File: 1347494705838.png-(96 KB, 1000x700, bYCGJ.png)

Yes, you've had a lot to think about, but it's been nothing good. For the thousandth time you trace the jagged curve of the dented metal with the tip of your tentacle, pondering how the creature (Humans, the xenobiologists tell you) could have channeled psionic powers in such a way. Then comes the rage over that accursed scientist, unable to perform the most basic functions of his duty without sympathizing with the wretched inhabitants of this waterlogged world. Civilians, you curse to yourself. Your mind follows this familiar train of thought, a million questions swirling around in your mind.

What do you focus on?
>The escape of your captives
>That scientist
>The War
>Command
>Other

>>20702066
>That scientist
That damn civilian bastard.

File: 1347494929735.gif-(179 KB, 640x400, 1337654133180.gif)

>>20702066
>The scientist

>>20702066

>That Scientist

HIM. If he hadn't been so insistent on treating the captives well, if he hadn't betrayed you, and stolen his research...

HIM.

>>20702066
>The War
We must press our advantage, and sink the ships used by the enemy.

There are more productive things to think about, you admit. Perhaps you might find a way to more greatly influence your fellow commanders. Maybe you could work through the secrets of your pseudopsionic enemies. Perhaps even...but no, your mind drifts to that same thought, that same source of anger that has fueled your actions for the past few weeks. That damned scientist. The word becomes a swear as you thinking, representing everything wrong with the war.

You never wanted to take the fool. He should have stayed in orbit, where he couldn't make a mess of things with his civilian attitudes and incompetencies. But no; Command demanded he be brought aboard your boat (Boat! They called it a boat! The Harbinger is no mere boat!). Sure, fate would dump exactly the kind of cargo needed to make him useful in your lap, but that doesn't mean the decision wasn't foolhardy.

The entire time he was aboard, he would interrupt the work of proper soldiers. He and his subordinates took over a room needed for military purposes and refused to be tossed out! When you pressed them, he complained to Command again, forcing you to bend to his will. You! A glorious commander, forced to bow to a civilian! Your tentacles curl in anger at the thought of it.

File: 1347495748431.png-(1.34 MB, 2000x1000, ssubwitches.png)

Then, when he could finally be made useful in unraveling the secrets of your enemy's greatest weapons, he lags. No, he actively stalled the effort to understand. He had entire days to try and make progress, yet he was content to let your captives sit undisturbed in the middle of your vessel. When you try to hurry things along, he attacks you! You knew he was a bad sort. When he finally revealed his true colors, you made sure to rub it in with Command. Again, you knew better and nobody listened.

Nobody ever does.

"Sir?"

A low-ranking officer interrupts you, having sneaked into the examination room while you were enraged.

"I thought I said I was not to be disturbed, R'kee."

The young officer shudders at the venom in your voice. Gesturing briskly with his tentacles, he shows as much respect as he can. "I understand, Commander, but the honorable Sp'jook wishes to speak with you."

You didn't think you could become more angry. Every day, a new surprise on this accursed rock.

>See the Warmind now
>You will see him when you are ready.
>Other

>>20702249

> A PITIFUL WARMIND DARES SUMMON ME?

HIS FOOLISH PSIONIC TRICKERY WILL NOT SERVE HIM AT THIS DEPTH. PERHAPS HE DESIRES A WALK OUTSIDE?

>>20702249
>See the Warmind now
Get this foolish errand over with.

>>20702249
>See the Warmind now

MEDDLING WARMINDS!

File: 1347496960243.png-(245 KB, 1000x700, too-lewd-for-SuWQ.png)

You long to rid yourself of this thorn in your side. As if harboring that traitor of a scientist wasn't bad enough, you're currently playing taxi for this overly-important Warmind. That wouldn't be too bad, as you'd eventually be rid of him, but the Warmind doesn't seem to know where he wants to be let off. Ever since he disappeared one day (much to your delight) and returned wounded, he has been hovering over your shoulder, doing his best to second guess every decision you make. You're certain he has been placed here to drive you mad, setting you up to be a scapegoat in case of defeat.

You would love to order him to take a walk outside where it's nice and wet, but unfortunately he's not under your command. An anomaly in the chain of command, he answers to no one on the Harbinger. The only upside is that he can't order you around. That kind of sting would be inexcusable, even for Command.

"Very well, R'kee. I will see him now," you say, doing your best to keep the young martian from making a mess on the floor. You appear to have managed to keep your voice friendly enough, as R'kee briskly salutes and opens the door.

The Warmind enters, his gait projecting an air of importance and removal, as if he were above everything. It irritates you to no end.

>>20702461
"Ah, Commander Di'id, I am happy to see you are available to receive me." The Warmind twists his tentacles in an archaic sign of respect. His every action seems to mock you.

"I am always available for a Warmind, Sp'jook. Come, let us go somewhere more comfortable," you say, placating him.

"As you wish. Lead the way."

You exit the examination room, heading for your personal quarters. Sp'jook answers directly to Command, the group of Martians that seem to be more focused on politics than the War they're in charge of running. If you were to ever let your hatred be known, it's likely Sp'jook could have you removed from command of the Harbinger. Who knows what might happen to the War then?

"Come, sit. Would you like anything to drink?" You pull out the chair at your table for the Warmind, simultaneously reaching for your liquids cabinet.

"No, I'm afraid I must refrain from most forms of liquid refreshment. The mind must always be kept sharp, you see."

Again, a calculated jab at you. Always your intellect, your personal strength, your plans and strategies. The Warmind is a master of more than just Psionics; he knows how to get into others' heads.

"As you wish, Warmind. What is it that you would like to discuss?" You pour yourself a refreshment as you take a seat opposite Sp'jook.

"I would like to discuss your actions over the last few weeks."

>>20702549


You're not sure you can contain your animosity discussing such a subject.

>Take an aggressive position
>Do your best to pacify the Warmind
>Other

>>20702556
>Take an aggressive position
Fuck this shit.

>>20702556
>Take an aggressive position

>>20702556
>Take agressive action! you're tired of this mekrob.

>>20702556

>Grab table
>Smack Warmind with it
>BITCH PLEASE

rolled 13 = 13

>Take an aggressive position

We are mad as hell, and this warmind is convienient.

The Warmind again approaches a sore subject. He has questioned you continuously since his disappearance and return, demanding explanations for your actions you have already given. This discussion is like a broken recording, repeating itself with minor variations here and there. It is always long and always infuriating.

You will not let it go this way again.

"I believe we have already discussed this topic, Warmind. If you wish to refer to what I have already told you, I have recordings that would prove useful without distracting me from my other dut-"

"I already record all our conversations, Commander Di'id." Again, a calculated jab. Recording you! Who could imagine such audacity! And yet you cannot punish him. He is a Warmind. "If I wished to listen to a recording, I would not seek you out. Even I realize the importance of your time." Do his insults ever cease?

"Then what is it that you seek, Warmind? Another recording, the same words spoken in the same order to answer the same questions?"

Sp'jook lets out a cruel laugh. "No, Commander Di'id. It has been made clear to me why you have made the strategic and tactical decisions you have over that time period. No, this concerns your actions during transits in the deep water."

One of your hearts skips a beat. He's not-

"I am of course asking about your orders regarding the water creatures known to the natives as 'Squid.'"

rolled 4 = 4

>>20702740
Squid are a mockery of our perfect form! That they even exist is an offense!

>>20702740
The Squid. Oh, the Squid. What horrific creatures lurk in the depths of this planet's great puddles. They are horrific creatures of nightmares. Never had a Martian ever thought up such a being. Longer than several times that of a Martian, the colossal beast dares to twist and distort the Martian form. Their tentacles are unmarsly, with strange shapes and protrusions. When they grip an object, they do not curl their tentacles about like a proper living thing. No, their suction cups create such a hold that they can maim a Martian just by gentle touch. Their tentacles are much too long for their bodies as well, their entire shape resembling those poor souls killed by ancient torture devices.

Their eyes are so very large for their grotesquely shaped heads. Oh, their heads. Elongated cones ending in a point, they scream "wrong" by their very existence. As if that were not enough, the placement of their "mouths" is just... Well, instead of having a...you know...they have a beak. A beak! Such a sharp protrusion, used not for reproduction but for consumption of their prey! If one were to survive their deathly grip, they would be snipped into bite-sized morsels for the creature.

And the Warmind dares question your actions regarding them? Why is it that no one seems to understand the horror of these...Squids?

>You are offended and angered.
>Calm yourself.
>Other.

>>20702740

"Oh come on, it isn't REALLY cannabalism. They just LOOK like us. They don't even talk!"

>>20702834

They are a twisted mockery of us, us who possess the most perfect possible form. They are our tainted shadows, lurking in the depths of these OCEANS, where no martian would ever naturally go. They are our flawed reflections, and only by purging them from this ocean can this world truly become our home.

"What about them?" you ask, doing your best to hide the edge in your voice.

"You seem to be quite eager to attack them."

"They are attracted to the Harbinger as it travels. They attach themselves to the outside, gumming up equipment."

"Surely the great Harbinger is safe from the feeble assault of the Squid? Or is it vulnerable to a passing sneeze?"

"The Harbinger is vulnerable to nothing!" you cry out. He dares insult your masterpiece like this?

The Warmind keeps his composure. "Then you are wasting ammunition on harmless wildlife?"

"Ammunition? My dear Warmind, the Harbinger is equipped with the latest weaponry. The SASER turrets operate using coherent waves of sound, not ammunition!" You were rather pleased with that development; the Harbinger is the only Martian craft as deadly in water as it is out of water.

>>20702834
Calm yourself, Di'id

>>20703020


"That energy comes from somewhere, yes?"

"The reactors are designed for much greater power drains over a much longer period of time. The increase in consumption is negligible." To be honest, you're not quite sure about that statement. But the Warmind doesn't know that.

"Very well, Commander. I see you know your vessel more than I do. That is good." Now he tosses you a compliment, an attempt to calm and manipulate you.

You resist the temptation to rub your head with your tentacles. "Is that all, Warmind?"

"For me, yes. Is there anything the Commander would like to ask?"

>Where the hell are my reinforcements?
>Why has my command been stripped of ships continuously for the past few months?
>What the hell are you doing here?
>Other.

>>20703027
>Why has my command been stripped of ships continuously for the past few months?
And
>What the hell are you doing here?

>>20702834
>Calm yourself.

>>20703027
>Where the hell are my reinforcements?
>What the hell are you doing here?
We have a war to win, dammit.

>>20703027
>What the hell are you doing here?
We already know the answer to the first two; we're losing battles fucking everywhere. Good job Command!

"Several, actually." Now's as good a time as any to try and make the Warmind useful. "Where are my reinforcements? Why are all the ships, vehicles, and personnel under my command being transferred elsewhere without replacements?"

The Warmind makes the universal gesture meaning "not much to say." "Well, the War is a fluid thing. Command has deemed that those assets would be better used to replace losses in other areas. That goes for reinforcements as well. You have not been suffering defeats and continue to...do well...even as your forces are reduced. You are to be congratulated, Commander."

Congratulated. Congratulated for being able to remain half-way competent with a quarter of the forces of any other Commander on the planet! Soon all you'll have left is the Harbinger! Yes. Congratulations is what you deserve. That and an army to win the war with.

"So it's Command's policy to move assets from more capable Commanders to less capable ones? I've seen how the other fronts are fairing. They should transfer me to those locations to command, not my forces to die in their hands."

"It is not for you to determine what Command should do." Sp'jook's quick response cuts off your rant before it begins.

>>20703286


"Fine. You're a great speaker for Command, Warmind. But what are you doing here? I am constantly worrying about your state of being. I am distracted from my duties by you, to be frank, Warmind." You slather your complaints in politeness; the threat of being removed by this Warmind is still fresh in your mind.

"My purpose is not something you need to know, Commander Di'id. You are here to command the forces in this sector of the planet, not inquire into every order that passes through."

"I merely wished to aid you in your ta-"

The door to your quarters opens, slamming against the bulkhead. Curses, you thought you locked it.

"SIR!" R'kee yells, addressing you.

"I thought I said I was not to be DISTURBED, R'kee." One day, you may need to take disciplinary action against this young Martian...

"I am sorry, Sir. You asked to be notified immediately when we detected...Squids."

Squids. Oh, Squids. The Warmind doesn't bother hiding a snicker at this proclamation.

>Head to the bridge
>Take care of it, R'kee
>Other

>>20703289

>HEAD TO THE BRIDGE

WE KILL

>>20703289
>Take care of it, R'kee

>>20703289
>Head to the bridge
We need to see to such abomination.. personally.

>>20703289
>>Head to the bridge
Their hubrous shall not go unpunished

"Indeed I did." You turn to the Warmind. "I am sorry, Warmind Sp'jook, but it seems I am needed on the bridge."

The Warmind gets up as well, pushing in his chair. "No problem at all, Commander Di'id. May I join you on the bridge?"

Curse this Warmind. He knows his position too well. Unless in combat with the enemy, you cannot refuse him.

"Of course not, Warmind. Come. Let us go." You pass by R'kee and wait for the Warmind to exit. As he passes by, that Warmind aura of superiority forces R'kee to flinch in fear. Warminds. You cannot stand them.

Some minutes later, you, R'kee, and the Warmind enter the bridge. The unique construction of the Harbinger's pressure hull means you could use any material without compromising the integrity of the hull. As such, you decided to go with an elegant flair: the bridge opens out into the abyss, protected by seemingly-inadequate transparaplate windows. The forward lights of the Harbinger disappear into the darkness. There are no squids to be seen.

"Well, R'kee?" you ask as the officer shuffles into his station. "Where are the Squids?"

>>20703465
"Well, R'kee?" you ask as the officer shuffles into his station. "Where are the Squids?"

"They are some distance away still. We have detected them with telebot screen." He gestures to the large bank of consoles sunken into the floor. Many talented Martians sit at them, operating the numerous telebots the Harbinger is capable of fielding.

"Another point to discuss, Commander. Why have you deployed your telebots with so many directly above us, near the surface? If they were to attack, then I would have no qu-"

"Please, Warmind, another time." You shut him up before he can further subvert your command. Questioning your orders on your own bridge! It is only his status the saves him from your wrath.

You walk over to the young officer's console, examining his display. "It seems they are moving towards us."

"Yes, Commander."

You can't help but smile at R'kee's quick response. It feels good, having subordinates answer you properly. You're quite tired of Sp'jook.

"R'kee, how large a group are we looking at?"

R'kee taps a few controls, bringing up new information. "See for yourself, sir."

>>20703517


You lean over to look. You can't believe it; it's the largest group you've seen yet, several hundreds of the creatures. They slowly lumber towards the Harbinger on indirect paths, bobbing here and there as if by Brownian Motion. And yet always towards the Harbinger in the end, their net movements creating almost a rolling wave of aquatic sins against Mars.

What do you do?
>Recall the deep patrols of telebots
>Wait for the Squids
>Charge out to greet them

>>20703524
>Recall the deep patrols of telebots
No point getting them mulched.

>>20703524
>Recall the deep patrols of telebots

"Recall our telebot patrols at our depth. We shall need them for this," you order.

R'kee nods, alerting the relevant teleoperators. You return to your Commander's chair, tapping the controls that bring up your own combat display. On it, you can see the telebots beginning to converge on the Harbinger, circling to maintain patrols.

"Well, Commander?" Sp'jook asks, "How are we doing? Still safe from the Squid threat, yes?" A few of the bridge crew do their best to hide their snickers. It's not enough. They enrage you. Sp'jook is actively subverting your command and doing so effectively. You cannot have a crew that might question your orders, especially during combat.

And yet Sp'jook's position again paralyzes you.

>What do you do?

>>20703668
Just wait for the squids. He'll see.
They'll all see.

>>20703702
this

>>20703668
"You may form your opinion on the matter once you see biologicals of that size."

>>20703668
Rant. Rant about the squid Abominations.

Or not, I dunno.

"Just wait, Warmind. I have a suspicion that these creatures are not quite what you expect."

Sp'jook scoffs at you. "I am sorry, Commander, but I fail to see how-"

A bright flash off in the distance cuts him off.

"What was that, R'kee?" you ask, spinning your chair to face his console.

"One moment, sir." R'kee quickly confers with the teleoperators. "Operator J-3 just lost four of his bots. Make that five."

You turn back to Sp'jook. "I don't suppose you think that was a coincidence, Warmind."

For once, Sp'jook seems annoyed. "You are wasting valuable telebots, Commander."

"I am doing nothing, Warmind. These Squids are a hazard, attacking unprovoked."

"The Harbinger is no telebot, Commander Di'id."

"True. This is why I am bringing our telebots back."

Sp'jook spins his observer's chair back out towards the transparaplate window, breaking off the conversation. You smirk.

"R'kee, how are our telebots?"

"Circling closely, Commander. Other than J-3, no losses reported."

"Good. Have them returned to the hangars. We shall take the lead this time."

"Yes, sir."

File: 1347504697853.jpg-(411 KB, 960x1019, 1331086062491.jpg)

>>20703820


Once the telebots are safely loaded, you order the Harbinger forward, full illumination. The Squids seem to be stunned by bright light. Slowly you approach, keeping an eye on the mass of Squids as they continue onward. At first you're not sure what you see, perhaps just tricks of the light. Then it becomes clear you are seeing dark shadows swirling about. They begin to take up the whole field of view, an incredibly huge group.

And then the light shines on them. The Squids are fully revealed to your eyes, giant writhing hulks of flesh. Everything about them makes you want to scream, residing in an uncanny valley that tortures your brain. The Warmind appears visibly shaken, as do the few bridge crew that have yet to see any up close.

And then one of the Squids latches on to the window.

>Like what you see, Warmind?
>Calm and cool
>Other.

>>20703827

>Like what you see warmind?

"Perhaps you find their form... pleasing? Is that why you object to my extermination of these... creatures?"

>>20703827
>Like what you see, Warmind?
Only choice

>>20703827
>Like what you see, Warmind?
Well fagt?

File: 1347505057815.gif-(760 KB, 259x214, calm and collected.gif)

>>20703827
>Calm and Cool
>Then, "Like what you see?"

>>20703827
>Like what you see, Warmind?

"Like what you see, Warmind?"

Sp'jook doesn't answer immediately, frozen in place as he stares at the abominable creature now glued to the window. It bites at the surface, its vulgar beak snapping at the transparaplate. After several seconds, he breaks free from the vision. "I had...no idea..."

"Indeed, Warmind. Things down here are much more...unpleasant than you might think."

The Warmind mutters something about surface squid and tiny delectable treats. You ignore him.

"R'kee, ready our SASER turrets. Let's begin by exterminating the pest in front of us."

R'kee answers with a brisk affirmative. With a few deft strokes, he distributes the orders to the various gunners around the Harbinger.

"Warmind, please watch closely. We shall now demonstrate the power of the SASER to you. I imagine it will be...quite the treat." You lean back as far as the Commander's chair will go (not far enough, unfortunately), smiling as you relish having the upper hand on the Warmind. "R'kee, open fire."

File: 1347505797218.jpg-(625 KB, 1400x1400, 1342989060344.jpg)

>>20703952


Almost immediately the Squid begins to shudder. Its tentacles remain firmly planted, no longer able to control their suction. The elongated head of the Squid almost appears to dissolve into the water, being replaced with a fine mist of particles. Next comes the beak, sailing over the window before it's even half-disintegrated as the Harbinger moves forward. Finally, the tentacles, the only solid remnants of the Squid, are leisurely removed by sonic waves as the SASER concludes its work. The disturbing display takes over 5 minutes, SASERs working painstakingly slowly for the Warmind's benefit.

"An impressive weapon, yes?" you ask. "Potent over distances nearly comparable to our MASERs in the atmosphere."

"Yes, yes, remarkable..." Sp'jook manages. He breathes deeply for a few moments, trying to recover. To your dismay, he does. "Very well, Commander Di'id. I now see why you harbor such distaste for the creatures, but I must still raise concerns over the wanton slaughter of them. As you could see, it managed to do no harm at all-"

BOOM

"R'kee! What was that?" you bark.

"Damage, Sir! Both cooling intake valves blocked! Cooling is severely hampered!"

>You were saying?
>This is serious, no time for bickering
>Other

>>20703960
>This is serious, no time for bickering
Get damage control teams down there!

>>20703960
this is serious

>>20703960
>This is serious, no time for bickering

>>20703960

>DAMAGE CONTROL TEAMS

You SEE! You see what I mean! It was the SQUIDS!

The situation is so ripe for a retort, you can practically taste it. The urge cuts so deeply you almost immediately spit out "I told you so." Fortunately, you manage to stop yourself. The cooling system being damaged is very serious. Without proper cooling, the generators that provide the power necessary to hold back the immense pressure of the deep water don't have anywhere to dump their heat. Several minutes at this depth and you'll be cooked alive, if the generators don't burn out first. Then you'll be crushed instead.

So you hold your tongue, not willing to waste any time bickering with the Warmind. For once, there are bigger squid to fry.

"How bad is it, R'kee?"

"Damage control teams are doing their assessments now, but..." he takes a moment to read his display again. "It looks like rough estimates put emergency repairs at 20 minutes per intake, full restoration in several days. Some debris may have gotten sucked in, too, so most of our components will need to be safely flushed as well."

"Do we have an estimated time to overheat?"

"Best estimates are at 6 minutes, Sir."

Damn. It's not looking good. You don't have much time to make a decision. At least the Warmind is staying quiet. To think, the Harbinger forced to surface by Squids...If you get out of this, you will personally hunt every last one of them down.

What do you do?
>Surface
>Rise, but stay submerged
>Other

>>20704081

>Rise, but stay submerged

The SQUIDS want us to surface, the bastards. We won't fall for THAT.

>>20704081
>Rise, but stay submerged
Less load = less power needed.

>>20704081
>Rise, but stay submerged
The shield generators will have a lessened load, and hopefully the emergency repairs will be done before the heat reaches critical levels.

"Take us up, R'kee, but don't surface. Keep us under cover of water."

"Yes, sir!"

R'kee keys the commands, systems following his orders. The ballast tanks empty, vastly changing the overall density of the Harbinger. Thousands of gallons of water leave the vessel, a flash current in the terrible ocean deep. But it's not enough. The Harbinger is a heavily converted hive ship, never meant for use in water. It was only through your ingenious thoughts and the careful work of your subordinates that it now swims as freely as the delicious scaled creatures where the waters are warmed by the sun. In order for it to rise by draining ballast alone, you would need tanks so massive as to be impractical to retrofit. No, the majority of lifting power isn't supplied by ballast tanks.

It's supplied by flight systems.

"Rising!" R'kee yells as the Harbinger displaces an unimaginable amount of water. The active pressure systems are strained just dealing with the speed of your rising, probably cutting operational time in half, but that will hopefully be all you need.

Even at this breakneck speed, however, it takes a minute and a half to begin to see sunlight. You're cutting it close.

"Time to burnout?" you call.

"5 minutes now!" comes the reply.

"Depth?"

"350ft, sir."

Any higher and you may as well be on the surface. Damn.

>Surface
>Shut off the generators
>Other

>>20704209
>Shut off the generators
At 350 feet, the pressure should be light enough for the hull to hold without the shield up.

>>20704209
>Other
Check what the surface is like, call for backup (HAHA LIKE THAT'LL HAPPEN THANKS COMMAND) and get ready for shit to hit the fan. Again.

With only 5 minutes even at this depth, you have no real choice but to hope the pressure hull can withstand the pressure, even without active reinforcement. "R'kee," you order, "shut down the generators."

"S-sir?"

"I said shut them down! Do you want to cook in here?"

"Yes, sir. I mean, no, sir. I mean-shutting down, sir."

The Harbinger becomes noticeably quieter as the generators that supply most of the vessel's power are turned off.

"Overheating no longer a danger. So far no breaches reported. Emergency power can last about 30 minutes, Sir," R'kee reports. "Everything seems fine."

"Good. Get those crews going. We need those intakes cleared. In the meantime, get me a report on the surface, find out what's up there."

"Yes sir. Sending report to your console."

You tap a few buttons, bringing up said report. The Human flotilla reported earlier is still loitering around the area, but appear to be fewer in number. In fact, one ship appears to be damaged. You scroll through the image of the surface, trying to figure out what's going on.

Oh. Oh yes. On the far side of the screen, you spot a decently-sized flotilla of ships the natives could never have built. Martian ships.

>Join in the glory
>Watch the fireworks
>Other

>>20704348
>Watch the fireworks
No main generators means no main guns. Let's get fixed before we go making ourselves a target.

>>20704348

Once the emergency repairs are completed, restart the generators and flank the feeble human ships.

>>20704348
Join in, send forth the telebots

>>20704348
>Other
Wait for the emergency repairs to the intakes to be completed.
Without the main generators online, most of our weapons are offline and the shield is inoperable.

Surface and surrender to the apes, puny squid.

This is your chance. Eliminate this flotilla and raise your standing with the other commanders. Use the reinforcements to crush the enemy in the area (and get that damned scientist). This could be it! If you could get the others to listen to you, you could finally bring victory back into reach!

"R'kee, what's our heat generation if we only produced enough to power flight systems and a few of our main weapons?" you ask.

He frantically works at his console, talking with several engineers. You wait patiently; you can't afford to screw this up. "Heat generation would put overheating at 60 minutes, provided no repairs to our cooling intakes. Air slips through much more easily, and without powering the pressure hull we drain a much smaller amount of power than usual."

You rub a tentacle underneath your mouth, thinking. To be honest, there's only one decision if you want to win the war. Still, perhaps you're being hasty. Maybe you're missing something?

"Commander," Warmind Sp'jook says as he looks up from his own console, "I believe you should surface."

That's all you needed; you won't let yourself look like a coward in front of this Warmind. "I agree, Warmind," you respond. "R'kee, bring the generators back up, just enough output to power our weapons and flight systems. Take us to the surface."

"Yes, sir."

File: 1347509548058.png-(9 KB, 256x256, 1271459276813.png)

>>20704542
The hum of the generators returns, though much quieter, as though further off. The Harbinger strains, dealing with the rushing water without a reinforced pressure hull.

"300ft, 250ft, 200ft, 150ft, 100ft..." R'kee reports as the Harbinger approaches the surface. "Surfaced!"

The Harbinger breaches the surface in a spectacular splash as it displaces thousands of gallons of water, if not more. Ships engaged in combat pause to witness the spectacle; the Harbinger easily dwarfs them. The vessel leaves the water entirely, slowly reaching an altitude of several hundred feet; a decent combat cruising altitude.

"Put me through to our reinforcements," you order. A few moments later, a Martian face appears on your screen.

"About time we got reinforcements. Let's deal with these Humans first. What do you say?" you ask jovially.

The Martian on the other screen doesn't share your expression. "Commander Di'id," he begins, "You are hereby relieved of command. You are ordered to hand over all vessels under your control to this fleet and turn yourself in for questioning."

The Warmind smiles.

NEXT TIME ON SUBMERSIBLE WITCHES: DAVID AND GOLIATH

THIS FRIDAY, 7PM CST 8PM EST

>>20704546
FUUUUUCK
YOUUUUUU

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>>20704564

>>20704546
AAHAHAHAHAHAA