Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/02/25(Tue)16:23 No. 564317 ID: 7e38be
File 139337421123.png - (19.21KB , 800x800 , 3-034.png )

she moves on the Carthage. wordlessly she pulls the scarf off her neck, then thrusts it back into her hands.

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/02/25(Tue)16:23 No. 564318 ID: 7e38be
File 139337423841.png - (13.37KB , 800x800 , 3-035.png )

for a few seconds she just stares into Jack's eyes, then nods and moves past her.

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/02/25(Tue)16:25 No. 564319 ID: 7e38be
File 139337430887.png - (13.98KB , 800x800 , 3-036.png )

she walks past me, and the Kriil steps in front of me.

"Wilhelm Constant." it speaks in a voice that resembles a massive engine roaring to life.

"yes sir." I answer, "he or she?"

"He." he kneels to get to eye level, "I am Zurakaz in Kriil tongue, though you are free to call me Adam. have you taken an other's life before? not for self defense. have you murdered before?"

"no" I reply.

"have you contemplated it? seriously contemplated? have you ever wanted to?"

"er... no." I reply, becoming increasingly confused.

"as a marine you will be forced to do so. you will have to kill people that have done nothing wrong to you personally."

"but it would be self defense." I counter, "they will try to kill me."

"they say the same, and believe it, too. how can two sides be defensive, Constant? one of you will be the aggressor. how can you be sure that you will be the innocent? how can you be sure you are not aiding and abetting the predator and not the prey?"

"I... wha-"

"I digress. you will be forced to kill people that may or may not have done anything wrong. will you enjoy it? I'm not asking if you want to kill, I'm asking if it will satisfy you when it happens."

>>564319
"I hope not, but if I do, that'll make my job easier."

I have no way of knowing until it happens.

"Won't know till it happens."

With respect, sir, I don't believe that's a question a man can answer in advance.

War crimes lie down that path, and I'd rather not end up in front of a firing squad.

no sir

"Don't see any reason why it would, sir, but I guess I can't know for sure until it happens."

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/02/26(Wed)00:43 No. 564378 ID: 7e38be
File 139340423742.png - (24.01KB , 800x800 , 3-037.png )

I want to say no. I would prefer greatly to believe I wouldn't find any enjoyment in the killing of an other, but I can't. I have never taken the life of an other. how can I be sure I wouldn't derive some sort of primal satisfaction from it?

"I can't be sure." I reply, "I would hope not."

"why would you hope not?"

"I-uh..." I grasp for the words, "shouldn't I?"

"why would you hope to despise your job? ponder that question on your own time. I have a few hypotheticals for you to consider. suppose you and your three squadmates are stranded on a barren world with no food. which of the four would be eaten first? suppose you feel yourself losing your sanity alarmingly quickly, perhaps through poison or disease, do you attempt to weather it and hope you do not lose your grip on reality, possibly slaughtering your allies, or would you choose to end your life? at what point would you decide you can't go back? would it be too late to prevent it? who of your allies would you send to their death to further your goals, if you had to choose?"

I stare at him, dumbfounded. who the hell is this and why is he asking me this morbid shit?

it's a test of... i dunno. perhaps you dumbfounded face is all he wants. he knows you don't know the answers.

>>564378
He is testing your ability to look at a situation objectively, as a leader. Or maybe testing to see if you're a sociopath or something.

First person to be eaten would be the one that requires the most upkeep and/or would nourish the others the longest, OR the one that is least useful in that environment if there's hostile elements. The objective would be to extend the survival of the group the longest from the sacrifice. If the world is so barren that there's no food, that means there are no threats, so you don't need anyone with physical strength. It looks like Jack could be the first choice since she's the biggest. Unless she can go dormant or something to not need food for an extended period? I don't know krill biology. If one of your group could donate a limb without risking their health that would work as a temporary measure- can Krill do that?

Second question... you would attempt to restrain yourself rather than kill yourself. If that's not an option, you should give up your weapons to your team and allow them to decide when you become a threat, because a madman cannot tell when they are "too crazy".

Third question... that's a bad way of phrasing it. Does he mean your personal goals or the goals of the squad? He didn't mention the element of skill, so the correct thing to do is ask for a volunteer for the suicide mission. If nobody comes forward, draw straws. If skill is a factor, then pick whoever will best get the job done without crippling the group's capabilities for the rest of the mission. Actually maybe that last bit is the most important- making sure the squad can continue on without losing fighting shape.

P.S. this guy is a general or something obviously.

ask if you are being tested for leadership ability or sociopathic behavior and if there is a difference.

... If we're stranded on a barren world we're probably not there by choice so they're would probably be some dead bodies around so the dead, if that's not a choice whoever is the most injured.

For the sanity thing it would be best to hold on, if you give up just like that why become a solder? If he's worried about you going nuts and attack your team then just have the others on your team restrain you until you can get treated or pull through.

The point where you can't turn back is when you're backed into a corner.

It's never to late as long as you don't give up, there's always a chance, even a slim one, as long as you don't give up.

And for the last question ... the one most likely to survive.

Geeze, this is why the non-answer was the safer answer. You don't debate morality with superior officers.

>you won't only kill in self defense
He's right. Sometimes it will be because you were ordered to, or because it is the most expedient option, or necessary to complete an objective.

There's a big difference in doing what is necessary and taking pleasure in it, though.

(None of that ^ is meant to be spoken aloud).

>answer
Sir... I'm no philosopher. I can't make every difficult decision I'll ever face in advance. There's no way I can tell you what I'd do in those situations till I faced them. And then all I could do is try to choose what's right. Sir.

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/02/26(Wed)11:21 No. 564454 ID: 7e38be
File 139344250494.png - (17.95KB , 800x800 , 3-038.png )

"I uh... in the first scenario the person with the most nutritional need or nutritional value would be the best option, unless we were perhaps in battle. then one of the dead or wounded would the first to go."

he nods, "so you would be eating your Kriil ally. would that be before or after you use your long range radio to call for help?"

"you never said I had one!" I protest.

"you might or you might not." he replies, "you still decided to eat a thinking, self recognizing being before exploring other options."

"uh... for number two I'd restrain myself or have my squad restrain me and take my weapons away. have them decide when I've gone too far."

"a good choice." he nods again, "assuming your allies would be willing to pull the trigger when it is apparent."

"number three. do you mean my goals specifically or the goals of the squad?"

he remains silent.

"I would... ask for a volunteer or draw straws."

"would you take part in the drawing?"

"yes."

"a selfless sentiment. such suicidal altruism only works once, however."

"sir I'm not a philosopher. I can't be sure what I would do in these situations before hand, I can only try to do what's right when they happen."

"what's right and what is best are entirely separate things."

"sir is this a test of leadership ability or sociopathic behavior?"

"we are just having a conversation, Wilhelm Constant. one last question. we are going to give your squad a new recruit, but fail out an other squadmate. not because they have done poorly, but because we do not have room for them. I will let you choose who."

"is this a hypothetical?" I ask, nervously.

"no."

"who is the recruit?"

"Nero Nazca. I believe you have met. her scores have been spectacular so far. I would assume any squad that snags her will be getting a free ride through training."

"what happens if I choose not to fail a squadmate out?"

"Nero would be booted. being a Nazca she'd be shunned by her family for not being able to become a marine. I can't be sure what happens after that, though. your squadmates I suspect all have reasons that they can't go back as well. at the very least whoever you choose to fail will have a good portion of the next few years of their life ruined."

"I-I..." I stutter, "I can't make a decision like that!"

"you said you couldn't be sure what you would do in a situation like this unless you were put through it, Wilhelm Constant. now you are being put in this situation."

Oh he's a dick.

both Adil and carthage both said they can't go home... I think, I remember something about them saying something like that and jack just seems out of it... and the guys right the suicide tactic only works once.

...The more I think about this the more I start hating this dick.

FUUUUUUUCK, Nero or yourself, the other 3 might have problems but they're still your team and god help the guy who would stab his own team members in the back. I mean we really don't know why you're here so we don't know if you have anything to go back to but being a solder you're going to have to make some hard decision from time to time and if you quite on your first decision you're not really cut out to be a solder.

>>564454
Constant, is there any reason you can't go back? So far you haven't really told anyone why you became a marine, and nothing in what he said excludes you from dropping out.

In this situation, all squad members would need to give their reasons for why they should not be rejected, including you, and then... actually, no. If there's no avoiding it, Nero has to go. If you sent anyone home, the remaining members of the squad would consider it a betrayal. To top it off, you were flirting with Nero earlier and it would look really bad if you brought her in at the expense of someone else. Even if it would maybe be a faster resolution of the conflict between you and Adil if you dropped him, it seems like there are trust issues between him and Carthage, he openly doubts Jack's capabilities as a soldier, and insulted Nero's brain function. ...actually I wonder if instead there should be a vote with secret ballots. I mean, if everyone else agrees to drop Adil, then there wouldn't be any friction between you and the others for the decision, and it would be the best choice in that situation.

Alternatively, why the hell can't we have five members? Who says there isn't enough room? If there's not enough beds, someone can sleep on the floor. If there's not enough rooms, then share a room. I'd rather defy tradition than send someone home on a technicality, and whoever recruited an extra person the base can't handle should be the one being punished, not one of the recruits.

Also,
>I would assume any squad that snags her
This implies that other squads can accept her. I think he's lying to you. All the other scenarios he mentioned had missing information, this one has outright false information. You aren't the only squad that could pick Nero up.

Remember, 'explore other options' first. Wait for someone else to drop out legitimately, see if any other group wants her, hell, >>564462 tell him you'll sleep on the floor rather than let anyone be shafted by a bureaucracy.

... but if that doesn't work, it'll have to be you. You don't have to defend the honor of the constants; it's too late for that. You're not going to graduate with a squad who thinks you're going to shaft them to save your own hide, so tossing anyone else out would just sink the whole ship; and if what Adil says is true about grading, not even a supposed war-savant could save it at that point.

Choose yourself to be kicked then. This is not a choice that should be up to you. In the field you have to make hard decisions. But asking you this before training with little knowledge of the situation? Fuck that guy. If this is a test its a stupid one and if its not your command is incompetent.

On the other hand if he is implying that you get to decide how your squad works this early then tell him you will gladly take a new teammate but refuse to drop anyone. If it really is your choice then you should have authority to make that call.

>>564454
carthage is pretty much useless, but you can't send her back to her ex. ask for time to think about it, talk with your team. carthage isn't even sure she wants to be here, maybe if you can send her somewhere safer it'd be acceptable.

the straws seem like a good option too.

Throw the Kosh doctrine on squad size out and have a squad of five.

...this whole thing has been a test to see if we four can sink or swim together, hasn't it? If I kick anyone to save her, then we've already failed that, and we're all out.

So as much as I'd like to help her, I can't. All I can ask is you not boot her on my account.

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/02/26(Wed)15:53 No. 564493 ID: 7e38be
File 139345882562.png - (22.26KB , 800x800 , 3-039.png )

it has to be me. I can't fail someone else out. I can't live with myself, sending Carthage back to her ex, or Adil home nameless and dishonoured. I can't let Jack go back to Kazzertak, or have Nero disowned. no it has to be me.

"I..." I begin, "I refuse."

"hmm?" he replies.

"I refuse to select someone. why the hell can't we have five members? not enough beds? not enough rooms? I'll sleep on the floor. is it because that Sheesha cunt decided four was a lucky number?"

"this is not a matter of-"

"and why the hell is it me making this decision? is no one in the chain of command competent enough to do it themselves? or, shit, can they count? if they could this situation wouldn't have happened in the first place! instead of turning someone away for a year you're making me kick them out! why? to prove a point or to teach me a lesson? if you want to fail someone out then fail me. I don't want to be apart of this anyway."

Zakaraz stands. "remember what I said about suicidal altruism. you are too quick to nail yourself to a cross. what happens the next time I decide to display my power over your group now that you are gone? you are too worried I think about what is good and evil. there is no such thing in war. there is only the right choice and the wrong choice."

"what was the right choice?"

"I can't tell you that." he replies, "you don't ever know the right choice when you're making it. you only know for certain when it's too late."

"is it not too late?" I ask, "am I not getting failed out?"

"of course not." he says amusedly, "I'd never give that kind of power to a recruit."

"so this was some test? some lesson about command or something?"

"no." he replies as he turns to Aisha, nodding, "this was merely a conversation, Constant."

he weaves out of the formation slowly, like the lumbering behemoth he is, but turns back, "most soldiers will tell you that the thing that they regret the most in their life is killing an enemy. looking into their eyes and knowing that they are ending a life. I have to do the same with those that look up to me for guidance. that is command. every day I have to look into the eyes of a man or woman or child knowing they will be dead before sunset."

Sergeant Xuvangheti slides in front of me, "he insisted on speaking with you personally at formation, and he outranks me. sorry, I didn't expect him to get so cerebral."

>>564493
It was a learning experience.

>>564495
Then why single out Constant?

"am i secretly the chosen one of some cult or something?"

"does this have something to do with my family background or something?"

>>564497
It's possible that there's something in Constant's background before coming here that shows him to have some talent in leadership. That, or the brass here thinks that having the blood of a conman gives you potential to be a good leader.

When you think about it, talent for manipulating others for personal gain can be easily translated into the talent for manipulating others for the benefit of the group.

"Being on the firing line is probably going to be worse, sir. If talking philosophy at me is what it takes to toughen me up for when the genuine action and political bullshit starts, so be it. Perhaps instead I should instead be thanking you both, sir."

Could we stick to 'yes sir, no sir, sir no excuse sir' questions from here on out? It'll help with the whole 'don't be a smartass' thing.

>sorry, I didn't expect him to get so cerebral
It's okay.

Sorry guys. Even when I try to keep my mouth shut...

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/02/26(Wed)22:21 No. 564546 ID: 7e38be
File 139348211591.png - (30.64KB , 800x800 , 3-040.png )

"am I like the chosen one? what was that?"

she shrugs, "Zakaraz is a weirdo. he has a list of recruits he wants to speak with privately, too. it's a big list. somewhere in the ballpark of fifty names. you're the only one he wanted to talk to publicly, though. maybe he wanted to make an example of you."

"who is that guy?"

"Zakaraz is the captain of a ship in the Humanoid Assembled Navy. HAN is basically in charge of all three Humanoid Navy forces, and since the Kosh Navy commands me and HAN commands them, he can pull rank on me. he'll come by every five years or so to scoop up crew members, though this is the first year he's decided to interview people. he normally waits until graduation and just looks through their scores."

"you know I kind of miss the 'yes sir' 'no sir' questions."

she laughs, "I'll bet."

she continues down the rows, and after five minutes or so she moves to the front of the formation.

"I hope you're all getting along so far, kids. we're about to have ourselves a little meet and greet, don't that sound fun?" a soldier hands her a sheet of paper, "I want everyone kitted out in full ops gear. that means armor and a weapon. you'll be issued riot ammunition. it's nonlethal, but shit hurts. then you are gonna be paired up with an other group for the wargames. get your shit and get back. if you're not back here in 15 minutes your group gets to go in naked, got it? dismissed."

there's some murmurs of derision.

"well what the fuck are you waiting for?"

the formation disperses quickly as people walk, jog, run, and sprint to the armory.

"finally." Adil says gleefully, "I've been waiting to shoot someone since day one!"

"it's... it's day two." Jack replies.

alright so we get to do a war game today, alright then.

So our war game loadout was medium armor with both and smg and energy rifle to get use to the pulse driver since we can't use it for the war games right? and a baton incase someone gets close. Also what did everyone decide on last night for they're war game loadout, if I recall corretly jack's just going to use to shotguns and a baton and wearing medium or heavy armor, Adil is just going to use to long rifles and a baton and wearing light armor, and I have no idea what the hell carthage is going to use and I'm guessing light armor. and when did she get her scarf back?

>>564547
She had the scarf the whole time, she was just holding it. Otherwise, I think that's correct.

"I did hold back a smartass response to the icky menu question. 'The field rations we get issued must be really bad if one of the first things you talk to me about is the possibility of cannibalism, sir.' Probably a good thing I didn't say that back there.
"On second thought I could use some shooting and being shot at to clarify after Captain crazypants pulled mindgames like that on me in public. Time for us to put on our gameface, then use the magic of planning and teamwork to kick ass."

There is little reason for anyone to use an SMG; an assault rifle will have much more stopping power and range in a similar size. SMGs are more traditionally used by people in support roles, or those who don't have access to an assault rifle. You are neither, and until you're allowed to play with pulse drivers, an energy weapon or rifle will be your best bet.

If Carthage still isn't sure on a weapon, she should probably get some kind of anti-armor gun, a pair of binoculars, and work as a spotter for Adil, who's designated marksman. Otherwise, it's her job to be a nuisance; set up and lead enemies into traps, draw them out of cover, piss them off enough so they make bad decisions. Constant, grab something loud and automatic, and maybe one of those shoulder mounted launchers. You and Jack swap between suppression and striker(Unless jack is having second thoughts about her choice of weapons.)

I agree with focusing on the energy weapon in practice, but we don't really need a launcher, and the SMG was to cover 'loud automatic weapon'. More bullets than an assault rifle, less weight than an LMG, good for mobility and suppression.

Waaaait a second. Zakaraz was wearing a red cape. Nero dreamed that Constant was wearing a red cape, and... yeah. It's the same one.

It actually makes sense if you look at the team- Cathage has her scarf, Adil has his tail feathers, Jack's Carapace...It's just fitting in with the rest of the squad, really.

>>564653
What? No dude, go look at Nero's nightmare in the questdis.

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/03/02(Sun)06:22 No. 564901 ID: 7e38be
File 139377016960.png - (15.12KB , 800x800 , 3-041.png )

yep Adil and Jack seem to know exactly what they want. when we make it to the armory both of them make a bee line to their weapons and armor. I lag behind for a moment. Carthage lags behind with me but after a moment she says "do you mind if I just take a gun for now and decide for sure later?"

"yeah." I reply, "that's fine. what do you think you'll want?"

"I'm gonna get a couple of pistols and some grenades."

"that's pretty ballsy."

she grins, "the Crux with no name."

"what'll you be wearing?"

"light." she replies, "I want to keep my figure, you know."

I nod as she trots down to the weapons and armors. I wonder what's up with her? she seems... happy? have I seen her happy before? is it weird that I don't remember? there were some moments when we were playing Arkanix, but for the most part it seems like she slides between morose and depressed.

after some debate I decide to continue with my original plan. I head to the solid projectile weapons and pull down a boxy looking SMG, then I find an energy rifle that I fancy and some light fatigues.

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/03/02(Sun)06:23 No. 564902 ID: 7e38be
File 139377022853.png - (42.93KB , 800x800 , 3-042.png )

I suit up and return to the field with Adil Carthage and Jack. the Sergeant waves us over.

"you lot look almost intimidating." she laughs, "you ready to play?"

"I think shooting and getting shot at will be a welcome change."

"glad to hear it." she looks at the list in her hand, "here we go. Marco, Francesca, Sid, and Gilgamesh. any of you know each other?"

we shake our heads.

"they scored similarly to your group in the weapon drills earlier today, so it's a perfect fit. come on let's go meet them."

the Sargent leads us to an other group. two Kriil and two Umans. I assume the Uman girl with all the face metal is Francesca, but the others I can't be sure.

"hi." I begin "we-"

"sup buddy?" the girl steps up, I smell an odd combination of perfume and machine oil, "I hope you don't mind. I'm gonna be aiming right here."

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/03/02(Sun)06:24 No. 564903 ID: 7e38be
File 139377026189.png - (38.55KB , 800x800 , 3-043.png )

she lightly pokes me in the forehead.

"tough talk." I grin, "hope you don't mind. I'm gonna be aiming a little lower."

"I don't know if you have a high enough caliber, babe."

"how about we find out?"

Adil smacks the back of my head as he steps forward.

"Adil Gua'mualim." he says bowing, "and the is Wilhelm Constant, Carthage, and Jack."

"Thumper." the Girl says presenting herself, "Sid is the brown guy with the rifle and the swank jacket. the cutie with the LMG is Gilgamesh, and-"

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/03/02(Sun)06:25 No. 564904 ID: 7e38be
File 139377030061.png - (18.73KB , 800x800 , 3-044.png )

"Constant?" the Kriil who I assume to be Marco approaches me, "you are... Constant?"

"I-"

"eyes of the Harvest moon. you must be." the Kriil examines me closely, chittering lowly to itself, "I am Marco. Adherent to queen Kurakuza of Uman planet zt556. you and your ilk have caused Mother much grief."

oh fuck he's from zt556. oh fuck he is a kriil from zt556.

"Kurakaza?" I smile nervously, "h-how is she doing?"

"I am going to make you hurt, Constant." he says lowly. almost inaudibly. certainly not loud enough for anyone else to pick up.

>>564904
Whelp. It seems like you are already a good job of drawing enemy fire to yourself. Best to use that to your advantage when combat starts.

I would try to have you say something witty about doing the same to him, but considering your expression I think you should just focus on not pissing your pants til he backs off. Let's try to finish up the banter, (may the best *man* win and all that) then get to the strategy planning with your team.

>oh fuck he is a kriil from zt556
So... how exactly did the Constants fuck over the krill from that planet?

Only real response I can think to that is: "There's a reason I left."

*sigh* What did you/your family (allegedly) do?

I'm assuming those coats are made of some super-sturdy space-age material and not just a few metal plates protecting your midsection, right?

"If it helps, I've about the same opinion of the family business as you do. It's why I'm here."

shrug and move on, nothing we say or do will change this guy's mind

also the fuck did your family do to his?

>>564904
Sorry for bugging you.
>>564910
This.

>>564904
Now hang on, it's not to our advantage to calm him down. If he's focused on Constant during training then that will hamper his ability to work with his squad.

Provoke him.

Provoke him, alright.

"Ha, this is turning into schoolyard trash talk before the dodgeball game. I guess gradeschool never really ended for you and your mommy-complex. I believe my next line in the pissing contest script would be, 'I fucked your mom,' but let's not be unnecessarily rude here. No, I'll try going the classy route this time and wish you luck, like so, 'Good luck, I'm sure that even though mommy won't be holding your hand with that hive separation drug you had to take you'll still be able to hit something. I believe in you!'"

>>564994
>>564981
Let's not provoke the guy who can break us in half effortlessly with his bare hands.

>>564994
Provoking him is good, but that might be too far - we don't want him to flip out completely.

Try giving him the biggest smile you can, and wishing him luck. Go for a subtle jab rather than just spitting at him.

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/03/04(Tue)05:25 No. 565165 ID: 7e38be
File 139393953193.png - (26.54KB , 800x800 , 3-045.png )

did I mention my dad was a huge dirtbag? he sold Kurakaza bulk amounts of low cost high nutrient food when she was still starting out as a Queen and needed a way to nurse her fledgling brood. Dad, being the dirtbag he was, cut the nutrient rich food with corn syrup to cut costs. it turns out that Kriil can't digest corn starch and so a lot of Kurakaza's first brood died of impactions and internal damage. she planned to have my Dad executed in the classic Kriil style of live flaying, but he had the good sense to die after that scam, so since she never got her vengeance, Kurakaza is still pretty angry at the Constant clan.

the coat is a modern Uman design. it weighs only slightly more than heavy canvas or leather but it has some sort of armored substance in the stitching, and some metal plating that redistributes force to lessen damage to my bones and organs. I should be protected from glancing shots of most calibers, but I doubt it could withstand a direct hit from a rifle or LMG.

"don't get a tummy ache over it." I whisper, grinning, "good luck in the field, by the way; though I suppose your chance of survival has only increased since you are cut off from your idiot mother and her inability to determine poison from food."

"you are trying to anger me." Marco states silently, "I am not angry Constant. anger is an impurity. my hatred for you and your ilk is perfect, undiluted, and all encompassing."

"do you two know each other?" Thumper asks.

Marco backs away, "no. I have heard of the Constants, however. they are renowned conmen, thieves, and murderers. I would be wary of this one. one to which the rules of this game are malleable."

"a bad boy, huh?" Thumper smirks, "are you scared of this guy, Marco?"

"I do not fear him. I am wary."

"sounds like fear." she taunts.

>>565165
"Well, it's not respect but I'll take what I can get."

alright we got him on focused on us but lets not push to much, we want him distracted not bashing your skull in because you crossed his breaking point.

"So are we gonna talk trash all day or do we get to do some actual training soon?"

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/03/06(Thu)09:38 No. 565404 ID: 7e38be
File 139412751684.png - (29.10KB , 800x800 , 3-046.png )

"can we get this started?" I ask.

"I've been waiting on you." the Sergeant once again sneaks up on me, "you understand the rules of engagement?"

"I uh-"

"rhetorical question Constant. keep up. the objective is to take out all four members of the enemy team before they can take out all four of you. you are counted as 'out' if you are hit in the torso or head. if the shot hits a limb or plating then you're ok. in a minute I'm going to flip a coin and one of you is going to call it. whoever wins the flip gets to set up first. the loser sets up second, then the game begins. for the purposes of this game the teams would both be advised to select a single leader each, but it's not mandatory. trust me when I say you want only one guy giving orders. any questions?"

How does unarmed combat work for scoring?

shoot them before they shoot you and try not to get shot yourself, sounds simple enough.

so who in your group is going to give orders? I feel that if no one in your group wants to be team leader then volunteer yourself, if someone speaks up and say they want to lead then let them. I mean it toke us what, half a freaking day to just pick what guns we wanted don't think we have that long before the match starts so might as well just get it over with quickly and without complaint.

Yeah, ask if there are any rules aside from that. Any way to get disqualified?

Does the dick or other reproductive organ count as the torso?

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/03/09(Sun)06:35 No. 565708 ID: 7e38be
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"how do melee strikes count?"

"same as the guns. you get hit you're out. you can of course yield at any time. you'll be out, of course."

"any other rules? any other way to get disqualified?"

"if you intentionally injure someone, your whole team is out, and there might be grounds for expulsion as well, unless you're defending yourself. if you get hit and keep on trucking we call that a Rhino. you don't want to be a Rhino. trust me."

I turn to my team, "who wants to-"

"not it." Carthage interrupts me, "you or Adil should do it."

"I agree." Jack nods.

"alright." I reply, "what do you think, Adil?"

he shrugs, "I'm gonna be off on my own a lot with my rifle. giving orders might be an issue. once we get some TacCom I might be more enthusiastic about it but for now it'd not make a whole lot of strategic sense for me to be giving verbal commands from halfway across the field of operations."

TacCom from what I've heard is similar to many long range communication systems used by the military, except it's a two part implant. one part is implanted into the eyes and ears and the other is a swarm of nanomachines injected directly into the bloodstream. the end result is being able to see and hear from anyone's eyes and ears, as long as you're set to the same frequency. one can also transmit commands through some certainly complex system. of course this is all assumption, as I've never used TacCom. from what I understand it's required for Kosh marines to get it implanted.

"alright I'll be leader for this match."

"is everyone ready?" Aisha pulls a coin from her pocket, "I flip the coin, and you call it in the air, ok?"

she flicks the coin, and it nears the apex of its flight.

and yes I've already decided which side it lands on.

tails

Tails- no whammies.

>>565708
HER EYES ARE ON THE COIN!
QUICK! GRAB HER BOOB!

>>565752
how bout we don't do the thing that could get us disqualified before the match even starts, besides if you really want to get in here pants that type of thing takes time or alcohol.

Tails.

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/03/25(Tue)09:18 No. 567661 ID: 7e38be
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Aisha catches the coin and reveals it.

"tails. Constant wins. do you want to set up first or second?"

First, hubba hubba. Second, first.

Hrrrm.
First has us as defenders, Second, attackers...
I'm thinking we should go First.
I dunno about Carthage, but Jack seems to be short ranged-I don't have a good idea on how she's going to get close if she's going to need to dodge around Gilgamesh's LMG or Sid & Thumper there...
That said, we still have Adil and Carthage...
I wanna try something crazy.
Second. Let them set up, and then let's set up the plan as follows-
Jack and Carthage if she thinks she's fast enough, goes in first, draws their fire. Meanwhile, Adil sets himself up for long range sniping wherever we decide to attack from, while Constant slips behind and flanks them, alongside either Jack or Carthage, whoever doesn't play the decoy... I'm thinking... At about 1 minute of delay for Adil to start his thing, 2-3 for Constant&his partner, but maybe like ten to fifteen minutes wait, then the plan starts. Let their nerves stew while they wait and wonder what happened.

let's deploy first so Adil can get a good sniping spot and you all of you can try and set up a kill zone. Since Adil doesn't really have an effective way to talk to us other then yelling which would get him spotted pretty quick just have him shoot the other team whenever he sees them. If he can pin them down You, Jack, and Carthage could surround them and we can take them out like that.

Also can we have a quick view on what everyone has for there war gear on our team so we don't make any mistakes like asking someone to throw a grenade when they never even had one in the first place.

Do you have any idea what the terrain we're deploying to looks like? In all likelihood we should deploy first, but there may be exceptions.

can we see the training grounds first, also first. And how long do we have to deploy before the other team comes in?

"I always get tail."

I'd imagine the way things are balanced is the first person gets good pick of terrain and pieces, second gets to see how everything is set up and respond.

I get the feeling our team is more mentally flexible and not as easily inclined towards taking orders or being organized.

Let them set up first.

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/03/27(Thu)00:13 No. 567776 ID: 7e38be
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I want to say I will set up first but I decide to get some more information before I make the decision.

"how long will we have to set up?"

Aisha shrugs, "like... ten minutes maybe. there's no hard time limit, just don't drag your feet. I have a lot of games to do today."

"and what is the field of operations?"

she gestures to the dilapidated concrete building, "about a kilometer around that house right there."

I look around, getting an idea of the general area. the concrete building has 1 floor with 4 walls and a few blasted open doorways and windows, and a second floor which seems to have only 2 walls, which both appear to be crumbling. about 100 feet away is a brick "building"; really only 3 disintegrating walls. a few meters out from the brick building is a splintered rotting wood plank fence which surrounds it from 3 sides. out from the concrete building maybe 20 feet are two chest high stone walls which seem eerily well kept. I can see in the distance a wooden structure which also seems less than a thousand years old; it appears to have 2 floors, and it has multiple doorways and windows. in the middle of the three structures is a clearing, bare of grass, and there are clear dirt paths to each building. once one strays away from the paths, the grass gets very thick; about 3 feet high. the whole field seems to be similar elevation so no high ground except for the second floors of the buildings it seems.

I also take a second to look at not only the equipment of my squad but the visible equipment of the enemy team.

Constant is wearing Light armor and holding 1 SMG and 1 Energy Rifle. Adil is wearing Medium armor and holding 1 Longbow Rifle and 1 Handbow. Jack is wearing Medium armor and holding 2 Semiautomatic Shotguns. Carthage is wearing Light armor and holding 2 Revolvers 2 Pellet Grenades 2 Flashbang Grenades and 2 Smoke Grenades.

Thumper is wearing apparently no armor and visibly carrying 1 Long Rifle. Sid is wearing Medium armor and visibly carrying 1 Assault Rifle. Gilgamesh is wearing Light armor and visibly carrying 1 LMG. Marco is wearing Heavy armor and is visibly carrying... nothing, it seems.

Suggestion 2014/03/27(Thu)05:33 No. 567783 ID: d7050c
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Ok this is a possible plan. Operation Backstab.

Blues are friendlies and the reds are the enemies.

Adil and Jack huddle in the wooden structure sniping at the enemies and shotgunning anyone who gets close.

Constant and Carthage hide in the tall grass and sneak behind the enemy when they start attacking Adils and Jacks position.

you could put Jack in the concrete building to draw the enemy. Constant and Adil ought to hide and snipe, preferably from the bushes. Adil from afar, Constant closer to the team. once they get in the appropriate position, preferably inside the building, the riflemen lay down the suppressing fire and Carthage uses grenades. hell, maybe she's hiding upstairs. though that seems risky.

basically I'm trying to flush them indoors where grenades will be really effective and running back outdoors won't be an option due to snipers. if anyone's got a better plan, be my guest.

Hrrm. Marco will probably be the first one in, to draw fire-be wary of him using gernades and blowing up crap once he comes close.
Sid's probably going to be following close behind, and possibly going to ensure that Marco will make it into our formation if we go defensive.
Gilgamesh is going the glass cannon route I think- he'll be able to move fast, and presumably once he sets up his gun he'll demolish whatever's in his path.
Thumper...She's going to be a pain I think, sniping and moving about quickly. I figure the best way to deal with her might be to go after her teammates first- if she has no armor she's probably not planning on getting hit, but being a Sniper, she's probably not goint to be easily ignored...

That plan leaves you open to attack from the disintegrating building with the fence. You or Carthage should hide farther to the west, or even in the grass in the south. Booby trap the concrete building so the enemy can't use it, and keep in mind they may try to enter the battlefield from another direction.

alright first thing to do is run all these plans by our team first as we're heading to the field so they can give advice. It seems the enemy is built more for defense then office so I say we should go first. I mean they have a long rifle, and an LMG and both of those need time to be set up for maxim efficiency bit the long rifle is still good for offence and the assault rifle is a good for almost every situation kinda gun so yeah I think we'd stand a better chance if we went first if to do nothing more then make it hard for them to set up.

as for what to do, I think we should put Adil in either the the brick house or the wood house and have him act as sniper picking off anyone who enters his cross hairs. Constant and Jack should take the concrete building with constant on the roof with his energy rifle and open up fire on the enemy as soon has they come into range (watch the fuck out for their sniper). Jack on the other hand will be inside of the building since her close range weapons we be most effective is such close quarters and she'll help keep the other guys from getting to Constant. Carthage should hide in the tall grass between the concrete building and whatever building Adil sets up shop in so she can flank the enemy should they try and engage either us or Adil and to give Adil some quick backup should they ignore us and try to storm Adil's position. And since she has grenades and all and in close quarters of the buildings she could do some pretty good damage on the other team should the bunch up (she should use non lethal grenades [not pellet] in the concrete building so she doesn't take out Jack by accident.)

So the idea with this plan is to have Constant draw there attention with the beam weapon since I think having a laser shot at you would be attention grabbing with Jack acting as body guard and using the tight spaces of the buildings to make the most of her weapon choice. Adil on the other hand will pick off the more pain in the ass/dangerous targets like the enemy sniper and LMG cause I have a felling once they can get set up we're going to be in a bit of a bind, and Carthage will keep us from being a surrounded and to act as backup for whoever needs it most.

>>567810
Seconding this plan.

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/03/29(Sat)17:34 No. 568014 ID: 7e38be
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"we'll set up first." I say, walking out toward the battlefield.

"what do you think?" Adil asks lowly as we gain distance from the other team.

"I have some ideas." I reply, "I'm more interested in your opinion."

"well the three structures are obviously advantagous." he replies, "but insidiously poor strategic locations."

"how so?" I ask.

"notice how the concrete and brick buildings are surrounded on multiple sides by walls? it means you only have one reasonable option when exiting the structure; however, the obvious exits are uncovered and unhidden by tall grass."

"wouldn't that make them easier to hold?" Carthage asks.

"one would think so." he replies, "but the walls are filled with very large holes, making them inadequate cover, and the tall grass is close enough that a shooter can remain hidden in it while still being able to maintain a bead. given this information the wooden structure seems more advantagious since its main entrance is on its far side and because it is far removed from the oher two, but it still has a lot of holes in its walls, meaning that one taking cover inside of it may be hit from an unseen angle."

he thinks for a second, then shakes his head, "but all of that is pissing in the wind. you need to be the one commanding, not me."

"true," I agree, "but I'd like input. speaking of which do jack or Carthage have any input?"

"I don't know." Carthage shrugs, "I'm not good at coming up with plans. I guess just place me somewhere I can stay low. I bet I can keep under the top of the grass."

I nod, "how about you, Jack?"

"can't think of anything." she mutters, sounding nearly comatose.

"are you feeling alright?" I ask.

she shrugs, "feel kind of... empty... side effect of drug, not a symptom of cutoff. won't bug out."

What if we barricaded the entrances to the second floor of the wooden building? They could get grenades in the windows if they got close enough, but we'd have the high ground, adequate cover, and numerous angles at which to defend against advances. That's assuming there's anything to barricade with, of course. If not, then we'd need Jack and Carthage watching the second floor entrances while Adil and Constant are on sharpshooter duty with their long-range weapons.

Put a sniper in the highest point and have everyone else guard the entrances to the building while in the high grass. Your sniper can provide over watch and take out anyone that pops up. Once they notice the sniper and go for them they will have to leave cover.

kinda figured the bases would be hard to hold just because they're all so open and no real way to barricade yourselves in unless they have some junk laying around but that could take way to much time and the other team could be on us before we're ready and have something set up.

Ok I'm going to adjust my other plan slightly but still the same as before, Constant and jack hide in either the concrete building OR the wooden one with Constant firing his beam rifle to bait the enemy and jack using the building's compacted spaces to make the most of her shotguns but we have Adil hiding in the grass (northern grass area for the wood building either of the side grass areas for the concrete building) with Carthage hiding in a grass patch near where Jack and Constant set up.

The plan is more or less the same, Constant draws them in with beam fire and Jack takes them out once they get close. The difference this time is Adil will wait in the grass until we draw them in and then start firing at will (if we're lucky we can pin them in a building and have Carthage take them out with her grenades) With Carthage taking out anyone from the other team that wonders a bit to far from the group and to give us smoke cover should Jack and Constant need to make a quick getaway from whatever building there in and make it to the cover of grass.

Best case scenario is that we can pin them in a building and finish them off with grenades but more then likely they're going to run into the grass and try to surround the house Constant is firing from. If so Carthage will guard one side of the building and Adil will guard another with jack left to deal with anyone who can make it inside.

Speaking of Jack, we should probably talk to her after this fight just to make sure she's doing fine. I have no idea what the side effects of the drug are or from being cut off from the hive mind but it looks like it's playing hell on her. Just saying we should keep an eye on her is all. I would say now but we don't really have the time.

>>568035
Now is the best time. You guys-all of you-are forgetting something.

This is a training exercise. You aren't trying to kill each other. No murder is being done. This is the best time to stress-test your allies and see where they might flinch or fail and plan accordingly in the future.

>>568037
how is playing therapist when we're suppose to be setting up for the war game a good time? I'm just saying we only have about 10 minutes to get into position before the other team comes down and we still have to actually decide on a plan. Besides we really don't even know what is wrong with Jack other then it has something to do with being cut off from her hive-mind. It won't be something we can fix in a few minutes and defiantly not something we should try to do before a training exercise. I'm not saying we should blow her off but there is a time and place for everything and right as we're trying to set up for our first leadership role for our team who is more or less depending on us to lead them into battle. So no is not the time. Plus it would probably just add unneeded distractions on everyone and make it more likely for us to screw up. Something to say now would be like "if you want to talk about it we're here if you need us." But not a full psychiatric evaluation when we're about to get into a fight. I know this is just a practice thing but we're still getting graded on this and if we mess up to bad we can get kicked out of the kosh marines.

>>568041
I think you misunderstand our colleague's intimation, my friend. Maybe now isn't the best time to psych-evaluate ur teammates, particularly Jack, but it is the perfect time to test them. Whether or not we win this game, it is the perfect chance to acquire data on on our colleagues. It's a bit of a verse con, really, because though we are casing rubes, its to prevent them from being fleeced, rather than us doing the fleecing.
It's practically high-school engineering. Stress test a structure to see where it holds up, where its load-bearing points are, see how much weight you can dump on it before it crumbles.

Um, the problem is that this isn't a training exercise where we can afford to just fart around or take risks. This is a test, and one that will determine our team's future. In short, forget those stupid ideas of 'testing' our teammates, because that's exactly what the trainers will be doing. It's their job!

I'd rather concentrate on actually winning this match.

>>568035
This plan seems alright unless someone brings up a good objection.

Okey, Adil and Jack stay in the wooden structure, but there is no reason Constant or Carthage should cross the clearing. There's zero cover or concealment. Both or one of you should move to the southeastern grass to take out any snipers or MG nests in the two buildings; THEN flank whoever's attacking the Adil and jack.

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/04/04(Fri)12:38 No. 569191 ID: 7e38be
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we stack up in the wooden building. I take a look at the interior. the first floor seems furnished like a cozy cabin with a table and chairs in one corner and a dresser placed near one of the windows. the stairs are suitably creaky, leading up to a much more sparsely decorated seconds floor. the first floor has a single door on one wall and a single window on each wall. the second floor has a single door on each wall, and a balcony circling the singular room.

"this one looks the most defensible." I say, poking around, "can we move that dresser?"

Adil tests it, and it gives slightly. he nods.

"alright. the plan is for Jack and I to bunker down in the cabin. the two in the cabin will be suppressing and generally being nuisances. the other two will be waiting in the grass on either side of the cabin. when the enemy approaches they will move to flank."

Sports Drink with Electrolytes 2014/04/04(Fri)12:39 No. 569192 ID: 7e38be
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"sounds good." Adil says, unpacking his rifle, "Carthage and I will get into position."

the two pile out of the Cabin and take hidden positions in the grass.

"hey Jack how quickly could you push that dresser to block a window?" I ask.

"a couple of seconds." she shrugs, "short enough time that I could maybe do it during a firefight. wouldn't test it, though."

"we might have to. for now just block the front facing window."

she noncommittally nudges the dresser and it skids to a halt in front of the front most window. just as she does, I hear a fizzling shriek. I peek out the cabin and see the fluorescent trail of a flare. I suppose the game is afoot.

ok they'll likely be coming from the southwest if they're setting up where you did but that's not a guaranteed. Just bunker up in a second story window facing west and look out but make sure you don't show to much of yourself as they do have a sniper with them. If you see them take your beam rifle and open fire on them. Do try and hit but your more just trying to draw them towards you then anything else. Oh and don't be afraid to move to a different room and get into a new position if one window becomes to hot. Again we're just trying to draw them in not drown them in fire so we can let up if it gets to hot.

The thing I worried about most (other then the sniper) is that the guy with the lmg is going to set up in the concrete building and point his gun at this one which will make things a pain unless Adil can get a shot on him.

also we now can't direct Adil or Carthage because they're hiding right, but what about Jack?

>>569192
Let's quickly check the second floor. Might be a good spot to set up.

okay just wait for now.