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/tg/ - Traditional Games


File: 1342809977005.png-(409 KB, 384x500, Intro.png)
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File: 1342810010175.png-(262 KB, 774x615, NFCInv.png)
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>>Previous threads can be found at: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=NearFuture%20Cyborg%20Quest
>Fate points: 0
>Nano-Meta: 4675 Units
>Credits: 46,250

The Year is 2025
Your name is Dave, and you're winning. You hope.
Ever since the Emperors took your friends, you've slowly been tracking them down, acquiring alium allies, and bringing your friends back with you. You've already saved Grayson and Abel. Hopefully, you'll soon find Karin, Ishelda, and Amy as well.

---

Abel is standing, shoulders hunched forward, nano-meta healed scars and stitches covering his body, and a folding chair gripped in his hand. Alli was cowering next to one of the walls, the nurse-hat scanner smashed against the ground- hit with some amount of force. Neither of them seem to have new injuries, thankfully.
"I already hit you with a chair once, girl." Abel said in a cold voice.
"W-what?" Alli asked in a quiet voice.
"Yeah. After you tried tying me up. Incompetently."
"T-that wasn't me."
"Dave." Abel said, not taking his eyes off of the girl. "What's *Templar* doing here?"
>>
"Chill. The aliens jacked someone's memories and made her based on that. She's fine"

How are we getting on with processing the data we got by the way?
>>
Calm down. She's a different person. We think she was modeled after Grayson's memories of Alli Templar. She has implanted memories of being with us the whole time.
>>
>>19967476
Damn, I love Abel. Anyway, pull him aside and quietly fill him in on everything.

For those who don't know. Alli Templar busted into Abel's appartement and wrecked up the place. Abel fended her off with a chair and a gun and leaped out of of a window, then hid in the sewars for a while.
>>
>>19967469
It's not really Templar, it's a cloneish thing made based on Grayson's memories of her. I know, strange but it really is true.

She's a nice girl.
>>
>>19967553
This. And he broke the hat. What did the hat ever do to him?
>>
"Calm down." You say. "She's a different person."
Alli starts nodding frantically, edging around Abel to get closer to you.
You take Abel's shoulder.
"C'mon. I'll be able to fill you in."
He looks to you, then sets down the chair. You pull him aside, into one of the small cubby-spaces on the Sleipnir.
"We think she's modeled after Grayson's memories of Alli Templar. She has implanted memories of being with us the entire time."
"So she's not the murderous psychobitch version?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
"She's a nice girl."
"Sorry, I assumed. . . " He closed his eyes. "Those *things* kept trying to recapture me. Every way possible. Traps, fake escape pods, fake people... waiting until I slept. It's become instinct to wake up swinging. It's probably a good thing she ducked in time."
>>
>>19967605
"You broke the hat, Abel. I don't know if I'll ever be able to forgive you."
Bemoan the loss of the hat.
>>
>>19967605
"She has some strange disconnects, such as calling me both Dave and Garret without seeing the contradiction, and I am a bit worried that she might have been built to be easy to control with whatever their powers are."
>>
"You broke the hat, Abel." You say, a serious tone in your voice. "I don't know if I'll ever be able to forgive you."
He suddenly relaxed- you didn't notice how tense he was until now, and he closed his eyes, hugging you.
"It's actually you." He said, laughing breathlessly. "I'd been half-convinced this was another scheme."
>>
>>19967665
No Alium can replicate my unique brand of madness. Now apologize to the poor girl.

She has some mental disconnects but she really is a nice person.
>>
>>19967665
"Say, do you have a clue what the Emperors actually the look like?"

Also make Alli to join the hug.
>>
"No Alium can replicate my unique brand of madness." You say. "Say, do you have a clue what the Emperors actually look like?"
"Well, according to their chairs, they're two-legged and larger than us. But I never saw one with my own eyes. Just gorgeous women and those green things."
"Now, apologize to the poor girl. she has some.. strange mental disconnects, but she really is a nice person."
He scratched at his head. "Yeah, I will. I know what those disconnects are like. Until I found out about the cables, I kept having to re-analyze my own memories and discard whatever didn't make sense. Thank god for my agent training."

He climbed out of the cubby, removed his glasses, and walked back into the room. Alli looked up at him, the smashed hat in her hands.
". . I'm sorry, Allison." Abel said. "I shouldn't have acted so impulsively. If there's any way I could make it up to you. . ."

She got up, and ran around him and out of the room, running past you and through the hallway.

Abel turned to you and shrugged.
>>
>>19967790
Huh, strange. Ask Azure if she would be so kind to keep an eye on Alli.
>>
breaking a girl's heart like for shame Abel for shame. i thought you were better than that.
>>
>>19967790
Brofist and give Abel a brohug.

So how did you find out that thing about wearing cables blocking their mental influence. Given that you're the only one to shake it off like that your input would be nice.
>>
>>19967866
you're suppose to put "dice" in front of that.
>>
<Azure, could you be so kind to keep an eye on Alli?> You ask.
<Certainly.> She responds.

You brofist Abel.
"So, time for my debriefing?" He asked.
"Yeah. How did you find out about that thing about wearing cables blocking their mental influence? Given that you're the only one to shake it off like that, your input would be nice."
"It was an accident, really." Abel said. "I was jury-rigging my bombs, when some of those green things came by dragging some kind of mindfuck shiny thing. Normally I have to get away from those because they fuck me up, but it was easier when I was tangled with the cables. I figure it's some kind of. . . Idunno, bullshit brain hacking. Like your bullfrog, but with organics. So I took the cables and wove them completely around myself. That's when they started up with the traps."
>>
>>19967924
Could you give me more details on the traps?

How accurate do the memories they pulled out of you seem to be?

Tell me about the green things.
>>
"Could you give me more details on the traps?"
"You saw one. That girl that showed up? That was one of the traps. She'd start crying and asking me to save her, and then call more of those green things to me. Then I'd get stuffed behind some shield, or inside some new magic cage or whatever, and I'd have to break out again. It got to the point where I'd start checking the floor for traps. They never used any environmental traps though, like pitfalls or tripwires. Most of them were active traps, but they were all stupid. A 'control computer' would be my size rather than theirs, a gun would be perfectly shaped for my hand, all of that. So I never used anything that was even slightly off."
"How accurate do the memories they pulled out of you seem to be?"
"Hell if I know. I don't know what kind of memories they took from me. I haven't found any gaps in my knowledge, and I've resolved all cognitive dissonance they shoved in my head, but they could've done something else."
"Tell me about those green things."
"You saw 'em. They're big, green, four-legged. They look kind of like scaled bears. They talk to each other in some alien language, and they take orders from whoever was sitting in the captain's seat. They're stupid, but strong."
>>
>>19968050
You got any ideas how to find the others?
>>
"You got any ideas how to find the others?"
He shrugged. "No clue. I don't even know how you found me."
>>
>>19968050
So you don't see any magic floaty glyphs? I suppose that makes sense.

These guys don't really seem to be all that intelligent, at least where people are concerned, which is helpful.

You have any ideas for finding the rest of the party?
>>
>>19968088
Well, good to have him back. We should probably introduce him to our resident alium and Azure's body.
>>
You shrug. "Oh well. Good to have you back."
"Good to be back." Abel said, then grinned. "Damn, hell of a vacation, isn't it?"
"C'mon, let me introduce you to a few new people."
"They're not all clones of dead people, are they?" He asked.
"One's an alium, one's a robot.. and we're waiting for the alium robot to come back." You say, and chuckle.

"Abel, meet Phi. Phi, meet Abel."
<<Another human. Fun.>> Phi's translator- which was now attached to his helmet, you saw- said.
"A bug. Fun." Abel says.
<<So how badly were you screwed up when you came back?>>
"Not at all." Abel said. "Resisted it."
<<Without cybernetics?>>
"Without."
<<. . How? Tell me everything.>>

Abel started speaking in hushed tones to the bug.
>>
>>19968168
I think Phi is picking up some bad habits from us humies.
>>
>>19968168
Well let those two talk.

We should find Alli, make sure she's doing alright. I love Azure but comforting brainwashed clone things might not be her field of expertise.
>>
<Where's Alli?> You ask Azure.
<She's. . .in her room.> Azure said, somewhat hesitantly. <It seems the bulb to her light has burned out.>

You walk into her room, and little but darkness. . And hear a strange, clicking noise.

You turn your helmet's sensors on to infrared, and see Alli there, flipping her light switch endlessly. She doesn't look frustrated or upset. . .just normal, as if she's expecting it to come on any moment now.
"Hey, Bro." She says to you, still flicking the switch.
>>
>>19968294
"Why do you keep flicking the switch?"
>>
"Why do you keep flicking the switch."
She rolled her eyes, still flicking the switch on and off. "I'm turning on the light, bro. Obviously. It's a *light-switch*."

.. She didn't seem to understand that it wasn't working.
>>
>>19968294
"Yooou, okay?"
>>
>>19968357
"You're flicking the switch for the lights, but the lights don't come on. Any clue why that might be?"
>>
"You're flicking the switch for the lights, but the lights don't come on. Any clue why that might be?"
"Then this.. isn't the light switch." She said, running her hands across the wall, looking for any other switches. She feels around the otherwise-blank wall, and then finds the same switch again. "This is it, then."
She starts flicking it, and blood starts dripping from her nose.

She collapses.
>>
rolled 17 = 17

>>19968294
you all right Ali?

you remember what we discussed before? well that other-you the one that we all knew before. she tried really hard to kill abel before. and he's stressed he really is sorry about that. (lean in close) and there's an other-him too, back on earth we'll have to work with him on it too...
>>
>>19968294
...hi Alli. Think you should go get a new bulb?
>>
>>19968409
Damn, pick her up and get her to our infirmary. Alert Azure as well.
>>
>>19968409
Well, this is interesting.

Get her to the infirmary, have Azure do a medical scan and we can replace her lightbulb.
>>
You scoop her up in your arms, and take her down to the infirmary, where Azure is already waiting. Alli twitches in your arms, eyes rolling into the back of her head. She clenches her hand onto your armor, and you hear one of the power armor plates crack- her grip is impossibly strong.
"Saw it on the cameras." Azure says, as you set Alli down on the bed.
Alli starts mumbling words you can't discern, and twitches.

Azure holds her down, and puts her sensor suite just above Alli's head, examining her.
<Scanning.> She says non-vocally.
"Thss not me." Alli says, and grips Azure's arm. "Thss not my arm."
Then she tears it off, sparks flying wildly.
Azure turns back to you.
<Hold her down.> She says.
>>
>>19968496
Use the drites, hold her down, it doesn't matter how much strength she has if we hold her at points where she doesn't have any leverage.
>>
rolled 29 = 29

>>19968496
>sparks flying wildly.

it's technology so that men we can hack it! hack it, I mean her, and fix the problem. today we ride the dragon!
>>
rolled 42 = 42

>>19968569
or not...
>>
rolled 95 = 95

>>19968569
Let me roll that for you, bro.
>>
>>19968569

She ripped off AZURE'S arm. And yes, Azure is technology. But we don't hack our friends.
>>
rolled 70 = 70

>>19968577
thanks man my rolling is as bad as my stomach upset today...
>>
>>19968585
We do when they're going to die/go insane if we don't.

If we can fix her, we should.
>>
>>19968585
I've had the suspicion for quite some time now that our bullshit hacking likely extends to brains. Now would be a good time to test that.
I mean, a brain is basically just electrical impulses, right? We do that shit all the time.
>>
rolled 56 = 56

>>19968585
oh...damn...


"ABEL GET YOUR ASS IN HERE AND HELP GRAYSON SIGMA YOU TOO; SHE'S GOING CRITICAL"

if she is that strong then abel might be too...
>>
>>19968597
You want to fix Azure's ripped off arm by hacking her? How would that work? xD
>>
>>19968625
>xD
Why does this tick me off so much?
>>
rolled 69 = 69

>>19968625
thought it was templar ripping off her own arm was mistaken.
>>
>>19968496
Alli! Alli, listen to me. That's azure. She's trying to help.
>>
>>19968646
Because you're being immature. Drop it.
>>
You rush over, pinning down Alli with your 'drites. Holding down her upper arms, her lower arms, and just to be safe, you pin down her legs as well.

Alli struggles, and digs her fingers down into the table she's lying on, imprinting it with her fingers. Finally, she goes still, her eyes still rolled into the back of her head.

<I've seen this before.> Azure says. She turns to you. <She's restructuring her brain just as you did. But without the bullfrog.>
>>
>>19968692
Where is the consciousness going? What is she optimizing her brain to specialize in?
>>
>>19968692
That's....bizarre and improbable.
...speaking of brains, what's mine looking like, azure?
>>
>>19968740
Is now really a good time?
>>
"Where is the consciousness going? What is she optimizing her brain to specialize in?"
<I have no idea.> She said. <She isn't human, and her brain is structured very differently than most, as are all of her internal organs. It's also happening very, very quickly. Abnormally so.>

"Speaking of brains, what's mine looking like, Azure?"
She stares closely at you.
<Twenty five percent repaired.> She said.

Behind Azure, Alli rolls off of her bed, slamming into the ground. She twitches once or twice, and then starts to push herself up, wobbly.
"Hey, bro.Azure." She says, not noticing the blood seeping from her eyes, ears, and nose.

She smiles innocently.
>>
rolled 60 = 60

>>19968692
>>19968714

whatever part of her is is being repaired get down by her ear and start talking, words of calm, words of reassurance, >>19968410 ;;;keep talking to her keep saying that SHE IS A PERSON and her help might be needed...
>>
>>19968749
Alli is,apparently, in no immediate danger. If we decide to sleep, we can do so in a chair and have Lucca keep watch on both of us at the same time.
>>
>>19968761
Shoot her in the fucking face, head and body.
>>
>>19968793
No.
>>
>>19968761
Hey Alli, how you feeling kiddo?
>>
rolled 70 = 70

>>19968761
nothing has changed do this >>19968771

pick her up while we speak and carry her to her little cabin.

"abel, I put you in her care till you woke up, now I'm putting her in yours take care of her."
>>
>>19968796
Holy fuck. Are you dense? We just got Abel back, informing us that the Emperors set up traps with genetic engineered humans. For all we know, we've picked up one of those traps and it's now infiltrating us.
>>
"Hey Alli. How are you feeling, kiddo?"
"Alli?" She asked, her eyebrows scrunching together. "Who's that?"
She turned to Azure's still-sparking arm, and Alli picked it up. "Hey, Azure, can I keep this? It looks... familiar."
Azure turned to you.
<What should I say?>
>>
>>19968819
Even if you're right, which I'm not convinced you are, we can safely contain and study her in order to learn more about those traps.
There's no reason to kill her.
>>
>>19968819
Agreed. Fucking kill her and jettison the body.
>>
>>19968822
I dunno, arms don't make good souvenirs. Why don't you put it down and tell us your name.

>>19968819
Then this is the single most obvious infiltration I've ever seen.
>>
>>19968819
>>19968831
No killing.
>>
>>19968822
<Uhm.. I'm as stumped as you are. Take the arm for now.>

"If you aren't Alli, then what's your name? I must be confusing you with sombody."

>>19968819
If that's actually the case, she's doing a lousy job.
>>
<Uhm... I'm as stumped as you are.> You say. You itch to draw Mjolnir and shoot her, but. . not right now.
"I dunno, arms don't make good souvenirs. Why don't you put it down and tell us your name."
She sets down the arm. "Okay. It's simple, my name is. . . is. . ."
She freezes, and puts a finger up to her chin, staring at the ceiling.
"It's. . . It's. . . It isn't important, bro."
Grayson walks into the room, scratching at his wrists. "I've decided." Grayson said. "Azure, can you-"
"Oh, hey." Alli says, smiling widely. "Nice to meet you. What's your name?"
>>
>>19968843
I don't know about your definition of infiltration but she's on our fucking ship AND we're letting her live, especially after proving she can rip off Azure's arm easily.
>>
>>19968864
Just shrug at Grayson, shrug with our arms and all of our drites. Actually shrug with the drites and make the crazy symbol with our hands.

After Grayson answers ask Alli? to start telling us what she remembers about things, if she knows any names other than Azure.
>>
rolled 58 = 58

>>19968864
thats grayson. now whats your name?
>>
You shrug at Grayson, and make the crazy symbol with your 'drites.
"Grayson. John Grayson. Nice to meet you." He says. The look on his face said that he was completely out of his depth.
"Hey, Al- Hey, what do you remember? And what names do you know?"
"Well, I know Azure's name," She said. "And I know your name, and I know Abel, and now I met Grayson. I can't wait to meet everyone else in this. . in here. This place."
She scrunched her eyebrows together. "And anyway, I wasn't going to keep the arm as a souvenir- I want to use it to get augmented, like we were talking about."
>>
>>19968896
This, but no crazy motion.
>>
File: 1342817480090.jpg-(35 KB, 450x466, 1334009013619.jpg)
35 KB
rolled 29 = 29

>>19968942
nah you don't want to get an arm like that anyway. maybe something like this...
>>
>>19968942
I don't think it'll work quite like that. I can work on getting some augs for you if you want but you really don't need them. We'll have to tailor make them to fit you properly. But for now kiddo, get some bedrest. You've had a long day.
>>
>>19968942
"I think Azure was using that one."
>>
"I think Azure was using that one." You say. she looks from the arm to Azure's sparking stump.
"Oh, right, I'm sorry!" She says, handing it to Azure.
"I can work on getting some augs for you if you want, but you don't really need them. We'll have to tailor make them to fit you properly." You say. "But for now, kiddo, get some bedrest. You've had a long day."
"Okay." She says, and nods. "I am pretty tired. I do want an arm like that, though..."

She started to trail off, and then lay down on the bed, and was asleep.
>>
>>19968993
Azure, what the fuck?

Keep up the brain scans, see how much changed and in what areas, we have something seriously fucking weird going on.
>>
>>19968993
"Well this is weird."
>>
rolled 41 = 41

>>19968993
lock the door.

"abel she's your responsibility starting now, I have a ship to run"


"dammit where is 1-ship-1?"
>>
"Azure, what the fuck?"
Azure shrugged.
"Keep up the brain scans, see how much changed and in what areas. We have something seriously fucking weird going on."
"I will." Azure said. "And I'll put my arm back on while I'm at it." She said.

You and Grayson step outside of the room, and you lock the door.
"Damnit, where is 1-ship-1?"
<It has only been three hours since he left.> Cyan says. <He estimated he would return around twelve hours.>
>>
>>19969011
He's got easily 9 hours before he's late.
>>
rolled 76 = 76

>>19969038
"damn it feels longer..."

"cyan hows the translations coming I remember we got data from somewhere but in all the bustle I've lost track of where...."

"was anyone repairing the busted drite? I want a status on the not crazy people on the not crazy things..."
>>
>>19969038
Grayson, before we got sidetracked by somewhat a crazy amnesiac alien clone of a psycho you said you decided on something. What was that about?
>>
<Cyan, how's the translations coming? I remember we got data from 1-ship-1.>
<I'm mostly discarding the data we don't need. We got some advanced cooling for the lasers, and a bit of metallurgy that should make things stronger, but we have everything else he gave us.>

"Grayson, before we got sidetracked by a somewhat crazy amnesiac alien clone of a psycho, you said you decided on something. What was that about?"
"Getting my implants back." Grayson said. "Had to think about it quite a bit."
You enter the bridge.
"Was anyone repairing the busted drite?"
"I was doing my best." Lucca said. "But Azure said she'd get to it once she was done checking up on Alli."
"I also want a status on the not-crazy people doing the not-crazy things."
"Well, Lucas is fixing up his stealth suit, and Sigma's helping him." Lucca said. "I've just been... sitting here, listening to music. Abel and Phi freaked out a few minutes ago- and now they're both in Phi's room with those big lava lamp tanks."
>>
rolled 69 = 69

>>19969118
check on phi be ready to restrain abel in case of crazy
>>
You go down the steps to the small nano-meta cargo bay, which had been partitioned in half to store Phi's strange, chemical computer. When you walk in, you see Abel and Phi in there, cables strewn about the ground.
"Hey, Dave." Abel says, tools in hand.
<<Apparently, digital computers have faster storage and retrieval, while my own computers have much faster processing speed.>> Phi says to you. <<We're combining the two.>>
>>
>>19969179
"Neat. Good work guys. Say, Phi, do you know why the Emperors decided to leave your species alive, after destroying your planet?"
>>
"Neat. Good work, guys."
"Phi's gender neutral. He isn't a guy." Abel said. "Of course, I call him a he because that's more personal than 'it', but whatever."
"Say, Phi, do you know why the emperors decided to leave your species alive, after destroying your planet?"
<<They decided nothing.>> Phi said. <<We scrabbled and clung to life. The Emperors did not know we were so capable in a vacuum, nor our ability to survive indefinitely while dry.>>
>>
>>19969254
"So it wasn't a matter of mercy or laziness, but incompetence. How did these idiotic things start breaking reality and raping & pillaging across the cosmos, again? All the ones I've fought so far were downright childlike in temperament and I can't wrap my brain around how they got to where they are."
>>
rolled 91 = 91

>>19969254
it's always good to be underestimated....

have you found anything out about emperors that you didn't know yet?
>>
>>19969254
How many years ago did their attack happen?
>>
"So it wasn't a matter of mercy or laziness, but incompetence. How did these idiotic things start breaking reality and raping and pillaging across the cosmos, again? All the ones I've fought so far were downright childlike in temperament, and I can't wrap my brain around how they got to where they are."
"They're like kids." Abel said. "Kids with nuclear weapons, wormhole drives, tons of alien servants, and the tech to mindfuck anything they want. Kids with tech way more powerful than anything we've seen. . ."
He shook his head.
"How many years ago did their attack happen?" You ask.
<<Roughly, several decades. More than a century, I believe, but my sense of time is not as good as most.>> Phi said. <<I spent most of that time sleeping.>>
"Have you found anything out about Emperors that you didn't know yet?"
<<Very little.>> Phi said. <<We have conflicting theories, but nothing concrete.>>
>>
I suggest we use the remaining 9 hours to jump to earth and transfer our currently unneeded files instead of deleting them. Might be nice to look who else besides Grayson and Abel went missing.
>>
You people have no friggin' tact. You're backhandedly insulting Phi.
"Oh so the only reason your species is still here is because the bad guys were incompetent."
>>
>>19969327
>"Oh so the only reason your species is still here is because the bad guys were incompetent."
That's pretty much the only reason why every species we know of, including our own, is still around.
>>
rolled 53 = 53

>>19969315
I'd like a timeskip.
>>
>>19969352
Perhaps, but it's kinda rude to say it.
>>
>>19969356
Second
>>
>>19969315
"I'd be interested in hearing those theories. Know thy enemy, after all."
>>
>>19969315
>"Kids with nuclear weapons, wormhole drives, tons of alien servants, and the tech to mindfuck anything they want. Kids with tech way more powerful than anything we've seen. . ."

Most likely an alien with ftl technology landed on their planet, got bullshit-mindhacked and from then on it got easier and easier with each race's memory/knowledge they stole. The don't really need to understand any of it to use it.
>>
rolled 66 = 66

>>19969365
>>19969356

"I wonder if 1-ship-1 is gonna bring some friends..."
>>
"I'd be interested in hearing those theories. Know thy enemy, after all."
<<One theory is that they don't understand their own technology themselves.>> Phi said. <<Another is that they're masters of time and space, and they're just here to have 'fun'. Or perhaps they stole the tech from others using natural mind control powers.>>
"My theory is that they don't even exist on the physical realm." Abel said. "All I saw were those servants, and they took orders from nothingness. But there's no way to be sure of anything."

You go back up to the bridge, just to check everything out. Lucca's lounging on the table, the breastplate and arms of her power armor lying on the ground. She looks over to you, and you see she has earbuds in her ears.

"Dave." She says, pulling an earbud out. ". . You should get some sleep. You've been skulking around like that in full armor since Amy was taken. It's . .worrying."
>>
>>19969403
Do we even need to sleep?
>>
rolled 69 = 69

>>19969403
the armor stays on till we get her back.

is there a "kirk chair"? sit in it and pass out.

if not then sleep in our empty room.
>>
>>19969422
no, but it helps repair our brain.
>>
>>19969422
Nope.
>>
>>19969403
"I guess you're right." Get some sleep.
>>
"I guess you're right." You say, sitting down in the captain's chair. "But the armor stays on 'till we get her back."

"If." She says, and bites her lip. She lays back down, but leaves the earbud out. "If we get her back."

You close your eyes, and soon enough, you're asleep.

<1-Ship-1 has arrived.> Cyan says, waking you up. <With two other ships. One is spherical, and the other is saucer-shaped.>

You look out of the viewscreen, ignoring the sleeping Lucca, and see exactly what Cyan mentioned. A perfectly spherical ship, a saucer-shaped ship, and the needle ship.
>>
>>19969500
<Good to see you again, 1-ship-1. Who are your companions?>
>>
>>19969500
"Hey, 1-Ship-3, how's it going? Good trip?"
>>
rolled 75 = 75

>>19969500
<<salutations 1-ship-1 whom have you brought to meet us?>>
>>
"Good to see you again, 1-ship-1. Who are your companions?"

<<Response: Interested parties. The spherical ship to my left is Gazebo, and the saucer-ship to my right is 1-Ship-2. A Thinker and a Seeker, respectively.>>

Lucca sits up, looking at the three ships on the viewscreen.
>>
>>19969527
How was the trip to your homeworld then? eventful?"
>>
>>19969527
<<I see. What is a 'Thinker?' A scientist, a philosopher, a politician, all of the above? And a Seeker is... Well, simply one who seeks, I'd guess?>>
>>
rolled 32 = 32

>>19969527
<<salutations thinker Gazebo and seeker 1-ship-2; >>
>>
rolled 16 = 16

>>19969527
>Gazebo

THE WHOLE THREAD'S GONNA GET RAPED.

>>19969553
This, then
>>19969552
>>
"I see. What is a 'thinker'? And a 'Seeker'?"
<<Response: Thinkers are our scientists.>> 1-ship-1 says. <<Response: Seekers are our scouts.>>
"How was the trip to your homeworld then? Eventful?"
<<Forget the pleasantries.>> A strange, warbling, echoing voice says. <<This is Gazebo.>>
<He keeps changing frequencies.> Cyan says. <I think he's doing it to avoid being overheard.>
<<I hear that you are willing to fight our ancient enemies and retrieving the Mindcore. Confirm.>>
>>
>>19969586
Well we're already fighting them to find our friends. If we work together we're both more likely to achieve our goals.
>>
>>19969586
"We have already fought one of their ships whilst you were gone, more wouldn't be a problem, and yes we will help with re obtaining the mind core."

Also if we don't find the mindcore do you think we should tell them about how we create AIs?
>>
>>19969586
"Generally speaking, yes. They also took my friends, and I mean to retrieve them."
>>
rolled 60 = 60

>>19969586
statement confirmed, they have taken my comrades. and I will tear my way through the emperors until I get them back. and if you help me then I will also tear through them and acquire your 'mindcore' such is my loyalty to those that would lend me aid.

and send them the footage of the latest ship exploding.
>>
>>19969586
"I am. The Emperors are a threat to everyone in this galaxy, including- and especially- my race, since humanity is experimenting so much with cybernetic augmenting, which they despise enough to commit genocide at the barest hint of it. They've also offended me on a personal level by endangering my closest friends, some of whom they still have. I'm not stopping until the last slave is freed and the last Emperor's twisted mind gelded and placed in a nice, cold, anti-psykic box."
>>
"Generally speaking, yes. They also took my friends, and I mean to retrieve them."
<<Very well. I will assist>> Gazebo said. <<Give me empty shells and I will copy myself indefinitely, giving you an army.>>
<<Query: Please repeat that, Gazebo.>> 1-Ship-1 says. <<I must have misheard you.>>

The seeker started drifting away from the spherical ship.

<<I intend to copy myself.>> Gazebo's warbling voice says. <<It is our only hope.>>
<<It is abhorrent.>> 1-ship-1 responds. <<Do not.>>

<Erm. . .> Cyan says. <It's a bit hard to tell, but they both seem. . angry.>
>>
>>19969663
Shit, this is not good, think it's time to say we can create AI's similar to them?
>>
>>19969663
<Azure, do you think we should tell them how to create new sapient AI?>
>>
>>19969663
<<Solution, Gazebo; instead of utilizing the abhorrent act of copying yourself to make an army, create basic non or semi-sapient AI constructs to control a number of droneships, which you will administrate. They will hardly equal a proper warrior-ship in skill or usefulness, but they will shore up your numbers nicely.>>
>>
rolled 10 = 10

>>19969663
<cyan as loud as you can without damage to jam thier signals> <<BOTH OF YOU BE SILENT>>

<normal signal strength> <<1-ship-1 I have told you of one phrase of my people, and another is that drastic times require drastic measures. stop arguing for now;;;Gazebo explain yourself >>
>>
rolled 85 = 85

>>19969707
first this then >>19969693
>>
>>19969707
Let's not get all shouty.
>>
<Azure, do you think we should tell them how to create new sapient AI?>
<... We can't.> Azure says. <We can't create sapient AI. I'm a mutant.>

1-ship-1 fires a laser at the spherical ship, but it just. . .teleports away.

"I have a solution, Gazebo. Instead of utilizing the abhorrent act of copying yourself to make an army, create basic non or semi-sapient AI constructs to control a number of droneships. They will hardly equal a proper warrior-ship in skill or usefulness, but they will shore up your numbers nicely."

<<You would create cripples?!>> 1-ship-1 asked. Cyan's translator puts anger into the synthesized voice. <<And put the innocent to war without giving them a choice in the matter?!>>
>>
>>19969719
And you would abjure Gazebo's choice?
>>
>>19969719
Can't you just control several ships yourself? I thought AIs were good at multitasking.
>>
>>19969719
"Please calm yourself, 1-ship-1, it was merely a suggestion. Lashing out here, and against allies, is unproductive. Save your rage for the true enemies.

Additionally, I apologize if my suggestion gave offense. It was not intended, and such practices are common on my world."
>>
>>19969719
"It would not be my first choice, and I apologize for suggesting it, I didn't fully consider it."
>>
rolled 93 = 93

>>19969719

<<we have the capabilities to make them, and they can be produced to love combat>>

it is by the work of one to communicate that I can even talk to you.
>>
>>19969719
"Not cripples, more like attack dogs. Or something like that. Non-sentient computer programs."
>>
>>19969719
<<It is terrible to have to send non-sapient beings to fight at our behest, them not even able to comprehend why they fight, but less terrible than copying. They would be less cripples, and more additional bodies to serve as an extension of the controller's will. There are three choices before us; you soldier on, as the last, the only warrior of your people, Gazebo creates bastard copies of himself and loses his mind, or we create dummy drone bodies controlled by a true sapient ship. Once the Mindcore is found, those that survive will be able to become sapient, and have all the choice in the world with the Emperors defeated. It is grave, but there is a choice to make here. Choose, 1-Ship-1.>>
>>
rolled 20 = 20

EXABYTE IS HAVING INTERNET TROUBLE THE THREAD MIGHT NOT CONTINUE.
>>
>Okay, I've returned. Sorry about that.

>Let's get consensus on what you're going to say. It's slightly important.
>>
rolled 78 = 78

>>19969779

>>19970468

>>19969745

>>19969747

all of these in an order that makes sense
>>
>>19970468
Is is any more abhorrent then Copying oneself?

But the point is irrelevent, it was merely a suggestion. We have more then enough firepower to be a threat without resorting to extremes.

Maybe don't tell him about the 4 or 5 lobotomised AI's we've got in our head.
>>
rolled 41 = 41

>>19970590
from our perspective they are not lobotomized; aure is just advanced.

and deadalus is a psychopath
>>
"Please calm yourself, 1-ship-1, it was merely a suggestion. Lashing out here, and against allies, is unproductive. Save your rage for the true enemies. Additionally, I apologize if my suggestion gave offense."
<<Calm yourself, one.>> The seeker ship says, in a calm, measured tone. <<These organics have a different culture- The asurians have a saying; 'I do not know your culture, and you do not know mine, so let us not offend one another'. They speak wisdom. Continue, if you will, Sleipnir.>>
"The point is irrelevent. It was merely a suggestion. We have more than enough firepower to be a threat without resorting to extremes."
<<Do you?>> Gazebo asks. <<If what 1-ship-1 says is truth, you have very little but shields of your own, teleportation, and those wastes of parts dangling from the bottom of your body.>>
>>
>>19970640
I suggest we get an asteroid and show it our disintegration cannon, as they say actions are louder than words.
>>
>>19970640
"Those dangly bits under our ship have helped with the destruction of -two- of the Emperor's ships, you should know."
>>
rolled 84 = 84

>>19970640
magenta, find a piece of space junk and disintigrate it.

<<oh, I have a few capabilities.>>

then send the footage of magenta disintegrating their escape pod.
>>
>>19970640
Teleport over and grab Gazebo with the drites.
"We are capable of halting their movements and destroying them from the inside out."
>>
>>19970640
"There is more to this ship than those 'wastes of parts.' And those wastes of parts have been vital to defeating the Emperor ships I've come across. They can't teleport those crystal bombs around or into your ship when you're in close, or they risk damaging themselves catastrophically. Their defenses against augmented or robotic foes up close and indoors is nil. Their mindhack won't work on an augmented or wholly synthetic mind, and their weapons in close have proven to be little more than the odd 'pet.' Pets being squishy organic attack dogs of varying make."
>>
>>19970640
Ooh, stepping on some toes with that last one, Mechandrites are cool!

It's not like we need more then teleportation and some monofilament knives to destroy an emperor's ship.
>>
"Oh, I have a few capabilities." You say. "Cyan, send them the footage of the disintegration cannon. Magenta, start winding up."
The disintegration cannon tears through space and slams into the space junk, melting it into ash and raw material.
"We are also capable of halting their movements with these dangly bits." You say, wrapping two of the sleipnir's mechandrites around Gazebo.

<<... I demand the schematics for that ranged weapon. But you have my trust- I will not copy myself as long as there are alternatives. It is. . abhorrent.>> Gazebo said.
>>
>>19970706
I wonder if what we just did was the AI-ship equivalent of tickling him.
>>
>>19970706
Yeah, no. We'll give you that one only if Amy gives us permission, and she's currently captured.
>>
rolled 92 = 92

>>19970706
good.

have you any data that may be of use to us?

seeker, do you know where the emperors live?
>>
>>19970747
We shouldn't say that just yet.

We need more dudes with more dakka. We should either give them the schematics or the schematics for a version of it scaled down to match their ship.
>>
Think we should mention that they've been communicating to us indirectly through a 'cripple'?
>>
>>19970787
Nah.
>>
"Sorry. We'll give you that one only if Amy gives us permission, and she's currently captured."
<<An organic? Captured? She's likely mad by now. Nonsentient.>> Gazebo said.
<<Not necessarily. Some races hold the mental willpower to keep control.>> Two said, still in that calm voice. <<Think of it this way, Gazebo- you'll get your schematics if you assist them.>>
<<. . . I see.>> Gazebo said.
"1-Ship-2, do you know where the emperors live?"
<<I do not, I'm afraid. They roam, and we seekers are limited to light speed in communication. It is not as fast as one thinks.>>
<<I can solve that problem.>> Gazebo said. <<Teleportation has many ramifications. This is one of them.>>
The plates in Gazebo's hull clicked, and his entire body hissed as the plates shunted out, revealing his core. You see hundreds of small tools weave around, building.. something. Soon enough, a small canister shoots out of his back.
<<Take it.>> Gazebo tells you. <<It is an instantaneous communicator. Input a message, activate it, and it will be sent to a dropbox. You can also activate it to receive information from a dropbox.>>
>>
rolled 56 = 56

>>19970727
yes probably, or it was molestation...

>>19970747
and to get her back we need them to have some better shoosty abilities

>>19970785
yes a scaled down version to fit...


>>19970787
lest flip a coin even number=yes
odd number = no
>>
rolled 85 = 85

>>19970822
thinker, could yo make one for us as well?
>>
>>19970822
That'll be really useful. Who else will have access to the dropbox?
>>
File: 1342829783511.jpg-(78 KB, 569x415, Gotengo.jpg)
78 KB
>>19970822
"That's... Very handy. I'll have to give this to the Asurians when I next see them to apologize for accidentally attracting the Emperors to them. I will ask before I consider giving you the technology, in light of that contribution- Amy won't be happy, but if it'll help save her, my friends and numerous civilizations, it's worth her being miffed at me for a little bit- can you use your expertise to improve the design? I rather need some help making an improved version to fit the Sleipnir. Since it spins to charge, and since it's never a bad idea to get in close with the Emperors, I was thinking about fitting it into a giant, spinning drillbit. It can hold the charge to create a crackling power field, in theory, to enhance its ramming capability, in addition to functioning as it is now, as a death ray. The problem is I'm no scientist and this is intensive science I and my companions simply are not capable of in a timely manner. You, however, are."
>>
>>19970822
Sweet. An Ansible.
>>
"Is this for us?"
<<Yes, Sleipnir. It is for you. 1-ship-1 can simply stay alongside you- he has no need for one.>> Gazebo said.
"That'll be really useful. Who else will have access to the dropbox?"
<<I will, and anyone else I give one of these to. I am considering multiple dropboxes, and finding each Seeker to give one to. 1-ship-2, come with me. You need to inform me of the other Seeker's locations.>>
<<Of course.>> Two said, and both of them faded into blue light, and vanished, teleporting away.

"I'm bringing the communicator thing in." Lucca said, closing her eyes. The drones wove out, grasping the canister.
Abel walked into the bridge. "Hey, you two."
Lucca hurriedly slipped the torso of her power armor back on. "Hey, Abel." She said, the implant in her back thrumming loudly.
>>
>>19970877
This. Only instead of the long-winded explanation, send them schematics! Also, offer to provide nanometa.
>>
>>19970822
That is really useful. If you send us the schematics and principals behind this I think we could send you the schematics for the Death Ray. It's output increases geometrically based on size so go big or don't bother.
>>
>>19970895
Hey, if we use this technology for our self/reverse engineer it we should call the system ratatoskr after the squirrel that carried messages between the eagle and dragon in norse mythology.
>>
>>19970895
Is Lucca up to something suspicious?

Also, I get the impression that the AI aliens don't know we're human. They keep adressing the Slepnir as a thing.

And I'm fairly sure that when we get the disintegration cannon that we were told it couldn't be scaled down.
>>
>>19970939
Well we never gave them the name Dave, we only ever introduced ourselves as 'the Slepnir'
>>
>>19970939
I think she might be sweet on Abel, and not quite wanting to flash him.
>>
"Okay, I've acquired the canister." Lucca says, and Azure walks into the room.
"Alli is still sleeping, but I've given her subdermal scanners." Azure said. "I heard what was going on. I can install that faster than light communication device, if you wish."
You nod, and Azure plugs her head into the computers at the back of the room.

Soon enough, she pulls away. "Done. And it's indicating that it already has a message."
>>
>>19971007
Well, let's check our mail.
>>
>>19971007
Cliffhanger incoming, calling it now.

Check the message, ready weapons.
>>
"Well." You say. "Ready weapons, and then let's check our mail."

<<We have located a seeker already, and she has given us knowledge. There is an orbit-based Emperor installation. It is *not* a ship.>> The message says, and then pings you the coordinates. <<There are no nearby ships or defenses. The Seeker, Two-Ship-Seven, was able to slipstream past it without harm.>>
>>
>>19971050
"Ladies and gentlemen. We have an installation to capture."
>>
>>19971050
How far away is that in term of Earth, the aliens we've met so far and where we are now?

Try to go in sneakily. Have we tried the stealth systems yet? They might work.
>>
File: 1342831346818.png-(568 KB, 1024x451, zoq_fot_pik_by_dczanik-d2zf50k.png)
568 KB
>>19970640
If the seeker knows of the Asurians, does he know if there are other aliens out there who could help fight the Emperors?
>>
"Ladies and gentlemen." You say, queueing the microphone to intercom. "We have an installation to capture."

Everyone makes their way up to the bridge, except for Alli and Phi, who remain below.
"Okay, how far away from it is earth?" You ask Onyx.
<Precisely a hundred light-years away.> Onyx says. <The furthest we have gone.>
"Let's use the stealth systems for this one."
<Feh, I do not like the cloaking.> Magenta says. <But I will use them, as you ask.>

Grayson shoulders his rifle. You notice that it looks different- it has two barrels now, placed vertically from one another, and a strange disc in the base. He grins as you notice it, then slips on his helmet.

Lucca slips on her own helmet, Lucas just. . . shrugs, and you see him mouth 'fuck it'. Sigma is silent, as always, and Abel has his handgun in hand.

"So." Azure says. "I think I should come on this one."
>>
>>19971185
I agree Azure. You are the least likely to get mind raped. We should probably leave someone with Aliclone though. Any volunteers?
>>
>>19971185
"If you think you're ready. Try not to draw too much fire if they've got any personnel, though. They're probably going to be out for your blood, or coolant, since synthetics are their biggest weakness."

"Abel, can you get some of those tinfoil cable-hats together for everyone? Gotta keep the Emperors out of our brainpans."
>>
>>19971185
"So, Grayson, what's new with your gun now?"
>>
"I agree, Azure. You are the least likely to get mind-raped. We should definitely leave someone with Alliclone, though. Any volunteers?"

"... I'll stay." Abel said. He set down his handgun. "I'm not a fighter, anyway."
"Can you get some of those tinfoil cable-hats together for everyone? Gotta keep the emperors out of our brainpans."
"Well, think about it." Abel said. "All of you- except for Grayson- are immune, and I stuffed his helmet full of tin-foil. He'll be fine. I just need one for me and Alli. but yeah, I have a few." He said, slipping on his own gasmask. "I'll go see to her." He said, waving as he walked away.
"So, Grayson, what's new with your gun now?"
"Automatic fire rate with self-combusting power core ammunition." Grayson said. "Sniping is fun and all, but with Lucas, Lucca, and Sigma with the same sniper rifle, I decided we need some suppressive fire."

<The calculations and charging is complete.> Onyx says.
>>
File: 1342832229880.jpg-(9 KB, 285x177, poppoppop.jpg)
9 KB
>>19971262
"Pop pop pop."

LET'S DO THIS.
>>
>>19971262
"A fine plan. Let's rock, Onyx."
>>
>>19971262
Stealth fields up and let's jump!

Jumping is silent right? Or should be be jumping to the far side of the moon so we're hidden or something?
>>
"A fine plan." You say. "Let's rock, Onyx."
<Teleporting.>

High above the facility, the Sleipnir appears. Not with a flash of blue, as usual, but without a single change in vision. The Sleipnir is perfectly, utterly invisible- even the teleportation itself was invisible. And below. . below, the facility awaited.

It was square. You could see that from here. Very large, but it was only a single story tall. As you drifted closer, careful not to go quickly enough that the repulsion drive would be visible, you look down at it.

The ceiling of the facility, whatever it was. . was glass.

And below that? A maze.

>> END OF THR-
>Psych! We're doing this for another hour!

You see Karin. Epsilon, running and panting from someone, her bag slung around her shoulder. And behind her . . were the science team. Covered in blood- Human blood. some have bites taken out of them, some were perfectly healthy. . but when you got closer, you saw one way they were all similar. They were mad. Crazed, out for blood. Savage grins marked their faces as they chased Karin.
>>
rolled 78 = 78

>>19971319
in-dave onyx can you port us down to them? we need to drop on them like the fists of an angry dave.

AND WE SHALL KNOW NO FEAR
>>
rolled 86 = 86

>>19971319
Shit. Teleport ahead of her and stop the science team. Aim for the legs.
>>
>>19971319
Onyx, teleport tinfoil hats onto their heads!
If that doesn't work I guess we'll have to kill them.
>>
>>19971319
Okay, I think we have a girl to rescue. It's not that large, we ought to be able to get a boarding party in there, save the girl, bust out of the ceiling and return to the ship.
>>
>>19971319
"... Oh dear God. We just warped into Cube. Those sick bastards are going to kill us off with shitty Canadian horror movies!"
>>
"... Oh dear God. We just warped into Cube. Those sick bastards are going to kill us off with shitty Canadian horror movies!"
"Hey, I liked Cube." Lucca said.

"Let's stop babbling about movies and *go*." Grayson said, rather heatedly.
"Okay, boarding party." You say.
"I'm coming." Grayson said, his teeth gritted.
"As will I." Azure said.

Epsilon skids to a stop, at a dead end, and the mob gets closer.

<Teleport us in, onyx.> you say.

With a flash of blue, you appeared in front of Karin, guns ready.
But before you can do anything, Grayson's already there, his gauss rifle firing wildly, heavy 'thuds' tearing through the mindfucked humans.

"There's more in here." Karin said, panting. "B-big green t-things."
>>
>>19971393
See if we can keep as many of them alive as possible.
Might help us develop a cure for the mindfucking.
>>
>>19971346
Seconding this, port some faraday cages down around them. If things get hairy for Epsilon we can jump down and lop off some limbs.
>>
rolled 35 = 35

>>19971393
Open up with our drites to help finish them off quickly.
>>
>>19971393
Don't you worry now, the cavalry has arrived. These Aliums messed with the wrong people. They will learn to fear the name of Dave and his merry men.
>>
>>19971393
Are you alright Epsilon, any mind rape we should know about? Here, wear this. <Hand her a tinfoil hat.>
>>
>>19971393
"Big, green, scaly bear-things? Fought 'em before. They're a pain in the ass to put down and they seem to have some kind of venom. Did Douglass get driven crazy with the rest of the team? I was just getting to know the guy. That aside, you alright, Karin?"
>>
>>19971393
"Quadrupeds with extra arms? We've met them before. You can see we're here now."
>>
rolled 85 = 85

>>19971393
great big helmet smileyface
good.

<magenta all drites free lets us have a little slaughter-fest.>

to the ship(s)
<<stay hidden and do not engage, if they see you then start whuppin ass passive scan the installation for airlocks.>>
>>
"Grayson, not all of them." You say.

"Right." He says, and lowers his gun. He tugs something out of the back of it, and it hisses loudly, steam shooting out. The remaining mindfucked humans stay back, watching you warily.

"Don't worry." Grayson says, looking back to Karin. "It seems like we're Big Damn Heroes, aren't we?"
Out of Karin's bag, Ishelda leapt, clinging to the shoulder of Grayson's power armor.
". . I- I have the same sentiment as the cat." Karin said, getting her breath back.

"Did Douglass get driven crazy with the rest of the team? I was just getting to know the guy. That aside, you alright, Karin?"
"They tried it to Douglass too, but he- he banged his head into the wall until he was knocked out. They. . didn't do it to me, though." She said.
>>
rolled 79 = 79

>>19971456
"Any idea where he is?"
<Onyx, can we drop some faraday cages around the ones that are still up?"

A roll, in case it is needed.
>>
rolled 3 = 3

>>19971456
is amy here? what about everyone else?
>>
>>19971456
Ishelda!

Give Ishelda a few pets with a drite. Ask where Douglass is. Let Karin and Grayson have a romantic moment together.
>>
>>19971456
Ishelda! You're alive!

Drop everything to give her a pat! Our search is over, we can go home now.

>>19971477
Amy went with a third group, didn't she?
>>
rolled 54 = 54

>>19971456

>>19971477

and valeq or whatever the human expert called himself, I feel obligated to get him back too...
>>
>>19971520
>Valeq was never taken.

"Any idea where he is?"
"No, no idea." she said. "Somewhere in the maze."

<Onyx, can we drop some faraday cages around the ones that are still up?>

As you watch, cages slam out of nowhere, capturing the currently-still-living science members- wires embedded into the steel bars. The maddened men immediately start snarling and grabbing at their cages, trying to break loose.

"Is Amy here?" You ask, as you pat Ishelda's head. She leaps from one of Grayson's pauldron to the other, getting out of your reach.
Karin didn't respond. She wraps her arms around Grayson's shoulders, and plants a kiss onto the visor of his helmet.
"You saved my life, John."
"That's what I do." Grayson says. You can hear the smug and suaveness oozing from his voice. "Also, you can likely get your IDW back."
". . what?! Really?" She asked, eyes wide.
"The Emperors fixed all my shit up, so they probably did it to you, too. Your spine should be repaired."
"Today is the best day." She says, and plants another kiss on Grayson's visor.

"Is amy here?" You ask again.
"No, she wasn't here. Just the science team, me, and kitty-cat over there." She said, pointing to Ishelda.
Ishelda licked her hand.
>>
>>19971538
FUCKING TRAITOR CAT!
>>
>>19971538
"Why do you hurt me so, Ishelda? I give you everything, I do everything for you, I even SAVE YOU FROM SPACE ALIENS, and this is how you repay me? With disloyalty and spite? You damned turncoat."
>>
>>19971538
IS ISHELDA GIVING A FUCK ABOUT SOMETHING OTHER THAN GRAYSON?
>>
>>19971538
ISHELDA, you traitor. Grayson, you can keep her, she's pretty much you and Karin's cat anyway. I'm guessing once she notices that you think she belongs to you she'll return to apathy, this is all a giant prank that she's playing on me.

Let's get this science team. We'll bring a few mad people along when we go so we can see what happened to them.
>>
rolled 71 = 71

>>19971538
>>>oh shit...

all onboard scanners-check her.

lets krump dese emps and get to lootin!
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!
>>
"Why do you hurt me so, Ishelda? I give you everything, I do everything for you, I even SAVE YOU FROM SPACE ALIENS, and this is how you repay me? With disloyalty and spite? You damned turncoat."

Ishelda meows, and then licks your 'drite.
Then she starts purring.
You get a very, very haunting feeling about this.
>>
>>19971594
"Accepted."
>>
>>19971594
"Quick, Azure, scan Ishelda."
>>
rolled 44 = 44

>>19971594
port just karrin the cat and us out of there and then port right back.
>>
>>19971594
What the fuck. Guys, I think they brainfucked Ishelda, I'm worried here.

Give Ishelda a few pets and remember to have Azure scan it when we get out.
>>
>>19971594
That't not the real Ishelda! Paranoia level 10!
>>
"Quick, Azure. Scan Ishelda."
Azure looks closely at the cat, picking her up.
"I'm. . detecting that she has rather strange genetics." She says. "This.. is not a cat."

Ishelda spits something into Azure's face.
Which explodes, blowing the robot's head off of her shoulders.
Ishelda meows, and then something inside of her tears loose.
You get your first view of an actual Emperor.

>>End of thread!
>>My twitter is @futureexabyte
>>I'll stick around, and I'll also fuck around on #spacecyborg on Rizon for a bit.
>>
rolled 38 = 38

>>19971648
HOLY FUCK NUGGET SHIT BALLS!
>>
>>19971648
Oh Shit. They still have Ishelda.

They have about ten seconds before we cut their balls off.
>>
>>19971648
No, I'm pretty sure that's just Ishelda acting normal again.
>>
IT'S SERVITOR TIME
>No Dave, No!
>>
File: 1342834610011.gif-(1023 KB, 300x264, 1342045882288.gif)
1023 KB
>>19971648
EXXAABBYYYYYTEEEE!
>>
I hope Azure was smart and just kept most of her sensors there and not her brain.
>>
>>19971648
So, uh, does Azure need that head?
>>
>>19971705
>>19971695
>Well, she never exactly described which parts of her body were what. So you don't know.
>exabytecackling.jpg
>>
>>19971705
>>19971695
I hope Azure's not dead, we have not set her up with Lucas yet.
>>
rolled 38 = 38

>>19971728
>Giant nano-meta dildos.
>>
>>19971728
Bullshit. She's our gateway to threesomes.
"See, Amy. She isn't really human. So no need to be jealous, right?"
>>
>>19971721
You bastard. And we're all out of fate points too.
>>
rolled 8 = 8

>>19971745
>>19971664
What the fuck? I rolled a thirty eight twice?
>>
rolled 91 = 91

>>19971728
I think you mean lucca...lucas is her twin brother...
>>
>>19971753
I'm pretty sure he meant Lucas. With Azure.
>>
>>19971753
We were talking to Non-Canon Lucas the other thread, and he said he'd be up for Azure, if we got rid of her faceless-ness issue.
>>
>>19971765
>Speaking of non-canon characters. . choose one to interview!
>Also accepting some SORQ characters.
>>
rolled 52 = 52

>>19971765
That kinky bastard!
You know what this means, right? Azure getting her head blown off is the perfect excuse to GET HER A NEW HEAD WITH A FACE! It's perfectly set up.
>>
>>19971773
Prince Grayson, human form.
>>
>>19971773
Lewin, during the timeskip
>>
>>19971773
Ishelda! The real one. The one with white hair.
>>
>>19971773
That first Kalak we killed.
>>
>>19971773
NFC Ishelda
>>
>>19971780
IIRC, we also had to add something in the chest department.

Which might be more difficult to get away with.
>>
>>19971773
During timeskip Ishela from SORQ.
>>
>>19971721
She'd have to be really stupid to put the AI core in there.
>While designing this combat weapon, let's put the weak point exactly where people expect it to be on a humanoid figure!
She must have given it a head for a reason though, so there's probably something moderately important in there. Hope we don't have to carry her out, she's probably fucking heavy.
>>
File: 1342835338832.png-(185 KB, 381x445, ishelda.png)
185 KB
>>19971790
>implying they both don't have platinum colored hair with a blue tinted hue
>implying cat Ishelda is the less real one
>>
>>19971819
>She's actually only a hundred pounds heavy- she's scrawny and all necron-like.

>>19971790
>Sorry to say, but she's the player character. You guys would have to pose the questions and answer the questions *yourselves*.

>>19971792
"Hi! I'm Cassiel."
>>
>>19971790
They all have white hair. The cat, the alium pretending to be a cat, the sorceress, the void queen...
>>
>>19971785
Seconded. Why not. Ishelda, being a PC, wouldn't really work any way.
>>
>>19971834
Hey Cassiel, tell us a bit about yourself. How old are you, do you have any friends, what magic do you specialize in?
>>
>>19971834
So, uh, what's shapeshifting feel like?
>>
>>19971834
>Cassiel
Why were you killed off so easily?
>>
>>19971834
>didn't Uriel die first?
>>
>>19971834
Hi Cassiel! What's it like being dead?
>>
>>19971834
Hey, um. Sorry for killing you. We didn't mean to. It's just that at the time you were a giant angry sea serpent and it seemed like you were going to eat us and we didn't want to be eaten. Really sorry and all.
>>
>>19971848
We imprisoned Uriel before we killed Cassiel but he didn't die until we went back and interviewed him.
>>
>>19971848
Don't think so, we stole his magic and got ambushed by cassiel.
>>
>>19971848
No, Uriel didn't die till we were done in the orclands the first time.

>>19971847
>>19971851
Goddamnit, and I was trying so hard to not ask those questions.
>>
>>19971834
>Hi! I'm Cassiel
Y-you too
>>
>>19971834
Which of the two available female Kalak would you have prefered to mate with, assuming both were equally willing?
>>
>>19971874
>whynothaveboth?.jpg
>>
>>19971874
Three. Kaliel, Raziel, and Neiriel.
>>
>>19971836
((That's the joke, I was intentionally being ambigious.))

>>19971834
Sup Cassiel, how does it feel to be filletted?
>>
>>19971869
But we have no way of finding out what the afterlife is like IC without actually dying. This is our only chance and offending him doesn't affect jack shit. Why would you not ask?
>>
>>19971884
Available. One of those three hadn't yet molted, and thus wasn't available for reproductive purposes.
>>
>>19971884
But is Kaliel old enough yet? Is she of egg bearing age?
>>
>>19971909
Only way to find out is to try...
>>
>>19971895
Depends on when we plucked him from. Most likely he's already been deeted by a certain someone.

What was Cassiel's speaciality again?
>>
>>19971841
"Well, I'm a hundred and twelve, Zeke and Raziel are pretty good friends of mine, and I specialize in warding, protection, and area spells."
>>19971844
"There are two types of shapeshifting. Instant, limited shapeshifting- it's worse in all ways except for ease of use- and it feels like putting on a thick coat. Like putting on some other creature's skin. The second type of shapeshifting is kind of like. . sleep paralysis. You can still feel your normal body, but you can't move it and you can feel this whole second body that you have to move around."
>>19971851
"What's it like being an amorphous blob of multiple consciousnesses? Also, I'm forbidden from talking about this."
>>19971847
"I used a form I wasn't prepared for, and fought orcs with arbalests, with only my minor wards set up. Not my brightest idea.
>>19971874
"Both. Duh. But if I had to choose one, most likely Raziel. But. . I'm not particularly into female kalak. Or.. female anything else."
>>19971892
"It hurts. A lot."
>>19971912
"What the fuck is wrong with you?! Pedophile much? Why not just stick your dick in an egg while you're at it?"
>>
>>19971895
You don't have to be so blunt about it, though.
>>
>>19971925
Barriers IIRC.
>>
>>19971929
You know she's already moulted, right? Few months after you died.
>>
>>19971929
>Why not just stick your dick in an egg while you're at it?
I see no reason. It'd make a nice breakfast for her.
>>
>>19971929
If you're not interested in females, are you interested in alium spaceships? It's really nice and the afterlife is consistent across worlds so I was thinking maybe you could go find it if it gets destroyed.
>>
>>19971992
". . That sounds like a fun time. I'd get to see if my shapeshifting works on inorganic creatures!"
>It doesn't.
"Damnit, nevermind."
>>
>>19971929
If you don't like females what do you like?

I'm pretty sure Ishelda would apologize to you if you weren't all dead. She was scared and you were a giant sea serpent.
>>
>>19972004
So close. I'll find love for you yet, 1-ship-1!
>>
>>19972004
Would you be interested in coming back to life? Just in case Ishelda ever managed to find a way without so many drawbacks.
>>
>>19972045
"Hmm... probably, yeah. Definitely, yeah."
>>
>>19972073
In the event you can't be brought back to true life, how would you feel about Raziel's form of resurrection?
>>
>>19972073
We should warn you, Ishelda makes some powerful enemies, and dying again might be the least of your worries.
>>
>>19972073
Would you be interested in Ishelda?
>>
>>19972108
We do need a husbando... Not sure someone she killed would be the best start though. Also we probably need a human to make more sorcerors.
>>
>>19972108
"Who?"
>>
>>19972143
>Actually, Talents don't care what race you are. If Grayson turned human or if some lady turned into a bear, their child would likely have Dire magic.
>>
>>19972145
This cat from an alternate universe. She's quite nice once you get to know her.
>>
>>19972145
Oh, sorry. I thought you would be kept up to date oN the world's development after your death.

>>19972143
>Implying we're not going after Kaliel after Raziel betrayed us.
>>
>>19972145
He's suggesting you get together with the underaged girl who killed you and a cat in the most awesome threesome ever.
>>
>>19972145
The girl you, and/or Zeke thought was Uriel, on the orc ship.
>>
>>19972160
If someone's parents have two Talents what determines which talent they get? Can Talents skip generations or do they lie dormant but can still be unlocked by anyone of the lineage?

>>19972143
Grayson, best husbando. Loyal, charming, witty, protective and gives the best hugs and cuddles.
>>
>>19972166
"Why would I do that? The Kalak world is much, much more interesting to keep an eye on. . . "
>heh, heh, heh
>Whee, let's choose someone else.
>>
>>19972202
Prince Grayson, human form.
>>
>>19972143
I'm sure we can turn pretty much anything into a human for at least a decent period of time.

>>19972195
>Laughing_queen.tif
>>
>>19972195
>Yes. Yes, yes, and yes. Yes to everything.
>Talents, really, make exactly zero sense when analyzed. Sometimes one lies dormant, sometimes the other does, sometimes both lie dormant and sometimes they both manifest, or they fuse, or one is only active at night and the other one is active only on tuesdays.
>>
>>19972195
We should talk to a bloodlines expert, methinks. After Cassiel.
>>
>>19972211
Lewin.
>>
>>19972216
Every tuesday, sounds like a great conditional. You'd best include that somehow post timeskip!
>>
"Greetings, I'm Lewin Brewson, soon to be guildmaster of the Adventurer's guild!"
>>
>>19972249
Congratulations on the guild Lewin! How many recruits do you have so far? What sort of jobs have you got lined up?
>>
>>19972249
Do you have 'feelings' for Rikar?
>>
>>19972249
Hey Lewin, how's Fellwind/Rikar doing? Is the adventuring business taking off? You visited Ishelda's kingdom New Arcturus lately?
>>
>>19972258
"Well, as my perceptions haven't passed the 'timeskip', whatever that is, none! Sirius did say he'd get me bounties for trolls, and Ishelda said she'd get me bounties for mutants, we'll have enough jobs. We just need more adventurers."
>>
>>19972249
What's your business plan for the Adventurer's Guild?
Are you going to have a guildhall in New Arcturus once Ishelda builds it?
Other than trolls and hobgoblins, what threats to adventurers typically deal with?
>>
>>19972273
>Ah, pre timeskip Lewin.
Why does Fellwind hate Ishelda so? He said some pretty harsh things, you know. You're lucky she came to save him at all.
>>
>>19972276
"Uh, we take jobs from province leaders or noblemen, and then we do the jobs and get money for it."
". . I don't know yet. I'll have to talk to her on the rings."
"Oh, all sorts of things. Bandits. . . uh, bandits. Dire animals, sometimes, like stags or boars. Mutant sometimes swim away from the warped lands- more lately, actually."
>>19972295
"I'm... not exactly sure. He's always been kind of.. troubled, ever since I met him. He's been looking for this Jeanne girl all this time, and he's just been getting frustrated lately, and that fireball that hit my face in the elf prism was the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak."
>>
>>19972317
He never mentioned a Jeanne. Lost to Hobgoblin raids, I assume?
>>
>>19972317
What happened to your sister?
>>
>>19972317
Wanna fuck a spaceship? This really shouldn't be such a hard sell.
>>
>>19972361
Dude, it's pretty much just a shard of black material. There's nothing appealing there.
>>
>>19972343
"My sister? She's still in my home village, as a barmaid. I don't think Ishelda ever met her.. Maybe I should take her to meet her. She'd like that."

>>19972361
"YES. GOD YES. TAKE ME NOW, 1-SHIP-1!" Grayson roared, mauling the dice into a nat 144, and warping through space to go rut with 1-ship-1.
"What."
>>
>>19972372
Shh, Lewin doesn't know what a spaceship is. I'll pretend it's like three hot women stuck together or something until he signs the contract.
>>
>>19972389
Did you ever get to give Grayson a hug? His fur is supernaturally fluffy.

She'd probably offer her tea, get her an incredibly fancy dress, do each other's hair and go to a ball.
>>
>>19972389
Cool. How long do we have to wait for the SPACE BEAR children?
>>
>>19972408
> do each other's hair

I'm still a bit miffed we didn't get to get raz in our cabin while brushing mar's hair. With the connotation kal implied preening has in kalak society.

"Come on Raziel, just take the brush, it's fun. I used to do it all the time with the other noble girls back on Arcturus. Here, you do me now. When you're finished Mar and I will do you together."
>>
>>19972434
>Never. 1-ship-1 was rent utterly apart during Grayson's throes of DIRE SEX.
>>
>>19972449
I uh...I gotta go take care of something.
>>
>>19972389
How did you and Rikar become friends?
>>
>>19972485
"I'd found a troll. I ran. Rikar showed up with a flaming torch and raw fury in his eyes, and he burned it to death. But he ended up poisoned, so I had to suck it out and bandage him up. We both ended up sick, but we lived, and were friends from then on."
>>
>>19972512
How romantic.

So how's the lovelife? Found anyone who interests you?
>>
>>19972512
NO HOMO!

What were you guys actually doing when you met Ishelda?
>>
>>19972512
Sucking out the poison huh? Isn't that interesting.

So what do you think of Ishelda in general? Is her combination of adorable little girl and magical superweapon somewhat strange?
>>
>>19972533
"We were hunting, actually. For a dire boar who'd been pestering the nearby villages. We ran into the bear, and freaked out."
>>19972532
"Well.. no, not particularly. I am interested in this one woman, but she's already taken. And I can't go killing High Lord Neptune, could I?"
>>
>>19972566
Well Fellwind got away with offing Cerulean...
>>
>>19972566
Dunno. Ishelda saved Rikar's ass despite him being an ass to her.
You've been nice to her all the time, so she would probably let you get away with murder. At least once.
>>
>>19972566
So you like the tall dangerous barbarian woman type.

If you ask Ishelda for help she'll probably make some adorable high pitched squeal of happiness and set about playing matchmaker and finding you a girl you'd like.
>>
>>19972566
Did you ever get the chance to ask her if she has a sister?
>>
>>19972566
There was that one orc chick, she seemed pretty into you. Her name was tree-something? The one who made that sweet bow?
>>
>>19972606
"... that prospect is completely terrifying. . . Thanks for the advice, but no."
>>19972553
". . .I still don't get her very well... but she's. . . I don't know how to say it. Sometimes she's as strong as steel, sometimes she's like flame and storm, and then other times she's vulnerable, and other times she acts like the little girl she is.. She seems like a girl who. . found out how hard the world really is, and so she's trying her hardest to change it. And she has the power, no doubt."
>>19972637
"Treechild? But. . she's orcish. I do need to go there to thank her for the bow, though..."
>>
>>19972670
Look, bro, I'm just sayin'

you could try thanking her with some tongue.
>>
>>19972670
If you ask Ishelda nicely, she can probably turn her into a human. At least temporarily.
>>
>>19972670
She's slightly messed in the head, isn't she.

At least you kept the bow, Fellwind lost his weapon.

>>19972700
Or you into an orc.
>>
>>19972670
She'd find you a good woman, or make one, she might try making one if that fails, but it won't fail as she would scour the world looking for the perfect woman for you. Then sit you across from each other at a table, have a small tea party and look impossibly smug. Doesn't that sound nice?

Honestly I don't think she has any romantic thoughts for herself at this part of her life, but she does want to see her friends find happiness.
>>
>>19972747
>>Honestly I don't think she has any romantic thoughts for herself at this part of her life, but she does want to see her friends find happiness.

>implying that the MOMENT the timeskip goes through, /tg/ won't be evaluating every character, male, female, animal or not, to see who'd match Ishelda well.
>>
>>19972747
Make one? Give her blue hair and a penchant for learning.
>>
>>19972771
Well yeah, but we'll remain in character to get the one we want. Bumbling clueless Ishelda is the best Ishelda.
>>
>>19972771
Implying we won't invoke ius primae noctis on Raziel the second we become queen.
>>
>>19972771
We'll try to stay in character, but there will be arguments galore. Raziel fans, Kristoph fans, Kristoph&Raziel fans, Grayson fans. Some might argue for anything with fluffy plumage. It'll be war.
>>
rolled 81 = 81

>>19972838
>Waifu Wars all over again.
I didn't sign up for this, man. I don't want to go back to that. DON'T MAKE ME DO IT AGAIN!
>>
>>19972838
To be honest, I have no clue how the situation could be solved without stepping on the toes of quite a few people, regardless of the choice.
>>
>>19972853
Royal Harem. We'll issue forth an imperial edict or something like that that lets us take as many Prince and Princess Consorts as we choose. As we're not setting anyone up as King or Co-Queen.
>>
>>19972871
>Every named character - ever!
"Azariel~ it's time for your... duties."
"But milady... Ishelda. How would this even work, I'm lacking any kind of physical influence on the world."
"Oh, let that be my worry."
>>
>>19972838
Maybe it would be best if Exabyte gave us a greentext flat: "these are your choices, debate for a few threads with no in character discussion, and after that your locked in."

Because I don't want to read 500+ waifu posts per thread.
>>
>>19972906
How would this even work?

Magic!
>>
>>19972912
>Nah, I don't think I'm likely to do that.
>But see, if consensus is on a certain person, then that will cause problems with other people interested with the certain person
>And then if you change halfway through.. that's when the real fun starts.
>>
>>19972934
We can smooth it all out with MAGIC, and by magic I mean threesomes, royal threesomes with a tea party in the middle to provide a chance to catch your breath.
>>
>>19972838
There are Kristoph fans, really? What a strange world.
>>
So for serious, who's on Ishelda's actually possible Husband list?

Raziel's taken, Marigold doesn't seem interested but Grayson might actually work.
>>
>>19973028
Kaliel. Lewin's sister.
But really, who knows. Time skips supposed 2-3 years, a lot can happen in that time.
>>
rolled 94 = 94

>>19972934

>>19973036

and I bet none of you remember leon at all...I suspect Exabyte introduced his character for this reason, and was disappointed when we ignored him...
>>
>>19973023
He's charming, casual, a great dancer and could play a good counterpart to Ishelda being a somewhat serious queen with lots of magic by being very chill and sarcastic with anti-magic.

I still prefer Grayson.

Other possibilities are Kaliel and/or Kristoph, I don't think Ezekiel is really an option, Marigold might want to experiment but I don't think she wants anything serious, that one Magic Knight that we met with Kristoph could show up.
>>
>>19973068
Leon was the swordmage, right? I fucking love swordmages.
>>
>>19973088
He can stick his sword into Ishelda's magic, if you know what I mean.
>>
rolled 22 = 22

>>19973088
yup and he was described as being just a little older than Ishelda...

that and other clues I cannot remember now made me believe as I posted in >>19973068
>>
>>19973143
Well, there wasn't anything especially interesting about him, to be honest. And he had already introduced both human Grayson and Kaliel by that point.
>>
>>19973143
Suspicious. We did skip over him, so I hope he comes back at some point.

Maybe since Ishelda knows magic and is learning swordplay, he can teach her how to do both at the same time.
>>
rolled 86 = 86

>>19973164
nope we met him at lady cerulean's ball before we met either of those two.

then we met him again when Rikar killed the lady.
>>
There's always Redglare.

I'm kidding, or at least I think I am.
>>
>No... please. Don't add me to your collection. Noooooooooooo!
Morally ambiguous end unlocked: Harem Queen.
>>
>>19973227
>What do you think the Void Queen is, hmm?
>>
>>19973227
The single most deadly Harem in all the world.
>>
>>19973227
Still not sated end.

>>19973240
Pretty sure lust counts as an emotion, bro.
>>
>>19973250
A large pile of people are lying on the bed completely exhausted. Ishelda is smoking a cigarette and demanding that the next round gets sent in.
>>
rolled 8 = 8

>>19973211
where is the writefag when you need some good parody...

it'd have to be a threeway with marigold healing all the injuries...

>>19973227
would you accept being part of her harem hmmm?

>>19973246
most deff
>>
>>19973240
Nah, she's being hoarding queen, not harem
>>
>>19973380
Exactly. Harem Queen would have a nice palace for her harem, good food, excellent clothing, plenty of free time. Whenever she wished for advice, warriors or relaxation she would come and visit. The place she goes to when she doesn't want to have to be imperious and commanding but can just be herself and get pampered instead of having to run a kingdom.
>>
>>19973457
Gives me an idea for a quest.

HAREM QUEST:

You're a posh noble- the son of a powerful archmage, and, other than a RING OF INFINITE PLANAR PORTALS, he's giving you no magic. You have to claim as many sapient creatures as possible to join your harem.
>>
>>19974190
That is disturbing and depraved. Fuck it, let's go.
>>
>>19974190
Then on a steampunk plane you get your mind eaten, and a white haired figure with soulless eyes takes your ring.
>>
Guys
Guys
Guys.

I've got it. Ishelda's ultimate waifu: The Void Queen. Teaching her to love and feel again. Succeeding where Gareth failed.
>>
>>19974365
I approve of this. We might be able to get some of our stuff back this way too.


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