What was your last command?

Scouting around a little further might be a reasonable first precaution. It's certainly less of an investment than construction.

(Abel wants you to fail Cain, he always has. Dont let him bring you down, take charge.)

You need to do both. Scouting farther will give you more info and more room for planning, and adding a defense is smart for if things go unexpectedly wrong, fast.

Cain: What if Abel's a traitor? What if that's what's wrong.

>>594942
Scout. What defenses could you possibly make? Do you have materials?

Tavern 2014/09/21(Sun)04:44 No. 595043 ID: 189a54
File 141129987481.png - (117.91KB , 720x540 , Fort 2.png )

>Scouting around a little further might be a reasonable first precaution.
Cain nods to himself and relays the plan to Abel. The two start moving toward their farthest circle of patrol.

Abel shrugs and starts whistling that little tune he picked up in Meher.

>What defenses could you possibly make? Do you have materials?
There are several portable fortifications and tools stored away in the old fort, metal folding things like stakes and trench shovels.

Tavern 2014/09/21(Sun)04:51 No. 595044 ID: 189a54
File 141130031669.png - (70.21KB , 720x540 , Fort 3.png )

>>(Abel wants you to fail Cain, he always has. Dont let him bring you down, take charge.)
>>Cain: What if Abel's a traitor? What if that's what's wrong.
Cain shakes the doubt from his head quickly. He and Abel have been together almost since birth; neither of them would ever do something like that to the other.

>What was your last command?
The last "command" was hardly a command at all, just a short message from their command base's radioman saying "Gods be with us." The last real command they've recieved was orders to hold the hill and the surrounding area against any and all enemy elements.

Abel grins and asks Cain to sing along. They have a ways to go yet.

Tavern 2014/09/21(Sun)04:57 No. 595045 ID: 189a54
File 141130062758.png - (52.36KB , 720x540 , Fort 4.png )

About thirty times repeating the tune later the two reach the edge of their patrol circle's radius. Anywhere outside this circle around their hill is considered enemy territory.

Abel asks where they should start pushing outward at. There's another hill a ways out if they continue forward, a small forest to their northeast, Or more plains to their northwest.

Let's try the forest. If enemies have set up camp that's where they will be.

I'm fine with going to the forest but later on, we should head up the hill to see what we can see from a higher altitude.

Tavern 2014/09/23(Tue)19:46 No. 595530 ID: 189a54
File 141152681920.png - (98.30KB , 1024x768 , Fort 5.png )

>Let's try the forest.
Cain and Abel decide to begin their extended patrol in the forest.

The march to the forest is going smoothly when a sudden roar takes the two by surprise. Two jet-black F-3s tear by, disappearing into the sky as quickly as they arrived. In the split-second that the second craft passed by, Cain's eyes locked with the ship's RIO. He didn't like what he saw.

Cain's sinking feeling has gotten worse.

Abel starts whistling again.

Tavern 2014/09/23(Tue)19:51 No. 595531 ID: 189a54
File 141152707520.png - (141.42KB , 1024x768 , Fort 6.png )

The rest of the travel goes without interruption. The two reach the entrance to the forest.

Abel looks sick for a moment before pasting on a grin. He utters a small "damn" as he looks over their welcoming party.

Oh hell, it's Tim and Johnston.

I hate to say it, but Cain you know things are bad, you have no time to pay respect for the dead outside a quick prayer.

If you get caught in the open trying to bury two bodies it would be disastrous.

okay, that is more then enough proof that things have gotten bad. if you can carry them back without losing much speed then you can do so.

>>595531
How the hell did they get him in the tree? If you can manage it, climb up and cut him down. Recover their dog tags.

Tavern 2014/09/25(Thu)05:22 No. 595753 ID: 189a54
File 141164776431.png - (143.19KB , 1024x768 , Fort 7.png )

>I hate to say it, but Cain you know things are bad, you have no time to pay respect for the dead outside a quick prayer.
>If you get caught in the open trying to bury two bodies it would be disastrous.
Cain's heart sinks even lower. He doesn't want to just leave them here, not these two...

>if you can carry them back without losing much speed then you can do so.
> If you can manage it, climb up and cut him down. Recover their dog tags.
It's the least they can do. Abel scrambles up the tree without issue while Cain picks Johnston's tags up off the ground.

There's a piece of paper by the tags. Cain picks it up and reads it.

"IF YOU FIND US DEAD"
"GET THE FUCK BACK"

Tavern 2014/09/25(Thu)05:24 No. 595754 ID: 189a54
File 141164786199.png - (151.96KB , 1024x768 , Fort 8.png )

Two twisted masses of flesh burst from Tim's corpse and Abel goes flying from the branch.

Fucking knew it, messing with bodies is bad shit.

Open fire on the mass of twisting flesh and take a step back, be prepared to reload and fire on the other corpse if it starts...doing that.

only fire once to distract it and CATCH!

Tavern 2014/09/25(Thu)20:13 No. 595870 ID: 189a54
File 141170119875.png - (183.91KB , 1024x768 , Fort 9.png )

>Open fire on the mass of twisting flesh and take a step back, be prepared to reload and fire on the other corpse if it starts...doing that.
Cain opens up on the mass. The thing's growing now, and the bolts aren't slowing it down.

>and CATCH--
Abel smashes into the trunk and continues tumbling down.

Tavron 2014/09/25(Thu)20:19 No. 595871 ID: 189a54
File 141170155249.png - (228.90KB , 1024x768 , Fort 10.png )

Abel's strengthened boots are the only things that keep his legs from shattering on the fall. Even so the soldier has a nasty grimace on him as he catches his rifle.

A tendril of pulsing black material bursts out of Johnston's torso mere inches behind Abel.

switch targets. tell abel to run back to the base and turn on the big gun. try to slow the things down while retreating.

>>595871
Watch out for friendly fire! Don't shoot your buddy. He can get out of the way just fine and unload on his target.

I suggest both soldiers try to get the hell away from these things, regardless.

Aaahhhhh kill it with explosions and fire! You have weapons that can do either of those things.

Pro tip: RUN while coming up with a better plan or switching weapons.

Tavern 2014/09/27(Sat)08:26 No. 596095 ID: 189a54
File 141183157405.png - (249.17KB , 1024x768 , Fort 11.png )

>Watch out for friendly fire! Don't shoot your buddy. He can get out of the way just fine and unload on his target.
Abel ducks and sprays at the second mass while Cain switches targets to support him.

>RUN while coming up with a better plan or switching weapons.
>try to slow the things down while retreating.
Abel screams that they can't hurt these things. Cain agrees.

The two pull back, slinging bolts into both of the growing organic masses to no apparent effect.

Tavern 2014/09/27(Sat)08:32 No. 596097 ID: 189a54
File 141183192448.png - (59.02KB , 1024x768 , Fort 12.png )

The creatures don't seem to be chasing after them but the soldiers continue at a hard pace toward nowhere in particular.

Abel starts lagging behind. He says that he may have cracked a few ribs on the way down but he can keep close enough, don't worry about him.

A loud snap and a long creak comes from the direction of the forest. Those things must still be growing--they broke the damn tree.

Abel's beginning to gasp audibly. He calls to Cain, asking where they should go from here.

back to the fort, you need the BIG gun.

Tavern 2014/09/29(Mon)12:58 No. 596437 ID: 189a54
File 141202073081.png - (42.68KB , 720x540 , Fort 13.png )

The soldiers rush for the fort. Behind them they can hear more trees snapping, each one sounding like an easier break than the last.

After what seems an eternity, their home hill comes into view. Abel tries to cheer for the familiar sight but it comes out as a hacking cough.

Cain's mind is already racing. The artillery piece is already loaded and cleaned. There's antipersonnel and anti-tank mines in the storage corner beside the extra ammo for the cannon, and the radio's--

A distant sound like dry leaves floats to the soldiers' ears.

Tavern 2014/09/29(Mon)13:02 No. 596440 ID: 189a54
File 141202097254.png - (116.10KB , 712x600 , Fort 14.png )

Cain's heart nearly stops.

A towering...something...is coming toward them. From this distance it looks enormous. Up close, Cain guesses, it could blot out the sky.

Abel shifts nervously. With a wheeze he asks if Cain thinks the big gun will be enough.

no, but what else can we do? if we die, we die fighting.

We can always try to pray for mercy like normal soldiers.

You have a radio? Call for support, maybe those air jets could help you out.

Tavern 2014/10/01(Wed)22:42 No. 596770 ID: 189a54
File 141222853346.png - (166.74KB , 712x540 , Fort 15.png )

Cain doesn't reply to Abel. The two rush into the fort.

Cain bolts up to man the cannon while Abel starts going through radio frequencies. If those fighters were from their army, one of these frequencies should be able to call them back to help.

Abel says he's not getting anything on any channel. He starts going down the list one more time to make sure.

The thing's getting closer. Cain aims for the center of the behemoth and waits for it to get into range. It looks like there's nothing else they can do.

Gods be with them.

Cain and Abel have left the Controlled Group

Tavern 2014/10/01(Wed)22:49 No. 596772 ID: 189a54
File 141222894292.png - (71.71KB , 712x540 , Fort 16.png )

Jordie's confused.

The RIO taps his screen yet again, but the enormous blip behind them is still there. Except it couldn't be, nothing that big could be around here, so the radar had to be malfunctioning. Except it wasn't malfunctioning, engineers had fine-tuned it just this morning.

The pilot, Van, turns a little in his seat and glances back toward Jordie. He asks the RIO if anything's wrong.

Jordie has joined the Controlled Group

"getting a large blip on radar, can you confirm?" if confirmed turn back and investigate. two radars with the same exact error is impossible.

Two blips? Well maybe they mean something. Investigate and ask your fellow pilot to come with you.

Tavern 2014/10/04(Sat)08:21 No. 597264 ID: 189a54
File 141243608046.png - (134.97KB , 712x510 , Fort 17.png )

At Jordie's request, Van turns on his HUD for a moment. He murmurs a curse and glances back the way they came. He sees whatever it is, too.

Jordie calls their mysterious wingman closer. Van starts grumbling again--he doesn't like this strange craft they've been assigned to work with, or the person inside it. He repeats the old saying his grandfather told him about strange planes...

Jordie ignores his friend's complaints greets the other pilot--

The pilot cuts him off. Jordie didn't address him as Reaper, he snaps.

He's shot men down for less than that.

Jordie blanches and tells the stranger about the large...thing on the radar. He asks if they had time to investigate--er, Reaper, he adds.

Reaper sighs and says that that is not part of the mission. They have better things to do. The enigma adds that Jordie can have Van break off and check if he wants.

It may or may not count as desertion, though.

Tell him you'll see him on the other side and investigate. Say that you will be coming back later to assist with the mission and yeah sure get van's help for this.

Don't expect a giant thing at all by the way.

Tavern 2014/10/04(Sat)17:39 No. 597301 ID: 189a54
File 141246957748.png - (13.37KB , 712x500 , Fort 18.png )

Jordie pats Van on the shoulder and the pilot starts turning back the way he came. The RIO thanks Reaper, saying they'll be back fast to continue the mission. They'll see him on the other side.

On the other side, Reaper repeats...

Tavern 2014/10/04(Sat)17:40 No. 597303 ID: 189a54
File 141246961386.png - (23.03KB , 712x500 , Fort 20 PA 18.png )

No, he says. No, they won't.

Tavern 2014/10/04(Sat)17:41 No. 597304 ID: 189a54
File 141246971110.png - (40.99KB , 712x500 , Fort 19.png )

All of Van and Jordie's alert systems start going off. Reaper has wheeled around and armed his weapons systems.

He's locking onto them.

Fuck desertion. He just turned his guns on fellow fliers. That's treason in a time of war.

Evasive maneuvers, and blow that traitor out the sky.

...Well jeez.
Though to be fair it kinda sounded like this guy was pretty much gonna shoot us down if we stepped outta line by him at all.
Evasive manuvers if possible, then get going the way we're supposed to. I suspect this guy is really good in a dog-fight and probably will win if we engage him directly.

You know what? Just run. Maybe even drag him over to where you saw the blip, maybe his focus will he drawn to whatever is there. Also dodge or negate his missile lock on or put up shields as you run, just whatever you got.

Tavern 2014/10/05(Sun)05:07 No. 597343 ID: 189a54
File 141251084806.png - (23.42KB , 712x499 , Fort 21.png )

The world flips a hundred different ways as Van starts dodging the other pilot's lock. Jordie can tell Reaper's one demon of a fighter, but Van is their squadron's ace. He won't get hit easily.

Van grunts at Jordie to tell him what they're doing. The RIO weighs his options carefully--should he tell Van to fight back? Can they outrun this guy? He doubts turning back on course will be enough to stop Reaper's attack now--

Tavern 2014/10/05(Sun)05:09 No. 597344 ID: 189a54
File 141251099294.png - (104.12KB , 712x499 , Fort 22.png )

Twin beams streak by the craft. It's only a lightning-fast GM trick by Van that keeps the two's ship from being roasted.

Tavern 2014/10/05(Sun)05:13 No. 597345 ID: 189a54
File 141251119380.png - (126.92KB , 712x499 , Fort 23.png )

Jerking to a different angle and rolling, Van repeats his question. Jordie tells him to head for the giant blip; hopefully whatever it is will distract Reaper long enough for them to bug out.

Van asks what direction it's in. Jordie checks the radar--

Where did it go?

Van shouts a curse.

Tavern 2014/10/05(Sun)05:15 No. 597346 ID: 189a54
File 141251135464.png - (410.36KB , 712x499 , Fort 24.png )

Something big has shown up right in front of them.

I hate to say it but if you can reason over cthe radio that this is the reason you turned back and to focus fire on it not you, that it would better for everyone instead of fighting amongst the ranks.

But don't let your guard down for a second, even if he agrees and even fires on the thing, know that if he was so quick to turn his guns on you once, I don't think he would pass up a chance to gun you down later. Just getting fire on the thing and off of you is good enough for now.

Also shoot the freaking thing, priorities on getting reaper to chill and evasive manuevers though.

fire biggest weapon, aim for white spot, and DODGE.

Tavern 2014/10/06(Mon)14:55 No. 597516 ID: 189a54
File 141263251494.png - (208.36KB , 712x500 , Fort 25.png )

Van flicks on the beam flechette and fires at the--hole?

The two airmen's craft follows their shots through what turns out to be a gaping hole in the behemoth's head. Jordie snaps around in his seat as they fly out the other side to take another look. Those don't look like a natural part of the thing, but the RIO has no idea where they could have come from--a gap that big couldn't have been made by anything smaller than an infantry anti-armor cannon.

The two twisted spines jutting out of the giant's back retract into its body, but besides that it doesn't seem to respond to the fighter's attack at all. Jordie takes the moment to flip on his radio.

Reaper tears around from the giant's right side. His weapons are still armed.

Jordie screams for him to hold fire, this is what they were turning around for. There's no reason to fucking shoot at them, they--

Reaper grates out that he doesn't care.

Van has his fingers hovering over the IFF modifier. He tells Jordie that there's no reasoning with the pilot--are they going to fight back or are they going to die?

Not surprising. He probably saw the blip on his radar at the very least earlier...
Frankly, it looks like we have no real choice- we HAVE to take that Reaper down if we don't want to die here and now...If we can.

Just take the prick down. No mercy to the merciless.

Tavern 2014/10/11(Sat)05:21 No. 597882 ID: 189a54
File 141303008956.png - (52.39KB , 712x500 , Fort 26.png )

Jordie tells Van to waste him.

Van wheels around and designates Reaper as a target.

Jordie has left the Controlled Group

Tavern 2014/10/11(Sat)05:41 No. 597883 ID: 189a54
File 141303131924.png - (118.65KB , 712x500 , Fort 27.png )

Ten flights, one bomber, five tanks, ten artillery pieces, three platoons. That's all Rond has to stop an apocalypse.

The lieutenant tries to ignore the eyes watching him from the wall as he looks over the map. So far Reaper's scout flights have seen ten of these "jotnar," as the pilots had named them. All of them have appeared out of thin air, decimated a major structure nearby, and then frozen in place. Thousands of lives on both sides of the war have already been lost, and as far as Rond knows there is no other group in the country with as large a force as him.

Reaper calls from his spot on the wall, asking the lieutenant if he wants wider scout runs...sir, he adds slowly.

Sergeant Bussard suggests some sort of patrol system be set up, with gradually widening arcs. They have no clue who else is in the area, friendly or otherwise.

Rond got out of command school two days ago. He barely remembers how to order a platoon, much less a small army. He racks his brain for the best way to proceed.

Lieutenant Rond has joined the Controlled Group

Step one, order Reaper's summary execution for insubordination. You need to let your people know you're not to be trifled with.

BAD IDEA!
We know OF Reaper's actions, but let's not forget- it did in fact count as desertion, he was just a massive jerk about it.
He's probably one of our best fighters-let's not piss him off this time.
first and foremost...Let's get the word out about these things if we can. Alternatively, we can inform the troops we have about these things so they're up-to date about them if we can manage it.

>We know OF Reaper's actions, but let's not forget- it did in fact count as desertion, he was just a massive jerk about it.

No, Reaper needs to be executed. He is full of disdain with his slow "sir" and is very likely a traitorous element. Now there's no way for Rond to know this, but anyone who threatens his fellow men for not calling him "Reaper" is more a liability than anything else.

Execute him immediately. Break him, and make an example of him.

Tavern 2014/10/13(Mon)13:26 No. 598146 ID: 189a54
File 141323199419.png - (119.80KB , 712x500 , Fort 28.png )

The lieutenant stares at Reaper, a pit growing in his stomach. The man's shot down five wingmen, now. Sykes, Trevor, Ilya, Van and his RIO Jordie. Dammit, he shot down Jordie...who would ever want to betray him?

This is unacceptable. Rond will not tolerate it.

Reaper, he blurts out, harder than intended.

The pilot's eyes turn ice-cold. Two hard sapphire orbs glare at the lieutenant from behind their flight mask.

Reaper...send a few pilots on recon, Rond stammers.

Of course...sir, Reaper replies.

Rond orders the other officers to tell their respective groups all the intel on these jotnar that they think could be of use. Rond will think more on what their next step is. They are dismissed, he says.

The officers file out.

Tavern 2014/10/13(Mon)13:35 No. 598149 ID: 189a54
File 141323254902.png - (61.38KB , 712x500 , Fort 29.png )

Sergeant Bussard hangs back while the other officers head to their units' areas around the base. He glances at his two self-appointed bodyguards before addressing Rond.

Couldn't follow through? he asks.

Rond watches the flight of F-3s wing for their scouting vector. He doesn't speak.

Bussard lets it drop.

Rond should probably be doing some command shit, the sergeant suggests. The tank force, A, B and C platoons and the pilots could all use a quick inspection. Rond might want to head by the radio room sometime too, to see if they've picked up anyone else yet. Bussard says Randi and West here will accompany the lieutenant wherever he wants to go.

Inacceptable. Execute Reaper IMMEDIATELY or just kill yourself now.

Also, tear out Reaper's Eyes and cripple him first. Remove arms, legs, tear out eyes, remove tongue, and then leave him in the corner hooked up to machines. He needs to be made an example of.

>>598157
O____o

Smik 2014/10/13(Mon)15:03 No. 598159 ID: 3009b4
File 141323781283.jpg - (93.88KB , 800x600 , Reaper has left the control group.jpg )

I am completely serious.

>>598158
you made someone do something so horrible to be HATED and then got no punishment for it. the first shot down should have resulted in an inquiry AT BEST. the second should have been instant court martial or execution. 3-5 means the person in charge must have suffered massive brain damage and is only suddenly feeling better now that we are controlling them.
not JUST because he killed people but because he blew up allied war machines. the group has five less planes solely because of reaper rather then enemy action. being a good fighter means nothing if you destroy allied weapons.

>>598160

Basically that's my problem too. So! Let's just leave Reaper in the corner with the theme from Bubble Bobble on infinite repeat until he thinks he is a bubble dragon.

Hrrrrm.
Originally I thought he was just a good pilot with a touchy trigger-finger but...That's starting to sound suspicious, like there's more to this man...
When exactly did Reaper appear, relative to the appearance of these Jotnar creatures?

>Originally I thought he was just a good pilot with a touchy trigger-finger but..

In the military, lives depend on team work. The reason why boot camp drills the new recruits so hard is so people like Reaper never happen, and even then sometimes they do... and those people tend to get fragged.

This is why despite everything and despite the fact I would hate being a soldier, I respect the uniform and the people because their attention to teamwork and discipline is so admirable.

Anyone with the slightest tendency to have an itchy trigger finger among the allies needs to be removed. In Reaper's case, he's galling to the point where he needs to be made an example of.

In a realistic setting, he would be at the very least dishonorably discharged. In an emergency setting, executed. But since we've clearly already crossed that line, let's hurt him until he is truly sorry he went down this path.

Hooking him up to machines costs too much, throw him in a pit with nothing and feed him rotten food until he dies. Also cut off his fingers and gouge his eyes out. This needs to be done. The bubble dragon thing will lower his resolve further. Do it.

Tavern 2014/10/14(Tue)03:25 No. 598259 ID: 189a54
File 141328230516.png - (59.40KB , 712x500 , Fort 30.png )

Rond's mind races with a hundred ways to torture the pilot. He has to make an example of him. Unacceptable, completely--

Bussard comes closer. The sergeant puts a hand on his leader's shoulder and says not to worry. He can see what Rond wants done. When Reaper's flight comes back, he and his boys will take care of it.

Rond asks what they're going to--

Bussard's face looks like it's been chiseled from stone.

They'll take care of it, he says.

The relaxed expression that the sergeant usually wears returns in a flash. There's nothing to do until the bastard's back, though, the sergeant sighs. Unless Rond has some plans he wants to put together, the units could still use a brief once-over.

Ooooooh man I feel like they are just gonna tell reaper and side with him then kill you. Take this into your own hands.

>>598264
I get that Reaper needs to die, but that? That would be an unacceptable level of paranoia and mistrust regarding the job.
If we can't trust our men to get the job done we're probably screwed unless Rond is good with a machine gun or something, and there's no way we're not going to come across as crazy like this.

Tavern 2014/10/14(Tue)17:55 No. 598368 ID: 189a54
File 141333451624.png - (106.27KB , 710x500 , Fort 31.png )

Bussard takes one of his shadows with him and tells the other to stay with Rond. He says that he's going to go see to his squad.

The sergeant lets out a cold chuckle as he starts toward the B Platoon area. They've got some knives to sharpen before their flyboy returns, he murmurs.

Rond nods to himself as he begins walking down the rock formation. He was starting to get paranoid from this whole Reaper issue. He trusts Bussard to handle the pilot when he returns to the base. In the meantime, as the leader of this base there's other things he needs to do...

tank inspection time. Even if Air is ah...questionable, there's still the ground.
Then the Radio guys-communications is always a priority.
Finally Pilots, since by then Reaper will have had his admonishment.

Tavern 2014/10/17(Fri)07:03 No. 598653 ID: 189a54
File 141355458976.png - (331.96KB , 712x510 , Fort 32.png )

Rond decides to head by the tanks first. Reaching the gravel-covered area that the armored units park in, the lieutenant sees something surprising.

There's a Hennic hovertank resting in between two of the army's Cubbys.

A Hennic man is standing next to Wale, one of the tank commanders. The stranger is wearing the pants of an Allied tank crewman and the shirt of a Hennic armor pilot. Wale seems perfectly comfortable beside the man, even though the two have probably fought more than once over the course of the war.

Wale grins as the lieutenant approaches. Something crazy happened while the officers were in their meeting, he says. This Hennic crew flew in and landed flying white flags.

The Hennic man speaks in very garbled standard, but he can be understood. Big beast come, break Henna, he says. Crew say "no way," hop in Henja-1 and run. See other things, big things break foes and Henna together. Talk with crew, crew say big things bigger than war, agree. Fly for days, try to find friends, everyone friends, try to find everyone. Find base. Can stay?

Wale tells the lieutenant that he trusts this man. And a hovertank would be a great addition to their forces, especially one as powerful as the Henja-1. Could they let this crew fight with them?

While I am sure it will cause headaches down the road it would be silly to turn down assistance at this point.

Just keep a close eye on the situation so you can defuse any problems caused by differences in language and culture.

I say yes, try and be somewhat friendly towards them, language problems can be overcome. Any headache down the road for taking them won't nearly be as bad as the headache we might have without them.

These guys sound alright. I'd say give them the go-ahead to talk about the Jotnar to other troops, and welcome them to this army.

They've been traveling for days, have they got maps? Other intel? Get the quartermaster out here and figure out how much of their ammo and other supplies are intercompatible with our stuff.

Tavern 2014/10/17(Fri)13:40 No. 598726 ID: 189a54
File 141357842659.png - (319.81KB , 712x510 , Fort 33.png )

Rond doesn't need much persuasion to allow this crew to join them. He gladly welcomes them aboard.

The Hennic man's face splits in a relieved smile. This one named Sa for the shortly, he says. Hopes for big friendship, big friendship.

Rond starts thinking through what should be handled here. He asks Wale to check with quartermaster Blackwell's assistants to find out what on a Henja-1 would be inter-compatible with their Cubby parts.

Wale winces. The explosive tempers of Blackwell and his workers have become legendary in the short time that this force has been together.... It has to be done though, and after a moment Wale sighs out that he'll do it.

Rond asks Sa if they gathered any intelligence during the time they were flying--made any maps, noted where these things were, anything. As if to answer the question, several crewmen start coming out of the hovertank, lugging metal boxes.

Take much notes, such maps, Sa says. Where big beasts attack, where big beasts freeze, where death ship kills most. Sa's second Yor, he find funny thing, maybe. Yor thinks death ship and big things, they big friendship together. Sorta maybe crazy, but all's in maps and movies, many maps, such movies. Will give all to base's, uh...listen-guys, you know, guys who watch movies and radios and maps.

Commander need anything else from Sa, the Hennic asks. Commander probs busy guy, Sa fine if commander got questions or if commander's gotta go.

Wait a second.
Death ship? What death ship?
We've never seen or heard of this 'death ship' before, have we? Maybe we missed out due team-killer Reaper

Tavern 2014/10/20(Mon)15:25 No. 599028 ID: 189a54
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Rond asks what this "death ship" is.

Death ship is death ship, Sa replies. One of enemy's fighting ships, always flies with friend. Flies around, sometimes near Henja-1, looking around, flies close to ground, way up high, all over the place. Then something change. Radar goes crazy, big thing showing up where there's no big thing. Then ship kills friend and runs away. Big beast pops up there soon. Yor calls it death ship, like death-bringer from Hennic story.

The crewmen reach the radio station and carry the Henja-1's records inside. Sa hesitates at the door.

The tank commander bears a slight frown. When he speaks, Rond barely catches it.

Commander, he says. Is ship...of this base? This base, no killing its own, yes...?

No we don't. Not unless it's necessary, which usually is when someone in here does it...Which only happened because of that death ship.

Seems like reaper is the death ship, and he sounds like he might be manipulating events. The Intel seems good to me, as they have no reason to lie. We need that mofo dead so hard. How exactly are we gonna go about killing him anyway?

We call the death ship "Reaper." Same thing, really. It was pretending to work for us, for a while. Anyone who wants to be part of the plan to deal with it permanently should talk to Sgt. Bussard.

>>599028
Death ship is piloted by a human monster calling himself "Reaper". He will pay for his crimes.

Tavern 2014/10/29(Wed)19:52 No. 599777 ID: 189a54
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Rond nods grimly. The base's name for the bastard is "Reaper," he says. He assures the tank commander that the pilot was not acting on orders from here, and one of his sergeants will be handling the issue the second that the criminal comes back.

Sa seems satisfied with the answer. The two enter the radio station.

The head intelligence officer gives Sa a sage nod. This must be the leader of the base's new guests, he says. Captain Geppetto, ready to serve.

Geppetto turns to Rond. All the data has been passed on to the right people, the IO states. It's just a matter of time working through it, now. The lieutenant is welcome to stay and watch, but Geppetto guesses that the base commander has some other places to visit during the wait...

Tavern 2014/11/07(Fri)22:29 No. 600748 ID: 189a54
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The sound of an F-3 interrupts Rond's thoughts.

Geppetto sneers. Reaper's awful early coming back, he remarks. And back alone again--

Wait.

The ship passes the base and keeps on flying.

Tavern 2014/11/07(Fri)22:31 No. 600749 ID: 189a54
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Rond bursts out of the radio station as shouts start coming up from around the area. It doesn't take long to find the source of the panic.

Tavern 2014/11/07(Fri)22:34 No. 600750 ID: 189a54
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A giant is staring down from outside the fort's walls.

Wait. There's a pattern we can abuse here. The Jotnar smash a structure and then stop?
We don't hold the base. Everyone, take what you can but excaping the base alive is our priority. You have until the Jotnar stomps this place flat to leave. Go.

>>600767
I agree with this plan. Watch out for reaper using missiles on you as you leave, if he had a way to overhear the earlier conversation he might attack you now.

Tavern 2014/11/13(Thu)18:51 No. 602147 ID: 189a54
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Rond works fast, sprinting around the base repeating his message. Everyone is to leave now, take what they can and get out!

The five Cubbys roll out the front gate while the Henja-1 lifts off and floats over the far wall.

The remaining pilots scramble for their ships, taking off one by one and starting to circle the site carefully.

Rond hangs back, directing wave after wave of soldiers and personnel toward the exit. All of A Platoon is out now, and most of the radio men, and most of B Platoon too...damn it, this isn't going fast enough....

Tavern 2014/11/13(Thu)18:52 No. 602148 ID: 189a54
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Not fast enough--!!

Tavern 2014/11/13(Thu)19:16 No. 602164 ID: 189a54
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Rond regains consciousness at the base of a tree.

Seeing the lieutenant wake, Bussard sighs in relief. They thought they'd lost the cmmander, he says.

Geppetto looks grim. Lord knows they lost enough men and equipment to that thing without losing the man in charge, too, he murmurs.

Rond asks for the situation.

Bussard winces. The Jotunn was a fast bastard, he says. Before it froze, it struck ships out of the sky and gouged holes in the escaping lines...their little army is almost nothing, now. There's maybe a platoon's worth of grunts left, no artillery to speak of. The only present tanks are one Cubby and the Henja-1, and only three fighters have landed nearby. Anyone or anything missing is probably wasted near what's left of the fort.

The only small win in this mess is that the intelligence officers that made it out managed to bring a powerful radio with them, Geppetto reports. It's got good range and great quality, and it's ready for use at any time.

With this slaughter their chances of being the rallying center for anyone left alive around here are slim, the sergeant concludes. He suggests they get the radio men trying to find any groups in the area that had a similar plan to theirs so the army could link up with them. Whatever Rond wants though, the remaining soldiers are ready to go.

Reaper is still a problem, we need to set up precautions on how to avoid him, and set up a new radio frequency so we are not being listened in on.

I suppose find some basic shelter (that isn't a building) and send signals to find groups to meet up with.

need a foot recon. these things destroy everything, yes, but what do they do next? do they just instantly start walking towards the next target? or will it sit there unless provoked.

Tavern 2014/11/15(Sat)04:28 No. 602423 ID: 189a54
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Rond scrambles to his feet with Sa's help. He tells Geppetto to get his radio guys sending out signals to find other groups. Make sure it's a different frequency than usual, he adds.

The captain nods, glancing up at the sky. He understands.

Rond addresses Bussard next. The group will need recon on foot, he says. They need men on finding some shelter and someone trying to find out what the hell the Jotunn back there is going to do next.

Yes sir, Bussard barks. He'll put his own squad on scouting the wrecked base, they're the best he's got.

Sa and gang stay near commander, Sa declares. Won't let commander be hurt again.

The officers get to work.

Lieutenant Rond has left the Controlled Group

Tavern 2014/11/15(Sat)04:46 No. 602426 ID: 189a54
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Private Ismer looks at the three grizzled men around her. They're a mess, covered in dirt and mud, their weapons so much so that the private doesn't know if they'll function. They're a lot different from her old squad, and she's not sure if it's in a good way.

Quake rolls his eyes. Damn girl, he chuckles, no need to be eying everybody like that.

Korp shrugs from his seat by a tree. In shit like this a girl as little as this chick's got a right to be scared, he muses. When guys think they got no hope, their morals start to fade...

Quake shakes his head. Oh please, Korp, he says. The girl's with the finest motherfuckers short of Young Buzzard's squad themselves. No need to be eying nobody like that, no sir.

Ben shifts his long rifle's position on his back. They should probably keep looking for a good shelter, he suggests.

Quake groans. Shit, this isn't good enough? He turns back to the private. Here girl, he says with a grin. She can choose the next place they try. Should they head deeper into this forest or try to head out and find something on the plains?

Ismer has joined the Controlled Group

Tavern 2014/11/25(Tue)18:49 No. 605566 ID: 189a54
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Ismer stews over the choice until Korp decides for her. The squad moves deeper into the forest with the corporal in front.

The veteran glances back at Ismer as they continue their march. It's fine that she couldn't decide on something trivial like that, he assures her. When big moves have to be made, he knows she'll know what--

Tavern 2014/11/25(Tue)18:54 No. 605567 ID: 189a54
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The ground erupts and Korp is taken in a burst of metal and fire. Ismer and Ben are thrown back by the blast while Quake drops to one knee.

In the distance in front of them, frantic shouts can be heard. Ismer isn't sure if it's just her ears ringing but she thinks she hears the telltale sound of a Hennic gatling gun warming up. The private feels the first twinges of a panic attack coming on--she has no clue what is going on, or what to do.

to cover! behind one of the trees. even if you can't get there in time to stop all hits better then sitting in the open. maybe a potshot in the general direction of the gun.

>>605621
Do this, also look to get away from them by going from cover to cover.