[a / b / c / d / e / f / g / gif / h / hr / k / m / o / p / r / s / t / u / v / vg / w / wg] [i / ic] [r9k] [cm / hm / y] [3 / adv / an / cgl / ck / co / diy / fa / fit / hc / int / jp / lit / mlp / mu / n / po / pol / sci / soc / sp / tg / toy / trv / tv / vp / x] [rs] [status / ? / @] [Settings] [Home]
Board:  
Settings   Home
4chan
/qst/ - Quests


File: Alt OP.jpg (254 KB, 1278x864)
254 KB
254 KB JPG
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MercCommand

/tg/ Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Infinite+Stars+Quest
/qst/ Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Infinite%20Stars%20Quest

Other Quests: http://pastebin.com/sYpqmWZg

You are Captain SAMANTHA WELLINGS, a newly minted captain of the Centauri Accord!

Currently, you were headed for an uncharted gas giant codenamed the Blood Jewel. According to the data you had pulled, the gas giant seemed to have a number of anomalous floating continents. Hopefully there was some form of clue leading to Carly's treasure.

"Amy, do we have a heading?" You ask.

"Locked on to the largest landmass." Amy replies. "Sensors show it's really fucking huge, too."

"Roughly the size of Hawaii." Lida adds.

"Be careful of atmospheric conditions." Bradford warns. "The weather patterns can be unpredictable."

"Yeah, yeah. I took my final exam on Jupiter, remember?" Amy laughs.

"Let's hope we're the only ones in this system." Elizabeth sighs as she gazes at the massive gas giant, as blood red as its name.

"Actually...' Lida speaks up. "I'm picking up some faint sensor readings. Might just be some debris, but... it might also be a scout ship. A small one."

"Well either way, we can blast it!" Carly chortles over the comm.

>Investigate the contact with both ships.
>Send Carly to investigate while you head for the planet.
>Investigate the contact while Carly heads for the planet.
>Other
>>
>>873246
>>Investigate the contact with both ships.
First post! Finally!
>>
>>873246
>Investigate the contact with both ships.

>Hawaii
>huge
Was there some sort of volcanic eruption that made it quadruple in size or something?
>>
>>873246
>>Send Carly to investigate while you head for the planet.

Carly's a former pirate, she should have a general idea what that ship might be up to.
>>
>>873246
>Investigate the contact with both ships.
>>
>>873246
>Investigate the contact while Carly heads for the planet.
>>
>>873246
>>Investigate the contact with both ships.
>>
>>873246
>Investigate the contact with both ships.
>>
File: Laputa.jpg (90 KB, 736x519)
90 KB
90 KB JPG
>>873246
>>Send Carly to investigate while you head for the planet.

>Roughly the size of Hawaii
You mean the surface area? The general area of the sea + land? Or just land area?
>>
>>873246
>>Investigate the contact while Carly heads for the planet.
>>
File: Eldritch Horror.png (10 KB, 800x294)
10 KB
10 KB PNG
Good god, Sam is rather similar to Samus Aran. Just think about the number of times throughout the series Samus had her DNA messed up into the meatball it is despite still appearing as a normal woman.
>>
>>873343
Too bad, Sam is more or less a developed child.

Unlike Samus
>>
File: gained insight.jpg (583 KB, 635x650)
583 KB
583 KB JPG
>>873343
Sam is a completely normal woman, anon. Normal life, normal captain, no weird alien mixes here. Though at the rate she keeps chugging down Nat's concoctions, she'll be a mutant in no time.
>>
File: 55778962_p3.jpg (354 KB, 1000x500)
354 KB
354 KB JPG
>>873293
>>873264
Pretty large for a floating island flying above a massive gas giant. How many of THOSE do you come across every day in galactic travel?
>>
>>873380
Maybe she'll become a shapeshifter able to look like anything or anyone?
>>
File: Cat Suit Samus.png (364 KB, 632x837)
364 KB
364 KB PNG
>>873369
She has a big heart! (If it's any consolation) Thank god she isn't talking about THE BABY!
>>
>>873380
Merc would never write a quest featuring a girl who is also an eldritch horror, that's just silly.
>>
File: with and without san.gif (2.95 MB, 544x612)
2.95 MB
2.95 MB GIF
>>873420
Well, not in any Lovecraftian way at least
>>
>>873418
She needs a big chest. or a moderately bigger chest.

Or better legs
>>
>>873418
>BABY

Let us never speak of it again.
>>
>>873444
OH GOD WHAT WOULD TANK THINK!
>>
File: SamASS.png (23 KB, 240x319)
23 KB
23 KB PNG
>>873441
I'm pretty sure it's confirmed that Sam has a great ass.
>>
>>873458
He'd be as confused as anyone else
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdNJIO6wmLw
>>
File: 5cyMrnP.jpg (191 KB, 747x839)
191 KB
191 KB JPG
>>873458
>>
File: 57608263_p8.jpg (285 KB, 1498x800)
285 KB
285 KB JPG
>>873246
"We'll both check it out." You decide. "Carly, stay close to our side. And DON'T engage unless I say so, clear?"

"Crystaaaaal." Carly groans.

"Once we clear the horizon we should be able to get a better idea of what we're looking at." Lida continues. "In sensor range in 3...2...1..."

Both the Gullinbursti and the Longclaw loop around the Blood Jewel in a standard orbit. Below, you could see the roiling storm clouds and the odd flash of lightning. Up above, you could see the stars, interrupted by the dozens of moons these large gas giants tended to collect.

"Got it." Lida announces. "It looks like an automated survey probe. Broadcasting a Hegemony transponder."

"Does it know we're here?" You ask.

"It's not configured for deep space scanning, I don't think." Lida frowns. "It's a ground survey type. Probably surface scanning the Blood Jewel."

"If we just leave it, it'll eventually find the floating landmass we're investigating!" Carly growls.

"And if we destroy it, it might alert the Hegemony that we're here." Bradford cautions.

"I do detect constant transmissions from the probe. It's definitely communicating with someone." Lida adds.

>Eliminate the drone. You can't let them know about what you've found.
>Leave the drone. You can't let them know you're here.
>Other
>>
>>873522
>>Other

Can we hack it? Find out what thye're scanning for?
>>
>>873522
>Leave the drone. You can't let them know you're here.

Well we're used to working on a time limit.
>>
>>873522
>Eliminate the drone. You can't let them know about what you've found.
>>
>>873522
>Eliminate the drone. You can't let them know about what you've found.
>>
>>873522
Supporting >>873533

If impossible, then:
>Leave the drone. You can't let them know you're here.
Either choice gives a time limit anyway, but at least this one seems longer.
>>
>>873522
>Other
Can we hack it and send false sensor readings?
>>
>>873522
>>Eliminate the drone. You can't let them know about what you've found.
>>
>>873533
>>873522
this
>>
>>873522
Supporting "attempt to hack".
Otherwise, leaving it will give us more time before someone comes looking
>>
>>873522
>Other
Hack it, go techies!
>>
File: Future Clothes.jpg (38 KB, 564x537)
38 KB
38 KB JPG
>>873533
>>873522
Supporting Hacking.
>>
>>873460
Not great enough she's too short for that.
>>
File: d.va booty.gif (158 KB, 483x712)
158 KB
158 KB GIF
>>873642
You don't need to be tall to have a great ass, and wearing a skintight suit only accentuates it
>>
>>873522
Supporting hacking
>>
File: 53990427_p1.jpg (1.16 MB, 1839x900)
1.16 MB
1.16 MB JPG
>>873522
Ok, so we've got a writein with lots of support, so we'll do a runoff vote against the next most voted option!

>Eliminate the drone.
>Attempt to hack the drone.
>>
>>873685
>Attempt to hack the drone.
>>
>>873685
>Attempt to hack the drone.
>>
>>873685
>Attempt to hack the drone.
>>
>>873685
>>Attempt to hack the drone.
>>
>>873685
>>Attempt to hack the drone.
what can go wrong?

hello claptrap please shut up and get out of our systems
>>
>>873685
>>Attempt to hack the drone.
If it doesn't work, we'd eliminate it anyways, since they'd know someone is there.
>>
>>873685
>Attempt to hack the drone.
>>
>>873685
>>Attempt to hack the drone.

Hack the planet!
>>
>>873673
fair enough, but it helps high light those features more. at least imo
>>
>>873685
>>Attempt to hack the drone.
>>
>>873673
Maybe we just need more disguises (read:outfits) to see what works?
>>
>>873685
>>Attempt to hack the drone.
>>
File: 6871608489.jpg (333 KB, 1600x1147)
333 KB
333 KB JPG
>>873713
We could always try out some super fancy sci-fi upperclass stuff.
>>
File: 43845881.png (365 KB, 668x1546)
365 KB
365 KB PNG
Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>873685
"Lida, any chance of hacking that drone? Maybe send a dummy signal back?" You ask.

"It's possible..." Lida frowns as her fingers tap away at the holokeys on her console. "It's a basic drone so the encryption is very rudimentary. But... if we trigger any kind of electronic intrusion alert, then we'll be in trouble. Then they'll definitely know there's a hostile party present.

"Well, we might as well try instead of just blasting it." You sigh.

"All right, here goes..." Lida takes a breath before she hits a red key.

>Roll 1d20
>>
Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>873821
>20
>>
Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>873821


Let's Hack....THROUGH TIME!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTidn2dBYbY
>>
Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>873821
rip
>>
>>873821
HAHAHAHAHA. Fuck.
>>
Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>873821
Shouldn't doing this from an Accord ship buy us some bonuses?
>>
>20 vs 9

fugg
>>
>>873821
Heh, so we get to eliminate it anyways, haha.
>>
Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>873821
whatever
>>
File: 49772095_p5_master1200.jpg (202 KB, 612x842)
202 KB
202 KB JPG
>>873821
Suddenly, Lida's entire console flashes red and warning klaxons begin to sound.

"Shit!" Lida scowls as her hands are a flurry of activity again.

"Lida! Report!" You bark.

"Looks like someone was watching the signal." Lida seethes. "They blocked my intrusion and they're trying to counterhack us. Cutting the connection!"

Lida hits another key and the sirens and flashing immediately cease.

"Sorry, they know something's up now." Lida sighs.

"Any idea what we can expect?" Bradford asks, now in full alert mode.

"No clue. Could be a destroyer. Could be a whole battlefleet." Lida shakes her head.

"Hey, no probs! Me and my crew can lead 'em on a wild goose chase around the system!" Carly laughs confidently. "Not like they know what we're looking for, right?"

>Let Carly be the decoy.
>Insist on being the decoy instead.
>Other
>>
>>873884
>>Let Carly be the decoy.
Her ship is better armored anyway
>>
>>873884
>>Let Carly be the decoy.
Her ship was designed for this sort of combat.
>>
>>873884
>>Let Carly be the decoy.

Well, if she insists, let her do it.

In the meantime, let's prep an away team to make planetfall. And by "away team", I mean the favorite power couple of Tank and Sam with...ionno, let's take a redshirt along for gits and shiggles?
>>
File: exploding.jpg (44 KB, 373x476)
44 KB
44 KB JPG
>>873907
All our soldiers are robots. So bring Scott along if we need to hack anything.
>>
>>873884
>Let Carly be the decoy.

>>873907
How about Nat? We already scared the shit out of Scott last time.
>>
>>873884
>>Let Carly be the decoy.
>>
Why the fuck every thread we roll low? I mean this happened last week.
>>
>>873884
>Let Carly be the decoy.
>>
File: tsundere faggot.gif (1008 KB, 420x236)
1008 KB
1008 KB GIF
>>873929
The dice giveth, the dice taketh, anon. It is law that they be tsundere.
>>
>>873884
>>Let Carly be the decoy.
DON'T DIE, OR YOU'RE DEAD WHEN YOU GET BACK!
>>
Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>873884
>Let Carly be the decoy.
>>
Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>873884
>>Other
Hack the enemy fleet or singular destroyer
>>
>>873929
You should've seen the suff that went down in Merc's earlier threads. Sometimes it's funny, other times, ...

Not so much.
>>
>>873929

DO NOT QUESTION THE DICE GODS

They are capricious and whimsical and not to be trifled witih
>>
>>873884
>Let Carly be the decoy.
Our sensors are better for analyzing whatever we find.
>>
File: sam's drinking habit.png (154 KB, 829x416)
154 KB
154 KB PNG
>>873964
Case in point
>>
>>873983
Merc do you keep a list of changes caused by the potions?
>>
File: Sam 6.jpg (1.29 MB, 1100x1554)
1.29 MB
1.29 MB JPG
>>873884
"All right, but be careful." You sigh, your hair drooping. "Don't get into any unnecessary fights."

"Aw, you know me, Sis!" Carly laughs.

"That's EXACTLY why I'm worried!" You groan.

"Haha! See ya on the other side, Sis!" Carly cackles as the Longclaw boosts away.

"All right, Amy, get us down to that landmass. We've suddenly got a way shorter time window now." You settle back in your seat, your hair resetting.

"Already on it." Amy nods as the Gullinbursti noses down for reentry. "That landmass is pretty deep down the atmosphere, so I'll only be able to keep the ship steady for a few minutes before we gotta climb up."

"I get it." You nod as you get up from your seat. "Bradford, you have the bridge. I'll be investigating with Tank."

"Remember, this ain't a date~." Amy coos.

You ignore her as you leave the bridge and head for the armory. That's when Elizabeth falls in beside you.

"You wouldn't mind if I tagged along too, would you, Captain?" She asks sweetly.

Damn spies. You were pretty sure Elizabeth had some sort of agenda, but, well, her skills were always useful.

>Bring Elizabeth along.
>Keep her on the ship.
>Other
>>
>>874039
>>Bring Elizabeth along.
>>
>>874039
>Bring Elizabeth along.
>>
File: Shuttle.jpg (57 KB, 1024x542)
57 KB
57 KB JPG
>>874039
>>Bring Elizabeth along.

Time for some proper tunes.
>>
>>874039
>Bring Elizabeth along.
>>
>>874039
>>Bring Elizabeth along.
Betray us already!
>>
>>874039
>Bring Elizabeth along.

Time for sexy space elf clues
>>
>>874039
>Bring Elizabeth along.
>>
>>874039
>Bring Elizabeth along.
>>
File: 1470595517873.jpg (147 KB, 561x807)
147 KB
147 KB JPG
>>874079
At this point in time, these 'aliens' are either:
>Space Elves
>Space Amazons
>The Protoss

Although I reserve my expectations for energy beings that need to possess things.
>>
>>874116
>it turns out to be neither of them and everyone in-universe has their hopes dashed.
>>
File: Parker 5.jpg (474 KB, 872x1200)
474 KB
474 KB JPG
>>874039
"All right, you can come along." You nod. "I think Tank get something set up for you. I doubt the atmosphere is going to be very friendly to us."

"Oh, I'm sure." Elizabeth nods happily. "And I have to say, whatever you did with your hair, I'm loving it!"

She then prods your hair with her finger, and reflexively it starts curling around her finger.

"So cute!" She giggles.

"Quit it!" You groan as you slap her hand away.

"Experimenting with Natalia's concoctions again?"

"...maybe." You grumble.

"Honestly, I'm not sure what you're trying to accomplish, but it certainly is interesting to watch the results!" Elizabeth giggles.

"Perhaps you'd like to try it out?" You suggest.

"Oh no, I have far too much self preservation instinct to risk something like that." Elizabeth shakes her head. "Plus in my line of work we're constantly given physical checkups and tests and who knows what everybody would think if something came back different!"

"Right..." You nod as the two of you enter the armory, where Tank is waiting. He glances at you and then Elizabeth. "Yeah, she's coming."

Tank nods and then points to your two armors.

>Light armor. Enough to protect from the elements while giving you maximum mobility.
>Heavy armor. In case you're expecting some kind of trouble.
>Other
>>
>>874233
MERC

WHAT CAN BE IN THE >OTHER?

HOW LEWD?
>>
>>874233
>Light armor. Enough to protect from the elements while giving you maximum mobility.

Not really expecting anything too hostile except for a bit of extremophilic flora/fauna.
>>
>>874233
>Light armor. Enough to protect from the elements while giving you maximum mobility.
>>
>>874233
>>Light armor. Enough to protect from the elements while giving you maximum mobility.
>>
>>874233
>>Heavy armor. In case you're expecting some kind of trouble.
There will always be trouble, no doubts about it. Besides, we don't need to sneak around or anything this time.
>>
File: 1462059773412.png (219 KB, 512x384)
219 KB
219 KB PNG
>>874255
The mecha
>>
File: 0654894.jpg (1.38 MB, 2005x1000)
1.38 MB
1.38 MB JPG
>>874233
>>Light armor. Enough to protect from the elements while giving you maximum mobility.

Good old planetary expedition.
>>
>>874233
>>Heavy armor. In case you're expecting some kind of trouble.
>>
>>874233
>"Land masses"
in a gas giant? Statistically improbable.
>Gas giant
okay...
>History of storms

OH COME ON! It couldn't be more obvious if you named it "threshold"!
>HEAVY ARMOR
AND DON'T FORGET THE STRONG ANTI-FLOOD SHIT. WE'RE NOT BRINGING INFECTION VECTORS HOME!!
>>
>>874273

>>874233
>Other
GET IN THE MECH
>>
>>874233
>Heavy armor. In case you're expecting some kind of trouble.
>>
>>874233
>>Heavy armor. In case you're expecting some kind of trouble.
>>
File: Mech Suit.jpg (359 KB, 1920x1566)
359 KB
359 KB JPG
>>874233
Changing: >>874276
to Mech Suit

>>874280
>>874273
How we yearn for the day to get a TAG/Super heavy suit. Medium suit is also fine
>>
>>874233
>Heavy armor. In case you're expecting some kind of trouble.
>>
File: 1461464674949.jpg (289 KB, 609x1000)
289 KB
289 KB JPG
>>874233
You decide to opt for the heavy suit. Unknown territory meant unknown threats, which warranted being prepared for any eventuality. You slide into the open armor which automatically closes around you like a shell, directly interfacing with your skinsuit.

Elizabeth meanwhile decides to go with one the lighter suits. Just a simple environment suit with some armor plating added on.

"If I wanted to lug around bulky armor like that, I would've joined the Infantry." Elizabeth mused.

Tank, of course, was going in his own regular armor and the three of you head for the shuttle bay. He then pauses before you board, eying a squad of combat drones that were on standby.

>Bring some combat drones.
>You only need the three of you.
>Other
>>
>>874331
>>Bring some combat drones.
MINIONS!
No need for stealth!
>>
>>874331
>>Bring some combat drones.
Let's name the drones!
>>
>>874331
>Other
Do we have a scout configuration with better range and sensors?
>>
>>874331
>Bring some combat drones.
>>
>>874331
>>Bring some combat drones.
>>
>>874331
>>Bring some combat drones.
>>
>>874331
>>Bring some combat drones.
>>
>>874331
>You only need the three of you.
>>
>>874331
>Bring some combat drones.
>>
>>874331
Tank is probably like Danse from Fallout 4, just loves it every single time we get into Power Armor.
>>
>>874364
So Tank likes a girl in uniform?
>>
>>874383
Tank likes girl in power armor.
Bradford likes girl in uniform.
>>
File: NormandySR2B.jpg (389 KB, 1920x1080)
389 KB
389 KB JPG
>>874331
"Yeah, sure, we can bring a few." You nod.

Tank then makes a motion at the collected drones, his built in suit systems automatically relaying orders to them. Immediately, six of the drones activate, fall into formation, and march up to the shuttle.

"I know bots have their uses, but... I'm always a bit wary of them." Elizabeth sighs as she boards.

"What, wouldn't they be more predictable?" You frown.

"Funnily enough, I sometimes find humans easier to read." Elizabeth smiles slightly. "Everybody falls into human nature in some form or another. But bots? Who knows what they're really thinking?"

Tank activates a holoscreen on his gauntlet, displaying the status of all six drones.

"Not quite that simple, but I'm just musing." Elizabeth laughs a bit. "Anyways, we should be going."

The moment the shuttle bay doors open, you can immediately feel the wild weather of the Blood Jewel as beyond hurricane force winds batter the shuttle, tossing it around like a toy boat in a bathtub. Thankfully, the pilot manages to retain control as the shuttle glides down to the landmass below, which was still shrouded in the crimson fog of the planet's atmosphere.

"So, any idea how this thing is floating?" You wonder as you look out the viewport.

"Well, there's two major theories." Elizabeth looks out as well. "One is that the atmosphere below us is so dense, that it's actually being compressed into a liquid state that can support solid matter like these landmasses. And, the other is alien magic."

"Gee, how enlightening." You roll your eyes.

"Well, this IS uncharted space. There's very little we know out here." Elizabeth reminds you.

"Scanning for a suitable LZ." The pilot reports. "I got three possible ones."

The data is then transmitted to your HUD. You can see a large, open space on the outer edge of the island, which was safer to land it, but would expose you to the harsh weather. Further inside were a series of hills and mountains, with one little basin that proved to be a shelter from the winds, but was a tad bit small to be totally safe.

And finally, there seemed to be a sort of cave opening on the "underside" of the island. That meant going deeper into the already chaotic atmosphere, which was insanely dangerous, but that cave didn't look natural...

>Land in the open area.
>Land in the basin.
>Land in the cave.
>Other
>>
>>874483
>>Land in the basin.
Time for hail the size of golfballs.
>>
>>874483
>>Land in the cave.
Get ready for a hard landing. But really, we're limited on time due to Carly's distraction not capable of lasting forever, and ain't nobody's got time for taking too long to walk far in this weather, or risk shitty landing zones that are too small.
>>
>>874483
>Land in the cave.
>>
>>874483
>>Land in the cave.
>>
>>874483
>Land in the cave.

So what happens if we're not the first humans on here?
>>
>>874483
>Land in the basin.
>>
>>874483
>Land in the basin.
>>
>>874483
>>Land in the cave.
>>
>>874483
>Land in the cave.
>>
>>874483
>Land in the cave.


We brought the armour for a reason.
>>
File: 59646557_p0.jpg (876 KB, 1082x1531)
876 KB
876 KB JPG
>>874483
"Get us down to that cave!" You order the pilot.

"R-roger that." The pilot stammers, obviously wary at having to drop altitude deeper into the unstable atmosphere. Down below the island was a thick, rust red cloud stretching across the whole planet. There was only a thin band of relatively clear air between the cloud and the bottom of the island, giving the shuttle pilot the barest of margins to maneuver.

Shit, maybe you should have brought Amy.

Up above, the Gullinbursti hovers over the shuttle as best it can, like a mother bird watching over a hatchling. However, you knew full well that if something happened, there wasn't much she could do.

"Almost, almost..." The pilot mutters t himself as he edges the shuttle closer and closer to the cave mouth. Unfortunately, the opening just wasn't quite large enough for the shuttle to fit into, meaning it would have to hover outside and everybody would have to leap in.

The bay doors open, and immediately you're hit with a wall of hot air as the wind slams into your armor. Tank, unphased, is the first one out as he leaps across the gap into the cave and motions for you to follow. You take a deep breath and leap as well, the servos in your armor boosting your jump to ensure you make it. Regardless, Tank still catches your arm and pulls you into the cave just in case. He does the same for Elizabeth as she hops across.

Now it was the turn for the bots. Three of them make the leap across before a sudden gust of wind shoves the shuttle out of its holding pattern, slamming it into the side of the island and bouncing off. The shock sends two of the drones still in the shuttle to tumble out and into the rusty clouds below, and the shuttle pulls away and back to the Gullinbursti.

"Sorry, Captain, I can't keep her steady anymore!" The pilot apologizes.

"No worries, we'll make do." You respond. "Amy, you got things?"

"Yeah, we'll hold position higher up, but if the Heg comes knocking, I can't guarantee we'll stay."

"Roger that." You cut the comm line as you watch the Gullinbursti's engines flare as it climbs up.

"Well, I suppose we should keep going." Elizabeth suggests.

Tank points to the drones. Should we keep them nearby as protection or ahead as scouts? Now that you've been cut down to only three of them, things would be tricky.

>Send the drones to scout.
>Keep the drones close.
>Other
>>
>>874606
>Send the drones to scout.
>>
>>874606
>>Send the drones to scout.
>>
>>874606
>>Send the drones to scout.
Their whole purpose is to scout, trigger traps and block dangers for us. If we need to fight, we have Tank and ourselves.
>>
>>874606
>Keep the drones close.
>>
>>874606
>Send the drones to scout.
>>
>>874505
Chances are that we'd most likely find the derelict remains of ships out in the Frontier worlds. Maybe if we're lucky/unlucky, we come across tribal humans descended from shipwreck survivors.
>>
File: 1468738926750.jpg (250 KB, 744x1052)
250 KB
250 KB JPG
>>874606
"Send them out to scout, Tank. We need to get our bearings." You order.

Tank nods and fiddles with the controls. The remaining three drones then snap to attention and sprint forward into the darkness. Their locations are marked on your HUD as it track their progress. Like ants, they begin mapping the cave network, showing that this wasn't just a simple tunnel.

"This... this is unprecedented." Elizabeth gasps. "The way these tunnels are laid out... this isn't a cave, it's an installation!"

"Yeah, but who built it?: You raise an eyebrow.

Tank shrugs. Aliens?

"That's not funny, Tank." You glower.

"Well, somebody[/i[ built it." Elizabeth muses. "And they're apparently no longer home, considering we haven't seen a welcome party of any sort."

Finally, the three drones stop in three separate rooms. One seems to be on the surface. Above the surface, in fact. Some kind of tower or observation point? The second drone was stopped in some sort of chamber in the heart of the island, and the third was all the way on the bottom.

"Hmmm, this is quite the predicament." Elizabeth observes, looking at you through her shielded visor. "What course of action should we take? Remember, time is of the essence."

>Investigate one of the areas as a group.
>Split up to cover all three areas at once.
>Other
>>
>>874674
>>Investigate one of the areas as a group.
never split the party guys.
[i]testing[/i]
>>
>>874674
>Investigate one of the areas as a group.
>>
>>874674
>Investigate one of the areas as a group.

>>874683
Text formatting only works for the user ID that made the OP.
>>
>>874688
well that bummer.
>>
>>874674
>investigate as a group

Noone is gunna "Steve is acting strangely" on our watch!
>>
>>874674
>>Split up to cover all three areas at once.
>Remember, time is of the essence."
>>
File: Pet Robot.jpg (191 KB, 1000x1000)
191 KB
191 KB JPG
>>874674
>>Split up to cover all three areas at once.

I swear we should've gotten a cute robot pet mascot.
>>
>>874674
>>Investigate one of the areas as a group. (Heart Chamber)

If there is anyone here it'll be the fastest way to get their attention.
>>
>>874674
>Investigate one of the areas as a group.
>>
File: 57608263_p5.jpg (460 KB, 1827x800)
460 KB
460 KB JPG
>>874674
You decide to pick a room and investigate it as a group. No way you were all splitting up! That was just asking for one of you to get infected by some alien parasite or replaced by an impostor!

You check the map again to review your options. The tower on the surface, the chamber at the center of the island, or the cavern at the bottom.

>Up top.
>In the center.
>Down on the bottom.
>Other
>>
>>874674
>Investigate one of the areas as a group.
Centre of Island.
>>
>>874753
>In the center.
>>
>>874753
>In the center.

Come on, gang!
>>
>>874753
>>In the center.
>Other (Start taking shaky video logs for when some hero finds our corpse just before the boss room)
>>
>>874753
>In the center.
>>
>>874753
>>In the center.
>>
>>874753
>>In the center.
Cmon control room...
>>
>>874753
>In the center.
>>
File: Phazon Sickness.png (1.11 MB, 1055x1120)
1.11 MB
1.11 MB PNG
>>874775
I just hope it isn't a generator room filled with radioactive fuel.
>>
>>874753
>Up top.
>>
File: 57608263_p7.jpg (598 KB, 1600x800)
598 KB
598 KB JPG
>>874753
"Let's head to that center chamber." You decide.

Tank nods and takes point, moving forward rifle raised. Meanwhile, Elizabeth takes up the rear, all the better to watch your back... or stab it. Freaking spies.

The three of you move though the halls, and you note that the walls and floor were made of an odd kind of stone. Grey and impossibly smooth. Nothing like what you've seen before. It was also pitch black. No lighting whatsoever, besides what your suits could provide.

Finally, you enter the mapped chamber, which was... certainly different. The chamber was vast, and along the walls were dozens of alcoves, each occupied by a statue of some sort of humanoid, armored figure. The drone was standing the center of the room, next to what looked to be a monolithic coffin or sarcophagus. It was a perfect rectangle of the smooth grey stone. Between you and the monolith was a small podium, with a single glowing crystal.

"Any idea..."

Both Tank and Elizabeth shake their heads.

Figures.

>Test the podium.
>Crack open the monolith.
>Inspect the statues.
>Other
>>
>>874827
>Inspect the statues.
>>
>>874827

>Test the podium.

No need to be graverobbing...yet.
>>
>>874827
>Test the podium.
>>
>>874827
>Test the podium.
>>
>>874827
>>Inspect the statues.
Wonder if the crystal here and the salt crystal we found in the cave are similar.
>>
>>874827
>>Test the podium.
Goodamn, its Doomguy, isn't it?
>>
>>874827
>>Inspect the statues.
>>
>>874827
>Inspect the statues.
>>
>>874827
>Inspect the statues.
Gotta find out what kind of spooky alien they are.
>>
>>874865
Indeed, it is certainly paramount to find out if there are any hot alien women out there.
>>
>>874827
>Inspect the statues.
>>
File: Havel_the_Rock.png (207 KB, 300x573)
207 KB
207 KB PNG
>>874827
You head over to one of the statues to inspect it closer. Shining your flashlight on it, you note that it really did look like a suit of armor that would make even Tank proud.

"Odd choice of decoration." Elizabeth observes. "You think it means anything?"

"It wouldn't have otherwise if they went through all the effort of carving this." You point out.

Tank eyes the statues warily. He obviously did not like them

Yeah, they were giving you the creepy feeling that you were being watched.

>Destroy the statues.
>Inspect the console.
>Open the monolith.
>Other
>>
>>874887
>>Open the monolith.
Male of Female, here comes Tank's love rival!
>>
>>874887
>>Inspect the console.
Might as well try and figure out what it does.
>>
>>874887
>Inspect the console.
>>
>>874887
>Inspect the console.
>>
>>874887
>Open the monolith.
>>
>>874887

>Inspect the console.
>>
>>874887
>Inspect the console.
Tomb, time capsule, or stasis chamber do we think?
>>
>>874887
>Inspect the console.
>>
>>874903
Probably a tomb or time capsule of sorts. Something that requires power to keep running.
>>
File: Sam 8.png (281 KB, 350x606)
281 KB
281 KB PNG
>>874887
You next head over to the little podium, that has a single crystal jutting out of it. It was completely clear, and glowing with a faint, but noticeable light. And you had no idea what the hell it was or what the hell it did. But it was there, just calling out for you to touch it.

You had the feeling that whatever this console did, it was connected to the monolith.

And that's when you notice another glow. emanating from Tank's armor. Tank digs into one of his utility pouches and pulls out one of the crystals you had collected from that crystal cavern in Palm Isle. Here, it was glowing with a strong blue hue, pulsing in unison with the clear crystal stuck in the podium.

Can it be...?

>Swap the crystals.
>Open the monolith.
>Other
>>
>>874929
>>Swap the crystals.

Awaken the new party member!
>>
>>874929
>>Swap the crystals.

What's the worst that could happen?
>>
>>874929
>Swap the crystals.
>>
>>874929
>Swap the crystals.
>>
>>874929

>Swap the crystals.

>>874943
Perils of the Warp
>>
>>874929
>Swap the crystals.
>>
>>874929
>Swap the crystals.
What if Tank's an alien?
>>
>>874948

I CAN FEEL THE WARP OVERTAKING ME!
>>
File: 1479775400654.jpg (86 KB, 786x1017)
86 KB
86 KB JPG
>>874954
>What if Tank's an alien?
What if his armor is actually an alien powersuit?
>>
>>874929
>>Swap the crystals.
>>
File: Sam maid bluff.jpg (598 KB, 963x1000)
598 KB
598 KB JPG
>>874929
You decide to swap out the crystals on a hunch. Taking the blue crystal from Tank, you carefully grab the crystal embedded in the podium and pull it out. It comes out rather easily, and you slide the blue crystal in. Not quite a perfect fit, but at least it can get into the hole. You then pass the collected crystal back to Tank, who bags it for future study.

The blue crystal then flashes for a brief second, and the room lights up, despite the fact that there weren't any other obvious light sources.

"Interesting..." Elizabeth muses.

And that's when the monolith slides open.

You and Elizabeth immediately rush over to inspect what was inside the monolith, and what you find is an even larger crystal. I had to be at least three feet long. Like the the previous crystal, it was only giving off a weak glow, and you could see a spiderweb of cracks all over it. It was clear this crystal had been heavily damaged.

"The drone is picking up all kinds of energy readings coming off that crystal." Elizabeth notes.

"Anything dangerous?" You ask.

"Nothing our suits can't block." Elizabeth assures you. "But, well, it looks like this is something we definitely should take back for study."

>Pick up the crystal.
>Have Tank pick up the crystal.
>Have Elizabeth pick up the crystal.
>Have the drone pick up the crystal.
>Other
>>
>>874999
>>Have the drone pick up the crystal.
>>
>>874999
>>Have the drone pick up the crystal.
>>
File: 1479894220987.jpg (557 KB, 571x1000)
557 KB
557 KB JPG
>>874999
>>Have the drone pick up the crystal.

Despite us having the heaviest armor, I wouldn't risk being exposed to weird energies. Though, if it were to shatter, it'd expose all three of us to it.
>>
>>874999
>Pick up the crystal.
>>
>>874999
>Pick up the crystal.
>>
>>874999
>Pick up the crystal.

So two Marines and a Ghost walk into a Protoss base....
>>
>>874999
>Pick up the crystal.

Just think of it as one of Nat's experiments.
>>
>>874999
>>Pick up the crystal.
Mine!
>>
>>874999
>Pick up the crystal.
>>
File: Sam maid discovery.jpg (491 KB, 1000x736)
491 KB
491 KB JPG
>>874999
"All right, let's recover this crystal." You say as you bend down to pick it up.

Tank spins around, apparently worried about you picking up something like that, but it's too late. Your armored gauntlet touches the crystal and something odd happens. At first it feels like there's a static charge, but then your armor locks up, and your suit systems go crazy as alarms ring in your ears.

Something... something was wrong with your armor...!

>Purge your armor.
>Emergency reboot.
>You need immediate evac!
>Other
>>
>>875055
>>Purge your armor.

Maybe it doesn't like electronics all that much.
>>
>>875055
>Emergency reboot.
>>
>>875055
>>Emergency reboot.
>>
>>875055
>Emergency reboot.
>>
>>875055
>Purge your armor.
>>
>>875055
>Emergency reboot.
Let's just put this thing in safe mode.
>>
>>875055
>Purge your armor.
>>
>>875055
>Emergency reboot.
>>
>>875055
>>Emergency reboot.
>>
>>875055
>Emergency reboot.
>>
File: Sam 5.jpg (129 KB, 360x243)
129 KB
129 KB JPG
>>875055
"Shit, shit shit!" You yelp. "Command emergency reboot 1138!"

Fortunately, the verbal command goes through and your suit shuts down, your systems going dark for a brief moment. At the same time, the entire room is plunged back into darkness.

Tank is immediately on you, hauling you up over his shoulder despite your heavy armor. He then nods to Elizabeth.

"Right!" Elizabeth nods in understanding and activates her comms. "Amy, we need emergency evac! Get down here ASAP!"

Its then that you notice that your armor is still clutching the cracked crystal, but it quickly begins to crumble and dissolve away into dust.

Well, so much for that.

Thankfully, the drones had managed to map an exit to the surface, which Tank and Elizabeth drag you through while the drones converge again. Reaching the surface, you can see the shuttle returning, with Gullinbursti looming above. By this point, some of your suit's basic functions have been restored.

"Cap, we're getting reports from Carly that the Hegs are sending in some serious firepower!" Amy warns. "Once we pick you up, we're bugging out!"

"We can sink this island if you want." Elsa adds. "Just give the order, Captain!"

>Destroy the island. You can't let the Hegemony get to it.
>Leave the island. The Hegemony isn't going to find anything useful anyways.
>Other
>>
>>875099
>Destroy the island. You can't let the Hegemony get to it.

Monolith is still there.
>>
>>875099
>Leave the island. The Hegemony isn't going to find anything useful anyways.
>>
>>875099
>>Destroy the island. You can't let the Hegemony get to it.
>>
>>875099
>Leave the island. The Hegemony isn't going to find anything useful anyways.

First rule of space archaeology: Don't explode anything unless you know exactly what you are exploding.
>>
>>875055
>>Emergency reboot.
>>
>>875099
>Leave the island. The Hegemony isn't going to find anything useful anyways.
>>
>>875099
>>Leave the island. The Hegemony isn't going to find anything useful anyways.

Also might want to keep a bit of that dust sample. Never know what it's all about.

Maybe it was a soulstone or something?
>>
>>875099
>Destroy the island. You can't let the Hegemony get to it.

Maybe it expended its charge and awakened Sam's psychic potential?
>>
>>875099
>Leave the island. The Hegemony isn't going to find anything useful anyways.
>>
>>875113
Whatever it was, Nat's probably going to use the dust somehow.
>>
File: Sam 5.png (362 KB, 600x629)
362 KB
362 KB PNG
>>875099
"Let's just get the hell out of here." You groan as Tank and Elizabeth carry you into the landed shuttle, taking you away from this floating land.

Almost immediately, now in the safety of a pressurized compartment, Tank starts stripping your armor off.

"Oh come on, Tank, we shouldn't be doing that until marriage!" You joke.

Tank does not see the humor in your predicament the same way you do.

Meanwhile, the shuttle makes it back to the Gullinbursti, which begins to climb in order to get clear of the system. Tank carries you off the shuttle, eager to get you somewhere safe.

>Head for the infirmary. You might need a checkup.
>Head for engineering so Scott can check out the armor.
>Just stow it way in a locker till you and Tank have time to give it a htorough inspection.
>Other
>>
>>875099
>Destroy the island. You can't let the Hegemony get to it.

Take some of the dust
>>
>>875126
>>Head for the infirmary. You might need a checkup.
>>
>>875126
>Head for engineering so Scott can check out the armor.
>>
>>875126
>>Head for engineering so Scott can check out the armor.
>>
>>875126
>Head for the infirmary. You might need a checkup.
>>
>>875126
>>Head for the infirmary. You might need a checkup.

Have Tank drop us off and then stow the armour, if it's turned sapient we don't want it running around.
>>
>>875126
>Head for the infirmary. You might need a checkup.
>>
>>875126

>Head for the infirmary. You might need a checkup.
>>
>>875126
>Head for the infirmary. You might need a checkup.
>>
>>875126
>Head for engineering so Scott can check out the armor.
>>
>>875126
>Head for the infirmary. You might need a checkup.
>>
File: Sam seduction.jpg (617 KB, 1076x1100)
617 KB
617 KB JPG
>>875126
Tank immediately carries you to the infirmary, where he quickly strips off your armor and places it on the bed next to you. Natalia strides in, pulling on a pair of surgical gloves.

"So what's the situation?" She asks Tank.

Tank points to the empty suit, and then you, sitting on one of the examination beds.

"I see. So you fear she may have had an adverse effect from her suit's system? All right, I'll hold her for observation." Natalia smiles and nods. "Don't worry, Captain. You're in good hands.

You hope so. You've been feeling kind of dizzy and nauseous ever since coming back from that island.

Though it was nothing, right?

...right?

>And that's it for tonight! As always, next thread is next week. And don't forge KanColle on Friday!
>>
>>875153
Thanks for running Merc
>>
>>875153
Thanks for the run Merc!
>>
File: Mind Bullets.jpg (200 KB, 1280x768)
200 KB
200 KB JPG
>>875153
See you next time, Merc!
>>
>>875153
Thanks Merc-kun!
>>
File: Welcome to the Zone.jpg (1.05 MB, 2016x1080)
1.05 MB
1.05 MB JPG
>>875153
A pretty cozy place we found, isn't it?
>>
File: rita05.jpg (29 KB, 356x272)
29 KB
29 KB JPG
>>875249
That or we just freed Rita Repulsa from ten thousand years of imprisonment.
>>
File: 5enwRy4.jpg (21 KB, 564x783)
21 KB
21 KB JPG
>>876506
Certainly better than alternatives like Sam getting a new roommate in her head, or an alien trying to take over, and slowly getting acclimated to having fleshy bits (or lack thereof) again.



Delete Post: [File Only] Style:
[Disable Mobile View / Use Desktop Site]

[Enable Mobile View / Use Mobile Site]

All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective parties. Images uploaded are the responsibility of the Poster. Comments are owned by the Poster.