>>44346930

“Good!” The nurse proclaims cheerfully and steps closer to you. She begins the process of withdrawing a small portion of your blood.

You shoot her a skeptical glare. “You mean it’s normal for me to feel this shitty?”

She focuses on your right arm while doing her work. “I’ve seen much worse revivals.” She answers still in her cheerful tone. She looks behind you. “You haven’t even soiled yourself.”

“My greatest accomplishment.” You reply sarcastically.

With a smile, the nurse finishes and stores your blood sample into an unmarked black container. She steps out of the room for a few moments to return with your Assistant in hand.

“So many messages.” She says teasingly as she hands you your device. “We had to upgrade the storage because it kept giving full device warnings.”

“Thanks.” The screen activates at your touch, and you see that you have two-hundred and four unviewed video messages, and many more unread written messages. They’re almost all from the same person, Meiya.

The nurse leans in closer and points to your Assistant. “May I see it for a moment?”

[2/3]*

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>>44346966

You slowly raise your arm to the appropriate height. “Go ahead.”

She takes your device and after a few fluid flicks of her fingers, she sits down next to you. A familiar picture of your galaxy is displayed on the entire screen. “Here is where we picked you up.” She points to a faint dot at the top right of the main cluster. “And here is where we are now.” She points slightly down the arm of the galaxy. Hardly more than the length of her finger on the screen, but you know the true distance you’ve been through while in stasis.

She places your Assistant in your lap and then stands. “So Mr. Oren, now that you’re awake, shall we begin your physical therapy, or do you want to attend to your messages first?”

You look down to the massive amount of catching up you have to do, but then again, the more time spent recuperating, the better off you’ll be when you land.

>Start going through messages.

>Start your physical therapy.

>Write in.

>>44346993
>Start going through messages.

Hello there, anon!

It seems that the thread is a little slow to start. Maybe because of the holidays, or perhaps some other reason. Either way, I'm going to wait for at least one more vote before I begin, which will hopefully come soon!

>>44346993
>Start going through messages.

>>44347022
>>44347286
Going through the backlog.

>Writing

>>44346930
>>44346966
>>44346993
As someone who just had my cancer removed, these posts triggered me.


>Start your physical therapy.
I have also learned it's better to get this shit out of the way.

>>44347300

You did make a promise to Meiya, but did she really need to send you this many? She would’ve had to walk all the way to the rail station, just for each video message.

“A lot of work to do.” You sigh and hold up your Assistant. “But I think I’ll start with this.”

“Very well.” The nurse takes a long glance over the entirety of your body. “I’ll be in the next room over if you need anything.”

You nod and begin sorting through to find the beginning of the messages. Eventually you find the first one from your sister, sent just a few days after your departure. You lie back in your stasis capsule and play it.

It open with your sister adjusting the camera for well over a minute, not realizing that it had begun recording. “Wait…Got it.” She announces happily and waves “Hey, Ren! By the time you’ll be watching this a whole rotation will have passed.” She thinks about her statement before continuing. “Bet you feel pretty weird about that, huh?” She leans forward. “I want to know if you dream during stasis, so you better let me know, and you better get some recording of what it looks like up there."

Did you actually dream during stasis? You think you remember voices, but you’re not sure.

She looks up. “What else was there…Oh yeah, I’m planning on sending these every day, so you better watch every single one.” She goes on to warn you that she’ll know if you skip any. “Anyway, things are pretty boring around here, Ren. Grandpa and Grandma are doing well, but everyone else is just talking about studying and all that because it’s the Disciple’s month.” Her brow furrows as she thinks on it. “Where are your study books, anyway? I think I’ll start to take a look at them.”

Like you can answer that.

[1/2]

>>44348078

“Wait.” She shakes her head. “Why am I asking that? Anyway, I’m sure I’ll find them.” She suddenly looks behind her and laughs. “There’s a line now, so I’ll message you tomorrow. See you, Ren!” She leaves without stopping the recording, and you get a glimpse of the next person in line.

You send a response teasing her for her mistakes and reporting how waking up from stasis was in general. Over the course of several hours, you watch as time passes you by, practically day by day in your home planet. You talk about and give likely outdated advice about her studies, answer whatever questions she may have, discuss the passing months ideals, but mostly you just respond to what’s going on in her life.

That may be a bit boring, so you decide to give it a few days before responding to any more of her messages.

The nurse visits you shortly after you stopped going through messages, and begins another check of your vitals. “You appear as healthy as when we departed, Mr.Oren.” She looks over her shoulder and then back to you. “Perhaps you’d be willing to help me with another patient we have to wake up. He’s been under stasis for quite some time, and that comes with potential risks that it would help to have a strong man like you around.”

You chuckle, even after several hours of slow stretching, your limbs are still quite stiff, but surely you can still manage to hold someone down.

>Agree to help.

>Tell her that you’re still recovering.

>Write in.

>>44348091
>>Agree to help.

>>44348091
>Agree to help.

>>44348091
>Agree to help.

>>44348091

>Tell her that you’re still recovering.
Guys seriously as someone who just had a tumor surgically removed you are being fucking retarded.

>>44348149
>>44348158
>>44348173
A helping hand.

>Writing

>>44348221
Easy there. You can see that these are different circumstances. No need to get heated.

>>44348290
I'm too high on painkillers to not be heated.

>>44348488
Then take some coolant with your painkillers if they make you feel heated.

>>44348924
Sounds possibly fatal

>>44348924
>>44349017
But noted, sorry. Even the morphine left over in my system isn't surpressing all this completely and I'm kinda irritable because of it.

>>44348254

“Alright.” You get up to your feet slowly, but much quicker than you would have hours ago. “I do owe you for watching over me during stasis, and the upgrade to my Assistant.” You motion for her to lead the way.

“No, no, no.” The nurse waves away the thought. “It’s only our job to look after our patients, after all…” She heads out into the nearby hallway, and proceeds to the very end. She slides a keycard, and a nearby sensor scans her identity.

The heavy metal doors disengage their locks and slide open to allow access. Only a single stasis capsule occupies the dimly room that you and the nurse proceed into.

Like your own, the stasis capsule has already been deactivated. A large brown-skinned man lies motionless within the capsule.

“For his case, we must make sure we successfully switch him from stasis to sedation.” The nurse pulls out a syringe, and a long rod-like tool from a nearby cabinet. “However, he’s been in stasis for much longer than you had, so like The Mariner teaches us, a little push is sometimes necessary.” She motions for you to be ready, and then prods into the man with rod, shocking him awake.

He roars with anger, sitting up immediately. You quickly shove him back down into the bed. His arms struggle free and reach for your throat. You force your hand under his chin, pushing him back as hard as you can, but he doesn’t relent, until the nurse swiftly jabs the needle into his neck, and injects the sedative.

His hand slowly lessens its monstrous grip, allowing you to cough in some air. You can’t help but look at his strangely tattooed arms as they slump back down into the capsule. The long purple lines seem not drawn on the skin, but originate from underneath, and lead to his back.

“All done.” The nurse announces happily, properly disposing of the syringe.

You rub your throat. “What would you have done if you were alone?”

[1/3]

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>>44349158

“Don’t worry about me.” She slides the shock prod back into the cabinet. “I’ve dealt with worse.” Once finished, the nurse returns to the capsule, and fastens several restraints around the man.

You look down upon the man’s troubled face. “What’s he doing here, anyway?”

“Oh, that’s secret.” She begins to lead you out of the room. “Even to me.” She engages the doors locks once again. “So, best not to worry about it, Mr. Oren.” She smiles and leads you back to your room. “It’s time for bed. By the time you wake up in the morning, we will have already landed on Saredo.”

You head back into your room as the nurse watches you from the doorway. “If you need anything. Don’t be afraid to call me.” She adds before closing the door.

Right…

You look at your Assistant to see that you have a new message from a source you don’t recognize.

You open it, and see that it’s tagged directly from Saredo Academy.

>”I hope your awakening hasn’t been too unpleasant, Mr. Fisher. Please, report to me first thing upon your arrival, so that we can go over your orientation. H-201 Room 500” –Vice Admiral Marcus Neceda.

A Vice Admiral? That’s certainly not who you expected to be in charge of your orientation. Not like you knew exactly who’d be welcoming you, but whatever…

You lie back in your capsule and slowly drift off to sleep.

~

Saredo, ninety-percent covered with water, the most frontier established planet, your new home, and one of the most beautiful things you’ve ever laid eyes upon.

You awoke just in time to see the ship make its descent. The long vistas of striking white buildings integrated seamlessly with the surrounding nature and pure water causes your pulse to rise. The clean and orderly world is entirely foreign to what you’re used to back on Peugue.

[2/3]

File: Saredo Map.png (138 KB, 1800x1200)

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>>44349190

You dress as quickly as you can, and collect your apparently unnecessary belongings as the ships begins to dock near a rail station.

“Oh, Mr. Oren.” The nurse approaches you, teary-eyed. “I know it has only been a day for you, but I will miss you terribly.” Much to your surprise, she hugs you and laughs. “I can feel your heartbeat from here. I was nervous when I first came here too, but you will enjoy it very much, Mr. Oren. I know it.”

She lets you go and hands you a small paper map. “To help keep you from being lost.”

“Thank you…” You respond earnestly as you look over the many unknown buildings. You locate where you have to go first, but it's just a single building in that mess. Maybe you should ask the nurse about where a new student should go.

>Lead yourself through the unknown, as The Mariner would.

>Ask the nurse for advice.

>Write in.

>>44349232
>Lead yourself through the unknown, as The Mariner would.

>>44349232
>Ask the nurse for advice.

>>44349232
>Ask the nurse for advice.

>>44349232
>Ask the nurse for advice.

>>44349293
>>44349294
>>44349343
Unknown seas can be tricky.

>Writing

>>44349383
>our character doesn't know how to use a map
are we retarded?

>>44349537
I didn't mean it like that, haha. It's more for the need to properly establish yourself in your surroundings, and with so many options, (Quite different from what Oren's used to.) it can be potentially troublesome.

>>44349383

You scratch your chin while looking over the daunting map of the academy. “Any advice about where I should go?”

She crosses her arms and laughs. “Discovering that is where the fun is, Mr. Oren.” But…” She taps a finger on your map. “The Amphitheatre is a place you definitely want to check out, especially at night. And if you go northeast, just outside the academy is a Temple for The Navigator. If you ever fear that you might succumb to Distance, she will help you.”

A little less practical than you had hoped, but you trust that she properly considered what you meant.

After an extended good-bye, you’re transported to ground level, whereupon you make the journey to the rail station.

You enter the busy station, and quickly scan though the crowd and find an attendant.

“I’d like to pay for a pass to Saredo Academy.” You explain and pull out your Assistant to pay.

The attendant merely gives you a blank look. “You’re a new student?”

“That’s right.” You still hold out your Assistant to pay.

The attendant looks at you for several more seconds before finally speaking again. “What?”

“I’d like to pay for a pass.” You repeat, with a slight edge to your voice.

“Oh.” He stares at you again for several more seconds. “Students don’t have to pay.”

You step back and take a deep breath. “Thank you.” You respond, tensely.

“You’re welcome.” He calls out as you leave.

You approach to get on the rail, but a different attendant stops you. “Got your pass?”

“That guy said students don’t have to pay for one.” You point back to the counter.

“That’s correct.” He announces. “But you still need to get a pass from him.”

Mother fucker.

[1/2]

>>44350211

~
Once you get off the rail, you finally get to see the towering buildings up close, travel along the perfectly kept flora, and walk among your fellow students.

Even with all of that to appreciate, all you can focus on is how you sincerely regret bringing your belongings along as you receive more than several curious glances at the ragged sacks you carry along.

You feel your brow furrow considerably, and the stares suddenly all stop. After several checks of your map, you arrive where you need to be.

Dozens of administrative offices line your approach to the elevator, a single receptionist seems to be in charge of operating it.

You approach her for permission up.

Her face shows a measure of distrust as you approach. “No solicitation or begging or else security will be called.” She barks out immediately.

You smile slightly.

>Calmly explain your business here.

>Rip into her for being unprofessional.

>Write in.

>>44350232
>Calmly explain your business here.

>>44350232
>>Calmly explain your business here.

>>44350232
>Calmly explain your business here.

>>44350232
>Rip into her for being unprofessional.
We worked too hard to get disrespected by some minimum wage floozy.

>>44350256
>>44350337
>>44350368
Slowly count to 10.

>Writing

>>44350444
Better to be calm.
Thanks for the thread, I'm off to bed.

>>44350942
Good night, anon! I hope you have an pleasant Christmas.

>>44350444

You settle your bags on the ground and ignore the many inquisitive office workers poking their nosy heads out.

“I’m a new student and came here by request of Vice Admiral Neceda.” Your lowered voice intimidates the receptionist. “I have proof, if you want it.”

She clears her throat and looks through one of her many nearby devices. “Name?”

“Oren Fisher.” You reply flatly.

You quickly see her eyes stop in recognition, but she chooses to stay silent for a few moments longer. “Go right ahead, sir.” The doors to the elevator open and you pick up your things and proceed through. “Straight ahead at the end of the hall.” Her voice seems slightly apologetic as the doors close in front of you.

You sigh and watch as the numbers change. You can’t really look like a beggar, but why was she so quick to go on the defensive. You adjust your clothes as you think on it.

The number stops on five, and the doors slide open to greet you with luxury the likes of which you’ve never seen before. You tensely walk down the marble-floored hallways, passing by several employees who all welcome you cordially, even if one article of their clothing likely costs more than your entire collection.

A comforting light smell, which you can only describe as close to vanilla, permeates the entire floor as you proceed. The smell distracts you, and you’re caught off-guard as suddenly a large indoor terrarium appears to your side. It’s packed with bizarre wild plants, and a single strange white bird with a large coif of deep blue feathers on its head. It stares deeply into your eyes as you pass.

[1/2]

>>44351405

You shake your head, not recalling how long you spent looking at the bird, so you focus ahead as you’ve reached the room. The room before you stands flanked with dark stone walls. Completely like the glass offices of the rest of the floor, there’s no way to view inside. You read the plaque near the door, confirming you have the right office, and knock twice.

“Enter.” A deep sage voice calls out from within.

You twist the heavy door open and walk into the office. The interior surprises you as it’s completely different from the rest of the floor. Simple carpet lines the floor, and only a large dark desk and several cabinets with tinted glass doors decorate the space.

A startlingly large man stands in front of the desk. He looms over you with a closely shaven head and analytical stare. “Oren Fisher?” His voice booms at you.

“That’s correct, Vice Admiral.” You answer stiffly, awkwardly keeping your belongings off the ground.

“So good to see you.” His mouth forms a smile, and he calmly walks around his desk to sit. “Please.” His hand motions to the chair across from him.

You rigidly take the seat across from him, settling your stuff nearby.

“So, how was your trip?” He immediately begins after you’ve sat. “Did you enjoy your time above?”

“The staff took very good care of me.” You answer succinctly. “I’ve never been in space before, and what little I got to see was beautiful, but I only wish it was possible for me to see what I missed while in stasis. That's where the unique stuff really is."

“Observant eyes…” He says more to himself than to you. “But, surely you must have witnessed something of note in that short time when you were awake…”

His choice of words is, unsettling. You didn’t put much thought to it then, but now your mind keeps jumping back to that man you helped sedate.

>Don’t mention him.

>Mention how you helped sedate him.

>Write in.

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>>44351488
Forgot the picture.

>>44351488
>Mention how you helped sedate him.

>>44351488
>Mention how you helped sedate him.
>"There was this one incident, now that you mention it."

>>44351488
>Mention how you helped sedate him.

>>44351507
>>44351518
>>44351567
Actually...

>Writing

>>44351683

You slowly lean back. “I didn’t think too much of it at the time, but there was this one incident.”

You recap the details of how you helped the nurse sedate the man on the ship in the best detail that you can.

The Vice Admiral’s lips widen into a smile by the time you finish your story. “Good, good.” He points at you. “I knew you’d see it.” He stands from his chair and approaches the small window behind him. The light filtering in shades part of his face.

What in the hell…

“Excuse me.” His eyes focus in on something in the distance. “You’ve just woken up, you’re on a completely different planet, and now you’ve been summoned by someone you don’t know the first thing about…” He turns back to you. “You’re overwhelmed.”

Maybe not that far.

“I’ll explain.” He motions his hand to his large desk. “Make no mistake, you were admitted into Saredo Academy through your own merits.” You look over a copy of what must be the score and notes for your final exam. “But as soon as the results came across my attention, I knew I needed to speak with you.”

As far as you can tell, the examiners notes are rather standard, but he does go on in large detail of your methods used while you were exploring that cave.

“To get right to the matter, because of your results, I’ve decided to enroll you in a program that is under my direct supervision.” He opens a drawer and pulls out a small stack of papers which he slides to you.

Outlined on the first of the papers is list of classes that you’ve apparently been cleared through. “I thought I would have to take these here.” You ask, confusion clear in your voice.

“Yes, you would’ve had to waste your time getting official marks for material you’ve already learned, if I had not cleared you myself. But…” He flips the stack to the next sheet. “I’ve enrolled in classes that will actually help you.”

[1/3]

>>44352722

You look at where he points: Analysis of Non-Human Technology. Modern Methods of Surveying Frontier Planets, Advanced Fluid Dynamics.

“I know the last class is a review for you. It makes things much easier on me if you have a full-time student status, and I figured the subject you scored the highest on would be the easiest.” The Vice Admiral explains.

That can’t be all he wanted from you.

“That’s a lot of trouble to go through to get me into two classes.” You state, looking back at him.

He settles back into his seat. “That’s not all I have planned for you, Oren.” He leans forward. “You’re to join one of squads.”

“A soldier?” You ask quickly, confusion in your voice nearly palpable.

“Your training will make you all beyond that.” He replies. “Rest assured that you will be properly prepared for any tasks I may ask of you.”

Suddenly single light overhead changes from pale white to deep red, and then back.

“You don’t have to worry about that yet.” The Vice Admiral explains and then leans toward a small panel on his desk. “Please send someone to transport Oren’s belongings to his new residence.” He smiles and nods for you to flip to the last page.

You look through a long list of provisions given to you ranging from a room in the northern housing district to multiple sets of uniforms and casual clothing, to even all the toiletries you'd ever need.

[2/3]

>>44352756

The Vice Admiral stands and walks toward you. “It will all be waiting for you when you head there.” He walks to the door, and you follow. “And don’t worry, Oren. You will receive payment for your…extra-curricular activities.”

You stand absolutely flabbergasted at the amount of generosity being shown to you for the first time in your entire life. You were ready to live a completely frugal life to afford those basic things.

“You must have so many questions, but I’m afraid I don’t have the time at this moment.” He opens the door. “Head to the Surveyor stock room of the Main Research Center, and get assigned your gear. One of your new squad mates will be waiting for you when you’re done.”

He gently pushes you out of the door and shuts it behind you.

A primly dressed young woman approaches the still stunned you. "Don't take it to be rude. The Vice Admiral would have like to speak with you at length if something urgent had not come up. But please, if anything needs clarifying, feel free to ask me."

>You're fine. Head to the Main Research Center.

>Write in.

>>44352821
>You're fine. Head to the Main Research Center.

>>You're fine. Head to the Main Research Center.
Maybe calm down for a bit and get your bearings then go

>>44352821
Why all the rush to push me ahead? What did I do?

>>44352821
>You're fine.

>Inherently suspicious shadowrunning internally though.

>>44352852
>>44352882
>>44352897
Straight to new sights.

>Writing

>>44352989
shit I hope we remembered to thank the guy for his generosity

>>44352821
>Write in.
>I hope there'll be a slightly more....substantial...explanation soon.

>>44352989

You hastily collect yourself. “I’m fine.” You assure her. “Please be sure to give my thanks to the Vice Admiral for…everything.”

“You’re most welcome, Oren.” She gives a warm and professional smile before heading into the office.

There’s all kind of people here it seems. You head out with a pleasant feeling wondering what you really did to deserve all of this.

~

The Main Research Center is a building that defies everything that you thought you knew about construction. A perfectly rounded cylinder shaped building soars into sky sheathed with a surrounding sub-building which, as far as you can see, is held in place with four thin bridges.

The interior of the building has a cool and rigid feel to it all. Hardly a soul pays any attention to you as they pass, all of them seem extremely occupied with reaching wherever they’re going as soon as possible.

A directory on the wall points you toward the proper floor, of which the entirety is categorized as Surveyor/Other Stock Room and Armory.

The floor is lined with numerous entrances designated for “Authorized Personal Only.” And a single bored-looking man standing behind a counter equipped with very thick glass to protect him.

You couldn’t tell at first, but behind his glasses, the man’s eyes are tightly shut. Impressively he still manages to sit rather straight while sleeping.

“Excuse me.” You announce your presence.

“Whoa, fuck!” The clerk flails around to keep himself from dropping off his stool. He recovers and looks right at you. “What can I do you for?” His voice quite dull for nearly falling on his ass.

“I was sent here to get some gear. Name’s Oren Fisher.” You explain, looking past him at the many Frame parts that line the walls behind him.

[1/2]

>>44353747

“O. Fisher.” He mumbles to himself as he looks through his Assistant. “Yeah, I got ya.” He scrolls though a few more times. “Modified Combat Frame and Analyst…” He turns away from you. “DIANA! Get started on that new Frame!” He quickly turns back as if nothing happened. “Analyst…Let’s see…” He gets up from his stool and heads over to a secure cabinet on which he inputs a code to open it. “Lazy bastards.” He sighs to himself.

Looking good so far.

He looks toward the top of the cabinet. “Here’s one.” He pulls out a heavily damaged and a very strange looking module for an Analyst. “Got to do all the work…” He pops open the module and moves over the contents to a new case, and plugs it into a nearby terminal. “Sorry about that.” He mainly focuses on the screen of the terminal. “Just have to delete the old memory and it’s all yours. Shouldn’t take more than five seconds…”

He begins the process and stares blankly at the screen. About half a minute later looks back toward you. “So where you from, man? The Island?“

Wouldn't things be a lot simpler if that was the case. You're not sure if your in the mood to explain where in the galaxy the unknown planet of Peugue is, or that you're in the mood for however he might react.

>"Don't worry about it."

>Try to explain where you're from.

>Write in.

>>44353810
"From the middle of bumblefuck nowhere, need I say more?"

>>44353810
Tell him something obviously fake.

>>44353858
Seconded.

>>44353810
>Try to explain where you're from.

>>44353810
>>44353833
Seconding.

>>44353858
>>44353879
that'll just make him think we're a jerk. never be on bad terms with the techies.

>>44353833
>>44353858
>>44353879
>>44353904
Synthesizing and keeping >>44353912 in mind.

>>44353810
>Try to explain where you're from.

>>44353810
>>Try to explain where you're from.

>>44353951

It’s a new place, there’s no need to be an ass to anyone that doesn’t deserve it, but he seems sharp enough to catch a joke.

“Yeah.” You cross your arms. “I’m the High Admiral’s son, and I grew up in The Sovereign’s Hill.”

He chuckles. “No shit? That’s impressive, but I’m the Viceroy of Saredo.”

You smile and nod. “It’s nice to be in good company.”

The two of you laugh that one over.

You sigh and uncross your arms. “Yeah, but I’m really from the middle of fucking nowhere known as Peugue.”

“Peugue?” The clerk asks in earnest.

“Exactly.” You state.

He shrugs. “Oh well. Good to have you here, man.” He looks back to the screen. “About damn time.” He smacks the side of the terminal. “This thing must be busted or something.” He turns to you. “Let me install it for ya on your Assistant. These things can be a pain if you aren’t familiar with them.”

Huh, you thought that Analysts were exclusively for Frame use only.

You shrug and slide your Assistant under the receiving opening in the glass.

The clerk has a look of utter confusion when he first looks upon your Assistant, a look that quickly turns into pure delight. “Diana! Get over here!” He snags your Assistant and jumps from his stool.

[1/2]

>>44354484

“Whaaat?” An annoyed voice calls from out of sight and gets closer. A young woman with short brown hair appears donning a rather dirty blue lab coat.

The clerk simply holds up your Assistant in the air. “I win the bet.” He announces happily.

“You imported that!” The woman immediately shoots back.

“Nope.” The clerk smiles. “It belongs to this guy.”

Her light brown eyes focus in on your own. “What’s wrong with you?” She forward on the counter across from you. “The newer models are better in every way!”

“Not in build quality.” The clerk adds.

“If you aren’t clumsy then it’s fine!” She turns back to you. “Please tell me you’re playing a joke on me. You have to see that my design is superior, right?” She doesn’t wait for you to respond. “I got it! He’s one of those guys into the retro stuff. It doesn’t count if he ever bought a newer model.” She explains to the clerk. “That’s it, isn’t it?”

To her, the only way someone could live in such a life as your own is if they were practicing some sort of niche hobby. The thought that you couldn’t afford a new one hasn’t even crossed her mind, and somehow, anger isn’t what you feel from this.

>”And what’s wrong with that?”

>”That’s not why.”

>Write in.

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>>44354507
Keep forgetting the pictures.

>>44354507
>That's not why.

Be dry, not indignant. We're pretty level-headed.

>>44354507
>>”That’s not why.”

>>44354507
>”That’s not why.”

>>44354546
>>44354569
>>44354644
Trying to explain.

>Writing

>>44354998
uw0tm8

>>44355038
Shitpost copypasta that's hot right now. Report and ignore

>>44355072
I'm pretty sure it's just one guy or a bot that's spamming it in every thread on the board.

>>44354699

“That’s not why.” You answer flatly.

“Then why?” She asks impatiently. “You can hate me, but you can’t hate my design. I won’t let you-”

“I couldn’t afford to upgrade to a new one.” You interrupt.

“What? How violently poor would you have to be not to afford a new one? I substituted the…” She stops and realizes the truth as you keep staring at her. “Oh.”

There’s a long awkward pause before the other clerk begins a slow clap.

“I-I uh…” Diana looks around herself before rushing off into the back room. “Excuse me.” You hear her call out quietly.

The clerk looks down at your Assistant and the new module case for the Analyst. “These are incompatible, you’re going to need a link.” He smiles before slowly turning to the back room. “Diana…”

No response.

“Diana, Oren here is going to need a link for his Analyst.” He repeats.

A what?

She comes rushing back into the room tools in hand, beet red, and looking at neither you nor the clerk. She snags your Assistant and the new Analyst module before heading out a side door and walking up to you. She places your Assistant directly in your hands and stands to your back right.

“This will hurt a little.” She mumbles and you feel her reach up and place something metal right behind your right ear.

“What will?” You quickly ask.

FUCKING HELL.

You flinch away from the source of the pain, and irately turn to see just what the hell she’s doing.

She looks away from you with the Analyst module in her outstretched hand. “Sorry.” She says quietly as you take the module from her and then swiftly disappears from your sight.

“Simple audio link to your Analyst.” The clerk says as you turn to him for an explanation. “Let’s you hear it and vice versa when you’re not in your frame.”

You rub behind your ear and feel nothing out of the ordinary.

[1/2]

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>>44355398

“It will take the Analyst a few hours to boot up properly, but it should let you know as soon as it does.” He settles back into his stool. “Here I thought today was going to be boring.” He grins. “Anything else I can do for you man?”

“No.” You respond still rubbing the back of your ear. “I’m just waiting for someone now.”

“Oren!” A booming and mirthful voice calls from far behind you.

You turn to see a man with long black hair, wearing sunglasses for some strange reason, approach you.

He reminds you of a certain asshole from your home planet, but you try not bring up those memories.

“I hope you have not been lost without me.” He wraps an arm tightly around your shoulder. “Come now, and I will help guide you as The Navigator did for The Mariner.” He waves his free arm in a large arc in front of him.

“Get off me.” You groan, trying to pull yourself free without having to resort to violence.

“Never!” He announces far too loudly. “I already have one cold-hearted person on my squad, I will not allow another.”

He’s stronger than he looks, but you finally manage to wrest yourself free.

He steps back, places his hands on his hips, and turns to the side. “Fine! Then it’s time for my introduction.”

“Are you posing?” You ask, bewildered.

He ignores your question. “I am Ivan Ibedo. Leader of the Vice Admiral’s seventh squad.” He smiles and switches to a new pose. “You can call me Captain, and nothing else.”

“Wouldn’t your rank be Squad Leader?” You ask, hoping you won’t regret it.

~

>>44355441
BUT HEICHOUUU~

Alright, that's where I'm going to end it for tonight. Quite a bit of stuff gotten through today, and as always, I want to thank everyone that played.

If you have any comments/questions, then please feel free to post them in the thread, and I will do my best to respond to them.

If not, then I wish you a good day/night, hope to see you again next time, and I hope that you have a safe and fun Christmas. Don't go too crazy, please.

>(Twitter)
https://twitter.com/QM_Auri

>>44355458
Plenty more Captain to come next time.

>>44355472
How embarrassed was Diana? How dirt poor is our homeworld? Will that mine we found help at all? Lil Sis happy to finally hear back a little?

>>44355594
Well, there was actually a line that I wanted to squeeze in but couldn't that perhaps answer your first question. I had planned for the other clerk to point out that that was the first time he ever heard her apologize after setting up a link. Peugue is rather poor overall, given it's distance from the major planets, but where you grew up was considered to be one of the worst areas of the entire planet. The mine will help those who own it, and it will be a decent amount of time before your sister actually receives your messages, even as fast as they travel, but she will certainly be happy to hear back from you when she does receive them.

>>44355655
>The mine will help those who own it,
Wouldn't the extra economy help the area moneywise? Jobs alone and all.

>>44355669
Yes, that is true, but the rapid manner of which the ore will be extracted will make the benefit short-lived.

>>44355472
How many more characters will you introduce?

>>44355724
Why is that?

>>44355747
Overall, that really depends on the actions you choose, and the same can be said for the immediate future in the quest, to a lesser extent. But in most cases, the answer is at the very least several more.
>>44355762
Sorry, to clarify I meant that the moment that all the ore is extracted the mine would shut down, meaning there'd be no more mining jobs, and that this would happen in a short amount of time.

>>44355814
Wouldn't there be more ore buried?

>>44355840
Yes, but there would be an eventual end. The fact that this particular (albeit fictional) ore is extremely rare in nature would make the average deposit size smaller than a more common ore.

Okay, I'll be stepping out for the night. I do have time off for the holidays, so I'll likely be able to run sometime between Christmas and New Years. So, once again, I hope you all have a Merry Christmas, and I hope to see you again next time!