>>2371501
>CLOSE COMBAT

Time for some Space Hulk!

>>2371501
>DEFENSE

>>2371501
>>CLOSE COMBAT

>>2371501
>CLOSE COMBAT

>>2371501
>>Specialist
A variable high band beam weapon, finicky to use and needs extremely good managing of heat waste, but incredibly deadly in the right hands.

>>2371501
>CLOSE COMBAT

>>2371501
>>CLOSE COMBAT

>>2371501
TIME FOR DECULTURE!

>>Other
>>2371542
Some kind of "beam saber"?

>>2371550
Beam Rifle
but maybe someone added a saber functionality?

>>2371501
>CLOSE COMBAT

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>>2371501
Your gaze is drawn to the heavy cannon, made to resemble a massive version of a shotgun. You had no illusions that this thing would pack a serious punch close up.

"Heh, guess I'll take this one, then!" Lara quips as her Valkyrie reaches down to pick up the beam spray gun. You suppose it sort of fit her pure offensive style.

Your flight computer pauses for a second as it downloads the necessary firmware to network with the shotgun. The crosshair on your HUD morphs from a small circle to a noticeably larger one, no doubt to account for the extra spread of the weapon. Your weapon indicator then goes green, adding the shotgun to your available loadout.

"You good, Lara?" You ask.

"No problem!" Lara's Valkyrie gives you a thumbs up.

"Now, most of the upper levels are pretty well developed." The Operator explains. "We turned them into support facilities once they were mined out and we went deeper. We've got a machine shop, ore storage, and housing facility. The machine shop's still got some mining equipment in mothballs. Ore storage and the housing facility should be empty, too. Motion sensors are coming back online and aren't showing any activity."

>Maybe we should just head lower.
>Sweep the machine shop first.
>Sweep the ore storage first.
>Sweep the housing facility first.
>Other

>>2371657
>Maybe we should just head lower.

>>2371657
>>Sweep the housing facility first.

>>2371657
>Sweep the ore storage first.

>>2371657
>>Maybe we should just head lower.

>>2371657
>Sweep the ore storage first.

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>>2371657
>>Maybe we should just head lower.

>>2371657
>Sweep the ore storage first.

>>2371657
>Sweep the housing facility first.

File: 64049896_p0.png (2.22 MB, 1400x968)

2.22 MB PNG

>>2371657
Seems like we've got a spread of votes so we'll have to narrow things down for a runoff vote!

>Go lower.
>Ore storage.

>>2371750
>Ore storage.

>>2371750
>Ore storage.

>>2371750
>>Go lower.

>>2371750
>>Go lower.

>>2371750
>Ore storage.

>>2371750
>>Ore storage.

File: 1494987896864.jpg (258 KB, 1003x768)

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>>2371750
"We'll check out the ore storage first." You say. "Come on, Lara."

"Right behind ya!" Your wingmate chirps as her Valkyrie falls in behind yours, body oriented the opposite direction to watch for any threats from the back.

As you move forward, old lights mounted on the ceiling begin to flicker to life, as if following your movements. While your sensors were more than enough to help you navigate the tunnels in low light conditions, you were still glad for the illumination. It was a bit calming.

Soon enough, you come up to a worn but still solid blast door, the words ORE STORAGE stenciled on the front.

"All right, opening up the doors for you." The Operator says.

And just like that, the blast doors begins to creak and whine as they pull themselves open...

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>2371821

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>2371821

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>2371821

So how are we going to introduce Dorothea to our parents let alone her introducing us to her's?

>>2371845
Awkward political fundraiser party
Birthday party of mutual friend
A confluence of 4 weddings and funeral

>>2371845
>Meeting the parents

Be prepared to dress up in a stuffy outfit and memorize an entire book about proper etiquette, and potentially face off her father in a duel with swords or pistols.

>>2371845
>>2371854
>>2371860
Implying Harry has parents. Or even in the same social circles. And not a guitar rock battle.

File: Gold_Aquarion.jpg (94 KB, 907x509)

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>>2371854
Or the opening show to "Genesis of Aquarion The Musical"

Dorothea's folks are running the show.

File: Family Lineage.jpg (47 KB, 1024x509)

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>>2371871
Or worse, they're musicians!

>>2371860
>dueling
I'm sure we're covered in the pistol department, but Doro is going to have to teach us swordplay.

File: stealthcruiser-artwork.jpg (208 KB, 900x699)

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>>2371821
And then the doors jam, leaving only a tiny sliver open.

"Damn doors!" The Operator groans. "Knew we shoulda kept 'em oiled!"

"Well, what do we do now, then?" You wonder.

"You can just turn around and tak-"

"Hold on, let me handle this." Lara says as she pushes past you, interrupting the Operator.

"You know how to open doors like these?" You blink.

"Yeah, I've had my fair share of these situation." Lara winks at you through the comm screen. "Just leave it to me!"

It suddenly occurs to you that there's only one way of problem solving Lara knows of, but before you can protest, Lara's Valkyrie raises its leg and gives the doors a big, heavy kick.

And doors are wrenched open, and they pop out of their frames. However, they don't fall to the ground.

There's no ground behind them to fall onto.

Instead, the doors tumble into a black abyss. A gaping pit lay before you.

"Um, that's not supposed to be there." The Operator grunts, completely underselling the situation.

"Uh, the work of our 'monster; then?" Lara wonders, her Valkyrie peering over the edge.

"Guess that means there really is something going on down here." You frown.

>Better see what's at the bottom of this pit.
>Take the elevator down to follow the pit.
>Other

>>2371894
>>Other
Toss a flare into the pit and see how far it goes

>>2371897
I felt like doing one of those movie cliches you see all the time everytime the main character runs into a big deep pit

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>>2371894
Gotta play with typical movie stuff. Supporting: >>2371897

>>2371893
She was a lady at the academy of course she knows how to use a sword. She probably learned everything from etiquette, politics, dancing, history, fencing, etc.

>>2371871
I wouldn't be surprised if he had adoptive parents considering how mysterious his background is.

>>2371894
>>2371897
this

>>2371894
>Better see what's at the bottom of this pit.

>>2371894
>Better see what's at the bottom of this pit.

>>2371894
>Better see what's at the bottom of this pit.

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>>2371894
"Hold on there." You say as you step forward.

"What're you doing?" Lara wonders as your valkyrie pushes past hers.

"Something I always wanted to do." You grin as you reach your Valkyrie's arm out. You then flip on your flare dispenser, and the wrist of your Valkyrie explodes in crimson and amber light as the brightly burning flares fall into the pit.

While primarily meant to spoof incoming missiles, these flares could also work as temporary illumination in a pinch. You continue to watch the flares as they fall...

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>2371974

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>2371974

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>2371974

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>>2371974
As the flares lazily fall down the hole, you see them instantly wink out. Your sensors also briefly warn you of detected movement, but it's gone as quickly as it appeared.

There was definitely something down there.

"Should we go give it a proper greeting?" Lara asks excitedly as she hefts her beam spray gun. Looks like instead of being intimidated, she was actually eager to plunge in deeper to fight whatever was down there.

>Jump down the hole and chase that thing.
>Take the elevator down and investigate further.
>You need to return to the surface and get help.
>Other

>>2372005
>Jump down the hole and chase that thing.

>>2372005
>Jump down the hole and chase that thing.

>>2372005
>Take the elevator down and investigate further.

>>2372005
>>Jump down the hole and chase that thing.

I'm guessing this is a giant worm.

>>2372005
>Take the elevator down and investigate further.

>>2372005
>Jump down the hole and chase that thing.

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>>2372005
"C'mon, Lara, we're going in." You say as you prepare your Valkyrie to leap off the edge.

"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Lara says happily.

"Uh just to warn ya two, I've got practically nuthing' down that hole." The Operator warns you. "You two will be on yer own."

"We've had worse." You assure him. "Besides, I'm sure you're keeping our Admiral updated on everything."

"Course I am! Just, uh, good luck, then."

You look at Lara to make sure she's ready, and she gives you a thumbs up.

One step forward, and your Valkyrie begins to fall.

>Activate your thrusters for a controlled descent.
>Keep your thrusters off, you don't want whatever is down there to know you're coming.
>Other

>>2372075
>>Activate your thrusters for a controlled descent.

>>2372075
>Keep your thrusters off, you don't want whatever is down there to know you're coming.

>>2372075
>Activate your thrusters for a controlled descent.

>>2372075
>Activate your thrusters for a controlled descent.

File: 1460984588319.jpg (252 KB, 1980x1188)

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Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>2372075
Unsure of exactly how deep the hole was, you hit your thrusters to slow your descent, keeping your weapon trained downwards in case any kind of threat popped up.

However, the moment your thrusters fire, the illumination briefly reveals something moving rapidly in the darkness below you. However, your thrusters also advertise your position, and your sensors screech a warning that something was approaching you from below at a rapid speed.

>Roll 1d20+1

Rolled 11 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>2372172

Rolled 7 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>2372172
Here we go.

Rolled 20 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>2372172

File: Vajra soldier.gif (54 KB, 800x393)

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>>2372172
Thinking fast, you flip on your Valkyrie's mounted searchlights, mounted on its "head". Blinding white light floods the abyss in front of you, revealing what was directly in front of you.

A Vajra soldier-class organism.

The creature shrieks as the lights blind it, creating a critical opening. You could pull the trigger and destroy it, eliminating any potential threat it could pose. NUNS still classified them as a hostile species, after all. But then again, it might just be defending its nest and could leave you alone otherwise...

>Destroy the Vajra
>Kick it away and fall back.
>Other

>>2372206
>Destroy the Vajra

>>2372206
>>Kick it away and fall back.

>>2372206
>Destroy the Vajra.

>>2372206
>>Kick it away and fall back.

>>2372206
>>Kick it away and fall back.

Let's try to not kick a hornet's nest.

>>2372206
>Destroy the Vajra

>>2372206
>Kick it away and fall back.

>>2372206
>Kick it away and fall back.

>>2372206
>>Kick it away and fall back.
Holy crap, the Vajra?

So who's their Vajra Queen?

>>2372206
>>Destroy the Vajra

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>>2372206
"Shit!" You curse as you hit the pedal controlling your Valkyrie's legs. One of the legs swings forward and connects with the Vajra soldier, knocking it away screeching into the darkness.

"Lara! Fall back!" You bark as you switch your Valkyrie to GERWALK mode and go full throttle, boosting your way back up the pit.

"Vajra? Here?" Lara sputters.

Vajra. A species of massive, insect-like creatures that apparently had some relationship with the ancient Protoculture civilization. You recall an incident where the Macross Frontier colony fleet ran into these things, and all of a sudden they popped up all over the galaxy, only to disappear shortly after their queen was destroyed. How could they be here, of all places?

"I thought these damn bugs left the galaxy!" Lara whines as the both of you return to the top of the pit.

"Guess this one didn't get the memo." You scowl.

"H-hey, what's going on down there?" The Operator asks with concern. "Motion sensors all over the mines are going crazy!"

"You've got a big bug problem." You grunt as you pilot your Valkyrie back to the elevator. "Bring us up and seal the shaft!"

"G-got it."

You and Lara reach the elevator platform and it begins climbing back up to the surface. In the meantime, you open up a direct comm channel to the Admiral.

"You're already done sweeping the mines?" Dorothea blinks in brief surprise when her face comes on screen.

"We got big problems, Admiral." You grunt. "It's Vajra. We've got Vajra under the colony."

"Impossible!" Dorothea's stoic mask briefly breaks before she quickly regains her composure. "We've seen no trace of any live Vajra ever since the Frontier Incident."

"Well, tell that to my guncam footage." You reply. "They're definitely down there."

"We'll have to organize an extermination force, then." Dorothea nods. "I'll-"

"If I may." Karla's smooth, infuriatingly smug voice speaks up, her equally smug face appearing onscreen. Of course she was listening in. "I think this presents us with an opportunity."

Dorothea's face goes white.

"You can't possibly-"

"We have empirical data showing that an individual with high fold resonance can direct Vajra like a queen." Karla gives a devious grin. "Perhaps with Amy's help, they can be valuable allies to us against the Zentradi."

"That's insanity." The Admiral's expression goes dark. "These creatures must be eliminated."

"Oh, I'm sure a reflex warhead or two would do it." Karla nods.

Dorothea pauses and bites her lip. Karla must have put that jab forward deliberately.

Either way, you feel like you needed to step in before things got worse.

>Side with Dorothea. The Vajra are too dangerous to keep alive.
>Side with Karla. Maybe that can be of use in the future.
>Other

>>2372316
>>Side with Dorothea. The Vajra are too dangerous to keep alive.

>>2372316
>Side with Karla. Maybe that can be of use in the future.

>>2372316
>Side with Dorothea

>>2372316
>Side with Karla. Maybe that can be of use in the future.

>>2372316
>Side with Dorothea. The Vajra are too dangerous to keep alive.

>>2372316
>>Side with Karla. Maybe that can be of use in the future.
fine, for Science

>>2372316
>Compromise. We have no idea how many there are or how exactly Amy will effect them. So we go in, thin out the hypothetical horde, then capture the queen and her vastly reduced court. Then we experiment, in a far more stable and contained environment than inna mine shaft underneath an overpopulated colony.

>Linking an organism that is not a hive minded creature with a hive mind
>Anons not remembering the basic rules of alien space science
>If it's not a gun, don't mess with it
>Especially if it's a hive mind
>Whycantiholdallthesegeth.overlord

>>2372316
>Side with Dorothea. The Vajra are too dangerous to keep alive.

>>2372316
>Side with Dorothea. The Vajra are too dangerous to keep alive.

Not infecting Amy with a Hivemind This ain't HQQ.

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>>2372316
"I'm with the Admiral on this." You grunt. "The Vajra are too unpredictable, especially with a population center right above them. They have to be exterminated."

"Suit yourself." Karla shrugs, trying to pass it off as nonchalant. "But at least I'm not the one that has to clear them out!"

Damn, she had a point, there.

"It's a good thing we found this out before the concert." Dorothea sighs. "Who knows how they would have reacted to Amy's concert?"

Yeah... that's something you don't want to think about now that it's been brought to your attention.

"I'll recall some squadrons and have Kellerman spearhead the extermination effort." Dorothea sighs. "I didn't want to have to pull Valkyries from the frontlines, but it appears we have no choice."

>Let Kellerman and the cavalry handle things from here.
>You and Lara can go down and take out the queen right now.
>Other

>>2372316
>>2372332
This.

Also
>"Oh, I'm sure a reflex warhead or two would do it." Karla nods

Goddammit Karla, it's obvious she really dislikes Doro, but is it because of that incident?
inb4 dead bf Valk pilot

>>2372366
>Let Kellerman and the cavalry handle things from here.

>>2372366
>>Other
Get intel first before Kellerman and the rest of the wing shows up.
>>2372367
Dammit too slow...

>>2372366
>You and Lara can go down and take out the queen right now.

>>2372366
>You and Lara can go down and take out the queen right now.

>>2372366
>Let Kellerman and the cavalry handle things from here.

>>2372367
Be thankful that Karla isn't setting us up for some incriminating pictures.

HOLY SHIT!

>>2372366
>>2372371
Support.

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>>2372366
"Me and Lara can do some scouting on the tunnels." You tell Dorothea. "Who knows, maybe we can find the queen, too."

Dorothea raises an eyebrow at you and then sighs.

"All right, you two can continue providing reconnaissance until Kellerman gets there. Just be careful, you two."

"Of course." You wink. "Since when are we not?"

"Please don't even get started with that." Dorothea groans. "And whatever you do, keep the Vajra contained in the tunnels at all costs. We can't have them rampaging through the colony."

"Got it." You nod.

"All right! Bug hunt!" Lara whoops. "Always did want to find out what the big deal with the Vajra has always been!"

"Trust me, from what I've heard, you want to keep it that way." You warn.

"So what should we do? Just try and sneak in? Light a fire under them?" Lara wonders.

>See how far you can penetrate into Vajra territory.
>Try to provoke a response from the Vajra.
>Other

>>2372428
>See how far you can penetrate into Vajra territory.

>>2372428
>>See how far you can penetrate into Vajra territory.
We did volunteer for recon

>>2372428
>>See how far you can penetrate into Vajra territory.

>>2372428
>See how far you can penetrate into Vajra territory.

i would rather penetrate into Dorothea's territory.

>>2372428
>>See how far you can penetrate into Vajra territory.
We're going in deep and we're going in hard.

>>2372428
>See how far you can penetrate into Vajra territory.

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>>2372435
Lewd. But justified

>>2372428
>See how far you can penetrate into Vajra territory.

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>>2372428
"Take us as far down as you can go." You instruct the Operator. "We need to see how bad things are down there."

"Your funeral, sir!" The Operator replies and the elevator platform begins grinding downwards.

The deeper the platform goes, the less reliable the lighting gets. What starts as brightly lit corridors gives way to lights that eternally flicker on and off at erratic intervals, until finally practically all the lights are dead. Either burned out from disuse or destroyed by the Vajra, you're not sure. The walls also start get more... gooey. Instead of rock, you start seeing thick, biological structures coating the walls, pretty much as if you were in a massive insect hive.

Finally, the elevator reaches the bottom level and grinds to a halt. Almost immediately, your sensors cue you to movement, and your HUD tags a pair of Vajra soldiers scuttling towards you. Not at full speed, though. You get the feeling they were more curious than aggressive, Then again, you weren't exactly an expert on Vajra behavior.

"What do we do, Cap?" Lara asks anxiously, her Valkyrie raising the beam spray gun.

>Gun them down.
>Let them inspect you.
>Boost past them.
>Other

>>2372461
>Let them inspect you.

>>2372461
>Let them inspect you
SCIENCE

>>2372461
>>Let them inspect you.
Need we do the Universal Greeting?

>>2372461
>Let them inspect you.

File: 1497402795130.jpg (192 KB, 1920x1080)

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Rolled 12, 3 = 15 (2d20)

>>2372461
The two Vajra soldiers scuttle up to you and eye you cautiously and keep their distance. You wonder if they were just trying to gauge whether you or Lara were a threat.

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>2372498

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>2372498

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>2372498
Rolling high.

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>>2372498
However, the Vajra soldiers are quick to scuttle away. Your'e first puzzled at this until your sensors warn of another incoming entity.

"Shit! Incoming!" Lara yells.

You look up to see a massive red beetle charging directly at you like a bull. You hit your boosters and are just narrowly able to dodge out of the way of the Vajra heavy soldier. The damn smaller ones were just trying to distract you!

Not wasting a second, you raise your shotgun and fire a solid slug. The heavy shell punches straight through the heavy soldier's thick carapace, and the creature roars in pain and starts thrashing wildly.

More the smaller Vajra soldiers begin scuttling in, but Lara is easily able to hold them off with her beam spray gun, the ruby lasers spearing through the lightly armored creatures with ease.

"Haha! Take that, and that!" Lara yells.

However, your sensors were starting to shriek nonstop as more and more movement is picked up. Your recon mission wasn't going to get far if you were remained sitting around here.

>Keep pressing deeper into the hive to find the queen.
>You need to fall back to the upper levels and wait for backup.
>Other

>>2372530
>Keep pressing deeper into the hive to find the queen.

>>2372530
>Keep pressing deeper into the hive to find the queen.

>>2372530
>Keep pressing deeper into the hive to find the queen.

This is just like that movie with those giant space bugs.

>>2372530
>>You need to fall back to the upper levels and wait for backup.

>>2372530
>>Keep pressing deeper into the hive to find the queen.

>>2372530
>Keep pressing deeper into the hive to find the queen.
Looks like it's RIF time.

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>>2372530
"Lara! Let's move!" You bark as you switch to GERWALK and throttle up your engines. "We need to find their queen!"

"Gotcha!" Lara nods as she switches over to GERWALK as well, her main weapon arm still spraying beam lasers at the pursuing Vajra.

Meanwhile, up ahead, you re sensors were warning you of additional movement. Looks like some of the Vajra were moving in to block off your path. Good thing you came prepared.

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>2372560
BANZAI!

File: Lara 13.jpg (142 KB, 518x622)

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Rolled 9, 15, 15 = 39 (3d20)

>>2372560
...

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>2372560
FWUMP!

>>2372561
Well shit.

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>2372560

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>2372560

>>2372561
In Macross, Queen banzais you.

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>>2372560
However, as you advance, a heavy soldier blindsides you from a side passage you didn't see, tackling your Valkyrie and slamming it into the wall, jarring you.

Fortunately, Lara was quick to react, spinning around to dump laser fire into the heavy soldier. Heavy soldiers had a much thicker carapace than regular ones, so the beams didn't really penetrate, but Lara already knew this and aimed specifically for the heavy soldier's head, spattering its vulnerable eye and face. The heavy soldier flinches, giving you enough room to wriggle free.

However, Lara coming to your aid means she had to turn her back from the swarm of regular soldiers. One lunges forward and clamps down on one of Lara's legs, slowing her Valkyrie's movement. Meanwhile, the heavy soldier was starting to recover.

"Keep going, Cap! I got this!" Lara assures you. You wonder if shes just saying that so you wouldn't worry about her.

>Keep going.
>Take out the heavy soldier.
>Try to remove the soldier slowing Lara down.
>Other

>>2372575
>>Try to remove the soldier slowing Lara down.

>>2372575
>Take out the heavy soldier.

>>2372575
>>Keep going.

>>2372575
>Take out the heavy soldier.

>>2372575
>Take down the heavy soldier
>Do we have suit sized flashbangs?
>if we do pop a flashbang

>>2372575
>Take out the heavy soldier.

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>>2372575
>>Other
Press the "Do something stupid." button and save Lara.

>>2372575
>Take out the heavy soldier.

Alternatively,

Sing to it the song of our people.

>>2372575
>Take out the heavy soldier.

File: 1513669627785.jpg (2.7 MB, 5000x3162)

2.7 MB JPG

Rolled 11, 15 = 26 (2d20)

>>2372575
You immediately swing back around to face the heavy soldier, your shotgun at the ready. You weren't about to leave your wingmate behind.

>Roll 1d20+2

File: Lara 14.png (476 KB, 600x869)

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Rolled 19, 1, 8 = 28 (3d20)

>>2372607
...

Rolled 11 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>2372607

Rolled 8 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>2372607
Dammit Lara

Rolled 10 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>2372607
Good rolls!

Rolled 12 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>2372607

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>>2372607
You raise your shotgun and fire a slug, but the heavy soldier leaps to the side just in time. The slug slams into its carapace and shatters a chunk of its armor, but the trajectory is too shallow and the slug fails to penetrate any deeper into the Vajra's body.

"Shit!" You hear Lara curse.

To your horror, you could see Lara's Valkyrie quickly getting overwhelmed, as more and more Vajra soldiers were clamping on and pinning it down. She needed help, but the heavy soldier wasn't down yet. You'd be exposing your back if you didn't deal with it first...

>Prioritize helping Lara.
>You need to take out the heavy soldier first.
>Other

>>2372638
>You need to take out the heavy soldier first.

>>2372638
>>Prioritize helping Lara.

>>2372638
>>You need to take out the heavy soldier first.

>>2372638
>>Prioritize helping Lara.

>>2372638
>Prioritize helping Lara.
>Write in: disable suit limiters and throw a flashbang

>>2372638
>Prioritize helping Lara.
>Maybe our flares can blind or burn the Vajra

>>2372638
>Prioritize helping Lara.
>Maybe our flares can blind or burn the Vajra

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>>2372638
"Lara! Hit your flares!" You bark.

"What?" Lara blurts.

"Just do it!" You yell as you hit your throttle, boosting past the heavy soldier towards your wingmate.

"Roger!" Lara knows better than to ask anymore questions and starts popping her flares, dozens of orbs of fire exploding out of her Valkyrie.

The Vajra swarming around her shriek in surprise at the sudden appearance of these hot, blinding lights and momentarily back off, giving you the window you need. You continue boosting forward, reaching and arm out to grab Lara's Valkyrie and pull it along with you.

"Thanks, Cap!" Lara breathes a sigh of relief. "Things were getting a bit hairy there!"

No kidding.

"What's your status?" You ask.

"Um..." Lara pauses as she checks her screens. "Just a few scratches and dents, but everything's still green. You?"

You check your own status screens. Structural integrity and energy levels were still reading in the green, and you still had plenty of ammunition left for your shotgun.

>Try to find an alternate route to the queen.
>Things are too hot down here. You need to get back to the surface.
>Other

>>2372669
>Things are too hot down here. You need to get back to the surface.

>>2372669
>>Things are too hot down here. You need to get back to the surface.

>>2372669
>Try to find an alternate route to the queen.

>>2372669
>>Things are too hot down here. You need to get back to the surface.

>>2372669
>Things are too hot down here. You need to get back to the surface.
We're outta there.

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>>2372669
Things were starting to get too hot. You already had too many close calls just dealing with the outer Vajra defenses. Perhaps it was better to let the bigger boys take care of it.

The two of you are silent as you take the elevator back up to the surface. To your great relief the Vajra don't appear to be chasing you up. You suppose they were prioritizing the next.

"Captain, are you all right." Dorothea's voice buzzes back on comms.

"Sorta, yeah." You say rather noncommittally. "Is something wrong?"

"Possibly." Dorothea sighs. "This new discovery throws a big wrench in our plans. Do you have time to return so we can discuss this further?"

>Sure thing.
>I'd rather stay to help out Kellerman.
>Other

>>2372702
>Sure thing.

>>2372702
>>Sure thing.
Perhaps we can pull a pied piper to get them out of there in order to blow up indiscriminately?

>>2372702
>Sure thing.

>>2372702
>Sure thing.

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>>2372702
"Yeah, sure thing." You nod.

At this point, the elevator had finally reached the surface, where you could see not just several Valkyries, but also a number of destroids of various types, as well. Looks like some serious hardware was being moved in to ensure the Vajra would be contained. With things apparently under control for the moment, you and Lara take off and make your way back to the Pacifica.

"Hey Cap." Lara speaks up, breaking the silence.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for helping me out there." Lara says sheepishly ."I was honestly in a bit of a bind."

"Don't worry, I was just helping out my wingmate." You say simply. "I mean, you did your part in saving my ass."

"True." Lara chuckles. "But damn, those Vajra are really something else."

>They're just dumb bugs. Don't dwell on it too much.
>Yeah, I get the feeling they're smarter than we give them credit for.
>Other

>>2372708
>>Yeah, I get the feeling they're smarter than we give them credit for.

>>2372708
>>Yeah, I get the feeling they're smarter than we give them credit for.

>>2372708
>>Yeah, I get the feeling they're smarter than we give them credit for.
>>Other
Part of it must be due to their Queen

>>2372708
>Yeah, I get the feeling they're smarter than we give them credit for.

>>2372708
>>Yeah, I get the feeling they're smarter than we give them credit for.

>>2372708
>Yeah, I get the feeling they're smarter than we give them credit for.
Hive Mind and all.

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>>2372708
"Yeah, I get the feeling they're smarter than we give them credit for." You nod.

"Bugs are always really weird." Lara sighs.

The two of you land on the Pacifica and are quickly rushed to the briefing room while your Valkyries are taken away to be serviced. There, you are met by Dorothea, who is completely alone.

"Harry, Lara." She speaks up, being uncharacteristically informal. "Thank you for coming."

"What's this all about?" You frown.

"We have to figure out how to handle this situation regarding the Vajra." Dorothea sighs. "Torman is continually pestering me for updates, and I'm rather afraid that if I tell him what's really going on, he'll squeal to the general population or the information will leak out from his end."

"And you're afraid it'll cause a panic among the civilians." You conclude.

"Correct." Dorothea nods. "We're not prepared at all to deal with major civil unrest."

"But it ain't right to just not tell them they're in danger." Lara points out.

"Which is why I want your input." Dorothea looks to the both of you. "You've been among the civilian populace. What's your take?"

>We might as well tell them. They'll find out eventually anyways.
>They can't know. Gateway is nearly at its breaking point as it is.
>Other

>>2372729
>Gateway is nearly at its breaking point as it is.
But we might as well tell them. They'll find out eventually anyways.

If they find out through other means it might make the mood even worse.

>>2372729
>>They can't know. Gateway is nearly at its breaking point as it is.

>>2372729
>We might as well tell them. They'll find out eventually anyways.

>>2372729
>>They can't know. Gateway is nearly at its breaking point as it is.

Not exactly our first encounter with clandestine knowledge better off remaining out of the public sphere.

>>2372729
>They can't know. Gateway is nearly at its breaking point as it is.

>>2372736
>>Yeah, I don't like that thought, either.
>>Other
However, if they think she's a queen, she might be able to tell them to move the colony elsewhere?

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>>2372729
"They can't know." You shake your head. "Gateway is nearly at its breaking point as it is."

"Agreed." Dorothea closes her eyes briefly. "Either way, this means those Vajra must be cleared out swiftly and quietly. I'll direct Kellerman to carry out extermination efforts as quickly as possible."

"And what about us?" You ask.

"Focus on getting Amy ready for the concert." Dorothea replies. "Unless you have a mind to go back down there? I wouldn't blame you if you don't."

>I'd rather not go back there.
>We left a job unfinished. I'm going back.
>Other

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>>2372739
>We left a job unfinished. I'm going back.

>>2372739
>>We left a job unfinished. I'm going back.

>>2372739
>I'd rather not go back there.

>>2372739
>We left a job unfinished. I'm going back.
Just another bug hunt.

>>2372739
>>We left a job unfinished. I'm going back.

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>>2372739
"We left a job unfinished. I'm going back." You declare.

"Well, then you should get some rest first." Dorothea instructs you. "We've only got a small fraction of our intended forces just holding the entrance right now. Kellerman should arrive tomorrow with the rest of the assault force."

"And then a proper bug hunt!" Lara grins.

"Yes, a... bug hunt." Dorothea almost groans at the words, as if they're utterly ridiculous to say. "As I said, get some rest and await further orders."

"Yes, Admiral." Both you and Lara salute.

"Dismissed." Dorothea nods and turns her attention to other pressing matters.

"I wonder if bugs count as kills...?" Lara wonders as she walks out. Typical Lara.

Hopefully you can get this Vajra business wrapped up soon. The Zentradi weren't going to just wait for you to clean it up, after all...

>And that's it for tonight! As always, next thread is next week! However, due to plans this Saturday, this week's Frontier Knight will be moved to Sunday afternoon, instead!

>>2372747
Thanks for running Merc!

>>2372747
Thanks for running, Merc!

Wonder if Amy will need to do a metal cover of "Aimo"?

SEE YOU NEXT DECULTURE!

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>>2372747
Thanks for the run!

>>2372793
>metal cover of "Aimo"
I would pay money for this.