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>>2296410
>Stick with the Laser Shotgun. It’s tried and true and hasn’t let you down yet.
OH BOY TIME TO PILE UP THE BODIES

>>2296410
>>Stick with the Laser Shotgun. It’s tried and true and hasn’t let you down yet.

>>2296410
>>Stick with the Laser Shotgun. It’s tried and true and hasn’t let you down yet.

>>2296410
>Stick with the Laser Shotgun. It’s tried and true and hasn’t let you down yet.

>inb4 the commander quickdraws on that kidnapping muton

>>2296418
>>2296423
>>2296463
>>2296471
Remaining with the Laser Shotgun it is, writing!

>>2296410
>Stick with the Laser Shotgun. It’s tried and true and hasn’t let you down yet.

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You reach over to grab onto the phaser weapon before stopping, shaking your head, and grabbing a Laser Shotgun instead. It’s not let you down, from a Chrysalid bearing down to shooting out Thin Men from the sky. As you feel the familiar weight of the weapon you nod approvingly, you’ll stick to what you know best.

“Good choice.” Harita says nodding to you and smiling softly, grabbing her own Laser Shotgun off of the rack. “While the Phaser Shotgun is good for breaching, I also prefer the flexibility of it’s laser companion.”

It seems you both have good taste then.

Harita chuckles at that, pausing for a moment to consider saying something to you. She decides not to, and merely nods to you and steps away to grab the last of her own kit. Burnout shares the same sentiment as you see him stick 100% with his current laser kit as well. The man lights a cigarette, enduring the hateful glare of the Armorer, who is simply too busy working with her assistants to get gear handed out among the other squads to do anything to stop the laid back Scout.

The squad finishes gearing up. It’s going to be Rook, Harita, Sweet, Burnout, Babbler, and yourself for this operation. Much to the irritation of of Peppermint and the cool acceptance from Loki. A sniper would obviously be a detriment in a close quarters boarding action, especially considering what particular task Strike-1’s been assigned in taking the hostile vessel. An Engineer of Loki’s prowess, while tempting was ultimately swapped for Harita instead for maximum close range firepower.

“Don’t worry about it so much Pepper! We’ll save a few for you to snipe after we hijack the UFO.” Babbler winks at her. Peppermint grunts and rolls her eyes.

Loki glances at you with that unreadable face of hers and merely nods, wishing you and the rest of the squad luck. As you and fellow teammates exit the Armory and make your way towards the Briefing Room for last minute info, Rook stops and your groups attention is turned turned the rather… stoic man sitting in one of benches in the locker room adjacent to the Armory. Zhang.

The man seems calm, but you and the rest of the squad were aware that Rook specifically turned down Zhang’s request to join in this operation. Reason being the high risk nature of the op and Zhang’s lack of experience in XCOM so far. Zhang looks over to your group and Rook, regards your group, and lowers his head to your SL. An act of compliance but it’s clear that he’d rather be in their defending his country.

Rook takes it at that and continues on, the rest of the other squad following after. Harita gives him a sympathetic look and carries on. You don’t leave just yet and regard the man, clearly contemplating things.

>Share sympathy in his frustration at not going. His training so far has shown he’s a quick learner and already skilled.
>Let him know that there’ll always be another op. He’ll get his chance.
>Say nothing and continue on. Not your place to comment.
>Other.

>>2296710
>>Let him know that there’ll always be another op. He’ll get his chance.

>>2296710
>Let him know that there will always be another op. He’ll get his chance.

>>2296710
>>Let him know that there’ll always be another op. He’ll get his chance.

>>2296710
>>Let him know that there’ll always be another op. He’ll get his chance.

>>2296710
>>Let him know that there’ll always be another op. He’ll get his chance.

>>2296719
>>2296732
>>2296734
>>2296762
>>2296793
Reassurance it is, writing!

Sorry friends, but something just came up. My dad got into a car accident and I gotta help him with some insurance crap because some dumb broad rear-ended him. Will post the next update as soon as I can!

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>>2296985
you know what to do

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>>2296994
SUE!

>>2296985

Shit happens, man. Do whatcha gotta do.

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>>2296994
>>2297084
>>2297101
Thanks guys. We got most of the phonecalls and stuff sorted for now so I'm gonna keep writing, apologies again for the delay!

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>>2297184
Whoops! That's not even the image I wanted to use. Guess it's gonna be one of those nights.

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>>2297190

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You walk over to Zhang for a moment and give him a hearty pat on the back, reassuring him that he’ll definitely get the next opportunity to kill some aliens in another op. Zhang pauses and looks over to you again, quizzically.

“I can can see you were in the same boat I am in, Dozer.” Zhang notes.

“Rachel as well,” you add. “Though, you haven’t met her yet. Don’t worry you’ll get your chance out there.”

“Yes, I certainly will.” Zhang replies curtly. You note that Zhang is a man of few words like Burnout is, however you can sense there is more deliberation in his words. Everything seems to be measured to the former Triad. He then gives you a puzzled look. “Shouldn’t you be going?”

You smirk and at that carry on, it looks like he’ll do alright. Really, it’s the cold reception he’s gotten more than anything else that might cause concern. His previous profession was bad enough to keep some of the other guys wary and him ‘skipping’ the rookie phase soured even more opinions on him.

Once upon a time, you would’ve likely been highly distrustful of the man. But you do all share a common enemy now.

Hurrying on ahead you link up with the rest of Strike-1 as the Commander and a uncharacteristically grim looking Bradford is already present and briefing everyone on the operation ahead. Rook shoots you a look for lagging behind but leaves it at that, focusing on listening to the briefing with the others…

You spot an odd handheld device of some kind on Bradford’s person, as you settle in. You idly wonder if the rumor of Bradford solely containing the breach is true as you tune in to the briefing yourself, the Commander already in the middle of it.

“...confirms that the UFO has remained hovering just above Beijing proper. XCOM Satellites do report increased alien activity in orbit but only the ‘Battleship’ has entered the atmosphere. We’re not sure exactly what the aliens are planning, and for all we know it could be a bluff. But we have something cooked up ourselves, Central?” The Commander looks over to Bradford who takes a moment to react. He blinks, refocuses, and then stepping forward.

“The situation in the Labs has yielded us a breakthrough in the Alien’s tech.” Bradford explains… somewhat carefully. “A joint team of Shen’s Engineers and some of my own specialists have been able to reverse-engineer and transponding devices and temporarily redivert the Alien Battleship into a position to strike. One team will be assigned to deliver the transpoders while the rest of you will be boarding the ship once we have our opening.”

There’s an anxious murmur around the crowd, the question lingering in the air on just how the hell XCOM pulled that out of their sleeves and a few of the troopers seem to eye Bradford specifically. The man merely scratches at his sweater and steps back. An air of curiosity around him.

(Part 1 / 2)

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“Strike-2 will be assigned to planting those transponders.” The Commander speaks up, snapping attention away from Bradford back to her. “The rest of you will be boarding the Battleship as soon as you all have a clear shot. Ravens will be in the air with you all to give you what air support they can. This is it people, we might be able to cripple one the Alien’s main ships hear and now. Squad leaders, you’ll get further information in the air. Stay safe and good luck everyone.”

With that everyone begins to disperse, heading to their assigned Skyranger.

“Central’s looking mighty suspicions.” Babbler says stroking his chin exaggeratingly. “I think there might’ve been something going on during that breach…”

“You’re overthinking it.” Burnout says casually.

“Gonna have to agree with Burnout there.” Sweet comments.
“Tell me I’m not the only one with eyes here!” Babbler exasperates looking to Harita hopefully. Harita gives him an apologetic look but shakes her head. Babbler groans.

“Move out.” Rook grunts, cutting off the chatter and spurning the team forward.

As you approach the Skyranger however… you see somebody is waiting near the launch pad. Naru. The Rocketeer shifting somewhat uncomfortably from the gazes of the other teams boarding but holding her position. Shouldering a training rocket launcher on her shoulders. Distinct from the real thing with the bright yellow paint scheme all over it, among other things. Rook opens his mouth but Naru holds a hand up.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to demand to join you guys or anything like that. Just wanted give Dozer this.” Naru presents you with… her Flamethrower Gauntlet? “I bullied one of the technicians to improve the design a bit, it’s a lot more reliable this time. You’ll only get one real good spray, but you’ll burn some X-rays pretty good.”

Babbler lets out a low whistle at that.

“...More reliable? How reliable is it…?” Harita says worryingly.

“That will slow down Dozer.” Burnout adds.

“Don’t worry about it.” Naru gives Harita a reassuring look and shoots Burnout a glare. “I really owe Dozer one alright? Besides if I can’t make use of it right now, someone might as well have it.”

“Well hurry up and make your decision, we’re holding up the line.” Rook says, shaking his head. There is only one launchpad after in the base after all.

You look back to Naru, blinking, and look down at the flamethrower gauntlet in her hands.

>Take it. You’ll light a fire in the alien's asses.
>Refuse it. It’s not that you don’t appreciate the gesture but it’s too risky.
>Other.

>>2297236
>>Take it. You’ll light a fire in the alien's asses.

>>2297236
>>Take it. You’ll light a fire in the alien's asses.

>>2297236
>>Take it. You’ll light a fire in the alien's asses.
Hell yeah

>>2297236
>>Take it. You’ll light a fire in the alien's asses.

We'll be making Alien Barbecue today.

>>2297236
>>>Take it. You’ll light a fire in the alien's asses.

>>2297241
>>2297242
>>2297250
>>2297254
Flamethrower it is, writing!

>>2297236
>Take it. You’ll light a fire in the alien's asses.

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>>2297236
>>Take it. You’ll light a fire in the alien's asses.

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Remembering the chaos Naru let loose might very well just be what you need. You grin and gratefully take the gauntlet in hand, surprised at the heft the thing has. Naru cracks a smile, pleased. You note it’s the first time you’ve seen her in a good mood since you got her that dummy launcher.

“Thanks.” You say, slipping the flaming gauntlet on and feeling the new weight weighing down on your arm. it will take a bit to get used to, especially in combat, but it’s workable. You can certainly make use of what is essentially an emergency fuck you gauntlet.

The squad boards the Skyranger as Naru gives you an extremely quick how-to on using the Gauntlet, and you can hear there’s enthusiasm in her voice usually associated with someone talking about their prized possessions. You definitely won’t lose it lest you incur the wrath of the short Japanese woman.

You hop aboard and soon enough you and the rest of the squad take to the skies, it probably must be a sight. Five Skyrangers streaking through the skies with an escort of Interceptors. The squad settles in for the anxious wait to the AO. The feeling in your gut churning as you speed towards what could be your last day. Even Babbler’s stopped being a chatterbox as the flight progresses. A lot of XCOM’s forces are being sent out to take the Battleship, and with stakes high so is everyone’s nerves. Well, nearly everyone, Burnout remains as at ease as always. You have no idea how he does it and envy his laid back attitude.

You wish Rachel was along for the ride, her knack for keeping everyone in good spirits would be needed within the hold of this Skyranger. You think Harita would agree with that, she seems to have things going on in her mind for some time now ever since you caught up with Rachel last time…

Babbler and Sweet do their best to banter with each other to at the very least fill the quiet air, it’s better than nothing but they definitely need a better rapport with someone else to get the squad chatting.

Time passes and as you double check and confirm for the twelth time where the safety is in the gauntlet so you don’t accidentally burn the interior of the Skyranger, you look up overhear that Operation Confounding Light is already underway. Judging by the increase of muted chatter coming from Rook’s comms Strike-2’s likely already giving the fight the aliens and so… the real wait begins.

>Relax and get yourself focused and in the right mindset.
>Chat with the squad or perhaps somebody specifically. (Specify Who).
>Ask Rook how Strike-2’s doing, really any big picture on the joint operation would be nice.
>Other

>>2297367
>>Relax and get yourself focused and in the right mindset.

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>>2297367
>>Ask Rook how Strike-2’s doing, really any big picture on the joint operation would be nice.
Heads up of any kind is good

>>2297367
>>Relax and get yourself focused and in the right mindset.
no more fuck-ups plz

>>2297367
>Relax and get yourself focused and in the right mindset.

>>2297367
>>>Relax and get yourself focused and in the right mindset

>>2297371
>>2297382
>>2297395
>>2297398
Focusing it is, writing!

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Focus, you need to focus. You’ve stumbled several times before to put it at the least, and the last thing everyone needs is for you to complicate things. The others are doing their own rituals in some way shape or form, and so should you. Any moment now you could be deploying on that UFO and you-- you should really stop thinking about things and relax…

Glancing around confirms everyone is essentially doing the same thing. Taking deep breaths you attempt to do so as well, ignoring the myriad of little things gnawing you in the back of your head...

>Roll 1d20.

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>2297425

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>2297425

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>2297425

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>>2297425

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>2297425

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>>2297435
welp. we're fucked are we?

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>2297444

Rolling for chances of squadmember death

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Try as you might you really can’t get those jitters out of you. It’s to be expected really but it’s still frustrating how easy your mind lingers to things you’d rather think about in literally any time but right before a firefight.

Sure there’s the lingering fears of your life possibly ending through a myriad of ways like being tagged by a plasma gun, getting impaled by a Chrysalid and turning into a zombie, or maybe asphyxiating in a Thin Man’s acid cloud. (You’re really not helping yourself right now). The real thing that’s bothering you is that Strike-1 is, despite recent events, the luckiest squad in XCOM. Nobody’s died yet. Yet. Could this be it--

You feel a tap on your shoulder and look over to Harita who's sitting beside you.

“Breathe.” She says.

You do so, and didn’t realize you had stopped. You give Harita a sheepish look of thanks. Why are you suddenly feeling like a rookie straight out of the academy all of the sudden?

“I count to four between breaths.” Harita explains to you, smiling. “Any less and it feels like nothing happens, and any more and my mind wanders. Four is a good number.”

Yeah, you’ll try that. Counting off in your head and breathing as instructed and sure enough it does the trick. Much better.

“Tha-” Your thanks is interrupted however as you feel the Skyranger suddenly lurch forwards and pick up speed instead of merely running silent on standby. You and the others look toward Rook who nods, readied himself.

“Strike-2 planted the transponders and the Battleship’s already moving. We have our opening.” Rook speaks up. “But, at a cost. Strike-2 has confirmed there’s a new X-ray in play, shock troops with heavier equipment and explosives. Be prepared for a stiff defense.”

“Of course! When are things ever going to be easy? I miss just killing Sectoids.” Babbler moans.

“Easy? I think you have a selective memory there.” Sweet muses.

“Shut it!”

With that and with Harita’s new advice in mind, you and the others stand up and prepare for deployment…

(Part 1 / 2)

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You’ve only repelled down from a chopper three times in your previous career in the FBI, but each of the three times were deploying roofs. This time however as the ramp lowers and you see the looming battleship dwarf the city below you, this is a whole new beast. What surprises you however is the civilian choppers hovering around the Battleship like moths to a flame, illuminating the top deck and clearly getting in the way of the Skyrangers and their attempt to deploy.

Your surprised the aliens haven’t shot those down yet... unless they want the media to record the destruction of the city…

“Red light! Go!” You hear Rook shout in the back. Burnout runs off first and, taking one last breath, you and Harita follow him down, wind whipping you like ragdolls as you descend onto the Battleship. This is probably a first, rappelling from one aircraft to another. The Skyrangers take various positions on the open and you note with concern that you don’t see any contact, the strange architecture and dark skies seeming to shroud possible openings.

This doesn’t dissuade the pilots however as they quickly pick prime locations to board on seperate sides of the ship, not enough room to go around. Your Skyranger finds a particular part towards where you assume the ‘stern’ of the UFO is and takes position.

As you and the other teams finally begin their descent, is when the Aliens finally start to react. Waiting for the exact moment when the Skyrangers were as still as possible to deploy forces. The Battleship’s top deck begins to light up with glowing green globs of death as sporadic fire peppers the Skyrangers. Shit! The news choppers begin to freak out, getting the hint and quickly taking wild paths to evade the crossfire.

You hit the deck hard with Harita raising your weapons to bear and begin to secure the LZ…trying to get your bearings. Burnout’s already dashing for a good position. But half of the squad is still disembarking.

>Set up as far ahead on the deck as you can to extend the squad’s perimeter.
>Hold the immediate position and ensure everyone gets off safely.
>Focus on scanning your surroundings for any immediate contact.

>>2297490
>Focus on scanning your surroundings for any immediate contact

>>2297490
>>Hold the immediate position and ensure everyone gets off safely.

>>2297490
>>Focus on scanning your surroundings for any immediate contact.

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>Hold the immediate position and ensure everyone gets off safely.

>>2297490
>Hold the immediate position and ensure everyone gets off safely.

>>2297490
>>Focus on scanning your surroundings for any immediate contact.

>>2297490
>>Hold the immediate position and ensure everyone gets off safely.

>>2297500
>>2297497
>>2297496
>>2297493
Holding it is, writing!

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With Burnout already trying to get valuable intel for the squad and Harita quickly looking for a position to gain concealment, you quickly take on the task of making sure everyone touches down as safely as possible. Babbler manages to touch down with a string of curses, and is focused on getting himself cleared for the last of the squad to deploy. Just Rook and Sweet left and you can get the hell out of the open.

Your hopes of a clean landing are dashed however as plasma fire erupts from the side of the deck, a few panels seemingly on the side of the vessel’s deck pops open revealing several sectoids. They poke out with their large heads and begin to open fire wrist mounted weapons right at you and Babbler. Screeching defiantly they attempt to gun you both down.

“Oh shite!” Babbler exclaims in surprise, immediately dropping his cumbersome Gatling Phaser and attempting to hastily switch for his sidearms as plasma sails past wildly between the both of you. “Buggers are using hidey holes!”

>Blast them!
>Take Cover!
>Burn them out! (Remember you only have one charge!)

>>2297509
>>Burn them out! (Remember you only have one charge!)

>>2297509
>>Blast them!

Save that flamethrower!

>>2297509
>>Blast them!

>>2297509
>>Blast them!

>>2297509
>>Blast them!

>>2297509
>>Blast them!

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>>2297523

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With the little grays already locking on to both of your positions, running for cover would be pointless. You’d just run the bastard’s overwatch! You quickly consider letting loose with the gauntlet but decide to save that for when things get really bad.

Snapping your laser shotgun towards the alien’s direction, you aim and open fire!

>Roll 1d20+1

Rolled 1 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>2297532
Gonna give it to them

Rolled 6 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>2297532

>>2297536
Goddammit

Rolled 9 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>2297532

Rolled 8 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>2297532
dice

>>2297536
Screw you

>>2297536
>>2297537
>>2297538
It's gonna be one of those nights where we only do low rolls, ain't it?

Rolled 15 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>2297532

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>>2297536
Uh oh! Off to a rocky start! You guys have only one saved Crit in the bank. Do you guys wish to use that now?

>Y/N

>>2297548
Y

>>2297548
N

>>2297548
>Y

>>2297548
>Y

>>2297551
>>2297555
>>2297562
Spending the Crit, writing!

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The exchange is hasty and fierce, with both you and Babbler taking glancing blows from the Sectoid’s fire.

Babbler fires and arcs a straight line of phaser from his sidearm, slicing across the exposed hatches housing the Sectoids. Another is felled as they quickly duck back into cover wailing in pain. Babbler sweeps the phaser beam across back and forth continuously, pinning down the cowardly aliens from poking back out.

You move up right on them. Scaring the remaining sectoids who screech in horror and to your dismay crawl and scurry away into the dark cramped vents before you can finish them off.

“That’s a load of bull!” Babbler complains. You agree. Harita, reappears and posts herself over the holes, having quickly doubled back once the welcome party sprung their surprise.

Rook and Sweet manage to hit the ground and disembark during the confusion. It seems the other squads have been offloaded as well as in unison all of the Skyrangers pull a hasty retreat away from the line of fire of the battleship and plasma fire. You grit your teeth and fully expect the *real* defenses of the Battleship to open fire, but surprisingly they don’t. There are clearly heavy weapons batteries all across the ship, but you note they are not pointed at the city nor at the Skyrangers but instead skyward. Perhaps that transponder really did confuse the crew aboard the UFO. Good job, Strike-2.

Sweet quickly moves to check on the both of you as Rook assess the situation. Rook pauses over one of the slain sectoids, the one that you didn’t blast his it's open like a melon and nudges at it with his rifle to get a better look at it. You blink in surprise as you see the Sectoids has... paint smeared on their faces.

War paint.

“What the…?” Harita murmurs, perplexed.

“No time to dwell on it. Keep your eyes open for any disturbance, the place is likely rigged with more traps and kill holes.” Rook announces standing back and pausing to quickly check his comms. “...HQ confirms several power sources exposed throughout the ship, if we disable those the UFO is dead in the water. Other teams are encountering varying levels of resistance. Priority is first disabling the UFO’s engines and then neutralizing remaining threat. What’s it looking ahead, Burnout?”

“Crows nests and look out points built all over the vessel with signs of movement. Resistance ahead.” Burnout calls in.

“Copy. Move up and watch out for more openings.” Rook finalizes. With that Harita quickly makes herself scarce once again, but this time in a closer position to the squad to respond. Rook, and Sweet advance center, pausing long enough for Babbler to set up another firing position before advancing to again cover the Gunner’s next approach.

You position yourself…

>In the front. Moving up with Burnout, ready to engage the main enemy line.
>In the middle. Moving in tandem with Sweet and Rook, prepared to respond to ambushers.
>In the back. Covering Babbler and on the lookout for flankers.

>>2297583
>In the middle. Moving in tandem with Sweet and Rook, prepared to respond to ambushers.

>>2297583
>In the middle. Moving in tandem with Sweet and Rook, prepared to respond to ambushers.

>>2297583
>>In the middle. Moving in tandem with Sweet and Rook, prepared to respond to ambushers.

>>2297583
>>In the middle. Moving in tandem with Sweet and Rook, prepared to respond to ambushers.

>>2297587
>>2297589
>>2297593
>>2297594
Stuck in the middle with Sweet and Rook it is, writing!

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With the possibility of more enemies springing up and possibly any side you position yourself towards the middle of the squad with Sweet and Rook. While a part of you would prefer rushing ahead, you are quick to quell that urge with the very real paranoia that not only could the aliens appear from anywhere, you and the others are on their turf.

Battle continues to reign across the ship, where you can see the occasional errant blast of plasma fire interchanged with laser and phaser beams streaking across the air accompanied by explosions.

A part of you almost wonders when the aliens are going to strike back, but as you approach an upper level looking over a dip on the deck, the aliens finally strike again. Sectoids appear from both sides of you, hatches falling off and this time however the ones poking out are clearly being mind merged, this time ready for a proper scrap. Not only that, a pair of Drones take flight into the air, small enough to fit into the vents with the Sectoids. Your left has a concentration of the Sectoids, with multiple of them mind merged while your right has the Drones your squad has to deal with.

“Engage!” Rook shouts, and your team replies in earnest. Your turn turning it’s attention to cover both sides from the engaging ambushers.

>Clear out the pack of Sectoids on the left!
>Focus fire on the fliers on the right!
>Burn them out! You should have enough juice to spray both sides!

>>2297607
>>Burn them out! You should have enough juice to spray both sides!
Can't flank if they're DEAD

>>2297607
>Clear out the pack of Sectoids on the left!
No damn mind control you fuckers, start the chain reaction hopefully the Heavy can handle the fliers with no cover

>>2297607
>>Clear out the pack of Sectoids on the left!

>>2297607
>Focus fire on the fliers on the right!

>>2297607
>Clear out the pack of Sectoids on the left!

>>2297610
>>2297612
>>2297616
Left it is, writing!

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Your position in the center is a good call as you turn you are a perfect position to handle the second ambush. The decision is a simple one as you turn your attention to the pack of Sectoids congregated to the left. All it takes is one blast of mental manipulation to connect to any of you to wreak havoc across the squad. And that’s not counting how much more difficult the things are to kill when they’re mind melded. Able to shrug off killing blows and explosives with ease.

You really wish you had their bullshit mind powers, you admit.

As the rest of the team takes positions and picks a side to engage you advance forward on the left. Sweet and Burnout assist you as much as they can, giving you covering fire as you close the distance.

>Roll 1d10+3

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Oops! I meant 1d20 as per usual! This long night is getting to me!

Rolled 14 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>2297630
Rolling

Rolled 16 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>2297630
ERE WE GO ERE WE GO ERE WE GO

Rolled 20 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>2297630

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>>2297635
Nice Crit! Do you guys want to save that? You have none saved.

>Y/N

>>2297636
>Y

>>2297636
>Y

>>2297636
>Y

>Y

>>2297636
>Y

>>2297236
>Gets hurt because of us
>Gives us a present
We do not deserve Naru

>>2297637
>>2297638
>>2297639
>>2297640
>>2297647
Keeping the Crit it is, one in the bank!

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Rolled 16, 15 = 31 (2d20)

>>2297633
...

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Rolled 20, 6 = 26 (2d20)

>>2297652
...

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“Closing the gap!” You belt out as you indeed charge across the opening. Blasting one of the mind-merged sectoids dead on center mass. Even with the alien’s psionic partner keeping it alive and mostly ignoring the pain, the impact is enough to send it tumbling back down below in a daze. You pump your weapon, recharging power cells within and fire again, plastering the Sectoid before it can even snap out of it stupor. The air sizzles with purple energy as the connection is permanently severed with it’s partner, much to the screeching surprise within the hole it scurried out of.

Burnout and Sweet lay down the pressure, as Phaser and Laser fire sing in unison and utterly decimate the rest of the Sectoids crammed inside alongside your own fire. Making short work of the ambush before it can even lay proper dent. All that’s left is chunks clogging the tunnel within.

However, things are a lot rockier on the right as the combination of the frustratingly nimble drones and suppressive fire of the Sectoids on the other side proves difficult to easily dislodge for the other half of your squad.

“Hold still you bastards!” Babbler shounts in proper Scottish anger as the Drones seem to dance around his Gatling Phaser’s large beam of energy. Rook finds trouble as well, the Sectoids ducking down just in the nick of time before the Infantry can score more than glancing blows with the ETs. One of the Drones, seeming to be done with the games manages to charge up a shot of energy and hit Babbler square on in the chest, causing the man to topple over and howl in pain.

Sweet is already crossing the distance to reach Babbler, going at full speed to treat the injured Gunner as Burnout attempts to run the Overwatch of the enemy. In the shadows, you spot a glimpse Harita poised to strike. Her sword unsheathed and glinting even in the darkness. However with enemies likely ahead preparing to counter attack her concealment would be ruined until this entire section of the deck is properly cleared.

Not only that, someone needs to stay and watch the flank you just cleared. You volunteer yourself as you’re out of range to really respond to the other side. You do have the opportunity of being far enough to survey the situation unfolding and give the call to Harita if she should really commit to her own ambush or not.

>Wave her off. Burnout and Sweet can help mop them up.
>Make her commit to the attack. Rook and Babbler need all the help they can get!
>Other

>>2297663
>Make her commit to the attack. Rook and Babbler need all the help they can get!

>>2297663
>Wave her off. Burnout and Sweet can help mop them up.

>>2297663
>Wave her off. Burnout and Sweet can help mop them up.

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>Welp, it looks like it's getting really late and voting has trickled to a stop so it's probably best we call it somewhat here for tonight. Please do continuing voting as soon as you can and I'll tally and resolve the rest of the op for next week. So, until next time...

Thanks for playing!

>>2297663
>>Wave her off. Burnout and Sweet can help mop them up.

>>2297663
>>Make her commit to the attack. Rook and Babbler need all the help they can get!

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>>2297663

>>2297663
>Make her commit to the attack. Rook and Babbler need all the help they can get!

>>2297663
>Wave her off. Burnout and Sweet can help mop them up.

>>2297663
>>Wave her off. Burnout and Sweet can help mop them up.

So have we decided who best girl is yet?

>>2298709
Peppermint?

>>2298709
Harita, no competition for that one

forgot to take name off for last post, mb

>>2298709
It's Rachel and you can't prove me wrong.

>>2298709
>Peppermint

>>2298709
It's a tie between Rachel and Harita for me.

On one hand, (soon-to-be) mech girl.

On the other, badass stealthy blade user.

>>2298853
This was a tie for me too, until I remembered that Rachel is a childhood friend analog, and I tend to root for those.

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Gotta say, I've gotta thing for blondes and big rifles.

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>>2298716
>>2298734
>>2298743
>>2298840
>>2298853
>>2298864
>>2299107
Y'all niggas need the Commander in your life

>>2298709
Commander is best girl.

>no one else likes Anvil
o-okay

>>2299364
Commander is Mom and for cuddles

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I can't say I don't have a soft spot for Loki

>>2299564
Naked cuddles under the sheets after lovemaking.

>>2300716
Not if she kills us first

>>2299364
The Commander is too good for us.
We are unworthy.

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I want to add it fills me with legitimate joy to read discussion of the quest after it runs, thanks guys!

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>>2300828

>>2298853
>(soon-to-be) mech girl.
Lets look very hard for MELD on this ship, or other tech to fix Rachel and Naru.

>>2299637
Loki is cute but she speaks in circles. Pepperment is a sweetheart hiding behind a bitch. And Rachel would have given up everything to stay with us, and is being ignored.

>>2305824
That’s because Peppermint is best girl.

>>2305824
That's because anons have no taste.

>>2305946
Hell yeah

>>2305824
>and is being ignored.
Were still looking for Meld to fix Rachel.

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[blyatts externally]

>>2298709
Loki

>>2307113
Hope you can find it before she hangs herself.

Im mostly familiar with Xcom through walking others play. Is making Rachael a mech the only thing we can do for her? we can't get her like, a cyborg arm or something?

>>2307212
Honestly if we can fashion a MEC it's probably more than possible to fashion a cyborg arm. They aren't in the game, but it's probably possible.

Bit of a waste to just throw away MELD at a squaddie though.

>>2307248
Didn't she only lose her forearm?

>>2307271
i think so. lets get her an arm cannon.

>>2307248
>Bit of a waste to just throw away MELD at a squaddie though.
She will probably volunteer and test the first developements of cybernetics.