Domestic Security Coordination Council Quest... Cancelled
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Welcome User, please enter in your username and password.
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>Username: ***************
>Password: **************
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Welcome Operator, to Task Force Vanguard

While the world and our beloved nation is in crisis, we are the ones who handle the greatest threat to our fellow citizens and perhaps the world.

The Containment Box is fully online in a secure facility with two companies of Marines, a platoon of SF qualified personnel, and a nearby National Guard base on standby. Nothing gets into the underground facility and nothing gets out. The landing spots around the C Box are filled with trained killers, ready to pacify or slaughter anything that lands from other timelines or dimensions.

As long as the Box is running, humming along, our goverment is sale from an assassination team popping into existence in the Capitol. As long we do our jobs, spies and saboteurs can't sneak into our world.

Now then? You are using a placeholder sign-in code that is being shared with multiple people. There isn't any proper documentation yet about if you're going to be a small team or some squad leaders or what. Did you even figure out your call signs yet?

>Time to pick

1. Make your decisions as a collective. You might be a small team that coordinates missions together.

2. Make your choices alone. This step is harder and more difficult. Instead of the risk of not agreeing to things, you run the risk of losing interest in doing things by yourself, even if you network with others.

>Optional Choice

1. Handholding. This limits you to less options and makes it slower for you to progress as a physical/mental entity. It also means that you get promoted slower.

2. No handholding. You have to enter in a general sense of what branch you come from, and in the future you have to think about your choices.

>>6252947 (OP)
>Make your decisions as a collective. You might be a small team that coordinates missions together.
>Handholding. This limits you to less options and makes it slower for you to progress as a physical/mental entity. It also means that you get promoted slower.

>>6252947 (OP)
1. Make your decisions as a collective. You might be a small team that coordinates missions together.
2. No handholding. You have to enter in a general sense of what branch you come from, and in the future you have to think about your choices.
Live together, die together

>>6252947 (OP)
>1. Make your decisions as a collective. You might be a small team that coordinates missions together.
While I don't mind solo work if needed. I think it's best to work together.

>1. Handholding.
If I can get a feel for how this place is running. I think that would be for the best. Once I know what you like commander I will see about reducing the oversight.

Collective, Locked in
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The paperwork says that you are all, and those to come, are all from different departments. Something is wrong with the encryption machines, and we're on a status of Deep Lockdown at the moment.

Can you confirm which Branches you are from, and which subsection you were in?

>1. Department of Defense
1.1, United States Army
1.2, Marine Corps
1.3, Air Force
1.4, National Guard

>2. Department of Justice
2.1, FBI
2.2, Federal Marshals

>3. Department of Homeland Security
3.1, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
3.2, NBC Disaster Prevention

>4. Contracted Civilian Personnel
4.1.2, Engineering/Technical/Mechanical Contractors
4.1.3, Logistics/Support Contractors

4.2, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)
4.2.1, Scientific Researchers (e.g., Biologists, Physicists, Chemists)
4.2.2, Data Analysts/Statisticians
4.2.3, Linguistic Specialists

4.3, Essential Support Staff
4.3.1, Medical/Paramedical Staff

>>6252947 (OP)
>1. Make your decisions as a collective. You might be a small team that coordinates missions together.
>2. No handholding. You have to enter in a general sense of what branch you come from, and in the future you have to think about your choices.
I always skip the tutorial.

>>6252989
No navy? Oh well.
>1.3, Air Force

>>6252989
>4.2.1, Scientific Researchers (Biologist)
Does the collective choice mean this is multiplayer, or...?

>>6253005
This will be a team. Choices about things like picking locations to go to and such will be voted upon.

>>6252989
Marines baby, oorah

>>6252989
>4.1.2, Engineering/Technical/Mechanical Contractors
If others got the air, land, research handle. I may as well bring the wrench for practical problems.

The people who are currently there are checked to see they match a list and are who they should be, by a strange balaclava man in a mysterious coyote brown camo pattern. In a second room that is sealed off, there are some "refugees" that got dumped at close to the C Box from other timelines. They are waiting to be processed.

A document packet is laid on a table, close to where some of the laptops are. There are forms nearby and pens.

"Okay, ladies and gentlemen," The man stands with his hands behind his back, watching them. "We're under extreme lockdown and for your own safety, we're going to have to send you early to one of the sites."

His eyes look at each of them. "We will bring in your duffle bags and mandatory kit, along with whatever supplies your bought, all of that will happen soon."

>>6253033
He shows how many fingers for each number. "Military and Law Enforcement get 4 Picks, civies get 6. Go through the catalog and pick what you can out. Some fucker scrambled the cat so it's backward, but you're all supposed to be professionals."

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LsOTQ4cDLI5UllGZVLtBwO6sxWUQEw-0/view?usp=sharing

>>6253089
A promising start to the expedition... very well then.
>1 Science Kit (Biology)
>1 Digital Camera
>1 Microscope
>1 First Aid Kit
>1 Large Tent
Will we be supplied with standard gear besides these picks, like, say, a GDO, or shall we just click our heels together and recite 'There's No Place Like Home' a few times?

>>6253097
>Will we be supplied with standard gear besides these picks, like, say, a GDO, or shall we just click our heels together and recite 'There's No Place Like Home' a few times?

The Operator sighs out. "Just wait..."

About ten minutes later he comes back with a dolly with several duffle bags full of stuff that is their sizes. Each of them has a sleeve that is clear, with a sheet of paper listing what is inside and their names.

"Two uniforms, one of them is Three Color Desert and the other is an experimental uniform using a green tigerstripe."

>>6253033
computer PDA 1, back pack 1, batteries 1 for 10, information database 1, kit for mechanics 1 and electrical 1,

I look forward to having the budget to get a few more tools. You never know when a shovel could come in handy.

>>6253089
Well, here goes.

>ARM
>Satellite Communications Terminal
>Line-tap
>Computer Software: Navigation Software

>>6253108
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qt1NCiM-V8uuJwV-PoyWolq7olfXkZ1PUuIeYqDOt4g/edit?usp=sharing

>>6253117
"If you fill out the paperwork, you can borrow things from the lockers. You can all take one bungle each."

The Operator looks at them and all the equipment. "You're going to go in loaded down with multiple bags, and it's going to be a good bit of weight. You might need to stuff an ALICE carry pack large full of things, or multiple dufflebags."

The figure checks his watch and then a Blackberry phone. "You'll be sent with a chest full of a month's sustainment, first week MREs and First Strike, but the rest is canned goods and the like".

>>6253132
Sorry, I don't quite understand. We pick a bundle from this list?

>>6253117
>>6253132
Yyyyea gonna drop the RP for a second here and ask for a bit more direction. Some of these bundles are clearly more or less intricate than others. I know you're writing in character, but can we get a bit more direction on what we're supposed to be choosing/doing? Should we still pick 6 Picks of personal items and then a bundle? What are the duffel bags in your post going to be filled with? Do we even know where we're going? That might impact what people choose to bring.

>>6253249
Yeah with more info would be good.

I would guess the STANDARD EXPEDITION TEAM BUNDLE is the basic gear we start with. If we bring the DISASTER RELIEF BUNDLE we could have a dance party.

From looking at the lockers, I want to mess with the Weird box from mind control tower or the Turret. With 30 cameras that can send signals I bet we can make a good alarm system for outpost in long missions or early warning for explorations into ruins.

>>6253132
Is this in addition to the standard bundles, sir? Also do we know what missions we will be under taking? If we are going for a long time I may want to change some gear out.

>>6253376
I'm all in favor of a dance party or two--just keep your hands to yourselves, you dogs, you

Saki
>2. Department of Justice
2.1, FBI

Once I understand where the fuck are se going (if I'm not late to the party), I might know what to choose.
I just want to use my character, God damnit.

>>6253249
There is a pause of silence as the figure watches all of you. They hold up a finger an do some talking into a throat mic wired to their radio and the response comes back on their headset.

"You are used standard mandatory expedition bundle in your size, inside a duffle bag with your name on it, for any deployment at all," they say. "Then, you fill out your paperwork and use your picks. Finally, a bundle is optional. Weapons bundles are simpler and often just replace your primary service rifle or Sub Machine Gun."

They glance down at a chart and check it. "You are going to be sent to a wooded, mountainous area that is 50 miles in any given direction or so, is surrounded by prairie."

"It will be early autumn, bandit count is reduced but possibly still present."

"Someone of you brought equipment from, who knows where. We have one or two people locked in the debriefing room insisting they work here but their money is out of date and they talk funny."

"The weapons from the lockers were salvaged by previous teams and require paperwork."

>>6253412
The alarms begin to sound and the facility fills with red lighting.

"Incoming landing party," the speakers squack. "Unauthorized! Code yellow! Code yellow!"

Marines and Operators in the hallways, rooms start moving around, getting into positions.

"Gas masks! Gas masks!" The Operator with the new team says, tossing them their gas mask bags that go on their legs. He fits his own on and pulls out a full kitted out M3 grease gun, with lasers, suppressor, and red dot.

There is a cracking sound and a circle is slowly burned, like it's being draw, into the concrete floor of one of the hallways.

A strange woman looking thing appears likely nauseous and confused.

"Down on the ground!" A marine yells. "Hands behind your head! Comply!"

There is yelling in Spanish, French, and Russian.

>>6253423
SAKI: SSSGÉEEEE (demonic screeching) I'M A FAIRY, DON'T YOU BELIEVE IN FAIRIES

>>6253423

>"Down on the ground!" A marine yells. "Hands behind your head! Comply!"
Ok, but don't shoot!(stopped yelling like a retard) I need my life to live (Saki does as she's told and complies)

>>6253419
>they talk funny
(Mumbles) I wonder if that is were Rat is located at. I hope they still have their stogies, that bastard liked to smoke.

>wooded, mountainous area
Oh well in the case I'll go back to my car and grab some rope and the shovel. Since y'all have that nice REPAIR BUNDLE to work with. (Mumbles) [The team bundle could do with some Water Purification Tablets. I doubt we are gonna end up stuck in the woods, right? ... yeah I might want need those seeds as well.]

>paperwork
Can I sign out some of the cameras? Assuming they work with the PDAs. If not I may have to drop the rope for a laptop. If we are expecting company I think that Turret would be nice a well.

REPAIR BUNDLE, Picks Update - computer PDA 1, back pack 1, batteries 1 for 10, information database 1, Shovel, folding 1, rope, coil 50ft 1 per 3

>>6253428
That gave me a good chuckle. I am glad to see you got the chance to play your character. I hope bundles make shopping a bit better for ya.

>>6253458
>I doubt we are gonna end up stuck in the woods
Spoken like everyone else who ended up stranded in the woods... I'll take care of water purification--science only knows what vile creepy-crawlies will be sharing our drinking water on this expedition. 'Forewarned is forearmed', as they say...
>>6253419
Glad to hear we have a vague idea of where we're headed. Enclosed is my amended requisition form. Oh, and do check the microscope before foisting it onto me... the last one I was issued had a cracked lens.
>PATROL BUNDLE
>1 Science Kit (Biology)
>1 Digital Camera
>1 Microscope
>1 Chemical Analyzer
>1 Geiger Counter
>1 Water Purifier
I'll need a quiet, level place to conduct my research, of course, but I'll leave that to the jarheads. A few menial tasks could provide you all with some much-needed mental enrichment... who knows? I might even make you a cup of coffee if you perform adequately enough...

>>6253423
>Weapon Bundle
-Kalashnikov Bundle
>Cellphone
>Swiss Knife
>Batteries x 10
>Weapon Sight Night/Day
>>6253458
I'm pretty hyped for this desu

>>6253115
>>ARM
>>Satellite Communications Terminal
>>Line-tap
>>Computer Software: Navigation Software
>Standard Expedition Bundle

My amended bundle.

>>6253467
Thanks Doc.

>>6253432
She is carefully led at gunpoint by two Marines and stuffed in the room with the others.

"The Refugee is your problem!"

>>6253530
The researcher takes a long, pensive sip of coffee and gives the 'refugee' a once-over.
Hmmm...Request denied. Hand it over to the grunts if you really must--and keep it away from my instruments or it'll be sent back to base in installments.

>>6253115
Captain Grand is handed unloaded Colt SMG, and enough magazines to stuff their ETLBV (enhanced tactical load bearing vest) [IIFS]. Along with that is enough 50 round 9mm "SMG only, Uzi Brand Performance rounds" to load them all twice.

Along side that they are given a backpack radio. "You have outed yourself as the Technician, congrats."

>>6253412
Someone who is oddly slow and a bit more colorless than the others come in. He measures this strange being and then comes back with a standard issue bag containing uniforms that fit her and boots too.

Seeing that she's grabbed a Kalashnikov, he helps her find ammunition and magazines for it.

"Are you taking the Raid Bundle?"

>>6253022
"Technician." Jack Price is given the same items as the other Technician, save the heavy radio
>>6253005
This person is also given a Colt SMG, ammo, magazines. "You're written down as an Expert until this gets sorted out."

>>6253530
[smirked smile] Howdy, I guess this means Fair Folk are real [(mutters) I knew that was a jackalope.]

>>6253547
That answers my next question about getting ya fitting gear if ya are joining us.

>>6253550
Nice.

TLBV (enhanced tactical load bearing vest) [IIFS]

Either the Operator or the tall, slow guy who looks ill steps in and starts placing stuff in the room that is labeled.

It's a set of ALICE web gear for each of them, complete with two magazine pouches, and an ALICE saw gunner "dump pouch".

A TV is wheeled in on a stand and plugged in, before a button is pressed and he VHS inside begins to play.

"Welcome Expedition Team members to Task Force Vanguard," a 1990s governmental style announcer says. "You are part of a select and proud few trusted and tasked to keep the world safe.

The film cuts to a person shorter than the average man, with a coyote brown bandana over their mouth. The eyes are behind a set of protective goggles and the hair is back and stuffed into some kind of Kevlar helmet that is currently dark blue. The figure is wearing a jumpsuit of this new strange Coyote brown camo with the grid pattern.

"Yes, if you do the presentation," an unseen man says. "She says you get to keep the jumpsuit and the bandana."

“Did you get that offer on film?” the bandana'ed woman says.

"We're already rolling," she is handed an ALICE web belt by a set of mysterious gloved hands. "Take this and address the new recruits."

“Oh, great.” She turns to the camera. “Well, welcome to TFV. In order to get the people with a less militaristic background caught up to speed, they asked me to do this demo. Keeping your kit available is important, and the best way to do that is keeping it on you.”

She demonstrates how to put on the belt and harness. The belt and suspenders are clipped on and adjusted till they fi her. She is handed some magazine pouches and she holds them up. "These go on your left side, but arranged so you can go prone." Her hands hold up some metal brackets. "All our kit is good, except these, which are shit." Someone hands her some zip ties and dummy cord, and she already has a pocket knife out.

"You gotta zip tie these onto you and anything extra heavy has to be dummy corded on. Burn the ends so the dummy cord doesn't break." The two magazine pouches are put on her left.

She then fits the ALICE SAW gunner "dump pouch" on her right and attaches it with dummy cord, which she takes time to prepare.

Then she is handed a new MOLLE pouch with a cross painted onto it. She unbuckles it open. "This has two pressure bandages, a CAT tourniquet, and two packets of Quik Clot." She rotates herself and starts attaching it. "It goes always on the right side, never anywhere else."

She then gives an explanation of how to use the medical equipment.

This is followed by an explanation on how you want it to fit - “Make sure it doesn’t pinch, you’re going to be wearing this until you feel naked without it, and pinching is a great way to cause future issues like blisters.”

She concludes the demonstration with: “And that’s ALICE. Good luck out there.”

The guy who maybe is going to collapse and die or something, and he masked Operator are arguing or discussing something in the hallway. They can be seen through the reinforced glass of a thick, bulletproof door made of steel.

Afterwards, someone who is dressed much like the Operator goes inside.

His kit has been modified to carry 15-20 lbs of medical supplies and keep him from slowing down from carrying it all.

"Hello," he says, sounding like somewhat like a Russian who has been speaking English for decades. He gestures to himself "They call me 'Doc'. I am the best damn Combat Medic you've likely ever met."

He looks around and then looks at the fairy person lady thing. "You caught the eye of a dangerous extra dimensional guerilla warfare lady, and so she's going to send two militiamen to meet up with us. I have been told that if all of you are bleeding out and about to die, I should treat you first."

His eyes blink and he looks around. "The five of us here are a proper breaching team, though I believe this is what is known as a "Nerd Squad"."

He then takes the fairy person aside and carefully tries to speak to them privately.

>>6253601
"Okay strange fairy person thing..." Doc seems rather uncomfortable and his accent gets worse when he tries to speak softly. "I don't know what you are and I don't want you to know. But the Tzarina has you confused with like a beautiful nature spirit thing, and so..." He sighs out and rolls his eyes. "She's going totally 'girl boss' and is like pulling strings to like further your career and stuff, and blah blah blah get you your own team or something...."

"Okay so whatever you do ignore her, and don't like try and be funny or cheeky or pretend flirt with her or anything... She is very bad at reading signals, and if she thinks you are into her and you break her heart, it's going set our operations back months, if not a year... And then she'll cry a lot and it will be loud, and maybe she'll get mad and blow up a whole bandit outpost...

He steps away, watching them sternly and mouthing words like "Don't encourage her."

>>6253550
The scientist sets her cup of coffee aside and inspects the firearm with a bemused smirk.
"Sufficient."
Donning her ALICE Rig as easily as a pair of slippers, the professor's seemingly-perpetual scowl returns to her pale face.
"And just what, pray tell, is this 'Nerd Squad' tasked with doing other than babysitting?"

>>6253543
Cpt. Grand loads all his gear onto his ETLBV, checks his weapons are locked and loaded, before standing to attention and awaiting further instructions. Good soldiers follow orders.

>>6253547
SAKI: Yes,the Raid Bundle is perfect
>>6253607
SAKI: Thanks, I suppose, but I don't like women (sightly awkward), not in THAT way.

SAKI is prevented from getting on the black BDUs of the assault suit and told to just trust in the Coyote brown night camo, which was stuffed inside in it's place, and in roughly her size. She is given time to get her throat mic and other stuff from the Assault Suit on.
>>6253630
>>6253627
>>6253613
>>6253556
The door with the bullet proof glass circle is unlocked and opened. The new team and it's membered are herded, mostly not like cattle, with their things, down a hallway. A large and thick metal door slides up as the sound of gears is heard and alarm sounds.

"Five minutes till jump," a voice says over the intercom. "Ten minutes till Going Dark."

The slow man walks amongst them and checks them one by one, making sure they have their uniform on, boots, helmet, ALICE web gear, pouches, ETLBV, gas-mask bag, equipment bundle, and... by their feet or slung on an arm or cross back or body the "duffle" or "sea bag" with their standard issue kit in. Their picks are bubble-wrapped or packaged for transit as needed, and stuffed into their own bags or into the duffle bag, taking up space previously taken by gear they are now wearing.

There is a large metal box covered in blinking lights, weird symbols, buttons, and various other things that make it look like an old Star Trek prop. It's about 20 by 10 feet. Around it is a series of metal chairs connected to the box with a series of cables.

The slow man, Operator, and two marines bring in chests that look like large, oversized crates made of drop proof, water proof, suitcase material. That is the supplies needed to sustain them that amount of time.

The slow man comes by and starts attaching a pouch/case with two autoinjectors and writing to them in she same spot. "In case of a nerve gas attack," he says. "Do not take it unless to shit, sex, or shower. Keep it close by, and if you lose track of it or fail to take it in the event of an attack, you will all be court marshalled."

The comedy is if they don't inject the medicines, they will be dead.

In the last three minutes, jars of two color face paint are handed out, ones with little mirrors. They are, if they don't know, how to apply them in diagonal stripes to break up the outline of the face, followed by spots being lightened around the eyes.

In the last minute they are led to their chairs and helped so they can sit down, with their stuff on them or touching them. An intercom is now counting down the seconds from 60. The supply crates are wrapped with a cable and someone starts pouring a strange faintly glowing clear liquid on them.

>>6253637
SAKI: Shit, wrong clothes, I'll be right back in a moment (ashamed)

(Does she get special Fairy powers? Since she's a fairy person)

That is kinda sketchy against the lore but... Art is very convincing...
>>6253638
She can have her "Fairy Powers" in the form of rolling 2d20+2 or 1d20+6. Her powers aren't super duper incredible or anything, but you do get flexibility on how they work.

You will have to walk a Path, sell your soul, pledge to a supernatural being (Like a God or spirit), become the apprentice of a Prophet, ect ect to become more powerful.

Awkwardly, the Tzarina is secretly two of the above.

>>6253640
(Not official because I can't play right now from this IP, but I'd like shitty and extremely situational invisibility that doesn't work on weapons or clothes and "flexibility for what she's supposed to wear" , there are more mechanics to it but we can negotiate it later.)
(You can also say "no", don't worry, but if you have a monster to draw, I'd be more willing with a little motivation)

>>6253640
(If you're OK with it, don't do anything yet, let's let it for later. This is for you to think about it as a possibility and to see if the rest of the players are ok with it)

>>6253645
You can just have her skin have the same affects as camo, +2 or +3 to Stealth against being seen.

>>6253648
(I'll make you a counter offer later, I'm sure we can get into an agreement)

I don't want to overload everyone or wear myself out, but is a bit of information I want you all to know.

If a fight breaks our, to suit this slower format, ammunition expenditure is going to be crazy high. Combat is going to be sped up.

That means that you're going to be going through 1 magazine with aimed fire, 2 magazines with standard, and 3 for spraying.

Those with Colt SMGs are carrying 9 magazines outside the 1 in the gun.

Saki has 6 plus 1, because she's carrying a weird firearm that barely fits her gear and has heavy ammunition. However, because she's a combat type and can handle the recoil, she can benefit from how it inflicts an extra harm and is pretty decent at ignoring cover.

And yes, you were all given two combat loads of ammunition and are expected to survive a month.

>>6253665
>1 Month
I was worried it was gonna end up being a year. Here is to hoping we can still do some bush craft with the kits I have. Depending on how the mission goes we will want a fire or shelter.

>crazy high
Got it, pick our fights well or hope that Saki can carry until egg heads do something.

>>6253637
[Double checks gear] I hope this will not be a hot drop.

>>6253665
One month is more than enough time to acquire local xenoflora and fauna samples and record plenty of test data, and by 'plenty' I mean 'far more than expected'. And by 'far more' I mean 'DIZZYINGLY so'. The sooner collection begins, the better. That means no lollygagging, horsing around, or engaging in, and oh how I LOATHE this word...
'Shenanigans'.
Serve me well and I might mention you when presenting my findings. If you have to ask what 'serve me well' means, you won't.
>>6253718
>I hope this will not be a hot drop
The researcher makes a mental note to keep the grunts between her and whatever a 'hot drop' entails.

>>6253648
(I was going to ask for invisibility that only works if she's holding her breath or if she's perfectly still (both don't work on weapons and clothes) but I better don't lock myself in drawing duty. Maybe the next multiplayer... or the next one.
That's it, I won't ask for anything, keep doing your thing)

Rolled 17, 17, 17, 12 = 63 (4d20)

The landing site seemed to be a temperate forest in autumn. The group is startled and shaken up by the travel, and it feels like you've all awakened from a dream onto the floor of nature. Doc is going around checking eyes, blood pressure, and the like. “Wow, good jump, no one vomited or lying on the ground waiting for vision to return.”

There is a mountain range to the West and as the elevation increases so does the level of moisture. The biologist of the group can tell in the first hour or so that you're in an area where the northwestern mountains meet the cold arid regions. You had just left Colorado and much of the state is the former, but the surrounding states are often the latter.

There are a lot of trees with cones and needles. There is far less brush on the ground than you are used to, and off about three miles away you can make out an area where some kind of fire or burn took out many trees. Animals and creatures scatter as you move, and you hear warning calls or birds flapping away.

Rolled 6, 11, 17, 7 = 41 (4d20)

>>6253810
Not bad at all, if the goal is rolling high.

>>6253744
There's nothing wrong with a little Shenanigans to keep the morale high in a long journey.

>Serve me well
How do you like your MREs? I plan to horde my hot sauce bottles, if I am lucky enough to find one.

>>6253819
>Mountains meet cold arid
Auspicious. If we're on the windward side of the mountains we should be able to benefit from the precipitation. One of you dolts can start by tracking down a water source for me to analyze--that should make things easi-
>Animals and creatures scatter
DON'T JUST STAND THERE--SEIZE THEM! What part of 'the sooner collection begins, the better' do you not understand!? GO! GOGOGOGO!
>>6253821
>MREs?
Piping hot... and slathered in maple syrup. Keeps me sharp.

Somehow it is Prof B who notices that two entities are moving in the brush and then realizes they are people. Before the danger and panic sets in, there is an exchange of language.

“Oy!” one of them yells. “Are you with the Fairy Lady? Saki was it?” Saki might've never shared her name.

The two are dressed in a strange Tigerstripe that is green dominant. They are otherwise wearing what looks like a camoed concealed police type vest over their BDU jackets. There are armbands that show a cat or tiger paw print. Their faces are covered by a rust colored bandana and face paint, along with military issue goggles. Finally they have almost identical ALICE layouts to you, along with what look like camelpak.

Oh and they appear to have Mini-14 rifles.

>>6253829
"Yes, regrettably." Growls the scientist as she jabs her thumb in the gremlin's direction. "But we can discuss whatever that is later... tell me, have you taken mineral deposit samples yet? What minerals are we working with here? Quickly now, time is science."

Rolled 2 (1d3)

>>6253832
The two of them look at each other and then at the crazy egghead lady.

"Ma'am," one of them says. "This is South Wyoming. We have a clearing some distance away, and we all need to get going."

They look over and watch the group, noticing all the equipment they brought. They look at each other.

>>6253842
"Wyoming. And South Wyoming, no less... it HAD to be South Wyoming..." Rubbing her temples, the scientist shrugs. "Very well then. I hope this assignment is on the way to making sense. I gave up a research position in Prague for this Wild Goose Chase..."

>>6253842
SAKI: Ah, of course, I understand everything now (she doesn't get it at all)

(The military suit and the equipment is too much for me. I don't even know how is she supposed to look so this will do for now.)

>>6253872
How many pixels is she compared to Doc?

>>6253842
I feel like we miss something in the briefing. [(Mumbles) They promised me there was promotions if a made it. I should have know there was a catch.]

>>6253848
Still not too late to make prag-ress here. Maybe this is just a test for the new people.

>>6253872
I hope so, because you might end up leading us. After all you got the 'big gun' here.

>>6253875
(She's 1.63cm if that's what you mean)

>>6253877
SAKI: You're the NERDS and I'm the muscle, you think, I shoot, simple as (offended at the prospect of having to think about something)

Everyone needs to make a 1d20+1 Endurance check.

Except Saki, who is +3

Rolled 2 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>6253887
SAKI: I'm just built different (japanese+fairy)

>>6253888

I just remembered Saki would have another 2 because Athletic training.

However that's still a fail.

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>6253877
"If anyone's going to run tests, it'll be ME, thank you very much. Oh, and here's another pearl of wisdom on the house: a promise is just a string of words."
>>6253887
Here goes something.

Rolled 1 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>6253887

>>6253899
[Face plant into the dirt]

>>6253895
[Looks up] (winded) yeah but words should mean something. Can you give me a hand?

>>6253900
An impatient groan escapes the researcher's lips as she begrudgingly offers Jack a gloved hand and tugs him to his feet.
"Consider these words then: rely on yourself. Your strength. Your skills. Friends and allies might abandon you, but you'll find it's difficult to abandon yourself..."

It would look something a tiny bit like this maybe.

>>6253905
[Dust self off] Thanks.

Yeah [nods] I get that, but teamwork is a powerful thing.

>>6253907
Camo was wrong size, woops.

>>6253907
(We make a good team kek. I'm still waiting for the chance to take her clothes off for invisibility at some point)

The group manages to travel 50 minutes, before Doc insists that "Army practices is to rest, drink, check socks."

Already the group has realized they are without canteens, and the travelling through bumping wooded areas, that are up and down, up and down, is rather tiring.

When the two militiamen check the protected crate and find inside four, fully filled HydraStorm Tempests... They look at the group and each other, before heavily considering the joys and wonders of homocide.

The group gets going eventually, but after 4 hours of hiking and 4 breaks, they are only half way there. Half the new Operators have swollen ankles and are struggling to walk, perhaps what really matters if the boots aren't broken in, they didn't sleep enough, or maybe... They are weenies.

And now it's time to start digging through the MRE's for snacks.

Roll a 24 sided dice, that's the MRE you got. All your MREs expire in the next week, month, or few months. https://www.mreinfo.com/mres/mre-menus/mre-menus-1998/

Rolled 18 (1d24)

>>6253914
SAKI: Damn, I shouldn't spend all night playing videogames... time for some grub.

Rolled 21 (1d24)

>>6253914
If they all end up trash. I am bring hunting equipment and a pot.

Rolled 19 (1d24)

>>6253934
Doc frowns after finding the corn chips inside and hates on them, before looking around at other people's food, and then wondering what can be traded.

>>6253936
SAKI: You can have my crackers...

Rolled 10 (1d24)

>>6253914

>>6253942
Doc: You going to put cheese spread on corn chips?

>>6253948
SAKI: YEAH, THAT SOUNDS DELICIOUS (chewing chocolate)

>>6253933
Nice! First try and I got the hot sauce. Now should I save the heater for the night time.

>>6253936
I'll trade out the jam crackers if you want. I think your main is good, but you never know until it is on a tray.

>>6253952
>>6253955
Doc looks at them and decides to take up the strange fairy lady's offer. He then ends up trying to spread his peanut butter all over his doubled up crackers.

>>6253944
Hey professor, you have a sweet tooth, right? You want the Vanilla Caramels or Tootsie Rolls candy the MRE gave me?

>>6253966
The scientist looks up from her meal as she takes a moment to digest Jack's words. "An astute observation indeed... yes, surrender the caramels t-"
Her eyes narrow as a realization settles into her pale features.
"... There's a catch, is there not?" Taking stock of her meal, Professor B. raises a finely-kept eyebrow in the Engineer's direction. "Very well... name your price, Mechanist. You would be wise to select the peanut butter, but as you can clearly see there's plenty more to bargain for."

Because the group is close to maximum weight and Jack tore his ankle or something, he's forced to limp and thus the group has to more or less remain where they are. It is possible to setup a large enough space to make a firepit and nearby whatever shelter halves or whatnot they brought can be setup.

Anything involving Survival is 1d20+1, except for the biologist. Anything involving plants is Nature and they are 1d20+4 for that.

Rolled 7 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>6253982
I suppose I'll enlist the help of the local flora--see if there's anything medicinal or can be brewed into tea. Worst case scenario I'll find some kindling. Science forbid they just fly us out to the site via helicopter...

Rolled 1 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>6253975
Just think of it as repayment for picking me up. With this limp I'm going to be all most dead weight.

>>6253982
Come on Survivorman don't let me down.

>>6254002
I just can't today. I'm sorry for letting the team drown one more time.

Rolled 2 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>6253982
Cpt. Grand gets to work making a fire. More gruntwork than fit for an officer, but he expects that he can order people around eventually.

The group manages to assemble the 8 person large tent that weighs 15 pounds in such a horrible way that anyone who saw this would question if you finished high school.

We managed to waste some firewood, and yet have no fire.

Some of the shelter materials or tent materials has been torn.

>>6254040
At this rate we'll be dead long before we arrive at our destination... and before anyone asks, I'm claiming one of the corner spots in the tent.

>>6253986
Prof. B manages to find plants that are suitable for tea and some editable roots, but nothing that can be used to treat any injuries or provide alertness.

>>6254052
I brew some, of course. Science knows we could all use a cup or two...

Rolled 1 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>6254040
Oh the horror this night will be.

[Breaks out shovel] I may as well dig out the hole for the toliet. I don't have any crafting tools with me. So I hope you all don't mind a log or a big rock for a seat. If y'all want a little bit of privacy maybe we can ask Saki for the cargo net. Unless we got lucky and they packed a tarp. I got rope to drape it over.

>>6254059
Out of character: you might want to avoid buying any lottery tickets today

>>6254059
Oh on! I rolled just in case I need to do it and now regret it. If we get experience points somehow I'm using them on the survival at this rate.

Rolled 48 + 2 (1d100 + 2)

>>6254061
Yeah no kidding. I think I should test some other rolls to make sure things aren't broken. Otherwise heres hoping it turns around in a moment of need later.

Jack has broken a shovel, fallen into a small hole, almost sprained his other ankle, broken a small log, and his boot got stuck resulting in him having to pull it out. Thus he almost pulled a muscle.

Also he partially pulled his back.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>6254059
Man must have regretted the day he was ever born with these rolls.

>>6254066
Cpt. Grand decides to gather some sticks and litter to make a basic fire with. These idiots. What kinda goofy outfit is this supposed to be?

>>6254066
[Just laid down and cry] ... Not my shovel! Amazon you have failed me and I have failed the team. Forgive me in these trying times. May the night wash away my shame and in the morning the sun lift me up anew.

>>6254071
"Watch your tone, buffoon, or this piping-hot tea is going all over your face! I did MY part!"
The scientist's glare shifts from the Captain over to Jack and finally to the one called Doc.
"Do you intend to treat the clumsy one's injuries, or shall I?"

>>6254066
>>6254074
[After a good cry] oh! my back.

[Turns head up towards the sky] Hey doc or professor do either of you have some ibuprofen? Also should stay laying down or move to fix my back?

The small fire has started and thankfully, it mostly only rains during the summer and this area is so dry that timber you find lights up pretty easily.

Rolled 12 + 8 (1d20 + 8)

>>6254086

>>6254158
"Doc" opens up his Field Medic bag and searches it, before pulling out a ziplock bag full of bottles. Pulling a few out and checking them. He looks at Jack and hands him two kinds of pills.

"This is a long-term ibuprofen like medicine and acetaminophen. These with water, take the ladies tea, and in the morning if it comes down to a quick split that's what it comes down to."

He then looks at the little fire and the mangled tent they can maybe shelter two or three, and maybe four if they really try.

"There needs to be a sustainment pack put into the ALICE butt pack and that must contain a woobie."

>>6254162
SAKI: I have no problem with squeezing a little, you know? But I bite ... between dreams (somehow serious tone), be careful if you don't want to lose a finger or get an artery torn off.

Rolled 7 (1d20)

As the sun begins to set, the temperature begins to drop, starting so. The land is dry and the landscape is suitable in places for desert or green dominant jungle uniforms.

But the high was 75 F and now it's dropping past 50, and fast enough to imply that it could freeze before the sun rises.

The Doc and the guerillas are already adding water to not one but two entrees each, from separate MREs. They need to be full and ready for the coming night.

There is seven of them, and the night is only 730 to 630 in the morn. Six hours at least, eight hours would be good to recover. How will watch be decided?

And also, four of them are wearing lightweight BDUs, with no twill cotton or a M65 cold weather jacket to protect them.

>>6254196
SAKI: I'm fine either way

Rolled 6 + 5 (1d20 + 5)

>>6254200
Doc thinks about this.

>>6254216
"No one should sleep on the cold ground, everyone should be hydrated and fed," Doc says. "We need whatever insulation or pockets of air we can stuff into our clothing. Tie the draw strings on your pants and sleeves down... Tuck in whatever fits... "

He counts them and looks at his watch. "Three watches, two people each, guerilla and I will make the last watch. Other guerilla will be the middle watch... Saki will do first watch with someone."

He remembered what Saki says and looks at her with terror. "Those sleeping might need to huddle up... And we have an odd number of sleepers."

Hes glad no one will cuddle her but is worried she might die, cry, or be super slow tomorrow.

>>6254220
SAKI: I'll do my best! (she'd prefer to get paired with a girl for more safety but she doesn't want to be a nuisance that's why she's staying silent)

>>6254162
Thanks Doc. [grabs pills] The woobie sounds like something we can ask for if we can get more budget. Unless it is the carry weight that is the problem.

[looks expectingly up at Prof. B] >>6254074
Any chance you got more of that tea professor? I can give ya more of candies from the next MRE.

>>6254196
I would like the best chance to recover with 8 hours, if y'all don't mind. I'll join first watch since the pills will likely take a bit to hit.

>>6254220
After listening to the Doctor and remembering what was said before.

Jack looks to Saki >>6254175
'Since it is going to be cold tonight. What do you think about turning a backpack into a make shift sleeping bag? Assuming you can fit inside one of the many bags. We can stuff some clothes in to keep ya nice and warm. It will also reduce the chance of you rolling into someone and taking a bite out of them.'

>>6254289
SAKI: You are a good man, Jack (she has become the comfy) ZZZZZZZZZ

Doc looks onward at the disaster unfolding and the disaster averted. While Saki won't be bring others, she is in better condition than Jack and so Jack should be asleep the whole night.

Even worse, Saki is already asleep and waking her might result in the loss of a finger.

Rolled 43, 39, 47, 39 = 168 (4d50)

>>6254413
Tapping her boot with increasing frustration on the ground, Professor B. breaks the uneasy silence with one of her trademark groans.
"So be it. If the CAREER SOLDIERS refuse to do their job and stand watch over the CIVILIANS then I suppose I'll have to. I don't sleep much anyways."
A devious twinkle appears in the scientist's eye.
"... Just don't be startled I collect a blood sample or two in your sleep for compensation. Slovenly layabouts..."

>>6254289
"And yes, there's more tea... just don't use the pouch full of red petals. I'm saving those for... a 'rainy day'..."

>>6254464
Mark has been invited and he steps forward being about three feet from Prof. B.

"Then you are taking first watch with Saki or the other Egghead who is awake," he says. "Everyone but Jack or whatever his name is, will be taking a watch."

He points at B and then himself. "You are not special and WE have been lugging as much as you. We're not staying up all night and we're getting our rest as well."

Mark and Doc have a private conversation.

>>6254488
Incited )

SAKI: ZZZ ZZZ (nibbles) I'm supposed to be a fanservice character, not a the mascot of the group (keeps babbling in her dreams) Moff I won't give you my panties (nibbles) ZZZZZZZ (calms down)

>>6254488
"Right, of course, how silly of me. If we're all equal here then I'll have some of you handle compiling a data analysis report on a specimen or two when the time comes... and don't expect me to show you how the lab equipment works."
The professor's perpetually-weary eyes shift over to Captain Grand.
"I can understand the Engineer sitting out--frankly I recommend it--but surely you see the logistical gulf in arranging a watch block with two civilians and no trained soldier? Like, say, him?"
Her steely gaze reaches the thing currently sleeping on the ground.
"I wouldn't trust this creature to guard a cookie jar, much less our lives."

>>6254483
Thanks professor, it's a good thing I'm not color blind or this could be awkward. [Fills mess cup puts pills in mouth and takes a sip]

>>6254488
>>6254498
[Noding] Jack just watchs as the team talks and listens to everything around.

Rolled 10, 15, 15, 1, 13, 15, 10, 12 = 91 (8d20)

>>6254670
You might want to put something in the 'Name' section of the post just so we can keep track of you, QM! Just a suggestion

Rolled 11 (1d20)

Cpt. Grand wakes up from the nap he took after making the fire and decides to stand watch. He's a soldier, not a doctor!

When the final watch ends it is an hour or so into daylight. Some mistakes with math and timing happened and caused this, but it's okay. Breakfast is being started by Doc, Rook, and Jack. Well, that's kinda pointless because MREs, but some stuff that is from raw materials is being made and some more water is being filtered.

No threats were detected during the night and no one seems to be dead or harmed or missing. Nothing was stolen.

However, all of the new recruits need to roll a 1d20+1 (except the gremlin, who is 1d20+3) to see if they slept well. Gremlin has a lower number they need to meet.

Harry accidently already rolled. Anyone who decided to remember and follow advice given by Doc on surviving the night gets a bonus to their roll.

Rolled 7 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>6254845

Rolled 11 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>6254845
Jack would attempt to stuff his clothes with extra air. And put on a second layer if possible. 'It is a shame we don't have a newspaper for quickly shoving something in for an extra layer.' Looking it in his foot he decides of it's worth the pain. Then decides to just put his foot inside his backpack.

>>6254845
SAKI: Good morning people

Rolled 13 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>6254845
The professor doesn't sleep much on the best of days, but regardless she still emerges from the tent like a bear just coming out of hibernation... and with the same temperament. Clutching a fresh mug of tea in her pale hand, she greets the morning with a fresh scowl on her face.
"Damned birds chirping... horrid racket..."

>>6254876
[Nods in acknowledgment at Saki] G'Morning.

>>6254928
Morning Professor, I doubt we will find maple syrup in the MREs and reckon the fire isn't the best for tree taping. Maybe next campsite will give us more resources to work with.

>>6254976
Professor B blinks at the engineer like a cow watching a car pass by on the highway.
"Ah, you survived. I was worried you were going to be carried off into the woods by a pack of coyotes. Acceptable gumption."
It takes her another sip from her tea to process the engineer's words.
"A regrettable situation to be sure... we can only hope our destination has basic amenities waiting for us."
Her tired eyes narrow as she runs a gloved hand through her long hair.
"Given the track record of this boy scout outing thus far, however, I sincerely doubt it."
Another blink.
"You're not recovered yet. Shameful. Help yourself to more tea before I drink it myself."

Cpt. Grand wakes up. Miserable night, but that's the job. He decides to check over his weaponry and equipment while everyone preps for the day.

[*Counts and does math*
Was Harry awake the first two watches?]

>>6255322
Random Soldiers did the 2nd watch, so that would leave 1st and 3rd. I assume despite her protests Prof. did one and Harry did the other. Saki was sleeping and Jack was recovering, so I guess that means the following:

Shift 1: (Prof or Harry)
Shift 2: (Random Soldiers)
Shift 3: (Whoever didn't do Shift 1)

>>6255352
They said they'd do the coldest watch and Doc would be half of the second watch so.

>>6255372
Correction Doc and guerilla did last, one guerilla did middle.

>>6255375
Groovy, guess that means Harry and I did Watch #1

Someone had a very scary middle watch as they did it alone, seemingly. It should be a relief that we weren't attacked.

Here is some art of the Nylon CDL-1 helmet to add to the pictures and art of the quest. These helmets are based on previous iterations of Nylon helmets that look like M1s and have similar protection, but are lighter.

>>6255396
Nice, I'll save this for later edits I may attempt.

>>6254992
[Smirk] 'That I did Professor and lets not give up hope just ya. That being said it never hurts to be prepped for the worse. Maybe we can afforded to scavenge supplies as we go. Again, thanks for the tea.' Jack will fill his cup and take a sip of the tea.

---

As people are moving a bit more and aware as the morning MREs are prepped. Jack will look around at everyone and a look of realization will pop on to his face. 'I just realized we never formally introduced each ourselves. Well other than Doc our field medic, thanks again for the pills Doc.'

Jack will dust him self off to try to straighten up his clothes. 'Now I will not blame people if they just want to use titles or the like. After all some may not like to get to close with each other in this line of work, or so I imagen. The name is Jack, I came from another departure site and was offered a job here after things fell through. While things yesterday were not my best showing. I hope to turn that around when it's time for my Engineering skills to be of help, cooking, or if there is a need to do a little gardening.'

>>6255396
It's fun messing with gimp again.

Against all odds, the group managed to, for the most part, have pretty reasonable sleep. Jack needed sleep the most and for the most part, got it. His decision to listen to those around him allowed him to preserve some additional heat by taping or wrapping shut pouches and little carboard boxes from the MREs, that were stuffed with air. His help to Saki had also given her a big bonus to rest as well. All in all, if both of them slept the whole night, they would make almost a full recovery.

If Jack slept two of the shifts, he would require a quick splint, some more OTC medications, and maybe some topical ointment or other medicines. However, to the surprise of the group, Doc is able to do this almost while not even paying attention. It is almost effortless to him.

"Guerilla Jack is annoyed that there is two Jacks," Doc said. "He is adopting the callsign of "Wildcat", for now at least."

Wildcat nods.

"Both he and I are questioning the decision making of the group," he says, before sneaking a second of a half glare at someone in specific. "And that is despite the fact that we have an officer here."

"Yes," Wildcat says. "Which is why WE, are taking command of the situation. We are now in charge going forward, and you are now subject to our leadership and experience For now at least. When it comes down to the research or whatnot latter, we both don't really care."

-

In subject to the other conversation about introductions, Doc says something.

"What exactly is Amazon anyways?" he asks. "Like, did you get your crap shovel from Brazil?"

-

The group needs to do a 1d20+1 again for trying to hike the last 4 hours to the site. Our resident Gremlin, as before, is 1d20+3

We likely want to have something like a template or character sheet available for each person, but I'm not sure how exactly those will be stored someplace easy to access and easy to edit, that isn't right here.

The basics are the following:

All of you are 1d20+1 for almost everything. For the "nerds" it's generally a 1d20+2 for intellectual or education matters, or crafting. Anything that deals with your specialization is technically a 1d20+4, unless it's education in a subject, in which case it's 1d20+6.

Saki is SWAT. As such, she is different. She has a 1d20+2 instead for either physical strength or health (not in terms of damage taken, but physical endurance and resistance to sickness). She has training in marching/climbing/jumping and thus has 1d20+3, at minimum, for that. She also has a +2 bonus against sickness/recovery and a +2 against dodging missiles, fire, or doing a stop,drop,and roll.

Technicians are an additional +1 to education matters and to crafting. All types.

The Biologist is counted as a Technician, mostly because a lot of her talent is crafting medicines and poisons.

Saki gets her initiate boosted by one for the following types of enemies:
surprised, blind, stunned, flat-footed, tear/OC gassed, tazed or flanked.

Combat is a very simplified system that is triple speed with triple expeditor, stacked. As such, it's weird and uses a roll off of a lot of dice.

Against the enemies above, Saki gets an additional dice.

Rolled 2 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>6255435
>We are now in charge going forward...
[With a look of surprise] "All righty then..."

-
'There's a bookstore owner named Jeff who said he could get me a good deal on tools.' Jack looks that the pieces of the broken shovel. 'Not Brazil, it seems it was made in China.'

>>6255442
Cool. I'll keep an eye out for things. If it is simple stats we probably could make something people fill in with paint.

Rolled 8 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>6255435
Rollan

Rolled 17 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>6255435
Well, as an officer Cpt. Grand should be leading the way. Have to demonstrate some leadership after all. Onwards to our destination team!

Rolled 11 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>6255435
The professor's brow furrows deeper than usual.

"Who, pray tell, was tasked with leading us before? And how will this change when we arrive at the facility? I'd like to know who to bring up in my written complaint."

>"When it comes down to the research or whatnot later, we both don't really care."
"I'm feeling relieved already..."

>>6255419
The faintest hint of a wry grin forms on the scientist's pale face.

"Introductions. How quaint. It would seem my reputation has not preceded me for once... no big surprise considering I appear to be one of the few academics in our little fellowship..."

She twirls a lock of her long hair as she ponders where to begin.

"Very well. I am Professor Bertruger--yes, I have a first name, but we'll keep things professional for the time-being. I was born and raised in a small mining town in the Northern tip of Canada, but don't bother looking for it--the place is gone now. I spent most of my days in that hole reading and watching my fellow children play hockey, though I have been known to ice skate on occasion.

I was 12 years old when I managed to splice jellyfish genes into our family cat 'Chouchou' and make his fur bioluminescent. One year later I had altered my own genetic structure..."

Professor B smirks as she runs a hand through her hair.

"Merely cosmetic, of course... that and the removal of a hereditary predilection to heart disease. Needless to say, school was an obligation, nothing more, so at the ripe age of 16 I left 'The Great North' to study in Leipzig, Paris, Hong Kong, Cambridge... I won't bore you with the details, but suffice it to say I received my doctorates, yes, doctorateS, in Genetics, Molecular AND Cellular Biology, Botany, Etymology, Physics, and Literature, though the latter was an indulgence on my part."

She's pacing now... why is she pacing?

"The research grants came easily, of course, but I'm not a creature of habit--I prefer to wander. Drift. 'Ramble', to use the parlance of country music stars. After spending a few years publishing my MANY contributions to the scientific community, I found myself slipping into a fairly new and, dare I say, 'gonzo' line of research: Xenobiology!"

Her perpetually-tired eyes light up at the word!

"What a TREAT! Studying flora and fauna from worlds completely and utterly alien compared to our own! Silicon-based life forms! Methane-breathers, autotrophs, heterotrophs, beings who were, by our knowledge, functionally nonliving... and yet they WERE!"

Sensing she's laying on too much enthusiasm, the professor dials it back with a calculated cough into her fist.

"Suffice it to say, adequately explaining each and every one of my accomplishments and admirable qualities would take years, so I'll leave it at this: I'm here to study... but Science help whatever attempts to stand in my path!"

Planting her hands on her hips like a superhero, she blinks as if forgetting something.

"Ah yes, I'm also partial to sweets. And a good cup of coffee."

Everyone has made progression and shookne off some of the anmesia or "jump sickness", so pick something not combat related you want your characters to be better at.

Knowledges, rigging explosives, disabling mechanical devices, crafting, taming or directing animals, driving, survival, and acting/disguise are half off. So you can double up or pick two.

>>6255750
>Survival
>Disabling Mechanical Devices

>>6255614
>bioluminescent
'Professor you made a glow in the dark cat, neat. I hope those genes didn't end up spreading to local cat population. Your old town will have an up tick in ghost stories.'

>>6255750
>disabling mechanical devices and crafting
I want to make things and break them in different ways.

>>6255614
SAKI: Awesome, you're like a super villain! (Saki wants to meet the bioluminescent cat)

(How does Prof. B look physically? Asking for friend)

>>6255750
Survival
Taming animals

>>6255766
You have to state what kind of crafting.

>>6255766
>>6255770
A half-smile forms on the professor's face as her companion's words sink in--an uncommon and VERY brief lapse in her usual stern, impatient demeanor.

"Ho ho... elementary, really... though I suppose not every twelve-year-old knows their way around a gene splicer like I did~"

Flattery will get you EVERYwhere, apparently! The professor's eyes twinkle at the gremlin referring to her as a super-villain.

"Many are branded mad or villainous when their work isn't understood... though I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't appreciate a volcano lair..."

She frowns at the mention of the cat.

"My home is... well, it's mostly abandoned now. Something involving a chemical spill? I can't recall. I-in any case, I know not where that glowing beast roams now... though I suspect by now there may very well be a number of bioluminescent felines roaming the country. Hmm... an intriguing prospect indeed~"

>>6255770
>What she look
This picture comes pretty close in my mind... Prof would probably look much meaner, of course.

>>6255750
On second thought, I'm gonna be annoying and change my choice a bit:
>Survival
>Crafting

>>6255777
Ah, and just saw >>6255775. I suppose mechanical crafting? Do we have options?

>>6255770
Figure I should share the artist as well. Word of mouth and all that
https://x.com/MirYumiya

>Wildcat and Rook
Survivalist Militiaman

>Innate Capabilities
Exceptional Person, +1 to all
Physical Endurance focus, 1+1 to PE

>Resiliences
Physical Strength
Sickness, Poisons, Pain, Suffering, and Recovery
Additional +2 to both

>Learned Skills
Athleticism
Survival x 2
Perception

>Learned Talents
Deadeye - Militiaman
Sniper - Wildcat

>Weapons Training
Civilian Small Arms
Military Small Arms
Blades and Axes

>>6255778
Mechanical is a good pick
>>6255787
I should've had the other categories be bold.

This is soooo busted, but if you're double committed to a knowledge or any skill really, you get a +2 to a related skill.

Prof has doubled down on
Earth and Life Sciences

I don't know if they want to use up slots to have the physics sciences or they'd have crafting pharm or crafting chem

They have a Learned Talent for herbal medicine

>>6255794
Slots? I'm confused... do we have more points to burn?

>>6255801
You do but there are a lot of things not knowledged to fill them with and you only have 5

Saki:
Physical strength: +2
Health: +2
Marching/climbing/jumping: +3
Sickness/recovery: +2
Dodging missiles-fire: +2
Stop,drop,and roll: +2

Saki gets her initiate boosted by one for the following types of enemies:
surprised, blind, stunned, flat-footed, tear/OC gassed, tazed or flanked.
Against the enemies above, Saki gets an additional dice.

After the group trudges another 6 hours with lots of breaks, along with Jack locking up and needing to stop, and the group having to split up and go back and forth... They finally get there.

It's a large clearing with a brook nearby and a defensible ridge cut into the earth. This means two cardinal directions have some security. There is two hundred meters or so to the closest treeline, which is quite extraordinary for the area.

Rumors and scraps of maps indicate that somewhere in the area are trails, and even back roads.

The professionals were split up to cover rearguard or flanks during the journey, but during the splitting up they talked about the "egghead". "Someone should tell NORAD" one of them said.

Doc looks around the area. "I may be a 18D, US Army Special Forces Medical Sergeant... But I have a Bachelor's in EMS and have completed enough certification tests that I am one year from being a full blown military surgeon. In terms of battlefield medicines and spotting infections, I am effectively a nurse. I am unaware of any American Combat Medics as capable as me."

He rolls up a sleeve and shows a series of tallies on his arm, and then shows a large dog tag connected to his main.

"I have performed CPR on at least ten Expedition team members, and stabilized dozens of people. I have performed field expedient surgery beyond my peers, at least six times."

(How many bonus points of "survival" and "taming animals" Saki gets?)

>>6255811
+4

>>6255812
Ok

Saki:
Physical strength: +2
Health: +2
Marching/climbing/jumping: +3
Sickness/recovery: +2
Dodging missiles-fire: +2
Stop,drop,and roll: +2
Taming animals: +4
Survival: +4

Saki gets her initiate boosted by one for the following types of enemies:
surprised, blind, stunned, flat-footed, tear/OC gassed, tazed or flanked.
Against the enemies above, Saki gets an additional dice.

>>6255815
I'm deciding that taming gives synergy to hunting, which is normally survival

So 1+4+2 = 7

Think very clearly. After Athleticism you had a second slot.

It could be a ton of unnamed things, but Perception or Stealth? That's my guess.

>>6255817
(Perception, for now. I'm somewhat set in getting magic invisibility later.)

>>6255794
I guess I'll put my points into:
>Crafting (Pharm)
>Crafting (Chem)
If that makes sense

>>6255775
>Mechanical
mechanical will do, unless the professor is covering that. The item pdf just has a small list of 'construction, woodworking, etc' near the kits. Electronics and mechanical will be the main focus with computers behind.

>>6255804
With a limit of 5 I will take that focus you main skills is a good move for the related bonus.

>>6255810
'Glad to have ya around Doc. I think the professor would heal us for a price and we may end up like the cat.'

>>6255824
"Tch! I shared that tea, didn't I? Ungrateful lout. Do I LOOK like some back-alley street carver? Hmph..."

>>6255810
"An impressive resume. I take it this means life-threatening injuries are common here, then? Tell me--what exactly will we be dealing with that cause these injuries, hmm?"

A mix of what I imagined her at first plus the drawing. I just felt like drawing her.

>>6255838
Fug

>>6255839
Dear lord, that's adorable. And sufficiently angry-looking. Nicely done!

>>6255836
'Sorry to offend Professor, I meant it as a joke. That said you did say something about collecting blood last night.'

>>6255845
"Oh? I don't recall saying anything about that..." She replies, making a show of rubbing her chin in mock contemplation. "It's no surprise, really... you were injured and exhausted--of course you'd hear things that weren't actually said. You'd best get some GOOD rest tonight, Engineer..."

>>6255750
>driving
>acting/disguise

>>6255810
Cpt. Grand looks at the site and shrugs. It's okay, he guesses. He wishes he had something to shoot already. These layabouts are getting on his nerves with all their chattering, he thought they were supposed to be professionals. He's half tempted to shoot the fairy thing too, but, command probably wouldn't be happy about that. Oh well. He'll just wait until proper orders come through.

>>6255887
If you're going to shoot it, try to keep the brain intact... I have PLANS...

Rolled 16, 14, 9, 11, 15 = 65 (5d20)

[I forget who is carrying the radio and had to look up it's range, which is rather tricky]

The person carrying the backpack radio hears some distorted chatter over your earpiece. You are on AM, which gives you more range, but less feditality. If it was still dark your range would be even greater. FM would reduce range but increase clarity.

If you want to lock in a slot and a Learned Talent, say as much. If you don't you are 1d20+2 and if you do, you are 1d20+5

You are rolling to adjust the radio to hear.

>>6256283
(Captain Grand is carrying the backpack radio)

>>6255846
After take a long look at the professor. 'Oh my mistake then.'

> GOOD rest
'I plan to if we get camp set up better than last time.'

>>6256283
I do believe it is with Harry. I got the same items for Technician, but with out the radio.

Rolled 20 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>6256283
Cpt. Grand hears some chatter on the radio. Curious. He was unaware that there would be any signals to pickup. Motioning to the rest of the team, he tries to home in on the signal.

>>6256439

>>6256439
Holy cow, Captain Grand heard the SHIT out of that signal

>>6256439
Captain Harry, without skipping a beat, already is messing with his radio, after getting it off his back.

It comes in garbed at first, and he has to strain to make things out. "****** Iz anyone on **** uency? Thiz iz Pioneer ****, in the... crackle... Wind River. Need ****stance!"

He might even open it up a little with a wrench to alter some bits and twist the antenna this way or that. Normally, the radios wouldn't be set to AM, but they are, and he suspects there is a reason for this.

Maybe it's not safe if it's on FM? Maybe it's the range?

Whatever the case, he tries to get the signal clean and reaching out on AM.

"Pioneer Three, this is Frontier Command, ******* security forces. Signal's weak, but ********. State your emergency."

He bends a bit somemore and adjusts the antenna.

"My legz broken, deep in the... fades briefly... northern Wind River Range. Can't move. Near the old Firewatch trail, maybe a mile off Big Timber Creek. North zide."

The voice is suffering quite a bit of distortion still. That voice must be further out and coming in less clear.

"Understood, Pioneer Three. North Wind River, Firewatch trail, Big Timber Creek. Copy. Stay put. We're dispatching a patrol now. How's your condition?"

Doc and the others aren't close enough just yet, but they have put down their things and are getting closer.

"Ztable for now, but shiver... night'z coming. And I heard zomething... static bursts... big. Over."

Actually, the distortion for some reason is mostly when they should be... pronouncing s's. That has to be some weird kind of accent. It's not "Zat" instead of "That" like German, but "Ztable" instead of "Stable". Maybe if they turn the antena to make them clear, at the expense of Pioneer Three.

"Affirmative. We'll be as fast as we can, Pioneer Three. ********** open. Over."

"Underztood. Thank you. Over and out."

And some kind of distortion picks up when they pronounce Zee's... Almost like a.... Buzzing?

>>6256564
The scientist raises an eyebrow as she digests the contents of the transmission.

"Peculiar indeed. Say, why don't some of you go and assist them? AFTER showing us to our quarters, that is."

The scientist was eager to leave the outdoors behind and get back into a lab. The scent of chemicals... the unspoken agreement among researchers to keep things quiet... industrial air conditioning... ooh, she's drooling already!

Only Captain Harry heard it, sadly.

Also, this is a defensible location with a clearing and wood within walking distance. Sadly, untangling the 8 person tent is there "quarters".

However, there is an old timey two person saw, so log cabins will soon be in the works.

>>6256717
Ah. I read 'Underground Facility' in the original post and got confused. No matter, science needs no convenience...

>>6256717
Gear question for ya Qm, the Equipment manual says I need to pick something. What is the list for equipment focus? Otherwise I don't mind leaving up to the mission command.

---

'Hey Doc or Wildcat, are we planning to stay here for a while? Mission command gave me limited info about our mission here. If we are camping here for the month. I will want to see about supply gathering like wood and refilling water.' Jack will check over the supplies to check if the cameras and turret from the lockers were shipped with us. 'If my request to command went though I got us some cameras that can send signals to help cover the area surveillance.'

After looking around and looking at the broken shovel pieces. 'When we get time to repair I would like to fix the shovel. Then it's back to setting up to camp and probably traps for fresh food or to help defend us. I still got rope and with some time we could get lucky.'

>>6256564
SAKI: (watches Harry's concern after receiving the tranmission) There's only one thing that could worry the Captain to such exempt (talks to herself) : mutant sharks...

>>6256772
"Don't be ridiculous! There isn't an ocean for miles, nor is there a suitable water source big enough to accommodate a freshwater shark! Even if there was, they wouldn't be able to reach us without a specific set of benevolent genetic mutations that would spur the growth of limbs strong enough to allow for rapid land-based locomotion and lessen the demand for gill-filtered oxygen or... or maybe a mutation that replaced gills with lungs and... bulletproof flesh... hmm...."

The professor's rant is put on an abrupt hold as she scurries off to furiously scribble away in her notebook...

>>6256772
>>6256785
'What like the people here are working on some kind of super solider program?'

>>6255887
Jack looks towards Capt. Harry Grand 'Sir ... officer? Would you be willing to tell us what you heard. I worry imaginations will get out of hand.'

>>6256785
SAKI: There's a way, the sharks must have cockroach DNA mixed in them, that's why they are capable of living everywhere (explains Saki, marveled by her own genius)

>>6256810
It takes a few moments for the professor to look up from her mad scribblings, and even a few more to realize that Saki was speaking to her.

"... Cockroach DNA.... impressive survivability coupled with... yes... yes, that's not bad..."

Giving Saki's idea a curt nod, Professor B returns to her feverish scrawlings and muttering under her breath like a cultist...

>>6256831
'Oh on.' Jack Pulls out PDA and begins to use information database to find shark hunting tips. 'Hm ... disrupt a shark's electro sensory system ... orca sounds ...' Jack looks to the tool sets he has. 'I probably could rig one of the batteries to stock them, but would it have the amps to kill or even the volts to get though the skin.'

In before the professor lets lose mutant sharks on the area. Completing the mission at the cost of the party.

>>6256808
Hm. Strange transmission. Cpt. Grand decides to share it with the rest of the team, no use keeping it to himself.

Cpt. Grand suggests that he, and one other combat capable personnel should investigate, while the rest of the team prepares this site for more permanent habitation, since it's a good as area as any, and they may be returning with wounded. He vehemently emphasises that the Professor should stay here.

>>6256930
The radio is very powerful, but there wasn't some mechanism hooked up to it to record things. Something could be found by looking through their things or they could improvise, but they'd have to have done that BEFORE the broadcast.

The question is, who is he taking with him?

[Also, you said combat personelle I think, so that's my que to load up the combat rules.]

We're using a separate system to make combat as simple as it needs to be and as fast as possible to fit this format. There is a way to make it work, but basically, it will result in everything happening at once... But it would work.

Stats

Combat is a roll off. Most people start off with 3 dice and they get or lose a dice or two based on their stats. All of you are Exceptional Characters, so you get 1 more dice.

The SMGs and the AK add 4 dice each. If you are trained in them, that's another dice.

Everyone but the Gremlin, is not trained in automatic fire. So you get 1 dice when not doing automatic.

You roll a bunch of dice and count 4-6s as victories. For us, Disadvantage is going to be only 5 and 6 count as victories.

Movement

Everyone, generally, can move 10 or 13 meters during their turn, even if they are shooting before or after during their turn.

They spend the whole turn running, they can pull off 50 meters.

Anyone within 10/13 meters would have an extremely easily time attaching you, and they might even be able to get up to you to stab or tackle you before you can draw a most weapons.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RldFYeXgT24Jx30DEL80O_hYhJDdWYoudqKzWKgpjL8/edit?usp=sharing

Combat Endurance

You will be burning through magazines during the fighting. 1,2, and 3 for the attack types. Also, be aware that weapons do not like it when you "mag dump" or rather quickly guns were start to have issues or their barrels will be smoking.

>>6256930
'If you are heading out.' [digs into back pack.] 'I can give ya my spare PDA. I believe it should work for any software you have and we just might be able to plug it into the radio.' Offers PDA to Capt. Harry Grand. 'Just be careful of the battery power. I have a limited number of back batteries.'

>>6256988
I forgot the description for that.

>>6256930
The professor tries and fails to stifle a rare grin when the Captain tells her to stay behind.

"Oh... Oh noooo~ I guess I'll just have to stay here and get comfy while you charge off into certain doom! Drat! Oh what terrible luck..."

She surreptitiously sidles up next to the Captain whispers in his ear.
"If someone dies, bring back their body... I can use it, probably."

She blinks.

"Oh, and bring back their blood, too. Don't ask why--you probably won't be able to understand the answer."

Making a show of waving goodbye, Professor B adopts her frankly unnerving 'cheerful persona'. "Byyyyyyye! Take care out thereeeee!"

>>6256841
>that picture
Goals

>>6256954
Cpt. Grand waits for anyone to volunteer for the mission, because if they don't someone's getting voluntold.

>>6256988
"Thanks." Cpt. Grand nods his appreciation to Price for the PDA. He'll make sure to record any future transmissions.

Cpt. Grand also tries to ignore the Professor. Creep. Why did he have to be lumped in with a nutcase like her?

Going forward I'm going to be hand holding you less in terms of puzzles or stuff like that. I know you are low level, but this format allows characters to be expendable and for it to be funny. You are also at faster progression.

>>6257003
>>6257005
Wildcat presumably would be told about the weirdest thing about the radio transmission, which was the strange accent that sounds like buzzing.

Looking at Rook, he would check to make sure his weapon was loaded and he had entirely loaded magazines on him. Spare ammuntion, grenades, plenty of stuff he would need. He would drop anything that wasn't a "fighting load", so nothing but munitions, armor, IFAK, snack, and water.

In fact, he breaks a blister pack of caffeinated gum and pops it into his mouth, before chewing it up.

"That's a fucking trap," Wildcat says, between furious chewing "They're likely bugged or bugs."

He looks around and starts gesturing. "Doc, I'm counting on you to get the rest of them into a good defensive position, not too clumped up in case we have incoming explosives."

Rook was already getting out a bandiler, before tossing it to Wildcat. Wildcat catches it and carefully gets it over his body. It's at least 3 whole Germany WW2 stick grenades.

Wildcat gestures to the Captain. "Come on, follow."

>>6257005

As I am reading up on the equipment more. There is a lot of things that make me think the computer peripherals are needed. The PDA I keep thinking is like a smart phone, but as I look at the gear audio/video peripherals are thing and need a laptop or desktop. Yet if we can just audio jack plug into the radio we should be fine for the PDA recording. If we want good audio quality. The PDA is still a computer, it's just a basic early model from before current year. Worst case we get crap audio from the phone/pda mic and will want to upgrade with a computer suite and peripherals for way better research.

That said the peripherals will give us up to 24hrs of recordings and then for more we can get another HDD for 72hrs or a tape library for a lot more. Assuming we have the power to run it all the time to keep recording and not just when we hear something worth recording. The SATCOM we have is good for computers since we can use it to send data at range, but they need to be power rating +2 or higher.

>>6257019
'Oh it's bugs, great!' Jack make sure to ready weapons and gear. 'So Doc should we ready fire, spikes, and other things? If I can get the shovel fixed we can dig a trench for cover.'

>>6257022
Wildcat grumbling and looking over at the Gremlin. "I don't want to leave one proper fighter back here with all the POGs, and I sure as HELL aren't letting you go out alone with the RTO."

>>6257019
"Bugs? Insectoid or Arachnid in nature? Regardless, my MANY degrees tell me that if combat is inevitable, their joints and breaches in their exoskeletons should be more susceptible to damage. Oh, and typically insects operate using their sense of smell over sight and hearing... I think I saw a puddle of mud and some pine needles over that way."

Punctuating her advice with a nod, the professor finds a nearby toppled log to take a seat on.

"You're welcome. Oh, and if you DO manage to survive, bring any bodies, limbs, or chunks of viscera back here. I could do with some enrichment."

>>6257025
SAKI: Sir, yes, Sir! I've already deducted the enemy's physiology and nature. This should be a piece of cake!

>>6257019
Cpt. Grand nods his head. "Alright. Let's move out!"

He begins marching after wildcat in the direction of the transmission, weapon at the ready.

>>6257030
"Parasitic in nature... yes, that would certainly give the organism a chance to grow... an almost 'second gestation period'? Damn it all, where's a desk when you need one..."

The professor has already scrawled several pages of notes thanks to the brave(?) efforts of the team's resident gremlin and a few choice comments by the Engineer.

One would hope these mad scrawlings are merely theory...

Rolled 1, 16, 18, 14, 3 = 52 (5d20)

Doc catches some words here and some words there as he starts to get himself and the others behind a ridge. He only has a few words. "Lady Nathan, By God...." Doc shakes his head.
-
Wildcat meanwhile, leads the way. Hes already quickly resmearing some face paint in dark diagonal lines across his face. Then the duo take off.

That one is me rolling to save time. It's Harry keeping up..what to do....

>>6257297
After the gear check Jack would attempt study the area in detail. 'Since we don't know if they can fly we may as well prep better cover.' If there is bushes or tree limbs to give us cover. Jack like try to move some around. So anything flying or on the ground will have a harder time to see us. Then with any time remaining it would be to fix the shovel. So he can dig out the area better.

>>6257299
Did we bring any camo netting? We do have empty sandbags and at least two entrenching tools.

>>6257299
SAKI: They can most likely fly, remember the "buzzing". I just hope they aren't a shit ton of small flies, the weapons might not be that effective against them. I wish we had a flamethrower...

>>6257309
From what I remember what others picked up saki should have cargo netting. Unless the raid bundle is camo she is using camo netting.

>>6257325
If they're small maybe we can just use torches. It start to lose a shirt but it'd be useful assuming we have some oil. Fat, or fuel to use.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

Rook and Doc are already is checking the crates to see if and what kind of entrenching tools are there.

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>6257297
Cpt. Grand quickly marches after his comrade, keeping good time he hopes.

Four entrenching tools are pulled out and there is swearing. If they just packed Soviet models they'd be lighter and easier to use, but harder to pack. Picks would also be very useful.
>>6257380
I had already rolled for you and crit failed... So this is awkward.

Anyone who wants to can roll Craft (Structural) to dig and try to get some shallow fighting positions. Same for cutting at bushes and such.

It's +3 for the nerds because Int plus Technician bonus.

Imma check what stats required for SWAT

>>6257382
SWAT team members are Fast/Tough.
So is Saki going to have her +2 instead of a +1 in one or the other?

Rolled 15 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>6257382
"UUUUGhhh, very well... Hardly academic work, but if it's truly necessary..."

Rolled 8 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>6257382
Jack grabs the tools and gets to work. 'i am a lumberjack & i am ok
i sleep all night & i work all day...' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FshU58nI0Ts

>>6257394
Jack glances over to the Professor. 'Better to do the prep work and not need it than get swarmed.'

Rolled 18 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>6257382
SAKI: (shovels joyously)

>>6257560
>>6257401
>>6257394
With the direction of Doc, those of you who rolled a DC-15 manage to pull off something like this in just 12 minutes or so. It's a fast and shallow thing, not often taught in the US. The positions are dug in the three cardinal directions that the ridge doesn't conceal. Some foliage and brush is being moved as well, and so progress is being made.

Rolled 8, 35 = 43 (2d100)

It isn't abundantly clear what happened. Did Harry get tired or twist an ankle or have to move slowly, or what?

Whatever the case, where is some incoming radio chatter that he hears.

>>6257617
"Frontier Command, Pioneer Three is likely a trap. I repeat, likely a trap. We have tripwires rigged to something, and we're all feeling fishy about this. Doubling back. Go on alert."

There is suddenly explosions and the sound of gunfire, and even in the distance some tracers arcing across the skyline.

"Zombie patrol! Zombie patrol! Target the leader!"

"I don't see the leader! Where the fuck is the leader!?!?"

Wildcat is going to take a risk and try talking to them over the radio. He will signal to the Captain to boost his own signal.

"This is Wildcat, popping a black smoke nearby. If you can't fall back to your command. Fallback to us. I repeat, this is Wildcat of the 117th National Guard."

He then turns to look over in the direction of the Captain and back the way they came. "Hope frequencies if you can and tell Doc to start prepping a necklace, and get someone to volunteer an arm. If this shit goes sideways, I want you to juryrig your GDO into your backradio, and start calling in some heavy, evildoing shit."

BTW, most of you were using these instead and I think you would need spacers or something in your ELBV's maybe... But these would go on the ALICE belt.

>>6257620

>>6257634
Doc looks over at Saki, who seems to be going into combat shock or the fatigue of digging so quickly. "Just get down or help Jack finish his position."

He says something that the rest of them in that area might hear, something they might not want to hear. "If there is one thing I have learned," he says. "We will all be fine. Worst comes to worst, there is whole hierarchy of ghosts, spirits, and higher powers we can make oaths or pledge our lives to."

He already is reaching into his jacket and pulling out a necklace, one with a glowing orb that resembles a single eye... Watching you... Judging you. There is also a troubling sharp, tiny blade, like a scalpel, inside a sterilized little bag.

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>6257620
Cpt. Grand curses to himself. Of all the times to get a twisted ankle. He tried to ignore the pain and help Wildcat boost the incoming radio signal. From what he can hear, it doesn't sound good.

>>6257620
[Assuming we are informed]
A look of sock at the zombies comment and soon dread washes over thenface of Jack. 'After this digging I get the tools ready for rigging the GDO.' When grabbing his tool set Jack will have time to ponder the zombies more. ' Are they like actual zombies I wonder and if that's the case, I bet we can take some holes and slow them down. Otherwise it's not a tripwire but I have a rope and some with poles or heavy rocks we could still do something. If they're especially dumb zombies we could just courten off areas to later block their movements.'

>>6257623
Nice, more for the edits later.

>>6257646
A worrying look from Jack. 'If we can get away with simple offering I can understand the benefits. Yet exchanging your flesh for freedom does worry me. Those Unitology or the others out there sermons give me the creeps. Like "Make Us Whole" or "Praise the Great Marker". As another engineer I know said "Fuck them, and fuck there Marker!" Pardon my crude language there.'

After a heavy sigh. 'But you do you Doc. It is about survival and getting the mission done.'

>>6257646
SAKI: Ok! (keeps shoveling joyously)

Rolled 17, 7 = 24 (2d20)

Okay, so one of the Expedition Teams that was better than you did a lot of paperwork and that was why I didn't update yet for day.
>>6257680
>>6257689
>>6257761
>>6257772
There is now three furrows dug into the earth by the labors of the Dr. and the resident Gremlin. It's hard and uncomfortable work digging with a folding entrenching tool, but they do it with relative ease.

The question is, when will the enemy attack come? Will it go for them or for the forward group of two? Will the other group that is getting attacked trust them, and what direction will they flee?

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>6258023
A four man band of Survivalists is doing a reverse/retreating bounding overwatch towards the new position. Within the brush and between clearings, one group fires off shots from a Mini-14 or a hunting rifle, while the other group falls back. Wildcat had already gotten an arm around Captain Grand and got the man's arm on his shoulders, before trying to get him back to the main area. He helps limp and drags the officer to where the others are, swearing and cursing as he notices there isn't enough furrows to go around.

The forward recon group or whatever the term is, for "Frontier Command", pulls out of the brush, into the clearing, and then cuts across to another area of brush perpendicular or on the other side. Within the heaviest areas outside the clearly, distances between cover or concealment are about 10 meters. This means that it's very easy to get from point to point, and being vigilant and ready to fire is necessary to prevent flanking or being rushed.

Rook checks the container, moving stuff around, but trying to put it where it can't get shot as easily.

He pulls out some two pound Aluminum plates. There are eight of them, enough for these poor, poor bastards and bastardettes. He tosses them or hands them off as able.

"Open your outer shells and slide these in!" he says.

Distances
It is about 200 meters from the center area where they are in position, and the beginnings of where the brush and woods are. This is the very extent for a lot of SMGs and things of that short. Cowboy Carbines and shotguns firing slugs can reach out to this distance too. A lot of assault rifles can barely burst or spray half-accurately out to this distance too. In other words, 200 meters is "Breathing Room".

Posting the combat rules again
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RldFYeXgT24Jx30DEL80O_hYhJDdWYoudqKzWKgpjL8/edit?usp=sharing
>>6256969 Further rules reminder.

Combat beginning

Going to ground and taking up defensive positions at the edge of the treeline is a group of individuals in green/brown county Sheriff's deputies, state police, or the US woodland camo uniforms of the national guard. Normally there would be a dice roll or something to see if you can figure out what is going on, but their initiate is the slowest of everyone so...

They are going to look around and target the group, most likely Doc, who is not in a furrow. The Survivalists (Wildcat and Rook) have stealth and camouflaged training, and are using whatever was cut earlier as concealment.

All of the Survialists of the recon group or our expanded team, will declare next. They will target the people they recognize as the enemy or who they see are about to fire at them. Few of them have automatic weapons, and all of them are more accurate if they do aimed fire, which they will be doing.

Saki is still either really tough or really fast/flexiable. The first makes them harder to hurt and helps with recovery and not getting tired. The second would make them faster in combat. If she is faster, she would declare after them and be able to react to what all the above are doing. If not, she declares when they do and can only react to the humans who are about to shoot at us.

All of the nerds can declare before or after Saki, but they can change their mind in order to react to what Saki does.

-

Let me remind you your combat options, standby.

>>6258047
>1. Hunker Down
Generally you will do nothing, but this gives you the best odds of surviving.

>2. Standard Attack
burn 2 magazines. You will be attacking at Disadvantage for the SMGs and standard for the AK/Kalashnikov

>3. Aimed Shots
burn 1 magazine. You bypass armor, but lose two dice.

>4. Defensive Fighting/Blind Fire
You give up 2 dice and burn 3 magazines. You are quite a bit harder to hit.

>5. Pop Smoke
If you're carrying a Raid Bundle, you have two smokes. You can throw one. Your accuracy for your throw is 4 dice. You can block the field of view for anyone targeting Doc, or any of you folks... But whoever is protected won't be able to see. You can also throw a smoke 30 meters with Disadvantage or 10 meters as Standard.
Doc also is carrying smoke, but he declares after all of you.

-

>5. Bound 10 meters and do Standard Fire
You lose 2 dice if at Dis or are at Dis if you weren't yet. Automatic Spray opens up for Kalashnikovs

>6. Bound 10 meters and pop a smoke before/after/during
You don't lose any dice for this. If you pop a smoke and bound through it, you're blind till you get to the other end, but can't be targeted while moving. You can also pop a smoke 30 meters out and bound towards it, being protected as you advance. You can even risk bounding 10 meters and popping a smoke 10 or 30 meters out.

-
>Optional and Free
Everyone can say one sentence to anyone by yelling or short/long range radio. People can only react if they declare after you.

>>6258052
SAKI: I'm fast/flexible
(I'm waiting for some insight from the recon players, like number of enemies or the "leader". Btw if you could tell me what do I need exactly to roll for "standard fire", I'd appreciate it.)

>>6258095
3 for breathing
1 for being extraordinary
4 for longarm
1 becuase you are proficient in it

So 9

>>6258095
You wouldn't hear anything the recon said, but Wildcat would point at the hostiles and direct to the rest of you over the radio or yelling that one of the enemies has a machine gun.

You could at a glance spot 6-9 or so. No visible berets or badges to show rank.

Rolled 14 + 9 (1d20 + 9)

(Ok
>>6258103
SAKI: TATATATA, STANDARD FIRE ATTACK

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>6258052

Cpt. Grand limps into the closest cover. Damn that ankle. He grabs his rifle and begins aiming wherever he can.
>Aimed shot

[Remind me QM if I get any diceroll bonuses?]

>when you realize your players don't listen to you or have bad memories.

None of you roll any dice yet. Just read.
>>6258105
Dice. You roll a lot of dice. D6s. Yes it's different, but it's a lot faster and simpler for reasons that soon will be very clear. We count 3-6 as successes, it's like flipping a lot of coins.

Captain rolls the same number of dice, -2 because aimed fire and only 5 or 6 count because Disadvantage. Also he was never issued a rifle, he can complain about that later, but he has a Colt SMG.

Also we declare from slowest to fastest, then actually roll / act fastest to slowest....

So far we're declaring when we should. Just waiting on the other two to declare.

>>6258131
4 to 6 I meant as successes

>>6258052
>3. Aimed Shots
Assuming I have the training for it, I'll got for taking a few shots hoping for better to hit odds. With the system as is I'm more just saving ammo and picking openings I do believe.

----

'I hope we recover ammo after this shoot out.'

>>6258052
Professor B's gonna
>Hunker Down
At least until I have a vague idea of what the hell we're dealing with.
>>6257761
"If anyone's going to be exchanging flesh for freedom, it's going to be going to ME. We're not wasting good skin and organ tissue on barbaric little cult rituals, not if I have anything to say about it!"
>>6258033
QM, would you mind reminding us the following:
1) A list of who stayed at the camp and who went scouting
2) How many enemies are in each place (Camp and Scout Out)
3) What our enemies look like if we can see them? Are they armed? You mentioned buzzing, zombies, and other things so I wanted to get a clear picture.

>>6258131
>when you realize your players don't listen to you or have bad memories.
No offense, but even as a fellow QM it's a little difficult to follow at times. Hence the questions listed above.

The "nerds" are able to roll now. Jack is rolling the same as the Captain
>>6258143
>1) A list of who stayed at the camp and who went scouting
Captain and Wildcat went scouting and came back. There is a dugout for Captain and Wildcat goes into some moved brush
>2) How many enemies are in each place (Camp and Scout Out)
We can only see enemies at the edge of the tree line. I drew a map of the situation. They are on the left and we are in the middle.
>3) What our enemies look like if we can see them? Are they armed? You mentioned buzzing, zombies, and other things so I wanted to get a clear picture.
See the repeat of below
>>6258047
>Going to ground and taking up defensive positions at the edge of the treeline is a group of individuals in green/brown county Sheriff's deputies, state police, or the US woodland camo uniforms of the national guard. Normally there would be a dice roll or something to see if you can figure out what is going on, but their initiate is the slowest of everyone so...

>They are going to look around and target the group, most likely Doc, who is not in a furrow. The Survivalists (Wildcat and Rook) have stealth and camouflaged training, and are using whatever was cut earlier as concealment.

Rolled 3, 1, 2, 1, 2, 5, 5 = 19 (7d6)

>>6258273
I do believe that is 7d6 then. Based off of >>6258100 9 dice - 2 from >>6258131.

Here's hoping that if they are zombies we hit the brain or what ever is their weakness.

>>6258131
Okay, sorry. So, since the other two have declared, I get to roll now?

>>6258453
Yesh

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>6258484
Alright, here goes.

>>6258505
7d6 famalam, same as Jack.

Rolled 3, 4, 6, 2, 4, 5, 1 = 25 (7d6)

>>6258273
Rolling to stay put, I suppose...

Rolled 1, 1, 4, 4, 1, 2, 5 = 18 (7d6)

>>6258523
Oh goody!

>>6258592
And my bad luck continues...

Rolled 3, 6, 2, 5, 1, 2, 1, 5, 2 = 27 (9d6)

>>6258273
(Rollo)

Rolled 3, 6, 6, 5, 6, 2, 3, 2 = 33 (8d6)

>>6258283

Rolled 5, 5, 1, 2, 1, 5, 2, 1 = 22 (8d6)

>>6258623
>>6258283
You attempt to engage the targets in accurate, careful fire. Popping up and ducking back in, you mostly fail to hit them and they put down enough fire to keep you down. When you poke up at one point, you get hit by a stray round that skips off you.

Your three points of armor was reduced by 1
>>6258546
Rolling to see if anyone can hit you.

Rolled 4, 3, 6, 4, 5, 6, 2, 5 = 35 (8d6)

>>6258592
Rolling for your own success.

Rolled 3, 1, 1, 5, 2, 4, 5, 6 = 27 (8d6)

>>6258592
Harry is trying to do aimed SMG fire, same as one of the others. He's trying to pop out and put out some careful, single shots. He has trouble figuring out his point of aim or his point of impact. Maybe his weapon isn't sighted in correct or something and...

A round skips off him and then another bounces off the dirt hitting his armor. The plate he put in fails and he gets a minor bruise in his chest.
>>6258615
Rolling for the person targeting you.

Rolled 1, 2, 5, 5, 4, 3, 3, 1, 4 = 28 (9d6)

>>6258615
Saki is putting out more fire than the others and their weapon should be dead on, but they just seem to not even be hitting the cover of the enemy. The weapon is controlled well enough and they aren't spraying like crazy, but Saki keeps not knowing what she's hitting. Maybe she is being too careful or something, but then a round hits the ground close to her, narrowly missing her.

Rolling for friendlies.

Rolled 2, 3, 2, 3, 6, 1, 5, 1 = 23 (8d6)

>>6258632
SAKI: (jobs)

Doc deploys smoke in front of Harry and then slide over to him. Steady fire comes in from the friendly trees and hits the cover mostly. The brush is starting to get chewed up or taking hits, to the point that after two magazines of fire each and all the others shooting. The cover is used up.

The next rounds of declaring is the same for all NPCs, except Wildcat is going to tell Harry to take the start cutting and save the necklace.

Doc is going to say, "we've all carved our arms. It's the cost of trying to leave hours early. I think this is getting bad, we need more fire support."

He hands over a sterilized scalpel in a pack, before using a sterilization wipe to rub from inner elbow to wrist. "Do it as straight and as thin as you can."

[Clearing player thoughts and making sure I am gathering all the info correctly.]

If I understanding the battle field and info so far. We got to make it 200 meters to the forest cover. The enemy can easily move around in cover to flank us. Problem I see is it will take at minimum 3 turns just to get into close range and one more to I assume to flanking and forest cover, If we full sprint.

I believe Saki has 2 smoke and 2 Concussion Grenades, but it would seem 30 meters is the throw range max. If 5. Pop Smoke is anything to go buy. I wondered if a ball thrower would get us more range, but with the pin and all that. A grenade launcher would probably be easier for range increase.

Limited ammo is not he best, but we can have people hunker to make it take a lot to hit. Still it will not win us this fight, but it feels like if I were to move out and use the river as cover or at least get some distance to flank. People would be out of ammo in the normal fire fight Exchange. Yet if we don't we will just have to hope that Doc or the others 'offerings' plan works or our shoots hit.

>Us
Is Doc, Saki, Capt. Harry, Professor, Jack, Rook, Wildcard, and the 4 survivors

>Enemy
is 6 to 9 targets. Probably priority Target machine gunner.

>>6258662
Assuming this is the chance to talk quick and pick actions. Otherwise I'll wait next time for ya to say something QM.

'Saki! stealth flank? We aim cover fire you to save ammo.'

>3. Aimed Shots

>>6258773
>'Saki! stealth flank? We aim cover fire you to save ammo.
SAKI: Yes, great idea (she doesn't understand what he's talking about but it would be a shame to use Doc's magical gifts to beat the first enemy). Tell me what to do!

>>6258925
Jack will quickly drawn into the dirt. 'We are here and you move into the woods to circle around.' Jack will then look to the others.

>>6258929
SAKI: MOTHERFUCKER! YOU MUST BE SOME SORT OF GENUIS TACTICIAN. IM IN

>>6258773
Hell with it. Cpt. Grand is going to lay down some suppressing fire. He'll sleep when he's dead!

>4. Defensive Fighting/Blind Fire

>>6258033
B stands for bugged and R stands for Recon Frontier Command

>>6259140
Alright so the RFC should be the 4 Survialists and everyone else is at the ridge. If I knew the system a bit better, but I trust there is a winning plan with flanking. We miss the shoots we don't take and it's our first fight.

Limited talk is it's own battle, but If Harry can radio and ask the RFC to support or move to flank as well. I think we would up the odds big time. With third points hitting the Bugs it should make taking shoots easier on the enemy. With luck and our cover fire I bet Saki could stun them with her Concussion Grenades or drop them with the bonuses to hit.

I'm going to count this as being allowed, as mostly you were trying to keep low and there are lulls and rises in the fighting, such as how the enemy needs to reload.

So, hopefully you're now all about to start taking actions right?

In the future I need to figure out how we explain the civie Engineer of the group, being the one trying to think tactically.

>>6259631
>2. Standard Attack
I'm hoping to keep eyes on us as the team flanks. So I guess it would be best to make up some of that missing fire out put.

>>6259631
To Hell with it.
>2. Standard Attack
"YOU'RE GOING TO WISH I WAS IN A LAB RIGHT NOW!"

>>6259714
(I don't know exactly what do I have to choose to go along with the plan so...)
>Go along with Jack's plan
>Stealth flank

>>6259797
I think we will have to see how the Qm will allow for stealth. Otherwise we got >>6256969 full run which gives 50 meters. Just be care full getting to close.

When getting near or you feel like there is a risk you can pop smoke with the 2 you have. Be it at your feet and not have to roll for a short 10 meters or you can throw it in front of ya and cover 30 meters ahead of ya.

Assuming your smaller frame and the brush near by helping. I hope you can stay covered between shoots and us holding there attention. There is also using the weatherproof bag we have to take a swim and keep your gear safe.

>>6259870
Sounds like a plan
>>6259631
(I move Saki 50 meters flanking the enemy while being stealthy. I don't know if I have to roll something)
(If there's a way to gain invisibility that doesn't work on clothes and weapons with Doc's magic toys, tell me.)

If you want Saki to be harder to hit, the rest of you who can react to slower people, should be going suppressive fire / full auto.

Doc goes last, so you don't know what he will do, and everyone but Cap and B can't talk this "melee" round.

Everyone but Saki can roll first. Y'all should know the math by now, how many dice.

Saki, I'm going to say you should roll 7. Victories from the team mates will get added to you, and if you can put victory those targeting you'll be fine.

>>6260067
I just realized youre out of range to suppress so....

New rule. If two people try to suppress and can't, the more successful of the two is counted as being able to.

I'll just ignore the last two dice.

Rolled 1, 2, 2, 5, 3, 1, 3, 6, 6 = 29 (9d6)

>>6260071
Well then I do believe it's 9d6 for that then. I saw in the doc we didn't get penalties for auto at 50. I am guess it is because of the around 200m.

A below average roll. Half of 4.5 absolutely isn't 3. However, none of your successes are 4s.

Let's hope someone else rolls higher.

Technically Doc goes before you, but life is confusing and we're working as we go.

Rolled 5, 1, 5, 2, 5, 6, 3 = 27 (7d6)

>>6260067

Rolled 2, 3, 6, 6, 1, 4, 1 = 23 (7d6)

>>6260071
Let's kill these bastards! (I realise that I'm not shooting to kill here but morale needs to be upheld.)

Rolled 2, 6, 3, 4, 2, 4, 1 = 22 (7d6)

>>6260067
>Saki, I'm going to say you should roll 7
Then I'm going to roll the best fucking seven there is.

SAKI: (runs 49 meters and shoots)

Rolled 4, 3, 1, 2, 4, 1, 3, 3 = 21 (8d6)

Let's see how this goes.

Rolled 3, 4, 3, 4, 1, 5, 5, 6 = 31 (8d6)

Rolled 4, 5, 2, 5, 1, 4, 2, 1, 2 = 26 (9d6)

And for friendlies

Rolled 2, 2, 2, 1, 4 = 11 (5d6)

Doc throwing a smoke grenade in front of Saki.

Doc throws the smoke grenade only about ten meters or so. Jack, B, and Harry begin to open fire. Harry starts up, but he's not really hitting anything. It might be because he's not really looking and is basically just holding his weapon above him and shooting in the general direction of the enemy. After him, Jack begins to open up as well, letting out long sprays of around ten rounds, over and over and over. The two of them drop magazines and then shove new ones in, before racking the bolt and continuing their fire.

And somewhere in there, Professor B opens up. Maybe she just got lucky, maybe she knew this was going to happen, and that's why she said what she said. But, even with all the difficulty of hitting the enemy because they're just barely in range of her SMG... She is laying out fairly accurate fire.

Saki, being slowed down by her rifle, dashes through the smoke.

The survivalists and Guerillas, from their positions amongst the group and off to the tree line, begin to fire with their Mini-14s and hunting rifles. Half of these strange enemies, these supposed zombies, aren't hitting anything at all. When they expose themselves to return fire, they start to take some incoming fire.

>>6260384
But the enemy, they are just as well armed and just as fast as the Survivalists and Guerillas. All that friendly firepower, and all of it is just as slow as the enemy. The hunting rifle or two, they lay out accurate fire, but they're the slowest of all. So while it would be reasonable and maybe even easy to target the head and arms of the machine-gunner, it might be too late to matter.

As Saki emerges from the smoke, she just might be too vulnerable. The machinegunner and a few others draw a bead on the smoke, and then as Saki emerges they angle their fire towards her, already shooting. The tracers arc through the smoke, closer and closer to her.

But Sub Machineguns are light, and Sub Machineguns are fast. And Professor B is dumping magazines at them, spraying up at high arcing fire that curves down into them. They have a choice, a choice to make before they popped out, and a choice to make while popped out. Be suppressed and take the risk, or stay leaned out and risk getting hit.

And Professor B should've been kept in the lab... Half of the enemy are taking minor injuries. Stray rounds hitting them in the arms or clipping their heads. Some of them have a round bounce off their helmet or skip off the ground to hit their legs.

The machine gunner doesn't care. Maybe they can't feel fear, maybe it's their armor. Even a PASGT vest, 20 years old at this point, can stop 9mm at this extreme distance. But this isn't just regular 9mm, and this isn't just a few rounds. This is high pressure "UZI" brand, "SMG only" ammunition. High pressure. 1400 fps. And it's 7 to 10 rounds.

There is enough fire weaving around Saki, that despite that she's having to run 40 meters towards bullets with her name on them... Not that many can really hit her. She gets shot up a bit, and if she's got even got a decent amount of her armor still intact... She'll be okay. She has to slide like she's playing baseball, but otherwise, she's okay.

But the Machine gunner and those around him, their armor gets chewed up.

And then... And then...

The fire from the hunting rifles isn't very fast, but it is accurate. It hits them when the enemy is moving to look or to fire. Then the fire from the Mini-14s comes in for the enemy, and it's too slow to stop what they are doing now, but... For the most part it's suppressing them, holding them in place. And then there is a bang from a hunting rifle, the chunk and click of the lever being racked, and then another accurate shot.

All of the enemy have taken a point of damage and effectively, their cover is no more.

Both sides have fired at least four magazines each at each other. Some were firing at a steady rate the whole time, and others did accurate, aimed fire, before switching to aggressive and crazy fire.

Whatever the case, weapons are burning hot, barrels are smoking. Precision and accurately is out the window, and it's going to take time for weapons to cool.

The Expedition Team, almost all of them have been hit. They have bickered and other people have called them fools, idiots, dorks, gremlins, and nerds. The careful threating of their Kevlar panels is stretched, and some of them the aluminum plates inside their vests are bent or shattered. One of them has a round just barely caught by the last few layers of Kevlar.

But the enemy, their cover is shot to shit. Trees are torn in half, and brush is no longer there. Even if they're wearing SWAT armor, it's also shot up and totally fucked. And they've all been hit, all been wounded.

The Expedition Team has time to try their radios and look to each other.

>>6260394
Does that mean Saki is the only one with a working gun for the moment? Since she was full sprinting.

Jack will take a look at the area and see if there is cover to move up to. 'Do we move up while the weapon cools down and finish this? I am sure if they fall back that would no good for this camp.' Jack looks back to the party.

>>6260394
(How many meters do I have to advance to get more dices when shooting, you said their covers are busted)

>>6260680
This isn't like Twilight 2000 or D20 Modern or Cyberpunk 2020. And because we switched to faster Cogent combat... It's all normal or disadvantage.

The SMGs can do auto at 100 and don't lose dice for auto at 50.

Let me check the not cogent system.

>>6260680
You'd get another harm any time you inflicted harm, if you were 50 meters closer.
>>6260581
Saki might be able to attack and not get resistance back, but it could mean that her weapon won't be cool when everyone starts shooting again.

This clearing doesn't have a lot of cover cover. It at best as micro terrain that provides concealment. Concealment doesn't soak damage. It just means they need another victory more than you to hit you.

Is Captain not going to call in with the radio and the scalpel and the GDO?

>>6260785
>Is Captain not going to call in with the radio and the scalpel and the GDO?
[OOC] Can we call in for reinforcements? I was under the impression it was just us.

>>6260989
Doc is nodding furiously. "If you're outside a jump window and you don't have any generators running, you have to do a straight cut from your inner elbow to your wrist."

He mimes this and points to the tool he just provided. "I'm here on standby for that reason..." He tries to look up a little to see if the enemy is preparing to shoot more. "You'll need to beat your own wound if you don't get a signal fast enough.... Maybe wire your GDO to your radio, and click it, before you start cutting."

>>6260989
>>6261082
'Let me know if you need help wiring. I got the tools here for such things.' jack looks over to his Electronics kit and back to keeping an eye on the Zeds.

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>6261082
>>6261111
Cpt. Grand shrugs.

"Well alright then. Here goes nothing."

He gets Jack to help wire the radio, and then grabs the tool from Doc. Taking a gulp, he cuts into his forearm.

>>6261210
>>6261111
Harry is just a man cutting into his arm, and it hurts, and it aches, but he's trying to cut steady and still. But there is something wrong, more wrong than the feeling of cutting and the danger they are in.

Something is watching them. Something powerful and something with an agenda. Something that can choose who lives and choose who does, and a being that wishes to not be wronged or for mortals to get in its way.

(What do you guys say? Do I shoot them up or not?)

>>6261420
I am not sure how things work with the system. Since the google doc doesn't cover everything like overheating. You have, I believe, two more stander shots worth of ammo. So ether way over heating shouldn't be a worry.

I would say as the only one that can take shots and can likely hit the best. do he >5. Bound 10 meters and do Standard Fire. Move to something that can give cover or concealment and keep the enemy from breathing. If things go well you take out enemies that can't fire back later. That is if you feel like taking the risk. Otherwise full spiriting will likely get you to cover and just a bit closer.

I believe we have side arms and can pray that pistols do something. Maybe they can at least distract people and not let them focus solely on you. Yet they can't do much with the max being 50meters.

Well, there is still like 150 meters to cover. There is micro terrain but again, it's at best minor concealment or the ability to go prone.

If they get like two more victories than you, they just ignore what you got.

Rolled 2, 1, 1, 4, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1 = 18 (9d6)

>>6261478
OK, I'll do this. I wanted to shoot them up anyways
I might throw a smoke next turn.
>>6261539
>5. Bound 10 meters and do Standard Fire. Move to something that can give cover or concealment and keep the enemy from breathing.

SAKI: (bounds 10 meters) Eat lead, you communist bugs!

I fucking hate rolling

Rolled 2, 3 = 5 (2d10)

I think you just crit failed.>>6261561

>>6261565
(I figured something similar)

>>6261558
Well that is 1 success, still not the best for 50/50 chances.

If there is time to try anything else. All I can think is try the radio for talking to the survivors or dig out more cover.

I think until everyone chimes in I don't have to update, but I think this next bit is going to require some moderately good writing out of me

Guess I'll do another
>Standard Attack

A circle starts drawing itself into the ground, burning and charring the earth as it etches into. Right as it finishes, there is a popping sound, like a loud cork. Then suddenly there is a marine there with a M249 belt fed and belts of ammo hanging over him. He quickly goes prone, sets up his bipod, and then looks around. Adjusting his sights, he then says

"Philips the name! I went to Machine Gun College!" Silence. "What seems to be the problem?"

Wildcat from a place of cover says to not shoot Saki and points at the enemy tree line.

Philip puts a hand to his eyebrows and looks out for about two seconds, and then starts furiously unloading everything he's got at the tree line.

Rolled 5, 6, 3, 6, 6, 5, 6, 3, 4 = 44 (9d6)

Woops
>>6262478

Rolled 5, 1, 3, 6, 6, 4, 4, 3, 1 = 33 (9d6)

It keeps coming bros
>>6262480

Rolled 1, 5, 1, 4, 3, 2, 6, 1 = 23 (8d6)

>>6262482

Rolled 11 (1d20)

Philip had dialed in his M249 LMG into the 200 meter tree line was dumping a hundred rounds at them, creating a vicious and effective "beaten zone". Signaling to Wildcat, the guerilla rushed and slid over, before tying too belts together and holding them to make sure they fed correctly. The weapon kept firing and firing and firing, spraying into the trees, chewing up what remained of the light brush, and pinning down those with any brains to be had.

A few attempted to return fire and took additional injuries, bullets ripping through them, and imposing wounds that would be fatal soon enough, and were disabling now. Those who were clipped in the arm or leg or side with a single round or two, were still in enough pain and confusion to be of limited combat use.

Surely, this meant that the battle would be useless to wage for the dread bugs!

As soon as the barrel is over heated and hot enough to require changing, a 8 foot tall creature pokes it's head out from a tall tree about 300 meters head. It then looks around.

The radio squaks from the recon team. It's a Stink Bug. Very dangerous and the creator of zombies. Now is the time to neutralize it. Suddenly there is this radio silence.

Doc isn't sure if he needs to help Saki or if he should encourage her to hug the earth, or if he should tell her to drop smoke. It's another 100 meters to the enemy and she's out of armor.

However, at this range her AK does another harm and cover is really chewed up, but her weapon would reip through whatever is left. Hell, of she wanted to risk it, she could try going full auto at the Stink Bug.

But if she doesn't kill it and duck, the zombies will shot at her.

I was busy, sorry for the delay.
>>6262338
Feel free to roll!

Rolled 5, 1, 5, 2, 3, 3, 3, 1, 3, 6 = 32 (10d6)

>>6262486
SAKI: Hello, guys? It's me Saki (sniffs, she's still sad for failing all her shots) I'm going to throw a smoke and hit the big bug. I need to recover my pride.
( Throws a smoke and does a standard attack aiming for the stinkbug)
SAKI: AAAAAAAAAAAAA

Rolled 6, 4, 2, 4, 3, 6, 6 = 31 (7d6)

>>6262486
'Whelp that is gonna be a problem unless our back up came with ammo for us. I guess it best to make our ammo count and finish what we can.' Jack will take aimed shots at the remaining zombies.

Afrer a moment more of the size and looks set in. 'Shit should we fan out with something that big? I doubt cover will matter once the zeds are dead. Unless it has range attacks.'

Rolled 6, 1, 1, 5, 4, 4, 1 = 22 (7d6)

>>6262487

Rolled 2, 3 = 5 (2d6)

B was doing a standard attack so rolling 2 more dice.

Rolled 4, 4, 1, 4 = 13 (4d6)

Rolled 5, 3, 2, 5 = 15 (4d6)

I rolled for the return fire, and they have less dice because injured and scared. Y'all with SMGs have successes on 5 or 6 because you're at the limit for the SMGs. If you were closer or has a different weapon, you'd do better.

I'll give faster advancement if you describe for yourself what is happening.

Long day, tired. Will update tomorrow.

Saki just barely got a hit. If the others exceeded or matched the enemy, Saki won't get shot or anything.

The bug exposes itself for a limited window of time, but in that time, Saki is already acting. She pops her smoke and gives it a toss, before she starts letting off a controlled series of shots. Some of the shots hit the bug and some seem to land around the bug. Saki exposes herself and is moving while trying to let off the shots, but either she's moving in an unsteady stance, or her view at different points gets blocked by smoke. In fact, if it was possible, Saki would risk of hitting plenty of targets she wasn't even meant or wanting to hit, like puppies.

Jack Price let off precise, accurate shots. Short bursts of a few rounds, rapid taps of single shots, and sometimes single shots as it seems apt. Both of them fire plenty of precise shots, but because of the extent of the range, they need their shots to be falling into the target almost. Their string of fire needs to curve upward, and then downward into the enemy.

Prof. B fires more consistently and fires more shots. Her rounds of fire is on target just enough, but then as she keeps firing, her fire quickly goes off target. As she locks back on target and tries to put rounds downrange to make up for the range issues, she keeps happening to miss, however.

Luckily for Prof. B, the zombie or zombies she is shooting at, are just as inaccurate as she is. The two of them are mostly not hitting each other, and are being overly cautious or just frankly not hitting.

Jack's shots are accurate, almost hitting the enemy in their heads. Rounds almost hit one target in the brain, and then almost hit another target in the brain. By himself he is fighting off two zombies, enough that Saki wasn't exposed when she tried to hit the bug.

The large bug quickly leaps from the trees and lands into another tree, before there is the movement of trees from all the scampering.

Rolled 3, 17 = 20 (2d100)

>>6264861
Eventually, the fight turns enough out of the favor of the zombies and they are defeated. The bug has seemingly escaped. It takes about an hour for the battle to end and for people to be sure the bug is gone.

After the Recon Team takes what they want or think they deserve, plus replacing what they used up... There are about seven dead enemy bugged human zombies. About half of them are brown or green uniform law enforcement with pump shotguns and slugs/buckshot, the other half are National Guard with M16A1s. Both of them have body armor that is either PASGT or slightly better or worse. All of their armor is chewed up, and their uniforms and bodies have fragments and stray rounds in them.

Rolling for what is intact of their things.

>>6264865
The enemy is completely out of ammunition after the Recon Team took a paltry amount of ammunition. A lot of the extra gear they would have on them is missing, to the point that only one of them had a bayonet, one has a regular knife. A lot of various additional equipment that would be on them is missing or used up, or has been hit.

There are some rations leftover and water that wasn't hit too badly, but not a lot, and it's not very high quality.

However, you have all Advanced. Time to update everyone's sheets.

All of the Technicians, for now at least get a +2 to Knowledge (Technology/Electronics), +2 to Use Computer. When you roll to Perception (Search) for the purposes of finding "Salvage" or to "Scavenge", your result has a 1.5 rounded down multiplier.

Saki, who is "SWAT". If she ever becomes extremely wounded, exhausted, hungry, scared, or demoralized; she will try to push through and endure. When she activates and make actions AFTER she enters the state, she has 1 whole long melee or equivalent to try to make the most of what time is left. She gets a +2 to all skills involving the physical body and +1 to all skills involving the mind or detection. During combat she would get 1 more dice if she tries to run or throw something.

>>6264884
Neat. I do hope we can find a gun store or other supply source for ammo. Otherwise having a bayonet is something.

'Hey doc or Professor, any chance you all can find a weakness for these guys? Otherwise I'm just hoping headshots will work and save us some ammo.'

>>6264930
"That chance will be astronomically increased if you bring one of those mindless brutes over to my equipment... irksome things, to be sure."
>Examine Corpses to determine weaknesses and/or useful info!

>>6264958
I believe that is Int plus doubling down on Earth and Life Sciences.. So 1d20+6

Okay I give up on trying to like keep us from thinking of this as a game, but basically your Int is 14 and you have expertise in Earth and Life Sciences

>>6264958
Collecting material is Investigation. For you that is Int (14 so +2).

As an Academic, your background ability is
Lab Sample: You gain a +4 bonus to any attempt to Investigate (Chemical), Investigate (Electronic), Investigate (Mechanical), and Investigate (Biological)

Understanding what you find is a Knowledge Earth and Life Sciences (See previous post). Doing Sherlock Homes thinking afterward is just the same number as what you rolled to collect the evidence.

>>6264966
How many dice would that be total then? Just as a reminder?

"Hey doc, can I get some help for my arm over here?"

Cpt. Grand is glad that the combat's over, but disappointed he didn't get to splash any bugs. Next time.

>>6264968
It's one dice, standard D20. We were doing a dice pool just because the very fast combat system uses dice pools.

Rolled 14 + 6 (1d20 + 6)

>>6265016
Here we go then

>>6264966
SAKI: This is the worst day ever (still sad), I'll kill that bug next time...

>>6265212
'Well it was thanks to you that the team was able to get those shots out and end the zombies. Lets hope that the professor can find something worth while. Then we can have a better plan for the next fight.'

>>6265016
'Hey Doc, is Philip a 'real' person or did Harry just do a summon creature from those table top games kind of thing?' Jack looks around the area. 'I wonder if we can make spikes from the wood here. Assuming it can hurt that big bug or at least help us defend.'

Jack looks back to the ridge the team was firing from. 'If we get into more fights here we will likely want better cover on our sides and ways to move up if need.'

>>6265092
You will get the evidence or material if you describe how Prof uses the evidence kit and other materials well enough.

As she examines them under watch, she notices they all have purplish bruises around or under the nose. They all have leaner but suitably healthy bodies, some with all kinds of scars and cuts that have healed.

Some of them were hit in an internal organ or the head and we're found seemingly dead. One was choking on blood and struggling to move, one was dead with part of its arm missing, a few died without any major organs being hit but surrounded by blood.

A few were even seemingly still alive and we're executed while choking or trying to fire a pistol or strike at them.

The police didn't wear helmets, they all wore suitable armor as good or better than the party, if not for the new aluminum plates the party used and broke.

Doc and Wildcat use the radios and tools to sink up to a GDO and a sat com, along with a laptop sent in the shipment that arrived with Philip.

Philip has M65, M81 Woodland camo, cold weather jackets with removable "smokers jacket" inflation. There is a portable generator, proper shovels, a still, containers of fuel, enzymes, and other supplies.

Both of the mysterious co leaders have separate conversations with mysterious people, including the Tzarina and the Kendra who was in the video.

The group has gained favorable relations with the Recon team and their superiors.

>>6265277
SAKI: You are a good man, Jack...

All or almost all of you should be wearing helmets, but if you put on the M65 jackets, you will look like this.

After some more digging around in the crates that sent with Philip, some SAPI plates were passed around. All seven of those previous present are given two each, with Philip wearing a set and having spares. There are also spare Aluminum plates, four for each.

In addition, there is needles, thread, and fresh aramid inserts for their vests. If their armor is partially depleted, their plate is no good. If their armor is fully depleted, the insert and plates are no good, and in addition the vest has holes that need sewed up.

Sewing can be attempted with either a Survival or Medicine roll.

>>6265563
Jack will insert a replacement plate and keep the damaged one for parts. 'I wonder if command will get mad if I patch up the plate and use it like a griddle. Well on second thought the aluminum is probably not food grade.' Jack checking over the party. 'I think Saki's vest will need some patching up.'

Thankfully Saki and the Professor grab survival on the jump sickness skill up.

>>6265522
Tests, tests, tests... FINALLY something normal! The Professor's eyes light up like lanterns as she sets up her equipment in a flat area near where the corpses were haphazardly piled up by her minio-err, peers. It wasn't a lab, but it'd have to do for now.

Removing the instruments from their packaging, the scientist begins by collecting blood samples while they're still 'warm'. Humming an unfamiliar tune as she works her magic, the scientist moves on to collecting samples with cotton swabs from their attacker's nostrils, mouths, and other mucous membranes. Thank SCIENCE she came with gloves.

More importantly, however, she collects a few of the maggots in separate jars before running a biopsy on the following:
>Attacker Blood
>Attacker Mucous/Bile
>Maggot
>Attacker Stomach, Heart, Lungs, Liver, and Brains

When the initial analyses are completed, next comes the reaction tests. Introducing the maggots and bodily fluid samples to the following:
>Ph Test
>Heat
>Cold
>Electrical shock

Needless to say the ground gets very messy. She'd have to put in a request for traffic cones... or a big sign that says 'GO AWAY'.

>>6265629
At the sight of this Jack will make a lasso out of one of the ropes. [Mumbles]'I doubt the Professor would miss handle that biohazard, but if things go wrong I hope we can subdue them with rope.'

Once Jack finishes with rope. "Let me know if you need help with wiring Professor. I'll get to work setting up camp. Then go gather some wood and things for cover.'

>>6265667
The professor doesn't even bother looking back at the Engineer as she continues her work.
"Yes, yes... make yourself useful. Prioritize generator and wiring around my equipment, there's a good boy. This takes priority."

>>6265629
Can you to someone name the exact lab equipment to help me?

>>6265667
That sounds like a Craft (Structural) roll.

Rolled 4 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

Survival roll
>>6265563
SAKI: (humming and sewing joyously). Hey, do you know if there's a way I can take a bath?

Rolled 2 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>6265750
I believe that was +3 for the nerds.

>>6265748

>>6253467
I do believe this is the gear the Professor ordered.
>1 Science Kit (Biology)
>1 Digital Camera
>1 Microscope
>1 Chemical Analyzer
>1 Geiger Counter
>1 Water Purifier

>>6265759
SAKI: Someone, help...(Fails yet again)

>>6265748
>>6265770
The Engineer speaks the truth. I am fully-equipped to do one of the MANY things I do best.
>>6265775
The Professor frees the girl with a few snips of some surgical scissors, barely looking up from her tasks.
>>6265759
"The key ingredient in that process is water. I suggest you wander around and find a source. Preferably far, FAR away from my work area. Quietly too, if possible."

>>6265770
It doesn't matter as you failed, but going forward it's Int (+2), Technician power (+1) as a default. If you're specialized that's a plus 4 and if you dipped into it that's a plus 2.

If you took a kit with picks related, that's a plus 2.

Rolled 8 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>6265759
Doc will Aid Another on the repairs

>>6265759
Doc will do the DC 10 repairs with nylon string and pawn off the DC 5 repairs to Saki.
>>6265770
The microscope and chemical analyzer don't stack, but they do separate things you can look at in the pick doc. The chemical thing is in a sensor section.

The science kit is at least a +1 to it's type of science. It's kinda weird how it's not a manual but it's only for knowledge checks.

>>6265811
Okay, but can I do what I'm aiming to do with the gear I have? I'd like to think I pretty much have everything I need.

>>6265788
SAKI: Thanks B-chan you're a lifesaver. Now, I wonder where can I get water.

>>6265838
'If I am not mistaken there is a river nearby we can pull water from. A shame that camp setup is giving me trouble again. Maybe you will get lucky and find fire wood and a barrel to set yourself up.'

>>6265852
SAKI: YES, PLEASE. I need a break after today's fiasco. A bath is the best way to clean the shame away. I might even bathe in the river if needed (totally serious)

(A map, OP? Or an insight about bathing)

Rolled 8 (1d20)

Cpt. Grand decides that since Doc's got all her samples, it's time to burn the bodies. Can't let them go rotting now, can we? He goes off searching for some firewood to burn them with.

>>6265814
You can almost take ten and get a 20, as it all adds up to 18 or 19. I've looked at what the various equipment helps with and a lot of it helps with plenty of things.

The Microscope provides a +2 for Perception (Search) and Knowledge (Science) checks.
---
I think you might actually be something new in terms of a class. You seem to be heavy on Knowledges and Investigation like an Analyist, except they're like 50% interviewing people and such.

Do you want to be actually good at savaging and technology? The Knowledge and Crafting fits you (Pharm, Chem, ect).

>>6265864
Check the map from the fight or the description of when we first got here.

>>6265905
"Yes... yes indeed. I shall be 'good' at all things before long..."
Really though, sign me up, yes please. And I shall be taking that 20, thank you very much.
>>6265838
>B-Chan
The nickname actually causes the scientist to turn away from her work and glare.
"... I have DEGREES. Plural. I am not a 'B-Chan.'"

As the Prof runs her battery of tests and looks at things using the tools she has, she discovers a series of things.

1. The muscous, blood, bile, liver, lungs, and heart seem perfectly normal. Perhaps more healthy than would be expected considering this is supposed some kind of post-apocalypse location.

2. Testing for toxins or poisons finds close to nothing.

3. The areas behind the nose are in bad shape, and sometimes the noses don't quite work (Popped blood vessels and such).

4. The worm or bug is snuggled up inside the brain, somewhere inside the frontal lobes. Some sections of the brain that are the newest, most advanced (Frontal cortex) are disconnected from each other and the bug.

5. One of the subjects looks about 35 and in health, aging, grey hairs seems to be in that state, but checking his teeth or bone marrow, ect... Reveals he's closer to 45 or even 50. People with good genes, luck, and good health can certainly look younger, but this is very odd. A lot of the group seems to be avoid of signs of degenerative aging, and they mostly gain definition in their skin instead of wrinkles or fading hair.

6. Stomach contents indicates they're getting plenty of nutrients and minerals, just an acceptable amount of sugar, and they must be eating some kind of like saline mixture or liquidish blend of... Something... Maybe it's like a ratio of different foods put into a blender or like the stuff injected into food to add protein or carbs or such.

Taking 20 is going to take time, let me look up that.

>>6265926
Looking at the body or the maggot to really understand it takes an hour, and taking 20 takes 20 times as long.

You could do it in 2 days but you might have to do Focus / Exhaustion rolls.

>>6265929
So be it. The rest of the proles can set the camp up--I have WORK to do!

>>6265933
I'm going to say it's a Will Save to Concentrate and remained focused and such. Unless you can pull up the rules and prove it might be an Int Save.

Rolled 5 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>6265957
No clue where the rules are so I'll just roll will, I guess

What does everyone else do in the meanwhile?
>>6266041
Prof B already is normally snarky, so she'll just need two and a half days. The first day she did decent work but after eight or nine hours she mostly didn't get much done.

>>6265901
Harry has firewood, more like drift wood really. It might be dry enough to light eventually. Finding that is Survival.

Cutting it, I think this counts as Crafting technically and we have a few hatchets to borrow, and hell, you can cut branches into smaller pieces but hitting a suicidal knife with a shovel (It's called batoning).

For finding and lighting it...So that's a 10, 1 from Wis and 1 from equipment. If he has training that's 2 more.

Describe how that goes?

>>6266180
Cpt. Grand first gathers all the bodies together into a large pile. He makes sure it's not near anything flammable, so it doesn't spread. Then he goes around gathering sticks and dry logs, piling them by the bodies so it'll be easy to throw fuel on to keep the fire burning. Then he spends some time cutting all the pieces he can into manageable sizes, making sure to keep a few big logs and branches for the main fire. And then he stacks the smallest ones first at the edge and tries to light a small fire, which he can hopefully grow into a big one. He hope nobody here will get uncomfortable, because burning flesh is supposed to smell pretty tasty. Funny thing that.

>>6266207
Before the fire is started or any chopping of flesh happens, Doc is gonna take a lot of the bodies and how they are equipped. If he can take dog tags he will. There will also be checking mouths for special teeth and pulling them. Maybe there is dental records in the state that can someday be found.

Finger prints, DNA, hair samples.

A description of any patches or unit markings.

"How much are the weapons intact? Are they any use to us?"

>>6266180
>>6266180
SAKI: OK, guys. I'm going to the river to take a bath so no peeping allowed (plans to beat their asses if they do it). I'm serious.

>>6266413
Jack looks over to Doc 'I can give them a go over with my mechanics kit.'

Assuming it's craft mechanics I dipped into that and I got the superior tools kit. I assume there could be other bonuses. Like if the information database gives my blue prints or something to help with the guns.

>>6266426
'Just make sure to not forget your towel.'

>>6266458

>>6266527
Cool. I just got the one from the bundle and didn't even know those are a thing. What do I add to the roll to check over the guns for Doc?

>>6265805
Going by this I was thinking it would be like +7, If it was a craft mechanics roll. I wasn't sure if the better tools would also add anything or if information database would help in any way.

>>6266567
Well these are separate systems so I'm not sure. The small let's you attempt and the Standard gives you +2.

Attempting a reply would cost you a unit of Mechanical parts and while I think you should've been able to requisition some... Hmm...

They're worth about 10-40 in 1999 dollars, or 1 to 4 days of preserved domestic or wild food.

I'll let you roll 1d20 luck and with a 15 you have 1d8 units of Mechanical Parts.

Otherwise, you need to trade with the locals or get another unit to send them to you with a jump. That requires a marked area with chalk, a clearing, and a generator running during the "landing".

I need to check if we were sent a still.
>>6266567
You're correct about the +7 and maybe you have the Standard Kit.

"There is a portable generator, proper shovels, a still, containers of fuel, enzymes, and other supplies."

Wildcat starts talking "Okay you Cowards and killers!" He speaks somewhat like a drill Sargent. "The still we have is perfectly capable of distilling ethanol, it's just a day harvesting, a day making mash, and a day letting it brew..."

He counts on his fingers and looks around at them as he's talking. "Each of these is a one day, one man job, but with enough of us pitching in it should be easy enough..."

He glares out of the corner of his eye at the scientist and then those people who suck at marching.

"But luckily for you... And keep this a secret to yourselves" suspicious side eyes. "But we have access to some hardcore bio technical shit... Which allows us to distill cellulose switch grass and concentrated hay like materials into cellulose ethanol. The future is a using a sugar rich grass or a special genetically modified switch grass, but we have very high quality, very heavily parented enzymes from a major firm."

He gets out a folded up water proof packet and reads from it. "As part of this licensing agreement we agree to empower the "bad bitches" of the world, ensure the downfall of the hierarchies of the world, rob naked all barons of the fat or robber variety, and also agree that none of us are as handsome, beautiful, or sexy as Mistress Saint Marquess Vixen of Tibet, Northeast MindWalker, and South Sudan."

He folds it back up and puts it away, acting like that was perfectly normal and not super weird.

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>6266413
Once doc is done with grabbing what he wants from the bodies, Cpt. Grand starts the fire. He'll start with a small one and if that's successful he'll try and light the pile of bodies.

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>6266664

>>6266459
SAKI: You are a good man, Jack... ( hides behind the grass, disrobes herself and starts bathing joyously). Ah, this is life.

OTTERS: (appear and stare at Saki with unclear intentions)

SAKI: (Notices the animals) OH, B-chan, B-chan, come! It's a group of Gondolas! Like in the memes! B-chan!

OTTERS: (Stare a bit more) ... (jump on Saki)

SAKI: AAAAAAAAAA! What are you doing? Let go of me!

OTTERS: (suck-suck, rub-rub, lick-lick)

SAKI: NO! I'm not your mommy! Help me B-chan! Anh!

(Can she gain stats fighting against the otters, OP?)

Rolled 7 (1d8)

>>6266664

>>6266668
"Yes, yes, just leave the grass in a tidy pile over there..." Mutters the Professor as she throws a vague gesture at one of the corners of her 'work area'. "I'm nearing a breakthrough on our attackers, so you'll have to be PATIENT. Go lift rocks or do pushups or whatever you people do."

>>6266723
A rare smile forms on the scientist's face as the corpses light up. "A fine aroma. Reminds me of my internship at the crematorium." The smile fades. "... Makes me hungry."

>>6266751
Her brow furrows further as she hears her 'name' being called from afar.
"Splendid, it's making noises again." The scientist shoots the rest of the camp a sidelong glance. "One of you make it stop, or I will. By removing that thing's vocal chords."

Her abuse quota met for at least another few minutes, Professor B returns to her lab work whistling a jaunty tune all the while.

>>6266751
Roll for animal handling?

>>6266751
Also roll 1d20+5 for no reason.

Rolled 10 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>6266939
(Roll for taming animals)

Rolled 18 + 5 (1d20 + 5)

>>6266940
(Rolls mysteriously)

>>6266971
SAKI: Get off of me and I'll help you find your mommy!

OTTER NUMBER 3: (Goest too far with his harassment)

SAKI: Motherfuckers, you are not babies playing! (Proceeds to beat the crap out of the otters)

>>6266939
(Do I win something for the roll?)

>>6267076
Otterworlder, you will lead them in you own Otteryssey.

>>6267076
>>6267075
The otters have been defeated and are close to neutral when something begins to draw a circle in the water. The otters begin to scatter further up the stream. There is a popping sound but nothing...

The water is flowing around something. Maybe a log, maybe a person.

>>6267117
(The funny part is that all my rolls are bad, even when I roll high)

>>6267117
SAKI: It's obviously a treasure (searches in the weird water flow)

Rolled 15 + 7 (1d20 + 7)

>>6266664
If everything is good to go with the rolls before. I'll take a look at the guns for Doc. Since I am not doing the best with setting up camp.

>>6267119
Saki has just touched a person and possibly touched them in a person they should not be touched. At least it feels like a person? Very long hair, short.

>>6267200
SAKI: It's not a treasure, it a person ... well the true treasure will be our friendship! (Her brain produces something similar to a coherent thought) This is a peeping pervert! (Pulls out the mystery nigga)

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>6267197
Luck roll for parts.

(What's underwater, OP?)

>>6267648
I thought that was covered with these rolls. >>6266750 >>6266755 or is this another thing.

>>6267197
You manage to look over the weapons and for the most part they are only minorly damaged, but they might run the risk of not running reliably or having bad point of aim in the future. The M16A1s look at least 20 years old, the barrels and bolts and such could need replacement or work. The pump action shotguns are fine and easy to repair, or they take a long time to be damaged.
>>6267670
The water around the shape seems to bubble a little, and comes up as steam. There is the smell of a campfire on the breeze, a warm and smokey sound... It smells a little like copper or rust... Grabbing the being would force a Constitution Saving through if you did more than just touch them (Like grab and hold on).

Being close to them and touching them, as of now, also induces a slight amount of fear. It's not sure why. Perhaps because they can't be seen? Or maybe there is something unnatural or beyond natural about them?

(I didn't understand at first that it's an invisible enemy)
>>6267682
SAKI: I hope Doc has information about invisible enemies in his Monsterdex (grabs the chest of the figure to know if they are a man or a woman)

>>6267681
Correction, everything is fixed and you have 1d8-1 units of Mechanical parts now.
>>6267786
The figure has something over their chest that makes it hard to tell. Also, they are going to strike or shove the Faeire. Roll a Dex Saving Throw. You have 1d20+4 because Agile + SWAT. If you get a 15 you are fine, if you don't, you're throw back 1d6x10 feet in the water.

Rolled 7 + 1 (1d8 + 1)

>>6267819

>>6267869
Whoops, I thought I did minus and cool only 1 part lost then.

>>6266772
"Hey Professor, these things are bugs, right? I was thinking if they are big on pheromones maybe you could whip something to mimic them. So people could hide from or act like the 'zombies' from before."

Jack ponders some more. "Granted if they have the big bug from before it maybe able to tell, but it just a thought that it might work on the 'zombies'."

>>6267819
Jack would like to help the captain with the bodies after this. He will grab two shovels and cloth to cover his face.

>>6266723
"Hey Captain, I was thinking about what our goal could be out here. I get the feeling with the radio and you exploring we will be seeing more people fighting those 'zombies'." Jack points to the body pile.

Jack pauses and takes a look at the captain before talking more. "How do you feel about being able to sway the people and getting them to fight? I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but you have the face of an actor. I haven't heard ya say much, but I wouldn't be surprised if you have the voice to inspire to go with."

>>6267881
The Professor takes a rare break from her work to turn and face Jack with a... surprisingly not-as-annoyed expression on her face.
"An intriguing proposal, Engineer, yes... I considered the possibility myself while studying the larva. Their sensitivity to pheromones would certainly aid us in future incursions, but why stop there?"
A faint glimmer appears in the corner of her lab goggles.
"What if they could be CONTROLLED?"
>>6267819
Also QM, am I still working on studying the bugs, or should I move on to rolling for the ethanol production?

Rolled 5 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>6267819
SAKI: !!! (thanks to her intense training and natural talent, SAKI can feel the bloodlust radiating from the creature and predict its attack) YAAAA! ( performs an evasive maneuver with the grace of a swan and the beauty of an antelope)

(Do I have to roll the distance myself?)
>>6267994

(Please, OP, don't rough up my girl so much)

>>6267995
Yes

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>6268069
(Ok)

>>6268072

SAKI: (gets throw back 40 feet in the water like a pancake) PUAH! OK, this is too much for me, I'm getting mauled to death if I stay here (tries to get out of the river to go back to the camp as fast as possible) Clothes be damned, this is an emergency.

>>6253474
>Weapon Sight Night/Day

This is meant to attach to a M16 but with crafting can fit the AK. Be aware the AK has way less range.

>>6253474
>Swiss Knife
Also I think this helps if you have the wrong crafting tools.

>>6253458
I forgot about this and got confused earlier checking

>>6268089
The two regular kits together are 50 pounds and the book never says what superior tools are. I'll just give you a +1

>>6268078
Forgot to say but for reasons unknown Saki is mostly a blur to everyone else.

>>6268098
(As long as the monster doesn't chase her it's ok)

>>6268098
SAKI: GUYS, THERE'S AN INVISIBLE ENEMY! DOC, JACK, B-CHAN, HARRY. FIND THERMAL DETECTION. IT'S INVISIBLE AND STRONG! (keeps running desperately until arriving to the camp)

>>6268097
Cool.

>>6268098
Hey self-censoring makes keeping the rating board happy.

>>6268116
Should we roll to act?

"I'm not sure about us having thermal detection, but the Professor has a Geiger counter." Jack will grab Saki's weapon if it got left at camp and make his way over. Keeping a look out for changes to the ground and hope to see movement.

>>6268143
"UuUUUUuuUuUGH the Geiger Counter isn't going to detect heat-confound it, whatever..."
Leaving her workstation with another dramatic groan, Professor B. grabs the Geiger Counter and joins Jack on his little hunting trip.

>>6268153
'With the unknown do we have a reason to leave anything out on detection? Wouldn't it be neat if the flash light emitted spectrum made it show up better.'

>>6268170
"We'll have far bigger problems if whatever scared that gremlin out of our potential water source emits RADIATION. And I assure you, Engineer: they won't be 'neat'."
She grumbles, pausing on the last word to add in some finger quotation marks.
"... Though it might be prudent to take some water and soil samples while we're here. This won't be a COMPLETE waste of time, I suppose..."

The Captains ARM starts making a noise if Saki gets anywhere near him. If turned on it will pick up radiation at a considerable distance, but it also can detect a number of things that are... blacked out?
>>6268153
The Geiger counter seems to have a pretty decent range, but it does nothing when around Saki and nothing if they to check around the water.
>>6268116
Saki for some reason can sense that whatever is following her, could be watching her. She can't sense, even just a hunch or her gut that it's following, but she can feel, maybe, that it's watching her.

There is a breeze that carries like... it's like when you listen to midi notes that match the pitch and cadence of a song. If you know the words, you can hear them. For Saki only. In perfect Fairy it says something that roughly means. "Do you know what you are? Do you know what you want?"

The party will eventually notice that there are series of very visible foot prints that lead to where the bodies are burned/buried. It had placed sticks into the earth and covered them with the caps of all of the dead.
>>6267902
You will be busy the next three days working as long as you can on just the DNA stuff.

>>6268180
Professor B stares daggers at the river as if the gesture was somehow able to do damage to it.
"Marvelous. Nothing but mosquitos, pondscum, and muddy boots."
Shoving the Geiger Counter into Jack's hands, Professor B wags a slender finger under his nose!
"You're on watch duty, Engineer. Anything tries to approach me while I'm taking soil and water samples should be given a lead injection--do I make myself clear?"
Not waiting for Jack's response, she hastily stoops down by the water to collect some samples...

>>6268188
Jack will proved over watch for the professor.

>>6268116
As things calm down. "I can offer you my shirt until you grab your cloths, but sorry to say I did not have the time to grab ya a jacket to cover up."

>>6268185
'I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing for us. Yet since the thing hasn't wrecked our camp I hope we can study that later.'

>>6268188
B-chan, watch out for the Gondolas too, they are a bit over affectionate.
>>6268215
Don't worry, I have my stuff here. Only my dress and towel are next the river (puts on part of her uniform and getsher weapon ready)

(I'll think later about how to manage the voices thing. Does Saki see her own blurring?)

>>6268254
She is sharp and clear, perhaps clearer, to herself.

>>6268254
"'Affectionate', hmm? Unfortunately for them, I'm NOT."
With the soil and water samples collected, the Professor turns to face Jack with an impatient stare.
"Good, you're still there. I have what I needed. Escort me back to my workstation and you'll be dismissed. Good boy."

>>6268369
"Heh, alright professor."

>>6268378
The two of them make their way back to the 'camp' with the samples in tow.
"We're back. Hold your applause, please."
Taking the Geiger Counter from Jack's hands, the scientist gives him a curt nod.
"Acceptable work, Engineer. You're rapidly becoming the most dependable grunt on this suicide mission. Your efforts will be duly noted."
Placing the soil and water samples separately from her work on the bugs, she diligently returns to her work without another word as if she'd never left at all.
"Pheromones... control..."

>>6268180
SAKI: I'm Saki and I don't want to stop being myself, I don't care if you have what I want or not, please stop stalking me (replies to the voice in the wind)

>>6268400
SAKI: Any of you have an idea what was that thing? (Proceeds to explain her encounter with the creature) What are we going to do now?

>>6268533
"I can look into the database I have, but if it is something not known publicly I doubt it will pull much up. We could get lucky if it was something from mythology. Like I think changelings do something with mushrooms."

>>6268525
>>6268533
Professor B stabs a scalpel into one of her specimens with an irate groan!

"The only idea I'm getting is picking you up and throwing you back into that mud-slaked BOG you came running from! Stop speaking to yourself and find something useful, or QUIET, to do!"

The scientist blinks.

"Preferably a blend of both!"

>>6268566
"Probably some kind of spore hallucination..." She grumbles as she turns her attention back to her work, "Can't go three seconds without some kind of shenanigans..."

>>6268568
One of the other members of the group pokes at Dr. B with what seems to be the end of a plastic stick. It's a light and slow poke, almost ignorable, but not quite. Each minute or so it happens.

If she eventually turns to see who is there.... There is no one. And then suddenly something tickles her side for a brief second. There still remains nothing there... Except... A series of footprints leading toward and away, that only Saki can make out.

1d20+3 Wisdom Saving Throw.

Rolled 1 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>6268573
SAKI: (Uses her brain yet again)

>>6268525
There is the smell of charcoal and metal, like the scent of a nearby blacksmith, followed on the breeze by the smell of paper pulp and ink. The words translate to. "You are unharmed. You push me, I push you. You have drawn my attention... I think you know the floor for my power. I have seen your bravery... If what you are... is Saki... What is Saki? And I am not hunting you... Do you really want to risk having me leave you? Do you even suspect what you are turning away from?" There is an ending term which could as easily mean "short life" or "child".

>>6268573
The scientist whirls around with an incredulous look on her red face after the second interruption!

"My already-strained reservoir of patience is RAPIDLY depleting! I have WORK to do! If this PARADE of interruptions doesn't cease soon, I'll make sure MY problem becomes EVERYONE'S PROBLEM!"

Brandishing her scalpel at her side, the poor girl is positively QUAKING with anger at this point...

>>6268575
SAKI: Uuuuuuuh...(spends five minutes looking at the horizon with no thoughts on her head, thinking has given no results)
>>6268579
SAKI: (Gets taken out of her trance by the creature) !!! So you are a friend! (starts talking in fairy language, happy and relieved ) Saki is me, a half human, half fairy girl, I just want a job and a nice baths. Are you a fairy too? You must be. How can I meet you?

>>6268594
>>6268620
The wind stirs, blowing past and carrying the sounds, caring the smells. "Friend? I am a friend...." A leaf is carried in the wind, spinning about and twirling. The voice seems to have an echo to it, and there is the hint of other, softer voices behind it. "All that are not against us.... Are for us..." Saki hears the sound of swords being drawn, the sharp "ta-thig" of the metal. The sound of shotguns being pumped and the bolts of Kalashnikovs being racked. "I stand with the halves, the mixes, and the mutts."

At this point the others almost would feel like they are standing in a neighborhood where one or more houses are burning firewood in their fireplaces. That is what the smell would be like for them.

"If a fairy can only live so long and a fairy is only so strong, and a fairy cannot survive being sliced or impaled or burned inside a furnace... I am not a fairy."

There would be a gust of wind, and then a bundle that caught the wind would drift around in the air, before gliding down into her arms, almost effortlessly. It's some kind of sheet, like that which has some buttons and markings so it could be a cape or a tarp. Like wool on one side, and like this kind of animal wax that is water proof and animal hide of some sort on the other. Inside is a little metal case, entirely some kind of light and strong stainless alloy.

*Inside that case is a survival knife that could double as a bayonet... An adapter to allow it to mount onto an M16 instead of a Kalashnikov.

*There is an armband that shows a symbol.

*A three color jar of facepaint, wrapped in an old piece of paper. On that paper is a charcoal or fingerpaint drawing, like a sketch. A long haired shadow of a person, could be a man or a woman. Their hair is picked up by the breeze and blowing behind them. There are two eyes, marked in orange and lines of face paint draw horizontally under them. The figure is raising a fist in resistance and defiance, with a rope or a shackle hanging to the ground.

"Show me what you want me to see... You have shown me bravery... Is that what you want to show? A warrior?... Show me how you see yourself and who you want to be... Show me these things... And I will m... I will forge you into that person."

>>6268655
SAKI: A TREASURE! (delighted by the surprise) Thanks, mysterious invisible friend (in fairy language) I'll honor your gifts and friendship with bravery (does a military greeting).
(Opens up the treasure).

(Next time I'll ask for crappy and inconvenient invisibility)

Cpt. Grand opens his eyes. Must have dozed off. Strange. The sun seems to be very different to how he remembered. He shrugs. Maybe he slept longer than he anticipated.

>>6268586
>>6268594
>>6268565
He goes up to the nearest member of the team.
"Hey. What's going on?"

Everyone but Prof B has a few daylight hours and 1.5 days to do tasks. Anything that would be a 15 or easier, and could be done on a 10, you can take 10 on. That's means automatic success or taking twice as long but automatic success.

Figure out what you want to do.

>>6268850
"So Saki was messing around in the river and what started as a playful animal 'attack' become something more. She came running back to camp screaming something invisible was in the water. So far I haven't seen anything, but Saki has been 'talking' to her self for some time. If you can call those noises talking. Something else of news is I was able to give the guns we found a round of maintenance. So once we find ammo we got more to work with."

Jack pauses and gets a look of oh yeah I just remembered something. " Hey Captain, earlier I was asking ya something, but you seemed out of it. Can't say a blame ya with the bodies and how they got make shift grave markers." Jack gives a look to the burned and buried dead. "None the less I was wondering if you were good at inspiring people? You have the looks of an actor, but I wasn't sure if you would want to be the face of the group. I get the feeling we will need to talk with more groups at some point. Bleeding for supplies seems like a bad move long term."

>>6268852
Jack will double check with the vets to set up any gear that a needs electric and mechanical work. Otherwise back to improving camp be it cover or just having a better place to sleep and eat.

>>6268850
The professor seems to have mastered the art of talking while working.

"You're still alive. Auspicious. Be a dear and fetch me a fresh pack of slides from my bag."

She pauses her dissection of one of the bugs from the earlier attack.

"I realize being a military man you might not know what a 'slide' is. It's a box of thin, glass rectangles. I won't try to explain how they work. Just get them for me, there's a good boy."

Another pause.

"Oh, and tell that Engineer that a CHAIR wouldn't go amiss around here. I can stand for hours on end, of course, but a girl has her comforts."

>>6268887
The 8 person tent is soon assembled and repaired, along with a nearby fire pit. With the several hours of heavy gear and fighting, even with plenty of breaks, it is approaching late afternoon and most of the group is tired.

Black tea is being boiled in water that was just poured through a cheese cloth and hit with a half portion of iodine.

Doc is preparing something like a speech. He will intercept the group when the next major meal happens.

>>6268850
SAKI: And I got a drawing and an armband from a supernatural entity (shows the treasure to the group). I wonder if any of you know about the symbol in the armband.
Also, thanks for not making fun of me for coming back naked from the river. You are such a group gentlemen.

>>6269041
None of the Guerillas or Docs saw her naked, so they look confused. "Naked?"

>>6269035
SAKI: (Plans to show Doc the armband, she is hesitant to use it right now)

>>6269044
What is this?

>>6269043
SAKI: Yes? The creature shoved me away from my clothes and I had to flee without getting them back (gets red like tomato).
What do you mean with "Naked?"?

>>6269045
(The armband. It's not canon but I wanted to draw it anyways. I don't know how the symbol looks, of course).

>>6268655
This is the symbol. But since you've chosen it, there is a second armband

>>6269050
(No, no. Don't make it more confusing please. I'll change it so it looks like a book later)

>>6269046
"Oh yeah! You were a blur, but you responded like I expected and talked normal coming at us. So I focused more on the invisible thing. That said next weird thing I should stay more be cautious since you didn't do that in the gun fight."

>>6268887
Well, he doesn't have a class optimized for talking to people at least I wouldn't think so.

I just checked and all the satellite stuff resulted in him being declared the Radio Operator, which is a Technician class.

If he wants to be the Officer/Leader class he will have to give up his crafting and tech bonuses, plus the ability to really do radio stuff.

He has five skill slots in total so... Hmm.. one could've been talking to people.

>>6269080
SAKI: Merely blurring...(she doesn't know what to feel) It was my friend trying to protect my dignity, most likely (the hypothesis reassured her) and it's nice to see you care more about how a person acts instead of their looks. You are a good man, Jack.

>>6255887
He did take acting/disguise, which is used for speeches.

>>6269093
Yeah that pick is why I was asking. I wanted to check and see how the player felt viva character talk. Since we got our tiny but mighty Saki from the FBI, Professor our (mad scientist) Researcher, Engineer Jack, and Capt. (serious) Harry from the Air Force, could be the face of The A-Team we got going. With them having the radio it made we think it best to see if talking is gonna be there thing. Since we will likely meet more people.

That said I don't want to push someone into something. I just want to talk and find out what people would think. At the very least I am glad to have someone who can drive. No having that when we get to get some where fast or find a tank is gonna suck, so I assume. But if we can talk about builds since I am not 100% sure what bonuses the job picks >>6252989 fully gave us. I imagine they could pick a officer build and dip 1 into the radio skill. Granted a limited 5 main skill pick it does make things hard to mix and match. I can't make dispensers here if I just pick just Knowledges and got no skill to craft. I will leave the big brain stuff to the professor and craft things to solve practical problems. Until the professor crafts drugs to make super mutants or something.

>>6269092
Jack gives a smile and a thumbs up to Saki. " There's a lot of weirdness out there and best we identify what we can of each other. I don't want to imagine what will happened if those bugs got into one of us. Or if one of the others do some weird ritual and change themselves to survive. It's best we at least put a little thought to it."

Anything else anyone wants to attempt that takes like an hour or two, before the dinner campfire?

>>6269640
(I was just expecting Doc's speech, sorry)

The group was soon sitting or crouching close to fireplace that was by the largest tent, and shielded from some angles with the berm, or hand crafted organic camouflage. Those who would drink it had a canteen cup with black tea in it. The individual known to the group as "Doc" had been getting a good fire going, filtering and then boiling water in a large pot, opening cans and packets, mixing and stirring. He told the group to have kept and cleaned the MRE wrappers, the ones that the main entrees had been eaten out of, and then present them to him. He ladled some kind of soup or stew into them.

For quite a few of them, a piece of wood or a prepared area of dirt, covered with a bit of water proof tarp or a foldable poncho, was their chair.

Doc had a large wishtail parka on in this dark brown pattern. He hadn't fully changed into it yet, but he seemed to have fatigue jacket and pants in the same colors.

The food had something that looked like oatmeal or grits, but had a toasty, nutty flavor, and it was soft and chewy. The dish was seasoned with some kind of beef mixture, which was seasoned with salt, pepper, and some kind of sour or tart spice. At times the carb tasted... French... or maybe Italian... But as Doc began to speak, a bit of a Russian accent crept out.

It might be noticed by some of them that despite the weather being suitable for a Balaclava during the cold nights, even during the peak noon temperatures, Doc kept his balaclava on. It had a sideways oval that revealed his eyes, and it concealed everything else.

>>6269701
"You are starting to finally come together as an Expedition Team," Doc said. "And each of you is revealing that you can do what is asked of you in terms of your qualifications."

The two guerillas had been asked to keep watch, and were fed first. They were spaced at a distance in the dark, keeping themselves warm with their food, drink, and field jackets. Philip for some reason was out there as well. He was out there in that digital looking, desert colored camo of his. He didn't match the others.

"But being part of an Expedition Team doesn't just mean going to one dimension, or even going to several." Doc says. "It means being part of Task Force Vanguard, and Tango Foxtrot Victor isn't just a classified organization that facilitates, executes, and protects our capacity to do recon, diplomacy, and offense operations in other timelines..."

His eyes look over at each of them, and he goes silent a few seconds too long. "All of this is classified, and the people can never know, and there is an important duty being in other dimensions... Finding the enemy... Understanding them... Killing them..." His hand makes a fist. "There is more to that, and a big aspect of that will not concern you, but it needs to come up."

He takes a drink of his black tea and seems to be savoring it.

"Half or more of you are refugees," he says. "Dimensional, timeline stranded refugees. And every expedition team should have at least one refugee..." His eyes looked back behind him, checking to see if there were threats, or maybe to see who might hear. "But being part of TFV is to be trusted with things no one else is allowed or supposed to know... And for native born Americans from our timeline, it means being loyal to the process no matter the cost."

His eyes looked out at each of them. He stood away from the fire for safety, but the flames seemed to reflect in his eyes. "So now, it's time for you to see if you're committing yourself or not."

>>6269702
"Uncle Sam has been willing to take people of all kinds of walks of life to fill his Army," Doc says. "And the Army doesn't care about anything but results. It doesn't care where you come from, or who you are, or what you look like... And so if you want to commit yourself to The Process, there is a place for you."

He takes another swig. "And don't think that because you came from another America you can just slip right in... We're different.. Administrations come and go, but we're standing by... Waiting... Making sure the emergency stockpiles are full and ready to go... Preparing for any kind of threat, from without or within."

He frowns and looks down for a few seconds. "Which is why you had to be rushed out and mistakes were made... The base is on extreme lockdown and our very best are sweeping from site to site, checking for moles, infiltrators and traitors. Everyone is holed up at safehouses or wherever they can lay low, and wait out what is happening."

He then reaches into his bag and pulls out an armband.

>>6269704
He tosses it to one of them and lets them pass it around, look at it. "I wish there was more than two options, but there's being an Insider and being..."

Doc digs around his his knapsack and pulls out another armband. It has a pawprint on it.

"There is the Tzarina," he says, his Russian accent revealed in full force. Thick and yet clear, like for a movie. "Where being an Insider means not talking about most issues, and just being silently true to the core tenets of the founding documents; the Tzarina has a more... Populist message... It's not what we would prefer... But it's useful... It motivates people and it mobilizes them... And it's pointed safety away from us, pointed towards our shared enemies..."

He has to stop and stare at his cup for a few moments, before taking another long sip. "Back as home she is a minor business woman, who runs some small garment shops in the US, and a factory in Mexico. She has connections to communities and she employs from the very bottom, with management from grandmas and brand new fashion graduates." He touches the uniform he is wearing. "There work is... It's efficient It's good for cost."

He then swallows again. "But here she's mobilizing a battalion in Nebraska, and it's only a matter of time till she starts getting materials and lieutenants for Wyoming... I heard she just got back from a long stay in another dimension, studying at the feat of someone who had waged a very successful series of campaigns and wars... Guerilla wars... And then they had rolled that into a series of states... As a special forces medic, I have to respect proper use of insurgency and counter insurgency...."

He then finishes his tea and checks around, before carefully standing up to give someone the arm band. "But that's enough talking for now... And I have pushed the agenda of another enough for the night."

And with that, he splits off to have some time alone and then be part of first watch.

[If anyone wants to, they can decide or roll if they like the food.]

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>6269705
On a scale of 1 trash to 20 being delicious junk food

>>6269705
SAKI: (nom nom nom nom...) I could eat this stuff all day (nom) I probably will (nom nom) I like the band with the paw the most btw, it's very cute.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>6269705

>>6269702
"Is this a fireside chat or a recruitment drive?" Frowns the Professor as she picks at her meal like a cat given a plate of tomatoes. "What is the end goal of this expedition anyways? We're here now, so what's next, hmm? Swearing fealty?"

Prof B is able to craft herbal or regular medications or medical items, if she had the pharmaceutical kit. She does have a feat to look in the woods and find herbs or a treatment. I looked in a lot of systems and have no idea what the life science knowledge kit is

>>6269930
Jack having his attention brought back to the words before after being engrossed in the meal. " I think it's about do we want to be apart of the innerworkings or just be pointed at a target. As for what we are doing, if I understand correctly, sounds like a clothes maker in the other place had turned into dimension hoping rebel grandma here. We are gonna have to deal with her some how. If I were to assume some things, I would guess the bugs are just a quirk of this dimension." Jack pondering some more. " As for how we deal with her. I would guess we assassinate the lady or maybe get people to focus on normal life after the bugs are dealt with."

>>6269953
Biology, I would guess. I just see chemistry, physics, etc for the example.

>>6269930
Doc looks at her. "I believe locally the closest thing to a government is NORAD which is based on the Four Corners, the four states just South of here. They're doing research on the bugs to design anti bug juice, anti bug guns, and gene therapies."

He gazes to try South. "According to the memos and the instructions, we are to help other United States establish themselves. What good for them is good for us."

>>6269964
Look of shock appears on Jacks face. " Oh I was way off. I was about to go set up plans to kill a random lady."

>>6269963
[Ive consolidated terms together so those are the same thing.]

>>6269953
Yep, sounds like Biology to me.

>>6269964
The Scientist perks up in a rare show of enthusiasm at the words 'research', 'gene', and 'therapies'!

"Is that so?" She purrs, leaning forward, the crackling flames reflecting off of her glasses, "Do you presume they have working lab facilities? Actual quarters? G-gene splicing equipment?!"

Dear lord, she's almost DROOLING. Sensing a slip in her usual prickly exterior, she leans back in her seat and gives her food another unenthusiastic poke.

"... Just out of professional curiosity, of course."

>>6270013
Doc nod and seems to either be playing it cool, or playing it cool while seeing right through her.

"And we can setup labs of our own here or back in the home dimension if need be," he says. "But right now we need you right here at this spot or moved somewhere not to far away, overseeing some degree of production and generally doing all the bio/life science stuff... And also the chemical analyst and..." He starts counting on his fingers. "And at some point you'll be making basically gunpowder... and you need to be overseeing the production of like bandages and medical alcohol in the next few days or weeks.."

He looks up. "You get the idea," he gestures to the others. "These two blokes are engineers. I don't know if they took a lot of chem courses..."

Map rules!

About 30 miles to the northeast on your maps is a settlement called Laramie, which had a population of 27,000 before everything went to shit. It's another 30 miles to a major city or a capitol, and that area is absolutely bugged

You can view into or do recon the hexes bordering your own. Each hex is 3 miles. The distance to the horizon is 3 miles. You have multiple sets of binoculars, and can climb trees, or look down as the elevation is dropping from mountains to valleys.

On roads it's 1 hour a hex, plains or hills is 2 hours a hex, bog or forest is 4 hours, mountain is 8.

You are on a transition tile, that I will say counts as 3 hours to cross.

-

Getting the road maps and the terrain maps to talk is super duper hard, so I'll just give you a vaguish road map when you drive I guess, and we'll just kinda guess at what hexes you see on both sides of the road or whatever later.

In this area forests and mountains are kinda the same thing, let's go with forests.

>>6270031
"Yes, of course... the bandages and alcohol..." She nods with a neutral look on her perpetually-scowling face. "When you put it like that, why would I want to be anywhere else?"
The professor returns to her work, but every now and then she casts a glance toward the hills.

>>6270117
"It's around 800 dollars out here for a gallon of 95% Everclear and that is in year 1999 or 2000 dollars," Doc said to her. "It's worth more than gasoline and silver is worth what it was worth before the world ended... If you want your medical equipment and your own lab, and your own staff and to not be part of a massive machine that decides your ever move... That's your path forward."

>>6270117

SAKI: B-chan, I know you're incredible and all that, but Are you sure you can do reverse engineering of bug pheromones? Wouldn't be better to kill a stinkbug and take a sample? I'm just saying (goes away before Prof. B starts pestering about how great of a scientist she is).
>>6270061
SAKI: Well, we'll need to kill a bug sooner or later (to herself)

(I'll have SAKI climb to trees and explore the surrounding hexagons)

>>6270031
'Just what high school went over. Like wafting fumes and how to clean test tubes. That said I can make the hot plate with a magnetic stirrer. So I can help get some equipment together.'

>>6270061
I was thinking of asking Cap to come with to meet and greet the town nearby, but that will be a longer trip that I hoped. I think I'll see about joining Saki with the exploration. We will need to find ammo, people, and/or other resources. Bikes could be nice if the area has a road.

>>6270317
'Hey Saki, Can I join ya? I am thinking we should grab one more for exploring. Just in case things go bad. '

Rolled 7, 8, 8, 18 = 41 (4d20)

Doc says that should happen first thing tomorrow, after last watch and first meal. He notes that Prof B will likely appreciate the quiet.

Doc is privately or publicly disappointed that none of the group want top secret files, progress towards promotions, and other elements of being part of TFV/Foedus.

>>6270251
"Yes, yes, you've painted your picture..." She replies, waving Doc off as she continues to poke at her specimens.

>>6270317
"I'll reverse-engineer YOU if you-" Too late--the urchin's already gone! "... eyes on the prize, Rivka... eyes on the prize... or prizeS, rather..."

>>6270388
As a Civilian Personnel hire, Jack will be asking for a better contract at the very least. Assuming he makes it back alive to ask/demand such things at a later point. Then use it as an excuse to job change into a different class like the officer/leader you talked about. Depending on how things go and If I feel like I've been leaning towards that more, if you would allow it.

>>6270388
I kneel for NO ONE... unless I'm picking something up to throw in their eyes!

>>6268887
Cpt. Grand nods. "Yes, I am an officer, so I'm used to talking to people and convincing them to do things for me. It's half the job description. Also my previous work before I was assigned to the Air Force, which is classified. Can't tell you about that but it's where I learnt most of my social skills. Don't know how well I'll do with people outside the chain of military command, but I'll try and manage.

>>6268916
Cpt. Grand frowns. "Get it yourself you prick."

>>6270414
A cheeky grin forms on the professor's weary-looking face.
"Now, now... there are plenty of military men unable identify basic lab materials. Nothing to be ashamed of, 'Captain'."

She shrugs.

"Ah, but don't strain yourself on my behalf--I'll collect them myself in due time." The researcher pauses to take a hearty swig of tea. "Enjoy your patrol~"

>>6270400
So that class actually doesn't make you an Officer, the proper title is "The Leader" it mostly makes you better at management and obviously not as good with tech or crafting. Becoming an Officer is technically just a feat and/or background, but I'm thinking mostly just a feat. (And you have plenty of spare feats).

But in all actuality, with your character's degree, he could be a "90 day wonder" at OCS (Officer Candidate School) and would just be like.. A military engineer officer or something.
>>6270414
So are you ret-conning your bonuses to tech bonus, your radio powers, and your crafting bonuses.. For yelling at and talking to people bonuses, maybe recruitment powers?? Switching classes?

Do people need me to repost the character sheet thing again and walk people through their character sheets? Some of you have your sheets laid out clearly, and others not so much.
>>6270414
Okay so this is kinda awkward, but I just realized that you basically sold your soul to the military and have to do what they say, but you don't have to join the "super secret, extra loyal, save democracy and get promoted fast" club.

You also have this feat.

Around the time of first watch, a circle is burned blue into the ground, a larger circle then any before, covering the exact space and size of a 10 foot diameter circle carved/drawn with chalk and precious metals into a kevlar tarp that is hammer-poled into the ground. The tarp is 20ft by 20ft.

Upon it materializes a large bladder that when tested appears to be full of gasoline or jet fuel. Doc and Wildcat, without explanation, run a hose from it to the generator and kick the generator on at full capacity. Using tools, some other people, and possibly bribing Saki with chocolate, they get the thing moved off the "landing zone"

The circle flares blue, and a Jeep with two women standing next to it appears, loaded with various supplies.
The taller of the two leans up against the car and peers out at the group. “Evening everyone. You’ve got a delivery of more supplies, plus a lady who wants to meet you. If anyone wants to help unload the car, we got you a few tents so you can have a warmer night than last one.”

>>6270492
The second woman is wearing the same kind of special BDUs that the guerillas have been wearing. Her face isn't covered whatsoever, revealing her blue eyes, rosy cheeks, button nose, and dirty blonde hair that is rolled into a bun stuffed into a bandana that covers her forehead and her scalp. She is reasonably fit, about as well as the worst of the group, and yet at the same time could easily give Saki a run for her money in the curvy department, but maybe surpass her. Their is face paint under her eyes in familiar lines and she's confusingly not armed or wearing body armor or webbing.

She does have the "Mad Cat" armband. The Guerillas give her a salute and with Doc and Philip, began to help unload. The woman seems to cheerfully watch everyone, except "B", and she seems to stare at bit too much at Saki, who she also gives a very friendly jumping wave.

>>6270471
Didn't I get the acting + driving bonus when we got a small level up earlier?

>>6270474
Cheers, thanks. I have pledged my allegiance to the USA, and ain't nobody going to turn me against Uncle Sam, ooh rah!

>>6270500
Correct

>>6270494
SAKI: (Waves back at the friendly woman, gets down of the tree and runs in her direction)
Hi, I'm Saki (stares at the woman's armband) and you're miss...? (can't wait to ask the woman about the Tsunderiana organization)

>>6270510
The woman gives her a warm two handed handshake, before dusting herself off, stiffening her back, and gesturing to herself.

"I am Alisa," she says. "My last name is from my ex husband and isn't important."

She puts her arms behind her back and tries to look regal or important. "I am the one they call the 'Tzarina', but in all actuality I am more of a union organizer, rabble rouser, and guerilla leader all rolled into one."

She spots the armband and her hands fo to her face like she just saw a puppy. She gasps. "Why, you seem to be one of my highly skilled recruits! How wonderful!"

She already has someone giving her a clipboard and some paper. Putting her glasses on she starts to take notes. "Do you have leadership experience?"

>>6270513
She at some point realizes she got confused. "No wait, that's like an... That's a Jealous One armband...." She frowns and then smiles. "Is she teaching you to cure the sick and smite the wicked yet?"

>>6270513
Cpt. Grand narrows his eyes. This is sounding like commie talk. And if there's one thing he knows, it's that the USA is NOT and NEVER will be Communist.

>>6270516
SAKI: Not really, my friend hasn't. Is that "her" power? (she didn't know her friend was a "she"). Healing an punching? I wanted to become invisible like a superhero, I'm not really interested in healing. I'll take whatever I can though (sightly disappointed).
(Thinks about her question about leadership) I can't lead because people don't take me seriously but I can be an excellent cheerleader (starts jumping and moving her arms like one)

>>6270492
Jack will help unload and listen more that look at the new person 'Alisa' talking.

The woman in a balaclava raises an eyebrow at the conversation between Saki and Alisa. “It sounds like you’ve already gotten some recruitment offers. Though I’m not sure why I’m surprised Illumia showed up… Has Doc already made his speech?”
She gives a nod of appreciation to Jack. “Thanks for helping, you must be Jack? I’m Kendra Clark, I’m with another expedition team. Figured I’d stop in and see if the newbies needed anything.”

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>6270554
Alisa stops in her tracks and looks out to her. Blinking innocently, she then looks around to see if others can see. [Spoiler]Her eyes then flash marigold and her words are an echoing whisper on the breeze. "You will have faith in yourself and you will search for a way to be hard to see, a way unknown to mankind.[/spoiler]

>>6270554 #
Alisa stops in her tracks and looks out to her. Blinking innocently, she then looks around to see if others can see. Her eyes then flash marigold and her words are an echoing whisper on the breeze. "You will have faith in yourself and you will search for a way to be hard to see, a way unknown to mankind.

>>6270725

>>6270554
Saki in a tenth of a second has her consciousness completely bypassed. All that remains is her heart, her true self. If asked to have faith in herself, would she resist? If asked to find a way to be hard to see, a magical way, would she struggle? Or would she in heart want and wish these things could be so? If yes, roll nothing. If no, roll a wisdom saving throw.

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>6270731
SAKI: (Wishes with all her might)

(Please, Lady Luck, bless me with invisibility that doesn't work on weapon and clothes and only works while holding her breath. Just once)

>>6270741
(I funking HATE rolling. I swear one day I'll make my own quest with fetish powers).

>>6270742
You didn't have to roll, so you succeed. And if you were rolling for inspiration, you passed. Saki thinks up a solution that requires the mirror of a makeup compact or any mirror at least that big.

>>6270760
(Ok? Did she got her powers or what?)

>>6270771
(Yes)

>>6270804
(Ok, let's see)
>>6270595
SAKI: Jack, come, please. (Exited but wary) Could you make me a favor? I'm going to do a thing and I need you to tell me if you perceive any changes. Ready? Now! (Breathes in to activate invisibility)