I have to admit, a part of me is deeply curious to see Ouro learning camaraderie from Architect, known loyalist of Sangvis Ferri...
That said, Ouro is only just starting out and learning how not to Only Chess At All Times and needs someone to curb her personality quirks. Intruder by the sounds of her would just want Ouro to play into her role which is about the worst possible thing for her to do at this time.
Gager is one option, but it looks like she's strategic focused and we're never going to wean Ouro off of chess there. (sorry Gager)
EDIT: Not to mention Gager is CQC-focused where Ouro isn't.
The biggest difference in real life and chess is incomplete information; you never see the entire 'board' all at once. That has me leaning towards the Recon options and of the two, Scarecrow is not a lunatic. Plus it ties in with all of Ouro long ranged weaponry.
Ehh i should have worded it better . I wanted to ask if actions avalaible to the regarding the Ouroboros actions could have such impact as to negatively influence the main plotline which is on the very thin rope over the abyss already . And general concerns regarding possible plot armor of the S.F . Mostly because actual shakers and movers have too much vested interest in things staying the same in original plot thus any derailing would innevitably cause S.F to be nuked even harder. Its would have made an interesting story if our character wasn't in the blast zone thats it.
Gager is one option, but it looks like she's strategic focused and we're never going to wean Ouro off of chess there. (sorry Gager)
EDIT: Not to mention Gager is CQC-focused where Ouro isn't.
While Agent and Gager spend most of their time coordinating the logistics and grand strategy of SF, they have some tactical acumen.
I'll also note that the CQC skill - all the skills, really - apply not just to Ouro personally but to the minions she controls. You're probably thinking that Ouro will never beat the likes of Alchemist or AK-15 in a cage match...and, well, you'd be right. But, at Level 1 CQC, Ouro will already be pretty good at having a squad of Rippers kick down a door and clear some rooms. Think of the kind of combat simulated in Door Kickers.
[X] INTRUDER, who is raiding a military base for material near a FOREST to the south.
"Intruder," you say. "If this ringleader 'gets the job done,' then I should see how she operates. That way, I can improve on her."
Gager rolls her eyes. "If you really want to improve, I suggest getting over that superiority complex of yours."
"But I am superior," you point out reasonably.
Gager sighs. "Look...it's dangerous to go alone. Out there you're liable to run into all sorts of trouble. ELIDs. Bandits and vadjaegers. Those weird white tripod things. And Griffin will never miss an opportunity to ruin your day. I'll need to take you down to the T-doll warehouse and-"
And then Gager stops. And she clenches her fists, and turns to Agent.
"It's them again."
What? Who?
"404 just sabotaged one of our outposts. That usually precludes a large attack by Griffin."
"Go," says Agent. "Get in touch with whatever forces are nearby. Coordinate the response."
Gager nods sharply, then dashes past you out of the room. She doesn't even glance at you.
You look back at Agent. She's raised a fist to her chin, presumably pondering...something.
You don't like being left out of the loop like this.
"Excuse me, Agent." You spread your arms to get her attention. "Are you going to explain what this "404" is?"
Agent opens her fist and places her hand on the table. She frowns at you slightly. "Squad 404 is a persistent thorn in our side. A special team of four tactical dolls, with unusual capacity in electronic warfare. They rob us, they sabotage us, they undercut us. In tandem with other Griffin echelons, they make themselves...a great irritation. Our databases contain so many records of their "accomplishments" that is has become tiresome."
...well, now. That is interesting. Four dolls, causing so much grief for Sangvis Ferri?
"So." You can't contain your smile, so you raise a finger to your chin to accentuate it. "In other words…I'll be able to gain greater privileges if I kill them all, right?"
"Slaying the elite team that has caused us so much grief? I suppose it would fulfil one criteria for...'increased privileges.' But now is not the time to indulge in idle fantasy." Agent gets up. "It's time to equip you properly. Since Gager is indisposed, I'll take you."
"These are the soldiers you were promised" says Agent. "I have personally assured the quality of the production lines, so you have no need to worry about their performance." Her voice is as self-assured as ever.
The warehouse - like most of Sangvis Ferri's architecture - is a stark, industrial affair. Thin metal struts reach up from a smooth grey concrete floor to a bare metal roof that towers above you like a cathedral. This place is the essence of function - made to store things, and to provide protection from the elements. Little else needed or required.
What is interesting is what's inside the warehouse.
T-dolls. Hundreds of them, standing alongside each other in vertical resting positions, their bowed heads indicating their shutdown status.
They come in batches of various types, but there is a clear unifying visual theme. Pale skin. Dark metal boots and shin-guards. Energy weapons with pink highlights. Some kind of headgear with stabbing neon colours.
Agent gestures gracefully towards a row of T-dolls. Ten or so, of all types. It seems to stir them, to activate them.
As one, they raise their heads to stare straight ahead.
As one, they take a step straight ahead.
As one, a dozen metal boots clank on the concrete floor, echoing powerfully through the warehouse.
And then, suddenly, they are yours. You had halfway expected words to flash across your vision like on a screen, but that doesn't happen. Instead, you feel their presence through the OGAS protocol. You simply know that they are all fresh off the assembly line, that all their subsystems are operating nominally, that they are entirely intact on a physical level.
You point at one of the dolls - a "Ripper" armed with a pair of close-range weapons. It has wavy, dark purple hair and a violet visor.
"Pawn. Come here." You don't need to say the command out loud - it responds to your thoughts, not your words. You say it anyway, because it feels good.
The Ripper takes several strides towards you and stops in front of you.
"Stand on one leg."
The Ripper lifts up one leg and balances, steady as a rock.
"Jump up and down."
The Ripper hops up and down on one leg. Seeing the stoic-faced T-doll bouncing like a pogo stick is pretty funny.
"Stop."
The Ripper stops and takes a neutral stance, both feet now firmly planted on the ground. You hadn't explicitly told it to, but it did so anyway. It really does respond to your thoughts intuitively. Useful.
"Run towards that wall over there."
The Ripper does an about face and begins a dead sprint towards the wall you pointed out, some thirty meters away. Its movements are mechanical, precise. No motion is wasted.
An idea comes to you. You reach out a hand towards one of the other dolls, and it gives you its weapon.
"Jump off that wall!" you call out.
The Ripper, upon reaching the wall, leaps up. It notches the side of one boot into a seam in the brickwork, steadies itself momentarily with one hand (still clutching a weapon), and pushes off, soaring through the air.
You throw the energy weapon high, high into the air. It spins, tumbling end over end.
"Shoot this!"
Still flying through the air, the Ripper takes aim with one of its laser SMGs and fires. The weapon you threw is shredded in mid-air. Tiny fragments of metal, plastic, and crystal rain around.
The Ripper breaks its fall with a roll and pauses, resting on one knee. Waiting for the next command.
"Come back here."
The Ripper gets up and lightly jogs the thirty meters back to you. Not as fast as before? Ah, it seems it defaults to less strenuous forms of activity so as not to wear its parts out too fast. It continues jogging until it reaches you, then stands motionless.
"Kill yourself."
In one smooth motion, the Ripper points one of its weapons at the temple of its own head and pulls the trigger. The lasers sear through its skull, burning whatever circuitry and electronics lie within to a crisp.
The Ripper's knees fold from under it, and it crumples to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut. Smoke emanates from the holes in its head. You smell the acrid stench of burning plastics and metal.
"Acceptable."
It really is. It seems that Sangvis Ferri T-dolls are agile, accurate, and will follow your commands to the letter. More than to the letter, actually - it seems they are keyed into your neural cloud to the point they will do what you mean rather than what you say. Best of all, they do not object in the slightest to dying if you-
"It seems you dislike the Rippers." Agent's imperious voice resonates through the cavernous space of the warehouse.
What?
"So I will remove them from your list of available troops."
Wait-
And suddenly, they're gone. Several of the dolls in front of you - Rippers, each one - steps backwards into their storage positions and shut down.
"Wait," you say. "You shouldn't do that."
"Oh? And why might that be?"
Something blisteringly hot and restless has settled inside your gut. It sits there, coiled up like a steel spring.
"You- you-" You seek the words to make her see sense. "I'd make good use of them! You're denying yourself a valuable asset here?"
"Make use of them how?"
The coil is squirming, writhing within you.
"Well, they're for close quarters fighting, so I'd use them for that obviously!"
"Any imbecile could have figured that much out. Try harder." Agent's expression is merciless.
The tension within the coil begs to be let free, to lash out, to hurt that which dares to belittle you.
"Like- Like a pawn advance. All covering each other and-"
"Without any references to chess."
You force the coil down, down, down.
And you dredge up the words to make Agent see sense.
[Skill check - CQC: Success]
"Krgh. In- in a narrow hallway. Four of them!" You hold up four fingers. "One advancing ahead of the others, two on the flanks checking the doorways on the sides, one bringing up the rear. Covers all possible sectors of fire and-"
Agent raises a hand, stopping you.
"Earlier, you asked about increased privileges. Prove to me you know what you are doing as a soldier. Prove to me you know how to use your resources in the field, that you can accomplish your objectives, and that you can do so without unnecessary waste. Then you will get your increased privileges. But not until after.
"I will reinstate your access to the Rippers. But remember, this is not one of your simulations. Correct your behaviour in the future, Ouroboros."
You fire back. "Well, that's all well and good. If you actually work that way, I'll have Gager's position within a month."
[Skill check - CQC: Fail]
[Relationship check - Agent: Fail]
Suddenly, your arm is gripped in Agent's grasp. She was so fast and fluid, you barely even saw her move.
You pull, try to yank your arm away, but fail. Somehow you feel like your strength has deserted you. Her iron grip is inescapable.
Suddenly, the coil in your belly is no longer hot and angry and writhing. Suddenly it's cold, dull, lifeless. It sits there, leaden, weighing you down.
You've made a mistake.
"When I say I work a certain way," Agent says softly, "That. Is the way. I work."
You look into her piercing eyes, staring down at you.
You draw out the words she wants to hear-
"I understand, Agent."
-and force them out through clenched teeth.
She releases your arm.
"Good. I have decided the size of the force you are to be assigned. Choose carefully."
AREA OF OPERATIONS
It will be evening by the time you arrive at the area.
Intruder has reported that the military outpost has garrisoned itself in an abandoned village right outside the edge of a thick forest.
Enemy patrols operate in the forests, but seem somewhat lax - it seems they are not expecting to be attacked.
You could approach from within the forest, or over the open terrain. Either way, it is recommended you bring units suited for the task.
ENEMY FORCES
The outpost headquarters is the barricaded and fortified remnants of an old town hall. The Manticores - the prize of the operation, which you are to assist in capturing - guard this building.
Most of the forces are automated infantry - a mix of outdated T-dolls, including some WW3 era Sangvis Ferri models. The patrol groups are composed mostly of T-dolls, with the occasional human platoon leader, and a skeleton crew of humans operating them remotely from inside the outpost.
The exact size of the forces is unknown, but yours and Intruder's forces combined should be a roughly even match.
Agent has assigned you 36 COMMAND POINTS to spend.
Note that while some units have costs represented in decimals, you must spend whole points. This is a compromise to prevent numbers from blowing up too much when Ouroboros commands larger forces. On request, I can increase the cost values for all units to get rid of those decimals.
Please vote by plan.
[] Example plan name
-2x Vespid (cost 2)
-2x Striker (cost 4)
-120x Dinergate (cost 30)
(Note: While I cannot physically stop you from voting for an all-dinergate platoon, you can expect consequences for taking one into battle. )
Scouts
Dinergate - 0.25
Role: expendable ground-based reconnaissance
Small, cheap quadrupedal robot with a small, cheap weapon. Some have called them "adorable." Others say they are "expendable."
Scout UAV - 4
Role: aerial reconnaissance
Unmanned aerial vehicle packed with sensors and optics. Has a small weapon for self-defense.
Tarantula - ACCESS DENIED
Infantry
Prowler - 0.5
Role: base defense (not recommended for expeditions outside of paved areas)
Wheeled weapon. Cheap for its firepower, but struggles on terrain rougher than a paved road.
Vespid - 1
Role: general infantry
Description: General purpose weapon. Can function in almost any situation.
Striker - 2
Role: fire support, suppression
Description: Extremely powerful weapon that can fire for sustained durations.. Recommended for use in conjunction with other units to function as carriers for ammunition and heat sinks.
Jaeger - 2
Role: fire support, anti-material, elimination of high value targets
Description: Powerful, extremely long range anti-material weapon. High end optics. Pinpoint accuracy. Standard-issue thermoptic camouflage coat.
Ripper - 1
Role: CQC, close range firepower
Description: Close range weapons can fire on the move, but lack a Vespid's range.
Guard - 1
Role: CQC, building assaults, force multiplier
Description: Shield for protection. Subdermal armour plating and redundant internal systems provide durability.
Brute - 0.5
Role: CQC, building assaults, night raids
Description: Standard issue knives, with spares for throwing. Especially strong.
Dragoon - 4
Role: cavalry
Description: The walker can run at Ostrich speeds on flat roads, and maintain a good pace on rough terrain. The rider can dismount and fight with a sidearm if necessary. The walker's firepower is equivalent to that of a Striker's.
Out of forest or across open plain. Forest will be patrolled.
Hm, I wonder how many guards they'll have and how likely it is we can alpha strike them with jaegers?
If we go through the forests we can probably focus heavily on CQC with some jaeger support? I'd like to avoid too many dinergates as our primary source of recon. I feel like we'd best be taking them down as quickly as possible once things hit the road. So dinergates would be better chaff to tie things up then serve as our real recon.
Idea is that Between Jaegers and the dragoons we can do a ton of damage quickly and cover any holes while our infantry serve as a clean up crew
EDIT: Might not have enough firepower for the manticores? Or rather, too much will have to be focused on them and we'll be too slow to hit the humans meaning we can only scrape some of them.
Is it wrong i want four dinnergates just to spend a full point and avoid point wastage?
Also also, This is why not grinding rep with Agent fucks us. Removes half the roster from recruitment and fucks us when we fail skill checks and she has zero reason to give a fuck about us.
Then again the complete lack of support combined with our own fuck ups could lead to some amusing scenarios…
While it doesn't line up one-to-one, I tried to choose units that could preform roles similar to those of chess pieces. This way Ouroboros should feel right at home commanding them.
Well, the goal of this operation is to go for a checkmate, right? We take out the humans in the building, king is mated, and the rest of their forces stop posing a threat. The big issue is that we want to capture the Manticore "Queen"s mostly intact here, so try to rush the base faster than their patrols can respond, with enough forces that we can bypass the exterior manticores without needing to kill them. Attacking across the open field is still probably more likely to get us exposed and shot than moving through the forest, especially with ho lax the patrols are supposed to be, so I'm assuming a forest-side assault here.
For scouting, go for dinergates. The Scout might be generally superior, but the forest will probably limit sightlines from overhead and provide enough cover to make the dinergates more effective and hopefully subtler. Plus, they're more useful as distractions and meatshields once engaged.
For fire support, Strikers and Jaegers are basically required, both as our only anti-material weapons and the general usefulness of suppressing fire and snipers. Ideally we won't need them to attack the manticores, but instead let Jaegers pick off human troops while Strikers pin down the infantry. No Jaguars for artillery unfortunately, but Oreo herself can cover that role with the missile pods.
For the main force, focus on CQC, as the forest should provide concealment to reach shorter ranges and the main target of the assault is breaching the building. Guards, to provide cover for the heavier firepower and meatshields against the manticores. Rippers, as our main assault infantry and also because we need to pick Rippers to stick it to Agent. Brutes, since they're theoretically perfect for this mission. Short-range night raid to assault a building hits all their traits, and IIRC they technically have armor piercing in-game as a last resort against the manticores? Not that they've ever been super threatening in-game, but hopefully things work out better for them here. If nothing else, they're also cheap enough to serve as our additional meatshield pool.
No Dragoons or Prowlers, because the terrain isn't great for wheels or vehicles. I'm sure the Dragoons could manage, but they're twice the cost of a Striker for similar utility in this case. No Vespids, because Rippers are better at the shorter ranges we're expecting.
I feel like we don't need that many Dinergates, but otherwise I like this plan the most. I'd recommend swapping out two points of Dinergates for either another Jaeger or four more Brutes.
"Krgh. In- in a narrow hallway. Four of them!" You hold up four fingers. "One advancing ahead of the others, two on the flanks checking the doorways on the sides, one bringing up the rear. Covers all possible sectors of fire and-"
This is cowards talk! We need to show Agent and all the Ringleaders of how big our brain is! And the biggest of brains would surely know that by bum rushing the enemy with as many expendable pawns as possible, we can show all the doubters of our true genius when we take that Manticore with nothing but dinergates! Hell, we'll launch 'em out of cannons and catapults if need be! What better way to show our resourcefulness than using our own dinergates as armor piercing ammuntion after being shot out of a massive artillery piece. Perhaps we'll even inspire our fellow Ringleaders to learn just how valuable dinergates are when applied correctly! Perhaps we shall create a new scale based on how many dinergates you need to solve a problem!
So it's time to bring forth a surely victorious plan that cannot at all fail whatsoever! We shall call it...
[ ] Plan Steel Tide
- 144 dinergates (36 points)
Please do not vote this plan. It's only an absolute meme. I'm actually more partial to Lucky Sixes instead.
Upon reading my opening post, one of my beta readers told me that the writing had actually allowed them to put the pieces together about who the protagonist is.
Of course, this was someone who already knew the setting and characters well. So it might not match up with everyone.
So did this match up with your experience? What was your experience reading the first update? It's literally the first impression that readers will get off this quest, after all.
Oh, and is there anyone in the theatre tonight who isn't familiar with GFL? What's your experience reading this quest?
Made an account literally just for this. I'm so glad I found this because of that Gager and Ouroboros meme posted a few pages ago. Found it on google images.
Btw, Ouroboros' model number is SP235. It was mentioned in Cube+, and I don't think anyone even remembers. I'm not sure why finding it is really hard; It's not listed on the wikis for some reason. I guess only diehard Ouroboros fans remember.
As for the plan...
I was thinking of the classic "Scouts & Jaegers" or "Guards & Jaegers" combo that regularly shows up in the game, but I doubt it's going to be practical. I'll vote for the chessboard plan instead, as I think a balanced team would work well with Snek's chess background.
Made an account literally just for this. I'm so glad I found this because of that Gager and Ouroboros meme posted a few pages ago. Found it on google images.
Btw, Ouroboros' model number is SP235. It was mentioned in Cube+, and I don't think anyone even remembers. I'm not sure why finding it is really hard; It's not listed on the wikis for some reason. I guess only diehard Ouroboros fans remember.
You grit your teeth and select your instruments of destruction. Inside, you are seething, but you suppress it. It won't do any good to act on it now.
Annoyingly, you are no longer able to control the T-dolls directly. Once you've made your selection, Agent marches them outside of the warehouse. Right on schedule, several unmanned trucks roll up, and the dolls hop onto them.
One more way for Agent to remind you that she's the one who controls everything around here, including your supply of troops.
You start walking, exiting the warehouse and setting off across the snow-dusted asphalt, to join the T-dolls in the trucks. Best to just get a move on and-
"Ouroboros," Agent says. "About the...circumstances of your origins."
You turn back to her, see her in the warehouse entrance. She stands in what you've come to think of as her default pose - ramrod straight, hands folded in front of her, looking down on you from her height advantage.
"What about it? What do you know about that, anyway?"
Agent meets your gaze levelly. "Enough. Not everything, but the Mastermind showed me the replication strings. And the deletion processes. From before she managed to get you out."
You say nothing.
"Gager asked me about you. I decided not to tell her. Your origins are your own, to divulge to - or withhold from - other ringleaders as you please."
"I see." You...hadn't actually considered how the others might see your origins. How much should you tell them? Should you tell them anything at all?
"The battlefield is not a board game, Ouroboros. It's not even a simulation. The conditions are not always set out in advance, and if they are, they may change at a moment's notice. You may need to consider very carefully what 'victory' truly means."
"Thank you, Agent. Very enlightening." If not more than a little bit condescending. "Is there anything else, or can I go now?"
"Just one thing. The Mastermind requested that I give this to you."
And in her hand, she produces...a Rubik's Cube. It's currently a solved puzzle, each side a clear block of colour. She holds it out to you. After a moment's hesitation, you take it.
It is obviously…
[] A statement of confidence in you. The Mastermind knows you for the rising star you are, and has gifted this to you as a subtle recognition of your prowess!
[] A warning. The Mastermind knows how capable you are...and expects appropriately dramatic results. You had better deliver.
[] A test. The Mastermind wants assurance of your excellent Rubik's Cube solving skills for...some reason?
[] Just a simple gift. There's no need to overthink it.
"And that is all," says Agent. "You have work to do, so I won't hold you up any longer."
You turn around and set off to board a truck. You don't look back.
When you reach the train station, you're not the only one there. At the platform is none other than Architect and Gager. The former is sitting on a bench, kicking her legs in the air, staring off into space and humming a tune. The latter is pacing up and down, a look of annoyance on her face.
"I take it things didn't go well with that 404 squad?" you call out to her.
"Don't you start," Gager mutters. She glances at your T-dolls as they march past into one of the few passenger cars that are joined to all the freight. "Your force is a little…"
"What?"
"Nothing." She crosses her arms. "You've made it clear that you don't need my help, after all."
"And what about you?" You turn to Architect. "Do you have any more sage advice to grant me? Since everyone seems to be in the business of doing that?
Architect starts, grins brightly at you. "Me? Nah. I'm just the techie. I build stuff, push buttons, make things go boom."
"Then I'll be off."
"Then again...think fast!"
Architect throws something at you. Automatically, you catch it. It unrolls between your fingers into a black glove. Your glove. You left it behind in the office bathroom, and you hadn't even realized-
Almost immediately, you slide the glove over your hand.
You look over at Architect, who is still grinning. "What are you after, really? Are you expecting anything in return?"
"A 'thank you' would be customary," says Gager. "Architect has been nothing but friendly to you, even after you attacked her!"
Architect waves her off. "Eh, it's no biggie, Boa-"
"That's Ouroboros to you."
"-but what I said before still goes." She winks at you. Gager looks at her quizzically.
What was it she said? 'Mellow out,' and visit her sometime? She's up to something. She has an ulterior motive, a secret plan...something. There's no other reason for her to be so cloyingly...friendly.
...then again, perhaps she really is as dumb as she looks? You'll have to decide later whether or not you want to bite on this particular bait.
"No promises," you say.
You turn around and stride the twenty meters to your train and step on. Architect calls after you - something about blowing stuff up? - and Gager says something to her, but you carry on. There's a big obvious open/close button, so you push it. A big sliding door grinds into place behind you.
Most of the space inside the train carriage is taken up by a cargo section, with various boxes neatly arranged inside. There's a few empty seats towards the front of the carriage, so you take one.
After a few minutes, the train sets off.
You prop up your chin in your hand and watch the world roll past the window.
The wind blows through the open window across your face and skin. It flutters your hair and your shirt.
The white of the mountain peaks gives way to the green belt of the mountains, which in turn gives way to the greys and browns of wasteland and the skeletons of trees in the valleys.
Steadily, the frustrations of the past few hours - Architect's strangeness, Gager's intransigence, Agent threatening to undermine you - just fade away.
You won. You're out. You're free.
Now, a vast world sprawls before you. Now, the possibilities are endless. Now, you have some combat-spec androids ready to melt anything that crosses you into slag.
Your path to victory and greatness is all but assured.
You stretch an arm over your head, and feel a smile tug at the corners of your mouth.
