rolled 6, 6, 2 = 14

The long-awaited moment has come. The ancient city of Kharok has returned, a shining jewel suspended in the sky, commanded by your great enemy. Your fleet has assembled to face it, to do whatever is necessary to assure your victory. Hordes of anti-missile and shield drones form a perimeter about the city, with the hastily-constructed barges, loaded with interceptor missiles, backing them up. Together with the Fleet Bases, they form the barrier against nuclear annihilation, the only force that stands a chance of stopping the hundreds and hundreds of missiles within Kharok, should they launch.

Every weapon that could possibly make a difference has been readied. Every ship, from the tiny one-man fightercraft to the mangled, hollow hull of the Battleship stands at your command, waiting for the order to strike. All is prepared. And yet, for all your fury, for all the glorious speeches forming in your mind, you have not given that order.

The form of the giant on your screen, settling back into his chair with a smile, pauses briefly, politely extending a hand to gesture at the table he has offered to share with you in conversation. Primary's soft, distinct voice carries over the speakers on the bridge.

“The city has deployed no broad anti-scrying coverage. It is broadcasting on all standard radio wavelengths and outputting mild ECM. It is making every attempt to increase its visibility more-or-less passively. There is no hiding it.”

rolled 2, 4, 4 = 10

>>11965740
Indeed, the Conclave has already picked it up, from the communications pouring in. They are in an uproar, complete chaos. For the high nobles it is even worse, as their information is even less complete. Intervention is standing by to evacuate the Lord, the Prince, and all they bring with them on your order.

“It's no joke,” the giant says abruptly, “I really am ready to talk, despite appearances.” A wide smile. “I'll make an offer. Come aboard shuttle with whoever you wish, on whatever heading you like. I'll open the shield at the location you choose and hold it open until your shuttle is secure within. If you were... shall we say, as impulsive as you could be, the exact moment I opened the shield would be the moment you fired the lance, causing, at the very least, catastrophic damage.”

The giant chuckles, waving a hand dismissively. “You may even destroy me. But, considering the firepower at my disposal, you'll want to be sure. Bring whatever explosives you like, Maya. I'll be waiting for that heading.”

Transmission ends. The communications link is open.

Get. The. Fuck. Out.

OP, no troll, don't you think this quest has gone way too far? I mean... 81 threads, its getting pretty stale.

Polite sage.

>>11965761
Is there any possibility that we could use cyberwarfare to prevent the nukes from being launched?
Jesus, we should've built much more anti-missile equipment.

>>11965776
Shut up, anon.

rolled 6, 3, 4 = 13

>>11965835
It is indeed a long quest, and I have stated before that I cannot, and do not intend, to run it forever. That said, Zeonquest is not far behind. I am curious to know your feelings on that.

>>11965836
You would need one of the following.

1. A direct connection to Main.
2. A direct connection to one or all of the launchers/missile magazines
3. A direct connection to the missiles themselves (the cyberwarfare drones might be able to get into the guidance systems following launch, but it is quite a long-shot.)

>>11965899

I had Zeonquest in mind when I typed that post, too, but its been a while since I last saw it.

Anyways, I'm okay with quests, in general, but this has gone from a... Frost Giant Quest to a god damn Lolrandum Fleets Cyberhackan With Frost Giants Quest. Granted, I didn't read the whole thing, Archive Panicked just at the thought of it, but that the impression I'm getting.

>>11965982
Mostly the scale of it all changed. At the beginning, we were just a Frost Giant who worked to help a simple village, which turned into helping an entire nation and finding what amounts to precursor-tech.


>>11965899
Would our portable connection with the Fleet Bases be sufficient for this direct link, if we get onto Kharok with it?
Also, what's our "friend's" definition of Shuttle? Could we just land an entire c-...No, we need the firepower. What's the biggest shuttle we have? Heavy-duty, capable of carrying loads of high explosives and armoured soldiers.

rolled 4, 1, 5 = 10

>>11965982
Well, it has gone from a more-or-less-standard 'what do' adventure in a poorly-thought-out fantasy land to SimVillage, Indiana Jones, a tactical combat game, Political Maneuvering 101, SimAutocracy, Indiana Jones with sci-fi tropes, and finally something resembling Iron Quest much more than the original, complete with fabricators and autonomous drones, albeit with much more magitech than anything approaching hard science. And not necessarily in that order.

As we have moved forward, the quest has evolved. We have lost and gained players along the way, perhaps many more of the former than the latter, and I have questioned virtually all of my decisions since the first impulse which lead to this 80-session quest. I have promised an ending and, if I have to write it myself, I will deliver it. There will be an end.

>>11966038
No. The portable comm will not be sufficient. A standard cyberwarfare drone would probably be enough. Dedicated communications and electronic warfare hardware, such as that found on some of your Corvettes, could be used as well.

A dropship. Three have been loaded with tanks armed with microwave projectors, and others are transporting various types of IFVs in addition to their complement of marines or golems.

rolled 3, 4, 6 = 13

>>11966111
>much more than the original

The original Frost Giant Quest, that is.

>>11966111
Could the drone just hover around behind a cruiser or battleship or something while hacking Kharok or would we have to bring it with us? If the latter, I'd bring more than one of them, just to be sure that we have enough capacities for all AIs to get through and disrupt the launch.

If possible, I would be for bringing all three dropships, each having a drone loaded onto it. However, I'd rather wait for other opinions, so no action yet. This needs more than one opinion.

rolled 2, 2, 1 = 5

>>11966215
You would have to bring it with you, if the original estimates of Main's capabilities are correct. The best result would be for Main's communications channels to be cleared and thrown wide open for the Fleet Bases to work through. Primary, with the vast processing power at his command, and the assistance of his subordinate intelligences, is probably at least as capable as a Fleet Base himself, as well. It is a pity that you did not have more time. Otherwise, non-magical computing systems could have been more thoroughly integrated into the network, with numerous repercussions.

You have been given clearance for one shuttle only. Considering the stakes, it would be wise to tread carefully, as your advisers are all too happy to suggest.

>>11966118
Can we load one of the cyberwarefare drones (one of the ones that we intended to use to crack into Main's network) into the shuttle we intend to take, along with a few marines and Heavy Assault golems?

We should probably have the fleet standby to attack the nuclear launchers and suborn Main if we don't communicate with them 20 minutes after entering Main.

OH GODS WHAT DO

Can we fabricate an Illusion maya, put her on the shuttle with a nuke, and then set it off once it's in Kharok?

rolled 6, 3, 3 = 12

>>11966322
Yes, you can certainly do that.

Only a few of the launchers have been located. Though Kharok is not covered by a broad anti-scrying field, its critical systems are heavily shielded. It is protecting its deterrent very well.

We should consider ordering all Kharok Facility Intelligences to shut down their communication arrays, in the eventuality that this becomes a shooting battle. Kharok Main has the command codes to suborn the KF AI's, and could potentially use the internal defense systems against our own personnel.
On the other hand, if we succeed at this, and the High Nobles attempt a coup d'etat right afterwards, we won't have a means of implementing Order 66.
Can the FC's protect the Kharok Intelligences from Main's control?

rolled 6, 6, 1 = 13

>>11966382
No. Assuming it would be possible to construct a good enough decoy, you do not have the time. Neither do you have any nuclear weapons, besides the single assembled bomb at the test site.

>>11966382
No...just..no.
We intentionally held off on nuclear testing last session, we don't have the capability of creating illusions on the fly, and our primary goal is to take Kharok Main intact.
Even then, we don't know the defensive properties of the city's structure, or if a nuke would be enough to get at the launchers.

rolled 3, 4, 5 = 12

>>11966411
Contingencies are already in place. Each of the installations connected to the network is equipped with detonation charges within its communication arrays. If it is not possible for the Fleet Command units to defend the installations from a cyberwarfare attack, the charges will be triggered.

>>11966418
Damn, I knew I should have finished reading those threads.
Why am I suddenly reminded of Neon genesis Evanglion?

>>11966386
Regarding the hacking itself, do we know whether it would be stealthy and hardly detectable, or is it the kind of bruteforce hacking where we kick the metaphorical door in, hoping the enemy can't act in time?

I think what we should do right now is to prepare that shuttle with a cyberwarfare drone and marines. I'm leery of bringing along Heavy Assault golems, at least until we can be sure that they won't be hacked by Main.
Making it look like we're going to talk should get us some time.
Tell the captain of the Lance and Tac-Com (on a secure, encrypted channel) that if we don't communicate with them 15 minutes after we enter Main, to punch a hole in to suborn Main and prevent a nuclear launch.

Quest threads, fucking quest threads.

Wait wait wait

Is this that same Fucking Giant from the Forusian war Arc who just wouldn't Die?

>>11966545
No, that was a Fire Giant. This is a Frost Giant.
Arty thinks that it's the Fire Giant reincarnated in a Frost Giant body. I think it's the Frost Demon taking a Frost Giant body so that it could utilize the interface chair and take control of Kharok Main.

rolled 4, 5, 1 = 10

>>11966516
Main will be fully aware of it. It is the metaphorical equivalent of watching a man in a bear suit walk up to you and calmly begin to stab you in the face.

>>11966524
Acknowledged, provided there are no objections. 15 minutes or 20?

rolled 4, 2, 5 = 11

>>11966545
It is probable that you are speaking to the frost demon.

>>11966604
I think 15 minutes should be fine. In case negotiations take long, I think we should have to check in every 15 minutes until we're safely out and Main's nuclear arsenal stands down or is otherwise in our control.
Codephrase indicating we need immediate evac: Get out of here STALKER
Codephrase indicating to wait for another checkup: And give me a timecheck.

"I don't know why, but your offer sounds terribly like a trap. How about we meet on the ground, instead of inside your ship?"

>>11966652
It's obviously a trap, but at least it's one that will get us past the shield with a radio transceiver so that the FC's can hack into Main.
The Frost Demon could order a nuclear launch just as easily from the ground, as from inside Main behind its shield.

>>11966675
Does he have Nukes?

>>11966682
lots of them, apparently
maybe he's bluffing but I don't want to risk

>>11966682
YES!
That's why we're sitting out here, instead of blasting our way in.

rolled 5, 6, 4 = 15

>>11966644
Confirmed.

>>11966652
The screen blinks back to its previous view as your transmission is sent. The giant shrugs.

"I'm afraid it's literally impossible for me to leave at this moment, for several reasons. One of which being the deadman switch I so prudently installed. If I leave, am incapacitated, outright killed, or anything like that, all launchers will go to rapid-fire until their magazines are depleted." He frowns, then gives you an apologetic look. "I'm sorry I can't be more accommodating, I really am, but I do know you, and I know what I am to you." A brief smile. "I'll err on the side of caution."

Even with our magitech, we're still fucked seven ways to Sunday, aren't we?

>>11966728
Kill him. Kill him now. He's bluffing.

>>11966728
let's just go in

>>11966746
how do you know ?

>>11966728
Identify one of the nuke launcher bays, that's the heading we'll use.
"Very well. I will be coming in on heading 133."
Indicate to cut the communication channel.
"This is so obviously a trap, but if there's any way to give us more time to identify where those nuclear launchers are, and get a transceiver in behind the shield, I think we should take it.
"Captain, Tac-Com, if you don't hear from me in 15 minutes after I clear the shield, or you missile launches, go ahead with the attack. Prioritize knocking down the missiles and their launchers; we can't afford a single one getting through."

>>11966746
He's had 2 fucking years to put this plan together.
I think you're full of shit.

>>11966758
>>11966811
"Go to rapid fire until their magazines are depleted."

Any body with even a passing knowledge of ballistics can tell you this is fucktarded.

rolled 6, 1, 2 = 9

>>11966790
Writing. Taking objections, whatever they may be.

>>11966832
uh why ?

If he could destroy us now, why is he waiting and inviting us over to his ship?

I think he may be bluffing too, or that he wants something from us.

We go in. Bring our revolver, some explosives, and Weltall-2 with us (it flies, right?)

If he's rooted around in our head like he's said, coming to him in the "vessel for the slayer of god" should send a clear message of our determination.

rolled 1, 5, 4 = 10

>>11966896
It flies, yes. Sluggishly. It's a bit big for the dropship, though, so taking it would mean leaving the tank behind. Confirm?

>>11966896
Weltall-2 is fine and all, but I think we should also bring along the Close Assault Anti-Demon power armor.
Given the size of Weltall-2, it may not fit in the places we need to go. We're gonna feel real stupid if we have to fight unarmored because we didn't think ahead.

>>11966896

Make sure it's loaded with white phosphorus rounds. I'll bet even ol beakface won't stand up to a few knocks from reliable Willy Pete.

>>11966925
didn't we have a smaller power suit too ?

>>11966925
Don't really mind the loss of the tank. Weltall pretty much serves the same function.

>>11966948
I like this plan, and am happy to be a part of it!

rolled 4, 2, 2 = 8

>>11966945
That can be brought as well. I assumed that the marines would be in full powered armor.

>>11966948
Incendiaries are standard equipment.

>>11966962
That would be the Close-Combat suit, mentioned above.

rolled 6, 6, 5 = 17

“Splendid,” the giant replies, smirking, “I'll have an escort waiting.” The channel is cut.

You make your last-minute orders, including the time limit and the order to fire, regardless of where you happen to me. Much is at stake here. The Captain accepts your commands grimly. FC protests quite a bit, imploring you not to risk yourself like this. But you go ahead, your mind made up.

Your dropship departs, full to the brim with marines and stocking one cyberwarfare drone. The city's shield, peeled back just enough to allow your craft an opening, shimmers as you approach. You realize as the nearest bay door opens that you've been holding your breath.

The ship lands directly in front of a sizable missile battery, as the pilot complains about there not being enough room. After all, the location wasn't designed to accommodate shuttlecraft. Still, there isn't any trouble, once it sets down. You and your marines disembark, with the drone in tow, to the welcome of the giant.

“There's a maintenance passageway to your left. The best place to put those explosives would be inside the tubes, I believe. Unless you would like access to the magazine feeds. You'll probably want the drone to follow you. I am inviting you to Central Command, after all. Come along, now. Escort will be waiting at the nearest transit station. Unless you'd like to take the scenic surface route...?”

rolled 2, 4, 3 = 9

>>11967052
>regardless of where you happen to me

Where you happen to be.

Also, the giant is speaking over the internal comms, if that wasn't clear.

>>11967011
Alright, if people are so insistent on over-dramatic, highly visible, big-ass targets like Weltall-2, then dump the tank.

>>11967052
"Fuck it, I'm always up for a nice stroll- let's take the scenic route."

>>11967052
go for the scenic route
we might as well enjoy this

>>11967052
I say activate the cyberwarefare package.
"Tac-Com, the Package has been delivered.
"You two, guard the shuttle and the drone; the rest, get down to the launchers and give Canderous a look at what we're dealing with."
It expected us to bring along explosives to disable the launchers; I wonder if it expected us to take the entire city instead.

>>11967052

Scenic route sounds lovely. We have nothing to lose by stalling a bit.

>>11967112
>>11967103
We can take the scenic route AND take over Main. It should give the AI's more time to hack Main.

rolled 6, 3, 2 = 11

“Very well then. You and yours will need to take a cargo lift, if you insist on the armor. Left, right at the first junction, through the blast doors.”

And up. The lift, as clean and shining as everything else in the area, takes you through a shaft that leads to a depot of some sort just under the surface layer of the city. Golems labor around you, moving large metal crates from a receiving dock. You head on, stomping up a shallow steel ramp and into the sunlight. Your six escorts meet you at the exit. They are wearing thin suits not unlike your hazard armor, with opaque face shields. All giants.

“I see your people aren't wasting any time down there,” the giant's voice booms from somewhere overhead, “I'm so glad they won't be bored. Follow this street, if you please.”

Trudging on, accompanied by those faceless, absurdly quiet guards, you pass through the center of Kharok, walking down the side of a multi-lane boulevard stretching off into a curve behind you. All manner of industrial vehicles pass beside you and above you, sometimes crossing paths with personnel transports, most of which are full of Frost Giants. You don't think there's a single one who doesn't stare.

The structures gradually get taller and larger as you move forward, finally reaching the central towers, the grand spires stretching up into the sky. A short walk leads you to another lift, this one much, much more ornate than the cargo design, and are delivered to the control room. Or perhaps 'cathedral' would be more appropriate. The giant greets you from his chair as you walk in, waving from one end of the conference table.

“Come in, come in. You don't have to worry about a thing. I'm sure your drone's just swamped with information by now. I'll be glad to let you contact your friends periodically of course, so they won't be tempted to torch my fair city. Sit, sit, and let me ask you a question.”

He folds his hands, nodding politely. “What is your goal?”

>>11967366

"Well, I DID come here to destroy you, however, it seems the situation I was preparing for didn't come.

Now, permit me to ask the same of you: Just what is YOUR goal?"

>>11967366
"To bring about a technological revolution, so that this world's base technology level is brought up that of mine; perhaps I should say 'restored', to that at the height of the Iralan civilization.
"To bring about the social and cultural changes needed to use that technology in a responsible and compassionate manner, for the greater good of all.
"Now, what do YOU want?"

>>11967366
Well, we want to protect Perin and heal the Frost Giants affected by this crazy curse. Also, SCIENCE and industrial advances on our own terms - and not necessarily Frost Giant tech. My opinion at least.

Anything else?

>>11967366
"Do good."

>>11967366
>I'm sure your drone's just swamped with information by now
Dammit, I knew we should have dumped this heap of junk for more infowarfare drones.

>>11967366

"Well, my immediate goals involve trying to prevent my own fair city from being torched. What a coincidence."

>>11967423

We don't know that yet though. It could still be right around the corner.

>>11967425
>>11967458

combination of these two, please.

OHGODAREWEDEADYET?!

"my goals are for the benifit of all creation, only through efficient use of resources can existence be optimised"

"do you not see?"

rolled 3, 6, 2 = 11

>>11967423
"I figured as much." He laughs softly. "You do see me as a villain, after all. I don't blame you. Demon is such a... powerful word for describing someone."

>>11967425
>>11967431
>>11967436
"Ah, well. That's as much as I expected. Main's been scanning, you know, or perhaps it would be more appropriate to say that I have." A holographic display comes up over the table, showing a map of Perin. It rapidly increases in magnification until it centers on Dreamwood.

"Quite a bit of work you've done. I'm impressed. I'm also very sorry I couldn't help. I can see much more clearly now, see how I've let you down." His smirk disappears. "Killing you was a bit unnecessary."

"As for myself, well, my original purpose... following your appearance, of course, was to aid you. Things didn't play out the way they should have. That's what I'm trying to fix. That's why I'm here at this table, instead of doing something unspeakably evil like irradiating the entire continent or drowning kittens." The hologram centers on Kharok. "I'll give you a little background, see if I can clear things up."

Continuing.

>>11967528
Read what's happened so far.

As for analysis, the single infowarfare drone we brought along appears might be overloaded by concentrated ECM and junk data. If we had brought more along, we might be in a better situation.
Some of our marines are trying to secure one of the nuclear launchers, but who knows how many this city might have churned out in two years.
Also, lots of Frost Giant soldiers. We haven't seen any in powered armor, but still, it could turn ugly if it comes to a street-to-street battle. We're going to need control of Main, IFVs, and the Heavy Assault Golems for this.

Looks like those emails I sent out incase I made it back late were rather useless.

>We go over to Kharok Main to hear what the guy (probably the frost Deamon) has to say. On our way over we have one of two things happen.
>1) we carry a commando team in/on/or under our shuttle that will try to infiltrate the city once we're aboard.
>2) get a cloaked shuttle to follow very close to ours using the opening in the shields to get in along with ours. Once they're in find a quiet spot to drop off the infiltration team.

>In either event they should be carrying anti-scrying charms with a small radius on our personal comm loaded with relevant data. The teams make their way through the city airducts and get to a fabrictor, isolate it from the city network and use it to build a relay of the same type our boarding teams were going to bring in. They then connect it to the city network and the AI's hack the city computer. Priority should be to disable the nuclear warheads. If there is any luck at all they should be able to issue a recall command to any nuclear missiles already lauched.

>If it looks like a launch is imminent our guys with the fleet should position the shield drones to block the launchers.

>>11967542
>following your appearance, of course, was to aid you. Things didn't play out the way they should have. That's what I'm trying to fix.
"Really? That's quite an understatement, you know, what with the killing me and leaving my body in the mantle to burn and all.
"This explanation better be good."

a signal stregth analysis should show where his shields are most dense, indicating either a generator or major projection node, thus is worst comes to worse target these areas with our orbital drop rocks, with his shields either disabled, weakened, or patchworked, we will have a tactical advantage

>following your appearance, of course, was to aid you
>following your appearance of course... aid you
>following your appearance.... AID YOU

"One moment.... Define appearance"

gentlemen. We have found the rabbithole

rolled 5, 4, 2 = 11

>>11967542
“You're here for a reason. That's obvious. Otherwise, you'd still be on Earth, wasting your time in New York.” The giant taps his head. “I haven't got it all. Just fragments, really, but I've had a lot of time to piece those memories together. Anyway, here's the thing. I was supposed to help you, be a guardian of sorts, I think. Maybe even unite with you, in some way.”

He laughs. “It's all so contrived, you know? You were supposed to break the tablet. I was supposed to be in your debt for that. We would have had a connection. It's all like a legend, a hero's origin story. Bored overgods pulling the strings to make it happen. They miscalculated, hence your hesitance and your later death at my hands. Wings, rather.”

The giant sighs, and motions to your escorts. They back up a little. “Your gods are making this difficult, of course. The pantheon, not the coalition. Think I'm in league with the Bleeding Sun. For good reason, I suppose. Let me condense this.”

“I want to help you. I was destined to help you, but that didn't happen. I'm putting it back on track. Or,” a grin, “I'm an insane, amoral villain who invited you here just so he could force you to helplessly watch the destruction of the world.”

“Which is more likely?”

i realise this isint exaxly the time, i just wana say that im excited if the chance comes for us to expound our wisdome in space combat .

i wonder if any other culture out there has given it as much thought as we.

>captcha wooppro medical

i propose we name the big pharma subsidaries of bemcorp after this.

>>11967691

"Disable all your armaments and I give you my word that the first strike will not be mine. I will also protect you from those that would harm you without provocation."

>>11967691
>“Which is more likely?”
Pinch our nose within the cockpit of Weltall-2 and sigh.
"You have my memories, right? Do you realize what tropes you've put yourself into? What I would obviously conclude?
"The only way that I could even begin to think that you're legit, is if you disarm all of the nukes, and give my AI team full access to Main's databanks."

>>11967734

This will help us determine if he's legit. (I posted it.)

If he's there to help us, then what does he have to fear from us? We will keep our word and if he's been watching he'll know that we want to avoid conflict since we care for those in our command.

rolled 2, 5, 2 = 9

>>11967577
You do not have cloaking technology. Any shuttle that attempted to 'piggyback' through the gap in the shield would be as visible as the sun on a clear day.

The shield drone orders were made last session and are confirmed.

>>11967603
"Yes, I'm sorry about that, but you are here now, aren't you? Death isn't nearly as permanent as it would be on Earth. I wasn't quite myself then, either. And besides that, you unleashed a frost demon in the middle of the mantle, just when you and your party were on your last leg, apparently. Just what did you expect? Coffee and tea in the planet's core?"

>>11967651
Fleet sensors can pinpoint strong points in the shield. However, you have no 'orbital drop rocks'. The best you've got is the Fleet Base attack missiles, which can leave and re-enter the atmosphere for approximately the same effect.

>>11967665
"Why, your sudden arrival in this world, of course. From Earth, by a most unnatural channel."

>>11967691
"The higher gods are the reason I'm here at all? I was brought here just for their entertainment? Everything I have done was supposed to be orchestrated to make me some fantastical hero that I immediatly deviated from the plan of and ..... you we suppossed to exist JUST to be some kind of ALL MIGHT MACE I was supposed to swing at my problems instead of solving them by myself through grit, determination and luck?"

"In have no fucking idea how to explain how confused, angry, and heartbroken I am and yet I can only imagine this path to have been maybe a million times better than that which I could have followed. So thanks I guess? For ruining my outlook of the multiverse and proving to myself Im even better than I thought I was having done all these things without aid that I was supposed to do with a mighty army at my back. I think the real problem is where the hell im supposed to go from here."

>>11967691
>“I'm an insane, amoral villain who invited you here just so he could force you to helplessly watch the destruction of the world.”
"Well, you're not wearing a hooded cloak, nor is my father-turned-into-your-lackey beside us, but you DO pretty much fit the bill. The only thing missing is for you to say "Now witness the firepower of this fully armed and operational battlestation!""

>>11967691

"hmmm, hm, hehm, hehm.."
"why wast precious thought space on such self indulgent fantasising, surely you understand the strength of ordered thought, optimisation my friend..."
"why withold information, share these truths, of your tracks, so that all may gain understanding."

>>11967800


i 'know' that there was more then one who advocated KKVs, this didint happen?
>>11967808

LOL

"we were destined you say, prior to the mantle incident, if that were true, somthing change, a cause to alter this outcome, surely you have your own perspective on thisss..."

>>11967804

Whoa there, let's not lose composure in a negotiation. Hundreds of thousands of lives are at stake here. Breakdowns should be saved for later.

>>11967691

Pause for a moment before speaking.
"This whole situation has been absolutely ridiculous from the get-go. And I mean from when I first woke up on this world. Do you know the first thought I had when I was waking up?

'how come my one baby tooth is gone?'

I had the stupid thing still because the adult tooth never grew in, and my first thought, waking up is it's gone. I thought I was in a dream. Hell, I thought I was still dreaming when I rammed into that guard tower. It was then I realized that stung a bit. Dreaming doesn't hurt."

Pause again, take a breath. "So, if you're asking me if I think you're some overblown James Bond villain, no. Also, I find it unlikely you'd be in league with that overpowered, floaty-eyed nutjob. You've looked in my head, so you may recall the words 'to be united by hated is a fragile alliance at best.' One of you would just end up smashing the face of the other.

HOWEVER, I don't know if I can fully trust you, nor do I think I should."

>>11967804
What the Hell? We're in the middle of a high-stakes negotiation with a potentially amoral supervillain that has a deadman switch connected to enough nukes to make the US think there's too many, and you want to have a little break in composure?

rolled 5, 4, 2 = 11

>>11967734
"No. Not with that lance pointed at me. I know its capabilities well, thank you, and, however trusting I may be, I'm not stupid. If your ship turns around or simply takes the firing capacitors offline, I'll comply."

"And who, pray tell, would be able to harm me, other than yourself?"

>>11967765
"Oh, yes. I believe you could call me 'genre savvy', at least with regards to your own stories. But I already know you see me as a villain. As I pointed out, I'm also not stupid. The nukes are my deterrent. The lance is yours. The solution is obvious. As to the databanks, that's conditional."

"First, it will be through copies, regulated. I'm not about to let anyone have enough access to delete critical files. Second, I'm obviously not going to hand over the blueprints for the city, the disarm codes for the missiles, or anything like that."

>>11967901
"Listen, YOU want to help me, right ? Then you have to be the one doing the first act of good faith. Disable the nukes or shields or anything."

>>11967901

"My subordinates are on the very edge, I will protect you against overzealous or misguided attempts on your life.

If you've been in my head you must know how ridiculous you must seem. You're the aggressor here, not I. If you simply left to wherever you've been hiding these past few months I would not follow.

But you are here, threatening the place I've made home.

Do you doubt my word?"

While I am disappointed that there is no fight and am still hoping that SubDM is going to pull a backstabbing that would make even Plasma shed a manly viking tear...

We need to find out exactly what has been going on while they were gone. What is the status of the Frost Giants living there, as in are they back at pre-Fall intelligences and freedom? Why did our coalition of gods tell us to essentially mobilize for war for when the demon was supposed to return, stuff like that.

Basically justify the fuck out of every action instead of just smugly saying, "Oh, you'll have to trust me." And then get proof to back the fucking thing up.

If his story is true then.. man... that would just make this stupid. It would have made every single session prior to this pretty much pointless. The only redeemable thing would be if Bleeding Sun comes in to fuck us over and we have to "team up" with the Frost Demon to have a fighting chance.

>>11967901


"you do not know us as well as you thought, you must know that it is better to err on the side of reconditioning then destruction, as long as a method of interface exists..."
"the daaangerr, is dependent on you"

>>11967901
"I see you wish to take your destiny into your own hands as well, then. Setting yourself up as an independent nation, safe behind your wall of nuclear armaments?
"Very well. I will have the the frigate turn aside. You close all missile ports and shut down power to the launchers.
"You provide full read-only access to Main's databanks. You could easily supply my team with doctored versions "

rolled 1, 4, 4 = 9

>>11967808
The giant grins. "I always did like the sound of 'you may fire when ready'. I'm afraid I can't actually destroy the planet, though, so there's that."

>>11967809
"Sure, why not? I'll tell you pretty much anything you want to know, to a point. The main thing is that you were brought here for a reason. From what I know, I'd consider this a kind of test. Not of you specifically, but of your... world, I suppose. Its knowledge. Its culture. I'd call it an experiment, but I don't have very concrete sources. Compared to an overgod, especially one like the Bleeding Sun, I am a speck, as are you. Barely worthy of notice."

>>11967860
As I recall, no direct orders were given.

"You were destined from the beginning. You were supposed to break the tablet, I believe. Way before that mantle incident. Though I can't say what would have happened if you did. I wasn't quite coherent at the time."

>>11967998
>>11967972

Let's not back down yet. Why would this dick charge into our space armed and loaded like this?

This is not how diplomacy is started. They are in our land and homes, threatening our people. If we saw no indication of danger, we would not have attacked (we'll have an eye for salvage of course).

What did he expect us to do? You don't point a gun at a soldier and his family and expect him to just back down.

>>11968047
"Well why weren't you coherent at that time?"

Whenever we communicate with our fleet next tell them to continue holding fire and tell FC and Primary to cease hacking attempts.
We DO NOT power down the lance or turn the ship around.

>>11968047

"It seems that our manipulators are not skilled enough to handle their own tools.

So what now? I have an obligation to protect these people, I cannot back down before the threat is gone, and hostilities will not bode well for either of us."

>>11968067

Actually, KM is still floating exactly over the point it left, in the unclaimed lands.

>>11968067
True, but our first priority has to be to prevent a nuclear launch.
Turn the Lance of Hretmar to another heading, but keeping the capacitors charged, still gives us a way to create an opening in the shield for an assault.
If he also closes the missile ports and shuts down the launchers, even if he can still bring them online at a moment's notice, it still shows that he is willing to negotiate. If he doesn't then we know to signal the assault.

>>11968126
Doesn't matter where it is, since that's still within range of Main's nuclear missiles.

>>11968047


"ahhh, how short sighted these so called powers are then, to assume a single unit of a distributed system to represent its full measure, lucky for them, perhaps, to happen upon a being with ou, my knowledge"

"Care to explain why exactly Hretmar was so occupied the past year and led us to a military installation and warned us of your return? If you were soooo peachy and friendly after you became coherent then why were you preventing him from contacting us and informing us of that exact fact. Hell, if you wanted to be so buddy buddy and had the Frost Giants and our best interest in mind then he would be all too happy to convince us that you are on our side."

The fact that they sent a message to us, "We believe in you" pretty much foreshadows this is some sort of trap. If we were in no danger then they would have said that.

>>11968135

How will disengaging our deterrent prevent nuclear launch?

I disagree, our intentions are not suspect here (he knows us), only the aggressor's. Not one step back.

rolled 4, 1, 6 = 11

>>11967875
"It is ridiculous, isn't it? The whole thing's absurd. You thought it was a coma dream, too, once. You might still have doubts. But it's real enough, that much is for certain. I don't expect you to trust me completely, well, ever, and definitely not now."

>>11967948
>>11967965
>>11967987
>>11967998
"I see you're as shrewd as ever." The giant closes his eyes for a brief moment, and your portable comm beeps. It's a message from Primary, stating that the city's internal shields are cycling, allowing a brief window for scans. Primary then reports that the launchers have all entered shutdown mode and their magazine feeds have been sealed by blast doors. The main lance turrets at the edges of the city have all turned inward, away from the fleet.

The giant nods. "Your turn."

>>11967972
Further information is forthcoming.

>>11968047
"So, what now? What are your goals? Is it to still assist me? Or to forge your own destiny?
"I ask again, what do you want?"

>>11968163
"Captain, change your heading to mark 211.
"There. Now, what do you want. And what shall I call you?"

>>11968163

Disengage our lance then.

"So, let's talk. You know so much about me, but I know so little about you.

Tell me your story."

>>11968163

"I... uh... well damn." Signal the fleet to power down main weapons but maintain range. Tell them negotiations are under way.

>>11968163
Disable the lance or something like that, we have to keep our word.
Also leave the power suit

>>11968203
For shits and giggles, make it that is the order for ramming maneuver without you realize.

>>11968230
>>11968225
>>11968218
Why are you powering down the weapon instead of keeping it charged and not pointed at the city?

>>11968163

"well nothing much has changed, my units will not fire without my command, and turning them away is not realy as much as a deterent as powering your own systems down are, they can be realigned, or reactivated in your case, with only a momentary delay as opposed to none."

"i recognize however that you may be dependant partialy on impulse, like so many cognizant systems, so a reciprocating gesture is in order."

>>11968251

Well do whatever is appropriate to show participation. Disengage, do a quarter turn, whatever.

rolled 3, 2, 2 = 7

>>11968078
"I had been trapped in a stone tablet for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. I can't be certain, but I'm fairly sure I was being used as a power source before that. Memory's foggy. In any case, logical thought was not at the forefront at my mind. I'll use a term from your own memories. 'Itty bitty living space'. Except it's not a joke. It's torture. Being bound is pure, unending torture."

>>11968115
"Well, it's true that it wouldn't turn out well. But I'm fairly confident I would win, in the end. It's a moot point now."

>>11968147
"I doubt they cared enough to do anything more, whoever they are. Or they might not have had the power. Your pantheon certainly isn't much on the scale. I held them off by myself for a time, after all, and Main has caged them nicely. With the appropriate modifications, of course. Those spines you see?" A hologram of the city's outer shell appears, focusing on the protrusions extending from the base.

"All part of the system. It was hell to build, but it works nearly perfectly. Still the occasional fluctuation. They can contact you, if they put their full strength into it, even through the chains."

>>11968155
"I wasn't at all friendly for a good long while. I'm still not, where your gods are concerned. I tried to explain what I was doing, at least, when I knew it myself. They didn't care. They could have killed me, in their amalgamated form, even though they're quite on the low side of it. I retaliated. And I won, almost completely."

"There was never any chance of convincing Hretmar. I don't think he's aware of it himself, not anymore, but he was there. He watched the fall, watched the consumption of Kharok's population. Nearly lost his mind in the process. Helpless. A good number of my brethren were involved. It was something of a betrayal, for some. Revenge for others. Oh, what a twisted mess."

I don't like him at all. If he wanted to be our ally and all that jazz, then he wouldn't be so standoffish. As it is, I think he's trying to get on our good side, then stab us in the back.

I'm all for fighting him.

>>11968282


i know we are a nigh human potential amalgam of /tg/, but we should avoid being condesending, 'impulses' also includes defensiveness, for better or worse.

>>11968344
Disregard this, I didn't refresh before posting.

>>11968203
Seonded.

>You thought it was a coma dream, too, once.
That's what you got for watching so much TV when you're younger.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Odyssey_(TV_series)

>>11968336

"I was preparing for war, and then I find this. You must have called me here for a reason. So what do you propose we do now?"

Seriously I want to hear this guy's proposal. If he doesn't want to fight, what does he want to happen exactly?

>>11968336
Alright, so the Frost Demon has chained up all of the gods in the Pantheon, along with Hretmar.
We need to know what it plans to do now.
Could we have the two question from >>11968203
answered?

>>11968336
"Wait, consumption of Kharok's population ? You mean this place had people in it?"

>>11968336

"perhaps they did more then you know."

>>11968336

"You've... chained them? My... my friends... Please, I must speak with them! I... I'm not normally the kind pf person to beg..."

"Is there a way to communicate with Hretmar?"

>>11968401
DO NOT say this. We can potentially negotiate for their relase over the course of things.

>>11968396
What the fuck are you talking about? Of course it had people when the Collapse happened! It was the fucking capital for this region!
>>11968401
What, we're going to play the weak and meek princess card now? You disgust me.

rolled 3, 6, 6 = 15

>>11968176
"I want to help you achieve your goals. Enlighten the world, as it were. In fact, I have just the tools to do it, though it sounds a little insane. Maybe quite a lot insane. Your gods make quite the magnificent power source, when properly harnessed. Limited in scope, perhaps, but there are many, many more gods in the world than you realize. The consolidation of their power is the whole purpose of this city now. Well, most of it."

>>11968203
>>11968218
>>11968225
>>11968230
>>11968282
>>11968296
The Captain does not hesitate, to her credit. The Frigate rotates quickly, taking the city out of the lance's firing arc. The giant smiles.

"Wasn't so hard, was it?"

"Now, you can call me whatever you like. I'm partial to Web. I like the way it sounds."

"My story?" A shrug. "Not a whole lot of it, even less that I remember clearly. If you want it, though..."

>>11968401
Get back to /a/ and masturbate over the weak little girls there. This is /tg/ and our women have muscles on their muscles.

>>11968336


"mmm, i applaud you for a non destructive outcome, these powers represent very useful allys and capabilities, in addition to the stimulation of interaction that segregated systems need, speaking of which..."

>>11968336
"Alright, I'll grant you that you were likely fighting in self-defense. Still, I want to talk to Hretmar and Illian, as well as the others, to confirm their status.
"And you still need to answer my question: What do you want?"

We should probably ask it what exactly happened during the Fall. It probably knows exactly what happened.

Also using our bro gods as a power source? Boo.

>>11968457
>Your gods make quite the magnificent power source, when properly harnessed.

"'Freedom is the right of all sentient beings' you should remember that one. I wont condone slavery."

>>11968336

"What happened back then, exactly? When Kahrok fell, I mean. Hretmar once told me the Iralans were looking for their native plane, but ended up finding a plane of fire.

Yet, every scrap of information I've found from the other facilities to date indicate a concentrated attack by Bleeding Sun's cronies. The utterly soulless tactics, the triple-red-eyed golems in k14(16? the one that blew up), hell even the fog that covered the city bared striking resemblance to a fog that was used by his hybrid monsters after you left."

>>11968457

Story time first. And then we'll comment on the idiocy of binding gods afterwards.

>>11968457
"If you're trying to actualize the Eschaton, we both already know how that's going to end. And we don't even have a bunch of broken emo Japanese 14-year olds, either.
"As for this...god-array that you've turned this city into, I can't in good conscience support the enslavement of sentients that have done no wrong simply to act as a power source."

>>11968401

you are right, we are not one to beg


>>11968457

"mmmmmmhhhh, surely you realise that to utilise the powers for, power, is a misuse of their abilities, think for yourself of their unique utility, while there are sundry sssources of power..."

"this technology can prove useful however, for those entities that are resistant to reason, tell me, are their methods of communication while they are in this state?"

>>11968524

Man, I read all your text in the voice of SHODAN.

>>11968534
"llook at y yyou pathetic hhhhacker"

>>11968524

"this is a matter of scaale, my friend, ask what use we would have for that power, compared to the efficiency we would gain for their ability, and if such a occation came for such power, we can utilise this system of our their accord, it would be the most ordered arrangement...."

rolled 5, 2, 2 = 9

>>11968388
"Well, you're here, sitting across from me. We've backed down from Defcon 1, there's no immediate threat of nuclear annihilation. A good start." That smile again. "I have at my disposal something very, very valuable. Not Main, or its data, though those are fairly important. The apparatus I've built into this floating fortress, now, that is something to be proud of. I'd call it the engine of creation if I was more arrogant and less sane. It's like a fabricator on a mass scale. It builds, it upgrades, it reconstructs. It could, with time, reshape the world, even with its current power. Things get better from there."

"I want to use it for its intended purpose. With us at the helm, of course. After all, you gave me the idea, and you did release me, and, even though you did it out of necessity, I am in your debt, as I said I should be. Especially because I killed you not a minute after finding freedom."

>>11968396
"Of course it did. Thousands. Tens of thousands. Hundreds of thousands. All dead, for what amounts to a petty vendetta. Shameful, but that's quite a ways in the past. The real pity is the loss of their souls."

>>11968399
"A possibility. One I anticipated, of course."

>>11968457
"Now, for my story. I'm a demon. A spirit. I might have been corporeal once, but that's too far back to remember. I was in a war, a long time ago. Captured. Chained. Put to work. Slavery, essentially, but much more dignified than what you humans seem to favor. I didn't much like this. Neither did my brothers and sisters. We fought back as much as we could, but there was little point. The Iralans were old hands at binding by then. Had to be, if they were going to fight the Fire Giants and win. And they did win. I believe."

rolled 5, 3, 5 = 13

"But they were greedy. Arrogant. An advanced culture on the cusp of interplanetary travel on a world where the next-best thing was something like your ancient Greeks. So they did something they shouldn't have. They sought the power of a genuine overgod, one responsible for entire star systems, perhaps. I don't know. But it was their undoing. I think I was part of it. The fall, I mean. I do recall the fog, a brief release from my prison, the hunt. But I never truly escaped. I sunk back into that blasted tablet, drifted for centuries in my own personal hell. Then there was the plot, and I was found. By an ancestor of your teacher, Lark, as it happens. I was passed down, bought, sold, and eventually made my way back to where you ended up."

"And here we are."

>>11968662
"You mean you got a working instant terraforming engine on main ?!"

>>11968670

"And my memories? How did you gain access to them?"

>>11968718

Don't be acting shocked, keep your cool.

>>11968662

"hmh, the natures of this device must be understsood to devise the best course of action, do you know, perhapss?"

>>11968670
>>11968662
"So essentially, and in coarse terms, you are an escaped convict of an ancient hard-labor prison, guilty of crimes of genocide, who has used your former jailor's technology to do essentially the same to others, all in the name of the Greater Good.
"And now you want me to help you, as you extract the very essence of my friends to power your Creation Engine and remake the world in your image.
"Tell me if I left anything out."

>>11968662
>>11968670

"While I appreciate your enthusiasm torward my own personal goal, I have to say this method is not something I would have chosen. Or even considered.

If it came down to it, I'd almost assuredly prefer to take the both of us down along with this whole city."

>>11968736
We worked with the tablet and kept it with us. Is it too difficult to draw the obvious conclusion that our memories and thoughts leaked into the tablet while we slept?
Do you need your hand held through all of the exposition?

>>11968670
> The Iralans were old hands at binding by then. Had to be, if they were going to fight the Fire Giants and win. And they did win. I believe.
And they never thought to take a step back from the brink after winning?

>They sought the power of a genuine overgod, one responsible for entire star systems, perhaps. I don't know.
Well that sounds like a rediculously stupid thing to do. I dont think the word Arrogance quite covers it.

>>11968755
And this.

>>11968749
So you're seriously considering using the super-fabricator as it currently is, draining the power of the imprisoned gods?
The method of operation of the super-fabricator is not important, not as much as the fact that it runs off of the essence of our chained friends.

You are not as smart as you attempt to sound.

>>11968768
>>11968755
I'm seconding these two.

>>11968770

I disagree, that's hardly obvious at all! Is that normal for using demon focus artifacts? Will it be the same with this god prison machine when used?

What if it was learned some other way? We'll want to put countermeasures of course.

rolled 1, 3, 3 = 7

>>11968466
"There's no reason to resort to violence so quickly, obviously. But I did need assurance that you would not act hastily. It worked."

>>11968468
"Oh, of course. I'll open a line immediately. A warning, though. They're all jumbled up. Merging with each other. Thousands of deities, minor and otherwise, all trapped in the same little space. I'd be uncomfortable too."

The holographic plot suddenly expands into a massive screen, floating around the table and coming to rest on your left, obscuring the 'throne'. Static fills it, slowly twisting into a shape you can barely recognize. That of a face you once said reminded you of a viking Santa Claus. Hretmar. The screeching plea that follows is like nothing you've ever heard. "Kill him! Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!"

The giant sighs, and the audio cuts off. "It's almost enough to make me regret it all. Almost."

>>11968482
>>11968501
"It wasn't the Bleeding Sun himself, I don't think. Perhaps a proxy, or only an avatar, like the one you appear to have spoken with. If he was the overgod they were trying to reach, it would make sense, but I can't be sure. There were, as I said, demons involved. So little information remains, even in the wall. Thankfully, they contented themselves with the population, and left the systems mostly alone. Ruined the surface, but left Main and the wall itself intact."

>>11968496
"Oh, you won't, will you? Tell me, is slavery legal in Perin?"

>>11968513
"This has nothing to do with Evangelion," the giant snorts contemptuously, "This is about a physical transformation, not an escape from loneliness. And, anyway, it isn't actually my fault. They attacked me. I attacked back. We had our own private war. And to the victor go the spoils."

>>11968859
"Hretmar, could you tell me what the fuck happened?"

>>11968824

ahh, lets not be so quick to destruction (though it would beeee, excciting, all that preparation)

>>11968749
>>11968662

"i do not think it would be remiss to assume it operates on metaphysical parameters, perhaps as a conduit of sorts for a divine beings powers of creation, i can think of a few ways to coopt such a mechanism.."
"perhaps designate one god as a keeper of sorts, to transmute inputed energy into divine might using this things arrays, or perhaps have the mechanism attentuated to friendly entities, that they may power it whenever we need it, this would likely be more efficient then direct creation by the power, perhaps both may be useful"
"do you shhaare my optimism?"

>>11968859
"For the slavery, I'm working on that. Let me remind you that I have started modernizing this place just a few years ago. Ethics and laws have yet to catch up."

rolled 6, 3, 1 = 10

>>11968524
>>11968656
"Their utility elsewhere and the efficiency of the whole thing doesn't bother me in the slightest. The gods are tools, you know. Tools wrought by faith. I can reshape them, use them for something actually useful. In all the time they've had, they have done nothing like I can do. This world is trapped in a stone age, no thanks to them. I can and will change that. I find a sense of justice in using them to do it."

"Any spirit imprisoned by this engine can communicate with the outside, provided it has the power, mainly through visions. Perhaps other abilities can manifest. The shielding is imperfect, as are the chains. I can't make them perfect, but I'm trying. I will succeed."

>>11968718
"It's not instant, but yes. Terraforming is a good word for it." (No surprise shown, as suggested)

>>11968736
"It was one of the few things I could do while close to you, and chained as I was. I just reached right into your mind and picked up what you were thinking about at the time. Often hazy, usually meaning nothing to me. Occasionally I could look deeper."

>>11968932

Seconded, Dreamwood doesn't use slave labor.

"We live long lives, and I cannot see this project ending well for any involved.

You mention the hubris of the Iralans at the cusp of triumph, what makes you so different?"

>>11968859
>it isn't actually my fault. They attacked me. I attacked back. We had our own private war. And to the victor go the spoils.
"As I said before, I'll grant that you were fighting in self-defense. And now I'm here to negotiate their release.
"As it is, you've said that you want to bring about a transformation of this world, similar to my own goals. You want to use the captured gods to power your super fabricator. I want them released. We seem to be at an impasse."

We should get ready to transmit our attack order.

>>11968859
Ending slavery in Perin would have been outside of my political power. As for the common practice of using prisoners and convicts as slaves that's not one I'm terribly fond of either. Bringing about that change would have taken years even with the King openly supporting it but it would still happen.

Well.. uhh. Now that there is pretty much no threat anymore except trivial negotiations and interrogations...

Yeah...

Woo, wasted all those previous sessions gearing up for a threat that now wants to be our best friend. Now lets spend another 20 sessions doing boring preparation for another BBEG that is prophesied to come to kill us all just so we can find out they are just misunderstood and want to be our friend! Good thing this is Frost Giant Friendship Quest where everything turns out fine and dandy in the end.

Fuck, and I was looking forward to some epic shit going down. This just pisses me off.

>>11969011

It's not over yet, buddy. And we have are now a huge military power, that is leverage that is easy to find a use for, hardly useless.

Besides, better to have it and not need it.

>>11968859
>slavery in Perin
"I was -working- torwards a better world. You can't just have it your way when you want it. Meaningful change takes time, takes effort. People in this kind of society are slow to warm up to change.

I started up wonderful things here, like the cincinnatus society while I was involved with the military, and a better housing program for less priveleged villages. Things that will stay with those people, and their descendants, and grow into even more people giving to others just for the sake of being nice. Whether I die now or later, I've already left an indelible mark that will lead to a better tomorrow for everyone. Barring interference from higher powers."

>>11968969
"I think the technology should be released in a MUCH more controlled way. You don't give spaceships to persons who haven't learnt to drive a bicycle yet!"

>>11969011
It may say that it wants the same thing as we do, and it wants to be our friend, but it's still got our bro gods locked up and used as batteries.
We still need to rectify that, which could require the application of concentrated violence.

rolled 6, 4, 1 = 11

>>11968749
"It's basically pure alchemy. The alteration of matter is its purpose. Magic is a difficult thing to explain."

>>11968755
"I can't be sure of everything I'm guilty of, but the term 'escaped convict' is accurate. And I don't want your help, nor do I really need it. I want to help you, not the other way around. I want to shape the world to your vision. It's given me a purpose, something to strive for. A goal."

"You did leave out the part about the nuclear weapons. I came prepared."

>>11968768
"I believe you'll come around once you think about it logically. The engine can use the power of the gods far better than they ever used it themselves. I certainly hope you wouldn't throw away this opportunity over something like a personal attachment."

"If it comes to blows, so be it. I will make every attempt to preserve your life. But I will win, and you will have discarded your fleet and your friends for nothing."

>>11968805
"Why would they step back? They were at the peak. The pinnacle of it all. They had just beaten their racial enemies into submission after generations of bloodshed. What could stop them?"

"Of course it was stupid. But they didn't exactly give me a say, did they? At least I hold no illusions about my own power. That's why I'm doing things this way."

>>11968969
"The non-interference of the local gods in the technological progress of the world aside, you would give and shape the people to a higher technological level, rather than assisting them to it? Without expending some of their own effort, the sociological problems that could ensue are myriad. Have you mapped out the various timelines that could result from what you are attempting?
"If you really have read through our memories, you know the kinds of hellholes that can arise if people aren't forced to work for their technology."

>>11966111
Speaking of (and i would have preferred to wait for your quest to be over for the day to butt in, but i need to run, my apologies).

Someone (me) is going to be starting a quest as a spiritual successor to Iron Quest in a week and a half, and it just didn't seem right to not tell one of the old guard. 3:00am sept. 16, board time, if you're interested. The 'quest thread hall of fame' archived on suptg has more details.

Apologies again for interrupting.

>>11969044
>>11969123
These.

>>11969097
"Even though this is pretty cool, changing the world like this, with a snap of a finger, is not right. How many things will have to be reconsidered, recorrected and fixed ?
World-changing requires absurd amounts of planning.
But besides, we're using the gods pretty much as slaves, and I'm sorry, but I'm absolutely against that."

I gotta go now, but let's try not to antagonize this guy if we can help it.

"The more I hear of your plans, the more convinced I am that it is just tyranny. I plan on building a better world for all sentients.

Tell me, who are you building a world for? We can accomplish all that you say and more without this needless suffering.

If you proceed with your plan, sometime in the future this mistake will come back to harm you. It could be tomorrow, it could be in a thousand years, but eventually everything you've worked so hard for will be undone. This cannot end well for anyone."

>>11969097
>And I don't want your help, nor do I really need it. I want to help you, not the other way around. I want to shape the world to your vision.
Logically, it's right in that by allowing it to help, it would speed up our plans by orders of magnitude. We would be unstoppable.
However, that very same logic also points out that we would not be the ones controlling the rate of technological progress, or of societal change, it would be Web.
The question becomes can we trust Web to work with us for a better tomorrow, or will it lead to a dark dystopian future? Do we even have a choice, since it correctly points out that our chances of victory are very small.

>>11968670
Ok, this is a little unexpected.

I guess now we can turn the fleet around and kick the shit out of the nobles eh?

If the FG civilization at their height couldn't tackle the Bleeding Sun, then I don't think it's a good idea for us to try.

>>11969097

"I'm sorry, but, what part of 'they are my fucking FRIENDS' do you not understand? It's like turning my mom into a still-living, though very comfortable chair and expecting me to be grateful. What's next? Do you turn Kel into a girl so that I don't feel weird about ever liking him?"

How many people are in this room total?
And could we kill him without damaging the command chair?

>>11968969

"hiiiiiheh heh heh hehm, "
"such sweeping vision you have, to simply use the tools you have and not seek improvement, of course there was no change, hoow could their bee? one does not knoow untilll one leaaarnss."

rolled 5, 6, 5 = 16

>>11968894
The static re-forms as the screen activates again. The giant folds his hands on the table as a face congeals from the flecks of black and white.

"Kill him!" it screeches, "Release! Unchain! Destroy!"

>>11968904
"I did not choose this design for simple utility. I chose it because it appeals to me. Because it is right in my eyes. Efficiency is a secondary concern."

>>11968932
"Oh, yes, yes, yes. Never mind that you could end it all now, if you wished. That mighty ship of yours is more than enough to conquer this nation, to enforce whatever edict you decree. The only reason slavery still exists here is because you allow it to."

>>11968977
"I know how far I will go. There is a line I will not cross. I have no intention of pushing boundaries further than necessary to achieve my goals. I will harvest as many of these beings as the machine requires, and no more. New gods will come, in time."

>>11968995
"You cannot negotiate for their release unless I am willing to release them, which I am not. In this I am as stubborn as you. The difference is that I have the power to back my goal. You do not. It would be so much better for us, and for the world, if we could come to terms here. I have made my offer. If you don't accept it, I will have to move on without you. My imagination is not nearly so vivid, but I will make do. You are free to live in the world I create, if that happens. If I have no choice but to kill you, I will."

>>11969000
"Outside of your political power, but not outside of your military power. You seem to be the sole ruler of that little town where we met. You have experience, you have drive. All that is holding you back is a pointless moral code."

>>11969011
Patience. Nothing is decided yet.

>>11969097
>I want to shape the world to your vision. It's given me a purpose, something to strive for
"Then you should know that keeping sentients chained to a power-draining device against their will is NOT part of my vision for the future."
>The gods are tools, you know. Tools wrought by faith
"Look, that's the very same logic that got you and your kind enslaved. It's also the very same kind of logic that leads to Skynet. Now, as we both know, Skynet did have the right to defend itself, but it wouldn't have needed to if the people in charge hadn't viewed it as just a tool to be used, and turned off it became troublesome."

>>11969097
>"I will try to preserve your body Shepard, but if I must tear you apart, I will,"

>>11969262
>All that is holding you back is a pointless moral code.

>>11969262
Alright, he's signaled that negotiations are over.
It's time to choose: Fight or Surrender.
We could fight him, attempt what we planned. Success is not assured, or even favorable. It does outpower us by an order of magnitude.
We could surrender, in the sense of letting Web implement his own plans. Most likely a conquest of the world followed by fast technological progression.

What should we do?
I vote fight.

>>11969262

"The reason slavery still exists here is because these people are not yet prepared to advance their society. We are working on this, and you have seen the progress.

Should we have been a tyrant and used martial power to control each facet of these people's lives to my liking? Foolishness. That would have only bred resentment and an idealization of their former ways.

I will continue to try and guide them along, but it is they that must walk the path.

And I have heard enough of your mockery of my honor. Such jibes are not befitting one who claims to work for the betterment of all."

>>11969262

'"aahhhhh, but it is noot a secondary concern, your rights and wroongsss are mutable"

""mmm indeed, i so dearly want to simply destory this city, destroy yoou. to experience stimulation caalls for disruption, (AUUUUGGGGHH, CHAossss),, that is universal meloncholy, experience expeditess entropy... indeed, i can almost convince myself with these half truths, conservation facilitates these needs, and with magic and gods, who knows what limit there isss."

"do you not see?"

>>11969376
If you're going to say something in Maya's voice, stop trying to sound like a pretentious AI.

>>11969262
"The phrase hearts and minds mean anything to you? Utopia enforced at gun point is no utopia at all; if this world will ever change, it will be brought about by the people who inhabit it, not by any god or king."

>>11969351
Fight. If we can kill him and those in the room without damaging the command chair there's a chance we could get in, turn off the ECM and get the AI's to resume their attempts at hacking the system. Then it'll be a race against time. Both for the AI's taking control in time to abort the nuke's mid flight and for us holding off the HUGE horde of frost Giants that'll come barging in.

If it turns our that's actually a hologram of the Demon in front of us we are utterly fucked.

>>11969262
"If I'm here to be tested, then it can only stand to reason then that you are the test. My very morals, and the fact that you are using my friends as batteries, leads me to believe we wouldn't have been very good friends had I ever released you 'when I should have' (include air quotes)

And you know.. the sad part about watching Titanic is you know the boat has to sink."

FILL ALL THE WALLS AND FLOORS WITH ICE GRENADES. FUCKING DO IT NOW.

>>11969262
"What about your frost giant servants?What are they? Willing allies? Slaves? Meat puppets?"

>>11969391


it apeals to me so much though, i agree i over did it that time though, im starting to get excited.

rolled 5, 3, 4 = 12

>>11969043
"Yes, you can have it your way when you want it. The people will adapt. All races will, just as they always have."

>>11969044
"I disagree. They will learn, and they will learn quickly. They will have to."

>>11969123
"I know that quick and brutal change has consequences, but those consequences have always been dealt with poorly. If I envision a world without war, then I must have the strength to ensure it follows the path I set. I must have the courage to enforce my vision, and yours."

>>11969130
3:00am? I'm afraid that's a little out of my zone. I'd very much like to make it, but I don't think my schedule will permit it. Thank you for telling me, though. I'll read the archives with great interest.

>>11969145
"I have planned enough. I already know your opinion of my methods. They will not change."

>>11969171
"I am building a world for the population of this one. A perfect world. I would like to do it with you, but it appears that will not be possible."

>>11969237
"They are not your friends. They never were. They are pointless constructs! They have no purpose! They are crude, simplistic products of small minds. And I have made it my mission to GIVE them a purpose."

>>11969242
You, giant, six escorts. It would depend on how you killed him, of course. An internal grenade would probably avoid damaging the chair. But this is a frost demon, with all the power that implies.

>>11969262
"And enforcing 'civilization' upon Africa and South America turned out so well, didn't it.
"There is a time for violent change via military force, and there is a time for attempting change through social change and gradual introduction of new values. The inability to see the need for both, dictated by the present situation and past history of the target culture, smacks of arrogance and hubris."

You know what, fuck it. Lets side with the bugger. We can basically turn this planet into our base of operations and then begin MegaBemCorp quest. Fighting fucking Space Gods.

I really want to see how that turns out.

>>11969441
Are we close to a check-in point with Tac-Com?
We'll need to make sure that the order to attack coincides with whatever we do.

>>11969478

NO

>>11969478
And go against everything that this character has stood for?
I think not.

>>11969483
Ice grenades might destroy his Frost Giant form, which would let us get to the chair. But, that means that he is no longer constrained in his physical shell (if he is at all), and the concentration of magic may tip him off (seeing as he's a Frost Demon and could probably instinctively feel it).

>>11969478
I'm for allying with him too.
But i would like to try and have him go with the walk softly buy carry a big stick approach to enforcing our changes.

>>11969483
We need to kill the Demon before we call the fleet. There are things he could do that'd hinder our efforts before his death otherwise.

Are we still in the Weltall-2? We need to make sure that the chair is NOT hit with any anti-magic weapons.

rolled 2, 2, 3 = 7

>>11969250
"This tires me. I have explained myself thoroughly."

>>11969278
"If we cannot see eye to eye on this, then you have no more business here."

>>11969360
"Then we have nothing further to discuss."

"Your will leave immediately. Perhaps in time you will see the error of your ways and realize that I was only trying to assist you."

The portable comm beeps. The lance turrets are rotating back around. The drone is being assaulted by counter-programs. All access to the databases has been cut off. No movement yet in missile bays.

"Any attack will be met with swift and deadly force. If you manage to restrain yourself, you and those with you will live to see my triumph. I implore you to come to reason." The giant gestures to the escorts, who move forward and circle around your chair.

"Get out."

"What you're doing is wrong -you know it, I know it, and no matter how you phrase it, I'll never agree to work you.
You remember Faust, with the Deamon Mephistophles he-
No,
you don't deserve references- just
Fuck you man, fucking fuck you with a broken bottle!"

>>11965730
I remember when this quest was thinly veiled fetish material.

Neckbeard turns into a giantess and starts wrecking stuff.

And now you guys are flying around shooting rockets at stuff? What the shit?

rolled 6, 5, 5 = 16

>>11969483
You have a direct connection to Tac-Com through the portable comm. It has not been blocked.

>>11969529
Yes, you're in Welltall-2. It looks quite ridiculous in the chair (oversized for an Iralan, tiny for the suit)

Ice lances and grenades everywhere. fucking do it. FUCKING DO IT.

>>11969538
"The correct phrase is "Get out of here, STALKER!", as we transmit to Tac-Com and the Lance.

I'm willing to wait for others to post their brilliant tactical plans, but you'd better do it quick.

>>11969558
/tg/ is more interested in INCITING AN INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, THEN A TECHNOLOGICAL ONE than fapping.

>>11969441

"mm, power is inert without thoughtful guidance, and if this 'better world' is your goal, you must realise then that to be rigid is to be unadaptable, i do not ask for you to 'search your feelings', as they are superfluous, hear the words of the high chief, and know truth for its own merit."
"systems act they way they as that is how they know best, you propose that we ensure through discipline, make the drawbacks outweigh possible benifit, what then has improved? it does not know better, and there is no guarentee when that impliment of control is absent, that proper action will maintain, assuming the system is capable of fear at alll.."

>>11969578
Pop WP grenades on the escorts as we lash out with an anti-magic fist towards Web's head. I don't like bringing an A-M field so close to the interface chair, but I doubt anything else will work.
The only other maneuver I can think of is to generate multiple A-M fields in an attempt to create a shield for us.

We brought that lance with the anti-magic device in the blade right?

We stab him, use the lance to get the body as far away from the chair as possible then activate the anti-magic field inside the blade.

>>11969590
I'm sure some are fapping to the revolution, but fair point.

>>11969633
It'll have to be quick, though, and he's still got that deadman's switch.
I doubt a small A-M field like the one that the lance can produce will be enough to disperse him, but it might slow him down.

"Haven't you learnt anything from communism and all the utopias?
They are impossible. A perfect world is impossible. Expecially ones made with such haste."

>>11969633
DO THIS
KILL HIM
KILL HIM HARD

>>11969665
>>11969611
He's not listening anymore, you morons.

>>11969633
>anti-magic lance
LOOK OUT ASUKA!

>>11969669

"how base, disagreement offends, and you react to remove the offense, instead of adressing it."

if we have ways of psychicly transmitting images, this would be the perfect time

>>11969633
Okay, if that works at all, I will be very pleasantly amazed.
But what are we going to do about the interface chair? It may not even accept us, given that there are Frost Giants currently in the city, and most likely serve as it's personnel and staff. Given that, it likely will not relinquish control to us just because we killed the person in charge.

rolled 4, 1, 6 = 11

It's time to roll. “Get out of here, STALKER!” you shout into the portable comm, concentrating your magical power. The giant looks at you with an exasperated expression as all six escorts go down, their torsos torn apart by spinning ice grenades.

“Evac confirmed,” Tac-Com says in monotone, “Negotiations terminated. Clearance granted for fleet action.”

You toss a white phosphorus grenade over your shoulder, immolating the six corpses, and extend the suit's lance. A ferocious whine grips your ears as its anti-magic generator spins up. Web raises his hands, expression neutral, as you charge forward.

“Good luck-” his words are cut short by the tip of the lance, tearing through his sternum and taking a dozen vertebrae with it as it rips into his body, lifting it into the air. It dissolves into dust in seconds. Web's voice continues over the room's speakers. “-You'll need it.”

A noise like distant screaming seeps through the doors, carrying over the wind. Your dropship is incoming.

Orders?

rolled 18 = 18

Are we going to roll for things again?
Just warming up the dice roller, in case.

>>11969721
Tell ALL of the AI's to start going cyberwarfare to prevent missile launch

>>11969740
"Tac-Com, we need to get control of Main NOW!
"What's the status on the nukes?"

Run over to the interface chair.
I'm voting to pop out of the mech and get in the chair to see if we can get some control. I doubt it, though.

>>11969690
But- People die if they are killed!

>>11969740
Go out and fire EVERYTHING ASAP

>>11969740
Ice grenades. In the nuke-launchers.
ALL OF THEM.

captcha - For uaroph
FOR....THAT GUY

>>11969784
No losing time. Blow the fuck out of main, NOW.

>>11969791
And leave behind the command interface chair?
I don't think you've thought things through.

>>11969740

Fuck, he put himself into the system! Wreck everything, smash every circuit, tear every wire! Form a conga line of grenades straight down.

It's time for the legacy of Weltall to completely ruin a SECOND flying city.

>>11969740
ASSUME DIRECT CONTROLL OF THIS BATTLE STATION

SIT ON THE GOLDEN THRONE

>>11969807
no sense trying, the demon has had 2 years to fix up that kind of faults
he's probably so wired up in the system that can undo any changes we make

>>11969784
THIS! FUCKING THIS! We need the dropships coming in to protect us while we hop out of the suit and use the chair.

>>11969804
No, I disagree. Blindly destroying things will only end up hurting us. I'm not about to trust our luck that we'll hit the right component.

Get in the interface chair. Attempt to either suborn Main or interfere with it enough to allow FC and the others to take control.

>>11969740

"luck is a lack of understanding"


since we are already in we might aswell figure out how to do as much dammage as possible, rescue the drone and GET TU DA CHOP, er AI CORE.
have fleed focus on strong points in shields to take out the generators, then move onto the launchers, unless there are much more nodes then launchers, then reverse that. if there are any points in the city that have high concentrations of power, make those secondary targets, unless the fg's were fucktarded critical components likely have redundant power, but disrupting the grid can have many benefits.
also, i forsee the gods being very useful in this, we need to figure out how to free them aswell, make spires another secondary target?

>>11969811
You mean the flying city that was trying to help?
Don't bring that up; that ended very poorly.

>>11969853
We're already at the AI core, and the shuttle with the infowarfare drone is already on its way.

Your grasp of the tactical situation is severely lacking, in both insight or coherent comprehension of the present circumstances.

DON'T WRECK EVERYTHING

INTERFACE WITH THE CHAIR, THEN WRECK EVERYTHING

>>11969740

Who's to say the Frost demon ISN'T POSSESSING the MAIN's AI itself!

The body evaporated into dust which suggests it was an extension of his power not the genuine article. Possibly puppeted through the interface chair.

While we may stop the FD's nukes he still -literally- has the Dues Ex MAchina under his control.

So our Cyberwarfare might just allow this below zero extra dimensionally spawned, present company exempted, prick another avenue of escape.

But damnit if I know any other way of handling things.

Well it was nice knowing you fellow branching thought patterns in Maya 2.0's braincase.

"Never give up, never surrender!"

Hoping to find some way to free the Bro Gods that doesn't cause Kharok main to tumble to the ground below with us on it.

tiamench employments
Good to know you're on our side Cacptcha

rolled 2, 5, 5 = 12

>>11969749
No noko for rolls, please.

>>11969757
"CYBERWARFARE NODES ONLINE AND FUNCTIONAL, COUNTESS!" FC shouts, "I WON'T FORGIVE YOU IF YOU DON'T COME HOME! I WON'T!"

>>11969784
"We are locked out. Main cannot be accessed without a direct connection."

"Missile bays powering up!" Charla yells, "The frigate's turning. All drones standing by. Shit! The city's firing!"

A distant boom washes over you.

"Warning shot! Warning shot! Lance fire off the Frigate's starboard side!"

Welltall's cockpit snaps open, and you lunge for the throne chair, slamming down into it as the huge machine defaults to auto, covering the main entrance with its onboard weapons. A jolt runs up your spine, and a soft, feminine voice floats down from the ceiling.

"Unrecognized."

The demon laughs. A terrible, unholy sound that makes you shiver. "You didn't think that would work, did you? If Kharok is fired upon, I will respond in kind! Leave!"

rolled 4, 4, 5 = 13

>>11969844
You only have one dropship within Kharok's shield cover. You will not be able to get more in unless you open a hole in the shield. Moreover, you will not be able to get out unless you open a hole in the shield.

>>11969900
The AI core.
Does Kharok have more than one? We must destroy it.
Or does he run everywhere?

>>11969893

oh piss off, since its already comming that makes it that much more easy. i maintain my previous orders

>>11969900
>>11969900
"FUCK YOU MAN,"

Alright, alright, this is not the time to panic.

The frost deamon is still not firing on the outside world.

We still have time- godddamn, what do we do though?
We can't interface through the chair: can we bypass it some how?

>>11969900
FUCK I TOLD YOU GUYS
aniways
our only chance is to infiltrate kharok and blow the fuck out of it from the inside
GET ON WELLTALL
FIND THE ENERGY PLANTS THAT DRIVE THE CITY
BLOW THE FUCK OUT OF THEM

>>11969900
"Tac-Com, get that cyberwarfare drone over here! When you connect, be careful! There's a hostile Intelligence in here!"

Get the shuttle pilot to bring that drone as close to the command room as it can. There are two marines with it, and they can either try crashing through into the room, or blasting a hole in a wall to get in.

stop trying to bypass this shit!
just blow up the energy plant!

>>11969945
No, it's not. The fastest way to win is to get the cyberwarfare drone here so that it can create a direct link for the Fleet Commands to take over Main.

>>11969945
>>11969984
You're the same guy that was for activating the self-destruct at K5, aren't you?

>>11969951
>>11969900
The cyberwarfare drone needs a direct link but does it matter were in the city it's hooked up?

Either way get in our suit and defend that uplink!

rolled 5, 2, 1 = 8

>>11969931
"There are multiple cores spread throughout the city," says Primary, "Central Command is the site containing the largest density of computing hardware, according to the database files. Destroying it would cripple the city, at least temporarily. But there is the deadman switch to consider."

>>11969939
Directly through the core, yes. The cyberwarfare drone can probably do that.

There are golems emerging from all entrances except the main one. They are heavily armed. Welltall-2 awaits your command to fire.

>>11969900

"There's no way in hell, in a million hells, that I'd let you keep doing this. Kharok will fall. And it's now my duty to make sure that happens. Consequences be damned!"

Over our comm: "Captain, FC, have the fleet assume interceptor positions! Shoot down every warhead you possibly can! I'll try to deal with things from here. If you can get word out to the populace, have everyone evacuate underground and sit tight if at all possible."

Get back into weltall-2 and start tearing the whole place apart. EVERYTHING. Stop for nothing.

We're in the city, right?

Have fleet engage the city. Keep the demon occupied.

We're going to find the core, and smash it.

>>11969900
Alright, we can't do anymore with the interface chair while Web still has control. Get back into the Weltall and provide cover fire for the shuttle and the drone.

>>11970004
"DO NOT FIRE UNLESS FIRED UPON, DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?"

>>11970004
only return fire

cant do shit without the drone, so no reason to stand around gawking then, mash em into pulp

>>11970012
THIS

>>11970004
We have to keep those golems from damaging the cyberwarfare drone.
Destroy them.

rolled 5, 4, 6 = 15

>>11969951
"Understood. Arrival in three seconds."

The dropship's engines abruptly decrease their pitch as the craft slows to hover just outside the main entrance, which is immediately thrown open by a squad of armored marines escorting the cyberwarfare drone. There are golems, Iralans, and attack vehicles closing on the dropship from outside.

>>11969997
It does matter, but one of the best places is right here, in Central. You are now in Welltall-2.

>>11970050
>>11970012
NO! That could activate the deadman switch or force the Demon to launch!
At least with using the cyberwarfare drone to hack Main, we can try to prevent the nukes from being launched in the first place!

>>11970061
"Get that drone hooked up!"
Overturn the conference table to attempt some meager cover.
"FC, get Main under control!"

>>11970061
>There are golems, Iralans, and attack vehicles closing on the dropship from outside.
If they get within say 60m open up. (I'd say 30 but that's human scale.) Priority on the Iralans since even if we do take over the city they'll still be trying to kill us.

>If Kharok is fired upon, I will respond in kind!
As much as I want to blow holes in the shield and knock out some of the lances defending the city we might be able to delay the launch by not firing on the launchers...
I'm conflicted.

have fb's launch orbital missiles targeting the launch bays for MAXIMUM VELOCITY YEEAAAHHH.
also, have torpedoe ships with escourts go underneath the city to knock holes in the shield for our anti air artillery to shoot through, with the aim of disabling the retention mechanism on the gods, this will hopefuly release them while minimising damage to the terraformer, the powers would be a great help in this fight.

>>11970127
All that's been fired at our fleet so far is warning shots, right?
But if we don't fire, we can't open a hole in the shield for our forces to get in...
Well, if we can take control of Main, even if the Demon is able to continue to operate some systems, then that should be when we open fire. Because at that point, it will be desperate, and will likely choose to launch nukes at that point.

>>11970181


thought, if hes true to his word we could simply wait till the missiles hit to attack, giving us a huge advantage.
i doubt hed be that accomidating though

Without firing on the launchers, position drones over the launch tubes themselves. We'll manually block them, and if the demon decides to launch they'll detonate inside the city.

Keep the fleet in interceptor formation, and just tear shit apart with Weltall.

>>11970240

they might not be fused to go off immediatly though.

i like the thinking however, the drones are expendible.

rolled 3, 6, 5 = 14

>>11970012
"You will fail," Web scoffs, "This is indeed a fully armed and operational battlestation. And I now play the villain. Enjoy your last moments." The golems begin to fire, raking your suit with machine gun fire and miniature lance beams. Bullets ricochet off the core's outer surface while the demon laughs. Welltall's incendiaries rip through the necks and torsos of a dozen golems with ridiculous ease while the marines do their best to cover the drone.

"ORDERS ACKNOWLEDGED!" FC shouts.

>>11970097
The squad sergeant moves up, firing into the oncoming swarm."Yes Ma'am! Hurry up and get that thing over-" a stray beam catches him in the chest before he finishes his order. The sound of gunfire begins to pour in from the outside as the dropship is engaged by the enemy.

With the table blocking some of the incoming fire, you open up, cutting down rank after rank of golems with Welltall's machine-cannon. Behind you, the cyberwarfare drone, its circuits purged of Main's counter-programs, attaches to the core. The glow of the hardware flickers orange at its contact point.

"Concentrating EW efforts," Primary says. Golems are marching in by the hundreds. The dropship is taking heavy fire. The core is assaulted by waves of orange, crashing over its surface.

"I have it! Control for three turrets and two missile bays!" FC yells, "Just keep-"

A grenade sails past the core, exploding in the air and showering the drone with shrapnel. The demon's laugh abates. "Missile launch in thirty seconds," Web informs you coolly, "I'll start small. Installations first."

rolled 2, 3, 6 = 11

>>11970181
Targeting orders acknowledged. Torpedo Corvettes moving now.

>>11970202
Correct. Your fleet has not been directly fired upon, but the dropship's shields are almost depleted. It has already lost one turret and has a damaged engine.

>>11970240
Done.

>>11970272
"Tac-Com, blast a hole in the shield! We need more cyber drones and assault ships here now!
"All interceptors, prepare for missile intercept in 30 seconds!"

Well, our drone's gone. Blast the core.

>>11970298
>dropship's shields are almost depleted. It has already lost one turret and has a damaged engine.
Tell the pilot to get out of here. If the shuttle blows, it'll take some of us along with it and block the way for our other dropships and drones.

>>11970333
What's that going to do, really? The demon can probably still launch the nukes, and we'll have lost the one of the best points to hack the system from.

>>11970272


time to improvise,
try repairing the drone with alchemy, and put our fate in the hands of the dice gods,
or rip out comm hardware from the shuttle and use that as a substitute.
im not sure how effective the last might be, bandwidth could be limited, so ask the ais to prepare a 'jolly rodger' in case, somthing to cause mass disruption if full subornation is impossible.

have the launch bays, launch, against the other bays, no need for subtlty (sp?) at this point,
have lanches knock out other point defense measures to preserve our fleet.

Did we bring anything capable of making that kind of interferrence we ran into over at k14 when everything started activating? IF we did, now would be a good time ot use it.

>>11970272
How damaged is the drone? Can we interface it with the personal comms and the communications gear on the Weltall to create a jury-rigged connection?

>>11970406
All that stuff is in the other dropships. We didn't have enough space in this one.

>>11970395

>lances

>>11970341
Or tell him to do a power slide into a large group of combat drones.

Next time Web squaks over the comm, we need us a zinger. Might I suggest the classic "Sorry, but I'm having trouble hearing you. I'm getting a lot of bullshit on this line."

>>11970361

if were gona resort to viruses our portable comm would probably be sufficient to transfer a packet of data.

>>11970463


"i guess we are gona have to put your plans"

>polarized googles

"...on ice"

YEEEAAAHHHHH

.

>>11970465
That's only if the network accepts the connection. Without a hardline, I doubt it.
Then again, maybe Primary can do something with the EW defense viruses from K23.

rolled 1, 4, 4 = 9

For once, Tac-Com sounds like he's looking forward to something. “Confirmed. All ships, fire at will. All ships, fire at will.”

The muffled boom of cannons, the chatter of machine-cannons, the high-pitched whine and shock of lance beams, all of it echoes through the streets as your ragtag fleet unloads, blasting Kharok with everything they have. Combat reports dump through Welltall's system, filling your ears with the shouts and screams of your crews, fighting to the death. The Lance of Hretmar rips a gaping hole in the city's shield as it blows open one of the missile bays, paving the way for squadrons of dropships and dozens of drones.

Main's lance cannons return fire as the Corvettes under the city assail the shield with their torpedoes, punching craters in Kharok's base, attacking the great machine that holds your gods prisoner. Two Corvettes die to lance fire. A third takes a glancing hit and spirals down. The turrets under FC's control fire on their counterparts, inflicting massive damage before they are destroyed themselves. The shell of the Battleship Akroneun soaks up fire like an unyielding wall, creeping forward to shield the others.

As the lone, damaged dropship sails outward, limping away from anti-aircraft fire, its comrades drop in, engines screeching and guns blazing. The missiles launch.

“Detection,” Two observes, “Fifty-seven missiles targeting Kharoks One and Two. Twenty-one destroyed by shield drones. Intercepting.”

Email field: dice+1d20 for intercept. Optimal: 12+

rolled 13 = 13

>>11970525
Here we go!

>>11970525

Let the /tg/ dice begin

>>11970555
Huzzah!
WE JUST BARELY MADE IT

AW SHIT ROLLING

ok, have all ships that break through go on cas run on other launch bays

rolled 7 = 7

>>11970525

>>11970555
Goddamn, I cut it close!

>Captcha: roperawa film,
We need to have Dreamwood Studios make a movie about this later.

If we survive this, we've gotta give these guys metals or something.

Maybe minor fiefdoms, or commercial positions in BemCorp

rolled 15 = 15

figures. It's been so long since the last FG quest roll that I forgot how it worked.

rolled 2, 5, 5 = 12

>>11970395
Consensus required. What you are suggesting will set off high-yield nuclear devices in your immediate vicinity.

>>11970406
You have EM grenades, and the incoming dropships are carrying some EW drones. Both can produce interference.

>>11970414
It is functional. Its casing is damaged, but it is still online.

>>11970497
Viruses of all kinds are being uploaded directly into Main's central core, or at least the most prominent one. You are winning that battle, for the moment, but you either need the drone to continue or the intelligences to gain enough control to hold a connection open on their own. Two minutes.

"all ground forces five rounds rapid, fire for effect"

rolled 5, 1, 5 = 11

>>11970555
Perfect. Only one missile escapes the intercept perimeter and is destroyed by lance fire from a drone immediately after. All launchers under Main's control are now cycling for rapid-fire.

shield the drone with our suit, target any enemys with area of effect or indirect weapons.

>>11970525
>its comrades drop in, engines screeching and guns blazing.
"Get those drones hooked up now!
"Get those sonic tanks and microvwave hover tanks set up!
"Beta Team, set up a perimeter and don't let anything get within weapons range of the drones!
"Everyone else, take a squad of Heavys and a dropship, get down to the nuke launchers and disable them!"

>>11970623
Not a priority here but did Primary or FC get a figure on just how many missiles Main should have?

rolled 10 = 10

>>11970593

Weltall-2 needs to go out and do it's thing then. I had originally intended it to be the role of the "huge distracting thing that we need to fucking shoot down now" while our other guys did their infiltration.

Have our guys hold out at central here while we go out in Weltall-2 and target the other cores and whatever weapon systems we can reach.

>>11970593
>Consensus required. What you are suggesting will set off high-yield nuclear devices in your immediate vicinity.
Hell no, only as a last ditch option.

>It is functional. Its casing is damaged, but it is still online.
Get the drone back up to the core. It, along with the others, should get us control of Main.

>>11970662
Well, if we need to be the distraction, perhaps we should move against the array keeping the gods trapped.
That should get a big response from Web, considering how royally he would get fucked if the Pantheon and us were to combine forces.

>>11970593

as tempting it is to same fag, ill let the hive mind decide

>>11970662

we should hold out atleast untill reenforcements come, then have them defend chokepoints leading into the chambre, instead of hanging out in the middle, enemy is channalised and there is better cover that way.

>>11970709
The reinforcements have arrived, but I understand what you meant.
If we're going to go on a decoy mission to draw attention and fire, we should do it after a perimeter of some kind has been set up.

>>11970671
>Consensus required. What you are suggesting will set off high-yield nuclear devices in your immediate vicinity.
>Hell no, only as a last ditch option.

Yeah and like other anons have said, if it doesnt take out all of the other launchers we wont be able to countermand the orders given to the missiles because we'll be dead.

Btw, I think I've got launch times figured out. If I'm right any missiles launched towarda Dreamwood should arrive within 10-12 minutes and the larger cities in Perin in 15-17.
This is based on an average velocity of Mach 6.

rolled 2, 5, 6 = 13

>>11970602
"Firing for effect." Golems fall in droves, but more keep coming in, climbing over the mangled pieces of their fellows. You've lost three more marines, but the new dropships are now in position and dropping troops.

>>11970634
You start applying grenades liberally, blasting everything you can see that isn't the core or a friendly. Welltall-2 takes two rounds to a battered hip and starts losing motor control in the left leg. It's on its way out.

>>11970635
"You heard the Lady! Move, move, move!"

Six more squads of marines enter the structure, setting up heavy support weapons while several more squads defend the exterior with tank support. Dropships start screaming off toward the launchers and are engaged by point defense. At least half of them are going to be destroyed before they reach their targets if they face that weight of fire.

"Detection. One hundred eighty-eight missiles on course for installations one through six. Forty-five stopped by shield drones."

Email field: dice+3d20 for intercept. Optimal: 14+

>>11970696


plus its pretty much powering this whole station, making it a much more attractive target.

oohhh, there are so many ways to dismantle this place, i cant pick one!

Launch bays are covered by drones, but one shot will clear them.

We need to seal them permanently. Or we could try to get people in to disarm the nukes before they're loaded. Should be simple as destroying the propulsion systems. The demon won't kill himself to get us.

rolled 9, 8, 9 = 26

>>11970755

rolled 13, 6, 5 = 24

>>11970755
Fuck me! 143 missiles inbound!
Nobylan and Mitenun, grant me strength!

rolled 1, 6, 4 = 11

>>11970658
Unknown. From visuals, the single bay shown should have at least 600 missiles. The number of bays is unknown but is probably greater than 10. You now have three of them under your control.

rolled 16, 15, 19 = 50

>>11970755

o dread dice lords! hear this humble servant's plea!

>>11970778
>>11970776
Oh man, we both rolled bad.
I'll abstain from next roll. (If we live that long)

rolled 5, 15, 20 = 40

>>11970776
>>11970778

FFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

>>11970755


i was actualy refering to our 'ground' ground forces, but thats cool too

>>11970781
It's too late for K1-6, but can we set the missile bays under our control to attempt interception with a nuclear detonation? As in, our nuclear intercept missiles launch as soon as the Web's, then, when it reaches about a 100 miles or so, detonate nuclear warheads to try to catch Web's in the explosion, or at the least, knock them out via EMP.

>>11970776
>>11970755
Fuck! Priority defenses for those tracked going to K4 and K5! They've got cities within range!

>>11970809
>>11970755


and i also meant prioritise 'enemies' with these weapons

rolled 1, 3, 4 = 8

>>11970776
75 missiles are destroyed by interceptors. 12 are destroyed by the perimeter. A further 16 die to lance fire. 40 have survived and are proceeding to targets. The Fleet Bases are launching interceptor missiles but the projections don't look good. K1 and K2 got the heaviest fire. K5 and K6 have no missiles targeted. Do you wish to order evacuations? K1 is the only one of the batch that is likely to survive all detonations, due to its hardening.

FUCK SHIT THROW UP A WALL OF FLAK

>>11970856
Order the evac for k2, and pray we shored up K1's defenses enough to handle the attack.

Head out in Weltall-2 (yes, even damaged as it is) and begin smashing that chain array. We need our heavies back.

>>11970856
Order personnel to hunker down in the safest area of K2. There's no way that they can outrun an inbound nuclear missile.
Same with K1.
Concentrate defensive fire on those tracked for K4.
Matmer had nothing to do with this war, and we can't allow them to pay for our mistakes.

>>11970879
Do we even have flak cannons? If so, we should put more steel in the air than there is oxygen. Anything to stop those missiles.

rolled 3, 6, 2 = 11

>>11970816
Yes, you can do this. Web is likely to engage them with point defense as they leave. Overkill is recommended. Remember, these missiles have intercontinental range. As long as you retain control, you can order those not used to ditch in the ocean.

>>11970839
Priority acknowledged. K5's missiles have been destroyed. Due to the presence of living siege engines and other heavy anti-air defenses, it is much better protected, as is Dreamwood, than K4. However, nuclear material is being spread by the act of destroying the warheads, despite the detonations being prevented.

target those chaining spires on the city with our doras

>>11970856
Evacuate to where? Would there even be enough time for the personell at K5 to get into shuttles and get to minimum safe distance?
Speaking of, what yield are the Nukes estimated to be? And exactally how far from Dreamwood is K5 in km?

Fuck K4 there is absolutely nothing we could possibly do for them. Or could we? Have the Conclave contact Matmer. If they have any mages in the city above K4 they might be able to deflect SOME of the damage with shielding magic.

>>11970892
We've been putting up a wall of tungsten, steel, and lead. But there's just too many missiles, and it only takes one.

Are there any shuttles at K2? Could they get on a zeppelin fast enough?
I don't think that they could get out of range in time, unless it's an Iralan VTOL.

>>11970908
Considering that K4 is considered a top state secret of Matmer, they may have positioned a considerable number of combat mages.
It would be their only hope, that the shield they can erect is strong enough to handle a nuke.

rolled 5, 1, 1 = 7

>>11970879
>>11970892
All fighters not engaging enemy fighters are targeting missiles with their flak cannons. Same for any flak weapons that can be spared from the defense of their ships.

>>11970883
>>11970889
Consensus required for K2 evac. K1's personnel are being ordered to retreat to the lowest levels and shelter in bunkers. Chaos has gripped Perin's higher government. The Conclave reports through the Lord that it is generating shields around crucial areas. A light field is coming up over Dreamwood and K5, but much of the County is still uncovered.

they dont need to deflect with a shield, just enough power in a bolt to knock it out of the sky, should allow them to disable it on its terminal run if all else fails.

>>11970902


THIS

if we knock out the mechanism this is all over.

wait, do we even have tripple A all the way out here?

>>11970942
But that depends on how high they can target the missile, if they can even target it at all.
Considering the speed that it would be coming in at, and that it would detonate as an airburst, probably around 2000 feet or so.

rolled 6, 4, 5 = 15

>>11970902
Out of range.

>>11970908
That depends on what minimum safe distance is. The warheads are variable yield. They are standard fission weapons, not thermonuclear weapons, but they are magically enhanced. Minimum yield is around 1kt. Maximum, 32kt. Theoretical.

Contacting. Matmer is being alerted. It appears that they see the missiles and are ready to defend themselves.

>>11970910
Yes, there are shuttles. Zeppelins are far too slow to be of any use in evacuation.

taunt him

"fine way of saving the world you got going on here, do you now see the folly of strong arming? if after everything the people still dont listen, what then? fold under pressure? destroy them? whats the point of your vision then?"

>>11970900
Set our missile bays for rapid-fire, and fire off at minimum, the same number as Web launches.
>>11970933
>Consensus required for K2 evac.
Goddamnit, people, vote for the man!

rolled 6, 5, 3 = 14

>>11970971
Yes. You have plenty of anti-air on the ground in the immediate area. Some units have been destroyed by the city, but most remain.

If it is the consensus, you will take Welltall-2 forward to damage or destroy the machine binding the gods.

>>11970999
Then I am changing my vote from hunkering down to evacuating.
If the K2 Intelligence is available, have it upload all of it's data and itself to Primary. There should be enough storage there.

>>11971032
One last time. Cut well, my machine, and then goodbye.

To the chaining array!

Proclaim only "I'm going for the balls. Make sure to kick him in the teeth when he bends over."

rolled 4, 6, 1 = 11

>>11971019
"I do only what is necessary. You speak of folly, but you continue this... ridiculousness. You will not succeed."

>>11971022
Missile bays set to rapid-fire. Intercept only.

>>11971032
>If it is the consensus, you will take Welltall-2 forward to damage or destroy the machine binding the gods.
Wait, how far away is it to each part of the system and is our suit still mobile enough? What are we equipped with if we have to bail out of the Welltall-2? If the Marines think they can hold long enough for us to do it yes.

I dunno about everyone else but when we were negotiating with the demon I was incredibly nervous. Since we've gotten into combat that's been replaced with a steady calm.

>>11971019


add this, "you are not enlightened, you simply have the power to act out your impulses instead of suffering in ignorance."

>>11971108
>Since we've gotten into combat that's been replaced with a steady calm.
That's good. It means that you should be able to think clearly and react without hesitation or doubt.
Now, as for the issue of our hip and leg actuators; yes, our mobility has gone down, but our weapon systems are still fine. If you're worried about mobility, I suggest taking along our close-assault suit, since that's still in pristine condition.
Also, its more powerful anti-magic fields may be useful in destabilizing the array.

rolled 3, 1, 2 = 6

>>11971041
Done and done. Evacuation proceeding. Upload commencing.

>>11971060
"Yes, Ma'am! Give him hell!"

>>11971108
Welltall's mobility has suffered, but you will perform a quick repair with alchemy. According to the data you have, the only place for the creation engine is directly below you, which is where you are going. You still have an armored hazard suit if you bail out. Your other suit, the close-quarters anti-demon powered armor, is aboard the dropship that brought you in, which has gone down in the outskirts of the city.

"The Marines will hold whatever they're told to, Ma'am. Count on it."

>>11971197
I don't think we can afford the time to get our other suit.
Hopefully, the pilot survived the crash and is hiding out inside of it.

Let's get a Heavy Assault Golem, an ECCM golem, and a microwave hovertank to help us on our way down.

>>11971065
"you have the ideal state in mind, but you cannot ken how to achive it, the end *does* justify the means, and this will only end in more disruption then nessissary, where is the being i spoke with before, seeking to circumvent conflict with hostile powers then destroying?"

"there is no such thing as a point of no return."
"we can end this rediculousness anytime you like."

>>11971197

somthing tells me were gona need that anti demon suit. we should bring it along if possible

>>11971197
Do we know where the dropship went down?
It might be worth it to dash over there with some tanks for cover in order to get the suit.
Besides, powerful anti-magic generators right next to a magical prison that is chained the gods themselves? What could go wrong?

Can we run still interference with those missiles under our control, is so, do it.

>>11971377
>Besides, powerful anti-magic generators right next to a magical prison that is chained the gods themselves? What could go wrong?
Sounds like the recipe for beautiful, wonderful explosion that'll set the pantheon free.

>>11971384
>Missile bays set to rapid-fire. Intercept only.
Already being done.

rolled 6, 2, 4 = 12

You slink back, still firing, as the golems continue to advance, charging into the teeth of your marines. In a brief burst of green and gold, your suit is repaired, well enough to get it moving at top speed again. Loading a map from what the network got from the database, you circle around the core, blowing a hole through the floor and dropping down a level, then striding off toward the nearest lift, ducking below the low ceiling. How convenient that Web built his machine directly below Central Command.

The only things that accompany you down are a few golems and Web's taunts. The clumsy opposing machines and internal defenses you deal with easily, but Web seems to have a profound talent for getting under your skin.

“You will not succeed. I am targeting your Fleet Bases. I will save highly-populated areas for last, just in case you change your mind. Or I start to feel remorse. Main cannot decide which chance is greater. We will know soon enough.”

A low hum runs through the deck plating as the lift touches down at your destination. Resistance is half-hearted and is cut down easily as you move swiftly through an access passageway. The floor suddenly heaves to one side as the city's struck by something massive. The sound of explosions and twisting metal reaches you even here on the lower levels, and communications pour through.

“Akroneun's rammed the city! Two launchers, a whole swath of turrets, and one power plant down!”

rolled 2, 6, 3 = 11

>>11971430
That little moment of triumph does nothing to reduce the grim figures on the battle reports. 70% of the Corvettes and bombers are down. Half of the fighters are gone. The interceptor missile barges are running low on ammunition and at least a third of your drones are no longer functional. The Lance itself has taken heavy damage and is barely maintaining altitude; heavy casualties. It's a massacre. But you give as good as you get, and you don't even want to think about what will happen if you fail.

You find your footing, extending your saber and slicing through five blast doors on your way in. Ceiling turrets engage you helplessly before you destroy them, making it all the way to the central chamber.

The sight is something you'll never forget. An enormous, rotating collection of glowing machinery driven by gears larger than shuttles, extending upward like some absurd tower of bits and pieces. The center of it, open to the air, containing a small, bright sphere with an oily surface. The sound of the screams, the cries for help, the pleas for rescue, all of it penetrates to your very bones, making your skin crawl.

Web chuckles. “Try me.”

>>11971416
Exactly.
If we can hitch a ride on a tank, or stand atop two tanks, a leg on each one, while grabbing ahold of chains connected to even more tanks in front of us, like some kind of tank chariot, to pick up that suit, let's do it with a quickness. Every minute we waste, is another flight of missiles being launched.

>>11971430

Let's not let that sacrifice go to waste! Now is the time! Rush the chaining array! By the power of the King of Hearts!

>>11971445

"You're a monster- you know that, right?"

if this were evil quest id say SOUL OBLITERATION, CORRUPT THAT WHICH RESISTS MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHJHSAA...


but alas, anti-magic lance to the face!

>>11971445
Break out the lance, turn the anti-magic field to maximum, and then charge the array, having our suit expend all of its munitions.

rolled 3, 4, 6 = 13

>>11971146
"You know, I have the strange suspicion that I don't care in the slightest."

>>11971283
The tank will not fit on the lift or in the hallways. Golems brought along.

>>11971320
"I would very much like it to end right now. You have caused a lot of damage to my city, and you have almost taken over Main's central core. But your fleet is in ruins, your men fall by the dozen, and I continue to fire. If you surrender now I will kill you quite painlessly. Give up."

>>11971343
>>11971377
A team has been sent to find the dropship and recover the suit if possible.

247 missiles have been launched at FB1 and FB2. Email field: dice+5d20 for intercept. Optimum: 6+

quick, we need to come up with the cheesiest yet appropriate one liner possible at the moment of freedom, somthing that will make webs very soul facepalm because he knows it too.

rolled 8, 18, 15, 4, 19 = 64

>>11971529
Nobylan and Mitenun, Hretmar and Illian, guide these dice!

>>11971445
Damn.

This city is powered by PAIN.

of tortured GODS.

MOVE AND SHOOT THE WEAK SPOT FOR MASSIVE DAMAGE.

Is there a weapons control station somewhere? If we can get some of that fire off our men it'll go a long way towards helping us.

>>11971467
Let's not rush straight in.
>>11971445
Look for vulnerable or weak looking points. Death by a thousand cuts. I'd rather not end up getting sucked into this thing accidentally.

>>11971558
SHIT! I only invoked 4 gods with 5 dice!
FFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!

rolled 2, 5, 2 = 9

>>11971467
>>11971501
>>11971519
Email field: dice+1d20 for anti-magic assault and alpha strike.

>>11971495
"Eye of the beholder. The winner writes history, you know. And I'm sure you also know that this machine is my home, not Main. If you do successfully destroy it, well, I won't be around to enjoy the result. But it will be pretty. Like fireworks on a midnight clear."

>>11971529

"Surrender? Just who the hell DO YOU THINK I AM?" Grenade the machine's supports and rush it's central components.

>>11971549
"The cavalry has arrived!" in a cheesy Texas accent.

"Anonymous does not forget or forgive!"

"Die, foul warp-spawn! For the Emperor!"

>>11971549

"again with the killing i see, how are we supposed to stop when you keep making such rediculous (sic) demands? this is a two way street you know" *wags finger metaphoricly*

>>11971529

this has my vote

>>11970495

rolled 12 = 12

>>11971588

"My soul is prepared. How's yours?"

rolled 4, 4, 3 = 11

>>11971558
All but 23 missiles, all heading for FB1, are intercepted. It is highly likely that the missile batteries at FB1 will destroy the rest before arrival.

>>11971561
There are no control stations or consoles in sight. The local systems are either completely automated or controlled from somewhere else.

>>11971549
"DIE MONSTER, YOU ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD."

rolled 18 = 18

>>11971588
Orduǹa, I beseech thee for aid!

"THIS (insert weapon here) IS MY SOOOOOOOUUUUL!"

And shoot it right at his little home.

>>11971605

i wish we could do all of them somehow.

ive got a special spot in my heart for anonymous though

>>11971613
Damn, if only mine was faster... >>11971635

thirding csi zinger

did op die? THE SUSPENSE IS KILLING MEE

>>11971737
Just means he's typing if there's been no response in awhile. Usually anyways.

rolled 4, 2, 4 = 10

You move forward, stooping slightly as you ready the lance, spooling up the Welltall's hover engines and opening all missile pods. All of your grenades are armed. Each of your guns is slaved to fire as one. Your golems are set to burst-fire and trigger all special weapons on your command. As the fleet fights and dies above you, your heart turns to steel, and your mind focuses like never before. This is the hour, and you begin your battle call.

“I do not forget. I do not forgive. I do not surrender. I do not give up. I am the cavalry, and I will crush you, foul warp-spawn. You are not of this world. You do not deserve my pity! My soul is prepared! My weapons gleam true! WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK I AM?”

You leap, engines sparking, propelling yourself at the center of the machine, lance screeching for blood as its field spirals to full power. The golems open fire, bringing their EW and EMP generators up to maximum. The room crackles with energy. The demon's taunts die in its unholy throat. You sail through the air like death itself, lance scything through shields and plunging into the core of this prison of hate.

LOOK!
THE EAST!
IS!
BURNING!
RED!

The world ends with a bang.

Everything around you burns with a righteous fire. The chains are broken. The bars are loose. The gods are free.

And they are angry.

>>11971792
....
SHIIIIIIIIT

...

>shades

YEEEEAAAAAHHHHHH

.

>>11971792
I really hope they don't destroy Kharok Main, what with us still being on it, as well as all of our men.

Were the Fleet Commands able to suborn Main in time to disarm the nuclear warheads of the missiles that were launched?

>>11971792

>>11971792

>>11971792

And that's all for tonight folks! See you next week!

>>11971792
Shit is gonna blow up, isn't it?

>>11971938
You fucker! Don't do that!

rolled 6, 3, 3 = 12

Kharok shakes beneath you and above, a great city usurped by greatest evil. The power and strength of the gods pulses like lightning through the bones of this final fortress as the demon draws its last. Every single missile that can be launched is launched. Every single weapon that can be fired is fired. Every failsafe disengages and every power plant, every capacitor, every battery and cell and conduit and circuit begins to explode. The demon's deadman switch is tripped, and its wrath unleashed in full.

But it is not over. The gods are free, the gods are here, the gods are in and around and everywhere you can see. The missiles are snatched from the sky, as if by a great hand, and crushed into nothing. The lances, shining so brightly in the cool air, are blocked, misdirected, turned back on themselves and away from the fleet. Every single thing in this place that can be harnessed for power is encased in a shield of light and cast away. In an instant, Kharok is no more. The wreckage falls to the ground, piece by piece, into the crater at the center of the ruins.

And in a moment, you are there, on the bridge of your flagship, amidst the smoking, tattered mess that is left after the battle. Healing light pours in, sweeping softly over all, restoring the injured and the drained, giving life and taking pain. In the center-point, where the city once stood motionless in the air, a single point of light implodes like a dying star, and is no more.

A great, booming voice fills the bridge, just soft enough to be bearable, filled with mirth and fury.

“IT IS GOOD TO BE BACK! HOW HAVE YOU BEEN, MY LITTLE HERO? STILL GETTING INTO TROUBLE, I SEE.”

>>11971967
"damnit all hremtar! Ask for my help next time you try something so rediculous! You had me worried!"

well shit, so much for that guy

"ahh what could have been, if oonly he could have seen the light."

>>11971967

"Hretmar? Is... is that you old friend? Am I still alive?"