>>56949
>'How'd you survive?'

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>>56949
>'How'd you survive?

I'm glad to see Old Man back in action. Reminds me of pic related.

>'How'd you survive?'

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'How'd you survive?'

'Kid, how'd YOU survive?!' He steps back, his expression one of joy, his arms wide as though he was lifting some humongous invisible thing, jaw wide and eyes bugged, even through the goggles he now sported. 'Thought you were a goner when they found you!'

'I - don't change the topic, how'd you get out of there?'

The old man went into hysterics, making shapes and noises as though trying to find some weird bearing. He pointed here and there like a madman, the group from before whispering as they pointed at him like some sort of street performer trying to make a quick jingle of coins.

'YOU don't change the topic! They told me they found you with your arm torn off and your legs broken! Now I see you walking spic and span?'

He points an accusatory finger at you, like a teacher accusing a student of indiscipline.

'Not really spic and span.' You indicate your prosthetic arm.

The man looks between your gaze and your arm for a while, before throwing back his head in laughter.

'Not bad!' He gives your arm a strong pat, making you stagger slightly. 'Not bad at all! They managed to patch you up good, though. Any troubles at all?'

'It's taking some getting used to.' You rub your prosthetic - amazingly feeling some degree of touch through the metal. 'I... what happened? How'd you get through that?'

'Got my ribs cracked and broken pavement for a mattress after that stunt we pulled. You... I saw you, thought they were going to tear you apart. You were a maniac. Crazy. Don't think I'd ever seen someone try to bite through Abyssal armor. Heavens, and the blood. You couldn't do much once they got you, but... we managed to give some of those folks time to get away.'

'You can thank the KanMusus.' He chuckles in good nature. 'Took them a while, but... but they got to us. Gotta love them cannons, huh?'

He leans against the buggy, adjusting his cap as he observes you, a glint you can't quite place evident in his gaze.

'I honestly thought we were idiots. I mean, the both of us going up against those kind of odds was stupid. Even now, I think it was downright moronic... and then I wonder why I followed your ass and remind myself we were probably on the same frequency.' He smirks, indicating your belly. 'You've got some guts in that bulk, believe it.'

'We didn't save all of them.'

It is a cold truth.

He nods in understanding.

'Kid...' He begins, looking skywards with an expression that reflected experience and wisdom. 'If there was anything that night taught this old man, it's that everything you can grasp with these two hands... counts. You went through Hell. And even though there are those that you couldn't get to... there are those you did. And they count just as much. You can bet on that.'

'Thanks, old man.'

You're not sure what it did... but his words warm you somewhat. You nod and return it.

'So, what do you need?'

>'What are you doing in that get-up?'
>'I need to get to Teitan High A-S-A-P.'

>'I need to get to Teitan High A-S-A-P.'

I think it's pretty obvious what he's doing in the uniform. Let's go meet the admiral.

>>57178
>"I need to get to Teitan High A-S-A-P"
also keep up the great work!

>>57178
>>'I need to get to Teitan High A-S-A-P.'

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'I need to get to Teitan High A-S-A-P.'

The MP remaining in the buggy stand on a seat, hastily throwing you nervous, radical signals of the discouraging kind, making weird symbols like a hand across the throat, a hangman and a tearful mouthing, or rather, begging of you to say something else... but specifically, you can't tell what. Not thinking much of it, or rather, reminding yourself of the sniggering of the MPs from your previous encounter, you wave it off and turn back to the old man.

'The Admiral wants to see me.' You explain, clutching your folder tightly. 'He needs me to do something for him and I have an appointment to see just what it is he needs.' You hunch slightly to meet his eyes. 'You able to take me to Command Post, sir?'

'Huh.' He smiles at you. 'Sure, hop on, I'll have you there before you can say Wangan.'

There's an innocence to the words that just feels out of place, but you don't really have the time to care. You leap into the vacant front seat, bumping into the other MP with your papers.

'Sorry.'

You see the man hurriedly fastening himself with all three belt buckles, throwing a look full of dread right at you.

'Not as sorry as you're going to be.'

The words die in your mouth. Wind kisses your face as the town turns into an eldritch blur.

'You know, my wife back inland kept telling me to get a job closer to home, but I just couldn't, you know?' He starts cheerfully. 'When you're raised behind the wheel, you just can't let go, you know?'

You feel corners turning into history as he breaks past them at speeds impossible for surplus buggies. You look down fearfully to see the former Bus Driver's hands shift gears like lightning up and down. You feel a sudden weightlessness as you realize that you were no longer on the ground as of half a second before... and were diving downhill into a narrow alley.

'My kids, my brothers; when it's in your blood it's in your blood, you know?'

You can't scream. You just can't.

You somehow make it through.

'We weren't so worried about money, but we kinda grew apart when I couldn't hold a steady job that didn't involve cars after the war started... I still love her, but you know, sometimes you need space! That's what a marriage needs: space!'

You pray to whatever deity is watching at the speed of light. You see trees, ruins, rubble and sky as the buggy seems to warp space with every shift of the gear, every twitch of the wheel.

'I told her that I couldn't just keep making tofu!' You hear over the fear. 'It just ain't me!'

He grins at you toothily.

'Buses handle differently to cars, you know?' He slaps the wheel. 'They take less punishment, need more control!'.

More twists. More corners. Zip.

'Aaaaand we're here!'

You are at a dead stop. Or dead. Right at the school gates of Teitan High.

'Good to see you alive, soldier.'

Battleship Nagato is right there, fully armed, a slight smile on her face.

>'Nice to see you again, too.'
>'Reporting for... reporting, ma'am.'

>>57268
>'Nice to see you again, too.'

That gave me some solid laughs by the way. Great writing.

>>57268
"Nice to see you again, too"

>>57268
>>'Nice to see you again, too.'

>>57268
>'Nice to see you again, too.'

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'Nice to see you again, too.' You manage weakly, stepping out of the buggy.

The feeling of rock solid earth feels like a blessing underneath your feet. You feel groggy, trying to steady yourself as the vertigo is all but a memory. The folder that you're holding is miraculously still fine and not somehow burnt from the sheer friction that sort of speed should have done to you. Your heartbeat drops and you find your breath again, thanking whatever Heaven had sent to keep your being safe.

'Seems you're in good hands, son.' The old man smiles at you, tapping his wheel. 'I gotta do some more rounds. Maybe if you're free tonight we can go get a drink!'

You try to smile right back, but find it only reaching a certain point before it collapses, still reeling from the man's driving. He gives a casual wave, while the other MP gives a salute, taking his place in the backseat soon after. This time, he drove off reasonably, and you take to heart the warning you had once ignored so stupidly.

'Old Man, like a snail, like a snail.'

'Who are you talking to?'

Battleship Nagato gives you a look of confusion. She stands there, arms crossed, head cocked to the side. The both of you don't say anything as you finally get your bearings on solid ground, shuffling the folder under your prosthetic. The aftershock of the ride is still with you, but you manage to steady yourself to put an outstretched hand.

She takes it.

'When addressing an officer, you give a salute.' She smirks, but it's not cold in nature. 'And you don't give out a hand unless we do first.'

'I'm sorry,' You try to sound playful. 'but I don't think I've decided on anything yet.'

It's half-true, at least.

Nagato's smile is disarmingly warm, even with her gear on. You release her hand and take a step back, feeling your throat suddenly dry after.

'I don't think you're the type to turn the other way.' She says, looking to the gate and waving to an MP by the door. 'Come on. Since I'm here, I might as well bring you to the command post.'

The place was crawling with girls. Or rather, it was crawling with KanMusu, each and every one of them in uniform. There was also a significant population of MPs and volunteer staff. The school yard is bustling with tents and tech that you had never seen before; there were strange metallic cubes here and there the size of cars by each tent. You even saw Ooyodo, who had tended to you in the MASH busily talking with a middle-aged woman who was probably a volunteer.

'I was actually about to leave to look for you just now.' You can hear the humor growing in her voice. 'Part of me wondered if you'd hitched off - !'

You see a girl in uniform crash into Nagato's cannons, several items tumbling out of their casing onto the ground unceremoniously. She follows soon after, hitting her head on the barrel as she does so. She nurses her head tearfully, running her head through her hair.

'I'm sorry, Nagato-san!'

>Do Nothing
>'Let me get that for you.'
>'Watch it, will you?'

>>57361
>'Let me get that for you.'

>>57361
>'Let me get that for you.'

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You reach down... and the girl reels back a bit. You wonder if you scare her for a while, but push the thought to the back of your head as you pick up some of the items... they're some disassembled pipes or something, you can't really tell. One by one, you pick them up and put them into the slots within the casing.

'No, it's my fault, Kiyoshimo - I should have taken off my gear.' You hear Nagato's voice from above. She continues in a regretful tone, 'I'm sorry, I should have put it away before I went into the base. Sometimes I don't notice when I don't have it off.'

'No! No!' The girl says hurriedly, and you can see the sparkle in her eyes - you notice she's picking up more than just the fallen tools, distracted by Nagato. 'It's my fault. I'm an idiot! I carried a lot more than I could balance and - and I ran into you and - !'

A low hum reaches your ears. You look up to see a strange sight. Nagato's gear, four large cannons to each side that could probably shatter a car's roof, warps in a strange shape. The grey metal looked to have taken a liquid-like quality, seemingly collapsing on the person carrying it. Around you, people walk around nonchalantly, as if what was happening was like breathing. It swirls around Nagato... before forming a sphere on her chest...

And suddenly, there's a fairy, chirping cheerfully and jumping into Nagato's now-cupped hands. Nagato giggles as it pats her thumb. Nagato's rigging, her gear, was nowhere to be seen.

'Kiyoshimo.' Nagato begins. 'I am at fault. Therefore, I apologize.'

'Y - Yes, ma'am!' She comically bows over and over again, almost spilling the contents again. 'I'll try not to be so hasty next time.' 'Oh, thank you, Mr Fat Guy!'

You feel your blood pressure rise.

'Excuse me?'

Kiyoshimo, the girl, bows frantically as much as her small frame can, carrying the cases. You can tell she's not having trouble with the weight, but the balance. It surprises you slightly, as the things in there looked really heavy. Her hair silver, her expression somewhere between impatience, apologetic and panicking, she bows a few times, almost toppling the cases.

'Sorry! Sorry!' She squeaks - rather loudly, you might add. 'I mean thank you. Really, thank you!'

You rub the back of your head, giving her a smile of your own.

'You're welcome?'

Her silver hair falls over one eye, and from behind the stack of cases, you see a grin form.

'I'm Kiyoshimo of the Reserve - I mean, Logistics and Supply Management! It's a pleasure to meet you, sir!'

She skips in place, obviously in a rush.

>'What happened to the gear?'
>'You sure you don't need help, kid?'
>'Onwards to the Admiral, I guess.'

>>57483
>'Onwards to the Admiral, I guess.'

>>57483
>'You sure you don't need help, kid?'

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'You sure you don't need help?' You inquire. The cases were quite bulky, especially for someone as small as her.

'No! No!' She says, following it through with an attempt at a reassuring laugh.

You nod to Nagato to leave, but no sooner that your exchange ends, you hear the clutter of cases and once more, they're on the ground. Kiyoshimo, having tumbled, looks miserably at the cases, again emptied of their content of whatever mechanical contraption they're supposed to be a part of. Not one to leave things half-done - some of the time, anyway - you put a reassuring shoulder on Kiyoshimo, from which she jumps slightly... and once again help her pick her things up, slotting them into the cases as you had done before, this time with Nagato helping.

Kiyoshimo looks to you, her eyes filled with defeat.

'Yes,' she finally admits, lifting one of the cases, 'yes, I could use a hand.'

The cases are heavier than they look... and they were bulky. For some reason, Nagato and Kiyoshimo don't have much of an issue with their load, with all three of you carrying two cases each, following Kiyoshimo to deliver them. Along the way you take in the view of a mass of personnel, which you could only guess was a mix of the voluntary and drafted. The school had been turned into a makeshift command center, and it certainly looked like it. Through the classroom windows you could see more KanMusus - or rather, who you THINK are KanMusus. You walk past the gymnasium, now a ruin... and to the open field, where more tents had been pitched.

'You can hand those to me now.' She says gratefully, 'I can carry it from here.'

'It's all right,' Nagato replies for the both of you, 'since we brought them this far, we might as well.'

'Thank you.' You doubt Nagato could have heard it, quiet as it was, but you did... along with the accompanying shade of red.

The both of you make your way past more military personnel, none of them sparing you a glance as you arrive at a yellow tent, smaller than the rest.

'Here you go!' Kiyoshimo says cheerfully and full of pride, putting the cases she carried on the table.

You and Nagato do the same, and you find yourself relieved that it wasn't such a long walk. As you find relief at the break, a large woman whose hair looked like it could pass for a beehive makes her way from behind a stack of crates, her expression sour and her hands dirty. Kiyoshimo visibly shrinks as she arrives at the other side of the table.

She eyes the cases.

'That's it?'

'Yuubari-san said that was all she could spare,' Kiyoshimo began energetically, 'but she'll - !'

'Of course it is.'

She doesn't say anything else, taking one case and heading behind the crates. You look to Kiyoshimo.

'You're welcome...' She mouths sadly. She turns to you and Nagato, bowing in thanks... and leaves without another word.

Nagato gestures with her head. It was time to leave.

>'Are all of them like that?'
>'This town doesn't seem to like you guys very much.'

>>57765
>'This town doesn't seem to like you guys very much.'

>>57765
>'This town doesn't seem to like you guys very much.'

>>57765
Neither. Let's just keep moving.

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People steer clear of you and Nagato as the both of you make your way. You feel a small degree of annoyance permeating from the Battleship KanMusu as took stride by stride with you by following behind. Most of the personnel were shouting at one another around you, barking orders or discussing what went where with whom. While you walk, you notice a small, but still present number of them throwing looks of disdain at her.

The last several hours weren't easy on you, but even if it didn't do everything, it did heighten your empathy and curiosity somewhat. It was strange; everywhere in the land KanMusu were heralded as righteous and forward - the vanguard to victory and all that entailed... but here...

'This town doesn't seem to like you guys very much.'

Nagato grunts in response. She doesn't say anything as you make your way to the front yard, but you can tell your words must have had some effect, as by the pace that she had adopted, there'd been some degree of offense to what you had said. The both of you make your way past the personnel, right towards the command post.

She doesn't say a single word to you on the way.

You arrive at the command post. It's not bigger than the rest, but is most definitely fully enclosed and in better condition. The seal of the Admiralty is evident on it, distinguishing it from the rest of this canvas-filled sea. Nagato, her eyes holding a neutral focus, looks to you.

That tinge of jolly that was there before was gone.

'The Admiral's inside.' She says neutrally 'I have other duties, so you'll forgive me if I don't go in with you.'

They're the first words she drops on you since your walk back.

>'That's fine.'
>'I'm sorry if I offended you.'

>>58222
>'That's fine.'
>'I'm sorry if I offended you.'
Why not both?

>>58236
>OOC: Different results due to the context of the sentence. 'That's fine' means you agree with her departure and go on in without the acknowledgement of what you did, right or wrong, 'I'm sorry if I offended you' is to confront the issue at hand - to try to make things right before her departure. They're both the opening sentences to two different routes you might take with this particular set.

>>58222
>'I'm sorry if I offended you.'

>>58249
Then I'm going with
>'I'm sorry if I offended you.'

>>58222
>>'I'm sorry if I offended you.'

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'Hey, wait, look.' You rub the back of your neck, wondering just how to proceed. Evidently you had just stepped into some sort of landmine if a simple inquiry had done this.

She turns to look at you, her eyes as neutral as they had been before.

'I'm sorry if I offended you,' you hit the side of your fatigues with your folder in frustration, hoping that it had come out right, 'I'm sorry if it... if what I said meant... well, was misunderstood.'

It was quite hard for you to get the words across - it'd been a while since you had tried a proper, heart-to-heart apology and be met with a such cruel indifference. Nagato had been the one to pull you out of the fire, and the KanMusu were really trying to get things back as to speed. The fundamental understanding you had of the world and what it owed and lent was crude, but childish as it was, for you it wasn't easy to see the ones who'd been selfless enough to think your life, of all things, meant more to them than it probably did to you.

Especially if they'd been the ones to pull your ass out of the deep end a few times.

Nagato looks as though she's struggling for a moment, her arms crossed. Around you, people walk around, busy with their tasks. You hold your folder to your chest, waiting for her response.

'No,' she finally sighs, 'I am the one... I was too sensitive. I took it out on you, and for that I apologize.'

Nagato bites her lip, unsure how to go on.

'I... I just don't like to talk about it.' Another sigh comes, heavier than the last one. 'It's not something that... urgh...'

You feel more at ease as the tension drops; at the back of your mind you give yourself a pat for a job well done at defusing a volatile situation. You wonder for a moment if you have a talent for this, but it's interrupted by a hand on the shoulder and a friendly, and apologetic, grin.

'Look....' Her eyes are closed, but her chin is up, as though she's reading lines from the back of her eyelids. She runs a hand through her hair. 'I think the Admiral's up to his neck in work... and I think he'll be a little bit cranky with you being so late.'

She snorts, and you try to fight down a smirk.

'Why don't we both go in?' You see a lop-sided smile emerge. 'I think he'll be a little bit cooled off if I'm around to explain.'

You blink.

'What about your duties?'

She says nothing and opens a flap, motioning you inside, that smile still there.

...And you lose the Battle of the Smirk.

>'You like me, don't you?'
>'Just like that, huh?'
>'Man, you are one hot and cold...'
>'Drinks tonight?' (Roll a d12, 9-12 wins)

Rolled 7 (1d12)

>>58439
>>'Drinks tonight?' (Roll a d12, 9-12 wins)

Rolled 3 (1d12)

>>58439
>'Drinks tonight?' (Roll a d12, 9-12 wins)

>>58456
Hey QM, can we roll twice?

Rolled 9 (1d12)

>>58439
>>58486
Eh, I'll take a shot at it

Rolled 4 (1d12)

>>58439
>'Drinks tonight?' (Roll a d12, 9-12 wins)

>>58499
The hero we need

>>58439
>'Just like that, huh?'

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'So that's how it is.' If there was ever an expression you were unused to, it was the smug one you were currently wearing - mostly because how creepy it how you had thought it'd look on you if you ever ended up with one as wide as it actually was right now. 'All right... drinks tonight?'

The wish to backpedal could never come quicker than yours... as Nagato drops the flap and looks at you with a stern expression, and you wonder if karma was ever on your side or why your brain had never learned the phrase to quit while one was ahead. You drop your folder on the ground, and it remains forgotten for a moment as you find yourself face-to-face with the pressing matter of an upset KanMusu who you had probably just pushed a little too far.

'No, no,' you laugh nervously, trying, once again, to fix the situation, 'I don't mean it like that!'

Nagato crosses her arms and raises an eyebrow at you, stepping aside from the flap.

The eyes of the woman before you press you for an answer, and you rack your brain for a follow to make up for that horrible attempt at a playful flirt. You file that she wasn't one for jokes on that particular side at the back of your head for future reference, remembering so as to avoid any other landmines you would be stepping with this woman involved, if there were any after.

'Look,' you exhale, motioning with your hands in some meditative push, before continuing, 'I don't mean it like that... and I just want to apologize for whatever I've done. I'm not trying to get down or anything, but... urgh...'

For whatever reason your brain came up with the idea to adopt a soldier's salute, puffing your chest out and looking upwards, away from her in a stiff stance. You don't need eyes at the back of your head to tell that people are, by now, indeed... staring.

A quick glance tells you that Nagato is literally stunned from your behavior.

'Ma'am,' you begin, hoping it would work, 'I would like to formally apologize for my behavior. Please allow me to make it up to you tonight by taking you out for drinks as between a subordinate and his superior, ma'am.'

By the Heavens, it worked, because the next thing you hear is the amused chuckle of the Battleship

'Do you know a place, soldier?'

You didn't.

But the former bus driver did.

'Yes, ma'am.'

She throws you a teasing, amused glance... and heads into the tent.

You bend down to pick up your things as quickly as you can, disbelieving at your turn of luck.

If there was one word to describe the place, it was chaotic. A workforce made up of a mixture of KanMusus and standard personnel set themselves at tables with maps and diagrams, discussing their next move. The command tent was small, but it sufficed for its purpose, and you find yourself with a little more room to make your way. You see Nagato at the end of a large table, walking over to her...

And the Admiral turns his gaze upon you.

>He's a bit of a blank slate
>He's an old man, huh?
>Handsome guy.

>>58997
>He's a Blank Slate

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>>58997
>Handsome guy.

>>58997
>He's an old man, huh?

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>>58997
>>He's an old man, huh?

>>58997
>He's an old man, huh?

>>58997
>Handsome guy.
>no homo

>>58997
>>Handsome guy.

>>58997
>He's an old man, huh?

>>58997
>Handsome old man, huh?

>Kiyoshimo is a simpering puppy
>not introducing her any of with the Rei-Go ships/Yuugumo family/Musashi
>Nagato instead

How do you fuck up something so simple

>>59895
Don't forget Libeccio.

>Roma? As expected, battleships are really big, aren't they? I wonder if Libe, by eating regularly, will become that big. Huh? Who are you? Kiyoshimo...? Wanna be my friend? Eh... all right...

>Admiral! 1500... Ah, Kiyoshii! Yeah, I'm good! Battleships? Yeah, Battleships are strong... Yep, strong indeed.
>Admiral! 16...00! Eh? The strongest Battleship? Should it be Littorio or Roma? The others? Hmm... I wonder who...?
Admiraaal! 17...00! Strongest Battleships... Strongest Battleships... Ah, I know! Warspite! That ship was powerful. I kinda remember it.

>>59895
>OOC: There is a reason Kiyoshimo is like that. I didn't twist her personality without reason. I'm sorry it didn't suit your preference. A lot of your favourite girls, if they ever show up, have been through some shit. In this verse, the war's been going on for quite a while.

>OOC: Spoiler: There were five possible options at the start of the journey as to which ship you would have encountered - Nagato, Fusou, Shigure, Kitakami and Zuikaku. The majority option back then made the story go with Nagato.

>>59938
>OOC: If I was going straight by in-game mechanics there would be no story. They would be saying the same lines and people wouldn't be dying; the Guardian Office would still be standing too with all that cute shit you buy from the coin shop, so please forgive me for taking liberties on trying to make this operate on a wider scope.

>OOC: And yes, there are some girls who won't show up. This is a war, after all. Who does and who doesn't depends on your choices and actions.

>OOC: Most of the votes have gone for old man, do you guys want grizzled vet, strict, hardened or "I'm Getting Too Old For This Shit"?

>>61837
My vote goes for "I'm Getting Too Old For This Shit"

>>61837
Gettin too old has my vote

>>61837
Getting too old.

>>61837
Getting too old. Maybe he was a decorated hero when he was younger, but his heart's just not in it anymore for whatever reason.

>>61837
>Getting Too Old For This Shit
Also, QM, I don't think they were talking seriously, probably just doing regular Kancolle shitposting

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>>61837
>If I was going straight by in-game mechanics there would be no story
Now now, I was talking about game lines, not game mechanics. Ultimately I don't that much about Kiyoshimo's characterization.

>>61837
>>62536
Oh, and Getting too old.

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He's an old man, much taller than you, broad-shouldered and laced with a wisdom and experience you had yet to touch. He's in a tired, but steady stance, his hands in his pockets and a pipe in his mouth, unlit. He's a lot more tan than you expect, with blue eyes that exuded both a business-like man and a gruff sort of approachable aura. His mustache was thick and bushy, dark like the rest of his hair to go with a face that seemed to have been fuller some time ago but was now drained with sunken cheeks. The circle of years are underneath his eyes, and while he is strong in stance anyone could tell there was a certain weight on his back. His uniform was as pristine as you would expect from a man of the military.

He turns to Nagato, who is leaned against the table now, which you notice is stacked with folders. You put yourself into a rigid salute.

'Evening, kid.' He says informally, much to your surprise. He points a finger in your direction, sitting on a chair behind the desk. 'Don't bother with that shit.'

You wonder just what he is talking about; Nagato signals to you to drop the salute. Reluctantly, you do so. A part of you waits for the bark of indiscipline, but it doesn't come at all. The Admiral lies in his seat, cap off, revealing a muss of curly hair. You look to Nagato again, but find her attentions are fully on the Admiral. He leans forward in his chair, his eyes focused on the floor.

'38 years in the service by next week. Time flies.' He begins to speak, and unsure of what to do, you keep your stance straight. He doesn't look at you, his pipe in his hands. 'It was my anniversary last month and I couldn't make it. Wife threw a fit. Couldn't bring myself to leave the desk behind.' He raises his gaze, smiling with an emotion you can't quite place. 'And all I got to show for it is being an accessory to one of the worst military disasters in recent history.'

He laughs loudly, but no one save for you and Nagato seem to offer it attention.

'Bah! Don't mind me,' He gets up, 'it's been a long, long week for a lot of us.' His eyes seem unfocused, briefly. 'For all of us.'

'I... guess it has, sir.'

'Sometimes I wonder if I should have turned the cap in some time ago.' He contemplates with amusement, 'Could've started a farm. Made some money.'

'It... would be a loss to the Admiralty, sir.'

He laughs loudly.

'All right. To business.' He sits on the edge of the table, picking up a clipped sheet and glossing it over. 'How's the arm?'

'Fine?'

'Good.' He looks you in the eye. 'Right now, you're a civilian. When I read from this paper to you... you will officially be inducted into KanMusu Operations. That means you'll be following my command. I'm not going to lie to you; you ain't my first choice. But I need everyone I an get my hands on to get us up to speed. If you don't accept... I'll arrange for an evac within the next 96 hours with your name on it.'

>'What do you need me to do?'
>'Of course, sir.'
>'I don't want to fight.'

>>63737
>'What do you need me to do?'

>>63737
>'What do you need me to do?'

>>63737
>>'What do you need me to do?'

>>63737
>'What do you need me to do?'

>'What do you need me to do?'

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'What do you need me to do?'

The Admirals gaze meets yours.

'Whatever that needs to be done.'

'With due respect, sir, I think I'm entitled to a little more than that.'

You hope you didn't step boundaries with that last statement, but you couldn't help but wonder what it was they needed you, a flush-out from the cadet applicants, for. More worrying was the statement the Admiral had said from your initial question: whatever needs to be done.

The Admiral's look remains neutral, his expression blank, and for once, you dare to not look away. You don't know whether it was the secret stash of bravado in your gut... or if it was just curiosity... or stupidity.

'I'm sorry, son,' he sighs, putting the folder on the table. 'but not this time.'

He taps on the offending item with a finger, before turning back to you.

'The information in that folder is only authorized for ranking personnel.' He says in that thick, gruff voice of his, finally lighting his pipe after holding it for so long. 'What I'm offering you, here, kid, is a full approval of application and straight-up promotion to the level of Division Commander.'

Your stomach does somersaults like a prize-winning gymnast.

'Ex - Excuse me, sir?'

The Admiral takes a puff of his pipe, his expression unchanging.

'I know you screwed up your application and audition.' He says in acknowledgment; you fight back a wince as he brings it up, 'But those folks are gone... I have full autonomy on those who work under my direct command, and I'm not kidding you we're in dire straits - we're pushing for it with bringing your ass here, I know, and I don't think this was how you thought your week was going to go.'

The both your eyes meet again, and this time, you know you can't stomp on the fence.

'So I need you to tell me, kid, if you're on board or whether you're going to haul ass mainland because I need my officers now, breathing and willing.'

>'Sorry, I'm not going out there.'
>'Willing and able, sir.'

>>64555
>'Willing and able, sir.'
Is not like we can backpedal when we came this far.

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>>64555
>'Willing and able, sir.'
This is what the entire quest has been going for! Saying no now would be like refusing to be a Spectre in Mass Effect 1!

>>64555
>Willing and able

LET'S DO IT

>'Willing and able, sir.'

>>64555
>'Willing and able, sir.'
>'Drinks tonight?'

>>64555
>'Willing and able, sir.'

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'Willing and able, sir.'

You don't say it with humor, nor do you put in any remarks at the end. It is a simple acknowledgement of a choice. You reflexively take in a stiff stance, standing at attention for the Admiral. You don't meet his gaze. You had made your choice.

All your life had been filled with mistakes. At least, for once... and in this choice, you know you will not make one.

The Admiral puts down his pipe, now adopting a stance as rigid as yours. You see the clear difference experience and mettle had made between the both of you. The Admiral is tall and built, but his poise is made all the clearer now; you feel a change in the air. People around you had stopped what they were doing, each and every one of them looking at the both of you as though they were witnesses.

Three fairies, now clearly scene, pop into existence beside the Admiral. A light green glow emanates from each of them. At the back of your mind you find them adorable... but their expressions are hardened and their eyes look straight at you.

'All right, kid.' The Admiral addresses you calmly, as if to alleviate you of your anxiety,'We know this is unconventional... but step forward.'

You do so, setting your own folder on one of the nearby makeshift tables. For some reason, the place suddenly seemed wider than usual. You blink.

You're not in the camp. You're not in the tent.

You are in some wet cavern... and the three fairies above you dance. Your eyes look to the front, to see the Admiral glowing just as they were. For some reason... you do not feel afraid.

Even if you are standing on water.

'Raise your right arm.' He says calmly. 'Feet together.'

You copy the Admiral, your chest out and your prosthetic upright.

He speaks.

'I, as Admiral, grant you the privilege... and the burden... as an Officer of KanMusu Operations and Command.'

'May Wisdom, Courage and Honor guide us in conduct. May our souls never bend as simply as steel. May the hands of our Protectors smite those who dare come from the dark. We plead our allegiance, to our land, to our people, to our comrades. Till sacrifice beckons or the horn of victory sounds. We are under Heaven's eyes; The First Shield and The Last Dagger.'

'Fear Rules Us Not.'

'At ease, kid.'

You're back in the tent.. with a light warm feeling in your chest.

'Welcome to KanMusu Operations.' He hands you the folder. 'Let's get to work.'

>'What was that?'
>'So, I'm a Division Commander now?'
>'Nagato, did you see that?'
>'Let's get to it.'

>>64979
>'What was that?'

I'm gonna feel really stupid if we just had a hallucination and we say this, but oh well.

>>64979
>'What was that?'

>>64979
>>'What was that?'

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'What... was that?'

Despite the warm feeling in your chest, you don't quite remember anything quite so... clean and bizarre in one instance. It felt like you just had a swim in a warm river. You feel revitalized, but you also feel like someone had just taken you out of your body and gently put you back in.

'Your induction.' The Admiral looks to you with a puzzled expression, as if he was explaining grammar school mathematics and you had just asked a question about literature.

'I mean... the cavern.' You motion slightly with your hands, and suddenly you wonder if you'd a little bit crazy.

'Cavern?'

He frowns at you, crossing his arms.

'Sorry, I think I'm still high on... something.'

Nagato chuckles into closed fist.

'Kid, did Akashi really discharge you?'

You raise your hands, and the Admiral shakes his head as he brings out the files from their folders, placing them across the table, looking at you. There were diagrams of all sorts, maps, photos. Several of the present personnel members, but not the KanMusus, approach the table as you place your own folder... and realize that everything that had been given to you had a specific references to several of the files on the table. The personnel were all gathered, but not quite crushing you as all of them looked over the documents and photos.

You see abyssals, ruins, sewers, hills, open oceans and photos of trenches here and there.

No turning back now.

>'Let's get to it.

>>65093
>'Let's get to it.
I feel silly.

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>>65093
>>'Let's get to it.

>>65093
>'Let's get to it.

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'All right, kid. Usually you'd be going through the whole shebang, but I need you to be up and running within 36 hours and able to perform.' He rubs the back of his head. 'Now, I know you're new to this business, but I can't spare you going into a lock straight away. Your activation for duty commences with the induction. From what I hear from some folks, you're a good on-the-fly guy, so I'm going to be giving you a shortlist for your squadron as soon as I can.'

You raise an eyebrow in confusion.

'Shortlist?'

'You're a Division Commander. Not much use of a title if you don't have a KanMusu Division.' He turns to the only KanMusu who is present in the circle of personnel. 'Nagato, can you give me a headcount of those not on B-level detail?'

'That's anyone and everyone who's not in the Logistics Department.' Nagato responds automatically, and you notice quickly how sharp the contrast her warm demeanor was to this no-nonsense woman. 'But you'll have to be specific on what you need or want in them.'

'That depends on Commander Newbie here.'

The Admiral smirks in your direction. Somehow, you fail to see the humor in the situation.

'Excuse me?'

He looks to the whole room, coughing loudly as he places his pipe on the table, still smoking. You hope none of that paper catches fire.

'We were too big and too loud the last couple of years. We've always engaged them in open warfare, and while we've always fought the good fight, the invasion's changed the whole face of our operations.' His gaze hardens in his address of the whole room, and you feel a chill just hearing the declaration. 'Of my operations.'

'We're going to take this war piece by piece. No big assault, no advance. We've always worked on three things, recon, offense and defense. Before the last big op we'd never been in a capture and hold situation. The Admiralty got cocky and so did we. We paid the price.' He looks to you. 'But we're taking it all back from these suckers.'

You look to see there several images on certain locations had been captured by the Admiralty's recon. There is an island with what looked like a demolished outpost... with what looked like a large satellite dish visible in the hill behind it. There is what looked like one of those sea platforms, which again, looked derelict... but operational. There are photos of blob-like things, huge in size, that look like a blur as they... run across platform. There are letters and documents of grievances accompanying the next set of photos - those things that had attacked you that day.

'Commander, we've got recon up on four short-term objectives to get you started. Which one do you want to hear about?'

>On the Re-Capturing of Yokosuka II Outpost
>Scavenge Aquarius Supply Compound
>Intercept Transport
>Re-establishment of Border Patrol
>'What's District Management?'

>>65143
>Scavenge Aquarius Supply Compound

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>>65143
>On the Re-Capturing of Yokosuka II Outpost.
Time to operate.

>>65143
>Intercept Transport

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OPERATION: ROTTEN CABBAGE

Aquarius Supply Compound was in the process of being decommissioned when the Abyssal assault commenced. The personnel of 24 and 2 Light Cruiser Class KanMusu stationed are nowhere to be found and are currently listed as MIA. The compound was heavily damaged in the assault and its structural integrity is questionable, but it is believed that there is usable tech that could be used to assist in the reconstruction efforts of the Yokosuka base township.

Hostile threat within the immediate area is classified as moderate, with no threat above that of B-Rank nearby at the time of operation. However, with the enemy in a state of heightened aggression, it is advised to exercise extreme vigilance and to keep yourself prepared for any surprises. The structure's Kantai tech is thought to be located in the base of the compound in the supply floor. While by no means large, it is enough to assist with our recovery efforts.

The Kantai tech is secure and untouched. However, it is also in an unprocessed and volatile state. Handle it with extreme caution. KanMusus exposed to it in concentrated doses are to be immediately given to the attention of the fairies.

>>65192
does the enemy has air presence there? Do we need dedicated cargo boat to get the stuff, or is is small and light enough to be aeroported?

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OPERATION: WINBACK

Yokosuka II was a prospective outpost to expand the-then Imperial Navy prior to the war utilizing RADAR technology. When the Abyssals invaded, Yokosuka II was taken and turned into an enemy outpost. The personnel of 16 are registered as KIA. The outpost, though damage, serves as an advantage in the hands of the enemy, and with it so close to our shores, leaves us flanked if any offensive is taken.

Threat within the area is classified as moderate. From reconnaissance, the only units within the area are believed to be 3 B-Ranked Carriers, but there have been contrasting reports of an A-ranked Leader Sub-Unit patrolling. Extreme caution is advised due to these reports.

Re-Capturing the outpost will take effort, experience and skill, but if re-taken, will give us 2 stepping stones to bringing the war back to the Abyssal front.

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OPERATION: ROCK 'EM SOCK 'EM

There are reports of a transport route being used close to our waters. D-Ranked Abyssals are using our old lanes to transport what we can only suspect are their supplies from one point to the other. Catching this one won't do much, but it'll teach them to stay out of what little territory we have left from our previous advances.

AMENDMENT: The MagiTek Department Inland are looking for some Transport Abyssals for experimentation. While these units have minimal offensive capabilities, they have speed and can take punishment. Capturing one is hard, but for any operatives able to take this up, the Department will be grateful.

>>65202
>OOC: It's not as complicated as that. You send a force with your girls. They execute the mission, and who lives who dies, and who survives is all up to your actions. The girls that are required to be there will be provided for by the force.

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OPERATION: SELFISH GIANT

Locals want to get some sort of industry growing again. With the city in the state it is and with limited fertile land, they've turned to fishing. The only problem is that minimal Abyssal advances have rendered any possible return to industry moot until they've been scared off. In the completion of this objective, the local populace may return to some semblance of a day-to-day life and may improve our PR in the process.

Minimal resistance expected.

>SELECT MISSION
>'What is District Management?'

>>65237
I'm putting a vote in for Transport Intercept. Seems easy enough. We should ask about District management anyway.

>>65237
I'm against asking for an explanation of "District Management". No one said those words.

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'What's district management?' You frown as you pick up that particular file, which showed ruins and damage.

The Admiral throws a glance at the whole room, coughing loudly to get everyone's attention again. Once the din went down, he puffed his chest and explained.

'As you know, we're not at full strength. Every single one of us is pulling double time, Hell, we're pulling triple time.' He puts both hands on the table. 'A lot of the city is in shambles, but every time we get something, we can focus it on improving a certain aspect of the city.'

'Sounds like a lot of work.' Someone says.

The Admiral smirks.

'Thank Heaven for the fairies.'

People look at each other, wondering what he was going on about.

'A lot of people don't know this, but the fairies were the first alchemists to walk this planet.' He smirks. 'Yeah, I know a lot of you didn't pick up your textbooks in school.

You turn slightly red.'

'They transmutate an aspect of magic, the mumbo-jumbo part of what we operate on, into things that operate on a spiritual frequency - shit that can hurt Abyssals. For them, that's the easy part.' He walks around the table, the crowd making way for him. 'The hard part is for them to materialize an item on our plane. Rocks, plates, cupboards. We've gone so far with tech, but where the fairies are concerned, we're still on baby steps.'

He points to the blackboard behind the crowd.

'But, they can help make things easier for us. District Management is where you're going to send the fairies to help out. You have to remember that they're just like us - they get tired, frustrated, and their magic borrows heavily on their mood, again, just like us. You dregs can't operate without a bottle of the good stuff a week, can you?'

Chuckles all-round.

'When supplies come in, it'll be your choice where to send your fairies every week to help out.'

He smiles at you.

'Anything else?'

>SELECT MISSION

>OOC: Remember, going on a mission means you don't go on others. While other teams may succeed, they're not ALWAYS a hundred percent successful.

>>65270
we need material first so i thing operation rotten cabbage is good

>>65270
What are our Missions options, senpai?

>>65367
>OOC: You're not given command of your team yet. Gear for the mission will be provided for retrieval; this isn't like those plane sloy things in the game. Combat will depend on your objectives and the decisions made during the mission. You only know what you get through recon. Like real life warfare, you're flying in half blind and will have to, sometimes, ad-hoc your way through or take unorthodox options. Your base team, as a Division Commander will be a unit of 12. You will later roll for who is assigned to your active team and home base.

>>65336 this...

>>65270
Rock'em sock'em
We need to remember that this is our first mission, let's not bite off more than we can chew.

>>65270
OPERATION: ROTTEN CABBAGE

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You pick up the picture of the Aquarius Supply Compound. The sea platform had seen better days. Even with the grainy pictures and the horrible resolution, it was apparent that it had gone through a horrible toss through either a hail of bullets or a genuine ringer. The files list the previous operations that Aquarius had undertaken.

It had been one of the first oil rigs converted into a harvesting point upon the discovery of the fairies, and had been instrumental in being a rendezvous point for for KanMusus that had needed a refueling point in the first pushes against the Abyssals.

Over time its use, and the toll it had taken from being so far out of the way from normal routes made the Admiralty consider other, more feasible options. You look at the blueprints. As you rifle through them, you sigh in relief - access points and the like were rightly labeled, and highlights had made it easier for you to understand.

This would be your first mission.

'I'll take the scavenger hunt, sir.' You decide, picking both the file up and the blueprints with your prosthetic. The Admiral nods in acknowledgement. 'I think I'll be able to manage it.'

'See that you do, Commander.' The Admiral salutes you, and you return it. 'I'll have the shortlist in your hands by 2100 Hours. Nagato will show you to your assigned district.'

As you step away, the crowd closes in and the Admiral begins to address the others. People look at you with a curious gaze which you don't meet, walking straight up to Nagato and leading the way out of the tent. The day tells you that it was past noon, and you feel your stomach begin to cry out. You sigh, a hand on your belly as you walk past a few more KanMusu and personnel, your mind beginning to wrap itself around the fact that you had just went from a (relatively) inexperienced non-combatant and reject to being in command of a Division. It felt surreal, just like your metal prosthetic.

Surprisingly, it is Nagato who breaks the silence between the both of you.

'Come on, Commander, you look like you could use something to eat.'

You try to protest, but Nagato has you by the shoulder, pushing you towards a surplus tent with no room for argument. Running it is an old woman, grey-haired and wearing thick, clear glasses. The place isn't crowded, but it does have a medieval stench to it. The tables aren't cleaned as well as you're used to, but you suppose that with everything going on, it wasn't your place to complain. The old lady smiles at you, handing you a bowl of stew - of what kind of stew you can't be sure.

You both sit down... and notice Nagato isn't having any. She quietly sits down, her arms crossed.

>'Nagato, aren't you eating?'
>'Not hungry?'
>Don't pry and eat your food quietly.

>Intercept Transport

>>65676
>'Not hungry?'

>>65676
>'Not hungry?'

>'Not hungry?'

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Curiously, you put the liquid in a swirl with your soup spoon, wondering just what had been mixed together to make it such a murky brown. You prod for a while and find that it's rather thick... and the pepper reaches your nose without even trying. Too hungry to argue, you take a scoop of the stew and eat it anyway, hoping it would at least be merciful enough for a quick death.

Surprisingly, you only find it slightly more bland and too laced with pepper for proper texture. You gulp one mouthful, savoring the taste for a while.

You spare a glance at Nagato, who sits quietly with her arms crossed and her eyes clothes, either resting, contemplating... or both.

'Not hungry?'

As the words leave your mouth the old woman arrives at your table and drops a few slices of bread on a plate. She smiles kindly at you, just like before, and gives Nagato a small bow of acknowledgement before resuming her duties at the front of the surplus tent.

Nagato leans over, elbows on the table.

'No, not really, Commander.' She says to you, throwing a quick glance to your bowl before looking back to you.

'Sure?'

Her reply is a quick nod of her head, and she leans back in her chair. For a moment, you think just how much more... different she looks right now. You may not have been around her for much, but you reach some sort of hypothesis on this woman around you. It was strange to be around someone so... adaptable, if that was a word, who went from one thing to the next without any sort of shock or residual. She was taciturn and rough, but not so coarse as to be distant.

You shake yourself out of your reverie, as short as it is. You press her a bit more, pushing your bowl aside.

'Is it because I outrank you now?'

Nagato laughs, leaning back into the spine of her chair. You don't know why she laughs, but it makes you feel a bit apprehensive.

'No.' She tucks a lock of hair behind an ear. 'Not at all.'

She pushes the meal back to your side, beckoning you to continue with your meal.

'I'm just not hungry.'

There's something sad in her words, but it could also just be your imagination again.

'Nagato...'

She lowers her head to you, again beckoning you to return to your food.

'Please, enjoy your meal, Commander,' she pauses, and nods to you as she adds, 'and thank you for asking.'

>Ask about which district you're assigned to
>Ask about your quarters
>Ask about the shortlist
>Eat your meal quietly.

>>66104
>Ask about which district you're assigned to
Also I am really late, but tenryuu is best girl

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>>66104
>Ask about the shortlist

>>66125
That would be Nagato you dummy

>>66104
>Ask about the shortlist
Nagato is best girl

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The shortlist is what crosses your mind first.

'Nagato, the Admiral mentioned a shortlist of candidates.' You slurp a spoonful, nonchalantly pointing it in her direction for emphasis. 'What did he mean by that?'

'You're a Division Commander,' she replies flatly, without even looking up at you, 'I assume that you know what that at least entails.'

'I know the rank and responsibility.' You say exasperatedly, secretly wondering if all girls were just this hard to get a clear answer out of. 'What I'm asking is about the shortlist.' You take a messy slurp of the stew, which was tasting less bland as you went through it, 'I mean, don't I have some kind of say in it or something to liaise - !'

'If it has to do with combat assignments, that responsibility falls down to me.' Nagato interrupts you, her eyes opening so as to tell you that she was indeed giving you her full attention now. She leans forward, her elbows on the table. 'I'm the Advance Guard Captain, so it falls down to me - there's no need to liaise with anyone else about your division's composition unless I happen to be dead or missing, Commander.'

You stop eating and set down your bowl. Your eyes lock and a degree of annoyance flashes through to her.

'Hey.'

Her lips curl into a smile and she looks away.

'I'm joking, really.' Her voice is laced with amusement... something else you can't quite place. 'What is it that you wanted to ask me about the shortlist?'

'Anything that you can tell me.'

You go through your stew a bit quicker. You feel that she has other places to be... and was only accompanying you out of implied instruction.

'A shortlist,' Nagato begins, 'of prospective KanMusu to join your division. You know that each KanMusu Squadron is typically made up of groups of 4 to 6. Each division has 2 Squadrons, the Reserve and the Active. After all that we lost in the attack, a lot of the KanMusu are without their Squadrons. The shortlist is for you to pick which ones you would have join your division.'

'Anything I should know before I pick them out?'

She throws you a look filled with mischief.

'Don't take more than what you think you can handle.'

>'Are you on the shortlist?'
>Ask about which district you're assigned to.
>Ask about your quarters
>Eat your meal quietly

>>66483
>I can handle 2 ovens and 3 pans no problem. What would you think the conversion to KanMusu would be?
>'Are you on the shortlist?'

>>66483
>>Ask about which district you're assigned to.

>>66541
OOC: The Admiralty is not the Navy. It's the organization that handles the KanMusu and the fairies in the war against the Abyssals. While they may have militaristic routes, the Admiralty's existence is purely to combat the Abyssals because conventional weaponry does not have an effective record against anything that isn't an I-Class. At least that's what I'm alluding to.

OOC: If you want a ranking cheat sheet it's: Court of the Admirals > Grand Lieutenant > Admirals > Vice-Admirals > KanMusu Department Heads (Unofficial) > Division Commanders > Support Officers (Borrows conventional ranking in this sub-rank) > KanMusu Officers (Advanced Guard/Recon/Logistics/Etc) > Personnel (Non-Combat or Reserve). It's not that big an organization, but it's all humanity's got.

OOC: What makes you an Admiral or Vice-Admiral is your power level. Specifically, your connection with the Fairies and KanMusu. Division Commanders are typically... low on the scale and handle smaller groups of KanMusu. You were rejected because the proctors were really spoilt for choice. Too bad that none of them survived after.

>>66560
>OOC: Good one. KanMusu don't eat.

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>>66625
So an XCOM comparison is pretty apt? And do other nations also have their own equivalents of the Admiralty? Can you expound on Kanmusu Ops relationship with shipgirls of other nations, or is that gonna appear later?

>KanMusu don't eat.
No Bauxite Queen?

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>>66625
>KanMusu don't eat.
What about Mamiya, the kanmusu that specifically makes snacks for them?

>>66625
>What makes you an Admiral or Vice-Admiral is your power level. Specifically, your connection with the Fairies and KanMusu.
Is that just an innate quality/power that people have? Can people improve their connection over time?

>>66625
How much have you looked into Kancolle before you started this quest?

>in b4 I only watched d animu or I herded on reddit

>>69554
>OOC: Played the game for a year and a half. Obviously, there have been a bucket load of changes I've made to make the world more grounded. Also, this isn't Earth as we know it.

>OOC: I'm trying to make the world seem bigger. I'm sorry if it's not to your liking, but be assured that I am trying as hard as I can.

>OOC: Taken liberties with ranking as the Admiralty system here is, as that anon mentioned, this is more akin to an X-Com Op than you being essentially the only TTK with 200 or so girls under your command.

>>66483
>>Ask about which district you're assigned to.

>>69729
So why don't you run this quest over on SB or SV? The way you update sporadically fits their format of quests much better than 4chan.

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>>66931
They do enjoying eating, but maybe they don't need to eat? I mean look at this map, the area it takes place on is based on the Indian Ocean. Getting to the boss node takes several days of traveling at sea, including the battles that can become night battles along the way, and the the amount of time it takes to get back from where they sortied.
tl;dr what do they eat?
>>69729
>Also, this isn't Earth as we know it.
My picture is appropriate for your post as well. Indeed it is not.

>>70241
>OOC: I'm triple tasking on my work, typing up lore and managing a bank accounk. I'll have something up in 2 hours promise.

>OOC: I can't reveal anything about the food and KanMusus because it's a plot point later on. Rest assured, it will reveal itself. If she can't eat, why did she agree to your invitation for a drink later?

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>>70386
Shipgirls don't need to eat or drink, but we're going out for (presumably) alcohol. And alcohol can be used to fuel engines! Therefore, Nagato drinks alcohol to be fueled up!

>>70606
Never underestimate the power of booze

>>70386
> I'll have something up in 2 hours promise.

You seriously should have just ran this on SB or Anonkun. This kind of pace just kills me.

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'Which district am I being assigned to?' You hastily change the topic, raising your hand to ask for a glass of water, only to find a surplus metal mug by your side; you glance at the old lady serving, who spares you a quick smile. 'I mean, you know, if you have anything for me on it.'

Nagato looks thoughtful.

'The one the Admiral's tasking you with the is the Southern District. It used to be one of the more commercial areas of the town, but after the attack, it pretty much turned into a cross between an end of the world scenario and the ganglands.'

'Excuse me?'

Nagato reaches to her side, into her pouch, pulling out a folded piece of paper. She reaches over the table, offering you to take it; you do so, giving a nod of thanks and unfolding it. You gloss over to see that it is an official brief on the district that you had just been assigned. You feel a crinkle forming between your nose and forehead as you take in just what kind of damage had been done - by both the attack and the resulting chaos. Rioting, looting, and even a few cases of violent crime were apparently the rage for the first few days of the aftermath prior to the Admiral's imposition of martial law.

You raise your head to Nagato.

'It's messy, I know.' She says crisply. 'Believe it or not, even with us around - and a lot of the survivors leaving, it's in a worse place than it's implied to be. There are gangs that have made the place their stomping grounds. It was a commercial district, after all. Some buildings are intact, but a lot of them won't be passing health and safety compliance any time soon. Not unless someone does something about it.

'That someone being me?'

'No, that someone being all of us.'

A fairy leaps up from behind Nagato's shoulder, waving her tiny hands.

'Sorry.'

She nods. Apology accepted.

You don't say much else between the both of you after, quietly finishing your stew without another word. You weren't just a military officer; the Admiral had handed you the keys on the reconstruction of a district of the township - you were a contractor and a headman, too. After, both you and Nagato make your way to one of the school's classrooms. One of the ones that still had windows; you were apparently going to complete the transfer of district responsibilities here.

'Ah, you are here, Sir Patient. Or would it be better to address you as Commander?'

It's Ooyodo. Sitting behind several stacks of papers.

'Ooyodo.'

'District assignment. I am aware. This is where the magic happens, after all.'

Not fifteen minutes later, you are done. You find yourself amazed with the speed. Ooyodo does not wait for you or Nagato, scuttling away with the paperwork like a robot. Nagato then turns to leave, and you follow her, making your way to the front gate...

Where your chariot awaited.

'Where to, son?'

Oh, no.

>'You coming along, Nagato?'
>'I think I'll walk for a bit.'
>'I'd like to have a look at the commercial district.'
>'Barracks.'

>>71010
>'You coming along, Nagato?'

May as well offer.

>>71010
>'You coming along, Nagato?'
Or alternately
>'I'd like to have a look at the commercial district.'

>>71010
>'I'd like to have a look at the commercial district.'
>'You coming along, Nagato?'

>>71010
>'I'd like to have a look at the commercial district.'
>'You coming along, Nagato?'

>>71010
>'I'd like to have a look at the commercial district.'
>'You coming along, Nagato?'

>>71010
>>'You coming along, Nagato?'

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You look to your female companion, who smiles at you. But it's not quite the smile you'd want from a friend. You send her a look, and she only takes a step back - behind her, hanging on her shoulder, the fairy that had was using Nagato as a ride, looks fearfully at the buggy and the old man, shaking its head furiously.

'I'm sorry, Commander, but I can't. I'll see you tonight, though.'

You feel a smidgen of annoyance from the bottom of your belly as she throws you a look that quite clearly gave her a sort of peaceful absolution from taking a step into that surplus buggy. You try to say something, but find yourself interrupted b Nagato taking out a piece of paper from her pouch, which you swear is only there to be part of the act.

'I have to draw up a shortlist for you, after all.' She says in an all-too-cheery voice. That smile was one reserved for those who would hug you in the front and stab you in the back. 'I have to go through some approval for the transfers and have to sort it out before we go out for drinks.'

Nagato's red eyes close as this time the smile, evil and selfish, reaches her eyes.

'See you at 2100.'

She practically skips in joy, so happy with herself to escape.

You turn to the old man, sighing. You might as well get this over and done with.

>'I think I'll walk for a bit.'
>'I'd like to have a look at the commercial district.'
>'Barracks.'

>>71252
>'I'd like to have a look at the commercial district.'

>>71252
>'I'd like to have a look at the commercial district.'
Then after that let's visit the barracks.

>'I'd like to have a look at the commercial district.'

>>71252
>>'I'd like to have a look at the commercial district.'

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Everything is nothing and nothing is everything. The motion and stillness blend into one as you reach a sort of Nirvana. Behind you, your physical form, inconsequential and shed, waves goodbye. You float in the vast expense of chaos and order, breathing in...

Breathing?

You shock yourself back to life, your pulse thumping at a pace you never thought you could ever achieve. You feel your hair, half-wondering if friction had torn it off or if it had aged and died off in the sheer horror of your roller coaster through twisted streets and screaming pavements. You look around you and recognize that you'd reached your destination.

'You musta been tired as all Hell, son. You were asleep for almost the whole way.'

You're pretty sure that whatever it is, you probably touched eternity in that sleep of yours. The innocent, but gruff demeanor of the bus driver reminds you of your manners, and you nod as you stumble out of the buggy, the ecstasy of Terra Firma rushing through your soles and into your being.

'Sorry it took a little long to get here. I took a bit of a bad turn and had to double back twice.'

You walk slowly, feeling balance slowly return as you take step by step in the once-bustling plaza. The pavement, the buildings, everything looked to be intact, at the very least... but you see decimated phone booths, shattered shop windows

'That's... That's fine.'

'This place's gone through the ringer.' The man whistles behind you, his voice echoing slightly in the small plaza. 'Probably seen some better days, too. What're you doing here, anyway?'

You don't turn to look back at him, taking a few steps more. You could see how this place probably had once been, how people walked and lived their lives, probably arguing over their seating choices or haggling over fine jewelry.

'It's my assignment.' You reply nonchalantly, walking towards the middle of the plaza, where a dead tree stood. The sight of it gives a small lurch in your stomach.

'The Admiral gave you a job?'

'Something like that.'

You spin around as the sound of a can dropping hits your ears, rolling from one of the piles of rubble across your path.

'Kid, you might not want to stay here too long.' The old man warns. 'Ain't safe.'

>Look around
>'Barracks, then.'

>>71397
>>'Barracks, then.'
Gotta bring some MPs sometime here

Any thoughts guys? Do you think there's something inside the district?

>>71397
>'Barracks, then.'

>>71413
>If you're unsure, read what Nagato said about it and just why you're sent here.

>>71413
It was a commercial district, so probably treasure.

>'Barracks, then.'

Gangs, huh? Better get backup.

>>71397
>>'Barracks, then.'
need backup

File: tumblr_n9sk2dlvFw1rdfsmyo(...).gif (1.84 MB, 500x340)

1.84 MB GIF

Did we get this?

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You spare one last glance at the place. Broken windows, rubble, ruins. It could use some sprucing up... but not now. Ultimately, you realize it would be stupid to proceed here without any backup of any sort, and who knew just what dangers lurked in the corner here. As you make your way back to the buggy, you feel your right arm. There is no intention in you to go through a repeat of the same experience.

'I need to get to the barracks,' you say neutrally, getting in the buggy. The old man, noticing your change in mood, acknowledges it and drives past the entry point to the plaza.

In the rear view mirror, you see something move, and turn around around. Nothing. Wondering if the Fairy's Tears had done more than just patch you up, you lean back into the buggy's seat. For some reason or other you don't find yourself caring for the breakneck speed at which the old man took. Your mind thinks back to everything that had occurred until now.

The realization of responsibility comes upon you like a subtle wave, beating and beating until it brings down the walls that made you thankful for simplicity and efficiency; that nothing was convenient or as simple as it, at times, seemed. The buggy zooms past the buildings and back into an area with lower-rise buildings. So many things to do... and so much to get back to the way before.

You sigh heavily. Things did feel a little bit... harder than you thought they were.

Before you know it, you're in front of the barracks.

Or what was supposed to pass as one, anyway. Outside, personnel and MPs gather around the makeshift border of the compound. The place itself looked serviceable, if ancient. The bricks and mortar look old enough to belong in a dating experiment, and the windows, if not shattered, are very much black. You guess that it was still in a good enough standard for the military's usage, as personnel in all manner of ware pour in and out.

'Right, kid, we're here.' The old man gruffly says. You nod in response, giving a smile.

'Thanks.' You unload your things.

'You free enough for drinks tonight?'

>Remember your date with Nagato (Roll a d6 each. If total exceeds 12 from posters, you remember)
>'Sure.'
>'I think I'll take a raincheck on that. Kinda tired.'

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>71900
>Remember your date with Nagato (Roll a d6 each. If total exceeds 12 from posters, you remember)

How the hell do you forget to have drinks with a battleship?

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>71900
>Remember your date with Nagato
Also remember that we don't actually know a place, and we must ask this guy.

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>71900
>>Remember your date with Nagato

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>71900
>Remember your date with Nagato

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>71900
>Remember your date with Nagato
Like we would forget

>>71900
>Remember your date with Nagato

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>71977
gah

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>71900
>Remember your date with Nagato (Roll a d6 each. If total exceeds 12 from posters, you remember)

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>>OOC: I made a mistake on that last total. It was meant to read 21 but I must have typed that without double-checking. In any case, congratulations on not being as forgetful as I am. You guys pass regardless.

'Sure, I - !' You wince as something hits you at the back of the head with tremendous force... metaphorically, of course. You remember that you had made plans with Nagato and quickly backpedal on your answer, 'I'm sorry, but... I can't tonight. I made... arrangements with someone.'

The old man nods in understanding.

Something else hits you.

'Is there any place I could go after hours for a good drink and food?'

'In this city? Hah!' He snorts. 'There's where I was planning to bring ya - that's the Personnel Hall. Loud as a goose, that place. Booze is just about the only thing that doesn't seem to be on ration cuts... but there's also this place the KanMusus frequent. Some kind of restaurant that the Admiralty leased a while back... I think it's a shack or something.' He gives a shrug of his shoulders. 'Still standing, of course.'

The engine running, he puts an arm to the side of the buggy's door. He takes out a piece of paper from the glove compartment, handing you the map. On it, there are several crosses and circles to indicate camps... and hang-outs for personnel on off-hours, if they ever had any.

He hands it to you with a smile. He is giving it to you. You wonder what to say when he raises a hand to keep you from saying anything, but shoots you a wink. He takes something else out from the compartment - a small casing you don't immediately recognize.

'From what I hear, it doesn't do so well with the folks. Lots of people there think the food is horrible.'

He smirks at you, and dons a pair of sunglasses, revving the buggy.

'But if the KanMusus are just fine with it... I think your lady friend would like it better there.'

You almost drop the map.

'See ya, boy-o!'

He cackles, gone with the wind.

>'I have time. I'll read up on the mission.'
>'I'm kind of tired, I think I'll take a nap.'
>Ask one of the personnel about the barracks.

>>72040
>Ask one of the personnel about the barracks

>>72040
>>Ask one of the personnel about the barracks.

>>72040
>Ask one of the personnel about the barracks.

>>72040
>>Ask one of the personnel about the barracks.

>>72040
>'I'm kind of tired, I think I'll take a nap.'

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You think it would be foolish of you to just check-in, Division Commander or not; that it would be a more reasonable action to take to at least put some effort on your first half-day as a ranked officer. You walk up, folder in hand, past the damaged entrance to the compound to ask for personnel. No sooner that you step onto the grounds, your ears are greeted by a shrill whistle and the sound of quick footsteps. To your left, you see two MPs walking towards you hastily; they're young and enthusiastic. You make out the freckles on one of their faces as they march up to you. One of them is lanky, the other stocky.

'Excuse me, sir,' one of them says in a tone familiar to Ooyodo's... or not. This one's voice struck you more as someone reading off a script. 'This is a restricted area.'

'It's all right.' You produce your tag. 'I was assigned here by the Admiral. I'm the new Division Commander.'

They both look at it suspiciously, before looking back at you. The one who had just spoken has his eyes grow wide at the pronouncement, and you can see his nervous expression form from that once-professional demeanor.

'I - I'm sorry, sir!' He snaps to attention, and so does his partner. The both of them stand as rigid as a board for a few seconds, much to your amusement. 'We weren't told that you'd be here so soon, sir! The KanMusus - I mean, the Admiral told us that we'd probably have to hold the fort for a while until they could assign someone.'

'It's okay,' you nod in understanding as they hand you back your things. They are little more jumpy than expect, but not horrible, 'I was just assigned today; I know that you've all got your hands full.'

'W - Would you like me to show you to your quarters, sir?' The bulkier of the two men stepped in rigidly.

'Not right now, thanks... but if it wouldn't be so much trou - !'

'Of course not, sir!'

'If it wouldn't be so much trouble, would you be able to tell me about these barracks.'

'They used to be commissioned by the old Imperial Navy during the big war. Since then, it's been used as a storage house by locals... we've been using it as temporary barracks for a division since we volunteered; the Admiral said that it was going to house a new Division and that we were to bring it back up to state. But... I'm sorry to say, sir, there's only much a mop and pail can do.'

'I understand.'

'There are several rooms and a small hall, but right now a lot of them are being used to store some gear that the old Guardian Office was using.' He continued, his face a little unsure. 'The top floor is still clear and there are quite a few sleeping bags and old mattresses lying around... but comfort ain't on the menu, so to speak.'

'Your quarters are right there, sir.' The other one points to a room on the second floor.

You nod.

>'I'll be taking a nap.'
>Read up on our mission.
>'You know quite a bit; I'm impressed.'

>OOC: You guys really like Nagato, huh? Or is this a "Don't piss off the hot chick that saved us" thing?

>>72070
>'I'll be taking a nap.'

>Nagato
dat cute drawing on the cast.

>>72070
>Read up on our mission.
Nagato a cute

>>72070
>Read up on our mission.

>You guys really like Nagato, huh?
I'd like to break her "always serious" façade through embarrassment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVuClDI5-0I

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With what had been going on all day, you feel more tired than you usually did at this time of day. A haze seems to gather on your thoughts but you don't buy into it. Your grasp on the folder tightens as you raise your head to meet the gaze of the MPs.

You had a responsibility - to your team and to everyone else to see that you were fully briefed and knowledgeable on the details of the mission. To do anything else would be another strike on the incompetency list. You would study the mission and the brief fully, and what came with it.

If there was going to be someone to go, it wouldn't be through your inaction.

'Does this place have a running generator?' The words come out of your mouth - having seen the rest of the buildings, you think it was better to ask than actually end up with no power in a dark room.

'Yeah, but... well, we're not sure...' The bulky one crosses his arms, thinking.

'It's been fritzy. The wiring's been fixed... somewhat.' The tall one rubs the back of his head. 'But we really need to call the custodians down again. But with them going here and there, it's kind of hard to get them called here.'

'Okay.' You give them an encouraging smile. 'We'll tough it out in the meantime.'

'Sir!' They say in unison, a saluting.

'And what about my room?'

'The door locks are all busted, so the custodians took them out.'

'Anywhere I can do some studying?' You indicate your files jokingly.

'Hall's got plenty of light.' The taller one mentions, obviously pleased with himself.

You gesture at them to lead the way, and they open the shabby doors. Inside, you see that it was as they had said. They were damp, peeling and stained, but a fragrant smell was in the air - they had indeed tried. The dust at least is gone, and the floor is sturdy enough for all three of you to walk through and not step through. At the end of the hallway, you enter a hall filled with covered furniture and crates, enough for a good amount of people to sit in, with a table and chair by the side, basking in sunlight.

You thank them and take a seat, pulling out the blueprints files, beginning your work. Surprisingly enough, you do not end up as lost as you would expect. Many of the drawings are filled out competently enough and allow you to look through them. The referral documents an even bigger help as you skim through them to ensure that the proper pathways were seen. You learn that the compound's storage unit is actually three sections of hazard containment and are strong enough to withstand a decent explosion; that there are two access points that lead to a direct path to the storage parts - one specific entrance for KanMusu discounted. There is also an underwater hatch for an emergency exit, able to be opened only from the side of the compound.

You memorize where the quarters, operations main and the storage pathways.

Then something touches your shoulder.

>REACT (Roll 1d6)
>TOTAL: 12 Slip
>TOTAL: 12-18 Panicked Backhand
>TOTAL: Above 19 You'll See

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>72265

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>72265
so is it first roll that counts or more?

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>72284
whoops wrong dice

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>72265

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>72265
RIP

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>72396
BASED

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>72265
MC must be pretty jumpy if he's punching people who approach him from his blind side.

>>72404
>OOC: If it wasn't apparent, the day's events have tired you out. That's why you needed a nap in the first place.

>>72401
>OOC: And I was just about to press enter, too. Hang on, rewrite incoming. Sheesh.

>>72434
Sleep is for the weak

>>72434
did you save that part. Would you post it after the new part, to see what could have happened since you already wrote it?

Poi~

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>>72894
Poi has not appeared yet in this quest.

I have a question for ya'll: who is best DD? Objectively speaking, based on stats, not on their personality.

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>>72982
In KanColle at the moment?
Poi for Fire + Torp, Yukikaze for luck (assuming no Maruyu luck boosting), Akizuki for AA.

>>73070
>>>/a/

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You turn your head sharply, startled by the sudden contact. The flicker of the only light above agitates you as it dies and your prosthetic hand grabs onto something that fights right back. It's all in the reflex, your brain goes at a pace you would never have dreamed before. There is nothing before your eyes... but everything your hand can touch. Panic and survival blend into one as this thing, big and strong, lets out an indistinguishable cry as you use your own bulk to bring it down, your elbow feeling the strain as all 200 pounds of you crash.

You see enemies and teeth and rain all over, and...

And you see the flushed face of Battleship Nagato on the floor as the light flickers back on. You don't know if you're caught in a dream or a sort of strange thing in between

'C - Commander.' She struggles, and you see the quiver of her lip, the surprise in her eyes as she takes in slow, deep breaths; in, then out. You see her chest rise and fall with the white fabric of her top. 'I came early.'

Her headgear had detached, forgotten on the old wooden floor. A haze falls over you as your gaze locks with her lidded, deep red eyes. There is a strange quality to them you had never noticed in the day with her, some bizarre, veiled passion and fire behind them that is behind a wall of cold, professional indifference; a teasing smidgen of allure that both dragged you in and struck at you with the thorn of roses once caught. A welcome hotness emanates from your chest. Something you're not sure should be there.

'D-Division Commander...'

She's trying. She wants control again. She's trying so, so hard...

She's warmer than you expect under you, hair wild and long, spread on the floor... your left hand touches the skin of her shoulder. You feel her legs entwining with yours like snakes around prey, a messy, dirty hold that feels both forbidden and welcome as they brush by the very core of your desire. Something escapes you, up your chest and out your throat like a like a mountain of fire and a following storm.

Her hand is not supposed to go there... it's against regulations.

She pulls you in.

'Nagato...'

Your foreheads touch, and you feel the erratic rise and fall of desire and control fall over the both of you. Tears stain the corner of her eyes as discipline, order and duty seem to crumble like ancient walls as you feel her center grow and grab at you; underneath her skin, her breast and lust was the eternal trap man is meant to fall for.

Your hand raises to her lips. A light shift of your thumb, moist from your connection, lowers her jaw. Her mouth opens lightly... you can feel her now. All of her.

She trembles under your touch.

Reason. Order. Control. It all comes around you and crashes; in the dusk, on the floor and entwined in only two things remain...

The only things that you both ever were.

Man and woman.

>Roll a d6
>Lose Consciousness (TOTAL below 15)
>Regain Control (TOTAL 15 and above)

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>73343
>Regain Control (TOTAL 15 and above)

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>73343
>Regain Control (TOTAL 15 and above)
Neat

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>72070 >>72265 >>73343
I don't know if you noticed, but going by the total mostly counts the number of players posting (or how fast you tally). There's a way to increase the total, none to reduce it, and the first few players don't have much say if you're having more than a binary choice.

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>73343
>>Regain Control (TOTAL 15 and above)

Date ho!

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>73343
>>Regain Control (TOTAL 15 and above)

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>73343
Control

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>>73419
>OOC: Urgh. Sorry for that. I thought I had put on the top of a page on how Total rolls are tallied. Thank you for pointing it out - Total Rolls will only count the first 5 rollers. Thank this anon for pointing it out. I thought I had put that rule at the top.

>>73475
that sounds way more like a rollin system. nice.

>>73475
Will this quest primarily be narrative based or will there be stats, game mechanics, construction costs etc. when we get to the gameplay portion?

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As the haze lifts, your mind comes back to the present and you suddenly realize that you have a handful of pure, unrated woman. Fear crawls from your belly to the back of your neck. You slowly detach from her, your breathing erratic. Your hand slides off her bodice and you remove yourself from her, your body still in some sort of heat frenzy from your dazed and fatigue-driven assault.

You are drained. You need sleep. You need it.

You stumble backwards, fighting the tiredness as you observe the disheveled condition of the woman before you. She looked, quite frankly, hot - stunned, you mean. Her red eyes are wide with worry, distress and a fast-fading veil of lust. You take in your surroundings; night has fallen - and had probably fallen some time ago. You rub your temples, feeling a strong headache coming along. You have exerted yourself, having just left the hospital that afternoon, you had pushed yourself a little too far.

You feel a hand on your cheek, raising your head to meet with concerned crimson orbs.

'Commander,' she begins... and doesn't go on. She doesn't know how to go on. You can see the confusion and struggle and rage behind that look, and you don't know what to do to clean the slate.

'Sorry, I'm...' the words fail to leave your lips. They drop dead proper as your eyes meet and the things that you want to say remain unsaid and unused. You put a hand on the floor.

'You're sleep deprived.' Nagato's voice takes a maternal tone. 'You need rest.'

'I'm fine.' You insist, to her or to yourself, you can't quite differentiate. 'What's the time now?'

'It's just past twenty-hundred.' She says. You can tell she's trying to find her personal footing again.

You feel that you should, too.

'I thought you were going to be here a bit later.'

'I finished faster than I thought I would.'

She smiles at you, but there is something different about this smile. You can't quite place it, but there was a different quality to Nagato's demeanor now. There was something in her small shifts, the fall of her hair and the red in her eyes that had changed. All of it was different; but it was the same - it was Nagato, your rescuer and now, your comrade. You barely know her, you had not touched a single thing about her, and...

You shake it off. You shake it all off. The fatigue, the last fifteen or so minutes. You are positive that that is what is to happen now if you both wanted to operate properly. You feel the tiredness dissipate, and...

Nagato's face is still close to yours.

You scuttle back slightly, before getting to your feet - and offer her a hand. She gingerly takes it and the both of you stand awkwardly before one another.

You feel the need to take the initiative.

>Address what just occurred
>Straight to business!

>>73706
>OOC: Primarily decision-based and story and dialogue-heavy. The "gameplay" would probably be when you're barking commands during warfare. Chance rolls are for how you react when prompted.

>>73763
>>Straight to business!

>>73763
>Straight to business!

>>73763
>Straight to business!
Nothing happened here.

>>73763
>Address what just occurred
We're tired as hell, we don't want to pass out outside or take decisions while out of our confort zone. Sorry, drinks are not happening tonight.

>>73763
>>Address what just occurred

>>73903
>Address what just occurred
Might as well explain ourselves

>>74096
Whoops. Meant to reply to the QM.

>>73763
>>Address what just occurred

>>73763
>Straight to business!

>Straight to business!

>>73763
>Address what just occurred
Elope!

>>75809
No way, what happened was the result of sleep deprivation, we should apologize, but not push our luck.

Do we seduce all the Shipgirls? If not, I'm fine with just Nagato or the Unlucky Fusou class.

>>75873
>Do we seduce all the Shipgirls?
Please no. Harem quest are pathetic as fuck.

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>>75873
No harems damn it. We're probably breaking fraternization regs as is.

>>75933
Considering Kongo, they probably ended up rewriting fraternization regulations to account for lusty ship grills

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>>75953
Not to mention all the lewdmarines in the service

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>>75873
Who would want to seduce a biggu seven year old anyway?

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>>76014
I expect most people really

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>>76058
But she's a 7 year old.

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>>76099
You mean a big 7 year old

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>>76174

>>75912
Eh, maybe but not as pathetic as other types of quest.

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There is a bitter taste on your tongue as you take your next action, and no part of you likes what it is about to do say or do, but you realize that you have to do it anyway. You don't know if you are doing this for yourself or to just get things out of the way, but... you knew, or believed, that it is an action that has to be done.

'I'm sorry.' You apologize, running a hand through your hair as you look away from Nagato - to anywhere but her. A weird tone, dismissive and distant, breaks from the tip of your tongue. 'I thought you were someone else. I shouldn't have...'

There is a strange, rigid expectation that somehow emanates from the Battleship before you, and your senses twist and turn as they take in the view of her form: powerful, vulnerable, and...

[i]Woman[/i]. She's just entirely too much woman.

You stay the course, meeting her eyes.

'I'm sorry, that was...'

There is something inside you that screams a thousand deaths under your conviction and unerring staying of the course.

You fall into a slow bow. Her feet shuffle back, and you tell she is surprised, if only slightly.

'That was disrespectful and improper of me, ma'am.' You say, as if reciting lines from the back of your eyelids. 'It is a mistake that I will not and do not intent to repeat, so please, forgive me.'

It's hollow. Scripted. But it was the courtesy of it that mattered. It does not matter what you think and what you feel or what butterflies flop around in your lungs and belly. For you... this is needed.

And you are confident that it is what she needs, too.

Isn't it?

'It's all right, Commander.' She says. Professional, rigid and in charge. Just as you had seen her in the day.

You raise yourself, relief washing over you. You see Nagato turn as you do so, walking over to her headgear... and files. At the back of your head, something clicks as the day's events replay and a tabled conversation repeats itself in your mind.

The shortlist. She had brought you the shortlist. She had gone through as much, if not more than you had and then some and the first thing you had done to her had been to flip her on the floor and...

You shake your head, feeling a sudden agitation rise from the bottom of your throat. Nagato turns back to you, passing over the folders and files, not quite looking you in the eye. You don't bother, either, your own gaze focused on the rather thick documents that now called your hands Master and Commander. Names of KanMusu, Squadrons, other Bases are made apparent, as are several stick-it notes and clips of personal opinions by...

Nagato herself.

You raise your head to see her back turned to you, facing the corridor.

'Good night, Commander.' She says neutrally. 'I'll take a rain check on those drinks. Get some rest.'

Before you can say a thing, she slips away, leaving you alone with your work, the dim light above flicking on and off. The night is yours now.

>Go to sleep.
>Read up on the shortlist.

>>80011
>>Read up on the shortlist.

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>>80011
>>Read up on the shortlist.

>>80011
>Go to sleep.
Honestly we need it. We can read the list in the morning.

>>80011
>>Read up on the shortlist.

>>80011
>Read up on the shortlist.
She worked hard making this.

>OOC: Hope you guys are happy with the work so far. Had to channel memories of my failed relationships to get this particular part going, but if you guys enjoyed it, let me know.

>OOC: Feedback is crucial for my improvement, so if there are any grievances or words of praise, or even a few suggestions, please knock 'em.

>OOC: As we're about to enter page 10 mode soon, I'm going to be taking a little break. Post your feedback here so I can make the next thread more enjoyable. Thanks a bunch for putting up with my slow updates.

>>80306
Was the last thread archived in any way?

>>80306
So far this is one of two quests on this entire board that I am actually emotionally invested in, so there's that. I don't mind the slow pace either, despite what others may have to say about it. Also I really hope Nagato doesn't hate our character now, that would be a bummer. So I guess all I can say is keep up the awesome work. This is really entertaining.

>>80337
Yes. Here you go.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/16387/

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>>80306
I feel like the grabbing and everything came nearly out of nowhere. I get that the MC's exhaustion was foreshadowed back when he fell asleep on the drive to the district, but it could have been better emphasized.

It may also just be me, but I kind of feel the Nagato lust is sort of abrupt. And since it's played with seriousness, I can't just put it down to waifuing, and it's supposed to either be an actual romance, or a relationship complication that could lead to disaster down the line.

If it's the latter, then kudos.

Also,
>her breast and lust was the eternal trap man is meant to fall for
I'm sorry, but I kek'd hard at this

Bringing up this question again, why don't you run this on SB or SV? Those sites are much better suited for this format than 4chan.

>>80430
>OOC:It's not lust. Really. You'll find out what it is later, but it's not lust. You've only known her for a day proper. Ask the right questions and you'll find out.

>OOC: You're also sleep-deprived, pumped full of a liquid not meant for humans that induces minor or major disturbance in your rational processing centre. There's a reason you're given those pills, but Akashi is such a sweetheart she's trying to sugarcoat it.

>OOC: I'm banned from Space Battles and I don't know what SV is.

>>80306
I think that last scene with Nagato came out of nowhere and I'll get pissed if we screw up our relationship with her. Except for that this has been excellent quest.

>>80430
Don't listen to this autist, please keep this thread in 4chan.

>>80494
SV = Sufficient Velocity

It's sort of a sister site to Spacebattles.

And this whole thing has been intentionally planned? I retract my criticisms then, and eagerly await your next installments.

>>80494
Sounds like we need to start taking our damn medicine. I sort of had a feeling our character was having issues with his treatment though, mostly after getting sworn in by the Admiral.

>>80516
I didn't plan on it. You guys were the ones who picked the drama route with her. There were more standard routes to develop, but somehow you guys chose options that made me go full drama. I didn't do a thing. I just type this.

>>80521
Well, for one, you are 1 in 4 humans who respond physically positively to the treatment, on the other, you were given a shitload of exposure. You're essentially a walking science fair volcano to some people.

Some.

>>80306
page 10? Wasn't the QST board last 1000 posts?

>>80606
>Some
Uh oh. Does that mean some sketchy government types are going to harass us and try to put us in a lab?

>>80626
I'm so slow we reached the 72 hour limit. Right now that gives me time to brainstorm until this baby reaches Page 7 or 8.

>>80626
Posts no longer bump after a thread has been up for a certain amount of time, like Marked for deletion (Old) from years ago.

>>80631
That would be telling, serah. Fairy's Tears have used to heal people before, mind, so they may just be thankful they have an able(?) soldier. Here's some trivia for you on this world.

Fairy's Tears are used in the recovery of KanMusu to heal their injuries and recover their stamina. Some time after the war started, the Admiralty and the League of Nations tried to experiment to see if it could be used to cure people of ailments or injuries. The success rate was 1 in 4 with the majority suffering horrible deaths or worsened conditions from exposure. As it is too valuable to spare anyway, circulation within medical institutions were scrapped and it remains in exclusive use of X-COM.

I mean the Admiralty.

For how you die, think about what snake venom does to your blood and organs.

I've put too much work into this shit, haven't I?

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>>80710
Too much? Not at all. I worked out world is a world worth reading.

>>80722
>I worked out world
*A worked out world

Fuck I'm sleepy

>>80011
This doesn't look like either addressing the issue or going straight to business. Maybe elaborate more on the choices? A small improvement for readers catching up would be to link/quote the winning suggestion; it's boring when reading an archived quest to have to tally it yourself to follow the story.

>Go to sleep.
We just said "It is a mistake that I will not and do not intent to repeat". We're not playing with allies life when in this state.

>>80306
Restraining the stranger makes sense here >>73343, but most of the tension seems shovelled in for no in-character reason. I suspect it might have something to do with the cavern thing, but Nagato's was here and only chuckled at our lame escape. Our state is one for which the doctor has no history; who do you expect us to ask? OOC, people around us seem to retain even trivial information (KanMusus not eating one for instance).

I find the mission choice might have taken much more effort on your part than it had to.

We asked out of nowhere about "District Management", which made no IC sense.

Your characters are well developed and interesting.

>>72434
Don't hesitate to either post a "time's up, writing now" or just state OOC when you stopped the clock in your post; the average quest reader would understand that writing isn't instantaneous.

>>81018
District Management was on the documents that were handed over with the mission files. It's right at the end when photos of the ruins and such were named. You're reading off a label when you say that. If you had not inquired, Nagato, or if she wasn't present from a prior choice, personnel would have elaborated for you. It will be a present mechanic as the quest goes on.

>>81018
It's not tension. There's a reason you both are reacting that way with each other. I can confirm that it's not attraction outside of the standard bonding and 'Oh, she's pretty', as well. You'll just have to keep playing to find out what.

Also, you did address the issue.

You just addressed it badly. Besides, not everything you say has only one interpretation. Relationships and people are pretty damn hard to read even if their moods seem apparent.

But otherwise, your criticism is noted.

New Thread:

>>81799
>>81799
>>81799