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Post by Taffer on Mar 15, 2015 10:43:35 GMT
As the reinforcement represented by Volodja arrived, Taffer gained some leeway to jump back to the console, only to see it destroyed by a random grenade explosion. "Appreciate that, hothead. Chief! How are you doing? Is everything done?" he heard Vololdja's voice. "Not yet. Have to find another entry point", he answered shortly, scanning the environment for another console. "Just warn me when you change position so I can follow and keep you protected. That lets you to concentrate on our main goal". Taffer seized the moment when there were no enemies on the line of sight and signaled Volodja to move. He had to cover his nose with his scarf a makeshift mask in order to not cough when Volodja created his improvised smoke screen, but noted that it was effective in hiding their movement. They found a new console and now with Raizar as a major distraction and Volodja as his bodyguard he could concentrate on finishing his task. Uploading the arcade game was easy, but setting up the gambling machine had to take some time. It was a piece of art Taffer was proud of. It was connecting to a dozen of anonymous scrip chips to have a prize pool of about a half million scrip. It was sending off small winnings to every new participant to attract them, but gradually decreased the winning rate once they continued to play. Every once in a while it allowed someone to win a jackpot, but never larger than a sum that was already collected of course. It was also programmed to access the scrip chip's previous billing history where possible to determine how much the player could spend before he needed to be stimulated with a next small win. Those who had any transactions with Zaitsev or Stahma Tarr were being sent to a blacklist to never ever win anything except the initial bait win. Once Taffer was satisfied with the setup he cut loose ends and cleaned up the logs to hide the source of the intrusion. "Okay team, as I promised, bad news", Taffer sent to his team and Raizar too, "The bunker entrance from here is protected by the force field. Although our new old friend was so kind to shut off the force field generators, the one protecting the bunker entrance is powered from inside the bunker. It's a newly installed system as they were expecting mutants' attack on the facility. There are other entrances to the bunker, one in the Delores Park, currently occupied by mutants and thus walled off, and one at the Woga Base, where they are installing the same part of the shield right now. As you may guess, we'd better move there ASAP, before they activated it, or we'll end up plowing through hordes of mutants and then trying to break the armored seals they installed to block off the passage. I'm sending you the bunker map".  Taffer signaled to move back to the rope still hanging from the wall, and added while on his way, "Raizar, If you're searching for this bunker too or something inside it, You'd better follow as there's nothing more to see right here and there will be even less to see given the mess we've started outside. Oh, forgot to introduce. Raizar Ihima, my old friend with a habit of appearing when he's most needed, like right now. Just to let you know, each time I came second on the arkfall's leaderboards, this guy came first. And by the way Raizar, have you finally ditched your two SAWs to something more flexible as I see? I told you those won't last for too long and those they make now are much inferior as the spare parts don't age well". |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Mar 15, 2015 10:44:40 GMT
"We also have brains to use our weapons and EGO powers wisely. Having them won't make us demigods. Except few of us and they are like that because of genetics. Our team has a greater cause to be here. We are not after some easy scrip," replied Volodja. "That's why we have to survive. Especially because I dragged rest of them along, so I feel responsible for their lives."
After another shot, he reloaded his gun again and continued: "They are just Dark Matter footsoldiers, but we have way too much of them on our neck right now, so chances of our survival will be reduced by every minute we spend here. All we wanted was less brutal infiltration. Now it's a hell in loose and we still have so much to do, so keep yourself alive. We might need your help afterwards...Raizar. I suggest to get out of here and make that walk in a park, unless somebody wants to know where that portal leads. I got it booby trapped just in case, so be careful around it."
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Post by Atticus Batman on Mar 15, 2015 11:30:43 GMT
As the trio head for Taffer's rope, I fire a shot through a window and over their heads, beheading a sniper that managed to sneak up near them. Then I do another scan of the area then talk to Taffer and Volodja over my open and encrypted comm. "Alright guys, if you are taking bets, The bugs are winning, and the Monarch is still alive and corrosive. Now, your vine is clear and backs are safe. Just try not to make too much noise as you decend. The party has moved on to the other side of the building. But I am sure they will be back if you make enough noise. Now should I shoot that new guy or is he safe for now?"
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Mar 15, 2015 11:41:25 GMT
"You know Giant. I might feel certain temptation of saying: "Shoot!" after he messed up our operation here, but it wouldn't be a very nice thing to do. We don't want to upset our Chief and maybe this guy manages to prove that he is useful for our cause. So I vote for letting him to live, but we must explain him some things from the very beginning of our relationship, to avoid mistakes which were made in case of one particular Fool," answered Volodja. "Poor guy might get scarred for life and I don't see Her Ladyship here, who can vouch for him. Actually, Chief might do it. He knows the guy best. Since you are with us now, Raizar, it's time to introduce myself. My name is Volodja Uljanov. You can call me Volo, if you like. Calling me a Fool is exclusive privilege of the Giant."
After this short and sweet ceremony Volodja turned to Taffer. "I am ready to go, Chief. If Raizar will be joining us, we can inform him on our way." He grabbed the rope and was ready to slide himself down.
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Raizar
Junior Batman Sidekick
Posts: 60 
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Post by Raizar on Mar 15, 2015 13:32:09 GMT
Raizar sighed. "Oh, those SAWs... I loved those ladies so much... their sweet voices, their way to speak with my enemies, you know, this was something special. Alas, they had to retire and they are collecting dust in my stash now. But back to business, is this Soleptor's plan B or what? This fat bastard could at least warn me if he already had a group assigned for this task. Ah, don't waste time, we'll speak about this later."
He grinned. "Well, you've heard my name already. You are pretty talkative as I see. Are you a former teacher? You managed to give a classes even in a middle of the fight. My hat's off to you. Ah shit, I don't have a hat. Anyway, please to meet you and all that, now let's finish our little escape."
Raizar watched as Volodja was climbing down and then grabbed the rope himself and started to slide down.
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Mar 15, 2015 13:46:50 GMT
"We are group of freelancers and work only for ourselves, so you don't have to worry about your employer double crossing you. Seems that our paths just crossed, although our reasons of being here may differ (he did not mentioned Sandy, but he thought about her) I should warn you right away before we reach down, where infamous Harbinger of Death, Mr. Atticus Batman is waiting for us - watch out for the the Batman. He tends to be little...rough to new people, whom he doesn't know. He threw me out from flying ship when we first met, so I would like to avoid that to happen to anybody else. Just be polite with him and he keeps it cool. I'd suggest you to not to call the Giant either. And whatever you do - don't make a move on his girlfriend, Lady Christianna. I might be more easy going on that topic, but as her teacher and a friend, I feel responsible for Her Ladyship, so I can't be on neutral position and will fully support the Giant on that matter. So you weren't mistaken at all - I am a Teach. Among other things, of course," told Volodja, while sliding himself down the rope and stopped his lecture when his feet hit the ground.
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Post by Taffer on Mar 15, 2015 17:18:58 GMT
Taffer waited for his team mates to descend, then he detached the grappling hook from the rope and tied the rope back to the beam without it — he rope was expendable, but the good hook was not. He looked around again, making sure their retreat went unnoticed. Dark Matter had another problem at hand right now as several archers flew to the second floor and started shooting their projectiles in the entrance which was formerly protected by the force field. Then he descended too and joined the team at their starting point. He smiled, seeing Vo and Raizar exchanging a high-five. It was him who introduced his friends to each other when Raizar asked him for help with time trials. The bulky muscular Irathient had real trouble handling the light sport ATV, so he sent him to the best specialist in ATV races he knew — Vo Kshaa. Next time he saw them together, they were shooting fireworks from the lone island southwest of San Fran.
"Good job everyone", he said to his team, "We got the info we needed, we separated their bases, and we got them busy with other enemies. Now to our next part. We're going to the Woga Base and we're going there fast. The plan is really simple. We'll make a minor distraction, sneak right to the bunker entrance and commandeer the force field generator and control room inside, then clean up the base for us to place our trucks there safely. Then we'll go deeper into the bunker and back with the loot. Raizar, so that you know, We're basically going for some equipment, kind of "we'll say it's what we need when we see it". So you can take anything else, whatever Varus had sent you for. If you have any particular info we can use, please share. Anyway, you'd better dig out your vehicle and follow us to the Base. If you got here on foot, which I highly doubt, we have plenty of space in our trucks to give you a ride. Let's roll people, if they activate the force field before we get there, things will become much more complicated".
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Raizar
Junior Batman Sidekick
Posts: 60
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Post by Raizar on Mar 15, 2015 17:53:38 GMT
"So, your group is not Soleptor's plan B? Good. I've started to think this time this liberata tricked himself trying to get things done. Um, well, he wanted me to find some shipment borrowed from him by Dark Matters somehow. He did not give me details about this shipment and I don't get paid for extra curiosity. All I know this shipment is a crate with a tracking device on it and according Varus mysterious 'sources' was moved somewhere to some DM's hiding place. My task here was to use a DM console to find any information about the shipment. I'd get an nice extra payment if I get the shipment back. But now thanks to Taffer any information is lost so fuck with it, I'll just use an opportunity and loot whatever I can find in your darkmatter bunker excluding your loot share of course. Lead the way, I'll follow, my challenger is sitting nearby in its cosy hiding place waiting for me."
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Mar 15, 2015 18:09:10 GMT
"Let us move Gentlemen," said Volodja. "We can discuss any battle plans through our EGO channel on our way. It's a truck race time now. If we succeed completing Chief's plan, we can use that generator to protect ourselves from incoming attacks. Hopefully there won't be any, because it means we have to break through afterwards."
He run to his truck and climbed in. There was no time to lose. If Dark Matter activates their energy shield, there will be only mutant infested entrance at Delores Park for them left to use. That means fighting mutants and Dark Matter in a row. And if they don't breach the wall which separates mutants from rest of the base, their mission will be a failure. There is always that base at island, but it would be even more complicated task. Volodja wanted to make that present to Sandy for one simple reason - to see happiness in her eyes. That meant only thing for him - he must not fail. So he ignited the truck engine and pressed gas pedal to the floor to get there as fast as possible.
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Post by Atticus Batman on Mar 16, 2015 1:32:53 GMT
As soon as everyone is in their vehicles, I jump down from my perch. Jumping from ledge to ledge until I am back on the ground. Then I sling my Calling Bird over my shoulder, pull out my EXL pistol, and just shoot whatever is in my way as I stalk my way over to where my vehicle is hidden. I uncover it and throw the camo tarp inside, then jump in and drive up the hill to Woga base. I park and camoflauge my car, then I cloak and stalk my way to one of their sniper's perches. I climb up and with one fluid motion, I snap the sniper's neck. I then move to the next closest sniper's nest and do so there as well. Next I kneel down and get ready to take out the other snipers, pulling my Calling Bird back out, as I say over my encrypted comm. "Alright, both snipers to the left are dead. I am in position, on the highest of the two perches."  |
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Raizar
Junior Batman Sidekick
Posts: 60
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Post by Raizar on Mar 16, 2015 5:54:35 GMT
Woga base was familiar to Raizar but this time he did not rush in first. Working with a team is good but it has some reasonable restrictions. So he just stopped nearby, camouflaged his Challenger and asked: "So, what's the plan? Should I unpack my sniper rifle or just swoop in and make a sort of a decoy of myself? You know I'm not so good as a sniper but you are the boss here."
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Mar 16, 2015 7:21:42 GMT
Volodja listened Atticus and Raizar. He could kept quiet and maintain his status as a philosopher (You probably know that saying by Boethius: "Si tacuisses, philosophus manisses"), but unfortunately his brains and tongue started to itch way too much, so he opened his mouth to speak again, risking his reputation:
"Everybody knows their strenghts and weaknesses best and if we work as a team we must consider both. I can be a sniper, but I tend to hesitate at the beginning. I can do close quarters combat, but there is always a chance that I let my emotions influence my usually calculating fighting style. It happened before, I admit that. Today I am calm, although this operation is most important to me. I want us to succeed here, but enough about me and my intentions...Raizar! If you don't feel that you can hit the bullseye with every shot you make, then you can be a part of assault squad. Just don't push it too hard. Hold yourself back, because you want to survive and get that loot you are after. Maybe we are lucky to find that crate you are looking for too. Keep that in mind, when you are in battle. Giant chose sniping already - he is excellent in that. Actually he is one big mean fighting machine and jack of every trade in battle. Usually he keeps everything under control, but sometimes he gets carried away when battle fever catches him. But there is a bright side too - with some support from outside, he can regain himself fast enough, after delivering huge damage to hostile. Vo keeps it cool, like he always does. But he will be at guard duty at the beginning, I assume, and will join us later if we start with hostile takeover of that base. I count on judging skills of our Chief. He is competent leader and he knows our good and bad sides. That's why we trust him and his decisions, although we don't follow his orders by the letter every time. He is aware of that and leaves us some space to improvise. By my opinion he will be the one who puts us to our battle stations today and we accept his decisions, but may I suggest that you and Chief will be our fist. You know each other fighting styles best, so you can work together. Me and Giant can provide fire support, but we have to join assault team later. When we must clear that bunker then every man is needed, so Vo has to leave his post too if it's necessary."
He started to observe outskirts of Woga Base. There was not much movement at first sight, but Atticus already took out couple of hidden snipers, so there could be more of them. Lonely Bulwark trampled in vicinity, guarding the base entrance. Maybe Chief can reprogram it so they could get an ally and create that distraction they needed to get in. Those Enforcers and Technicians, he saw, were less dangerous. No problem to eliminate them. That Monitor he noticed standing near he bunker was probably supervising Technicians who were working on energy shield. Couple of well aimed shots should take care of him as long as he will go down first. Getting him behind his personal shield will be more complicated. But there will be hordes of Dark Matter inside the bunker too, so situation might be get really dangerous if they come out to fight. And there might be even more enemies outside he had not discovered yet, so he must double check that area before they start the battle. An EGO scan would be appropriate thing to do if they get close enough. They can't afford aerial reckon - they had no drones or satellites at their disposal.
He visualized fore-coming battle in his mind. They should take out snipers first while assault squad gets closer. Then that Monitor. It would be the attack signal, unless Chief wants to use that Bulwark as their cover. After that Giant and Volodja must stop anyone who tries to alert the base personnel or run to generator room. The rest....the rest is still open. Too much unforeseen details, but he informed rest of them about his plan, so they can decide what to do. His plan was not very original after all. They already tried to use similar approach twice, but failed in both times. Raiders attacked them during first try and second time Raizar struck in and caused a mayhem. Rest of their small team can always come out with much better plan than he had to offer, so after he made his suggestions he just waited that other will response with more original ideas than him.
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Raizar
Junior Batman Sidekick
Posts: 60
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Post by Raizar on Mar 16, 2015 9:29:57 GMT
Raizar shook his head and rubbed his ear looking at Volodja with wide grin.
"Yeah... your words are many indeed. If your words were beans we could feed an army. Actually I am still trying to sift them in that big empty pot looking like my head. Ah! I've got it! Tactics, planning, so exciting. Well, I agree. Maybe we need a plan. But here we have just a flock of low ranked DMs, I think common tank-and-spank will do well but Taffer is really good in planning ahead... including any agendas, yes, Taff? Do you think I've forgot? Bah, nevermind, I'll do according any solid plan anyway."
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Mar 16, 2015 10:49:10 GMT
While waiting more responses Volodja took a time to think about other things and the Giant was only one with whom he dared to share the crazy vision of hopeless dreamer he had in his mind. Giant wont tell anybody and there weren't any barkeeps nearby to pour out his soul:
"Giant. I wish I could build a portable version of EGO emitter we have at training room at moment. You know - it even seems to be logical progress for lot of inventions. Computers filled huge rooms at beginning. So did already forgotten magnetophons, used for playing and recording the sound. Even cellphones, we don't use any more, but once they were popular, were big as suitcases. But people learned to shrink their size and increase efficiency so they became compact, cheap and widely used thus making manufacturers a fortune. Wish I could do something to increase the speed of technological progress. But it's irrelevant right now. Probably I am too anxious before battle and think gibberish to calm myself down, because we don't have plans or prototypes and we have no resources. At least I have not heard about any of them. So it will be a foolish dream of the Fool. Forget that I ever mentioned it. Should not bother you with that."
Volodja went quiet again and continued observation of their future playground, discovering one more sniper hiding on rooftop. When assault team starts to move, he will be the one to fall from Volodja's bullet unless Giant acts first.
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Post by Taffer on Mar 16, 2015 19:16:45 GMT
"Including any agendas, yes, Taff?"
Taffer winced on that remark. Of course he did remember last time they parted their ways, and it was rather rough. That time Taffer disappeared altogether with the spy he was ordered to find and catch. All spy's belongings were found including his hailer with all data he tried to collect completely erased, so no damage was done. But at the same time the head honcho of the facility had a bad timing to die of natural reasons, and all data on their computers was erased too, which looked like the result of the virus attack found in both the system and the spy's hailer. Raizar was left scratching his head on what all this could mean and how to explain it to VBI higher-ups who hired him on that so-called rescue mission. And then he had to scratch his head again on why they didn't give a damn about what happened. Taffer was actually happy the big guy did not try to put a bullet in his head right at the moment he saw him.
"No hidden agendas this time. We just go in, take what we need and get out unless something makes us to change our plans on the fly. First, do not touch the Bulwark before until we're discovered. Remember, they are waiting for the mutants to attack. Mutants are dumb and will attack the first enemy they see. I'm positive this un-manned big white target is under DM's close attention and pretty much expected to be attacked. Now to our tactics. I, Raizar and Vo are sneaking to the bunker entrance as close as possible. The Monitor's death won't go unnoticed, so his death is the signal for Atticus and Volodya to start a rampage. Meanwhile, we'll get inside as fast as we can and hack the gate and shield controls. Once we ensure the entrance will stay open, we'll regroup with you. Take the positions and let's go".
The team of three cloaked people followed around the building close to the place where the Monitor stood and stopped to recharge their EGO power. Em Dash informed Taffer that she detected a faint emission coming from the Monitor. "Scan sweep. Cloak won't get us any further", Taffer whispered, "You two, ready your blur and start running to the bunker the moment I shoot him. Get inside and shoot anyone at the generator and controls. I'll follow".
He turned on his Cloak again, aimed his scoped Heavy Carbine at Monitor's head and fired several bursts, killing an unsuspecting Monitor with critical hits.
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