Another test run. (Mod Locked by Grim)

A beam of light shot from the sky, and struck the ground. Upon impact, it pooled into a ball, and then shrank until it formed the outline of a humanoid Navi. The glow began to lessen, and the form resolved itself into Broadside.EXE, in his armor clad White-Guard GMO. As usual, his blackened left arm rested in it's sling, while his right arm reached up to grasp the handle of his Guard Rifle, and drew it.

"What are my objectives in this exercise?" Broadside asked as he looked up at his Net-Op.

"Well, pretty much do whatever you usually do when on the network. I suppose in your case, that would be finding some viruses to delete..." Jared smirked at how dismally one-dimensional his Navi really was. Better to smile about it, than sigh. There's no changing him, is there....

"Affirmative." was his reply as he began hunting for viruses to engage in combat.

((Requesting Battle 1))
Broadside.EXE encounters a small group of viruses, ripe for target practice.

Enemy Viruses Detected!

BillyA: 50HP
BillyB: 50HP
BillyC: 50HP
KabutankA: 80HP
KabutankB: 80HP

Terrain: 100% Normal

Broadside.EXE: 200HP

-<Battle 1! Ready, Fight!>-
"Enemy sighted." Broadside said as he ran towards the viruses. "Moving to engage."

"That was quick. You never have any difficulty in finding trouble, do you? Jared observed as he selected a few chips, and slotted them in. "I'm sending you a hand-full of Shotguns and your TwinFang1." he said as he hit the transmit key on his terminal.

Broadside channeled the data into his left hand, and used it to form a clip for his rifle. He then angled the weapon across his body, within easy reach of the arm resting in it's sling, and loaded the clip into the gun with it with a *click*. He then pointed the weapon at the right-most Billy, and fired a cloud of metal pellets at the electric virus. At the same time, an energy field sprang into being around his person, forming a glowing transparent globe to ward off any return fire.

Broadside then began to run in a wide arc around and to the left of the group of viruses. As he did so, he lined up a second shot on another Billy, and fired again. He shifted his aim just a bit more, and fired the last shotgun round at the third Billy, then began watching the remaining viruses to learn more about their AI's.

J.T., on the other hand, watched the programs monitoring Broadside's status.

---Summary---
1: Shotgun @ BillyA, Spread @ Any Kabutank (50 Null + Spread 1)
2: Aegis Defense (120 HP Barrier, 3 TCD)
3: Shotgun @ BillyB, Spread @ KabutankA (50 Null + Spread 1)
4: Shotgun @ BillyC, Spread @ KabutankB (50 Null + Spread 1)

---Sigs---
Aegis Defense: Triggered
Broadside fires off his first round, quickly deleting a Billy virus and wounding a Kabutank. He raises his shield and fires off two more shots, deleting the remaining Billy viruses and leaving only one injured Kabutank alive. Knowing its existence will be very short, it fires in a panic; both rounds exploding over Broadside's barrier.

BillyA: DELETED
BillyB: DELETED
BillyC: DELETED
KabutankA: DELETED
KabutankB: 30HP

Terrain: 100% Normal

Broadside.EXE: 200HP (60HP barrier)
((Split Turn))

"Good shooting." Jared said suddenly "Just one more to go."

Broadside didn't reply, and instead pressed a switch on the side of the rifle's grip with his thumb, and kicked on his thrusters to make himself a lot harder to hit. As he lept forward at a greatly accelerated pace, the top barrel of the rifle, an odd square-ish thing, split, and rose from the rest of the rifle about a centimeter. The rail-gun charged as Broadside pointed the rifle at the Kabutank... and fired. The steel spike of the Twin-Fang1 left the barrel at a ridiculous speed, trailing a spiraling stream of energy in it's wake. The second shot was aimed higher, with the intention of intercepting some of the possible return fire.

Jared slotted in a Guard and a ZapRing1, just in case.

---Summary---
1: Dodge
2: TwinFang1
--- @ Kabutank (70 Null)
--- Use to shoot down a bomb fired by the Kabutank
<Split>
3: ----
4: ----

((Split turns? Didn't read that in the Mod Manual... *searches forums unsuccessfully*))
The Kabutank is quickly deleted without even firing a shot. I guess it accepted its own demise.

VICTORY!

BillyA: DELETED
BillyB: DELETED
BillyC: DELETED
KabutankA: DELETED
KabutankB: DELETED

Terrain: 100% Normal

Broadside.EXE: 200HP (60HP barrier)
Rewards: Thunder, 250z
Broadside stopped to collect the data left by the viruses, then continued hunting for more viruses.

((Requesting battle 2))
More viruses appear, some of them are electric types. One of the viruses seems a bit larger than the others...

Enemy Viruses Detected!

BeetankA: 50HP
BeetankB: 50HP
BeetankEX: 90HP
ElecOgre: 120HP
MagTectA: 90HP
MagTectB: 90HP
MagTectC: 90HP

Terrain: 100% Normal

Broadside.EXE: 200HP

-<Battle #2! Ready, Fight!>-
"Alright, Broadside, I'm sending you a handful of chips." Jared said as he reached into his chip pack. "Use them as you wish." He began slotting them in without really looking at them, his attention still focused on the programs he was using to monitor Broadside's status.

"Acknowledged. Broadside replied as the chip data began flowing in. The random selection included a Shotgun, two Thunder1's, a ZapRing1, a MagBomb1, and an EnergyBomb. Broadside sorted out the data, queued it up, and.... "Engaging targets of opportunity."

So eager... came a random thought, and the accompanying impression of amusement. A moment later, the spherical energy barrier of Aegis Defense sprang into being around Broadside once more. The odd readings J.T. was seeing as the barrier formed around Broadside caused him to arch an eyebrow.

Meanwhile, Broadside moved towards, and to the left of the group of viruses, Shotgun chip data already loaded into the Guard Rifle. He picked a virus out of the group, the nearest Beetank, pointed the rifle at the virus, and blasted the chip data at the target. He used the Shotgun's recoil to pivot the rifle upwards, setting up his next attack for him. He then pushed the secondary trigger switch on the grip, sending the EnergyBomb sailing through the air towards the ElecOgre with a soft (as compared to the shotgun's ear-assaulting blast) cough from the rifle's square barrel.

Broadside then waited for the viruses to make their move. The Magtects in particular. He'd already encountered them before, and was well aware of their favorite tactic of using one magnetic arm to draw tgheir prey in close so they could shock them with the other. He planned to use that against them. In his left hand, he held a MagBomb1. He waited for the telltale magnetic tug of the Magtects... And the moment he felt it, he would hurl the metallic stun bomb towards whichever virus was bold enough to try him first....


----Summary----
1: Aegis Defense (120 HP Barrier, 3TCD)
2: Shotgun @ BeetankA, Spread @ BeetankB (50 Null + Spread 1)
3: EnergyBomb @ ElecOgre (40 Null x 3 Hits)
4: MagBomb1 @ Any attacking Magtect, Blast @ viruses around Magtect ((30+10) Elec + Stun + Blast 2)

---Sigs---
Aegis Defense: Triggered
Broadside raises his shield then blasts the two Beetanks with one shotgun blast with relative ease. He then launches an energy bomb at the Elecogre, deleting it with it's final burst. The first MagTect starts to draw Broadside in and triggers him to attack with his MagBomb. As the MagBomb soars through the air, the MagTect launches its own magnet which bounces harmlessly off the Aegis Defense.

The MagTect is hit in the head by the electrical bomb and sprays the two other MagTect with electrified goo to stun them for a good period. The BeetankEX, seeing it's two underlings defeated so quickly, fires a round at Broadside. The projectile explodes over his barrier and creates a powerful shockwave that cracks the tiles around him.

BeetankA: DELETED
BeetankB: DELETED
BeetankEX: 90HP
ElecOgre: DELETED
MagTectA: 50HP
MagTectB: 50HP
MagTectC: 50HP

Terrain: 95% Normal, 5% Cracked

Broadside.EXE: 200HP (70HP Barrier)
Broadside channeled the remaining 3 Elec chips into his rifle as he charged straight at the BeetankEX. He began processing the chip data, merging it into a more useful form.... The rifle's barrel began to glow as the chip data collected within. Once the charge was nearly completed, Broadside suddenly kicked in his rocket thrusters, and jetted quickly to the right. Two jet-assisted strides later, he flared the boosters, and lept into the air, pointing the rifle at the Magtect that had attacked him.

He pulled the trigger....

The gun recoiled madly as it fired a large energy bolt orbited by a double-helix spiral of smaller energy bolts. The focused blast of energy flew straight towards the Magtect, with the spiraling bolts of energy breaking off to lance out at both of the other Magtects as it drew near its target.

----Summary----
1: Charge Thunder1 (Delayed until Action 4)
2: Charge Thunder1 (Delayed until Action 4)
3: Boost Jump (Dodge)
4: Fire all Chips:
--- ZapRing1 @ MagTectA ((40+15)Elec + Stun)
--- Thunder1 @ MagTectB ((40+15)Elec + Stun + Homing)
--- Thunder1 @ MagTectC ((40+15)Elec + Stun + Homing)
As Broadside charges up his weapons, the BeetankEX takes its time to take aim while one of the MagTects manages to move enough to fire a magnet at the Navi. The magnet shatters on impact against Broadside's barrier. The large Beetank fires off a round, but hits nothing but floor due to Broadside boosting right and jumping straight up into the air. He fires a super-powered shot that splits into three electrical projectiles, all hitting their targets and reducing them to sparking bits of data.

BeetankA: DELETED
BeetankB: DELETED
BeetankEX: 90HP
ElecOgre: DELETED
MagTectA: DELETED
MagTectB: DELETED
MagTectC: DELETED

Terrain: 85% Normal, 15% Cracked

Broadside.EXE: 200HP (40HP Barrier)
The recoil of the meta-chip attack threw Broadside off balance, and sent him slowly tumbling at the apex of his jump. He began feathering his boosters to right himself again. Once accomplished, he then fired his thrusters to soften the landing a bit. He managed to stay on his feet when he met the ground, but only barely.

"Next time you try that attack, you might want to also try stabilizing yourself with your thrusters." Jared advised, as he slotted in a couple of Shotguns. "You came dangerously close to landing on your head."

"Understood. I have been programmed for ground-based combat." Broadside responded, formally... "Aerial tactics are foreign to my programming."

That's obvious. came a random, and disappointed sounding, thought.

Broadside ignored it, and Instead leveled the Guard Rifle at the BeetankEX, and fired a Shotgun blast. He then started to run to the left, and kicked in his boosters mid-step, jumping off in one protracted flying stride. As his other leg hit the ground, he took off running without skipping a beat, and prepared to shoot the virus again... He braced the rifle across his body, the business end aimed at the BeetankEX, and pulled the trigger a second time.

----Summary----
1: Land the jump. (Tac Move)
2: Shotgun @ BeetankEX, Spread @ BeetankB (50 Null + Spread 1)
3: Booster Dash, circling to the left.. (Dodge)
4: Shotgun @ BeetankEX, Spread @ BeetankB (50 Null + Spread 1)

---Sigs---
Aegis Defense: Active (2 TCD)
The BeetankEX falls under the hail of fire, collapsing into a pile of scrap.

Victory!

BeetankA: DELETED
BeetankB: DELETED
BeetankEX: DELETED
ElecOgre: DELETED
MagTectA: DELETED
MagTectB: DELETED
MagTectC: DELETED

Terrain: 85% Normal, 15% Cracked

Broadside.EXE: 200HP (40HP Barrier)
Rewards: DoubleBomb, 300z
As Broadside collected the chip data left behind by the BeetankEX, Jared asked "Hey, Broadside? Did you experience anything strange during that last battle?"

Broadside replied with "Negative. Nothing to report." as he sent the data to the PET. This task accomplished, he went in search of more viruses...


((Requesting battle 3))
Broadside continued his search for more viruses. He notices several of the floor panels have changed from plain white to semi-polished metal and looks up. He sees several objects in the distance, and moves forward to investigate. He gets closer only to see several flashes of light coming from the objects. They were muzzle flashes! Broadside dives to the side and rolls away from the barrage of bullets.

Warning! Viruses Identified!

GunnerA: 60HP
GunnerB: 60HP
GunnerC: 60HP
GunnerD: 60HP
CanoGuardA: 60HP
CanoGuardB: 60HP
CanoGuardC: 60HP
CanoGuardD: 60HP
ElecOgreA: 120HP
ElecOgreB: 120HP

Terrain: 70% Normal, 30% Metal (The metal panels become more frequent as one gets closer to the viruses. GunnersA, B, and CannoGuardA are on metal panels)

Broadside.EXE: 200HP

-<Battle #3, Ready Fight!>-
((NOW we're talking.))

As Broadside stood up and approached the enemy, he took stock of what he was up against, and began communicating with his Net-Op over a private channel... "The enemy formation consists of several stationary gun platforms backed by two ElecOgre class virii. They have the advantage in ranged combat capabilities against my current form. A change in tactics is advised."

"Then why not use your Mecha form to win the battle?" Jared inquired, obviously confused.

"While my mechanized form has the firepower needed to annihilate them, its massive frame would be target practice for this many gun platforms. Deletion would be mutual." Broadside paused as he scanned the virus group once again. "Close combat is effective against these types of viruses."

JT responded with a thoughtful "I see...", his voice trailing off as he paused in thought for a moment. When he spoke again, his tone was questioning "I assume you have a plan, yes?"

"Affirmative. I'll need a Sword, and some ranged chips for support."

"Alright..." JT said as he reached for the requested chips. "So, what is the plan?" he asked as he slotted in the Sword, and reached for a second chip.

A random thought passed through Broadside's mind: I will bet 'The Plan' doesn't involve thinking about your own safety. Along with the thought, he got the vague impression of a mental sigh and of an emotion akin to amused resignation.

Broadside began to run towards the viruses as he communicated with his Net-Op.... "There are many ranged attackers, and I am but a single mobile target. In this situation, placing myself in their midst increases the chances that they will either hesitate to fire, or perhaps shoot one another while trying to hit me. It is also harder to track a fast moving target at point blank ranges." He paused for a moment, then reluctantly added "However, surviving long enough to make it into knife range (*1) will prove difficult." As he finished talking, he prepared the TwinFang1 Jared had just slotted in for use.

A mirthful Called it. floated through his mind. As the thought passed, the barrier system he used to defend himself with while in WhiteGuard.GMO form activated itself.

"Engaging the enemy." Broadside declared as he kicked in his thrusters and shot off towards the viruses. He made his advance at an angle, so as to make himself a much harder target to hit than simply dashing straight at them, yet closing the distance all the same.

As he jetted across the battlefield in huge strides, Broadside took aim with his Guard Rifle at one of the shielded cannon viruses in the group. He pressed a switch on the side of the rifle with his thumb, causing the barrel to split and rise from the top of the gun by about a centimeter. The space between the two halves of the squared barrel then began to distort and glow as the railgun charged it's magnetic drivers. He pulled the trigger, sending a solid steel spike lancing through the air so fast it left an energy wake of shredded molecules behind it.

With his first shot off, Broadside landed his latest booster-propelled stride, spun to face the virus group, and shot towards them on his re-ignited boosters. As he closed with the group, he shifted his aim towards another of the CanoGuards, and fired the railgun a second time. The armor-piercing round would do to the shielded virus what a sabot round did to tanks if it connected.... Regardless, Broadside continued his reckless advance, and aimed to pass into the center of the group of viruses.

Once there, the next phase of his plan would begin.... If he lived.

----Summary----
1: Aegis Defense (120 HP Barrier, 3TCD)
2: Dash towards the viruses at an angle. (Dodge)
--AddBreak (TwinFang1)
3: TwinFang1 @ CanoGuardB, and @ CanoGuardC (70 Null, 2 targets) [+Break]
4: Dash through the middle of the virus group. (Dodge)

---Sigs---
Aegis Defense: Triggered


((1: Knife Range = term for extremely close range-to-target))
Broadside activates his barrier and starts to close in to the group of viruses as they open fire. The bullets crash into the ground behind him, creating a "rooster tail" of explosions and shrapnel. He aims towards the CannoGuard viruses with his TwinFang1, and fires. The first CannoGuard opens fire and is quickly destroyed by the large metal spike. The second CannoGuard closes its thick metal shield as the spike blasts through the first virus, leaving a small hole through it. The spike strikes the shield and slowly slides to a stop, embedded in the CannoGuard virus. The gun turret falls silent, reduced to a mere obstacle.

Broadside passes through the virus group as the rest of the cannons open fire. The ElecOgres also attack, but Broadside expertly evades the majority of the electric shocks. The cannons continue rotating as they fire, randomly landing hits on Broadside's shield; and a few shots actually hit each other since they momentarily face towards each other. The bullets impact both Broadside's Shield and random viruses, making loud metal clangs and spitting chunks of metal in random directions.

GunnerA: 50HP
GunnerB: 60HP
GunnerC: 40HP
GunnerD: 55HP
CanoGuardA: 55HP
CanoGuardB: 60HP
CanoGuardC: DELETED
CanoGuardD: INACTIVE (Still an obstacle)
ElecOgreA: 110HP
ElecOgreB: 120HP

Terrain: 70% Normal, 30% Metal (The metal panels become more frequent as one gets closer to the viruses. GunnersA, B, and CannoGuardA are on metal panels)

Broadside.EXE: 200HP (70HP Barrier)
Broadside threw out his gun-arm, and activated his Sword chip, causing a blade to spring to life at the end of the Guard Rifle's frame. He then shifts the balance of his body to one side, and angles his thrusters while pivoting the blade like a flight control surface to sharpen his turn without slowing down terribly much. He then flares his boosters once again, and takes off through the group of gunners, slashing at a CanoGuard as he passes by with his outstretched bayonet. As he passes through the group, he drops a metalic sphere he'd been clutching in his sling-bound left hand as he passes by GunnerB, and jets onwards to leave the Magbomb to do it's job behind him. He then braces his gun arm across his body and takes a shot at CanoGuardA with a Zapring as he exits the virus group's perimeter.

He readied his next attack as he continued to move swiftly...

----Summary----
1: Turn and dash back out of the virus group. (Dodge)
2: Passing Sword Slash @ CanoGuardB (80 Null + Slashing)
3: Drop Magbomb1 amidst the Gunners ((30+10) Elec + Stun, Blast 2)
-- AddBreak (Zapring1)
4: Fire Zapring1 @ GanoGuardA ((40 + 15) Elec + Stun)

---Sigs---
Aegis Defense: 3 TCD
Broadside passes through the virus group again, prompting minimal fire from the cannons. Maybe they learned from their past mistakes! Broadside slashes a CannoGuard with his sword and leaves a nice present for the Gunners. The magbomb explodes in a shower of sparks, deleting 2 of the Gunners (due to being on Metal Panels) and stunning the 3rd. Broadside then fires a Zapring at the last CannoGuard, destroying it. Both of the ElecOgres and the final Gunner attack, pelting Broadside's shield. Broadside wasn't aware he had a foot on one of the Metal panels, inadvertently boosting the enemy Elecogre's attack power. The two ElecOgres shatter Broadside's shield while the Gunner hits him with 3 machine gun rounds.

GunnerA: DELETED
GunnerB: DELETED
GunnerC: 40HP
GunnerD: 5HP (Stunned)
CanoGuardA: DELETED
CanoGuardB: DELETED
CanoGuardC: DELETED
CanoGuardD: INACTIVE (Still an obstacle)
ElecOgreA: 110HP
ElecOgreB: 120HP

Terrain: 70% Normal, 30% Metal (The metal panels become more frequent as one gets closer to the viruses.)

Broadside.EXE: 170HP (Barrier Destroyed)