>Last time on Freelance Ghost Quest: You find out the cerebrate is still alive and being reconstructed, and do as much as you can to slow it down while warning Ur’athan. You hear how the fleet fared and meet up with the ground forces and Quartus, who tells you about the ground engagement. At the end of his story, you arrive at the Omega.

When you set foot on the hanger, you immediately hear psychic shouting from Arana, the protoss you left in charge of the Omega.

“I want those gun batteries back up as soon as possible! This isn’t over yet! Group B4, get that hull patched up there soon or we won’t be leaving this planet just yet. Scout Squadron Epsilon, do I have to get down there in my own scout? Those mutalisks should have been dead five minutes ago!”

The string of orders doesn’t seem to end, and from them you gather that first you’ll be joining the main fleet and then heading over to the Executor to pick her up.

The hangar itself seems to fairly calm. There is one SCV working on the bay doors, a few protoss engineers examining a shuttle, but not much more aside from the troops now disembarking from the shuttles.

>1. Head to the bridge, see if Arana needs any help to manage things.
>2. Try to find some protoss medical care for Quartus’ arm, and if they can’t help, get him to the medbay.
>3. Calm down for a moment. Take a shower, get some food. You don’t really have much to do for now.
>4. Write in.

>>36246673

>If there is any crew available to escort Quartus to medbay, do that.
>Head to the bridge. Arana seems to have things well in hand, but it feels like the best place to be.

>>36246748
second this

>>36246748
>>36246821
Very well, writing.

>Three posters
>Another shitty quest thread
>Autism everywhere

>>36246682
>>2. Try to find some protoss medical care for Quartus’ arm, and if they can’t help, get him to the medbay.

You look around the hangar, but none of the crew that’s there seems to be unoccupied. You take Quartus and Sextus deeper into the ship but none of the crew you pass even gives you a second look. They’re all rushing to wherever Arana is ordering them to go. You give up your search and ask Sextus to take Quartus to the medbay instead.

Once that’s taken care of, you make your way to the bridge. Even there, no one seems to pay attention to you when you arrive. You simply make your presence known to Arana and wait on the side where you’re not in anyone’s way. After about five minutes, she approaches you.

“Welcome back, Artemis. I heard of your deeds from the High Templar. It’s a shame it won’t stay dead.” She says, with a grave tone of voice. She immediately switches subjects though, with a lot more fire in her voice this time. “And by Adun, this ship is marvellous. We took more punishment than two of our carriers would have been able to take, and it’s still in the air. We’ve had a few close moments, but nothing we couldn’t handle. Anyway, I should get back to things. Unless you have something to contribute to the workings of the ship, you’re off duty until we reach the executor.”

>Anything you want to ask her before she goes back?
>1. Has the crew been holding up? It’s the first big fight they’re in since they had their minds wiped.
>2. What was that about a hull breach earlier? We can’t get out of here if it’s not repaired?
>3. Nothing to ask. Check up on Quartus.
>4. Nothing to ask, go clean up and rest a bit.
>5. Write in.

>>36247152
>>1. Has the crew been holding up? It’s the first big fight they’re in since they had their minds wiped.

>>36247152

>Leave the protoss to her work for now; check up on Quartus
>Make sure to ask how the crew has been holding up after the fight though... and about that breach

>>36247152
>2
>Ask Arana to remind the zerg not make anymore holes in this ship, reinforce that question with heavy battleship fire
>Check up on Quartus

>>36247275
>>36247279
>>36247432
Writing.

“How’s the crew been doing? It’s their first big fight since their mind wipe.”

“They’re performing remarkably well. At first they did most things that were needed before I could get around to ordering them to it, but once the battle started in earnest and I had familiarised myself with the ship some more I finally had an impact on the ship workings itself. I found myself mostly coordinating with the rest of our forces while the crew took care of most tasks on the ship by themselves.”

“And I heard you say something about a breach?”

“Ah yes, a swarm of scourge got through. Nothing too major, but we’ll either have to seal off a few sections or repair the breach before we can enter orbit. The repairs are the obvious choice but if need be we’ll simply seal it when we leave.”

“Very well. Thank you. I’ll leave you to your job then. And do remind the zerg to not make any more holes in the ship.” She looks at you a bit puzzled. Right, no sense of humour. You’re not sure how she ever got to make that joke about the paint through Ur’athan. Maybe the High Templar salvaged her attempt at it.

You leave her be and head over to the medbay. It’s filled with people, most of them wounded, but here and there some of them seem to be lying a bit too still. In between the patients, more crew is franticly running around, bandaging and giving medicine to those who need it. Quartus is somewhere in the back, and you see someone using a laser to cut off his right arm’s armour with surgical precision. The last piece falls to the floor as you reach him.

>1. What took so long? I figured you’d be bandaged up by now.
>2. So, any indication of how bad it is yet?
>3. Write in.

>>36247660
>2. So, any indication of how bad it is yet?

>>36247660
> I've already put out the word that I'm in need of a new sniper. Optimism never saved anyone right?

>>36247660
>2. So, any indication of how bad it is yet?

>>36247660

>So, how're you holding up?

>>36247706
>>36247752
>>36247769
>>36247783
writing

>>36247752

Don't make patient laugh when there are laser cutters aroung please...

>>36247889
They just finished the cutting didn't they? Oh hell, I killed Quartus. When do we roll?

You approach him cheerfully.“I’ve already put out the word that I'm in need of a new sniper. Optimism never saved anyone right?”

“Hah, that eager to get rid of me, are you?” His smile turns to a grimace as the crew member inspecting his arm brushes against the wound.

“Well, any indication of how bad it is yet?” You ask him, dropping the playful act.

“Nope, it took them a whi-iaaah! A while to get tools that could cut through the armour without cutting off my arm along with it.” The nurse tending to him stabbed a needle in his arm right next to the acid burns, nodding as Quartus yelled out in pain. It’ll be difficult to get a proper diagnostic out of this person, but you see him entering data into his PDA. You might be able to check the file.

“How are you holding up?” You ask Quartus. He shrugs.

“It doesn’t hurt, except whenever Mr. sadist here jabs a needle the size of a bayonet in my arm.” He nods to the nurse. “It’s… actually kind of scary. The not hurting part. I’m having trouble moving my hand, so I think it might be nerve damage.”

>1. Let’s hope not.
>2. I’ll go ask the protoss if they have something that might help.
>3. I guess you were right. You will have to learn how to shoot left-handed.
>4. Write in.

>>36248042
>2. I’ll go ask the protoss if they have something that might help.

>>36248042

>I'll ask the Protoss if they have anything that might help.
>In the meantime... thanks and well fought. We're not quite out yet, but it seems it will have been a battle to remember.

>>36248069
>>36248269
Writing.

“I'll ask the Protoss if they have anything that might help. In the meantime... thanks and well fought. We're not quite out yet, but it seems it will have been a battle to remember.” You tell Quartus.

“Oh, that we will, yes. Even if we didn’t literally fight side by side, it was good for us to take to the battlefield together.” He replies.

You leave him in the capable hands of the nurse and Sextus and head over to where you feel the most protoss presences. They’re all still in the hangar it seems, where they are tending to their own wounded. You wait until you find an appropriate opening and approach one of the protoss medics.

“Excuse me, I’ve got a friend who’s probably got nerve damage. Terran technology is fairly limited to help with that, so I was wondering if you have anything that could help.”

The protoss thinks for a moment before he shakes his head. “There might be something in a proper base that could help, but out here in a field hospital, not so much, Templar.”

>1. Wait, did you just call me templar?
>2. Ok, I see, thanks nonetheless.
>3. Write in.

>>36248455
>2 (act casual)

>>36248455
>2. Ok, I see, thanks nonetheless.
>1. Wait, did you just call me templar?

>>36248455

> Ok, I understand. Thanks anyway.
> Wait, did you just call me Templar?

>>36248538
>>36248554
>>36248619
Writing.

“Ok, I understand. Thanks anyway.” You’re about to leave when you realise something. “Wait, did you just call me Templar?”

“I did.” The medic bows his head in respect. You wait a moment but he doesn’t seem to explain further and actually turns back and goes to help another protoss. You follow him and ask him another question, hoping to elicit more of a response this time. “Why though? I’m not entirely familiar with the protoss use of the word, but wasn’t it some sort of title?”

The medic starts treating one of his wounded fellows while replying. “No. The Templar caste is the collection of the ancient tribes that have sworn their lives to the defence of Aiur. The Templar are our warriors, and today, you have fought amongst us as one of us. More than that even. You risked your life for a conflict you could have easily walked away from. I heard some of the men call you that way, and I found it appropriate. I think it’s spread through much of the ranks already by now.”

“Huh.” You’re not really sure how to respond to that. The medic doesn’t seem to expect a response though, and simply moves to the next wounded protoss. So, you’re honorary member of the Protoss warriors now? You didn’t see that one coming.

You begin to move back to the medbay when Arana suddenly calls out your name and requests your presence at the bridge. You head there, and find her fiddling with some controls on a panel. “Ah, there you are. I finally got this blasted thing to work properly with our own technology. We can finally do long-range communications with the rest of the protoss fleet without having to resort to psionics. Anyway, High Templar Ur’athan wanted to talk to you.”

She leaves the terminal and goes back to her own work. In front of you, you see a rough hologram of Ur’athan.

>1. Hello Templar. Why call me through here?
>2. You called for me?
>3. Write in.

>>36248964
>1

>>36249131
Writing.

“Hello Templar. Why call me through here?” You ask.

“A few reasons, though mostly trivial. The first is to test this system, which will ease our coordination should we see battle together once more, and the other is that I am expecting a call from the executor every moment now, so I can’t afford to get out of touch with things here. Anyway, we are approaching Executor Elthai’s base now, but I want the battlecruiser to hang back until we loaded up all of her troops. I believe it will be best to only confront her once she cannot be an agressor anymore. While I doubt she would outright attack you when you come to her rescue, I’d rather not be taking any chances right now.”

You nod. Ur’athan continues. “I will be contacting you- Ah, her call. As I was saying, I will be contacting you when she is safely aboard the flagship Aramanthis so that you can fly over to us and we can finish this mess.” He nods as a sign of farewell and disconnects the channel.

You relay the message to hang back to Arana. After that, you don’t really have much to do anymore. Ur’athan had to hang up too fast to ask about Siladus or medical care for Quartus.

>1. timeskip until Ur’athan’s next call.
>2. Go check on Quartus again.
>3. Make a psionic call to Lisa, inform her of the turn of events.
>4. Write in.

>>36249609

I guess.

>2. Inform Quartus we haven't had chance to find protoss medicine just yet
>3. Make a psionic call to Lisa

>>36249609
>>36249737
second this

>>36249737
Sounds good. Supervisor, is it getting to be that time?

>>36249737
>>36249798
>>36249857
Writing.
And that depends on what you mean by that time.

>>36249904
The time for you to head off.

You head back to the medbay, where you find Quartus lying down on a bed. His arm is heavily bandaged and his eyes are closed. He seems to be awake though, as one eye lazily opens as you move closer. “Hmmmph?” He grunts.

“I’ve asked around, but it seems the protoss don’t have tech that could help in their field hospital. They might on board one of the larger ships though, but we’ll have to wait for that a bit.” You tell him.

“’Ss ok. Wussn’t counting on it anyway.” He seems to be slurring his words. “Dey gave me sum injection and my head went all woozzyyy…” He seems to be slipping further and further into sleep while he’s still talking. You let him rest, and head to your own cabin. You take a quick shower and lay down on your bed. It feels as if you were down there for weeks, but it wasn’t even an entire day. You start meditating, and soon you feel the familiar mental plane form around you as you look for Lisa.

When you find her, her mental response is instant, and you pull her into your domain. “Artemis! Are you ok? did everything work out?”

>1. Well, it didn’t entirely go as intended, but it went ok.
>2. Sure thing! You weren’t doubting me, were you?
>3. Not exactly. I killed the cerebrate but it’ll just regenerate. We’re collecting the executor and getting the hell out of here.

>>36249904
I expect it'll take one or two more threads after this to finish things properly.

>>36250102
>3. Not exactly. I killed the cerebrate but it’ll just regenerate. We’re collecting the executor and getting the hell out of here.

>>36250102
>>3. Not exactly. I killed the cerebrate but it’ll just regenerate. We’re collecting the executor and getting the hell out of here.

>>36250102
>1

>>36250125
>>36250167
>>36250181
Writing.

“Not exactly. I killed the cerebrate but it’ll just regenerate. We’re collecting the executor and getting the hell out of here.” You tell her. She gets a look of worry on her face.

“But at least you’ve got that executor woman out right? She’ll give up on hunting you?” She asks.

“I’m not sure,” you say, “We’re going to pick her up now, but I’ll only know for sure once I talk to her later on.” You fill her in on the details of your mission and how the rest of the battle went. When you get to Quartus’ injury, she looks worried again.

“Nerve damage? Damn, he’ll… Artemis, he probably won’t be able to use that arm any more for a long time. If it takes too long to get treatment, maybe even permanently.” She says.

“Yeah, but the protoss apparently might have something to help with that. It’ll have to wait until we’re off this rock I’m afraid, but it might still help.”

You spend a lot more time talking to each other when you become aware of an outside sensation. You say goodbye to Lisa, promising her to be back soon, and return to your body. Sextus is standing next to your bed, alongside Arana.

“Ah, you’re awake,” She begins, “The High Templar has called for you. We picked up the Executor and her forces, and the Omega is rejoining the fleet. You should get to a shuttle so you can get to the Aramanthis before we jump.”

>1. Go alone.
>2. Take Quartus and Sextus with you. The sooner Quartus gets help the better.
>3. Do something else on board the Omega before you leave (specify).
>4. Write in.

>>36250570
>>1. Go alone.

>>36250570
>Take Quartus with us

>>36250570

>Go alone
>Thank Arana for keeping our ride in one piece

>>36250570
>2. Take Quartus and Sextus with you. The sooner Quartus gets help the better.
>3. Do something else on board the Omega before you leave: Ask our AI to run scans throughout the ship to see if any zerg got in during the battle.

>>36250607
>>36250652
>>36250658
>>36250668
tie between taking quartus with you or not. I'll be waiting a bit longer for an extra vote, but then I'll roll for it.

We should at some point ask if this fleet has the capacity to cleanse the entire planet from Zerg, the protoss in general should have the capability and it sounds sensible to leave the cerebrate without an army once he regenerates

>>36250570
>2. Take Quartus and Sextus with you. The sooner Quartus gets help the better.

>>36250844
>>36250668
>>36250658
>>36250652
>>36250607
Taking Quartus and Sextus then. Sextus will be babysitting your mutual friend while you take care of business.

>>36250843
I'll try to keep that in mind next thread. Do remind me if I don't bring it up myself.

You head to the medbay to pick up Quartus, and the picking up is a bit more literal than you’d like. Still, with Sextus’ help you manage to put Quartus on a levitating stretcher thoughtfully provided by the protoss, and go to the shuttle. The ride is fast and quiet. The fleet is already in orbit, and the view to the planet takes your breath away. You can see the Executor’s base now, heavily fortified on a highly defensible position. All around it, you can see the ground moving. There must be a lot of zerg to be able to see that from orbit, you reckon. It’s surprising she managed to hold out for as long as she did.

When you land in the Aramanthis, you quickly explain Quartus’ situation to one of the guards that is waiting for you. He nods and tells Sextus to follow him with Quartus. You follow the rest of the guards towards the bridge. Again, you notice just how big the ship is. Length-wise, it’s about the same as the Omega, but it’s much much higher, and the inside has much larger open spaces.

A short walk later, you enter the bridge, where a few familiar faces await you. You recognise several of the protoss who were there for the earlier briefing, and of course, High Templar Ur’athan. You do not recognise the protoss standing next to him though, but you can make an educated guess. Executor Elthai looks relatively young for such a high rank. Older than some of the veteran zealots you fought alongside with, but not much. For the position of executor, you’d have expected the protoss to only appoint their most experienced commanders. Still, considering how long she survived the onslaught down there she is not to be trifled with.

She turns to you, and you see her face twist in horror of recognition. “Guards! Slay that abomination!” She cries out. For a moment, a flash of doubt passes through you, but the guards simply look at Ur’athan, who shakes his head and takes the word.

“I believe introductions are in order. Elthai, meet Artemis, the main reason we managed to rescue you.”

>And that’s it for now. Thanks for sticking around, next thread next week on Tuesday, usual hour.
>I think next week will probably be the last thread of the quest, and if not, the week after that.
>G’night people.

>>36251236

Thanks for the thread OP! Sleep well.

>>36251236
Well, at least he could've given her a head's up!
'night OP

>>36251236
Thanks for running, Supervisor.