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File: Project Wingbride.png (1.71 MB, 1911x825)
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>Discord: https://discord.gg/D2QGKxBd87

SOMEWHERE ABOVE THE CADIAN SEA

A yawn escapes you as shift yourself in your seat, a hand moving towards your eye to shift the sand from its nook, only to realize that your visor had been fully lowered. Rolling your shoulders as you lean forward, you manage to turn your gaze upward to the aircraft commanded by your second in command, immediately alerting you that your brief lapse in concentration had just shifted you out of the designated formation. Mumbling under your breath, you reach for the HOTAS, only for your craft to slowly decelerate and shift itself to a higher altitude, bringing yourself back in line with the other four that made up the wing. It seems as though your bout of callousness had gone unno—

Symphony 01 “Jackpot”
<< Hey, I know that we had quite the dig last night, but it’d be a boost to my credibility as your flight lead if you didn’t try to sneak a nap in on my watch, Symphony Four. >>

You’re quite certain if you had a mirror and your helmet off, you’d be witness to a pair of ears that would be crimson with embarrassment. Your head tilts forwards slightly as your attempt to nurse your embarrassment, the tip of your oxygen mask barely missing the control panel as a round of laughter erupts on the comms.

Symphony 02 “Ivory”
<< Come on, Cap; lay off the kid. I think he had at least two pints of Director Hackett’s monstrosity. Be thankful he even managed to get up here in time. >>

Symphony 03 “Ebony”
<< One must take responsibility for one’s own actions, for better or for ill, if one wishes to look upon their reflection without bearing shame. >>

Symphony 02 “Ivory”
<< You only say that because you’re the only meatbag in the hangar that the Director hasn’t tested his concoctions on. >>

Symphony 03 “Ebony”
<< Reality is gentle on the teetotaller where it is unforgiving to the drunkard. >>

You can’t help but smile at that.

Symphony 05 “Conductor”
<< Right now I’m regretting passing over that promotion to second-in-command. Sure, the raise didn’t really scale with the increase in responsibilities, but I’d at least be able to clear the air of you two lunkheads. >>

A chuckle escapes your person, only for you to immediately remember just what your position in the Squadron was … and immediately return to keeping radio silence and making sure you remained in formation.

Symphony 02 “Ebony”
<< Your refuse is my gain. >>

Symphony 03 “Ivory”
<< That’s not how the saying goes. >>
>>
Symphony 05 “Conductor”
<< If you’re going to break the comms in small-talk, I’d actually prefer for the topic to be of substantially higher value than your bickering. Offence intended on all fronts, sir. >>

Symphony 02 “Ebony”
<< Okay, fine, then. Uh … all right. Symphony Four: why the call-sign? >>

>DEMON (+2 Engagement, +1 Hunting)
>DAREDEVIL (+2 Evasion, +1 Engagement)
>HOUND (+2 Hunting, +1 Engagement)
>PROPHET (+2 Evasion, +1 Hunting)
>REAPER (+2 Hunting, +1 Evasion)
>STORMCROW (+2 Engagement, +1 Evasion)
>JESTER (+1 Engagement, Plane HP +1)
>TEXTBOOK (+1 Hunting, Plane HP+1)
>BASS (+1 Evasion, Plane HP+1)
>WIZARD (No bonuses, PSYCO Growth doubled)

*If you’re dissatisfied with the call-signs, write one in and choose one of the bonuses.

LEGEND:
>Hunting: When you’re moving in for an attack
>Engagement: When you’re in an attacking phase
>Evasion: When you’re on the defensive.
>Plane HP: How many “hits” you can endure. This translates into saving rolls. As you level up, Plane HP goes up.
>PSYCO Growth: How quickly your AI levels up.
The first three start at "1".
>>
>>4576726
>WIZARD (No bonuses, PSYCO Growth doubled)
>>
>>4576726
Is AI level this quests equivalent to character level?
>>
>>4576728
It depends on certain things. The first encounter should give you a gist of how things work.
>>
>>4576726
Guess ill put one in for some good defense, then. Cant do much if you're dead, after all.
>PROPHET (+2 Evasion, +1 Hunting)
>>
>>4576726
>>STORMCROW (+2 Engagement, +1 Evasion)
>>
I'll be back when you guys finish up with how you want to start out.
>>
>>4576726
>PROPHET (+2 Evasion, +1 Hunting)
>>
>>4576726
>>WIZARD (No bonuses, PSYCO Growth doubled)
>>
>>4576726
>WIZARD (No bonuses, PSYCO Growth doubled)
>>
>>4576726
>>JESTER (+1 Engagement, Plane HP +1)
>>
>>4576726
>>HOUND (+2 Hunting, +1 Engagement)
>>
File: choose your fighter.jpg (30 KB, 564x317)
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Symphony 03, “Ivory”
<< Really, you’re going to ask why his call-sign’s Wizard? That’s your idea of small-talk? >>

Symphony 02, “Ebony”
<< What? You’re not curious at all? >>

Symphony 03, “Ivory”
<< Not as curious as I am as to why they assigned him to her of all things. >>

Your eyes stray to the empty panel of the hologram, briefly wondering if that twang of temper would snap at the blatantly obvious dig. Not that you minded, after all; you were quite comfortable saddled in the cockpit of an

>F/A-18
>F-16
>F-15
>F-14
>MIG-29
>SU-27
>F-35
>>
>>4577280
>MIG-29
>>
>>4577280
>F-15
>>
>>4577280
>>F-14
JOLLY ROGER TIME
>>
>>4577280
>>F/A-18
>>
>>4577280
>>F-15
>>
>>4577280
>F/A-18
>>
>>4577280
>>SU-27
>>
File: Spoiler Image (37 KB, 350x490)
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I flipped a coin. Congratulations to the F-15. I fucking knew this was going to happen.
>>
File: F-35 [Leticia].jpg (97 KB, 1024x563)
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Someone requested F-35's Avatar on the Discord. This is her. She was the Yandere.
>>
>>4577451
MERRY FUCKING CHRISTMAS
>>
I didnt get my yan but getting rias plon is way ok too
>>
Oh boy, I hope there isn’t too much orange in this quest.
>>
File: Elaine, the F-15.jpg (13 KB, 300x168)
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Symphony 04 Flight Intelligence, F-15 “Elaine”
<< Maybe the fact that he has the highest mean score on the PSYCO simulations has something to do with it? >>

You’re spared from an answer by the fiery bloom of your F-15’s artificial intelligence module; the craft’s holographic panel displays a three-dimensional image of a greenish-blue tint, conjuring the full figure of a tightly-clad young woman in possession of a full volume of hair and a skirt that you’re very sure that you’d seen in a lingerie catalogue, regardless of its resemblance to that of a prep school uniform. Even the tint can’t hide the details of her person: from the blood red mane that was her hair to the full cheeks and mischievous eyes and the full bosom that you’re very sure isn’t merely a natural mutation of the visual algorithm … she bore a closer resemblance to those pin-up caricatures than she probably did any human alive. Coquettish, energetic and independent, there were times that you wondered just how in the world you and Elaine were a match … never mind the best of the bunch.

Ivory
<< Going straight for the jugular.: that’s Elaine for you. About as demure as a bucking bronco. >>

Elaine’s hologram—the projection of her very existence—turns her nose up in satisfaction; you spy the corner of one mouth turn up as she leans slightly back, extending a leg towards the edge of the circular device, audibly snickering over the shared channel. You hear the groan of your senior, Ebony. Turning your head up you spy his shaking helmet, clearly exasperated.

Jackpot
<< Did none of you read his file? Wizard’s Wizard because he was one of shortlisted candidates for the PSYCO sampling and experiment unit without having a prior history as a jockey. He was WSO for the Special Operations Platform in the defence of the Falkland Deposit.

Ebony
<< Wait, Wizard’s actually a wizard? >>

Ivory
<< Wow, Ebony. Keep going; maybe those last two brain cells’ll spawn a whole household. >>

Ebony
<< Up yours, Ivory. >>

Jackpot
<< In any case, Wizard still does hold the highest mean score in PSYCO simulations: from compatibility to adaptability, the processing power of he has has the coats clocking the learning rate for attached AIs at a clean two-hundred percent under test conditions. It makes some sense that they’d slide him together with Elaine, what with her … record with pilots. >>

Ivory
<< I guess even computers can be dumb blondes. >>

Elaine
<< I’m a red-head, you jerk! >>
>>
>>4577919
>Ask Elaine to maintain discipline; Ivory was still your superior, after all
>Ask your superior to stop teasing Elaine; he might make his jealous
>Write-In
>>
>>4577921
>Ask your superior to stop teasing Elaine; he might make his jealous
>>
>>4577921
>>Ask your superior to stop teasing Elaine; he might make his jealous
>>
>>4577921
>Ask your superior to stop teasing Elaine; he might make his jealous
>>
>>4577921
>>Ask your superior to stop teasing Elaine; he might make his jealous
>>
>>4577921
>>Ask your superior to stop teasing Elaine; he might make his jealous
>>
>>4577921
>Ask your superior to stop teasing Elaine; he might make his jealous
>>
Running in a few, lads. Hang tight.
>>
File: MIG-29 Fiona.jpg (22 KB, 260x195)
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Ivory
<< Jealous? What are you playing at? >>

The comm patch indicator beeps as your second-in-command’s confusion rings through the channel.

Symphony 02 Flight Intelligence, MIG-29 “Fiona”
<< I concur with Symphony Two’s mystification. Envy is not a function that I am well-acquainted with, nor, in the case that I ever could be, would have it be of such a modicum of associative value adjacent to a pilot who continually refuses sound input and judgement. >>

Ivory
<< Yeah … what she said. >>

Ebony
<< And you say that I’m the one lacking in brain cells. >>

You hear an indignant string of mumbled curses over the comm; Elaine crouches slightly, her avatar giggling into a closed fist as a muffle string of laughter shakes the shared channel. A glance outside your cockpit has you seeing the Fulcrum—Fiona— displaying her belly as she widens the gap slightly between herself and Jackpot’s VX-23 while Ebony and Conductor decelerated in tandem as the both of you found international borders right on your RADAR.

Conductor
<< As much as the AIs and the systems are here to learn from us, they’re also here to help us where we happen to come up short. I won’t claim to be one of the coats, but maybe there’s a proper reason that Elaine and Wizard work so well together, test conditions or no. Definitely boggles the mind how he managed to score so high, but there you go. That’s what I got. >>

Ivory
<< What? You’re saying that I gotta wine and dine this lady here? >>

Fiona
<< May I request an emergency landing? I believe I am leaking fuel. >>

Ivory
<< Hey! >>

Elaine
<< Hah! >>

Jackpot
<< You know what? I am curious myself. No offence meant, Symphony Four, but Elaine’s algorithm isn’t exactly the most stable … or the most cooperative for that matter. The fact that you made it past the second screening test alongside her and set a new record doing so is doubly impressive. >>

Elaine’s avatar grins widely before leaning over and slipping you a wink.

Elaine
<< It’s all about trust! Ain’t that right, partner? >>

ACTIVATED: F-15 “ELAINE”
>Acrobat Lv. 1 (+1 to Evasion at Lv. 1)
>Multi-Lock Lv. 1 (+2 Extra Targets at Lv. 1)
>[LOCKED]
>[LOCKED]

Your flight leader chortles heartily into the comms as his craft elevates slightly above you, prompting you— and the rest of the Squadron—to do the same. You’d probably be crossing the line soon.

Jackpot
<< Trust, huh? Not a bad way to put it. >>

Ebony
<< So that's how it is, Wizard? >>

>Disagree with Elaine’s perspective
>Agree with Elaine’s perspective
>Write-In
>>
>>4578734
>>Agree with Elaine’s perspective
you must be one with your plane
YOU MUST PUT YOUR SOUL INTO IT
>>
>>4578738
Elaine
<< Ain't that right, partner? >>

You
<< That's right ... partner. >>

God, I feel like throwing myself off a cliff just typing that.
>>
Lmao why bother with a waifu WSO when you can get an AI? Now the the real question is if we've lost our virginity prior to 30, otherwise we won't live up to our moniker.
>>
>>4578734
>Agree with Elaine’s perspective
>>
>>4578734
>Agree with Elaine’s perspective

Also is this a regular old F-15 variant or did we get supermaneuvrability?
>>
>>4578741
You were a WSO during the Falkland Deposit Conflict. Your nickname is "Wizard" because you were the only candidate to make the grade that wasn't a pilot prior.
>>
>>4578753
It's a regular F-15 with an AI attached to it. It's more resilient because of all the daredevil maneuvers that the corporation is expecting you to do, anyway, but nothing special outside of Elaine. Anything else?
>>
>>4578734
>Trust and possibly the idea that I enjoy teaching the next generation of WSOs.
>>
>>4578734
>Agree with Elaine’s perspective

>>4578740
While it does make you feel ill I do believe it is important that we have a great working relationship with the A.I that could barrel us into the Atlantic if she is unhappy.
>>
>>4578755
can we modify the f15 later to smtd variant? become as TRUE wizzard
>>
>>4578734
>>Agree with Elaine’s perspective
>>
>>4578791
Maybe. Maybe not. It will all depend as you play the quest.
>>
File: Elaine.jpg (45 KB, 500x500)
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PSYCO +2 EXP
2 to Next Level

Elaine doesn’t say a word, but you don’t exactly require any verbal tells to know that there’s an amount of joy that the PSYCO system relays over to you through the receptors. Her avatar glows a little brighter as the both of you share a look—or rather, what you interpret as a look—in the immediate aftermath of your affirmation of Elaine’s stance regarding the nature of your two-man tandem. Perhaps having been a WSO for the bulk of your military career had been a blessing in disguise in this aspect: you knew the push-and-pull of a partnership, covering each others’ weaknesses and addressing the strengths were what made things work, even more-so than being a wingman. You’d understood just what it was like playing in the back-seat to the point that when the opportunity finally arose for you to take the reins … it was almost natural for you to allow Elaine to clean-up where you couldn’t. Perhaps the absence of pride had allowed you to ease into the program better than the others … perhaps not.

Whatever it was, you just found it easier to take to the concept of an AI aide more than others. You wouldn’t have had this job in the first place otherwise.

You appreciated how Elaine was with you, as bland as you probably were compared to the antics of Ivory and Conductor.

Ivory
<< Are you two … having a moment? Yeesh … >>

Symphony 02, Fiona
<< Emotional feedback is considered a priority of the learning process for our modules. Empathy, sympathy, instincts, they all corral … >>

Ivory
<< None of that for me, thanks. >>

There’s a grunt of indignation that you’re quite certain came from Symphony Two’s side, but you don’t comment on it. Fiona was Ivory’s assignment and that wasn’t a bag of beans you were quite willing to spill, given that you were en route towards a very important rendezvous. However they got along, you’re quite sure that they had their own way as to how to manage it. Ivory was still a grown man underneath that tusk-ordained helmet and Fiona was one of the more contemplative intelligences that you’d encountered.

There was also the part of your brain that was telling you that you’d be toeing lines you really shouldn’t be touching in the first place with an off-hand comment.

Ivory
<< Well, Flight Leader, seeing as Wizard hasn’t been properly oriented with our unit’s SOP, do you mind if I do the honours? >>

Ebony
<< Wow, your sense of timing has to be one of the worse in existence. >>

There’s a brief pause.

Jackpot
<< Well, Wizard? It’s up to you. It’s not like we’re pressed for time. >>

>View Combat Tutorial
>Skip Combat Tutorial
>>
>>4578896
>>View Combat Tutorial
>>
>>4578896
>>View Combat Tutorial
>>
>>4578896
>>View Combat Tutorial
>>
>>4578896
>View Combat Tutorial
>>
File: Fiona.jpg (87 KB, 1024x578)
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You roll right out of the formation, tailing Ivory. The second-in-command peels off past a nimbus, banking left and down towards the cloud line … not that there were enough to call it a “line”, at least in its current state. Fiona and Ivory accelerate ahead of you, breaking themselves into a position on the corner’s edge of your HUD. You jink the joystick and pull left, just as they do, bringing him cleanly within your sights but still some distance away. By the basics, your craft should have had an edge on the MIG right in front of you, but the stress testing that your current employers had put the planes through—in keeping pace with AI and human reaction times and vector limits—had given both Fiona and Elaine more than enough to run a few rings around those belonging to standard production lines.

Ivory
<< All right, let’s see what you can do, Wizard. >>

The MIG practically phases through the cloud formation below, prompting you to copy his movements. Elaine’s avatar creases her brows as you find your shoulders being pulled by the G-forces, diving nose first and with the throttle back.

Ivory
<< Ho, ho, ho … got a little bit of a show-off in you. All right, let’s see how well you can follow me. >>

Symphony 02, Fiona
<< Follow us, you mean. >>

Symphony Two doesn’t retort.

Roll for Initiative (DC: 8)
>Use PSYCO (+1)? (1d20)
>Use Hunting+Engagement (+2)? (1d20)
>>
Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>4578923
>Use Hunting+Engagement (+2)? (1d20)
>>
Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>4578923
>>Use Hunting+Engagement (+2)? (1d20)
>>
Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>4578923
>>Use Hunting+Engagement (+2)? (1d20)
>>
>>4578923
>Use Hunting+Engagement (+2)? (1d20)

I'm assuming bo3?
>>
File: Chase me if you can.jpg (5 KB, 284x177)
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You cut him off before getting into position. Fiona attempts to realign herself, but you have control of the chase by virtue of being the first one to anticipate the dive and the climb that follows it. The Eagle—Elaine—is more manoeuvrable, more agile than its off-the-line counterparts … but so is the Fulcrum. The aircraft weren’t just made to endure physics, but the new generation of insanity that came with AI-assisted vectors; stress of the G-forces that pull against the back of your skull are almost headache-inducing, but nothing compared to the test conditions that weathered you down for such situations. You’re vertical with a juke; the HOTAS rumbles you and Ivory exchange spins, the superior thrust of your engines pulling against the sheer verticality the MIG-29 was capable of. You both fight for position, jostling mere dozens of feet away for a clean break. He dips left as you bank right, decelerating as he comes to stand-still and …

Ivory
<< Holy … you know that I’m just busting your balls, right? >>

You’re right on top of him.

Elaine
<< Woohoo! That’s my man, right there! >>

A string of curses breaks out from the plane below; over the comms you make out the amused mumble of Ebony, who was probably witnessing the mock-duel on his own instruments. Elaine’s head bobs up and down as she turns absolutely enthusiastic, eyeing the vulnerable Fulcrum as though it was a bullseye in a fair.

Symphony 02, Fiona
<< He would have more than those if this was a live combat situation. Be thankful that it isn’t. >>

True to form, the advantage doesn’t extend beyond what you’re able to take as is. You’re right on top of him, but he doesn’t make it any easier for you to grab a proper lock on the Fulcrum anymore than you had before.

Ivory
<< Well, not bad, but reeling in the catch is different from just casting the line! See how your tagging works! >>

>ROLL FOR HUNTING (+1) (DC: 9, 1d20)
>ROLL FOR ENGAGEMENT (+1) (DC: 14, 1d20)

NOTES:
>*“Hunting”, after winning initiative, allows for you to roll for better chances to line-up your “Engagement”, which are your odds on a successful kill. Should you have NO JOY (unsuccessful kill), the opposing plane will line-up on you instead, if successful at escaping. Certain planes (BOSSES, CONVOYS, GUNSHIPS) need to be hit multiple times to be downed. Watch out for Furballs, as they come with the added danger of cunning pilots hoping to bag easy kills.

>You may roll HUNTING for as many times as you want as long as you are successful in your rolls. Every two successes, however, the DC will rise by 1. In turn, ENGAGEMENT’S DC will decrease by 1 every success. If you miss your ENGAGEMENT (and have no abilities to counteract the failure), your offensive ends.
>>
Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>4579029
>ROLL FOR HUNTING (+1) (DC: 9, 1d20)
I think we should try to hunt at least 3 or 4 times to pull the engagement DC down to 10 or 11.
>>
Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>4579029
>>ROLL FOR HUNTING (+1) (DC: 9, 1d20)
a real hunter only needs one shot. so lets line it up right
>>
Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>4579029
>>ROLL FOR HUNTING (+1) (DC: 9, 1d20)
>>
>>4579035
>>4579036
>>4579037
Current Hunting DC: 9 (0 change from base)
Current Engagement DC: 13 (-1 change from base)
Roll again?
>>
>>4579040
>>4579041
>>4579042
Guys, hang on. This isn't the roll prompt yet. I'm just asking. Wait a minute. Yeesh.
>>
>>4579043
In that case yes we would like to roll again
>>
>>4579045
same
>>
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Symphony 02, Fiona
<< Ho … not bad at all … >>

Ivory mumbles obscenities into the comm as you break through another nimbus and tear a stratus into non-existence. The Fulcrum’s agility is something to behold. You must be raking the sound barrier for all its worth at this point, but you don’t stop in your pursuit. The tail fins and the ailerons of your second-in-command are dead in your sights as the cries of encouragement from your plane’s avatar cry out like some heavenly witness crying for absolution.

Symphony 02, Fiona
<< You’re not going to beat him out on speed alone. >>

Ivory
<< Come on, new guy, show me what you got! >>

You oblige.

>ROLL FOR HUNTING (DC: 9, 1d20)
>ROLL FOR ENGAGEMENT (DC: 13, 1d20)
>>
Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>4579047
>ROLL FOR HUNTING (DC: 9, 1d20)
>>
Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>4579047
>>ROLL FOR HUNTING (DC: 9, 1d20)
>>
>>4579048
>>4579049
Current Hunting DC: 10 (+1 Change from Base)
Current Engagement DC: 12 (-2 Change from Base)
>>
Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>4579047
>>ROLL FOR HUNTING (DC: 9, 1d20)
>>
>>4579050
You guys wanna roll again?
>>4579048
>>4579049
Haha, >>4579051 is lucky that the 19 more than makes up for it.
>>
>>4579052
ikr and sure lets see if we cant be lucky once more.
>>
File: Elaine zooming.jpg (70 KB, 1080x720)
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You cut him off with a cut downward, teasing him with your sights as the Fulcrum points its nose upward to bring itself to a controlled stall. Ivory, apparently bamboozled by your sudden—and they are, indeed, sudden—movements hisses into the comm as the both of you dash in and out of the clouds, the sun changing shoulders with every second that ticks on the clock. At baseline, the Fulcrum would be at a clear disadvantage, but it was a testament to Ivory’s skill that he was able to last so long after giving up the advantage in the initial dance. Elaine squeaks as you roll to the left as he breaks off to the right, the both of you performing almost exact mirror images of horizontal looping to …

Ivory
<< Son of a … >>

You break just before the clip, decelerating and diving down to catch Ivory before he evened out his craft, nesting Fiona right on the tip of Elaine’s nose.

Symphony 02, Fiona
<< How did he … >>

Her arms crossed over her chest, Elaine grins widely … and proudly.

>ROLL FOR HUNTING (DC: 10, 1d20)
>ROLL FOR ENGAGEMENT (DC: 12, 1d20)
>>
Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>4579056
>ROLL FOR HUNTING (DC: 10, 1d20)
>>
Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>4579056
>>ROLL FOR HUNTING (DC: 10, 1d20)
>>
Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>4579056
>>ROLL FOR HUNTING (DC: 10, 1d20)
>>
>>4579058
>>4579060
>>4579063
Holy damn. That's three successes in a row.
>>
>>4579064
gotta channel all them ace combat/gundam protags
>>
>>4579065
>inb4 that's why we're Wizard.
>>
If you guys are still around, I would like to get back to this in a bit. Haven't had this fun running in a while.
>>
>>4579091
think im the only one left awake
>>
>>4579091
Lurking.
>>
File: My Partner Is The Best.jpg (67 KB, 1020x797)
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Ivory
<< All right, all right: time. You’ve made your point, Wizard. Sheesh … >>

The erratic fakes of the Fulcrum stops within seconds. Your second-in-command decelerates into a cruising speed thirty or so degrees to your right; you do the same, shifting your own vector from a gradual north to an even eight o’clock with Ivory. Upon your console, you’re treated to the sight of your craft’s avatar pumping her fist in unrestrained enthusiasm, the advanced graphics of the interface showcasing the shine in her eyes at having witnessed your recent triumph. Elaine’s small figure twirls slightly before stopping with her avatar’s features directly facing that of the drifting MIG-29, her pilot seen visibly shaking his head in the cockpit.

Symphony 02, Fiona
<< Encounter data received; compiled and stored. Would it be in error to assume that this is the factor in which the modules are lacking in … beyond situations where endurance and fortitude which we can and have measured? >>

A heavy sigh sounds through the comms, wrapped in a mix of shame and bewilderment.

Ivory
<< Can’t say that I get any of that, but if you’ve picked anything up from Wizard, I won’t mind getting some of that shot down into my neurons. Yeesh … don’t think I’ve felt that kind of pressure before; all without firing a single round or pod, too. >>

You don’t miss the sparkle in Elaine’s eyes as her tiny figure looks up at your visored visage, as if expecting your own remark. Thankfully for the both of you, you weren’t the type to spoil victories with unnecessary extras. You merely follow Ivory’s lead, the encounter now a memory, a reference.

Symphony 02, Fiona
<< That is not how my learning matrix executes its processes. However, if you wish for me to simplify the percentages of you being able to reverse Symphony Four’s initial advantage, your percentages would have increased had you chosen to prolong the encounter instead of conceding so early. >>

Ivory
<< That’s not the point, Fiona. Anyway … you got me good on that. Right in front of the home stands, too. >>

A series of laughs erupts through the channel, lead by none other than Symphony Three … and emphasized by the smug, prideful look of your F-15’s avatar, who had her hands over her breasts. Even the Flight Leader seems to be in on it.

Elaine
<< The outcome was never in doubt. Wizard’s Wizard for a reason. >>

Ebony
<< I’m never letting you live this down. >>

Ivory hisses into the comms, clearly dissatisfied.

Ivory
<< Yeah, yeah … anyway, you’re pretty damn good pushing and chasing. Can’t say I’m not curious about seeing how well you do when the shoe’s on the other foot … >>

>Continue Tutorial (Evasion)
>Proceed
>>
>>4579137
>Continue Tutorial (Evasion)
>>
>>4579137
>>Continue Tutorial (Evasion)
>>
>>4579137
>>Continue Tutorial (Evasion)
>>
>>4579137
>>Continue Tutorial (Evasion)
>>
>>4579137
>Continue Tutorial (Evasion)
>>
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Jackpot
<< It’s not like we’re pressed for time. I’ll allow it. >>

You and Elaine share a nod as you break away from the two-man wing to put yourself in a position of pursuit, waiting for Fiona and Ivory to fall into your previous position. Not ten seconds later, the Eagle and the Fulcrum were now reversed in your roles, with you and Elaine cruising on the edge of a hard lock and Ivory and his AI at the back in hot pursuit. Your grips the throttle as you feel Elaine’s chassis swing side to side, waiting for Ivory to properly fall into your six.

Ivory
<< All right, let’s see how you do on this stage, Wizard. >>

Elaine
<< Let’s show him what we’re not just a one-trick pony, partner! >>

>EVASION REVERSAL (Roll against GM, GM Roll+5, 1d20)
>EVASION (DC: 8)

EVASION AND EVASION REVERSALS
NOTES:
>EVASION AND EVASION REVERSALS are two different ways to approach defence. Evasion Reversals are more aggressive manoeuvres concentrating on getting back on offence in the quickest way possible. Due to the high risk that comes with the series of manoeuvres, they are generally of a higher difficulty to achieve; you will be rolling against the GM. Failure to do so will result in you being open to an attack. Success, however, allows you to skip your HUNTING phase and gives an automatic ENGAGEMENT bonus depending on your ENGAGEMENT Level, in which you will have TWO rolls (2d20) to beat the DC. Normal Evasion is safer, as you are given your normal Evasion DC Rolls (1d20) but still stand a chance to survive the exchange should you fail with a successful PSYCO save (1d12), should it beat the DC. Remember, though: THE INSTANCES IN WHICH YOU DEPLOY YOUR PSYCO FOR ASSISTANCE SHAPES THE NATURE OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR A.I., WHETHER YOU EXECUTE IT OFFENSIVELY, OR DEFENSIVELY, FREQUENTLY OR OCCASIONALLY.
>>
Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>4579700
forgot to not add the modifier
BLESS ME RNGESUS
>>
>>4579706
Please do not attach modifiers automatically as I have to manually tally them anyway and it becomes confusing.
>>
Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>4579700
>EVASION REVERSAL (Roll against GM, GM Roll+5, 1d20)
Lets go for broke.
>>
Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>4579708
>>4579710
All right, let's see if you beat/match me.
>>
Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>4579700
Rolling to make mech job.
>>
>>4579708
>>4579710
(19+10)+1 = More than 11
>>4579712
6+5 = 11
>>
File: Nice One, Partner.jpg (145 KB, 1920x1080)
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Breaking the chase off is harder than you initially thought it would be, but trusting your instincts, you deploy an AOA manoeuvre, twisting and banking until the both of you are practically nose-to-nose within seconds … and looping back to reclaim the advantage. Ivory’s instincts and experience is quite the gulf to cross, but from what you’d seen before, it was still raw in flashes. You feel Elaine accelerating as the ailerons scream to make the bank, eager to cross herself over that threshold into defence. Fiona does the same, the circumference of her turn larger but compensated by her leaner design, forcing you to tug and thrust as the stall warnings—both automatic and manual—protest the relentlessness of your drive. The klaxon beeps its warning; that you’d upset the air flow of the craft’s very capabilities …

But all you see is Elaine’s cry of victory.

Ivory
<< Son of a … >>

They’re in your sights within seconds.

Conductor
<< Jesus, son, it’s just a training exercise! >>

Jackpot
<< Holy Hell, Wizard. That’s some flying if I ever saw it. >>

Elaine’s avatar does a joyous pump of her fist, jumping mid-air … and inadvertently rolls the craft from her unrestrained joy. After that AOA split, though, it was more of a wake-up shake than anything else.

Elaine
<< Man, that was something else! You really know how to show a girl a good time! >>

Her half-foot tall avatar laughs … before looking up at you expectantly.

Did she ... expect you to say something?

>Write-In
>>
>>4579729
>Takes two to tango after all
>shoot her a grin
>>
>>4579733
This, but make it as cheesy as possible.
>>
File: tenor.gif (1.23 MB, 498x373)
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>>4579760
This image sums up what I want to do right now.
>>
>>4579733
>Supporting
>>
>>4579733
You're wearing an oxygen mask.
>>
>>4579904
Ok then replace the smile with giving the avatar a psuedo-headpat.
>>
>>4579904
I'd personally say it's the mentality that matters when it comes to that
>>
>>4579904
then just change it to a thumbs up instead of a grin
>>
>>4579729
>>4579733
Supporting, but make it a thumbs up.
Also, doing an aoa without supermaneuvrability holy shit wtf
>>
>>4579907
>>
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>>4579904
Give a thumps up then
>>
Just to be clear in an evasion reversal its 2d20 added together to beat the gm roll, not best of 2, right?
>>
>>4579920
No, no, that's just for the Special Engagement phase AFTER you win that roll. It's just a really hard DC to beat normally.
>>
>>4579920
Most rolls will be average of our first 3 rolls with modifiers then added.

>Evasion DC 9 (1d20) with a +1 bonus
>Poster 1 rolls 7 to Evade
>Poster 2 rolls 11 to Evade
>Poster 3 rolls 15 to Evade
>Result is 12 (11(roll average) +1 (bonus)) to Evade

During a successful Evasion Reversal our free Engagement check will be the standard 3 roll average + modifiers with a follow up "reroll" of 3 roll average + modifiers if we fail the first roll.

>Engagement check (DC 15) after a successful Evasion Reversal
>Poster 1 rolls 6
>Poster 2 rolls 15
>Poster 3 roll 9
>Result is 10: Failure
>Poster 1 rolls 12
>Poster 2 rolls 20
>Poster 3 rolls 13
>Result is 15: Success
>>
>>4579935
Sweet this helps thanks
>>
Roll call for those that wanna play Project Wingbride in a bit. Since I'm, you know, free.
>>
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OPTIONAL MISSION - INTRODUCTIONS: OBJECTIVE COMPLETE!
>Standard Experience Points Received: 12*
>PSYCO Experience Points Received: 8*
>PSYCO Leveled Up! New Level: 2 (0 to Next Level)*
>PSYCO Leveled Up! New Level: 3 (10 to Next Level)*

You give a small nod and gesture towards the little lady with an upright thumb. Evidently appreciating your gesture, you feel the shake and sway of Elaine’s happiness as the frame moves freely of your control, a feedback of positive vibes leading back into you through the experimental receptors built into your helmet. Your demonstration over and done with, you form up alongside your second-in-command, climbing above the cloud line before banking right, spying the angle of approach of the three remaining members of Team Symphony. Ivory accelerates and rolls acrobatically above the three-man formation; a move that, to the unaccustomed eye, would have made for screams at a possible clipping of the vertical fins of his MIG-29 with that of Ebony’s own MIG-31 … but even after knowing them for barely two weeks and having zero active hours together, you knew that it was perceived recklessness more than an actual show of it.

Symphony 03 Flight Intelligence, MIG-31 “Farah”
<< If you’re thinking of showing off to compensate for that lackadaisical effort, Symphony Two, you’re going to have to pull off more than a roll and a tentative paint trade. >>

Granted, there were those that it didn’t fail to get a rise out of.

Symphony 02, Fiona
<< None of those accusations apply to my pilot, or myself. >>

Farah snorts into the comm, evidently unamused by the retort. It was amazing, really, what technology could achieve these days. It was almost fascinating.

Symphony 05 Flight Intelligence, F/A-18, “Hiryuu”
<< Settle down, both of you. >>

Symphony 03, Farah
<< We weren’t the ones that … >>

Jackpot
<< Break it up, ladies. If you want to go all-out, wait until we’ve set you back in the hangars. The last thing I want is our intelligence modules picking up cues from Symphony Two and Three. >>

You and Elaine trade knowing glances. You wonder if she can see the defeated smile underneath your mask. Still … the Flight Leader’s command is heeded, and whatever three-way brawl is kept from erupting through the adherence protocols and the chain of command. As boisterous and independent as the artificial intelligence could get at times, there were implications and unsaid orders that they were able to heed. For you, it was like a bunch of delinquents in a classroom being given an ultimatum by a stern teacher.

Conductor
<< Well, we still got some time … Wizard: you have anything you want to shoot up into the air waves from your end? >>
>>
>Decline questions, press on
>Ask about the state of the world
>Ask about Symphony Squadron’s operational history
>Ask about the AIs and how they’ve developed so far, their relations, etc.
>Ask about their personal feelings regarding the current assignment
>Talk about baseball
>Write-In
>>
>>4580298
>>Ask about the state of the world

world building ahoy
>>
>>4580298
>Ask about the AIs and how they’ve developed so far, their relations, etc.
>>
>>4580298
>>Talk about baseball
>>
>>4580298
>Ask about the state of the world
>>
File: gomen.jpg (53 KB, 450x337)
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=][=ALERT! MECHANIC FORGOT TO GIVE THE EXP PAGE FOR ACEING THE TUTORIAL, SO PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THIS! =][=

CURRENT EXP HELD: 12
You have received Experience Points! Choose where to allocate them:
Hunting Lv. 1 (5 Experience to Level 2)
>New Abilities at: 3, 6, 10, 15
Evasion Lv. 1 (5 Experience to Level 2)
>New Abilities at 3, 6, 10, 15
Engagement Lv. 1 (5 Experience to Level 2)
>New Abilities at 3, 6, 10, 15

PSYCO Level 2!
Old Modifier: +2
New Modifier: +3
PSYCO Level 3!
Old Limit DC: 12
New Limit DC: 11

You have reached PSYCO Level 3
Choose:
>Upgrade 1 current ability
>Unlock 1 locked ability (Left: 2)
>>
>>4580351
use 5 exp to lvl up hunting to lvl 2

use 5 exp to lvl engagement to lvl 2

then use the psycho lvl 3 to unlock a new ability for elaine
>>
>>4580298
>Ask about the AIs and how they’ve developed so far, their relations, etc.

>>4580351
Supporting >>4580361
>>
>>4580298
>Ask about the state of the world
>Ask about the AIs and how they’ve developed so far, their relations, etc.
>>4580351
5 exp to lvl up to hunting lvl 2
5 exp to lvl up evasion to lvl 2
unlock a new ability for PSYCO lvl 3
>>
This is Mechanic. Sorry about that. I nodded off last night.
>>
Testing
>>
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====================
EXPERIENCE SCREEN
====================

Current EXP Held: 2
Evasion Lv. 2 (8 Experience to Level 3)
Hunting Lv. 2 (8 Experience to Level 3)
Engagement Lv. 1 (5 Experience to Level 2)

F-15 “Elaine”
Unlocked new PSYCO ability : Relentless Lv. 1*
>Only available for activation after failing a Hunting or Initiative check. You may roll again at DC+1 (At Level 1); if you fail this roll, the encounter proceeds as normal. This ability is affected by the limit.

Current PSYCO Abilities (Level 3; 10 to next level)
Modifiers: +3 on activation
Limit DC: 11
>Acrobat Lv. 1 (+1 to Evasion)
>Multi-Lock Lv. 1 (May lock onto up to 2 extra targets)
>Relentless Lv. 1 (May roll again if fail Hunting/Initiative at DC+1)
>????
>>
>>4581244
Just a brief on what a "limit" DC is. Every time you use your PSYCO, you have to roll whether you can roll it again. Fall below the DC and you won't be able to use PSYCO abilities at all until your next sortie.
>>
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Jackpot
<< What’s there left to tell? The world turns, some ambassador stubs their toe against a rock and we cash in our bonuses minus unwarranted losses at the end of the fiscal year. >>

You notice Elaine’s brief look of hesitance, but don’t make a deal of it.

Conductor
<< So much has changed for mercenary units in the last decade, I don’t even know where to start. I remember when we had to deal with shoddy hangars and barflies that held themselves above the standard and now … man[/], you kids have it good. The Edict of Legitimacy really turned things around. >>

Ebony
<< The Edict wouldn’t have been a thought at all if it weren’t for the Two Hundred Days of Fire. As twisted as it is to even bring up, Amaterasu Defense and Security would still be renting out transports to pirates and independent mercenary units if the Cascadian Independence movement didn’t end up the way it did. >>

Ivory
<< What was the name of that mercenary group again? Sicario? >>

Symphony 02, Fiona
<< The Sicario Mercenary Corps are a now-defunct Private Military Contractor that, even prior to the Two Hundred Days of Fire, were well-known amongst mercenary circles for being relatively small in number but relatively valuable in skill level. The most recent record regarding the performance matrices registers the Sicario Mercenary Corps with the highest kill ratio in the history, accounting for more than forty percent of registered air-to-air and air-to-ground kills, as well as heading a plethora of vital operations for the Cascadian Independence Force. Their last leader, Arnold Frenken, call-sign Kaiser, disbanded the PMC shortly after Cascadia achieved independence. Most of its personnel are at large for alleged war crimes, but Kaiser was last seen acting as an independent consultant to The Intermediary. Save for Kaiser, none of Sicario has been seen in the last twelve years. >>

You blink, surprised at the sudden unloading of information.

Ivory
<< Uh … thanks, Fiona. >>

Jackpot
<< Sicario … they’re the ones that took down Frost Druid. >>

His tone is bitter, filled with contempt.

Ebony
<< Frost … Druid? >>

Ivory
<< How can you not know Frost Druid? She was one of the aces of The Oceania War!Over two hundred confirmed kills! The Pale Cougar of the Skies! >>

Conductor
<< She must have been pushing forty by the time Sicario punched her card in. Still … if there was anyone that could have done it, then, it must have been … >>
>>
Ivory
<< Yeah … couldn’t have been anyone else. >>

>Write-In (Seriously, guys, you should know this)
>Who?
>>
>>4581282
>>Write-In (Seriously, guys, you should know this)
"the king of the skies himself and his lady in waiting of course"
>>
>>4581282
Would have to support this, though it could have been anyone from Hitman, 1~4, since they were all present for the fight.
>>
>>4581287
>PTSD of Dip and Mic KSing intensifies
Monarch should have joined the Federation.
>>
>>4581282
It was Master Goose betraying Frost Druid, duh.
>>
>>4581283
Supporting
>>
>>4581283
Supporting
>>
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Jackpot’s laugh is dry, sardonic.

Jackpot
<< King of the skies, huh? If the shoe fit; it’s never been said that all kings are just. >>

He doesn’t follow-up beyond that.

Ivory
<< Well … seeing as we’ve pretty much crossed the Cobalt-Cruz line and are about twenty minutes out from little rendezvous … anything else you want to throw out there, Wizard? Maybe something to lighten the mood? >>

To your surprise, you see Elaine’s otherwise-silent avatar make a small gesture with her shoulders, evidently agreeing with Ivory’s propose course of action.

>Move on
>Ask about Symphony Squadron’s operational history
>Ask about the AIs
>Ask about their personal feelings in regards to the current assignment
>Talk about baseball
>Write-In
>>
>>4581621
>Ask about the AIs
>>
>>4581621
>>Ask about the AIs
>>
>>4581621
>Talk about baseball
To lighten the mood
>>
>>4581621
>Ask about the AIs
>>4581244
While I do enjoy that my exp decision vote was chosen, it was engagement that received more votes and not evasion
>>
>>4581778
I apologize. I'll revert it later on the next screen.
>>
>>4581621
>Talk about baseball
>>
>>4581621
>>Ask about the AIs
>>
>>4581833
Could just run another vote seeing as it looks like there's a lot more people voting now
>>
Running in a moment. Can I have a show of hands?
>>
Conductor
<< Eh … as far as I care, it’s steady employment. Let the unions and ethic committees figure it out for themselves. >>

Ivory
<< Not interested into that sort of thing? >>

Conductor
<< I’d say it’s more that I don’t have a particular inclination towards the topic outside of the fact that it’s had a hand in keeping my bank account healthy. The fact that Hiryuu and the rest of the modules are less poisonous than your average human being is an added bonus. >>

You glance down at Elaine’s avatar, seemingly intent on listening in on the conversation.

Ebony
<< It doesn’t bother you that we might be having a hand in pushing our current vocation into irrelevance through the development of such technology? >>

Conductor
<< Like I said: I’ll let the unions and ethic committees figure that one out. >>

Jackpot
<< Well, Conductor’s right about the average Amaterasu Intelligence module being more amicable than your average human being. Not sure if I’d chalk that down to sheer naivete or the algorithm mutation that the boys in coats work by, though. >>

Ivory
<< You probably have an opinion on that, Wizard. Well? >>

>Write-In
>>
>>4582264
Okay, seeing as I'm feeling generous, here are some options as to where you want to take the conversation:

>Relate your interpersonal relationships with the Artificial Intelligences and prompt them into doing the same
>Focus on the politics of the matter and where you and the rest stand professionally
>Be casual and just say that you think that they're really neat.
>Say that you understand the perspective of dissenters
>Write-In
>>
>>4582264
>>Write-In
"I dont think they will ever let these things be autonomous, there will always be a man-in-the-loop and thus there will always be a need for pilots"
>>
>>4582264
>Be casual and just say that you think that they're really neat
They are.
>>
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>>4582267
>Calling AI Waifu "things"
You have to leave.
>>
Seeing as there aren't a lot of you that are on right now ... I'll continue this later. The vote will remain open, so mail it in if you want to.
>>
>>4582271
until i can mofu mofu the bewby, she will kinda be a thing
>>
>>4582266
>Be casual and just say that you think that they're really neat.
>>
>>4582266
>Be casual and just say that you think that they're really neat.
>>
>>4582266
>Say that you understand the perspective of dissenters
>>
>>4582266
>Say that you understand the perspective of dissenters
>>
>>4582266
>Say that you understand the perspective of dissenters
>>
>>4582270
>>4582319
>>4582323

>>4582378
>>4582515
>>4582530

We have a tie. Flipping a coin; coin flipped and ...
>>
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Ivory
<< Neat, huh? Not the word that I’d pick out myself, but … an opinion’s an opinion. >>

You shrug. You were never a big on thinking over things. As far as you were concerned, things were at face value until otherwise subverted. From a more personal perspective, you find yourself aligning a little bit more towards Conductor’s perspective on things: Elaine and the others seemed pleasant enough, even when they were practically add-ons to your twitch reflex or rolled one barrel too many and that’s really all you have to say about that.

Symphony 05, Hiryuu
<< Symphony Four. >>

You tilt your head as you respond to the call, confused.

Symphony 05, Hiryuu
<< I, too, find you … neat. >>

Conductor
<< Oh, my … >>

Jackpot
<< Looks like the ethics and committees are going to have to do a whole lot of figuring out by the time we RTB. >>

A burst of masculine laughter erupts along the comms. You lean forward, rubbing the back of your neck, unable to bring yourself to line up a proper response.

>Write-In
>>
>>4582663
>Thank Hiryuu for the compliment
>>
>>4582668
Supporting.
>>
>>4582663
>Y-you too
>>
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The plane does a sudden, violent roll as you finish your response to Hiryuu’s kind words.

Upon gaining your bearings—which takes less than a third of a second—you peer down at the innocuous body language of your craft’s avatar, humming off-tune and staring up at the canopy. Leaning forward, you open your mouth to ask just what that was for, only for the comm alert to go off right as the first consonant swan-dives from your tongue.

????
<< Unidentified aircraft, identify yourself. >>

Jackpot
<< This is Sheffield-Niner-Eight-Seven-Zero authorization code Alpha-Charlie-Sierra-Sierra-Zero-Four; relay verification. >>

????
<< Verification is Alpha-Charlie-Zulu-Oscar-Zero-Zero. This is Captain Finn of the Orleasian Royal Guard. Asset transfer underway; handle with care. >>

The IFF immediately locks onto what was probably the most luxurious-looking airliner that you’d ever seen. Even from this distance, you could tell that there was marked difference in the design and architecture of its peers. The body was much too bulky, its wings much too long for it to be marked as a mere modification off the production line. Elegant curves, rectangular intakes and what could only be described as a rather tall curve doubling as a cockpit at its tip, the first word that enters your mind is the sheer cost of the craft’s commission, as it could only have been custom-made. The closest that you could describe it in a catalogue of its contemporaries was a three-way marriage between the 747, TU-144 and an artist given free rein in regards to the steepening of curve gradients.

Jackpot
<< Package received, Captain Finn; we’ll take it from here. >>

Although … knowing just who it belonged to, none of that should have surprised you. The diagonal, jet-black cross and the golden wings of the twin birds that make the emblem painted on the side of the craft peeks into full bloom as you plug yourself into the escort, cruising several dozens of feet away from the tip of the right wing.

Your real work hours had begun.

Jackpot
<< Cinder Lord, this is Captain Joe Hikaru of Symphony Squadron. We’ll be your escort for your trip to the Asarian Conference. Please inform his majesty that he’s in good hands. >>

Transport Asset, “Cinder Lord”
<< I’m sure I am. >>

Ivory
<< Whoa, is that … >>

A bout of laughter erupts from the airliner; deep yet jovial.

Ebony
<< The King of Orleasian Kingdom … >>

Ivory
<< Is he … flying the plane? >>
>>
The laughter subsides into light chuckles … or as light as Cinder Lord can manage; his voice would probably cause tremors if he so much as boomed on solid ground.

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< Don’t worry. I was flying rubber dog shit from out of Port Hong for five years in a cargo plane. This is a lot easier. >>

Cinder Lord, Co-Pilot
<< Your Highness, that’s the chaff trigger! >>

The craft rumbles slightly to your right as you hear sounds of a light scuffle … but remains otherwise stable.

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< I knew that. >>

You hear a groan from Conductor … and a nervous laugh from Ivory.

>Write-In
>Stay Silent
>>
>>4582707
>Write-In
[Polite levels of laughter]
>>
>>4582707
>>Write-In
>chuckle lightly and get ready for a long trip
>>
>>4582709
Supporting
>>
>>4582709
Support
>>
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You politely chuckle, more amused than alarmed as you fall into a routine of check-ins and micro-management. Jackpot’s VX-23 maintains point, just slightly ahead of the group. Ebony and Ivory maintain discipline, much to your surprise, with the only occasional break being Ebony’s AI chatting about some minute detail going unaccounted for and demanding the slack to be picked up. Even Elaine had fallen into the monotony of half-hourly system reports; you almost feel like dozing off yourself, but fully trusting the plane with Elaine alongside an asset of such import wasn’t something that you were eager to do just yet … if only because you’d already caught a nap on the way up here and risking a second right now would likely be an infarction worthy of a docked pay-check.

And you weren’t even half-way yet.

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< So, seeing as I’m going to be putting our full support behind your AI advancement prerogative … am I going to get to meet any of the little ladies? >>

Jackpot
<< Your Majesty? >>

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< You know … the girls? >>

Conductor
<< The girls? >>

Conductor’s tone is one of confusion; he repeats the sentence as though it is a foreign tongue he has little to no grasp of.

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< Your planes are fitted with AI, aren’t they? Don’t I get to meet one of them? >>

Jackpot
<< Um … >>

>Prompt Elaine
>Keep silent
>Write-In
>>
>>4582741
>>Prompt Elaine
>>
>>4582741
>Prompt Elaine
>>
>>4582741
>>Keep silent
>>
>>4582741
>keep silent
>>
>>4582741
>>Prompt Elaine
>>
>>4582741
>Keep silent
>>
>>4582741
>Prompt Elaine
She could probably use the experience.
>>
>>4582741
>Prompt Elaine
>>
>>4582741
>Prompt Elaine
>>
>>4582741
>Prompt Fiona
>>
>Write-In
Introduce Elaine and tell how she is wonderful and cute
>>
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Elaine stares back at you for a moment … before slumping her shoulders and letting out a small whining sound.

Elaine
<< Greetings, your majesty … >>

It’s not as eloquent as you’d hoped, but you don’t dare look a gift horse in the mouth.

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< Now that’s a voice that’ll bring any man to attention at 2 AM over the Bering Straits. >>

Elaine hangs her head, equal parts flattered and embarrassed by the King’s remark. At the same time, the King’s co-pilot—which you now realize is probably the craft’s captain who had been unceremoniously usurped of his responsibilities—lets out an exasperated whine at what you assume to be his monarch’s lack of delicacy.

Cinder Lord, Co-Pilot
<< Sire, please … >>

The King would have none of that, however.

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< Relax; you’re acting like I’m tap-dancing on the throne. >>

You hear a resigned rumble from the co-pilot, but little else follows after. You can only conclude that he’d finally given up in his attempts at having the SOP heeded to the letter.

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< Well, Miss, what can I call you? They give you names or am I going to have to get out a calculator to make sure I don’t misplace a digit? >>

Much to your surprise, Elaine laughs.

Elaine
<< It’s … Elaine, sir. >>

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< Wow … it’s pleasure to make you acquaintance, Elaine. I’ll be in your care. >>

There’s a moment of contemplative silence that breaks through the comms, accompanied only by what feels like a ponderous hum.

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< Which one are you, Elaine? >>

Elaine
<< Sir? >>

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< Which plane are you? The MIG-29? >>

You hear what sounds like a suspiciously indignant snort, but you’re uncertain just where its node of origin was.

Elaine
<< I’m the F-15, sir. Coming up on your left. >>

Elaine prompts you to give her a little push … which you do, bringing up the plane from the tip of the airliner’s wings to just within the viewing cone of the larger craft’s cockpit. Turning your head towards the King’s plane, your line of sight trails from the craft’s sleek—if bulky—frame all the way to the DV windows … where you’re able to spy a clean-shaven middle-aged man of a rigid countenance and white hair almost pressing himself against the glass, his expression one of almost child-like excitement.

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< You’re a beauty, all right. >>

Elaine hugs her small form, her mouth wiggling as she struggles to elicit a proper response.

Cinder Lord, Co-Pilot
<< Your majesty … >>
>>
Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< What? You’re going to tell me that there’s a woman on this planet that doesn’t appreciate being called beautiful? >>

You’re quite certain that the uncomfortable grunt that follows is from your Flight Leader, but you weren’t about to risk disciplinary action by pointing it out. Elaine, meanwhile, refuses to lift her head, the blue tint of her projection only making the pink tinge upon her cheeks look worse. The King’s co-pilot, however, doesn’t respond, mumbling incoherently (or praying, as you’re quite sure you hear half a sermon in there) as he retreats from the fore once again.

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< Beautiful; beautiful; beautiful. >>

Elaine hugs her knees, squeaking.

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< Your man treat you right, Elaine? >>

You don’t know why, but you feel a rather tight sphincter at the King’s question.

>Write-In
>Stay Silent
>>
>>4582940
>>Write-In
Say that my parents taught me to be a gentleman to any lady
>>
>>4582941
same
>>
>>4582940
>stay silent
>>
>>4582940
>Stay Silent
If she needs it i guess we could prompt her to answer truthfully, though it might be taken wrong if not done non-verbally.
>>
>>4582941
>>4582942

>>4582944
>>4582943
We have a tie. Flipping a coin; coin flipped and ...
>>
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You’re quite sure that his question was directed at Elaine, still.

However, there was a part of you that was a little … sensitive from the man’s line of questioning, resulting in your veering from response protocols. You’re uncertain how much of your pay check had been ripped up in that brazen declaration … but the only sound you hear along the comms is an agreeable grunt from the masculine half of the conversation that you’d just interrupted.

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< Your parents raised you right, then. A lady’s a lady; transistors and vacuum tubes or credit card-maxing ball-gowns, a lady’s a lady. You treat her right and she’ll bring you home. You can take that as a royal proclamation. >>

Cinder Lord, Co-Pilot
<< I’m quite certain that’s not how it works, Your Majesty. >>

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< You know what, Downey? You’re not fun at all. >>

Elaine laughs; rather audibly, you might add.

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< There you go. Always a pleasure to hear a pretty girl laugh. >>

Elaine smiles warmly as her small form looks up to you, her laughter fading away into giggles as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ears. You can’t help but wonder what went through the minds of her creators in designing a graphics engine that compensated for such subtleties on the three-dimensional spectrum, even with all the flickers that followed. Despite you knowing her as an artificial, semi-independent attachment to your current person, you’re quite certain that there was nothing tactical about having a constructed intelligence of her design having the capacity to blush and giggle like a teenage girl.

God help you, it only made her all the more charming.

Jackpot
<< If you don’t mind me saying, Your Majesty, you’re … a lot more candid that I thought you’d be. >>

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< Yeah; the only reason I’m even on this … throne at all is because they pretty much threatened to fire bomb each others neighbourhoods if I didn’t restore the—and I quote—The House of Bonaparte to its rightful glory. If it was up to me … I’d happily be putting up sticks and heading back down to North Silat with my daughters. God knows how they tracked down the line all the way down to me. >>

Conductor
<< The Orleasian Kingdom’s younger than the emergency kits under our seats … which makes their choice to return to a centralized monarchy whose origins were as the conquerors of the region actually amount to less sense than peanut butter on tomato sauce. >>

There is a pause.

Conductor
<< No offence meant, Your Majesty. >>

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< You’re making more sense than anyone on the ground; believe me. >>
>>
>Ask how he got the job
>Ask why he’s been such a big proponent of AI development
>Ask what he hopes to achieve at the Asarian Conference
>Ask him about more casual topics
>Stay silent
>Write-In
>>
>>4582988
>>Ask why he’s been such a big proponent of AI development
>>
>>4582988
>Ask why he’s been such a big proponent of AI development
>>
>>4582988
>Ask how he got the job
>>
>>4582988
>Ask what he hopes to achieve at the Asarian Conference
>>
>>4582988
>>Ask what he hopes to achieve at the Asarian Conference
>>
>>4582988
>>Ask why he’s been such a big proponent of AI development
>>
Show of hands for those that would like me to run now.
>>
>>4583376
Go for it.
>>
>>4583376
sure
>>
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Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< I suppose it’s because I’m a bit of a futurist at heart. >>

>Question his stance as the development of Artificial Intelligence in the context of his support is their application in warfare and defence.
>Question his stance from his personal feelings on the matter; his history and what has him confident in the continual development of Artificial Intelligence
>Question the prospect of the redundancy of the human factor in the theatre of war
>Argue that futurists that put investment through defence technology are practically non-existent
>Accept his statement as is
>Write-In
>>
>>4583379
>Your Majesty, which gacha game did you whale on?
>>
>>4583379
>Accept his statement as is
>>
>>4583379
>>Question his stance from his personal feelings on the matter; his history and what has him confident in the continual development of Artificial Intelligence
>>
>>4583381
this
>>
>>4583397
supporting
>>
>>4583379
>>Question his stance from his personal feelings on the matter; his history and what has him confident in the continual development of Artificial Intelligence
>>
>>4583379
>Question the prospect of the redundancy of the human factor in the theatre of war

Remember AC: 7
>>
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Jackpot
<< Symphony Four, maintain discipline … >>

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< Hah, don’t worry about it. I guess there are some questions that are going unanswered with the why and what of my support and I would’ve been more surprised if you’d decided to drop it at just that. >>

Cinder Lord, Co-Pilot
<< Your Highness … >>

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< It’s all right, Downey; it’s nothing I’m not going to give out in my autobiography, anyway. >>

The co-pilot grunts rather audibly over the comms, but doesn’t protest your client’s decision.

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< Well, I already said I was a futurist … and that’s true. I’ve always been fascinated with the continuous advancement of technology and the waves that each step forward makes; in my opinion, it’s never been so much people that change the world, but the societal responses that attempt to make the pond of humanity return to a still, undisturbed surface, unwittingly—and ultimately—changing things more than a single flicker of innovation ever could. When the the telephone was invented, it was humanity’s response to that technology and their attempts at restoring a new status quo that shaped our attitudes to communication. Computers, planes, cars … and now with Amaterasu Defence and Security’s recent breakthroughs, I truly believe that you’re on the cusp of something incredible. Something I personally want to be a part of because I believe that what you’re doing is the next step … or rather, a step that I believe we have tip-toed around much too timidly for my liking. >>

Jackpot
<< The exclusivity and the op sites must make this deal all the sweeter, then. >>

A boom of laughter rings through the comms.

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< I never said that there weren’t side benefits that my country wouldn’t be enjoying through this deal. The mutual investment is something that I’m sure is going to yield dividends through the next decade. The world’s stability is practically non-existent right now … and I may have been a cargo pilot back in my younger days, but don’t think that I don’t get that there’s more than one game afoot. The concept of adhering to the realpolitik of circumstances is something I personally loathe doing, so the opportunity to actually back practicality up with my actual beliefs is something that I’m thankful for. So … here’s to you, Miss Elaine, and all that come after you. >>

Elaine doesn’t answer; her expression, however, is clearly contemplative.

Ivory
<< Wow, I … huh … >>

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< Heh; I didn’t put any of you to sleep with that nonsense, did I? >>
>>
>>4583436
>Thank him for answering your query
>Write-In
>>
>>4583437
>Thank him for answering your query
>>
>>4583437
>>Thank him for answering your query
>>
>>4583437
>Thank him for answering your query
>>
>>4583437
>Thank him for answering your query
>>
>>4583437
>>Thank him for answering your query
>>
>>4583437
>Thank him for answering your query
>>
Testing.
>>
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You’re met with another bout of laughter from the King; this one friendly and … oddly comforting.

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< It was my pleasure, soldier. You know, I was actually— >>

A high-pitched ringing screams into your left ear, accompanied by a most disorienting static. Your systems go orange as the F-15 shakes, as if passing through an air pocket. Elaine’s avatar returns, whirling around, distress apparent in her eyes. Your hand grips the controls as you peel away from the formation in an attempt to stop yourself from clipping the wing of the Orleasian monarch. You roll out of the impromptu dive, gazing through your canopy to find a blazing fireball spitting out the vivisected remains of a—

Ebony
<< Symphony Five is down! Symphony Five is down! >>

I, too, find you … neat.

Jackpot
<< Anyone see what— >>

You do.

It’s brief, but a streak, akin to a flash of black lightning cuts down on the formation from a vertical position, piercing through the formation with a loud rattle of continuous cannon fire. The formation breaks with a single pass; you roll in an attempt to compensate for the space now taken by the airliner’s bulk, prompting you to decelerate and brake past, the tip of you aileron’s mere feet away from clashing against its belly. Elaine’s stall warning briefly lights up as you really do pass through a temporary vacuum from the flurry of movements, finding yourself on the tail of the fighter escort and with a a clean view of the chaos.

Ebony
<< A single fighter … >>

Symphony 03, Farah
<< I don’t see anything on my scopes; RADAR has no read!

Symphony 02, Fiona
<< Attempting identification of craft … >>

Jackpot
<< Forget the fancy footwork; mark it up as a hostile. Symphony Four! Symphony Two! Get the King out of here! Ebony, Farah, let’s tag this sucker! >>

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< Initiating emergency protocols; Cinder Lord changing course! >>

Symphony 02, Fiona
<< Directives understood. >>

Symphony Two lines up on the other side of the wing as you accelerate through the clouds, the King’s plane banking violently as the three of you peel away from the combat area as quickly as you can manage. Briefly, your eyes meet with Elaine’s … and you see, in that instant, a communication of more raw emotion than you’d seen in half the men and women in your life.

Jackpot
<< Jesus, he’s running rings around us! >>

The RADAR doesn’t track the newcomer. It can’t. As far as it was concerned, there were only five craft within the vicinity.

Ebony
<< Line him up, lead; I’ll tag him the old-fashioned— >>
>>
Jackpot
<< Jesus! That thing just cut right through on a dead angle! >>

Ebony
<< Stay on him! Just stay on him; he’ll land right where I want— >>

You hear a scream; you’re not sure if you’d ever heard anything of its kind. The sharp static pierces your eardrums as your fingers grip the joystick and throttle, a phantom pain coursing through your veins as your breathing begins to grow erratic. The King is on the comms, calling out for help … right as your head bows down to check the RADAR display, your fears confirmed as Jackpot remains the only one of your escort in active engagement with this unknown foe.

Jackpot
<< Sweet mother of … >>

A derisive snarl breaks through the comms; one whose origins you cannot confirm.

????
<< Predictable. >>

It’s a concern, however, that you can’t be distracted by.

Symphony 04, Elaine
<< Farah … >>

Elaine’s eyes widen in horror as she places her hands over her mouth, distress apparent in her quaking form. You feel the rumble of the F-15 under your controls, begging to break away from the airliner’s wing. Your grip on the controls is as tight as ever as you keep Elaine’s influence at a minimum, your discipline and instincts outweighing your distress as you try to push Ebony’s loss out of your mind, glancing through the canopy glass, Jackpot’s yells over the channel confirming what you already know.

Jackpot
<< Symphony Three is down! Symphony Three is down! >>

Ivory
<< Y-You’re kidding … Vergil? >>

Jackpot
<< Cinder Lord, he’s got a bead on you! >>

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< Don’t need to tell me twice, son! >>

The King dives. Your doubts at his experience at the controls of the plane are erased as the great plane pitches downward as as you reach for the AI visual assist, giving Elaine a full view of the angles of approach. The grey fighter is on your tail within seconds, prompting you to pull up into a split-S. You feel the g-force pull at your molars with every passing moment you hold the stick, eventually levelling out with the King’s craft in full view at two o’clock low, the grey, featureless fighter overshooting its intercept course by a clean—

Jackpot
<< Don’t let him get a lock on you! >>

Ivory
<< I’m gonna tear you to shreds, you bastard! >>

Jackpot
<< Ivory, don’t— >>

But it was too late.

Ivory had rolled around for a clean shot, dropping a pod as he banked and dived in an attempt to cut the craft down on a blind side … but the plane rolled, spinning through the barrage before decelerating in a manner that should have turned its pilot's brain into mush.
>>
Instead … it danced into the pod, head on, tearing off your second-in-command’s wing with a clean burst from its railgun, sending the MIG-29 spiralling below the cloud line.

And now …

????
<< Too easy. >>

Roll for Initiative (DC: 13)
>Use PSYCO (+3) [1d20]*
>Use Hunting+Engagement (+4) [1d20]

*Reminder that you have an active ability called Relentless that allows you to re-roll if failing
>>
Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>4583537
>Use PSYCO (+3) [1d20]*
The reroll could save us.
>>
>>4583537
Holy fuck man, you know how to write tension. Kudos.
>Use PSYCO (+3) [1d20]*
>>
Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>4583543
forgot the roll like a fucking brainlet
>>
>>4583543
Thank you.

>>4583542
>>4583543
Seeing as this is pretty much an imminent failure, would you like to activate [RELENTLESS]?
>>
>>4583546
Or you can go straight into the EVASION phase. Either works for me.
>>
>>4583546
I dunno, if it's best of 3, I'd rather wait to see if another anon can save the roll. If we have gone through all the allotted rolls then...
>activate [RELENTLESS]
>>
>>4583549
ah, shit, it's an average. then activate relentless.
>>
>>4583546
>activate [RELENTLESS]
looks like it's going to be needed.
>>
>>4583552
use RELENTLESS
>>
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==================
!!=PSYCO ABILITY=!!
==================


ACTIVATE: RELENTLESS

Roll for Initiative [DC: 14]
>PSYCO (+3) [1d20]
>>
Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>4583558
Don't fail me, Dice Gods.
>>
Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>4583558
Here goes nothing.
>>
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He’s too quick, too agile for you to react … even with Elaine pulling out all the stops.

You feel a little …

>PSYCO Limiter Recover (DC: 11, 1d20)
>>
Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>4583566
Here goes nothing, again.
>>
>>4583572
Haha. Nice one. I think I'll take this, since no one's going to be rolling to spoil the passing average.
>>
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That little stunt may have failed, but your headache subsides quickly enough.

Symphony 04, Elaine
<< You’re good, you’re good! >>

But he’s already on your six.

????
<< Pitiful. >>

Jackpot
<< Wizard, look out! >>

>EVASION REVERSAL (Roll against GM, GM Roll+6, 1d20)
>EVASION (DC: 10)
>>
Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>4583599
>EVASION (DC: 10)
>>
Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>4583599
>EVASION (DC: 10)
>>
Rolled 15 (1d20)

Let's see how the GM's luck is today, just for kicks.
>>
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You roll left, diving for the cloud line as the fighter runs in pursuit; if nothing else, your showboating keeps their attentions off the King’s craft. The alert is practically screaming in your ear as you flip the nose from down to up, hitting the throttle for all she’s worth as you pull up, going practically ballistic as the fighter tries to cut you off. To the neutral spectator, you must look like an amateur juking his plane wildly without a semblance of control, but you couldn’t afford to return to anything resembling a recognizable pattern … not when you were up against a pilot that could snipe you could from a dead angle on a turn.

????
<< Textbook. >>

Symphony 02, Elaine
<< Keep ‘em guessing, Wizard! >>

He overshoots.

You turn …

>ROLL FOR HUNTING (+2) (DC: 12, 1d20)
>ROLL FOR ENGAGEMENT (+2) (DC: 16, 1d20)
>>
>>4583611
If you guys want to ever deploy your PSYCO bonuses, just mention it in your responses.
>>
Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>4583611
>ROLL FOR HUNTING (+2) (DC: 12, 1d20)
>>
Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>4583611
>>ROLL FOR HUNTING (+2) (DC: 12, 1d20)

pls no f-rank luck
>>
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Elaine
<< Damn it! >>

You let out a curse as he spins off your sights. Jackpot cuts in between the both of you to give you some breathing room, but the unknown fighter twists around both your defences easily, breaking away from your tag team. A glance below as you go vertical gives you reprieve: the King was well on his way out of the immediate combat area, but only for as long as the both of you could hold off this monstrosity. You’d never seen anything like this plane before; it seemed to respond to thought and conjecture more than it did input.

But it wasn’t without flaws. You’d forced an unwitting stalemate, even in your failure. Your Flight Leader’s craft tries to catch it from underneath as you take a more direct, horizontal route, keeping your eye on the target and pushing Elaine for all she’s worth.

Elaine
<< You got this, partner! >>

You can hear the whine of the ailerons and rudders as the F-15’s chassis breaks the very air …

Roll for Initiative (DC: 13)
>Use PSYCO (+3) [1d20]
>Use Hunting+Engagement (+4) [1d20]
>>
Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>4583618
>Use Hunting+Engagement (+4) [1d20]
9 or better please.
>>
Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>4583618
>>Use Hunting+Engagement (+4) [1d20]

pls be better
>>
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You’re not about to let him out of your sight: not this time. The craft’s turning is a lot better than yours, but at this velocity, aerodynamics were a complete and utter bitch. Elaine’s frame screams as you pull on the throttle; you can feel your head sinking into the chair as your joystick becomes akin to a handlebar you’re clinging on to dear life.

Symphony 02, Elaine
<< Come on, Wizard! Come on! Two seconds … one second … >>

You twist.

He blinks first.

????
<< What in the— >>

You’re inverted, rolling off the effects of the G force as his craft decelerates past a nimbus cloud, your hands rattling as you grip the throttle an accelerate.

Jackpot
<< Get his ass, Wizard! >>

He banks at four o’clock. You follow through, the sight of his craft barely touching the tip of your HUD.

Elaine
<< Let’s wash this sucker, partner! >>

>ROLL FOR HUNTING (+2) (DC: 10, 1d20)*
>ROLL FOR ENGAGEMENT (+2) (DC: 14, 1d20)*

*Why did the DC drop? For Quest Continuity sake. DC decreases by 2 for both parties for every “stalemate” reached, but only for the Hunting/Engagement phases. Rest assured, this applies to the GM just as much as you.
>>
Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>4583625
>ROLL FOR HUNTING (+2) (DC: 10, 1d20)*
>>
Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>4583625
>>ROLL FOR HUNTING (+2) (DC: 10, 1d20)*

gotta avenge our guys
>>
>>4583629
>Rolling after achieving average required
This is 5 trillion IQ move right here ... I'm going to bed. Maybe someone will save your ass in the morning. I just have to sleep this fact off.
>>
Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>4583625
>ROLL FOR HUNTING (+2) (DC: 10, 1d20)
>>
Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>4583625
>>ROLL FOR HUNTING (+2) (DC: 10, 1d20)*
best luck ever
>>
Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>4583625
>>ROLL FOR HUNTING (+2) (DC: 10, 1d20)*
>>
Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>4583625
>ROLL FOR HUNTING (+2) (DC: 10, 1d20)

Seeing as the average is 9 atm here's hoping this fixes that
>>
Nope, guess we're fucked. Don't roll if the average is already met oof
>>
>>4583629
Haha. This roll literally snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. It's priceless.
>>
Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>4583625
>ROLL FOR HUNTING (+2) (DC: 10, 1d20)*
dab
>>
Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>4583625
>ROLL FOR HUNTING (+2) (DC: 10, 1d20)*

Probably too late but may as well try
>>
>>4583915
>>4583928
Well, well, these two have swooped in and saved the day. You lads pass the check. Typing it up.
>>
>>4583866
Pla sont bully me and my smooth brain that much
>>
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The enemy fighter is faster than your own craft, more well-equipped and with superior parameters in turning and climbing … but there was no rule that victory was ironclad on mere superiority.

????
<< Looks like there’s a predator amongst you after all … >>

Inverted, the unknown jet makes a roll for the clouds. At the first sign of the juke, you pull back and twist yourself into a direct intercept course, climbing and diving within seconds of the first movement. Your skull is heavy on your shoulders, but your eyes are sharp and focused, what was once a blur slowly carving itself into an impressionable shape through the vapour and sunlight. The enemy attempts to shake you off with another spin, but you hit the breaks, blasting your craft into a diagonal cut before regaining control just before a blackout is all but imminent, shoving the thrusters into maximum output as you dive right in on his wing, hoping to clip him into making a mistake.

No such luck.

But you do well enough.

????
<< Insect … >>

His recovery is spoiled by the lining up of his craft right in your sights … right as he dives in an attempt to escape a clean strike, off your HUD and fully vertical towards the ocean surface. You roll and dive, your craft inverted as the both of race for the dark of the horizon, your controls shaking violently as you push Elaine to her very limits.

Jackpot
<< Get his ass, Wizard! >>

Symphony 04, Elaine
<< Come on, Wizard, come on … just a little more … >>

He’s pulling ahead.

????
<< Give up. You won’t hold. >>

Your teeth rattle in your mouth. The plane is barely holding itself together …

Symphony 04, Elaine
<< You can do it, partner! Just a little bit more! >>

>ROLL FOR HUNTING (+2) [DC: 11]
>ROLL FOR ENGAGEMENT (+2) [DC:11]
>>
>>4584228
Engagement needs our rolls to average to 9 (or 6 if we go PSYCHO). This looks like a good chance.

I suggest we go Engagement with PSYCHO.
>>
Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>4584228
>>ROLL FOR ENGAGEMENT (+2) [DC:11]
>>
>>4584233
Jesus we don't even need Psycho with this, nobody else roll.
>>
>>4584233
NO ONE ELSE ROLL
>>
>>4584233
No more rolls. Just support this post.
>>
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Symphony 04, Elaine
<< I got tow! >>

>Roll for PSYCO Limiter Recover (DC: 11, 1d20)
>>
>>4584228
Not a roll, but is this guy Crimson 1's son or something?
>>
Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>4584243
>>
Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>4584243
GET DABBED ON BITCH
>>
>>4584247
Supporting and no one else roll
>>
Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>4584243
>>
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>>4584244
N-No, what gave you that idea?
>>
Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>
>>4584250
More importantly is this crimson 1’s daughter though
>>
>>4584250
I could never forget a guy like him, even if he didn't ask to be remembered. Plus there was a female member of his squadron, so there's that.
>>
>>4584266
>>Write-In
>give her a fist bump back.
>>
>>4584267
Supporting, we're too strained after that to say much.
>>
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????
<< No. >>

Yes.

You hit the brakes on half a turn. The enemy fighter cuts past your canopy and right past your wing, but you’re conscious enough to decelerate and allow him to level; as advanced as his fighter is, this was still a world bound by rules, physics, that would not be ignored. Elaine’s frame groans as you feel a cramp in your neck, threatening to take you into oblivion; the enemy fighter gasps as you go vertical as he attempts to mimic your own turn. The PSYCO system had hit the safety limits moments after the lock, but Elaine’s assistance is more than enough.

He’s right on the tip of your nose.

Symphony 04, Elaine
<< Symphony Four … FOX TWO! >>

You release the AMRAAM pod.

He recovers in time … but the acceleration that follows isn’t quick enough. In a panic, the enemy pilot goes vertical, kicking a dead angle off and launching towards the sun in a climb to outrun your salvo of projectiles. For a moment, you find yourself impressed by the pilot’s sheer ability to out-pace your strike, but your awe is brief.

After all, no sense being too impressed when you expected it in the first place.

Symphony 04, Elaine
<< Sayonara. >>

Her lock alert rings like bells on a Sunday morning.

????
<< Ah … >>

The buzz of your cannon tears through the right side of the craft’s chassis, right through the engine. You claim half a wing and two thirds of rudder, rising in triumph as the grey fighter’s carcass plummets in a prone spiral, your engines roaring in victory.

Jackpot
<< Holy shit, Wizard that was some flying! >>

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< This is Cinder Lord; we’re a-okay on this end. Hot damn, son, what are they feeding you at Amaterasu? >>

Elaine grins widely, placing her hands on her hips.

Elaine
<< That’s my partner! >>

She holds up a holographic fist, an expectant glow in her eyes.

>Write-In
>Stay Silent
>>
>>4584267
>>4584269
You can re-vote if you want. Sorry, Formatting error; but you can stick with this if you wish.
>>
>>4584271
SHOOT THE PLANE/PARACHUTE WITH GUNS
>>
>>4584271
>Give her a fist bump.
>>
>>4584271
>Write-In
>give her a fist bump back.
>>
>>4584277
Supporting again.
>>
>>4584277
lets do this
>>
>>4584271
Fist bump the Lil Lady, and maybe ask how everyone else is doing, specifically the peeps that actually got shot up by Knock Off Crimson
>>
>>4584282
Changing my vote to this
>>
>>4584271
>>Write in
>remove your breathing mask or something then give her a glinting smile/sunlight reflects on your visors
>>
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You hold up a trembling, gloved hand before forming it into a fist … and push it against your F-15’s avatar. There’s no resistance—as expected—but the gesture elicits a warm, if melancholic, smile from the red-headed personification of your craft, who turns her attention back to your current priorities. You follow suit, glancing to your right, catching a glimpse of—

Nothing.

Elaine
<< Everyone … >>

You and Jackpot were the only ones left.

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< I’m sorry about your men. >>

Elaine hangs her head, biting her bottom lip as she struggles with her words.

Jackpot
<< There’s nothing to be sorry about. They did their duty … to the end. All of them. There’ll be time to honour the lost. Right now … let’s just get you back on solid ground, Your Highness. >>

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< I … very well. >>

Silence reigns over the comms as all of you join in the mourning of your lost comrades. Hand on the throttle and head resting against the cushion of your seat, you close your eyes and allow Elaine to take full control of the craft, banking and forming up alongside Jackpot’s VX-23. You pull up and form a two-man escort with the King’s airliner, the VX-23 taking its place on the tip of the King’s left wing while you take your place within the King’s direct line of sight, the airliner’s cockpit visible with a glance over your shoulder.

[reed]Jackpot
<< Wizard, did you get an ID on that fighter? >>

>State that you’d never seen its make before
>State that it was unmarked
>State that you don’t know and you don’t think you ever want to get close enough for the opportunity to ever again
>State that you think you’re impressed by its design and capabilities
>Reply in the negatory
>Write-In
>>
>>4584350
>>Write-In
Say that it looks like some kind of next generation prototype plane most likely stolen
>>
>>4584350
>>Write-In
>state that it had to be something experimental as you dont know of any other plane that could perform such high end turn in quick succession with out turning the pilots brain into paste. Not even the ones from the Cascadian Conflict.
>>
>>4584350
>Write-In
>State that we've never seen anything like it before, and that if there were any markings, Elaine should have good images of them in the mission recorder.
>>
all these write-ins are good so why not wombo combo them all into one
>>
>>4584350
>>Reply in the negatory
Thank goodness my Satoshi Houjo headcanon lookalike didn't get canned by the devil
>>
>>4584358
Agreed
>>
>>4584358
Something like
>State that it was likely a next-generation prototype or testbed, possibly stolen, as it seemed to out perform even the PW-Mk1. Hopefully Elaine has some solid images saved if it had any markings.
>>
>>4584368
yep thats what im going for
>>
>>4584350
>>4584355
Supporting

Also my moneys on it being like the butterfly master from ac infinity.
>>
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Jackpot
<< Geez, and I thought you were the strong silent type. Still … you’re right. We should have enough data to bring back to the tech heads, but if that was a prototype … who did it belong to? >>

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< You’re saying that as though our line of work is one bereft of enemies. >>

That was true enough. Between Amaterasu and the Kingdom of Orleas, it wasn’t a stretch to conclude that there were a number keen to kill two birds with one stone. In a way, they had three of the five of the King’s escort had bought it in the encounter, lost to the skies: Conductor, Ebony, Ivory … all taken in a flash. You’d experienced loss before; more than you cared to admit, but the frightening ease of that craft’s ability to dismantle a whole flight of AI-enhanced aircraft on top of the veterans and aces that manned them … your considerations of that being the future of warfare, that derisive detachment of dispatching foes that would be revered otherwise was something that reared its ugly head a little too quickly for you to get comfortable with.

Jackpot
<< All the more reason that we get you to the conference as quickly as possible. >>

Four blips appear on edge of your RADAR.

????
<< Cinder Lord, this is the Commander Musa of the United Southern Sphere Navy. We received your Mayday. What is your status? >>

You almost roll your eyes at their absolutely impeccable timing.

Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< Commander Musa, this is— >>

A beam of light cuts through the air, not ten feet away from singing the tip of your plane’s wing. The air shakes, and so does your plane. You pull up, decelerating as an alert rings through the cockpit, spinning to avoid what seemed to be pieces of red hot debris. Yells fill the comms as your plane enters a brief, flat spin … before accelerating on the command of its avatar. You grunt in pain as you feel your plane going vertical, before levelling itself out again … before looking to your right in abject horror as the King’s airliner is carved into pieces by a series of colourful, white-hot pillars of light. Jackpot is yelling something, but you can’t make out what … until an energy reading on your RADAR—previously undetected—prompts your instincts to take control … and you roll right out of the way of what you now recognize to be a …

Commander Musa
<< Cinder Lord, do you read? Cinder Lord? >>

A dark blue blur slices into existence from out of the corner of your eye, cutting through the hull with one last blast before seemingly vanishing into the sun.

????
<< Target eliminated. >>

It’s not the same voice as before.

>Write-In
>>
>>4584441
>Inform Commander Musa that Cinder Lord is down and begin attempting to see if you can locate the unknown plane
>>
>>4584442
Supporting
>>
>>4584443
also this
>>
>>4584442
supporting
>>
>>4584442
>>4584443
>>4584446
>>4584449
You lads mind if I take a nap? I'm exhausted.
>>
>>4584450
don't mind
>>
>>4584450
take a rest dude
>>
>>4584450
Sleep if you need it
>>
>>4584441
>>4584442
Supporting.

Just curious, at what time of the day do you typically run?
>>
>>4584462
Any time I can. I typically leave the prompts open these days as I don't have much time to myself anymore, but if you're asking Time Zones, GMT+8. I live in Langkawi, Malaysia.
>>
>>4584498
With the A.I in our aircraft what kind of manoeuvres can we pull off? Insane tier shit or something at least within the purviews of physics?
Or is this level of shit on the table?
https://youtu.be/nP-P4IYLJWY?t=59
How much does the A.I compensate for the pilot?
>>
File: Go Home, Merc.gif (998 KB, 360x270)
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Cinder Lord, Pilot
<< That voice … you … yes … this would be the outcome, wouldn’t it? Farewell. >>

The fireball hits the sea with such heat and force that for a moment, you find your sight clouded by a mushroom cloud of steam. You circle the area, staring in horror at shower of debris crashing in to follow the bulk of what could only be wreckage.

Commander Musa
<< Ya Allah, the King of Orleas … he’s … >>

You find frustration and despair giving in to rage within seconds of surveying burning, floating wreckage. As Commander Musa’s declaration bleeds into memory, you regain control of the craft, locking in to the rapidly-dissipating heat signature, arming your weapons as you give the declaration of pursuit.

Commander Musa
<< Unknown plane? Pursuit? Who is this? >>

Your thrusters burst into life as you key in your bearings, climbing the sky. Rambling under your breath, you find yourself breaching the very edges of your sanity and self-control, your temper morphing into obsession with the singular bead on top of you. The four beads of Commander Musa’s craft disappear within moments, your head wildly shaking in search of that dark blue blur …

And you find it.

Symphony 04, Elaine
<< I see him, Wizard! >>

So do you: ten o’clock high.

Your weapons primed, you give the F-15 all she’s worth, cutting across in an attempt to get the craft within your sights. It’s fast; just as fast as the last one … but if they were the same, if their pilots were as mortal as their machines transcended convention and sense, they weren’t without weakness. The craft flies in a predictable zip, as if—

????
<< You must be the one who took down my wingman. >>

The voice is more distinct now; it’s feminine, neutral … dangerous, contemplative.

A grunt escapes you as your carelessness has you rewarded with a sharp decrease in visibility, your eyes shifting between suspended water droplets and the sun’s glaring beams. You return to your instruments, hissing in frustration as you catch a second glimpse of the dark blue craft, rolling into the thundercloud and receiving an array of warnings for your impulsive decision. Another glance at your collective sensors and Elaine communicates the rapidly-dissipating signature of the railgun’s prior activation, but after everything that had happened, you weren’t about to hit the brakes.

Not after today.

Your eardrums swell with the sudden banking of the plane, going into an inverted dive as you catch yourself within striking distance of—

Elaine
<< Wizard! Four o’clock high! >>

You hit the brakes.

????
<< Mission’s over, sell-sword. Turn around. >>

>Write-In
>>
>>4584536
Insane tier shit sounds about right.
>How much does the AI compensate?
Depends on the pilot's rating and familiarity between AI and pilot. You're top of the class (Wizard), at your class, Elaine knows how much more you can take and how much you need, based on your flying habits.
>>
>>4584545
>Why give me the option in the first place?
>>
>>4584545
Wait a minute why am I not using this chance to channel Pixy.
>Fire away coward!
>>
>>4584634
I second this
>>
>>4584634
why the hell not, lets do this
>>
Now remember, if she misses her shot immediately respond with "Try again from head on!", and then joust a plane with a railgun. It will either be absolutely amazing or absolutely terrible.
>>
>>4584645
the fact that we are saying pixy's lines against this ace makes me happy
>>
>>4584634
Supporting this I guess, I can't find a way to do much else but dodge and taunt.
>>
>>4584634
Supporting this and adding on to try and ram them with the plane
>>
>>4584803
Please do not damage Elaine by playing fighter jet chicken
>>
>>4584685
Are you all gay or something??
Save Pixy's lines for the Final Boss, or at the very least, the Mid-Boss! Not for this!
>>
>>4584839
Narrative tension demands that this be a final or mid boss. Enemy kills all our allies and our objective, then taunts/scares us off so that we live to fight another day only for us to come back and kill them later. Just expediting things this way.
>>
>>4584620
I'm supporting this
Some retarded people tempting fate here to make us look like a faggot in front of the future yandere waifu when we come back from this loss with neverending victories.
>>
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Her laugh sounds genuinely … amused, if a little tinged by incredulity.

????
<< I’m sorry. Unlike my associate, I was raised to leave well enough alone. >>

You’re undeterred by her dismissiveness, diving and accelerating to get her within your sights … but immediately find that she’s out of lock-on range. Piercing the clouds, you level your plane and spot the blue craft bursting into its own accelerative phase, cracking a velocity that you immediately move to keep pace with.

But as fast as the F-15 was, in a straight line and out of immediate engagement radius, she …

????
<< Besides, don’t you have more immediate issues to tend to? >>

Immediate iss—

The lock-on warning blares through your senses.

Two F-14s appear on your RADAR.

Commander Musa
<< This is Commander Musa of the Ibis Unit. Unidentified F-15, you are to safety-lock your weapons and turn around; failure to comply will have your status be taken as a belligerent … and we will blow you right out of the sky. Our SAAs are primed on your current position; do not test us. >>

Elaine’s avatar whirls around, staring up at you in concern.

Elaine
<< Wizard … >>

The comms come to life again.

Jackpot
<< Stand down, Wizard! Stand down! Do as the Commander says; turn around and follow them back to the mainland. I’ll see you when we touch down. Safety-lock your weapons and follow their escort. No need to make the worst of a shitty situation. >>

Commander Musa
<< Excuse me, I’m talking— >>

Jackpot
<< Shut up! Just shut up! I’m doing just as much for your sake as I am his! Wizard … turn around. >>

You ease on the throttle … and flick the safeties on, hanging your head and resting your elbows on your knees as Elaine takes control of the craft at the relinquishment of your own. Raising your head, you’re greeted by the sight of the sun resting into its evening arc, an orange glow both radiant and haunting. The unknown blue blur, true to form, is gone from your sight. Whether through the clouds or over the horizon … you find that you don’t care.

You’d failed.

????
<< Be seeing you, sell-sword. >>

You grit your teeth, slamming your fist onto the console.

Elaine
<< Wizard … >>

It’s not long before the F-14s are right on top of you, taking positions at your four and seven.

United Southern Sphere Navy Pilot
<< You’ll be coming with us, sir. >>

Nodding, you sit upright and grip the controls … and follow them, to whatever fate that awaited.

CHAPTER COMPLETE
>>
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=][=PRIMARY MISSION COMPLETE=][=

====================
EXPERIENCE SCREEN
====================


CURRENT EXP HELD: 36
You have received Experience Points! Choose where to allocate them:
Hunting Lv. 2 (8 Experience to Level 3, additional 12 EXP to Level 4)
>New Abilities at: 3, 6, 10, 15
Evasion Lv. 1 (5 Experience to Level 2, additional 8 EXP to Level 3, additional 12 EXP to Level 4)
>New Abilities at 3, 6, 10, 15
Engagement Lv. 2 (8 Experience to Level 3, additional 12 EXP to Level 4)
>New Abilities at 3, 6, 10, 15

PSYCO EXP Gained: 52 EXP
PSYCO Level 4!
Old Modifier: +3
New Modifier: +4
PSYCO Level 5!
Old Limit DC: 11
New Limit DC: 10
PSYCO Level 6!
Old Modifier: +4
New Modifier: +5

You have reached PSYCO Level 6!

Level 3 (Choose):
>Upgrade 1 current ability
>Unlock 1 locked ability (Left: 1)
Level 6 (Choose):
>Upgrade 1 current ability
>Unlock 1 locked ability (If any left)

CurrentPSYCOAbilities (Level 6; 18 to next level)
Modifiers: +5 on activation
Limit DC: 10
>Acrobat Lv. 1 (+1 to Evasion)
>Multi-Lock Lv. 1 (May lock onto up to 2 extra targets)
>Relentless Lv. 1 (May roll again if fail Hunting/Initiative at DC+1)
>????

>Allocate points to proceed
>>
>>4585179
just a suggestion as im waiting for consensus

we can lvl all our skills to 3 and have 7 exp left over

as for elaine, we can unlock her last skill and just make relentless lvl 2
>>
>>4585179
lets get all the skills to lvl 3 so we have a solid foundation to start with and unlick the skill for Psycho lvl 3 and upgrade Relentless for lvl 6
>>
What does relentless even look like at lvl 2? Is it roll again at the DC instead?
>>
>>4585195
Seconding
>>
>>4585179
Ok, takes us from 36 exp down to 7 exp to get main abilities to lvl 3 for all, which is a good investment I think. For the lvl 3 and 6 PSYCO upgrades/unlocks, I'd recommend unlocking that last unknown ability just to see what it is, and then upgrading relentless. This plan sound good?
>>
Wait shit someone literally already posted the same exact plan nvm
>>
>>4585195
>>4585219

Sounds good to me.
>>
>unidentified super-plane assrapes the mercs and kills a high-value target
>Musa threatens to shoot down the mercs instead of letting the merc kill the insane superplane
Yeah, my money's on Musa, his Unit, or his fucking country being the assholes being this shit.
Anyway, good quest OP
>>
>>4585229
They can't see the plane. Even you couldn't see the plane until it fired its railgun and let out a heat signature.
>>
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=============================
EXPERIENCE SCREEN [UPDATED]
=============================

CURRENT EXP HELD: 7
Evasion Lv. 3 (20 to next level)
-Feint (You can choose to roll against the GM [1d20] instead of the DC for the EVASION phase [Not Evasion Reversal])

Hunting Lv. 3 (20 to next level)
-Eagle Eye (If successful during your first Initiative of the mission, roll 1d20 against the GM. Deal one phase of damage/take one kill, then proceed through the mission as normal)

Engagement Lv. 3 (20 to next level)
-Textbook (+1 to Engagement roll after if the initial Initiative roll of the encounter was a failure)

F-15 “Elaine”
Unlocked new PSYCO ability: Vengeance Lv. 1

PSYCO LEVEL: 6
Modifiers: +5 on activation
Limit DC: 10
>Acrobat Lv. 1 (+1 to Evasion)
>Multi-Lock Lv. 1 (May lock up to 2 extra targets)
>Relentless Lv. 2 (May roll again if Hunting/Initiative fails at DC-1)
>Vengeance Lv. 1 (After a failed evasion or evasion reversal, may roll a 1d20, DC:16 at Lv. 1; kill attacking enemy(s))

=][=MECHANIC FORGOT AGAIN=][=
Very important note: you unlock new abilities at 3, 6, 10 and 15 for your normal levels, but be warned that you only have 8 (7 at first, but Mech fucked up so you get 1 extra) slots of abilities to fit in, so while you can unlock all 3 first skills, as you level up, you will use up the remaining slots as they unlock. You still get the bonuses for each stat as you level them up, but it’s first come first serve. You stop levelling up your normal stats once you have unlocked 8 slots So some of you may have something like this in mind:

Hunting (Lv. 15)
>Ability 1
>Ability 2
>Ability 3
>Ability 4
Evasion (Lv. 6)
>Ability 1
>Ability 2
Engagement (Lv. 6)
>Ability 1
>Ability 2

So, 8 slots okay?
>Please respond to this post
>>
>>4585252
yea that sounds good, so we're at 3/8 slots used right?
>>
>>4585258
That's my understanding, I think, but he's showing 8 slots, and each "skill" seems to have a number of abilities under it so it may be that each skill has a number of abilities associated with it. Do I have the right of it, Mech?
>>
>>4585252
I don't suppose you'd be willing to tell us what the new abilities are for the subsequent level unlocks so that we may figure out a build that we like instead of running in blind? Also just to make sure, in this system there is no functional difference between say hunting level 3 and hunting level 4, the difference only kicks in at level 6, correct?
>>
Ah crap forgot to ask what our planes livery was.
>>
Ok nvm to the earlier post, didn't notice the
>You still get the bonuses for each stat as you level them up, but it’s first come first serve.

That being said, would that mean the optimal path of progression would be to, using the build posted as an example, instead level up Hunting to level 14, then level Evasion and Engagement to level 9, and then top off the 8 slots by leveling Hunting to 15, allowing for maximum stat gains?
>>
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>>4585294
You'll be issued a new one/make your own. This one is just to set the stage. If you're still wondering, the default is an angel with a harp.
>>
>>4585269
Each skill (Hunting, Evasion and Engagement) has 4 abilities tied to it. We can only unlock 8 of those 12 abilities. Once we unlock our 8th Ability we can no longer improve our normal stats.

In theory, we can either unlock 4 abilities for 1 skill and 2 for the others (4/2/2), 3 abilities for 2 skills and 2 abilities for 1 (3/2/2).

Max skill ranks we can seemingly get is 15/9/9 or 14/10/9 but that requires delaying our final skill purchase until we have or skills at 14/9/9. Do it wrong and we can end up as low as 10/10/6.
>>
>>4585269
What >>4585310 said, pretty much.
>>
>>4585310
>3 abilities for 2 skills and 2 abilities for 1 (3/2/2).
Woops that should be 3/3/2
>>
Sweet so 15/9/9 is possible, just have to remember to save the 15th level for last.
>>4585301
Alright boys, time to do livery ala ace combat dlc idol livery except with Elaine. Absolutely NOTHING will go wrong
>>
>>4585329
>inb4 its just a large pair of tits
>>
>>4585329
This seems pretty clean, has black wings and she's fully clothed, she is our partner and she should agree with what others will see of her outside the cockpit
>>
>>4585329
Considering that the default unit livery is an angel with a harp, I'd say the new unit livery after this disaster should be a black winged angel with a broken harp.

>>4585342
Great nose cone pinup piece.
>>
Testing, 1 2 3
>>
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Compared to what followed, your week in the custody of the United Southern Sphere was a godsend.

With the death of their monarch, the Orleasian Kingdom’s unofficial pact with Amaterasu Defence and Security had been reduced to ashes. The King’s position as the company’s most public supporter of the company’s continual advancements in defence technology, artificial intelligence and new generation systems had backfired on Amaterasu, as in death, he had now become the most prominent exhibit against them. The ministers and officials of the nation sought retribution, and Amaterasu’s role in the King’s death turned what was once a salient ally into a most bitter foe. Committees, panels, courts … Amaterasu came under siege from all sides, finding where there were once smiles, promises and declarations of a future of co-operation, were hateful cries and dismissive juries. Unable to hold back the tide of outrage, Amaterasu did the only thing big, faceless corporations ultimately did when their fact sheets, charts and suits didn’t appease.

They offered a sacrificial lamb.

You.

Your incompetence had cost the lives of good men and billions in research.

Your inattentiveness had resulted in the death of a nation’s beacon for a brighter future.

Your recklessness jeopardized what should have been routine and mere ceremony.

You’re not sure who was more surprised when the gavel came down and you were remanded into the custody of the Orleasians: Amaterasu or the Orleasians themselves, but they got their pound of meat. By the time you were in chains, there were more murmurs than accusations, but they wheeled you away, regardless. In times of grief and loss, people had a tendency to build the foundations of blame on what was the most tangible.

All of the good that did.

The loss of the Orleasian monarch didn’t just affect the relationship of Amaterasu and the Kingdom. The failure of the Asarian Conference due to his absence—and the circumstances behind it—had confidence in the company hitting rock bottom in the market. Amaterasu was still a business … and without that confidence, investors pulled out in droves; contracts cut, associations severed. The PMC, once so revered, Over the following months, the company became a black hole of debt and unfulfilled promises, selling itself off, piece by piece: a fat carcass for ravenous scavengers and eager rivals.

Elaine and the rest of the AI R&D were among the first snatched up, taken to a fate unknown.

It is now the seventh month of your incarceration on the north-western coast of the Orleasian Kingdom. While you were made the face of the Kingdom’s tragedy, an appeal on your sentence—with regard to your mercenary status—took away their ability to do to you as they truly wished.
>>
You have The Intermediary to thank for that.

Instead, you now reside on the north-western tip of the Orleasian Kingdom, an ankle monitor and routine, daily check-ups by duos and trios of hateful gentlemen who you know would love nothing more than for the protocols to be done away with for five minutes. This is your life now, watching the sun set on an empty beach, civilization a glance away, but ultimately out of your grasp. You sit, you stand … and you wonder what you could have done. It is all you can do.


It’s evening. Today’s check-up was actually a lot better than the ones before. For one, they didn’t spit in your meals in front of your face before handing it over to you. You laze in the decade-old armchair, staring in a daze out into the ocean. There’s one bed off to your right, made tightly and neatly. In fact, the room is spic and span … as it always is. Without much to do, you’d resorted to picking up the broom every once in a while to make the place more liveable.

There were guards all around, of course, despite the rather open state of your prison. They couldn’t very well hang you as things were … but shooting a prisoner attempting an escape? Perfectly reasonable response.

That was probably why they arranged for this in the first place.

No. That was why they’d arranged it this way.

Freedom beckoned you. Common sense dictated your actions.

You glance at the clock; it wasn’t dinner time yet … and you weren’t hungry. Perhaps a little nap could—

KNOCK! KNOCK!

‘Hello?’

>Answer the door
>Ignore it
>>
>>4585600
>Answer the door
Considering that they didn't just open the Door, or begin by ordering us around they are likely here to give us an offer, we may not be able, or want to refuse. Elaine may have managed to use the on board data recorded during the flight for her 'new' owners to request us by name or something.
>>
>>4585600
>>Answer the door

there are many doors ed-boy
>>
>>4585600
>Answer the door
>>
>>4585600
>Answer the door
>>
Two men stand in your doorway.

One of them is around your height but of a leaner build, clad in a bomber jacket that’s seen better days. The other man comes up to your eye level in height, in possession of a high hairline, his crown combed neatly and his suit immaculately pressed. You glance up and down the two strangers before peering past them and noticing the expensive sedan lying in your doorway … and the two guards that stood on either end of the two wide steps heading down from your shack.

‘May we come in?’ the shorter man inquires, nodding his head slightly as he adopted an anticipatory stance, one hand over the other.

The other man merely offers a small smile, a curious glint in his eye.

>Write-In
>>
>>4585691
>>Write-In

allow them in and offer them to sit in our sofa (i guess we have one) and ask them if they would like a glass of water

we may have been incarcerated but we still are polite
>>
>>4585693
Supported
>>
>>4585691
>>Write-In
Ask who are they and what do they need
>>
>>4585693
Supporting, doesn't make sense to antagonize people in a situation like ours.
>>
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They both decline your offer as you shut the door behind you, eyeing them with suspicion as they both appear to survey your current living conditions. The tall one is especially curious, flipping the cheap linen and running a hand over your neatly made bed and short curtains with an oddly satisfied snort, right before the suited man takes his place in the middle of your room, right under the ceiling fan. He returns to his previous stance, staring straight at you with a pair of rigid, brown eyes, betraying neither emotion nor intention.

‘I’m from the Orleasian Foreign Office,’ he starts, ‘or should I say, I’m currently on loan from The Intermediary to the Orleasian Foreign Office.’

You don’t say a word, but you do relax your own stance on the two men present.

‘I’ve been working on your case the last few months and … well, as things stand, there aren’t many avenues that the Foreign Office has been able to explore in regards to your release. While in normal circumstances we would be able to relinquish asylum, the state of your … or rather, your lack of an established identity, a state has given us some trouble in pushing anything through. As far as the bureaucracy is concerned, you belong to no one. No nation. You’re a cipher.’

Neither of you miss the amused chuckle from the taller man at the last word.

>Ask why the Foreign Office is even helping you in the first place.
>Question why is he here to just tell you what you didn’t need telling in the first place.
>Thank them for your time, ask them to leave
>Write-In
>>
>>4585737
>Ask why the Foreign Office is even helping you in the first place.
>>
>>4585737
>>Ask why the Foreign Office is even helping you in the first place.
>>
>>4585737
>>Ask why the Foreign Office is even helping you in the first place.
>>
‘Because you and I both know you don’t belong here.’

You blink … speechless.

>Write-In
>Stay silent
>>
>>4585749
>>Stay silent

lets let them do the talking first because we need more info
>>
>>4585753
+1
>>
>>4585749
supporting
>>
>>4585749
>Stay silent
>>
>>4585749
>>Write-In
Say i know i belong in the skies
>>
>>4585749
>>Stay silent
>>
>>4585749
>>4585753
I'd say stay silent but gesture for him to continue
>>
‘You were just the most convenient thing to pile the blame on. Granted, there is some measure of responsibility that I do place on you in this tragedy, but you’re neither the murderer nor the mastermind … and from a more personal perspective, I despise the deliberately wasteful allocation of available resources.’

His expression doesn’t change, even after all that. In fact, you’re not sure if it even had the capacity to change. The monotone voice, the stiff body language … compared to Elaine, this human being of flesh and blood was a robotic cut-out. Throughout the man’s monologue, his partner remains silent, if a little sunny, peering out the windows and towards the township across the cove, giving small nods of approval in what you can only assume to be the (admittedly picturesque) view.

With the reigning silence, you can only assume that the former is done with his words and awaiting your response.

>Write-In
>Ask them to leave
>Stay Silent
>>
>>4586124
>>Write-In
>ask him what he wants from you.
>>
>>4586124
>So what would be your preferred method of allocation for this wasted resource?
>>
>>4586124
>Is this the part where you tell me that you can get me back into the air?

Probably reviewed our flight cam footage, used us as a convenient scapegoat and now gets to pose as a savior of sorts, or at least the guy who gets us out of our prison. They get a good pilot and have a leash.
>>
>>4586124
>>4586128
Supporting
There's an obvious reason they'd come visit a 'forcibly retired' pilot who is one of two surviving from an experimental program involving A.I and multi-million dollar aircraft.
>>
>>4586128
>>4586142
This'll work.
>>
File: Did You Know ....png (256 KB, 606x444)
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The suited man gives a slight smile, bobbing his head so stiffly that you wonder if it moved at all.

‘That’s not my pitch to make.’

He sighs as he moves past you, taking slow, deliberate strides towards your front door, leaving you alone with the lanky, jacketed man that seemed more interested in the make of your faded curtains than he did engaging with you. You uncomfortably shift your weight from foot to foot, expectant and … impatient. Your guest, in turn, shuffles from the dresser to the window, mumbling sounds of awe with every glance outside the window, and with his back to you, allowing you glance at the shoulder patch on his left: a fiery red hound wrapped in chains, poised to attack.

‘Did you know … that there are three kinds of aces?

>Write-In
>State you don’t care
>Stay Silent
>>
>>4586208
>Those that are untouchable in the sky. Those that are predatious in the kill. And those that build their name on the bodies of the defeated.
>>
>>4586208
>Write-In
>Repeat the mantra, it's fairly common among mercs
>>
>>4586208
THOSE WHO LIVE FOR PRIDE, THOSE WHO CAN READ THE TIDE OF BATTLE AND THOSE WHO SEEK STRENGTH
But you're looking for someone above that caliber, no?
>>
>>4586210
I like this one
>>
>>4586210
kinda makes it a bit our own rather than a carbon copy of AC0
>>4586213
I think this should be added on as a bit of extra like saying 'every merc knows that'
>>
The man cocks eyebrow before releasing a whimsical sigh and … seating himself on the chair that you’d just rested on not too long before he and his friend had arrived.

Whoever he was, he clearly had no respect for boundaries.

‘And somehow you’re all three,’ he concludes, his tone relaxed and cynical in the same rhythm. ‘We saw the footage. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t seen better flying but I’d also be lying if I said that I could count it off more times than I had fingers on one hand.’

You can tell that he’s easing himself into a point.

He offers a diplomatic smile, grizzled yet … kind eyes looking up at you with an almost familial warmth to them.

>Keep your silence and allow him to finish
>Prompt him to hurry up before it turns into a spiel
>Write-In
>>
>>4586242
>>Keep your silence and allow him to finish
>>
>>4586242
>>Keep your silence and allow him to finish
No sense in being bitter about our current lot in life and take the hand that seems to be reaching down to use to pull us back into the sky.
>>
>>4586248
Seconding, we've got nothing but time as well.
>>
>>4586242
>Keep your silence and allow him to finish
>>
>>4586242
Let Larry talk.
>>
Man, we're really mashing some world's up into this soup aren't we now?

This gon be fun
>>
‘You’re quite the pilot,’ he continues, raising his hands in a manner that you recognize as a crude recreation of an air-to-air dogfight. ‘Catching a more agile fighter at a dead angle, even with an AI assist, is no easy feat. Most of the pilots I know would be blowing chunks trying to flip a disadvantage while pinned from an inferior position. I never would have thought of using a pod release to bait the enemy into a split to catch them in a joust, never mind at the risk of weaving through their own missiles.’

He swings his hands, one over the other, in his own interpretation of your cross-over against the unknown fighter. You uncomfortably rub your own shoulder, unwilling to interrupt … and less than eager to re-live the incident. Despite all that you’d pulled, the thing that you most recalled was just how abrupt, how simply, your Squadron had been picked apart. You can still hear Ebony and Ivory arguing over the comms and Conductor chastising the both of them for not acting the role of seasoned mercenaries and flight jockeys. Some nights you’re back in Elaine’s cockpit, glancing over your shoulder and seeing Conductor’s craft lagging slightly before catching up and returning to formation, of Ivory goading you into a rematch while Fiona mumbles his shortcomings and Ebony’s dissatisfied grunting.

I, too, find you … neat.

‘You with me?’

You nod, running a hand through your hair and … wonder how Elaine was doing.

The jacketed man sets his right foot on his left knee, the previously brotherly gaze giving way to a more calculative look. Grizzled eyes stare right up at you, contemplative, critical. Even from where you’re standing you can see that there was more to the man to the casual facade that he afforded you … but at the same time, you don’t sense anything blatantly ulterior of what he ultimately was. A thoughtful furrowing of the brows follows as he finally looks away, grunting in a conclusive, if unconvincing, manner.

‘I’m offering you a shot at redemption.’

Your curiosity returns as the man stares up at you again, his expression now completely devoid of any amusement.

‘As far as the Orleasians are concerned, the King’s blood is on your hands … but more than where they’re concerned I think you believe that too, and then some.

You lock your eyes with his.

The implications require no further elaboration.

‘I’m giving you a chance; more than to right what wrongs people believe they are owed from you … an opportunity for you to close this chapter and move on to the next. I know what you are and right now I’m giving you a choice: would you rather rot and give your corpse up as penance or actually find your own atonement and get on with it?’

>Question why you’re being afforded this opportunity at all
>Accept
>Decline
>Write-In
>>
>>4586324
>Accept
>>
>>4586324
>Accept
>>
>>4586324
>>Question why you’re being afforded this opportunity at all
This but in a humble and/or self critical way, I kind of like the angle that we're blaming ourselves too much and want to explore that.
>>
>>4586324
Ask who the hell is offering this deal. Then
>Question why you’re being afforded this opportunity at all
then
>Accept.
>>
>>4586324

>>4586332
>>4586336
I can get behind these as it probably adds a bit more to the lore and expands a bit on our character
>>
>>4586338
im also all for this
>>
>>4586324
>>Write-In
Ask if there is a catch
Guys it sounds too good to be true right?
>>
>>4586332
Supporting this.
>>
>>4586360
its not like we can get any other offer, or have any choice since we are now punished wizard, a man denied his skies
>>
>>4586324
>Question why you’re being afforded this opportunity at all
>Accept

The real question is who's behind Wingbride!Pixy
>>
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‘Figured you’d be curious about that,’ he snorts, dusting himself off as he gets to his feet. ‘As you’re probably aware, Amaterasu Defence and Security ceased all operations and market activity a few weeks ago. Turns out, allowing regicide on your watch doesn’t particularly endear you to investors and to those with standing agreements; the company was forced to pawn off its assets bit by bit to stay afloat, but with the failure of the showcase in the development of Artificial Intelligences in defence systems a domino effect ended up toppling the whole house of cards down. Divisions, sub-divisions, subsidiaries, partnerships … you’ve heard of a chop shop, right?’

You frown as you tilt your head, wondering when he was going to get to the point.

‘Well, as it turned out, the Orleasian Department of Defence just happened to make the biggest bid on Amaterasu’s development unit … which you, I believe, are still attached to, which makes you—legallyproperty of the Orleasian government.’

The irony of the situation was boundless.

‘I assume that you’re smart enough to piece it all together from there on in.’

His tone sounds genuinely apologetic … even if the circumstances seem almost unreal to comprehend.

‘The further greying of your legal is what allowed the Foreign Office and the Intermediary to consider this proposal as an avenue for your … freedom, for lack of better word.’

You could think of many more words that could fit the mould better than that.

He seems to know it, too.

>Highlight that having redemption as a preface for employment was dirty pool
>Accuse him of strong-arming you into making an artificial choice
>Allude that it's akin to choosing between constant diarrhea and kidney stones
>Ask about Elaine and the other AIs
>Stay silent
>Accept
>Decline
>Write-In
>>
>>4586392
>Ask about Elaine and the other AIs
>>
>>4586392
>>Ask about Elaine and the other AIs
>>
>>4586397
This and

>Allude that it's akin to choosing between constant diarrhea and kidney stones
>>
>>4586392
>>Ask about Elaine and the other AIs
>>
>>4586392
>Ask about Elaine and the other AIs
>>
>>4586397
>>4586399
I could get behind both of these
>>
File: How's My Partner.gif (629 KB, 520x293)
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His jaw slackens slightly, if only for a moment … right before letting out a chuckle.

‘Funny you should ask that,’ he answers, wearing a lop-sided half-smile. ‘They asked the same about you. Never thought that I’d be debating international criminal law with an F-15 for an hour …’

>Write-In
>>
>>4586407
>Smile and Accept.
>>
>>4586407
>chuckle at your partners actions and accept his deal.
>>
>>4586412
this, also ask if elaine has been "faithful" all these months
>>
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The man extends his hand as you agree to the terms. Somewhere between resignment and relief … you take it.

‘Guess you’ll be calling me Captain from now on,’ he declares, sounding genuinely amused. ‘Captain Larry Fokker, call-sign Solo

You give the emblem another look.

‘Welcome to Garm Team.’

END INTERLUDE
>>
Surprise, assholes.
>>
>>4586430
that tweest
>>
>>4586432
If you have any questions, I'll be taking them now.
>>
>>4586428
>Fokker
I'm sorry but I laughed.
>>
>>4586438
Does he like pinapples?
>>
>>4586439
There's a VERY good reason he's named Fokker.
>>
>>4586438
I have no questions, simply exclamations

My fuckin Lord you're really crossing those beams my man, this gon be fanservice central my guy, keep on keeping on with what you're doing here
>>
>>4586446
He's the great grandkid of Anthony Fokker?
>>
>>4586440
Big spoiler: He's okay with it, but he wouldn't say he likes it.. He doesn't even know if he's supposed to. But when you're a recovering -REDACTED- things like that don't matter as much as the now.
>>
>>4586450
so this is also the timeline where he didnt die after eating the pineapple and returned to his gf then
>>
Larry Fokker lmao. But yeah, man is this a shit deal no matter what. Waste away as a prisoner, or accept becoming actual property. I suppose the constant diarrhea of being allowed in the skies again is better, but man what a shit situation.
>>4586438
As for questions, considering our prior movements would it be correct to assume that our plane is the stol/mtd version of the f-15 in all but name seeing as we were capable of doing aoa, something typically representative of planes with supermaneuvrability in Project Wingman? Also does RAM paint (this specifically considering how the f-15 doesn't have the angles of a stealth fighter) have any practical effect in this story? The superplanes we fought were able to slaughter our squadron thanks to just popping in without warning, among other things.
>>
>>4586440
>>4586450
I dun get it
>>
>>4586455
CANONICALLY (within the confines of the quest), all the craft are basically pimped out versions of the basic planes but with the added precision of AI to assist in crazy ass maneuvers. They have extra cameras, missile pods instead of slots, etc. all to give more control over the fighter.

It has more in common with Ace Combat players defying physics and drifting with planes, but actually weaponized proper by the AI/Avatars. There's extra bits here and there, but they really are just super modified F-15s, F-18s, etc. to suit the R and D division's requirements.
>>
>>4586456
Heavy Spoiler: Roy Fokker is a character from the anime Macross (and a personal favorite of mine) and is one of the best pilots in the series as well as a mentor to the protagonist, Hikaru Ichijo. He dies being served pineapple salad made by his girlfriend after sustaining injuries from a battle prior.
>>
>>4586459
Ah, I've only watched Plus.
>>
>>4586457
So taking the frames and pimping them out with improved engines, avionics, and fly by wire on AI steroids. Does stealth have any practical effect within the confines of the quest system, or is it purely narrative?
>>
>>4586466
It's translated into higher DCs until the inevitable point where someone figures them out.
>>
guess we cant channel pixy since he is our boss now, back to being silent protag i guess
>>
>>4586477
Would it be possible to get our hands on some ram paint then?
>>
>>4586480
Heh, heh ...
>>
>>4586480
Strangely enough I feel like pixy is actually cipher considering the earlier interaction when the mc was called a cipher
>>
This is Mech. I will be running in a bit. Show of hands, please?
>>
>>4587369
I'm here.
>>
>>4587369
present
>>
>>4587369
Hi. I will only lurk though
>>
>>4587369
here
>>
>>4587369
yo, buddy
>>
>>4587369
Here
>>
>>4587369
Did our old teams callsigns have any actual relevance or were they just Devil May Cry references?
>>
What even is our plane HP? It's in the legend at the start, but I can't find any other information on it.
>>
>>4587369
Sorry was a bit busy
>>
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You maintain a cruising speed, closing your eyes and enjoying your first moments off the ground in what feels like an eternity. Your breath must be audible over the comms, but you just don’t care. The feeling of ascension and the dashing clouds on a crisp weekend morning in the seat of your F-15 was akin to a man’s discovery of an oasis in a desert. You don’t even mind the bevy of post-it notes and page tabs that littered the cockpit or the electronic air freshener that was somehow installed into your instrument panel, just relishing in the moment of your—

Garm 03, Ransom
<< God, this thing handles like a brick. Why am I in the F-14 again? >>

Garm 03 WSO, Sensei
<< Because the Captain wants us oriented to the new systems as quickly as possible and the new boys don’t want your terrible flight scores shocking the AI into unresponsive loops and I pulled the black egg out of the jar to make sure you don’t. >>

Garm Three grunts, mumbling incoherently into the comms.

Garm 03, WSO, Sensei
<< Quit complaining. I’m the one that’s putting up with you up here. >>

Garm 03 Flight Intelligence, F-14 “Tessa”
<< Is everything all right, WSO Sensei? >>

You almost smile hearing that voice. It’d been some time since you’d properly interacted with Tessa, what with her synchronization scores falling well below the qualifiers for proper trials. Regal, prim and patient, one would think that those characteristics would have had her flight-worthy from the get-go, but as the AI of a two-seater, the learning sequences, allocations and allowances meant that there was a higher workload for her to work with, which meant less time in the air and more time in the labs and systems tweaking and adapting. You’d suggested a uniform crew in order for the learning process to suit her rather than having to rotate as the other single-seaters did, but … well, your input only meant so much.

Personally, you thought that it was a crime seeing her run through simulations more than she did the sky.

If nothing else, you hoped that the change in personnel benefited her.

Garm 03 WSO, Sensei
<< Oh, uh … yes, everything’s all right, um … Tessa, is it? >>

Tessa
<< My true name is a collection of consonants, vowels, dashes and numbers. I can print it out once we touch down, if you’d prefer? >>

You almost laugh at Tessa’s coy tone. Yeah, that was her all right.

Garm 03 WSO, Sensei
<< I’m sorry, I’m still not used to having … well … the plane talk back to me.>>

Garm 03, Random
<< You got that right. Feels weird going into a roll and finding you’re already over the pitch midway through a manoeuvre. >>
>>
>>4587532
>Reassure Tessa
>Give Random and Sensei some advice
>Get on with it
>Write-In
>>
>>4587534
>Reassure Tessa
>Give Random and Sensei some advice

Can we try combining these two? Something like "Don't worry, they'll come around." followed by some advice to the pilots?
>>
>>4587534
>>Give Random and Sensei some advice
>>
>>4587534
>Reassure Tessa

Considering the earlier comments about how Amaterasu tricked out the frames, the f-14 must be like the attack super tomcat 21 or the asf-14..... Nice. Always had a thing for variable wing designs.
>>
>>4587534
>>Reassure Tessa
>>
Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>4587534
>>
>>4587534
>>Write-In
Say put trust in the pilot and rio/wso and try to push yourself to the limit
>>
>>4587537
I'd support that, but if we can't I'll vote to
>Reassure Tessa
>>
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Tessa
<< Thank you … Garm Four. >>

Hesitant yet firm.

Rigid yet receptive.

That was Tessa, all right.

>Assure her that she can be more familiar with you; you’ve been paired up more than a few times, after all.
>Allow Tessa her formalities; that’s how she operated then and that’s how you’ll leave her with now.
>Get straight back to it
>Write-In
>>
>>4587548
>>Assure her that she can be more familiar with you; you’ve been paired up more than a few times, after all.
>>
>>4587548
>>Allow Tessa her formalities; that’s how she operated then and that’s how you’ll leave her with now.
>>
>>4587548
>>Allow Tessa her formalities; that’s how she operated then and that’s how you’ll leave her with now.
>>
>>4587548
>Allow Tessa her formalities; that’s how she operated then and that’s how you’ll leave her with now.

Then who's Garm 2....
>>
>>4587548
>Allow Tessa her formalities; that’s how she operated then and that’s how you’ll leave her with now.
>>
>>4587548
>>Allow Tessa her formalities; that’s how she operated then and that’s how you’ll leave her with now.
>>
>>4587548
>>Allow Tessa her formalities; that’s how she operated then and that’s how you’ll leave her with now.
>>
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Garm 03, Ransom
<< Is it weird that I feel sorta threatened by the new guy? >>

Garm 03 WSO, Sensei
<< Ransom, you’re weird regardless. >>

You smile a little at that.

Garm 03, Ransom
<< Yeah, but … meh, you know what? Screw it. Let’s see what this cat can do. Tags up, chains a-rattlin’ and … on you, Garm 04. >>

Elaine’s avatar flashes into existence, giving you an enthusiastic nod as the rest of her form completes it assemblage. It appears as though you’re not the only one that’s eager for some dynamic feats of aerial prowess. Giving the go-ahead, you level the F-15 up proper, giving the non-verbal set of the exercise’s prelude.

Garm 03 WSO, Sensei
<< Try not to push it too much, will you, Ransom? >>

Ransom doesn’t respond.

You decelerate with a moderate pull on the throttle, bringing your craft above the hard deck. Ransom follows you up, climbing but still sticking to your tail. The clouds sparse and the sun bright, you break through an altocumulus grouping, a rush of joy washing over you with every increasing tick of the altimeter before reaching the pre-arranged altitude and maintaining a constant speed, the RADAR showing the F-14 trailing you from a textbook distance behind.

Garm 03, Sensei
<< She’s got some power in her, I’ll say … >>

>Ask them to switch the controls over to Tessa first
>Push it hard
>Ease them into it
>Write-In
>>
>>4587584
>>Ease them into it
>>
>>4587584
>Ease them into it
>>
>>4587584
>>Ask them to switch the controls over to Tessa first
>>
>>4587584
>Ease them into it

So, what's the exercise for today
>>
>>4587584
>>Ease them into it
>>
Have a bit of an emergency. I'll try to be back ASAP.
>>
>>4587584
>>Push it hard
Lets make this baby fast
>>
>>4587584
>>Ask them to switch the controls over to Tessa first
"You've got to learn to trust your partners, even the ones that aren't flesh and blood."
>>
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There was no sense playing tag so early in your tenure with Garm Team. Declaring the commencement of the exercise, you roll left, verbally prompting Ransom into pursuit, before accelerating to give him and his WSO a feel for the climb. At the slight lag, you advise the collective Garm Three into a straight line chase, giving them an opportunity to get used to the F-14’s enhanced speed and acceleration; while your planes may have looked similar to their off-the-line counterparts, they were ultimately different beasts to the previous generation, with hair-trigger responses that learned and compensated as you went along. Ransom, to his credit, is a quick learner, keeping pace with you as the both of you perform a ballet through the skies. You don’t tease Tessa’s dime-stopping prowess just yet, however, keen on giving your new workmates a feel for working with a combat vehicle that learned as it went along, just the same as they did.

Garm 03, Ransom
<< Damn, I can feel it … >>

Garm 03 WSO, Duchess
<< This is probably the most textbook I’ve seen you fly, Ransom. >>

Your own flight intelligence module beckons you to push her that little bit more.

You shake your head, raising a hand to communicate that having your wingmen blow chunks wasn’t on the cards today. Never mind the fact that the adaptation matrix had probably registered less than a few minutes of new data from your little game of push and pull.

Garm 03, Ransom
<< It’s not all me. Damn … I actually do feel it … >>

Tessa, ever the professional, doesn’t comment.

Despite the look Elaine gives you, you don’t give in to the temptation of a split and tag, giving her an apologetic stare as you keep to the preset limits, the most adventurous of which is a mere roll and level, not quite leaving Garm Four’s direct line of sight, but not making it too easy for them, either. You wanted them to get used to how Tessa worked … and the last thing you wanted was to give a reason for your new bosses to shelf her away or remand you for being a jerk before you even shared a table with any of them.

Garm 01, Solo
<< Hey there, buddy, how’re you guys getting along? >>

Garm 03 WSO, Duchess.
<< Captain. >>

Garm 03, Ransom
<< Captain. >>

You glance to your right, finding the distinct single red wing slowly, but surely, closing the distance between you and your two-man party. You raise an eyebrow in interest, wondering why your Captain had decided to take-off in his F-15 instead of—

Garm 03, Ransom
<< Hey, what gives? How come you’re not in one of these? >>

You assume Ransom means one of the AI-enhanced planes.
>>
Garm 01, Solo
<< Eh … wasn’t feeling it. >>

You suspect that there’s a bit more to it than that, but don’t comment on it.

Garm 01, Solo
<< More importantly … Wizard, what gives? Those definitely weren’t the moves I saw on the flight data. >>

Elaine’s avatar, still silent otherwise, looks up at you with a gaze that says I told you so.

>Explain that you’re trying to ease Garm Three into the motions
>Explain that pushing the envelope in an exercise such as this wasn’t the standard at Amaterasu
>Tell him that you just wanted to take it easy after seven months of house arrest
>Agree with him; that definitely wasn’t what what inspired the Captain’s leap of faith
>Agree with your Captain; ask Garm Three to hand the controls over to Tessa and disable the limiters. Play some tag.
>Write-In
>>
>>4587698
>>Agree with your Captain; ask Garm Three to hand the controls over to Tessa and disable the limiters. Play some tag.
TIME FOR FUN NOW LADS AND LASSIE
>>
>>4587698
>Agree with your Captain; ask Garm Three to hand the controls over to Tessa and disable the limiters. Play some tag.
>>
>>4587698
>>Agree with your Captain; ask Garm Three to hand the controls over to Tessa and disable the limiters. Play some tag.
>>
>>4587698
>Agree with your Captain; ask Garm Three to hand the controls over to Tessa and disable the limiters. Play some tag.
>>
>>4587698
>>Explain that you’re trying to ease Garm Three into the motions
>>
>>4587554
You're Garm 4 because 4 is an unlucky number and no one dares to go near that number in Orleas. Garm 2 is vacant on special request. Garm 1 feels like "Garm 2" is waiting for someone special to take it, but can't quite explain it himself, so the official numbering of Garm Team is 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
>>
>>4587698
>Agree with your Captain; ask Garm Three to hand the controls over to Tessa and disable the limiters. Play some tag.
>>
>>4587698
>>Explain that you’re trying to ease Garm Three into the motions
>>4587721
>Garm 1 feels like "Garm 2" is waiting for someone special to take it, but can't quite explain it himself

buddeh
>>
>>4587732
>Tfw buddy isn't still alive
I would post sad pixy but I can't seem to find it in my folders
>>
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>>4587734
>>
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Garm 03, Ransom
<< Limiters … limiters … right, there it is. Limiters disabled; systems orange. >>

Garm 03 WSO, Duchess
<< All right, uh … guess we’re on auto-pilot, then? >>

Garm 03 Flight Intelligence, “Tessa”
<< Configuring … complete. I have control. >>

You ease yourself into your chair, trying your damnedest to keep your smile from splitting your face open.

Elaine has no such reservations.

>Write-In
>>
>>4587698
>>Agree with your Captain; ask Garm Three to hand the controls over to Tessa and disable the limiters. Play some tag.
ITS TIME
>>
>>4587747
>>Write-In
Go fucking nuts
>>
>>4587747
>tell Ransom and Duchess to hold on to their butts and STEP ON THE GAS
>>
>>4587747
>>Write-In

ITS TIME
>>
>>4587747
>Write-In
Cut loose
>>
>>4587747
>Tessa, lets dance like we want to win.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr9ExScjBno
>>
>>4587747
>Write In
Do a "completely necessary" kublit and start going crazy
>>
>>4587761
I like this choice of words.
>>
>Write-In
> <<YES>>
Gotta respond in classic ace combat fashion
Wait, the WSO was named Sensei before, now they're Duchess?
>>
>>4587747
>>4587761
Supporting this instead
>>
>>4587767
It's a typo. I'm sorry.
>>
Garm 03 WSO, Sensei
<< Wait, what? >>

Tessa
<< Understood. >>

Garm 01, Solo
<< Ho … >>

Your partner’s all too eager to give the order.

Elaine
<< Break! >>

Garm 03, Ransom
<< Jesus! >>

You’re bug out at the word. Elaine’s superior manoeuvrability has you rounding around for a kill within seconds of the reset, but Tessa, already aware of her own limitations, uses your own urgency against you by hitting the breaks and catching you moving across. The lock-on alert blares for all of half a second as you dive, having been caught out by your own eagerness. The F-14 rolls not forty feet away from the top of your canopy, decelerating further to catch you back within her sights; you’re not fooled twice by the same trick, however, flipping your plane on a pre-stall to put her in your previous position.

Garm 03, Ransom
<< Holy friggin’ … >>

Tessa’s turning response is vastly inferior to Elaine’s, however, that edge allowing you to dive and pull to catch her before she can get away … or so you’d assumed, as Tessa, once again, weaponizes her own limitations in that area to have you returning in the position you’d escaped not moments prior. Unwilling to accept that you’d set yourself up twice, you make a break for the hard deck, accelerating with a pull of the throttle and a jolt of the stick, allowing Elaine to compensate the last percentage of the scissors—

Scissors? Son of a—

Elaine
<< Going to match me at my own game, Tessa? >>

Tessa
<< There’s no rule that says I can’t! >>

Elaine
<< Never said there was! >>

You pull on the throttle, breaking it off and climbing up, Tessa juking and rolling herself into a clumsy position, getting you right in her sights as the both you crack the skies in a duel of acceleration. Smirking, you call it off as you reach the summit, rolling back down and cracking right back into the cloud-line, prompting Tessa to kill her own climb, sliding down and recovering to resume the chase.

Tessa
<< Now who’s trying to beat who on their home turf? >>

Elaine grins like a maniac.

Elaine
<< No rules that says I can’t! >>

Garm 03, Ransom
<< Is there at least a law that says that you can’t make AI with a death wish?! >>

You twist the pedals, breaking the contest off and rolling back; Tessa evens out to your five o’clock, splitting off from her chase and climbing back up, roosting from her advantage as she dared for you to make her day. You bank the F-15, turn around and listening to the missile alert ringing in your ears as you find yourself within Tessa’s sights, pulling back on the throttle to pull away from her cone of vision…
>>
>>4587761
Supporting big-time
>>
Tessa
<< You’re dead in three seconds, Wizard! >>

3 …

Elaine
<< Come on, partner, push it! >>

2 …

Tessa
<< Show we what you're made of, then! >>

1 ...

>Break off the attack
>Put your faith in Elaine
>Write-In
>>
>>4587818
>>Put your faith in Elaine
FULL THROTTLE BABY
>>
>>4587818
>Put your faith in Elaine
>>
>>4587818
>Put your faith in Elaine

Push it to the limit
>>
>>4587818
>>Put your faith in Elaine
>>
>>4587818
>Put your faith in Elaine
If you can't trust your AI buddy, then who can you trust?
>>
>>4587818
FULL THROTTLE FULL FAITH

PRAY TO THE TECH GOD'S
>>
File: Joy.gif (1.1 MB, 320x213)
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You make it.

Tessa
<< Ah! >>

Hitting the breaks, you kill the plane at the angle, feeling the force of G bearing down on your shoulders and knees as the turbines whine at the sheer audacity of your venture. Tessa breaks off from her own position, twelve o’clock high from your canopy and kissing the horizon in an attempt to catch you before you can recover … but at this phase, it was a battle of specifications … and Elaine was just plain superior. Pulling back on the throttle, you accelerate into gradual climb, keeping an eye out as you followed Tessa’s trail, the Tomcat refusing to yield its advantage so easily. Any other craft would have easily caved in for the kill, but Tessa, as aware as she was, was a stubborn, stubborn woman.

Garm 03 WSO, Sensei
<< Ransom, I take back everything I said about your flying! I—Ransom? >>

You hear a wet, choking sound over the comms.

Garm 03 WSO, Sensei
<< Oh. Ew … >>

There’s your window.

You’re launch right out of your scissors, catching the Tomcat on her two o’clock … only for her to make a break for it, weaving and accelerating in an attempt to escape tagging range. Hand on the joystick, you and Elaine climb up in what’s almost a carbon copy of Tessa’s move, rolling yourself back into an inverted state, keeping to the loop as your opponent goes across at an inferior gradient. Wings swept back and engines roaring, you already know she won't make it.

The countdown starts.

3 …

Elaine
<< That’s it … >>

2 …

Tessa
<< Come on, come on, I can make it … >>

1 …

She’s right in your sights.

Tessa is desperate.

Elaine is eager.

You have joy.

0 …

>Abandon the game
>Pull the trigger
>Write-In
>>
>>4587836
>>Pull the trigger
>>
>>4587836
>Good job, Tessa. Especially with the handicap.
>>
>>4587836
>Pull the trigger

You're quite the entertainer, but the shows over with this next shot
>>
>>4587836
>>4587846
Shit, meant for the last bit to be the write in
>>
>>4587836
>>Abandon the game and congratulate Tessa on how much she has improved and throttle back so her pilot doesnt choke and die on his own vomit.
CONFLICTION TORTURES ME
Bisko is my botefu
>>
>>4587850
I second this
>>
>>4587836
Actually you know what

>Abandon the game

Let's do this right. We've got the pride it takes to win. KNIGHT ROUTE IS A GO
>>
>>4587850
supporting
>>
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You let out a sigh as you shake your head, levelling your craft and pulling the nose away from the the Tomcat as it crosses your sight right before easing on the throttle. The rumble of the F-14’s turbines scratches your eardrums as you spot her forming up at your eight o’clock. Confused noises erupt over the comms at your abandonment of the game, your own craft’s avatar whirling around as though her hair was being whipped by a non-existent wind, her expression aghast and her jaw slack, sounds akin to dying sheep escaping her auditory functions.

Elaine
<< P-Partner? >>

Tessa
<< Un … understood. >>

Garm 03 WSO, Sensei
<< Oh, thank God. >>

Garm 03, Ransom
<< I think my colon’s tighter than a fisherman’s knot … urgh … >>

Solo laughs over the comms as he joins up, his enjoyment as the lone member of the audience more than apparent. The single red wing of his craft catches your brief attention as his F-15 forms up at an elevation above both your plane and Garm Three, taking his position as the Flight Leader once again. You decelerate to line yourself up next to Tessa, glancing over to see both her pilot and WSO hunched over in what appears to be a mix of relief and nausea.

Garm 01, Solo
<< Well, I guess the both of you have your work cut out for you. RTB, Garm Team. >>

Garm 03, Ransom
<< Man, the hangar boys are going to kill me. >>

You can’t help but chuckle at that, remembering the first time you handed over the controls to—

Elaine
<< Hey, Tessa? >>

Tessa
<< Yes? >>

Elaine
<< I know the both of us haven’t seen airtime in a while, but I’m quite certain that that pre-stall turn when you were trying to catch us isn’t part of any training package for your fighter role. Did they give you some extra flight data to analyse and execute while you were grounded? >>

Solo rolls left; you and Garm Three, keeping formation, follow after him.

Tessa
<< No. >>

Elaine
<< So where’d you pick it up? >>

There’s a brief silence as you level your plane, the F-14 now ahead and pulling towards the right.

Tessa
<< From Wizard. >>

Her voice is shy, gentle.

You whistle innocently as Elaine shoots you an accusatory glare.

END INTERLUDE
>>
Guys, do you want BASE SHENANIGANS or go back up in the air again?
>>
>>4587881
Base shenanigans, might as well get a feel for the setting
>>
>>4587881
Sure why not, if you feel up to it and it doesn't hurt the pacing you are aiming for.
>>
Wait, does choosing stuff that Elaine wouldn’t do potentially screw up synchronization or stat gain for PSYCO?
>>
>>4587881
Base fuckery ahoy
>>
>>4587885
No. But it may allow "other" events to happen.
>>
>>4587887
Ominous! Also, I don’t suppose this is when we get to choose livery?
>>
>>4587881
yes for base shenanigans
>>
>>4587888
If you lads want a prompt to customize your livery and have ideas about it, I don't mind inserting the scene in. That's if you have decent support for it, of course. I don't want to do something for one person and have the other three or four being irritated about it.
>>
>>4587895
I'm really looking forward to read more, the story's real charming!
>>
>>4587895
im going for the rias nose art
>>
>>4587930
Thank you.
>>4587981
I hate you so much, man.
>>
File: Take Me With You.png (112 KB, 900x772)
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You never thought that the part that you’d found the most uncomfortable within your tenure as both mercenary and test pilot was so welcoming to have back as part of your routine. Taxied into the hangar, you lift your helmet off your head, sliding out the data disk out from its slot and unplugging the cables from their ports. A glance over at Tessa and her crew has you finding that—just as Ransom had said thousands of feet up in the air—the maintenance personnel (and the lab coats) were all over his case, while Sensei struggles with completely dislodging the data disk and the cables from her helmet. Shaking your head, you rise from your seat as the maintenance crew (and, again, the lab coats) rush towards your F-15, plugging in and undoing panels for their routine fix-ups. A glance from the cockpit to the floor below has you seeing at least three men in coats—complete with that mobile server they dragged around—hooking themselves up to your craft … only to be met with accusations of impatience from the maintenance crew.

The relationship between both parties had been icy since your arrival at Aznavour Base, at best. That the majority of the boys in coats were once employed by Amaterasu months prior had been one of the standing gripes for the established personnel … while their status as mercenaries-by-association didn’t do any favors in enhancing their reputation among the Orleasians. Still … everyone had their jobs to do, and you supposed that the men were probably thankful at all that they were still among those deemed employable by the standards of their new superiors.

You climb down the ladder, running a hand through your hair as—

‘Wizard!’

The sound of clattering tools and devices catches your ear more than the announcement of your call-sign. You lean away from the ladder mid-climb, curiously gazing at the shocked expressions of the engineers, all of whom were pointing as though they were staring at a ghost.

In a way … they weren’t far off the mark.

You leap off the last set of steps and onto solid ground, your helmet under your arm as you approach the life-size digital projection of your F-15, the holographic display from the underside of the craft buzzing as she makes several flicker-accompanied steps towards you. Her static-laden blue form stands before you, artificial effects built into the engine showcasing their stuff—despite the apparent limitations of the current build—as Elaine leans forward, wearing a wide smile.

‘Aren’t you going to take the learning terminal with you?’

You have a mind to remark whether she meant whether you wished to take her with you.

>Go back inside the cockpit and take the terminal
>Ask her to go inactive or compilation mode until you get back in the saddle
>Write-In
>>
>>4588037
>>Go back inside the cockpit and take the terminal

always do what the lady says, even if its wrong
>>
>>4588037
>Write-In "You sure the coats don't want you for a few?"
Other than that
>Go back inside the cockpit and take the terminal
unless of course the lab coats do need her for a bit.
>>
>>4588037
Yeezuz, I'm so indecisive that I can't think of ways to make it go up to 11 (don't read my mind).
I've thought of something.
>>Write-in
>You've already had your terminal with you.
>>
>>4588046
Correction.
*>You've already had your terminal on your person
>>
>>4588046
Impossible. She wouldn't be able to use the F-15's holoprojector if you'd taken it out. Nice try and good sentiment, but wouldn't fit.
>>
>>4588037
>Go back inside the cockpit and take the terminal
>>
>>4588048
I was bullshitting about Galm's R&D developing blah blah that they modified their suits with PDA's geared to their suit so they can transfer terminals with ease strictly with their own authorization and only personally with their partner. This with consideration that you could have easily lose your psyco if your plane goes boom. This idea was by (You) and Solo as tribute of Hiryuu's (and his squadron's) demise and Solo because he went solo because backstory.
We can't take the bullshit of letting your psyco sacrifice to save you by overriding the manual and ejecting you off your jet. We hafta think narratively ahead
>>
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You pull the learning terminal—a rectangular object not much larger than a smartphone—out from its slot, waving it to the coats below who shake their heads as you jump back down onto solid ground.

‘He always brings her around.’

‘Probably why they both scored so high back at Amaterasu.’

Ignoring their remarks, you turn the module around, checking the battery and making sure the audio input and output were activated … before flicking the terminal into activation. Within moments, you’re greeted by a similar—albeit very blue—holographic projection of Elaine, who rocks on the heels of her feet as her avatar—and the camera attached to the terminal—stare at you.

‘All right, I’m all set,’ she declares enthusiastically.

You scan the hangar, wondering where to start …

>Look for Garm One
>Approach Garm Three
>Try to make small talk with the maintenance crew
>Head back to your quarters
>Head to the cafeteria
>[SKIP]
>Write-In
>>
>>4588074
>>Try to make small talk with the maintenance crew

better get to know our crew first since they take care of the plane
>>
>>4588074
>>Approach Garm Three
>>
>>4588074
>>Approach Garm Three
>>
>>4588074
>Try to make small talk with the maintenance crew
>>
>>4588074
>>Write-In
Give elaine a head pat
>>
>>4588074
>Approach Garm Three
>>
>>4588074
>>Approach Garm Three
>>
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You approach the most recently-acquainted members of your new Squadron. Ransom is groaning with his buttocks set on one of the stools, out of his flight suit and rubbing his face clean of any remaining traces of oral discharge. The scent of partially-digested beans is, thankfully, a non-existed one and it allows you to not drop into retching convulsions within four feet of his person. Behind him, the maintenance crew and the coats are busy at work, unscrewing panels and performing routine checks on the craft. Sensei, despite her sharp demeanor prior, is by comparison the face of motherly concern, a pair of striking blue eyes looking down on Ransom’s prone form, she herself halfway out of her own flight suit and wearing an admittedly tasteful t-shirt featuring a graffiti-styled caricature of what you presume to be a rock band of her preference.

‘You all right?’ Sensei inquires, leaning over slightly.

‘I’m okay,’ Ransom reassures her, despite his pale countenance. ‘I think now I know how people feel when they have to ride shotgun with me at thirty-two thousand feet …’

Sensei chortles wryly, shaking her head … before looking up and noticing you.

‘Wizard,’ she starts casually, giving you a nod of acknowledgment. ‘Anything we can do you for?’

You spare Ransom a brief glance, but the man merely raises his hand instead of choosing to give anything verbal.

>Ask them how they feel about Tessa after that experience
>Apologize for getting a little too carried away in the exercise
>Ask them if they’re willing to catch some brunch, as it wasn’t even noon yet
>Leave
>Write-In
>>
>>4588603
>Apologize for getting a little too carried away in the exercise
>>
>>4588603
>>Ask them how they feel about Tessa after that experience
>>
>>4588603
>Apologize for getting a little too carried away in the exercise
>Ask them how they feel about Tessa after that experience
>>
>>4588610
Sorry, bro, but in this instance, you really have to just choose one.
>>
>>4588603
>>Ask them how they feel about Tessa after that experience
>>
>>4588607
>Ask them how they feel about Tessa after that experience
>>
>>4588603
>Ask them how they feel about Tessa after that experience

Changing to this then
>>
>>4588603
I made a good guess pic related is from ffVIII only because I recognized that graphics alone from eyes on me gmv I watched
>>Apologize for getting a little too carried away in the exercise
>>
>>4588603
>>Ask them if they’re willing to catch some brunch, as it wasn’t even noon yet
>>
>>4588603
>Ask them how they feel about Tessa after that experience
>>
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‘Tessa? You mean the …’

Sensei spares the open canopy of the F-14 a glance of her own, visibly weighing her own opinion.

‘I have to say, I’ve heard of drones and automated flying craft modules and programs before, but I could never imagine that this was what Amaterasu had been working on for the last decade,’ she opines, crossing her arms under her chest as she adopts thoughtful look. ‘An intelligence that learns, responds and takes an initiative based on input and response is one thing. This … it’s a whole different set of rules for the sky. I can’t even begin to consider how much was put into the evolution matrix of the AI itself, never mind the lack of chains that allow them to develop personalities.’

‘It’s a free-form adaptive algorithm augmented by advanced pattern recognition, adaptation, assimilation and denial-acceptance standards run by sub-routines and less complicated systems, sub-AI, if you will, that allow us to develop into unique representations to suit need, want and requirement.’

‘Wow, you sure know a lot of—EEK!’

‘GHOST!’

You almost burst into laughter as Tessa’s holographic projection, flickering and very blue, prompts Sensei and Ransom into frightened, defensive stances … with Sensei using Ransom as her own personal human meat-shield and Ransom muttering something akin to a religious chant you’re quite sure was right out of a horror film. Tessa, however, merely frowns as she regards her crew, one gloved hand on her hip and a slight scowl forming upon her features, visibly confounded by their reaction.

A glance over to the maintenance crew, however, tells you that they’re not alone in their wonder.

Everyone had been used to it back at Amaterasu’s sites. You suppose that it would take a while for the Orleasians to get used to it themselves.

‘T-Tessa,’ Sensei starts, tentatively, watching the blue, flickering form of the F-14’s avatar. ‘Is that … really you?’

‘I knew it,’ Ransom exclaims. ‘They’ve become self-aware! We’re doomed!’

‘I’ve always been self-aware.’

‘Therefore dooming us all!’

You roll your eyes at Ransom’s exclamation, producing the smaller terminal from the pocket of your flight suit and prompting your own AI to give a showcase of her own. Elaine obliges, of course, with a flourish, flashing into existence and setting her feet on the edges of the display, the small hum of the omni-directional camera moving reaching your ears as she attempts to orientate herself to her new surroundings.

‘Tessa,’ Elaine greets, raising a hand towards her much, much larger compatriot.

‘Wait, how … what is that?’ Ransom questions, peering curiously at the object in your hands.

You hold it up vertically … eliciting a complaint from Elaine as she cries out for you not to drop her.

‘It’s a … I think that’s the F-15.’

‘Wait, you can just …’

Ransom points from the F-14, to Tessa … and to Elaine, puzzled.
>>
>>4588680
>Explain to them the concept of the AI learning terminal
>Joke about how it's ten digits out of their paycheck if they want to take it for a spin
>Stay Silent
>Write-In
>>
>>4588683
>Explain to them the concept of the AI learning terminal
>>
>>4588683
>>Explain to them the concept of the AI learning terminal
>>
>>4588683
>Explain to them the concept of the AI learning terminal
>>
>>4588683
>>Explain to them the concept of the AI learning terminal
>>
>>4588683
>>Joke about how it's ten digits out of their paycheck if they want to take it for a spin
I kinda wanna see their reactions
>>
>>4588683
>Explain to them the concept of the AI learning terminal
>>
>>4588683
>Explain to them the concept of the AI learning terminal
>>
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Happy New Year, you beautiful bastards. No session today as I'm exhausted and I'm sure you fucks would love to get your New Years' freak on. Thanks for playing and I hope to see you lads later at the restart. Drink responsibly.

-Mech
>>
>>4589701
Happy new years buddy
>>
>>4589701
Happy new year, buddy!Mechanic
>>
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MEch's PC is trying to commit Sudoku
>>
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This is Mechanic. Computer is a-okay. 18 hours of consecutive gaming and no problems, but I might be looking into getting a new SSD just in case. Mine's already 7 years old. I should be okay to run tomorrow, no issue, so stay tuned!
>>
>>4592168
We'll be seeing you, Mechanic
>>
>>4592168
Glad to hear everything’s ok
>>
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‘Sounds complicated,’ Ransom responds, frowning as he crosses his arms over his chest. ‘Complicated and uncomfortable.’

To his left, Sensei rubs her chin, looking very thoughtful at the prospect.

‘So you’re … hooked up for a time so these terminals can access any habits and translate them into micro-pattern prediction matrices? Sounds very invasive.’

>Tell them that you’re used to it and the company more than makes up for the first few weeks of discomfort
>Emphasize that it is essential for the data of your micro-patterns, as habits and unconscious practice are the best indicators and tells for the familiarity programs to better predict your piloting tendencies.
>Dismissively inform them that they’re going to be hooked up anyway.
>Agree with Sensei
>Write-In
>>
>>4593262
>>Tell them that you’re used to it and the company more than makes up for the first few weeks of discomfort
>>
>>4593262
>Tell them that you’re used to it and the company more than makes up for the first few weeks of discomfort
>>
>>4593262
>>Emphasize that it is essential for the data of your micro-patterns, as habits and unconscious practice are the best indicators and tells for the familiarity programs to better predict your piloting tendencies.
>>
>>4593262
>Tell them that you’re used to it and the company more than makes up for the first few weeks of discomfort
I don't think we should make the procedure a big deal we don't want to scare them off.
>>
>>4593262
>Tell them that you’re used to it and the company more than makes up for the first few weeks of discomfort

All fun and games till you're replaced by a bunch of ravens
>>
>>4593262
>>Tell them that you’re used to it and the company more than makes up for the first few weeks of discomfort
>>
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You share a small, knowing smile with your avatar, prompting your two new teammates to grace you with curious looks. Ransom appears to consider your words for a moment … before letting out a sigh and walking right up to you, creasing his brows slightly as he appears to give your words some consideration.

‘Still … it’s fascinating that Amaterasu was able to come this far in just a decade of research,’ he lets out, leaning forward and peering at the miniature woman that rests in your palm, before standing back up straight and sparing the projection of his F-14’s avatar the same curious gaze. ‘Self-learning AI with independent preferences and attitudes … how were they even able to get the resources for such an endeavor?’

‘They were a PMC,’ Sensei chimes in, her hands behind her head as her eyes glanced up towards the hangar. ‘It’d make sense for them to have enough money to run a program like that on the sly. Not taking away that it’s probably more than any of us would ever see.’

‘That’s not what I meant,’ Ransom responds, glancing at Tessa before going back to Elaine. ‘Holographic imagery at a discernible frame translation complete with built-in physics engines; self-learning AI that don’t just absorb knowledge at command on input but have independent and dependent learning faculties and by attachment … and that’s not going into the fact that either of them can give more than canned and prerecorded responses. No one’s come close to this level of progress.’

He emphasizes his point by gesturing towards Tessa’s projection. In all honesty, he resembles a teenager being taken to a natural history museum and seeing his first dinosaur skeleton.

‘That’s not entirely true,’ Sensei responds. ‘The Federation did have an AI program they highlighted in regards to automated Cordium operations and in-site labor; they even had the prototype for display.’

Ransom rolls his eyes.

‘For someone who has a call-sign so wise, you’re really an idiot when it comes to points of comparison.’

Sensei scowls, apparently refusing to reply.

Ransom closes his eyes, adopting a thoughtful stance once more. ‘At the risk of going wholly out of topic … what was Amaterasu Defense and Security like? Or rather, what was it like working under them? I’ve heard of mercenary corps being run efficiently, but from the outside looking in, you guys were a cut above the rest. Even without the AI, there aren’t many PMCs that could boast the standard that Amaterasu reached in finance or in operations.’

‘Again with the exaggeration. They didn’t even own their own AWACS.’

‘You need a license and a network to get an AWACS up and running … and Comstar-Jihad are one of the stingiest bastards in existence for that convenience,’ Ransom counters, rolling his eyes before turning his attentions back to you. ‘So, Wizard, what was Amaterasu like?’
>>
>A question for a question: ask about Comstar-Jihad’s AWACS Network Monopoly
>Tell them that you were only there for less than three years and were only flight-worthy for the last fifteen months
>Tell them that they were as advanced as he says they were. That it was more of a research and technology company and arms manufacturer than it was a PMC at times
>End the conversation
>[END INTERLUDE]
>Write-In
>>
>>4593374
>>A question for a question: ask about Comstar-Jihad’s AWACS Network Monopoly
>>
>>4593374
>A question for a question: ask about Comstar-Jihad’s AWACS Network Monopoly
>>
>>4593374
>Tell them that you were only there for less than three years and were only flight-worthy for the last fifteen months

Belkan science is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural
>>
>>4593374
>>Write-In
Tell them about my time with the squadron and amaterasu with a bit of sadness and nostalgia
>>
He looks at you as though you’d grown another head.

‘Wait, you’re asking me that question?’

You nod … and clarify that it wasn’t so much that you were confused as to what Comstar-Jihad was, but rather just what made them what they were. Despite being able to walk around with what was as close to a living encyclopedia in the palm of your hand, you were also quite interested in the perspectives of your teammates regarding what was effectively a nation that held the balance of a defense communications in the palm of their hands for what seemed like the last century or so.

‘Well … as a soldier of the Orleasian Kingdom, I have to answers for you: do you want to hear the one you can read online or do you want the one that’s a diplomatic no-no?’

>The former
>The latter
>Ask Sensei instead
>Write-In
>>
>>4593543
>The latter
>>
>>4593543
>The latter
May as well know what we may be dealing with.
>>
>>4593543
>>The latter
>>
>>4593543
>The latter
>>
>>4593543
>>Write-In
Say Yes
>>
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‘Off-the-record, I consider Comstar-Jihad an anomaly among anomalies,’ he starts, his expression of one of distaste. ‘Not in the sense that they’re … strange, but they have a seat of power that’s just too unstable to totally throw off and take for yourself. There’s no corporation in the world that has more than 4 percent share of the defense network grid and information logistics … and then there’s Comstar-Jihad owns pretty much everything west of the Severed Dunes and then some. They practically run a toll booth on how people wage war; I’m not talking about petty conflicts over scraps of land: I’m talking about all-out war.

Their stranglehold over the wide war network and the Cordium-resistant tech is just too valuable to pass on for most PMCs and countries looking to keep their regiments and airborne forces in the fight … and pissing off Comstar-Jihad is a good way of committing suicide on any ambitious campaigns. Can’t say that I’m a fan of having to make nice with those bearded assholes under the threat of having to fly blind in a foreign AO, but that’s how things are, even here in Orleas. You can fight an enemy nation with arms … but I don’t think anyone’s figured out how to fight a decentralized warfare bureaucracy and private exchange just yet.’

He snorts, closing his eyes as he crosses his arms over his chest.

‘Maybe that should be the next logical step for defense AI: crashing a market would probably destroy more lives and a sortie.’

Elaine smiles wryly, tilting her head, but otherwise remains silent.

‘I apologize for that, by the way … if you couldn’t tell, I don’t really like them all that much but you can’t throw ink at them anywhere without someone stepping in and telling you that you’re way out of line. You were a Merc, so you could probably get away with saying anything under the sun, but in the service, we’re told not to step on anyone’s toes, you know? Still … if it were up to me, I’d … well, I wouldn’t break it off just yet either, I guess. It’s frustrating at times flying up there and having to piggy-back on their premium service—’

The sarcasm in his voice is so palpable you feel like you could descale a fish with it.

‘—but they are where they are for a good reason … and between a comm array owned by Comstar-Jihad or some jerry-rigged homebrew dish in the middle of a Cordium Anomaly, I’ll make that deal with the devil any time.’

You do the only thing you can do: you nod; not in agreement, but in understanding.

‘Well, that’s my rant,’ he finishes, lightly swinging his arms by his side. ‘So, back to your time with Ameterasu …’

>Tell them that you were only there for less than three years and were only flight-worthy for the last fifteen months
>Tell them that they were as advanced as he says they were.
>Dodge the question and leave
>[END INTERLUDE]
>Write-In
>>
>>4593638
>Tell them that they were as advanced as he says they were.
>>
>>4593638
>Tell them that they were as advanced as he says they were.
Probably also lead into a story or two about our previous squadron, probably wonder out loud what happened to our last surviving member, unless something happened to him on the mission and I missed it.
>>
>>4593638
>Tell them that you were only there for less than three years and were only flight-worthy for the last fifteen months
>>
>>4593638
>>Write-In
Tell them about my time with the squadron and amaterasu with a bit of sadness and nostalgia
Putting this again
>>
>>4593638
>Tell them that you were only there for less than three years and were only flight-worthy for the last fifteen months
>>
>>4593638
In hindsight, this post is one of my weaker efforts. It totally destroys the Ace Combat tone even if it does communicate what I want it to. I apologize.
>>
>>4593638
>>Tell them that they were as advanced as he says they were.
>>
>>4593717
Wait, I take that back. It didn't communicate even half of what I wanted it to say.

>Ransom doesn't like the idea of the Comstar-Jihad having a monopoly on Cordium-proof radar arrays for communication
>Comstar-Jihad is Saudi Arabia pushed up North and erected an Empire based on telecommunications, but is otherwise not recognized as a nation, just an entity
>Comstar-Jihad is the reason behind the AWACS being a luxury for nations, as owning one means you have enough dough or influence to have Comstar-Jihad's arrays, which were superior even to the former Federation's.
>Comstar-Jihad is a MegaCorp in the traditional sense, Iron Mongers by perception from those on the outside looking in.
>>
>>4593638
>Tell them that they were as advanced as he says they were

Great, now we have Space Cult AT&T in this universe too, this should be an interesting ride for sure
>>
>>4593638
>Tell them that they were as advanced as he says they were.

>>4593828
Better be paying those bills, fucko.
>>
>>4593725
What of the pillars of communications within Cascadia? Are they able to just laugh at Comstar-Jihad thanks to having their own stuff?
>>
>>4594076
In my Quest, Cascadia's independence was in the interests of Comstar-Jihad, so they allowed their AWACS network to be leased out for the conflict just fine (within reason). They became more influential after the war, as with the new Cordium deposits popping up all along the planet, anomalous storms started disrupting communications for those fighting on these fronts. I don't know how RB has it for his game, but that's how I have it in the Quest.
>>
>>4593638
>Tell them they were an oligarchy who took advantage of the calamity to hoard resources and creating a foundation of the Coalition before usurping their power
>>
I'll be running in less than 40 minutes. Keeping it tight, guys.
>>
>>4596773
When are you changing threads?
>>
>>4596785
When it falls off the board likely.
>>
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Ransom communicates a self-satisfied nod, crossing his arms over his chest.

‘As expected. No normal corporation—never mind a PMC—could have had the know-how to develop AI this advanced,’ he comments, throwing Tessa’s and Elaine’s projections an impressed glance before placing his hands on hips and turning back to you. ‘It must have been something else, being part of that process. I bet the paycheck wasn’t bad either.’

‘This coming from the trust fund baby,’ Sensei snipes, smirking as her eyes close and her head turns away, wearing a triumphant expression right as Ransom’s ears go red with embarrassment. ‘The last thing you need is a fatter bank account.’

‘Such concerns are irrelevant,’ Ransom declares, making an exaggerated show of haughtiness while Sensei’s smirk goes wider as her cat-like eyes snap and focus on his now-turned back. ‘I’m actually more interested in what you saw in your time there. Being a test pilot for an AI, communicating your habits and serving as the learning medium for their design, their development … the fine-tuning. I think a lot of people would handily give up their trust funds’—he makes an emphasis on that last word—‘just to see how Amaterasu made such strides. You can’t blame anyone for being curious for wanting to throw back the curtain just to see how the magic works.

You cock an eyebrow, fixing him with an amused look.

‘Did I say something wrong?’

>Point out that in the acquisition, he’s in pretty much given a position to see the how, what and why of the development process
>Tell him that he’s pretty much surrounded by ex-Amaterasu employees and can freely ask the coats on what curiosities he wishes to satisfy
>Wave it off
>End conversation
>[END INTERLUDE]
>Write-In
>>
>>4596834
>>Point out that in the acquisition, he’s in pretty much given a position to see the how, what and why of the development process
>>
>>4596834
>Look behind the curtain? You are going to be one of the magicians. I can't wait to see how your AIs turn out.
>>
>>4596834
>Point out that in the acquisition, he’s in pretty much given a position to see the how, what and why of the development process
>>
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‘It’s hardly the same thing,’ he counters, much to your surprise. ‘PMCs aren’t affected by regulatory boards and governmental committees the way national military installations and establishments are, even way out here. In a way … it’s probably why PMCs and corporations exist the way they do: their only accountability is ultimately to their bottom line, investors and employees. Less nagging, more pushing.’

‘This coming from the person who’d literally crucify Comstar-Jihad at the chance,’ Sensei mumbles, rolling her eyes again.

‘I’m not saying that I’m not a little … hypocritical there,’ he sighs, hanging his head, ‘but you have to admit that things would go a lot smoother without the bureaucracy to—’

He stops in his tracks, his expression morphing into one of odd disgust as he rubs the back of his head as Sensei cocks an eyebrow and adopts Ransom’s previous smugness, the former now mumbling and shaking his head … much to your (and judging by the looks that Elaine and Tessa sport now) confusion. Sensei takes center stage, stepping up and throwing Tessa’s projection in interest before turning her full attention to Elaine and the small, round terminal resting in the palm of your hand.

‘Do they really just let you carry her around anywhere?’ Sensei inquires, her eyes trailing around the edge of the circular device with a pronounced interest.

>Joke with her about how much the terminal is worth
>Answer in the positive
>Give her a detailed answer regarding the whys and hows of the terminal
>Dismiss her inquiries
>End the conversation
>Write-In
>>
>>4596834
>>Point out that in the acquisition, he’s in pretty much given a position to see the how, what and why of the development process

But also >>4596846 because it's kind of the same thing
>>
>>4596865
>Answer in the positive

If we believe it then it's true. Now, escape with Elaine!
>>
>>4596866
Ignore, I was late.
>>4596865
>>Write-In
"You've got to get to know your partner outside of the cockpit too."
>>
>>4596865
I'll support >>4596871.
>>
>>4596871
Supporting
>>
>>4596871
Supporting
>>
‘So, if a pilot wanted to bring the AI around, all they’d have to do is pull out the terminal from the cockpit and just put it in their pocket?’

You emphasize that the whole point of the exercise was to encourage stimulus and widen and spur the manners of input that which they were able to receive to better understand the complexities of habit and adaptation … and that their terminals, Tessa’s, Elaine’s or any of the others, weren’t just things to show off and bring around.

‘It’d be a bit of a security issue, wouldn’t it, though?’ Sensei points out. ‘Someone could just walk off the base with one of them in their pocket.’

You consider it for a moment. Amaterasu’s security systems had left bases mostly isolated and access extremely restricted … and as foolish as the test pilots had been on their days off, measures were, indeed, taken to prevent subterfuge of any sort by all parties concerned. Amaterasu hadn’t been stupid, knowing what they had on their hands: enemies were aplenty even before the development of the program … and would only serve to exponentialize with the reveal of fully-working applicable artificial intelligence combat modules, perhaps even more so than they’d expected in the first place. You glance down at Elaine’s still form, sparing Tessa’s human-sized hologram a glance right after, pondering Sensei’s unintentional accusation.

‘I’m sure that there were precautions in place,’ Ransom offers, stepping up into the conversation. ‘I don’t think there’s a mercenary corps that isn’t overly protective of its own assets in this world. Not since the quelling of the Cabal by the Federation. That they’d have more to keep safe would only give them more reason to.’

‘That’s how Amaterasu did things,’ Sensei replies, crossing her arms over her chest as she finally turns away from the Elaine’s terminal. ‘Things are a lot more open here. There’s more cracks and gaps than one would think; this may be a military installation, but that makes the potential for disaster all the greater. That thing looks like it’d be easy to just sneak out off the base.’

‘Amaterasu also didn’t have the threat of execution for covert operations against one’s nation,’ Ransom returns, sighing. ‘If top secret operations were so easily tip-toed around, they wouldn’t be top secret in the first place. Plus, if we’re talking leaks, that’d make Wizard the go-to, wouldn’t it?’

You shift uncomfortably in place. As playful as Ransom’s suggestions was, your status—

‘It would be appreciated if you did not suggest such inappropriate implications, Garm Three.’

To your surprise, it hadn’t been Elaine that had spoken with that edge: it had been Tessa.

‘You can trust Wizard,’ Elaine chimes in, giving Garm Three a look of annoyance.

‘I was just joking,’ Ransom clarifies, raising his hands defensively.

Sensei doesn’t reply.
>>
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That seems to be the end of that.

>Convince them to take the AI Terminal out for Tessa to orient with them better
>End the conversation
>Write-In
>>
>>4596930
>>Convince them to take the AI Terminal out for Tessa to orient with them better
if they dont want to, uhhhh we could always do it for Tessa. totally not biased whatsoever. no siree
>>
>>4596928
>Convince them to take the AI Terminal out for Tessa to orient with them better
>>
>>4596930
>Convince them to take the AI Terminal out for Tessa to orient with them better
>>
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‘I guess … if you say so. Can’t say that I’m not a little hesitant … but having an actual AI around? I’m almost giddy.’

‘We’ll have to get used to each other at one point, anyway. Who’s going to be responsible for logging her around?’

>Sensei should do it, since she seems to be more cautious
>Ransom should hold on to her, since he’ll be the one piloting her up in the air anyway
>Ask them for permission to bring Tessa around, as its best that she orients herself independently and isn’t familiar with her new state of ownership
>Tell them to sort it among themselves
>Take it back; tell them maybe it isn’t such a good idea to hang onto something of such value in such a manner without proper experience, as Sensei said before
>Write-In
>>
>>4596946
>>Ask them for permission to bring Tessa around, as its best that she orients herself independently and isn’t familiar with her new state of ownership
>>
>>4596946
>Ask them for permission to bring Tessa around, as its best that she orients herself independently and isn’t familiar with her new state of ownership
>>
>>4596946
>Ransom should hold on to her, since he’ll be the one piloting her up in the air anyway
An A.I and their pilot should get to know each other properly.
>>
>>4596946
>Tell them to sort it among themselves
>>
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‘You’re actually all right with this?’

‘Eh … not really, but no sense not making use of an asset that’s been made available, right?’

As you pull out Tessa’s terminal from the panel and step down from the F-14’s ladders, you hear the crackle of your F-15’s own avatar, protesting your voluntary service. Finding solid ground underneath your feet again, you pull both of the terminals out: one in your left hand and one in your right, the avatars—

‘I have so many things to say to you!’ Elaine cries out, glaring up at you with an expression that communicates that she wasn’t in an agreeable mood at all.

In your right hand, you see Tessa dipping into a small curtsy.

‘It’s been a while, but I guess it would be appropriate to say that I’ll be in your care, Wizard.’

Elaine crosses her arms, her avatar glaring daggers at the projection of the woman in your left hand.

Ransom and Sensei approach you, the both of them leaning down to get a better look at Tessa’s half-foot tall form. Tessa responds by mimicking her previous curtsy, prompting a small but nonetheless impressed sound from the two of them.

‘Wow,’ Sensei breathes, studying Tessa’s device. ‘It’s really—’

‘Sensei, Ransom, Colonel Semensov wants to you both in conference room five!’

The interruption has the both of them snapping their spines at attention. Swiftly apologizing for the impromptu disruption of your little discussion, Sensei and Random excuse themselves from your presence, scrambling as they make a break for the open airfield. You stand in the hangar with naught but the two feminine representations of your Squadron’s planes in your hands and the company of the coats and the engineers tending to their airframes.

It was noon and you are, for the most part, without instruction.

>Write-In
>Leave hangar
>Try to talk to the engineers
>Strike up a conversation with Elaine and Tessa
>[END INTERLUDE]
>>
>>4597004
>Strike up a conversation with Elaine and Tessa
>>
>>4597004
>>Write-In
Go to the canteen and get some food
>>
>>4597004
>Strike up a conversation with Elaine and Tessa
>>
>>4597004
>>Strike up a conversation with Elaine and Tessa
>>
>>4597004
>Strike up a conversation with Elaine and Tessa
>>
>>4597004
>Write-In
Swap stories with Solo
>>
Show of hands. Who here wants to play?
>>
>>4597777
Sure
>>
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You park your ass on one of the large, durable, plastic boxes in the hangar, setting the two terminals right next to you. They crackle to life within seconds of input, blinking two half-foot tall projections of women in flickering but otherwise passable resolution. Peering down at the two incorporeal avatars, you notice that even at half a foot, your F-15’s scowl couldn’t be anymore finely detailed; the engineers had got that down right to the wrinkle … while the F-14’s prim state remains thus: hands folded over her front and a neutral gaze upward, ever the adherent. Elaine’s avatar’s arms cross over her chest as the audio output mutters something ineligible, her scowl compounded by her refusal to meet your eyes.

‘Wizard,’ Tessa greets, bowing slightly.

Elaine twitches slightly, but outside of a ghost of a shrug, she doesn’t appear to acknowledge your summons at all.

>Write-In
>Shut them both down and do something else.
>>
>>4597901
>Write-In
>So, how did it feel to be back in the air after all this time?
>>
>>4597914
>Supporting
>>
>>4597914
sounds good to me, ask the both of them
>>
>>4597914
Supporting
>>
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Tessa is the first to respond to your query.

‘Calibrating myself into the predictive model of two new sources of input is as difficult as expected, especially from ones whose data compilations aren’t even registered as a learning unit in preliminary settings for compensation and response. It will take me at least forty-four hours of study to integrate myself into the new flight patterns as a structural base to get used to them, but I believe that it isn’t an effort that I won’t be able to execute to the fullest of my capabilities.’

‘Is that so?’ Elaine sounds out, her tone very much one of suspicion. ‘Back up in the air on auto-pilot, I noticed you were doubling back whenever Wizard and I banked into position and baited us back into sight. Nothing basic or bare-bones about that.’

Tessa wears a mysterious smile.

‘I’ve committed twenty-three percent of Wizard’s tendencies to immediate reference.’

Elaine’s grinds her teeth: an action that, much to your surprise, comes with its own audible sound effect. She raises her hands, as if motioning to choke the very air itself.

‘We are instruments that thrive on the extent of the stimulus of our input, after all,’ Tessa lets out, almost matter-of-factly. ‘Our preferences are very much objective in this aspect.’

‘You can keep your objectives strictly in your AO, thank you very much,’ Elaine grumbles, crossing her arms as she pouts and looks away. ‘He’s my partner.’

Tessa’s mysterious smile … remains.

>Write-In
>>
>>4597977
>That I am Elaine but we are all friends. Gotta keep each other close after all.
>>
>>4597977
>Yes, you are the legal wife. You don't need to be jealous.
>>
>>4597985
Why am I imagining the "MC innocence aura being" emanated while you say this?
>>
>>4597977
>>4597988
Supporting
>>
>>4597990
channel the inner Shirou
>>
Mech be getting some food
>>
>>4597977
This >>4597988
>>
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Tessa giggles.

Elaine, while flustered, doesn’t appear to appreciate your attempt at humor.

If it could even be called such.

Regardless, it seems to have lightened the mood, somewhat. Even by human standards, Elaine was oddly protective of her status as your go-to combat aide, but while there were times that you questioned just what manner of programming allowed such behavior, there was no doubting her performance as an AI. Despite not being in the top three mean results in running tests back in Amaterasu, her deployment capabilities were ahead by a fair margin, especially in air-to-air combat situations and dog-fighting … a clear match for your own talent in spurring more impetus for her to greedily feast upon as reference and for practical execution.

Tessa, meanwhile … had been largely consigned to laboratory situations, simulations and the occasional test; none of the pilots present matched the desired profile and expectations, something that you keenly suspected was grounded in the F-14’s status as a two-seater and for the compilation, reference and processing of the gathered data proving to be a more torrid task for her as an AI with a rotation numbering more than double the number of individuals in any phase. As a result, outside of your own person, no combination of individuals yielded more than a twenty percent base on average. Yours was a mark at twenty-five percent, but due to your own absurd numbers with Elaine, it’d been who you’d been ultimately assigned to.

You wonder how things could have been if you’d toughed it out … or were afforded a proper WSO in your time with Amaterasu.

Life had a sense of humor at times.

‘Wizard? You’re spacing out.’

You shake your head, throwing an apologetic smile both their ways.

The one you throw at Tessa, however, garners a slight glare from Elaine as her envy rears its head.

‘It’s very unprofessional for you to to take his courtesy as a personal affront.’

‘Don’t give me that,’ Elaine counters, her hair whipping around (and glitching slightly) as she turns to face Tessa, who by now had one eye closed and her nose turned up in her own show of irritation. ‘You’d fly with Wizard in a microsecond if I gave you the chance!’

Tessa’s eyes sparkle slightly as she turns to fully face Elaine. ‘You would?’

‘As if I could! I’ve seen the records! The moment I give you the chance, you’re going to be showing off your supercruise thrust vector and long-range engagement profiles again.’

You look away innocently.

‘See? He’s already thinking about it!’

A guilty smile carves itself upon your lips. You could still remember those simulations …

‘We both have our strengths and weaknesses,’ Tessa counters, frowning. ‘I can’t supplement offensive dog-fighting the way you can. I’m not designed for high-stress hairpin combat.’
>>
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‘And just what were you doing up there just now, then?’

You surmise that she must be making a reference to the recent tag exercise.

‘Tag, of course,’ Tessa answers, as if it’d been a mathematical equation to be solved.

‘And whose data did you register as a reference for automated defensive combat and positioning?’

‘W-Well, it’s only natural that I’d commit it to quick reference, wouldn’t I? You’d deny our purpose in such a way?’

‘Uh-huh,’ Elaine mumbles, unconvinced. ‘Let me re-word that, then: how many tables did you pull up in engagement that weren’t Wizard’s?’

Tessa looks away, scratching her cheek.

‘W-Wizard’s different …’

Elaine wrinkles her lips, looking up at you with a look of utter disapproval.

>Write-In
>Shut them both down and do something else
>>
>>4598285
>Write-In
>Mom, Dad, please don’t fight
>>
>>4598285
>Sometimes I wish I could plug the two of you into one plane and then have everyone else act as my wing, but that is likely just me being greedy.
>>
>>4598285
>>Write-In
Say remember the how high the PSYCO sims scores before i came as a jockey and your records with other pilots
>>
>>4598285
>>Write-In
Say that it's important to use her new pilot's (And WSO's) data, since they're the ones who will be trusting their lives to her
>>
>>4598285
>>4599107
Supporting, disregard previous vote
>>
>>4599107
Supporting
>>
If any of you guys come to Langkawi, I shall treat you to the spiciest sambal ever. I was writhing on the floor for a fucking hour and a half.
>>
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‘From what I’ve gathered, it’s probably the workload more than it is the adaptability matrix being flummoxed,’ Elaine offers, crossing her arms over her chest.

You reiterate that that is, indeed, what you had just said.

‘I’m just trying to put my own opinion in there; I’m not trying to wedge your hypotheses out of the discussion, you know?’ she counters, prompting you to concede her perspective with a shrug. ‘It’s not as if the technicians and engineers weren’t aware of the input-adaptation conundrum at all. Maybe if they allowed her to get used to a team properly before taking half-baked data as say-so they’d get more consistent results. It doesn’t help that she’s got to get used to different combinations of data for consideration.’

You tilt your head slightly, wondering just how that would compound the difficulty beyond that of having two different pilots.

‘Different combinations equate to different considerations between the pilot and WSO for one another,’ Tessa explains, sighing audibly. ‘It’s easier to adapt to the changes when they’re merely done in respect to your own limits … but pilots and their riders are human; their considerations are independent of the variables I’m expected to manipulate and adjust towards. Rather than being able to shift to a change between myself and the pilot, my attentions are also focused on the dynamic between the two-man team riding and the habits of the WSOs. A factor that I’m not able to adjust to at an applicable rate … and have, thus far, not been allowed to due to circumstance. That being said … such concerns are mine to ponder and mine alone. I’ll take care of it as I see fit.’

Scratching the back of your head, you furrow your brows as you glance between the now-prideful and defensive Tessa to the concerned and ponderous Elaine. The first thing you consider is just how much data these two had fed off in mere conversation with one another … and the second was finally grasping just how much worse Tessa’s circumstances had been in light of Elaine’s prompting of her period on the ground. It definitely would be more complicated to have to get used to a myriad of different combinations of people, never mind different people at all, with the aim of compiling habits and combat instinct for future application. Tessa’s workload wasn’t just working with pairs of two … but dozens of combinations of teams in an attempt to optimize her practical output.

Similar equations, identical concepts … and different variables that made up what would ultimately be a different answer.

It was like running a gauntlet of applicable mathematics at a graduate level.

‘You didn’t have any trouble compiling Wizard’s data, though,’ Elaine restates, albeit with more of a playful tone than she’d managed prior.

‘It’s as I said,’ Tessa lets out, sounding oddly … smug. ‘Wizard’s different.’

>Write-In
>Power them down and do something else
>>
>>4599634
>>Write-In
>ask the two of them what happened to them during the time after the Incident.
I kinda wanna see how it was from their perspective.
>>
>>4599639
same
>>
>>4599639
Sounds like a reasonable question, get an idea of how things were since that mission, then I think we should move on.
>>
>>4599634
>>4599639
Supporting
>>
‘Revising and reviewing,’ Elaine answers, dully. ‘Not like there was much we could do being unplugged.’

Tessa shrugs casually, crossing her arms over her chest again.

‘They allowed me to at least continue running situations up until the merger. We can’t be left idle for long, after all … not without access to a sleep mode. I think I’d go crazy if I was left without anything to do for more than an hour.’

‘Well, we have problem sub-routines to keep external stimulus going, at least, from that aspect.’

‘You know, despite our mutations of intelligence and the manifestation of our personalities into unique shapes of their own, don’t you ever question why we enjoy doing math at the proverbial back of our heads so much?’

Elaine shrugs nonchalantly, stretching her arms overhead. ‘Probably because the people behind our development are a bunch of nerds … and trigonometry and basic mathematics are easier sub-routines to run and store on limited space for quick access.’

‘That would make sense,’ Tessa concurs, her blue avatar nodding repeatedly. ‘You’d think that with all the brains behind the division, they’d come up with a better way for us to perceive and pass time outside of ticking picoseconds.’

‘It’s one of the drawbacks at having the ability to process at a pace a billion times quicker than the average human mind … and to that, I say, thank them for the ability to run proper conversation executables at real-time pace and downgraded input storage.’

>Point out that you don’t see a point in cutting down the processing time of an AI
>Apologize that you didn’t know that the perception of time was so accelerated for AIs
>Ask them how AIs achieve boredom so quickly without stimulus
>Comment that it’s humanity’s curse and blessing to be stupid and smart in those bursts of brilliance and foolishness
>Put them both away; do something else
>>
>>4599905
>>Comment that it’s humanity’s curse and blessing to be stupid and smart in those bursts of brilliance and foolishness
>>
>>4599905
>>Comment that it’s humanity’s curse and blessing to be stupid and smart in those bursts of brilliance and foolishness
>>
>>4599905
>Comment that it’s humanity’s curse and blessing to be stupid and smart in those bursts of brilliance and foolishness
>>
>>4599905
>Apologize that you didn’t know that the perception of time was so accelerated for AIs

fucking ouch
>>
>>4599905
>>Comment that it’s humanity’s curse and blessing to be stupid and smart in those bursts of brilliance and foolishness
>>
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‘That’s what you have us around for, don’t you?’

You snort in amusement, picking them both up and clicking the displays off before placing the round terminals in your pocket. You must have looked like a weirdo trying to make casual conversation with the AIs.

Except … not really. The ones that lingered in the hangar had more important things to do than pay attention to a jockey indulging in his social quota for the week. Considering your history with the sovereignty of the very soil you stood on, you counted that as a good thing.

>Write-In
>Leave Hangar
>Chat with the Engineers
>[END INTERLUDE]
>>
>>4600914
>Leave Hangar
Lets explore the base.
>>
>>4600914
>>Leave Hangar
>>
>>4600914
>Leave Hangar
>>
>>4600914
>>Leave Hangar
lets go
>>
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You stretch your arms over your head. Glancing around, you find that the coats and the engineers were much too busy tending to the planes to badger you. No smiles from the maintenance crew as they wheeled in the boxes and hoses; no irritable look from the hangar manager as he points out that you were crooked parking your plane even when it wasn’t your job to do so; the din of noise is almost an impersonal, alienating silence.

Shaking the thought off—in a most literal sense—you move to leave the hangar, picking up one of the tied clipboards and signing off, your stomach whispering thoughts of being sated while your back pushes you to make a bee-line for the hangars. It’d been nary a week since your arrival on base … and outside of your Flight Leader and Captain, Solo—and more recently, Ransom and Sensei—you hadn’t been given the allowance to orientate yourself as you would have liked. Outside of the quartermasters and the dorm manager (who was, oddly enough, a contracted civilian), you hadn’t really engaged with, mostly due to the fact that you’d been thrown right into the mix on arrival and had been made to review the AI profiles that the Orleasian government had acquired, doubling as both reference frame and experimental unit member.

The bright afternoon sun makes you wince as you turn away, muttering about how tinged windows could do their job all too well. Seeing stars and spheres, you shake your head again, you attempt to make a dash into the distant shade, unwilling to wait—

‘Look out!’

You prided yourself on the fact that your screams weren’t very girly. In your WSO days, you’d been told that it was something to pin a badge of honor on, what with the maniacs that took to the throttle at times.

‘Are you all right?’

Aside from the fact that you were about a foot from being run over by a cart of all things and a whim from collecting on an insurance claim for cripples without even completing a month of employment in your new job, you find that you are, truly, still in one piece.

The two cart drivers get up from their seat, peering down at you … as a woman who most definitely wasn’t part of the crew clicks her heels as she rushes to your aide, clad in a very casual yet business-oriented manner of dress, leaning over with a look of concern and apology.

‘Can you stand?’

She extends a delicate hand, her demeanor gentle and somehow … authoritative.

It’s then that you finally realize that you’re flat on your bottom, palms on the hot ground and—

Panicking, you feel around for the two terminals … and to your relief, find that they were still safe in your flight suit’s pockets.

‘You didn’t break anything did you?’

You wrinkle your nose slightly as you consider why you were still sitting down on hot asphalt …

>Write-In
>>
>>4600953
>take her hand and say your fine
>>
>>4600953
>>Write-In
"only my pride..." then take her hand and allow her to help us up, we never say no to women with authoritative tones, ever
>>
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>>4600954
Nani? Touching a girl's hand so casually?!
>>
>>4600953
Supporting >>4600960
>>
>>4600960
Supporting this because im a degenerate
>>
>>4600961
Mech you didn't tell me this was a lewd quest!
>>
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She’s stronger than her size and build would suggest. You’re up on your feet with a grunt and a wince; as her hand pulls away, you find yourself feeling the lingering tightness of her grip around your fingers, but decline to comment on it. You’re about a nose and a chin ahead of her in height, but that aura of authority doesn’t leave her at all, even with the gentle demeanor that she approaches you with. A glance to her suit communicates a temporary visitor pass with a purple and white horizontal bar on top, which threw out any jokes about her right to access the hangar at all … which meant that she was an extremely important external consultant or a visitor afforded total access on the whim of the base commander. Either way, your instincts regarding the chain of command kick right in as you take another step back … and throw up a salute and apology, tacking on your regret in regards to your carelessness at almost causing an accident that shouldn’t have been that close at all.

The woman hums as she takes the opportunity to size you up.

You turn your head up, extremely nervous at her approach.

The two balaclava-clad gentlemen on the cart keep their silence, apparently waiting for the woman to finish her assessment.

‘That’s a flight suit,’ she points out. ‘So are you a jockey or a wizzo?’

>Ask her to take a guess
>Point out that that sort of terminology is more prevalent among those in the know
>Answer that you’re a jockey
>Answer that you’re an experienced wizzo
>Write-In
>>
>>4601031
>>Write-In
why not say we are both a pilot and wso since thats correct
>>
>>4601031
>Both.
>>
>>4601031
>>Write-In
Say yes
>>
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‘Impressive.’

She sounds honest about it, too.

‘You know, my father was a pilot himself. How do you manage it?’

>Inform her that you started off as a WSO, but were reassigned as a pilot as requirements expanded
>Brag that you’re just blessed to be as naturally talented as you are
>Joke with her by saying that it’s all about memorizing buttons and pressing the big red one when the computer tells you to
>Divert the topic to her access pass
>Write-In
>>
>>4601051
>>Inform her that you started off as a WSO, but were reassigned as a pilot as requirements expanded
>>
>>4601051
>>Inform her that you started off as a WSO, but were reassigned as a pilot as requirements expanded
>>
>>4601051
>Inform her that you started off as a WSO, but were reassigned as a pilot as requirements expanded
>>
>>4601051
>>Inform her that you started off as a WSO, but were reassigned as a pilot as requirements expanded
>>
>>4601051
>>Inform her that you started off as a WSO, but were reassigned as a pilot as requirements expanded
This is an officer after all we shouldn't upset them or give them a reason to smoke us.
>>
>>4601066
"Officer". Heh, heh ...
>>
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‘Really? I’m afraid I’m not well-versed in the assigning of roles; most of my interest is by osmosis, but … the transition must have been incredibly difficult.’

You can’t quite put your finger on it, but there was something very … odd about her manner of speech. There is a daintiness to her voice; feminine and gentle … and at the same time, you observe a great deal of restraint in her pronunciation: it’s as if there was one side that came natural to her but had been restrained by bouts of practice in order to keep the casual nature of her intonation as concealed as possible. She doesn’t speak like an officer or a technician, never mind an engineer. In fact, there was something extremely formal about how she delivered her vowels and consonants. Heels clicking and hands folded over her front, there was no doubt in your mind that there a … protocol to her actions, even for something as casual as a question regarding your vocation.

‘Yet … it is still quite odd that the transition was done at all. From what little I’ve been made aware of regarding the doctrine of military promotion and assignment, it’s quite the rare transfer to go from the back seat to the front. The case for your exception must have been quite profound.’

>Highlight that it’s not that rare, but the circumstances of your recruitment definitely were odd
>Mention that you’d merely met the mark for both in preliminary screening and that it was nothing exceptional or odd
>Thank her for her unexpected praise
>Shrug nonchalantly
>Write-In
>>
>>4601146
>>Highlight that it’s not that rare, but the circumstances of your recruitment definitely were odd
>>
>>4601146
>Mention that you’d merely met the mark for both in preliminary screening and that it was nothing exceptional or odd
>>
>Highlight that it’s not that rare, but the circumstances of your recruitment definitely were odd
>>
>>4601146
>Highlight that it’s not that rare, but the circumstances of your recruitment definitely were odd
>>
It hadn’t been strange enough to qualify for weird … but your application and recruitment by Amaterasu Defense and Security had definitely been a promotion—if you could even call it that—that you hadn’t seen coming. With a resume that was neither thin for outright rejection nor thick enough for full acceptance, you’d been put into the simulation group without much fanfare or expectation. Amaterasu paid well enough that you didn’t mind, but the inner machinations of office politics and the involvement of the Intermediary had you in the driver’s seat within a year due to some union violation or something of that ilk.

All you knew was that the division was behind on tests, hooked you up and the rest … became history.

‘If you say so,’ she acknowledges, nodding, before glancing at the hangar. ‘I’m guessing that I wouldn’t be that far off to guess that that’s where the latest acquisitions are being housed?’

You glance at the hangar you’d just left … before feeling your pockets and remembering that—

‘Would you mind showing me around?’

>Decline the offer and respectfully excuse yourself
>Accept her proposal and head back inside the hangar you’d just left
>Write-In
>>
>>4601272
>Accept her proposal and head back inside the hangar you’d just left
>>
>>4601272
>Accept her proposal and head back inside the hangar you’d just left
>>
>>4601272
>>Accept her proposal and head back inside the hangar you’d just left
>>
>>4601272
>>Accept her proposal and head back inside the hangar you’d just left
>>
>>4601272
>>Decline the offer and respectfully excuse yourself
She has a temporary visitor patch, she probably doesn't have permission to go in the hangar
>>
>>4601272
>Decline the offer and respectfully excuse yourself
>>
She’s legitimate, if nothing else.

The security pass was either valid or a forgery good enough to bypass the safety measures the Orleasians had made against any espionage or sabotage, but the way the engineers stammered into attention upon address validated her authority, external or otherwise. It’s almost amusing, seeing how the engineers practically trip into their feet as they throw themselves into salutes and explanations as to their activities … but your own discipline and conditioning has you feeling your sphincter tightening at the consideration that the woman that had convinced you to renege on your intentions to head back to the main base was likely a high-ranked government official or an external consultant afforded the rank.

Which, in hindsight, probably made sense, given the codes on the—

‘They don’t look much different from their baseline counterparts,’ the woman states, walking between right up to Elaine’s airframe and giving the tip of the left missile pod a gentle pat as the engineers wheeled the carts and boxes away from the Eagle. ‘This is the AI-enhanced craft, isn’t it?’

You answer in the positive … eliciting a frown as her silver hair flutters and her head turns to the open cockpit of the F-14 that lay not ten feet away from her.

‘Which one do you fly?’

>Answer that you’ve flown all of them and to claim exclusive flight preference over others would be unprofessional
>Answer that you fly the F-15
>Be coy about it
>Write-In
>>
>>4602433
>Elaine, but pretty much all of them like me.
>>
>>4602433
>>Answer that you fly the F-15
>>
>>4602433
>>Answer that you’ve flown all of them and to claim exclusive flight preference over others would be unprofessional
This, but off the record we have an affinity for the F-15
>>
>>4602443
In hindsight, having double EXP at the cost of no bonuses was a mistake.
>>
>>4602433
>>Answer that you’ve flown all of them and to claim exclusive flight preference over others would be unprofessional
>>4602449
eh more like we got lucky with the first kill and got juiced up. Like killing the Asylum Demon in DS 1 without the plunge attack
>>
>>4602469
Apt comparison.
>>
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‘You’ve flown them all?’

You nod in affirmation. The silver-haired woman crosses her arms as she furrows her brows, glancing off at the F-15 with a look of suspicion, prompting you into admitting your own affinity for the Eagle, by circumstance or otherwise. Your companion turns her back to you again, her hands behind her back as she leans slightly to her right as her line of sight appears to trace the neck-line of the fuselage and proceeding to bend over for a better look at the landing gear—and all the apparatus hooked up into the underside of the cockpit through it—before snapping herself back to full height and giving the side of the plane a knock with a gloved knuckle.

‘How do they handle compared to the others?’

You frown slightly, requesting for her to repeat herself.

‘Compared to normal off-the-line fighters,’ she clarifies, turning her back to you once more, her attentions appearing to settle on Elaine’s open cockpit. ‘Would you say that the performance margin of this plane would be able to break through typical expectations by a margin that justifies its value?’

You consider the question with a wrinkled nose. You were never a big talker … but if there was anything that this woman had communicated in the last twenty minutes of your impromptu tour was that her demeanor, once uncertain, had been firmly revealed to be one with a great degree of investment and board room savvy, which tells you that you weren’t dealing with a superior to much as you were roped into a testimony before an auditor.

That would explain the intimidation had felt.

‘Well?’

>Inform her that her question is of an extremely subjective nature due to the nature of each AI’s specialties, preferences and their ability to work with their drivers
>Tell her that on a technical basis, even without the AI, the craft are at least two-thirds of a generation ahead of their production counterparts
>Decline your right to an opinion, as that’s for the engineers and coats to put to paper and you merely fly the planes
>Answer in the positive
>Write-In
>>
>>4602548
>>Inform her that her question is of an extremely subjective nature due to the nature of each AI’s specialties, preferences and their ability to work with their drivers
>>
>>4602548
>>Inform her that her question is of an extremely subjective nature due to the nature of each AI’s specialties, preferences and their ability to work with their drivers
>>
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‘Preferences? I thought the AIs acted as pilot aides?’

>Chastise her for taking such a rudimentary stance
>Explain carefully just what Amaterasu’s AI design and development entailed
>Roll your eyes sarcastically, but keep your silence
>Meet her halfway, explain that that it isn’t even half the story in regards to how far Amaterasu has come
>Write-In
>>
>>4602670
>>Meet her halfway, explain that that it isn’t even half the story in regards to how far Amaterasu has come
>>
>>4602670
>Meet her halfway, explain that that it isn’t even half the story in regards to how far Amaterasu has come
>>
>>4602670
>Meet her halfway, explain that that it isn’t even half the story in regards to how far Amaterasu has come
>>
Malaysia's under lockdown ... again. Who's up to play in the next 20 minutes ish?
>>
>>4602670
>>Meet her halfway, explain that that it isn’t even half the story in regards to how far Amaterasu has come
>>
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‘You’ve certainly done your homework,’ she chirps, letting out an impressed sound. ‘It’s quite a relief knowing that we have such—’

‘YOUR HIGHNESS!’

One foot stepping back, you whirl around to see a practical march of suited, sunglasses-wearing gentlemen of considerable size trampling their way towards you, their arms stiffer than a wind-up toy soldier (An irony that’s not lost on your person). Four large bodies come to a halt, the two men in front splitting themselves off from the crude formation, revealing a thick-set gentleman who looked as though he’d had one pie too many, his cane noisily thumping against the ground as his blonde mustache bristles in irritation. The woman scowls slightly as her own heels echo her—

Wait … “your highness”?

‘It would be most appreciate by my personage if you did not violate protocols so bluntly.’

‘I take offense to that, Minister,’ the woman—her Highness—throws back, her expression as flat as her unimpressed, yet somehow sarcastic, tone. ‘I thought I was quite subtle in my violation of your protocols.’

The portly man opens his mouth to say something … before running his hand over his face, seemingly unwilling to continue the conversation anymore than he’d already managed. Your own eyes trail from the top of the man’s head to the back of the second row of gentlemen, spying two people—your Flight Leader, Solo and the kind gentleman that had offered you your freedom back at your old excuse for a prison—were aligned and wearing tired, tight looks themselves, as if there were other places they would have rather be than under this hangar.

Solo communicates as much as your eyes meet, throwing an apologetic glance your way before having his attention taken by the man in the suit right next to him.

‘They are not my protocols, your Highness,’ the Minister replies, bowing slightly. ‘They are set rules to ensure the continued safety of the Royal Family. I implore you to not test their limits any more than you’ve already managed.’

Much to the man’s very visible irritation, the silver-haired lady had already turned her attentions back to the F-15, crouching and sticking her head into the front wheel bay.

‘Your Majesty, I must—’

‘There were no issues, I take it?’

The Minister sighs, taking several steps forward. ‘You would know if you’d been there to hear it to its end.’

‘That’s what I have you for, Minister Musica,’ she answers coyly. ‘And according to Parliament, how you would like it to remain.’

The Minister mumbles under his breath, clacking the tip of his cane against the concrete floor. You catch a ghost of a prayer for patience in there.

‘Is your curiosity satisfied just yet?’

‘My question remains unanswered, Minister. I shall tend to your query when you have answered mine.’

The authority returns to her tone. You can almost hear the whispers of winter in the air.
>>
‘Nothing beyond what we’ve expected … save for the question regarding the ultimate authority over the remaining assets from the Amaterasu purchase. The Office for Energy is especially crossed at your refusal at having the military have sole—’

‘I have not given the military sole proprietorship,’ she snaps, peeling herself away from the F-15, ‘and even if I did, it would not be in the manner that they so blatantly suggest.’

‘They were the ones that collaborated in the initial integration of Amaterasu’s—’

‘And I made my decision on that,’ she declares, an aura of defiance, irritation and decisiveness emanating from her as she does so … but with her tone as level as the horizon at a cruise. ‘In fact, I believe that the seats made their decision on that, so all they should concern themselves by is how they would like to contribute over what teats they can suckle on for themselves.’

The Minister actually wears an impressed look at that. ‘Apt, Your Highness. Very apt.’

Her shoulders slump as she raises a hand to her forehead, letting out an incredible sigh.

>Invoke surprise at her being the Queen
>Question why the Queen would show up here at all
>Point out that the Minister and the Queen seem rather chummy …
>Keep silent
>Write-In
>>
>>4602927
>Keep silent
We don't know, much if anything about the situation, and as long as they keep the lights on so we can keep flying it's not really going to change much.
>>
>>4602927
>Your Majesty, what where you looking for in the wheel well?
>>
>>4602927
>Keep silent
>>
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The reveal of the woman being the Orleasian Kingdom’s ruler takes you aback, certainly.

Your training, however, keeps your countenance from slipping into something concerning embarrassment (even if the fact that you hadn’t noticed that she was, indeed, the Queen was something that was being embarrassed over), and you elect to step slightly aside to allow for a more direct line of sight between the Minister—whose name escapes you—and Queen …

Oh.

Ah, right.

Perhaps turning up the radio or tuning into the television once in a while would do you a world of good. At the very least, you wouldn’t be embarrassed over not knowing the monarch’s name on a prompt.

‘Where are the other craft? If I recall correctly, the dossier listed eight aircraft, not two.’

Your Flight Leader steps up without hesitation, standing between the four pillars of men that it looks as though he himself is on trial.

‘Yes, Your Highness.’

‘Then … the other six, Captain?’

‘One of the remaining six craft has been loaded into one of the other nearby hangars. We’re having some difficulty coaxing the AI into a more … agreeable state.’

She frowns.

‘Coaxing?’

‘Yes, Your Highness.’

Solo doesn’t elaborate any further.

But you don’t need any further explanation to know just which craft he was referring to.

‘I … see,’ the Queen responds, nodding in understanding of the circumstances, but not how they came about. ‘They can … do that?’

‘That’s the term they used. The research unit has a more elaborate explanation in regards to the situation at hand; for all intents and purposes, however, it is definitely … coaxing.’

The Queen raises an eyebrow.

‘Is she shy?’

You don’t miss the sarcasm, even with her curiosity at the fore.

>Step in and explain the situation in full
>Attempt to change the topic, casually
>Keep your silence
>Write-In
>>
>>4603035
>Step in and explain the situation in full
>>
>>4603035
>>Step in and explain the situation in full
>>
>>4603035
>Step in and explain the situation in full
>>
>>4603035
>>Step in and explain the situation in full
>>
>>4603035
>>Step in and explain the situation in full
>>
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Despite initial resistance in the form of a Minister and a security detail that wasn’t at all fond of you just jumping in to offer an explanation on the matter, you are, nonetheless, still afforded the opportunity to. You’re not sure how long it takes for you to explain the intricacies of AIs and just how the PSYCO system related to their function, but you’re certain that you crossed the reasonable threshold by the time you’d mentioned Tessa’s issue in acclimating to different two-man tandems.

‘A weapons system that doesn’t even follow its function,’ the Minister harrumphs, shaking his head. ‘This so-called advancement in generational defense technology is diminishing its appeal with every snag we catch our coat-tails on. Imagine a gun that refuses to fire because it’s in a certain mood.’

You counter with a statement that they were too wholly different—

‘Is this by design?’

You’d never known how a woman could sound both accusative, patient and urgent in one breath, but the difference between the sexes was something you’d long given up on reconciling. However, as you motion to give a nod of affirmation, you recount your own experience against the statements of those that worked the hours sorting out the machinations behind Elaine and the rest … and find that you whatever answer that you might have let slip would have been thoroughly incomplete.

However, at the same time … you did feel that you had a good enough grasp on the context of her query.

Didn’t you?

>Question how and why the Minister and the Queen would even allow the absorption of Amaterasu assets if they hadn’t bothered to venture into the details
>Prompt them to question the engineers regarding the details as you’ve gone as far as you dare venture
>Deny it all
>Demonstrate; allow her to experience it for herself.
>Write-In
>>
>>4603527
>>Demonstrate; allow her to experience it for herself.
>>
>>4603527
>Demonstrate; allow her to experience it for herself.
>>
>>4603529
>>4603530
Everyday you stray further from Elaine. Posts will be sporadic today as I have to sort out a family crisis. Be good to each other.
>>
>>4603527
>>Question how and why the Minister and the Queen would even allow the absorption of Amaterasu assets if they hadn’t bothered to venture into the details
>>
>>4603527
>>Question how and why the Minister and the Queen would even allow the absorption of Amaterasu assets if they hadn’t bothered to venture into the details
>>
>>4603527
>>Demonstrate; allow her to experience it for herself.
Time for a show
>>
>>4603527
>Question how and why the Minister and the Queen would even allow the absorption of Amaterasu assets if they hadn’t bothered to venture into the details
>>
Family crisis temporarily fixed. Dad refused to admit he was in the wrong and he "just" meant it in the context that "he believed that my sister was moving things way too fast".

Sure, pops. Sure.

Resuming in a bit ... hopefully.
>>
Can I have a show of hands? Even one is enough.
>>
>>4604041
Here you go.
>>
>>4604041
hello, am hear
>>
>>4604042
>>4604048
All right. Posting in 25 minutes.
>>
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Garm 03, Ransom
<< It’s not strange that I feel a little emasculated that Wizard’s sitting in my pilot seat, right? >>

Garm 01, Solo
<< Nice to see that you’ve picked up some degree of a soldier’s pride, Ransom. >>

Garm Squadron, Sensei
<< Weren’t you complaining about the F-14’s handling issues this morning? >>

Garm 03, Ransom
<< Yeah, but that’s my pilot seat, isn’t it? >>

Despite the lack of an audience within sight, you give a nonchalant shrug. It certainly wasn’t your fault that Tessa was the only two-seater fit for flight among the eight AI.

Minister Musica
<< Shouldn’t it be more of a concern to your jolly band that the Queen of the Orleasian Kingdom is in the back-seat of that monstrosity? >>

You turn your head around, making an attempt of peering at your temporary WSO-cum-passenger, her oxygen mask remaining unclipped as she, too, peeks through the gap between the seats and the canopy.

Garm 04 WSO, Queen Ana
<< Don’t mind him, Garm Four, just … >>

Garm 04 Flight Intelligence, F-14 “Tessa”
<< Your Highness. >>

Garm 04 WSO, Queen Ana
<< Gah! >>

Minister Musica
<< Your Highness, is everything all right? >>

Garm 04 WSO, Queen Ana
<< I’m, uh … ah … >>

Garm 04 Flight Intelligence, “Tessa”
<< I’m merely informing you that your harnesses are not fully secure. >>

Garm 04 WSO, Queen Ana
<< Um, uh … you … >>

Garm 04 Flight Intelligence, “Tessa”
<< Secondary strap, breast buckle. >>

Minister Musica
<< What … who is that? >>

You hear a grunt and a series of clicks behind you.

Garm 01, Solo
<< That, Minister, is the monstrosity that you so politely emphasized. Tower, are we clear for take-off? >>

Tower
<< Garm Four, the runway’s open. You’re clear for take-off at your discretion. >>

The turbines whine loud enough for you to hear, even from where you’re seated. You glance at the evening sun over the horizon, your hand releasing the brake and taxiing yourself slowly towards the main runway of the Orleasian airbase. The crackle of safety protocols sounds over your comm as the nose of the F-14 finds its bearing south-east; your feet feels for the resistance of the pedals, your fingers run over the texture of the HOTAS, your breath going from an excited series of puffs to a rhythmic, automated pattern.

Garm 04 WSO, Queen Ana
<< Well, if nothing else, it looks pretty just sitting on the runway. >>

You smile.

>Write-In
>Take the highway to the danger zone
>>
>>4604105
>Write-In
We may want to warn her about excessive G-load and to let us know if she starts feeling it, since I'm sure that the Maintenance crew doesn't exactly want to know what she last ate.
For a second time today.

>Try and stick to below Four-G or so, I'm sure that the suit would help but it would probably be for the best to leave the fancy flying to when we aren't trying to show off for Stakeholders
>>
>>4604114
I'll support that.
>>
>>4604114
sounds good to me
>>
>>4604105
Supporting >>4604114
>>
>>4604114
I agree with this and we should probably also point out where the hand hold aka 'Oh Shit Handle' for the WSO is.
>>
>>4604105
>>Take the highway to the danger zone
I HAVE THE NEED. THE NEED FOR SPEED
>>
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Garm 04 WSO, Queen Ana
<< Acknowledged … although, I believe that you’ll find me a little more resilient than your usual fare. >>

Minister Musica
<< One would hope. >>

You don’t give her a chance to take her words back. The Tomcat accelerates at your behest, Tessa’s turbines buzzing and breathing louder with every second you gun down the runway. At the indicator blinks and bleeps, you raise the nose of the aircraft, kissing the air within seconds. Tessa’s avatar pops into life from the holographic terminal, giving a small nod of acknowledgement as your fingers start flipping and pressing buttons, toggling between relevant informational displays; Tessa takes care of the stowing away of your landing gear, allowing you to perform a whimsical barrel roll as you climb at a thirty-five degree incline, the evening sky dominating your perspective in its totality.

Tessa
<< All systems nominal. >>

You absently nod, teasing your thrusters a little bit more, aiming for fifteen thousand feet so as to not break the observing public into any unwarranted states of panic. While you find that you really did do your best flying when the ground wasn’t an active reminder, your status as what was essentially an indentured servant in a state of political limbo has you unwilling to test just how far down the creek you could paddle. Keeping it safe, you go through—what is essentially for you—the motions.

Ransom
<< And you called me textbook. >>

Sensei
<< Ignore Ransom, Wizard. You’re doing fine. No need for any optional extras. >>

Tessa
<< Your Highness, I suggest you switch back to the defensive display unless you wish to register the base hangars on the IFF. >>

Garm 04 WSO, Queen Ana
<< So that’s what it stands for. >>

Tessa
<< As an alpha strike and intercept-oriented AI, I am allowed an array of preliminary input to suit the demands of the mission at hand. >>

Garm 04 WSO, Queen Ana
<< I … forgive me, I’m still a little overwhelmed. I’ve seen artificial intelligences at exhibitions and demonstrations before, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen one … it’s as though I’m talking to a person. Are you seeing this, Minister? >>

Minister Musica
<< No, your Highness, but if you would so graciously get your pilot to do a little stop over by the tower, perhaps I can afford a little peek. >>

The sarcasm isn’t lost on you … as sorely tempted as you are to give the man what he wants.

Garm 04 WSO, Queen
<< I fail to see how what amounts to a virtual assistant is such a necessity in a combat situations, however. >>

You notice Tessa’s slight twitch at being called a “virtual assistant”.

>Write-In
>>
>>4604915
>explain that by having the AI assist by taking care of other functions it allows pilots to focus more intently on dog fighting and flying with the bonus of the AI being able to take over the plane in the situation were the pilot becomes incapacitated
>>
>>4604915
>Explain to her about the duties and responsibilities of the seat she is currently sitting in and why not every fighter has two seats.
>>
>>4604915
>>Write-In
BUZZ THE FUCK OUT THE TOWER
>>
>>4604915
This Garm-4 Requesting permission to buzz the tower.
>>
There's also that whole bit where Tessa took control and did maneuvers that would make any other pilot puke
>>
>>4604962
>>4605014

I think both of you are missing the point where we are responding to the Queen's comment/Tessa's annoyance. Buzzing the tower is pretty meaningless now.
>>
>>4605072
Was just trying to have a little fun, but can probably do it on the way back but it seems no ones agreeing on what to explain to the princess but we could do both while doing some simply maneuvers.
>>4604917
>>4604937
Vote for this if for shits and giggles on the minister we do a fly by of the tower on our way back for landing procedures.
>>
>>4604962
>>4605014
If you guys want to buzz the tower, you'll have to double back and land anyway, because it'd be a waste to buzz the tower just to double back right out.
>>
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Garm 04 WSO, Queen Ana
<< I won’t say that I’m not taken by these vivid details, but even in this seat, I’m sorry to say that I’m not quite able to see just where the value lies. >>

Tessa
<< I believe this is the first time since my conception that I’ve actually taken offence to something. >>

You chuckle, shaking your head as you kiss the cloud-line, explaining that Tessa’s function as a self-piloting intelligence supplemented her ability to compensate and adjust the parameters of the fighter’s output as needed, emphasizing her processing capabilities and her ability to designate tracking modules relevant to the deployed weaponry. In contrast with the F-14’s status as a craft that had seen the least air-time of all the Amaterasu fighters (save for the VX-23, which operated under extremely specific circumstances, hence the reduced air-time), you’d spent a large chunk of your own practical hours as a test pilot in this very seat … second only to the F-15.

Tessa’s strengths weren’t just her ability to supplement the F-14’s status as an interceptor-type jet … and that even as an artificial intelligence module, you doubted that there were many pilots on this earth that dared to initiate the F-14’s offensive capabilities as she did.

Although … perhaps you were to blame for that …

You take a hard right, rolling and holding in a manner that would have otherwise risked a stall, only for Tessa’s flight data to kick right in and the thrusters to compensate for the sudden movement, allowing you to essentially juke the plane into chasing its own tail, diving and climbing within seconds. Finding your more adventurous inclinations unfulfilled, you pull back and break off from the half-roll, the compass spinning wildly as the thrusters diminish and elicit a light squeak from your passenger, the rear-view mirrors showing a pair of flailing hands steadying themselves against the canopy … and level out into a part-glide before accelerating again, skimming the top of the clouds. Tessa provides a quick warning of your status, pointing out that you were definitely out of the line of sight of your audience members.

Garm 04 WSO, Queen
<< Not … bad, but I do believe that the Orleasian Kingdom paid for weapons of war, not stunt-planes for a flying circus. >>

Tessa … twitches.

Garm 01, Solo
<< Good evening, ladies and gentleman. Quite a view, isn’t it? >>

You chuckle, wondering just when your Flight Leader was—

Garm 01 Flight Intelligence, F-15 “Elaine”
<< I can suggest of a few improvements. >>

Oh no.

Elaine’s belly shows as she rolls over the top, joining up on Tessa’s wing.

>Write-In
>>
>>4605274
>How the tables have turned this time around Elaine, though I have to say the circumstances unfortunately didn't allow you and I to partner up this time around, you know you and I are partners, bonded in blood of the battlefield we shared. But for just this one time, don't go easy on me but lets not fly too hard for the Queen.

If someone has a better version of that I can change my vote but effectively I want to try and clear the air with Elaine because I don't want to fuck up what we have with her and still give a good show of tag for the queen without her throwing up.
>>
>>4605274
>Write-In
Accept that Elaine is going to be mad for a while, and see what Solo wants to do, or if he has any suggestions now that we're in the air.

>>4605277
Realistically, we kind of jumped the gun a little on suggesting the flight, if someone else brought it up maybe we would be flying the F-15.

The main benefit is that if / when some sort of situation develops, e.g. hostile aircraft appear out of nowhere we can't get framed for her murder since we would likely also be dead.
>>
>>4605278
You guys have selected two options. Generally not advised to pick these ones unless you're willing to awaken ... certain scenes.
>>
>>4605285
Huh. Didn't know that capitalizing doesn't negate the effect of tags anymore. In any case, don't pick the =spoiler= stuff unless you're feeling particularly ... adventurous. Think of it as a Catherine-esque system.
>>
>>4605287
>Catherine-esque system.
qoui?
>>
>>4605278
going for this
>>
>>4605278
Logically speaking the F-15 would not be able to include the queen who wanted a first hand experience with the aircraft, though perhaps things may be different with us flying the F-15 and Solo or even Ransom in the Tomcat but we have to play with the hand we've been dealt for now, we can make it up to Elaine later on.
>>
>>4605306
It's like your wife walking in on a "professional business dinner" between you and a co-worker that just happens to be on a moonlit night, by a beach and she just happens to be wearing her "special bra and panties".

Nothing bad about this at all ...
>>
Garm 04 Flight Intelligence, F-14 “Tessa”
<< This would be a prime opportunity to demonstrate our prowess to our audience. >>

Garm 01 Flight Intelligence, F-15 “Elaine”
<< This would be a prime opportunity to demonstrate our prowess to our audience, she says. I know what you’re thinking, Tessa! Don’t think I can’t see right through you! >>

Solo’s light laughter sounds out as both planes cruise side by side, Elaine’s agility allowing her and your Flight Leader to take a slight lead as you practically surf through the open sky.

Garm 01, Solo
<< I’d apologize for taking your seat, buddy, but she was pretty insistent. >>

You remember handing the terminal over to the coats … but you didn’t think that they’d actually be so open as to allow Elaine to go airborne again so soon.

>Tell Solo that Elaine’s always been like that; she was made to fly
>Wave off his concerns; this is an experimental unit at the end of the day and everyone’s going to be having a turn for the sake of the ultimate objective
>Reassure Solo casually; warn him that Elaine’s not a fan of safe flying, so he may need to make some adjustments of his own
>Keep silent
>Ask what Solo hoped to achieve by taking Elaine back in the air
>Write-In
>>
>>4605321
>>Tell Solo that Elaine’s always been like that; she was made to fly
>>
>>4605321
>>Tell Solo that Elaine’s always been like that; she was made to fly
>>
>>4605321
>Tell Solo that Elaine’s always been like that; she was made to fly.

I'm sure that there are a couple of excuses we could probably use to explain, logically why we're flying the F-14 and not the F-15 for this flight.
>>
>>4605321
>Reassure Solo casually; warn him that Elaine’s not a fan of safe flying, so he may need to make some adjustments of his own
>>
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Garm 01, Solo
<< Even if you don’t tell me … I can feel it. They told me about the feedback, but actually experiencing it … it’s like my scalp’s being pelted by raindrops. She’s raring to go, all right. >>

Even from Tessa’s cockpit, you can feel the restlessness—the eagerness—of your most frequent partner, cruising against the horizon as she and your Squadron Leader begin extending the slight lead over the wing. Your personage—as entwined with Tessa’s in this instance as it usually is against Elaine’s—chuckles as you compare Solo’s plight (If it could even be called that) to that of a rider aiming to tame his bucking bronco. While you have no doubt in your mind in regards to Solo’s level of prowess, your memories of your earlier days in the program made it very apparent that there was a clear difference between merely being a great pilot fit for data storage … and one that was able to hold his own and push the AI and himself to the edge of what their capabilities were.

Honestly, sometimes it felt as though you were rewriting the dynamics of plane and pilot into one of a bride and her—

Garm 04 WSO, Queen Ana
<< Does the AI influence the pilot? >>

Garm 04 Flight Intelligence, Tessa
<< I am unable to dictate flight protocols in a direct manner unless given explicit ability to do so via manual control transfer protocols. Rest assured, however, I am only able to execute according to the parameters that I have absorbed by stimulus and data reference. AI adaptation to piloting tendencies requires more than just on-the-fly input and the translation of said data … but in a more direct context, I do not have enough variations of my own design to wholly give the pilot a dictation regarding their conduct. The functionality is non-existent in my architecture and engineering. >>

Garm 01 Flight Intelligence, Elaine
<< The most we’re allowed to do in our base state is compensate for the turns and acquire safe suggestions in complex engagement situations. The whole purpose of the pilot is to provide a pathway of input, but even as independent intelligences, we’re limited in our creativity … at least for the most part. Most of the tendencies we adopted are analytical outputs of pilot input. The pilot’s still the pilot … but that doesn’t mean we’re not there to make up for where they’re lacking. >>

Garm 04 WSO, Queen Ana
<< Artificial intelligence that’s aware of its own limits … >>

Garm 04 Flight Intelligence, Tessa
<< I believe humans are just as aware of that, no? >>

You hear a small popping sound over the comms; you assume that it’s the Queen unable to find the words to answer Tessa’s query.

Garm 01, Solo
<< Speaking of limits … how about it, Garm Four? >>
>>
>Ask what Solo is proposing
>Prompt Elaine; ask for her input regarding the prospect of going head-to-head with you for the first time in a while
>Decline Solo's suggestion
>Prompt Tessa regarding her confidence in your skills in regards to Solo's proposal
>Keep your silence
>Write-In
>>
>>4605554
>>Prompt Elaine; ask for her input regarding the prospect of going head-to-head with you for the first time in a while
>>
>>4605563
>Write-In
>Well, I'm feeling a little excited. Ready to push those limits?
>>
>>4605563
>>Ask what Solo is proposing
>>
>>4605563
>Prompt Elaine; ask for her input regarding the prospect of going head-to-head with you for the first time in a while
Lets get her to at least have some fun flying with us even if we're not in the cockpit this time around.
>>
>>4605563
>>Write-In
TIME TO BUZZ THE TOWER
>>
Garm 04 WSO, Queen Ana
<< A … while? >>

Elaine
<< Are you sure? I think anyone could tell that you’d be playing at a handicap in engagement quarters of a more intimate value. >>

Garm 01, Solo
<< Heh … I’m in agreement. It’d be a pretty biased showcase, but … you’re the one playing the host to our esteemed guest, Garm Four. Your call. >>

>Insist on an air-to-air duel as you had done before, with only a hard deck as the limit
>Suggest low altitude engagement in full view of the base with set perimeters
>Reject the notion and just cruise around for a while, occasionally highlighting the weapons systems
>Write-In
>>
>>4606403
>Write-In
It'd probably be better to not only advocate for a dance where TraCon can oversee and clear it, but to slowly ramp things up to avoid the Queen having her presumable-first g-LOC.
>>
>>4606403
>Suggest low altitude engagement in full view of the base with set perimeters

It's not a real fight if you can't fly in-between buildings, a tunnel, or a convenient canyon
>>
>>4606403
>Insist on an air-to-air duel as you had done before, with only a hard deck as the limit
>>
>>4606444
Usually I'd flip a coin, but this guy got trips on a three-way tie. I say it's destiny. Correct call, by the way.
>>
>>4606410
This sounds fair, a slow raising of speed and manoeuvres so as to find the queens comfortable limit is an idea, build up from 1 to 10
>>
Garm 01, Solo
<< I’d be setting a poor example if I allowed such breaches of clear-cut safety protocols. >>

Minister Musica
<< Breach of safety protocols? I should think that such considerations remain mere flights of fancy, thank you very much! >>

You shrug, it’d just been a—

Garm 01, Solo
<< Break! >>

He rolls out of formation, the tip of the F-15’s wing disappearing by the time you realize that your roles had been assigned. In your lapse, you find yourself going back to basics, braking slightly before diving past the cloud-line, your sudden movement making the airframe shake violently by the time the view of your cockpit is filled with the side of a Mediterranean mountain face; inverted, you roll back your plane to level, accelerating as you see the streak of Elaine’s own increase in velocity, diving for the ground and prompting you to immediately re-evaluate your previous action … before moving to cut them off at the border of the base. Elaine and Solo bank faster than you can personally manage with Tessa, so catching them in a zig-zag was only inviting defeat.

That didn’t mean that you couldn’t make a show of it.

Tower A
<< God fucking … >>

The crack of thunder shakes the craft, Tessa’s engines roaring as you cut across the base, fully intent on catching Elaine at the pass.

Garm 04 WSO, Queen Ana
<< Too low, too low! >>

You leave it to Tessa to make up for your recklessness.

Solo banks before he makes the pass, cutting off at the runway and running you off in opposite parallels at fifteen and twenty-five before the both of you pull up, the tarmac of the runways beneath you. Elaine’s aggression is on full display as she’s the one that kills her climb first, allowing Solo to push on through with his escape. Furrowing your brows and practically tap-dancing with your pedals, you kill your the cordium-powered turbines, flicking the safety free and …

Tessa
<< Now that’s the Wizard I know! >>

She reacts faster than you can manage. Like a spiralling football hitting imaginary ground—and imaginary was really pushing the definition—the craft dashes a bare eight feet off the asphalt, kicking off the runway within seconds before handing the controls switch right back to you. You roll right out of your low-incline climb to get the Eagle right within your sights, summoning another crack of thunder with your next acceleration.

Tessa
<< Ten o’clock high! >>

Solo rolls right out as that ten o’clock turns into a six o’clock in your attempt at catching him within your sights, your airframe rocking wildly in your attempt at cashing in you check.

Garm 01, Solo
<< Feeling the need for speed yet, buddy? >>
>>
Solo’s out of your sight and back down low by the time you join in on his dance.

The tip of Elaine’s wings flash you in the corner of your rear view mirror.

>Bait him back out
>Pursue the two of them into a reset
>Ride with Tessa into the Danger Zone
>Write-In
>>
>>4606544
>>Ride with Tessa into the Danger Zone
>>
>>4606544
>Ride with Tessa into the Danger Zone
>>
>>4606544
>Ride with Tessa into the Danger Zone
>>
>>4606544
>>Ride with Tessa into the Danger Zone
>>
>>4606544
>Ride with Tessa into the Danger Zone

As if there’s any other option with wording like that
>>
>>4606544
>Ride with Tessa into the Danger Zone
Don't mind the screaming from the back seat. We're so for the chop later.
>>
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Garm 04 WSO, Queen Ana
<< Is that … music? >>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUsFWO08CO0

Tower A, Air Boss Canderous
<< Whose boom-box is that? >>

You roll into a level state, giving chase to Elaine at as tight a bank as you can manage.

Tower A, Unknown Officer
<< Don’t know, sir, but that tape is fire. >>

Solo zags right past you as you cross over above one of the auxiliary hangars, prompting several of the coats below to hit the deck for fear of collision. Cursing under your breath, your head swings to the right just in time to catch the F-15 climbing up sideways, as if mocking your attempts at pursuit. Hitting the brakes, you roll bare inches above the windsock, spinning idly as you round back in for a second attempt. She’s about six feet away from your nose and out of range, but Elaine’s teasing demeanour—and the flying form of Solo to supplement it—only makes you all the determined to close the range. From the tip of the air base, you perform a safe wheel around the perimeter, your eyes fixed upon Elaine’s ailerons as she and Solo roll right back out.

Too quickly, is what you think, breaking off pursuit in an attempt to catch her right out of your sight.

Tessa
<< You’re not going to catch her on the turn! >>

Garm 04 WSO, Queen Ana
<< Pull up, pull up, pull up! >>

You hit the brakes again, flicking the limiters off and allowing Tessa to take over the task of your recovery.

Tessa
<< This is insane! >>

She does her job anyway.

Elaine
<< You’re not catching us on the flat, Wizard! >>

You know. That’s why you’re waiting for her to …

Elaine
<< Big mistake, partner! You’re toast! >>

You’re waiting for her to …

Tessa
<< She’s going to catch us! >>

Come closer …

Solo
<< You’re playing yourself to a disadvantage, Garm Four. Maybe next time you— >>

You hit the brakes.

Elaine
<< YOU SON OF A— >>

They fly right by.

Garm 04 WSO, Queen Ana
<< We’re stalling! We’re going to— >>

The Cordium-based turbines roar back to life an inch from collision with a power line, but roar they do. Elaine and Solo twist themselves in an attempt to bank out of your guns, but from here … with Tessa’s range and hard ground ten feet below …

You have tone.

Tessa
<< Solution acquired. Garm One is out. >>

Elaine grumbles over the comms as Solo cackles, coming around again.

Elaine
<< Just you wait until we break twenty percent, Wizard! >>

You can’t help it. You laugh, too.
>>
>Tease Elaine on if she’s really that adamant on having the Squadron Leader as her primary
>Commend Tessa on being able to put up with your flying
>Commend your Squadron Leader on being able to put up such a good fight despite it being his first time in an AI-enchanced plane
>Check on your passenger; ask her if that was enough to meet the criteria
>Return into silence
>Write-In
>>
>>4606828
>Check on your passenger; ask her if that was enough to meet the criteria
>>
>>4606828
>>Check on your passenger; ask her if that was enough to meet the criteria
>>
>>4606828
>Check on your passenger; ask her if that was enough to meet the criteria
Do we need to give the cleaning crew a heads-up?
>>
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Garm 04 WSO, Queen Ana
<< I … I believe that it would be in my best interest to have my feet back on solid ground, if you wouldn’t mind? >>

She makes a wet, grunting sound, prompting a wince from Tessa.

Tessa
<< I ... concur. >>

>Write-In
>>
>>4606861
>Garm 04 returning to base.
>>
>>4606862
Supporting, also make sure to buy the maintenance bois some doughnuts or something for having them clean up puke twice within 2 hours
>>
>>4606862
>>4606868
Supporting and some cups of coffee
>>
>>4606861
>Write-In
>Garm 04 returning to base.
>Tease Elaine on if she’s really that adamant on having the Squadron Leader as her primary
>>
>>4606862
>Garm 04 Returning to base
>>
I forgot it was Friday. Finishing up prayers and I'll run.
>>
The groans and gargles of misery are audible even five minutes into your taxi. You glance back in concern, lifting the visor as you’re treated to the view of a woman half-clawing her way out of the still-set canopy. You come to a stop in black and yellow standby zone, watching the rush of tractors and jeeps cutting across the windy airfield. Tessa gives a respectful bow as you key in the passive sequence, disappearing in a blip … and with a small, thankful smile. The canopy flips open as the air crew rush to stick their ladders on the side; a boon that the Queen does not reject as she practically clambers to the comforting sound of the air crew, supplemented by the utterly disapproving looks that they throw your way as you shrug apologetically.

She’d been the one that was had been so keen on seeing if she was getting her money’s worth.

You’d merely obliged.

‘Your Highness,’ one of the capped men calls out, holding his hand out for her her to receive; a hand that she gladly takes as she stiffly descends onto the asphalt.

The Queen of the Orleasian Kingdom places her hands on her knees, her torso bending halfway forward towards her thighs, breathing heavily and hoarsely as the evening wind whipped her hair about. You slide down the ladder, leaping off the second section before dusting imaginary dust off your flight-suit, shaking your head and absently smiling until you’re interrupted by the buzz of Solo’s own craft parking itself in the box across from yours, Elaine’s canopy raised and Solo himself raising a hand to your little gathering.

‘Simply outrageous,’ comes the bark of an angry dog, his cane clacking along the asphalt as he exits the jeep, heading the group of suited gentlemen (as well as Ransom and Sensei) in a quick beeline towards … you.

Within seconds, you find yourself staring at the heel of an ornate cane, half an inch away from the tip of your nose.

‘You … you …’

Minister Musica’s face turns utterly purple as he finds himself at a loss for words, before huffing and stabbing his cane into the ground with as much force as he’s able to muster. Outside of an audible thud, it manages little else.

‘One would think that past mistakes would have carved themselves into that dome you call a skull,’ he shrills, raising a balled fist and shaking it in your face. ‘I should clock you right now for such—’

‘Leave him be, Minister,’ the Queen commands, at her full height but otherwise looking extremely groggy. Her hair, once a proper sheen of combed silver, had adopted a wild tangle from the strong winds blowing, resembling a dust ball having an identity crisis of its own.

You give a thankful nod to the Queen as you step away, holding your hand up in salute as you assume a more professional stance.

She takes a step toward you, looking very sheepish but otherwise—

‘Your Highness!’

Oh … right.
>>
>>4607652
>Step out of the way
>Catch the Queen
>Write-In
>>
>>4607653
Catch the Queen. Court Wizard has to earn his place somehow.
>>
>>4607653
>>Catch the Queen
>>
>>4607653
>>Catch the Queen
>>
>>4607653
>>Catch the Queen
We are gentlemen
>>
>>4607663
Wait let me add on to this
And carry her bridal style
>>
>>4607652
>Catch the Queen
"gentleman" is the word I think the Minster was looking for
>>
>>4607653
>Catch the queen
It's not even a relationship thing it's just the right thing to do.
>>
>>4607653
>Catch the Queen
>>
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The Queen’s legs are weak.

You wear a tight, apologetic look as your chest experiences an unfiltered faceful of the monarch. Despite her rather haughty demands for a front-row seat to the full extent of Amaterasu’s AI modules, you find a slight regret in indulging her demands with such readiness and intensity, knowing full well just how your own first day in the back seat of a cockpit went. Hands on her shoulders, you tentatively steady the wobbly stance of the Queen, pushing her weight off your person but otherwise allowing her body to steady itself against yours; you feel like a wall a drunk was in the process of palming to navigate themselves down a corridor, but don’t otherwise mind.

She mumbles something unintelligible, following it with a hoarse giggle.

After what feels like a length of time much longer than the ninety seconds that your watch indicates had just passed, Queen Ana finally steps away from you … and is immediately flanked by two members of her security detail. Holding your hands up, you mimic Queen Ana’s act of retreat, taking several steps back … and finding yourself immediately backing into the shoulders of two of your Squadron members, who wear a pair of hesitant, resigned looks, their eyes fixed upon the sight of the air-drunk Queen.

‘You really just couldn’t help yourself, could you?’ Sensei mumbles, giving you a wide berth upon contact between your elbow and her arm, piercing disapproval apparent behind her spectacles.

You rub the back of your head, instantly regretful.

So much for a good first impression.

‘Don’t worry,’ Ransom offers, albeit with a nervous half-smile of his own. ‘I’m sure solitary isn’t as bad as it was before the reform.’

The comment isn’t reassuring.

‘God, I think I might just take a day off tomorrow; they didn’t say that a headache was part of the package.’

You turn around and find your Squadron Leader with his helmet tucked under his arm, rubbing his temples as her grits his teeth. Grimacing, you point out that headaches weren’t generally a part of the proverbial package … unless there was data that was deemed of import to the AIs in question. That Solo had managed to fly at baseline with Elaine at such as a first-timer and had come out of it with a headache was actually a good thing, especially in the context of being a subject in an experimental flight unit. Elaine must have been able to pick up quite a few tendencies and techniques in Solo’s foxy maneuvers around the base.

Still, the day off was probably a good idea.

‘This is the first time I’ve heard being air-drunk was a good thing.’

You emphasize that the effects would only diminish as the hours piled up. They were pretty much non-existence at the fourteen percent mark.
>>
‘It’s intense, I’ll give it that. How was it for your first time?’

>Go into the technical details about how Amaterasu kept things on the ground for a time and allowed you to acclimate better, so you didn’t need that much time to outgrow the headaches
>Point out your time as a WSO made it easier for you to give in to the AI’s more adventurous tendencies; combined with your own lack of a limit, it didn’t take long for you to compensate for them as much as they did for you
>Tell them that your first assigned primary was Tessa, and she was enough of an adherent to protocols that you were allowed the luxury to take things at your own pace, which made things easier for you when you shifted to the others before finally being saddled with Elaine
>Shrug nonchalantly
>Write-In
>>
>>4608006
>Shrug nonchalantly
>>
>>4608006
>>Point out your time as a WSO made it easier for you to give in to the AI’s more adventurous tendencies; combined with your own lack of a limit, it didn’t take long for you to compensate for them as much as they did for you
>>
>>4608006
>Point out your time as a WSO made it easier for you to give in to the AI’s more adventurous tendencies; combined with your own lack of a limit, it didn’t take long for you to compensate for them as much as they did for you
>>
>>4608006
>>Point out your time as a WSO made it easier for you to give in to the AI’s more adventurous tendencies; combined with your own lack of a limit, it didn’t take long for you to compensate for them as much as they did for you
>>
>>4607653
>>Catch the Queen
It would be a dick move not to, but hand her off to one of the secret-service-y people so that the minister doesn't think we're trying to get handsy.
>>
>>4608006
>>Go into the technical details about how Amaterasu kept things on the ground for a time and allowed you to acclimate better, so you didn’t need that much time to outgrow the headaches
>>
>>4608006
>>Point out your time as a WSO made it easier for you to give in to the AI’s more adventurous tendencies; combined with your own lack of a limit, it didn’t take long for you to compensate for them as much as they did for you
>>
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‘Sounds more like a two-man tandem more than a reflex and tactical aid when you lay it out like that, Wizard.’

>Shrug in indifference
>Concede that it does feel that way most times, but it all becomes a blur up there anyway
>Inform your Squadron Leader that he’s over-thinking it
>Snipe that your advice better be heeded, lest he end up with more headaches
>Allow Solo to approach it however he sees fit; it’s all data at the end of the day
>Write-In
>>
>>4608396
>>Allow Solo to approach it however he sees fit; it’s all data at the end of the day
>>
>>4608396
>>Concede that it does feel that way most times, but it all becomes a blur up there anyway
gotta work with the AI, teamwork is key BUDDY
>>
>>4608396
>>Concede that it does feel that way most times, but it all becomes a blur up there anyway
>>
>>4608396
>Concede that it does feel that way most times, but it all becomes a blur up there anyway.
>>
>>4608396
>>Allow Solo to approach it however he sees fit; it’s all data at the end of the day
>>
>>4608396
>>Allow Solo to approach it however he sees fit; it’s all data at the end of the day
>>
>>4608396
>>Concede that it does feel that way most times, but it all becomes a blur up there anyway
I'm changing my vote.
>>
>>4608396
>Snipe that your advice better be heeded, lest he end up with more headaches
>>
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Solo shakes his head, his exasperation apparent.

‘What were they thinking putting them together like that?’

>Communicate that complicated systems require even more elaborate theory and practice to master them
>Prompt him that it’s ultimately more manageable to a term in fighter weapons’ school
>Shrug in indifference
>Comment that independent intelligences are generally designed without thought to secondary developments
>Join him in his incredulity; point out that even you’re flummoxed at how it turned out this way
>Write-In
>>
>>4608495
>>Communicate that complicated systems require even more elaborate theory and practice to master them
>>
>>4608495
>>Communicate that complicated systems require even more elaborate theory and practice to master them
>>
>>4608495
>>Communicate that complicated systems require even more elaborate theory and practice to master them
>>
>>4608495
>You don't like the idea of having all the benefits of a WSO and co-pilot without the weight and space costs of a second living body in the cockpit?
>>
>>4608495
>Comment that independent intelligences are generally designed without thought to secondary developments
>>
>>4608495
>>Shrug in indifference
>>
Solo lifts his shoulders, smirking. ‘Practice makes perfect, huh?’

You give your Squadron Leader a thumbs-up, prompting him to snort and shake his head as a response.

‘Now this is an odd sight.’

Even with the whip of the evening wind, the authority of the Queen rings clear.

Discipline falls in quickly enough; eyeballs click and shoulders stiffen as the four of you line up within seconds … or rather, three out of the four of you do. Solo falls out of the line, casually taking a step back in—even your mercenary mind—what could be taken as clear flippancy towards set protocols. His actions, however, are only met with a disapproving shake of the head from The Intermediary’s lent man—who stands just behind the wall of security—and narrowed eyes from Minister Musica, whose glare sweeps across the four of you like a headmaster observing a row of truants.

‘Perhaps I should be commending you for a promotion, if today’s performance is any indication of your value to our efforts,’ the Queen comments, cupping her chin between her index finger and her thumb as she raises an eyebrow, her gaze straying from Solo’s oddly-casual state before returning to your rigid form. ‘You must be burning the midnight oil in barrels, Officer.’

>Wave off her praise
>Apologize and ask her if she’s recovered from the flat-spin, climb and low-altitude rolls.
>Shrug it off; say that you’ve had a head-start on the Squadron and can’t be singled out as a complete exception
>Nod, keep your silence
>Write-In
>>
>>4608732
>Apologize and ask her if she’s recovered from the flat-spin, climb and low-altitude rolls.
>>
>>4608732
>>Shrug it off; say that you’ve had a head-start on the Squadron and can’t be singled out as a complete exception
It's just unfair to compare us to the rest of Garm squadron (With the exception perhaps of Solo)
>>
>>4608733
Supporting
>>
>>4608732
>>Wave off her praise
>>
>>4608732
>>Shrug it off; say that you’ve had a head-start on the Squadron and can’t be singled out as a complete exception
>>
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‘I’m still a little woozy, but I believe my organs are still in a functional state,’ the Queen laughs, giving her stomach a light pat.

The Minister lets out a half-gargle, half-mumble, biting his cuff as he glares daggers your way. The Queen spares the portly man a glance and smirk, prompting him to stiffen his shoulders and puff his chest, assuming a more dignified stance to hide the visible swelling of his vexation. At this point, he probably resembles a ripe tomato wrapped in a white cloth more than he does a high-ranking politician.

‘I believe your little demonstration makes this the first time I’ve been able to enjoy myself since my coronation,’ she lets out, holding her elbows as she takes a step towards you. ‘Keep up the good work.’

You dip into a slight bow, uncertain how else to react to the Queen’s praise.

‘Now, as much as I would like to end my day on that note, I believe that we still have one more thing on the agenda, don’t we?’

She turns to face the stoic loanee of the Intermediary, who raises his head in a manner that you can only describe as … mechanical.

‘We do, your Majesty?’

‘You’re the one who told me as much,’ the Queen states matter-of-factly, leaning on one leg as she tilted her head to one side, her back to you. ‘Shall we get it over and done with, then?’

‘I … don’t think I follow, your Highness. I believe that we’ve fulfilled the agenda for the day … unless you wish to tack on an inspection of the barracks and administrative offices to your schedule.’

You notice Solo visibly stiffening at the suggestion.

‘You noted that there was an external consultant that you brought in as a permanent member of the research and development and experimental units, didn’t you?’ the Queen grumbles, her patience waning by the syllable. ‘One of Amaterasu’s key men that you were able to “snatch up” … does that ring a bell?’

The man’s frown is apparent, even behind his shades. ‘Yes, your Highness, it does, but … you’ve already met him.’

He pulls out a pen and jabs it in your direction. The Queen turns on her heel, her deep frown morphing into wide-eyed surprise as your eyes meet once again.

‘Your Highness: Garm Four, call-sign Wizard … he’ll be our AI management consultant, baseline test unit and one of the experimental unit’s test pilots for the foreseeable future. I’m positive that his experience with Amaterasu will prove invaluable to the continued development and improvement of the Orleasian Kingdom’s AI program.’

‘Test pilot from Amaterasu?’

Another laugh escapes her throat.

‘Oh, now that makes—’
>>
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The flash of realization turns those deep, beautiful eyes into orbs of abject fury. A look of horror and betrayal comes over her as your eyes meet again … and before you realize it, a sharp, burning sensation is felt upon your cheek, so strong that it almost rattles your teeth. You stagger slightly, but don’t fall. There are calls for patience and surprise, your Squadron and the security detail giving you and the Queen a wide berth as you find yourself seemingly trapped in an invisible cage with the silver-haired woman, her coquettish and casual countenance replaced with gritted teeth and an audible snarl. Her hand lies stiff in the air, fingers together and arm raised, shaking as if held back by unseen restraint.

The cold wind rakes against the tender red skin of your cheek.

No one speaks, not even Solo.

>Write-In
>>
Just to put my shields up early: yes, this is right out of Gundam SEED. I make no claims of being an original prick.
>>
>>4609092
>I don't suppose you're willing to see my side of the story before taking any more action?
>>
Honestly planes have flight recorders, why she didn't at least bother to check how everything went down using her authority is really quite silly.
>>
>>4609156
>I guess I'm an easy target to blame when His Majesty's murderers are still a mystery.
>>
>>4609165
Merc flights, especially those running AI, probably don't operate flight recorders as a matter of operational security.
>>4609092
>Remain still and silent. Innocence isn't something easy to proclaim, and it's better to put out a display of loyalty than to beg for someone to see it your way.
>>
>>4609092
>Stay quiet, sigh and look down
She's very emotional right now, and there's probably nothing we can say that wouldn't get a strongly negative response and be construed as reinforcing current thoughts; whether it's excuses, apologies, justifications or other comments. We can take opportunities to attempt to clear up and smooth over things later when they present themselves, but for now we're in a very deep hole and #1 on the priority list is to not hand her a spade.
>>
>>4609250
See while I would agree, that doesn't exactly work when there's an AI watching 100% of the time
>>
>>4609304
Then the AI can vouch for you, especially those that were already present unless their memories were tampered with, which doesn't seem to be the case. Besides, flight recorders would be unnecessary on experimental craft with an onboard AI in the first place as they can willfully destroy themselves and all associated data in the event of getting splashed unlike a flight recorder and it's further telling that the Queen hasn't had any access to them whatsoever until now.
>>
Need only tell her to do her own research into what happened. The assassination of the king means that there's obviously going to be analysts swarming the scene to see exactly what happened, and our loadout of guns and missiles don't leave the same marks as a railgun, nevermind all of the other massive evidence pointing in our favor. It's not like we suddenly slaughtered the rest of our squadron while shooting down the king.
>>
>>4609092
>>Write-In
To quote James may “Oh Cock”
>>
>>4609311
>>4609319

They were looking for someone to blame and no one seemed to be claiming credit for the King's assassination. The mercenary test pilots were an easy target to punish when they were actually just as much the victims as the King. We pretty much got accused of and punished for negligent homicide.
>>
Whatever happened to the guy flying the VX-23 anyway
>>
>>4609357
That's a mystery. Show of hands: who wants to play?
>>
>>4609759
Here
>>
>>4609759
Present, sir.
>>
>>4609759
here
>>
You don’t respond.

Nothing you could say could possibly improve your situation, so you don’t bother with one.

‘Your High—’

‘We are leaving, Minister.’

The security detail falls into a flurry of salutes as they fall into an escort column; the Minister’s eyes soften slightly as the Queen turns away, her heels stomping with every stride that she makes away from you.

Then … she stops.

‘Thank you for your service,’ she says, her voice barely above a whisper as she throws a look of unfiltered anger over her shoulder.

The security detail take their leave with her, the group squeezing themselves upon one of the larger jeeps as the Queen takes her place in the passenger seat of a smaller one, giving orders to depart, leaving you—

‘That could have gone better,’ arrives the comment of the Intermediary’s representative within the Orleasian Foreign Office.

You rub your cheek, watching the Queen’s convoy putter away.

>Concur
>Show irritation that he’d given your identity away so casually
>Question why he didn’t depart with the rest
>Write-In
>>
>>4609843
>>Question why he didn’t depart with the rest
>>
>>4609853
Supporting.
>>
>>4609843
>Question why he didn’t depart with the rest
>>
>>4609843
>>Show irritation that he’d given your identity away so casually
>>
>>4609843
>Concur
>>
>>4609843
>>Show irritation that he’d given your identity away so casually
>>
>>4609843
>Question why he didn’t depart with the rest
>>
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‘Because there are several matters of import that I have to discuss with your Squadron,’ he informs you, right as he turns his attentions to your Squadron Leader. ‘Where are the other four?’

‘They’re still on leave,’ Solo responds, hoisting his helmet over his shoulder. ‘They should be back within thirty-six hours.’

‘We’ll make do then,’ is the hurried response as the man glances down at the folders in his hand. ‘Settle whatever that you need to get done and meet me in Briefing Room Two. Try not to keep me waiting.

>Make a beeline for Briefing Room Two [END INTERLUDE]
>Settle other things on your agenda
>Write-In
>>
>>4609941
>Make a beeline for Briefing Room Two [END INTERLUDE]
>>
>>4609941
>>Make a beeline for Briefing Room Two [END INTERLUDE]
Only other thing I can think of that we might have to do is...Talk to Elaine but really we're going up with her for this sortie.
>>
>>4609943
This
>>
>>4609941
>>Settle other things on your agenda
>>
>>4609941
>Make a beeline for Briefing Room Two [END INTERLUDE]
>>
>>4609961
>Settle other things on your agenda
We need to talk to Elaine and settle her down after that shitshow so that she doesn't pile-drive us into the nearest two towers the second we get back up in the air.
>>
>>4609941
>>Make a beeline for Briefing Room Two [END INTERLUDE]
>>
>>4609941
>Make a beeline for Briefing Room Two [END INTERLUDE]
>>
You seat yourself in the row between Solo and Ransom, with Sensei taking a spot three seats over in one of the other columns of chairs present. The room is dark, the only illumination coming from the crude three-dimensional grid seated in front of the large whiteboard, set in a blank mode and signifying no input. Two MPs guard the doors, hands behind their backs and chins up, one on the left and the other to the right.

The Intermediary’s loanee stands to the left of the screen.

The base’s CO, one Colonel Patryk Semensov, sips a cup of fresh, hot brew, his beady eyes scanning the room.

‘Where are the other four?’

‘Still on leave, sir.’

Your CO grunts into his cup.

‘Floor’s all yours, Mr Phillips.’

So that was his name.

‘Thank you, Colonel,’ Mr Phillips responds, inserting a thumb-drive into the side of the grid terminal, prompting the grids to morph and take a less geometrical shape, orange and blue meshing together into an odd combination of lines before finalizing into something of a regional map that you recognize as a mountainous area and a cove. ‘We’re a little short-handed, but I don’t see that that should be a problem for this group.’

He clicks a button on the side of the terminal, splitting the map into two: the slope of a valley and the cove in an area south-west to the mountainous area leading into the valley.

‘We’ve received word of Hazard Remnants mobilizing up north on the edge of what was formerly a Cordium-rich area. Gathered intelligence predicts that they’re starting up a crude offensive towards gaining a foot-hold in the region … a two-pronged attack to take the no-man’s land that lies to the north to set up operations and an intention to take one of the border towns south-west from their current location. We’re operating a little behind schedule, but that’s all the more reason for us to hurry this up and nip it in the bud; we believe that their expeditionary force is already making their way up north, but we can’t leave their main force alone and carve a route to the border towns and make it a full-blown situation, so I’d like you to split up into two teams: one to take out the primary targets and the other to eliminate the expeditionary force before it ventures up the mountains and augments themselves into an international stalemate. The neighboring countries have agreed to keep their voices down … but once the Remnants cross that threshold here …’

Mr Phillips indicates the valley to the left.

‘They’ll be untouchable,’ he finishes. ‘As part of the program, you’ll be taking the AIs out for this one. Simple hit-and-run op; shouldn’t be a problem for any of you.’

‘Right,’ Colonel Semensov snorts.

>Volunteer to attack the Remnants’ base
>Volunteer to intercept the Expeditionary Force
>>
Just a note of things that you guys could have done before skipping to [END]
>Get Solo and his VX-23 acquainted in time for the mission
>Talk to Solo about who he is, his history
>Encounter Patryk Semensov, your CO, at the cafeteria and help him make coffee
>Go to your quarters and check yourself in proper
>Go and check with the other planes you haven't met with yet; also chat with the coats at the same time
>>
>>4610016
>>Volunteer to intercept the Expeditionary Force
>>
>>4610016
>Volunteer to intercept the Expeditionary Force
>>
Also oof Pixy doesn't even get his own F-15, he has to fly the Chinese F-22 knockoff
>>
>>4610048
Actually, since you didn't introduce the both of them, he's not/can't be getting in the VX-23 yet.
>>
>>4610016
>>Volunteer to attack the Remnants’ base
>>
>>4610016
>>Volunteer to intercept the Expeditionary Force
>>
‘Garm Three and I will be taking the primary force, then,’ Solo answers. ‘Are we departing from here or is there an outpost that we’re going to be jetting off from?’

‘There’s an old air-base that we’ve temporarily reactivated for this operation. Fuel up and load up there … and you know the rest. Try not to upset the locals too much; a lot of them haven’t been particularly keen in regards to the divvying up of the northern region’s borders.’

You swear you see a ghost of a smile on Solo’s lips.

‘All right; Garm Squadron, we move out in fourteen hours.’

‘SIR!’

>BRIEFING OVER
>>
All right. I'll be taking questions. Anyone?
>>
>>4610146
Borders yes or no
>>
>>4610152
I'm a Kinokuniya man myself.
>>
>>4610146
is cipher a big titty anime waifu AI inside of the VX-23
>>
>>4610146
why are you a sword
>>
>>4610156
Go away, Pixy.
>>
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>>4610211
cipher is a big titty anime waifu AI inside of the VX-23. this is direct confirmation.
>>
>>4610146
Will there be a tomboy ai
>>
>>4610146
Why weren't these options
>>4610022
mentioned for this vote?
>>4609941
>>
>>4611771
Because of clutter and they would have only been made available if you wanted to stay on, anyway. If you guys didn't think there were things to sort out, wouldn't have a reason to drop it. Besides, not like people were asking.
>>
>>4611525
or better yet a big tiddy goth tomboy
>>
New Thread up:

>>4612257



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