>>417579
>Maneuver into cover.

Might as well establish this first so we can shoot better good.

>>417579
>>Shoot first
We're outnumbered but they haven't noticed us yet so this is the best chance to reduce their advantage before we end up overwhelmed. I'd suggest going for cover after getting in a few shots though, preferably somewhere where we can lead them into a narrow chokepoint.

>>417579

Shoot first.

We'll ask questions later!

>>417579
>>417607
>>417610
If they're a large formation, we can just blindly spray fire into them while we maneuver into cover. We'll probably score a few hits by luck.

Also, as a personal thing, I'll probably wait like 10, 15ish minutes before tallying votes and starting to write. Just as a heads up.

>>417648

Sounds good to me.

No time like the present, right? I don't bother to acquire a lock for this. I pull the trigger and sweep my reticle across the horizon as I begin to strafe through the city. Flashes of light within the dark mass let me know that I've at least done some damage as I scout out a good location to flank.

"Kid, hey kid! Hey is this thing working?"

Nappy...I'd know that phlegm-filled whining anywhere. I give him a brief acknowledgement as I kick off a building and find myself a good sniping nest on a roof. For now it looks like I'm out of range of their sensors. I take the AC down on its knee and brace myself for some more shots. The FCS struggles to get a good lock at this range, so I have to wait until I can fire.

"Hah! Looks like you just couldn't wait, huh? Already eager for some destruction?"

I'm eager to get this job over with. Whether or not they have a Core with them, a unit of this size is no joke...

"Oh, quit your bitching. Back in the war, this would have just been a speedbump."

Whatever, Nappy, whatever. I line up a good bead on a squad of main tanks and squeeze the trigger.

HIT

HIT

HIT

A dozen, perhaps more, vehicles light up without much issue. Several VTOLs turn around and I hear a sharp beeping. Looks like they've got a lock on me. They scatter missiles towards me without a hint of hesitation and I swallow my fear. How should I handle this?

>No problem, an AC can easily shoot these down, right?
>I need to pull back into the city.
>I can't give up this position, I'll just have to brace for impact.

>>417718
Fire away, but not at the missiles, at the VTOLs, then, at the last second, slide off the back of the building, let the missiles impact on the building. It'll take direct hits to damage and AC's armor.

>>417718
I don't think we'll hit all of the missiles, so we might as well get some pot shots at the VTOLs and try to boost our way out of there before we get damaged, critical or not.

Might as well be ballsy. Why not?

>>417718
If we're on the roof bracing is a bad idea since structural damage could lead to us falling. I'd say pull back.

>>417718

>no problem, na AC can easily shoot these down, right?

Armored cores are op

>>417733
This

On instinct, I fire back, launching a stream of bullets as I throw the machine into action and try to take off from the rooftop. Maybe if I was in a better model, I could have done it, but my boosters struggle to pick the AC off the ground. The missiles strike the building and throw me aside. My aim goes wide, though by some miracle I manage to pick off a few VTOLs and light tanks in the distance. The sirens go off and I fight to right myself as I careen through the city skyline. My boosters go wild and I fall backwards into building after building. Eventually, I crash through what was once a factory and skid to a halt.

Damage check, damage check! I shudder with the adrenaline and my fingers fumble to bring up the AC's internal display.

All green. Just some scratched paint...

"Damnit, kid, get it together, these are just chumps. Remember what I taught you."

I take in a deep breath. That's right. Fight with your head. My radar shows a small squad of light tanks nearby...shouldn't be an issue. I pick up speed and smash through the opposite side of the factory wall and scatter the tanks. Wasting no time, I tackle one tank and knock it over. The ceramic and steel makes sparks as I slide it across the concrete and then slam it into the road. The machine crumples and the IFF goes dead. I crouch behind the tank, using it as a makeshift shield while I bring the small brace of rockets on my AC's left arm to bear. From here, I could hit anything, but for now I'll target

>The last of the main battle tanks. Only they have the firepower to really hurt me.
>The last of the VTOLs. Their mobility is a real pain.
>This formation. I won't let them recover from my surprise attack.

>>417853
This formation. I won't let them recover from my surprise attack.
The men have the highest dam age per health.

>>417853

Formation!

It is always good to have formation

>>417853
>This formation. I won't let them recover from my surprise attack.


of course!

I'll blow them all to hell! I swing the arm wide, firing off rockets as fast as fast as the trigger will let me. A loud hissing and a crack follows as my screen is engulfed by the light of explosions. The hit indicator is going wild and my unit's heat quickly skyrockets from the surrounding blaze. The radar goes silent as the units are decimated. The rest of the force scatters and enters into full retreat as I shoot out from the inferno, intent on finishing the others just as quickly. With my rockets expended, I glance down to purge the weapon from my unit.

"Not a bad job for a junker."

My body grows cold and I look up. A humanoid figure is in the distance. Two large barrels are aimed at me and a single, red light glows on the top of its head. Time slows down and I can hear the rapid beating of my heart.

It's an enemy AC. A real Jackal. The apex predator of the mercenary world.

I'm overcome by fear. My head swims with images and memories. I wonder if this is what they mean when they say you see your life flash before your eyes...

There's a loud grinding and a tremendous crash of metal. I swing my Muscle Tracer over to check and, sure enough, Joe's somehow flipped his damn worker on its back again.

"God damn it, Joe, this is the third time today! Are you sure you've been practicing?" The foreman bellows over the intercom for what seems like the millionth time today. As usual, I go to help Joe back up.

My MT hops from junk pile to junk pile, skimming over the murky waters as I close in on Joe's tracer. Once I get close, I bring the MT down and jump out. I flip over the compartment on the hatch and pull the emergency release lever. The cockpit slides open and I see Joe nursing a new bruise on his forehead.

"S-sorry, man. I just can't seem to get the hang of it."

>Reassure him. Nobody is good when they first start.
>Berate him. He's holding everybody back right now.
>Laugh at him. Seriously, three times today?

>>417989
>Berate him. He's holding everybody back right now.

>>417989

Laugh at him

bros will be bros

>>417989
>>flirt with him

>>417989
>Berate him. He's holding everybody back right now.

>>418032
I laughed.

>>418032
Second. :D

>gonna take those as joke votes for jokers.

I laugh and shake my head at Joe. Maybe I shouldn't have gotten him this job if he wasn't going to take it seriously.

"Harsh. I'm trying my best here."

I doubt it. My eyes fall on the old magazine shoved up onto the control panel. Odds are he was trying to read that and he threw off the Trace system.

"Hey, you can't tell the boss about this."

If you don't want the boss to know, don't screw up. I go over the MT system with him one more time. It's actually pretty simple. The sticks and the pedals will control most of the gross movement systems for the MT. Where he messed up was trying to read. I point to the gloves on his hands, fitted with wires and circuitry. Those gloves are monitoring the small twitches in his fingers to control the fine movement of his machine. Every time he flicked the page, he sent his MT off course.

"How else am I supposed to get through the day?"

Try working.

The lunch whistle blows and Joe eagerly hops out of his seat, running to the benches on the side of the gulf. Galvan's Bay, the place where we call home, is situated along this coastline. The only thing of value in this town is the piles of postwar scrap, but even that's starting to dry up. I've been working as a junker my whole life, but I can still barely afford to put food on the table.

"Papa! Papa--!"

Speaking of food. I turn to see a little girl running up to the shoreline. Her long, dirty blonde hair drapes around her head and her bright blue eyes are twinkling. That's my girl, Hannah, right on cue.

"Papa, I got you lunch! Mrs. Martha helped me make it!"

She smiles, shining like the sun in those beat-up old rags. It shames me to say that I really can't afford anything better for her right now.

>Eat lunch with Hannah on the benches.
>Invite Hannah to sit in the MT with you.

>>418055
Op sempi notesed me!!!

>>418100
>Invite Hannah to sit in the MT with you.
She will need to get use to these

>>418100
>Eat lunch with Hannah on the benches.

I'll just go with one or the other in the next five minutes if there's no vote.

>>418100

Invite hannate to sit in

I pick Hannah up and sit her down in the cockpit with me. This is usually how we eat lunch. I make sure to turn the system off and let her play with the levers and buttons. Hannah grins and goes to town on the control panel, haphazardly throwing the sticks back and forth while making whooshing sounds and the occasional crash. Hannah loves the MT, but I hope she'll never have to learn how to use one.

I open the box to take a look inside. Looks like fried canned sausages and scrambled eggs. Everything's just a little bit burned and I'm not sure these sausages ever tasted good. I give Hannah a smile and tell her that it all looks great as I start to eat. My little girl beams at me, shining like the sun as I get to work on lunch.

"Is it good, Papa? I tried really, really hard to make it good."

It honestly tastes like cardboard, but I tell her the food's great.

"Yay!" She pumps her fists in the air and sings a little victory song to herself.

Hannah's not really my daughter. I found her wandering by herself four or five years ago and decided to give her a place to stay the night. Haven't been able to let her go ever since. Hannah's the reason I haven't just packed up and left this dump, and she's also why I've been looking into that new job.

"Aw, now isn't this just adorable?"

Nappy. I turn to look at the old man. His wrinkled, bronze skin is pocked by spots and his long, kinky hair trails down his back. He cracks a toothless smile through his beard sticks his head into the cockpit. He gives Hannah a little pat on the head as he turns to me with a wink. What does he want now?

"Is that any way to talk to someone who's doing you a favor?"

"That's right, Papa! You said we always gotta be nice to people who help us."

Did I say that? I shake my head and give Nappy a hard look.

"Now I know you don't want me coming up here when you're at work, but I got good news for you kid."

It's ready?

"You bet your ass it's ready. I got all your paperwork done too. Whenever you're ready, we'll go give it a good look."

Then now's the time. I finish up my lunch and pick Hannah up as I head to the foreman's office. It's time to turn in my resignation.


Our home is an old garage. They say that it used to service military vehicles back when Galvan's Bay was a strategic port but it's just home to Hanna, myself, and the junk Nappy says he can turn into an AC. I roll up the garage door and take a step inside. Nappy scrambles past me and takes a pose.

"Now don't shit yourself, son!"

He throws the switch and the lights come on. It's...it's ostensibly an AC. Standard bipedal legs. Middleweight arms and chassis. Single camera head. Those boosters are a bit on the small side. And what's this paintjob? It just looks like rust-blocker.

>Well, it's an AC. Thank Nappy.
>What is this piece of crap?
>Remain silent.

>>418219
I expected it to be... sparklier. Is it safe?

>>418219
>What is this piece of crap?

Cointoss time

What is this piece of crap? Is this thing even safe to ride?

"I'm hurt, really," Nappy pretends to wipe away a tear, "This stuff was top of the line back when I was a Raven..."

Here we go.

"Quickboosters mounted on the shoulders, a high capacity battle rifle, good armor on the core and legs, and overboost? What more could you want?"

I don't point out that the last Raven was active over 80 years ago. Instead I ask him what he's going to do about the Jackal surgery.

"Oh, that. Forget it, I can't get you that."

What? The Coccyx Control Jack is absolutely necessary for modern Armored Core combat. It will sync my mind with the machine and let me control it with my nerves instead of manual controls. The difference between someone who has a Control Jack and one who doesn't is-

"I said forget it. Even if I found someone willing to foot that bill, you'd be their slave for the rest of your life. Do you want that for your little girl?"

I guess not.

"Good. Then hop in, let's go over the controls."

I climb the ladder and enter the cockpit. Huh, it's not that different from a MT. With a few presses, the system flashes to life. I decide to run a simulation to figure out the controls...

This game system is based on rolling a 1d10 plus a modifier and then comparing it to a target number. Your main modifiers are as follows.

Might. This governs how much damage your AC can do.
Guard. This governs your AC's ability to avoid and absorb damage.
Speed. This governs your AC's ability to maneuver and can contribute to your defense.
Systems. This handles your AC's ability to deploy special functions, such as ECMs.

In addition, there is the Threshold Stat. Your Threshold determines your AP. Every time your AP is depleted, a part is damaged and you suffer a penalty to the corresponding stat.
When attacked, you use your Defense stat, which is your Guard + your Speed (to a maximum of +5 from Speed)

Lastly, there is Advantage and Disadvantage. When you have Advantage, you can roll an addtional 1d10 and take the better result. When you have Disadvantage, you must roll an additional 1d10 and take the worse result. You can gain Advantage and Disadvantage up to 3 times for a single roll. One instance of Advantage and Disadvantage cancel each other out.

Simple enough.

"I already sent off your registration with the Den. Now we just have to wait for them to get back to us."

Just as Nappy says that, a mail pops over on the AC's display.

To: Raven
Subject: Admission Test
...

Do you have a grasp of the rules and are ready to continue the fight?

>>418359
Eh, I guess. All the stats seem to be AC dependent, so I don't see how that Jackal shouldn't just render us into a crater, especially seeing it's got the drop on us.

>>418395
His dick is smaller, so you have a shot.

>>418401
Oh, sorry, missed the dick stat.

>>418359

Seems simple enough. Our modifiers are determined by our AC, right? I think we just need the visual reminding us what each thing does and we'd be good.

I come to and time is still frozen. I can almost see the rounds leaving the barrel and I throw the AC to the side. Rounds scream through the air and punch through the nearby building.

"Well done! I thought I'd just be picking off some nobody."

A notice comes up on the display.

{The Mission Parameters have changed. Target is identified as the Rank 100 Jackal Drakon, piloting the AC Chevalier-D. These actions are treason against the Den and demand immediate punishment. Eliminate the renegade Jackal by any means. A reward of 10,000 credits will be issued upon completion.}

Well, then, I guess there's no backing out now. I pull my AC through the narrow streets to get a good bead on my opponent. As I dart between buildings I get a better glimpse. Lightly armored, reverse joint legs, and dual machine guns mounted on each arm. Auxiliary thrusters are mounted on the sub-arms in the back. This AC is built for speed and not much else.

"Playing hard to get? That's fine. We can take all the time in the world on this. Once I'm finished, I'll be living like a king. No more need for these idiotic missions."

I take note of my remaining weapons. Just a few more magazines for the battle rifle and my trump card, the mining stake on my back. I'm not sure if it would be better to try to wear him down with bullets or go for close combat.

>Maneuver through the city to reduce his speed advantage. I'll catch him as he rounds a corner. (Speed Test)
>He's boasting right now. Let's take him down a notch with a shot in the back. (Might Test)
>I'll have to pull back and hide for now. I'll do a scan to figure out if he's got some hole in his defense (Systems Test).

>Current AC Status: Might 3 (Type-45 Rifle), Guard 3, Speed 2, Systems 2, Threshold 4, Defense 5, 4/4 AP

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>418441
>He's boasting right now. Let's take him down a notch with a shot in the back. (Might Test)

>>418479
Normally, I'd call for a roll after there was a consensus, but that's a good roll so I'll take it if everyone agrees. Why the hell not?

>>418497
Looks good to me.

Looks like we're at a standstill right now. I'll wait five minutes for another post. Then put something up and put it on hold till tomorrow. This is a slow board, it'll be fine.

This'll shut him up. I spin out from behind the ruined office building and squeeze off a shot into his AC's back. The slug tears through the metal with a hideous screech and shreds the boosters mounted on his subarms. The Chevalier-D stumbles forward as I swing around the side and begin to pepper him with shots, trying to keep him in one place.

Drakon howls over the radio and tries to take off, but without his extra power, he's quite a bit more sluggish. Sluggish, but still quite a bit faster than I am. He overtakes me in a moment and unleashes a hellstorm of bullets, which scrape against my armor and send warning bells off all through my cockpit. The shaking is intense, and I struggle to keep down the bowl of gruel I had for breakfast as I swing wide into the wreckage of a train station.

Looks like he's done playing around. But so am I.

About Tension. Tension is your natural advantage over the common pilot. While most buckle and break under pressure, you only get better. At the end of every action, you gain Tension. Tension adds a +1 bonus to all of your tests and your Defense. You also gain Tension whenever your AP is depleted and a part is damaged. In effect, you grow more dangerous as the fight goes on. Conversely, this means you are at your most vulnerable in the opening stages of a match. Take calculated risks, gain Advantage, and outlast your enemy to succeed.

I need to find some kind of edge against this guy. Even damaged, I think his machine would win in a straight fight. I just need to think...

>The Train Station. Maybe I can get him into a chokepoint.
>Maybe it's time for some close quarters combat. (Might Test)
>I need to get into open ground. All these tight corners are hurting instead of helping. (Speed Test)

We'll break here until tomorrow since it seems we lost some posters. Same time, same place.

>>418656
>>The Train Station. Maybe I can get him into a chokepoint.
il try to play next time
loved the AC games

>>418656
>Those tanks would make for some good temporary shields. Wear out his ammo while picking up new tanks with the free hand, and when he goes in close enough to punch through the tanks, go for CQC
>I need to get into open ground. All these tight corners are hurting instead of helping. (Speed Test)

>>418656
>Maybe it's time for some close quarters combat. (Might Test)

Let's try to start back up in about an hour and a half or so. I'll figure out what to make of these votes in the meantime.

>>421314
ok

>I see two votes of confidence for CQC so that's what I'm going with. Awarding Advantage for using the tanks as a shield on the approach. Write-ins that are clever or just plain tactical are more likely to award Advantage. It's always a good idea to just throw out something to get the upper hand.

I look to a twisted tank on the ground. It's about half the size of my AC so maybe if I...

The whistling of rounds brings me back to reality and I go with my gut, accelerating as fast as I can towards Drakon and his AC. I take some glancing shots as I get close but I slam on the brakes and slide downward, kicking out with my AC's leg to knock the abandoned tank into the air. I wind up and smash my AC's fist into the vehicle, holding it firmly in place.

The Chevalier-D's dual machine guns riddle the ballistic plate of the tank, punching clean through in some areas. My thrusters are struggling to fight the onslaught of lead as I push forward with my makeshift tower shield, but...I can make it! In just a few seconds my AC has closed the gap between us and I ram the Chevalier with the tank.

"What the--!"

I keep pushing. Sparks fly from the ground as the steel shreds the pavement. The Chevalier-D is forced backwards, sliding across the ground and into an old warehouse. The masonry crumbles and steel beams fall all around us. I swing with my left arm and the Chevalier's weapons are knocked aside. In that instant I can feel it; now is the time to strike! I glance at the weapon attached to my sub-arm. It's a modified jackhammer, taken from the salvage MTs. It's bulky, unwieldy, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to get a second hit in...but now's not the time to hesitate!

>Make a Might Test! You have two Advantages. One for the tank shield and the other for using your Trump Card weapon, the Jackhammer Stake. After this roll, the Jackhammer Stake will no longer gain Advantage.
>As a gameplay note, when you are rolling multiple dice, I will count them in order for the purposes of Advantage.
>Current AC Status: Might 3 (Type-45 Rifle), Guard 3, Speed 2, Systems 2, Threshold 4, Defense 5, 4/4 AP

Rolled 6, 1, 7 = 14 (3d10)

>>421514
time to end this

>>421514
wait did i do it right?

>>421544
>>421552

Remember to add your Might (+3) and the current Tension (+1). That's a +4. In light of the mistake on my part, I will let you try again if you want, or you guys can keep that. Your decision.

Also, you guys can roll all the dice at once like that, or you can split up the dice between multiple posters (each rolling one die). Just depends on if you want to spread participation around.

>>421562
ok so thats a 18 then
it could have gone better

>>421571
A 7 is not a bad roll at all, considering the average of d10 rolls is 5.5. Assuming everyone is on board I'll go ahead and write this up.

>An 18 is enough to kill. Good job! You're a murderer!

The rifle drops from my hand and the sub-arm swings forward. The gears grind and the jackhammer locks into place. I throw the tank aside and twist the AC's body upwards as the jackhammer finds home onto the core--the cockpit of the Chevalier-D. The hissing of the hydraulics and the roar of the motor brings the jackhammer to life as it chips away at the core. Metal bends, then breaks, thousands of sparks fly, bolts come unhinged, and with each rapid-fire blow the Chevalier is forced deeper and deeper into the wall. I can hear Nappy yelling something, but I don't understand what he's saying.

I can't seem to break through, but it's to be expected. The core is the most fortified part of these machines. They're built to withstand direct hits from high powered ordinance, laser blades, and god knows what else. It'll take more than a salvage tool to casually puncture one. Drakon screams and his feebly tries to level its machineguns at me. But I can't stop, I won't stop now. I give my burners everything they've got as I drive the stake through the metal and into the cockpit. Bright red runs everywhere, the Chevalier goes silent. But I don't stop. I keep driving the hammer home, wild with fury until, eventually, the jackhammer burns out. Even through the cockpit I can smell the burning circuits.

It's then I realize that I haven't been breathing. I take a shaking hand and pull back from the wall, letting the Chevalier's empty husk drop to the ground. I glance to the radar. No hostiles.

COMBAT HAS CEASED. SWITCHING TO NORMAL MODE.

As I blankly stare at the screen, a message pops up.

{ Congratulations on your victory. As per the agreement, you will be registered as one of our mercenaries. Your callsign is Raven. Your AC is registered as the Broken Wing. As you have defeated the Jackal Drakon, you will take his place in the rankings. You are now the Rank 100 Mercenary. Your payment for this mission will be sent by the end of business today. You will be contacted in the future once we have designated your operator and representative.

Welcome, Raven, to the Jackal's Den. }

>>421695
its not murder is this happens right?
Eliminate the renegade Jackal by any means. A reward of 10,000 credits will be issued upon completion.}These actions are treason against the Den and demand immediate punishment.

>>421709
It's not like there's really international law anyway. I'm writing the next part now. I had intended to end the first thread there, but there's still some room to go. We'll keep using this as long as it's here and you guys are interested.

>Base Pay: 0C
>Repairs: 100C
>Ammo: 400C
>Special Bonus: 10,000C
>Miscellaneous Expenses: 4000C
>Total: 5500C

It took a few hours to calm down after all that. Pretty sure I threw up a few times, but I can't quite remember. It was all a haze until the next morning. The repairs and ammo costs were cheap. Relatively. I'd never seen so many zeroes in my life so I had no idea what to do with all that money.

The first thing I did was turn the lights back on. I spent a good amount of money fixing up the old garage: patching leaks, a fresh coat of paint, new furniture, and equipment to make working on the Broken Wing a lot easier. The second thing I did was I took Hannah out on the train north. I figured it was time she got herself something better than these old rags, and Ostein City was the place to do it.

It takes a few hours by train to get there, even on the nicer train. First class all the way this time. I figure we stick out like a sore thumb on that thing. The interior is clean, made with a crisp white on blue polymer. Windows line the side of the train and the sun filters in to give it a natural feel. The train-cabs are spacious. Hannah's jumping up and down on the seat right now, getting a good look at the world outside Galvan for the first time. As we pull out of the Galvan's Bay area, the wildlife starts to come back. There's not much of a government around here, so plans to recivilize it are just pipe dreams.

"Wow, look at all the grass! And trees!"

Hannah laughs and sings a little song to herself, counting out each tree she spots. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot the train attendant strolling past. Her hair's done up in a tight bun and she's got what looks like an old style business suit on. We meet eyes for a moment, but she looks away and starts to pace faster down the hall. Figures. She probably thinks we're stowaways or something.

>Chat with Hannah a bit to pass the time
>Get some brunch from the attendant
>Something else (surprise me)

>>421802
>>Chat with Hannah a bit to pass the time

I guess I'll go see if people want to hop over in the general. If not, I'll just chug ahead anyway

>>421867
its up to you

Welp, let's just keep going. People will show up if they want to and they won't if they don't. Maybe I should reach out to /tg/ itself to find people who love AC. Will work on the next post.

>>421937
mybe, i guse we talk about the animals

"Papa," Hannah says, hopping over in my lap, "When are we gonna get there? I wanna get a new dress now!"

It probably won't be more than another hour.

"But that's for-ever!"

I try to tell her that good things come to those who wait, but it looks like she's having some trouble processing it.

"Like your new job, Papa? You waited a long time for Mr. Nappy to make you your new robot."

I nod to her and look out the window. How long was that old nutjob talking about building that thing? Three years? Four?

"I like your new job, Papa."

I give her a strange look. Naturally, I didn't explain all the details to her. I just told her I would be working with some new robots and I was going to make a lot more money. Does she just like the way the Armored Core looks?

"Yeah, it's super cool. And, and we get to be together more! You don't have to go be at work all day and stuff! And I can get a new dress and my room is all nice and clean."

Hannah just keeps chattering on about how the old garage is now liveable. I'll be honest, that air conditioner paid for itself in the first hour. I keep a laugh down and zone out, occasionally nodding my head and humming to let her know that I'm still sort of listening.

"So, Papa, when I grow up can I go be a bird too?"

That line stops me cold. I think about the fear I felt, the sound of the bullets impacting the armor, the red just spilling out of that core-block. I don't want that life for her. Not now. Not ever. I give her a long look, but decide to put that conversation off to another day. I'm sure she'll find something else she wants to do once she gets older. With this money I'm making, maybe I can afford to even send her off to a school in the Western Alliance or something.

"School? What's that like? Is it fun?"

I wouldn't know. We arrive at Ostein City a short time later. The train staff are more than happy to shove us out of our compartment and onto the streets. Ostein is formally a part of the Western Alliance. A bunch of city states banded together a little over a hundred years ago and pooled their resources. And they had a lot of resources.

This place is nothing like Galvan's Bay. The streets are clean, covered in that sparkling white polycement. Buildings reach up to the sky and shimmer with electronic lights. Passenger cars pass each other on the streets and trams fill the gaps alongside the roads, taking more people than I've ever seen in my life to and from what I can only assume to be very important jobs.

And here we are looking like a couple of transients. Still, we came here for a reason, so let's go get Hannah a new set of clothes.

>Let's put her in something fancy. This is a fancy place.
>How about something simple? She'll be outgrowing it soon enough anyway.
>What's fashionable...? Maybe I should just go ask some clerk.

>>422018
>>Let's put her in something fancy. This is a fancy place.
shes a princess better treat her since this wont be happening all the time

Fancy dress, then. OK!

File: maxresdefault (1).jpg (199 KB, 1920x1080)

199 KB JPG

>>422063
we should get a jacket for us with the broken wing name and imge on it
but useing just wing part of this

...Right! Hannah's not just the daughter of some junker now. She's an up-and-coming young lady! After a few more jobs, she'll make her debut in a high class school. It's not just the money, she needs to look the part. Frills! Lace! Silk! I'm going to go all out and make her the prettiest little girl on the globe!

"Yeah, Papa! I'ma princess!"

We tear our way through a dozen shops, trying on dress after dress for what seems like hours until finally we've collected a good seven outfits for her to wear. More's coming, but that will have to wait for the next payday. I take a look at Hannah and she's just radiant: blue ribbons in her hair, white frilly bows, and blue dress hemmed with lace. She looks nothing like the ragged child I picked up so long ago!

"Um...sorry if this is rude, but," a voice from behind me stops me from admiring my daughter, "When was the last time she had her hair cut?"

...Is there a problem? Sure, Hannah's hair goes down to her knees but I thought rich ladies wore long hair. I turn around and take a good look at whoever dared interrupt my father-daughter bonding moment. It's a woman, almost two heads smaller than me. Her ash-brown hair is done up in a long braid that goes down to her back. She has on a white blouse and a black skirt, with black stockings on her legs. Her hazel eyes scrunch up when she takes a good look at me.

"Nevermind that, when was the last time you had a haircut and a shave? And, well, got a new set of clothes? You look like you've been living on the street."

I was annoyed before, but now I'm getting upset. The woman decides she's done talking to me and approaches Hannah.

"Is that your daddy, little girl? What does your daddy do for a living? Does he gamble?"

"Nuh-uh, he's a bird and he flies a robot."

The woman gives Hannah a pained look.

>Rebuke her. She has no right!
>Well, maybe we are still a bit scruffy...
>Ignore the insults. Explain to her that I pilot an AC.

>>422132
>Well, maybe we are still abit scruffy...

>>422132
>>Well, maybe we are still a bit scruffy...
aask her to show us around for cloths and a hair cut?

A show of humility it is, then.

>>422132
>>Well, maybe we are still a bit scruffy...
thats us! scruffy mc-robobird! ...is joke

>>422132
>Well, maybe we are still a bit scruffy...

I run a hand through my hair. True, I gave myself my last haircut and I haven't seen a razor in two years. I explain to the woman that we're from Galvan's Bay and we've just come into some money.

"Galvan's Bay," she recoils, "I'm so sorry."

Hey. I'm trying to be nice here.

"Come on, little girl. I'll take you to my salon."

"Yay!"

"Three blocks down," The woman jerks a thumb behind her, "There's a barber and a tailor. I'll pay for the salon visit just...just let me take care of this."

Hey, I'm not going to let some complete stranger just run off with my daughter like that. I put a hand on Hannah's head to make my point.

"Okay, then," She takes in a deep breath and holds out a hand, "I'm Karen Feldhase. Please let me take your daughter for a trim and shampoo."

I shake her hand. She gives me an expectant look. Oh, a name. The stuff from the Den said I'm not to use my real name anymore. Issues of protection and confidentiality. I have to use my callsign going forward if I want cooperation from them.

"...Raven, is it? No last name? I'm not surprised, you're from Galvan's Bay anyway. In any case, let's get this done quickly. I have a train to catch this evening."

After that, Karen takes Hannah off into the distance, leaving me bewildered. So...three blocks down, huh?

A few hours later, I'm still trying to break in these new clothes. They're nothing special, just some work pants and a new shirt, but I guess it's better than nothing. Gotta be stingy with myself if I'm going to be generous with Hannah. As I'm staring off, I'm tackled from behind.

"Papa! I'm all done!"

I spin around and pick up Hannah. Huh, I didn't know her hair was that blonde. Maybe the dirty blonde hair was just because it was...well, dirty? Looks like they've cut out all the old split ends too. Now, where's that Karen person?

"She said she had to go get ready for a train."

Oh right. Hey, we have to go catch a ride back home too. There's going to be word coming back from the Den today anyway. I collect our things and usher Hannah back into the traincab for the long ride home. After a few hours pass (Hannah thankfully took a nap), we get back just after sunset.

I put Hannah up in her room and then go down to the Hanger to check my messages. Because of the state of Galvan's Bay, the Den has to send correspondence directly to the maintenance terminal I had installed. Looks like there are a few new mails...

>From: The Den. Subject: Moving Forward
>From: The Den. Subject: Operator Assignment
>From: Mirage Market. Subject: Notification of Enrolment.

>>422248
>>From: The Den. Subject: Moving Forward

>>422248
all the mails...

>>422248
>>From: The Den. Subject: Moving Forward
>>From: The Den. Subject: Operator Assignment
>>From: Mirage Market. Subject: Notification of Enrolment.
You really don't need to type out the actual contents of these mails.

>>422313
It has important information. Like coupons. Don't forget to print those and cut them out

>>422314
damn, our spam filter must not be set up properly.

>>422314
>coupons
Well in THAT case....

Alright, then I will briefly summarize each of the mails. Then I'll reveal that we'll be running the rest of the game in the mekton zeta system. No calculators.

>>422314
>coupons
best job ever

>>422327
???

>>422327
>running the rest of the game in the mekton zeta system. No calculators.
what do you mean? i dont understand

>>422346
>>422349
It's a /tg/ joke. Building a machine requires much math.

>>422346
>>422349
it's a joke, guys. I am assuming Mekton Zeta is a ttrpg that uses a lot of math.

>>422355
>>422353
ok didnt get it
so i better cool some one a neard then right? neards!!

>>422367
right? ...dem geeks.....with there jokes...

These can't be that important. Okay, first one. Welcome, Raven, we look forward to a long and profitable career... Finders fee, blah, blah, blah...take any job as an Independent. Whatever. Basic stuff. Moving on. This one seems more important.

{ An operator will be assigned to you in order to broker contracts and facilitate field intelligence } More nonsense after that. Looks like the Operator will be assigned to my base of operations. Don't have one of those so it sucks to be them. The Den will cover giving them a cut of the proceeds from a mission. Fair enough.

Mirage Market. Looks like they're a dealer in AC parts. They're just letting me know that, as a member of the Den, I'll be able to get a hefty discount on the prices of their wares. They have pretty much every part on the market and can order whatever I want or need. They gave me an address for a digital catalogue. I should pay them a visit soon unless I want to be riding around in this pile of junk forever. I'll have to have Nappy take a look at this with me later.

Speaking of Nappy, he's just sleeping on the couch right now. Should I bother him or just turn in for the night?

>Talk with Nappy

>>422387
Whoops. Forgot the greentext. Oh well, you know anyway. As always, you can write something in if it makes more sense to you and you all agree.

>Sleep

>>422387
befor we go to sleep we stick a not to nappys head about where the missed up ac is asking if he colud get any parts from it and the number for the ac shoop

>>422395
also draw a dick on his head becouse reasions

>>422395
>>422401
yes, soo very much. and then we sleep. like tthe damned.

>>422395
>>422401
>>422409
So, consensus is to write a nasty note?

>>422423
a joky nasty note
whene we wake up we can give him some cash

>>422428
on it

I take a scratch piece of paper and leave Nappy a little note. I inform him that he is a bag of dicks and that he also needs to help me order some new parts for the AC tomorrow. I can't keep using these junk parts if I plan to get anywhere. I make sure to draw a few extra penises in the borders to emphasize that he's a dickbag. I look around a bit for some tape or something, but end up just using an old piece of gum to stick it on his forehead. With that task finished, I head to bed. Today wore me out so I'm out like a light.

Ah...I'm dreaming. I'm young again. A boy of ten years, maybe younger. I'm walking along an empty road. Barren earth stretches out to the horizon all around me. I've had this dream before. I look back to see a large blaze behind me. The caravan was destroyed. My parents were in there. I'm not sad. I'm not angry. This is just something that happens. No...there's a reason I keep having this dream. Keep reliving this memory.

The roar of mighty engines fills my ears. The dead soil is thrown aside as two giant figures dash past me. The sound of gunfire. Beams of light. The two giants, three times the size of a normal man, dance across the field. What were they fighting about? Who were they? Who even won? I don't know. I can't remember. But one thing stuck with me that day. The awe, the fear of these giants. These things called Armored Cores.

The first rays of morning light hit me and I come to. There's this loud thumping in my head. I didn't drink last night, so why do I have a hangover...? Hold on. Wait. Is that someone at the door?

I descend down the stairs to see Nappy and Hannah at the kitchen table. Hannah's trying her best to cook some eggs and Nappy's just sitting there half-asleep. He hasn't even taken the damn note off his head.

>Nappy, make yourself useful and open the door.
>Open the door myself.
>Don't open the door. Instead try to speak with whoever is on the other side.

>>422468
>>Open the door myself.
tell nappy his looking good

>>422481
tell hannah that breaky is looking tasty
as we dance over to teh door to open it
with a dance move

>>422486
>>422486
i like the way you think, anon. wise cracking asshatery...

I'm undecided about that dance move.

>>422515
i nice classic moon walk maybe?

>>422515
>>422523
a moon walk to a come in here could work
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-kWDBxV6yA

>>422515
take your pick
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dodGzOjBOHA

>>422468
>>Open the door myself.

>>422486
Grammar aside, please consider the concept of in-character

Jesus, i leave for 1 hour and this happens...

>>422532
we are happy we got piad, put dicks on old friends head, girl is makeing eggs and we got coupons
also that person is most likey the Operator
but yer i get the whole rp

>>422532
fare enough, but i always thought of him as more of a han solo/obi wan than a jango fett.

>>422534
>>422538
You are forgetting the whole
>just killed and vomited
>just had a dream/nightmare about fire and iron

>>422545
cant be having a pissed off face for the little girl
we can open the dorr without the dance move since its triggering people
op dosnt have to do it was just having fun
dream/nightmare about fire and iron dont know if its a nightmare but its the reasion we become an AC

>Yeah, dancing is a bit. Nah.

I shake my head and tell Hannah to make my eggs scrambled. Last time she tried to fry eggs I spent an hour scouring the pan. I tap Nappy on the forehead, trying to get him to realize what's on there as I head over to the door. I can hear shouting on the other side, and the knocking is getting pretty urgent. Can't be someone from town, since they all know that they can just waltz inside anyway. I sigh and open the door.

"Finally! What kind of operation are you running here! I've been here for hours! Where is your Jackal, I'll see you fired this instant!"

...Karen? She's looking a bit less put together than yesterday, her braid's almost unraveled and her shoes are caked in mud, but that's the same woman.

"Huh? Wait, you're that hobo from yesterday!"

Hobo? I swallow my anger and ask her what she's doing. I thought she said that she'd pay for the salon visit.

"The Jackal lives here, right? Name is...Raven, correct? Take me to him."

That's me.

"Don't be stupid. You don't have a tail, it can't be you."

Tail?

"The Control Jack. Look, turn around," She practically grabs me and shoves a finger into the base of my spine, "You'd have a cybernetic implant right here if you were a Jackal. Now tell me where the Raven is!"

Like I said, I'm right here. I fumble around through my jacket and show her the I.D. the Den gave me. I explain to her that I just couldn't afford the Jackal Surgery.

"But that's...nonsense. I need to sit down."

Karen pushes past me and takes a seat on the couch. She brings up a briefcase and starts filing through papers.

Well, this is awkward.

>Ignore her and have breakfast.
>Ask her if the surgery was that important.

>>422545
mmm, your not wrong. ...maybe just a little skip at seeing hannah and knob head instead.

>>422556
>have breakfast.
offer her sum food

>>422568
seconded, were not gonna let prissy pants over there get to us. shes the fish outa water here, not us.

>>422556
>bring up how we are indeed pretty disadvantaged without the surgery. But then we don't exactly have a "base" yet, either...

>>422576
use wining without the tail makes us even more badass

Looks like we're leaning towards breakfast. Okay, let's diffuse the drama with a pleasant family meal~

>>422585
could total see the girl bring the eggs over only to trip and have them end up all over the Karen

Alright, I've had enough abuse for one morning. Time to sit down to a nice meal. Maybe Hannah will have gotten better at cooking now that we have a real stove and pans. I take a seat and let Hannah know that I'm ready to eat whenever she is.

"Okay, Papa! All done!"

Hannah hefts the big, cast iron skillet off the stove and drops it unceremoniously onto the table. The gelatinous yellow mass inside the pan can only be scrambled eggs. At least they're not burned this time. I take some time to put some onto my plate, while Nappy just takes a forkful at a time and shoves it into his mouth. Can somebody please remind me why I'm keeping this old man around? I take a big bite of eggs and...they're kind of rubbery. And what's this slimy film on them? Oh well, she'll get better.

"Are they good, Papa?"

I lie with a straight face and tell her they're amazing.

"Yeah! Maybe I'll be a cook like Mrs. Martha one day, huh?"

I give her a nod. That'll be a good job for her. Nice and easy, no stress. I get up to get myself a glass of water (fresh from the new plumbing, even) and take a glance over at Karen. Looks like she's taken a moment to put herself back together, mentally and physically. She's currently in the process of re-braiding her hair...that must be a real pain in the ass to have to do yourself every morning.

I lean down and whisper to Hannah, telling her to bring our guest a plate. After a few minutes, Hannah scurries down to the couch with a fork and plate full of rubberized eggs.

"O-oh, thank you little miss...?"

"I'm Hannah! I'mma be a cook."

Karen takes a bite of the eggs and I can see her face twist. After a few more chews, she forces herself to swallow and gives Hannah a smile.

"You'll be a great chef one day, Hannah."

"No, I said a cook!"

Karen looks like she's at a loss. She must not have kids.

>Get with Nappy about those new parts.
>Discuss the details of being an Operator with Karen

>It's getting late for me, so once again I'll put this on hold for now. I don't know if I'll run again tomorrow. Just depends on if I have time.

>>422618
>>Get with Nappy about those new parts.
i wana see how karen deals with talking with hannah
thats ok run when you can

>>422618
>Get with Nappy about those new parts.

well talk to her when shes ready.

yeah op, good stuff. fun. thanks! i look forward to showering the enemy in missles with you.

>>417579
>"Oh, quit your bitching. Back in the war, this would have just been a speedbump."

Quite the cocky pilot eh?? I'd love to see his raven! I bet I'd give him trouble though. ;) ;)

>>422618
>Discuss the details of being an Operator with Karen
>Ask if there will be any problems in the AC parts store if we don't have a jack

secretly decide on color scheme and logo for broken wing...white and red?

File: pixy005.jpg (156 KB, 1280x720)

156 KB JPG

>>423517
Kinda like this you mean? Yeah yeah Ace Combat, but it fits the 'broken wing' name and color scheme

>>423525

I like it. Simple enough for a junker, but still fairly striking.

>>423525
i like it, im from canada so im biased though.

i came in like a BUMPing-ball!

>>434108
It doesn't work after the 3 day autosage

>>417579
Just dropping by to say that I discovered this quest after the fact and quite enjoyed reading it. I hope you continue.

>>434112
huh, didnt notice that. thx, anon.

sigh. rip

Come on op.
Get back here.