2/2 Axyl 2023/04/01(Sat)00:00 No. 1060140 ID: 481e64
File 168033244981.png - (97.32KB , 700x700 , AQ2.png )

>"Who knows. It's the reason why we were sent to look for them. We got a hunch that it's coming from the ghost tunnels though."
"Hell yeah! I've always wanted to see the ghost tunnels! So, it'll just be the two of us?"
>"We aren't the only ones they are dropping off. There are about six other groups, all investigating those signals. I will be keeping in contact with them as best as I can. We may bump into a few at some point."
"Cool! So, how will I be looking for the signals?"
>"You won't be. The hacker will. That's me. You'll be protecting me. I had your file read out to me, it says you're a good shot"
"I have a habit of aiming too low and hitting necks, but yes, I hit my shots. And I'm dying to try out these neat experimental bolts you guys gave me. What would you like me to hit for you?"
>"Whatever moves. Raiders, Corpo patrols, wildlife if it proves aggressive, or anything which moves that shouldn't be moving."
"Ah. Right... Why do we need a hacker?"
>"Isn't that obvious? the damn robots. You haven't been to the fridge before, have you?"

Try to resist the urge to say "It is my first time actually, please be gentle" before asking about the robots.

>Isn't that obvious? the damn robots. You haven't been to the fridge before, have you?

Nope! But it sounds like you have. As such what would you say the biggest threat we'll likely to face out there? Would like an idea on what I'll be dealing with so I won't get caught off guard and all that jazz.

mmo om mmom ooo mom o mmo om mo o m momm omoo oommoo / omoo ooo mmo / omom ooo mmo momm omm om moooom o / mom m mmm moom ooo om omm / mmm mm om omom m / omoo ooo mmo / mmom mom ooo oomm m / mm om o ooo / mo / omom mo mom o ooo ooo om / moom ooo moom mmm mm omom momm m momomo

>>1060150
Translation:
UNFORTUNATELY, YOU COULDN'T RESPOND SINCE YOU FROZE INTO A CARTOON POPSICLE.

1/3 Axyl 2023/04/01(Sat)02:02 No. 1060162 ID: 481e64
File 168033977409.png - (139.76KB , 700x700 , AQ3.png )

"What darn robots?"
>"You know. Lunecore robots. They still kick around this place because it's the only place where the wildlife, companies and raiders won’t rip them apart. It's hard to survive in the cold, but it isn't a problem for them. They like it."

>Try to resist the urge to say "It is my first time actually, please be gentle" before asking about the robots.
I don't want to reveal that it's my first time, I don't want him thinking I'm a wimp!

"What would you say is the biggest threat we'll likely face out here? Would like an idea on what I'll be dealing with so I won't get caught off guard and all that jazz."
>"Well at least you're not ashamed to ask. robots like screen facers, sentinels, mimics, recruiters, and such. Not likely you'll see any though, so I don't think they're your biggest worry. You have special darts to take them down."
"What should we worry about?"
>"Wildlife is my main concern. Not the borealans, but everything else that is smart and quick."


>"Now if you don't mind, would you lead the way? I can't see that great."
"Oh, yeah! The sect thing, I almost forgot."

2/3 Axyl 2023/04/01(Sat)02:03 No. 1060163 ID: 481e64
File 168033978950.png - (61.79KB , 700x700 , AQ4.png )

"Hold on. My horns are picking someone up."
>"Who? a tobak?"
"Let me look. Signature is within forty metres."
I pick up my binoculars to see what it is. Is that... one of those screen facer things?
"It's a tobak. It has something on its head."
>"What's it doing?"
"...Standing there. something glowing on its head."

3/3 Axyl 2023/04/01(Sat)02:03 No. 1060164 ID: 481e64
File 168033980614.png - (77.07KB , 700x700 , AQ5.png )

>"Sounds like a screen facer. Leave it be."
"You sure? Shouldn't I... put it out of its misery? Or something?"
>"There are a lot around here and you shouldn't waste ammo, it isn't like they're in pain or anything."
"You're a hacker, can't you help it?"
>"I would if I could. Not many can be helped. We should move on."

>>1060164
How can you tell which ones can be helped?

Ask him if a red hexagon means anything. Screen facers have a face on their face screen face, don't they?

so what's the story behind screen facers?

Axyl 2023/04/01(Sat)02:58 No. 1060168 ID: 481e64
File 168034310311.png - (160.19KB , 700x700 , AQ6.png )

"How can you tell which ones can be helped?"
>"Most of the time it depends on how long they've been that way. If it has been any longer than a month you can assume the worst. Sometimes the minds are salvageable, but their bodies are a wreck."
"Well, do red hexagons mean anything to you? I can see one on the screen."
>"I think that means it's in idle mode. listening."
"Whatever the case it doesn't look much like a face to me."
>"They don't always have faces. I guess it depends on how they get programmed. If you are able to pin one down, I can override it to a mode where it can be of use to us."
"What's the story behind them?"
>"You're from the glade, right? don't tell me you've never heard of LuneCore before."
"Last I saw one of their robots was... twelve years ago, I think. I was always afraid of their structures. Too narrow and angular."
>"To make a long story short, LuneCore likes robots, much more than they like alive things. One day they snapped, the robots went haywire - turned a bunch of workers into robots. They probably got sick of paying them or something."
"Do you remember that?"
>"No. I wasn't sentient at that time. Now if you're done with the small talk, I'd appreciate it if you'd think about the task at hand."

Roger roger, are there any things to protect against? Suspicious silhouettes in the snow? Wait...did you ever get your partner's name?

All right, back to leading. Is the signal getting any hotter?

>>1060168
Yeah let's get moving again.

1/2 Axyl 2023/04/01(Sat)03:48 No. 1060172 ID: 481e64
File 168034613958.png - (217.01KB , 700x700 , AQ7.png )

"Sorry - I like meeting new people! I've never actually met a sect before. I thought you guys couldn't talk?"
>"When you're as loaded up with cybernetics as I am, anything is possible."
"I'll lead the way.

>Wait...did you ever get your partner's name?
huh... I don't think so.
"Did I ever get your name, partner?"
>"Yeesh. I'd rather you not call me that."
"Why not?"
>"I'm a rogue. I'm used to being alone, I don't get along well in pairs. as for a name, how about a codename. you can call me Golf."
"Ooooh I see! Well, you can call me Tango or something - not because my name starts with a 't'. It actually starts with an 'a'. My name is Axyl. My friends call me spooky. My wife calls me Axy."
>"You miss the point of the codename thing, but I appreciate the effort."
"Hey, I think I see something."


We arrive at a large, round opening into a perfectly cylindrical tunnel in the ice. Looks like someone used a boring machine to make this.
"This it?"
>"This it. sense anything?"
"Horns are quiet. Smell anything?"
>"Nose is clean."

2/2 Axyl 2023/04/01(Sat)03:49 No. 1060173 ID: 481e64
File 168034615922.png - (89.16KB , 700x700 , AQ8.png )

I look in our packs to go over the supplies. The plasma rifle has a magazine of about forty shots. The two magnums have 25 shots between them. enough rations for 48 hours in case we get lost, in which case we could try hunt for more. flares, explosives, yep, it's all here.

As for my crossbow, I got fun new bolts to play around with, courtesy of... whatever organization I'm working for right now. Am I a mercenary? No, I'm a contractor! Most of my surveying jobs don't require that I be armed to the teeth, but I see that as no reason to complain. Anyway - the bolts.

-15 ordinary bolts. Reusable.
-4 piercing explosive bolts. Not reusable.
-2 EMP bolts. Not reusable
-1 experimental hacking bolt. reusable.

I'm feeling lucky!

>>1060173
Alright, take a last look behind you to make sure you weren't followed, then we go into the unknown. If the heavy weapons are likely to come into play you're going to need to wear your goggles.

...what are the flares for?

well you got a huge ass tunnel in front of you for the foreseeable future so probably best to just take out your crossbow, load it with a normal bolt for now and take point since you're the guy with the guns and it's kind of hard to get lost in a straight tunnel with no side passages.

Also saying use the bow since the normal bolts are reusable and because the bow is quite just incase you need to take something out without alerting it's friends.

Arm your teeth. Get braces.

1/2 Axyl 2023/04/01(Sat)06:51 No. 1060191 ID: 481e64
File 168035709757.png - (172.27KB , 700x700 , AQ9.png )

I take a quick peek behind me to ensure we aren't being followed by anyone, and we seem to be clear. If someone is following us they are doing a good job.

>...what are the flares for?
Tobaks aren't the only ones who don't like light. Flares can come in handy for if I'm using the guns or if we need to take photos or videos. (Which don’t work so well in the dark most of the time)

I take charge, being the one with the weapon and all. I keep a regular bow inserted and hold my weapon in front of me as I take the lead, Golf following close behind.

>"I'm going to flash my lidar devices to get a better view of the surroundings. huh. Nice antlers."
"Thanks! I grew them myself."
>"This tunnel goes on for a ways. would've tried to bring a hover bike if the conditions allowed for it, maybe we could find one. As for the signal we're going to, it's still just nonsensical noise."
"Do you think it might have something to do with the ghost tunnels?" I need to hold back with my theories, I don't want Golf thinking I'm weird.
>"I really doubt it. the proximity is likely coincidence. I doubt we'll find anything substantial in the tunnels themselves."

2/2 Axyl 2023/04/01(Sat)06:51 No. 1060192 ID: 481e64
File 168035711379.png - (167.93KB , 700x700 , AQ10.png )

We walk down the tunnel for about 15 minutes, all rather uneventful. nothing but smooth ice.

"Hold up, stand still."
>"hm? What's the matter? get cold feet? Oh- hey I didn't mean to make that pun. Sorry."
"There's a drop in our way."
>"Ah. So there is. Good thing we've got another tunnel splitting off.
"Or... we could jump over the gap. Or go down the drop."
>"What's down there?"
"Water. I think it's warm, there's steam rising from the hole. What does the tracker say? which way leads to the signal?"
>"Across the gap. What do you think, can you get over it? Or would you rather take the safe way around?"
"What about you?"
>"I could totally jump that gap."
Easy for him to say, he has wings!

Live dangerously!

You any good at long jumps? That distance looks doable with a running start, anyway...

Hacker first, then!
Seriously, did you go to a land of ice and snow without any pitons or even crampons? Oy vey.

You have a crossbow with bolts and you have at least some length of rope/wire, so use that as assurance against the drop.

How many days have I've being drunk? I though today would be Saturday... It is Saturday! Why did an entire quest happened overnight?

If the plan is to jump pay attention to the ceiling. It would suck to hit your antlers on either side.
Also put your crossbow on your back and make sure everything is firmly tied.
You may need a running start and a low posture during the jump. Don't be too ashamed about the landing, safety is more important than dignity.

1/2 Axyl 2023/04/01(Sat)11:20 No. 1060217 ID: 481e64
File 168037321489.png - (171.84KB , 700x700 , AQ11.png )

>Seriously, did you go to a land of ice and snow without any pitons or even crampons?
It's fiiiine, my toes are practically evolved for this sort of thing.

>If the plan is to jump pay attention to the ceiling. It would suck to hit your antlers on either side.
Noted! they do tend to get in the way more than I like, I will ensure that this situation is not one of them.

"Let's go over."
>"Now we're talking."
"You first?"
>"Not if you can't make the jump. keep the stuff on this side and throw it over when one of us makes it. If you can’t make it, I’ll drop your stuff down."
"Deal."

I step back to get a running start, which I can do even with the ice (which I can get a surprisingly good grip on.) And I clear the gap, easy! ok I may have cut it a little close, but I try to look unphased. While passing over I could feel the hot air from the water below. Must be nice down there.


He picks up our bags and throws them over to my side.
"Alright, I'll tie up some rope and pass it to you for assurance."
>"You think I need training wheels? here I go."
He walks back for a ways and gets a running start over. He goes to take the jump and...

>"ohgoddamnit"

2/2 Axyl 2023/04/01(Sat)11:20 No. 1060218 ID: 481e64
File 168037323052.png - (114.97KB , 700x700 , AQ12.png )

He falls down and I hear a splash two seconds later.

I peer over the edge. Is he ok? I'm half expecting him to fly up but...
Do those wings even work?

...uh...

Can he swim? If he can, I don't think he'll survive without his half of the equipment.

... ah geez, is my partner going to be ok? I was starting to like him.

You want that rope now? Or maybe your stuff?
...Tie off that rope and go down for him. He's too fluffy to abandon like this.

Quickly put any lose electronics inside the bag and jump. We can only hope the equipment won't be too damaged by the water.

oh dear, you said you had that rope secure right? Quickly tie the other end around yourself and quickly scale down the wall. You said your body was basically made to scale ice so getting up shouldn't be a problem and with that guy soaked his wings are useless so you're probably going to have to pull his ass up.

Well, if the water is warm enough for you to feel convection heat then your partner probably isn't freezing to death.

Uhh... I'm pretty sure you just actually cannot complete your mission without a hacker, as far as I understood from your and his discussion of it, so you're probably going to have to find a way to retrieve him. Is that rope strong enough to support you both?

>>1060227
>Well, if the water is warm enough for you to feel convection heat then your partner probably isn't freezing to death.
I'm worried about how warm that water is. If we can feel the heat, then it might be too warm. Hopefully he didn’t land in boiling water!

2 seconds? Good, it's not very far down. Call for him and hope he can swim in all that gear. If he responds, send some rope down. If not. Gotta go get him.

Him getting soaked is a big problem though. All that fluff freezing will be a death sentence.

>>1060217

Uh oh. I think our fuzzy-buzzy buddy forgot "ice slippery."

Any chance we can lower some rope to him that he can grab onto and we can haul him free?

Yeah you're gonna have to try to get rope down to him. Though... I'm not sure you have enough leverage to pull him up. You'll probably just slip on the ice, unless you can chip away enough to get a good anchor spot.

How long is the rope? See if you can lower it down to him.

Yaaay, this quest series is back! Also, they're sooo flufffyyyyy

Don't jump; you might land on him. Call down. If no response, AND you have a fair amount of rope, rappel down.

>>1060218
Would arrows work as a piton stand in?

1/3 Axyl 2023/04/02(Sun)02:25 No. 1060312 ID: 481e64
File 168042753750.png - (58.93KB , 700x700 , AQ13.png )

I need to think fast, each second counts and I don't have enough time to think through a decision!

>Tie off a rope.
I would - If I had something to tie it to! I look around frantically and all I see are these smooth tunnel walls. I could hammer in a piece of climbing gear but that could take a minute, a minute I don't think I have.

>you said you had that rope secure right?
I was going to, but he jumped before he let me have the chance!

>Well, if the water is warm enough for you to feel convection heat then your partner probably isn't freezing to death.
That would be good if not for the possibility of him drowning - Oh geez...

>2 seconds? Good, it's not very far down.
that's reassuring, at least I won't hit the water surface like concrete if I jump from here.

>Call out to him.
"Hey, are you alright down there?!"

I get no response back.

"Oh geez, oh geez..."

Think... think!

>Lower some rope
I waste no time at all lowering all of our rope, hoping he grabs onto it. 15 seconds pass and the suspense is making me feel ill.

>Don't jump; you might land on him
I don't know what else to do! maybe... I just have to make sure not to land antlers first.

oh geez...

Screw it! here we go!

JAR ON THE MOTE

I make a splash, and the water is pleasant. The spikes at the bottom, not so much. Fortunately, I am able to narrowly avoid injury. After getting my bearings I look around and spot Golf. He is not swimming, but is in fact, upside down. It appears he has sustained injuries on his leg and torso. I swim to him and try to bring him up.

2/3 Axyl 2023/04/02(Sun)02:25 No. 1060313 ID: 481e64
File 168042755421.png - (30.13KB , 700x700 , AQ14.png )

>*GHAAAASP*
>"Y-you... *haah*... saved my ass... *huff*"
"Hey, it's alright. Are you okay?"
>"I can't feel pain, *haaah* but if I could, I'd be hurting. *haah*"
"Take it easy. I'll bring you somewhere dry."

I start moving him to the nearby shore of gravel. Poor guy. Once he is on land, I swim to our items and swim them back. I look around at the room we've found ourselves in. It's warm and lush with... plants? Or are these some kind of fungus? Something in between perhaps. They seem to do well without light, whatever the case is. It's the opposite of cold in here, humid as a matter a fact. I didn't think there were warm water caves this close to the fridge.

It sounds very lively in here, there must be a whole ecosystem around this lake.

3/3 Axyl 2023/04/02(Sun)02:26 No. 1060314 ID: 481e64
File 168042757455.png - (30.48KB , 700x700 , AQ15.png )

>"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I should've tied a rope and..."
"Hey, it's alright. We all make mistakes. Are you going to be ok with those wounds?"
>"No... they won't heal on their own. In my pack there should be a canister of... wait."
"…Yeah?"
>"We're not alone in here. There must be... ten different species of animal in here - It smells like a barn!"
"I don't smell anything like that."
I stand still and concentrate with my horns to see if I can feel any tobaks nearby. In a 40-meter range, I can detect two magnetic signatures, both standing still in another cave.
"Any of those animals you can identify for me?"
>"Aardlots... a few Leeries... I think there's a camowary in here with us."
"oh."

What's a camowary, is it dangerous? It sounds dangerous. And will you be okay soaked head to toe(bak) in water in thermal wear in this heat? The weight might slow you down.

>>1060314
Ask if any are likely to attack you within the next 5 minutes. If not, then he gets to tell you how to use the canister so you can apply first aid.

you jumped down with your gear right? Might want to get that crossbow out.

Also it looks like the hacker has been promoted to backpack until you can find somewhere safe to treat his injuries.

>>1060314
Are any of those dangerous? Can you see any defensible terrain nearby? Would firing a magnum be more likely to scare away wildlife or get its attention? Oh and can you tell where those two magnetic signatures are more precisely than "within 40 feet"?

Axyl 2023/04/02(Sun)03:58 No. 1060319 ID: 481e64
File 168043313457.png - (26.53KB , 700x700 , AQ16.png )

>What's a camowary, is it dangerous?
Very. It's a category 5 on the Saxum Wildlife threat index. Medium size, airborne, carnivorous, stealthy, and highly territorial. Is usually aggressive inside its own territory or while hunting. Senses with sight and sound. If it's alone I'd say there's a good chance we've stumbled upon its nesting cave. Its natural habitat is usually deeper around the mantle hallows, I'd say depth level 7 or 8. Not sure why it's up here on level 4.

>Ask if any are likely to attack you within the next 5 minutes.
I don't need to ask. I know for a fact that it's studying our movements. It looks for patterns in its pray before it attacks. Our choices are either to zigzag run our way to a side cave or kill this thing now.
>Oh and can you tell where those two magnetic signatures are more precisely than "within 40 feet"?
One of the side caves a bit lower in elevation. Not much more specific I can be without getting closer.

>you jumped down with your gear, right? Might want to get that crossbow out.
Already ahead of you. What bolt do I use If I use the crossbow at all. I may be better off using something with more firepower. A magnum shot would scare most things away, especially with the flash. Won't scare a camowary though. Those things don't know fear. I might be able to blind it, but that might just make it angrier.

"Golf. I'm unable to see the camowary. Does your smell tell you where it is?"
>"Too many smells in this room, it's hard to pin down."
"Got a general direction?"
>"Somewhere right in front of you. You really can't see it?"
I need to know where this thing is or is going to be in order to kill it.

Time for a fighting retreat, then. Get out of here, magnum in hand. Short-range weapon is best for something you won't see until it's close.

>It's a category 5 on the Saxum Wildlife threat index.
How would the index scale, and how are More Dangerous things rated higher?

>cant see shit
Make a mental note, (IF you survive long enough,) bring something like Flour or a Paintball gun in the future. Cant camo if you're coated in extremely bright colors (probably)...

Alright. You can try wearing your goggles and lighting a flare to throw in front of you. By doing so, it will cause a sudden change in light which could ruin the creature's stealth. The flare might also scare away the other creatures which would clear up your buddy's smellovision so you can tell where it is better. Or a magnum shot to scare off the creatures to clear up smellovision?

...wait, shouldn't LIDAR work fine to locate it? It doesn't give a fuck about camouflage. Only question is, does the LIDAR have a long enough range?
If the range is too short, you could combine the two approaches. Keep LIDAR active and pointed at its general location (from smell), while you both move towards a side cave. If it approaches then the LIDAR will spot it and you can shoot it. If it doesn't, then you're fine anyway.

well if you want something that will probably kill it in one shot the explosive bolts are right there for you to use. Though to my knowledge most living things really don't do well after getting hit with plasma so if you are afraid you'd get caught in the blast zone of an explosive bolt the plasma rifle you have could probably down the thing pretty quick.

>>1060319
If it’s right in front of you, then it might be directly above you.

Head for foliage, get your backs to something, you need to be obstructed so it can't just dive at you from an unseen angle.

You should make yourself less visible first. Do they see based off smell too?

Definitely shoot the piercing explosive, once you know where it is!

>>1060319
Look down. Could you be near the corpse of one of those things? Or maybe you guys are near some poop it recently left behind?

1/2 Axyl 2023/04/02(Sun)10:59 No. 1060343 ID: 481e64
File 168045839187.png - (75.30KB , 700x700 , AQ17.png )

I think to move but Golf can't do so on his own. Separating myself from him is a bad idea seeing as he is my eyes right now.
>Do they see based off smell too?
Not as much as a sect, but it can still be sharp. Just not in this scenario.

"Doesn't LIDAR work?"
>"Oh, right. Why didn't I think of that. Just give me a moment."
"Make it quick."
>"F-fine... Emitting LIDAR now... Alright I think I can see... Oh yeah. Almost missed it. It's up there on the wall, sitting still."
"Give me angles based on my proximity to it. Be specific. very specific"
I put my goggles over my eyes. Eyesight won't be much good to me here.
>"Right, let me just... run a sightline calculation... From your current position... in relation to myself... face west - which you are already sort of - and turn negative twelve point nine degrees. I hope you know what's you're doing."
"Elevation?"
>"Twenty-seven point... something degrees upwards."
"I told you to be specific."
>"Twenty-seven point twenty-two degrees."
"Does your simulation account for gravity and wind."
>"N-No?! I don't think..."
"I'll do that myself then."
I load an explosive bolt into the crossbow.

I ignite a flare and put it in my mouth. As suspected, I can't see the camowary in the dark or light. Its camouflaged and up against the wall, ensuring it doesn't cast a shadow. I hear it make a grunt. It seems unhappy with being unable to see.

2/2 Axyl 2023/04/02(Sun)11:00 No. 1060344 ID: 481e64
File 168045840366.png - (157.91KB , 700x700 , AQ18.png )

It can't see me with the light filling the room, but it knows where I am. I'm sitting still, waiting for it to come to me.
>"W-what's that noise?! What are you doing over there?!"
I'd tell him to shut it, but I have my hands and mouth full at the moment.
>"Hey, you still there? It hasn't moved yet. Are you gonna take the shot?"
Not yet.
>"Emitting another LIDAR pulse. It's still there it's... I think its head is facing something else."
Facing the loudmouth. Which one of us will it be, camowary?

If I had to choose, I would choose the camowary. To die.

1/2 Axyl 2023/04/02(Sun)12:43 No. 1060346 ID: 481e64
File 168046462839.png - (123.05KB , 700x700 , AQ19.png )

The answer's obvious to me

I know these things well. Between an injured target and a threatening target, it’ll always go for the threat. Even the most cunning of predators are still creatures of habit.

I fire the shot and I see a brief explosion which illuminates the room before going back to darkness.

the sound of crashing follows soon after the explosion.

2/2 Axyl 2023/04/02(Sun)12:43 No. 1060347 ID: 481e64
File 168046463861.png - (35.31KB , 700x700 , AQ20.png )

I extinguish the flare in the water, Golf seems disappointed because he wanted to have a closer look at it. I walk over to where the camowary lay.

darn it. I hit the neck again. Why do I always hit the neck?

It's still alive, but not for long. Hard to tell if it’s still capable of being much of a threat. The dart's explosion wasn't as powerful as I thought it'd be, but it did what it was supposed to nevertheless.

My wife is going to be very mad at me if she finds out I'm doing dangerous work again... best leave this part out when I tell her about my day.

Finish it with a reusable bolt. A wounded predator is still dangerous and it shouldn't suffer too long.

Put it out of its misery with an ordinary bolt, it's the hunter-y thing to do.

You should probably look around, check for other threats (explosion might've drawn some), check the signal, see if you're getting closer. Get your buddy bandaged up, consider early evac if needed, suchlike.

Ah, and take photos. A camowary this far up counts as unusual, yeah?

However it ended up here, it was likely enjoying the peace of being one of the only predators. You say they're intelligent. Intelligent enough to hold a grudge?

Yeah, shoot it in the head with a reusable bolt. Also take a trophy!

probably best to finish it off both so it can't do something in it's death rattles and to put it out of it's misery.

Gaze un shock and disgust at your own actions. Quickly move to stop the bleeding and apologize profusely, explaining how your perjudice led you to think this noble being to be a threat.

>>1060347
Shoot head with reusable bolt then go perform first aid on Golf before he bleeds out

Axyl 2023/04/02(Sun)20:36 No. 1060397 ID: 481e64
File 168049296551.png - (21.60KB , 700x700 , AQ21.png )

I finish it with a reusable bolt. No point in wasting ammo. I don't get any enjoyment out of stuff like this, the reality was that it was it or us. Putting it down fortunately means that Golf and I are now the Apex predators of this cave.

I abstain from taking a trophy, the thing's body isn't even cold yet and I'd like to show it some respect - I can give it that much. I don't feel great pride in taking down one of nature's creatures but this is how it had to go.

>"Did you get it?"
"Yeah. I got it."
>"Dude! That's awesome! Man, when they paired me up with you, I thought they were pairing me up with some kind of rookie."
"I do have some credentials."
>"Even so, we aren't the A team in this expedition. Or B team. Or C or D or E. We're the smallest team they sent out here, kind of a last-minute thing. I don't think they're expecting much out of us."
"Do you need help?"
>"I - oh. Almost forgot, I'm bleeding out. I don't need help, otherwise you might spill some of this."

He pulls out a canister and starts to spread a substance over his wounds.
"Looks tasty."
>"It is tasty, but it's also the only way my wounds can heal, so it's like gold to sect rogues like me."
"Where did you get it? your queen?"
>"Not a chance. Our organization provides it from another queen. She can vomit up a bucket of this stuff a day."
"Think that'll take long to heal up?"
"Only a few minutes. I should stay still and let it do its thing."

Good that he's stabilized, but now you need to find a new route to the signal. Did any screenfacers take an interest in your big game hunting? And check your gear for missing/waterlogged items.

>>1060397
Alright, may as well stand watch. Maybe look around a bit, see if you can tell if there's anything unusual about this cave.

How's the signal doing? Did the water do anything to your equipment?

I guess while he’s recovering you should secure the perimeter until he’s well enough to move. Wild life might see you as the biggest threat around now but a wounded target is always tempting especially if they’re desperate.

Also, since he can't feel pain, that means he might not notice one of his injuries. Give him a good once-over once he thinks he's done.

Would you mind if I ask about your wings? Do they... do anything?

Axyl 2023/04/02(Sun)22:07 No. 1060408 ID: 481e64
File 168049842165.png - (122.98KB , 700x700 , AQ22.png )

Now that all the identifiable direct threats are out the way, I can secure the perimeter for when we move out. There must be 9 or 10 different tunnels and caverns leading to different systems, some even resembling the ghost tunnel we were just walking through. The magnetic signatures are on my mind, it might be for the best to investigate.

>Did any screenfacers take an interest in your big game hunting?
>I haven't felt any movement, so I'm guessing not.

>Did the water do anything to your equipment?
I look through our supply bags and it looks like they did a good job at keeping most of the water out. Most of our equipment is waterproof or works regardless of being wet. Our rations look less appetising, but it isn't like MRE's were tasty to begin with.

"How's the signal?"
>"Going strong. The tracker still works fine, it was made for harsh conditions. I'll calculate a new route, just give me a sec."

>Give him a good once-over once he thinks he's done.
I have a look around and it appears to just be the wounds on his abdomen and leg. he grumbles.
>"I wouldn't have to worry about scratches like this if they'd just let me borrow a pair of that mark two bio armor. not enough to go around because RND can't be bothered making more."

"Are you good to defend yourself? I'm going to secure the perimeter."
>"Uh... Gimmie the magnum and I'll use LIDAR and my ears to sense if anything is coming."
"If you fire a shot, I'll be right over. Oh, and do you mind if I ask about the wings?"
>"Oh, those. Most sect have them. Completely useless evolutionary leftover. They can't fly if that's what you were wondering."

I walk towards where the tobaks are, still cautious not to go within their horn range. I see a couple more screenfaces. Looks like a couple of independents this time. One is armed with a standard nail gun. Behind them are some deactivated Lunecore robots. At least... I hope they're deactivated. Seems like a cave-in crushed most of them. What were a pair of independents doing here? were they lost? or looking for something?

This look like a sigh of hell. Let's try to stay far away from the mechanical zombies.

If they're independents why are they on standby mode? Shouldn't only Lunecore screenfacers work like that? Maybe something weird happened here. A virus, maybe?

Report back about what you saw.

Does bioarmor mark 2 let them regenerate?
Maybe they were looking for the signal too. Are their clothes tattered, do they look fresh or old? And could the recruiter be nearby still...

No point in engaging if you don’t need it o head this way and they don’t seem to be actively looking for you. Though since we’re on the topic of screen facers, can they communicate with each other, as in if you shot one would it be able to call for backup or are they more or less just pack animals now and just group up when they bump into each other?

I sense a good deed AND a prospective bonus pay from getting extra intel!

Signal the rest of the teams about the location of these two guys, we may be able to take them back to base remove their ego-supressing chips, and get info on why they were here. They probably got turned into cyborgs by a recruiter a couple weeks ago, tops.

Speaking of, how long do tobaks live In Saxum years? Oh, and in human homeworld years. Y'know, the 24 hours a day, 365 days a year one.

Hard to say why they’re here if you can’t investigate them more closely. But if they were indeps they probably had a plan. Didn’t plan for getting converted though they could have been involved in the avalanche that took out some of the LC robots.

What’s that grippy tentacle coming from around the corner? Beast or robot? Prepare an appropriate bolt.

You mean, they WERE independents, then got turned into screenfacers? Or like, they're independent screenfacers somehow?

>>1060418
Uh oh. You're right - I think that's a razor worm? Bad news bears.

>>1060397
I'm still curious why their specie's drones lack the ability to heal. How is it not detrimental if they got sick or something?

1/2 Axyl 2023/04/03(Mon)02:02 No. 1060429 ID: 481e64
File 168051254764.png - (23.40KB , 700x700 , AQ23.png )

>What’s that grippy tentacle coming from around the corner? Beast or robot?
Not to worry, it's a mechanical arm buried underneath the rocks.
>razor worm
Kind of looks like one, but it wouldn't make sense to see one here. The walls too hard and the environment too cold.

>You mean, they WERE independents, then got turned into screenfacers? Or like, they're independent screenfacers somehow?
The latter. Whatever they are now is far from anything capable of independence and beyond saving.

>I'm still curious why their species’ drones lack the ability to heal. How is it not detrimental if they got sick or something?
I don't know many sect so I'm unable to say for sure. There are none in the glade, so I've never met any besides Golf before. If I had to guess, the drones are meant to be very disposable and losing a few isn't a big deal to a successful hive. I guess that's what the wax stuff is for? to heal the ones that are worth keeping.

I decide that trying to engage with screen facers is more trouble than it's worth. Unless they are first to attack, I should leave them alone.
>since we’re on the topic of screen facers, can they communicate with each other.
That's... a good question. They all must be linked somehow if they manage to stick together in groups.

>how long do tobaks live In Saxum years? Oh, and in human homeworld years. Y'know, the 24 hours a day, 365 days a year one.
It's hard to measure astronomy down here for obvious reasons so I don't know how long a rotation lasts for our planet. I bet a human would know if I asked. As for how long we live in human homeworld years, I believe the average life expectancy has risen to 70 something years thanks to medicine and better food. for reference the tobak first contact was around 50 years ago, meaning that there are still tobaks alive who have been through it all.

I return to golf to see that all his wounds have healed. I report what I found.
>"Huh. guess we'll steer clear of them then. Ready to get a move on?"
"Where does the tracker say to go next?"

2/2 Axyl 2023/04/03(Mon)02:02 No. 1060430 ID: 481e64
File 168051256327.png - (18.96KB , 700x700 , AQ24.png )

He leads me to a tunnel which goes in the direction of the signal. He tells me that we are getting close to one.
>"I got a message from one of the other groups, looks like their signal disappeared before they could get to it."
"Do they know what happened to it?"
>"Nope. Just gone. looks like our work here may be finished quicker than expected if it continues."

...

>"Thanks."
"Huh? what for."
>"Being reliable. I said I preferred being alone. Didn't say I was good at it. I appreciate what you did for me."
"Oh. Oh! No problem, assistance is what I'm here for!"

...

>"Do you have any hobbies, or something?"
"Haaaang oooon... Are you making small talk?"
...
>"That a problem? We've got a ways to go and I'm not picking up any scents."
"No, not at all! I just got the impression that you wanted to keep things strictly professional."
>"You've left a positive impression on me. I'll let you choose the conversation topic if that's what you'd like. Talk about me, you, anything you're curious about. I can see that you're in the dark about some stuff."

It is time for the ultimate small talk question. Ask him if he's got any crushes! Alternatively, ask him about theories on what the signal could possibly be.

well you can probably tell him one hobby you have is hunting. nice way to get some meat on the table for cheap if you don't mind cutting up your hunt yourself. Could also tell him you're married and if he ever meets your wife ask that he not bring up any of the more hazardous parts of the job since she kind of forced you to take safer jobs so she doesn't worry while you're away.

As for things to ask him... guess you could ask him if he's seeing anyone. Maybe give some dating advice if he wants it.

>Not razorworms
Oh - you're right; I looked up some pictures and razorworms are MUCH pointier than that.

Small talk - hobbies? How long has he been sentient?
Re: crushes, I - wait, to what extent does that work for a sect drone? Given, uh, that drones in species I know aren't capable of reproduction, and I feel like that'd affect hormones and stuff? Though the fact they can become sentient at all seems sorta "unplanned" in a way.

You ever go ice fishing?
Let’s try and bag a screenfacer on our way out. It’s like recruiting for the company!

>small talk
So let me tell you about ghosts! Sometimes they turn out to be a secret organization that offer good paying jobs, but there are real roaming spirits out there, I'm telling you.
I've being hunting with a scope and got to see...
... and than there was the ouija board I did with...
... he was possessed by...
... and that brings me to the deep layer zombies. Kind of like the screenfaces here but spookier.

To be honest I'm not sure what kind of ghost stories Axyl would tell. I assume he would be more interested in creepy things in the wilderness than haunted houses.

>>1060430
Hhhmm, yes cute bug dude are always a plus.

Axyl 2023/04/03(Mon)12:29 No. 1060464 ID: 481e64
File 168055019678.png - (87.84KB , 700x700 , AQ25.png )

>ask him about theories on what the signal could possibly be.
Oh, that's a good idea, I love theories! I'm curious if he is into the same theories as I am...

>ghosts
Maybe later, I don't want him knowing about my superstitious beliefs or he'll ridicule me! I need to find a way to ease into it...

"What do you think the signal is all about?"
>"I'm betting it has something to do with LuneCore. Their tech isn't known to malfunction though, so hard to say for sure. Maybe Armada is up to something? This could be some kind of test with experimental tech. It could also be distress signals but... it's unlikely”.
"Think anything... supernatural is to blame?"
>"No."
"Aw." Best not bring up my tobaskquach theory yet.

>Wife
"Ah my wife~..."
>"...What?"
"I thought of her, just now. She's the apple of my eye... I'm the luckiest tobak in the universe... My Karla~... she's perfect in every way. Smart, funny, perfect in every way~..." It breaks my heart to think I'm betraying her trust by getting into these dangerous situations...
>"Not to be cliche, but what is love? Give me a real answer, I don't think it's just pheromones."
"It's not pheromones, it's... a quality! a feeling, feeling of mystery, excitement, intimacy, passion, commitment - Care, closeness, protectiveness, attraction, affection, trust! Love is what love is to you! I'd happily give advice if-"
>"Nah. I don't really get it. Sect must have something different."
"Give it time. you really don't have any crushes?"
>"Does the light bulb in the janitor's closet count? bright lights... make me feel something."
"Whatever that is, it's not love!"

"How long have you been Sentient?"
>"A while - ever since my queen went missing. A lot of rogues were made soon after and most didn't last the week. Being useful has helped me stay alive."
"Do you miss your queen?"
>"I didn't really know her, so no. If I met her, she would tear me to shreds for becoming a rogue. Queens expect loyalty even after abandoning us."

Bright lights, too, can be love, Axyl! Maybe he'd enjoy a relationship with a robot fully kitted out in the prettiest of shines. Radiant like your Karla! Just more literally. Also that rogue thing sounds pretty rough. Even worse than it is for rogue Neumono, probably.

Can rouges become queens? I can't think of other evolutionary reason for the extreme aggression toward independent though among the drones.

If you want to explain romantic love start with attraction. It's usually an awkward topic but ask if he experienced intimacy with someone or at least attraction. From this common understanding you can try to elaborate things like the obsession over a single person and the sensation of meaning in the commitment.

Oh dear, don't sect hives have contingencies for when the queen goes away, from death or whatever mysterious thing disappeared her?
Your signals intelligence has been very useful!
By the way, we should establish some hand signals in case your vox unit gets hit by one of these EMP bolts, for whatever reason.

Most kinds of love can be explained as "the emotional process by which someone learns to take joy in the act of placing another's welfare and happiness and desires above their own."

tell him if he wants, once the two of you are done with this job you could invite him over for a meal with you and your wife. Can't say that would help him figure out what love is any better than you trying to explain it to him but maybe seeing a couple together just hanging out might help him puzzle it out.

>>1060464
What happens if a queen is disposed of in a sect hive? Is there any process that can uplift another sect into a queen like in other colony creatures?

>Queens expect loyalty even after abandoning us.

So you can't just... act loyal? Like, just keep doing your job as if she never left at all? Or would a loyalist rogue be compelled to commit sudoku-cide?

1/2 Axyl 2023/04/03(Mon)23:09 No. 1060512 ID: 481e64
File 168058856779.png - (84.16KB , 700x700 , AQ26.png )

"You would think that hives would have some kind of plan for if something happens to a queen."
>"Yeah, there's usually guards or a princess that will fight to take up the mantle, but not everyone makes the transition. Things start to fall apart quick after a point."
"You should meet my wife, show you how our relationship works. Showing it is easier than explaining it."
>"That's ok. Nice to see you're enthusiastic about someone though."
"If only she wasn't working all the time so we could spend more time together. If you meet her, don't tell her about all this, ok?"
>"What? working for a low-profile research organization?
"Something like that. As far as she knows, I'm taking cave measurements."

We come to a point in the tunnel where it seems to stop.
>"The signal is very close. My LIDAR is telling me that there's a wall ahead, but there's some sort of gap around it. What do you see?"
"Uh... darkness?"
>"Aren't you a tobak? can't you see in the dark, no matter how dark?"
"Yes, unless I need my eyes checked."
>"Maybe it's an optical illusion."

2/2 Axyl 2023/04/03(Mon)23:09 No. 1060513 ID: 481e64
File 168058857827.png - (84.64KB , 700x700 , AQ27.png )

>"Weird. something smells fishy. whoops, I made another pun on accident. sorry."

>>1060513
what the FUCK is that?!
Pull Golf back away from it, maybe start running.

Oh... Oh no... No sudden movements. Don't run, don't attack. Just tell Golf to back away, slowly.

Nothing THAT big would see you guys as a viable prey item anyway. And it's likely it can't go after you unless you're going to tell us about the giant land squids that live down here that can squeeze through things 1/10th their size. It might just have been sleeping next to this tunnel opening.

See if it goes back to sleep or just leaves passively before plotting anything.

Oh that’s why it was dark, it’s just a massive creature laying down who’s eye takes up the entire radius of the cave we’re in and it just opened up and we should probably start running.

>>1060514
I'm siding with this.
Until we know what kind of appendages this enormous creature possess the best bet to be out of it's reach is to stay away. Preferable hiding in a tight tunnel.

Um, let's hope that's an eyeball and not some kind of gelatinous cube. Tell him to run back, now.

Axyl 2023/04/04(Tue)00:58 No. 1060519 ID: 481e64
File 168059512475.png - (79.04KB , 700x700 , AQ28.png )

"RUN!"

Golf doesn't even hesitate and starts running back with me. After we get a safe distance away, we fall into a pile of soft snow. After a few moments of silence, Golf talks to me.

>"Is it safe now?"
"I think so..."
>"What was it?"
"I-I don't know! It was some kind of massive eye!"
>"Is it still there?"

I look back to see that it's gone.
"N-no. It's not there anymore."
>"Maybe we scared it off. How big was it?"
"It was this big I say, holding out my hands as far as they can go until I realize that Golf is unable to see."
>"Right. Whatever it is, it's between us and getting to the signal."

An eye as wide as you ware tall...
Find another way around as it knows you're in this tunnel now.

>>1060519
Go back to where you were in that tunnel, carefully. How was the creature able to fit? Was that an opening into a larger cave? Or an intersection? We need to find out what general shape the creature is; that will give us an idea of what it is.

Yeah, unless you have something that can take out a building I’m pretty sure we’re going to have to find another way around.

Axyl 2023/04/04(Tue)02:19 No. 1060523 ID: 481e64
File 168059998591.png - (142.31KB , 700x700 , AQ29.png )

It might be best to find another cave around, but I don't want to dismiss the most direct route if possible.

I quietly make my way over to the opening where we were just standing, just to see how such a thing was able to fit. How big was that thing really? I would have to use all of my C4 to put a dent in it...

I take a peek through the cave and at appears the cave it was inhabiting is massive and filled with water at the bottom. The fridge is known for its ocean and sea life after all. I don't see any sign of whatever that thing was, just a giant empty cave with various ghost tunnels scattered about in high places. Is the signal coming from somewhere inside here?

>"Do you see it? Are we safe to go?"
"There's no monsters here - just lots of water."
>"How much water? can we get through or do we need to find another way?"
"I don't know how deep it is, but there are rocks we can jump on to get to the other side."

Huh, whelp hope no one is afraid of the water, cause I’m pretty sure we’re on the part of the map that say “here be dragons”

Tie a rope to each other and take turns jumping from rock to rock. Golf is almost completely blind here and will fall into the water without super careful instructions.

I suppose Saxum has more than one kind of dragon… switch to magnums so you have a hand free for balance.

>>1060523
So that creature is aquatic or amphibious and it was resting on the ledge...

Unless we spooked it last time, we still don't know if it has any limbs that can reach into those tunnels. I suggest being ready to reach for a weapon at any moment.

I agree with using rope to sort of horizontally mountain climb and acting as Golf's anchor.

>>1060523
Seeing as the water is the most likely place that thing disappeared to, I'm gonna go with VERY deep

The creature was resting in this rock formation so it's chin or belly (if it's more fish like) were on top of this curve. Considering how close this large stalagmite is to the opening the creature's head must be tall but relatively thin sideways.
We don't know how dangerous this thing really is, and we know there are a lot of smaller dangerous things around those caves, so finding a way around doesn't necessarily improve our chances. However do we really want to jump from rock to rock with a gigantic creature lurking beneath the surface?

>>1060523
Do some thinking and brain storming between the two of you to determine what you saw. What you know was that the eye was large enough to take in more than 75% of the tunnels diameter, and had weird green purpils. If its anything like the other things in this planet then it'll have shit eye sight, so if we need to rin away we could make toss a flare at its face, or try shooting it in the eye. My hope is that, considering how dar up the food chain the damn think is, it would leave us alone.

1/3 Axyl 2023/04/04(Tue)14:50 No. 1060539 ID: 481e64
File 168064505911.png - (99.68KB , 700x700 , AQ30.png )

We could think a little more about the creature we encountered, but I think we just want to put it past us. If it was able to see us, it must have the ability to see in the dark as tobaks do. If that's the case, a light source is capable of blinding it. I keep a flare close, just in case.

We proceed cautiously forward. Ahead are enough rocks and broken up sheets of ice to get across, given that Golf can follow my instructions. I'm not concerned about the ice too much, it's pretty thick and we don't weigh a whole lot.

>Tie a rope to each other and take turns jumping from rock to rock.
I suggest we use ropes for assurance this time and golf seems to concur We're already starting to feel the cold from the freezing-over water from the last dunking, another wouldn't do us any favors.

I tie a rope around a rock and start to climb down the rocky surface, Golf is able to follow just fine.

>switch to magnums so you have a hand free for balance.
That's a good idea. As trusty as my crossbow is, it can be unwieldy if not held with two hands.

2/3 Axyl 2023/04/04(Tue)14:51 No. 1060540 ID: 481e64
File 168064507440.png - (116.92KB , 700x700 , AQ31.png )

We make our way across, noticing the occasional sound coming from distant cave systems. sounds like something is being dropped and dragged around.

We make it to the halfway point and it seems like the giant eyeball monster must have ran off after all. I hope we didn't hurt its feelings when we ran away...

It's taking a lot of effort to direct Golf across the lake given his hard time navigating his surroundings, even with LIDAR. The rope is helping him adjust thankfully.

3/3 Axyl 2023/04/04(Tue)14:51 No. 1060541 ID: 481e64
File 168064508957.png - (88.56KB , 700x700 , AQ32.png )

>"Hold still - don't move. Somethings up."
"What do you see?"
>"Something solid in the water - a few things."
I stand still and look around in the water. He's right. I almost didn't notice the noses poking above the icy water.
>"Can you see them?"
Once I notice, I speak in a low tone.
"I can see them. Silt raptors. Pack hunters. Category four on the wildlife threat index, at least individually. These ones are hunting together. They have an appetite for land-dwellers walking on the ice."
>"Is everything on this Planet wanting to kill us? tell me there's good news at least."
"They don't have eyes to see us with, but that means they see another way. Vibrations and sound."
>"Should we be speaking out loud?"
"Should be fine, so long as neither of us are screaming."
>"You don't seem too bothered right now."
"I function well under pressure - I'm making an effort not to make any sudden movements."

Can you trow something to make a noise far away? Maybe this trick is too obvious to them.
Does Golf happen to have a sound box with him? We could leave it playing somewhere.

Blast em. Seems like a good use of the magnum.

Carefully take the magazine out of your gun and throw a bullet on an ice block away from you. Depending on how they react, try to lure them farther away with additional bullets. Then make a beeline for the closest area of solid ground.
And try not to think about how badly this trick failed the last time you saw someone attempt it.

If I recall, plasma rifles have quite a kick to them on impact but the energy pulse itself is relatively quiet. As the better jumper of the two, cut the line and start leading them away with gunfire while your hacker pal lines up a plasma shot.

>>1060541
Can you throw something in the water away from where you currently are? That might make these guys leave you alone.

>>1060553
>while your hacker pal lines up a plasma shot.
Asking the guy that can't see in the dark to shoot at something isn't a good idea. He's either going to miss or hit us by accident.

>>1060566
And who spotted for us last shot? He can smell in the dark.

what is bee boy standing on?

Anyways just grab a chunk of ice or some of your less appetizing rations and toss it away from the two of you to lure them away so you can finish crossing.

Also surprised these little ankle bitters would show up here so soon after big-O left. Normally when an apex animal shows up to an area most lesser creatures will abandon that spot for at least a few hours less it come back.

>>1060570
He didn’t smell them, he noticed them with his LIDAR. And that thing will only be helpful with seeing things that aren’t currently moving.

>>1060541
Youre already equipped with the magnum. If you have another on you pull then pull that out too, aim your shots on two of them, then get ready to fire on the last one.

>>1060541
Oh wait, your other buddy probably has the other magnum. Then if thats the case one hand the crossbow, shoot two at once, then shoot the last with your magnum. I gotta ask but does your magnum have anything to prevent muzzle flash, or would using your magnum blind you? Being blind would be very bag. If the magnumw risk blinding you then i guess put on your goggles first?

>>1060541
So how crazy would it be to go dynamite fishing with that remote c4?

>>1060541

Could be worth tossing a rock or something of the sort over one of the nearby ice-chunks as a distraction. They might go after that if it sounds/feels like something fell into the water.

1/2 Axyl 2023/04/05(Wed)14:04 No. 1060678 ID: 481e64
File 168072864431.png - (199.75KB , 700x700 , AQ33.png )

Golf is standing on solid rock, he isn't creating any vibrations - he should be safe.

>Lure away with bullets.
I take a bullet out of its cylinder and toss it away into the water. This does little to phase the silt raptors. I'm down to 24 shots and it looks like I won't have to throw away anymore. I would throw a rock if any were close by.

>Plasma rifle
Golf has that, even though I have no clue how he intends to use it. I could ask him to throw it over to me, but I fear he'll drop it in the water by accident. It's best that I use what I have at my disposal.

>So how crazy would it be to go dynamite fishing with that remote c4?
If only I wasn't standing on a piece of floating ice with the fish – otherwise it’d be a fun idea.

I aim my magnum and put my goggles on. Ordinarily, gunpowder weapons create a flash upon firing which can blind a tobak - so I need eye protection. In putting that on I would be in the dark, which is why the gun is equipped with a flashlight to help me see in the dark like an alien.

I aim carefully, trying to shoot all of them as quick as I can. I'm less of a target shooter and more of a long-range precision guy, but I can be what I need to be when the pressure is on.

I fire a shot into the first one, miss a shot trying to hit the second one, take a third shot which hits the second one this time. Only time will tell if these shots are effective, but the thrashing about at least tells me they don't like it. I get ready to turn around and take a few shots at the third one.

2/2 Axyl 2023/04/05(Wed)14:04 No. 1060679 ID: 481e64
File 168072865457.png - (115.95KB , 700x700 , AQ34.png )

I hear something behind me - it tried to leap out of the water and lunge at me - but something happened to it.

What was that? I know I'm not crazy. It looks like something came out of the water and pulled it back in.
"Did you see that, Golf?"
>"See what?"

...Nevermind. Don't fall in the water. Let's skedaddle.

huh, neat. probably should head across... wait... quick question but is the signal still in the same place or did it move?

>>1060679
Time to go.

>>1060679
Bug freindly tentacle monster here to save the day! Hurray!

Looks like whatever's in the water is helpful.

Or hungry.

Time to get your GTFO on

>>1060679

Ah, the resident eldritch horror.

1/2 Axyl 2023/04/05(Wed)17:02 No. 1060703 ID: 481e64
File 168073932341.png - (125.93KB , 700x700 , AQ35.png )

"It's probably time to skedaddle."
>"Splendid. Where do I jump next?"

>Looks like whatever's in the water is helpful.
>Or hungry.

eheheheh... here's hoping it's on a seafood only diet.

I feel Golf tugging on the rope.
"Hey, what's going on over there?"
>"Quit pulling so hard, I'm coming!"
"What? I thought you were pulling-"

I'm pulled so hard I get lifted off my feet, I feel something bump into me - Golf! So he could fly!

>"Axyl? Is that you? I'm picking up a strong tobak stink from right next to me."
"Yeah, it's me. You ok?"
>"Great, yeah. Would like to know what's going on though."

2/2 Axyl 2023/04/05(Wed)17:02 No. 1060704 ID: 481e64
File 168073933530.png - (94.38KB , 700x700 , AQ36.png )

I look in front of me to see that something massive has emerged from the water and is glaring at us. I've never seen anything like this in the wildlife indexes I have read.

"Something's there."
>"Something what? Something good or something bad?"
"I'm pretty sure it's the giant eyeball thing. turns out - it has a body attached to it."
>"Huh. Now that you mention it, that fishy smell is back. What does it want?"
"I don't know. It's huge though."
>"Hold on. This could be a Borealin. Does it have a tag on its ear?"
"I can't see a tag from here. What's a Borealin"
>"Their discovery was very recent. They live deep underwater, eat small fish and crustaceans, grow to large sizes and uhhh... oh right - very intelligent. If I had to guess, it's curious about is."
"Can it... understand us?"
>"No idea."

...uh, hey can you talk?

>>1060704
Smile and wave?

Okay, so if your information is correct ,this guy isn't going to be interested in eating you (which seems important, given the last two encounters you just had with wildlife) and probably just has no idea what you are.

Also it just merc'd the thing that was attacking you, so that's a plus.

If it's supposed to live deep underwater, I wonder what it's doing here of all places.

I seriously doubt you're going to share a language with it (though it's worth a shot anyway given how strange this place is), but trying to find some form of communication would probably be a good idea, even if it's just gestures or whatever.

Attempt to boop the snoot.

>>1060704
Another out of depth sea creature here. I wonder if this place is connected to a large, deeper body of water?

Anyway, try some gentle communication.

We are completely at it's mercy. That's less than ideal. Let's try to stay on it's good side.

If it can understand us this conversation should have sounded amusing.

Try everything simultaneously: talk, tail signs and hand gestures.
Thank the being for saving us from the Silt raptors and ask to be put down, preferable closer to our desired destination.
How do you gesture appreciation? I guess you can pet the snout to show approval.
Pointing should suffice for "put us down there".

Axyl 2023/04/05(Wed)18:08 No. 1060718 ID: 481e64
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I smile and wave. It stares at me. Nothing bad happened so I consider this progress.

"Can you talk?"
It shakes its head. Does that mean it understood me?
>"There is no way that thing can understand you. Uplifting efforts started just five years ago, and I'm betting this one is wild and at least a century old guessing by its size."
"Give me a sec... it might be able to understand."

I try all manner of hand signs, tail signalling. This seems to make it smile - unless it isn't smiling and the patterns around its mouth make it look like it is.

"Can you... understand what I'm saying?"
It nods. That was a nod, right? I think it was...
"...Are you sure?"
It nods, a bit more pronounced this time.
"Oh-oh! good... So... thanks for helping us-"
>"Axyl. I'm fairly certain that this thing can't understand us. I think it is imitating movements which you are interpreting as responses."
"Are you sure? It looks like it can understand."
Maybe a command will help confirm things.
"Can you put us down?"
It looks at us, then down at the water, then back up at us. it tilts its head.

Point at the tunnel you are trying to reach.
"Down there. Down there."

down on the ice, or the other side of the cave would be even better.

Let's not get dragged into the deeps to its underwater den or whatever. 'Down' can be interpreted quite literally.

Show it instead something that may interest it out of your packs, like, uh... rations? The binoculars? The camera? (Oooh, maybe this is a good time to get this rare encounter on film?)

And... hm. Hunch time. If they're intelligent and pick up stuff - like alien strangers - maybe they pick up other things as well? Ask Golf to check the tracker while you guys are hanging. And ask IT whether it does trades of things. Tell it you're searching for something. Pantomime as needed.

>>1060718
>It looks at us, then down at the water, then back up at us. It tilts its head.
I think that's its way of saying, "Are you sure you want me to put you down in the water?" I say this because you didn't specify where you wanted to be put down.

You better specify that you want to be put down over at your destination across the water. That way it'll carry you and you don’t have to worry about the Silt Raptors.

Also tell Golf to be nice because it can definitely understand you.

It's hard to know how much is getting across. At a minimum, it seems like it recognizes talking as a means of communication ... which is weird because it doesn't seem to be able to talk. I wonder if it's met a tobak or some other creature that talks in the past.

I guess if you wanted to be more sure of it understanding verbal communication you could try the old "do something twice for yes and once for no" method, maybe with something a little less obvious than nodding, like tapping or something. I think that would settle the question pretty definitively, and if it does understand you at a high level then I guess you've got a potential ally of sorts.

If that doesn't work, try asking again — actually, better than getting it to put you down where you were, see if you can get it to take you further in the direction you were trying to go to begin with. Even if not much is getting through you can always point at stuff.

>>1060726
Oh yeah and when you get a chance checking on where the signal is pointing at the moment seems like a good idea. Just in case something's going on.

Explain that you're looking for a machine somewhere, making a very high pitched noise. It's somewhere on the other bank of this lake.

>>1060718
Yeah direct it to where you want to go. Actually, since you turned around when you saw it, and now you know it's safe, could you ask it to put you back at the entrance to this room? Then you can go back to your previous route, and meet it there. Heck, tell it you'll meet it there.

Whale dragon whale dragon whale dragon.

Can we call it Flipper.

Axyl 2023/04/06(Thu)02:49 No. 1060763 ID: 481e64
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It occurs to me that this could be interpreted as wanting to be put in the water which we do not want. I quickly speak to clarify things.
"No no, I meant uh... can you put us down... there? " I point over to the ground that we were trying to get to.
It pauses for a moment, but slowly begins to lower us towards the place we were going.

"I think it understands us, Golf! be on your best bahaviour, I don't want to hurt its feelings."
>"Fine. Whatever."

>Can we call it Flipper.
I mean... I can't see why not - besides me being bad at coming up with creative names. Does it have flippers? Anatomy has always been a weak area of study for me.

At last, my feet are once again united with the ground.
"Thanks mister or missus borealin. Do you know where we can find a signal... thing... by chance? like, a machine that makes a noise."
It stares blankly and shakes its head. I guess that's a no.
I pull some objects like my binoculars to try to show them off, seing if any can generate a reation. The borealin seems curious, moving its head in to look at the objects closer. I bring my camera out and take a few photos in dark mode - which doesn't provide very high-quality results, but it doesn't produce blinding light.

>"This experience has been brief but enlightening. Let's go now."
"You're probably right. C'mon Golf. How is the signal? has it moved?"
>"No. Fortunately for us, whatever is creating the signal is stationary. Let’s move before it goes out like that other one."

The encounter was odd, but I'm glad it was peaceful overall.

We walk for about a minute before we hear something get out of the water. I look behind us to see that our big friend started to follow us. It stops after we stop. A curious creature indeed.

>>1060763
...So here's a thought. Is this one a playful adolescent? Do they get bigger than this? It could explain the lack of a tag. It might have been learning second hand about other sentient species from it's family group.

I wonder if they use high frequency echolocation like Earth whales.

Cool. Take a few pictures with Flipper. If you can explain and convince it to close it's eyes take one picture with flash.
It's reassuring to have someone so strong watching our backs around here. If it want to follow us around we can only be grateful.
Ask if it want anything in return for the help.

>>1060764
*low frequency

>>1060764
Golf guessed this one had to be at least a century old based on its size: >>1060718 Maybe it's just bored.

Uh, well, if it wants to follow you, it's not like you have a particularly effective way of making it not do that. But also I feel like having s creature the size of a small building tagging along is probably a good way to deter more hostile wildlife. So, uhh, sure, Flipper can follow behind us if it wants.

oh yeah, you never did thank them for the help so maybe we should do that now.

>>1060763
Seems fine. Tell it you're okay with it following you, but you might wind up going somewhere it can't fit.

Tell it to come closer, then boop that snootle.

Er. Warn it about the dangers of this place and that you will he fighting with tech that could create light.

Not like you could stop it if it wants to come with. Makes stealing around hard, though.

1/2 Axyl 2023/04/06(Thu)05:49 No. 1060785 ID: 481e64
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>I wonder if they use high frequency echolocation like Earth whales.
I'm not sure what an earth whale is, but I'm sure there are similarities. I hear Saxum fauna sometimes show similarities to earth creatures. I've had humans call me a 'deer'. I've never met one, but I hope they are polite.

>Warn it about the dangers of this place.
It lives here, it probably knows the dangers of this place more than I ever could! It seems like it can hold it's own well enough. If it's been around for 100 years, It has probably seen the robots which have been here for the last 50.

"If you want to follow us, I can't stop you, but I'll have to warn you that we might be going to places you can't reach. Are you alright with that.
It nods. I don't mind if it follows us, it'd probably give us protection from the wildlife.

We make it to a ghost tunnel where the signal strength is strong - seems this is the place we need to go. I wave goodbye to flipper, and it stands outside the hole watching us go. I'm happy to have been interesting enough to follow for a few minutes.

2/2 Axyl 2023/04/06(Thu)05:50 No. 1060786 ID: 481e64
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Golf and I proceed towards the signal, it seems to be very close by. That is when I see light coming from around a bend in the tunnel.
"Hold on golf. something's up."
I then feel the magnetic signatures of at least a dozen tobaks - and those are the ones in my range. there could be more with the possibility of aliens, female tobaks and jammers.
"Someone got here first."
>"Well it wasn't one of the other teams. I'll try seeing if I can hack into any nearby networks, see if we can't get a better idea of who - or what we're dealing with."
He pulls out a laptop and starts to type away on it. impressive given he can't see much. I guess the second pair of arms weren't for show after all.
>"Armada – that was easy. Armada is who we're dealing with. They brought a few vehicles and a couple mechs."
"How can you tell?"
>"Unless you're Summit, nobody can resist building anything without a computer in it. Unfortunately, my information is limited and so is my access."

>>1060786
Well it's not like we can really do anything to those kinds of numbers as a two person team. I suppose we should at least try to see what they've found and/or hack some of their data, they're probably scanning whatever it is

>Unless you're Summit, nobody can resist building anything without a computer in it.
This is way funnier than it should be.

How are we gonna get past them?
We are too conspicuously dressed to pretend to be independents.
Do we have a jammer? At some point those tobaks will notice Axyl presence.
I'm not seeing many options beside looking for a long path around.

Can we coordinate with the other teams? A hostile company team, possible looking for the same objective, is something everyone would like to be informed about.

>>1060785

Man, convergent evolution sure is crazy! I mean, your antlers don't work for headbutting unless you're running on all fours, but every biped species that evolved from a quadruped has some vestigial nonsense. Waitaminute, didn't humans come from a single-sapient-species planet? Ugh, were they comparing you to an animal due only to visual similarity? How vaguely insulting. Maybe they've Uplifted some deer to full sapience or something. If they have and you meet a Neo-Deer or whatever they're called, maybe you can compare notes.

Welp. You can sense them, that means they can sense you. Whatever you do, it's gonna have to be quick and somehow overwhelming, or a quick escape.

What can we access?

Uh, that's not great.

And, yeah, if you can sense them, then at least some of them can sense you, which is doubly not great.

Unless you've got some wild trick up your sleeve I don't think a direct engagement would end well. ... Just how limited is Golf's access?

Hacking with a screen reader? Respect.
There’s no way around them in this tunnel. You’ll have to tail them unless they’re headed towards you. Options for getting past them include lighting a flare and running past while they’re blind or going back around to a new tunnel, perhaps one your new friend fits in.

>>1060786
Does your camera have a kind of side screen so you can use it as a sort of periscope? That way they wont know "exactly" where you are. No idea how accurate Tobak metal senses are, but theres a slight chance they think youre here. Maybe they might confuse you for a screen facer, but chances are low. Anyways get a view of who we're working against and see if we can plan acordingly. It would be preferable if we could lay down a wireless C4 trap that can be hiddden in some snow, then reposition some place with an elivation advsntage. Then we can set the plasma rifle and armless crossbow next to each other for quick weapon swapping, utilize the crossbow (explosive or flashbang bolt, both are bright), then swap to the plasma for rapid fire. Dstonate the C4 for a distraction/casualties, then reposition? I dunno.

so now what? I'm feeling at least a dozen others over there and that's just tobaks in range so I highly doubt we could fight them off and I'm not sure how much closer we can get before they can sense me.

>>1060786

It's good that we made a new friend, but I somehow doubt Armada is going to be friendly ... and we are DEFINITELY not equipped to handle them (even with a few well-placed explosive bolts to the neck).

Might be best to scout a little if we can manage it, otherwise keep out of the way.

>>1060800

But with sect, might it not actually be a screenSNIFFER?

You have two EMP shots and a hacking bolt, so you should be able to deal with the mech. Still this could be very dangerous so it would be better to first contact the rest of teams of what is going on here. After that ¿Can you explore without giving your location to other tolbaks?

Axyl 2023/04/07(Fri)02:41 No. 1060887 ID: 481e64
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Golf tells me that he has hacked into one of the ground vehicle cameras and shows me the live footage.
>"What do you see here?"
"I see an open cave, one with lights installed all over the ceiling. Looks like Armada grunts are crawling all over - with plasma rifles. Most seem to be tobaks - maybe the Pomi dislike the cold. They got mechs, snowmobiles and those flying turret things."
>"Where do you think the signal is coming from?"
"I see a building back there, and a cargo crate. Neither of them look like they belong to Armada. Lunecore if I had to guess."
>"Lunecore? oooooh. something big is going on then. Stair will give us a big bonus if we can find out what's going on."
"Just how limited is your access?"
>"Right now, I can only access stuff like the cameras, but give me some time and I can hack whatever you want. maybe use your hacking bolt for some of the bigger stuff."

>You can sense them, that means they can sense you
Not necessarily. I have four times the average range that ordinary tobaks do - thanks to my antlers. they aren't just for show! Unless they have a glade tobak of their own, they shouldn't be able to sense me.

"Can we coordinate with the other teams?"
>"Maybe. All the others are still on their way to other signals, and it looks like we were the first to get to one. All other groups are too far away, except for maybe one. If you can wait a few minutes, they might be able to meet up with us through one of the caves we came in through."

"How are we going to get past them? Do we have a jammer? Can we pretend to be independents? I really doubt I can fight them all off, even with all our explosives and bullets."
>"I don't see those as viable options. I do have an idea, though. How good are you with disguises?"
"I've been to a Halloween party last year with my wife, she was dressed as a witch, and it was adorable."
>"I'll take that as a... whatever, I hope you can blend in."
I need to get my hands on a uniform first - how would I go about it?

"Is scouting on the table?"
>"Can't see why not. Lots of the caves around here branch off, you might be able to find a good vantage point if you look hard enough."

Part of me is wondering if we should just scrap the mission. I mean this is a low priority mission that they scrapped together with whoever was available according to your partner so it’s not like whoever hired you has to much interest in whatever the signal is so I’m not seeing a lot of reason to brave an entrenched army. Especially if your wife were to find out than you’d be truly screwed.

>>1060887
Toback in the lower left of the feed looks like he might be a glade tobak

Hmm. If those mechs can be remotely piloted, you could try pegging one with the hacking bolt and using it to destroy the other mech and then everyone else. Or just cause enough of a distraction that you can run in and grab the loot then escape.

If we're going to be doing scouting first, then we can go back and maybe see if Flipper can help us out with the cave layout. It might know a secret entrance to that cavern! Heck, just another entrance closer to the crate would be nice.

>Unless they have a glade tobak of their own
They do. Right side of the video feed, right next to a long horn fellow.

Your magnetic signal wouldn't feel uniquely identifiable would it? Maybe we can be a random signal in a crowd.
If we get in range they will notice our approach. They may dismiss as a roaming screenface but it's not like those are harmless and not worth of attention.
To blend in we need to acquire disguises before getting in magnetic range. The only way I can think this would work would be if we ambushed a patrol and steal their cloths. We can't take their identities because we are too distinct (someone more generic like Dowser could do it) and when they notice a patrol disappeared at the same time two unfamiliar employers got in they may connect the dots.
We need a distraction. If possible Golf should fabricate misinformation or orders to lure a small patrol to somewhere we can ambush them. It would be even better if we could get this patrol in conflict with a hostile force like the wildlife or the machine zombies, if they have reason to believe the patrol was eaten they will be less likely to question the origin of our uniforms.
I'm not a fan of this plan but it's a reasonable maybe. A lot of preparations needed.

One last thing to consider: morality. Are we really gonna kill the guys guarding this place willy-nilly? It's not like non-lethal is a great alternative considering our weapons.

>>1060893
Confused left and right?

> but give me some time and I can hack whatever you want. maybe use your hacking bolt for some of the bigger stuff.

Hack The Big Mech. Cause chaos and confusion with it's armament. Use chaos and confusion as cover to run in and out.

>>1060897
Do this

Axyl 2023/04/07(Fri)09:02 No. 1060916 ID: 481e64
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>Part of me is wondering if we should just scrap the mission.
I've pulled off more dangerous jobs than this - jobs which have paid much less. I took this job so I will see it to the end - that is the Axyl guarantee... and besides, good contract work is getting hard to find.

>Tobak in the lower left of the feed looks like he might be a glade tobak
maybe he has some glade genes - his horns look like they have good range, but not as good as mine. With all the tobaks around, I don't think he'd be able to pick me out. If he did, he'd probably think I was a stray screen facer.
>Your magnetic signal wouldn't feel uniquely identifiable, would it?
Maybe in a crowd of three or four, but not with as many tobaks as there are here.

"Are those mechs remotely piloted?"
>"They can be. Right now, they are all being manned - but it's possible to override them to be remotely controlled."

>see if Flipper can help us out with the cave layout. It might know a secret entrance to that cavern! Heck, just another entrance closer to the crate would be nice.
As nice as mister or missus Flipper is, communicating is too difficult. I'll have to find my own way around.

>One last thing to consider: morality. Are we really gonna kill the guys guarding this place willy-nilly? It's not like non-lethal is a great alternative considering our weapons.
I wouldn't feel good killing any of these guys – they’re just doing their jobs. I've had no problem firing at the occasional bloodthirsty raider, but never an innocent person. My arsenal doesn't allow much for non-lethal methods, so I might have to choke someone out or tie them up with rope.

>"What are you thinking?"
"Oh - nothing. I don't have to hurt anyone, do I?"
>"The mission is to find out what is causing the signals, that's it. Asking one of these soldiers may even suffice."
"Think you can hack that mech? get it to cause chaos and confusion?"
>"If you hit it with that hack dart and give it enough time. If you want my suggestion, I say take someone's uniform and go right in there. The lights are on so you can even record everything."
"I don't know how I can get one single guy to walk over here to knock him out."
>"I can hack a radio and give orders, so long as you provide the voice - my synthetic one might be a giveaway."

>>1060916
Based on its interactions with you I don't think Flipper would appreciate you trying to involve it in tobak conflicts anyway. It's one thing to intervene on your behalf when it comes to wildlife trying to eat you and another thing entirely when it's sentient creatures fighting each other. Or so I'd think.

How likely are these Armada guys to share your thoughts on not killing? I feel like the level of gear they brought out here suggests they might not share your desire to maintain a moral high ground, but you'd know more about them than I would.

Golf's plan isn't bad, but the obvious drawback is that since, as you pointed out, there are no glade tobaks in this group, you might stick out, uniform or no. Still, with this many tobaks it'll probably take them a while to notice one is missing, so if you and Golf can trick one into getting out of view of the main group you'll probably have some options. Maybe whoever's unlucky enough to be the guy will have some of the information you need.

Ordering a guard to check the perimeter via radio hacking sounds good, yeah. You can’t identify tobak via a unique magnetic signature, right? So you just walk back into camp wearing his clothes and you’re good. You can use the plasma rifle to blend in, I bet, since you seem to have some Armada equipment yourselves.

can you find a Baracks or something? If we can grab a uniform no one is using we'd be even less likely to be caught. Also are their any sects walking around that you can see or will plan, "dress up like the baddies" only work for you?

>>1060924
Are the baracks outside tobak detection range? I don't expect this to be the case and I wouldn't ask Golf to go there alone.

If we are going to voice false orders let's use a voice modulator to avoid being recognized if we have to talk with people face to face after. The initial message can be recorded so it sound the the best we can menage but the responses will need to be made in real time. We can also record some generic short answers Golf can use if Axyl turns out to be bad at this.
Code words and even standard procedures would help the performance. Ask Golf to note anything that sound like that while he spy on them.

Let's try to locate the nearest pocket of danger we can use, preferable something we ourselves should be reasonable capable of dealing with if necessary. This will be the thing we will attract them toward.
Can Golf fabricate radio silence? That would helpful for our ambush.
The fake orders should be something about investigate unusual activity among a small group of screenfaces nearby. The intended conclusion we want them to reach is that the patrol sent were lost in a conflict, so we should leave behind evidences like identifiable equipment and Lunacrop scrap so whoever investigate the incident after conclude they were taken.
In reality killing them is not necessary, they are likely to surrender if we scare them enough. It would be easier to kill them but capturing them alive offer the advantage of leaving their uniforms unblemished. We will need a safe location to keep them tied, and might need to inform the rest of the Armada guys about their location after we complete the mission so they can be rescued.
We can interrogate the prisoners and if we are lucky reach our goal.

The mech hack could provide a flashy distraction. If possible we should shoot one with the hacking bolt before entering the base and have it ready to go on a rampage with a simple command. For non-lethal it can shot at buildings and fences instead of people.
In case we fail to blend in the mad machine can give us the opportunity to skedaddle. If everything goes well the rebel mech can help us leave unnoticed in the confusion.

>>1060916
>The mission is to find out what is causing the signals, that's it.
So we don't have to bring whatever is causing the signals with us? No bonus pay for doing that?

"This is an exercise drill. Search out the perimeter for anything odd. Rewards for any findings may be given."

>>1060916
What can be hacked without the hack dart at the moment? Would it be possible to hack the mech by using the dart on a nearby terminal rather than the mech itself? If we can, hacking a mech is probably a good play, although rather than have it go nuts, could we just seize up one of its knees and have it fall over? It would probably be enough to make a decent commotion while also seeming like it could just be a regular equipment failure due to cold or slight misalignment or something.

1/2 Axyl 2023/04/16(Sun)18:52 No. 1061548 ID: 481e64
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>So we don't have to bring whatever is causing the signals with us? No bonus pay for doing that?
I was told we would get a reward for obtaining anything valuable which is a little vague.

>I don't think Flipper would appreciate you trying to involve it in tobak conflicts anyway.
Another good point!

>How likely are these Armada guys to share your thoughts on not killing?
Of all the companies, Armada might be the softest. I think they are mostly armed to fight wildlife, robots and rival companies. If they found out about us I'm sure they would capture us and grill us for info rather than kill us.

>there are no glade tobaks in this group, you might stick out.
True, but there are like 50 guys out there, I really doubt they all know each other personally. If someone asks me who I am, I can try think up a good lie.

I shoot a hacking bolt into the mech in a place where it goes unnoticed. I tell Golf to hack away.
>"This'll take a little while - they don't make these things easy to get into. I'll let you know when it's ready through your earpiece. Remember to pick that bolt back up once we're done if you want to reuse it."

>Can Golf fabricate radio silence? That would be helpful for our ambush.
"Can you silence the radio frequencies?"
>"Only for a minute. Most anti-hacking AI can learn to combat my algorithm after a short while. Tell me when to use it."

>are there any sects walking around that you can see.
I don't think so. Is there a such thing as snow sect? Would be neat.

2/2 Axyl 2023/04/16(Sun)18:52 No. 1061549 ID: 481e64
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I consider calling a patrol for me to take out, but the more I think about it the more of a bad idea it seems. Calling a patrol away might arise suspicion, and I don't know how I can take down multiple armed opponents without seriously hurting anyone. I decide to look for another way.

I walk around the perimeter of the site through a series of nearby tunnels to look for a way closer to the signal or a closed area where I can manoeuvre through more stealthily. I find the entrance to a tent of some kind - a barracks maybe. My horns tell me that there are a few tobaks inside - just outside of range where they might detect me. I wait a little bit and all of them leave but one - who I take a quick glance at.

I think he has noticed me.

>"Hello? Who's out there? Are you taking a bathroom break or something?"

Yes, he noticed me. He's wearing a uniform - and he's unarmed. This ideal situation gives me some options.

Say yeah and ask if he can do you a favor and bring you a towel or something, him shouting at you just cause you to jump and piss all over your hands.

Try and sound a little annoyed when you say it and hopefully he’ll be something close to helpful letting you take him out while he brings the towel with no one being the wiser.

>>1061549
Hmm, there could be a non-tobak in there, we haven't scouted it properly. I think we should try to lure him out.

>>1061551
That's... not a terrible idea, but going into less detail about the "mess" is better.

Yeah. This is embarrassing, but - could you grab a spare set of pants for me? I'm only borrowing them I promise.

If you can bullshit your way in as mister poopy pants that would be great.
In case this guy is not gullible enough, do you know where you can keep him after stealing his cloths? He will be transmitting his location constantly so if we lock him in a closet a passerby will notice and if we leave him with Golf he will give away our friend's hiding position. The best I can think is to leave him tied in a cave outside detection range, but he will need blankets to survive the cold naked and will be very vulnerable.

If you get a towel with piss lies you can probably keep him quiet and give him a makeshift blanket at the same time. If he doesn't fall for it then urine trouble.

"Not quite, there is yet another science team coming to ask what's the situation with the signal source. It's okay, though, you can just tell me and I can pass the news forward."

Embarrassing plan is best plan.

>>1061549

Yeah, we are, and jeez, please give us some space because you have NO IDEA how awful it is to piss in the cold like this and talking makes it awkward.

(I mean he probably does, but ... that's for another time)

Axyl 2023/04/17(Mon)16:15 No. 1061611 ID: 481e64
File 168177335896.png - (39.93KB , 700x700 , AQ45.png )

"Oh man, you'll never believe this... I was out here doing my business when an accident had occurred - and I lost my pants under all the snow. You don't wanna come out here, it's totally embarrassing. There isn't anyone else in there hearing this, is there?"
>"O-oh! Nope, just me! hang on a sec, I'll get a spare uniform!"

After a while he passes me a jumpsuit through the tent.

"Thanks! Oh, also it seems I misplaced my coat and hat. you wouldn't happen to..."
>"Just a moment! I saw this in a movie once!"
I should be thankful for bumping into someone so gullible. after suiting up, I walk into the tent. This plan worked out far better than knocking him out and taking his stuff.

"How do I look?"
>"Like one of us! Don't worry about the whole thing, I won't tell anyone. It's kinda one of my first days too and the supervisor gets really mad about these things. So, you're a glade tobak huh? I saw one of you guys in a movie once. I don't recognize you - are you that specialist they called in? Did you lose your rifle? I can look for a replacement, but it won't go unnoticed."

He's so gullible... I almost feel about this.

Oh, what movie?
No, I left it in my tent while doing my business. They don't like being left in the snow, and between you and me... sometimes I think those optical scopes might be recording what they see.

"No worries, I can handle without the rifle. So what new stuff did the team uncover?"

tell him you got the rifle situation covered and thank him for his help. That could have been really embarrassing if he hadn't help. But hey since you're both new here ask him if he can give you a quick summary of the area so you don't have to worry about getting lost. Would kind of suck to be saved from all that embarrassment only to get embarrassed by getting lost. New guys get enough hazing as it is, no need to give them more ammunition.

Oh yeah my rifle...

Well to make a long short it involves an run in with an overly curious Borealin, it's totally embarrassing for everyone involved and I would like to move on from that thank you.

>>1061611
Dang, what movies bro? Was it the Space Wars one?

No worries on the rifle, combat isn't where are specialties lie anyway. What's the status report on things?

>>1061611
Kiss him!

1/3 Axyl 2023/07/20(Thu)06:05 No. 1068280 ID: 60841b
File 168985834289.png - (14.99KB , 700x700 , AQ46.png )

>Kiss him!
Sorry but I save all my kisses for my wife.

"Oh, what movie? The space wars one?"
>"I think it was a spy movie - or a murder mystery movie - I forget... I like to watch a lot of movies! I got this job so I can buy a new TV after I dropped the old one off a giant bucket excavator by accident. I was actually an independent a week ago, but I kept watching stuff instead of scavenging. Oh, and by the way, Space Wars is good and all - but the originals have really begun to show their age, despite all the practical effects, and the sequels took a nosedive in writing quality."
"Now I'm curious. What's your favourite genre?"
>"Old human films, stuff produced on earth before FTL travel and all the uplifts. The writing and overall quality is way better than anything you see nowadays - know what I mean? Early science fiction is super fascinating as well - especially with aliens - or at least what humans thought aliens would be like."
"Before we continue with this line of conversation, mind bringing me to the signal? Don't worry about giving me a rifle, I can make do."
>"Oh! Right! right this way. Nobody is supposed to be allowed in there, so you must be important! ...Must be desperate if we need a guy from another company to crack that thing."

2/3 Axyl 2023/07/20(Thu)06:06 No. 1068281 ID: 60841b
File 168985836140.png - (277.43KB , 700x700 , AQ47.png )

He brings me outside and we walk over to the big white tent where the signal is supposedly coming from. I use the opportunity to get a good scan of my surroundings, seeing lots of vehicles I can use for a quick getaway, as well as what looks like plenty of caves to exit. Some might lead to dead ends; I might need to be careful.

>"And right over there are the bathroom stalls. I suggest leaving a little drawing on the walls, I'm told its tradition."
"Neat. So... what did humans think aliens looked like? According to their old movies."
>"Small, grey or green versions of themselves with big eyes and spaceships shaped like dinner plates. I bet humans never guessed that they would be the first ones to seek out intelligent life though! You ever hear about area fifty-one?"
"Is that a movie?"
>"Nah man, not a movie! It was this military base on earth where humans thought that the human government was hiding all the aliens! It comes up in a bunch of old alien movies. It must've been made up in the end, but I want to believe just as the humans did."
"You think there's more life out there that we just don't know about? Perhaps they want to be left alone."
>"So they can keep their movies for themselves? How terrible!"
This tobak is chatty, but I appreciate chat more than silence.

I hear golf tell me something through the radio frequency.
>"OK, I should be able to hack the piloted mech. Give me a signal so I know when to create a distraction - like a sneeze or something."

3/3 Axyl 2023/07/20(Thu)06:06 No. 1068282 ID: 60841b
File 168985838872.png - (132.37KB , 700x700 , AQ48.png )

Just as I am about to go inside the tent, an important looking pomi guy walks out.
>"... Hold it. I don't recognize you – are you with us?"

>"... Hold it. I don't recognize you – are you with us?"
"Yes?"
and give him a look like he just asked you what color snow is after all it's like they say, fake it till you make it.

"Yes I just arrived. I'm here for... hold on... something is is my nose... acho!"

"Oh, hi! Yeah, we're both new, though I'm newer. I'm Lyxa," then look to your friend to introduce himself without letting the fact that you don't know his name slip. "Man, it feels nice working for a guy who really makes a point of knowing all his employees, for once. It's like one big corporate family!"

Looks too high up the chain to know everyone by name, but high enough to demand ID badges and all. This is a good time for a distraction. With an open mic, say yes and claim you’re with mech support.

1/2 Axyl 2023/07/20(Thu)12:15 No. 1068315 ID: 60841b
File 168988052783.png - (184.77KB , 700x700 , AQ49.png )

"Yes, I just arrived for uh..." *mumble mumble* "ah - achoo!"

...

>"Excuse you. So, you just arrived?"

"Y-yeah, sorry about that, I've got allergies."
>"Allergies?... to what?"
"Ahhh CHOOO! Yep. Allergies. Sorry about that, hah hah! Can't... help..."
"Golf did you do the thing?"
"Just a sec - somethings not working"
"Hurry!"
"I am! something's... I think it's frozen. Literally. You might need to smooth talk your way through again."
"Ahhh darn it Lousy hacker!"
>"Hacker?"
"EEP!"
>"You're the hacker that Vulpes sent?"
"I... Yes? I'm uh... Lyxa - the famous... hacker."
>"Why didn't you just say so? I know you computer types aren't very social but... where's the rest of your team?
"I - um... I took a shortcut?"
>"How are you sweating? It's freezing. Regardless, it’s a good thing you came as early as you did - We aren't sure how much time we have before this site gets compromised."

2/2 Axyl 2023/07/20(Thu)12:15 No. 1068316 ID: 60841b
File 168988054102.png - (136.92KB , 700x700 , AQ50.png )

He puts his hand on my shoulder and leads me into a tent, past a bunch of equipment and other high-ranking officials and scientists into a smaller room in front of what seems to be a sealed vault door. He stands me in front of a computer.

>"Our own hackers have tried everything to get through, but the system won't budge. LuneCore tech is in a league of its own when it comes to cracking their systems, or so I'm told. What's Vulpes paying you, anyway? Once you open this, perhaps we can find a way to... renegotiate your contract for something fairer."

"I uh..."

>"You're the best of the best, or so I'm told. Armada has no more room for failures after the ongoing rogue research vessel situation. If you need anything - anything at all, let me know. Equipment, Assistants, Manuals, you name it."

I don't know anything about computers...

That's fine, you just need to be good at research. Ask for their documentation on this equipment.

Try talking to it like a person, because at LuneCore, it usually is.

First rule of hacking with Tobaks: The best Tobak hackers don't wear pants! Or so it's been said. Maybe with novelty shirts too. Documentation and novelty shirts om the double!

Don't panic; someone's been hacking it, without luck, and just spoon-fed you what the problem is.

"And you've ruled out the possibility of mechanical or electrical faults, I take it?" If he doesn't immediately answer in the absolute affirmative: "Dude! You didn't think to confirm whether the software froze up because the hardware has literally frozen over in this extreme weather?"

If that doesn't immediately produce fruit, demand to get their own tech guys in here to walk you through what they've tried so far, let Golf listen in and walk you through what to do.

can you hook Golf up to the computer or at least ask him to walk you through it? If anyone ask who you're talking to just tell them you talk to yourself when you work sometimes to help arrange your thoughts.

"Manuals would be nice, and um. Mind giving me some space? I ah, kind of talk to myself and it's easy to get self-conscious when people hear it. Hard to rubber-duck when the duck looks at you funny, eheh."

>>1068316
Yeah but your radio-buddy knows a lot. Ask him to give you a crash course. Covertly. Like read out the screen to him and "think out loud" about what you're trying to do.

1/2 Axyl 2023/07/21(Fri)12:16 No. 1068488 ID: 60841b
File 168996698125.png - (27.77KB , 700x700 , AQ51.png )

>First rule of hacking with Tobaks: The best Tobak hackers don't wear pants! Or so it's been said.
This is true!... however, I'm wearing a full body suit, and taking it off without being fully naked. Quite the predicament...

"Ok! Documentation! Please fetch me your finest documentation on this equipment!"
>"I'll let the assistants know. Anything else?"
"Novelty shirts. Documentation and novelty shirts on the double!"
>"would that help? I'll see what I can do."
"Oh, and make sure nobody comes in here! I need complete, and total privacy or else my concentration may slip, and I may have to start over. Just knock, ok?"
>"Understood."

A team of assistants bring in a bunch of books and boxes containing papers. No way I'm reading all of this.

Once I am certain that I am alone and this small room is all to myself, I start communication with Golf.

2/2 Axyl 2023/07/21(Fri)12:16 No. 1068489 ID: 60841b
File 168996699987.png - (64.55KB , 700x700 , AQ52.png )

"You get all that Golf? Tell me what to do! Is there a way you can get into this remotely?"
>"Maybe if you kept that hacking dart."
"Crud..."
>"It's fine. I probably wouldn't be able to crack it on my own anyway. The only ones who can consistently bypass LuneCore systems are mostly ex-employees of LuneCore."
"Double crud! What now?"
>"We're in luck Axyl. There is actually one Programmer in our organization who was an ex-employee of Lunecore. I've cracked into the relays in the area to boost our signal range so we can get in contact. In a few moments we should be in contact... in three... two...

I hear a sound notifying us that someone has entered our frequency.

"Ah, well if it isn't Golf. What'd you need? Finally decided to join up as my apprentice?"
That voice... I recognize it! Isn't that... Kellie! that weird tobak who doesn't wear pants!

>"It'll be a hot day where I am when I willingly let you strap a bomb collar around my neck."
"Silly bee. bomb collars are for silly neumono who try to run away with the CA-"
>"AHEM. We are in the call with someone else."
"Hey Kellie! It's me, remember?"
"Oh hey! Axyl! How're you doing? Is there something I can help with? I was in the middle of something, but I can set some time aside to pay you back for saving my bacon."
"Great! I need your help cracking into this terminal thing. It's luneCore tech, and it's used to open this door. The screen is all black with a bunch white text and lines - that mean anything to you?"
"Oh that's easy! Looks like some idiot was trying to get in through the debug menus or crack the password, but the programming is too smart and quick! I know a better way. Got any giant magnets near you?"
>"Oh, hell no! There's no way that's going to work! You'll just end up scrambling the system!"
"I'm sorry, who's the senior programmer here? Oh, also, take your pants off. Trust me on this one Axyl."

See? Take off the pants.

It's too cold to go pantless but I asked for a shirt like your. I hope that is enough clothing voodoo to get me through this.

Where should I position the magnet? Does the magnet need any specification? Does any model work? Can I improvise with a copper wire wrapped around a nail in short circuit?

You see? Master hacker, just remove pants! Off with the pants! And if you can't take off the body suit pants without being fully naked, then, you did say you had this small room all to yourself with complete privacy and you'd be notified if somebody was to enter through knocking, right? Surely you won't have to go through a wild and wacky naked escape run and you can trust Kellie! Because you'll have (a) novelty shirt(s)! You saved him, now he'll save you! Sans pants. It's perfect logic!

It’s a full body suit, which means they aren’t pants. Problem solved. Does your weapon have a magnetic component? Heck, your horns would be able to tell where a big magnet was.
…Honestly, these instructions are pretty suspect. Perhaps what he wants is to destroy any competition he might have in the LuneCore salvage business. Maybe you should tell him you’ve done the thingy with the magnet and see what his next instructions are, before actually doing them.

Pants off. Guess you're leaving the bodysuit on though?

>>1068489
Don't take anything off unless you want to freeze to death.

Tell him you are already pantless. It's technically true, probably ?

No pants, no fear, guts only.

1/3 Axyl 2023/07/22(Sat)04:29 No. 1068591 ID: 60841b
File 169002535555.png - (108.74KB , 700x700 , AQ53.png )

I take off my pants, which was also covering my whole body. I put on a novelty shirt and cap for decency. I should be glad my wife isn't around to see this.

>Don't take anything off unless you want to freeze to death.
At least I have fur...

"Do you feel the hacking power flow?"
"Not really"
"Let me guess, you're not wearing the socks? That'd explain it."
"What socks? I... How does this help me?"
"The magnet, did you get it yet?"
"I don't feel one in range of my horns. What do I do once I get it? How close does it need to be? What position? What strength?"
"It just needs to be close, and strong. A few seconds should do it, and when the screen begins to flicker, you can put in any password you'd like, and it should accept it. Do it quick though because you can only do this once."
"Wait, once? Why?"
>"Because it'll destroy the hardware forever!"
"Yeah what he said."
"Where am I supposed to get a magnet?"
>"I tracked one down. There is a construction crane on one of the vehicles outside with a magnet strong enough to pick things up, I can bring it over remotely and position it above you”.
"That's great!... oh, wait. My horns are magnetic, aren't they?"
"Probably. Don't worry, it shouldn't scramble your brain or anything - just might feel a little weird."

2/3 Axyl 2023/07/22(Sat)04:29 No. 1068592 ID: 60841b
File 169002537654.png - (74.04KB , 700x700 , AQ54.png )

I see a purple spark of electricity jump across the wall. What was that?

"Does a purple electric spark appearing on the wall mean anything to you guys?"
>"What? No.”
"Hahahah uh oh."
"What?"
"Oh it's nothing. Nope. Well, not really nothing, it might not be a good sign."
"What? Why? Tell me!"

3/3 Axyl 2023/07/22(Sat)04:29 No. 1068593 ID: 60841b
File 169002539489.png - (107.32KB , 700x700 , AQ55.png )

"Listen Axyl, I'm telling you this because I like you - you do not want to be there after ten minutes pass. Where you are standing will soon cease to exist."
"WHAT?! How?"
"LuneCore's Dual Orbital Satellites are close to position. The line between the two will have a powerful beam teleport somewhere in between two points of that line. Whatever you're standing in front of, Lunecore is trying to erase it."
>"So that's what happened to the other signals".
"What are our options?"
"I'd say cut your losses and get out of there. Can you move whatever is emitting the signal?"
"No way, it's some kind of huge bunker."
"That's a shame - the beam has a hard time hitting moving targets. I guess your only options are to hurry with that magnet or get out of there."
"Isn't there some way you can slow the satellites down and give us more time?"
"Sorry friend, my hands are tied! My assistant and I are very swamped with work right now."
"Well... Thanks for doing all you could."

Grab a magnet to unlock it, and then tell them that the site they weren't sure how long until it gets compromised was just compromised and it's time to evac before a satellite death beam obliterates it. Tell them you think you might have just enough time to unlock the terminal and maybe grab a smidgeon of data, so you'll stay as long as you can and rendezvous with your team to deliver what you can get to them, but at this point there's no reason for anyone else to be here, nobody's going to send troops to a site that's about to get blasted, so it's time to get everybody out.


It sounds like they already know that lunacore could be on them at any moment so hopefully since you're doing big hacker things and unlocking their terminal they'll take your word as an expert and nobody'll have to get laser dead'ed. Plus it might give you a slight bit of time to grab some interesting data and skedaddle before satellite beams strike.

Uh, brake into the terminal, get the info, tell the people one sight that the old owners of the system are about to erase this site and everything nearby, run like hell.

First, do you have some device on which you could set an alarm to warn you when 7 minutes have passed, so you can get out of here ? If not, ask Golf to do it on his computer.
Then get that magnet and try to open this thing.

>>1068593
So potentially crazy thoguht: can we turn our horns inot a magnet by wrapping them in wire with a current running through them?

ETA on that vehicle? If it's over like, 7 minutes we should just bail now. We have enough to complete the mission, either way.

If we're doing magnets, make sure your new friends know about the magnet, and tell them they forgot The Socks, and that you'll need them now more than ever

>>1068597
That would be nuts! His entire nervous systems is metallic. Who knows what that would do to his brain...

To improvise a magnet ideally we should use a long nail of common soft iron. A screwdriver or any other long rod magnetically interactive should work. If there is nothing like that a pencil kind of work.
Wrap a long wire along the thin rod and plug both ends of the wire in an electrical sock. This will only work for a few seconds because something will break and probable burn.
Don't stand near the thing when you plug in, if it get attracted to your horns you might be hit in the face with a high temperature wire.

They'll get you anything because they think you're a famous hacker, right? Ask for a magnet and explain the emergency. Say it's for an emergency bypass because you don't have time to fully hack the terminal because of the beam that's about to hit you. Get everyone in the bunker.
We can sort out the fact that you're not really the hacker later.

>>1068612
Oh, yeah, you need to warn the Armada people so they're not hurt by the beam.

>>1068612
>>1068620
If they ask why your company is trying to stop you from getting them into the bunker, maybe go full disclosure with: "I'm not really with the LuneCore guys you hired, but that's good for you because what I just saw implies they didn't have your best interests in mind and never planned to actually show up, now shut up and help me help you!"

Would your wife not appreciate the sight of her lovey hubby wubby bottomless with just a shirt on? And cap. A decency cap! Warning the guys outside immediately so they have maximum time to mobilize and evacuate and offering to stay as long as possible to grab as much data as you can would probably make you a hero in their books. Don't bother to put any pants back on! It's time spent that could be used for other things! I'm sure they'll understand the power of pantsless hacking. Everyone will, one day. Remember to save time for bailing out too!

>>1068593
Your best bet for completing the mission is to tell everyone here what's about to happen so they can get the magnet there as fast as possible, or evacuate. Letting them do it instead of you would also let you get your bodysuit back on.

Tell golf to set a timer for seven minuets for you. Order your helpers on site that they've got three minuets to get you a powerful magnet, and four more after that to get out of here before there isn't a here, to be at.

>>1068638
We could also say "Those LuneCore bastards lied to me and the rest of my team never showed up, I was meant to be the fall guy"

>>1068668
Also maybe you could try to convince Kellie to untie his hands by promising a novelty Armada shirt!

Suddenly remember Kelly's comment about neumonos "running away with the CA-" and put two and two together.

"Say, Kelly, I since we are about to leave and you are super busy anyway, you wouldn't mind me telling this fine folk here about your CAI, would you? They seem pretty willing to work with programmers from other companies, after all."

Get that vehicle here asap, hack the mainframe, and as a courtesy you might want to tell everybody to run.

find some programmer socks, they'll help you stay warm and focused. then do the magnet thing, quickly check for anything valuable and portable, and then think about warning the others.

also look for arm warmers and choker, gotta stay warm!