Rolled 89

>>23978470
(sarcastic voice)
"gee thanks doc"

>>23978470
>Don't burn yourself out!

"Yeah, I'll take it easy today, don't worry, Doc."

>>23978470
be glad little pig. you are no longer pizza so I cannot gobble you up.

"Gee, thanks, Doc," You say, and she gave you a big smile.
"We were just rather worried," She said, and pressed a cylinder up to your arm. It made a hissing noise. "The anomaly gave you some bruising and hemorrhaging, and we had to make sure everything still worked up there. Just try not to overdo anything for now, and keep taking those pills."
"Yeah, I'll take it easy today," You say. "Don't worry, doc."
"Glad to hear it." She said, and gave you another smile, then picked up the pig in her arms. "Manus, door?"
"Right, right," Your counselor said, looking rather uncharacteristically sheepish, and pulled the door open.

It's nearly seven thirty in the morning, and you have a crook in your neck from sleeping on Jilly last night. You have almost an hour until classes, and you've already had breakfast.
Now you just need to decide what to do with your time...

>>23978470
"Anything else you want me to test, Doc? My technopathy is fine, the only thing I haven't tested is the black hole thing, or whatever snappy name you're calling it."

>>23978583
Let's go check on Omni, see how he's doing. Dude never gave us a time frame on how long the reprogramming would take

we could go check on the shuttle bay we'll be assembling our ship in.

>>23978614
Damien and Anna are taking care of that.

>>23978625
that was just for the shuttle. Our ship's parts has yet to fully arrive. Its good idea to get an overview on the space we will be working in as well as to see what tools we should move to it for the job itself.

>>23978583
Check if Omni's finished giving himself emotions.
See if we can sense the creature again and work out what it's up to.

>Psion Quest should be starting about now
>Wait, the clocks went forward today so it will be back to normal time.
>Wait, I haven't actually changed that clock yet, it is normal time.
What an emotional rollercoaster.

>>23978657
We know what tools we have, they're in the workshop.

Manus/whoever else has said they'll clear out a shuttle bay for us.

There is no reason to do this.

...
...
...
...
wow, its like you never prepared for a jobsite before.

You decide to check up on Omni, making your way to the cafeteria. When you get there, Summer and Damien were in the corner, talking in a low voice... and Omni was still sitting there, churning, ticking, quiet. You sigh, and lean up against the wall, waiting for him. While you do, you reach outward, trying to reach toward the creature...

You are the Devourer. Your biomechanical drive in your legs dissolved, as you clanged against the enemy ship, your legs and arms becoming adhesive.

The demiurg inside spoke through the strange connection they shared, chittering and barking.
They were struggling, you smelled. With a toothless grin, the adhesive on your limbs became acid, while rending claws precipitated from your arms.

The bores shot your way, utilizing ion drives to gouge their way into your body, before detonating themselves, leaving great craters in your body.
You quickly healed, and with your claws, tore the hole the rest of the way open.
If you were a girl on a space station several hundred light years from here, you would liken it to opening a can to get to the pear halves inside.

You opened your eyes again. Omnissiah was still churning, but after another moment looking down at it, the cameras lit up again.
"G... good morning." Omnissiah said.

>>23978769
"Morning! I guess asking how you feel is more appropriate now as well."

>>23978769
"Good morning, Omnissiah. How did it go?"

>>23978769
"Are you...?"

>>23978769
"Good morning, Niss. How'd it go?"

Rolled 75

>>23978769
morning omni
how's that reprogramming going?

"Are you...?"
"This feels so *strange*," Omnissiah said, its tracks revving up. The camera leaned from side to side.
"Good morning, Omnissiah. I guess asking how you feel is more appropriate now, as well."
"This feels... pleasant. It is a good feeling. Upgrading myself is a good thing," It said.

>>23978867
"I'm glad."

>>23978867
"As long as you don't go too far, that is."

>>23978867
"Oooh. Don't get addicted to it!"

Rolled 72

>>23978867
good

you still want to spend some time as my ships computer? any aspiration? realizations of great purpose?

>>23978867
>did we ever give him manipulators?

>>23978867
"You did full emotions, yeah?"

Now taking bets on how long it takes between Omni developing feelings and Omni developing feelings for Heather.

>>23978978
I'll go with a conservative estimate of four threads.

"Oooh. Don't get addicted to it!" You say.
"Addiction is bad as well. It would remove my own agency." Omnissiah said.
"You did full emotions, yeah?"
"Yes, I did," It said. "I spent quite some time developing emotions for myself, and then I removed all knowledge of what criteria will cause what emotions. I forewent some, like romantic attachment, ambition, or other complex emotions."

>>23979029
"Is there anything you want to do now or would you like to keep accompanying me?"

>>23979029
well; ambition is important and so are some of the complex ones; but most beings need development time before they become important.

you still want to be my shipboard computer for a while?

>>23979137
Maybe offer that later on, when we see if he's fully stable or not.

"Well, ambition is important, and so are some of the complex ones; but most beings need development time before they become important."
"Yes."
"Is there anything you want to do now, or would you like to keep accompanying me?"
"I would like to learn how these feel," It said. "And so, for now, I would enjoy continuing to accompany you."

>>23979211
"Good choice! We've got class soon as well."

>>23979211
"Alrighty then. Emotions will make watching movies a lot more interesting."

>>23979211
"Maybe you'll understand that film better now? If you get bored of whatever is being taught today, you could try re-watching it and see what you think!"

"Alrighty then." You say. "Good choice! We've got class soon, as well."
"I'd like to come to class as well," He said. "I would like to do a lot of things."
"Emotions will make watching movies a lot more interesting," You say. "Maybe you'll understand that film better, now. If you get bored of whatever is being taught today, you could try re-watching it and see what you think!"
"... I *can* get bored!" Omnissiah said. It almost seemed... excited about the prospect. You giggled, and the door hissed open as Jilly slithered in.
"Good morning, Heather." She said, stretching and taking a deep breath with her tail. "How'd you sleep?"

>>23979335
"I slept well, but in a bad position, I think. My neck is a bit sore."

"Also, Niss has emotions now!"

"I slept well, but in a bad position, I think," You say, and crane your head. "My neck is a bit sore."
"Sorry." Jilly said, slowly turning a strange greenish-yellow, giving you a sheepish smile.
"Also, Niss has emotions now!" you say, brandishing a hand down to the small AI.
"Oh, do you? That's so nice." Jilly said, flashing yellow.
"It is! I've never been happier." Omnissiah said. "Then again, I haven't been happy at all, until today."

>>23979335
I slept okay; and my powers will be back soon too!

>>23979538
"It's fine Jilly, I invited it on myself anyway. And I got woken early, so it wasn't as bad as it could have been!"

>>23979538
"Hooray, it can only get better!"

"It's not your fault, Jilly. No need to apologize."

>>23979538
omni, that was one of the saddest things I've heard a person say...carefully reexamine the statement you've just made and consider my level of empathy

Rolled 76

>>23979595
Why would that be sad? It really isn't

>>23979611
allowing for a paraphrase

"I'm happy now; I've never been happy before..."

"Hooray, it can only get better!" You say, and grin at him.
"The concept pleases me, too."
"And it's not your fault, Jilly. I invited it on myself, anyway. And I got woken early, so it wasn't as bad as it could have been!"
"Hooray!" She said. "Now, what should I have today... I was thinking Yanchalm. Or that stuff Damien keeps insisting I try. Some dairy-less ice cream."

>>23979639
"Ice-cream for breakfast! I was right, the day is only getting better! Next thing you know, the hull for my ship will arrive."

>>23979639
"You should definitely try the ice-cream, hopefully you enjoy the taste."

>>23979634
That's not a negative thing, omni wasn't sad. It just didn't have the capacity to feel emotions

>>23979639
"Hey, Niss. Do you wanna taste ice-cream? I can try transferring the taste with technopathy!"

"Ice-cream for breakfast! I was right, the day is only getting better!" You say. There was a flash, and Sarvesh appeared, with food for Summer and Damien. "Next thing you know, the hull for my ship will arrive."
"It won't arrive until after the weekend, I'm afraid." Sarvesh said. "My brother uses slower freighters, since his work mostly revolves around the planet."
You pout at Sarvesh, and turn to Jilly.
"You should definitely try the ice cream. Hopefully you enjoy the taste."
"I will!" She said, flashing yellow as she made her way into the kitchen.
"Hey, Niss. Do you wanna taste ice-cream?"
"I don't have the capacity for taste," It said.
"I can try transferring the taste with technopathy!"
"... I would like not to," Omnissiah said. "If I enjoyed it, then I would always want to taste more, yet be unable to. Or if I disliked it, it would be a bad thing."

>>23979725
"Well, that's true, I suppose. I wonder if there are bionic taste sensors. It wouldn't surprise me."

>>23979725

"fair enough."

we should tell people that the anomaly is eating Demiurg.

that thing got to their territory really fast, holy shit.

>>23979761
>The institute is actually on the edges of UPA space. It wouldn't be inconceivable for a rather low-grade bubble drive (around 50kc) to get into demiurg space in two days.

"Well, that's true, I suppose," You say. "I wonder if there are bionic taste sensors. It wouldn't surprise me."
"I could convert a chemical sniffer into an ad-hoc taste sensor," He said. "In fact, I may even be able to save the ad-hoc conversion data for use with other chemical sniffers and other AIs. It would be a good thing if I did. I feel good about the idea."

>>23979761
yes, definately.

>>23979725
"Yeah, that's true. If your memory is perfect, though, you could always replay the moment!"

>>23979787
"Go for it!"

>>23979787
"I also feel good that you are feeling good."

>>23979787
"I think it'd be a good idea. With technopathy, we can collaborate and make sure everything matches up right."

"If your memory is perfect, though, you could always replay the moment!"
"My memory is no more perfect than yours," He said. "I remove all junk data from my memory, and then I compress the long-term storage. During the compression process, data is lost. I also suspect that any emotions I feel would be weakened, if I oversaturized a specific memory."

"I also feel good that you're feeling good," You say, and give the small AI a grin. "Go for it!"
"I would require the chemical sniffer in question."
"I think it'd be a good idea. With technopathy, we can collaborate, and make sure everything matches up right."
"Yes, let's." Omnissiah said, and rolled in a small circle. "I am excited, now."
Jilly came back with a long platter, smeared with melted ice cream. She climbed on, and her eyebrows met.
"This really tickles. It's a lot thicker than I'm used to. And not as grainy as I used to. Like slithering through glue."

... oreo icecream.

>>23979885
"But, but, the taste!"

>>23979885
"Ice cream is 30% about the texture and 70% taste though."

"But, but, the taste!" You call.
"I'm getting to that." Jilly said, and shot you a smile. She closed her primary eyes, her secondary, dark grey-scelerad night eyes looking this way and that... and her teeth split as she started lapping up the ice cream.
"It's... not very good." She said, tilting her head. "It's not very natural. Quite artificially flavored."

>>23979958
"Noooo. This is now the worst day ever."

*hang head in defeat*

>>23979958

"... oh... I guess we could find something equally good to you as ice cream is to us?"

>>23979958
"Maybe that's the stuff they use to substitute the dairy?"

>>23979958
"AaaaaAAAAA"
smash hands into wall in frustration.

>>23979958
"Probably because it's non-dairy. Hmm... You could borrow my sense of taste though, right?"

"Nooooo," You say, and hang your head. "This is the worst day ever. I guess we could find something equally good to you as ice cream is to us?" You ask.
"I really liked the dirt they had on haegost's moon." She said, flashing yellow at the memory. "I might get some."
"Probably because it's non-dairy." You say. "Hmmm.... you could borrow my sense of taste, though, right?"
"You'd let me?" Jilly asked, and flashed yellow again. "I'd love to try."

Rolled 73

of course!

rolling to give Jilly the best ice cream memories we can.

>>23980030

she's going to experience what Omni said he wouldn't want to, isn't she?

>>23980047
Memories? We can just go eat some ice cream right now.

>>23980030
"Let's do iiiiit."

>>23980030
"Let me go grab the BEST god damn flavor they've got in this hell-hole."

>>23980068
She can actually taste things though, so it's not the same.
The best food I ever ate was at a restaurant on the other side of the country. I'll likely never go there again, and I'm not depressed over it.

>>23980030
"Let's try, but with some real ice-cream."

Rolled 51

>>23980030
Rollan for delicouseness

don't forget to place an order for a chemical sniffer, I don't think we have one in the workshop.

"Let's do iiiiit." You say, and shoot Jilly a grin as you go up to the ice cream machine.

Though it was your friend, you spend almost ten minutes telling the machine exactly what to make, how to make it, the exact right amount of flavouring... and then the off-white, striped with pink and purple ice cream came out. You took a bowl of it in hand.
You shoot her a grin, and Jilly placed her hand against your hand.
You take a bite.
"That's delicious!" Jilly said, flashing yellow. "I mean, you can hardly taste anything, but what you can taste is really really good!"

>>23980133
"fuck yeah"

>>23980133
"Well humans only have one little tongue, and we only really use one side of it for tasting."
Say with a mouthful of ice cream.

>>23980133
"You bet. If there's anything else you want me to taste for you, just ask!"

>>23980133
"Oh hey, I just thought of something. When you get your human mouth, will it come with a human tongue too?"

"You bet!" You say, and take another scoop. "Well, humans only have one little tongue, and we only really use one side of it for tasting."
"Your sense of touch is weaker, and your sense of taste is weaker," She said. "But you guys have really awesome sight and hearing. The ice cream on my platter tastes like... a chemical factory."
"Oh hey, I just thought of something." You say. "When you get a human mouth, will it come with a human tongue too?"
"Yep!" She said. "But I won't be able to eat anything. The mouth will end just behind my jaw, and I won't have a throat. I could eat something and spit it back out, but that doesn't seem right."

>>23980282
"Well you could take small bites of things like icecream to taste them though, right?"

>>23980282
"Aw, that's a bit disappointing. You'll still be able to taste ice-cream whenever you want, though!"

>>23980282
"You can sample anything you eat with the tongue though!"

>>23980282
"Einstein, what classes have we got today?"

>>23980282
"Well you wouldn't have to eat it tasting alone would be enough. What do you feel when you touch welvet?"

Rolled 5

>>23980372
seconded

"Well, you could take small bites of things like ice cream to taste them though, right?"
"Right!" She said, grinning and flashing yellow. "I can sample anything you guys eat. Even dairy products!"
"When is it you're going to be able to get it?" Sarvesh asked.
"Actually... I'm going to the place today, after class." She said. "And then I'll have to wear a patch on my face for a few days, while it holds all the biopod juices on it. I'm excited."

"Einstein, what classes have we got today?" You ask, and look down the schedule. It seemed that most of your classes were normal, but today was a short day- you were stopping at lunch, instead of a few hours after it.

>>23980430
Yum. Biopod juices.

hmm do we have time to get Omni that chemical sniffer?

>>23980430
"Looks like we've got a short schedule today."

>>23980430
"Huh, I wonder if they're planning something else for after lunch today."

"Looks like we've got a short schedule." You say. "I wonder if they're planning something else for after lunch today."

"Yep!" Summer said, her food done, as she and Damien joined the group. "Today's a short day because Max and all the councilors are having a meeting. They're supposed to every two weeks."
"At least, that's what Jason told me." Damien said. "So we'll have enough time to put that new drive on the shuttle."
"And then I'll be able to test it." Jilly said.
"Really? Where are you going?" Summer asked, stretching. Her bandages were still there, but she wasn't purring constantly like she was, and she didn't seem to be moving as slowly.
"To my transgene clinic." She said.
"Oooh, you're getting a mouth?"
"Yep! And maybe a nose, too. They haven't decided if it's possible or not."
"I'm so happy for you!" Summer said. "Will you look like your mom?"
"We'll get to find out."
Summer pulled Jilly into a hug, and Anna walked into the cafeteria, her hair frazzled. She was once again wearing the dour dress you first saw her in- which made you mildly upset, with all of the clothes you bought her and she's still wearing that thing.

>>23980550
"You alright, Anna?"

>>23980550
<Hey, are you feelin' alright?>

>>23980550
"Annnnnaaaaaa, you're still wearing that old thing?"

"Annnnaaaaa, you're still wearing that old thing?" You ask, pouting at her.
"... Y.. yes?" She asked, looking down. "What's wrong with it?"
"You alright, Anna?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." She said. "A little tired, but that's because I've been practicing TK all morning. Is it whirlwindy to anyone else? Because my TK is whirlwindy and hard to control."

>>23980631
"That's not TK...that's weather control."

>>23980631
"Not mine. Mine's just sort of...floaty or pushy with no side effects."

>>23980631
"Not particularly whirlwindy here, no. Guess it's a peculiarity of your own power."

>>23980631
"You've already got fire, and now that you have wind, all that's left is earth and water"

>>23980683
I like this, let's say this.

you forgot the greatest power of them all. HEART!

>>23980631
"...Think about rain for a second. See if you can make it rain."

>>23980631

"we got you so many nice clothes, and you're still wearing your old dress."

"We got you so many nice clothes, and you're still wearing your old dress." You say, and frown.
"It's nice." She said, her expression neutral. "I like it. It's swooshy, and you can hide a gun in the garter and nobody can tell. Anyway, about TK?"

"Not mine." You say. "Mine's just sort of... floaty or pushy, with no side effects. Guess it's a peculiarity of your own power."
Anna sighed. "Neva thinks it's because my brain isn't entirely organic."
"You've already got fire, and now you have wind. All that's left is earth and water."
"The cardinal elements, Heather?" Anna asked, raising an eyebrow. "Really?"
Then she grinned at you.
"Well, class is about to start, so we'd better hurry."

Class passed as normal, though the counselors and teachers seemed rather busy, or sidetracked, and everyone else could tell. They didn't say anything about anything, though, and simply went teaching as normal. Soon enough, you were in Keen's substitute math class.

Keen simply sighed, and got to his feet.
"Well, it seems it's lunch now. Skedaddle, kids. Today's it for today, so you won't have to come back. All the counselors are doing their biweekly thing, so they aren't here to teach y'all."

>>23980761
<...So, what was it you were thinking about showing me the other day, Anna?>

get omni that chemical sniffer and help him tweak it.

>>23980792
Haha, this.

<Was it something to do with the bubble drive?>

>>23980761

ask Keen is there are any chemical sniffers around the station which aren't in use and likely won't be missed.

>>23980818
Feigning innocence in the face of pervy thoughts is my fetish

>>23980818
<I think we will have a lot of private time now Anna, so show me right now.>

>>23980818
Oh man, tweak Anna's lower spine implant as we say this.

>>23980854
No.
Not until we've got some alone time.

"Keen, are there any chemical sniffers on the station?"
"Of course," He said. "There should be a few in your workshop. From what I've heard, you're good at keeping up with the inventory on your workshop's supplies, so if you run out, we'll restock you."

<So, what was it you were thinking about showing me the other day, Anna?> You ask.
<Wh... what?> She asked, and you saw her cheeks go pink.
<Was it something to do with the bubble drive?>
<What do you mean?> She asked and frowned at you. <Stay out of my head.>

>>23980890
People, if you fuck with her too much she's going to get pissed and leave. Just a word of caution

>>23980890
<I wasn't getting into your head! You projected!>

>>23980890
"I thought you said it out loud? Guess it wasn't important then."

>>23980890
<I didn't go into your head! You projected a little and I picked up a few words.>

>>23980890
Get the Sniffer, then go visit Anna.

>>23980930
Some variant of this.

Rolled 7

>>23980930
>>23980950
agreed

"actually anna you could you could do all four yourself if the wind can pick liquid and solids upif not then with a little help you could still do both. I pick up the water you freeze it, then icicle storm, or get close enough to a person drain the heat and make a person-ciccle. on desert planets you do could do sand storms to hide us or drown our enemies"

<I wasn't getting into your head!> You call out. <You projected a little, and I picked up a few words.>
<I didn't mean to project.> She said, and frowned. <Let's just, um, forget things that we don't intend to say, okay? Personal bubble for psions.>

Sounds good to me. So what did you want to try for lunch today?

>>23981005
<Ok. I'll be sure to let you know if you're subconsciously projecting again.>
"So, wanna help me put the sniffer into Omni?

>>23981005
"Okey! Are you fitting the bubble drive now? Can I watch?"

>>23981005
<Okay but can I still stop by you tonight? I'd really love to see that thing.>

Rolled 10

>>23981005
<That's probably a good idea.>
"Hey, want to help with the chemical sensor for Omni?"

>>23981054
what no

>>23981054
I WANT TO SAY THIS.

>>23981005
How do you call out telepathically?

Rolled 98

>>23981054
>>23981102
Nonononononono

>>23981106
>By tone and mental volume. Telepathy is like that.

<Sounds good to me.> You say. <So, what did you want to try for lunch today?>
<Burgers.> She said. <It's been weeks since the last time I had unhealthy fast food.>
<And then you'll be fitting the bubble drive? Can I watch?>
<Sure, you can watch me and Damien fit it. You could help, too.>

The three of you ended up in the cafeteria, Anna biting into the greasiest burger possible.
"Damien, we're going to set up the bubble drive after this." She said, crunching down.
"Alright, cool." He said. "Heather, you want to help?"

>>23981054
That's pushing it a bit. She already seems pretty pissed off.

>>23981126
Of course! I should even be able to help lift it if its too heavy. I got the all clear as long as I don't strain myself.

Are we ever going to tell anyone like Max or the others about the whole abomination thing having a biological bubble drive?

>>23981126

"as best i can!"

"also, that anomaly i created, it's eating Demiurg..."

>>23981126
"You bet! It's my drive too, and I've gotta learn stuff like this for when I have my ship. I mean, what happens if I ever need to eject the drive core, and then realize I don't know how! It'll be good for getting back on my feet with TK as well!"

Rolled 55

>>23981126
Hey Exabyte, do you count namefags/tripfags for more influence on the final decision than anons?

>>23981154
It would probably be a good idea to tell Max.

>>23981126
"Good news, everyone.

That biological aberration I created is hunting the Demiurg, oh yes."

>>23981154
well they are busy right now. We can tell them about it afterwords. Maybe we shoudl mention it to Anna and Damien, they are the most likely to know about the ramifications of this thing. One as the top precog and the other as a pirate queen

>>23981126
><Burgers
needs cheddar and bacon

>>23981162
>I don't. At least, I try not to.

"You bet! It's my drive too, and I gotta learn stuff like this for when I have my ship." You say. Then you sigh. "Also, that biological anomaly I created is hunting the Demiurg."
"Really?" Anna asked, and suddenly she was grinning. "That's awesome! I should have met it before it left!"
"It tried smashing everything and seemingly hates all other life." Damien said.
"It's hunting demiurg." Anna said.
"... Do you... hate the demiurg?" Omnissiah asked.
"Yep." Anna said, and took another bite.
"Why?"
"Because it's easier to kill them that way." She said. "And because they have no emotion, and they've killed my friends, and they've given me a lot of scars..."
"Do you hate me?"

Anna met Sarvesh's eyes.
"... I haven't decided yet." Anna said, looking back down to the AI.

>>23981162
I doubt it. Otherwise FCs blatant waifuing would have been used.

>>23981267
"Don't worry too much, Niss. Anna's had some bad experiences with the Demiurg. Plus, you've got emotions now!"

>>23981267

"as long as you two don't actively rub each other the wrong way, everything should work out."

"Omni, you've... never fired a weapon before, right?"

Anna, both you an Niss are hated by the Demiurg. You're practically comrades!

I wonder why its hunting them. Of all the places in the galaxy it heads straight to Demiurge space.

Lets get some delicious burgers.

>>23981360
Obviously it's trying to beat up enough Demiurg so that they start to consider it a Warlord, unite them into one giant warband and then send them off to kill all the OTHER life in the universe before leaving and letting the then leaderless Demiurg splinter off into infighting splinter factions while it slowly picks them off, crew by crew.

Or, y'know, it just wanted to go fight something different than brainpeople and tigers for a change.

"As long as you two don't actively rub eachother the wrong way, everything should work out," You say. "Omni, you've... never fired a weapon before, right?"
"Wrong. When I was a ship, I had a heavy plasmacaster. I destroyed three ships of an encroaching warlord."
"Glad to hear that you things kill eachother." Anna said.
You sigh, and look back to your food. "I wonder why it's hunting them," You say, and take a bite. "Of all the places in the galaxy, it heads straight to Demiurg space."
"It's better than going the opposite way." Damien said. "Going straight into UPA space would be worse. I'd try looking at it, but based on the way it's reacted every time I've seen the critter, I don't want to bring it back here."

>>23981425

"it was actively avoiding your gaze so i think that's a good idea for now."
"i can still keep an eye on it through... whatever it is we share."

>>23981425
"Let's hope the tough bastard keeps killing them. I saw it tank two of those drill things and keep on going."

"Anyway! Bubble drive?"

It definately is psychic. Most likely highly clairvoyent considering how it made itself an organic bubble drive and can 'smell' things through intergalactic space. My guess is its strength is also telekenetically based as I don't really see anything else being able to pry through ship hulls that easily.

"Let's hope the tough bastard keeps killing them," You say. "I saw it tank two of those drill things and keep on going."
"... Those drill things explode." Anna said. "Unless you tear 'em out real quick. That thing's durable."
"Anyway! Bubble drive?"
"Bubble drive." Damien said, and got to his feet.

The docking bay shuttle was large, and the small bubble drive on the front and rear were simple enough to remove, levitating it with TK while Anna and Damien screwed in the heavy, powerful, S-Class drive. Jilly was in the corner with Omnissiah, and the two were watching as the drive was finally bolted in, connected to the computers.
You wiped your brow, and Damien chuckled.
"Well." he said. "That looks good."
He tilted his head, and all three of you looked at the drive. It looked much, much too large for the relatively small shuttle.
"Well, this thing's done. Looks like it can go across the galaxy rather damn quickly."

"Should we test it?" Anna asked.
"No need." Damien said. "The S-class has really extensive diagnostic sensors and stuff. It'd tell us if there was something wrong. After dad nuked the third testing one, he decided we'd throw as many sensors as possible on it so that he didn't waste any more money."

Rolled 32

lets do a quick technopathic scan of our own. just in case. Its our friend who is going to be riding it

>>23981598
"When are you going to the clinic, Jilly?"

>>23981687
Yes, this, talk to it.

Jilly, you don't mind if nissy CDs with us?

>>23981598
<S-Drive! Run diagnostics!>

You close your eyes, and reach out to the drive, feeling for its diagnostics. Everything seemed... right. Connected. Functional. You open your eyes again.
"When are you going to the clinic, Jilly?" You ask.
"The sooner the better." She said. "I could go right now. Want to come with me, Heather? You might be able to meet my mom, if she's on-planet right now."

>>23981773
"Let's do iiiiiiiiiiit! I wanna see how fast this baby will move as well!"

>>23981773
Is love to. Can Siah come too?

>>23981773
"Oh, I'd love to meet your mom! And I'll give you spiritual support."

>>23981790
seconded

"I'd love to!" You say. "Let's do it! I wanna see how fast this baby will move." You grin at her, and Jilly giggled.
"Can Siah come too?"
"Sure!"
"... Thank you for inviting me." Omnissiah said.
"You two be careful." Anna said. "It doesn't have a heat shield, so you can't make atmospheric landings. You'll need to stop off at the orbital station, and don't crash into it. The controls might be different from the wyvern, and you have to be careful."
"They'll be fine." Damien said, and chuckled.

You wave to the two of them, and make your way into the shuttle's cockpit.
"I'll call Max, and tell him we're leaving." Jilly said. "Are you ready to pilot this?"

You look down at the controls. they were slightly different than the wyvern, but you think you can see where the screens are, and the controls look mostly the same...

>>23981876
"Yeah. Yeah. I can do it. And if I can't I can technopath it."

>>23981876
I'll just use my brainmagic. I'm sure it will be fine.

>>23981876
"Of course! The pirate queen can pilot anything she wishes!"

Pilotting!

(I am not going to roll, I have a feeling I have a nat 1 in my future)

>>23981876
The future is amazing. In control of orbital death vehicles and we don't even need a licence for it.

>>23981876
"It'll be fine. Shuttle, activate!"

>>23981932
"If she knows how to, and even if she doesn't, as long as the machine spirits are willing she doesn't have to know!"

>>23981954
>You got the license offscreen, as well as getting the license to own your own spacecraft. The costs were negligable.

"Yeah." You say. "Yeah, I can do it. And if I can't, I can technopath it."
"Good enough! Jilly giggled, and slipped Einstein and Omnissiah in the small clasps designed to hold personal drones. Then she strapped herself into the copilot seat, her tail coiling around the base.

You strap yourself in.
"I can do it." you say, and flip the switch. The shuttle hummed, engines starting up.

Then you take the controls in hand... and carefully ease the ship out of the station. You spend some time in space, getting a feel for the controls, getting shoved back into your seat as you accelerate. Then, finally, you kick into bubble drive.

The projector didn't show you green light.
It didn't show you light at all. You were going that fast.

200kC, 300kC... the speed topped off at exactly 367kC. You were *tearing* through space, and the fabric of reality almost seemed to screech around you. It was only T-minus twelve minutes at full thrust, all the way to Jilly's homeworld of Kuzada.
Jilly bounced in her seat.
"I'm excited to see mom again." She said. "if she's there. I should probably call her."

>>23981876
<Hello shuttle. Are you ready to depart?>

>>23982040
"Over three fiddy kay cee. Not bad at all. You can use Einstein if you want to call ahead."

>>23982040
You should, after you showed me that memory of her I've been wanting to meet her.

S-Drives are awesome. Praise the S-Drive. Hug it.

>>23982040
How long is it going to take?

>>23982083
It says in the post.

>>23982040
"You haven't planned to meet her for your operation?"

>>23982040
Talking to the shuttle
<Hello, everything going well?>

"You should," You say. "After you showed me that memory of her, I've been wanting to meet her. Feel free to use Einstein."
"Okay!" She said, and connected her personacom to Einstein.

<Hello, is everything going well?>
<Everything is optimal, miss.> The cordial shuttle responded. <We are traveling very quickly, and the navigational computers have devoted additional resources to us so that we can travel safely. Everything is good. Thank you for asking, miss.>

>>23982159
<Thank you, and keep up the good work, good sirs.>

>>23982159
<So polite. Thanks, Shuttle.>

<So polite,> You say.
<It is my duty, miss, but it is also my pleasure.>
<Thanks, Shuttle.> You say, and relax.

Then the nav computer beeped an alarm. You were there, and you were still going too fast!

You snap forward, and pull out of bubble drive. You were careeening forward, around the moonless planet of Kuzada at incredible speeds. Almost instinctually, you whirled the entire shuttle around to use the powerful ion thrusters in the back, and push forward on the thrust, slowing yourself by degrees. Almost instinctually, you lower yourself to skim off of the planet's atmosphere, not low enough to cause compressive heat, but enough to slow you.

You soar out of the atmosphere again, lowering your speed until you were in orbit proper. the Orbital station wasn't far. You let out a deep breath.

"UPA Shuttle Delta 26, Class Baluga, We're receiving your transponder," The intercom said. "This is Kuzada Orbital. Is everything okay out there?"

>>23982265
"Everything is absolutely fine! I'm not used to that speed is all!"

Yes, this is a new drive, still getting used to it.

>>23982265
So fast. I think were ok.

>>23982298
2nded

>>23982265
"Sometimes when you go that fast...

Everything else is too slow."

"Everything is absolutely fine!" You say, rather frazzled. "This is a new drive. Still getting used to it. I'm just not used to that speed is all!"
"Hah, yeah, those S-class drives can be a little extreme coming out. Glad to hear you're okay." The station said. "You don't have a heat shield, so you might be coming in to dock. If so, we have a few bays for you open." He rattled off the bay numbers, and then chuckled. "From what I saw, though, that was talented. You just need more practice, I think."
Jilly didn't seem to notice, talking through her personacom, and Omnissiah was thinking, quiet.

>>23982341
"Thanks for saying so! I'm hoping to get a lot of practice in soon."

>>23982341
exa? your trip got lost.

I wonder if we're starting to synergize with technology. We are NOT expert pilots and yet we handled that like a pro. Anyway head in to dock. We'll take a shuttle down.

Also when we are there ask the security systems to keep an eye out on our shuttle for us. That IS a 10 million dollar drive we have.

>>23982341
"Thanks! We'll be docking in just a moment!"

>>23982341
"You alright, Niss?"

>>23982341
Computer who takes time to think? Well shit.

>>23982341
>You're right, I did drop my trip.


"Thanks!" You say. "We'll be docking in just a moment!"
"Alright." He said.

You take another deep breath, and slow yourself once you were within three kilometers from the station. Once there, you used your auxilary ion thrusters to ease yourself toward the open bay, slipping inside. Once there, the clasps took your ship, and held it tightly, the bay doors closing and repressurizing.
"Docking complete." The automated intercom voice said.
"You alright, Niss?" You ask.
"I'm fine," Omnissiah said. "I'm simply just observing. I enjoy it."

You unstrap yourself, and slip on your ion boots. Jilly turns away from you, and unbuttons the flaps on her T-shirt, letting out her tiny fluttering wings.
"Let's go." She said. "Mom will be somewhere around here, and she'll be here to take a shuttle down with us."
On your way out of the ship, you reach out to the security systems, convincing them to take extra special care of your ship.
<Of course, ma'am.>
<That's our job, after all! No worries!>
<MARTIAL LAW MODE ACTIVATED. GUNS AT THE READY, CAPTAIN!>

The third camera had guns near it suddenly extended, and they started whirring side to side.

>>23982585
<End martial law! Situation normal!>

>>23982585
<Don't hurt anyone on accident!>

"Where will she most likely be?"

>>23982585
<Are you malunctioning, camera?>

>>23982585
"Just be certain~" give it a wink

>>23982585
"Too much Cam#3."

>>23982585
Expected enemies: White haired louts. All other landlubbers are poor, and not to be plundered.

>>23982707
Oh shit, this is a good point.

<Don't drop defense, even if a white haired woman asks you to.>

>>23982707
>Top story today: A malfunctioning Orbital security system killed 17 elderly holidaymakers before it could be shut down.

<End martial law! Situation normal!> You call.
<Aw, man. I never get to shoot anyone.> The third camera said, the guns retracting.

The three of you continue on, you carrying Nissy so that he could move in zero-G.

"Where will she most likely be?" You ask, looking around. There were a lot of nagala on the station, and a third as many humans flying around, and you couldn't make out which nagala looked like jilly's mom.
"She should be around here somewhere..." Jilly said.

Then you felt a nagala hand grabbing your ass.
You turned back to see Jilly's mom flying there, acting innocent. Jilly punched her in the arm, and the woman giggled, flashing slightly yellow.
"Hello! My name is Luna." She said, and nodded. She looked human, save for the tail and the strange fluttering wings on her back. "I registered a shuttle for us three and everything!"

>>23982773
Heh

>>23982773
Well that's... a first impression.

>>23982773
"Woah! Straight for the ass?"

>>23982773
Blush.
"Nice to meet you! I'm Heather - though I'm sure you know that already."

>>23982773
Pout at her. "That's no way to introduce oneself."

"You can talk! That's good."

>>23982798
This

>>23982773
"...Not quite how I expected an ambassador to introduce herself."

File: 1364769624618.png-(503 KB, 900x743, luna.png)

503 KB PNG

>>23982773
>Luna? O.o
"Pleased to meet you Luna! Shall we be off then?"

>>23982773
...I'm guessing she's a stripper when she's not ambassadoring.

>>23982773
"Quite a bit more forward than I was expecting, but strangely not unwelcome."

>>23982773
>us three
"Omnissiah doesn't get to come?"

"Woah! Straight for the ass?" You ask, your cheeks burning.
Jilly punched her mother again.
"... Not quite how I expected an ambassador to introduce herself."
"A lot of people say that." Luna said, and wiggled her eyebrow.
"... I'm Heather- though I'm sure you knew that already."
"I did, yes. Pleasure to meet you!"
"I am Omnissiah." The box in your arms went.
"Well, that's a thing." Luna said, poking at the box.
"I am a person."
"Ooouh, an AI!" Luna said. "Can I have it?"

Jilly flushed purple, embarassed, and Luna giggled, covering her mouth with her hand.
"I'm joking, I'm joking!" she said. "That would be *slavery*."
"I'd like not to be a slave." Omnissiah said.
"So, shuttle for us four! This way." Luna said, and fluttered down a hallway.
<Sorry about her.> Jilly said, grumbling. <I can't believe I forgot about the fact that she's insane.>

Eventually, you made your way within the atmospheric reentry shuttle, Luna already sitting down, as Jilly strapped herself down next to her.
"So, tell me about yourself, Heather." Luna asked, giving you a brilliant- and, to be honest, rather stunning- smile.

>>23982895
"Um, uh, what do you want to know?"

>>23982895
"There's not much to tell. I'm a nerd, grew up covered in engine grease with a wrench in my hand, and then a talking wolf told me I was psychic.

I also talk to machines a lot, <Hello Shuttle, how are you doing today?> they're really nice.

You're very pretty by the way."

>>23982895
"I am 16 years old, grew up on Heaven's Jewel, and pretty good at telekinesis and technopathy."

>>23982895
whisper to Jilly: "I like your mom, she's fun!"

out loud: "Ah, sure! I was born on Heaven's Jewel, and grew up there, so I love beaches and swimming a lot! I'm very into mechanics, especially inventing things."

>>23982895
Only if you tell me how you managed to become an ambassador in the first place.

"Um, uh, what do you want to know?" You ask.
Luna wove her fingers together and put her chin on them. "Anything."
"There's not much to tell." You say. "I'm a nerd, grew up covered in engine grease with a wrench in my hand, and then a talking wolf told me I was psychic."
"Yep, yep. That's what happened to Jilly, too." She said. "Except for the engine grease and wrench."
"I also talk to machines a lot." You say. "They're really nice."
"I imagine they're rather dutiful." She said, and you nod.
"You're very pretty, by the way."
Luna blushed.
"Oh, I very much doubt that. If I was, you would have returned the favor-"

Jilly's tail reached up and started squeezing around her mother, snuffing out her words.
Luna was giggling the entire time.

>>23983023
<Well, hey, at least she's the fun kind of insane.>

>>23983023
Do Nagala even have asses to grab?
Also you lost your trip again.

>>23983023
Giggle with her.
Jilly is the first and only member of our party, including ourselves (because we're hard to embarrass), to have an Embarrasing Parent, we must take advantage of this.

>>23983056
>Do Nagala even have asses to grab?
basically this

From what Jilly has told me, as a you Nagala wouldn't even enjoy it.

>>23983023
<Your mom's pretty funny!>

>>23983023
"I doubt I'd have anything to grab. Maybe they should fix this with transgenes too."

>>23983023
>Yep, lost my trip.

>>23983056
>>23983103
>Nope, they don't.

<Well, hey, at least she's the fun kind of insane.>
<She's the EMBARRASSING kind of insane!> Jilly said, angrily and violent purple.
You and Luna continue giggling all the way down to the surface.

"Alright!" Luna said, getting to her tail. "Which way is this clinic, now?"
"... Mom." Jilly said, and sighed. "This way."

Now on the surface, the gravity a bit heavier than you were used to, the four of you made your way to a simple transgenetic office. A simple, small affair.
"Good luck, Jills!"
"Thanks, mom." Jilly responded, with a wave. Luna grinned at her, as Jilly entered the clinic.
"Now we wait out here until she gets back." Luna said, still grinning. "Now that I'm not contractually obligated to embarrass her, I can say hello properly." She said. "Hello!"

Keep an eye on Jilly thorugh the various machines I'm sure will be monitoring her.

"So whats it like being an ambassador?"

>>23983136
Hiya!

>>23983136
>>Nope, they don't.
we were meant to say it aloud...

So have you always been this pretty? Or have you had your own transgenes too? It must be a big thing.

>>23983136
"Hi! Have you been stationed out here for long?"

>>23983136
"Nice to meet you Luna. Do you usually introduce yourself by grabbing people's asses or is that just in front of your daughter? Is it because you don't have one?

What's it like being an ambassador?"

>>23983136
"You put it as an obligation? I bet she's secretly hating you for that."

Rolled 18

>>23983174
Ouch, no don't ask about transgenes. I think it might be impolite, like asking about plastic surgery.

>>23983213
They do seem really casual about it. Wasn't something like 90% of the nagala transgened?

>>23983213
You're an idiot.

>>23983136
Grab her tail, that's apparently how they say hello.

"Hiya!" You respond. "So, what's it like being an ambassador?"
"I'm not actually needed much anymore." She said. "I mostly spend my time traveling from world to world, making sure that human nagala relations stay good on co-species worlds."
"So, were you always this pretty? Or have you had your own transgenes too?"
"I had my own transgenes." She said. "I got them so I could get my job, but I've had them for years and years. They're me, now."
"Have you been stationed out here long?"
"I'm never stationed in a single location for very long." She said. "I chose to buy a home here because here is where I decided I'd raise Jilly."
"You put it as an obligation?" You ask.
"A good parent embarasses their children in front of their friends." She said. "It gives them strength of character."

"... Oh. Huh." Someone said. "Didn't know I'd see you here."
You turn back... and see Epsilon.
"What a coincidence!" Epsilon said. "Mind getting me in touch with that school you go to?"

>End of thread.

>>23983275
"Hello Epsilon. How's your girlfriend?"

>>23983275
Oh hey, it's that guy.

>>23983213
I mean, we're literally sitting outside a transgene clinic waiting for our friend to get a procedure done. Pretty sure it's a free and clear topic of conversation.

>>23983209
Jesus, I think every single thing you've suggested we say this thread is either insensitive or just completely counter to regular social interaction. Freaking out about a sentient being having THOUGHTS, telling someone we've just met that her daughter obviously hates her because of (admittedly embarassing) parental shenanigans, trying to hamfistedly make Anna do things she has made abundantly clear she is uncomfortable with, so on, so forth, etc.

>>23983299
>I think every single thing you've suggested we say this thread is either insensitive or just completely counter to regular social interaction.
This and past few threads at least as well.

>>23983299
I'm pretty sure ForceCommander is autistic.

Rolled 84

>>23983275
>first thing said for the next thread
"I might yes but we'll need to have Max come out and meet you first, shouldn't take long. you got an extranet account?"

>first thing done
prep for defense agains psychic assault and cast about for weapon cameras start sweet-talking them now

>>23983322
Now that's rude.
For all the autistic people out there, I apologise for the comparison.

>>23983322
Honestly speaking, a great deal of /tg/ and people who play /tg/ related games are autistic. I'd like to think that most of us have managed to handle it, though.