Part 35: Jack's Squad HQ
Crisis
They used us while they could, and the instant we become useless to them, they turn on us!
You're being a little hasty there. We need to calm down.
What's the situation, Arthur?
We have received a signal from Crewman Jimenez. It seems he left his watch position without explanation.
They captured him to shut him up!
The likelihood of his capture by Jack's squad is high. If we could communicate with them, we could easily settle this, but as usual our hails are unanswered. We must investigate directly.
If only he'd thought it through a little more carefully...
A bit harsh, isn't it, Zelenin!? Jimenez was right all along! We couldn't ignore what Jack's squad was doing!
On the other hand... there's no denying we're in a worse situation as a result.
Hey! We're getting a communique! It's from the Lightning! Jack's squad has contacted us! What!? Really!? Put it though to the main viewscreen.
I thought we had an understanding not to interfere with one another. But you've gone back on your word. You've infringed on the agreement; violated our contract.
Hey, wait! We don't even know what happened! What did you do with Jimenez!? Playing dumb, eh? If you insist... I'll spell it out for you. Your crewman, Jimenez...
It's difficult to classify this undermining of our operations as anything other than a hostile act. Jimenez! Sabotage!? He was acting on his own! Whatever his motives, it was unquestionably sabotage.
We were quick to regain control of the situation, so there were no unrecoverable losses... But if we had noticed it only minutes later, the damage would have been severe.
He was even using his own demons to help! If they'd started a riot, who can say what might've happened!? Your "experimental materials" were... demons!? You were using demons in experiments!?It's like a mirror-Bootes or something. Isn't it Ironic?
No. No, it's not.
What did you hope to accomplish!?
We're simply doing our utmost to effect our business plan. There's certainly no reason you should interfere. That dumbass Jimenez...
He put all our lives in danger, and believe you me, he's gonna pay.
You're going to use Jimenez in an experiment!? You can't be serious! He's a human! You can't experiment on humans!
I have no intention of forgiving him for what he's done. Our research team is top-hole. I'm sure he'll be put to good use.Oh. THAT'S why Jack always comes off as condescending and sarcastic. He's probably meant to be British; I can tell because top-hole is semi-antiquated British slang.
god fucking dammit
Stop it! Give Jimenez back! What do you want from us!? Nothing, save for thorough severance of relations. I believe you've underestimated us. Did you think the Schwarzwelt was safe enough that you could enter half prepared?
Remember that, and say goodbye to your friend.
I can't raise them again...!
Humans, demons, it's all the same to them! What's going to happen to Jimenez!? What I want to know is why the hell Jimenez snuck in! Maybe he found out about the experiments and tried to put a stop to them...? If that's what happened, he should have contacted us first! ...What should we do, Arthur? Are we going to have to abandon Jimenez?
It is not entirely impossible to infiltrate the Lightning. The Lightning would most likely have to use most of its energy to support this space-time location.
There should be little preventing the Red Sprite from landing at their base. If there's a chance... we could give it a shot... The question is, can we beat them? What makes you think they'll stop with Jimenez?
Their actions are beginning to pose a threat to our team. In that light, it would be dangerous to ignore the situation. They're using demons not because they have to, but for business purposes... Have they no shame...? Same co-ordinates as last time, Arthur?
Acknowledged. We should always be alert. Begin the journey to Jack's Squad HQ...
This time it just happens, unceremoniously. No FMV or anything. Not complaining. Definitely not complaining!
The Red Sprite has landed safely. Our infilration into Jack's Squad HQ is complete. Well, they're not attacking yet... Guess they're waiting to see what we do first. Okay, so far we were right on the mark with our predictions. Now to figure out how we get into their base...Through their easily accessible, barely guarded front door?
Exercise every available method to save Crewman Jimenez. I am issuing a new official mission, designated "Save Crewman Jimenez." Keep in mind the possibility that Jack's squad is carrying advanced technology. Should you deem it necessary, destroy any equipment you find....Why destroy and not procure?
I look forward to the successful completion of your mission. Prayer
We'll dive into Jack's Squad HQ in a moment, but first we have to do the usual.
The Joint Project, meaning us, are here for the sake of mankind. They're just opportunists out to make a quick buck. And we always knew that! I was a fool to believe them even for a second!
Well, there's no going back now. Just do your best out there. Seeing humans fight each other in a place like this makes me ill...
It's all about money, deep down, isn't it? Humans at war over money... Hasn't there been enough of that kind of thing in our world? Bringing that nonsense into the Schwarzwelt... The demons must be laughing at our stupidity.
But Jimenez isn't stupid. He's a professional mercenary. He'd never do something like that. There must have been some sort of accident... I don't see any other explanation.
Since we have the Moon Mirror now, we can give both mirrors to Irving and Chen. This should net us what we're getting from this
...Or not. Great. I guess the last forma is past that invisible asshole and will trigger Asura's fight. I have basic pattern recognition!
I also have some new things in the store. They're mostly awful! The Alacrity Ring is +4 Agility. Agility is the worst of the 5 stats because its the least important and relevant and that makes this the third worst stat boosting ring type (HP and MP edge it out of course). AC Forite x2, Haunt Jacket x2 (Strigoii) and Raptor Ulna x2 (Gurr) can be used better elsewhere.
This technically counts, but only just. Fitness is +4 Vitality. AC Forite x2, Fallen Star x2 (Ose) and Femme Ruler x2 (Lachesis) for this one.
Actual items are better. Like Bead Chains. Bead Chains are great! Nectar Core X x1 and Miracle Core x4 per Chain, and it's really worth it. 10,000 Macca a piece isn't even that much in practice, since Genma Jars from Eridanus sell for 8000 each and Enigma Spheres off of Kinmamon are 9000, for example...
And, yeah, we now have unlocked both Amritas. I thought I had the Soda already but apparently not.
Soda is Nectar Core X x1 and Rising Core x3.
Shower is Nectar Core X x2, Rising Core x2 and Recovery Core x5.
Personally I don't stock up on these too often, but that's mostly because I'm a reckless weirdo. It seems to work out well, so I don't see any reason to change now.
Grr... That's... That's just no way for a man to act! He's spittin' in the face o' technology itself! I wish I could go in and sock 'em all in the kisser! ...But I guess that's a job for the strike team. Go on, boys... Raise some hell for ol' Irving.
Though what with being cooped up in this lab all the time, I don't know much about negotiation. So I'll just leave it to you. I know you'll pull us out of all this, Hitonari.
I can't believe that smell I found so odious on Earth is present here in the Schwarzwelt, too... I can't let this go on. Let's go quash it at the source.
Well, let's go see if we can't bail Jimenez out of this fresh mess. This is only the second time we've had to rescue him now; one more and we win a brand new doormat.
Crisis
> The soldier pointed his gun at you!
I was getting tired of shooting demons! But killing humans... My trigger finger's getting itchy! Hm...? Hmmm... Do I have permission to kill...? I remember the Captain telling me to avoid conflict... Nah, I'm overthinking this! I just gotta tell him it was in self-defense!I've been waiting for this!
An Honor Befitting that Name
So, Jack's Squad is really unimpressive! They're normal people, so they don't have any interesting or unique resistances. They're just immune to Expel and Curse and neutral to everything else.
They don't even have any skills or anything. Not really. They can do a basic attack that... is Physical elemental. Despite how they're, y'know, wielding guns. Just go with it.
Also they give dick all EXP, no Macca and don't drop anything (we can't loot their pockets? really?).
Crisis
Though it was unforseen, you have engaged Jack's squad. Continue the mission with caution. A Rotten Nation
Yeah, yeah, so we can actually enter and explore Jack's Squad HQ now. There's a terminal right by the entrance for some reason; there's a healing spot at the opposite side of the door, naturally.
Next to the terminal, there's a room that's mostly empty. It has this dude in it though.
I don't know what you're doing here, but it stops now! An Honor Befitting that Name
Sergeants are completely identical to Soldiers save for having more HP, dealing slightly more/taking slightly less damage and being 3 levels higher.
Since everyone here lacks skills at all in any meaningful way, these guys are good ones to pop Mirrors for. They can't exactly do anything about it, which is a rarity.
A Rotten Nation
But you're no threat, not with those pathetic powers. I'm done with this demon. I'll let it free...> The squad member fell to the ground.
Y'know, if they actually used demons, Jack's Squad would be way bigger threats just by default. As is, they're boring voids of anything particularly noteworthy.
So let's kick it up a notch and bring one of the Four Horsemen who's getting Shiwanna's source purely so he can resist Phys and Gun. Remember, that Wind weakness is actually a Neutral for all intents and purposes now.
And he's immune to all ailments ('cept Rage), which would be nice but uh you've seen Jack's Squad. That's not a concern here.
The Fear of God
So, what about the randoms? Uhh... I, uh, they sure are a thing. The random demons here pull a selection from every Sector (presumably because that's literally what the squad did in the first place). They get paired in ways that don't even begin to make sense, but at least its consistent with what little we could ascertain about what's the squad have been up to.
There is technically some new things here, I guess? They're from later in Fornax though. Catoblepas is basically Grendel again, but simultaneously better and worse. He only resists Phys, he's weak to Expel, is 300% weak to every ailment except Rage and Sleep and the latter is a normal 200% weakness.
Every ailment, yes. Even Petrify. The one he throws around the most. The one his source gives both skills for. The one that's half his default skill list (Staredown is the other half for Fear). His basic attack even has a 3% chance to Petrify. And he's weak to his own gimmick.
Good job, Catoblepas.
Sorrow
> Mutilated demons are yelling from inside the tanks...
...You want my power that much? You want it so much you don't mind cutting me up...? This pain... This humiliation! I should have killed you on the spot when I met you!
Give them back... Give them back... My hands... My feet... Give them back to me...
...I'm angry, but I see now... Why God cursed the humans... They're unsalvageable! Their wretched souls are stuck deep inside their bodies!
That rage will power our new weapon! The useful demons will become stronger, and the ones who aren't will become spare parts! Now THIS is science! The fusion of technology and demons!
What is security doing, letting you in here!? Dammit! You'll be the first test of our new weapon! An Honor Befitting that Name
Spoiler alert: they do nothing new. They're the same as they are in every other possible encounter.
Oh and when I said they're neutral to everything except Expel and Curse, yeah. I mean it. Everything.
Sorrow
Kill each other! Kill each other! Kill each other without end... Until you die, we shall be at your heels...
> It's the switch to the cultivation tanks.
Honestly, I think turning them off will be doing the shattered, broken remnants of demons a huge favour.
> The demons in the cultivation tanks fell silent.
A Rotten Nation
So, above that room there's an empty room here with this hidden door.
It's guarding this Rare Forma. This forma would be very nice if it came, oh I don't know, about 35 minutes earlier.
Following the path around, we can find the Lightning just hanging out here. We can't get into it though, but it's marked on our map now at least.
...Thanks, Jack. It IS 125% HP restoration so I'm not exactly knocking it, but...
And last, right by the entrance, we have stairs going down. This is the entire first floor of the HQ done and dusted. Yes, really.
Really. There isn't much to this place in terms of dungeon, as you may have noticed.
On B1F, there is only one immediately visible door and it doesn't open. We need a password. Hrm. If you missed something on 1F, you might think its there.
Naturally, it isn't; there's a hidden door over here.
I don't think I mentioned it before, and this should be obvious anyway but... Frag Grenades key off Strength and not Magic to do their damage. They're honestly way better than they seem, considering how early you can buy them and all.
Chaos Theme
I find human conflict to be most interesting. It makes no concessions to time or place. You place your fragile life and your desperate mission o the scales... It impresses me to watch you fight as your heart wavers between the two ends of that scale. It's a show very much worth directing.
You should be there to see it transpire. As his friend. We shall meet again, I think. Oh, and I had something else to tell you.
It is most likely for that purpose that humans exist...
So, that just happened. Anyway, where exactly were we?
A Rotten Nation
...Oh, right. Jack's Squad HQ has one dark room. It's a corridor. It has one random alcove because fuck you for trying to map this before the backend of an NG+ playthrough. Although it's really bad at that, considering Jack's Squad HQ is the most blatantly obvious perfectly symmetrical area we've seen to date.
Easy to miss pair of Beads here. Doesn't really matter too much if you're not after the map stuff though; we've been able to buy 'em for a while and all.
The bottom-most door over on the left nets some Nerve Gas. This is also honestly pretty good. Could buy a ton, I guess, but ehh this'll do.
I'm just a scientist! I'm not looking for a fight...! I'll tell you anything you want. Please don't hurt me!
Where's Jimenez?
I-I don't know the code, though. C'mon, I told you all this. Please let me go!
The lab is a red herring. It doesn't give us anything of interest or worthwhile.
Huh? If I'm a scientist, I should know the passcode? Oh...! ...... All right, I lied! Forgive me!
Well, that was easy enough.
So, what's behind this locked door, then? We can tell that it's not much, but...
Sorrow
You'd figure it'd work with a human and demon whose souls are on the same wavelength...
Putos! You better hope this experiment kills me, 'cause if it doesn't, you're dead men!
B... Boo... Buga b... boo... *sigh* That demon looks like it's on its last legs already. C'mon, you're a demon! You were only hit with the magnetic field five or six times. Get angry! Get worked up! Geez... Ngbu...! Boooooooooo...! Stop it! You stop that NOW!
I'll toss you one by one into a crowd of hungry demons! Geez, do you never shut up? Did you already forget how much I can make you suffer? Yell your lungs out if you want, but once this experiment succeeds, you belong to us! You'll be a perfect demon soldier who obeys any order without a second thought!
You came for me...
That Demonica...! You're with the Red Sprite, aren't you!? Is security asleep or something, letting you get all the way here!? You're ruining my fun! Ugh... I'm in some deep shit here... I don't have anything to fight back with... Then... Then... Aha...! I'll just do this!
B... Boo... If this goes like it should, have fun killing your friend! Now it's time I got outta here...!
Well, that was easy. Now to just free Jimenez and Bugaboo and then we can leave. The Squad have all fled before our unstoppable might!
Wait! You... Urgh! Urrrrrgh...!
Well, let's be honest here. We can let this weird thing keep going until folks actually die for real... or we can just turn it off. Hmm, this is a difficult decision.
I can't let that happen... He saved my life! Do me a favor, Tadano! This stupid machine isn't gonna work, they tried over and over! Listen, you gotta use our--Aaargh! Ugghhhh.
That way he doesn't have to die... Don't worry, Tadano! Believe me, I'm cursing them right now! I'm cursing 'em like a demon! Before that hatred cools... Hurry and send me to the Demonica!
Thanks, Tadano...
So tonight on the Great Schwarzwelt Bake Off, we're going to try an experimental new recipe.
Take two cups of Jimenez...
Add a tablespoon of Bugaboo, with some light Agidyne for seasoning.
Mix well, and leave in the HereticManor.exe for about 30 seconds.
FusionPSA, do not add a Source and definitely don't attempt this during a Full Moon...
...Otherwise it'll all go horrifically wrong!
End Silence
Chaos Theme
You're still alive...
Like I said, don't you worry about me. I did this of my own will. I feel strong... with no pain. There's nothing wrong with me. Now c'mon... let's go crush those vatos. Those punks who like to play with the lives of demons!
Alright, cool. We'll follow Jimenez to the Lightning in just a few moments. Gotta finish that map fir--
Oh, we've actually done it already. Guess we're off back to the Lightning, then!
Just you wait, Jack. I'm coming for you... Stand back, Tadano.> Jimenez walked toward the deck...
Rrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Just because we've had animation recently, doesn't mean it was sticking around. I know, it sucks.
*pant*... *pant*... I... did it... Silence ...Let's go, Tadano. Right through here... That's where we'll find the enemies of the investigative team... and of the demons...> You infiltrated the Lightning alongside Jimenez...
In The Master's Name
Our base is devastated, we've sustained losses in equipment and manpower... And to top of it all, our weapon development program has been thoroughly destroyed. If our patrons learn how badly our plans were disrupted, I should think they'd be rather cross. To back down here would blacken my squad's name as a business concern.
With everything you have...
The grudge engraved on my body...! The grudge of the demons you have screwed with...! That's the only payback you're getting!
It seems we still have a few kinks to work out in our fusion process. To leave this defective product alive could endanger our reputation. I shall dispose of you!
These are my finest custom demons... They'll suck the marrow from your bones!
Rrrrraaaaaaagh! Let 'em try!> Jimenez began fighting the demons!
There's the matter of revenge for my men you slaughtered, of course... But in the end, a breakdown of business is war. Nations or corporations, there is little difference. A vast array of armaments becomes a grand business asset. There's no liability in having one. With this in my possession... I can crush what needs to be crushed and take what needs to be taken.> Jack set his Demonica to battle mode.
A quick demonstration is in order!
Captain Jack An Honor Befitting That Name
So, Jack is... way harder than all of his nameless goons. He's a lower level than some of them but he can kind of put up a fight! To you, personally, the person playing the game.
Jack himself has a small pool of moves but, uh...
Rain Strike is what he does for like all of his attacks. It's not his only attack, mind you, but it IS the best one he has and he spams it like crazy.
Rain Strike is a very powerful random NoH skill. It's 1-3 hits that are Gun elemental (hmmm...).
His only other attack is Sunset Melody. It's a fairly decent Almighty elemental attack that has a baked in Tarunda, but that's all. It would be more impressive if he didn't decide to finally use this when at -2 Attack (and White Rider and Cu Chulainn are at +4 defense...).
That there are two Pisaca makes this one of the rare few times that Bites the Dust CAN be theoretically dangerous.
Jack's AI seems to be pretty weird. If he's ever debuffed at all, regardless of stage, he has a chance to cast this. It's guaranteed at -4, of course.
Oddly enough, Pure Blue is a self-heal. That's a combination of Dekunda and Diarahan. It's possible to lock his AI down for a little while by casting, say, Debilitate and he'll respond pretty frequently with Pure Blue regardless of how much he'll heal. Jack is not very bright, no, but it's better than getting him low on HP and then whoops he heals 1999 out of his 2000!
Jack is not a demon, so we don't unlock him for fusion sadly. The plus side to this is that by being Human, he's neutral to like every ailment so you don't even really have to try to do fun things if you really want.
He does give okay EXP and a non-zero amount of Macca though. Better than his goons in every way, this Jack fellow.
End In The Master's Name
I've... lost...!? I'm sure your demons would rather die than protect scum like you... Can't we... come to terms... isn't there... something I can do...? You're learning, Jack.
Wh... What are you...? But y'see, Jack, that's the thing...
It's over for you! Jimenez, enough! Stay outta this, Tadano!
Arrrrrrrrrrgh!
Nah... There was no stopping it. The moment I took this form... Hee... Hee hee hee!
Wh... What's going to happen to us...!? Well... With your commander dead... You'll need a new commander. Would that be you...? Don't worry. Until there's no one to replace your commander...
What...!? Wait, wait...! I'm not like the Captain... I'm more flexible... I'll help you! Y-Yeah! That's right!
I know you guys are looking for Exotic Matter, right!? Well, I'll help you! I-I mean... if you'll let me...! P-Please, spare me...! What a sad sack... There's not a single thing you believe in, huh? Why don't you try learning from the demons? So long, Captain Ryan...! Silence
Huh...!? What!? Malevolence and Benevolence
That's just slaughter for its own sake. ...That an order? I'm just doing what's right as a member of the investigative team.
I'll serve under you... It would be an honor! Just spare my life... We won't kill you. But you must cooperate with our investigation. ...Getting in my way...
You go get some rest. We can take it from here. Jimenez! Report to sickbay and get yourself examined! I dunno what for. I feel perfectly fine, man. But... if you say so...
......Tadano. You did well on the mission.
One quick fade to black later...
Mission "Save Crewman Jimenez" is confirmed complete. Gaining control of Jack's squad was an unexpected but ultimately favorable result. We will keep them under close watch to control them. However, given the situation...
Our human resources would be better allocated to our main objective. They were real pains in the ass, but we can't just kill them... What should we do? The simplest way to handle this is by disabling some of the Lightning's key systems. We will strip Jack's squad of their ability to travel.
...I guess that's the best we can do. Even so, a skeleton crew will remain to supervise Jack's squad. Hey, Arthur, were we able to nab any of their tech? We have made significant progress in that respect.
Your Demonicas will be updated to better support your search for the Exotic Matter. So Ryan wasn't just lying to save his ass!
I have one other item to report. We have received a rare forma from them.
Crewman Hitonari, please take this forma to the lab.
I don't think we need any reports to know that this is part of the set. It's a mirror, and its named after a celestial body. Sun/Moon/Star is a very common triad of things with that pattern, so this should be the last.
Now may be the best time to discuss this, since he's not here at the moment...
We may have rescued him from Jack's squad, but... he's not normal anymore. Physically, he's on the verge of becoming a demon.
But he's one of us. I don't agree that we should treat him like a demon. Maybe he went too far when he killed Jack, but that in the heat of battle. Any of us might've done the same thing in his shoes. And he's still lucid. Sure, he's got an attitude problem, but what else is new, right?
He seems so different than before! It's like... he's enjoying himself here now...
I told him to get some rest, but he looked like he was eager to go out and fight some more. He's got a taste for blood... It gives me the chills. But maybe we should let him rest and see what happens.
Us guys on the strike team use demons as allies, and I'd like to toss in my two cents. Without the demons' power, we never would have made it this far. Just because he's fused with a demon doesn't necessarily make him dangerous.
Whatever we decide, it should come from a human perspective.
You're the one who's worked the most closely with Jimenez. You understand him best, yes? Should Jimenez be relieved? Probably so. I agree wholeheartedly.
If we pretend nothing is wrong with Jimenez, the team morale could go straight down the drain.
We will suspend any decisions until we gather sufficient data. I would like to state for the record that I am not satisfied by this decision, but... Understood.
Once again, this just happens with no scene or anything. Once again, very appreciated.
Our current position is in sector Fornax. So now we're back to where we were before the battle with Jack's squad.
Supposedly. But of course, no one knows where it'll take us... Personally, I'd prefer a plan that would lead us back to Earth.
You already know how hard it is to get around this place! We're doing everything we can! Why don't YOU quit bitching and finish YOUR mission!? We're already late as it is! What'd you say...!?
If we can't cooperate, we're sunk! Stress is already running high. I ask that all hands take care not to disturb the peace.
Make use of the upgraded Demonica to carry out your mission. Signs show that the demons who interfered with our search are lying in wait as well. Do not let them catch you unawares as you proceed. I look forward to the successful completion of your mission.