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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)

File: Cadmus.png (42 KB, 189x190)

42 KB PNG

>>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)

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)

118 KB JPG

>>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

File: khamsin-metal-gear-rising.gif (3.85 MB, 498x272)

3.85 MB GIF

>>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.

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>>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