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>>4890459
--
"Alright....", Ernst says, settling into his chair. Ingrid takes her place at his side, looking curious as can be. "What is so secret and mysterious?"

You nod.

"Sir, right before we left to view the Wodan firing, I happened upon one of Pappen's Blackhats chatting with an artillery officer from Hoffman's personal outfit."

Ernst looks interested.

"...and this conversation entailed?"

"I...I didn't get all of it", you say, truthfully. "But what I did..it sounded bad sir. Treasonous, even. That bad."

"T-treasonous??", Ingrid stutters.

Ernst frowns.

"You realize this is a serious accusation? The 'Hats are not something to trifle with, for all their general too-do. And this business of the artillery man..."

"I fully realize that", you remark. You'd gone over the various ways you could have handled this on the way back. All of them seemed worse than just coming out and being direct, though. "I also know what I heard. Something is rotten."

He scratches his cheek.

"Indeed there is. But we cannot start flinging accusations around based on what one of my pilots heard. Now, don't get me wrong, I dislike--"

Well, that wasn't all, you knew. Just wait till he heard about the conversation in specifics!

You had to convince him something was up!
---
>1d20!

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>4890468

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>4890468

Lol...one more?

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>4890529

>>4890569
>>4890489
>>4890495
> 1 crit fail!

"..and then, then he talked about how Pappen didn't expect him yet and--"

"Stanislaw"

"...and there was the part about 'getting what he deserved. If we move quick, we might be able to--"

"Stanislaw!", Ernst snaps, rapping his hand against the table. The sudden sharpness in his voice shocks you out of your recollection. Even Ingrid flinches.

"S-sir?", you ask, confused. Ernst doused his cigarette before running a hand down the side of his face in exhaustion. A deep sigh escapes from him.

"I understand we are all under pressure...I do. The Merovians have not responded as quickly as we hoped. And this business with the Wodan...believe me when I say that I WANT to assume this whole debacle can be solved..."

He snaps his fingers.

"Like that. But its not so simple. We've had no evidence that the Blackhats are involved in this. Let alone a veteran who has served as Pappen's virtual second for 10 years. And we don't even have a name for the other man..."

You are indignant.

"I can identify him though! Sir, we can't just let this slide! We have a traitor, on. The. Base! We should arrest him!", you respond. He gives you a searching look.

"Is this about the incident at the Blue Cat?", Ernst asks. "I'm aware there was an altercation between you and his team. Well, CHIMERA, and his team."

You frown.

"They were harrassing the locals!", you protest. "Call it an interrogation if you want, but even they admitted it was all bullshit afterwards, sir."

He nods.

"I did not say I necessarily approved of the methods used. But the Cat is a bar catering to Merovian loyalists, or at least sympathizers. Do you not agree it was the logical place to turn over, if any? We are at war, Stanislaw. War.", he sighs.

You knew you were losing him.

"Sir. I'm being honest with you, I--"

"Like you were honest when a mysterious infiltrator passed you a letter, illegally, after bypassing our security?!", he asks sharply. You recoil as if slapped.

"I-sir...I.."

He pinches the bridge of his nose.

"I know. I know...it wasn't malicious. And you did the right thing in the end. Which I appreciate. But we have to focus on the mission. I cannot have you passing along these suppositions, out of context no less. I want you to let this go. I want you to let this go, and let us do our jobs."

You blink. Out of context....?

"Sir", you start, shaking your head. "You can't just expect--"

"I can, and I do", he says, calmly. After a few seconds he shrugs. "Do I have to babysit you, Stanislaw? Is that what I'm going to need to do? To prevent chaos?"

You frown.

"No sir", you say, downtrodden.

He nods.

"Alright. I will take your word on it. Now then, I have to confer with Ingrid..."

You slip into a salute, half heartedly.

"Yes sir"
---
Exiting the office, you make your way back towards the entrance, when you notice a pair of Pappen's blackhats occupying a bench, drinking a pot of coffee between them.

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>>4890662
Too your disgust, you note that one of them is the older team leader you had just accused of treason. He gives you a half smile as you glance over to him.

"Coffee?", he asks, neutrally.
---
>Accept, and then 'accidently' spill it on his crotch. Yay for petty revenge!

>Ignore him.

>Call him out!

>>4890665
>Call him out!

>>4890749
>Ignore him.
Changing to this because it's really a bad idea without enough evidence.

>>4890665
>>Call him out!

>>4890665
>Ignore him.

>>4890665
>Ignore him.

Should go get a shower and get changed or something.

Also can we write a letter to that blackhat that picked us up for recruitment? Not stating it outright but hinting not all is well in the state of denmark.

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>>4890774
>>4890767
>>4890760
>>4890758
>>4890749
>Ignore him

For a moment you are almost tempted to call the guy out. Or maybe fling that coffee right where it hurts. But, no...Ernst was quite clear. Not to mention he's literally about 10 seconds away. This isn't worth it. Not without evidence...

"Hmph", you grunt, and continue on.

"Gee", the blackhat remarks. "Waste of good coffee. More for us."

He says it with such calm assurance that you are put off for a moment. But that could be a good thing. He probably doesn't suspect that you suspect him...

Better than nothing!
--
Exiting the HQ, you realize that the day has in fact drawn rather late. Another day gone by without the Merovians acting...you shake out of it. Gloom and doom wouldn't help anyone. And as you do so, your nose twitches.

You do need a bath. Maybe the hot water will clear your head. In any case, you head over to get it done. But before you are halfway there...

"Rook!"

You turn around to see Braun and the others pacing their way over. The Captain has some oil stains on his uniform, and a look of severe worry on his face. Behind him, Luigi and Sergei don't look better.

"I heard about the gun. Damn thing didn't blow up in their faces, eh?", he remarks. You detect a bit of worry there, although he hides it beneath the smile.

"The opposite", you reply. "It fired off perfectly. It was uh...impressive, to say the least. Bormann did good work."

"Hoffman was overjoyed by his toy", Sergei adds. "Had he shaken any more hands his arm would have fallen off."

"We told the good Captain of what you overheard", Luigi grunts, lifting a fist. "Now I ask you, when do we act? I will smash this traitor with my own--"

"We don't, apparently", you reply grimly.

"...mi scusi?", he says, baffled. You nod.

"Ernst doesn't think I'm right. Or, at least, not right enough. He forbid me to tell anyone else about what I heard", you reply. It still left a bad taste in your mouth. You just didn't understand.

"HE-uhhh, Creator above...", Braun says. "Damn it Ernst. Stubborn ass. What's he trying to prove on this?"

"Where is Pappen?", Sergei wonders. "We must take this directly to him then."

Braun shakes his head.

"Not gonna work", he states. "Pappen is staying at a hotel in town. He's apparently using it as his operating center. When he's not here, that is."

"Guys..."

"Well that is not so hard!", Luigi says, thumping his chest. "We simply drive to his hotel and inform him! Easy!"

"Yeh", you say. "Except if Ernst won't believe us, why would he? This is his own man we're accusing. We'd need evidence. Good evidence. Of some kind."

"Which we don't have...", Braun murmurs.

Yes. Which you didn't have. But Braun playing along helped your morale a bit.

"So YOU believe me?", you ask. Braun removes his glasses and wipes them clean. When he puts then back on, he's got a little smile.

>>4890830
This is certainly something you can do. Although the base censors would glean over it first.

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>>4890843
"Well, let's say I do. I certainly don't see anyone else naming specific candidates for the treason seat", he shrugs. "Though I'm biased, being your great mentor."

He then rubs his neck.

"Buuuut, that said....", he starts. "I'm not entirely certain what we can do here. If Ernst and Pappen are both against this idea..."

A thought pops into your head.

"The man...uh, the Blackhat. He said Pappen didn't tell him anything about the night attack..doesn't that imply he might be suspicious of something?", you say.

"Then again...", you continue. "He also claimed Pappen WASN'T suspecting him. So there's that..."

Sergei hmphs.

"Could be a bluff", he says. "To make his partner not worry too much. From what you told us, there was some dissatisfaction over our turncoats performance lately..."

"...And another thing", Braun says. "All our indications are that the traitor is someone with high level access. How would an artillery officer know our war plans? Our patrol patterns? Even a Blackhat shouldn't have access to all that..."

Luigi crosses his arms.

"Then we must act. With or without permission! We have a duty, yes?", he says. "Good Captain, you can assist us yes? You are high in Ernst's council! And Pappen, he speaks with you too!"

Braun rubs his chin.

"I...there's one thing that may help. Today is one of their independent patrols. Well, tonight, at least. According to Pappen, his team will disperse in the town and investigate solo. Two of whom are here, including our alleged traitor."

Luigi claps his hands.

"That is it, then!", Luigi exclaims. "We will follow this Blackhat into town. Perhaps dark deeds will be done..."

"And someone can inform Pappen meanwhile...", Sergei adds.

Braun looks uncertain.

"Now hold on...", he says, raising his hands defensively.
---
>Push for this! This may be your last chance to get real proof!

>You really shouldn't....literally you were told not to.

>write in

>>4890875
>>You really shouldn't....literally you were told not to.

>>4890875
>>Push for this! This may be your last chance to get real proof!

I'll give it some time for a winner.

Hmmm...I don't really want to decide a plot point like this by coinflip. I'll give it some more time.

>>4890875
>>4891004

+1

>>4891132
Alright thanks. I'll get on it. :)

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>>4890974
>>4891004
>>4891132
>Push for this! This may be your last chance to get real proof!

Well, you would just have to prove Ernst wrong, wouldn't you? You honestly are disappointed its come to this...but you had a duty, like Luigi said! You had to expose these guys. Somehow...

"Captain...", you say, clutching a fist to your chest. "I know what I heard. We can't let these guys walk. Think about it. Do you REALLY want them in our rear when we launch our operation? Hell sir, if Hoffman gets his way either?"

"Hmm.."
---
>1d20!

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>4891161
C'mon luck. Is it high or low?

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>4891161

>>4891172
Charisma/Speech rolls are highest best my dude. Its the opposite of the combat style rolls which use low better. :)

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>4891161

>>4891172
>>4891185
"Sir, this may be our last chance!"

Surely Braun could see that?? Unless you acted quickly and decisively, these spies might just get away with it... unacceptable.

"Hm..alright. I'm in", he shrugs. A sense of relief fills you immediately. Maybe this could work. It had to.

"Didn't take much to convince you", Sergei remarks. Braun smiles.

"Someone's gotta stop Ernst from shooting himself in the foot. He's brought us the whole way so far. I'd...be a bad friend if I didn't ignore him right now", Braun replies.

"Now then...", Luigi says, with a wicked smile on his face. "We know what we must do..."

"But not how", you point out. "If we just go racing after this guy, people are gonna talk. Ernst is gonna find out in no time..."

Braun rubs his chin in thought.

"You leave that to me ...", he says, after a few moments. "We'll meet up in your room tonight. I'll let you know the plan in full then. Sound good?"

You nod.

"Yes sir!"
"Da, I will need time."
"Si!"

Braun gives a thumbs up.

"Excellent. Just try and lay low until then alright?", he says. "Play it cool."

Cool. You can do cool.
---
Now then, with your conspiracy set, you decide to head to showers as planned. You couldn't wage espionage whilst smelling bad! Heading into the building, you strip down before opening the door...

"Ahh!"
--
>1d10

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>4891338
WW1 Newtype action!

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>4891338

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>4891338

Oops. Fel asleep. Oh well. We'll pick up in a few.

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>>4891448
>>4891535
>>4891563
>10 auto fail!

"Gaaaah!", you scream. "My eyes! Dmitri holy shit man!"

Oh God. Oh Creator. Why, WHY. You had just gotten way more of Dmitri's front then you had ever wanted or needed.

"Ahahaha!", the Strelkayan booms, standing stark naked before you. A big hand slaps his gut and sends it jiggling. He apparently finds this hysterical.

"You see what a REAL man looks like now Da?", he asks, still making no attempt at hiding his corpulent form. "Back in the Motherland, they said I resembled a bear! Hah!"

"Ughhh...", you groan, holding a hand up to shield your eyes. "Can you like, get a towel or something? At least?"

"Hahah!", he bellows. "Very well, very well. Dmitri did not mean to stun you. Often O forget that here, you do not often bathe with others. Carry on, my young friend. Yes!"

"Right...", you say with a sigh. Shaking your head as he rumbles by, you are really looking forward to soaking out your eyes. Now then, where was the soap...
---
Later, once the night has fallen, you find yourself sitting on your bed as you await Braun and the others. Luigi and Sergei were keeping up appearances as well. In their own ways. You could hear the opera records singing in Strelkayan from Sergei's room, and what sounded like the clank of dumbells from Luigi's. Braun had been absent from his rooms so far, and you can only hope that meant he was getting along in his planning....

'Knock knock!'

Jolting from your thoughts, you get up and move over towards the door.

"Guys?", you whisper through the wood.

"Yeah"

Nodding, you open it up, and your team quickly files in, before you gently close it behind you. Braun stands over near your cabinet, leaning against the wall. You notice he has a carpet bag in one hand, though you can't tell what's inside.

"Alright then, what is your plan?", Sergei inquires. "Oh great Master of Intrigue."

Braun shrugs.

"Well, our good Blackhat friend just departed for town. If we're going to follow him, we need to leave as soon as possible. I think our best way to do this without dredging up too much attention is to head out of here nice and quiet like. Unfortunately, doing that all together is impossible I think..."

You scratch your chin.

"Makes sense. So you want to leave in two seperate cars maybe?", you ask.

"Not...exactly...", he says, shaking his head. "Stanislaw, how good are you in disguise?"

You blink.

"Uhhh, disguise?", you ask. "What do you mean by disguise?"

Smiling, Braun sets down the case and pulls out a pair of uniforms. Not Sturmwing ones, mind. These appear to be infantry outfits. You raise a brow.

"I did some digging in the old inventories. Apparently, back when Baldir was being used for storage, they left behind a number of these. They aren't exactly new...but..."

"Is this a circus?", Sergei scoffs. "Why would he need to hide? Its not like Ernst forbade him from GOING anywhere."

Braun rolls his eyes.

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>>4892101
"This isn't for the BASE", he says. "Its for in town. Way I see it, sneaking around in our normal uniforms isn't the best strategy. Too much attention."

You look the uniforms over.

"These are...wow. Aren't these early issue?", you ask. The collars were wrong, and the color was sort of off. The shift to the new style had only been a good thing in your view....but another thing.

"And won't that look suspicious? Some new troops walling around in them?", you ask. Braun shakes his head.

"Easy enough to explain. Reservists. 3rd line troops, etc. Its not like NOBODY has one of these. Just got to act like nothing is wrong...."

Luigi raises a hand.

"There are only two?", he asks. "What of the other pair?"

"Two of us will stalk the Blackhat. The other two will make for Pappen. If Stanislaw is right...and I really hope he is..then we won't be wasting his time. Who knows? Might be handy to have him be alert at the least. Alright..thoughts? Doubts? We need to move people."
---
>Two trackers may be too conspicuous. Maybe there should only be one?

>Sounds good!

>write in

>>4892124
>Sounds good!

>>4892159
>sounds good!

"Sounds good to me Captain!", you say.

"But how are we splitting up?", Sergei wonders. "Who does what?"

"Well, I'm definitely gonna be one of the trackers....", you point out.

"And I have to be there when we speak to Pappen. Alright, Stanislaw, who are you bringing?", Braun asks.

Hmmm...well, both had appeal. Luigi would definitely come in handy if it came to a fight. Those muscles weren't for show. Then again, Sergei was probably the stealthier choice...
---
>Sergei can help me.

>Luigi, you're with me!

>>4892305
>Sergei can help me.

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>>4892366
>Sergei can help me.

In the end, it comes down to simple logic. Luigi is great in a brawl, and he'd certainly be good for intimidating people...but you need a cooler head with you. Sergei makes the mark in that regard. You are pretty sure you need cool and stealthy, not someone who can clear a room.

"Sergei can help", you say. "Sorry Luigi, guess you got diplomacy duty with the Captain..."

The big man shrugs.

"This is fine. It is not for me to slink in the shadows anyways! With my stunning charm, I shall win this Pappen to our side!", he proclaims.

"Right", Braun smiles. "In that case we'd better get moving. We don't want to get too far behind our guy. I've got a car lined up for us. Just play it cool..."

And with that, you are all set. You just hope you can get to the bottom of this..
---
To your surprise, you don't actually head to the new carpool. Instead, you go for the area near one of the alternative exits, normally used to avoid holdups. Maintence gates and the like. And bested beneath the overhang of a nearby building is a covered car, bearing a a pullover roof. Sneaky enough.

And there's a very nervous looking guard smoking a cigarette beside the gate. As you approach, he douses it, before shakily rasing a hand up. You notice the gun hanging from his hip.

"Blue?", he calls out, having noticed your forms. You'd all been trying to stay away from the lights as much as possible.

"Red", Braun says, stepping out. You and the others follow behind slowly enough. The Captain doesn't seem nearly as nervous as the guard....

The man takes his hand off his gun and waves at the car.

"Alright. Do you have the money?", he asks. Braun nods, before tossing him a wad of bills. The man combs them over. Then he tosses over some keys.

"Much obliged", Braun says, as he walks over to the car. "You're doing your country a service you know."

The man shrugs.

"Yeh, well. I reckon you have your reasons. Too much shit happens on this base without me knowing. Just..if you get caught-"

"This didn't happen", Braun replies. The man nods before pocketing the cash. He heads over to the gate and unlocks it, before swinging it wide open.

"Make it quick. Before someone sees."

As you climb in, you hear Sergei sigh.

"Can we even trust this fellow?", he asks.

"Hah. Trust. If he isn't questioned, probably. If Ernst starts combing? Hell no. But I've seen him lose at cards too much for him to not want the money."

Well, you were already disobeying a direct order. What's a little bribery on the side?

"Whose driving?"
---
>Its Braun's plan. He should drive.

>You'll drive!

Well we're in a lull, so ill post this. Just to let you guys know, I have to go to town like super early morning on Sunday for several hours so we may start later than normal. Although we also might not. Just a heads up.

>Ok well I'm gonna head to bed! See you guys tomorrow and stay excellent! Our little branch into sneakiness begins then! Get those votes in!

>>4892463
>You'll drive!

been without internet the past couple days glad to see your still going QM

>>4892463
>You'll drive!

>>4892463
>You'll drive!

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>>4892736
>>4893203
>>4893248
>You'll drive

"I will!", you say. You quite liked driving you'd found. Granted, it was nowhere near a plane in the thrill, but it was a good time nonetheless.

Braun shrugs and slides over to the shotgun seat.

"Have at it, Rook."

A thought enters your head.

"Should we go ahead and change into our new uniforms first?", you wonder. But the Captain waves you off.

"It can wait. We need to get to town. Before we lose our window of opportunity. Let's move."

Nodding, you start the car, and it rolls forwards past the open gate. As you pass, you wave at the guard.

"Thanks!", you says. "Good luck at cards!"

He mumbles assent before gently pushing the exit shut behind you. He then vanishes into the gloom. And, being careful to drive smooth but quiet, you soon do the same. You'd need to hook back around to get on the main route...
---
Halfway there, doubt starts to creep in.

"Sir..what if I'm actually wrong?"

He glances to the side as you drive along.

"Let's think positive, Rook. Uncovering a vast conspiracy, that kind of thing. Think positive and success will follow!"

Uhh...

"You sound like a radio commercial", Sergei snorts. "Are you going to offer us coupons next? An elixir?"

Braun shrugs.

"Hey. Shoot a man for trying?", he remarks, cheerfully enough. Then after a moment he gets a more serious look on his face.

"OK. Let's be clear. Stanislaw, Sergei, do not engage this guy unless you see something REALLY damning. We can't have you drawing on a Blackhat at a time like this...without good reason. And by the Creator--"

"Don't be seen?", you offer.

"Don't be seen", he nods. "If you can..find a way to contact us at Pappen's HQ. Of course if you have to act, you have to act."

"I gore predatelyu..", Sergei mumbles. He removes his revolver from his pocket, checking the chambers. Your own pistol rests at your side. Hopefully you'd not need to use it, but you never did know.

You notice something is off once you reach the final stretch. As you approach the normal entry to Kondorf, you notice lights up ahead.

"Headlights?", you wonder, nervously. Had the bad guys caught on to you?

"Not quite...", Braun mumbles. "Slow it down. A barricade? Damnit."

"Do we turn back? Try a new road?", Luigi wonders aloud. But Braun shakes his head.

"They've seen us now. If we up and run now they'll know something is up. Nice and gentle, Stanislaw."

Nodding, you do as he says. The car rolls up some more, and indeed, standing before the normal entrance is a hastily erected barrier of stacked barbwire and wood. On either side are two Army men wielding rifles. Another man's a fat MG encased in a earthen enclave, with the force being rounded out via the young officer in command. He holds a hand up.

His weapon is a fancy new trench gun, you notice. Slung over his shoulder. A nasty bit of bussiness, that thing. Ugly but with bite.

"Halt!", he calls out. "Your Papers, please?"

You blink. Papers...?

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>>4893388
"What's the meaning of this?", Braun calls over to him. "We have bussiness. Since when are we closing off entry into town?"

Yeh that was weird. Sure, security heightened once it was night, you knew. But you'd never needed literal papers. Let alone for men in uniform!

The officer pulls out an order printed onto crumbled but new paper.

"Since the Field Marshal ordered it earlier today. 'Due to fears of enemy influence, and in the interest of security regarding our new resources..access to Kondorf is for now, on a strictly written basis'...there's more. But its enough."

"Are you telling me there isn't anyone in there without prior approval?", Braun asks, incredulous. The officer shrugs.

"Probably. Drunks from earlier today. Order came down quick, but a few drunks in the gutter aren't MY problem....", he approaches, peering closer.

"Sturmwing? You are coming from Baldir then?", he asks aloud, his voice carrying a tinge more respect. You notice now that he is indeed very young. And judging by his enunciation...rich kid. Definitely.

"We are Sturmwing, yes. And we need to get into town. It would appear we missed the memo about papers", Braun says.

The officer shakes his head.

"Not acceptable. My orders are very clear. You will simply have to obtain papers."

"From who?"

"Ideally, the Field Marshal."

Hah, fat chance.

You seem to be at an impasse...
--
>Try and intimidate him. Do you know who we are?!?!

>Imply you are on a secret mission. Very important. Most unfortunate for his career if he stops you.

>To hell with this. Drive over the barrier!

>write in

>>4893407
>Imply you are on a secret mission. Very important. Most unfortunate for his career if he stops you.

>>4893416
>Imply you are on a secret mission. Very important. Most unfortunate for his career if he stops you.

Alright, think fast. You'd rather not try and spook the guy, given how armed the little force here is...which left only one real option to you.

You'd have to bullshit him. Or well, it wouldn't even need to totally be a lie...

"Oh well...", you say, to Braun. "Looks like the mission is a failure. We'll just have to report this back to the brass..."

He quickly catches on.

"Oh yes...well, I'm sure they will understand once we tell them what happened. Us being stopped and all..."

The officer looks back and forth between the two of you.

"What's this about?"

You shrug.

"Nothing you're allowed to know. Shame though, diligent and upstanding guy like yourself, breaking this up. I'll try to stand up for you to the Ministry."

He's getting sweaty.
--
>1d20!

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>4893461

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>4893461

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>4893461

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10 KB JPG

Rolled 9 (1d20)

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81 KB JPG

>>4893468
>>4893485
>>4893541
>>4893609
>12 pass. Barely lol. Good choice on how to do it.
---
For a long moment, the man seems to think it over. Eventually, however, he mutters something under his breath and nods. He turns back to his men.

"Let them through, it's fine."

"But sir..."

"They are on Ministry business!", the officer replies, bringing some steel into his voice. Turning back to you, he tips his hat politely. "I know Blackhats when I see them. Not sure why you're disguised as Pilots and your friend earlier wasn't..."

Braun raise a hand.

"We cannot discuss, I'm afraid. We'll be sure to register your good cooperation with Command. Have a good night", he says. The officer nods and steps aside.

With a flick of your wrist, the car turns back on and you drive through. A few of the soldiers give you suspicious looks, but nothing more.

"Oh!", the officer calls out. "They may ask for papers inside! Be careful!"

And like that, you pass the checkpoint.

And you can breathe.

"Hah!", Luigi laughs once you get into town. "They fell for it! Stanislaw and Captain, very good work!"

"Right...", Braun says, as you pull along. Looking about, you notice the officer hadn't been lying. There is not an abundance of off duty soldiers around like there often is. In their place, small groups of armed Army men are patrolling about. Occasionally you glimpse a Blackhat in the mix, but not the one you are hunting...

Once you pull into a conveniently placed alleyway, in a quiet part of town, Braun leans over and checks his watch. He nods, pleased apparently.

"Not bad. Alright, the only issue now should be locating our traitorous buddy. It's a four man team, and while Pappen didn't exactly hand out the plans, we know they'll be splitting up. Sergei, Stanislaw, get in costume."

"Yes sir!", you say.

"Obsolete fabric...hmph."

"Alright", Braun begins. "This is how I see it..."
---
You now found yourself dressed up in your old issue Army uniform, inside a dark alley in a dark town in the dark of night. Truly, the world was favoring your attempt at Intrigue. Beside you, Sergei is rather unimpressed, but seems to be bearing it in silence.


With Braun and Luigi now gone, it was left to you and Sergei to carry out this part of the plan. Details though. Details.

"Which way?", Sergei asks, glancing over the map Braun had given you. Ah yes, the challenge of finding a single man. At night. Hmm...

---
>There is only one big hotel in town. Braun believes that's where Pappen is staying with his inner circle. We should check the intersection down from it, maybe we can tag the baddy before he gets too far?

>Check the Market Square? It's kind of dead, except for guards. But it has plenty of hiding spots in the surrounding area...

>Head deeper into town and check the more native area. He was clearly interested in the Cat before! And maybe less unfriendly eyes there...

>write in(if you think splitting up is a good idea, say so.)

>>4893628
>There is only one big hotel in town. Braun believes that's where Pappen is staying with his inner circle. We should check the intersection down from it, maybe we can tag the baddy before he gets too far?

>>4893628
>There is only one big hotel in town. Braun believes that's where Pappen is staying with his inner circle. We should check the intersection down from it, maybe we can tag the baddy before he gets too far?

File: depositphotos_197257966-s(...).jpg (432 KB, 1600x1700)

432 KB JPG

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>4893652
>>4893663
>There is only one big hotel in town. Braun believes that's where Pappen is staying with his inner circle. We should check the intersection down from it, maybe we can tag the baddy before he gets too far?

Hmmm...

"Here", you say, tapping on the map. "We made good time, Braun said. It's possible we could get sight of him before he gets lost in town proper. Could save time."

Sergei thinks for a second, then nods.

"Da. So be it. But Remember-"

"Don't engage unless we have to. Yes, I remember Mother", you reply, checking to make sure your pistol is secure, tucked behind your back. You had done your best to conceal it, but...

"Hmph. Alright. Keep to the shadows and alleys if we can. The last thing that we need is some idiot patrol shaking us down", he says, walking off.

You follow, close behind.
--
The walk your area of interest is easy enough at first. Awkward, though. Trying to avoid contact with the guards posted here and there is annoying enough, but doing so like some shadowy detective in a mystery novel is another...

Ahead of you, Sergei moves with grace, only ever revealing himself when he has to. So far, your only slip-up was when a flower girl of all things happened to find herself directly in your tracks. Her apologies in broken Koner had seen her off. That, or maybe Sergei's angry scowl.

"Kind of creepy", you say, as slip past another practically dead street. "I wonder where everyone else is at?"

"Spooked", he replies. "Your soldiers on their streets is one thing. Hoffman's lock-down is another. They know something is wrong. Reminded too."

He pauses beside a lamp-post, before ripping something off it. He slips the paper back to you before carrying on. The words are in bold, proper Koner, and another in the bastardized local dialect.

'For Your Own Safety: No Unauthorized Exits from Kondorf! Obey the Law! Keep our streets safe! Ignore at severe penalty!'

You snort before crumbling the thing and tossing it aside. What was Hoffman thinking? You had hoped that his jolly mood after the test might have mellowed him out a bit. But no, apparently not. The test area wasn't even IN Kondorf!

You are just about to turn a corner when you bump into Sergei.

"Ow!", you say, quietly. "What-"

He holds up a fist, and slowly backs away. Understanding, you do the same.

"Stanislaw...keep quiet..."

All of a sudden, you hear an engine.
--
>1d10!

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>4893738

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>4893738

Lol... 1 more?

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>4893738
>>4893738

>>4893813
Nigger

File: images (3).jpg (20 KB, 300x168)

20 KB JPG

Rolled 5, 3, 10 = 18 (3d10)

>>4893738

File: images (28).jpg (10 KB, 282x179)

10 KB JPG

>>4893813
>>4893897
>>4893922
>>4893943
>>4894014
>10! Auto fail!
>10! Sergei Auto Fail!

Perhaps you were not as careful as you should have been. Distracted by the sudden noise of the approaching vehicle, you never see the discarded bottle near your foot. Your boot catches at just the right angle....

"Ahh!", you yelp, collapsing backwards onto your back. Sergei goes tumbling backwards over you, caught off guard by the sudden development.

'Clang! Crash!'

In an almost comical scene, the he collapses into a garbage can, sending the contents flying on the two of you.

Then a bright light shines in your face, and as you struggle to stand....

"HALT!", a booming voice calls out. It is audible, barely, over the loud grinding noise of the vehicle's engine. "What the hell is going on here?"

Groaning, Sergei clambers to his feet, one hand on the cut that now is marring his forehead.

For a moment, the light flickers to him instead, and you see that the vehicle before you is a real piece of work. Several machine guns sprout from the hunk of steel it calls a body. And on top, a rather peeved looking officer is standing from the cupola, manning a small searchlight.

Shit!

You were stuck in an alley...
---
>Run! Running!

>Try and Act Drunk. Maybe they will buy it and just go away?

>write in

>>4894032
>>Try and Act Drunk. Maybe they will buy it and just go away?

>>4894032
>Try and Act Drunk. Maybe they will buy it and just go away?

File: man_smiling_drunk_meme1.jpg (36 KB, 500x466)

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>>4894038
>>4894068
>Try and Act Drunk! Maybe they will buy it and just go away?

Thinking fast, you proceed to do what is likely your only option...

You grab Sergei roughly and begin to sing, as poorly and in as thickly accented a voice as possible, Huzaran folk songs! All while barely standing!
--
>1d20!

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>4894078

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>4894078

One more? Let's rally people! Get that good roll! Your QM believes in you!

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>4894078
we are going to jail or against a wall

>>4894294
fuck

>>4894294
Christ on a crutch fuck me

>>4894294
what the fuck are these rolls even we a almost unkillable in the sky but the second we step foot out a plane we just roll like dog shit

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>>4894304
>>4894302
>>4894294
>>4894221
>>4894178
>>4894128
>1 Critical Fail!

For a moment, you think you've pulled it off. Even Sergei joins in the act, albeit reluctantly. Your slurred tones and awful singing make the man in the cupola groan in annoyance, before he freezes up. After a few more seconds of staring at you...then slams a fist on the steel.

"How the hell would a pair of Eastern reservists get access? And why the fuck are you even here? What's your unit?", the fires off, clearly suspicious.

"Uh...the uh, First Huzaran Reserves?...?Haha...", you say, stupidly. He clearly isn't buying it. Instead, he draws his gun at you, before shaking it.

"Like hell you are, and if you were THAT drunk, I'd smell the booze on you. Stay where you are! That's an order! I'm taking you in for questioning! For possible espionage and...other offenses! General disorder! Now sit!"

'Tap tap!'

"Hey, two of you get out here!", he calls down. Meanwhile, one of the side mounted machine guns begins to train on your position...

"We uh..we have papers..left them. Koner not good. Speak Huzaran?", you ask, intentionally sounding like a bumpkin. The man up top ignores you.

"Stanislaw...", Sergei mutters out of the side of his mouth...

You don't have long to react! Oh shit!

Ok...you could always retreat down the alley way. He could still fire down, but there was plenty of intervening debris...

And there was also a rather flimsy looking door on one of these building exits. It's possible you could crash it....

You really didn't have time for this.
---
>Just give up. Fuck.

>Break down the weak door. You can probably escape through the building.

>Make a run down the alley.

>Fire at his spotlight, and THEN run. Hard.

>Write in

>>4894319
>Break down the weak door. You can probably escape through the building.

>im gonna call it folks for tonight. See you all on Friday and remember to vote! Stay excellent my dudes! Thnx for playing!

>>4894319
>Break down the weak door. You can probably escape through the building.

>>4894319
>>Fire at his spotlight, and THEN run. Hard.

>>4894360
>>4894506
>>4894555
>Break down the weak door. You can probably escape through the building.

Acting fast, you look around and decide on a Course of action!

"Sergei!", you yelp. "This way!"

Rushing to the side, you though your weight into the door...
--
>1d10!


>Apologies on the delay. Am doing a good bit of vacation traveling this next week or so, and couldn't post in the car!

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>4900921

2 more?

2 more?

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>4900921

>>4901134
>>4901135
What did you do to the QM?

Rolled 6 (1d10)

I blame spotty rural wifi. Does weird things! I'll take the last one.

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>>4901121
>>4901189
>>4901256
>4 success!!!

'CRASH!'

....and break it down! The old wood splinters upon impact, and you go crashing through it into the building proper. Sergei is right behind you, stumbling inside before the patrol force knows what you are up to!

"H-hey!", the officer shouts from his cupola. "GET BACK HERE! HEY! Get out of this thing you idiots. After them!"

Standing shakily to your feet, you dust the wood chips and splinters off your chest as Sergei helps you to your feet. Around you, is a rather rundown room that may once have been a sitting area or dining room. But judging by the cobwebs and disrepair, the place has been closed a while!

The muffled shouts of the patrol catch your attention again, and you nod towards a door across the room. That would be your escape.

"Come on!", you say. "We've done it now!"

Sergei sighs, following you. His own visage is stained from his Tumble into the garbage can, and he peels away a rotten onion from his shoulder. His face screws up in distaste.

"Brilliant. Would you perhaps like me to hide INSIDE the bin next time, Stanislaw?", he asks, sarcastic. "Or would you like the honor? I'd be happy to oblige."

"Ah, well at least you don't have to get the thing cleaned later. Spare uniform, right? Haha..."

As the pair of you head through the door, you look up and down the next alleyway. No sign of the pursuit, but you know they won't be far behind...
---
After a bit of running about and choice hiding, you feel fairly secure. You and Sergei stop near a flickering lamp-post, for a breather. This wasn't exactly how you had planned this to go...

"Well....", he begins. "So much for that area. We'd be lucky to get within a block of it before someone jumps us...."

You nod. It was unfortunate and you want to punch yourself for your clumsy footwork, but that was the truth of it. If your mark was there, he'd be gone anyways now. You'd simply have to try and make up lost time...

"Yeh", you say. "But we can't give up! Braun and Luigi are counting on us!"

Sergei hmphs.

"Da...so what now?"
----
>You will head deeper into town and stake out the Cat and Rooster. If you hurry you can still beat him!

>Try and scan Market Square. It is closer, and in any case, maybe you could be more conservative...

>Split up! Desperate measures!

>>4901291
>You will head deeper into town and stake out the Cat and Rooster. If you hurry you can still beat him!

File: images (29).jpg (3 KB, 201x251)

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Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>4901358
>You will head deeper into town and stake out the Cat and Rooster. If you hurry you can still beat him!

Alright, in this case, you'd simply have to head for what you already knew. The Blackhats were clearly invested in the Cat before...maybe he was planning on scoping it out again? If that was case, then you should head there!

You snap your fingers at the idea.

"The Cat!", you say. "We'll head there. If we hurry we can probably beat him. That whole area reeks suspicion, and we know that he agrees."

Sergei shrugs.

"Assuming he doesn't take a taxi..."

Fair point. But you'd judge that kind of unlikely. Can't really do much patrolling from the backseat of a taxi. No, you had to assume he would stay on foot.

"I think that's the right move", you repeat. "I honestly don't think we have many options. Not after what just happened. We simply have to roll the dice!"

"Well, the night isn't getting any younger. Lead on. And try not to soil me in garbage again, Da?", he sighs.

You nod. You'd have to remain on guard for any more patrols. And stray garbage cans. Yeh.
---
>1d10!

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>4901366

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>4901366

One more?

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>4901436

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Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>4901371
>>4901427
>>4901509
>7 Fail!

For the most part, its smooth sailing. Initially. After your first fuck up, you and Sergei are definitely more on edge, and that seems to pay off. However, as you draw closer into the center of town...

"Hold up!", you say, sharply under your breath. Sergei edges up. Beside you. With a groan, you point forwards. Sergei follows your finger and sighs.

"Damn it...", he growls. "We have the luck of rats tonight!"

Indeed, it would seem your caution had caught you right in the middle of some kind of patrol swap. A pair of soldiers were having a chat, with one handing the other a document. You can't quite overhear the chatter from here....

But you had a bigger issue. Dogs.

Both men were leading a large Koner Shepherd by a leash, and they were already sniffing frantically around the area. No doubt they had been trained for high vigilance...

And the guards weren't breaking up. For whatever reason, if this was a patrol change, they seemed content to stick around and chat. Damn slackers. That made things harder for you...

"Ahahaha!"

You jolt, but Sergei pulls you down to earth hard. He raises a finger to his lip and points back down the street. A group of shadows comes from an alley. There, a small group of truly inebriated infantrymen are simultaneously puking and laughing their way into passing out.

"Perhaps we should head around?", Sergei puts forwards. "It is longer, and there is no guarantee the other streets won't be worse..."

That was true. You could do a lot worse than a pair of guards and their pooches. On the other hand, the last thing you needed was some mutt chasing you through the place and spoiling everything. Damn! Why could nothing just go nice and easy tonight!

You cast an angry glance above, and with luck notice that some of the roofs here are conveniently spaced...and with that railing there...a brave man might try and climb it. You could pass over head.

Risky though. The nearest looked far from abandoned.
-
>Just go around. It will waste more time but be safer.

>Try and distract the patrolmen somehow. Then make a run for it!

>Well, why not. Climb up the nearest building and get on the roofs. Thats a good vantage point...and they probably won't see you.

>Write in

>>4901552
>>Well, why not. Climb up the nearest building and get on the roofs. Thats a good vantage point...and they probably won't see you.

>>4901552
>Well, why not. Climb up the nearest building and get on the roofs. Thats a good vantage point...and they probably won't see you.

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>>4901582
>>4901591
>srry for that. Sleep won.
--
>Well, why not. Climb up the nearest building and get on the roofs. Thats a good vantage point...and they probably won't see you

Ok...well, this certainly wasn't what you'd expected to be doing tonight. But looking over that railing, you think you could manage it. Back on the farm, you'd scrambled onto the tops of barns before. For repairs and the like.

Granted, you hadn't been focusing on stealth at the time...but surely this couldn't be that much different? Yeh.

You nudge Sergei and point in that direction. He looks mildly amused once he realizes your intent.

"Are you a cat burglar now?", he asks, as the two of you head over, being careful to avoid any stumbling blocks. You shrug.

"If I am, so are you."

"Hmm..Fair enough."

Now then...look closer, some of this was gonna be easier than the rest. You'd definitely need to..improvise to reach the actual roof. It would also probably be best if you didn't make too much noise. Last thing you needed was someone opening a window and freaking out about the soldiers outside.

You clap your hands together.

"Alright, let's get started!"
--
>1d10!


>also a forewarning. I'm gonna roadbound again today, at least for a few hours. So I'm getting this in a bit early. I'll try to post when I can!

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>4901902

>>4901902
Nanananananana.
Catman!

Two more?

Rolled 7, 5 = 12 (2d10)

>>4902158
Well in the interest of game advancement...please not a crit fail.

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Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>4901912
>>4902158
>>4902213
>5! SUCCESS!

'Creak!'

As you slip up the next set of railing, you cringe a little. These things were rusty, but their metallic whining was the real issue. Thankfully, the guards seem far more absorbed in whatever it is they are reading. And their dogs don't seem to be particularly upset.

Below you, Sergei is also making his way up, albeit more cautiously. And keeping some space. Fair enough, given your little mishap earlier. As it is, there was just a little more to go....

'Click

A light behind the drapes of the nearest window suddenly flickers on, and you fold yourself against the wall. Below you, Sergei curses softly. The both of you wait a few seconds, before a flushing noise comes from it. Snorting, you continue up.

And after a bit more climbing and shimmying, you and Sergei clamber onto the rooftop! Peaking over the edge, you can see the guards still down in the street. One of the dogs peaks up, whining, but as you scoot back you hear the handler cuff him into silence.

"Well, that went smoother than I expected", Sergei says. "We should stick to the roofs as long as we can. Now, we should keep moving. No dallying."

You nod.

"Read my mind."

Now...you just gotta jump this...
---
It doesn't take you much longer to reach your destination proper. The rooftops were definitely safer as a movement route than the streets had been. Thank the Creator for fire-friendly close packed buildings! That said...you and Sergei now found yourself on top of a grocer's place, not far from the Blue Cat and Red Rooster. Both are within sight.

Unlike the outer zones, here, there seemed to be less of a military presence here. That much was the same as usual. Although curious...given the lockdown. Why not patrol the more hostile area?

You put it forward to Sergei, who shrugs.

"Incompetence? They could just want to prevent a riot. Even Hoffman knows these people have limits", he suggests.

He grows quite for a minute.

"Stanislaw?"

"Yeh, Sergei?"

"You realize there is a chance the people at the Cat may be involved in this. If he is meeting with another traitor..."

You frown. An unfortunate possibility. But it only made so much sense. Unless Charlotte and the Blackhats were master actors, that little fuss had been real. It was hard to see it otherwise. Still, this place had its share of seedy folk.

And you were kind of out of options.

The way you see it, you and Sergei could both stay on the roof, and stake out from here. That gave you a solid view of just about all this. On the other hand, there was something to be said for being on the ground...You'd be closer to the target, certainly.
----
>Leave Sergei on the Roof and hide in an alleyway. You want to be in position!

>You will both stay here on the roof. Better view.

>Now that you're here, best you both get off the roof! Splitting up is unwise.

>>4902252
>Now that you're here, best you both get off the roof! Splitting up is unwise.
Never split.

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>4902361
>Now that you're here, best you both get off the roof! Splitting up is unwise.

All right well, splitting up sounded like a bad idea honestly. And while the roof had its advantages, you would rather be on street level as a team. You couldn't exactly scramble down quickly from your current position, and that could be an issue. Better to be in a spot where you could quickly follow your mark. Or at least be in position to react if you saw anything fishy....

"Right. Time to head down. If we guessed right he should be coming along. If we guessed wrong...", you veer off.

"Let us just hope we didn't", Sergei replies, walking past you. Right. Think positive Stanislaw! You were gonna catch this crook, damnit!
--
Back on the ground, you and Sergei find a good little nook with its own decent view. If anyone enters the general vicinity, you should be able to see them. You hope.

"Come on...", you mutter. It was a waiting and vigilance game now...
---
>1d10!

>>4902394

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>4902394
Why is my dice being eaten?

>>4902408
No clue. Sometimes the system just fucks up. Ik I've had it happen.

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>4902394
Alright lets not mess up.

1 more?

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>4902545

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>>4902408
>>4902463
>>4902585
>2 success!

Your patience pays off.

Just when you reach the point of severe boredom, you catch sight of someone walking down the main way. That tells you one thing. They got past the guards, which implies it's a Konerlander. Your guy, you hope. You nudge Sergei, who draws the pistol he has with him.

Very quickly, your suspicions are confirmed. By the light of one of the street lamps, its revealed as the Blackhat you are looking for. In plain clothes no less. Makes sense, you suppose there is no point in his work if you snoop around in full uniform. You also note he has a large newspaper tucked under one arm.

And best of all, he's perfectly alone.

"There you are....", you mutter, watching him walk. He is whistling a jaunty tune, oblivious to the danger nearby.

Beside you, Sergei clicks his tongue softly to get your attention.

"Remember what Braun said..."

Right. Don't outright engage unless necessary. But did you want to risk any more incidents and mistakes tonight? Did you really?

There was something to be said for simply waiting the guy out. If you could keep your heads down, maybe his destination would reveal itself...
---
>Seize him! Now is your chance!

>Keep down and wait. No point in blowing cover yet.

>write in

>>4902594
>Keep down and wait. No point in blowing cover yet.

>>4902782
>Keep down and wait. No point in blowing cover yet.

Hmmm...you shouldn't just jump out at him. Braun warned you off that. Instead, perhaps a more stealthy approach. You hunker down and wait for him.

Sergei, clearly approving, does much the same. Now you just had to keep hidden and hope he gave up his destination...
---
>1d10!

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>4902828

2 more?

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>4902828

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>4902828

Rolled 4, 2, 7 = 13 (3d10)

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42 KB JPG

>>4902849
>>4902951
>>4902975
>>4902991
>4 Success!

As you hide behind a pile of boxes, you peak out ever so slightly through the nearest crack. At about the same time, the Blackhat passes by on the street, apparently having never seen you. Sergei likewise keeps his cool and the tense seconds pass without a hitch.

He's passed you, just like that. Nice!

Now you just have too see where he's headed....scooting up to your feet, you and Sergei watch him walk. If he went past the bar area, you'd have to simply follow him...but he doesn't.

He stops in the center of the square, and for a few moments you are sure he's going to cut towards the Blue Cat. Had Sergei's foreboding been right? Had it all been some kind of bizarre performance?

But he doesn't. To your immense confusion, he heads for the Red Rooster. Still whistling his tune, he enters through the swinging doors.

Well, this was a surprise.

"The Rooster?", Sergei questions, scratching his chin. "I don't understand. Is that not the Pro-Konerland bar? Why would he be going there?"

Good question. You GUESS he could just be getting a drink. But, corruption aside, he didn't strike you as the type. If he was just drinking you were gonna feel like an idiot. Still, there were all kinds of answers.

"Maybe he's meeting a contact?", You ask to nobody in particular. "Or, uh. Maybe another Blackhat? Weird though."

"Hm. Are we going to follow him inside? How exactly do we hide from him then?"

Yeh, a pickle. He could be getting up to all kinds of nonsense in there.
---
>You will remain out here. He has to come out eventually.

>You aren't letting him out of your sight! Head into the Red Rooster. Just gotta play it smooth. And time it right.

>write in

>>4903005
>You will remain out here. He has to come out eventually.

>>4903005
>write in
Can we sneak up to one of the windows and try to listen inside?

>Damn I need to stop getting cozy. See you guys in the morning! Get those votes in.

>>4903096
You probably could try to listen in/break in yeh. If that's what u guys decide to do.

Tiebreaker? Seems like we either want to be sneaky about this in or just wait him out.

I'll give it a few more minutes.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>4903759
!

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4 KB PNG

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>4903785
>>4903076
>>4903096
Not gonna lie, I didn't expect letting him get out of sight to be popular at all. Ok.
---
>You will remain out here. He has to come out eventually.

Well, you've already waited plenty. What's a bit more? And you honestly can't think of a safe way to head in there without him recognizing you. With that in mind...

"We should wait. Yeh", you say to Sergei. "He has to come out eventually. We can keep up with him then."

Sergei nods, but crinkled his browser in thought. It seems he was still trying to figure out what exactly your traitor was doing in the Rooster. You had your own questions of course, but hopefully you would get some answers soon.

Now then, you just had to remain vigilant. And quiet. For however long it took...
---
>1d10!

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>4903798

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>4903798

1 more?

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>4903892

Rolled 5, 6, 4 = 15 (3d10)

>>4903934

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46 KB JPG

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>4903823
>>4903828
>>4903934
>>4903935
>4 success!

He doesn't come back out. You and Sergei wait for a rather long time, but apart from the occasional drunk civilian, nobody enters or leaves the Rooster. Least of all your Blackhat.

Something isn't right here.

"Do you think he actually is just getting drunk?", Sergei suggests. "This would certainly be the place. Fewer guards, while by his lonesome..."

No, damnit. That couldn't be it! You hadn't followed this guy, gotten nearly shot, and climbed some rusty ass--

"Stanislaw! Look!", Sergei says, sharply. He grips you by the shoulder and quickly yanks you to the left. Looking around, you finally focus on something across the way. There in one of the alleys to the side of the Rooster...is a pair of men.

You see the glow of a cigarette in the dark, as they trundle up the alleyway, the pair of them are in probably the most suspicious set of clothes you can think of. Both are dressed in dark, black coats with a bulge on the hip. Armed, then.

"Well now...", Sergei mutters, in interest.

The men stop beside a filthy pile of discarded chairs and trash bags. With a grunt, the two of them push on the pile.

'Creeek!'

And it...rolls? The pile moves off to the side, rolling.

"Clever", you remark. One of them stomps on the ground below.

'Thudthudthud!'

After a few seconds, you hear another series of sounds coming from the alley. Then one of the men speaks up. You get a bit of it, but because of the distance...

"-ays..... --e.."

Another few seconds pass, before one man tosses his cigarette and climbs down...somehow. His partner follows, giving the bottom of the pile a pull. It creaks back into place, roughly.

"Well, I do think we have happened upon something we were not meant to see", Sergei remarks. You nod.

Glancing back at the entrance, there is still no sign of the traitor...
---
>This is too suspicious to pass up. You've got to see how they got in! And where they are going!

>No. Keep up the watch.

>write in

>>4904001
>>This is too suspicious to pass up. You've got to see how they got in! And where they are going!

>>4904001
>This is too suspicious to pass up. You've got to see how they got in! And where they are going!

>>4904387
>>4904409
>This is too suspicious to pass up. You've got to see how they got in! And where they are going!

Well this was your chance! These guys are clearly up to no good. And while you can't be sure that they're connected with your traitor it does seem awfully suspicious anyways.

"Sergei, let's head over there...quite like. Those guys had a way in that didn't involve the front door. Let's find it!", you say, softly making your way across the street, doing your best to avoid the open.

Behind you Sergei follows, his own footsteps as silent as yours. With your brisk pace, you make your way into the new alley with no trouble. A foul smell makes you curl up your nose.

"Creator that's foul", Sergei mumbles. He brings one wrist and holds It to his nostrils. Then he nods towards the suspicious pile of garbage from which the scent seems to be coming.

"They were thorough", he muses. "I will definitely give them that."

"Nothing suspicious about a little secret entrance", you reply, dryly. "Help me move this thing. Shouldn't be hard."

However, before he does, he checks his gun one more time. Shrugging, you do the same. You did hope that you wouldn't have to shoot it tonight...but crazier things had happened. Hopefully you can keep this to words or at worst fists...

'Creeek'

The garbage moves easier than you had expected, and glancing carefully, you see that the thing is actually on some kind of wheeled sled of sorts. Small enough to not draw too much attention, but able to bear the load. The stench certainly does not improve as you push the thing.

And it reveals a stained, rather worn looking cellar door beneath. To your dismay, you don't see it anyway of unlocking it from the outside. Hmmm, it must need someone too open it from the other side. Fair enough.

"You ready?", you ask. Sergei nods, and in imitation of the men, you bring your boot down sharply on the door a few times.

'Thudthudthud!'

A few seconds later, you hear a rustling noise from beneath, and a small socket opens in the door. You can't see inside of it, but a man clears his voice.

"Always Was", he says, simply. His voice carries the local bastard accent.

You blink.
---

>"Always Will Be"

>"So says Me"

>uh...Vive Merovia!

>Try and break through the door!

>>4904421
>>"Always Will Be"

File: images (30).jpg (6 KB, 213x236)

6 KB JPG

>Alright, well thats all for tonight folks! I'm gonna be at the beach all this week. That said, there will probably be a few posts tommorow(probably not a whole session unless it really lights up). In any case, happy 4th! Stay excellent my dudes!
--

>The Unified States of Columbia says hello!

>>4904421
>Always Will Be

>>4904421
>>"Always Will Be"

>>4904421
>"Always Will Be"

File: 5745380.png (28 KB, 512x512)

28 KB PNG

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>4904426
>>4904534
>>4904571
>>4905059
>"Always Will Be"

You waste no time, as a number of phrases shoot through your mind. Thinking logically, you pick one.

"Always Will be", you say, crisply. A few tense seconds pass, before you hear a series of metallic clicks below.

"Oui. Creator Willing", the man beneath the doors says, and you step back as they swing open. You see a ladder. The space is only big enough for one person at a time. With a shrug, you descend down the bars, with Sergei following close behind. The fellow who opened it up retreats to the bottom, sliding down.

When you reach the bottom, you find yourselves in a little chamber. Across the dimly lit room, you see a much nicer looking wooden door leading to...somewhere. There's a chair and a lamp, but other than that, you are alone with the new man. A quick glance at his hip reveals an old but very functional pistol. Armed then.

"I didn't know we were bringing in Huzarans now", he starts. "Though, I can't much blame you. Were you followed?"

"No", you reply, quickly. "But we had a few close calls. The streets aren't exactly very friendly tonight, you know?"

The man snorts.

"When are they? Fucking Konerlanders. Hmph. Your friend is awful quiet. Cat got his tongue there?", he asks, nodding at Sergei. "He does speak the language?"

Oh yeh. Sergei would have a lot harder time passing as one of these guys. Strelkayan noble and whatnot. But before you can open your mouth, he speaks up for himself. And boy does he.

"Me is not well spoken", he drawls, in a parody of a Huzaran accent. "Is embarrassing to speak. When not need."

The man shakes his head with a sigh, before settling back into his chair.

"Yeh, well, forget I asked. What are you bringing anyways? Your Blackhat friend didn't bring everything with him?"
---
>"Secret info. Very secret." Bluff. You just need to get through that door....

>Knock this guy out now. Silently. You can't have him blocking your escape!

>Try and sift some info from him. What exactly is going on here?

>write in

>>4905109
>"Secret info. Very secret." Bluff. You just need to get through that door....
Bluff king.

>>4905109
>"Secret info. Very secret." Bluff. You just need to get through that door....

>>4905177
>>4905193
>"Secret info. Very secret." Bluff. You just need to get through that door....

Well, bluffing had worked on the gate guard. Maybe twice the charm?

"Secret info. Very secret", you say. "Vital stuff. We really can't delay..."
---

>1d20!

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>4905223

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>4905223

1 more?

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>4905223

File: unnamed (7).jpg (74 KB, 512x384)

74 KB JPG

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>4905237
>>4905270
>>4905303
>19 success!

He raises a brow.

"Secret? Well, fair enough I guess. Better hurry along then. Oh. You did remember to replace the camouflage, right?"

You shake your head.

"Slipped my mind. Sorry."

With a sigh, the man waves you off and heads back up the ladder. No doubt to deal with that pile of rolling garbage. But hey, you had bluffed your way in!

Without further ado, you and Sergei head over and open the door on the far side of the room. He keeps a hand low and near his hip, while your own gun is in the small of your back...the door opens.

'Click! click! Click!'
'Buzzz'

And before you, a chamber of not insignificant size opens up. Within, you see about a dozen individuals. They are in various types of dress, with a few bearing bits of Konerland gear, and others with civilian dress. More interesting than their appearance is the machines in the room.

Connected by tubes to the wall, are what seem to be a tangle of morse conductors, transmission gear, and a single, large map of Alzen province, pasted to the wall. On it are a series of markings.

Opposite of you, the room narrows before leading to two pathways. One has a set of stairs leading up to who knows what, and the other you can't tell.

One of the men, a burly fellow with a beard, is bent over a newspaper. He looks up at you and frowns.

"We weren't scheduled for anyone else."
---
>FREEZE SCUMBAGS!(Pull gun!)

>"Uh, we are new?"(offer them made up information.)

>Open Fire!

>Write in

>>4905345
>"Uh, we are new?"(offer them made up information.)
We need to become actors.

>>4905345
>"Uh, we are new?"(offer them made up information.)

This new Captcha system is cancerous

>>4905380
>>4905389
>"Uh, we are new?"(offer them made up information.)
--
"Uh, we are new?", you offer. "Sorry for the disturbance. But we were told to report here with our information!"

The man looks you over and grunts.

"What information? Somehow I doubt it's better than what I JUST got..."
---
>1d20!

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>4905433

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>4905433

1 mor?

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>4905642

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49 KB JPG

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>4905577
>>4905578
>>4905743
>18 pass!!

"...oh, and also, there is also an attack planned in...this sector!", you say, tapping an area of the map. You had spent the last 10 minutes or so blabbering off a narrative of stupidity made up of some true things(none of which were classified), and a whole lot of bullshit. A nearby rebel nods his head and scribbles it down, while the one you assume is the leader scratches at his head in confusion. But he doesn't seem overly suspicious. Nice!

"Right. Well, thats some useful info, certainly. That bit about the attack vectors though...how did you pick that up? You're a reserve who got pushed up", the man asks. "So..."

You already had your excuse.

"Easy, sir!", you reply. "Colonel Dotzen says a lot when he's drunk. And he doesn't think very highly of Huzarans..."

"And yet is close to General Koch!", Sergei blurts, in that absurd accent. The rebel leader seems to accept it.

"Well, I'll take it. Good work. Combined with this new info about these damn superartillery pieces, I think we can finally get something going...more directly."

He gives you a conspiratorial wink.

"R-right", you say. So they knew about the Wodan shipment. What exactly though? How much? Had this been the info the Blackhat had given them?

"In any case, we will send this news out. You've done a good thing today, kid. Your country would be proud!", he remarks, clapping you on the shoulder.

Off to the side, you can hear the clicking and static as one of the techs operates his unit. Through a combination of morse-at least, you think it it's morse, given the weird rythm-and local babble, he seems to be spreading the word.

"Sooo...what now?", you say. You had basically confirmed this was the site of some kind of rebel operation at least. The fact that it was below a Konerlander establishment was something that you were ignoring for now....

"Well..Unless you have more business here, you should probably head back before anyone gets suspicious. Me, I'm going to have a busy night", the man answers, before turning to chat with a nearby tech.

Ok.

Now what?
---
>Leave. You should bring help!

>Draw your gun and arrest them! Halt in the name of the Republic!

>Try and rouse the bar upstairs. At least, you think its upstairs. Drunk man army!

>write in

>>4905779
>>Draw your gun and arrest them! Halt in the name of the Republic!

>>4905779
>Leave. You should bring help!

>Alright well I'm calling it here. That concludes our little game today. See you dudes on Friday ! Stay excellent! Get those votes in! Thank you for popping in!

>>4905779
>Try and rouse the bar upstairs. At least, you think its upstairs. Drunk man army!
Theore the merrier.

>>4905779
>Leave. You should bring help!

Ruuuuun bitch ruuuuunnnnn!

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>4905880
>>4905892
>>4905991
>>4906008
>Leave. You should bring help!

Right, well, this has been really exciting and all. But with all this evidence, you shouldn't spend another minute here. You need get back topside and bring help! You briefly consider making for the bar itself, but thats too risky. An army of drunks isn't what you need.

You need soldiers!

"Right!", you say to Sergei. "We had better get back..'before anyone gets suspicious!' Haha..."

He nods silently, as the two of your withdraw from the room, entering the first chamber once more. Inside, the guards from before glances up from his desk.

"Ah! Did everything go well?", he asks. "I hope that info panned out!"

You nod, keeping up the front.

"Yeh, it did, thanks. We're just heading back up now. Can't let the others miss us for too long and all that", you reply, easily.

"Of course", he says. "Just make sure you put the garbage back when you leave, ok? We can't have anyone suspicious getting a wiff of this!"

"Uhuh. We can't have that...", Sergei says dryly. You elbow him in the ribs.

"Will do. Have a nice night!", you say cheerfully. Lying through your teeth was proving quite easier than you had expected. Of course, best not to push your luck in this regard. With nothing more to say, you and Sergei climb back up the ladder, sliding the garbage pile above to the side.

A bit of suspicious liquid lands on your shoulder, but mumbling, you power through. The pile gives way quickly.

'Creeek!'

With that, you and Sergei emerge into the gloom of the alleyway. Once you are back onto your feet, you slide the pile back, leaving a bit more of the doorway exposed than before.

Now, you just had to find help! Who was nearest....

The guards! The ones with the dogs. Assuming they were still there, that was something. Here's to hoping...
---
You and Sergei have made a brisk pace, and as you near the exit of the inner district, you notice a group of shadows flickering in the streetlight.

"Halt!"
'Growling noises'

You see a trooper step out from a phone box, his hand gripping the leash of a large attack dog. His companion from earlier seems to be missing.

"Creator alive. How many times do I have to tell you people. Nobody. Allowed. Shit, this is getting old..."

Your eyes shoot towards the box. If you could get word out, this would be way easier...Pappen needs to know. And discreetly. You'd rather not sound some kind of city wide alarm. Chaos only benefited the enemy here.

Hmm...
---
>Ok. Bluffing works. I, a Blackhat in disguise, order you to let us use this phone!

>Tell the truth. This is an emergency!

>Let Sergei have a go? He has a good bossy voice.

>Write in

>>4909916
>Let Sergei have a go? He has a good bossy voice.
Sergei me boy. Give this man the biggest noble shit you can give.

File: Sergei.png (99 KB, 450x450)

99 KB PNG

Rolled 19, 12, 3 = 34 (3d20)

>>4909987
>Let Sergei have a go? He has a good bossy voice

You nudge Sergei forwards. May as well let him have a go at it. Heaven knows he knew how to be bossy.

"Go on then", you mutter. "Lay it on him. With your uh, noble charms. Yeh."

He rolls his eyes.

"Hmph. If you insist...."

He steps forwards, but the the guard waves him back.

"Now hold on--"

"Are you aware of who I am?"

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>>4910035
>>4910035
>19 success!

His confident tone and air of command clearly catch the trooper off guard. He takes a step back, shaking his head.

"Uh..should I?", he asks, cautiously. Sergei plants his hands on his hips, and gets an iron countenance on his features. The effect is somewhat ruined by the garbage stains on the uniform, but his upbringing is little in doubt.

"Da", Sergei barks. "I am Count Sergei Romanavich Nikolevksy, pilot of the Sturmwing Chimera. I am a noble of the Strelkayan Empire! In the name of the Pact, I command you to step aside and assist us! My associate requires the use of that telephone! Immediately!"

The other man gapes at Sergei, baffled.

"S-strelkaya? B-but-"

"DID. I. STUTTER?!", Sergei shouts. "The phone man! Time is of the essence."

After a few seconds more of gawking, the soldier nods sharply. He reigns in his dog and steps aside. Yes! Sergei did it!

"Uh..of course sir! Um, My lord, I mean. Apologies for the confusion", he says. Taking it as his due, Sergei strides past him him and you follow. The phone box is a comfortable fit, all done up in black.

Wait. You needed a number. Uh....

"The main hotel here. Do you know what it is?", you call over to the trooper. He scratches his cheek in thought, then shrugs.

"That'd be The Studman. Old place, but nice. Why, my cousin once--"

"Nevermind that!", Sergei snaps. "The number. Do you have the number?"

The man blinks, before reaching into a pocket and coming away with a notepad.

"Uhh...yeh. Yeh I think. They give us this little list of the main--"

Sergei takes the pad and tosses it over to you. With a satisfied nod, you read over the combination and start to dial. Let's see here...
---
*Hello?*, a voice answers you. *This is the Studman Hotel. May I help you?*

Alright, good number. You breath in.

"This is an emergency call. My name is under-Lieutenant Stanislaw Krol of the Fliegermacht. I need to speak with Captain Pappen. He's a Blackhat."

A few seconds of silence pass.

*The Captain is rather busy at the moment with your compatriots. This is most irregular. Why, the big one came storming in and---*

"I really, REALLY, do not have time for this. It's an emergency. Are you going to connect me or not?", you ask, testily.

"Hmph. Very well. One moment while I send this over to his room."

(Click)'Buuuuuuuz'(Click)

*Pappen here. Who is this?*

"Sir!", you say. "This is Stanislaw, we met back at Baldir--"

*Yes*, he interrupts. *I have been entertaining your squadmates for a bit now. They seem insistent that our good Sebastian is a traitor. And the big one nearly concussed my bodyguard....*

*--uigi has apologized --val times!*, you hear a heavy voice in the background.

*In any case, I hope you realize the position this puts me in. Ernst informed me earlier of this story of yours. I must admit I am quite curious. Of a few things...*

"Like?"

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>>4910071
*Well for starters...I was informed by a patrol force that a 'drunken and disorderly Huzaran' resisted arrest before fleeing. Also, curiously, it would seem the Baron of Alderbahns second son apologized most vehemently to my offices. Something about a holdup with an undercover patrol....*

"Oh...heheh...well. However did that mistake happen? Haha..."

*Yes. Well, I hope you are bringing me something more than speculations? Perhaps you should provide me with a reason for not informing Ernst of this little escapade of yours?*

Alright. This was your chance.

"Sir...do I have a discovery for you..."
---
>1d20!

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>4910074
Oh boy do I have a scoop for you

2 mor?

I'll give it a bit more

Rolled 13, 17 = 30 (2d20)

>>4910169
So be it. Qm roll go!

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Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>4910090
>>4910213
>17 success!

You do your very best to inform Pappen of all the details that come to mind. Nothing embellished. Just the hard facts. And by the time you finish telling him about the underground rebel hold, he just about seems to have come around.

"...and then I called you", you finish. "Whoever these guys are, they clearly had some means of getting out information. I saw a whole lot of expensive equipment."

*Right under our damn noses. Hmm..but you didn't actually see Sebastian give them anything? Do you have his location right now?"

You frown.

"We don't sir. He must have left the Rooster after we went under. I've no idea where he might be now", you reply.

*Damn it. Alright. Here is how we are going to handle this. We need to move swiftly but carefully. I'm authorizing a search of the Rooster. A nearby unit of infantry will converge on it. No alarms. We can't give them warning. You know where the secret entrance is, right?*

"Yes...."

*Good. And since this was your little discovery you'll be joining in. Direct them there. I want no escapes. Do not hesitateto kill anyone in your way.*

His voice is cold, and you nod. This was the real deal right here. No games. One more thing was on your mind though...

"Sir, what about our traitor?", you ask.

You hear some scuffling in the background, along with some voices. One is Pappen's. A door closing brings the conversation back on.

*I'm dispatching orders for that. If he does actually show up...I want him alive. Is that understood? If all that you told me is true we will need him..*

"Of course sir. You can count on me!"

*It would appear so. Pappen out.*

(Click!)

You replace the phone, and step from the box. Almost immediately, Sergei sides up to you. A look of curiosity is on his face.

"So? How did it go? Is he coming?"

"He's sending men. He wants to storm the Red Rooster apparently. And he wants us to help. Finder's Perk, I suppose", you say.

Sergei grunts, before unholstering his pistol. The revolver gleams in the light.

"Finally. It is about time we got to the real work. You! Dog-handler!", he barks. The soldier walks over to him, wary.

"Uh..yes?"

Sergei pokes him in the chest.

"You will remain here. Apart from the reinforcements, no man leaves! Is that understood? Especially not an older Konerlander out of uniform"

The man nods.

"Yes my lord. Nothing gets past Poochy. Isn't that right boy?"

The dog absently snaps at a passing fly.

"Right", you remark, leaning against the box. "Now we just wait on our friends."
---
It's not that long before you are greeted with the sight of your reinforcements, such that they are. About 20 men armed with rifles march down the road towards you, led by a severely pissed looking Blackhat. The man isn't much heightwise, but he draws up before you.

"You are the Huzaran who discovered the traitors?", he asks. You nod.

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>>4910287
"Very well. My orders are to act quickly", he says. "As, there is no time for further reconnaissance, we will follow your advice on how to proceed."

He does not look particularly eager about this state of affairs.

"Is this all of you?", Sergei asks. "There were a dozen men underground that we saw. We'll be spread thin going in two ways like this..."

"Yes, well. Captain Pappen fears that a significant force deployed to this area of the city might actually cause a riot. These ingrate townsfolk are already on edge. A symptom of stupidity, if you ask me", the Blackhat replies.

"Be that as it may...", you say, "People are staring. We need to move now."

Indeed, just now, someone is peeking out the window of an apartment. A quick look sends them scrambling, but standing out in the street en masse is not exactly the essence of stealth.
---
>Simplicity. Team A will storm the bar from the main entrance. You and Team B will break into the secret entrance. Swift and smooth.

>Cunning? Assault the Rooster from the main entrance, but set an ambush at the secret entrance. You will catch them as they escape!

>Siege. Surround the Rooster and wait these guys out.

>write in

>>4910295
>Cunning? Assault the Rooster from the main entrance, but set an ambush at the secret entrance. You will catch them as they escape!
the second we hit the front they are going to scatter like cockroaches

>>4910295
>>Cunning? Assault the Rooster from the main entrance, but set an ambush at the secret entrance. You will catch them as they escape!

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Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>4910443
>>4910445
>>Cunning? Assault the Rooster from the main entrance, but set an ambush at the secret entrance. You will catch them as they escape!

Hmm..well, you could always settle for a quick and simple option. Simply bashing down the front door guns blazing was one option. Followed up by an assault down that alleyway ladder.

But you think not. You didn't like your men's chances going down that narrow passageway. Not when that one guard could probably hold you all off at least from a bit from the bottom. No. This called for some brainpower!

"We should split into two teams", you start. "Team A should assault the front entrance. The hideout was underground, so I'd look for some kind of basement entrance once inside."

"And the rest?", the Blackhat grunts. "Some kind of reserve perhaps?"

"Team B will lie in wait around the alleyway. That's where the secret entrance is. Once your guys come in the front, they are gonna scatter..."

"Like cockroaches", the man nods. ". Team B will catch them when they try. Very well. We'll split it like this: You can have 5 of my men--"

"I want in on the assault", Sergei interrupts. "I need to vent..."

As he says that, he spins his revolver. The metallic noise rings out. Creator, did he actually think that sounded cool? This guy....

"Uh, right. In that case...we should--"

You nod as you come to terms. It wouldn't be long now.
---
The moon shines down from above as your team takes its position. All in all, you had 6 men with you. Three were directly with you on one end of the alleyway. The other three were at the other end. No way you were letting these guys get out of this. Peaking around the corner, you can see Sergei and Team A forming up in front of the Red Rooster.

There was also the issue of civilians. Far as you could tell, the main section of the bar didn't seem particularly shady. Even from here you could hear the noises of men drinking. You just hoped nobody tried anything stupid. If the rebels surrendered it would go much more smoothly.

"So...", one of the soldiers asks, "How exactly did you get down there and back up? Did they not suspect anything?"

You shrug.

"I said I was new. And I made up some gibberish information", you answer. The other soldier lets out a soft snort.

"And they fucking bought that?", he asks, amused.

You nod. The smoothness with which the impromptu infiltration had gone still was kind of swirling in your mind. Top tier job if you do say so yourself.

"Well--"

'CRASH!'
"EVERYONE DOWN! SHOW ME YOUR HANDS! YOUR HANDS!"

Peaking through a crack in the wall, you see the soldiers go storming into the place, with the bartender protesting vehemently....right before a soldier lays into him with the butt of his rifle.

Right.
"HEY WATC--
'Bang! Bang! Bang!'
'Bangbangbang!'

Now the only sounds are gunfire and screaming. Well, ok then.

"Shit!", one of your men snaps. "That's gunfire! Someone is shooting! Shit!"

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>4910471
'Bangbangbang!'

(Barfight noises)

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361 KB JPG

>>4910472
(Rumbling metal noises)

"Psssst! Boss!", someone mutters, pulling on your sleeve. The gunfire is still ongoing, coming in bursts and yells. You turn to the soldier.

"I think someone's coming up the ladder!", the soldier says. Indeed, you think you can make out faint sounds coming from the bottom of the entry point.

"What do we do?"

Well, you pretty much had three options. That's the way you see it. You could just stand near the cellar and arrest whoever it is that comes out. If you wanted to guarantee a bigger bag tho, you might want to wait for them to get out into the alleyway. They'd face a crossfire.

Of course, some of your men had grenades. One if those could do a lot of damage in that tight space....
---
>You want rifles on that exit! First man up is just real unlucky.

>Let them clamber into the alley before arresting them. More the merrier.

>Fire in the hole! Go boom!

>>4910477
>Let them clamber into the alley before arresting them. More the merrier.

prisoners would be nice

>thats all for tonight folks! Stay excellent and get those votes in!

>>4910477
>Let them clamber into the alley before arresting them. More the merrier.

>>4910477
>Let them clamber into the alley before arresting them. More the merrier.
Once they are out close the trap.
Stay Excellent!

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Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>4910492
>>4910551
>>4910627
>Let them clamber into the alley before arresting them. More the merrier.

"Let them come up!", you say. "We want them alive if possible!"

In position, your men wait for the enemy to come. Inside the Rooster, gunfire is ongoing, and it seems like its a fierce fight indeed. But you keep your focus on your own area of interest.

Then, the garbage pile begins to move. With little subtlety, the creaking platform that holds it up shifts to the left. You raise your pistol in anticipation...

'Creeeeek!'

Your men, good to your command, do not immediately open fire, even as a handful of shadows climb out from the exit. From here, you can make out a bit of speech.

"--it! We need --act the others!"

"Move it!!", another one growls.

With a nod to your men, you shift Osorio from behind the stack of barrels you were hiding behind, gun raised before you.

"HALT!", you say, trying to put some command into your voice. "Surrender! We have you surrounded!"
---
>1d20!

>>4910958
*shift yourself

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>4910958
Shit myself.

Ok well thankfully that wasn't a d20 so no auto fail. Do need rolls tho.

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>4911060
>>4911109
My bad.

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>4910958
No, I shit myself!

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>4910958

File: d709ba0e7b096930c9a91fb4e(...).jpg (12 KB, 298x300)

12 KB JPG

Rolled 4 (1d20)

File: download (18).jpg (5 KB, 275x183)

5 KB JPG

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>4911060
>>4911155
>>4911168
>>4911195
>>4911208
>17 success!

"STOP WHERE YOU ARE!", you shout again. You hear the clanging of a trash can being knocked over and frantic shouts from within the alley. You assume its them scrambling for cover in panic.

"Drop your weapons!", you order. You didn't want to have to blast these guys. But you had your orders...

"Come out you damn rebels!", one of your men shouts. A few more seconds pass, before...

"We yield! Don't shoot! We give up!", someone shouts. You see a shadow stand up with his hands raised. Some curses come from behind him, but soon enough, you have all five of the rebels surrendered. Nodding, you send men in to arrest them.

"You made a good choice", you remark, as you stride into the alleyway. As you approach, you notice that one of them is the ladder guard that you and Sergei came across earlier. He takes a few seconds of squinting at you before growling in visible frustration.

"Fuck", he says. " 'Secret info' my ass. You're on the wrong side kid! Konerland has your people in ch--gahh!

With a loud 'thump!', one of the soldiers drives a boot firmly into the side of head, knocking him out. The rebels slumps onto the ground. You draw up in consternation.

"Hey, he surrendered!"

The man shrugs.

"He ain't dead. Not like we didn't almost shoot him anyways. What do you want us to do with the rest of 'em?"

You sigh, pinching your nose.

"Keep them intact. Pappen will probably want to question them about this place.."

'Bangbangbang!'

You hear the sound of battle now under the Rooster as well. It seems like the chaos is ongoing. Hmm...
---
>Time to finish this. Take some men into the secret entrance. You'll flank the enemy!

>Just stay in place.

>Go in the front? A new wave could help.

>write in

>>4911257
>Just stay in place.

>>4911257
>Time to finish this. Take some men into the secret entrance. You'll flank the enemy!
>Some men stay behind and guard the prisoners.
>Shit ourselves (sorry but this is gonna become a meme for a while).

Anyone want to tie break?

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>4911367
!!!

File: 90332d6483bff6c970e84fdad(...).jpg (128 KB, 764x1045)

128 KB JPG

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>4911417
>>4911298
>>4911261
>Time to finish this. Take some men into the secret entrance. You'll flank the enemy!
>Some men stay behind and guard the prisoners.
>Shit ourselves (sorry but this is gonna become a meme for a while).

There is no time to lose! If you act now, maybe you can crush the enemy from where they least expect it. You turn to your men and gesture towards the entry.

"Three on me! The rest, stay here and guard the prisoners. Don't shoot them unless you actually have to, please", you remark, before sliding onto the ladder.

"We will resist the temptation."

With that, you start to scramble down the ladder. Behind you, the three troopers you are bringing along follow. As you descend, the sounds of the battle above start to dim away. However, it is clear that you won't be alone down here.

'Bang! Bang!'

You reach the bottom of the ladder, scanning the first chamber. As last time, the room is empty apart from a little bit of bare furniture. However, you can hear the battle ongoing behind the door leading to the operation room. Or at least, yelling and gunshots. You frown at that. These guys were putting up a lot better fight than you assumed they would.

"Alright boss", one of the soldiers says. "What now?"

You nod towards the door.

"On me. We might be in for a firefight."

"It's what we're paid for."

Making your way over to the door, you notice that it is slightly ajar. Peaking through the crack, you see that the operations room has been absolutely trashed. Here and there the furniture has been overturned. You also notice that most of the radio gear has been destroyed with either an axe or hammer.

Curious.

'Bangbang!'

"Hold them off! Keep shooting! Here!"

Before your eyes, two rebels armed with pistols come storming down the steps that you assume lead to the upper floor. They hunch behind a table thrown across the other side tunnel you noticed before, and seem intent on making a stand.

'Bang! Bang!'

You grip your pistol tight.
---
>Surrender! You're outnumbered!

>You have them caught out! Open fire!

>Charge them before they spot you! Settle this in melee!

>>4911481
>You have them caught out! Open fire!

>>4911486
>You have them caught out! Open fire!

This is your chance! You have them caught out. You gesture at the other other soldiers and count down.

"3...2...1.."

"NOW", you shout, throwing open the door and raising your pistol. Your men emulate you, rifles raised. This is it!

"Huh!??!"
---
>1d10!

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>4911541

2 mor?

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>4911541

Right. I'll give it a few minutes then roll the third myself!

On a side note, the captcha continues to confound me!

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>4911695
!!!

>>4911695
>On a side note, the captcha continues to confound me!

Are you a robot?

Because nobody knows WTF is with captcha.

File: 1german1914-875x1000.jpg (92 KB, 875x1000)

92 KB JPG

Rolled 1, 8, 10, 10, 2, 1, 4, 7, 7 = 50 (9d10)

'Bangbangbang!'

File: MeroviaFlag.png (9 KB, 500x300)

9 KB PNG

Rolled 3, 2, 4, 4, 9, 10 = 32 (6d10)

>>4911707

File: pistol-shooting-gun-germa(...).jpg (6 KB, 260x280)

6 KB JPG

>>4911552
>>4911644
>>4911700
>2 success!
>Enemy Troopers both killed!
>One friendly down!

You take aim at one of the rebels, and squeeze the trigger on your pistol. It rungs out with a sharp staccato bark. Beside you, the guns of your men open up as well.

'Bang! Bang!'

'Bangbangbang!

The exchange is quick but deadly. Within seconds the hail of close range gunfire is resolved. Your shot catches one rebel in the ribs, just before a rifle bullet knocks him to the ground. However, one of your own men drops before the second enemy collapses under fire.

"Gah! He got me!", the soldier growls, slumping against the wall. Bringing a hand to his stomach, it comes back red. It looks like he got hit bad.

"Clear! Clear!", you hear someone shout from the top of the stairs. A series of loud footsteps comes ringing out as several friendlies pour down the stairway. None look in particularly good shape. Seeing you, one of them nods.

"Nice work! That was the last of em. Bastards put up one hell of a struggle, ill give them that. The rest ran down here...."

He glances over at the destroyed equipment and frowns. Another man, presumably a medic, rushed over to your wounded trooper with some first aid. You honestly think the man needs a hospital but far be it from you.

"You catch any?"

"Five..." you say, glancing over the dead rebels behind the table. They'd never stood a chance. You linger for about a second before pushing aside the bit of nausea. Don't stare, Stanislaw.

"First time?", the other man asks.

"Killing?", you sigh. "Hardly. It's never been up close though. It's different."

"Well, you get used to it. In any case, do you have any idea where this other tunnel leads?", he asks, jabbing a finger down the gloomy sidepassage.

"Truth be told? No.", you say. "Me and Sergei didn't stay that long. Just enough to fake out a cover story. Speaking of.."

"Ah, the noble. Well, he was handy enough with that pistol. About the only thing that went right up there. Thanks for the trade. Honestly", He says.

Well that didn't sound good.

"Was it that bad?", you ask. "How many did we lose?"

The man thinks for a second, then shrugs.

"Uh..counting the 'Hat...nine? Maybe ten? A few civs too. Dunno if they were in on this, but crossfire is a bitch.", the man replies. Damn, what a bloodbath.

"So...are you in charge now?", you ask. After a second of thought, the man smiles. Not happy like, but resigned.

"Guess so. Well, other than you....", he veers off, glancing down the tunnel. You have no idea where that leads. "In any case, should we pursue? I'm sure the city knows something is up now. We shouldn't be alone for long."
---
>Push down the side tunnel. They shall not escape! Forward!

>Enough dying today. You'll hold down the fort.

>write in

>>4911731
>Push down the side tunnel. They shall not escape! Forward!

>im gonna turn in folks. Tired. See you guys in the morning and stay excellent!

>>4911731
>Push down the side tunnel. They shall not escape! Forward!
>Be prepared for traps they can blow it anytime.

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>4911736
>>4911911
>Push down the side tunnel. They shall not escape! Forward!
>Be prepared for traps they can blow it anytime.

I see somebody is wary!
---
Well, you've come this far. No real way you can stop now that you've got them on the run. You signal the men.

"Let's keep going!", you order. "We need to see where this tunnel leads. Hopefully we can catch up with the rebels. But be wary of traps! They could blow this if they have the right explosives."

The men nod and form up in file. A few attach bayonets to their rifles, while others seem to prefer pistols. In such short range, maybe they had a point.

Taking point, you raise your pistol and head into the gloom. Brisk but cautious. Swift but sure. You just hope you aren't too late...

The tramping of boots rings out behind you as the men follow. It's kind of hard to be aware of your surroundings though...
----
>1d10!

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>4912323

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>4912323
Always be beware. Never rush in.

>>4912356
*Always be wary.

1 more?

Rolled 1 (1d10)

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>>4912355
>>4912356
>>4912480
>1 autosuccess!
>Sorry for delay, was in a film.

As you move on, you notice that the tunnel seems to be far larger than you had initially estimated. Longer, at least. In the gloom, you have to pay very close attention....

Something catches your eye. Something quite out of place, here in the dark. A string? Extending across the path...a chill goes down your spine.

"Wait!", you say sharply. Your fist rockets up in a signal, and the men halt. One of them peaks over your shoulder, glancing about the tunnel.

"Is it the rebels?", he asks. The trooper behind you seems tense. Not that you blame him. You shake your head.

"Not quite...but they left us a gift...", you mutter, kneeling down. Ever so gently, you run your finger along several closely packed, taught strings. Tracing them to a particularly shadowy corner, you notice a cluster of rigged grenades. Or, well, at least what seemed to be passing for grenades. No doubt had you tripped them, it would have been one hell of a boom. Nasty stuff.

In a deep focus, you slowly slice the connections, a bead of sweat on your forehead. Gently...gently...

"...Is he qualified for this?", someone whispers. Another guy shushes him, as your eyes dart back and forth. The seconds feel long, but you get it done. The strings drop away with no boom.

"Alright", you say, standing up. "We keep going to the end. Come on you guys!"
---
"Do you see anything!", you call up, once your team reaches the other side of the tunnel. It had ended much as the first secret entry had begun: with a rusty ladder. The soldier that climbed the thing calls back down to you.

"Nope! Just some back street. I think the others got away! No sign of them. Whole town seems to be up though."

Well, that was to be expected. This little firefight hadn't exactly been an exercise in subtlety. Far from it.

"Damn...", you mutter. "Well, you suppose that catching who you had was pretty good already. But that Blackhat seems to have eluded you, along with several others. Unfortunate.

"OK. I want some men to keep an eye on this. The others come back with me. But stay wary. I've got to pick up my teammate at the Rooster!"

And, you hope, there would be someone higher up to directly share this with. With a twirl of your finger, you direct the men back. Only one way to go now, you guess.

"Creator, I need a beer", someone says. "You think we'll get free drinks for this?"
--

File: 1617911747588.jpg (25 KB, 350x490)

25 KB JPG

>>4912542
By the time you reach the antechamber below the Rooster again, there are already fresh troops combing the room. Not that there is much left to look over. With all the gear trashed, you honestly weren't sure what there was to salvage.

'Click!'

"Hold it!"

"Hey hey!", you yelp. "We're friendly!"

As you step from the tunnel, hands raised, the startled trooper lowers his rifle with a grunt. He looks you all over.

"Team B?", he asks. When you nod, he jerks a thumb towards the stairway. "Good. There was a 'Hat wanting to see you up there. Looked important to."

Pappen, then. Heading up the stairs, you emerge into ehat had once been the Red Rooster's main room. As of now, though, there was blood everywhere, with the rebel dead left where they lay. They were more than a few. But judging by the state of the place, they'd given about as well as they had got. A pair of soldiers nod as you exit the building, no doubt having been placed on guard.

Outside, things look...tense, to say the least. There is a box of soldiers formed up in the square, clearly intent on keeping anyone curious out. And indeed, a few civilians are chatting with some of the guards. Quite angrily.

"Krol!", you hear someone call out. Emerging from behind a car, Captain Pappen strides up to you, flanked by a pair of stern faced bodyguards. Looking past them, you see Braun and Luigi in fervent discussion with another officer.

In this bad light, Pappen, always a pale man, looks half in the grave himself. Although you reckon the treason of one of his trusted officers didn't exactly do wonders for his temperament right now.

"Sir!", you salute. "We traced the tunnel as far back as they could go, but there weren't any more hostile. They've fled."

He nods.

"Unfortunate but expected. Still we managed to shut this place down. To think, the expression of Konerland identity...a hive for rebels. Brazen."

"Yes sir. It--"

You frown, as a bit of moonlight glints on a rooftop.
---
>1d10!