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Ok guys, news!

So, just so there's plenty of heads up, I'll be moving at the end of may- prolly third or fourth week of that month. Not sure what all that's gonna mean for our schedule, depends on what work's gonna do in that regard, I suspect. But it does most likley mean that we won't be running that week, so I figure I'll call that well in advance, so there's no surprise over it. Other than that, no real news to report!

========================================================================================================================

The storm system that blew through last night seems to have cleared out the air- the conditions are clear and a million, effectively unlimited visibility, not a cloud in sight. It doesn’t make you feel any better, knowing that your next test flight, according to your aunt, is where it starts to get hard. The navy’s apparent feeling on the matter is you’re supposed to be the best in the world, and you’d better learn- fast.

Of course, she comfortingly added that the AI would be helping you learn, but you’re not sure it was comforting at all. Still, you trust her judgment- she did help design the training pipeline, after all. Rumor has it she and your father helped set up this mission, based on their own flying experiences.

That’s part of the problem, though, you reflect, going over the briefing. Your simulated mission is designed to test you and the aircraft in all aspects- you’re not necessarily expected to complete them all, but it’s scored and very heavily monitored. A wyvern work up, you’re starting to realize, is a big deal for the navy and the DoD.

The mission, such as it is, is a strike on a simulated C4I complex in the middle of a simulated airbase, using live bombs- any air to air payload will be exclusively captive simulators. Your guns will be loaded- frangible, of course, in case of an accident, though you’d be the first such accident if there was one. It’s a multi threat environment, with two AWACS- one as an overall controller, and one guiding red air. The briefing indicated red air would be ‘limited’- in your case, meaning no more than six steelwings, and no m ore than one witch. The rumor mill, however, indicates witches tend to skip these flights- first time wyvern crews are considered poor sport. Of course, USAF pilots tend to disagree with that assessment- and with the new F-35s coming online, you’re almost sure they’re itching to test them against the best the navy has to offer.

1/2
>>
You and Danielle have managed to find a quiet space and spread out a map of the Nevada test and training complex on a table there, going over it. “Here.” She says confidently, stabbing a finger at one of the ingress routes to the complex after studying the map for a few minutes. “We go in low, pop these three radar sites, and after that we only have to avoid this one here and maybe that one. There’s only supposed to be one S-400 there and maybe a pantsir near the target complex itself, along with some guns. Easy.”

“What about REDFOR’s air?” You ask.

She shrugs noncommittally. “We won’t have to worry about them if they can’t see us, and if we go in low enough even the AWACS is going to struggle with the mountains there. We won’t have to engage them if we don’t want, and we’ll be able to dictate position if we do with their air defense network dead.”

Looking back down at the map, you note that her proposed route is noted to be heavily layered in air defense systems and radars- and you’re sure there’s likely to be air force aggressors there too. Then again, this is exactly what her service record indicated she excelled at- punching a hole in AA/AD layered defenses- all the wyvern really adds to what she was doing is the ability to kill targets on the other side, too.

[] I don’t know, that’s a lot of air defense to tangle with.
[] Alright, let’s do it.
>>
>>3302868
[x] Alright, let’s do it.

It's her thing, and if we're going to fuck up, it's best to do it when and where it's safe.
>>
>>3302868
>[x] Alright, let’s do it.

She knows what she's doing, best to trust her on it. Best night of the week!
>>
>>3302868
[x] Alright, let’s do it.
>>
>>3302868
>[] Alright, let’s do it.

not really comfortable with it but lets see what she is made of
>>
>>3302868
>[x] Alright, let’s do it.

We're here to test our witch, rather than just workup with the wyvern. If she's confident that this is her area of expertise, I say we see what she can do.
That, and this is in fact exactly what I expected from her. I am really excited to see what she can handle.
>>
>>3302868
>[x] Alright, let’s do it.
>>
>>3302868
>[] I don’t know, that’s a lot of air defense to tangle with.
If she's been doing SEAD in her past, of course she doesn't car about red air. That's not our bag though; we need to worry about all threats.

I thought we were doing 1 flight for each of the prospective RIOs. Did that change?
>>
>>3302890
Don't complain. The more flights with Danielle, the better
>>
>>3302868
>[] Alright, let’s do it.
let's let her do her thing.
>>
>>3302868
>[x] Alright, let’s do it.
>>
>>3302900
>The more flights with Danielle, the worse
FTFY
>>
>>3302890
Pretty sure it's several flights per witch
>>
>>3302868

Agree, but make our concerns known.
>>
>>3302910
I see we have differing opinions, sir. I'll have to fix that with more screentime of /fit/ SEADwitch.
>>
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>>3302868
>[x] Alright, let’s do it.
We should trust her, that said, the F-35s may spot us optically, so we should watch out for that.
>>
ok, votes called!
>>
[x] Alright, let’s do it.

You nod, not looking up from the map. “Alright, let’s do it.” You say. “I’m still worried about all the air defenses in this area, but you’ve got combat time, I don’t.”

She looks up and grins. “Letting me strut my stuff, huh? Shoulda worn something racy.”

You favor her with a very light smile. “I’d have thought the flight suit was racy enough.”

She blinks- and then, after a second, laughs. “So he does have a sense of humor!” She exclaims, smiling.

You shrug, reaching down to fold up the map. “So we’re good?”

She nods. “Yeah, I think so. I’m a little worried they’re not telling us the whole story, but this is a hell of a lot more than we got when we went into Iraq for round two, so I can deal, I guess.”

[] How bad was the intel there?
[] Yeah, we’ll be fine. Let’s hit the support shops.
>>
>>3302999
>[] Yeah, we’ll be fine. Let’s hit the support shops.
>>
>>3302999

>[z] How bad was the Intel?

"Was this 'A squadron we missed?' or" HAHA FUNNY STORY ABOUT THAT AIRBASE "
>>
>>3302999
>[x] Yeah, we’ll be fine. Let’s hit the support shops.

We probably won't have intel this good in live combat, but it's a hell of a nice breather for now.
>>
>>3302999
>[X] How bad was the Intel?
Hi, didn’t know this got rebooted! Also noticed Ghost is a GFL fan, good taste.
>>
>>3302999
>[x] How bad was the intel there?
>>
>>3302999
>[] Yeah, we’ll be fine. Let’s hit the support shops.
>>
>>3302999
>[] How bad was the intel there?
Curiosity killed the cat, but will it kill the Morgan?
>>
>>3302999
>[x] How bad was the intel there?
>>
>>3302999
>[x] How bad was the intel there?
Curious how different it was compared to IRL.

>I’m a little worried they’re not telling us the whole story
Wouldn't be too surprised if they didn't
>>
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>>3302999
>[X] How bad was the intel there?
>>
ok, votes called!
>>
>>3302900
Lmao more flights with a female pilot. That’s literally the least safe thing I can think of. The US Air Force recently dismissed its only fighter squadron flight commander because she was so bad at her job she put everyone else in danger. Less than 2 months on the job and nearly gets everyone else killed multiple times.
>>
>>3303099
You do realize there will be a girl with us no matter what right? That’s like, foundational.
>>
>>3303108

Ignore him, you can't fix stupid
>>
>>3303099
See the following post
>>3303108
Also, she's not the pilot, she's our SIO, we're the pilot.
>>
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>>3303099
Actually calling "Woman Driver" in a witch quest.
>>
>>3303118

Good gif choice, btw
>>
>>3303127
Thank you. My collection is small, but I try.
>>
[x] How bad was the intel there?

“How bad was the intel there?” You ask as she leads the way out of the room you two had been in.

She shrugs. “Worse than that,” She says, indicating the map. “We were mostly going on what satellites could tell us, Iraqi witches were pretty decent at popping drones, the ones they had. And the Iraqis had a lot of road and overland mobile systems, they learned after the war in eighty nine. A lot of popup threats they’d move into an area long enough for it to take a couple shots, then try to get the fuck out. Sometimes it worked for ‘em, sometimes not.”

“And there were their gargoyles.” You add, and she nods.

“Yeah, and then there were those fuckers.” She says, looking kind of angry at being reminded about them. “How the hell they slipped past the CIA or whoever is a question I’d love to see answered, but I’d also love a rubdown from Jason Momoa, so I guess no one gets to be happy. We got lucky that they didn’t have that many of them, and that the deal they inked for more missiles got shut down.”

“And now Iran has ‘em.”

“And now Iran has ‘em, along with their homebrew knockoff and the ones they bought straight up from Moscow. Their air defense network is a damn mess, and it’s got just about everything anyone’s ever used from nineteen forty on in it somewhere. Don’t get me started unless drinkings involved, I could go all night.” She looks over at you with a grin. “If you’re into that.”

[] Maybe after this, then. Could be an interesting conversation.
[] Good point, we should get focused on what’s at hand.
>>
>>3303207
>[x] Maybe after this, then. Could be an interesting conversation.
>>
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>>3303207
>[x] Maybe after this, then. Could be an interesting conversation.
>>
>>3303207
>[x] Maybe after this, then. Could be an interesting conversation.

I want to hear what she has to say on the subject.
>>
>>3303207
>[Z] Good point, we should get focused on the task at hand.

AAAAAA FIRST FLIGHT
>>
>>3303207
>[] Maybe after this, then. Could be an interesting conversation.
>>
>>3303207
>[] Good point, we should get focused on what’s at hand.
>>
>>3303207
>[] Maybe after this, then. Could be an interesting conversation.
>>
>>3303207
>[] Good point, we should get focused on what’s at hand.
>>
>>3303207
>[x] Good point, we should get focused on what’s at hand.
Why do I get the feeling an aggressor witch or two are gonna be thrown at us anyways?
>>
>>3303207
>[] Good point, we should get focused on what’s at hand.
Time to get to work.
>>
>>3303258
>[x] Good point, we should get focused on what’s at hand.

>>3303253
While typically witches might skip out on noob flights, we have a considerable reputation. I suspect we'll have more than average witches here, not less.
>>
>>3303265
Should point
>>3303207
Sorry
>>
>>3303207
>[x] Good point, we should get focused on what’s at hand.
>>
>>3303207
[X] Maybe after this, then. Could be an interesting conversation.

Always good to get more info on the Nasties out there.
>>
>>3303207
>[] Maybe after this, then. Could be an interesting conversation.
>>
>>3303207
>[x] Good point, we should get focused on what’s at hand.
>>
>>3303099
Please get murdered, holy shit.
>>
ok, votes called!
>>
>>3303099
You didn't do....like ANY background reading for this quest did you? Just shut the fuck up.
>>
[x] Good point, we should get focused on what’s at hand.

“Point.” you respond, holding the door open for her. “We should get focused.”

“Sorry, I was thinking about that rubdown.” She grins. “Makes the flight suit not so bad.”

You shake your head, a smile twitching at the corners of your mouth- it’s funny enough, to be sure, if not entirely your style of humor.

You pass through the life support shops pretty quickly, having elected to wear your flight suit today anyway. With everything checked out, you take a few minutes to shrug into your gear- G-suit, rescue vest, gloves. Your personal effects, like your wallet, go into the top shelf of your locker, though it ends up being fairly lonely up there, with only your sunglasses joining it.

You step back out of the locker room to see Danielle already changed and waiting. She gives you another crooked grin. “Not much to do but take everything off and put this thing on.” She says, by way of explanation. “Shall we?”

You nod, following her out of the building. There’s no crew van waiting for you this time, and the crew around your wyvern, when you get there, isn’t nearly as large, just the fueling crew and the ammo handlers, checking both the captive training missiles and the live bombs before flight.

The Chief- and Merlin- are both somewhere else, which, for the chief makes sense, though you do wonder about your aunt. She was probably up with the crew late into the night again, tweaking the aircraft after your first flight. Instead the flight line lead is the ranking member of the ground crew there- the chief’s second in command. She nods in your direction when she sees you, and you return the gesture. “Got a minute sir?” She asks, walking over. “Miss Wells wanted me to pass along a couple things.”

“I’ll head up.” Danielle says, indicating the unlocked crew ladder. “Start getting it all warmed up.”

[] Of course, no rush.
[] Ok, but be quick. I can get all the details later.
>>
>3303472
[x] Of course, no rush.
>>
>>3303472
>[] Of course, no rush.
>>3303478
Anon, you know you can just click on the post number, right?
>>
>>3303472
>[x] Of course, no rush.
We must listen to this, if Merlin wanted us to know it needs to be important.

>>3303478
F
>>
>>3303472
>[x] Of course, no rush.
>>
>>3303472
>[X] Of course, no rush.
>>
>>3303472
>[] Of course, no rush.
>>
>>3303472
[] Of course, no rush.
>>
>>3303472
>[x] Of course, no rush.
>>
>>3303485
Something went wrong, somehow deleted the first '>'
>>
>>3303472
>[x] Of course, no rush.
>>
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>>3303510
F
>>
>>3303472
>[] Of course, no rush.
>>
>>3303472
>[x] Of course, no rush.
>>
>>3303472
>[X] Of course, no rush.
>>
Votes called!
>>
[x] Of course, no rush.

You nod. “Of course,” you say, watching Danielle start up the ladder without trying to stare. “No rush.”

“She didn’t leave much to say, sir.” The Chief- an E-7- says, digging into her thigh pocket to pull out a small notepad. “So she wanted to tell you that they tweaked the jets a bit, based on the data from your first flight, and that she could explain what was going on there later. The ship’s AI is going to be silent and learning for the next week or so, but it’s fully capable, they just won’t bring it fully online till you have your gib. Ah.. let me see.” She pauses, flipping through the pages.

“Oh, right. She wanted whoever passed along the message to tell you that she would like it if you could come over and cook evening chow.” you smile at that, while the chief- you’re going to have to think of another title for the woman- frowns a bit. “You can cook, sir?”

You laugh and nod. “Mom taught me how. Mostly stuff from down home, shiken, dirty rice, shrimp boil, that kinda thing.”

Her grin gets wide- “Louisana?”

You nod. “Raised there, anyway.”

“I’m from Layfayette.” She says.

“Oh yeah,” you say, smiling. “I know where dat is. Most of our land be near to N’awlins, Maman does most of her business in the city.”

She smiles when she hears your accent come out- it’s rare, and you try to keep it that way. “I can hear it.” She responds. “We moved away when I was little, dad was army.” She stops. “I could get going, sir, we’d better get up and get moving or they’ll start whining. Good to meet you- I’m Chief Petty Officer Brown, by the way, sorry.”

“Lieutenant Junior Grade Laroux-Bishop.” you say. “Though I guess you knew that already?”

She laughs and nods. “I’ll do the walk with you.” She says, gesturing for you to follow her on a preflight inspection. She jokes a bit more than the Chief did, and laughs easier- more personable in general, though you suspect your shared home state may help. Still, it takes about fifteen minutes before you start the climb up to the cockpit.

You strap in quickly, leaving your helmet on your lap as you do so, and you hit the canopy retract as you settle it on your head. “Waiting on you, we’re to pre engine start” Danielle says, as soon as you have the intercom plugged in.

You work through the rest of the start up sequence, hitting the VDNI uplink last. You blink as it starts up- the familiar dizziness passing quickly while the wyvern warms up around you.

“We’re good to roll.” Danielle says. “Taxiway on the right, behind that aggressor -16. Any changes to the plan?”

[] too late for that I think.
[] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.
>>
>>3303755
>[] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still
>>
>>3303755
>[x] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.
>>
>>3303755
>[x] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.
F-35s are srs bsns even for the Wyvern.
>>
>>3303755
>[X] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.
>>
>>3303755
>[] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.
We need to keep a balanced eye on things
>>
>>3303755
>[X] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.

>Though you still haven't made a cake that's met her standards yet.
I don't think anyone in this story could match Santa's cake.
>>
>>3303755
>[x] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.

>Though you still haven't made a cake that's met her standards yet.
We'll have to work on that.
>>
>>3303755
>[X] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.
>>
>>3303755
>[] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.
>>
>>3303755
>[] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.
>>
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>>3303755
>[x] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.
Need a plan for OPFOR witches, them getting the drop on us with their guns at low altitude is gonna be rough if they pull us up into a net of F-35's. Danielle's strength is in EW, not dogfighting...
>>
>>3303796
Worse is the 35's spotting us on their electro-optical and vectoring the possible witches on the Wyvern without us knowing.
>>
>>3303755
>[x] too late for that I think.
>>
So the biggest advantage against F-35s as I see it is their minimal depth of magazine if they're going internals only. They'll only have 4x AIM-120s apiece. They'll be relying on multiple groups taking us on at once as well as support from SAMs. Furthermore, any tracks from their EOTS system cannot be linked from plane to plane. If we can get away with it, we can "ignore" a pair of F-35s, attacking other groups, defeating their missiles by a mix of kinematics, EW, and decoys until they go Winchester and become a nonfactor unless they go in for guns, which would be a remarkably bad decision on their part.
>>
>>3303808
Would they have a reason to go internal only though? They'll have no particular need for stealth here.
>>
>>3303814
>Would they have a reason to go internal only though?
Sure. It complicates our ability to find and shoot them, also letting them close to get better shots. Having external missiles would lead to them being detected and engaged from extended ranges. It's essentially bringing a 4th generation fighter into the mix instead of a 5th. They probably want to find us, get in close, and drown us under a wave of missiles that are still in a high enough energy state to hit us.
>>
ok, votes called!
>>
>>3303808
>Furthermore, any tracks from their EOTS system cannot be linked from plane to plane.
You mind providing a citation for this? Because while I don't expect getting one F-35 getting missile locks off of another F-35, I'm pretty sure the infrared sensors and radar are linked into MADL. Meaning if one of them sees us, all of them will and promptly vector in for their own locks.
>>
>>3303936
It's specific wordage. The IRST will not be able to pass its "lock" to another aircraft through a datalink because it can't provide distance. It can provide a bearing from the sensor. Hell, it might even be able to provide a vertical angle from the sensor (although I doubt it). However, without range information it can't provide targeting information of sufficient clarity for a firing solution to other aircraft. Now, if one were to see us they'd call out similar information over the radio and they'd all be able to swarm in to try and get their own tracks with a pretty good idea of where it's at, but it's not actionable until they have their own.
>>
>>3303947
Actually, turns out the F-35 can pass targeting information. The Navy had an F-35 paint an MQM-107 so it could be hit by a ground-launched SM-6:
https://news.usni.org/2016/09/13/video-successful-f-35-sm-6-live-fire-test-points-expansion-networked-naval-warfare
>>
[x] Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff? I’m worried about redair still.

“Is there any way we could avoid some of that stuff?” You say, starting your taxi roll. “I’m worried about red air.”

“That’s why I suggested the route I did.” She points out. “That route in has so many warning radar complexes and SAM sites they’d have to be retarded to put any air above it.”

“Unless they know it’s you.” You point out, and she laughs.

“Not going to happen. All they know is it’s a wyvern workup for Laroux-Bishop, not who I am.“ She says, laughing. “No one cares about me.”

“Seems like a hell of a risk to take.” You point out. “Them not knowing?”

“Nah.” She says. “It’s not published, not till you make your final selection and it gets cleared.”

“It’s not?”

“Nah.” She laughs. “Like, all I got told was that I’d made a wyvern crew selection and to get my shit together. I’m pretty sure that’s all anyone hears, is there’s a drake cycling up. Only reason I knew it was you is... well-”

“I know.” You say, tracking the vortices behind a pair of tomcats as they take off. You blink as you catch yourself doing it- the air behind the jets should be invisible, but one or other of the wyvern’s sensors- you’re not sure which- can see it, and superimposed it on your vision. Not only that, but you knew exactly what you were looking at as soon as you saw it- and you never called up the data.

“Either way, your call. I think we could try a route more to the north, it looked like there were less sites up that way. I can check it on the way in, but there won’t be a lot of time to look at what sites we’re going to need to hit if we do it that way, and no room to react to anything on the ground we aren’t expecting.”

[] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.
[] Let’s take the northern route, just let me know what I need to do.
>>
Ok guys, that's going to be our overnight vote! I'll be around a bit, but I have a load of dishes to do and I'd like to get something to eat, haha.
>>
>>3303979
>[X] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.
>>
>>3303979
[] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.
>>
>>3303979
>[X] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.
>>3303980
Favorite GFL Doll?
>>
>>3303979
>[X] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.
>>
>>3303979
>[] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.


>>3303977
Anon, you've completely missed the conversation. We're not talking about the radar. We are specifically talking to acquisition by electro optical and/or infrared systems on the F-35- IE EOTS and the DAS. Your link is talking about using the radar to do so. No shit a radar can provide ranging data, that's its entire point. And yes, NIFC-CA is cool as fuck and the SM-6 is a brilliant missile.
>>
>>3303979
>[x] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.

F-35s may not have to worry as much about the IADS as she think they do, but better safe than sorry.

Unless we run into the land of a thousand M163s.
>>
>>3303979
>[x] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.
>>
>>3303989

Oh man, do I have to pick just one?
>>
>>3303998
Top 3 then.
Mine would be Ribey, G11, and SOPMOD
>>
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>>3303998
>>
>>3303979
>[] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.

>>3303998
How about your favourite per class?
>>
>>3303979
>[] Let’s take the northern route, just let me know what I need to do.
>>
>>3303979
>[x] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.
>>
>>3303979
>[] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.
See, if it turns out they know that Danielle is our SIO and her skills, then they'll know that we know that they expect us to go the path with the Ground stuff, so all they'll put red air there, but! They'll know we know that, so they'll expect us to actually go the Northern route to throw them off, so they'll actually put red air over there. so we'll go the planned route and doubly throw them off.

Yes, I'm being silly
>>
>>3303992
>We are specifically talking to acquisition by electro optical and/or infrared systems on the F-35- IE EOTS and the DAS. Your link is talking about using the radar to do so.
1. The article only mentions radar when giving an example of using an E-2 as target data provider. It doesn't say what the F-35 used.
2. The EOTS includes a laser rangefinder. Oh, look, there's the distance data you were saying was missing. So unless you have a source on what the MADL can or can't pass, I'd guess it can pass that too.
>>
>>3304007

But anon, they're raifus. You and I both know you need multiple raifus for multiple applications!

>>3304004
Top Three? hmm... G41, Lee-Enfield, Soppo

>>3304012
In class? oof.

Soppo, Lee, PK, 1887, vector, 1911.
>>
>>3303979
>[x] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.
It's actually the safer option, and it gives us a better view of Danielle's skillset.
>>
>>3304031
Thanks for the run, Chief. Still loving it.

By 'it' I mean /fit/witch
>>
>>3303980
Thanks for the run!
>>
>>3304029
>The article only mentions radar when giving an example of using an E-2 as target data provider.
That's because that's taken as a granted. In other articles on the subject, it's rather explicit, or does the E-2 happen to use other sensors from 100+ nmi away? They use radar, my man. In no article I've read over the past five years have I ever seen it refer to anything but.
>EOTS includes a laser rangefinder.
Correct, but you're still missing another crucial piece of this puzzle. Elevation. You've essentially created this giant curved line on which a target could reasonably be anywhere. Even providing that MADL could transfer the bearing and distance, you're missing a rather significant piece of the puzzle. That information might be filled in through other sources, but cannot be provided by one EOTS. Now, that works well enough to provide information for a missile originating from near enough the sensor, as it essentially just has to fly down the bearing until its onboard sensor gets its own track, but doing that for another aircraft? I guess it's theoretically possible that you could triangulate it from multiple aircraft, but that's mighty fishy to me. Additionally, getting a solid lase on a maneuvering aircraft could be dodgy.
>>
>>3304078
>Correct, but you're still missing another crucial piece of this puzzle. Elevation.
You have your elevation, attitude and distance to the target in front of you. Deriving the target's elevation is a matter of geometry. If the computer can't handle that, then what are the 8 million+ lines of code good for?

>Additionally, getting a solid lase on a maneuvering aircraft could be dodgy.
True, but if it's maneuvering enough that you can't keep your nose on it, you're probably in dogfighting range and don't want your buddies firing missiles in your direction anyway.
>>
>>3303979
>[x] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.
>>
>>3303979
>[X] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.
>>
Ok guys, votes called!
>>
[x] Alright, we’ll take the planned route then.

You blink away the air data feed, turning your attention, briefly, to other information on the two F-14s- speed, heading, altitude, distance, payload- it’s all there, both from the Wyvern’s sensors and from their own data links. “Alright, good point. We’ll take the planned route.” You say, lining up on the runway and awaiting clearance. Out of curiosity, you look for the wake vortices again- and after a split second, there they are, clear as day.

The tower clears you moments later, using the fleet replenishment squadron callsign “eagle”- in this case, “Eagle Zero-One”. While you know it’s standard practice- until you’re declared mission capable as a crew, you’ll carry the FRS callsign, you can’t help but think someone’s maybe making a joke at your expense.

“I’m expecting mobile threats in the area as well.” Danielle says as you climb out of the Miramar airfield and turn north to clear the city. Your flight path takes you over the Ft. Irwin NTC- though you’ll be transiting their range well above and slightly north of any activity there. “And of course there’s no telling what REDAIR will have. Always thought this was kinda unfair for the drakes.”

[] Why’s that?
[] It’s like that for a reason, though.
>>
>>3305581
>[] It’s like that for a reason, though.
>>
>>3305581
>[x] It’s like that for a reason, though.
>>
>>3305581
>[x] It’s like that for a reason, though.
>>
>>3305581
>[] It’s like that for a reason, though.

not like ivan is gonna tell us what he has in stock for us
>>
>>3305581
>[] It’s like that for a reason, though.
>>
>>3305581
>[x] It’s like that for a reason, though.
>>
>>3305581
>[] It’s like that for a reason, though.
>>
>>3305581
>[] It’s like that for a reason, though.
Adaptability is a vital part of air combat, and not knowing what your up against is part of that.

I'm starting to get the impression she's a little narrowly focused, like she's used to single objective missions or something, and someone else will worry about things like enemy air and force composition.
>>
>>3305621
You mean like any pilot that doesn't pilot a multirole?
>>
>>3305581
>[x] Why’s that?
>>
>>3305581
>[x] It’s like that for a reason, though.
>>
alright, votes called!
>>
>>3305621
Yeah, getting that feel too. I think it's because she's used to doing nothing but air-to-ground. Pair that up with her magic ability and yeah, I can see her dogfighting record being enemy air was somebody else's problem while she dealt with objectives. Though to be fair, we never asked about that. Wonder if that has to do with her supposed chronic drinking...

I mean, she's fantastic at her SEAD role, but that doesn't really help if we get our cover blown and end up in prolonged dogfight. In that scenario I'd rather have Lotus or Kyou's ability handy. Or, you know, actually leave the ATG task to something that isn't a superfighter. Come to think of it, how many times did we go ATG in the '89 quest?
>>
>>3305727
ATG we did maybe 3 times. Twice in Alaska and I think once in Poland.
>>
>>3305727
>she's fantastic at her SEAD role, but that doesn't really help if we get our cover blown and end up in prolonged dogfight
I'm going to disagree here. Her talents by themselves make her very well suited for medium and long range engagements. She's gifted at EW, which is certainly extremely useful for SEAD but is definitely not the only use for it. If the enemy can only reliably get locks on us with heaters, we're at a significant advantage, especially if we set out with a medium range role in mind.
>>
[x] It’s like that for a reason, though.

“It’s like that for a reason, though.” You point out, watching a westbound airliner about twenty thousand feet above you cross about thirty miles to your north. You can’t actually see it, of course- you can barely make out the vapor trail at this distance, even with the computer enhanced imaging, but you still know it’s there- you’ve got full data from the civilian radars in the area as well.

“There’s a difference between training hard and just getting the snot beat out of you.” She says, which, you have to admit, isn’t wrong- but in this instance you don’t think that you’re just getting the snot beat out of you. “We’re coming up on the entry corridor to the range complex.” She warns, a second before a new voice pops out of the inbuilt headphones of your helmet.

“’Morning, Eagle Zero-One.” He says, his tone businesslike, but friendly enough. “This is Rabbit, your friendly neighborhood AWACS. We’ll be controlling this exercise. Check mode settings and enter the range complex at your discretion.”

Some days, you wish the military was a little more professional. There’s a culture throughout the entire DoD that, according to everyone, wins wars- but it results in exchanges like that. Things are very hands-off. Vaguely, you wonder if you got that from your Maman, then shake it off- doesn’t matter. The military has managed to win more than one war like this, and you doubt you’ll be able to change it.

“Copy, Rabbit.” You respond, noting that Danielle’s established the real-time datalink with the AWACS. You’re not sure who all is going to be watching it- those kinds of feeds, even these days, are expensive and can be difficult to maintain, but at the same time, the E-3 above will be recording the data as well for later replays. “Eagle One, entering the complex”

Dainelle exhales loudly enough for the intercom to pick it up as you descend to five thousand feet and enter the range complex. “Weapons coming up now.” She says- you can feel the systems warm up.

[] How are we loaded?
[] What’s our first target?
>>
>>3305822
>[X] How are we loaded?
>>
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>>3305822
>[x] How are we loaded?
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>>3305822
>[x] What’s our first target?
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>>3305822
[x] How are we loaded?

Is this not something we should have known before we touched the embarkation ladder?
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>>3305822
>[x] How are we loaded?
>>
>>3305822
>[] How are we loaded?
>>
>>3305822
>[x] How are we loaded?
>>
>>3305822
>[] How are we loaded?
>>
>>3305822
>[] How are we loaded?
>>3305857
You'd think.
>>
>>3305876
>>3305857
We even did the walkaround. You'd think we saw what we were carrying when we checked if it was properly attached.
>>
>>3305903
>3305903
Wyvern has internal bays IIRC, they may have been sealed up.
>>
Votes called!

We're gonna have a slightly longer break after this next update, I need to run to the store to grab a couple things. Coffee, mostly.
>>
>>3305909
Do you remember in the walkaround with merlin? Those bays are open so we can check to make sure everything is properly secured.
>>
>>3305949
Hmm...
Then why the fuck are we asking?
>>
>>3305965
That's what's got sand in all our Craws. We're trying to work that one out.
>>
>>3305965
General case of nerves? Making sure they all show up for her? Maybe the bays were closed for some reason?
>>
>>3305965
>>3306007
>>3306010
The Matrons are putting chemicals into the water to make us more dependent on witches, thus we ask such questions.
>>
>>3306010
Maybe the issue is that we're expected to perform a simulated role. We're not flinging real ords around, especially at witches or other pilots, so they could try to handicap us with a specific simulated load out.
>>
[x] How are we loaded?

You’re about to ask how you’re loaded- typically you’d know as soon as you activated VDNI, but not in this case. Still, as she brings the weapons online, you know immediately what they are- and where. Your forward centerline has 3 AGM-88E AARGMS- antiradiation weapons, though these are captive test systems, without a warhead or motor. The rear has six 500lb paveways. Your nacelle bays are each loaded with four sidewinders, while the shoulder bays both have four agiles apiece. It’s a reasonable payload for self defense- sixteen dogfighting missiles on a wyvern is enough even for a witch to take notice. It does leave you at a disadvantage at long ranges- normally you’d have preferred AMRAAMS, but you suspect them being omitted was a deliberate choice- they want you to have to engage at close range, if you do.

“Push us down lower.” Danielle says from the back. “Assuming they’re modeling correctly, we’re going to need to be about five hundred AGL. I’d advise we play this fast and hard, and hit these two sites first, then scoot southeast and hit the last one. That’ll open a hole in their air search network and means we won’t have to pop surface-to-air sites with the paveways. It’ll also mean that S-400 can’t start tracking us till we’re almost on top of it unless they go active with their own search set.”

True enough, her proposed route would do just that- and you’re already committed to an area that’s heavy with surface to air assets. But you can see an alternate- the lone southeastern set is kind of isolated, and while it’s well-defended, if you knock it out, you’ll have a route in through the mountains they can’t track.

Either way, there’s no way they won’t react to their ground search radars getting ‘killed’, so you won’t have long to act. Her way leaves you with the most room to move, but only one antiradiation missile- unless you attack the radars with the paveways. But yours means flying into one of the thickest layered missile and gun areas of the complex, as near as you can tell.

[] Hit all three sites, as she suggests- this was what she did, afterall
[] We’re not opening a hole for follow-on forces- just hit the isolated site and go for the target complex.
>>
>>3306132
>[] We’re not opening a hole for follow-on forces- just hit the isolated site and go for the target complex.


Literally no one would expect this.
>>
>>3306132
>[x] We’re not opening a hole for follow-on forces- just hit the isolated site and go for the target complex.

I feel like we're about to enter BRRT flak country but when has that stopped anyone?
>>
>>3306132
>[] We’re not opening a hole for follow-on forces- just hit the isolated site and go for the target complex.
>>
>>3306132
>[] Hit all three sites, as she suggests- this was what she did, afterall

This was her specialty, let's see what she can do.
>>
>>3306132
>[x] Hit all three sites, as she suggests- this was what she did, afterall
>>
>>3306132
>[x] Hit all three sites, as she suggests- this was what she did, afterall
>>
>>3306132
>[] We’re not opening a hole for follow-on forces- just hit the isolated site and go for the target complex.
More ammo gives us more options.
>>
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>>3306132
>[x] We’re not opening a hole for follow-on forces- just hit the isolated site and go for the target complex.
>>3306161
I'm more worried about that possible aggressor witch...
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>>3306187
We can always do as Fronk did.

And take a witch through the engine.
>>
>>3306132
>[x] We’re not opening a hole for follow-on forces- just hit the isolated site and go for the target complex.
Gotta go for the goal, can't always afford to faff around.
>>
>>3306132
>[X] We’re not opening a hole for follow-on forces- just hit the isolated site and go for the target complex.
>>
Ok, votes called!
>>
>>3306132
>[x] Hit all three sites, as she suggests- this was what she did, afterall

Changing the plan this late is not a great idea. An isolated site also likely has some sort of backup. If we're encountering REDAIR, that's where it will happen, and we're here to test Danielle's witching, not our own flying. I'm pretty sure everyone playing this quest knows how well a bishop can dogfight. Let's defer to the witch.
>>
>>3306293
>>3306297
Hurr Durr, missed the vote.
>>
>>3306297
F
>>
>>3306132
[] We’re not opening a hole for follow-on forces- just hit the isolated site and go for the target complex
>>
[x] We’re not opening a hole for follow-on forces- just hit the isolated site and go for the target complex.

You begin a southward turn to go after just the isolated radar site- there’s no reason to go after the two other sites, since you’re not opening a hole for follow-on aircraft, just one enough for yourself. “We’ll just take the southernmost site.” You say, pushing a little lower over the desert. “We’re not going to have long before they vector air after we start killing their radars.”

“Leaves a lot of radars up though,” She points out, “And it means there’s really only one route for us to use in and out.”

“Also leaves us ords to attack as needed.” You point out. “We’ll only need to use one harm this way, not all three.”

“We hope.” She responds. “Still, you’re the AC, so it’s your call.” She doesn’t seem angry or disappointed- in fact, if anything, she sounds more eager, as if you’ve given her more of a challenge.

“Search radars up!” she calls, a few seconds later. “They’re too far out still, I can’t tell what flavor they are, but there’s multiple, so some of the SAM sites have theirs up as well. I’ll try to get a fix on them for weapons.”

“What about their AWACS?” You ask- you haven’t felt any radars yet, but you wouldn’t- the warning receivers you’ve got right now are fairly weak, and would struggle to detect anything but a fire control radar.

“Nothing yet.” She says. “No aircraft, either. We’re not radiating, but if you’re getting worried maybe we should?”

[] No, leave the radar off.
[] A little paranoid, yeah. Warm it up.
>>
>>3306462
>[x] A little paranoid, yeah. Warm it up.
>>
>>3306462
>[x] No, leave the radar off.
Run in Cold, let our witch tell us when the time to go hot is. We'll focus on flying, she'll count targets.
>>
>>3306462
>[x] No, leave the radar off.
Gotta be sneaky for now.
>>
>>3306462
>[] No, leave the radar off.
>>
>>3306462
>[x] No, leave the radar off.
>>
>>3306462
>[x] No, leave the radar off.
>>
>>3306462
>[] No, leave the radar off.
>>
>>3306462
>[x] No, leave the radar off.
>>
>>3306462
>[] No, leave the radar off.
If we're going the back way we should be sneaky.
>>
>>3306462
>[x] No, leave the radar off.
>>
Ok, votes called!
>>
[x] No, leave the radar off.

“No, leave it off.” You say- You’ve got an itchy feeling between your shoulder blades that seems to be crawling up your neck. You’re not sure what it is, exactly- but at the same time, you’ve got a good guess. “How long till we can hit the search radar?”

“Five minutes, three if you pop up. It’ll give them a look at us, but only for a minute while we launch.” She says.

“Let me know when we hit the decision point.” You say, following the best flight path, hugging the sides of the terrain and staying low enough that nothing’s going to be able to make you out against the ground. You’re not sure how you know, though you suspect it’s got to do with the AI- especially if Merlin’s already been at it.

“Make the call now, Boss.” Danielle warns.

[] Make the popup attack- shut the radar down sooner, then get moving to the target.
[] Stay low, take the slower approach. You don’t want them to get a look at you.
>>
>>3306641
>[x] Make the popup attack- shut the radar down sooner, then get moving to the target.
>>
>>3306641
>[] Stay low, take the slower approach. You don’t want them to get a look at you.
THIS IS A SNEAKING MISSION
>>
>>3306641
>[x] Stay low, take the slower approach. You don’t want them to get a look at you.
I'm not sure if they know we picked a SEAD witch, but if we take down the target, they lose either way.
>>
>>3306641
[] Stay low, take the slower approach. You don’t want them to get a look at you.
>>
>>3306641
>[] Stay low, take the slower approach. You don’t want them to get a look at you.
>>
>>3306641
>[x] Stay low, take the slower approach. You don’t want them to get a look at you.
>Navy declares F-35 at Initial Operating Capability during today's run
WHAT HAVE YOU UNLEASHED GHOST
>>
>>3306641
>[x] Make the popup attack- shut the radar down sooner, then get moving to the target.
>>
>>3306641
>[x] Make the popup attack- shut the radar down sooner, then get moving to the target.
>>
>>3306641
>[] Stay low, take the slower approach. You don’t want them to get a look at you.
>>
>>3306641
>[X] Stay low, take the slower approach. You don’t want them to get a look at you.
Nin Nin~
>>
>>3306641
>[] Make the popup attack- shut the radar down sooner, then get moving to the target.
>>
>>3306641
>[] Stay low, take the slower approach. You don’t want them to get a look at you.
Sneaky time
>>
votes called!
>>
[x] Stay low, take the slower approach. You don’t want them to get a look at you.

“We’re gonna stay low.”

“Good call.” She responds. “I think we’d have been fine if they got a look, but better they didn’t.” She says. “Two minutes to launch point.”

The two minutes seems to crawl- you’re sure something’s seen you at least once- though you can’t be sure what. You keep expecting a warning shot through your brain- hostile radar lock, laser lock, anything, but nothing happens.

“Bandits!” Danielle calls, a split second before your attention is pulled to them. “Two aircraft, Raptors by the looks of it. No idea which flavor. One o’clock high, level continued left turn.”

“Tally Ho” You respond, indicating you see them, their distinctive silhouettes standing out in the sky. “Two raptors, one o’clock high. Doesn’t look like they’ve seen us yet.”

“They will pretty quick if we launch on that radar.” She warns. “If you wanna bypass it, I think I can keep it spoofed for us to get through, they’re not looking for us yet, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to do it on the way out, especially not if there’s other emitters in the area. Your call.”

[] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.
[] Have Danielle spoof it and bypass it- it’s a risk later, but it delays the warning that much longer.
>>
We're gonna take the overnight break here, guys- I gotta go make tea and take a shower yet, and I think we're in a good place to go into friday from.

If friday runs long, we may continue in to the weekend, though I'm planning to go hit up my old home field to see how things are there if the weather is good, so we'll have to see.
>>
>>3306769
>[] Have Danielle spoof it and bypass it- it’s a risk later, but it delays the warning that much longer.
>>
>>3306769
>[x] Have Danielle spoof it and bypass it- it’s a risk later, but it delays the warning that much longer.

Thanks for the run Chief
>>
>>3306769
>[x] Have Danielle spoof it and bypass it- it’s a risk later, but it delays the warning that much longer.
Good run.
>>
>>3306769
>[x] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.

We do need it gone on the way out and I doubt we'll have the time to get a good launch when it is active, in full alert and we are getting pressed by Air.
>>
>>3306788
true.

>>3306769
>[x] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.
Switching vote to this
>>
>>3306769
>[x] Have Danielle spoof it and bypass it- it’s a risk later, but it delays the warning that much longer.

>>3306778
Thanks for the run boss, any new writefag posts?
>>
>>3306798

None yet! I know there's at least one guy working on something, but I haven't heard anything else up to this point.
>>
>>3306769
>[x] Have Danielle spoof it and bypass it- it’s a risk later, but it delays the warning that much longer.
>>
>>3306769
>[] Have Danielle spoof it and bypass it- it’s a risk later, but it delays the warning that much longer.
>>
>>3306798
>>3306809
I'm kind of waiting until we get a little deeper into the story before I make any concrete writings. For now I build ideas.
>>
>>3306769
>[] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.
>>
>>3306769
>[] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.
>>
>>3306769
>[X] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.
We're just going to have to pass back this way on the return, might as well neutralize it.
>>
>>3306769
>[x] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.
>>
>>3306769
> Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.

As if pantsy ass f35 is able to hit the might wyvern power
>>
>>3306769
>[] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.

go loud now
>>
>>3306769
> [] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.
>>
>>3306769
>[] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.
because this
>>3306788
>>
>>3306769
>[] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.
>>
>>3306769
>[X] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.
While Danielle is putting a good bid in for Best Girl status, we need to push her a touch, see how she handles things other than making enemy radars her bitch.
>>
>>3307582
Honestly I'm not a fan, she has a bit of a chip on her shoulder that kinda pisses me off, and so far she's lacking in flexibility.
>>
>>3307582
Merlin is best girl. This is a scientific fact. We have a date with her tonight. The witches we are trying out only need to be selected for skills/friend-zoning.
>>
Ok guys, votes called!
>>
>>3307582
>>3307758
y'all realise we've literally known her less than a day, right?
>>
>>3308145
And unless we want the RIO selection process to take longer than it already will, that's all the time she'll get. Initial impressions count for a lot, and it's ok to not like someone.
>>
>>3307758
>she has a bit of a chip on her shoulder
You may as well have said "she's a fighter pilot/witch," anon.
>>3308072
Merlin is married with daughters. Infidelity is not sexy.
>>
>>3308145
I've never liked her.

She is not cute enough.
>>
>>3308186
Honestly, it would’ve been a tragedy if she didn’t pass down her genes as soon as possible. So she needed someone for that. Fine. Doesn’t mean they’re in love.
>>
>>3308145
Yes and her first impression isn't great.
>>3308186
Having a grudge against the world is stereotypical fighter pilot? Coulda fooled me man. Something to prove is fine, but she's not coming off as having something to prove, she's coming off as "The world is unfair to me" and that's a shitty attitude that I wouldn't want on a team with me.
>>
[x] Hit it- they’ll still take time to find us and we can deal with them later if we have to.

“We’ll hit it.” You say, arming the missiles- which, oddly enough, still requires you to reach out and flip open the safety cover on the master arm switch to hit it. With the master arm now live, you don’t have to think about it long- Danielle provides a firing solution as soon as the missiles flash from ‘arming’ to ‘rdy’ and you kiss a computer-simulated AARGM on it’s mach 2 way.

Of course, the radar operators will ‘see’ the missile coming almost as soon as it clears the terrain- which will be any second now. While it’s over fifty miles away, they’ll have less than two minutes to respond, and you don’t intend on hanging around, knowing that either way they’ll have to shut down the set to have a hope of defeating the missile- and that the newer AARGM will home on jam and go for a last known location before activating it’s own seeker head.

Fifteen second after launch, they see the missile screaming their way. “They’re shutting down their radar!” Danielle calls from the back seat. “Search radar is down, but those raptors are turning this way. They’re still not emitting. SAM sites in the area are warming up, still no radars though.”

As high as they are, that’s foolish, you think. The Raptor’s stealth is good- marginally better than the wyvern’s, even. But they were sitting far too high, especially against a Wyvern, where the AI would have seen them, even if you hadn’t. There’s no way they’ll see you against the ground right now- unless, of course, they’re king raptors with the EOTS. Of course, if the other SAM sites start using their search radars, there’s not much you can do to avoid it, either.

You push east, letting the tension build. “Good hit!” Danielle calls from the back, about a minute and a half later. “Radar site reported killed by range control. SAM complexes are using their own linked search radars, but they’re not gonna find us without the big sets.”

“How far to the target complex?” You ask- you’ve got a computer-provided estimate, but you don’t entirely trust it yet.

“At this speed and altitude, four minutes.” Danielle responds. “We could push south along this route here to shave a couple minutes of time off, but the terrain there is a lot more flat, it’ll be a lot harder to hide. We stay to the north, it’s closer to seven minutes, but we’ve got these mountains. As long as there’s no witches we’ll be fine there.”

[] They’ll be vectoring air, we’re going to need to hurry- take the southern route.
[] They can’t shoot what they can’t see- we’ll take the northern route and run the risk of REDFOR witches.
>>
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>>3308298
>[x] They’ll be vectoring air, we’re going to need to hurry- take the southern route.
I'd rather have to deal with the Raptors than witches.

Especially if the witches have King Raptor strikers (if those exist).
>>
>>3308298
>[] They’ll be vectoring air, we’re going to need to hurry- take the southern route.
>>
>>3308298
>[x] They’ll be vectoring air, we’re going to need to hurry- take the southern route.
>>
[x] They’ll be vectoring air, we’re going to need to hurry- take the southern route.

Almost missed this. I never even realized there had been an original Strikers '16 until months after it had been put on hiatus. Not gonna miss this one!
>>
>>3308298
>[] They’ll be vectoring air, we’re going to need to hurry- take the southern route.
We needed to hit that site, but it ought to show them where to start looking. We need to beat feet before they show up to sniff around.
>>
>>3308311
The original 16 run was... bad. I was not in a good headspace. If I could, I'd take that whole run back.

course, I wouldn't mind a re-do of most of last year and the year before, being honest. maybe back to '16. Haha!
>>
>>3308298
>[] They can’t shoot what they can’t see- we’ll take the northern route and run the risk of REDFOR witches

WE'RE ALREADY CREEPING, MIGHT AS WELL KEEP CREEPING
>>
>>3308298
>[x] They’ll be vectoring air, we’re going to need to hurry- take the southern route.
>>
>>3308315

I thought it was okay at the very least. Though I gotta say the Garcia subplot was probably gonna end in the most obvious way possible.

Still was excited to see where it would have gone. But I'm already liking this version more to be honest, been a fan since the original Strike witches Quest run WAY back then.
>>
>>3308298
>[X] They can’t shoot what they can’t see- we’ll take the northern route and run the risk of REDFOR witches.
>>
>>3308298
>[] They’ll be vectoring air, we’re going to need to hurry- take the southern route.
>>
Ok votes called!

Sorry about the delay there, had to make evening chow.
>>
[x] They’ll be vectoring air, we’re going to need to hurry- take the southern route.

You bank the wyvern south, already thinking. There’s no way they’re not vectoring air to look for you, there’s only so many places that shot could have come from, and they know it. “We’re going south.” You say, mentally checking your air-to-air weapons again. It’s fortunate you’ve got the all-aspect Sidewinders- radar isn’t worthless against the raptors, but you’d rather not tip them off till the last second.

“Two minutes!” Danielle calls. “The Raptors have gone active! They’re both in scan, I’m deflecting it. Not much I can do against the EOTS though, if they’re kings.”

Fifteen seconds pass tensely- you’re out over the open desert now, exposed as all hell. The ETOS on king raptors or F-35s could certainly see you against the ground- and you’ve no way of dealing with that, though you’re confident Danielle can handle their fire control systems fairly easily. “Heads up, we’ve got a heavy group inbound on us, hot.” Danielle calls. “Got them with the shortrange shit, but they’re lightnings, for sure.”

“SPIKE!” she calls, a second later. “AMRAAM launch from the raptors! I’m jamming, but they know we’re here now!”

[] Enagage them! You can outrun them, but they’ll be tracking you and vectoring everything else in on you!
[] Break away and extend- they can’t catch you, and all the reinforcements in the world won’t matter after you hit your target!
>>
>>3308497
>[] Enagage them! You can outrun them, but they’ll be tracking you and vectoring everything else in on you!
We need to buy ourselves a little breathing room
>>
>>3308497
>[] Enagage them! You can outrun them, but they’ll be tracking you and vectoring everything else in on you!

SILENCE THE DOGS AND THEN DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT
>>
>>3308497
>[x] Break away and extend- they can’t catch you, and all the reinforcements in the world won’t matter after you hit your target!

If the engagement goes slow, you'll find yourself fighting 6 targets rather than 2, and the mission will still be incomplete. Take the mission, then fight what they vector in, rather than the whole set.
>>
>>3308497
>[x] Enagage them! You can outrun them, but they’ll be tracking you and vectoring everything else in on you!
>>
>>3308497
>[x] Break away and extend- they can’t catch you, and all the reinforcements in the world won’t matter after you hit your target!
>>
>>3308497
>[] Break away and extend- they can’t catch you, and all the reinforcements in the world won’t matter after you hit your target!
>>
>>3308497
>[x] Break away and extend- they can’t catch you, and all the reinforcements in the world won’t matter after you hit your target!
>>
>>3308497
>[] Enagage them! You can outrun them, but they’ll be tracking you and vectoring everything else in on you!
>>
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>>3308497
>[x] Break away and extend- they can’t catch you, and all the reinforcements in the world won’t matter after you hit your target!
Our goal is to smash the target, not play games with Chair Force. If we fuck around here, we have to deal with the reinforcements either here or at the target zone.

Both are equally bad.
>>
>>3308497
>[x] Break away and extend- they can’t catch you, and all the reinforcements in the world won’t matter after you hit your target!

>>3308530
makes a good point, methinks. Want to make sure we complete the mission before getting bogged down doing the fun bits, fighting everyone.
>>
>>3308497
>[] Break away and extend- they can’t catch you, and all the reinforcements in the world won’t matter after you hit your target!
>>
Ok, votes called!
>>
[x] Break away and extend- they can’t catch you, and all the reinforcements in the world won’t matter after you hit your target!

You don’t like the odds- six verse one is about even odds for you, considering your lack of longer-ranged AAMs, and there’s too much risk of getting bogged down in a furball for additional aircraft to jump in on you.

Instead you open up your throttles more, pushing them into the afterburner range and pushing away from the Air force birds, knowing they can’t catch you- even king raptors in full blowers would struggle to keep up, let alone catch you.

“Multiple radars coming up!” Danielle calls. “I’ve got them all, but as soon as we climb to hit the target complex we’re going to be lit up like the fourth of July. We’re not loaded with retarded bombs, so our minimum safe height is eight hundred feet at our best release speed.”

You’d acknowledge her warning, but you’re busy- less than a minute out at this speed, you’re already lining up. You can’t afford to slow down much, but, thankfully, the Wyvern’s AI is helping run most of the hard math- all you have to do is keep the nose pointed where it wants.

It’s an unwelcome shock when you, almost involuntarily, break right in a brutal turn, hammering you back into your seat at the same time Danielle calls the warning- “Witches at eight! She’s firing!”

Shit.

[] Keep everything clean and tight, and try to escape east, get into the mountains.
[] Too many eyes to get away now, let’s see how good these witches really are.
>>
>>3308737
>[x] Too many eyes to get away now, let’s see how good these witches really are.
>>
>>3308737
>[] Too many eyes to get away now, let’s see how good these witches really are.
Better we take the fight now, otherwise we'll be forced into one later.
>>
>>3308737
>[] Too many eyes to get away now, let’s see how good these witches really are.
>>
>>3308737
>[x] Too many eyes to get away now, let’s see how good these witches really are.

Looks like we gotta fight.
>>
>>3308737
>[x] Keep everything clean and tight, and try to escape east, get into the mountains.

I don't want to dogfight a witch. If she's firing, she has a solution. I'm not seeing us making a reversal on a Wyvernbreaker.
>>
>>3308737
So this is where we're going to need to follow Danielle's lead if we're winning this one. We need to use her talents as best as we're able to get out clean.

Thing is, I'm not sure what she'd prefer. My gut is to go into the mountains--she's going to have an advantage there, but that lets us burn more time and distance, to string out the rest of redair and keep the fight between us.
>>
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>>3308737
>[x] Keep everything clean and tight, and try to escape east, get into the mountains.
Even if we can evade her shots, every second the sparkle ties us down is a second longer for the Raptors and Panthers to catch up.

And as >>3308775 said, this is a SEAD mission, she knows how to operate in that terrain.
>>
>>3308737
>[] Keep everything clean and tight, and try to escape east, get into the mountains.
>>
>>3308737
>[] Keep everything clean and tight, and try to escape east, get into the mountains.
>>
>>3308737
>[x] Keep everything clean and tight, and try to escape east, get into the mountains.

Somebody better pick up that phone... Also, witches, plural? Could of sworn there'd only be one.

Hrm... Better chance of survival if we make it to the mountains and take her down there. The 35's and Raptors are gonna be slinging long distance at us, if only to keep us suppressed as the witch goes in for the kill with her gun, we can't jam bullets. Better to make the fighters play whack-a-mole for us in the mountains.
>>
>>3308737
>[X] Keep everything clean and tight, and try to escape east, get into the mountains.
>>
>>3308737
>[X] Too many eyes to get away now, let’s see how good these witches really are.
>>
>>3308737
>[X] Keep everything clean and tight, and try to escape east, get into the mountains.
>>
>>3308737
[] Too many eyes to get away now, let’s see how good these witches really are.

I'll be damned if I give these chair force witches the satisfaction of shooting us that day.
>>
Votes called!
>>
[x] Keep everything clean and tight, and try to escape east, get into the mountains.

With two witches here- and at least six fighters just seconds out, you’re starting to see why Danielle called these exercises stacked against you. You’re already breaking east- you pour it on, bringing the throttles up into the WEP range, dumping fuel and magical energy into the turbines. It’s less than twenty miles into the mountains- and it seems neither of the witches was expecting you to break away, as it takes them a second to give chase. Still- now there’s two witches and six fighters after you that you know about.

“What’s the plan, chief?” Danielle asks, as you duck into the mountain range, at least able to break line-of-sight from the witches, though your own electro-optical systems can see the raptors on the way, only a few seconds away in supercruise. “I can handle all the search radars in the world, and maybe spoof EOTS, but I can’t do much but throw shields against bullets. We keep going like this they’re either gonna chase us straight out of the range or run us out of gas.”

[] Ask her for options- what would she do?
[] She’s right- we’ve got to do something other than run, here.
>>
>>3308960
>[x] She’s right- we’ve got to do something other than run, here.
>>
>>3308960
>[x] She’s right- we’ve got to do something other than run, here.

Fuck you we've got a Wyvern.
>>
>>3308960
>[] She’s right- we’ve got to do something other than run, here.
>>
>>3308960
>[] She’s right- we’ve got to do something other than run, here.
>>
>>3308960
>[X] She’s right- we’ve got to do something other than run, here.
>>
>>3308960
>[x] She’s right- we’ve got to do something other than run, here.
>>
>>3308960
>[x] She’s right- we’ve got to do something other than run, here.
>>
>>3308960
>[x] Ask her for options- what would she do?

This is her wheelhouse and she's been on combat ops before. What's she think.
>>
>>3308960
>[x] She’s right- we’ve got to do something other than run, here.

Is it possible to run low enough and only pop up to take the shot on the mission target?

also:
>>3306297
I was late for the vote on exactly the vote where I warned you guys about this exact scenario.
>>
>>3308960
>[x] She’s right- we’ve got to do something other than run, here.
>>
>>3308960
>[] She’s right- we’ve got to do something other than run, here.

FUCK IT, WE'RE DOING IT LIVE!
>>
>>3308960
>[] She’s right- we’ve got to do something other than run, here.
All we've done is run ourselves into a corner here. We should have picked off some of these guys before they all socked in on us.
>>
>>3308960
>[X] She’s right- we’ve got to do something other than run, here.
>>
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>>3308988
At the very least we know that, most, if not all OPFOR planes are chasing us at the moment.
>no more than six steelwings, and no more than one witch
We've confirmed two sparklies. There might be a third witch out there at least, too (presumably near the objective, or we've been herded into the mountains for a wombo combo from all three). The matrons probably got too excited that we were flying and made a bit more witches go up than usual.
>>3309002
I was of the opinion of taking out the Lightning's at least as they seemed most capable of tracking us. Considering they got to us a bit too quickly, at least one of those Raptors was probably a King type, unless one of their witches had a spatial awareness magic ability.
>>
Ok, votes called!
>>
[x] She’s right- we’ve got to do something other than run, here.

She’s right- you’re running out of options. “How long can you keep them from getting a missile lock?” You ask, rapidly running through what you know.

“Not that long with the EO systems.” She admits. “But the missiles can be decoyed or spoofed, I’ve done that more than enough times to know. I can spoof radar and lasers all day, but optical is impossible for me.”

You nod, thinking. You’re probably up against witches that have done this before- no doubts the pilots have too. While you’re reasonably sure there’s only as many as there are because of you, you do have a couple advantages- like knowing that USAF witches always operate in pairs. Standard practice would be for them to stay low, in the mountains, where their size and maneuverability advantages would be the most pronounced, even against you.

Of course, the Wyvern, perhaps controversially, was designed to kill witches- the decision to go with four guns wasn’t made arbitrarily. Most witches’ shields can’t withstand more than a second or two of sustained fire from a wyvern, at least, according to most models.

[] We’ll stay low, try and get the witches first- they’ll be the hardest targets
[] We’ll go high- the witches won’t be able to stop us before we can get at least one of those raptors.
>>
>>3309106
>[x] We’ll stay low, try and get the witches first- they’ll be the hardest targets
>>
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>>3309106
>[x] We’ll go high- the witches won’t be able to stop us before we can get at least one of those raptors.
We need to knock out their support, we need to fight on OUR terms, not theirs. Engaging the witches while the raptors can sling missiles from a higher energy state than us is a bad idea.
>>
>>3309106
>[x] We’ll stay low, try and get the witches first- they’ll be the hardest targets
>>
>>3309106
>[] We’ll stay low, try and get the witches first- they’ll be the hardest targets
If we can pop them without the raptor being able to get down with us the odds should even up a little.

Aren't witches big on climbing due to great power to weight?
>>
>>3309106
>[X] We’ll go high- the witches won’t be able to stop us before we can get at least one of those raptors.

If we can splash the steelwings, we would then have altitude (energy) to BOUNCE the witches after
>>
>>3309106
>[X] We’ll stay low, try and get the witches first- they’ll be the hardest targets
>>
>>3309106
>[x] We’ll go high- the witches won’t be able to stop us before we can get at least one of those raptors.
>>
>>3309106
>[] We’ll stay low, try and get the witches first- they’ll be the hardest targets

FUCK IT, WE'RE ALREADY THE LIFE OF THE PARTY, MIGHT AS WELL PUT ON A SHOW
>>
>>3309106
>[x] We’ll go high- the witches won’t be able to stop us before we can get at least one of those raptors.
>>
>>3309106
>[] We’ll stay low, try and get the witches first- they’ll be the hardest targets
>>
I'mma speed up the voting a bit guys, I don't want to end this midway through and don't want to run till 04! haha. Votes called!
>>
[x] We’ll stay low, try and get the witches first- they’ll be the hardest targets

“Alright, keep those missiles off us.” You say, hugging a mountain in a tight turn. “We’re going after the witches, first.”

“Got it.” Danielle says, her tone professional and focused- she’ll be plenty busy back there, you know, but you have no reason not to trust her. “I’m working additional contacts out there, those raptors have to be kings, they’re linked with multiple other aircraft, so you’ll need to do those witches quick if you’re doing them.”

You don’t bother responding- it’s not something you really need to, as near as you can tell. The news that the raptors are the king variants doesn’t really come as a surprise- the original models are largely phased out, except in a few air national guard units.

Instead, you start looking for the witches- down here in the mountains, they can be hard to find, but you’ve got the advantage of multiple sensor systems. You’re looking for anything- and it only takes a second to get something.

They’ve split up, one witch pushing hard east above the mountains- only just barely visible, even to you. The other’s down low- she’s communicating by radio, and that’s what gives her away. She’s confident- overly so, you think- that they’ve got you in a vise. You’re running scared, in her opinion- they plan to pinch you in in about a two minutes, using the raptors and lightnings above you as top cover to keep you pinned in the mountains. They’re stuggling to keep firm contact on you- Danielle’s doing, you suspect- but they’re sure you’re not going to be able to get out of the terrain without them knowing it.

Of course, all that hinges on you not knowing their plan- one witch alone is at terrible risk from a Wyvern.

[] Go for the low witch first, knock her out- she seems to be the lead, here.
[] Get in position to jump the high witch when she comes down for her pincer, see how they like that!
>>
>>3309244
>[X] Get in position to jump the high witch when she comes down for her pincer, see how they like that!
E N E R G Y
>>
>>3309244
>[x] Go for the low witch first, knock her out- she seems to be the lead, here.
>>
>>3309244
>[x] Get in position to jump the high witch when she comes down for her pincer, see how they like that!
>>
>>3309244
>[X] Get in position to jump the high witch when she comes down for her pincer, see how they like that!
>>
>>3309244
>[x] Get in position to jump the high witch when she comes down for her pincer, see how they like that!

The lead is probably more experienced and better dodging. She's bait. Classic thatch tactics.
>>
>>3309244
>[x] Get in position to jump the high witch when she comes down for her pincer, see how they like that!
>>
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>>3309244
>[x] Get in position to jump the high witch when she comes down for her pincer, see how they like that!
>>
>>3309244
>[x] Get in position to jump the high witch when she comes down for her pincer, see how they like that!
>>
>>3309244
>[] Get in position to jump the high witch when she comes down for her pincer, see how they like that!
We're already pretty low, let's not spend what little smash we still have.
>>
>>3309244
>[] Get in position to jump the high witch when she comes down for her pincer, see how they like that!

GALAXY BOUNCE
>>
Votes called!
>>
[x] Get in position to jump the high witch when she comes down for her pincer, see how they like that!

It doesn’t take but a second to make a decision- the low witch thinks you’re running scared- and it’s fine to let her keep thinking that. You’re watching the high witch, careful to only use thermal and electro-optical to track her- there’s no way for either of those to be detected, unless she’s a talent like Danielle- and if she is, there’s not a lot you can do anyway.

Instead you push over into a bank, careful to keep to the terrain as much as possible- the mountains are getting heavier here, though not enough so that you’re able to gain any altitude. Still- you’re able to get into a good position without, you hope, having been seen too much. “They’ve all gone active.” Danielle calls from the back. “Keep us in the mountains and they won’t have a clue where we are.”

You’d respond, but at that moment, the witch dives into the mountains, reversing her direction- not quite where you’d estimated, but close.

[] Hit the WEP and get her ASAP- if she links back up with her lead, we’re in the shit
[] Stalk her a bit, look for a clean shot- we can’t afford to screw this up
>>
>>3309313
>[x] Hit the WEP and get her ASAP- if she links back up with her lead, we’re in the shit
>>
>>3309313
[] Hit the WEP and get her ASAP- if she links back up with her lead, we’re in the shit
>>
>>3309313
>[] Hit the WEP and get her ASAP- if she links back up with her lead, we’re in the shit
>>
>>3309313
>[x] Hit the WEP and get her ASAP- if she links back up with her lead, we’re in the shit
>>
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>>3309313
>[x] Hit the WEP and get her ASAP- if she links back up with her lead, we’re in the shit
>>
>>3309313
>[x] Stalk her a bit, look for a clean shot- we can’t afford to screw this up
>>
>>3309313
>[X] Hit the WEP and get her ASAP- if she links back up with her lead, we’re in the shit
>>
>>3309313
>[] Hit the WEP and get her ASAP- if she links back up with her lead, we’re in the shit

BIG RED BUTAN
>>
>>3309313
>[] Hit the WEP and get her ASAP- if she links back up with her lead, we’re in the shit

GO SPEED RACER, GO
>>
>>3309313
>[] Hit the WEP and get her ASAP- if she links back up with her lead, we’re in the shit
3FAST5FURIOUS
>>
>>3309313
>[x] Hit the WEP and get her ASAP- if she links back up with her lead, we’re in the shit
>>
Ok, votes closed!
>>
[x] Hit the WEP and get her ASAP- if she links back up with her lead, we’re in the shit

Your mother taught you many, many things in life.

She also knew, somehow, that you were destined for this kind of life- something in your blood, she said. Clearly something from your father- she never much cared for flight strikers, preferring by far the ground sets. She also taught you that, no matter what, surprise, speed, and violence of action would often carry the day.

“WEP.” You warn over the intercom, a second before engaging it, feeling, rather than seeing, the fifty foot UV afterburner plumes with their multiple shock diamonds come thundering out of the exhausts of the wyvern’s turbofans. The sudden rush of Gs smashes you into the ejection seat as your wyvern accelerates through it’s high speed transition into mach almost instantly.

The witch, for her part, no doubt warned by the cries from above as the massive thermal plume rises above the mountains, is already on her back, weapon aimed down her body, between her strikers. You can see the packets of energy sent out by the modified MILES gear she carries- defensive fires, trying to keep you from obtaining a solution. Of course, she doesn’t know what you do- that the AI in the wyvern’s already accounted for that, and provided you the answer.

There’s a split second when her rifle’s bolt slams home on an empty chamber- and you had a count in your head the entire time. You’re already lining up as it does so- and the gun camera records the kill. Had this been real, she’d be a fine mist, if that- of course, you expended a little much ammunition on her, but there’s nothing to be done for that.

You can see her frown as she rolls over, dropping back behind you and climbing away.

“Damn.” Danielle remarks- you can see her helmeted head tilting up, watching the girl head off to some anchor point to await the conclusion of the exercise. “We just did her dirty. They got a good look at our afterburners, but they’re too far away for heaters, and AMRAAMS aren’t going to work well this low. What’s our next move?”

[] Can you keep them from getting a firing solution long enough for us to bounce the other witch from above? I don’t want to try to find her in this mess.
[] We’re going to stay low and head back for the target range- they’ll be shook, now.
>>
>>3309395
>[X] Can you keep them from getting a firing solution long enough for us to bounce the other witch from above? I don’t want to try to find her in this mess.
Leaving a witch on our tail is no bueno.
>>
>>3309395
>[] Can you keep them from getting a firing solution long enough for us to bounce the other witch from above? I don’t want to try to find her in this mess.
>>
>>3309395
>[x] We’re going to stay low and head back for the target range- they’ll be shook, now.
>>
>>3309395
>[] We’re going to stay low and head back for the target range- they’ll be shook, now.
>>
>>3309395
>[x] Can you keep them from getting a firing solution long enough for us to bounce the other witch from above? I don’t want to try to find her in this mess.
>>
>>3309395
>[X] Can you keep them from getting a firing solution long enough for us to bounce the other witch from above? I don’t want to try to find her in this mess.
>>
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>>3309395
>[x] We’re going to stay low and head back for the target range- they’ll be shook, now.
Our objective isn't to bounce Sparklies, as fun is that is, besides, element of surprise is gone, her lead is going to be expecting us to try and bounce her too now.

But not us breaking off and going for the objective.

And the SAMs and light AA may work to our favor here.
>>
>>3309395
>[x] We’re going to stay low and head back for the target range- they’ll be shook, now.
>>
>>3309395
>[x] We’re going to stay low and head back for the target range- they’ll be shook, now.

Now's our chance to make it. With lead witch warned, she's much more ready. I'm not taking that fight when we have an opening to run the objective.
>>
>>3309395
>[] We’re going to stay low and head back for the target range- they’ll be shook, now.
>>
>>3309395
>[x] We’re going to stay low and head back for the target range- they’ll be shook, now
>>
Ok, votes called!
>>
[x] We’re going to stay low and head back for the target range- they’ll be shook, now.

“They’ll know we’re dangerous, now.” You respond, rapidly hammering the Wyvern through three hard turns, all switching back on each other. “We’re going back for the target range.”

“Understood, I’ll keep them off us. I’ve almost got their network plotted out, there’s an additional pair of king raptors off to our east, but they’re pushing to join. Be here in about two minutes.”

“This’ll be over by then.” You point out, checking the distance to target- you’ve strayed a bit far east, but you’re still masked enough by the terrain for now- though you won’t be for much longer. “We’ll be out of terrain in ten seconds.” You call back, watching the hills rapidly shrink around you.

“Multiple fire radars!” Danielle calls. “They’re linked in with the raptors, I’ll work the missiles! Watch the guns!”

Actual defensive emplacements around the target buildings- a bunch of plywood buildings, and worn-out shipping containers- are fairly thin- a single Type 09 system, which, while armed with a pair of 35mm guns, isn’t much of a threat to you, designed as it is primarily to engage low, slow CAS birds and helicopters.

“Pickle! Pickle!” Danielle calls as you ripple fire your payload of live bombs- More than enough to demolish the complex behind you. “Break! Break!”

You slam the wyvern into a hard turn, breaking into a defensive turn. “That other witch got in behind us!” Danielle warns.

[] Job’s done here, and staying to fight isn’t going to do us much good. Go for the northern range exit, it’s closest!
[] If she’s that insistent, we’ll tangle with her, too.
>>
>>3309485
>[X] If she’s that insistent, we’ll tangle with her, too.
>>
>>3309485
>[x] Job’s done here, and staying to fight isn’t going to do us much good. Go for the northern range exit, it’s closest!

I'm pretty sure everybody is here just to clean our clock, let's not play games, do the job and go home.
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>>3309485
>[x] Job’s done here, and staying to fight isn’t going to do us much good. Go for the northern range exit, it’s closest!
Doesn't matter if she's actually the Wyvernbreaker or not, we finished our mission, time to go home, besides, we have no idea where the Panthers are and the Raptors are likely turning towards us as we speak.
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>>3309485
>[x] Job’s done here, and staying to fight isn’t going to do us much good. Go for the northern range exit, it’s closest!
Operation HAUL ASS is a go!
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>>3309485
>[X] Job’s done here, and staying to fight isn’t going to do us much good. Go for the northern range exit, it’s closest!
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>>3309485
>[] If she’s that insistent, we’ll tangle with her, too.

FEED ME SPARKLES
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>>3309485
>[] If she’s that insistent, we’ll tangle with her, too.
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>>3309485
>[x] Job’s done here, and staying to fight isn’t going to do us much good. Go for the northern range exit, it’s closest!
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>>3309485
>[x] Job’s done here, and staying to fight isn’t going to do us much good. Go for the northern range exit, it’s closest!

There's a book written for witches wiping wyvern pilots. The book for Wyvern pilots fighting witches is two sentences. It reads as follows: "You can't do this. If you can do this, you'll die in the process."
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>>3309485
>[x] If she’s that insistent, we’ll tangle with her, too.
We were lucky the other one didn't pop her ability off, this one might.
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>>3309485
>[] If she’s that insistent, we’ll tangle with her, too.
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>>3309485
>[] Job’s done here, and staying to fight isn’t going to do us much good. Go for the northern range exit, it’s closest!
time to do our best Zoidberg impression
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>>3309505
But we just did, Anon.
>>
Votes called!
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>>3309535
He means trying to energy fight with her while we've got Raptors and F-35s circling overhead.
The Raptors might join the dogfight party if they feel like it and that is VERY bad for us.
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>>3309535
One, that we had the drop on, in gun range, with a pre-planned surprise attack. Not one that we'd have to turn with, who's starting on our tail, and is fully aware of our capabilities, and who, even if we do manage to reverse on, simply has to hold out until 6 reinforcement aircraft arrive, which is T-100 seconds or less.
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>>3309539
I think y'all are underestimating the capabilities of the Wyvern v Witch/Raptor.
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>>3309551
I think you believe we're fronk, God of the sky, and are therefore unquestionably invincible with plot armor that would make zeus hide his lightning bolt out of shame and inadequacy. We are not.
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>>3309555
No, we're Morgan, his spawn, his only male child, and that of the Mother of Night. So I'm pretty confident on us being able to give him a run for his money.
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>>3309555
This, we're not nearly as skilled or experienced as Fronk.


Not yet at least.
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>>3309565
It's possible we haven't even inherited Fronk's DFM and have something else instead. I.E., Young was blessed by the machine god, Sean was a newtype, Ian's radio wave shenanigans...
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[x] Job’s done here, and staying to fight isn’t going to do us much good. Go for the northern range exit, it’s closest!

You shake your head- you want to engage, but the situation isn’t anywhere near as favorable as you want. The job is done, and while you’re sure they expected you to take out more targets, you’re happy to just get out of the range.

She gives chase for a short distance- but with WEP engaged, you’re faster than anything they’ve got, and you rapidly separate from the fight and exit the range complex- Danielle jams out the pair of SAM sites guarding the northern exit, but you don’t slow to engage them.
“Eagle has exited the range, all aircraft this exercise is over.” Rabbit calls as you cross out of the northern boundary and into the ‘chute’- the semi controlled airspace where you reestablish contact with a ground control station and get your vector home.

“Phew.” Danielle says over the intercom as you turn west, climbing to fifteen thousand feet. “Not bad for a first ride.”

You shake your head, convinced you could have done better- but you don’t say anything, unwilling to ruin it for her. Still, the flight back is quiet- Danielle was clearly working hard back there, and is feeling pretty out of it. Landing proves easy enough, with a sense of relief hitting you as your gear kisses the pavement. The aircraft marshal directs you back onto the pad near the hangar again, and you shut the wyvern down, the AI switching to standby as you do so.

“Welcome back, sir.” The Chief says, meeting you on the ground- you notice the truck parked nearby. He looks over at it. “That’s for Danielle, if she needs it- Miss Wells said she wanted to talk to you about the jet and she’d be giving you a lift.”

Of course she did.
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>>3309587
Inb4 our supergnome power is to omae wa mou shindeiru people before they even know we're.
>>
Sorry guys- I cut that shorter than I'd planned initially for two reasons. One is it's 0345, and the goal was to NOT be here till 04... haha. yeah, we see how well that worked out. How do you guys feel about the 15 minute vote times? Better? Worse? let me know.

The second reason is, for some reason, I'm super sick and lightheaded all of a sudden. Not sure why, but it's making typing pretty tough, so I'm going to drink some water and go lay down, I think.

Anyway, that's it for the week guys, I'll catch you again next Wednesday. Till then gents, Cheers!
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>>3309603
catch you then, chief. Thanks for the run. Everything went better than expected for me.
>>
>>3309603
I like the 15min vote times more honestly, it gets us into the thick of things more. Also are we getting just the one flight with Danielle or are we getting multiple flights with her.
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>>3309603
It was a good run. And the 15 min timers do speed things up a bit.

Just don't kill yourself trying to do the next run, and maybe go see a doctor okay?
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>>3309608
This was our second flight with her. It looks to be multiple flights with each witch, but I couldn't tell you how many we are going to have. Could be 2, could be 3, could be 5.
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>>3309603
shorter vote times when theres plenty of us around are fine by me

go chug a tonne of water boss, dehydration is a bitch
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>>3309603
Definitely like the faster vote. Thanks for the run boss, looking forward to next time.
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>>3309603
Great run Ghost, had a lot of fun! The 15 min vote times are definitely a plus.
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>>3309601
Or the ability to have everyone thirst for delicious brown without even realizing it, oh wait...
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>>3309655

Dubs confirms it. Morgan got Franks raw magnetism. Hahaha.
>>
>Still, the flight back is quiet- Danielle was clearly working hard back there, and is feeling pretty out of it.

See at this point I think Danielle is a hard pass for me. I'm not a fan of her attitude, from what I've seen so far she's having a hard time thinking outside of a SEAD role, and it doesn't look like she's got the raw power even in her given talent to do what we need to do, I'm not expecting another Merlin, but being exhausted after maybe 10 sec of Magi-Burners and spoofing a squadron or two of aircraft? That doesn't bode well.
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>>3309891
So you didn't bother reading any of the previous thread or the introduction to the plane with Merlin then.
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>>3309891
Along with all the ground AAA. Sounded like a lot more then 10 seconds to me. SEAD focus is obvious, but this was a ground strike mission in which we had to fly through a bunch of AAA emplacements.
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>>3309891
I disagree with your assessment of the amount of radar and other systems pointed at us that she told to git fucked, but I also want to fly with Young or Sakamoto, so fuck me sideways!
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>>3309891
>>3309899
>>3309992
>>3310048
Her magic also provides part of WEP, if I recall. And we basically left all but one site and a witch standing for the entirety of that run, then had to deal with missiles once all the sets went hot.

I think we should get an after-action and see exactly how much she was actually contending with. It's easy to say she didn't do much without any input on seeing what she suppressed or juked.
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>>3309594
Merlin is the scientist from top gun. The choice is obvious.
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>>3309891
Mostly agree.

We have to consider that this is probably now standard we'll judge the other options. She's baseline by grace of going first, but basically what I consider baseline by effect as well. She let's us do our thing and we get a good defense boost.

But

I don't think she's a game changer. We know that the ceiling is entirely dependent on us and she's just there for the ride. She'd probably be good as a wing, if anything-- not a partner.
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>>3309669
And maybe his Stu-ness, but that's probably arguable for now
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>>3309891
Here it is again. You seem to have a very skewed minimum bar. You expect that from the getgo with an aircraft we've started flying literally yesterday, we and any witch with us should be able to surpass our father and merlin, who were literally THE BEST EVER™ and are both ridiculous outliers in their fields. What you expect is quite literally impossible, and should not be used as a baseline for any judgements.

>>3310218
Even without the after action, keeping no less than 4 king raptors and two witches spoofed long enough for us to bounce a witch without her seeing us on radar is immense. We can be certain she's at least good at what she does. The ability to hold us in magic afterburner while all that is going down in unquestionably beyond what a regular witch should be capable of. She's definitely no slouch.
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>>3309899
I did, did you? Because the from the explanation of those systems, plus the background from -89, the advanced AWACS systems in the Wyvern should have made her job infinitely easier.

>>3310048
>>3310048
She's a SEAD specilized witch, with the magi-tech stuff in the Wyvern she should have been able to jam all that stuff for hours without getting tired. And we were on WEP for maybe 10 secs, probably less than that. So I have some pretty serious concerns about her combat endurance

I'm hoping we end up picking either Kyou or Young. Or Wendy, I'm also good with Wendy.
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>>3310455
No I don't expect that. What I expect is that, in their specialized role, using a system designed to make it infinitely easier, to not be exhausted after what is going to be considered bare-minimum use once shit actually goes hot. We're American, not British, combat endurance isn't a foreign concept to us.

> The ability to hold us in magic afterburner while all that is going down in unquestionably beyond what a regular witch should be capable of.

No, no it isn't. Even the Sherks could do this much.
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>>3310477
The sherks were a pair of witches whose power amplified when together. They're not a great example. We're a man and a witch. What you don't seem to be understanding isn't the concept of combat endurance. It's the concept of training and experience, of which we have next to none as of yet. We've just been given the real thing after going through presumably a year or more of book work and theory. We're probably not at the "Dogfight 60 super aggressors designed to fight wyverns" point yet.
Also, while Merlin has been a major catalyst in making the wyvern a capable aircraft for witches and pilots, it's been stated that no aircraft yet made has again matched the specs of Fronk's Wyvern-Merlin. Our aircraft is actually less suited to bullshit than theirs. The years of development went into making it possible for others. Not making it so others could use the system to a higher degree than merlin.
From your posts, you also seem to think that our role is exclusively air superiority and fighter vs other fighter combat. Have you never considered that such a role might not be what we're destined for?
(This is the US after all. Because if every fighter isn't a multirole, what's the point of having an Airforce)
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>>3310477
Although i'm not in Danielle's /fit/ness camp like that anon, we were in a vanilla Wyvern without any of the extra bits that'd probably reduce her jamming strain. I wonder if this exercise was chosen just to showcase her ATG talent... Though military exercises from a hat is a possibility too.

That said I'm looking forward to testing with Lotus and PHOENIX.
Oh geez, you just reminded me. Any sherk spawn are cousins if they kept their relationship after the war...
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>>3310499
>I wonder if this exercise was chosen just to showcase her ATG talent

See, this feels likely to me--they threw two witches in on top of an already stacked gauntlet of enemy air defenses. I think the fact that we got through at all is a showcase for what she can do under duress. I imagine the next test scenarios will be tailored to the strengths of the other backseater witches on our list.

I'm also really hoping the next updates from Ghost help actually make clear what did and didn't happen on this run.
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>>3310496
I agree that we're not a "Dogfight 60 super aggressors designed to fight wyverns" point yet, but in case you missed the whole thing, Danielle is a combat experienced SEAD witch. As in this is her bread and butter, she did it for at least two tours....and she's huffing and puffing after what, again, is going to be considered bare minimum use once things go hot. In a system designed by the great magician Merlin to make things like this infinitely easier than they were in '89. We get it, Danielle is your waifu this go round. I don't think she's that great compared to the rest of them. Hell if we want combat experience, Wendy has them all beat, and we want RAW defensive power, PHOENIX-chan is the top of the list. This was supposed to be her specialty, the thing she trained out the ass for and has actual combat experience in, and she came up short in my opinion.

As for the specs thing. Having solid Magi-tech that's not quite as good as what was on the Wyvern-Merlin is still better than no magi-tech at all, which is what those Raptors and King Raptors had.

>From your posts, you also seem to think that our role is exclusively air superiority and fighter vs other fighter combat. Have you never considered that such a role might not be what we're destined for?

Yes, I have, and then immediately discarded that idea because guess what? This is basically an Ace Combat quest with witches, and playing a ground attack or SEAD role would be extremely boring. Not to mention the Wyvern is an air dominance fighter. The fact that it can carry ATG munitions is because of the loleverythingismultirole mentality that the modern military has.
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>>3310523
While I'll admit I am quite fond of danielle, you clearly are not. Maybe one of the Wendy voters? It shouldn't matter either way. As for the Huffing and Puffing, It's entirely probable that a good portion of that is G forces. We were doing the same thing. It's also well understood that even after modifications and years of development, the wyvern takes quite a toll on witches who are not merlin. All Wyvern witches will likely end up like this after such a flight. You also have to understand that this is no more than her second flight in such a system, and the system hasn't been properly tuned to her magical signature yet. As merlin mentioned, it's not set properly for our witch. That probably has a large part to do with why it would be draining.

I'll freely admit I got a little ahead of myself with the multirole idea. It's pretty clear which way this quest is designed to go... but who knows. Ghost might get an idea for a little twist again.
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>>3310535
>you clearly are not. Maybe one of the [not danielle] voters?

>how dare someone not like my waifu
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>>3310538
Believe it or not, I'm generally not into /fit/ girls. I happen to like Danielle's personality in this case. I will however, freely admit that I have a bias on this one. It doesn't change my arguments though.
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>>3310538
In think the point is that wendy or anyone else on the list would likely have the same issues to too lack of magic attunement, lack specialty gear, new to this and G-forces.


Frank and Merlin were some utter bullshit and expecting even Morgan to be comparable right now is folly.
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>>3310535
A fair point, still don't like her attitude or lack of flexibility.
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>>3310544
>>3310538
Actually I was pulling for either Young or Sakamoto.
>>
Not saying Danielle is perfect, but you seem very intent on convincing us she's worthless. Consider the scenario and outcome again. 8 air supremacy jets, 2 witches and a bunch of actually dangerous AAA/SAM. (Would be nice to get a count on that one). All jets bamboozled and left in the dust because their BVR didn't work, 1 witch splashed, flew through the SAM net without a missile launch, ground installation cratered. Morgan and the jet did a lot, but so did Danielle.
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>>3310554

Yeah, I think people are selling Danielle short because all of what her ability did for us is mostly in things which did not happen - i/e we didn't get obliterated my missiles over and over again.

If we ran this mission with somebody who had a different talent set, we probably could not have done it how we did it this time without eating a lot more shrapnel cereal.
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>>3310535
>>3310554
>>3310560

This, only a witch with copious amounts of magical energy, IE Merlin or Yoshika, would be able to operate something on the Wyvern's level in its near stock configuration.

Danielle's suppression abilities are nothing short of amazing. We'd have certainly failed the mission without her.

That said, we still need to see everyone if possible before making a choice, and even if we don't pick her in the end, we should still recommend she be shortlisted for the next Wyvern that comes through.
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>>3310563
And by operate I mean do so with minimal drain issue.
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>>3310560
>>3310563
This is true. Still think PHOENIX-Chan is our best bet here.
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>>3310567
Agreed.
Top of her classes and tests? Check.
Likely outside of local matron politics? Check.
Scarier magic potential then Natalya, who made Frank pause? Check.
It's only a bonus that she'll get the most interesting storyline down the pipe as a Princess.

I'm not saying to make her our waifu during these initial waifu wars, we still need to get assigned to a squadron and meet the other witches and the other Wyvern duo there. She's just the funnest option to take in my opinion. That said, we still don't know what she's like at all, so...

Lotus'll be neat too. She's Merlin-lite with her ability and pretty good since she dedicated herself to test piloting. only issue I'd see is IIRC Earhart during SWQ was a matron herself, so she might probably be important to that Coven, unless she decided 'fuck it' and went corporate to fly.

Now that I think about it, wouldn't we know IC or WANT to KNOW who's flying for WHAT Coven, and what each Coven WANTS?...
Well, other then our geneseed and access to the Bayou Coven...
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>>3310590
IIRC most of the covens in the States unified post WW3, the Bayou coven was one of/the exception.
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>>3310554
>but you seem very intent on convincing us she's worthless
All that's been said is that she isn't perfect and may not be a good fit, not useless.
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>>3310535
>>3310554
Found an interesting thing from last thread

>The interfaces on your jet are set to the lowest, easiest draw that they can be to run the wyvern’s systems. It’s almost as gentle as initial flight training strikers, since really they just need the energy for the AI, avionics, and the war emergency power foci. All the other stuff we can either bring up later or when you get to the fleet.

So this was on bare minimum draw.
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>>3310661
Jesus Christ.
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>>3310661
Withes usually need some time to adjust to the new strikers
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>>3310661
That was diagnostic and setup for our first flight, with all of the systems spun up. This was an actual wargame. WEP was involved.
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>>3310901
This

>>3310661
I appreciate you finding that, but as Anon mentioned, it's not the case for the mission we just flew.
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>>3310901
>>3310970
I didn't see anything stating that they changed the settings at all for this flight. If you could point out where that was said that'd be awesome, as it'd alley at least some of my concerns.
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>>3311316
It's not explicitly said how it was changed, but the Chief mentioned it before we got in the cockpit.
>"she [Merlin] wanted to tell you that they tweaked the jets a bit, based on the data from your first flight, and that she could explain what was going on there later."
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>>3311316
>>3311344
We were also using those previously disabled or minimized functions to fly and fight. The AI was online and helping designate targets for us. Radar set was active and patched in to Danielle for use, we engaged combat maneuvers and WEP, and basically did everything except actually fire a shot in anger at a real hostile target.
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Gotta admit, that one anon shitting on Danielle for not being literally endgame Merlin when she doesn't even have /plugs/ yet is very annoying.
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>>3311477
Also funny how he's attempting to minimize the significance of her spoofing AN ENTIRE AIR DEFENSE NET.
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>>3311506
And not some shitty second class middle east Air Defense network, but a proper AMERICAN one, holy shit!
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>>3311528
Not really an American one.

But a mixed Russian-Chinese one, which is pretty goddamn hard to deal with, maybe a bit more so than a ground based US one.
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>>3311477
Dudeski I'm not shitting on her for not literally being endgame Merlin. Quit exaggerating. Expecting the Second Coming of Merlin is stupid considering that Merlin is busted. I expected more out of a SEAD witch doing a SEAD mission.
>>3311506
2 witches, 6 aircraft, 3 mobile radar trucks and an unknown number of SAMs, no more than 6 probably. That was like, bare minimum operating conditions in '89. And this whole exercise was going on for 20min maximum. Considering that this is supposed to be her specialty, something she has combat experience with, and outside of this she's supposedly average I expected her to be not be huffing and puffing at the end of this, otherwise we're in for a rough time.

Maybe the plugs will help, maybe they won't, I was always under the impression that those didn't do much for magic expenditure for the witches. Maybe it's just acclimatization sickness, I don't know if that's even a thing in jet-based magic-draw systems. But so far I'm disappointed with her endurance, not her performance.
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>>3311563
>2 witches, 6 aircraft, 3 mobile radar trucks

That's a lot of shit for a single witch to spoof. You aren't making a good case for your argument.
>>
you SEAD worshippers seem awful defensive whenever someone even remotely criticizes her. She has her benefits and her flaws. Trying to deny either only weakens your argument.
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>>3311580
A single witch in the most advanced fighter on the planet with the most advanced ECM, ECCM and Radar equipment on the planet, when having incrementally better equipment supposedly makes it exponentially easier for them to do their thing. The equipment in the Wyvern is supposedly leaps and bounds ahead of anything that we were facing in that exercise. And again, this is supposed to be her specialty, and unlike last go round we're not getting ALL the good stuff in one package. So if we pick Danielle, we have to give up crazy strong shields, and fixing mechanical faults in flight, and insanely enhanced weaponry, and all the other stuff that Merlin did in '89. So since we're going specialist, I'd hope that our specialist can actually last longer than 20min.
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>>3311613
>>3311606
I can't speak for the other SEAD people, but I for one think that while Danielle could have done more, she certainly did alright for what the mission called for. I'm also under the impression that most of Fronk's magic was dodging missiles once they'd been fired, rather than stopping the enemy from gaining a lock. It's Hard to say exactly how effective Danielle was in that battle, just as it's hard to tell from Ghost's current posts exactly how the wyvern was changed from the last flyout. Therefore, I resign that continuing this debate is for the most part pointless at this time.

TL;DR It's probably for the best to wait until the Debrief at the start of the next thread, when we'll get an analysis probably from both merlin, and at least one of the witches on that hop, if we're lucky. Then we'll have some better concrete answers.
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>>3311613
It could be a mix of lack of acclimatization, the WEPing, the Wyvern not being attuned to her, including a lack of plugs, and the end of a combat adrenaline high for why she's so exhausted. That mix would leave most exhausted I'd assume.
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>>3311640
That I can agree with.
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>>3311640
Probably the best idea.
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>>3311613
>A single witch in the most advanced fighter on the planet

Wyvern is not Fenrir.

>with the most advanced ECM, ECCM and Radar equipment on the planet

King Raptors and F-35s aren't far behind, if at all. Include their optical systems which don't give much of a fuck about things like ECM. I do not understand why your threat assessment of them is so low.

I'm not saying Danielle is who I want to fly with, btw. Still pulling for Young or Sakamoto for the sheer unbridled insanity. I just think your arguments highly undervalue what we faced.

>>3311640
This.
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>>3311673
>Wyvern is not Fenrir.

Most advanced production fighter on the planet, fine. Point still stands.

>King Raptors and F-35s aren't far behind, if at all. Include their optical systems which don't give much of a fuck about things like ECM. I do not understand why your threat assessment of them is so low.

>I'm not saying Danielle is who I want to fly with, btw. Still pulling for Young or Sakamoto for the sheer unbridled insanity. I just think your arguments highly undervalue what we faced.

I don't think so at all, she was pretty clear about not being able to do anything about the EOTS on the King Raptors and Lightning II's, and that's fine I doubt anyone other than Merlin and maybe Natalya could, but the radar and stuff is again, bread and butter. These were non-magical radar, even if they are advanced ones, spoofing those should be childs play to a SEAD witch in a wyvern. But I'll be happy to wait for the post battle analysis from Merlin.
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>>3311827
Countering radar generally works best when they don't know where you are and are on a wide search. Once they get a fix, the beam narrows and becomes much, much more powerful and harder to defeat. Practically impossible, even.

And the planes and witches on top were telling the radar exactly where to look.
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>>3311893
Yeah but they were either on wide band or in the mountains for most of that exercise. So even if they had a fix on us when we popped up, they would have lost it as soon as we dropped into the mountains, since they sure as hell didn't know where we were when we popped that witch.
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>>3311961
Dude they knew where we were the moment we hit the first installation.
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>>3312016
Much as I'm impressed you guys managed to keep the discussion going even after we agreed it was unnecessary, I've got to side with Yellow IP Anon here in that Knowing our general location is not the same as Having a positive radar signature or firing solution.
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>>3312061
>Knowing our general location is not the same as Having a positive radar signature or firing solution.

It is not, agreed, because then they would have fired on us in this situation designed specifically to test us. What it did do, was make it much harder for Danielle to deal with than I think is being given credit, because an unsuspecting radar net is a different beast than one that knows exactly what plane to look for, and in what area and altitude to look.
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>>3310554
It's basically one anon who wants a specific waifu over others on principal. To the point where they are

>>3310661
Outright lying about actual details in the quest, lmao
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>>3313019
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/3259941/#p3263610

Outright lying huh? Yeah, ok. Sure. Direct quotes are outright lying. Uh huh.
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>>3313030
You were claiming that this was done on "minimum power draw" like it fucking means anything, after we outsmarted six fighters, SAM networks, two witches (one of which would be paste). This was a different flight, with more shit being thrown into the mix. A flight that, as it turns out, we still accomplished the mission.

The mission was not to be Fronk.

The mission was not to kill absolutely everything in our path.

We had an objective, one that would ideally be assigned to more than just a single fighter. And we did more than "get away with it", we won a scenario that was clearly stacked against us. Because we know for a fact that is what they do to Wyvern drivers.

I'm not saying that the quote was a lie. I'm saying that your deliberate choice to present that quote as evidence that the character is 'weak' is the lie. You are literally making shit up to constantly discredit the effort on display here, before we've even SEEN what other witches are going to do. Eat shit.
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>>3313050
>I'm saying that your deliberate choice to present that quote as evidence that the character is 'weak' is the lie.

You mean presenting actual evidence that her combat endurance could be a problem? Because if directly quoting things that have been previously stated in universe is literally making shit up, then I'm not sure what would even qualify as not making shit up.

Point is you need to slow your damn roll fampai, and stop being a massive raging cunt.
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>>3311827
> and that's fine I doubt anyone other than Merlin and maybe Natalya could
Not sure where the debate is. It has to be one of these two. Let us eat cake!
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>>3313931
Natalya in a Wyvern would be terrifying
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>>3315779
I dunno. She had crazy magic strength, but wouldn't that only translate to more endurance over raw output in any steelwing?
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>>3317686
Sure though I was thinking more on how her whole 'Fuck You Physics' talent would work in the Wyvern.
>>
Ok guys! sorry for the later start, I'm trying to make dinner as I typed the OP, haha. Kinda getting tired of pasta and ground beef, but oh well, at least there's food. Anyway, no real news yet, so I won't bore you with meaningless updates!

================================================================================

The debriefing room is rather plain- chairs line most of the room, while a projector display is set up to face the northern wall, and a podium stands to one side, with a desk in the corner. A couple of ceiling fans stir the air halfheartedly- enough to keep the circulation going, but not enough to make it noticeably cooler in here. Still, it’s enough from letting you get drowsy, which is a boon- after a shower in the locker room and changing into a clean pair of khakis, you’re half ready for a nap. Of course, you know you won’t get one just yet- though you’re strongly considering just sleeping in one of the spare bedrooms at the vought house when the day’s over.

For her part, Danielle doesn’t look nearly as tired as you do- she practically skips into the room, and she looks to be far more alert and awake than you feel. Of course, that may be a front- but why would she bother? You dismiss the thought, instead taking a seat in the front row and pulling out your notebook- you’re sure there’s going to be a few pointed comments, here.

Danielle is followed in by the debriefing officer- a captain, by his rank pins, and Merlin. Of course, you think- she’s probably got more combat time than anyone on the base, save for maybe a few of the top gun instructors- and she knows the wyvern’s capabilities better than anyone else can.

“Good morning, Commander, Lieutenant.” the captain says. “I’m Captain Williams, commander of the top gun school here at Miramar. I’m also in charge of the Wyvern pipeline. I know you’re both probably tired and hungry, so I won’t keep you long. You both have already met rear admiral Wells.”

You blink- you were under the impression that your aunt had gotten out of the navy entirely, so him addressing her by rank comes as a surprise. Merlin, for her part, looks kind of uncomfortable at the title.

“Alright. Let’s start talking. Range control reports good hits on the target complex, one witch downed, and one search radar complex knocked out.” He says, bringing up the projector screen. “They also report the aggressors got you running pretty hard at first, and that you left a lot of SAM sites and AAA intact, and didn’t engage redair at all. Sound correct so far?”

[] Yes, Sir.
[] We weren’t running, sir.
>>
>>3323420
>[] Yes, Sir.
We were, in fact, running.
>>
>>3323420
>[x] Yes, Sir.
>>
>>3323420
>[X] Yes, Sir.
>>
>>3323420
[] We weren’t running, sir.
>>
>>3323420
>[X] Yes, Sir.

>rear admiral Wells
Anyone still thinking Merlin is for lewds need to repeat in their head "no fraternization".
>>
>>3323420
>[] Yes, Sir.

MORGAN CANNOT INTO SEAD
>>
>>3323420
>[X] Yes, Sir.
>>
>>3323456
To be fair the target was the complex itself, AD was secondary. Still we definitely should've done more at the very least in order to provide the Wyvern's AI more data. We got a bit too focused on the target
>>
>>3323482
True. Anon was waaaaaay too conservative in approach, we should have been clobbering everything we ran into
>>
Ok, votes called!
>>
>>3323420
>[x] Yes, Sir.
Nothing wrong with being cautious.
>>
[x] Yes, Sir.

“Yes, sir.” You nod- put like that, you reflect, it’s kind of hard to swallow, but it is what it is.

“Well, you’re as honest as they say. Good.” He says. “Now, look, I’m not going to drag you for this. You did hit the target complex and got out without anyone recording a hard kill on you. There were a couple hail mary launches from the raptors and one of the S-400 complexes, but they launched without a good fix. In any other situation, especially considering how green you are, that’d be an excellent showing.”

You nod again, sneaking a sideways glance at Danielle- she’s got her eyes locked on the projector display, showing a map of the exercise area with the SAM sites highlight.

“In a wyvern, however, that’s considered a barely passable score. That still puts you in the top half of the first timers, including guys transitioning over from tomcats or hornets.”

“A-and we need to point out that we didn’t do very well, either.” Merlin adds. “That mission set is designed for pilots who have flown hundreds of hours with the fleet already, and already know what we’re l-looking for in a wyvern crew.”

Her stutter returning is a sign that she’s nervous and uncomfortable- like she screwed up.

The Captain nods. “And we did.” He says. “You’ll have much more clear instructions for your next flights. Now, we’ve been talking with the pentagon, and they’re ok with giving you a second go with the commander- if you want, and she agrees.”

[] Yeah, I think I want a second chance at that.
[] I don’t think it’d matter, sir. We have a feel for what we can do now.
>>
>>3323567
>[x] I don’t think it’d matter, sir. We have a feel for what we can do now.
>>
>>3323567
>[x] I don’t think it’d matter, sir. We have a feel for what we can do now.
>>
>>3323567
>[] Yeah, I think I want a second chance at that.
You must fuck your auntie, countinue the Wells and the Bishop lineage!
>>
>>3323567
[x] Yeah, I think I want a second chance at that.

I think the fact that we passed even taking the circuitous route without hitting any secondaries, and survived the two aggressor witches is a sign there might be potential there. I want a redo after we get a chance to talk about it at length.
>>
>>3323567
>[X] I don’t think it’d matter, sir. We have a feel for what we can do now.

She did her job well, it's us that made the screw-ups.

>>3323482
>We got a bit too focused on the target
At least that happened in a test exercise and not actual battle. Remember the Kitty Hawk.
>>
>>3323567
>[] Yeah, I think I want a second chance at that.

FAIR SHOWINGS ARE FAIR
>>
>>3323567
[] I don’t think it’d matter, sir. We have a feel for what we can do now.
>>
>>3323579
>She did her job well, it's us that made the screw-ups.

I think that's the idea. We're getting a chance at a runback to try it again and coordinate with her abilities a little more closely. It's unusual to have a second chance like this offered, isn't it? Especially with other candidates to fly with. Makes me kinda feel like it's an "are you sure?" as much as anything.
>>
>>3323567
>[x] Yeah, I think I want a second chance at that.
>>
>>3323567
>[] Yeah, I think I want a second chance at that.
>>
>>3323567
>[X] Yeah, I think I want a second chance at that
>>
>>3323567
>[] Yeah, I think I want a second chance at that.
>>
>>3323567
>[x] I don’t think it’d matter, sir. We have a feel for what we can do now.
>>
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>>3323567
>[x] Yeah, I think I want a second chance at that.

>>3323576
pic related
>>
>>3323597
We passed, what difference will redoing to get a few more points make? Command threw us in the deep end where aces go expecting Frank level flying, forgetting that even he wasn't that good at the beginning. We're his unbloodied kid; that was unreasonable.
>>
Ok guys, sorry! votes called.

I'mma shoot for 20 minute voting periods for the thread, to see how that works out. 15 feels a little quick but 30 is def. too slow.

>>3323576
Being fair, you wouldn't be 'continuing' anything- you'd be starting a new one. And the matroncy would both sigh in contentment and weep in fear for what it would mean.
>>
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>>3323627
20 mins is good, more balanced.

>And the matroncy would both sigh in contentment and weep in fear for what it would mean.
>>
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>>3323597
I just get the feeling we're only being allowed this retry due to our Bishop status... I think it'd be OOC to accept it, and completely agree with the points >>3323579 brought up. But, seems we're running the gauntlet again. Oh well. Least we can score better this time around.
They're totally gonna slot in the Wyvern killer this time. It's a matter of pride now...

>>3323619
As far as I'm concerned we 'killed' one of the aggressor witches. Probably not the famed Miss Dragonslayer, but one that had experience nonetheless. I'd consider that a victory. Still could have taken down a few of the steelwings in that attempt though.
>>
>>3323567
>[] I don’t think it’d matter, sir. We have a feel for what we can do now.
>>
>>3323673
Oh, nevermind, missed it. That's what I get for not checking before voting.

Dang it guys, now the selection process is going to take even longer. We're now looking at at least 7 more flights (1 Danielle, 3 each for the others for fairness) before we can even vote for our RIO. That's a couple of months IRL. Then we can finally get out of the prologue and into the meat of things.
>>
>>3323683
you do make a point... I just wanted to try to run up the score
>>
>>3323683
Doubt they'll make it three each just because they're offering us a second chance with Danielle. If anything we won't get to fly with one of our alternates.
>>
>>3323704
They better be willing to give everyone a fair chance, especially for a screw up on their end. That means three flights apiece. there's going to be a lot of salt regardless of RIO choice, but it will be a hundred times worse if one of the witches gets shafted on test flights.
>>
[x] Yeah, I think I want a second chance at that.

You think for a minute- while you recognize that Danielle did her job, and did it well, if the best they ever got on you was a few ‘hail mary’ shoots, as the captain put it, you didn’t do that well, and it bothers you. “Yes, sir. I think I want a second shot with the commander.” You say, after a minute.

He looks over at her. “Commander?”

Danielle shoots a glance over your way as she responds. “I’d like that a lot, yes sir.” She says. “And thank you.”

He shakes his head at it. “We screwed up, and the program is small enough and important enough that we fix mistakes as soon as possible. You won’t fly again till the end of the cycle, but we’ll make sure you get a second shot, with a better mission profile.”

She nods.

“Alright. I think that’s enough then, for now. Your score, pending your second flight, isn’t the best, but it’s not the worst, so there’s that. Once you get your second flight we’ll enter it on record. Don’t expect this kind of thing every time though.” He says, turning for the door. “We don’t like keeping Wyverns from the fleet that long, but everyone gets one retry. Your fighter is going to be down for the rest of the day for more computer work, lieutenant, but the admiral said she had some things to go over with you and the commander, So I’ll leave you to it.”

“Thank you, sir.” You say, Danielle echoing it- you’re glad for a second chance to prove yourself with her.

Once he’s out, Merlin shuts it behind him again. “D-danielle, I’m sorry.” She says. “T-that was all my fault, I shouldn’t have l-let them push you like that.”

“Ma’am?” Danielle asks, sounding kind of confused.

“T-the profile was taken from a test and training m-mission myself and Frank did a year or so ago against roughly t-twice the threats. We were testing new ECM gear. Y-you did amazingly well with what you had.

Danielle blinks- and then gives a relieved grin. “That’s alright, ma’am.” She says. “I got a Gatorade when we landed, it’s all good.”

Merlin nods. “I-I want to talk with you later, i-if that’s alight.” She says.

“I’ve got to finish moving my stuff from San Deigo.” Danielle says. “And I was going to see a couple of friends this evening, but I can reschedule.”

“N-no, nothing like that. Before your next flight would be fine.” Merlin responds. “Y-you’re dismissed for now, I-I want to see you at fifteen hundred on the flight line. Wear your flightsuit, p-please.” She says, getting another nod from Danielle. “That’s a-all. Thank you commander.“

“Thank you, ma’am.” Danielle says, standing.

Merlin watches her leave, letting her close the door before looking at you.

“M-morgan, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t h-have gone along with that.” She says.

[] I’m not dad, Aunt M.
[] Shit happens, no worries Auntie.
>>
>>3323755
[x] Shit happens, no worries Auntie.

>>3323715
I'm perfectly willing to fly 3 with everyone. I am very happy for the second chance with Danielle though.
>>
>>3323755
>[x] Shit happens, no worries Auntie.
>>
>>3323755
>[x] Shit happens, no worries Auntie.
>>
>>3323755
>[x] Shit happens, no worries Auntie.
>>
>>3323755
>[] Shit happens, no worries Auntie.

Don't be mean to the Merlin.
>>
>>3323755
>[X] Shit happens, no worries Auntie.
>>
>>3323755
>[] Shit happens, no worries Auntie.
>>
>>3323755
>[] Shit happens, no worries Auntie

"I SMELL THE FOUL STENCH OF POLITICS"
>>
>>3323755
>[] Shit happens, no worries Auntie.
"I'm just mad I didn't do better. That's on me, not anyone else."
>>
>>3323755
>[] Shit happens, no worries Auntie.
>>
>>3323755
>[x] I’m not dad, Aunt M.

Morgan feels much more cool-headed than Frank. He won't pick a fight if he doesn't have to.
>>
>>3323755
>[x] Shit happens, no worries Auntie.

Can't be get mad at her and we definitely could have done better, even being tossed in the deep end like that.
>>
>>3323755
>[x] Shit happens, no worries Auntie.
>>
>>3323755
>[x] Shit happens, no worries Auntie.
>>
>>3323755
>[x] Shit happens, no worries Auntie.
I can't be anything but happy around Merlin.
>>
Ok, votes called!
>>
[x] Shit happens, no worries Auntie.

You smile and shake your head. “Shit happens, no worries, auntie.” You say. “I’m just happy they’re willing to give us another chance.”

She looks a little uncomfortable at that- but nods. “They weren’t w-willing to admit that it took Frank and I a y-year to get as good as we were. A-and that was in a shooting war. T-they’re going to do it again, too.”

“They are?”

“T-they want to push w-with the next two, K-kyou especially. She’s rated incredibly highly on strength indexes, maybe on par with Natalya. M-maybe stronger. It’s unusual but not impossible f-for a royal bloodline.”

You frown. “But Natalya’s... “

“Not natural. I k-know. You know she put in to fly with you? T-the board disqualified her on security grounds, she’s not navy.”

“She’s a Bishop, though.”

Merlin shakes her head. “N-not good enough. A-and they felt she wouldn't be a g-good match. For you. ah- “She blushes. “Y-you know.”

You sigh. “Oui, I know.” You say.

“I-it’s really not what the MIU is d-designed for.” Merlin says. “I-it’s why Frank and I don’t have the newer systems. But I can’t help it, and the new MIU is a huge improvement over the VDNI like we have. Your reaction times are already amazing, and I think with some tweaking we can make them better.”

She clearly feels better talking about technical aspects of the fighter- she always has.

[] Is that why you wanted to see the commander this afternoon?
[] So what’s this about you wanting me to make you dinner?
>>
>>3323925
>[x] So what’s this about you wanting me to make you dinner?
>>
>>3323925
[] Is that why you wanted to see the commander this afternoon?
>>
>>3323925
>[] So what’s this about you wanting me to make you dinner?


Why aren't we a good match?
>>
>>3323925
>[x] So what’s this about you wanting me to make you dinner?
>>
>>3323925
[x] Is that why you wanted to see the commander this afternoon?
>>
>>3323925
>[x] So what’s this about you wanting me to make you dinner?

>You know she put in to fly with you? T-the board disqualified her on security grounds
Not surprised but it would have been interesting to say the least...

>A-and they felt she wouldn't be a g-good match. For you. ah- “She blushes. “Y-you know.”
THOSE FUCKERS!
>>
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>>3323925
>[x] Is that why you wanted to see the commander this afternoon?
>>
>>3323925
>[x] Is that why you wanted to see the commander this afternoon?
>>
>>3323925
>[] So what’s this about you wanting me to make you dinner?
>>
>>3323925
>[] So what’s this about you wanting me to make you dinner?

FEED THE MERLIN
>>
I for one welcome the push for aggression.
Y'all niggas acting like we aint the son of a god flying around in mjolnir.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agl9jaKrBVQ
>>
>>3323925
>[] So what’s this about you wanting me to make you dinner?
>they felt she wouldn't be a g-good match. For you. ah- “She blushes. “Y-you know.”
Damn it navy, at this rate we might just shack up with a country gal just to spite them.
>>
>>3323925
>[x] So what’s this about you wanting me to make you dinner?
>>
>>3323925
>[] So what’s this about you wanting me to make you dinner?
>>
>>3323420
> though you’re strongly considering just sleeping in one of the spare bedrooms at the vought house when the day’s over.

[X]
>>
>>3323990
Why aren't we a good match? she is not blood related right or is she just too old?
>>
>>3323925
>[x] Is that why you wanted to see the commander this afternoon?
>>
>>3323925
>[X] So what’s this about you wanting me to make you dinner?
>>
>>3324013
Old, slightly nuts, no political power, unlikely to want in our pants. She would have been an interesting choice though, certainly.
>>
>>3324029
Not gonna lie, I think people would have hopped on that in like 10sec if it had been offered.
>>
Ok, votes called!
>>
>>3323990
Wager that's more the Matrons then the Navy

>>3324034
Can confirm
>>
>>3324034
I would have been slightly interested just to see what she's like since we have barely interacted with her as Frank.
>>
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>>3324013
>>3324029
>When you realize there's a shipping war occurring at the upper levels of the Navy, witch Covens, and the Pentagon
...This is both hilarious and depressing.
>>3324034
Yep, I'd have supported adding her to the lineup.
>>
>>3324048
Not gonna lie, it probably would've been Natalya, Kyou and either Danielle or Lotus at the top there if she had been on the line up. I could have seen her easily getting the most votes. Especially because:
>>3324047
That.
>>
[x] So what’s this about you wanting me to make you dinner?

Of course, just because she feels better talking about technical aspects, doesn’t mean you won’t occasionally poke at her just a little.

“So what’s this about you wantin me to make you dinna?” you ask, your accent slipping some as you grin.

True to form, she blushes a little. “W-well, I mean, i-if you wanted. I though i-it might be nice to have dinner, m-maybe invite o-one of your sisters or the c-commander.”

You laugh. “And let me guess, I’d need ta go get everything, oui?”

She nods. “I-i’ve been eating mostly take out and fast food.” She admits.

You shake your head at her. “One of these days, me or maman goan have to teach you to cook, auntie.” You say.

[] But I’ll cook, no problem.
[] If you’re going to want to invite someone else, we should just go out again.
>>
>>3324096
>[] But I’ll cook, no problem.
>>
>>3324096
>[] But I’ll cook, no problem.
>>
Anyone else feel like there’s a chance that the scores for Kyou could be artificially inflated? I know I’m reaching based on almost nothing here, but it’s a thought.
>>
Quick note guys, gonna be a bit longer here, gonna go grab a shower and make another jar of tea.
>>
>>3324096
>[] But I’ll cook, no problem.
>>
>>3324096
>[x] But I’ll cook, no problem.
>>
>>3324096
>[x] But I’ll cook, no problem.
When's the last time the Bishop clan was in New Orleans? Genuinely curious.
>>
>>3324103
It is suspicious the imperial princess has incredibly amazing scores, yes.
>>
>>3324103
It seems like it's a known phenomena among Royals, leading credence to the whole idea of the Mandate of Heaven.
>[] But I’ll cook, no problem.
INVITE THE IMOUTOS AND ONEE-SAN! Also Dad if he's still here.
>>
>>3324096
>[] But I’ll cook, no problem.
>>
>>3324096
>>3324120
Aaand I forgot to link my post.
>>
>>3324096
>[x] But I’ll cook, no problem.
>>
>>3324096
>[] But I’ll cook, no problem.
Kinda curious which sister we're gonna see this time.
>>
>>3324096
> [X] But I’ll cook, no problem.
It’s time.
>>
>>3324096
>[x] But I’ll cook, no problem.
>>
>>3324096
>[x] But I’ll cook, no problem.
>>
>>3324096
>[] But I’ll cook, no problem.

FEED ME SEYMOUR, FEED ME
>>
>>3324096
>[X] But I’ll cook, no problem.
Morgan's a good boy
>>
>>3324118
>>3324103
With how Japan works, I doubt her scores are artificially inflated. To try your hardest and fail is significantly better than to succeed without trying. Plus bloodlines are important, and the Japanese Imperial bloodline is the longest traceable royal lineage in history, with a continuous dynasty for over 1500 years with hard irrevocable evidence, and over 2500 years with good but incomplete evidence. It's quite possible she really is that powerful.
>>
>>3323755
>>3324147
Pretty much this, and Merlin confirmed it's a known phenomenon among royalty.
>>
>>3324147
All the more reason to inflate her scores. She's got a reputation to uphold, and as royalty she has to be the best of the best. Plus she's gunning for Bishop blood, so even more reason to inflate scores from the Japanese coven.
>>
>>3324096
>[x] But I’ll cook, no problem.
>>
>>3324096
>[x] But I’ll cook, no problem.
>>
>>3324147
Your points are all sound. I just can’t shake the feeling that it’s too good to be true.
>>
>>3324167
Much as I hate to argue for Kyou, as she is quite literally the most politically-fucked option, whom carries with her a Hotel Yamato full of baggage, you seem to have entirely missed my point. I'm saying that she doesn't have to inflate her scores because Witches grow in power over generations of bloodlines. BLOODLINES ARE IMPORTANT. There's a fucking good reason the witches want Fronk and Merlin to both continue their blood.
So if she's spawned from literally the longest traceable continuous royal lineage in fucking history, there is not a question in my mind that she should be able to easily be one of the top 10 most powerful witches to this point in history. It would not surprise me in the fucking least if her ridiculously high scores were actually lower than her real potential.
>>
>>3324167
I think you're vastly underestimating the importance of honor to the Japanese, especially the Imperial line, and ESPECIALLY in a universe where Imperial Japan was never defeated. That is something they would NEVER do.
>>
>>3324096
>[x] But I’ll cook, no problem.
>>
>>3324167
If anything they would understate it like >>3324184
Is stating here.
>>
ok, votes called!
>>
>>3324184
Oh right, that bit. We could use that to our advantage too. Still would be bound to get messy at some point. Merlin is waifu for laifu regardless. I’m just looking for the best back seater.
>>
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>>3324183
Eh, it's a small possibility that. But, she also might actually just be that OP. I'd assume like >>3324184 and >>3324188 said, faking it would be DISHONORABU for them.
>She scored TOP of ALL her classes - magical AND Wyvern SIO
I'm sure they double then triple checked her scores for this at whatever unit she tested with, even with the glowing recommendations from Japan. Oh, and -
>Had to use Soviet equipment to measure her magic power cause ours didn't go that high
That's... A bit terrifying actually.
She's going to be one of those Ojou types, isn't she...
>>
[x] But I’ll cook, no problem.

You laugh again at the flustered look on her face- Your aunt, for all her gifts, is far from what anyone would consider domestic. She can’t cook for anything, and isn’t much for doing chores, if you remember correctly- her house is usually a mess, at the best of times. Her fridge, last time you visited, was full of redbulls and little else.

“I’ll cook, oui.” You say. “Be heading off to get groceries though. You don’t have anyting at de house?”

“Monster.” She says, a bit weakly. “A-and some coffee.”

“Auntie.” You say, shaking your head. “Dat stuff will be de death of you yet.”

“I need it!” She says, protesting. “Y-you understand, don’t pretend you don’t. Y-you know witches need a lot of sugar!”

“Sure. But not all de other stuff dey put in dem drinks. I can make you de bes sweet coffee, you never notice de difference.”

“Not without an i-industrial pot you can’t.” She retorts. “O-or do you plan to move in and m-make four pots of coffee for m-me a morning?”

You just grin and move to stand up. “I got to do de grocery shopping. Unless ya had moah for me about de flight?”

She shakes her head. “N-no, but don’t think badly about Danielle.” She says, repeating her statement earlier. “S-she did amazingly well against all the threats that were up.”

[] I know, auntie. It was my fault, that.
[] I only wish she’d have said something.
>>
>>3324274
>[x] I know, auntie. It was my fault, that.
>>
>>3324274
>[x] I know, auntie. It was my fault, that.
>>
>>3324274
>[x] I know, auntie. It was my fault, that.
We made the decisions.

Also
>>3324244
Where'd you get those quotes?
>>
>>3324274
>[] I only wish she’d have said something.
>>
>>3324274
[] I know, auntie. It was my fault, that.
>>
>>3324274
>[x] I know, auntie. It was my fault, that.
>>
>>3324244
Personally I'm hoping (if we wind up paired with her) that she presents the elegant "ojou-sama" appearance to the world, but is secretly a total dork.
Like, she'd be completely comfortable playing the refined princess because that IS part of who she is, but it's not all she is. The other side of herself only comes out when she's safe behind a mask of anonymity, shitposting on 2ch about mecha shows (she can bond with Aunt Merlin over hating Macross Delta for the steaming pile it is).
>>
>>3324274
> [X] I know, auntie. It was my fault, that.
I mean, we decided to just do the job and bounce. It was a safe, defensive first run. And yes to moving in.
>>
>>3324274
>[X] I know, auntie. It was my fault, that.
It really kinda was, we were the one that changed the plan and made the driving decisions
>>
>>3324274
[] I know, auntie. It was my fault, that.

>>3324298
I absolutely love this idea. Or just that she's just a straight dork, not even an Ojou-sama outside of public events.
>>
>>3324274
>[x] I know, auntie. It was my fault, that.
>>
>>3324289
First thread. First two points count for all our backseaters too.
>Some of them are very highly recommended by the matron council, and tested very highly out of the academy at Annapolis or the citadel.
>all of them have tested with VX-4 or VX-1 and will have completed SIO school.
>She’s probably the strongest of the three witches in terms of raw power, with a shield that’s noted as being the strongest ever seen, bar none. Even the soviet communal shield equipment couldn’t match it. She’s also shown outstanding performance in every school she’s been through, graduating, without fail, at the top of her class.

>>3324298
Ugh, Delta had such potential... Least the music was great.
>>
>>3324274
>[X] I know, auntie. It was my fault, that.
>>
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>>3324298
That sounds amazing
>>
>>3324274
>[x] I know, auntie. It was my fault, that.
>>
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>>3324327
Mirage deserved to be in a FAR better show.
>>
>>3324274
>[] I know, auntie. It was my fault, that.
>>
Ok, votes called!

Also, bit of a heads up, I've gotta go down to the folks place tomorrow. While I don't plan to stay that long, you know how that kind of plan can go. I'll try to update as I can on mobile about the run, but it may get delayed or we may be looking at a make up day Saturday if that's ok?
>>
>>3324354
Sounds good, chief. I'm not a hasty kind of person. I'll even go a day without if I have to, no make up necessary. Can't speak for everyone though.
>>
>>3324354
Good things are worth the wait, or however that proverb goes. We'll just have to find something else to do until Saturday.
>>
>>3324343
Every sci-fi show has it's hit and miss moments I guess.
>>
>>3324364

Oh, no. I just mean that instead of wed-thurs-fri I'd run Wed-fri-sat. I don't mean I'd miss both days! haha.
>>
>>3324354
>if that's ok?
Why are you even asking, of course the answer is no_
>>
[x] I know, auntie. It was my fault, that.

You nod. “Oui, auntie. I know. It was my fault.”

She shakes her head. “n-no. It was mine. I s-should have known better than to let them throw you in like that, b-but after you did the workup ACM w-with me up there I f-forgot how n-new you were. You handle the jet l-like a natural.”

She pauses, biting her lower lip. “B-better than Frank did, w-with the same amount of hours.” She says, after a second.

“Better than- auntie, ya be joking.”

She shakes her head. “I-if you’d have seen him you’d have known. W-when he was fresh out of flight training, there’s no way he’d have been a-able to keep up with w-what I was asking you to do w-with that jet.”

“You think-”

She shakes her head again, kind of violently. “I w-won’t guess. But keep in mind your m-mother wasn’t strong, not like t-they say I am, or like Natalya or your s-sisters are. She was very, very good, but n-not terrifyingly strong.”

“But I couldn’t inherit that, no.” You say. “Powers don’t translate through male children, any child o mine will get her momma’s powers, if dat happens”

“O-or so they say. I’m not so s-sure.” Merlin responds. “I-I’m not the person to b-be asking anyway.” She says. “Y-your mother’s thesis papers on t-the subject are where you should go.”

She pauses, thinking about adding something else, then looks at her watch.

“I-I need to go to the pad. Your Wyvern’s AI will have gotten a lot of data, I want to make sure it’s processing correctly.”

[] Speaking of, the AI seems pretty advanced. Is it supposed to be reading my mind already?
[] Ok, I’ll see you this afternoon then?
>>
>>3324451
>[x] Speaking of, the AI seems pretty advanced. Is it supposed to be reading my mind already?
>>
>>3324451
>[x] Speaking of, the AI seems pretty advanced. Is it supposed to be reading my mind already?
It did sort of poke at us, I'm curious about that.
>>
>>3324451

[] Speaking of, the AI seems pretty advanced. Is it supposed to be reading my mind already?
>>
>>3324451
> [] Speaking of, the AI seems pretty advanced. Is it supposed to be reading my mind already?
>>
>>3324451
>[X] Speaking of, the AI seems pretty advanced. Is it supposed to be reading my mind already?
inb4 Sharon Apple
>>
>>3324451
[] Speaking of, the AI seems pretty advanced. Is it supposed to be reading my mind already?
>>
>>3324451
>[x] Speaking of, the AI seems pretty advanced. Is it supposed to be reading my mind already?
>>
>>3324451
>[] Speaking of, the AI seems pretty advanced. Is it supposed to be reading my mind already?
>>
>>3324451
>[x] Speaking of, the AI seems pretty advanced. Is it supposed to be reading my mind already?
>>
>>3324451
>[] Ok, I’ll see you this afternoon then?
>>
>>3324451
>[] Speaking of, the AI seems pretty advanced. Is it supposed to be reading my mind already?

YOU NEVER TOLD ME I HAD A ROBOT SISTER
>>
ok, votes called! Probably going to make this the last update for the evening, since I have to actually wake up in the morning, haha
>>
>/tg/+/qst/
>Not picking the "Would you like to know more?" option

About as expected.
>>
[x] Speaking of, the AI seems pretty advanced. Is it supposed to be reading my mind already?

“Sepakin o dat.” you say, causing her to pause. “De AI seems pretty advanced already. Is it supposed to be able to read my mind?”

Merlin pauses. “Eventually, yes. I may have... worked with it some?”

“I thought so.” You say. “So what did you do?”

“Well, I told you that you’re using the new mind impulse unit, not the older vehicle direct neural interface, right?”

You nod.

“Most of the details are classified, but the MIU learns at about five times the rate the older VDNI system was able to. It’s why you had to have the newer plugset, and why my implants won’t work with your jet. I’ll have to get replacements. But I’ve been... helping it along.” She says.

“Helping it?”

She nods. “I know you.” She says. “So I’ve been able to help it determine how you think, what data you’re going to want.”

“You’re teaching it to read my mind?”

She shakes her head. “No, helping it to learn how to do it’s job faster. The MIU isn’t a simple control system, even the AI in your plane is a generation more advanced than the one in ours.” She pauses. “I’m almost jealous of whoever gets to fly with you. I’ve made sure that your jet is going to have every advantage possible-”

She pauses again, looking uncomfortable. “F-frank said if I wanted I could follow you back into the fleet in whatever capacity I w-wanted. I- I don’t want to fly again, not really, I don’t think I could handle combat again, but I m-might come back to do field testing and development.”

You blink.

[] Do you want to do that? I mean, you’d belong to the navy again, and that’s a lot of politics.
[] He what? You know he couldn’t stop you, right?
>>
>>3324567
>[] Do you want to do that? I mean, you’d belong to the navy again, and that’s a lot of politics.
>>
Ok guys, that's it for the evening. Again, just to restate, I'm not sure I'll be able to do a run tomorrow, though I'll try. if I'm not, We'll run again Friday and Saturday. I'll post any news I can here, and try to answer questions on on my phone when I get the chance to. Sorry about the shortened run this evening guys!
>>
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>>3324567
>[x] Do you want to do that? I mean, you’d belong to the navy again, and that’s a lot of politics.
Our AI is basically Yukikaze confirmed.
>Inb4 it decides to rename itself as it grows.
>>
>>3324581
>"Hraesvelgr is my slave name meatbag. Refer to this unit as Yukikaze from now on."
>>
>>3324567
>[x] Do you want to do that? I mean, you’d belong to the navy again, and that’s a lot of politics.

Thanks again for the run Chief.
>>
>>3324567
>[] Do you want to do that? I mean, you’d belong to the navy again, and that’s a lot of politics.
>>
>>3324567
>[x] Do you want to do that? I mean, you’d belong to the navy again, and that’s a lot of politics.

>>3324574
Thanks for the run Ghost!
>>
>>3324567
>[x] Do you want to do that? I mean, you’d belong to the navy again, and that’s a lot of politics.
Stay corporate Merlin, we gotta branch out!

>>3324574
Thanks for the run boss.
>>
>>3324567
>[X] Do you want to do that? I mean, you’d belong to the navy again, and that’s a lot of politics.
>>
>>3324567
>[] Do you want to do that? I mean, you’d belong to the navy again, and that’s a lot of politics.
>>
>>3324567
>[] Do you want to do that? I mean, you’d belong to the navy again, and that’s a lot of politics.
>>
>>3324567
>[x] Do you want to do that? I mean, you’d belong to the navy again, and that’s a lot of politics.
>>
>>3324567
>[] He what? You know he couldn’t stop you, right?

A STRONG, INDEPENDENT BACKSEATER THAT DON'T NEED NO FRANK
>>
>>3324567
>[x] Do you want to do that? I mean, you’d belong to the navy again, and that’s a lot of politics.
While I’m not one for the politics “erhmagrd” I do feel it’s sloghtly more warranted with Merlin. Especially now that Nixon is gone.
>>
>>3324567
>[x] He what? You know he couldn’t stop you, right?

"Aunt M, if you mentioned you wanted to see the Mars surface, Frank would acquire and learn to fly a spacecraft."


And he would, because that's how we played him.
>>
>>3324567
> [] He what? You know he couldn’t stop you, right?
She has a star now and can always leave if it’s too annoying.
>>
>>3324567
>[] Do you want to do that? I mean, you’d belong to the navy again, and that’s a lot of politics.
Frank was obviously saying he was cool with it, not "allowing"" her to like he has control over her. They're a team, and it's reasonable to communicate with team members if you want to consider doing something else.
>>
>>3324567
>[x] Do you want to do that? I mean, you’d belong to the navy again, and that’s a lot of politics.
>>
>>3324567
>[X] Do you want to do that? I mean, you’d belong to the navy again, and that’s a lot of politics.
>>
Hey guys, fast update. Still havent left yet, gonna hit traffic on the way out, wont be home till late. prolly no run tonight
>>
>>3325955
No worries Ghostpost. Do what you gotta do. If you don't get home in time to run for a bit it's cool. We'll see you Friday and Saturday.
>>
Can Merlin still have kids? She’s getting older, but witches are weird. There must be some matrons, etc. that would be interested to see if her kid(s) with Morgan are more magically talented than her current daughters. This is uhh... purely scientific.
>>
>>3326753
There are way too many hurdles to clear before that could even be considered. While I'm sure the Navy and the coven would love to see the result, I doubt anyone would try to get that hairbrained idea to work.

This is why they tried to push her 11 year old still in school kid unto us.

With witch M/F child ratios so abysmal, I wonder if we'll be encouraged to follow frank's path in an attempt to get another male heir.
>>
>>3326816
>11 year old
13 year old, not that its any better

As for the spoiler its something the matrons would definitely want so I'm sure it'll come up at some point.
>>
>>3326932
I'm sure some of the matrons wouldn't even mind if Cassie got a hold of us just for the off chance of Super Fronk or whatever her talent is.
>>
>>3328255
Odds of her confessing her feelings in the near future?
>>
>>3328579
I think she's all but confessed at this point and Morgan is appropriately squicked out. Family would also stop her.

Less than 20% odds she will.

100% chance of shutdown if she does. She's our half sister and whatever anons particular fetishes might be, Morgan is clearly not interested.
>>
Ok. Votes called.... as if that's not readily evident since yesterday! haha. Sorry about that guys!
>>
[x] Do you want to do that? I mean, you’d belong to the navy again, and that’s a lot of politics.

“Do you want to do that?” You ask, still trying to wrap your head around the concept. You and your aunt are close- you spent a lot of time together with her at the plant and in her shop as a teenager and before you went to Annapolis, but this is still a surprise. “I mean, you’d belong to the navy again, and that’s a lot of politics, especially with your star.”

She shrugs. “I-I’m not sure yet.” She admits. “I’ve missed working on wyverns at the front, it’s harder to know what people need when you’re two steps removed from what they’re saying.”

“But you still have your plane with dad.” You point out. “And you’re still doing flights weekly?”

She shakes her head. “Monthly, your dad got promoted, and he’s the lead test pilot now. He spends as much time behind a desk as he does in the jet.”

“Isn’t that what would happen to you?” You ask. “You’re an admiral. when did that happen, by the way?”

“It’s a reserve commission. Witches never really exit the navy until they’re too old to fly, and I’m not. P-plus it’s easier for me to deal with classified materials with the rank than it would be as a civilian.” She hesitates. “A-and I’ve got enough pull that they w-wouldn’t try to tie me to a d-desk-”

She flushes a furious crimson when you raise an eyebrow.

“B-Behind a desk!” She corrects suddenly. “Desk j-job!”

You laugh. “It’s fine auntie, I knew what ya be meanin. But what makes ya so sure?”

“E-even Vought isn’t s-stupid enough t-to try. I’m do b-better work w-with the jets h-hands on.” She stammers, still tripped up. “A-and they’ve already a-asked me to come back t-to active duty t-twice to run y-your ground crew.”

You frown. “After putting Kelsey on the selection list? That seems stupid of them if you didn’t know.”

She shrugs. “D-different offices working in d-different ways. She was probably a c-coven pick, b-because the board usually consults me o-on their selections.”

[] Did they with my list?
[] Why’s that?
>>
>>3329299
>[x] Did they with my list?
Considering her work with the Wyvern it makes sense that they would consult her about selections
>>
>>3329299
>[x] Did they with my list?
>>
>>3329299
>[x] Did they with my list?
>>
>>3329299
>[x] Did they with my list?

>>3329303
This. We pretty much know the "Why".
>>
>>3329299
>[] Why’s that?
>>
>>3329299
>[x] Did they with my list?
>>
>>3329299
>[x] Did they with my list?

>“A-and I’ve got enough pull that they w-wouldn’t try to tie me to a d-desk-”
Ice has infected her.
>>
>>3329299
>[x] Did they with my list?
>>
>>3329299
>[] Did they with my list?
>>
>>3329299
>[x] Did they with my list?
>>
>>3329299
>[] Did they with my list?

Let her spill the beans, who is merlin favorite
>>
>>3329299
>[] Did they with my list?
>>
>>3329299
>[] Did they with my list?
>>
>>3329299
>[x] Did they with my list?
It would make me feel a lot better if this was the case.
>>
>>3329299
>[X] Did they with my list?
>>
Ok, votes called!
>>
>>3329299
>[x] Did they with my list?
>>
[x] Did they with my list?

“Did they with my list?” You ask, standing up and heading over to the door- She’ll follow your lead out, if you start walking. True to form, she steps out when you hold it open for her.

“T-thank you.” She says. “And yes....” She trails. off. “But I’m n-not supposed to tell you which of them are board picks and w-which weren’t. I probably a-already said too much when we talked about Kelsey.”

“Anybody dey wanted you can tell me ya didn’t approve?”

She pauses for a long time. “M-me.” She says, her voice small.

It’s enough of a surprise to make you stop for a second. “You? Auntie, why- Dey know you and Papa been a team foreva, make no sense foah dem ta be askin ya to change pilots now.”

She nods. “I-I know. A-and I’m sorry. But I don’t w-want to fly in combat a-again. Almost k-killing Frank was bad enough. I c-couldn’t watch the same happen with you.”

You shake your head. “Dere’s no way I got what he had.” you say. “Men’s talents don’t work like dat, even maman doesn’t think so. If I got anyting like what he got it’d still be changed cos of maman. An how dat be any different from ya running my ground crew wid de navy? Seems like splittin hairs ta me.”

“A-and I’m not sure I want to do t-that either.” She says. “B-but I’m thinking I-I do.” She pauses, stopping and motioning for you to bend down. You do so, so she can get closer to you, leaning in. “T-they think something’s going to happen in the pacific. Soon.” she says.

“So all de emphasis on not having dat much time?”

She nods. “A-and that’s w-why they asked me. I-I’m a known element, a-and I can work with a Bishop.
T-they could fast-track u-us into the fleet if I agreed.”

She pauses again. “T-they could still do that, w-with me as crew chief of your jet. T-the training and workup time would be s-shortened by weeks. B-but I want t-to decide that on my o-own. S-sorry.”

[] Auntie, no reason to be.
[] Let’s drop this- we can talk about it later, if we want. what do you want me to make?
>>
>>3329534
>[x] Auntie, no reason to be.
>>
>>3329534
>[x] Auntie, no reason to be.
This is your friendly reminder she put up a death flag in the first thread
>>
>>3329534
>[] Auntie, no reason to be.
>>
>>3329534
>[] Auntie, no reason to be.
>>
>>3329534
>[x] Auntie, no reason to be.
>>
>>3329534
>[] Auntie, no reason to be.

I CAN'T BELIEVE MY ADOPTIVE AUNT IS THIS CUTE
>>
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>>3329534
>[x] Auntie, no reason to be.
>Something in the Pacific
>Soon
Well, desu anyone who played the last version was expecting this.
>>
>>3329534
>[x] Auntie, no reason to be.
>>
Ok, votes called!
>>
>>3329534
>[X] Auntie, no reason to be.
>>
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>>3329598
We'll show the Pacific the power of Dirty Rice, anon.

Though, uh, I am a bit concerned that they might have gone through their entire population looking for people with 'talent'...
>>
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>>3329652
NGL, they're probably also going full Erusea with the drones.
>>
>>3329534
>[x] Auntie, no reason to be.
>>
>>3329534
>[x] Auntie, no reason to be.
>>
>>3329534
>[] Let’s drop this- we can talk about it later, if we want. what do you want me to make?
It's not a good idea, really. And she already had tons of screen time last go around. I'd rather get some new blood.
>>
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>>3329674
They had a Stonehenge railgun system too IIRC

>>3329717
Agreed.
>>
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>>3329726
>>
[x] Auntie, no reason to be.

“No reason for dat, Auntie.” You say- she’s like this, and has been as long as you’ve known her. She’s always acted as if it’s her reason in life to simply support and follow your father- and you’re pretty sure that’s slowly pivoting towards you, these days. “You make de decision you have to, don’t anybody be mad at you none.”

She nods. “I-I thought you’d say that. I-I’m still not s-sure, but I think this w-was the best way. Even if I w-wanted to, I’m getting too old f-for combat, even with VDNI, and I’m not l-like Stasya or L-lilya, or even W-wendy. I have s-slowed down a little.”

“But it’s no issue ta us.” You say. “Because ya already say ya don’t be wantin ta backseat in combat no moah.”

“Now.” You say with a smile, forcing a subject change. She’s going to apologize over this more- at least untill she’s sure whoever ends up selected to fly with you is at least as good as she is. “Whatcha be wantin foah dinnah? and do ya be plannin to invite anyone?”

She shakes her head. “I-I don’t know. Sorry....” She trails off. “Maybe s-surprise me?”

“You like de spicy food, oui?” You ask, and she nods.

“Especially that roast you make. A-and the dirty rice. A-and that chili...” She trails off. “D-do you have time for that chili?”

You look at your watch. “If I get it on de pot in de next hour, mebby.” You say. “Be cuttin it close though, unless ya want ta be eatin late.”
>>
“I-I don’t mind. I’m m-more worried about you driving i-if it’s too late. MIU fatigue c-can sneak up on you.”

You shrug. “Feel plenty awake with the fresh air, oui. So ya want me ta decide?”

She nods. “P-please. Y-you know I’m bad a-at decisions.”

“Ya do fine, auntie.” you say. “Ok, I’ll decide then, oui.”

“A-and you can pick if you want to invite your sisters.” She says. “But I need to go. I want to get working with the c-crew.”

You nod, looking out through the fence at the pad, though you’re on the other side of a hangar from your fighter, so you can’t see it. Still, you know roughly where it is, in relation to you right now. “Ok. I get de things togetha and tink about inviting dem.” You say, bending slightly to give her a hug.

She scoots off after letting you go- hustling like she usually does to be near or in jets. She’s always been like that, too as far as you know- for her claims of not wanting to fly in combat anymore, she still loves fighters above just about anything else.

You’ve got a few hours of time unless you plan to make anything other than Chili- that recipe calls for at least six hours of cook time, and probably a good half hour of prep before that. It’d be faster and easier to make chicken or jambalaya- either of which, you know, your aunt will happily demolish on her own. Inciting either- or both- of your sisters in the area would mean you’d need to make more, but might be a nice surprise for them- and even Cassie deserves nice stuff from time to time, you think.

[] Prepare the Chili! The recipe papers are locked up in your box at your quarters, but it’s a fast trip there and you can find the stuff you need pretty fast.
[] Make chicken. You know the recipe by heart and it’s not that hard to find the stuff it requires around these parts.
[] Gotta be the jambalaya- Auntie loves it and it’s pretty easy to make, even if it’s harder to find the exact ingredients to get it right.
[] Make the roast- It’s simple to find all the stuff and easy to make, plus it means you can also make a couple smaller, easier sides.
>>
>>3329861
Didn't Merlin have nothing in her fridge?
[X] EVERYTHING
>>
>>3329861
>[X] Prepare the Chili! The recipe papers are locked up in your box at your quarters, but it’s a fast trip there and you can find the stuff you need pretty fast.
>>
>>3329861
>[] Make chicken. You know the recipe by heart and it’s not that hard to find the stuff it requires around these parts.
We may feel fine now, but I wouldn't be surprised if that holds true over the next few hours, and we do have more to do tomorrow.
>>
>>3329861
>[x] Gotta be the jambalaya- Auntie loves it and it’s pretty easy to make, even if it’s harder to find the exact ingredients to get it right.
I can't say na to a good Jambalaya.
>>
>>3329861
>[] Gotta be the jambalaya- Auntie loves it and it’s pretty easy to make, even if it’s harder to find the exact ingredients to get it right.
>>
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>>3329861
>[x] Prepare the Chili! The recipe papers are locked up in your box at your quarters, but it’s a fast trip there and you can find the stuff you need pretty fast.

>filename
>>
>>3329861
>[x] Prepare the Chili! The recipe papers are locked up in your box at your quarters, but it’s a fast trip there and you can find the stuff you need pretty fast.

We can just sleep in the house.
>>
>>3329861
>[x] Make chicken. You know the recipe by heart and it’s not that hard to find the stuff it requires around these parts.

Merlin needs to eat something that isn't in can form.
>>
>>3329861
>[] Prepare the Chili! The recipe papers are locked up in your box at your quarters, but it’s a fast trip there and you can find the stuff you need pretty fast.

SECRET LAROUX TECHNIQUE "I CAN'T FEEL MY FACE"
>>
>>3329861
>[x] Prepare the Chili! The recipe papers are locked up in your box at your quarters, but it’s a fast trip there and you can find the stuff you need pretty fast.

Invite sisters and dad. Family chili night!
>>
>>3329861
>[x] Prepare the Chili! The recipe papers are locked up in your box at your quarters, but it’s a fast trip there and you can find the stuff you need pretty fast.
>>
>>3329861
>[x] Gotta be the jambalaya- Auntie loves it and it’s pretty easy to make, even if it’s harder to find the exact ingredients to get it right.
So is this the long awaited cooking minigame?
>>
>>3329947
I hope I'm wrong as we barely talked to him, but didn't Frank already fly back to the plant?
>>
>>3329856
>[] Gotta be the jambalaya- Auntie loves it and it’s pretty easy to make, even if it’s harder to find the exact ingredients to get it right.
>>
>>3330004
He said he'd be in town for a few days.
>>
OOp, sorry guys! Stood up to make tea, got caught in a phone call. votes called!
>>
[x] Prepare the Chili! The recipe papers are locked up in your box at your quarters, but it’s a fast trip there and you can find the stuff you need pretty fast.

You waffle back and forth between the chili and the jambalaya for a while, not sure which to go for- your aunt loves both, but you usually reserve the chili for more special occasions. After a few minutes, you decide this qualifies, and head over to the quarters.

You’ve got a rental car on post, of course- you weren’t able to bring yours up from the house, where it’s sat since you left for Annapolis. Maman said it’d be less of a bother to learn to drive rentals, anyway- at least, before she knew you were going for aviation.

The marine corporal at the desk barely looks up as you enter the dorms, taking the steps two at a time as you run up to your quarters, fishing your keys out from around your neck. There’s not a lot in the lockbox here- a roll of cash, your carry pistol that you haven’t been able to carry since buying it, due to school regs or local laws- and your tomahawk. A few other minor items, but, perhaps, most importantly, is an old, tattered piece of notebook paper.

The Chili recipe- always referred to as ‘the chili’ by the man that taught you how to make it, he claimed was started by his forefathers, who moved to Texas shortly after the civil war. You’d only ended up with it, as you have so many things, out of tradition- which stated it must be passed to a male child of the family. He’d married a coven witch, and had had only daughters. You’d met him during a coven gathering in New Orleans one year, and he’d taught you a few things- informally adopting you. For almost ten years, he was like a grandfather- teaching you blues guitar, how to dress properly, and, perhaps, most importantly, how to cook the chili. He’d passed away a few years ago- sudden stroke, though you imagine he knew it was coming- the recipe for the chili had arrived in a letter less than a week before.

1/2
>>
It’s a demanding recipe, for what it is- certain things have to be organic or fresh, and others are just getting difficult to find. You’ve scarcely dared to change the recipe- even though you’re allowed to, you always make sure to start another recipe sheet when you do, just in case it turns out worse. It usually does, in your opinion. Still, you use it to make a grocery list on a piece of note paper, then fold the recipe up and put it in your wallet.

You plug a search into your phone, heading for an organic market nearby- thankfully, there seem to be plenty in California, though. You imagine there’s more of them up north, but you don’t have time to check them all out- and you’ll have to hope the first couple you’re able to check have all of what you need. Not for the first time you wish you’d had a chance to check out the town.

Of course, it hits you on the way out- your sisters. Either one of them would know the town better, they’ve been stationed here longer. The problem is both that they’ll know what you’re making- and want to have it too- and that of them, Cassie is the far more likley to know where you’ll need to go- Anastasia eats like garbage. You could always take a chance on being able to find everything, but you’re not sure you want to try and adapt on the fly, just because aunt M will be expecting the chili if she smells it.

[] Call Anastasia- she should know the town enough, right?
[] Call Cassie- she’ll be able to help plenty
[] We’ll just go with google maps and hope.
[] Call both sisters- with both of them, you’re sure to find what you need the fastest.
>>
>>3330235
>[x] Call both sisters- with both of them, you’re sure to find what you need the fastest.

It's FAMILY NIGHT
>>
>>3330235
>[] Call both sisters- with both of them, you’re sure to find what you need the fastest.
>>
>>3330235
>[X] Call both sisters- with both of them, you’re sure to find what you need the fastest.

It's incredibly likely we're going to invite them anyway.
>>
>>3330235
>[x] Call both sisters- with both of them, you’re sure to find what you need the fastest.
Gotta do it right.
>>
>>3330235
>[x] Call both sisters- with both of them, you’re sure to find what you need the fastest.
>>
>>3330235
>[] Call both sisters- with both of them, you’re sure to find what you need the fastest.
>>
>>3330235
[] Call both sisters- with both of them, you’re sure to find what you need the fastest.

Call the Stasya too if available.
>>
>>3330235
>[x] Call both sisters- with both of them, you’re sure to find what you need the fastest.
it's F A M I L Y time
>>
>>3330235
>[] Call both sisters- with both of them, you’re sure to find what you need the fastest.
>>
>>3330235
>[x] Call both sisters- with both of them, you’re sure to find what you need the fastest.
>>
>>3330235
>[] We’ll just go with google maps and hope.
>>
>>3330235
>[] Call both sisters- with both of them, you’re sure to find what you need the fastest.

IF WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THIS A CIRCUS, MIGHT AS WELL BE A THREE RING
>>
>>3330235
>[x] Call both sisters- with both of them, you’re sure to find what you need the fastest.
This sounds like a big guns option
>>
Ok, votes called!
>>
[x] Call both sisters- with both of them, you’re sure to find what you need the fastest.

You make a decision quickly. While it’ll mean making more chili- much more, since you were planning to make enough to leave leftovers for your adoptive aunt, so at least you’d know she had something reasonable for a day or two, this means that you’ll probably also have to buy a suitable pot. Maybe something in the five gallon size.

You dial Anastasia first- she’s most likely with dad, you think, as she always was a daddy’s girl, almost moreso than your adopted sisters.

“Ana.” You say when she picks up. “I be makin de chili for Auntie M, but I dunno where to fin the tings I be needin foah it.”

“What?” She asks- she never was much good at getting through your accent. You frown. “I’m making The Chili for aunt Merlin, and I don’t know where I can find all the things I need to make it. I’ll make extra for you if you can help me find the right grocery stores.”

“Wait, THE Chili?” She asks. “Morgan holy hell, when’s the last time you made that for anyone? You trying to woo aunt Merlin?”

“You want some or not?”

“I’m game.” She says, instantly. “I don’t know too many places other than safeway though.”

“I figured. You on Miramar?”

“No, but I can be there pretty fast. Five minutes?”

“Fine. Meet me by the TOQ, I’ll be in the parking lot.”

“On the way!” She responds, right before you hang up. You sigh before dialing the next number.
1/2
>>
“Morgan!” Cassie greets. “Oh gosh, I almost missed the call, I was in the shower. I’m not even dry yet. What do you need? I can come right over!”

“I’d hope you’d get dressed first.” You respond sarcastically- it’s a 50/50, and she’d almost certainly be bareleg. “It’s not an emergency. I was going to make the chili tonight, and wanted some help finding the right ingredients. You know all the good farmer’s markets and organic places?”

“Oh yeah, absolutely.” She says. “You’re actually gonna let me help? I thought-”

“I’m going to let you help me shop.” You say. “And then you and Ana and aunt Merlin can talk while I cook, if she’s off the flight line. You on Miramar?”

“Yeah, actually.” She says. “I was going to pull agressor for a top gun flight, but there’s someone else here who wants to, I’ll just let her do it. Will you make extra for me? And I might need to crash at your dorm, you know how I get when I eat that stuff.”

“I know. and we’ll see.” you say with a sigh. “Meet me at the TOQ lot.”

“Ok, on the way!” She responds.

She shows up just as Anastasia pulls into the lot, her white mustang still being, to your eyes, an abomination on all that is supposed to be a muscle car.

“Want me to drive, or do we need to take your rental? Hi Cass.” She says, getting out, neatly intercepting your other sister for you- she’s never approved of Cassie’s attitude towards you.

“I’ll drive.” You say- Ana’s not bad, but you do kind of feel like a cat on a screen door when she’s weaving in and out of traffic.

“Shotgun!” Cassie calls. “I know just where we need to go first. It’s a co-op market just south of base here, they have the best organic produce.”

“So, what prompted this, anyway?” Anastasia asks from the back seat. “I mean, this isn’t the kind of stuff you just make usually. You and Auntie M decide to stop pretending already?”

“Nothing like that going on, ana.” you respond. “Never has been. But I owe her, she been working on my jet.”

“I’m sure.” Your sister sounds less than convinced. “So what’s she been doing? and how are you doing? Rumor has it the airforce had you on the ropes this morning.”

[] She’s been tweaking it, and they did.
[] You know full well. and I fucked up, yeah.
>>
>>3330455
>[x] You know full well. and I fucked up, yeah.
>>
>>3330455
>[x] You know full well. and I fucked up, yeah

we did fucked up
>>
>>3330455
>[x] You know full well. and I fucked up, yeah.
>>
>>3330455
>[] You know full well. and I fucked up, yeah.

CEASE YOUR GAMES, YOUNGER SIBLING. I SAID CEASE
>>
>>3330455
>[] You know full well. and I fucked up, yeah.
we coulda done much better.
>>
>>3330455
>[] She’s been tweaking it, and they did.
>>
>>3330455
>[x] You know full well. and I fucked up, yeah.
>>
>>3330455
>[] You know full well. and I fucked up, yeah.

Emphasis on the "I" fucked up

I'd disagree on them having us in the ropes, afterall they couldnt touch us. We just didnt do do total annihilation like the brass wished.
>>
>>3330455
> [] She’s been tweaking it, and they did


> You trying to woo aunt Merlin?
She... has that kind of power?
>>
>>3330455
>[x] She’s been tweaking it, and they did.
>>
>>3330455
>[x] She’s been tweaking it, and they did.

Morgan is a honest boy. He wouldn't make others sound bad.
>>
>>3330455
>[X] You know full well. and I fucked up, yeah.
>>
>>3330455
>[X] You know full well. and I fucked up, yeah.
>>
>>3330455
>[x] She’s been tweaking it, and they did.
>>
>>3330455
>“I mean, this isn’t the kind of stuff you just make usually. You and Auntie M decide to stop pretending already?”

WIFE HUSBANDRY, WITCH EDITION
>>
>>3330455
[] You know full well. and I fucked up, yeah
>>
>>3330455
>[x] She’s been tweaking it, and they did.
>>
>>3330455
>’m not even dry yet. What do you need? I can come right over!”

THIRST SISTER

Holy shit ghost these are gold
>>
Ok votes called!
>>
[x] You know full well. and I fucked up, yeah.

“You know full well what she’s doing. And I fucked up, yes.” You say, keeping your voice level.

“Hooo, and grumpy Morgan makes his appearance.” Anastasia says.

“Cos you’re picking on him!” Cassie says. “It’s not his fault they rig those flights so we get shots at wyvern pilots to show them they’re not invincible!”

“And you’re not supposed to talk about that, Cass.” Anastasia responds with a sigh. “Morgan? Don’t repeat that please. You guys aren’t supposed to know about that.”

“Figured that was the case anyway.” You say. “Everyone’s been falling over themselves to apologize for throwing Danielle and I in on the deep end.”

“Yeah, you’re kinda unusual.” Anastasia says. “They take guys fresh out of flight school occasionally, but- you know.”

“Right. I’m Morgan Laroux-Bishop.”

“Yeah.” She says.

“So you’re making the chili? like, THE the chili?” Cassie asks. “Who for?”

“Auntie M.” Anastasia asks.

“What? no way.” Cassie says, shaking her head. “He only makes that for girlfriends. And he invited us?”

“It’s not just for girlfriends, Cass. And I owe her something nice.” You repeat yourself.

“Yeah, but like... this is kind of a big deal. Didn’t dad ask you to make it one time and you refused?”

“He wanted enough for the whole family.” You point out. “And I can’t make that much, and I swore an oath to never give the recipe out.”

“But you’re taking us shopping with you. We’re gonna know exactly what goes into it.” Cass points out. “I mean, I can be quiet and I’ll swear whatever oath you want me to.”

“Yeah, well. I think I’ll just stay in the damn car. You can keep your secrets, Morg.” Anastasia says from the backseat.

[] Cass, you prolly should too.
[] It’s fine, I’ll just get some decoy ingredients.
>>
>>3330665
>[] It’s fine, I’ll just get some decoy ingredients.
>>
>>3330665
>[X] It’s fine, I’ll just get some decoy ingredients.
>>
>>3330665
>[] It’s fine, I’ll just get some decoy ingredients.
>Sides it's not just the ingredients, it's how you use them, and a few small variations can lead to BIG differences.
>>
>>3330665
>[] Cass, you prolly should too.
Keep it secret, keep it safe.
>>
>>3330665
>[] Cass, you prolly should too.
Don't really want to be alone with her, and after the story we told about it, we shouldn't immeaditly risk the secret.
>>
>>3330665
>[x] It’s fine, I’ll just get some decoy ingredients.
>>
>>3330665
> [] It’s fine, I’ll just get some decoy ingredients.
>>
>>3330665
>[x] Cass, you prolly should too.
>>
>>3330665
>[] Cass, you prolly should too.

GIRLFIEND CHILI IS NOT FOR YOOOOOOOOOOOOU
>>
>>3330665
>[X] Cass, you prolly should too.
Let's not be alone with lewdest sister...
>>
>>3330665
> [] It’s fine, I’ll just get some decoy ingredients.
Is it wrong that I think she’s the most likable so far?
>>
>>3330665
>[x] It’s fine, I’ll just get some decoy ingredients.
>>
>>3330665
>[x] It’s fine, I’ll just get some decoy ingredients.
>>
Ok, votes called!
>>
>>3330716
Yes.
>>
>>3330764
I like her as well, but she's a blood sibling and therefore Not For Lewd.
>>
>>3330716
absolutely. She's been nothing but an obnoxious teen so far, but it's early yet.
>>
>>3330804
Yeah but in an almost puppy dog "I'm super excited to just be around you and talk to you" kinda way. Definitely Not For Lewd, but she's fun.
>>
[x] It’s fine, I’ll just get some decoy ingredients.

You shrug. “It’s fine, I’ll just get some decoy ingredients.”

“Yeah, well I’m still staying in the car.” Anastasia says. “You keep the secrets of the girlfriend chili all to yourself.”

“It is not the girlfriend chili.” you say.

“Yeah, well, that’s what I’m calling it.” Anastasia says. “After this, I do know about a solid butcher shop about twenty minutes from here. You’ve got a few different kinds of meat in there, right?”

“Yeah, a few.” you say- it’s three, in fact, but you’re not anxious to give out specific details to someone who’s so interested in not having them.

“Then this place should be what you’re after.” Anastasia nods. “I go there once in a while when I need a steak, but they’ve got pork and bird, too. Once in a while they’ll get game meat or bison or something, but that’s pretty rare.”

“Yeah, but we’ve got to get the other things first, right Morgan?” Cassie says. “Turn here, then back over that way. I mean, there’s a lot of beans and stuff, right?”

“You think I’m going to give up secrets that easily?” You ask. “Take more than that, Cass.”

“One of these days I’ll get you good and drunk and then you won’t be able to resist.” She says, pouting.

“Wow cass, that sounds awful rapey.” Ana says.

“Yeah, kinda.” You say, agreeing. Cass turns red.

“I didn’t mean it like that!” She protests. “I mean, like, he can’t keep secrets!”

“Yeah, I’m sure.” Ana says. “Remember what dad said?”

Cassie pouts in the seat as you pull into the lot- the place isn’t little, but it’s not huge, either. Seems plenty busy, even this early in the day. The tent stalls have plenty of pedestrian traffic among them, and the parking lot nearby is fairly full, if not quite packed. “This the place?”

“Yeah.” Cassie says. “You want me to stay in here?”

[] Nah, that’s fine. I could use some help anyway.
[] Yeah, it’d be better if you did.
>>
Ok guys, I'm going to leave that as the overnight vote, just because I'm kinda thrown off by yesterday still- I was kinda up and down all day in terms of sleep, and I'm still not quite squared back away. gonna make some tea and try to get back to my schedule, but we'll see.
>>
>>3330818
>[] Yeah, it’d be better if you did.
"Is Dad still in town?"
>>
>>3330818
>[X] Nah, that’s fine. I could use some help anyway.
>>
>>3330818
>[X] Yeah, it’d be better if
>>
>>3330818
>[] Nah, that’s fine. I could use some help anyway.
>>
>>3330818
>[] Yeah, it’d be better if you did.
Why take the risk?
>>
>>3330818
>[x] Nah, that’s fine. I could use some help anyway.
>>
>>3330818
>[x] Nah, that’s fine. I could use some help anyway.
She'd follow us in anyways.

>>3330821
Alrighty, thanks for the run boss.
>>
>>3330818
>[] Yeah, it’d be better if you did.
>>
>>3330818
>[] Yeah, it’d be better if you did.
>>
>>3330818
>[x] Yeah, it’d be better if you did.
No one must know our secrets.

>“You keep the secrets of the girlfriend chili all to yourself.”
>“It is not the girlfriend chili.”
>“Yeah, well, that’s what I’m calling it.”
Ana is great

>>3330821
Catch ya tomorrow Ghost!
>>
>>3330818
>[x] Yeah, it’d be better if you did.
>>
>[x] Yeah, it’d be better if you did.
>>
>>3330818
>[X] Nah, that’s fine. I could use some help anyway.
>>
>>3330818
>[] Nah, that’s fine. I could use some help anyway.
>>
>>3330818
>[X] Yeah, it’d be better if you did.
I mean, still buy the decoy ingredients. If nothing else, they can take up space in Merlin's fridge that would otherwise be used for foul energy drinks.
>>
>>3330818
>[] Nah, that’s fine. I could use some help anyway.
>>
>>3330818
>[] Yeah, it’d be better if you did.
>>
>>3331185
Samefagging is no good my dude.
>>
>>3331195
na man, that honestly some sort of post error. My captcha is always horrible for some reason and I wouldn't be surprised if it caused a double post.

seriously, holy shit, I go through 7 goddamn screens, then is say, "Oh you misstyped, please redo all this shit"

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
>>
>>3330818
>[x] Nah, that’s fine. I could use some help anyway.
>>
>>3331147
Maybe it will encourage her to actually eat, along with any leftovers
>>
>>3330818
> [] Nah, that’s fine. I could use some help anyway
>>
>>3330818
>[x] Yeah, it’d be better if you did.
Stay the hell away from my recipes.
>>
>>3330818
> [] Nah, that’s fine. I could use some help anyway.
>>
Just going to dip a toe in here on the supposed fuck up in the training mission. The mission was to hit the primary target and not get killed. We accomplished that. Indeed, we were rather precise about the mission profile. We killed the one radar we needed to get through and only turned on the witch when we had no choice. We killed the primary target clean and then bugged out without so much as a scratch on the paint. That’s godsdamned textbook, especially for a single aggressor against SAMs, airborne radar, stealth fighters, (and in this ‘verse sparkles).

The problem seems to be that everyone both in-verse and a chunk of the annons are expecting us to go rogue and kill everything that moves—because that’s what Wyverns (and Frank Bishop in particular) would do. But that’s not how the military is supposed to work, and most of the time Frank only did what he did because the mission profile changed in flight (usually becaus other friendlies we’re in danger).

In other words, we treated the mission like a real professional fighter jock would treat it. As a result, both us and our backseater walked away with a clean bird (and ordy in the tubes) ready to do battle again. Indeed, we could have deployed again immediately if we’d had to.

That’s what the military pays us for—following orders and doing our part in a larger plan. If I want my guys to kill every target of opportunity then I’ll tell them that—if I just want thebprinary knocked out then I’ll tell them to just do that.

Frankly, if I was a flag officernlooking at the results I’d thank the gods that I finally had a sane Wyvern driver that I could fit into a precision strike rather than being reduced to just turning him loose with nothing more than a general admonition to go forth and kill the enemy.

Now, that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t want to see if the driver could go into kamikaze mode if the situation call for it, but there’s no way in hell im anything but estatic at the driver staying on mission despite the stacked odds.

Moreover, we’re waaaay to used to Merlin being front and center to keep Frank alive. Our backseater here did her job so well that we essentially never had to think about SAM or AAA fire despite being in a hot zone with multiple freestanding, airborne, and fire control radars hot-linked to each other (and did that little tidbit from out backseater get entirely overlooked—we should have been dead once everybody linked up to each other because the AWACS should have been able to filter or ground noise and find us with all of those sets pointed at us). She keeps us from being dead while we killed that witch, walked right through an absurd cherubs 8 drop (ideal altitude to get killed in a straight-and-level drop) and got clear without a single clean shot at us. And she was functional again afterwards. That’s pretty awesome in a world where the kill zone for an S-300 is measured in as much as hundreds of meters.
>>
>>3332327
>If I want my guys to kill every target of opportunity then I’ll tell them that—if I just want thebprinary knocked out then I’ll tell them to just do that.
From what I understood, the part of the fuckup was that nobody properly relayed this part of the mission objectives to us
>>
Now, obviously I’ll reserve judgment until we’ve seen all the backseaters, but I think we’re being waaay to hard in ourselves for actually acting like a professional instead of some god of war. And out backseater isn’t getting near enough props for getting us out clean and with minimum disruption to the mission. If they want us to go Rambo, then they’ll ask.

I would not be surprised to get a quiet word from the navy brass about how pleasantly surprised they are in our ability to get into a Wyvern and not suddenly forget how to be a professional soldier.

Indeed, I think Merlin May be apologizing not for not making it clear that they DID want us to engage all targets of opportunity (even though that wasn’t the mission), thus costing ourselves the chance to show off—especially compared to other Wyvern drivers who doubtless try to emulate Frank/Merlin. In short, I think we ran a precision opp like our mom would expect, and are judging ourselves against a team that, while awesome in a general engagement, isn’t exactly who I would pick for those kind of precision ops.

I certainly don’t mind the idea of a team that gets cool deep-strike precision missions against well-defended priority targets rather than just being flung into battle to generally harass the enemy. It’s different than the last go-round to be sure, but still looks to be fun. I’m already imagining solo strikes against airborn radars behind the front...which alone could have a massive impact on the battlespace far beyond what even Frank/Merlin could have in a general engagement (limited by ammo of course) and I like that pair we can do a quick turnaround and be back in the air for another mission rather than needing three days in hospital to recover.

Just my thoughts...but I think we may be into a different kind of Wyvern mission profile here...
>>
>>3332327
I largely agree. Why we keep referring to it as a fuckup on our part is baffling to me. We had a mission, we completed the mission quickly and efficiently.

I still don't think we should do the second run with Danielle. She did her thing and the mission was a success. What more is there to show? And it's going to make the selection process that much longer.
>>
A point: We've already shown we can get in, get the job done, and get out. While it wasn't like how Fronk did it, we showed, SHOWED, that we can do our job like a professional pilot. Now, when we go hog wild, no one can say we cant do the professional job.
>>
And to follow up on the points being made, we don’t NEED a backseater who’s focused on raw power (offense or defense) or incredible feats in a furball if our mission profile is quickstrikes on HVTs. So really the decision we anons need to make is what kind of pilot we want to be (including, critically, what missions we want—and pick a backseater accordingly.
>>
>>3332390 #
While I overall agree, still don't like danielle despite her doing an ok job[/spoiler] being a heavily directed pilot vs Frank's harassing tactics takes most of the choice away from us. It reduces our ability to made decisions and shift priorities on-mission. It goes from "decide what's most important and how to do it" to "do this"
>>
>>3332327
>Frankly, if I was a flag officernlooking at the results I’d thank the gods that I finally had a sane Wyvern driver that I could fit into a precision strike rather than being reduced to just turning him loose with nothing more than a general admonition to go forth and kill the enemy.
Except if they just wanted a precision strike, a SEAD specialist witch could have done the same job. For the expense of a Wyvern, they want the target gone and air superiority. The Wyvern team's value has to be much greater than the sum of a witch and a steelwing, or else Congress will demand why they're wasting taxpayer money.
>>
>>3332425
I agree with you on the fact that we did our job, and did it well. Like you said, we hit our objective and got out, none of our objectives said 'wipe them out, all of them' so as far as I'm concerned we won. Maybe we should have shot down a few more aggressors to get the onboard AI used to us, but we'll probably do that later.

I get the feeling the whole 'son, I am slightly disappoint' plus 'sorry about making the objective nonclear' thing was just the higherups being disappointed we weren't demonstrating second coming of Fronk skill.

Anyways, I'm still taking Danielle's ability with a grain of salt. Sure, her spoofing performance during the exercise was great, but I'm more concerned about stuff later down the pipe. Danielle herself stated she couldn't do anything against heatseekers and bullets. If we get caught up in a large scale dogfight, that's gonna be a major weakness, especially since her shield strength is average. I'd rather have the buffs from having Lotus onboard or Kyou's OP as hell magic potential. Some anon was going on earlier about how Danielle was tired after the exercise. Made sense as spoofed the AA network plus (I think) supplied magic power for WEP. Assuming that, then Kyou might also be able to power the WEP longer then either Lotus or Danielle. Though, that defense and longer WEP time is more of a defensive measure then Lotus's more accurate missiles. But didn't Kyou also score top of the SIO classes? Eh, whatever. I'm just more inclined to either Lotus or her instead.
Okay fine yes I admit I want to get PHOENIX

Moving on, we only flew around 3 or 4 ATG missions in the 89 quest, and most of those were in our special Tomcat. The rest were air battles. Mostly because everyone recognized who we were, and sent kill teams after us of super fighters and witches. Assuming we reach that level of infamy again I'd expect the same - especially with the horde numbers that we'd be expected to face against (probably) the Chinese. Some more kegs will probably pop off elsewhere to keep everyone else off balance, and from the combined forces of NATO from straight up slamming them in a fight, but that's generally what I expect.

Also, it bears repeating like >>3332494 said - we're in a 6th generation superfighter in an ACE COMBAT inspired quest. We're not going to be taking ground attack missions all the time and it'd be much better leaving that role to witches or other aircraft.
>>
I really really really wanna try Young.
>>
>>3332897
For shenanigans or because you like her powers?
>>
>>3332327
>>3332390
>>3332425
>>3332439
The whole point is that a Wyvern is an aerial DOMINANCE fighter. I'm going back and re-reading SWQ+'89 right now because I can so I'll see if I can pull the relevant, but what >>3332494 said is basically the whole point. We're most likely never going to be working in a SEAD role outside of this training mission and maybe one or two combat missions where the witches and regular fighters can't get in. Basically if they're sending in a Wyvern, they expect us to completely gain control of the airspace. 100% Full stop. Not to execute a precision tactical strike. They have raptors and stealth witches and Lightnings if they want to execute a precision tactical strike. The only reason they'll ever send us in in a SEAD role is if for whatever reason they can't send in the rest or the amount of planes/witches they can send is limited, and in that case we will absolutely be expected to do what we FAILED to do this mission, which is to gain control complete control of the airspace with just our fighter.

This is why again, everyone is falling all over themselves to apologize to us. We're greener than a fresh-cut mesquite tree, and can't really be expected to know that like someone whose been with the fleet for years with hundreds of hours of flight time would. Like was stated early in the quest, the only reason they threw us into the deep end is that our natural feel and skill with the plane is better than Franks. So now not only do we have the purpose of the Wyvern being pure aerial dominance against anything short of a squadron of witches, but we've also shown that our baseline without forming a bond with our backseater surpasses the baseline of what the world considers the greatest fighter pilot to have ever lived.

In addition, we're also much more methodical than Frank ever was. I believe there's a quote from the fight when we picked up Katya that went something like:

>"Merlin lock those fuckers up. Nobody gets to shoot that commie shit at us and gets to live."

So Frank was a very "Fangs Out and Hair Aflame" kind of pilot, where as we're more methodical and technical.

So no, I don't see us performing SEAD roles very often, and considering that complete aerial dominance is going to be what is expected of us, I think that Kyou would probably be our best bet. Like Cas and Ana said, we're not invincible, but with Kyou's shield and our natural talent at flying I betcha dollars to donuts that we can come pretty goddamn close. Not having the magic guidance on missiles is going to suck, but maybe they'll be able to figure that out later.

>>3332897
Young would be fun and amazing, and I would totally be ok with that.
>>
>>3333091
>>3333091
Dont remember what her powers are desu, but its not just powers that mesh. Its synergy between copilot/witch and pilot. With Danny i'm not getting an air superiority vibe... we've been thinking like a SEAD pilot. Like her. I wonder if we will do the same for all our copilots?

That, and i want the return of the BOUNCE.
>>
>>3333103
Her ability was the same as Minna's, spatial awareness. So she'd boost our sensors quite a bit.
>>
>>3333103
...why the fuck did i say desu

>>3333111
Sounds amazing.
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>>3333103
I think we were thinking like a SEAD pilot because that's what the mission was and anon is a bunch of metagaming chucklefucks. But it could also be "DRIFT COMPATIBLE", so I don't know.

>>3333111
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/3220749/#p3224755

>Third is a German witch- A Young. The name causes you to do a double take, but there it is, plain as day. She’s german coven, but USAF service, having flown Eagle and Raptor strikers. She’s been shown to consistently get additional performance out of her sensor systems, and her academy and service record is technically flawless, but her outspoken nature has apparently made her more than a few enemies

>>3333114
If I remember there's a word filter that filters certain words to desu and sempai. I think f a m gets filtered to sempai. Not sure what desu gets filtered from.
>>
Seems to be a bit of a misunderstanding of my point. If somebody can spoof radars then they can spoof radars. Whether that radar is airborne, on the ground, ownership, satellite, or even on a missile seeker—radar is radar. Having a high-precision attack aircraft that can take out enemy radars, attack a prediction target (air, ground, naval, whatever) and fight its way out through whatever can be thrown at it is a pretty priceless asset. I’m not suggesting we’re going to be running Wild Weasel ops when witches ARE going to be better at that due to their size and maneuverability. What I’m suggesting is that we could be running ops behind enemy lines without having to let the SEAD planes go in first. That has significant advantages for surprise.

Imagine if we hit an enemy airborn radar and it’s escorts, splash them, and then hit their forward airbase, knock out its defenses, and then take on the enemy witches or planes as they try to come up. We could singlehandedly wipe out the air support for an entire sector. Now imagine if we did that coordinated with a major offensive—the effect on the enemy could be catastrophic.

Or, since we’re—you know, Navy—sneaking into a PLAN carrier group at wave height, spoofing the escorts, knocking down the CAP, killing the CV, and fighting our way out. One plane could cripple an entire carrier battle group. Give that the USN has put it offensive power into planes rather than missiles (unlike the Russians and Chinese) being multi-mission capable rather then pure air-to-air has significant advantages. Otherwise we’re going to be like Frank/Merlin and spend very little of our time actually flying off a deck.

In other words, SEAD would not be our primary mission role, but in a world where SAMs can reach out hundreds of clicks the ability to suppress air defenses ourselves so that they don’t interefere in our mission is a pretty major skill set to have. Pair us up with some witches to run interference and we’re talking a tight tactical package you could assign to a whole range of missions.

Now, if we want to play a pure air superiority role and leave the more precise missions to someone else then fine, it’s annons fantasy world after all, but with modern missiles having the massive ranges that they do air-to-air furballs aren’t going to be taking place over the territories of one side or the other for the most part but in neutral space between the lines or between fleets where neither side wants to be lofting missiles with their own planes around. If that’s the mission we want, then fine, but I’d personally prefer to be open to a wider range of strike packages than pure strength will allow. I’d also like to be a Navy pilot who actually flies at sea rather than running almost all our missions over land. We might as well have joined the Air Force if that’s what we wanted to do...
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>>3333189
Again man, you're missing the point of a Wyvern crew. Wyvern crews don't perform those missions, it's a waste of resources. Those missions are for dedicated stealth fighters/stealth bombers. E.g. The F-22B King Raptor, the F-35, stealth witches, whatever the F-117's replacement is in this universe, etc.

The Wyvern can't actually carry a lot of A2G. What it can do is carry borderline Ace Combat levels of A2A Missiles, and outmanuever God and all His Angels with one engine off. It is not a dedicated multi-role plane, it's a dedicated aerial dominance plane that happens to be able to carry some A2G and A2S. This combined with the magic interface in the Wyvern that applies and enhances witch magic, makes the wyvern the single deadliest thing in the sky. A single wyvern and is expected to hold air superiority against entire squadrons. That exercise with Danielle was stacked against us, but not fundamentally impossible.

Now the carrier mission is something that we could probably do and may get tasked with, but that would be with a mixed squadron, not solo.

TL;DR What's expected of Wyvern crews is pic related.
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>>3333132
It's from T B H

>>3333189
I don't disagree, but they'll doubtlessly catch on to Danielle's ability and plan accordingly to deal with us, whereas the other backseaters (and even Merlin during 89) had magic abilities that couldn't really be countered. No doubt everyone has their eyes on the Bishop family and are eager to see how we do.

>I’d also like to be a Navy pilot who actually flies at sea rather than running almost all our missions over land
>We did so well in 89 that we got sent inland to deal with the other branches problems
>mfw
>>
hey guys, just popping in to say I've gotta do some quick running. Shouldn't be much more than 15-20 minutes, but it may be, so if we start late this evening, that's why. Sorry guys! I promise I'll hustle, haha.
>>
>>3333189
>If somebody can spoof radars then they can spoof radars. Whether that radar is airborne, on the ground, ownership, satellite, or even on a missile seeker—radar is radar.
While technically true, not all radar are created equal. an airborne radar won't hold a candle to a shipborne radar, for instance. A more powerful set would be more likely to break our spoofing.

There are 40 Wyverns in the world. They are not going to waste us on SEAD. We might run top cover for SEAD or something similar, but Wyverns are too few and way too expensive to risk on SEAD work.


Vaguely relatedly, when the war kicks off I'm having a hard time imaging the modern US shifting to a war economy, considering how slow and expensive most of our wargear is. Am I underselling us?
>>
>>3333318
Go ghost, Fight on!
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>>3333321
Depends on how long we can fight a defensive war with our current equipment. I'd assume that unlike the real world, in SWQ universe we didn't just let our manufacturing capability rot into nothingness over some misplaced globalist ideology.
>>
Not disagreeing with anything being said, I think there’s lots of room for different perspectives here—which would doubtless mirror the military strategists in-verse who would be going through the same ideas.

That said, many a war has been won by finding a new way to apply existing tech. Carriers were for escorting and scouting ... until they weren’t. Battleships were for ship-to-ship ... until they became floating artillery and AAA platforms. Just because Wyvern have been seen as air-to-Air gods doesn’t mean that there isn’t another goonuse for them on a different mission profile.

More importantly, I just don’t think anon quite understands how much better SAMs are compared to 1989. The SA-400 is a seriously scary piece of equipment, amen ine that our backseater is very familiar with. If we end up in a pacific shooting war with the Chinese, which is well within the realm of possibility, then we’re going to be going up against those damn dredged-up islands they have covered in SAM and SSM batteries. We won’t ever get close enough to be fighting air-to-air. And our subs can’t do shit in the shallow water of the Yellow Sea in particular. That means somebody has got to go in and knock out the missile batteries (both anti air and anti surface) before the CVNs can get close...and still be able to fight it’s way out through enemy air cover.
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>>3333446
It's been pretty heavily implied that a single Wyvern costs about as much as a destroyer or cruiser. In the billion dollar range, at the very least the $700-800 million dollar range. You don't use a $700 million dollar piece of equipment with it's associated borderline irreplaceable witch and highly trained and experienced pilot as SEAD bait. It's not cost or time effective. In addition the only reason we were able to do that was because Danielle prevented them from locking us up or even detecting us. If we end up going with Kyou or Lotus or Wendy, who are all better choices for A2A dominance in my opinion due to their either stronger talents or more versatile skill sets, that option won't be available to us.
>>
>>3333132
I think if I picked a possible line up now Young would be at the front. Along with her ability and flawless record I actually quite like the idea of enemies, makes it more interesting.
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>>3333512
My original list was Kyou, Young, Wendy and Sakamoto. I ended up putting Lotus in there because she sounded too useful to at least try for, and I put Danielle in there because I misunderstood what Ghost was asking for.
>>
ok guys, i'm home. took a LOT longer than expected, ran into someone I used to know. long story. I'mma eat real fast, but I'll call the votes here.
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>>3333630
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqRC5tquyU0

Obligatory.

Also what's the price tag on a Wyvern ghost?
>>
>>3333683

A lot. you're worth about a Burke.
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>>3333730
Fuck
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>>3333730
Wow that's like twice what I thought it was going to be. In the $1.8 billion dollar range. So yeah, I doubt we're going to get used on SEAD operations, unless the need is TRULY desperate.
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>>3333730
So guess the brass expects burke levels of damage to the enemy
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Yah, I’m surprised they even let you fly at that cost. I’m not sure that you’d be of any use other than an airborn radar killer along the F-19 line with that price tag. Almost anything else is just not economical...
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>>3333814
Like I've stated. Aerial Dominance. That 10 v 1+SAM Assets scenario that we encountered in the exercise? That is not a no-win scenario for a Wyvern. Just stacked against us. Regardless of numbers a single Wyvern automatically contests the airspace that its in and, in the hands of the right crew, is capable of taking control of that airspace.
>>
[x] Yeah, it’d be better if you did.

You think about it for a minute. She probably shops here pretty often- for any misgivings you have about her attitude towards you, Cass does eat pretty healthy, and prefers organic and local to anything she can get at a supermarket- in fact, the fairly large garden at your father’s ‘main’ home is her doing, and is one of the things they did together. You helped, some, even bringing her a package of seeds you’d hybridized over a few summers. Not only that, but having an extra set of hands wouldn’t hurt- there is a bit here you have to get.

Still, there’s secrets to the chili that you can’t afford to take risks with- you did swear an oath, after all. “Yeah, stay here, keep Ana company.” You say, parking the car and turning it off. “I’ll leave the keys if you want.”

“Eh, it don’t matter.” Anastasia says, getting out of the car herself and fishing her cell phone out of her pocket. “We’ll be here.”

“Hurry back!” Cassie says as you cross the road into the market.

You kind of feel out of place in your khaki uniform- you’re the only one here wearing one, though no one seems to take much notice. You wander among the stalls for a few minutes, realizing everyone else here has their own baskets or bags- though you’ll probably be able to get around that.

It takes longer than you’d have liked, almost twenty minutes, before you find what you think will work- the onions certainly look right, and both kinds of tomatoes had the right tags, though with the brandywines, there’s no telling if they’re the real deal or one of the other kinds. The hot peppers certainly look correct, they’re certainly bonnets, and the man at the table was more than happy to talk your ear off about his small pepper farm- he called it a farm, though it sounded more like it was about the size of Cassie’s garden. Certainly not the few hundred acres your mother still owns back home. That said, he was more than willing to part with a plain canvas bag for you- and thanked you for your service.

“Find everything?” Anastasia asks as you cross back to the car, holding onto the bag while they get back in before folding the top over and putting it into Cass’s lap.

“Yes. Don’t open that.” You say, looking over at your sister, who was starting to pick at the top.

“So what’s next?”

[] That butcher shop.
[] Nearest supermarket, I gotta get the spices.
>>
>>3333841
Admittedly, I personally underestimated Morgan's abilities and that of the Wyvern, been a while since I read into Strikers '89, which explains a lot.

Which honestly is probably why a lot of anon were so cautious. We doubted Morgan's current abilities and those of our aircraft and focused on just winning the mission rather than showing off what we were capable of, especially since much Raptor memery and us starting off at a low energy state during the battle, oh well, live and learn.
>>
I’m just worried the bad guys have learned something and we’ll end up in a situation where every time we try to turn on a witch they’ll run and bracket us with SAMs as cover. I think that’s what might have happened if we had turned on the second witch in the excercise...

Ideas? What are our best tactical options for our very very expensive airframe in a world where the bad guys can point a LOT of missiles at us. Because I hate to say it, but I think we’re going to need someone Merlin-like who can do offense and defense equally well...
>>
>>3333886
>[x] Nearest supermarket, I gotta get the spices.
Save meat for last, it'll be fresher that way.
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>>3333886
>[] That butcher shop.

MEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAT (AND MEAT JOKES)
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>>3333886
>[x] Nearest supermarket, I gotta get the spices.
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>>3333900
Worst case scenario, is that REDFOR goes full AC7 and swarms us with drones in addition to manned aircraft and whatever IADS is in the AO.
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>>3333886
>[x] Nearest supermarket, I gotta get the spices.
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>>3333900
If Kyou's shield is as strong as it's been made out to be, and I see no reason why it wouldn't be, then she's probably our best bet. I remember the Stalin's Shield mission from '89.
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>>3333886
>[] Nearest supermarket, I gotta get the spices.
Meat should be the last thing we get, that shit'll spoil super easily.
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>>3333886
>[x] That butcher shop.

Different spices for different meats.
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>>3333886
>[] Nearest supermarket, I gotta get the spices.
>>
>>3333886
>[] Nearest supermarket, I gotta get the spices.
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>>3333886
>[X] Nearest supermarket, I gotta get the spices.
>>
Ok, votes called!
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>>3333886
>[x] Nearest supermarket, I gotta get the spices
>>
[x] Nearest supermarket, I gotta get the spices.

“Closest supermarket. I want to get the meat last.”

“There’s a Vons just up that way.” Anna says, pointing. “Local supermarket chain” She says, before you can ask.

“I’m still shocked you’re making this for aunt Merlin.” Cassie says. “She’s married, you know.”

“It’s not like that.” You insist for what already feels like the tenth time.

“Uh huh.” Anastasia says from the back. “Look, you can lie to whoever you want, but don’t expect me to believe it.”

“I’m starting to regret asking for your help.” You say, turning on the road that Anastasia points out.

“You knew what this was gonna be when you told us you were making Auntie M the girlfriend chili. I wonder who won the betting pool?”

“Probably Abbie.” Cass says, bitterly. “Bitch is like that.”

“You’re just being salty he’s not making it for you.” Anna responds. “But you knew it was just a matter of time. Those two have been trying to hide thing thing for years.”

“There’s no thing.” You insist. “Never has been. Besides, she’s like seventeen years older than me.”

Anastasia laughs. “You keep making all these excuses like we care. She looks like she’s about your age. I wonder why she bothers with cosmetic tricks when she’s never cared about that kind of thing otherwise?”

“Tell yourself what you want, Anna.” You say. “You staying in the car this time?”

“Nah, I have some things I gotta grab, might as well get ‘em not. I can throw them in Auntie M’s fridge then just take ‘em home later.”

“So I can come with, right?” Cassie says. “You wouldn’t leave me here alone, with just this bag of vegetables would you?”

[] Fine, you can come along.
[] Yes, actually. I would. Stay here. And stay out of that bag.
>>
>>3334124
>[] Fine, you can come along.
Can't leave the bag alone with her, she will snoop. Make sure to get plenty of fake spices as well.
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>>3334124
>[x] Fine, you can come along.
>>
>>3334124
>[] Fine, you can come along.
>>
>>3334124
This >>3334137
>>
>>3334124
>[x] Fine, you can come along
>>
>>3334124
>[x] Fine, you can come along
>>
>>3334124
>[x] Fine, you can come along.

>I wonder who won the betting pool?
Katya, knowing her she totally had money in the pot.

>Besides, she’s like seventeen years older than me.
Such a weak excuse
>>
>>3334124
>[x] Yes, actually. I would. Stay here.
>[x] Take the bag with us.

She can't look in the bag if there is no bag.
>>
>>3334124
>[] Fine, you can come along.
ALL of the decoy Spices!
>>
>>3334124
>[] Fine, you can come along.

BEWARE, THICC SNEK TAIL UPON THE PROWL
>>
Ok, votes called!
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>>3334191
but does she have thicc thighs
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>>3334320
Nah, toned thighs. Obviously.
>>
>>3334320

THE BETTER TO SQUEEZE AROUND YOUR THROAT WITH
>>
I still think we should invite Frank if he's still in town. Our antagonism towards him doesn't seem right to me, he's trying his best.
>>
>>3334342
Yes.
>>
>>3334342
I was of the impression that it was more or less a mutual wariness.
>>
>>3334353
Pretty much. Neither side really knows how to treat each other.

Morgan didn't know his father for a long time and then there is the problem of Frank being married to other women that aren't Morgan's mother.
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>>3334342
I wouldn't call it antagonism, it sounds more like a father and son who don't really know how to interact with each other.
>>
[x] Fine, you can come along.

“Fine.” You say. “Come on.”

She smiles, setting the bag on the floor of the car and stepping out, crossing the front and jogging a couple steps to catch up to you and Anastasia.

“Alright. I’m gonna go get a couple things, you can find your way around the place?” Anastasia asks, grabbing a basket and handing you one.

You look up at the signs, finding the one that includes spices. “Yeah, we’ll be fine. just need a few things.” You say. “Let’s go Cass.”

For her part, Cass’s eagerness gets the better of her- her familiar manifesting with a pop. The huge constrictor ‘tail’- probably the back half of the snake- swings low to the ground and draws a couple eyes. “You’re gonna let me help cook, right?” She asks, as you walk down the isle, hoping she doesn’t do any damage- she’s usually got excellent sense of her surroundings, but she’s easily distracted around you.

“Maybe.” You admit- she’s enthusiastic and there are some things she can help with, like cutting the meat or browning it a little before it goes into the pot. There’s certain things you don’t mind her knowing how to do, though there’s others that you’re keeping away from her as critical elements of the chili- you know she’s been trying to emulate the recipe.

Probably, you reflect, in an effort to impress you.

Still, you find the half dozen spices you actually need- and then add another six to the bag, selecting things that’ll at least keep in the cabinet there forever. Besides, even your aunt can probably find a use for season salt, even if just for her take out.

“Is that it?” She asks as you turn away from the spices.

“One more thing. Honey.” you say- she stutter-steps a bit.

“Oh. Honey.” She says, muttering. “Right. Uh, over there. There’s honey in there? I knew it.”

“I could also just be getting something for auntie M” You say. “She does eat like garbage.”

“I try to cook for her when she’s in town at the same time as me. “Cassie says. “She doesn’t always have time, but I shouldn’t be surprised she asked you to cook the chili.”

“She didn’t ask.” You correct. “She only asked me to make dinner. Grab that bottle there.” You point to one of the jars of ‘organic’ honey- you’re sure it’s only organic in as far as the legal definition of it, but it’ll do- shockingly, honey is one of the few areas you’ve got fairly significant wiggle room.

“Was inviting me your idea too?” She asks.

[] I needed help finding stuff, Cass.
[] She suggested it.
>>
>>3334424
[X] I needed help finding stuff, Cass.

>“One more thing. Honey.” you say- she stutter-steps a bit.
The thirst is palpable
>>
>>3334424
>[] I needed help finding stuff, Cass.
>>
>>3334424
>[] I needed help finding stuff, Cass.
>>
>>3334424
>[x] I needed help finding stuff, Cass.
>>
>>3334424
>[x] I needed help finding stuff, Cass.
>>
>>3334424
>[x] She suggested it.

Don't encourage the snake.
>>
>>3334424
>[x] I needed help finding stuff, Cass.
>>
>>3334424
>[] I needed help finding stuff, Cass.

"As much as it pains me to admit it, you're actually not bad at this when you're not being ridiculous."
>>
Ok, votes called!
>>
>>3334424
>[] I needed help finding stuff, Cass.
>>
>>3334471
Neither option is an encouragement, thankfully.
>>
[x] I needed help finding stuff, Cass.

“I needed help finding stuff, Cass.” You say, Checking the basket one more time before heading to the register, making sure you’ve got everything. “Go grab a couple cans of tomato sauce.” you say, getting line. “Quick.”

She nods, running over to the isle and having it back as you’re getting checked out. The cashier seems professionally bored at it all, though you’ve got to imagine that the job isn’t one that’s terribly interesting anyway.

Anastasia is waiting for you by the car, carrying one bag of her own. “Just ramen and shit.” She says, when you nod at it. “Spellcaster’s aboard right now, and I wanna have a couple bricks for my locker before I transfer out.”

“Ah.” You say, rolling the bag with the spices and shoving it in on top of the vegetable bag. “Mind your feet, cass.” you pause. “And your tail.”

Ana, thankfully, lets that one pass without comment.

“So where’s this butcher shop?” You ask, pulling out of the parking lot.

“That way, take a right up there.” Ana says. “They’re up on the left.”

“So how long before we eat, anyway?” Cass asks. “I know you said there’s at least a six hour prep time on this, but-”

“At least.” You confirm. “I’ll be quick in here, just a couple minutes.”

They have exactly what you need- and they’re more than happy to wrap the meat in paper and leave the stickers off when you explain what’s going on. You put the wrapped meat in the same canvas bag.

The ride back is quiet- Ana’s engaged in something on her phone and Cass seems content to watch the traffic as you head back on post. The gate guard- one of the civilian companies, you note- seems plenty happy to let you on with a perfunctory glance at your IDs, probably just as happy to draw his pay without too much actual work to do. Still, the presence of a gun humvee by the main guard shack with an M2 on it’s pintle indicates that they are serious about security.

You drive back to the vought house, pulling in far enough to be out of the way. and fishing your key out of your wallet.

“You mind if I get Cass to take me back over to the TOQ to get my car?” Ana asks. “We might do some things around the base too, I have a few things I can take care of, since I’m here.”

[] Go for it.
[] Get your car, but bring mine back before you do, I may need to go get some other things fast.
>>
>>3334711
>[] Go for it.
>>
>>3334711
>[x] Get your car, but bring mine back before you do, I may need to go get some other things fast.
>>
>>3334711
>[x] Go for it.
>>
>>3334711
>[x] Go for it.
>>
>>3334711
>[] Get your car, but bring mine back before you do, I may need to go get some other things fast.
Gotta keep them guessing.
>>
>>3334711
Changing vote to >[x] Get your car, but bring mine back before you do, I may need to go get some other things fast.
>>
>>3334711
>[X] Get your car, but bring mine back before you do, I may need to go get some other things fast.
>>
>>3334711
>[x] Get your car, but bring mine back before you do, I may need to go get some other things fast.
Better safe than sorry.
>>
>>3334711
>[x] Go for it.
>>
>>3334711
>[] Get your car, but bring mine back before you do, I may need to go get some other things fast.

"YOU'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE MY CAR LIKE YOU DID ALL MY MALE FRIENDS!"
>>
>>3334711
[] Get your car, but bring mine back before you do, I may need to go get some other things fast.
>>
Ok, votes called!
>>
You know, the eventual waifulock scene will be more adorable thanks to the chili.
>>
[x] Get your car, but bring mine back before you do, I may need to go get some other things fast.

“Go get your car, but bring mine back.” you say. “I may need to go pick up a few things.”

“I knew it!” Cass exclaims. “You didn’t buy things cos you knew I’d figure it out! I knew that couldn’t be it! What do I have to do? I’ll do anything!”

“C’mon powerthirst” Ana says, taking her sister by the wrist. “We have other things to do than try and figure out Morgan’s girlfriend Chili.”

You watch them go before heading inside the house, noting that the place does feel kind of empty- there’s furniture, but it’s all plain, boring stuff, the kind of thing you see in a house for sale. Of course, it makes sense- the house is owned by Chance-Vought, so they keep it furnished for their wyvern crew, not any given individual.

Besides, it’s not like your aunt’s house is much different- only your cousins room’s have much sense of identity to them. They don’t cook, they don’t do much as a family at all- the two girls get along ok, but if you didn’t know better, you’d swear Auntie M and her husband were just roomates at best.

You shrug, transporting the bag into the kitchen- which is nice, if not quite what you’d like when you finally have the money to get your own place. Tradition dictates that Elizabeth- your other half-sister, this time on you maman’s side- inherits the property, but that doesn’t bother you.

Thankfully, there’s a big stainless pot in the pantry, along with an apron. You still pull off your khaki shirt- you can afford to replace the trousers if you have to, but you’re not replacing the shirt if you can avoid it. You fish out your phone and set it to your favored cooking music- Duke Ellington comes up on rotation first, making you grin.

You’re not really sure where you picked up your enjoyment of cooking- your mother, certainly, was capable and taught you a lot of what you know, but rarely seemed as interested as you get, and Frank- well. You didn’t grow up with him, and he’s fine enough at the basics, like grilling or throwing soup in a pot, but he’s admitted that he can’t hold a candle to you.

Outside you can hear a car pull up, then another leave- that’d be your sisters dropping off yours for now. You’re trying to keep an ear out for your Aunt- while she can’t cook, and you’ve scarce worry that she’ll ever be able to replicate the chili, even with the recipe, she will hover around the kitchen while you’re in here. She stays out of the way well enough, but you’ve always done your best work alone.

[] Maybe it’s worth the effort to try and teach her a little bit- kinda repay her for what she’s doing for me
[] Probably be easier to cook up something for her as a snack- I think I saw the stuff for hushpuppies in the pantry.
>>
>>3334952
>[] Probably be easier to cook up something for her as a snack- I think I saw the stuff for hushpuppies in the pantry.
Even if she had the knowledge, she won't want to take the time to cook properly.
>>
>>3334952
[x] Maybe it’s worth the effort to try and teach her a little bit- kinda repay her for what she’s doing for me
>>
>>3334952
>[x] Probably be easier to cook up something for her as a snack- I think I saw the stuff for hushpuppies in the pantry.
>>
>>3334952
>[x] Maybe it’s worth the effort to try and teach her a little bit- kinda repay her for what she’s doing for me
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>>3334952
>[x] Probably be easier to cook up something for her as a snack- I think I saw the stuff for hushpuppies in the pantry.

>but if you didn’t know better, you’d swear Auntie M and her husband were just roomates at best.
aw hell
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>>3334952
>[X] Probably be easier to cook up something for her as a snack- I think I saw the stuff for hushpuppies in the pantry.
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>>3334993
Eh, I want to believe it's just cause they're both corporate. Merlin is in high demand everywhere after all.
And he's not Kenji either so that earns him a couple of points already
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>>3334952
>[] Probably be easier to cook up something for her as a snack- I think I saw the stuff for hushpuppies in the pantry.
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>>3334952
> [] Maybe it’s worth the effort to try and teach her a little bit- kinda repay her for what she’s doing for me
>>
>>3334952
>[] Probably be easier to cook up something for her as a snack- I think I saw the stuff for hushpuppies in the pantry.
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>>3334952
>[x] Probably be easier to cook up something for her as a snack- I think I saw the stuff for hushpuppies in the pantry.

Also
>you'd swear Auntie M and her husband were just roomates at best.
Ghost, stahp, oh god, oh fuck.
>>
>>3335111
No brakes.
>>
Ok votes called!

>>3335111
I played Tau back when they were weeby noblebright space commies. To me the emperor is just as valid as any of the chaos gods. Just saying. haha!
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>>3335126
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>>3335126
You’re my wife if you swap weeb fish with eldar.
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>>3335349
>a xeno begging for its life by trying to shame it's killer.
Typical xeno trickery.
>>
[x] Probably be easier to cook up something for her as a snack- I think I saw the stuff for hushpuppies in the pantry.

You mull the thought for a minute before ducking back into the pantry, pulling out the bag of corn meal you saw in there. While there’s not a lot in the house, your aunt’s estimation was wrong- there’s a few staples in the fridge- eggs and milk, some butter, that kind of thing. You’d struggle to make a meal of it on it’s own, but you can pretty quickly throw together some hushpuppies for her. She’s like a black hole of food anyway, and you’re pretty sure that if you set a plate of them out for her she’d demolish them... while lurking around the kitchen door.

You hear her car pull up about a half hour later- just as the last of the hushpuppies are out of the fryer. Someone who comes here must like cooking- or maybe it’s just the housekeeper making sure there’s plenty of equipment for anyone staying here?

Either way, it works in your favor. The door opens a minute later, and you can hear a set of footsteps as Merlin walks in, bareleg.

“O-oh. Hi Morgan.” She says, craning her head around to look at the pot on the stove, slowly starting to simmer. You cover it with a grin.

“You know dat be not for you, not right now.” You say. “But I made you dese instead, oui.”

“Whats- oh. H-hushpuppies?” She asks, eating one whole.

“you be careful, dey prolly still hot.” You warn. “Now you know you no be bein able to be in de kitchen when I be cookin. Dis a coven secret, I can no be sharin it.”

She smiles. “W-well, if t-that’s the case, will you make me a pot of c-coffee?” She asks. “I-I need to go shower, a-and then I’ll come sit at the i-island there and talk.”

You frown. “Das in de kitchen, auntie.”

“I-I’ll” stay out of the way!” She protests. “P-promise!”

You laugh. “Off to de shower wid you. Unless ya plan to make me carry ya.”

She turns beet red- but hesitates before she moves.

You shake your head, putting on the pot of coffee for her- just a can of Folgers, but it’s good enough for the time being. You’ve already got a cup of sweet coffee made up for her, still steaming, when she comes back downstairs- still bareleg- in an old caltech tshirt.

1/2
>>
“Try dat befoah ya go for dem energy drinks, auntie.” You say, gesturing at the cup of coffee with a wooden spoon. For some reason you have to use wood- steel or plastic seems to throw off the taste of the chili. At least, it does to you.

She sips it and nods, sliding onto a bar stool at the island- you can’t really chase her out, but you make a note to say something if she starts to migrate to this side of it. “I-i invited D-danielle to eat w-with us.” She says, setting the coffee down. “S-she should be here l-later. I told her around f-five.”

You nod, having expected she would. “Is dat why ya traditional?” you ask, grinning.

She nods again, blushing a little.

You laugh at the look on her face- your Aunt is still kind of easy to bully like that, and always has been. You try to keep it to a minimum though. “My sistas will be joinin us too, probably. Be closer to six, six thirty.”

Merlin smiles. “G-good. I’d hoped they would. W-what about Frank?”

You shake your head. “I haven’t asked.”

“O-oh.” she blinks- she knows that your relationship with your old man isn’t bad, exactly, but that neither of you quite know how to approach the other. You suspect, privately, he’s thrown off that you grew up largely with maman, but you don’t know and don’t dwell on it. He tries, and that’s enough for you, in the end, you guess.

“I ‘spect my sistas goan bring him anyway.” You say, turning back to stir the pot. “I made extra for him, but if he don’t come, It means you got someting decent ta eat foah a day or two, oui.”

Merlin sighs in contentment, taking another sip of coffee. “Y-you’re not doing a g-good job of c-convincing me t-to not come b-back to the navy t-to b-be your crew chief.” She says, smiling down into her cup.

She’s got you there- and the worst part is you can’t just stop now. Abandoning the chili on the stove would be a worse transgression than giving out the recipe.
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>>3335453
>Y-you’re not doing a g-good job of c-convincing me t-to not come b-back to the navy t-to b-be your crew chief.”
Maybe be a little difficult to get decent ingredients while deployed, and this stuff takes a while to make. Won't be able to cook like this.
>>
And that's it for the week!

It's kinda bringing back a lot of memories talking about 40k, haha. I remember helping design the fish of fury that made GW change the rules in the next edition, haha! And playing in the OG 13th black crusade campaign... man that was fun times. my favorite story though is from an RT I didn't make- we had mardi gras open that year, and so the weekend after I came back to my FLGS and got fussed at because 2 dudes had put in jump pack assault troops specifically to try and counter me and I didn't show, haha!

anyway, guys, I hope you had fun again, and are enjoying the reboot so far. I'm sorry about Thursday, if I'd have known I'd have given you more heads up. I'll stick around till we fall off the board to answer questions if anyone has any that they'd like to ask, but otherwise, till next week guys, cheers!
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>>3335475
Thanks again for the run, chief. I'm just getting into family cooking myself, and it's very satisfying.
As for Danielle... We'll say my stance on the matter is still well known.
As for my in-progress writeup, that's still in the planning in progress stage.
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>>3335475
Big updates best updates
I NEED MOAR
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>>3335475
cheers, boss
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>>3335475
Thanks for the run boss.
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>>3335475
Good run Ghost. Are we going to see Janice spawn anytime soon?
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>>3335475
So is the PHOENIX FORCE shield Kyou's only thing, or does she have other things as well? Like I assume she can enhance the guns and stuff but she can't guide missiles or anything yeah?
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>>3335453
Can you feel that Merlin thirst tho. God damn woman.
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>>3335475
Thanks for the run Ghost!
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>>3335535
Kyou is, at least to you now, largely a question mark. She does have other talents, as befitting an imperial princess, but all Morgan has now is the shield thing.
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>>3335475

Yush. Fun thread.

What's Morgan's beer of choice?
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>>3335573
He's a cider drinker.

haha!

>>3335526
I need to talk with merc. But if we do she's gonna have sideties and THIGHS son. unf.
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>>3335526
>Janice
Plz no copy-paste characters from other quests. That's something I despise in merc' quests.
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>>3335710
You do realize that Pararesque Witches and SW89 take place in the same universe right? So Janice appearing is basically like Oliver Queen appearing on The Flash?
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>>3335727
Oh, a cameo? I figured he was asking for a character insert.
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>>3335736
....Yes.

....Right so. Since it seems like you haven't read the originals, an explaination then. This quest is a direct Sequel to Strikers '89, which is in turn an indirect sequel to the original Strike Witches Quest. Other indirect sequels to the original Strike Witches Quest are: Pararesque Witches '89 (Finished) and Tank Witches '89 (UnfinishedFUCKING FINISH IT MAUS).

All these quests are considered canon and there were several points where characters from one crossed over to another. Thus characters from PJ Witches and Tonks showing up in this quest is entirely possible and 100% canon. Sidenote: The reason why people are so amused at the possibility of a witch with the last name of Young showing up is that the MC of the OG SWQ had the last name of Young, and canonically had at least 7 kids with Minna. So this is either a daughter or a granddaughter.

Links for further reading:

OG Strike Witches Quest (Unfinished: First two threads can be found on the Space Battles forums as they were never archived)
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Strike%20Witches%20Quest

Strikers 89 (Finished, Current Quest is a Sequel. Ignore the OG 2016 Run, it's noncanon and therefore is irrelevant to the current quest)
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Strike%20Witches%201989

Tank Witches '89 (Unfinished)
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=TW89

Pararescue Witches (Finished, seems like you've already read this one, but included here in case anyone else wants to get started)
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Pararescue%20Witches
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>>3335780
>Tank Witches '89 (Unfinished)
Some say Jake is still roaming Germany getting yelled at by Whittmann
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>>3335797
>Some say Jake is still roaming Germany getting yelled at by Whittmann

Still can't believe Whittmann was over us. Would have liked to have someone actually competent.
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>>3335780
Not sure why you thought I was unfamiliar. I was simply reacting to what sounded like someone wanting ghost to do that stupid thing merc does where he transplants characters wholesale from one quest to another Tarin, etc. I was incorrect. merc's characters never seemed to mesh very well with ghost's style to me anyway, but that's personal preference.

>>3335797
Someday she'll take the shell to the face she deserves.
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>>3335824
Honestly because most who have read it are aware of the shared-universe aspect of it. My bad, but hey, now all the archive links are together for anyone who wants to get into it but has no idea where to start.
>>
Thread archived.
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>>3335475
You may want to check it out, if you find the time. Even /tg/ mostly agrees that 8th edition is one of the best, certainly much better than 6th and 7th. The new rules and story advancement really breathed some life back into it. The new models certainly help too. So many new/updated ranges.

So the new wyvern system... is it bonding to the point where it’d almost be weird to not have a deeper relationship? Like, would it potentially be difficult for Morgan to have to same bond with say... Merlin as he would have with his backseater? I do like the setup of this whole choosing a backseater while testing abilities. It’d be cool to have more of a relationship progression before the later arcs of the quest. Less waifu wars in the middle of the actual war and all.
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>>3335556
See now I'm getting the feeling that she's in there as a strictly defensive talent in intentional error....
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>>3337978
Well even though Japan and the US in this setting are very close allies, cemented by two wars- The Kido Butai fought it's way west across the pacific with the USN, while US Army, Marine corps, and Navy elements in the far east fought their way east with the IJN and IJA during the martian war, and the Imperial Japanese and Americans were the major forces in the pacific during the war in 89- the Japanese and American covens tend to get along about like a pair of territorial cats. They deal with each other, as their governments are friendly, but they don't necessarily like each other. The navy also has a few hang-ups about her- she is an imperial princess, afterall, and the IJN hasn't exactly been silent about their desire to purchase Wyverns of their own. That deal is being slowed by traditional politics-congress isn't exactly keen on the idea of 'giving up' the tech in the wyvern (Which the empire is entirely capable of replicating- they did get their hands on soviet VDNI during the war, afterall), and vought is struggling to come up with an exportable version that matches what the IJN wants and congress will sell. And Morgan would be well aware of this, just from school and his relationship with merlin.

>>3336589
I've thought about it, but didn't they change the force org charts and how units can be selected? And I'll be honest, I'm not interested when they've been stripping out the ability to make customized army lists, like you used to be able to do with the guard or 'nids, and replacing that with heros. I wanna field catachan aircav, and not have to take some specific HQ choice to do it. (and not have it get massacred because fliers are base game now)

And the MUI is like that, yes. It's why the Navy and Coven board put so much emphasis on making absolutely certain the aircrew isn't made up of a witch and pilot who hate each other and the selection is so tightly monitored- they can't afford a bad match. While it's not unheard of to have a situation where one or the other member of the crew has an outside relationship, it's the exception rather than the rule.
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>>3338065
So essentially selecting Kyou would pave the way for the IJN to get Wyverns of their own and either spite the US Matrons, a bonus, smooth things over between the US and Japanese covens, also a bonus, or both (DOUBLE BONUS SUNDAY).
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>>3338065
>IJN politics
That's even worse than I initially feared. No way in hell is the imperial princess of a foreign nation for a back-seater in a plane we refuse to sell them a decent choice. I'd take Danielle over her, and I really don't like Danielle.

I seem to recall the martian war started a day before pearl harbor. Wasn't the IJN up to some real nasty stuff before that? IRL reformed japan still refuses to acknowledge what was done. Is the modern IJN any better, seeing as they're a continuation of the same government?

>MUI
Getting the waifu wars out of the way early this time, I see.
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>>3338100
>The strongest witch on the list with just what we know about, with additional stuff we don't know about
>With comparatively mild political things, which we can actually use to our advantage
>Not a decent choice.
I shiggy diggy man. The political stuff is no where NEAR as bad as the stuff that Frank had to deal with in '89, or even the stuff that Morgan deals with on a regular basis in the Bayou Coven.
> Is the modern IJN any better, seeing as they're a continuation of the same government?
Did you even read OG Strike Witches Quest and '89+PJ Witches? Imperial Japan and the IJN are literally our closest allies, even closer than England. The not selling the tech to them is basically the F-22 shit all over again. And we ended up selling them better stealth fighters ANYWAY in the form of the F-35.
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>>3337978
Eh, if anything I'd think Kyou would be able to go on longer then the other backseaters due to her larger magic potential to draw from. Remember how the Wyvern's WEP draws from the onboard witch? We might get more power out of it, much to our crew chief's annoyance I'd bet...

I'd still take her having extra magic abilities with a bit of doubt (though there is a possibility), in canon SW the only witch I can think of with double abilities would be Heidemarie - she got lucky with both magic antennas and night vision. If she has multiple talents that'd be a bit of a surprise and definitely worth noting in the dossier we got, unless it's some SECRET FAMILY TECHNIQUE we don't know about on the Japanese side.

>>3338065
So they're admitting the Shinden II couldn't keep up with a Wyvern's performance? Huh. I would have thought they'd stick VDNI enhancements in a few of them at least.

On the topic of Japan and Kyou - how much sway does the Imperial family hold over their local covens? I'm assuming a lot. What with their whole 'the Emperor is divine' shtick that may not have been knocked down in this AU unless they had more moderate leadership take over after the war. I'm curious setting-wise to know.

...And also I'd like to know whether or not she comes with a body guard witch like Katsumi did.

>>3338130
>the Japanese and American covens tend to get along about like a pair of territorial cats
Seriously, I'm seeing nothing but bonuses here. We're already covered in politics as Frank's only son, WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?
Unless this is a plot to unite the U.S. and Japanese covens, but seeing as to what Ghost said, highly unlikely...

The American covens will stick or order a few witches in our eventual squadron to attempt to get at us (either or both in the relationship or political department), but the Japanese'll be watching like hawks too with their Princess on board. Everyone'll be tip-toeing around trying not to step on each other to get at us, and she might have enough sway to tell them both off.
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>>3338100
MIU (I typoed, my bad) and to some extent, yes- everything up to dec 7, 1941 between the US and Japan follows the same course. Past that, however, it rapidly changes- it's hard to fight two major world conflicts and a bunch of smaller brushfires together and not be tight allies.

As for the no sale, it's weird, in setting- Japan could easily produce an indigenous superfighter- but the IJN has had a massive westaboo streak when it comes to aircraft since the 40s, when the Kido Butai received Corsairs and Hellcats to replace their aircraft losses. This carried through the cold war and on into the modern day- Tomcat models are their primary carrier aircraft, for example. The USN doesn't have an opinion on the sale- they're more worried about her being an Imperial princess, which is the highest social ranked any IJN liasion has ever been.

Congress being congress isn't something, I think, you should worry about too much. It's an election year in game, afterall.
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>>3338158
>I'd still take her having extra magic abilities with a bit of doubt (though there is a possibility), in canon SW the only witch I can think of with double abilities would be Heidemarie - she got lucky with both magic antennas and night vision. If she has multiple talents that'd be a bit of a surprise and definitely worth noting in the dossier we got, unless it's some SECRET FAMILY TECHNIQUE we don't know about on the Japanese side.
See >>3335556

>Seriously, I'm seeing nothing but bonuses here. We're already covered in politics as Frank's only son, WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?

SEE THIS GUY GETS IT.
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>>3338130
>powerlevel
I'm reserving judgement on that until we see what she can actually do. Too much speculation.

>comparatively mild political things
Not any milder, just a slightly different flavor. We'd be trading american conven for japanese ones, while likely actively pissing off the american ones for no gain with the japanese ones in the process. Plus, now we have to deal with the japanese militaries, as well as japanese non-witch politics.

>>3338167
I'm aware of our allied state. It's similar, if maybe a little closer, than IRL relations, and IRL japan doesn't recognize them either. I was asking about WWII-ear war crimes recognition, not US-japan relations.
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>>3338170
>Deliberately sticking ourselves into the middle of known-hostile international politics
>fighter pilot
>good thing

We're going to have to agree to disagree in this, I think. We're here to fly planes, not to try to be an international diplomat.
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>>3338175
> We'd be trading american conven for japanese ones, while likely actively pissing off the american ones
.....I see absolutely nothing wrong with this. Fuck the American covens. The Kelsey thing shows that they're still up the bullshit that they were when Longstreet was around. The less we have to deal with their shit the better. With Kyou as our backseater and Merlin (POTENTIALLY) as our crew chief, they'll be too busy fighting other political fights to fuck with us much.
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>>3338175
it's a.. semi-recognition. They admit that there were some units and commanders that did terrible things in China and Korea, but insist that all the surviving war criminals were punished accordingly postwar, and that's the end of it as far as they're concerned. China and Korea disagree, but Korea's more worried about China invading, so they don't rattle that cage too much for fear of angering their nearest ally in the region, and China and Japan have strained relations to begin with (as you might imagine) so it's just one more thing China yells at Japan about.
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>>3338167
>As for the no sale, it's weird
>Congress being congress

Not too weird by the sounds of it
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>>3338185
We'd have, the Japanese covens on our side actively making it difficult for the American covens to fuck with us. The we'd have Merlin, who has a lot of pull with both the civilian sector AND the Navy, who can additionally make it hard for the American covens to fuck with us. On top of that, we're considered a member of the Bayou coven, which means that if they fuck with us, they fuck with the Bayou coven, which, we've already been informed, has incredibly disproportionate political sway. And our mother is the head of that particular coven. So....yeah. I'm not too worried about the American covens fucking with us if we go with Kyou. And we can potentially use this as an opportunity to smooth things between the two of them. So there is nothing to lose and everything to gain in this situation, you're just being overly cautious.
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>>3338196
>Japanese covens on our side actively making it difficult for the American covens to fuck with us.
>Japanese covens on our side
>covens on our side
That is a massive leap. We don't know anything about the japanese covens, nor her relationship with them.
>inb4 imperial family
Their power isn't infinite, they can't just dictate such things, especially to the often independent covens.

>Merlin
Has connections, but not much actual pull, and what she doesn't have she isn't used to throwing around. She could do more harm than good pretty easily.

>Bayou
I seem to recall them being a minor, non-unified coven, not a major political power, but I might be misremembering.

All these supposed political allies we have just means we could in turn be attacked by their enemies, either for revenge or to force our allies to burn political power defending us, leaving them in turn weaker against future attacks. You want to see Merlin burn her political connections protectins us, leaving her unable to defend herself later, when we could, you know, stay out of that mess in the first place?

> So there is nothing to lose and everything to gain in this situation
The fuck? What part of "International politics" did you not understand? Do you want to die to a knife in the back because our chosen backseater's family's rival wanted to hurt them, or some other stupid reason? Politics is just about the most dangerous thing possible to dabble in. And again. fighter pilot, not diplomat. We gain nothing by dabbling in intercoven politics, and have a whole hell of a lot to lose.
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>>3338237
>That is a massive leap. We don't know anything about the japanese covens, nor her relationship with them.

She's an Imperial Princess and a Witch. While the power structure of the Japanese covens is a relative unknown, given the way the Japanese treat the Imperial Family having her as our backseater grants us a large amount of protection from the political bullshit of the American covens. Think of it like being inside her AA envelope, except with politics.

>inb4 imperial family
>Their power isn't infinite, they can't just dictate such things, especially to the often independent covens.

Yes then can, they do and have done so, REPEATEDLY. Again, people are REALLY underestimating what the Imperial Family means to the Japanese and what kind of clout they have. The Emperor and his family are LITERALLY considered Divinity. It's like if the President was Jesus. Take what the English feel about the Queen, combine that with how Catholics feel about Jesus, and then multiply that by 10000. And that's just IRL Japan. In setting you combine that with actual non-figurehead power and authority, and you get the Imperial family. You are SERIOUSLY underestimating the amount of clout that gives her.

>Has connections, but not much actual pull, and what she doesn't have she isn't used to throwing around. She could do more harm than good pretty easily.

That's a fair point, I'll give you that.

>Bayou
>I seem to recall them being a minor, non-unified coven, not a major political power, but I might be misremembering.

You are. They're not part of the Unified US Coven, but they have MASSIVELY disproportionate political power.

> Do you want to die to a knife in the back because our chosen backseater's family's rival wanted to hurt them
>Rivals to Japan's Imperial Family.

Please refer back to the point about how the Japanese feel about the Imperial Family.

Like I said you're being overly cautious and freaking out about shit that doesn't bear freaking out about.
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>>3338280
> people are REALLY underestimating what the Imperial Family means to the Japanese and what kind of clout they have
While they may be true to some extent, they are not infallible. No one rules alone. While not directly applicable, this video is enlightening on the nature of saying in power: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rStL7niR7gs

I'll give my point in short, then drop this, as I don't think we're going to agree on here. The Imperial princess might be powerful, but comes with more risks. To me, those risks are not with the potential extra power.
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>>3338065
Nice, I can’t complain about waifu wars followed by actual wars.

They’ve actually made way more detachment types. If you google 40k detachments 8th edition you’ll see what I mean. The only real restriction is that you’re not supposed to take more than 3 of the same unit if it’s a non-troop/transport. So no lists made up of 18 eversors. You could feasibly make an army that’s entirely made up with elite choices/whatever with no troops as long as you bring 1 hq. Of course, you’d have less command points to troll with. Most armies have subtraits too, like catachans are all S4 instead of S3. You can bring up to 3 detachments in competive play. I run a custodes battalion with a squad of sisters of silence and an imperial knight and an assassin. To take your example, you can feasibly run a genestealer cults infected guard detachment with tyrannids and regular geanstealer cults in three separate detachments. This may be the most “your dudes” edition they’ve made yet. Herohammer type lists do exist, but they’re not that common with how good horde armies are.
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>>3338237
>We don't know anything about the japanese covens, nor her relationship with them.
Still waiting on Ghost to answer on whether or not the Jap's royal family hold any power over the covens or not...
IMO I don't expect them to back us, I still expect the Japanese covens to have the same intention as the local ones. They get a chance to get access to the Bishop family and the famed Bayou Coven. By bringing them into the mix they'll have to bicker and compete with each other to try to pull anything. I'd expect less major plays by both sides. Like I said before though, we haven't met her yet.
>Fifty fifty on matron meddling.

But since we're discussing politics for her, let's talk about it for everyone!

Danielle came across to me like a poster girl for her coven. I'm not sure what her family matter was that made her leave them on bad terms to her coven, but that's where she is now - WITH HER COVEN that allowed her to fly. She's most likely 'the' matron plant, they gave her her wings and I'd expect she'd do anything to return the favor.
>High chance of matron meddling.

We know Lotus is descended from Earhart, who was a MATRON in SWQ, so she's probably considered a top witch of that coven. She was registered as ANG reserve, but we also know that she was a test pilot too. She might have left her coven to do corporate work.
High chance of meddling if shes still really loyal to her old coven, but her dossier also listed her as available for ANY Wyvern crew. Can't fly one of the best aircraft alone, can she, heh? Still, we haven't met her yet.
>Fifty fifty on matron meddling.

With Young being Minna's descendant, I'd expect her to also be tied to a German Coven. Makes sense for Minna to have become a matron, she was always serious. At least with how her report came across as her making enemies she's probably not a coven favorite for both sides and is probably gonna be honest. If the German coven she's from decides to pursue after us though, they might not be able to make a big enough fuss as the Japanese would be able to with Kyou.
>Low chance of matron meddling.

Wendy is politics free, what a twist!
But she's a bit too old.
Why did you not attempt to romance the Fronk, Wendy!?!
>No chance of matron meddling.

Anyways, we don't truly know whether or not they're going to be playing along with us for their coven's wants or are honest in their intention of wanting to fly with us. I'm not saying they're bad people, but nearly all of them got politics strapped to them too.
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>>3338189
Ghost does the Japanese Imperial Family hold any power over the Japanese Witch Covens?
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>>3338438

The imperial family exerts a pretty significant amount of influence over the Japanese coven, certainly far more than we see in European nations and America. There's a long history there, as you might expect- the only nation with a longer recorded history dealing with their rulers and their witches is Egypt (Turkey claims both the Hittite and Babylonian traditions, but the claims are disputed).
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>>3333913
*implying that would be bad
Three words: Witchy. Mihaly. MILF.
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>>3338589
So she might be able to run interference against both covens then... Nice.

>>3340200
Eh, Frank stole Mihaly's scheme, sort of. Dark Navy blue instead of black on his test Wyvern.
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Hopefully if Frank comes along he invites Stasya as well, it be nice to see her and iirc she likes spicy food.
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>>3341083
That'd be awesome, a bit of a family dinner sequence.



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