(Title should be 'A Fresh Start: An (ex)Guardsman Quest 21.' Good job, brain.)
>>34651825

It’s cold. Too damn cold.

You can’t remember the name of the planet, but you remember hating it.

The snow crunches beneath your feet as you walk through the forest. Even with your flak armor on you find yourself struggling to keep warm. Lacking the fully enclosed helmet of your carapace, you make do with a scarf shielding your face from the elements. Your lasrifle rests slung over your shoulder, swinging ever so slightly as you walk. The soft clinking of it and your footsteps are all you hear.

You enjoy the silence enough that you forget why it’s there and immediately grind to a halt.

Your talkative guide has vanished.

Looking around you, you see no sign of Naomi. Did she get lost? As the night went on and you explored your memories she slowly began to let her stoic persona slip as her curiosity got the better of her. You suppose you could backtrack and find her.

But something’s pulling you forward, though by who or what you’re not sure. Naomi suggested you stop, to not push yourself, but this isn’t an opportunity you want to waste. Almost as soon as the thought comes to mind a brief rumble sounds ahead, and you look beyond and behind you, grinding your teeth as you think.

>Go back and find Naomi.
>Keep going.

>>34651995
>>Keep going.

>>34651995
>Keep going.

>>34651995
>Keep going.

Go find a line. So we can hold it.

>>34651995
>>Keep going.
What could possibly go wrong

>>34652318
Well we are letting a Psyker(?) Playnin our memories soooo everything.

Don't expect many people, what with Totemist up at the same time and being friday morning/afternoon/night it's gonna be prime quest time

>>34651995
>>Keep going.

>>34651995
>>>Go back and find Naomi.
Just so I can say I told you guys

One hell of a post or he got taken away from the thread

>>34653236
I hope it's the latter, honestly, but it's probably the former

>>34653236
>>34653335
(Glad to know you anons know my excuses before I make them.)
>>34651995

Pulling your rifle into hand, you start forward with a cautious pace. The rumble in the distance grows steadily louder and more frequent, and before long the sounds of battle become clear.

You pick up the pace.

Radio chatter sparks into your earpiece as you close, and you nearly collide with another soldier who seems to appear out of nowhere through the trees. You stumble but catch yourself, spotting his rank and than his face. Your throat tightens.

"Lieutenant?" You ask.

Lieutenant Saren Marone. A hard man, but a good one. Seeing you now, he doesn't bat an eye.

"Dunk," He says. "Sounds like we're missing out on the fun. What say we go join in?"

"Yes, sir," You nod, and together you both set off.

You clear the treeline all at once, suddenly inside a snow-covered city half aflame. You lead your squad down the street, sliding up along a wall and edging to the end to peek around. In the courtyard of a church, a Chaos Marine sends a cascade of promethium into the structure via a flamer while another and a mob of heretics watch on and howl.

"First in position but be advised, Traitor Astarte," You croak into your vox. "At least two Traitor Astarte and platoon-strength heretics accompanying."

"Second in place and confirmed," Sergeant Olan added. "Can see the big bastards from here."

"Third and fourth in place," Marone said, no more concerned than before. "Dunk, start us off."

"Yes, sir," You reply.

Looking back at your squad, you quietly give the order.

>Concentrate on the Marines first.
>Take down the rabble.

>Roll.

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>34653423
>>Concentrate on the Marines first.
Its a d20 right

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>34653423
>>Concentrate on the Marines first.

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>34653423
Concentrate on marines

File: 1369890449977.gif (1.4 MB, 250x141)

1.4 MB GIF

>>34653604
Bitchen

>>34653604
>>34653648
>>34653690
Tonight is the night

Did we just nat20'd a CSM in our memories? Or was that how it really happened back then?

>>34653894
Apparently laser pointers have an extra setting.

>>34654016
Dude. The guy is using a flame thrower. I don't think we need that many more settings to cook it, and half the damn platoon off.

>>34654095
And to think, that poor CSM could've gotten "roasted weenie" insurance.

>>34653423

"We hit the Marines first," You tell them. "Quick and dirty."

Feeling a familiar surge of adrenaline, you lean out from behind cover and level your rifle. With the current show going on none of the heretics take notice, and you line up your shot.

You pull the trigger and the world explodes.

You strike the flamer in the Marine's hands, bursting it and sending pieces of the weapon flying into his surrounding minions. A nearby heretic wielding a smaller flamer is struck as well, his own weapon exploding and coating several of his nearby comrades in flames.

The Marine has only seconds to roar in pain and confusion before a barrage of well placed lasrounds send it teetering forwards into the snow, it's face a smoking charred mess. Maus, hefting his rocket launcher, sends one flying toward the other Marine as it turns to face Second Squad. It strikes the Astarte in the back, blowing apart his pack and eviscerating him.

The heretics are even slower to react, taken from their fervor by the screams of their comrades and champions. The other squads move in and engage.

"FOR THE EMPEROR!" You shout, and your men take up the cry as you and the others tear into the enemy with relish. Within seconds all the Chaos worshipers lay dead or dying, and by a minute a few neatly placed mercy rounds quiet the screaming of the latter.

"Not so tough now, are you? Are you!?" a short young man, Cyrus, you think, asks as he kicks one of the dead Marines.

"Back the hell off," You growl, and wordlessly he cowers away. "Burn them all."

As two of the platoon's flame troopers go to work you're approached by Olan and Marone. After the near slaughter of Fourth Squad and the death of the sergeant for Third, the Lieutenant assumed control of the remnants.

"Not bad for a couple grunts," Olan grins, wiping snow from her face.

"There's still plenty of killing to do," Marone says. "We did good, but I..."

His words are cut off by a scream, distorted and utterly inhuman.

>Roll.

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>34654160

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>34654146
Or brought a more easily serviced, less dangerous support weapon. I mean, jesus, flamethrowers a shit. It's like, marching into battle with a big sign saying, "Shoot me while I slowly lumber up to you!"
>>34654160
For da' Emperor!

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>34654160
oh shiiiii

We shoot better and duck better in our dreams/memories than irl

File: 1338767876726.gif (1.01 MB, 427x240)

1.01 MB GIF

>>34654188
>>34654204
>>34654211
The emperor is on our side

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>34654160

>>34654277
Good thing it doesn't count

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>34654277
Wait a fucking minute.....aren't the rules that Crits over-rule within 5 rolls? In either case, rolling to subdue the heresy.

>>34654375
better hope not

>>34654375
nope, not the case
r-right guys??

File: Improper Quotation!.gif (4.63 MB, 558x345)

4.63 MB GIF

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>34654423
>>34654375
Damn that anon who suggested the Shadow Quest system. Damn him to hell!

That anon was totally me

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>34654160

File: I failed you.gif (1 MB, 245x172)

1 MB GIF

>>34654482
holy fuck Erebus up this motherfucker SOON?

>>34654482
>Shadow Quest
All that railroading It was still good tho

>>34654375
(YOU ARE CORRECT SIR!)
>>34654160

You turn around with your platoon almost as one in time to see the church doors burst open. A pair of unlucky Guardsmen are crushed by the flying debris, tumbling through the air before crumpling limply into the snow.

"Fire!" Marone barks.

Without hesitation or question you and the others unload as one into the doorway. Just in time, as the Bloodletter comes howling through the smoke. Standing in the pathway to the door, you and your companions are straight in the Daemons path.

"Back up, back up, BACK UP!" Marone orders.

Too late. It's on you in seconds.

Olan blasts it point blank in the face, but it doesn't slow from severing her in half.

"NO!" You scream, memories of her meek smile and warmth in those long cold nights rushing back to you.

If the Lieutenant hadn't tackled you, you would have no doubt received the same fate.

With nearly thirty weapons firing the Bloodletter is distracted for just long enough to decapitate the nearest upright Guardsman. However, it seems concentrated on the two of you. Or maybe just you.

"Dunk, get up," Marone urges, quickly doing the same. "Dunk, get up or die!"

The thing charges once more.

>Roll it!

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>34654603
UNLEASH THE WRENLOFTS!

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>34654603

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>34654603

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>34654603
FUCK GUYS IF THE 1st 3 are good don't vote and risk a nat 1 ever again

>>34654674
Of course it had to be me that roll shit as 4th

File: What is love.gif (594 KB, 642x405)

594 KB GIF

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>34654603
There's no way this will turn out horribly. Absolutely no way at all.

>>34654633
for once wrenloft did something good

>>34654831
Strangely calling is spirit result in good roll, most of the time. It's only the original Wrenloft that is shit.

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>34654831
I'd like say a full half of all wrenloft rolls are no longer from the original namefriend. Probably just someone trying to tap into his blessed dice-luck with d20's.

>>34654889
>his blessed dice-luck with d20's
Ha no hes fucked up the dice many times

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>34654977
I think a stats-anon found after conducting a numerical analysis with a year's worth of archive material, powered solely by autism and OCD, that wrenloft has rolled a normal amount of Nat 1's and an abnormally high number of Nat 20's. It worked out pretty well for the players of Shadow Quest when they invoked the power of wrenloft anyways.

>>34654603

You snap out of your horror and it immediately turns to rage. You come up to a knee and fire, pelting the thing with lasfire alongside the Lieutenant. This time, though, you're both ready. It closes and the two of you dodge to either side of it, turning and firing into its flank.

Another rocket from Maus sails between you and hits the thing from behind, blowing a chunk of it's shoulder away and causing it to scream loud enough to make your ears bleed.

While others clutch their ears you join it in it's angered shouting and charge, dropping your empty lasrifle and withdrawing your knife. It's one a Sister once blessed for you, but at that moment you didn't stop to think the fact over. In the back of your mind you hear Marone shouting, but you don't care.

You're almost on the thing when it turns, sensing your presence and giving a lazy swing of it's sword. You duck under the blade and slice at the things stomach. Where your blade touches ugly cuts appear and the thing screams once more, taking an uncertain step backwards as it tries to understand what's happening.

You slam into the thing, knife plunging into it's chest over and over. Direct contact with the thing makes your body feel as if it's on fire, but you continue to force it backwards as you and it scream in pain.

At some point you must have lost your footing, because one moment you only know pain and nothing else, and the next you're on your face in the snow. Despite it all, you find yourself laughing at the fact that it's so damn hot in the winter. Then you're pulled over and a medic kneels over you with a mixture of awe and horror on their face. He says something, but at first it's just noise.

"Are you alright?" He shouts, though you only just hear it.

Looking over to where the two halves of Olan lay, you see more Guardsman appearing, and the smoking pile of ashes where the Bloodletter fell. In the middle of the pile sits your knife.

(Cont.)

>>34655550

"Dunk!" Marone is by your side now. "Sergeant, look at me! Michael! MICHAEL!"

The world goes dark and you feel like you're drowning, and just like that you're thrown back into reality as you sit up from your bed with a start. The room spins for several long seconds before you close your eyes and try to steady your breathing. Your heart feels like it's about to beat out of your chest.

When you've worked your breathing back down to manageable levels you hear a voice.

"Master Dunkin?" Jeeves asks. "Sir, are you unwell? Should I call for a Medicae?"

"No!" You say, eyes flying open. Your servant dips his head at the words, and you notice an empty water bottle in your lap. Suddenly realizing how hot you are, you throw the covers aside to find the bed and yourself drenched with sweat. On that note, your bed is a tangled mess.

"Apologies, sir," Jeeves offers when he follows your gaze. "You were in distress, so I worked with what I could."

"It's alright," You sigh, resting your face in your hands. "Thanks."

"Of course, sir. Do you need anything?"

"I..." You hesitate at the offer.

>"I need a drink. A stiff one."
>"Can... can you get the Inquisitor?"
>"A walk might clear my head."
>Other?

>>34655599
>"Can... can you get the Inquisitor?"
There's some dangerous shit going down here.

>>34655550
Did a guardman kill a bloodletter in a fit of rage? If that stunt didn't make the big guy himself take notice of us...

>>34655599
>>"I need a drink. A stiff one."

>>34655599
>>"I need a drink. A stiff one."
There isnt a problem in the world that cant be solved this way

>>34655599
>>"I need a drink. A stiff one."

>>34655599
>>"Can... can you get the Inquisitor?"
>>34655642
I wouldn't be surprised if we have gained some notice from one of the big four

>>34655599
>>"I need a drink. A stiff one."

Because drinking can fix all your problems.

>>34655599
>C-Can you get the Inquisitor for me?

>>34655599
>"I need a drink. A stiff one."

>>34655599

"I need a drink," You decide. "A stiff one."

The pause Jeeves takes before complying hints at his opinion on the decision, but he offers no actual words. Instead, he returns soon after with not a single drink but one of the bottles you'd gotten from Delmar.

"Thank you, Jeeves," You tell him. "This'll do."

"Of course, sir," He answers, puttering away.

By the time your alarm clock sounds the bottle is empty, another is on its way out, and you're feeling great. You could head down for breakfast, but you're not sure if you're up for socialization just yet. Or particularly hungry, for that matter.

>Grit your teeth and head down.
>Skip it. You've missed a meal before.

>>34656094
>>Skip it. You've missed a meal before.

>>34656094
>Skip it. You've missed a meal before

>>34656094
>Skip it. You've missed a meal before.

>>34656094
>>Skip it. You've missed a meal before.

>>34656094
>>Grit your teeth and head down.

>>34656094
>Grit your teeth and head down.

We get on the Inquisitor's case all the time for not eating regularly and then go and skip breakfast? Nah, man. Nah.

>>34656253
I wan't her to come force us to eat

>>34656094
>Skip it. You've missed a meal before.

>>34656094
>Skip it.

>>34656253
Give Dunk a break, he had a bad night.

>>34656094

After the night you had, taking a rain check seems the best choice. Instead, you hang back in your room and spend time looking over the Intel Noriega gave you. Your mood only sours as you think over what this mission will probably hold.

A time later your vox chimes and you check to find a message from Christina, requesting you at a hangar bay you've yet to visit.

Arriving a short time later, you find Christina waiting with Delmar and a small escort of armsmen. Along with them in the hangar bay sits a luxurious pleasure craft befitting a noble or wealthy rouge trader.

"Lieutenant," Christina greets.

"My friend!" Delmar beams, opening his arms wide. "It will be such a pleasure to have you joining us today."

Your only response is to blink before turning to Christina.

"Ma'am?"

"The good Captain put a call through to Mr. McCoy to say hello and offered to meet and catch up on old times. As it seems, he was happy to oblige and decided now was as good a time as any."

You simply nod. Delmar seems disappointed by this, and Christina picks up on your odd demeanor as well, but neither one comments as you all board the ship. The Captain and his escort go first, and Christina purposely hangs back to speak with you.

"While they both talk you and I will tag along as part of his retinue, hopefully take a look through the estate. Perhaps even run into the girl."

"Happy to assist, ma'am."

At your dry tone Christina's brow twitches.

"Is something the matter, Lieutenant?" She asks, stopping and turning to face you.

"No, ma'am," You answer.

While obviously not completely believing this, she drops it and heads inside. The interior of the transport is a smaller version of the Antebellum, with all the overly decor that entails. You follow Christina into a passenger room, taking a seat and trying to rest your eyes.

(Cont.)

>>34657097

Sadly, it isn't long before you hear the door slide open. You open your eyes to see Delmar standing there, wearing his typical golden attire and smile.

"Apologies," He says, "but you have a call, Lady Massey."

"From who?"

"The Commander, I believe."

Sighing, Christina simply rolls her eyes before standing. Delmar graciously holds the door for her, then softly closes it after she departs. He turns to you, but this time his expression is a wary one.

"That should give us five, perhaps ten minutes," Delmar says. "The Commander has a way of keeping Lady Massey busy."

"Five or ten minutes for what?" You ask, not really in the mood.

"For you to tell me as much as to why we're doing this as you wish. If you wish."

Oh.

You had thought Vincent had sided with the Inquisitor on the matter of the girl. Perhaps not. Still, you're torn between wanting to tell the Captain to see if he could help more and possibly crossing Christina.

>Tell him.
>Refuse.

>>34657143
>Refuse

We're in no mood to play politics. Sorry captain, this one is need-to-know only.

>>34657143
Don't outright tell him, but drop enough hints that if he can catch your drift, he can figure it out.

>>34657143
Remind me again, why are we doing this? We need intel or somethig, that's what the Inquisitor told us just now, we can tell him that

>>34657143
>Refuse.

>>34657143
>Refuse.

>>34657143
>>Refuse.

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25 KB PNG

>>34657143
>>Tell him.
The man has been a straight shooter with us thus far, might as well throw him a bone.
But make it clear that no harm will come to the girl and once this op is concluded the masterminds behind it will like be purged for treason and heresy.

>>34657143
>Refuse

"I want to tell you, but I can't compromise the Lady's trust."


On a side-note elijah I've got another MAX series you might like. Its the Fury MAX series. Its the same writer as the punisher series.

http://www.mediafire.com/download/2wl9yx6r0y05dro/Fury+MAX+Complete+%282001-2013%29+%28Garth+Ennis%2C+Darick+Robertson%2C+Goran+Parlov%29.7z

>>34657661
Thanks, friend! Definitely going to give it a look-see once I'm done here.
>>34657143

You sigh and close your eyes. The Captain is a good man, but orders are orders.

"I want to tell you," You say.

"But you can't," Delmar nods, frowning. "I understand. My apologies."

Before you can say anything he leaves, and alone you stew in your thoughts until Christina returns. She now seems equally irritable, and you give her a curious look.

"One of these days I'm looking into a replacement for that man," Is her only reply before returning to her dataslate.

It isn't long before you arrive, setting down on a private landing pad within the walls of a noble's estate. Just as Delmar descends the ship with his men at attention before him, you and Christina in tow, McCoy has a similar welcome.

Gilian McCoy is a large man, almost as wide as he is tall. However, he carries himself as if he weighed nothing at all. And upon spotting the Captain, hurries to greet him.

"My friend-" Delmar begins.

"DELMAR, YOU SON OF A BITCH!"

When McCoy grabs the Captain the entire group tenses, yourself included reaching for a sidearm strapped to your waist.

Then the larger man laughs and the hands relax.

"I thought you'd forgotten about me!" McCoy says, releasing Delmar from the embrace.

"I could not forget you if I tried, my friend," Delmar chuckles, though obviously winded by the experience. "How have you been?"

"Can't complain, I suppose. Or maybe I could," He laughs again, slapping his stomach and waving for everyone to follow. "This way, this way! Emperor, but it's been ages. You've gotten even thinner since last time. Stick around and I'll fix that!"

(Cont.)

>>34658552

As both men share a laugh you fall into step with Christina, between both men and their respective escorts. With McCoy is half a dozen men dressed in tan and gold armor, with two other companions; one dressed as a rugged mercenary, the other a fellow noble. The latter smiles at you and extends a hand.

"I'm Tanyar Haln, Lord McCoy's chief adviser," He explains.

You stare at him until he slowly retracts his hand. The mercenary seems rather amused by the display.

Passing through gardens and archways you enter the manor itself. While Delmar and McCoy head off to a private study to remiss you and the others are lead to a side-room able to sit Delmar's retinue. Oddly, Tanyar and the mercenary stay with you rather than continue with their lord.

As if only sided with you by orders, Christina happily takes the nobleman by the arm and begins chatting with him about this and that. Watching this, you fight back to urge to scoff.

Then you notice the mercenary, leaned against the wall opposite of you, staring.

>Stare back.
>Try and be friendly.

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>34658597
>>Stare back.

Cadian. Glare. No survivors.

>>34658552
>"DELMAR, YOU SON OF A BITCH!"
>Stare back.

>>34658597
Stare at him, then after a bit and you both have made everyone else uncomfortable, you both go up to each other and after another stare down, you both do the unspoken, little known, secret handshake of the badasses, preferably with half the moves not using hands.

>>34658597
>trying to out stare a cadian
poor bastard, he doesn't even know how bad he has fucked up

>>34658597
>Stare back.

>>34658597
>>Stare back.

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16 KB JPG

>>34658597
>Stare back

I'll stare at him staring at me, that'll show him.

>>34658597

You match the mercenary's stare with your own. He's older than you, but not by much. A local, no doubt, and probably not nobility.

This goes on for several minutes before the others catch on, and before long some of the armsmen are swapping bets with the pair of household guards watching them. For what, you have no idea. Even Christina and her new-found friend cast the occasional glance over at you, though the former seems more annoyed at the diversion of attention than anything.

After about fifteen minutes he blinks. Money is exchange and curses are muttered.

Another five and so do you, just to not make him or the others nervous.

Not long after Christina and Tanyar depart, though where or why you can only guess. Or maybe it's best not to.

You and your new friend continue the match for some time longer before you hear the door open and the both of you turn to look. While not open more than a crack, you see an eye peering through, watching you. Then, when realizing they'd been spotted, slowly open it farther to reveal the same child you'd seen before.

She's a little thing, just coming up to your waist. Her brown hair is tied back in one ponytail, and her green eyes flicker nervously back and forth.

"Hi," She greets meekly, staring at you curiously, still half-leaning from the doorway. "You're scary."

>"Boo."
>Look to the mercenary for help.
>"Only when I have to be. Hello there, little one."

>>34659404
>"Boo."
>Wiggle fingers dramatically
Shes totally gonna shank us but whatever

>>34659404
>"Boo."
keep poker face while doing so

>>34659404
>"Boo."
>"Only when I have to be. Hello there, little one."

>>34659404
>>"Boo."

>>34659404
>"Only when I have to be. Hello there, little one."

>>34659404
>>"Boo."
>>"Only when I have to be. Hello there, little one."

Why not both.

>>34659479
I like this.

>>34659479
I also like this.

>>34659479
This, but add "and who are you?"

>>34659404

"Boo," You say, wiggling your fingers dramatically at her.

She giggles, though stays where she is.

"Never mind. You're funny," She says.

"I try my best," You smile. "And who are you?"

"Anna. Who are you, sir?"

In your not-quite-there state you very nearly say Michael Dunkin. Luckily, you catch yourself just as you think it.

"Alex Sandon," You answer, nodding to your friend. "What about him?"

"He's Bonny," She answers, as if it were obvious.

In reply, the mercenary visibly grimaces.

"Bonny, huh?" You ask. "I'll have to remember that."

His glare is oddly satisfying, and you answer it with a grin. However, by then one of the guards take notice and quickly step away from the crowd of armsmen.

"Miss Anna," He scolds. "Where did you put Nemi? You're not supposed to leave her side."

"She's... around," Anna replies, lowering her gaze. "There were new people here, so I thought I'd see who they were."

The guard gives you an apologetic look, but you shrug.

"She's not a bother," You look to your friend. "Is she, Bonny?"

After several seconds he slowly nods and points toward the door. Anna pouts, but he seems impervious by the show and only stares, though there's a hint of affection in his expression now.

"Fiiiiine," She whines, allowing the guard to usher her out. "It was nice to meet you, Alex!"

Waving, she departs and you go back to your staring match. However, your mood has been ever so slightly lifted.

"Bonny, huh?" You chuckle.

"Barnard," He answers. "Call me that again and I'll feed you your teeth."

Not wanting to create a scene, you relent and spend the remainder of your time in a silent staring match.

(Cont.)

>>34660563

Christina returns alone shortly before Delmar, though she offers no explanation. Even so, she looks oddly pleased with herself. Delmar is no worse for wear, bidding a hearty farewell to McCoy. Barnard simply nods to you, and you do the same.

Boarding back onto the transport, you and Christina make your way back to the room you came down in. Sadly, it isn't five seconds after you sit down that she gives you a look.

>"I met our target."
>Stay quiet. Let her do the talking.
>"Enjoy your date?"

>>34660582
>>"I met our target."

>>34660582
>>Stay quiet. Let her do the talking.

>>34660582
>>Stay quiet. Let her do the talking.

>>34660582

>Enjoy your date?

>>34660582
>Stay quiet. Let her do the talking.

>>34660582
>>"I met our target."

>>34660582
>>"I met our target."

>>34660582
>>"Enjoy your date?"
>>"I met our target.".

>>34660582
>"I met our target."

>>34660582
>Stay quiet. Let her do the talking.

>>34661023
this

>>34660582

"I met our target," You offer.

"And?"

"She's terrifying. Dunno if we have the men to keep her under control."

"Anything useful?"

"She thinks I'm scary. Any funny."

For the briefest moment Christina's lips quirked up in a smile, but just like that it vanishes.

"Thanks to a few questions I received a tour of the manor," Christina explains. "The company wasn't terrible, but the main concern is knowing we're not looking at an idiot. Plenty of guards, cameras, and other lovely things hanging about the premises"

"So what's the plan?" You ask.

"I don't have anything solid yet, but I think I have a basic idea," Christina says, the dangerous gleam in her eye making your stomach sink. "Thank you, though. For helping today."

You look at her as if she'd grown a second head.

"What?" She asks.

"You're acting like I had a choice," You say, not being cold but simply stating a fact.

"Like you-" She pauses. "I was only... never mind."

Only more confused, you take the rest of the ride in silence. When you arrive back at the Antebellum, you and the others depart.

With free time on your hands, you decide to...

>Stay with Christina, help plan.
>Visit with someone else. (Who? Any reason why?)
>Other?

>>34661471
Stay with Christina

>>34661471
>>Visit with someone else. (Who? Any reason why?)
Senor liquor

>>34661471
>Stay with Christina, help plan.

>>34661471
>>Stay with Christina, help plan.

>>34661471
> Visit Tech priest, Reason " WAFIU, I HAVE RETURNED TO LOVE YOUUUU"

>>34661471
>>Visit with someone else. (Who? Any reason why?)
Whoever's at the bar this time of day.

>>34661471
>Stay with Christina, help plan.

>>34661471
>Stay with Christina, help plan.

>>34661471
>visit melody

>>34661556
yes.

>>34661471
>>Stay with Christina, help plan.

>>34661471
visit the shiny waifu

>>34661985
>I agree, With all the shiny bits

>>34661471

The Inquisitor starts off toward her room, dataslate tucked under her arm. Without a word you follow her, and it seems not until she reaches the elevator that she realizes you're following.

"Alright," She sighs. "Either you're going to have to start talking or I'm tying a bell around your neck."

"Yes, ma'am," You say. "Sorry, ma'am."

Grumbling, Christina rubs her temples and shakes her head. You arrive back at her room, and despite her complaints you fall into your routine of sorting and spit balling. After a time you bring in Vincent to get a quieter perspective on infiltrating the manor. Combined with schematics, on the ground footage, and recollection from Christina, you three work out a plan for a team to enter the manor.

One of Tiberus' agents will work a way to set a loop on the camera feed and run a block on the sensors covering the place. Having no deaths would be preferable, but if hard contact was made then the safety of the team and package came first. They were to get in, grab the girl, and get out.

The best chance of this working came in nearly a week, from the gala being hosted. McCoy is planned to attend, and will no doubt bring in an escort from his own household. This would bring his house under-strength, but considering the mercenary they couldn't be sure. At the least, it would ensure McCoy wasn't in the line of fire to try something stupid.

"If we have to do it, I suppose this is the best way," You say. "Limited chance of trouble and casualties on either side."

"The question is, who leads the team?" Vincent asks.

"I have plans," You shrug.

Both Vincent and Christina stare at you.

"Captain Delmar enlisted me to be play music during the event," You explain.

"Uh... huh," Christina slowly nods.

(Cont.)

>>34662111

"Sounds about like him," Vincent snorts. "Not that he'd be too upset if it involved business. Of course, there's always the best stealth trooper in the sector to pick up the slack..."

Christina's only response is to roll her eyes.

>Volunteer to lead the team.
>Keep your promise to Delmar.

>>34662136
>Keep your promise to Delmar.
Feel like we need to make it up to Delmar.

>>34662136
> Keep your promise to Delmar

>>34662136
>Keep your promise to Delmar.

>>34662136
>Keep your promise to Delmar.

>>34662136
>>Keep your promise to Delmar.

>>34662136
>Keep your promise to Delmar.

Let the Tanith do what he does best

>>34662136
>Keep your promise to Delmar

Vincent is the sneaky one anyway.

>>34662136
>Keep your promise to Delmar.
On the list of people bad people let down, Delmar is right behind Inquisitors and administratum drones..

>>34662197
OI YOU GROT. I REMEMBER YOU

>>34662136
>Keep your promise to Delmar.

>>34662136
>>Keep your promise to Delmar.

>>34662253
Where exactly do you remember me from? Pretty sure I would remember running into an ork. Then again my memory is not the best.

>>34662429
One of the first few. You were the only one not calling me /namefag/

>>34662463
>>34662429
namefags take it to /soc/

>>34662557
I'm the Captain now, Shush

>>34662136
Has anyone suggested working WITH Delmar and McCoy to fake the kinapping?

>>34662636
I threw the idea out last thread, but it went nowhere

though it is something we should propose to Chrissy anyway, it would be better than doing it for real

>>34662136
> suggest >>34662636

>>34662663
> I'll Third this

>>34662136

"Vincent can handle it," You say. "I promised Delmar a while back."

The Commander seems thrilled by the prospect while Christina is less keen. However, she relents and allows it.

"But whatever you do, keep Delmar firmly out of the loop. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss," She says.

"Yes, ma'am," You nod.

"Good. Any questions?"

When neither of you voice one, you and Vincent prepare to leave. However, before you manage to leave Christina stops you.

"Lieutenant."

Slowly turning around, you find her watching you with a mixture of worry and something else you can't quite catch.

"Take a seat."

Alarms going off, you do as you're told. Christina seems to have trouble figuring out how to start.

"I don't have to know what, or why," She says. "But I'd still like to."

"Ma'am?" You ask, a familiar nervousness settling into your gut.

"I told you that if you wanted to talk, I was here to listen," She said, expression softening. "Is there anything you want to talk about?"

>"I'm perfectly fine, ma'am."
>"Quite a bit, actually... but only if you listen to me about Anna, first." (Roll)
>"Oh where oh where to begin..." (Tell her everything? About something specific?)

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>34662832
>"Quite a bit, actually... but only if you listen to me about Anna, first." (Roll)

>>34662832
>"Oh where oh where to begin..." (Tell her everything? About something specific?)
everything

>>34662832
>>"Oh where oh where to begin..."
Everything.

>>34662832
> OH WHERE OH WHERE TO BEGIN

I'm the Captain now, Understood?

>>34662832
>>"Quite a bit, actually... but only if you listen to me about Anna, first." (Roll)
do we roll now or later, because rolling now with that anons 1 just means no one is going to vote for this

>>34662832
>"Oh where oh where to begin..." (Tell her everything? About something specific?)

I think "everything" just about covers it.

>>34662832
>"Oh where oh where to begin..." (Tell her everything? About something specific?)

Yeah....this seems a little more important and feasible at the moment.

>>34662832
>(Roll)
You really need to stop asking for rolls with votes, do that shit after the vote is done, otherwise you end up with >>34662903 scaring away all the votes

>>34662832
>"Oh where oh where to begin..." (Tell her everything? About something specific?)

>>34662903
(Thought I'd mix things up a bit. Guess this is what I get for trying new things.)

>>34662832

"Oh where oh where to begin..." You sigh, leaning back in your chair.

You begin from what you guess is the start, from the dreams. Or nightmares. Or whatever the hell they are. However, shortly into it she holds up a hand.

"We're going to need the good stuff for this, I think," She says, standing.

When she returns with a class bottle of amasec you know it's probably a bad idea but take it anyways and continue on.

So you recollect as much as you can. The drink helps calm your nerves, and Christina listens patiently to it all. It's difficult to say, but you force it and explain what you can.

The closer you get to the present and get to your newest psyche addition Christina's expression changes ever so slightly. Then, when you explain this morning, she drains a nearly full glass in a single go before releasing a heavy sigh.

"I'm glad you decided to be fully honest with me," She says.

"You thought I would lie?" You ask.

"Not particularly, but I was worried. Jeeves came to me as soon as he could."

"Can't exactly fault the man... skull... thing."

"So, we know the problem. Somewhat," Christina frowns. "What do we do about a solution?"

>"So far two things have kept it away. Drinking and... well... you."
>"No need to play dead doc, ma'am. Just talking about it helps."
>"Tell me I'm not getting fucked with by a deamon and I can handle it."

>>34663330
> tell me i'm GOING to be fucked by a Daemon and can handle it.

>>34663330
>"No need to play dead doc, ma'am. Just talking about it helps."

>>34663330
>"So far two things have kept it away. Drinking and... well... you."

>>34663330
>>"Tell me I'm not getting fucked with by a deamon and I can handle it."

>>34663330
>"Tell me I'm not getting fucked with by a deamon and I can handle it."
>"Not particularly well mind, but I can handle it nonetheless."

>>34663330
>>"Tell me I'm not getting fucked with by a deamon and I can handle it."

>>34663330
>"Tell me I'm not getting fucked with by a deamon and I can handle it."

>>34663330
>>"So far two things have kept it away. Drinking and... well... you."
>>"No need to play dead doc, ma'am. Just talking about it helps."
>>"Tell me I'm not getting fucked with by a deamon and I can handle it."

Everything.

>>34663330
>"No need to play dead doc, ma'am. Just talking about it helps."
>"So far two things have kept it away. Drinking and... well... you."

>>34663330
seconding >>34663640

>>34663330
>"No need to play dead doc, ma'am. Just talking about it helps."
>"So far two things have kept it away. Drinking and... well... you."

Well I'll be damned, we made it a bit without having to do this. Roll a 1d2. 1 is daemon fuckery, 2 is head doc and Fun. I think. Let's go with that.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>34663751
rollan for a 2

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>34663751

>>34663772
hooray

>>34663772
gaaay

>>34663751
Usualy tiebreaker roll are rolled by the QM and not anons

We really have to tell the Inquisitor there's only so much of your humanity you can give up fighting for humanity before you cross a line and lose it and start fight just cause you want to.

And maybe ask her where she drew her line.

>>34664221
(Think I'll just do that from now on to keep things rolling.)
>>34663330

"No need to play head doc, ma'am," You shake your head. "Just talking about it helps."

"Are you sure?" She asks.

"Well, so far I know of two things that keep it away. There's drinking, and then there's.. well... you."

"I sup-" She freezes. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me, ma'am," You sigh, rubbing your neck.

"Do explain, please."

"Pretty cut and dry, really. I drink, and usually it works. Then I spent the night here..."

"Heavily intoxicated and exhausted."

You go to reply then think over her words and grimace. This time it's your turn to look away, embarrassed. Maybe she was right.

"Sorry, ma'am," You say. "It was a stupid thing to say."

You stand.

"Lieutenant," She says, surprised.

"Thank you for your time, ma'am," You head for the door

"Michael."

You stop.

"Michael, look at me."

Hesitantly, you turn around to find Christina out of her seat and approaching you. She looks uncertain for a moment, then looks you in the eye.

"Would it really help you?" She asks.

"I think so," You answer honestly.

She takes a step back and pinches the bridge of her nose, eyes closed in contemplation. Then she opens her eyes and smiles.

"Go back to your room and cook us up something," She orders. "I'll take a shower and be there shortly."

"Ma'am?"

"And if I like what you made, I'll let you accompany me back," She pokes your chest. "But one 'accidental' slip of the hand and you're out the airlock."

You smile and nod, somewhat abashed but grateful.

"Now shoo," She ushers you out. "Go don your apron and do whatever it is you do."

"Yes, ma'am," You chuckle.
_________________________

Was hoping to run a bit longer, but it's been a long week and I'm nodding off. Hope you guys had fun. Can't say for sure when next thread will be. Maybe Sunday, probably not.

FYI, I had a mild combat sequence written out for the winter battle. Then the 20 abruptly threw it out the window. I'm okay with this.

>>34664687
Thanks for running, boss.

>>34664687
Thanks for the run. I thought the combat was pretty cool personally.

>>34664687
Nice run, hope we'll have another soon.

>>34662690
>>34662663
>>34662636
Someone remind us of this next thread

>>34664687
just got back from some errands, thanks for the thread, cya next time

>>34664909
we should talk to her about it over breakfast in bed

Crissy has gotta be the most liberal fucking inquisitor in the universe to agree to cuddling with a member of her team that is showing signs of possible warp fuckery after admitting to coming into physical contact with deamons.
Seriously I love the quest but some of the shit in it doesn't really fit all that well

>>34665438
Anon, you clearly haven't read much about the =][=

This kind of activity is pretty normal for them, hell, if Chrissy got an Eldar butler to serve her and Mike drinks, that wouldn't be too far fetched.

>>34665438
Borderline heretical inquisitors isn't exactly a rare thing, this shit is mild.

>>34665438
>Questioning =][=
Its like you want to get blammed.