>>2725495
>Talk to the squad

>>2725495
>Talk to the squad.
>Focus.

>>2725495
>>Try and gleam any extra info from Mission Control.
(mfw I bought Darkest Dungeon when I should have bought Xcom)

>>2725495
>Talk to the squad.

>>2725555
Overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer

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>>2725502
>>2725522
>>2725555
>>2725571

Talking to the squad it is, writing! Also Darkest Dungeon is not a bad choice!

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Right, you need to clear the air here. You need every slight advantage once you hit the ground, and having a squad that isn’t fully cohesive is just going to be a recipe for disaster. You need to address the Rook situation here and now. The question is how exactly to address it. Do you want to be direct and blunt? Or perhaps be a little more reassuring? Maybe you should--

“This is Big Sky, we’re approaching the AO now. Deploying in less than five.” The Skyranger pilot’s unassuming and helpful heads-up is all but as you have to quickly spurn into action as the lights in the Skyranger’s passenger hold turn to red, further alerting for imminent contact.

“Alright, listen up!” You speak up, catching the attention of the others as they are snapping out of their own respective rituals to prepare for a mission. Five pairs of eyes turn to look at you.

Glancing around you can see mixed feelings of the upcoming mission, either from Rook’s presence or the murkiness of the operation. It’s a good thing you’re addressing this head on. Rook in particular watches intently, trying to keep himself neutral, but you can see the Infantryman ever so slightly grimace. He knows the topic is going to be about him. What else would it be? Maybe you shouldn’t address it…?

>Be direct and blunt. Address the elephant in the room directly and get everyone to knock it out.
>Be sympathetic. Being aggressive might not be tactful here.
>Skip the Rook topic. Rook would likely appreciate it but the problem will remain.
>Other

>>2725652
>Be direct and blunt. Address the elephant in the room directly and get everyone to knock it out.
Dozer it

>>2725652
>Be direct and blunt. Address the elephant in the room directly and get everyone to knock it out.

>>2725652
>>Be direct and blunt. Address the elephant in the room directly and get everyone to knock it out.

("You all seen Starship Troopers ? Rico was demoted from Squad Leader, but went on to win the war!"

>>2725652
>>Skip the Rook topic. Rook would likely appreciate it but the problem will remain.
We have the mission to worry about. Talking can be done after we return.

Also, It's Finally Back! I basically skipped weeks of sessions for more real X-COM!

>>2725655
>>2725663
>>2725689
Being direct it is, writing!

Next update might take a bit to put up, some irl stuff is happening. Apologies!

So what sort of awesome things could we make if XCOM and EXALT R&D decided to work collaboratively?

>>2725849
Isn't that what basically happened in XCOM 2?

Good things.

You are several things, but one thing you are absolutely terrible at is being subtle. So you’re just going to do what you’ve always done with problems. Attack them head on at full speed… minus the shotgun. As you feel the Skyranger lurch to a slow descent you are spurned to speed things up and keep your talk straight and to the point. Tactfulness be damned. You’re putting your foot down.

“We’re not going to dance around this anymore.” You start immediately, your voice firm. It’s enough to even throw off the ever composed Burnout a bit. Maybe it’s the nerves or the lurching sensation of your gut as the Skyranger descends but you’ve about had it with this.

“...Dozer?” Harita says, very quickly becoming concerned.

“I know Rook being here is awkward.” You continue, picking up momentum. “And there’s a lot of questions and doubts swirling around right now. But that doesn’t matter. We are not going to have this drag us down, especially when we’re about to get into a firefight. I don’t want to hear any of that shit down there and we’re all going to work as a unit, got it Strike-1?”

A bit of anger swells up at the end. Your own frustrations coming in on the matter. You don’t want this to be handled like this given the entire situation is delicate, but there’s no time for that and you hope the soldier in each of the other XCOM troopers can properly compartmentalize it, stow that shit in a tiny little box, push it aside, and deal with it properly later. It’s worked with you so far, hell, it’s because of that you became a goddamn Psion.

The question is, will the others step in line properly or will there be stumbling?

>Roll 1d100+20

If you haven’t followed the EXALT one shot or did not vote on twitter, we are going to be switching to a d100 system from now on! Additional rules and tidbits of this new system will be brought up as it comes up but it still is going to be a best of three!

Rolled 36 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>2725862

File: Cyborg.png (1.62 MB, 1600x2100)

1.62 MB PNG

>>2725849
>>2725852
XCOM has giant robot exos
EXALT has power armour

Combining the two could produce the Bastard between Mechs and armour as well as Cyborgs.

Rolled 75 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>2725862
>>2725862

>>2725862
95 is a good result. Let me roll this 1 and ruin it.

Rolled 92 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>2725862

Rolled 47 (1d100)

>>2725870
>>2725862
Fuuuck me

>>2725872
Probably a good thing I failed.

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You note a distinct lack of something. That won’t do.

“Strike-1! Speak up!” You shout, stomping your boot hard on the metal floor, standing.

And just like that, it clicks. That missing piece that pulls everyone, even Zhang right into order. The booming demand of a superior. While you’ll admit the FBI’s SWAT training regimine is probably nothing in comparison to what some of the others had went through in their respective special forces training, there’s one thing all things share in common. Lots of yelling.

“Sir!” Strike-1 says back, though the intensity and synchronization is off.

“Not good enough! I can’t hear you!” You bark back. You really want to drill it in.

“Sir yes sir!” Strike-1 call back standing up to join you. Interestingly enough some of the others chime in affirmatives in their own native languages that’s how well you appeared to have drilled it in, but you easily get the gist of it. They snap into order like a well oiled machine. You can’t help but feel a bit of a swell of pride in being able to not only command such a presence but that you have people willing to listen. They’ll play nice, and your squad will be working as well as they can be once boots hit the ground.

Rook looks at you at that and… hastily nods. He’ll play ball as well, and maybe that has shaken him into a better mindset like the others. You’ll take it.

And just in time too, as the Skyranger ramp begins to lower and ropes to fast rappel onto the ground are deployed. This is it. You motion for the squad to deploy and they more than willingly comply.

(Part 1 / 2)

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Boots stomp down the ramp as the squad rappels down from the Skyranger in pairs. Those that hit the ground immediately have their weapons raised to secure the area. You rappel last, just so you can get a good look of the situation. The Skyranger doesn’t want to stick around either and quickly takes off as soon as the last member hits the ground.

You quickly assess the situation. It’s an urban block of a city close to the coast, it’s late evening, and there’s the distinct smell of fire, plasma, and Thin Man Acid lingering in the air. Strewn out around the street is the burnt and burning husks of a military convoy and bodies of soldiers strewn everywhere. No alien contact yet, but they’re definitely in the AO and likely moving into position

Your squad moves to action as you quickly relay orders to them, the squad moving quickly to cover by a post office storage building. You all stack up on a door and you note that there’s a pipe one can use to climb up to cover. Harita wordlessly motions that she’ll stick with you, the fellow Assault’s concealment advantage is best put aside for the moment with the focus on strength in numbers until the immediate area is secured instead.

Time to lead.

>Proceed into the interior of the building together.
>Secure the roof together.
>Split the squad both above and below, 3 for 3.
>Other.

>>2725947
>>Secure the roof together.

>>2725947
>>Secure the roof together.

>>2725947
>>Split the squad both above and below, 3 for 3.

>>2725947
>Secure the roof together.

>>2725947
>Secure the roof together.

>>2725947
>Secure the roof together.

>>2725960
>>2725969
>>2725988
>>2725992
>>2725994
Securing the roof it is, writing!

You point towards the pipe and upwards. Clearing and establishing a base of fire from the roof will be the call. The challenge will be actually breaching the top if there’s possible alien contacts lying in wait. More importantly than anything else is who will be going up first. Immediately half the squad is discounted due to their loadout, leaving only yourself, Harita, and Burnout.
Harita is the definitive close range melee expert with her blade, Burnout is the most agile given he’s the squad’s Scout, and finally you’re the one who can tank the most damage in the squad. The question is whose going to take the risk and head and first.

Of course, you can always try and alleviate the risk with Burnout’s kit. His pair of Battlescanners and Motion Tracker would be useful, but the danger would be that all it would take is an alien to poke their gun right above and start blasting.

It’ll be a bit of a gambit whatever the call.

Who's going to climb the roof?

>Harita.
>Burnout.
>Yourself

Finally, should you delay the breach for Burnout to properly scout it? If so, what should he use?

>Motion Tracker.
>Battle Scanner.
>Save the kit for later.

(Pick 1 of each!)

>>2726067
>>Battle Scanner.
>Harita.

>>2726067
>>Harita.
>Battle Scanner.

>>2726067
>Harita.
>Battle Scanner.

>>2726075
>>2726078
>>2726082
Calling it here, writing!

You give a nod to Harita who repositions herself by the pipe. Her movement is smooth and each step she makes is completely silent. That’s not it however as you give the call to Burnout to provide confirmation above on the situation above. The scout wastes no time to prepare one of his battlscanners as you and the others train your weapons either above or at the door as you prepare to move up, the combined overwatch should help mitigate if an alien gets a drop on you, but it’s still risky.

Harita is already in a stance to quickly scale the pipe when Burnout deftly tosses the battlescanner onto the roof, the spherical device lightly clattering on the rubber roofing. With the jig being up either way, Harita wastes no time to start scaling up onto the roof as Burnout checks his tablet.

The very short window of danger promptly begins as you feel yourself tense up as Harita reaches the edge of the roof.

“Thin Man.” Burnout alerts but before you can react he continues just as quickly. “Unconscious.”

What?

Harita reaches the top of the roof without issue and with a silent clicking from her mic, she also confirms with Burnout has just seen. You and the others can’t stand there being confused however, and you and the others still need to reach the roof. You’re next as you haul your ass up onto the pipe.

It’s not particularly easy given your armor and plating, but you reach the top without any sudden conflict and sure enough laying in the center of the roof is a Thin Man… just lying on the ground. It’s weapon has not self-destructed further confirming that It’s not dead, as if it were the stink from it’s body popping and spewing the remnants of it’s acid would remain in its position for a long time. There are also other Thin Man bodies strewn around, and they’re certainly dead. The rest of the squad clambers up onto the roof without incident. Roof secured.

“Strange.” Loki frowns, noting the knocked out Thin Man. She’s not wrong there. How the hell did that happen? Is it playing dead? You keep your scatterlaser trained on it and nudge it a few times, but it doesn’t stir.

On the roof itself there’s a small glass skylight located in the center, giving a view into the interior below and a low wall to provide adequate cover below.

The squad starts to move through the roof.

“Maybe-” Rook suddenly speaks up and just as quickly stops himself.

“What?” You look over to him.

“Nothing. It's irrelevant.” Rook shakes his head, you can see him frowning slightly as he regards the dead Thin Man sans one.

It seemed that he was about to knee jerk give an order but had caught himself at the last moment. Is he really alright? He seems to want to let the topic stay dropped.

>Leave it be.
>Let him speak up.
>Other.

>>2726235
>>Let him speak up.

>>2726235
>Let him speak up.

>>2726235
>Let him speak up.

>>2726235
>>Let him speak up.
Have you never gone to an airport? If you see something, say something

>>2726235
>>Let him speak up.

We bringing this Thin Man home? That Light Plasma Rifle will give Shen's boys a neat toy.

>>2726235
>Let him speak up

>>2726235
>>Leave it be.

Calling it here, writing!

As the rest of the squad advances across the roof you take the opportunity to get Rook’s attention.

“What were you trying to say?” You ask him.

“It’s nothing immediately important.” Rook answers shaking his head. “It is a detail that only serves to be distracting.”

“It doesn’t matter, it could be important. Out with it.” You insist. Rook nods at that, shaking his head to get himself out of that funk a bit. While you had managed to get everyone to be cohesive as a whole in the Skyranger it still seems that Rook is trying to shake off the rust, so to speak.

“It makes no sense. There’s bullet casings.” Rook starts, motioning to the Thin Men.

“Bullet casings?”

“Yes, they weren’t killed from below. Whoever killed them were already on the roof with them. It doesn’t make sense.” Rook frowns.

“Maybe the survivors were trying to assault their position?” You counter, as you start to note that there is indeed numerous bullet casings strewn around. You think you’re starting to see the oddity.

“Who would be dumb enough assault Thin Men who already have the high ground besides you?” Rook says. It’s not exactly an accusation directed at you and more a matter of fact. “Which means…”

“The shooters were already on the roof.” You finish, which Rook nods in agreement.

Looking closer you start to note that the bodies are strewn about towards the center of the roof and not at the edges which doesn’t add up. How did they get there? The unconscious Thin Man body is raises enough questions as is, but this only raises the mystery. There’s more going on that you and the rest of the squad need to look out going forw--

(Part 1 / 2)

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“Contact!” Loki alerts, cutting off your train of thought as suddenly the as streaks of green plasma hit the edge of the roof. While you and Rook were assessing things, the rest of the squad had slowly moved up to secure the roof, only to find contact on the ground floor. You and Rook table the investigation and dash for the edge of the roof as Zhang begins to exchange autolaser fire back at the enemies below.

Below is another building where numerous Thin Men have repositioned to use as cover to engage the squad. It’s a record store, or more accurately ‘was’ a record store. The place is mostly crumbling rubble. Off to the side towards the road you can see some of the burning remains of the convoy alongside more movement. The aliens are moving to engage!

“The second pod is moving to flank us! We must be ready to receive them!” Burnout says, quickly confirming things with his motion tracker under the cover of the roof wall.

“We have more pressing concerns right in front of us.” Loki grunts as she opens fire from her laser carbine, before preparing to unsling her grenade launcher.

You quickly assess the situation, considering the options as green and red beams of death streak back and forth.


>Focus the squad’s attention on the close group of aliens! (TN 50)
>Divert attention to prepare to engage the reinforcements. (TN 50)
>Assault a pod with Harita (TN 40)
>Cover Loki while she starts bombarding them. (TN 45)
>Other (TN ???)

When given enough intel or are not panicking in a firefight, target numbers will be shown in the choices. You’ll want to roll HIGHER than the TN to succeed. If things are getting dire or confusing, a possible success range will be shown or nothing at all to make things more difficulty. Remember, just because it’s easier to succeed doesn’t mean it’s always the best choice!

Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>2726473
>>Cover Loki while she starts bombarding them. (TN 45)

Time to go with some tried and true XCOM tactics!

Rolled 1 (1d100)

>>2726473

Rolled 54 (1d100)

>>2726473
>Cover Loki

Rolled 27 (1d100)

>>2726473

>>2726473
>>Divert attention to prepare to engage the reinforcements. (TN 50)

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We aren't rolling yet guys. Choose an option first then he'll call for the roll.

>>2726473
>>Divert attention to prepare to engage the reinforcements. (TN 50)
Never ignore the reinforcements
>>2726486
Oh, well then, fuck tactics.

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Ah, apologies for not being clear as there seems to be a bit of confusion! You'll make your decision and THEN we roll like before! Such as how >>2726492 has done. You just now know what the TN is ahead of time to further help your decision.

Thankfully this means that >>2726486 's incredibly bad roll doesn't count! Talk about a close call!

>>2726473
>>Divert attention to prepare to engage the reinforcements. (TN 50)

>>2726473
>>Cover Loki while she starts bombarding them. (TN 45)

Woops

>>2726473
>>Divert attention to prepare to engage the reinforcements. (TN 50)

>>2726473
>>Assault a pod with Harita (TN 40)

>>2726492
>>2726497
>>2726501
>>2726518
Diverting attention it is, writing!

File: Burnout.png (75 KB, 669x1175)

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Rolled 53 (1d100)

Things are starting off rather fantastically. First a mission that continues to raise more warning bells in your head and now not only are you fighting one group of Thin Men there’s another pod of aliens already moving to attack your squad’s position! At the very least your squad has the high ground but it won’t take long until the cover is all but disintegrated under constant plasma fire. You need to prepare for both enemy pods, and if you can divert some of that focus away from hammering your position it’ll make the second engagement easier.

“Burnout! Get the incoming heat off us!” You shout over weapon fire.

You don’t hear an affirmative from Burnout so much as the man rushing for the side of the roof and hopping down on the side towards the convoy and the reinforcements, with how fast Burnout is, he should be able to run the enemy reinforcements fire and stall them long enough to fully repel the Thin Men pod attack you. The best thing your squad can do right now is keep the Thin Men’s fire away from Burnout and locked on the rest of Strike-1.

As you pull yourself up from cover to fire your scatterlaser at the Thin Men you add your own firepower into the mix. The elevation should improve your chances to hit somewhat!

>Roll 1d100+5 (TN 50)

Rolled 35 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>2726606

Rolled 90 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>2726606

Rolled 78 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>2726606

>>2726612
Nice roll! Just a heads up that this next post will be the last one for tonight!

File: Scatterlaser.jpg (116 KB, 988x1200)

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The scatterlaser is a very deadly and beautiful piece of engineering. It’s everything you’d ever want in a shotgun. It’s compact, light, and man does it pack one hell of a punch. Really, if there ever was a single concern for this weapon of red hot death was that it unfortunately falls in the common misconception that a shotgun’s effectiveness falls off out of close range. The scatterlaser unfortunately falls in that direction. Give how the laser’s cone of fire while visually impressive and intimidating tapers off rather quickly after a certain point.

When you pop one of the Thin Men dead one like popping a balloon is when your appreciation for the scatterlaser skyrockets. It’s almost as if every single laser beam from it’s cone of fire had honed in on the Thin Man, sending it exploding into a cloud of acid.

You’re going to miss this when you switch to gauss weapons.

Your squad doesn’t let up the fire either and through combined fire your team is able to kill another and injure one more Thin Man with minimal return fire, leaving only two out of the four left. With a hiss, they remaining two Thin Men begin to retreat into the record store, covering themselves with disconcertingly accurate plasma fire that your cover thankfully soaks up.

Looking over towards Burnout and the reinforcements Burnout has been able to keep the fire off of him, but only by just. Darting from burnt wreckage to burnt wreckage is a mixed pod of both Thin Men and the screeching cries of Floaters. This time around, for some reason, the Floaters are flying low, launching from cover to cover in a staggered unison with the Thin Men as Burnout loops back around toward your squad’s position once again.

Despite the sudden start, Strike-1 is controlling the momentum. So far, at least.

“The buggers scarpered off back into the record store!” Loki comments with disapproval. “If we can secure it we can ensure a secured frontline.”

“Burnout should get some assistance. They are putting a lot of pressure on him.” Harita says, as you see the Assault getting surprisingly… anxious. She’s eager to start hunting in the shadows, it seems. Sitting still isn’t what Assaults generally do, after all.

“We could hold this position and force the aliens to come to us. Burnout is almost back to our position.” Zhang suggests, slamming a fresh battery pack onto his autolaser. “It is rather nice to have an advantage on the aliens for once.”

Rook remains silent, focusing on just aiming and firing.

>Clear out the record store. (TN 45-60)
>Assist Burnout. (TN 55)
>Hold position. (TN 35)
>Other (TN ???)

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>>2726700
>...And with that I'm going to call it here for now! I'm a lot more slower than I had expected coming back in. I guess I'm still rusty! I'll try and update when I can tomorrow but expect more constant updates starting Monday. So until next post...

Thanks for playing!

>>2726700
>Other (TN ???)
Loki rocket the record store if she has a decent shot.

Harita can head down incognito and ambush the aliens chasing Burnout if they get greedy.

Rest of the team can hold position and provide fire.

What's the DC estimate on this? Dunno if I'm doing too much but we can delegate.

>>2726700
>Assist Burnout. (TN 55)

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>>2726700
>>Assist Burnout. (TN 55)

>>2726719
+1

>>2726707
Your self-insert character is currently in danger of being spoiled for marriage in Macross Quest, Pixel.

>>2726700
>>Assist Burnout. (TN 55)

>>2726770
wHAT

>>2726719
I'll say the TN for that would be... around 40-50!

>>2726700
>>Other (TN ???)
Option taht the other anon proposed, with Loki grenading the record store and so on.

>>2726700
>>2726719
Seconding this. I don't think Loki has a rocket launcher but I'm sure she can somehow make the store go boom.

Pixel, what is the safest close range that a grenade can be fired (e.g. how many meters away ?)

>>2726700
>>Assist Burnout. (TN 55)
I'd rather assault with everyone together, not while part of the team is running around.

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>>2726985
Good question! For the sake of convenience grenades work as they do in the games, where one can launch a grenade as close to the blast tile radius as they want if you want so snazzy danger close shenanigans. Though, it'll be slightly more difficult for obvious reasons.

Loki knows how to handle her grenades!

>>2729436
Oh and before I forget, calling the vote here!

File: XCOM Engages.jpg (682 KB, 1440x1000)

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A quick assessment of the situation and you have an idea how to proceed.

“We’re holding position on the high ground and laying down fire! Focus on the pod pushing Burnout!” You start motioning to Zhang and Rook to begin judicious suppression. Their weapons answer for them as they fire away.

While your Gunner and Infantry lay down a base of fire, you still have two specialized troopers still awaiting orders. You begin to see to that.

“Harita! You’re green to reposition and see if you can gank any ETs that overextend!” You say.

Harita gives you a confirmation before making her way to the skylight and breaking open the window with the butt of her scatterlaser. She drops down into the interior of the building without any further noise barring the clattering of glass shards, which is difficult to hear in the firefight. You leave her to make her own proper judgment call of when to strike.

“Loki!” You continue.

“I’m all ears.” Loki replies back.

“See that record store?”

“I do.”

“Get rid of it.”

“Gladly. I was hoping you’d ask.” The Engineer smiles wryly as she breaks open her grenade launcher to reload her weapon with a variant of grenade you’d imagine would give the biggest booms.

You opt to stay above for the moment, leaving the situation to your team for the moment. Ready to press whatever advantage you can see if need be.

>Roll 1d100 (TN 40-50)

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>2737014
>inb4 banana peel out of nowhere

Rolled 95 (1d100)

>>2737014

Rolled 74 (1d100)

>>2737014

File: 1521043337498.gif (615 KB, 141x141)

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>>2737039

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“Good bye~” You hear Loki say, the woman chuckling to herself as she fires.

There’s a successive series of thumps from Loki’s grenade launcher as she arcs three high explosive grenades right into the large hole in the wall of the record store. There’s about a second or two that passes before the grenades go off. The building, already having been heavily damaged from the previous firefight is finally brought down to rubble as Loki’s explosives not only eliminate the two Thin Man but destroy the building entirely.

As the record store crumbles into the ground your attention is focused entirely on the advancing pod pressuring Burnout. You do a quick count of the enemy pod. Three Thin Men and three Floater-- make that two. Zhang just shoot one out of the sky. Their advance on Burnout’s position skids to a halt as the record store billows out a cloud of dust and rubble, obscuring Burnout’s position enough for him to slip away.

“Clear. I’m repositioning now.” Burnout calls in over the comms. You’re relieved.

The remaining engaging aliens hold their position, taking cover behind a pair of destroyed black vans that are oddly enough blocking the roads. They don’t entrench themselves in the position and seem to be considering what to do. The Floaters in particular are not in the air for once, taking cover as well. That’s odd. Did something spook the fearless fliers before you arrived?

The vans they’re taking cover behind isn’t that far away, and the dust from the destroyed record store still hasn’t fully settled. You could push and strike the enemy with support from your team or you could wait and see what’ll happen next. Your squad is in a very favorable position after all, worst comes to worst, the aliens are just going to retreat…

>Hold position.
>Run n’ Gun.
>Other.

>>2737204
>Hold position
Let's not tempt fate

>>2737204
>>Hold position.
Seems reasonable

>>2737204
>>Hold position.

>>2737204
>>Other.
Move forward with Harita while the rest of the squad provides covering fire

>>2737204
Have the vans been exploded yet Pixel?

>>2737278
One of them has! The other one is pretty banged up.

>>2737291
How close would Dozer or Harita need to be in grenade throwing range of the un-exploded van?

>>2737295
If you mean them throwing grenades neither are currently equipped with any grenades at the moment. Dozer has swapped his flashbangs for the Arc Thrower and Harita has swapped her grenades for Naru's Flamethrower Gauntlet.

If you mean being minimum range of other squad members from throwing grenades and still be flanking the aliens effectively with their shotguns is they can get close enough without having to worry if nobody screws up.

>>2737212
>>2737224
>>2737233
>>2737234
Holding position it is, writing!

>>2737307
2 Thinmen and 2 Floaters clustered together huh?

>>2737204
>Run n’ Gun.
>Other.
Run n' Gun with Harita. She should use the flamethrower.

We have them on the backfoot and any respite we give them will let them plan and be less prone to panic

>>2737316
Welp!

>>2737318
Oof, apologies! Want to keep things moving along!

>>2737324
I understand, no problem.

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You suppress the urge to just jump down and rush them. There’s no need overextend from the solid position you and the rest of the squad are in. Keeping yourself planted in place you switch to your laser pistol to provide better ranged support as you continue to pluck away at the pinned aliens. With enough concentrated fire the van should detonate with your squad’s beam weaponry, and if they do attempt to run away they’ll take overwatch!

That is until the aliens bastards start to get… creative.

Two clouds of acid appear in the middle of the street off to the side of the van. At first you think the aliens had died until you see the green glows of the Thin Men’s plasma guns slip into the clouds. They’re using their own acid clouds as smoke cover! They’re using the smoke fire to retreat. At the same time the two floaters begin to return suppressing fire back onto your squad. Which is enough to spoil your squad’s shots and give the Thin Men precious time to slip away. The Thin Men are retreating towards the destroyed convoy itself.

“Cheeky little…” Loki hums in disapproval as she reloads her grenade launcher.

“I can intercept them.” Harita whispers over the comms. You don’t question how she got there, she’s rather nimble in the shadows.

"I will need time to relocate to assist you." Burnout adds to Harita.

Harita would no doubt get the drop of them and likely kill one of the Thin Men outright, but she’s separated from the rest of the squad and will have to go toe to toe with another Thin Man alone. The closest assistance would be Burnout but that's still several important seconds until he can link up with her. You never want to engage those things solo if you can help it. However, this might be the only remaining chance to eliminate the slippery tall bastards before they re-position into a more favorable spot.

"Just say the word, Dozer." Harita says.

>Have her engage.
>Let them go.
>Other

>>2737361
>>Have her engage.
harita's time to shine

>>2737361
>Have her engage
>Burnout get to her to support as fast as possible.

>>2737361
>>Have her engage.
even if there is a bit of risk, I prefer to engage thin men head on in the open than to wait and let them ambush us in the future. With 1v1 fight after killing one of them, I trust Harita to win vs the remaining one.

>>2737361
Also once Harita makes her move those Floaters are going to stop suppressing and see what's wrong. We need to be on the ball on returning fire the moment that happens.

>>2737366
>>2737370
>>2737371
Having her engage it is, writing!

Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>2737434
...

>>2737449
...Is that good or bad?

>>2737476
Didn't say Enemy Activity so I think it was for Harita.

File: Harita.png (63 KB, 530x1128)

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“Take them out.” You say, taking the gamble and putting your faith in your fellow Assault. But that doesn’t mean you don’t want to be sure. “Burnout! Haul ass over there and assist!”

You spot Burnout just below of the building you’re on, ducking behind some of the freshly added rubble for cover thanks to Loki’s explosive solution to the previous Thin Man pod. It’s a fair run, but Burnout’s the fastest member of the squad. Just as he’s poised to start dashing however, The Thin Men slip out from their acid clouds. They move as quickly as their elongated legs can take them, seemingly home stretch to the hardier cover of the convoy wreckage. Burnout’s just bout to sprint out of cover when you hear the double click of Harita’s mic through the comms. Her confirmation of your order.

That’s when Harita strikes.

She’s like a blur, dashing out from the now only settled dust from the destroyed building. Having crossed a considerable distance in a short amount of time without you or anyone else being the wiser. The Thin Men react, starting to skid to stops to turn their plasma weapons to bear on Harita, but she is faster than even the aliens expect. There’s a cone of red that blasts out from her scatterlaser, killing one of the Thin Men outright, the impact sending it’s corpse far enough away into the center of the street to not be an issue.

The second Thin Man however has the advantage, the time it would for Harita to pump and recharge her Scatterlaser to fire again is all the Thin Man needs to hit Harita. However, once again nobody expects Harita’s blade.

You nearly miss her swing, one moment she’s holding her Scatterlaser, the next moment she had already slashed at the Thin Man. She’s that fast. The Thin Man’s left arm sails right off of it, taking it’s plasma rifle with it. It gushes out a spray of acid wildly like a unruly water hose on a high pressure before Harita kicks it away, sending it reeling back far enough for her to finish it with her scatterlaser.

In less than a couple of seconds Harita had straight up executed those Thin Man. Rachel would probably be freaking out with excitement right about now.

“I suppose I am not needed then.” Burnout comments.

As Harita flicks her blade to remove yellow ichor of Thin Man blood is when you hear the Floaters start screaming… in panic. It looks like they had seen what Harita had just did and the sure efficient brutality she had exacted on the Thin Men was enough to cause the Floaters of all things to start to freak out. This is a first. Whatever had spooked them prior has shattered their resolve after Harita’s action.

The pair begin to streak up into the air, blasting off to try and get the hell away from XCOM. Giving you and the others clear shots! You raise your own laser pistol to fire as you and the rest of the Strike-1 unleash a barrage of beam fire on the exposed and terrified Floaters!

>Roll 1d100+10

Rolled 59 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>2737519

Rolled 14 (1d100)

>>2737519

Rolled 73 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>2737519
Here comes the snow.

Both as an XCOM Assault and room clearing rifleman in the FBI you’ve never really focused so much on your accuracy in comparison to the twitch reflexes and split-second decision making needed for close encounters… which is proven unneeded as you manage to tag and shoot out one of the Floaters from the sky with your sidearm.

It lets out one final cry of anguish before plummeting onto the ground and crashing onto the roof of one the vans, the roof inwards from the impact.

You blink and look down at your laser pistol. Huh. You guess that training with Peppermint that one time to improve your aim did in fact help. The remaining Floater is shot out of the sky by Rook, his Heavy Laser Rifle striking true.

Contacts eliminated.

“Good job everyone, especially from Loki and Harita. You ladies definitely know how to kill some aliens.” You say, nodding in approval. There are sounds of approval from the other guys.

“I do take pride of my work.” Loki muses, smiling slyly.
On the ground you see Harita give you and the others a wave. You can’t tell for sure given how far away you are and the dust still lingering in the air from the destroyed building but you think you see Harita smiling, her cheeks flushed a bit from both trusting her to do her own thing and the praise. Best not to comment on that until later, but it’s pleasant thought.

With the immediate area secured you and the rest of the squad proceed to move forward with Harita and Burnout as the vanguard. The former slips into the shadows once again and the latter is right where he wants to be given his specialization.

As you approach closer you start to notice the bodies of soldiers. Something immediately stands out. It’s not just the convoy security that’s sprawled out around the AO. Intermixed between the Council forces is an unknown second human force, wearing suits and orange and red scarves or bandannas.

“Another group of combatants.” Zhang frowns.

“Well, you were right then, Rook.” You say, sharing the same dissatisfaction of this discovery that Zhang has. “There were shooters on the roof. They just weren’t from the convoy.”

Rook looks like he didn’t want to be right.

“I’m close to the convoy.” Burnout says as you and the others make your way through and around the former record store. “No eyes on movement. Yet.”

Oh right, the mission. Worry about all this new shit later. Burnout has good eyes, but the aliens could be pretty well hidden. They might even be invisible if those Seekers are just a thing the aliens happen to have. Using some of Burnout’s kit might not be a bad idea, but it is a finite resource…

>Have Burnout use his Motion Tracker. It’s reusable but not as effective. (TN 65)
>Use Burnout’s last battlescanner. (TN 25)
>Save the equipment for later.
>Other (TN ???)

>>2737611
>Use Burnout’s last battlescanner. (TN 25)

>>2737611
>>Use Burnout’s last battlescanner. (TN 25)

>>2737611
>>Use Burnout’s last battlescanner. (TN 25)

>>2737611
>>Use Burnout’s last battlescanner. (TN 25)

>>2737611
>>Have Burnout use his Motion Tracker. It’s reusable but not as effective. (TN 65)

>>2737631
>>2737633
>>2737638
>>2737689
Using the battlescanner it is, writing!

File: Battlescanner.jpg (586 KB, 1920x1200)

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“Burnout, give us a peek of what’s ahead. Use your last battlescanner.” You say as you and the others proceed ahead.

“Very well.” He replies.

It’s going to take you a bit of time to traverse the new adverse terrain anyways as you step over a pile of rubble with a Thin Man’s hand poking through. Nudging it with your boot gives you no reaction. Collapsing a building on top of a Thin Man appears to be a rather effective method of finishing them off.

As you and the rest of the squad advance, you look back up and see the battlescanner arc through the air. Despite it’s white design it’s actually a challenge to find the spherical device If you weren’t actively looking for it, the perfect little device to give an XCOM squad that important edge up in a mission.

This shouldn’t be difficult for Burnout to gather proper intel.

>Roll 1d100 (TN 25)

Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>2737824

File: kip.gif (463 KB, 200x270)

463 KB GIF

>>2737839

Rolled 47 (1d100)

>>2737824

Rolled 3 (1d100)

>>2737824

File: XCOM Activity.png (257 KB, 400x400)

257 KB PNG

“Interesting.” Burnout mutters.

“What do you see?” You ask him. You and the rest of the team stop, waiting for Burnout’s findings.

“Seven contacts.” Burnout starts. “Two drones. Behind the jeep third jeep from the front.”

You look over to said jeep, it had collided into a lamppost. More than enough cover to conceal the frustratingly impervious little machines. Oddly enough, the thing is rolled over onto it’s side in a weird way. Did swerve and roll over when the convoy was ambushed? You put it aside as Burnout continues to relay more intel from his battlescanner.

“Remaining five by the destroyed APC. Four Thin Men and a… ‘survivor’.” Burnout says. You and the rest of the squad confirm the position of the APC, which is smoldering.

“Problem?”

“Yes. The Thin Men are currently interrogating the survivor, however her skin is... undulating and dripping.” Burnout explains.

Sneaky. You can’t help but smirk at the fast one the aliens were trying to pull off. Looks like they were going to attempt to use a Faceless of all things as a ruse. Nice try, but Burnout’s observant eye catches the alien’s little ploy before they can even act. You’d rather not imagine the actual sight of the Faceless. They probably set this up just as the firefight was going on earlier.

“Confirming seven alien contacts then.” You finish.

At the very back of the convoy is a large truck, which you assume is the cargo carrying whatever the aliens were after. You just have to deal with this group of aliens, any near the truck, and whatever stragglers and lurkers that could be in the area. Should be straight forward enough. Should be.

“In position.” Burnout says.

A click from Harita’s mic. She’s in position as well.

“Orders?” Rook asks you. Waiting expectantly.

>Open fire on the Thin Men and Faceless behind the APC. Save your advantages until you need them. (TN 60)
>Focus fire on the drones. Ignoring them is a bad idea in the long run. (TN 45)
>Loki bombards the area. She’ll likely use most of her explosives in the process. (TN 40-50)
>Have Harita flamethrower the organic alien pod. There’s only enough fuel for one use. (TN 25)
>Other (TN ???)

>>2737925
>Have Harita flamethrower the organic alien pod. There’s only enough fuel for one use. (TN 25)

>>2737925
>>Have Harita flamethrower the organic alien pod. There’s only enough fuel for one use. (TN 25)
With them clustered like that this is our best chance to use this practically.

The rest of the squad shoot focus fire on the drones.

>>2737936
>>2737935
Third

>>2737925
>>Have Harita flamethrower the organic alien pod. There’s only enough fuel for one use. (TN 25)

>>2737935
>>2737936
>>2737941
>>2737957
Flamethrowering stuff it is, writing! Just a heads up I'll be stopping for the evening after the rolling post and the outcome post afterwards.

>>2738004
Thanks for giving us a good show man!

File: Flamethrowers seem pretty(...).png (634 KB, 528x558)

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“Harita, flame those Thin Men and their ‘hostage’. Give Naru some field data. Everyone else, be prepared to engage the Drones once the fight kicks off.” You say, as you and the rest of the squad takes position.

Two mic clicks.

You and the others don’t have to wait long. Barring the crackling of flames and the occasional crumbling of rubble the silence is interrupted by the sudden roar and burning red heat of fire as Harita springs up from some cover, dashes besides the APC, and proceeds to ignite everything behind it in a continuous stream of flaming death.

The drones soar into action. Springing to life the moment the action kicks in.

“Open fire!” You shout.

The squad complies as you focus on ignoring the heat that you can feel even from here.

>Roll 1d100 (TN 25)

Rolled 82 (1d100)

>>2738110

Rolled 78 (1d100)

>>2738110

Rolled 34 (1d100)

>>2738110

>>2738112
HELLL YAAA
IMA CARRYING THIS TEAM

>>2738119
Don't jinx it

>>2738119
Nat 1s next session.

>>2738166
Dear god we don't need a repeat of a certain mission. I don't think we'll be able to scrounge for IED components next time.

File: Burn Baby Burn.jpg (105 KB, 637x358)

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As you hear the screeching of pain as the aliens get roasted you can’t help but feel appreciative that you’re not on the receiving end of that deadly wrist mounted device. Even as you try and focus on the drones, you catch the hulking Faceless form up into it’s massive form, stumbling and wailing about wildly. A giant lumbering flaming alien.

You don’t feel any particular remorse for that thing nor the Thin Men.

Your team’s attentions are on the Drones, but this time however, even with concentrated fire the things dont seem to die. The pair of robotic machines continue to hover and steadily advance towards your squad, seemingly unphased by the continuous firepower. As they begin to get closer you start to realize the Drones are much larger than their previous counterparts, bulkier too. As if the aliens had somehow managed to cram even more armor onto the things.

One of them charges up it’s main gun and fires. A streak of plasma, and a big blast of it, fires out from the Drone instead of the usual electric blast. It sails towards Zhang who has to dive out of the way as the cover he was using is outright turned into a sizzling green glob of melted cement, metal, and rebar.

“They’re taking damage, but barely!” Rook grimaces.

“With enough firepower we can take it down!” Loki presses, already preparing to switch to her grenade launcher.

“We should fall back and get into a better position.” Zhang says after scrambling back into cover.

You’ll be separated from Harita and Burnout, and it up ahead you can see another pod of aliens moving to respond from the truck itself. Floaters by the looks of it. They continue to fly low, still seemingly afraid to take to the air, but they’re advancing.

“We can handle ourselves.” Burnout reassures.

“Yes! Reposition and we will regroup when we are able!” Harita adds hastily, having finished doing her dirty work to the aliens behind the APC as you see the Faceless topple over onto the ground into a pool of burnt and disgusting… whatever the hell their substance is.

(Part 1 / 2)

File: XCOM(EU)_Drones_withCyberdisc.png (356 KB, 709x444)

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You consider the options. While most of your weapons seem to not be packing much of a punch, most of the time a good point blank scatterlaser to the face has been proven repeatedly to punch through alien alloy armor. You’ll take the brunt of the thing’s attention and you’ll be shot at repeatedly, but it would give your team time to establish a more effective base of fire and focus down whatever you shoot at first.

Retreating would be safer. But that’s still seperating yourself from Harita and Burnout. Risky with Harita being exposed, forcing Burnout to push his luck to run Overwatch under pressure.

Loki’s preparing to unload as many explosives as she can put out on the things. Which probably will deal damage to them, unless the things have blast padding or something like that. Who knows.

There is of course… going Juggernaut. You haven’t needed to use it yet, given how well the operation has been. However it seems with these larger Drones the aliens aren’t just going to be complete pushovers for this mission. Is this the time to go psionic on these unsuspecting aliens? The only foible is that you’ll also be going psionic on a mostly unsuspecting squad…

Shit.

>Run n’ Gun! Get right in there at the cost of getting right in there! (TN 35-50)
>Fall back! Reposition but be separated from some of your squad.
>Have Loki bombard the area. She’ll likely use all of her explosives to be sure. (TN 50-60)
>Go Juggernaut. It will cost almost all of your stored Focus. (TN 25)
>Other (TN ???)

File: ayy on a board.jpg (14 KB, 495x318)

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>>2738268
And with that I'm going to call it here for the evening! Going to be a bit more sparse throughout the week but I'll try and get another decent session in before next Friday. Thanks for sticking around so far!

>>2738268
>>>Run n’ Gun! Get right in there at the cost of getting right in there! (TN 35-50)

>>2738268
>>Run n’ Gun! Get right in there at the cost of getting right in there! (TN 35-50)

>>2738268
How is the kinetic force of on Loki's grenades?

I'm thinking we do the run and gun but as we start moving Loki shoots a single grenade at the Drones to jostle them around, spoil their aim, and give a small bit of smoke to use after it explodes as we make our advance.

Won't kill them but it might prevent a few shots in our chest.

File: Catty Loki.png (17 KB, 282x494)

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>>2738288
It'll certainly jostle them around a fair bit if Loki can land them dead center! XCOM grenades do not fuck around even if it doesn't do raw damage as the remnants of the record store are anything to say.

>>2738299
Hey does the Arc Thrower do extra damage to robots or was that an upgrade we don't have yet?

>>2738268
>>Run n’ Gun! Get right in there at the cost of getting right in there! (TN 35-50)
If we do face too much we can always go Juggernaut anyways.

>>2738268
>Go Juggernaut. It will cost almost all of your stored Focus. (TN 25)

>>2738268
>>Run n’ Gun! Get right in there at the cost of getting right in there! (TN 35-50)

>>2738308
Good question! There hasn't been an opportunity to test the Arc Thrower on robotics yet.

Take that as you will

>>2738347
Well if people are for it I wouldn't mind trying it out AFTER we've killed one of them.

>>2738268
Supporting >>2738288

>>2738268
>Have Loki bombard them while Dozer advances
>try out arc thrower after killing one of the drones

>>2738268
supporting >>2738505

>>2738264
>>2738505
This

>>2737519
>The Thin Man’s left arm sails right off of it, taking it’s plasma rifle with it
Too bad the Thin Man couldn't be taken prisoner, but with the Floaters it was prob impossible.

>>2738268
>Other (TN ???)
Supporting >>2738505

>>2739001
Thankfully EXALT left us one still stunned earlier.

>>2738505
why not

>>2738268
This seems pretty reasonable >>2738505

>>2726498
Don't feel bad Pixel these chucklefucks should know how bo3 d100 works if they have spent more than a day on /qst/

Calling the vote here!

File: Run N' Gun.jpg (85 KB, 1280x720)

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You decide to knock out multiple birds with one stone. Quickly double checking both your scatterlaser’s ammunition and that your Arc Thrower is ready to go you settle on what to do.

“Loki! Frag those Drones and give me an opening! I’m going in!” You shout, looking over to the Engineer.

“Done! I would suggest you all keep your head down now!” Loki calls back, giving you a nod. She already has her grenade launcher in hand as if already anticipating your call.

Loki stands up out of cover and starts opening fire, launching several grenades toward the enemy. You and the rest of the squad don’t second guess her and hunker down. The detonations from whatever particular volatile mix of explosives Loki had prepped shakes the ground. Your ears are ringing but you don’t hesitate as you throw yourself out of cover into a sprint.

The area is still smokey from the grenades but you can still see the silhouettes of the alien machines. You can’t tell if they actually did get jostled enough or not to give you an advantage. No time to think however as you charge at them, scatterlaser at the ready and Arc Thrower just a quick switch away.

Here goes nothing!

>Roll 1d100 (TN ???)

Rolled 18 (1d100)

>>2740459

Rolled 77 (1d100)

>>2740459

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>2740459

Rolled 7 (1d100)

>>2740459

>>2740464
Pretty solid

File: Arc Thrower 2.jpg (116 KB, 1280x720)

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The smoke starts to clear as you get right into close range with one of the Drones. The thing is quite the bulky machine of death and now that you’re up close you can see that Loki’s ability to lob numerous grenades in a tight spread has definitely jostled the thing. It’s position and angle is erratic and jilted off to the side, it’s systems likely trying to reorient itself from the repeated detonations.

Another upside is that it seems the side of it’s chassis has taken enough of a beating from the explosives to have weakened it’s armor, the metal scorched and shredded slightly. Which means you know just where to point your scatterlaser. Barring outright smacking the Drone with your scatterlaser’s muzzle you fire at it’s weakened side point blank.

Each shot from your scatterlaser causes it to buckle from the impact, the force knocking it back like some invisible force hard on the thing. With each shot, you expose more of it’s fragile mechanical innards, and after one last blast you manage to destroy the thing, causing it to clatter to the ground hard. And just in time too, as you have to duck out of the way from the retaliation of the other Drone. As you dodge out of the way of the plasma you let go of your scatterlaser and switch to your Arc Thrower.

Here goes nothing.

You aim and fire at the thing, shooting a blast of electricity in between the center mass. The sight actually blinds you for half a second, as it almost looks like you had blasted a goddamn lightning storm right at the Drone. How much power is packed into this thing!? The reaction is immediate, as it begins to shake and jostle in the air. As if the electricity is causing the thing to go haywire… or is it somehow powering the thing up? You actually can’t tell besides the fact that the Drone is freaking out from the sheer voltage Dr. Vahlen had managed to cram into the Arc Thrower.

“Should we open fire at it?!” You hear Rook call out from behind you. Another good question from him.

The thing is just hovering there, completely exposed like a sitting duck. You look at both your Arc Thrower and scatterlaser. The decision needs to be made quickly, as those Floaters up ahead are going to be right on Harita and Burnout!

>Tase it again!
>Do nothing and see what happens!
>Shoot it!
>Other

>>2740536
>>Tase it again!

>>2740536
>Taze it

>>2740536
>Tase it again!
>Have the rest take out the Floaters

>>2740536
Not an easy call. Safest option would be to shoot it, but we'd lose the capture.

Then we have the coinflip of whether leaving it alone or juicing it further.

>Other
Regardless of what is picked here have the rest of the squad move up and support Harita and Burnout.

>>2740536
>>Tase it again!

>>2740536
>Do nothing and see what happens!

>>2740536
>Do nothing and see what happens!
>Rest of the squad go help Harita and Burnout

>>2740536
>>Other
Tell Rook/Zhang to go support Harita/Burnout and then tase it again.

>>2739014
>still stunned earlier.
How long will he be stunned ?

>>2740578
>>2740769
+1

>>2740770
Well going by game mechanics until the end of the mission.

But in quest narrative I have no idea. We might be getting flanked right now.

>>2740536
>>Tase it again!

This ain't a cartoon, zapping something with electricity won't suddenly power it up somehow.

>>2741145
>zapping something with electricity won't suddenly power it up somehow.
Whose strawman are you attacking ? Dozer is shooting it again in case this uknown type has self-repair capabilities.

>>2741275
>As if the electricity is causing the thing to go haywire… or is it somehow powering the thing up? You actually can’t tell besides the fact that the Drone is freaking out from the sheer voltage Dr. Vahlen had managed to cram into the Arc Thrower.
He's probably commenting on what Dozer is thinking about the drone's reaction to the electricity

>>2740536
>>Tase it again!

Calling the vote here!

Rolled 1 (1d2)

Rolling for a tiebreaker!
>1: Entire Squad moves up to support Harita/Burnout
>Rook/Zhang moves up to support Harita/Burnout

File: Arc Thrower.png (53 KB, 297x173)

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Given the opportunity presented before you, you opt to go all the way and commit to tazing the drone once again. However, with the roaring of Floaters closing in on both Harita and Burnout’s positions you realize they’re going to need extra support.

“Squad, move up and support Harita and Burnout! I’ll take care of the drone!” You say, not even risking taking your eyes away from the thing as it spazzes out.

You hear the squads confirmations and catch them moving up at the corner of your eye but your attention remains entirely on the Drone as you power up the Arc Thrower for another blast. It’s jittering and sparking in place, sure, but you fear the moment you turn away is the moment your head’s going to be blasted off by plasma.

Raising your Arc Thrower up once again at the thing, you take a breath and squeeze the trigger.

Once again, your entire vision is overwhelmed by the lightning cyclone unleashed from the handheld device, even dazing you for a split second by how intense it is.

>Roll 1d100.

Rolled 81 (1d100)

>>2743936

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>2743936

Rolled 63 (1d100)

>>2743936

File: Drones.png (106 KB, 432x304)

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You blast again with your Arc Thrower, hitting it center mass once more. At this range it’s nearly impossible to miss the shot unless you were trying to intentionally whiff it. The Arc Thrower to the Drone is the equivalent of hitting the thing with a truck as it’s knocked back from the force of the electricity.

You have to step away and shield your eyes as stray bolts of electricity arc and spark out from it as you very clearly start to overload the systems of the thing. The steadily increasing and disconcerting noise that it’s making sounds very much like a warning, and not one that’s particularly pleasant. The decision to quickly make some distance away from the Drone is a no brainer.

Right before it detonates, you swear you see some odd mannerisms from the machine. You wouldn’t call it it’s AI or anything like that but it almost looks like the system had rebooted. Did you somehow reprogram it to be a friendly?

You’ll never find out about that however as it short-circuits and fizzles out. The wrecking of the drone clattering onto the ground with it’s systems fried, a mess of alien alloys. It’s disappointing sure, but at least it’s dealt with. You make a mental note that enough electricity pumped into a drone will screw it up. Who knows, maybe it also applies to Cyberdiscs. Not that you’d be trying that in the middle of a firefight and it bearing down on you however, you’re not that stupid!

(Part 1 / 2)

File: Floater.png (153 KB, 400x300)

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With the Drones destroyed, you quickly move up to the firefight just up ahead where your squad is entrenched in a back and forth firefight with the Floaters. Both sides are using the remains of the convoy as cover. The Floaters may not be using their flight to their advantage nor are they as good of a shot as a Thin Man is, they’re putting out a reasonable amount of pressure on your squad. The vehicles are all destroyed in some way, so blowing them up on the Floaters is unfortunately out of the question. Their lack of flight or accuracy is replaced with how aggressively they're advancing. The aliens will have to be eliminated more conventionally.

You move right into cover behind a wrecked jeep in-between Loki and Zhang, the former cursing to herself as she does a quick count of the explosives on her person while the latter continues to lay down battery after battery of autolaser suppression on the enemy positions only to be met with counter suppression. Rook’s pushed up ahead further, essentially in between both Burnout/Harita and two other soldiers you’re in cover with.

“Status report!” You say.

“Burnout and Harita are pinned down and I’m on my last batch of grenades. I did not expect to go through my equipment so quickly.” Loki frowns, her emerald green eyes clearly showing disapproval at herself. “Our mutual friends are repeatedly wishing to receive the last of my grenades.”

“I can start flushing them out of cover instead.” Zhang counters ducking under cover to reload a fresh large battery pack on his auto laser. “I have more than enough ammunition for it, however I will likely be exposed while doing so.”

“If Zhang flushes them out of cover I can shoot them out of the sky!” Rook adds over the comms. You can hear him panting, the adrenaline coursing through him. Being out of the action for quite sometime and jumping back is usually a shock to anyone’s body. Though, Rook always was a good shot with his rifle either way.

You also have your legs, an undamaged ceramic plate, and your scatterlaser. Running n’ Gunning is not out of the question but the terrain is going to be rough to cross under fire but Floaters are pretty helpless at close range given how erratic they are coupled with how surprisingly nervous they’ve been.

You can also go Psion...

You grit your teeth, thinking on what to decide.

>Have Loki use the last of her grenades. (TN 45)
>Order Zhang to Flush out the Floaters for Rook to shoot out of the sky. (TN 65)
>Run n’ Gun! (TN 60)
>Go Juggernaut! (TN 25)
>Other (TN ???)

>>2744056
>>Run n’ Gun! (TN 60)

>>2744056
Is Harita able to flashbang from her position?

>>2744056
>>Run n’ Gun! (TN 60)

>>2744056
>Run n’ Gun! (TN 60)

>>2744069
Harita unfortunately did not take flashbangs so she could carry the Flamethrower Gauntlet without being encumbered!

>>2744084
How many Floaters are we dealing with?

>>2744096
Four!

>>2744101
And when Zhang Flushes is it going to be one at a time or all four at once?

>>2744112
Given how skittish the Floaters have been for some reason, it'll spook all of them in quick succession.

>>2744124
>>2744056
So what would be the DC if Dozer Run & Gun'd over there while Zhang flushed? At the same time Harita and Burnout would be no longer under suppression and all three could get close range bonuses while Rook did his thing.

We could chew through them much quicker as a unit and split their fire away from focusing on Zhang.

>>2744133
Interesting, I'd drop the TN down to 50 instead of 60/65 with everyone working together!

>>2744156
Guess that'll be my vote then.

>>2744133
>>2744056
Seconding

Though really it's an upgraded Run n Gun plan so it should be compatible with the majority vote

Calling the vote here, writing!

“Zhang! Rook! Do your thing! I’m moving up at same time!” You order, double checking if you have enough charge left on your scatterlaser. “Harita! Burnout! Go on the offensive once you see an opening!”

Confirmations from the squad.

Zhang kicks things off, maximizing his autolaser’s fire as he begins to flush the alien positions. A continuous and unrelenting laser fire. You don’t see it, but you can hear the cries of alert coming from the already spooked Floaters as you throw yourself out of a cover into a dash, spotting one of the Floaters shoot up towards the sky in terror. Zhang doesn’t focus on shooting down the Floaters that attempt to fly away, leaving it to Rook as you see him step out to fire controlled bursts from his rifle.

Your charge ahead isn't a full sprint so much as you trying to quickly navigate the wreckage battlefield. The bodies, rubble, and debris strewn about means it's very likely you could stumble or trip, but you press on anyways as your heart thumps like heavy drums.

Now it’s time to see if there’s a full domino effect of panic that’ll kick in, giving you and the others the openings they need to push up and retaliate!

>Roll 1d100+5 (TN 50)

Rolled 31 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>2744300

Rolled 2 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>2744300

Rolled 12 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>2744300

Rolled 13 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>2744300

That's actually impressive

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Rolled 6 (1d8)

>>2744301
>>2744304
>>2744309
Ouch! It's time to determine just who is going to have a bad time now! I'm going to roll to a d8 to determine who is going to have some unfortunate things happen to them. With 1-6 being a squad member, 7 meaning I would roll again for more injuries/complications, and an 8 being a lucky break and nothing severely bad happens!

The number would vary depending on how many people could possibly get hurt, but there will always be one of the outcomes being rolling again for more pain and one being lucky break at the end with the same order.

Rolling...

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You charge forward, pushing your body as hard as you possibly can towards the aliens. With how nervous and scared the Floaters are, you’re hoping that seeing XCOM go on the offensive would be enough to make them snap.

The Floaters were clearly in the flight mentality state, but upon seeing you rushing them their mental switches begin to flip back to fight. Perhaps because they’ve essentially cornered with their back against the wall or something literally hardwired in their twisted mechanical augmentations the Floaters... regain their ferocity.

Seeing their death charging straight for them they rally and the remaining three launch themselves up in the air in unison. Streaking up at high speeds into the cloudy night sky. Your squad immediately falls into disarray at the sudden alarming act of the Floaters rocketing off.

“Above above! Eyes up!”

“I’ve lost visual!”

“Check your flanks! Be ready for them to land anywhere!”

You skid to a stop, raising your weapon upwards and hastily scanning the sky. You spin around darting your weapon at the slightest movement in the air. And then you see them, streaking and landing in numerous flanking positions on your squad, roaring all the while. Their positions in particular put Rook in the worst possible situation and then--

“Argh!” The Infantry’s cry of pain peaks the volume of your comms. Your eyes dart towards him as you watch Rook fall, dropping to the ground as the Floater’s plasma hits him in the leg. The Floaters howl in glee as they begin to press the advantage. Rook isn’t dead, but he’s immobilized and is struggling.

You need to act fast or Rook or the others are going to die! You try and think hastily, but your focus is fraying from the spike of stress. You need to focus dammit!

>Order the squad to reposition! (TN 40-60)
>Push up and get to Rook! (TN 50-65)
>Have Loki go danger close with her remaining grenades! (35-50)
>Psionics! Go Juggernaut! (TN 25)
>Other (TN !?!)

>>2744394
>>Psionics! Go Juggernaut! (TN 25)

>>2744394
>>Psionics! Go Juggernaut! (TN 25)
teammate get hurt = Get Angry

>>2744394
Ah fuck it. Rather let the cat out of the bag then lose a squad member with how hard we've been flanked.

>Psionics! Go Juggernaut! (TN 25)
"Zhang. I'm using THAT. Squad push to Rook and secure him."

>>2744394
>>Psionics! Go Juggernaut! (TN 25)

Is there any way that wecan fool everyone that we aren't actually psionic?

>>2744417
We are going to be glowing purple and doing superhuman feats in a second (dice willing).

No way we can put the toothpaste back in the tube.

>>2744394
>Psionics! Go Juggernaut! (TN 25)
Time to go super saiyan

>>2744403
>>2744410
>>2744412
>>2744417
>>2744445
Going Juggernaut it is, writing!

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Numerous plans or orders run through your head, but all of them leave to much blank space and pure circumstance to really put any full commitment to. Sure, you could order Loki to starting tossing grenades or trying to push up to help Rook… but there’s a chance things could turn worse.

Catastrophic.

No. You know what you need to do now.

“Zhang! I’m using THAT!” You shout. “Squad! Push up to Rook and secure him!”

You catch Zhang stiffen and a look cross him. In your mind you recall the faint memories of the smoking barrel of a pistol that you saw in Zhang’s mind as clear as day. Could it be a side effect of your own mental focus preparing itself for what’s about to happen? No time to determine it as you take the moment to steady yourself mentally. Reaching within yourself to find that ever present well of anger and something more, something greater beside it.

As your squad begins to push back towards Rook and the howls of the Floaters seem to drown out even the weapon fire, you Focus. Manipulating and bending that power you’ve been storing within you to your beck and call. Your can already catch wisps of purple energy emanating near you. Sparking and coming to form by your sheer willpower.

It’s time to get really fucking angry!

>Roll 1d100 (TN 25)

Rolled 100 (1d100)

>>2744486

Rolled 94 (1d100)

>>2744486

Rolled 16 (1d100)

>>2744486

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>>2744492
Oh my.

That ain't a d20 crit either where you get one every other roll.

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>>2744492
Wow! This might take a bit longer to write... please wait warmly!

>>2744492
>>2744509

Did we just unlock a new Psionic Power, or an advanced version of Juggernaut?

>>2744511
We just became THE JUGGERNAUT!

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>>2744511
>>2744516

>>2744509
>>2744511
You know how the Ethereals have a bunch of health and passively negate crit unless you have a buttload of critical buffs and how it's always on all the time and basically unnoticeable?

I am hoping we get that.

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Oh something just came to mind. Would you guys like to go all out with your Psionic powers and really leave quite the impression on the squad or would you guys like to do this 'subtly' where nobody would be the wiser? Your guy's call given Dozer is fully in control with his Psionic Rage! Either choice will give a respectable and appropriate perk to go along with it!

>Keep it subtle.
>Make a scene.

>>2744543
>Make a scene.

>>2744543
>Make a scene.
I kind of already wrote in that call out to Zhang. Our crew is smart and will know something is up regardless.

And I also really want to see this.

>>2744543
>Keep it subtle.


Like to have an ability we can use 24/7.

>>2744543
>>Keep it subtle.

File: 5f0[1].gif (2.59 MB, 540x300)

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>>2743949

>>2744543
>Make a scene
I will always do the cool thing over the smart thing.

>>2744543
>Make a scene

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>>2744492
umf

>>2744492
HOLY FUCK, THE REPEATED NAT-20s TURNS INTO A NAT-100?! Dozer was fucking BORN to be a psionic! Seriously, this is sign!

>>2744543
>Make a scene.

Since we're using the destructive ANGRY MAN mode, I'm going to have to go with MAXIMUM ANGRY.

>>2744545
>>2744559
>>2744574
>>2744581
>>2744625
Making a scene it is, writing!

>>2744492
>>2744493
>100
>94
No doubt about it anymore, Dozer is the chosen one

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Final update for the evening coming shortly, stand by for deployment!

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You feel the power course through your veins, it’s the ultimate shot of adrenaline as you begin to glow a fiery and incandescent purple. Your natural fury intertwining with the psionic energy in the very air all around you. With a mighty roar, you charge forward like an unstoppable freight train, your body brought up to and past the peak of human performance.

You dart past Rook in a purple blur towards the very Floater that had brought him down to his knees. In that split second before it’s eviscerated, you see past the cold heartless yellow eyes and you force the thing to feel true primal horror within it. Overriding it’s mechanical inhibitors and overwhelming it with one particular emotion before it dies. You jam your scatterlaser straight into its chest and pump it full of red hot laser. Tearing it to flaming gibs and mechanical scrap.

The entire firefight just stops. From both your squad and the Floaters, a silence washes over the area. Slowly, you turn to face the remaining three floaters and let go of your Scatterlaser, letting it hang from it’s strap at your side.

You crack your knuckles.

A wave of… something comes out from you, pulsing out over the area like an invisible wave. Psionic energy intermixed with your very rage and anger envelopes the remaining Floaters within your line of sight. It’s a literal Intimidating Aura, and they’re trapped in it. Their fears are yanked from their very recesses of their buried psyches and you FORCE them to see you as it. You become their very worst nightmares.

You thought those Floaters were scared before by something before. Instead you make whatever that something was be mere child’s play as you sow true panic among them. They begin to howl and cry out in terror as you rush forward and grab one of them. You slam it down hard into the pavement and stomp it into nothing with your boot before proceed with the remaining two.

They’re in full rout now but they’re not going anywhere. You charge forward and reach another Floater, ripping and tearing the thing apart in half. Parts of it are strewn about as it’s torn asunder. It gurgles in pain, somehow still alive. You finish it off by impaling it with it’s metal claw of an arm into its head.

One more left.

You look over and see the Floater is now airborne, well out of arm’s reach. Well now, that just won’t do. Without thinking much about it, you reach over and rip off one of the metal doors from one of the destroyed jeeps like tissue paper. The jeep’s not going to be needing it anyways. With your psionically enhanced senses you easily gauge the distance of the fleeing Floater. Then you wind up and hurl the car door hard into the air like a high speed frisbee. The metal whistles as it spins through the air hitting dead on with the target. The door is embedded in between Floater’s thrusters and torso. It cries out, spiraling out of control in the air and crashing down hard onto the ground, turning into metal and pulp.

(Part 1 / 3)

You make short work of the remaining aliens by the truck, switching to your trusty scatterlaser to finish the job. They stand no chance. Those that try to run are gunned down, and none attempt to even think of fighting back when you succumb them with your Intimidating Aura.

The last remaining alien, a lone Sectoid of all things, huddles into a corner as you backhand the thing into unconsciousness. Dr. Vahlen needed one of each alien to interrogate anyways, and this ‘spec ops’ Sectoid will do just the job. As you look over and survey the carnage you wrought, you sense something else in the air as you start to calm down. Some distance away a stunned Strike-1 approaches you but you ignore them for just a moment as you sense something else.

The psionic energy in the air… is different. It was used by someone else. At first you think it was the Sectoid but you immediately discount that given how comparedly punier it’s psionic aptitude is in comparison to you. Almost as if the ability they harness was bred or mutated into them instead of always being part of you, like The Gift is. No, this is something else did this. Was it the working of the mysterious Sectoid ‘Commander’ that was seen only in the very first XCOM mission? Possibly.

You look over to the truck, given you’re now right beside it, and see what appears to be the ruins of some sort of medical lab inside it. And see more more corpses of both the convoy personnel and the mysterious orange scarf wearing men and women in suits… Many many questions linger but one hangs in the air and stands out over the others.

Could there be someone else out there like you…?

(Part 2 / 3)

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Your thoughts are caught off by a familiar voice speaking behind you. It’s intermixed with both awe and, despite everything, concern.

“Dozer? Are… are you OK?” Harita asks you. You can’t help but smile as you turn around, you don’t need to read her mind to feel glad about her worry for you.

Harita is holding her sword limp in her hands as she regards you, and the others approach, Zhang and Burnout are shouldering a medikit administered Rook with Loki following close by. Zhang can only quietly shake his head at what he had just seen, though there is a tinge of relief to it as slight as it is. Burnout distinctly lacks a cigarette in between his lips, another rare sight.

“Dozer is more than OK.” Loki answers for you, hand placed over her mouth. “He’s… much more than that.”

At that, Harita begins to brighten as well seeing you are fine. Rook however just begins to laugh.

“Of course he is! Why wouldn’t he be!?” Rook says, laughing some more. You think it’s the stress but it isn’t. It’s almost as if Rook has come to some sort of epiphany.
“Er… Would you like a-” Burnout starts.

“Yes! I would love a smoke, Burnout. Please.” Rook says, nodding vigorously to Burnout. You aren’t sure what to feel Rook’s reaction about your powers but he’s… in legitimately good spirits it seems. That’s a good thing, right?

You’re about to explain yourself and try and sort out what just happened when the comms come in and The Commander herself starts to come through.

“That was really impressive, Dozer.” The Commander starts, and you can hear the legitimate praise coming from her. You can’t help but feel a swell of pride at the approval from both her and the squad. “We’ve confirmed the area is clear of aliens, but I don’t want you all to relax just yet, there’s something I need you all to do for me…”

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>...And with that I'm calling it here for tonight! I'm still reeling from that Nat 100, that's for sure! I'll stick around to answer some questions but otherwise this is going up in the archive. I'll see you all in the next thread tomorrow so until next time...

Thanks for playing!

>>2744778
We still need to pick up that stunned Thinman EXALT left us right?

I thought the arc thrower needed an upgrade to change the IFF of a Drone?

Thanks for running.

>>2744778
What was Rook so happy about? We get two captures this mission and drone reprogram info?

>>2744778
Fun as always Pixel
>>2744782
I think it’s exasperation mixed with inadequacy. Rook has been upstaged by Dozer at nearly every turn, and now Dozer is a retardedly powerful mind wizard too.

>>2744778
So, that was cool and all but... did we get anything tangible from that besides a cool scene and an insta-win?

>>2744786
Intimidating Aura.

>>2744778
Thanks for running pixel!

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>>2744780
Oh yeah, you guys will be getting that Thin Man as a little present from EXALT no problem. As for the drone capture you didn't actually get that (it was a really high TN) but you got pretty close, nudging things a bit quicker for Engineering to look into.

>>2744786
You guys got another pretty useful passive ability you can use if you got the Focus for it. Intimidating Aura, causing all aliens to have a very high chance to just instantly panic when they look at you. That, and your Juggernaut abilities have been improved as well!

Oh and everyone reacted to your Psionic abilities all positively in some fashion, which definitely will smooth things over going forward.

>>2744786
We got the Intimidating Aura