>>32662395
"As we suspected, we won't be able to access the BETA reactor network," Mary says. "Any anomalous changes in the network's operations will be detected almost immediately. We'll have to work with the two reactors we have in our control and activate an emergency function that won't be detected as erroneous by the rest of the network."

"So we'll have to go with the original plan and use the Lyon and Yokohama reactors to attract the BETA away from the Original Hive." Tamase leans back and sighs. "So be it."

"The immediate area surrounding Lyon is a uninhabited, so we only need to pull our forces back and wait," you say. "No one's pleased at the idea of giving Lyon back to the BETA, but in the grand scheme of things, it's necessary."

"The problem is the Yokohama Hive," Mary says. "We don't have the time or resources to evacuate all of Japan. How do their defenses stand?"

"The Shogun, the five regent families and the civilian government have all agreed to the plan, although they'll demand significant reparation for any damages they incur," Tamase says. "Thanks to your and Doctor Kouzuki's work, we've outfitted five battleships with charged particle cannons to intercept the BETA off the Sadogashima and Korean coasts. We've also prepared a defense line of Rutherford fields along vulnerable points of the Japanese coast. Since they don't need to be regulated, we'll just activate them and wait for the reactors to run out of fuel. The UN has also agreed to deploy what amounts to a third of the world's military power to support us. I have no doubt that it'll be difficult, but we'll manage."

>(cont.)

"If we can pull this off, we'll finally be able to push the BETA back," you say. "We'll deliver on our end, just be ready to deliver on yours."

>>32662412
You spend the rest of the morning going over the final plan. You'll activate what should be the Yokohama and Lyon reactors' "Everything is fucked" buttons and draw the BETA away from the Original Hive. The Original Hive's defenses will be weakened, and the nearby Hives won't be able to reinforce it.

Once that's done, you'll drop everything you have in orbit - old satellites, HSST shuttles, the entire colonial fleet, spare reentry shells, *everything* - in order to provide cover for the orbital divers and hopefully thin out the BETA opposition. Once the orbital divers have landed, you'll began a search and destroy operation on what Merlin referred to as the "BETA Superior Existence." You don't have a map and you have no idea what's waiting for you, but it won't be the first time you've had to improvise.

With the final details taken care of, the Undersecretary takes his leave to report back to the UN.

"I need to see to the squadron," you say, standing up. "Are our Typhoons ready."

"I made sure it would be done first thing in the morning," Mary says. "Have you prepared your leadership speech?"

>"It's not like I had a choice."
>"No, Vivian will take care of it. She's the one giving the orders after all."

>>32662435
>>"It's not like I had a choice."


Also, Chomp, how many sessions do we have left?

>>32662435
> "It's not like I had a choice."

>>32662490
Today's, plus an epilogue Wednesday. I didn't want to split the Original Hive battle, so I did more planning and a lot more pre-writing than usual to make sure I have time to go through all the content.

>>32662556
thanks

>"It's not like I had a choice."

>>32662435
"It's not like I have a choice."

"I'm sure you'll be suitably adequate." Mary smiles and kisses you. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to check up on the equipment transfer."

The hangar is simultaneously the busiest it's ever been, and the emptiest. Mechanics are running about left and right, but the TSFs are almost all prepared for deployment and much of the equipment is being shipped up to the orbital refuelling station.

The newly-reactivated Bedivere squadron is standing at attention in front of your new batch of Typhoons. As your executive officer, Elaine's standing slightly apart from them, as is Vivian. All of them stand at attention, awaiting your orders.

"At ease."

The pilots relax and await your orders.

>(roll 1d20)

Rolled 8

>>32662786

Rolled 14

>>32662786
Rolling.

Rolled 12

>>32662786

>>32662786
"I'm going to keep this simple," you say. "I'm here because I happened to be the highest-ranking officer in the Camelot group; Flight lieutenant Knight will be giving the orders from the Excalibur's mobile command post. Are we clear?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Good, that's the part that'll keep you alive," you say. "But that's not the part you need to hear.

"I grew up knowing nothing but war. We all did. Even after this battle, we all still might die before we see this war end. Whether it's for honour, survival or money, this is the life we chose.

"After this battle, one thing will change. For decades, humanity has been heading towards extinction. Tomorrow, we stop falling. Tomorrow, we dig our hands into the side of the pit and we climb our way up until out fingers are bloodied and flayed to the bone. Tomorrow is the day of humanity's ascension. Tomorrow, the apocalypse is over. Are. We. Clear?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Good, now get your things together. You only have a few hours left here before we start shipping out, so make the most of it. Dismissed!"

With the formalities taken care of, you dismiss your squadron so they can see to the preparations for their orbital deployment. Elaine and Vivian remain behind to talk.

"We're launching first thing tomorrow," Elaine says. "Honestly, I'm more than a little nervous. I've done a few orbital simulations, but all the orbital divers I've met have assured me that it's nothing like the real thing."

>"They're probably just trying to make themselves look tough."
>"It'll be just like flying a TSF, only with more G-forces."
>"You're not the only one who's nervous. Orbital drops are just about the only thing I haven't done in a TSF."

>>32663032
> "You're not the only one who's nervous. Orbital drops are just about the only thing I haven't done in a TSF."

>>32663032
>>"You're not the only one who's nervous. Orbital drops are just about the only thing I haven't done in a TSF."

>>32663032
>>"It'll be just like flying a TSF, only with more G-forces."

>>32663032
>"You're not the only one who's nervous. Orbital drops are just about the only thing I haven't done in a TSF."
I figure for someone who prides themselves on their ability in a TSF, having to jump out and stay mostly hands-off until landing, relying almost entirely on external support to keep Lasers from blowing you out of the sky is going to be nerve-racking.

>>32663227
We're in a rutherford field tsf. Orbital drops are going to be cake for us. The ones who aren't flying op hax tsf's are the ones who have to worry.

>>32663032
"You're not the only one who's nervous," you say. "Orbital drops are just about the only thing I haven't done in a TSF."

"I really wish they'd made the training manual sound nicer." Elaine shakes her head and starts quoting the orbital forces manual. "'Orbital drops are mostly automated because human pilots cannot handle the tasks involved. Be careful not to black out when your acceleration reaches its peak. Do not get isolated from your element by more than 20 miles. Try to maintain cover between you and the lasers. Don't focus on how fast your altitude is plummeting.'"

"Cheerfully, I know." You pat Elaine on the back. "Maybe I'll just use the Excalibur's Rutherford field to ditch all of you and get a smooth landing."

"Request denied." Vivian cuts you off. "You'd end up falling behind the rest of the assault force. You'll just have to enjoy frictionless reentry and slightly lower g-forces. Although knowing you, I wouldn't be surprised if you pushed the accelerator."

"It crossed my mind," you admit. "Besides, if I do black out, Merlin should be able to take care of the landing."

You finish up the last details for tomorrow's deployment and have dinner before going to bed. Miraculously, the RAF had managed to find real meat for what might very well be your last meal.

>(cont.)

>>32663495
For once, you actually get a good night's sleep. Elaine, Vivian and Mary aren't any more in the mood for sex than you are, and the pain in your leg is just a dull throb that quickly fades away. So you sleep in your warm, comfortable bed until the morning comes.

And it comes far too quickly for your taste.

The launches are staggered, but that doesn't make them any less chaotic. The TSFs need to be taxied to a launch pad, where you'll move to a transport shuttle. Since you're the commanding officer, you need to coordinate things from Dover, while Elaine will oversee your squadron's deployment of the launch site.

"Don't worry about the Typhoons, I'll make sure they get up there without a scratch," Elaine says, smiling. "Just make sure they don't get lost in transit."

"That's why God created the GPS." You give Elaine a copy of the refuelling orders and gently kiss her. "I'll see you in orbit."

Vivian remains behind to assist you, as does Mary, who needs to oversee the deployment of her own squadron of Sangreals. Once the last Bedivere Typhoon has departed, you inform Group captain Hall and depart to the rendezvous point in your Excalibur. At the speed you're going, you'll get there in under half an hour. That's just enough time to check in with Vivian.

>"Are you sure you're fine with us flying Storm Vanguard?"
>"We're going to have a few hundred TSFs out there. Are you sure you can coordinate a force that size?"
>"You know, we can probably get some vacation time after this..."

>>32663517
>[X]"We're going to have a few hundred TSFs out there. Are you sure you can coordinate a force that size?"

>>32663517
>>"We're going to have a few hundred TSFs out there. Are you sure you can coordinate a force that size?"
>>"You know, we can probably get some vacation time after this..."

>>32663517
>>"You know, we can probably get some vacation time after this..."

For the first, we're in the most powerful mech on the battlefield by a mile. For the second, she's proven more than capable of her job.

>>32663517
>"You know, we can probably get some vacation time after this..."

>>32663293
We'd prefer as many of our wing's TSFs surviving the drop as possible; just because we might be making it down in one piece doesn't mean we're not going to be antsy about our entire infiltration force needing to use an entry plan that consists of "hope the ablative armor and anti-Laser chaff holds up until we all reach the ground."

>>32663517
>"Are you sure you're fine with us flying Storm Vanguard?"
Our machine's kick-ass, sure, but the Rutherford Field's going to draw full BETA attention, and if something goes awry and we go down, losing CIC means the survivors are going to have a hell of a time trying to finish the mission.

That, and if the thing that's luring all of the BETA is in the back of the formation it means the rest of our forces are going to have an easier time clearing them out while they're making a beeline for the back rank.

I'm pretty sure she's good enough to coordinate our forces, so that's maybe not as much of an issue. Maybe coordinating resupply rotations with Sangreals might need some work since it's a relatively recent development, but between her and Merlin I'm sure it'll all be doable.

>"You know, we can probably get some vacation time after this..."
Obligatory joke.

>>32663517
>>"Are you sure you're fine with us flying Storm Vanguard?"
>"You know, we can probably get some vacation time after this..."

>>32663517
"Vivian, are you sure you're fine with the current arrangements? You've never had to coordinate a force this size. I could move farther back in the formation, if it'll make it easier for you."

"You don't need to worry about me," she says. "Commanding officers only need to pull back to avoid getting distracted, but since you're doing most of the piloting, that's not something I need to worry about. As for the size of the force, I'll manage somehow. I suppose I'll just delegate more than I usually do."

"Glad to hear it." You pause for a moment. "You know, we can probably get some vacation time after this..."

"I should hope so." She laughs. "Maybe we can get ourselves a nice hotel room as well?"

"It would be nice, not having to plan our sex life around duty shifts."

"Wouldn't the parades and award ceremonies be even worse?"

"Point taken," you say. "Then again, if it's a TSF parade and we can keep the cockpit closed..."

'Just remember to deactivate my internal cameras and microphones. And clean up afterwards. Please.'

This was not a good time to forget about Merlin.

Fortunately, the awkwardness is interrupted by a message from the launch site. It seems you're almost there.

>(cont.)

>>32664093
You follow the directions to the Excalibur's shuttle, careful not to interrupt the ongoing launches. You don't have a lot of time to get everyone in orbit and there will be hell to pay if you disrupt the process. Once the Excalibur is secured to your satisfaction, you ask Merlin to contact you if anything goes wrong and get on the personnel transport shuttle along with Vivian. Your fortified suits will help you deal with the launch, so you keep them on.

Getting launched into space feels a lot like some of the supersonic manoeuvres you pulled in the Excalibur, but a lot more intense. You're getting launched into space, you have no evacuation plan if anything goes wrong and since you're a passenger, you have absolutely no control over how things turn out. It's quite a rush, but you can't help but wish you were in the pilot's seat. Then again, that'd probably just be a different kind of rush.

You shuttle slows down and you feel the pull of gravity slip away, even though you're still strapped to your seat. You feel the transport shuttle dock with the refuelling station and the pilot gives the all-clear. The rest of the passengers unbuckle their belts and float away towards the exit.

>Check on your squadron.
>Check on the Excalibur.

>>32664114
>>Check on your squadron.

>>32664114
>>Check on the Excalibur.

>>32664114
> Check on the Excalibur.
Vivian can handle checking out the squadron.

>>32664114
>>Check on your squadron.
Not sure what would've changed with the Excalibur since we last checked on it. Better to make sure nobody's getting antsy, not to mention making our rounds in person rather than having to do them over comms.

>>32664114
>>Check on your squadron.
we should get some personal comms with Merlin when we're outside of the Excalibur

>>32664114
>>Check on your squadron.

>>32664114
>Check on your squadron.

>>32664114
Merlin would have let you know if it was having any problems. Since you've been made Squadron leader, you should act like it.

Most of the TSF pilots have congregated in a storage area that was turned into a makeshift lounge. People are mostly hanging out with their comrades, but there's some mingling between squadrons and services. Most of Europe is represented, as is the UN and the United States. Most of Asia is still planetside for the diversion, but some of the UN pilots are speaking in Japanese.

You start by visiting your own squadron.

"Did everyone make it?"

"Yes, sir!" Despite Elaine's enthusiasm, she doesn't bother to get up when you approach. "We're all here and waiting for the show to start."

"Robinson, just because you're fucking your CO doesn't mean you can relax on protocol." That would be Group captain Hall, making his own rounds.

"Don't blame me, sir," Elaine says. "He's the one who admitted his command was just a formality, and that Vivian's in charge."

All your willpower goes into suppressing your panic. Hall glares at you for a minute that will not end. Then his visage cracks and he breaks into loud laughter.

"Good one, Reber," he says. "I'll make sure everyone busts your balls about it for years."

"Considering our current mission, I would consider that enviable, sir."

Group captain Hall leaves to visit Mary's group.

You look at your suit's clock through the retinal HUD. You've got about three hours until the operation starts. You could visit the other squadrons, or you could grab Vivian, Elaine and Mary and go looking for the showers.

>Visit some of the other squadrons.
>You have time for a quickie. Make the best of it.
>Take a nap. You'd like to be fresh for the upcoming mission.

>>32664717
>>Visit some of the other squadrons.

>>32664717
>Visit some of the other squadrons.
See who will be dropping with you.

>>32664717
>>You have time for a quickie. Make the best of it.
then, since its a quickie
>Visit some of the other squadrons.

>>32664717
> Visit some of the other squadrons.

>>32664717
>>You have time for a quickie. Make the best of it.

best to go into battle relaxed

Squadrons it is.

Roll 1d6.

Rolled 5

>>32665092
Social links before the end of the world.

File: 1376126205386.jpg (1.46 MB, 1600x1515)

1.46 MB JPG

>>32664717
>Visit some of the other squadrons.

Rolled 3

>>32665092

Rolled 3

>>32665092
aww, was hoping we could check in with the squadrons over comms while having a quickie with the girls

Rolled 1

>>32665092
Here we go.

>>32664717
You look around for familiar faces and spot one in the crowd, where the Russians seem to be congregating. You decide to see how they're doing.

"Colonel Pavlovena," you say. "It's a pleasure to see you again. I trust you've been well?"

"Quite well, Squadron leader Reber." She waves her hand in greeting. "The Motherland has been blooming since we last met. There were some casualties, but no one cared about Rogofsky anyway. It's his own fault for not accepting my deal."

"I have to admit, it's strange seeing you here." You take a look around. There's at least one more battalion of Russian forces here. "My first kill was a Russian sub and I was told the KGB doesn't like me very much."

"Oh, you'll find intelligence officers are very flexible when it comes to making friends," Pavlovena says. "You have a lot of fans now, thanks to what you did to the CIA."

You can't help but laugh. M did say something to that effect didn't she?

"Yes, I was told spooks make fickle enemies."

"Don't laugh too hard. Once the aliens are dealt with, the only enemies humans will have will be each other. After all, the Cold War was only put on hold."

>"After this? No, people won't want war."
>"I gave America plenty of closure, but I have another serving for Russia if that's what you want."
>"We'll deal with that when the time comes."

I guess 4chan is alive again?

Rolled 3

test

>>32665308
it would seem so

>>32665298
>"After this? No, people won't want war."

>>32665318
It's been 4 hours, I don't think RC is still around

>>32665325
well he said he'll be resuming tomorrow, so we can keep the thread alive and continue on

>>32665298
>>"We'll deal with that when the time comes."

File: 1401053876553.jpg (218 KB, 738x640)

218 KB JPG

>>32665298
>"After this? No, people won't want war."

>>32665298
>>"We'll deal with that when the time comes."

Let's not be too naive

>>32665298
> > "After this? No, people won't want war."

It will be a long time before humanity has recoverd enough for there to be anything worth going to war over

>>32665902
>It will be a long time before humanity has recoverd enough for there to be anything worth going to war over
yep, and any that want to revive the cold war will find out, just like America and the CIA, that we won't stand for that shit.

>>32665298
>>"After this? No, people won't want war, and if they are foolish and stupid enough to want it, they only have to look at America to see how bad an idea that is."

>>32665298
>"We'll deal with that when the time comes."

>>32665298
> > "After this? No, people won't want war."

Tell her straight up we be killing beta for the next thousands of years. IN the moon, in mars, in jupiter, in venus, in mercury, in the astroids, in space.

In this fucking galaxt and beyond. We never gonna stop fightning.

Tell her that straight up.

>>32665298
> "After this? No, people won't want war."

bump

bedtime bump, fellow anons, please keep this alive

File: 1391397868336.gif (124 KB, 350x447)

124 KB GIF

Huh. I didn't think this thread would still be here. Awesome job, /tg/!

I'll make sure it doesn't fall off and resume at 7PM EST.

>>32673760
Waiting warmly!

>>32673760
yay

File: 1351368342659.png (802 KB, 1021x596)

802 KB PNG

Friendly bump and reminder that the thread will resume in two hours.

File: 1398391539160.png (275 KB, 578x570)

275 KB PNG

Another friendly bump to keep the thread alive. We resume in one hour.

>>32665298
"After this, people won't want war," you say. "We'll be too busy rebuilding over what the BETA took from us. Besides, with the way things turned out for America, it'd be suicidal for any nation to pick a fight with Europe."

"I suppose so. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get my people ready." Pavlovena stands at shouts at her troops. "Kaidonovsky! Kaidonovsky! Get your squadrons ready!"

You return to your own troops to make sure everyone's still up for the mission, then proceed to do the final checks on every TSF in the squadron. That technically isn't part of your job, but you're probably a better mechanic than the local crews and you're fine with anything expedites your process.

You finish the checks once and are about to start over when Vivian approaches you from behind.

"It's time," she says.

You nod slowly and follow her to the Excalibur's cockpit.

Your systems are all green. Your squadron members are all listed as active and alive on your HUD. Vivian is slowly linking the other squadrons to Bedivere's tactical network. It's a been tricky with the foreign TSFs, but Merlin but the command post unit can handle the translation.

You feel the Excalibur shudder a bit as the shuttle carrying it begins to accelerate. Group captain Hall sends you confirmation that the operation is beginning.

>(cont.)

File: Fuck This Gay Earth.jpg (287 KB, 800x600)

287 KB JPG

>>32677776
"Bedivere squadron, this is Bedivere 1," you say. "We are commencing the operation. Follow standard operating procedures and inform me of any problems. Understood."

"Yes, sir!"

You turn the channel off and lean back to relax. The mission's started, but the space trash will be dropped first. It'll take at least half an hour before TSFs start their reentry. Until then, it's just you, Vivian and Merlin, and since Vivian's is rattling off orders to about four hundred TSFs...

"Are you ready for this, Merlin?"

'Of course,' Merlin tells you. 'I was created for this purpose. Once we have attained victory here, I shall be complete.'

"Have you ever thought about what you're going to do afterwards?"

'I will do the same as you, Squadron leader Reber,' Merlin says. 'I will live.'

That is the ultimate goal of life, isn't it?

You sit back and wait as your shuttle approaches Earth's atmosphere.

>(cont.)

>>32677786
The sky is falling.

Below you, you see shrapnel and molten slag plummet towards the Earth. It turns red-hot against the friction of Earth's atmosphere and then briefly turns white when it's close enough to be intercepted by BETA lasers, but there's a carpet of metal below you and they can't hope to stop all of it.

Vivian's not saying anything, but that's to be expected; she has to coordinate the landing of several hundred TSFs and that wouldn't be easy even if she wasn't being pushed against her seat.

Even you can only just barely keep track of your instruments. The flight up was a little rough, but it was still controlled. While the Excalibur's Moorcock-Lechte drive could allow you to finely manoeuvre your atmospheric reentry, you'd lose track of the rest of the force. The only thing you can do now is tough it out and hope you don't black out. Or if you do black out, hope Merlin will be able to keep the Excalibur steady.

Your altimeter plummets until it's time for you to disengage from your reentry shell. All the other TSFs will be slowing down now, but for the Excalibur...

>Follow standard procedure.
>Accelerate. You can take the Gs and the Rutherford field can take the landing.

>>32677805
>>Follow standard procedure.

>>32677805
> Follow standard procedure.

>>32677805
>>Follow standard procedure.

>Although knowing you, I wouldn't be surprised if you pushed the accelerator."
>"It crossed my mind," you admit. "Besides, if I do black out, Merlin should be able to take care of the landing."

We've been over this bit before, but it's worth mentioning that even though Merlin can handle the landing if we black out, if Vivian blacks out we're going to have no CIC to coordinate forces after landing. Not worth risking that.

>>32677805
>>Follow standard procedure.

>>32677805
>Follow standard procedure.

File: Muvluv Nanoha cosplay.jpg (341 KB, 550x778)

341 KB JPG

>>32677805

>Follow standard procedure.

>>32677805
You think about the nice crater full of dead BETA you could make if you crashed the Excalibur at full speed. Then you think about what Vivian would do to you and pull your acceleration back until you're braking and your altimeter isn't dropping quite as fast anymore.

The Excalibur slows down to normal combat speed. You managed to avoid laser fire on your way down and your HUD doesn't show any Bedivere IFFs as MIA. Everyone managed to reach the surface safely. You settle down in a spot with decent cover and take a closer look around.

You're surrounded by a scrapyard. You don't know how much of it is just space garbage that was dropped on the BETA and how much is TSFs that couldn't make it, and you don't have time to care.

"Bedivere squadron, regroup on my position," you order. According to your HUD, most of your squadron landed nearby. It shouldn't be difficult for them to reach you, barring enemy opposition. You draw your assault cannons and scout the surrounding areas for hostiles.

Behind you, Vivian is taking roll call.

"Bedivere, Arthur, Lancelot and Gawain squadrons have landed," she says. "Cerberus and Hunter battalions have landed. Bloody Nightmare and Black Knives squadron have landed." It's nice to see Americans being useful for once, even if most of their pilots probably aren't American. "Valkyrie squadron has landed. Cherno and Zhar battalions has landed."

Vivian's rollcall continues as you look around. Some Tanks jump out of the rubble, but you make quick work of them. Bedivere squadron regroups in elements first, then they join you at your current position. Elaine arrives last, escorting a pair of TSFs.

"We're all here, sir," she says. "What are your orders?"

>"Find the nearest gate, we're beginning the infiltration immediately."
>"Suppress the BETA's surface forces until the other squadrons have regrouped."

>>32678208
> "Suppress the BETA's surface forces until the other squadrons have regrouped."

>>32678208
>>"Suppress the BETA's surface forces until the other squadrons have regrouped."

File: 1382293370624.jpg (465 KB, 1600x1129)

465 KB JPG

>>32678208
>"Suppress the BETA's surface forces until the other squadrons have regrouped."

>>32678208
>You think about the nice crater full of dead BETA you could make if you crashed the Excalibur at full speed.

Aww.

>>32678208
>"Suppress the BETA's surface forces until the other squadrons have regrouped."
Are the Sangreals around?

>>32678208
> "Suppress the BETA's surface forces until the other squadrons have regrouped."

>>32678208
"Bedivere squadron, spread out and assist the other squadrons," you say. "Flight lieutenant Knight will give you specific targets. I want us at full force when we enter the Hive." You cut off the channel. "Vivian, give me the nearest patch of Lasers. I might as well go hunting."

"According to infrared sensors, the nearest Laser-class BETA are 5 miles to the northeast, out in the open," Vivian says. "I'm sending you the exact coordinates."

Bedivere moves out, carefully to stay in cover, while you jump into the open and then dash to the next patch of cover before the bloated Lasers have time to turn and aim at you. You've got cover all the way to their position and at least three different ambush spots. At least your part will be easy.

>(roll 5d20)

Rolled 5, 13, 9, 11, 6 = 44

>>32678633

Rolled 7, 18, 1, 2, 11 = 39

>>32678633
Rolling.

Rolled 20, 15, 4, 19, 4 = 62

>>32678633
Rollin'

Rolled 3, 2, 9, 7, 17 = 38

>>32678633
Forgot to roll...

>>32678633
Your Rutherford field has a nasty habit of getting in the way of your bullets, especially when you're getting shot at by Lasers, so you decide to forego the assault cannon in favour of the Excalibur's supercarbon fist.

You punch right through the nearest Heavy Laser. Its flesh, while relatively armoured, ripples outwards as it makes contact with your Rutherford and the BETA practically unpeels itself, spilling outs its entrails.

"Black Knives, regroup with Blood Knightmare and await support. Valkyries, assist Cerberus Rot. Cerberus Schwarze, and Zhar battalion, move towards the Sangreals. Cherno battalion, secure the missile support TSFs." Behind you, Vivian gives out a stream of orders. "Lancelot and Gawain squadrons, once you've eliminated the pocket of Destroyers, rejoin Arthur and then make your way to the Sangreals to reinforce Cerberus Schwarze and Zhar."

Meanwhile, you draw your combat halberd and decapitate a nearby Light Laser. Then you crush a second Light Laser with your empty hand. Another slash completely eliminates this laser pocket.

"I have flight paths ready to a nearby gate," Vivian says. "I'm sending it to you know. All this cover makes my life so much easier..."

You jump out of the mass Laser grave and head to the rendezvous point. You have no doubt that gate will be shitting out BETA, but you need a path into the Hive anyway, and none of them are going to be easy.

'Squadron leader Reber, my cyberwarfare suite is useless in these circumstances," Merlin reminds you. 'What should I do with my secondary processor?'

>"Switch it to the command post unit and support Vivian."
>"Switch it to flight control and back up my piloting."

>>32678937
>>"Switch it to the command post unit and support Vivian."

>>32678937
>>"Switch it to the command post unit and support Vivian."

File: 1357040507196.png (582 KB, 2000x1843)

582 KB PNG

>>32678937

>"Switch it to the command post unit and support Vivian."

>>32678937
> "Switch it to the command post unit and support Vivian."

>>32678937
"Switch it to the command post unit and support Vivian," you say. "I can handle the piloting."

'Understood,' Merlin says. 'Reassigning processing power now.'

"Thank you, Merlin," Vivian says. "You can handle the status updates for the moment. Let me know if anything urgent comes up."

You stay just a few inches above the ground and make a straight line for the rendezvous point at Mach 2. While you could fly higher, there are a lot of Lasers around here and you don't want to risk overloading the Moorcock-Lechte drive. You stay low and keep your eyes ahead until you reach the rest of the infiltration group.

BETA crawl out of the gate and there's no indication that they'll stop anytime soon. Beneath the eerie blue glow of the Hive's tunnels, there's an endless mass of them. The only advantage you have right now is that the exit of the gate is an excellent killzone, with good angles on even the armoured Destroyers. However, if things stay like this, it's just a matter of time before you're pushed back or surrounded by reinforcements from other parts of the surface.

"We have a full complement of missiles," Vivian says "We might be able to clear a large enough patch of BETA to break into the Hive."

"Any other suggestions?"

"Maybe you could charge through with the Excalibur to create an opening? Other than that, our only option is to cross our fingers and hope the Original Hive runs out of BETA to kill us with."

>Order a missile barrage.
>Create an opening yourself. You'll need those missiles later.
>Wait and see. The BETA might exhaust themselves.

>>32679258
>>Create an opening yourself. You'll need those missiles later.

>>32679258
>Create an opening yourself. You'll need those missiles later.
LET'S DO THIS

File: 1358278707958.png (358 KB, 640x452)

358 KB PNG

>>32679258

>Create an opening yourself. You'll need those missiles later.

Rolled 10, 16, 19, 9, 6 = 60

>>32679258
"I'm going in," you say. "Have the rest of Camelot group follow after me. We'll split the incoming BETA and the rest of the forces can surround and eliminate them."

"Just give me a minute to relay the orders."

You move the Excalibur just over the gate and wait for Vivian to finalize her plan. Arthur, Gawain, Lancelot and Bedivere squadron move in together towards the centre of the formation and the rest of the TSFs pull back a little to give more room for the BETA to disperse themselves and make your charge a little easier.

"On my mark," Vivian says. "Three, two, one, mark!"

You push your throttle so hard you're afraid it'll break and slam downwards right into a Destroyer. Its corpse slows the BETA coming in from behind it, but that won't last very long. You leap out of the hole you carved and dive back into the fray as Camelot group moves in to support you.

>(roll 6d20)

Rolled 20, 5, 6, 5, 17, 11 = 64

>>32679660

Rolled 9, 1, 5, 3, 11, 14 = 43

>>32679660
Rollin'

Rolled 4, 16, 12, 2, 6, 20 = 60

>>32679660

>>32679660
You dig your claws into another Destroyer and pull it apart with the power of your Rutherford field. A Tank-class leaps at you from the mass of aliens, but it's shut down before its descent even begins and its corpse is hurled back into the swarm. A Typhoon - marked Bedivere 2 - sidles up next to you, both assault cannons firing.

"Don't worry about the details," Elaine says. "Just move forward. We'll take care of the rest."

"You could at least pretend I'm your boss, you know."

You turn your eyes back to the inside of the gate and charge at another BETA, this one a Fort. Rather than relying on your Rutherford field, you use your sword to first slash at its legs and then carve into its back. The onslaught proves too much for the alien, which collapses.

"We're twenty yards into the tunnels," Vivian says. "Camelot group is widening the opening. The rest of the TSFs are moving in."

You resist the urge to check your HUD's tactical display and keep going. You're not just pushing the BETA back, you're pulling everyone in after you. You can't falter now.

Your assault becomes easier and accelerates with every BETA you kill, not because the Hive is running out of reinforcements, but because more and more TSFs are filling the tunnels.

"Arthur 3, your ammunition supply is running low. Pull back and link up with the Sangreals." Vivian, meanwhile, is staying on top of the situation. "Mary, what's your squadron's fuel supply? Good, let me know if it gets too low. The exfiltration is going to be hard enough to improvise as it is, I don't want to run out of gas."

>(cont.)

>>32680141
For a fraction of a second, you think about the hundreds of pilots behind you and your hands start shaking. You bite into your cheeks until the pain distracts you and go back to killing aliens.

The entire force is now inside the Hive and you've finally reached a crossroad in the tunnel. One of them probably leads back to the surface, so it's useless. The other tunnel leads farther into the Hive, but it's also where all the BETA are coming from.

Your sensors don't work very well inside the Hive, but you're generally familiar with how they're structured. There's probably another tunnel beneath your current position. If you collapse the tunnel that's right in front of you, and then burrow through the ground, you could take a shortcut and avoid another swarm of BETA. It'd take a lot of missiles, but you brought plenty with you and haven't used any of them yet.

>Keep fighting through the BETA. You might need those missiles later.
>Time to collapse some tunnels. You're in a hurry.

>>32680169
>>Keep fighting through the BETA. You might need those missiles later.

>>32680169
>>Time to collapse some tunnels. You're in a hurry.

>>32680169
>Time to collapse some tunnels. You're in a hurry.
I don't think the BETA will expect this, lets go for it.

File: 1365046102377.jpg (26 KB, 864x480)

26 KB JPG

>>32680169

>Keep fighting through the BETA. You might need those missiles later.

>>32680169
>>Keep fighting through the BETA. You might need those missiles later.

>>32680169
>>Keep fighting through the BETA. You might need those missiles later.

>>32680169
You only just made it inside the Hive. You're going to need to start collapsing tunnels eventually to cover your backs, but you'd much rather wait until you're farther in. Besides, your current plan has been working so far. You don't really have a reason to change in.

"Vivian, we're going in deeper," you same. "Same plan as before."

"Understood." Vivian's throat sounds parched already, but she's still in the fight. "Relaying orders now. Go in whenever you're ready and everyone will follow you."

You crush a nearby Soldier under your foot for good measure and swat a Tank out of the air before turning towards the next tunnel. The swarm of BETA is still coming at you, so large that you can't even tell the aliens apart. You expand your Rutherford field as much as you consider wise - the engine converts matter into G-elements for fuel, but you still only have so much matter to convert - and then accelerate the Excalibur to Mach 2 to push the aliens back.

>(roll 6d20)

Rolled 17, 12, 2, 1, 16, 19 = 67

>>32680651
come on

Rolled 10, 15, 8, 15, 5 = 53

>>32680651
Forgot to roll again...

Rolled 16, 13, 1, 6, 7, 2 = 45

>>32680651

Rolled 19, 17, 5, 17, 17, 12 = 87

>>32680651
Rollin'

>>32680651
Such is the mass of aliens that it's your charge that stalls. You're not in immediate danger, but your Rutherford field is straining against its upper operational limit. You pull back a little to give yourself some breathing room, but that won't do you much good.

"Vivian, there's too many of them," you say. "I need a solution."

"Merlin, give me prime targets for coordinated fire," she says. "All right, good. Send those coordinates to the squadrons. Julian, head back in."

You jump back into the swarm, this time with the support of several dozen TSFs. The BETA die in droves around you and you're able to make some headway. The aliens are stalled by all the corpses and you push through the blockade. The rest of the squadrons squeeze through the opening you made. It's not a collapsed tunnels, but all the dead BETA will obstruct the aliens chasing you for at least a little bit.

Too bad they won't stop the BETA that are right in front of you, crawling over every single inch of the tunnel's floor, walls and ceiling.

"Bedivere squadron, give me a status update."

"We're all still here," Elaine says. "I don't think we've had any casualties so far."

"Thanks to the Sangreals, TSF can repair minor issues before they become major issues." Mary's appears in your head. "However, that's not going to last very long, Julian. We need to get to the BETA Superior."

A few TSFs have landed in rare safe patches for refuelling, rearming or repairs, but they're not going to be safe very long. You need to find out where your target is.

You'll be safer if you stay together as one group, but if you take a wrong turn, you'll all be stuck together. You'll have better odds of finding your objective if you split your forces, but isolated squadrons will be extremely vulnerable without the support of the Excalibur's command post.

>Keep your forces together.
>Split into five scouting parties.

>>32680912
>>Keep your forces together.

>>32680912
>>Keep your forces together.
Don't split the party

>>32680912
>>Keep your forces together.
That's asking to get ourselves killed

File: 1345080701515.jpg (52 KB, 400x234)

52 KB JPG

>>32680912
>Keep your forces together.

>>32680912
You decide to keep your forces together. Your tactical network has limited range inside a Hive, especially one this size, and you don't want to risk losing entire squadrons because you rushed into things.

"We're staying together," you say. "Vivian, keep the troops in order and order missile strikes against BETA or tunnels at your discretion. Merlin, I need direct access to the sensors."

'You now have full access to the sensor suite.'

You pay just enough attention to your surroundings to avoid crashing the Excalibur into a wall, but your focus is on your sensor readings. You're not getting much of anything aside from "BETA" and "more BETA," so you can't afford to let anything slip by.

>(roll 1d20)

Rolled 4

>>32681308

Rolled 18

>>32681308
roll

Rolled 17

>>32681308
Rollin'

>>32681328
Well, pretty good odds we're not getting bushwhacked by this Carrier, at least.

>>32681308
You proceed ahead, using a combination of your engineering knowledge, the map of the Lyon Hive, satellite footage of the Original Hive's surface and whatever weak sensor readings you can get.

You have no idea whether any of that is doing any good, but the whole force is moving forward. Vivian orders a few tunnels collapsed, but she's thrifty with the missiles. You don't have a lot of information about the BETA Superior, but Merlin was very clear on the very large and very numerous explosions.

You reach a dead end in the tunnels, but this one isn't blocked off by rock. There's a giant membrane of what vaguely resembles organic material right in your path. You can't get any clear data on it, but it's not hard to make an educated guess: It's a BETA strain and going by its size, it's hard as all hell. On the bright side, you must be close to the BETA Superior.

"Bedivere 1, this is Bedivere 2," Elaine says. "It looks like we're close to our objective, but there are a lot of BETA around here and I don't know how long we can hold them off. Have you got a solution?"

You could try to punch through the gate with missiles. You'd need a lot of missiles, but you should be able to punch a whole through the gate and move forward.

You could also try to tear a hole through the gate with your Rutherford field. You'd save ammunitions, but the hole would be smaller, so it would take longer to move your forces through to whatever's waiting beyond.

>Blow a hole through the gate.
>Rush through the gate using your Rutherford field.

>>32681424
>>Blow a hole through the gate.
IT'S TIME

>>32681424
>>Blow a hole through the gate.

>>32681424
>>Blow a hole through the gate.

File: 1346019744970.gif (2.95 MB, 480x270)

2.95 MB GIF

>>32681424
>Blow a hole through the gate.

>>32681424
"Vivian, I want a missile strike on that BETA gate... thing. Or whatever it is."

"I'm moving the missile platforms into position," Vivian says. "Just buy me some time."

The F-4s and F-5s that were refitted into mobile missile launchers separate from the rest of your forces and take up position to strike at the gate. You have no idea how tough that thing is, but these are the same missiles you designed to deal with the worm. If one hit isn't enough to make it through, it should at least be good enough to weaken the shell's integrity.

Meanwhile, you move to intercept the BETA that are still coming after you. Alone, you're unable to stall them completely, but you buy a few seconds for the rest of the TSFs to reposition and set up their firing lanes.

You focus on your job, killing the BETA as they slip through the cracks between corpses or fall from the ceiling as Vivian gives the launch orders. You toss aside the dismembered head of a Grappler when Vivian calls out to you from behind.

"Julian, the gate is down!"

You hadn't even noticed the explosion.

You switch your HUD to one of your aft cameras.

On the other side of the giant gate, there is another goddamn gate, every bit as large as the first.

"Let's start with a fighting retreat."

The other TSFs pull back and you lag slightly behind them to hold off the BETA. Still, you're forced to step back close and closer to the second gate, until you've crossed the first one, floating through one of them holes in the middle of it. The outer edge is still mostly intact, so it should slow the incoming BETA down a bit.

>Destroy the second gate with missiles.
>Rush through with your Rutherford field.

>>32681798
>>Rush through with your Rutherford field.

File: 1360736503162.gif (2.89 MB, 512x236)

2.89 MB GIF

>>32681798

>Destroy the second gate with missiles.

>>32681798
>Rush through with your Rutherford field.

>The outer edge is still mostly intact, so it should slow the incoming BETA down a bit.
This is the only reason I feel comfortable doing this, since getting pinned up against a gate would be really terrible. Having a bit of a choke point makes taking the slightly slower way through more plausible, plus we are going to need to reserve at least some quantity of missiles to deal with potential Carrier-class.

>>32681798
>Rush through with your Rutherford field.

Lets get this over with. So what do you think will be on the other side? Another gate? More BETA? I just hope it's our target.

File: Beta Superior.jpg (8 KB, 308x164)

8 KB JPG

>>32681798
The gate twitches and shakes, but doesn't do anything else. It looks like it's trying to open to let the BETA through, but the mechanism must be damaged, or else today is your really lucky day. With the BETA stalled, you can save some missiles and just punch through the second gate with your Rutherford field.

You turn towards the second gate and prepare your engines for maximum power.

"Vivian, this is going to get a little rough."

"Isn't it always."

You hit Mach 1, then Mach 2, then Mach 3. You tear through the second gate as if it wasn't even there, and then you slow the Excalibur until it's floating stationary.

You stand at the entrance of a massive cavern that dwarfs... everything. You stood in the main hall of the Lyon Hive, but it was nothing like this.

It doesn't take you long to figure out why this place is so massive.

The thing stands at the far end of the cavern, presumably on top of the Original Hive's own reactor. It's a massive pillar of alien mass, sprouting off tentacles all over, that fills out the full height of the cavern.

'I believe we have found the BETA superior.'

"I had that figured out, Merlin," you say. "Vivian, any suggestions?"

"It can't be defenseless," she says. "I need to see what it does before I can make a recommendation."

In other words, you need some sort of bait to get it to move.

>Wait for the rest of the team to join you and hit it with a full-on attack.
>Taunt it yourself and have every else hold back.

>>32682176
>>Taunt it yourself and have every else hold back.

>>32682176
>>Taunt it yourself and have every else hold back.

File: 1348443110718.gif (2.76 MB, 380x214)

2.76 MB GIF

>>32682176
>Taunt it yourself and have every else hold back.

>>32682176
>Wait for the rest of the team to join you and hit it with a full-on attack.
Alpha Strike that bitch with everything we've got

>>32682176
>>Wait for the rest of the team to join you and hit it with a full-on attack.

>>32682176
I dunno if "taunt" is the right word for it, but it's probably a good idea not to bring our whole squadron through a small hole and into this chamber before figuring out what this thing is capable of.

>>32682176
"Let's see what happens when you poke it. Have our forces hold back a little, I'm going to play with this thing."

You fly at the creature, gradually accelerating until you hit supersonic speed.

The creature's tentacles whip forward, and then split into more tentacles, each aimed at you with frightening accuracy despite the speed you're going. You easily weave through the flailing mass, severing multiple tentacles with your combat halberd. Your Rutherford field wavers slightly when they get too close, but you keep the Excalibur under control.

Just as the tentacles threaten to overwhelm and envelop you, you reduce your speed to zero and reverse at full speed. The sudden shift in g-forces is unpleasant - you hear Vivian muffle a grunt - but it keeps you safe. Now you know what the creature's defenses are.

"Any ideas now," you ask.

"The tentacles are going to be a problem," she says. "We can thin them out with missiles, to get a clear shot at the main body, but normal TSF ordinance won't work on something of that size. Maybe that mass driver you used on Langley would work? Otherwise, we'll have to distract the tentacles with TSFs and fire the missiles at the main body."

>"We'll have the TSFs fly evasive manoeuvres to keep the tentacles busy. Be ready to call in the missile strike."
>"Order a missile strike on the tentacles. I have just the thing to deal with the main body."

>>32682645
>>"Order a missile strike on the tentacles. I have just the thing to deal with the main body."

>>32682645
>>"We'll have the TSFs fly evasive manoeuvres to keep the tentacles busy. Be ready to call in the missile strike."


Let's dance

File: 1348948349984.gif (89 KB, 295x210)

89 KB GIF

>>32682645
>"Order a missile strike on the tentacles. I have just the thing to deal with the main body."

>>32682645
>"Order a missile strike on the tentacles. I have just the thing to deal with the main body."

>>32682645
>Missile strike
We do NOT want to see what'll happen when our systems are strained near the Superior's tentacles.

Rolled 13

>>32682645
"Order a missile strike on the tentacles," you say. "I have just the thing to deal with the main body."

"You damn well better," Vivian says. "Missile platforms, aim for the tentacles. Try to hit their joints to the main body, but at least hit something. Everyone else, support the missile platforms. Be heavy on the trigger."

The TSFs deploy in accordance to Vivian's orders and you start looking for ammunition...

>(roll 3d20)

Rolled 20, 5, 2 = 27

>>32682997

Rolled 12, 2, 6 = 20

>>32682997
I was kind of wondering what we were planning on firing, yeah.

Rolled 9, 4, 19 = 32

>>32682997
Rollin'

>>32682997
The support TSFs unleash their missile barrage. Thanks to the efforts of Vivian and Merlin, it tears apart the Superior's tentacles, and then the root of the stalks. More tentacles emerge from the alien's monstrous form, but they're shot down just as quickly. You have a clear shot at the main body.

You grab the largest piece of rubble you can find and crush it under the weight of impossible gravities. Once the Excalibur reaches its full output, the full pressure of the Rutherford field exceeds fifteen thousand pounds per square inch. Then you give the rubble a spin until friction and movement cause the rock to melt despite the pressure.

That's when you open a gap in the Rutherford field. It's only as wide as a hair's breadth, but that's more than enough.

A razor-thin beam of lava surges out of the Rutherford field at relativistic speed. The sudden air displacement alone is enough to knock TSFs around and even the cavern's walls groan and crack.

The beam hits one of the Superior's eyes first, causing it to burst and the humours within vaporize immediately. Almost simultaneously, the monster's head snaps back and hangs limply. The impact must have been enough to shatter whatever serves as its spine.

The tentacles flail and quiver and twitch, but they've long lost the strength and tension that made them threatening.

You drag the beam of lava down the Superior's body. Blue pus oozes and boils out of the massive wound and the twitching increases. You keep going until it completely splits in half and sprawls out awkwardly.

Then, for good measure, you unleash a second beam, this time severing the stalk at its base.

The creature's sundered corpse falls to the ground with a disgusting mulching sound.

>(cont.)

File: 1400987380998.jpg (122 KB, 700x369)

122 KB JPG

>>32683115

>>32683115
You don't have time to celebrate.

"Everyone, it's time for the exfiltration plan," Vivian says. "Sangreals, refuel TSFs starting with the ones with most fuels. Pilots who don't have sufficient fuel to make it back to the rendezvous point are to abandon their TSF and ride passenger-side on someone else's. Missile platforms, be ready to empty your ordinance on the ceiling to give us an exit. You have 10 minutes."

There's a flurry of action as fuel tanks and pilots are shuffled around. Mary empties her last tank to refuel Elaine's Typhoon and then hops into your cockpit.

"I hope you don't mind if I join you, Julian," she says. "I'd like to get first dibs on the celebration once we get back."

"You can fight Vivian for it," you say. "Strap in so we can get moving.

A missile barrage punches a crater through the ceiling and the active TSFs take flight, leaving the others behind to self-destruct in five minutes.

The tunnels are still full of BETA, but you've mapped the place and you don't need to worry about fuel conservation anymore. You twist and turn through the tunnels until at last, you find an exit gate.

The night sky is waiting for you.

File: 1376966992581.png (123 KB, 924x780)

123 KB PNG

>>32683115

>>32683202
D-did we just s-rank the main hive?

>>32683202
MISSION REPORT:
- Richard Hall survived. (1XP)
- Julian Reber survived. (1XP)
- Elaine Robinson survived. (1XP)
- Vivian Knight survived. (1XP)
- Suppressed BETA surface forces. (1XP)
- Infiltrated Original Hive. (1XP)
- Destroyed the BETA barriers. (1XP)
- Destroyed the BETA Superior. (1XP)
- Saved humanity. (1XP)
- Total: 9XP

NOTES:
- Following the defeat of the BETA Superior, the BETA will lose their command elements and will become unable to adapt to human tactics. Conservative estimates suggest that humanity will win the war in 30 years.

CHARACTER STATUS:
Julian Reber (Main Character)
Level 9 (27/90XP)
Skills: TSF Piloting, Gunnery, Melee, Engineering, Computers
Resources: Budget 2, Connections 7 (Cerberus Battalion, Swiss Government, RAF, Crusaders, MI5, British nobility, Cherno battalion), Gear 6, Personnel 1, Rank 2

File: 13064444352.gif (1.25 MB, 312x176)

1.25 MB GIF

>A razor-thin beam of lava surges out of the Rutherford field at relativistic speed...

Epilouge?

File: Priority_rannoch_-_el_reaper.png (1008 KB, 1280x800)

1008 KB PNG

>>32683264
And that's it for today's thread.

Overall, this Quest was an interesting learning experience for me. I treated it as an episodic story because I assumed my plans would get derailed anyway, but I think this thread immensely benefited from the planning and pre-writing I did. If there was one thing I would change, more planning would be it, especially where the plot is concerned. I'm ending it a bit abruptly because I get the feeling that any content I add at this point would just feel like filler.

In any case, the epilogue will be Wednesday at 7PM EST and then I'll probably start Grifter Quest on Friday. That one is designed to be episodic, but it'll still need some preparation. Hopefully, it'll work out better than Muv Luv Royal did.

'Night folks.

>>32683413
I agree very much with the filler stance, QM.

>>32683264
>- Richard Hall survived. (1XP)
Is it weird that I feel kind of disappointed about this?

Also...
>There's a flurry of action as fuel tanks and pilots are shuffled around. Mary empties her last tank to refuel Elaine's Typhoon and then hops into your cockpit.

>"I hope you don't mind if I join you, Julian," she says. "I'd like to get first dibs on the celebration once we get back."

>"You can fight Vivian for it," you say. "Strap in so we can get moving.

>Julian Reber survived. (1XP)
>Elaine Robinson survived. (1XP)
>Vivian Knight survived. (1XP)
RIP Mary. She fought Vivian for it and lost.

>>32683413
You ran a nice game, Chomp.

Hope to see you Wednesday.

>>32683264
>>- Saved humanity. (1XP)

seems legit

>>32683264
where mary?

Saving humanity is one XP point?

The hell reverse chomp?

>>32683264
>>32683413
Just got back from a work trip, missed the thread and just caught up, thanks for the thread RC

>- Julian Reber survived. (1XP)
>- Elaine Robinson survived. (1XP)
>- Vivian Knight survived. (1XP)

no Mary?

>>32688279
She's in the cockpit. We didn't get any exp for her surviving, though.

Not that it matters, now.