Silence 2024/11/15(Fri)07:09 No. 1099811 ID: ed041d
File 173168338067.png - (44.19KB , 486x255 , Mech234.png )

You keep the fire on, hoping to learn more about the shield. You can see that Red Mask 2 does pause to raise it, so it's not a mobile model. Something about it needs to be still to work.

Still, you're not gonna get anywhere anytime soon like this.

_37 __ _ead _e.

The jamming is finally starting to break down, you can hear your handler.

_ _e_eat 6_7 d_ y__ __ad me?

Any responses?

Tell them that two more red mask units are attacking you, controlled by one pilot. You disabled one but the other has an energy shield, you need countermeasures for the shield.

>>1099811
"Being attacked by two Red Masks, missing an arm, low on ammo. Not great to be honest."

Ask for a turret at the mouth of the canyon. This shield seems like it can only face one direction at a time.

"RED MASK IS A HORDE! SEND BACKUP!"
Repeat this until he gets it.

Silence 2024/11/18(Mon)06:19 No. 1099983 ID: ed041d
File 173193954622.png - (20.55KB , 190x177 , Mech235.png )

>>1099821
>>1099823
>>1099830
>>1099831
You send all of this on repeat, you need support of any kind you can get right now, anything will do.

R___er t_a_ _37. _ac_up __ i__ou__. ___k _ivision offere_, th___e ____ing __ __ose r____ s_____t.

Silence 2024/11/18(Mon)06:19 No. 1099984 ID: ed041d
File 173193959089.png - (34.58KB , 439x271 , Mech236.png )

With the sound of a sonic boom, you see your backup flying in fast.

Junk Division Support, on its way. Need anything specific done first?

>>1099984
"We need to do them."
Gang up on the intact Red Mask until their weapons are damaged, then pair up against each weakened Red Mask and finish them off.

>>1099983
"Help focus the undamaged Red Mask. It's got an energy shield it cant move when active. The damaged Red Mask has it's mobility hindered, but keep alert. Thanks for the hand.", you say, waving your broken arm stump.

"This guy's got an energy shield. Get behind them and lets see just how much it covers."

Fire on the shield mech while Lupin closes in, either rooting it in place or shooting it in the back when it turns to face him.

Silence 2024/11/20(Wed)07:02 No. 1100125 ID: ed041d
File 173211497475.png - (31.93KB , 354x219 , Mech237.png )

You direct Wolf to get around behind and take Red Mask that way.

Silence 2024/11/20(Wed)07:03 No. 1100126 ID: ed041d
File 173211499053.png - (42.42KB , 404x230 , Mech238.png )

Red Mask disengages the shield and nimbly dodges quickly.

Good, just keep up the pincer attack. One of the two of you should be able to get hits in now.

Keep the pressure up and try to decapitate the head. This may be an AI clone, so don't hold back.

>>1100126

Yep, this confirmed he cant focus on both of us on opposite sides of him. try to focus fire on the arm holding the shield, ONE of use will break it off

Its worrying that it hasn't shown any offensive capability. Either its a distraction, or it has a nasty trick waiting. Don't stay too close, it might explode.

Silence 2024/11/22(Fri)06:01 No. 1100188 ID: ed041d
File 173228406905.png - (27.15KB , 419x131 , Mech239.png )

You press your advantage, Red Mask 2 seeming to pause, as a crackle of electricity runs up the arms of their mech.

MOVE!

Silence 2024/11/22(Fri)06:01 No. 1100189 ID: ed041d
File 173228411564.png - (30.89KB , 305x348 , Mech240.png )

You watch as Wolf dashes to the side, narrowly avoiding what looks to be a beam made of the same light material of the Shield blasting forward from Red Mask's hands.

You've discovered their offensive capability.

If you're in front of Red Mask, well... don't be.
If you're not in front of Red Mask, now may be the best moment to shoot. While staying mobile.

>>1100189
... Yep, we're ripping his arms off.

missle before it moves again

Silence 2024/11/25(Mon)08:05 No. 1100359 ID: ed041d
File 173255074695.png - (39.25KB , 560x169 , Mech241.png )

You fire a missile into Red Mask, it barely scratches the armor.

Silence 2024/11/25(Mon)08:06 No. 1100360 ID: ed041d
File 173255076906.png - (22.96KB , 220x184 , Mech242.png )

Red Mask's mech crackles with electricity once more. What is your next action?

Move to cover!
If you have none, use a missile to create a smokescreen and make sure your position behind it is non-obvious.

>>1100360
Well... Shit.
It's durable enough to take a missile to the shoudler. I wonder if the joints are durable enough to handle being pulled in two directions...

Take cover, we DO NOT want to get hit by the death beam.

Can you shoot a missile while dodging? I wonder what happens if he gets hit while using that laser.

Keep moving. Pepper some shots in while it's firing the beam to see if there's any effect.

Silence 2024/11/27(Wed)07:24 No. 1100454 ID: ed041d
File 173272107567.png - (41.06KB , 411x427 , Mech243.png )

You dodge to the side, your bullets peppering the Red Mask. It does something, but not much.

You need to strategize. You have a SMG, A Missile, and you have Wolf with Dancer, who has twin beam blades.

Aim your missile directly at his face while Wolf stabs him from behind. Even if you miss, the missile will keep him distracted.

Looks like red has good armor, so the best bet is to try to hit the joints. Keep it distracted so Wolf can set up a precision strike.

Don't forget about Red one, they might still punch you if you get too close.

I'd expect the beam blades to do a lot more damage. So you just have to provoke a beam attack so that Wolf can dash in and attack.

Silence 2024/11/29(Fri)06:43 No. 1100535 ID: ed041d
File 173289143447.png - (15.22KB , 188x144 , Mech244.png )

>>1100458
>>1100459
You fire a missile right into the face of Red Mask 2, it recoils, leaving room for a sudden swipe from Wolf and his Dancer mech.

The left arm is cleaved right off, suddenly you're aware of how much easier it is now that you have a friend helping out.

What's your next move?

>>1100535
Check how it and the other one reacts. Then go for the other arm and take it down.

Yeah let's not forget there's another foe, despite them being disabled. Adjust if needed, but in general it seems Wolf is much better against the energy specialist mech than you are. Missiles or outright physical contact would be good distractions though to help Wolf land hits.

Silence 2024/12/02(Mon)10:13 No. 1100636 ID: ed041d
File 173316320087.png - (14.61KB , 201x189 , Mech245.png )

>>1100537
You look at the Mech, it seems to have paused...

What could it be doing?

Silence 2024/12/02(Mon)10:13 No. 1100637 ID: ed041d
File 173316323598.png - (18.56KB , 201x189 , Mech246.png )

Energy crackles along it, its eye glowing, it's going to do something!

What move will you make?

>>1100637
It's either going to shoot an eye laser or self destruct!

TAKE COVER!

You and wolf circle him at an increasing distance, a spiraling retreat. It can't shoot both of you, but it might try a pulse of some kind

That looks like a self-destruct. Run.

Silence 2024/12/04(Wed)09:52 No. 1100758 ID: ed041d
File 173333473403.png - (37.71KB , 358x387 , Mech247.png )

You quickly dodge out of the way, it's not from the optic of the mech, but a large energy blast is fired, it's unstable though, it spreads outwards.

Red Mask's mech seems to slow for a moment, energy still roiling off of it. Something is wrong with it.

Okay, looks like that drone's going critical. Full retreat, get to cover.

>>1100758
yeah the drone seems to be overloading itself in an attempt to blast you away, or just blow itself up. Or both! getting nera it is NOT an option for Wolf if it does explode, so best keep taking cover and trying to disable it or shoot the arm off.

At least we'll get ONE arm, and its the one we know has a shield built into it.

fire at it, don't give it time to cool down.

Silence 2024/12/06(Fri)07:38 No. 1100823 ID: ed041d
File 173349951828.png - (14.30KB , 175x167 , Mech248.png )

You open fire, attempting to distract the Red Mask, only for a sudden blade to stick out from behind it.

Seems Wolf got to Red Mask first.

>>1100823
"Cut off the other arm and grab it before it decides to blow up"

Given that they blew up the remains of the first mech in that earlier battle, they're probably going to do their best to keep this one out of your hands. Where did that first severed arm get to? Should grab it while you can.

LOOT DAT BODY
GOTTA LOOT DAT DEAD KIDS BODY

Silence 2024/12/09(Mon)07:47 No. 1101022 ID: ed041d
File 173375923951.png - (36.54KB , 462x275 , Mech249.png )

You grab the other severed arm while you can, alerting Wolf to back off quickly as you go rocketing out, an explosion behind you as the Mech detonates.

Whatever that Red Mask was, it isn't anymore.

That still leaves the other Red Mask, as well as the Diplomats. Which should you check up on?

>>1101022
have wolf check the other Red Mask, and you'll check the diplomat

Red one is stuck in the canyon without a leg. Ditch that loser and get back to guarding.

Silence 2024/12/16(Mon)07:43 No. 1101310 ID: ed041d
File 173436382364.png - (17.08KB , 260x126 , Mech250.png )

>>1101024
>>1101025
You let Lupin head off to handle the other Red Mask, you return to the Diplomats yourself.

In fact you see them both approaching their respective armored vehicles, it seems a resolution was gained in this time.

Do you want to ask how it went or do you want to wait until you return to base?

Do one more patrol around just to be sure, and ask how it went on the way back.

>>1101310
remain on duty, ask about it on the way back. cant be distracted incase a third mask decides to say hi

Silence 2024/12/18(Wed)07:35 No. 1101374 ID: ed041d
File 173453610090.png - (43.82KB , 362x386 , Mech251.png )

You run one last sweep, you detect nothing, it seems the area is clear, the other Red Mask having been handled. Perhaps it escaped.

The Diplomat lets you know it's time to leave, you begin the journey back to base. It's not a total loss, you have some more alien technology stolen from the Monarchy.

Quite the success. Will you inform your handler, or just take the ride back home?

Inform your handler the mission was a success, but give no details until you're back home.

I'd say you did well; that alien technology is probably worth more than your entire mech.

But don't report until the mission is finally over. There could be a second ambush.

Informing your handler sounds like a good idea.

>>1101376
Good point, given how compromised communication has been, better not to let the enemy know you've got their arm.

Can you stick the arm on your own stump and try to pass it off as yours?

Don't tell until we get back

Silence 2024/12/20(Fri)07:18 No. 1101408 ID: ed041d
File 173470790872.png - (10.35KB , 170x196 , Mech252.png )

You shoot off a small message to Hannibal to let him know you're done.

Good to hear 637, bring it home, I can see your mech took a lot of damage.

Silence 2024/12/20(Fri)07:21 No. 1101409 ID: ed041d
File 173470810171.png - (59.54KB , 477x345 , Mech38.png )

You return to base, where shall you head to first? You still have the Mech Arm after all.

>>1101409
tell the handler about arm and where you should put it

>>1101411
Do this

Head to the bar while your mech gets repaired

Need to stash the arm in the garage, hide it in plain sight with a little disguising.

>>1101423

Leaning a sign against it that says "NOT the arm of Red Mask" should suffice.

Silence 2025/01/01(Wed)07:13 No. 1101809 ID: ed041d
File 173574440326.png - (35.44KB , 314x236 , Mech253.png )

>>1101411
>>1101414
You get into contact with your handler, Hannibal. It's easy enough, your neural implant has a direct line to him after all.

Good to hear from you again 637, glad to see you got through that last mission, it was a long one for certain.

You agree, and lament the jamming.

I'm up here on the Atlas, in geosync over your location keeping watch as best as I can. Jamming curtains can play hell on our tracking, rest assured I'm giving our friends in the ITA a rough time, the Agamemnon owes us more than a few trade tokens for our work.

You bring up the Red Masks, and the arm you severed.

You have Alien Technology 637? Have you told anyone else yet? If not, good, keep quiet, that's a bargaining chip that can be used.

You tell him that Lupin from the Junk Division knows.

That'll be a problem... we're not exactly on negotiating terms with Wilson Scrap just yet, my higher ups are still working out what terms we want, as well as what the ITA might do if corps start making deals. See if you can convince him to keep quiet, with a functioning shield projector like that we could easily bargain for nearly anything. I have an idea as to what you'd ask for, but tell me 637, what would you want yourself?

What sorts of sugar plums are dancing in 637-Fox's head? Is her boss thinking upgrades? Orbital assists? She should have an idea what he means. Because he's probably not referring to her ultimate goal of "getting your own life again." More likely something to help her do her job better for Kowalski-Wayne.

Then again that tax man did say Hannibal had some big goals...

what else is there to ask for but getting some of that shiny tech for ourselves? Could really upgrade the riot shield, or do something with the beam.

Silence 2025/01/03(Fri)07:12 No. 1101889 ID: ed041d
File 173591716132.png - (15.85KB , 184x148 , Mech254.png )

>>1101814
>>1101818
You bring up upgrading your Mech with the shield technology.

We could easily get that done, for now, keep that piece of tech under wraps. We aren't quite to getting you your life back, but it'll make good progress.

That's... good to know?

Listen Fox, I know this isn't something either of us want. For now, just keep a close eye on future opportunities, we may be able to even out your fights even further. Speaking of Alien Tech, the ITA reports came in, they finally cracked that Mech you and the Junk Division Stole.

Ah, that's good.
This can help negotiating who gets which pick of alien tech, between this and the shield.

So what did they find? was it worth the effort?

Silence 2025/01/06(Mon)13:06 No. 1102045 ID: ed041d
File 173619760992.png - (17.88KB , 118x227 , Mech255.png )

Completely hollow, beyond some minor internal structure, a cockpit with no standard controls only neurocables, and what they think is an alien power generator to run the damned thing. We have no idea how it works beyond some theories, we've yet to test it, as nobody has been brave enough to risk plugging themselves into it. Too many liabilities.

Figures.

However 637, there may be an opportunity here, a big one. Even if it breaks this can prove a big investment, I've pushed your name forward as a volunteer. The paperwork is processing and will be ready tomorrow. It'll be up to you, it'll be on the work board for certain.

Oh.

The payout would be massive, the ITA even is willing to pay with their latest mass production unit, something still off the market for now. This is a big chance for Kowalski Wayne. I'll leave it up to you, enjoy the rest of the day off, get some rest, and let me know tomorrow. Good luck.

The call cuts, you're left alone with your own thoughts, a mech so alien nobody knows how it moves and with no standard controls only neurocables. You're no stranger to those, most of your augmentation work was built around that. But even then, pure Neuro control schemes are... risky... even more so with an alien machine.

You have some time to think about this.

Silence 2025/01/06(Mon)13:07 No. 1102046 ID: ed041d
File 173619765852.png - (59.54KB , 477x345 , Mech38.png )

You're on the Campus once more, left alone with your thoughts... you can get a drink, maybe go crawl into bed, you have the rest of the day to yourself. What do you do?

That was tough, time to unwind at the bar.

>>1102046
We need a god damn drink after all that.

Silence 2025/01/08(Wed)05:42 No. 1102094 ID: ed041d
File 173634375714.png - (21.81KB , 270x164 , Mech256.png )

You enter the bar, and find the Bartender and Lupin already there. This might be easy, you should probably thank him for the save, but at the same time you've also been asked to get his silence on the alien mech arm.

How do you want to approach this?

>>1102094
First buy him a drink and chat with him in the quietest place in the bar

Yes, it always starts with a free drink.
Thank him for the rescue, speculate a bit about Red Mask and whether coming back for you was in their initial mission parameters, then branch onto your handler asking for a delay in disclosure because your two corpos have a hard time deciding what exactly they want with each other.

I suspect if we can't get his silence, diplomatic intel would be an acceptable alternate prize for your handler.

Silence 2025/01/10(Fri)07:14 No. 1102151 ID: ed041d
File 173652204304.png - (34.38KB , 289x201 , Mech257.png )

You order another drink of whatever Lupin is having, he doesn't respond other than a brief grunt. Seems he's like you in some ways, heavily altered for certain.

How do you want to broach the conversation, what do you say to him?

Praise his sweet moves today. And also his discretion (wink) (oh wait you can't wink, uh, tap the side of your nose.)

>>1102151
Thank him for the "hand"

Silence 2025/01/13(Mon)08:08 No. 1102281 ID: ed041d
File 173678453809.png - (25.87KB , 263x211 , Mech258.png )

You ask the Bartender for some privacy, and thank Lupin for his help, especially with the recovered arm. You ask if he's told anyone yet.

No

That's good to hear. You bring up that your handler has marked it as a very useful negotiating tool.

Won't get you your life back.

Which is a problem, but still, you need him to maybe not tell everyone.

Why?

That's a good question, what can you possibly offer him to keep quiet?

>>1102281
perhaps give him some bonus in the future

Because your handler said they were gonna fix it up, and he'd let you test it out! :squee:

Because trade secrets are profitable and we don't want alien technology to proliferate among this already vast war.

Because we're friends?

Or for a favor and a good working relationship.

Hmmm..... well, if he wants compensation maybe we can work something out.

Well it's a start and working as a team will get us both out of this hellhole sooner than if we work alone.

Perhaps you can ask what interests him in a favor economy...

Silence 2025/01/15(Wed)06:52 No. 1102396 ID: ed041d
File 173695274254.png - (24.84KB , 227x206 , Mech259.png )

You point out that trade secrets are profitable, and if you two keep quiet there's a lot that can be gained from the recovered arm.

Not enough, require favor.

A favor, what does he want?

Contact, talk to your handler. Hannibal.

Oh... he wants to talk to Hannibal. Well it's up to you, do you want to try and put him in contact, do you wanna ask why? Or is there anything else you can offer.

Set the wolf up, your handler can handle it.

>>1102396
If Hannibal can handle us, he can handle Lupin well enough.

Of course he can talk to your handler. Why didn't you think of that? Hannibal is the one who knows stuff and it was his idea to keep it secret!

But uh... that's what Lupin wants? Really? He didn't strike you as much of a talker.

Sure thing bud.

Well you can let Hannibal know, but you can't really promise he'll respond

Silence 2025/01/17(Fri)06:09 No. 1102516 ID: ed041d
File 173712299262.png - (15.86KB , 179x195 , Mech260.png )

You think you can handle that, you assure him that Hannibal might not respond.

Contact him.

Okay then. You connect to your Handler.

637, what is it?

You're here with the Junk Division Pilot who helped. He says he wants to talk to you in exchange for his silence on the recovered arm.

Ah, negotiations. I can handle that.

Really? This isn't out of the way?

637, my job does involve negotiations, it's how you get those jobs on the board after all. I can handle this.

You pass Hannibal's contact info on to Lupin, in an instant he turns away from you and you can hear him mumbling as he begins his call with Hannibal.

Do you want to wait this out, get a drink, or anything else?

Just wait it out i suppose. maybe get some fries.

Get a drink, give them some privacy

I hope he's not asking Hannibal for dating tips.