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>>41302743
You spend the rest of the morning with Lev repairing the Cognis's armour. He's become a lot better at it, could probably handle things by himself if he had to.
You let Lev finish up by himself and take a moment to look over the contacts Anya gave you. They looked like they were execs from various arms manufacturers, figures she would have contacts in the military industrial complex.

Names include:

Devlin Caulder a high level manager in Exo-terra aerospace. They made good electronics, missiles and drones.

Klaus Frasco, lead engineer in Landsknecht Heavy Industries, lots of good defensive equipment comes out of that company.

Finally there was a man listed only as Dvorak, apparently working for a company called A.E.S.R, you've never heard of them.

What to do next?:
>Teach Lev about operating the Cognis.
>Contact one of the guys
>Write in

>Previous threads:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?searchall=Cognis+Quest
>QM Twitter
https://twitter.com/CognisQM


Cognis Status:
>Cognis Armour Integrity:45/45
>Missiles:6/6
>Railgun Rounds:20/20

Current Equipment:
>Skypiercer Railgun System
>Apex Combat Laser
>Twin-Linked Heavy Machine Guns
>6 Tube Vertical Launch Missile System
>ECM Suite
>Adaptive Camoflague Plating

Stored Assets:
3 Missiles
17 Railgun Rounds
1 De-Orbiter Strategic payload.

>>41302947
>>Teach Lev about operating the Cognis.

>>41303031
Guess we start in single player mode again.

Writing...

Anya's been getting better at being your co-pilot but you don't completely trust her, lately you haven't been sure about Lev either but you know him better and think that he might more reliable if you trained him up.

"Hey Lev, get over here."

"What's up Sergei?"

"How'd you like to learn how to pilot the Cognis?"

"Oh...wow, really? Like actually drive the thing?"

Roll 1d20
>"Yep." (Teach him how to actually pilot the Cognis, you know, just in case.)
>"Actually, I was thinking more..." (Pick an option below)
>> Weapons Operation (Making him stop sucking at shooting.)
>> Target Acquisition (Making him stop sucking at locking on.)
>> Combat Hacking (Making him stop sucking at hacking.)

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>41303488
>> Combat Hacking (Making him stop sucking at hacking.)

>>41303695
Hacking it is.

Writing...

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((Lucky for you my lone player I rolled high on the extra dice.))

You sit Lev in the Co-Pilot's seat and attempt to explain how to hack enemy mechs in the middile of combat. It wasn't something you were particularly good at yourself but you understood the basics.

It wasn't easy to teach someone in an environment like this. The Cognis didn't have a training mode so in the absence of actual enemies to fight your lesson mostly consisted of theory and pointing out buttons on the interface. Lev sat there dilgently taking notes like the secretary he was, though with the questions he was asking at the end of the lesson, you think his understanding of the topic was starting to match your own.

RANK UP! Lev no longer sucks at hacking.

After a while you break for lunch.

Talk to Lev about something.
>Just eat in silence...
>Write in

Think about how to spend the afternoon.
>Teach Lev something else (Specify: Weapons, Locking On, or Piloting) Roll 1d20
>Consolidate your own knowlege (Specify: Combat tactics, mobility or Close Quarters) Roll 1d20
>Contact Devlin Caulder
>Contact Klaus Frasco
>Contact Dvorak
>Write in

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>41304257
Ever think we'd make it this far? We're almost free.

>Consolidate your own knowlege (Specify: Combat tactics, mobility or Close Quarters) Roll 1d20
Tactics

>>41304257
>Just eat in silence...
>Consolidate your own knowlege (Specify: Combat tactics, mobility or Close Quarters) Roll 1d20
Mobility

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>41304333
whoops

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>41304314
>>41304333

Hooray! Two player mode!

Writing...

You eat in silence and decide that you wanted to try something. You hand Lev the Cognis's user manual and tell him to educate himself then hop into the cockpit and fiddle with the settings of the Cognis's operating system. Back in the military there was a trick you could pull; overriding some of a mech's saftey settings to get increased performance, you really had to have a feel for your mech though otherwise it was more trouble than it was worth.

You spend the rest of the afternoon tinkering with the OS and going through a few test walk cycles around the warehouse. After a while you feel fairly confident that you can handle the new settings.

RANK UP! Sergei has jail broken the Cogni's mobility systems, bonus to movement.

It's getting late, maybe you could try contacting someone...
>Contact Devlin Caulder
>Contact Klaus Frasco
>Contact Dvorak
>Write in

Talk to Lev?
>Write in

Rolled 3 (1d3)

>>41304725
>Talk to Lev?
What will you do once this is over?

>>41304725
>>Contact Dvorak
>>41304899
his question.

>>41304725
>Contact Devlin Caulder
plus
>>41304899

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>41304899
>>41305112
>>41305159

Right Ima roll a d2, unless that d3 was meant to make some kind of decision?

Writing...

>>41302947
Exclusion zone? Don't you mean the d-d-danger zone?
>>41304725
Call Klaus Frasco, tell him we need a favor. We're going to install some nitro on this baby, not tell Lev, put him in the pilot seat, and watch him go wild. It'll be awesome.

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Lev looks thoughtful for a moment.
"I was thinking of starting my own company, probably in something harmless, the military market is pretty cut throat. Although once this is over we'll be wanted men in certain parts of the world, maybe I'll just use my cut to 'dissappear'." He gives a hollow laugh, "before I wanted to live the high life, but it's funny how facing death and being on the run radically changes your priorities."

You shrug non-commitally "yeah, that it does."

Picking up your cell phone you decide to contact Dvorak. The mysterious person working for a company you've never heard of has piqued your curiosity.
The phone rings for a few seconds before a garbld voice answers.

"State your business."

"Anya told me you could provide me with some mech equipment."

No answer, for a moment you wonder if the line has gone dead before an answer comes.

"We can do this, yes but first we need something from you. I am about to text you an address, be present at that address in 1 hour and await further instructions."

He hangs up after that, a few second later you receive a text with an address somewhere in the city of Glesk.

Seems pretty straight forward.
>Go alone.
>Bring Lev along.
>Write in

>>41305498
>>Bring Lev along.

>>41305498
>Go alone.

Hey guys I need to take a break to grab dinner. Keep the responses coming and I'll resolve them when I get back.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>41305566
>>41305577
Alright, back. Time for the old d2.

Writing.

"Let's go Lev our contact wants us to meet them somewhere."

"What about the Cognis? Shouldn't I stay behind and watch it?"

"We'll lock this place up, and nobody can even start the Cognis without the proper codes, besides anyone who comes along hell bent on taking this mech is probably more than you can handle."

As you step outside you see the sun is already starting to set, it'll likely be dark by the time you reach your destination. Further more you're in the middle of an industrial area on the edge of town... this might be difficult.

------------

An hour later you find yourself standing outside some kind of gay club/brothel. Evidently whoever sent you the address had some idea where you were because this place wasn't that far away from the warehouse. You had to ask for directions and that had caused you some anxiety. The people of Foskoedal spoke a dialect of Nevikan so they could understand each other well enough, but your obvious Nevik accent clealry marked you as a foreigner. Your phone buzzes as you stand outside the Club.

<Enter the club and give the Host your name. They will know what to do.>

You shiver slightly at the implications before turning to enter. Behind you Lev is clearly feeling uncomfortable.

"Why a place like this?"

"Gay club makes sense, not unusual for strange men to come here to 'talk' in private, and try not to look too uncomfortable, it makes us stand out."

You walk up to the bouncer.

"The name's Sergei. I'm on your list."

The bouncer eyes you sternly before looking at his list then waving you through. Once inside you are greeted by a rather flamboyant host.

"Your private room is waiting for you Mr. Sergei. I'll have someone sent up shortly." He glances at Lev, "ooh trying for a threesome tonight? Such a handsome boytoy you have."

Lev is positively frozen with shock.

Fuck with Lev? (Figuratively of course.)
>"..."
>Just smile and wink.
>"Why thank you, you don't look so bad yourself."
>Write in

>>41306692
>>Just smile and wink.
"He is just now coming out about it, so he is somewhat shy on any one that hits on him."

>>41306692
>Just smile and wink.

>>41306692
>Just smile and wink.

>>41306712
>>41306725
>>41306770
Wink, wink it is.

Writing...

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You give the Host a wink.

"He is just now coming out about it, so he is somewhat shy on any one that hits on him."

"Oh I know how it feels honey."

The Host leads you through the main club; a space choked with flashing lights, artificial smoke and loud music. Naturally the place is full of what you assume are gay men. Some flamboyantly advertise this, others just look like regular guys.

Eventually you find yourself escorted to a back room. It's what you'd expect; a slightly dingy bed, and dresser with bowl of cheap condoms. For now Lev sits on the bed and glances around nervously. You take the opportunity to check your service pistol before sliding it back into the folds of your jacket.

About a minute later a man in a trench coat and breifcase enters the room.

"You Sergei?"

"Yeah, you Dvorak?"

"No but I work for him."

"Naturally."

"So here's the deal: Dvorak will be happy to supply you with some equipment, but it won't be free. We need you to do a job for us: a little asset recovery."

He opens his breifcase and tosses you a brown envelope. "All the info you need should be in there."

"Uh, this is gay porn."

Trenchcoat man quickly snatches back the envelope and hands you another one.

"Ahem, THIS one should have all the information you need."

You pull a folder out from the envelope. Inside is a detailed transit schedule for whatever this "asset" was.

"I represent Dvorak, who works for A.E.S.R. Recently the Apex Warfare corporation stole something that belonged to us. We want it back. The convoy transporting our asset will be stopping at a railyard nearby. This is the perfect opportunity to reclaim it. You are to neutralise any threats on site while our men go about securing the asset. We know about you Sergei as well as the... unique nature of your mech, so we are confident that this mission is well within your abilities. Any questions?"

>What do you think Lev?
>Write in

>>41307303
>What do you think Lev?

>>41307303
>>What do you think Lev?
>write in
Expected resistance? Unit configuration? anything else in the convoy?

>>41307303
>What do you think Lev?

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"Expected resistance? Unit Configuration? Anything else in the convoy."

"We can't be sure of the exact numbers. We know they'll be mobilising AFVs, mechanised infantry, helicopter gunships and at least one Summit class mech."

Summit class... Apex's frontline combat mecha, dangerous at mid range and depending on the configuration especially dangerous at short range. Superior to anything you've faced thus far.

Trenchcoat continues. "Our own AFVs and infantry will be accompanying you on this mission but their primary concern is to secure the asset, they'll offer you support if they can but don't count on it. As for other things being carried by the convoy there's really nothing else of note, nothing you'd be interested in anyway."

You nod. "What do you think Lev?"

"Sounds pretty straight forward to me. What kind of payment will we be receiving?"

Trenchcoat smiles.
"We will offer you a choice of one of our experimental directed energy weapons. Nothing else like them exists on the market right now. I'm sure you will be quite intrigued by their capabilities."

Lev snaps his fingers. "Wait now I remember where I've heard the name A.E.S.R before: Advanced Energy Systems Research. Weren't you the guys contracted to build the..."

Trenchcoat grins and puts a finger to Lev's lips. "Shhhhhh..." He then straightens his tie. "Now then gentlemen, if there's nothing else I believe our business is concluded."

As Trenchcoat opens the door you glimpse a man brandishing a submachine gun behind him. You barely have time to dive behind the bed and pull Lev with you as Dvorak's representative gets riddled with bullets...

((That's all for tonight folks. Thanks for playing. I'll stick around for some Q&A.))

>>41307821
Looks like I actually got a semi-decent turn out tonight, complete with a name fag. How do you guys like the Quest so far? Any complaints?

I actually have a question for you: Would like me to have a JRPG style relationship system where I explicitly state the level of your bonds with NPCs or would you rather I just convey such things naturally through the writing?

>>41307878
Naturally, pretty good, wish the Cognis had more stopping power tbh.

>>41307994
You guys are stingy with the big guns. I'll tell you now that your railgun and missiles can two shot most mechs and one shot most non-mech vehicles. But you guys all want to use the laser.