Rolled 17, 14 = 31

>>32574763
>>Best to play it safe.
When they tell you "previous tests have been fatal to the pilots", you let them do the first test run with a stand-in.

Rolled 5, 10 = 15

>>32574763
>>Best to play it safe.

Rolled 17, 20 = 37

>>32574763
>>Best to play it safe.

>>32574876
Nice.

>Best to play it safe.

We don't want to turn into Julian jelly after all

>>32574763
You install the software and adjust the settings to fit the Excalibur's frame. Even Merlin would have trouble calculating the parameters of a Rutherford field that could lift a TSF without crushing whatever the TSF is standing on, but a small gravitational field that can pull your TSF upwards is easier both on Merlin's processing power and on the fuel reserves. Your supply of G-elements is, for most intents and purposes, infinite, but you don't want to take any chances. All it takes is one bad hit from a Heavy Laser or a small miscalculation on Merlin's part to ruin your day.

You create a second set of settings for combat situations that will make full use of the Rutherford field for both manoeuvring and defense. Merlin assures you that he can handle both at the same time, along with the cyberwarfare suite, if necessary. The drive is managed by his primary processor, while a secondary processor handles the cyberwarfare, strategic and piloting assistance programs, so the engine won't pose any additional strain.

Satisfied that the engines are properly installed, you step out of the Excalibur and climb down onto the carrier's deck. Mary's at her makeshift station a few yards away from you, but there's no one else around.

You grab a sack of potatoes Mary had brought with her for the test flight and drag it back up into the cockpit. As much as you have faith in your skills, there's always a chance things might go wrong and mashed potatoes are easier to clean up than a corpse.

>(cont.)

>>32575310
"Merlin, we're clear on this end," Mary says. "You can begin the test flight."

The artificial intelligence closes the cockpit and activates the Moorcock-Lethe drive and the Excalibur rises. Its flight is clumsy and unsteady, but for a vertical take off, it's still impressive. The TSF then moves back and forth and up and down while Mary looks over the flight data.

"I don't see any problems with basic movements," Mary says. "Merlin, begin combat speed experiments."

The Excalibur accelerates forward, this time much more steady. Its speed far exceeds what a TSF should be capable of. It soon breaks Mach 1 and then Mach 2 before circling back to its starting position over the carrier and landing softly.

"Impressive," you say. "If the potatoes are still in one piece, we can call this a success."

The potatoes are beaten, but that was to be expected, given the way the sack must have been thrown around. They certainly haven't been crushed like you were told previous test pilots had been.

>Call it a day. You have other things to do.
>Run another flight yourself.

>>32575330
>>Run another flight yourself.

>>32575330
>>Run another flight yourself.

>>32575330
>>Run another flight yourself.
Now that we've seen that it's not going to melt us, we should probably get accustomed to the new hardware.

>>32575330
> Run another flight yourself.

>>32575330
>>Run another flight yourself.

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>>32575330
>Run another flight yourself.

>>32575310
It would be kind of hard to clean up our own corpse I think.

>>32575330
>Run another flight yourself.
Should be safe enough.

>>32575330
I for one want to see what a squad of Excaliburs is capable of against BETA.

>>32575330
You take your seat and plug your fortified suit into the TSF's computer to review the flight data. Speed and acceleration are well above your expectations, while fuel consumption is slightly lower. All things considered, it's a very impressive performance.

"Mary, I'm going to run another test flight to get used to the controls," you say. "Merlin, are you ready?"

'Affirmative. Please let me know if you have any issues with the controls.'

"I imagine I will."

It does feel incredibly odd for a TSF to go straight up and to just hang in the sky. You've piloted helicopters before, but it didn't feel quite like this. You fumble with the controls a bit, trying to get the hang of it, but it becomes easier as Merlin automatically adjusts the controls to make them do whatever it is you want them to do.

Soon enough, you're enjoying the enhanced thrust vectoring. The Excalibur changes directions almost instantaneously and you don't need to worry about where your jet engines are pointed at.

You even dip down into the ocean to test the Rutherford field. The waters part around you as you make contact with the surface.

'There are no anomalies,' Merlin tells you. 'It's a shame we can't test the Rutherford field against Laser-class BETA yet though.'

"Oh, I'm sure we'll have a chance to test it out eventually," you say.

>Thanks to your interactions, Merlin has learned a new skill. Please vote for which skill you would like it to unlock:
>Gunnery
>Melee
>Strategy

>>32575830
>>Strategy

>>32575830
>Strategy

>>32575830
>>Strategy

>>32575830
>Strategy
I fully expect the BETA to swarm us due to our combination of AI and equipment due to the way their targetting priorities work.

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>>32575830

>Strategy

>>32574763
>attacking murrica
better lube up!

>>32575830
>Merlin has unlocked Strategy.

You spend a while longer getting used to the Excalibur's controls before settling back down on the carrier. It's more tiring to handle than the other TSFs you've used, both physically and mentally, but it also has more tricks available to it once you get used to it.

A helicopter lands on the carrier's deck and a familiar face from MI5 shows up. You have no idea why she's here, especially since this should be MI6's territory, but it probably involves you doing her a favour again.

You have just enough time to get changed into your service dress before Vivian finds you.

"I just heard from Group captain Hall," she says. "Someone wants our assistance for a special operation. No one wants to let this drag out too long, so command wants to make a decisive show of force."

"You'd think taking out a Hive would count for something. Lead the way."

You follow Vivian to the briefing room, where Group captain Hall, Mary and the other squadron leaders are listening to M's analysis.

"Gentlemen, Europe's enemy remains, as always, the BETA," she says. "Our current conflict with America is a only a necessary formality so that we can focus on the war against the aliens without being bothered by distractions. As such, we have three main objectives."

>(cont.)

>>32576316
The slide behind her changes to a panoramic view of a city. You've never actually seen Washington, but it's not very hard to recognize.

"Our first target is the capital," M says. "Most government and military officials will have been evacuated by now, but destroying the seat of the American government will send a clear message. However, it is heavily defended by TSFs, tanks, mechanized infantry and anti-air missile emplacements."

The image changes again, this time to a building you don't recognize.

"These are the CIA's headquarters in Langley, Virginia," M says. "It contains all of the intelligence gathered by American agents during the last several decades. While there are most certainly backup archives located elsewhere, losing Langley would still cripple the CIA's operations for years. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that one of the CIA's top case officers has been recalled to Langley due to this conflict. This man must be eliminated no matter the cost. Langley is lightly defended by TSFs and anti-air artillery, but we believe it can call upon nearby bases for reinforcements."

The image changes again, this time to a mountain.

"This is the last target, Cheyenne mountain," M says. "It is a fortified bunker, almost impregnable and far beyond the operational range of most of our TSFs, so we will be assaulting it with our orbital assets. The military base at Cheyenne mountain houses the launch controls for the world's supply of G-bombs, the weapons used to destroy the Yokohama Hive. We do not believe America can unilaterally launch the G-bombs, but we won't take any chances. Cheyenne's defenses are similar to Washington's, but not as heavy."

>(cont.)

>>32576348
Group captain Hall passes some papers around, probably a more detailed breakdown of the resistance you can expect at each sight. Vivian joins the crowd of officers, while you step away and wait for M to tell you what she wants.

She walks towards you quietly once she's certain the officers are engrossed with the intelligence reports.

"Flight lieutenant Reber, I understand your TSF has recently been upgrade to its definitive model," she says. "In consideration for your previous battlefield achievements and your current assets, I would like to give you the chance to choose your target for the next engagement."

>"Send me to Washington. It sounds like you'll need all the TSFs you can deploy there."
>"I'll take Langley. I'll be in and out before reinforcements can arrive."
>"I'll lead the assault on Cheyenne mountain. The Excalibur can handle that kind of long-distance flight."

>>32576371
>>"I'll take Langley. I'll be in and out before reinforcements can arrive."

>>32576371
>>"I'll take Langley. I'll be in and out before reinforcements can arrive."


This seems almost ideal for us, and lets the rest of the forces concentrate on the Washington offensive. They'll need the bodies.

>>32576371
>>"I'll lead the assault on Cheyenne mountain. The Excalibur can handle that kind of long-distance flight."
let's make sure we don't ge t bombed

>>32576371
>>"I'll take Langley. I'll be in and out before reinforcements can arrive."

It's kind of amusing that the least militarily relevant target is also the one that's the most heavily defended. I guess that's symbolism for you.

>>32576371
> "I'll take Langley. I'll be in and out before reinforcements can arrive."
It'd be interesting to pit Merlin on them. Could he hack into their systems and steal some of their secrets?

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>>32576371
>"I'll take Langley. I'll be in and out before reinforcements can arrive."
Time for some computer hacking time with AI support.

>>32576371
>>"I'll take Langley. I'll be in and out before reinforcements can arrive."

Can we return the CIA's nuclear bomb to them?

>>32576696
Or at least use a couple anti-carrier missiles against Langley?

>>32576371
>>"I'll take Langley. I'll be in and out before reinforcements can arrive."

oh just think of all the fun an AI could have on the cia's intranet. even if they tried to wipe everything it is an Iron Clad rule of IT, that there is always someone who dos't follow instructions, so there is bound to be something for Merlin to find.

>>32576696
They'll probably retaliate with their entire nuclear arsenal, if they have similar countermeasures in place like they had during the Cold War.

>>32576371
"I'll take Langley," you say. "I'll be in and out before reinforcements can arrive."

"Good, I was hoping you would settle the business between our agencies," M says. "The Master needs to be reminded of how dangerous our business is. Good luck, Flight lieutenant. If all goes well, this should be our last business meeting."

"Likewise." You give the woman a respectful nod and go looking for the reports on Langley.

Due to the threat posed by terrorist organizations, does have some defenses, but it's mostly just F-15s. Not good enough to hold back a serious assault, but still much better than what you would normally expect from what's basically an office building, even if the building in question is where America locks up all its dirty secrets.

The anti-air artillery is a little bit of overkill, but it's not that surprising.

On the positive side, the place isn't a fortified bunker. If you can get to it, you can cause a lot of damage.

You motion Vivian over to a corner so you can discuss the specifics.

"I just volunteered for the Langley operation," you say. "What assets do we have."

"We should be fine with Arthur and Lancelot squadrons," she says. "We weren't able to restock the Sangreals, but a flight of them should be enough for something like this. We'll need to deploy the rest of them to Washington."

"What about the plan of attack?"

"I think we have two options," Vivian says. "The first option is a direct assault. It's simple, but we can use our numbers and firepower to quickly level the building. If we can't quickly level the building, we'll be surrounded. Our second option is to keep a force behind in reserve. That way, if reinforcements arrive before the initial attack force pulls out, the reserve force can attack and help us create a way out."

>"We'll go with a direct attack. We'll be out before reinforcements arrive."
>"We'll leave a force in reserve. I don't want to risk getting surrounded."

>>32576887
>>"We'll leave a force in reserve. I don't want to risk getting surrounded."

>>32576887
>>>"We'll go with a direct attack. We'll be out before reinforcements arrive."

The excalibur is a superlative raider compared to all other tsf's on the planet. Let's make use of it.

>>32576887
>>>>"We'll go with a direct attack. We'll be out before reinforcements arrive."

>>32576887
> "We'll leave a force in reserve. I don't want to risk getting surrounded."

>>32576887
>>"We'll go with a direct attack. We'll be out before reinforcements arrive."

>>32576887
>>"We'll go with a direct attack. We'll be out before reinforcements arrive."

We can use a tactic similar to the naval battle. Let the excalibur go in first, blow up the AAA and tap into the tacnet to let our tsf's steamroll. Blow up langley with a lot of concentrated firepower and get right out.

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>>32576887
>"We'll leave a force in reserve. I don't want to risk getting surrounded."

>>32576887
>>"We'll leave a force in reserve. I don't want to risk getting surrounded."

"its the cia, the question is not do they have a nasty surprise, but how many"

>>32576887
>>"We'll go with a direct attack. We'll be out before reinforcements arrive."

>>32575830
I do have to wonder why making a squadron or two of excaliburs isn't a crash priority project for the EU. These things are seriously gamechanging.

>>32576887
"We'll go with a direct attack," you say. "We'll be out before the reinforcements arrive."

"All right, I'll spread the word. We'll be starting the operation in three hours."

You frown. Three hours really isn't a lot of time for an attack of this scale. Your target isn't too heavily defended, but Washington and Cheyenne are very different beasts. The forces going there are going to have to improvise.

Then again, it won't be worse than improvising against the BETA.

You grab a bite to eat and then have a quick nap until Elaine comes by to wake you up.

"We're heading out in half an hour, so you'd better get dressed," she says. "I heard you volunteered us for the Langley operation?"

"Someone had to do it," you say. "Besides, I want to see what the spooks do when they have TSFs aiming 36mm assault cannons at them."

"Hack our TSFs, most likely."

"Oh, I've got that covered."

Vivian's waiting for you in the Excalibur's co-pilot seat. You take your place in the pilot's seat and run your pre-flight check.

"All green on my end," you say. "How about you?"

"I have flight paths and targets ready to transmit," Vivian says.

'I am ready to access the enemy's tactical network,' Merlin informs you. 'I will provide updates on my capabilities as appropriate.'

>(cont.)

>>32577393
You're the first one launching off the carrier, along with Elaine. You're close enough to the American shoreline that you can actually see it, along with a row of buildings, but you're not being harassed by the American navy. They must be busy elsewhere.

Without even trying, you fly ahead at double Elaine's speed and you need to double back to return to formation.

"Now you're just being a bloody show-off," Elaine says over the channel.

"Hardly," you say. "It might as well be a new TSF. I'll need some time to break her in."

The rest of the squadron joins you and you're soon flying over land. It'll take a while to get to Langley at this pace, but there's no sign that you're being intercepted yet.

>Maintain formation. You don't want to get isolated.
>Scout ahead on your own. You might as well use your stealth features.

>>32577409
>>Scout ahead on your own. You might as well use your stealth features.

Also our near-invulnerability

>>32577409
>>Scout ahead on your own. You might as well use your stealth features.

>>32577324
Most of the 4th and 5th gen features depend on AI technology that can't be replicated reliably.

>>32577409
>>Scout ahead on your own. You might as well use your stealth features.

>>32577409
Disconcertingly was reminded of that first Bad End... I think it was the first, anyways.

Anyways,
>Scout ahead on your own. You might as well use your stealth features.

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>>32577409
>Scout ahead on your own. You might as well use your stealth features.

>>32577442
Can't we just copy merlin? Or let him expand into the other tsf's computers?

>>32577409
>Scout ahead on your own. You might as well use your stealth features.

Rolled 18

>>32577409
You have the one TSF in the squadron that stealthy and mostly bullet-proof. It's your job to run off on your own and do something suicidal, even if it's not technically suicidal anymore.

"Vivan, we're going ahead of the squadron," you say.

"Of course we are." Fortunately, she only sounds slightly annoyed. "We're doing the same thing as last time?"

"Yeah." You push the Excalibur past the speed of sound. "I'll handle the TSFs and Merlin can break into their tactical network. Keep an eye on the squadron in case something goes wrong."

"I'll inform the squadron."

'I will hack into the enemy's tactical network at the first opportunity.'

You're pushing Mach 2 now, and you decide to give the Excalibur that one final push. You could probably push it even faster, but you don't want to risk losing control when you finally make contact with the enemy.

Which, according to your HUD, will be in two minutes.

>(roll 2d20)

Rolled 4, 3 = 7

>>32577813

Rolled 18, 19 = 37

>>32577813

Rolled 17, 3 = 20

>>32577813
Rolling.

Rolled 20, 17 = 37

>>32577813
here goes nothing

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>>32577834
>>32577897

>>32577927
/tg/ dice have accepted our apotheosis

>>32577813
You drop your elevation until you're flying just a few feet above the ground, low enough that your Rutherford field is tearing the street apart. Langley's guardian Eagles finally get a visual on you and charge, but you're a lot faster than them and you don't feel the need to slow down.

You fly through the first Eagle. Its frame twists and crumples once it impacts your Rutherford field and then it's tossed away to crush parked cars.

'I have access to the enemy's tactical network.'

"Our forces will be here in 20 minutes," Vivian informs you. "American TSFs will be here in 30 at the earliest. We should be able to get away clear."

The other Eagle pilots don't want to get anywhere near you. They pull back and try to get a lock on you with their assault cannons, but they can't keep track of the Excalibur, not with the Moorcock-Lethe drive's thrust vectoring. You don't need the Rutherford field for defense, not even when the soldiers manning the anti-air artillery start gunning for you.

So you weave through the sky and carve Eagles in half with sudden turns and charges. Then you unfold your assault cannons and gun down the artillery cannons.

You pause for a moment, now that there's no one left gunning for you. Merlin can hack into Langley's satellite link - there has to be one - but that won't give you whatever records they keep on their intranet. You'd need to get those personally, and there must still be guards inside.

Although you could hit the main building and hope the main computers are deep enough to survive, and that TSF that got crushed by your Rutherford field gave you an idea.

>"Merlin, hack into Langley's satellite uplink."
>"I need to break into Langley to get to their computers."
>"Hey, Merlin, I've got a question for you. How hard would it be to turn the Rutherford field into a mass driver?"

>>32578098
>>"Hey, Merlin, I've got a question for you. How hard would it be to turn the Rutherford field into a mass driver?"

>>32578098
>>"Hey, Merlin, I've got a question for you. How hard would it be to turn the Rutherford field into a mass driver?"

SCIENCE!

>>32578098
>>"Hey, Merlin, I've got a question for you. How hard would it be to turn the Rutherford field into a mass driver?"

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>>32578098
>"Merlin, hack into Langley's satellite uplink."
So that we can get into their comps to do this.

>"I need to break into Langley to get to their computers."

>>32578156
I'm pretty sure there isn't going to be much left of langley after we hit it with a relativistic projectile

>>32578098
Would it be possible to enter their network and send false coordinates to their artillery, so they attack their own targets?

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>>32578098
>>"Hey, Merlin, I've got a question for you. How hard would it be to turn the Rutherford field into a mass driver?"

WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?

>>32578098
>>"I need to break into Langley to get to their computers."
As much as I like the idea of turning langley into a crater, getting all their operation files will be more meaningful in keeping them off our asses while we save the planet.

>>32578098
>>32578127
Switching to

>"I need to break into Langley to get to their computers."

>>32578098
just have Merlin smash in, I doubt that langly is so heavily fortified we need to go all the way up to mass driver. once we are inside we can have merlin cover us with his Rutherford field while we hack the computers.

I'm curious as to why you guys think that the CIA doesn't have backups on Black ops sites.

>>32578098
> "Merlin, hack into Langley's satellite uplink."

>>32578098
>>"I need to break into Langley to get to their computers."
Having their data means more than destroying copies of their data; it means they would have to replace all of their compromised resources rather than just having to verify that they haven't been compromised.

>>32578177
This is an interesting idea; it'd certainly help to keep reinforcements off of our back while we're getting inside.

>>32578098
changing
>>32578140
to
>"I need to break into Langley to get to their computers."

After a bit of sober reflection on what is actually important here.

>>32578098
Levelling the place with an improvised mass driver can wait. Besides, if you do it right, there definitely won't be anything left of the computers. No, you need to get in there yourself.

"I need to break in and get to their computers."

"You need to- You know they must have power armour in there, right?"

"I'll be fine." You grab your cold weather jacket. It's got more pockets, so you can stuff it full of bullets. "Merlin, can you give me a distraction? Maybe send me a map to the building? The building should be in range of my suit's wireless functionality."

'That should be feasible.'

"All right then, I'll be back in a minute, love you, bye."

You open the hatch and climb down before Vivian can throttle you. The guards wisely decided that facing a TSF out in the open would be a terrible idea, so they're all still in the building instead of out in the parking lot shooting at you.

>(roll 4d20)

Rolled 15, 1, 11, 9 = 36

>>32578466

Rolled 14, 2, 5, 16 = 37

>>32578466
Here we go.

Rolled 18, 17, 10, 6 = 51

>>32578466

Rolled 3, 11, 20, 14 = 48

>>32578505
Here goes nothing
>>32578478
Oh boy

Rolled 17, 19 = 36

>>32578466
Forgot to roll...

>>32578478
>>32578522
>dat 1
>dat 19

yeah, we ded

>>32578466
Merlin delivers. The doors are automated and connected to the fire system, which is connected to the non-secure server so that data can be automatically uploaded via the satellite link in case of emergency. That means Merlin can get in and force all the doors open by triggering the alarm in an unimportant section of the building.

Even better, Merlin can access the building's registry and give you general directions to their backup archive. You know where all the dirty secrets are, and the way is wide open.

You run into the building, not even trying to remain inconspicuous. It'd be really are, dressed as you are in a fortified suit and a cold weather jacket.

You avoid the patrols to the best of your ability until you make it to the basement. The hallways down here are too narrow for powered armour, so the only guards are infantry. You quickly take them down with headshots. The sound of gunshots draws a crowd, but by the time people come to investigate, you have a pair of fully automatic machine guns and while fortified suits might look ridiculous, they make decent armour.

You leave behind a dozen corpses on your way to the archive. Once there, it's not hard to find what you're looking for.

A list of desirables for the Alternative V evacuation. Logistics for the plans to nuke England. Funding records for terrorist organizations. All of it ties back to funding provided by the American government somehow, along with all the steps used to hide the money. After all, if there is a leak, the CIA would need to be able to go back and go through all the steps to figure out where it came from. As dangerous as this information is, they need to keep it on hand.

You stuff the relevant hard drives in a bag and run out of the base.

>(cont.)

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>>32578773
Then you hear several gun shots that don't come from your sidearm and a hot pain shoots through your leg. You stumble a bit, but mostly manage to keep your balance.

You look back to see a red-haired man with a gun pointed at you.

>Shoot back.
>Get back to the Excalibur.

>>32578787
>>Shoot back.

>>32578787
>>Shoot back.

>>32578787
>Shoot back.
I don't suppose we could have merlin just fly through the section of the building where this guy is standing?

>>32578787
Good thing the armored suits are bulletproof!

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>>32578787
>Shoot back.
Fighting retreat.

>>32578817
...you mean the part right near us? This probably isn't a good idea.

>Shoot back.
Time to try and handle the secondary objective.

>>32578867
>Fighting retreat.
This is pretty important, though. Making sure this guy is dealt with is important, but it isn't more important than making it back before reinforcements arrive to complicate things.

Rolled 20

>>32578787
Your current wound must be shallow thanks to the fortified suit's protection, but it's unwise to expose your back. You raise your sidearm at the man and pull the trigger.

>(roll 1d20)

Rolled 19

>>32579072

Rolled 12

>>32579072

Rolled 13

>>32579072

Rolled 8

>>32579072
Ok how about we NEVER leave our TSF ever again?

>>32579096
...yes, how dare we shatter the CIA's plans to interfere with us?

>>32579108
We just grabbed some hard drives. Sure, we're going to fuck with some of their plans, but don't assume they don't have backup copies. And that's assuming we get out safely.

>>32579072
>>32579079
Man, what's with all these nail-biting mano-a-mano face-offs.

>>32579142
It's less about depriving them of their access to the data than it is about giving us access to the same data.

If they have lists of their embedded assets abroad, opposing forces gaining access to those lists renders those assets less useful. Things like that.

>>32579142
Who gives a shit about their backups. We know all their agents in europe, which means all of those agents are useless and/or dead as soon as we get back to M. It'll take years, perhaps decades, for them to rebuild that sort of intelligence network.

>>32579142
its not that they don't have them, its that we do. we have proof that the cia is actively trying to feed humanity to the BETA, that is not something that they could survive coming to light

>>32579072
The two of you pull the trigger. You see the other man go down to a gut wound, but you feel another sharp pain in your leg. This time, you fall to your knee and can't get up. The man must have gotten a lucky shot in through your suit.

Sheer willpower and adrenaline - and your suit's painkillers - allow you to limp back to the Excalibur.

The other squadrons have down arrived and are laying waste to the building. You hand the drives over to Vivian and get back in your seat.

"We've got most of the CIA's dirty secrets in there," you say. "The politicians are going to love these."

"At least it wasn't a complete waste," Vivian say. "Reinforcements will be here in two minutes. We need to leave."

>Get out now.
>You have time to try that mass driver plan.

>>32579234
>>You have time to try that mass driver plan.

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>>32579234
>Get out now.

Rolled 9

>>32579234
>>Get out now.
We are wounded, time to get away

>>32579234
>>You have time to try that mass driver plan.
I like being thorough.

And the CIA has really been mustache twirlingly evil through this entire quest, so leaving their base a crater really appeals to me.

>>32579234
>You have time to try that mass driver plan.

>>32579234
>>You have time to try that mass driver plan.

>>32579234
>Get out now
This was a crash and grab. Destroying the building is minor compared to the damage our intel can do.

>>32579234
>>You have time to try that mass driver plan.

our objective is to level the place, we don't leave until we do so.

just to be safe we should have merln backup some of the data on the other tsfs first.

>>32579234
>>Get out now.
Relying on painkillers to mitigate our injury will only keep us running for so long. Better to get out while we're still lucid and running on adrenaline rather than having to rely on our somewhat shaky autopilot to get us out safely.

If we were solo I guess Vivian could take over piloting duty, but she's needed on CIC duty to coordinate the rest of the retreat.

>>32579234
>>You have time to try that mass driver plan.

>>32579234
"Merlin, how hard would it be to turn the Rutherford field into a mass driver?"

Letters and numbers stream over your HUD as Merlin runs the calculations.

'It is feasible, but it would require my secondary processor,' Merlin tells you. 'I would be unable to perform other support functions.'

"We don't need those right now. Level that building."

You reach out and grab the nearest piece of scrap metal you can get your hands on, which happens to be someone's car. If the tank is full, you might get a nice explosion on top of everything.

>(roll 1d20)

Rolled 2

>>32579439

Rolled 10

>>32579439

Rolled 11

>>32579439
Rolling

Rolled 18

>>32579449
Need a good roll

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Rolled 17

>>32579439
rolling

>>32579439
The car crumples into a ball, but it's not because of your TSF's grip. The Excalibur's Rutherford field crushes it until it becomes a bullet and then accelerates it to three times the speed of sound in less than a second.

The car's not traveling at relativistic speeds, but the impact is still more than enough to completely shatter the building. The place isn't completely torn down, but it's a close enough thing.

"Mission objective complete." Vivian's tone leaves no room for argument. "We're retreating."

You leave the premises just as the reinforcements arrive. Some of them try to follow you, but they're too far behind to catch up to even the Sangreals, and they need to stay back to secure the CIA building and look for survivors anyway.

Your flight back is uneventful, until you get back in the hangar. The moment you climb out of the Excalibur and touch the ground, your right leg gives out and you fall face-first on the floor. Vivian and Elaine have to pick you up and drag you to the infirmary.

It turns out the lucky shot through your suit went right through your kneecap. You're still fit for piloting, but you'll need a cane to walk.

"Compared to what usually happens to TSF pilots, this isn't so bad," Elaine says. "I just hope whatever you went in there for was worth it."

>(cont.)

>>32579563
Then you're sent in for an emergency surgery.

Vivian's to your left when you wake up, along with your breakfast. On your right, Elaine fell asleep in her chair and is now half-sprawled on your bed.

"Good morning," she says.

"Good morning." You sit yourself up and drink some synthetic juice. "What's the latest news?"

"For us? Very good." She cuts up a piece of the omelette and feeds it to you. " The European Union is using the CIA files we recovered to accuse the American government of terrorism and treason against humanity. Politicians are being removed every day and people are rioting. Law enforcement officers aren't in the mood to do anything about it, for obvious reason."

You gently stroke Elaine's hair and she shuffles in her sleep.

"That settles our business," you say. "Now we can focus on defeating the BETA."

"That's the plan," Vivian says. "The next target is Objective 01."

>>32579581
>Objective 01
They certainly don't aim low, do they?

>>32579581
MISSION REPORT:
- Richard Hall survived. (1XP)
- Elaine Robinson survived. (1XP)
- Mary Wright survived. (1XP)
- Vivian Knight survived. (1XP)
- Merlin survived. (1XP)
- Installed the Moorcock-Lethe drive. (1XP)
- The EF-19 Excalibur has gained sustainable power. (1XP)
- The EF-19 Excalibur has gained a Rutherford field. (1XP)
- The EF-19 Excalibur has been upgraded to a 4th generation TSF. (1XP)
- Merlin has unlocked a new skill. (1XP)
- Retrieved CIA computer files. (1XP)
- The EF-19 Excalibur has gained a mass driver. (1XP)
- The EF-19 Excalibur has been upgraded to a 5th generation TSF. (1XP)
- The EF-19 Excalibur has reached its definitive model. (1XP)
- Total: 14XP

NOTES:
- With the public revelation that the American government has been using terrorist organizations to further the interests of Alternative V, all support for Alternative V has been rescinded.
- The American military is being absorbed by the United Nations and will become fully available for the war against the BETA.

CHARACTER STATUS:
Julian Reber (Main Character)
Level 9 (18/90XP)
Skills: TSF Piloting, Gunnery, Melee, Engineering, Computers
Resources: Budget 2, Connections 7 (Cerberus Battalion, Swiss Government, RAF, Crusaders, MI5, British nobility, Cherno battalion), Gear 10, Personnel 1, Rank 2

>>32579639
Holy shit, Alt V is dead? That's fucking huge.

>>32579670
And we now have a pimp cane.

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>>32579620
WE'VE GOT TO AIM HIGHER.

>>32579639
Thanks for running.

>>32579639
And that's it for today. It took me a while to decide how I was going to write that crit in. It was either an eye patch or a cane, but the eye patch has been done.

Next thread will probably be Sunday at 7PM EST. It's going to have more preparation than I usually put in, but I should have it ready on time.

'Night folks.

>>32579695
G'night. Thanks for running.

>>32579695
Night, man. Thanks for running, and see you next time.

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so howlong tll we get a robot leg? and if we do, can it have a chainsaw shin like the mig-29?

>>32579794
It'll be after the war, when Merlin gets downsized. We'll let him live in our robot leg rather than be destitute on the streets.

We really should update the OS of all active TSF's with those AI seeds we put into the excalibur. Rutherford fields are OP, and getting more units capable of using them would be nice.

On the bright side, we still have the psi disruptor to use against objective 01.