File: 53990427_p1.jpg (1.16 MB, 1839x900)

1.16 MB JPG

>>44825842
With the Alliance’s leadership in shambles, countless revolutionaries used the situation as a pretext to break free from their faraway masters, sparking countless civil wars. This era was known as the Century of Strife, a period of bloody carnage were the once unified Alliance was fractured into countless pieces. When the dust finally settled, only three major blocs remained: the Terran Hegemony, the Centauri Accord, and the Confederation of Free Systems.

Despite high tensions, all three major galactic powers universally agreed that humanity’s home, the Sol System, would remain a special neutral zone to prevent the system from being destroyed in a bloody conflict. As such, the Sol System is run by an interim government consisting of representatives of all three blocs, with the system’s security handled by an independent security force. While nominally under the control of a joint committee of the three powers, the Sol System in reality is its own independent entity, more along the lines of a self sufficient city-state. All three powers maintain large embassies on Earth, which is the default location for negotiations and other diplomatic functions.

You just so happen to be a part of this independent Sol System, a ship captain of Sol Security, in fact, commanding one of its feared patrol destroyers.

(cont)

File: 1399704918400.jpg (135 KB, 1200x649)

135 KB JPG

>>44825862
And currently you were on the hunt for possible smugglers.

"Got a positive contact on sensors." Your Electronic Support Officer, Lida, announces. "No transponder signal, but it's definitely moving under power."

"Gotta be lawbreakers." Your Weapons Officer, Elsa, yawns as she rests her feet atop her control console. "No other reason they're flying dark."

"I agree." You First Mate, Bradford chimes in, clearly resisting the urge to scratch at his sweater on the bridge. You kinda wonder why he still wears that awful thing. "Ships on legitimate business have no reason to disable their transponders."

"You know, I think you guys are thinking about this too hard." Your Helmsman, Amy, shrugs. "Could just be technical trouble."

"You did try to contact them, right?" You turn to Lida.

"Of course." Lida says neutrally. "No response."

"Is she a match on the database?"

"She's a standard Starjumper-class freighter. It only has like, a 90% match with literally every other Starjumper ever made." Lida rolls her eyes. "It's the perfect camouflage, really."

"What's the call, Captain?" Bradford asks. "Legally, we can't stop and board a ship without probable cause. While the lack of a transponder is sufficient, we probably want more concrete proof if this ever goes to court."

>Maintain distance and keep trying to raise comms.
>Get closer and maintain a weapon lock and MAKE them respond.
>Screw regulation and open fire.
>Not worth it. Just let it go.
>Other

File: 1448384529883.jpg (266 KB, 873x900)

266 KB JPG

This quest is gonna be baller.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz1508RBx2w

>>44825887
>Get closer and maintain a weapon lock and MAKE them respond.

>>44825887
Welcome back Commander. Today's threat level is: Low
>Get closer and maintain a weapon lock and MAKE them respond.

>>44825887
>>Get closer and maintain a weapon lock and MAKE them respond.

Taking bets for how long until we become a Space Cowboy, and when this becomes a pseudo-space western.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3Yc3HhSl1Q

>>44825887
>>Get closer and maintain a weapon lock and MAKE them respond.

>>44825887
>>Get closer and maintain a weapon lock and MAKE them respond.

>>44825887
>Get closer and maintain a weapon lock and MAKE them respond.
I might need a chart to track these characters

>>44825887
>>Maintain distance and keep trying to raise comms

>>44825887
>Get closer and maintain a weapon lock and MAKE them respond.

>>44825986
Take my love, take my land. Take me where I cannot stand.

>>44825887
>Maintain distance and keep trying to raise comms.

>>44825887
>Other
Get closer on the pretext of rendering aid (no working transponder, no response to comms, running dark indicating possible computer/power failures), but keep the weapons lock and see how they respond.

>>44825887
>You First Mate, Bradford chimes in, clearly resisting the urge to scratch at his sweater on the bridge.

VIGILO CONFIDO
REMOVE AYYS

>>44825887
>Get closer and maintain a weapon lock and MAKE them respond.

Oh here we go again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_UiIO3oAos

>>44825887
>Get closer and maintain a weapon lock and MAKE them respond.

File: 1433887543487.png (34 KB, 853x543)

34 KB PNG

>>44826063

>>44825887
>Get closer and maintain a weapon lock and MAKE them respond.

>>44826063
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvx-ixOpgHM

REMOVE AYY
XCOM ACKBAR

File: Steel Chronicle2.jpg (212 KB, 800x470)

212 KB JPG

So I'm guessing our entire crew is wearing skintight uniforms that double as emergency spacesuits.

>destroyer
Merc, what is it with you and baDDies?

>>44826149
What about those things is a uniform?

File: b04e1273b987262c2a6e8cc2f(...).jpg (45 KB, 700x1167)

45 KB JPG

>>44826149

File: Welcome to WoWS enjoy you(...).jpg (341 KB, 1600x1000)

341 KB JPG

>>44826162

>>44826144
God bless Beagle.

>>44825887
>Maintain distance and keep trying to raise comms.

File: 1450622656392.jpg (188 KB, 1258x1883)

188 KB JPG

>>44826149
>>44826190

PRAISE THE COMMANDER AND BRADFORD (HIS? HER? PROBABLY HER) PROPHET

SOL SECURITY AKBAR

File: 1399026819299.jpg (126 KB, 810x332)

126 KB JPG

>>44825887
"Get closer and get a weapon lock on them. Make sure they know it, too." You instruct as you lean forward from your command chair. "Helm, put us as 60% combat speed."

"Aye aye, Cap." Amy nods as she cracks her knuckles and gets a secure grip on the helm controls. "Closing the distance."

"Weps. How soon can we get a lock?" You turn to Elsa, who's finally gotten her feet off the console and is now putting all her attention on her targeting screen.

"Right now, Captain!" Elsa smiles with glee. On your own datascreen, you can see multiple red boxes form over the freighter, indicating your kinetic batteries and EMP emitter were locked and tracking.

"Transmitting standard query to the ship." Lida announces. "Still no response."

You glance at Bradford, who, rather than sit, remains standing, hands behind his back. He glances back at you and gives an almost imperceptible nod.

"All right." You sigh. "Call up Tank. Tell him to get ready to board."

"Flux surge!" Lida yelps. "They're powering up engines! They're trying to run!"

"Figured they would." Bradford shakes his head. "What do we do, Captain?"

You knew that a Starjumper was no match against an Enforcer-class destroyer, both in speed and in armament. Then again, that was assuming it was a stock freighter. Most smugglers liked to modify their ships to suit their needs, so who knows what it might be packing...

>Keep chasing. We need to board it and seize any possible evidence.
>Don't bother, just shoot them down.
>Let them go, it's not worth chasing.
>Other

>>44826621
>Other

Can we target their engines?

>>44826621
>Keep chasing. We need to board it and seize any possible evidence.

>>44826487
SOL SECURITY IS AN ORGANIZATION OF PEACE!

>>44826621
>Keep chasing. We need to board it and seize any possible evidence.
>TRACTOR BEAM!

>>44826621
>Keep chasing. We need to board it and seize any possible evidence.

Try to cripple modules. Load HE!

>>44826621
>>Keep chasing. We need to board it and seize any possible evidence.

>>44826621
>>Keep chasing. We need to board it and seize any possible evidence.

>>44826621
>Other
Target their engines before they can make the jump.

>>44826621
>Keep chasing. We need to board it and seize any possible evidence.

>>44826621
>>Keep chasing. We need to board it and seize any possible evidence.

So does this ship have a name? All ships need a name.

>>44826621
>Keep chasing. We need to board it and seize any possible evidence.

>>44826621
>Keep chasing. We need to board it and seize any possible evidence.

>>44826676
I was thinking we had photon/proton/neutron torpedoes.

File: 47965911_p0.png (2 MB, 2048x1024)

2 MB PNG

>>44826707
No transponder so there's really no way for you to know at this stage!

>>44826621
>Other:
target their engines! they can't run if they have no engine power!
>tfw played FTL

>>44826707
>Tarin

>>44826758
our ship, I think they meant

>>44826621
>Keep chasing. We need to board it and seize any possible evidence.

Target the engines too.

>>44826707
The USG Ishimura

File: 7a6803cbb074094a23c5bbdf6(...).jpg (382 KB, 700x1577)

382 KB JPG

>>44826859
Make us whole.

>>44826859
This puts the painful in painfully unoriginal.

>>44826621
>Keep chasing. We need to board it and seize any possible evidence.

Any way we can hit their thrusters or something to score a mobility kill?

>>44826964
Merc tends to put zombies in his games, so It's not completely off the table

File: Emperor's Champion 2.jpg (529 KB, 688x1044)

529 KB JPG

>>44826621
While the thought of just blasting the fleeing freighter with your kinetic batteries was a tempting thought, you knew that you'd have hell to pay in the form of lots of paperwork and administrative scrutiny, ESPECIALLY if it turned out the ship was actually performing legitimate business.

"Helm, full combat speed!" You bark.

"Aye!" Amy nods as she pushes the throttle forward as far as it can go.

Even with the inertial dampeners, you can still feel the slight tug of G-forces when your patrol destroyer, the Selene, surges forward. The Starjumper, laden down with presumably full cargo bays, had no chance of getting away, even with upgraded engines.

You then hear a loud click over the radio, no doubt Tank checking in to see if he was clear to attempt boarding yet or not. He certainly was very singleminded when it came to that.

"All right, Tank, go for it." You reply.

Down below, you could see the boarding shuttle shoot out, rocketing towards the fleeing Starjumper. Thankfully, there was no defensive weapons fire. Most likely the owners decided to forego weapons for more cargo capacity or speed. The boxy shuttle clamps to the side of the freighter, where you know it will start to cut an access hole into the hull for the team of officers aboard to gain entry.

"They're still going at maximum speed." Bradford notes. "Perhaps we should fall back? Let them think they've gotten away?"

>Trust the boarding team to handle things from here.
>Keep up the pressure. The boarding team might need our support.
>Other

>>44827070
>Trust the boarding team to handle things from here.

What's our weapon list? Do we have things like EMP weapons?

>>44827070
>>Keep up the pressure. The boarding team might need our support.
They aren't going to be Forlorn Hope.

>>44827070
>Keep up the pressure. The boarding team might need our support.

>>44827070
>Keep up the pressure. The boarding team might need our support.

>>44827070
>Keep up the pressure. The boarding team might need our support.

>>44827070
>Keep up the pressure. The boarding team might need our support.

>>44827070
>Trust the boarding team to handle things from here.

>>44827070
>Keep up the pressure. The boarding team might need our support.

>>44827070
>Keep up the pressure. The boarding team might need our support.

Never abandon forward team

>>44827106
>Forlorn Hope
That would be a nice name for a derelict ship.

>>44827070
>>Keep up the pressure. The boarding team might need our support.

>>44827059
Zombies typically don't know how to helm a ship.

>>44827070
>>Keep up the pressure. The boarding team might need our support.

>>44827234
It's a bad omen. Forlorn hope fucking dies.

File: 2578448-emperor_s_champion.jpg (359 KB, 1600x1546)

359 KB JPG

>>44827070
"Just keep up the pressure. They're not getting away anyways." You say simply.

The Starjumper freighter continues to try and flee, but out here in open space, there was nowhere for them to hide. You decide to keep an eye on Tank's team and activate his helmet camera, putting the feed on your main screen. Immediately, you could see Tank predictably leading the charge, pushing down a corridor with his massive riot shield. At the other end, you could see a few men dressed in civilian worksuits, firing rather ineffectually at Tank's armored shield. Tank's visor immediately analyzes the weapons. Chemically propelled kinetic projectiles. You frown. These losers couldn't even afford proper magnetic weaponry. No wonder they got caught so easily.

Suddenly, there's a loud CRUNCH and a scream. You see that Tank, in his usual enthusiasm, used his shield as a makeshift battering ram, slamming into one of the crewmen and crushing him against a bulkhead. The poor crewman screams before Tank slams him directly on the skull with his riot baton.

>Chastise Tank for excessive force.
>Leave him be. He hasn't had much to do lately.
>Other

>>44827388
>>Chastise Tank for excessive force.
Maintain discipline.

I swear when this long day is done, we should go to the mess and get some coffee.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAS8KivZX5s

>>44827388
>Leave him be. He hasn't had much to do lately.

>>44827388
>Chastise Tank for excessive force.

>>44827388
>>Leave him be. He hasn't had much to do lately.

He'll run out his bloodlust before long--just make sure he leaves a couple alive.

>>44827388
>Chastise Tank for excessive force.

>>44827388
>>Leave him be. He hasn't had much to do lately.

>>44827388
>Chastise Tank for excessive force.

>>44827388
>Chastise Tank for excessive force.

>>44827388
>Leave him be. He hasn't had much to do lately.

>>44827388
>Remind Tank that we need at least one alive for questioning.

>>44827501
This

>>44827388
Are they Ayys?

If N
>Chastise Tank for excessive force.

If Y
>Other
Encourage more excessive force.

>>44827388
>Chastise Tank for excessive force.

>>44827388
>Leave him be. He hasn't had much to do lately.

But tell him to ease up on the headshots. There's always a chance that some of those people might need to be interrogated, and it's really hard to interrogate a comatose or concussed person.

>>44827527
Vigilo Confidio, brother

>>44827388
>Leave him be. He hasn't had much to do lately.

MercCommand, are there aliens in this setting?

File: Railgun Revolver.jpg (88 KB, 1024x573)

88 KB JPG

>>44825986
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6jCJZEFIto

Pretty damn soon unless we get a major change in music themes.

Though I do have to wonder what our favoured sidearm is. Judging from what Merc said, it's probably a coilgun or a railgun.

>>44827625
>Impressively unergonomic handle
>No sights
>Parts under the barrel are entirely useless
>No trigger guard

Who the shit designed this hunk of crap?

>>44827713
/k/

>>44827713
But it looks like it has three times the amount of revolving parts, which makes up for that.

File: 43845881.png (365 KB, 668x1546)

365 KB PNG

>>44827388
"Tank." You sigh. "Dial it back on the physical force. We don't want them to be filing a complaint against us or anything."

There's a brief pause, before another click signifies his assent. He then makes a beeline for the ship's bridge. Big freighters like these, their crew areas were extremely simple, and comprised a small part of the overall ship. The boarding team places breaching charges on the security door protecting the bridge, while Tank sets up with his riot shield.

Having drilled endlessly, it's no surprise that the team charges in right when the breaching charges detonate. In the cramped bridge area, Tank and his men quickly rush in and start pulling dazed and disoriented crew away from their stations.

Another click over the comms from Tank, and a thumbs up in front of his camera. The ship was secure.

"Good job, everyone." You sigh as you finally lean back in your seat. "All right, let's get ready to-"

"Captain! Emergency wire!" Lida calls out. "It's... it's straight from HQ. They're requesting an immediate recall!"

"What?! Now?!" You groan. And you just pulled over a possible smuggler! What the hell were you going to do now?!

>No choice but to detain the crew and leave the ship. Hopefully salvage ships won't steal all the evidence.
>Detain the crew and scuttle the freighter.
>Tell HQ to piss off.
>Other

>>44827840
>Detain the crew and scuttle the freighter.

>>44827625
It doesn't look finished.

>>44827840
>Detain the crew and scuttle the freighter.

>>44827840
>Detain the crew and scuttle the freighter.

>>44827840
>>Detain the crew and scuttle the freighter.

>>44827840
>Detain the crew and scuttle the freighter.

>>44827840
>Detain the crew and scuttle the freighter.

>>44827840
>>Detain the crew and scuttle the freighter.

>>44827840
>Detain the crew and scuttle the freighter.

>>44827840
>No choice but to detain the crew and leave the ship. Hopefully salvage ships won't steal all the evidence.

>>44827840
>Detain the crew and scuttle the freighter.

>>44827840
>No choice but to detain the crew and leave the ship. Hopefully salvage ships won't steal all the evidence.

>>44827840
>>Other
Have someone pilot the smuggler ship and have it recall with us. Either one of us or a enemy crewmember at gunpoint.

File: cW96uDk.jpg (83 KB, 958x479)

83 KB JPG

>>44827625
>Choosing that over this oversized pistol.

>>44828019
>that sight

What a useless piece of shit.

>>44828019
what in the name of colt?

>>44827840
>No choice but to detain the crew and leave the ship. Hopefully salvage ships won't steal all the evidence.

>>44828019
>has a notch in the grip for a hammer
>has no need for a hammer
Why?

File: 1341542108517.jpg (40 KB, 424x185)

40 KB JPG

>>44828204
Because someone thought it'd look cool.

Destroyer-chan shipgirl when?

>>44828313
That's our shipboard AI

File: Homeworld Shimakaze.png (821 KB, 1200x1209)

821 KB PNG

>>44828313
Whenever Merc wants to.

File: 1391212361683.jpg (137 KB, 900x678)

137 KB JPG

>>44828351

>>44828247
...what the fuck japan.

>>44827840
>Other
Gather intel on following:
1. Why are we being recalled?
2. What the hell was on the freight? Why'd they go black and do we really want to dump it if it's contraband?

File: Sam 5.jpg (129 KB, 360x243)

129 KB JPG

>>44827840
"UGGGGGH." You pinch the bridge of your nose in frustration.

"Captain, I don't have to tell you that it's a bad idea to ignore a command straight from HQ-" Bradford says.

"I get it, Bradford." You wave off your First Mate. "Okay, here's what we do. Tank, round up the crew and bring them back to the ship for detainment ASAP. We'll handle the processing onboard."

Tank's helmet feed shakes up and down rapidly, signifying him nodding in assent.

"Helm, plot a jump back to Earth. Weps, once Tank is clear, take out the cargo bays with the kinetics."

"Sweet!" Elsa grins madly, happy at a chance to finally flex the Selene's muscles.

All in all, despite the rush, your crew manages to handle things very quickly and efficiently, with a course plotted and the detainees transferred under half an hour. Precision fire from the Selene's weapons batteries punches holes through the Starjumper's massive hull, breaching its cargo holds and setting off numerous secondary explosions as the high explosive shells detonate The freighter, whose true name you had never gotten the chance to learn, is a burning hulk by the time you make the FTL jump back to Earth.

You're left wondering what the hell is so important they had to call you back in the middle of a patrol.

---

"Captain Wellings." The Commissioner gives you a hard, but sympathetic look. "I know that you have had nothing but an exemplary service record..."

Oh shit. You knew it was bad when they opened up with how good you were in the past.

(cont)

>>44828452
>we are Sam
Well... this'll be fun.

File: 1443251294680.jpg (314 KB, 889x500)

314 KB JPG

>>44828452
"Unfortunately, the Ruling Committee has decided that Sol Security's Patrol Program experiment will be brought to a premature end."

"Sir?" You blink in confusion. "What exactly does that mean?"

"The Committee feels that the Patrol Destroyers are excessively overarmed, and makes Sol Security look more like a military force rather than a law enforcement agency." The slight frown in the Commissioner's lip betrays his distaste with that reasoning. "In light of these concerns, and because of the high cost of maintaining these ships, it has been decided that the program will be closed, and all Patrol Destroyers will be decommissioned."

"And what about the crews?" You ask, your hands already balling into fists.

"Unfortunately, the Committee has also neglected to expand Sol Security, so all Patrol Destroyer crews will we discharged. I'm sorry, Wellings, but that means you're out of a job."

You're... you're not sure how to react to that.

>This is BULLSHIT!
>Well, I suppose it was nice while it lasted.
>Other

>>44828473
>This is BULLSHIT!

>>44828473
>This is BULLSHIT!

>>44828473
>This is BULLSHIT!

>>44828473
>This is BULLSHIT!

>>44828473
>>Other
Time to defect?

TIME TO DEFECT!

See on the flip side, sir!

>>44828473
>>This is BULLSHIT!

>>44828473
>This is BULLSHIT!

>>44828473
>This is BULLSHIT!

>>44828467
Welcome to superior officer pushes paperwork onto us quest.

>>44828473
>This is BULLSHIT!

>>44828473
>This is BULLSHIT!


Which one are we?In the pic I mean.

File: 1449982134913.jpg (35 KB, 400x251)

35 KB JPG

>>44828473
>>This is BULLSHIT!

YOU CAN'T SHUT DOWN OUR FUNDING, COUNCIL!

YOU'LL REGRET THIS! YOU'LL REGRET THIS WHEN THE SNEKS AND PECTOIDS SLITHER DOWN OUR STREETS UNMOLESTED!

>>44828473
>Other
(Straight face) I understand sir. I need a moment to speak with my crew.
(To crew) Raise your hand if you think pirates are cooler than being unemployed.

>>44828473
>This is BULLSHIT!

DON'T BENCH ME COACH

>>44828473
Fine, but I'm keeping the ship

>44828473
>This is BULLSHIT!

>>44828555
>Wellings
We're Sam, the girl on the right.

File: KCLt0.jpg (243 KB, 1200x648)

243 KB JPG

>Sam is the PC

Battlestar Gullinbursti when?

>>44828473

>This is BULLSHIT!
> SIR

>>44828473
Sir, with all due respect, go fuck yourself with a cactus

>>44828473
Are we meeting in person? Or are we taking the call from our office? Do we have a weapon on us?

So when is Tarin? Is merc ok? has he gon oversaturated with Tarin

>>44828619
>>44828467
>We are sam

I'm okay with this, would have liked it more if we went full vigilo confido and were just some unknown humanoid who everyone calls "Commander"

>>44828473
>This is BULLSHIT!

>>44828654

Wild Card Spess Pilots Squadron when?
>inb4 Tank is Infinite Stars Quest version of Ace Combat Quest's Jaeger

>>44828723

Tarin finally won, so she got retired

File: 12-36.jpg (149 KB, 800x1132)

149 KB JPG

>>44828749
So this totally means that our fighter pilots keep their skintight suits (practical or not), right?

File: Idol@ces suits.jpg (208 KB, 700x420)

208 KB JPG

>>44828808
That goes without saying.

>>44828835
what is the point of skintight suits anyhow?

File: 1358749173785.jpg (215 KB, 1280x1024)

215 KB JPG

>>44828890
Looking sexy.

>>44828890

something something insulation something something elastic material

>>44828890
Something something "spacecraft don't have much space so extra storage space is a luxury, thus clothes have to be skintight"

File: scifi interface and skint(...).gif (4.17 MB, 800x450)

4.17 MB GIF

>>44828890
why ask? Nobody's complaining.

>>44828890

Something something "direct neural interfacing" something something "secret squirrel black projects" something something "improved efficiency"

File: the martian suits.jpg (93 KB, 620x349)

93 KB JPG

>>44828890
something something hard sci fi

>>44828964
What's that from?

>>44828997
Something something COFFIN.

File: Sam 3.jpg (291 KB, 600x800)

291 KB JPG

>>44828473
"This is BULLSHIT!" You scream as you temporarily lost your cool, and slam your palm on the Commissioner's desk, causing all of his little knickknacks to vibrate wildly. You briefly pause to look back to him. "...sir."

"I don't blame you, Wellings." The Commissioner gives a deep sigh. "It's just as much about money as it is about politics. There's not much I can do."

"So... so what do I do now?" You ask, fear and anxiety slowly bubbling up from your stomach up to your heart like a gooey black tar.

"Well, you can't stay in Sol Security, that's for sure." The Commissioner sighs. "But... there might be another way."

The Commissioner hastily scribbles down an address on a notepad and slips the small piece of paper to you.

"Sir?" You look at the address curiously. "What's this for?"

"You'll find a sort of... talent scout here. He's very well connected, so I'm sure he'll find a good place for your skills." The Commissioner explains. "And it also happens to be a bar. I'm sure you'll appreciate that."

>..."talent scout?"
>Thank you, sir.
>Other

File: asuka laughs.jpg (499 KB, 800x800)

499 KB JPG

>>44829032
>>44829018
>>44828997
>>44828953
>>44828934
I love how all the responses have 'something something' in them.

>>44828890
More flexible, less bulk and weight, mechanical pressurization has perks over pressurised gas. It's probably accurate in terms of actual future spacesuits.

File: 92da949fb0cec96639951db5f(...).png (949 KB, 1000x1432)

949 KB PNG

>>44829027
Last time I checked, Guilty Crown

>>44828890
I think it's a relic of the 50's and 60's Futuristic Aesthetic for their Sci-Fi.

>>44829076
>>Thank you, sir.
I will kill you last.

>>44829076
>Thank you, sir.

>>44829076
>..."talent scout?"

>>44829076
>Thank you, sir.
Privateering time.
>Other
May I speak with my crew one last time before I leave?

File: 1451876848997.jpg (381 KB, 1920x1080)

381 KB JPG

>>44829076
>Thank you, sir.

So, should we be explorers, traders, mercenaries, pirates, or all of the above?

>>44829076
>Thank you, sir.

I get a feeling that this is one of those things that will be left out of the official paperwork.

>>44829076
>>Thank you, sir.
Better than having no job, I suppose.

>>44829076
>..."talent scout?"

>>44829076
b-but muh space piracy!

b-b-but muh bounty hunter adventures!

B-B-BUT MUH BARELY SCRAPING BY SHENANIGANS!

>>44829076
>Thank you, sir.

>>44829076
>Other
Give him a nasty look and say "Thanks...(His name)" Since he's not your superior anymore

>>44829128
Ha. Space book. nice.

>>44829076
>Thank you, sir.

>>44829136
Can't do that without a ship.

>>44829128
>>44829136
Don't worry. Maybe we'll wind up on the outskirts of a lawless system, and we're the only person brave enough to bring JUSTICE to SPACE BANDITS/PIRATES.

>>44829171
We have a ship, we just need to liberate it.

>>44829182
Hopefully meeting cute girls along the way.

File: skintight bodysuit interface.webm (841 KB, 854x480)

841 KB WEBM

>>44829027
Guilty crown.

person who wore the suit is Tsugumi

>>44829076
>>Thank you, sir.

>>44829076
>Thank you, sir.

File: 1441266261835.jpg (1.07 MB, 5100x3300)

1.07 MB JPG

>>44828019
I have no idea what this thread is, but have this pistol instead.

"pistol"

File: Queen Emereldas.jpg (547 KB, 1280x1024)

547 KB JPG

>>44829128
Piracy/privateering seems up our alley.

>>44829208
was...was she playing Bejeweled?

>>44829289
>"pistol"
>portable anti-tank gun

>>44829128
We can be them all at the same time. Go to faraway place, get hired to rob their enemies, then sell their stuff for profit while collecting commissions.

>>44829322
So we'd be a space equivalent of a STALKER? Groovy.

>>44829314
I have no idea what that game was, but it definitely wasn't bejeweled. the card suits of diamond spade, clubs could be seen and it was on a 3x3 grid.

>>44829351
Regardless why was she playing it?

File: Sam 6.jpg (1.29 MB, 1100x1554)

1.29 MB JPG

>>44829076
"Thank you, sir." You nod as you stash the card in your pocket.

"It's the least I can do." The Commissioner nods. "And just remember, your discharge won't be official until the program is formally shut down, so at least for the next few days, you're still an officer of Sol Security. Please try to conduct yourself appropriately."

"I'll keep that in mind, sir." You grin slightly.

"Other than that, you are free to go." The Commission says somewhat sadly as he salutes.

You return the salute and quickly make your exit.

As you stride out of HQ, somewhat sullen, you glance at the card again. The meeting spot is not too far, really, and quick Net search shows that it's in a rather secure area of the city, too. Nothing too shady. Still...

>Going alone should be fine.
>Maybe you should bring some backup...
>Other

>>44829363
I dunno why do you play shit on your phone?

>>44829171
We have a ship, they haven't scuttled it yet. And we have a crew, too.

>>44829370
>Maybe you should bring some backup...

>>44829370
>Maybe you should bring some backup...
Our whole crew, All for one and one for all!

>>44829370
>Maybe you should bring some backup...
Tank is coming with us.

>>44829370
>>Maybe you should bring some backup...
Might as well get various representatives from our crew (security, boarding troops, engineers, etc.).

>>44829370
>>Maybe you should bring some backup...

>>44829363
probably to burn time. games are time sinks.

>>44829370
>>Maybe you should bring some backup...

>>44829377
Yes but I would assume she has important shit to do where she is other than playing a fucking video game.

>>44829378
We're being fired because the ship's expensive to maintain, they clearly WANT us to take it off their hands.

>>44829370
>Maybe you should bring some backup...

>>44829370
>Maybe you should bring some backup...

>>44829370
>Maybe you should bring some backup...

>>44829420
I'm down with this.

>>44829370
>>Maybe you should bring some backup...
>>Other
maybe we can bring some of our trusted crews together so we can be.... 'scouted' together.

>>44829370
>Maybe you should bring some backup...

>>44829420
>>44829488
Pretty sure this is it.

Once we get "scouted", are we renaming the ship?

File: somespacesams.jpg (303 KB, 1305x700)

303 KB JPG

>>44829370
>Maybe you should bring some backup...

File: hearts and star eyes.gif (200 KB, 500x280)

200 KB GIF

>>44829737
NICE

>>44829722
....what is our ship name again?

File: Sam 5.png (362 KB, 600x629)

362 KB PNG

>>44829370
Your instincts were telling you that you should bring some backup. Maybe one of your bridge crew could work. They were all dependable enough, in their own ways. However, you do agree that you should probably only bring one of them, so as to not risk spooking this "talent scout".

Bradford: First Mate. Highly dependable and very rules oriented. He's also been in a few scraps before, but he tends to stand out like a sore thumb.
Tank: Security Chief. Very strong and very skilled at combat, but tends to be extremely aggressive and stands out even more than Bradford.
Amy: Helmsman. Generally dependable and has a strong sense of justice, and her sharp senses and instincts are great at spotting danger, but not really much of a fighter.
Elsa: Weapons Officer. Like Amy, Elsa has sharp senses, but is also pretty decent in a fight. Tends to slack off a lot, though.
Lida: Very intelligent, and good with tech, but not really a fighter and tends to be stuck in her own world at times.

>Bradford
>Tank
>Amy
>Elsa
>Lida

>>44829795
>>Bradford

>>44829795
>>Tank

Brother Tank needs to defend the Inquistor

>>44829795
>Bradford

>>44829737
>>44829789

Throwing out some random names
"Dominion"
"The Triumphant"
"The Screaming Banshee"
"The Golden Hind"
"Turpentine Crow"

>>44829795
>>Bradford

>>44829795
>Bradford

>>44829795
>>Tank

>>44829795
>Tank

>>44829795
>Bradford

>>44829795
>Tank

Giant soldier and tiny CO combo is a go

>>44829795
>Bradford

>>44829795
>Elsa

>Bradford

>>44829789
It's the Selene

>>44829795
>>Bradford

>Bradford
Death to aays

Vigilo Confido

>>44829795
>>Bradford

What is the Commander without his Prophet?

Why not name the ship Vigilance?

>>44829795
>Bradford

>Tfw we don't get to buddy cop with our Astartes

It's ok /tg/ I'm not crying

>>44829952
>implying he won't follow us like a mother bear with its cubs

>>44829940
Why name it Vigilance when we can name it the Lastri's Ort?

>>44829952
Maybe when we absolutely, positively need to intimidate whole room.
And we need to find Corvus Armor for him when we goes private.

>Bradford the snake eater

>>44829737
We have an outfit for everything!

Something when we talk to dignitaries or are otherwise in public, an outfit for when we're on the bridge, and an outfit for any computer interfaces we need access to (plus being an emergency environmental suit)

>>44829940
What about "The Frozen Queen" or "Anna"

>>44828801
But Sam's never been retired and she won in the very first quest.

>>44829795
>Tank

>>44829940
My vote's for Wayward Sword or Wandering Blade, but I'll settle for the Vigilant Blade

>>44830048
Vigilant Blade is good.

>>44828890
Mechanical counterpressure suit.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_activity_suit

>>44829993
It's nice, but lets be original.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w34fSnJNP-4

Remember if we hear rumors of ghost ships, stay the fuck away

>>44830083
lets name it 'Mercenary Command' then.

.....oh wait.

>>44830105
I'm betting there's an actual space station called Merc Command, sort of like a conspiracy version of ComStar.

>>44830103
Don't you mean look for it.

>>44830105
Just translate it to another language like Latin to make up a name.

>>44830136
No. Seriously. It never works out.

>>44829795
>>tank

>>44829838
>>44829940
Personally I'm a fan of "Make My Day".

>>44830145
Ghost ship and space hulk.

There are never good thing happens with them.

>>44830136
It's got to work out once, We're looking for it.

File: Central_Officer_Bradford.jpg (410 KB, 1280x720)

410 KB JPG

>>44829795
A quick call to Bradford, and he's already waiting at the front door of the meeting point well before you reach it yourself. You kind of wonder how he got there so fast. And, to your eternal exasperation, he's STILL wearing that silly green sweater of his, as you feared. He wasn't going to fit in at ALL.

Urgh. He was always like this since you first met him. Always by the numbers.

"Captain." Bradford straightens to attention. "So what's the plan?"

>Have him accompany you directly.
>Have him observe from a distance.
>Have him wait outside until you call for him.
>Other

>>44829795
>Elsa

>>44830165
That can be a motto. Good thing to put above all airlocks. Give boarding parties a welcome.

>>44830189
>>Have him accompany you directly.

>>44830189
>>Have him accompany you directly.

>>44830141
So it's 'Praetorium Mercenarii' then.

>>44830189
>Have him accompany you directly.

>>44830189
>Have him accompany you directly.
I see no harm in this.

>>44830202
Yes.

>>44830189
>Have him accompany you directly.

>>44830202
>not wanting the simple threat to be communicated by the very name of our ship

>>44830189
>>Have him observe from a distance.

>>44830189
>Have him observe from a distance.

>>44830211
sounds like a plan for me.
I expect some recurring joke 'What the heck that means' later, but it worth it.

>>44830224
>not wanting the simple threat to be communicated by the very name of our ship

When you're a pirate, sometimes you want to run away, sometimes you want to deal, and sometimes you want to scare them.

A name should do all those things, not just say "fuck you" to everyone. I mean "Make My Day" doesn't really apply to a dreadnaught.

>>44830211
If we were an imperium/ government vessel I'd be down with it, but we're probably going to be outside the law.

>>44830189
>>Have him observe from a distance.

>>44830252
i'd wager it will be a PMC (again)....
if its the case, we may still need to operate within law.

>>44830189

Don't knock the sweater, Sam--those things are comfy as shit.

>Have him accompany you directly.

>>44830165
Absolution
Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned
Amerigo
Antarean
Barbarossa
Beautiful Terror
Bentenmaru
Creed
Deckard’s Dream
Fateful Lightning
Fist of an Angry God
God’s Dice
Hammer of Eternity
Invincible
Lady in Red
Lord of Flies (Carrier)
Newton’s Apple
No Gods, No Masters
O’Niell
Outer Heaven
Prosthetic Conscience
Red Ride
Sin ‘n’ Gin
Venusfall
Walpurgisnacht
War Bastard

>>44830347
A Brilliant Plan to Win the War Involving a Coathanger, Three Nails, Two Balloons and a Pack of Bubblegum. Trust Me On This Guys, This Time It Will Work Mk. XIV
Andromeda or Bust
All The Good Names Were Taken
Aluminum Falcon
Burn The Women, Rape the Fields, Salt the Houses
Don't Fuck With Us. We Will Feel Bad About It Afterward. You Won't.
Doomcock
Don't Worry, It Happens To A Lot Of Warships
Even In The Future Nothing Works
The Flying Fuck
Frumious Bandersnatch
Hastur Hastur Hastur
I don't fucking know, computer! Now stop fucking pestering me to name the ship you warty cunt! Oh fuck, how do I change this? Undo, undo! Look, we've all said some things that you're going to regret. Imma name this here ship Jenny after mah wife. She's old, ugly and all the important bits don't work no more. Shit, is this thing on?
If You Can Read This, You May Be Only Light-Seconds From Death
If You're Reading This, Then We've Just Successfully Stalled You For A Few Crucial Seconds
Indecent Proposal
Invincible Mk. XVII
It Came Free With The Apocalypse
The King In Yellow Paint
Kiss My Gravitas
Litany of Litany’s Litany
More Gravitas Than You Can Handle
Never Mind, Just A Sensor Blip
Nice Once You Get to Know Her
Ninety-Eight Percent Airtight
No Longer Under Warranty
Nobody Here But Us Asteroids
Okumoros (Greek word meaning “Destined for a short life”)
Look At Me, I’m Flying

>>44830368
Roses Are Red
Violets Are Blue
Your Ship Is On Fire
And Now So Are You
Seriously What's the Worst That Could Happen
Shatner
She’s One of Ours, Sir
Sir We Just Lost Life Support
Something More Comfortable
Space Age Love Song
Spherical Cow
Tab A
Terrified of Can Openers
That Windmill Went For a Gun, I Swear
This Side Up
Titanic II
Tough Times Call For Tough Cannons
USS Benedict Arnold
Victory in Less Than Thirty Minutes or Your Megatons Are Free
We Got The Bang, You Bring The Whimper
We Brake For No One
We’re Here About A Noise Complaint
We’re Totally Legit
Yes, Ladies, It Is This Big
You Are All So Boned
You May Have God On Your Side But We Have His Smite Button On Ours
You'd Think A Police State Would Have Stricter Gun Control

Aaaaand that's all I have.

>>44830368
>The King In Yellow Paint

This reminds me of ship names in the old Halo lore. Fucking great.

>>44830347
>>44830368
>>44830384
>leaving out the best one
"The IFF identifies her as the "This is a Mutiny" sir!"

>>44830384
For more inspiration, refer to the following article.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_spacecraft_in_the_Culture_series

what about
>Beautiful Bastard
>Lovely Bitch
just for the sake of lols

>>44830165
I'd prefer calling it 'Killing Time'.

Slightly friendlier: Gunboat Diplomat

>>44830347

>Bentenmaru
If we become a pirate

>No Gods, No Masters
i am more a NCR symphatizer....

>Outer Heaven
Too awesome for us

>>44830442
not "Big Stick"?

Or "Theodore Roosevelt" while at it?

>>44830397
>ship names in the old Halo lore
God those were great.
>Stalwart Dawn
>Eminent Domain
>Two for Flinching
>Ready or Not
>Heart of Midlothian
>Do You Feel Lucky
>Feeling Lucky
(yes, those two are two different ships)
>Glasgow Kiss
>Unto the Breach
>Euclid's Anvil
>Say My Name
>Dawn Under Heaven
>Song of the East

File: hibiki shrug.gif (463 KB, 500x281)

463 KB GIF

>>44830464
If you're gonna be shooting, might as well be direct about it.

>>44830489
>This End Up

>not going with Dawn Under Heaven
It's like you don't want to have fun.

Guys, how about we learn what our new career is BEFORE we rename the boat?

Schlock Mercenary also have many good Ship Name.

from Killer Koala Race:
Scimitar of Irreparable Damage
Staff of Unyielding Order
Cloak of Untrammeled Dignity
Spear of Incalculable Agony
Sword of Indomitable Righteousness
Spear of Intoxicating Agony
Sceptre of Unrelenting Pain

From UNS:
Chesapeake
Chixulub
El'gygytgyn
Morokweng
Popigai
Sudbury
Tunguska
Vredefort

>>44830532
....oh.

>Parrot's Dead
>Post-Dated Check Loan
>Eatonrun
>Fiscal Singularity
>Serial Peacemaker
>Habeas Corpus

File: Sam 1.jpg (556 KB, 490x890)

556 KB JPG

>>44830189
"Just stick close to me and look as menacing as you can, Bradford." You say simply. "You don't need to speak or anything. Got it?"

"Of course, Captain." Bradford nods dutifully.

You nod in acknowledgement and take one more look at the meeting point. It was one of those high class bars. The sort of place that business types or politicians would choose to stop by during their lunch breaks. Lots of glass everywhere, with smooth, curved shapes along the walls, white coloring, bright lighting, and extremely pretentious art everywhere.

You ignore all of it and make a beeline for the booth at the very back corner, where you see a man wearing a dark suit, his arms stretched out casually along the top of the neighboring seats. His face was also partially covered by a large black fedora, but you could make out a cat-like smile on his face.

"Captain Samantha Wellings." He says, not as a question, but a statement.

"That's me." You nod.

"And you brought a bodyguard too." The scout's grin goes wider. Expected, but not necessary. As you can see, I'm not armed at all."

"But you could have compatriots." Bradford frowns as his head swivels around like a security camera.

"No, I don't have anything like that. Too much overhead!" The scout laughs. "Would either of you like drinks? It'll be on my tab."

"No thanks. I don't drink on duty." Bradford shakes his head.

>I could really use a freaking drink.
>No thanks.
>Other

>>44830547
>>44830556
>Schlockmind

>>44830570
>>Other
"lets make a deal first before celebrate it with drink"

>>44830570
>No thanks.
"Trying to ply me with alcohol already are we, Mister...?"

>>44830570
>No thanks.
No business deals while drunk.

>>44830588
I can agree to this. seconding.

>>44830570
>>No thanks.

>>44830570
Seconding >>44830588

>>44830570
>No thanks.

>>44830570
>>I could really use a freaking drink.

>>44830570
>>I could really use a freaking drink.

Don't be a prude, now--he's offering a drink, let's take it. Give us something to admire as we mull over the deal.

>>44830570
Backing >>44830588

>>44830588
This.

>>44830570
This: >>44830588

>>44830570
>Other
Supporting >>44830588

>>44830368
Here's what happens; the bridge crew gets stupidly drunk while renaming the ship and one of these happens. When they sober up, everyone denies suggesting it but the ships already been painted, so they're stuck with it and perpetually embarrassed by it.

>>44830927
Ain't it possible to just re-register the name, especially if it's a private vessel?

>>44830958
Changing a ship's name is bad luck.

>>44830967
So then just paint over the name. Or take a welding torch to it.

>>44830984
It's the thought that counts.

>>44830927
paint, its nothing.
If one of your crew decide to write the name with liberal application of plasma, you need a new hull.

File: schlock20150405-c.jpg (112 KB, 780x313)

112 KB JPG

>>44831005
Then we should provide strict instructions to prevent such mistakes.

>>44831005
Plasma Engraving is definitely what will happen then.

File: Sam 2.jpg (742 KB, 670x880)

742 KB JPG

>>44830570
"Let's make a deal first before we celebrate it with a drink." You say before sitting down across from the talent scout.

"Understandable." The scout nods. "Well, let's get to the meat of the matter, shall we? You're very quickly going to be out of a job, or else you wouldn't be coming to see me."

"That's right." You nod. "I wanted to hear what you would have to say."

"Well, you're in luck!" The scout smiles. "SolSec may bet cutting back, but the Hegemony, Accord, and Confederation are all looking for experienced and skilled ship captains!"

"Why?" You frown.

"Well, for various reasons." The scout shrugs casually. "But mainly, they're all aiming to expand into the Frontier, and to do that, they need more captains willing to fly into the unknown."

"So you're saying, that we become military dogs for one of the three powers?" Bradford asks in an accusing tone.

"Hey, it's not so bad, really." The scout laughs. "Full benefits, instant commission, a brand new ship, and good pay! The only catch is you gotta follow orders from some schmuck a million light years away!"

"And if I'm not interested?" You raise an eyebrow.

"Well now, there are... other ways." The scout slides a datapad to you. Bradford is quick to snatch it up before you can.

"What the..." Bradford glares at the scout. "Where did you get this!?"

"I have my ways." The scout shrugs smugly.

"What is that?" You turn to Bradford.

"The security override codes for the Selene." Bradford grimaces. "There's only one reason why we'd be given these..."

"Hey, I didn't say anything!" The scout chuckles. He then produces a black business card from his white gloved fingers. "This will get you all of the embassies. You can meet my contacts there for further information.

(cont)

>>44830570
The three factions are Terran Hegemony, the Centauri Accord, and the Confederation of Free Systems, which do we think this guy's from and which should we be siding with?
He's clearly a government employee.

File: Hegemony.jpg (41 KB, 594x356)

41 KB JPG

>>44831081
TERRAN HEGEMONY

The Hegemony is by far the largest of the fragmented human territories, maintaining control over most of the original colonies and a few of the outer colonies. Such control was maintained thanks to the Hegemony retaining most of the military power of the old Terran Alliance, quickly and swiftly bringing numerous systems under martial law to stem the tide of rebellion and civil war. Though the martial law has long been lifted, the Hegemony’s tight control over its population remains, with citizens living under a regime of high security and high surveillance.

In terms of government, the Hegemony is run by a singular Hegemon. However, due to security reasons, the exact process of choosing a Hegemon, and even the Hegemon’s actual identity, are kept secret. The Hegemon projects its power through the Hegemon’s Military Governors, who control their own appointed sectors of Hegemony space and run the day to day affairs. The Hegemon’s rules are absolute and unquestionable, giving the Hegemony great strategic flexibility. However, on the tactical level, high controls, a general conservative attitude, and a sprawling bureaucracy make individual Hegemony units slow to react to crises.

The Hegemony’s pride and source of power lie in its powerful fleets, of which are the largest in Terran space. However, the Hegemony Fleet’s massive size is a bit misleading. Due to mistrust of exotic technologies and the logistical pressures of maintaining a large fleet, most of the Hegemony Fleet’s ships are extremely old, with many of them dating back to service with the Terran Alliance. Most Hegemony ships are not armed with the latest shields and energy weaponry, mostly focusing on heavy armor and kinetic weapons to brute force their way through obstacles. In this aspect, the Hegemony remains a force to be reckoned with.

(cont)

File: evnovastarbridge.jpg (49 KB, 640x480)

49 KB JPG

Could... could it be?

Escape Velocity, Merc Command edition?

File: votecentauriaccord.jpg (240 KB, 707x1000)

240 KB JPG

>>44831113
THE CENTAURI ACCORD

In the wake of the Terran Alliance’s dissolution, many of the Alliance’s remaining leaders evacuated to the relative safety of Alpha Centauri, the emergency capital. Despite the failure of the Alliance, its former leaders were determined to keep alive its original ideals of democratic rule and freedom for all under its banner, forming the Centauri Accord. The Accord is the second largest Terran faction. While the accord is united under a single government, the Accord uses a republican style system where each planet and system is equally represented, and there is great stress on maintaining the average citizen’s rights and personal freedoms.

Unlike the Hegemony, the Accord is run by a Senate consisting of representatives from member planets and systems under the Accord. While this ensures that no single planet or system can exert undue influence over the others, this does make it difficult for the Accord to commit to any singular action or policy. However, the Accord’s general liassez faire policies have attracted many powerful intergalactic megacorporations and trade unions, making the Accord an economic powerhouse that eclipses even the Hegemony in scale.

Despite the size of the Accord’s holdings, the general anti-war attitude of its constituents and the reluctance of the Accord to institute conscription or compulsory military service means the Accord’s military forces are extremely small. To counteract this, the Accord has leveraged its economic strengths to invest in technologies to maximize every available soldier they have. Generally, the Accord has the most advanced energy weapon and shielding, as well as the heavy emphasis on automation and robotic drones to perform most menial and dangerous tasks. In addition, due to the Accord’s belief that shields and active protection systems are the best defense, Accord ships generally have much weaker physical armor than their Hegemony and Confederate counterparts.

File: Confederacy.png (111 KB, 400x403)

111 KB PNG

>>44831144
THE CONFEDERATION OF FREE SYSTEMS

After the dissolution of the Terran Alliance, many of the systems on its outermost fringes were the first to break away. Tired of what was in their eyes the iron fisted tyrannical rule of the Alliance, these systems decided to forego a powerful central government, but still recognized the value of common defense. This was when the Confederation, or more commonly known as the Confederacy, was born. In terms of volume of territory, Confederation space actually eclipses even that of the Hegemony, though most of this space is largely sparsely populated, if even populated at all.

Unlike the centrally governed Hegemony and Accord, the Confederacy has no central leadership whatsoever, with each individual system being its own sovereign entity with its own laws and customs. The only thing in common that Confederacy systems agree to is mutual defense. If one Confederacy member is attacked, it is considered an attack on all of them. Other than that, systems in the Confederacy mostly keep to themselves, with unrestricted trade and travel.

Lacking the military might of the Hegemony and the economic power of the Accord, the Confederacy often resorts to whatever is locally available. As such, Confederacy ships tend to be rather ramshackle and unique. These ships are often captured or salvaged Accord or Hegemony craft, or in some cases, amalgamations of multiple ships. This makes every Confederacy ship something of a wild card that makes their performance and tactics frustratingly difficult for planners, and even the ship’s own crew, to predict. Confederacy ships also rely on speed and maneuverability for their defense, installing oversized or overpowered engines in order to dodge or outrun enemy attacks.

>>44831161
Space western?

Sold.

>>44831161
These guys are alright, stuff the other two.

File: 54653946_p0.jpg (298 KB, 1092x1068)

298 KB JPG

>>44831161
"Really? I could join any of the three?" You look at the card with suspicion. "Just.. who ARE you?"

"Just a simple independent talent scout!" The man laughs.

You look at him suspiciously and then back to Bradford.

>I'm ready to make a decision.
>I need to pass this by my crew first.
>Other

>>44831161
THE SOUTH HAS RISEN AGAIN. LET'S GO, BOYS!

>>44831190
>>I need to pass this by my crew first.
Hell they have as much say as we do.

>>44831190
>I need to pass this by my crew first.