>>143127
((-2 penalty applied for rapid fire attempt. Bonus lowered to +2.))
((-2 penalty for aiming for an armored area. Bonus lowered to 0.))

My first shot misses, but I quickly correct and score a shot on the edge of the arm. The armor there peels back from the impact.

I reload.

>>143130
Let's try a little melee combat. Rush up and grab the upper arm with one hand, and take the lower arm and bend it backwards against the joint.

rolled 16, 8 = 24

---

>>143130
Try and keep with this double tap idea, it's a simple way of irking a bit more firepower out of a single fire weapon, without losing much of the accuracy.

>>143134
((Please remember to roll on your actions!))

>>143136
((-3 total penalty applied.))
Again, I manage another shot that barely hits, but the next one goes wide. The armor plate on the arm flies off completely, revealing the synthetic musculature of tubing and thick wiring beneath.

rolled 4 = 4

---

>>143141
Grab that tubing and wiring, then yank it out.

>>143143
I grab it, leaning forward, but my atempts to tear it free yeild no result.

Maybe that's why I should use both arms next time.

rolled 2 = 2

---

>>143145
Brace yourself with your other arm for more leverage.

rolled 8 = 8

---

Brace yourself with your LEGS for greater leverage AND BALANCE.

we are going to bomb this match if these dice don't stop acting like this!
but also, having something that important be dependant on luck.

*doesn't seem like a good idea.

>>143146
>>143147
((Hand-to-hand skill is now at +2.))
I try a little harder, but it's not working out.My hand's too big for the opening I made.

rolled 13 = 13

---

>>143151
HEY

YOU KNOW WHAT RYOMA SAID

YOU FIND A HOLE, YOU FILL IT

YOU MADE THIS HOLE, NOW MAN UP AND FILL IT

IT'S WHAT RYOMA WOULD DO

rolled 17 = 17

---

>>143151
Take a precision shot at a structural weakness surrounding the opening.

>>143158
I support this since Shiitake has been waiting for a good roll for a while.


Maybe next time Ryoma

>>143158
((Direct hit!)

I fire again, the bullet slamming through the connective tubing and wiring, leaving the arm hanging by relay wiring.

rolled 2 = 2

---

>>143162
So rip it off. Use proper bracing, with legs and arms.

that right there is what i mean! we could be rolling really well and then on the last shot we get a 1 and lose! leaving things like this to chance makes it feel like no matter what we do it's hopeless! graAAAAAAAA!!!

>>143164
I sigh and simply pull it off, placing it on the ground.

((No roll needed.))
{Alright! So you can see now that it's not as simple as taking a shot like on television. A lot of fights get heavily edited.}

((Shooting skill is now at +2, or +5 with lockon.))

>>143166
Say, any danger to the gun if you fire it point blank? Or is it too cumbersome for that to work?

Further, what kind of modifiers could range have on shooting?

We need to work on our Melee skills. Punching and Ripping will be to our advantage in the future.

>>143169
"Say, uh, is there any danger to firing the gun point-blank?"
{Guns are really fragile, Tony. At the very best you'd be able to blast a hole in them, but that would be really rare. It's more likely that they'll disarm you.}

>>143176
That's true... But for now let's cover the basics.

{Okay, on your main controls is a small green button. This switches your targeting system between weapons. Switch to your missiles.}

"Alright."

{Now, these missiles are dumbfire with automatic lead projection. You'll note when you lock on, you'll see numbers appear one by one over the lock. I want you to destroy another limb for me.}

((Missiles treat all hits as Direct blows. Homing missiles treat shooting as if it were Routine. Dumbfire autolead have the same score as your shooting ability.))
((Choose a number of missles, a target, and shoot with a +5.))

rolled 2, 14 = 16

---

>>143239
2 missiles, leg.

>>143247
The first missile blows open the knee joint, and the second one blows the leg apart completeley.

{Unfortunately, in order to rack up locks like that, you need to stand still while aiming and firing. Last part, Tony.}

The dummy lifts.

{The speed feet are activated with the normal movement system. Just double the normal movements.}

((In order to activate special extensions like the Speed Feet, you must make an initial check to get them running. Higher success allows them to be used for longer periods of time. You may treat this as a Routine action, but you will have access to the bonuses granted for a shorter period of time. The bonus to Activation is +4.))

rolled 8 = 8

---

>>143258

try and build a more pronounced lean forward when using speed feet to dash forward, for this first test. It should make the transition to a higher speed and output from legs easier due to orientation.

>>143322
Right.

I lean forward, then turn them on. I hear a loud sound of fire, then Burn's feet seem to move faster than possible. I dash forward, each footstep a quake that shakes the piles of dead parts.
It's short-lived, however, ending only about half a minute later.

{Sorry. With the weight they are working with, they can't hold up long. Come on back.}

>>143324
30 seconds is a LONG time in a fight, if you act decisively. This could be critical.

Give them a test for abrupt direction changes, and for dodging to either side. See how much it can improve performance in those categories.

This amplification should be reasonably flexible, if I'm interpreting how it works correctly. This could be very, VERY useful.

>>143325
I try again, this time with strafing and dodging.

I can make small hops, maybe five seet into the air, and dive. It's really nice how veratile they are.

{Alright. Since this is your first match, we'll be heading in an hour early. It's seven now, I think you should eat. Kneel him down, I have breakfast ready for you.}

>>143329
Kneel is routine to us now, go with your experience and just do it.

Get out with a smile, and ask her what she thinks of your chances as a rookie.

>>143337
I get out and take the meal, happy for warm food.
"Your chances are a little better than most." she says. "You'll be a risky bet, but the only two people in the bracket I can think of that can best you are Hannah and Antoine. And the former relies on a lot of tricks, you should be able to beat her with pure muscle and firepower."

perfect! mention Hannah tried to steal your stuff on the way over but you managed to get it back. if you have to fight her today it would explain why she did it, steal your card and you have to forfeit.

>>143345
Make immediate connection girl who jacked wallet was Hannah, both on instinct from mention of tricks and her mannerisms, and from our info.

>>143348
"I think she tried to steal my wallet on the way here."
"Hmmm?"
"Had to chase her down to get it back."
Ashley raises an eyebrow.
"It's said that outside the arena, anything goes. GILB only really pops its head in during a few instances, everything else is up to local police. You did report it, right?"
"Eheheheh..."
"Ugh, you're so gormless..." she shakes her head. "Well, at least you have the badge still."

>>143352
A good thing.

so, what are you supposed to do with this extra hour, here?

>>143363
I, uh...
I don't want to train, because... uh.
Well, I mihgt die in there. I don't want any, uh... Regrets.

>>143366
Okay, valid concern.

But if that concern really is valid, do you have time for hesitation, for uncertainty?

As you just stated, you could die out there. What could be worse than that?

>>143366
Alright. How about a little more sharpshooting practice, then heavy lifting and melee techniques.

>>143370
L-look, it's only now dawned on me that Im heading into a possibly lethal game at the age of 18 and a virgin and without having told my mother what's going on!

rolled 11, 13, 7, 9, 15, 12 = 67

---

>>143373
Okay see? The virgin thing? Highly relevant for us, part of a pilot's performance is psychological condition, being hung up about that now is a bit late to tell us.

But think about this.

NONE OF THAT IS AN ISSUE, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO, IS WIN

Just beat one person, and noe of these fears will be an issue right now. One single individual. That isn't impossible, not by a long shot.

So, if you don't WANT to have to worry about dying, get in some more rapid-aiming practice with your rifle. You want this match over as fast as possible, so quick strings of double taps, letting your nerves drain away, could work. Just shoot, reload when you need to, and watch the maintenance of your equipment.

>>143380
agreed. practice. win your match. tell your mom you are a cog, and you have a girlfriend, but you will still come home for Christmas and stuff. celebrate with ashley, maybe just making out for a while or actually doing it, her call. we'll think of the rest later.

>>143380
Right. This match is all that matters now. I just have to do it!

Trait earned: Relentless
When making multiple attacks, you suffer no penalty, to attack rolls.
Normal: There is a -2 cumulative penalty for each attack beyond the first.

Trait earned: Smash and Bash
When making melee attacks, you count the Lock On bonus.
Normal:Lock-on does not affect melee.

I have an hour free.
Should I Spend time with Ashley, or Leave early?

Normally I'd say leave early, but given the nature of this sport and the fact that you may be up against a cockpit-shooting douchebag, you may want to spend time with Ashley instead.

>>143390
I still stand by >>143380, get in some last practice with the rifle.

But if that isn't an option, then spend time with Ashley, but only if this time couldn't be spent relentlessly preparing with every last second you have to insure your victory.

divide it. a half hour with ash. going a little over will be fine. then go to the match, you will be early but no so early that it makes you look bad.

>>143392
I only have so much ammo and money to buy it with.
I might dig into maintenance if I keep training like I have.

>>143390
OH

OH MAN

IDEA

The arms and legs have thicker armor than the chest because we got the medium cockpit, right?

Well, to hold the rifle, one arm has to brace it. That already provides partial cover to our cockpit, real handy to offset lessened armor.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, and sort of extension on our preferred bracing arm about the forearm can act as an active shield while we are sighting our gun on something

That is a critical advantage right there. Hell, if at some point we can get a way to get sensory dat from said shield, we wouldn't even need to expose our head.

>>143396
You mean like... ooooh! I get it. I know there are metal sheilds available at Proven. I'll just get one of those!

I'll be staying with Ashley a little longer. I sit beside her, and she leans against me, looking up at me.
"You know... me and my dad have sent off a lot of rookies to their first match." she says softly. "A... A lot of them don't come back." she says, gesturing at the ruined cockpits in the parts yard. "Tony... you... you will come back, right?"

say "well, since you asked, i guess i have to."
then when she gets all flustered say "seriously though, i will. even if it means losing my fisrt match i will come back."

>>143403
I don't know if we should go that route, since Sire could be up shit creek with a loss here, even by forfeit, if I understand this right.

Rather, stick with telling her you'll be back, since you know you have to win anyway.

>>143432
That's right. A loss here means starting all over again.
"I'll be back, Ashley. You can count on it. I'll win and we'll upgrade Burn together."
She smiles and hugs me tightly, content with that answer. I gently pet her long hair.

After a few moments, Ashley looks up at me.
"It's time for you to go." she says softly, kissing my lips. "I'll be watching." she says, then rises. "They'll pick up Burn seperately and take him to the match. Get going."

"Right."

"Tony, in case you don't make it back..." she says, as I reach the door. I turn halfway to hear her. "I... I've liked you since middle school. I thought you'd... you'd like to hear that."
I nod, and run. The stadium looms in the distance.

<<Thread End>>