Wren, the android accompanying you from the climate satellite Zelan to Pioneer II, presented his findings on the Pioneer I explosion. The images revealed a "Dark Force" at the epicenter of the mysterious explosion.

You were dismissed by Tyrell, and took the opportunity to explore and gather data from the ancient climate satellite, Kuran, in orbit around Ragol II (Dezolis in the ancient language.) You return to find the principal's office is not taking visitors, not even you. A visit to Zelan reveals that the military has taken over operations.

WORKS, the military organization who has taken over Zelan, captures and interrogates you. Left in a makeshift prison cell, you draw upon the wisdom of the Elsydeon. Newly inspired, you teach yourself the gizonde technique, using it to great effect against your captors. You discover the deactivated Wren and Demi. You manage to reactivate Demi before the station's automated defense system corners and shoots you.

Rules and stats: http://pastebin.com/ugmBdVr2

Previous sessions: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=PSOQ

Pure session log (every update thus far): http://pastebin.com/sJpr9rBJ

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>Last Time

You are incredibly out of your depth. You like your chances with Demi better, so you head back that way. A command ball spots you as you enter the room. You lock the door behind you and scramble to Demi.

The organization of Cast components are completely different than Palman androids. The focus seems to be at creating the appearance of a human, but not even close to the function. Something of an inverse to casts.

You follow the seems in her armor and find a way to open her chest cavity (after removing her clothes.) You see her internal components, a mess of different modules. It takes five minutes in your frenzied state, but you think you found the problem. Plasma singeing around what you assume to be a photon core. It should only need a small jump before the core can take back over...you hope.

You send a small jolt of electricity into the Photon core. The core glows and the chest closes back up. “Oh. Pheonixia! It's so good to see you. I just wish it were under better circumstances.” She notices her nudity, and covers her chest. “Oh, my! This is embarrassing!” She quickly dresses herself.

“I'm aware of the problem. We need to help Wren!”

“Understood.” Demi bows. “Lead the way.”

You turn around to leave the room. You find the door open and a command ball aiming a small cannon at you. You see a muzzle flash, and everything goes dark.

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You are surrounded by a silent darkness. You wave your hand in front of you, but find nothing. The sound of your steps echo in your ears as you advance forward, looking for literally anything.

After a minute or so, a monstrous face materializes in the darkness.

> A. Speak to it (Specify)

> B. Blast it. [MIND-Easy]

> C. Run Away [DEX-Easy]

>>41228576
> A. Speak to it (Specify)
"Whats going on?"

I would like to add that if you are not playing PSO Quest with the Photon style on, you are playing it wrong.

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“What's going on?”

The face does not answer.

“What are you!?”

You see sparks fly from its mouth and strike you. The pain is excruciating. It feels like your flesh is melting in acid.

A voice comes from behind you. “Alys!”

More of the creature materializes as you collapse. You briefly see the face of a newman before you lose consciousness again.

…

“Pheonixia, are you waking up?” You recognize Demi's voice. Demi dotes on you. You are covered in a white powder, your midriff and the floor are a mess of blood-stained, orange powder. There goes that frame…

> A. “What happened?”

> B. Tell her what you saw.

> C. “How long was I out?”

>>41229142
> A. “What happened?”
sorry playing terraria so i may be slow to respond

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“What happened?”

Demi smiles. “The command ball shot you. Don't worry, my medical powder fixed you right up. Your armor might need repairs, though.”

You groan and stand up, Demi continues. “I programmed you into the friend-foe AI, so hopefully we won't have to worry about that again.”

The severity of the situation comes back to you. “We need to reactivate Wren!”

The two of you run back down the hall where Wren is still on the table. Gunfire still echoes in the halls.

Demi looks over her master. “Oh my, I've never seen master Wren so….exposed.” Is she blushing? Can she blush? “What should we do?”

> A. Have Demi repair Wren while you figure out what's going on in the other parts of the station. [MIND-Hard]

> B. Try to reassemble Wren while Demi sets up some defenses via the console. [MIND-Hard]

> C. Other (specify)

>>41229677
> A. Have Demi repair Wren while you figure out what's going on in the other parts of the station. [MIND-Hard]
at least this way if we fuck up we dont kill wren

Rolled 4 (1d13)

>>41229833

>>41229677
>A. Have Demi repair Wren while you figure out what's going on in the other parts of the station. [MIND-Hard]

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“Put Wren back together. I'll try to figure out what's going on out there.”

“Oh...I have to put him back together? Oh my… Okay.” Demi riffles through the parts as you try to log into the console.

You spend a few minutes trying to figure out where they hid the security camera feed, but are forced to give up. You backtrack to the automated security system you found earlier to see if you can gleam any information from that. It seems the command balls you sent out earlier have thinned out. Only one of them is still being reported. No indication of how many WORKS soldiers they've taken out.

You look back to Demi. “How far along are you?”

“Just a bit longer, there's a few critical systems they took out that weren't exactly removed properly.” She turns back to the pile of parts she was working with. “Oh wow, that's a big capacitor...when would he ever need that much charge?”

You get the feeling you don't have that much longer to work with. You still can't find a proper security feed or even a locking mechanism.

The door slides open and a soldier points a rifle directly at Demi's back. You react by tackling him, causing a shot to go off into the wall. He pushing you off and points the gun at you.

> A. Dodge [DEX-Moderate]

> B. Kick the gun [STR-Easy]

> C. Return fire [MIND-Easy]

>>41230156
>> C. Return fire [MIND-Easy]

>>41230156
> C. Return fire [MIND-Easy]

Rolled 12 (1d13)

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You raise your wand in retaliation. A shot pierces your left arm. You're bleeding….again…

“Foie!”

A fireball explodes out from your wands and launches the soldier into the hallway. He is in flames, and immobile. You hear yelling from down the hall. There are more soldiers coming.

You haven't been in this much pain since the wolf bite. You crawl away from the door.

“Demi, now or never.”

Wren rises from the table. “I agree.” He stands up, pushing Demi's hands aside. “Now or never.” He grabs the other components and quickly installs them, closing up his chest cavity afterward. He turns to you. “I recommend you stay in this room if you want to live. I'll be back shortly.”

Demi treats your wound. “Thank you, master Wren. Pheonixia, you've lost a bit of blood, you should rest.”

Wren steps out of the room, a rifle comes out of a compartment on his leg. What appear to be missile launchers protrude from his shoulders before the door closes behind him.

> A. Have Demi lock the door.

> B. Go out and help Wren.

> C. Have Demi access the security camera feeds

>>41230551
> A. Have Demi lock the door.
> C. Have Demi access the security camera feeds

>>41230551
>C. Have Demi access the security camera feeds

>>41230551
>C. Have Demi access the security camera feeds
>Check out a WORKS soldier's gun
>Look for a map

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“Wren looks like he's got the situation...handled.”

Demi smiles, even wider than usual. “Yes, Wren was quite the warrior in our time fighting the Profound Darkness. He is incredibly brave and powerful.”

“Calm down there. You can gush about him later. Let's get an eye on what's going on out there.”

“Yes, Pheonixia, right away.” The door locks click. You see a series of feeds on the console's monitor.

In one you see Wren shooting down a group of six soldiers. To understate the scene, it's a gruesome sight. Weapons meant to tear apart giant monsters and mechanical abominations rip through flesh like putty. A rocket bursts from Wren's shoulder, blowing apart a group of six soldiers, ending the fight. He steps on their dismembered bodies on his way back to your room.

You're not sure if it's the carnage or the blood loss, but you feel a bit nauseous now.

He returns and knocks on the door, Demi opens it immediately. “You cleared the threat quite efficiently. Most impressive, master Wren!”

“Yes, thank you Demi. Doubtless more are coming, I tracked a radio signal during the skirmish directed toward your ship. Pheonixia, do you have any suggestions?”

> A. Talk to them before they get here. See if you can negotiate something that won't require another fight.

> B. Wait for them to board, then blow a hatch.

> C. (Specify)

>>41231070
> A. Talk to them before they get here. See if you can negotiate something that won't require another fight.
though it might be prudent to set a trap anyway

>>41231070
Override their airlocks
As soon as they're all on the ship, open the airlocks in multiple sections and vent the parts of the ship that we aren't in. Afterwards, start steering the ship towards base.

Can we improvise a Soldier's frame to give us protection?

>>41231070
>B. Wait for them to board, then blow a hatch.
>>41231131
Our frame is pretty much knackered. We'll have to RTB to get anything done about it.

>>41231131

Frames are sized. You'd have to spend a lot of time re calibrating the field shape for proper protection.

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You are in a less than forgiving mood after your detention. “I say we blow them out the airlock as soon as they come on board.”

Wren nods stoically. “That would be effective. Demi make the arrangements.”

“Already taken care of master Wren. They will find all doors locked save for the way to the primed airlock.” If you weren't so angry at WORKS, you'd find the androids' level of comfort with this plan unnerving.

You hesitate to venture too far into the halls to avoid a gruesome sight, but you would like to see what these guys are armed with. A small newman like yourself is largely useless with a carbine, but their small arms could prove useful. You take the lockgun of the charred corpse of the nearby soldier. You also grab a barrier. It's no replacement for a frame, but it will provide point protection should you catch a stray shot.

Demi finds a signature from a transport after a couple hours. The plan is set. A squadron of heavily armed soldiers floods Zelan's entrance-way. A button press from Demi leads to the sound of an explosion, then silence. You see the bodies of soldiers bounce around like pinballs toward the airlock before being blown out into the vacuum.

>Continued

#notTOOlate

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Demi closes the airlock and reintroduces atmosphere to the hallways.

“Please hold my hand, Pheonixia. You've lost some blood, and the air is much thinner now. It would be unfortunate for you to fall and hurt yourself after your ordeal.”

Considering your nausea, the offer sounds enticing. “Sure. Thanks, Demi.”

You stumble a bit as Wren and Demi walk you to the transport ship. Wren takes the helm as Demi straps you into a chair. Wren swivels toward you in the pilot's chair. “A sustained defense is not tenable. We have no idea how many soldiers WORKS is prepared to send to Zelan. A retreat would be prudent. Where should we go?”

The adrenalin in your system gives way to fatigue, you whisper a word before slipping into unconsciousness.

> A. Pioneer...II

> B. Motavia

> C. Dezolis

>>41231803
>A. Pioneer...II
Send a message to our Hunter friends, asking for help.

>>41231803
i completely forget what
> B. Motavia
> C. Dezolis
are

>>41231803
>> A. Pioneer...II
real medical treatment is a thing that exists which we require

>>41231848
Motavia is the old name for Ragol.

Dezlois is the ice planet with some people still living on it.

>>41231803
>A. Pioneer...II

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“Pioneer...II.” Just like that, you're out.

...

Once again, you float above Motavia. Rudo gives you a bear hug, which strangely does not hurt your arm. “You did good, kid!”

“Thanks...so what now?”

“Now, you rest. You're a bit banged up. But after that, you should look into finding Esper Mansion.”

The planet beneath seems to shoot away as you fly into orbit above Dezolis. “Wait, I read about this when I went to Kuran. That's some ancient religion, isn't it?”

“More like our last line of defense. There's an immortal there you have to meet. Do whatever it takes to get his attention. Mention us and the Elsydeon.”

You wake up in med bay on board Pioneer II. Ash, Maiyawyn, and Nela surround you while Wren and Demi sit in the corner.

Nela squeezes you in a tight hug. “OH MY GOD! Pheonie don't ever leave us like that again! What were you thinking? You're a force, you can't go off on adventure by yourself! You need help. I never go anywhere dangerous without Maiya. And what about poor Ash? He's been worried sick! You couldn't at least write back?”

> A. “You're hurting my arm.”

> B. “It's good to see you guys.”

> C. “I've got some important business to discuss with the three of you. I need your help.”

>>41232055
> A. “You're hurting my arm.”
> D. "I didn't expect it to be an adventure"
> C. “I've got some important business to discuss with the three of you. I need your help.”

>>41232055
>> A. “You're hurting my arm.”
>> B. “It's good to see you guys.”
>> C. “I've got some important business to discuss with the three of you. I need your help.”
Come on that's practically just one option on its own

>>41232273

Sorry. Its hard to instill a sense of agency from a hospital bed,

>>41232326
Yeah I know
it does feel appropriate though

>>41232055
I wasn't exactly expecting a military organization right after a week of boring paperwork.

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Nela's generous chest in your face somewhat impedes your ability to speak, but you manage to mumble “You're hurting my arm.”

“Sorry. I just missed my bestie!” Maiyawyn grumbles from the other side of the bed. “My OTHER bestie.”

Nela finally gives you a chance to speak. “I didn't quite expect an adventure, at least not like the one I got. It's good to see you guys again.”

Ash smiles. “It wasn't really the same without you. Where have you been?”

“That's something I wanted to tell you about. I've got some important business to discuss with the three of you. I need your help.”

Maiyawyn seems confused. “What kind of business?”

You tell them about the series of climate satellites and what happened on board Zelan. You unceremoniously mention that you saw the monster that caused the Pioneer I explosion.

Maiyawyn stands up. “Way to bury the damned lead! What was it?”

“It's hard to explain and you wouldn't believe half of it if I told you. But the government wants this covered up, so I've been on my own up until now. Something is going on that could determine whether or not the people on this ship have a planet to live on by year's end. I need you guys to trust me for now. Demi and Wren can back me up.”

Wren stands up. “Indeed, the situation is complex and dire. For now, Pheonixia needs to recover, but that should not take long. What is your plan?”

> A. Head over to the ice planet and speak to the locals

> B. Fight our way down beneath the Central Dome to find out where the Dark Force came from

> C. Visit the space station in the asteroid belt and find out if Mother brain is there and what she is doing.

>>41232586
> C. Visit the space station in the asteroid belt and find out if Mother brain is there and what she is doing.

>>41232586
>> A. Head over to the ice planet and speak to the locals
That's where the immortal guru is right?

hangon, trying to remember what the ice planet was like

>>41232696

Hotter than it should be, still cold as balls. A handful of Palmans and a some more Dezolians. Immortal guru is pretty far east of any usable landing strip.

>>41232647
ill change my vote to
> A. Head over to the ice planet and speak to the locals

>>41232696
right, we don't actually know much.

>>41232586
>A. Head over to the ice planet and speak to the locals
While I would definitely suggest nipping any Mother Brain problems at the bud, we need to grind out some better gear and techniques, first.

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Your wounds close up overnight. All your friends stay in the room with you. You're not sure if it's to keep you company or keep you safe. You are now just realizing how much trouble you've gotten yourself into.

You don't get a lot of sleep, as Nela managed to keep everyone awake most of the night playing board games and telling stories. It seems that she hardly ever shuts up, but at least now you're used to it.

Demi informs you that, with a little bit of creating hacking, she made the transponder on the transport ship read as your property. As far as the port authority knows, you own the ship. You hope WORKS won't miss it enough to do something about it.

You decide to stock up on some supplies at the shops the next morning. You don't plan on being caught off guard a second time.

…

With your shopping complete, the six of you board your craft and set a course for Ragol II. Demi takes you aside for a moment.

“Pardon my intrusion, but Wren and I couldn't help but overhear you talking in your sleep on the way to Pioneer II. You mentioned the Elsydeon. We discussed it, and thought you should have this.” She hands you a shard of metal. “Wren had been keeping it next to his hyper jammer module as a keepsake of the battles we fought together. It may be important when we speak to Lutz.”

“Demi...”

> End of Part 12

You guys can shop if you wish. You still have 2 purchases you can make. I'll post the items available in a moment.

>>41233009
Shopping!

>>41233009
thanks for running
and yeah shopping

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Current Stats: http://pastebin.com/ugmBdVr2
-Shopping-

Weapon Shop:
Stick (Offensive cane)
Railgun (Stronger handgun)
Rod (Long offensive technique focus, less casting benefit than Wand)
Staff (Stronger casting focus)
Saber (Plasma blade weapon)

Technique Shop:
Gifoie (Fire technique that projects in a circle around the caster)
Razonde (Electric Technique that spreads outward with lethal impact)
Gibarta (Cone of extreme cold and icicles)
Jellen (Reduce target's offensive capabilities)
Zelan (Reduce target's defensive capabilities)

Armor Shop:
Soul Frame (3 Slots, stronger protection than giga frame)
Booster Unit (Small jets that can push you and allow hovering for short bursts)
Technique Unit (Boosts effectiveness of one technique type: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Support,

Healing)
Soul Barrier (Provides instant point deflection of an incoming attack, enhances defense against

attacks with small area, stronger than Barrier)

>>41233009
Damn, what was it I suggested a while back?

Better casting focus
Soul Frame or Booster Unit

>>41233090
Soul Frame (necessary purchase)
Gifoie I think would be a useful addition to our arsenal

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>41233105
>>41233137

Rolling for caster focus vs gifoie, unless one of you's guys wants to change your mind afterwards.

As a reminder for new players:
Better spells have more difficulty but deal more damage, and still do stuff if you don't fail too badly

Better equipment reduces difficulty, making actions more reliable

>>41233179
>>41233199
Aaaaaaa
I change my vote to caster focus
we already have gizonde, that's a solid multi-target attack

>>41233304
Noted

Rolled 12 (1d16)

Also, for future note

Rolled 9 (1d15)

>>41233393
...can we not study these shards before consuming them for POWER?

Remember kids, don't stick strange globs of pure power directly into your system! Or do, in this case.

>>41233411
Ingesting magical shards of sword is HOW you study them ;^)

>>41233411

Whether or not you want to freebase the Elsydeon is up to you. I just need to results of the roll.