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“So... how are you handling this?”

You sit in the control room of the Maribelle... you now feel weird calling it that. Knowing that there's a REAL Maribelle... and right now she's in Crooks' room... rekindling their old flame. Her appearance has thrown everyone through a loop.

As Dot speaks to you, you look down at the heart-shaped pancakes Krista made for breakfast to cheer you up. “I don't know what's going on...” you mutter. “And I'd rather Crooks properly explained everything to me instead of... getting busy catching up.”

Dot shrugs. “It seems they really have a history together.”

“What tipped you off?” you ask. “The fact that they've been locked in a room together making up for years of not doing it, or the fact that the ship we've been travelling in, my home for my entire life, just so happens to be named after her?”

“Crooks said she travelled with you both and took care of you until you were seven,” Dot notes. “I know you were a sickly kid for most of that time, but are you sure you don't have any memories of her?”

You shake your head. “I can't picture any... but her face... it just felt familiar.”

Lacey places a finger to her chin in thought, leaning back in her own chair. “Oh, oh!” she exclaims in realisation. “If she took care of you since you were a baby, and she's Crooks' lady love, and Crooks is your dad... then that means she's kinda like your mo-”

“Don't say it,” you remark, stabbing your fork into the pancakes. “I never knew my mother. I don't have a mother. Except this ship.”

Krista walks over and from behind throws her arms over your shoulder and hugs tight. “It's okay to never know your mom... I never knew my dad, and I turned out just fine! Yep-yep!”

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The doors to Crooks' room slide open as out steps Maribelle herself, fixing her messy hair and letting out a yawn as she approaches the rest of the crew. “Gooooood mornin'. Bet we were pretty loud, huh?”

“Archie's been wearing noise cancelling earbuds for a while now,” Dot notes.

Maribelle shrugs, before turning her attention to you. She looks at you and lets out a small laugh and smile. “I still can't get over it...”

“What?”

“When I last saw you, you were so small! You were this tiny frail thing, and now... well, you're still a bit of a shrimp, but you're a hell of a lot bigger!”

“Right...” you mutter while looking down into your pancakes.

Maribelle smirks. “What's wrong? Is it the fake eye? The fake arm? Or did you just grow up to be a shy guy. I'm not a stranger, you know? I helped raise you, you know! I'm practically your mothe-”

You throw your fork away and excuse yourself from the table, walking into the cockpit. You sit in the co-pilot seat and pour yourself a mug of coffee from the coffee machine next to you. You take a sip and let out a sigh, trying to calm your nerves. You're so jittery...

“Hell, Crooks still has that thing?” Maribelle laughs, as she steps into the cockpit with you and plops herself down in Crooks' captain's chair. “That coffee maker is older than you are.”

“I've repaired it a lot to keep it running,” you point out.

Maribelle smiles. “Right, Crooks told me you've become a real whiz kid. I remember, even when you were tiny you liked pulling things apart and seeing how they worked... so, let's cut to the chase. You ain't happy to see me, I take it?”

>You aren't my mother. Don't walk in and act like it.
>Where have you been for the last 13 years?
>It's not you... Crooks never told me about you. I don't like when he lies to me.

>>3441957
>>You aren't my mother. Don't walk in and act like it.
Crooks has mad fucking game

>>3441957
>>You aren't my mother. Don't walk in and act like it.

>>3441957
>You aren't my mother. Don't walk in and act like it
Not her fault but it is a tough time for Matt.

>>3441957
>>You aren't my mother. Don't walk in and act like it.

Calling for
>You aren't my mother. Don't walk in and act like it.

Writing now.

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>You aren't my mother. Don't walk in and act like it.

Maribelle is briefly taken aback by your forwardness. She leans back in Crooks' chair as she looks at you sip your coffee. "Well... aren't we just a moody teen?"

"I'm 20 years old," you note.

"Doesn't change much," Maribelle teases. She fiddles with some of the desktop ornaments in the cockpit of the ship. "So... Crooks never got over me, huh?"

"Apparently not," you mutter.

Maribelle shakes her head. "When we last parted ways... that wonderful idiot. I figured he'd either be dead within a year, or retire and settle down. Imagine my shock that neither was true. So... the last 13 years. It's just been you and Crooks?"

"He'd have his flings," you reply. "But none lasted for any longer than a week or two. It's just been us."

A silence falls over to the two of you, as you lightly tap on your mug, each finger lightly striking the mug in turn.

"Nervous tick?" she asks.

"Sorta," you note. "It's just a jittery habit."

"You do it often?"

"All the time."

"I figured," Maribelle stands up from the chair. "I do it too. You picked it up from me."

You sigh as Maribelle returns to the control room where the others are still seated, now with Crooks in tow, addressing his crew. "Sorry for getting carried away there..." he notes. "Last night got a little crazy, but in my defence I figured Maribelle here was dead. You can all forgive your captain for having a romantic rendezvous, right?"

"I'll get to that point," Archie replies as he removes his ear-buds.

Lacey shakes her head. "I don't see why anyone would have a problem! Romance is cool! And it sounded like you were helping her through same pain, the noise made it sound like she had broken her leg or-"

"ANYWAY," Dot notes. "It's good to see our smuggling has lead to a heartwarming reunion in this small galaxy. But... is Maribelle sticking around on the... uhh, Maribelle?"

"I can't believe you changed the name of this thing to that," Maribelle laughs. "So cheesy... it used to be the Revanant."

Crooks shrugs. "Ship didn't feel like a Revanant. It felt like you."

"So cheesy," Maribelle smirks. "And no, I'm not. I'm not into getting involved in a smuggling crew, let alone one featuring the wife of Marco Shao! You ain't being kidnapped, are you?"

"No," Dot notes. "Voluntary."

"I have so many questions," she shakes her head.

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Crooks steps forward, taking command. "Never mind all that, I'll fill you in on everything later. How about you tell them what you told me? Why you're here in Shinto?"

Maribelle smirks as she places her hands on the desk. "You folks like credits? Because I've got a hell of a job, and I think with a little help, you all could be getting a cut out of it."

"Nothing dangerous, right?" Dot notes. "Or immoral."

"Dangerous?" Maribelle pauses. "Maybe. Definitely. Immoral... it's a little more grey. It's a protection job. I got a client making a trade deal with some members of Kingpin Dong's crew-"

"Dong?!" Lacey exclaims.

Maribelle nods. "I think you all know what that means. The guy who hired me doesn't trust anybody under Dong's command, and so I'm... we're gonna keep an eye on the situation, make sure nobody gets hurt... outside of self-defence, at least. We've also got to watch out for any guards under Sun Boros who might be patrolling because this deal is going on straight under his nose."

Crooks folds his arms. "It'll be the most lucrative job we've had in a loooooong time. What do you think, Matty?"

>I don't think we should be putting ourselves into harm's way by involving ourselves with anything to do with Dong.
>If the money's good... sure. As long as we keep it safe.
>Why are you asking me? You're captain, and you already decided for yourself.

>>3442057
>If the money's good... sure. As long as we keep it safe.

Hmmm. On the one hand, money. On the other, Dong is an asshole and risky seas. He already knows our faces, and that could cause issues if anyone there recognizes us, I think.

>>3442057
>>Why are you asking me? You're captain, and you already decided for yourself.
THE HEART WANTS WHAT IT WANTS DADDY

>>3442057
>>Why are you asking me? You're captain, and you already decided for yourself.

>>3442057
>>If the money's good... sure. As long as we keep it safe.

>>3442057
>Why are you asking me? You're captain, and you already decided for yourself.

Calling for
>Why are you asking me? You're captain, and you already decided for yourself.

Writing now.

>Why are you asking me? You're captain, and you already decided for yourself.

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>Why are you asking me? You're captain, and you already decided for yourself.

Crooks pauses. "I always ask you what you think."

"But is anything I say going to change things?" you ask.

Crooks looks at you, then shakes his head. "Alright then... none of you have a problem with running this job, right?"

The rest of the crew all agree with taking on the job, as Maribelle gives a satisfied smile. "Then it's settled. Wow, running a job together, Crooks. It's been so long."

"Yeah, well I've gotten a little smarter in my middle age," Crooks notes. "So what's actually being traded? It's not anything like weapons or drugs, right?"

Maribelle shakes her head. "Nah, nothing like that. It's just some rare sculptures that Dong wants, decorations for one of his rooms. Probably the one where he does his business with that gross harem of his."

Krista's head darts down as she nervously twiddles her thumbs. You place a hand on her shoulder as Crooks speaks to Maribelle. "Uh, our cook... her mother is... you know..."

Maribelle looks to Krista. "OH! I'm sorry, didn't mean to upset you."

Krista places her hand on yours and looks up at you with a comforting smile. The job will be pulled off in two days, so you're just going to wait around in Shinto until then. You consider trying to get into contact with Sun Chen while you're here... but considering you're about to pull off an illegal job right in the capital, spending time with members of the Chieftain's family probably isn't a good idea.

Instead, you spend the next two days seeing the sights, getting good food with the crew, seeing some traditional Shinto play which kinda sucked, but maybe you just didn't understand the context to fully appreciate the full thing. The whole works.

After those two days pass, you're ready to pull off the job.

"Okay..." Crooks mutters. "We may be running protection but to not draw attention to the whole deal we need to stay a reasonable distance from the client and Dong's men at all times. We'll also be splitting up to cover ground. Dot, you're with Krista. Lacey, you're with Archie..."

"Oh boy!" Lacey jumps with joy as she clasps Archie's hands in hers. The ship's scientist just blushes. "It's Lacey Electronica and Archimedes, a scientific duet! I love the sound of that, don't you?"

"Y-yeah..." Archie admits, still starstruck after all this time.

"And lastly, it'll be the three of us," Crooks says, motioning to himself, you, and Maribelle.

As the trio starts moving, Maribelle lets out a yawn. "You know... you've got a good crew here. That Krista sure is nice, she's been making me heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast. You sure landed a good girl, Matt!"

"What?"

"Don't be shy!" Maribelle laughs. "You've been taking her out to eat, taking her to plays, the way you two look at each-other, touch each-other... I'm not a dummy. How long has it been going on?"

>You've got the wrong idea. We're just friends.
>It's... complicated.
>My love life isn't any of your business.

>>3442137
>>It's... complicated.
She best girl dont fucking @ me

>>3442137
>You've got the wrong idea. We're just friends.

>>3442137
>My love life isn't any of your business.
REE

>>3442137
>It's... complicated

>>3442137
>>It's... complicated.
JUST GIVE HER THE DICK ALREADY

>>3442137
>>It's... complicated.

>>3442137
>Its...complicated

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>It's... complicated.

"Complicated?" Maribelle raises an eyebrow. "What? Is Crooks playing big bad daddy authority and saying no fraternisation between the crew?"

"Hey, I didn't say anything," Crooks denies. "That's more of an unspoken rule."

"Then what is it?" Maribelle asks. "Come on, you can trust me."

You shake your head. "No, I can't. I don't KNOW you, lady."

You walk ahead of the group, as Crooks calls out after you. "Hey, Matt!"

"I'm fine," you assure him.

"No, you're going to wrong way," he explains. "We turn in here, genius."

Oh.

You turn into an alleyway with Crooks and Maribelle, as Maribelle looks to the nearby rooftop. "Hold onto me," she states. "Tightly."

Confused, you do as she say, and grab onto Maribelle as Crooks does the same. She reaches her prosthetic hand up and launches it skywards, where it latches onto the nearby rooftop like a grappling hook. She presses a button in her arm and the line retracts, pulling you all up to the rooftop.

"There, the trade will be going down in that building," she notes. "You'll be able to see the exchange from the third floor window."

"And just how are we going to spot any potential goons ready to shoot?" you ask. "We can't see through the walls of the building, let alone act in time to stop them."

"We've got a vantage point for the exterior," Maribelle explains. "Along with our other two groups, we've got it covered. As for interior, well..."

Maribelle reaches up and pulls up her eyepatch. Inside the socket lies a weird red mechanical orb in place of an eye. She removes it, and you look away from the sight of her now empty eye socket before she conceals it once more with her patch. "We'll be leaving the interior to this little fellow."

She drops the fake eye below, as it begins to roll towards the building where the trade is taking place.

"You can see through that thing?" you ask.

"Yep, it's hooked up to my brain," she explains. "I call it the Eye of Balor. It's got a few other tricks too... but a lady never tells. Gotta keep a few surprises, right?"

>You seem fully prepared. Why'd you even need our help?
>You've clearly been doing this for a while. Is this how you've spent the last thirteen years?
>Your eye... you arm... how did you lose them? If you don't mind me asking.

>>3442211
>>You've clearly been doing this for a while. Is this how you've spent the last thirteen years?
Unspoken Shade

>>3442211
>You've clearly been doing this for a while. Is this how you've spent the last thirteen years?

>>3442211
>Your eye... you arm... how did you lose them? If you don't mind me asking.

>>3442211
>>You've clearly been doing this for a while. Is this how you've spent the last thirteen years?

>>3442211
>>You've clearly been doing this for a while. Is this how you've spent the last thirteen years?

Calling for
>You've clearly been doing this for a while. Is this how you've spent the last thirteen years?

Writing now.

>>3442211
>You've clearly been doing this for a while. Is this how you've spent the last thirteen years?

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>You've clearly been doing this for a while. Is this how you've spent the last thirteen years?

"And before that," Maribelle notes. "I'm plenty experienced."

"And is keeping up this work why you and Crooks broke up?" you blurt out. You didn't mean to pry, but to you it seemed just like the natural follow up. And... you want to know exactly what caused this distance.

Crooks pauses. "No... it ain't. In fact, she never gave a reason."

Maribelle's eye darts down, as her voice turns more sombre. "I just left in the middle of the night while we were ported. Vanished into the mist."

You sit down on the rooftop, amidst an awkward silence. Then, you ask what comes naturally. "... Why?"

"I can't say," Maribelle replies. "I had my reasons."

Her reasons. Yeah, her mysterious, unexplained reasons. Good to know that you can't even get a proper explanation as to why the closest thing you ever had to a mother... you're starting to feel worked up about this. You take a deep breath amidst the cold silence, and get back to business. "What do you see?"

"Aaaa... ha!" Maribelle notes, perking up. "That guy shouldn't be carrying that weapon! Looks like we've got some deception going on!"

"And that eye of yours, can it do anything about that?" you ask.

"Just did," she explains. "The Eye of Balor can fire stunning blasts that'll knock even a giant out cold at the right setting. Problem is, the little guy can't do much in the way of sweeping the body where nobody can see it, so our time to sort out this deal peacefully is... limited. Crap, a locked door."

"You can't re-wire it to open?" Crooks asks.

She shakes her head. "I can blast open the control panel from here but to actually tear out the wiring and force an open I need something longer, with more grip. Looks like we're gonna need to head inside ourselves."

>Looks that way. Let's move before things kick off.
>Actually, my vines could probably do the trick. I've never spread them that far before, though...

>>3442304
>>Actually, my vines could probably do the trick. I've never spread them that far before, though...
It's a good thing someone like an unscrupilous bounty hunter wouldn't be looking for this chip/!

>>3442304
>>Actually, my vines could probably do the trick. I've never spread them that far before, though...

>>3442304
>Actually, my vines could probably do the trick. I've never spread them that far before, though..

Alright Matt-Matt, time to win your estranged mother's love

>>3442304
>>Looks that way. Let's move before things kick off.

>>3442304
>Actually, my vines could probably do the trick. I've never spread them that far before, though...

Calling for
>Actually, my vines could probably do the trick. I've never spread them that far before, though...

Roll 1d20, BO3.

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>3442360

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>3442360

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>3442360

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>20 [CRITICAL SUCCESS]

"I'm sorry, your what now?" Maribelle looks confused as you stand on the edge of the roof and hold out your arm.

You concentrate, and soon the vines begin to sprout from your arm. They spread out along the floor below, growing further and creeping towards the building and inside.

"You..." Maribelle looks to you, then to Crooks. "You have a biochip?"

"Yeah, so?" you ask. "Crooks does too."

"Yeah, but don't you know where Crooks got his?" Maribelle asks.

You pause. "No, actually..."

Maribelle stares, and begins to think. "And it's plants..."

"What?" Crooks pries into her thought process.

Maribelle shakes her head with a smirk. "Nothing. I just heard rumblings about there being these two guys, and older guy and a younger guy travelling about, and one had a biochip like that. Heard they got into all kinds of trouble. You boys wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"

Crooks lets out a small laugh. "You expected us to stay out of trouble?"

Maribelle laughs in turn. "Not for a second. How's it going, Matt?"

"Lucky so far," you note. "The second someone shuts a door my connection is ruined."

"Don't worry, I'll guide you along," she responds, focusing on her eye of Balor. "Turn left, the keep going. There you are... you're at the panel now. Just move up... up... now, pull."

You exert pressure, knowing that the end of your vines just pulled on something, even if you can't see it. "That work?"

"Yeah, we're in the clear," Maribelle notes. "Oh... now that's interesting..."

"What?" Crooks asks.

Maribelle continues to focus. "A group. Heavily armed, definitely Dong's men, down one corridor. And down the other... ha, redhead long legs, mean looking face... that's not just a Shinto General. Looks like it's about to be busted by one of Sun Boros' kids."

Your head perks up. "Well, which one? I'm kinda friendly with them. Is it Chen? Mao? Si?"

"No, a tall one, carrying a spear, full of armour..." Maribelle notes. "Sun Yin."

"Oh..." you mutter. "Crap, I don't know her. I forgot he had a ton of kids."

"So, we moving in?" Crooks stands up. "I don't think your little ball can stop the metric ton of chaos about to rain down on that building."

"Without a plan?" Maribelle asks.

>Yeah, without a plan. We usually come up with those on the fly.
>We'll want to get your client out to safety without being spotted.
>We can easily take on Dong's men, but we'll want to stay out of the way of Sun Yin.

>>3442420
>>We'll want to get your client out to safety without being spotted.

>>3442420
>>We'll want to get your client out to safety without being spotted.
Sun Yin
More like
Some fin?
Someone make a better joke

>>3442420
>>We can easily take on Dong's men, but we'll want to stay out of the way of Sun Yin.

Are you impressed mom? Did. Matt-Matt do good? Has Matt-Matt earn some of your love yet?

Calling for
>We'll want to get your client out to safety without being spotted.

Roll 1d20, Best of 3.

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>3442484

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>3442484
20

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>3442484

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>15 [DEFINITE SUCCESS]

After getting down from the roof, you make your way towards the building as quickly as possible without being seeing, slowly retracting your vines before they're spotted in the hallway as you do. Once you arrive and enter you stick close to the walls as you, Maribelle and Crooks make your way through, Maribelle providing an extra set of eyes to tell what's ahead.

"Don't go down that way," Maribelle warns you. "Blasters."

"Isn't that the closest way to get to the client?" you ask.

"Doesn't matter," she responds. "Blasters."

You shake your head. "I can handle it. I have a blaster-"

"Do you have twelve?" Maribelle asks. "No? Okay then. I'm not having you put yourself in danger, we'll move around."

You take a detour around a corner, before hearing some voices.

"Spotted her, boys! Unload!"

"Crap, get down!" you yell, grabbing Maribelle and pulling her down, trying to ensure her safety out of instinct.

Maribelle sighs. "Not me. They spotted the Sun girl."

As you hear firing in the hallways, you peer around the corner to see down the corridor. Sun Yin, huddled to another corner, bracing herself as blaster fire skirts by her.

"Good, while they're busy pinning her down we can finish this job," Maribelle explains. "Let's move."

You pause as you look to Sun Yin. She's in trouble. She looks... scared.

"Matt, come on!" Maribelle exclaims as she motions for you to move.

>Go with Maribelle.
>Run to help Sun Yin.

>>3442548
>>Run to help Sun Yin

>>3442548
>>Run to help Sun Yin.
DAMN OUR NOT GOOD AT SMUGGLING GENES

>>3442548
>Go with Maribelle
It's fiiiiiiiine I'm sure Dong's men wouldn't harm one of his harem girls siblings

Calling for
>Run to help Sun Yin

Writing now.

>>3442548
>>Run to help Sun Yin.

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>Run to help Sun Yin

You pull away from Maribelle and start running down the hallway towards Sun Yin. "Matt, what are you-"

"Go!" you call back. "Take care of the client, I'll meet you later!"

"What?!"

You rush down the hallway with Sun Yi cowering behind a corner coming closer into view. She opens her eyes as she hears footsteps and looks to see you. Her initial shock and fear turns into confusion as you approach.

"Little man, are you with them?" she asks.

"Little man?!" you begin before collecting yourself and hugging to the other wall. "Don't worry, I'm here to help you."

You peek out from the corner and fire a blaster shot, catching one of Dong's men in the shoulder. "Damn, was aiming for the head. Are you here alone?"

Yin nods her head, while taking heavy laboured breaths. Her forehead is sweating profusely, and she seems like her feet are about to buckle beneath her. "Y-yeah..." she mutters. "I saw some shady guys and... oh, I'm going to be sick."

"You okay?" you ask. "You look tough, have you done anything like this before?"

"A... a..." She struggles to speak. "A few times... I just, sometimes... I get into a panic and can't... control myself."

"Real rough time for it to happen now," you point out with a tone of empathy. "Don't worry, keep breathing, collect yourself. You've got back-up now."

"Thank you... uhh... who are you, anyway?" she asks. "If you're not with them, why are you here?"

>I'm Matt Millar, that's all you need to know.
>I'm a friend of your brother.
>I'm not gonna lie... I'm a smuggler.

>>3442610
>>I'm a friend of your brother.
oh god she's having nam flashbacks

>>3442610
>I'm a friend of your brother.

>>3442610
>I'm a friend of your brother
Are all of Sun Boros daughters actually retarded? Did he fuck his sisters?

>>3442618
Considering his whole "country" was introduced with a statement saying they practiced incest
More than likely

>>3442610
>I'm a friend of your brother.

>>3442610
>I'm a friend of your brother.
One day we'll actually do a smuggling mission without heroics

>>3442610
>>I'm a friend of your brother.

Calling for
>I'm a friend of your brother.

Will be a brief delay in the next update while I make food, stay tuned.

>>3442610
>I'm a friend of your brother.

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>I'm a friend of your brother.

Yin raises an eyebrow in scepticism. "A friend of Chou? You don't seem like the type he'd be friends with... no offence. It's actually more of an insult towards him than-"

"No," you reply. "Not Chou. Chen. Sun Chen, right?"

Yin leans her head back, steadying her breath. "Oh... oh right, Chen. Sorry, I just never really, um... saw him as my brother, he's kind of distant from the rest of the family."

"Oh..." you mutter.

"But... Chen is a really good kid," Sun Yin explains. "If you're a friend of his, then I can trust you."

You fire another shot down the hallway, catching one of the men jogging down. "Nice," you mutter to yourself. "How are you? Have you calmed?"

Yin lets out one long breath and nods. "Yeah... thanks. I'm ready now. You... might want to step aside."

Yin steps out from behind the corner with warning. You motion to stop her but your concerns fade when the blaster shots begin to seemingly deflect off her body. After focusing your eyes, you see that in reality there's some kind of discharge surrounding her body that's blocking the attacks.

"Seriously, step back," Yin explains. "I'm about to unload all of this."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_zEcQZ_c_o

You do as she says and step back. You don't want any part of this... you can tell she holds some great power within her.

"ALRIGHT YOU DAMN DIRTY LOW LIFE SCUM!" Yin exclaims in a burst of passion, a far-cry from the panicking and scared mess from moments ago. "YOU'VE MADE THE BIGGEST MISTAKE IN YOUR LIFE. I AM THE THIRD BORN, THE CROUCHING TIGER OF THE SUN CLAN. BEAR WITNESS TO MY TREMENDOUS FURY!"

With that, Yin unleashes a massive discharge of electricity, massive bolts of lightning streaking down the hall, taking out every single one of Dong's men at the end... as well a causing every lightsource and piece of electrical equipment in the are to go absolutely haywire. So this is her Biochip power... damn.

Name: Sun Yin
Biochip Class: THUNDER LIGER

Sun Yin's Biochip allows her build up an electrical discharge when in distress, that she can then unleash in a massive wave. Overpushing the discharge can cause her muscles to temporarily shut down in some cases.

POWER: A
SPEED: B
DURABILITY: B
PRECISION: E
RANGE: B
POTENTIAL: D

You look back around the corner to see Kingpin Dong's men all taken out, and Sun Yin to stand with a proud smile... before falling forward and faceplanting into the floor. "Whoa, are you okay?"

"Y-yeah... this... happens sometimes. You mind helping me out of here?"

You help Yin to her feet. You try propping her on your back and carrying her like a backpack, but she's considerably taller than you and might be too much for your small frame. Instead, you simply throw her arm over you and drag her with you.

"I guess you already know, but..." she mutters. "I'm Sun Yin."

>Yeah, I know. You're pretty impressive.
>Matt. Matt Millar.

>>3442795
>Yeah, I know. You're pretty impressive.
Remember no names

>>3442795

>Yeah, I know. You're pretty impressive.

>>3442795
>Yeah, I know. You're pretty impressive.

>>3442795
>>Matt. Matt Millar.
Aw fuck ye girl

>>3442795
>>Yeah, I know. You're pretty impressive.

>>3442795
>>Matt. Matt Millar.

Calling for
>Yeah, I know. You're pretty impressive.

Writing now.

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>Yeah, I know. You're pretty impressive.

"Thanks... you're pretty impressive yourself," she notes. "Running into danger with just one blaster and no powers... that's real brave."

Well, not without any powers, but she doesn't need to know that. The less info you give away, the better. You carry Yin out of the building, where she props herself up against the wall. Eventually some royal guards come by, and she explains what happened as they help carry her back.

You wait outside the building, pacing back and forth, racked with nerves. You tap your feet, still no sign of Crooks or Maribelle. You begin to fear the worst, until finally the pair burst out of the building. They both take some deep breaths, exhausted. "That was... something," Crooks notes, with a tone more sombre than usual. You can tell there's something pressing on his mind, most likely something he'll decide not to share with you.

"Not the smoothest of operations..." Maribelle adds, before her eyes dart up and she spots you. "Matt..."

Quickly, she begins pacing towards you with authority and command. "And just what the HELL where you thinking, boy?"

"What?"

Maribelle shakes her hand and places her robotic hand on your shoulder. As she speaks, you can hear a genuine tone of concern in her voice. "Why'd you run off like that, playing the hero? Come on, you can't just throw your life into danger like that! You a dummy? You braindead? No, you're supposed to be smart. Dammit, you could have gotten yourself killed! What's wrong with you?"

>Don't lecture me! You don't have anything to do with me, okay?
>That woman was in danger... I couldn't just sit back and let her get hurt!
>What does it matter? I'm fine, aren't I? Quit worrying!

>>3442875
>>What does it matter? I'm fine, aren't I? Quit worrying!

>>3442875
>>What does it matter? I'm fine, aren't I? Quit worrying!
GIT FUCKED MOMMA

>>3442875
>>What does it matter? I'm fine, aren't I? Quit worrying!
She doesn't have parental authority to ground his stupid ass anyway.

>>3442875
>What does it matter? I'm fine, aren't I? Quit worrying>>3442875

>>3442875
>What does it matter? I'm fine, aren't I? Quit worrying!

>>3442875
>"Then don't ask me to work a job where people try to kill me then."

>>3442875
>What does it matter? I'm fine, aren't I? Quit worrying!

Calling for
>What does it matter? I'm fine, aren't I? Quit worrying!

Writing now.

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>What does it matter? I'm fine, aren't I? Quit worrying!

"Yeah, but you might not have!" Maribelle exclaims. "Dammit, ever since you could walk you've been reckless. You could have lost a limb or got shot and bled out on your own or..."

You sigh, as you push her hand away gently. "I'm fine, okay? I'm a grown man, I know what I'm doing."

"Okay..." Maribelle breathes a sigh of relief. "Come on, let's get back to the Ravager... oh, sorry. I mean, let's get back to the ME. See how dumb a name that is for a ship? Come on-"

"Wait."

Crooks keeps his feet planted as her glares at Maribelle. "You really thought I wouldn't notice?"

"What?" she asks.

"What's wrong?" you raise an eyebrow.

Crooks shakes his head. "When we were in there, and shots were going off, and we were escorting the client to safety... you switched out his briefcase. The one with the priceless decoration in it. Then you dropped it off while everyone was distracted, to be picked up... by one of Dong's men."

"Crooks..."

"It's an old sleight of hand trick, but you forgot we did it together often," Crooks explains. "Why'd you screw over your client? Why'd you help them?"

Maribelle looks to you, then to Crooks, before letting out a sigh. "Dong decided that priceless was too much for him and he wanted it for free. His men causing a scene were a distraction, he paid me to ensure he'd get the artefact without having to pay."

"So... this was really a job from Dong, huh?" Crooks spits. "Dammit, Maribelle... you're working for that piece of shit?"

"I'll work for anyone as long as it pays," Maribelle fires back. "I don't see what's wrong with that! Don't act like we've got many other options out here! You know just as well as I do how damn cruel this galaxy is."

"You lied to me," Crooks points out. "You lied to Matt. You had us help out a guy like-"

"Look, it's not like I killed anyone!" Maribelle fires back. "I'm not helping him hurt people, am I? Dong is scum, but who cares if he wants a new goddamn vase and wants to screw over another rich scumbag to get it?"

Crooks' raises his voice. He's red in the face, you've never seen him so angry as he yells at Maribelle. "BULLSHIT! You think I'm stupid enough to believe that's where the line ends? It wasn't just rumours was it? If you're taking jobs from him you knew there was a bounty on us. And that makes me suspicious about our chance meeting-"

"Of course I knew!" Maribelle yells, throwing her arms into the air. "The whole damn galaxy knows about it! You really think that was happenstance?! Ooh a fated meeting between lovers, no!"

"And you were planning to stab us in the back and collect the credits, right?" Crooks mutters in a harsh, cold tone.

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Maribelle's face softens, seemingly upset by the mere thought of it. "What? Crooks, no... when I heard about the bounty... I wanted to SEE you again. I wanted to meet with you. Knowing you were alive-"

"Don't lie to me," Crooks mutters. "I told you about Alex, right? A smart man doesn't trust anyone after that."

"But Crooks," Maribelle pleads. "Come on, you KNOW me-"

"I thought I did," he responds. "Then you walked out on me and our son, for thirteen years!"

"Please..." Maribelle mutters, her eyes watering up. "Dammit, I'd never do that! Come on, Tom-"

"DON'T YOU DARE CALL ME BY THAT NAME!" Crooks yells, storming past her. "Get the hell away from me and my son."

Maribelle turns to look at Crooks again as he motions for you to follow him back to the ship. "You have to trust me! Crooks, Matt... I care for you both, I want what's best for you-"

"If that's true," Crooks replies. "Then you'll do what you do best... walk away, and never speak to me again."

Crooks storms off, as Maribelle just stands there. Her head hung low, you look to her, then back to Crooks. His issues with trust have come out like never before... and you find it hard to blame him. This woman... how can you ever really know her? "Matt..." she mutters in a forlorn tone, as you begin to walk away.

>It was nice meeting you. Even if it was brief.
>I trust you. Crooks... he'll come around.
>Say nothing, and just move on.

>>3442982
>It was nice meeting you. Even if it was brief.
>Unfortunately you need to try harder than just showing up

>>3442982
>Say nothing, and just move on.
Now this one is tough but is definitely not thrust.

>>3442982
>Say nothing, and just move on.
COLD AS MOTHERFUCKING ICE

>>3442982
>It was nice meeting you. Even if it was brief.

Calling for
>Say nothing, and just move on.

Writing now.

>>3442982
>never talk to me or my dad ever again

>>3443032
Or not, posted a bit too late, will give time to have a tie-breaker.

>>3442982
>>Say nothing, and just move on.

Calling for
>Say nothing, and just move on.

Writing now.

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>Say nothing, and just move on.

You wouldn't even know what to say at a time like this. With lead in your shoes, your slowly walk away from her... Maribelle.

Arriving back at the ship, you find Crooks sitting in his pilot's chair in the cockpit, his feet up on the desktop and his hat over his eyes. "Hey..." you mutter as you enter and sit in the co-pilots chair. "How are you holding up?"

"I'll be fine..." he responds. "I've dealt with worse... sorry for getting you involved. It probably messed with you knowing that... well, I'm sorry I never told you about her. Heartbreak is a funny thing, huh?"

"You really were close with her, huh?"

Crooks nods. "Yeah... close than I'd ever been with anyone. Maybe I'll tell you the story one day, but... not right now. I can't."

He looks around the cockpit and begins pointing out a few of the gaudy baubles and decorations lining the cockpit, stuff you've picked up over the years mixed in with stuff that's been there longer than you have. "That hers. She got that. That one too... there's a reason I named the ship after her. She... I never got over it. Probably never will."

"Sorry, dad..." you mutter.

"I should tell you..." he adds. "Because I'm going to be badmouthing her for the next few months, you deserve to hear at least this. Long ago, me and her were sent to retrieve a package and take it out of the hands of some very, very bad people. They gave chase, and when a metal door separated us and started to close in... she had the option of saving herself or leaving the package behind... she passed the package through to me, and the door closed. It sliced off her arm instantly, and I couldn't see anything on the other side. I was certain she'd been killed, all because she prioritised this thing over her own life. We managed to reunite months later, most of which she spent in a hospital... but that moment showed me who she was. Or at least, who I thought she was."

"I don't get it," you shrug. "Why'd she lose her arm and risk her life to save a package that she wouldn't even see the reward from."

Crooks look at you and shakes his head. "C'mon, Matt. Figure it out. The package was a baby. The baby... was you. It was the job where we first took you in."

With that Crooks stands up and returns to his room. Looks like he'd rather just sleep than sail away right now.

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Later that night, as you sit in the command room, you're approached by Krista, who sits next to you. She places a comforting hand on your knee, and gives a smile. "I heard what happened. Matt-Matt..."

"I'll be okay," you respond. "It's Crooks I'm worried about."

"Remember what I said?" Krista responds. "It's okay not to-"

"I know," you smile. "I never knew my mom, adopted or otherwise. You never knew you're dad. But we turned out alright. You especially."

Krista blushes slightly. "Oh you, how flattering! Get some rest, okay?"

Krista leans in and gives you a comforting peck on the cheek.

You don't know why, but you respond with pressing your lips to her in a full kiss.

You lean forward, with a surprised Krista almost falling right out of her chair. You both pull away, and you notice she's red in the face and full of nervous giggles. If you could see your own face, you'd imagine it's very much the same.

"Oh!" Krista exclaims, as you both stand up a begin nervously fidgeting and avoiding eye contact. "Oh wow, heart-racing! Palm-sweating... jitters, way way way WAY too much sugar to handle this!" she nervously giggles. "Oh we just had a silly accident, right?"

>Oh y-yeah, definitely! J-just a mistake, that's all!
>Oh, we are so going to regret this...
>No accident. That was great, Krista.

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>>3443103
>>No accident. That was great, Krista.

>>3443103
>No accident. That was great, Krista

>>3443103
>>No accident. That was great, Krista.

>>3443103
>Oh y-yeah, definitely! J-just a mistake, that's all!
Can't believe Krista just biochipped poor smol grieving Matt

Calling for
>No accident. That was great, Krista.

Writing now.

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>No accident. That was great, Krista.

Krista only get more flustered, and your attempts at a smooth line are only thwarted by you letting out an embarrassed cough. "Oh boy, oh boy..." Krista mutters to herself frantically. "Didn't think this would happen, not that I don't want it to happen! Wow, it's... really hot in here isn't it? Aren't you hot? I MEAN, you know... uhh... maybe I should-"

"Krista," you mutter, approaching. "Let's do this."

You reach your hand out and Krista takes it, pulling herself into another kiss. You cup her face in your hands as the two you lock lips. Your hands run through her soft hair and down her back as you push her closer, the two of you giggling like idiots the whole time. "Four damn months," you mutter with a laugh. "We've been doing this dance every day for four-"

Krista cuts you off with another kiss, the two of you can't keep you hands of each-other. You don't care that you're in the control room. Not like you can have privacy in your respective rooms either. Krista's hands mover to her chest, as she begins to unbutton her shirt, the two of you embraced when-

"Oh my god!"

You both jump and cower as Dot walks in on the pair of you, a very confused and embarrassed look on her face. "Well..." she mutters, as Krista frantically re-buttons her shirt and you start a nervous whistle while looking away. "That's... not what I expected to see."

You look to Dot, the heat radiating off your blushing face. "Don't tell Crooks, okay?"

"Secret's safe with me," Dot notes. "Maybe try somewhere more private next time. Maybe the engine room."

After that interruption, you and Krista are too flustered and embarrassed to continue. You suppose you'll have to put a pin in this for some other time.

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The next morning, you are treated to a smiley-face pancake as breakfast from Krista.

"It can't be a heart anymore, too suspicious," she whispers to you.

"You changing it from a heart IS suspicious," you point out.

"Oh... oh well!" she shrugs, before giving you a quick cheek peck while nobodies looking.

Crooks is in the cockpit, getting ready to leave this fleet behind along with all the bad memories. That was the plan at least.

"Looks like we're being busted," Crooks points out. "Someone's stopping us from leaving. Welp, time to meet them outside."

You let out the loading ramp of the Maribelle and step outside to see... Sun Chen, flanked by Mao and Si. "Haha!" he exclaims as he sees you. "I knew it! When Yin told me she was saved by a short guy who said he was a friend of mine, first thing I did was look for this ship in port! Whoo! I almost didn't get here in time!"

Chen rushes up to you and gives you a big, friendly hug. "Good seeing you too, Chen. You just caught as we were about to leave."

Chen sighs. "Oh man, you sure you can't stay for a little while longer? After the Yellow Turban stuff, you're basically a war hero. Come to our place, my dad will treat your crew right!"

"AND you can help us out with something!" Mao exclaims.

"Oh?" you raise an eyebrow. "And what's that?"

Si steps forwards, her finger interlocked with a worried look on her face. "Getting me out of this deal with that monster... please."

END OF CHAPTER 16

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>Ending Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6_wBQKDJMI

>Archive
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Kingdoms%20in%20the%20Stars

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https://twitter.com/bookerman32

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https://www.patreon.com/BookerMan

Thanks for playing! Good to be running again after a while! Follow the Twitter for any updates on the next session!

>Player Question
And so we finally met Maribelle's namesake. What did you think of her? Did you trust her?

>>3443189
>Did you trust her?
No

>>3443189
Maribelle is cool.

I'm probably the only one who doesn't Krista

>>3443189
Thanks for Running Booker
I see Dot is going to pull interference Duty as Space Maro....
PQ
My Shadow runs say do not trust
That or she's going to Somehow end up sacrificing herself to save Matt or Crooks to prove herself

>>3443189
>trust her
Nope. But that doesn't mean there isn't room for outlaw style Mom and Son bonding.

>>3443189
Thanks for running I really missed this quest.
>Player Question
As a player I think she is a good person and wouldn’t betray them, but voting as Matt I think the actions he took make sense because he barely knows the woman.

>>3443189
On a personal level I think she was telling the truth, but it makes sense that Matt and Crooks don't