>>2237365
>'You have your orders, Lancer.' (Get into the role)
>'Lighten up, man, we're just prodding around.' (Take it with ease)
>Write-In

>>2237366
>>'You have your orders, Lancer.' (Get into the role)

>>2237366
>>'You have your orders, Lancer.' (Get into the role)

>>2237366
>'You have your orders, Lancer.' (Get into the role)
Since Emilio did ask.

>>2237365
You have your orders.

>>2237366
>>'You have your orders, Lancer.' (Get into the role)

>>2237365
>'You have your orders, Lancer.' (Get into the role)

File: -Whiny Noises-.jpg (338 KB, 1280x853)

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‘You have your orders, Lancer,’ you declare with authority, deciding to indulge him … even if it felt awkward telling someone you’d known for four years—and who you knew was an all-round superior student of the art of combat than you ever were, ‘two-point parameter, keep a wide-eye and engage only on advance fire.’

‘Understood, Commander, establishing parameter—ETA to first contact two minutes.’

You almost curse under your breath. Had you really spent that much time with idle chatter?

‘Set the mark at 3 miles, but don’t charge in to intercept, you declare. ‘Whatever we’re trying to do here, the basics of it is to get the Warp Engine crew enough time to get whatever they can off this rock, so delaying tactics are the best thing that we can do for now. I’m not sure how the program algorithm’s going to react with just the two of us, but there’s no need for either of us to be gung-ho from the get-go.’

‘It’s your Command, sir,’ Emilio replies, albeit a little more playfully than you’d expected from before.

You jump down from the mesa. The pod simulates the rumble with a slight shake, before the camera raised itself with your corrections to look back to the horizon. The two enemy mechs—Viper-Class Advance Scouts—marched at speeds towards your established parameter. You grumble under your breath—you’d taken so long that the scenario had shifted itself into a more aggressive position. You switch to a higher speed, not quite willing to break your borders just yet, but with your guns off-safety, there was something in you that inched towards just breaking your own established presets and being the hero …

If the memory of you blowing a whole clip on one Mech in the simulation hadn’t remained fresh in your mind, of course.

As the thought leaves, the scenario continued … and you see the familiar toothbrush-mustached man popping in through one of the monitors.

‘Commander, we’ve managed to patch the Warp Engine enough to get a head start on the rest of repairs—all we ask is for a little time to install the systems. Unfortunately, we’re unable to evacuate most of the unit with the Bi-Field Generator as is, but we’ll be able to warp off-world so long as you’re able to push the enemy back until they’re done!’

‘You know, I shouldn’t be breaking character, but they definitely cut corners with the acting here.’

You give a light chuckle.

Your amusement is interrupted, however, with the two Viper-Class Advance Scouts beeping closer—one was headed North-West and the other bearing East. They were giving each other space—no use having two speedsters and cramping it up, after all …

‘They’re about to cross our parameter. Do we engage?’

>‘Engage. They’re separate, better to pick them off one by one’ (Attack)
>‘Wait for them to come to us, we pick them off as they cross.’ (Hold back)
>Write-In

>>2237452
>>‘Engage. They’re separate, better to pick them off one by one’ (Attack)

>>2237452
>‘Wait for them to come to us, we pick them off as they cross.’ (Hold back)
To be clear, we don't have any means to move the Warp Engine from its current position at all, right?

>>2237452
Engage.

>>2237486
The engineers are in the middle of a rush job. You can suggest they move it, but you're going to be interrupting any work they have. There's no place to go anyway, since you're at the top of a mesa.

>>2237452
>Parameter
Did you mean "perimeter"? Or is there some use of the word "parameter" I'm missing? Sorry, I'm not a native speaker.

>>2237452
>‘Engage. They’re separate, better to pick them off one by one’ (Attack)

>>2237452
>>‘Engage. They’re separate, better to pick them off one by one’ (Attack)

>>2237510
No, you're correct.

LibreOffice keeps autocorrecting me on that for some damn reason and at this point I just don't give a crap backspacing. It's the same with the old "," and "'" and all those other symbols. If there are problems, don't be afraid to point them out, but I'm afraid that I really can't be bothered trying to alter auto-correct anymore. It was pain enough trying to get the dashes working properly. For some reason "perimeter" is not recognized by LibreOffice despite being a legitimate word. Neither is "consensual", which it changes to "contextual".

So I apologize for that.

>>2237523
Okay, idiot that I am, someone actually suggested that I just use Wordpad. Which I had never considered before.

>>2237523
If you're more comfortable with LibreOffice, I think you can turn off spell checking under Tools -> Options -> Language Settings -> Writing Aids.

File: Marauder Best Girl.jpg (289 KB, 817x1000)

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‘They’re breaking off in two directions, we keep them from each other as best as we can,’ you suggest, ‘I doubt that they’d have anything heavy, but you never know with this scenario. I don’t think I have to tell you about any fast tracks to failure here.’

‘Understood,’ Emilio sounds over the comm, ‘moving to assigned coordinates and engaging the enemy.’

Your screen pans over to him, upping up the throttle as his Hellion rushes off to run an intercept course. As you let out a heavy breath, you follow suit, flicking the release on the throttle and rushing towards your own point. The sensors don’t show anyone else on screen yet—keyword: yet.. It wouldn’t be long after this that the rush would begin without mercy … and the only thing that you could do until that chaos came along would be to hope that you remembered that cheat sheet you’d unfortunately ignored in your quest to actually try to one-up the presets. Showed how much you knew.

The warning beep comes soon enough—your customer was already within engagement range … and, predictably, already moving in a manner that you were accustomed to. Fast-striking Mechs never liked doing things head-on, and their armaments were usually limited to a few disabling bursts or one big salvo to take out or hold off heavier units. The unit was about a mile and change out—the Viper Class usually only had three types of armament load-outs … and they were always randomized when it came to the simulation. If people didn’t do their homework on them, they’d be in for a nasty aurprise trying to fight a lighter Mech smacking missiles from range … or getting the brunt of lightning cherry.

Well, you were in the role, so you supposed that the only thing you could do was follow protocol.

‘You are engaging an arm of The Aegis, operating under the Imperial Banner,’ you announce over the Wide Channel, ‘present course will be seen as hostile action. Respond appropriately or action will—’

HOSTILE RADAR LOCK DETECTED

Of course it would be.

You step forward on the throttle, taking the safety off enemy remaining armaments. The program had sent the Mechs across the line … this was when the mission really started. You recount the actions in your last run—it wouldn’t be long before the rest of the simulation kicked into gear … but right now, you’d already set the perimeter: you had to defend it. The RADAR had shown Emilio hadn’t yet been caught in an engagement cycle, but you couldn’t worry about him now.

HOSTILES DETECTED WITHIN ARMED RANGE
DESIGNATION: [YTN-075 VIPER-CLASS “Fang”]

You had bigger fish to fry.

‘All right,’ you grimace, ‘let’s see if I suck as bad as I think I do.’

>ENCOUNTER UNDERWAY

>>2237587
Someone pointed out a mistype: taking the safety off enemy remaining armaments.

It should be:

"Turning the safety off your primary armament seemed the prudent decision, especially with the enemy already taking an offensive position."

File: Yeah, Pretty Much This.jpg (378 KB, 1500x1831)

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MECH ENCYCLOPEDIA

[ZCD-012 HELLION-CLASS]

Armaments:
[STANDARD MACHINE RIFLE] (4 Firing Solutions/Reload): [+1]
[STANDARD AMMUNITION PACK x 4] (Replenishes 4 Firing Solutions)
[HEAT AXE]*: [4 Atk]
[JUMP JETS]

Attributes:
HP: 7/7
Speed Rating: 2
Ranged Offensive Rating: 1+1
Melee Offensive Rating: 1+4
Ranged Defensive Rating: 2+0
Melee Defensive Rating: 2+1

File: Jenner IIC is it yes.jpg (191 KB, 1280x853)

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YTN-075 VIPER]

Armaments:
[BOROS STANDARD MISSILE LAUNCHER] (3 Firing Solutions) [+3]
[WARPAN KINETIC SHIELDING] (6 Firing Solutions)

Attributes:
HP: 3/3
Speed Rating: 4
Ranged Offensive Rating: 2+3
Melee Offensive Rating: N/A
Ranged Defensive Rating: 0+0
Melee Defensive Rating: 0+0

[BATTLE] initiated

Roll for Initiative for 5 of you [1d10: Passing Standard: 29].
Modifiers: N/A

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>2237621

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>2237621

>>2237624
well shit, ain't touchin the dice anymore tonight

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>2237621

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>2237621
So basically we want to close in as quickly as possible.

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>2237621

>>2237622
>>2237634
>>2237644
I hate you.

File: You will never be this badass.jpg (280 KB, 1024x768)

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>>2237646
You're somehow able to maneuver yourself for the opening strike.

>Write-In

>>2237652
Target whichever is more easy to destroy between their comms equipment and their cockpit. Ideally, we take them out before they get out word of us.

>>2237654
this, something fast so that the enemy is in the dark for as long as possible, give us a better chance

>>2237656
>>2237654
backing this

>>2237654
Supporting this.

>>2237654
going for this too

File: To Melee Or Not Melee.jpg (343 KB, 2000x1411)

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>>2237654
>>2237656
>>2237657
>>2237658
>>2237662
While you are in possession of the [INITIAL STRIKE], to maneuver yourself into position to distribute the blow may open you to a counter-attack or an interrupting move by your foe. Proceed?

>Yes
>No

>>2237663
>Yes

What's the alternative, though? Waiting for the enemy to approach to get ambushed?

>>2237663
yes

>>2237664
It's up to you, really, the only real thing with this simulation is that right now there's a scout-type, built to pick you off fast with long range capabilities. You can engage it however you see fit. Do you want to charge in and hack it to bits with your [HEAT AXE] or do you want to trade shots and hopefully hit a few and avoid a few in the process? I'm trying to go free-form p2p with this quest, so see how it goes from there, but as far as we are, right now it's on you how you want to approach the enemy.

>>2237674
I guess try to rush it with [HEAT AXE] while moving in a way to throw of its aim, perhaps throwing odd shots while moving. seems like if its designed to take us from afar we'd be at a disadvantage if we tried shooting.

>>2237687
So how many of you are in favor of pulling out a smackaroo in melee, how many of you want to hang back and how many of you want to go somewhere in between?

>>2237663
The enemy has an advantage in ranged combat, so let's rush it with the axe.

>>2237692
It's also quite fast.

>Speed Rating: 2
>Speed Rating: 4

The people who made the Viper know what they made, so make your choice.

>>2237693
i think we should stick with the rush while trying to disorient it with our ranged weapons, keep the ai on its (figurative) toes. Either way it's a sim we've failed before so why not go hogwild?

>>2237693
We have initiative, so let's shoot it first then charge!

>>2237690
Considering the speed rating, the viper could just kite us as we approach with the axe and fuck us up. I'm in favour of shooting on approach to try fuck its sensors / weapons systems.

We also need to remember not to go charging off after this one mech, we've got to hold back to protect the asset lest we get isolated and rolled by the coming wave.

>>2237693
Shoot it from range

Pew pew

>>2237699
>>2238389
this is best thing we can do right now

File: Pew Pew Lazers.jpg (6 KB, 160x246)

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You decide to charge in, trying to pepper the craft with shots as you try to narrow its advantage as much as you can. The Hellion wasn't built for speed or power, but practicality. The blighter is a little quicker than your craft, but it's not as if you haven't been here before ... and then again, neither has the program. Thousands, perhaps even millions of students, had walked through the halls of The Aegis and endured the whips of its instructors. You weren't unique; you doubt anyone around here was.

Which was why it was already running at a slant and training its salvo in your direction.

>Roll for EVA Roll for [Dodge] vs [Volley]* [5 Rollers, 1d12]
Modifiers:
-Initiative (+2)

*Reply in the next post, please.

Rolled 3 (1d12)

>>2239806
plans still send some rounds its way and get in close

Rolled 5, 6, 3, 7, 11 = 32 (5d12)

>>2239806
[WEAPONRY ENGAGED: BOROS STANDARD MISSILE LAUNCHER]

>Rolling to Hit: [GM Rolls 5d12]

>>2239807
Come on, dude, follow the rules please. I'm being a little kind, here, but wait until my post is up before rolling. On that note, I'll allow a re-roll for you, but please wait until I have finished the weapon rolls before anything.

>>2239808
THIS is the roll to reply to, by the way.

Rolled 7 (1d12)

>>2239808
Can we roll now? Might want to put a cont.

Rolled 2 + 2 (1d12 + 2)

>>2239808

>>2239814
Yeah, you can roll now.

Rolled 5 (1d12)

>>2239808

Rolled 9 (1d12)

>>2239808
You probably should put the roll prompt into the post we should reply to, not the one before it.

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>>2239814
>>2239815
>>2239821
>>2239837
EVASION: (7, 2, 5, 9)+2
TO HIT: (5, 6, 3, 7, 11)
RESULT: EVASION FAILED (HIT)

Ranged Offensive Rating: 2+3
Ranged Defensive Rating: 2

[You are about to be struck by [KINETIC WEAPONRY: MID-RANGE MISSILE]. Deploy Jump Jets for further [Evasive Maneuvers]?*

>Deploy further maneuvers
>Endure the damage

*Jump Jets being used for sudden maneuvers instead of a controlled burn initiate diminishing returns on further usage up until they are rendered useless. They may act as an immediate countermeasure to try and avoid an onslaught, but the more frequent emergency use becomes, the more susceptible to failure they become. Choose wisely!

>>2239851
>Deploy further maneuvers

>>2239851
Jump jets activate.
Death from above?

>>2239864
The jump jets in this universe aren't built for perfect atmospheric or sudden execution. Kind of like revving an engine, a sudden burst to shoot you up has a high probability of damaging certain systems. The more frequently you toss up your jets, the more likely they fuck up.

>>2239851
>>Deploy further maneuvers

All right, I think that my approach has been ingrained to a lot of vets minds, so I think I should change it:

BATTLE VOTES: 10 minutes+10 minutes calculation/finalization
NORMAL VOTES (STORY): 20 minutes+30 minute write-up time.

Anyone have any other suggestions? If not, this is what I'm going to be heading down.

All right, did all the calculations I could. Will run the battle session in about an hour. To the few that have been patient, I salute you for putting up with this up until now. Progress is on the way.

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[JUMP JETS USED]

‘Damn,’ you curse, hitting the thrusters with a sudden jink. The Hellion listens to your commands, leaping a hundred or so meters up into the air with the burst. The programs definitely had a hand on the memory of past maneuvers.

You check the status of your Jets. Sudden bursts tended to cause damage to certain makes—and none more apparent than the standard. While keeping one eye on the circling Mech, you bring up the display of your Jump Jets.

>Roll for Potential Failure [Roll a 1d10: Passing Standard: 40]
Modifiers: N/A

It would seem, however, that the bogey wasn't going to wait on you.

>[INPUT ACTION]

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>2241797
>Continue charging the Viper

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>2241797
>Send a burst of rounds at the Viper

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>2241799
>>2241801
Let's see whose decision makes it through.

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JUMP JET FAILURE RATE: +20 PERCENT

You put the Mech into gear and resume your attack, drawing your Heat Axe. It tries to pepper you with some auxiliary weaponry, but there’s little that it can do to pierce anything that wasn’t an assault tank or a support craft. You punch it right through—only for another lock-on alert to sound as the Viper rounds on you to unleash its next salvo. Leaning forward, you glare at the pecking annoyance. Mech duels may have never been something you could take pride in during your stay here, but getting blown out of the water by a Viper in a Hellion during a duel situation wasn’t something you were about to take on the chin walking out of here.

The next salvo launches.

>Rolling to Hit. [GM Rolls 5d12]

Rolled 4, 5, 9, 9, 7 = 34 (5d12)

>>2241812
[WEAPONRY ENGAGED: BOROS STANDARD MISSILE LAUNCHER]
No Modifers

>Roll for [Dodge] vs [Volley] [1d12 each]

Rolled 5 (1d12)

>>2241812

Rolled 11 (1d12)

>>2241816

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>>2241819
>>2241822
EVASION: (5, 11)
TO HIT: (4, 5, 9, 9, 7)
Result: EVASION SUCCESSFUL

You're able to close the distance. Enough to move right in for a strike.

>[INPUT ACTION]

>>2241830
>axe the bastard, aim for the missile racks

>>2241830
>Cuts its legs

>>2241830
Go for the cockpit or comms equipment, whichever is easier. Wasn't that the original intention, or have we changed our minds on that now?

>>2241836
Well, the structure of the Mech is just a refurbished Jenner II-C, so the weapons' rack is up top and the torso is essentially the cockpit.

Rolled 1 (1d3)

>>2241831
>>2241833
>>2241836
Let's see which of you guys won the choice.

File: Haha You Wish.png (122 KB, 487x363)

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WEAPONRY DEPLOYED: [HEAT AXE]

>Rolling to Hit: [Melee] vs [Dodge] [5 rollers, 1d12]
Modifiers:
Speed Rating: 4 (Maneuverability Formula [4/2]) = NET 2
Melee Defensive Rating: 0
MELEE RANGE PENALTY: -2

Melee Offensive Rating: 1+4

Net Modifier: [+5]

Sorry, some bad math back there.

Rolled 5, 6, 1, 1, 10 = 23 (5d12)

>>2241847
GM EVA ROLL

>>2241847
Oh, and roll here.

>Roll to Hit [Players Rolls 5d12]

Rolled 4, 3, 7, 7, 10 = 31 (5d13)

>>2241856

Rolled 12 (1d12)

>>2241856
here we go

>>2241858
d12, mate.

File: ENEMY MECH DESTROYED.jpg (54 KB, 736x552)

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>>2241859
Well, guess you're the only one around.

EVASION: (5, 6, 1, 1, 10)
TO HIT: (12)+5

Melee Offensive Rating:1+4
Ranged Defensive Rating:0+0

YOU HAVE DEALT 6 DAMAGE to FOE 01 (Viper)

ENEMY DESTROYED!

>>2241874
flawless victory! Let's get back to the perimeter fast, before the next wave.

File: Yeah, This Is You.jpg (191 KB, 1024x768)

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]TENDENCY ACQUIRED: MECHA WARRIOR

+1 XP for MELEE WEAPONRY USAGE
+2 XP for MELEE KILL
+2 XP for ONE HIT KILL

XP TO NEXT LEVEL: 5.

It appears you favor head-on assaults. While still in possession of some training in ranged weaponry, your inclination towards more hands-on armaments has you more proficient at rushing at foes and engaging them with a blade or whatever you have up close.

PASSIVE ABILITY ACQUIRED: Reckless Lv. 1
“You’re either a moron or without fear.” - Zander Morsov, to The Great Hero Malynx
+1 to all rolls while under the effects of INITIATIVE.

PASSIVE ABILITY ACQUIRED: Calculated Strike Lv. 1
“Go for the eyes, Bu!” - Meenk The Opportunist
+1 to all rolls while attacking with a [MELEE WEAPON] within MELEE RANGE

File: Beam Beam Shoot.jpg (81 KB, 620x323)

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You pull your axe out from smoking carcass of the Mech, smiling in satisfaction despite yourself. As much as you were unwilling to admit it, you had had some fun times here. You may not have been a hotshot like some of the more distinguished students of THE AEGIS, but you could at least take pride that you were at least decent with a Heat Axe or a Proton Blade in your Mech’s hand. You shake your head, opening up communications to check with your Lancer—with Emilio. Sure enough, he’d sorted his own bogey out—just as you had opened it, the blip was no more. Emilio was already moving deeper within your own borders.

‘Lancer, report status.’

‘Enemy Mech destroyed. Took minimal dama—’

The warning sound rang in your ears again. You’d forgotten how close the waves were to each other.

‘The program must be adjusting to our performance again,’ you comment, ‘I don’t it expected us to smack the early party that quickly.’

‘Well, that only means we’ve exceeded the performance median,’ your “Lancer” lets out with a chuckle. ‘We still have a ways to go, though.’

‘I hear you.’

The drop interception points two breaks—one less than you had experienced with your own temporary group. As unfair as the simulation could be, it was at least considering that there were only two of you … which put some credence in Emilio’s hypothesis that the program did indeed adjust the scenario to the capacity of its participants. Still, right now you couldn’t well worry about that. You were in the role of Commander now … and you had more immediate priorities on-hand. You run by the RADAR and the Drop Interception—the landing points were random, but one of them usually broke the border on arrival. Your tutors had told you—and you had experienced first-hand that that was the priority: to keep them from getting a beeline to the Warp Engine and The Asset. You’d taken down the first launch, so this would make the second and third … and the fourth and the fifth would come after.

Time was of the essence.

‘We have two breaches, Commander. Dropships in-bound.’

‘Roger that.’

‘Chances are, they’ll be full assault Mech units,’ you point out … not that you needed to, of course. Emilio had done this before—and he had done it better, but still … getting into the role was something you had decided for this, after all. ‘Do we have a read on the last two?’

‘They’ll probably be breaking us mid-skirmish if we engage.’

‘Well, that’s part of the plan, right?’

You turn an eye to the RADAR. Indeed, there were two more of the initial wave … one a little further off but closer to the city, and as before, one on the other side of the plains but more than likely already in possession of a lock on The Asset.

What to do, what to do …

>[INPUT ACTION]

>>2241895
>head towards the one near the asset

>>2241895
Can we use our axe to dig up a trench to hide The Asset in?
If yes,
>Do so.
If no,
>Attack the closer one, have Emilio guard The Asset and provide ranged support

>>2241895
To clarify, there's two more enemy mechs, or two more enemy scouting forces (presumably of two mechs each)?

Also, does Emilio have a particular proficiency with melee or ranged?

Finally, how far out are these mechs - if we went after the one nearer the city, would we be at risk of being cut off from the asset itself by incoming drops?

Currently leaning towards having us go after the one nearer the asset with Emilio possibly going after the city bound one if he can reliably take it out at range without getting cut off.

>>2241907
The Asset is in the process of being Wapred off-world. Hopefully with you in tow. Think of the Warp Engine as the Macross' hyperspace drive. You'd also ruin your Heat Axe trying to dig with it in any case. It's the plain and however you're going to hide it, chances are the simulation is going to end with the scenario of failure due to your inability to defend or let the Asset escape. Emilio's proficiency is pretty much all-round. As a pilot, he's the second best student in the grade.

>>2241907
One drop-off point is sitting right at 3 mile block, the other is a bit more Northward, towards the city. And you have two more coming in to make you humble, so you better think fast.

>>2241913
I'm sticking with having Emilio engage the citybound mech at range while we close on the one with a lock on the asset.

>>2241895
Both pilots to the unit closest to the asset.

>>2241915
There are about 2-3 Mechs at each drop-off point. 4 if I'm feeling sadistic. You took care of the Scouts, but the main force is just getting their feet wet.

>>2241919
Oooh okay, I had thought it was an individual mech at each. Both mechs should hit the group closest to the asset, preferably while they're disembarking from the dropship.

Just tell me when you come to a decision. I'm going to do my prayers.

>>2241930

>>2241901
>>2241916
>>2241923
seems like the general gist is "get the closer guys."

>>2241941
yea basically, have Emilio link up with us and haul ass to the drop zone near the Asset
see if we cant catch them offguard

>>2241895
>one on the other side of the plains but more than likely already in possession of a lock on The Asset.
Is there a way to foil or spoof whatever sensor lock they have? Given that MC has Technical Habits, surely there are some unconventional ways he can think of to subvert enemy systems or use our own?

>>2241959
If you had an armada or more than ten minutes to stave off a multiple-wave offense. As far as you know, you're supposed to be manning a Mech running a defensive perimeter to buy enough time for the Warp Engine to come online.

File: How Do We Do This.jpg (122 KB, 1280x720)

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‘We can’t let them cross the perimeter enough to get a clear shot at the Warp Engine or The Asset,’ you announce, making your decision. ‘If the program’s going to bring about another wave, it’s not going to bring one top of us with so small an interval—it’s meant to simulate flushing maneuvers, right?’

‘You sure you want to go down that road, Commander?’

‘I’m making this up as I go along,’ you admit, flicking some switches and turning on the atmospheric pick-ups up as well as you could—being one that was standard to a Hellion-Class Mech, however, the only thing you could make out were those two landing points. Where the other two would come from, though … you had no clue.

Maybe that was what the scenario meant to play out.

‘If there’s not much deviation from the standard composition, we’re going to end up out-gunned anyway,’ you comment, starting up the throttle and beginning to run an intercept course of your own. ‘So we take them two at a time and hope we have enough loaded up to make sure that we’re able to get back and engage the second team.’

The sensors don’t show any enemies within range. Not yet.

‘That’s reckless,’ Emilio calls out over the comm, ‘you’re risking them getting to the Asset and the crew first trying to pull up an intercept course.’

‘If we let them meet in the middle, we’re going to end up being pincered,’ you point out, ‘and between outnumbered two-to-one and three-to-two, I’ll take the next one. Just have to hope we got enough ammo for that second squad.’

‘No wonder you failed,’ your friend jibes, causing you to laugh in return. It was just some banter; you don’t take it to heart.

Maybe you were a little reckless and trying to have your cake and eat it too, but … well, mathematics had rarely failed you—and you saw no sense taking a holding position on an open plain with no cover. If you were going to burn out, you might as well burn out with good odds … and you could only hope the program hadn’t decided to kick its learning curve and go straight for the jugular this time.

Perhaps the next time they gave this scenario to the students, they’d mitigate enough kindness to give something more than a mere Hellion-Class with four ammo packs.

HOSTILE RADAR LOCK DETECTED

‘We’re up,’ you declare, readying your weapons. ‘I have three Mechs on my sensors. Anything in our blinds?’

‘Negative.’

HOSTILES DETECTED WITHIN ARMED RANGE
DESIGNATION: [JFK-069 CRUSHER-CLASS “Mace”]
DESIGNATION: [EN-308 DESERT-CLASS “Rapid”]
DESIGNATION: [EN-309 DESERT-CLASS “Repeater”]

‘We’re entering engagement range!’

>ENCOUNTER UNDERWAY

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MECH ENCYCLOPEDIA

[JFK 069 CRUSHER-CLASS]

Armaments:
[BOROS STANDARD ION RIFLE] (3 Firing Solutions/Reload): [+2]
[ION RECHARGE BATTERY] [Replenishes full firing solution, consumes turn]
[COMBAT KNIFE]: [+1]
[JUMP JETS]
[PARTICLE SHIELDING]*

Attributes:
HP: 10/10
Speed Rating: 2
Ranged Offensive Rating: 3
Melee Offensive Rating: 2+1
Ranged Defensive Rating: 2
Melee Defensive Rating: 1

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MECH ENCYCLOPEDIA

EN-308 DESERT-CLASS

Armaments:
[DAIMAOU PLASMA CANNON x 2] (1 Firing Solution/Reload*): [+3]
[JUMP JETS]
[PARTICLE SHIELDING]

Attributes:
HP: 6/6
Speed Rating: 3
Ranged Offensive Rating: 3+2
Melee Offensive Rating: 0
Ranged Defensive Rating: 3
Melee Defensive Rating: 0

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MECH ENCYCLOPEDIA

EN-309 DESERT-CLASS

Armaments:
[MISHIMA KINETIC CANNON x 2] (4 Firing Solution/Reload*): [+1]
[JUMP JETS]
[PARTICLE SHIELDING]

Attributes:
HP: 6/6
Speed Rating: 3
Ranged Offensive Rating: 3+1
Melee Offensive Rating: 0
Ranged Defensive Rating: 3
Melee Defensive Rating: 0

[BATTLE] initiated.

Roll for Initiative for 5 of you [1d10: Passing Standard: 32]
Modifiers: N/A

>Roll

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>2242066

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>2242066

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>2242066

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>2242066
Guessing we're going to have a hard time with this.

Are their modules hard-built into their frames, or can we potentially dismount some of them off their hardpoints and use them ourselves? If we somehow find time that we probably won't have, that is.

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>2242066

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>2242066

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>>2242073
>>2242075
>>2242117
>>2242126
>>2242135
You're greeted by a beam blasting between the both of you. So much for getting the drop on them.

>[INPUT ACTION]

>>2244180
>attempt to strafe the enemy group
>you strafe right and Emilio strafes left

>>2244180
Supporting >>2244191

>>2244191
Sounds good

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Rolled 1, 1, 1 = 3 (3d3)

>>2244191
>>2244300
>>2244348
[AI Program] 1 (Crusher)
>Target Commander
>Target Lancer
>Continue towards Objective

[AI Program] 2 (Desert)
>Target Commander
>Target Lancer
>Continue towards Objective

[AI Program] 3 (Desert)
>Target Commander
>Target Lancer
>Continue towards Objective

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>>2244368
You curse as they open up on you. You hadn't expected all three to do so.

>Roll for EVA for [Dodge] vs [Volley]* [5 Rollers, 3d12]
Modifiers: N/A

Reply to this post, please

Rolled 1, 11, 6, 12, 5 = 35 (5d12)

>>2244378
[WEAPONRY ENGAGED: ION RIFLE]

>Rolling to Hit: [GM Rolls 5d12]

Rolled 3, 3, 10 = 16 (3d12)

>>2244378
great time to step back in. At least Emilio should be able to do some solid damage while we tank

Rolled 1, 5, 5 = 11 (3d12)

>>2244378
And like that, we just instantly get blown apart and fail the sim.

Rolled 3, 2, 12, 5, 6 = 28 (5d12)

>>2244378
[WEAPONRY ENGAGED: DAIMAOU PLASMA CANNON]

>Rolling to Hit: [GM Rolls 5d12]

Rolled 12, 1, 5, 2, 3 = 23 (5d12)

>>2244378
[WEAPONRY ENGAGED: MISHIMA KINETIC CANNON]

>Rolling to Hit: [GM Rolls 5d12]

Rolled 11, 1, 10 = 22 (3d12)

>>2244378

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[You are about to be struck by [PARTICLE BEAM] and [PLASMA PROJECTILE]. Deploy Jump Jets for further [Evasive Maneuvers]?

>Deploy maneuvers
>Endure the damage

>>2244487
>>Deploy maneuvers

sucks that we're burning through jump jets so hard, but these two could take us out in one volley if I understand right.

>>2244487
>>Deploy maneuvers
much as i wanna tank the shots, we got more waves after this

I'm glad that the severity and helplessness of the simulation is able to be conveyed through rolls. Also, you have 2 minutes before reaching a final decision.

[DEPLOYING JUMP JETS]

>Roll a 1d10 (Passing: 3 and up)

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>2244519

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[JUMP JETS USED]

The Hellion jerks violently, but follows your Command. The simultaneous shots meant that they were easier to avoid, but you could only push your luck so far. The beams pass right through where you were but a nano-second ago.

>Roll for Potential Failure [Roll a 1d10: Passing Standard: 40]
Modifiers: N/A

However, with their attentions on you, it would seem that they'd unwittingly allowed your Lancer to round himself into a better position than he had been before ... whatever it was he had on his mind.

>[INPUT ACTION]

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>2244541
>open fire and keep their attention

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>2244541
Attack at range, keep their attention on us. Target the crusher, it has the lowest ranged defence and is the biggest threat if we close to melee.

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>2244541
Push closer to melee range. Either it keeps their attention on us, or they get distracted by Emilio and we get to plant our Heat Axe into their backs.

>>2244553
I'm not sure I get this part. You're saying you want to get Emilio to try and [PROVOKE] and [DRAW FIRE]?

>>2244556
No, I meant that we push closer to melee - a close-in melee target being generally more attention-grabbing than one at range - so that either:
a) they get focused on us and Emilio can do his pincer, or;
b) they get distracted by Emilio for some reason, and we're in a position to attack with our most damaging weapon.

Ideally we'd close in on one of the non-melee capable mechs, of course.

>>2244573
You sure you want to try a Pincer with a numerical disadvantage?

>>2244617
I would have thought taking out one of the enemies as quickly as possible to even the numbers would have been a good idea - at least, better than trying to sustain a slow fight of attrition at range against enemies with better guns than we have - but if the MC's prior training suggests it's a poor tactical decision, then I'll rescind my vote.

>>2244617
oh yea, forgot about the third one
well keep the other two mechs attention on us and hope Emilio can waste the third one quick

>>2244639
You can try and do it if you want, but as the GM, I'm just pointing out that trying to Pincer 3 Mechs with better speed ratings isn't a good idea.

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'Emilio, they're open on the flank! Take the suckers down!'

>Rolling to Hit*: [Roll a 1d12 each]
Modifiers:
-Blindsided (Jump Jets not-usable)
-Opportunistic Shot (+4)

*As their focus is on you, there is no need for an avoidance roll. All you have to do is meet the prerequisites based on the difficulty of the target

>>2244681
Oh, forgot to ask: Who's the target?

Rolled 9 (1d12)

>>2244681
>aim for the Crusher unit

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>>2244698
Oh for fuck's sake. HERE. HAVE your CRITICAL HIT.

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TO HIT: 9+4
RESULT: CRITICAL HIT

[ALLY] Ranged Offensive Rating: 1+1
[FOE] Ranged Defensive Rating: 2
Modifier: Equal O/D: [1 Damage]
Modifier: Opportunistic Shot: +4/2 = +2
Modifier: Critical Hit: x1.6

[FOE 01] takes 05 DAMAGE (CRITICAL)!

>>2244706
>Additional Effects:
FOE 01: Crusher use [Recovery] from [Critical Hit]?
N/A
Effect: FOE 01 [Crusher is disabled] for 1 Solution (Turn)!

[BATTLE CONTINUATION]

The attack seems to reset the parameters. Which one of you is going to be able to push first?

Current Affects:
>FOE 01: [Crusher] disabled for one turn

Roll for Initiative [1d10 each: Passing Average Standard: 5.8]
Modifiers: N/A

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>2244712

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>2244712

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>2244712

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>2244718
>>2244719
>>2244728
[Unable to reach Initiative]
[Recovery] roll initiated

>Rolling for Recovery: [GM Rolls 1d10: Passing Average Standard: 5.8]

>>2244735
[BATTLE CONTINUATION]

FOE 02 (Desert): Recovery Successful
FOE 03 (Desert): Recovery Successful
Penalties Reversed!

>[Input Action]

>>2244738
>get close and go for the Crusher with the axe
finish the damn thing off

>>2244740
You're really going to go after a helpless Command Unit Mech? For shame. Also, specify if you do it, if Emilio is the one to do it or whatever. Remember that Emilio just smacked that thing down with his rifle volley.

>>2244744
aight
>we close in and axe the Crusher
>Emilio gets the other mechs attention with his rifle

>>2244756
The other mechs are more vulnerable to melee than the Crusher. I reckon it'll be best to have Emilio finish the job while we hit the plasma cannon desert-class, since it can deal significant damage.

>>2244758
Reasonable. Backing.

>>2244758
Supporting

>>2244758
supporting

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‘They’re running on defense now,’ you point out, shifting the throttle but keeping an eye on the other two Mechs. If they were being passive before they were most certainly kicking things into gear now. It wasn’t quite a firefight, but you’d definitely just pushed things up a notch in taking out the Crusher. ‘Move in and finish off the unit—I’ll take care of the other two.’

‘Roger that.’

Unbelievably, they peel off. You’d somehow become successful in bringing the two of them away in their effort to push you back. Rather than a defensive set-up, you were most definitely on the offensive now. You draw out your [HEAT AXE] as the Deserts strafe and lock onto you … while you do the same.

Juking left, you tighten your Mech’s grip your blade … and charge.

>FOE 02: Roll for EVA [Dodge] vs [Salvo] (1d12)
>FOE 03: Roll for EVA [Dodge] vs [Salvo] (1d12)
Modifiers:
N/A

Reply to next post. Roll a 2d12 each

Rolled 5, 7 = 12 (2d12)

>>2244893

>Rolling [TO HIT] against [MELEE OFFENSIVE MANEUVER]

Rolled 8, 9 = 17 (2d12)

>>2244894

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>>2244896

Rolled 11, 9 = 20 (2d12)

>>2244894

Rolled 5, 10 = 15 (2d12)

>>2244893

Rolled 1, 10 = 11 (2d12)

>>2244894

Rolled 10, 12 = 22 (2d12)

>>2244894

>>2244896
>>2244931
>>2244936
>>2245141
>>2245391
Wait, this is Melee, right?

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WEAPONRY DEPLOYED: [HEAT AXE]
Modifiers:
-Speed Rating: 3 (Maneuverability Formula [3/2]) = NET 1*
Melee Defensive Rating: 0
Melee Range Penalty:-2

Melee Offensive Rating: 1+4

Net Modifier: [+6]

*In the case of 0.5, I flip a coin IRL to see if it goes to the higher integer or the lower.

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YOU HAVE DEALT 6 DAMAGE to FOE 02 (Desert)

ENEMY DESTROYED!

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Lancer: Emilio lines up for an attack.

Orders?
>FOE 01: Crusher (Melee/Ranged)
>FOE 03: Desert (Melee/Ranged)

>>2247791
>Melee the Crusher

>>2247791
>Melee Crusher

>>2247791
>Melee Crusher

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[LANCER: EMILIO] heads straight for the recovering [FOE 01: CRUSHER]

[FOE 03] employs [SUPPRESSING FIRE] on [LANCER: EMILIO] in response.

>GM Roll: [TO HIT] (1d12)

Rolled 2 (1d12)

>>2247878
[REPLY TO THIS POST]

>Rolling [EVA] (1d12 each)

Rolled 7 (1d12)

>>2247880

Rolled 6 (1d12)

>>2247880

Rolled 12 (1d12)

>>2247880

Disregard >>2247887 , I messed up the roll option.

[LANCER: EMILIO] successfully evades the [SUPPRESSING FIRE] via [MISHIMA KINETIC CANNON].

[LANCER EMILIO] successfully closes the distance to [MELEE RANGE] with the recovering [FOE: 01 Crusher]

To Hit: N/A (Enemy Recovering)

[ALLY] Melee Offensive Rating: 1+4
[FOE] Melee Defensive Rating: 1

Modifiers:
-Recovering: +3 Critical Hit
-Melee Range: [Jump Jets] Unusable

[LANCER EMILIO] goes for a strike
>Roll for Critical Hit (1d10)

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>2247890

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>2247890

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>2247890

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>2247890
Here.

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[LANCER: EMILIO] HAS DEALT 6 DAMAGE to FOE 01 (Crusher)

ENEMY DESTROYED!

[FOE 03: DESERT] attempts to disengage from combat. Pursue?

>[INPUT ACTION]

>>2247922
>have Emilio attempt to shoot out it's legs while rushing in for a Melee attack

>>2247924
That's more than 1 action, man. You're not of a prestige level to do anything more than basic cover fire yet.

>>2247922
Stay put and shoot it.

>>2247928
k
>Chase it to get into Melee range

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>2247932
Oh boy, I'm flipping a coin and hope you win.

>>2247932
It's stupid. We have another wave coming up from another direction, we can't waste time on pursuing.

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The enemy successfully disengages from you, thanks to its superior speed but thankfully doesn't try to take anymore pot-shots in your pursuit. By some miracle, you'd exceeded your previous benchmark.

BATTLE CONCLUDED:
>Majority of Squadron Disabled
>Remaining Enemy Successfully Disengaged

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[ENEMY SUCCESSFULLY DISENGAGED!]

[TENDENCY: WARRIOR]

+1XP for MELEE WEAPONRY USAGE (1)
+2 XP for MELEE KILL (1)
+2 XP FOR ONE HIT KILL (1)

[WARRIOR] HAS REACHED LEVEL: 2

XP TO NEXT LEVEL: 10

PASSIVE ABILITY ACQUIRED: Discipline Lv. 1
“The best offense, is a cunning defense.” - Rabmo the Lone
+2 to save rolls while on the defensive in MELEE RANGE, but -4 to rolls when using a [RANGED WEAPON] within MELEE range

[TENDENCY ACQUIRED: VANGUARD]

+1 XP for MELEE WEAPONRY USAGE (1)
+3 XP for [NO DAMAGE]: [LANCER: EMILIO]
+1 XP for [DRAWING FIRE] (RD 1)
+1 XP for [DRAWING FIRE] (RD 1)
+1 XP for [DRAWING FIRE] (RD 1)

XP TO NEXT LEVEL: 3

PASSIVE ABILITY ACQUIRED: Tank Lv. 1
“I’ll draw their fire.” - Numerous accounts
Enemies are more likely to attack you. Higher levels mean more attention on you.

PASSIVE ABILITY ACQUIRED: Survivalist Lv. 1
“Dodge!” - Numerous accounts
Drawing fire while under the effects of [INITIATIVE] has a chance of lowering the damage or nullifying it.

[Emilio Reinweld] HAS ACQUIRED A TENDENCY: ASSASSIN

+1 XP for RANGED WEAPONRY USAGE (1)
+1 XP for [CRITICAL HIT] WITH [RANGED WEAPON] (1)
+2 XP for [FIRING SOLUTION] with [NO ATTENTION] (1)

XP TO NEXT LEVEL: 6

PASSIVE ABILITY ACQUIRED: Opportunist Lv. 1
"Potshots are best shots." - Corporal Abraham Zabelist
+2 to rolls for shots on targets that are not attacking you. -1 to targets that are.

ACTIVE ABILITY ACQUIRED: Disabling Shot Lv. 1
"Sometimes you don't have to kill them. Just cripple them." - Teresa Ordana, Heroine of Rectar
Consumes turn to fire a shot to disable enemy weaponry/armament. Does half OR as damage. (1d10, DC: 3)

"It seems that you have acquired a second Tendency. Would you like to review how Tendencies work?"

>Yes
>No

>>2247985
>>Yes

>>2247985
Yes.

>>2247985
>Yes

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Tendencies. Everyone has a tendency or habit or an inclination. Piloting a Mech, this is no different. Tendencies are skills and attributes that are gained as a result of continued battle. However, there are only so many Tendencies that you are able to acquire. Which is why, for gameplay's sake, we will be corralling it down to two sections:

Primary Tendency
Secondary Tendency

What are the pros and cons you may ask? They both gain the same amount of XP after battles, but only your [PRIMARY Tendency] may use its active abilities. You may be able to pick up other tendencies along the way in your adventures (If you have anymore adventures), but you can't equip more than two for a mission. Now that you have your first two tendencies, that means that you have room for two more left in reserve. Once you have acquired four battle tendencies, you will not be able to acquire anymore. You can also decline a tendency if it ever comes up to ensure that you have room for a tendency that you want in the future. Here is a list of MOST of the tendencies:

>Warrior
>Vanguard
>Assassin
>Support
>Sniper
>Recon
>Gunner

>Anything Else?

>>2248013
No.

Testing

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You click your tongue as you watch the Mech accelerate. Even at your top speed, you wouldn’t be able to keep pace. The Hellions weren’t built for speed or power in specification. The standard issue ones were made with the purpose of being nothing more than to make the numbers up to fulfill any scenario on hard terrain. They couldn’t take much, they didn’t dish out as much punishment as the better students and instructors would have liked them to—never mind the pilots themselves—but they could get fixed in the blink of an eye and you could practically tape it together to last for the duration of one standard watch drop. Still, staring at the wreckage of the Crusher-Class and the Desert-Class, you were at least grateful that you were able to twist a numerical disadvantage as well as one of firepower into a …

‘Is anyone there?’

It’s the planet’s general channel.

You turn your camera to the direction of what appeared to be an explosion … and another drop landing.

It never showed up on the sensors—the fourth drop, that is.

‘The city … the city is under siege. We have no defenses—our shuttles are unable to take off … please, we only need a little more time. A little more time, please.’

The general channel is immediately cut off … and you hear another voice crackling on the battalion wavelength.

Right on schedule.

‘Commander, we just received a request for assistance from the city shelters,’ he reveals—or rather, he repeats what you’d already known five months prior to taking it the first time. ‘It’s regrettable, but we have enough problems on our hands … and if you’re able to hold off for long enough, we’ll be able to get the Asset off-world.’

You begin the countdown under your breath.

It surprises you that you’d gotten this far without being blasted.

In fact, this was right about the time you did have your Mech blown to smithereens … and with the grumbling of your annoyed teammates to boot. You wonder how they were right now; as impersonal as you were with each other, there was at least—

‘Commander, we have a Unit heading our way—if you let them get within firing range, the asset would—’

You hear another explosion over the audio. One of the buildings had been destroyed … and the sensors were picking up activity of a marauding assault unit.

‘Commander, return and defend the border! There’s no time.’

‘Please, we—we have a shuttle! At least let us get the children and the sick into orbit!’

Another explosion.

More silence more somber than it had any right to be.

‘Your orders, Commander.’

>[INPUT ACTION]

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>>2248183
i want to say give asset priority, but at the same time i want to try smash this sim, perhaps could we have emilio take a disabling shot of the unit approaching the asset while we head into the city to draw fire of the assault unit and pull it away from the shelters and back towards emilio? open to ideas anons

>>2248194
Fuck it. We can try to be a little bit of a hero, right?

>>2248206
Up to you, ultimately. Just so you know, if you end up going solo or splitting up, you're not going to last. You may be good (Fuck your rolls, by the way) but you're far from the best.

>>2248213
at least we did better than the last time we attempted this

>>2248216
That is something to take away, yes.

>>2248183
>Head towards the city.

>>2248183
>>Head towards the city.
Time to be heroes boys

>>2248183
>Head towards the city
fuck it, it's not like we didn't already fail the actual graded test anyway, let's just go with what we think is right.

>>2248183
>Defend the Asset
No sense in repeating our previous course of action. We already know how this ends.

>>2248183
What's the transport capacity of the Warp Engine? What if we try to get their children off the planet with the Asset when the Engine activates?

Alternatively, how great a setback to preparations would it be for us to transport the Engine to the city? Given that one of the Desert classes got away, there's going to be enemies en route to our present position. Defending the mesa in itself may not be viable.

>>2248183
>>2248456
>Defend the asset
Mission takes priority. This will save more civilians down the line than rescuing a few transports.

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‘We defend the city.’

You turn your attention and flip a switch. The readings weren’t accurate—they never were when over an area as messy as a city—but you knew what was waiting for you there. You’d done this last time … and that was also the last time you’d been able to reach just about this far before being unceremoniously sniped by the new arrivals in taking too long with the scouting parties and the following wave. Much of that was probably down to

‘You’re sure?’ his tone is one of surprise; disbelief, ‘we have six minutes and twenty seconds to run an intercept—the Asset’s not going to get off this rock if you’re running an advanced defense on the city!’

You open up the communication channel.

‘Crew, this is the Commander,’ you declare. ‘Abandon the Asset and get as far as you can from the conflict area. Set up an emergency retrieval once the dust-off is complete … or meet in the city and get into orbit for a pick-up.’

‘ARE YOU INSANE?!’

Okay, maybe they did get their money’s worth with the programming. The acting was still hard to take seriously, though.

‘Abandon the asset and have the men get out of the zone—or if they can’t get there spread out enough to not get picked off by any of the advanced units. The area is compromised and so is the operation … we’re moving in to defend the city for their shuttles to achieve orbit.’

‘You would abandon the mission! The Asset is of grave importance to The Empire! To The Aegis! You would throw it all away and be labeled a traitor to the cause just to defend the ruins of a city?! The scarce remnants and runaways? Even if you were to succeed—you would jettison any pressing advantage we would have for the sake of this so-called virtue?’

They definitely did get their money’s worth.

‘Gather the crew and leave The Asset. Have a ground team exit the operations area and deploy a standard rendezvous point—it’s a slim chance, but procedure’s procedure.’

‘O-Outrageous! The city is of no consequence! It is an abandoned outpost! A fort! There can’t be more than ten thousand in those ruins!’

‘You have your orders, Supervisor. Four minutes until contact—get any aircraft and land cruisers up … and get the crew out of there.’

You kill the feed … and open up the sensors.

‘What do we have, Lancer?’

‘You’re asking me?’

‘My first time at this point of the simulation.’

‘Missile salvos.’

HOSTILE RADAR LOCK DETECTED

-SIMULATION TERMINATED-

The screens go blank, leaving you in the strange, cramped darkness of the pod, only for the hatch to open … and the stern face of Commander Wray staring at you with his beady eyes.

‘Oh, shit.’

[TRANSITION]

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Wray tapped the pen against his arm as he stared sternly at the both of you. You don’t know why he was even here. Shouldn’t he have been out drinking with the other Instructors and celebrating getting another bunch of young ones up for the chopping block?

He hadn’t said a word.

Wray had never been the most reasonable of the Instructors around … especially with his insistence that people called him Commander instead of Instructor. Among the Instructors, though, he was by far and large the most decorated, having served time as a pilot and a ground trooper. He had the prosthetic and the scar to prove just how much he had seen … and anyone that dared to put a toe out of line with him at the front would be in the infirmary for a week. You’d seen the upperclassmen from previous years egg each other on in one of the escapades that involved pushing Wray’s buttons … and that was the only time you’d seen the Chancellor decide not to intervene and wave them off with a cheery wish of good fortune.

It was a good thing future generations that walked through the halls learned from the mistakes of the past better than their predecessors.

Or, it could have just been because of those mistakes your particular batch knew that Instructor Wray was to be addressed with Commander or Sir. Both, if you were feeling particularly titchy on whether you were toeing a line or five yards behind it.

Still, it was strange. Wray—Commander Wray—was usually chewing an ear out by this stage, but the only thing that you’d heard from him was the order that the both of you step out from your pods and stand to attention. As you did so, all he had been doing was rubbing the tip of his closed pen against his arm almost absently, throwing an occasional glance to the holographic display in the middle of the room or the short replay of yours—and Emilio’s—actions in the simulator, particularly highlighting Emilio’s masterful dispatching of the Crusher Unit.

‘Shouldn’t the both of you be out celebrating your last days as free men?’ he questions, finally speaking and clicking his pen. ‘Or is there some kind of booze shortage that I’m going to have to sign off in lieu of Instructor Monreal?’

The both of you share puzzled looks.

Was he trying to be sarcastic or just lighten the mood?

Because either one was equally frightening.

‘Sir, we were hoping to … um,’ Emilio starts, stepping up, ‘see if we could … retrace our steps with the … Toph-Lathu Scenario, sir’

For some reason he gives you a look that you can only interpret as disgust.

‘You passed,’ he states matter-of-factly, ‘that not enough for you?’

‘We were both hoping to see … if we’d be able to achieve a higher grade, sir.’

For a moment, you see his expression tighten, before turning back to Emilio, ‘were you now?’

He walks over to the console, keying in a few commands … before gesturing to the holographic display.

Crew, this is the Commander.

It was your voice from the duration of the simulation, being replayed through the speakers.

Abandon the asset and have the men get out of the zone—or if they can’t get there spread out enough to not get picked off by any of the advanced units. The area is compromised and so is the operation … we’re moving in to defend the city for their shuttles to achieve orbit.

He presses another key.

Gather the crew and leave The Asset. Have a ground team exit the operations area and deploy a standard rendezvous point—

‘Son,’ he begins in that usual biting voice of his, ‘may I have an explanation as to the logic behind this decision?’

Even several feet and change away from you, Wray managed to look like a star beast of sorts. He probably wasn’t glaring at you or cocking back a fist, but he might as well have. Even speaking softly—and for him, this was soft—it was as though he was calling in a Cloud Strike on your very position. You begin fumble through your words, only to find that, to your surprise, he wasn’t … rushing you.

Which was odd. Wray without his barking was as rare as a—

‘Today, if possible, Commander.’

Right.

You let out a breath, trying to gather your thoughts.

>Why did you decide to prioritize the defense of the city?

>>2248751
I know this is kinda late, but it's immaterial. The details are vague and the quantification is unknown, but as far as Command is concerned, it's an Asset and has more value than you if you're there to lay your life to protect it. Could be an experimental Warp Barrier, some kind of test weapon project or something. It is only The Asset.

>>2248981
We all know it's a cute girl able to teleport things with her mind.

>>2248981
For some reason I had assumed the Asset was a person.

Would it be a reasonable assumption that the Asset would be stored in some from suitable for travel or depowered, especially given that we couldn't try to use it against the enemy, and their scouts can only estimate the location of the Asset by pinpointing the signatures of our mechs or the Warp Engine?

>>2249010
It's immaterial to the objective. As I said, it's to be protected and prioritized.

>>2248966
Given our intentions going into the sim, simply defending the asset and abandoning the city for a bare pass was out of the question to begin with.

From past experience, splitting our two mechs to protect the Asset and the city at the same time would result in failure - we simply do not have enough resources. Indeed, attempting to protect the Asset alone can still potentially result in failure, whether by bad piloting or bad luck.

Then, the only possible route left would be to gamble on mounting a defense of the city and being able to reclaim the Asset afterward.

That's all I can come up with, since all my attempts to come up with some kind of clever alternative solution got shot down.

>>2249056
that makes some sense

>>2249137
We probably also really hate just letting people die while we can do something about it, but Wray probably already knows that, and like hell we're going to say it to his face right here.

Well, when you're ready with an answer go ahead and tell me what you want to answer Wray. Don't worry, if your answer isn't satisfactory the only thing you lose out on is robo thighs

>>2248966
It was the right thing to do

>>2249056
This seems to be the best response. Even though I don't think it was said that doing the primary objective causes failure.

>>2248952
>It was the right thing to do

>>2249056
To add to this, the greatest resource the empire has is it's people. For all we know, the asset can be rebuilt, especially if we preserve the expertise of the ground crew. But dead men and women stay that way.

>>2249056
supporting

>>2249056
>Being able to reclaim the Asset afterward

That is not how the sim works.

>>2250940
We were familiar enough with the simulation to know that there was no hope of saving the asset we hoped we could get a better score by saving the engineers and civilians.

>>2250943
Think of it like this. Abandoning your post would result in the probable destruction and loss of the asset. Last time you were sniped before you could even mount a strategy, but your intentions were to get to the city. This time you were able to try and mount a defense and an escape plan, at least, before the attacking team closed in. Think of it as proper abandonment. You choose what to put first. The question is, and what Wray is asking is, what are your intentions in choosing the city and its inhabitants getting off-solid ground over a military/Imperial asset?

>>2250940
Well, I didn't know that as a player, did I?

I get that the sim is probably supposed to be a test of character rather than skill; we've had the extreme difficulty of the sim impressed on us multiple times. And I understand that the engagements here are probably intended to introduce us to the combat mechanics of the quest.

But narratively-speaking, the point of actually doing a play-by-play of a Kobayashi Maru-style scenario has usually been to observe a character's ingenuity in an otherwise hopeless situation - otherwise, you may as well just have a short description of their failure.

Characters would usually either take advantage of the limitations of the system (perhaps by hacking the sim like Kirk did, or somehow crashing the simulator entirely), or use their resources in unexpected ways (for example, in this case, using the Warp Engine itself to evacuate civilians; or using the narrow and more familiar streets of the city to funnel enemies into defensible positions), or tackle the problem in a completely different way that wasn't anticipated by the designers (perhaps by bluffing the AI into thinking their forces were located elsewhere, or into believing that they weren't even hostiles?).

Given that we've already established earlier our character's initial reaction to being placed in this scenario, and entered the sim this time with the mindset of 'Aren't you curious if it's possible to get a higher score?', it's somewhat frustrating to be stopped at every turn because "That's not how it works." or "It doesn't matter; you're supposed to prioritize the Asset." Even if we'd still failed, it would have been nice to see the effects of at least having tried; but the approach we ended up taking was to just to the scenario normally and try to do it more efficiently.

Doing the combat primer in this particular way feels somewhat pointless from a storytelling perspective, since it seems whatever choices we made would still have led to the default scripted decision of "Abandon the city or abandon the Asset."

>>2250999
You know that you're supposed to mount a defense and that The Asset cannot be moved in such a short span of time (The running time of your mission before the termination was about 17 minutes, tops while the planetfall was 5 minutes into the mission), so it's more of a desperate play than anything else. Most of your tutors pretty much told you (As with a lot of tutors IRL) that if there's no way to get a high mark, settle with what you CAN get, which, by choice, you have already violated. Wray's just asking the why of your defense. Your intentions.* He's not going to bite you so long as you're honest about it, and neither am I. Just tell me when you've reached a final decision on the matter, okay?

*I guess what I'm trying to communicate is that you've done the simulation twice and both times you went to try and save the city. I apologize if that's what wasn't communicated better.

>>2248966
>>2251017
Given that we basically couldn't find a workable plan anywhere in the middle of all our choices, and that abandoning the Asset at any point was a fail condition for the sim, I'm not sure there's actually any reasoning left that we can give in-character other than the emotional one:
>"It was the right thing to do. It's not like I've got a graded exam to fail this time either."

And perhaps to add a little more personal reasoning behind it, something like:
>"The whole purpose of a military is to protect those in their charge. To protect people. That's the reason I chose to serve in the first place. I've seen Fleet ships being picked apart by pirates, begging on all channels for help while we just... turned away. And then came back later to pick up the scraps. I can't bring myself to stand by while people are in need. Well, I guess that's why I'm in Logistics."

>>2251043
Sigh ...

Enjoy thighs, soldier.

>>2251054
Knew it, you fucks always want to bullshit your way out of problems but I knew honesty was best. I will very much enjoy those thighs, thank you

I thought it was pretty clear protecting the asset was the goal. You got greedy and wanted a perfect score.

‘I … felt that it was the right thing to do, in that situation. I mean, it’s not as if that I was given a grade scale to follow this time, but,’ you pause, turning to Emilio, who gestured for you to continue … which you do, of course. ‘I joined to play a part in The Empire’s cog—but The Aegis … The Aegis’s purpose is to protect the people under them, sir. Even if I’m just a grunt, I—my priority will always be to defend the people. I know that’s probably not what you want to hear, sir, but … that’s what I have to say about it. I know that it probably wasn’t—’

‘You’ve made your point, soldier,’ he raises a hand as the words leave his mouth, grumbling something unintelligible under his breath. ‘So you came here to see if there was a way to—in your own words—break the grade scale, but you end up doing the same damn thing because of a moral inclination … at the cost of the mission, your team and the security of the quadrant or even the whole Empire by giving up a strategic resource.’

‘To be fair, sir, we don’t even know what it is; just that we’re supposed to—’

‘I know what’s on the test, Reinweld,’ Wray answered with a growl—the first time that you’d seen anything resembling an aggressive motion towards him in the last two years. Emilio had practically been Wray’s favorite in all but name, after all. He wasn’t the top student, of course … but he’d been the model that people had seen to aspire to at least keep up with.

So it was surprising that Wray had toned down the savagery with you and turned it up with your friend.

The situation was bizarre.

He lets out an uncharacteristic grunt, lifting his hand to his nose and giving it a good pinch, before giving you what you understood to be a begrudging stare. You don’t dare move from your spot. Even if he wasn’t your direct superior, that wouldn’t stop Wray from laying you out on the floor in a teary mess … and even at this age, you really didn’t want to test if you could get away with it.

Then he does something more bizarre.

He lets out a defeated sigh … and waves the both of you off.

‘Dismissed.’

You almost flutter away in joy, uncaring whether he had done it because of the fact that you hadn’t technically done anything wrong and that he couldn’t hold you or if he’d just decided to cut you a break because it was the end of your careers as students … only for him to raise a finger.

‘Not you,’ he declares.

Emilio—the bastard—only gives you a salute as he leaves you in the hall with the scariest Instructor on all of Rhysode.

To be fair, you probably would have, too.

You shift uncomfortably, not daring to look at Wray. Was he about to sacrifice you in some unholy ritual? Feed you to his hounds? You didn’t taste good. You weren’t even as plump as you were back when you’d landed in Rossiu. You’d make a poor sacrifice.

‘There’s a difference,’ he begins, causing you to stand to attention by reflex, ‘between what you [i]say[/i] you will do … and [i]what[/i] you do, soldier. That’s why we call it theory and application. Words mean nothing until put into action.’

He approaches you with heavy, leathered footsteps.

‘Being in command of a Mech squadron with men and women ready to die by one word, one order,’ he starts, ‘you’d throw away any strategic advantage or mission that the asset could possibly give for the sake of giving the city—no, the ruins of an [i]abandoned colony outpost[/i]—a chance at getting off the rock, and I repeat this: [i]at the cost of the mission and your assignment along with the dozens of men and women who look to you for leadership[/i]. All that … for the sake of protecting a city with maybe a couple thousand and four non-Warp capable ships at best?’

Your eyes go slightly wide.

His voice may have sounded angry, but it was more like … he was pressing you for a stance than he was yelling at you for a screw-up. It was an … odd tone for him to take, if you were being frank with yourself. Wray had never been one to keep in reserve. If there was anyone you believed could actually take on the Emperor in a war of words that wasn’t a Colony Fleet Administrator, it was Wray … if it wasn’t for the fact he was loyal to the bone to the precepts of The Aegis and everything The Empire stood for. He may have been a hard-ass almost every waking day of your tutelage under him, but considering the commendations that he was able to garner during his career, if anyone had the right to do it, it was Wray.

Although, you could probably do without the sight of your seniors sporting bruises, broken bones and a myriad of misplaced organs at trying his patience.

Or, at least, that's what you think.

Coming back down to reality, you see that Wray now had his shoulder pointed towards you as he gazed up at the replay on the screen, his expression stern, but still … different.

'Every simulation here operates on the hypothetical,' he continues, 'so I'm going to ask you, again, if you actually [i]do believe[/i] as a [i]Commander[/i]: that your reputation being shot to Hell means nothing, the loss of an asset is secondary and the lives of the men and women under your command suddenly eligible for the lives of the men and women that scrounge around in the ruins of a city over an [i]Imperial order to guard an Asset?[/i]’

>‘If it’s for the sake of protecting the people we were sworn to, sir … there would be no regrets on my part.’ (Confirm)
>‘I … don’t know. I just ... I thought it was the right thing to do, I don't know ’ (Uncertain)
>‘I never thought of it like that.’ (Backtrack)
>Write-In

[red]TEST[/red]

So now I CAN post, but I've lost any ability to format my post.

[green]This site is weird af[/green]

>>2251605
>>‘If it’s for the sake of protecting the people we were sworn to, sir … there would be no regrets on my part.’ (Confirm)