>>39127727
Latest version of the Episode Guide is http://pastebin.com/n7R5jjzY
Was posted in the last thread, but it seems you haven't updated in your notes.

>>39127887

(My apologies, I'll be sure to include that next time.)

>>39127887

Overhead, copper clouds bloat and knot into tumorous shapes. Beneath the tattered, scabbed-over dome of the Shield, the climate is rapidly deteriorating - As if the world itself is sick and distempered, the cold, restless wind and malevolent light pounding against the rising ruins around you, the air heavy with ash and decay. The vast spires, towers and cyclopean citadels of Arcadia are all ruined, all made of solidified night. It is as if the slaughter, the near-constant bombardment of this black-light landscape, has brought forth a darker aspect - the beginnings of a black dawn, rising up around the rim of the tortured city.

The Ophanim guns down the battered roadways, beneath the weird, twitching light. Flickers of sullen lightning play against the underside of the rushing clouds, promising a third storm: even as your attention focuses on the nav-track display linked to your altered sensors, a route overlay blinking on your field of vision-

The Hellion cycle's drive wails, building speed again, raising a foxtail of grey dust. Some of that dust, you know, is human ash.

You uprate the gravimetric suspensors, the hovercycle lifting another twenty centimeters for terrain clearance as you open the throttle - the bank of thruster nozzles gouting blue flame, the acceleration punching you back into your seat; the Ophanim slams forward in a rapid acceleration, red hazard hatching appearing on the etched lines of your HUD-

You're overloaded. The Assault Roader was meant to carry one rider - two, at *most*. With Volt Regios and Haze...

"-nt's...opped-" Distortion Haze is saying, trying to make himself heard over the roar of the engines - In the cargo cage, he clings on for dear life, the syringes of his gauntlets drawing sparks from the bare metal on all sides. "-ike the...ooks of-"

(Continued)

>>39127951

A crackle of static - "Use your icon," Volt Regios growls, his stylized lightning-bolt pulsing; His jointed digits lock against you, a flicker-flash of blue light in his visor slit - it takes a moment for Haze to open the channel, to vocalize:

"Joker, the bombardment's stopped!"

He's right. The Diadem's vast disc is nearly lost against the overcast sky; Lightning flares across the clouds, pulsing discharges that make them look as if they are on fire from within. Streaks of eerie light sizzle across the grand structure, flashing with iridescent patterns - a deep, infrasonic murmur pulsing across the ravaged city, the ground juddering at irregular intervals, the abstract spires blooming from the top of the crown rising in a dense and complex architecture of pipes and towers, vents and arches, blocks and pylons-

It reminds you, uncomfortably, of the Smiler rig deep in the bowels of the earth.

Parallels and echoes, once again.

The temporal storms of the Leukocyte's Tachyon Disintegrator still rage across the Diadem's surface, a localized maelstorm - Un-light smudges the skies, underlit by weird electrical effects, lightning flashing down to strike again and again-

(Continued)

>>39127989

Behind you, Volt Regios stiffens, abruptly - Haze makes a low sound of dismay, his eyes blinking yellow, yellow. You glimpse, in the split-second before it flashes past - a huge form, a titanic form, a form with immense twin horns, grotesque black bulk shrouded in a personal haze of pale grey smoke, walking forward on arms that bristle with overlapping spines, the way a bat uses its furled wings to walk.

It is attacking one of the buildings. Each sweep of it's primary arms cuts through matter without resistance, like a hot knife through butter. Walls collapse, tumbling sections spew out in great, dust-thick torrents of stonework and plaster-

"-*More* of those things-"

"Joker-" the pressure of Volt's grasp, jointed fingers gripping tighter, increases as urgency enters his voice-

[ ] "Hang on. We're going around it."
[ ] "Hold on. I'm bringing us in."
[ ] "-They're 'Cryptids'. The children of the Hyades."
[ ] "What's it doing?"
[ ] "Volt, you all right?"
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>39128071
>"-They're 'Cryptids'. The children of the Hyades."
>"Volt, you all right?"
>"Hang on. We're going around it."

>>39127989
Well, we wrecked their shit right and proper.
And it got us Regios back. Nice.

>>39128071
Fuck. The Ophanim doesn't have any weapons of its own, right?
>[ ] "What's it doing?"
>[ ] "Volt, you all right?"
She suicided herself to kill these things, after all.

>>39128091

(It's unarmed. You have yet to purchase any of the weapon upgrades.)

>>39128071
>[ ] "Hang on. We're going around it."
Have the Distortion Cannon at the ready in case it notices us.

>>39128138
Yeah, make a satellite weapon ready.

It's a Cryptid, so Maser might be the best choice.

And yeah, avoid it.

>>39128244
I don't think the satellite weapons are precise enough, anon, as much as I'd like it to be the solution to all our problems.

>>39128291
I hate the impression that that thing is fuckhuge.

>>39128309
D'you mean have? Because so do I. The description in the last thread of us missing our target kind of clinched it.

>>39128089
>>39128091
>>39128138

> "-They're 'Cryptids'. The children of the Hyades."

"They're - what? That's a...*what*?"

The blurt of disbelief in Haze's voice - It turns into a hiss as you swerve around a tumbling block of masonry, running a glancing blow along a section of crash barrier; the impact showers sparks into the air, leaving an ugly weal down the side of the Assault Roader's hull. Fist-sized chunks of debris rattle off the canopy, even as the Cryptids smashes through the rubble - It looks like an articulated inhuman skeleton with bones of polished ebony, socket-eyes glowing with a ghastly yellow radiance as it lumbers across the roadway, fully thirty meters tall.

> [X] "Hang on. We're going around it."

You gun the engine - For one heart-stopping moment, the Ophanim leaves the ground, turning a half-collapsed wall into a ramp; it lands hard, inertia dampeners kicking in like a grunt of pain, the rear of the cycle slewing back and forth as the smartwheels gouge deep furrows from the ravaged earth-

It hasn't noticed you at all. It is singleminded, intent on some task, worrying through the wreckage like a hound after prey.

"-What kind of child is-"

The Ophanim kicks forward, with a violence that lurches Haze and Regios forward in their seats. You swing-turn down a slipway, put all power to thrusters-

> [X] Have the Distortion Cannon at the ready in case it notices us.

Maybe the Leukocyte can-

You can sense the orbital cannon, a scratchy presence in the back of your mind - But the link is tenuous, distant. You don't know if it can punch through the shield again, the Shield that has scabbed-over in the minutes after the titanic blasts from above and below.

(Continued)

>>39128352

> [X] "Volt, you all right?"

A pause - An eternity, over the clamor of the engines, the slow-motion roar of a skyscraper collapsing. The blue light in Volt's visor flickers, tattered cape streaming out from spined shoulders. Then:

"-No," Volt growls. One word, stressing each syllable.

> [X] "What's it doing?"

Haze risks losing his grip, to clamber up in the cargo cage - the slipstream tears at him, as you plough through the danger zone; the Cryptid's lashing tail smashes through a storefront, pulverizing glass, pulverizing stone-

"The same thing all the others are doing," he vocalizes. There is a cold dread in his tone.

"-Culling survivors."

[ ] "Leave it. We're heading for the shelter."
[ ] "Leave it. We need to rendezvous with Geist and Steppenwulf."
[ ] "'All the others?' How *many* are there?"
[ ] "...We're going in."
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>39128345
Yes, I made a typo.

Also, after this is over, we'll get a few upgrades for the bike and the Raptor.
The Raptor's ability to link targetting data would be perfect here.

>>39128359
>[ ] "Leave it. We're heading for the shelter."

>>39128359
>[ ] "'All the others?' How *many* are there?"
"Are you two in a condition to fight?"
If they are:
>[ ] "...We're going in."
Otherwise, head for the shelter. No point in needlessly threatening our operation.

I wish we had Mentiroso. It would be fucking useful in this situation.

>>39128407
>"Are you two in a condition to fight?"
Anon, they obviously aren't.

>>39128359

JQOP, honest question: Is there any drawback to joining in all these distractions? It feels like there's a time factor involved, but I can't be sure.

>>39128359
>"Leave it. We need to rendezvous with Geist and Steppenwulf."

>>39128431

(It's a balance between coming up with an overall strategy and protecting/reclaiming as many resources as possible, really.)

>>39128440
We wanted to get to the shelter first. Because we have two injured people with us.

>>39128423
We know that they are damaged, but they know best if they can fight.
But true, going in there with those two would be too dangerous.

The question is who will die if we leave it be. There might be good allies there.

So we can traumatize Regios and possibly get her and Haze killed in order to possibly save a few civilians...

It's not worth it, even if I'd like to get a few people. Unless we can go invisible, it's not a feasible encounter. A straight-up fight would end in our death.

>>39128359

Head for the shelter. If we stop for every little thing, we'll be here until the Smilers decide to wipe us all out.

>>39128531
There are no civilians left outside of the shelters. The "survivors" Regios is referring to are other Players.

>>39128565
Then it really depends on how many there are.
If it's a good number of pros, we can use their help.

>>39128359
[ ] "Leave it. We're heading for the shelter."
They are in no shape to fight and I'm just going to hope that Rook can buy us enough time to save the other team

>>39128598
A good number of pros could probably survive without our help.

>>39128407

> [X] "'All the others?' How *many* are there?"

Haze just shakes his head.

> [X] "Are you two in a condition to fight?"

"I-" He's stricken, caught between self-preservation and a need to do something, *anything* - glancing down at the armored sleeve of his arm, as if it holds all the answers. "-I have one charge lef..."

"No." Regios's voice is flat, a tightly-wound tension in the word. You can see the foul Cryptid raking great swipes through the sectioned building - snuffling, snorting, a noxious smoke unfurling from it. You can hear screams, high, thready...Or perhaps it is just the moan of the wind. Another part of the building's frontage crashes down, as tiny shots pepper and puncture the thing's lumbering bulk - It seems not to notice the damage inflicted, one great claw coming down-

The rattle of gunfire abruptly ceases.

> [X] "Leave it. We're heading for the shelter."

"But-" Haze says - "But we-"

The futility of it seems to dawn upon him, at last. His hands ball into fists, all the same, as a fitful silence descends. A crackle, over the Dirac channel - "...We have to do *something*..."

He keeps staring as you swing left, racing down an arterial road, until the rise of a burning hall cuts off his view.

Then he just stares.

(Continued)

>>39128661

Paradoxically, you are headed *for* the area of most focused destruction; a landscape of fallen towers and rubble, a space which corresponds directly to the grounds of Seisin High before the overlap. The architecture of the city has fused with the school grounds, where acres of urban garden - transfigured into magnificent groves of platinum trees heavy with brass fruit, frills of wire-lace creepers soldered to burnished trunks, iron lawns adorned with bushes with broad, inlaid leaves of soft bronze - have yielded to the inevitable at last. The hammering shock of the bombardment has shattered the glass off the buildings around you, exposing their superstructures and girderwork. Some continue to burn, furiously, fire squirming through the upper levels - turning them into skeletal structures, new roads pulverized through the streetplan-

You're headed into the underside, into the service tunnels below - the hidden network of reinforced arteries that invisibly maintained the school's needs.

A remnant of the old War. One of the oldest.

The entrance to the shelter is at the lowest level of a multi-storey carpark; A missile impact, or something of sizeable magnitude, has utterly severed the upper three storeys - Clumps of support columns still stand, raggedly severed, like broken teeth in rotten gums.

"Jesus," Haze breathes. "I didn't think-"

You drive between rows of abandoned or burnt-out cars. It is eerie here, shadowy, lit only by the flicker of flames without - Crazed shadows dance across the concrete floors, now smeared with soot and blood and unidentifiable fluids; there are bodies here, too, but less than you'd expect.

Very few made it this far.

(Continued)

>>39128839
>Very few made it this far.
That's not a great sign.

File: joker dog.jpg (176 KB, 958x927)

176 KB JPG

>>39128839

The Ophanim is out-of-place, here. Engine throttled to minimum, it is too large, too powerful, a machine to be guided through the cramped confines; It takes all your attention to manoeuvre the Assault Roader's mass between the rows, heading towards-

"Joker. Stop."

Volt Regios sees it before you do, hand already clamping against [PERUN]'s hilt. At the far end of the basement-

The floor of the basement - Just before the final descent through the sealed bulkhead, via emergency lift or the long, sloping spiral into the dark - is slick with gore. Cooling heat-blurs flicker across your field of vision; there are severed limbs, inhuman, cast in every direction - body upon body upon body, the walls fleked with sprays of awful fluids over dark stone. You make out - tufts of fur, of carapace, of bone, lacerated and rent and shredded-

"Oh, God-" Haze, again - "Not *here*, too-"

"It's not." Regios says, sharply. You've already made the connection - At second glance, the carnage is specific, directed; From the teeth scattered like hail amid the pooling gore, the darkly-arterial blood that seeps through the cracks...

An immense number of Correctors were slaughtered here-

From the gloom - A deep, clotted growl. The clack-clack of claws, feral shapes slinking from the shadows, black and oily. Each one is hunched, loping forward on all fours - But the rapid panting cycle of breath, the exoskeleton that sheaths each bestial form, is too articulated, too defined, to be mere carapace or shell. Their heads - Eyeless, pitted black bone revealing only a great maw, skinless gums baring teeth in too-wide grins...

And names:

HUNGER DOG

"Joker-" You feel rather than hear Haze tensing - Hear his grunt as the control rods slide out from his spine, the prickle of radiation on his sensors - "-there's dozens of them-"

(Continued)

>>39129067
Oh, hey, old friends!
Let's see on whose side they are.

>>39129067

The first one is already padding forward, right towards the Ophanim. You hear a throb of sound, low - almost subsonic - the throat-rumble of a carnivore. It is the largest specimen yet, something clamped in those jaws; a gleaming black tangle of something.

When they open-

Something clatters to the ground. It is a hard, polished thing - Acid drool pooling around it, tiny wisps of smoke rising from the surface. A fragment of armor plate, the Smiler icon emblazoned on it; A deep claw-mark across the suface, a deliberate swipe scouring right across it.

It has no eyes, but it looks up at you anyway. It lets out a growl, almost but not quite speech, seething internally as it moves, glistening like an oil slick.

And then - It begins to twitch. To tremble. Teeth grind together, foam flecking at those fleshless gums. That lipless grin widens, a grotesque judder racing through that pitch-black form as ragged, pained breathing becomes a deeper, panting huffing noise - a phlegmy click, a gurgle of cartilage and joint fluid-

A gurgle. A growl-whisper, head canting in an exaggerated puppeeter's motion-

> "Joker-"
> "And still...you abide..."

"What is this?" Haze whispers, caught in the act of flinching. Volt stares as if he cannot bear to look away, as the Hunger Dog's grin becomes wider still - a mismatch for the papery voice that filters from tortured vocal cords, fluid trickling from the raw gums in burned-black jaws.

> "You have...changed...Joker."

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>39129286
I can't remember who this guy is. Isn't in the Player List, either. Or is he someone we do know who's been mutated somehow?

>>39129286
"Desperate times ask for desperate measures, Imago. Some changes are just par for the course."
"Did you want something? Last I checked, I haven't completed your request yet."

>>39129286
"This? This is Imagos. I'll explain it later."
"Everyone and their mother got Lachryma upgrades, especially that obnoxious White Joker. So I thought to myself "I really need one, too" and then I got one.
Hopefully it's not contagious.

I see you cleaned up the attackers in here. Did you suddenly gain an appreciation for human life, Imagos?"

>>39129345
Super Mengele. The dude that we didn't nuke even though we should have.

>>39129345

It's probably Imago. The old man who was Rust Kaiser's 'father'.

>>39129372
>>39129376
Alright, thanks.
>"Well, what can I say? Old Joker was just full of surprises, even for me."

>>39129372
>The dude that we didn't nuke even though we should have.
Honestly, looking at the situation, I'm kinda glad we didn't.

>>39129413
I purposefully avoided talking about Old Joker.
Let him think that we did it on purpose.

The other poster also seemed to lean that way.

>>39129433
Well, okay.
Let's mention White Joker instead, then. Something like
>"Well, what can I say? Seeing our old friend White Joker again inspired me to make some changes."

>>39129450
I'm pretty sure we already talked about WJ to him.

I'll check the archive.

>>39129461
>Vector Geist's kidnapper is Imagos, who wants Red Joker to undo an act of the White Joker
The entire point we met the guy was because of White Joker.

>>39129418
Why are the psychopaths our best allies?

>>39129286
"Don't get too excited I don't intend for it to be permanent"

>>39129461
I know, that's why I mentioned him. IIRC he had a sizable hateboner for WJ.

>>39129480
>Why are the psychopaths our best allies?
Because they're dependable? You could also argue from an in-story perspective that they're what Anon is used to.

>>39129486
Well, the Athame does fuck our systems kinda, considering that we now get corrupted by the essence that we absorb and that we've got some Lachryma powers.

You know I really hope we break the tradition of our enemies always having more players than us.

I still want a player army

>>39129486
I seriously doubt that's a choice. Judging by everything we know, it's impossible to completely remove Lachryma corruption, only adapt to it.

>>39129532
I personally enjoyed the raid a lot.
We had less players, but more quality. And our interceptors and missiles really shined.

>>39129534
Maybe a Vitruvian Device can help. Even if those are normally just intended to create pre-loaded upgrades, according to what the Terminus Scanner description tells us.

>>39129522
Yeah its still a disease that just fucks EVERYTHING up.

You want a hug? FUCK YOU! HAVE DEATH

I just like to think Anon wouldn't want to stay corrupted

>>39129372

> "This? This is Imagos. I'll explain it later."

"Later?" Regios echoes - there is something brooding in the look he gives you.

> "Desperate times ask for desperate measures, Imago. Some changes are just par for the course."

The *clack* of the Hunger Dog's teeth meeting, champing, opening again in pantomine laughter - the not-hound's entire form trembles, writhing in agitation. Whatever Imago's doing, the crude manipulation of the creature's form...It *hurts* it, torments it, making it into a living puppet for his will.

>>39129372
>>39129450
>>39129367

> "The virtue...of necessity. Desperation...has such a...bitter taste."
> "But Joker...you see only...the beginning of the path..."

There is something grotesque about the way the Hunger Dog is made to speak. It is the creature's vocal cords that form the words, but the manner, the pace and meter of them...They are all Imago's.

> "Did you want something? Last I checked, I haven't completed your request yet."

The stifled agony of something enduring extreme physical transmutation - it is echoed by growls from the pack's circle, at bay. Just shadow-blurs and predator-sounds.

> "My perfect...faithless son..."

The words are a hiss. You can *feel* the malevolence in them, the guttural hatred that is amplified rather than diminished by the Hunger Dog's imprecise echo.

> "I see you cleaned up the attackers in here. Did you suddenly gain an appreciation for human life, Imagos?"

"Joker-" Haze's voice is taut with worry, an urgent whisper over the channel. "Joker, don't provoke him-"

The silence on Regios's part is just as telling.

> "I have...a *message*...for you...Joker."

(Continued)

>>39129551
Eh. I really don't mind it. Wondering how it's changed his human form, though.
Actually, if we really want to get rid of it, can't we technically use DRAW FORTH on ourselves?

>>39129541
>Maybe a Vitruvian Device can help. Even if those are normally just intended to create pre-loaded upgrades, according to what the Terminus Scanner description tells us.
Just about everyone dismissed it as impossible, though. Even Aoba didn't have a way of treating Rook's corruption.
Not to mentioned that we probably won't be trying to get rid off the corruption until after everything ends anyway. We kinda seriously need the benefits provided by it.

>>39129563

The Hunger Dog's claws scrape against the ground. It strains, as if against a leash - the lines of its form standing out stark and taut. Imago's control is faltering, or perhaps natural fury is winning out. Neither option seems particularly encouraging.

> "A parting *gift*...for the prodigal son-"

It makes a sound that is almost a snigger, a laugh with no humor to it. Merely making that noise makes HUNGER DOG writhe at the agonizing effort of it.

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>39129579
"I'm not going to like this am I?"

>>39129603
Isn't Kaiser the prodigal son?
It sounds more like he'll give us a relic or something.

>>39129579
"Does that mean he's in the viccinity?"

I vaguely remember Imago giving us some Hunger Dogs what happened with that?

>>39129579
"Haste is beneficial for the both of us. Tell me."

>>39129646
IIRC he promised us those dogs in case we killed Rust Kaiser.

>>39129646

You mean the Hunger Dogs that are supporting us right now? The ones that are clearly attacking enemy players and Correctors?

>>39129579
>I'm sure he'll be delighted.
>We can make it a party. I have some delightful fireworks I'm itching to show off.

>>39129646
He said he'd give them to us if we fulfilled his request and killed Rust Kaiser.

>>39129563
>"Joker-" Haze's voice is taut with worry, an urgent whisper over the channel. "Joker, don't provoke him-"
Man, our way of treating unstable omnipotent psychopaths is right in the uncanney valley.

>>39129679
I assumed they were a separate pack meant to act as his messengers

>>39129679
I wonder what Amaros will say.

This is like finding out that your ally has connections to Somalian pirates and knows where the best child hookers are and just came back with a bunch of elite child soldiers.

>>39129579
I have no idea what to do here. Pet the dog's head to get it to calm down?

>>39129716
Man being Batman is suffering

>>39129725
I'm intrigued that these things apparently have feelings. At the very least, they can feel pain.

I wonder if they have any empathetic behavior if they are treated well.

>>39129756
Better question is do they want to be Cyborgs?

>>39129775
Probably not.
I can't imagine the Hollow Sun not using traumatizing procedures.
But removing Imago's control would be useful if we get them gifted to us.

>>39129775
Anon, Imagos is a psychopath.
I'm guessing they aren't. Hell, it wouldn't even surprise me if he left in a way for them to feel pain for shit and giggles instead of necessity.

>>39129784
>>39129793
Okay can we at least get one Cyborg Hunger Dog?

>>39129826
Go fuck yoruself.

>>39129793
They probably have a pack mentality, which implies empathy.
Pain response is useful for a pack, as it allows threats to be recognized and increases preservation of pack members.

>>39129603
>>39129644
>>39129660

The Hunger Dog's jaws open. And keep opening, until it seems like the creature's head is all teeth, all maw, about to rupture in two.

And you hear - A brief, shrill burst of sound, a binaric blurt-

It is not merely noise. It is code. A signal, of the highest authority and clarity. An upload. Imago must have been devising it for days, for weeks, for months. It feels like - It *looks* like - dull amber threads of diseased information, alien symbols scrawling across your HUD as the data-blurt takes hold, a roaring in your audio sensors as your field of vision blanks out into snow, into static-

"-" Haze says - The Ophanim rocks, in what must be Volt Regios lurching to his feet-

The static sounds like keening voices, as though a freezing wind laced with sleet and vapour is scouring at you. The darkness grows and grows until it fills your sight with purest blackness - And just when you think every synapse in your brain is about to blow out, just before you're about to crash to the floor, spasming and twitching-

-It ends.

<EXEC_CASTIGATE> uploaded.

(COST: 120% COBALT BOOSTER - 90% with HELIX GAUNTLET)

A single-use Codeburst uploaded by IMAGO, this binary invocation is his parting message to RUST KAISER. Extraordinarily long and complex, EXEC_CASTIGATE takes an entire combat round to recite. The effect, if any, has been concealed from you.

(Continued)

>>39129853
Sorry?

>>39129826
Eh. I'd much rather get people's willing cooperation. Seems like it'd give better results and doesn't make us look like a huge dick.

>>39129879
><EXEC_CASTIGATE> uploaded.
>(COST: 120% COBALT BOOSTER - 90% with HELIX GAUNTLET)
>A single-use Codeburst uploaded by IMAGO, this binary invocation is his parting message to RUST KAISER. Extraordinarily long and complex, EXEC_CASTIGATE takes an entire combat round to recite. The effect, if any, has been concealed from you.
Hmm. A boss-specific finisher? I can dig it.
Seems like we'll be facing him again soon. Chances are we'll encounter Megumi as well.

>>39129885
The joke isn't funny after establishing that those things most likely are capable of suffering.

>>39129879
This codeburst sounds nasty.

>>39129909
It's unlikely to be a finisher.
More likely to be either a massive debuff or a "fuck you" that causes Kaiser to suffer.

It might be something that gives Rust Kaiser some humanity back, but this is Imagos we are talking about.

Worst case, it allows Kaiser's body to be overtaken by the guy, just as originally intended.

>>39129934
Either way it might be best to use it whenhe's about to kick the bucket or if we somehow manage to cripple him heavily

>>39129965
Or at the beginning of the fight.

>>39129879

Sound and vision return in a rush.

"-away from him-" Regios is growling - Thorn-blade raised, jags of lightning throwing the shadows into stark relief. Answering snarls come from the tightening circle of Hunger Dogs: not attacking, not *yet*, but their hackles are raised from the stray lightning that sparks and flickers from Volt's sword, against the palpable blue light that filters from his visor.

"-oker, get up get up - Please be all right, *please*-" Haze's gauntlet paws at your armor, trying to find purchase against your smoke-cloak.

"-do to him?"

"Don't know, he's..."

Your vision clears. Servoes whirr, as control returns - Blurred at the edges, but functional. The Ophanim rocks, like a rowing boat in slack water, as you push yourself upright - Volt risking a glance in your direction, as Haze makes a sound of unalloyed relief.

"What was that?" Haze is saying - You can hear the unease in his voice, sense it in the quick looks he keeps giving the circling pack. "-Joker, what did he *do*...?"

[ ] "-I'm all right."
[ ] "Volt, stand down."
[ ] "...I'm not sure."
[ ] "-Give me a minute."
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>39129975
Nah. Let's use when we've succesfully chopped off or slagged at least one limb.
I'm not gonna trust Imagos to be entirely benign. Chances are it'll fuck us over too.

>>39129995
>[ ] "...I'm not sure."
>[ ] "-Give me a minute."

>>39130001

He REALLY, REALLY wants to fuck over Rust Kaiser. He told us to kill Megumi just to hurt him.

>>39129995
"Passed on a message I'm to deliver to Rust Kaiser."

>>39129995
"Nothing dangerous. Not yet, at least.

Why are codeburst uploads always so nasty?"

>>39129975

I think so as well. We could also always ask Imago when to use it.

>>39130020
Yeah, but that doesn't guarantee he's all that worried about what his gift does to us, does it?
Hell, it could let him take over RK's body, like that one anon said a few posts higher.

>>39129995
"Imago, if you can still hear me: When should that codeburst be used best? Before the fight begins or when it's about to end?"

>>39130059
If it's supposed to be used on a weakened Rust Kaiser, we don't use it.

>>39129995
>[ ] "-I'm all right."
>[ ] "Volt, stand down."
>"Don't worry, this is familiar process for me. He gave me something to use against Rust Kaiser."
>"Can't say I'm pleased with you hiding the purpose of the message, Imago. Still, if that's all you wanted, I'l be on my way."

At least we didn't pass out from staring into a severed head this time.

>>39129784
>>39129784
So what the hell are we going to do with Caliban?

>>39130152
Caliban is a monster.

Those dogs are different.

>>39130152
Caliban is a giant corrector. The Hunger Dogs are the souls of normal hounds that were modified using Lachryma and Red World tech.

>>39130030
>>39130044

> [X] "-I'm all right."
> [X] Why are codeburst uploads always so nasty?"

You have to wonder. It takes you a moment to reorientate yourself, autoreactive talons gouging against the ground underfoot - Haze watching you uneasily, as your internal gyro cycles.

> "Passed on a message I'm to deliver to Rust Kaiser."

"A message...?"

You're not sure if he believes you.

> [X] "Volt, stand down."

A glance over his shoulder - Reluctantly, Volt lowers [PERUN], the jags of lightning flickering out, fading to nothing. No longer holding the weapon at the ready, but keeping it close at hand.

>>39130047
> [X] "Imago, if you can still hear me: When should that codeburst be used best? Before the fight begins or when it's about to end?"

That papery, voiceless laugh again.

> "As soon as...you have the *chance*-"

And then the Hunger Dog convulses, violently - It wheels, snarling, in a sudden blur of motion. All four limbs work as one, to fling it away from you; to an accompainment of snarls, it bounds onto the shattered remnants of a car, the metal crumpling beneath its mass - then, with another surge of motion, it lopes away. The pack follows, head-down and fast moving, bounding and springing - black shapes pounding away, up the ramp, back into the burning city above.

"They're gone," Volt Regios says. There is a stiffness to his motions, as he mag-clamps his sword back to his side. "Joker-"

Whatever he's about to say - You hear the deep, grinding sound of doors opening, below. As you turn, you feel - before you see - the seismic rumble of the shelter's doors drawing apart, activated from the inside. And then-

Icons wink to life on your HUD. Chrome Cypher. Vector Geist. Steppenwulf. Flare Oriole. Daegal. Rook.

(Continued)

>>39130197
Can I get a citation on that?

Man, the hunger dogs are so cool. How many of them are there? Just imagine Joker in a tight situation, then he calls in his personal backup, and a pack of corrector hounds show up.

We really need to get murdering Rust Kaiser, Megumi's a sad but lost case anyway.

>>39130444
The bitch has done nothing but backstab us. I for one won't regret her passing.

>>39130444
Nice trips. Also, Megumi is a Smiler. It was inevitable.
Still, though, I'm hoping she's the only waifu we'll kill ourselves.

>>39130444
Haze said that there are dozens of them, so I'd wager at least 40-50 of the bad boys.
It's honestly kinda ironic how many twisted parallels between Joker and Kraken now exist. Kraken had tentacles and Joker has Hyndra-heads, Kraken had a Corrector Army and Joker will have a Lachryma-infused Zoo.

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>>39130166
How?

>>39130264

Tyrian Edge-

"Regios-!" the relief in his voice - it's palpable. "Joker - You made it. *Both* of you - Is Bishamon with you? Did you fin-"

Regios stiffens, glances sharply in your direction as a hand goes to the side of his cobalt-blue helmet. "I-"

And that conversation is drowned out by the immediate link to your three squads.

"Glad you could make it, Joker-"

"About time-"

"Joker, what do we-"

With so many Players on the line - the urgency of their voices is enough to make you wince. The sensory load is numbing - Your icon is linked to the three, and they in turn are linked to close to thirty Players slaved to this conversation; listening in, for succor, for instruction, for any respite from the nightmare they've found themselves in. It precedes your arrival - Even as the Ophanim descends the winding spiral, the bulkhead doors are swinging shut behind you.

The place is all concrete walls, windowless. Metal walkways to the second level, reminding you - vaguely - of a prison. Packing crates and sandbags, their ordered rows jumbled-

It's full of Players. It seems like they're everywhere, in all configurations - the smooth, doll-like forms of Simulation Bodies, with a delicate, almost graceful aesthetic. Bulkier shapes that you're more familiar with; Players you've glimpsed in passing, those you've never seen - a jumble of armor and colors. All of them dirty, smeared with soot and ash, missing limbs and displaying deep, deep rents in their armored forms. Even here, you can see the divide, like fault lines - An invisible division, the structure of which isn't immediately clear...

(Continued)

>>39130274
I think he's referring to how Joker got a flashback while absorbing Canker Eater's essence. He saw the memory of several humans, meaning it was something like a perfected Amalgam. The Hunger Dogs share the appearance and seem to have their own emotions, so it's possible to assume that they were created through similar means.

Note: We should check for any signs of Harrow. Inox Fang should still be marked.

>>39130613

And then it all falls into place. Four factions; the remnants of Seisin High's Players, huddled together for mutual succor. Isolated from the others, not quite under *guard* - but there's a distrust there, a kind of osmosis from the crowd that keeps them at bay. Forms in simpler armor, moving with stumbling, lurching gaits, winding through the press - Or simply staring, a shell-shocked silence. You can hear crying, the odd sound that a Player can never truly make; A conscious effort, rather than an instinctive one. The jumble of their voices cuts through the buzz of the Dirac channel-

"-going to kill us all-"

"-it hurts hurts hurts-"

"-in hell, we've died and gone t-"

"-seen my husb-"

Damaged, and painfully *new*. Civilians, deep potentials empowered - awake at last to the shock of the Red World. There are, you note, not as many of them as you might expect. The third, in small clusters and knots, or just individuals...The Players caught up in the swell of things, the veterans who somehow survived the catastrophe above. The gangs, the would-be warlords, the survivors and the lucky, the opportunists.

And the last faction.

Yours.

(Continued)

>>39130690
Oh shit this is hilarious.

Inox Fang walking about all yhis time with our emblem burned unto his form. It's even more hilarious if you imagine him as one of those Chad-tier douchebags showing off their latest tattoo: "Yeah, I went up against the Red Joker brah, I even got his mark here on my armor to prove it"

>>39130640
Looking back I couldn't find it do you have a link to that?

>>39130757
She hates us, anon. We crippled her, after all.

>>39130744
>And the last faction.
>Yours.
Which is also splintered.

So, it looks like we'll have to get the groups to mingle.
Weed out the people willing to fight, give the others a sense of security and a basic level of self defense (Solaris Array and Hellion weapons would do wonders for that).
Everyone gets a briefing on the basics of how player bodies work.
Then the fighters get squad leaders from the veterans. If possible, the squad leaders should select players with similar capabilities, as far as possible capabilities are visible on the new players. (e.g. fliers, melee, ranged)

>>39130744
I sure as shit hope we're not gonna have to become somebody else's Old Joker.

>>39130782
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/35538832/#p35543953

>-knife of glass in your hand. "Come here," you tell the children-

>-and you spread your arms so you fall headfirst, as the ground rushes up to meet you-

>-as your flesh bubbles and boils and blisters-

>>39130853
Thanks

>>39130744

Not the largest, by any means - Even here, you can see the fault lines. But they are those *in the know*; Your three squads, bolstered by the Counterweight squadron - Clustered around a holographic mosaic projected by Tyrian Edge and a handful of Players you don't quite recognize. Armaros and Chrome Cypher confer in low voices, Vector Geist's arms folded grimly across his chest; Steppenwulf rises to his feet, then drops to all fours again, as Oriole's few remaining Players - all flyers - cluster close to their leaders.

A murmur rises, when you enter. For one moment - One moment - every eye is on you.

And what they see-

Snatches of conversation:

"-the *Red Joker*-"

"...really him-?"

"-a monster-"

"-killed all the Hyades-"

The effect, you notice, is even more pronounced amid the newest arrivals. There is a ripple of dismay, a tight murmur that isn't quite panic - But fear. They have, you suppose, acknowledged the presence of the other Players. Fearsome as they might be, there is a sanity to the mechanical form - Gears, pistons, cables, armor. But in your mutated armor, black Lachryma flawing from the hilt of the Athame, Slake's riling maws at your back, ash streaming from your limbs in a swirling cloak-

You are a thing of nightmare.

(Continued)

>>39130980
>>39130744
>still no mention of Daegal
I am very worried.

>>39130980
>"-killed all the Hyades-"
Imagine the rumors among the girls, considering that not even our own Hyades is appearing anywhere.

>>39131052
We saw his ID.
It's unlikely that anything happened to him.

>>39131068
Can you imagine? They probably see the whole thing in a very romanticised light, with elegant ladies and proud knights, fighting for their love and their wishes.
And then we came in, killed our Hyades, AND everyone else.

>>39130980

Where your gaze travels, Players fall silent. They shrink away, trying not to be noticed. Perhaps it is not just your appearance - Perhaps you radiate a *wrongness*, now, like a herald of disaster. Even the Seisin High survivors, the ones who saw you before; there are gasps, heads turning in your direction, exclamations of surprise and fear-

"Ano - Joker!" The relief in Daegal's voice is at odds with his gleaming form - He pulls away from the central table, making a beeline for you; the natural osmosis of the crowd, you note, has brought White Licorice back to the other Simulation Bodies - One-armed, she kneels beside Moire Parasol...the best she can do, her remaining hand resting lightly on her crested helm.

All four of Parasol's limbs have been severed.

Chrome turns her head, breaking off the flow of the conversation - She looks in your direction and nods once, a heartfelt gesture, before she turns back to the display.

"Joker-" Daegal comes to a stop before you, with a glance over his shoulder - "...Anon, all these people..."

He doesn't go on, but you can tell what he's thinking.

"R-rook?" There's a stammer in Haze's voice, as - tentatively - he approaches. "Rook, you're-"

"Haze. You've grown."

[ ] "What's the situation?"
[ ] "Where's the Red Comet?"
[ ] "-Yeah. It's bad, I know."
[ ] Talk with Rook.
[ ] Talk with Chrome Cypher and Armaros.
[ ] Talk to the Seisin contignent.
[ ] Talk with Vector Geist and Steppenwulf.
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>39131312
>[ ] "What's the situation?"
>[ ] "-Yeah. It's bad, I know."
He best not have trashed the Red Comet like a bratty teenager whose parents are on vacation.
Otherwise we're gonna have some words.

>>39131312
>"I know. I'm just glad you and Natsumi are fine. Guess I wasn't wrong to have an orbital cannon on hand."
>[ ] "What's the situation?"
>[ ] "Where's the Red Comet?"
>"Have you manged to gain access to the Hollow Sun? We might need tomake some preparations."
>[ ] Talk with Vector Geist and Steppenwulf.
>[ ] Talk with Chrome Cypher and Armaros.

>>39131312
>[ ] "What's the situation?"

>>39130980
>>39131312
Guise, we have to be the villains next time. Please. Please. I want to overdose on Lacyhrma and become the evilest cunt ever and get awesome upgrades. Plz.

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>>39131519
>>39131471

> "I know. I'm just glad you and Natsumi are fine. Guess I wasn't wrong to have an orbital cannon on hand."

"Wait, that was *you*?" he shakes his head, wonderingly. "-y'know, you have to *mention* stuff like that-"

> [X] "Where's the Red Comet?"

"Had to send it back." He makes a fist, and the Teleport Homer sketches itself into existence. "-Thing's like a tank. I, uh, may have ruined the finish a little..."

Daegal's voice trails off. It's not as funny as he's hoping for, and he knows it.

> [X] "What's the situation?"
> [X] Talk with Vector Geist and Steppenwulf.

He rubs at his brow - A very human gesture, you can't help but notice.

"We're, uh, having some problems on that front. Geist, he's..."

Geist's squad - Bolstered with new recruits and the survivors from the rig - is standing exactly equidistance between Counterweight squadron and the Seisin contingent...If 'contingent' is the right word for the handful of Players remaining. This would be fine illustration of their divided loyalties-

If their guns weren't pointed at the latter. Not directly, but they're all armed - visibly so, with Hollow Sun weapons in plated fists - standing in a loose half-circle, a distinct air of suspicion looming. Very little of the Menagerie remains; Steppenwulf seems especially uneasy, down to three Players. The retreat has not been kind to him, to say the least.

"-They're lying to us," Geist interrupts, his voice is a curt crackle over the channel, vocalized just enough to carry. His mono-optic sensor burns with pale, baleful light.

(Continued)

>>39131765
Nah, mate. That's going full Edge. You never go full Edge.

>>39131312
>[ ] "-Yeah. It's bad, I know."
>[ ] "What's the situation?"
>[ ] "Where's the Red Comet?"

Swear to Christ he better not have gotten it blown up.

>>39131890

Damn not fast enough.

>>39131875
Not really. There's at no point in this story where you couldn't argue the evil choice isn't rational.

That's why the world's so dark; generally, it makes more sense to be evil than good.

>>39131856
OP, how many in each of our three squads? Are they the only Jokers left?

>>39131952
Not to mention winning in the Red - which requires a lot of brutality - actually makes you better and better, at life and in the Red. It's like the system is made to fuck over normal people, and to reward psychopaths.
Which may actually be the case.

>>39132055
Look at the Smilers. Sure, most of the scrubs are bad enough, but Naoya's a rich, handsome doctor who has none of that lachyrmra shit on him in real life.

Also, I want to see if its possible for a PC to go full Imagos/Argent Prom and make the craziest gear and correctors.

>>39131856
Oh, right, Silver Fascist.

>>39131312
>"R-rook?" There's a stammer in Haze's voice, as - tentatively - he approaches. "Rook, you're-"

>"Haze. You've grown."
If this continues, everyone will be lachryma-infused.

Also, I hadn't realized how fucked up we look until now.
There's no way that we'll now progress on the path of Athame.

>>39131856

At your side, Kazuya tenses.

"They're *lying* to us," Geist growls, again. Velvet Drossel - Close enough to hear - flinches, at his words. "-We *didn't*-" she begins, shaking her head in denial-

"Joker - they *knew*." His hands aren't far from his twin Pulse Carbines, fingers flexing as if itching to draw them - Them, or the twin machetes he carries. Daegal bridles at his words, but Geist goes on, his tone an accusatory hiss. "Hundreds of them - *hundreds of them* - and not *one* knew this was coming?" It's more words than you've ever seen Geist say at once time; the situation seems to have brought out the statesman in him. "Now Silver Cross is dead, because of your silly bitch *games*-"

"You-" White Licorice is on her feet, now. "You don't get to say that-"

Vector Geist is a head taller than her. His armor is fearsomely scarred, and his monoeye glowers malevolently, as he stares at her.

"-What *is* it that you want?" Pearl Caprice, now - Limping, dragging her twisted leg behind her. "W, what..." A deep breath. It's unclear whether she's choking on outrage or fear. "We didn't *know* it'd be like this. No-one did! And now - Now everything's..."

And Geist says, with a glance at you-

"Joker - We should dig a pit. Line them up along the side-"

Daegal *moves*, before he can finish the sentence. He grips him by his armored collar, and hoists Geist clear off the floor.

"THEY ARE HUMAN FUCKING BEINGS!" Kazuya shouts. The surface of his helmet actually quakes - this is Kazuya categorically and unmitigatedly losing his shit.

"They are fucking *people* trapped in this horrendous fucking nightmare, AND IT'S SHIT!"

It is so unlikely, so unrehearsed, so incompetent in some ways. Kazuya simply is not equipped for this sort of rage.

(Continued)

>>39132298
>"THEY ARE HUMAN FUCKING BEINGS!" Kazuya shouts. The surface of his helmet actually quakes - this is Kazuya categorically and unmitigatedly losing his shit.
Oh, motherfucker. This is not gonna end well. At all.

>>39132322
We will need to diplomance here.

The only things the girls knew was about the Hyades games and that the Chalice Queen could specify who would be used as power source, iirc.

>>39132415
They didn't actually know that the Chalice Queen would steal their essence.

>>39132298

It is so unlikely, so unrehearsed, so incompetent in some ways. Kazuya simply is not equipped for this sort of rage.

"It's all shit. And I could have changed it - I could have *fixed* it - I would have...I would have...I would have..." He falters, but seems to find his second wind, a heartbeat later - "We're going to keep them alive because it's the RIGHT FUCKING THING to FUCKING *DO*-"

Heads are turning.

"Your chest is armored," Geist rasps. One hand claws at Daegal's unyielding fingers. "-but this should still hurt."

The Pulse Carbine holstered at his hip tilts upwards, and erupts in a blurt of muzzle-flash. Point-blank.

Daegal jerks back. The rounds hammer against his armor, and his fingers spasm open - More from shock than from pain. He stumbles back a step, then another, before finding his footing. There are screams, at the sound of gunfire; Caprice has her hand to her speaker grille, utterly appalled-

"Never touch me again," Geist rumbles. "-Never."

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>39132298
>this is Kazuya categorically and unmitigatedly losing his shit.

Kek

When was the last time we lost our shit like this?

>>39132463

"And I would suggest you don't antagonize Daegal further, he's probably the most powerful player in this room."

>>39132463
>Geist. Calm down. Or I'll make you.
>Kazuya. There's nothing anyone could have done to prevent this.
>We need to figure out what we're gonna do now, not what we should've done.

>>39132463

He is really, really upset over Yui, isn't he? Damn, that hit close to home.

>>39132463
Time to speak up.

People, what kind of approach will we use?

I have a few points:

- Remove the mistrust
- Raise morale
- Motivate the people who are potentially willing to fight
- Adress the people who don't know what the Red even is

My suggestions:
- Direct their rage at us, telling them that we knew that *something* would happen but not what. It's why we told everyone to be on standby nearby, after all.
- Tell the people that they should hate the Smilers instead of petty infightng
- Tell the girls that they would be dead had we not personally sacrificed someone important to us
- Make plans. Evacuation seems to be the best idea.

>>39132536
This one is very nice, though.

>>39132463
If you do something like that again you'll regret it.

>>39132517
When we did, we murdered hundreds of people and made a few tactically questionable moves.

>>39132560
That's a good point.
We really need to adress everyone. Every single person there lost friends and allies in the shitstorm, after all.

>>39132463
Geist. I advice you speak with more respect to Daegal. He could turn you inside out in half the time it'd take Rust Kaiser.

And he's right. Suggest something like that, and I'll take you apart in half the time it'd take him.

Everyone has lost people today. Friends. Loved ones. We've all been fighting just to survive. The last thing we need is to direct all that pain and anger at eachother.

Direct it at the Smilers.

>>39132456
Actually, they had some lines about not offending "The Ladies" that implied that they knew.

>>39132463
>"Calm down, Geist. It's likely true that they didn't know. After all, they're supposed to be dead by now and are ignorant of even that."

"The Hyades Tournament was meant to decide the new Chalice Queen. But a Hyades needs an enormous amount of essence to become a powerful enough Player to be considered a Finalist. Now try to imagine an appropriate living sacrifice."

well this is almost the perfect time for a speech

>>39132673
Didn't Hellebore say that the Chalice Queen needs to drain every single Simulation Body, though?

>>39132708
>>39132673
Found it:
>When Convergence concludes, the last champion is transported to the lunar quantum vault, where a number of high-priority armours - Meant for Hyades use - are stored. The Emblem you currently possess will unlock the one 'keyed' to Cybele, which will transfer her Essence from her demense to her new armour, which will be released upon the Red World.

>Unfortunately, the Hyades - Being dead - are unable to replenish their Essence by the simple process of being alive. Upon release, they drain Essence from all simulation bodies in existence - Usually with lethal consequences - to replenish their store

>>39132463
"To get a few things straight:

Geist, the girls most likely didn't know. Because if they knew, they would have been panicking hours ago.
After all, they should be dead right now. The Hyades tournament, which has been running for the past few days, requires a sacrifice of simulation bodies at the end. Which means most of the Seisin High girls that you see alive around you.
Coincidentally, they only live because I found a way to make that happen. No, you won't hear how it happened - It's already haunting me more than enough.

Daegal, you couldn't have changed anything. Only this situation allowed you to even become Daegal and you are still getting the hang of this world.
Don't crush yourself with mis-aimed self-loathing.

Anyway, there is no one in this room who didn't lose someone today. I would suggest we do the sane thing. Escape this hellhole and punch the Smilers in the face along the way.
They did it and it's them that you should hate.
We have many able combatants. And we have many people who could become combatants if given a reason to.
We have an huge armory that we can access at any time. Arming everyone is no issue.

Is the mobile manifold tower still functioning?"

This feels kinda half-assed.
Critique?

>>39132752
Yeah, point out that the schoolgirls would have been the losers regardless of the outcome.

Looks like there's a misunderstanding here. It's a terrible thing to do, but it's time to break it to the Seisin High girls about the true purpose of the Simulation Bodies: to serve as fuel for the new Chalice Queen. Our hyades won, technically, but some outside interferance (dont tell them about Mio or Hellebore), Alura, prevented her from getting the Chalice Queen armor, thus saving them the fate of having their souls being devoured.

There was no way they could've known this, so Geist should stop blaming them, and everyone should calm the fuck down.

>>39132797
>>39132816
Now I want to address Rook with
"Oh, and Rook,

I now know how you feel about Alura. Let's murder her together."

>>39132536

"-What the hell's going on?" Armaros's voice is a growl, as he turns away from the console - Cypher's silent, but you see the way her hand tightens around her spear-

> Geist. Calm down. Or I'll make you.

Geist turns his head to glance at you - His Carbine still leveled, aiming squarely at Daegal's helmet. You can sense the tension in the moment - there are at least seven guns aimed at Daegal, at this very moment; Some of the squad is looking to you uncertainly, for guidance - the rest focused on the threat to their leader.

> Kazuya. There's nothing anyone could have done to prevent this.
> We need to figure out what we're gonna do now, not what we should've done.

"Nngh-" Daegal has a gauntlet pressed to his chest, his golden armor glowing from the discharge - "You ba-"

He catches your look, and wisely decides to shut up.

> "And I would suggest you don't antagonize Daegal further, he's probably the most powerful player in this room."
> Geist. I advice you speak with more respect to Daegal. He could turn you inside out in half the time it'd take Rust Kaiser.
> And he's right. Suggest something like that, and I'll take you apart in half the time it'd take him.

Geist makes a gesture, and the guns lower. For now.

>>39132691

"Fine," he rasps, without emotion.

"If you say so...Joker."

You're not sure he believes you. Or whether he cares.

> Everyone has lost people today. Friends. Loved ones. We've all been fighting just to survive. The last thing we need is to direct all that pain and anger at each other.

You pitch your voice to carry. They're good words - Fine words - and you see a few heads nodding; though more, you feel, are simply drawn to the brief blurt of gunfire, the tense standoff ended as soon as it began. Not as inspiring as it should be, but enough to ratchet down the tension a few notches-

(Continued)

>>39132852
>though more, you feel, are simply drawn to the brief blurt of gunfire,
I wonder if any mecha otaku are among them.

>>39132852
Bets on who's gonna ruin that?

>>39132852
>> And he's right. Suggest something like that, and I'll take you apart in half the time it'd take him.
So one Joker is four Rust Kaisers.

>>39132895
Probably the implication that we are open for letting the civilians fight.

>>39132903
kek, we now have standards of measurement. 1jk=4rk, but what's 1 unit of rk equivalent to?

>>39132903
If we're talking about speed, then probably. Joker can run at supersonic speeds now.

>>39132903
All bets are open. Could be anyone.
Betting on one of the Seisin girls, though.

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>>39132852

There is a static hiss, from behind you - A blur of white noise, resolving into a flickering, jumping image, wavering in and out of coherence.

"Link established!" Tyrian's voice is loud, almost too loud, as he punches keys on his gauntlet - "We've got an outside line-"

"No." Cypher, now - Her gaze tracking the holographic display before her. "-Not from outside."

"Then where...?"

Rook looks up. "Someone," he says, in a voice that is not quite a caw, "-is trying to reach us."

You see it before they do. The one place a call could come from - the one location *not* subject to the interdiction properties of the Shield...

-The Diadem itself.

There is a flash. Background noise, from the indistinct image. Fading in, slowly, as resolution gradually returns - Even as an absolute silence descends. Not everyone can see what is transpiring, but they know - Just *know* - that everything turns on this. The blur of nonsensical images and static, flitting from one to the next, gives way to a panorama of black and ivory, of red-tainted confusion and glossy tones, all of it chipped and hardened by harsh shadows...

A shape, singular and unmistakeable.

A skull.

"Joker-" the Thief's voice is a crackle, half-lost amid the churning noise. But he can *see* you, though his form remains indistinct, the background bathed in shadow.

"I'm in."

JOKER QUEST

EPISODE 129

TO BE CONTINUED

>>39132965

(Gentlemen; My apologies for the abrupt ending, but it is extremely late on my part - And this looks like a natural cliffhanger. Good night, and God bless; you've been a wonderful audience, and I hope to see you again soon.

I'll keep the speech in mind for next time, to be sure.)

>>39132903
Joker kills him 4x faster but kaiser takes 1/8th the damage

>>39132965
Akira, you glorious bastard.

>>39132965
Totenaz.
... TOTENAZ!
YOU BEAUTIFUL MOTHERFUCKER XD

>>39132986
Note we have that Lachryma draining ability, AND a Codeburst specifically for him.

If it takes more than two turns to kill him, I'd be shocked.

>>39132994
>XD
This explains some of the idiotic write-ins that we get.

>>39132965
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

>>39132965
Awwww yeah. It's time for a Raid. Let's let Amaros and his men protect the civilians; we've got a raid to run with Geist

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>>39132980
>I'll keep the speech in mind for next time, to be sure
Shit, we aren't off the hook yet.

>>39133015
...
Oh...
I shall go commit sudoku immediately.
I am so sorry.

>>39133057
Be sarcastic all you want. But there are certain rules that you do not break on this site.

Like using any emoticon outside of ;_; and the ironic :^)

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>>39132965
Based motherfucking Akira.

>>39133015
I think we've found ourselves saddled with some kind of SBer or something.

>>39133074
Even then ;_; is always spoilered. Not gonna tell him how to do it, though. That's something every man needs to find out for themselves.

>>39132965
IT'S HAPPENING.

>>39133074
I was serious.
I legitimately forgot the Emoticon rule.
... The sudoku was a joke, of course.

>>39133123
That's the kind of shit you don't forget, mate. Just shut up before you embarass yourself further.

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>>39133123
You remember it best when you create a reaction image folder.

In fact, images are the reason for why emoticons are frowned upon.

As an aside, I really need to increase the size of my folder.

>>39133145
I think the SB thing is likely.
How long until we get ZnT crossover fanfiction?

>>39132965

Fucker always comes through for us, love him.

Doesn't Geist still have an unused void anchor?

>>39133163
One day I'll sell all of my rare Pepes and become a millionaire. I've been saving up.
Also, I think there was talk in the wqd of last week of some QM thinking of running a quest set in the Worm setting?

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>>39133163
Speaking of reaction images, how many do you think an average anon needs? I have around 5500 here and I always feels like I don't have nearly enough.

>>39133209
Our bros are simply the best.

>>39133220
...This might be true. Interesting.

>>39133221
Aren't they talking about Worm quests all the fucking time?
At least Spooky does.

>>39133229

You can never have enough.

>>39133229
Never enough. Never.

>>39133242
>Aren't they talking about Worm quests all the fucking time?
Not really. Or I've somehow skipped over a lot of posts in Spoopy without noticing.
It comes up once in a while, but that's more out of mockery towards SB and SV than anything else, and they have lots of other kinds of autism there.

Man, I'd go bar-hopping with Akira. Why is he so based?

>>39133331
All of our bros are.

I wish we could assemble everyone, in addition to Ogre, and go out drinking.

Guys, do you think that we could build something akin to paintball/laser tag with the Hollow Sun?
Some harmless fun for our player buddies?

>>39133410
I think now's not really the time, anon. We're kind of in the middle of an apocalypse, after all.

>>39133410
>>39133421
What I would give to see a SoL AU of the setting.

Newest update to the Episode Guide:

Under a dark sky, we race towards the shelters on the Ophanim, with Haze and Volt Regios clinging to our back.
Though the bombardments by the Diadem have stopped while it's being ravaged by the aftereffects of the Tachyon Disintegrator, the chaos is far from over. We meet another Cryptid, resembling the ones Regios and Haze must have faced, currently clawing its way through a building, where survivors are apparently holed up. We move on.
When we arrive at our destination, we see that someone - or something - has slaughtered immense numbers of Correctors. It turns out to be Imagos, the Player who made Rust Kaiser what he is, and all-around charming individual. He speaks to us through one of his creations, called HUNGER DOG.
We talk to him, and he gives us a gift meant for Rust Kaiser: a Codeburst meant specifically for him, which he refuses to tell us the function of. Receiving it knocks us down.
After that, we enter the shelter. It's immediately clear there are four factions: Armaros', Vector Geist's, the Seisin girls, and ours. We talk a bit with Kazuya, but the situation finally becomes too much for Geist: he blows his lid and starts wildly accusing the Seisin girls of having known this would happen.
Kazuya snaps as well, and gives an impassioned speech, though Geist shoots him in the chest for his trouble. While it doesn't hurt him, we intervene, telling Geist off and preparing a speech.
At that exact moment, though, Akira - the Thief - contacts us, saying he has succesfully infiltrated the Diadem, which ends the session on a high note.

>>39133820
> he blows his lid and starts wildly accusing the Seisin girls of having known this would happen.
The "this" is a bit unclear if you read it outside of the context of already knowing the story.
Maybe "this situation" or something like that.

Otherwise, it all sounds accurate, even if the sentences feel a bit unpolished.

Can whoever is doing the archival step his game up? It suffers from a tragic case of broverload.

>>39133886
>of having known this would happen
>of having known of the devastation beforehand
Better?

>>39133752
Murder Phantasm?

>>39133892
I would prefer if someone more witty did it. I am well aware that my archivals are shit, but another dude made even worse ones, so I took on the task of always being first.
Please, if someone is better than me, do the archivals.

>>39133919
>of having known of the current cataclysmic event beforehand
This might be better.

>>39133946
Sounds a bit clunky, in my opinion, but okay.
http://pastebin.com/TDwZX3Kv

>>39134009
Yeah, the terminology is a bit overblown, but I wanted it to be more specific.