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[2/2]

As soon as you hang up, Marina gives out a low moan as she stretches her on body. “Hibiki... what time is it?”

“7:32.” you reply to Marina as you roll onto your back. “I have to admit that I’m not used to waking up this late.”

“Well I guess it can’t be helped after... um...” Marina gives out a small blush as she struggles with the words.

You give a deep blush as well, only recalling last night in hazy bits of recollection. “Osvald gave me a call just now, he wants me to head out for a bit.”

“Oh, are you are all healed up?” Marina asks.

You put your hand out in front of you, moving the white-skinned hand in front of your faces for a bit. “Good as new thanks to Rosenberg and Osvald. Guess they want me to do actual assignments again instead of just reconnaissance.”

“Oh, well that’s great!” Marina seems to say in a forced expression.

“Is something wrong?” you ask Marina.

“Well... I was hoping that you wanted to... um... cuddle a bit before we got up.” Marina says to you.

- “So long as I do what he asked today I don’t think he’d mind.”

- “The earlier I start the better, gotta go keep an eye on Wendy.”

- “The earlier I start the better, gotta go keep an eye on Dexter.”

- Other

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>What is this quest?

Alchemical Blade Prequel Quest, a quest set in the Modern version of Creation from the Exalted setting, focusing on how the robotic Alchemical Exalted came to be within the setting. If you love hints of Cyberpunk and high action quests, then you may enjoy this quest.

>Who are we?

The quest is mainly going to be played out in flashbacks, in which during the flashbacks we take control of the Moonsilver caste Alchemical Exalted Junpaku Hibiki, while in the current time you play as “Anonymous”. The game will take place within the city of Versino within the central continent of Creation Meruvia. Labelled as a dangerous and murderous science experiment gone rogue, you need to evade forces of the mightiest army within Creation sprinkled with the powerful Elemental supersoldiers known as the Dragonblooded, trying to find out who is responsible for what you’ve become and how to escape their clutches once and for all.

>Alchemical? Moonsilver? I don’t know anything about Exalted, much less Modern Exalted...

I’ve made this quest to be as friendly to newbies as possible, and I also see it as an introductory guide to the World of Modern Exalted. You can google “1d4chan Exalted” for information on the general vanilla setting, but what I’ll be using is the Modern Version of Exalted as shown in “Shards of the Exalted Dream” book, in where its Alchemicals are quite different than those of Vanilla Exalted. Feel free to ask any question about Exalted in the thread and I will do my best to answer it.

>Archive?

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Alchemical+Blade+Quest

>System?

Dicepool system. When performing an action, everyone rolls a number of d10’s based on what the action is (I will list the pools for most actions, but if you want to have a roll for an action, ask and I’ll make the dicepool for it). The first roll is the one that’ll be used, but if someone makes another roll for a different action and more people vote for that, I’ll be using that one instead.

>This seems hella complicated, is there any way you can boil things down for me?

http://pastebin.com/NexXpPC1

>XP?

Favored Attributes cost 4 XP per dot to increase (Underlined on stat sheet when released) while non-favored ones cost 5 XP. Abilities themselves cost 3 XP per dot to increase naturally. All charms cost 6 XP per purchase with Dedicated slots costing 4 XP each and General ones costing 6 XP each. At the end of every “mission” (In game objectives set by either me or some goal the audience desires) you will be presented with a possible acquisition list of charms. Experience can also be gained by developing the character, learning about the world, or just in general things people find interesting.

>Twitter?

@Sandact6

>Where can I yell at you and your players?

https://discord.gg/wuGZxyN

>>1030427
>- “So long as I do what he asked today I don’t think he’d mind.”
You know I hate marina as a waifu but lets do this

“So long as I do what he asked today I don’t think he’d mind.” you say as you shuffle in closer with Marina.

“Oh that’s great!” Marina says as she then wraps her arms around you, bringing you closer into her embrace.

You and Marina shuffle up together in the bed, both of you basking the presence of each other. As your hands and feet move over both Marina’s flesh and yours, you still can’t get over the sensation of Alchemical skin, that is the feeling of it always being clammy, or a better metaphor of it being wet pottery paint with elasticity. Whenever your anima flaws and begin to ‘sweat’ your skin literally does feel like a wet piece of pottery clay. It does evaporate quickly, but needless to say it makes wearing your armour feel very gross at times. It has no overall impact on your performance, but does feel like your suit has a bunch of jelly in it.

Marina gives a soft sigh as you can feel her hand run down your arm.

“Something wrong?” you ask her.

“I’ve... I’ve been thinking about the future is all. I mean let's say we do get off this island and away from this hellhole. What are we going to do then? I mean we’re not human anymore, so I’m wondering what our kind is even going to do.” Marina replies back to you.

You can understand Marina’s feelings somewhat. While you will always have a home in Coral, Marina’s place is here in Versino and Meruiva. Versino will take literal years to rebuild, while Meruvia herself may never let her off the hook for being an Alchemical, in fact it may never let any of you off.

“You’re free to come back to the West with me if you want.” you reply to Marina.

“The West? You mean to Coral?” Marina replies.

You give a small nod as you look up to her eyes. “I’d extend my offer to everyone else of course. Wendy, Osvald, Mochire, and Dexter are all welcome to come. Some of them may want to disappear and using my family’s connections I believe I can do that, but for you... you’re always welcome into any of my homes.”

Marina makes a small gasp as she hears your talk. “Marriage!? Already!?”

You give Marina a small playful flick on the nose as she says that. “Roommates for the time being.”

“Only a roommate?” Marina asks, her voice sounding a bit dejected.

You give a small sigh as says that followed with a deep blush. “A girlfriend one of course.”

Marina gives a small smile as she gives you a kiss on the forehead before turning around and resting her head on top of yours. Your ‘heart’ beginning to beat faster and faster.

- “Um... Y-You want to continue off from last night before I leave?”

- “Relax, I’ll be fine for the day Marina, no worries.”

And

- Chase after Dexter first

- Chase after Wendy first

>>1030610
>>- “Um... Y-You want to continue off from last night before I leave?”

>>1030653

Also whenever you want to go after Dexter or Wendy first

>>1030683
Dexter!

>>1030610
>- “Um... Y-You want to continue off from last night before I leave?”

Kinda want to chase Wendy first, but hopefully it wont matter too much.

>- Chase after Dexter first

[1/2]

“Um...” you stammer before speaking a bit more loudly. “Y-You want to continue off from last night before I leave?”

Upon hearing that you can feel Marina squeeze you a bit tighter, certainly have gotten a reaction of her it seems.

“W-Well... I-I don’t mind if that’s what you mean...” Marina says shyly above your own head.

Even after Marina’s own acceptance you remain frozen in place, as if wondering what to do or how to approach the situation next. When it comes to swordsplay things come so naturally, but as your sister said when it comes to romance the only thing you do is blankly stare while shuffling your feet.

After a fews seconds of hesitation Marina’s face comes down once again, planting a small kiss on your nose before pressing her lips against yours, the soft lips making contact with yours once again as the faint taste of clay washes around in your mouth before everything becomes a blur once again.

******

About an hour later you’re leaping over the rooftops of Versino, back in tip top shape as you race across the city.

“Do you have any information on where Dexter could be?” you ask as you leap over a nearby rooftop.

“Insufficient data. Last I heard from him he sounded as if he was in the downtown area with a feminine voice.” Osvald replies.

“Feminine voice? He told me was planning to be male for a short while.” you reply.

“Correct, Dexter’s pattern has usually been to remain in one sex for a few weeks at a time unless circumstances forced his hand. My hypothesis is that he’s preparing to do something.” Osvald replies.

“I’m going to need some help here Osvald. Dexter is master of disguise and you’re asking me to pick him out in the middle of the busiest part of town.” you say standing over a rooftop and looking down at the streets below. Very few if any cars can be seen on the roads with the shortages on supplies, and while the sidewalks are full of paranoid and hurried people there’s still quite a few quite a few of them walking the street. “I’m not Wendy, I’m going to need some help here.”

[2/2]

“I’m hacking into the municipal traffic control cameras, give me 9.129 seconds.” Osvald says as time ticks by before he finally answers. “Dexter is using one of her last persona’s. Short blond hair in the front, ponytail in the back, soft freckles on the face, thin and athletic body tone, large devitation in the chest area but personality matches Dexter’s persona ‘Kaylie’ with a 49.531 percent chance of probability.”

“Real Meruvian beauty then.” you reply. “Isn’t that an awfully high margin of error for you?”

“Beauty is subjective, and yes the margin of error is unacceptably large, but compared to Wendy or Dexter my personality profiling programs are not as strong. I am running an older firmware version and Dexter is exceedingly proficient at his purpose as an infiltrator.” Osvald replies.

“Any idea where I can find him?” you ask.

“Partytown, she entered in the front door along with a bag.” Osvald replies. “However that was roughly an hour ago and she hasn’t been seen leaving the building since.”

“So investigative work, got it.” you reply as look down at the street towards Partytown, a large well lit sign of balloon letters in front of display windows full of party decorations.

- Take the frontal low-key way. Find a wheelchair, go into your human form, and simply ask around for “Kaylie” inside.

- Sneak in from the rooftops, see if you can find some information snooping around inside.

- Other

>>1030915
>- Sneak in from the rooftops, see if you can find some information snooping around inside.

If he's doing something important inside, we don't want to crash it.

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You decide to head up with the roof entrance. If Dexter is inside planning something then the last thing you want to do is show up being a burden on him. Especially after the bank.

Leaping across the street and over to Partytown, a quick hack from your Omnitool allows you to bypass the keypad lock on the roof of the store before climbing down on inside.

As you look through the back area, you can see bits of confetti and coloured paper on the floor, as if they were preparing for something. A more careful through both the back and the showfloor of the store show absolutely no sign of Dexter at all.

(“I can’t find Dexter in the store.”) you text to Osvald looking down a hallway of princess decorations.

(“There’s no reason Dexter should be hiding. If she then there are many other better places to do so.”) Osvald replies. (“Continue searching.”)

Heading towards the back once more, you continue towards the employee lockers themselves, opening them one by one until you find a locker containing familiar clothing inside of it. Looking over the jean jacket, you can see the same Tiger on the back as you saw in the photo’s that Osvald sent you of the traffic cameras.

“Osvald, I got Dexter’s jean shirt, no sign of her in the building.” you say putting the clothes back. “She must’ve changed clothing.”

“Strange, Dexter must’ve been posing as an employee. Continue searching for evidence. Computer logs, physical evidence, anything of that sort. Perhaps we could find a motive behind this.” Osvald says.

- “The security cameras are in the main office overlooking the showfloor, they should have records of Dexter on there but that’s also within sight of the employees, sneaking into a door may be hard with them watching.”

- “I’ll see if I can find anything here.” (Roll 9d10 for Investigation, may add up to +5 dice for 5m)

- Other

Rolled 9, 7, 3, 7, 7, 8, 3, 6, 6, 9, 5 = 70 (11d10)

>>1031104
>- “I’ll see if I can find anything here.” (Roll 11d10 for Investigation, 2 dice for 2m)

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>>1031387

Same. lets keep a low key right now i see no need to rush

[1/2]

You spend a few minutes looking on the ground of the back room, noticing the bits and pieces of coloured paper all over the floor. The appear to have been knocked loose from something, and as you follow the trail it seems to go to the loading bay in the back.

Your instinct tells you that Dexter is somehow involved with this coloured paper, and after a quick trip back to the front of the store your feelings are confirmed.

(“Osvald, this place does party favors. I think Dexter’s inside of one of this place’s pop-out cakes.”) you reply to him.

(“Your hypothesis has merit, but we still lack a motivation to why Dexter would do such a thing.”) Osvald replies.

You give a small sigh as you rack your own brain for information, remembering back at the ambush back at the base, remembering how Dexter mentioned something about a ‘bombed hospital’.

Pulling up the internet browser immediately you begin to scan and search for relevant news articles about a hospital bombing inside of the area Dexter admitted that he worked in, the Haltan and Linowan region. You eventually come across a small story written a few years ago in an English speaking Tengese paper, where Major Edward Colt ordered a bombing on a civilian hospital thought to be a headquarters for Haltan Terrorists in the region, but the hospital actually had innocent people inside of it.

(“Osvald, do you know the commanding office in change of the Versino operation?”) you ask.

[2/2]

(“Major General Edward Colt.”) Osvald immediately replies back.

You have to bite your lip in order to avoid you sharp inhalation. (“Dexter’s trying to kill him. I need you to immediately track the location of this Edward Colt.”)

(“Searching.”) Osvald immediately replies as you head towards the rooftop entranceway. (“Edward Colt is currently stationed at the Lambda Military base, near the waterfront itself. The one closest to the military base which we were ambushed at.”)

“Goddamnit Dexter are you trying to kill yourself!?” you mutter as you continue to race towards the military base as fast as you can.

******

A few minutes later a top speed you manage to get to the military base itself, and while it is a smaller base it's still not to be underestimated. Two tanks can be seen on the outside while a single helicopter patrols the waterfront near it. The base is surrounded by concrete walls with razor wire on top. The building itself appears to be a hastily converted Navel warehouse with a makeshift helipad on top of it. What strikes the most fear in you however are the Black Strike Force Zer0 members down on the ground. You remembered these guys from the John Doe ambush, far stronger than the other cut and paste military members. If these guys are using this place as a base, then Dexter is going to be in serious trouble.

- Wait for a cargo truck then climb into the back of one. Dexter must’ve entered the base at ground level, so the trail will be easier to follow.

- Time is of the essence. Sneak into the military base and climb in through a nearby vent or at the rooftop.

- Other

>>1031504
>- Time is of the essence. Sneak into the military base and climb in through a nearby vent or at the rooftop.

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>>1031504

wondering does the order number have a tracking number.

we would have a good idea of at least where in the base he is. as they would need to specify

[1/2]

Waiting around is out of the question. Every passing second Dexter spends inside with those SF0 troopers around is a risk in of itself. Both you and Dexter are good at stealth, but doing this takes an entirely different set of balls.

Heading down the building as fast as your cloaking field will let you, you walk into the base using the main gate, directly under the wall mounted vulcan cannons and soulgem detectors they’ve got up and running in the base. You activate your gravity apparatus and climb up the wall in the base, taking a brief look around before propping one of the windows open near the top of the base and quickly crawling inside of them.

While you’re inside the base, the first problem is how to find Dexter herself. But as you stand up against the wall looking down, you can see that while the front end of the warehouse is a loading dock and vehicle bay type area, the other sections of the base seem to be segmented of sorts, an outline of metal scaffolding popping up out of the top of them to show that the military has plans to build several more levels in this area.

You give a small sigh as you engage your hearing receptors to max, hoping that you can catch any sort of evidence about where Dexter is in the area.

“Hey man, are you going to come to Colt’s birthday party?” a voice says in the warehouse.

Immediately zooming into the location, you can see a mechanic and a soldier currently sipping a juice box having a conversation.

The soldier shakes his head as he leans against the APC the mechanic is repairing. “Na, got a shift starting in 10. Besides Colt ain’t coming to the party anyways, so I don’t know why they’re doing this in the first place.”

“A bit of morale for the troops is always nice.” The mechanic replies leaning into the APC.

“Call me crazy, but I’d rather have a good meal as my morale booster.” The soldier says as he crushes his juice box. “Worst part of the military by far is those stupid MRE’s we eat on patrol. Even most of the restaurants are shut down by now.”

You see how this is all coming together piece by piece now. Dexter was hoping to kill this Edward Colt during his birthday party, but his chance for this is sadly going to be missed now.

You refocus your hearing to something that sounds like grown men chatting or in semi-high spirits. Narrowing the conversations down to a single room, you carefully walk down over towards it, peering in down below from an a vent opening in an uncompleted ventilation shaft.

As you peer inside, you can see what appears to be a small party gathered in a small room, a large amount of soldiers both in and out of armour drinking beer with various snacks situated around the room itself. Simple party decorations can be seen around the room, but you doubt the men care about such things.

[2/2]

It isn’t long after that a large party cake made of paper mache is rolled into the room along with the hoots and cheers of various men in the room.

“Bad news boys, our old Coltie got dragged away on business, so he isn’t able to be here today with us!” A soldier who wheeled the cake into the room says, a few boos and cheers echoing out in the room. “...But he gave us orders, orders that we must all follow... To have a damn good time at his own party in the name of him! Hit in Bill!”

As the soldier stops speaking, slow sounding dance music seems to begin to play in the room, with a few seconds after a woman bursts out from the cake matching the description Osvald gave you, only now she’s dressed up in a bunny costume. Ears, tail, sash, the works. A slow dance begins from the beautiful woman in the room full of hooting and cheering men.

(“Dexter pick up.”) you text to him as you continue to watch the dance, clearly unamused by the risks she’s taking here right now. Even after about 15 seconds Dexter still doesn’t answer you back. (“I can see what you’re doing with the cake.”)

For a brief moment, you can see the eyebrow on the dancing woman twitch as she drags her fingers past a slack jawed soldier’s cheeks. (“What do you want?”)

- “That bunny costume should be the only clothing you wear from now on.”

- “Are you crazy? What on earth are you doing? You may be skilled, but this is just plain reckless.”

- “What do you hope to accomplish with this stunt?”

- Other

>>1031665
>- "May I ask why you decided to come here?"

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>>1031665

“What do you hope to accomplish with this stunt?”

(“May I ask what you are doing here and what you even hope to accomplish with this stunt?”) you ask.

(“Oh you know, just pranking a few of my old friends.”) Dexter texts you as she seems to sit in a blushing man’s lap.

(“Drop the act, I found the newspaper articles about Edward Colt and the hospital.”) you reply to Dexter. (“Are you after revenge?”)

(“I am not after revenge!”) Dexter types back no less than a second later, the anger in his texts evidence even though she continues her act in the birthday room. (“What I’m after is a sense of justice!”)

(“Dexter, what happened at that hospital?”) you ask him.

A few seconds tick on by as Dexter begins to sing along with the song on the radio, using a metal scaffolding pole in the room as a small instrument to dance with. (“I was chasing a Haltan Warlord known as Dances on Pedals, I had been chasing him for nearly a year while undercover. Cole was my superior back then and ordered me to chase Dances on Pedals back to his base. My cover got blown at the last moment, we had a bit of a gunfire, and when people get shot they naturally go to a hospital.”)

(“The paper said it was a headquarters.”) you reply to Dexter, sending him a link to the article.

(“I don’t even need to read that crap to know that it's a lie!”) Dexter immediately texts back. (“Innocent people were in that building Hibiki, not soldiers or fighters, people. Pregnant woman, injured old men, sick children, just about everything! I told Colt to call of the attack, but he claimed so long as Dances on Pedals was still alive the attack would go ahead and ordered me to pull out. I ignored that order and shot Dances on Pedals dead in the operating room, and about five seconds after the bombs landed on the hospital.

You remain silent for a long moment as Dexter continues to dance in the room, still holding up the smiling and cheerful facade despite the boiling rage that exists underneath. (“The incident was covered up by the Meruivan government, Colt got promoted, I had horrific burns across my entire body and shrapnel in my spine so that I’d never walk again. I’m at this point I’m done with Meruvia and don’t care about any revenge, but I don’t want that incompetent buffoon is no where near the command structure for this mission. Who knows how many unnecessary deaths he already inflicted so far.”)

- “You’re paralyzed just like I am? Small world.”

- “Why didn’t you go public with this information?”

- “Dexter, even know you should know your actions don’t excuse this behavior. You’re good, but there’s no way that people aren’t going to notice the commanding officer’s death on this deployment. You wouldn’t leave this base alive.”

- Other

>>1031800
>- “You’re paralyzed just like I am? Small world.”
>- "You don't seem too perturbed about not meeting the commander here...so...distraction, right?"

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>>1031800

"You’re paralyzed just like I am? Small world.

I am assuming you have a plan? from the sounds of it something possibly to get him relived of command? and most importantly without getting us killed."

(“You’re paralyzed like I am? Small world.”) you reply.

(“I know your pain very well, trust me. Also dealing with burn wounds over half your body and looking like something out of a halloween horror film isn’t that fun either. At least you still have the exotic foreign beauty look going for you.”) Dexter replies as she walks across the room, wiggling her hips.

(“I am assuming you have a plan? From the sounds of it something possibly to get him relieved of command, and most importantly without getting us killed.") you ask. ("You don't seem too perturbed about not meeting the commander here, so this is all a distraction?”)

(“Oh no, when that soldier mentioned Colt wasn’t on the base I had my fist clenched in anger. I was fully prepared to pop out of the cake, do a little dance, kill Colt and everyone in the room before vanishing completely. Despite Colt’s incompetency the bastard has heaven’s luck.”) Dexter says making a dance move that involves a long, slow full split. (“Thankfully, I do have a plan B.”)

(“Which is?”) you ask.

(“Getting the information out from one of his officers.”) Dexter replies back. (“See that guy over there? The Black guy in the corner who eats entire jars of protein as a snack?”)

You glance over to the corners of the room, eventually seeing an over muscled black man wearing a beret and drinking a smoothie. (“I see him, he an officer?”)

(“One that reports directly to Colt. We just need to get the answers out of him.”) Dexter replies. (“I was originally going to seduce him and rip all the relevant information out of his head, but since you’re here...”)

(“I’m not doing a threesome.”) you immediately text back.

Dexter even gives a small laugh as the song begins to wind down. (“That’s plan D. Since you’re here I can see if I can provide a distraction while you rummage through his office.”)

(“He doesn’t appear to be that interested.”) you reply.

(“Which is when plan C comes in. I want you to ‘interrogate’ him the second he’s alone.”) Dexter replies.

(“Isn’t that dangerous?”) you reply.

(“You’d need to keep a close eye on him in case he tries yelling for help, but a few strikes to the head or death threats would defuse that quickly. After that the rest is up to your personal and natural affinity for being a bitch.”) Dexter replies.

(“If we get out of here I’m punching you.”) you reply to him.

- Have Dexter attempt a seduction attempt against the officer then search the officer’s main office.

- Trial the officer to a private spot before beginning your ‘interrogation’

- Other

>>1031954
>- Have Dexter attempt a seduction attempt against the officer then search the officer’s main office.

>>1031954
>- Have Dexter attempt a seduction attempt against the officer then search the officer’s main office.

>>1031994
>>1032001

Why I only saw these now when I refreshed is a mystery to me.

Either way, game will continue tomorrow!

OK sorry to say I've been invited to a birthday party tonight and won't be able to work on the Quest tonight. It was last minute when I was out shopping now.

We'll continue again tomorrow and Friday, again so sorry!

[1/2]

(“Try seducing him, keep him busy long enough and I’ll loot through his office.”) You say zooming in towards the officer in order to get his name tag.

(“Will do.”) Dexter replies as she slinks on over to the man in the corner. “Hhhheeeyyyy big boy...” she says in a voice with a southern drawl.

Pulling yourself off the ground and heading into the hallway itself, you make your way towards Maj. Roscoe’s office, finding it near the back of the facility where the small tower of offices has been hastily built.

Carefully making your way through the halls covered with discount carpet, you use your omnitool to open the the door to Roscue’s office itself, a private room with a glass window that overlooks the entire base down below. You twist the curtains shut before you begin to investigate the room. Carefully looking at bottled ships and endless series of insignificant reports on the bookshelf. Giving a small sigh to yourself you want over to his computer, extending your omnitool to begin searching through his system.

A small surprise comes to you in that the systems of the computer fight back itself, the almost changing dynamically in order to fight against your intrusion before logging in. You spend nearly a minute checking the connection of the computer in case you’re being spied upon, but it looks as if you’re in the clear.

(Hibiki managed to hack into the computer system with six successes!)

[2/2]

Giving a small sigh of relief you begin rooting through the Major’s personal files. Some of them you try to remember the majority for Osvald until later, but most of the reports are worthless in that they don’t tell anything juicy or major, not something like Osvald or Wendy would already know about. What does catch your attention is a small string of personal messages that Maj. Roscue was sending out, but the username for the other party doesn’t appear to be visible.

<MajPain> I’m sick of babysitting this asshole
Too bad. That is part of the job you signed up for.
<MajPain> No really, I’m constantly fixing his damn mistakes
<MajPain> He issued an attack on a Gremlin hole in the ghetto area, without Dragonblooded or Strike Team Zer0 support.
SF0 is not meant for those operations. You know that.

(“Hibiki it failed, he’s coming back to the room right now!”) Dexter immediately texts you.

(“What!? Why!?”) you ask back.

(“He seemed pretty pissed off in the first place is probably why. Finish up what you’re doing right now!”) Dexter texts back.

Damnit! Of all the luck! You’re onto something major and you need to pull back now of all times!

- Remain at the computer, attempt to memorize the general gist of the conversation as much as possible. This seems far too important to pass up. (Roll 8d10, may add up to +5 dice for 5m, the higher the result the more clear the information)

- Pull out of the computer and clean up the office a bit before he returns in order to cover your tracks, then stay and see if you can overhear any sensitive information (Roll 8d10, may add up to +5 dice for 5m, the higher the better)

- Get out of the office entirely before he comes back

- Other

Rolled 1, 7, 7, 2, 4, 1, 5, 2, 10, 8, 8, 8, 8, 5 = 76 (14d10)

>>1036860
>- Remain at the computer, attempt to memorize the general gist of the conversation as much as possible. This seems far too important to pass up. (Roll 8d10, may add up to +5 dice for 5m, the higher the result the more clear the information)

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Something like this is far too major or important to pass up. You’re only going to get one shot at this, so you rapidly begin to scroll through the rest of the conversation as fast as you can, absorbing any sort of relevant details.

Maj. Roscue appears to be a babysitter for Colt himself, the man on the other seeming to be his boss. Maj. Roscue wonders why Colt himself is in the position, but the other side says that it's part of the ‘established parameters’ and Colt’s fate is to be entwined in this battle, before reminding Roscue that it's not too late to give Roscue’s future promotion to someone else instead. Roscue friecely rebukes, saying that he doesn’t enjoy being jerked around and knows where they’re getting insufficient resources. Strike Force Zer0 looking good on paper but it does nothing when Strike Force Zer0 seem to be on their own mission entirely and barely provide any support to the main trooper body, rather just taking what they please regardless of the consequences. Maj. Roscue’s knows of their abilities and demands for them to be part of the main squads from now on. What the strange on the other end says is that Strike Force Zer0 isn’t here to kill Alchemicals, quite the contrary; they’re here to capture specific Alchemical’s alive. More investigations need to be done, but any Alchemical who was serviced by Doctor Trine is on that list, and you’re even mentioned by name in the conversation as someone who is central to the entire plot.

“John Doe, this is you isn’t it?” you mutter to yourself softly as you hear the door click open. In a flash you exit back to the main login screen just as Maj. Roscue enters his office, a sour look on his face as he hangs up his beret behind the door and storms over to his desk in a sigh. Reaching down below, he pulls open a cupboard and pulls out a bottle of expensive bourbon and a single shot glass, setting them both on the table as he reaches to pour his drink.

He stops mid-drink however, his eye catching something on his desk that seems out of place. A few pieces of paperwork that seem out of place.

Crap this man is sharp. He’s probably noticed something wrong with his office. Your breathing rate grows quickly as you think of possible ideas of how to proceed next...

- Leave him be, there isn’t enough evidence here for him to call up a full alert.

- Knock him out non-lethally by smashing his head against the desk

- This man’s a risk to keep alive. Strangle him to death.

- Knock him unconscious and ask how Dexter feels about getting some blackmail material. A pawn close to John Doe could be useful with little personal risk to you.

- Other

>>1037335
Hug him and make him feel bad for reporting us

>>1037344

I don't think that'd do much for him.

Unless you mean hug him really tightly around the neck until he stops breathing.

>>1037349
Lets just leave, then.

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>>1037335
>- Knock him unconscious and ask how Dexter feels about getting some blackmail material. A pawn close to John Doe could be useful with little personal risk to you.


Tempted to go with this rout. what do others think as their is a high risk high reward. We have so little information and very few opportunities to get more. This chance while risky gives us the chance for more info

>>1037511

What does someone else think of this?

Was about to finish the next part before seeing this

>>1037569
No problem!

[1/2]

This opportunity is too good of a chance to pass up. Getting a spy so close to what you figure to be John Doe sounds like a major boon on your side, an idea quickly flashing in your head of what you could do next.

You immediately wrap your arms around his neck, pulling him into a vice grip around his chair that makes him gasp soundlessly for air. His body rapidly fidgets about, reaching towards his desk before you pull him away from it, keeping the pressure up until his entire body goes limp. At first you fear that you may have killed him, but as your eyes zoom in on his bald head you can see the blood vessels up top still pumping blood.

(“Dexter, get a camera. I have a plan.”) you say to Dexter.

(“A plan?”) you ask Dexter.

(“How do you feel about making blackmail material?”) you ask her.

(“I think you’re speaking my language. I’ll be up in a minute.”) Dexter replies back to you.

******

About an half hour later, Maj. Roscue slowly comes back to his senses, his grogginess quickly overcome as adrenaline pumps into his system.

His pants are currently removed while his shirt is sloppy and unbuttoned. A hastily done attempt to fix up clothing just as Dexter’s own ruffled hair and sloppy bunny costume alludes to, only Dexter is now proudly standing in her Alchemical form in front of Maj. Roscue.

“Howdy handsome~” Dexter says with a pretty smile as she looks down at Roscue. Roscue glaring daggers at her with his eyes, but unable to say anything as his mouth is filled with a sock.

[2/2]

“...Oh! You’re probably wondering what little ol’ me is doin’ up here and... by the heaven’s I had you wrong! I thought you were a party pooper and ‘ere you where being one of the rowdiest cowboys I’ve eva seen!” Dexter says as she continues speaking in her Southern drawl, picking up a camera as she turns on the screen and goes through some of the pictures. “See, this was a new experience fer me right here, and oh my heaven’s were you ever excitable there! But don’t worry, your government already picked up the tab of putting a few billion dollas of things I never wanted inside of me in the first place, but I’m so glad a man like you could look past mai fragile little exterior...”

You can’t help but give a small smile as Dexter goes over the photographs. You sent them to Osvald to make them appear as Roscue was awake throughout the entire ordeal, so now there are photographs of him doing illicit acts with an Alchemical all on camera.

“I’m pretty sure none of us want these private photographs out... I mean such a thing could jeopardize both of our futures and... well those Strike Force Zer0 fellas sure don’t like robots. I mean if they had any hint someone was friendly with one of them then... Well I reckon it won’t be friendly.” Dexter says with a sweet smile as she sits down into his lap. “So let’s not do somethin’ like be yellin’ fer the other fellers when I pull out that sock, kay?”

Roscue’s own face begins to flood with anger, nearly reaching a boiling point as he himself struggles against the straights Dexter tied him up with. “What the fuck do you want whore!?” he spits out in a hushed whisper.

- Who were you talking to in that chatlog?

- You claim to work for Colt but seem to be doing most of his work. What do you do exactly?

- If you want Colt dead why not arrange an ‘accident’. You seem to be a clever enough man to do so, so why haven’t you done so?

- Other

>>1037675
>>- You claim to work for Colt but seem to be doing most of his work. What do you do exactly?
- If you want Colt dead why not arrange an ‘accident’. You seem to be a clever enough man to do so, so why haven’t you done so?
- Who were you talking to in that chatlog?

>>1037335
>- You claim to work for Colt but seem to be doing most of his work. What do you do exactly?
>- Why don't you arrange a little accident for Colt?

>>1037675
Oh and add:
>- Has Colt been holding the Military back from doing their jobs at all?

[1/2]

In order to remain silent, you text the questions you want answered to Dexter.

“Ya claim to be workin’ fer Colt but seem ta be doin’ most of his work. What are ya doin’ exactly?” Dexter asks, remaining seated on Roscue’s lap.

“I have no idea what the fuck you’re talking about.” Roscue immediately spits back.

Dexter leans back as she gives a small laugh before turning back towards Roscue himself. “See that thar computer? I had a wee peek at it when you were out cold. I was hopin’ ta go a bit more slowly with this, but it appears we can go into the next question want ta ask.” Dexter says as she turns around, holding his chin and forcing him to look in her eyes. “Answer my question. What are ya doin’ workin’ fer Colt and who was that in the chat? Answer me or I’ll start pinning these ‘ere photographs in the barracks.”

“I don’t know who the hell I was talking to!” Roscue nearly yells out at Dexter.

“I beg yer pardon, ya dun know who yer talkin’ to?” Dexter asks.

“He claimed he had no name before he approached me online. At first I thought he was full of shit, but when he started ‘pulling strings’ to get me further up the chain of command I started listening to him. He asks me to do strange shit robot, things that don’t even make sense. Babysitting Colt is one of them, as I need to make sure he lives, but he asks me to do other strange things all the time.”

“Such as?” Dexter asks.

“Guarding certain areas of the city. Middle of nowhere areas while Strike Force Zer0 are sent in to investigate. Sometimes we find Alchemicals there, sometimes apostates, mostly bums or civilians. But I think my patron is after something else. I don’t know or care. I was promised a fast line up the rankings of the military and after working my ass to the bone and only seeing people pull ahead due to some fancy bloodwork done to them or pure nepotism I’m through with playing fair.” Roscue replies.

[2/2]

“If ya want Colt dead, why not arrange an ‘accident’? I can tell yer not like da other brickheads hon, so why the restraint?” Dexter asks.

“My patron was very specific on keeping Colt alive and in charge for as long as possible. I don’t ask why as my ‘parton’ starts rambling on about psuedoscience bullshit if he gives me any straight answer at all.” Roscue replies. “Something about saying his star needs to take the correct path or some other bullshit. Colt may be trying to kill you, but believe me I have more than enough reason to want him gone myself, only after I’ve seen what my patron has pulled off I’m not inclined to piss him off.”

“Has Colt been stoppin’ the military from doin’ there jobs?” Dexter asks as she continues to sit on Roscue’s lap.

“No he does his job, but he’s a desk jockey. He has no idea how to pull off a military operation other than managing the supply lines. He got his position purely by asskissing those above him. To him he may be doing his job, but his orders are sloppy and at times I wonder if he has an overall strategy.” Roscue replies.

- “Well our conversation appears to be at an end darlin, but if a heightened alert when I live this place, your ‘patron’ is going to be one of the first seein’ these ‘ere photos.”

- “Shame we both know so little about your patron, so how about we both try to learn of him? Just send all of your interactions with him to us?”

- “Rumors are terrible things to be spreadin’ around... but compared frat boys downstairs I’m rather good at holdin’ my tongue. What say you give me details about any military patrols and operations in your area of the city hm?”

- Other

>>1037784
>>- “Shame we both know so little about your patron, so how about we both try to learn of him? Just send all of your interactions with him to us?”
>
>- “Rumors are terrible things to be spreadin’ around... but compared frat boys downstairs I’m rather good at holdin’ my tongue. What say you give me details about any military patrols and operations in your area of the city hm?”

>>1037784
>- “Well our conversation appears to be at an end darlin, but if a heightened alert when I live this place, your ‘patron’ is going to be one of the first seein’ these ‘ere photos.”

>>1037807
The way John Doe seems to operate, he'll know if something fucks with his operation. Lets not blackmail this guy.

>>1037807
>>1037819

Any consensus/third opinion?

>>1037824
Lets go for what 00m said!

>>1037824
Maybe we could message our Sorcerer later, see if there was anything he could dig up that might work against these enlightened enemies, but till then, I've got nothing.

(“Cut off the conversation now, we’re leaving.”) you reply to Dexter.

(“This is the perfect chance to blackmail him and you’re letting it slip away!?”) Dexter asks.

(“Yes, because if this *is* John Doe then he knows when people mess with his plans. Remember how quickly he diverted the war game fleet here? Roscue is competent but John Doe is supernaturally perceptive, if he smells a rat then he’s only going to kill it, but try to bring us in with him. Far too dangerous Dexter.”) you warn him.

“Tch.” Dexter mutters as her face makes a sour expression, Roscue looking up at her with a confused expression.

“Well our conversation appears to be at an end darlin, but if a heightened alert when I live this place, your ‘patron’ is going to be one of the first seein’ these ‘ere photos.” Dexter says with a smile as she holds the SD card of the camera in her hand before a small compartment opens up to place it inside of her hand.

Roscue only growls himself, unable to do anything but accept as he just simply glares up at Dexter.

(“I’m heading out before you. There’s a parking garage a few blocks north of here, one for a mall. Meet me there as soon as you can.”) you say to Dexter as she opens the door.

(“Got it.”) Dexter replies as she heads back downstairs.

******

About a half hour of waiting in the underground parking garage, you can see a single woman walking down the garage, wearing a jacket but a bunnysuit underneath it, a cigarette paired with a sour expression on her face.

“Over here.” you call out to Dexter behind a pillar as you hear her pass.

Dexter walks over to the pillar you’re leaning against, leaning up against it while looking up at the ceiling. “That sure as hell lead to nothing.”

“We got some fairly major intelligence, I’d say that’s worth something.” you reply.

“It’s sometimes the things you’d rather not learn Hibiki.” Dexter says as she taps her cigarette. “I found out that I didn’t just have a grudge, Colt is indeed incompetent but he’s one of the people running this entire operation. In this case the entire operation feels like a setup and Colt is being set up as the fall guy.”

- “Fall guy? Do you think that’s the destiny that John Doe was alluding at in the conversations?”

- “Why would Meruiva this entire operation to fail? Failure to cover up one of the biggest conspiracies ever known in Creation with a poor commander?”

- “Special Operation Zones, Strike Force Zer0 being outside the chain of command, and mentioning me by name in communications, do you think John Doe is using this military operation as cover for something?”

- Other

>>1037876
>>- “Why would Meruiva this entire operation to fail? Failure to cover up one of the biggest conspiracies ever known in Creation with a poor commander?”

- “Special Operation Zones, Strike Force Zer0 being outside the chain of command, and mentioning me by name in communications, do you think John Doe is using this military operation as cover for something?”

“Why would Meruiva this entire operation to fail? Failure to cover up one of the biggest conspiracies ever known in Creation with a poor commander?” you ask.

“My feeling is that this is just a cover up for some other illegal activity the government is doing. Textbook example that comes from being a spy, if the enemy is doing something overtly that you and news knows about, then that means they’re doing something underground that they’d rather you not know about.” Dexter replies.

“Special Operation Zones, Strike Force Zer0 being outside the chain of command, and mentioning my codename in communications, do you think John Doe is using this military operation as cover for something?” you ask.

“I’d bet my life on it.” Dexter replies. “I know what you’re going to say, in that what can be such a large cover up that this is the overt phase. To that regard I haven’t got the faintest of ideas. But with the structure set up how it is currently, I think if we take Colt out of the picture then we seriously cripple their plan.”

“Is that your grudge talking or analytical mind talking?” you ask.

“Both.” Dexter immediately replies. “They need Colt because he’s one of the only people who can claim he’s doing his job but have no idea what he’s doing. I get revenge for all the people he killed at the hospital and since he arrived in Versino. Win win either way.”

As the conversation grinds to a lull, Dexter gives a small sigh as she flicks away her cigarette. “I thought I had him that time. I was so close, but I dressed up in this stupid outfit for nothing.”

- “I rather like the bunny suit actually.”

- “Dexter what would you hope to accomplish if he was there? The only thing that’d happen is that you would get killed. Colt’s probably being followed by a Dragonblooded bodyguard at all times now so you’d never get him alone.”

- “You mention how he has the devil’s luck Dexter, and if John Doe can manipulate probability then he probably staged events like this so that Colt wouldn’t be caught by assassins.”

- Other

>>1037913
>- “You mentioned how he has the devil’s luck, Dexter, and if John Doe can manipulate probability then he probably staged events like this so that Colt wouldn’t be caught by assassins.”
>- "I'm guessing that we find out what they're trying to do and figure out how it factors into all of this? See what we can do and who it can save?"
>- "Remember that John Doe didn't really want to kill us, just test...us, or maybe me."

[1/2]

"I'm guessing that we find out what they're trying to do and figure out how it factors into all of this? See what we can do and who it can save?" you ask.

“That’s going to be tricky. The beauty of this plan is that it even forces us to go along with it. We’re one of the only people who can unravel this entire mystery, and at the same time we’re the ones being hunted.” Dexter explains. “I agree that whatever mystery surrounding us and this island is big, but we need to do some digging in order to find it. Assuming that John Doe bastard doesn’t kill us first.”

"John Doe didn't really want to kill us, just test us, or maybe me." you reply.

“Assuming that Roscue’s contact was John Doe, then he has a fixation on you I don’t quite understand. His motivations and goals are virtually alien to me, and I can’t figure out the logic of this plans.” Dexter replies.

“How so?” you reply.

“In a game of gateway you at least have ideas of moves. Of pieces, tactics, and overall strategy. If you’re a king to John Doe and he’s a queen, why doesn’t he have you in checkmate by now? He made a mockery out of three of us; taking war machines who cost billions of dollars and dispatching them like drunken thugs. If he can predict people just as well as he can fight, which I think is the case as he diverted the war games fleet well before our escape, then finding you would be trivial to him. Additionally he didn’t finish us off back there at the base, but let us just... walk away like nothing happened. Like what he was doing was signing some paperwork before apologizing to his co-workers that he had to leave for his next meeting.” Dexter says as she rubs her forehead. “I don’t understand it at all. I do not understand what that man has planned for ourselves, all the Alchemicals, Versino, and Colt himself.”

“You mentioned how he has the devil’s luck, Dexter, and if John Doe can manipulate probability then he probably staged events like this so that Colt wouldn’t be caught by assassins.” you tell him.

“Which again makes me wonder what exactly his motives are for this, what he hopes to accomplish, and most importantly to me why that idiot Colt is protected by him.” Dexter tells you as she stares at the ground.

“If you’re going to investigate him, I’d suggest you be very careful.” you warn him.

“Ohohoho... Oh no, I ain’t going anywhere near that bastard unless I have to.” Dexter replies. “He’ll leave you alive as you have a purpose to him, if I get in his way then I’ll cut off my head and call it a day.”

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“I think your fears are founded.” You reply to Dexter.

“Anyways, thanks for helping me out. Even if this entire thing was a bust and we now have more questions than answers.” Dexter replies.

“Its no problem.” you reply to Dexter.

“No really, if I was caught by Osvald, Wendy, or Mochire I’d be yelled at to stop what I was doing and escape the base, then be yelled at again once I ignore them.” Dexter replies. “I think a good act should be repaid by a good act in kind. I got a few spare consumables on me that I’m willing to part with. Small and medium Sub-tanks and E-tanks.”

“Shouldn’t you keep those for yourself as you have a tendency to get shot?” you ask her.

Dexter gives out a small bit of laughter. “Yea well I tend to only get attacked if I’m reckless or walking reality warpers appear in front of me. After our time at the base I spent my spare time gathering some for myself. I have a bit of a surplus, and I owe you back for the sub-tank you gave me back at the base with interest.”

Select one of the following:

- Sub-Tank S
- E-Tank S

Additionally select one of the following:

- Sub-Tank M
- E-Tank M (Restores 30 units to motonic reservoir)

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>>1037913

“I rather like the bunny suit actually.”

“You mention how he has the devil’s luck Dexter, and if John Doe can manipulate probability then he probably staged events like this so that Colt wouldn’t be caught by assassins.”

"Still i wonder if their was another way to remove him besides killing him?"

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>>1038090

Hum i was thinking of these two getting the bigger healing one as we tend to get the crap beaten out of us. not sure what motonic reserve is however.

- E-Tank S
- Sub-Tank M

>>1038117

The stuff you use to pay for your powers with.

>>1038090
>- E-Tank S

>- Sub-Tank M

>>1038124

our sheet says we are stage 3? also what is the difference between personal and peripheral?

>>1038117
Our motes, aka, our energy for extra dice and attacks. I don't think we even have any E-Tanks anymore, which is why we really could use more.

>>1038124
Is there still time to investigate Wendy?

>>1038126
Personal doesn't necessarily trigger our Anima and is what we have to use to equip artifacts such as weapons, armour, artifacts, and even charms if we don't want to be a walking beacon to everyone and everything.

>>1038126

Peripheral motes come with the danger of increasing your anima banner. While it makes Hibiki stronger, stealth becomes impossible with a maxed out anima banner and you become visible for miles under an open sky. Any action that uses 5 or more motes means the anima progress bar goes up by one in >>1037335 . Once you're at the BURN level stealth is impossible.

Personal motes don't carry this flaw and you can use as many as you please without flaring your anima.

Stage # means what progression Hibiki's reactor core is at. The more subsystems she unlocks (AKA: Spends XP) the higher it will become. Higher Reactor stages means we can learn more potent charms and have more resources to use them with.

It sounds like it makes stealth runs impossible, but there are charms that allow us to remain cloaked while fighting.

>>1038128

Oh yea there is time for Wendy. I was going to do it tomorrow, but I have one last post for the night.

[1/2]

“Give me the small E-Tank and Medium Sub-Tank.” you say without much hesitation.

“Going for the big stuff huh?” Dexter asks as two panels open up on both of her arms.

“What can I say, unlike you I tend to get shot at. A lot.” you reply to Dexter. “You think there’s another way to remove John Doe aside from killing him?”

“Hibiki I doubt we’re going to get any answers from him period. I took one look in his eyes and you know what I saw? A man who is capable of doing horrific things without batting an eyelash in the name of his goals and one who treats the work he does as a higher value than his own life. In the spying agency those are the people you tag first, as dealing with them is incredibly difficult.” Dexter says pulling the two syringes out of her arms before passing them to you behind the pillar.

“That so...” you mutter to yourself.

“If anything, I’d compare him to Wendy. Both of them have the same determined look in their eye, that single minded focus towards the task in front of them. Only difference is Wendy actually has a soul to speak of.” Dexter says peeling off the pillar. “I’m going to find a bar and have a few drinks. Try and cheer myself up. Get out of this stupid getup in the progress.”

“I rather like the bunny suit actually.” You say to Dexter as she goes to leave.

You see Dexter turning around to look at you with a smile on her face, purposefully swaying her hips more as she turns around to leave the parking garage.

Your eyes drift down to her swaying hips as thoughts flood into your mind. Not of Dexter herself, but rather what a difference a few subsystems could make. Perhaps when this is all over, you’ll see about installing some systems to do something about your height and body. Then you can stop trying to convince people that you’re in high school rather than middle school.

>INCMING TRNS: OSVALD

“I’ve just dealt with Dexter and am moving to see Wendy next, do you know where she is?” you ask Osvald.

“No, but I know where she will be.” Osvald replies as your HUD brings up a few pictures of what appears to be short, fat bald guy in a tuxedo. “Raphael Alejandro, a well known mod boss within the area, wanted for nearly 37 criminal charges including trafficking of drugs, the smuggling of humans and firearms, illegal hacking, and tax evasion. After searching various papers and police records, I have confirmed that Wendy has a vested personal interest in seeing him dead.”

“Why?” you ask.

“He was responsible for the death of her husband.” Osvald curtly replies.

Wow, no wonder she’s constantly moody. “Do you know his location?”

“Yes. He has recently holed up in a hotel downtown, the Grand Mariner. He’s placed at the top floor in the suits. I just learned this information myself a-”

[2/2]

“Wendy won’t far behind.” you reply.

“There is a 65.193 percent chance she is ahead of me actually. Her hardware and personal aptitude for investigation far exceeds my own.” Osvald replies.

“I’m on my way.” you reply to Dexter before closing the link.

******

As you head to the Grand Mariner, a fancy and ritzy hotel in the heart of the city, you can tell from a single look at it that it ain’t the military whose guarding this, or anyone from the government. All of the higher class or richer criminals are currently living it up in this fancy hotel. You doubt it was their choice, as rogue Alchemicals or apostates most likely evicted them from their own hideouts around the city, so they choose this area to make their last stand.

Wendy isn’t as good as stealth as you and Dexter, so she wouldn’t take the front door that is literally swarming with guards. As you walk around the back of the building using the alleyways, you can see the first sign of trouble as several guards lie unconscious on the floor in the alleyway. One of them in a garbage can, another in a dumpster, while the last is slumped against the wall with a bleeding head wound.

Before you even have time to sigh yourself you can see several of the guards near the front touch the earpieces for communication, listening for several seconds before rushing into the hotel itself.

“Damnit Wendy, you had to go in guns blazing...” you complain as you ponder your next move.

- To hell with stealth, find and rush to Wendy as quickly as possible in order to back her up.

- Wendy’s tough as nails, she can hold out against thugs like this for a while. Take your time and approach them in stealth for a pincer attack.

- Other

(We'll wrap up this thread tomorrow!)

>>1038159
>- Wendy’s tough as nails, she can hold out against thugs like this for a while. Take your time and approach them in stealth for a pincer attack.

>>1038159
>- Wendy’s tough as nails, she can hold out against thugs like this for a while. Take your time and approach them in stealth for a pincer attack.

Wendy’s as tough as nails, against garbage level thugs such as these guys she’s more than capable of holding out on her own. You decide to take it slow and steady for the time being, slowly entering in the back entryway, noticing a random thug with his head based in on a potted plant.

Across the main reception hall the guys can be seen swarming into the elevators before they close up themselves. Going across the reception hall you can see the leftover men on the ground getting ready for another impending assault, even to the point of flipping over a show table to have a heavy machine gun lay at rest pointing towards the door.

As the men continue to set up down below, you simply walk over to the elevator and press the button for the top floor. Someone like a mob boss would want the penthouse areas.

As the elevator begins to travel upwards towards the top floor, the sounds of gunshots become more and more apparent, going from muffled pops to crisp bangs as you approach the top. As soon as the elevator opens, several bullets from punch directly through the door and just narrowly miss your head. You quickly scramble out of the way, your cloak flickering as peer out around the corner to see what’s going on.

Down the hallway itself you can see Wendy taking cover from behind a nearby pillar as about a dozen men with automatic weapons open fire on her, the pillar she’s behind rapidly disintegrating under enemy fire. But she’s ignoring them in favor of firing at the wall in front of her, and judging from the screams coming behind the closed door she’s hitting quite a few people, but just as many bullets are flying out of the wall and impacting Wendy, sparks flying in the air with the occasional bit of ichor flying out from her.

- Attack in the rear, get rid of the thugs as quickly as possible

- Sneak by the firefight and attempt to enter the room, dispatch everyone on the other side of the door first

- Other

(Sorry for the delay, internet problems)

>>1041241
>- Wendy, I'm in the elevator, want me to take the heat off of you or take out everyone you're firing at inside that room?

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>>1041241
- Attack in the rear, get rid of the thugs as quickly as possible

Wendy is tough but she wont last long in this state.

"Wendy I am going to take out the people shooting you. Don't you dare die on me"

[1/2]

(“Wendy, I'm in the elevator, want me to take the heat off of you or take out everyone you're firing at inside that room?”) you text her.

(“The ones outside the elevator!”) Wendy immediately retorts.

Without hesitating for another second you immediately hop out of the elevator, dual swords in hand as you begin cutting down the men outside. Your surprise attack on them works very well, cutting down the majority of them in the span of a heartbeat as you go to work. Given that they’re largely cybernetic, doing things like cutting off their legs and arms does little serious harm to them in the long run, at the very least non-fatal. After your appearance the remainder of them quickly flee down into the stairwell nearby, making pot shots at you which you easily deflect.

After granting Wendy a breather, she is quick to run back towards the elevator, firing her weapon at the wall several more times before nearly sliding around the pillar.

“What are you doing here!?” Wendy demands, yelling over the sound of pillars whizzing over you.

“Oh I was in the neighbourhood.” you yell back at her behind the pillar.

“Damnit Osvald!” Wendy yells out loud as she kicks a nearby body on the floor out of her way as she reloads her weapon. “Fine but you’ll listen to me, got it!?”

“Loud and clear.” you yell back.

“There’s enemies behind that door. Tough ones! I need you to keep them busy while I handle the ones in the office!” Wendy says as flips her weapon closed. “We need to move fast before his helicopter arrives!”

“Or the military, got it.” you reply to Wendy.

“Good, now get behind me!” Wendy roars out as she begins charging down the hall, shielding her own face. Bullets bounce off of her skin as vents on her body open up, a battering ram of black smoke rapidly approaching the door defiant of the bullets roaring towards her before several shots on the lock of the door and crashing through the door in a shower of wood splinters, you following shortly behind her.

The suite itself appears to be littered with shell casings virtually everywhere, men dead or dying in pools of their own blood as they lay on the ground. Standing above them you can see what is best described as living clouds, creatures appearing as large balls of white fluffy clouds in which a thin insectile like limb peeks out every now and again holding what appears to be a different weapon. Overall there appears to be nearly a half dozen of them, and it doesn’t take long for them to correct their sight of you and begin opening fire with sub machine guns in their arms.

[2/2]

You and Wendy scramble for cover as soon as they open fire, you diving behind the couch as Wendy goes into the next room.

(“I kept these exact same things off of you when you and your sister had your spat, you can repay that favor now.”) Wendy texts to you as she shoots off the lock then runs into the bedroom area.

(“Wendy you’re an idiot!) you roar out in your native tongue as fluff from the nearby couch is torn asunder from the barrage of constant fire at you.

TURN ORDER
Hibiki: 11i
Cloud Creatures: 4i (6 total)

- Pow: With (Activate Single Point Form, Liquid Steel Flow, Double Attack Technique, 18m 1WP 18d10) “The quicker they’re dead the better, attack them as fast and as hard as you can!”

- Eff: With (Liquid Steel Flow, Double Attack Technique, attempt to activate Dual Slaying Stance reflexively, 13m 1WP, 18d10) “There are way too many of these guys to fight recklessly, maintain a strong defense and attack when you see an opening!”

- These things appear to be magical creatures of some sort, call Mochire and ask what the hell are these things. (Costs a turn, but you can activate a martial arts form such as Tiger Form or Dual Slaying Stance)

- Other

>>1041582
>- These things appear to be magical creatures of some sort, call Mochire and ask what the hell are these things. (Costs a turn, but you can activate a martial arts form such as Tiger Form or Dual Slaying Stance)

Depends what Mochire suggests, but probably Dual-Slaying Stance.

With little idea what you’re going up against, you decide to contact Mochire in order to get his help about these things.

(“Mochire I need your help with something!”) you text him as you crouch behind the couch.

(“Can it wait? I’m in the middle of studying.”) Mochire replies.

(“I’m getting shot at!”) you text, piles of couch fluff and fabric raining down on your head. They’re really not letting up at all.

(“Don’t see how that changes anything.”) Mochire texts back.

(“You little bastard!”) you text back before following up with the next entry. (“They’re like... balls of living clouds, ones that have tons of weapons in them with bug like limbs!”)

(“Oh yea those things Wendy asked about after your sister. They’re a demon called the Tomescu, living clouds of weapons. They’re philosophical demons who can read the future of people but make good soldiers as well. Anytime they’re attacked, they’re known to reflexively lash out at those who struck them first.”)

“Wonderful.” you mutter as the couch continues to vaporize. You can’t stay behind this couch much longer, as pretty soon there is going to be no couch left over. You’d be more surprised at the concept of actual demons if you haven’t your sister being one just a few days prior.

TURN ORDER
Hibiki: 11i
Cloud Creatures: 4i (6 total)

- Pow: With (Activate Single Point Form, Liquid Steel Flow, Double Attack Technique, 18m 1WP 18d10) “The quicker they’re dead the better, attack them as fast and as hard as you can!”

- Eff: With (Liquid Steel Flow, Double Attack Technique, Dual Slaying Stance, 13m 1WP, 18d10) “There are way too many of these guys to fight recklessly, maintain a strong defense and attack when you see an opening!”

- Eff: With (Tiger Style, 8m) “Prepare for the long haul, take out your claws and attack from both the ground and the ceiling!”

- Other

Rolled 10, 6, 3, 1, 1, 1, 10, 8, 4, 10, 2, 4, 7, 4, 1, 7, 4, 10 = 93 (18d10)

>>1041788
- Eff: With (Liquid Steel Flow, Double Attack Technique, Dual Slaying Stance, 13m 1WP, 18d10) “There are way too many of these guys to fight recklessly, maintain a strong defense and attack when you see an opening!”

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You exhale a small breath as you eject the twin blades out from your hips, settling into a breathing pattern before giving a small nod to yourself. “Showtime.

You turn around and leap behind the couch, wall of fire and wind as you swat the shots of the demons aside like flies. As you land on the ground another leap brings you through the air, electricity crackling off your form as you bring both blades down on the first demon itself. In the span of a heartbeat you not only manage to cleave down both blades in an X scissor slash, but quickly reverse the grips and tend the blades apart in a blast of wind, scattering the Tomescu demon apart like a blowtorch against a stick of butter.

(Hibiki double attacks the Tomescu demon and inflicts 13 withering damage, destroying it!)

The other demons are quick to refocus their attacks on you, various instruments of death raining upon you such swords and shotguns. It takes nearly all your effort to focus yourself, time seeming to slow down as your overclocking kicks into gear, the demons appearing to almost keep up with your supernatural speed. Vents on your own body begin to open up, making solid afterimages that assist you in parrying attacks before they happen as your HUD guides you through the motions.

(Hibiki was attacked by the Tomescu demons! Hibiki lost a total of 3 initiative from all the enemies!)

However you respond in kind, a flurry of devastating attacks lashing out at your own foes, while they managed a few scrapes against you, you replies by cutting off arms or slashing your sword through their cloud like bodies, a green sticky substance boiling off your blade as you pull it away.

(Hibiki counterattacked the Tomescu demons! Hibiki inflicted a total of 12 damage spread across all the demons!)

The combat flow is interrupted a door to a nearby room soars towards you, you replying by cutting it in two just as it flies towards you, the remaining pieces bouncing behind you until it crashes against the wall.

Turning to see the source, you can see what appears to be a large, horned demon with a large snout full of razor sharp fangs, two large blades in each of its hands as he appears to be dressed in samurai armour.

“...Any chance I can get you to stand aside until I deal with your friends?” you ask out loud.

The demon makes his response by making a loud roar, his eyes glowing a bright red as they stare you down.

“I’ll take that as a no.” you reply as you solidify your stance.

TURN ORDER
Hibiki: 11i (14i for turn order, 4 charge)
Large Horned Demon: 9i
Tomescu: 4i (5 total)

- Pow: Dis+With (Disengage from demons, Double Attack Technique, 16d10) “Big demons mean big trouble. Take down the new guy before he can cause any additional trouble!”

- Eff: With (Double Attack Technique, 3m, 18d10) “Keep up your offense against the Tomescu, you’re doing well so far.”

- Other

Rolled 2, 7, 3, 4, 5, 8, 8, 6, 2, 8, 8, 10, 3, 1, 7, 5 = 87 (16d10)

>>1042331
>- Pow: Dis+With (Disengage from demons, Double Attack Technique, 3m, 16d10) “Big demons mean big trouble. Take down the new guy before he can cause any additional trouble!”

[1/2]

Getting down low to the ground you explode in speed towards the newfound demon in the area, the Tomescu only striking afterimages as you jump up in the air and become a buzzsaw of flaming death on the horned demon. The demon barely has time to respond before you bring your sword down atop him, dozens upon dozens of slashes cutting into his armour as you and your afterimages lay into him.

(Hibiki double attacks the Large Horned demon, dealing 17 initiative damage, crashing him!)

The large horned demon takes a step back, roaring in pain as his armour is shredded to pieces. The Demon however doesn’t shrink back from you, swinging his sword at you which narrowly misses your head before slamming the ground below with an overhead swing. The entire ground below you crumbles as you fall into the floor below you. While falling down in midair, you quickly twist your body in midair like a cat so that you land on both feet on the floor below.

“Is that all you’ve got!?” you demand to the demon above, pointing your howling wind blade at you.

The large horned demon looks at with a snarl of rage, roaring loudly as he points his sword towards one of the Tomescu above you as red lightning jumps from his hand to a Tomescu. One of the Tomescu kneels to kneel over in pain before letting loose a monstrous howl from its throat, the clouds surrounding it becoming roiling stormclouds as his limbs crackle with electricity.

You make a small mental note to yourself to bite your tongue next time.

The Tomescu above seem to open fire on you from above, raining shotgun and machine gun fire from the vast assortment of weapons they have above. The one engulfed in a storm cloud however seems to fire projectiles that travel far faster than the rest of them, lighting bolts seeming to trail through the air as you attempt to dodge all the incoming shots

(The Tomescu attack Hibiki dealing 5 initiative damage!)

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[2/2]

As the bullets rain down on top of you, you quickly notice that you’re out of the Tomescu’s range as the Large Horned Demon behind you chuckles as his armour cools down.

You pegged that demon as a meathead originally, but it appears his real power comes from his knowledge of tactics, and he thinks he has you pinned.

TURN ORDER
Hibiki: 18i (10 charge)
Frenized Tomescu 1: 6i
Tomescu: 4i (5 total)
Large Horned Demon: -8i

- Pow: Des (Double Attack Technique, add up to +7 dice for 7m, Steel Devil Strike, Empty Mind Strike, 12m 1WP, 18d10) “This bastard is capable of powering up demons and commanding him, he cannot be allowed to live for another instant! Attack him as hard as you can while keeping your defense high!”

- Eff: Des (Normal Decisive, 0m, 15d10) “He’s dangerous but the other Tomescu are still in the area. Be careful with your expenditures.”

- Eff: Def (Run into the hall of this floor in order to activate Omnisituational Evasion Equation, 3m, 11d10) “You’re going to be left wide after a big attack on the Horned Demon, take this chance to activate some of your more powerful defensive systems.”

- Other

Rolled 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8, 1, 3, 4, 4, 4, 9, 3 = 73 (15d10)

>>1042762
>- Eff: Des (Normal Decisive, 0m, 15d10) “He’s dangerous but the other Tomescu are still in the area. Be careful with your expenditures.”

Should have called out Steel Devil + Empty Mind if we Crashed him, thought it was baked in.

The danger this bastard represents is large but with so many opponents you can’t afford to be too liberal with your resources. Taking both of the blades in your hands you spring up off the ground, the ground cracking below you as you whizz straight past the Large Horned Demon, his head flying off in a fountain of blood before the rest of his body collaspes to the ground, distingrating completely.

(Hibiki attacked the Warlord demon for 13 lethal damage, killing it!)

The Tomescu themselves seem to be taken back by the sudden and immediate death of their general, taking a few steps back as the continue to pour torrents of lead into you. The only demon who appears to stand his ground is the Frenzied Tomescu, the shots that come out of his rifle appearing like a constant stream of lightning.

You reach around and kick the Warlord’s body in the path of the fire, but the rapidly dissolving body does little to provide cover, a half dozen lucky shots impacting the side of your suit, warning you of a possible suit defensive failure being imminent soon.

(All the Tomescu attack Hibiki, making only one attack hit dealing 2 initiative damage!)

TURN ORDER
Frenzied Tomescu 1: 6i
Hibiki: 1i (4i for turn purposes, 10 charge)
Tomescu: 4i (5 total)

- Eff: With (Double Attack Technique, Liquid Steel Flow, 18d10, 8m 1WP) “Nevermind your defense! Leap back into the fray and attack that Frenzied Tomescu with everything you’ve got!”

- Pow: With (Swap to Tiger Form, Crimson Leaping Cat Technique, Striking Fury Claws, 15m 1WP, 19d10) “Swap into Tiger form and chase after the ones attempting to back away! Show them no weakness!”

- Other

(Status remains unchanged from >>1042762 )

Rolled 2, 3, 8, 6, 5, 2, 4, 8, 5, 10, 10, 8, 7, 8, 3, 5, 2, 6 = 102 (18d10)

>>1042946
>- Eff: With (Double Attack Technique, Liquid Steel Flow, 18d10, 8m 1WP) “Nevermind your defense! Leap back into the fray and attack that Frenzied Tomescu with everything you’ve got!”

Heedless of the warnings on your own HUD, you barrel towards the Tomescu with everything you’ve got, leading the way by pointing your own howling wind sword towards the streams of lightning the Frenzied Tomescu hurls at you, the lightning itself being drawn towards your sword as your flaming blade flares up in intensity. Once within range of the Tomescu you swing your flaming blade across his body in one direction before snapping your wind blade across the other. The sudden changing in wind pressure blows away a sizable part of the storm cloud before your howling air blade plunges into its flesh, the screaming creature vanishing back into thin air.

(Hibiki double attacks the Tomescu for 13 withering damage, killing it!)

The other Tomescu slowly continue to back away from you, firing their weapons at you until they reach the back of the wall themselves. Their torrent of lead shooting wide due to fear, the clicking of their SMG’s audibly heard as they switch back over to pistols.

(The Tomescu attack Hibiki with one of them hitting her, dealing no damage!)

Your blades fly in the air almost invisibly as you slowly begin to walk towards the remaining Tomescu, the pistol rounds infinitely easier to parry than the rapid barrel of lead from the SMG’s.

TURN ORDER
Hibiki: 8i (11i for turn purposes, 10 charge)
Tomescu: 4i (5 total)

- Pow: Social (Pheromone Regulation Systems, add +3 dice for 3m, 14d10, 3m) *Induce fear in the air* “Cease this immediately. You have lost, continuing is pointless.”

- Eff: With (Double Attack Technique, 18d10, 3m) “They’re on the ropes, move in for the kill!”

- Other

Rolled 7, 1, 4, 2, 4, 6, 7, 4, 3, 2, 6, 8, 7, 5, 4, 1, 5 = 76 (17d10)

>>1043092
>- Pow: Social (Pheromone Regulation Systems, 3 dice for 3m, 17d10, 3m) *Induce fear in the air* “Cease this immediately. You have lost, continuing is pointless.”

>>1043097
Would it be possible to WP that roll?

>>1043110

Willpower needs to be declared along with the roll

So no

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You give a small sigh as continue to approach them, your vents now switching out fear inducing pheromones in the air as you approach them.

“Cease this pointless conflict. You have lost. Lay down your arms and live to fight another day.” you warn the Tomescu ahead of you.

The Tomescu ahead of you appear to be hesitating for a brief second before they all start screaming as they lunge themselves towards you. Swords, knives, axes, and spears seem to appear from out of their clouds as they bear down on you.

“Or you can die, makes no difference to me.” You say as you immediately swirl into action once more, you and your afterimages going into full speed as you parry each and every one of their attacks and response with a counterattack in kind. A few blows manage to hit you, but only slide off your armour as essence floods into your skin to strengthen yourself against the blow.

(The Tomescu attack Hibiki, three of them hitting her and dealing no damage after activating her soak boosting charms!)

The Tomescu themselves do not fare and better, you responding in kind by lopping off their limbs and striking heavy blows against their bodies. Many of them howling in pain from the counterattacks you lunge after them with and nearly all of them are barely even standing afterwards.

(Hibiki counterattacked all the attacks, dealing over 22 damage over all the Tomescu!)

The Tomescu themselves leap back after, many of them clutching their lopped off limbs as they stand in front of you.

“If you will not surrender then why do you persist!? If you will not lay down your arms then I demand to know the reason!” you spit out at them, standing tall with both weapons at your side.

One of the demon’s growls, speaking in a pained voice as green blood drips onto the floor. “It is... the orders of our contract golem. Our summoning pact says we must protect this area, and we are bound by the terms of our summoning to fulfill that contract, even to our dissolution.”

TURN ORDER
Hibiki: 8i (11i for turn purposes, 10 charge)
Tomescu: 4i (5 total)

- “Dying in the line of duty is a mindset I can understand, but I’m here to aid a friend today. I’m sorry but your fate ends here with me.” (Kill them)

- “Youkai, who summoned you to these lands?” (Interrogate)

- Other

>>1043193
>- “Youkai, who summoned you to these lands?” (Interrogate)

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>>1043193
>- “Youkai, who summoned you to these lands?” (Interrogate)

“Youkai, who summoned you to these lands?” you demand towards the Tomescu, pointing your blade towards them.

(Hibiki rolled a persuade attempt gaining 5 successes, beating the Tomescu’s Resolve!)

“Our pact was signed with Master Junpaku, with orders to simply guard this area for her.” The Tomescu replies.

“What!? My sister!? What purpose did she summon you here for!?” you fiercely demand from them.

“We were not privy to that information, only our task which we must perform until our bodies fall apart.” The Tomescu say as they all face you, slowly standing back up. “We knew that our time in these lands would come to an end, and we are now ready to face our fallen kin.”

You give a small exhale as you look at the demons in front of you, their minds set and resolute on the task ahead him. Talking them out of it at this point is impossible, and if one seeks a noble death at your behalf then it’d feel like you’re betraying yourself for not aiding them in kind.

“Then come, I’ll be your guide back to hell.” you say getting into your stance once more.

The Tomescu rush at once again, using the remaining limbs they have left to put up a valiant last stand, but it's all for naught against your abilities, cutting them down in only a handful of seconds as they dissipate one by one. A small flick of your weapons is done to clean them of blood as you fold them back inside of your waist.

You turn around to spots where they perished on the floor, muttering a small prayer for their fallen brethren and ancestors to watch over them before heading up over into the next room.

As you enter the next room the same sight greets you once again, only this time the sight of bleeding and dead men can be seen on the floor along with the thick smell of Ozone that the Tomescu had before. Wendy is currently inside of a closet, holding what appears to be a bald purple skinned creature with large pitch black eyes but otherwise human face. The creation is gasping in fears Wendy stands in front of him, staring down the barrel of a loaded gun as thick black smoke roils around her.

“Where’s the real Raphael?” Wendy demands in a gruff voice, her body bleeding with thick black ichor.

“I-I-I told you I don’t know! I was told just to come here and pretend to be him!” the creature begs in front of Wendy as tears roll down his eyes. “Please you’ve got to believe me!”

“YOU KNOW SOMETHING! I KNOW YOU DO!” Wendy roars as she presses the gun harder into his quivering head. “You don’t have that many men around you without being aware of something, now start talking!”

- “Wendy, he’s going to have nightmares for the rest of his life. I doubt think that thing knows anything. The demons I took care of outside didn’t know either.”

- “Wendy leave him, we need to get out of here before the military arrives, and the military is going to be a lot more concerned with us than the mafia.”

- Other

>>1043311
>- "Who told you to come here?"
>- “Wendy, he’s going to have nightmares for the rest of his life. I doubt think that thing knows anything. The demons I took care of outside didn’t know either.”

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>>1043311

Text Wendy
(good cop bad cop?)

(I found out my sister was the ones who summoned the guys in the other room. She is involved with this somehow)

"How long have you been pretending to be Raphael... are you just a body double or have you been relaying orders.... and what do you know about Junpaku, my friend may spare you if you are helpful.

>>1043375
Lets not pressure him about Junpaku unless we want to take the chance that they'll somehow figure out that we know about this. The rest of the questions are a good idea.

>>1043392

hum could questions leading in that direction then instead of just outright asking perhaps?

“I have a few questions of my own.” You say placing your sword on the creature's shoulder, letting him stare directly at the blade on his shoulder. "How long have you been pretending to be Raphael? Are you just a body double or have you been relaying orders? Lastly who sent you here? By the wave, I know the answers to one of these question, so if you lie to me then I’m going to turn your head into a pez dispenser.”

“NO! NONONONO! I’LL TALK!” The creature screams in horror after he sees your blade. “Mistress Junpaku! Mistress Junpaku ordered me here a few weeks ago to pretend to be Raphael! He was desperate and wanted to survive what was going on in the city! I don’t command anything, I only agreed to this job as I could sit around all day and do nothing! I don’t command anything!”

“What does Junpaku want with Raphael!?” Wendy says pressing the gun into his head with such force that he nearly goes tumbling back.

“I DON’T KNOW! I WAS JUST TOLD TO STAY HERE! PLEASE!” The demon begs as he looks up at Wendy.

“Wendy I think we’re done here. He’s going to have nightmares for the rest of his life so I doubt he’s lying to use. The demons I took care of outside didn’t know much of anything and I’m pretty sure this guy hardly knows a thing either.” You tell Wendy.

Wendy grits her teeth as the grip on the gun tightens up. “Fuck!” Wendy yells out as she walks away from the creature, letting him go and walking towards the wall. “Hibiki, can you get access to your sister’s dealings!?”

“Wendy she lied to me about being a monster, both physical and metaphorical, for over a year. If she did underhanded dealings with anyone then I’m in the dark as much as you are.” you reply to Wendy.

Wendy gives a small exhaling breath before looking away from you, her fist punching a nearby door frame and leaving a large crack in the wood. “Damnit! All that damn work to only put up with a body double! Now I know how those supernatural investigators felt on a daily basis!”

The creature appears to be crawling towards his desk in a frenzied panic, but Wendy replies by pointing her gun behind her and putting a bullet through its head without even glancing back to look at him. Purple blood splatters all over the table before the creature’s body collapses on the ground, its body fading into a purple mist.

- “Wendy, you know better to go after my sister right? She has an entire PMC at her beck and call and who knows how many other demons at her disposal. None of us are nowhere near ready yet to face her.”

- “My father always told me that just because you have a better weapon or become more skilled doesn’t mean things will get easier for you. If anything it means you’ll be the person dealing with the people who can actually provide a challenge for you.”

- Other

>>1043424
>- “My father always told me that just because you have a better weapon or become more skilled doesn’t mean things will get easier for you. If anything it means you’ll be the person dealing with the people who can actually provide a challenge for you.”
>- "We can't track her via her PMC, she'll most-likely expect that and use them as cover, along with converting a few who want power. Unless you think the premises might have a clue that isn't a booby-trap, we should probably get out of here before the military gets here."

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>>1043424

"Knowing our luck he may be some sort of supernatural creature by now...

Wendy what assets or skills does Raphael have? I am trying to wrap around why she would risk even being associating with him."

[1/2]

“My father always told me that just because you have a better weapon or become more skilled doesn’t mean things will get easier for you. Quite the opposite, it means new people capable of challenging you will come forth.” You tell Wendy. “Knowing our luck he could be a supernatural creature himself now.”

“As much as I want to make a comeback, your father had the right idea.” Wendy says walking over to mini fridge in the room and begins to aggressively loot through it.

“Wendy what assets or skills does Raphael have? I am trying to wrap around why Shouko would risk even being associating with him." you ask her.

“He’s a smuggler, so he knows all of the ways, in or out, of this city.” Wendy replies looking around inside the fridge. “Normally the government just lets some contraband through, but seeing as how the punishment for intentionally letting people out of Versino is high treason I doubt he’s capable of bribing anyone. However getting things in via his contacts at the military is significantly easier. Wonder how his friends downstairs were so well armed? A lot of them are ex-police weapons.”

"We can't track her via her PMC, she'll most-likely expect that and use them as cover, along with converting a few who want power. Unless you think the premises might have a clue that isn't a booby-trap, we should probably get out of here before the military gets here." you warn Wendy.

“Go on ahead, I’ll be fine.” Wendy says taking what appears to be an expensive bottle of scotch in her hands.

“We-”

“I get it! Osvald sent you here because he doesn’t want us running off doing stupid shit! I thought I’d be roughhousing garbage but instead I find he’s invested in a demonic cult and can already do things like summon body doubles to take his place!” Wendy says pointing at you, before taking a step back, the black smoke roiling around her seeming to be more and more calm. “Look, I need some time to think for myself. You go on ahead, I’ll be fine on my own. I’ll only slow you down through the stealth escape anyways.”

You give a small groan of displeasure as you hear Wendy talk.

[2/2]

“We flared but we did it inside. The military is going to be slower to respond, especially if they have some sort of supernatural affair they’d rather not have the government poke their nose into.” Wendy replies as she uncorks the bottle of rum, the bleeding on her body seemingly all but stopped now. “On the second basement parking level there’s an entrance to the sewer, you can use that to escape if you go down the elevator shaft.”

“I’ll say the same thing I said to Dexter, try not to kill yourself in the name of your revenge. You still have people who are counting on you.” You say as you put away your blade as you turn to leave the room.

******

MISSION 14 COMPLETE!

+10 Normal XP gained!

+10 Alchemical XP gained!

+1 Alchemical XP for increasing your relationship with Dexter!

+1 Alchemical XP for increasing your relationship with Wendy!

Your current Normal XP values are:

Available/spent/Total = 10 / 160 / 170

Your current Alchemical XP values are:

Available/spent/Total = 18 / 183 / 201

Also vote for the next mission!

1) Become the Door (STORY) - Dr. Rosenberg thinks he can identify what the tracking program is! Gr- Oh wait he already screwed up. (Reward: Bonus XP + More Story missions) TIME LIMIT: 1 threads remaining (As in it’ll expire next thread)

2) I Smell a Rat... - John Doe has now outsourced people trying to kill you, quality and efficiency in one low murderous package price! (Reward: New Martial Art Style)

3) The Wyld Hunter Part 2 - With Meruvian reinforcements comes more Wyld Hunters, only this time he doesn’t walk softly and carries a really big hammer. (Reward: ???)

4) Other - Want to do something else or in addition to the above? Drop a line and we’ll see what we can do!

ADA recommendations:
Recommended Normal XP Purchases

Optical Shroud “Dynamic Cloaking Module”: Able to move at much faster speeds while cloaked, extending the range one can move while cloaked (Slow speed -> Normal Movement -> Running speed -> Any distance), in addition each additional purchase lowers the penalty of moving while cloaked by 1 (3 XP each)

Optical Enhancement “Recording Systems”: Record and store up to (Essence days) of things you see and hear. Can download what you see to external storage devices of stream it via Uplink Node. (1 XP)

Optical Enhancement “Diagnostic Overlay”: Tell the health of a subject with just a few seconds scanning them, listing all health problems and issues. Can also tell the exact health levels of all opponents. (6 XP)

Optical Enhancement “Thermal Vision”: See in Infrared spectrum, allowing you to see heat of the target. (6 XP)

NEW Optical Enhancement “Mass-Penetrating Scan”: Hibiki essentially gains X-Ray vision that allows her to see through things at a small cost per action. (6 XP)

Advanced Stalker Protocols “Maximized Damage Processor”: When making an attack from stealth, up to [Appearance] threshold successes on the roll are doubled while on a decisive attack a likewise amount of threshold successes are added to the damage. That’s right, the prettier you are the harder you hit. (6 XP)

Impenetrable Repulsor Field “Directional Field Focus”: When Celerity Enabling Module is active, the cost of Impenetrable Repulsor Field is reduced to 1i per health level, literally doubling the efficiency.

Omnisituational Evasion Equation “Reality Phasing Protocols”: When Evasion Equation is active Hibiki becomes phased out of the local dimension enough so that she’s actually capable of performing such feats as walking directly through solid walls. Additionally, detecting her by touch subtracts two successes from any roll. (6 XP, requires Manipulation 4)

Celerity Enabling Module “Rapid Weakness Analysis Stance”: A small computer is installed with Celerity Enabling Module, pointing out ever so subtle mistakes in the opponent’s posture. When Celerity Enabling Module is active, have a small chance to gain extra defense in order to avoid attacks. (3 XP)

Charm “Strain-Resistant Chassis Modification”: Hibiki’s bones are now coated in a Moonsilver lathe, allowing them to actually bend in order to absorb blows better rather than outright breaking. Hibiki gains additional health levels, the more stamina she has the more health she gets.

Charm “Electric Attraction Generator (HC)”: Magnetic attractors are activated in Hibiki’s arms, allowing her to better maintain a grip on struggling opponents. When attacked Hibiki may pay a small cost in order to maintain her grip on opponents, allowing them to be grappled for much longer.

Recommended Alchemical XP Purchases

Strength Up (5 XP per dot, maximum 5) [Suggested for Tiger Style]

Manipulation Up (4 XP per dot, maximum 5)

Athletics (3 XP per dot, maximum 5)

Steel Devil Style “Seconds Between Strife” (8 XP): When making a rush towards an enemy, may convert charge into automatic successes on the rush attempt. If the Rush is successful, the charge spent on the Rush is refunded. Meaning it makes you really fast.

Steel Devil Style “Sonic Slash” (8 XP):If the automatic move action happens due to a rush action you make activate this charm to make an immediate decisive attack in a line out to medium range with a base damage equal to your current charge. This does not reset you to base initiative. Meaning this lets you fire out wind blasts from your swords from running fast (Must know Seconds Between Strife)

Steel Devil Style “Twin Blade Defense” (8 XP): By spending charge, Hibiki is able to boost her defense on a 1:1 basis with it, allowing her to knock away attacks that would otherwise hit.

NEW Steel Devil Style “Dervish Blade Frenzy” (8 XP): If Hibiki lands both Steel Strike and Empty Mind Strike she may then unleash Dervish Blade Frenzy, an automatically successful Triple Attack Technique charm, and possibly into a Quadruple Attack Technique, leaving the opponent virtually no gap to defend themselves.

Air Dragon Style “Air Dragon Form” (8 XP): Surround yourself with a small personal tempest, providing moderate boosts to your speed and dodge. All attacks are wreathed in electricity slightly increasing damage, unarmed attacks can be made out to short range while any attacks using Chakram’s turn all aim dice into automatic successes. [Requires Breath Seizing Technique]

NEW Air Dragon Style "Tornado Offensive Technique" (8 XP): Lance out at all opponents in range of Hibiki with powerful gusts of wind and electricity, extra effective against enemy battle groups. [Requires Air Dragon Form]

NEW Air Dragon Style "Cloud Treading Method": Hibiki becomes literally able to walk on clouds, car exhaust, or any other similar object. Charm can be reactivated to provide 'cloud steps' that allow Hibiki to walk straight up and remain in the air. [Requires Air Dragon Form]

Tiger Style “Iron Claw Grip” (8 XP): Pounce on an enemy and to grapple them, gaining a possible increase to the amount of turns a target can remain grappled. Targets who are grappled cannot defend against your attacks.
Tiger Style “Spine Shattering Bite” (8 XP): Upon inflicting damage upon an enemy you make decrease the damage dealt to maim or cripple the enemy by slashing tendons or shattering the targets back. For supernatural opponents this is temporary, but until they shake it off they are forbidden to take movement actions.

>>1043505
1) Become the Door

>>1043509
>Optical Shroud “Dynamic Cloaking Module”
>Optical Enhancement “Recording Systems”
>Optical Enhancement “Mass-Penetrating Scan”

>>1043524
>Steel Devil Style “Dervish Blade Frenzy”
>Air Dragon Style “Air Dragon Form”

>>1043505
>1) Become the Door (STORY)

this one