Voting is 15 minutes after first reply
Write-ins are encouraged and will be integrated as smoothly as possible
To speed things along tie-breakers will usually be 1d2, re-votes will be rare
If rolls are needed they will be best of 3d100 with flat, but obscured, DC. Relative difficulty will be given most of the time.

>>34065636
>>>Take advantage of SMS’ offer and their canteen

>>34065636
>Check the news while waiting for breakfast

Let's see how the world is before we make any big plans.

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What do I need to watch to be able to follow this quest?

>>34065636
>Check the news while waiting for breakfast
Maybe there will be a report on the recon flight or something equally interesting.

>>34065829
Ideally, all of the canon Macross series but I'm trying to ease people in the verse a bit better with this quest so just hop in.

>>34065636
>Take advantage of SMS’ offer and their canteen

>>34065840
Well Frontier is the most recent, but is of questionable quality. 7 is going to be referenced a lot purely for Firebomber I guess. But I'd say the best start is probably Macross Plus Because it has the least waifuing, and I don't want to encourage it, except waifuing the YF-19

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You decided to do something useful like checking the news. It was always nice to know what was going aboard the fleet anyway. With a few taps on your mobile and a flick of the wrist, you brought up the news on the main screen within the living room. Moving over to the couch you sat down as the sports news came on. Apparently several pundits were talking about the formation of a racing league based on restored Valkyries and how it would never catch on. You tuned it out after five minutes, when breakfast was completed.

It was as you were munching on a sandwich did something interesting catch your attention.

“A protest is scheduled later this morning in from the administration building in response to a controversial piece of legislation concerning cybernetic implantation in the New United Nations Spacy,” the anchor relayed, “Critics claim the Council, the civil government of the Avalon, of overstepping their boundaries. A Council spokesperson had this to say,”

“Just over two weeks ago we lost fourteen Valkyries and three Queadluun-Rheas to a pirate attack we had no business in losing. We’ve examined the facts. Their equipment was up to date and their training was completed with the highest standards that Spacy could set. That is not to say that we belittle the skills of our pilots, far from it. We believe is it exceptional what they can achieve without implants and thus, allowing and subsidising implants for pilots will give them that extra edge that could have perhaps averted the tragedy of two weeks ago.”

“While the debate over mandatory cybernetic implantation continues to rage, the seventeen souls who had given their lives to defend the Avalon are to be honoured in a ceremony later this afternoon on Deck 13.”

You were hearing correctly. They were playing off the potential first contact off as a pirate attack. That and they were using it to push their political agendas. You didn’t know what to feel about it though.

[1/2]

>>34066782
Maliki poked her head out of her room, the muffled sound of music leaking through the crack in the doorway.

“Hey Pecker, are you going out?”

That was your intention but where exactly were you headed?
>Nowhere yet
>To Astronomov Skunkworks
>To Strategic Military Services
>Write-in (other)

>>34066821
>Write-in

If it won't completely fuck us, we should make some public noise about this not just being pirates

>>34066821
>To Astronomov Skunkworks
Better weapons should help with offing any hostile aliens.

>>34066821
>To Strategic Military Services

What gits. They didn't mention how many of those pilots already had implants, which is probably a fairly high number, considering the attitudes of the fleet. Oh well, I assume we're going to the ceremony seeing as some of our old friends would have died in the fight.

>>34066821
>>To Strategic Military Services

File: S.M.S..png (58 KB, 1000x1000)

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“Yeah, I’m headed up to see a guy at SMS,” you replied.

You also got up to put away the dishes and thoughts of raising hell against the Council.

“Why, you need anything?”

“Not really, I just have some stuff to you show you later, I guess.”

“Alright I’ll try to be back when you wake,” you picked up your jacket.

Waving, Maliki retreated in to her room and left the apartment. You wondered what she was on about. Now that you were feeling better you took the tube. Most of the Avalon you’d already seen. It was an interconnected city of columns and decks with lighting that simulated day and night. You thought it was fortunate that both you and Maliki could afford a place that actually had a view of space, no matter how minuscule. Of course there were smaller island ships but most of those were where most of the manufactories and hydroponics were located. Those who lived there were few and often workers of said manufactories. Most material was imported to the Avalon and to afford such things the Avalon exported manufactured goods ranging from cutlery to Valkyries.

Strategic Military Services, or SMS for short, held berth along the portside of the Macross Avalon. It was part shore facility and part office. From the viewport you could barely make out the ship moored to this side but you could tell it was a big one. Stepping inside, you were greeted at the desk, apparently having been expected. Not five minutes later did Sergei come out to greet you like an old friend.

“Pecker,” he grabbed and shook your hand, “Nice to see you again.”

“Same here.”

“Spacy finally let you go huh?” you nodded, “Just as we were running short on pilots, here to sign up?”

>”Yeah, let’s get the boring stuff out of the way”
>”Not yet, how about I get a tour first?”

>>34068005
>”Not yet, how about I get a tour first?”
I think we should sign up, but it can't hurt to see what they're using.

>>34068005
>>”Yeah, let’s get the boring stuff out of the way”

>>34068005
>>”Yeah, let’s get the boring stuff out of the way”

>>34068005
>Not yet, how about I get a tour first?”

Lets see what they got

>>34068005
>”Not yet, how about I get a tour first?”
Check things out before tossing in with them. Don't want to work with a bunch of jerks.

>>34068250
They're not, mostly. SMS are pretty good guys. Sure, their director has a weird obsession with fold quartz, but who doesn't? Fold quartz is awesome. And at least he's not deliberately provoking the Vajra so he can harvest it like O'Conner is.

>>34068859
The ones we saw on Frontier were certainly OK, but it's probably a big company, they might end up having some people that are dicks.

>>34068005
>>”Not yet, how about I get a tour first?”

If they're excited, we can afford to be a little aloof and see exactly what we're getting into.

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“Can I get a tour first?”

“A hard sell aren’t you,” Sergei joked.

“Just keeping my options open is all.”

“Right this way then,” he gestured.

As he passed by the desk, he grabbed a pin and handed it you. It apparently was a guest ID.

“Well as you know, we’re a private security outfit,” he started, “We’re mostly contracted to provide additional manpower and expertise in terms fleet defence. I believe we were also contracted on the Frontier as well. We operate off of various carriers, currently the CVS-606 Nozaki but I heard we’re getting a replacement soon, as well as a new batch of Valkyries.”

“What are you guys using now?”

“That’d be the VF-22.”

“Wait, aren’t those spec ops fighters?”

“You’d think so but honestly, they’re all second hand when we got them,” Sergei shrugged, “They’ll fall apart if we have maintain a high operational tempo, plus spare parts aren’t exactly cheap for those things. We’ll be lucky to get a batch of new VF-171s by the end of the month and there are rumours of a next generation Valkyrie in the works. Maybe we’ll be contracted to provide combat evaluations for them in two or three years.”

“So what about the Nozaki or is that Spacy’s?”

“It’s on loan from Spacy, the whole crew is SMS personnel which we’re going to move over to the new ship once that arrives.”

You had walked to the hangars. Inside were mechanics working on two stripped down VF-22s and another team was painting a third. They didn’t pay much attention as you headed to the main dock area where a red painted Uraga-class Escort Battle Carrier lay in port. Of course you weren’t allowed aboard but you’d been familiarised with all the different classes of carriers you were expected to operate off of as a Spacy pilot. This one looked bog standard as far as appearances went.

“So any questions?”

>Ask away (write-in)

>>34069177

"What do you bring to the table that keeps NUNS contracting you? Anything special?"

>>34069177
"Why are you looking for new pilots right now? It doesn't sound like you're expanding operations yet. Something happen?"

>>34069177
"How experienced are your pilots, on average? I don't mind flying with nuggets, but I'd like to know what I'm getting into first."

>>34069177
Do you use any Zentraedi units as well? Do you have any König Monsters? How many pilots do you currently have on roster? What's the pay like? What's the staff rotation like?

I dunno the usual sort of stuff.

>>34069177
Supporting these >>34069337 >>34069376

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“How many pilots do you actually have right now?” you asked, “It can’t be that bad that you’re asking me to join is it?”

“Pecker you might not know this but pilots are in huge demand,” he replied, “Spacy might have the majority of them but there are a good number working privately, like myself. So we recruit when we can, doubly for experienced combat pilots. Aside from that we’re at squad strength right now all with different experiences. Can’t tell you more about that without Internal Affairs getting on my arse though.”

So that was six or seven pilots, assuming they flew the same three ship formation that Spacy did.

“But when the bill that the Council were pushing comes in to effect, we’ll probably be able to snap up maybe a dozen or so more for a full group or two,” he continued.

“And you guys don’t have any special equipment? I dunno like, Queadluun-Rheas or König Monsters? You have to bring more to the table than just cannon fodder.”

“I’m glad you asked because yes we do have a Queadluun-Rhea or two lying around,” he nodded, “They’re the only Zentraedi willing to live here despite the macronization difficulties. They’re Force Recon and well, you know what happened two weeks ago.”

“You want me to fly a battle suit?”

“If you want to,” he shrugged, “I mean the contracts are rather flexible regarding your responsibilities and pay. Normally most sign up as a paid employee with a fixed wage according the hours worked. Pilots get to choose if they want to go full freelance with the bounty system. Rack in kills, complete mission objectives then get paid accordingly. That said you’re going to have to pay for your own equipment, plus fuel and munitions. It’s risky but if you’re good then you’re golden.”

[1/2]

>>34070277
“If you’re not the killing type we also do contract work for researchers here as well. Spacy outsources live trials to us nine times out of ten. That way they don’t have to pay for anything if an accident happens but hey, it’s not much riskier than fighting some abomination from the depths of space right?”

“I guess,” you shrugged in turn, “That’s all I wanted to know Sergei, thanks for your time.”

“Oi, oi, we’re still not attractive enough for you?” he was still smiling as he said that, “You know if you wait too long we can’t have you pull the seniority.”

“Well…”

>Sign up with SMS
>Defer until later

>>34070299
>>Sign up with SMS

>>34070299
>Defer until later
Check with dear old pop, see what he's got goin' on. Then probably sign on with SMS

>>34070299
>Sign up with SMS

Can't really see a downside. Even if we decide to go a design weapons ourselves, we'll probably have to go through less hoops if we're signed up with these guys.

I will suggest we sign up as a paid employee though. Knowing TG dice, rolling for our finances will probably end up with us destitute if we go the freelance route.

>>34070299
>>Sign up with SMS

>>34070299
>Defer until later

>>34070299
Why even make this into a choice?

>>34070934
To avoid accusations of railroading?

I voted defer just to see what all the options were.

>>34070959
We all know here this story is going in that regard, deferring is an optional detour at best.

>>34070299
>Sign up with SMS

>>34070299
>>Sign up with SMS

>>34070299
>Send them an SMS

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“Where do I sign?” you said.

Sergei laughed.

“Now that’s more like it, let’s get you sorted out, it shouldn’t take too long.”

You had settled for what Sergei had called the ‘boring wage slave’ contract, with a fixed pay and reasonable hours. While he said that the Valkyrie pilots were at squadron strength, the reality of the matter was that only one of the two teams that made up the squadron was on station at any given point in time. Meeting the squad would happen later tomorrow, seeing as one team was on patrol and the other was off-duty. There weren’t many reasons for most personnel to stay in the office as long as they did their jobs, whether it was completing paperwork or other duties.

“Actually, if there’s already two teams, then whose team am I on?”

“Mine, of course,” Sergei answered.

“You’re forming a new team?”

“Yeah, we already have two, and I wasn’t really needed as squadron leader anyway so you’ll be flying with me and this other guy,” he got up, “How about we get you a Valkyrie while we’re at it?”

“You mean I get to choose my plane?” now you were incredulous.

“There’s only two to choose from really, unless you wanted to fly a Queadluun,” he led you back to the hangars, “I mean we do have our own macronization chambers thanks to Force Recon but I dunno if you want to be assigned there.”

The mechanic teams were now actually towing a new VF-171 in to one of the parking spaces whereas the two VF-SSs that were in here earlier were now properly assembled. You did notice that there was what looked like an airframe in the back covered in white tarp.

“Which one are you flying?” you asked.

“The VF-22,” he gestured to one of the parked 22s, “Better Valkyrie than the 171, and always will be.”

[1/2]

>>34072005
While you did have training with the 171, you knew Sergei wasn’t kidding. In fact, the 171 was really a dumbed-down version of the VF-17 that flew during the Protodeviln War so on paper the 22 had it beat. You also understood that having flown in one Valkyrie for so long, he would have grown fond of it. Personally you’ve never flown it before so you couldn’t really compare. Flight school had you flying clunky trainer versions of the VF-1. It was probably amazing for its time but it really didn’t compare to a modern Valkyrie.

>Settle for the familiar VF-171 Nightmare Plus
>Pick the aging spec ops VF-22 Sturmvogel II
>Let Sergei pick for you

>>34072058
>>Pick the aging spec ops VF-22 Sturmvogel II

That should be...fun.

>>34072058
>Pick the aging spec ops VF-22 Sturmvogel II

She's a classic.

>>34072058
>>Settle for the familiar VF-171 Nightmare Plus

>>34072058
>Pick the aging spec ops VF-22 Sturmvogel II

>>>34072058
Settle for the familiar VF-171 Nightmare Plus

>>34072058
>>Settle for the familiar VF-171 Nightmare

>>34072058
>Pick the aging spec ops VF-22 Sturmvogel II
The best parts of the YF-21, without the finnicky neural link.

>>34072058
>>Let Sergei pick fkr you

>>34072058
>Settle for the familiar VF-171 Nighmare Plus
why not

>>34073157
Because it's shit.

>>34072058
>Pick the aging spec ops VF-22 Sturmvogel II

File: vf 22 capabilities.gif (1.4 MB, 320x240)

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You went with the VF-22. It may be old, but that meant the chances of ever getting to fly one were next to none. Seeing as yours sat next to Sergei’s, you assumed the VF-171 was going to the last team mate. With their job done, one of the mechanics shooed the both of you out so that they could lock up and go do something else with their time. To be fair you had other things to be doing as well, probably.

Sergei told you to keep the pin on you as ID for when you came back tomorrow to get something more permanent. Then he wandered off, apparently to file paperwork. You weren’t sure. He was muttering something in his native language. It was almost easy to forget that people spoke languages other than English aboard.

To be honest you didn’t have a real time wasting hobby. Flying for Spacy had pretty much consumed all your time. An hour or two was enough to spare with the trombone, or stargazing. Now you had what, four hours of nothing? It didn’t help that your social circle had shrunk dramatically in size either. Going to the memorial service was a given, though you’re not sure what to do after that. Maliki also did say she had something to show you too so maybe that’d eat up your time. You don’t think you needed to see your father today at all either but he was an option.

>Head home after the service
>Check in on dad after you’re done
>Other (write-in)

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>>34072058
>Settle for the familiar VF-171 Nightmare Plus

>>34073223

>>34073335
>Head home after the service

>>34073335
>>Check in on dad after you’re done

>>34073335
>Head home after the service

>>34073335
>Other (write-in)
Try and find the other survivor of that possible first contact.

>>34073335
>>34073567
This

>>34073567
This indeed.

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The ceremony was held in a hall that was connected to an airlock. All the caskets were empty. Nothing survived the encounter, or so the official line went. In the main floor of the hall sat all the funeral-goers. They were relatives, some of which you knew personally. On some level you were afraid to approach them. You were the one left behind. You weren’t the only one. There was another survivor. You were curious on who it was, assuming they were in attendance. They were part of the Zentraedi on Force Recon. They likely were micronized and weren’t making a show of standing out.

Eventually they played a song as they loaded the caskets in to the airlock after a dozen eulogies. Many stood up to leave, many with wet eyes, leaving very few behind. Once or twice your hand was shaken, which you replied to mechanically. Some even offered encouragement. You’re not sure what kind of story they got when they received a letter from Spacy. It was probably better not to ask anyway. You did however ask around about the other survivor. It got you a name.

Claudia Hoilie

It was a rather sensible name for a Zentraedi. Your dad often lamented how his parents’ generation were terrible with names. Luckily, yours was both easy to spell and easy to pronounce.

Anyway, she had been one of the first to leave after the service was done, heading off to a bar that you knew about but rarely frequented. It was more of a Japanese style one, serving rice wine. She was seated by the counter, slamming down her drink in the tiny little cups provided. When you decided to look in to her you didn’t really have much beyond your curiosity. Still you took a seat nearby, ordering a similar drink, as she continued to remain oblivious to her presence.

It had to be up to you to break the ice.

>What do?

>>34074881
"So we're the two who made it back."

>>34074881
"Hey buddy. Still alive?"

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Rolled 9

>>34075268

So who are the aliens to kill in this series?

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The bar was devoid of patrons and most bartenders knew better than to interrupt unless strictly necessary. You didn’t think it was a popular one anyway, seeing as the geezer manning it looked bored out of his mind. It was on one of the upper decks, and the upper floors. The only indicator that it was a bar in the first place was a sign on the front door. You sipped your drink slowly but eventually you decided to break the ice.

“Yo, buddy.”

“Still alive?” she interrupted, “Yeah I heard that one before.”

She turned on her stool towards you, hand wrapped around her huge bottle. It wasn’t something you wanted to be hit by.

“I’ve having a real shitty day,” she continued, “So what is it you really want?”

You turned back to your drink.

“We’re the only ones who made it back,” you said.

“Haaaaaaah?”

“Claudia Hoilie right?”

She nodded.

“You were the only Force Recon Queadluun-Rhea to make it out two-three weeks ago,” you explained, “So I heard.”

“Yeah what about it?”

“I was just curious I guess,” you shrugged, “About who the other survivor was.”

“Jeez and I thought Valkyrie were bad,” she breathed, “They ain’t got shit on you.”

She took another shot.

“Still I guess you don’t look like a total wimp,” she eyed one last time, “for a Valkyrie pilot anyway. I don’t do much of that mopey-dopey stuff though so you’ve come to the wrong person for that.”

“What do you do then?”

“Me? I drive Queadluuns and kill shit,” she stated proudly, “They pay me for it too. Well not right now though. They’re all shitting their pants about them scary jelly alien machines so I’m just waiting until I’m back on again.”

>Attempt to flirt
>Ask about the “jelly alien machines”
>Talk about something else
>Leave quietly
Write-ins affect success

>>34076472
>Ask about the “jelly alien machines”
"What's this about jelly aliens, did you actually manage to see inside one?" There's no need to flirt.

Anyone still here?

>>34076880
Yes, but my time is short.

>>34076472
>Ask about the “jelly alien machines”

Lets see what Force Recon has to say

>>34076472
>Ask about the "jelly alien machines".
She doesn't seem the type to respond well to flirtation, and besides we're here as a fellow survivor not a horndog.
>>34076880
Still here, but questing from work so I'm not the timeliest voter.

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“Jelly alien machines?”

Now that had you curious. No one had told you about what exactly you encountered about three weeks ago. This was probably the closest you were going to get.

“Yep,” she beat her chest, “Punched one right in the face so hard it turned in to paste. Course Duke had to try and one up me and punch it straight up the old exhaust port.”

She grew pensive.

“Probably the dumbest thing she ever did,” she mused, “but anyway, I think Tricksy tried to catch one.”

The bartender gave you look. It was the look you were given when your crew started telling stories. With a quiet sorry and an order for another bottle you turned back to Claudia.

“She caught one alright,” she paused for effect, “straight in the chest. It looked like those old fashioned rockets, you know? Like from a century ago, except they had these needle points or pin point barriers or something because they went through armour like it wasn’t even there.”

That was a scary thought.

“Then Cap, good old Cap, she calls a retreat because hey, we’ve never seen these things before and the desk weenies want new things to wank to you know? So we booked it, even if I was still full up on ammo. Course by the time I got back I didn’t notice Cap was gone.”

She ended her tale with a shot.

“I still think Gelatinous Amorphous Mechanical Extraterrestrial is a terrible name,” she continued, “Seriously, it’s just a jelly alien machine, no need to get all fancy and shit. It’s not like they listen to me anyway, I’m just the Meltran that blows shit up.”

She just wouldn’t stop talking and by now you were starting to realise why the bar was so empty. Tomorrow just didn’t come fast enough.

Episode 2 End. Just got a call for an interview in about four hours so see you on Friday.
https://twitter.com/BoredofDirector
Next Episode: Back in the Saddle

>>34077338
Thanks for running. See you Friday.
What time are you thinking of running?

Thanks for the run, you have no idea how happy I am to see a Macross quest.

>>34077338
Good luck on the interview