“Oh, that?” you shrug, trying your best to keep a straight face.

“I mean, that was nothing special.” You say nonchalantly. “I mean, mom's a witch, one of my grandmas is a witch, my sister's one too... after a while, you have to learn how to deal with sparkles.”

Ice crosser her arms and taps her foot. “Cut the crap lieutenant. What happened.” Clearly, she's not in a mood for games. Probably not best to irritate her- she's just come down from hop 20 as well, and hasn't turned in her M-14 yet. Even if it's just loaded with blanks, the thing looks heavy enough to make a pretty vicious club.

That and she's probably pissed you're in the lead by a point, now.

[] Better come clean. She's pissed.
[] Let Merlin field it. She can explain it better than you can anyway

File: 1348611030862.jpg-(100 KB, 400x400, 101 ways to use a dead stoat.jpg)

what the hell you can't post pictures like that on a blue board

>>20868041
>[] Better come clean. She's pissed.
Let's roll with it.

>>20868064
What're you talking about, Crix? She's just cleaning it.

[] Better come clean. She's pissed.

Merlin is radar anyway, not gunz

>>20868041
[] Let Merlin field it. She can explain it better than you can anyway
Evasive maneuvers!

[X] Better come clean. She's pissed.

What does that even mean? IIRC all we did was just shoot Viper a whole lot!

[x] FUCK IF I KNOW.

By which I mean [x] Come clean

>>20868041

[x] counter-attack

"What the hell was up with her being able to produce two individual shields?"

[x] Better come clean. She's pissed.
-[x] Only involve Merlin if it's absolutely needed.

As much as I'd like Merlin's help, I'd rather not drag into into this unless absolutely necessary.

>>20868080
you forgot what she did with that missile in the first post.

>>20868033
It's hard not to take the pic in a lewd context, especially with her pose.

[] Better come clean. She's pissed.
We shot the gap

>>20868041
[] Better come clean. She's pissed.
If we don't, she'll go after Merlin next. We should protect our RIO.

File: 1348612084712.jpg-(124 KB, 800x533, HOOYAHTimeforS89Q.jpg)

>>20868041

[X] Better come clean. She's pissed.

Looks like we just used up what little goodwill we earned with Ice during the volleyball game. Only drag Merlin in if we have to; I don't want to lose another RIO due to Ice making her cry from a dressing-down.

>>20868245

I really don't think we deserve a dressing down for what is basically doing our job (and doing it better than anyone else, for that matter).

>>20868041
[] Better come clean. She's pissed.

we gonna get mindraped

File: 1348612703571.jpg-(53 KB, 640x480, too bad you've only got one!.jpg)

[x] Better come clean. She's pissed.

“You all seem to forget” you begin, grabbing your flight bag and helmet“That my RIO is a witch. Just because she rides around in a proper aircraft instead of strapping one to her legs, that doesn't mean she's not got every trick you have too.”

You walk back to the nose of your aircraft and reach up, patting the gunport. “This, is the M61 20mm vulcan.” You point at the rifle slung across her chest. “that's an M-14. 's like, what? 7.6-something?”

“7.62” She says, her voice still holding an edge “i don't see what..”

“Don't worry, I'm getting there” you cut her off. “ours is 20mm. And Merlin can do the same glittery crap to IT that you do to your rifle.”

A look of realization starts to dawn across her face as you press on. “You can shoot down aircraft with a small caliber weapon. Shit that, I'm told, can do as much damage as our gun. Imagine what ours does.”

Ice nods, slowly. “But what about the shield? It wouldn't register that kind of thing in a training hop, and our feedback gear won't allow for it to get to that point”

“uh...” Merlin says from behind you. “that might have been my fault.”

“wha..” Ice swings around, ready to launch into her

“Hey, what the FUCK is up with her being able to spin off two shields anyhow?” You say, trying to redirect Ice away from Merlin. “That was some bullshit”

It works. “Yeah, we heard you snarling. It's one of her abilities.” She says, then she shakes her head. “Whatever. I'm going to go tell Viper the truth- get your asses up to her office”

“Aye, ma'am”

“oh, and nice work this morning, you two” She stalks off.

“well, that went well” you mutter.

[] 'Cmon Merlin, let's go deal with this shit
[] maybe we ougghta get out of our flight gear, first

>>20868341
>[] 'Cmon Merlin, let's go deal with this shit

>>20868341
>[] 'Cmon Merlin, let's go deal with this shit

[] 'Cmon Merlin, let's go deal with this shit

I take Ice as DO IT NOW

>>20868341
cue holding merlin up and making airplane noises

>>20868341
>[] 'Cmon Merlin, let's go deal with this shit

>>20868341

[x] 'Cmon Merlin, let's go deal with this shit

[x] 'Cmon Merlin, let's go deal with this shit

if Viper gives us shit about being in flight gear, we can answer "you only said get in your office as soon as possible"

Also I remember witches toting around some pretty big guns by human standards in SW canon.

>>20868341

[X] C'mon Merlin, let's go deal with this shit.

Considering Ice said to get our asses up to Viper's office, I'm going to assume she meant "...right now!"

>>20868341
[X] 'Cmon Merlin, let's go deal with this shit

The sooner we sort out this bullshit the sooner we can have shenanigans.

I do so love me some shenanigans.

>>20868341
Let's go and deal with this shit now.

File: 1348614181431.jpg-(27 KB, 454x340, it's a nice office, really.jpg)

[x] 'Cmon Merlin, let's go deal with this shit

“Cmon, Merlin, let's go deal with this” you say, tucking your helmet in your bag.

She looks over at you, then down at herself. “wouldn't... wouldn't it be better if we weren't in our flight gear?” she asks.

“Nope!” you say cheerily. “Ice said we needed to get up to Viper's office, and you know her! She probably meant right the hell now!”

“ok...” she says, dubiously.

Viper's office is a nice one, great view of the flight line and the runways. You can just make out the city skyline beyond it.

Of course, right now, you're not in it- instead, you and merlin are standing along the wall next to the door as the senior air traffic controller for the base rips into her.

“And two of your snot-nose jockeys did a flyby of my tower at over 400 knots! I want somebody's ass, I want it now, I've had it!”

Merlin looks at you. “Think they know that was us?”

You shrug. “Hope not”

The Man storms out of Viper's office, turning to slam the door behind him then whipping back around to go stomping off...

Right into a yeoman carrying a tray of coffee mugs. Most of them full.

“God DAMNIT!” he roars. “THAT'S TWICE!”

“Bishop, Wells. Get in here” Ice says from inside the office as the man goes stomping away- covered in coffee for the second time today, apparently. “and close that hatch behind you.”

aw, hell.

“So, lieutenant commander Kazanski was telling me that my fears were unfounded” Viper says. As you come to attention in front of her desk. “That the navy's little experiment of putting a witch in a conventional airframe is working out fairly well.”

[] “I'd say so, yes ma'am”
[] “shot your ass down, didn't it?”

[] “I'd say so, yes ma'am”

No need to antagonize our CO

>>20868627
>[] “I'd say so, yes ma'am”

>>20868627
>[] “shot your ass down, didn't it?”
Fuck it, let's do it.

[x] “I'd say so, yes ma'am”

It's true, Merlin's been a massive help.

>>20868627
>[] “I'd say so, yes ma'am”

dont fuck up the higherups that much.

already had her beating today

>>20868627
[] “I'd say so, yes ma'am”

>>20868627

[X] “I'd say so, yes ma'am.”

Be respectful! Viper is our superior officer. We troll her, Ice will get grief from her too. We don't need Ice up our asses any farther than she already is.

Merlin is awesome as our RIO....maybe that flyby wasn't such a hot idea.

>>20868627
[X] “I'd say that's a pretty big understatement, ma'am.”

Be smug. But not too smug.

[] “shot your ass down, didn't it?”
Needs more HUEHUEHUE

File: 1348616147717.png-(35 KB, 500x630, locker room wall.png)

[x] “I'd say so, yes ma'am”

“I'd like to believe so, yes ma'am” You respond.

“hmm” She taps a file folder that's sitting open on her desk absently. You can't make out what it is, but you've got a fairly good idea it's something about you. Or Merlin. Or both of you.

“Regardless, it's allowed you to do something we haven't seen since the war. I'd suggest you take care, lieutenant. If the navy thinks you're too much of a risk to keep with your RIO, they won't think twice about re-assigning her. Dismissed”

You salute smartly, and spin on your heel, heading out of the office like you were back at Annapolis and just received an ass-chewing. “oh, and lieutenant? No more flybys, ok?”

“Aye, ma'am” you respond, glumly. She laughs.

“Why do I feel like we dodged a bullet?” You say to Merlin as you head back to the locker rooms. She shrugs. “You might have. I don't think that had anything to do with me.”

“Yeah, right” you respond. “what the hell did you do anyway, to make that shield go like that?” She grins. “Well, I just talked to her feedback gear a bit. Had it... push... a bit harder on her shields.”
You look over at her. “So you had it zap the living shit out of her”

Merlin's grin gets wider. “Basically? Yes.”

“Great” you sigh. “maybe I am a bad influence”

Her grin disappears in an instant. “I... I wasn't thinking about that” she says, crestfallen.

You ruffle her hair. “It's ok, just try and watch it. You heard viper about re-assignments”

“yeah...”

“Anyway” you say, redirecting the conversation. “So what are you doing this weekend?”

Merlin shrugs. “My family is flying in. Along with grandma wells. And my sister” She doesn't look real thrilled at the last two.

[] Sounds like fun
[] Grandma wells?
[] Sister?

[] Grandma wells?
[] Sister?

[x] Sounds like fun

Not sure if this means he'll stick around or not ,but i don't think asking about her family is the best idea right now.

>>20868944
>[ ] Grandma wells?
Followed by
>[ ] Sister?

>>20868944
>[] Sister?
is she hot?

>>20868944

[X] Grandma wells?
then
[X] Sister?

"Older sister or younger? You haven't mentioned her that I know of, Sam."

>>20868944
[] Grandma wells?
[] Sister?

we can have goal?

[x] Grandma Wells?

the lact of tact doesn't surprise me yet disappoints me. Particularly the part about hitting on her older sister as it seems she has an inferiority complex about her and Frank hitting on the older sister may come off as a crushing betrayal.

>>20869057

Hey now, I want to see what her sister looks like, at least. Give me an idea how Merlin will look in a few years.

...Sister?

>>20869086

What makes you think it's an OLDER sister.

>>20869139
Exactly. But the way Merlin says it...

>>20869139
Whatever the case it's clear that she has a complex over her sister and I can assume one reason at least: She can fly.

File: 1348617712016.jpg-(219 KB, 344x800, I really hope she turned (...).jpg)

[x] Grandma wells?
[x] Sister?

“why do I detect you're not real happy with that?” You say, stuffing your helmet in the locker.

“Well, my grandma is a bit weird, but she likes my sister more than me.” She says, quietly. “I can't blame her. Sara’s more... well, she's better at everything.”

“oh yeah? Like what?” You ask, the doubt in your voice overwhelming.

“Well, she can fly strikers and she's funny and outgoing and pretty and everyone likes her and...”

“So she can fly strikers, is what your problem is”

“Yes! I mean, no! I mean... kind of? She's always been the favorite. She's smarter than me and prettier and older and... “ She trails off.

Clearly, this is not a great subject.

“Ok, and grandma Wells?”

Merlin looks back at you. “Grandma wells was really important during the war. She talks about it all the time. And she's kind of strange.”

“uh huh. Well, if you want, I can tag along” You offer.

She shakes her head. “I'd appreciate a ride to the airport, but after that, I'm sure they'll want to see me.”

“no problem” you say. “When they due in?”

“an hour or two” She says.

“so, enough time to get showered and cleaned up and out to the airport”

Well, enough time as long as neither mav nor slider is around

[] Check the room. They'll wait to ambush one of you in the shower, sure as sure.
[] Nah, they both landed recently too. They're home asleep.
[] Screw it. You've been in plenty of locker room dogfights before. This will be no different.

>>20869184
>[] Screw it. You've been in plenty of locker room dogfights before. This will be no different.

>>20869184
[] Screw it. You've been in plenty of locker room dogfights before. This will be no different

COME AT ME BRO

>>20869184
>>Check the room

>>20869184

[X] Screw it. You've been in plenty of locker room dogfights before. This will be no different.

Let Mav and Slider try to have their shenanigans. We know the ambush is coming.

>>20869184
>[ ] Screw it. You've been in plenty of locker room dogfights before. This will be no different.

Also
Merlin has a complex obviously about her sister.

But we should still try to tap that.

>>20869184
[X] Screw it. You've been in plenty of locker room dogfights before. This will be no different.

THERE IS ONLY WAR

[x] Nah, they both landed recently too. They're home asleep.

I think being called up to the office threw off their timing.

>>20869184
>“Well, she can fly strikers and she's funny and outgoing and pretty and everyone likes her and...”

There are some people that like Merlin much better.

>>20869184
[X] Check the room. They'll wait to ambush one of you in the shower, sure as sure.

Paranoia is always needed.

>>20869229
Nope, we are not gonna try to sleep with our adorable RIOs sister. It'd make her sad, she'd pout and everything.

>>20869229
Yes, fucking her sister (who she has a major inferiority complex about) will do WONDERS for our RIO's performance. I'm SURE that this won't affect her duties at all, and will have absolutely no effect on the atmosphere in the cockpit.

Think with your brain, not your dick.

>>20869184
>[] Check the room. They'll wait to ambush one of you in the shower, sure as sure.

>>20869229
God DAMN it, Winter, that is a terrible idea.

>>20869276
>>20869314

Seconding these guy's thoughts. Merlin's sister: look (no staring, no mentally undressing) but don't touch.

>>20869338
what about partially mentally undressing?

>>20869330
And that's why I said it. Someone has to play devils advocate in this situation.

>>20869382
No, no they don't.

>>20869400
Let's just agree to disagree on that, and I'll admit that it is a stupid idea.

File: 1348618934749.png-(79 KB, 250x256, Wheatley.png)

>>20869382

File: 1348619014999.jpg-(1.78 MB, 1460x2616, hers wasn't decomissioned.jpg)

[x] Screw it. You've been in plenty of locker room dogfights before. This will be no different.

You take a quick stock of your available data. The showers are segregated, of course, but the showerheads are along the same wet wall. The shower room doors are pretty close together, and you know Merlin can get fairly loud when there's trouble. You've got a pretty sizable height and weight advantage on both slider and mav, and you've got two brothers and a witch sister.

You stop and laugh to yourself as you realize you're more worried about your response time if they go after Merlin than you are if one of them comes after you. RIOs do strange things to pilots, you think. Make them all responsible and shit.

Maybe you should have gone for a one seater? The -18 can't be THAT bad, can it?

You fire a quick mental apology to the tomcat gods for that bit of blasphemy as you turn on the water. Yea, and thou shalt have no fighters before me is one of their commandments.

Except the crusader. That thing was neat as hell.

You almost don't hear the soft footfalls entering the locker room, or the distinct metal 'ping' of the spoon of a grenade being released.

The arc of the flash-bang gives you plenty of time to close both your eyes and clap your hand over one as you dive for the deck.

That would be a slider trick, through and through. And she usually works alone on the ground.

[] TORA TORA TORA bitches! Attack!
[] Shit! Bug out!

>>20869452
>Draw Pistol, Open Fire

"SIR! I THOUGHT IT WAS A RUSSIAN SPY TRYING TO GET ME, SIR!"

[x] TORA TORA TORA bitches! Attack!

Merlin's not just any RIO though.

>>20869452
>[ ] Shit! Bug out!
I'd rather not try anything when blind and partly deaf.

>>20869452
>[] TORA TORA TORA bitches! Attack!
It's plainly Maverick, using the grenade to make us think it's Slider. Or possibly Goose.

>>20869452
[X] TORA TORA TORA bitches! Attack!

Let her feel our fury, we need to get in close and grapple her. Make full use of our weight and height, don't let her take advantage of her sparkles.

>>20869452

[X] TORA TORA TORA bitches! Attack!

Counterattack Slider. Listen for Merlin. If she screams, she will need backup...fast.

File: 1348619284114.jpg-(155 KB, 600x450, 1348564166461.jpg)

>>20869452
[X] TORA TORA TORA bitches! Attack!

Let's do this!

>>20869452
>[] TORA TORA TORA bitches! Attack!

I voted to attack mainly because they wouldn't see it coming, figuring Frank'd sooner retreat than attack.

And if Merlin wasn't around, I'd have chosen to run too.

>>20869452
[X] TORA TORA TORA bitches! Attack!

Make those bitches run to the hills.

>>20869452
>[x] TORA TORA TORA bitches! Attack!

>>20869485
>The arc of the flash-bang gives you plenty of time to close both your eyes and clap your hand over one as you dive for the deck.
We aren't particularly blind at all. Hearing may be a bit fucked up, sure, but only a bit.

[x] TORA TORA TORA bitches! Attack!

For victory!

>>20869547
Those things are bright. Let me see... 6-8 million candela.

Closing your eyes ain't doing shit.

>>20869584
>implying we were looking at it.
It'll still help, since we aren't getting the direct experience.

>>20869612
We apparently saw it fly past our face, so unless it landed directly behind us, we're still blinded, at least partially.

>>20869630

Tell me where exactly in the narrative that happened.

>>20869651
Bad choice of words, we saw it flying. We didn't see where it landed, but until the next post, I'm assuming that it landed close enough and in vision to blind us.

>>20869452
[x] TORA TORA TORA bitches! Attack!

File: 1348620737096.jpg-(159 KB, 600x1000, that CANNOT be regulation camo.jpg)

[x] TORA TORA TORA bitches! Attack!

Shower stalls, at least here, are built with no door- someone, a while ago, had a bunch of shower curtains made up with the school logo on them, to try and give the place some sense of modesty and decency.

The fact that fully half the stalls are again open to the world probably speaks to how successful that was.
You snatch your towel from where you threw it over the divider between your stall and the next- since the place was empty, you had no reason to care.

You're deaf, partially blinded in one eye- closing your eye is good, but nowhere near enough protection for something like that. You're also naked.

And armed with the most vicious rat-tail you can get hold of.

Your sense of modesty makes one last effort to protest- and it's promptly dismembered by the other parts of your brain, which are all screaming “ATTACK!”

they're probably also foaming at the mouth. Your brain isn't noted for being subtle.

“HAVE AT YOU, RUFFIANS!” you roar as you jump from the shower stall.

Slider's doubled over with laughter, clearly thinking you're stumbling around, blindly. She looks up at your shout of defiance...

and doubles over again, laughing all the harder.

[1/2]

“You... you should see... your face!” she gasps between bouts of laughter.

“uh huh” you reply, fetching her a mighty crack across her legs with the rat tail, eliciting a yelp.

“no fair!” she screams, turning to flee. Another crack across her 'upper dorsal thigh' rewards you with another yelp. “Also: nice” she yells back at you.

It's really too bad you can only just barely hear her through the ringing in your ears.

Well. Your shower is completely ruined now. At least she had the decency to wait till you'd managed to rinse the soap off yourself.

You grab a clean towel and dry off, getting into pants in record time.

“is...is she gone?” Merlin says, peeking her head around the corner.

[] Yeah, all clear
[] I don't know. I think so?

>>20869833
>[] Yeah, all clear

>>20869833
[X] I don't know. I think so?

There's only one way to ensure Merlin's safety from the attackers, picking her up and carrying her around.

>>20869833
>[] Yeah, all clear
At least, I hope so.

>>20869833
>[] I don't know. I think so?
Persicope depth, flood torpedo tubes and make ready for an attack

>>20869833
[x] Yeah, all clear

>>20869833

[X] I don't know. I think so?

"Be careful, Merlin. Lt. Patty Mitchell is still unaccounted for."

[x] Yeah, all clear

I think she got her jollies and lost the element of surprise.

>>20869833

>[x] I don't know. I think so?

Be on guard

>>20869833
[X] I don't know. I think so?

Around witches, never relax.

>>20869893
I doubt Maverick would strike while Merlin is with us.

>>20869950

You never know with Mav.

File: 1348621881636.jpg-(141 KB, 1024x768, I mean, how do you contro(...).jpg)

[x] I don't know. I think so?

“not sure” you grumble. “Got Slider pretty good, I think she bugged out. Didn't see mav, but...”

“she's in the showers” Merlin says. “can you turn around so I can get dressed?”

“huh? Oh, yeah”

It takes her a tense minute to get dressed- Slider is well-known for having no shame, and you keep a vigilant watch out for her.
“well” Merlin says with a sigh. “Let's go. I'll probably be spending most of the weekend with my family, so...”

you shrug. “fair enough. You'll at least introduce me, right?”

She nods. “Sure. They'll probably want to meet you anyway.” She trails off. “You'll see what I mean about my sister.”

“oh, sure. She's a striker driver? What airframe?” You ask. It's pretty plain Merlin's got an inferiority complex going on, but she's still the best damn RIO you've ever heard of.

And that shit with the shield breaking... that's just adding to the good column, here.

“E-2C” She practically wails. “she's even better at radar than me!”

“She drives an AWACS?” You ask, kind of confused.

Merlin nods. “Yeah, and she talks about how it's fun and easy to control all these pilots and witches in the air and how great it is to be able to dictate a fight and how everyone listens to her!”

[] Clearly, she's in for a shock if she ever works with us
[] She's posturing. All the AWACS guys we know are miserable washouts of fighter school.
[] other (write-in)

>>20870084
>[] Clearly, she's in for a shock if she ever works with us
>[] She's posturing. All the AWACS guys we know are miserable washouts of fighter school.
Both, obviously.

>>20870084
[x] Clearly, she's in for a shock if she ever works with us

>>20870084
>[] She's posturing. All the AWACS guys we know are miserable washouts of fighter school.
Also, she sounds like a control freak. Literally.

>>20870084
>[] Clearly, she's in for a shock if she ever works with us
>[] She's posturing. All the AWACS guys we know are miserable washouts of fighter school.

>>20870084
[X] Clearly, she's in for a shock if she ever works with us
[X] She's posturing. All the AWACS guys we know are miserable washouts of fighter school.

GATTAI DA

[x] Clearly, she's in for a shock if she ever works with us
[x] She's posturing. All the AWACS guys we know are miserable washouts of fighter school.

I wonder if she can remain so confident under fire.

>>20870084
[X] Clearly, she's in for a shock if she ever works with us.

[X] She's posturing. All the AWACS guys we know are miserable washouts of fighter school.

Give Merlin something to giggle about, and build her confidence up.

>>20870084
"Well she sounds like she is a bit of a control freak. Is she the type of person who organizes her socks by color and obsesses over keeping her pencils immaculate? I bet she is.

Besides Merlin, I doubt she can have in depth conversations with planes or ask the toaster how its day has been. You're still the best."

[x] She's posturing. All the AWACS guys we know are miserable washouts of fighter school.

>>20870084
...how much you want to bet that her sister is Merlin's identical twin, just as much of a nerdette as she is, and the only difference is that she can fly Strikers?

>>20870213
if thats the case we stick with Merlin.

Because the AWACS guys are ALWAYS out to lunch when you need them and constantly nagging you when you don't

>>20870482

Seconding. Merlin is awesome. Warhound sees that she is; we just need to get her to see it too.

>>20870213
I get the feeling Merlin's the more mature one out of the two.

[] Yeah, all clear

File: 1348624577264.png-(123 KB, 1000x700, awesome merlin pic.png)

[x] Clearly, she's in for a shock if she ever works with us
[x] She's posturing. All the AWACS guys we know are miserable washouts of fighter school.

“Oh, that sounds familiar.” you say, nodding. “Like the REST of the AWACS guys we know. Ya know, all the ones that were miserable washouts from fighter school and got stuck flying the closest thing to a u-haul in the fleet”

“yeah, but... “

“And besides, when have we EVER listened to an AWACS trying to tell us where to go?” You ask. “don't you remember all the trouble we got in after telling thunderhead to go to hell and just set up the fucking intercept?”

She giggles a little. “Yeah, I remember that!” She makes a mock-serious face and tries to impersonate the operator that day. “Spellcaster 1-1 where are you going? Take heading 240 at angels 20! Spellcaster 1-1 clear the channel! Spellcaster 1-1 what is wrong with you?!”

You have to laugh too. It's a good memory- you got in deep shit for it, but the guys on that bird learned to just give you the damn fix on the bogey and shut up with all the directions.

She's smiling as you make your way to the parking lot. “well, if you need me this weekend, you know where I'll be” you say, starting the Harley up. She nods. “your place or Santa's. Right?” You nod.

The airport is actually a fairly long drive, taking you through the heart of the city. You're waiting by the gate for a few minutes when Merlin nudges you in the ribs, pointing at a man in a loud Hawaiian shirt and a pair of khaki cargo shorts who's walking out the door. “That's my dad” she says, running over to meet him.

“is... is he wearing combat boots?” you ask, following her.

“Daddy!” she squeals, jumping up into the man's arms. “Sammy! Kiddo!” he responds, spinning her around.

Her family starts emerging from the aricraft one at a time- seems they weren't all sitting togther.

“hi pipsqueak” The next one off says. She looks like your RIO... except a few years older, with long hair.

Your RIO's smile fades, somewhat. “Hi Sara.” she says. “where's mom?”

they reunite quickly, and you're about to bug out when you hear Merlin say “Let me introduce you to my pilot. Frank!”

You turn around, a slight smile on your face.

“Frank, this is my Dad, Dr. Thomas Wells. He's an engineer at Boeing.” Well, that explains the crazy get-up.

“Pleased to meet ya, sir” you say shaking his hand. “We'll have to chat about my baby sometime” the man says, looking at you. “The tomcat's got some neat things coming down the pipe”

You grin. “yes, sir, we will” You say, laughing.

“My mom, Dr. Patricia Wells.”

She looks more professional than her husband, at least. “Ma'am” you say, nodding your head. “Nice to meet you” she responds. “Samantha's told us a lot about you”

That gives you pause. “Should I be worried?” You say with a small laugh. For her part, Merlin’s mom just shakes her head with a laugh of her own.

“My sister, Lieutenant Junior grade Sara Wells”

“So you're Warhound.” The girl says, shaking your hand. You nod. “guilty as charged.” She smiles, a bit. You sense challenge in it. “Yeah, I've heard of you” you let that one go.

“and my grandmother, Dr. Alice Wells”

“Good to meet you” the older lady says with a very faint Australian accent. “Likewise” you say.

“Family, this is my pilot, lieutenant Frank Bishop.”

“bishop? That's a pretty famous name” Merlin's grandmother says. You nod and laugh. “No relation” You say, knowing what she means. “My grandma fought in the CBI theater. And wasn't a bishop.”
“Well, I'm sure you have things to do, Frank” Merlin says. “We'll be fine from here.”

“Trying to get rid of him before we can embarrass you, squirt?” her sister laughs.

“n..No” Merlin lies.

“Frank, if you want, you're welcome to come to dinner with us.” Thomas says.

[] I appreciate it, but I have some things to take care of.
[] Well, since you're offering... sure.

[x] Well, since you're offering... sure.

>>20870757
>[] Well, since you're offering... sure.
Its food we dont have to pay for, and we introduced merlin to our family

[x] Well, since you're offering... sure.

begin operation stick up/cheer up Merlin. Free Food never hurts also.

>>20870757
[X] Well, since you're offering... sure.

She had dinner with our family, I think it's fair. Also free food.

>>20870757
>[] Well, since you're offering... sure.
Who in their right mind turns down free food.

>>20870757
[x] Well, since you're offering... sure.
Sorry, Merlin, but it's free food.

>>20870757

[X] Well, since you're offering... sure.

Free food, and a chance to keep Merlin's spirits up by singing her praises to her family. How can we pass this up?

[x] Well, since you're offering... sure.

>>20870757
Yay Striker 89!

[X] Well, since you're offering... sure.

>>20870757
[X] Well, since you're offering... sure.

>passing up Merlin time
>1989

>>20870757
>[] Well, since you're offering... sure.

>>20870757

[] Well, since you're offering... sure.

I mean, FREE FOOD.

File: 1348626422653.jpg-(187 KB, 609x1000, among others possibly.jpg)

[x] Well, since you're offering... sure.

“Well sir, my folks always told me never to turn down free food” You say with a laugh.

“Good, good!” he says, grinning. “I've been anxious to try out this place Samantha told us about”

“what place, sir?” You ask, walking behind the family as they head off to collect their baggage.

“what was it, Sammy?” he says. “it's completely escaped my mind!”

“Santas” she says, and you have to laugh.

“Merlin, this is because of that cake, isn't it?”

“No... yes” she says, with a grin. “it was good cake!”

The drive is short- the family apparently rented a van, since they live up in Seattle, and Merlin ended up having to ride with them. For once, you had a chance to cut completely loose- and couldn't, since they stayed on you the entire way. It wasn't a long drive, thankfully, since her dad makes you kind of nervous behind the wheel.

“fronk 'mboy!” Santa, as always, seems to be happy to see you. 'Course, that's how he always seems to be- the man is always happy. “Santa! Merlin wanted to bring her family by!”

He laughs, deep powerful bouts as he tilts his head back and claps both hands on his belly. “She did? Good! Good! The cake works it's magic!”

You laugh at that. “of course! It's really good cake!”

“Don't sit up on the patio, dear” Santa's wife says. “it's supposed to rain”

You end up taking up one of the second floor tables, overlooking the ground level. It's not busy- it never seems to be- but there's a few other people in here.

“I'll be right with 'mboy!” Santa says, as he heads out the the deck. “There's some of your squadronmates out there eating! Silly girls wouldn't listen.”

[] Squadronmates? oh... great. This could get ugly, fast.
[] “who is it, Santa?”
[] go see for yourself

[x] “who is it, Santa?”

Let's see before we assume the worst.

>>20871143

[] go see for yourself

We assume the fucking worst. Also, order the killer chocolate cake for them.

>>20871143

[X] Who is it, Santa?"

If it's who I think it is (Maverick and Goose), this could get ugly if Patty goes Maximum Overtroll.

>>20871143
>[] “who is it, Santa?”

>>20871143
>[X] “who is it, Santa?”

>>20871143
[] “who is it, Santa?”

>>20871143
[] Squadronmates? oh... great. This could get ugly, fast.
[] “who is it, Santa?”
Try to spare Merlin the embarrassment of trolling squadronmates.

>>20871143
[X] “Which ones, Santa?”

>>20871143
>[] go see for yourself

File: 1348627994661.jpg-(48 KB, 400x400, like this, but there's ju(...).jpg)

[x] “who is it, Santa?”

“Which ones, Santa?” you ask, worry evident in your voice. Ice you're not so worried about, and if she's here, she'll keep Slider in check pretty easily.

Maverick, on the other hand, is a total wildcard. That could end up badly.

“Tall blonde named Patty and a younger one named Nicole” He says, without looking at his order pad.

“Maverick and Goose. Great.” you say, your worst fears realized.

Second worst. Though the only thing that would really make it worse would be..

“You should invite them in to sit with us, Sammy!” Merlin’s Dad says. Indicating the empty seats at your overlarge table. “We've got plenty of space!”

Aw hell. This could get very interesting.

“I don't... I don't know if that's a good idea, Dad” she says. “They can get kind of..”

“I'll do it, then” Her sister says, standing up.

Oh boy. You think. Here we go.

“So, sir, you said something about the F-14?” You say, enjoying the little bit of peace before the storm.

The man positively BEAMS. “Oh! Yes, yes. They've started working on a pair of new proposal models- we've actually got a prototype of one in house that we're already building on.” He laughs. “Turns out a carrier in the pacific had one that suffered a midair collision A few weeks ago, and they sent it in. We decided to use it as the testbed for the more advanced of the two proposals, since we needed almost a full rebuild for that. That bird is sitting on our floor in a thousand pieces right now- We'll probably be able to start piecing it back together in about a week or two. The other one is comparatively basic- cockpit upgrades, new radar, improved avionics, that kind of thing”

[] My Baby!
[] An F-14 suffered a midair collision and wasn't destroyed? Must have been a hell of a pilot!
[] wait, why's Boeing working on a F-14?

>>20871479
>[] My Baby!
>[] wait, why's Boeing working on a F-14?

[x] An F-14 suffered a midair collision and wasn't destroyed? Must have been a hell of a pilot!
[x] wait, why's Boeing working on a F-14?

>>20871479
[x] My Baby!

>>20871479
>[] My Baby!

>>20871479
>[x] My Baby!
>[x] wait, why's Boeing working on a F-14?

Interesting.

>>20871479
[x] wait, why's Boeing working on a F-14?
That's a Grumman plane.

>[x] My Baby!
>[x] wait, why's Boeing working on a F-14?

>>20871479
>[] My Baby!
>[] wait, why's Boeing working on a F-14?

The fuck?

>>20871479
[X ] My baby!

Are you guys treating my plane right? Is she okay? When you see her again send my love, please.

>>20871479
[X] An F-14 suffered a midair collision and wasn't destroyed? Must have been a hell of a crew!

Gotta get Merlin in this, show we got her back.

>>20871479
>[x] Why is Boeing working on my Baby?

Why isn't anyone wondering why one ship wasn't totally wrecked in that collision?

File: 1348628552810.jpg-(13 KB, 300x354, 1272836907856.jpg)

>>20871596
Are you serious?

>>20871618
It was wrecked but usually in high speed jet collisions, there's usually nothing usable left.

>>20871596
Because we're too awesome to have our plane die from hitting a witch.

>>20871668
I think he's be more curious about something that should be impossible than going "My Baby!" like some basement dweller surfing an image board.

>>20871657
Look over hear guy. >>20871668

>>20871694
It's OUR old plane. We hit A WITCH. It's in the FIRST POST of the QUEST.

>>20871707
Well she hit us.

File: 1348629129126.jpg-(240 KB, 802x560, Irani_F-14_Tomcats_carryi(...).jpg)

>>20871724
You do have to get it straight on the insurance report.

>>20871707
"Being too awesome" isn't much of a good explanation and it was that obvious, Ghost wouldn't have listed that as an option.

Well, it wouldn't be a Strike Witches request without some stupid trains of thought.

>>20871795
>it was that obvious, Ghost wouldn't have listed that as an option.
It's supposed to be us playing dumb about the incident, since technically we did endanger Merlin there, and we want to sound out how her dad feels about it first.

It was pretty damn obvious.

File: 1348630543869.jpg-(119 KB, 850x499, the one on the right. ign(...).jpg)

[x] My Baby!
[x] wait, why's Boeing working on an F-14?

“that's our bird!” you exclaim, nearly choking on your drink. Dr wells- all three of them- look at you, then Merlin. “that was you?” Merlin's dad says incredulously. “What happened?”

“Training exercises with Japanese witches.” you say, remembering that evening. “one of them was tailing us and lost track of what was going on, I guess. Hit us pretty hard when we tried to get her to overshoot.”

“I'll say!” Merlin's dad chuckles. “They sent that plane to us in an air force C-5. The rightside was mostly wrecked- the engine was shot all to hell, looks like the fans themselves shredded. Just to repair it, the Grumman boys were saying it'd be easier just to new-build one.” He grins again. “So the navy sent it to us.”

Merlin's mom nods. “We've got some things at china lake that would make your head spin, but the 14 isn't really capable of working with them, yet”

Her dad picks back up. “And then there's the fact that the navy really wants an answer to the strike eagle, and there's a lot of public pressure to not retire the tomcat”

(1/2)

“But why Boeing?” you ask, still lost. “I mean, it's Grumman bird..”

“Yes, but we've got a better relationship with China lake.” Merlin's dad says, looking over at her mother. “And some... interesting things we're working on”

“It's still above my head, sir, but I'll take your word for it.” you say. The fact that it's also probably just a little highly classified has you a little worried too- Merlin’s dad strikes you as the type to get lost in the technical details and tell you things that would have men in suits and sunglasses showing up at your place one day.

“Hiya Warhound, Merlin!” you hear Maverick say. “Merlin's sister came to get us. Looks like it's going to rain out there anyway, so we decided to join you”

“Ah, hi Maverick, Goose.” Merlin says. She introduces her family quickly to your mutual friends.

“Goose says she just got out of the academy too!” Merlin's sister says, looking at her folks. “it must be nice, having someone your own age to play with, Sam” she says, condescendingly.

[] Intervene! This will not stand.
[] … Mav's probably not going to take that really well. This will be fun.

>>20872105
>witch fight incoming

Ha ha time to go grab a beer.

>>20872093
I stand corrected. So much for keeping mum on it though.

Now to choose between sticking up for Merlin in the face of being condescending or letting Maverick go off.

>>20872105
[x] Intervene! This will not stand.

>>20872105
[x] … Mav's probably not going to take that really well. This will be fun.
Oi, Santa, popcorn.

>>20872105
>[] … Mav's probably not going to take that really well. This will be fun.

Grab a beer. This going to be good.

And if there's a place for us to jump in at, do that too.

[x] Intervene! This will not stand.

as entertaining as seeing Maverick go apeshit would be, the display might harm Frank and Merlin's standing. Not to mention stuff getting wrecked.

[X] … Mav's probably not going to take that really well. This will be fun.

Cat fight!

>>20872105
[x]Fan the flames. Pilots protect their own, so if we can signal to Mav that big sister gives our witch RIO a hard time, she'll be lucky if fleeing in tears is the only fallout.

>>20872105
I think that this calls for both us and Mav, working together. We start it and give her an opportunity to jump in.

"Sara, isn't it lovely that you're concerned for your amazing sister's happiness.

Though I must assure you that not a single person thinks of her as anything other than the greatest RIO to ever live, and those who don't quickly change their tune when me and Merlin, she does most of the work, outclass them in the air.

I mean it's not like she's piloting a AWACS, man I feel sorry for those people. Trying to tell people what to do and never just passing on the information."

>>20872223
Oh, I love this idea. Poor girl will never see it coming too.

>>20872105
[x] Intervene! This will not stand.

Inform her that what we're doing is serious business and that the focused training they receive as a result of being some of the most talented individuals that the military have to offer leaves little time for either of the young ladies to "play".

>>20872223

Yeah liking a bit of this. We got each others back!

File: 1348632489213.jpg-(30 KB, 520x350, your reaction. more or less.jpg)

[x] Other (write in)

You look at mav, who's probably none too happy at the veiled insult to her wing mate.

“You know, it's weird, Mav” You say almost conversationally.

“What's weird?” she says, picking up on your tone of voice.

“I mean, here we are, sitting with four fighter crews and none of us have even begun to talk about confirmed kills. Or about how AWACS are always out to lunch when you need them. And all over the place when you don't.”

She snorts. “AWACS are like cops, Warhound. Remember thunderhead?”

You have to laugh. “Of course!”
“Spellcaster 1-2! What are you doing! You're in the merge with four migs!” she says, her voice mocking thunderhead's controller. “Spellcaster 1-1! Climb! Jesus!”

“And then they go crazy when you're like 'I'm gonna get medieval here, I'm 'goin in for guns'” You say, fondly remembering that whole episode. The trouble was WELL worth it.

(1/2)

>>20872105
Intervene

>I haven't got a clue what's going on.

Maverick laughs. “Ah, most of them are just mad they couldn't hack it in fighter school”

“Yeah” you say, tilting your glass in mav's direction. “But that's no excuse for an inflated ego. If they'd just quit with the directions and start with the information, we'd all be a lot happier.” you take a drink, then add “well, most of us. Between my RIO and her radar, I really don't even need that!”

“Excuse me” Merlin's sister says, and leaves the table, one hand clenched into a shaking fist.

“think she's mad?” You ask, watching her go. Mav laughs. “Brought it on herself. Shoulda known better than to jump four bogies.”

You laugh, then look over at Merlin. “Sorry about that” You say. “didn't seem right to let her pick on ya”

“it's ok” Merlin says, quickly. “I... I kind of thought it was funny” the rest of her family looks torn between wanting to stay, and wanting to talk to their other daughter.

“I'm glad my big sister isn't like that” Goose says

[] God, you have one too. What is it with witches and big families?
[] Maybe we laid it on too thick?

>>20872580
>[] God, you have one too. What is it with witches and big families?

No really. What the hell?

>>20872580
>[] Maybe we laid it on too thick?
I'm feeling SLIGHTLY bad about it.

[x] God, you have one too. What is it with witches and big families?

Besides Witches being highly attractive, even ones that can't fly?

[X] Maybe we laid it on too thick?

>>20872580
[x] God, you have one too. What is it with witches and big families?

>>20872580
[x] God, you have one too. What is it with witches and big families?
Like for seriously.

>>20872580
[x] Maybe we laid it on too thick?
Was it a little too obvious?

>>20872580
[] God, you have one too. What is it with witches and big families?
>>20872635
Anyone that gives our waif.....err our RIO an inferiority complex deserves it.

>>20872580
>[x] Maybe we laid it on too thick?

I assume that we want Merlin's parents to like us. Picking on their other daughter might not be ideal in that regard.

File: 1348633626109.jpg-(195 KB, 362x800, Goose's big sister.jpg)

[x] God, you have one too. What is it with witches and big families?

“You've got a sister too? Cripes, what is it with witches and big families?” You ask, looking at Goose.

She shrugs. “it's just me and my sister. And mom's not a witch”

“Who's your sister with?” You ask, signaling Santa for a cup of coffee.

“She's with the First marine air wing.”

“So” you say, looking at the young witch across the table from you. “Your sister's in the marines? Why'd you join the navy?”

Goose shrugs. “We were at an airshow near Wichita a few months before I left for an academy. There were some F-14s there, and a pair of witches from the Nimitz's group with their strikers. One of the Tomcat pilots did a high-speed pass over the parking lot with one of the witches as me and my mom and dad were walking in.” She grins. “I wanted to do that”

“I know the feeling!” you chuckle.

“So you're from Kansas?” Merlin's dad asks. Goose nods

“Mhmm. We thought it might be fun to go see the planes, since it was just a little while after Claire joined the Marines. We thought we might see what she was flying there, but they didn't have any” She says.

“What's her striker?” you ask, sipping your coffee.

“Harriers” Goose responds. You shake your head.

“I never understood that” you say. “I mean, why make a harrier striker at all? All strikers can do the VTOL thing, like a harrier can, right?”

Merlin shakes her head. “Nope. They can hover once they're in the air, but they can't take off like that”

“I...wait, what? How does that make sense?”

(1/2)

Merlin's mom steps in. “It's part of how it all works. You'd have to dump a lot of magic into an engine, probably more than it could take, to give it enough energy to get off the ground” She shrugs again. “Once you're already off the ground, it's easier to stay there.”

“So” You say, now thoroughly confused, “you could take off vertically if your strikers could handle it, but if you tried they'd burn out?”

Goose nods. “or blow up.”

“Ok...” you say, still confused “so how are the harriers different?”

“Their engines” Merlin's mom explains. “They use a Pegasus engine- they're designed around it. It handles magic power differently so it can take off without a runway, but it's a lot slower in the air. And it's a maintenance hog”

“And the harrier's shield focus isn't that good” Goose says. “Harrier witches have to be more careful. And they're a lot harder to fly, too.” She smiles. “But my sister says the infantry love them.”

“Makes sense” you say. “I guess harrier witches can work pretty closely with ground forces.”

“Mhmm” Goose nods. “She says when they train, usually they stay with the marines in the field, and not at an air station.”

“forget that” you say with feeling. “in the field? Mud? Bugs? MARINES? No thanks. See, that's the nice thing about a carrier. You always have a nice, warm place to sleep when you get back.”

“Yeah. Unless it sinks” Merlin adds.

“You're just little miss happy, today, aren't you?” You hear her sister say as she walks back.

Merlin shrugs.

[] Glad to see you're not that mad, Sara. We just don't take it well when you mess with our crew. nothing personal
[] Well, she's right, ya know.

>>20872836
[X] Glad to see you're not that mad, Sara. We just don't take it well when you mess with our crew. nothing personal

We got our point across, we should make amends, get in good with the rest of Merlin's family.

>>20872836
[x] Well, she's right, ya know.
Eh, it's true. But the US hasn't lost a carrier since WW2, so I'm not too worried.

>>20872836
[x] Glad to see you're not that mad, Sara. We just don't take it well when you mess with our crew. nothing personal

>>20872836
[] Well, she's right, ya know.

>>20872836
>[X] Glad to see you're not that mad, Sara. We just don't take it well when you mess with our crew. nothing personal.

I agree with >>20872856

[x] Glad to see you're not that mad, Sara. We just don't take it well when you mess with our crew. nothing personal

You come at someone, you come at them straight.

[x] Glad to see you're not that mad, Sara. We just don't take it well when you mess with our crew. nothing personal

[X] Glad to see you're not that mad, Sara. We just don't take it well when you mess with our crew. nothing personal

>>20872836
>[] Glad to see you're not that mad, Sara. We just don't take it well when you mess with our crew. nothing personal

We had our fun and it was good. Time to put it in past. If she hasn't learn her lesson from this open fire again.

>>20872836

[X] Glad to see you're not that mad, Sara. We just don't take it well when you mess with our crew. nothing personal

Operation Jimmies Rustled was a success. Launching Operation Piss Off the RIO's Entire Family now is not a sound tactical decision

File: 1348636505553.jpg-(23 KB, 800x457, You got a new paint job!.jpg)

[x] Glad to see you're not that mad, Sara. We just don't take it well when you mess with our crew. Nothing personal

“glad to see you're not too mad” You say, indicating Sara with your glass. “Nothing personal, you understand. We’re just... protective of our flight crew.”

She waves it off with a smile. “No, no. I understand. I should be nicer to Samantha, anyway. She's in a fighter, I'm not.” she shrugs. “It's easy to forget that I'm there to support people like her, not run them”

Maverick grins. “If you thought that, you'd be the only AWACS like it” she says. “ALL of them seem to forget we're not remote controlled death machines.”

“It's just what they tell us in school” Sara says. “Fighter pilots think with their ego, not their brain. You need to keep them on a leash” She shrugs, and you have to laugh- it's pretty accurate. Well, kind of.

“So what's your carrier?” You ask, noting that Santa's already got your order coming. That was fast, as usual. The man must have a hell of a team back in that kitchen.

“I was on the Ranger” she says, looking at her own meal. “I'm transferring to the Saratoga when she heads back to Pearl.”

Mav looks over from her own burger “The Sara? That's our boat! Wait, we have a full Hawkeye complement! Wait, Sara on the Sara? This shit's going to get confusing, fast.”

Merlin's sister laughs. “Call me Sea eye”

(1/2)

Your meal is quiet, for the most part- you get the feeling that the Wells family doesn't talk much at the table with food in front of them. Ever. Grandma Wells is talking about her wartime work with submersible units- You're familiar with them, as the carrier actually has a some in the armory for antisubmarine warfare, but you've never seen anyone in them.

Santa, again, gives the family the meal on the house- how the man stays in business, you'll never know, but he must be raking in cash from somewhere. Merlin squeals in delight when he hands her a whole cake- one that, by the looks of things, she's expected to share with her sister and mother.

You have your doubts she'll share. And are reasonably assured that any attempt to make her share would end in some combination of blood, fire, and tears.

“well, It was nice to meet you” Merlin's dad says. “We're going to play tourist for the weekend, but you're welcome to join us, if you want”

“I appreciate it, sir, but I've got some things to knock out this weekend. I'll see you folks Sunday evening though.” You say.

Things like putting a new paint job on your bird. and helping the ground crew. It's going to be a good week.

>>20872580
>[] God, you have one too. What is it with witches and big families?
must be something in the water

Ok, guys. I'm going to put this to vote. I wanted to do an air combat sequence, but it's getting late and I'm afraid I'd half ass it in an effort to go to bed sooner.

I'm at a spot where I can call it till next week, or I can continue, but I can't promise the content won't get kinda poor towards the end.

>>20873501
I wouldn't mind you continuing but if you feel you need sleep you should get some.

>>20873501
I say call it now and open up next week with a bang.

>>20873501
Up to you. If you've got things to do, take a rest.

You could always extend the shenanigans a little.

>>20873501
If you're feeling tired, then I say call it now and continue with the air fight next week.

>>20873501
Go to bed, GhostDivision.

>>20873501
Air combat on the weekend or are you going to time skip the weekend?

>>20873501

As much as I like content now, keeping the person who is making said content alive is better in the long run.

Thus: Get some sleep. We can have the sparkles and explosions next thread. Now if there are some weekend shenanigans to be had before the flight...well, I wouldn't say no. Dicking around is half the fun of playing.

>>20873570
It'd be a good way to develop the other girl's characters.

Honestly I'd rather have the big combat wait until next time, but I wouldn't mind some weekend stuff now.

>>20873501
Health first bro, don't want you burning out. I'd like to see this quest keep going for a while. But if you want to continue then I'd love to keep playing.

>>20873565

Mayhem on the weekend. air combat during the week.

and I'm going to call it here, then. If I get a chance, which I might, I make no promises, I'll try and squeeze in a thread during the weekend.

oh! and there's a twitter, now. Apparently I needed one of those. @warhound89 if you want to follow it. it's only for the quest, I promise to not fill it up with trivial personal crap.

>>20873570
>>20873592
Agreed.

>>20873610
I was referring to in-story weekend more than real world weekend.

Happy Merlin is best Merlin.

And I don't think she'd ever appreciate being little-sister zoned.

>>20873631
He was also talking the in-story weekend, which we're now in.

>>20873610

Sounds good. Thanks for running the quest, as always. Now go get some rest.

>>20873610
Awesome, thanks for the thread. Happy I got to make it.
And thanks to your Twitter I'll be able to make more.