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/qst/ - Quests


PREVIOUSLY ON STARSHIP IDOLS: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?searchall=Starship+Idols

“Crewman Daiko Sena, reporting for duty!” She salutes as she holds her dufflebag of personal effects under her arm. Her Fleet utility blues were ironed and cleaned judging by the lack of any real flaw to them. Even her hair appears to be done up well. She really wants to impress you. “My orders!” She hands off a slip of papers to you. “I am to join the Starship Idols detachment until I am either dead or I am transferred!” She bows to you. “I will do my best, Lieutenant!”

You have to admit, it's quite nice to have Fleeties getting their noses brown for you. “Alright, alright.” Today's work was geared towards rehearsals. So right now, you and Daiko were standing outside the Annex, sorting this all out. “So. Daiko, what are you good at?”

“Er.” She blinks. “I am not good at anything!” she declares at the top of her lungs.



Well. If there’s anything your Career Sergeants have told you during your training, if you do something wrong you might as well do it so wrong that other people think you’re right. That, and the person who knows nothing can learn everything. “Right. Here’s what we’re going to do, Daiko. You’ll serve as a personal assistant to the Idols for now. And we’ll see how things go. Perhaps we may even need a Fleet Groundside Liaison to match Naka’s FTL.”

“Groundside Liaison?” Daiko frowns a bit. “That’s… erm.”

“Something the matter with that?”

“Well. Being an FGL is kind of…” She leans closer to you. “I mean, you don’t enlist in Fleet to do Mobile Infantry stuff, right? I’m not saying I don’t want to do it! But- Fleeties have very low opinions of FGLs.” Daiko says, “I heard once that a man enlisted into Fleet to be closer to his wife who was a fighter pilot. But the man enlisted as an FGL, so the wife divorced him!”

“That’s crazy talk,” you say.

“Oh, is it?” she says, trying to make it not sound incredibly crazy.

“Yeah. It is,” you say again, more firmly.

“Oh.” Daiko rubs the back of her head. “Well. I will do anything you ask, Lieutenant, as long as you give me a chance!”

“I already have a person for that, thanks.”

> “Now go help the Idols with whatever they need.”
> “I’ll go find someone to train you in FGL work.”
> “Just sit back and watch how the Idols perform on stage.”
> Other
>>
>>1293544
>> “Now go help the Idols with whatever they need.”
>>
>>1293544
> “Now go help the Idols with whatever they need.”
>>
>>1293544
> “Now go help the Idols with whatever they need.”
>>
>>1293544
>> “Now go help the Idols with whatever they need.”
>>
> “Now go help the Idols with whatever they need.”

“Now go help the Idols with whatever they need,” you order. Daiko salutes you, hurrying into the annex with her things. Considering her previous relationship with Naka, you figure that she’ll fit right in. If she doesn’t, she will quite quickly. It’s not like your girls are elitist or anything anyway. You step behind her. The venue was now being decorated with holographic images of Fleet ships overhead to dazzle the audience even before the show starts. You could Azuma hurrying around, barking orders to the hired hands and stage techs.

“Lieutenant.” You blink, turning your head. Sitting in the audience chairs was the Jane Fonda queen bitch herself. Shannon Shujumi. You’d recognize that smirk anywhere, even under dozens of layers of disguise. This time was it was a simple hood, some thick jeans, and a baseball cap backed up by some sunglasses. “I didn’t know you were in town too.”

You sigh, folding your arms. “What do you want, Shannon?”

“I just came by to visit,” she says simply. “Give my support to the troops.” Really. “You know, people really need a comfort after what happened on Titan Station. Somebody who can tell them that it’s alright. And someone to tell them what can be done. Somebody like me!” She grins. It’d be cute if it wasn’t so socialist.

“So what, you’re going to crash my concert?” you ask.

She shakes her head. “Please, no. That’s beneath me. Though… I did notice…” She holds up a flyer from outside. Danner had a team give out flyers advertising the show happening. “Your show is in two days. My charity concert for Titan Station also happens to be in two days too.” She gasps. “And at the exact same time too!” You hadn’t heard of Shannon Shujumi hosting a concert in two days.

Unless she deliberately booked a high class venue at the last second and very quickly and hastily put together a show simply to suppress yours.

You snicker. “What, you think people are going to go to your show?”

“I don’t think so.” She stands up, walking up to you and slipping the flyer into your breast pocket. “I know so, Lieutenant. Good luck getting an audience for your show while the biggest Idol in the Galaxy hosts her own in the same local area at the same time.”

> “Get the fuck out of my annex.”
> “Get out or I’ll have security escort you out.”
> Remain quiet. Don’t dignify her with a response.
> Other
>>
>>1293696
>> Remain quiet. Don’t dignify her with a response.
>> Other
Emergency meeting after she fuck off.
>>
>>1293696
> Remain quiet. Don’t dignify her with a response.
> Slap her ass after she starts to leave and run away.
>>
>>1293696
> Remain quiet. Don’t dignify her with a response.

>Try to find some bugs to hit her concert.
>>
>>1293696
>Other: "Toodles!" And give her that little wave with the fingers that Vir gave to Mr. Morden.
>>
> Remain quiet. Don’t dignify her with a response.

You nod to her. And to that, Shannon simply steps past you. You wave goodbye, glaring at her she leaves. You best not tell the Idols she was here. There’d be hell to pay. You fold your arms, sighing. “Azuma!” you yell out. Azuma stops his work to look at you. “Azuma, get Danner! I need a chat!”

-

-

Danner runs the numbers on his PDA as you, Azuma, and Mill sit in one of the empty classrooms here in the annex. After several minutes of this, he shoves the PDA aside, then leans back in his seat. “We have to cancel.”

“Have you been struck retarded too when the Bugs blinded you?!” you shout. “We can’t cancel just because Shannon wants to run a concert at the same time we do!”

“We can say goodbye to a crowd of reasonable size then,” says Danner. “We rely on these concerts to advertise our girls and give us profits, Lieutenant. Think about it, a sudden surprise visit from Shannon Shujumi, the Galaxy’s #1 Idol? That’ll get people rushing out of school or out of their jobs just to go see her.”

“What about just doing it early, or doing it late?” you ask.

“The girls aren’t ready,” says Azuma. “They still need another day or two of rehearsals to get the routine into their head. Not to mention our SFX still hasn’t been cleared to go for the concert yet. We don’t even know if the lights are set up properly or if the acoustics are ready to take amped sound.”

“And if we do it late…” Danner sighs. “We’ll need to extend our stay, which means having to pay more money to book more time here at the Annex. The Prime Minister doesn’t just give us these locations away for free, Lieutenant.”

“So what, we’re screwed then?” you ask. Ha. As if. There has to be a way.

Danner shrugs. “I’m not the Producer, Lieutenant. You are. What’s the plan?”

> “Give me some time and a lot of alcohol.”
> “We do it early. Damn if we’re ready or not.”
> “We’ll postpone.”
> “We stay the course.”
> Other
>>
>>1293860
> “Give me some time and a lot of alcohol.”
and
> “We stay the course.”
>>
>>1293860
>> “Give me some time and a lot of alcohol.”
>>
>>1293860
>> “We stay the course.”
>>
>>1293860
>> “We stay the course.”
>> “Give me some time and a lot of alcohol. And Azuma in my lap.”
>>
>>1293860
> “Give me some time and a lot of alcohol.”
>Let me see if I can't find a way to fuck with her concert
>>
> “Give me some time and a lot of alcohol.”

“Give me some time and a lot of alcohol.” They stare at you. “What? I get my best ideas when I’m drunk. Mills, get me a scotch.” He nods, standing up and exiting the room. “Listen, guys. Shannon is doing this to suppress our image. We can expect that this will be a recurring problem in the future. We need a bit more time to think on this before we start running around like headless chickens.”

“So we’re going to leave it to a drunk producer to decide where we go then,” says Azuma.

“Yes.”

Azuma stares at you, then sighs. “Ugh. I better get back to work.”

Danner and Azuma stand up. Danner pats your arm, “I’ll be around if you need me, Lieutenant.” With that, they leave. And Mills comes back in with your bottle of scotch. He uncaps it for you, and allows you to take a quick chug of it.

“So what’s the plan, Lieutenant?” he asks.

“I was thinking we stay the course,” you say. “Damn what she thinks.”

“But won’t we suffer from the lack of an audience?” asks Mills.

“We will. But…” You take another sip, letting the alcohol burn down your throat. Let’s see… You could just stay the course and let it play out. But you need to do something. Something that’ll undercut Shannon while boosting your Idols up. But what?

Hm.

> You need more alcohol.
> “Get the girls in here. I need ideas.”
> “I have an idea!” (Do you?)
> Other
>>
>>1294103
>> “Get the girls in here. I need ideas.”
>>
>>1294103

> “Get the girls in here. I need ideas.”
>>
>>1294103

Robot fights!!!
Ship tours?
>>
>>1294122

Do a train session with the ildos
Make all of these a licky draw.
Gona be in ti to win it
>>
>>1294103
> “I have an idea!” (Do you?)
I imagine she'll be making some charity appearances ahead of her concert right?

So we could call up the old PM, or our new Spook friend, and suggest that maybe authorities could act on a strong intelligence source that certain recidivist elements were targeting her events with unknown biological agents. Of course, the danger would be minimal as Federal law enforcement quickly foiled the plan, but just to be safe, they'll have to keep the event atendees and hosts under quarantine for a couple of days.

Shannon'll know it's bs of course, but if she wants to play hard ball let's give it to her.
>>
>>1294103
>> “Get the girls in here. I need ideas.”
>>
>>1294103
> “Get the girls in here. I need ideas.”

I'll also back this guy >>1294169
>>
>>1294103
> “Get the girls in here. I need ideas.”
>>
You know there's always the option to schedule a power outage for the area she's in.
>>
> “Get the girls in here. I need ideas.”

-

-

“That liberal bitch!” Stacy slams her fist on the table. “She thinks she can just put us down!? I say we roll into her concert and tear the place up and show them what the Mobile Infantry is like!”

“Stacy.” Rosalie glares at Stacy, not out of anger but out of motherly sternness. “I don’t think that’s the proper response to this.” Stacy huffs, leaning back in her seat. Stacy, Rosalie, Olga, Charlie, Naka, and Daiko were all assembled in the room to discuss this. “She’s free to do what she wants, she’s not breaking any laws. The only thing we have to do is match her game.”

“She’ll probably be making charity events tomorrow before the concert,” says Daiko. “Maybe we could throw stink bombs at them and break the place up!”

Charlie quirks her brow. “Or… maybe we could get the Lieutenant to ask a friend of hers to help us.”

“Oh. That’s a good idea, actually,” says Olga. “I mean… I’d rather we try not to hurt Shannon somehow.” All the girls look at Olga in confusion. “What? She was my Idol for the longest time! I can’t bear to see her hurt, even if she does try to hurt us. Just- let’s not get below her. Keep it fair, fists only, no hits below the belt.”

Naka huffs. “If you ask me, she gets what she deserves for trying to ruin my time in the spotlight! Lieutenant!” She leans towards you. “Call any friend of yours, anybody! We need a solution to this!”

Hm. Dare you ask a favor from someone to help you?

> Call up Lieutenant Baxter.
> Call Captain Ruszczyk.
> Call the Prime Minister.
> “No. We do this our way.”
> Other
>>
>>1294395
> Call up Lieutenant Baxter.
>>
>>1294395
> Call up Lieutenant Baxter.
> Call Captain Ruszczyk.
> Call the Prime Minister.
Ask for their suggestion the more options, the better.
>>
>>1294395
I'll back this guy >>1294413 lets get all the cards on the table, After all. She's fucking with ALL of us who are actually wanting the war to win.
>>
>>1294395
>> “No. We do this our way.”
>>
>>1294395
>“No. We do this our way.”
>>
like w ecould make it so some lucky people from the crowd could hang out with the girls for a whole day but you have to come to the show:P
>>
File: Rosalie2.png (149 KB, 510x635)
149 KB
149 KB PNG
We're technically at a tie but I'm feeling dreadful. I'll pick this up tomorrow at 3PM EST. Sorry. Hope you'll be back tomorrow.

Follow at: https://twitter.com/GermanSchteel
Ask at: http://germanschteel.tumblr.com/
Book Tumbles: http://germanschteelbookblog.tumblr.com/

See you next time.
>>
>>1294648
ok thanks
>>
>>1294648
'night boss. rest up, we'll see you tomorrow
>>
>>1294648
Gnight! Hope you feel better!
>>
>>1294395
>Call literally everyone

But remember anons, too overt suppression will get us and the Federation a bad rep and only work in Shannon's favor. I'm even reasonably sure she expects us to try and suppress her and is ready to use it against us.
We need to be very inventive.
>>
>>1295738
Calling up the PM might be premature.
She gave us the job, and lets us do the job however we like, so she wouldn't have to babysit us at every little legal problem or public relations crisis.
>>
>>1296067
Agreed. I say

> Call up Lieutenant Baxter
>>
>>1294395
> Call Captain Ruszczyk.
>>
> FUCK IT CALL EVERYBODY

You decide to call the Prime Minister first. After a lengthy period of explaining the situation to her, the Prime Minister gives her thoughts. “Let me get this straight. You called the head of the Civic Branch of the Federation who has to micromanage the Military Branch due to its ineffectiveness at winning the war against the Bugs and also has to manage the day-to-day civil problems of the Federation so I could help you resolve an issue with a rival idol attempting to suppress your image.”

“Yes.”

“Fix this shit on your own, I don’t pay you to come to me with problems. I’m hanging up.”

“Wai-“ Too late. Dial tone. Damn.

… she does have a point though. Hm.

What about Captain Ruszczyk? “Way I see it, you should crash that concert somehow. Turn it all into a big thing! Invade her audience and-“

“This isn’t very helpful.”

“Sorry. I never was into the Idols craze so I wouldn’t know anything. However, Lieutenant, I have taught you that force is authority. Show her in force that you won’t be silenced just because she’s bigger. And show her that you have authority despite your lack of presence. Way I see it, you should stay the course. Don’t alter your plans on her account. Even if you lose fans or an entire audience for tonight, you’ll show your own fans that you refuse to yield to her.”

That is a textbook but still helpful response from your former H&M teacher. It’s actually what you had in mind. “Thanks, Captain.” With that, you hang up. You’re about to dial Lieutenant Baxter, when suddenly your phone rings. You pick it up. “Hello?”

“Lieutenant.” It’s… Lieutenant Baxter.

“How did you know I was going to call you?” you ask.

“I’m psychic. I’m also right outside the door.” Huh? You and your Idols look to the door, and there you see Lieutenant Baxter stepping in. Still wearing that black trenchcoat and with her eyes shaded by that peaked cap. “Lieutenant.”

“Lieutenant.” You tilt your head. “I was about to ask you for advice but… what exactly are you doing here?”

“I came to ask a favor,” she says simply. “Though it seems you need a favor from me.” She looks over at the Idols. “Girls. Slumber sweetly, take a rest.”

Stacy blinks. “Hey, we deserve to-“ Baxter snaps her fingers twice, and suddenly the girls fall into hypnotic sleep. Forced rest. That almost caught you actually. You yawn a bit. Oh boy.

“Don’t fall asleep on me, Lieutenant,” says Baxter. “You seem to be in a situation.”

“I am,” you say. “Shannon Shujumi has scheduled a major concert the same day as mine at the last second, she’s trying to bury my Idols under her own image. I was hoping someone would have advice or even a plan to do something about it.”

Baxter tilts her head. “If I do something for you, will you do something for me? Quid pro quo?”

“… can I know what you want me to do first?”

“Sorry. That’s classified,” she states simply.

> “Sure. What are you going to do?”
> “No thanks then. I can’t trust that.”
> Other
>>
>>1297055
> “Sure. What are you going to do?”
>>
>>1297055
>> “No thanks then. I can’t trust that.”
>>
>>1297055
>> “Sure. What are you going to do?”
>>
> “Sure. What are you going to do?”

“Sure. What are you going to do?” you ask.

Lieutenant Baxter says, “You’ll see.” She folds her arms, looking at you. “As for you though, Lieutenant. I will now expect you to reciprocate now that I am doing something for you.”

“What do you need?” you ask.

“I will inform you of it later,” she says. “First, I shall to performing my end of the bargain, Lieutenant. I should go.” She looks over at the girls, seeing them under forced rest. “Awake.” She snaps her fingers once. The girls all spring awake, looking around. “And I should say, Lieutenant. Any man who doesn’t think you’re attractive are most likely either blind or gay.”

You blink. “Yeah. Yeah! I mean, I might’ve put on a few kilos but-“

“I am told a light bit of chubbiness is what makes one look healthy, strong, all that stuff. Of course I never peruse those magazines teenagers read.” Even though she practically is one herself. “Regardless, ta-ta, Lieutenant.” She tips her cap to you. She looks to the girls. “Girls.” And with that, she leaves without another word.

“Hey, we deserve to-“ Stacy watches as Lieutenant Baxter leaves. “… what just happened?”

“Oh. Nothing,” you say. “It’s fine.”

“What was Lieutenant Baxter here for?” asks Olga.

> “She’s going to help us with our little problem.”
> “Nothing. Girl stuff.”
> “Official Federation business.”
> Other
>>
>>1297178
> “Official Federation business.”
>>
>>1297178
>> “Official Federation business.”
>>
>>1297178
>> “Official Federation business.”
"...which mean prepare some some suck in newar future."
>>
>>1297178
> “Official Federation business.”
>>
>>1297178
> “Official Federation business.

Ah, deniability. The best friend of shenanigans.
>>
> “Official Federation business.”

“Official Federation business,” you say. “It’s on a need-to-know basis.”

“Ooooh.” All of the girls except for Charlie appear to be in awe of that. Charlie says, “Well, if that Official Federation business is going to help us against Shannon, we better get back to rehearsals.”

“Yeah!” Naka stands up. “This is my show, which means it’s my time to shine! It’s time we get out there and show them what we’re made of!”

“The show isn’t until two days from now,” says Stacy.

“Every rehearsal is a show!” Naka proclaims. “Now let’s go and kick some ass! Woooo!” Naka runs out the door, arms up and yelling out, cheering. “Banzaaaaii!”

Olga raises her arms as well. “Banzai!” She runs out too. And eventually, the Idols start filing out one by one. Stacy, Rosalie, and Daiko follow suit relatively quickly. However, Charlie stops you before you leave.

“Can we talk?” You nod. “You know, this Idol business is uh… pretty interesting but um… I was wondering. Do you know when we’ll get back to the Front? I mean, we are supposed to be fighting the war too, right?”

“This is about Myrmido isn’t it?” you ask simply.

“Maybe,” she says. She looks away, scowling a bit.

“Listen, things come in due time. You’ll see.” You smile at Charlie, patting her on the shoulder. “We’ll be sent to the front in no time once our enlistment rates are good again. And then we’ll win the war before next year. At least, I hope that’s how it goes.”

“Same.” Charlie folds her arms. “Oh well, thanks, Lieutenant.” And with that, she steps out too.

Right. You’ve got some free time on your hands, what now?

> Watch rehearsals.
> See Danner, see how he’s advertising the show.
> Get sloshed at the nearest bar.
> Other
>>
>>1297408
>See Danner, see how he’s advertising the show
>>
>>1297408
>> See Danner, see how he’s advertising the show.
>>
>>1297408
>See Danner, see how he’s advertising the show

Drinking is for victories. And defeats. And problem solving. And celebrations. And funerals.

It is not for passing time when we're bored.

that's what Nonon is for
>>
>>1297408
> See Danner, see how he’s advertising the show.
>>
>>1297408

> See Danner, see how he’s advertising the show.
>>
>>1297408
> See Danner, see how he’s advertising the show.
>>
> See Danner, see how he’s advertising the show.

-

-

You find Danner along with several of his interns on the streets of Apollo City, distributing flyers to people as they walk on by. “I have a couple of people as well going through Fednet radio to give off a plug for the show too.” So far, they mostly hand it off to businessmen, miners, students, a wide variety of people in fact. Not sure if it’ll take though. “I imagine we’ll get a modest audience, along with the obligatory Fleet presence as well.”

“Don’t we want new people watching?” you ask.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’d prefer that. But strong word of mouth is part of how we grow. If Fleeties say there’s now a Fleet Idol, then believe me, they’re going to go googoo, and that gets people talking. And then people they talk to learn, and they tell their friends.” Danner punches his fist into his palm. “Bob’s your uncle. We’re in business.”

You smile a bit. “Alright. Have you gotten many people to guarantee they’ll show up?”

He shrugs. “Several. But, I can’t guarantee people will come.”

“Of course. Do you need any help out here?” you ask.

“Actually, yes!” Danner snaps his finger. “If you could use your presence as a war hero to help drum up support for the Idols, that’d be great! Lots of people know you, Lieutenant. I’m sure they’d come if you told them to come.”

> “Alright, but you’re gonna need to give me some scotch. I do my best drunk.”
> “Fine. Sure.”
> “No thanks.”
> Other
>>
>>1297530
> “Fine. Sure.”
>>
>>1297530
> “Fine. Sure.”
>>
>>1297530

> “Fine. Sure.”
We are not doing this on drinks
Nice try there
>>
>>1297530
>“Fine. Sure.”
>>
>>1297530
> “Fine. Sure.”
>>
> “Fine. Sure.”

-

-

You hand out flyers to a pair of young men. “So you’re really a war hero?” they ask.

“Yep, I’m the Lieutenant that captured a Bug Queen. And these are my favorite Idols in the Galaxy!” you proclaim. They smile happily, taking the flyers and moving on. “Come on, come all. Come to see your favorite girls in the Mobile Infantry!” Some more people come by to take a flyer.

“Were you really the girl that captured a Queen?” asks one of them.

“Yep!” You smile back at them all. “Really, wasn’t any trouble at all.” It actually makes you cringe on the inside trying to use your fame for this. But if its for a good cause. You sigh, rubbing your forehead. More people come by to take flyers from you as you stand on the street corner. It appears that things are going smoothly.

And then. “Lieutenant, is that you?” You blink, turning around. A man with a very heavy scar on his cheek looks at you. Wait, you recognize him, somewhat.

“Tipper?” You cock your head. Sergeant Matthew Tipper, one of your squad leaders. You and him never talked much. He got discharged for taking a plasma burst to the face. Still became a citizen in the end since he only had to spend the next four months of his term on a desk job. His hair has gone white a bit, but you can’t recall being any older than 30. “Tipper.” The crowd has died down by now, letting you talk with him. “Oh my God, it’s been ages. What happened to you?”

He shrugs. “Oh… pissed away my pension, kind of wandering around, place to place.”

“Really? I thought the Federation would’ve given you a good package since you were wounded and still completed your term.” Usually wounded citizens get bigger packages for healthcare reasons. But… You look up and down Tipper. Wow. He looks devastating. He looks like he crawled out of a gutter in fact. “What happened to you, Tipper?”

“Um. Life I guess,” he says. “But, enough about me. I hear you’re doing well, Lieutenant.”

“I am, sort of,” you say. “But, Jesus.”

“Hey, it’s good to see you,” he says, trying to force a smile on his face. “We can go for drinks another time, okay?”

> “No, no. Jesus fuck, you look like you were mauled by a bear. Let me get you some cash or something.”
> “Well, alright. Come to the show, okay?”
> “Tipper, seriously, what happened to you? You used to be a pretty orderly man.”
> Other

sorry for the delay
>>
>>1297826
> “Tipper, seriously, what happened to you? You used to be a pretty orderly man.”
>>
>>1297826
>> “Tipper, seriously, what happened to you? You used to be a pretty orderly man.”
>>
>>1297826
> “Tipper, seriously, what happened to you? You used to be a pretty orderly man.”
>>
>>1297826
> “Tipper, seriously, what happened to you? You used to be a pretty orderly man.”

We should take him aside, somewhere quiet and sociable. Talk to him, don't rush him on the street
>>
>>1297826
> “Tipper, seriously, what happened to you? You used to be a pretty orderly man.”
>>
>>1297826
>“Well, alright. Come to the show, okay?”
>Other: Hey, here. I'd mean a lot to my girls if citizens would come watch. I don't have any tickets on me, so take this.
Give the man some cash, enough to cover a hotel room, a new set of clothes, and to get a ticket to the concert.
Let the man keep his dignity by not making it out to be charity to him, but him doing a favor for us.
>>
> “Tipper, seriously, what happened to you? You used to be a pretty orderly man.”

-

-

To preserve some of Tipper’s dignity, what’s left of it at least, you took him aside to a nearby café and order some coffee for the both of you. It was relatively quiet, warmly lit too. It was around dinner time as well, so for now, you had all the time in the world. “So what happened?” you ask. “You used to be pretty orderly as I remember you. Maybe too orderly in fact.”

Tipper shrugs. “Well. I never did tell ya I came from the Colonies, did I?” You shake your head. He mostly kept to himself actually. “Um. To put it straight. When I came home, my girlfriend had moved on. Told me she couldn’t wait for me to become a citizen. Then my Mom died. Dad was already dead so… And, I tried to get work, I really did but-…” He leans back in his chair, sighing. “I fell into some strange vices I guess.”

“Drugs?” you ask. He shrugs at that. “What kind?”

“It’s nothing, but uh…” He sighs. The two of you sit in silence. “I couldn’t hold down any jobs, most money went to the dealers. Got evicted. Ran out, decided to immigrate back into the Core Systems. Here I am.”

“Are you at least clean?” you ask.

“Y-… yeah. My pension pays for rehab. Two months clean,” he clarifies. “But, it’s not enough to cover everything else.” The Federal Service pension has enough money for a decent livable payment for ten years. How has he already pissed most of it away? Ugh. “And um…”

“Listen, I’d love to help-“

“No, no, you don’t- I-…” He sighs, rubbing his eyes. “Thanks for the coffee, Lieutenant. But I’d hate to guilt trip you. It was really nice seeing you again.” He chuckles. “You know, seeing this, what I am, I was actually considering reenlisting.” You tilt your head. “I mean-… I tried so hard to connect with people. I wanted friends and stuff. I wanted a new girlfriend. But every time, it was like… a spanner just throwing itself into my life. And then everything crashes down and reminds me… I’m not a civilian anymore. I’m a citizen, and I don’t belong here.”

Sometimes you get that feeling too.

> “Don’t re-enlist.”
> “You should. We need people for the war effort.”
> “Hey. It’s your decision.”
> Other
>>
>>1298136
>“You should. We need people for the war effort.”
Some people, they need the order and structure of military life.
>>
>>1298136
>I can't blame you or fault you wanting to rejoin, I want too as well but I got roped into this. Go ahead but make sure you want this.
>>
>>1298136
> “You should. We need people for the war effort.”

Some people find their home when they retire, some leave their home when they retire.
>>
>>1298136
> “You should. We need people for the war effort.”
>>
>>1298136
>> “You should. We need people for the war effort.”
mybe join us??
>>
> “You should. We need people for the war effort.”

“You should.” You look him in the eyes, and find a very unfocused gaze staring back at you. “We need people for the war effort. You might not get the same rank, but every man counts. I just hope you’re doing it for the right reasons.”

“I mean, I already have citizenship, I can vote, I can take office if I want,” he states. “But that’s not for me. I guess some people just belong there. Who knows what’ll happen if the war ends.” He stands up, then finishes off his coffee. “Thanks for the coffee, Lieutenant. I’ll try and make the show if I can.”

“Let me get you some quid, I’ll-“ You reach for your purse, but he places a hand on your wrist, stopping you.

“It’s fine. I don’t need cash.” He takes a deep breath as he starts walking out of the café. “You take care. Hope I see you again, Lieutenant.” With that, he simply wanders out of the bar. You lean back in your seat. Poor man. You’ve heard stories of men like that. The Federation does everything in its power to assure the mental health and continued success of all its citizens past the Service. But sometimes, sometimes people just collapse. Maybe they miss the order and structure of the military. Or maybe the nightmares haunt them for too long.

At least he didn’t just off himself.

Regardless, you take another sip of coffee, then check your watch. Better head back to the hotel.

You look forward to seeing what Lieutenant Baxter has in store for you.
>>
>>1298366
Another slightly early end to the session. But hopefully we'll finish it off tomorrow. Hope you all enjoyed.

Follow at: https://twitter.com/GermanSchteel
Ask at: http://germanschteel.tumblr.com/
Book Tumbles: http://germanschteelbookblog.tumblr.com/

See you next time.
>>
>>1298367
Thanks for running.
>>
>>1298367
Thanks for the fun, boss
>>
The day of Naka’s concert has arrived.



And so far, Lieutenant Baxter hasn’t done anything. She won’t take calls, you haven’t seen her since she arrived to ask that favor, all that stuff. You and your Idols stare out the window of your hotel to the Annex. Did Lieutenant Baxter decide to betray you by not doing anything? Did she do something so subtle that even you can’t spot it? The paranoia was reminding you of your time on the front. The paranoia of not knowing when your ticket would get punched and you’d get to buy the farm broke a lot of people. Not you though.

This though was getting close.

Naka nervously paces around the bedroom. Shannon Shujumi doing a concert at the same time as yours was going to kill the audience for tonight. Heck, her charity appearances which went uninterrupted would probably net her a crowd twice that of what you could get. You’d have better luck performing in a prison. At least in prison, the prisoners are forced to watch for amusement.

This though.

Naka says, “It’ll be fine, right?” You look back to her. “Lieutenant. It’ll be okay, right? Naka’s gonna have a big show, and we’ll be even bigger and more famous in the end, right?”

“I’m sure it will be,” you say.

Stacy looks at you, scowling a bit. “Doesn’t sound like it.” She points down to the street. “Look, people are already lining up for tickets to Shannon’s show.” You see the crowd of people braving missing work or school to secure a ticket to the show. That line is probably at least a mile long.

> “Okay, maybe we are a little fucked.”
> “It’s fine, it’s fine.”
> Call up Lieutenant Baxter again for the tenth time.
> Other
>>
>>1299390
>“It’s fine, it’s fine.”
>Exit the room
>Call up Lieutenant Baxter again for the tenth time.

The commanding officer should never appear not on top of their game before their subordinates
>>
>>1299390
>“It’s fine, it’s fine.”
>>
>>1299390
>assassinate this commie bitch.
>>
>>1299390
>> “It’s fine, it’s fine.”
>>
>>1299390
> “It’s fine, it’s fine.”
>>
> “It’s fine, it’s fine.”

You wave it off, trying to smile. “It’s fine, it’s fine. Honestly, Naka. Don’t be so nervous.” Oh God, you’re dying to know what’s going through that small head of Baxter’s. That little child better not have skimped out on your agreement. If she has, there’ll be hell to pay. “Hey, listen. How about we get some breakfast. We gotta be at the Annex pretty early to get our last dress rehearsal in.”

Olga nods. “Yeah! Azuma says he’s even got the stage ready!” That immediately perks up Naka’s spirts. And soon, the girls start moving out of your bedroom.

Woo, thank you Olga for being an optimist.

As you follow your girls down to the dining hall, you’re caught by Mills. He walks alongside you. “Lieutenant.”

“Mills. Has Lieutenant Baxter called?” you ask.

He shakes his head. “No, ma’am. Whatever she has planned, if she has anything planned, she’s keeping quiet about it.” Goddamn it. You hate being left in the dark. “The recruiters are already at the Annex, and they’re already saying that the crowds are kind of light in comparison to the lines being formed for Shannon’s concert.”

“Of course they are! We perform before dinner time!” you hiss quietly. “It’s barely 9 O’Clock!”

“Ma’am, they’re fearing the worst,” says Mills. “They can’t recruit Fleet cadets after all, they’re already enlisted. They need real civilians to talk to, not people already in the service.”

> “They better if they think they’re going to skip out on me.”
> “Tell them it’ll be fine. Baxter will come through.”
> “Tell them to pack up. We’re still not sure if it’ll be worth it.”
> Other
>>
>>1299545
>“Tell them it’ll be fine. Baxter will come through.”
>>
>>1299545
> “Tell them it’ll be fine. Baxter will come through.”
>>
>>1299545
>> “They better if they think they’re going to skip out on me.”
>>
> “Tell them it’ll be fine. Baxter will come through.”

“Tell them it’ll be fine.” Mills looks skeptical of that. To be honest, so are you. But one must have faith in this if you want it to succeed. “Baxter will come through.”

Charlie looks back, quirking her brow. “What did Baxter say she’d do?”

“You’ll see,” you say.

Taking your word for, Charlie shrugs that, looking forward again. Good, good. After some time, all of you sit around the breakfast table and take in the news. With the attack on Titan Station, the Federation is now escalating the conflict (again) with the Arachnids. Troops are being moved to the frontline, time and money is being spent on rebuilding the shipyards at Titan Station, and the Federation is now calling for more people to enlist. Just the kind of situation your Idols will thrive off of. Provided Shannon Shujumi doesn’t get her mitts on things.

The way you see it though, the war seems to be shifting again. Before you were hired to produce these girls the war had been slightly calmer. At least, calm in the sense that the Arachnids had stopped trying to attack and stick to raids. But the raid on Titan Station sent a message, even if it wasn’t heard by the Federation at large. That message: We can attack you wherever and whenever and you can’t stop us. Simple, childish even. But it serves the point as well as building a bridge over a river, crossing it back and forth, and disassembling it.

This is the reality you suppose of a drawn out protracted war. Like the British in the Hundred Years War, the Federation simply refuses to give up.

Makes you want to drink yourself into a coma sometimes.

You receive a call then. Baxter! You stand up away from the table and hurry off to some place private. Outside in the gardens. Yes. “Baxter,” you answer her.

“Lieutenant.”

“What are you going to do?”

“What are you talking about?”

“… what?”

“What.”

“You said you were going to do something.”

“Did I?”

“Yes!”

“Huh. Strange. I don’t recall.”

Is she having a laugh!?

> “Wait. I see what you’re doing. Okay, sorry. That’s my bad.”
> “You little snot-nosed bitch! I’ll spank you six ways to Sunday if I ever see you again!”
> “You said you were going to do something! Why did you even call me!?”
> Other
>>
>>1299737
>You're an arsehole Baxter, You're buying your own drinks.
>>
>>1299737
>> “You little snot-nosed bitch! I’ll spank you six ways to Sunday if I ever see you again!”
>>
>>1299737
>>1299737
>> “You little snot-nosed bitch! I’ll spank you six ways to Sunday if I ever see you again!”
>>
>>1299737
>“Wait. I see what you’re doing. Okay, sorry. That’s my bad.”
Don't want to look like a complete idiot.
>>
>>1299737
>> “Wait. I see what you’re doing. Okay, sorry. That’s my bad.”
>>
>>1299737
Changing my vote here >>1299745 too

> “Wait. I see what you’re doing. Okay, sorry. That’s my bad.”
>>
>>1299737
>> “Wait. I see what you’re doing. Okay, sorry. That’s my bad.”

You're still paying for your own drink, though.
>>
> “Wait. I see what you’re doing. Okay, sorry. That’s my bad.”

Wait a minute. Maybe she’s feigning ignorance so that in case Shannon tries to implicate the Federation in this, the both of you can just say nothing happened or transpired. Oh. That’s clever actually. But then again, she could actually just be ignorant. “I see what you’re doing. Okay, that’s my bad. Sorry.”

“You’re paranoid, Lieutenant,” she states so matter-of-factly. “Anyway, I’m just calling to let you know to see me after the show. There are things we need to discuss.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

“Goodbye.” With that, she hangs up quite quickly. Hm. Being caught up in the machinations of Military Intelligence again. Just plain great. And right in the middle of a tour too. Whatever. You shove your phone into your pocket and step back inside the dining room. There, Mills starts picking up everyone’s empty plates. “Mills.”

“Ma’am.” He nods to you, taking your plate on the large stack already on his arm. “It’s time you head to the Annex. I’ll have a driver pick up the girls after we can get dress rehearsals out of the way.” Ah, right, right.

Naka bounces in her seat, tapping the table rapidly. “Aaahh! Now I can’t wait!” She grins, leaning side to side with Olga in some rhythmic wave. “My very own Idol show! Naka the Fleet Idol is about to make her big debut! This is so exciting!”

“We know,” says Stacy. “You’ve only told us since you were first brought in.”

“And I’ll say it even louder!” Naka throws her arms up, kicking her feet. “Ahaha! This is so exciting!”

> “Get pumped, girls. Take after Naka.”
> “Don’t get so excited. Overconfidence kills.”
> Other
>>
>>1299949
Be confident, just not overconfident.
>>
>>1299949
I'd support this: >>1299963
>>
>>1299949
>> “Get pumped, girls. Take after Naka.”
>>
>>1299949
> “Don’t get so excited. Overconfidence kills.”
>>
>>1299949


> “Get pumped, girls. Take after Naka.”
>>
>>1299949
> “Get pumped, girls. Take after Naka.”
>>
> “Get pumped, girls. Take after Naka.”

“Hey, get pumped, girls!” You smile at Naka, patting her on the head. Naka giggles at that, tapping her feet on the ground like a rabbit. “Take after Naka. But don’t be overconfident. Just confident. Know your strengths and limits. Got it?”

Olga nods happily. “Got it! I’m hyped! Are you guys hype!?” Rosalie, Stacy, and Charlie shrug in response. “Come ooooonnnn…”

Rosalie smiles, holding her hand up. “I’m hype.”

“Great!” Olga pumps her fist. “Awesome!”

“Right, I gotta settle things at the Annex first. I’ll see you girls there.”

-

-

The Recruiters have already placed down their booths at the entrance. Like last time, and the time before that, they’re all primarily handsome men and women. “Mills.” He looks at you as you watch the male MI recruiters. Oh boy. Those are some custom fitted uniforms for sure. “How come the recruiters are all beefslabs and model ladies? I remember when I was enlisting, my Recruiter was missing both eyes and a leg.”

Mills explains it like this. “The Prime Minister feels that warding people away with disfigured recruiters is no longer a viable strategy in our time. Manpower is what’s needed now, not just elite patriots.” He motions to the Fleet ladies, who if you were a man you’d be drooling all over by now.

“Well, what happens to the old recruiters?” you ask.

“Desk jobs,” he says. -Civilian work?- You’d blow your brains out at that. “It’s either that or the labs, and the labs have no use for deformed people. They need real test subjects and specimens. And even then, Lieutenant. The Prime Minister is planning to pass a bill through the Federal Council authorizing the usage of automated computer systems to wipe out at least half of all manned rear echelon duties, which include logistics, armories, garages, tech jobs, even several Fleet FSOs.”

You sigh. “So that’s it then? What do those people have left then?”

“Dirty fighting instruction.” He shrugs. “To be frank, Lieutenant. I just consider myself glad I got this job before that bill gets passed.” He folds his arms, sighing heavily, scowling. “But if you ask me, Lieutenant. I hate the idea of automation. I mean, rear echelon I can understand. But there’s a slippery slope. What next, robot soldiers? Can you really trust drones and robots to fight for the Federation?”

> “If that’s what it takes to win, sure.”
> “No thank you.”
> “Definitely. Robots are the future.”
> Other
>>
>>1300107
>I think Robots need oversight from humans, It has to be a co-existence otherwise we harm ourselves in the long run.
>>
>>1300107
Supporting >>1300117
>>
>>1300107
>other: Everything's a slippery slope, Mills. That question was first asked when the first gun was introduced, and before that, the first crossbow, and before that, the first bow. So long as it's still a human mind, with a human will, that's pulling the trigger or pushing the button, that's what counts.
>>
>>1300107
>other: Everything's a slippery slope, Mills. That question was first asked when the first gun was introduced, and before that, the first crossbow, and before that, the first bow. So long as it's still a human mind, with a human will, that's pulling the trigger or pushing the button, that's what counts.
>>
>>1300107
>other: Everything's a slippery slope, Mills. That question was first asked when the first gun was introduced, and before that, the first crossbow, and before that, the first bow. So long as it's still a human mind, with a human will, that's pulling the trigger or pushing the button, that's what counts.
>>
> Other

“Well, everything is a slippery slope, Mills. First it was guns, before that crossbows, before that bows. What matters is the human mind and human will. As long as those two are pulling the trigger, that’s what counts,” you explain. To be frank, you’re relatively neutral on the topic of automation. Automation could be good. But you’re not wanting to see the MI replaced by robots and drones anytime soon. That’d wreck the Federation’s very core: a citizen must sacrifice himself for the Federation before he can be considered part of it. How can you consider yourself a meritocracy or even a democracy if all of your people are lazy loafs that let others do the fighting for you? It’s that thought that laid low the old democracies. At least according to Mister Ruszczyk.

They called it the Drone War, and technically it wasn’t a war of man versus machine, but rather man versus the idea of machine. Drones started outpacing infantry and tank development to the point where they became the dominant force on the battlefield. Why deploy infantry or tanks after all if drones were just going to blast them before they could even deploy? It all came with a man pushing a button from the safety and comfort of an FOB several hundred miles away.

Of course, that period of time lasted only a couple of years. Why? Because they built the Suit. Suddenly drones were now obsolete as Suits could do everything they could except fly and were more survivable and most of all: had a human face to them. And to make things even worse for Drones, terrorists started figuring out how to hack them, how to build crude yet effective EMP devices, and even started stealing Drones where they could. Short but interesting period of time.

You suppose the Prime Minister won’t repeat the mistakes of those people.

Right now though, a lot of Fleet cadets were flooding into the Annex. Your Idols had already arrived and were beginning dress rehearsal. Still though, Baxter had not kept her end of the bargain up just yet.

Fucking, if that little brat didn’t… You see a police car roll by. Then more.

And more. What the-… where are they going?

Mills looks on his PDA. “Uh. Lieutenant.” He presents you the latest news in Apollo City.

POWER SURGE DAMAGES LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS IN SHEPARD DISTRICT, EVACUATION OF CIVILIANS AND CITIZENS UNDERWAY, NO CASUALTIES. SHANNON SHUJUMI CONCERT CANCELLED.

“… where was Shannon Shujumi planning on performing?” you ask.

“The Shepard District, in the AT&T Venue,” he says.

… huh. Well. Maybe it’s just a coincidence.

> “Well, let’s start herding up some new fans!”
> “I better go see the girls and tell them the good news.”
> Call Lieutenant Baxter.
> Other
>>
>>1300219
> “Well, let’s start herding up some new fans!”
>>
>>1300219

> “Well, let’s start herding up some new fans!”
>>
>>1300219
>> “Well, let’s start herding up some new fans!”
>>
>>1300219
> “Well, let’s start herding up some new fans!”
>>
>>1300219
> “Well, let’s start herding up some new fans!”
Throw together a system for exchanging Shannon tickets for our show's for only a very small or nonexistant price.
>>
>>1300219
>“Well, let’s start herding up some new fans!”
>Other: make sure to look concerned and that we just want to "help the people displaced by this unfortunate accident"
>>
> “Well, let’s start herding up some new fans!”


-

-

You, Mills, and Danner pull up along the streets as thousands of displaced fans stand around, wondering what to do now. “I can see it now!” Danner, being blind, pokes his head out into the street at everyone. “We can definitely make something of this, Lieutenant. I assure you.”

“Just follow my lead,” you say. Mills pulls the car up to the curb, then you wind down your window. “Hey, boys, girls! What are you guys waiting for?”

“We were going to see the Shannon Shujumi Show!” says one of the guys. “But the damn power surge knocked out life support in the area. Could be a couple of days before they fix it!” Everyone looks rather disgruntled, moaning and groaning at losing their money at a ticket. “And we can’t refund our tickets either, we have to refund them either online or at the show. And the ticket website crashed, so many people are trying to get their money back and now we can’t!”

Danner pulls himself to the other side, looking at them. “Well, we’d love to help, we really do. But we have our own show to attend.” You nod along, smiling.

“Show?” One girl tilts her head. “You mean the Starship Idols are still going?”

“Yeah,” you say. “We’re over in the Fleet Academy Annex. Maybe we can help you guys out considering you all’ve been waiting probably most of the day in line for tickets and now there’s no show.” A crowd starts forming next to your car, ready to hear what you’re selling to them. “Tell you what. You can trade in your tickets for tickets to our show. It may not be Shannon Shujumi, but Idols are Idols, you know?”

“Straight up trade?” asks a teenage girl.

“Straight up trade, pass the word on. But I’d get there soon if you want to go,” you say. “Show starts in a couple of hours and…” You check your watch. “They’ve already done dress rehearsals.” You whisper to them, grinning. “I’d take it!” The crowd starts quietly discussing amongst itself. Girlfriends want boyfriends to take them to that show instead, girls want their moms to take them anywhere as long as it involves singing and dancing.

However, something comes out of the blue. “Hold on, hold on!” An incredibly pasty-skinned man comes out of the crowd. “You’re just trying to recruit people into the military!” He wears a Shannon Shujumi fan-shirt with Shannon’s smiling face on it. “You orchestrated the power surge, didn’t you!? Didn’t you! Real fans of Shannon Shujumi wouldn’t abandon her just because her concert got canceled for one day! I say we boycott the Starship Idols, who’s with me!?”



> “Welp. We should go.”
> “First ten people to trade their tickets in gets to meet the girls.”
> “Jesus Christ you’re ugly.”
> Other
>>
>>1300433
>Others
Huh? why would we do that? We serve the people not kill the people. We have the duty to protect the citizen not endanger them. And we protect the men and women of Luna just like the *insert the fleeties here since i dont know the name*.

Please add more i suck at these things
>>
>>1300433
>Other
"How is it abandoning her if she's not putting on a show but still has your money? It's not like you're taking money away from her, you know. In fact, giving us the ticket means she gets your money AND you still have something to watch."
>>
>>1300433
>Why would we be willing to lose out on money if we supposedly caused anything? We're honestly just trying to make sure none of you go home disspointed.
>>
>>1300461
my point is instill patriotism to that die hard faggot shannon fanguy that we will win from the normal masses and outvote him majority to one
>>
> Other

“Hey, how is it abandoning her if she’s not putting on a show but she still has your money? I mean, you don’t have anything better to do. You’ve got the ticket, you’re getting essentially a free show by cashing that ticket in to watch ours.” You shrug. “Of course, it’s all up to you. I just want to make sure none of you go home disappointed. Consider it the citizen’s duty.”

The super fan glares at you, grinding his teeth. But then someone says, “Fuck it. I’m going.” Like a soft stampede, everyone follows suit.

“Hey, wait! Come on! She could be doing a show tomorrow! Keep your tickets!” yells the fans. Hehehe! Get fucked, nerd. You motion for Mills to reverse out and get back to the show. Right, who knows how many people will show up to this. Could be a few hundred, could be a thousand even. You’ll have to see.

-

-

You watch as Naka, Rosalie, Stacy, Olga, and Charlie pump themselves up. Daiko, Saki, and Burkett stand to the side as the five girls link hands, looking down at the ground. “Rise as many, drop as one, domino, domino, domino!” they yell. They pump their fists up, ready.

“Places, girls!” shouts Azuma. “Five minutes!” You stand in the backstage as everyone gets everything together at the last minute. Burkett and Olga check over Naka one last time to make sure her makeup and her singing voice are well in-order. Azuma walks up to you. “Lieutenant.”

“I know, don’t need to thank me for getting the crowd,” you say simply.

“Thank you!?” He stares at you in surprise. “I thought were getting at most a couple hundred more people. Lieutenant, we’re filled to capacity!” Oh. What? “We’ve even got people watching the show from screens outside! The word got out faster than you realize!” Well. That’s great! Wonderful! “Naka’s debut is gonna be the biggest thing the moon’s seen since that nuke!”

“Heh. You didn’t have faith in me?” He rolls his eyes, going back to his clipboard. “Are we ready?”

“Whenever Naka is,” you say. You turn to Naka.

Naka grins at you, walking up to you. “Lieutenant!” She hugs you. “Ooooh! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” She can’t stop saying thank you to you as she holds you tight. “Thank you! Nobody’s ever taken my dream so seriously! I love you! I love you so much! Thank you!”

> “No thanks are necessary.”
> “Okay, okay. I’m not into girls, no need to get mushy.”
> “Please, you’re embarrassing me. Now go make me proud.”
> Other
>>
>>1300712
>“Please, you’re embarrassing me. Now go make me proud.”
I'd ruffle her hair or give her a kiss if it wouldn't mess up her hair or makeup.
>>
>>1300712
> “Please, you’re embarrassing me. Now go make me proud.”

>Scream inside because this is gonna cost you an arm and leg from the intel agent.
>>
>>1300712
> “Please, you’re embarrassing me. Now go make me proud.”
>>
>>1300712
>> “Please, you’re embarrassing me. Now go make me proud.”
>>
>>1300712
> “Please, you’re embarrassing me. Now go make me proud.”
>>
>>1300712

> “Please, you’re embarrassing me. Now go make me proud.”
>>
File: Nakagawa.png (485 KB, 600x490)
485 KB
485 KB PNG
> “Please, you’re embarrassing me. Now go make me proud.”

You pat her on the back, trying to avoid her face or hair. It’s right before a show after all, don’t want to mess it up. “Please, Naka. You’re embarrassing me. Now go make me proud, alright?”

Naka finally lets go, nodding happily. She’s clearly trying to stop herself from crying in joy. “I will, Lieutenant! Thank you!” She bows to you. “A thousand thank yous!”

Burkett taps his watch. “Come on you little posey, we gotta get moving.” Naka nods, hurrying over to him, Burkett and a stage tech help Naka up onto her control platform. And it starts slowly rising up as the intro song begins.

Azuma calls the ball. “In three, two, one…”

Rosalie, Stacy, Olga, and Charlie come in from either side of the stage to the applause of many. Sitting in the front row are quite a lot of Fleet cadets, many young boys and girls. And behind them is the crowd you essentially poached from Shannon Shujumi. Man, Azuma is right, you did essentially pack the house. Rosalie trips and falls, a play act, but it still gets your heart racing. “Rosie! Be more careful!” Stacy calls. He stomps her foot, her fists at her hips.

“Sorry.” Rosalie pulls herself up, resting on her legs. “It’s just-“ Olga sits down next to her. “It’s been so long since our last concert, so I might be a little rusty.”

Stacy sighs, rolling her eyes. She looks at the crowd. “The girls I have to work with.”

Charlie leans towards Stacy, smirking. “Oh please, you know you love me, Stacy.” She kisses the air at Stacy, winking. A few boys and girls yell out for Charlie. “For those of you just joining us, I’m Charlie of the Colonial Defense Force. This is Stacy, Olga, and Rosalie of the Mobile Infantry. We are the Starship Idols!”

“And we just realized we’re missing a very vital part of the Federal Service,” says Rosalie.

Olga nods. “That’s right!” She stands up, thumping her fist against her chest. “See, we troopers can’t get anywhere without the Federal Fleet! Let’s give a hand for all the boys and girls in Fleet!” The crowd cheers and applauds. And the cates up front stand up and whoop and holler at the shoutout. “Now, now! Please, please! Fleet doesn’t do everything here.”

Rosalie sighs. “I wish I were in Fleet.”

“Fleet does some pretty cool things,” says Stacy.

“Lot of heavenly looking people too, boys, girls,” says Charlie.

“But Fleet can’t do it all!” Olga says, huffing. “But. I guess there is one thing Fleet is good for. Our tactical liaison.” All the girls nod, agreeing. “Every trooper knows that the most heavenly voice they’ll ever hear in the world is their FTL saying orbital bombardment is available!”

[1/2]
>>
>>1300988
[2/2]


“And our newest Idol just happens to be a Fleet Tactical Liaison,” says Rosalie. “She coordinates the troopers on the ground, calls strikes where we need them, and makes sure we come home alive. But she can’t do all that, without the heroes on the ground. And trust us, she needs heroes.” The lights start dimming as the girls start taking their positions. The sounds of whistling bombs and bullets start scattering all through the theatre. Flashes of light imitate artillery and explosions. The mist starts rolling in.

Her voice is partially distorted by radio chatter and filtering, but it’s clear.

Where have all the good men gone,
And where all the Gods?
Where’s the streetwise Hercules,
To fight the rising odds?

Isn’t there a trooper,
Dropping with the heat?
Late at night I toss and I turn,
And I dream of what I need!

The lights shine down on Naka as she descends from her control platform. She stands from her chair to the applause of thousands.

I need a hero!
I’m holding out for a hero to the end of the night!
He’s gotta be strong, and he’s gotta be fast!
And he’s gotta be fresh from a fight!

I need a hero!
I’m holding out a hero for a hero to the morning light!
He’s gotta be sure, and he’s gotta be soon!
And he’s gotta be larger than life!


Once Naka drops down, she takes center stage. Rosalie, Stacy, Charlie, and Olga provide backup vocals for her, serving as her backup. You clench your fist proudly. This is her moment!


Somewhere after midnight,
In my wildest fantasy,
Somewhere just beyond my reach,
There’s someone reaching back for me!

Watching through the snoopers and listening through the cells,
There’s a Starship Trooper going to save me from this living hell!

YEAH!

Naka jumps, the crowd goes with her.

I need a hero!

-

-

You watch as the girls wind down the show with another talk. “I’m Naka!” Naka makes a silly V-Sign with her hands, grinning at everybody. “I’m a Fleet Tactical Officer, and as an Ensign I technically outrank everyone on the team!” she whispers loudly to the crowd. That gets some laughter from the crowd. “As the Fleet Idol, it’s my duty to watch over my charges here on the Starship Idols! You can think of me as their guardian angels.”

You watch from a luxury box with Burkett, Mills, and Danner. This is going swimmingly. You can already feel the recruiters taking in hundreds of more potential enlistees.

“Lieutenant.” You blink. Then you turn around. Baxter stands at the door, hands rested in her pockets. A cigarette is lazily lit between her lips.

“Baxter.”

“We need to talk.”
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>>1300993
That's it for this weeks Starship Idols. We should be green to go for LGA2 this weekend. Hope you all enjoyed.

Follow at: https://twitter.com/GermanSchteel
Ask at: http://germanschteel.tumblr.com/
Book Tumbles: http://germanschteelbookblog.tumblr.com/

See you next time.
>>
>>1300997
Thanks Schteel, now I've got I need a hero stuck in my head. Good run.
>>
>>1300997
Thanks for running.
>>
>>1300997
Thans for the fun, boss.




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