>>17887197


"This was a gift from my mentor, Dr. Amazement, last time he was on Earth. He knew I wanted to study the modules, so he gave me this. Apparently its his improvement on their system, specifically for humans and other non-Cyreans with the augmentations. Says its a "Wisp Psychic Program". Apparently some kind of self-sustaining psychic phenomena." Ashwood pushes his glasses up his face, and speaks. "We've been looking for someone with Cyrean augmentations for a while, actually. Simply put, we'd like to hook you up to some medical monitoring equipment to observe your vitals, while you utilize the module." "And you get new psychic powers out of the deal!" Says professor Richards, with some excitement.

>Are you in?

>>17887230

damn sure we are in.

>>17887230
"I'm in. These past 24 hours I've been a test subject at least twice. Let's go for gold."

>>17887230
Damn straight we in.

>>17887324
>>17887266

"I'm in. These past 24 hours I've been a test subject at least twice. Let's go for gold." "Oh, well, what's one more test then?" She agrees.

You sit in a chair they've pulled over, as you are hooked up to an EKG, have some tabs stuck on your head to check brainwaves, and some simple tests like your respiration rate. Professor Richards admits she's not a medical doctor, she just wants to compare test results before, during and after.

Sufficiently wired, you are told to pick up the module, and do so. You feel the familiar jolt of electricity up your arm, into your chest, but then something different happens. You start getting a genetic memory, but instead of information, this is a audiovisual memory. "Thank you for choosing Amaze co. Labs Psychic Program Module" says a cheery voice in your head. Shit, its Bioshock all over again. "You have selected the Wisp program. The wisp summons a small incandescent orb to hover near you, shining light on a radius near you." Accompanying the description is a kind of mental video clip of you, summoning a little ball of light which hovers just over your shoulder.

(You have gained the Psychic Program power! Here's how it works. You have so many dice in Psychic Programs (Currently 5). You may choose to invest these dice in an attached power (Like the Wisp) and use it. These dice decide the capacity and intensity of the power (E.g,. the maximum range, if ranged) but also the dice you roll for the power.

The Wisp, for example, rolls its dice pool whenever you make a Perception or Scrutiny test, and adds its width in dice to your roll. You can find more programs either through program modules, or by thinking up your own.)

>>17887566
So, basically, we have a reprogrammable variable psychic power?

>>17887619
No, I think it's that we now have the capacity to store psychic "programs" but we only have so much processing power (five dice) to devote to each one. The only program it comes with is Wisp, which creates a simple orb of light, right?

>>17887566
How easy is it to make our own psychic programs?

>>17887619

Aye. Though new programs you create will need to be linked to existing powers, as a kind of foundation for new implementations.

>>17887627

This is also true.

>>17887655
So they're more like programmable mods for our powers, then, where the programs have to be attached to a power? So, like, making a Seeker program for the psibolt or a program for our psychic sense that highlights key objects in the environment or something?

>>17887687

More I mean that you can't just invent new programs from nowhere. You'll need to use modules and knowledge you already have to build new programs. The program module itself is a framework that allows making self-sustaining psychic constructs (hence the need to invest dice from the source power).

>>17887755
So, like, we would need to have psibolt to create a smally, concentrated, easily-steered blob of friction designed to serve as a sort of psychic plasma-cutter?

>>17887785

Yes. And that is one way to make programs, to apply principles or extras attached to one power, and link it to another to form a self-sustaining construct (In that case, it'd be like tacking the wisp's Duration on your Psibolt). The other way is to directly mix two powers to make a new program.

rolled 54 = 54

How about an example? Combine Wisp, with Psychic Senses, and you get a ball of light, that reveals psionics, right?

>>17887819
And we could make a modified version of our psychic senses combined with wisp that, say, makes all weapons in our environment literally glow? Or overlays our psychic senses holographically so that everyone can see them?

>>17887566

"You alright over there?" Asks the Professor. You rub your eyes. "Fine. Just that Doctor Amazement or his marketing division have an odd sense of humor." You reply. Oh hey, now there are glowing markings on the back of your hand. She pats you on the shoulder. "That he does. Anyway, we've got the results we needed, so you're free to go. Just talk to Ashwood, and he'll go with you back to the desk you get your payment."

>Anything you want to ask the Professor before you go?

>>17887887
>>17887902

You decide to test the process a little. You star summoning up the Wisp, but at the same time, you press your hand to your forehead, in the spot your your metaphorical third eye, and try and focus on your psychic senses.

The result is a multifaceted orb of light kind of like a tiny floating disco ball. Below it in a radius of a couple feet it shines a pool of light. "Hrm?" The Professor and Ashwood look up at your new toy. You guide it over to the table, and low and behold, the objects on the table begin to glow under the spotlight, each reacting differently to the exposure. Not only that, but the line the sword cut into the table and floor earlier glows faintly blue white as well, where the residue from earlier remains.

(New program learned, Psychic Spotlight. Roll Psychic Spotlight dice to add dice to a Psychic senses check, like Wisp adds to a Perception or Scrutiny test. Also, can be used to show psychic things to people who can't normally see them)

>>17887990
"That module - it lets me make modular and programmable psychic constructs. Any use you might have for that? It looks like I can only make things out of combinations of a glowing ball of light, psychic senses, and that friction ball psibolt thing. I wonder what I could make out of other modules."

>>17888023

"That module - it lets me make modular and programmable psychic constructs. Any use you might have for that? It looks like I can only make things out of combinations of my existing modules. I wonder what I could make out of other modules." The professor knits her brow in thought. "That is very interesting. I can see why my old teacher made it. He's capitalizing on human ingenuity." She walks over to examine the highlighted objects. As she does, she suddenly bursts into ice an icy blue light, with some tinges of indigo. "Whoa." She says, examining her glowing self. She steps out of the cone of light provided by the disco wisp, and returns to normal. Ashwood makes an observation; "It would seem that the light also reveals people's auras when you shine it on them. In addition to being handy for other people to see, it would also probably highlight a person, even if they are hidden from view. The glow, if anything, would be visible." He muses.

>Further lines of inquiry, or are we out?

Okay, I actually need to pause the quest for a while, no more than an hour.

I will return forthwith to continue the quest. Leave any additional questions you have here to be addressed when I get back, along with any other actions you want to take.

I think we out, unless anyone else has further questions.

>>17888183
"Have a use for this kind of functionality? If not, feel free to contact me later. I would also really appreciate suggestions for combinations which I might not think of."

Could we use a low-power, wide-area modified psibolt to, like, warm up an area with constant, gradual friction? Or use a weaker but sustained flow of friction to create flame using superheated air?

>>17888183
Can we make the Wisp provide audio instead of just visual information?

>>17889595
If we gain some kind of audio related power then yeah.

>>17889659
No, I mean with the globe of light power. I'm wondering if the globe can also provide audio. If so, we could probably add increasing complexity to do amazing audio-visual things.

>>17889678
I know what you meant, we can combine the functionality of powers now, so if we get an audio related power we can combine it with the wisp.

>>17889678
And if we can't make it provide audio by default, can we use modulated friction applied directly to the air to make audio?

>>17889595
>>17889741
>>17889678

If you were actually a native psychic, who's powers were of that field (Like a telekinetic) such an adjustment would probably just take you some time and practice. Since your psychic powers are all modular, switching from an orb which creates light to doing sound isn't something you can easily do. Likewise, the psibolts are a discreet power. You only know how to do it because the genetic memory taught you.

If you want to get into the mechanics of it, the Psi Spotlight works basically by sticking your Psychic Senses in the Wisp, so it shows what you would perceive if you were looking at it with psychic senses. Like a psychic black-light.

>>17889906
Gotcha. So the programs don't really allow that degree of fine control.

>>17888183

You dismiss the orb, and politely ask to take your leave. The Professor sends you down with Ashwood, to the front desk. You pick up your knife, which earns an aside glance from Alexander, and he signs a medium sized box, used for storage, out for you. He doesn't even ask if you need help carrying it (you don't), and he returns to his work.

>Guess its time to head back to the Hammer and link up with the party. Unless you have something you want to get first?

>>17889906
So if we channel our Psibolt into the Wisp, we get the Vic Viper's Option from Gradius?

>>17890076

Option!Mind.

>>17890119
So the Wisp is just a modular program, right? Are there other such modulars out there?

>>17890144

There are other Psychic Program modules, yes. Apparently. However, the one you used was given to Professor Richards by Dr. Amazement, who is currently off-world for the foreseeable future, continuing to stamp out remnants of the Cyrean Empire, and working with the new Galactic Confederacy to iron out some problems. He apparently makes them, so you'll either need to find your nearest GC embassy gift shop (Which would be DC) or take a trip out of system. Which is why I said in an earlier thread, I was prepared for the possibility of you guys going into SPAAAAAACE.

>>17890144
No, Psychic Programs is the modular program. Wisp is just a module included in it. Wisp is the orb of light. Psychic Programs, it seems, basically lets us combine any of our current modules (Psibolt, Psychic Senses, and Wisp) to create interesting combo programs. Make sense?

Anyway, I'm thinking turn on our psychic senses all the way back to the hammer.

>>17890182
SPAAAAAAAAACE.
My face.

>>17890189
Ah, gotcha. So Psychic Programs are the umbrella under which we can mix all our powers however we see fit. The more powers we get, the more we can mix.
Again, my face.

>>17890189

Be advised, looking at everything with your new psychic abilities may cause Trauma checks if you see something really freaky. The Failing of which will cause loss of some Willpower, one way or another.

If you are all okay with that possibility, I will go with that.

>>17890234
So there's a mild chance we may stare upon the Abyss or the Warp?

Bring it on.

>>17890234
Let's do it. COOL THINGS! Plus, unlikely as it is, we may see something useful, like some power modules some smuggler was hiding somewhere while waiting for a buyer. What? Shut up! Don't trample on my DREAMS.

>>17890273
>>17890266

(2x10 and 2x6 on Psychic Senses check)

You decide to flex your sensory muscles this day, and on your way to the campus monorail station, you look around with your aurasight. Examining the people as they go about their lives. You're starting to pick up on what auras mean. While everyone has a slight uniqueness to them, or at least, it feels that way when you look at them, they fall into patterns. A young couple necking in the shade of one of the trees has their auras flash red with flecks of pink, while an onlooker trying to study on a bench not to far away has an aura which pulses slightly green.

You suddenly have to shield your eyes, as you walk past the parapsychology building. Multicolored streams of light pour out of its windows like a Pink Floyd laser light show. And some of the people you see going in have very brightly colored auras, magnitudes of intensity greater than normal people.

As you approach the monorail station, you get a sudden sharp chill down your spine. You swivel to face the direction the ominous sense is coming from, and you see it.

(cont)

>>17890433

(2x1 on Trauma check, no loss)

You manage to keep ahold of yourself as you see the thing which walked in the shadow of that girl from earlier, perched like a gargoyle on the corner of a building. Only sharper, as if it was actually there. It is blood red, shaped like a man, only from its texture you would say it is made of bone. Spikes erupt from its joints, and it has clawed, digitigrade feet. Its face looks more like an animal skull, than anything. No visible mouth, but a pair of glowing, pulsing red slits for eyes. It points at you, right at you, and your blood freezes. Then if does the most astonishing thing. It takes two of its claw like fingers and points them at its eyeslits. Then it points them back to you. Then its legs tense, and it leaps up from the spot where it was standing, and vanishes, leaving only a faint trail of red mist in your sight up into the sky.

You decided to turn off your senses after that.

>>17890451
Oh god, what have we done?

>>17890451
Fuck. Everything. Much as we may not want to go back into the parapsychology/esoterics library, we may have to, to find out what the fuck that Red Star thing is.

>>17890451
Yeah, fuck that. And apparently that asshole is following us now. God damn it. Let's just hurry back and show off our cool new powers.

Also, I have an idea for a program that combines all of our powers. It starts out as a normal psibolt, damage and all. Where it hits, though, it creates a wisp-style flash of light which briefly causes the area around there to be affected as if by psychic sight. It's used when fighting to identify the biggest threats - and possibly to throw some psychic detection outside of the normal range of our senses. Eh? Eh?

>>17890558
You know what? Yeah, let's go with this. I'm this guy:
>>17890573

>>17890558
Thirded, if we are going to be stalked by an eldritch horror we should at least know what it is.

>>17890573

Since the Programs are Designed to be self-sustaining, you could actually choose to apply duration to that effect, and basically generate a big sticky bolt that shines in an area around where it hits. This would allow your effect to stay for several minutes, but means you're still using up the program dice in the flare. If you don't want to have duration, the Program dice can just reset after each shot.

>>17890640
What do you guys think, sticky flare or brief flare?

>>17890646
Sticky, it seems more practical than a brief flare

>>17890646
I'm thinking sticky, but only for a few rounds, not for entire minutes. That gives us the utility of having a few rounds to react, but the versatility of being able to throw more flares.

>>17890665
>>17890646

You have created two new programs! The Psi Flare is a psibolt attack which drops the penetration, but will adhere to the target it strikes, and illuminated a 5m radius as if it was under your psychic senses for a few minutes, or until dismissed.

The Option program combines the wisp and the bolt to create an autonomous attack drone, which makes ranged attacks with its dice pool at certain points. You can set it to:
1) Focus Fire: Option will attack the same target as you at the same time
2) Automated Response: Option will automatically counter attack any ranged attacks made on you
3) Overwatch: Option can be set to face in a direction, and fire at any enemies it detects in that area.

>>17890766
Okay, I think we're good for programs for now. Let's go talk to the esoteric scientists.

>>17890646
Sticky. Sticky is good.
And By that logic, could we just Combine the two another way to make Friction Mines or something?

>>17890789
I dunno. I think our psibolts only work on contact. We don't have a way to make them have a burst yet.

>>17890789

I'm going to say not. You don't have an area or radius Extra, the bolts are just focused force. If you were to pick up a power that explodes or otherwise affects an area in some way, then mines might be doable.

>>17890812
Sorry, what I meant was, Coudl we just make a psibolt that floats there and does damaege to anything touching it for a duration.

Also, Psychic Apps

>>17890830

Oh, yeah. I'm going to say you can do that with the Option, basically have it 'self destruct' on contact, if you so choose, and just let it sit there.

>>17890930
Okay, that was fun, but let's be done with apps for now. We'll make more on the fly if we really need them. Let's go to the esoteric sciences building really quick, just to see if they can tell us about Red Star.

>>17890966
>>17890783

Given the prevalence of freaky shit in your life in the past six hours you decide you want to do some quick research. You sigh, and head to the Parapsychology building. You again leave your knife, along with your stuff, at the front desk, and follow the map to the Esoteric Sciences Library. Upon entering, you pass a couple symbols carved in the door frame which flare briefly blue as you enter. Huh, that's new. "Don't mind those, hun." Says a matronly librarian manning the desk. "They'll only harm you if you were bad somehow, like possessed. What do you need?" The library is actually kind of small, just two levels it looks like in this on central cube-shaped room, with some private studies off to the side. Oh, and a heavy metal gate blocking access to the restricted section. "I'm looking for material related to a 'Red Star' or 'Crimson Star'?" You ask, trying to sound casual.

"Now, why would you be looking up that?" comes a voice from behind you. You turn and find Detectives Howard and Philips standing behind you, dressed like they were this morning. Only instead of cigarettes in their mouths, Howard has a toothpick, and Philips appears to be eating a lollypop.

>>17891137
Let's be honest here.
We just say the gargoyle thing outside, and we want to know what it is.

>>17891137
TIME TO BE HARDBOILED. "Seems I may have heard two detectives talking about it earlier today. Thought I wouldn't go awry by learning a thing or two about the way it operates."

>>17891167
Second

>>17891167

"Seems I may have heard two detectives talking about it earlier today. Thought I wouldn't go awry by learning a thing or two about the way it operates." They shoot each other a glance, then back at you. "Yeah, you've had like two hours since then." Says Howard. Philips cuts in "And we know you weren't here, because we just came out of restricted section, and you weren't out here when we came in a while ago to look around normally."

"Oh, right. Could be that I, y'know, saw the great and terrible messenger of power outside like five minutes ago." You respond, trying to sound like you don't give a shit. Howard and Philips exchange glances again, then Philips produces her sketchbook, and flips to a couple pages, then holds it up. "Look like this?" She asks, while Howard helpfully points. The sketch is pretty accurate, though slightly more stylized then what you saw. Or maybe that's just because it was a pencil sketch. Your reaction must have given it away. "Guess it's pretty good, Bridget." Says Howard. Detective Philips, who's first name must be Bridget, looks pleased with herself and nods, while putting the sketchpad away. "Not bad for a drawing based on some Persian texts and a couple of church manuscripts." She rubs an interesting looking black jade ring she's wearing with what looks like the outline of dragons carve in it.

>>17891424
"Nice ring. Now, are you two going to tell me about the Red Star, or are you going to keep giving me the runaround while I could be finding out the information myself?" Fucking hardboiled.

>>17891463
I second this

>>17891463

Howard puts his hands up. "Easy kid. We didn't get a call from a shitload of people about a giant red knight made of bones jumping around, so it wasn't physically here. Probably can't be physically here." The Librarian interjects, "Maybe good sirs and lady, you should talk in a study?" "Ah, right." says Howard. The three of you go into one of the small rooms for studying, and close the door.

Philips speaks now. "What you saw today is an entity known as the Champion, or the Voice of the Red Star. It is a servitor for a greater extradimensional being, known as the Red or Crimson Star, King of Blood, Lord of the Red Earth." Oh, right. One of THOSE. Extradimensional beings are usually demons of some kind, or their reverse, whatever those actually are. But some are much more powerful, and come from parallel realities, where the laws of physics aren't quite the same. Nastiest part is sometimes they get to play by home rules if they get invited over to your reality for tea. "The girl you fought earlier today has used some kind of ritual, or arcanomath equation to contact the Crimson Star, and become its Herald." "That's the source of her power," Says Howard, speaking much quieter now. "She has a direct line to His Bloodiness, via the Voice. However, our reality has rules, so most things that don't belong here can't cross over except under certain strict conditions. So you don't need to worry too much, the Champion can't interact with the world physically, except through the Herald. Same with the big man."

rolled 71 = 71

>>17891681
"Any signs or portents I should be aware of? I assume that when this kind of thing starts getting ready to move, it doesn't do so without ripples."

>>17891720

"Yeah, look for a giant red eye attached to a giant blob of flying blood climbing out of a hole in the sky." Says Howard. "Howard..." Says Philips, in an even, warning tone. He raises his hands placatingly. "Sorry, sorry." He turns back to you. "Seriously though, like I said, there are specific circumstances. Artifacts, ritual sites, large number of cultists, any of those could be needed. It'd also have to be timed just right. That kind of preparation'll show up on our radar long before she can execute it, don't you worry."

>Any more questions for the detectives before you head out to finish the robot armor, which you set out to finish some hours ago?

rolled 80 = 80

>>17891914
"Thanks, I appreciate the information. I'll make sure to be more cooperative in the future. Catch you later, detectives."

>>17891914
So it's prowling about, but it can't overtly do anything without that girl serving as his conduit. Until she flares up again, we should be in the clear, for now. Let's get a move-on.

>>17891914
Howard Phillips, that seems familiar.

>>17892010
Yeah, Omega really enjoys tossing references into his posts.

>>17892010
Wait.
Howard and Philips.
Talking about an extradimensional being that is a big bad motherfucker who looking upon with out psychic sight was traumatizing.
OP, you sneaky girl.

>>17892010

(Its what the HP in HP Lovecraft stands for)

>>17891957
>>17891941

You say goodbye to the detectives, and leave them to their investigation. After answering a text from Johnny wondering where you're at, you set off back to the Monorail station, and hop a ride back out to the suburbs. By the time you get there, its almost 4 o'clock.

You walk straight around to the back yard, to find Roxane and Johnny sitting in the chairs, relaxing. The Hammer is pretty much still where it was, A little cleaner, and with the addition of a tow hitch and some forklift arms. The engine is puttering away.

"I come bringing gifts." You announce, and Roxane gets up and rushes over. You pass her the box of parts, and Johnny tosses you a beer. As you open it, Roxy opens up the box, and begins surveying the components. Then she starts laughing. Which builds into a full on mad cackle. Johnny gives you a look which clearly states 'And you hang out with her why?'. Then you both resume staring at Roxane. After a good period, she turns to face the two of you, and reads your expressions. "What? Too much?"

rolled 13 = 13

>>17892174
Give her a kiss. That's fucking hot. Also, it answers Johnny's question. "Let's get back to work."

I also want to scan the Hammer with our psychic disco ball to see if it has any interesting psychic imprints on it.

>>17892174
This is exactly why we hang out with her.

Depends, whats in the box?

>>17892174
Fucking science chicks, man. Hell yes.

>>17892203
Supporting this.

>>17892207
So true.

>>17892207
>>17892261

"No, not at all." You say. Johnny remains silent. "Really?" She asks, her tone clear she's trying to suss out if you're being honest. "Yeah." You reply, and give her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Right, well, if you two lovebirds are done," Says Johnny, loudly. "The crazy science lady can make with the sensor building." You give Johnny you evil eye, but you've been friends for years, and he is unfazed. You leave Roxane to do her work, and sit down by Johnny. He has a notepad out, old school reporter style. "Hey man," he says, much less grouchy. "I've been thinking. I kind of want to get what's happened to you down, you know? So I can study it. Because a lot of shit has happened to you in the past 24 hours." You nod at him, getting the sneaking suspicion he's not telling you 100% truth.

>How do you relay the story of your adventures thus far?
>Honestly, relating things as accurately as you remember.
>Exaggerated, relating things much more theatrical and over the top
>Modest, downplaying the events, and your actions in them.

>>17892461
100% honestly. He's the writer. He can spin it. And let him know that if this is for an article or something, it's totally cool. You don't even mind.
(It's for a comic book, isn't it? He's getting down our origin story.)

rolled 56 = 56

Honestly

>>17892461
Honestly. Also ask if he's doing this for some kind of reporting project, cuz if so, we're totally cool with it. Guy is a Journalism major. And our story is "interesting".

>>17892461
Honest, lying to him will just bite us in the ass later.

Honestly. Johnny is our bro, and if anyone gets to be the first to report on our story then it should be him.

Modest

>>17892461
Mostly honestly, with a touch of exaggeration.

>>17892573
>>17892516
>>17892506
>>17892485

You report the story, from when he last spoke to you at the club that night, to getting on the monorail to here, just now. He asks you a couple questions about details of events, which you recall pretty clearly, mostly about your two fights, your talk with Regis in the store, and Dr. Moreau before she drugged you. "You're not going to like, make this into a comic book, are you?" You ask, as he scribbles down the final touches. "No, no, don't be retarded. I'd need an artist for that." He says, not looking up from his paper. "I'm publishing your exploits in the School Paper." You're glad you didn't have beer in your mouth, or you would have done a spittake. "You're gonna what?" you ask. "Don't be like that, man. The Editor will run this anonymously for me, I'm sure. And I'll be sure and fudge or drop all the parts that make it really obvious it was you, or anything."

>>17892665
"Okay, bro. I trust you. Hmmm, I wonder if that will make it easier or harder to operate as 'Javelin.' Hey, I'm going to check to see if one of those cafe recordings is on YouTube yet. If it is, you want to see for yourself?"

>>17892665
We get super powers, meet a hot science girl, and Johnny gets a nice(meta)human interest story out of it. Not counting the gene manipulation against our will and the attempts on our life, We can safely say Everyone wins!

>>17892718
We also drew the ire of an extradimensional cosmic horror.

>>17892665
...Speaking of our origin story... I completely orgot about those thugs from the club. We never did go find out about them. We werent really disguised then, And that Police chief woman did make it sound like they were people with some kind of grudge against metahumans... Maybe it would be worth our time to try to find out a bit more, just to make sure we dont have more armed thugs coming after us or our friends any time soon? Also, did we ever find out if Johnny's other friend made it out okay?

>>17892764
EVERYONE WINS!!!

>>17892718
>>17892687

"Right, if you say so. Hey, want to see if those cellphone clips are up on youtube? Maybe add some of that to your story?" "Nah," he replies, giving a dismissive wave. "Seen 'em already. Besides, the tattooed chick makes them all blur whenever she used her powers." You nod, and go back to watching Roxane work. You finally accomplish your goal for the afternoon, as she is bent over working on the empty optics mount int he armor.

>Anything you want to do/try before Roxane finishes the sensor suite?

>>17892798
*SOB* R-right... Because we got these slick powers, that makes up for people trying to kill us multiple times in a single day. R-right?

>>17892805
Ogle. Have another beer. FINALLY RELAX.

>>17892805
Look at Johnny. "Oh hey I completely forgot, any of your friends die?"

>>17892834
NO. BAD. They're our friends too. Part of the reason we've been so focused on Johnny today is that HE GOT SHOT LAST NIGHT. Everyone else got out fine.

>>17892805
Ogle, and ask about our friends.

Ogle, relax with friends, do something cliché/symbolic like watching the sun set or having a toast "To new beginnings".

>>17892841
I do believe that this anon is correct.

>>17892857
>>17892841
>>17892834
>>17892825

(Actually, it was phrased in the very first thread that you only new Peter and Ted through Johnny, and not so well, but concern is Dan's nature apparently)

You settle in to relax, then suddenly remember something, and turn to Johnny. "Hey, did you ever find out what happened to Ted?" Johnny gets a little stone faced. "Shit, I forgot we still hadn't seen him since last night. It's been a busy day. Pete said he wasn't back at the dorms but that doesn't mean too much." Johnny gets his cane, and stands up. "Hold down the fort, I'm going to put these away," he holds up his notepad, "and make some calls." "Right." you reply.

(Incoming SCIENCE! check by Roxane)

>>17892941
oh boy oh boy

>>17892941
Oh boy, I was kinda hoping I was wrong about that. Whatre we going to do is something really did happen to him?

>>17893041
Hold off on the treasure hunting trip, comfort the family, attend the funeral if it's soon.

>>17893075
Little soon to declare that, isn't it?

>>17893075
I was thinking more along the lines of JUSTICE myself. I think Omega was saying something about those kinds of situations back during the license incident.

>>17893103
I'm saying if something DID happen. I'm sure he got out alright though.

>>17893103
Jumping to conclusions never harmed anyone.

>>17892941

(5x9, 2x5 and 2x3 on Knowledge (Metascience))

Johnny disappears for a couple of minutes, then comes back looking a little grim. "Ted's phone is off, or something Peter isn't picking up, and I don't know Ted's fiance's number. I sent out some texts, but nothing back yet." You nod.

Roxane suddenly announces "Done!" and you snap back around. Darn, if only it had lasted longer. She hops down from the cockpit hatch, to show off the new optical ball, and a couple of other sensor features. "Alright, now you two pay attention, because I don't want to have to repeat myself, and this is a custom job, so there's no owner's manual." She taps the metal ball of the main 'eye' with a wrench, drawing your focus to the three lenses set in it. "Three camera set up, here. Visible light, with a high definition lens, lots of range and clarity. Also has two kind of night vision, a regular low-light starlight lens, and a proper infrared camera. This," she points to a bulb on the left side shoulder area. "Is an infrared illuminator, if there isn't enough normal light or infrared to see by. Also good for night ops, if that's your speed." She switches over the right shoulder, and points at a long rectangular box with a radiation tri-hazard on it. "X-Ray imager. Pay close attention now. There are two buttons in the cockpit, X-rays on and shutter open. Do not go irradiating people willy-nilly." She then gestures at a disk also on the shoulder, looking a bit like a giant hockey puck. "And here's my favorite. Radar set-up, ground penetrating. It'll light you up like a Christmas tree to just about any detection system worth its salt on Earth, but its great for excavation work. I also tuned up a lot of the controls and interface inside, so operation for all this should be simple."

(cont)

>>17893139

"Damn girl," says Johnny, "were did you learn all this stuff." "Oh, self taught, mostly." She replies. 'But my daddy is an aircraft engineer. Paid his way through college as an Air Force mechanic." She pauses for a second, and becomes infinitesimally less cheery. "My mother was a child psychologist." Things, they are explained.

She turns to you and says, "What about you, Dan, what do your parents do?"

>SUDDEN BACKSTORY ALARM.What DID your parents do?
>My parents are DEEEEEEAD (Of X)
>My X is dead, but my Y is alive, they do Z.
>Both my parents are alive and well, thank you for asking, they do X

(Feel free to pick whatever you like for the occupations. Within reason.)

>>17893170
"Both my parents are alive and well, thank you for asking. Mom and her partner Cheryl live in Oregon and have a ranch, and dad works at an office in Manhattan. I usually go back to New York for the holidays, since it's so close, but I visit mom and Cheryl whenever I get the chance."

>>17893170
Both are alive, Dad's a retired archaeologist (unbeknownst to us, he used to do a bit of archaeological adventuring, to retrieve items that belonged in a museum).

I dunno what Mom does.

>>17893204
Huh. I like it.

>>17893170
"Ones a professional porn star, and I have no clue who my dad is. My mom says it's one of thirty-seven men but I never really bothered to look..."

Let the silence sink in, the awkward...then...

"Haha, nah I'm kidding. They died in a car crash a few years back."

>>17893170
Lets see, if we're going for Superhero, Either Two or three?
If 2, Mom alive, Occupation: Lawyer? Dad was an, I dont know researcher or something.
If both, Mom a teacher, Dad an Anthropologist?

There Parents-are-dead thing is such a cliche.

>>17893231
Yeah, it's dysfunctional without being tragic.

>>17893204
This, but with the retired archaeologist Dad from this:
>>17893210

>>17893204

That's pretty interesting, actually, but violates the One Steve Limit.

>>17893246

This one probably explains Dan's character better, though, especially the option for both being alive.

>>17893264
Yeah, I think that's the best combination of options.

>>17893270
There's been another Cheryl? I ask honestly, I'm shit with names. I've been remember most of the characters by title like Captain, Detectives, and Hot Science Chick.

>>17893292

Roommate Dave's girlfriend is named Cheryl.

Here are some alternatives, via behind the name:

Related Names
VARIANTS: Cherette, Cherryl, Sharyl, Sherill, Sheryl, Sheryll
DIMINUTIVES: Cher, Cherilyn, Sharalyn, Sherilyn

>>17893270
I like the divorced-family-with-lesbian-mom-but-this-many-years-in-there-are-really-no-hard-feelings-left angle. Professions and names, meh, whatever.

>>17893308
Any name is fine.

>>17893308
Sherry.

>>17893311
>>17893274
>>17893264
>>17893204

"Both my parents are alive and well, thank you for asking. Mom and her partner Sherry live in Oregon and have a ranch, and dad is a retired archaeologist, living in Manhattan. I usually go back to New York for the holidays, since it's so close, but I visit mom and Sherry whenever I get the chance." Roxane blinks a couple times. "Huh. Okay, you win. I though 'Air force mechanic and child psychologist' was unusual." "Eh, it's nothing." You respond. "They both lived in the city until the divorce, and my dad only retired once I entered school and was living in the dorms. He used to work for the archaeology department at the University, actually. To this day, I still have free passes to all the attached museums."

Roxane wipes her brow, then comes to sit in the last lawn chair, and takes drink from her soda. "Well, I've got all the modifications you wanted in, and it runs fine. Anything else you need done?" You make a sweeping gesture at The Hammer. "Yes...It will be painted red." Johnny and Roxy both laugh at your melodrama. Then Johnny nods. "Alright, red it is. I'll pick up some auto paint tomorrow when I run back to give my story to the Editor in Chief." He turns to face the both of you. "Well, if works all done, why don't we all hang out here for a while? You up for it?" Of course you are. You've had enough weird stuff, for today. Time to see if Roxy is any good a Mario Cart. You spend a pleasant afternoon with your friends.
Red Star Falls in Three Days.

>>17893484
...oh god. You bastard. You just had to ruin it.
>I love you.

>>17893484

Aw man, post didn't keep any of my line breaks. Supposed to be nice big gap in there to make it more ominous. Anyway, that's the thread for tonight, folks. There probably wont be one tomorrow, and if there is, it'll be later and shorter. But, as far as I know, Sunday is free.

As usual, feel free to ask questions and stuff in this thread until a new one is posted.

>>17893513
I really don't want to metagame and rush straight to module hunting. Damn it. Must... retain... natural... pace...

>>17893170
>My mother was a child psychologist
Should that be read as her mother was a child who was a psychologist(dad likes loli?), or that her mother practiced on children?

>>17893535
She practiced on children. A psychologist who is a child is a psychologist child.

>>17893525

I'm all for expurgating the process on some matters, especially where logistics are concerned. I actually wish It hadn't taken five threads to reach the end of one day.

Also, has anyone archived this one? If not, I'll go do it now.

>>17893549

Right-o, archived.

>>Red Star Falls in Three Days
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

>Red Star Falls in Three Days
Obligatory image is obligatory.