Jen stands up quietly and stretches out a forearm, which Nickolai carefully grasps to pull himself out of his chair. "Come on, Dad. Let me take you back to rest."

"Oh, you're too kind." He turns his head slightly towards you, and gazing off into nothingness calmly addresses you. "I hope you can find peace, my daughter. But I must thank you for for this new opportunity that you have presented to us. I'll have to ask that you don't reveal their presence carelessly, but allow me to break the news of other species as gently as possible to our government."

>>8055769
what time is it

>>8055985
Just looked at the sign. I am happy.

It's 9:02.

>>8055769
did we decide on a destination, 6's digs or visiting the next-gen HANA volunteers?

>>8055898
Alright! Now we'll head on over to the HANA training center for a bit, see how they are treated, maybe talk with a few, and then head to Six's place to PARTY! It's not everyday people who've been apart for over two thousand years get reunited, and we need to celebrate!

>>8056014
Since they are both planet-side, I was going to try to roll them into one group, starting with the HANA and then going into Six's place.

>>8056022
I thought you said that there was a HANA Training place here on the station?

>>8056043
There is that too. Would you like to visit both? Or just the one on the station? Each of them are setup differently, as the one on the station is for more Military/Defense purposes, and the one planet-side is more for commercial purposes.

>>8056059
I think military first, since we're more familiar with that, then maybe we'll have some idea what to expect in the more commercial locations.

>>8056059
Meh, it's not like we have a time limit. Let's visit both, if there are no objections.

>>8056080
>>8056071
Alright, sound good. So I'll go HANA Military - Six Planetside - HANA Planetside - Six again maybe? Depending on time.

Would you guys like to say any parting words to Nickolai or Jen? Or shall I move us along?

>>8056101
Eh, say goodbye, be polite.

>>8056101
"One...uh, Jen our ship is off limits to everyone, no one goes in."
"Cam...wake up, inform the captain that we will be making a shore excursion but so far everything seems to be going well, the people aren't quite ready to meet the Seekers but soon, sit tight."

>>8056135
You sit up from the rather cramped couch and take a long look at Jen.

"One...uh, Jen our ship is off limits to everyone, no one goes in."

"My lips are sealed, Hannah. Have a nice trip with that old hag now, OK?"

"Cam...wake up, inform the captain that we will be making a shore excursion but so far everything seems to be going well, the people aren't quite ready to meet the Seekers but soon, sit tight."

"Huh? What? Oh, alright my dear. Was taking a short rest. You'll have to hook up to the system here for me to get through to them - I can't send a message out from inside your head."

Jen and Nickolai carefully retreat deeper within the apartment, and Six stands up quickly, clapping her hands together sharply as she does. "Alright, that was a nice talk. It will put a spring in the Old Man's step for a little while, that's for sure. I'm sure the three of you want to go and visit the new HANA here on the station. Why don't we head off to visit them? It should be a nice to see how things have changed."

>>8056214
"Sounds good to me."

>>8056214
Maybe we should get some of those wireless mods...on second though constantly having to keep a firewall up, screw it old school is always better.

>>8056214
"It sounds good to me, Six. Lead the way."

Nineteen hops to her feet and stretches her arms out in front of her, along with a slight yawn.
"That was... interesting. But I almost fell asleep for a moment."

Two seems to have recovered fully, and simply stretches her long legs out in front of her, pointing her toes straight back towards her head. "Alright, lets see how the new generation is handled."

Six pushes open the double doors rather roughly, and ushers you all out. This time she heads deeper into the Station, following small white markings on the walls. "Hey, they look like petals!" Nineteen comments in her rather high-pitched voice.

Suddenly, Six stops as a white holographic face materializes in front of her. "Hello there, Six! Coming to visit today?"

"Yeah, Kara. Let us in, I'm bringing some of the old generation along to take a look."

"Alright, give me a sec and I'll open the doors."
---

>>8056284
Any kind of wirless connection would probably be useless in a military environment. Even today people are not stupid enough to use wireless networks on any kind of warship.
I think Hannah will be more comfortable with using a remote for her stereo instead of having more invasive surgery anyway.

>>8056394
What appears to be a seamless wall to you suddenly pushes slightly outwards, and separates in the middle to reveal an entrance. Six steps through, and she is briefly bathed in a ray of blue light as she walks down the hall. She turns back to wave you along. "It's just a scanner, don't worry about it. Harmless!"

You cautiously step through the doorway, and the white holographic face pops up next to you. "Hey there, you seem to have a passenger hitching a ride. Are you aware of that? Potentially hostile programs are not allowed past this area."

>>8056449
It's witchcraft is what it is! I don't trust it!

Head through the door and follow Six. Pray it doesn't pick up Cam in our heads.

>>8056501
I really need to read the post all the way through before responding to it.

"Yes, I am quite aware of it. This is Cam, an AI. He is not at all hostile."

BTW, now that the hormonal problems with the implants have been solved by this society, are we going to meet male H.A.N.A.s?

>>8056515
"An AI? ...Most peculiar. One moment please... One moment... Alright, due to your current status and ongoing circumstances, HANA <A13>, please refrain from connecting to any equipment within the HANA Space Training Facility. Any foreign bodies within our system that evade being purged may endanger our trainees. Thank-you."

You continue after Six as Two and Nineteen carefully follow. "Hey there, do you know that you have a passenger... Oh, I'm sorry, it must have been a slight glitch. Maybe a continued reading from A13. Never-mind, please continue."

>>8056555
Maybe...

>>8056621
Ah, they must have picked up on the fact that Nineteen isn't originally from this body. Oh well. Let's head further in. Six can lead the way, since she seems to know her way around.

>>8056621
On second thought, Cam, I'll take care of the message, I would really hate to see you get purged accidentally. "6 can you relay a message for me to my ship (same message as before)."

>>8056711
"Sure, Hannah. I'll get to it when we arrive."

>>8056658
The three of you continue after Six, and eventually the narrow hall emerges into a rather wide hub of sorts. Several wider hallways branch off from the hub, and in its center there are several seated women behind a large desk, their eyes filled with a slightly vacant gaze.

Six hits a small button on the desk labeled "Push for Assistance," and true to its nature, a copy of one of the receptionist's faces appears in hologram form in front of her. "How can I help you?" She inquires. "If you wish to explore in the Virtuality, there are several rooms to the side, as well as several inputs here."

>>8056795
Well we WOULD, but we've been asked to not connect to any of the equipment here.

>>8056812
Yes, I distinctly recall a voice telling us certain progams may be purged if we should connect. "6, are you sure it's ok, I'd rather not have my articificially somewhat intelligent friend Cam purged right now."

>>8056795
Two is slightly fingering her input cable, and quietly inserts it into the offered jack. Her eyes slightly gaze over, followed by the slight twitch of her right hand, as well as what appears to be a ghost of a smirk. Odd...

The hologram in front of you suddenly dissolves into a shower of pixels, and is replaced by a familiar red face.
"It took a lot of effort to stay hidden, but I must say it was worth it. Where were we last? Oh yes. Survival of the fittest..."

God damn KANE.

>>8056861
Dear Supernova,

I. HATE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best wishes,
Sam

P.S. Hate? Let me tell you about hate...

>>8056861
Bloody hell. Into the system with us, now, and attack him with everything we've got.

>>8056909
I really wasn't planning to bring him in, but since you folks gave me the idea way back then, I thought I'd have him lurk a bit. OH NOES. D:

>>8056861
"6, you can purge that one."

>>8056921
*sigh* I knew Two wasn't being honest with us when she said she didn't interface with him. Now he's managed to hitch a ride.

On the bright side, I bet that the system locks him out and purges him with ease, putting an abrupt and anticlimactic end to him. After all, they clearly have systems for dealing with AIs.

>>8056941
Do it. Kane's bitten off more than he can chew.

>>8056917
A loud voice booms over the speakers:
"ALERT, FOREIGN BODY DETECTED IN HUB SYSTEM, ALL ENFORCERS BEGIN QUARANTINE AND DELETION PROTOCOL."

You rush forwards and connect to the hub, and with a slight tug you enter the Virtuality. Your old friend/enemy KANE is there, his red code attempting to worm its way into several gray bodies. They appear to be the receptionists. He glances at you, and waves. "Hey there, forgot about me?"

He is so caught up in his gloating that he fails to notice several golden forms that appear three meters behind him. They maintain a human form, and seem to be comprised of males and females. The only difference between them and you is that they have a rather long, blade-like appendage where their right arm should be.

ENGAGE.

They sprint forwards towards KANE, who manages to look over his shoulder before being pierced by several of the golden blades. The code spreads incredibly fast through his form, and the infection dissipates without a trace.

Two of the golden forms bend down to analyze the receptionists, as three others quickly approach you. Their gaze follows you from head to toe, and a rather tall man steps forward to place his hand on your forehead. "Are you aware that you have a hitchhiker? We have purged the one inside HANA <B2>, but you are still infected."

>>8056921
Also, I just remembered something. I distinctly remember a rant I wrote regarding what would happen if Kane ever fucked with one of our friends. Don't destroy him. We have plans. Oh yes. We will make him beg for death...

>>8057082
"I do indeed have an AI traveling with me, named Cam. Is it him you are detecting or the same AI that was in Two, Kane?"

Darn, I really wanted to torture him. Now he's too dead to torture.

>>8057082
Nod. Carefully. "Yes, I am aware. My hitchhiker, as you put it, introduced itself to me on friendly terms and I have never received an indication otherwise... unlike with Kane, the one you just disposed of."

>>8057122
>>8057155
Cam suddenly pipes up from inside you.
"Hey there! I'm rather peaceful at the moment - she volunteered to let me inside, and I'm simply observing and helping out if possible. Two heads are better than one, you know!"

The golden man jerks his hand away from your forehead in a sudden movement. "Very well, this area will remain sealed for the safety of the others within the system until you leave. Please disconnect and do not re-enter if possible."

You nod, and the Virtuality dissipates with a slightly disorienting jerk. Two is squatting on the floor, rubbing her temples slightly. She looks at you and dryly remarks, "I have one hell of a headache, Sister." The receptionists in front of you have disconnected from the system and are sitting up - one leans over and grabs a bucket before puking the contents of her stomach into it. "That was a new experience... ugh..."

Six reaches down to give Two a hand off the floor and remarks to her that, "You shouldn't let strange things inside babe, it just feels weird!"

>>8057244
"Two, how did that happen? Were you lying when you said that you didn't interface with Kane back on the asteroid? I just can't think of any other way he could have gotten inside your head."

>>8057244
Ask Two what exactly happened there. She denied connecting with Kane at all when we asked her before- was the AI controlling her actions since then? How much of what she's seen and done was her, and how much was the AI?

>>8057282
>>8057312
"I wasn't lying, it was what I honestly believed. Like something was... twisted... I honestly thought I had sat down and talked with him, but now that he's gone... I was so stupid! I linked with him to get a better grasp of his mind, and he pushed himself inside. For some reason, he hid himself deep down inside me, but covered his tracks."

>>8057360
And we all learned a valuable lesson: Whenever we interrogate someone, make sure someone else is there to watch.

Now, on with the tour!

>>8057312
If KANE was able to hide himself perhaps he hid his identity while he was transferring himself, perhaps 2 never knew, perhaps KANE somehow hid the memory of her connecting from her. He is gone now from what I can tell, so I'm not going to complain.

>>8057360
She should probably get checked out by a specialist.

Also, I find myself greatly concerned by this. We've had Cam in our head for a very long time. Since AIs have the demonstrated ability to alter perceptions and memories of the HANA units that they are inside, we can no longer trust anything that we remember happening since getting him in our head to be fact.

This is VERY BAD. Everything we know about the aliens- suspect. Nineteen and Two- potentially hallucinated, or secretly alien AI constructs inhabiting human shells (unlikely in the case of Two, more likely in the case of Nineteen, who we know is basically software). Our memories, beliefs, recently formed friendships... all potentially unreliable.

Fuck.

>>8057384
Six leans over the desk, and shakes one of the receptionists. "Hey! Feeling better? You aren't doing anything useful anyway, come give us a tour of this place!"

"Ugh, let me take a couple painkillers first..." the receptionist replies, looking a bit pale. She reaches under her chair and pulls out a small bottle, shakes out a couple white tablets, and swallows them dry. She makes a slight face of disgust, and then pushes herself to her feet.

"Alright, follow me please. Those two will kick in shortly, so for now, lets visit the Trainees in the Battle Room."

>>8057444
WE ARE LIVING IN THE MATRIX! NONE OF THIS IS REAL!

>>8057463
Shush, you. This is a potentially serious issue entirely consistent with all available in-game information. Don't need your trolling.

>>8057493
I have to poke fun sometimes. Sheesh... A GM trolling his own thread, what is the world coming to.

>>8057444
You're over-thinking this.

>>8057450
Awesome.

>>8057549
Overthinking it, am I? Maybe. Occasional paranoia is one of my faults.

But at least I'll be able to say "I fucking told you!" when Cam stabs us in the back at the last minute and steals GOOD END, proving Supernova as much as vicious bastard as any good GM.

>>8057592
Yep, definitely over-thinking it. And let me just say this:

Supernova, if that is indeed what is going on, I will be disappoint.

>>8057450
Battle room? Oh this better not be like anything we saw before at that facility or the walls are coming down.

>>8057450
She leads the four of you into a rather large, empty room - covered in white panels. She hits a few keys on a small pad at the entrance of the room, and the area suddenly darkens. A large grid forms across the room, and you can see a small holographic station in the center of it, dwarfed by a holographic representation of the planet Utopia.

"Here we are in the Utopia system. Let's zoom in a bit into the battle zone. This is all done on a self-contained network, but rooms like this are built for observation by the non-implanted." The receptionist hits a few more keys, and a section of empty space is magnified to show two fleets facing off in a mock battle. Several large capital ships are slugging it out, and a small swarm of dots between them portray the engagement of smaller vessels. She walks forward into the hologram, and pokes one of the capital ships - similar in appearance to what Six was flying earlier.

A rather deep male voice comes over the speakers. "Hull Breach in Sectors 7, 9 and 12. Sealing. Forward Batteries firing, brace for collision."

She turns to face your small group. "Here, the trainees can practice in a calm, isolated environment, free of distractions. We have multiple backup systems in place to keep them from being overwhelmed by sensory input in the Virtuality, and we generally require all HANA to commit at least 200 hours to these training programs before being allowed to actually pilot a ship."

>>8057744
"Maybe sometime me and Six can come here without Cam and show you young'uns how you /really/ wage a war. Eh, how about it Six?"

>>8057783
Six chuckles darkly. "I already showed them my nuclear holocaust a couple times, but if you're game to get blown up again, then be my guest."

>>8057712
I won't be. There's nothing quite like knowing that your GM is planning to screw you and you saw it coming.

>>8057744
Are the same systems in place to protect against sensory overload in the ships themselves, or are they purely a training feature?

>>8057811
"We won't have to save an insane H.A.N.A this time." :p

>>8057811
"No, not that. I mean a bit of a friendly competition, show them what some real experience can do. Us older generations versus them."

>>8057839
Six takes on a feigned hurt expression, and sighs. "Low blow, girl. Low blow."

>>8057829
"We have placed buffers on board the ships now that will dampen the HANA's sensory connection with their ships, but some choose to disable that safeguard. They seem to view it as a handicap, and embrace their ship almost religiously sometimes. There are always a few of those in every new batch of trainees, and they tend to be lifers for the military. From their decision, they tend to have a faster response time while controlling, but can also have an increased sensory feedback while flying."

>>8057876
"Sometime in the future then, I suppose. Wouldn't hurt to see how their skills have improved in the last fifty years or so..."

>>8057904
>embrace their ship almost religiously sometimes.

Warning! Danger, danger Will Robinson! I distinctly remember another HANA who got very religious with her ship. It did NOT end well.

>>8057904
"How many are currently serving? How are they treated when not helming the ship, do they have actual combat training like us?"

>>8057934
"Out of two million persons enlisted in all positions, nearly three thousand are HANA. Most control their ships alone, but for the larger ones we must still depend on HANA Arrays. There are also HANA that monitor this Station, as well as various other systems and installations. Not every HANA is a pilot.

All military personnel are taught basic defense measures as part of their training. Such measures include basic hand-to-hand techniques as well as training in the use of light firearms, such as pistols.

As for discrimination in the Service, incidents are usually minor and the instigators are heavily reprimanded for their actions. We do not take division in our armed forces lightly. We must work together as a cohesive force, and if necessary, die together."

>>8058020
Well, it all seems pretty well set up. If there's nothing more to see, I say we head planetside to Six's place.

>>8058020
"Thats a relief, we always wanted to be treated like humans, not animals or experiments or worse machines, thrown out when broken beyond repair...
I can always come back later, lets go 6."

>>8058020
"Thats a relief, we always wanted to be treated like humans, not animals or experiments or worse machines, thrown out when broken beyond repair..." You remark.

"Well, besides the Battle Room, you can visit the Dormitories if you'd prefer, but I'd doubt you see much of anything to your interest." The secretary states rather dryly.

"Eh, I can always come back later. Let's go, Six!"

"Well then, lets get the hell out of here. These stiff-necks are nothing like the girls and guys on the ground!" Six butts in noisily. You follow her back through the exit corridor with Nineteen and Two close behind. Nineteen seems anxious to get out of there, and Two seems rather relieved as well.

The white holographic face of Kate wishes you all good luck in your travels, and the doors seal seamlessly back into the corridor wall.

Six begins to dash through the hallways, narrowly avoiding crashing into a few startled inhabitants as she rushes towards the Shuttle Bay. After a short jog, the four of you are locked into some rather cold metal seats as the small vessel detaches from the Station.

"Let's go home, eh?"

>>8058240
"Sure."

>>8058240
"Finally."

>>8058240
Six instructs the pilot to drop you down rather close to her home, and he does so while narrowly avoiding a bed of sunflowers. "Hey, there! Watch the flowers! It took forever to plant those damn things!" Six barks irritatingly.

Six rushes the three of you out of the shuttle before it can do any more damage, and grumbles quietly that she could have flown the damn thing better. Pilots these days, jeeze...

Six's place is a rather pleasant looking single floor home, built with a small greenhouse attachment. It blends in nicely with the rather lush greenery around it, almost a cookie-cutter summer home.

"Ah, its good to be back. Care to come in?"

>>8058358
No, after all this we're going to stay in the shuttle. Of course we'll come in!

"So this is the old folk's home? Hmm, I expected something a little bigger, the flowers are a nice touch though."

>>8058358
Much to Six's dismay, Nineteen takes a running leap into her bed of sunflowers, and disappears among the giant yellow and black heads. "Oh no, please don't ruin it, it took me forever to get it just right.. Oh... come on now.. Damn kids these days..." Six sighs remorsefully.

Two is standing nearly eye-level with a hanging potted plant, and is quietly poking it with an extended forefinger. Six merely shakes her head, and walks inside. You leave Two to her exploration, and quickly follow Six.

"So this is the old folk's home? Hmm, I expected something a little bigger, the flowers are a nice touch though."

The inside of the place is a bit dusty, and several long plastic sheets are over some various pieces of furniture. "Well, excuse me! I've just been living here quietly until you popped back into my life, and every time I come back its a little bit older around here! The last time I took a cold nap, part of the roof collapsed! Damn thing! But... It's a place I can call my own, and I love it for that. I don't need anything extravagant. It's just... home." Six sighs a bit wistfully, and brushes a finger through the dust. "It never fails... Well, I can hire some people to clean up the place - if you want to go see how the HANA work down here, I think there should be a concert soon."

>>8058492
"A concert? They put on performances? Plays?"

>>8058492
"Like...a HANA concert? That should be interesting, I'd love to, 2, 19, wanna go see a concert!"

>>8058525
"Oh, nothing so dull as that. Its... well, you'd have to see it. The Virtuality can be manipulated in a variety of ways. Not only to control programs, but as an art form as well."

>>8058529
You see Nineteen's beaming face pop up in a nearby window, her face streaked with dirt and pollen. "I'd love to see it!" She exclaims through the glass plane. "Clean yourself up first!" Six merely yells back. Two opens the door behind you, and pokes her head in sheepishly. "I'd love to come." She says, quietly.

It takes a short while to arrange transportation and to hire some cleaners, but soon you are on your way, whipping by open fields and dense forests at a breakneck pace. A peaceful, beautiful world.

The ground-car stops at a rather large domed building, formed from what seems to be hundreds of panes of tinted glass. You step inside to find a large auditorium, with row upon row of seats with small hookups for implants. There is also a small stage at the very bottom of the theater. On it are a man and a woman, seated with their backs to each other, apparently connected to the Virtuality.

"Hurry! Just pick any seat and jack in! It's about to start!" Six whispers. You, Nineteen, and Two do so, and the Virtuality envelopes you.

>>8058721
*Waits eagerly*

>>8058721
You have no form, nor does anyone else. You are merely observing an area devoid of... anything, really.

Suddenly, you hear the low singing of a woman, and the stage fades into darkness. White points appear in the blackness, and a small yellow sun suddenly explodes into existence. The deep voice of the man joins in, and several planets appear, spinning on their invisible courses around the star. Clouds churn over their surface, and comets whip by. It's as if you're viewing time in fast forward.

The stage centers in on one of the planets, and the man begins to mournfully sing. Rain dances across a thicket, and lightning flashes in the distance. The earth rumbles and churns in the disturbance, only to cease as the woman begins to sing softly. The sun breaks through the clouds, and a shimmering rainbow is formed.

The man and woman both take form in the thicket, and raise their arms towards the sun.

<PEACE>

You disconnect from the Virtuality with a slight tinge of sadness. It's over entirely too soon for you. In front of you, Six is intently staring at you, watching for a reaction. "In the Virtuality, we can shape our own reality, our own hopes, our own dreams. We can show them to others, and through that, we can communicate more deeply than any other person. Those two specialize in weather - their emotions are shown through their environment. Everyone communicates differently - we are all unique."

>>8058834
Ah, if only *I* could get my hands onto one of those...

"That was amazing. So anyone can come here and put on a performance?"

>>8058894
"Anyone can. We can observe the feelings you express in an unique way. I used it quite a lot when I first found out I could do it. It helped as a form of catharsis for me. People could finally see how I felt, and helped me."

>>8058930
"Wow. Six, can we go back? It's been a long time. I want to hear all about what you've done since you came here. To just, relax with you and Two and Nineteen and Cam."

>>8058930
"Hmmm, maybe I should I do that, but not right now...wouldn't want to hurt someone in a nuclear explosion of rage. So how many people have implants here? I take it there are some who never get implants and can they enter the virtuality through other means? Also what is the food like here, we've been living on space paste for centuries it feels like."

>>8059025
i thought they had actual meals, compliments of the seekers? now that I think about it though also was seeker food even compatible with human bio systems, did they have to come up with something completely foreign to them for 13 and crew to eat?

>>8059017
"Alright, the place should be cleaned up by now, so I wouldn't mind heading back."

>>8059025
"Those who aren't implanted can view through several hologram rooms. You lose the direct sensation, but retain the visuals. It's... not the same. Because of that, most of the people who come here are implanted. As for your rage, it's alright. I had a few explosive moments of my own, but it feels good to let it all out. As for the food, there is some home-grown fare that can be served if you want, though if you wanted something fancy we'd have to find a restaurant."

>>8059123
"Let's just go eat at your place 6, I think I should lie down, that show was...alot to take in."

>>8059123
"Let's head back to your place Six. It'll be nice to just talk over dinner."

>As for the, as for the... *Facepalm*

>>8059168
"Let's just go eat at your place Six, I think I should lie down, that show was... a lot to take in."

You return to Six's place, where the dust has amazingly vanished and the plastic coverings have been removed, revealing some extravagantly carved wood furniture. A rather simple meal comprised of pasta and sausage has been prepared, as well as several bottles of wine. Six gleefully uncorks one of them, and smiles. "There are some perks to having a bit of wealth! I, for one, don't regret it at all."

She pours a bit much for you, but she doesn't skimp on Two or Nineteen either. Taking a sip of the rich, fruity wine, she sits down and waves for you to enjoy yourself.

>>8059241
>pours wine, get blitzed, wake up with a hangover in a water bed beside 6, 2, and a bicycle

>>8059265
o lawdy, not just a bicycle, a computerized bicycle with a small monitor with cam's face on it smoking a cigar "You girls rode me all night."

>>8059265
>What about Nineteen?

>>8059241
Eat, talk.

"So Six, you said that when you first made contact, the people of Utopia weren't that friendly. Understandable, given the circumstances. So how did they let you meet with Pop?"

>>8059301
>19 is throwing up in the bathroom

>>8059314
>>8059297
>>8059297
you stop now

>>8059265
Wait a minute, this raises a very important question. Does Six in fact have a water bed? Because those awe fucking awesome, and if she does then we so call dibs on it. We're the guests, she can take the couch.

Oh, another conversation topic. "It sure was lucky that we managed to find the probe and meet in Utopia in one of the rare times that you're awake, huh Six?"

>>8059301
"Well, he actually asked to see me first. I had no clue that he even existed, and even when we first met I was under guard. But the old geezer has a sympathetic ear and a heart of gold, and he convinced me to take some time off planetside to recoup. And I must say that it helped. Before, we simply lived in the installation where we were created, or in our ships. Now that I can finally stand on the surface of this world, and marvel at everything that makes it what it is... well... It's an experience. Now I know what I destroyed, what I consumed in my anger. I feel sadness for what has happened in the past, but now as I can work in the soil here and simply enjoy life... I'm content. Happy. And I'd be happy if you would join me, Hannah."

>>8059383
"Lucky indeed, but since your message referenced me, well... They would have woken me up to check you out anyway. Its a good thing I don't hang a "Do Not Disturb" sign on my sleeper pod, eh?"

>>8059410
"Indeed."

>>8059395
>Now see you say you're not going to have romance and then you put in stuff like that. Very mixed signals Supernova.

"Could I? I mean... I don't know what to do with the rest of my life. I've been a HANA for as long as I can remember. To be able to live for myself, to not have to fight.... I want that. I'm still angry at what they did to me and you Six. I still hate them. But it would be nice to just be able to settle down and experience life like the people I was supposed to protect.

Yes. I'll join you Six."

>>8059483
If the others agree, I'll prep a writeup.

I said I wouldn't write a sexually explicit relationship, but I've warmed to the concept of a pleasant romance. So sue me.

>>8059519
As I have said twice before, it was never rule 34 that I was aiming for. Romance is more my cup of tea.

>>8059519
As I proposed a few threads ago, Hannah really needs a vacation. So let's move in with Six. The galaxy will still be there for us to save in a few months.

>>8059410
"There could still be HANA's out there, trapped in stasis sleeping their lives away, I found 2, I found 19, I found you...I can find others (did the human fleet retreat with any hana's entombed?) and what about the sleeping Humans they're going to wake up someday, and the seeker's will probably need my help to establish non-hostile relations and geez...it's going to get busy again soon. Also, what if there are other facilities like the KANE and ABLE research post? There could be sisters like us trapped there, helpless and asleep waiting for the power to turn off...and I still need to find Cam a body somehow, I don't mind him riding in my head for a while, but it would be nice to think to yourself and not have someone comment on it. Beside's if Cam ever gets bored in that viruality of mine...ugh."

>>8059568
"There is so much to do, yet so little time. Why not take some time off to enjoy yourself for now? The world will continue to spin, the sun will continue to rise, and everything will be there for you when you are ready."

>>8059564
>The galaxy will still be there for us to save in a few months.

OR WILL IT?

>>8059608

Yes, it will.

>>8059608
Well there you have it, if Putin says it, then its gonna happen, so we are totally entitled to a couple months break.
Also, leader of the sleeping humans, a stasis podded Putin...

>>8059640
Oh, well that's certainly a weight off my shoulders.

So Supernova, I know you've said that shortly after we meet Six that this arc of the story will end. I'm guessing this is it. Will you be picking it up again next week or will you take a hiatus? Or will you start that other quest you've been planning?

After the meal, Nineteen remains in her seat, dozing at the table. Apparently her wine was too much for her. Two quietly makes a nest of blankets, and curls up on a nearby couch to sleep. Six settles in a rather fancy double bed, and invites you in. It's rather warm.

A new day dawns, and as you awake to the sunlight streaming in, a new sensation fills you. For once, you can finally live peacefully. Now if only Six didn't snore. Or Nineteen come bursting in to jump on the bed. The crazy twit.

GOOD END!
End H.A.N.A. Quest Arc 1: The Search for Six.

Epilogue:
H.A.N.A. Quest Arc 2: The ______________

Karl Tawn clicked his long talons harshly against the steel table in impatience as he hissed at the bumbling fool in front of him. "Are you SURE that this is the place? It looks just like another planet!"

"No, no... I'm sure this is the place. This is where we can find them! This is where they went!"

Tawn released an exasperated sigh, and walked to the view-screen before him. The blue-green planet turned beneath him, rotating slowly about its star. An average planet, life-sustainable. Maybe here they could find something interesting. In this system called Sol.

>>8059737
>Karl Tawn
>Thawn
>Thrawn

>>8059721
I'm going to take a bit of a break, focus on my classes, and develop my new quest a bit. Honestly, I need the time to work on it. I started off HANA strongly in the beginning, but I'm feeling that I'm just not writing to my potential. I need some time to develop a new arc to the story, but before that, I need to work on developing the new quest.

I want it to be at least decently fleshed out before I start it. I finally balanced out the powers out the way I wanted them to be, and I think I have a nice method of using them in place. Balancing the Intensity/Range/Duration of your power will be key for your actions. If you want to keep on using it quickly, its Strength and Distance will decrease to compensate. And so on and so forth.

>>8059756
>OH SHI-
Now that took me by surprise. And I thought it was a good name I thought up too... Eh...

>>8059737
>The entire first part of this post.

D'awwwwwwwwwwww. And thank you Supernova.

>The second part.

Oh those crazy Thickhides. What wacky antics are they up to now?

>>8059756
We can only hope that our opponent is that awesome.

>>8059770
Alright. Well, I cannot wait until the next installment of HANA Quest. It has been amazing, and will hopefully continue to be so in the next part.

>>8059737
ok...that is an accepably warm semiromantic ending, it made me daw a little on the inside, till next time eh.

Alright, it's been archived. I hope everyone has enjoyed the ride, its been an interesting learning experience for me. For one thing, I now hate dice rolls. Also, I found that I've been subconsciously basing Two on Maggie from R.O.D. TV (The tall reclusive black-haired chick). She was the best one, that's why.

I'll also have to try harder to kill 13 Next time. Will I have it in me? Maybe. I love a nice ending though. Or one that ends in a fire...

>>8059779
I concur. Thank you for DMing for us. I really appreciate it.

>>8059737
That end is much too bright and happy for my tastes, but I suppose one can't have everything.

I look forward to whatever you come up with next, I guess.

>>8059859
I'm sorry it isn't destructive enough for you. You might enjoy the next quest then. Much more violent.

>>8059868
It's not about mere destruction and violence, it's about the closure that emerges from knowing that one succeeded in spite of losses taken and fought through significant obstacles. An ending where the phrase "100% completion" comes to mind makes me wonder if we were really challenged enough. A not-quite-perfect ending feels more real to me.

>>8059847
Oh, how did YOU envision Hannah? I'd like to know what you thought! For me, she always had black hair, tied back in a ponytail or hanging loose down her back. I love green or blue eyes, so I can't really choose between them. I thought of her of being around 5 feet, 7 inches tall. I really don't care about a woman's height, so I shot for what I thought was average. Short ones end up on your lap, and the tall ones make things fun.

>>8059892
It's not 100% complete though... I'll admit I didn't throw all that I could have at you, but I was struggling to develop other areas at the time. The Seeker split is going on behind the scenes currently - I didn't press that at all and I should have, but I was feeling rushed. The Thickhides will make their appearance shortly, and they are appropriately cold-blooded.

>>8059896
Dark hair, average height, dark and haunted eyes with a hint of shell-shocked madness lurking behind them. Relatively bulky implants with stereotypically metallic coloration visible through the hair as she moves, placed behind her ears, on her temples, and on her neck along the neural centers. Kind of twitchy, but with the sort of sweet smile that makes you wonder who would have done this to someone who could have been so beautiful.

>>8059896
Eh, I dunno. I've never been good at imagining faces. I guess long blond hair, about medium height. Smiling. Because smiles are nice.

>>8059892
So you like it when people fail. How wonderful for you.

>>8059958
No, I like it people when succeed after facing adversity.

Supernova, you're a fag.

Just throwin' that out there.

>>8059896
Vampire Quest started around the same time, I think, so I always imagined Hannah would look more or less the same as VQ's protagonist. Don't ask me why.

>>8059984
You too man... you too... *sniff*
Bro hug!

>>8059971
And that is what we did. We faced adversity and were challenged, yet we managed to triumph. Maybe it was a bit too easy for your tastes, but I, and it would seem at least two others, certainly enjoyed it.

>>8059896
Also, that is disturbingly candid of you.

>>8060037
I was trying to form a mental reason why I thought of the height did, and that mental bit vomited out onto the page.

>>8060054
Yeah. It's just, that last bit seemed..... at odds with some of what you've been saying.

>>8060078
It came out wrong. Well, it SOUNDS wrong. Eh, I'll stop while I'm ahead, and get some sleep.

>>8060024
I am getting a sense of hostility from you that I don't think is warranted; if your comments are not meant in that way, then my apologies for the misinterpretation. If they are, though, chill out. I'd have stopped following the quest a long time ago if I didn't think it was at least mildly enjoyable. Nothing's perfect, and I gave my genuine opinion at the end because to merely mouth vapid praises rather than offering a serious review is to disrespect the creator of any work.

If you like saccharine sweet endings, well, good on you and I guess this one is your thing. I just prefer my tales of victory littered with failed secondary objectives. Anyway, I'm done here; later.

>>8060100
I'm no stranger to criticism, and I encourage it. It's the only way to learn, and this quest was a learning experience. Since they decided to end here, there will be consequences in the next Arc. Lets not start a flame war please.

>>8060116
I'll have to read the whole thing again before I can offer any review I would be satisfied with at all.
However, if i was asked to offer any criticism at this point, I'd have to say that something changed in the way you DMed the quest after our encounter with the pirates.
Could this have been the point were the notes you started with ended?

>>8060116
Oh? What were you expecting us to do? I take it that by taking a break that we let the anti-human sentiment grow? Ah well. I say we deserve a break. Besides, we can still communicate with the Seekers and try to help them and the people of Utopia get along. Though I am aware that there will always be some who are not convinced.

I say we make the best of it.