>>3064642
>>Leave the ATV at the entrance and proceed carefully on foot.

>>3064642
>Leave the ATV at the entrance and proceed carefully on foot.

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>>3064642
>>Leave the ATV at the entrance and proceed carefully on foot.

Maybe if HK needs to get in a much more confined space, she could upload herself into a Dinergate or maybe a little kid version of herself?

>>3064642
>Leave the ATV at the entrance and proceed carefully on foot.

>>3064642
>Barge through at full speed with the ATV.

VIOLENCE OF ACTION!

>>3064642
>>Other
Duct tape giant buzzsaws to the side of the ATV then
>>Barge through at full speed with the ATV.

File: HK416 16.jpg (782 KB, 1000x1500)

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Rolled 10, 1, 19 = 30 (3d20)

>>3064642
...

File: HK416 4.jpg (916 KB, 1100x1556)

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>>3064642
"We'll continue the rest of the way on foot." You say as you shut off the engine. You the push the ATV to face back towards the exit back into the canal, ready for a quick escape in case you had to run back down here. "HK, can you navigate?"

"I already have a map ready." HK nods as her eyes glow, projecting a small hologram on the ground. "The most direct route is the primary storm drain leading directly under the mall. However, my motion sensor indicates this is also the are with the densest unknown activity."

HK then points to another path, much smaller and narrower.

"There's an alternate path here, no doubt for maintenance crews. It's a bit longer, and the path is much narrower." HK continues. "Or, there's a manhole access here that exits near the mall. We could bypass the sewer but it's overland travel the rest of the way."

Well, the storm drain seemed like the most straightforward path, but it wasn't meant for people to move through. Plus, all that space and moisture had the potential to grow some really serious genetic nasties. Taking the maintenance passages would most likely avoid them, but would also restrict your movements. Like HK said, heading for the nearest manhole would let you bypass the most dangerous parts of the sewer, but who knew what you would find up top...

>Go straight up the storm drain.
>Move through the maintenance passage.
>Head up the manhole.
>Other

>>3064726
>Move through the maintenance passage.

Has to be some sort of security or electrical systems.

>>3064726
>>Head up the manhole.

>>3064726
>>Move through the maintenance passage

>>3064726
>Move through the maintenance passage.

Time to sneak

File: 40957291.jpg (653 KB, 1279x720)

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>>3064726
"All right, we'll move through the maintenance passage." You nod. "Let's move."

"Affirmative." HK nods. "Shall I take point?"

>Let HK lead.
>You should take lead.
>Other

>>3064774
>>Let HK lead.
But I have to go, so this will sadly be my only vote.

>>3064774
>Let HK lead.

>>3064774
>>Let HK lead.

>>3064774
>You should take lead.

>>3064774
>You should take lead.

we have biosensor duh

>>3064774

>You should take lead.

>>3064774
I'll change >>3064781
to: >>3064774
>>You should take lead.

>>3064774
>You should take lead.

File: 46106727.jpg (116 KB, 682x962)

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>>3064774
"I'll take the lead." You tell HK as you step forward. "You help me navigate and keep watch on our back."

"Affirmative." HK replies.

You check your shotgun. In these close quarters, it was useful to have such a weapon around. Now you just had to pick what ammo to start off with. Who knows what you could face in here?

>Buckshot. Reliable and impossible to miss.
>Slug. Absolute stopping power.
>Incendiary. Because everything can be solved with fire.
>Venom. Particularly nasty against organic targets.
>Other

>>3064826
>>Buckshot. Reliable and impossible to miss.

>>3064826
>Buckshot. Reliable and impossible to miss.
Wanted incendiary, then I realised it could suffocate us, or block the path with fire.

>>3064826
>Slug. Absolute stopping power.
Big shells for big bioweapons

>>3064826

>Slug. Absolute stopping power.

Shouldn't use Incendiary while we're in an enclosed space like this.

>>3064826
>Buckshot. Reliable and impossible to miss.

>>3064826
>Venom. Particularly nasty against organic targets.

>inb4 our own crystal being used in custom ammunition

>>3064826
>Incendiary. Because everything can be solved with fire.

>>3064826
>Buckshot. Reliable and impossible to miss.
We running a pump or a semi?

>>3064848
>nb4 never because someone would analyze it and figure out we have connections to magical girl/boy magic in general

>>3064826
>>Buckshot. Reliable and impossible to miss.

File: 69965253_p0.png (1.12 MB, 849x1200)

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>>3064826
You load up with buckshot rounds, preferring their general utility, especially in cramped conditions such as this. Even the fastest and most agile foes would be hard pressed to avoid a wall of high speed ball bearings.

"Head through that door and continue down the path." HK instructs. "Just continue down the tunnel and ignore any side paths."

"Right." You nod as you carefully push the old and rusted maintenance door open...

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>3064903
ROLLIN!

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>3064903

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>3064903

>>3064826
>>Buckshot. Reliable and impossible to miss.

File: HK416 30.png (917 KB, 623x950)

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>>3064903
As you proceed down the tunnel, you notice something... odd. There was this odd, rancid smell wafting up in your nose. Well, this was sewer so EVERYTHING smelled rancid, but this scent seemed to stand out. You also noticed that the walls were glistening with a wet, almost black layer of mold or fungus.

"Warning, aerial infection detected!" HK shouts.

"Shit!" You grunt as you stumble at your belt, pull out a gas mask and press it to your face. "What kind of aerial agent are we talking here?"

"Fungal spores." HK notes, her eyes glowing bright. "This entire tunnel is covered in fungus."

Well that was just great.

You try to look around the area with your biosensor, but all you could sense was just a big wall of noise. You frown as you glance at the black fungus sticking to the walls and ceiling. This shit must be generating its own small EM field, drowning out all other readings like loud rock music being blasted from a speaker.

"HK, you picking anything up?" You ask cautiously.

"Negative. No signs of hostile motion in the immediate vicinity." HK replies.

Well, that just meant here wasn't anything on the move at the moment.

"Okay, just keep an eye on the sensor, then." You say as you proceed down the hall.

However, after a few minutes, your progress is stopped, as there's another maintenance door, but it was stuck shut by more of that damned mold.

"Shit." You grunt, considering whether to try and force your way through the door or not. You certainly couldn't just turn back."

"We may be able to divert through here." HK kneels down and opens up a drainage gate. Below was too dark to see, but you could hear the sound of rushing water. "The density of my construction should be able to counter the current."

>Break through the door.
>Use an incendiary shell to burn the mold off.
>Divert to the alternate route.
>Other

>>3064949
>Use an incendiary shell to burn the mold off.

>>3064949
>>Use an incendiary shell to burn the mold off.

>>3064949
>Use an incendiary shell to burn the mold off

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>>3064894
True, maybe some more subtle weapons could be used like an arm blade?

>>3064949
>Break through the door.
We don't need to cause a blast on par with a room filled a high concentration of sawdust/flour

>>3064949
>Break through the door.
Using an incendiary shell in an environment full of spores and methane gas sounds like an exceptionally terrible idea.

>>3064949
>Break through the door.
Don't light up in the grain tower.

>>3064949
>>Use an incendiary shell to burn the mold off.

>>3064949
>>Break through the door.

>>3064949
>Break through the door.

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>>3064949
"Stand back, HK." You grunt as you back up a little to give yourself room for a running start.

"Lewis, are you really going to-"

And that's when you charge forward.

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>3065017

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>3065017
Dice

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>3065017

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Rolled 4, 2, 10 = 16 (3d20)

>>3065017
...

File: Lose SAN.jpg (44 KB, 933x593)

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>>3065026
Ah shit

File: 2EO9eKm.jpg (320 KB, 2142x1600)

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>>3065026
>Chryssalids

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>>3065026
You burst through the door, the mold trapping it shut being not match for your physical mass as you barge straight through it.

However, what you find on the other side is not exactly what you wanted to see.

Thick, black, vaguely humanoid shapes completely covered (or completely made out of?) that same black mold covering the walls of the tunnel. There had to easily be at least four of them, huddled together in this cramped tunnel.

"Faint life signs detected." HK whispers. "Hypothesis. Viral infection has caused the fungus that naturally grew down here to mutate into an unregulated BOW. Maximum caution advised."

Well... what were you going to do? Try to get rid of them while they were "asleep"? Try to sneak past them to avoid confrontation?

Or maybe you could just run like hell before they could react.

>Fight
>Sneak
>Run
>Other

>>3065049
>Fight

>>3065049
>Sneak
Keep a steady bead on them if possible.

>>3065049
>>Sneak

No stealth camo this time.

>>3065049
>>Sneak

Ooooh don't blow up the creepy fungus they said, it's too dangerous they said.

>>3065049
>>Fight
Sneaking still leaves them alive to be called by others later, and it only take one failed sneak check to bring the sleeping ones chasing down us. So better to just kill them all now and get rid of the threat while they're all vulnerable.

>>3065049
>Sneak

File: 55167051_p0.jpg (1.06 MB, 3289x1850)

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Rolled 7, 12, 6, 10 = 35 (4d20)

>>3065049
"Follow my lead." You whisper back as you very, VERY carefully try to weave your way among the slumbering fungus monsters. Hopefully they were heavy sleepers. Hopefully they weren't even hostile.

But hopes were meant to be dashed, especially in this line of work.

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>3065081
here we go

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>3065081

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Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>3065081
>>3065082
Aw fuck

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>3065081

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>>3065082
I'll just put these dice down.

File: 00.jpg (1.69 MB, 2339x1654)

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>>3065082
I say we save the Timestop for something else, and just armour up.

File: You can totally trust me!.png (13 KB, 298x298)

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>>3065082
Uh oh!

With a roll like that you're going to rouse at least some of those sleeping creatures! Would you like to use your TIMESTOP to reroll it?

>Y
>N

>>3065082
See what I said about sneaking? it just doesn't work.

>>3065093
>N

>>3065093
>>N

Brace for impact.

>>3065093
Y

>>3065093
>>Y
Ah fuck it, saving the power for another potential nat 1 is less useful when there's one right now in dangerous combat situation.

>>3065093
>Y

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>>3065093
All right, let's get the reroll started then!

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>3065123

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>3065123
Loki!

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>3065123

>>3065129
If we ever master our Time Stop, and be surrounded by enemies we should tell them that they're surrounded before stopping time and dealing with them individually.

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>>3065123
You carefully, CAREFULLY weave your way around the dormant fungus creatures, making sure to keep a healthy distance as you step between them. Your heart rate and breathing picks up every time the creatures stir, but the ultimately do not wake. thankfully.

HK is close behind, mirror your every move with perfect accuracy, and maintaining an inhuman sense of balance.

Soon enough, the both of you are finally on the other side of the hall, and you could see a flight of mold-crusted stairs leading upwards. You could just barely read the stenciled letters saying "MALL ENTRANCE" on the stained concrete wall.

"Looks like we're here." You breath a sigh of relief.

"Don't let your guard down." HK chides you. "We still do not know the BSAA's intentions."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it." You nod. "Though it's weird. They were always the goody two shoes. Wonder why they're being all cloak and dagger here..."

You head up the stairs and test the latch, thankful that it's unlocked. Very slowly and carefully, you open the door a crack. As expected, you could see a normal, but slightly dilapidated tiled hallway. The service passages in any mall where the general public weren't allowed. You check your biosensor again, but you were still getting lots of contacts and it was still hard to tell what was what. But, you could sense large groups in the Mall's main concourse, and another deeper in the service section.

>Investigate the concourse.
>Investigate the service section.
>Split up with HK.
>Other

>>3065143
>>Investigate the service section.

>>3065143
>>Investigate the service section.

>>3065143
>>Investigate the service section.
You know, I have to wonder if we're still doing the job they hired us to do at this point, which was to make distractions via killing stuff right?

>>3065143
>Investigate the service section.

>>3065153
I'd say we can start causing mayhem after a bit of investigation. Plus, who knows what stuff we can salvage in the mall. First stop should be the Hardware store.

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>>3065143
"Come on, let's move." You whisper to HK, moving deeper into the old service section of the mall...

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>3065170

Rolled 4 (1d20)

Here comes the dice

>>3065174
Woops forgot to link

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>3065170

>>3065174
And once again I fail at that >>3065170

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>3065170

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>>3065170
And pretty quickly, you could tell that you were on the right track. Littered through the hallways were the corpses of former Willamette residents, their partially rotting bodies sporting fresh bullet wounds. You were also careful to step around the hundreds of spent brass casings all over the floor. Looks like these BSAA guys had no concern cleaning up after themselves.

Soon enough, you carefully peek around a corner, where you could see a squad of green suited BSAA soldiers and Melissa standing in front of what looked to be a heavy security door. A vault of some kind? You also noticed that they had a fusion torch. A piece of heavy equipment designed to melt its way through any obstacle. Were they trying to rob something? Not very characteristic of an international law enforcement agency.

There was a brief buzzing when a golden beam of light lances out from the barrel of the torch and pierces into the vault door. The heavy armored steel begins to glow a bright orange as the extreme heat ate away at its structure.

You could tell that Melissa was talking with her subordinates, but the roar of the torch and the distance made it impossible to hear.

"Observation inconclusive." HK notes. "Lacking sufficient data for proper analysis."

Of course.

>Confront Melissa over what she's doing.
>Continue to observe from a distance.
>Try to sneak closer to eavesdrop.
>Other

>>3065192
How good is HK's lip reading?

>>3065192
>>Continue to observe from a distance.

>>3065192
>Try to sneak closer to eavesdrop.

>>3065195
smart anon! also this!

>>3065192
>Try to sneak closer to eavesdrop.

I can also go with lip reading.

>>3065195
If she can, we could just look at her to tell what's' going on. Otherwise,
>Try to sneak closer to eavesdrop.

>>3065192
>>Continue to observe from a distance.

File: HK416 20.jpg (1.47 MB, 1748x3496)

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>>3065192
"HK, can you read their lips?" You ask.

"I could, but I would need to maintain unbroken visual contact." HK responds. "At this angle, I cannot gain an acceptable line of sight."

"Got it, so we gotta move in closer." You sigh.

"Suggestion. One of us should stay behind on overwatch. It would be easier for one person to sneak in, anyways." HK observes.

>You should go in.
>HK should go in.
>You both should stay together.
>Other

>>3065220
>>HK should go in.
She's the one with the skill after all.

>>3065220
>HK should go in.

Perhaps if she's caught and questioned, HK can just say Lewis sent her to split up and investigate.

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>>3065220
>>HK should go in.

File: HK416 7.png (5.12 MB, 2500x3500)

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Rolled 20, 4, 16 = 40 (3d20)

>>3065220
...

File: Bloodborne Blood Drunk Hunter.jpg (740 KB, 1503x4096)

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I just hope all this power doesn't get to Lewis' head too much. Don't need him going mad like a bloodthirsty Hunter, more beast than man.

>>3065230
Hk is now my waifu.

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>>3065238
"HK, you think you can handle it?" You ask her.

"Of course. You can depend on me." HK nods before silently stalking off.

And... for a robot, HK was pretty terrifyingly adept at moving silently and stealthily. Her inhuman situational awareness allowed her to duck and dodge patrolling BSAA soldiers with perfect timing, staying and and staying behind various pieces of cover like support pillars and cargo crates. There were a few tight spots where you were almost ready to jump in, sure that there was no way HK could evade detection, only for her to pull a swift and perfectly executed move to stay out of their line of sight.

Soon enough, HK is able to set up in a blind spot in their patrols where she had a line of sight on Melissa.

"Target sighted. Transmitting audio reconstruction." HK's voice buzzes through your radio.

"No word from the team inside?" Melissa's simulated voice asks. It was a nice approximation, but completely devoid of the subtle inflections and emotion of actual human speech.

"Nothing so far, ma'am." One of the soldiers replies. "We're not sure of the state inside, so maybe-"

"I'm not writing them off until I see it with my own two eyes." Melissa grunts. "And I don't intend to take the fall for someone else's mess. Get that perimeter secured. I'll handle the breach."

"Yes ma'am!"

The soldier then jogs off, leaving Melissa to star at the progress of the fusion torch as it slowly melts its way through the vault door.

"Not further audio data available." HK announces.

>You're in over your head. Maybe you should get out of here.
>Go talk to Melissa. Looks like she knew where these "civilians" were the whole time.
>Continue to comb the mall for clues.
>Other

>>3065252
>>Continue to comb the mall for clues.

>>3065252
>>Go talk to Melissa. Looks like she knew where these "civilians" were the whole time.
Never a simple job is there?

>>3065252
>Go talk to Melissa. Looks like she knew where these "civilians" were the whole time.

>>3065252
>Continue to comb the mall for clues.

>>3065252
>Continue to comb the mall for clues.

>>3065252
>Continue to comb the mall for clues.

>>3065252
>>>Continue to comb the mall for clues.

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>>3065243
There's always Carol, and Alice, (and maybe Lucina) willing to bring him down for his own good if he grows out of control.

Just hope the time magic doesn't go haywire, otherwise everyone could just end up in a Groundhog Day loop.

>>3065252
>>You're in over your head. Maybe you should get out of here.
You know, we could just go out there and actually kill things and not worry about these people anymore. It seems like they're truly here to rescue people, and why does it matter whom they want to save?

>>3065274
Groundhog day loop with just Lucina? Could get very lewd!

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>>3065252
Something was definitely up here. Sure, as a Hunter, you weren't supposed to question the job you were doing, but something about this whole situation didn't sit right with you. What the heck were the BSAA boy scouts doing? Were the civvies they were trying to save affiliated with them somehow?

You felt this warranted some more investigation.

"HK, link back up with me." You whisper through your comm.

"Roger."

HK is able to silently and effortless sneak her way back to your position while you try to figure out your next move.

Maybe you could find something of use in the main concourse. It looks like that's where the BSAA have set up their field HQ. Maybe you could pull some intel off there. Or maybe the mall's security system was still running. It could have valuable recordings you could see.

Or, if the BSAA were trying to break into some secret unmapped section of the mall, there had to be some sort of alternate entrance in there, right...?

>Check out the concourse.
>Inspect the security room.
>Search for an alternate entrance.
>Other

>>3065283
>Inspect the security room.

>>3065283
>Inspect the security room.

>>3065283
>Search for an alternate entrance.

>>3065279
>>3065274
Looking back on it, Lewis and Lucina are actually oddly similar in some respects. Both didn't get to choise being special (super, or peak human). The only difference really being is that she can live openly and be paraded around as a hero, while he has to live in hiding lest he end up in the same parade, but as a head on a pike.

>>3065283
>Check out the concourse.

>>3065283
>>Inspect the security room.

>>3065283
>Inspect the security room.
Heading to bed, night all.

>>3065283
>>Search for an alternate entrance.

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>>3065283
"Come on, let's check out the security room." You whisper to HK.

"Affirmative." HK nods. "According to the schematics of the building, the security room should be this way."

Fortunately for you, it didn't seem like the BSAA soldiers were interested in guarding this section of the service area, the halls being practically empty. HK leads you to an old door with the word "SECURITY" stenciled on it in fading letters.

"We're here." HK points out as she pulls the door open.

Inside seemed... just like any other security room. There was a row of monitors and control consoles. HK's eyes glow as she scans the area.

"There is still residual electricity running through these systems." She reports. "However in order to retrieve any data, we need to reset the breaker."

"Will the BSAA notice?" You wonder.

"Very likely. Resetting the security breaker may cause the entire building's power to briefly short circuit."

"Any alternatives?" You frown.

"I can attempt to power the system with my own onboard battery." HK remarks. "Of course, this may pose some potential minor danger to my electrical systems, but it is a risk I am willing to take for you."

>Reset the security breaker.
>Hook HK up to the system.
>Other

>>3065310
>Just search the mall
If something happens to HK we're not getting her half-a-ton ass out of here by ourselves. And alerting BSAA seems counterproductive.

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>>3065310
>>Hook HK up to the system.

>>3065290
>>3065279
Considering her background, I think she's the only person who can handle being a full member in the family.

>>3065310
>Reset the security breaker.

>Yeah I'm not willing to take that risk HK

Need a name name for her. Helena maybe?

>>3065310
>>Hook HK up to the system.

>>3065310
>Hook HK up to the system.
Be careful.

>>3065310

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>>3065310
"You sure you can handle it, HK?" You ask cautiously.

"Of course. My system is built to very high tolerances." HK assures you as she pulls up her sleeve. She grabs a cable from the power box and jabs it directly into her forearm. "I just need you to flip that switch."

"All right..." You saw somewhat skeptically as you follow HK's instructions.

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>3065323
Well....Here comes the snow.

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>3065323

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>3065323

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>>3065323
HK closes her eyes, and suddenly the screens start to flip on one by one, showing camera feeds of various areas around the mall. Well, the working ones, at least.

"You'll have to handle the fine control." HK murmurs. "I'm currently running at minimum capacity to maintain steady power supply."

"Right." You nod as you head over to one of the consoles. Working the system was simple enough. It had to be for simple rent a cops to operate. You simply roll back the recorded footage by about a week or so, and that's when you find it.

Two people, civilians from the look of it. A man and a woman. The man was smarmy looking but rugged, clutching a camera in his hands and taking the occasional photo. The woman was rather tall, at least half a head taller than the man. She had short, cropped blonde hair, and was walking with power and confidence.

"You sure this tip you got is legit, Aly?" The photographer asks. "I mean, I know this place is a hellhole and all, but all the drama's already passed. Zombies are yesterday's news, you know."

"I always perform my due diligence when it comes to my sources." The woman huffs. "And don't call me Alys, Mr. West. It's Miss Ashford to you."

"Right right." West laughs heartily. "The world's two most famous reporters teaming up for a gig, huh? What can we possibly be digging up?"

"Don't get the wrong idea, West, I only asked you to come along because my source insisted I be discreet, and you're not connected to any of the major networks. You have just as much reason to keep this to yourself as me."

"Right on the money as always, Alys!" West winks.

"Please stop that." Ashford groans.

You continue to follow the pair on the camera feeds, but soon they head off into the maintenance section, where the cameras appear to be down. But it didn't take too much to piece together that they had something to do with that sealed vault.

"Well, that's something." You nod as you reset the system to real time. You're about to order HK to disconnect herself when more movement catches your eye. You can see the BSAA troops in the concourse hurriedly dashing for defensive positions. You turn your gaze to an exterior camera, where you could see several ominous, unmarked helicopters making a beeline straight for the mall.

Looks like this job was getting even more complicated than you thought....

>And that's it for tonight! We'll be continuing things tomorrow, so don't miss it!

>>3065333
Thanks for the thread, Merc!

>>3065314
Sounds alright, though we could also go for Hilda. Either way, I think the K should be used as well. Probably as a last name.

Speaking of names, what theme should Lewis use to name his kids? If he ends up with Lucina, they could use a bunch of L names like Lang, Lee, Louise, Leo, etc.

>>3065731
Leo and Alice.

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>>3065333
"Those... aren't BSAA, are they?" You frown as you see the approaching fleet of black helicopters."

"Negative." HK shakes her head. "Lack of identifying features and inconsistent paint scheme indicates a 7.02% these are BSAA affiliated vehicles."

And as if to confirm HK's observation, the helicopters starting dropping large, tubular containers, all too familiar to you. BOW drop pods, designed specifically to deliver BOWs to conflict zones with minimal risk to the delivering force.

Already, you could see dozens of the reptilian Hunters, about four Tyrant classes including two armored variants, and, a sight that makes you cold just seeing it-

"Nemesis-class BOW sighted." HK confirms. "Threat index now upgraded to Extremely Hazardous."

Whoever was delivering these things... they REALLY didn't want the BSAA to find what they were looking for. Already, the BSAA troops on the ground below were scrambling to form a defensive line. Melissa herself was also storming out into the concourse, her body language and rapidly pointing arms indicating she was organizing the response. They prepared of course, being heavily armed and well equipped, but against a BOW force like this...

>Well, you were hired to help them out, right?
>This has gone way beyond what you signed up for...
>Other

>>3067097
>>Well, you were hired to help them out, right?
Time to earn our paycheck!

>>3067097
>>Well, you were hired to help them out, right?

>>3067103
even if, y'know, we weren't exactly hired to go to the mall itself. Bonus points, maybe?

>>3067097
>Well, you were hired to help them out, right?

>>3067097
>Well, you were hired to help them out, right?


>>3067064
>>3065731
Locke, Lyle, Lizbeth, Loki

>>3067097
>Well, you were hired to help them out, right?

>>3067108
Haha! Maybe since we're helping them more directly than what the job asked for, it counts as overachieving?

File: 1370682932218.jpg (89 KB, 567x600)

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>>3067178
Unfortunately, that also includes painting a target on our heads for our new friends to aim at.

>>3067097
>>Well, you were hired to help them out, right?

>>3067097
>>Well, you were hired to help them out, right?

I see two plans of action here.

1: Kill the small fry asap to murder the big guys with focused fire.

2: Kill the nemesis in an attempt to cause morale loss among st the BOWs

Extra plan: HE everywhere + Environmental hazards = PROFIT

File: HK416 5.jpg (472 KB, 900x1272)

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>>3067097
"Well, we've been hired to help these guys out, right?" You grin.

"Correct." HK nods. "It would not be professional of you to abandon a client in the the middle of a job."

"Of ME?" You raise an eyebrow. "I thought we were partners!"

"I still am subservient to your authority." HK points out. "Therefore the liability would lay on you."

You're not sure if HK was just being blunt as usual, or was making an effort at a joke. Regardless, now was not the time to figure it out. You had to do something about those BOWs, after all.

>Coordinate with Melissa on how to handle them.
>Nah, you can do it your own way.
>Other

>>3067271
>>Nah, you can do it your own way.

>>3067271
>>Nah, you can do it your own way.

>>3067271
>>Nah, you can do it your own way.

>>3067271

>Nah, you can do it your own way.

We can lead some of the slower and tougher BOW's on a merry goose chase around to buy time for the line to clear out the trash mobs.

>>3067271
>Coordinate with Melissa on how to handle them.

>>3067271
>Nah, you can do it your own way.
How quickly can we get back to the ATV, and can we do drive-by grenades?

>>3067271
>>Coordinate with Melissa on how to handle them.
Sup, Mel!

>>3067271
>>Nah, you can do it your own way.

File: HK416 24.png (1.79 MB, 1640x2304)

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>>3067271
"All right, let's see, how will we do this..." You mutter.

"Tactical analysis. Long range combat is the ideal response, due to the lack of cover outside and the long sightlines." HK states. "However, we lack long ranged weaponry to exploit these environmental factors."

"Yeah, we'd have to make do with your assault rifle and Typhoon launcher, huh?" You frown and glance down at the parking lot, where you noticed there were several BSAA vehicles parked, completely forgotten in the chaos. "What if commandeered one of those?"

"It would give us additional mobility." HK nods. "But it would raise our threat index significantly. It is likely the BOWs would focus their aggression on us, instead."

>Try to engage them at range.
>Use the vehicles to get in close.
>Other

>>3067392
>Use the vehicles to get in close.

>>3067392
>Use the vehicles to get in close.

>>3067392

>Use the vehicles to get in close.

Get that Benny Hill track ready...

>>3067392
>>Use the vehicles to get in close.

>>3067392
>>Use the vehicles to get in close.

>>3067392
>>Use the vehicles to get in close.
Tactical borrowing!

>>3067392
>>Use the vehicles to get in close

File: HK416 9.jpg (497 KB, 1181x1748)

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>>3067392
"I think we could use a ride." You say, pointing to the parked BSAA vehicles.

"They should be easy enough to commandeer." HK nods. "Which one shall we take?"

Well, there were really two different types of vehicle. The lighter, faster open topped jeeps, or the heavier armored closed topped trucks.

>Light jeep.
>Armored truck.
>Other

>>3067464
>>Light jeep.

>>3067464
>>Light jeep.

>>3067464

>Light jeep.

>>3067464
>Armored truck.

>>3067464
>>Armored truck.

>>3067464
>Armored truck

>>3067464
>>Armored truck.

>>3067464
>Light jeep
Open topped seems like a better fit for HK's Typhoon.

File: 52010628_p0.jpg (162 KB, 1000x622)

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Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>3067464
Hmmm, looks like we've got to break the tie...

1. Light jeep
2. Armored truck

>>3067471
>>3067475
>>3067476
>>3067530
unlike the time when we only tried to stay away from combat using the minimally armored ATV, this time we're heading towards the BOWs with the intent to close in on them. Thus more mobility at the cost of armor is illogical if we want to stay in range and keep fighting in order to distract them. The faster option would only make sense if we were using a longer ranged weapon.

>>3067547
Ah fuck it nvm I guess.

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>>3067547
"We'll take that one!" You point to one of the light open topped jeeps. Thankfully, it seemed to have a pintle mounted .50 machine gun, as well.

"Roger." HK nods as the both of you dash across the concourse towards the parking lot.

>You drive.
>HK drives.
>Other

>>3067558
>You drive

>>3067558
>HK drives.

>>3067558
>>You drive.
She's the one with more firepower

>>3067558
>>You drive.

>>3067558
>You drive.
she can focus on grenades and gunfire.

>>3067558
>You drive.

>>3067558
>You drive.

File: 56441305_p0.png (3.81 MB, 1890x1176)

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>>3067558
You drop into the driver's seat. Fortunately, the keys were still in the ignition, you assume ready for a quick escape. HK meanwhile hops into the back and mans the pintle mounted machine. She swiftly checks if its loaded and readies it to fire as you rev the engine to life.

"Target priority?" HK asks as the jeep gets moving.

Well, there were three primary threats to the BSAA troops. There was the frontline consisting of Hunters and two Tyrant BOWs. Then there was the backline consisting of two Armored Tyrants, packing exo weapons similar to HK's Typhoon launcher. They could rain down some serious hell on the BSAA lines.

And finally, there was the Nemesis. That thing along could take on small armies by itself. That thing was going to take some serious application of focused firepower to take down...

>Sow confusion on the frontline.
>Suppress the backline.
>Draw the Nemesis' attention.
>Other

>>3067632
>>Suppress the backline.

>>3067632
>>Suppress the backline.
Be prepared for potential unwanted guests. Maybe crystallize our right arm for extra protection from the passenger seat.

>>3067632
>Suppress the backline.
Nothing I hate more than enemies harassing me from far away. Then we can deal with the Nemesis.

>>3067632
>Suppress the backline.

>>3067632
>>Suppress the backline.
Grenades are good for many targets, not so good vs one really powerful one.

>>3067632
>Suppress the backline.

>>3067632
>Sow confusion on the frontline.
We're in an open-topped vehicle, going against BOWs with heavy weapons is suicide.

>>3067632
>>Suppress the backline.

>>3067632
>>Suppress the backline.

File: SabJLrM.jpg (143 KB, 1000x868)

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>>3067632
You make a beeline for the Armored Tyrants, intending to suppress them and prevent them from laying down support fire on the BSAA troops.

As you got closer, you could start to pick out what exactly they were armed with. One looked to have a number of rocket racks mounted on its shoulders and arms, while the other was lugging what appeared to be a recoilless rifle of some sort. Those were definitely weapons meant to engage long range targets, but stationary ones. Hopefully their aim wasn't too good against something small and light like a jeep...

>Keep pestering them from a distance, at the edge of their effective range.
>Get right up next to them to reduce the impact of their weapons.
>Other

>>3067719
>Keep pestering them from a distance, at the edge of their effective range.

>>3067719
>>Get right up next to them to reduce the impact of their weapons.

>>3067719
>>Get right up next to them to reduce the impact of their weapons.

>>3067719
>>Get right up next to them to reduce the impact of their weapons.
if they're meant to fight at long range stationary targets, then short range mobile and fast targets should be harder to hit.

>>3067719
>Get right up next to them to reduce the impact of their weapons.

File: Jeep.jpg (109 KB, 1023x621)

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>>3067719
>>Get right up next to them to reduce the impact of their weapons.
Time to go desert raider on their asses.

File: Camo girls.jpg (1.46 MB, 1479x1920)

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Rolled 7, 3 = 10 (2d20)

>>3067719
You turn the wheel and hit the accelerator, driving straight at the two Armored Tyrants. Your best bet was to get up close so they couldn't bring their heavy weapons to bear.

You just had to close the distance...

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>3067761

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>3067761

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>3067761

File: HK416 21.jpg (1.24 MB, 946x1200)

1.24 MB JPG

Rolled 5, 3, 11 = 19 (3d20)

>>3067761
...

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>>3067801
The two Armored Tyrants attempt to turn to engage you, but your jeep closes the distance far too quickly and swiftly for them to be able to effectively track you. HK meanwhile lets go with her machine gun, pumping .50 shells into the two heavy BOWs. They simply wordlessly take the fire and continue to attempt to get a bead on you.

It's then that you notice the rocket Tyrant's munitions were dangerously exposed, and could be set off in the right conditions, while the cannon Tyrant was a bit faster on getting its weapon trained on you...

>Focus on the rocket Tyrant
>Focus on the cannon Tyrant
>Other

>>3067831
Are the two close enough together for both to be caught in a blast? If so, focus on the rocket tyrant.

If not, deal with the bigger threat, the cannon tyrant.

>>3067831
>>Focus on the rocket Tyrant

>>3067831
>>Focus on the rocket Tyrant

>>3067831
>>Focus on the rocket Tyrant

>>3067831
>>Focus on the rocket Tyrant

>>3067831
>Focus on the rocket Tyrant

>>3067831
>Focus on the rocket Tyrant

>>3067831
>Focus on the rocket Tyrant
Maximum Distraction

File: 34141675.jpg (309 KB, 728x1085)

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Rolled 7, 17 = 24 (2d20)

>>3067831
"HK! Focus fire on the rockets!" You yell.

"Affirmative!" HK yells back as she trains the MG onto the new target.

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>3067873

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>3067873

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>3067873

File: HK416 19.png (924 KB, 1234x1234)

924 KB PNG

Rolled 12, 8, 14 = 34 (3d20)

>>3067873
...

File: the-violence-has-escalate(...).png (154 KB, 500x593)

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>>3067876
nice

>>3067876
Lewis is a master behind the wheel.

>>3067551
I’m not sure if the truck is armored enough to tank the monsters, dodging blows with a Jeep still makes more sense.

File: 45136376.jpg (133 KB, 1000x720)

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>>3067878
"HK! Get ready!" You yell as you pull rapidly at the wheel, putting the jeep into a steep drift.

The cannon Tyrant attempts to track your movements, its recoilless rifle swinging to get a lock. However, the moment it does and pulls the trigger, the moment of your jeep carries you right on the opposite side of the rocket Tyrant, slamming right into one of its arm mounted rocket launchers.

The explosion nearly flips the jeep over, the shockwave causing the wheels on one side to lift dangerously in the air. But quick thinking on both yours and HK's part to shift your own body weight over keeps the jeep in balance. And when yours eyes adjust, all there is left is a smoking crater.

In the distance you could still see the BSAA forces pouring firing into the oncoming frontline BOWs, they haven't made it to the defensive line, yet. The Nemesis continues to hold its position at its initial landing point, seemingly observing. Were its owners reluctant to commit it to the fight?

>Assist with the frontline.
>Attack the Nemesis.
>Take the chance to disengage.
>Other

>>3067902
>>Take the chance to disengage.
Maybe the Nemesis will just go home?

>>3067902
>>Assist with the frontline.
I''d rather fight the nemesis with help than not. Besides, the frontline is vulnerable to flanking attacks!

>>3067902
>>Assist with the frontline.
Clear the fodder before the boss makes it's move.

>>3067902
>Assist with the frontline.

>>3067902
>>Assist with the frontline.
Time for some roadkill.

>>3067902
>Assist with the frontline.

>>3067902
>Assist with the frontline.
Are we wearing shades?

>>3067919
Does turning our eyelids into crystal count?

>>3067919
We could try forming a carapace visor like kid Lewis did before getting his powers sealed if he doesn't have any.

File: 70322197_p0.jpg (385 KB, 1000x704)

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Rolled 7, 11, 5 = 23 (3d20)

>>3067902
"All right, we're gonna help mop these bastards up!" You yell to HK as you spin the jeep around, pointing right at the main engagement.

"What about the Nemesis?" HK asks.

"Just keep an eye on it. If it doesn't get involved, we don't need to worry about it." You instruct.

"Affirmative." HK nods.

So you put the pedal to the metal as you dive straight into the mess.

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>3067923
time for robot assisted drive-by

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>3067923

If we get HK to drive, can we tell her to put the metal to the pedal to the metal?

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>3067923

File: Melissa 4.jpg (938 KB, 872x1200)

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Rolled 4, 16, 1, 16, 19, 13 = 69 (6d20)

>>3067923
...

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>>3067933
The BOWs don't even see you coming as your jeep roars and dives into their midst. Your vehicle is bumped and rocked as Hunters are knocked aside like road cones. One of the Tyrants takes a swipe at your jeep, forcing HK to duck down and the arms swipes the mounted machine gun clean off.

However, the Tyrant's head suddenly disappears into a cloud of red mist, and the second Tyrant goes down almost a second later.

There's cheers among the BSAA troops as Melissa smugly sets down her still smoking anti-material rifle. The Hunters are quickly mopped up by the rest of her team.

And the Nemesis never got involved, disappearing in all of the chaos. You assume it must have withdrawn.

"I'm not sure whether I should punch you or shake your hand." Melissa grins as she walks up to your now parked jeep. "You're a bit out of your designated area, aren't you?"

"I got a bit lost." You shrug.

"That would imply my navigation software is faulty." HK points out.

"You're totally missing the point here, HK..." You groan.

"Hah, don't worry about it!" Melissa laughs, slapping your shoulder with her prosthetic arm, which stung a whole damn lot. "You did me and my guys a solid, so I won't bust your balls!"

"So, uh, is the mission complete?" You ask, just to make sure.

"Let's just say... yeah, it is." Melissa nods. "The civvies are found and safe. That's all you need to know!"

>Can't you tell me a bit more?
>I think we're entitled to a bonus.
>Guess we should get out of here then, huh?
>Other

>>3067942
>>Guess we should get out of here then, huh?
Let's talk business once we're all out of the combat zone.

>>3067942
>Guess we should get out of here then, huh?

>>3067942
>>Guess we should get out of here then, huh?

>>3067942
>>I think we're entitled to a bonus.

>>3067942
>I think we're entitled to a bonus.

>>3067942
>I think we're entitled to a bonus.
>Who were those guys that attacked you?
Asking about the vault or the civvies would be suspicious, but she can't fault us for asking about the BOW-dropping strangers.

>>3067942
>>I think we're entitled to a bonus.

Last time we do free work

>>3067942
How about this for a bonus: the real story?

>>3067952
How is it free work when we literally ignored our original given job to do this instead?

>>3067942
>Guess we should get out of here then, huh?

File: HK416 26.jpg (728 KB, 1089x1228)

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>>3067942
"You know..." You cross your arms. "I think we're entitled to a bit of a bonus, you now?"

>Roll 1d20+1

Rolled 16 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>3067970
Cash money

Rolled 18 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>3067970

Rolled 12 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>3067970

File: Melissa 10.jpg (63 KB, 900x1155)

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>>3067970
"Nnnnnn, fine." Melissa grunts. "You saved a lot of my guys, so I suppose I do owe you a bit."

>Just a little extra cash.
>Some intel.
>Something from the BSAA armory.
>Other

>>3067975
>>Some intel.
What the heck was really going on here?

>>3067975
>>Just a little extra cash.