Jackbot: Partial Eclipse

THIS IS THE SECOND CHAPTER. It has hunter-genics in it, and a bit of explanation about the War of Superpowers.

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Spoiler

Open up with a great thunderstorm booming and pouring overhead.

Chapter 2- Of Genics and Hunters

Mid-afternoon, day 2. Distance to Greenhill: Approx. 950 miles

Location: EPHRAIM CITY

Ugh, this weather is absolutely terrible. You can hear hail pounding against the mechas' armor from here. Nobody in their right minds would stay out in this if they didn't have to, even if the mecha could take it.

Admittedly, Cog and Gear both do have to stay out here, and their sanity is arguable, given that they are Cavaliers and therefore may not exactly qualify as 'clear-headed' according to most people.

"'See the world,' you said," Cog mutters darkly over the intercom. "'Become well-renowned Cavaliers,' you said. I never heard anything about piloting mecha in the middle of a thunderstorm!"

"It's this or sit the damn things under a tree and wait to get struck by lightning. Come on, according to your navigation, Ephraim City should be in sight soon," Gear replies.

Indeed, you're starting to get a faint idea that there is a town sitting out there.

Ephraim City is not nearly as big as its name implies, being more of a 'large town' than a 'small city'. To be honest, it's not much larger to look at than your home town, Silverhame. Of course, that's because most of Ephraim City is underground just so it doesn't have it as bad from the tornadoes that crop up sometimes.

Gear puts out on broadcast, "Hello? Is anyone listening? We'd like permission to dock. Two mecha, class four, coming in from your west."

"Read you, Cav one and two. Docking bay is about five hundred yards ahead of you, opening the ramp."

"Roger, control."

Underground hangars are underground hangars are underground hangars, Gear can't help but think as she parks her Simon in the local Mecha Shop. This one seems to be a little better stocked than the one back home, though most of the mecha down here are being cannibalized for repairs.

Gear pops the hatch, glad to be out of the endless, incessant drumbeat of hail on her hull, if not the cold and damp.

:> _:

Gear: Get distracted when you remember the new cinema-simulation about a charismatic ancient egyptian chrononaut who brings chaos to wherever he goes has just come out today. Drag Cog along with you to see it. He has to see this.
Cog: Take a smell of the city in. You're incredibly glad to be out of your mech. To walk around freely, not just cramped in a relatively small space. Time to see th.... WHERE'S GEAR DRAGGING ME?!?!?! OH MY, OH MY!
Shadowy figure: Silently observe these two from afar. In sight of new playthings, grin maliciously.

Hey, that's right! The Unheeding Portal of the Void comes out today! It's all about this fallen Sun King turned to darkness by thousands of years of torturous slumber. Oh, and it has pyramids that turn into mecha. Really, you remember reading this comic as a kid but you never thought anyone would put something so silly on triscreen.

Still, this is a level of awesome you don't want to miss and seeing as you're stuck here anyway Gear figures she can catch it while they're waiting for the storm to pass.

In fact, didn't Cog like that series too? Gear gets a funny little grin on her face. "Come on."

Cog was in the middle of arranging a resupply when he suddenly realizes he's being dragged away from the mecha. Wait, what's going on now? "Gear, what are you doing?"

"It's Unheeding Portal of the Void man! You want to see this as much as I do."

"I do?" Cog hasn't heard a thing about this. He was never quite as into the comic as Gear had been, but now that he recognized it he started actually walking. After all, it isn't like they have anything better to do... Cog shrugs.

Someone is watching them pass! She licks her lips as she considers all the fantastic possibilities these two new test subjects offer. But first, the more pressing problem... She needs to find her lab coat. Where did she put that lab coat? She could have sworn she left it here when she'd decided to have some... Fun.

While watching The Unheeding Portal of the Void, catch a preview of The Masked Paladin.

(OOC: I'm not very good with explaining, so there's a weblink.)

COMING SOON
Aw, previews? Gear sticks out her tongue and doesn't pay attention to them. Instead, she looks to see if anyone else is in the theatre.

Hm. There seems to be a few people here. It is a matinee, so it's not many, but some of them seem to be around Gear and Cog's age- and, added bonus, at least three are all alone. Gear gets that wicked smirk on her face again.

Cog can already tell this might not end well...

>You left it over your shirt silly. :mspa:

>Which you left at home.

That's right, it's with your other shirt. Currently you have your white tank-top on.

... Come to think, what the heck are you doing near the exposed ramp! You don't want this getting wet! Well, not unintentionally, anyway.

Ah, that's right, those two Cavaliers that came into town. You wanted to make sure they were the right sort of people for the job.

Now how to manage that without being invasive?

>Why, illegal stalking of course! :apple:

Sprinkled with blackmail and garnish with a cherry.

>Start by following them secretively with your camera, that new fangled iSnap from Cherry, while muttering, 'hurry up get sexy,' and your ready finger over the 'take a picture' button

You don't know about getting an iSnap or anything like that; besides, they're Cavaliers. There's not going to be a lot of shock material there. At worst, it might give them a reputation for being randy but, well, they're Cavaliers- a group which does not, let's admit, have the most stunning reputation for being shining pillars of Absolute Chastity. Far from it, actually.

Still following them seems prudent, and you did track them down to the local triscreen, where one of them seems to be looking at the crowd with a... practiced eye.

:> _:

Gear: Try to drag Cog into your grand scheme of flirting with movie goers. Discover he's not at his seat and has sneaked off somewhere. Commence your plan alone.
Cog: Come back after some rather good relief in the bathroom; Be rather confused when you spot what Gear is doing.

Gear has picked out someone to flirt with. I mean, it's not a crime, really. And this is a matinee, so presumably whoever's here likes the movie, right? You reach to tap Cog on the shoulder to point out your target-

Hey. Where'd he go?

Cog washed his hands and looked himself in the eyes in the mirror. Ugh. His blackk hair is obviously a mess- look at this... And he spends too much time indoors- so pale. He sticks his tongue out- at least that's clean. He has no idea why people decide to strike up conversations with him. Or why Gear keeps trying to get him to flirt with people. It's not like he's that handsome or anything...

Cog leaves the bathroom.

Sneaky figure: Strike up quiet conversation with the male cavalier not knowing it's him.

Cog meets with a lady in the darkened theatre.

This lady carries a lot of gadgets, doesn't she? why Cog can see three electronic devices and that's not counting whatever is concealed in the pockets of her black slacks. Pinned to her white tank top in an uncomfortable place for Cog to stare is an ID badge, labeling her as Dr. Mordoba.

Dr. Mordoba clears her throat. "Hey, you see that girl down there?"

Cog notes she is talking about Gear, and nods, not that he has any idea what she's on about.

"Well, she just came in to town, and I would very much appreciate it if you could help me find things out about her." Dr. Mordoba shows off a little; after all, if you're wearing a white tank, why not flaunt?

:> _:

Cog: Be curious and suspicious about why she is asking; Don't mention who you are though. "Why exactly do you need to know? What use does she have?"

"Well, she's new in town," Dr. Mordoba replies, in hushed tones. "And she came in on a mecha, so I'm betting she's a Cavalier. And, well. I need a job done for me. But not just anyone will do..."

"So what are you planning for her?"

"I just told you. I have a job. You know. Money?" Dr. Mordoba smiles. "What are you, her agent or something? I just need to know what she thinks she's good at; once I have that I'll talk with her myself. It's not illegal genetics- just go and, you know, chat her up a bit."

Cog looks nonplussed. "Uh..."

"There's $300 in it for you if you manage it."

Cog gladly takes the money off Dr. Mordoba's hands, and looks her in the eyes with a smile. "Thank you."

... Dr. Mordoba finds herself blushing. WHY IS SHE BLUSHING!? "Ah, yes, well. Any information you can give me would be good."

Cog is wondering if there's something on his face. There isn't. "Well, seeing as I've known her for quite a long time, I think I know what she can do."

"Well. I approached the right person, then, didn't I?" Dr. Mordoba looks around. "I'd really prefer not to talk about it in a movie theatre while the movie's playing. Can we talk later?"

Cog does not understand why Dr. Mordoba is smiling that way.

"You don't have any idea who I am, do you?"

[Cog's Lawfulness-> 47. Really? Swindling a lab tech?]
[Cog's Honor -> 54. Hey, at least you finished the job.]

Dr. Mordoba grins. "I know you're her friend. Which means you'll inform her of the job. Which means you both may yet profit. But as for names, no, I don't know who you are. Or who the hell you think you are. Nor do I care, particularly. If you're decent with personal-scale combat, you probably have the qualifications."

>Before she goes, sloppy makeouts.

>Gear status. flirtflirtflirt

Cog smirks wickedly. "Fine." Cog leans over, gives Dr. Mordoba a quick kiss on the lips, then runs down to catch the rest of the movie.

Dr. Mordoba touches her lips. She's blushing again. This goes against all rationality! Cold, hard science and a logical mind are her only loves! Right? RIGHT!?

Gear is quite happily flirting with a prettyboy. Mostly, they're making fun of the movie and exchanging mecha talk, of which the Prettyboy is partly lost, partly hanging on Gear's every word.

>Come up behind the prettyboy and loudly tell Gear about the job you just got for her and you about fighting and/or killing people.

"Gear, We have a job!"

Aw, man, the guy's starting to make out with Gear. This could take a bit.

Or not, as she walks away, looking for Cog. Who is right behind her. Gear is startled. She smirks. "And why are you out of your seat?"

"We have a job. We'll get more details from Dr. Mordoba after the movie. For now, though, he's about to awaken the pyrimech."

"Ooh, pyrimech."

Huh? Pyrimec?

Actually, they don't go too over the top with the various special effects, but Unheeding Portal of the Void's 'Pyrimech' is actually called The Untrodden Glories of the Unconquered Sun. Of course, that's waaaaaay too long and convoluted a name to call it by, so most people call it the pyrimech because it's made out of an ancient transforming pyramid.

Gear may not know what those writers were on but damn if it didn't create glorious, glorious results.

The movie ends and Cog shows Gear to Dr. Mordoba, who now explains the job in further detail in a small place just inside the hangar and out of camera reach. "I should start with the introductions. My name is Dr. Mordoba, and I'm head of the terraforming effort here in Ephraim City."

"Must be hard with all the autonomous Pre-war tech around here..." Gear responds.

"You have no idea." She sighs. "Aside from just living in the complex, there's the problem of the deep biotech labs. Not long ago, the Mayor sent a lance of Cavaliers to try and explore those labs, despite my warnings. What happened was a miracle. And a disaster. Five intact Hunter-Queen biomonsters. All in pods. Again, against my better judgement, the mayor ordered them studied."

Dr. mordoba is tearing up. "As you might guess from my age, I'm not the head of the project because of my years of experience. The last head researcher is..."

>"...What? Dead, right?"

She nods, wordlessly. "They decanted one. And now... Now it's nesting in the Green Zone outside. It already took the life of..." It's obvious she can't bring herself to say the old head researcher's name. "And several others... and I'm certain it's laying. I need you to go in there personally and destroy it."

C'mon! It's your duty as a Cavalier!
>"You've got yourself a deal!"

[Cog's Honor -> 59]
[Gear's Honor -> 57]

"Very well. The mayor must not learn of this. We'll meet outside the entrance ramp just after sunset. Bring any personal-scale weapons you feel comfortable with." Dr. Mordoba nods.

Gear looks shocked. "We're not going in there with mecha?"

Dr. Mordoba shakes her head. "No. I found where the nest is... It's in the center of our Prime Grove. Stomping in there with 'mechs will set back terraforming efforts decades... but personal scale avoids some of the damage. If it's any consolation, I'll be coming with you, and know how to use small arms."

[Dr. Mordoba joins your lance!]

Current Jobs updated:Defeat the colony of Hunter-Genics in the Prime Grove of Ephraim City.

... Cog realizes that they just took the job without asking how much it paid. Ouch.

Pay is nothing! You're a Cavalier. Also, ask what Hunter-Genics are.

You know what Hunter-genics are.

Imagine, if you will, a genetically engineered creature. Not that far out of the realm of possibility- after all, biological engineering is at the center of the reconstruction. It's actually quite difficult in this day and age to find someone whose genes haven't been mucked with at one point or another. It's why Gear has purple eyes, for instance.

Now, then, imagine a such a creature, engineered entirely for one purpose- to be used as a weapon. Give it manipulators only as necessary to tear down doors. Let it expand and shrink its body to get into and out of almost any tight space. Give it armor suited to the best nature has to offer. Meld its organs into triple redundancy. Give it a mindless survival instinct, such that it will kill almost any animal that crosses its path. Make it able to metabolize almost any form of carbon for energy. Give it SPEED, speed to rend, speed to attack, speed to tear.

Give it a visage sufficient that it is still whispered of in horrified rumor, even now, nearly two hundred years after the last colony was deployed. Make it so resilient that even now, nearly two hundred years after the last colony was deployed, there still exist feral colonies. So far from human that it grows ever in the nightmares of humanity, a slavering, insatiable brood.

There is a reason the preferred method of taking down a hunter-genic colony is to bring in three Yorkes and laser cannon the things to death.

If this wasn't an absolutely new colony, Cog and Gear are certain this would be a suicide mission.

I wish I knew if that was a good thing or not...

Unfortunately, neither do Cog and Gear! Man, maybe they should have asked a few more questions...

But that's bygone time, now. They need to prepare. Using some of the money they already have, Ger buys two spare sniper rifle clips, and Cog gets himself a few more drums of minigrenades. As long as you're going in, may as well load for bear, even if it is something far worse than that.

In the twilight, Dr. Mordoba meets you just as promised. Or did she say just as planned? Anyway, she has apparently gotten her hands on some of the old powered armor from the early post-war days. It's not much against hunter-synths but you'll take what you can get.

The Prime Grove is not, as one might expect, an orderly little place. It's not even very little. It takes up about a square mile to the southeast of Ephraim City and has continued to grow since then.

No use waiting around here, you guess.

Gear heads into the trees.
Cog heads into the tress.
Dr. Mordoba heads in to the trees.

Gear: Climb in a tree and scout. See where the Hunter-Genics are if you can.
After this:

>stick close and tread silently, ambush is the worst thing that could happen right now.
Position yourself back to back so they can't sneak up on you.

Gear decides to run overwatch with her sniper rifle. She isn't disappointed.

*click. Click. Click. Click.*

She feels the reassuring hum of the sniper rifle gaussing up to speed. The scope and laser sight are ready. It doesn't take her long to spot one- Oh. My. Void.
[Gear's Awareness skill -> 7]

There isn't just one queen.

There isn't even one queen and a few drones. It looks like this colony has been here for a while.
[Gear's Morale -> 20 PANIC]

Gear fires the sniper rifle. Gear HITS a hunter-slayer. Gear has taken the slayer by surprise! Slayer has no defense roll!
[Gear's PERC+Heavy Weapons -> 28%5 = 5]
[Gear's CRFT+Spot Weakness -> 28. CRITICAL HIT]
[Sniper Rifle is armorpiercing!]
[Gear has recovered a lost talent: Sharpshooter- One shot is all you need. With single-shot weapons, damage is increased.]

The hunter-slayer has been slain. Well, not so much slain as turned into an absolutely bloody mess.

However, it's unlikely at this point that you will be so lucky as to catch one unawares. The sniper rifle is loud.

Gear shouts to the others. "I thought you said there was only the queen! Why are there five drones and two- uh, one SLAYER!?"

"It's been three weeks..." Dr. Mordoba says, darkly. "Do your best!"

Cog feeds in a mini-grenade drum into his drum-fed shotgun. Please select his Burst Rate, from 1-5. Higher Burst Rates are more accurate, but will burn through ammo quicker!

Dr. Mordoba readies a strange device...

Gear: Try to take out a slayer. Or a drone. Whichever one can kill you faster.
Cog: Fire in the largest group of enemies to maximize damage.
Doctor Person: Stop being useless.

Dr. Mordoba is constructing her weapon as fast as she can! She'll be done in a few seconds! Egad! Stop harrying her!

Gear fires the gauss rifle. Gear successfully re-established surprise! Hunter-Slayer rolls no defense!
[Gear's Stealth ->7]
[Gear's PERC+Heavy Weapons -> 37%5=7]
[Gear's CRFT+Spot Weakness -> 31 CRITICAL HIT+1]
[Gear's Spot Weakness ->6]
[Sniper Rifle is armorpiercing!]
[Total damage- 43]

Yeah, Gear's pretty sure he took out that Hunter-Slayer based on the way its body exploded. She still can't find the Queen, though...

Cog advances to cover Gear's position! Cog fires! THOP THOP THOP THOP
[Cog's RFLX+Small Arms -> 10+4 (BR) = 14]
[Hunter-Drone's RFLX+Dodge -> 18]
[MISS]

Dr. Mordoba's dart gun is finished, and may fire.

Doctor: Get close enough and fire the darts.
Gear: Re-establish surprise and shoot.
Cog: Do some cover fire for them.

Gear: Continue switching trees and sneak attacking, prioritizing based on deadliness.
Cog: Turn it up to five and continue firing.
Dr. Mordoba: Why didn't you prepare it before?!? Anyways, shoot whatever target Cog is firing at. It won't be able to dodge.

Dr. Mordoba doesn't like these baseless accusations! Why, the very idea that she might want to lead a pair of Cavaliers to their doom to study the laying habits of a Hunter-queen are baseless and immoral!
[Dr. Mordoba's RFLX+Small Arms -> 8]
[Hunter-drone's RFLX+Dodge -> 14]
[MISS]

Gear attempts to leap to another tree and re-establish surprise. She will be able to fire next turn.
[Gear's RFLX+Acrobatics ->10 OK]
[Gear's RFLX+Stealth -> 29-2=27]
[Hunter-drone PERC+Awareness -> ???]

Cog goes to five rounds a burst. He FIRES!
[Cog's RFLX+Small Arms -> 24+5 -> 29]
[Hunter-drone's RFLX+Dodge -> 13]
[Cog's CRFT+Spot Weakness -> 3 NO]
[Cog's weapon is a blast weapon!]
All five grenades hit!
[18-10=8]
[13-8=3]
[8-6=2]
[11-4=7]
[20-2=18]

Cog is fairly certain he not only stipped off its natural armor, that hunter drone is very very dead. One of the other Hunter-drones stops to feed on it.

The others, however, now rapidly approach melee range!

Cog: Try to hit the charging one.
Gear: Don't fire! The blast could hurt you.
Dr. Morboda: Try to hit the charging one.

Gear should fire at the ones in the back of the charge.

Gear sucessfully re-established surprise. We know this drill by now, I presume!
[Gear's Morale -> 60 Rallied!]
[Gear's PERC+Heavy Weapons -> 25]
[No Defense Roll -> 0]
[Gear's CRFT+Spot Weakness -> 21 NO]
[Sniper Rifle is Armorpiercing]
[35-0=35]

One of the drones in the back is toast.

Cog fires another burst!
[Cog's Morale -> 80]
[Cog's RFLX+Small Arms -> 23+5 = 28]
[Hunter-Drone's RFLX+Dodge -> 17]
[Hit. 28-17 = 11-5 = 6%5= 1]
[Cog's CRFT+Spot Weakness -> 17 no]
[15-15 = 0]
[22-12 = 10]
[12-9 = 4]
[19-6 = 13]
[20-3 = 17]

Cog's minigrenades overkill another Hunter-Drone.

Dr. Mordoba fires!
[Dr. Mordoba's RFLX+Small Arms -> 83]
[Hunter-Drone's RFLX+Dodge -> 9]
[HIT 83-9= 74%5 = 14]
[Dr. Mordoba's CRFT+Spot Weakness -> 27 CRITICAL HIT]
[59-0=59]

... How the hell did a dart gun do THAT!? Dr. Mordoba is certain the toxin she created shouldn't be anywhere near that sudden. Or Effective.

In any case, the two remaining Hunter-Drones attack!
[Hunter-Drone's RFLX+Martial Arts -> 10]
[Cog's RFLX+Dodge -> 12 MISS]
[Cog's Morale -> 74]
[Hunter-Drone's RFLX+Martial Arts -> 17]
[Cog's RFLX+Dodge -> 6]
[Cog's RFLX+Armed Combat -> 25 MISS]

Cog manages to weave out of the way of one, but has been forced to block the other with the shotgun. He is now stuck in melee combat and cannot fire!

Both drones are currently in contact with Cog! Besides, Gear's sniper rifle hasn't cycled yet. It's wonderful for sniping, but it does have a low rate of fire, and she only has five bullets left.

Cog> if I remember correctly you were prepared enough to bring a sword (but not enough to bring the towel). draw that and swing at the guy who is harassing you, when it dodges blast it with the shotgun.

>Sloppy Makeouts with Hunter-Drone

>Gear snipe the other drone
>Dr. Morbaodoac : dart gun the drone on cog, don't hit cog though

Ew! Nobody wants that! It'd be like making out with a zerg or something GROSS

Cog focuses. Just like Sifu taught him... The shotgun has been dropped. the sword has been drawn.
[Cog's Morale -> 64]
[Cog's RFLX+Armed Combat -> 20]
[Hunter-drone's RFLX+Dodge -> 4]
[Hunter-drone's RFLX+Martial Arts -> 28 MISS]
[Hunter-drone begins to tire.]
[Cog's Morale -> 58]


Dr. Mordoba fires. Maybe this one won't explode!
[Dr. Mordoba's RFLX+Small Arms -> 14]
[Hunter-Drone's RFLX+Dodge -> 10]
[4%5 = 0]
[Dr. Mordoba's CRFT+ Spot Weakness -> 12 no]
[13-20 = 0]
[Hunter-Drone's BODY+ Resistance -> 12 FAIL]
[Hunter-Drone's RFLX drops!]
[Hunter-Drone's BODY drops!]
[Hunter-Drone's PERC drops!]
[Hunter-Drone's SPED drops!]
[Hunter-Drone's KNOW drops!]
[Hunter-drone has been poisoned!]

Well, that went a little better- oh void it's coming this way and it's got big claws oh void oh void oh void
[Hunter-drone's RFLX+Martial Arts -> 5]
[Dr. Mordoba's RFLX+Dodge -> 10 MISS]
[Dr. Mordoba's Morale -> 75]

... Phew.

The other one seems more interested in that fascinating sword Cog has...
[Hunter-drone's RFLX+Martial Arts -> 8]
[Cog's RFLX+Dodge -> 12 MISS]
[Cog's Morale -> 53]

He's doing the best he can!
[Cog's RFLX+Armed Combat -> 22]
[Hunter-Drone's RFLX+Dodge -> 5]
[Hunter-Drone's RFLX+Martial Arts -> 20]
[22-20=2 hit]
[Cog's CRFT+Spot Weakness -> 26 CRITICAL HIT]
[20-15=5]

Cog leaves a gash across the Hunter-drone's chest!

Dr. Mordoba hesitates.

Gear's sniper rifle has cycled.

>morboda: Dart gun that hunter again
>Cog: keep slashing
>Gear: look for queen

[Gear's PERC+Awareness -> 20]
Gear still can't see her from this vantage point! She'll probably have to scout closer to home...

[Dr. Mordoba's RFLX+fast draw -> 15 OK]
Dr. Mordoba readies her electric fist!
[Dr. Mordoba's RFLX+Martial Arts ->33-5= 28]
[Hunter-drone's RFLX+Dodge -> 11]
[Hunter-Drone's RFLX+Martial Arts -> 4]
[28-11= 17%5=3]
[Dr. Mordoba reveals a hidden talent! Trained by a Master- improves lots of neat stuff with Martial Arts skill!]
[Dr. Mordoba's CRFT+Spot Weakness -> 30 CRITICAL HIT +1]
[37-0=37]

Who the hell needs sedation on a Hunter-drone? Honestly. Besides, they're immune to most narcotics- sedation is generally not an option. Really, Dr. Mordoba is glad that she managed to formulate that specific.

[Hunter-drone's RFLX+Martial Arts -> 18]
[Cog's RFLX+ Dodge -> 12]
[Cog's RFLX+ Armed Combat -> 25]
[MISS]
[Cog's Morale -> 43]

Wait so what is the dart gun exactly?

It seems to completely maul a hunter, but now for some reason martial arts would be a better choice?

>Gear: head closer to the colony's nest or center or whatever

That was the result of a ridiculously lucky roll. The toxin didn't actually affect the exploded one! That was caused by the dart itself. I'll let you consider that further.

Also! The toxin does not stack its effect! So attacking the same drone with it twice is pretty useless.

[Cog's RFLX+Armed Combat -> 31]
[Hunter-drone's RFLX+Dodge -> 15]
[Hunter-drone's RFLX+MA -> 6]
[31-15= 16%5= 3]
[Cog's CRFT+Spot Weakness -> 14 no]
[24-4=20]

Cog slashes through the last hunter-drone.
[Cog's Armed Combat -> 6]
[Dr. Mordoba's Martial Arts -> 6]

[Gear's RFLX+Stealth -> 27]
Gear approaches the direction the attack group came from. If it's been three weeks, that might be the only attack group.

They can only hope... Gear finds a hole.

>Make a plan to cause a cave in, instantly killing all the horrible monstrocities inside.

You're not so sure about that; if it can dig that hole, it can probably work its way out. Hunter-genics are, after all, ultimate survivors. They had to be, for the kinds of things they were designed to do...

>Make a plan to lure all the hunter-drones out of the hole so Gear can snipe them all to death.

I doubt the queen and eggs can move, so that plan is useless.

Gear is absolutely sure this will be useless. Man, this would be a good time for a plasma grenade. Except... That would burn the root system. Damn it.

>regroup, a sniper rifle is fairly useless down that hole by it self.

Which means this is the best option.

Gear now actively dislikes this job.

Second post coming.