Something to Do

One of the CourseMen snagged the document from the air, and promptly had it pinched by a second, before the main Courser took it from them and looked it over. His eyes wandered the list and he seemed to go back and forth for a brief moment before settling.

"Right, Much as some of these are quite appealing, I think I'll have to go after the Bashers this time. Can't have those rowdy gun turrets making all the helpless cannons out there feel inadequate, now, can we?"

Wrangler hoped in place and spun around, its cowboy hat twirling in the air before landing on its head backwards. "Alright! Big, heavy loads! Go 'n get 'em, boys!" said Wrangler, as the slot in the sign above the counter spat out another, shorter list, this time already detached as if flew in front of CourseMan's face, ready to be grabbed to go.

Bounty Reward for Basher (Basher)

Area: Sharo

2 kills: 560z, turn-in available
5 kills: 1400z
10 kills: 2240z
15 kills: 3360z
20 kills: 5600z
30 kills: 7000z
50 kills: Magnum1Damage: 120 + Break + Panel Break x 3 Targets
Accuracy: A
Description: A triple barreled gun that blasts through defenses and terrain alike. Rare
Duration: Once
Element: Fire
Trader Rank: C; OR 9800z

As Courser nodded and grabbed the list from the air, his other decoys dissolved into shadow. He inclined his head, giving the wrangler a grin and a wink, before stepping back into the growing pool of darkness and disappearing from the area.

((To -> Sharo, I guess!))

((From -> An Unexpected Sharo Expedition))

One eventful evening later, Courser returned to the Wrangler's bounty booth , slipping out of a patch of shadow and approaching the stand. He grinned and tipped an invisible hat at the prog, then drew and spun his newly acquired pair of magnum revolvers and spun them across his fingers in a short display before sliding them back into his belt.

"Sharo's Basher problem has been somewhat culled... thirty to report, though I didn't manage to find or fix the actual source or cause of the upsurge. Should be fewer of them showing up for the unready for now though." He grinned and gave Wrangler a chance to confirm his bounty and render the payment.

"Well now! That's quite a load of bashers there, partner! Actually, think this is one of, if not the biggest load we've gotten since opening this here stand! Well then, let me count out those kills real quick and give you yer earnings, shall we? And I wouldn't worry too much 'bout findin them sources. It always comes and goes in waves, just make sure to help cull their numbers before they get too much for one singular net!" The prog happily exclaimed as three sperate bags of zenny began to rise from beneath the stand, waiting to be picked up by Courser. "Well then! If'n you ever want another bounty, don't be afraid to swing on by before yeh go on a killing spree!"

Courser gains: 20,160z!

Courser couldn't help the smirk that crossed his lips at the Wrangler's comments. He took the payment and sent it away, then tipped two fingers in a lazy salute to the prog.

"A day for first it seems. I'll be back for more later, but not just yet." He stepped back from the counter, then inclined his head with a small bow and let the shadows take him.

((Return to -> Jenny's PET))

((From => The Cybe Cafe))

At the end of his series of errands, Courser finally arrived at the Netfrica Bounty Booth, surfing up the counter from his entry point and pausing to stretch in front of it.

“Alright then... That last one was a big hunt out of the normals, but I think I'm feeling a bit more roguish today...” He grinned and winked. “What do you say, Wrangler? Find me something good.”

((Requesting Rogue Net Bounty))

"Wahoo! A Rogue Net run, eh? I can see you're a bit more hardy since last I saw ya! Okey dokie, gimmie a second here..." The prog would cry out happily, printing out a sheet of potential targets for the navi before handing it over. "Here ya go pardner! Hope there's somethin to yer likin on there!"

Piranha2Piranha2 (Piranha)

Piranha viruses work as a hive-mind. They all move at the same time, attempt to detect targets at the same time, and once a targets is detected by any of them, they all attack that one target at the same time. Moving and searching for targets takes one action. Attacking takes another. Any Piranha just recovering from a status effect that prevents normal operation will resume acting in unison with the rest of the group.

Area: Yoka, Dentech, Beach

HP: 120
Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Aqua x 3 Shots
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Locks on and fires 3 tridents.
Element: Aqua
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): TriSpear, TrainArrow2, Zenny
Special: Floating. When multiple Piranha virii are on the field at once, they attack one target as a group. (Piranha) - TriSpearDamage: 20 x 3 shots x 3 targets
Accuracy: B
Description: Launches volleys of three steel needles at up to three targets.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: C, TrainArrow2Effect: Adds +40 Aqua to Buster Shot Attack
Accuracy: Buster Accuracy = A
Description: Allows the user to fire Aqua Spears from buster.
Duration: 6 Uses.
Element: Aqua
Special: Overrides Buster. Disables Charged Shot.
Trader Rank: C
Buffy-FBuffy-F (Puffy-F)

Area: Yoka, Netfrica, Hades Isle, Kotobuki Town

HP: 200
Attack Damage/Effect: 30 Fire + Spread(8) + Homing + Ground Attack
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Fires a 30 HP bouncing bubble which explodes after hitting an object or enemy or being destroyed.
Element: Fire
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Spreader2, HeatSpreader2 (Rare), Zenny
Special: Immobile. (Puffy-F) - Spreader2Damage: 70 + Spread 8
Accuracy: A
Description: A gun whose shot explodes on impact to hit nearby enemies.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: C, HeatSpreader2Damage: 60 + Spread 8
Accuracy: A
Description: Shoots a fireball that explodes on impact to hit nearby enemies.
Duration: Once
Element: Fire
Trader Rank: C (Rare)
Honeybomber2Honeybomber2 (Honeybomber)

Honeybomber viruses do not dodge, as they instead counter attack against hits taken. They are actually capable of moving from place to place with great speed, but rarely chose to do so. When they do move, it is always to interpose themselves between an opponent and one of their allies, although this doesn't always happen. Honeybombers only attack when struck by an attack, and even then, only if they survive the hit. This counter attack is not prevented by Impact, and may execute the same number of times as a Honeybomber has actions in one turn. The Honeybomber may elect to target different enemies for follow-up swarm launches after the first target has been attacked once that turn. While Honeybombers do have OmniShoes, and are constantly flying above the ground, they still enjoy the benefits of wood-based terrain regardless of altitude.

Area: Dentech, Yumland

HP: 190
Attack Damage/Effect: 5 Wood x 5 Hits + Homing x 2 Swarms
Attack Accuracy: B
Attack Description: Attack with swarms of bees. Each swarm has 50 HP, and can be shot down.
Element: Wood
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RiskyHoney2, Zenny
Special: OmniShoes
Special: Ignore Height: This virus enjoys the benefits of same-element terrain, regardless of altitude. (Honeybomber) - RiskyHoney2Damage: (1-Hit Wood Element Shield) + (Elemental Counter(20 damage x 5 hits + Homing): On Hit)
Accuracy: A
Description: Block with Hive & Bees swarm the enemy.
Duration: Once
Element: Wood
Special: Element Defense: In addition to the defense's normal weakness, it is also weak against an Element. If struck by this element, the defense is instantly destroyed, and the user sustains double or more the elemental damage of the attack. In this case, the weakness is Fire.
Special: Elemental Counter: Counter attack is launched if the parent defense was not hit with an effect it is weak against. In this case, Fire and Break are weaknesses.
Special: Status Guard: This chip blocks debuffs.
Trader Rank: C
Spikey2Spikey2 (Spikey)

Spikey viruses are a little faster than the average virus, allowing them to cover more ground than normal with movements and dodges. They may attack while moving, but as normal, they cannot attack while dodging without expending a second action to do so. Spikey viruses are also able to use something called 'pack tactics' when 3 or more of them are present. Simply put, the Spikey viruses attack and dodge as a wolf pack. In addition, they are treated as having a reduced power Haste and Accuracy Enhancement effect which grants them a +5% bonus to evasion and accuracy while this effect is active. The effect is passive, and only expires when their numbers drop below 3.

Area: ACDC, Kotobuki Town, Yumland, Netfrica, Hades Isle

HP: 190
Attack Damage/Effect: 45 Fire + Spread 2
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description - Fires Heat-V
Element: Fire
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Heat-V, Zenny
Special: Uses pack tactics when with at least 2 other Spikeys (Spikey) - Heat-VDamage: 70 + Spread 2
Accuracy: A
Description: Shoots a fireball whose explosion penetrates enemies to hit up to two other enemies behind and to the side of it, as if forming a V shape.
Duration: Once
Element: Fire
Trader Rank: C
KarmaKarma (Dharma)

Dharma move and dodge at average speed. Their puck attacks rebound off of the edges of the battlefield as if there were an invisible wall there. They can rebound up to 3 times before finally passing off of the field or dissipating into thin air. The pucks pass through anything they hit except boundary walls, terrain, and friendly viruses. The pucks can not damage other Dharmas. This virus cannot attack while moving.

Area: Yoka, Netopia, Sharo, NetVegas

HP: 170
Attack Damage/Effect: 45 Null + Break + Piercing + Rebound(3) + Ground Attack
Attack Accuracy: E
Attack Description: Throws a Hockey puck at the enemy. Break.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per virus): AirHockey2, Zenny (Dharma) - AirHockey2Damage: 60 + Break + Ground Attack + Rebound(5)
Accuracy: B
Description: Throws a hockey puck at the enemy. The puck will bounce off of anything it hits (objects, viruses, Navis, etc.) in the field, dealing damage to them, up to 6 times. The attack stops immediately if it encounters a broken or missing panel, or the initial attack misses.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Special: Rebound(5): This effect allows an attack to ricochet around the field. It will attempt to bounce off of enemies or objects until it has attacked five additional times, with the damage of the chip reducing by 10 for each attempted attack. Each attack against a given target lowers the chip's accuracy by 2 ranks against that target.
Trader Rank: C
ShooterShooter (Gunner)

Gunners attack every action, if able. They don't bother attacking enemies they can't hit or enemies they can't damage, but they can select Objects as targets. Their accuracy with the machinegun attack is bad because it scatters everywhere. They are aware of this. They are also aware of the fact that their Vulcan attack pierces objects.

Area: SciLab, Kotobuki Town, Dentech

HP: 120
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Null + Spay Fire x 9 Shots
Primary Attack Accuracy: E
Primary Attack Description: Targets an enemy and sprays the area with twin machineguns.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 15 Null + Spread1 x 3 Shots
Secondary Attack Accuracy: A
Secondary Attack Description: Targets and enemy and attacks with Vulcan.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Vulcan2, MachineGun2, Zenny
Special: Immobile. (Gunner) - Vulcan2Damage: 10 + Spread 1 x 5 Shots
Accuracy: A
Description: Attacks with a 5-shot minigun.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: C, MachineGun2Damage: (50 x 9 Shots) + Spray Fire
Accuracy: D
Description: Creates a machine gun that fires 9 shots at a single enemy. While inaccurate, its missed shots are capable of hitting others.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Special: Spray Fire: If a shot from this attack misses its primary target, it has a chance to hit something near the enemy instead of completely missing. Good RP increases the chance of triggering this effect.
Trader Rank: C
Skarab2Skarab2 (Skullavia)

Area: Netfrica, Hades Isle, NetVegas

HP: 200
Attack Damage/Effect: 60 Null + Confusion + Homing
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Throws a bone that homes in on it's target.
Element: Null
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): Skully2, Zenny
Special: Collapses into a pile of bones when hit by non-buster attacks for one turn.
- Invincible while collapsed. (Skullavia) - Skully2Damage: 120 + Homing + Confusion
Accuracy: C
Description: Throws a spinning bone at an enemy, if it misses it will swing back around. Confuses enemy on contact.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: C
Flamey2Flamey2 (Flamey)

Area: Kotobuki Town, Netfrica, Hades Isle

HP: 110
Attack: 40 Fire + Break Terrain x 2 Targets
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Flies into the sky, then crashes through the ground. Crashes back up through the ground again, usually beneath the feet of a Navi.
Element: Fire
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): LineOut2, Zenny
Special: Greatly enhanced evasion when attacking.
- Second attack's accuracy is unchanged, but is harder to avoid. (Flamey) - LineOut2Damage: 80 + Break + Medium Broken Terrain Change + Line Attack
Accuracy: C
Description: Summons a Flamey to smash panels in a line, and anything on them.
Duration: Once
Element: Fire
Trader Rank: C
HeatJelly2HeatJelly2 (HeatJelly)

HeatJelly are floating, jellyfish-like viruses, that seem to simply float nonchalantly, yet are deceptively difficult to combat. Fortunately, their rarity ensures they they never appear before a Battle 6, and there are never more than 2 in a single battle. While their horizontal movement is terrible at best, they can easily adjust their altitude as needed. By default, however, they tend to hover a couple of feet above the ground. The exception to this is when they attack. HeatJelly attack by launching large waves of magma at enemies The attack cycle of HeatJelly is 2 actions long. It requires one action to charge before firing. If they are stunned or otherwise temporarily disabled, they resume their attack cycle where it was halted once the stun wears off. When they attack, they drop to the ground in order to pump out as much liquid as possible. This allows them to harness the power of certain kinds of terrain to boost their attacks, but it also makes them immobile and vulnerable to ground-based attacks for the duration.

Area: Hades Isle

HP: 270
Attack Damage/Effect: 70 Fire + Ground Attack + Wide Attack + Lava Terrain Boost 40 + 1 action charge
Attack Accuracy: A
Attack Description: It charges itself with innate elemental energy, then launches a hard-to-avoid wall of magma at enemies. The attack is stronger if performed over Lava terrain.
Element: Fire
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RedWave2 (Rare), Zenny
Special: OmniShoes
Special: This virus can move forward, backward, or to the side, but it does this so slowly that it cannot evade attacks this way.
Special: This virus can move up and down at high speed in order to avoid attacks while charging. While they can float fairly high, they cannot achieve High Altitude status.
Special: This virus is anchored and cannot move when attacking. (HeatJelly) - RedWave2Damage: 70 + Ground Attack + To-All-Clause (Others) + Lava Terrain Boost 50
Accuracy: B
Description: Creates a wave of lava to burn everything and everyone other than the user, even their allies. Can be jumped over, but requires perfect timing. More effective if there is lava in the vicinity to fuel it.
Duration: Once
Element: Fire
Trader Rank: C (Rare)
Brushman2Brushman2 (Brushman)

Area: Netopia, Dentech, NetVegas

HP: 150
Attack Damage/Effect: Small Holy Terrain Change under one ally virus or Small Lava, Ice, Magnet, or Poison Terrain Change around enemy
Attack Accuracy: S
Attack Description: Dabs its brush on the net floor to change the terrain type.
Element: None
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): HolyPanel, MagnetSeed, LavaSeed, IceSeed, PoisonSeed (rare), Zenny
Special: Can use effect multiple times a turn. Only one will be directed underneath the opponent, the rest around. One free dodge. Can use Recover50 chip once. (Brushman) - HolyPanelEffect: Small Holy Terrain Change
Accuracy: S
Description: Creates a small area of Holy Terrain beneath you.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: C, MagnetSeedDamage: 10 + Small Magnet Terrain Change / Medium Magnet Terrain Change
Accuracy: A
Description: Lob a seed that create a medium Magnet area. Only a small area if it hits an opponent.
Duration: Once
Element: Elec
Trader Rank: E, LavaSeedDamage: 10 + Small Lava Terrain Change / Medium Lava Terrain Change
Accuracy: A
Description: Lob a seed that create a medium Lava area. Only a small area if it hits an opponent.
Duration: Once
Element: Fire
Trader Rank: E, IceSeedDamage: 10 + Small Sea Terrain Change / Medium Sea Terrain Change
Accuracy: A
Description: Lob a seed that create a medium Ice area. Only a small area if it hits an opponent.
Duration: Once
Element: Aqua
Trader Rank: E, PoisonSeedDamage: 10 + Small Poison Terrain Change / Medium Poison Terrain Change
Accuracy: A
Description: Lob a seed that create a medium Poison area. Only a small area if it hits an opponent.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: D (Rare)
MagmaDragon2MagmaDragon2 (MagmaDragon)

This high tier virus is only encountered after battle 5. A PotDragon's pot is stationary during battle, as it remains above the panel the virus appeared on until battle is over or the virus is deleted, and will not fall even if the panel below it should be destroyed. PotDragons have two main attacks, each geared towards either ground or aerial targets. When executed, the pot tilts or falls over, and the dragon charges at the enemy before looping back and returning to the pot. When threatened, they will duck into the pot, which is both indestructible and capable of shielding them from all damage and effects except those that manage to fly into the mouth of the pot. Even Beam Attacks and Blast damage won't leave a mark.

Area: Hades Isle

HP: 250
Primary Attack Damage/Effect: 90 Fire + Ground Attack + Medium Area Lava Terrain Change + Terrain Changer
Primary Attack Accuracy: C
Primary Attack Description: Charges from its pot at high speed to attack ground-based enemies whilst leaving a trail of Lava in its wake.
Secondary Attack Damage/Effect: 90 Fire + Impact + Group Attack (Arc)
Secondary Attack Accuracy: C
Secondary Attack Description: Flies from its pot at high speed to attack airborne enemies.
Tertiary Attack Damage/Effect: Invulnerability to Non-Drop Attacks/attacks from above.
Tertiary Attack Accuracy: S
Tertiary Attack Description: PotDragons hide in their pots instead of dodging. Doing this protects them from attacks from every direction but up, which is where the opening of the pot is.
Element: Fire
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): HeatDragon2, Zenny (MagmaDragon) - HeatDragon2Damage: 150 + Ground Attack + Medium Area Lava Terrain Change + Terrain Changer
Accuracy: C
Description: Summons an EarthDragon that attacks enemies as it glides across the ground. Changes terrain to Lava as it passes.
Duration: Once
Element: Fire
Special: Terrain Changer: Ceases attacking when the Terrain Change effect is completed (once 25% of the terrain is changed).
Trader Rank: C
Twisty2Twisty2 (Twisty)

Area: SciLab, Electown

HP: 160
Attack: 60 Elec + Panel Break + Drop Attack
Attack Accuracy: C
Attack Description: Summons a RemoteBit to rain down lightning and break panels.
Element: Elec
Possible Rewards (Per Virus): RemoteBit2, Zenny
Special: Immobile. RemoteBit is invulnerable to all attacks and effects. Can use Blinder once. (Twisty) - RemoteBit2HP: 100
Properties: Anchored
Object Damage: 100 + Impact
Damage Method: Telekinesis
Attack Damage: 120 + Panel Break + Drop Attack
Accuracy: B
Description: Summons a Control Tower in your area and a Remote Bit to rain down lightning upon the enemy.
Duration: 3 turns or Until destroyed
Element: Elec
Special: Drop Attack: This attack originates above the battlefield, and falls to the ground. It gains one rank of accuracy against High Altitude targets.
Trader Rank: C

As he looked over the list, Courser considered his current folder favourites, then nodded to himself.

"I am always fond of some well cooked fish, I must admit. I think if you've got a puffy problem, then I can probably look into that, where I'm headed. Hook me up for that one."

"Oh, them varmints? Yea, we had someone check on the upper nets sometime ago to help fix that problem, though it seems they've been getting a bit nasty down below, so thanks fer picking that up fer us!" Wrangler would speak, printing out a proper sheet for the navi to enjoy. "Don't get killed down there, ya hear!"

Bounty Reward for Buffy-F (Puffy-F)

Area: Yoka, Netfrica, Hades Isle, Kotobuki Town

2 kills: 1200z, turn-in available
5 kills: Spreader2Damage: 70 + Spread 8
Accuracy: A
Description: A gun whose shot explodes on impact to hit nearby enemies.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: C; OR 3000z
10 kills: 4800z
15 kills: 7200z
20 kills: Spreader3Damage: 100 + Spread 8
Accuracy: A
Description: A gun whose shot explodes on impact to hit nearby enemies.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: B; OR Spreader2Damage: 70 + Spread 8
Accuracy: A
Description: A gun whose shot explodes on impact to hit nearby enemies.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: C + 9000z; OR 12000z
30 kills: 15000z
50 kills: HeatSpreader2Damage: 60 + Spread 8
Accuracy: A
Description: Shoots a fireball that explodes on impact to hit nearby enemies.
Duration: Once
Element: Fire
Trader Rank: C; OR Spreader3Damage: 100 + Spread 8
Accuracy: A
Description: A gun whose shot explodes on impact to hit nearby enemies.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: B + 9000z; OR Spreader2Damage: 70 + Spread 8
Accuracy: A
Description: A gun whose shot explodes on impact to hit nearby enemies.
Duration: Once
Element: Null
Trader Rank: C + 12000z; OR 21000z

"Will do. See you some time soon then!" Courser confirmed the contract and gave a short bow to the wrangle-prog, then stepped back in the forming pool of dark water behind him, and faded from sight.

((Retuning to => Jenny's Home))