Alpha-14 2023/03/05(Sun)05:42 No. 1057490 ID: a4d2ed
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Okay. Job mode. We're fire-- well, Andrews is the Firebot, and people need help.

I focus. People screaming, everywhere, running in all directions, not making any easier to catch our bearings. I cant tell apart who needs help the most. We could go in any direction and find someone in need. The question is where.

Closest/whatever’s directly in front of you, then.
Just get moving.

If building shook, get people (and yourself) out of building before building collapse.

Unless you have durn sturdy buildings, in which case try to locate source of shaking - most likely more people will be in need there.

Andrews' gotta have a megaphone function of sorts, right? Its very important to at least try and establish a semblance of calm, in order to avoid a stampede and additional casualties.

Announce your presence to the best of your ability and state that the situation is under control. Say that additional fire units are on the way - whether you're actually able to get a hold of em or not. Then see if you can locate any fire exits.

Then again, if it IS terrorism and not some kinda gas leak, singling yourself out can be quite the liability... See if you can locate any mall security or other emergency responders (cops, nurses, etc) on site - locating fire exits still takes priority, though.

Also, get your hands free of those dresses ya doof. Wrap the one you like the most around something heavy (like a rock or piece of debris) and chuck it out the window. You MIGHT find it whether you tossed it later, but thats prolly your best bet for getting these things outta the way right now.

Head for the store entrance. It's not shoplifting if it's an emergency.

Alpha-14 2023/03/05(Sun)16:41 No. 1057560 ID: a4d2ed
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Andrews starts into the store.
"Wingman. Drop the Cloth. Talk to Dee."

"Uh! Right away!" In my defense, I'm still picking myself up.

Alpha-14 2023/03/05(Sun)16:48 No. 1057561 ID: a4d2ed
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I guess its no surprise that he would be helping the closest person he could find.

>"Oh, thank you sonny. A little lady, she- uh-"
"Not trouble."

Given all the noise, calling Central is probably useless -- specially on my personal phone. However, I have Dana on speed dial.

>clk!< "Naomi! Are you okay?! Did you get yourself--"

Alpha-14 2023/03/05(Sun)17:07 No. 1057566 ID: a4d2ed
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"Dana I'm -- Imean, Dispatch! Alpha 14! What is going on, we just felt some rumbles, they seemed like--"
"Alpha-fourteen, I'm still getting the reports. Something at the West Wing of the mall barreled trough -- wait whats going on boss? What? Wait you cant just--"

Hmn, Dispatch must be getting busy with something. In the meantime, I get to hear Andrews being responsible -- gathering people, and calming them by being louder than the ruckus threatening them.

"Attention persons! All will be well. Stay together. A way out will--"

"you cant possibly Alpha-fourteen, new priorities. You are to take whoever you come across and take them away from the ruckus trough a north exit, and nothing else."
"Uh, Dispatch? We're ready, Andrews brought his canister and all." Andrews literally refuses to go anywhere without his full kit nowdays. "We can be of--"
"Alpha-fourteen, the canary is dead, we have explicit instructions for you to save anyone you can and leave the building. Copy?"
"... copy that, Dispatch."
"Good. Do your best out there, Alpha-fourteen."

... there's feds at Dispatch Central. Oh no.

North Exit?
Okay, we do that, guide people there and out, that is. Aaand as for not wanting us around? Eh, might be a delicate situation instead of one that wants power.

Escort these people to the north, sure, but it's not like your bosses will be in any hotter water if you do happen to get in a fight.

lets go!

nothing else? guess we can't take the dresses.

How close IS the north exit? Considering how some people may be critically wounded and the structural integrity of the building, time is of the essence here. In addition, if this WAS some kinda terrorist attack - and not, say, a runaway fuel truck ramming into the side of the mall or something - wouldn't it be wise to NOT use an obvious exit out of the building?

Take a bit of initiative and see if you can locate an alternative, closer route out of the mall - like, say, a loading bay or fire escape. Ask any local employees if there's a different exit/entrance they use. If you can't find one within 3 to 5 minutes - see if Andrews has something to make holes in walls in his kit.

Also, what floor are you on?

Relay the orders to Andrews. Dispatch says to route all civilians to the North exit.

At the center of the ruckus is probably something no one is supposed to see. Let's not make this complicated.

Alpha-14 2023/03/06(Mon)05:08 No. 1057642 ID: a4d2ed
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Andrews pokes me until I open my GPS app. With some nudging, we describe our options to evaluate them.

The mall is, frankly, gigantic. South of us there's a business center, and further northeast a park. I dont like the park, people will disperse and get lost as soon as we reach it.

The North Exit is, unsurprisingly, past the North Wing. I think thats the main entrance if you're coming by bus, Emergency Services must have set a staging area there.

We're at the third floor, somewhere in the middle of the East Wing.
There should be plenty emergency exits trough the service corridors around here. There should be stairwells there. We can use the atrium at the central block to get downstairs, or see if theres an escalator around here. Elevators are out of question.

The people we have here are mobile, but I worry about five or so of them. One sprained an ankle during the panic, another is an elder, and -- oh god, children. So I'm worried about more than five.

But the main problem in all this might be Andrews. He doesnt fit stairwells. He doesnt fit escalators. Sure, he can just lean into a wall until it drops, but--

>>prk-vorpvorpvorBOOOM!!!<

.. do we WANT to be taking down walls?

Hrrrm…
Closer we get to outside, the better the notion of going through a wall becomes…
But how many breaks can we afford?
And worse, Andrew is ALSO probably our best bet for helping some of those slower civilians…
Changing floors seems to be the real sticking problem.
I imagine even for Andrew jumping off the third story would joy be advised.
…Wingman mentioned the park, but unless it’s immeadiately there once you leave the mall we should be able to go around outside the building, and the park being a major attraction increases the chance the hallways in that direction will be big enough for Andrew.
So that’s more or less my reccomended path.
Go out like you’re headed to the park, keep building on the left-hand side so people don’t get lost or wander off by accident, not sure about the floors problem…

Dang dawg, this is quite the situation...

I propose you briefly split - escort as many mobility capable peeps out via the maintenance corridors as you can, and tell them to hole up in the closest business centre (or somewhere nearby, if there's no access). If you feel like splitting up might be a liability right now, though, find the most responsible-ish looking person out of the survivors - preferably staff, as they would know their way around - and tell em to escort everyone else outside via the shortest route possible. Once again, its a risk AND you miss out on an opportunity to scout out and clear an additional way out, so do so only if you believe that leaving Andrews alone might cause 'im to act unwise.

As for those who require assistance in traversal, looks like we will have to brave the atrium area, since that seems like the best bet for getting Andrews to the floors below and using his strength to carry as many people as possible - speaking of, how DID our metal boi get on this floor in the first place?

Before you split (or not), see if you and Andrews can make something to boost his carrying capacity. Like, say rigging a travois out of changing room sheets and clothing rack beams taken from that store you came out of. Or getting a dolly of some kind outta the maintenance corridors. Ensure hell be able to carry all of those with mobility issues, at the very least.

Tell him to get to the atrium and take shelter in one of the stores there, so as to avoid detection by the west wing baddies. Youd meet with him once you finish evac via the tunnels.

Whoops, a bit of a correction - didnt examine the map very well. Since the nearest fire exit seems to be to the east, escort movement capable survivors there and tell them to head towards the main road.

Well how did he get up here? If the elevators are out of service have him just jump down the shaft or something. You'll meet him by the escalators.

Alpha-14 2023/03/07(Tue)22:33 No. 1057857 ID: f78a37
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Andrews takes to a direction, leading everyone trough a service corridor. He barely fits, but does his best to not break everything in it. I wonder why he insists on doing it though.

Alpha-14 2023/03/07(Tue)22:34 No. 1057859 ID: f78a37
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Once we reach the emergency stairwell, his intentions are clear.
"Wingman. Way down. Way out."
"Oh no dont you dare. The last time we split you broke a nuclear warhead. I am Not letting you out of my sight."

And if its up to me, he'll never live this down.

Alpha-14 2023/03/07(Tue)22:36 No. 1057860 ID: f78a37
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"Acknowledged."
His .. eye? Sensor lays on a woman in the group. She has a colorful dress and a nametag. I think I saw her before, at an ice cream kiosk.
>"Eep!"
"Target. Way down. Way out. Way to great carriage point."
>"Wh-what?"
"Look... whats your name?"
>"... Mnib?"
"Miss Mnib, you seem pretty level-headed. There's a bunch of responders set up at the bus stop in front of the mall."
"If can not run. Come with."
"Can you take all these people there, miss Mnib?"

Alpha-14 2023/03/07(Tue)22:38 No. 1057861 ID: f78a37
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>"... I'm -- I'll do my best."
Thats thirty people following her, down the stairwell. We wait until they're all gone, before we make back to the main corridors.

Alpha-14 2023/03/07(Tue)22:47 No. 1057863 ID: f78a37
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When we're back, all lights are off. Whatever is happening, finally got to the power.

In the end only one of the rescues ended up with us. Male, thirties, hit his head. Still unconscious, but is breathing. We found a cart in the backrooms and are using it to transport him. Andrews could have carried him, but...

Everything feels weird. This doesnt feel like a gas leak, or terrorism. I'm afraid of calling Da-- of calling Dispatch.

Theres the slight smell of smoke and rubble in the air, and no more of those rumbles and explosions -- just the deafening, slow footsteps of a giant robot walking on his own thrusters, right by my side. He seems worried about something... say, above us, around the North wing. Just a guess. I'm not the one with fancy sensors.

>>1057863
Large hostile detected, and it's in the way. Hmm. Can Andrews carry both remaining humans? (why did the others not take the unconscious man???) We were told to exit the building, but not what direction. Perhaps we can fly out a window.

Lights being off sucks, no doubt about it, but it might be a blessing in disguise - whatever that thing is, it MIGHT not be able to see us.

See what you can do about the light situation. Using something too bright can give your position away. If you have a lighter or a phone screen - use that, as it'll give others a beacon to go towards. Does Andrews have any nightvision of sorts, by the way? You could always just follow his footsteps...

I suggest we create a distraction - to both divert its attention and observe the way it (them?) reacts to random sounds. Ask Andrews to get something heavy, like a potted plant or bench, and throw it down the atrium to the first floor - aiming as west and below from our position as able, preferably at a glass storefront or something similarly noisy. Sneaking with a giant robot by your side is probably very difficult, so use that distraction to cover as much of your retreat north as you can, taking into account the speed - or lack thereof - of others. (If you spot a quicker, but safe way to the south, like a window or a hole in the wall - through there.) Repeat the throwing stuff down - shimmying north process until you are at the northmost point of the atrium. If at any point you get spotted - see if Andrews has powder extinguisher for putting out electrical/chemical fires, and spray out as much of that stuff as you can for a smokescreen.

Also, take note of any stores you pass by on your way to the exit. Some of them might have something useful, like more light sources and such.

Prepare for ambush? Fall back and watch for falling debris.

Oh on second thought, the large hostile is technically not in the way. It's above us, so either it's on the ceiling or there's a second floor and we can just walk by.
HOWEVER, there are smaller hostiles in the north wing. One seems to have taken hostages.

We know the total number of hostiles from the initial scan, relay the count to Wingman and also that one of them is very big. Probably has an energy weapon. Confrontation will not go well. Also tell her about the civilians on radar near the smaller hostile.

We might be able to rush the small hostile up north and use the cover of darkness to bulldoze it and grab the hostages there then keep moving north, but... I worry the large hostile will take issue with this and attempt to shoot us, through the floor or not. We could potentially avoid that by keeping the small hostile as a hostage of our own?

Wingman might want to tell Dispatch that our way north is blocked by hostiles. Maybe Dispatch knows of another exit we can use; like perhaps they will permit us to knock down a wall in the south or east to get out?

Alpha-14 2023/03/11(Sat)13:34 No. 1058238 ID: 6841d3
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We come closer middle of the mall. The only light here coming from the crystal glass skylight topping the central atrium's roof. Andrews picks up a metal trashcan on his way here for some reason.

However, there's... something at the ground floor.

Alpha-14 2023/03/11(Sat)13:36 No. 1058239 ID: 6841d3
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Seems some kind of robot, but it moves with an uncanny swagger and precision... Like its not made to walk, yet it does in spite of its design and code.

Reminds me of Andrews. Somehow.

It seems lightly scorched from fire in places. I cant tell from this distance who's that on its back, but its someone.

Do you want to guess they're related to the explosions? Unidentified robot carrying a civilian in a basket, seems mighty suspect.
Turn that trashcan into a projectile.

Avoid. Do not engage. The enemy has the advantage.

See if you can get into the network. Can it be used to communicate with the other mech? Tell them you are under orders to evacuate and do not wish to fight. Maybe ask what they're doing here in the first place?

Hmmm.. One possible explanation to this is that the baddies responsible for this whole mess managed to hack a rescue unit, and are using it to transport their hostages and/or wounded around, as well as possibly demolishing walls. If that is the case, I kinda understand the extra caution from dispatch to ensure we wouldn't have encountered it - what if this thing can, uh, infect other robots via networks, maybe? Now that the cat's outta the bag though, and we're on a possible collision course with it, maybe dispatch can brief us bout what this robot on the fritz can at least do?

Either way, since we don't yet know what it is capable of, engaging it in direct combat would be quite adverse not only for its "cargo", but us as well. As much as you want to keep everyone safe, you are not a counter terrorism unit, and are not equipped for carefully pacifying suspects, let alone giant robots, LET ALONE with a saddled hostage - unless you improvise, of course, but that's last resort. Besides, that person doesn't seem to be threatened directly - not yet, anyway. Still, proceed with the projectile distraction plan, and try not to let it outta your sight while you head on north.

How does your GPS module distinguish between civvie (green) and foe (red) marks, by the way? Are they marked as such by dispatch? Do they give themselves away by having weapons equipped? See if you spot the northmost blip from the atrium. If not, try quickly sneaking upstairs via the maint tunnels while the trashcan does its ruckus (without andrews and the wounded, obv) and see if you can scout em out - dont engage, of course. Hopefully they would be distracted enough to not spot us.

>>1058239
Throw a trash lid at the bot Captain America style.

Do not engage, you could hurt the presumed civilian.

Alpha-14 2023/03/13(Mon)19:57 No. 1058496 ID: 6a7a35
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Up the fifth floor to our right -- I believe thats where the north wing is, one of the food courts? -- I can see some smoke. Might be what Andrews was detecting earlier. I think Andrews agrees with me, might be another rescue unit, but theres something ... wrong about it. maybe I should call Dispatch, before

Alpha-14 2023/03/13(Mon)19:58 No. 1058497 ID: 6a7a35
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>>kh-KLANG!<

Alpha-14 2023/03/13(Mon)19:58 No. 1058498 ID: 6a7a35
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... whatever Andrews was trying ...
It didnt work?...

Welp, that was... Kinda awkward? Luckily, it seems like the other robot wants to communicate. I'm not very confident about entering an unsecure network like that, though...

Apologize for tossing the trash can - you thought you saw a hostile. Ask them what are they going to do with that civilian, and where exactly they are going. This robo sounded kinda... Confused? Maybe it thinks we're on their side, or they recognized us from our past deployment? We can use their confusion to our advantage. I think we need to hold off telling them to stand down and surrender for now, because thatll most probably snap it back into bad guy mode.

With that being said, we need to remember that there ARE other hostiles around, and they've definitely heard the can landing. They might not be nearly as passive as that guy, so we need to get moving and stay alert. Have Wingman move northbound with the wounded and hide in of the stores, so that shell be able to see Andrews, at least.

Why are you lugging around that civve?

Well you can't look like more like a target even if you tried

Alpha-14 2023/03/19(Sun)21:41 No. 1059084 ID: 68c1e6
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Andrews goes silent and nods his head -- I take my clue to bring this injured man out of here.

Alpha-14 2023/03/19(Sun)21:43 No. 1059085 ID: 68c1e6
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... but when it comes the time to go down the north corridor, I cant. Andrews and I are in this together, I can get away from the firing line, but I wont leave him alone.

I notice the person downstairs gets off the other guy, they seem to know each other. I cant tell what they're saying from this distance. They just.. stare at each other. I get worried.

Alpha-14 2023/03/19(Sun)21:46 No. 1059088 ID: 68c1e6
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I start flipping trough my phone while they are busy with each other. I'm hoping some news somewhere knows whats going on.

I remember seeing something about a gas explosion at a condo building a few blocks from here. A C class single family place. One apartment destroyed.

I didnt connect the dots at the time.

So, is this a serial bombing? A message? An industrialized error?

From the comms it sounds like we could just walk out of here, since in the dark the foreign force would assume we're the heavy unit. Or maybe it would be better to ask the heavy unit to tell the others your red IFF is an "error" and you are friendly. Then tell him you're going to cover the north while he covers the south. Once you're up there you can just keep going.
Tell Wingman this.

Since it looks like that bot won't attack us - as long as we are recognized as its battle bro - this would be a great opportunity for Andrews to finally descend to the ground floor. Still, make sure to keep your eyes trained on that thing at all times.

See if there's a ramp nearby for Wingman to go down, ideally without coming into contact with the hostile. Maybe from within the backrooms? One tactic would be having Andrews stalling the bot with chatter whilst Wingman and the civvie safely abscond to the ground floor. It'll have us break sight with Andrews for a bit, sure - but tell em to sit still and ask him to follow once you get down.

If the other hostile is upstairs and north for now, then they shouldn't be a problem - for now, atleast.

It's best to start figuring stuff out after we've reached safe distance away from the carnage site. But, yeah, it's possible that the rabid ravin robots we're encountering currently are the same ones from the apt explosion. What is more concerning is a possible media coverup - I mean, really, a gas explosion? That's classic black ops shit. Most likely the powers that be would want us stay shut about today's events once we make it out... but then again, things aren't always as they seem

I can't understand a darn thing you're saying, Andrews.
So there's a missile/artillery barrage from the south and the government is lying about it. Staying with the civilians and escorting them north away from the explosions still recommended. I think.

>>1059165
The handwriting is atrocious.

AD-20-101: battle-brother. Object throw ACK.
AD-20-101: spot near bogey?
FCKGW: many bogey. all hours. bogey fire.
IFF SHARE ERROR BAD SIGNATURE

FCKGW: tight / flight(?) path from io idik(???) south
AD-20-101: ROE state?
FCKGW: ROE safe. Zero escalation.
FCKGW: medium colat zero new neutro
AD-20-101:

The wiki mentions Andrews understand airforce lingo, so "io idik" must be 10 klik

Alpha-14 2023/03/26(Sun)16:40 No. 1059588 ID: 560aca
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"Wingman. Two level down. Meeting at middle. Go."
"Andrews -- You wont be getting rid of me like this!!"

And thats my cue to run into one of the corridors and find a path down. Thanks to mr. Shopping Cart here, I cant just use the frozen escalators along the atrium, that's a bit of a hazard with this guy.

In the meantime, he uses his rocket legs privilege to approach the other mech guy.

Alpha-14 2023/03/26(Sun)16:46 No. 1059589 ID: 560aca
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And while I'm busy on my way... well, I was surprised to hear the girl's voice over the comms. Andrews had the decency to keep me on the loop, I guess.

> "H-hey..."
> "Payload?"
> "You. Look... mister fireman? I'm okay. You don't need to... Falcone is okay. It... they're just trying to keep me safe, please don't..."

She's disheveled but lucid. And sounded scared.

Alpha-14 2023/03/26(Sun)16:50 No. 1059590 ID: 560aca
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Soon I found A reason why. I met them as I tried to re-enter central atrium, but from the ground floor.

> "That's enough lady."
"Eh? Mall cops? Why are you even--"
> "We've been keeping that thing at bay for the last hour. We've been trying to get that woman away from the machine, and we're not delivering you to them either."

It has NOT been an hour at that point, I should point out.

That is very sus. Wingman has no path, go join her and get a better look at the "mall cops". Possible infiltration? Ask the "payload" lady for her story. How long has she been at Falcone's side?

Check if these mall cops show up on your gps. It is indeed kinda sus how they managed to get a drop on you - despite you checking for pings n stuff. Not to mention, it seems like they let out a little lie by accident? Looks like you are gonna have to keep your guard up around those dudes, but dont do anything drastic yet.

That being said, if they were in cahoots with the terrorists, theyd probably eliminate you then and there if it wasnt for Andrews being nearby. Ask them what their plan of action is, and lie to them - for the purposes of keeping them from panicking and restoring peace, winky wink - that counter terrorism units are coming to handle the situation. Tell them that you are heading for evac (dont specify where exactly) and that your job is to extract as many civilians from the site as possible - therefore, they are free to join. Reassure the lady on the Falcone that more specialized help is coming, and suggest that she remains calm and stays by the robot's side as much as possible.

Andrews, escort Wingman and the wounded dude to the north as planned. Keep watch on the (other) robot and the cops, pick up Wingman with her cargo and run as soon as you see any sign of hostility.

Alpha-14 2023/04/01(Sat)14:43 No. 1060250 ID: 2ae56d
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"No you havent? We've been here from the start, its been thirty minutes--"
> "Look I dont care how long its been, that square thing came trough a wall in the bowling alley blasting at everybody. We had a lot of hurt good men and women, and its a miracle nobody died. That thing has a hostage, and I'm not giving it another hostage."
"So the warbot is having a tantrum-- wait is that a gun, did you *shoot* it?? Let me go!" These guys are clearly NOT ready to handle this situation. I woulsnt doubt they made it worse.
> "Why do you care, who are you even??"
"And I am Andrews' assigned nurse and handler. We're with the fire department and you will let go of me!"
> "You're a tad undertooled to nurse that big boy over there aint you?"
"I'm meant to care for our vics, dipshit!"
>> "Fred?"

Alpha-14 2023/04/01(Sat)14:44 No. 1060251 ID: 2ae56d
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>> "The 'big boy' is pointing that gun arm at us."

Alpha-14 2023/04/01(Sat)14:57 No. 1060256 ID: 2ae56d
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At least that is done. I dont know what to do with our unconscious guy... probably leave it for them. But in the meantime, Andrews shows his ... smooth silver tongue.

"Payload?"
> "Y-yeah?"
"Payload will be well. Will be taken to safe place."
> ".. you talk kind of like Falcone, don't you?"

Shouldnt be a surprise, really. They're clearly both Soldiers. ...Falcone might be from a different year. Certainly older...

"Where Payload and Foxtrot-Charlie meet?"
> "Foxtrot... Falcone? I came with him when he-- Sometimes I see .. him flying over my condo, watching everyone from above. I think we're in his patrol route. Everyone in the neighborhood knows him? Its a very safe neighborhood, always been, but sometimes he-he lands to- to... to sav--help. To help us out..."

The girl goes silent, holding back tears. There's something she clearly doesnt want to talk about.

Focus on the present. Is your neighborhood currently under threat? If not, you should go home. It's not safe here.

Alpha-14 2023/04/07(Fri)15:16 No. 1060946 ID: 1fb822
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I can feel the humm of Andrews' scanner from here. Even the guards about me seems rattled. Its not a pleasant feeling for sure.

In the meantime, I watch from afar as he tried to grill the girl that was with the other guy.

"Payload, how is home?"
> "What?"
"Will take Payload home. Where is it?"
> "Uh..."

Her uncertainity is a bit worrying, and I dont like the other guy's fixation -- but Andrews finds a new way to reach her.

"Payload, your name?"
> "... Freya? Ah, Freya Andersson"

Alpha-14 2023/04/07(Fri)15:24 No. 1060949 ID: 1fb822
File 168090628163.png - (272.03KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_031.png )

"Wingman!"
"I got it, I got it."

I dont know whats going on at Dispatch, but thankfully, I dont need to use comms to reach Dana.

Heh. I remember a Sam Locke nurse -- no, Physician Assistant, and we mere nurses should never forget that, the ass. We shared a ton of courses when I was working for my accreditation to handle Andrews. Lockeynot had special trouble with medical robotics.

I wonder what Lockeynot is up to nowdays.

Deliver Payload to shelter. -Ooh, phrasing. Well, inform Andrews and his robot buddy then try and reach the bus stop.

You should go check on her in person.

Hm maybe tell Andrews for his "battle brother" to rendezvous with us, safety in numbers and all that.

Sheesh, wow, so apparently a part of our city's peace corps are faulty, ticking time bombs ready to explode due to he tiniest short circuit?... Well, thats something to hold over the Council's head, potentially. For now, it seems like Andrews' presence has made the machine somewhat compliant, and we will need to use that to its fullest. Have Andrews tell his battle bro to stand down and go weapons cold - weve already confirmed that there are zero threats present - and then escort US, Payload and the irate mall cops (should they choose to follow us, that is) north towards the rendezvous point instead. Meanwhile, see if Dana can scrounge up more info about a certain patrol bot named Falcone- knowing your enemy (friend?) Is half the battle, after all.

Alpha-14 2023/04/23(Sun)06:49 No. 1061953 ID: e03a99
File 168225775061.png - (244.51KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_033.png )

"Wingman."
"... I'm coming, Andrews."

Alpha-14 2023/04/23(Sun)06:58 No. 1061954 ID: e03a99
File 168225830618.png - (319.60KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_034.png )

I'm okay. I guess... its easy to forget we're dealing with two-ton armored veterans here.

You know what else? Its easy to make assumptions.
And until there's more to know and less to assume I'll focus on whats in front of me.

And on the maniacs thinking they are cops surrounding us, I dont wanna find out if one of them has a gun.

"Take look at Payload."
"That's .. why I'm here."

Alpha-14 2023/04/23(Sun)07:02 No. 1061955 ID: e03a99
File 168225853574.png - (230.83KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_035.png )

Before I can get to her though, he touches my shoulder-- I am not proud, but I shivered.

"Question Delta. Fox Charlie Kilo Golf Whiskey."
"Ah? Right, right."

I shoot a quick message to Dispatch. I'm not sure how Dana will get anything about this guy, but they've found harder stuff. Doesnt hurt to try.

Alpha-14 2023/04/23(Sun)07:11 No. 1061956 ID: e03a99
File 168225907351.png - (314.98KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_036.png )

Which leaves to me... the 'payload'.

"Miss Andersson?"
> "Freya.. is ok."
"Naomi. So, Falcone brought you here under his arm?"
> "Yeah, I was halfway up the building to get home when this ruckus happened, and they just snatched me away."

Messed makeup, slightly red eyes, cold skin but already warming up, large bruise... yeah, I diagnose her with "I have been dragged outside a rocket for a short distance and somehow didnt break anything." Id need someone to make the call, but what this girl really needs is a warm soup and some bed for a couple weeks.

"Now let me look at your--"

Alpha-14 2023/04/23(Sun)07:22 No. 1061957 ID: e03a99
File 168225975026.png - (294.43KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_037.png )

> "..."
Those are fingers.
Two hand-shaped bruises.

Calling it now - the first bruise isn’t from Falcone’s abrupt extraction.

Complete the checkup, assure her everything is going to be fine, and start the process of deescalation - or as it’s known, calming everyone’s tits down.

And maybe redirecting some righteous tittery towards where it may belong.

"Dispatch, miss Freya has chokehold bruises up and down her neck and appears afraid to go into details. I’d say our extraction-happy friend here saved the woman from a serious domestic abuse situation... or worse. Please get someone to check on her home and whoever’s there. Andrews, any way we can get video logs from Falcone of the situation before the ‘extraction’? And dispatch, can we get a domestic abuse expert on call to speak with miss Anderson?"

>>1061958
Or maybe this is all just leaping to conclusions, hm. It was the neighbor’s place that blew, maybe an actual accident, but Falcone saw the chance to make a big enough fuss with his rescue that she get a checkup and here we are.

Without visual confirmation we cannot confirm that it is safe to return her to her apartment. Join the group evacuation efforts until the situation can be assessed.

Alpha-14 2023/05/08(Mon)14:19 No. 1063055 ID: c32dc3
File 168358074330.png - (383.00KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_038.png )

I dont like this -- not only for her condition, but for Andrews' reaction. I am pretty sure she has speed bruises, but I can read Andrews like a book -- he sure thinks otherwise, and is acting out in frustration.

I cant help but be on the edge, thinking about what... might have happened around Falcone. But assumptions dont help, not right now or ever.

Alpha-14 2023/05/08(Mon)14:19 No. 1063056 ID: c32dc3
File 168358077984.png - (248.73KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_039.png )

The best way to break Andrews from one of his thought loops is spurring him into action.

"So Andrews, whats the plan?"

"Keep Payload. Take Payload to safe place."

Freya seems uncertain about that, and looks to Falcone. The two take a long moment to react, as if busy with something between the two. At the end of it, Falcone turns to the both of us and... 'nods' its weird camera assembly.

> "See you around, Falcone?"

Alpha-14 2023/05/08(Mon)14:20 No. 1063057 ID: c32dc3
File 168358085453.png - (312.44KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_040.png )

Before either of us can react, Falcone says their first full sentence.

> "Take care, Payload."

And just like that, it feels like a gate to hell right on my face for fifteen seconds and he's gone.

Alpha-14 2023/05/08(Mon)14:22 No. 1063058 ID: c32dc3
File 168358096666.png - (217.11KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_041.png )

>>krash!<

It shouldn't surprise me a skylight is just a suggestion for them. My phone gets a notification after Falcone is gone, with the stuff I asked from Dispatch.

We still don’t know what the hell is going on, Alpha. Request situation update from Central units.

Uh, skim the doc? What does being classified Deranged mean for our new robuddy here?

Also, tell 'em it seems like there might be more to the story, and you've got a theory Faclone/FCKGW might not be Deranged, just adapting existing protocols to deal with a novel situation. It seems to be resuming its regular patrol now. Can Dispatch delay the response while you verify, or get you in contact with the responder units so you can keep them up to date on what you find out?

Tell Freya her robot buddy might be in serious trouble, and soon, for whatever went down here. Is she sure she has nothing to add about what happened and why he might have picked up her in particular for safekeeping when the explosion was in a neighbour's apartment?

Either way, you and Andrews should get her away from the hue and bustle of an emergency event and any cameras to come. Maybe go somewhere she can get something to drink or eat to calm her nerves? A backroom space with a big enough emergency exit that you all can leave discreetly?

Take Freya out of this place and in the direction of a shelter. You can make conversation on the way.

>>1063332

Obviously he's a food preparation robot, and his built-in oven range has been detached.

Alpha-14 2023/05/29(Mon)21:10 No. 1064780 ID: 1bba7f
File 168541980311.png - (407.18KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_042.png )

The mallcop horde pay no attention to us, as Andrews leads us trough one of the hallways. They seem more worried with the skylight's new hole.

On our way, take a moment to finally read Dispatch's file.
Falcone is a -- Falcone... fought in the Alien War, to no surprise, and they served as part of a boarding torpedo squad. Their body is little more than a reactor, a rocket, a sensor array, a burner weapon that could turn the Tokyo Tower into slag, and whatever else goes into a Soldier.

They are very old. They got a few hundreds of missions on record, mostly on the UTA-Peregrine Falcon crew, in a job few lived long. Who knows what else they saw that isnt public record.

Some years ago, after the war, they got deemed fit for resocialization. Picked jobs patrolling different cities, the current one being for seven months so far.

Sam Locke is their Fragile. To no surprise, for some reason.

Alpha-14 2023/05/29(Mon)21:13 No. 1064782 ID: 1bba7f
File 168541999590.png - (369.44KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_043.png )

And then a beautiful day, a place explodes, another is crashed into, nobody dies, a veteran is declared dangerously insane and insurance companies everywhere are sweating buckets. None of this makes sense. "So, whats your call Andrews?"

"Not chance. Past event this morning."

"If Falcone got PTSD or *whatever* that can explain an expensive meltdown, its not in his files."

"Fox-Charlie not a danger. Bad reaction to new event."

"Bad reaction, what do you mean?"

"When Unit is hammer, trouble are nail."

Andrews is being particularly articulate today, and that worries me. "Well then this is the first time its solutions involve punching a hole into a Grumbel's. Or at a setting higher than medium rare, the file makes no mention of Falcone ever being dangerous to people or property."

"If only some one have answer."

Alpha-14 2023/05/29(Mon)21:13 No. 1064783 ID: 1bba7f
File 168542001833.png - (235.11KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_044.png )

I think we both know who could have an answer.

And she's keeping that answer close to her chest. I'm not sure if grilling Freya over this is going to be productive.

Alpha-14 2023/05/29(Mon)21:17 No. 1064784 ID: 1bba7f
File 168542023860.png - (272.59KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_045.png )

I hate to think about this, but -- we might be done here. I can hear footsteps echoing from far and ahead of us, other firemen and first responders streaming into the mall as the place finally got safe.... er.

I know I need a coffee. Freya might need something too. And I'm not counting on finding some since there's no power, but Andrews is leading to some smaller corridor, hopefully looking for some too.

Thinking of running a distraction for Falcone? What you need to do is get to HQ and get them to call off the hit.

On one hand you're a... nurse? firefighter?

On one hand you're probably not a private investigator. On the other hand, someone was trying to choke that girl, which is likely the "trouble" that Andrews said "are nail." Falcone probably couldn't identify the attacker, which is why he thought that everyone not-the-girl was an attacker. So someone is still out there who poses a threat to this girl. Falcone seems... relatively neutralized at least.

Coffee would definitely be good now. And maybe some hot cocoa.

Alpha-14 2023/06/18(Sun)17:39 No. 1066204 ID: 1dcedc
File 168713518797.png - (427.80KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_046.png )

Andrews leads us down a few corridors, and we come across a coffee kiosk that still holds something warm in their barrels. I dont feel like questioning the legality of him just searching its cabinets for a pair of mugs, or that my hands are better suited for this than his.

Freya finds a seat. She needs it more than me.

Alpha-14 2023/06/18(Sun)17:43 No. 1066206 ID: 1dcedc
File 168713543629.png - (423.69KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_047.png )

I can tell there's something weighing on him.

"Whats on your mind, Andrews?"

"Kilo-Romeo-Kilo find Fox-Charlie."

"... Kirk? What, the Force sent him to pick up Falcone?"

Kilo-Romeo-Kilo see Fox-Charlie as bogey. Can not see them different. The talk makes me tired."

"... is this a Soldier bigotry thing?"

"... Kilo-Romeo-Kilo does not see in pictures. And does not like people to know that."

Alpha-14 2023/06/18(Sun)17:51 No. 1066207 ID: 1dcedc
File 168713589195.png - (473.99KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_048.png )

"What do you mean he cant-- how would he drive around across town all day?"

"IFF and map."

"Are you *serious* that a *bus* has been literally flying blind full of people around the country on GPS and transponders?!"

> "Who's Kirk?"

Alpha-14 2023/06/18(Sun)18:10 No. 1066209 ID: 1dcedc
File 168713702049.png - (402.99KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_049.png )

Kirk is with the Army, he's a Soldier that works as a T3. I guess someone figured he still has a point defense system and sent him to hunt Falcone."

> "Wait, why is he a bus, what does that even--"

Soldiers -- the ones that are even *sane* enough to want and be able to walk among humans, tend to be task-oriented. A job gives them a routine to experience, gives them a place in a society they basically made; they've been used up by the Alien War, and they need more than just... that. Its a source of money, dignity and reassurance to them, and as much as we can think some of their choices are strange... they wanna feel normal.

Naturally, their choices are limited by what they can do, and specially, what they used to do in the War. And Kirk worked on the dockyards near Titan as a tugboat.

"Kirk wanted to meet people and only fits in a garage."

Can he process visual data sent to him? Transmit data confirming bogey identity.
Also, why does a bus have point defenses?

Alpha-14 2023/06/18(Sun)20:52 No. 1066231 ID: 1dcedc
File 168714675331.png - (546.00KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_050.png )

> "But if he's a bus why does he have we--"

I feel my phone vibrate. I put it up on speaker -- its Dana. I know Andrews can listen me in, but I dont wanna seem like I'm playing games to Freya.

"Dana?"

"Hey Alpha-14. You're still in the mall, aint you?"

"We're making our way out. So, we talked to Falcone--"

"Because of course you did."

"Fox-Charlie is not a danger."

"Yeah, he -- they -- whatever, Falcone wasnt weird. Sure, punching trough a building isnt normal behaviour, but he had a passenger that is pretty well cared given and surrendered her to us."

"Someone tried to wound Payload. Fox-Charlie act to save her. Fox-Charlie may be not able to mark bogey. So, Fox-Charlie fall back to war ways."

"And Fox-Charlie is, well, a breaching unit. Andrews thinks he came across something unexpected and reacted poorly. That doesnt warrant a Deranged call, he needs help not a bullet. Any way we can get that struck out?"

"Sure. I just need to hear those same words from his own handler, not you. You dont know Falcone, you're not his Fragile."

This is a thought I dont wanna have, and yet, are words that feel pretty safe to say. "Has anyone even heard of Locke after all this?"

"About that... not really. So its pretty safe to assume..."

"Yeah..."

"... I really hope Falcone did not end his own handler. Thats textbook Derangement. I see he's still on patrol though? I thought Kirk and Kat went take him down."

Kat, ugh. I know she works at the school near the base. I dont know whats her model, but she has a railgun. "Andrews was talking to Kirk. And I think falcone is a 'they'."

"Kilo-Romeo-Kilo and I make an agreement. He will wait."

"So thats why I have a dozen messages from Kat."

Alpha-14 2023/06/18(Sun)21:31 No. 1066236 ID: 1dcedc
File 168714910138.png - (518.48KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_051.png )

> "N-no."

"No?"

> "I- I know what you are doing. I was - am just a neighbour. I hav- I have nothing, noting to do with all of this."

Okay, where -- fair, with how today is going I guessed she *might* know more than what she's telling, but --

> "I wont -- I had nothing to do with all this. I just wanna go home and take a shower and not be in the news and take a shower and warm up my cannelloni and have dinner and sleep and wake up tomorrow and forget this nightmare I'm having. And you cant make me not to."

... where the heck all this is coming from?

Background check on Locke... Did Freya see his handler anywhere?
Hail Kat.

Tell her keeping nightmares bottled up is a good way for them to get recurring. Trauma is best let out.

Also, contact Kat. Her handler could possibly help too, but contacting them directly could be a breach of Soldier etiquette.

Alpha-14 2023/07/22(Sat)21:15 No. 1068736 ID: fb3ac9
File 169008570193.png - (421.56KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_052.png )

I shoot a last message to Dispatch. O'Hara is one of the good guys, even if he's not entirely straight. We can trust him with a favor, I wouls just rather not ask him favors. I'm afraid I cant say much more, I wouldnt like any of this on record.

You cant bottle bad thought. It just grow. Wound need air to get better.

> "Easy for YOU to say! You, after all this gets to go home to rest and eat and and be safe under all that metal! I cant even get my guard down in my own home!!"

I understand. She is lashing out. Andrews seems understanding. Or she is just not letting him answer.

Alpha-14 2023/07/22(Sat)21:15 No. 1068737 ID: fb3ac9
File 169008573483.png - (357.70KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_053.png )

> "I cant even be safe in my own place. Do I still even have a place? Should I go back after--"

At this point, Freya poured her heart. Yeah, she knew Locke. Apparently they met three months ago when Locke moved into the city with Falcone, and was about to leave in a few weeks. Things between the two seemed to be going nicely. When trying to talk about what happened the last time they met, she just broke into tears.

Alpha-14 2023/07/22(Sat)21:17 No. 1068738 ID: fb3ac9
File 169008582662.png - (264.79KB , 1024x576 , HWC06_054.png )

Between her yelling, her soft cries on my shoulder, and the scent of rewarmed coffee, the rescuers have no trouble finding us. Which bring us a problem... now what?

"Whatever you guys decide, I got your back."

It didnt dawn on me at the time, but... Freya is traumatized, Locke is unavailable -- permanently --, and Falcone got caught by Kirk and Kat, but they just locks and shuts up whenever someone asks them something uncomfortable. Me, Andrews and Dispatch have the most information on the situation, and whatever story we ended up making held a disproportionate amount of weight on the things that followed. In most possibilities, either Freya or Falcone would end in a bad spot.

So what did we end up telling them?

>>1068738
A full and unbiased report, obviously. The authorities can gather further evidence, and the situation is fragile enough that they're going to want to do a thorough investigation.

A corrupt handler brought to justice by the soldier he was paired with? That's fine, the public will appreciate that story. It will be seen as that soldiers can be trusted more than their handlers.

I suspect Locke confronted whoever is threatening Freya and got done in, setting off Falcone.