>[x] Fuck you, Nip.

Spit on her for good measure; we're too tired and too important to deal with her crap.

>>20638539
Subwitches again? I thought this shit was only once a week

File: 1347063159900.jpg-(51 KB, 747x599, HHNNNGG.jpg)

>>20638539
[x] Fuck you, sister.

Also:
>dat Socks

>>20638577
It was. However, I believe quickening the pace may be healthier for the quest. We shall see how things go.

>>20638539
>[ ] Ignore her.

>>20638539
Say, do you think we could get away with shoving her over the side?

>>20638668
Probably not, but it's up to you.

File: 1347064229325.png-(1.34 MB, 2000x1000, ssubwitches.png)

You've had enough of her shit. Whirling around, you step out of the way to let others pass by if needed. Getting as "up in her face" as you can without an immediate court-martial, you look her directly in the eyes.

"Do you have a problem with me, Lt. Cmdr. Ito?"

She returns your stare without flinching. "No, I do not, Chief." She emphasizes the rank. You may be of different services, but this is still an allied operation. Even if she can't nail you directly, she can still start an incident that many might see as your fault.

"Good. I was worried that you might be overly-obsessed with my physical appearance." You back off a bit. "By the way, you do realize you're not wearing pants? Some might consider that unprofessional. Perhaps even...shameful."

Attacking her sense of pride and honor does the trick. Her expression twitches as she tries to hold back her anger. Her efforts are focused entirely on containing herself; she makes no response. Smiling, you turn to a sailor that looks like he's standing watch. With a few words and gestures, you manage to get him to lead you to your bunk.

Kicking back on the thin mattress, you think back to the day before. MacArthur explained the plan.

>>20638748
Feisty.

File: 1347064484555.png-(245 KB, 1000x700, too-lewd-for-SuWQ.png)

>>20638748
"You'll lag behind the flotilla on the Yukikaze. She's damaged anyway, propulsion still not at 100% or so they tell me. When the flotilla is nearly in position, you'll sortie and force the Harbinger to surface. At Admiral Isaki's word, our main fleet will engage the Harbinger and blast it back to Mars."

"What should I do then, Sir?"

"You're a smart Witch, right? Do your best to stay alive and make sure the Harbinger doesn't. That good enough for you?"

"Yes, Sir."

You wish you could extend your arm towards the ceiling, but the rack above you is too close. Instead, you grip one of the metal bars holding its mattress and squeeze tightly. The bar resists, maintaining its shape. The bar angers you. It resists you, reminding you of your limits. Increasing the pressure, your hand begins to hurt. Even with all your might, the bar doesn't budge.

"I'll be squeezed even harder down there," you realize. Down deep, where the Sun doesn't shine and the water is cold, you'll be squeezed in from all sides. The slightest break in concentration, and...

You'd rather not think about it.

[ ] Check your gear.
[ ] Get some sleep.
[ ] Other.

>>20638772
>Get some sleep

Sleep is important man. Also, glad I finally caught Subwitches.

>>20638772
>too-lewd-for-SuWQ.png
Man, if that one's too lewd...

Any way.
[x]Check yon gear

Where is Panzer?

>>20638827
>Panzer
>Posting in SuWQ

>>20638827
Panzer is dead to me.

Not that it matters.

[ ] Get some sleep.
always the best choice

>>20638772

Gear is life.

Check your gear privileges.

>>20638772

Check your gear. Don't want to have an "accident"

>[x]Check your gear
Then
>[x]Get some sleep

One then the other. Double check everything to be sure, then rest up.

File: 1347065533742.jpg-(979 KB, 2592x1944, 1343859966874.jpg)

>>20638772
[x] Get some sleep.

Just because you'd rather not doesn't mean you shouldn't stay aware of the dangers of your dive. Sighing, you release your death grip on the metal bar in front of you. Closing your eyes, you count to ten, trying to calm down. You manage to flush out the absurd anger at the bar, but you can't shake the worry over your mission. Oh well. That just means you'll pay more attention to your actions and surroundings.

You leave the bunks, heading for the cargo hold. It's filled with miscellaneous supplies: food, ammunition they hadn't yet stored closer to the weapons, blankets, emergency supplies...and in the far corner, your Substriker. Walking over, you see that it's been carefully stowed; someone must realize how important this stuff is.

You sit down, grabbing the main unit as you do. You heft it in your hands, turning it over to examine it. The main unit is a backpack. Your primary propulsion, life support, magical engine and focus, and spare ammunition are contained in or on it. Any problems with it are potentially fatal.

You turn it over several times, trying not to think about how you haven't had a chance to test it out with the new engine. It looks fine, largely untouched since the rush-job yesterday. As long as your magic is up to it, you should be fine.

File: 1347065924897.jpg-(412 KB, 2560x2048, substriker_rynex_10.jpg)

>>20638941
Next, you take a look at the leg units. These are much more like the land and air striker counterparts; you slip your legs in, magic happens, and propellers send you forward. They're much simpler, however; these leg units were created after the original unit to help Subwitches fight water resistance. They can be awkward to use, but they let you move much faster in the water. Plus, they can serve as mounts for additional equipment. You can see where your large bags of bombs will be attached on the side.

Turning them over, the leg units also look ready to go. If either one fails, you'll simply have to slow down. In any other context that might not be a problem, but you'll be testing new waters, literally. Without their additional propulsion, you might just run out of magic before your job is done...or perhaps not. There's no way to know.

File: 1347066204673.jpg-(77 KB, 346x515, substriker_rynex_08.jpg)

>>20638984
Finally, you turn your attention to your weapons. Two large sacks of underwater mines, a miniature torpedo launcher (with three reloads), a speargun, and a dagger. They should be enough to deal with minor threats, but you'd hate to have to fight a minisub or something. Your weapons all look deadly, and also ready to go.

Satisfied, you place your gear back where it was. You begin to return to your bunk for the night when you hear the hatch open. You hear footsteps as several people walk in.

[ ] Hide.
[ ] Ignore them.
[ ] Other.

>>20639027

[x] Hide.

>>20639027
Hide

>>20639027
Are we in public quarters? If so,
>Wave
If private quarters
>Hide

I mean if a group of tired sailors walk in to the bunk room and see a witch cowering under the covers, they'll either mess with us or think "Dem witches man. Dem witches." If it's our private quarters, then they are /clearly/ up to no good.

>>20639027
Hide.

>>20639027
If we're still in the equipment room, watch that they don't fuck with our gear, but then again why would they unless they're filthy fucking species traitors.

Sage because doublepost

File: 1347067389061.jpg-(163 KB, 750x600, 1231687597971.jpg)

You duck behind several crates, making sure not to make any noise. The intruders don't seem to notice you; they make no sudden movements or noise. They converse in Japanese, talking back and forth as one of them shuts the hatch. You let them go about their business.

After several minutes, the smell of cigarette smoke begins fill your nostrils. You can't believe it. They're smoking? In here? Incredible. Peaking over your crate, you can see a bunch of sailors joking and laughing as they toss cards into a pile. Two of them have cigarettes in their mouths. Slackers, you realize, skirting their duties.

Just as you're about to break out and give them a piece of your mind, the hatch bangs open. The sailors quickly try to dispose of their cigarettes and hide their cards, standing at attention as if they were in the middle of moving some supplies.

File: 1347067472218.jpg-(23 KB, 640x480, 1289883408606.jpg)

>>20639250


Lt. Cmdr. Ito and a pair of men stand at the entrance of the cargo hold. Ito walks over to the slackers, yelling. They do their best to act like everything was normal, but Ito doesn't buy it. She barks at the two men who followed her and they start forcing the slackers out of the hold. She stands, watching, face contorted with fury. The slackers don't want to leave, trying to stay their ground and make more excuses, but Ito's men manage to shove them all out through the hatch. It's an ugly scene to watch.

The hold is now empty except for Ito and yourself. After several seconds, Ito sits on the crate the men were using as a table for their cards and holds her head in her hands.

"Shit," she swears in English. She doesn't move.

[ ] What's wrong?
[ ] Sneak out.
[ ] Wait until she leaves.
[ ] Other.

>>20639264
[x] What's wrong?

BALLS OF STEEL.

>>20639264
>[ ] What's wrong?
Witch or no, a woman commanding a japanese ship is gonna have troubles. Let's be friendly.

File: 1347068090455.jpg-(175 KB, 600x936, 1231091323935.jpg)

This is a Naomi Ito you haven't seen before. You...you feel like you should do something, say something. Anything. So you do.

"Is something wrong?" you say, emerging from your hiding place behind the crate.

"Chief!" she says in surprise, quickly trying to regain her composure. "What are you doing here?"

You shrug. "I was checking on my equipment. I'll be counting on it to keep me alive, tomorrow, so..." You advance, taking a seat on a crate across from Ito. "What was that all about?"

Ito watches you with a careful eye. "What do you mean?"

"That scuffle with the sailors."

"There was no scuffle," she says sharply. "The men were just urgently needed elsewhere." Her expression turns to stone as she deflects your inquiry.

[ ] Yeah, and I'm a Martian in disguise.
[ ] Suit yourself.
[ ] Other.

>>20639386

[x] Suit yourself.

So, what's got you down?

>>20639386
>[ ] Yeah, and I'm a Martian in disguise.
"I know we got off on the wrong foot, Commander, but does that mean we have to stay on it?"

>>20639386
[x] Suit yourself.
Let her save face.

[ ] Yeah, and I'm a Martian in disguise.

she's hiding something! HIDING SOMETHING!!

File: 1347069477723.jpg-(438 KB, 829x1139, 1284867825558.jpg)

You decide she's not likely to open up to someone like you, especially in a position where she feels vulnerable. Instead of pressing the issue, you simply nod. "Alright," you say, and head to leave the cargo hold. As you step through the hatch, you turn back. Ito has her head in her hands again. You leave.

The rest of your stay on the Yukikaze is uneventful. Lt. Cmdr. Ito avoids you, and you never catch more than a glimpse of her during the trip. When you do see her, though, you notice that she's begun wearing a pair of pants. You can't help but smirk.

As the flotilla approaches the area above the Harbinger, the Yukikaze trails behind, ready to launch you into the deep. You begin to talk with Socks, amazed at the distance you can keep the link open.

[So, how close are we?] you ask.

[The main flotilla should be within...20 miles of the Harbinger, if their reports are right. I do not know why they did not take a beacon like you did, it is much more difficult to track things when I cannot locate them.]

[The beacon's a big risk. If they spotted it, they might wonder why a Human flotilla is carrying one. Who knows how they'd react?]

[I still believe they should have taken one.]

[So, are the telebots taking the bait?]

[They are concentrating their attention on the flotilla, yes. It appears your other forces have yet to be spotted as well. I would recommend launching now, before they grow bored.]

[ ] You're ready.
[ ] You still have business on the Yukikaze.
[ ] Other.

>>20639684

[x] You're ready.

File: 1347069645383.jpg-(91 KB, 1280x800, 1344713425831.jpg)

>>20639684
[x] Yeah. Get me outta here, Kota.

>>20639684
We can befriend Ito on the way home.

Also, why didn't we
>"Ito, if you want to talk to someone..."
as we left?

>>20639717
[x] Let's roll!

>NEXT TIME ON SUBWITCHES QUEST

>>20639684
It is time

FOR ADVENTURE

>>20639684
[x] You're ready.
Let's lock our S-foils in their attack positions.

File: 1347070260632.jpg-(38 KB, 640x480, wreck.interior.diver.jpg)

[Alright. I'll go get suited up.] You're already dressed in your skin-tight dry suit, so it doesn't take long to get ready. You slide the Substriker onto your back, shivering slightly as its cold surface touches your bare back. Checking that it's properly secured over the contact hole, you attach and put on the helmet Alice gave you. Air tube clear, you take it back off so you don't use your air tanks. Slinging your torpedo launcher and speargun, you notice Lt. Cmdr. Ito approaching you. You manage to get your leg units on as she arrives.

"Your Martian friend say it's time to begin?"

"Yeah. The rest of the flotilla's got the Martians distracted. Now's as good a time as any."

Ito nods, looking at the ground. You attach the heavy bags of mines to your leg units in the meantime. You give everything one last look over. Everything in place, you waddle to the edge of the ship.

"Chief Kukyendall," she says, stopping you.

"Yes?"

"...Good luck." Ito gives you a salute. You return it.

"Thank you."

Then you swing over the side and plunge into the ocean.

>>20639851
NEXT TIME ON SUBWITCHES QUEST

File: 1347070703008.jpg-(99 KB, 957x591, 1346586187220.jpg)

>>20639892

>>20639934
You know it's true.

>>20639892
GODDAMNIT, THINGS LOOK LIKE THEY'RE ABOUT TO HAPPEN

>>20639984
HUR DUR IM A RETARD

>>20639892
inb4 next time on tank witches quest

File: 1347071642014.jpg-(173 KB, 1024x768, referral-site-are-you-stu(...).jpg)

>tripping an autoban
Deal with "Marz"

At first, your dive is a wonderful experience. Even in the middle of the ocean, there's life. Occasional fish swim by, their colorful scales reflecting sunlight in the clear blue ocean. Light refracts from above, contributing to an almost dreamlike feeling as you drift through the water, slowly going deeper and deeper.

Eventually, the light begins to fade away. It is much deeper now, with only faint light to guide you. Sea creatures swim by much less often, mostly ignoring you. Socks keeps you on course, monitoring your relatively slow progress towards the Harbinger. You take a moment to check your oxygen levels and assess how you feel. If there's a problem, you won't have much time to resurface.

As you dive ever deeper, you can begin to feel the ocean bearing down on you. The magic shield you're projecting to protect yourself from the deep feels strong, easy to maintain. It's a pleasant surprise; the Marz Engine seems to be working as expected. You're already so deep that any other Witch would have had to return immediately if she hoped to survive.

The darkness surrounds you completely now. At these depths, the water is nearly freezing. You wonder if this is what it's like to be on an alien world, almost completely isolated from all that you've ever known or experienced. Only Socks calling out your distance to the Harbinger ties you to the world you know. In this void, you lose all sense of speed. You're lost in the monotony.

>>20640116
And then the ocean reveals some of her secrets. Creatures are very rare, but you spot a few swim by, illuminated by your helmet's faint red light. They're long and slimy, hardly moving, but clearly alive. These strange fish seem like they'd be more at home on an alien planet, yet their strangeness fascinates you. You wish you could spare a moment to examine them when they drift by; it's unlikely that very many people have ever seen them.

And then something grabs your leg.

[ ] PANIC
[ ] GRAPPLE RULES
[ ] OTHER

>>20640116
>>20640126
From now on I guess I'll call it the Martian Engine.

>>20640126
GRAPPLE. CHALLENGE IT TO LUCHA LIBRE.

>>20640126
[x]GRAPPLE RULES
What's your CMD?

Also, my previous post tastes bitter, and slightly sour, with hints of crow.

>>20640126
MAKE THAT CMB CHECK

>>20640126
[x] OTHER
Stay calm and identify it. Respond appropriately.
>letter s followed by ' engine' trips the filter
Well at least that's confirmed. People have been tripping that thing for ages.

>>20640126
>[ ] OTHER
Stay calm, look to see what grabbed us and have our speargun ready.

File: 1347072584320.gif-(97 KB, 360x360, 1327905211756.gif)

At these depths, the slightest breach of your shield means near-instant death. As such, you have no time for this, whether it be from Earth or Mars. You spin about, using whatever is gripping you for leverage. It twists you in the opposite directly, keeping you from closing the distance between it and your arms.

"Fucking bastard!" you curse as he swings you from side to side. Tiring of this, you grab your knife. With a quick and risky move, you strike downward at your leg, trying to skewer whatever it is that has you. You miss, your blade slipping over the smooth surface of your magic shield.

The thing, whatever it is, slides further up your leg. With your off-hand, you grab it, squeezing tightly. The thing writhes, trying to get free. It's all you can do to keep your grip.

[ ] Stabby stab stab!
[ ] Smash it between your legs
[ ] Other.

>>20640285
[x] Smash it between your legs

Cookie's thighs shall become legendary weapons the likes of which haven't been seen since Excalibur.

>>20640297
You have a fine arguement.

But i'm gonna go with

>>20640285
>[ ] Stabby stab stab!

>>20640285
[x] Stabby stab stab!
We don't have time for this.

File: 1347072849999.jpg-(48 KB, 600x674, erica grin.jpg)

>>20640116
>>20640188
>they can't type "Mars Engine"

>>20640339
>implying

I hit the character limit on that post.

Again, you ready your knife. Holding the assailant steady, you stab at your thigh numerous times. The appendage offers little resistance to your blade, thrashing as you dig in. Your adrenaline rushes as you switch to a slicing motion, sawing through the soft material. Much of its strength gone, the appendage can no longer resist you. You twist and bend so that your legs come into view. In the faint red light, you see some sort of tentacle gripping you.

"What in the hell?" If you didn't know better, you'd swear you were holding a giant squid tentacle. The tentacle finally rips in two. The end you're holding writhes as if it were still alive. Grossed out, you let go, but its suckers keep it attached. "Fuck fuck fuck," you spit, trying to shake it off. Its suckers refuse to yield.

[ ] Whatever. It can't hurt you anymore.
[ ] Slice that shit OFF GOD DAMN.
[ ] Other.

>>20640428
>[ ] Whatever. It can't hurt you anymore.
Let's just get on with it. Giant squids gotta learn not to fuck with witches some time

>>20640428
[x] Slice that shit OFF GOD DAMN.

>Cookie vs Giant Squid
Oh god what the fuck am I reading? Now I'm getting horrible Maid Quest flashbacks.

>>20640428
[x] Whatever. It can't hurt you anymore.
We've wasted too much time and magic on this shit. We need to get going.

>>20640428

Eh, can't hurt you anymore.

>>20640428
[x] Whatever. It can't hurt you anymore.

>>20640428
[x] Be thankful this is not a Japanese Giant Squid - You've heard stories, seen pictures...
>[x]Move onward

File: 1347074145829.jpg-(14 KB, 250x250, holycrackers.jpg)

You're wasting time and magic here, and you've precious little of both. Ignoring the sickening feeling of the dead tentacle, you put away your knife.

[Cleona, what was that? You feel....stressed.]

[Oh, nothing, Socks. It was nothing. How far away is the Harbinger?]

[It should be around 2000 meters in front of you. Be careful, there are telebots patrolling the area.]

[Why would they have telebots patrolling at this depth?]

[I do not know. There must be some kind of threat at that depth. Be cautious, Cleona.]

Oh fuck. You have a hunch that you know what it is that's spooked the Martians.

[Will do, Socks.]

You continue ahead, trying to shine your red light and spot something. The ocean betrays no secrets, however; you continue on for several minutes without spotting a thing.

[Distance, Socks?]

[800 meters. You're within their patrol radius now.]

You keep your head on as much of a swivel as you can, determined not to alert the teleb-

"Fuck."

Your eyes catch a metallic glint to your left. It's a group of five telebots, each about as large as you are. They're a strange mess of tentacles and mechanical arms, all protruding from a spherical core. As you turn to look at them, your red light sweeps them. Faint blue lights appear on their cores.

[ ] Swim away
[ ] SPEARGUN
[ ] Other.

rolled 5 = 5

>>20640607
They're clustered, right?

[x] Mini Torpedo

>>20640621
DC5 to hit a square!

>>20640607
[x] Swim away
Maybe we'll only register as a biologic; they're searching for Giant Squid after all.

>>20640630
Don't we currently have a piece of Giant Squid stuck to us?

>>20640621
Nothing that a little explosives won't solve.

>>20640607
Move along telebots, nothing to see here.

>usefires tea-spoonful
We can't use fires, we're underwater, Captcha

File: 1347075054266.jpg-(148 KB, 550x550, 1281093236530.jpg)

You've only seconds before the much quicker bots are upon you. Quickly, you bring up your mini-torpedo launcher. It's a strange device, and the warheads are even stranger, but you figure it can't be too difficult. Torpedo pops out, torpedo goes boom. Swinging your body in full reverse to widen the gap, you take aim.

Whoosh!

You launch a mini-torpedo at the group, trying to hit the telebot most in the center. The lead bot ignores the torpedo. The second one tries to, but makes contact. You're briefly blinded by the sudden rush of bright light as the torpedo detonates, releasing a concussive blast that plays hell with your shield. Moments later, pieces of metal clang against you, accelerated by the explosion.

"Gotcha!" you celebrate, doing your best to scan the area with your darkness vision lost. You can't see much, but...

Damn. The lead bot was simply shoved off course. It's doubling back, moving faster this time...and you don't have a second torpedo ready.

[ ] SPEARGUN
[ ] WATER CQC
[ ] Other.

>>20640607
[x] swim away

>>20640796
Speargun. These things are nasty in close quarters

>>20640796
[x] SPEARGUN
Shit, now the Harbinger will be on alert for us, because the telebots stopped transmitting and they would have detected the explosion.

>>20640796
[x] SPEARGUN

We need some kind of melee weapon other than our knife. Maybe a harpoon or something.

>>20640796
Tactical Tentacle play!

>>20640796
[x] SPEARGUN

File: 1347075720976.jpg-(22 KB, 197x200, 1272578110616.jpg)

Cursing, you switch to the only other ranged weapon you currently have: the speargun. You've never used this weapon before, but its operation is simple enough. Again, point, pull, and the bad guy goes away. Or so you hope.

The telebot fast approaches, giving you no time to aim accurately. Flinching, you pull the trigger, releasing the spear at incredible speed. You watch as the projectile crosses the distance in a second, striking the telebot! ...and deflecting off the rounded metal surface it grazed.

"FUCK FUCK FUCK!"

You let go of the speargun, trusting its strap to keep it close to you. Reaching to your belt, you again pull out your kni-

Whoosh!

From behind you, a giant tentacle swipes the bot from above. It crumples like paper before imploding, a mechanical whine escaping from its metallic carcass.

[ ] Captain Nemo isn't about to take shit from this squid.
[ ] FUCKING OUTIE
[ ] Other

>>20640918
Can we... can we ride the squid to Harbinger?

>>20640918
>[ ] FUCKING OUTIE
Let teh squid handle the bots, if any are left. Hopefully the operator didn't get a good look at us.

File: 1347075890448.gif-(1.49 MB, 240x180, nope.gif)

>>20640918
>[x]Other: ALL HANDS, DIVE, DIVE!
>Ditch the squid and hope it doesn't follow you too closely.

Or any option that puts distance between us and the squid the length of a schoolbus

>>20640918
[x] BOTH
Bait the squid towards the Harbinger.

>>20640918
Get the fuck out of there before more Martians show up to fight the squid or the squid has another go at you or whatever the fuck is going to happen next.
Alternatively, express your gratitude to the squid. With sex.

>>20640957

Well, RUNNING from it will only ignite it's predatory instincts.

>>20640918

[x]BEFRIEND COMRADE SQUID! WE RIDE TO GLORY

>>20640982
MARTIANS DON'T KNOW BOUT OUR SECRET WEAPON!

WE RIDE!

>>20640918
Guys. What if...

What if we have a Squidbro now?

File: 1347076389955.jpg-(42 KB, 549x409, 1335850260604.jpg)

At this rate you're going to run out of magic just panicking. You dive, dive, dive, desperately trying to get out of the squid's way.

[SOCKS! DISTANCE TO HARBINGER?]

[Why are you yelling?]

[JUST TELL ME!]

[750 meters to the Harbinger. Wait, no. 700 meters. 650 meters. It's heading for you, Cleona.]

This just isn't your day.

You rush downward, deeper and deeper. You can only think of trying to exit the current area and figure out what the hell is going on. You take the chance to reload your speargun, a much simpler task than reloading the torpedo launcher. As you complete the task, a bright light shines down on you from above.

[The Harbinger is upon you, Cleona.]

[Thanks for the update, Socks,] you say sarcastically.

[You are welcome, Cleona.]

You flip around onto your back, gazing upward at the immense behemoth that is the Harbinger. Its outer lights are all on, illuminating the surrounding area as though it were daytime (which, you remember, it actually is). In the direction whence you came before diving, an incredible group of giant squids swirls in an ever-changing mass.

"Wow, scientists would kill to see this..."

And then the Harbinger got angry.

[ ] Watch the fireworks.
[ ] Sneak around.
[ ] Other.

>>20641058

[x] Sneak around

It seems the squid have offered to sacrifice themselves for the sake of our mission. We must not let our comrades die in vain.

Die well brothers.

>>20641058
Go looking for that vent you're meant to be chucking bombs down.

>>20641028
You already have a squidbro.

>>20641058
[x] Sneak around.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CHjYHwNzx0

>>20641100

Yeah, but you won't let us have sex with that one.

>>20641128
"Have Sex with Socks" has never won a majority vote.

File: 1347076799984.jpg-(43 KB, 300x300, 1337656878300.jpg)

>>20641100
>that feel when no martian bf

>>20641058
Sneak dat shit

>>20641058
[x] Sneak around.
We need to find those vents!

>>20641134
Oh.
[x] Ignore the Harbinger, resurface and have sex with Socks

>>20641058
[x] Sneak around.

>>20641134

I'll vote for that one.

>>20641134
[x] Have sex with Socks

[x] Get in the box
--[x]This is a sneaking mission

>>20641181
>>20641169
>>20641147

Nice try. Choices have to be somewhat relevant to the current situation~

---

Wait. This is your chance! You watch as...turrets? Why would the Harbinger have turre-Holy Shit! The water in front of the turrets almost seems to boil as it seems to bend and twist. The distortions hit several squids, ripping them to shreds as though they had simply decided to stop being squids.

Yeah. You decide you don't want to be hit by that.

The turrets swivel, choosing new targets in the vast swarm, but the squids retaliate. They assault the Harbinger, covering its front with legions of squids. They try to rip and tear at its metal skin to no avail. The turrets begin to slowly but steadily kill the squids, thinning their vast numbers. Hurrying, you swim towards the underside of the Harbinger, trying to locate the cooling intakes you're to bomb.

As you approach, you glance towards the rear of the monstrosity. You can't determine the exact end of it at your current angle, but you can see boiling water rushing out near the rear of the ship, a mass of bubbles trying to rise upwards.

"Those must be the cooling exhaust ports," you realize.

You've reached the center of the underside of the Harbinger. To your sides is a pair of turrets, tearing apart squids without a care in the world. You can't spot any intakes from here.

[ ] Head towards the bow (and the squids)
[ ] Check the sides of the ship
[ ] Other.

>>20641242
[x] Head towards the bow (and the tentacles)

>>20641242
[x] Check the sides of the ship

>>20641242
Stick to the hull, head sternwards towards the cooling port.

>>20641242
[x] Check the sides of the ship

>>20641242

[x] Other. Ask Socks?

>>20641242
[x] Other
Ask Socks where the intakes are located.

>>20641242
>[x]Check the Sides of the ship

Failing that, check near the bottom towards the engine exhaust?

>>20641242

Check for ALIUM SPESS SHEEPS.because there's no good reason why the Harbinger is bearing heavy weaponry on a bunch of... SQUIDS.

Well, there are two intakes. The Harbinger looks pretty symmetrical, so why not check the sides? It's sound enough logic to convince you to move. Carefully, you navigate around the turrets so you don't get ripped to shreds. You head for the side of the Harbinger, cursing is gargantuan size. After about a minute of careful navigation around turrets and an open hanger, you reach a gaping hole. It's about 1 meter across, has a metal grate in front of it, and you can feel rushing water trying to take you to it.

"This must be the intake." You do your best to keep your distance from it so you can grab a few mines from your bags without drifting into it, but the Harbinger is still moving around some. Still, you manage to get your fingers around one. As you draw it out of the bag-

"Shit!" you curse for what must be the hundredth time today. A giant squid comes round the side, directly in front of you...and a turret.

[ ] Dive!
[ ] Fuck it, I'm done with this.
[ ] Other.

>>20641422
[x] Dive!
Get out of the way!

File: 1347078674830.png-(102 KB, 1110x363, Chrysalid - Not Enough Ti(...).png)

>>20641369
>>20641369
HiddenMovement.png

>>20641422

Are those Limpet mines? ATTACH THEM LIKE THE FIST OF THE NORTH STAR.

Otherwise, befriend squidbro and use HIM to block the intake. Also, Power up the shields Cookie, unless you have a "being ripped apart by heavy weaponry meant for underwater Aliums and not you" fetish.

>>20641422
[x] Have socks with Sex
I'm thinking we need to not get killed to do that.

>>20641422

[x] Dive. Let's get out of the way of this ensuing mess

>>20641422
[x] Dive!

You're not about to get ripped to shreds. You fucking dive like you've never dived before, just narrowly dodging the beam. The poor squid never stood a chance. The intake was already well on its way to grinding it to bits as it tried to suck the squid through the grating when the beam finished the job. All that remained was a small cloud of blood, swiftly sucked up by the intake.

Gross.

You return to your position, again trying to grab a mine. Luckily, the Harbinger seems to have slowed down; you don't have nearly as much trouble grabbing hold of one. You set the timer to about 10 minutes, tossing it towards the intake. It's sucked hard against the grating and for several seconds you're worried the mine would rip apart. It wobbles at first, before finding a solid position on the grating, safe and sound. You empty the rest of the bag, setting those mines to detonate slightly afterwards. If the intake doesn't get ruined, the insides most certainly will.

Deed done, you head back in the opposite direction to take out the remaining intake.

[Cleona, the swarm of telebots is leaving the flotilla.]

[What? Where are they going?]

[They're diving.]

Why did you ever sign up for this?

[ ] Hurry up with the other intake.
[ ] One blockage will have to do.
[ ] Other.

[x] Hurry up with the other intake.

If we die, it is well worth it. If we don't die, awesome!

>>20641573

[x] Hurry up with the other intake

They're heading out for SOMETHING, and we want to give them some time to get started doing it. Running into the heels of a telebot swar sounds... unfun.

>>20641573
>[ ] Hurry up with the other intake.
We WILL do this damn job properly

>>20641573
[x] Hurry up with the other intake.

>>20641573
[x] Hurry up with the other intake.
We've got to hurry before the telebots get here, and force the Harbinger to surface.
Even if it means we don't make it.

File: 1347079552434.jpg-(364 KB, 5000x3000, 1346448993427.jpg)

>>20641573
[x] Hurry up with the other intake.

YOU CAN DO THIS, COOKIE.

>>20641573

Block the other fucking intake.

Also, SHIELDS UP, TORPEDO GUN LOADED AND SPEARGUN AT THE READY. We XCOM: TERROR FROM THE DEEP NOW!

Sometimes you need to sacrifice your rook to take the enemy's queen.

You weigh the options. You could pull out now, successfully (probably) recovering the Martian Engine in your Substriker, a Giant Squid tentacle, and most importantly, yourself. However, you'd only block one intake; the Harbinger might be able to stay submerged with that. Plus, it'd know that it was no longer safe at their depths. You'd lose the element of surprise.

On the other hand, you could go for the second intake, increasing the chances of forcing the Harbinger to the surface to get pounded. If you got caught by the telebots afterward, what would Humanity lose? Socks has already gotten a decent start on learning English, Alice has a second Martian Engine to examine, and...well, you guess there'd be a few people sad about losing you. But they'd be sadder about losing the war.

Yep. This choice is no choice. You continue for the other intake. Besides, you might make it out anyway! When you approach, you do the same thing: set a timer (for 5 minutes, this time), toss out your other bag of mines, and head out.

You're some distance away from the frenzy before you turn back to look at the Harbinger. It's covered in dead squid, tentacles latched on to the surface even after their owners died. There's a cloud of blood and gore near the bow, obscuring its outline. You admire the strange beauty in the death and chaos, a magnificent underwater battle known only to these squids, the Harbinger, and yourself.

And then your head hits metal

[ ] Rip and tear
[ ] Dive. Again
[ ] Other

>>20641573

> [X] Hurry up and block the other intake

Hey Kotters, great quest. I read it religiously on sup/tg/ due to timezones and work (Aussiefag).

KEEP GOING MAN, YOU WRITE WELL!

>>20641725

Dammit, I was hoping we WOULDN'T run into the asses of the enemy telebots.

>If we have adequate magic
[x] Ripntear

>else
[x]Dive

>>20641747
I DON'T BELIEVE YOU EXIST

IRC GUYS STOP TOYING WITH MY EMOTIONS

>>20641725

Throw mine at metal thing.

>>20641725
[x] Other
GOTTA GO FAST

>>20641725
Full power to the go machines.

File: 1347080489831.jpg-(13 KB, 458x319, oh you fish you.jpg)

>>20641725
Rip and Tear!

>>20641756
No no Kotters, he's probably real. See, if it was one of us in the IRC, he would've suggested the idea of Yetta writing CookiexSocks fanfiction in her spare time, adorable little thing she is.

>>20641756
Oh I exist. Today is Saturday in the Land Down Under, hence why I can make this quest, at 3pm. Normally, I would be at work.

>>20641725
Run

>>20641725
[x] Dive. Again
We might have accidentally hit one of OUR ships. We need to pay attention to where we are.

>>20641786
Well good new for you, then. Considering the success of tonight's quest, I'll probably run one on Fridays, among other changes.

>>20641725
>[X] Dive. Again.

With provisions for Rip and Tear. Have Torpedo launcher ready!

>>20641725
*CLANG*

"What the fuck was that?"

>>20641809
You make this Aussie a happy bloke.

I shall have a beer in your name! TO KOTTERS!

>>20641830
Good.

Now idle in the IRC so I can make you regret ever drinking to me.

>>20641840
That's on Rizon, right? ......Maybe.

>>20641859
#swq

Go make your presence known as I did. Keep writing you writing fool!

File: 1347081535984.jpg-(1.73 MB, 1680x1300, 1281757624791.jpg)

You have no way of telling exactly how much magic you have left. You glanced at your air earlier; you've just over a third of it left. Either way, you do not want to tango with a shitload of telebots, and you can bet they know you're here. If these are telebots, of course. You calmly turn back around to see what you hit.

"Yep." Telebot. And it's not looking happy.

You drop your torpedo launcher and torpedoes. And by drop, you of course mean that you hurl them towards the massive swarm of telebots above you. With a steady shot, you fire your speargun, detonating the impact fuze in the torpedoes. They make a wonderfully satisfying explo-

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Oh. That's your cue to get the hell out of Dodge.

Magic be damned, you bring your shield up to a ridiculous strength and barrel through the swarm, dropping your empty mine bags and speargun to reduce your weight and drag. You're practically a rocket, flying to the surface. Sunlight begins to break through, giving your eyes a workout as they try to remember what day was like. You breach the surface, soaring into the air—and right into chaos.

NEXT TIME ON SUBWITCHES: DAVID AND GOLIATH. PROBABLY.

WEDNESDAY, 7 PM CST 8PM EST

>>20641967
Thanks man, excellent writing as always.

The quality of Subwitches sure took a dive this thread.

>>20642025
I hate you

Korsair Witches this week?

>>20642800
I think Maul gave it up; he has no idea how to end it.

>>20642869

Well shit. That's a letdown.

>>20643064
Bitch to him. He's usually on in either #swq or #writescribbles, though not at the moment.