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>>41290400
Right now, right in front of you, you've got Elda- some viking-looking adventurer with nameless rank-and-file guards from HELL- trying to bring you and your friends to justice, supposedly on Vert's command. Behind you, you've got some... some super-futuristic soldier-type with a thousand-yard stare who's apparently been stalking you for a while, on orders from Maia.

"I'm warning you," Elda growls, tensing her hands into claws- flames blossom just above her palms, coalescing into ye olde classic fireballs. "This doesn't involve you. And you /don't/ want to stand between me and my goddess-given duty."

The soldier simply aims her glowy plasma rifle at the viking lookalike, charging it up with an ominous hum. "Mistress Vert did not give that order, I can assure you. Now stand down- this is between me, Maia, and Twelfthbay- /no/," she snaps, halting Rokko's step forward. "Don't join this fight. Let me handle it. That goes for all three of you. You'll just make things worse"

... jeez. You're caught between some sort of fucked-up standoff with you and your friends as the prize, and you're not even allowed to have a say in it?

[ ] [DOGPILE] The hell's up with that advice? Join in the soldier's assault and bring down Elda. She can't take down the four of you at once.
[ ] [BACK UP] Don't join in the fight directly- summon a few dwarven minions and let them distract Elda while the soldier's fighting.
[ ] [STAND BACK / THERAPIST] Take the soldier's advice- stand back and let her hold off Elda. Take this breather to check up with Rokko and Shovel Knight.
[ ] [MAD DASH] Leave the soldier and Elda to their little skirmish- you've got no time for this. Mojang's gotta be waiting for you.
[ ] [WRITE-IN]

>>41290422
>[x] [STAND BACK / THERAPIST] Take the soldier's advice- stand back and let her hold off Elda. Take this breather to check up with Rokko and Shovel Knight.
We make the best rapist.

Therapist. We make the best Therapist.

>>41290422
>[ ] [STAND BACK / THERAPIST] Take the soldier's advice- stand back and let her hold off Elda. Take this breather to check up with Rokko and Shovel Knight.

>>41290422
>[ ] [STAND BACK / THERAPIST] Take the soldier's advice- stand back and let her hold off Elda. Take this breather to check up with Rokko and Shovel Knight.

>>41290422
[x] [STAND BACK / THERAPIST] Take the soldier's advice- stand back and let her hold off Elda. Take this breather to check up with Rokko and Shovel Knight.

Maybe scan Elda as well and learn a bit about her with the Dwarf Fortress tab where you can read their bio.

>>41290422
>[x] [STAND BACK / THERAPIST] Take the soldier's advice- stand back and let her hold off Elda. Take this breather to check up with Rokko and Shovel Knight.

>>41290422
>[ ] [STAND BACK / THERAPIST] Take the soldier's advice- stand back and let her hold off Elda. Take this breather to check up with Rokko and Shovel Knight.

>>41290422
OMG YES I DIDNT MISS IT THIS TIME!

>>41290422
[X] [STAND BACK / THERAPIST] Take the soldier's advice- stand back and let her hold off Elda. Take this breather to check up with Rokko and Shovel Knight.

>>41290422
[ ] [BACK UP]
cant NOT back up what I think is halo-chan

>>41290902
It's xcom isn't it?

>>41290584
>>41290526
>>41290839
same fags?

>>41290912
It's XCOM.

>>41290902

It is XCOM, which means they got minions too. Minions trained to fight stronger beings.

She probably has some doing some overwatch.

Does not want the rest to get in her way.

>>41290912
that would be pretty cool too but we are in leanbox, and you cant have xbox without halo making some kind of cameo, unless chief-chan is some vaunted far above the norm hero like estelle is. I am ok with either I just think xcom chan might cause a fair bit more headache then chief-chan will. Too many RNG fuckery there for poor urist

>>41290961
In the last thread the pic posted was Xcom and why would halo be friends with civilization?

>>41290912
Yeah, it's X-Com
>>41290925
Really?

>>41290912
>>41290929
>>41290954
I don't recall XCOM plasma guns being hollow.

>>41290997
The sniper rifle was wasn't it? around the part that moved back and forth, all glowy and shit

>>41291028
It telescopes, but it isn't hollow.

>>41290982
Yes?
>>41290980
ahhh your right, I forgot about that.
>>41290954
oh god imagine if she crit fails that 90% chance and hits us in the face.

>>41291028

Actually, It might be X-Com tan.

>>41192587

The prior still archived thread.

>>41290997
>>41291037

where are you getting that the gun is hollow?

>>41291057
https://archive.moe/tg/thread/41189365/#41192587
>she's carrying some nightmare gun that's all hollow space and

>>41290997

where do you see that they are hollow?

>>41291083
You realize that same post has a picture of a girl in an XCOM uniformed that's labeled XCOM right?

>>41291083

It is X-com-tan.

Not XCOM-tan

XCOM is likely in overwatch, keeping an eye on her big sister.

That is the classic open X-com plasma rifle.

http://ufopaedia.org/index.php?title=Plasma_Rifle

>>41291111
Then why describe the weapon that doesn't match any on the game it is based on?

>>41291133
There's more than just the most recent XCOM game man or what this fucker said >>41291132

>>41291154

X-Com tan has no fear of ground based mooks.

Summon up these minions and let hell happen.

http://ufopaedia.org/index.php?title=Chryssalid

>>41291055
oh shit see I didnt realize I missed a previous thread. Thanks

>>41290422
>[ ] [WRITE-IN]
Start Nighttime Snakeman Terror Mission. X-COM-Tan will appreciate that, right?

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>>41290422
>[X] [STAND BACK / THERAPIST]

Alright. Fine. C'mon, guys.

"But... we can't just leave her to fight this battle alone!" Shovel Knight's grip tightens around the haft of her namesake weapon, even as you pull her back. Rokko settles back, still as a statue and seemingly as unfeeling, but you're starting to get a better read on her than most, and you spot the telltale signs of stress: she doesn't fidget, but her eyes flick back and forth, and her mouth's set in a thin line. Seems Shovel Knight isn't alone in not liking other people fighting her battles for her.

"I know how to deal with her. Her and her minions," the soldier retorts, backing away slowly.

"Can't you count, woman?" Elda signals her three guards with a nod of her head; her minions stride purposefully toward the cloaked soldier, while the Dragonborn herself turns toward the three of you. "You're outnumbered!" She raises her hands, and-

You resist the urge to duck as bullets zip through the clearing, thudding solidly into the bodies of the Whiterun guards- only Elda, moving and drawing at the fucking speed of light, blocks the shots with a shield from out of nowhere. Three gun-toting armored beings melt into view, stepping out from behind the soldier; half the size of a normal person and with the adorably enlarged heads and eyes standard to all super-deformed anime blobs, they're clearly her minions.

They're also absolutely terrified.

"M-M-Moving at the, t-the speed of, death! Sir!" one of the soldier's minions squeaks, raising her rifle with shaking hands and firing at Elda's guards.

"Rookies? Oh, come on, that's just dirty, Exey," the Dragonborn groans, keeping her shield raised- more shots ping off her shield, but just as many hit the dirt around her with sadly anticlimactic /pffts/. The plasma shot that spatters against her shield is a different matter entirely, driving her back half a pace.

(Cont.)

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>>41291561
"More or less dirty than pulling out scaling NPCs?" Exey asks calmly. She keeps on slowly stepping back, firing every few steps. "What was it, again? A constant five levels above anyone they're currently facing?"

True to her word, Elda's guards suddenly look clumsier and slower as they chase after Exey's soldiers (who're shrieking and falling apart at the seams), swinging their swords as if they've suddenly started weighing five tons more. The Dragonborn growls and does that impossibly fast weapon swap again, suddenly holding a monstrous war hammer that makes the dwarf in you stand bolt upright and drool. "Fine! Then it's just you and me, Exey!"

You sigh blissfully, watching Elda's screaming berserker charge with every sign of interest. See? Isn't this nice, guys? For once, the murdering isn't happening in your general direction. For once, you get to stand back and watch the fireworks without them blowing up in your face.

"Hnnngh," Shovel Knight grumps, almost vibrating in place as she strains towards the developing melee.

"I-Infighting among a-adventurers is not a good use of our time," Rokko stutters disapprovingly, shaking her head.

Aaah, these two killjoys don't see the enjoyment in dropping two equally-powered superpowered beings five stories down a pit and, assuming they both survive the fall, battle to the death. 'Course, all you're missing right now is the pit.

... not that you're going to tell them that, of course. More to the point, you DO want Exey to give you more information about what the hell's happening with Maia.

"A-And if Elda wins?"

Then we can ask her about Vert's supposed orders, you growl while nodding sagely.

You buckle under the force of Rokko's deadpan stare. Of course, you'll do your fucking best to intervene if it comes to one side about to murder the other, you mumble shamefacedly, refusing to meet her glowing, judging eyes.

(Cont.)

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>>41291574
The silence (punctured only by the sounds of battle) is a little awkward, so you fill it in by poking around with Therapist. Come to think of it, you haven't exactly used it since you got that big old power-up over Estelle's (now-defunct) Rainbow Bridge, so maybe it's got something else that you've missed. You close your eyes halfway, take a deep breath, and-

...

With your mind's eye, you stare at the little smiley faces slotted in neatly alongside each of your past and present party member's names, splashes of bright color against the comforting walls of text that normally make up each entry.

What the hell is a Lily Rank? Why does everyone you know have one next to their names?

And why are Estelle and Ein AND MOJANG within Therapist range?

You don't have much time- you're reluctant to tear your attention away from the battle unfolding in front of you, since you're basically the stakes. And given how adventurer battles go, and how high-powered they can be, you really want to know if you need to fucking run, duck, or dodge out of the way, and in what order.

You've got time to poke around one of these things! Or not, as the case may fucking be.

>CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
[ ] [RPGs] Scan through Estelle and Ein's information, stat- they're close enough that you can speed-read 'em in no time flat, and at least get a bead on what they've been doing.
[ ] [MOJANG] Read through Mojang's entry. You need to know her location, her battle log, and what she's been doing for the past few hours.
[ ] [LILY RANK] why the fuck
[ ] [NOPE] Forget reading through Therapist, the mere fact that ALL your friends are within range means you don't have time to watch Elda and Exey fight. Time to intervene, end it, and move on!

>>41291623
>[X] [MOJANG] Read through Mojang's entry. You need to know her location, her battle log, and what she's been doing for the past few hours.

>>41291561
sooo can we use therapist on one of those nublets to change his name to Sid Meier?

>>41291623
>[ ] [RPGs] Scan through Estelle and Ein's information, stat- they're close enough that you can speed-read 'em in no time flat, and at least get a bead on what they've been doing.

>>41291641
And scale the guard back up? She pulled out nubs for a reason man

>>41291623

>[X] [MOJANG] Read through Mojang's entry. You need to know her location, her battle log, and what she's been doing for the past few hours.
>[X] [LILY RANK] why the fuck

>>41291623
>[ ] [LILY RANK] why the fuck

>>41291623
>[x] [RPGs]
>[x] [Lily rank]

>>41291661
>>41291623

[ ] [LILY RANK] why the fuck

Whoops, not sure how that other one got in there.

>>41291623
>[ ] [LILY RANK] why the fuck

>>41291623
>[x] [MOJANG] Read through Mojang's entry. You need to know her location, her battle log, and what she's been doing for the past few hours.

Estelle is capable of handling her situation, whatever that might be.

>>41291623
[ ] [MOJANG] Read through Mojang's entry. You need to know her location, her battle log, and what she's been doing for the past few hours.
So whats our old friend been doing?

>>41291623
>[ ] [LILY RANK] why the fuck

>>41291623
why not all 3?

>>41291623
>[ ] [MOJANG] Read through Mojang's entry. You need to know her location, her battle log, and what she's been doing for the past few hours.

>>41291623
>[ ] [MOJANG] Read through Mojang's entry. You need to know her location, her battle log, and what she's been doing for the past few hours.
Right. Only one. Guess we check Lily later.

Okay, calling it here! Seems like [X] [MOJANG] wins, although there's... well, I guess there's enough votes for [X] [LILY RANK] for Urist to puzzle out what her Lily Rank is with Mojang, specifically. Writing!


>>41291641
Sadly, they're not Urist's minions!

>>41291880
Not enough time! Urist COULD try speed-reading all three, but it'll be a crapshoot as to whether she could pull anything meaningful out of them.

>>41291947
>Sadly, they're not Urist's minions!
Implying that has stopped us before from fucking with estelle's inner workings....

>>41292112
Point.

But we had time and a willing participant then, it's a little different.

>>41292112
But Estelle's our party member. That would make her sort of like our minion, right?

>>41292171
>party member = minion

Top kek

>>41292160
and the need for things like "permission" and "normal" circumstances have slowed urist down when? Remember when we DF hacked that minion of Horny, the lizard, into the giant fucking forgotten beast? I say we try something liek that only more tame and just a name swap on those poor recruits

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>>41291623
>[X] [MOJANG]
>[X] [LILY RANK?]

Right. Well then. Estelle is one of the strongest adventurers you've ever known, with a solid mix of experience and raw stopping power under her belt, and while her history with Ein is best described as closet-packed-with-skeletons, they don't have a whole lot to worry about if they're together.

Big sis can take care of herself. Given that you last saw Mojang about to get caught between Keeper and a full-blown goddess, you're a lot more worried about little sis, so you dive straight into her Dwarf Therapist entry without hesitation and start skimming-

>Urist <-> Mojang
>Lily Rank: Maxed out!
>Combination EXE Drive Unlocked!

... okay, so you DO hesitate as you stare at the little pink smiley face bouncing up and down next to Mojang's name. The damn thing's got /hearts/ in its eyes, for crying out loud, that's- you can't even- what??

Rokko's voice echoes in your ears, as if coming from a million miles away. "A-Are you alright, Urist? Your face. Is turning red-"

-everything'sfineit'snothingyoujustgotsomedustinyoureyesthat'sallOHGODLOOKWHATEXEY'SDOING-

... right. That, that probably distracted her. You'll just... you'll just keep reading now, and absolutely ignore any Lily Ranks until you're absolutely positive that no one is about to die.

Gamindustri is a terrible place to live.

>Mojang felt vengeful after Mojang was horrified after seeing a bile demon die. Mojang was disgusted after retching on bile demon miasma. Mojang felt embarrassed at being princess carried. Mojang was horrified after seeing a demon spawn die. Mojang was horrified after seeing a dark mistress die. Mojang was horrified after seeing a demon spawn die. Mojang was horrified after seeing a giant fly die. Mojang was horrified after seeing a giant fly die. Mojang was horrified after seeing a giant fly die. Mojang was horrified after seeing a giant spider die. Mojang felt terrified after being on fire-

(Cont.)

>>41292836
>>41292836
... the next time you see Histoire, you may have to stop yourself from strangling that little goddamn fairy. Holy hell, what HAPPENED after you got shut out of that vision??

Your blood pressure rises a little- you can FEEL your heart beating in your chest, pulsing up to that vein in your temple- as you 'flip' pages, skimming through the combat log, trying to match up the timing to what you've seen in her status screen. Its entries are disturbingly recent.

>The Minecrafter is caught in a cloud of corrosive bile demon extract!
>The Minecrafter is caught in a burst of cave dragon fire!
>The Minecrafter flees!
>The Minecrafter flees!
>The Minecrafter retches!
>The Minecrafter uses a Potion of Healing II!
>The Minecrafter uses a Potion of Regeneration!
>The Minecrafter dumps a bucket of water on the floor!
>The flying (wooden arrow) strikes the cave dragon in the upper body, tearing the {BODYPART ERROR: HIT POINTS}!
>Cave Dragon's {BODYPART ERROR: HIT POINTS} decrease!
>The Goddess grapples the Minecrafter in the upper body with her right arm!
>The Minecrafter is unable to break the grip of the Goddess's right arm on the Minecrafter's upper body!
>The Minecrafter is caught in a burst of cave dragon fire!
>The Goddess is caught in a burst of cave dragon fire!
>The TNT is caught in a burst of cave dragon fire!
>The TNT is-

Just when it begins dawning on you that you're looking at a real-time scrolling feed, you're jerked straight out of Dwarf Therapist by the sound of a distant rumbling explosion.

The visibility's pretty damn good out here, and although there's a haze due to the distance, you can see all the way to the capital and the outlines of its shiny white blocky buildings.

More to the point, you can see the orange mushroom cloud billowing out from the biggest one- THE Leanbox Basilicom- and from here, what look like tiny pixelated fragments showering down from the building are bound to be you-sized chunks of masonry.

(Cont.)

>>41292836
> Mojang no longer cares about anything anymore.

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>>41292881
A brilliantly green shooting star rockets into the air. You know for a fact that CPU Green Heart (or /A/ CPU Green Heart) has Mojang with her, but... the goddess isn't really /flying/. It's a fixed path. And the question is-

"Where is Mistress Vert /going/?" Exey and Elda's fight forgotten, Shovel Knight cranes her neck, shading her helmet's viewing slot with a hand.

"Calculating t-trajectory..." Rokko's eyes flash briefly. "Error. No known landmark in the area-" She hits the side of her head, as if trying to knock water out of the opposite ear. "C-Could have sworn I, updated that file. T-There's a canyon there. F-Filled with, abandoned bunkers. Assuming she d-doesn't suddenly change direction..."

A sudden howling noise wrenches your attention back to the battle. The Whiterun guards are down to their last legs, but Exey's minions aren't faring much better: one's face-down in a pool of her own blood, and the other two are down to clubbing their guns against their opponents' helmets.

More to the point, Elda's fencing with some sort of bipedal crab-clawed alien twice her size. The /thing/, hunched over and armored in carapace, has a rictus grin and beady eyes set into a wild stare, and it's nightmarishly fast- even the Dragonborn's hard-pressed to dodge its attacks. Exey can't capitalize on this- she's standing back, rifle dangling uselessly as she nurses a burn along her left arm.

[ ] [VERT & MOJANG] Run towards where CPU Green Heart and Mojang will eventually land. Exey (and Maia) can wait.
[ ] [OVERPOWER] The Whiterun guards are basically down- now's as good a time as any to take down Elda.
[ ] [WRITE-IN]

>>41292904
[ ] [VERT & MOJANG] Run towards where CPU Green Heart and Mojang will eventually land. Exey (and Maia) can wait.

>>41292904
>[ ] [VERT & MOJANG] Run towards where CPU Green Heart and Mojang will eventually land. Exey (and Maia) can wait.

>>41292904
>[x] [VERT & MOJANG] Run towards where CPU Green Heart and Mojang will eventually land. Exey (and Maia) can wait.

>>41292922
[VERT & MOJANG]

>>41292836
>Combination EXE Drive Unlocked!
Cannot wait to see what it is.

>>41292904
[X] [OVERPOWER] The Whiterun guards are basically down- now's as good a time as any to take down Elda.
Take out Elda, get X-Com as extra party member.

>>41292904
>[ ] [OVERPOWER] The Whiterun guards are basically down- now's as good a time as any to take down Elda.

Exey seems to know something about what's going on, and we desperately need intel.

>>41292975
Me either
>>41292904
[ ] [WRITE-IN]
Can we some how diplomacy our way out of this now that shit has clearly hit the fan and bigger issues are at hand? Failing that then I go with [ ] [OVERPOWER]
Shit is about to get real

>>41292904
> [x] [VERT & MOJANG]

>>41292904
[x][VERT AND MOJANG]

Time to advance the plot!

>>41292904
>[ ] [VERT & MOJANG] Run towards where CPU Green Heart and Mojang will eventually land. Exey (and Maia) can wait.

>>41293106
>>41293061
>>41292968
>>41292940
>>41292974
Damnit guys I want a 4th party member before we go fight the goddamn goddess pre BBEG stage.
Any one else get hungry after seeing so many food captchas?

Seems like it's pretty overwhelmingly [X] [VERT & MOJANG], so- writing!

>>41293054
I'd normally say yes, but even aside from the votes, the battle's gotten pretty heated!

>>41292904
Can I write in?
>[GRAB X-COM] Elda's tied up fighting Exey's minions, so hopefully you'll all be able to get away before they despawn. While Elda's working out what just happened (or chasing after you 100 yards back), you can interrogate Exey on the way to Vert's landing point.

At best, Exey decides it isn't worth it to fight getting press-ganged by 3 other adventurers while she's injured and joins forces with us until such time as she can drag us to Maia.
At worst, Elda doesn't let us escape and we have to default to [OVERPOWER].
At slightly better than that, Elda harasses us all the way to Vert, where she eventually realizes something's off about what she's been told, whereupon she also joins forces with us.
At oh shit you done fucked up son, they both decide to team up and knock us out first and deal with who gets us later, but what are the chances of that hahaha

>>41293199
>Damnit guys I want a 4th party member before we go fight the goddamn goddess pre BBEG stage.
speed is of the essence, although I wouldn't mind Rokko dashing off on Rush while we help out Exey
>Any one else get hungry after seeing so many food captchas?
better that than goddamn road signs.

>>41293241
pleeaaassseeee can we compromise with this? That way we can advanced plot and still have the chance to snag a new mate?

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>41293241
>At oh shit you done fucked up son, they both decide to team up and knock us out first and deal with who gets us later, but what are the chances of that hahaha

Rolling for chances

We should avoid katamari-ing party members like that. Having more characters in the party slows down the writing and plot. Plus characters we pass on the first time can reappear later and be recruited then, but in the meantime we get a selection of new characters, thus increasing the overall fitness of the pool of party members.

>>41293241
Weren't Urist and Maia on good terms?

Well, 'good' terms?

>>41293279
>not managing a massively bloated cast of varying degrees of incompetence
>Dwarf Fortress Quest
A valid concern, but ideally we should also be making as many allies as possible to compensate for Urist's comparative ineptitude.

>>41293391
So what you're saying is we should get some Inklings?

>>41292904
Blorp! Kids who are Squids who are Kids when?

>>41293391
It's more about not jumping on every plot hook like a cat chasing a laser pointer.

>>41293391
>comparative ineptitude.

Ever since dat upgrade, I'd say Urist is at least reasonably competent at fighting now, between all the dwarves, carp, elves, forgotten beasts and clowns, not to mention all the other dorfy things she can do now.

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Okay, looks like we've got some discussion going here, so I might as well put it to a vote while I'm writing-

>[TRY TO GRAB X-COM ON THE WAY OUT]?
[ ] [YES]
[ ] [NO]

>>41293498
>[ ] [YES]
EVERYONE BACK TO THE SKYRANGER!

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>>41293471
You would think so, wouldn't you?

>>41293498
>[X] [YES]

Time for tactical retreat!!!

>>41293498
[ ] [NO]

>>41293498
>[ ] [NO]
We need her to keep Elda busy.

We'll buy her some booze or something afterward, it'll be fine.

>>41293498
>[X]NO
It's okay to have secondary characters, guys!

>>41293498
>[x] [YES]
GIT TO DA CHOPPA!

>>41293471
If you have ever played DF then you know that even a hammer lord decked out in adamantium armor can get killed by stupid lolrandom shit that the dwarffort engine spawns. Like gravity,or sickness for no goddamn reason, or tantrum spirals.
>>41293498
[ ] [YES]
I cant wait to see the death machines dwarven engineering and alien tech can produce!

>>41293498
[x] [YES]

Already voted no, but it looks like the Yes is going to win.

What about Mojang? Just let the commander go...

>>41293498
>[ ] [YES]

>>41293498
>[ ] [YES]
We'll probably split sooner rather than later, but we can grill her for info first.

>>41293517
>[Get everyone into da choppah]

>>41294099
>[Get everyone into da Skyranger]

Fixed it for you.

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>>41292904
>[X] [VERT & MOJANG]

Mojang. Annoyingly peppy from the very first moment you met her, WAY too acclimated to Gamindustri's bullshit cutesy antics, and a girl who seems to alter the entire fucking landscape in her wake. And for some reason you can't fathom, she latched onto your worthless ass back when you were a walking bag of mind-bending glitches, and she's stuck through with you even after your half-hearted attempts to push her away.

... like hell you can leave your little sister- your stupid, overly optimistic little sister- to whatever fucking fate Gamindustri wants to serve up to her on a platter.

"Wait!" Exey calls out to your retreating back, her cool veneer cracking in surprise. "I have to take you to Maia! You're not to take any unnecessary risks, Urist!"

You open your mouth to apologize to her, and maybe add on some excuse about making it up to her later- but then you pause, glancing back over your shoulder. Exey's formerly impeccable uniform is seared, and she's still holding her injured arm, all incurred to help you out.

You can't help but think back to a few days ago in Lowee. Back when you thought you'd had someone sneaking up on you, shadowing you- that same someone who dropped that ghost grenade that helped turn the tide in your fight against Myrra, the Master of Magic.

Your stupid, optimistic little sister would probably have something to say about not leaving OTHER people behind to burn, either.

Aware of Shovel Knight and Rokko's eyes on you, you slow to a stop and turn back to face the XCOM (X-COM?) generalissimo. Fine, then. If it's such a huge risk, then why not come along and help you out?

To your surprise, Exey's eyes widen. Clearly, she wasn't expecting an invitation. "W... what? You- you actually want me to /join/ you?"

(Cont.)

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>>41294267
"Stop right there!" Elda roars, twirling her one-handed sword and bashing Exey's alien with her shield- the /thing/ staggers back, only to get engulfed by the flames shooting from the Dragonborn's empty hands (when did she switch weapons /again/??). The short girl whirls on you, the fire abruptly going out from her hands. "I'm not letting you get away that easily!"

You have maybe half a second's warning as Elda takes in a deep breath, ancient power coursing through her form and building to a destructive climax. And then there's the release, an explosion of sound, a visible wave that streams out toward the three of you-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqAYMZSOQao

And the Shovel Knight whacks the damn thing aside with a swing of her trademark weapon. Unchecked, the reflected "FUS!" flies off into the sky, dissipating into a whisper in a matter of yards.

Elda, eyes widening in realization, isn't fast enough to choke off her next syllable, which speeds into being just long enough for Shovel Knight to bat it right back at the Dragonborn with a touch of underspin. There's a concussive SLAP of ancient power meeting its maker; the resulting impact's hard enough to bowl Elda into the dirt, and powerful enough to send her tumbling for a few yards before skidding to a stop.

Shovel Knight straps the shovel to her back, and it takes her a moment or two to notice the stares. "We should get going," she says mildly. "I cannot imagine that will stop a warrior like Elda for very long."

(Cont.)

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>>41294391
... right. Right. Well, now that Exey doesn't have anyone left to hold off, it's time you all started running, hmm?

Exey stares at the downed Elda for a little longer- you swear you hear her dazedly mutter "but it's just a shovel"- before coming back to the present. "/Toward/ CPU Green Heart? But she might be... compromised," she insists, shooting an uneasy glance toward Rokko and Shovel Knight. "And besides, Maia-"

Yes, you /know/, you growl, feeling your patience fraying a little. And that's why you should all go together, because you're not going anywhere until you're abso-fucking-lutely sure that Mojang's safe and sound. That's happening with or without Exey.

The XCOM (X-Com?) commander hesitates for a split-second before nodding, her lips pressed into a thin line. "... fine. Let's move out."

Finally!

"To adventure!" Shovel Knight roars, jumping into action.

"T-To CPU Green Heart," Rokko stutters.

"To the VTOL troop transport aircraft I have parked over there," Exey says, pointing in the direction of a distant hill.

... to the what now?

>yfw she tells you what this entails.

[TO BE CONTINUED]

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Alright, this is probably as good a place to stop as any! Think that went pretty well for getting back into the swing of things.

Going to set the next thread for Monday, 7/20, at about 8:30-ish (definitely -ish) pm EST. As always, updates will be at https://twitter.com/BlorpQuest, and questions can go to ask.fm/BlorpQuest.

Thanks for jumping in the thread, guys- hope you all enjoyed it, and see you all next time!

COMING UP: SKYRANGER MISSION DROP TO THE BASILICOM. BUCKLE UP FOLKS, WE HAVE XRAY SIGHTINGS CONFIRMED.

>>41294413
"To the VTOL troop transport aircraft I have parked over there,"

Can we do the Civ V version of insertion via Skyranger?

>>41294512
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXrDUayFQMM

>>41294457
Thanks for running blorp

>>41294413
Thanks for running, Blorp. Looking forward to the council rescue op mission coming up with Mojang as the VIP.

>>41294413
DAMN YOU CLIFF HANGERS BLORP!!!!!!!!!! You gonna make me gnaw my desk off in anticipation!!!!!!!! Thanks for running come back soon!!!

>>41294413
>she tells you what this entails.
Skyranger?

>>41294457
Thanks for writing! I had a good laugh, as always!