File: Map.jpg (1.05 MB, 1024x768)

1.05 MB JPG

Your ship floats there silently and invisibly over what can barely even be called a ship anymore. There are no signs of movement below, any bandits that are around probably somewhere within the comfort of the hulking husk. Your intel is woefully lacking, but then again, who needs intel with guns like these?

What do you do?

>>46822748
Examine where people are moving around and where they enter/exit the wreck?

>>46822748
Use automatons to draw them out and then fire at them with the cannons.

>>46822824
That's a good idea as well.

>>46822927
Maybe use the automatons to that's reactions and from where they engage from?

>>46822967
So bait them with automatons to see their response and numbers. And then blow them up with overwhelming firepower.

>>46822824
You don't see a whole lot of movement down there. There's a few places that look like obvious entrances, but you can't currently see anyone moving around. Either through coincidence or paranoia, nobody is moving around down there.
>>46822829
Just an FYI, to do this someone would need to go down there with them to pilot the lander at least.

>>46823004
>Just an FYI, to do this someone would need to go down there with them to pilot the lander at least.
I'm sure Ruul would love to.

>>46823002
Yes. Do it a few times to make sure we got the timing down. But do it over a day or two to make sure they don't ignore after a bit. And send Ruul down to make sure they don't get to beat up between skirmishes.

>>46823089
Please roll 1d100. Best of 3.

Rolled 71 (1d100)

>>46823134
Don't think there is enough for three different anons to roll yet.

Rolled 69 (1d100)

>>46823134

Rolled 24 (1d100)

>>46823134

>>46823176
Things worked themselves out, then! Writing!

>>46823176
71 ain't terrible.

You get together a small group of 5 automatons, equipping them with rifles and loading them onto the lander. You then have Ruul, the crewman you suspect most likely to be willing to go on what is very easily a suicide mission. Ruul, true to form, is more than happy to go. He even shows off his own little pet project; he's been "customizing" one of the rifles. Which essentially means he's painted flames on it, covered it in all sorts of bits and bobs and attached a longer barrel to it for some reason. You're worried it could be dangerous, but then again, that's right up his alley.

A few minutes later the lander is on it's way down. There's no sign of anyone at first, eerily quiet and abandoned. But the moment the automatons are unloaded, their weapons at the ready, you hear the sounds of gunfire over the radio and can see the machines taking a few hits here and there. You see a small force of maybe ten men charge out, their clothes a mishmash of scrap and furs and their weapons old and a worn. You don't have long before they overwhelm the mechanical soldiers, but they're in range of your guns.

Roll 1d100 to rain down lead on the unsuspecting bandits. Best of 3.

Rolled 70 (1d100)

>>46823493

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>46823493

Rolled 54 (1d100)

>>46823493

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>46823493

>>46823493
Well now. I expected at least a humvee or something to pop out. maybe a hidden gatling emplacement. These guys look like chumps.

You spin up the guns and unleash hell, making sure to wait for Ruul to get clear in the lander. The appearance of your flying fortress is enough to cause the men to freeze. Which makes it all the easier to mow them down with your superior firepower. The heavy rumbling as the immense shells fly from your many barrels shakes the bridge a bit, but they do their job.

Once the dust settles, what lies before you is carnage. Blood, bodies and limbs are scattered everywhere, the whole force of 10 men laid to waste. A couple automatons were caught in the fire and broken apart into so much scrap, but you're the clear victor here.

[-2 automatons]

But is ten men really their whole force? Seems a little small for a bandit camp, but sometimes you don't need to have superior numbers when you have fear on your side. Maybe that was everything they had.

>Send in a scouting party to check the ship
>Good enough, you're done here

>>46823754
>>Send in a scouting party to check the ship

>>46823754
>>Send in a scouting party to check the ship

>>46823774
>>46823797
Writing!

>>46823754
>Send in a scouting party to check the ship

>>46823810
Bah, I'm too slow. Was going to suggest going down with the next wave ourselves. We might be able to negotiate an actual surrender after making their buddies mincemeat.

You're not convinced that was all of them. Ten men? Not a chance. You order a few crew and a couple combat automatons down to sweep the area. You advice caution, having a little experience with bandits and their love for ambushes.

You keep the ships weapons primed, just in case you need to lay down covering fire, and you wait. Watching with baited breath as your team heads inside, guns at the ready, Ruul leading the charge. It's silent for a while. A little too long for your tastes, but you don't see any signs of combat. Then you see them. A group of bandits maybe thirty strong exiting the ship...with their arms in the air. Your crew follow behind, rifles trained on their backs. You then watch Ruul hurry over the lander and the radio crackles to life.

"That was bullshit, captain." you hear him complain "No gunfire, no blind charge, no dodging bullets. They just...gave up. One guy, I guess their leader or something, just said he isn't fucking with the Navy's big guns." you hear a disappointed sigh, followed by some shouting, "What do you want to do with 'em? I mean, they're a buncha' bandits. Not sure what use they'd be to us."

You're being paid to get rid of them, not take prisoners. You have a feeling Kakei won't care for live bandits and probably just have them all killed if you brought them back to him anyway and their trustworthiness is suspect at best. What do you do?

>>46824015

Take them to the prisoner cells under guard.

And bring the Leader to me.

>>46824015
Kill them. Yeah it's a bit fucked for us to do but what else are we gonna do?

>>46824056
>>46824063
Two very conflicting ideas. Should I "flip a coin" or do we have enough players to allow a vote?

>>46824015
Take them prisoner. We've probably got a few cells somewhere. Sure they'll just be killed when we bring them back but it's the principle of the matter.
>>46824056
I support having a chat with the leader. The man has good survival instinct. Might be a good addition to the team, his past aside.

>>46824157
Think we might actually have four of us active in here. Three at the least.

>>46824171
>>46824194
Excellent. Taking prisoners it is. (Yeah, you have some prison cells aboard. You are a military vessel, after all.) Writing.

You have them brought aboard and put in some cells under guard while Ruul and a few crewmen perform a sweep of the downed fortress for anything useful. Their "leader", however, you have brought to you in irons. His name, you're told, is Neil. He is...your typical bandit, really. Filthy, smelly, covered in scars and tattoos and is missing a number of teeth. He's confused when he sees you, looking around the small room you're using as an interrogation chamber.

"Th'fuck's all this, then?" he asks, in a raspy, gravely voice, "You ain't navy, is ya? They love their..." he pantomimes straightening a tie and a large, impressive hat. "The fuck kinda' outfit is this?"

What do you tell him?

>>46824338
>"I guess you could say we're bounty hunters"

>>46824338

"No, not Navy at all. Trader, Pirate, Mercenary. With a very big stick of course.

Come sit, have a drink while you're at it. I'm curious to know what your lot were doing in that fortress, it looked like a good bit of salvage until your men started pouring out."

Once they're squared away, have our automatons and raul/wella start stripping their base for parts.

There must some stuff we can use or claim for our own.

>>46824338
"I like to think of myself as a privateer of profit. Much more like yourself than the Navy just a little... more moral?"
>Offer the man a job.

>>46824438

Lets hold up on the offer first. First off, this guy is a slaver. Lets hear his story first and see if he attempts to lie his ass off.

Also, quite curious that there are no slaves in the base.

>>46824434
Agree on the stripping their base for valuables. I think we should be a good merchant and list our loot for when we return though. Some of this might be better used to curry favor. (Plus, most of this is stolen so it's a very morally grey action to just say finders keepers)

"No, not Navy at all. Trader, Pirate, Mercenary. With a very big stick of course.

Come sit, have a drink while you're at it. I'm curious to know what your lot were doing in that fortress, it looked like a good bit of salvage until your men started pouring out."

You put your feet up, no stranger to the "be confident and people will give you what you want" game. You pour the two of you a little wine courtesy of the kitchen. It's only cooking Sherry, but it's the best you've got. Judging by the noisy, disgusting way Neil is slurping it down, he doesn't really care.

The bandit wipes his mouth off on his sleeve and leans back in his chair. "Pirates, huh? Ain't too many o'those anymore since th' queen got taken out. You tryin' t'fill her shoes or somethin'?" he laughs at this a little too hard, his rancid breath hitting you like a hammer, "So whattaya want with me, huh? Lookin' fer an easy bounty? Good luck with that, boy. The law don't play nice-nice with pirates, even if they bring in bounties."

"I just want to know what your deal is." you say, waving off the stench of this man's impressive halitosis. "How'd you get in good with the governor? Why slavery?"

"Fat fuck came to us." Neil says plainly, "Greedy little piggy, that'un." he grins at this, showing off his brown-green teeth, "A man after my own heart, he is. We'd been attackin' caravans in the area for months. Good scores. Take the goods, kill the men, enjoy the women, then sell all of it off in Brun and do it again.

He made a dipl'matic choice; we get him the slaves for a little gold, we lay off the killin' and stealin' some, 'e leaves us to our own devices. As for why slavery? 'Cause pretty faces'n strong backs are always in demand." he snorts, hocking up a glob of something you'd rather not think about onto the floor.

>Want a job?
>No thanks, I don't deal with slaver scum
>Other (write in)

>>46824718
>No thanks, I don't deal with slaver scum

>>46824718

Wheres brun?

>>46824718
>Very begrudgingly offer him a job.
It pains me to say this but I still think this guy'd be useful. He's the first real 'connection' we have to actual pirates, smugglers, and y'know... the general filth of society. I'm not saying we should like him and he'll definitely try to stab us in the back at some point, but maybe we should try and tolerate him for now? At least until we milk him for all he's worth.

>>46824718
>>No thanks, I don't deal with slaver scum

>>46824809
I don't think our 3 newest crew members would see it the same as you.

I think I know what we'll do.

We hand them to the ELF.

That might make the group more amendable to us. Also idiot group that is manipulable.

>>46824826
That's very true. Didn't think about those three yet.

Also, I keep forgetting we recruited from ELF. They haven't done much more than pantomime our name.

>>46824904
The ex-ELFs have pretty much changed their cause to yours. They have opinions on extra-species treatment, but as far as they're concerned they're the proud crew of the mighty Isaac.

Writing.

>>46824937

Well we can send this lot to the old ELF.

Something for them to vent on.

You sigh, growing weary of the bandit and his...specific brand of manners. There's no real place for him aboard your ship, especially with your recent additions of the girls and ELF transplants. Plus you have a sneaking suspicion that they'd just stab you in the back at the first chance they got.

"I...see..." you say, downing the last of your wine "Well, this has been...an experience, Neil, but I'm afraid I don't...actually, wait. You said Brun? The Underground City, right? What can you tell me about it? Where is it hidden?"

Neil stares at you for a moment, surprised. "Y'don't...wow...kid, you are green, aren't ya?" he laughs again, wheezing and slapping his knee "Th'fuck a milksop like you get a ship like this? Yer a piece o'work, boy. A real fuckin' piece o'work." Neil suddenly goes quiet, a wicked grin spreading across his lips, "What's in it fer me, little captain?"

What do you say? You could offer him something, try to threaten him or just say to hell with it and tell him you changed your mind if you want. Or try another approach if you so desire.

>>46825139
>I won't push you out the door while we're in flight.

>>46825139
Scowl at him. "Either I give you to the brother of that 'Fat Fuck' or I drop you off in the local ELF encampment. They've got a lot of repressed rage that they need an outlet for fast."

I may have wanted him and still want his info, but we're still a merchant. We don't do bad deals, not when we have this much power over the other guy.

>>46825230
>>46825302
Roll 1d100 for threats. Best of 3.

Rolled 85 (1d100)

>>46825362
"WHERE ARE THE DRUGS GOING."

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>46825362

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>46825362
Rolling fampai.

>>46825302
did you have to name drop them so fast.

If he does give us the info, we can't give him to the ELFs.

No need to lay the cards out. We could easily just say we'll let him off. From the sky.

>>46825544
That just made me think of some kind of rapping vampire. Writing!

>>46825557
Sending him to fanatics is worse than sending him to the governor to be. One sends you to the firing range, the other crucifies you after hours of stoning and slow torture for no other means than revenge.

>>46825651

Justice will be served by those who demand it.

That it brings ELF back into something approaching usability is also good.

>>46825680
Feeding the mob is never a good political move unless your endgame is toppling the current regime. The mob gets the idea that all they need to do to get their way is kill a few more people.

>>46825748

It's not. This group was handed to them on a silver platter. For punishment. That they'll see the city undergo a regime change will limit what damage they will be inclined to further commit. This is not them hunting down the slavers themselves in vigilante justice, this is the perps being offered up to them.

File: Map (Brun locations).jpg (1.14 MB, 1024x768)

1.14 MB JPG

"I won't push you out of the door while we're in flight." you say calmly, "Or give you to the Fat Fuck's brother...or the local ELF encampment. They've got a lot of repressed rage that they need an outlet for fast. Wow, you have a lot of enemies, Neil."

Neil's cocky smirk vanishes immediately, but comes back after a moment and he chuckles, "Looks like I had ya pegged wrong, boy. You got the makin's of a pirate yet. Still green, but yer gettin' there. Gimme a map, son."

One quick search later and you have a map. Neil points out not one single area, but several on the map. If he's telling the truth, Brun is goddamn massive! It's not a city so much as an entire section of Prism! How is this even possible?! He's smug about it, but he assures you this is correct. It has several entrances spread out, but they all lead to the dark underbelly of the criminal world.

This will be extremely helpful, though what you'll find when you get there is unknown. But the problem still stands; you only promised not to get Neil and his men killed outright. What do you do with him?

>Keep him locked up for now, maybe he'll be useful later
>Set him loose, he's not a threat to you
>Other (write in)

>>46825804
>Keep him locked up for now, maybe he'll be useful later

>>46825804
>Go back on our word. Give him to the new governor.
Bah. Didn't want to sign the 'you won't die' card.Since we can't invite him on and benefit from his heinous past I don't see a reason to keep this scum around. Plus, are we really going to feed and provide for 30 prisoners for weeks as we try and think up some humane punishment?

>>46825804
>>Other (write in)
"Humour me a little. If I set you loose what will you and your crew get up to? Having contacts and knowing where their areas of operations will be fairly useful."

>>46825949
I reaaally don't want to do that. Not only are we letting him go we're basically double crossing Kakei.

>>46826003
Are we?

We were to remove the slavery problem. They stop slavery, the problem goes away.

>>46825874
>>46825947
>>46825949
Some pretty differing ideas. Any tie breakers?

All of those choices, including going back on your word are well within your abilities. Nothing is really holding you to anything beyond your own morals, and you ARE a pirate.

>>46826107
And who's to say they won't just go back to being bandits, and also tell everyone about our airship.

>>46826107
Spirit of the deal my friend, not the letter. If we let these guys go free they'll get up to mischief just as bad.

>>46826147
I'll change from lock him up to give him to the brother.

>>46826151
Word gets around. If you thought we'd remain incog forever, that'll be a mistake. Considering the first town we went to, we didn't have the cloak.

>>46826166
And then be a potential resource we can tap on. We just tell him to stay away from our areas of influence and they'll be a drain on Navy resources as they'll have to deal with them as well as track us down.

>>46826171
Alright. Promises are for non-pirates anyway! Writing!

>>46826262
I appreciate having a roving band of cutthoats to turn to when the going gets rough, but we're a boat comprised of the minorities these bandits target.

Letting them out of the Beast is giving them a license to rape and murder merchants minorities and small families. Maybe even hunt a tree-lady if they want to do some work considered halfway respectable. We can't make them toe our moral line, and I don't think Isaac would even entertain the notion of endorsing the type of people who've probably preyed on him in the past.

You look at the map carefully, then roll it up and put it under your arm, standing up and walking out the door, stopping to instruct the guards.

"Take him back to one of the cells. As soon as Ruul gets back, we're bringing them to Kakei."

"Wh-you said you...!" Neil says angrily, standing up suddenly, only to get a gun pointed in his face. He stops for a moment, that wide, filthy grin spreading across his face again. "Gettin' there, kid! Green, but gettin' there!" the wheezing, raspy sound of his laughter trails off through the ship as you walk back to the bridge, feeling...conflicted. You went back on a promise, sure, but the guy was scum. He needs to be removed from the equation. Plus he's seen you and your ship. The government works him over, he could spill everything he knows.

About an hour later, Ruul's search team returns with a hefty amount of scrap and parts they could salvage. The ship was too damaged and exposed to the elements for too long for a lot of it to be of use to you, but there's still plenty worth taking. And your "head engineer" apparently has good news for you.

"Captian!" Ruul shouts, running up to you, "Captian, you gotta see this! It was mostly garbage, but there was a diamond in that pile of shit! C'mon!" he grabs you by the arm and practically drags you down to the cargo hold, through all the boxes of junk the men brought aboard to something very large laying under a sheet.

The excitable greasemonkey tears the cover off and holds his arms out triumphantly. What he's found is both exciting and terrifying; laying there in your cargo hold is the absolutely biggest and most intimidating piece of machinery you've seen since your own ship. It's similar to an automaton in overall look, clockwork gears, magical bits and pieces you don't understand, armor plating and a height of easily eight feet at least. It's been banged up a bit and covered in graffiti, but looks like it could be fixed up.

(Cont.)

"A mechanical knight, captain!" Ruul says proudly, "He's beat up to hell and back and the bandits were using it as decoration, but the mana battery is intact and most of the damage is minor considering. It's an old model, too. They stopped making these things a long time ago. Too expensive, too much work, but I could fix this big motherfucker up and we'll have some serious firepower on our side. What'cha think?"

>Hell yes (requires a full day to fix, pushes barrier repair back to 3 days)
>Not now, I want that barrier up ASAP

>>46826648
>Hell yes (requires a full day to fix, pushes barrier repair back to 3 days)

>>46826648
>>Not now, I want that barrier up ASAP

>>46826648
>Hell yes (requires a full day to fix, pushes barrier repair back to 3 days)
The knight protects.

>>46826648
>>Not now, I want that barrier up ASAP

Shields more important.

>>46826648
>>Not now, I want that barrier up ASAP

>>46826703
Barrier first, giant robot bodyguard second. Writing.

"Not now, I want that barrier up ASAP." you say.

"Awww..." Ruul looks defeated, sadly pulling the sheet back over the machine man's form. He sighs and trudges back to his work in the engine room, looking over his shoulder at you a few times as he does like a sad puppy scolded for chewing up your slippers.

You head back to the bridge and take a seat, noticing Freyja is giving you a displeased look for a moment, but returning to watching Lisa spinning around in a circle until she falls over.

You set a course for Kakei's hideout, arriving before too long. It takes a bit for you to find that same little area, but fumble around long enough until you find it. You head down on your own, the many people milling about watching your every move. Most of them appear to be packing up, probably getting ready for the move to Ao.

You enter Kakei's room, much of it being boxed up like the rest of the hideout. Rei and Kei are there with him, but Itoi is nowhere to be seen. Kakei greets you happily, asking if the problem has been resolved.

"I have most of the bandits, the ones still alive anyway, under lock and key. They're yours to do with as you see fit." you say.

"You seem to enjoy taking prisoners, Mr. Isaac." Kakei says, smiling warmly "But this is not a bad thing. A public execution of these beasts will do wonders for the city's morale. Thank you." he walks over to a wall, pressing a hidden switch that swings it open like a door. Behind is a massive safe he opens with a small key from his pocket. From it he produces two things; one is a sizable box he opens to reveal a very sizable sum of money. More than you've ever seen in your life, in fact. This guy is loaded.

The other is an official document, listing you as a citizen of Ao and granting you open access to most of the city, including the ship docks. It even lists you as having a Class A trader's license. A real one, this time. Hot damn, this guy has connections!

(Cont.)

"You have aided Ao in more ways than you know, Mr. Isaac. You are, as far as I'm concerned, a hero. I thank you." Kakei bows deeply, with Rei and Kei following suit. "Your payment is here in full, with the men I have allotted you waiting outside. And, one last thing..." he nods to the twins, who approach, kneeling before you.

"Rei and Kei have served me faithfully for years. They are loyal, resourceful and deadly at their craft. However, as an actual official, I do not have need for assassins. I will not lead through fear and bloodshed like my brother. I am above such things. So, I would like you to take them with you. You are good man, Isaac. I trust you. They trust you. And we all agree you will go on to do more great things. Will you accept them aboard your vessel?"

What do you say?

>>46827195
Only if they follow my orders from now on and not yours.

>>46827195
"Could always use a good pair of hands. I'll take good care of them."

>>46827216

Rather obvious he'll have some influence over them. But I don't think we need to antagonise him like that.

>>46827290
Probably just don't want to wake up dead ya know?

>>46827370
Well not like those girls are going to be able to trick their way out of a wet paper bag.

>>46827379
Nope but they could probably cut through most of those on board with little difficulty,

>>46827400
So if their trickery skill is so low, we'd see it coming a mile away.

"Could always use a good pair of hands. I'll take good care of them." you say, shaking Kakei's hand. He returns it warmly.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some packing and preparations to do. But you are welcome in Ao any time. Consider it your new home."

You make your way up the stairs, only to find a contingent of 50 men and women, all of whom are wearing the strange robe-pants the twins are. Ao has odd fashion, but it seems functional, at least. They collectively bow, leaving you feeling more than a little awkward, but still more captain-y than before.

[+50,000G]
[+50 crew, -1,000G/week]

You are back aboard the Beast and have plenty of options of where to go next. You could head back to Ao if you'd like and check out the new facilities. With an actual refitting dock, you could, with a little time, get the Vapor Cannon up and running again if you'd like, though time is the key word there.

Or you could head elsewhere, including the underground city of Brun.

Or you could speak to one or more of your crew and get their input on the current situation.

>>46827451
Can we get actual crew for this instead of those idiots?

>>46827460
These new recruits are actual crew and have real skills. Kakei didn't just scrape the bottom of the barrel. You have dependable men and women now!

>>46827451
Head to Ao and talk to Freyja on the way.

>>46827555
Yeah, she's probably upset we killed people or something.

>>46827644
Women, am I right?! Writing.

>>46827699
OP ded?

You set a course for Ao, wanting to check out your new digs and maybe get some work done on the ship. You also recall Wong having a proposition for you, though you have a feeling it'd be less-than-legal.

In the meantime, however, that look Freyja gave you has been bothering you. Did you make her angry somehow? You head over to the Tul, who is currently watching Lisa drawing something on a little bit of paper. You wonder where the art supplies came from, but then again you still have trouble finding the bathroom at times. Your ship is confidingly large.

"Hey," you say, sitting down next to her "so, uh...I noticed you...were displeased with something, I think?"

Freyja looks at you for a moment, almost in disbelief, then sighs. "You..." she mimes shooting a gun, apparently not want to talk about it out loud with her daughter present "those men. I get this ship comes with certain...abilities, but that doesn't mean you need to use them..."

Ah, the Tul pacifism thing. Right. "I know, but...I mean, they weren't good people. They were slavers. Bandits. Thieves. Getting rid of them only improved the lives of those around them." you say.

"And what if they had families? Would it have improved their lives as well? Their parents? Siblings? Children? They're still people, Isaac. People can be reasoned with, handled. You didn't need to...to do what you did. There are other ways." Freyja looks actually angry now.

"I...yeah but..." you struggle to find the words. Tabby, who was sulking in a nearby corner, however, does not...

(Cont.)

>>46827507
'Real skills'. Like taking over the ship when Kakei needs a favor from the navy.
>>46827644
They totally fired first. We were defending our engineer with a deathwish.

"Those were NOT people." the asocial redhead pipes up, a hot red flush fading into being on her face. "Those were not humans. Those were not men. Those were...monsters! Animals! I couldn't give a damn about their families! For all I care, they can rot! They certainly don't share your sentiment! Do you know what it's like to be torn from your family, only to watch your father, the man who raised you himself your whole life, pushed to the ground and killed in front of you?!" she's almost screaming now. Everyone on the bridge is staring.

"I..." Freyja tries to reply, but the girl's pain is hard to stand up to

"His blood splashed on my face! They LAUGHED at my tears! They beat me over and over until I stopped resisting, only to take me to that pig to be..." Tabby can't bring her to say it, but you have a good idea of what she's implying. Tears are rolling down her cheeks now "You don't know what a person is! You don't know a damn thing about right and wrong! You live in some fantasy world where death and suffering don't exist! You don't know ANYTHING you GLOWING BITCH!" and with that, Tabby storms off, furious and screaming.

Freyja is stunned.

What do you do?

>>46828067

Pat her hand. "Don't take it to heart. She hasn't had it good. I'll go talk to her."

To the crew: "As you were." Get them back on their job and to stop gawking. Then go after Tabby. Time for that talk.

File: if it takes forever.gif (500 KB, 500x318)

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>>46828002
I am not a fast man. I am sorry.

>>46828067
That is what we prevented from happening for a few days at least Freyja. However I do see your point in that not all people can be shot. Crew carry on. Go after her.

>>46828118
Supporting

>Try and explain Karma to Freyja. Also talk about what happened when you and the rebels attempted to steal the Beast.

"Sometimes we fight because there's no other choice. Even if they did have families, even if more people will suffer now that they're gone... Those people were like the guard who 'commandeered' my cart. The soldiers who tried to take your daughter from you. They didn't think anything of the pain that they caused to others. Only about how to satisfy their own selfish wants."

>>46828118
>>46828156
Writing!

>>46828204
The other ones have good bits as well. They're kinda the same.

Oh, the quest is still live :D

AM, I wish I could participate more, but as things are you invariably run it while I'm asleep :-/ 9 hours of time difference.

So just keep up the good work and give me something enjoyable to read for breakfast ^^

>>46828004
You mentioning the 'Tul' thing reminded me she's basically Galadriel. She's about as weird and otherworldly as Ay'ai.

You give Freyja a sad look, patting her hand gently. "Don't take it to heart. She hasn't had it good. I'll go talk to her."

"Y...yeah..." Freyja says, currently unable to look you in the eye. "I...I didn't mean..." she trails off, unsure of how to proceed here.

"This is what we prevented from happening for a few days at least, Freyja. However I do see your point in that not all people can be..." you pantomime the gun like she did, "Crew, carry on!" you announce, your men hurrying back to their stations and duties.

You hurry off after Tabby, finding her being a simple matter of following the crying and sound of things being thrown. She's in her quarters, one she shares with the other two women. Her face is red and eyes puffy with tears and there's a number of things strewn about the room. You cautiously enter, ready to dodge a thrown book or something.

"Tabby." you say gently. The girl doesn't look at you. She is simply sobbing to herself. You try putting a comforting hand on her shoulder, only to have it swatted away.

"Don't you fucking touch me!" she screams, a look of rage and sadness mixing on her face. "You fucking...all of you men are the same! I'm not going back to that life! That...I'd rather die!"

"Hey, hey, I'm not going to-" you try to speak, but are cut off by that thrown book you were worried about.

"Bullshit!" Tabby yells. You're sure the crew must be hearing every word of this, "You're no fucking different! The things those horrible fucks did to me! That fat asshole did! And then that Tul bitch just...had the gal to say they don't deserve to die?! Fucking idiot! Dumb fucking moron!"

You need to choose your words wisely here. This won't be easy. What do you say to her?

>>46828272
Glad you like it, anon! Thanks for the kind words! Yeah, being on the West coast is kind of a bad situation for questing.
>>46828389
All shall love her and despair!

>>46828418
No not all men Tabby.

>>46828500
Any chance to run at noon on a weekend? That's afternoon for eastcoasters, early evening for Europeans, and morning for kangaroos

>>46828582
I already run Pandora on Saturdays, I'm afraid. Someday I might try running early on a Sunday when I have the day free.

>>46828418

"Would it make you feel better when those men died? Or do you have the desire to end their lives yourself?

Those slavers. Those scum. They will hang by the neck until dead before the week is out and if you really want to. If it will bring you closure, it can be arranged, for you to pull the lever.

I'm sorry about what happened. To you, to your father. I'm sure he was a good man. He gave his life trying to protect you. He loved you greatly and I'm sure he wouldn't want to see you like this."

Also ask her where her home was. I'm quite sure her father was never buried. We can head there to give him a proper burial.

>>46828543
I shouldn't have laughed at that.
>>46828642
Writing!

>>46828736
??????

>>46828418
Your life is yours now.

A world filled with so many things and so many people is overwhelming. I don’t know what you’ve been through, but I do know you have a choice. You can follow the emptiness inside and wander aimlessly, or you can dig deep down and look into the harbored memories of your past and really think on what your father would want of you.

Working to find happiness once the wonder fades from the world isn’t easy, but I think you’re tough, I think you can fight to build something worthwhile. If you want someone to help with that, let me know.

(Walks out of the room quietly)

You sit on one of the other beds, adopting a soft tone. "Would it make you feel better when those men died? Or do you have the desire to end their lives yourself?

Those slavers. Those scum. They will hang by the neck until dead before the week is out and if you really want to. If it will bring you closure, it can be arranged, for you to pull the lever.

I'm sorry about what happened. To you, to your father. I'm sure he was a good man. He gave his life trying to protect you. He loved you greatly and I'm sure he wouldn't want to see you like this."

Tabby goes quiet for a moment, save for the occasional sob. Then she looks over to you, hate filling her eyes, but not for you. "I want to watch them die. I want to see them go limp. I want my face to be the last thing they see. That's a start. That's a fucking start..." she huffs angrily, "You...you're an instrument of my revenge, Isaac. Nothing more. I know you'll want something in return for this and I don't give a fuck if you do. You can have it. But I want vengeance. Anything to see those sons of bitches die by my hand."

"Your life is yours now." you say, a little bit of worry crawling up your back.

"A world filled with so many things and so many people is overwhelming. I don’t know what you’ve been through, but I do know you have a choice. You can follow the emptiness inside and wander aimlessly, or you can dig deep down and look into the harbored memories of your past and really think on what your father would want of you.

Working to find happiness once the wonder fades from the world isn’t easy, but I think you’re tough, I think you can fight to build something worthwhile. If you want someone to help with that, let me know." You give her your best understanding smile, but you have a feeling she's not listening anymore.

"Where...where are you from? I'm guessing your dad didn't get a proper...uh, burial. Maybe we could-"

"Blakkaz." she says curtly.

(Cont.)

"There's nothing left to bury, Isaac. It's a pile of ashes and death now. Almost no one survived that attack. They took everything, everyone who was useful, then burned the rest. Blakkaz is gone..."

>Would you like to go see it anyway?
>I guess no point in going there, then.

>>46828894
>Would you like to go see it anyway?

>>46828894
>>Would you like to go see it anyway?

>>46828894
>>Would you like to go see it anyway?

>>46828894
>>Would you like to go see it anyway?

We need time for the crew to mesh together properly. Also, Blakkaz is close to Hueits and I've been wanting to go there for a while now.

>>46828872

“But you aren’t,

Blakkaz will remain so long as you do. Do what you can to keep moving, but don’t forget to bring them along. Whether you decide to go back and honor their memories, go on your way in the world, or stay on with us a while longer, we’ll do our best to support your decision. All I ask is that you going forward for yourself, don’t linger in a fading past.”

And then head out to get something to eat, and maybe some more of that cooking sherry.

"Would you like to go see it anyway?" you ask, "I mean, closure and all that, you know?"

"...Fine." Tabby says, a hint of venom in her voice. You can tell she's reluctant, but is giving you a bit of leeway. "But there's nothing there. No secret vault full of treasure, no ancient magical artifacts, nothing. It's...it's all just dead."

You shrug, "If it'll help, I don't see why we shouldn't."

"Whatever..." she says, laying down on her bed, facing away from you, "Leave me alone. I'm taking a nap."

You nod and back out of the room quietly, heading back to the bridge.

Freyja looks at you. "It'll...it'll take time, but she'll come around, I think." you say.

"I...sorry..." the Tul says, looking more than a little ashamed. "I...I won't like it, but...if you have to..." she does the gun again, "Like...really have to...I understand..."

You put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, then head back to your seat.

It's getting on early evening when you arrive in Ao. Where would you like to go? You could moor the ship at the docks and see about the Vapor Cannon (requires ship to be uncloaked for now) or leave it cloaked and hidden outside the city.

Also, where in the city would you like to check out? Odds are the bandits won't be touched until tomorrow.

>>46829142
Lets go dock. Then go get some good food at somewhere nice to celebrate. See if anyone else wants to come. Promise there'll be no guns or fighting as well.

>>46829142

Leave it cloaked. Check out the tea shop again for the job.

Also, have an elf crewman run a message to the ELF. Telling them when the slavers will be hung and that the city is under new management.

>>46829142
>Head to the trading post for work. We have a shiny new A rank after all. Take Wella.

I'd suggest Freyja and Lisa as well, but I'm afraid about leaving the ship powerless next to a city.

I'm voting here and now that vapor cannon is the last thing we ever fix. I don't want to even touch that thing.

>>46829142
Dock, party, DONT go to the teashop. Focus on the burned village and legal stuff for now.

Hell, now that MC is legit A class and has some cash, maybe he can fulfill his dream of high tier commerce.

>>46829234

>>46829185
Adding on what this guy said. Freyja hasn't been out of the ship in a while and a modestly good time is needed after all this. Plus, now we've got a friendly port. I still want to get a job with Wella though.

I'd be alright if we get one pulled over us if we dock the ship. We're not used to being on guard 24-7 and it's better to get fucked over than to end up paranoid and treating our staff like automatons.

Alright, looks like dock, enjoy yourself with your crew, head to the Trader's Guild and see what newfound joy your legit license could get you.

Writing.

You turn the veil off, no doubt freaking out pretty much everyone in the city immensely. You see the city's defenses swivel to point at you, but a hasty radio to the city guard gets them lowered. They're very concerned, as no one outside the Navy has anything even remotely that size, but they figure it's best to just let things be for now. They have enough on their plate as it is.

You are guided into the largest section of dock they have, actually taking up several smaller docks in the process of mooring. There is a large number of mechanics and pilots running around below, air ships of every make and model flying to and fro. Mostly trading vessels and personal ships, though a few have rather heavy armaments for their size. Most likely mercenaries and bodyguards.

You give the crew leave for the night, telling them to be back my morning or they get left behind. Then you ask around to see who'd like to go with you for a nice meal and such.

Ay'ia prefers to stay with her trees for now, as they are still taking root and getting used to their new home.

Freyja welcomes the chance to stretch her legs and show Lisa around and will gladly join you.

Wella agrees too, though Ruul is far too busy making sure the barrier gets finished. He almost snarls Wella into staying, but a stern look from you shuts him up.

Rei & Kei are doing the bodyguard thing and following you around everywhere.

The slave girls would like to join you, but they're too worried about Tabby and will stay behind to keep her company.

Roll 1d100. Best of 3.

Rolled 87 (1d100)

>>46829491
Rolling for food.

Rolled 77 (1d100)

>>46829491

Rolled 42 (1d100)

>>46829491

>>46829506
Pretty good food.

After speaking with the dock foreman at length and having a large number of slack-jawed shipwrights gawk at the Beast, he tells you that to get the Vapor Cannon online would take 5 days and, after some talking him down, cost 15,000G. He doesn't ask any questions, knowing better than to stick his nose into business like this. If the money's good, who cares why you have a gun bigger than most entire air ships?

Do you want to get the Vapor Cannon online? (Requires the Beast to remain in Ao for the entire duration, but renting an air ship is an option if you'd like to travel during this time.)

>>46829609
Can Ruul finish the barrier and the mech knight in that amount of time?
Yes either way just curious.

>>46829633
Yeah. The VC will be worked on by the dock workers and require nothing of you or your crew beyond patience and money. Ruul is free to do as he pleases, including finishing the barrier and repairing the Mechanical Knight.

>>46829609

Do it. We can repair other stuff in the meantime.

>>46829609
Might as well, we can wonder around for a bit more while we wait.

>>46829609
I don’t want to use the gun, but it will be good to have it.
>Wait 5 days.

>>46829708
Good stand off weapon against the navy when they come for it.

>>46829633
>>46829669
>>46829703
>>46829708
Alright! You have committed to staying in Ao for the week while they work on getting your very own WMD online!

I think this is as good a place as any to call it a night, everyone! Thank you as always for playing and I hope you enjoyed everything! If you liked the quest, please vote for it on the archive and follow me on Twitter for future updates!
I can stay to answer any questions about the game or world if you have any, but otherwise thanks again and have a good night!
Fun fact: Almost every major/"special" crew member has a themesong.

>>46829787
Examples?

Thank you for writing!

>>46829816
Isaac's is the quest's theme, obviously: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eVrlMoombE
Freyja's: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbRnXaTIN2I
Rei & Kei: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkWltl_ltLE
Ay'ia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fmMK0lfv80

And there are others, of course. Of your current crew's major characters, the only one who doesn't have one yet is Wella.

>>46829787
Arranging for tabby to be the executioner, can we do this?

I also want to delay their death, till we get back from her hometown. Just to try and stop her from going full punisher.

>>46829884
You won't know until you try, though with how much the governor owes you, it's a possibility.

>>46829787
Thanks for running AM.
PQ on saturday?

>>46829935
Thank you for playing! Yeah, PQ will be on Saturday at it's normal time!

>>46829868
Oh, and I forgot.
Ruul's: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV0F_XiR48Q

>>46829999
Thanks for running boss.