prepare for updates as needed.

The vanguard heads towards the back of the BETA while the rear guard prepares to hit them from the side. As you get closer, you pull up satellite coverage of the BETA to get a better idea of their formation. It looks like Destroyers and Tanks are at the front, with Grapplers lagging behind. There are only a few Lasers, but they're still a cause for concern.

"Arthur squadron, be aware, there are Laser-class BETA in the field," you say. "Prioritize the Lasers, but do not endanger yourselves."

You make slight adjustments to the flight paths you plotted out as you get closer to the BETA and get a clearer view of what you're coming up against.

>(roll 3d20)

Rolled 15, 1, 19 = 35

>>31373783
Volling

Rolled 16, 10, 12 = 38

>>31373783
Here we go.

Rolled 19, 11, 12 = 42

>>31373783

Rolled 11, 12, 10 = 33

>>31373783

captcha:sixty ururag

thats a nice number captcha

Rolled 9, 17, 8 = 34

>>31373783

>>31373783
You quickly cycle through the cameras of 14 different TSFs to get a full perspective of the battlefield. The Tornadoes at point 2 bunker down to prepare for the onslaught. You order them to shift their position a little to get a better angle on the incoming Destroyers.

The rear guard reams the BETA in the side and cuts their formation right in half. Meanwhile, you catch the tail end of the BETA. Before they can turn and attack, your flight dives right into them. Julian's sudden turns and accelerations were hard to deal with at first, but you're accustomed to them now. You focus on the battlefield and relay orders as necessary.

"Middle guard, maintain position. Rear guard, head towards point 2. Vanguard, head towards the rear guard."

There were only a few hundred BETA in the first place and they took massive losses. It shouldn't be hard to wipe them all out if you attack them from behind. The Destroyers can't turn in time to intercept your TSFs and even the more nimble Grapplers can't make it through; they get stuck in the mass of Tanks. You catch a few glimpses of the Lasers, but they none of them ever get a clear shot and they're quickly shot down.

The frenzied battle lasts for an hour, but it felt much shorter. Your tactical display indicates low ammunition across the board, but no significant damage.

But you still need to deal with the tunnel.

>"Arthur squadron, regroup on our position. We're moving together."
>"Arthur vanguard, secure the tunnel. Middle guard and rear guard, secure the surrounding areas."

>>31374086
> "Arthur vanguard, secure the tunnel. Middle guard and rear guard, secure the surrounding areas."

Rolled 14, 9, 9 = 32

>>31374086
>"Arthur vanguard, secure the tunnel. Middle guard and rear guard, secure the surrounding areas."

>>31374086
>>"Arthur vanguard, secure the tunnel. Middle guard and rear guard, secure the surrounding areas."

Rolled 13, 4, 18 = 35

>>31374086
>"Arthur vanguard, secure the tunnel. Middle guard and rear guard, secure the surrounding areas."

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>>31374086
>"Arthur vanguard, secure the tunnel. Middle guard and rear guard, secure the surrounding areas."

>>31374086
"Arthur vanguard, secure the tunnel. Middle guard and rear guard, secure the surrounding areas."
You receive a round of confirmations. The vanguard heads straight for the tunnel while the other two flights search the area for more BETA.

"That's an aggressive move," Julian says.

"I thought it was a prudent course of action," you say. "We can back out if something comes at us from the tunnel, but things won't go well if we're surrounded ambushed, even if we do have backup. It's best to secure the area first before we move forward."

"I'm impressed." You can't see Julian's face, but you're certain he's smiling. "Most people would just assume regrouping is the prudent choice. Good thinking, Vivian."

The vital sign display in your HUD makes it blatantly obvious that your heart rate just went up. You ignore it and focus on the map.

"We should be coming up on the tunnel entrance soon," you say.

The tunnel is massive, much larger than even a Fort-class BETA. The entrance looks like it was caused by a sinkhole, but the way the tunnel quickly turns horizontal makes it clear that it was artificially made. If it was just a hole going straight down, you might have assumed that a swarm of BETA had dug it up, but the walls look too even. It's similar to the inside of a Hive, but it doesn't have the inhuman blue glow. This is something else.

"Want to go in," Julian asks.

>"Take us in. We need more information."
>"No, we're reporting back to the carrier. A fresh squadron can secure the place."

>>31374637
> "Take us in. We need more information."

>>31374574
Nice pic.

>>31374637
>"Take us in. We need more information."

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>>31374637
>"No, we're reporting back to the carrier. A fresh squadron can secure the place."

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>>31374637
>"Take us in. We need more information."

>>31374637
"Take us in," you say. "We need more information."

"Arthur squadron, this is Arthur 3. I am moving in."

"Arthur 3, this is Arthur 2. I'm following your lead."

Without hesitation, Elaine and Julian walk into the tunnel. It's dark, but the TSFs' lights provide enough visibility and your sensors work fine. There are none of the jamming effects that are usually found in Hives.

You've been walking in the tunnel for 30 minutes, but you haven't found anything yet.

>(roll 2d20)

Rolled 15, 8 = 23

>>31375053

Rolled 3, 11 = 14

>>31375053

Rolled 17, 16 = 33

>>31375053

Rolled 19, 12 = 31

>>31375053

>>31375102
Good roll.

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>>31375053
Something pings your sensors in the distance. Something big. Very, very big. But you can't tell exactly what it is. You hesitate for a moment and check your element's status. Both TSFs have some fuel and ammo left, but you're not sure how long it'll last.

"We're good for a short fight," Julian says, sensing your hesitation. "I can always switch to melee if I have to."

"Good, then take us in."

"Understood. Elaine, we're going in closer."

The Typhoon takes point this time and Elaine follows behind you.

You go deeper and deeper into the tunnel, but your sensors don't get any clearer. Even when the thing is right around the next corner, you still don't have any idea what it is. You hold your breath as Julian moves the Typhoon forward.

You don't know exactly what it is, but it's definitely a BETA. It's large enough to fill the entire tunnel - it's probably what dug the tunnel in the first place - but it's turned away from you. Probably. At least, the part that's right in front of you doesn't look like something's head or face.

There's no way you can take that thing on.

"Should I engage?"

Julian seems to disagree.

"I can't guarantee I'll hurt it, but I still have a few 120mm bullets."

>"Attack the massive BETA."
>"No, we have what we need."

Rolled 18, 1 = 19

>>31375421
>"No, we have what we need."
we got more than we need

>>31375421
> "No, we have what we need."
Fuck that thing.

>>31375421
>>"No, we have what we need."

NOPE.jpg

>>31375421
>>"Attack the massive BETA."


What is that?

If it's big and we have 120mm rounds so we're good

>>31375537
>What is that?
That is not a question you should be asking when voting to attack the gigantic BETA...

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>>31375421
>"No, we have what we need."

>>31375421
>"No, we have what we need."

I wish now to leave please thank you.

>>31375537
It's a carrier strain. A BETA beehive, if you will. It carries loads of smaller BETA, is over 150m in size and is capable of resisting battleship fire.

>>31375421
>>"No, we have what we need."

"but take a few potshots from the edge of your range, knowing if 120mm rounds can penetrate its hide would be useful"

>>31375421
"No, we have what we need." You open a channel to Arthur 2. "Elaine, we're getting out of here now."

There is a slight pause.

"Julian offered to shoot at it, didn't he," Elaine asks.

"Yes," you say. "Yes he did."

"God DAMN it, Julian!"

"I have bullets let, it looked like its back was towards us and it was probably stuck in the tunnels," Julian says. "I don't think it could have turned to attack us."

"We'll come up with a way to deal with that thing once we get back," you say. "For now, we are getting out of here."

"Understood."
"Understood. Hang on to something, Vivian. I'm burning the rest of our fuel getting back to the carrier."

The trip back is indeed incredibly fast. Julian pushes the Typhoon's engines until warning lights start flashing in your HUD; TSF maintenance is not your speciality, but you know Julian is going to have a hard time bringing the Typhoon back in working order. You link up with the rest of Arthur's vanguard, and then the squadron. You shoot straight passed the fresh squadron that's coming to relieve you and secure the tunnel entrance.

You think back to the thing you saw in the tunnel. You're going to need to revise your plans for Italy's defense.

>Vivian Knight has unlocked Bluff.
>Vivian Knight has unlocked all her skills!

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>>31375952
MISSION REPORT:
- Richard Hall survived. (1XP)
- Julian Reber survived. (1XP)
- Vivian Knight survived. (1XP)
- Elaine Robinson survived. (1XP)
- Devised anti-tunnel plan. (1XP)
- Devised Italy occupation plan. (1XP)
- Deployed seismometres. (1XP)
- Located BETA tunnel. (1XP)
- Repelled BETA attack. (1XP)
- Encountered new BETA strain. (1XP)
- Vivian Knight has learned a new skill. (1XP)
- Vivian Knight has learned all her skills. (1XP)
- Total: 12XP

NOTES:
- The BETA tunnel has been located and will be secured using all available resources.
- A new BETA strain has been encountered. Countermeasures will be developed based on the available information.

CHARACTER STATUS:
Julian Reber (Main Character)
Level 7 (41/60XP)
Skills: TSF Piloting, Gunnery, Melee, Engineering, Computers
Resources: Budget 1, Connections 7 (Cerberus Battalion, Swiss Government, RAF, Crusaders, MI5, British nobility, Cherno battalion), Gear 4, Personnel 1, Rank 1

>>31375973
And we end right on time. Next thread will be Sunday at 7PM EST. We'll probably be MacGyvering some artillery.

'Night folks.

>>31376014
Thanks for the thread RC, cya next time

>>31376014
What would have happen if we had tried to shoot it?

>>31376014
Thanks for running man, great thread as always.
See you next time.

>>31376076
Mouth open, brigades of BETA, nigh-instant death? Muv Luv, for how fluffy it's name sounds, isn't exactly forgiving in it's brutality/

>>31376014
Good night, fun thread. It's pretty cool to play as other characters from time to time.

>>31376014
awesome, thanks for running this