>>47947377
>AAAAWWWWWWW YYYYYIIIISSSSSS!!! MOTHERCLUCKIN' MECHA SPACE PIRATE QUEST!

Welcome back, Mr. Wong. Hopefully that was the timeskip.

Also, 4chan did not want to cooperate with me at first.

So, we're going to do a little timeskip to the end of the week and Fatima's return. Roarke has a lot of small, minor tasks worth glossing over on his plate, but rather than have breather chapter after breather chapter devoted to lighthearted fun, I thought it was time we got down to business.

Seeking out the Master for training has not happened yet. I would never skip over something like that. A pirate's life is often a busy one.

>>47947377
Ey Wong. I finished Moe's mech. Took a while to finangle it, but it's pretty nice. http://pastebin.com/1TZc5WFk

Just to confirm this, you wanted to initially send out a dummy transport to make sure Rashad held up his end of the deal, correct?

>>47947451
That was my plan at the time. Considering our caution and how we have been dealing with several things recently, it's a fair thing to do. Though research on the guy is good as well if possible.

>>47947446
I can't imagine 4 Kills of damage will be sufficient against most of the enemies Moe will face, given that he'll generally be facing other aces rather than shitloads of mooks (against which a Wide Angle Beam Weapon will probably be better than an AF EMW). Anyone with moderately high-SP Beta Armor won't take very much damage at all from him.

>>47947523
It'd be 5 thanks to his arms and this is not as small as you think. dual linked quick beam sabers means that he will hit 4 times a action with no modifer affecting his attack at all. that is 4 hits of 5 that negate 4 armor. He can also attack once a turn automatically, again with those 4 hits of 5 to anyone who is in his attack zone.

His guns and shields are also designed to deal with different types of foes. Slayer's heavy missiles would be worthless against the anti missile function and the striker shield can take a sniper shot. With it's -1 maneuver it is also making the most out of his stat scores.

He is not going to hit hard, but like a mini black ogre he is going to hit a LOT.

>>47947446

There are a lot of things to like about it...but a few things I dislike, and one that initially has me extremely skeptical.

It needs the SP of the shield listed, for sure. Don't just put down "Heavy Striker". The format I use on the Rogues' Gallery is very, very, very strongly preferred.

I love the concept of the MOE system. The damage seems a little low, however, there are a lot of opponents that could simply laugh it off. Also, just glancing at it I can't tell how many spaces a MOE system takes up. As for Fragile, I'm hoping you're aware that under the rules for mated weapons it applies to both modes, not just the dagger blast.

Finally, and this is the big one, the verniers. There's no way to sugar-coat this, but...I feel like we've hit a MAD situation where two people (you and the Paladin guy) will absolutely not build a mech with significant MV, which clashes with the existing ace mecha a lot.

As it stands, any fight with Moe would take hours and he would probably win, even against the Knuckle Kaiser, just with the sheer lack of MV he has. I honestly don't quite know what to do here, ban verniers? Completely remake every SOUL machine and the KK to keep up? Scrap the mech whose low MV was its main selling point? Maybe stop using player-built mecha entirely? It's going to deserve some serious thought.

>>47947436
Any chance you can tell us what happened after we left off? Like did the girls make a deal?

>>47947645
Perhaps you can give us some restrictions? Build a mech within such and such range of weight, with such and such systems available? It's not like Moe will have access to all technologies in the ATM, and even existing technologies will have limitations on how much power they can use or put out.

Mechs of a given cost should rightfully be at roughly the same power level, so restricting us from some of the more cheesy exploits would probably be for the best even though it would make my inner munchkin cry.

Also, houserule or not, every mech in this game has been built on the assumption that Weight Efficiency is added last. I looked at the flowchart Anon mentioned in the ATM, and while it's sort of vague unless the writers clarified in a totally unrelated section, it looks to ME like you buy thrusters with and for the BASE WEIGHT of your mech, and purchase Weight Efficiency after that. It's then written on the sheet in a later step for some dumb reason.

So, for 10 MA (and please put it down as 500 meters per turn, for my sanity, since we aren't using hexes), you would need 17 spaces of thrusters. QM's call.

Also, there's an absolute and complete ban of space efficiency use for thrusters. I thought I mentioned this earlier, but I want to be sure everyone is aware of it. Absolutely everyone. A single thruster is considered its own miniature one-Space one-CP system, and cannot be further reduced.

>>47947645
well, consider a 4 kill beam would be 1 kill anyways, I went with fragile since there was no point in it being heavier but not getting any benefit from it. It also fits with my idea that the machine was basically using parts of a mech that was suppose to be rather idol like.

I will add the striker thing as well next time so apologies there. As for why the MV? Well, the thing with Moe that I've seen is he's not quite built for anything heavy. He's still pretty young and anything with more skill could crush him like a ant. So, I simply made it so that on the same field he would be able to trade blows(as is, he'd be at 15 to KK's 14-15 to hit, so fair footing.) So rather than build him super strong, I went versatile and light. Of course, he can't go any lower and soon the Kaiser will be able to lower his Weight and increase the gap once more.

It's also more costly for him to keep his systems light since his beam weapons, shields, and body eat up CP fast. Even a minor upgrade will have to force me to use Weight efficiency instead of verniers since it's be a huge waste in space and cp.

Though feel free to steal the moe system and customize it. With the build I went for, I had to downsize it since the costs were crazy.

>>47947719

I don't know. Honestly, the fact that the recent chapters have been all mech construction and people's homebrewed mechs that they write up in their own format with often vital information missing and need an immediate response on, frequently one I haven't thought about, when I'm trying to type plot, is the one thing that kills my enthusiasm the most. If this quest goes on hiatus ever it will be because of that.

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Minor decision reached. For me to accept a mech, it absolutely HAS to be in the Rogues' Gallery format, because I can glance at those and immediately understand how they were built and for what purpose.

>>47947784
Apologies. I try to do what I can, but reading the rules makes it a bit tricky to figure out and when I find something I missed something, I tend to have work from scratch. Like when I found out flash and smoke/scatter use blast only and other missile rules. I don't mind if you tweak my designs so they fit though. I'd rather not take up the entire game with my stuff.

>>47947726
>buy thrusters with and for the BASE WEIGHT of your mech, and purchase Weight Efficiency after that
As I read it, you're told to buy thrusters for the base weight of your mech, and then purchase weight efficiency, and then overview your mech, calculate stats, realize 90% of the time that you need change something anyway, and rebuy that shit.

Because the designers of the flowchart were probably high on something when they wrote it.

But it's your call on this one - you're the boss here.

That said, how would Weight Inefficiency then affect the MA and MV of your mech?

>>47947784
Unless it's going to be specifically for this quest, you really have no obligation to respond to people's designs for their home games or whatever. Hopefully there might be enough people in thread with a decent enough grasp of the rules to give a response.

If you do feel so obliged, perhaps you could look them over during voting periods, or at the end of the thread?

>>47947784
If that's the case, I'd suggest homebrew mechs go to the discussion thread in between quest threads.

>>47947765

You're comparing Mohammed and Roarke as they are now, which is an absolutely terrible idea for balance because Roarke is by this point a renowned pilot and Mohammed isn't. If you want to balance Mohammed against someone and something, use Caesar and the King Swordfish.

For the Knuckle Kaiser to reach -1 MV would cost, using this version rather than the mid-season upgrade, 80 CP.


Also, you may absolutely not under any circumstances as an officer of the Iron Kestrels reduce the kills of a mech's limb for more spaces. Not only does it make my job harder, it puts valuable aces at risk, the same way that having a hot powerplant puts them at risk.

My snap decision is that I'll use your model to build Moe's mech, but I'll do it myself. Really, all of this is my fault.

Half hour break while I get my head back in the game. I told you already, fucking with math when I'm trying to write is bad for my writing.

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>>47947946
>may absolutely not reduce the kills of a mech's limb for more spaces
welp there go literally all my designs

that i'll never use because they're cheese as fuck anyway

>>47947889
This seems to be the best option I would mich rather get more plot posts then spending time discussing peoples mechs

>>47947845

You did nothing wrong! In fact, you did a lot right! The only one to blame here is me, and any snappishness on my part stems from certain people I know throwing fits at me because of certain real-world political events.

Also Blast is profoundly legit, and the weak spot of a certain pirate's mech because holoshadows can't block AoE.

>>47947849

I haven't really messed with Weight Inefficiency. As far as I'm concerned, if you want, say, MA 10 and have a mech whose weight would require 20 thrusters for it, you buy 20 thrusters and have MA 10, even if you subsequently purchase Weight Efficiency to reduce its tonnage to the point where 15 thrusters would be normally be required to achieve MA 10. I justify this partially on the idea that Weight Efficiency in-setting frequently uses microthrusters and tiny vernier arrays as well as more expensive materials and alloys. Effectively, the spaces you save are used for those microthrusters.

>>47947889

I'm going to do that, I think.

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>>47948131
>Also Blast is profoundly legit
Blast is hilarious, because when it misses, it can't deviate from the target by more than 4 hexes, but Blast Radii can be bought up to 6 for Projectile Weapons, or 20 for Missiles.

System clearly working as intended!

So did you decide between which upgrade Clemmy gives?

>>47948374
I should clarify - missiles aimed at mecha can miss by more than 4 hexes, but Indirect Fire (that is, missiles and similar weapons aimed at hexes) cannot.

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At least you're finally free of distractions. Fatima seems to have taken the dispute between Karen and Clemmy in the mech bay personally, and has spent the entire week bullying the girls into getting along. Normally, you would suspect that this would lead to her mysteriously vanishing and never being seen again, but Samantha has helped her to the best of her ability, despite being visibly frightened of leaving you alone with Lieutenant Farragut for very long. Getting the three pilots to play Bluegill Joe as a team was a brilliant idea, and surprisingly it was Karen who came up with it. Granted, you suspect her motives stemmed from the fact that while all of her rivals (barring Fatima) were playing the simgame, she was on your lap trying her hardest to impress you with her new schematics and designs. Love and hate are both powerful motivators, and the fact that their initially appalling teamwork has led to repeated losses against SOUL A's team and the Iron Kestrel Officer Squad despite a higher average skill level on the girls' part has given them something to be mutually infuriated about. As for you, your schedule has been rather unusual. As far as you're concerned, trying to train with an elite like the Undefeated is futile at your current skill level and emotional state so you've been sparring with Clemmy to improve your out-of-mech martial abilities. This has the side-effect of giving you some time to accept the facts of your brother's death. You have a lot of anger to work out, but venting it on a punching bag or through viciously intense sparring sessions is healthier than any other outlet you can think of. Revenge can wait, charging headlong after it would only cost you time and lives. Despite her take-charge attitude, Fatima grows progressively more quiet and withdrawn over the course of the week, no longer going for her usual flights in the Tarrasque and barely speaking to you. Finally, it's time to trade.

[Continued]

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...You cross your arms, staring evenly at Commodore Rashad Abujamal over vidcomms, your ships facing each other from across a sufficient gulf of space that neither of you could hit the other with your beam batteries from here, in accordance with common sense. Also in accordance with common sense, neither of you came here directly. Your vessel gated in a sufficient distance to reach this location using the conventional engine twenty-four hours ago, giving the microgate projector time to recharge in the event of a trap. While you arrived slightly after Rashad, you strongly suspect that he's done the same. Otherwise, he doesn't deserve his rank in the slightest. He immediately hailed you on vidcomm and is staring intently at your face as if trying to memorize it. Or because he's vividly imagining beating it into a shapeless mass of bone shards and bloody mush with the butt of his sidearm. His ship resembles a massive crimson double-bitted axe hovering in space with the axe's pommel as the fore, with its flaring wings and long, forward-jutting neck. It's big and powerful, and clearly built for speed, but arrayed against it you have the Yamato, the Heart of the Sunshine (which poor Rosita is having a difficult time renaming), and the Pure Pure Puru with a temporary Iron Kestrel paintjob.

The Rhinehawk is still being upgraded, Auditorium is strained to its very limit just handling that one ship despite all of the parts available. The normal mech repair and production the colony is capable of has virtually ceased, aside from the easy work of fixing the turrets on the Pure Pure Puru. You wonder if you're growing soft, feeling naked without the comfort of having an A-Particle shield aboard. Neither the Heart of the Sunshine or the PPP is a match for even the original Rhinehawk before it had the shield installed, but you should feel safer with a trio of warships than you did back when you only had a single one and would scurry away from the military's ships.

[Continued]

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“You have her?” It's a surprisingly brusque opening. You have suspected for some time now that the Commodore doesn't intend to play fair, which is why you have the Knuckle Kaiser prepped for launch and are sitting in the cockpit. It wouldn't do to let him know your own ship isn't here, and the bridge of none of the three other vessels would send the kind of message you want to an opposing commander. You hope he tries something. You're ready for it. You have a song picked out and everything. He may not be a fan of The Clash by the time you're done with him.

“Fatima is here, yes. She's unharmed, in case you were wondering.” You tap a few buttons on the system Karen rigged up for you, displaying vidcomm of Fatima sitting with her hands folded on her lap and her head downcast in the passenger seat of a Tern you borrowed from the Jaburo (after swearing on your mother to return it to the Colonel once you're done). One of your Kestrels is piloting it. Little does the Commodore know that you actually borrowed a PAIR of the saucer-shaped vessels, and that one of them is a dummy. It's empty, devoid of a pilot. Instead, it has a system Karen rigged up as a prototype for the drone control array she's been working on during her moments of spare time, letting it be remotely flown out and brought back. Normally, this wouldn't work, the distance would be too great for snap commands to be given...but fortunately you have the modified S-Betta, and Sam is controlling the Dummy Tern. Naturally, seeing Fatima sitting in the cockpit of a Tern and having a Tern flown out to his ship, he'll assume she's in it and spring whatever stupid trick he has waiting for you.

>[Anything else you want to say to him?]

>>47948404

Yes. I'll post it up later, but her Kaiser Clutch upgrade allows the Magnetic Grappling Harpoon to be used at Long Distance with a -4 penalty. This represents the fact that no matter how far away you are she loves you a lot.

>>47948810
We need to try and make him say that he doesn't actually care about Fatima

>Im suprised that you didn't try to haggle me down

>that long silence

>>47948810
>I'd assume you have the ransom? Otherwise it would be pretty awkward for your bride to have an extended stay with us when your wedding is supposed to be soon.

>>47948810
Keep it cool, 'playful', but asking the big questions. Simple things like wondering how much he knows about her and the like. I honestly want to get a read of him, figure out what he's thinking and try to get as much info as safely as we can.

Chances are it's simply a man and his tool, but got to make sure.

>>47948965
sorry, this is taking a while for me to think properly.

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>>47948810
>"I assume you have many better things to do than waste time dealing with the likes of me. Shall we get this over with?"

>>47948850
Huh. I had assumed that this was already the case. This bit from the Core Rulebook (or at least my reading of it) seems to indicate that Combat and Maximum Range rules apply to all weapons; it's just that most melee weapons have a Maximum Range equal to their Combat Range of 0 (since 02 is still 0).

Your call, though.

>>47948965
Hate to sound like a broken record but people might have forgotten that you were running today, I know you don't like twitter but it can probably help with this I mean all you would have to do is just send out a tweet a little before each thread

>>47948984

Let's say it's at -2 Penalty, then, instead of -4.

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>>47949180
Alright. As an aside, here is the Angelfish design that I sort of pictured the MOE x2 systems coming from. Or at least what could be.

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"I assume you have the ransom, Rashy? You were paying enough attention to know I wanted five hundred million credits, right? Not five million? It's going to be very awkward if you don't have it, I might stop trusting you entirely and just keep Fatima for myself. She's a very skilled pilot, or did you not know that? Your wedding is supposed to be quite soon, after all." You keep your cool, allowing a huge, irritating smirk to spread across your face at the glare of barely suppressed rage on his, "I'll be able to restore another ship with this."

"Fully aware. I had to sell off some very profitable manufactories that had been in my family since the War, an insult for which you will someday pay in full." You can hear his teeth grinding over the comms.

You nod in faux-sympathy, "That must sting. I'm surprised you didn't try to haggle me down to something more reasonable."

"You filthy infidel pirates cannot be trusted to determine the price of property through negotiaton, and she is too important to my plans to be potentially lost. Her use to me is greater than the profit those manufactories produced." He growls at you through clenched teeth.

"Use? Are you saying you aren't heartbroken without her?" Your smugness could choke a hippopotamus.

"Silence, dog, your voice grates on my ears. You speak of things you have no comprehension of. Now send her over and let us be done with it." He slams his fist on his desk.

"Very well." You read off a string of numbers to him, "That's a throwaway account, which expires in twenty-four hours, at which time all funds will automatically be transferred to my real bank account. I don't want to have it tracked and my assets frozen by one of your people or someone in the UJCIDF, after all. I'll get a notification on my PC once you've made the transfer. Chop chop, I don't have all day either." You fold your arms against the headrest of your chair, behind your head.

[Continued]

>>47949322
You filthy infidel pirates cannot be trusted to determine the price of property through negotiaton, and she is too important to my plans to be potentially lost.

Bloody hell man, pretty sure some of the nastier fanatics don't consider their wives property and tools. Then again, not really big on muslim culture.

>>47949486
>consider their wives property and tools
I think that's more to do with politics, uniting the Jovians and Mars against Avalon and all that.

>>47949486
Most Muslims do consider wives property

>>47949518
depends if also if they re-adopted some of the older parts in this future and if they got rid of somethings, as unlikely as that is. like the multiple wives thing

>>47949518
Add the fact that daughters are not automatically included in the inheritance should the father dies without a will

>>47949575
Nah they definitely kept the multiple wives things since Fatima knows alot about it she was most likely brought up learning how to be a head wife

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"Send. Her. Over. I am a Commodore of the Holy Militia of the Red Planet, YOU are a filthy space hound of uncertain parentage. My word is as immutable as the laws of space, yours is a damp rag easily torn at convenience." His knuckles turn as white as pearls, and you can see him shaking with anger.

"As a filthy space hound I've learned not to trust people like you. I want my money." You fold your arms over your chest.

"SEND HER OVER OR SO HELP ME I WILL-" He roars.

You hold your hand up, "Enough. I'll send the Tern across, prepare to receive her. Any funny business, though, and you won't like what happens." You considered stuffing the Dummy Tern with explosives, but you're aware that active fusion mines would trigger all sorts of alerts from a scanning crew, and even if you were forced to detonate it it would kill a lot of innocent people while his bridge would very likely survive.

Fortunately, Samantha is listening in, and as the Puru's catapult launches the Tern into space she's already floating invisibly nearby to guide it in. You think the little touches she makes to have its flight look realistic are a bit TOO much, but you won't argue with results. It coasts easily into the open hangar of the Martian warship.

"And now, my payment." You grin cheekily. You're ready for it. You're braced for more ships to pop out of a gate, or for him to launch some sort of giant Martian war-machine and challenge you.

Instead, he picks up his PC and messes with it. Moments later, you receive a boop telling you that you've received a transfer of funds. Suspicious, you check. Five hundred million credits, enough to take the shards of the Green Skulls' missile cruiser and turn it into a proper Iron Kestrels warship.

[Continued]

>>47949669
Now we wait for the Snackbar that he's planned or we just caused with the dummy.

>>47949669
..Damn bugger actually called our bluff. That is a new one.

>>47949715
Somethings gonna happen Wong even said this thread isn't going to be a breather he probably has some suicide bombers or something thats going to come after us now

>>47947645
I now have a name. Hello all! And as for the Paladins, they're going to be used in a game I am going to be in set in this universe. My character is going to be a Lagrange Pirate that normally operates at L3. She's picked a really bad name for her crew and mech while knowing absolutely nothing about Avalon, so that might come and bite her in the ass.

Paladin C = Mediumweight, MA 10, MV-1, 168.3 CP.
Paladin S = Medium Heavy, MA 10, MV-1, 256.8 CP.
Paladin G = Armored Heavy, MA 15, MV-1, 349.8 CP.

C and S have Maces, G has an Energy Lance. All of them have one regular shield that matches their size and armor rating.

>>47949730
Honestly I expect a third party to suddenly attack. Have a fake out when it turns out the Martian is actually being genuine, then BAM enemy battleship here to kill us all incite conflict from the Martians

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"Apparently the laws of space are quite immutable." You grudgingly admit. You don't want to give Fatima back, but you know how she would feel if you didn't, "Forgive my deception, I'll send over the real Tern now."

"You scum, I should have known! I swear, by the Prophet I will-" You mute his audio feed.

Fatima smiles at you over the comms. You smile back. It's a sad smile on both sides as the Dummy Tern takes off again and the real Tern sails over. She disembarks, and your pilot returns to you while you watch Rashad's howling face and silent threats over vidcomm. Normally making a member of the Holy Militia this angry would be a lot of fun...but right now, it just feels hollow and a little cold. Until recently, you never would have imagined that you could miss razor-tongued Fatima Ahmad of Mars. On the other hand, Rashad did keep his word. Maybe, just maybe, this is the right thing for her. Sometimes, you have to be unhappy for someone else to be happy.

He seems to have calmed down, so you unmute him. Apparently he caught on to the fact that you weren't listening, as he's been glaring at you in silence for the past few minutes, "Are we done here?" You ask.

"For now. I know where your lair is, Bull of Io. Should the Jovian general, although she is an infidel and a degenerate, prove more trustworthy than you, perhaps I will be able to convince her to join me and destroy your wretched little den of sin soon. Inshallah, it will be soon...wait, what is that? What the hell did you do?" His eyes widen, staring at his instruments.

You receive a communication from Oda, "Aniki, something ain't daijobu, we're getting gate readings. Huge ones."

Between your ships, the stars seem to warp, compressing and then stretching as a massive gate opens up and something begins to pull through. A long, bone-white cone of a ship, with a blocky rear, it almost resembles a titanic lance floating between the stars.

There is absolute silence over the comms.

>>47949794
GATE AWAY NOW

>>47949794
O-oh shit. That's the thing that was at Suleman (or however it's spelled, I'm bad at that shit).

>>47949794
Welp, looks like the War outside just found us. Time to grab Fatima out of transport and haul ass.

>>47949794
...oh boy. That is not a good. Sign. Get Fatima out of there along with us. Cancel the transfer! Because thats the thing Fairchild decided to fuck with!

>>47949819
>>47949825

She's on Rashad's ship already.

>>47949794
>I know where your lair is

This is why I don't like being chained to one place if we ever go out for a mission we might come back to see the colony destroyed and Rosita captured, we should either sell it or figure out a way to move it with us

>>47949877
Is it time to convert the Auditorium into the Mothership?

>>47949877
You... want to sell Auditorium. Thunderbird, I worry about you sometimes.

>>47949925
Why shouldn't we, we don't have the might to actually fight the Jovians or the Martians our biggest advantage is mobility if we stay in one place to long were going to get the shit beat out of us

>>47949877
No Bird. We are not getting rid of the auditorium. As is, we need a spot to resupply and rebuild as well as a rallying point. Being constantly mobile will not take away logistics issues and in fact make them worse. If they want to, they CAN starve us out by simply not allowing us near neutral stations. With Auditorium, we have a place to repair the Rhinehawk and other ships with no worry.

>>47949941
Ok, run this by me one more time... You want to sell Rosita's colony. Which was expressly founded for her and her fans, by her and her fans. Which is also basically our one true friendly port, and arguably our home.

>>47949964
But whats to stop them from just attacking it? Its a know pirate colony and is related by the two biggest pirates in the belt who have a been a huge thorn in both the Martian's and Jovian's side

>>47949974
I would prefer if we could make it mobile but if we can't I would rather sell it rather then have it constantly be a hindered to us. Just look at our last mission when we had to save the doctor we left Oda there to defend it when we could have used him on the pick up

>>47949794
>"That's not one of mine. Run."
If Rashad doesn't get out not, Fatima kicks it. So we need him to get out too.

>>47950023
>But whats to stop them from just attacking it?
The reason the pirates haven't been wiped out is because everybody's busy fighting the extrasolar war. And now that the outside is in the solar system, they have much bigger problems than a bunch of pirates.

>could make it mobile
Maybe we can stick a bunch of reactors on and buy a big enough microgate projector to teleport Auditorium around.

>>47950023
Whats stopping them from putting a few ships on each port? Whats stopping them from just sending everyone at us anyways? Whats stopping them from who knows what?

A lot. The factions are still fractured. They have to face multiple fronts, and while we are Fairchild's public enemy, she is not in the state to even try to bring a army at us. A defensive position HELPS us by keeping us supplied and providing support. You never cut support in muddy waters and even mr mad isn't dumb enough to rush in.

>>47950076
So do we actually have any information on the extrasolar war? Avalon are the guys with the knightly mechs, and the REAL Paladins and such, right?

>>47949974
Probably not sell. But turn it into a ship that can warp out at a moment's notice.

>>47949794
Vote not run. Fatima's onboard and firing will only spell doom

>>47950106
Fair enough. >>47949825 is switched to that. We make sure everyone leaves safely. Do not fire, and open comms to try and communicate.

So Wong is the big twist going to be that the aliens are really Monstergirls?

>>47950137
Pretty sure Avalon are humans. The green men pretty much shattered the old big federation with their shit and Avalon is likely a big part of the extra solar colonies that went "Fuck those tossers for ditching us, RULE BRITANNIA MOTHERFUCKERS!"

Oi, are you guys running or not?

Fatima is, as I mentioned, aboard Rashad's ship.

Don't fret, I'm not being lazy, my post was almost done when I saw votes had been changed.

>>47950087

No. OOC, you know the information has been suppressed (from Caesar listening in on Lysa and Keith in the church) and Caesar had also heard something about the UJCIDF losing a few battles to some extrasolar faction known as the Principality of Avalon.

>>47950183
No. No running. We need to make sure Fatima gets out safe to.

Well. Running, yes. But making sure the idiot husband runs too. Then running VERY FAST.

>>47950213
And then we begin our plan to re-obtain our Den mother.

>>47950183
Lets make sure shes alright before we leave

>>47950213
Pretty much. So long as we don't fire or do anything stupid, they will likely not fire first. Need to be calm after all. Safety first.

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"That's not one of mine, and I won't pretend it's Martian. Get out of here and take Fatima with you." You stare at it as it hovers, seeming almost confused in the way it turns neither towards you or him.

"This is NOT the end! Helmsman, gate!" He snarls, the whites of his eyes showing nearly all around the irises. You watch the gate form, and only the fact that you need to delay long enough for Fatima to get away determines whether you do the same.

Panels open up on the smooth nose of the white ship, gigantic beam batteries as large as those of a Wels' main cannons swiveling towards your ships.

You receive a hail from the great white vessel. Your heart is pounding. A Wels is bad enough, you saw what a damaged one did to the Green Skulls with your help. This thing made the Jaburo turn tail and flee according to Doctor Clancy, you want no part of it.

You collapse into the Knuckle Kaiser's chair, and slam your fist against one of the panels. This isn't how you wanted it. Much to your surprise, as you reflect on your anger on the short trip back to Auditorium, you realize why. You had never counted on actually receiving your payment. That money was just a number to you. You had fully believed that Rashad would play some trick on you, and that when he did you would either destroy him or run away with a witty one-liner. In either case, you would have Fatima on your ship, she would have nothing left but contempt for her betrothed, and her father might be sympathetic towards you. You had even been thinking of going to him with the information about Suleiman 1 and working out a way to disrupt General Fairchild's plans with his help and some of the more reasonable members of the UJCIDF. You never would have thought that a hostage would be more valuable to you than their ransom, but it's happened now.

>[Answer the hail, which might very well just be demanding your immediate surrender.]
>[Flee]

>>47950183
Not running. We know how much firepower Avalon carries. Rashes might do something stupid and endanger everyone. Better to be the lone voice of reason rather than leave things up to chance.

>>47950278
>>[Answer the hail, which might very well just be demanding your immediate surrender.]

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As you're making up your mind, you see Rashad's ship vanish into its gate. Fatima is safe, for now.

>>47950278
>[Answer the hail BUT BE READY TO BAIL]

>>47950278
>[Answer the hail, which might very well just be demanding your immediate surrender.]

>>47950278
>Answer.

Shit's beyond high space piracy now. And we need answers for Suleiman I

>>47950299

Just making it clear here that Fatima got away. She is no longer here. You no longer have to worry about her being in danger from that ship, at least.

>>47950278
>>[Answer the hail, which might very well just be demanding your immediate surrender.]
We can book fast if we don't like the answer. Problem is, we still need information if this is the ship that Fatima fired on.

>>47950311
What have you got planned for her you sick monster

>>47950278
> as you reflect on your anger on the short trip back to Auditorium

...Also you can clearly see where this post was edited. Oops~

>>47950321

Oh. You know. Stuff.

>>47950278
>[Answer the hail, which might very well just be demanding your immediate surrender.]
Just be ready to punch it if things go bad.

>>47950344
>Pretty Ominous.

>>47950344
Fair warning: Never kill a waifu. The only quest I've ever seen that's survived that is Joker Quest.

>>47950420
Why? What happened?

>>47950437
Shiticane will occur.

>>47950437
Viewership falls off, interest dies, etc. Or the QM just doesn't run again. Like Badge and Bullet. We get a waifu... and then she dies like a thread later. GUESS WHAT THERE WAS NEVER ANOTHER THREAD OF.

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"Roarke, you owe me. You owe me big. You owe me so big for this. I want half of what the Bearded Blunder gave you." Fucking Scavvies!

"Darling, we need to leave! It's too dangerous, even with three ships, I can't let you put your life in danger. She's gone, Roarke, it isn't worth it." Rosita sounds uncharacteristically shaken.

"TAISHOU-SAMAAAAAA! THE STORM DRAGONS WILL SUPPORT YOU TO THE LAST BREATH! KESTRELS BANZAI! Shall we unleash the might of our hanabi upon them!?" Oda's voice drowns out the other two, he almost sounds gleeful about this. Crazy bastard, but you're glad he's here. In the background you can hear his crew shouting 'Kestrels banzai!' and the unmistakable sound of dozens of swords being drawn at once.

"Everyone, calm down. Rosita." You're on her ship, after all. "Answer hails, put it on my screen. I want some answers anyway." Yes, this is reckless, but so are you.

"Please, dear..." She replies.

"It's gonna be okay, China Girl. I won't let anything bad happen to you. Just trust me." You manage to smile for her sake.

For a moment, you expect her to gate anyway. She isn't formally under your command, she doesn't have to listen to you, but apparently she does trust you, because the Knuckle Kaiser's monitors flicker and an image appears.

The bridge of the enemy ship is strangely akin to a throne room. Banks upon banks of machines, arrayed in layered semicircles, surround a high raised dais in the center upon which is seated the man you presume to be the captain. He's surprisingly young. Behind him are rather severe couches upon which a few members of his staff are sitting.

Their attire is surprisingly ornate, and surprisingly old-fashioned. Most oddly, the captain's ears are elongated and come to a sharp point, but his smile is friendly and human enough, "Salutations, indigenous inhabitants of the Solar System."

[Continued]

>>47950522
Oh no.. it's worse than I thought. SPACE ELVES.

Oh. Wong, if you're interested in having my character and her crew being in the setting officially (I'd fangasm everywhere), I can supply a little backstory for her if you want. Her crew are the Ardent Chevaliers, her ship is a Striker called Cheval, and her name is Madison Reich and she pilots the Paladin C (and then S and then G and then finally X but X is not statted yet). Just say the word if you want and/or care about her backstory or any info about her.

>>47950522
Shit, we can't win. Only people with literal cancer can stand a faintest hope against this faggot.

>>47950556

I'm interested, but it's probably better saved for a discussion thread.

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>>47950522
>Kirito

>>47950522
SHIT, WE NEED SPACE MARINES TO COUNTER THEM!!!

>>47950556
>implying Wong isn't already planning on introducing a pirate faction of massive faggots with ridiculously minmaxed mechs (each suffering glaring crippling flaws as a result of their relentless munchkinning) which has for a long time been in a steady decline due to the scarcity of the overly-customized parts their machines require, and yet still engage in regular, long, pointless dick-waving contests about whose model is best

>>47950562
You know, that explains why the UJCIDF is losing against them. You can't win when the narrative is on the enemy's side

>>47950592
Doesn't work. He can deflect their bullets with a standard beam saber.

Or melt them. Or cut them in half. No one's really sure what exactly he's actually supposed to be doing.

>>47950610

I've gamed with touhoufag, I've seen the true face of game-ruining munchkinry. Climb a high enough mountain, and every hill looks like flat land from the peak.

Of course, most people don't threaten to kill themselves if they aren't allowed to play a homebrew class they designed, but that's neither here nor there.

>>47950614
What the UJCIDF have: Crazy aussie
Female lesbian hitler
the Angriest Muslim
Two megacorps, one much shadier than the other
former space pirate psycho path
Jesus and his bitches.

The elves?
Super strong ships
Not being stupid and talking first.
No Jesus

>>47950681
Granted I never watched SAO, which is probably a good thing, and even I know that the characters have some serious plot armor

>>47950574
S'ok. Brief rundown, and I'm interested to know if this would be kosher: A now extinct corp dabbled in genetically engineering indentured 'employees'. Said employees were shorter and smaller than normal humans (often around four feet tall, five at the tallest) and albinism was shockingly common amongst them. Their reduced size allowed the company to save money in building their factories and living spaces for employees. Madison was one such employee from birth, part of a large family. When she was twelve, her mother had another child, a girl named Abigail. Madison, a very headstrong and immature girl, decided 'she's not gunna be a slave like the rest of us!' And so she kidnapped the baby, ran away, and spent the next several years on the streets, and then as part of a pirate gang.

Fast-forward sixteen years to the present day, and Madison Reich is the captain of the Ardent Chevaliers, a tiny pirate crew that operates out of a colony anchored at L3. She's turned into a very patient, kind, and motherly individual, and her little sister is a Rookie Anime Hero who's got Intelligence 9, Education 9, and Technical Ability 9. Madison's very proud of her for being a much smarter and 'normal' person than Madison.

I got about ninety percent of this from random rolls on the lifepath, including Slave and Little Sister. I also randomly rolled my stats (and then added more to bring them up to the standard 70) and getting a 4 on Body.

>>47950716
And yes, I specified Abbie's stats and not Madison's because Madison herself prefers to gush about her little sister/daughter and doesn't talk about herself much.

>>47950420
>>47950460

What if it was Karen, since everyone is always bitching about her?

I'm a Naomifag myself, so I live in perpetual security that nothing bad will ever happen to endanger Caesar's smile.

>>47950769
As long as it makes sense and makes the story more compelling I won't mind him killing characters

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>>47950675
This sounds like a challenge.

Admittedly not one any of us are capable of meeting, but a challenge nonetheless.

>>47950769
Karen is my second favorite though... Sam>Karen>Fatima>Rosita>Clemmy.

Not saying Rosita and Clemmy aren't great, I just prefer the others more. I adore all our waifus.

>>47950769
Not really everyone. Seemed like a very vocal person. I like her myself along with Sammy.

>>47950769
I would be sad.

Not sad enough to drop the quest unless it was handled exceptionally poorly, of course, but I would still be sad.

>>47950769

Karen is pretty safe because she's a mechanic. For her to get hurt, shit would have to go so catastrophically wrong that the entire Rhinehawk was in danger, in which case she'd be one of many people whose smile isn't being protected.

>>47950906
What if she got it into her head to build herself a mech from scratch so she could support us on the field as well instead of sitting back, relatively helpless, on the Rhinehawk?

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You can't help staring at his ears. Or at how ridiculously ornate those two swords he has are. Why two, you don't know. They're certainly not a matched pair. "Hello, unidentified vessel."

He peers more closely at his screen, "Why do I see the inside of a Strider cockpit?"

"You ask a lot of questions for someone who interrupted a hostage transfer unannounced." You refuse to be intimidated by someone who looks like he's barely old enough to shave, even if he talks a bit like an old man. You assume a Strider is some kind of fancy term for mech. You're not sure how someone from outside the Solar System, which is a reasonable assumption given what he's already said, made it here, but you're not happy with it, or with him. "What do you want, exactly?"

He nods as soon as you mention a hostage exchange, as though that explained everything, "Ah. I pray a thousand pardons from you, sir knight. Indeed, my queries were foolhardy, and I thank the Goddess that my arrival did not spoil thy joust. I am Duke Eustace de Rothschild-Beauchamps, Anointed of the Lady of the Woods, Noble of Avalon, appointed rider of the Oliver, second among the Twelve Paladins only in power to the Roland. I would fain challenge Jovian brutes, even were the odds three-to-one, yet your vessels lack the uniformity of the Knights of the Gas Planet and your formation did not include the foul Saracen vessel that made such haste to escape. Are you not of the UJCIDF?"

You blink, feeling as though you just stepped on flat ground and found a hole under your feet, "I am...not?"

He nods as though unsurprised, "Verily, although I assume you are the leader of these people from your comporture, you wear not their colors. Are you perhaps mercenaries? Hedge knights? Brigands? I am in dire need of guides and retainers to carry out mine holy mission, and am authorized to reward and deputize brave souls who aid our noble cause. Even the modifications undergone by Nobles are not out of the question."

>[???]

>>47951017
Wut?
Just give the most WTF face can.
and Saracen? I see what you did there Wong.
Alright guys it's appears that this guy is apart of Space Britannia.

>>47951017
>How much are you willing to pay me?

We are pirates anons

>>47951017
"Most of us are an honorable sort that askews the laws set by the system but do break those laws for profit. Not so much brigands, not so much mercenaries, but our own group that does as we will. Call us 'pirates'. We could guide you, but what is this holy mission you are on and what does it involve? It sounds like there's great reward to be had, but I can only imagine the risks."

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>>47951017
"I have to admit, you caught me off guard. We expected something more... violent, after hearing a ship like yours destroyed a civilian colony. But if you're peaceful, we're willing to discuss things. What does your mission entail?"

Ah shit I'm confused as fuck.

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>>47950716
>Said employees were shorter and smaller than normal humans (often around four feet tall, five at the tallest) and albinism was shockingly common amongst them.

>>47951095
>>47951093
Yeah, pretty much EXACTLY what I had in mind! Is that kosher? Also, my computer is dying, so I have to switch to my phone. Which can't post on 4chan. So cy'all lot later! I'll continue reading, of course. Have fun.

>>47951065

Never trust an elf.

>>47951017
>What exactly is your mission? D̶e̶p̶e̶n̶d̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶o̶n̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶a̶n̶s̶w̶e̶r̶ ̶I̶ ̶m̶a̶y̶ ̶h̶a̶v̶e̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶k̶i̶c̶k̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶a̶s̶s̶. If it is one I am amenable to helping, then we can discuss payment. Otherwise, would I be amiss in assuming that you would not be to crass as to allow me to withdraw, unscathed?

>>47951017
Ok, this is going to be tricky in a few ways. Well, Mercenary stuff aside, we would like to know what exactly the allowed knowledge of the mission is. No point in pushing too hard, but we've got to be cautious considering our ways. Got our own to protect.

Also announce our name. Admiral Roarke Starwind of the Iron Kestrels.

>>47951058
Actually, considering they are using Roland and the paladins of Charlemeign, it's more like we are facing Space France. Now when we see a big man with a powdered wig riding the King Arthur, THAT'S when we face Space Britannia.

>>47951109

That's a conversation to be had during a discussion thread, really.

>>47951132
Kinda ironic with what happened yesterday.

>>47951147
Fair 'nuff. When's the next one?

>>47951156

I might have to add context to Fatima's claim of being descended from Britain's first Muslim king. I really wasn't expecting the bongs to discover a love of freedom and a sudden disdain for being ruled by unelected and unaccountable authorities of foreign blood. Clearly the blood of Arthur still runs deep within the veins of the Welshmen.

The idea that we might see a USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand teamup in my lifetime gets my hydraulic fluid pumping.

>>47951162

Soon(tm)

>>47951224
Yea most of us on /pol/ thought the vote was going to be rigged for Remain. We were very surprised.
Course the ones who lost want another vote.

>>47951224
Perhaps the last true britains moved to their last colony canada and got the hell out of there? Because bloody hell our PM is a fop and I want him out.

>>47951289
Why Canada? Trudau's there, not to mention it probably burned down

>>47951240
All the best. Also, have you considered joining the quest general IRC? Lots of QMs kick around on here, good place for advice and help with ideas and sucho, or just fuckin around with funny and friendly folk.

>>47951254
The fact that the remain side was so smug up until it hit 51 for leave was the best part, they were even throwing parties way before the polls closed

>>47951017
seems legit. lets arrange a face to face, talk details over some grub etc. information is key here id think.

>>47951307
Hence why I said dealing with our PM. With our luck though the flames will likely go west and south.

>>47951313
The butthurt was real. Just so much butthurt.
Imagine the amount of butthurt if Trump wins. It would sustain us for years.

>>47951338
Sorry anon didn't read that right.

>>47951254
>>47951313

Loving every laugh. They probably thought they wouldn't have to rig it after Jo Cox's assassination and how vocal the Remain crowd was.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia4UXNq0RLk

So I think the real question is which side do we side with the Jovians or these new Guys?

>>47951362
Im not sure they didn't rig it, they just didn't rig it enough for the amount that turned out

>>47951372
We need more info to go on before we make that choice. Besides we're pirates we're on our own side. Gotta play both sides like Vegas independent route.

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"We are free men of the Belt, pirates according to most authorities. I am Admiral Roarke Starwind, commander of the fleet known as the Iron Kestrels, master of the starship Rhinehawk, and pilot of the peerless Knuckle Kaiser." As confused as you are, he gave you his name, and you kind of like the way your titles sound spoken aloud.

"A pleasure to meet you." He smiles in a sunny sort of way.

"I wish I could be sure before I said the same. You're quite friendly for someone who destroyed a civilian colony." You try to tone down the harsh edge in your voice.

His smile vanishes, "Alas, we were attacked upon exiting our gate, and one of the gunnery officers responded too quickly and without accounting for the rotation of the ship. He could not live with the shame, and neither could I tolerate it. I purged his dishonor with my own blade. May the Lady of the Woods cradle all of their souls to her lifegiving bosom, and grant them peace, that their sacrifice lead to new life and new hope." He bows his head, and so do his officers.

You will definitely have to think about this. "Let's leave it for now. What exactly is your mission? True, I work for money, but I have my principles and so does my crew."

He nods solemnly, "Sir Admiral, these conditions are rather primitive, would you not agree? I am a man of honor and so, I suspect, are you. Should it please you, be welcome to board my ship that we might discuss terms as lords do, face to face. Of course, should you believe my honor lacking, I would bear no grudge and feel no slight should you wish to remain where you are."

>>47951372
As is, I say stay neutral. We have buddies in the Jovian union who aren't asses and if we play it smart, the REAL asshole will be dealt with... at least until Space Britannia appears to claim their holy lands in a great crusade against the muslims.

>>47951428
A Space Deus Vult!
Who is Space Pope then?

>>47951418
>Agree to meet with him on the ship we borrowed from Kysilla

That way neither side has an advantage over the other

>>47951456
That works.

>>47951451
Space Pope is on the moon I think.

>>47951456
You mean the Tern?

>>47951451
The mech with the biggest Mitre.

>>47951418
Agree. Answers are needed and at the moment his info checks out with what we know. He fired second after all.

>>47951474
Yup

>>47951418
>"If you had a desire to harm us, I believe you would have done so already. However, I cannot, in good conscience, cause my crew nor my loved ones the worry of walking so willingly into the mercy of an unknown party. Is there no neutral ground where we can meet, face to face?"

>>47951456
The thing is, he can't know that a ship we provide to meet on isn't already trapped against him, just like we can't know any of his supposed transports is entirely safe for us.

Though we could suggest it and see how he reacts first, I suppose.

Random note, but didn't the death of the green skulls leave a massive power vacuum in the pirate community?

>>47951593
Yup. As is, we pretty much went and proved we are the defacto pirates of the system with that. We'll probably be seeing a lot of people flocking to us soon.

>>47951593
Filled by the Iron Kestrels. We are now the most powerful Belt pirate fleet with the Storm Dragons and allied with the Red Sirens.

>>47951593
I vaguely recall they had turf. Wonder what happened to it

>>47951660
Depends how the media and/or internet spun our and Regina's joint victory, really/

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"Your ship is well-armed. If you wanted to fight, you could have simply fired on us already." You point out.

He nods, smiling.

"And you seem honorable." You add.

"I strive for it." He continues nodding and smiling.

"Personally, I have no objections. However, if I boarded your ship alone, my crew and my loved ones would worry. Is there no neutral ground where we can meet face to face?" You ask.

He sighs, "If only we were nearer to a planet that wasn't filled with the aborigines of this system. Were we on my homeworld, we would erect a pavilion between our armies and converse there. Alas, space is cold, and makes the hearts of men cold as well. We could meet in our Striders, but that is not quite the same. I leave the choice to you, sir. I will accept whatever you decide, provided it is not boarding one of your vessels. Do not take it harshly, I am of like situation to yourself, although I have full confidence in the honor of a man who can call himself an Admiral with clear eyes and names his profession to me without flinching, my squires and subordinates would drag me to my quarters and lock me in if I tried. It has, ah, happened before." He laughs, looking embarrassed, "Fighting my way off an enemy ship alone twice would make my life quite the story though, no?"

>[What will you decide, Admiral?]

>>47951723
Well, may as well throw in and agree to visiting the ship.

>>47951723
Offer the Tern as a meeting point and if that's a no go just meet in our mechs.
Also anyone concerned that Allahu Snackbar is probably informing the UCIDF as soon as he warps out.?

>>47951723
Go on board his ship with an entourage Siren Oda Sam and Clemmy if we have her

>>47951723
Tell him that if he takes a transport vessel over into the space between our vessels, we'll dock with it and board his from one of ours.

Unless we don't have the capacity to dock transport crafts with each other, in which case we'll probably just meet in our mechs.

You know, we haven't rolled Empathy or any other social skills in a while, have we? Though I expect we won't get anything we aren't expecting.

>>47951761

You don't have Clemmy, and it's a good thing. These people are most definitely enemies of the UJCIDF, after all, and Clemmy's loyalty is less to piracy than it is to her Roarkey.

>>47951761
Exchange of hostage. Us, Clemmy, and Oda onboard his ship. His XO onboard the Heart watched by Sam and Karen. XO if needed can be teleconferenced from there. Red Siren to be XO and retreat should go sideways

>>47951800

Terns are mecha, they're just specialized mecha used as shuttlecraft instead of for combat. A "transport vessel" would be a small starship.

>>47951760

A Tern would also count as one of your vessels.

>>47951804
If that's the case, then Sam comes with us while Karen watches over the XO for anything. Moe to assist her.

>>47951822
Things* go sideways

>>47951839
So it doesn't have docking capabilities, then.

Meet in mechs it is.

I'd like to be prepared for the eventuality that the UJCIDF gates in on our asses. It likely won't happen, since they know we can just gate out right now, but you never know.

Is Sam actually coming onto the ship or hovering nearby in her invisible mech? Last thing I need to know before I post this.

>>47951931
Better to be upfront with this guy. I feel like having the S-betta in stealth mode nearby and it was found out would piss him off.

>>47951931
Have her come on the ship, her military insight could be useful

>>47951931
Are we going with the entourage? May as well bring her along onboard, I suppose.

Basil's never getting that mech is he?

>>47951931
No point in the stealth option if they outclass us. Have Sam along with us.

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"Here's what I propose, to keep our subordinates happy..." You outline a plan, and he nods happily. The two of you begin setting it in motion.

You launch at the same time his second-in-command does. There's a strangely old-fashioned knightly aesthetic to the mech his second is piloting. It looks less like a weapon than a heavily decorated piece of art, with gilded trim and words that might be prayers etched into the armor. It's also very, very slow. There's no way it's anything but a model intended for ground combat. Sure, it's large and heavily armored and could probably handle a Warmouth or two, but it's so SLOW that your mech crosses its path long before the midpoint between your vessels. You've instructed your people to be polite, and you've made sure that the Duke knows that you're bringing a lady friend along. The S-Betta, unstealthed, flies alongside the Knuckle Kaiser towards the lance-shaped ship.

[Continued, I finally found a mech that looks something like I imagine the Betta, aren't the gespensts charming? Finding Avalonian mecha took some work, but I managed]

>>47951931
Coming onto the ship. No need to tip off that we have an invisible mech and she'd be more useful onboard that Behemoth rather than outside

>>47951986

So much stuff has been going on, it's been hard to get a new mech in edgewise.

>>47952016
Thankfully the time skip is coming up soon

>>47952004
Shit, we missed the chance to bring a gift. A personal weapon of ours, matched pistols, or something. Fancy liquor, maybe.

>>47952004
Gespents are nice mechs. They never got as much love as other mechs.. unless you are Kai and his glorious mustache.

>>47952004
Im thinking the middle one is Kirito's mech? Or are all of these artillery, missile, and beam sniper mechs

>>47952004
Also, I think I may have found Kirito's mech, the XV-7001 Luxon. Thank me later

>>47952078
looks like their all ranged.

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You land in the bay, and are able to get a better look at the ship's onboard mecha. The single bay you can see is massive, and although you can spot a few much larger, hulking mecha down near the end, only the smaller ones with their hybrid lance/cannon weapons are near enough for a true inspection.

A rather thickly-accented servant leads you to the door. Samantha has switched her uniform for a nice dress that she made herself, and holds onto your arm with perfect grace and manners. She seems to be enjoying herself, a big smile on her dark lips and a spring in her step...but you know her reactions well, and you can see her eyes darting around, taking everything in. As the Duke approaches with a smile and his arms spread, you put your hand on the small of her back to calm her down. You bow awkwardly, while she curtsies prettily. He bows in return. Momentarily, you wish you brought Oda along, all of this bowing is more his sort of thing, but there's just something special about Samantha when she's being aristocratic that you wouldn't miss out on for the world.

[Continued]

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>>47952134

Not quite.

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>>47952184
>Not Using GN-XIII GN Lance
I am disappoint, son.

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Once the introductions are made, you're led to an opulent suite of rooms. Hydroponic gardens full of flowering plants make the ship smell sweet, and the Duke has small trees planted throughout his quarters. There is a statue of a woman, artistically carved from some sort of polished driftwood, along one wall. He seats himself, and the pair of you do the same.

Samantha, initially, was skeptical of meeting an enemy of the UJCIDF...but she is a trained information specialist, getting indignant isn't her style and neither is turning down a chance to acquire information. Right now, it would be easy to mistake her for just a sweet noble girl who's never held a sword in her life.

"My mission, sir, is a vital one for the safety and survival of my people. To prevent the unjust expansion of the solar aborigines into our sovereign territory, and to unite vulnerable systems into a strong alliance under our Queen and in the worship of the Lady of the Woods, I was tasked with using a macrogate and several warships to assault the enemy's home system directly and destroy the gates of Jupiter and Mars, before using Terra's gate to return home. This is a dangerous mission, but I was well-prepared...although the gate itself was not. I was able to bring my ship through intact through sheer luck, but the macrogate projector of the planet Lorien was old and ill-maintained, and it did not remain open long enough for any further vessels to traverse the void. As you can see, this has left me alone, and vulnerable. I wish your help in my mission, should you be willing, and I can promise the rewards will beyond the scope of your imagination." He stretches out his hands, "Once, some forty years ago, I was a simple farmboy. Yet, the Lady of the Woods called me, and reshaped me stronger, wiser, and faster than I had been before. I was even granted the long-lasting youth you can so clearly see."

[Continued]

>>47952339

Too practical for the Avalonian aesthetic, much as I love 'em.

>>47952199
...those are Motor heads. That is horrifying.

>>47952344
Fucking cyberscum over here, natural human body best body

>>47952344
hmm we may have to explain the situation behind the Sol system's expansion. Though they should know right?

>>47952376
>hmm we may have to explain the situation behind the Sol system's expansion. Though they should know right?

Do we even know? I mean. the only time Roarke found out that Sol was embroiled in an extrasolar war was from Fatima who'd blurted it out in a rage and confirmed it when we asked her about her feelings towards us. We don't know anything beyond that.

>>47952399
We do know Fairchild is trying to pursue power through every means and seems to be pushing a invasion plan to try and reclaim their old lands. We also know she's being doing shady shit thanks to Sammy's intel. Old generals are vanishing and being replaced while Fairchild is rising higher.

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"Although once I was clumsy, now my swordsmanship is nearly peerless, and I command the might of many Striders and this great starship. The Lady greatly rewards her faithful, and Avalon does not make empty promises. You, too, could be a knight, even granted a fief and titles of your own. This kindness and generosity is the mark of dealing with Avalon, as we were kind to the Lady when she fell from the heavens, so she has been kind to us and to our Queen. I see from your visage that you are a man of great heart, with a strong arm and experience in battle. Furthermore, your mech, while primitive, has a certain grandeur to it. Currently, the Paladins lack an Ogier, it is possible you will be chosen for that role if you accept." The Duke continues talking as he pours tea for you.

You notice Samantha surreptitiously check the cup and take a sip before she smiles in approval, "It's good!" This is a signal, in her way, that she didn't taste any poison. You take a sip and nod.

>[What do you want to say/ask about?]

>>47952430
>This is a big decision to make I will need time to think on it, give me one week and I will contact you with my answer

This nigga didn't even work to git good he cheated

>>47952430
>What is life like under the rule of Avalon? What will change here?

>>47952430
Ask about the history of the last 40 years and the Great War, we need info.

>>47952430
>before using Terra's gate to return home
Oh hell Terra's betrayed everybody

>>47952448

Nothing except training can improve one's skills. One's main stats, however, are a different story. Roarke had a lot of points to put in his various stats, most people don't. So, while hypothetically the Duke's Reflexes might have been boosted, his Blade and Mecha Melee skills would have to come from training.

>>47952464
maybe they mean to capture it and use too escape? damn if we know anything. Doubt we'll be able to do anything to get to the gate. Terra probably has some shit waiting.

>>47952464
Maybe, but if that were so, wouldn't terra's forces be waiting to aid and supply? It's only one ship.

>>47952430
Well, aside from info gathering, offer some in exchange. Basic stuff about the 'factions' of the navy and what we know. So far, it seems like the Old Man and Soul A seem like the sort who'd be more for peace. Fairchild and Soul B however are the trouble makers that we've been trying to get info and dirt on.

There is a very real chance however that Fairchild is probably going to use you to spark the war further and attacking them directly will simply cause the fires of war to spread. That new ship of hers is probably much stronger than a Wels and if she manages to solidify power, she is going to make more and drag innocents into her grudge.

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>>47952430
> the Paladins lack an Ogier
>Ogier
I see someone's a fan of the Wheel of Time

>>47952464
>Terra is violently reclusive
>Terra has weird and advanced mechs
>Terra is secretly in contact with Avalon

One of the greatest mysteries of the solar system solved

>>47952520

Sung wood was a really cool idea. It's a shame the books moved so slow later on.

I think I skipped three and nothing happened but GIRLS DISCIPLINING GIRLS, GIRLS LOOKING FOR MAGIC ARTIFACTS, AES SEDAI IMPLIED LESBIANISM WOOHOO~

>>47952515
Well, point being made, if his info seems to mention a pool of forces recently, then we likely know the cause and try to find a way to deescalate her. Considering her plans are to militarize the entire solar system and go full 'fuck the elves', she harms the pirates, the free people, and anyone who does not agree with her or are in her way.

Got to handle it carefully though since she may just become a martyr if we aren't careful.

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“Could you tell us a little more about your people and your history? What is life like under Avalonian rule? I admit, I'm not very familiar with the extrasolar planets and colonies.” You admit, sipping your tea. It's a foreign brew, the taste subtly different from what you're used to, but not unpleasant.

“Certainly!” Eustace looks delighted. “We were one of the first settled planetary colonies, I believe. An early experiment, back when gate technology was still reasonably new. Centuries ago, great ships were sent out with of passengers drawn from Earth's most wealthy and influential families and many volunteers from the lower castes in artificially sustained stasis. Most of them belonged to the Escapist movement, and sought out a time of greater civility in a world that fit the romanticism present in the media they favored. Upon arrival, they embraced a feudal lifestyle, where people knew their role almost from birth, living and working in an aesthetic from deep in human history. The first dynasty was...”

You notice Samantha staring, intently, at the driftwood statue. You glance at it too, and notice the face. It's somehow familiar, and one you've seen recently. Where exactly nags at your mind, while Eustace discusses the complicated family trees and politics of his world's early history, the grand civil war between Tolkienists and Narnian Christians, and how fashion has changed over the years. He seems delighted to talk about his people, but the face nags at you. Somehow, her smile is rather cheeky, even carved in wood.

[Continued]

>>47952764
Naomi is there god?

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That's when it hits you, the face of a girl holding an armful of posters, a girl from the Jaburo who interrupted you and Red Siren meeting in search of autographs.

“Lord Duke, excuse me, who is she?” Samantha nods at the statue, and the Avalonian knight smiles hugely.

“Ah, her? Yes, it's a wonderful likeness, isn't it? The Lady of the Woods herself, commissioned by a famous artist. I've always considered it something of a good-luck charm, I keep a picture of her with me always to lend me strength in battle. The goddess of my people, the woman who fell from the sky in a living Strider that birthed a forest where it touched ground.”

>>47952565
Better yet
>On one hand Rand's my former fiancée who cares for me and is our last chance against the Dark one.
>The other is a group of women whose schemes almost brought the Dragon into the hands of the Forsaken and almost beat me to death.
>I choose AES SEDAI!

>>47952764
> grand civil war between Tolkienists and Narnian Christians
Suddenly it makes so much more sense now. We are facing super larpers who used genetic modification to become elves.. and maybe dwarves. Though we are not becoming a ogre. We are simply to fabulous for that.

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>>47952781
>Naomi is lady of the woods

>>47952781
either the plot thickes to palces unknown or this this just a very unusual coincidence

>>47952808
Im more concerned about her mech that somehow made it to Alvion and created a forest

And with that revelation, part one of this two-parter ends. We'll continue tomorrow, because I feel fatigue dulling my brain and I want to be absolutely 100% sharp for this next part.

>>47952839
..say, whatever happened to NaN01? Did it explode? Because nano machines becoming biological and making a forest..

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>>47952839

Nobody ever said it was the S-Puffer that landed there at least forty years ago, too.

>>47952877
So what your telling me is that Naomi's clone from the future went back in time with a futuristic mech and landed on Alvion to found a religion to jump start the war between the Jovians and Alvionians. Makes sense

>>47952861

According to the history books it was thoroughly destroyed. NaNa-01 might have overriden the will of its pilot, but it was incapable of operating without her. Going by the simflick, Floyd Beck shot open the main core and Rudolph Merrow took her out with a lance stab, which was difficult for them since both men were in love with her and she was the third person in their Anti-Green-Men squad.

Wait, living mech? The only living mech we know about so far are the Greenmen's Biomechs. I'm so confused by the current events that I just don't even.

>>47952933
So kind of like what G Gundam would have been like if Domon had to kill Rain

>>47952936

You're completely correct. The Green Men had entire forests of them growing on Mars.

>>47952933
And it's not quite 40 years ago since then. Would be something if NaNa-01 pulled a jehova or cell and crashed on that rock.

Ah well, for the time being I will ponder the ways to abuse that technology that grants youth. Like a young blue gill joe or Moe being forever the fluff and the subject of avalonian curiosity as his hair is forever ruffled.

>>47952944

And then never got over her, leading to his eventual wife leaving him and his son growing up a meganerd.

>>47952971
Domon would have gotten over her with his OBJECTIVELY BETTER wife

>>47952851
Same Time, Mr. Wong?

I can't believe people think this is a technological thing when we have a faction that openly used plant mechs and genetically engineered superhumans.

Sasuga, anons.

>>47952987

Probably an hour earlier, really. I can start earlier on weekends.

>>47953004
It's 4:45 am here. My brain is half asleep and I am at the point where I am shooting shit and seeing if it sticks.

>>47953004
TBF, said faction was massacred and purged by Space Jihad and the remaining non-affected humans.

>>47953015
And from the sounds of it, this last green man was human. So either this was a freed human who saw the people and gave them sort of a weaker version of that tech, or the last green man had a thing for Larp and liked these guys SO MUCH she gave them all the tech.

>>47953050

The Green Men were humans, actually. Genetically modified ones capable of photosynthesis, at least the originals, I don't think I clarified whether their clones could. There are no aliens in the setting that you know of.

>>47952985

Domon should've had them both. He has two hands, he can Love-Love Tenkyoken with Allenby and Rain at the same time for Double Burger King.

>>47953120
Well Domon is a wonderbug