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File: henchman.png (1.31 MB, 900x1560)
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Today’s shaping up to be a goddamn scorcher, even by Iraqi standards. The kind of heat that gets your blood boiling in more ways than one.

Camping out in the Devil’s Corridor definitely isn’t improving your mood any. Place has a lot of bad memories floating around it, and it’s starting to grate on you.

As much as you’d like to deny it, you can’t help but hope for an opportunity to work out your frustrations.

And given the position you’ve found yourself in, you might just get that wish.

Put bluntly, you’re gonna get hit, and soon. There’s no way it won’t happen. Not after your dipshit of a handler made an open broadcast of these coordinates as your pickup zone. The operatives that you tangled with back in Qurac seemed far too canny not to notice a breach in radio silence that massive.

Hopefully they’ll think it’s just a poorly-planned distraction and be slow to investigate, that might earn you some extra sand in your hourglass.

Guess disposable muscle like you and Shade don’t warrant the bandwidth of an encrypted channel or an alternative that wouldn’t leave the pair of you swinging in the wind.

Bet mission control would’ve changed their tune if they knew exactly what you hauled out of that embassy and halfway across the goddamn desert.

Nothing too important, just a case containing the only potential cure or countermeasure for an artificial plague with the potential to wipe out every metahuman alive, plus or minus a couple hundred million people.

Numbers like that really put things in perspective. You’ve had to make some hard choices to get this far, choices that may or may not have gotten the rest of your detachment killed.

But you’re not out of the woods yet. Just need to hold on for just a little while longer and you’ll be back in the good old USA.

It’s a comforting though that helps to distract you as you start digging into the canyon like a tick. If those bastards want these samples, you’re gonna make em fucking bleed for it first.

Still, things aren’t all bad. The radio you “borrowed” from your old FOB somehow manages to tune into the AFN station. In between inane updates about the status of the war and equally snoozeworthy news about the homefront, the DJ finally manages to sandwich in some goddamn music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVb-NqHZ34U

Their music taste is a bit out-of-date, but that’s not exactly breaking news given the general caliber of the Corps’ equipment.

Besides, some good tunes always helps to make the work go by faster.

And just because you’re running out of options doesn’t mean that you don’t have some tricks hidden up your sleeve.

First off, you carefully re-arm your stolen block of homemade C4 and nestle it amidst a rocky outcropping at the entrance to the canyon. All you need to do is slam the big red button, and let the fireworks commence.
>>
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>>5290058

The irony of this particular stratagem aren’t lost on you; that you’re mimicking the tactics of your former foes to strike back against an even greater threat. But just because it comes from the enemy playbook doesn’t mean it won’t work in a pinch.

Your next priority is to give yourself some wiggle room should things get down and dirty in closer quarters. Another tried-and-true insurgent technique makes an appearance as you start digging foxholes.

Luckily, Shade had some old entrenching tools that the both of you put to good use, digging a zigzagged pattern of holes in key spots throughout the twisting canyon. And in case you start running dry, you stock as much ammo as you can comfortably fit in each one.

But then, you have a flash of inspiration. Since you’re being extracted and won’t need the Humvee anymore, you rip and strip as much metal plating as you can tear off and fashion it into covers for the foxholes.

Sprinkle a load of sand on top, and voila! Got yourself a network of spiderholes. It’s a rush job to be sure, but it blends in well-enough with the environment. Besides, it’s not like anyone’s going to have the luxury of time to poke around without getting shot at.

Unless you’re dealing with some particularly eagle-eyed opposition, you shouldn’t have much to worry about.

As you finish digging the final hole, you let out a deep sigh of relief and shotgun the rest of your bottle of water.

Never thought you’d miss Gotham, but here we are. Hopefully, Gremlin was able to pass on your message to everyone important to you. Jack’s probably been panicking at your abrupt vanishing act, but at least he’s got some inkling of the truth now.

As a last precaution, you pick out a spot near one of the spiderholes, dig a small (but deep) hole, and stash the case of plague samples inside.

Should help reduce the chances of it catching a stray round during the fight and rendering this entire excursion an exercise in futility.

And if you and Shade go down for good, at least you’ll be able to laugh from the afterlife as they scrounge around for their prize.
>>
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>>5290060

All that’s left to do now is figure out the division of labor. From your perspective, there are two major hotzones; the canyon floor, and higher ground.

Whoever’s assigned to the canyon floor will be responsible for harassing the enemy with close-quarters hit-and-run attacks, before repositioning and hammering them again.

Whoever’s assigned to higher ground will be responsible for methodically picking off hostiles and generally making them afraid to poke their heads out for too long.

After a brief debate with Shade, you decide that…

> You’ll take the canyon floor, and Shade’ll take the higher ground. You know the terrain better, and he’s the better shot; seems like a win-win.

> You’ll take the higher ground, and Shade’ll take the canyon floor. Thanks to your leg injury, Shade can move faster than you, and you’re no slouch with a rifle.

> Other?
>>
>>5290063
>You’ll take the canyon floor, and Shade’ll take the higher ground. You know the terrain better, and he’s the better shot; seems like a win-win.
>>
>>5290063
>> You’ll take the canyon floor, and Shade’ll take the higher ground. You know the terrain better, and he’s the better shot; seems like a win-win.
>>
>>5290063

> You’ll take the canyon floor, and Shade’ll take the higher ground. You know the terrain better, and he’s the better shot; seems like a win-win.
>>
(Meant to post this one first, but that's alright.)

Your name is Sean Clayton, aka Gunsmoke, aka Defcon Last time, you raided the Russian embassy in Qurac, uncovered a horrifying plot, fled into painfully familiar territory, and are now awaiting extraction.

But something tells you it’s not going to be that easy.

> Hello everyone, and welcome back to another issue of DC: Henchman Quest! As always, I’m AxisQM. Rules are simple but flexible: 20-40 minutes to vote / roll what I say, rolls count even if you (or I) mess up the modifier, crit successes override, write-ins encouraged. If rolls / votes are slow to come in, I’ll do my best to adjust for it. As always, shout-out to the talented anon that whipped up our cover art.

Pastebin: https://pastebin.com/RwY7nc3S

Link to Previous Thread: http://thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2022/5228803/

Link to Archive: http://thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Henchman
>>
>>5290074
>>5290075
>>5290077

Go ahead and roll me some 1d100s+45

DC: 75 / 95 / 115
>>
Rolled 1 + 45 (1d100 + 45)

>>5290080
>>
>>5290081

Yeah, that tracks.
>>
>>5290081
oh come the fuck on
>>
Still need two more rolls in case of a miraculous turnaround.

You never know, it's happened before.
>>
Rolled 5 + 45 (1d100 + 45)

>>5290080
>>5290081
Die in hell please.
>>
Rolled 77 + 45 (1d100 + 45)

>>5290080
>>
Rolled 54 (1d100)

>>5290080
Lets just get this out of the way
>>
Rolled 59, 42 + 20 = 121 (2d100 + 20)

>>5290081
>>5290096
>>5290104

That's a critical failure.

Go ahead and roll me some 1d100s+30.

DC to be determined.
>>
Rolled 86 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5290109
>>
Rolled 81 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5290109
I don't know how that turned into that
>>
>>5290112
>>5290115

Feel free to roll again.
>>
Rolled 4 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5290128
>>
>>5290112
>>5290115
>>5290130

That's a success, writing.
>>
Rolled 74 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5290128
>>
>>5290081
>I'm sure we'll just have a nice, quiet wait for extrac
>in rolls an actual fucking tank
You gotta be shitting me.
>>
>>5290134

You take a crouched position in one of the spiderholes, ready to act as soon as Shade gives the word.

Since he’s on higher ground, he’ll be able to clock anyone trying to roll through.

Typically, you’d have the spiderhole cover up, but there’s not much point to that yet. Not until you get some indication of enemy activity.

You try to keep your eyes and ears open for any signs of an approaching enemy; incoming motors, unusual radio chatter, distant gunfire, that kind of stuff.

But no matter how hard you try, you don’t pick up anything suspicious.

Faintly, you hear a sharp cracking sound and immediately throw yourself deeper into the spiderhole out of pure instinct.

This reflex ends up saving your life.

Turned out to be a sniper shot, one left a golfball sized chunk ripped out of the space where your noggin used to occupy. Looks like he had you zeroed in for the kill.

Thank god for blind paranoia saving the day once again.

Before the sniper can line up another shot, you slam the metal cover down to give yourself some extra breathing room.

Fuck, they must’ve sent in a scouting party before rolling in with the main force. You should’ve accounted for that, it’s practically recon-in-force 101!

> “Shade! Keep your fucking head down, they’ve got a sniper posted somewhere!”

“I heard the shot! Are you hit?!”

> “Nah, I’ll live.”

“Good, then help me kill this prick! Think I might try to-“

There’s another crack off in the distance.

“Fuck, he grazed me!”

> “Just stay down, I’ve got a plan!”

Calling it a plan is generous, but you make do with what you’ve got.

You decide to…

> Move from cover to cover and bait the sniper into giving away his location. So long as he doesn’t manage to clip you, everything should go fine.

> Pop a smoke grenade and dash towards the side of the canyon the shot came from. Maybe you can scale the wall and get the drop on him.

> Try to pin the sniper down so that Shade can get a bead on him. He’s got you dead in his sights, so it won’t be an easy maneuver by any means.

> Detonate the C4 early and hope that the blast does the job for you. It’ll be a shame to waste all that firepower, but it’s the safest choice.

> Other?
>>
>>5290159
> Try to pin the sniper down so that Shade can get a bead on him. He’s got you dead in his sights, so it won’t be an easy maneuver by any means.
If we carefully coordinate...
>>
>>5290159
>> Try to pin the sniper down so that Shade can get a bead on him. He’s got you dead in his sights, so it won’t be an easy maneuver by any means.
>>
Rolled 80, 19 + 20 = 119 (2d100 + 20)

>>5290162
>>5290187

Roll me some 1d100s+15
>>
Rolled 100 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>5290189
>>
>>5290191

What the actual fuck.
>>
>>5290191
well well well, would you look at that.
>>
Rolled 22 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>5290189
>>5290191
Based anon, instantly made up for the critfail. Get btfo sniping fag
>>
>>5290191
>>5290081
This is why this is my favorite quest to lurk in
>>
>>5290191

That's a critical success, writing.

Still need a third roll in case you double crit or something equally crazy.
>>
>>5290197
>>5290200
Common lurker, cast the die!
>>
Rolled 10 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>5290189
I guess I'm here for this
>>
Rolled 70 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

Lets see how the dice are feeling.>>5290159
>>
>>5290200

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oWclEZprdc

On paper, your chosen line of thought reads like the mother of all clusterfucked ideas.

You’re springing directly into the sights of a sniper that knows exactly where you’re taking cover.

You’ve spent just enough time in the darkness of the spiderhole that your eyes need to readjust to the harsh rays of the desert sun.

You’re packing a rifle so old that it may’ve seen action before your parents were born.

The odds bounce around in your head. Ten-to-one that you make it through this without another addition to the patchwork of battle scars you seem to be cultivating.

Hundred-to-one that you actually manage to pull it off.

Hell, the only thing this plan really has going for it is that the sniper might not be expecting a move this colossally goddamn stupid.

But you’ve never been afraid of rolling the dice and putting it all on the line in the name of bold action.

> “I’m gonna lay down some suppressive fire, be ready to smoke this son of a bitch!”

“Got it!”

In one fluid motion, you dislodge the spiderhole's cover and pop out, scanning the overlooking ridges for a muzzle flash, reflected light, or any sign of movement.

While cautiously peering towards one of the various rocky outcroppings, you catch a momentary flash in your peripheral vision.

Time seems to slow to a shuddering crawl as the adrenaline kicks in and you wheel yourself towards the sniper and home in on his position.

In this moment of heightened awareness, little details burn themselves into your mind.

How the slight breeze trickles over your exposed skin.

How your heart rattles in its cage as you try to keep the nerves from dulling your edge.

How the rifle digs into your shoulder after the familiar recoil of a trigger-pull.

How your shot punches directly through the scope of his rifle and directly through his head.

Jesus. You don’t even remember making the conscious decision to pull the trigger on that one.

Went pretty deep into the zone that time. That flash you spotted must’ve meant that he had you directly in his sights.
>>
>>5290238

Guess your men must still be watching out for you. At least you gave them something to cheer about with a headshot like like.

Don’t think you’re liable to make another kill that sweet anytime soon.

“Holy shit, you actually fucking got him?! You’ve gotta show me how to do that!”

> “Celebrate later, Shade. This isn’t over yet. If I were him, I would’ve radioed in our exact positions before engaging. His buddies are definitely on their way if they weren’t already.”

“Sure would be great if our evac ever bothered to show up.”

> “Just keep buying time. We’ll make it through this.”

And now, you’re actually starting to believe that rhetoric.

Is there any last-second stuff you’d like to do?

> Rig the areas near the main entrance with your frag grenades. If you can funnel any hostiles into them, it’ll be one hell of a killzone.

> Scavenge that sniper’s body. Might be carrying something useful.

> Explore the area for any side passages or vulnerabilities. Maybe you missed something in your sweep earlier.

> Just take a breather and rest in your spiderhole. Need to grab all the quiet moments of peace you can, before the next wave comes crashing down on you.

> Other?
>>
>>5290243
> Scavenge that sniper’s body. Might be carrying something useful.
>>
>>5290243
>> Scavenge that sniper’s body. Might be carrying something useful.
>>
>> Scavenge that sniper’s body. Might be carrying something useful.
>>
>>5290253
>>5290255
>>5290258

Go ahead and roll me some 1d100s+30

(Just realized that +45 roll I did earlier should've been +30, but it ended up not mattering. I also forgot to add...)

> Skill Improved! Walking Apokolips: +20 to combat rolls when using Apokoliptian firearms, +20 to all other firearms.
>>
Rolled 10 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5290264
>>
Rolled 42 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5290264
>>
Man, I'm fumbling all over the place today.

Sorry anons.

DC: 50 / 70 / 90
>>
Rolled 88 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5290264
>>5290268
rip
>>
>>5290265
>>5290267
>>5290270

That's an excellent success. Writing.
>>
Rolled 63, 72 = 135 (2d100)

>>5290272

After the arduous hike to the ridge where you counter sniped your would-be assailant, you subject him to the greatest and most noble of ancient wartime traditions; looting.

His rifle is certainly something else. Definitely a cut above what you’re packing, and it doesn’t resemble anything you’ve ever seen floating around the commercial market. Definitely a far cry from the museum pieces most of the locals tote around.

Doesn’t hold a candle to your Apokoliptian carbine, but that’s a tough act to follow.

Your next find isn’t as exciting, but offers some real potential. Tucked away in his shirt pocket is a little transponder of sorts. Guessing that’s how they kept tabs on his location.

If you had more time you could use it to set up an ambush, but the best choice in this moment is just to smash it and hope the loss of direction delays any reinforcements. Maybe some of the eggheads back at base can glean something useful from its electronic carcass.

But your last discovery raises far more questions than answers.

Firstly, you notice that he’s definitely not from around here. Put bluntly, he looks more like you than a local insurgent with a grudge. Most probably, he belongs to the same outfit that’s been hot on your trail.

And tucked inside one of his pants pockets is a crumpled up sheet of orders. Most of it’s missing, probably because of the big bold lettering at the top that reads DESTROY AFTER READING.

After skimming the remnants of the document, a few things are made clear.

First, that you were correct in your suspicions that these guys aren’t from some run-of-the-mill merc outfit.

They’re far too organized for that. From the way they operate and coordinate themselves, they’re definitely backed by somebody higher up the geopolitical food chain.

And that those employers, who call themselves Cadmus, desperately want to recover something called “The Ragnarök Contingency.”

Well, that’s not an ominous nickname at all.

There’s also a little symbol near the bottom of the page, like it’s their logo or something. Guess everyone has to have a personal brand these days.

Besides that, he doesn’t have much else of value. No wallet or anything either.

Guess he must’ve been packing light to avoid cutting down on speed, for all the good it did him.

You have barely enough time to pack away the bits and pieces of the transponder, stuff the stolen orders someplace safe, grab your new rifle, and get back to your spiderhole before Shade reports vehicles kicking up dust clouds.

Looks like you’ve got some more company.

Let’s see how they like your welcoming gift.

> Roll me some 1d100s+15

(DC to be determined)
>>
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>>5290299

And here's the symbol stamped on the sniper's orders.
>>
Rolled 89 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

I have a bad feeling about this roll.>>5290299
>>
Rolled 4 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>5290299
>>
Never mind. no one roll a one.>>5290307
>>
Rolled 61 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>5290299
ding dong
>>
On thin ice.>>5290308
>>
Rolled 41, 56, 36 + 10 = 143 (3d100 + 10)

>>5290307
>>5290308
>>5290311

That's a success, go ahead and roll me some 2d100s

First roll is yours (+20), second is Shade's (+25)

DC to be determined
>>
Rolled 65, 4 = 69 (2d100)

>>5290314
>>
Rolled 15, 29 = 44 (2d100)

>>5290314
>>
Rolled 86, 81 = 167 (2d100)

>>5290314
Catchphrase
>>
>>5290322

That's a success for you both.

Think this is a good time to wrap things up for tonight, session'll resume on Friday at 5:00 PM EST.

As always, thanks for playing! Hope to see you all again next time.
>>
>>5290191
>>5290081
What crack is this?
>>
>>5290474
hench quest in a nutshell. That luck jinx is draining from all the other quests.
>>
>Read through the quest in one night
God DAMN this is a really cool quest, can't wait to get back to Gotham though
>>
>>5291834
I wanna kill that one traitorous fuck and get that magic gun, god damn waller, god damn suicide squad. worst thing is when we head back to gotham with nothing to show for this entire trip and we will be back to putting up with the justice league getting on our asses again and it's probably gonna be one of the big 7 seven.
>>
>>5291858
We get dirt on waller through this and we can probably use that as a bargaining chip if we ever get into actual trouble with the JL.
>>
>>5291872
>>5291858
I just wanna know how we're getting out of this, I don't know too much about the Suicide Squad, but retirement doesn't seem to be an option
>>
>>5290474
>>5291261

Ain't that the truth. The dice just smell blood in the water sometimes.

>>5291834

Thanks, anon! Always glad to see new people pop in.

>>5291858

To be honest, I'm surprised it took this long for you guys to suffer your first major failure.

>>5292193

That is the million dollar question, isn't it?

Anyhow, session'll be live in like 20 minutes. I've been thinking about doing sessions on Monday again, so I might give it a trial run to make sure I can mesh it with my schedule.

I'll have a decision by the end of tonight's run.
>>
>>5292275

You lurk inside the spiderhole with the detonator for the planted C4, waiting for Shade to give you the word.

He’s got a birds-eye view of the entrance to the canyon, and is perfectly positioned to call out the opportune moment to let it rip.

Plus, you need to maintain the element of surprise for as long as possible. Once the enemy is disorganized and reeling from the blast, you’ll spring out of hiding and really ruin their day.

“They’re nearly here, get ready!”

It’s funny how the mind tends to wander in situations like this. You used to be little better than street muscle pulling bush-league heists and cracking skulls for a paycheck. Just another faceless, nameless nobody trying to make a place for yourself in an uncaring world.

But along the way, things began to change; sometimes subtly, sometimes loudly. You’ve gotten physical with anyone and anything that gets in the way of your goals, including but not limited to; cultists, shadowy cabals, professional killers, black-ops operatives, international crime syndicates, hostile spirits, and even the Justice League.

You’ve unearthed ancient artifacts of immense arcane power, put restless spirits to rest, ran afoul of a powerful conspiracy, squared up and won against both heroes and villains, organized a South American insurgency, and won an underground prizefighting tournament.

And now you’re hiding in a hole, desperately buying time for a rescue that may never come.

C’est la vie.

“Now!”

You depress the plunger and are rewarded with a chorus of noise; chunks of rock rocketing from the walls of the canyon, the panicked screams and howls of the dead and dying, sporadic bursts of gunfire, and the metallic screeching of a vehicle being crushed.

After maybe thirty seconds have passed, you pop out of your spiderhole and open fire on the first thing you see.
>>
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>>5292291

As it turns out, you and Shade managed to corral the enemy exactly as planned.

At first glance, it looks like you’re engaging local insurgents or militia forces. It’s not easy to distinguish between the two, mostly because the difference is usually just decided by the side they’ve thrown their lot in with.

They had a couple technicals and a heavy-duty cargo truck repurposed as a troop transport, but the the rear technical was crushed by a rockslide, and Shade already dispatched the gunner on the other technicals.

As for their makeshift troop transport, everyone onboard hopped off and tried to find a position to return fire. A reasonable tactical decision, but one that had the unintended byproduct of sandwiching them directly between you and Shade.

It doesn’t take long for them to buckle under the pressure from both sides, and the pair of you clear out the entire group without breaking much of a sweat.

“That was easy.” Shade mutters, sounding almost disappointed at their poor showing.

> “Don’t get cocky. That was probably just them testing the waters, sending in the cannon fodder to see how we’d react. Chances are, we’ll be facing the real fighters next.”

“Good. Starting to get bored up here.”

While you’ve got a minute to breathe, you decide to…

> Boobytrap the collapsed entrance with your frag grenades. If they try to dislodge it, they’re in for one hell of a surprise.

> Get on an open broadcast and try to provoke somebody into tipping their hand early. If you can get in their heads, that’s half the battle won already. (Feel free to include a general theme / subject of your taunt)

> Recover the machine guns from the pair of remaining technicals. Might give you an edge when it comes to firepower.

> Reposition to another spiderhole. You dug em for a reason, to help keep the enemy guessing.

> Other?
>>
>>5292293
>> Boobytrap the collapsed entrance with your frag grenades. If they try to dislodge it, they’re in for one hell of a surprise.
>>
>>5292293
>> Boobytrap the collapsed entrance with your frag grenades. If they try to dislodge it, they’re in for one hell of a surprise.
>>
>>5292293
>Recover the machine guns from the pair of remaining technicals. Might give you an edge when it comes to firepower.
Nato tactical manuel says maintain superior firepower.
>>
>>5292293
> Boobytrap the collapsed entrance with your frag grenades. If they try to dislodge it, they’re in for one hell of a surprise.

They'll probably try to get through the rubble first, might as well surprise them
>>
>>5292293
>> Recover the machine guns from the pair of remaining technicals. Might give you an edge when it comes to firepower.
> Boobytrap the collapsed entrance with your frag grenades. If they try to dislodge it, they’re in for one hell of a surprise.
>>
>>5292301

Are you voting to boobytrap the entrance, or recover the guns?

Just trying to keep an accurate tally.
>>
>>5292293
> Recover the machine guns from the pair of remaining technicals. Might give you an edge when it comes to firepower.

Taking advantage of the gear without digging around to set a trap sounds good
>>
>>5292305
First Recover machine guns
>>
>>5292299
>>5292301
>>5292309

Alright, looks like recovering the machine guns from the remaining technicals win.

Roll me some 1d100s.

DC: 65 / 85
>>
Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>5292319
>>
Rolled 90 (1d100)

>>5292319
lurker chiming in to roll
>>
Rolled 35 (1d100)

>>5292319
Rollan
>>
>>5292323
nice
>>
Rolled 72, 63, 75 + 20 = 230 (3d100 + 20)

>>5292323
>>5292322
>>5292324

Nice, that's an excellent success.

Go ahead and roll me some 2d100s

First roll is yours (+30), second is Shade's (+25)

DC to be determined
>>
Rolled 72, 61 = 133 (2d100)

>>5292327
>>
Rolled 47, 81 = 128 (2d100)

>>5292327
>>
Rolled 22, 96 = 118 (2d100)

>>5292327
>>
>>5292328
>>5292329
>>5292331

A success on both counts, writing.
>>
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>>5292333

Your first and only priority at this stage is survival.

To that end, you spend the little downtime you’ve got seeking to recover the machine-guns mounted on the freshly depopulated technicals.

Thankfully, both MGs are totally intact, minus some inconsequential cosmetic damage.

As befitting the nature of their previous owners, they’re Cold War relics. Haven’t seen one of these babies since a particularly eventful firefight.

Look to be a pair of Eastern Bloc Dushkas, they’re temperamental and unwieldy sons of bitches but they pack a nasty punch.

Good thing Shade managed to nail the gunners before they could cause any real damage.

The Dushkas are far too heavy to move one up to Shade’s position, so you instead re-position them at opposite points along the canyon wall. That way, you can still maintain a heavy base of fire and potentially flank anyone that punches through the rubble.

Right as you finish getting the second Dushka loaded and ready for action, Shade calls out another warning.

“I’ve got half a dozen Humvees, rolling in hot!”

> “Damn it. Is it an American patrol?”

“Nah, they look more like the fuckers that’ve been hounding us since Qurac. Looking forward to planting more of these bastards?”

> “You know it. They’ll never know what hit em.”

As soon as they’re in range, Shade begins plinking away at anyone he can get a clear shot at and manages to nail the machine-gunner on a couple Humvees before being driven into cover by a fusillade of retaliation fire.

You post up on the nearest Dushka and watch the canyon entrance like a hawk. Time to show these clowns what a real fatal funnel looks like.

The Humvees try to carefully navigate their way through the rubble, but you absolutely shred them with the entrenched Dushka.

One of the Humvees stalls out from engine damage, and another two slam into each other after you nail one of the drivers.

After raking the exposed vehicles with a scathing amount of fire, you’re forced to fall back or risk being overwhelmed.

So far, everything is going about as well as you’d hoped. Judging from the number of holes you punched in their Humvees, at least half of their force has to be pushing up daises.

They’ve only got three Humvees left, one of which is lacking a gunner.

If you and Shade play this right, it should be easy enough to pick the stragglers off once they disperse to start hunting for you.

Suddenly, there’s a massive burst of static through your earpiece, causing you to wince.

Any lingering doubts that these bastards are from Cadmus is instantly dispelled. This looks, feels, and sounds exactly like their jamming tech.

And their motivation for jamming your comms quickly makes itself known.
>>
File: T72.jpg (73 KB, 1600x610)
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73 KB JPG
>>5292379

You watch dumbfounded as a fucking T72 tank rolls over the rubble and shrugs aside the shredded Humvees like wet tissue paper.

Looks like you’ve kicked the hornets nest and forced them to whip out the big boy toys.

Now that you can’t properly communicate with Shade, so coordinating a united response is entirely off the table.

You have to salute the cold pragmatism inherent to their plan. Send in the local yokels to soak up the heaviest fire, try to flush us out with superior numbers and firepower, eliminate our comms, and crush us with armored support if we’re still kicking.

Well, the first two phases of their plan were dismal failures, time to render the third equally successful.

But first, you need to focus on the biggest threat, which is…

> The remaining Humvees. You need to focus on neutralizing their infantry first, otherwise you risk being encircled or driven into a last stand.

> The T72. It’s a goddamn tank, if you don’t knock it out of action it as quickly as possible, it’ll rip you and Shade to shreds.

> Other?
>>
>>5292381
> The T72. It’s a goddamn tank, if you don’t knock it out of action it as quickly as possible, it’ll rip you and Shade to shreds.
Break their moral and they will flee
>>
>>5292381
>> The remaining Humvees. You need to focus on neutralizing their infantry first, otherwise you risk being encircled or driven into a last stand.
>>
>>5292381
> The T72. It’s a goddamn tank, if you don’t knock it out of action it as quickly as possible, it’ll rip you and Shade to shreds.

GET THIS SHITBOX ON TREADS OUTTA HERE
>>
>>5292381
>> The T72. It’s a goddamn tank, if you don’t knock it out of action it as quickly as possible, it’ll rip you and Shade to shreds.
>>
>>5292381
>> The T72. It’s a goddamn tank, if you don’t knock it out of action it as quickly as possible, it’ll rip you and Shade to shreds.
>>
>>5292381
> The T72. It’s a goddamn tank, if you don’t knock it out of action it as quickly as possible, it’ll rip you and Shade to shreds.
We've ripped their infantry to pieces, but that armor will put us away in a heartbeat if we don't deal with it.
>>
>>5292384
>>5292386
>>5292388
>>5292395
>>5292397

Focusing on the T72 wins, writing.
>>
>>5292400

Once you put Saddam’s shitbox back in the scrap heap it should’ve stayed in, the enemy infantry is sure to rout.

They have to be shaken by the scale of their casualties up to this point, and they’re sure to cut and run once you well and truly smash their armored backup.

And if they don’t for some reason, it’ll be a lot easier to mop them up without having heavy armor breathing down your neck.

The bottom line is, you don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of making it through this if you don’t handle that tank somehow.

It won’t be easy, especially with hostile infantry potentially getting in the way.

But that’s never stopped you before.

You try to…

> Trick the tank into chasing you into a dead-end. If you can outfox them, you should be able to get onboard and take out the crew.

> Pop a smoke grenade, move from cover to cover, and plant all your thermite grenades on the tank. Hopefully you’ll be able to cause some damage to the great beast.

> Nail the turret with an incendiary grenade. It’s a long shot, but maybe you can fuck with the barrel or ammo supply.

> Unlock your magical powers again. It’s incredibly risky, but you need some kind of equalizer to win this.

> Other?
>>
Dont use magic in the field that shits is too risky. Hear me out.

We charge the tank shooting as we go and drop some smoke down the air vents.
>>
I want that tank. Barring that we drop an incendiary down the air vents or up an exhaust port A Team style.
>>
>>5292410
>> Trick the tank into chasing you into a dead-end. If you can outfox them, you should be able to get onboard and take out the crew.

rip and tear until it is done
>>
>>5292410
>Unlock your magical powers again. It’s incredibly risky, but you need some kind of equalizer to win this.
Witness?
>>
>>5292410
>Write-in: Pop a smoke grenade, move from cover to cover, and take out the crew.
Shade can suppress the infantry, and we can abuse the T72's awful visibility to get up to it. Thank God we're in Iraq- at least one of the hatches should be open to counteract the OPVT intake.
>>
>>5292410
>> Trick the tank into chasing you into a dead-end. If you can outfox them, you should be able to get onboard and take out the crew.
>>
>>5292410
> Unlock your magical powers again. It’s incredibly risky, but you need some kind of equalizer to win this

We got da powa
>>
>>5292410
>>> Trick the tank into chasing you into a dead-end. If you can outfox them, you should be able to get onboard and take out the crew.
>>
Rolled 56, 89 + 25 = 170 (2d100 + 25)

>>5292448
>>5292436
>>5292423

Looks like baiting the tank into a trap wins, writing.

Roll me some 1d100s+30

DC to be determined.
>>
Dont be fucking stupid. A crit fail here could mean our head exploding
>>
Rolled 85 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

Yeah, we are not beating that. Please don't crit fail.>>5292450
>>
What the fuck. I guess >>5292452
>>
>>5292452

You only gotta beat the highest one anon, not the combined total.

That's why I've started rolling additional enemy die. Helps maintain balance.
>>
Rolled 70 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5292450
>>
Axis I beat your roll by 1. I guess we get to loot a tank.

>>5292450
>>
Rolled 75 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5292450
>>
>>5292455

Yeah, I know Axis I meant the higher roll. You got a 114 I got a 115.
>>
>>5292452
>>5292456
>>5292458

That's a success, by razor thin margins.

As is tradition.

Writing.

>>5292460

Gotcha.
>>
>>5292463

It’s a reckless plan, but it capitalizes on several of your strengths.

Even with your injury, you’re still remarkably quick on your feet and a savvy improviser. That, coupled with your hard-won experience of the local terrain, makes you the perfect candidate to lure the T72 to its doom.

But first, you need to get its attention.

You accomplish this by getting on the second Dushka and hammering the tank with bullets. As expected, this does nothing but cause the main gun to swivel your way.

You beat feet and make a mad dash towards your planned ambush spot as a tank shell goes wide by an uncomfortably close margin.

The impact is nearly enough to shake you off your feet, but you maintain your footing. A quick glance backwards shows that the tank has taken your bait and is moving to pursue.

You maintain your lead as best you can, but the tank gets closer and closer by the second. If they had better visibility, you’d be in a thousand chunks already.

But thankfully, you manage to avoid anything worse than being grazed by errant shrapnel.

After turning the corner, and scaling a small ledge overhanging the turn to the dead end, all that’s left is to decide how you plan on disposing of the crew.

You decide to…

> Enter through the open hatch and engage the occupants in a close-quarters engagement. You’ll have to handle this hand-to-hand, but you’ll have a fully functioning tank at your disposal if you pull it off.

> Intimidate the occupants into voluntarily surrendering. If you can put the fear of an excruciating end via flambé into them, they might just hand it over.

> Attach a thermite grenade to the treads and weapons systems. If you can cripple it, but leave it intact, you might be able to scavenge from it later.

> Put a frag grenade through the open hatch and call it a day. No muss, no fuss, just blow the tank to kingdom come and be done with it.

> Other?
>>
>>5292476
>> Enter through the open hatch and engage the occupants in a close-quarters engagement. You’ll have to handle this hand-to-hand, but you’ll have a fully functioning tank at your disposal if you pull it off.
>>
>>5292476
> Enter through the open hatch and engage the occupants in a close-quarters engagement. You’ll have to handle this hand-to-hand, but you’ll have a fully functioning tank at your disposal if you pull it off.

Our specialty
>>
>>5292476
> Enter through the open hatch and engage the occupants in a close-quarters engagement. You’ll have to handle this hand-to-hand, but you’ll have a fully functioning tank at your disposal if you pull it off
Ngl looting a tank is too attractive to avoid.
>>
>>5292476
> Enter through the open hatch and engage the occupants in a close-quarters engagement. You’ll have to handle this hand-to-hand, but you’ll have a fully functioning tank at your disposal if you pull it off.
>>
Rolled 10, 85, 24 + 65 = 184 (3d100 + 65)

>>5292479
>>5292482
>>5292484
>>5292487

Roll me some 1d100s+80

DC to be determined
>>
Rolled 25 + 80 (1d100 + 80)

>>5292504
>>
Rolled 30 + 80 (1d100 + 80)

>>5292504
bingo
>>
Rolled 39 + 80 (1d100 + 80)

>>5292504
>>
>>5292505
>>5292508
>>5292510

That's a failure, writing.
>>
We just got punched in the mouth
>>
Rolled 77 + 80 (1d100 + 80)

>>5292504
>>5292505
>>5292508
>>5292510
Fugg
>>
>>5292517
bruh
>>
>>5292517
WHERE WERE YOU
>>
>>5292525
Slower than those three senpai
>>
Rolled 98, 5 + 65 = 168 (2d100 + 65)

>>5292513

When presented with the opportunity to hijack a tank, you’d never be able to forgive yourself if you let the opportunity slip through your fingertips.

And you’ve got an easy way in.

The scorching heat must be so fierce that they have to keep one of the auxiliary vents open to keep the tank from overheating.

That’ll be your ticket in.

After the tank turns the corner revealing the dead end, you drop on top and quickly clamber into the vent.

Looks like there’s a crew of three (a driver, commander, and gunner) manning this relic, and none of them have spotted you yet.

Well, time to start clearing house.

Just as he notices your presence, you ram your elbow directly into the gunner’s throat. While he’s busy choking on air, you bash him headfirst into his viewing console.

This ruckus is enough to alert the tank commander, who rushes from his seat and tries to tackle you. You stop him dead in his tracks him with a Pankration hold, before sending him crashing to the floor by landing a tooth-crunching headbutt.

However, the driver comes out of nowhere, landing a nasty kick that connects directly with your wounded leg. The pain is enough to make you stumble, and he uses that distraction to knock you off your feet.

Roll me some 1d100s+70.

DC to be determined.
>>
Rolled 88 + 70 (1d100 + 70)

>>5292541
>>
Rolled 34 + 80 (1d100 + 80)

I walk walking my dog. This can still be salvaged.
>>
File: Driver.jpg (118 KB, 736x1374)
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>>5292541

Forgot to attach the pic.
>>
Rolled 99 + 70 (1d100 + 70)

We are still looting this tank.>>5292541
>>
Rolled 66 + 70 (1d100 + 70)

>>5292541
fuck
>>
Rolled 84 + 70 (1d100 + 70)

>>5292541
Jesus.

>>5292550
yooo
>>
My rolls are 4th dimensional tonight. Axis rolls amazing but I roll even better.>>5292550
>>5292541
>>
>>5292550
anon, you get to roll once
>>
Yeah, odds are I got a crit fail coming to seeing as I beat 114 with 115 and a 98 with a 99 (before modifiers).
>>
>>5292550
Anon, I hate to do this, but I can only count your first roll. Gotta discard double rolls unless it's a particularly slow night and I ask for them.

>>5292544
>>5292545
>>5292551

That's a failure, writing.
>>
That was for the last roll i just did not include the link I even used the wrong mod. I submitted that before you called for rolls and it got lagged.
>>
FIne, it's a near failure anyways. So this can be salvaged. You heard the QM since that roll doesn't count guess I just need to beat the odds one more time.
>>
>>5292566

Despite your best efforts to block the driver’s kicks and get back on your feet, he doesn’t give you an inch of breathing room.

Even in your disadvantageous position, you’re still able to block quite a few of his attacks, but the ones that slip through or around your guard are brutal.

After he manages to feint and nail you with a direct kick in the face that nearly rattles your brain, you decide that enough is enough.

Another few hits like that, and you’ll be out of action.

If you’re going to win this, you’ll have to get a bit unconventional.

You decide to…

> Pull out a frag grenade and bluff that you’ll blow the pair of you to hell. If you can make him freeze up, the momentum will be back in your favor.

> Pull the pin on one of your flashbangs. It’ll hurt like a bitch, but it might give you the wiggle room you need to turn this around.

> Try to kick the driving tiller. If you can cause an abrupt change in direction, it’ll buy you a few seconds of opportunity.

> Try to tap into your magic. You need a boost, and you need it ASAHFP.

> Other?
>>
>>5292581
>> Try to kick the driving tiller. If you can cause an abrupt change in direction, it’ll buy you a few seconds of opportunity.

kick it then him
>>
>>5292581
> Try to tap into your magic. You need a boost, and you need it ASAHFP.

We can do it! We're Sean Clayton, and a couple other guys! We're quadruple the man anyone else is!
>>
>>5292581
>> Try to kick the driving tiller. If you can cause an abrupt change in direction, it’ll buy you a few seconds of opportunity.
>>
>>5292581
>> Try to kick the driving tiller. If you can cause an abrupt change in direction, it’ll buy you a few seconds of opportunity.
>>
Hey Axis what was the DC anyways?
>>
>>5292581
>> Try to kick the driving tiller. If you can cause an abrupt change in direction, it’ll buy you a few seconds of opportunity
>>
>>5292596

For the last roll?

163, if I've got my math right.
>>
>>5292581
>> Try to kick the driving tiller. If you can cause an abrupt change in direction, it’ll buy you a few seconds of opportunity.

Forgot to update after catching up!
>>
>>5292583
>>5292585
>>5292590
>>5292598
>>5292600

Roll me some 1d100s+35

DC: 80
>>
Rolled 5 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5292604
>>
Rolled 6 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5292604
>>
Rolled 9 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5292604
>>5292604
>>
Rolled 53 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5292604
>>
Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>5292604
>>
>>5292611
>>5292612
why do you keep double rolling

rip the 7
>>
Rolled 66, 9, 6, 100, 22, 89, 95, 96, 88, 25 = 596 (10d100)

Another that does not count. Purging the diceroller.
>>
Rolled 9, 85 + 60 = 154 (2d100 + 60)

>>5292607
>>5292608
>>5292611

Those are some "interesting" rolls.

Go ahead and give me some 1d100s+65

DC to be determined.
>>
Because my rolls are chaos.>>5292616. I am very bitter. I just wasted a crit.
>>
Rolled 80 + 85 (1d100 + 85)

>>5292618
>>
>>5292616
Purge yourself more like. Shiiieeeeet
>>
Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>5292618
>>
Rolled 4 (1d100)

>>5292616
anon... fuck off
>>
>>5292618
>>5292616

Do you think my rolls before were chaotic? Chech out these.
>>
Rolled 92 + 65 (1d100 + 65)

>>5292618
Angery
>>
>>5292622

I either roll superbad or supergood there is no just okay.
>>
>>5292618
>>5292621
145 and 145, so we win right?
>>
>>5292621
>>5292623
>>5292624

That's a success. By the skin of your teeth, yet again.

I'm starting to run out of steam, so I feel comfortable calling it here.

As always, thanks for playing! Next session will be Monday at 5:00 PM EST.

I've cut back on the number of sessions to avoid burnout, but I'll give it a shot and see how it feels.

Hope to see you all then.
>>
>>5292632
Awesome, thanks for running. I'll be there.
>>
>>5292632
See you then axis
>>
We should shoot the idiot who broadcasted our location on principle.
>>
>>5293958
We'll shoot him and every idiot in his vicinity on the way out.
>>
>>5292632

This isn’t going well.

The last place you want to be during a fight is flat on your back. If you can’t get some momentum going soon, this fight is as good as over.

Fuck, that last kick nearly broke your nose. Wherever Cadmus gets these guys, they certainly know their business.

You’ll need a distraction to balance the odds, something that your opponent won’t anticipate.

Suddenly, you spot the tiller that functions as the T72’s gearshift, just within range of your right foot . If you can suddenly adjust it, the resulting shift in movement should be enough to unbalance your enemy and give you a chance to recover.

With as much energy as you can muster, you slam your right foot into the tiller and press as hard as you can.

Unfortunately, the fucking hunk of shit doesn’t even move an inch. Either it’s jammed, or there’s some kind of manual release that needs to be toggled first.

The driver laughs his ass off at your failed attempt to shift the tiller, before hauling you to your feet, slamming you against the wall, and tightening his hands around your throat.

You try to wriggle and force your way out of it, but he’s got a grip of iron. Just when black spots begin dancing in your vision, you hock a load of bloody spittle into his face and drive your knee directly into his crotch.

Judging from the impact, the bastard’s wearing a cup, but the pain is still great enough that he’s forced to relax his grip and pull back.

You begin greedily sucking down air as you plan your next move.

In terms of a straight fight, he seems to be your match or better.

Therefore, you need to play to your own strengths and avoid playing into his hands.

To that end, you…

> Goad him into making a sloppy mistake. You’ve always had a smart mouth, and it’s been a consistent asset. (Include taunt / general mockery)

> Analyze his stance for weaknesses and capitalize on them. It’ll take some quick thinking, but you can pull it off.

> Rely on your agility to dodge his strikes. The tank is cramped, but you’ll make do regardless.

> Attempt to unlock your magical powers. If you had the Claw, you’d be able to beat him into pulp with ease.

> Other?
>>
>>5296094
> Analyze his stance for weaknesses and capitalize on them. It’ll take some quick thinking, but you can pull it off.

So far we've done our best by capitalizing on weaknesses
>>
>>5296094
> Analyze his stance for weaknesses and capitalize on them. It’ll take some quick thinking, but you can pull it off.
>>
Rolled 60, 39 + 15 = 114 (2d100 + 15)

>>5296115
>>5296134

Alright, roll me some 1d100s+30

DC to be determined.
>>
Rolled 66 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5296142
Please God
>>
Rolled 49 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5296142
Blood for the Blood God!
>>
Rolled 48 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5296142
He may have a cup, but I doubt he's wearing armored shoulder pads to protect from the JUDO CHOP
>>
>>5296143
>>5296150
>>5296153

That's a success, writing.

Y'know, I wasn't expecting this particular fight to be such an ordeal, but that's just the will of the dice.
>>
>>5296157

You force yourself to focus, to tune out your strained muscles, the ever-present reek of fumes, and the roar of the engine.

The only thing that exists is your opponent, and how he conducts himself.

You visually probe him for traces of recognizable styles. No method of fighting is perfect, and that knowledge will be the key to constructing an attack that he won’t be prepared for.

To his credit, he sees what you’re up to and attempts the same. But you get much more out of the exercise than he does.

As you already suspected, he’s had professional training. Doesn’t seem to be a CQC specialist, but he’s certainly got experience with fistfights.

You’re not overtly familiar with the stance he’s using, but you remember seeing one just like it in an old training manual.

Looks like he’s using a bastardized mix of combat sambo and good old fashioned bare-knuckle brawling. Seems like a weird mix for a Western military operator, but you’re not really qualified to judge, given that you’re rocking an eclectic mish-mash of Marine hand-to-hand, Southeast Asian murder karate, and Ancient Greek wrestling.

And he’s been beating your ass like a rented mule, so it’s not like it hasn’t been effective.

But unfortunately for him, you spot the weakness you had been hoping for. Seems like he’s got an old wound that causes him to moderately favor his left side.

That’ll work.

You charge directly at him, heavily committing to a feint that pivots to striking his vulnerable side at a perfect moment.

As he doubles over and desperately tries to recover, you’re left with an opportunity to finish him off, once and for all.

You…

> Choke him to death with a Pankration hold. What goes around, comes around.

> Force his head into the path of the autoloader and fire it. Talk about a crushing defeat.

> Throw him out of the open hatch and run him over with the tank. Np such thing as overkill.

> Bludgeon him with an improvised weapon. There’s gotta be something rattling around this rust bucket that’d do the job.

> Other?
>>
>>5296187
>> Force his head into the path of the autoloader and fire it. Talk about a crushing defeat.
>>
>>5296187
>> Choke him to death with a Pankration hold. What goes around, comes around

We're skilled with Pankration, and this is ensuring he dies without escape
>>
>>5296157
To be fair, without our extended tool kit we're just a pretty strong guy with some well honed skills. Impressive but not extraordinary.

>>5296187
> Choke him to death with a Pankration hold. What goes around, comes around.
I would say just slam his head against literally any surface in here since there's tons of exposed steel to crack his skull with but he's probably wearing a nice padded hat or helmet. So fuck it.
>>
>>5296192
Anon! Everyone is extraordinary because we're all different :D
>>
Rolled 54, 69 + 20 = 143 (2d100 + 20)

>>5296190
>>5296192

Alright, roll me some 1d100s+35

DC to be determined.
>>
Rolled 79 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5296204
>>
Rolled 78 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5296204
Roll'd
>>
Rolled 87 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5296203
What are you talking about? I'm you.

>>5296204
Hopefully this ain't his fetish.
>>
Rolled 67 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5296204
Crit hunting
>>
Rolled 80 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5296204
>>
>>5296205
>>5296207
>>5296208

That's a success.

Go ahead and roll me some 1d100s to see how well you handle the tank.

Mostly just for flavor, so no DC.

inb4 crit
>>
Rolled 63 (1d100)

>>5296212
>>
Rolled 9 (1d100)

>>5296212
Either we blitzkrieg or accidently get stuck in a ditch
>>
Rolled 3 (1d100)

>>5296212
>>
>>5296212
Legally we are not permitted to operate an armored military vehicle

but
>>
Rolled 29 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

Lets see if I get another crit.>>5296204
>>
>>5296218
We're FAR away from any 'legal' concerns, especially since we're enslaved by the spooks
>>
Rolled 95 (1d100)

>>5296212
>>
Thats more like it. Sad it does not count.>>5296222
>>
>>5296214
>>5296215
>>5296216

Alright, you do pretty well for having no formal training with tanks, any experience with the Russian language, or any clue how to drive with a godforsaken Soviet stick-shift.

Lastly, go ahead and give me some 1d100s+15 to see if you notice something special.

DC: 95
>>
>>5296221
Are you implying the government and its various agencies don't follow the law? Perish the thought. That's just c o n s p i r a c y anon. :^)
>>
Rolled 44 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>5296224
>>
Rolled 50 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>5296224
want
>>
Rolled 46 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>5296224

I love surprises.
>>
Rolled 20 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>5296224
Special?
>>
>>5296226
>>5296228
>>5296229

That's a failure, writing.
>>
>>5296232

You don’t give him a moment to breathe, literally.

Before the driver can regain his composure, you lock him into a Pankration hold and proceed to manhandle him around the tank like a ragdoll.

After slamming him face-first into the tank’s steel carapace a couple times, you pin him against the wall in a mirror image of how he previously tried to kill you.

But unlike him, you don’t intend on letting go that easily.

He tries to flail and push you off, but it’s just no use. You’re not some one-trick pony that falls to bits the second your unnatural advantages fade away.

You’re a professional soldier, a killer that has operated in some capacity on four continents.

You’re a survivor that has honed your craft through countless engagements, and will grow sharper in countless more.

Today is not the day that you die. That particular fate is reserved for anyone on Cadmus’ payroll.

As the light fades from his eyes, you maintain your grip and continue to squeeze, just in case he’s faking.

Once you’re comfortable that he’s gone the way of the dodo, you quickly and efficiently finish off the tank commander and gunner before they can awaken and cause trouble.

All that’s left now is to take your new toy for a spin.

Even if everything else goes to shit, a least now you get to cross “Hijacking a tank” off your bucket list.

This definitely wasn’t how you expected the siege to go, but it definitely could’ve gone a lot worse.

At least all of the bodies that have been dropped so far belong to people you don’t give a damn about.

And now it’s time to rack up some more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vp_4vc-btI

You clamber into the driver’s seat and hit the throttle at full blast. After some initial awkwardness figuring out the absurdities of Soviet tank design, you’ve reversed out of the dead end and are chugging back towards the rest of Cadmus’ soldiers.

Turns out you were right earlier, there is a manual release that needs constant supervision to avoid locking down the controls. God bless whichever retooled tractor factory cranked out this iron beast.

Finding your way back to the frontlines isn’t easy, especially given the garbage visibility. No wonder you were able to board this thing. Guess that’s why it’s typically a bad idea to deploy tanks without infantry support.

Thankfully, following the sounds of increasingly louder gunfire helps guide you in the right direction.

Even through the shitty viewport, you’re able to pick up some important details, such as:
- Shade’s pinned down and taking heavy fire.
- The enemy hasn’t realized that you’re behind the wheel (or tiller) of their tank.
- Nobody seems to be packing any anti-armor munitions.

And since the tank has an autoloader to cut down on crew size, all you need to do is pick out a good spot with a view over the battlefield, post up there, get on the main gun, and begin raining hellfire down on your foes.
>>
>>5296276

Nobody notices your erratic driving until you’ve got them all zeroed in, and by then it’s far too late.

You hammer the remaining soldiers with shell after shell, annihilating the bare amount of unit cohesion they were managing to maintain after their disastrous initial assault.

Each time you fire, the impact reverberates through your entire body, like you’re managing to shake the entire Earth. It feels like victory.

The remnants of the Cadmus’ forces are completely unprepared for such a dramatic reversal of fortunes.

The ones that try to dig into cover get blown to kingdom come.

The ones that attempt to flee deeper into the canyon are gunned down by Shade.

The ones that try to retreat back to the Humvees are obliterated when you put a shell directly through each and every potential escape vehicle.

By the time the smoke and dust clears, you and Shade are the only ones left standing. Besides the cracking carcasses of burned out vehicles and the rapidly fading voices of fatally wounded Cadmus troops, the canyon seems to return to its natural stillness.

Inside the tank, you’ve got a big, dumb grin on your face. That little display almost made the trip out here worth it. Almost.

The siege, if you can even call it that, has been broken. The entire hostile force has been wiped out, and the samples are still safe.

All in all, this went as well as it could’ve, especially given the numerous disadvantages you’ve been saddled with.

It brings you solace to know that you’ve managed to revisit the site of your greatest failure and transform it into a most momentous triumphs.

Your men would be proud of what you did here today.

And while you’ll never truly forget, maybe this trip down memory lane will finally allow you to begin forgiving yourself.
>>
>>5296279

(That's all for tonight, anons! Thanks for playing. Next session is Wednesday at 5:00 PM EST.)

Feel free to enjoy the following "educational" video about the T72:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HIMhIGoFP4
>>
>>5296282
Thanks for the run! Glad to finally be out of the sandbox. Now comes the interesting part.
>>
>>5296279
>>5296276
Some character development, cool ass tank moment, and showing the sand who's boss

We did pretty good in this issue :D
>>
>>5296282
>profit from the countless gang wars of Gotham
>almost succeed in performing a coup with a personally trained army
>sneak through an entire military base
>steal a tank and blow away everyone
>mercenary who causes chaos for the sake of profit all across the globe
>MGR music
>mfw
>>
>>5296282
Autoloader still scares me to this day.
>>
>>5296224
>Lastly, go ahead and give me some 1d100s+15 to see if you notice something special.
>DC: 95

So Axis now that the stress of battle is over with will we be able to look around for that special thing with a lower DC?
>>
>>5298019

That's a fair point, so I'll give you all another crack at it.

It's nothing gamechanging either way, but I can't think of a good reason to deny it.

I'll call for rolls at our regular time.
>>
Man, whoever find this battlefield later on is going to go wtf…
>>
>>5298315
>A bunch of Humvees and unmarked gunmen caught in an ambush featuring mined canyon walls, ad hoc machine-gun emplacements, and a T-72
Indeed
>>
>>5298323
>locals insurgents:«Wow, look at all this free stuff lying around, don’t mind me !»*bend down*
>>
>>5298312

Alright, go ahead and give me some 1d100s+15

DC: 80
>>
Rolled 50 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>5298369
>>
>>5298369
>>
Rolled 28 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>5298369
>>
Rolled 100 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>5298369
>>
Rolled 69 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>5298369
>>
Rolled 95 + 15 (1d100 + 15)

>>
>>5298387
No way
>>
>>5298387

Yeah, that's about what I expected.
>>
>>5298387
Going to be one of those sessions
>>
>>5298391
We're lucky again:D
>>
>>5298387
Crit
>>
>>5298387
>Hey man, what did you find?
>Some stupid business card that says "get out of hell free". Well it's funny so I guess I'll hold onto it.
kek this fucking luck is so wack.
>>
>>5298371
>>5298376
>>5298387

That's a critical success, writing.

These dice are gonna be the death of me.
>>
File: Jammer.jpg (142 KB, 1920x1080)
142 KB
142 KB JPG
>>5298402

Not long after killing the rest of Cadmus’ operatives, you notice something concerning.

The jamming signal hasn’t dropped yet. Whatever’s broadcasting the transmission is still fully operational and presumably within the Devil’s Corridor.

Considering that you barbecued every other vehicle and shredded everything on two legs, the device or equipment responsible has to be stashed in the tank somewhere.

And if it is, but it must be pretty goddamn powerful to project such a wide-reaching signal through a foot or some of steel armor.

It’s a long shot, but it’s not like you have a whole lot else to do for the time being.

On a hunch, you carefully inspect the interior of the tank, looking for anything that doesn’t quite mesh with the post-industrial look the T72 is rocking.

You hit paydirt after sniffing around the tank commander’s station, and extract your prize with gusto.

Lodged under his chair was a slim white case.

Looks like it got thrown around a bit during your little brawl with the driver, but it’s still in good condition.

You clear some space on one of the few available surfaces, gently place the case down, and open it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhRNBBSxi_I

Judging from the electronic screen, built-in keyboard, and GPS data it’s spitting at you, this has to be the device responsible for smacking your comms down.

You’ve never been a sig-spec or an expert in the various other flavors of secret squirrel shit, but this has to be what you’re looking for.

Thanks to Gremlin’s pointers and the lessons you learned from trashing the Venezuelan militaries supply chain, you’re able to bypass every security program that rears its ugly head.

Sure wasn’t easy either, whoever programmed this thing really wanted it to be as tamper-proof as possible.

Once you’re through the main layers of security, you start delving through the file path, looking for anything that may be of interest to the Squad.

At first glance, there’s a metric fuckton of data to sift through. It’s almost like the damn thing was programmed to keep a backup record of its movements.

Maybe as a security / retrieval measure, or maybe it helps propagate the signal. Either way, it’s a potential goldmine for the eggheads back at Belle Reve.

And that’s not counting how they’ll salivate over having a bonafide piece of enemy tech to pick apart and potentially reverse-engineer.

Just as you start to pat yourself on the back in celebration of your find, disaster strikes.

A security alert pops up, notifying you of an imminent EM pulse that’ll purge of all system data and fry the jammer beyond all repair.

A mental timer starts ticking down in your head and you curse loudly.

Looks like Cadmus got the hint, decided to cut their losses, and are well and truly pulling the plug on this little caper.
>>
>>5298494

It’s the only reason that makes any sense to you.

If Cadmus were planning to send more bodies at you, they wouldn’t be trying to trigger a self-destruct and take away one of their nastiest advantages in the field.

Trying to coordinate even the most simple of military maneuvers without a rock-solid communications backbone to fall back on is an incredibly difficult prospect.

Hell, if Shade wasn’t good at reading the battlefield and taking advantage of the openings you set up, this could’ve gone much more poorly.

You’re not too eager to let an opportunity to nullify or possibly even subvert a critical piece of the enemy’s tactical infrastructure.

That, and your own stubborn pride. After all, you’re not going to just let them rip this intel jackpot right out of your hands without at least making them work for it first.

You crack your knuckles and get to work, frantically typing and utilizing every dirty trick you know of in an attempt to delay, distract, and ultimately disable the device’s self-destruct protocols.

If Gremlin were here, he’d probably be able to knock this out in a minute or two. But you’re an amateur by a comparison. A budding talent, perhaps, but an amateur nonetheless.

But even rookies can make their own breakthroughs.

It takes some extreme command line kung-fu and every exploit you know, but you ultimately manage to gain access to the absolute deepest level of permissions on the device.

From there, it’s a relatively simple matter to identify the self-destruct command and render it harmless by trapping it in an infinite loop.

To avoid any further chances of Cadmus trying something equally sneaky, you totally lockdown the system and revoke all accesses except for the account you’ve compromised.

As a final paranoid measure, you power the jammer off and securely close the case.

> Skill Improved! Grey Hat: +20 to rolls when breaking into computers or performing similar technological intrusions.

Just as you expected, the telltale buzz of static interference in your earpiece has vanished.
>>
>>5298402

I guess it is now game changing.
>>
>>5298497

“-fcon, are you alive in there, you crazy fuck!?”

> “What’s the matter, Shade? Enjoying the show?”

“Can’t believe I used to think you were the smart one.” He lets out a long, hacking cough.

“Looks like they’re gone for now. Any more bright ideas?”

> “Something tells me they aren’t coming back. How’s it going with you, you catch any fire during their last push?”

“Nah, nothing serious. Thought I was done for when your bigass tank rolled up when they were trying to pin me. How the hell you’d steal that thing anyway?”

> “Trade secret.”

“Yeah, yeah, very funny.” Shade lets out another guttural cough.

> “You sure you’re alright?”

“I said I’m fine! Throat’s just a bit sore. Don’t make a thing about it.

Guess we’ll just sit here with our thumbs up our asses until somebody finally fucking shows up to carry us out of this sand pit.”

> “Sounds like a plan to me. Maintain regular radio contact, just in case.”

“Whatever.”

After Shade severs the connection, you find yourself considering what comes next. If rescue does come soon, so closes your window of opportunity to repair the broken sat-phone.

You haven’t had time to attempt a repair yet, and finding the requisite materials back at Belle Reve isn’t going to be easy.

Maybe Shade could help find someone that can fix it?

He’s been here longer than you, and seems to have a fair number of contacts.

After careful deliberation, you decide to…

> Give the broken sat-phone to Shade. He’s been a solid partner, and you’ll need allies if you want to make it through this.

> Smuggle it in yourself. You’ll be in deep shit if anyone catches you, but that’s the price of maintaining secrecy.

> Smash it and abandon it amongst the wreckage. You can’t risk being caught with contraband that hot.

> Other?
>>
>>5298500

> Give the broken sat-phone to Shade. He’s been a solid partner, and you’ll need allies if you want to make it through this
>>
>>5298500
>> Give the broken sat-phone to Shade. He’s been a solid partner, and you’ll need allies if you want to make it through this.
>>
>>5298500
> Give the broken sat-phone to Shade. He’s been a solid partner, and you’ll need allies if you want to make it through this.
>>
>>5298500
> Give the broken sat-phone to Shade. He’s been a solid partner, and you’ll need allies if you want to make it through this.

We'll need help
>>
>>5298502
>>5298512
>>5298513
>>5298514

Alright, looks like letting Shade know about the sat-phone wins.

Go ahead and roll me some 3d100s, Middle of 3.

First roll is for ???
Second roll is for ???
Third roll is for ???
>>
>>5298518

DC is 30, managed to fat-finger the submit button.
>>
Rolled 45, 89, 39 = 173 (3d100)

>>5298518
I feel like I may have messed up here
>>
Rolled 43, 17, 88 = 148 (3d100)

>>5298518
>>
Rolled 69, 90, 10 = 169 (3d100)

>>5298518
We got this.
>>
>>5298523
>>5298526
>>5298532

Alright, that's a 45, 89, and 39 respectively.

Go ahead and give me some 1d100s+30 to see if you can recover anything else of value from the fallen Cadmus troops.

DC: 85
>>
Rolled 80 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

Let us test some luck.>>5298536
>>
Rolled 48 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5298536
I love scavving the fallen
>>
I guess I'm rolling good tonight.>>5298540
>>
Rolled 29 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5298536
>>
>>5298540
>>5298542
>>5298544

That's a success, writing.

Forgot to mention that the previous roll was also a success on all counts.
>>
Find any phones?
>>
>>5298546

Now that the perimeter is reasonably secure and you’ve silenced Cadmus’ jamming tech, it’s time for a spot of looting.

Unfortunately, between your barrage with the Dushka and the tank shells you threw around, there’s not much left to recover.

Most of your opposition’s personal gear was destroyed during the fighting, but you still make a worthwhile discovery.

A well-coordinated sweep nets you a dozen or so rifles of similar make and quality to the one you swiped from the dead sniper.

They’re fine weapons, but there’s no special quality to them that makes them groundbreaking achievements in the field of modern gunsmithing.

Still, the Squad’ll probably appreciate having some fresh equipment for the armory.

That, and their forensics nerds might be able to pull something useful out of them. Might be able to trace a part, or a print, or any other number of things back to their original source.

Never know what come in handy.

Shade watches you work; situated on a small rock and content with steadily smoking his way through a pack cigarettes.

After you finish hunting for weapons, you find a spot next to him and take a load off.

> “Those things’ll kill ya, you know.”

“Really? You think this is what’s gonna kill me?”

You chuckle a little.

> “Fair enough.”

The pair of you settle into a comfortable silence, and Shade offers you one of his smokes.
>>
>>5298570

It’s not really your vice of choice, but beggars can’t be choosers.

In this moment of quiet camaraderie, you reach into your pocket, produce the broken sat-phone, and toss it to Shade.

> “Know anybody that can fix this up?”

Shade studies it intensely, and gives you a strange look in return.

Almost like a mix between disappointment, hope, and curiosity.

“You’re one stupid bastard, you know that. Sure, you can fight, but that doesn’t exclude you from being the dumbest son-of-a-bitch I’ve ever met.”

Despite his harsh words, there’s no heat to them. almost like he’s trying to remind himself of something.

“Nobody escapes. Nobody will escape. That’s just how this works.”

> “There’s a first time for everything. I’ll find a way out of this, but I need your help. I know people on the outside that can help us, who may even fight to get us out of here. But without a way of talking to them without the Squad listening in, that’ll never happen. So I’ll ask again. Do you know somebody discreet who can smuggle this in and find parts?”

Shade takes a long drag from his cigarette.

“Yeah, I know a few guys. And I can call in a few favors, but only on one condition.

I need your word. That once you’re free, you’ll get back on your feet and get as strong as you can. Could take days, weeks, months, whatever.

All that matters is that one day, you come back to Belle Reve. And burn the fucking place to the ground.”

Shade extends his hand towards you.

“Deal?”

You…

> Accept Shade’s proposal. You need his help, and the prospect of paying the Squad back with interest is definitely tempting.

> Decline Shade’s proposal. Launching an attack on Belle Reve would be practically suicidal. You’ll figure out something else on your own.

> Other?
>>
That's all for tonight, anons. As always, thanks for playing! Vote'll be open until our next session at 5:00 PM EST on Friday.

Hope to see you all there.
>>
>>5298572
>> Accept Shade’s proposal. You need his help, and the prospect of paying the Squad back with interest is definitely tempting.
Man. Nothing would make me happier.
>>
>>5298572
>> Accept Shade’s proposal. You need his help, and the prospect of paying the Squad back with interest is definitely tempting.

This place goes against our goal of reforming the people that we can, considering they're just sending people on suicide missions, plus we now have a personal reason to hate then since...y'know, we're in this position.

So I think this is a definite yes

>>5298575
Thanks for running Axis, genuinely the best quest I've seen yet
>>
> Accept Shade’s proposal. You need his help, and the prospect of paying the Squad back with interest is definitely tempting.

They'll probably relocate when we escape so this may help in tracking them down later.
Unsure about how batman is gonna feel about gunsmoke hiatus at the same time as a suicide squad mission and our friends searching for us.
>>
>>5298572
>> Accept Shade’s proposal. You need his help, and the prospect of paying the Squad back with interest is definitely tempting.
>>
>>5298579
Honestly I don't think it's too likely that he'd connect Gunsmoke to Adjutant Tango/Defcon

We've gone on Hiatus as Gunsmoke twice before IIRC, and there's nothing connecting Adjutant Tango to Gunsmoke other than one showing up during the hiatus of another, but on another continent with different goals
>>
>>5298595
To be completely fair though, if someone is going to be autistic and paranoid enough to put the dots together it's gonna be Batman.

But on the other end of that, Batman is absolutely autistic and paranoid enough to think that the new guy at one of Waller's little clubbies really is just a random former soldier turned con because those other personas have proven themselves to be dangerous and capable beyond fucking belief so it can't possibly be the schmuck in cuffs.
>>
>>5298572
>> Accept Shade’s proposal. You need his help, and the prospect of paying the Squad back with interest is definitely tempting.
>>
>>5298572
>> Accept Shade’s proposal. You need his help, and the prospect of paying the Squad back with interest is definitely tempting.

Any chance of adding in a comment about asking Shade if he wants to add in himself in our escape plan?

Also Axis thanks for taking my question and giving us the chance!
>>
>>5298572
> Accept Shade’s proposal. You need his help, and the prospect of paying the Squad back with interest is definitely tempting.

>>5298602
That just means we need to out-paranoid the Batman. Get Isaac or Darius to dress up and go looking for jobs as Gunsmoke or Jonah while we're working as Adjutant, or vice versa.
>>
>>5298707
I feel like he'd see through that in a second. In particular as Jonah. Since that's actually our bare face tied to that one. The squad currently has our Adjutant getup with all it's fancy Apokalyptian goodies (I am going to be so pissed if they pulled any of our shit apart. I'll vote to punch them in the nuts until they die if they have). It could work as Gunsmoke but that puts whoever is in the trenchcoat under an IMMENSE amount of heat. Imagine if Martian Manhunter flew down the moment he heard Gunsmoke was operating somewhere. Gotta get some good ol fashioned justice for his niece. Sure he wouldn't really hurt Isaac or Darius but he'd catch them for sure, and mind probe them to figure us out. Then he'll see our face in their memories and show Batman telepathically and BAM now he knows Gunsmoke is Jonah.

If you wanna be as paranoid as the Bat you gotta go full shadowrun, brother. Let's just let sleeping dogs lie.
>>
>>5298707
Sorry, I meant Jonah AND Tango. Because we nabbed them while we were operdatin' as him. I think.
>>
>>5298746
My man, if Bruce Wayne going on a 6 month skiing trip and Batman disappearing for the same amount of time is just a coincidence, some criminals popping in an out of gotham at the similar times is just a coincidence too.
>>
>>5298768
??? That has nothing to do at all with what you suggested.
>>
>>5298572
> Accept Shade’s proposal. You need his help, and the prospect of paying the Squad back with interest is definitely tempting

LET'S FUCKING GOOOOOOO
>>
>>5298572
>Accept Shade’s proposal. You need his help, and the prospect of paying the Squad back with interest is definitely tempting.
>>
>>5298572
>Accept Shade's proposal.

We will break their backs and make them humble. You know, at some later point.
>>
File: FPRu_4lVgAMB_-j.jpg (13 KB, 400x203)
13 KB
13 KB JPG
>>5298572
>It’s not really your vice of choice, but beggars can’t be choosers.
>He's shown smoking in the OP
>>
>>5298930
>inb4 sean actually really digs military meth or morphine
>>
>>5298775
What I'm saying is that if Batman can get away with coincidental bullshit we should be able to get away with coincidental bullshit too.
>>
If we investigate batman would we be able to find the bruce wayne connection?
We may not be the greatest detective but we know gadgets, tech and training aren't free.
>>
>>5299124
That still has nothing at all to do with what you suggested.
>>
>>5299214
You think Bruce Wayne is the Bat? Dude, even I could knock the silver spoon out of that guy's mouth
>>
>>5299214
>implying batman isn't one of wallers goons
>implying the suicide squad isn't JLA black ops.
>>
>>5299464
>>
>>5299214
Any idiot with a brain could figure out Batman is Bruce
>Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham after 20 years of doing who knows what
>1 year later a highly trained, high tech vigilante appears fighting crime
>high tech being the kinda shit only the most advanced corporations like Lexcorp or Waynetech can afford
>Whenever Batman gets put out of commission Wayne conveniently goes on holiday
>Wayne is built like a brick and all the women he's been with describe scars across his body
>Around the time Batman gets some sidekicks Wayne adopts some poor orphans as well
But sure, it's all one massive coincidence right? Either that or Bruce has Lucius putting drugs in the water.
>>
>>5299798
I bet you think that reporter in Metropolis is Superman just because they have similar noses. Pffft.
>>
>>5299798
You need to take your Schizo pills anon
>>
>>5299798
do the butts match
>>
>>5299798
That's some nice fanfiction anon.
>>
>>5299467
>anon just now realizing this is one extra long loop to get dragged into working for the government again and theres literally no escape no matter what we do
>>
>>5299972
Maybe the real Feds were the friends we made along the way.
>>
>>5300014
Unfortunately true too often.
>>
>>5298572

You barely need to think twice before you’re shaking Shade’s hand.

The continued operation of Task Force X runs counter to every ideal you hold dear, and is an existential threat to your future safety.

Hell, the fact that it’s earned the moniker of the ”Suicide Squad” ought to make it apparent that the organization isn’t exactly known for its hospitality and compassion.

The Squad chews up and spits out everyone that falls into their grasp. And they make sure to “recruit” people that nobody in the civilized world gives a good goddamn about. Criminals, renegades, street thugs, mercenaries, thieves, terrorists, psychopaths, and every other flavor of scum out there.

But after spending enough time on the wrong side of the tracks, you know better than most that things are rarely so cut and dried. You’ve done harsh things that plenty of people would recoil from, because those things needed to be done.

Some would argue that most people shanghaied by the Squad had it coming, and perhaps they have a point. But that doesn’t mean that you’ll just meekly accept the situation.

Just because you’ve been dealt a bad hand, doesn’t mean you’ll sit idly at the poker table and let everything you’ve ever worked for slip away.

Never again will you be a conscript forced to follow suicidal orders to achieve nebulous objectives, all for the greater glory of “superiors” that’ll never once experience an ounce of hardship in their lives.

And you’re definitely still not sore about how the Squad covertly backs brutal dictators like Pedraza, flipped one of your own lieutenants against you, and gave you a join-or-die job offer.

Plus, once you claw your way out of Belle Reve, it’s not like the Squad is just going to shrug their shoulders and let it go. They’ll do whatever they can to hunt you down, no matter where you go.

If you ever want to be free to operate without the perpetual threat of their retaliation hanging over your head, then drastic action needs to be taken once you’ve marshaled as much firepower as you can.

In short, if the price of Shade’s cooperation is tearing the Squad out by the roots, then you’re getting one hell of a bargain.
>>
>>5300544

> “Deal. Though I’ve gotta admit, I was expecting you to want in on the breakout.”

Shade lets out a long, croaking laugh that interrupted by a bout of coughing.

“I would, if I thought you stood a chance of making it.”

> “Then why-“

“Because I’ve been wrong before. Maybe I’m hoping that it’ll happen again.”

Shade slips the broken sat-phone into one of his pockets.

“I’ll hold onto this for now. Might take some time to get everything set up, but it’ll happen. Just remember your side of the bargain.”

There’s not much else left to say, as Shade concerns himself with cleaning his weapon and chain-smoking.

In the meantime, you dig up the case of samples, which has thankfully avoided any damage.

You’ve managed to net yourself quite the haul on this particular excursion.

In no particular order you’ve recovered / stolen:
- Sensitive documents from the Russian embassy.
- The case of samples.
- A broken GPS transponder.
- A snippet of orders that traces a group called Cadmus to the plague.
- A cache of rifles belonging to Cadmus operatives.
- An intact Cadmus jamming device.

The whole Cadmus thing definitely has you on edge. You’ve never heard of them, and it’s definitely not something the Squad ever briefed you on.

Honestly, it might be safer if you disposed of those orders you swiped from the dead sniper. If Cadmus’ involvement is something the Squad really doesn’t want known, they might just bump you off in the name of maintaining secrecy.

On the other hand, it might be your ticket to earning trust. It’s risky, but it’s the only way you stand a chance of learning more about what’s playing out behind the scenes.

In the end, you decide to…

> Hold on to the orders. Maybe if you play dumb well enough, they won’t suspect that you’re starting to get suspicious.

> Destroy the orders. You’ll be playing with fire if you leap in without knowing the facts.

> Other?
>>
>>5300546

> Hold on to the orders. Maybe if you play dumb well enough, they won’t suspect that you’re starting to get suspicious.
>>
>>5300546
> Hold on to the orders. Maybe if you play dumb well enough, they won’t suspect that you’re starting to get suspicious.
>>
>>5300546
We're the KING of bullshittery
> Hold on to the orders. Maybe if you play dumb well enough, they won’t suspect that you’re starting to get suspicious.
>>
>>5300553
>>5300555
>>5300556

Writing.
>>
Rolled 43, 50 + 20 = 113 (2d100 + 20)

>>5300567

You’ll hold onto the orders.

So long as you play the correct part and pretend that you aren’t starting to realize inconvenient truths, everything should be fine.

After all, it shouldn’t be too hard to play the role of a grunt too dense to realize the potential implications of recovered evidence.

Maybe a half hour later, you finally receive the transmission you had been hoping for.

“You boys still alive down there? Been trying to reach y’all for hours, but couldn’t pinpoint a signal.”

> “Yeah, we’re scraping by. Looks like you missed all the fun. I’m guessing you’re our pickup?”

“Nah, I’m the pizza delivery guy. You order the extra large pepperoni?”

> “Very funny.”

“Shit, lighten up a little. I’ll be at your location within twenty minutes or so, and I’m running low on fuel. Better be ready to go when I arrive, cause there ain’t much time to spare.”

> “Understood, we’ll be ready.”

Now that you’ve confirmed that your rescue is on its way, you use the remainder of your thermite and incendiary grenades to disable the Dushkas and the T72.

Wouldn’t want to let the local scavengers recover anything useful from the scene of the battle.

Your pencil-neck handler never bothered to explain who or what’d be picking you up, but this transmission feels genuine. Cadmus doesn’t particularly strike you as subtle enough to try a trick like this anyway.

15 minutes later, you’re being carried away in an old-ass Chinook. From there, you’re dropped off at a secluded desert airstrip, and board a plane back to the US.

You spend most of the journey catching up on your sleep, as any experienced soldier is wont to do.

Once you land back in the Everglades, you’re compelled to hand over your gear and other valuables for processing, and are escorted to a windowless room for debriefing.

After maybe an hour or so of total boredom, the interrogator who first inducted you into the Squad barges into the room.

Roll me some 1d100s+25
>>
Rolled 27 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>5300609
Let's see our luck for tonight.
>>
Rolled 93 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>5300609
Plz good roll
>>
Rolled 74 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>5300609
aeiou

but y
>>
>>5300621
>>5300625
>>5300628

That's a success, writing.
>>
File: interrogator.jpg (311 KB, 1604x2308)
311 KB
311 KB JPG
Right out of the gate, he practically bombards you with questions about the raid on the embassy, your escape, the battle, and a plethora of other details about the mission.

You field his questions admirably, freely discussing events that paint you in a positive light, and downplaying ones that might him cause for concern.

For instance, you refrain from mentioning the whole “robbing a US military installation” caper you pulled off.

Tellingly, he doesn’t seem to care overmuch that half of the team was KIA, only that the mission objective was accomplished.

Once a general timeline of events established, he moves on to the spoils of war you brought home.

Especially, the locked suitcase containing Cadmus’ “Ragnarök Contingency.”

And when you hand over the combination to the samples without trying to cut a deal or play any kind of games, you firmly cement yourself as a reliable tool.

It pays off, almost immediately.

The interrogator drops his guard enough to give you a rundown on how things went for the other team; to make a long story short, they all pulled through, including Majeed. Apparently they fled north, into the mountains. Managed to lie low and avoid any major firefights.

Luckily for them, it looks like Cadmus sent most of the forces after you and Shade to recover the samples.

Majeed’s testimony, coupled with the orders you stole, is more than enough evidence to convince him that the story is legitimate.

And while he does seem unsettled when you reference the existence of Cadmus, you manage to convey an air of confused innocence when he tries to grill you further on the topic.

Instead, you pivot to the rest of your stockpile of looted items, pointing out the potential goldmine of information they could offer.

The change in topic manages to distract him, and he leaves the interrogation room a very happy man.

Not longer after, he returns with news.
>>
>>5300673

Thanks to your stellar execution of the mission, he’s been authorized to offer you a few rewards, to encourage similar results in the future.

Feels kinda patronizing, but you’ll never turn down payment.

You decide to request…

(Choose 2)

> The return of your Apokoliptian Equipment (Includes Carbine, Sword / Shield, and Armor)

> That the Squad pull their forces out of Venezuela. Might give the Steel Wolves some breathing room.

> A piece of their cloaking tech. It was a bitch and a half to fight against, might do wonders for your infiltration skills.

> An audience with whoever’s running the show here. That way, you can put a name and a face to an eventual target.

> Specialized training in a specific field (Can be selected more than once. Include the type of training, will still require a roll.)

> A cage match with your handler for the Qurac mission. Maybe he won’t sound so smug after you beat him black and blue.

> Other?

——————————————

And due to the casualties taken on the operation, your team is being dissolved and folded into other existing details. Luckily, you’ve earned yourself some flexibility in where you land next.

You decide to request…

> Assignment to an elite team of specialists. You’ve proven that you have the chops for the big leagues. (Will place you into a subordinate role on a team of powered / enhanced assets.)

> Assignment to another squad of regulars. No sense in rocking the boat if you don’t need to. (Will place you into a subordinate role on a team of non-powered assets)

> Command of your own team of regulars. Maybe it’s time you got back in the saddle and gave the orders for once. (Will place you as the leader of a team composed of non-powered assets.)
>>
(That's all for tonight, anons. Sorry for calling it a bit early, but I've got some stuff to get done.

Vote's open until our next session at 5:00 PM EST on Monday.

As always, thanks for playing!)
>>
>>5300675
> The return of your Apokoliptian Equipment (Includes Carbine, Sword / Shield, and Armor)
> An audience with whoever’s running the show here. That way, you can put a name and a face to an eventual target.

We'll need our stuff before we escape, otherwise we'll be naked and afraid. And getting a target to go after is a great starting-point for our eventual attacks.

> Command of your own team of regulars. Maybe it’s time you got back in the saddle and gave the orders for once. (Will place you as the leader of a team composed of non-powered assets.)

We don't rock the boat too much, gain some say in how missions go, and maybe gain some allies with our 'no-man-left-behind' attitude. Seems like the best one
>>
>>5300675
> The return of your Apokoliptian Equipment (Includes Carbine, Sword / Shield, and Armor

> An audience with whoever’s running the show here. That way, you can put a name and a face to an eventual target.


> Assignment to an elite team of specialists. You’ve proven that you have the chops for the big leagues. (Will place you into a subordinate role on a team of powered / enhanced assets.)
If we're working with powered assets, that surely means we get our magic back. Plus, we can network with more dangerous scum and villains.
>>
>>5300675
>The return of your Apokoliptian Equipment (Includes Carbine, Sword / Shield, and Armor)
>An audience with whoever’s running the show here. That way, you can put a name and a face to an eventual target.
>Assignment to an elite team of specialists. You’ve proven that you have the chops for the big leagues. (Will place you into a subordinate role on a team of powered / enhanced assets.)
With our Apokoliptian gear we'll easily be able to keep up pace with Metahumans and other big dicks.
Keep up the good work QM, I can't wait to go full Count of Monte Cristo on the GLOWIE that's behind this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnNd5XVFKOM&t=12s
>>
>>5300675
> The return of your Apokoliptian Equipment (Includes Carbine, Sword / Shield, and Armor)
> That the Squad pull their forces out of Venezuela. Might give the Steel Wolves some breathing room.
——————————————
> Assignment to another squad of regulars. No sense in rocking the boat if you don’t need to. (Will place you into a subordinate role on a team of non-powered assets)
>>
>>5300675
>> The return of your Apokoliptian Equipment (Includes Carbine, Sword / Shield, and Armor)
>> That the Squad pull their forces out of Venezuela. Might give the Steel Wolves some breathing room.
Our previous mission should be priority
>>
>>5300718
for got to add

> Command of your own team of regulars. Maybe it’s time you got back in the saddle and gave the orders for once. (Will place you as the leader of a team composed of non-powered assets.)
>>
Dont rock the boat.
Meet the boss and get back out shit.
We have bluffed our way through this without any suspicion, power reveals, or fuck ups. We are so close to getting out powers back whenever we want. All we have to do is keep our personas separate.
>>
So the first round of options boil down to this:
The return of your Apokoliptian Equipment (Includes Carbine, Sword / Shield, and Armor)

A return of our own equipment which will grant us improved mods.

That the Squad pull their forces out of Venezuela. Might give the Steel Wolves some breathing room.

A good way to ensure that those we left behind have their chances improve and also this would be a good thing to ask for to try and free up some of our guys to assist in either a prison break or getting us out whilst on mission.

A piece of their cloaking tech. It was a bitch and a half to fight against, might do wonders for your infiltration skills.

An upgrade to our stealth could prove useful especially on further missions .hough could bite us in the ass should we try to use it against Cadmus while unaware of their involvement.

An audience with whoever’s running the show here. That way, you can put a name and a face to an eventual target.

We've met one of the guys in charges heavy hitters with regards to Eiling and now it would be a good to know who the true head honcho is. Although thinking on it we could probably learn this for ourselves if we go with the elite team either from who gives us the mission briefing or by asking one of or comrades who also have an explosive kink in their neck.

Specialized training

which seems like a bit of a gamble depending on who else the squad has imprisoned and makes up the non-imprisoned members

cage match

While no doubt cathartic this would probably hurt us more then ease our stress

Other

Not really sure what else we could ask for really.

So with that in mind I'm going with:
>> The return of your Apokoliptian Equipment (Includes Carbine, Sword / Shield, and Armor)

>> That the Squad pull their forces out of Venezuela. Might give the Steel Wolves some breathing room.


>> Assignment to an elite team of specialists. You’ve proven that you have the chops for the big leagues. (Will place you into a subordinate role on a team of powered / enhanced assets.)
>>
Aren't the revolutionaries currently compromised? We might want to keep the forces in Venezuela, if not only to keep that Turncoat from getting into power
>>
>>5300675
> That the Squad pull their forces out of Venezuela. Might give the Steel Wolves some breathing room.
> An audience with whoever’s running the show here. That way, you can put a name and a face to an eventual target.
Give our guys back in Venezuela a chance and get a look at the prick in charge. Sounds like a good deal.

> Command of your own team of regulars. Maybe it’s time you got back in the saddle and gave the orders for once. (Will place you as the leader of a team composed of non-powered assets.)
>>
>>5300675
>> The return of your Apokoliptian Equipment (Includes Carbine, Sword / Shield, and Armor)
>> That the Squad pull their forces out of Venezuela. Might give the Steel Wolves some breathing room.
> Assignment to an elite team of specialists. You’ve proven that you have the chops for the big leagues. (Will place you into a subordinate role on a team of powered / enhanced assets.)
With our equipment we can compete with the big shots, and I'd wager they get the more important missions. That means better rewards, more opportunities, and more trust.
>>
>>5300675
> The return of your Apokoliptian Equipment (Includes Carbine, Sword / Shield, and Armor)
> That the Squad pull their forces out of Venezuela. Might give the Steel Wolves some breathing room.
> Assignment to an elite team of specialists. You’ve proven that you have the chops for the big leagues. (Will place you into a subordinate role on a team of powered / enhanced assets.)
>>
>>5300835
Thinking it better, I'll change the Venezuela forces for
> An audience with whoever’s running the show here. That way, you can put a name and a face to an eventual target.
I don't wanna give away that we still intend to complete that job, or that we really care for our companions, that's sure to backfire. And with the meeting we have a chance to speed up the bullshit rollercoaster.
>>
>>5300675
>Return of equipment
There's a reason this has been a fairly unanimous choice.

>Pull out of Venezuela
It might reveal a vulnerability, but it doesn't feel right to leave them in the lurch.

>Assignment to an elite team of specialists.
>>
So, it looks like we've got a deadlock between getting an audience with the head honcho, and having the Squad pull their forces out of Venezuela.

I'd rather not leave this to a d2 if I don't have to, so I'll give 20 minutes from this post for a tiebreaker.

On the other hand, it looks like you're getting assigned to one of the specialist teams.

Lastly, I made a couple mistakes in the last few posts. The name of your guerilla band in Venezuela is the Grand Liberators, and your Grey Hat bonus should actually be +25.

I've made the appropriate changes to the pastebin.
>>
>>5303588
I'd back meeting the head honcho. Making Venezuela seem like just a random job gives them less potential leverage over us.
>>
>>5303602

Alright, looks like setting up the meeting wins. Writing.
>>
>>5303609

Without missing a beat, you request the return of your confiscated weaponry.

Your Apokoliptian gear is an integral of your arsenal, and you need every advantage you can scrape together if you hope to survive the next clusterfuck that Squad throws you headfirst into.

Plus, your KABAR and 1911 still have some sentimental value to you. Helps to remind you that you haven’t always been here.

The interrogator readily agrees, making an offhand comment about their R&D department having enough on their plate as it is.

He then asks for a final answer regarding your next deployment.

It’s not an easy call to make.

While the safer option may entail keeping your head down, getting a posting with another squad of “normal” cannon fodder, and continuing to bring home the bacon, that’s not going to get you out of here.

Ultimately, trust is a resource just like anything else. And the more of it you can accrue, the easier it’ll be to crush them when the time is ripe to make your move.

Besides, safety is a relative term. While the missions themselves may have an added element of danger, if you can make yourself a valuable tool in the Squad’s kit, then you’ll be able to avoid being spontaneously executed.

In the end, you formally accept assignment to one of the Squad’s elite wetwork teams. Means you’ll be working with metahumans, bleeding-edge tech specialists, ex-special forces operators, and all sorts of madmen.

You’ll probably fit right in.

The interrogator promises you a new mission within the month, and rises to his feet, intent on exiting the room.
>>
>>5303640

But as he reaches the door, you stop him with an audacious request.

Internally, you were torn between trying to spin the whole Cadmus thing as an excuse to pull forces from less important operations (such as Venezuela) to shore up critical enterprises. That way, you can give your Grand Liberators a chance to put some pressure on Pedraza, while avoiding too much suspicion from the Squad.

However, they’d see through that ploy in a New York minute. All it’d do is tie you further to the Venezuelan guerrillas, something that the Squad might exploit or hold over your head as leverage. Worse, they might even be the subject of retaliation once you escape.

It doesn’t feel good to pass up an opportunity to help your men out, but there’s nothing for it.

Instead, you blurt a demand to meet with whoever’s running the Suicide Squad.

The interrogator lets go of the doorknob and gives you a hard look, before shrugging his shoulders.

Won’t promise anything concrete, but he’ll see if the head honcho has time in his busy schedule for you. It’ll definitely a while to pencil you in though, if it ever comes.

Once he’s gone, you’re escorted to your new cell; one that’s much larger and cleaner than your previous accommodations. All your belongings have been transferred over, including the philosophy and ancient history books still in your library backlog.

Looks like you’ve been given a bit more leeway when it comes to your recreation as well.

Over the next few weeks, you…

(Choose 2)

> Get some practice time in with your Apokoliptian Sword and Shield. No sense carrying a weapon into battle if you’re no good with it. (Grants New Skill)

> Borrow strange tomes and treatises about the occult. They already know you’ve got magic, so there’s nothing wrong with improving your baseline knowledge. (Improves Magical Theory)

> Volunteer for work in the infirmary. You get to pick up some skills, and they get some free labor. (Improves Corpsman)

> Spar with some of the other inmates and practice one of your styles (Specify style)

> Subtly channel magic in an attempt to fracture the block regulating your magic. Incredibly risky, but you lack the luxury of time.

> Other?
>>
>>5303643
> Get some practice time in with your Apokoliptian Sword and Shield. No sense carrying a weapon into battle if you’re no good with it. (Grants New Skill)

> Borrow strange tomes and treatises about the occult. They already know you’ve got magic, so there’s nothing wrong with improving your baseline knowledge. (Improves Magical Theory)
We've got the time at the moment. Improving theory might help us better identify what's causing the block.
>>
>>5303645
+1
>>
>>5303643
>> Get some practice time in with your Apokoliptian Sword and Shield. No sense carrying a weapon into battle if you’re no good with it. (Grants New Skill)
> Borrow strange tomes and treatises about the occult. They already know you’ve got magic, so there’s nothing wrong with improving your baseline knowledge. (Improves Magical Theory)
>>
>>5303645
>>5303651
>>5303653

Alright, roll me some 3d100s

First roll is for reading the philosophy / history books.
Second roll is for your sword and shield practice.
Third roll is for studying the tomes and treatises.

First DC: 65 / 80 / 95
Second DC: 50 / 70 / 90
Third DC: 75 / 95
>>
Rolled 26, 38, 79 = 143 (3d100)

>>5303655
>>
Rolled 28, 75, 91 = 194 (3d100)

>>5303655
>>
Rolled 40, 31, 82 = 153 (3d100)

>>5303655
>>
>>5303657
>>5303663
>>5303664

That's a failure and two successes respectively.

Writing.
>>
>>5303665

You spend a hefty chunk of your free time honing your martial talents and theoretical knowledge of the arcane arts.

But that’s not the only thing which keeps you busy.

Prior to your incarceration, Jack had been nudging you to carve out some time for something other than fighting or studying magic.

And you’re starting to see his point.

Devoting yourself solely to a handful of tasks can run the risk of burnout and end up setting you back further than when you started.

To that end, you picked up a hobby, something that helps you to decompress a little and take your mind off Belle Reve.

After some trepidation, you decide to spend the remainder of your time…

> Playing chess. You’ll have to find a new partner to replace Ravan, but there have to be other players tucked away somewhere.

> Gardening. You kinda like the idea of bringing some life into the word for once, rather than snuffing it out.

> Learning an instrument. You’ve never really had the motivation to sit down and devote yourself to it, but it’s a great way to kill time.

> Writing. You’ve always had a way with speaking, maybe it’ll translate into the written word. (Feel free to specify a particular genre / subject)

> Practicing Art. You’ve got a steady hand and a vivid imagination; what more can you need? (Feel free to specify a particular subject / medium)

> Meditating. You’ve never really been into any of that New Age hippy bullshit, but it might be worth a try.

> Other?
>>
>>5303684
>Whittling. All you need is a knife, some wood, and time.
>>
>>5303688
>> Practicing Art. You’ve got a steady hand and a vivid imagination; what more can you need? (draw comics)
>>
>>5303688
>> Gardening. You kinda like the idea of bringing some life into the word for once, rather than snuffing it out.
We can grow our own tomatoes.
>>
>>5303688
> Writing. You’ve always had a way with speaking, maybe it’ll translate into the written word. (Feel free to specify a particular genre / subject)
write about warfare tactics we have learned so far in life
>>
>>5303688
>Whittling. All you need is a knife, some wood, and time.
>>
Apologies anons, but I've got to cut it short tonight. Had some stuff pop up unexpectedly.

I'll leave the vote open until our next session, which will be Wednesday at 5:00 PM EST.

As always, thanks for playing! Hope to see you all there.
>>
>>5303688
>> Gardening. You kinda like the idea of bringing some life into the word for once, rather than snuffing it out
>>
>>5303688
>> Gardening. You kinda like the idea of bringing some life into the word for once, rather than snuffing it out.
>>
>>5303688
>> Gardening. You kinda like the idea of bringing some life into the word for once, rather than snuffing it out.

I like the idea and find it cute. We can use our succulent tomato plants as springboard into cooking too!

(Not to mention that being able to grow our own food will be helpful if we have to go off the grid)
>>
>>5303688
> Playing chess. You’ll have to find a new partner to replace Ravan, but there have to be other players tucked away somewhere.
>>
>>5303688
> Gardening. You kinda like the idea of bringing some life into the word for once, rather than snuffing it out.
>>
>>5303688
>> Playing chess. You’ll have to find a new partner to replace Ravan, but there have to be other players tucked away somewhere.
>>
>>5303688
>> Gardening. You kinda like the idea of bringing some life into the word for once, rather than snuffing it out.
>>
>>5303688
Meditating.
>>
>> Gardening. You kinda like the idea of bringing some life into the word for once, rather than snuffing it out.
>>
>>5303688
>Whittling. All you need is a knife, some wood, and time.
>>
>>5303688
>> Gardening. You kinda like the idea of bringing some life into the word for once, rather than snuffing it out.
Fresh Herbs are super good.
>>
Looks like gardening wins, go ahead and roll me some 2d100s.

First roll is to see how well you do at the aforementioned gardening, second roll is for Mouse's self-defense training.

No DC, these rolls are mostly for flavor.
>>
Rolled 75, 90 = 165 (2d100)

>>5306017
>>
Rolled 33, 60 = 93 (2d100)

>>5306017
>>
Rolled 24, 15 = 39 (2d100)

>>5306017
Give me the plant
>>
>>5306027
>>5306033
>>5306034

Alright, looks like you do a good job, and Mouse is really taking to his lessons.

Writing, probably gonna be a longer one.
>>
>>5306037

Hey anons, just checking in. Apologies for taking this long, but I'll probably need a bit longer.

It'll be worth it, I promise.
>>
>>5306082
don't worry man, take your time
>>
>>5306037

In addition to your regular exercise routine, you make time for other acts of self-improvement.

Thanks to your continued displays of cooperation, it doesn’t take much prodding to secure some private time in a private gym to practice with the Apokoliptian Sword and Shield that you looted from Knockout.

After all, carting an unfamiliar weapon into combat is a surefire way of earning a trip home in a pine box.

It’s a trap that far too many rookies fall for. Having the fanciest gear in the world doesn’t mean much if you don’t have a rock-solid base of honed skill to complement it.

Even the Squad isn’t suicidal enough to put an alien sword in your hands and leave you unsupervised, assigning a pair of guards to oversee your training.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO9EdUa5aX8

You don’t mind the company, even if they happen to be stooges for an organization that you plan on stuffing into an open grave. Everyone’s got to have a job, and you’ve certainly seen dirtier than correctional work.

Over the course of countless hours, you force yourself to become intimately familiar with the weight and balance of the your newly-acquired Apokoliptian melee weapons.

After practicing swipes, thrusts, jabs, and every other mixup with the Sword that you can think of, you finally judge yourself ready to add the Shield into the mix.

In the name of accelerating your progress, you persuade the guards to throw stuff at you. Gives you a little more motivation to raise your shield up if the alternative is getting slammed in the face with a rock or something equally harsh.

It takes some time to work the Shield into your rhythm, and it’s definitely harder to master than the Sword. Your experience with knives helped greatly with adapting your footwork, but you’ve never had any formal instruction relating to your new gear.

All in all, you put a strong foot forward. There’s still a long way to go before you’re anywhere close to being truly skilled, but you’re on the right path.

Maybe after your next mission, you’ll be able to train in your Apokoliptian Armor to really simulate battlefield conditions.
>>
>>5306092

The Squad is also more than happy to provide you with all the books on occultism and the arcane that you can handle. Unfortunately, their collection doesn’t hold a candle to some of the literary works you’ve managed to amass, but anything is better than nothing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRK9kTXBw4Q

They already know that you’ve got a spark of magic in you, so there’s no real reason to neglect your magical education.

The Squad may be able to lock away your powers, but they’ll never be able to keep you from sharpening your intellect. And if this freely given knowledge happens to reveal the secret to shattering their suppression of your magic, so much the better.

You pore over every dusty tome, strange grimoire, and ancient manuscript that the Squad is willing / able to provide you with.

Most of it is total bullshit, but that doesn’t deter you in the slightest. Buried underneath all the cheap tricks for alchemists, the obvious deceptions of charlatans, and the insane ramblings of the unhinged, are a few common threads of truth that serve to illuminate the way.

Your greatest and most interesting find happens to be a musty journal belonging to an unnamed author. Written inside are frantic (and oftentimes illegible) scribblings about the nature of the universe and the energies that govern its respective actions and reactions.

The author claims to have channeled a power similar to your own, and goes into copious detail about the many experiments he performed to establish a baseline of his abilities and probe further into the limits of said powers.

Interestingly, the author refused to acknowledge the existence of mysticims, in any form. Instead, he claimed that the “magic” he was capable of manipulating was simply a previously undiscovered form of energy.

According to him, “magic” was better rationalized as his ability to consciously control the form of energy.

“Given that energy can neither be destroyed nor created, there must be a source. A massive conduit of energy snaking throughout all beings, that is drawn upon whenever so-called magic is called upon.” He writes, as his last entry in the journal.

Even if his theories are incorrect, his experiments and insights prove quite useful in honing your own understanding of the mystic arts.

> Skill Unlocked! Sword and Board: +10 to combat rolls involving your Apokoliptian Sword / Shield.

> Skill Improved! Magical Theory: +20 to rolls when attempting to read magical texts, +15 when rolling to unlock new spells.
>>
>>5306094

Unfortunately, you get bogged down when attempting to work through your backlog of philosophy and ancient history books. You enjoy the subject, but there’s always something more interesting in the back of your mind that draws your focus away from classical literature. You manage to finish a few works, but you don’t really come away with much more than a sense of boredom.

To destress, you find yourself in the small communal garden tended by some of the gentler inmates. Gentle by Squad standards is still pretty goddamn rough, but everyone is careful to avoid starting any shit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OUP_Z3iZPs

At first, you were worried that you’d mess up and make a fool out of yourself, given your total inexperience with plant life. However, after a bit of tutelage, you take to tending the various gardens rather quickly. After a few weeks of regular care and monitoring, your well-maintained vegetable patch is perfectly hale and healthy.

When you notice how well your crop is doing, you can’t help but crack a smile. It’s a welcome feeling, bringing something new into the world instead of stomping it out.

Over time, the garden becomes something of a haven for you.

A respite from the stark brutality and concrete maze of Belle Reve, a place where you can let your mind slip away from your endless troubles. In the end, it offers you the greatest luxury available in this world; peace of mind.

And whenever you get sick of Voltaire’s lectures about “tending to your own garden”, are hot and frustrated after a long workout, or need some fresh air after burying your nose in dusty books, you make a point of visiting your patch and putting some work in.

Lastly, you spend a bit of time helping your librarian buddy, Mouse, work on CQC techniques. You’ve been teaching him a modified version of your MCMAP training, and he’s really been taking to it lately. His initial attempts were a bit rough, but he seems to have really thrown himself into your lesson plan.

And the fruits of that dedication are made evident when he arrives late to practice one day, triumphantly sporting a bloody nose and crooked grin. Apparently, some asshole decided he wanted to work out some frustrations, eyeballed Mouse as an easy target and tried to push him around.

Mouse put him in the infirmary with a broken leg and a gouged eye. When he imparts the news to you, you clap him on the back, and proceed to stop holding back. Success is no excuse for stagnation.
>>
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>>5306095

That night, as you drift off into a dreamless sleep, an unsettling sensation overtakes you; like a hybrid of goosebumps and intense heat.

When you rocket back awake, you blink and wipe at your eyes. Instead of the now-familiar environment of your cell, you’re surrounded on all sides by a never-ending void of darkness.

But suddenly, a bright spark rockets through the inky blackness, illuminating a familiar figure in ancient Greek armor who begins shouting out to you.

“Warrior! Listen carefully, there isn’t much time before I am forced to withdraw! I know of a way to break the shackles holding you back from your true power!

To bolster your strength, I will share with you some of my own essence!

The experience will not be pleasant. And should the attempt fail, the consequences will be disastrous!

But should it succeed, your powers will be restored to you in full!

What say you?”

You…

> Take the risk and give Pandion’s way a try. Your powers are a trump card that you’ll need to survive whatever the Squad tosses your way.

> Be cautious and turn Pandion down. You’ve already identified the root of your power blockage, you’ll figure out another way eventually.

> Other?
>>
>>5306097
>> Take the risk and give Pandion’s way a try. Your powers are a trump card that you’ll need to survive whatever the Squad tosses your way.
No balls
>>
>>5306097
>> Take the risk and give Pandion’s way a try. Your powers are a trump card that you’ll need to survive whatever the Squad tosses your way.
>>
>>5306097
> Take the risk and give Pandion’s way a try. Your powers are a trump card that you’ll need to survive whatever the Squad tosses your way.

We're desperate!
>>
>>5306097
>> Take the risk and give Pandion’s way a try. Your powers are a trump card that you’ll need to survive whatever the Squad tosses your way.
>>
>>5306102
>>5306107
>>5306112
>>5306119

Alright, go ahead and roll me some 1d100s.

DC: 70

inb4 crit
>>
Rolled 53 (1d100)

>>5306122
>>
Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>5306122
>>
I'm feeling good.>>5306127
>>
Rolled 4 (1d100)

>>5306122
>>
>>5306125
>>5306127
>>5306131

That's a success, writing.
>>
You almost killed us.>>5306131
>>
We can probably burn our way out of this prison. Pretty sure steel, stone, and bullet proof glass all have melting temps that we can achieve. I highly doubt they put us in a flame proof cell. We are not going to breakout immediately, but its nice to know we can probably burn out the bombs wiring on mission.
>>
>>5306153
You know what's smarter than that? Disabling the bomb before we do anything. And the last thing you do with a live bomb is fuck with it in the hopes you can turn it off. You either find the button for it or you get a professional to tinker with it.

Just expose the explosive material to extreme temperatures, what can go wrong? Better hope it's plastique and not just a pouch of gunpowder with a live wire and a dream. Figure it out first before deciding what to prod it with man. Jesus.
>>
They are nano bombs. I read the wiki.>>5306166
>>
Since I'm not a tech guy I just assumed they work like an iphone mini. Too much heat and they shutdown. It takes alot more heat to make them explode.
>>
>>5306132

It’s an incredible risk, but it’s one that you feel compelled to take. Once you get your mojo back, you’ll be able to well and truly turn the tables on the squad.

> “This is probably a bad idea, but what the hell. Let’s do it!”

“As I thought! Now brace yourself!”

A flaming arrow hurtles through the darkness enveloping you and hits you directly in the chest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBHpEaN49Eg

In that moment, you’re thrown into a collage of memories; snapshots of moments that seem familiar, but that you have objectively never experienced. Years pass in the blink of an eye.

You charge into battle, carving a bloody swathe through your enemy before finally reaching the enemy king and defeating him in a savage duel.

Upon your return to Athens, you receive a cruel awakening. While you had been at war and quashing threats to your people, your treacherous uncle Metion and his cursed sons whispered poisoned words into the ears of your most trusted councilors.

Instead of the heroic welcome you had earned, you were ousted from your kingdom and barely escaped with your life.

After fleeing to Megara, you found comfort in the arms of Pylia, the daughter of King Pylas of Megara. After Pylas’ exile, you were crowned the King of Megara, and settled into a comfortable life raising your sons. (Aegeus, Pallus, Nysus, and Lykos)

But the simmering hatred you bore for Metion refused to relent, even as you lay on your deathbed. In your last moments before Elysium, your beloved sons swore that they would besiege Athens and rip your uncle from his stolen prize.

To safeguard their lives, you made a bargain with the Gods, sacrificing your immortal soul to ensure their victory.

And as you pass into eternity, you don’t feel a single regret.

You awake, startled beyond belief and exhaling when you realize that it was just a dream.

At least, that’s what you think until you notice the Claw of Horus bound tightly around your right arm.
>>
Finally caught up. Good shit Axis great quest.

I wonder does batman view gunsmoke as a major threat as he keeps escalating his violence and crimes compared to every other villain being content with the status quo?
>>
>>5306172
Cool, Sean didn't.
>>
>>5306182

It worked! A gentle probe shows that the barrier is gone, and you can feel the magical power coursing through your body.

Feels fucking fantastic, like getting to remove a cast that’s been on for way too long.

> Debuff Removed! Magical Blocker.

Unfortunately, you still can’t get in contact with Jack or Set. Your comms sigil seems to be working fine, but they’re out of your service area, so to speak. Either you’re still getting blocked somehow, or something on their end is interfering.

“WARRIOR!? CAN YOU HEAR ME!?”

> “Hey, Pandion. Been a long time, sorry that I haven’t been able to talk for a while. Things’ve been pretty wild.”

> “WAR IS CHAOTIC AND UNPREDICTABLE. I UNDERSTAND.”

“By the way, were those visions I saw-“

“MY LIFE. A SIDE EFFECT OF THE TRANSFER. SOME BECOME LOST IN MEMORY AND NEVER RETURN, BUT I KNEW YOU TO BE OF STRONG WILL!”

> “You’re a miracle worker, Pandion. You really are. Mind if we pick this up later? That ritual was pretty exhausting.”

“OF COURSE, WARRIOR! TIME IS THE ONE THING I WILL NEVER LACK!”

In the morning, instead of breakfast, you’re given an armed escort to another windowless room occupied by your interrogator.

The timing of this has your mind running in paranoid circles, but you manage to keep your impulses in check.

You’re incredibly tempted to just let the fireworks run wild, but you can’t play that card until you’ve get the deck stacked totally in your favor.

As it turns out, you’re just being assigned to another mission.

And thanks to being a “model inmate,” you’re given the pick of the litter once again.

The interrogator is leery on handing out too much detail, but he’s willing to give some barebones intel.

The first mission is to Atlantis. Apparently, Black Manta’s looking for extra muscle to back an attempted coup.

The second mission is to Kahndaq. Black Adam is holding an international summit and needs fixers to keep things from getting nasty.

The third mission is to Themyscira. A major petroleum exporter had one of their drilling platforms occupied and torched by Amazons, and they’re looking for payback with interest.

The fourth mission is to Metropolis. Lex Luthor needs someone to clean up whistleblowers and other threats to his corporate empire.

After a great deal of thought, you sign up for the mission to…

> Atlantis. Wouldn’t be the first time you’ve tried to pull off a “hostile government restructuring.”

> Kahndaq. You’ve always had a silver tongue and a way with the shadows, you’ll fit in just fine.

> Themyscira. You’ve already put down one Amazon, what’s a few more?

> Metropolis. You’ve given espionage a try, now it’s time for corporate espionage.
>>
>>5306185
> Kahndaq. You’ve always had a silver tongue and a way with the shadows, you’ll fit in just fine.
>>
>>5306185
> Kahndaq. You’ve always had a silver tongue and a way with the shadows, you’ll fit in just fine.

We have great speech and stealth training to help keep guests orderly and if needed stealth assassinate surprise visitors.
>>
>>5306185
>Kahndaq. You’ve always had a silver tongue and a way with the shadows, you’ll fit in just fine.
>>
>>5306183

You hit the nail right on the head, anon. At first, you were a threat, but nothing to really kick up a fuss about.

After you kicked around Wonder Girl, Miss Martian, and Batgirl, (for the third time)?

That got you League attention, with all that entails. I still wouldn't classify you as a "major" threat, but you're definitely becoming a thorn in Batman's side.

If he ever found out about your Dresden / Defcon stuff? That'd definitely spice up your threat profile.


Anyhow, this feels like a good place to call it for tonight. I've gotta work late on Friday, so no session until Monday at 5:00 PM EST.

I'll go ahead and close the vote Friday evening at 5:00, just in case I have some spare time over the weekend to get some writing done.

As always, thanks for playing! I hope to see you all there.

(Apologies for any particularly egregious spelling / grammar errors tonight. It's hard to proofread without taking forever, and it's inevitable that stuff slips between the cracks.)
>>
>>5306185
>> Themyscira. You’ve already put down one Amazon, what’s a few more?
sounds exciting
>>5306197
thanks for the run!
>>
>>5306185
>> Kahndaq. You’ve always had a silver tongue and a way with the shadows, you’ll fit in just fine.
Giant magical manchildren? I wonder if Adam will smell the Set on us. That would be a fun conversation.
>>
Great session. Just wanted to propose a discussion since the session was sort of slow. Whats our end game? Will we get off planet? Will we create a henchman incorporation? Will we become a Chaos Lord on the level of the Witch Child? Personally, I think the idea of creating a military magic school with the goal of raising nameless grunts to actual threats and then leasing them out to supervillains as mercenary teams is pretty cool.
>>
>>5306240
Off planet seems boring and would make it hard for Axis to track off world adventures. I personally like establishing Outer Haven and doing the merc idea. Possibly with Venezuela support if we manage to puppet the nation through the jungle rats or using our freedom fighters but that would be very hard.
>>
>>5306240
It would be very funny to surprise heroes and villains when they fight a GS mook expecting an easy fight only for them to suddenly turn into surprise mini-boss battles.
>>
I also like the idea of pulling a Black Adam and carving part of the sandpit into our territory. Ask Set for help, build some monuments and establish a cult to help pay back all the favors we owe to set seeing as how we only have all of our magic shit and the claw to him. So few DC characters actually know that magic is real and even less know how to fight it. We can still do the merc idea though.
>>
It would be. What nameless grunt #24 actually knows how to fight, is disciplined, well trained, and not some high school dropout who will run away or go down in one punch? Can they do that?
>>
My last idea is to create a male version of Themyscira. We create a haven for guys who want a second chance to be somebody and teach them how to GET GUD.
>>
>>5306246
Become merc crusaders for Set with some Greek traditions to honor our Pandion bro while wearing stylish suits or trenchcoats from our ghost bro.
>>
>>5306240
honestly, playing teacher for randos sounds boring af. Darius and Isaac I can tolerate, Gremlin is based beyond belief, but more than that and it becomes a chore.
I want revenge on every fucking institution that dared to get in our way. Intergang, Court of Owls, Cadmus, the Squad. Then the U.S. military and goverment, make the armies' budget a pillar of flames that punches a hole in the atmosphere. Kill some JL members too if we have to, who cares.
Also go full Avatar of Set, expand his influence all over the world and become as gods.
>>
>>5306270
>Also go full Avatar of Set
I like the guy and don't mind doing stuff for him but full on drinking the kool-aid? No thanks. Besides, Set already got bullied and stuffed into a locker with only a tiny piece left out, if we do go all out in embracing his shenanigan juice I'm willing to bet the other gods are gonna come out of the woodwork and punt our ass into whatever hole they already shoved the rest of Set into.

We can start up some cults for him around when the opportunity presents itself but lets not make ourselves the target of even more deific entities.
>>
>>5306272
It's not "drinking the kool-aid" kind of retarded, I see it as means to an end. And with the ever rising stakes and Sean speedrunning the DC Universe character tierlist eventually Gotham is gonna be a small pond for us, and competing with gods for power sounds like my idea of fun.
>>
>>5306284
>compete
You make it sound like there would be a contest. It's a non-starter for me my guy.

If the powerlevels ever swing enough for me to see even a chance then sure I'd consider it but as things are shaping up now? No way. Set alone ain't gonna be enough in his diminished state. Unless we restore him or find some other divine backers to throw into the mix as well it's just not gonna end well.
>>
>>5306296
Fair enough, I wasn't gonna vote to establish Chaos as the world leading religion right after escaping Belle Reve. We'll see which of us got his way when the quest reaches it's peak.
>>
>>5306284
Have we seriously forgotten the fact that the spectre has his eyes on us at all times and as soon as we do shit like this he's gonna obliterate our ass off the face of the planet?
Honestly i'm extremely concerned cause the JL is gonna come after us at one point, and us stuffing their collective asses in a trashcan will probably get us killed.
>>
>>5306270
>>5306272
Starting up a cult for Set feels wildly out of character no matter how you slice it. Sean isn't the type of guy that would want people blindly following orders or worshipping anything. The most extremes I could see him going would be a mix of Big Boss and Armstrong. Picking up those people society forgets and making them strong enough to fight their own wars. I don't see him personally training almost anyone though. We have subordinates to handle the day to day.
>>
>>5306885
>people blindly following orders or worshipping anything.
That isn't strictly what a cult is. And I don't think Sean has any problem with people who have faith. Even if he himself doesn't necessarily adhere to the idea.
>>
>>5306972
If you can find me an example of a cult that isn't at some degree driven by blind faith I'll concede that point. I don't think he has an issue with anyone having faith but doesn't seem the type to go "Hey you guys should listen to this Set character. He's a pretty cool guy and doesn't afraid of anything!"
>>
>>5306977
Uh, the only difference between a cult and a church is which one is considered orthodox. You'd see this in ancient times with polytheistic religions all the time. Just because it has been associated more with psychos committing mass suicides and treating some guy with a pretty face or funny words like an incarnated god in modern times doesn't change that fact.

And the whole "blind faith" thing pretty much applies to religion in general depending on how cynical you are. In fact if you're truly deep in cynicism you may even consider non-theistic institutions as cults under that veil. Most militaries aren't very keen on the whole "independent thinking" thing.

And while Sean probably wouldn't tell people to sit down, shut up and pray he probably understands that some people do need something to believe in, so why not Set, whom he knows to be out there and might be able to convince to go and spice up their lives since he has the guy on speed dial?

I think there's just a disconnect between my usage of the word cult and your interpretation. I could probably have chosen a different word for it. Though arguments for Sean's character and what he's willing to do are absolutely valid concerns so I can't really argue with you on that. He probably wouldn't. But I could certainly see him able to justify it to himself. Mental gymnastics is fun.
>>
Why not the Big Boss & Cult run?

We can make a mercenary group and a way of thinking for those that are from our mercenary group. Make some kind of "Law" to it, like for example

>If you take Life, you must give Life. If you're able to grab a gun and kill somebody, you should be able to bring more Life to the World. Plant a tree, help poor people, something like that that's going to balance things out

>If you're willing to kill, keep in mind you might get killed. Once you cross that line, there's no going back, so be prepared and accept your Destiny once it knocks you're door

>Every Squad member is part of the same family.

Idk, things like that, those are some rules that we might give to our people and follow, and maybe spread a little to people that are not part of our mercenary group.

Or we can go to villages in Egypt and such to start rising a Cult
>>
>>5306987
>And the whole "blind faith" thing pretty much applies to religion in general depending on how cynical you are. In fact if you're truly deep in cynicism you may even consider non-theistic institutions as cults under that veil.
Cynical enough that I agree with this so that might be where the disconnect is. I also feel like Sean doesn't trust Set nearly enough to send anyone his way. If anything I could see him deifying GG for essentially giving him purpose.

>>5307022
That I could see a bit more. He'd have rules for his organization and as people are want to do they'd start worshipping him. Even if he didn't want them to.
>>
>>5307022
I think the lawful merc stuff you detailed is a really good idea, but the cult stuff goes against Sean's character.
>>
>>5307022
No cults, only crusaders to retake Egypt from the unfaithful.
>>
>>5306185
>> Kahndaq. You’ve always had a silver tongue and a way with the shadows, you’ll fit in just fine.
>>
Maybe a possible route could be less of a cult, more of a Coven? We don't really worship Set anyhow, so cults don't seem to be our thing.

However, a group dedicated to learning magic (something we're interested in, as our studying shows) and applying it practically (Magic Mercs, anyone?) would probably be up our alley.

Of course it's probably a long-way off, honestly
>>
>>5307406
I don't see why people are hung up on the cults, we can just delegate that to someone else. On the other hand, we are something of a people person, we could get followers for Set very easily.
Really, people are starting to fall for their own praise. This is DC: Henchman Quest, Sean is a guy who does shitty stuff for money. If anything being Set's henchman way after Jack's passing seems like natural progression for the quest.
>>
I just had a thought. So, when we escape the Suicide Squad and return to the mission, do we retire gunsmoke to prevent the SS from realizing we are attached to our bois and get a new persona, go as gunsmoke but lead from the back, or go back leading gunsmoke in the front but risk constant fighting against the Suicide Squads?
>>
>>5308027
I say we should talk with Set and Jack, try to learn some advanced scrying from so far with a rune or something like the ones we have with Set and Jack. If we can do that, like some astral Projection from our base to Venezuela and maybe one of our boys so they can see and hear us, we can do a lot.

We could basically be a kind of Commander while we're at Gotham, and if there's some important mission or something we can aid even more with that. And if we can make it so we can have more influence in the Projection, then that's it, we have it done.
>>
>>5307406
>>5307417
People doesn't stay always as a mere Henchman. I see a natural progression to have some adventures with Set for a while to have fun and then start our own stuff, scratching Set's back once in a while when he need Friends. Maybe with our adventures we can help and get some divine essence to make him more stable in this place, either going for some Magic/Mythological Journey to take it from some weird being, or just making a Cult. Or not just a Cult and more something like a way of living with Chaos and shit, not like directly praying to Set but with the action of his unknowing followers he gains power to stablish himself with a firm base
>>
I see only 1 real Set end goal. Sean becomes a Lord of Chaos. We shall be the magical equal of Doctor Fate but with a martial and vengeance bent. Sadly to start this path we need a catalyst. I say we sacrifice those who betray their comrades to set condemning their souls to be his food and toys. Starting with the dick betrayed us.
>>
>>5306197

You wouldn’t be alive right now if you couldn’t read a room, handle things discretely, or talk your way out of a jam.

Given those talents, the mission best-suited for your skillset would be the operation to Kahndaq.

Plus, it’s probably a lot safer when compared to the other options on the table.

You’re not the biggest fan of setting off to yet another sandbox, but it’s not like you’ll be hunted across the scorching sands again.

All you’ll have to do is babysit Black Adam’s guests and keep anyone from stealing the silverware, causing an international incident, or executing any other form of geopolitical plotting inherent to “diplomatic” missions.

After informing the interrogator of decision, you’re not led back to your cell.

Instead, the handcuffs go back on and a half-dozen guards frogmarch you through a section of Belle Reve you’ve never seen before.

At a glance, it looks like an office building or administrative facility of some kind.

You memorize as many details relating to the layout, security, and weaknesses as you can. Never know what might come in handy later.

Turns out that your destination is a large corner office, something made evident when one of your escorts abruptly shoves you inside.

The sole occupant is sitting behind an expensive wooden desk, and is giving you an incredibly cold stare. Guess he hasn’t forgotten about how you nearly ruined an entire Squad operation in Venezuela.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX_IlHZS8qo

Judging from the fancy office and traces of smug arrogance present on his face, this must be the man calling the shots around here.

If you had to paint a mental picture using the phrase “company man”, he’d fit it to a goddamn tee.

Close-cropped blonde hair, immaculately pressed suit and tie, red-tinted sunglasses, and an ever-present aura of righteous superiority.

He’d practically blend in with the wallpaper if it weren’t for the scars marring half his face. Looks like he decided to kiss a flamethrower or something.

“Defcon. The results of your operation in Qurac landed on my desk some time ago, along with your dossier and a request for a face-to-face meeting. Given your discoveries, I felt it was only reasonable to humor you.”

You go to sit down, only to be interrupted midway through the act.

“You’ll stand until I say otherwise.

My time is precious, so I won’t bother with pleasantries. My name is Lok, but more importantly, but names are of little value in our line of work. The only thing you need to know about me is that my word is law.

And speaking of which…”

He leans over the desk, revealing a crack in his facade of indifference.

“I don’t trust you in the slightest, and likely never will.”
>>
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>>5310730

“Your background and origins are a complete mystery. Without extensive study and testing, we will never truly understand the true nature of your abilities.

You are an unknown, and I am inclined to treat you as such.

Even your codename is an obvious fabrication. Did you really think we wouldn’t investigate it? It would’ve helped if you had at least tried to backstop a cover of some kind.”

Fueled by obliviousness or pure hubris, he allows the implicit threat to hang in the air, despite your obvious tension.

He takes a break from raking you over the coals to light up a thick stogie of a cigar. In between long puffs, he continues to stare you down before continuing his critique.

“Put simply, you seem to lie as easily as you breathe. And I have little tolerance for schemers, rebels, or any other flavor of disobedience.

Nonetheless, you perform satisfactory work and follow orders. And I am loath to dispose of assets without proper cause.

So long as you serve our purposes as I dictate, then your life will be allowed to continue.

But if I even suspect that you’ve taken a singular step out of line, I’ll personally have you terminated.

Is that understood?”

> “You’ve made your point.” You grit out, desperately keeping your rapidly simmering rage in check.

Ever since you got your powers back, the idea of going on a rampage and stomping every stooge and bully that’s kept you locked up like a junkyard hound keeps getting more tempting.

But until you can do something about the bomb they’ve implanted in you, that’s just wishful thinking.

Hopefully you’ll be able to blow off a bit of steam in Kahndaq, might help take the edge off.

“You’ve made your point, sir.” He barks with complete seriousness.

“I’ll let it go, just this once. If you fail to show the proper respect in my presence again, I’ll ensure that the lesson sticks.

Now, I’ll ask again. Am I understood?”
>>
>>5310732

> “Yes, sir.” You agree, keeping your voice level despite the ever-increasing urge to throttle this prick.

“Good. Now you may sit, and we will talk like civilized men. I assume you had some reason for seeking my attention?”

You decide to carefully…

(Choose 3)

> Probe for intel about Cadmus. You can’t put your finger on it, but something just isn’t adding up about this whole situation.

> Enquire about the documents you stole from the Russian embassy. Maybe they could shed some light on what’s happening behind-the-scenes.

> Request a status report about the samples you recovered. Can’t help but be a little curious about progress of the cure.

> Ask about the jamming tech you recovered. If the techs were able to pull any coordinates from it, it could be the next link in the chain to stopping the Ragnarök Contingency.

> Request information about the MIA members of the Qurac team. You never found out what happened to Ravan, Daemon, or Nitro; maybe Lok can provide a bit of closure.

> Request dossiers on your soon-to-be teammates. Information is power, especially when you’re dealing with strangers with superpowers.

> Play to his pride and get him talking about Belle Reve and the origins of Task Force X. Maybe if you lead him the right way, he’ll mention something he really shouldn’t.

> Make polite conversation while simultaneously giving your surroundings an analytic once-over. Personal items and decorations can reveal a surprising amount about their owners.

> Other?
>>
> Play to his pride and get him talking about Belle Reve and the origins of Task Force X. Maybe if you lead him the right way, he’ll mention something he really shouldn’t.
>>
>>5310734
You get three picks for this vote, anon.
>>
>>5310733
>> Play to his pride and get him talking about Belle Reve and the origins of Task Force X. Maybe if you lead him the right way, he’ll mention something he really shouldn’t.
> Request dossiers on your soon-to-be teammates. Information is power, especially when you’re dealing with strangers with superpowers.
> Request a status report about the samples you recovered. Can’t help but be a little curious about progress of the cure.
>>
>>5310733
>Probe for intel about Cadmus. You can’t put your finger on it, but something just isn’t adding up about this whole situation.
>Ask about the jamming tech you recovered. If the techs were able to pull any coordinates from it, it could be the next link in the chain to stopping the Ragnarök Contingency.
>Make polite conversation while simultaneously giving your surroundings an analytic once-over. Personal items and decorations can reveal a surprising amount about their owners.
>>
Rolled 3, 4 = 7 (2d5)

>>5310734
>>5310745
>>5310757

Alright, it looks like appealing to his pride and pumping him for information about Task Force X wins.

In the interests of keeping things moving, I'll roll a tiebreaker.

1 = Request dossiers.
2 = Request status report about cure.
3 = Probe for Cadmus intel.
4 = Ask about jammers.
5 = Analyze your surroundings.
>>
>>5310782

Go ahead and roll me some 1d100s+25

First roll is for information about Task Force X / Belle Reve.
Second roll is for information about Cadmus.
Third roll is for the the results of analyzing the jammers.

First DC: 60 / 85
Second DC: 75 / 95
Third DC: 40 / 65
>>
Rolled 39 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>5310786
Wait, 1d100?
>>
>>5310788

Shit, you're right. Meant to put 3d100+25.
>>
Rolled 6, 99 = 105 (2d100)

>>5310786
>>5310788
Alright, here's 2 more
>>
Rolled 86, 73, 3 + 25 = 187 (3d100 + 25)

>>5310786
Fat balls
>>
Rolled 12, 9, 31 = 52 (3d100)

>>5310786
this roll is a bomb
>>
>>5310786

Sad we lost the 99. Please no crits.
>>
roll did not load.>>5310812
>>5310786
>>
Rolled 37, 36, 65 = 138 (3d100)

Just add 25 to these please.>>5310812
>>
>>5310788
>>5310792
>>5310796
>>5310811

Alright, that's an excellent success for all three checks.

Writing.
>>
Wow. Sure would have sucked to not get the info from the jammer we critted on. We got each max. Also, >>5310811 please consider not rolling this session.
>>
Funny how he says how untrustworthy we are and then proceeds to tell us literally everything.
>>
>>5310821
Everyone is powerless against Sean's silver tongue. He could rob a bank with nothing more than pure bullshit spewing from his mouth
>>
File: itaintme.gif (1.47 MB, 480x336)
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>>5310820
>please consider not rolling this session.
No.
>>
Rolled 6, 87, 72 = 165 (3d100)

That was bait, however your meme redeemed your rolls and we all roll shit sometimes.
>>
Rolled 687, 575, 730, 362, 604, 817, 541, 972, 577, 633 = 6498 (10d1000)

testing my luck
>>
>>5310819

> “It must not be easy managing an operation of this size, especially given the volatile nature of the inmates. Are there any insights you can offer about Task Force X or its history, sir? I’ve been trying to understand the hierarchy around here, but things are a bit confusing.

Despite his claims that he doesn’t trust you, your easygoing charm and tactically placed asskissery manages to avoid tripping any of his internal bullshit detectors to the point where he actually cracks a slight smile at your question.

“As you mentioned, it’s not an easy feat keeping Belle Reve organized. But first, there is something I need to explain. Task Force X itself consists of several different branches, all working towards providing for the common defense of the nation and advancing its interests in a variety of fields.

I’m the head of the Suicide Squad, not of Task Force X as a whole. Arguably, most branches of Task Force X are quasi-independent entities that receive little oversight unless a severe breach of protocol occurs.

There’s usually some kind of overlap, but each is a nation unto themselves.

In my case, I spent the majority of my career in Checkmate, the intelligence arm for Task Force X.

I was one of their Knight agents; think of them as spies performing field work. After my injury, I was shifted to the position of Rook and began planning actions instead of going on them.

Due to certain unpleasantries, my current leadership position needed to be filled, and I was tapped as the prime candidate. My… predecessor was unable to properly handle the stresses of the position, and was replaced; both for her own good and to safeguard national security.”

It’s a pain in the ass to call this colossal REMF “sir” like he demands, but you’ll play ball as long as it benefits your own goals.

> “During my mission to Qurac, I found some orders on one of the hostiles attempting to recover the virus samples. In it, there was a reference some kind of group called Cadmus. Have you heard of them before, sir?”

He grimaces, and you can tell that you’ve hit a hell of a sore spot.

“Yes, and it’s important that you keep this information need-to-know. Much how Checkmate is our espionage branch and the Suicide Squad is our covert action group, Cadmus was our R&D initiative.

Some months ago, they went entirely rogue and began waging a shadow war against the whole of Task Force X. They are incredibly dangerous and have thrown all semblance of morality and decency out the window.”

> “Have you managed to pull anything useful from that jammer I recovered? Cadmus tried pretty hard to keep it from falling into our hands; it’s got to have something useful on it to warrant that kind of response, sir.”

“Good question. We’ve had sources at Checkmate sifting through the terabytes of data copied from the jammer, but it’ll take time to process that a cache of that magnitude."
>>
>>5310871

“In the meantime, we’ve managed to reverse engineer their communications protocols. Put simply, we have a backchannel into their secure transmissions, and can circumvent their jamming at our leisure.

The intelligence you’ve provided has gone a long way to helping us locate and dismantle Cadmus’ operations, and that contribution has not gone unnoticed.

In fact, that feat the main reason I agreed to this meeting. Any man can hold a gun and go to war, but you’ve demonstrated a knack for work requiring a neater touch.”

His expression softens slightly.

“Should you continue to prove yourself valuable, I may transfer you to Checkmate as a liaison or in a similar capacity.

Dismissed.”

After you’re led back to your cell, you notice something weird.

Laying on your bed is a Bible that definitely wasn’t there before.

A cursory examination reveals that it’s been hollowed out, containing a sat-phone and crumpled up note.

The note reads…

“Buddy of mine managed to get it fixed up for you. According to them, the battery is unstable and it’s only got a couple calls left in it before it’ll brick entirely. Make em count, and remember our deal.”

Looks like Shade came through, just like he promised.

Gremlin should’ve passed on the news of your survival to everyone in your circle of trust, but that’s no substitute for the real thing.

You decide to call…

(Choose 2)

> Jack. He can give you a rundown as to what’s going on in Gotham, and can help Gremlin coordinate your escape.

> Darius / Isaac. As far as you know, they’re still fighting your bush war in Venezuela. Hopefully the Grand Liberators are holding strong, despite your absence.

> The GCPD hotline Batgirl directed you to. If you can pass information to Batman, (and by extension the JLA) you might be able to take advantage of any chaos it causes.

> Bane. It might cost you later, but he’s got a surplus of muscle and you parted with him on good terms. Maybe he’d be willing to help bust you out.

> Bobo. Haven’t spoken to your old drinking buddy for some time, but maybe he has some ideas about getting out of here. He’s smarter than he looks, that's for sure.

> Other?
>>
>Tell Jack the shit and to contact our boys down south.

> Bane. because he fucking hates this shit and an attack by him wont raise suspicion beyond how he found out.

Alternatively contact bane and use his ties in South America to help our boys and catch the rat.
>>
>>5310872
>Jack. Also tell him to contact Darius and Isaac, if he can.

>Bobo. Haven’t spoken to your old drinking buddy for some time, but maybe he has some ideas about getting out of here. He’s smarter than he looks, that's for sure.

Bobo's very smart, he can definitely help us out here. Many other options tie Defcon/Adjutant Tango together with Gunsmoke, which is something we can't really afford
>>
>>5310872
>Jack. He can give you a rundown as to what’s going on in Gotham, and can help Gremlin coordinate your escape.
the last choice is really fucking tough, you could make a decent argument for all of them.
>Bobo. Haven’t spoken to your old drinking buddy for some time, but maybe he has some ideas about getting out of here. He’s smarter than he looks, that's for sure.
>>
>>5310872
>> Jack. He can give you a rundown as to what’s going on in Gotham, and can help Gremlin coordinate your escape.
> The GCPD hotline Batgirl directed you to. If you can pass information to Batman, (and by extension the JLA) you might be able to take advantage of any chaos it causes.
>>
>>5310894
I'm against the GCPD choice just because I don't think the JLA or batman would do shit. We've already seen how they won't touch the country we fucked shit up in, I don't think they would touch GLOW-IN-THE-DARK stuff either unless it's something really big.
>>
>>5310897
I think the whole Ragnarok Contingency is very much worth doing something about. Since, y'know, twelve percent of the population and all that.
>>
>>5310872
>> Jack. He can give you a rundown as to what’s going on in Gotham, and can help Gremlin coordinate your escape.
>> Bobo. Haven’t spoken to your old drinking buddy for some time, but maybe he has some ideas about getting out of here. He’s smarter than he looks, that's for sure.
Honestly I don't mind Bobo knowing we're a bit of a crook. Half the people in the Oblivion bar are anyway.
>>
>>5310884
>>5310891
>>5310901

Alright, looks like giving Jack and Bobo a call wins.

Need to call it here for tonight, next session is Wednesday at 5:00 PM EST.

As always, thanks for playing!

I realize I probably tossed a lot of information around tonight, so let me know if anything needs clarification.

Feel free to ask any general questions too, if you've got em.

Have a good one, anons.
>>
>Jack. Also tell him to contact Darius and Isaac, if he can.

>Bobo. Haven’t spoken to your old drinking buddy for some time, but maybe he has some ideas about getting out of here. He’s smarter than he looks, that's for sure.

Bane is busy fighting his own war, Darius/Issac are rooks, GCPD would either take forever, be ignored, or a waste as we can't time it with our breakout. And being spook central the JLA would probably launch a complaint and spook the SS out of Louisiana.
>>
>>5310872
> Jack. He can give you a rundown as to what’s going on in Gotham, and can help Gremlin coordinate your escape.

I would vote for the GCPD line just for the keks when batgirl herself breaks us out, but I don't want to link our identities together just yet.

> Bobo. Haven’t spoken to your old drinking buddy for some time, but maybe he has some ideas about getting out of here. He’s smarter than he looks, that's for sure.
>>
>>5310872
>> Jack. He can give you a rundown as to what’s going on in Gotham, and can help Gremlin coordinate your escape.
> Darius / Isaac. As far as you know, they’re still fighting your bush war in Venezuela. Hopefully the Grand Liberators are holding strong, despite your absence.
>>
>>5311126
>>5311145
Guys, votes closed!
>>
So what are the odds the mia huys are alive and defected to cadamus? What if the radio operator that leaked our evac was in on it?
>>
>>5310902

Out of your immediate contacts, Jack and Bobo are at the top of your “to-call” list.

After all, you owe it to Jack to stay in contact when you can. Plus, it’s been a while since you’ve heard a friendly voice, and he deserves to know what you’ve managed to get yourself all snarled up in.

And Bobo is an old drinking buddy of yours that helped kickstart your foray into paranormal investigation. If you need a magical solution, he’ll know exactly who to ask for the best answer.

You’ll start with Jack, just in case your phone dies ahead of schedule.

There are several important topics to discuss, but you plan to…

(Choose 3)

> Tell Jack everything you know about Project X, Cadmus, the Suicide Squad, and the Ragnarök Contingency. If you don’t make it through this, at least he’ll have some baseline knowledge to work with.

> Mention your inability to get in touch via comms sigil. Maybe he has an idea as to why it’s suddenly on the fritz.

> Ask about Gremlin’s progress in regards to helping you break free of the Squad. Hopefully, he’s been able to figure out a way to get you off the grid until the heat dies down.

> Get an update on Bane’s gang war. It’s been a while since you’ve heard news from Gotham, maybe it’ll offer an opportunity.

> Ask Jack if he’s heard anything from Set. You haven’t seen hide nor hair of him since your capture in Venezuela; who knows what he might be up to.

> Seek advice about your situation as a whole. Jack’s been around the block more than a few times, maybe he has some nuggets of wisdom to share.

> Ask Jack to see if Genghis and Cortez are available. You’ve pulled a couple jobs with them in the past, maybe they’ll be willing to help spring you.

> Other?
>>
>>5313411
>> Tell Jack everything you know about Project X, Cadmus, the Suicide Squad, and the Ragnarök Contingency. If you don’t make it through this, at least he’ll have some baseline knowledge to work with.
> Mention your inability to get in touch via comms sigil. Maybe he has an idea as to why it’s suddenly on the fritz.
> Ask about Gremlin’s progress in regards to helping you break free of the Squad. Hopefully, he’s been able to figure out a way to get you off the grid until the heat dies down.
>>
>>5313413
+1
>>
>>5313413
>>5313420

Writing. Gonna have to call it soon; totally forgot that I've got some shit to do.
>>
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>>5313444

Just to be safe, you do a quick and dirty search of your room for bugs or other listening devices. Definitely wouldn’t put it past the Squad to try and keep tabs on you in every way they can.

You come empty, which is either a good sign or a really bad sign. But you’re never going to escape this hellhole if you aren’t willing to take a risk now and again.

When you dial Jack’s number, you pray that he’s still up. It’s pretty late, and it’d suck if he just decided to ignore a random call from an unknown number.

“Hello? Might I enquire as to why you’ve chosen to come calling at such an ungodly hour?” Jack’s voice carries a hint of polite annoyance and obvious stress.

> “What can I say, you know that I’ve always had a flair for sticking my nose where it’s not wanted. Anyhow, it’s good to hear your voice again, sorry it couldn’t be under better circumstances.”

Jack instantly loses the overtones of irritation upon recognizing your voice.

“Likewise. Our blackhat friend has done their level best to keep me informed, but I was beginning to worry that the worst had occurred. I presume that the “no names” precaution you instituted is still in effect?”

> “You presume correctly. Don’t want to paint a target on your doorstep in case the walls have ears.”

“I appreciate the concern, but I would rather that you focus on your own wellbeing until matters improve. How have they been treating you?”

> “Eh, it could be worse; three hots and a cot ain’t so different from how life used to be. How have you been holding up? When I left, I wasn’t expecting that it’d be for the long haul.”

“Better, now that I have definitive proof of your safety. Not that I ever doubted our friend, but secondhand rumor is no substitute for hearing it from the source.

What exactly have your captors been putting you up to?”

> “Better buckle in, because it’s a long and bumpy ride.”

You quickly explain everything you’ve manage to glean about Task Force X and its constituent parts, as well as Cadmus and their horrifying Ragnarök Contingency.

Jack doesn’t interrupt you with questions, letting you get it all off your chest.

> “That’s about the long and short of it. My only real option is to keep playing ball until I can figure out a way to slip the noose and make a run for it.”

“Remember when I encouraged you to be more ambitious, to seek a new place for yourself in the world? I changed my mind.” Jack jokes, obviously seeking to lighten the tone of the conversation.

> “Very funny. But I’m being serious here; there’s a good chance that I’m not going to get through this in one piece. This place, it chews through people until there’s nothing left. Should the worst come to pass, I want you to blow the whistle as hard as possible and drag these bastards into the open.”

“If you insist, so long as you stop speaking like that. You’ll pull through this, just keep your chin up.
>>
>>5313480

> “Speaking of which, has our friend mentioned anything on that front? As fun as my stay at the government hotel has been, I feel that I’m starting to overstay my welcome.”

“To their credit, they’ve been giving me regular reports on their progress. Most of it is beyond my understanding, but rest assured; your time in captivity is nearing its expiration date.”

> “That reminds me, I tried pinging you with my comms sigil earlier, but I couldn’t get any kind of signal. Any ideas as to what might be screwing with it?

“Hmm, that’s odd. Let me try something.”

There’s a short moment of silence.

“It seems that you’re entirely correct. After your abrupt disappearance, I discovered myself that I couldn’t get a fix on your location, or dispatch any kind of message to you.

I was hoping that the matter would be resolved with time, but that appears to be little more than an old fool’s dream.”

> “Could it be the location? I know the Squad has some magic talent in it, maybe they-“

“No, it has nothing to do with that. On a hunch, has your magic been behaving strangely, in any noticeable way?

> “Well, I did have to bust through some kind of magical blocker, and the process for doing so was pretty trippy. Could that have done it?”

“Describe it to me, with as much detail as you’re comfortable with.”

You run Jack through Pandion’s gambit, how he gifted you a part of his essence and how you experienced intense moments from his mortal life.

As soon as you mention essence, Jack makes an “Aha!” noise.

“Of course! In an attempt to cut a long, convoluted lecture on the mechanics of sigil communication short, I’ll make this simple.

When you bonded with that magical essence, it must’ve altered your magical signature! Don’t worry, your magical abilities should remain as hale and hearty as ever.

Unfortunately, your sigils are precisely keyed to a specific signature that no longer exists. Think of it like changing your address without ever notifying the post office. You’ll keep getting letters, but nothing will ever actually reach you until the error is rectified.

Until we meet in person and I re-key the sigil, I’m afraid we’re confined to more mundane methods of communication.”
>>
>>5313481

> “That’s not ideal, but life rarely is. I wish we could talk for longer, but I’m running against the clock and need to make another call.”

“Godspeed, and know that I’ll have a particularly potent vintage ready for your return party.”

If the world had more people like Jack in it, maybe things wouldn’t have corroded to the point that groups like Task Force X and Cadmus exist.

It’s probably just wishful thinking, but it’s still feels damn good to know that you’ve got friends in your corner.

And now, to give your part-time detective, full-time smartass of a drinking buddy a call.

You decide to….

(Choose 2)

> Have him start digging into Cadmus. Aside from the spiel that Lok spoon-fed you, there’s little you know about the organization or its actual goals.

> Have him make discreet inquiries about the precise location of Belle Reve. It’s a tall order, but it’ll be useful for both escaping and paying the place a future visit.

> Have him trawl the Oblivion Bar and find some magicians willing to help bust you out. You’ll owe him a huge debt afterwards, but that’s a problem for another day.

> Seek advice about your situation as a whole. Bobo’s got a sharp mind and keen instincts, maybe he’ll notice something you don’t.

> Have him investigate the whole “bomb in your head” thing. You’re gonna need that removed or suppressed before things can really start rolling.

> Other?
-------------------------------------------

As previously mentioned, I've gotta call it early tonight. Life and its incessant interruptions have weaseled into my schedule once again.

I'll close the votes at midnight, that way I can have something ready for Friday's session at 5:00 PM EST.

As always, hope to see you all there and thanks for playing!
>>
>>5313486
> Have him start digging into Cadmus. Aside from the spiel that Lok spoon-fed you, there’s little you know about the organization or its actual goals.
> Seek advice about your situation as a whole. Bobo’s got a sharp mind and keen instincts, maybe he’ll notice something you don’t.
thanks for the run
>>
>>5313486
>> Have him investigate the whole “bomb in your head” thing. You’re gonna need that removed or suppressed before things can really start rolling.
> Have him make discreet inquiries about the precise location of Belle Reve. It’s a tall order, but it’ll be useful for both escaping and paying the place a future visit.
>>
>>5313486
> Seek advice about your situation as a whole. Bobo’s got a sharp mind and keen instincts, maybe he’ll notice something you don’t.
> Have him investigate the whole “bomb in your head” thing. You’re gonna need that removed or suppressed before things can really start rolling.
Bomb is super important and getting general advice from Bobo is always a good idea.
>>
>>5313486
> Have him make discreet inquiries about the precise location of Belle Reve. It’s a tall order, but it’ll be useful for both escaping and paying the place a future visit.
> Have him investigate the whole “bomb in your head” thing. You’re gonna need that removed or suppressed before things can really start rolling.
Both important for getting out of here, the rest we can figure out when we aren't in danger of our head getting blown up or being stuck in a cell.
>>
>>5313486
> Have him make discreet inquiries about the precise location of Belle Reve. It’s a tall order, but it’ll be useful for both escaping and paying the place a future visit.
> Have him investigate the whole “bomb in your head” thing. You’re gonna need that removed or suppressed before things can really start rolling.
>>
>>5313486
> Have him make discreet inquiries about the precise location of Belle Reve. It’s a tall order, but it’ll be useful for both escaping and paying the place a future visit.
> Have him investigate the whole “bomb in your head” thing. You’re gonna need that removed or suppressed before things can really start rolling.
>>
>>5313610
>>5313668
>>5313686
>>5313704

As of midnight, it looks like having Bobo focus on your neural bomb and the location of Belle Reve wins.

Writing, post'll be out tomorrow.
>>
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>>5314460

After concluding your call with Jack, you give Bobo a ring.

It’s been a while since you’ve seen the chimp, but he’s always done right by you. Like when he showed you the basics of detective work and pointed some work your way during your stint as a paranormal investigator.

Jack sure knows how to pick his friends, or maybe vice versa.

“You’ve reached the offices of Chimpanzee Investigations, what can I solve for ya?”

Bobo’s attempt at professionalism falls flat when the Oblivion Bar’s jukebox starts cranking out a heavy metal song you don’t recognize.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAJV2va9V9A

To be fair, Bobo spends so much time on that barstool that it’s arguably the closest analogy for his place of business.

You don’t much like the idea of using names over the phone, but you’re not left with many options. Judging from the way the sat-phone is starting to smoke, there’s not much time left before it burns out entirely.

Every second counts, and you can’t afford to waste any of it, even if you’ve got to shelve your preferred security measures.

> “It’s me, Bobo.”

“Sean! Heard you made a hell of a splash with that business in Slaughter Swamp; thinking of getting back in the business? We haven’t seen you around the joint for a while, been keeping your nose clean?

> “Yeah, about that…” You trail off, a bit sheepish.

“You’re in jail, aren’t you?” He asks, entirely deadpan.

> “Kinda? It’s a long and convoluted story, and I need your help busting out.”

“That’s not really in my wheelhouse. I mean, I’m a detective, not a soldier; don’t you know somebody better suited for that kind of thing?

> Getting over the fence isn’t exactly the biggest issue I’ve got, it’s what comes after that has me worried.”

“How cryptic. If you’re trying to bait out my curiosity, it’s working. Guess I’ll bite; what has you so twisted up?”

> “I got caught during a job and nearly got wasted for my trouble. When I woke up, I found out that they put a goddamn bomb in my head. Since then, they’ve been forcing me to work for them.”
>>
>>5315676

“And who’s ‘they’?”

> “You’re better off not knowing the details; all that matters is that they’re scary people with a lot of crooked pals in their pocket.”

Bobo takes a deep drink of something and lets out a long burp.

“Fine. What do you need from me?”

> “You’re a lifesaver! I need to you to find somebody or something capable of dealing with whatever they’ve jammed in my head. As soon as they figure out I’ve busted out, they’re going straight to the big red button.”

“Anything else?”

> “They don’t let us outside the wire unless we’ve got a mission, but I’ve heard that we’re somewhere in Louisiana. The place is called Belle Reve, but I don’t know if it’s an actual location or just a codename. If you can figure out where I’m being held, that’ll be a huge help.”

“I’ll see what I can do. How should I get back in contact with you?”

> “That’s going to be tricky. My phone’s about to go the way of the dodo, and I don’t know when I’ll get another opportunity like this. Just keep your phone nearby and assume that any calls you get from unknown numbers aren’t just about your car’s extended warranty.”

“When this is all said and done, you and I need to have a long conversation, preferably over something strong and cheap.”

> “The good kind of conversation, or the bad kind of conversation?”

“Haven’t decided yet. Guess you’ll have to find out yourself.”

Bobo hangs up, and your sat-phone lets out a pathetic little noise before shorting out and refusing to turn back on.

Well, at least Shade warned you that it came with a shelf-life.

To bury the evidence, you incinerate the broken phone with a Fire Bolt and scatter the ashes out your window before you go to bed.

In the morning, you’re escorted to the armory and issued your equipment for the mission to Kahndaq.

You decide to bring your…

—————————————————

Armor

> Apokoliptian Armor (Can tank all kinds of damage, but its memorable)
> Conventional Armor (Less protection, but may raise fewer red flags)

Primary Weapon
> Apokoliptian Carbine (Volatile Intergang tech, capable of putting a hole through damn near anything)
> Cadmus Rifle (High-powered battle rifle looted from Cadmus assets in Iraq)

Secondary Weapon
> Colt 1911 (Reliable and hardy)
> Sawed-Off Shotgun (Easy to conceal and lethal in close-quarters)

Melee Weapon
> Apokoliptian Sword and Shield (Flashy and comparatively cumbersome, but offers more tactical options)
> KABAR (Decent for both stealth / brawling)

Explosives (4 maximum)
> Fragmentation
> Smoke
> Flashbang
> Incendiary
> Thermite
>>
>>5315678
>> Apokoliptian Armor (Can tank all kinds of damage, but its memorable)
> Apokoliptian Carbine (Volatile Intergang tech, capable of putting a hole through damn near anything)
> Colt 1911 (Reliable and hardy)
> KABAR (Decent for both stealth / brawling)
> 2 Smoke
> 2 Thermite
>>
>>5315678
> Apokoliptian Armor (Can tank all kinds of damage, but its memorable)
>Apokoliptian Carbine (Volatile Intergang tech, capable of putting a hole through damn near anything)

No reason not to

> Colt 1911 (Reliable and hardy)
> KABAR (Decent for both stealth / brawling)

If we want to keep quiet about anyone we dispatch, stealth is the way to go

>2 smoke
>2 flashbang

We can assume that there'll be crowds, so AOE would probably hit innocents. Better to err for safety and use nonlethal


This is gonna be fun :D
>>
>>5315678
> Conventional Armor (Less protection, but may raise fewer red flags)
> Cadmus Rifle (High-powered battle rifle looted from Cadmus assets in Iraq)
> Sawed-Off Shotgun (Easy to conceal and lethal in close-quarters)
> KABAR (Decent for both stealth / brawling)

>frag
>frag
>thermite
>smoke
>>
Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>5315686
>>5315691
>>5315707

Looks like we're locked in for the Apokoliptian Armor, Apokoliptian Carbine, Colt 1911, KABAR, and 2 smoke grenades.

Rolling a quick tiebreaker, then writing.

1 = 2 Thermite
2 = 2 Flashbang
>>
>>5315716

If you’re going to be pulling higher-risk ops, logically you should also start packing your strongest gear.

Case in-point, your Apokoliptian Armor and Carbine should do the trick in case the fighting gets heavier than you’d prefer.

You also decide to bring along your KABAR and 1911, just in case things require a more delicate touch. Something tells you that Black Adam wouldn’t be too happy if you blow a massive hole in his capital city or got blood on his carpet.

As for grenades, you bring along two thermite and smoke grenades. The thermite’ll come in handy if you need to burn through something in a hurry, and the smoke’ll be a lifesaver if you need extra concealment for a quick exit.

Hopefully, you won’t even have to consider the usage of your magic powers on this one. After all, any visible usage might tip off the paranoid fucks running the Squad (like Lok) that you’ve started meddling with their grand plans.

You’ll cross that bridge when you come to it, rather a probable death tomorrow than a certain death today.

After you finish gearing up, you’re driven to an on-base airport where there’s a Hercules cargo plane and a gaggle of people congregated around it. Not the first time, you marvel at the size of the facility; keeping a place like this running off-the-books has to be incredibly resource intensive.

And on the bright side, at least you’re getting packed into a plane designed to actually carry human beings this time.

While you’ve got a chance, you proceed to eyeball the motley crew of killers, villains, and assorted criminals that you’ve been teamed up with.
>>
>>5315794

The first person to catch your eye is the hulking mass of bone and sinew that likes to call himself The General. The bastard who nearly killed you back in Venezuela and the responsible party for your shanghaiing into the Squad. When he notices your arrival, he just gives you a big, toothy grin and continues loading the Hercules.

After you reign in your instinctual surprise and anger, you force yourself to calm down and continue looking for anyone that looks interesting.

For instance, the man wearing some kind of white and blue tactical armor. From his bearing and build, you clock him instantly as ex-military. He’s packing a high-powered sniper rifle and a pair of Uzis. He notices your examination and reciprocates, giving you a silent nod like you passed some kind of test before scribbling something down.

Next, there’s a red-haired woman wearing a purple jumpsuit of some kind. She’s not wearing any visible armor, and is surrounded by a whole bunch of household items. When she spots you, she shoots you a grin and motions you over.

Then, there’s a man in civilian clothes wearing a helmet that looks similar to yours. But while yours is rugged and built to take a hit, his seems sleeker and built for a different purpose. To complete the ensemble, he’s carrying a longsword, and an eclectic mix of small arms; mostly shoguns and SMGs. If he notices your analysis, he doesn’t register any response.

Lastly, there’s a guy wearing the weirdest looking armor you’ve ever seen. It’s all red aside from a few dashes of white, and it looks more like a hazmat suit than anything else. When he catches your stare, he offers a half-hearted wave before flipping through an old pulp novel.

You decide to approach…

> The General. It can’t be a coincidence that you’ve been assigned to work alongside him of all people.

> The soldier in the white and blue armor. It’s never a bad idea to get acquainted with other professionals.

> The red-haired woman in the purple outfit. She seems eager to speak to you, for some reason.

> The helmeted guy in the leather jacket. He gives off a weird vibe, and you’d rather get a feel for him while in a (relatively) safe zone.

> The guy sporting the red and white suit. He seems approachable, despite the weirdness of his dress.

> Other?
>>
>>5315796
>> The red-haired woman in the purple outfit. She seems eager to speak to you, for some reason.
if you insist
>>
>>5315796
> The red-haired woman in the purple outfit. She seems eager to speak to you, for some reason.
>>
>>5315796
> The red-haired woman in the purple outfit. She seems eager to speak to you, for some reason.
>>
>>5315800
>>5315802
>>5315803

Writing.
>>
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>>5315815

You shrug your shoulders and head towards the red-haired woman.

When you get closer, you get a better view at the supplies she’s bringing for the mission.

In addition to the innocent household items, she’s also got a couple dozen strange discs scattered amongst her belongings.

After she finishes re-arranging her pack, she zips everything up and turns to face you.

“You must be Defcon! Welcome to our little band of misfits; from what I’ve heard, you’ll fit in just fine.”

Her voice has a lilting accent that you can’t quite place, though it sounds vaguely European.

“I’m Plastique. Looks like you’ll be tagging along with us to Kahndaq.”

You…

(Choose as few or as many as you’d like.)

> Ask about her skillset. She doesn’t seem to be carrying any obvious weapons, but something must qualify her for the job.

> Ask about her personal history. What did she do before the Squad got their hooks in her? (Requires a roll)

> Ask about the discs / items in her pack. Seems like a weird think to pack on an international mission.

> Ask for her thoughts on the other members of the team. It’s always nice to have more intel.

> Ask why she seems so happy to meet you. You can’t help but be curious about her motives. (Requires a roll)

> Ask about the mission. The Squad has been pretty sparse on details up to this point, does she have any insights?

> Other?
>>
>>5315841
>> Ask about the discs / items in her pack. Seems like a weird think to pack on an international mission.
>> Ask for her thoughts on the other members of the team. It’s always nice to have more intel.
>> Ask why she seems so happy to meet you. You can’t help but be curious about her motives. (Requires a roll)
>> Ask about the mission. The Squad has been pretty sparse on details up to this point, does she have any insights?
>>
>>5315841
>> Ask about her skillset. She doesn’t seem to be carrying any obvious weapons, but something must qualify her for the job.
>> Ask about the discs / items in her pack. Seems like a weird think to pack on an international mission.
>> Ask why she seems so happy to meet you. You can’t help but be curious about her motives. (Requires a roll)
Tell her CDs went out of style years ago. She'll laugh. I have no idea who the fuck this is.
>>
Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>5315849
>>5315851

Alright, rolling a d2 to determine if you ask about your other squadmates.

1 = Yes
2 = No

In the meantime, roll me some 1d100s+25.

DC: 70 / 85 / 100
>>
Rolled 41 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>5315864
>>
Rolled 28 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>
>>5315866
Shit! Please let te final roller get at least a 45!
>>
Rolled 46 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>5315864
Here I come to ruin everything
>>
>>5315865
>>5315866
>>5315871

A minor success, writing.
>>
Rolled 53 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>5315864
Don't worry everyone I came as fast as I could.
>>
File: Karma.png (1.27 MB, 886x960)
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>>5315873

“Nice to meet you, Plastique. Not to be rude or anything, but you seemed pretty interested in getting my attention; is there something in particular you want?

“What, is it so weird that I’d like to be polite and welcome the new guy?” She says, visibly offended.

Shit. That didn’t come out as you intended.

Time to play a bit of damage control.

> “Look, I’m not looking to pick a fight or get on anyone’s bad side. I just - I haven’t been in the Squad for all that long, and I guess I’m just getting a bit paranoid. This place gets to you after a while.” You say, trying to keep a conciliatory tone.

Plastique takes a moment to process your words, and her combative attitude fades away as you offers you a small, genuine smile.

“Apology accepted. I can’t really blame you for being on edge. Especially because I did have a reason for calling you over.”

> “Do you mind sharing?”

“Let’s just say that I’ve had a peek at your file, and I liked what I saw. Maybe I wanted to see how the real deal compares.”

> “And? How do I stack up?”

“So far, so good. Definitely not as crazy as your eval paints you as.

> “Well, since you’ve already had the chance to skim my permanent record, how about we level the playing field a bit?”

“But where’s the fun in that?” She lightly teases, before conceding the point.

“Just kidding, go right ahead.”

> “What’s your role on the team?”

“I’m our team’s demolition expert. Safes, buildings, vehicles, people, you name it. If you need them blown apart, I’m the woman for you.” Plastique gives you a wink after finishing her sales pitch.

> “If you don’t mind me asking, what’s with all that stuff in your pack? I don’t want to call it junk, but…”

“You’d be surprised at how easy it is to rig up something as an explosive. Some of it I use as spare parts, other stuff I use as camouflage.

You’d be surprised how effective it is. One time, I was after this politician who had survived a handful of assassination attempts before mine.

He had gotten real paranoid, and had his entire estate put under the hardest lockdown I’ve ever seen. So I got creative; broke into his summer home and swapped out all of his small appliances with exact (and functional) copies filled with homemade explosives.

A few weeks later, when no attacks were forthcoming, he decided it was safe to relocate and celebrate with a crowd of his favorite cronies. Soon as they were all clumped together…”

She clicks her tongue and makes an explosion noise.
>>
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>>5315955

> “Cool. And what are those discs for? Because I hate to be the one to tell you, but CDs went out of style a long time ago.” You joke.

Plastique chuckles a little at your weak gag.

“Trade secret. Hang around long enough, and maybe I’ll show you a thing or two.”

> “Speaking of which, what can you tell me about the other members of the team?”

“Where to begin….

From what your file said, it seems that you know everything you need to about the General. Is it true that you almost manage to kill him?”

> “It’s kinda hard to tell. Definitely took a chunk out of him though.”

She whistles.

“Impressive. Onto the others!”

Plastique points at the guy wearing in the leather jacket.

“That’s our resident headcase, Karma. He’s just some terrorist lunatic that never takes off his ‘special helmet’. I’d keep away from him if I were you.”

She then points at the man in white and blue tactical armor.

“That’s Warrant, our tactical specialist. Personally, I think he’s some kind of ex-commando. He doesn’t talk much though, probably by choice.”

Lastly, she points at the guy in the weird hazmat suit.

“That’s Catalyst, a corporate spy of some kind. That suit he’s wearing allows him to secrete pretty much any drug out there. Makes him real fun at parties. He’s okay, but I wouldn’t leave your food and drink unattended.

> “Thanks for the heads up. Do you know anything about our mission?”

“About as much as you do, so not much. The General likes to keep things quiet until the last minute as some kind of security measure.”

She shrugs.

“C’est la vie.”
>>
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>>5315956

Before you can ask any other questions, the General sticks his monstrously large head out of the Hercules and bellows for everyone to get onboard immediately.

Once everyone is strapped in and the plane takes off, he finally grants you the answers you’ve been seeking.

Apparently, Black Adam (the ruler / king / deity) of Kahndaq is holding a major international summit to help forge diplomatic relations with strategic interests.

In addition to some minor nations that were probably just invited to fill up the guest list, there are a few key powers that merit special consideration.

The first is Bialya, a Middle Eastern nation ruled by a woman known only as Queen Bee. Apparently she turned the place from your average poverty-ridden shantytown into some kind of peaceful utopia. You don’t buy it, and that appears the rest of the world’s consensus as well.

Next up is Oolong Island, an island nation located off the coast of Korea led by the enigmatic Edgar Yeung; basically Taiwan if it was a haven for mad scientists. Apparently he’s some kind of cyborg, but that might just be a hoax or something.

The last major delegation is from Markovia, an Eastern European hereditary monarchy rich in natural resources controlled by Baron Frederick DeLamb, who seized control of the kingdom in a bloody coup a few years ago.

The kicker is that apparently every major party invited to the summit has a bone to pick with Black Adam for some reason or another.

And by sheer coincidence, Kahndaq’s internal security forces are tied up conducting other “investigations”, which is where you come in.

Presumably, Task Force X has been promised something worthwhile in exchange for helping ensure that everything goes smoothly.

You’re jolted from your thoughts when the General starts calling your way.

“Defcon! I’m putting you in charge of protecting one of the delegations as soon as we touch down. Make your decision and have a wingman picked out by then!”

By “protecting”, he also assuredly means “keep close tabs on anything suspicious they try.”

You decide to protect / monitor the delegation from…

> Bialya. You’ve got a lot of experience with the Middle East, maybe it’ll come in handy.

> Oolong Island. You’ve never been much of an egghead, but maybe you’ll pick up something by osmosis.

> Markovia. When are you ever going to get the chance to meet an actual member of royalty ever again?

————————————————————

As for your partner, you decide to pick….

> Karma. Nobody can anticipate terrorists better than a former terrorist.

> Plastique. Never know when you’ll need a tactically placed explosive.

> Warrant. Having another soldier watching your back is never a bad idea.

> Catalyst. His powers would be incredibly useful for interrogations.
>>
>>5315957

That's all for tonight's run. As always, thanks for playing! Next session is Monday at 5:00 PM EST, vote'll close at that time as well.

Have a good weekend, anons.

As a side note, let me know if I should cut down on post length. I've noticed it's been taking quite some time to get long posts done, and I'm worried it might be stifling activity a bit.

By it's nature, combat stuff generally goes faster, but it takes me a while to write dialogue I'm okay with.
>>
>>5315957
>> Oolong Island. You’ve never been much of an egghead, but maybe you’ll pick up something by osmosis.
> Catalyst. His powers would be incredibly useful for interrogations.
>>
>>5315959
I'm fine with long posts but it'd be nice if we picked up the pace
>>
>>5315957
> Bialya. You’ve got a lot of experience with the Middle East, maybe it’ll come in handy.
> Catalyst. His powers would be incredibly useful for interrogations.
>>
>>5315957
>> Bialya. You’ve got a lot of experience with the Middle East, maybe it’ll come in handy.
> Warrant. Having another soldier watching your back is never a bad idea.
having a soldierbro is always a good idea.
>>
>>5316033
+1
>>
>>5315957
> Bialya. You’ve got a lot of experience with the Middle East, maybe it’ll come in handy.
> Catalyst. His powers would be incredibly useful for interrogations.

'Ere we go
>>
>>5315957
>> Bialya. You’ve got a lot of experience with the Middle East, maybe it’ll come in handy.
>> Catalyst. His powers would be incredibly useful for interrogations.
>>
>>5315959
>> Bialya. You’ve got a lot of experience with the Middle East, maybe it’ll come in handy.
> Warrant. Having another soldier watching your back is never a bad idea.
Soldier bros need to stick together.
>>
>>5316033
Support.
>>
>>5315957
>> Markovia. When are you ever going to get the chance to meet an actual member of royalty ever again?
> Karma. Nobody can anticipate terrorists better than a former terrorist.
>>
>>5315957
> Bialya. You’ve got a lot of experience with the Middle East, maybe it’ll come in handy.

> Plastique. Never know when you’ll need a tactically placed explosive.

Cause having a good rep with a demo-woman on the inside could be rather helpful if we end up having to bust out while still at Belle Reve.
>>
>>5316033
Support the anon
>>
>>5315959

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lwQtQLzgm4

After carefully reviewing your options, you decide to primarily focus your attention on the delegation from Bialya.

You’ve never been there, but you’re far more intimate with the region and its struggles when compared to any of the alternatives.

In addition, you request Warrant as your backup. For protection jobs like this, flashy powers and displays of might are nothing if your assigned principal ends up catching a bullet. To that end, having somebody with robust tactical experience and marksmanship working alongside you will definitely prove advantageous.

Warrant reacts impassively to the news, and tosses you some files on Bialya that occupy you for the rest of the plane trip.

In terms of useful information, there’s not much of it in about Queen Bee, not even her real name. The most that Task Force X is able (or willing) to provide you with is some snapshots from Bialya’s capital city of Alegab.

On the surface, the place looks like a paradise; clean streets, smiling civilians, and proud workers doing their part. But when you start digging in a bit deeper, you start to notice irregularities.

For starters, Bialya has incredibly lax immigration laws, practically inviting people to come give their nation a try. And strangely enough, there are virtually no emigrants abandoning the country.

Their official line is that Bialya is such an amazing place to live that nobody would ever want to leave, but you don’t buy it for a second. Plenty of dictatorships throughout history have used that particular excuse before, and you’re disinclined to believe Bialya bucks the trend.

Plus, they’ve got a definitive reason to dislike Black Adam, who apparently threw a temper tantrum a few months back and had their ambassador executed for an unknown reason.

Overall, something about Queen Bee and her little nest gives you the heebie-jeebies. But a job’s a job, and it’s not like you’re in a position to wriggle your way into something better.

When the plane lands in the capital of Kahndaq, Shruta, a small force of soldiers sporting the Kahndaq flag are waiting for you.

After you all finish speedily unloading your equipment onto some local trucks, you’re escorted directly to Black Adam’s palace.

One thing you’ll say about Shruta is that you’ve never seen anything quite like it before. In addition to the familiar spires and skyscrapers, there are also statues and dedications to various figures from the Egyptian pantheon; Osiris, Horus, Isis, Anubis, etc.

Curiously, you don’t spot anything devoted to Set.

It’d probably be best that he never finds out about that particular slight.
>>
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>>5319582

For most of the ride, you find yourself puzzling over the best way to apply your skills.

You’ve never done a bodyguarding gig per-se; back in the Corps you were tapped on occasion for security details, but those were just local politicians or tribal bigwigs.

“Executive security” isn’t exactly your speciality; recent events have shown that you’re better suited to being the hunter than the protector.

Then again, you did get caught red-handed after nearly throttling a national leader on live TV, something that seemed like a reasonable idea at the time.

At least on this op you’ve got an easy cover story to feed anyone asking probing questions.

So far as anyone not in the loop is concerned, you’re all just mercenaries working for an easy paycheck.

Speaking of which, you need to figure out the division of labor.

Between you and Warrant, somebody needs to handle the behind-the-scenes threats and somebody needs to actually accompany Queen Bee.

Given the overlapping nature of your partner’s skillset, either of you could probably handle either task, so it mostly comes down to personal preference.

Broadly, working the shadows would require a softer touch, requiring you to keep things discrete and carefully eliminating threats in the background before their plans bear fruition.

In contrast, working the crowd would require you to constantly accompany Queen Bee as her personal bodyguard. That’d mean having to endure all sorts of social functions and political nonsense in case somebody tries to make a blatant run at her.

In the end, you decide to…

> Work the shadows. Politicians have always given you a headache anyways, you’d prefer a bit of honest wetwork over being forced to schmooze and play nice.

> Work the crowd. You’re no stranger to intrigue and dirty dealing, but it’s definitely easier and safer to just bite your tongue and play bodyguard for a while.

> Other?
>>
>>5319586
>> Work the crowd. You’re no stranger to intrigue and dirty dealing, but it’s definitely easier and safer to just bite your tongue and play bodyguard for a while.
Will our mental defenses hold up against queen bee's juju? we'll find out
>>
>>5319586
>> Work the crowd. You’re no stranger to intrigue and dirty dealing, but it’s definitely easier and safer to just bite your tongue and play bodyguard for a while.
Magic, or good old fashioned subterfuge? We'll see.
>>
>>5319598
>>5319634

Alright, go ahead and roll me some 1d100s+30

DC: 95
>>
Rolled 80 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5319658
>>
Rolled 1 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5319658
I HOPE WE DON'T GET A NAT 1
>>
>>5319661
oh fuck off
>>
>>5319661

It really writes itself.
>>
File: 1654235023886.jpg (39 KB, 680x594)
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Rolled 24 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5319661
>>
Roll the die? Roll the die
>>
>>5319659
>>5319661
>>5319664

That's a critical failure, would you like to re-roll using Roll the Die?

> Yes

> No

inb4 double critfail
>>
>>5319586
> Work the shadows. Politicians have always given you a headache anyways, you’d prefer a bit of honest wetwork over being forced to schmooze and play nice.

Hunting is easier than protecting
>>
>>5319666
>> Yes
>>
File: 1649803601863.jpg (35 KB, 852x480)
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>>5319662
>>5319663
>>5319664
Sorry lads, I think Set's magical power is fucking with my rolls. This is like the 2nd time where I asked not to roll a 1, and rolled a 1.
>>5319666
Yes (Roll the Die has saved our asses so many times)
>>
>>5319667
Oh FUCK I was late
>>5319666
>God yes
>>
>>5319669
Maybe stop tempting the dice, then?
>>
>>5319668
>>5319669
>>5319670

Alright, second verse; hopefully improved from the first.

Go ahead and give me some more 1d100+30.

DC: 95
>>
>>5319666
>> Yes

SATAN SAYS ANOTHER NAT 1
>>
Rolled 27 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5319672
Okay Set wouldn't it really be funny if we rolled another nat 1?
>>5319671
My rolls have clearly been blessed by Set himself, how could I not tempt the dice?
>>
Rolled 54 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5319672
now for real
>>
Rolled 2 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5319672
Anon fucked us. Now we're doomed to simp.
>>
>>5319676
>>5319677
>>5319679

Alright, looks like you've upgraded your critical failure to just a regular failure.

Writing.
>>
y'know what, it's an improvement, im not mad
>>
What would a double crit fail even look like in this quest? Would we accidentally get poisoned?
>>
>>5319709

Honestly, I'd rather not think about it.

After all, thinking about it will somehow make it happen.

I'm still writing, just working through a bit of creative block today.
>>
>>5319709
We, by making the stupidest decision to protect her, we actually kill her.

Like jumping to catch a bullet and our armor is so good and in such a degree that, instead of hitting her in the chest the bullet goes to the head
>>
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>>5319681

As much as it pains you to admit, you’re probably better served as a walking wall of muscle.

With your imposing armor and exotic armament, you’re sure to deter anyone that isn’t suicidally idiotic from attacking Queen Bee.

Plus, you’ve developed something of a knack for investigative work. If she tries anything funny, you’ll spot it and call it in.

Of course, dealing with Queen Bee is probably going to be a pain in the ass. After all, her name is literally Queen Bee. What kind of person picks that as their name?

When you let Warrant know your decision, his body language relaxes.

Guess he’s about as enthusiastic about playing baby-sitter as you are.

The trip to the palace is short, probably because traffic is ushered out of your way.

The palace itself is as opulent and grandiose as you figured it would be, given the legendary ego of its primary occupant.

After unpacking the last of your gear in your temporary quarters, you’re escorted to meet Queen Bee.

When you encounter her, your first thought is that her picture doesn’t really do her justice. You’ve encountered more than a few pretty women in your travels, but there’s something special about her that really kicks it into overdrive.

She’s speaking with some high-ranking military official, judging from his salad bar of medals and fancy uniform.

When you clear your throat and interrupt, he gives her a smile and strides away.

“You must be my personal guard. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

She gives you a smile that could make dead men blush.

Despite your emphasis on pragmatic professionalism while operating in the field, you can’t help but get the slightest bit flustered.

> “Oh, right. Sorry, I’m, uh, Defcon.”

What the fuck are you doing? Get your fucking shit together, goddamit.

You feel like smacking yourself right in your stupid face. Here you are, fumbling over yourself in front of the opposite sex like you’re back in high school. If Set were here, he’d never let you live this down.

Thankfully, Queen Bee doesn’t take offense at your stumbling introduction, seemingly finding it more endearing than anything else.

“Defcon. That’s an interesting name, for an interesting man.”

You’re glad that the helmet is hiding your face, because otherwise she’d catch a glimpse of the slight grin beginning to form.

In an attempt to re-focus and ignore your embarrassment, you get down to business.
>>
>>5319765

After checking your copy of the summit itinerary, it looks like the first major event is a welcome banquet of some kind.

There are a few hours to burn before then, so you settle in for a long shift of watching over Queen Bee.

But instead of the stony silence or dismissal you were expecting, Queen Bee insists on passing the time by getting to know each other better.

You don’t have the heart to turn her down, especially since it keeping her happy and cooperative could be key to the success of the mission. After all, if she trusts you, then she’s less likely to disregard your advice and do something that’ll get her killed.

At first, you were expecting to be bored to tears, that you’d be subjected to a load of ideological speeches and thinly-veiled attempts to probe for information.

To your considerable surprise, Queen Bee proves to be an excellent conversational partner. She speaks powerfully and elegantly about the challenges plaguing her nation and people, and you can’t help but empathize with it.

Even though you’re not completely sold on her, she seems to genuinely care about the well-being of the people under her umbrella; something that you can’t say about many “leaders”.

In the midst of your talks, there are a couple moments where Queen Bee excuses herself to handle a minor diplomatic issue.

She returns quickly enough so you don’t see any real reason for concern, especially when she flashes you that damned smile again.

The hours pass faster than you would’ve thought, a potential side effect of having such an enjoyable time.

Something in the back of your mind is raising the alarm, but you dismiss it as blind paranoia. You’ve been working under stressful situations without much in the way of actual rest, and that’s bound to get you jumping at shadows.

Instead of wading through blood and dirt, you get to chat with a beautiful and intelligent woman in a comfortable room.

For all your bellyaching, maybe this won’t be as bad as you had been dreading.
>>
>>5319770

When the time comes, you escort Queen Bee to the banquet and get a feel for the room.

Looks like you beat both the delegations from Oolong Island and Markovia here.

At the center of the party is Black Adam, playing the double role of gracious host and hot-tempered brute.

Overall, things seem pretty par for the course and you allow yourself to relax a little.

Just to be sure, you decide to…

(Choose 2)

> Stay at Queen Bee’s side; your ultimate objective is to keep her safe. It doesn’t hurt that she’s surprisingly good company. REQUIRED

> Perform a sweep of the room for anything that seems suspicious. It’s mostly a formality, but an important one nonetheless.

> Quickly pay your respects to Black Adam. He’s notoriously prideful, so you should tread with caution.

> Covertly check in with Warrant. You don’t have anything important to report, but maybe he does.

> Plant a spider on Queen Bee, in case you get separated somehow. The total range is limited, but it’s better than nothing.

> Other?
>>
>>5319773
>> Stay at Queen Bee’s side; your ultimate objective is to keep her safe. It doesn’t hurt that she’s surprisingly good company.

> Perform a sweep of the room for anything that seems suspicious. It’s mostly a formality, but an important one nonetheless.
>>
>>5319773
>> Stay at Queen Bee’s side; your ultimate objective is to keep her safe. It doesn’t hurt that she’s surprisingly good company. REQUIRED
Fine I guess
> Covertly check in with Warrant. You don’t have anything important to report, but maybe he does.
>>
>>5319773
> Stay at Queen Bee’s side; your ultimate objective is to keep her safe. It doesn’t hurt that she’s surprisingly good company. REQUIRED
> Covertly check in with Warrant. You don’t have anything important to report, but maybe he does.
>>
>>5319795
Support
>>
>>5319782
>>5319795
>>5319802

Alright, roll me some 2d100s

First roll gets a +30 modifier, Best of 3.

Second roll gets no modifier, Middle of 3.


First DC: 95
Second DC: 40
>>
Rolled 15, 21 = 36 (2d100)

>>5319804
>>
Rolled 86, 47 = 133 (2d100)

>>5319804
I wanna go.
>>
Rolled 85, 42 + 30 = 157 (2d100 + 30)

>>5319804
>>
>>5319812
Just barely got the second dc. Always living on the edge.
>>
>>5319807
>>5319808
>>5319812

Alright, that's a success on both counts. Writing, I'll open up our Wednesday session at 5:00 PM EST with the results.

As always, thanks for playing.
>>
>>5319770
Ah damn we got the simp pheromone on us
>>
>>5320550
I dunno man she doesn't seem so bad. Does she sell bath water?
>>
>>5320550
Nothing a little combat can't knock out of us.
>>
>>5319815

The banquet is a fairly subdued affair, which isn’t too surprising given the diverse array of national interests that mutually despise each other.

You spend a hefty chunk of time hanging around Queen Bee and stonewall anyone that tries to get too close. At one point during the evening, you spot Plastique mingling with some of the minor ambassadors, presumably pumping them for information.

The most interesting thing to occur is when a servant scuttles in and hands some kind of message to Black Adam. Minutes afterward, Black Adam storms out and doesn’t even bother to make any kind of excuse.

You’d investigate, but your place is here, guarding Queen Bee.

All of a sudden, there’s a harsh, stabbing pain in your right arm.

“WARRIOR! YOUR MIND HAS BEEN CLOUDED; YOU MUST FIGHT THROUGH IT!”

The resulting quick and dirty jolt of adrenaline immediately rockets you into flight-or-fight mode, and a previously unnoticed fog draped over your critical thinking facilities begins to recede.

After shooting a quick mental thank you to Pandion for helping break you out of whatever trance you were in, you start trying to get a handle for the facts.

And you can feel yourself getting increasingly angrier as you start putting the pieces together and reach the final conclusion.

Somebody’s been screwing with your head. And the only person that’s had easy access to you all day long is Queen Bee.

Motherfucker. No wonder she was so eager to “get to know” you and have you within reach. That gave her time to pull whatever horseshit she’s been cooking up.

Tempting as it would be wheel around and put a slug through her head, that’d probably earn you a summary execution. If you can secure official permission first, that’d be the best of both worlds.
>>
>>5322239

As calmly and politely as you can manage, you bow out of the party (startling Queen Bee a little) and quickly head for an outside balcony. It may not be the most secure spot to report in, but this place probably has ears everywhere and you need some fresh air to help clear your head.

On the way, you start thinking up potential counters for whatever she did to you.

But before you can figure out a suitable countermeasure that’ll stop her from puppeting you again, you need to identify how she’s going about it.

A strenuous check of your mental shields reveals that nothing has dented or interfered with them in the slightest. That means you can cross telepathy, magic, and other forms of mental manipulation off the list.

Maybe she drugged you somehow, or gassed you with something to keep you stupid and docile long enough to be wrapped around her finger.

Either way, you’re almost certain that the vector is biological, not mental. It’s not a whole lot to go on, but you’re deep in uncharted territory for this one.

When you examine the events and emotions of the last few hours with a cold, clinical air of detachment, several red flags become immediately apparent. It’s not like you to be so easily trusting or amenable, especially to a glorified warlord.

The closest approximation to how it felt was almost like some kind of subtle addiction. That somehow, everything Queen Bee said / did was objectively correct or morally sound.

Well, you’re not falling for that shit a second time, now that you know the danger signs. It’s good to know that if you can get a head full of steam going, you’ll be able to block out a least some of her mojo.

Fuck, who knows what she was up to during those “minor diplomatic issues” she begged off to handle. Prior to your first meeting, she was talking to some military bigwig, maybe that’s part of her angle?

When you reach the balcony, you immediately report in to your partner.

> “Warrant, we’ve got a problem! Queen Bee has some kind of mind control shit going on, and I’ve got no clue what her plan is!”

“Have you been compromised?”

Similarly to Plastique, Warrant possesses an accent that you can’t quite pin down. Definitely some flavor of Middle Eastern, but there’s a hint of refined English to it.

> “She tried, but I managed to slip out of it. And Black Adam has gone AWOL, looks like something spooked him away. Anything to report on your end?”

“Nothing as exciting. I’ve set up a perch up in one of the towers, and I’ve been keeping an eye on the perimeter. So far, everything’s been normal.”

> “Heard anything back from the General? Or anyone else on the team?”

“No. I was on the fence about breaking radio silence, but the circumstances have changed. Hang tight, I’ll call it in.”

As he switches to another channel, you begin pondering how this development is going to impact the mission as a whole.

At least, you were until Warrant begins yelling in your ear.

“Duck, now!”

> Roll me some 1d100+35
>>
Rolled 63 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5322243
>>
Rolled 49, 71, 13 + 25 = 158 (3d100 + 25)

>>5322243

Shit, managed to screw up my roll.
>>
Rolled 34 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5322243
Hundred
>>
Rolled 50 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5322243
We got This.
>>
>>5322245
>>5322249
>>5322251

That's a success on all counts, writing.
>>
File: Hostiles.jpg (235 KB, 1275x980)
235 KB
235 KB JPG
>>5322252

Experience has taught you that when somebody screams for you to duck, you better do what they say.

As you throw yourself down, a throwing star lodges itself firmly into the space previously occupied by slim gap between your helmet and armor.

Had it connected as intended, you’d be in serious trouble.

You get a clear look at your assailants; a trio of men, dressed in dark outfits and wielding some pretty old-school weaponry.

One is hefting a two-handed battleaxe, another has some kind of bastardized mace, and the one who threw the throwing star produces a curved sword.

At some unspoken command, they rush at you, but you use your armor to blunt their offense and suffer nothing worse than some light cosmetic scarring.

When they regroup, likely to prepare another offensive, they unwittingly give you the opening you need to start putting the hurt on them.

You…

> Retreat and buy yourself some breathing room to line up a shot with your carbine. A direct shot should be enough to punch right through their flimsy defenses.

> Whip out your KABAR and get in close. It seems like its time for you to demonstrate how real wetwork is done.

> Go for your 1911 and blow them away. You’ll need to be quick on the draw, but you’ve done it before and you’ll do it again.

> Keep dodging their strikes and let Warrant pick them off. He’s got a clear vantage point and a rifle, this should be simple if you can maneuver them into the open.

> Other?
>>
>>5322285
>> Whip out your KABAR and get in close. It seems like its time for you to demonstrate how real wetwork is done.
>>
>>5322285
>> Go for your 1911 and blow them away. You’ll need to be quick on the draw, but you’ve done it before and you’ll do it again.
If they hadn't opened with a ranged attack I may entertain the idea of joining in honorable melee but yeah nah fuck these ninjas. The fact they can barely threaten us with our armor on means that even at grappling range we can still blast them without too much worry.
>>
>>5322285
> Whip out your KABAR and get in close. It seems like its time for you to demonstrate how real wetwork is done.


Let's try not to crash the party
>>
>>5322295
+1
If we can make a first attack from the distance before they strike again, I'll go with that.
>>
>>5322285
They're also using silenced weapons for a reason.

Honestly it's a little wild we HAVEN'T put a silencer on the 1911... it's a fuckin .45 acp, so it's subsonic. Perfect for this shit.

Maybe ask XForce for a mk .23 when we get back.
>>
>>5322289
>>5322295
>>5322297
>>5322301

Looks like we have a tie, I'll give it 5 more minutes and then roll a d2 to settle it.
>>
>>5322295
+1
>>
Rolled 61, 12, 97 + 15 = 185 (3d100 + 15)

>>5322295
>>5322301
>>5322320

Alright, roll me some 1d100+20
>>
Rolled 76 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>5322321
>>
Rolled 75 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>5322321
We got this.
>>
Rolled 98 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>5322321

Good roll Axis.
>>
>>5322325
clutch roll, nice
>>
>>5322325
Nice
>>
I got this. >>5322321 >>5322325

BTW I'm the guy who out-rolled you by 1 that one time.
>>
Rolled 80, 6, 8 = 94 (3d100)

>>5322323
>>5322324
>>5322325

That's a success, rolling for no reason in particular.

DC: 70

>>5322329

Anon, you'll have to be more specific. The number of razor-thin successes is practically a meme at this point.
>>
>>5322331
well done mystery person
>>
>>5322331
Well if you want specifics I was the guy who saved us from having to use the nono word to nope out of the general fight, the guy who added his rolls up to show just how close they were, and most recently when I rolled crazy and it didn't count when we were trying to loot the tank.
>>
>>5322343

I was mostly kidding, but damn.

Talk about some wild sessions.
>>
Yeah, this is tied with 2nd primarch as my favorite on this board.
>>
But those razer edges are pretty great. That and when dab on everyone else.
>>
And as much as I don't like us getting squaded this has proven to be a great chance to get back to the basics. Do you think Zatanna or Constantine are threats without their magic? Of course not. But for us its just another tool in our already impressive arsenal. What I think is most bullshit is our Hacking feats. Magical Military Men are not known for their tech skills and we have pulled off some bullshit.
>>
>>5322354

Yeah, that crit back at the secret police HQ and the jamming stuff really threw me for a loop.

In a good way, though.
>>
>>5322354
Honestly, some of the electronics hacking I get.

Fucking with shell commands on secured hardware was some quality chance bullshit.
>>
>>5322331

With a fluid and practiced motion, you quickdraw your 1911 and take aim at your would-be assailants.

But the opposition reacts quickly, splitting up and converging on your position with the intent to flank and skewer you.

In the end, your training trumps theirs and you’re able to line up killshots before they’re close enough to disrupt your aim.

With a couple solid shots to the body, you manage to ventilate the one charging with the battle-axe, with his excess momentum causing him to slam up against the balcony rail.

Thinking fast and moving faster, you draw a bead on the nearest hostile; who happens to be hauling the heavy mace. One headshot later, and he’s crumpling like a puppet with its strings cut.

Lastly, you re-focus and target the remaining ninja-wannabe; the one packing the curved sword and the penchant for throwing shit at you. Guessing he might be their leader or something.

You nail him with the remainder of your magazine, landing direct hits to the throat and upper body, but he manages to soldier through it somehow.

The bloody holes in his outfit show that he’s not regenerating or anything, he’s just taken the hits like you squirted him with a water pistol.

Besides a slight staggering when the shots connected, he’s still rushing at you just as fast as before!

> Roll me some 1d100+35
>>
Rolled 74 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5322368
>>
Rolled 13 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5322368
So I'm gonna roll until I roll real bad.
>>
Rolled 32 + 50 (1d100 + 50)

>>5322368

Jesus, what is with my options field tonight?

Let's give that another try.
>>
Not bad enough.>>5322375
>>
Rolled 22 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5322368
>>
>>5322374
>>5322375
>>5322381

That's a success, writing.
>>
Rolled 50 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5322368
Check out this crit

>>5322376
Also
>+50
Goddamn, what do they feed ninjas these days?
>>
>>5322384
Meth
>>
Steroids and pain numbers. I really hope we just killed who I think we killed because if we did we are about to get on The Light's radar.
>>
>>5322384
>Goddamn, what do they feed ninjas these days?
Combat stimulants and fruity scented markers.
>>
>>5322382

Using a sudden and inexplicable burst of speed, he manages to close the gap, swinging his blade at you with a ferocity you tend to primarily associate with wild animals or dying men.

However, you manage to catch his furious strike with an armored fist and body-check him away, causing him to forfeit the majority of his momentum as well as his position.

It’s a bit surprising that he’s still alive and kicking after the new orifices you've bestowed him with, but you're no stranger to surviving grievous injuries; given that you managed to scrape by after eating a genuine tank-buster round before.

Stranger things have happened, especially if your new friend is hopped up on combat drugs, steroids, painkillers, or whatever else crazy crackhead ninjas shoot up or snort.

Whatever he's on, it’s definitely deserves a warning from the surgeon general on the side of the box.

Now that the pendulum of initiative has swung firmly back in your favor, how would you like to proceed?

You decide to…

> Reload, and mag dump him with your 1911. He’s managed to shrug off a few shots, let’s see if he can deal with them all.

> Methodically target his limbs using your KABAR. Doesn’t matter if he won’t go down, so long as you can remove his ability to pose a threat.

> Use some of your CQC skills to disarm him and throw him over the balcony. He definitely won’t be coming back from being squashed like a bug on a windshield.

> Set him ablaze with a Fire Bolt. Warrant’s watching, so you’ll need to be careful in how you execute it, but it’ll take something unorthodox enough to finish him for good.

> Signal Warrant to finish him off. He should have a clear enough shot at this point, and there’s no reason to put yourself at risk when you don’t have to.
>>
>>5322402
>> Signal Warrant to finish him off. He should have a clear enough shot at this point, and there’s no reason to put yourself at risk when you don’t have to.
>>
>>5322402
> Methodically target his limbs using your KABAR. Doesn’t matter if he won’t go down, so long as you can remove his ability to pose a threat.

>>5322393
Who'd we get?
>>
>>5322402
> Methodically target his limbs using your KABAR. Doesn’t matter if he won’t go down, so long as you can remove his ability to pose a threat.
>>
Rolled 26 + 40 (1d100 + 40)

>>5322406
>>5322427

Alright, roll me some 1d100+25
>>
Rolled 29 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>5322428
>>
Rolled 41 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>5322428
We got this.
>>
Rolled 64 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>5322428
>>
Rolled 1 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>5322428
>>
>>5322434
oh dear that was close...
>>
>>5322434
ho-leeee fuck, we were five seconds apart. You can stop rolling
>>
Wow.>>5322434

Good thing that did not count. I guess I should stop now.
>>
Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>5322431
>>5322432
>>5322433

That's a success, rolling for no reason in particular.

DC: 85

>>5322434

Saved by the bell it seems.
>>
Not the first time this has happened. Like I said when I roll this low I know it's time to stop for the session. But seriously 5-second difference.
>>
>>5322441
Damn, lad passed it again.
>>
>>5322441

You holster your 1911 and slide the the KABAR out of its sheath, intent on strategically disabling critical areas of the body necessary to regulate basic motor functions; joints, ligaments, etc.

It’s been a while since you’ve reviewed your anatomy texts, but you’ve got the gist of down.

After all, it doesn’t matter how strong nor how tough somebody is if you can snip their tendons and leave them flopping around like a boneless chicken.

When you get in close, you duck and dodge his increasingly reckless swings, and relentlessly chip away at vulnerable spots in his arms, legs, knees, and hands; intent on carving him up like hamburger.

And judging from the squelching and snapping noises you can make out over the din of combat, your handiwork is definitely having an impact.

The aforementioned efforts pay off when his sword arm goes completely slack and useless. But instead of a slow collapse as blood loss and shock get to work, he instead switches the curved sword to his other hand and hobbles toward you as quickly as his battered body will allow.

Looks like you just had to get into a brawl with possibly the hardiest bastard you’ve ever met.

If he weren’t trying to brutally murder you for unknown reasons, you’d give him props for his stubbornness.

> Roll me some 1d100+35
>>
Rolled 28 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5322452
>>
Rolled 35 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5322452
>>
Rolled 21 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5322452
Hundred babyyy
>>
Rolled 99 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>5322452

Sorry guys, I'm not sure what seems to be up with my rolling tonight.
>>
>>5322457
>>5322456
I'm going to kill kyself
>>
>>5322457

And it would appear not to matter all that much anyway.

Failure, writing.
>>
>>5322457
god
damn
>>
>>5322460

Despite the utter mangling you’ve put him through, your opponent is still determined to go down swinging; something he demonstrates with his next move.

With a deceptive speed that genuinely surprises you, he hurtles himself forward (ignoring the protestations of his injured legs) and delivers a mighty blow directly into the breastplate of your armor.

His hammer blow knocks the breath out of your lungs, and the thoughts out of your head.

And while his last-ditch attack doesn’t manage to actually penetrate, the curved blade cuts a deep score in the armor that’ll take a long time to properly fix.

Good thing you sprung for the auto-repair function when you had the opportunity, otherwise fixing that would be way outside your skills with duct-tape and WD-40.

But before you can fully get your bearings, he is upon you once again.

> Roll me some 1d100+35
>>
This man deserves a warrior's death and funeral. We go full highlander. Take off the head and grab a memento to memorialize this hard hard mother fucker.
>>
Rolled 50 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>5322467
>>
Rolled 56 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5322467
MY REDEMPTION
>>
Rolled 67 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5322467
We got this.
>>
Rolled 49 (1d100)

>>5322467
We really should have upped the defenses of the armor along with the repair
>>
Rolled 47 (1d100)

>>5322467
>>
>>5322470
>>5322472
>>5322473

That's a success, how would you like to try and finish him off?

> Blow him away using your carbine. You could’ve probably punched a hole in that T72 with this baby, there’s no way he’s coming back from that.

> Break his neck with your bare hands. It’s quick and honorable way for a warrior to die.

> Burn him with one of your thermite grenades. It’s the closest he’ll get to a Viking funeral without using your magic.

> Decapitate him with his own sword. It’s got a certain poetic justice to it that you can’t help but appreciate.

> Other?
>>
>>5322481
> Break his neck with your bare hands. It’s quick and honorable way for a warrior to die.
>>
>>5322481
>> Decapitate him with his own sword. It’s got a certain poetic justice to it that you can’t help but appreciate.
>>
>>5322481
>> Break his neck with your bare hands. It’s quick and honorable way for a warrior to die.
>>
>> Decapitate him with his own sword. It’s got a certain poetic justice to it that you can’t help but appreciate.

Keep the sword.>>5322481
>>
Gotta take a quick break to grab some grub, vote closes upon my return.
>>
>>5322481
> Break his neck with your bare hands. It’s quick and honorable way for a warrior to die.
>>
>>5322495
>grub


QM eats maggots confrimed
>>
>>5322481
> Break his neck with your bare hands. It’s quick and honorable way for a warrior to die.

Krrk
>>
Rolled 17 + 45 (1d100 + 45)

>>5322483
>>5322486
>>5322496
>>5322501

Alright, roll me some 1d100+65
>>
Rolled 41 + 65 (1d100 + 65)

>>5322510
>>
Rolled 16 + 65 (1d100 + 65)

>>5322510
:D we did it
>>
Rolled 32 + 65 (1d100 + 65)

>>5322510
>>
Rolled 7 + 65 (1d100 + 65)

>>5322510
>>
Rolled 13 (1d100)

>>5322513
>>5322516
>>5322517

Alright, that's a success. Last post of the night, coming up.

And it's not gonna happen, but...

DC:100
>>
>>5322520
F
>>
>>5322520
>gets the hundo
>turns out the guy was a zombie the entire time
>crawls away using only his jaw and eyebrows
Seriously the fuck is going on with this guy? This can't just be a dude high as a cloud. This is fucking nutty.
>>
>>5322520

This time though, you’re prepared for a savage assault and take full advantage of his weakened form, stopping an incoming blow by snapping an already shredded arm and leveraging it to disarm him and force him to his knees.

Up close, you can see a raw, visceral hatred burning deep within his eyes.

This isn’t a man who wants you dead for professional or operational reasons; these are the eyes of the fanatic, someone truly dedicated to a goal that requires your death.

Regardless of his opinion of you, he fought well enough to deserve a clean death; one that doesn’t insult his honor as a war.

You grab him by the throat with your armored fists and marshal your strength for a single, almighty stroke that’ll snap his neck like a twig.

As you do so, he spits blood at your visor and rasps out a dying curse in a language you don’t fully understand. It’s definitely some flavor of Ancient Egyptian, and you can recognize a couple Greek roots mixed in, but most of it is utter gibberish.

“Ⲕⲓⲕⲩ ⲕⲩⲧⲓ of Ⲥⲏⲧ, ⲁϥⲧⲟ ⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲛⲉ! Ϩⲟⲣ's ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲣⲟ cannot ⲭⲁⲛⲟ! Ⲛⲉⲕ ϩⲏⲧ ⲉⲛ destined ⲟⲛ Ammit's maw. Ⲥⲏⲧ will ⲁⲛ escape ⲛⲓ Duat!”

One twist later, and he’s sprawled out on the ground, unmoving.

You give his body a long, hard stare for so much as an errant twitch. But thankfully, his still form shows no signs of reanimation or other vital signs.

He’s dead as dead can be, and then a lot more besides.

Looks like you’re finally done with this trio of killers, but there may be more on the prowl. You better check in and make sure nobody kills Queen Bee before you get to.

But before you go, maybe he (or one of the others) has something on him that might explain why he was able to shrug off bullets and keep fighting like some kind of B-movie slasher villain.

> Roll me some 1d100+40

DC: 90 / 110 / 130
>>
Rolled 69 + 40 (1d100 + 40)

>>5322540
>>
Rolled 16 + 40 (1d100 + 40)

I know I said I would stop rolling but this is too much fun. There should also be less harm when I roll later than the three asked for. >>5322540
>>
I keep rolling like shit. Seriously what the fuck.
>>
Rolled 28 + 40 (1d100 + 40)

>>5322540
Rollan
>>
Rolled 54 + 40 (1d100 + 40)

We don't find much.
>>
>>5322542
>>5322543
>>5322547

That's a minor success.

We'll pick up from there on Friday at 5:00 PM EST.

Good session, anons; combat is always my favorite thing to write.

Hope to see you all then, and as always; thanks for playing!
>>
Rolled 92 + 40 (1d100 + 40)

>>5322540
>>
>>5322558
pain
>>
>>5322558
why did you take so long
>>
>>5322553
See you Axis, this was a good session
>>
File: Talisman.jpg (126 KB, 1200x1200)
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126 KB JPG
>>5322553

Now that the immediate bloodshed is done and dusted, you wipe off your KABAR and re-sheathe it; there’s little you can do about the battle scarring or blood splotched on your armor, so you’ll just ignore it for now.

Who knows, maybe anyone looking to start another fight with you might realize what a bad idea that’d be.

> “Looks like that’s the last of them.”

“For now, at least. I would’ve provided fire support, but any such attempt would’ve risked hitting you as well.” Warrant says, a slight note of apology visible in his voice.

It’s not you can rake him over the coals for that, especially if the alternative was risking a high-powered sniper shot in the back.

Besides, pointing fingers and playing the blame-game is what debriefing is for; throwing a temper tantrum out in the field is tantamount to painting a big fat bullseye on your helmet.

> “Don’t worry about it. Has anyone else reported any attacks?”

“No, but that means little. Other intruders could still be positioning themselves for a strike, or even killed them before they could call it in. You saw yourself that they favor ambush tactics. And their proclivity for primitive weaponry is strange. Maybe some kind of cult native to Kahndaq?”

> “Could be. Did you see how hard it was to put that one guy down?”

“It was…unusual, yes. Definitely a point of investigation for later.”

> “Agreed. I’m going to make a quick sweep of the scene to see what reveals itself. Watch my back.”

“Roger.”

Your first stop is the assassin who gave you the toughest fight. In addition to his curved sword, you find an old leather sheathe that perfectly fits it. He’s also got a small (and incredibly old) talisman that looks like a weird eye.

The other two assassins posses talismans as well, but nothing else that’d help to identify them. Curiously, all three talismans have the exact same design, except in one aspect…

The seemingly undying one had a talisman made of gold, while the other two only had talismans made of bronze.

Maybe the talismans have some kind of power directly proportional to their quality? Or perhaps it’s just a status symbol of some kind, to identify the heavier hitters?

At this stage, all you’ve got is wild speculation to work with, but details are details.
>>
>>5324776

On a lark, you strap the curved sword to your side. Might not hurt to have a lightweight blade with more reach than your knife.

Or it’ll be another neat piece for your rapidly growing collection of souvenirs.

Either is fine in your books.

The mace and the battleaxe don’t really do it for you, but you can always come back for them later once this is all said and done if you change your mind.

You also pocket the three talismans, just in case they actually serve some kind of hidden purpose.

Afterwards, you decide to…

> Hustle back to the party. You need to keep an eye on Queen Bee, just in case she’s involved in this.

> Perform an impromptu post-mortem analysis on strongest assassin. Maybe it’ll reveal some kind of clue about the source of his unnatural hardiness.

> Search for other members of the Suicide Squad. If this turns into a full-blown assault, you’ll need greater numbers backing you up. (Include a specific squaddie)

> Focus your magical energy into the golden talisman. If it’s got any kind of arcane properties, maybe you’ll be able to pick up on it.

> Other?
>>
>>5324778
Oh. So they're part of some Horus Cult? Okay, that uh, instantly puts us at odds. Though I wonder if Black Adam's frustration and exit are related to this?
Anyway
> Focus your magical energy into the golden talisman. If it’s got any kind of arcane properties, maybe you’ll be able to pick up on it.

This is technically part of our job
>>
>>5324778
>Perform an impromptu post-mortem analysis on strongest assassin. Maybe it’ll reveal some kind of clue about the source of his unnatural hardiness.
>>
Dang, guess it's going to be a bit slow tonight.

I'll give it another 20 minutes or so and then roll a d2 to settle the vote.
>>
>>5324830
>> Focus your magical energy into the golden talisman. If it’s got any kind of arcane properties, maybe you’ll be able to pick up on it.
>>
>>5324778
>> Focus your magical energy into the golden talisman. If it’s got any kind of arcane properties, maybe you’ll be able to pick up on it.
>>
>>5324789
>>5324832
>>5324835

Alright, roll me some 1d100s

DC: 60 / 80 / 100
>>
Rolled 4 (1d100)

>>5324838
Come on let's do this
>>
>>5324850
I will just see myself out
>>
Rolled 76 (1d100)

>>5324838
Here.
>>
Rolled 9 (1d100)

>>5324838
>>
>>5324852
Well at least you got us the first hurdle!
>>
Rolled 64 (1d100)

>>5324838
>>
No bonus from all our magic studies and the fact it looks kinda Egyptian maybe?
>>
Rolled 75 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5324850
>>5324852
>>5324853

That's a minor success, go ahead and roll me some 1d100+35

DC to be determined.

>>5324856

A reasonable question.

In this case, it's more of a "pump magic into it until it does something weird" roll, instead of a "decipher ancient scribbling / arcane doublespeak" roll.

I'll keep that in mind for future rolls though, anon.
>>
Rolled 25 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

Thanks, Axis. That's a high dif.>>5324861
>>
Rolled 51 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5324861
Let's go!
>>
Rolled 90 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5324861
>>
>>5324862
>>5324863
>>5324870

That's a success, writing.
>>
File: Birdman.jpg (685 KB, 1920x1920)
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685 KB JPG
>>5324872

Your temptation gets the better of you, and you try channeling some of your magic into the golden talisman to shake the tree a little.

Messing with the arcane is dangerous, but you need answers and this is the fastest way to them.

You’re not much of an Egyptologist, but you’ve picked up some basic knowledge about common symbols and the like; the ankh, the was, the djed, etc.

It comes with the territory, given your dealings with Set.

As you examine the talisman, you’re struck with a feeling of deja vu; that you’ve seen something in this style before.

After contemplating it a bit longer, you finally recognize the design in question; the Eye of Horus.

Distantly, you recall that they’re a pretty common symbol / good luck charm even in the modern era.

Now that you think about it, Set’s tomb was practically emblazoned with hieroglyphs resembling this symbol. That fact carries implications that you’re more than happy to shove away to panic later.

When you try channeling Storm and Fire magic into the talisman, nothing of import happens.

But when you try feeding it Chaos magic, all hell breaks loose.

The talisman instantly rockets away from you, slamming directly into the floor and shattering into dozens of pieces like it was made of glass.

On that spot where it landed, a large, golden portal begins to slowly materialize in the void.

And out steps an absolute behemoth of a man; maybe seven feet tall and built like a brick shithouse.

That alone would be cause for concern, but the cherry on top is the the fact that he has the head of a very pissed looking bird.

Upon spotting you, it immediately charges; belting out a screeching war cry infused with an unsettling mixture of anger and triumph.

While beelining your way, it draws a curved sword that’s similar in base design to the one you just looted from the assassin. Except in this case, his is a lot fancier and way bigger.

“What the fuck!”

Guess Warrant noticed it too. This is probably going to require some context later. Y’know, if you survive.

To that end, you pull a textbook combat roll to neatly dodge its attempt at rending you in twain, while simultaneously earning you a free shot at his back.

You take advantage of this opportunity to…

> Start blasting it with your carbine. It’ll be interesting to see how it matches up against whatever this thing is.

> Nail it with a barrage of Hex Bolts. Hopefully, you can make the damn thing so unlucky that it’ll just fall off the balcony or something.

> Get in close and use your new sword to disarm him. The curvature of the blade ought to come in handy.

> Bring out the Claw and start pummeling it. You’re gonna need the big guns for this one.

> Use a smoke grenade for cover, and use Shadow Cloak to flee. Discretion is the better part of valor in this case.

> Try channeling all of your Natures at once, like Set advised back in Venezuela. You couldn’t pull it off then, but maybe you can now.

> Other?
>>
>>5324892
>> Start blasting it with your carbine. It’ll be interesting to see how it matches up against whatever this thing is.
Have fun fighting without a spine, birdbrain.
>>
>>5324892
> Bring out the Claw and start pummeling it. You’re gonna need the big guns for this one.
>>
>>5324901
Support, let's pew pew

Bringing out the CLAW may be a bad idea with Warrant so close
>>
>>5324892
>Start blasting it with your carbine. It’ll be interesting to see how it matches up against whatever this thing is.
Gun is always the right choice!
>>
Rolled 72 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5324901
>>5324909
>>5324911

Alright, roll me some 1d100+20

DC to be determined.
>>
Rolled 68 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5324917
>>
Rolled 57 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>5324917
>>
Rolled 63 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5324917
>>
Rolled 5 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>5324917
Stop rolling decently you're making this hard.
>>
>>5324921
>>5324925
>>5324930

That's a failure, writing.

Work kicked the ever-living shit out of me today, and I can tell that I'm starting to run out of steam.

I'm going to go ahead and call it here, we'll pick up from here on Wednesday at 5:00 PM EST.

Gotta pushback Monday's session for holiday related stuff.

As always, thanks for playing and have a good 4th of July weekend, anons!

I doubt the thread'll survive until Wednesday, so I'll just get another one rolling should it perish as expected.
>>
>>5324909
Speaking of Warrant. It's too bad he was so flabbergasted by random portal that he didn't shoot this guy.

>>5324939
Don't blow your fingers off practicing with the sparkly-doos man. Have fun.
>>
>>5324939

With trained ease, you draw your carbine and begin firing at the back of your feathered opponent.

The angry-red bolts score deep scorch marks in your enemies armor, but the creature itself doesn’t recoil or panic.

In fact, the warrior-bird is completely unharmed despite the majority of your shots nailing it in unarmored areas.

With another display of startling agility, it takes advantage of your momentary shock and confusion to wheel around and launch another reckless charge, crowing for your blood.

Christ.

Whatever this thing is, it’s definitely built for a fight.

And it looks like you’ll have to get a bit creative if you plan on putting it down for good.

> Roll me some 1d100+35

DC to be determined.
>>
Rolled 92 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5330560

Rolling for the birdbrain.
>>
Rolled 44 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5330560>>5330563
stop rolling high
>>
Rolled 40 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5330560
Time for our beating
>>
Rolled 90 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5330560
Here's hoping!
>>
Rolled 22 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5330564
>>5330571
>>5330586

That's a failure, go ahead and give me another round of 1d100+35.

DC to be determined.
>>
Rolled 33 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5330590
>>
Rolled 62 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5330590
Poor sean ain't having the greatest day
>>
Rolled 75 + 35 (1d100 + 35)

>>5330590
At this rate we're never leaving Namek
>>
>>5330591
>>5330596
>>5330607

That's a success, writing.
>>
>>5330607
Hey no one told anyone to fuck with the weird religious icons but here we are. Seriously though, why?
>>
>>5330610
Because the sensible anons weren't there to stop them. Seriously tho, people should know by now to not push their luck when it comes to magic. At least it makes for a neat encounter.
>>
>>5330610
Shit rolls and poor choices mostly. I'd consider Venezuela the start of the namek ark honestly. Not to say the writing is bad or anything, I just want to be back tooling around in Gotham.
>>
>>5330619

It's a reasonable sentiment, I was just looking to try something a little different.

Gotham stuff is definitely the bread and butter stuff that's fun to write though.
>>
>>5330608

Despite your frantic attempts to avoid being cornered, you inevitably fall short when a scything blow from the warrior-bird’s wickedly sharp sword manages to catch you directly in the ribs.

Your armor manages to stop the brunt of the damage, but you’ll definitely be tender in the morning.

Worse, this most recent assault to your person was enough to worsen the damage to your breastplate. Another solid blow might be enough to split it entirely, and then you’re in serious trouble.

Before it can follow up with another bonecrushing attack, you put a considerable amount of muscle into a shoulder bash that puts birdbrain on the backfoot.

While it’s reeling, you reach into your metaphorical bag of tricks and decide to…

> Nail it with Fire Bolts. Maybe if you pump enough juice into it, you’ll be able to BBQ the damn thing.

> Hammer it with more shots from your carbine. It’s got to have a weak spot somewhere, you just need to keep hunting for it.

> Bring out the Claw and start brawling. Looks like it’s time to flex your muscles and cut loose.

> Trigger Kinetic Frenzy and try to cut it down with your newly-stolen sword. It’s a gamble, but it’s one that might just pay off.

> Box it in with an Abyssal Shield and attempt to knock it over the railing. There’s nothing wrong with letting gravity do the heavy lifting.

> Other?
>>
>>5330630
>> Box it in with an Abyssal Shield and attempt to knock it over the railing. There’s nothing wrong with letting gravity do the heavy lifting.
>>
>>5330630
>> Box it in with an Abyssal Shield and attempt to knock it over the railing. There’s nothing wrong with letting gravity do the heavy lifting.
>>
>>5330630
Literally the oldest trick in the book, lesgo
> Box it in with an Abyssal Shield and attempt to knock it over the railing. There’s nothing wrong with letting gravity do the heavy lifting.
>>
>>5330621
I like this approach and the new stuff of the Suicide Squad and what we are making.

But yeah, Gotham and all the stuff we find there is really good.

Also better do another thread, this one somehow it's still alive
>>
>>5330618
I just don't get the purpose. Like how it was expected to help us get out of this situation or further our goals. Not to dunk on people with the power of hindsight, no one could be sure a birdman would come out pissed off and ready to rock but what was the thought process to think it would be beneficial to us or anyone for that matter, you know what I mean? Not like the badge was doing anything on its own to warrant investigating, it just had magic in it. Which shouldn't have been too surprising seeing as where and why we're here. I dunno man.

>>5330619
Yeah. Fuck Del Rio. Bastard put us on the boat. It's fun to see new things and places and people but in the back of my mind we've got prior responsibilities and it's eating at me. If we didn't have stuff to worry about back home I wouldn't be so anxious to return. Good news is by the end of this we're probably gonna get our rematch with the General. Though his heart's in it for the thrill, Sean on the other hand just wants to get shit done.

and I want to dunk on Babs some more. It's the best time of the week.

>>5330630
>> Trigger Kinetic Frenzy and try to cut it down with your newly-stolen sword. It’s a gamble, but it’s one that might just pay off.
If plasma doesn't work try stabbing, it's a good trick. I'm cagey about showing off the magic literally in plain view at the window.

And what is Warrant even doing right now?
>>
>>5330635
Anons don't fuck this up. I also want to do the Abyssal Shield, but using Magic know it's going to put us AGAIN un the radar of our bosses, put us another mental barrier and maybe next time we won't make it with Pandion help

Really, don't fuck this up AGAIN in one mission
>>
Rolled 17 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>5330632
>>5330633
>>5330634

Alright, I'll go ahead and call it here.

> Go ahead and roll some 1d100

DC to be determined.

>>5330635

Yeah, I'll get another one prepped for Friday.

>>5330637

> And what is Warrant even doing right now?

That's an excellent question. Feel free to ponder the implications of his inaction.
>>
>>5330635
We are on the literal edge of the board, if someone makes a new thread we are done for.
>>5330638
dude, Warrant isn't a snitch, probably.
>>
>>5330637
>Support
Yeah we just managed to fool them once let's not mess it up right after
>>
Rolled 89 (1d100)

>>5330639
>>
Rolled 51 (1d100)

>>5330639
Get the hell outta here, Harvey.

>That's an excellent question. Feel free to ponder the implications of his inaction.
Man if he is somehow getting got by ninjas or a giant snake with tits or a random off duty cop a week away from retirement with two kids and an estranged wife I don't know what I'm gonna do but it'll be embarrassing.
>>
Rolled 87 (1d100)

>>5330639
Warrant took the time to practice his autofellatio skills
>>
>>5330643
>>5330644
>>5330648

This time, you’re ready when it tries another foolhardy charge.

By ducking and weaving up a storm, you’re able to lure it into a corner and lay the foundation for your trap.

With a grunt of effort, you use Abyssal Shield to create a jet-black wall of heavy rock that pins the warrior-bird against the wall, keeping it nice and busy for the next stage of your plan.

Thankfully, the opening you leave open is just large enough for someone of your size and build to fit through with a few inches to spare.

To ensure that you have enough momentum, you fall back and get a running start, before bull-rushing the damn thing with all your might, flinging it over the balcony like a children’s toy; squawking and screeching all the way down.

Y’know it’s kinda funny that you’ve yet to use this “defensive” spell for anything other than clobbering someone.

Guess it says something about the way you think, when you see a shield and view it as just an improved way of funneling someone into another hit.

Now that you’ve got a chance to breathe, you notice that the golden portal which originally summoned the birdbrain is still open, albeit slowly vanishing. It’s incredibly risky, but you might be better off served by hauling ass to it and seeing if it’ll transport you out of this mess.

Hopefully, it’ll lead you someplace where the Squad and their killswitch can’t get to you. However, there’s no telling where you’ll end up.

Alternatively, you could just try to salvage this wreck of a mission and avoid tipping your hand too early. Which won’t be easy, especially since you just used magic in plain view of Warrant.

If he sells you down the river, you’re as good as dead.

Neither option is great, but that’s life for you.

It’s ironic in a way; much like your feathery friend, you’re also trapped between a rock and a hard place.

Either way, you need to make a decision fast before it closes altogether.

You decide to…

> Make a run for the portal. If Warrant’s still watching, he probably won’t take kindly to it, but you can’t afford to pass up an opportunity to escape.

> Let the portal dissipate. You’ll take the devil you know over a dive in a random portal any day.

> Other?
>>
>>5330661
>> Let the portal dissipate. You’ll take the devil you know over a dive in a random portal any day.
No portals.
>>
>>5330661
>> Make a run for the portal. If Warrant’s still watching, he probably won’t take kindly to it, but you can’t afford to pass up an opportunity to escape.
Mystery box! Everyone loves these.
>>
>>5330661
Throw the dead bodies in the portal.

Don't want to leave a mess for Black Adam.

Real issue is that we just used magic and that's possibly gonna be reported on



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