File: 1347668145017.png-(518 KB, 861x532, ssubwitches-cropped.png)

"What the hell?" you curse, caught off guard. The plan was for the fleet to attack after the Harbinger surfaced, not before! Angry, you take a look around. To your left, you see the flotilla sent to distract the Harbinger's telebots while you bombed it. There are a few less ships than you expected, and one seems to be smoking. To your right, you spot completely unfamiliar ships. They're nothing like any ships you've seen before, Human or Martian...wait, no. The hexagonal and geometric patterns on their hulls are distinctly Martian, yet they're shaped in a much more conventional manner. Their hulls are shaped to cut through the water instead of hover over it, resembling your own ships. Turrets sit atop their decks, with strange barrel-like protrusions.

They're learning, you realize.

Before you can worry about this further, another Human ship fires its guns, a volley aimed at the strange Martian ships. The shells land just short, splashing the alien vessel with seawater. The Martian ship quickly reacts, its turrets rotating to face the ship that just fired on it. The barrel begins to glow, its intensity growing until it flashes. You're blinded by the light for a moment. Steam obscures the Martian ship as seawater is hastily pumped to cool its weaponry. You turn to see the damage done to your ally: much of its superstructure has been turned to rapidly-cooling slag.

File: 1347668230673.png-(1.34 MB, 2000x1000, ssubwitches.png)

[Socks, what the hell is hap-!]

You're interrupted by a sudden upwelling of water. The ocean around bubbles and courses, as though a giant mass were moving upward.

[ ] GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE
[ ] Stick around
[ ] Other

>>20726405
>[ ] GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE
Let us vamoose

[ ] GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE
shits getting toasty

>>20726428
>>20726437
This.

File: 1347669000641.jpg-(137 KB, 733x1200, 1197142223728.jpg)

You've dealt with enough shit today. Squids, subs, bombs, now you're stuck in the middle of a sea battle with a gigantic fucking deathmachine about to throw everything into chaos.

You move fucking out.

Straining your already heavily-tapped magic reserves, you again dive into the ocean. It's not as easy as you might think, what with thousands of gallons of water doing its best to move in the opposite direction. Fully submerged, you put on the power, zooming as quickly as you can away from the disturbance.

[Socks, what the hell is going on?] you finally manage to finish.

[What do you mean? The Harbinger is surfacing.]

[Not the Harbinger, those other ships!]

Socks doesn't answer immediately, probably trying to figure out what you're talking about. [...I do not see any other ships around, Cleona.]

[They're right there, Socks!]

[One moment.]

One moment? You don't have one moment! Looking down through the turbulent water, you begin to see the Harbinger...and you might not make it out of the way in time. You run through your situation once more. You have no bombs, no torpedos, a few spears, and a knife. You're running low on magic, god knows how much oxygen is left in your tank, and all your allied ships are engaged in battle.

What do you do?

[ ] Fuck it, chill on the Harbinger
[ ] MAXIMUM SPEED and get resupplied
[ ] Other

>>20726517
>[ ] Fuck it, chill on the Harbinger
'cause, hey, why not?

>>20726517
[x] MAXIMUM SPEED and get resupplied
This is the kind of fight that the Sub Strikers were designed for; we need to get to a human ship, eat some donuts to get calories and sugars, get some bombs, and get back into the fight.

>>20726517
>[ ] Fuck it, chill on the Harbinger
Thinks dont look to good

>>20726517

[ ] Fuck it, time to ALIUM BASE RAID the Harbinger.

>>20726555
You make a good argument. I'm sorry Kotters, but I'mma change my vote.

File: 1347669786978.gif-(626 KB, 2500x2500, 1197144196636.gif)

That's it. You're done. You forced the damned thing to surface; it's up to every else to deal with this battle. You dive down to meet the Harbinger, grabbing a handhold. You now move with the massive ship, water rushing over you as it reaches the surface. You wonder what it looks like, from afar. Such a vessel must look impressive, glistening in the sunlight as water runs off its back-

It's not stopping. You feel it even begin to accelerate a bit as it rises into the air, menacing the ships glued to the surface of the water. You get as close to the edge as you dare to, gazing at the fleets below. To your right, now, is your ships. To your left, the Martians'. Incredibly, you hear no more guns, no more alien and mechanical squeals of the Martian turrets. The battlefield is silent as everyone gazes in awe at the phantom they'd never yet seen.

And then the Harbinger opens fire.

And the Martians fire back.

[ ] SOCKS WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON
[ ] Yeah, fuck this ship
[ ] Get inside before you get toasted
[ ] Other.

>>20726626
y u do dis

[ ] SOCKS WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON

>[ ] Get inside before you get toasted
Maybe not the best idea, but whatever

>>20726641
2fast4u

>>20726641
BECAUSE I CAN!

But it was too late, so, whatever.

[ ] SOCKS WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON

WHY IS COOKIE NOT BEING MOCULEARCONTROLLED BY DEEPSEA ALIUMS THAT ARE NOT FROM MARS

>>20726631
[ ] SOCKS WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON

>>20726664
What

File: 1347670365806.jpg-(114 KB, 784x1032, 1197145503026.jpg)

[SOCKS, YOUR MOMENT IS UP!]

You roll back over, further away from the edge. On the top of the Harbinger, you're safe from the Martians' blasts. For now. A million questions run through your head, the most prominent of which is "Why the hell would the Martians fire on their own ships?" followed by "Why the hell did I accept this assignment?"

[I am sorry for the delay, Cleona. I have been trying to determine what was going on. According to this display, the only Martian force still on the planet is the Harbinger.]

[What the hell does that mean?] The Martians couldn't just up and leave Earth, no matter how much you wish they would.

[It means the Harbinger is no longer linked to any Martian networks; they are no longer receiving any communication or data from other forces.]

That's just great. You tell Socks such.

[On the contrary, Cleona, that means we can no longer reasonably predict the actions of the main forces of Mars and the Harbinger. Additionally, we cannot track-]

[I know what it means, Socks!]

[Then why-]

[ARGH!]

You're tired and confused, flying on the back of the biggest target on Earth (or above it), and every seems to have decided it's time for target practice. What do you do?

[ ] Try to contact the fleet – How, and what message?
[ ] Get inside before you get slagged
[ ] Just sit tight and wait for your fleet to arrive
[ ] Other

>>20726712
>[ ] Get inside before you get slagged
Let's figure shit out once we're not under threat of ship masers

>>20726712
[x] Other
Socks needs to get the captured sub connected to the rest of the Martian network. Maybe bluff them into thinking that it's crewed by Martians defecting FROM the Harbinger.

>>20726739
I like this

File: 1347671546742.jpg-(422 KB, 796x1024, 1209240501161.jpg)

A flying glob of molten metal splashing next to you makes the decision for you. You can figure out what the hell is going on after you get yourself relatively safe. And that means heading indoors. You head away from the edge, now a bit closer with a chunk melted out of it. It takes you some time, but you manage to reach what looks like a gigantic hatch on top of the Harbinger.

"Well, how the hell do I get in?" you wonder aloud.

[Socks, do you know any-]

You stop mid-sentence as the hatch splits open, revealing a torrent of small fliers. They soar out of the Harbinger like so many bees from a hive. None seem to take notice of you, however, and you manage to slip in.
[What was that, Cleona?] Socks asks.

[Nevermind.]

You gaze around the hanger. It goes from the top of the Harbinger to the bottom, much like the one you escaped from. Martians run about in a flurry of activity, readying weapons and craft for launch. None seem to notice you as you lay on an upper catwalk.

What do you do?

>>20726797
>>20726739
God dammit.

>>20726901
Begin sneakyness

>>20726901
Hide, and have Socks reconnect the captured sub to the rest of the Martian network. We need to know what the hell is going on, and if we're supposed to still sink the Harbinger, or have Socks offer the crew a chance to defect to the humans, since the rest of Mars seems to want to kill them.

>>20726951

Yeah, let's go with this I guess.

Damnit, I just want kotters to tell me a story, not participate or shape it in any way.

>>20727070
But it's a quest!

>>20726901
Woooo finally caught up. That was a swell nap.

Sit tight and figure shit out with Socks. We aren't on a mission, we're just hiding from the burny zappy shit outside.

>>20727091
>>20727091
Not if you only read the archives.

For what it's worth, I think tank witches is kinda shit.

But then again, I think everyone involved with these quests are kind shit.

>>20727176
So Subwitches and SWQ are shit? Why bother reading?

File: 1347673312486.jpg-(335 KB, 999x1022, 1211742040179.jpg)

You decide not to give the Martians a chance to spot you. You follow the catwalk to the side of the hanger, hiding behind a few boxes and barrels of miscellaneous content. You take off your leg units and helmet, breathing in the fresh air. Settled in and relatively hidden, you talk to Socks.

[So Socks, you're completely removed from the network?]

[No, Cleona. I am connected to the network right now.]

[So how aren't you getting any other ships on your display?]

[The network itself is no longer connected to other Commands. I can only see what the Harbinger can see, and right now that does not appear to be much.]

You furrow your brow. [Any chance you could connect it to another network?]

You sense his negative response before he says it. [I'm afraid that's not possible. Even with the likelihood of your people tapping in in a meaningful way being so small, the networks have multiple layers of verification required to connect. Unless we had information to "prove" we belonged to the network we tried to connect to, we would probably be unable to connect in our lifetimes.]

Well that just puts a damper on things.

[So what the hell do we do?]

[I do not know,] Socks answers. [What exactly is going on?]

[Well, I managed to force the Harbinger to the surface as planned, but there was a Martian surface fleet waiting. And I mean surface fleet; they look a lot like ships humans could have built.]

File: 1347673364759.jpg-(345 KB, 997x870, 1211742150398.jpg)

>>20727210


[That is distressing news for the cause. They must be new ships.]

[Yeah. What's more distressing is the fact that the Harbinger opened fire on them after a few minutes. They responded in kind.]

[...I see. That is...interesting news.]

You nod. [Yeah. What do you think we should do? Think it might defect?]

[Unlikely. The commander was very determined to defeat his 'hated enemies.' Humans were one of them.]

So much for that.

[ ] The fleet should focus on the Martian Ships
[ ] Your goal was the destruction of the Harbinger
[ ] Other.

>>20727176
>But then again, I think everyone involved with these quests are kind shit.

Why do you say that? I'm always looking for feedback with open ears.

File: 1347673596019.jpg-(364 KB, 5000x3000, 1346448993427.jpg)

>>20727217
The martians seem pretty damn keen on destroy the Harbinger now and it being destroyed while we're ON IT is not a good thing. Formulate escape plan with Socks. There's gotta be something we can use.

>>20727217

forget the council, destroy Sovereign err Harbinger

>>20727225
Sorry, imprecision of language on my part. I enjoy planefag's and Kotter's works.

Generally, I feel that the people involved in the quest, most notably those in the original quest, are entirely shit.

Hence why I usually only read the quests after the fact. But tonight's a slow night, so I'll be reading them in real time.

>>20727217
>[ ] The fleet should focus on the Martian Ships
Seems slightly less... immediately dangerous?

>>20727217
[x] The fleet should focus on the Martian Ships
The Martians will continue fighting the Harbinger, and the Harbinger will respond in kind. This is an opportunity for the fleet to sink both targets.

>>20727217
Focus on the ships. If the harbinger is cut off and never getting resupplied again it's a much reduced threat. Plus being in it while it's blown up doesn't sound like fun.

File: 1347673983301.jpg-(99 KB, 957x591, 1346586187220.jpg)

>>20727265
By "people involved" do you mean the voters or those that do the side materials? If you mean the voters I agree, but if not... I may have to challenge you to fisticuffs, good sir.

>>20727265
I see. I kind of like the chaos of those threads, though; it's much more lively than the two votes I seem to get per decision. Makes it feel like people are really participating.

To each their own, however.

File: 1347674286014.jpg-(370 KB, 1600x1200, 1211747234352.jpg)

[Then I think it's time to switch targets,] you tell Socks.

[What do you mean?]

[The Harbinger's hurt, and it's cut off from resupply and repairs. I'd say it's largely diminished as a threat.]

Socks considers this. [I can see your point. Still, it's essentially an aquatic hive ship; it has many resources contained within.]

[Yeah, but none they could use without repair those cooling intakes, right?]

[That is likely, yes,] Socks concedes.

[Alright. So, we should go after the most dangerous threat: the new Martian fleet.]

[How do you suppose we should inform the fleet?]

That's a good question.

What do you do?

>>20727338
Can Socks write at all?
Could we have him give the brass a note to inform them of the changing tactical picture?

>>20727338
We managed to talk through Socks before. Whether the fleet will listen to him is another question.

File: 1347675329870.jpg-(198 KB, 1310x634, 1211748292671.jpg)

You're stranded in the middle of the Harbinger with no one else you can really communicate with other than Socks...and he doesn't exactly speak English. Still, you managed to teach him some basics...and he does a decent-enough job mimicking the sounds in your head when he focuses. Maybe he could do the same for letters?

[Socks, think you could write a message the same way you could talk for me earlier?]

[...I could try, but I can make no guarantees that they would be readable.]

That's a fair point. Writing requires a certain finesse that takes people years to get down in a decent matter. Plus, he's got tentacles, not hands. Who knows how well he'd be able to copy down what you think of, especially since he has no idea what parts of the letters are the most important to get right.

That leaves only one other option.

[Then do you think you could talk for me?]

[That is much more reasonable, Cleona. Who should I talk to?]

Another good question. MacArthur's probably around, but it'd be hell trying to get Socks to find and talk to him. Alice might be around, though, and Socks is probably surrounded by a bunch of military underlings.

[ ] Find MacArthur
[ ] Talk to Alice
[ ] Alert a guard
[ ] Other

>>20727515
[x] Talk to Alice
More likely to work.

>>20727515
[x] Alert a guard
If he doesn't listen:
[x] Talk to Alice

>>20727515
>[ ] Talk to Alice
Assuming she's about.

>>20727515
The guards are right there, might as well talk to them. We're going to have to get past them to get to the other people anyway. And they should be able to take us straight to MacArthur without any searching.

[x]Alice

Guard would just tell him to shut up, and a Martian is not going to have access to MacArthur.

File: 1347676011377.jpg-(312 KB, 1024x485, Serrum__by_Abiogenisis.jpg)

[Is Alice still around?] you inquire.

[Alice?]

[Dr. Wackett, I mean.]

[Ah, the researcher! Yes, she has been most interested in the minisubmarine.]

[Alright, get her attention. She should be able to help.]

[One moment.]

Socks goes silent, trying to fetch Alice. You have a moment to sit and think. The hanger is still a flurry of activity, though most of the aircraft have been launched by now. Occasional explosions wrack the Harbinger, making you slightly uncomfortable as you sit in your hiding place. You wish you knew how long it'd been since the Harbinger first got hit.

[I have her here, Cleona. She's rather confused and irritated; please hurry, or I fear she may ignore me.]

[Alright, repeat after me. 'Alice, this is Cleona.']

You give him a moment to do so.

[She's confused, but appears to be paying attention. The guards are giving me strange looks.]

[Ignore them,] you advise. [Now tell her this: 'The Harbinger is no longer the main threat. Do you understand?']

File: 1347676053723.jpg-(82 KB, 960x723, 1267895708691.jpg)

>>20727637
You repeat yourself a few times, helping Socks deliver the message. When he affirms that Alice understands, you continue.

['The fleet must attack the other Martian ships. This is our chance. Tell someone, now.']

After a few more repetitions, Socks confirms the message has been delivered as best he can do it.

[Good, no-]

A barrel falls over next to you, revealing a Martian. He seems just as surprised as you are. One of his tentacles has a black tube around it, skin-tight. He stares at you, a tentacle clutching the side of his head. Your head begins to ache...

[ ] Bolt
[ ] Attack
[ ] Wait

>>20727647
[x] Bolt
Crap.

>>20727647
Let's... Let's wait.

I think I'm full of bad ideas tonight, though.

>>20727647
[x] Attack

We have a speargun, right? SILENT KILL BONUS.

>>20727647
Waiting just lets his mind attack get more traction. Bolting lets him alert the rest of the harbinger they've got an intruder. Take him out as quickly and quietly as possible.

>>20727661
>>20727673
>>20727674
are you fucking kidding me

>>20727692
ahahaha I think you have a tie breaker in >>20727691 however.

>>20727691
second

File: 1347676753627.jpg-(892 KB, 2000x1440, 1211076285041.jpg)

Quickly, you grasp your speargun, thankfully reloaded from before. You've only one shot. Sparing only the minimal moment needed to aim, you fire at point blank. You can't miss!

But he dodges with expert precision, as if he could flow around the spear. You blink, stunned, before kicking back into action. You toss your speargun to the side, knowing you don't have the time to reload. You instead draw your knife and lunge at your opponent.

"Hyah!" you scream, softly as you remember you're trying to stay concealed. You lunge at his center of mass, the signature giant head of a Martian. He bends over with incredible speed, dodging your blade completely. You strike again and again, moving several yards in the process. Each blow is effortlessly dodged. Your frustration grows.

[ ] Keep up the assault
[ ] Wait a minute...
[ ] Other.

>>20727647
Lets spear us some martian. Maybe we can cut off a tentacle and see if that Japanese girl will eat it. It's sort of like sushi, right?

>>20727769
>Wait a minute...

WE'VE SEEN THIS BULLSHIT BEFORE.

WHERE IS HE REALLY?

>>20727769
[x] Wait a minute...
I remember this.

>>20727769
[x] Wait a minute. This is exactly the same as with that commando, and we just saw him doing mind bullshit. Roll to disbelieve.

File: 1347676883443.jpg-(62 KB, 500x550, 1334636476742.jpg)

>>20727769
[x] Wait a tic...

NOT THIS TIME, MOTHERFUCKER.

File: 1347676935179.jpg-(34 KB, 521x415, get_out_of_my_head_alium.jpg)

>>20727769
[ ] Wait a minute...

This has happened before. Put on our anti-psychic helmet.

>>20727769
>[ ] Wait a minute...
Close the friggin shield!

>>20727647
>skintight black tube
>head begins to ache
>he's holding his head

He's a psychic fighter who got conked on the head sometime during the surfacing. Take him out now before he reports a human presence!

File: 1347677014963.jpg-(37 KB, 500x334, nocharles.jpg)

>>20727804
Do we have one of those? If not, we should really get one.

>>20727815
We do have one. It has a dial on the side to close the mind shield.

>>20727824
And we took it off as soon as we got into enemy territory because we're clever like that.

File: 1347677319729.jpg-(831 KB, 1600x1200, 1211748095864.jpg)

Wait a minute. You're struck by a serious sense of deja vu. You've fought someone like this before, someone that seemed to dodge everything you tried to do. Every strike, even bullets, were dodged as if they were nothing. It was back on the Jintsu, when that Martian tried to attack Socks...and Yetta said you did a lot better than you originally thought; your first shot had actually hit him.

Could this be the same trick? You cease your assault, cautiously. Maintaining your guard, you begin to back up to your gear. The Martian makes no advance, nor does he attempt to sound an alarm. Instead, he stops moving, watching you carefully.

Your foot bumps something on the floor. It rolls back and forth for a few seconds: your helmet. You carefully crouch down to grab it without taking your eyes off the Martian. You put it back on, opening the visor to let fresh air in. The Martian stares at you with a curious expression.

Then you turn the rough knob on the side, and the psionic shield closes with a sharp metallic CLACK! The Martian in front of you no longer stands some ways away. Instead, you see a crumpled mass of Martian flesh on the ground, desperately clutching a wound to his cheek.

[ ] Assault
[ ] Abscond
[ ] Other

>>20727862
Assault assault! It's the only option!

>>20727862
[x] Assault

PRITHEE, GOOD FELLOW, WHERE ART THOU NOW?

>>20727862
we have a message to route do it and do it now

>>20727862

[x] ASSAULT

PSYCHER NO PSYCHING

>>20727862
[x] Abscond

>>20727878
We can't talk to Socks with the psychic shield on though. We have to properly take care of this guy so we can take it off again.

>>20727862
[x] Assault

We need to see if Martians taste like octopus, and we can't very well eat Socks.

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You've had enough of the psionic bullshit. This bastard thought he could get the better of you! Again, if he happens to be the same one!

"Thanks, Alice," you say as you approach the Martian. He whimpers, realizing the deception is over. A trail of his blood begins to form as he tries to scoot away. You stop, standing directly over him. Your knife is ready. You could plunge it into him, right now, and it would all be over. He stops trying to flee, facing the hopelessness of his situation.

But something makes you stop and think. He doesn't have a blade. He didn't attempt to raise an alarm. He's now on the ground, unable to defend yourself. This is a tough decision for you. Do you plunge your blade into his head? Or do you spare his life?

[ ] The smart decision is to eliminate the threat. Permanently.
[ ] You're not that kind of witch.
[ ] Other.

>>20727959
unable to defend _himself_

Fuck me.

>>20727959

[x] Other

Cut off his tentacles, then carry him with us as an oracle.

>>20727959
[x] You're not that kind of witch.
We need to concentrate on a way to get off the Harbinger safely.

>[ ] You're not that kind of witch
It's just not that easy, is it?

>>20727959
[x] You're not that kind of witch.
We like tentacles. Let's have a chat.
>>20727971
Dude what the FUCK?!

>>20727988

Dude, it's a psychic martian. Could be useful. We just don't want him going anywhere.

>>20727999
There are much simpler and less gruesome ways of doing that. That's just fucking wrong.

>>20728011

Oh come on, it's TRADITIONAL. Orpheus got torn apart by the Maenads, and his head lived on as an oracle. It's just easier with martians, because they're pretty much ONLY head and tentacles. He might even survive without the whole "demigod" thing.

File: 1347678819469.jpg-(76 KB, 600x450, ive_seen_some_shit.jpg)

...You can't do it. The damned bastard is right there, and you can't do it.

"Fuck," you curse. "Was MacArthur right to worry?" Angrily, you put your knife away. "You're a lucky bastard," you say to the confused Martian. He whimpers, flinching at your words. You instead circle to the side of him, watching intently. He's an odd sort, now that you think about it. You're not sure why his tentacle is tubed, or what he was doing up here away from the others. Still, he is an enemy...

You decide to be merciful and give him a swift kick to the head. His tentacles sprawl out onto the floor, unmoving. His entire body goes limp. You're worried for a moment, but then you notice he's still breathing. Good. He's just knocked out.

With that finished, you return to your gear. It's about time to move on out.

And then the top of the Hanger erupts into flame.

[ ] DUCK DUCK DUCK
[ ] Take this damned helmet off and talk to Socks
[ ] Other.

[x] Take this damned helmet off and talk to Socks

File: 1347678975056.jpg-(719 KB, 5000x5000, 1346449034091.jpg)

>>20728081
[x] DUCK DUCK DUCK

DUCK AND COVER

>>20728081
[x] DUCK DUCK DUCK
The helmet might keep debris from knocking us out.

>>20728081
[x] DUCK DUCK DUCK

TAKE OFF HELMET

[HEY THE HARBRINGER IS ON FIRE WHAT THE FUCK]

>>20728081
Duck duck duck. Then press the button that deactivates the mind-shield and shout at Socks.

>>20728081
>[ ] Other.
Flip up the psychic shield while ducking for cover, but keep the helmet on to protect our brainbits.

>>20728140

Agree with this. We want our brainymeats INSIDE our skull, thanks.

File: 1347680129603.jpg-(1.07 MB, 1200x798, 1243864599008.jpg)

You hit the floor, ducking behind some of the crates and barrels again. Flaming wreckage falls from the ceiling, the yells of Martians piercing your ears as they flee. The world just keeps falling apart around you. One piece of metal actually pierces the crate you're hiding behind, coming within inches of stabbing you.

As the initial wreckage passes by, you look back at your knocked-out Martian. Miraculously, he's unharmed. Satisfied, you decide you've had enough of this. The Harbinger's getting hit, and getting hit bad. You struggle with the knob on the side of your helmet, opening it up with a different, but just as satisfying CLICK!

[SOCKS! SHIT IS HITTING THE TOP OF THE HARBINGER! WHAT GIVES?]

[I do not know, Cleona. I'm not there.]

[Come on! Has Alice come back yet?]

[No, but she left- Wait, here she is. She's trying to say something.]

[Socks, deepen the link. I need to hear this.] Socks obliges, and you begin to pick up on what he hears. That feeling of being in two places at once fills your mind, confusing you momentarily. It takes all your concentration to sort through the doubled sensory input. You have to close your eyes, ignoring what both of you are seeing, to get your bearings.

File: 1347680178267.jpg-(907 KB, 1680x1050, 1197145032856.jpg)

>>20728306
"...lieve me at first, so they called the fleet over radio. They should have your message now, but they're angry as hell; they'd already started the assault. I hope you're right about this, Cleona, or they'll have your head on a stake. You can hear me, right? You said that was a thing you could do. If that's just you, Socks, then you can ignore it..." Alice's voice floods your mind, telling you exactly what you hoped to hear.

[Good, good, take it back down. Alice managed to get through. I just hope that was only our guys blasting, and that there won't be any more explosions. I have to get out of here, you know,] you say.

[Yes. Good luck, Cleona.]

You'll need it in this clusterfuck.

[ ] Time to abandon ship
[ ] Delve deeper into the Harbinger
[ ] Other

>>20728317

[x] Time to abandon ship.

I think we should leave the currently flaming ship.

>>20728317
[x] Abandon ship

We have no business here. Time to go.

>>20728317
[x] Time to abandon ship
It's time to leave.

>>20728317
Go deeper. Let's find more loot before we bail.

>>20728317
>[x] Abandon Ship

Time to leave this shithole. Can we hijack a Martian Fighter? It would be quick out, and with some luck the egghead scientists will love the crap out of us for it.

We didn't mind and were semi good at striker flying last time

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Even with the promise of no more firing on the Harbinger (for now), you can't be sure what it was that hit the top of the Harbinger. The damned thing is a giant target up in the air, and you sure as hell don't want to be on it if it blows. You strap your leg units to your sides, check to make sure you're not leaving anything behind, and head back to the catwalk. The middle of it is torn and twisted, rendering it impassible, but the service ladder remains intact. Shifting your equipment around to fit in the surrounding safety guides, you make your way towards the broken top of the Harbinger.

You once again emerge into the sunlight, more evening-like that afternoon at this point. Dozens of aircraft litter the sky, miraculously engaged not with each other, but with the Martian fleet. A few witches zip by the top of the Harbinger, using as cover from the Martians' AA fire. A couple notice you as they zoom by, confused. One breaks off to greet you.

"What the hell are you doing here? And what are those?" she asks, pointing to your equipment.

"Long story. You got a name?" you ask.

"Lt. Georgette-"

"Yeah yeah, great. Nice to meet you. I'm Chief Cleona, and I need off this fucking boat."

"Uh, sure. Where do you want to be put down?"

[ ] Fucking anywhere, I don't care.
[ ] You're stationed on a carrier, right?
[ ] There should be a small destroyer, lagging behind the flotilla.

>>20728477

[x] There should be a small destroyer, lagging behind.

BACK TO THE GANG!

>>20728477
[x] There should be a small destroyer, lagging behind the flotilla.
We need to get to the Jintsu, because that's where all of our spare torpedoes are located.

>>20728477
>[ ] There should be a small destroyer, lagging behind the flotilla.
Let's hope there's an extra mini-torp launcher

>>20728518
>Jintsu

That's the Yukikaze. The Jintsu's the flagship.

>>20728477
[x] There should be a small destroyer, lagging behind the flotilla.

Time to go home, Cookie.

>>20728477
Take us home.

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You think about it. You're rather worn out, but you should still keep yourself handy in case you're really, really needed. With that as your goal, there's only one choice: The Yukikaze, the destroyer you set out from. Any extras of your equipment would be back there.

"There should be a small destroyer lagging behind the rest of the flotilla. They should be a lot closer now. Mind dropping me off there?"

Lt. Georgette thinks about it for a moment. "Alright, but if I get in trouble, I'm going to direct them to the crazy bitch riding the flying Martian death machine, alright?"

You nod. "Sure thing. Full name's Cleona Kukyendall."

Lt. Georgette wraps her arms around you, getting a good grip. "I'm Georgette-"

BOOM! A tremendous explosion goes off below, interrupting her. "Whatever, whatever! Let's get going before we both end up sunk!" you exclaim.

She nods, then takes flight.

>>20728689


It's a long and largely boring flight, but you get a dazzling view of the battlefield. You can really see why Rae loves flying. The Harbinger looks surprisingly intact. There are numerous holes on the bottom, but nothing punched all the way through...and it's still afloat. The flotilla has backed off in the meantime, realizing their work is done. A regretful few are able to still sail out of the battlefield. Far off in the distance, you can just barely make out some of the ships of the taskforce. They're a hodgepodge of battleships, cruisers, and various carriers that were available on such short notice, and they're keeping their distance. The Martian Fleet appears to be just fine with that, focusing on the Harbinger...but several of their guns are knocked out, and the combined air power of the Harbinger and taskeforce are doing some serious damage.

"Wait, what's going on?" you ask, pointing backwards. "You seeing that?"

Lt. Georgette turns to look. "Did...did they shoot it down?"

"I don't think so; looks too slow."

The Harbinger has started descending, returning to the water. It lumbers back towards the surface, as if apprehensive of the water. You're not sure it's even still water tight at this point, but you honestly can't think of a better move.

"Oh god, look! There's a ship under there!"

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>>20728696


Indeed there is. One of the more aggressive ships of the Martian Fleet moved directly underneath the Harbinger, protecting itself from aircraft. Unfortunately, it's too slow to evade the massive fortress; when the Harbinger splashes down, you don't see any part of the ship come back up.

Lt. Georgette finally spots the Yukikaze, setting you down carefully on the deck.

"Thanks for the lift," you tell her.

"No problem. I...guess I shouldn't ask what that was all about, huh?"

"I guess not. MacArthur might get a little annoyed."

"General MacArthur!? No, no, I've heard too much. See you."

"Happy hunting!"

You watch as she zoom back into the sky.

"Dammit," you comment, "why can't they all just wear pants?"

NEXT TIME ON SUBWITCHES: A NEW KIND OF GAME

Wednesday 8PM EST!

>>20728702

>dat thread name

>dat last line

>dat ass

Kota, does cookie need to share something with the class?

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>>20728721
I don't think she does. Does she?

Hey Kota.

You topped 100 posts.

>>20728746
Second time in a row, too! Or third? I'm on a roll, baby.

>>20728769
Hey man, great thread!

>>20728838
Thanks.

>>20728689
We...We took the martian with us, right?

We didn't.

DAMMIT GUYS HE WAS THE TSUNDERE IN OUR HAREM

>>20728922
>female
>building a male harem

Somehow, the image of a girl surrounded by 50 guys isn't as satisfying as one of a guy surrounded by 50 girls.

>>20728967
Check your privilege patriarchy scum

>>20728967
>men

Fuck that. We're in this for the tentacles.

>>20728967
>male harem
The word is MARTIAN, you fuck.

>>20728985
>>20728980
>50 martians
>not enough holes
>they start cutting their own

And that's how it stopped being a porno and became a horror film.

>>20729029
Why would you do this?

>>20729029
>harem end
>not glorious True End

Socks is our one and only.

>>20729077
Because I'm drunk as a skunk and I can't help but turn happy scenarios into horrible ones.

You have no idea how many times I had to go back and retype this post.

Of course, the one time I get post-thread discussion, it frightens me.

>>20729483
At least you're not alone in the terror.