>>18851385
Well, we've been getting in trouble for leaving this stuff too long, so let's go check it out. The cooking can wait a couple of seconds, right?

Speaking of which, I think I left some ba-OH GOD FIRE ALARM

>>18851385
Investigate

[X] Investigate

Investigate.

>>18851385
[x]Investigate

Oh, and turn the stove off on the way out. We can better afford some eggs going bad because we left them out too long than we can having the kitchen catch fire.

>>18851385
Investigate, turn the stove off and leave a lid on the food, we'll get back to it.

Investigate, Elsie can finish cooking.

[x] Investigate.
Ask Elsie to finish the food. No fire shenanigans for you Ac guy!

Elsie takes up cooking while you walk down to the hangar. You see Ken talking to some other people there.

"Hey guys, what's up?"

Ken turns to you. "Remember that little jaunt Laurie and Mooch went on to say goodbye?" You nod. "Apparently a couple of people survived by freak coincidence. Since the ruins are apparently safe to explore, Zack's trying to put together a small team to search through the rubble. I mean, it was a freaking miracle that anybody survived that, and there probably aren't anymore. But even if there was only one..."

"We can't just ignore the possibility. Where are they?"

"The survivors? Currently finding their place among the rest of us. Apparently one of them was real sick, and another had some sort of spinal injury, so Mooch and Laurie took them to the hospital. Mooch came back here to get some sleep, but I think Laurie stayed with them."

>>18851601
That's great, make sure they're well taken care of, we'll bring Laurie some breakfast after we've eaten.

>>18851601

"Well, that's a hell of a Morale boost. I'll let the other pilots know."

You walk back upstairs.

"So what was all the hubbub about?"

"Apparently Laurie and Mooch found survivors."

She freezes. "You're shitting me."

"Nope. That ought to raise spirits around here a bit, right?"

She suddenly grabs you. "ALEX. If they found somebody... what if there's more? We can't just leave them there."

"We're not. Zack's apparently planning a small expedition to go and check for survivors, and maybe also see if anything can be salvaged from the ruins."

She visibly relaxes. "God, it just... it... I mean, we couldn't save them. Maybe it wasn't our fault but we had to watch our home burn. Now... maybe it wasn't as bad as we thought. Maybe others survived. Maybe not many, but a few at least."

"It's something to pray for. Now let's finish cooking, spread the word, and then take Laurie something. Apparently he's the hero of the hour, and he decided to stay with a couple of the more badly wounded ones at the hospital."

>>18851743
Do we know if Laurie has a favorite breakfast food?
Because if so, we should make it for him.

>>18851743

When you tell Dave, he looks a bit shocked.

Ari and your mother found out at the same time coming to visit, to cheer and support the team in the arena. They both had a minor breakdown over the news.

Not long after, having eaten breakfast the team (along with your mother and Mooch's wife) head out to the Hospital.

>Who talk?

[ ] Mooch.
[ ] Dave.
[ ] Ari.
[ ] Mom.
[ ] Elsie.
[ ] Morgan (Mooch's wife).

>>18851785
Elsie

>>18851785
I wanna know what Morgan's deal is.

>>18851785
Morgan, I'm interested in her. I'm just curious as to who would get married to Mooch.

rolled 55 = 55

>>18851785
[x] Morgan

>>18851785
[x] Morgan (Mooch's wife).
Now might not be an appropriate time, but I have to know; what drew you to Mooch, and what made you marry him?

>>18851785
[x] Morgan

This woman has basically just dropped in from somewhere Canada on a whim and set up shop in our little suburb. And lest we forget, she married Mooch; that's like marrying "Howling Mad" Murdock and Agatha Heterodyne rolled into one. And as far as I can recall, we're the only member of the team who hasn't spoken to her yet.

Not trying to get down on her or anything, but we should get some info on who she is and what she's about ASAP.

>>18851836
She's either completly and totaly sane so to cancel out Mooch's craziness, or she's twice as insane a he is.

>>18851785
Morgan might as well introduce our selves.

Morgan.

>>18851785
Morgan.
I want to know why she thought marrying Mooch was a bright idea.

[ ] Morgan (Mooch's wife).

only person we don't know well, so far

"So," You say, looking at Morgan in the rear-view mirror. "I don't think we've been properly introduced."

She arches an eyebrow at you, while you get your first real look at her. She has black hair, so dark that what little light reflects off of it looks almost blue/purple. Brown eyes, a complexion slightly on the pale side. She's wearing a blouse and slacks that would put her on the 'casual' end of business casual. Looking at her, she almost looks like she's a proper lady. And next to her sits the unasked question in the form of 5'6" of some sort of cyber-punk techno wizard that is Mooch's casual wear. "No, I don't think we have. I'm Morgan, Matt's wife."

"Right, well I'm Alex. I'm more or less in charge of what's left of Hope's piloting corps."

"So I heard from my husband."

"Yeah, about that...."

"Yes?"

"If you don't mind me asking, how did you two meet? You don't exactly strike me as..."

"Compatible?"

"Kinda. Because Mooch is, well, Mooch. And you look...."

"Remotely sane?" She says with something of a smirk. She then looks at Mooch. "How much is it safe to tell them?"

"Eh, anything you want. They don't know all the little details, but that's more because I haven't got around to telling them instead of some big secret."

"Alright then..."

>>18852049
Oh goody, story time.

>>18852049

"It began a couple of years ago. Matt here was someone I met while I was still working in a coffee shop in Toronto." You nod. Toronto was pretty much the only major population center in Canada not to get it's shit utterly wrecked by the various cataclysmic events of the past couple decades. "He was an on and off customer, and occasionally demonstrated a surprising knack for working with mechanical things, like when he fixed the fridge when it went out. Or rigged up a small power-plant that let us earn addition money on the side, and got rid of the growing power-bill. Eventually we became friends. Then one day, the powers that be discovered that he wasn't exactly living there legally and was planning to ship him home."

"And I discovered that the powers that be were being bribed by my father to hurry up the process, and give me less of a chance to fight it. Apparently his organization pissed off the local villainous criminal conspiracy, so Toronto was pretty much off limits for him, meaning he couldn't get to me personally. Part of the reason I went there."

"When Matt told me the truth of that, as well as his life story... I did the only thing I could to help. We got married, giving both of us dual citizenship and preventing the local government from shipping him back to the states."

>>18852184
That was far less romantic, and far more normal than anticipated. That being said it's lovely to meet you, and someday you must tell me your secret for dealing with Mooch.

>>18852184

"So," you ask, "the marriage wasn't some romantic thing? It was politics?"

"At first, yeah. Neither of us really minded since we were already friends. After a while, we sorta realized we actually worked out great as a couple, and it sort of just became official between us. The romance stuff just happened later. Anyway, Matt discovered this cool little technique that improved the efficiency of some little diode thing that exists in every electronic thing ever by about 1%, patented it, and then sold it to Rayleonard. We got enough money that both of us could do college. Since we're both a lot smarter than the average person, we got our degrees quickly. I managed to get my BBA in about a year and a half, and Matt got his Engineering degree, and a bloody doctorate in theoretical physics in a couple months after that. He headed south to pursue some personal agenda, and found Hope. I was getting enough money together for us to retire there and live the rest of our lives off other people's radar. Then... well... when news reached me, I came here to see if he survived. After a couple of days I found out about the refugees, and decided if he was alive, he'd be in you hangar. The rest you more or less know."

>>18852303
Huh, well alright then.

>>18852303
>improve efficiency of one kind of diode by 1%
>pay for two people to get advanced degrees

Such is life in a corporate nightmare world.

Oh well, at least he didn't sell it to Omer. Backstabbing pricks...

>>18852303

"Huh." Dave comments. "You know, knowing Mooch I expected a lot more wacky shenanigans to be involved."

"Oh there was plenty of that. But bringing up the time Mooch tried to rob a Tim Hortons with a ripe banana and a bag of gumballs wasn't strictly necessary for the explanation."

"Alright," Ari comments "I have to hear this one."

"Later," You say "We're here."

And you find a parking space.

Walking inside you realize you don't exactly have a room number.

[ ] Ask a nurse nearby.
[ ] Ask the receptionist.
[ ] Follow Mooch's lead.

>>18852355
Ask the receptionist

>>18852355
Ask the receptionist, the nurses are probably busy and Mooch will lead us into the morgue, literally his directions will take us to where they store bodies in here.

>>18852355
[x]Receptionist

It's their job, after all.

[x] Ask the receptionist

>>18852340

>Morgan didn't really explain the details: it's more like he found a way to make all diodes slightly better. ALL OF THEM.

>When it comes to the average person, that dosen't mean a lot. But a communtiy the size of hope? When you add all of that slightly reduced power draw, and slightly better reactors together, suddenly the same size generator can support a couple thousand more households.

>Then imagine the impact of something like that on say, a global corporation dedicated to energy based technology's bottom line. Or a town the size of Vegas.

>>18852355
Receptionist. Lets try doing things that make sense today, just to see what its like.

>>18852355
Receptionist.
Never bother a nurse on duty, they are medical professionals with important work to do.

>>18852355
>[X] Ask the receptionist.

>>18852399
I'm pretty sure he meant that he was ripped off.
At least, I hope he did...

You stroll up to the desk.

"Excuse me ma'am, my friend here" you gesture to Mooch "Told me that he dropped off some injured survivors from Hope here last night. I was wondering if you could tell me where they were."

"Certainly. Do you have a name?"

"Uh..." you look at Mooch. He shrugs. "Apparently not. You don't remember him?"

"I wasn't on duty last night. I could ask around, see if one of the nurses remember?"

[ ] Sure.
[ ] Think of something else. (What?)

>>18852466
Could you check the arrivals yesterday, there was one with a spinal injury and another was just sick. They came together so that should narrow it down pretty easily.

>>18852483
Sounds like a decent plan.

>>18852466
Has anyone come in with radiation poisining?

>>18852466
Sure

>>18852483
isn't Lawrie with them? Or did I confuse things in my head?

>>18852483
Second.

>>18852521
>>18852483
These.
Together.

rolled 51 = 51

>>18852483
>>18852519
>>18852521

"I can check...."

>>18852466
Don't nobody have cell phones? Can't we just call Lawrence?

>>18852548

"Not that I can see. We've been having computer glitches all week, must not be in the system yet."

>What do?

>>18852566
Try mentioning Hope?

Again lawrie? wasn't he with them? couldn't we just call him like.
>>18852549
?

>>18852566
Wasn't one of the survivors names Kate?

>>18852549
>>18852579
They might require phones off in the hospital, but it's worth a shot.

>>18852576

>You already did. Didn't help.

>>18852579
>>18852549

>You want to try this?

>>18852582

>You don't know that in character.

>>18852585
Roll for dialing?

>>18852576
We did that.

Uh... I guess we can have her check with a nurse to see if anyone remembers.

Perhaps mention that they currently have a visitor, and give a description of Laurie?

>>18852590
Derp, forgot that.

ask for nurses that were on duty at the time or ask just wander wherever they'd put people with the survivors problems like that spine thing

>>18852585
>>18852593
Guess I didn't pay enough attention. Not surprising, knowing me.

Just get mooch to lead the way, whislt asking nurses all the while.

>>18852585
And if the phone doesn't work, we might be able to have her page Laurie.

Intercoms for the win.

HRMMMmm..
what do...

Oh I know.
>Get Mooch to fix their computer issues.

>>18852624
Really doubt they would let some guy who just walked in mess with their computers, due to the often confidential and sensitive nature of what information it would hold.

>>18852624
>computer starts offering medical advice

>>18852643
But... it's Mooch. Like that would stop him.

>>18852566
Ask if any of the nurses who were on duty at that time are currently around.

After a few moments deliberation, you try dialing Laurie's number.

"Brenner."

"Hey Laurie, it's me. You're at the hospital?"

"Yeah. You got the story from Mooch?"

"Ken actually. Not the most detailed account, but I got the gist of it. You're with the survivors?"

"Yeah, third floor, room 3-84."

Your assembled team makes it's way there quickly enough, occasionally asking for directions from a passing doctor or nurse.

When you get there you see Laurie standing outside waiting for you. The others quickly file in, but when you see who's there you pause. Kate's lying in one of the beds, sleeping fitfully.

You look at Laurie. "Want to talk about it?"

"Sure. Not the first time I've had this conversation today."

[ ] Ask how he's feeling.
[ ] Ask who else he talked to.

>>18852685
Who else has he talked to?

>>18852685
[X] Ask how he's feeling

[x] Ask how he's feeling.

>>18852685
[X] Ask how he's feeling.

>>18852685
Ask who else he talked to.

>>18852699
Actually sorry, changing to this.
[x] Ask who else he talked to.

>>18852685
[x] Ask how he's feeling

>>18852685
Ask who else he talked to.

>>18852685
>[X] Ask who else he talked to.

"Had this conversation? Who else have you talked to?"

"I don't know how he found out about this, but he came here earlier."

"Who?"

>Earlier.

You are Lawrence Brenner. She just fell back asleep. You only got to talk to her briefly, but she smiled when she saw you.

Almost made the last couple weeks worth it.

The doctors said that she got some sort of bacterial infection in her lungs, and that they weren't sure how to treat it.

You couldn't bring yourself to tell her about it.

Then you hear a voice behind you.

"Heeeey there sweet thing. Figures I should find your fine, gloomy self in a place like this."

Oh. HIM.

[ ] Ask him to leave. Like he'll listen.
[ ] Stab him. He'll live, he's surrounded by DOCTORS!

>>18852778
Stab him he'll live. Just kidding seriously just ask him to leave, don't want to kick up a fuss and be forced to leave Kates side.

>>18852778
[X] Ask him to leave. Like he'll listen.

Stabbing him doesn't seem like it'll lead to anything good, even or especially if we do get him.

>>18852778
FILDI: [x]Stabby-stabby time

[ ] Ask him to leave. Like he'll listen.

>>18852778
Ask him to leave. Don't stab him until he gives you a REAL reason.

>>18852778
cut a bitch

>>18852778
>[x] Ask him to leave. Like he'll listen.

>>18852778
VOTIN FOR STABBIN

>>18852778
due to the fact that at PRESENT time we are talking with alex peacefully, there seems to be no reason not to stab him

So tear him a new one.

>>18852778
ask him to leave

>>18852778
[x] STAB! BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!

>>18852778
Ask politely. Once.

>>18852778
[x] Ask him to leave

If he really wants to make an issue of it, we can at least be decent enough to get clear of our almost-girlfriend's sick bed before we turn this guy into beef stew.

>>18852778
Stab him. He'll live.

I like the idea of stabbing him

"Really not in the mood for this right now."

"Oh?" He looks to Kate. "Oh. This your girl or something?"

"....Something like that."

"Well then." He casually picks up the chart at her feet. "They have her on Roxithromycin? For an advanced infection like this they need to up the dosage a bit. That and the flushed cheeks are clearly a sign of a minor allergic reaction." He makes a few small notes. "Judging by the type of respiratory infection.... I'm gonna have them switch her to an Amoxicillin/clavulanate high dosage, for a little shorter duration. That'll be something her immune system won't reject, and it'll actually kill the fucking infection too."

You fail to hide your shock when he looks at you. "Hey, don't look so surprised, I can't leave a pair of lovely ladies like you in distress."

"I... am.... NOT-"

"Interested, duh. Now that I know that you're a lesbian it makes sense. You'd have to be to not like this. Now it's been fun, but I gotta get my LEAVE on. You know what I'm saying? I'm saying I have to leave." And with that, he threw the clipboard down on the foot of the bed, and walked through the false wall separating you from the next room.

>>18852896
Any chance we could pull off our pants to get this guy off our back?

Or better yet: stab him...with OUR PENIS!

(no don't listen to me those are terrible ideas)

>>18852896
At this point Laurie realizes he is being trolled hard and stops letting it get to him, right?

Laurie is capable of that, right?

Right?

You are Alex Raston. And you can really only say one thing to that.

"Wow."

"I know, right? Then I find out he's personally going to pay the hospital bills for her and the other survivor. Like out of his own pocket. I really REALLY want to hate the guy, but.... he probably just saved her life. And saved us a lot of money. While acting like a total cock."

[ ] Ask how he's feeling.
[ ] Ask how Kate's been doing.
[ ] Ask for the full story of what happened at Hope.
[ ] Other.

>>18852896
Wait, is he her doctor, or just knows his shit from the super library?

>>18852911
It shouldn't but the idea of Laurie raping the guy while screaming 'I'M A MAN!' just cracks me up. Because I just keep imagining Fraide kinda going 'Yeah suuuuuuure, nice strapon by the way.'

>>18852896
Does this big guy have a greenish complexion? Because he sounds like a certain Orc from Prequel.

>>18852949

>Well, THERE'S a mental image.

>>18852949
LAURIE'S A MAN'S NAME, AND I'M A MAN!

>>18852938
Ask about Kate

>>18852938
>[X] How's Kate been doing?
Laurie's probably fine. If we can we should help them make their relationship a little more than it was; we'd be helping a bro out and probably steer Laurie away from his more extreme behaviours, too. Win-win.

>>18852938
Ask about hows he's feeling since he said he wouldn't mind talking. He's also sober so that's a plus.

>>18852949
Oh god my sides.

>>18852938
Ask how he's feeling. Or maybe about Hope? Yeah, about Hope.

>>18852938
Ask about Kate.

>>18852954
THAT'S where I recognized that from!

>>18852938
[ ] Ask how he's feeling.
I have returned, You may resume the love from last night AC-Guy

>>18852938
Ask how he's feeling.

>>18852896
>mfw Fraide suddenly seems awfully familiar

>>18852949

[X] Other.

I think we'll just stick with calling that guy a magnificent bastard for now, but honestly he's probably alot like you, an asshole with a heart of gold. Well we still need to A.) Do the Arena and B.) Search for more survivors from Hope.

After this is done we are having a huge celebration, and Laurie can introduce us to Kate when she's not in coma.

>>18853003
>>18852954
>>18852987

>Nah, that was just a one-off joke.

>Not that you guys will pay any attention to that fact.

>That said, Fraide the character did do something similar in a prior story I wrote. Except it was out a window, on the 30th floor of a building.

This fucking guy makes me laugh

>So hey, bout them tie votes....

rolled 2 = 2

>>18853044
[1 ] Ask how he's feeling.
[2 ] Ask how Kate's been doing.
[3 ] Ask for the full story of what happened at Hope.

>>18852938
[x] Ask what happened at Hope

Don't be insistent if he's not up to the full story, though; dude's probably in a bit of a fragile state right now.

Incidentally; I know that was probably just Hustler One or somebody else who secretly likes us doing some hologram shenanigans, but is anyone else touched by the idea that that dog was so fucking loyal that its ghost hung around until it could find help for its owner?

rolled 2 = 2

>>18853044
1 - FEEEEEEELINGS
2 - How's the girl?

rolled 84 = 84

looks like Kate wins, it makes sense though

>>18853066
>>18853071

>Well then.

>Am I the only one suspicious that the dice-gods have been incredibly consistent when asking for their opinions?

>>18853088
More evidence for my theory that the mods dick with the bell curve when a quest is afoot for the lulz.

"Soo.... how is she then?"

"Doctors say she's responding well to the new treatment. Apparently she has a good chance of a full recovery now, but it'll be a week or two at least before that happens, since she came pretty close to death there."

"Right. Wait, have you been sitting here this whole time? When was the last time you ate?"

"....Yesterday morning? Before I went to take tht nap. I should run down to the cafeteria and get something."

"Don't bother, got an omelette wrap right here for you. It's cooled down a bit by now..."

"Still a damn sight better than 'food' from a hospital caff." He take a bite of it hungrily. "Thanks Alex."

"Hey, no problem. You still up for the Arena later?"

"Sure. Just let me catch a nap first and I'll be good to go."

About this time you notice Kate wake up. Everybody steps in to say hi, see that she's doing better, and then your mother gently chases everybody out of the room and gives Laurie a wink and a gentle push towards the bed on her way out.

>>18853201
> and then your mother gently chases everybody out of the room and gives Laurie a wink and a gentle push towards the bed on her way out.

Moooooom.

You are Lawrence Brenner.

You aren't entirely sure what Alex's Mom was on about there, but you take the chance to talk to Kate. After a minute you realize that you almost forgot about that omelette wrap Alex made.

He made it way too big for one person. Damn shame if the other half went to waste, besides this'll give Kate a taste of food that wasn't freeze dried like she had been living on in that shelter.

>>18853235

everybody knows sharing none-hospital food while in hospital is the best way to a womans heart,

>>18853201

You and the rest of your assembled party stand in the hallway and wonder what you're going to do for the rest of the day.

You have a few hours before you need to get ready for the Arena.

[ ] Disperse, do something with Elsie.
[ ] Do something as a group. Call it a team building exercise.
[ ] Go back to the hangar, get some last minute practice in.
[ ] Other.

>>18853235
Our mother is remarkably good at setting people up together.

>>18853267
Do something with Elsie.

>>18853254
Welcome back.

>>18853267
Do something as a group.

>>18853267
Convince our mother to make gingersnaps so we have a large pile of them for post-arena festivities.

Disperse, do something with Elsie.

>>18853267
Let's Team Build.

>>18853289
Forgot to namefag up after posting anon in another thread.
Darp.

>>18853267
Do something as a group

[x] T-Pain

>>18853267
team building

>>18853267
[X] Do something as a group. Call it a team building exercise.

>Looks like group activity wins.

"So we got some time to kill. Want to do something?"

"We can catch a movie."

"OR," Dave says "We can do some B-Ball."

"We don't have a hoop." Elsie points out.

"There's an outdoor hoop at the gym a couple blocks that way."

"You.... want to play a physically intensive sport, just as the heat of the day is setting in, in the middle of the Mojave desert."

"El, as a doctor, I can say this idea is fantastic with absolutely no downsides."

"Wait," Morgan cuts in "He's a doctor?"

[ ] Basket ball.
[ ] Movie. They've got air conditioning and everything.

>>18853350
>[x] Movie. They've got air conditioning and everything.
yeah lets not get heatstroke before the arena.

>>18853350
Basketball, don't play too hard or anything but get everything loose, get the blood pumping and so on.

>>18853350
"I think that I'm going to need a second opinion before I decide, doctor...
Luckily, we have a second doctor right here."

>>18853350
Basketball. It not that intensive and its a good idea to get some exercise warm up in before the match.

>>18853350
[x] Movie. We've got three couples here, plus Mom, who wants BABIES.

>>18853371

>Who, Mooch? He's a physicist. He is terrible outside his chosen field.

>>18853350
Movie.
Heat injuries are a bad idea, especially right before our first Arena match.
FINALLY! FINALLY TEAM SNAPS HAVE COME BACK... TO LAS VEGAS!

>>18853385
I think that's the joke?

Also voting [x]Movie

>>18853350
[X] Movie

What kind of a team building exercise is a movie?

>Movie wins.

>>18853409

>Because shut up. You said 'we should do something', one of the other characters suggested a movie.

>>18853350
[ ] Basket ball.
we want to be active and warmed up before the arena

>>18853409
If things go well, we'll have more members for the team.

In about 18 years, yes, but more members nonetheless.

>>18853427
Are you implying movies result in babbies?

Well, Mom would be happy.

>>18853436
A few steps removed, but yes.

Victory parties do as well.

>>18853350
>[X] Movie. They've got air conditioning and everything.

>>18853461
A bit late there pal.

"You know, we don't want to wear ourselves out or get heatstroke before we go to the Arena."

"Fine, fine."

You go to the movies, and you see several on display. A couple of generic action flicks, a romantic comedy, and some sort of science fiction thing that seems to be the sequel to a much better movie.

None of them are going to be starting for a good 20 minutes, so you follow the tradition of bored young-ish people everywhere and go to the in-house arcade.

There appears to be a shooting games: one's an old-west style shooting gallery, another is of the 'run down hallway shoot scripted zombies stumbling in' variety. There's also a couple of racing games, and some sort of a mech piloting simulator.

>What play?

>>18853471
Simulator.
Time to show off.

>>18853350
[X ] Basket ball.
Guys....this is Dave. Doing a physically strenous activity. With ladies
You KNOW that somehow, Someway, Someone is going to end up losing their clothes, or accidnetally in the missionary position with him on top of them or something. He cant escape it.

>>18853471
Get in the Mech Piloting simulator, bet 5 or so bucks against the person across from us, let them win, say that you think you've got it figured out and that you want to bet 20 or so bucks and stomp all over their face.

>>18853471
Shootan Gallery.

And, I'm off for some sleeps. Good luck, folks.

>>18853471
old west shooting gallery

we cowboys now!

>>18853471
>some sort of a mech piloting simulator.

>>18853471
HOUSE OF THE DEAD

>>18853471
Time for some shootin

>>18853469
I'm not the only one
>>18853484

>>18853471
[X] Zombie game!

>Looks like the sim wins. Getting right on that...

You climb into the simulator. Ari and Elsie join you.

Mooch and Dave wandered off mumbling something about those Alien Bastards.

You boot it up after depositing your money, and see your choices for several mechs appear.

It wasn't quite what you were expecting.

"Wait, what the hell?" You hear Elsie's voice over the internal coms. "Why are these things shaped like animals? What? Why is there a giant robot wold with a chain-gun on it's back? WHY IS THIS AN OPTION."

"Huh." Ari's voice responds. "It looks like it's based on some sort of cartoon show? OH WAIT, I remember this! apparently there was a push to try and integrate the core technology into animal forms for increased utility. Apparently they never quite got it to work right, but then Akavit bought the rights to some show thing and is using it as a marketing tool."

"So why exactly does this game want me to play as a Giant Cat?" you ask.

"Well, you can choose whatever. But yeah, it's a bit different than normal."

[ ] Giant Cat thing.
[ ] Bat-Lizard.
[ ] Chain-Wolf thing.
[ ] ...Is that a T-Rex with laser cannons?

>>18853586
TYRANUS-LAZAR-REX

>>18853586
Gaint Cat.

>>18853586

COMMAND-WOLF!!!

...wait.. was that a t-rex with laser beams?

>>18853586
Motherfucking T-rex

rolled 2 = 2

>>18853586
cat
NO!
Wolf
NO!
BAT!
NO!
T-REX!
AAAH! DICE-GODS, HELP ME!

>>18853586
[X] ...Is that a T-Rex with laser cannons?

IS THIS EVEN A QUESTION?

>>18853586
[X] ...Is that a T-Rex with laser cannons?
That IS a T-Rex with laser cannons!

>>18853586
Chain Wolf, a command wolf most closely resembles our actual role in AC combat. Also it's a fucking wolf with a chain gun!

>>18853586
T Rex

there is no other option

>>18853586
>[X] ...Is that a T-Rex with laser cannons?

>>18853586
Heh, this is gonna be entertaining.

...Is that a T-Rex with laser cannons?
I KNEW only good could come of AC-Guy discovering Zoids!

>>18853586
Cat. For reasons.

Now I'm gone, fo reals.

>>18853586
[ ] ...Is that a T-Rex with laser cannons?
chose all the Crazy Ivan options

"...Is that a T-Rex with Laser Cannons? That is a T-Rex with Laser Cannons." You don't even hesitate with your choice.

As the screen loads, you see that your opponents are apparently guys from another part of town on a similar rig. This is actually a pretty bitching setup.

Looking over, you see that Elsie apparently got a Wolf-looking thing with a chain-gun, and that Ari went with the Bat-Lizard thing.

Looking over at your opponents, you see that one of them grabbed that cat thing you were debating, and that the other two are some sort of a Giant crab, and a... what the fuck is that, a slug?

>Who attack

[ ] Slug.
[ ] Cat.
[ ] GIANT ENEMY CRAB!

>>18853662

>Nah, I already knew about them. I just wish I had a non-shit internet to watch it on. Or knowledge of where to get the DVD sets.

>>18853671
[ ] GIANT ENEMY CRAB!
look at the caps this must the right choice

>>18853671
>[X] Cat.

>>18853671
[X] GIANT ENEMY CRAB!
Weak point, massive damage, you know the drill.

>>18853671
[X ] Slug.

KILL THE MOLGA! BEFORE ITS TOO LATE
also Gojulas strong!

>>18853671
Oh shit, MOLGA, take out the Molga before it can pull off MOLGA STRONG tactics.

Slug because MOLGA STRONG.

>>18853671

GIANT ENEMY CRAB

HIT ITS WEAK POINT FOR MASSIVE DAMAGE

>>18853695
>>18853705
>>18853719
Changing to the slug because others remember Zoids better than I do

>>18853743
Just remember one rule: Molgas are secretly OP.
They're TECHNICALLY a mook Zoid, BUT in the hands of a good pilot using the right tactics they fuck shit up by burrowing and sniping.

>>18853671
Molga, it's a fucking molga.

"Alright then, what is this, a fight to the death?" you ask the guy in the cat thing.

"More or less." he responds. "you guys ready?"

"Fuck no. But when's that ever stopped me?"

He laughs, and you turn to your team. "I do not like the look of that slug."

"Why? The Lion and the crab look more dangerous."

"Yeah, and they probably also had the same options as us, so why the hell would he choose that? There has to be a trick to it."

Something rockets out of the sky and slams into the ground. A tiny robot that looks like a crude mimicry of Jar-Jar Binks with ping-pong paddles for hands emerges and rattles off some numbers and letters that sound important before telling you to get on with killing each other in an over-dramatic tone.

So glad to have you permission, R.O.B.

You rush the Slug and side-step it's cannon fire while you close in. Then it starts trying to burrow, and you can already see how badly it could potentially fuck things up.

Unfortunately for him, his ass is still sticking half-way out in the air when you get to him. His buddy in the cat moves at you, but Ari swoops down and irritates him too much, so he diverts to try and hit her. Then you decide to see what you laser cannon can do at point blank.

>Give me a d100.

rolled 21 = 21

>>18853825
Hopefully Molga isn't too strong.

rolled 78 = 78

>>18853825

rolled 80 = 80

>>18853825

rolled 5 = 5

>>18853825
does the roll magic continue?

>>18853838
I feel shame as a full round action.

>>18853849
it does, but too late...fuck

>>18853846
>>18853838
>>18853831

>HAHAHA

It's quite strong. So strong in fact that the giant explosion sends you flying and destroyed the giant canon on that side.

Other than the gun, you've received some light damage on the rest of you.

Looking over, you see that Ari has gotten caught by the Crab, and it's currently in the process of trying to disassemble her, while Elsie and Her wolf are dancing with that Lion.

"HOW AM I GETTING A SOLID LOCK WHILE LOPING LIKE THIS?!?" She yells into the coms. "MY SUSPENSION OF DISBELIEF HAS BEEN SHATTERED!"

[ ] Help Elsie.
[ ] Big Brother to the rescue.

>>18853900
Ari is in more danger currently. Save her, Elsie seems to have this.

>>18853900
[ ] Big Brother to the rescue
El's going to be fine its not like she's being grapled or something

>>18853900
BIG BROTHER TO THE RESCUE!

>>18853900
>[X] Big Brother to the rescue.

[X] Big Brother to the rescue.

>>18853951
Big bro to the rescue!

rolled 3 = 3

You immediately rush the crab. Sadly, you're a little too late, and he dramatically rips the bat thing in half.

"Hah! Take that you stupid over-rated Pterodactyl!" You next victim hoots triumphantly.

"THAT WAS MY SISTER!"

"Damn, my bad. OH WAIT, I DON'T CARE."

"For that, I will put my foot so far up your ass you will puke the laces!"

"COME AT ME BRO!"

You square off.

>Beat my roll.

rolled 78 = 78

>>18853977
Why must you always roll so well?

>>18853977
Ac Guy.

Your rolls.

Your gonna kill us.

rolled 100 = 100

>>18853977
>Help, the dice are trying to kill me!

rolled 44 = 44

>>18853977
> Beat my roll
> 3

Ugh.

rolled 95 = 95

>>18853999
>>18853988

>Would you rather I did it HERE, or the next time you're in a real fight?

>>18854004

>HAHAHAHAHA

>You know, you could spend a fate-point. You technically have four at the moment,.

rolled 75 = 75

>>18854007
It's not a question of "or," considering it will happen both times.

>implying the next time won't be the same.

>>18854013

Oh hell no, vidya is vidya don't spend that shit here, obviously game is OP as fuck just to eat tokens.

Damn your fancy rolls AC

>>18854013
We may as well, assuming it doesn't carry over to the arena go for it, otherwise it's a game.

>>18854037

>Technically, the arena would be a new scenario, and I don't really have time to SHENANIGANS between here and there.

>>18854047
Fate Point Go. We will win at ZOID COMBAT!!

>>18854047
sounds like we might as well fate point this, hopefully we won't need to go through 3 just watching a movie

rolled 57 = 57

>FATE POINT SPENT, YOU ARE DOWN TO THREE.

>BEAT MY ROLL!

>>18854034
Here

>>18854047
In that case, FUCK THE POLICE, SPEND THAT POINT, FUCK HIS SHIT

rolled 33 = 33

>>18854071

rolled 33 = 33

>>18854071

rolled 47 = 47

>>18854071
dice magic go...please?

>>18854071
Rolling for another 100!

rolled 45 = 45

>>18854074
>>18854076

Huh.

rolled 44 = 44

>>18854071

You are still an ungodly roller I hope you know.

rolled 60 = 60

>>18854074
>>18854076
What.

>>18854080
>forget dice
oh well...

rolled 26 = 26

You run forward, and leap right throng the claws trying to grasp you to deliver a crushing blow to his face with one of the laser claws apparently built into your foot.

You vaguely hope Elsie didn't see you do that.

You then watch as he spins around blinded, and you take off both of his claws with a casual ease. He tries to run. You let him. When you judge that he's a safe distance away, you blast him with your remaining shoulder cannon and finish him.

Turning back to the fight, you see that Elsie's lost her turret, and the guy in the cat seems to be toying with her, and her injured mech.

>Beat my roll.

rolled 34 = 34

>>18854120

rolled 10 = 10

>>18854120
Murderize the sucker. Unleash our Laser-TRex powers. We were born for zoid combat.

rolled 80 = 80

>>18854120
damn and blast your rolls sir.

rolled 20 = 20

>>18854120
>26
Well, here I go.

rolled 65 = 65

>>18854120
Oh come on.

rolled 54 = 54

>>18854047

Damn you roll like a monster

rolled 42 = 42

>>18854120
probably will need to use another fate point here...

>>18854120
> to deliver a crushing blow to his face with one of the laser claws apparently built into your foot.
> You vaguely hope Elsie didn't see you do that.

Add it to the montage!

>Sooo..... Fate pint?

>>18854156
I'd love a fate pint, I'm always a fan of a new and interesting beer.

Take the 10, I'd advocate no more fate pints until they're refreshed, something could happen between here and the Arena.

>>18854156
yeah...

>>18854164
This sounds like a good plan.

>>18854156
Sure.

(I think the popcorn is going to be poisoned)

>Locking the Ten?

>CAAAAN DO.

You rush him and body-slam him.

He's on his back, and you ended up on top of him in your tumble.

You casually overclock the laser cannon in your mouth to about 700% maximum recommended power and kick-back to watch the light show, as you aim it at the cat you're straddling.

"On a scale from zero," the other pilot begins "to COMPLETELY FUCKED, where do you think I stand?"

"Seven times overcharged Particle beam cannon."

"So no lube then?"

Anything else is lost over the giant explosion.

You briefly remain in the sim before it registers the damage and boots you out. for those few seconds you realize that it's actually kinda fun when you know you won't wake up in a hospital. Looking around the arid landscape below you, you idly wonder if you could see your house from space. Alas, the sim kicks you out before you could truly explore the possibilities inherent in unassisted space-flight.

You climb out of the sims, and see that your mother and Ari were watching you play on a nearby screen. "You don't actually fly like that do you Alex?" Your mother asks "Because that would explain all the trips to the hospital..."

"Nah, I only go crazy when it doesn't matter. It's not like I open every combat with blowing myself up and then kicking someone in the face."

Elsie climbs out of the sim next to yours. "Well that was fun. Good way to kill about five minutes. Wonder what the others are up to?"

You hear an anguished yell from the next Isle over.

It sounded like Mooch.

>>18854221
Oh god, what has Mooch done?

>>18854228
I hope he hasn't broken something.
And if he has, I hope we don't have to pay for it.

>>18854221

Rushing over, you see him laying on the floor, his head cradled in Morgan's lap. She seems on the verge of tears.

"I... I couldn't take it..." He says in a raspy voice. "Dave... old friend, noble companion... Finish my fight...." his head then lolls to one side, his tongue sticking out with a small 'bleh'.

Morgan crouches over his prone form, sobs wracking her shoulders while Dave wipes a non-existent tear from his eye. "god, why do all the good ones die young? Don't worry little buddy, I'll cap some rotten bastards for ya." He then makes a dramatic cocking motion with the plastic gun in his hand and starts shooting at the encroaching zombie horde on the screen.

Elsi lets out a dramatic sigh and walks over to the counter to buy the movie tickets.

Your mother and Ari are trying desperately not to laugh, while Morgan's performance gets increasingly mellow dramatic, looking at the ceiling and mouthing 'why God, why'.

[ ] Play another game (which).
[ ] Go get tickets with Elsie.

rolled 89 = 89

>>18854246
[X] Hold eulogy for Mooch

>>18854246
[X] Go get tickets with Elsie.

Y'know Elsie, despite their odd method of finding each other and Mooch being certifiably insane, those two seem absolutely perfect together.

>>18854246
>[X] Go get tickets with Elsie.
Lets see some sort of science fiction thing that seems to be the sequel to a much better movie

>>18854253
Seconding.
Friends, Romans, Countrymen, I come to bury Mooch, not to praise him...

>>18854246
[X] Go get tickets with Elsie.

>>18854253
This or join Dave to avenge Mooch!

>>18854253
Alas, poor Mooch! I knew him, Dave: a fellow
of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy: he hath
borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how
abhorred in my imagination it is! my gorge rims at
it. Here hung those lips that I have kissed I know
not how oft. Where be your gibes now? your
gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment,
that were wont to set the table on a roar? Not one
now, to mock your own grinning? quite chap-fallen?
Now get you to my lady's chamber, and tell her, let
her paint an inch thick, to this favour she must
come; make her laugh at that.

You decide that sometime the best thing to do is to take refuge in audacity.

Pulling the grieving widow into your arms you give her a reassuring hug and stand her up. Ari walks over to join you, and the three of you have a brief but heartfelt ceremony.

Dave curses as his health if finally depleted, and pulls another quarter out of his pocket.

Mooch SNAPS to attention.

"Wait, Dave, you had another quarter?"

"Yeah, so?"

"You didn't give it to me? You just let me die?"

"...."

"You BASTARD."

Mooch walks over to the ticket counter in a huff. Quickly you and the three women join him, leaving the traitor to his high-score.

Quickly you get the snacks sorted out. Elsie and you get medium pop-corn to share, your mother gets a small one to herself.

When Dave joins you he gets a large bucket, and some buncha-crunch to share with Ari.

Morgan gets a small popcorn, and Mooch... Mooch gets the large popcorn, two things of Nachos, a soft pretzel, three boxes of buncha-crunch, and a soft-drink the size of his head.

He then make Dave pay for all the snack, since 'thus is the price of treachery'.

You then go in to see the science-fiction movie.

We need to hang out with Mooch and Dave more for glorious shenanigans at some point.

>>18854330

The movie wasn't as bad as you expected from the posters.

Apparently some guy turned himself into a computer program, and then things got convoluted, and then Daft-Punk showed up.

You stopped trying to even understand what the hell's going on about half-way in and just resolve to enjoy the pretty special effects.

And, DAMN are they pretty.

Eventually the movie ends, and you leave the darkened theater.

Checking the time, you get the transport together, and move your cores and your support team to an Arena garage. Laurie joins you there a little later, finishing off a hot-dog as he walks in. He looks tired, but resolved, and the three of you mount up and get ready for the opening match.

>To be continued, next time on AC Quest.
>As always, questions in the crunch thread will be answered as soon as I can.