File: 1355968299806.jpg-(191 KB, 700x525, 1332213482683.jpg)

>>22126876

[x] Genuflect

>>22126876

[ ] HELP ME SOCKS

There is no other option

>>22126876
FUCK YEAH SUBWITCHES

Ohman. Get Socks.

>>22126876
[x] Help me, Victor!

>>22126876
[x] HAPPY PILLS

well, both our compatriots are useless.

Yetta's probably less help, though, so...

[ ] Help me, Yetta!

>>22127125
>Voting for one of the actual options
Traitor.

>>22126876
>[ ] Help me, Yetta!
Not sure she will be any help at all, but at least she will try. And be cute while trying.

[x] Help me, Yetta!

>>22126876

I suspect that Yetta may be a little more helpful than Rae here.

[X] Help yetta! Help!

File: 1355970269520.jpg-(158 KB, 1131x1600, 1350447466358.jpg)

Leaving Victor to his devices, you nudge Yetta gently. She starts, and, unsure of who just nudged her, returns to her book. You nudge her again. Her expression becomes frightened, shrinking over her book. It's like she's...just hoping for whoever did it to stop. You nudge her one more time.

"Yetta!" you whisper.

She flinches.

"Yetta, hey! It's me!"

Yetta snaps out of her trance. "O-oh! Sorry, Cleona, I was just...um..." She looks off to the side, guilty. She sways slight from side to side, as though surrendering to some unfelt wind.

"Never mind that. Look." You gesture to Victor. Yetta stops swaying and follows your finger. As she examines Victor, her head slowly starts to tilt. "You see that?"

She nods. "He's looking rather down."

"Yeah, I just said something about MacArthur and his whole mood collapses. I don't get it."

Yetta brings a finger to her lip, thinking. "He's part of the General's staff, right?"

You nod. "Yeah, but he's been here for the past week and a half or so, watching over things."

Yetta smiles. "I've got it! He's been up and about lately, right?"

Again, you nod.

"He's been free from MacArthur's paperwork and bullying, of course!"

>>22127107

"Victor! Help me with your problems!"

Riiiiiight.

>>22127435
You give her a look. Bullying? Well, MacArthur's not been the most pleasant man, but straight bullying? That sounds rather unprofessional—

"Oh, dammit, she's right!" Victor exclaims. "These past days have been great to me, and now I've got to go back under his thumb? I'm a Commander for god's sake, what am I doing running errands anyway!?"

Victor gets up, hurriedly shoves some of his food into his mouth, and heads for the exit. You glance at Yetta. She shakes her head, shrugging.

[ ] How'd you work that magic, Yetta?
[ ] Chase after Victor
[ ] Other

>>22127444
What we need to do is find somebody higher than MacArthur, and get Victor a command, damn it.

[X ] Chase after Victor

>>22127444

Wait, he's got a full Commander running errands? Ouch. But hey, maybe we'll be his next command. That could be interesting.

[x] Chase Victor! Slowly! No need to give people reason to talk.

>>22127444
Can we, like, get him seconded under witch authority or something? SO that we can tell MAcArthur to sod off?

>>22127522
It'd be cool if that happened. Maybe we could get him a cruiser, though, let him get his chops into an independent command?

>>22127469
Yes, this. He is less likely to get us and our girls chewed up, I think.

>>22127554
Is he even Navy?

Macarthur's army, after all.

File: 1355971163356.jpg-(37 KB, 486x653, 1355463567374.jpg)

>mfw this thread

Uh, I don't really think that meddling in MacArthur's affairs is really a good idea at all, for he is unsubtle and quick to anger.

Also, Jesus CHRIST, going over his head, stealing his aide? Fucking hell, I just thought it might be cool if Victor was our new boss.

>>22127597
Commander is a Naval officer rank. Dude yeah Victor is Navy. He may be MacArthur's Naval Liason, though, in which case getting him off Mac's staff will be hella difficult.

>>22127677
Wow, you can literally wipe your ass with this guys opinions.

>>22127688
Yeah, but seriously. Is there a sane man alive who doesn't want to give MacArthur a good kick in the nuts?

File: 1355971493880.jpg-(23 KB, 400x266, givin_her_all_shes_got_capn.jpg)

There's never a dull moment around here. Never. You leap to your feet, dashing out of the cafeteria. You didn't even get a chance to eat your food. Victor, you better be worth it...

"Victor!" you yell. He turns around and spots you, his mouth still full of food. His eyes widen as he does, panic sweeping across his face. His brisk walk turns into a run as he bolts around the corner.

You've got to be kidding.

You race to where he disappeared, looking down the long hallway of the base. He must be a fast runner; he's nowhere in sight. You head down to the second intersection, the cafeteria on your right. If you keep running to the last intersection, you'll have the pool to your left and the living areas on your right. As it is now, you've got the workshops and offices to your right and a collection of test chambers to your left. If he really wants to avoid you, there's another staircase down by the living area that heads up to Hangar 03...

[ ] Offices
[ ] Workshops
[ ] Test Chambers
[ ] Pool
[ ] Living Area
[ ] Hangar 03
[ ] Cafeteria
[ ] Other

>>22127469

Doesn't he need to be a Captain to have his own command? That's the next rank up mate.

>>22127765
Stop and listen. If he is running in officer duds, he is making noise.

>>22127765
Where is Victor's Sanctum?

Where did we find him reading a nice book, enjoying a drink, and listening to classy music?

The Library.

Lie in wait, or intercept.

>>22127786
Little Destroyer escorts and Frigates get lower ranks, IIRC. Though I think that varies from Navy to Navy, so YMMV

>>22127786
Nah, they're just called Captain when on their own ship by their subordinates. Lt. Commanders and Commanders can command ships, IIRC.

[X] Offices

>>22127794

Oh god, a write in that is none of the options. Again.

Ya'll know there actually is a series with submarine girls? And it's actually passable (if soft) sci-fi? Called Arpeggio of Blue Steel? And way better?

>>22127812
>>22127794
The lounge is down the hall from the Cafeteria. I should draw a map. You saw him dart into the main hallway, not the lounge.

>>22127821
>And way better?
Yeah, we know.

Even so; fuck your shit, we're having fun.

>>22127765

[x] Lounge

File: 1355972331705.png-(16 KB, 662x443, basic_base_map.png)

Here's a map. The long hallway is where Victor ran to, but now you can't see him.

>>22127979
Socks' Area. Just because.

>>22127979

Roight, lets head for the hangar then.

>>22128017
We could ping Socks and ask him to look for Victor with psychic martian powers, but I see no reason to physically go there.

>>22128076

seconding this. Maybe socks saw victory run by?

>>22128076
This plus check test chambers. Also, pad along, try to listen for running officers. He's gotta have some loud shoes on.

>>22128076

Yes, this.

We partition the area and search the halves separately, us starting at the lounge and socks starting wherever he is.

Socks is in the Cafeteria eating, if you remember.

>>22128709
Niggardly.

We need to find a way to brain-IRC with other people too. It'd be useful.

>>22127794
this

>>22128709
Ok, then pad towards Socks' and Alice's area, listening for officer shoes.

>>22127979
Okay.

OFFICES.

He's probably hiding under a desk or pile of papers or something.

>>22128743
The only person you know of that had any sensitivity is Miranda. She could vaguely access memories given to her by Socks.

>>22127765
[x] Hangar 03
Guys. GUYS.
Since when did we have three hangars?

Alright, writing update.

>>22128898
Since they built Hangar 03 presumably.

File: 1355976596019.jpg-(2.31 MB, 2448x3264, planefags_waifu.jpg)

This base is too damned big, and you don't know much about Victor. Where the hell would he run? That naval officer is quick on his feet and for whatever reason, he doesn't want to see you.

Typical.

You glance down all three hallways, trying to think. The workshops? There's a lot of places to hide there, but engineers would see him. Alice's room...probably locked. She was showering earlier. Socks' place would work, but he's an alien. Even you feel a little intimidated just imagining being in there alone with all those crazy gizmos. The offices would be better, but these civies probably locked the up when they left. The living area's another good choice, but if he's locked up in his room, you're not going to see him anyway. The pool isn't anywhere you'd want to go in uniform. The test chambers are probably in use, same issue with the workshops.

>>22129198


The Hangar! Wait. There's no where to hide there. Hangar 02 is where the only plane on base is kept; Hangers 01 and 03 are pretty much empty. And cold.

Bah. He could still be in any of those spots. Victor's fast; he could just run again if you found him.

So why don't you make him come to you?

You smile. That's simple. His relaxation spot's just a short, short walk to your left. With confidence, you open up the door to the lounge. Everything looks in order, and, as expected, no Victor here. There's no way to get into the lounge except by the Cafeteria hall. Now, the question is...what do you do while you wait?

[ ] Crouch behind some furniture
[ ] Relax and read a book on the couch
[ ] Other

>>22129163
Unless they just built one hangar and Named it "Hangar 03" to fuck with people.

>>22129209

[x] Relax and read a book on the couch

>>22129209
[x] Relax and read a book behind some furniture.

File: 1355976801744.png-(10 KB, 662x443, basic_base_above.png)

The hangars.

>>22129209
[x] Relax and read a book on the couch

>>22129209
[x] Crouch behind some furniture

>>22129209
>[ ] Relax and read a book on the couch
Meh, if he doesn't want to be seen, why should we force the issue.

>>22129244

This

Well, jumping at him won't get you want you want. Probably better to just sit back and relax, let him walk into the room and realize you're there. Provided, of course, that he does walk into the lounge. Probably a good reason to sit back and relax, too. Sitting hours hidden behind a couch for nothing isn't what you'd call fun.

You scan the tables, looking for something to read...a few books have been left about. Alice and Yetta might have been here. The books all seem to be recent releases: To Kill a Mockingbird. Gone With the Wind. A copy of that book Yetta's reading, The Hobbit. You pick up one with an interesting title. The Time Machine, by one H. G. Wells.

You flip through it. No pictures, of course. No "fine" literature has pictures...Spending some time with the foreword by Mr. Wells, you find that the book has some interesting history behind it. Supposedly, it's an adaptation of his sister's fantastic journey:

"Though I do realize that some of my peers find such a claim to be utter absurdity, I do attest that at the least Holly believes with complete conviction in the tale she confided with me. With her permission, I seek only to share that fantastic story with the world. Though many tragic and horrifying wonders of the future inhabit her vision, I wish to believe that she is right. The trials of Man and Woman will be many, but the rewards great, and the journey still greater."

>>22129947


It's signed H. G. Wells, with a dedication to his sister. You lower your eyes. She died locked up in a Witch Asylum a year before publication. Taking a moment to respect this Holly Wells, you flip to the first page, and begin reading. Mr. Wells was correct; many people would find these visions of the future to be absurd in any context other than that of a narrative. At least, they would before the war. Haunting descriptions of tentacled balls and impossible devices of death and destruction appear absurd no longer. The story quickly jumps to a further point in time, speaking of gigantic submersibles and horrific weapons, aircraft of incredible speeds and attempted genocide. Further still, tales of societies on the verge of collapse, war, death, destruction....but also great humanity, kindness, and advancement.

"For the evils of Mankind cannot exist without goodness to define it. Whatever tragedies yet await us, cloaked still in mystery, we will rise above them and reach new heights with friends at our side."

You spin around, startled. Victor stands behind you, reading the last line of the paragraph. A smile fades from his face.

[ ] Where've you been?
[ ] Have you read this one before?
[ ] Other

>>22129956
[x] Have you read this one before?

>>22129956

[x] Have you read this one before then?

>>22129956
[x] Have you read this one before?
then
[x] Where've you been?

>>22129956
[x] Have you read this one before?

[x] Have you read this one before?
then

>>22129956
[x] Read this one before, have you?
I'm so special and different.

>>22129956
>wells

Don't we know a witch with that alst anme?

"Have you read this one before?" you ask, closing the book. You've flipped through a lot more pages than you thought. Just how late is it now? Shit, you should have gone back and grabbed some food...

"Yes," Victor answers as he plops on the couch next to you. He reaches for the book, turning it over in his hands. "H. G. Wells. A good writer, this one. Great little story here."

You nod.

"He has a way with words. Makes them interesting. I'm not much of a reader, but I couldn't put this one down. I wonder why?" Victor turns to the introduction, giving it a read.

"Maybe it's because Holly thinks she saw it all happen? Exciting to think about it that way, right?"

Victor laughs. "Perhaps. She has the timeline all wrong, though. We're already facing flying ships. The Martians even launch some of their aircraft from them."

"So the future came just a few decades early. That's pretty close in my book."

He flips through, finding a page. "'And the great ship of the air, a giant predatory bird, let loose its airplanes and witches, a hellish complement with hellish intent. A red plague spread across the air...' The ship, not a ship. She has the numbers wrong too." He sighs. "If only predicting the future were so easy. Maybe we'd have finished this war already."

You give a silent agreement.

[ ] So what did you run away for?
[ ] Let him speak at his leisure.
[ ] Other.

>>22130342
[x] Chill. Forcing things is the kind of bullshit MacArthur pulls.

>>22130342
>"'And the great ship of the air, a giant predatory bird, let loose its airplanes and witches, a hellish complement with hellish intent. A red plague spread across the air...'

Strike Witches '89 reference?

I APPROVE

[x] Let him speak at his leisure.

Let him continue; I think she wound up in 89 if this story is true.

>>22130342
[x] Let him speak at his leisure.

>>22130305
>>22130387

Okay, is there a Witch in '89 by the name of Wells?

>>22130420

merlin

>>22130342

[x] Let him speak at his leisure.

>>22130420
Yes. Our RIO is named Wells.
She is not a time traveller. People don't let time travellers fly military aircraft.

>>22130551
Full name Samantha Wells, though Merlin sounds better with her.

>>22130551

Do you really think you could STOP a time traveler from flying military aircraft?

Victor flips through a few more pages, whispering the words as he reads. "I looked to the skies and what did I see but Modern Man, weaving to and fro in the sky as easily as his Sister. I wondered if they had finally unlocked the mystery, but upon closer inspection I saw the mechanical devices enabling such locomotion, no magic within..."

You give Victor a curious look. "Hmm?"

Victor flips to another page. "The city stood ruined, a mere shell of itself. What disaster had befallen these people? I stepped down from my contraption, and began to search..."

You wait for him to continue, but he does. Instead, he stares, eyes unmoving, at a single spot on the page. After several minutes, he closes his eyes and shuts the book.

"So, Chief. What brings you to the lounge so late at night? Hoping to carry my favor?" His confidence rings hollow.

[ ] What's with you and MacArthur?
[ ] Of course.
[ ] Other.

>>22130420
As far as I'm aware, there is no witch related to H. G. Wells in SW89, if that's what you're asking.

>>22130604

[x] Oh, of course.

>>22130604
[x] Of course.
Didn't he have info on Ogawa for us? I know we're trying to get Sisterhood instilled in them, but knowing about them can only help.

>>22130625

By which I mean, let's play along with his conversational gambit, and let him come to the problem in his own time.

>>22130604
[x] What's with you and MacArthur?

[x] What's with you and MacArthur?

Let's try helping him before getting the info out.

And you tied it again. What is it with this audience?

>>22130768
I guess I just provide bad decisions.

>>22130604

[x] Of course.

>>22130808

Or people just can't agree. I voted for playing along with his conversational ploy, before ultimately confronting his issues, which could be viewed as pushing him on the issue of MacArthur.

That said, I don't think there's anything wrong with indulging in some polite conversation/light flirting with the man.

>>22130808
Don't you mean good decisions? If there was an obvious choice and everyone went for the same one, that would be a bad decision.

File: 1355983724038.jpg-(160 KB, 800x550, SWQ-knightofbarin_zpsdb887a10.jpg)

You give him a weak smile. "Of course."

Victor laughs. "Well then, you've come to the right place at the right time. I'm not sure how much longer I'll be free. I'm married, you know, and my 'wife' is coming a'knockin'..."

It's hard to keep up that smile. Victor's expression just doesn't fit with the banter.

"He's coming back. Calling me back. It's a damned war, but I don't have to like it. Shit, what did I do to deserve this?" Victor leans back, looking at the ceiling. "Should never have stuck around in the Philippines. Let a poor soldier have my spot and now look. Gave me a promotion and tied me to his finger. Don't be a hero, Chief, you hear me? Not if you want to do your own thing. Shit, I ought to be off of desk work by now."

"Tied you to his finger?"

"MacArthur's got me managing so much crap it'd take weeks to train someone to take my place. Special project this, important operation that, talk with your old CO, he'll remember you! Yeah, he remembers. He remembers when you made me make him give up his sub! Now he'll never speak to me again! Thanks, Mac! I appreciate it!"

"You think he'd try to do something like that to me?"

>>22131160


Victor laughs a nervous laugh. "Are you kidding? Look, Chief. I manage half the General's shit for him. He's putting a lot of weight behind this program, and you're his shining star. You bet your ass he'll try to promote you. He's going to make sure you can take center stage. Thing is? You've done so much shit you practically can't turn him down even if you wanted to. Any day now a million medals are going to try and find their way to your chest, where even I have to admit they belong."

That's a bit much to take. Promotion? Medals? You're just a damned Chief that got herself stuck wearing a dry suit to War.

Victor sighs again. "Look, I'm not saying he'll get you stuck with a desk job. I guess you should take whatever promotion he sends your way. It's all good, and for all my..." he grits his teeth, "griping, I'd rather be a Commander than a Lt. Commander when this war ends. Just...he's going to put you up front. You're going to be doing the impossible, earning more medals than you want. All of you, whether you survive or not. You heard about all that nonsense in Europe? Crackpot fliers and sparkles going crazy?"

You nod.

>>22131170
"He thinks they're trying to show him up, put the Pacific on the backburner. Now, Nimitz has enough sense to realize that's not happening, but MacArthur's determined to put on a show of his own. You've got him excited with your Substriker hit on that giant sub. He's all for it, utterly convinced this program's going to succeed in more ways than one. You know those Witches he tossed you for it? You got those dregs because no one else thinks this program's going to amount to anything." Victor stands up. "You're going to have to ask yourself a question, Chief. Are you going to help him? Or are you going to refuse?"

"I—"

"Don't tell me. I'll find out in due time, and you're liable to change your mind anyway. Just remember. We put two weeks, two subs, and a whole bunch of engineering behind this. Helping him isn't just helping him, it's helping us win the war. Then again, it is helping that damned General. Why the hell should we encourage his insanity? Fuck, war is hell."

Victor spins around and starts marching for the door. "He'll call again tomorrow, I guarantee it, and he'll not hang up until we're spoken to. Get ready." Victor leaves and a silence falls upon the room.

[ ] Sleep in (End Quest for tonight)
[ ] Set your alarm (Continue to tomorrow)
[ ] Other

>>22131180
Other? What option could there be that isn't either continuing or not continuing?

>>22131229
I don't know, but I don't pretend to know!

>>22131160
Wow, when did that get drawn?

>>22131180
[x] Set your alarm (Continue to tomorrow)

>>22131180
[x] Set your alarm (Continue to tomorrow)

[x] Set your alarm (Continue to tomorrow)

That confirms our suspicions.. and to be honest, I wonder how this project'll pan out in the long run.

>>22131252
Recently, I think. Some bloke from THP did it, afaik.

It's late at night, finally having a chance to check a clock. A couple minutes before midnight. If Victor's right, then you'd better set your alarm; you're going to get woken up anyhow. Knocking on doors with lights still on (Dammit, Rae, you're up late every night!), you say goodnight to a few of your fellows before hitting the sack. Your dreams fill you with apprehension, an uneasy anticipation for the future to come. Did you see me in your future, Holly? Is there anything you could have told me had we ever met? Holly's spirit remains silent, and day comes soon.

Your morning is uneventful. You wake up on time, get yourself ready for the day, and head to the cafeteria for some breakfast. Today's a bit of a late start; may as well give the trainees more time to bitch about their instructors. You chomp on a standard war-time breakfast, not enough food to fill you but enough to keep you from being hungry. As you take a bite of what you think is scrambled eggs, you spot Alice rushing out. Always in a rush, this base. Always something unexpected and in need of immediate attention...

[ ] Toss your "eggs" and catch up.
[ ] You're going to finish this damned meal if it kills you.
[ ] Other.

>>22131396
[x] You're going to finish this damned meal if it kills you.
COOKIE HUNGRY COOKE FEEEEEDS

>>22131396

[x] Toss your "eggs" and catch up.

>>22131396
[x] You're going to finish this damned meal if it kills you.

We gotta eat, man, even if we puke it out doing sub things and that gets us into trouble.

>>22131396
[x] Toss your "eggs" and catch up.
It's probably something involving Socks again.

File: 1355985569381.jpg-(86 KB, 640x480, toast.jpg)

>>22131396
[x] Other.

pic related.

>>22131396
We didn't eat last night; we need to eat.

[x] You're going to finish this damned meal if it kills you.

That looks important. It almost always is. You think. Maybe. Oh what the hell, it's usually some shenanigan or another. Still...you've never known Alice to run out on breakfast. Your stomach still needs some more filling, though. Do you follow or don't you? Do you or don't you? Dammit! Your hunger wins out. Maybe Tom will come in in a bit. Boy, you hope so. You could use a second plate...

...and there goes Victor, running out the door. Is there a fire somewhere? Busy, busy, busy! As he vanishes around the corner, you return to munching through these eggs. Chewy bastards, they are. Your stomach better be able to digest them.

And then a group of military guys get up and rush out, too. Alright, this is getting suspicious. You look back at where they were seated. Maybe something startled them all, like a snake or...or some Australian deadly. Nothing seems to be moving around, though. Hmmm....never mind that. Those men had only just sat down and their plates are untouched.

[ ] You know what to do
[ ] Wait for Tom
[ ] See what the hoopla is all about

>>22131641
[x] See what the hoopla is all about

>>22131641
[x] See what the hoopla is all about
Tell Socks to steal their food. If they ask he can just say 'SIGH ANCE.'

[x] See what the hoopla is all about

>>22131641
[x] See what the hoopla is all about

>>22131641
>hoopla
Which trainee killed herself?

File: 1355987760264.gif-(122 KB, 364x370, macarthur.gif)

As appetizing as another plate of these...eggs...is, your curiosity is stronger. Finishing off your toast, you put away your tray and head out of the cafeteria. As you stand in the hallway, you realize you're not quite sure which way to go. Did they head up to Hangar 01? Down the hall to the workshops? You peek down the long hallway, checking for...you don't know. Smoke? Commotion? You notice none of that down there. Well. Gotta start somewhere.

You head up the stairs, entering the largely empty hangar. Looks like you guessed right; you can see a bunch of people through the open hangar door. They're crowded around a C-47 that's just arrived. What's up with that? Planes aren't too common, but it's not like they're particularly rare or exciting.

And then you spot a particular General as he steps on out. MacArthur. Here. Why? Victor said he'd call, not drop in for a visit! He looks around, shooing the crowd away as he barks some orders. Victor comes front and center, practically shaking.

This doesn't bode well.

[ ] Hide
[ ] Greet
[ ] Other

>>22131836
>[] Greet
COWBOY UP.

>>22131836
[x] Other
Greet him via Socks. That should confuse him.

[x] Greet

>>22131836
[x] Greet
I've got a bad feeling about this.

Well, if he wants you, he'll find you. May as well save both of you some time and effort. You walk towards the crowd; they seem almost frightened of this man, shying away as he swings his pipe about. It's a rather cool morning and the air bites at your exposed skin. As you walk through the hangar doors, you notice that there's surprisingly no wind. The Sun warms you with its rays, a pleasant relief.

"Cleona! Cleona!" Alice calls, noticing you. "We were about to send somebody to find you—"

"Is that her? That you, Chief?" calls a familiar voice. General MacArthur. Oh boy. "There you are. Was afraid I'd have to come find you myself. We've got a lot to discuss." Behind him, Victor holds a clipboard and an apologetic look on his face.

Yeah, you get it. By the look of him, he's just as unpleasantly surprised at the General's arrival as you. Apology accepted, Victor.

"Sir!" you reply, snapping a salute.

"At ease, Chief, at ease. Come along," he says, marching into the hangar. "Doctor Wackett, get me a secure office to talk in. Give me yours if you have to."

"My pleasure, General!" she answers. "Right this way..."

As your group heads down below, you can't help but wonder if you should have just slept in today.

NEXT TIME ON SUBMERSIBLE WITCHES: MACARTHUR'S COUNTERATTACK
WEDNESDAY, 8PM EST

See you there.