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“You shouldn’t worry about him, dear.” Loki says, turning her attention away from trying to tease out the information of Rook to Harita. “He’s out of our hands after we arrive back home. Let the higher-ups worry about him.”

You’re not sure yourself on what to make of Zhang as well, but you believe Loki is right in that it shouldn’t be any of your groups problems. You’re just the troopers after all. Harita frowns and looks back at Loki.

“And you should not worry about the briefcase as well, Loki. That is also something only the higher-ups should worry as well, no?” Harita murmurs with a slightly cross look on her face. Your fellow assault has a point there. Loki smiles enigmatically at that and shrugs, neither confirming nor denying it. Peppermint sighs at the exchange, likely wishing she had earplugs and Rook remains stoic, lost in thought.

>You can’t help but also be curious on the briefcase like Loki is. Maybe you can help her and carefully try and get Rook to divulge its contents.
>Harita is right in sharing some concerns over Zhang. Maybe there’s something on his person that could help in answering questions?
>Peppermint has the right idea here and it’s probably best to just drop both subjects completely.
>Other

>>2037362
>>Peppermint has the right idea here and it’s probably best to just drop both subjects completely.

>>2037362
>>Peppermint has the right idea here and it’s probably best to just drop both subjects completely.

>>2037362
>Harita is right in sharing some concerns over Zhang. Maybe there’s something on his person that could help in answering questions?

>>2037362
>>Peppermint has the right idea here and it’s probably best to just drop both subjects completely.

>>2037362
>You can’t help but also be curious on the briefcase like Loki is. Maybe you can help her and carefully try and get Rook to divulge its contents.

>>2037362
>>Peppermint has the right idea here and it’s probably best to just drop both subjects completely.

>>2037374
>>2037378
>>2037401
>>2037445
Dropping the subject it is, writing!

File: XCOM Hanger.jpg (47 KB, 924x546)

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“How about you both drop the subjects. You are both right, Zhang and that briefcase is way above all of our pay grades.” You say to both Loki and Harita, rubbing your eyes. You’re tired, still a bit wired, and who knows where you stand now in XCOM. The last thing you need right now is to be dragged into some mess and get tangled up in possible red tape bureaucratic hell. You dealt with that far too long already. Loki raises an eyebrow in bemusement at you and Harita holds her hands up.

Peppermint looks over and gives you a curious look.

“But-” Harita starts but you stop it right at the pass.

“No. This is not our problem. Seriously, you both need to focus. We have enough shit to worry about.” You press again, getting irritated. “It’s not like we’ll be seeing either him nor that briefcase ever again, you’re both just asking for trouble.”

Harita gives you an exasperated look and but sighs slumps back on her seat. Loki however shares a similar dubious look and opens her mouth to say something but stops. She gives you a cool and distant smile and nods, leaning back on her own seat. Peppermint audibly sighs in relief at that and gives you a knowing look. She seems to be relieved that somebody on this Skyranger also has sense. For all you know the Commander or even worse Bradford could be listening in right now and is waiting to reprimand your group. You wouldn’t want that.

Silence falls in the Skyranger, to some a strained one and to others a blissful one as the rest of the trip back to XCOM HQ is met with no further incidents. The familiar sense of the Skyranger coming to a stop and descending back down gracefully into the anthill. You feel the landing gear touch the hanger platform with a jostle as your squad begins to stand up and get ready to disembark. The ramp begins to lower and you are met with company at the bottom.

(Part 1 / 2)

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Waiting for your group is a medical tech with a stretcher, a pair of blueshirt base security, and Dr. Vahlen of all people. You’re a bit taken aback and had expected the rather dour Bradford or someone else waiting. Dr. Vahlen scans the group and the sense of her gaze lingering on you is like that of a laser beam or an eagle trying to hunt for it’s prey. She finally finds what she is looking for as she spots Rook and the briefcase in his hands.

The blueshirts begin to pick up and carry the unconscious Zhang onto a stretcher, the med tech going through the motions of getting the equipment setup and ready to wheel him over to medical to deal with the exhaustion of the green fog. Dr. Vahlen however is rather impatient, tapping her heel on the hanger deck as she waits for this to move along. She nods satisfied as Zhang begins to be be wheeled away.

“Ah yes, good good make sure the VIP is in better condition by later today, I will have questions for him.” Dr. Vahlen says, taking lead with things. She motions to one of the Blueshirts, the look on his face making it clear he of the pair was the one who pulled the short straw. “Now hand over the briefcase if you would.”

You look at your squad and it you see Peppermint is having absolutely none of this, making her way down the ramp and to the armory to unload her kit. Rook nods dutifully and walks over to hand the briefcase to the Blueshirt. Dr. Vahlen watches closely to make sure the exchange is handled carefully. She nearly snaps at the Blueshirt for almost dropping it, the guy not expecting how heavy the package is and nearly fumbling it. Satisfied with the exchange she makes her leave for RnD, her escorts following her. Rook shakes his head and begins to head over to Mission Control for the debrief.

“Ok, you have to admit that only makes whatever is in the suitcase all the more tantalizing.” Loki comments.

“Don’t.” You grunt.

“Yes yes, I won’t.” Loki chuckles as she begins to head down the ramp. Harita’s gaze lingers on Zhangs stretcher before she grabs her kit and makes her way off as well, a concerned look on her face.

Readjusting your strap on your scatter laser you consider the first thing you’ll do after unloading your kit…

>A drink at the bar sounds nice after a mission. It always is, it’d help set your nerves at ease.
>You’ll catch the tail-end of the debrief in Mission Control. Your curious if those suits fucked off and if the Commander is still… upset.
>Checking out either Engineering or RnD could bear something interesting.
>Medical sounds like a good idea. You could check up on Rachel and Naru and find out what that incident was all about.
>Other

>>2037651
>Medical sounds like a good idea. You could check up on Rachel and Naru and find out what that incident was all about.

>>2037651
>>Medical sounds like a good idea. You could check up on Rachel and Naru and find out what that incident was all about.

>>2037651
>Medical sounds like a good idea. You could check up on Rachel and Naru and find out what that incident was all about.

>>2037651
>>Medical sounds like a good idea. You could check up on Rachel and Naru and find out what that incident was all about.

>>2037651
>Medical sounds like a good idea. You could check up on Rachel and Naru and find out what that incident was all about.

>>2037662
>>2037667
>>2037673
>>2037674
>>2037687
Medical it is, writing!

>>2037651
>>Medical sounds like a good idea. You could check up on Rachel and Naru and find out what that incident was all about.

File: XCOM Medbay.jpg (99 KB, 1024x527)

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You put away your gear, first with your scatterlaser which you put delicately in it’s rack and then depositing your unscathed armor and alloy plate to the armorer. You don’t know how to feel with the look on her face of absolute surprise. You’ll… take it as a compliment.

With your gear stowed away and wave and acknowledgement to the rest of the squad you consider your options over quick shower and change. You eventually decide on investigating what happened prior to the start of the mission with Rachel and Naru in Medical.

You had almost forgotten about that little scene with your buddy and the reactions of Harita and Naru, but with the nerves settled after getting back into your fatigues you decide that it’s time to find out properly what the hell happened.

There better be some good reason for it. While the idea of getting something to drink does sound up your alley alongside figuring out the bigger picture in Mission Control for the curiosity of it... you feel that this is a more important thing to settle first. The rest can wait.

Walking over to medical is no issue. Upon arriving and poking your head in you see the usual suspects and medical staff milling about and doing their duties. From a pair of troopers from another Strike Team having a rowdy conversation with a teammate on a medical bed to technicians and doctors by workstation off to the side working on preparing a new supply of fresh Medikits to distribute to the troops the place is fairly active. Scanning about towards the back where the ICU and individual patient’s rooms are you spot the Doctor who had requested your help the last time, chatting with a nurse. He could be your ticket again.

Of course, given that last you checked you believe that at the very least Naru is fine for visitors and you could just head over and get to the bottom of things. Rachel so far hasn't got that opportunity yet, something about her still going through rehab so far. You're not to worried of that, she's a tough as nails quick learner after all. Though, you might need to work a bit harder to see her if that's the case.

Hm...

>Walk over and ask the state of your teammates. No need to be sly about it.
>Keep your distance and try and listen in at first. Maybe being a little bit sly would help.
>Just head over to their rooms. You’ll probably find out why if you just went over and asked them directly. (If you pick this choice, specify which teammate you want to meet with; Naru or Rachel.)
>Other

>>2037828
>>Walk over and ask the state of your teammates. No need to be sly about it.

>>2037828
>>Walk over and ask the state of your teammates. No need to be sly about it.

>>2037828
>Walk over and ask the state of your teammates. No need to be sly about it.

>>2037828
>Walk over and ask the state of your teammates. No need to be sly about it.

>>2037834
>>2037837
>>2037849
>>2037858
Chatting directly it is, writing!

>>2037828
>>Just head over to their rooms. You’ll probably find out why if you just went over and asked them directly.
(Naru)

We need a a functioning engineer to keep us in the arms race.

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Yeah, no more dancing on the line for you for now. You informed your squadmates and you’ll follow your own advice. Plus you are too tired to deal with shit like that. You walk over to the Doc, catching a snippet of the conversation as you approach.

“...Yes, make sure you have staff on hand to--” He pauses and sees you approach, he adjusts his glasses. The nurse makes a prompt exit. “Yes? What can I do for you, trooper?”

“Hey Doc, just wanting to check up on my teammates and how they’re doing.” You ask him nonchalantly, opting to feel out the conversation first. More out of how odd the scene was than anything as you replay it in your mind.

“Specialists Takumi and Coda?” The elderly korean man verifies. (you always found it a nice touch that every staff member and soldier always has some immediate identifier on their uniform what nationality they hail from.)

“Yep, those two.”

“Well, Specialist Takumi is doing well and you are free to visit her if you wish. Your suggestion on the dummy rocket launcher while unorthodox have made her extremely cooperative and she’ll likely be checked out soon.” The doctor starts, adjusting his glasses once again. “Specialist Coda is still… in rehab.”

“Mm.” You nod slowly, a bit of suspicion raised in the way he answered. He might actually be hiding something. “Can I visit her?”

“Not yet, no.” The doc shakes his head. “As I said to Specialist Aryal as well, we’ll let you know when she’s free. It would do her best if she focused solely on her rehabilitation before anything else.”

Oh yeah, there’s definitely something fishy going on and Rachel is at the center of it. You barely suppress your frustration on how flighty the doctor is, don’t rock the boat.

>Thank the doctor and head to Naru’s room, you can probably gather more information from her.
>Press the doctor. He’s not helping anybody keeping whatever is going on secret, especially for Rachel’s sake.
>Explain your concerns to him and what happened earlier. Maybe he’ll work with you then.
>Demand to see Rachel. You helped him out before with Naru and all you want to do is help your buddy, this is getting rediculous.
>Other.

>>2037877
we'll probably still have a chance too, unless we get BASE DEFENSE'd

>>2037929
>Thank the doctor and head to Naru’s room, you can probably gather more information from her.
Rachel is /MEC/ now boyos

>>2037929
>>Thank the doctor and head to Naru’s room, you can probably gather more information from her.

>>2037929
>Thank the doctor and head to Naru’s room, you can probably gather more information from her.

>>2037929
>>Thank the doctor and head to Naru’s room, you can probably gather more information from her.

>>2037929
>>Thank the doctor and head to Naru’s room, you can probably gather more information from her.

>>2037929
>Other
>Explain your concerns to him and what happened earlier. But leave it at that. this is his department, and his specialty.

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>>2037929
>Thank the doctor and head to Naru’s room, you can probably gather more information from her.

I still like to believe the daki launcher shoots out mini-pillows like a t-shirt gun.

>>2037975
lets just make her a pillow gun? like a potato gun, but more ghetto and dangerous.

>>2037929
>>Thank the doctor and head to Naru’s room, you can probably gather more information from her.
>>2037975
I envision Pixel as a shark-man hammering away at a keyboard. It amuses me.

>>2037938
>>2037946
>>2037953
>>2037958
>>2037960
>>2037975
Checking up on Naru it is!

>>2037965
And, adding that as I like that write in!

>>2037997
I wish i still had the shark gif

>>2037997
Now I just need a nice green sweater for another photo.

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“Thanks doc.” You say to him and as you turn to leave to speak with Naru you pause and turn back to him, sighing. You realize you are probably jumping to conclusions and almost going off on the doc whose just doing his job isn’t going to help anyone. It’s best to at least tell him your stance on everything.

“Yes, trooper?” He asks, looking up from the pda in his hands.

“Look, I get it. This is your department and you just want to keep everything above board. But I hope you understand my position. I just want to make sure my team is alright.” You explain, running a hand through your hair. It’s true, you don’t want no trouble here.

“Of course, and we’re doing everything we can to make sure they have a successful recovery.” The doctor nods, “And I am relieved to see you understand my position. You will be one of the first people to know when Miss Coda is given the OK.”

With that, the doctor makes his leave and you make yours towards Naru’s room. Your mind wanders at what could possibly be going on, but at the very least the doctor seems to be good people and whatever has his arms tied behind his back it’s protocol than anything else. You can understand that. You absently knock on the door to Naru’s and begin to open it.

“Hey Naru, it’s me Doz--” You open the door and you see a playing dart hurling right toward your face! Oh crap!

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>2038061

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>2038061

>>2038074
NO MORE ROLLING!

>>2038074
WEW

>>2038076
>>2038079
If we want to save it you nimrods need to roll.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>2038061

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>>2038074
Nice crit! Do you guys want to save it? You guys currently have one in the bank.

>Y/N

>>2038089
N

>>2038089
>Y

>>2038089
Y

>>2038089
>Y

>>2038089
>N, A Assault might be able to funtion with one eye. Its just shotgunning after all.

>>2038089
>Y

Also: fuck yes.

>>2038089
>N

Just impress everyone with some amazing ninja reflexes right now

>>2038107
Huh? It's a 20, we're not losing an eye either way.

>>2038096
>>2038102
>>2038103
>>2038126
Keeping the Crit it is! You guys now have two out of three in the bank, writing!

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>>2038164

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Ah shit, dart!

You attempt to dodge out of the way, not waiting to get a dart in your eye and hold your hand up. In the nick of time you duck your head out of the way, the dart sailing harmlessly and clattering onto the hallway. Too close!

“Woah sorry! What the hell man!? Give me a second to reply after you knock!” A surprised voice says. It’s Naru.

You see your squad’s Rocketeer sitting at the edge of her bed, with a couple of playing darts in one hand and her other held up in the air in the position of having just thrown said dart that almost hit your eye. Beside her and resting against the bed painted over in bright yellow ‘TRAINING’ stripes is a rocket launcher. It looks like the doc back there did pull through and let her have it. It’s quite the amusing sight all things considered, definitely not counting having your eye nearly poked out.

You look over at the the wooden door and sure enough you see a dart board with various darts embedded in it. Naru’s aim is terrible with several darts embedded on the door itself.

“My bad! I was distracted.” You say hastily, turning back to Naru who is eyes--eye-- wide in a bit of surprise herself.

“What if I was--”

“I know! Look just-- let me try again and-- yeah!” You move to close the door.

“Good dodge at least!” Naru says, her muffled compliments coming through the door. You motion to knock before pausing to grab the dart. Right, let’s try that again. You knock a few times.

“Hey Naru, it’s me Dozer. Can I come in?” You repeat.

“Yep, sure come in. Totally not playing darts or anything like that.” Naru replies sarcastically.

Yeah, you’ll let her be sassy like that as you open the door once again she basically earned it. Taking a look at the room again you assess the situation as Naru stands up and sets the darts in her hand on the bedside table. You look back over to the dartboard and blink. Oh hey, it’s the dart board that went missing in the barracks, some of the guys were wondering where it went. You pluck one of the darts from the wood, and note upon closer inspection that the door is riddled with small holes.

“So uh, what’s up Dozer?” Naru asks you grabbing idly leaning against her rocket launcher. “Well, besides just barging into a woman's room with barely any warning.”

>Ease into it. Ask how she’s doing and what’s been going on with her first before the serious stuff.
>Start straight into the serious stuff. Naru is pretty no-nonsense after all and you want answers.
>Ask her why and how she got the barrack’s dart board. Less to because you nearly had your eye poked out and more sheer curiosity.
>Other.

>>2038250
>>Ease into it. Ask how she’s doing and what’s been going on with her first before the serious stuff.

>>2038250
>>Ease into it. Ask how she’s doing and what’s been going on with her first before the serious stuff.

Pick up a few darts and challenge her

>>2038250
>>Ease into it. Ask how she’s doing and what’s been going on with her first before the serious stuff.

>>2038250
>>Ease into it. Ask how she’s doing and what’s been going on with her first before the serious stuff.

>>2038266
I'm just a little worried this will trigger some sadness when we learn that her aim is forever fucked up.

>>2038250
>Ease into it. Ask how she’s doing and what’s been going on with her first before the serious stuff.
>Ask her why and how she got the barrack’s dart board. Less to because you nearly had your eye poked out and more sheer curiosity.

>>2038250
>>Ease into it. Ask how she’s doing and what’s been going on with her first before the serious stuff.

Let's also mention the dartboard.

>>2038250
>>Ease into it. Ask how she’s doing and what’s been going on with her first before the serious stuff.

>>2038250
>Start straight into the serious stuff. Naru is pretty no-nonsense after all and you want answers.

>>2038250
>>Start straight into the serious stuff. Naru is pretty no-nonsense after all and you want answers.
Personally, I hate it when people obviously pussyfoot around inst\ead of just getting to the point.

>>2038259
>>2038266
>>2038282
>>2038285
>>2038289
>>2038290
>>2038291
Easing into it is, writing!

Heads up have to cook dinner again, might be a bit late on the next update!

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“Just got back from the op, it was a Target Extract in China, Council issued.” You start as you begin plucking out each of the darts out from the dart board and the door. “Came back and decided to come over and say hi and see how things are going.”

“Well, hey. I’m doing as fine as can be.” Naru does a lazy wave to you. “Mission accomplished.”

“Partly, there’s a bit more to it than that but no rush.” You finish grabbing the last dart, a particularly deeply embedded one a few inches from the dart board itself, hefting the small assortment of throwables in hand.

“Uh huh.”

“Yeah. You know, I was wondering where this went.” You comment, idly knocking onto the dart board. “How’d you get your hands on it? Strike-2’s SL’s been pissed off for a while now over it.”

“Heh, well as long as you won’t snitch…”

“Cross my heart.” You do the motion with your finger.

“One of the guys in Strike-8 owed me. There’s squad’s medic, a rather colorful British guy. Managed to sneak it out of the barracks in an ammo box in the middle of the night. Didn’t think he’d actually do it but here it is.” Naru chuckles. “I would’ve hid it in the drawer if you actually gave me the opportunity, don’t actually want anyone finding out.”

“Oh yeah totally, Strike-2 would crucify you. Well, the SL would.” You agree as you idly bounce the collection of darts on your hand, careful to not stab yourself like an idiot. “Care for a game?”

“Uh.. well…”

“C’mon, you were practically asking for it! You don’t just play darts alone, there’s no fun in that.” You insist, Naru’s about to snipe back at you before pausing, pursing her lips. She sighs and blows a tuft of hair over her good eye.

“...Alright fine, yeesh. You go first.” Naru rolls her eyes-- eye, and walks over to grab the darts on the desk, sorting out the darts and exchanging the same colored darts with you. One thing you note is that she shrugs on the dummy rocket launcher on her shoulder in her off hand as she grabs her darts. “So, what’s up with you really then?”

“It’s about what happened earlier. I need to know what that was about.” You say as you resist to urge to grind your teeth as the scene comes back in your mind replays again. Focus. You stand by the bedside and aim at the board, dart in hand…

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>2038539
Let us roll the dice.

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>2038539

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>2038539

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Rolled 8 - 3 (1d20 - 3)

>>2038553
...

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>2038539

>>2038576

DEPTH PERCEPTION

Looks like we'll be winning our match against the half blind explosives expert.

File: Sleepy Naru.jpg (119 KB, 500x500)

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You manage to land a double on a 15, then landed a single 7 and 12. Not bad for a start.

“Well, I honestly don’t know the full picture but I knew it wasn’t good. I was just minding my own business and I heard a commotion out in the hallway.” Naru starts as you take a step aside and have Naru have a go. She takes a steady breath, aims carefully and with a well practiced motion-- completely misses the dart board. It arcs wide and embeds into the door frame. Naru grunts and tries again, this time hitting a board but nowhere near a double. The third time is another whiff.

“...” There’s a pause for a half a second between the two of you. Right, you’ll need to be careful with this.

“So, what happened next?” You say, not wanting to miss another beat. You take a step forward and have another go at the dart board. Your first dart on a 16.

“Well, I checked of course. Saw Rachel out of her room and had knocked over one of those little push carts and was hastily trying to set it all back without anyone looking. Walked over and asked what was up and before I knew it I was dragged along to try go and see you guys off before you flew off on a Skyranger. Made me try and find a ‘scenic route’ to the hangar. She was acting weird.” Naru says, shaking her head.

“Really?” You pause from grabbing your darts, more questions raising as the explanation goes on. Walking back, Naru has a go again. Again basically whiffing all her shots, she’s yet to even get in the game to score.

“God dammit-- Yeah, tried to figure out what was going on and got nothing. Apparently she caught wind from one of the Troopers talking about you guys getting geared up and were passing by to visit that one chick who got double-tagged by floaters in an op a few rooms down, I think her nickname was Eightball? Doesn’t matter.” Naru huffs, as she walks over to grab her darts for your turn.

“Did it look like she was stressed out or anything like that?” Aiming for the center you shoot under the first two times but do manage to land on triple, nowhere near the center however.

“She just really wanted to send you guys your well wishes, any time I asked about the whole deal she’d just change the subject. She’s, uh, as stubborn as you are, y’know-- there we go finally!” Naru exhales in relief as she finally lands a double on 11, enough to get her in the game. Her next two darts are a miss and a single 4 but it’s something. She’s just happy enough to officially be in the game. You can see her start to get competitive, wanting to catch up and beat you.

She’s… not saying everything you think. That or she’s focused on beating the game or doesn’t even realize she’s omitting stuff. Maybe you could nudge the game a certain way and get a bit more from her.

>Just keep playing casually. You’re getting steady information so far.
>Maybe take a bit of a fall. Get her encouraged.
>Try harder at the game. Give it your best shot like she is.

>>2038727
>>Try harder at the game. Give it your best shot like she is.

>>2038727
>Just keep playing casually. You’re getting steady information so far.

>>2038727
>>Just keep playing casually. You’re getting steady information so far.
No need to try hard or pity play, things are going fine.

>>2038727
>Just keep playing casually. You’re getting steady information so far.
R e l a x

>>2038727

>Just keep playing casually. You’re getting steady information so far.

>>2038727
>Just keep playing casually. You’re getting steady information so far.

>>2038734
>>2038735
>>2038744
>>2038745
>>2038748
Casual it is, writing!

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No need to try anything crazy you decide after some thought. Just relax and play casually and you’ll nudge out the rest in time. Just keep her talking. You wait your turn as Naru has a go. She managed to keep all the darts on the board this time, an improvement.

“Has she been acting like that before? Have you spent time with her at all?” You ask, as you handle your turn.

“I’ve chatted with her a few times prior, but most of the time she’s been either in her room or doing rehab stuff so I didn’t think much of it at first besides being cautious. Then, I-- I dunno, I just had a bad feeling. Like the last thing she needed was worrying about that right now so, I tried to turn her around but she was having none of it.” Naru frowns, scratching at her bandage.

“...That’s it?” You are caught of guard, completely missing your third dart. That anger starting to boil up again.“Just a bad feeling? What if none of us made it and we didn’t have a-”

“Easy easy!” Naru says walking over and holding her hands out to stop you. “You’re going to break the darts, man!”

You blink and look down at the darts in your hand you had closed your hand while holding the darts tightly and were at risk at bending the metal points. You let out a frustrated grunt and loosen your grip. You are trying really hard to not rock the boat but it’s becoming a challenge.

“Sorry.” You sigh. “Just a lot on my mind.”

“I hear you, and I am sorry, really. But that’s it. If you’re wondering if I’m colluding with Ranger or anything like that I’m not, she probably just figured something was off when she saw you guys. After the Skyranger had left, Rachel just walked back to her room without saying a word. When I saw her again later however, she was fine. Like nothing happened.” Naru finishes, landing another below average score but managing to score a double… on a 4.

You run your hand through your hair as you wait for Naru to grab her darts and you go. You consider what else to say as the game starts to reach the final stages. You’re basically in a great position to win, but Naru’s caught up a tad. A part of you remains paranoid, but you can’t tell if it’s because of your mood or not. Maybe you did need that drink.

Naru shifts about in place, adjusting the carrying strap on her fake rocket launcher.

>Leave it at that, you gathered enough from Naru. Change the subject on how she’s holding up. Finish on that.
>Insist one last time. You think she’s holding back knowledge out of concern for Rachel. You appreciate it but you need to know.
>Finish the game and just leave, you’re going to find out about Rachel’s situation yourself.
>Other.

>>2038831
>>Leave it at that, you gathered enough from Naru. Change the subject on how she’s holding up. Finish on that.

>>2038831
>>Leave it at that, you gathered enough from Naru. Change the subject on how she’s holding up. Finish on that.
Be polite about it though, don't push for anything.

>>2038831
>Leave it at that, you gathered enough from Naru. Change the subject on how she’s holding up. Finish on that.

>>2038831
>>Leave it at that, you gathered enough from Naru. Change the subject on how she’s holding up. Finish on that.

>>2038831
>>Leave it at that, you gathered enough from Naru. Change the subject on how she’s holding up. Finish on that.

>>2038838
>>2038839
>>2038845
>>2038857
>>2038862
Changing the subject it is, writing!

>>2038831
>Leave it at that, you gathered enough from Naru. Change the subject on how she’s holding up.

>>2038831
>>Other.
Hulk out and smash everything, since we're apparently really fucking full of anger at the moment, for some reason.

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You decide to relax and just focus on the game for the moment, opting to leave the conversation at that and you do finally calm down, not even realizing prior you had been getting bothered with what you were learning. Perhaps it was earlier with those damn spooks or something like that, it’s irrelevant and only going to make things worse between the two of you if you kept pressing.

The game eventually ends with you winning, however Naru had managed to catch up pretty decently after you both turned your attentions on the game of darts. Not bad, all things considered.

“Good game.” Naru says walking over to grab her darts and put them back in the case holder.

“Yeah, good game.” You agree, setting yours back down. You pause and look over to Naru taking a moment to look over at her score on the dart board, likely making a mental note of it. “Hey, Naru?”

“Hm?”

“How are you doing? Really.” You say, Naru pausing to consider. Maybe you’re being a bit too hasty. “Look if you don’t want to talk about it I understand I’m just--”

“No, It’s fine. Well... as fine as having one eye left would be. I’m managing. But I talked to the Commander the other day. Basically it’s…” She pauses but lets out an exasperated sigh and continues. “You probably already know by now I’m being transferred out right?.”

You do. The Commander did tell you in her debriefing with you, it didn’t really hit you for a while now with the little rollercoaster of events you went through, you nod.

“We talked about my situation and the Commander is giving me one last chance to prove myself before I’m basically perma-benched. Once I’ve been given the OK by Medical to check out, I’ll be given some time to train and then one last do or die performance test. If I make it, I’m back in. If not, I’m going to be pals with Dr. Shen. The darts thing? Just me trying to improve my depth perception, hah.”

Ah.

>You wish her the best of luck. From what you seen she’s a damn surgeon with a rocket launcher so you think she’s got it.
>Is there anything you can do to help? She’s a fellow member of Strike-1 after all, least you can do.
>Well shit, this sounds like a thing you can get the whole squad to help with. You doubt they'd let her do final evaluation this alone if you told them.
>Other.

>>2038940
>>Well shit, this sounds like a thing you can get the whole squad to help with. You doubt they'd let her do final evaluation this alone if you told them.

We might as well get her prepped the best she can. If she makes it: great. If not, at least she got group support.

>>2038940
>Is there anything you can do to help? She’s a fellow member of Strike-1 after all, least you can do.

>>2038940
>Is there anything you can do to help? She’s a fellow member of Strike-1 after all, least you can do.

Not feeling bringing in the whole squad. It might turn into a "too many cooks" situation.

>>2038940
>Is there anything you can do to help? She’s a fellow member of Strike-1 after all, least you can do.
We're in this together

>>2038940
>Is there anything you can do to help? She’s a fellow member of Strike-1 after all, least you can do.

>>2038963
>>2038971
>>2038972
>>2038986
Asking to help it is, writing!

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“Is there anything I can do to help you out?” You say without hesitation.

“Help? Nah, everyone’s got enough shit on their plates. I got it, thanks.” Naru says just as quickly, but you are not having any of that. You shake your head and then jerk a thumb at the dart board.

“You needed somebody else to smuggle out that dart board for you.”

“Yeah, but that’s d-different! I mean different dammit!” Naru says hastily, stuttering at first and then quickly admonishing herself for stuttering. A bit of frustration flashes over her as she blushes a bit from the outburst. An old tic with history perhaps?

“Is it? C’mon, we’re both Strike-1 here. There’s no way I’d leave you high and dry after finding out something like that. I may be stubborn but I’m not that hard headed, Tanuki.” You say, deciding to call her by her nickname.

“Don’t call me that nickname.” Naru rolls her eye. “Uuuuu, alright fine. I do need some help. Right now I’m still in a purgatory of sorts while I’m recovering from the whole eye deal. Which means besides this dart board I’ve been stuck around doing nothing. If you can either sneak me to the range and somehow convince that crazy bitch of an Armorer to help us out and get some practice before I’m greenlit it’d give me a huge leg up. No rush just yet but if you can get some free time I’ll owe you big time.”

That doesn’t sound to bad, though the Armorer might also have some beef with you for the whole destroying armor and alloy plates pretty often. Maybe not as bad as the ire Burnout gets but it could be an issue. Still doable though.

“I’ll see what I can do.” Answering honestly.

“Great, that’d be a huge help. I already owe you a bit for the rocket launcher. I won’t be out of shape thanks to this.” Naru says hefting the heavy weapon on her back with a smirk.

“Out of shape?”

“I’ve been doing some excercises with it, it’s a good weight to lift in a pinch besides the usual equipment free exercises. Not going to lose my form while I languish here that’s for sure.” Naru grins. You tilt your head a bit. Come to think of it, Naru is actually pretty buff for a short japanese woman, even if she doesn’t look like it. Makes sense with how easily she can lift it.

Now that’s a thought.

(Part 1 / 2)

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You can’t help but suppress a smile at the image of her doing exercises with the rocket launcher. It’s practically an extension of her at this rate. Hell, she might’ve been way more grumpier without it. You’re pretty glad you came up with that idea.

“Fair enough fair enough. Well, I’ll see what I can do. I’m gonna head out now.” You say, handing over your darts to her and turning to leave.

“Gonna check up on Rachel then or something?” Naru asks you.

“Dunno, I’m technically not allowed to yet but… well you know.” You say concomitantly. You do want to not rock the boat and all but you are getting pretty concerned over your buddy. Decisions decisions…

“I gotcha, good luck with whatever then.” Your fellow squadmate nods and sees you out, She’s still a Strike-1 member to you and that’s what matters. Hopefully you can help her out.

As you exit you consider your options as you look down the hall to Rachel’s room and back out to the main hallway… you don’t see anybody. You a might have a chance to get to the bottom of this, but after talking to Naru, the doctor, and what happened earlier with Harita… is it really a good idea? Is it? There might be a good reason but you’ve known Rachel since before XCOM, you know how she works. If anyone can figure what’s going on it’s you right?

Heh. You know who’d probably know what the hell to do? Charlie. He always was a charismatic motherfucker and more importantly your other buddy back in the FBI. You idly wonder what happened to him, the Captain, and the others in your team. What would they think is a good call…?

>Screw it, go over and check on Rachel. She’s your buddy dammit.
>Maybe everyone has a point in waiting. There’s no rush, right?

(Gonna wait a bit longer before I call this vote!)

>>2039034
>Screw it, go over and check on Rachel. She’s your buddy dammit.

If there's anyone she can trust (with emotional stuff, not her limbs or wellbeing), it's our man.

>>2039034
>>Maybe everyone has a point in waiting. There’s no rush, right?

>>2039034
>>Maybe everyone has a point in waiting. There’s no rush, right?
I think they're MEC ing her up right now. And they aren't telling anyone in case it goes wrong.

>>2039034
>>Screw it, go over and check on Rachel. She’s your buddy dammit.

I blame Doki Doki Literature Club for any mindfuckery that happens.

>>2039034
>>Maybe everyone has a point in waiting. There’s no rush, right?

>>2039034
>Screw it, go over and check on Rachel. She’s your buddy dammit.

>>2039034
>>Screw it, go over and check on Rachel. She’s your buddy dammit.

>>2039034
>>Maybe everyone has a point in waiting. There’s no rush, right?

>>2039034
>Maybe everyone has a point in waiting. There’s no rush, right?

>>2039034
>Maybe everyone has a point in waiting. There’s no rush, right?

>>2039034
>>Maybe everyone has a point in waiting. There’s no rush, right?
We need to focus on getting Naru back into Strike 1 until we find some Meld to fix her eye.

>>2039041
>>2039040
>>2039045
>>2039070
>>2039089
>>2039090
>>2039095
A very close vote but it looks like we're going to be waiting on Rachel, writing!

>>2039034
>Maybe everyone has a point in waiting. There’s no rush, right?
inb4 MEC

>>2039100
>>2039041
Full MEC, or half-MEC? They wouldn't just replace all of her would they?

>>2039103
This is XCOM. They'd turn people into MECs the moment they sprain their ankle.

>>2039103
You really have to augment all of the body to take the weight of the replacement limbs. Especially the core.

>>2039108
How much % of a Mec is cyborg ? do they keep vital organs ?

>>2039114
I believe they would keep the squishy parts (armored, of course), but I would think at the very least their spinal cord would have to be augmented to handle the torque generated by throwing around those limbs. Lightweight alien alloy or not.

>>2039114
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/ComicBook/NoHero visits the idea of human-cyborg killing machine conversion taken to the extreme, if you're interested.

>>2039116
Plus, they're immune to Fire and Poison. The former probably being part of the MEC suit, while the latter (as well as the smoke inhalation) could be explained away with their lungs being replaced to filter out the bad shit.

>>2039119
>with their lungs being replaced to filter out the bad shit.
A very drastic measure. i'm sure there is a different solution, like a filter in front of the lungs.
Otherwise they would need to have a oxygen tank somewhere.

Heads up, this is going to be another long update. Bear with me, thanks!

>>2039116
I also dont understand why they remove the legs. If you have trained legs like a bodybuilder, surely you can bear the little extra weight of robot arms vs fleshy arms ? Removing healthy legs will cause mental trauma.

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>>2039126
Think of it less as a person with cyborg parts and more like they get a lot cut off to have a new mechanical, tank-like body. Strong legs or not, the whole is stronger when you replace it all with a MEC body.

>>2039126
http://xcom.wikia.com/wiki/MEC
is the suit and
http://xcom.wikia.com/wiki/MEC_Trooper
is the person. You can see the image. This is the closest thing you'll get to an official explanation

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Update incoming, standby for deployment!

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You walk over to Rachel’s door and raise your hand to knock on it but pause. Every part of you is urging you to knock and check up on your friend. She would’ve done it to you in a heartbeat no matter the consequences, Naru was correct that you both shared a stubbornness. You would share that feeling as well but… everyone’s stance on the situation has given you pause. Maybe they do have a point?

It’s all about trust you realize, and while both you and Rachel were FBI long before XCOM… you can’t ignore that you are now a member of XCOM and trusting their thoughts and expertise in the situation is just as important as your own concerns. There’s probably a very good reason why, even if you have no idea yet. As much as it pains you… you lower your hand from the door.

You’ll wait and see what will happen, and the moment you catch wind that it’s OK you’ll be there to check on your buddy. She’d understand… you hope. You sigh, and shake your head. OK, alcohol time, nothing’s stopping you now. A drink is really appealing right now.

As you turn to leave you stop as you hear a door open. One of the patient’s rooms just behind you and down two doors from Rachel’s opening. It opens very slightly, enough to take a peek as the person within pokes his head out to look around the hallway. You can easily recognize his white hair and scars, it’s a pretty distinct sight after all. It’s Zhang and… he’s awake. The fuck?

“Hello? Is there anyone--” Zhang stops as he spots you. He looks absolutely spent but… he’s still awake. He opens the door further and rubs his eyes, driving back the exhaustion temporarily and nodding. “Ah, I remember you. Thank you again for the weapon. Would be allowed to let me know where I am?”

You stand there utterly confused. First over the fatigues and then more importantly at him being awake so quickly after breathing in the green fog. Admittedly you didn’t see any canisters back in Hong Kong during the mission but the cemetery and surrounding streets were covered in that shit like some miasma. The canisters likely having landed in the roofs or buildings and seeped out from there, the city is pretty crowded.

The minimum time people are under by the green fog after breathing a few minutes worth of it is several hours. Zhang was likely on the field gulping in that stuff for at least over an hour, he should be unconscious for at least a day. Seriously, how the hell is he awake?

(Part 1 / 4)

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“How.. are you...?” You say, at a loss for words. Did XCOM figure out some kinda super-stim to shake that crap off? That sounds pretty awesome actually, you are far from the only one to despise the fatigue from the green fog and having to stay out days from ops.

“Is something the matter? Should I not be walking about due to operational security?” Zhang asks you, curiously.

“I-” You never get to finish your sentence as you hear a gasp behind you. For a moment you think it’s Rachel but instead hear a distinct German(?) accent which is definitely not Rachel’s.

“Incredible! To recover from the green fog’s effects so quickly... that is amazing physical endurance and stamina.” The german voice says. You turn around to see the Commander and Dr. Vahlen of all people standing behind you, having turned a corner. Zhang steps out and straightens his posture, calm and collected and looking his best to not look exhausted. He can easily see the pair are both in charge.

“Well what do you know, my hunch was correct! Funny that. Hello Dozer.” The Commander comments with a warm smile and an amused hum. She nods to you before turning to Zhang. Much to your relief the Commander is back to her more kinder and motherly attitude, you guess with the spooks gone she’s calmed down from her… other state. If it wasn’t for the fact that she’s still carrying that mean looking revolver it’s as if that whole thing had never happened.

“Your name is Shaojie Zhang, correct?” The Commander says walking up to Zhang, looking him up and down closely. Dr. Vahlen approaches and hovers just behind her, inspecting him at a distance more… thoroughly.

“Yes ma’am.” Zhang nods respectfully, adopting a military stance. You raise an eyebrow. Maybe Harita was right, just who is this guy?

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Zhang.” The Commander says kindly, holding her hand to shake. He accepts. “If you are up to it the both of us would like to ask you a few questions. Do you mind?”

“Not at all, ma’am.” Zhang says with another nods again, curtly.

“Splendid!” The Commander claps. “Let’s chat in your room then, you look like you need to sit down. Come along Moira, no need to stare I’m sure Mr. Zhang here will be happy to allow you to do an examination.”

“Ah-- apologies, Y-yes.” Dr. Vahlen coughs, looking away and blushing slightly. Her hungry scientific eyes being a bit of a disadvantage. Without another word, Zhang opens the door for the pair back to his room and the trio enter the room, closing it shut. You’re left just standing there rather awkwardly. That uh, just happened...

(Part 2 / 4)

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Time passes, and later that night as you down another drink you recall the whole scene to some of Strike-1. Babbler, Burnout, and Sweet to be specific. The three guys having been forced to sit out either due to bad luck or circumstance. The others are elsewhere, you had recalled Peppermint and Rook for example calling it early that night while Loki went off to unwind at the gym. You have no idea where Harita is. After what you saw and your time spent with Naru, you’re pretty wide awake and needed to tell the story to the guys.

“...Then they just walked into his room, closed the door, and that was that.” You finish both the story and your drink, setting the glass back down on the bartop. Idly glancing at the still empty spot where the dartboard is against one of the pillars in the barracks. You didn’t tell anyone of Naru’s little heist of course.

Babbler lets out a long whistle at that while Burnout lets out a smoke ring and Sweet taps his chin in thought at the retelling.

“Damn, now that’s something mate.” Babbler says, refilling your glass which you take and begin to down. It burns good. “When I got hit with that shit I was conc-ed out for at least two days, tops! Best worst shut I’ve had to date.”

“It is pretty impressive. Medical’s been working with RnD since the start of the war trying to find a way to adapt the body to the Green Fog the whole time and unwrap the poor bastards cocooned in the stuff. That guy’s either superman or one hell of an outlier.” Sweet comments. The large man tapping his fingers on the bartop counter in thought. He’s wearing his medical lab coat over his fatigues again. It’s a pretty common sight now.

“It’s a shame really.” Burnout mutters, blowing another perfect smoke ring into the air. The ring floating lazily above the flat screen TV mounted to the side of the bar’s shelf.

“About what? That the Armorer’s still playing hard to get with me or the Triad guy?” Babbler says, raising an eyebrow at Burnout.

“I mean Zhang. It is a shame they’re probably going to either execute him, dissect him in the lab, or just hand him over to the Council. I do not know which is a worse fate” Burnout says shaking his head. There’s a pause before he adds; “You also have no chance in with the Armorer.”

“Oh please, with beauts like this it’ll be a matter of time before she’s head over heels with me and giving me the best kit, mate!” Babbler chuckles heartily. “But aye, it is a bit of a damn shame on what they’ll do with the guy. He seemed like an interesting fellow the way you described him, Dozer.”

“He was, and yeah it is a shame. Oh well, I doubt we can just ask Zhang about it.” You sigh shaking your head. You admit, in retrospect you did kinda care to fight out more about the guy after that. Maybe you could ask the Commander when she's in a good m--

“Ask me about what?”

(Part 3 / 4)

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You and the other guys turn around to see… Zhang. He stands before you with a duffelbag on his shoulder and… XCOM fatigues. He’s still pretty tired but there he is, standing before you. You stare at him, at a complete loss of words. The guys look at you and then at Zhang and then it clicks in their collective heads.

“Ah, apologies. You are all confused, that is understandable. Are you all a part of Strike-1 like Dozer is?” Zhang asks the other guys.

“...Yeah?” Babbler says hesitantly.

“Excellent, it is a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Shaojie Zhang, and I have been assigned by the Commander to be a part of Strike-1 as a fellow XCOM operative. I look forward to working with you all.” Zhang says politely, bowing slightly to your group.

Burnout’s cigarette falls from his mouth. A first.

What the actual fuck.

>And with that, I’m calling it here! That was probably my longest series of updates yet, I’m quite pleased with it and hope there isn’t too many grammar mistakes and the like! But once again... that’s not all! I have yet another writeup by a good friend to present to you all. This one is a bit more action orientated than the others so I hope you all enjoy! So until next time…

Thanks for playing!

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>>2039143
As promised, here is a write up about close encounters as told by another XCOM soldier! Maybe you'll recognize the cameo I placed earlier about this. Enjoy!

https://pastebin.com/8QTt752k

>>2039130
>the whole is stronger
I know, but not everyone wants to become a living tank. I know troopers dont have much of a life outside battle, but they still have one..Especially women are vain.

Was thinking about some Forrest Gump style leg braces or something else that is a compromise between strentgh and fleshiness.

>>2039138
>Zhang was likely on the field gulping in that stuff for at least over an hour, he should be unconscious for at least a day. Seriously, how the hell is he awake?
He was on a LOT of speed when you found him.

>>2039139
>“Ah-- apologies, Y-yes.” Dr. Vahlen coughs, looking away and blushing slightly.
Does Vahlen have a _crush_ on him? Ahahahahaha.

>>2039143
Welcome Zhang!

Thanks for running, Pixel, as always.

>>2039143
Thanks for the run!

>>2039149
>He was on a LOT of speed when you found him.
Let's add speed to the basic mission kit then. Combat drugs ahoy!

>>2039149
>Does Vahlen have a _crush_ on him? Ahahahahaha.
Naw, it's probably her blatant staring for !Science! that made her embarrassed.

At this point I'm waiting to find Rachel swinging from the ceiling, though that might be tough to set up with one arm.

>>2039375
This isn't fucking DDLC dude.

>>2039149
>He was on a LOT of speed when you found him
He IS a Chinese criminal. Probably took the rest of his stash for the alien job and all.

>>2039534
>This isn't fucking DDLC dude.
Not yet.

>>2039675
>Doki Doki Xenos-Killing Club