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>>40951
A tiny golden plate has her name in white letters formed upon it, sewn just below the hollow of her throat in the sharp pants-suit of the hotel livery. Miss Ballanger smiles the distant smile of the faintly drugged, but her eyes are sharp and her fingers are poised above the hologlass that serves as her tie to the station computer. No visible security aside from four holoviewer crystals set in the ceiling (and probably one behind the counter out of sight), and not too many people in the lobby at the moment.

Ivan seems to be quite the cool ladies man; he's well known, but apparently standoffish, for no one approaches you, though many notice you (particularly middle aged women and youthful ones, in entirely different manners). Miss Ballanger only registers the fact that you are a guest she is here to serve. Before she can speak, you ask politely “Excuse me Miss Ballanger....”

[] I need to create another identity set for my daughter. Could you assist me in this?
[] Could you make reservations for myself and my daughter at one one of your sister companies?
[] I have a friend who will be arriving, but I lack their exact information; could you help?
[] Could you arrange a shuttle flight to one of the other Lagrange Point Stations?

>You may chose up to two options, and they will be integrated as best as possible. Write-ins are always accepted and given priority, within reason. Conflicting options will be worked with as best as possible. Complicated write-ins and choices will increase writing time appropriately.

>I may delay the execution of a vote for a post or even two to facilitate storytelling and interactions with NPCs and environment. Do not be disheartened or assume that the votes are being ignored, please. (E.g. the vote for taking on “Melanie's” form was not implemented immediately because it would not further the goal of having an actual identity on board the station immediately, so it is being put off until it is useful, which is after we have credentials for her.)

>I always read feedback, and I often answer questions at the end of a quest. I may not immediately (or ever) respond in writing to feedback, but I always read it and take what is mentioned under advisement.

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>>40967
Playing in the Shadows Quest

Twitter: @XsQuestmistress

Previous Thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/3343

Character Sheet Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/xfFSQhv5
Previous Episode Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/ehb99F1c

Tags: Collective Game, Amber Diceless, pattern, logrus, shadow, OP MC, science fiction, space fantasy, shape shifter, shapeshifter

Shadowplayer Basic Sheet

Endurance: Rank 1
Psyche: Rank 3
Strength: Amber
Warfare: Amber

Pattern: Potential.
Logrus: Potential.
Trump: Basic.
Shapeshifting: Advanced.

Conjuration: Yes.
Artifacts: Yes.
Mage: No.
Words of Power: No.

Stuff: A Tiny Amount of Good.

Stat Rankings are from 1>2>3>4>5>Amber>Chaos>Human.
Power levels are Basic, Advanced, and Mastery, increasing in complexity and potential by orders of magnitude.

>>40967
>[] I need to create another identity set for my daughter. Could you assist me in this?

>>40967
>[] I need to create another identity set for my daughter. Could you assist me in this?

>>40967
Uh...
>[] Could you make reservations for myself and my daughter at one one of your sister companies?

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[X] I need to create another identity set for my daughter. Could you assist me in this?
[X] Could you make reservations for myself and my daughter at one one of your sister companies?

“I require a new identity set for my daughter, who will be arriving today. Could you perhaps assist me in this matter?” You smile, though it doesn't seem to alter her mood or get much notice for her. Truly robotic of her, though she's obviously human.

“Of course, ser. May I have your personal hologlass?” You turn over the thin piece of 'glass' and she places it on the counter in front of you. Her own lights up, showing her a huge amount of information which she seems only to glace through, picking out highlighted areas. “Thank you Ser Schmidt. Please look at the glass and place your left index finger upon it.” Interesting – she doesn't question the fact that you look like Ivan and go by Schmidt. The biometric system that scans your retina pattern and tests your D.N.A. And fingerprint gives them the information that is duplicated on both identities, but only Schmidt's pops up.

Even more interesting. That would require some high level computer skills, possibly programs in the station to tell the systems what to ignore when. Whoever Ivan Beritschoff truly is, he's integrated himself into this Shadow deeply. Which bring up the question 'why?' of course.

The stoic young lady looks up at you. “Thank you Ser Schmidt. Would you like a new hologlass for her? We can arrange a ring, lenses, a card, or a necklace for no charge, available immediately.” Interesting. V.I.P. may not adequately describe his status here. “Would you like a separate room for her, or will she be staying with you?”

“Do you have a sister company you can arrange reservations at? A suite would be acceptable, with two rooms.” A thought occurs to you. “Have them place me on the list for privacy as well; I'll meet here there to settle her in.” Makes it a little harder to locate you.

“Of course, ser.” She quickly does so, making reservations for for The Gateway Grande, personal suite with extra room.

[] Ring – harder to lose, less info display, more interactive.
[] Lenses – less obvious, more display, less interactive.
[] Necklace – most interactive, most display, easier to lose.
[] Card – easy to conceal, most balanced usability, easiest to damage.

>>41203
>[] Ring – harder to lose, less info display, more interactive.

>>41203
>[] Ring – harder to lose, less info display, more interactive.

>>41203
>[x] Ring – harder to lose, less info display, more interactive.
Yeah okay.

>>41203
>Ring – harder to lose, less info display, more interactive.

>>41203
>[] Lenses – less obvious, more display, less interactive.
Seems like they fixed auto-updating at least XS.

>>41324
But not the thread watcher for your own threads. Other threads work fine.

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[X] Ring – harder to lose, less info display, more interactive.

The ring you receive for your trouble is smaller than your hand size is currently, but you suspect the material will adjust appropriately. It is given to you in a small metal case, padded and with the basic instructions for activation in drawings on the inside cover: put it on, place your finger over the flat face, hold it up to your eye. Simple and to the point.

“Your reservations have been made, and are copied into your personal account with us should you need to review them, Ser Schmidt. Is there any other service I may provide for you?” A trio of other guests – one clearly a bodyguard in a fine suit and a armed with some kind of melee weapon concealed on his person, accompanied by two older people who are clearly rich and influential – are approaching the desk.

While that takes care of identities for the moment, you are really ready to get down to the real business. That, of course being lunch and gathering information, preferably both. The good thing about being relatively wealthy with what amounts to a human resources job is that you can follow the work to where the interesting things are. Especially with a title like 'neo-human resources allocation'. Which sounds an awful like like updated slave trading, but most likely isn't. You are a touch provincial about such things sometimes, really.

[] A gentleperson's club with a lounge would be excellent
[] A public, high class venue reservation would be appreciated.
[] A private venue with access to library resources would be perfect.
[] A social club with a wide variety of patronage would be delightful.

>>41356
>[] A social club with a wide variety of patronage would be delightful.

>>41345
Weird.

>>41356
>[] A public, high class venue reservation would be appreciated.

>>41356
>[] A public, high class venue reservation would be appreciated.

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[X] A public, high class venue reservation would be appreciated.

“Please arrange a reservation in a public eatery with a view of either the concourse or the space port, preferably of the same excellent standards as your fine hotel, Miss Ballanger.” The time it takes you to consider these things is minimal, of course; it just seems like forever.

“Of course, ser. The information will be on your hologlass. Will there be anything else?” You shake your head with a smile, and she inclines her head. “Your patronage is always appreciated, Ser Schmidt.”

You catch a glimpse of the older gentleman and his lady glancing at one another in the reflection of the glass the hotel insignia is emblazoned upon behind your stoic little concierge. The secretive smile they share seems to be both personal but not particularly private, if they're being so obvious about it. Miss Ballanger bows to you slightly, and you turn to take your leave.

“Hello to you, 'Mr. Schmidt',” says the elderly woman – most likely in her late 140's – as you walk towards them. Her smile is secretive and amused, a private joke shared with friends. She's dressed in shimmering gold and silver, with dull black gems studded along the sleeves and in a wide triangle along her neckline. Her companion is wearing a matte black basic suit, with silver and bold braid along the sleeves and neckline. They make a handsome pair, but their familiarity is a little worrisome, if not entirely unexpected given the reactions of others here. The bodyguard just watches the area, and you spot his two associates almost immediately. He does seem unconcerned by your presence. “So wonderful to see you again!” Ah, that seems sincere enough.

Reassuring that.

“Will you be bringing Sera Schmidt by this evening, Ser Schmidt?” the elderly gentleman asks curiously, his eyes sparkling with humor. His companion swats his arm gently, careful that her exotic rings don't snag, and his expression becomes more amused rather than a friendly leer.

[] Not tonight I'm afraid, we have an engagement elsewhere.
[] Take a few seconds to dip into their mental emanations to get a clue.
[] We had made plans, but I think we might be able to adjust them....
[] I think that she may have to rest for a day – she's traveling in stasis this time!

>>41553
>[] Take a few seconds to dip into their mental emanations to get a clue.
Who the hell

>>41553
>[] I think that she may have to rest for a day – she's traveling in stasis this time!

>>41553
>[] Take a few seconds to dip into their mental emanations to get a clue.

Intel required

>>41553
>[] Take a few seconds to dip into their mental emanations to get a clue.

>>41553
[] Take a few seconds to dip into their mental emanations to get a clue.

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[X] Take a few seconds to dip into their mental emanations to get a clue.

You open your mind as you step up, bowing to the pair. They are Ser and Sera Kajat and Helen Forcythe, investors who have been interested in Ivan's various corporate holdings, and acquaintances of his. They enjoy his company on occasion, and that of the girl they do not believe is actually related to him, while bring privy to this particular alias. They often share stories of various schemes and slightly less than legal investments and futures that they receive 'insider information about'. Helen enjoys Ivan's company, he is such a droll fellow; Kajat dotes on Melanie, he finds her adorable and lively.

The bodyguard doesn't think of Ivan as a threat, and is only there in case a Splinter shows up and becomes a threat to the station.

You don't have time to probe deeper, unfortunately.

[] Greet them as dear old friends, and make your apologies.
[] A pleasant greeting, and you'll try and pencil them in.
[] A friendly greeting, and consider it 'seriously'.
[] You're in a hurry, do apologize profusely.

>>41716
>[] A friendly greeting, and consider it 'seriously'

>>41716
>[] A friendly greeting, and consider it 'seriously'.

>>41716
>[] A friendly greeting, and consider it 'seriously'.

>>41716
>[] A friendly greeting, and consider it 'seriously'.

Oh shit right XS' running a quest here
Dammit need to catch up on Ryukuza though...

>>41895
You got till Wednesday, get to work

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>>41913

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[X] A friendly greeting, and consider it 'seriously'.

The brief contact is enough to let you know they expect to be treated with courtesy and a measure of friendship; they are acquaintances, and they are apparently very useful to Ivan's work as well. The question of 'Splinters' will have to wait, but it is the first indicator that there is something amiss (i.e. interesting) in this far off Shadow.

“Sera Forcythe, it is a pleasure to see you again!” It's amazing how often people think the sound of someone's voice is based on anything outside of biology and breathing patterns, especially in advanced Shadows such as this. To much video programming. “Ser Forcythe, my friend, I am on my way to collect her. She should be arriving in an hour or three – too much, to little delta-vee, whatever excuse they're using at this moment.” They laugh, not just politely, and incline their heads. “I have plans for today, but I shall certainly consider your offer quite seriously, and I am sure Melanie will happily try and convince me as well.” You add a wink to the last, and Ser Forcythe grins luridly, causing his wife to gently swat him once more.

“Oh, Ser Schmidt, you are such a dear fellow. I am looking forward to your next visit and the tales it brings!” Helen smiles, seeming genuinely eager to hear more corporate gossip and wicked adventures.

“Do be careful, I swear my wife would be despondent if you didn't return home in one piece,” Kajat claims. The bodyguard becomes alert, then relaxes....but he notices you noticing him. Kajat lays a friendly hand on your shoulder as he and his wife continue to the drugged concierge, and you glance at the bodyguard curiously, urging him to share.

“Possible incursion in the system, but no alerts, ser,” he informs you quietly, taking care not to be overheard by his patrons. A solemn nod of thanks appeases him and he follows his employers to the desk.

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>>42076
You, on the other hand, are headed out into the halls of the station . The concourse is wide and tall, large vaulted ceilings of hologlass given a wonderful view of the planet below and giving the impression of spaciousness. Here you can access a wide variety of services, locations, shops, and venues. Your stolen holocard gives you two sets of directions, which becomes three when you request directions to the nearest restrooms. There is only one, which branches off into multiple stalls and groupings of various sorts; ideal for your next trick.

The largest number of beings in the concourse are human, and there are a number of modified humans as well, but there is about a fifty percent mixture of alien races. By and large these are humanoid, though clearly not human; a few require environmental tanks or suits, and these tend to stay in the middle thoroughfare, a section for their devices and themselves which is prepared to isolate them should a breach occur.

It's about like your few visits to the Black Circle have been, in other words. Less demons perhaps, but otherwise not dissimilar.

The restroom makes for an easy changeover; three main branches based on body type, rather than gender. Humanoids further split into sheathed and non-sheathed appendages, which makes the final choice a private stall. You pay the pittance fee to use the stall....when you walk out it is as a lithe, dark haired young woman with blue eyes and dressed much the same. You have, however, added a large privacy cloak to your wardrobe, courtesy of the nanomachine multi-tool. As cloak, it provides an extra layer of protection against nay breach of the station, as well as being more adaptable for unusual tools and situations that may crop up.

And to be perfectly honest, you prefer compacting your mass, rather than expanding it. It allows for you to enhance your strength and speed slightly, and increase the density of bone and muscle. You're still not sure which gender you prefer though. They both have their uses.

Stepping back onto the concourse, you have a variety of options open to you.

[] Food is your first order of the moment (it's a space station, there is no day or night).
[] A kiosk for news and informations – Splinters, any public discovers, unusual occurrences...
Roll 1d30+5 (Psyche check +3, +2 for good stuff).
[] See if you can start making contact with the criminal element; it shouldn't be too hard to spot.
Roll 1d30+2 (Warfare Check, +2 for good stuff).
[] Just explore for a while, and familiarize yourself with customs and interspecies relations.
Roll 1d30+5 (Psyche check +3, +2 for good stuff).

Rolled 8 + 5 (1d30 + 5)

>>42092
>[] Just explore for a while, and familiarize yourself with customs and interspecies relations.
> Roll 1d30+5 (Psyche check +3, +2 for good stuff).

Wanna fit in as best we can first

Rolled 24 + 2 (1d30 + 2)

>>42092
>[x] See if you can start making contact with the criminal element; it shouldn't be too hard to spot.
d30, huh.

Rolled 17 + 5 (1d30 + 5)

>>42092
>[] Just explore for a while, and familiarize yourself with customs and interspecies relations.
Also food

>>42092
>[X] Food is your first order of the moment (it's a space station, there is no day or night).

Rolled 3 + 5 (1d30 + 5)

>>42092
>[] Just explore for a while, and familiarize yourself with customs and interspecies relations.

>>42138
Noted.

You can place two votes on the table.

Rolled 30 + 5 (1d30 + 5)

>>42092
[] Just explore for a while, and familiarize yourself with customs and interspecies relations.
Roll 1d30+5 (Psyche check +3, +2 for good stuff).

Rolled 27 + 2 (1d30 + 2)

>>42092
adding to my post >>42234
[] See if you can start making contact with the criminal element; it shouldn't be too hard to spot.
Roll 1d30+2 (Warfare Check, +2 for good stuff).

Ignore my additional roll if you'd prefer to use one for both with different mods.

>>42235
This roll probably came too late, but is appreciated.

>>42247
>Different rolls for different reasons.

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[X] Just explore for a while, and familiarize yourself with customs and interspecies relations.
13, 22, 8, 35
[+] A light snack on the way.

You stop at one of many kiosks that litter the edges of the concourse, collecting a plastic container of coffee (whatever they may call it, it's the same thing), and a lightly toasted piece of bread with melted cheese and what passes for and is not really remotely butter. The seasoning is nice, as is the bread itself. The cheese is tolerable because its cooked.

It doesn't take long to get the gist of personal interaction here. Body language is common, lots of bows or hand gestures of varying sorts, no casual touching at all except between friends, and then limited only to the arms. It seems to be a reaction or response to people wearing environmental suits of various sorts – controls for such things tend to be on the torso or the belt, rather than wrists, and most people use them by touch rather than sight. They come in a massive variety, and personal decoration is at a premium for every race. Not everyone wears them, and the dress code outside of suits tends to be of the voluminous robe style for every race, which décor being more indicative of race than style. Under the robes is usually a close layer of some sort, probably armor or vacuum suit.

Weapons aren't exactly common, but they tend to be of the melee variety. The only people carrying obvious long range weaponry are what appear to be military guard, of which there are three to five in any given three hundred yards. It is also worth noting there are no aliens with wings, nor are there flying devices in use. Walking is the most common mode, though some environmental bubbles use rolling bases. There seems to be a relative healthiness among spacegoers – very few infirm or very old people or aliens. Those that are either invariably stay to the middle of the concourse.

The concourse itself is essentially one of the main hubs of the station, which is mainly globular in shape. The axes of the globe are the concourses, and each terminates in a spaceport of some sort. From your reading of the specifications, the closer to the center, the more restrictive and isolated it is, and the center-most areas are for station personal and military only.

There is only one other item of social structure which catches your attention: the twins.

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>>42506
You only see one set of them, but the attention given them is so out of the ordinary it would be impossible to miss. They are a pair of girls, accompanies by three very well armed and obviously armored soldiers. These men are actually wearing some kind of rifle and sidearms, as well as fully outfitted utility belts which what appear to be grenades. The girls, in their late teens or early twenties (assuming they're not using anti-aging medical tech), are dressed in brightly colored outfits, and each is armed with a small cylinder, very unlike the one you carry. You can tell they're specially trained in combat by their movements and bearing, and they seem to be closer in nature than usual for sibling, but that's an assumption on your part.

The deference and awe they are treated with is nothing less than that given by the Courts of Chaos to actual members of the Blood, people who can and have traversed the Logrus. Aristocracy and nobility. They aren't unapproachable; in fact the bodyguards don't seem to care who approaches them at all, their focus being on the girls themselves or sometimes communication through implants or psychic ability. The 'attention' one gives to such communication even while walking is a dead giveaway to someone who practices Trump.

[] Approach the girls carefully and follow.
[] Find out more from someone nearby.
[] You can learn more when you get to the restaurant.
[] Try and do a surface reading on them.

>>42506
>fancy colors
Whoah.
>>42515
>[] Approach the girls carefully and follow.

>>42515
>[] Approach the girls carefully and follow.
>[] Try and do a surface reading on them

>>42515
>[] Find out more from someone nearby.

>>42515
>[X] You can learn more when you get to the restaurant.

>>42515
>[] Approach the girls carefully and follow.
>[] Try and do a surface reading on them.

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[X] Approach the girls carefully and follow.
[X] Try and do a surface reading on them.

It isn't too difficult to start following them as you take another bite of the cheesy bread. It actually isn't half bad, once you get used to the not-butter, to be honest. Anyways....they seem to have quite a following among the younger generation here; a lot of young people, especially children, pointing and excitedly trying to get their parents to take them closer. The tween and teens, male and female and alien alike seem to be avid fans, taking holograms from a distance, talking excitedly to one another, and generally drawing as much attention to themselves as to the twins.

The girls take it in stride, one smiling and waving while the other cool and aloof but not disdainful. They have a goal in mind: a clothier, apparently. Several people get autographs, from one or the other or both, and several small children are given the opportunity to stand while the twins kneel for a hologram with the child.

The adults are respectful, and awe-struck as well, however; while they do not approach as often, some few do so, clearly thanking them for their service and efforts, and often giving them small gifts which are turned over to one of the guards for safekeeping. The guard doesn't seem to mind at all, and is quite obviously expected to do so by the twins and their fellow guards. That he remains armed is curious.

You're within about thirty or forty feet of them, and you pause to attempt a surface reading on them. The results are instant and quite dramatic.

They're not identical twins as they appear; they are 'mirror image twins', their bodies mirrors of one another. Their minds are more tightly interlinked than you expected, and there is a third mind that connects them as well, an utterly alien, ancient mind not of terrestrial – or even galactic – origin. This is only part of the shock however; the twin with her heart on the left, who thinks of herself as 'The Cortex', immediately senses and reacts to your gentle probe, stating something to the guards that you can't hear and turning to point at you right handed. Her sister reacts milliseconds later pulling the cylindrical silver tube from her belt left handed and clearly intending to direct it at her sister's target, even if she hasn't personally identified you yet. The guards are much slower, but they are getting out of the way rather than trying to locate you!

You instantly pull your mind from their vicinity and she seems to have lost touch with your mind, but she definitely knows what she is looking for; that third presence marked you quite clearly as the perpetrator.

[] Be obvious and defend yourself nonviolently using the nanomachine cloak.
[] Dodge and hide, she hasn't actually pointed at you.
[] Wait and see what happens, react when you're sure.
[] That weapon promises to be very deadly; defend yourself with your own weapon.

>>42887
>[] Dodge and hide, she hasn't actually pointed at you.

>>42887
>[] Wait and see what happens, react when you're sure.
This is why I didn't vote for trying to mind read people with weird shit on them and bodyguards who might be psychics.

Oh well. A mind not even from this galaxy...?

>>42887
>[X] Wait and see what happens, react when you're sure.
>[X] Be obvious and defend yourself nonviolently using the nanomachine cloak.

>>42887
>[x] Be obvious and defend yourself nonviolently using the nanomachine cloak.

>>42887
>[] Wait and see what happens, react when you're sure.

>>42887
>[] Wait and see what happens, react when you're sure.

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[X] Wait and see what happens, react when you're sure.
[x] Be obvious and defend yourself nonviolently using the nanomachine cloak.

The twins' (Twin's? Is it one twin, two twins, or a singular pair of twins? You've never had a reason to try and figure that out before.) guards continue to react in a bizarre fashion. Number three, the spare, moves past them, to take up position behind the twins as they turn in your direction. One moves away and drops to one knee, unlimbering the rifle and aiming at the civilians off to the side. His compatriot mover around the twins, behind them, to take up a similar position behind them.

Then they start shooting into the crowds at waist level, bright flashes and sharp snaps of high voltage erupting from the guns. It's nit very direct; the guns have a wide scatter, maybe a foot wide for every fifteen feet of distance, but they're not taking careful aim, they're literally shooting into the crowd at random and dropping them like flies.

The twins, far more focused on you, finish their movements with The Cortex pointing at you directly. Her sister takes up an en garde position and a small glowing sphere about two inches across pops out of the cylinder and extends maybe three feet away from it in a direct line. There's nothing between it and the cylinder – you suspect a strong magnetic field, and most likely a monofilament wire extending from the tube to the sphere. The instant the right handed, left hearted twin focuses on you, her sister does so as well. And that focus causes everyone between you and them and everyone behind you to scatter.

You brush the cape lightly, giving commands to the machines in the form of symbols drawn on their massed body. The edge of your cloak quickly is converted to a chain of nanomachines that breach down their fellows and convert them into raw material, until the edge of your cloak is a glittering diamond line shining in the brightly lit concourse. Literally diamond; the molecular bonds of the synthetic diamond is about all that can counter a mono-molecular filament. Your weapon can, the magnetic field it generates most likely capable of countering the one generated by the weapon the left-handed, right-hearted twin carries.

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>>43466
They don't immediately attack, which is good, but it's pretty clear The Cortex is waiting for more people to be stunned unconscious and put out of the way before she allows her sister to do anything. “Please drop your weapons and surrender to the Galactic Defense forces,” she calls out loudly enough to be heard over the remaining shouts.

As an interesting side note, a lot of people are allowing themselves to be shot by the riflemen. It's probably not fatal, and most likely it has a purpose beyond just clearing the area. An alarm FINALLY GOES OFF, a surprisingly quiet but pervasive repeating bass note, as the screens go clear and announce in bright and then dark letters EVACUATE. Most people head towards the middle strip, which has a pair of holographic walls with the same words on it. The people and aliens in environmental suits on that sections stop, and sit or hold onto rails that are extended, or put their envirosuits and bubbles in park mode.

This all happens in the first five seconds.

[] “I refuse, but I mean you no harm.”
[] Put down your weapon and your deck of cards, then surrender.
[] Put your hands up and approach them.
[] “I am an alien life form arriving in peace.” What, it's true!

>>43485
>[] “I refuse, but I mean you no harm.”

>>43485
[] “I am an alien life form arriving in peace.” What, it's true!
[] “I refuse, but I mean you no harm.”

>>43485
>[] Put down your weapon and your deck of cards, then surrender.
Play nice, for now.

>>43485
>[] “I refuse, but I mean you no harm.”
>[] “I am an alien life form arriving in peace.” What, it's true!

>>43485
adding to >>43537
>[] Shift our features slightly so we don't burn this identity just yet.

>>43485
>[] “I refuse, but I mean you no harm.”

>>43485
>[] “I refuse, but I mean you no harm.”

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[X] “I refuse, but I mean you no harm.”
[x] “I am an alien life form arriving in peace.” What, it's true!
[+] Shift features slightly to avoid burning your new identity.

You study the twins, together and separately. The one who thought of herself as The Cortex is calm, and a capable fighter, but she's a passive aggressive fighter at best. Of the two she's weaker in general, but she may be faster. The other one is definitely the aggressive one, and she's well trained in weapons of all sorts, and she is probably an expert with that monofilament sword. You wouldn't be terribly surprised if it could extend several hundred feet. With everyone unconscious around the five of you or far away, it's a practical weapon. You're fairly certain you are much stronger than either of them, and you're tougher than just about anything natural. You can also outlast them.

The guards have finished their sweeps with the stun weapons and are slinging them, but preparing to unholster their sidearms.

You hold up your hands, allowing the cloak spread out around you, letting them see the pouch of cards at your belt, and the bulge of your weapon in your pocket. “I refuse to disarm myself as it is in violation of the Prime Directive. I am an alien life form, presenting myself to you in hopes of peaceful communication and the trade of information.” They don't have any idea of what the Prime Directive is, and you'd be shocked if they did.

“What if it's a Splinter?” asks the aggressive twin.

The passive twin – it's better than colling her 'The Cortex' even if it is a misnomer – gestures to the guards and tells them to cease. The guards leave their weapons in their holsters, but they leave their hands on the weapons anyways; the order seems to one creating some kind of conflict in the one in back. He seems to be in pain. “She isn't. Demogorgon would have told us.”

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>>44163
“I don't know what a Splinter is,” you mention mildly. As you stand there, you alter your D.N.A to match your original body, while keeping the same face, musculature, and bone structure. It does alter your gender back to your own, which is irritating beyond all belief, but that may help your case. You do change your fingerprints and your eyes aside from color as well. You're going to need to either hide the ring at some point. Ivan's hologlass you've been keeping in your pocket, though not the one with the weapon.

Another set of twins, also female, enters from an airlock to the side. One is armed with a weapon similar to their fellow's, while the other has a very refractive crystal rod, most likely a synthetic crystal used to combat people with the monofilament weapons. They start a quick jog, but it will be a moment before they get there. It is interesting to note that this pair are also mirror twins, but their clothing, hair style, and makeup is entirely different from each other and the ones you're facing off against. Another airlock opens in the distance behind you, and a glance in one of the hologlass plates above confirms another set of twins – these two male, not carrying visible weapons yet. At a dead run they'll be here in maybe a minute and a half.

The aggressive twin glares at you with dark blue eyes. “Where are you from then?”

That's a hard questions – you don't know enough about the situation to not set them off. You lower your arms slowly and take hold of the edges of your cloak. “It's classified, and difficult to explain,” you warn.

“Try anyways,” she sneers, changing her stance and placing her hand on the back of the deadly monofilament weapon.

You narrow your eyes, annoyed now.

[] “I come from a world you may not understand....” (Lie.)
[] “A different dimension, not of time and space, but of mind.” (Obfuscate.)
[] “It is a place where creatures that are both gods and monsters live: The Dark.” (Indirect Truth.)
[] “I can't tell you where I am from, only that it is in this galaxy and not listed on your charts.” (Direct truth.)

>>44176
>[x] “A different dimension, not of time and space, but of mind.” (Obfuscate.)

>>44176
>[] “A different dimension, not of time and space, but of mind.” (Obfuscate.)

>>44176
>[] “A different dimension, not of time and space, but of mind.” (Obfuscate.)
Wonder if Demogorgon is the alien. Wondering even more if it can be useful in our search.

>>44176
[] “A different dimension, not of time and space, but of mind.” (Obfuscate.)
>[] Palm the ring, use the inside of your cloak to put it somewhere secure.

>>44176
Seconding >>44270.

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[X] “A different dimension, not of time and space, but of mind.” (Obfuscate.)
[+] Palm and hide the ring.

“I come from a dimension outside this one. A dimension not of space, and time, but of mind and matter. I noticed something different about you and was attempting to politely investigate without alarming anyone.” You note the soldier next to The Cortex is receiving a communication. He looks up at her and tells her that you have no records, known retinal patterns, and a superficial facial recognition, but the actual owner of that face is on her way to an inner system planet right now.

Well, that was nice of them. You might be able to get her cards back to her eventually. You probably shouldn't let on that you can read his lips and mind in conjunction to figure out what he's telling her. It seems average humans are just average here. These twins are different.

The two new girls step up, positioning themselves next to their fellow twins, all spreqad out by about two to three yard distances. All of the soldiers move back and fan out, still not drawing their weapons, which seems to be causing that one fellow more and more pain as time goes on. You can feel him starting to suffer some psychic trauma from whatever conflicting orders are going on in his head. “Your guard there is going to collapse from systemic shock, you know,” you point out mildly. He might only be a shadow, but you generally don't like seeing helpless things suffer needlessly.

That alerts the other guards to his plight, and the leader of them jumps over and grabs him by the arm, whispering harshly. The Cortex hides her concern well, but her sister grits her teeth, tensing all over. The momentary shuffling of people gives you just enough time to palm the ring and press it into the cloak to hide it within. You have the cloak move the ring to a safe location inside itself; you may need it later.

Then the Cortex babbles incoherently at her sister, who responds in kind. It's language, of a sort, but it's half telepathy, half language, and utterly incomprehensible. You glance behind you at the sound of more babble, and the two young men coming up behind you are doing the same thing – in a completely different and utterly meaningless language that has no relation to the first set of twins at all.

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>>44546
“I think it's safe to say you have me surrounded. Would you like me to take a look at him? I am a doctor.” That sets off another burst of dialog between the first two twins.

The head of her guards looks up. “His governor is malfunctioning, Cortex Vaux. He needs medical attention immediately.” This leads to a curse from her sister. “Names, you moron! Daemons damn....” Now that's interesting.

The second set of girls' staff wielder, a slender girl with a brightly colored droopy center cut-styled hairdo and tight shorts and a vest so much more tight it gives her cleavage despite the small bust she has, speaks up. “You say you're an alien – can you prove it without demonstrating how advanced your tech is?”

Oh boy.

[] “Let me help him.” Use your skills and powers.
[] “If you insist....” Take your demon form.
[] “That kind of depends on what you mean.” Delaying tactics.
[] “You can ask Demogorgon.” Redirect to the Vaux twins.

>>44573
>[] “Let me help him.” Use your skills and powers.

>>44573
>[] “That kind of depends on what you mean.” Delaying tactics.

>>44176
>[] “A different dimension, not of time and space, but of mind.” (Obfuscate.)

>>44671
Little late, but it got the win?

Dropped my trip, but ID's are useful?

Not quite impressed with the board yet.

>>44573
>[X] “Let me help him.” Use your skills and powers.

>>44723
At least you can color things! As long as you don't lose your ID at least.

>>44573
[] “Let me help him.” Use your skills and powers.
[] “You can ask Demogorgon.” Redirect to the Vaux twins.
>[] Takes a neutral stance that will incidentally hide your cloak's movement of the crystaline ID card.

>>44784
Sorry, I meant the hologlass

>>44573
>[] “That kind of depends on what you mean.” Delaying tactics.
>[] “Let me help him.” Use your skills and powers.

>>45033
Noted.

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[X] “Let me help him.” Use your skills and powers.
[+] Hide the id card too.

You take a step forward and push the sides of your cloak out of the way, which allows you to command it as you present yourself your fingers working along the lining of the nanomachine device. “I can provide absolute, incontrovertible proof I am an alien life form if you will allow me to assist your soldier and save his life.” It doesn't take a genius to see that he's going to start seizing in moments, and when that starts, all bets will be off.

The cloak, responding to your commands, manages to slip the hologlass from your pouch and conceal it inside itself. Feels like the ring and card are at the base of your hood, along the back of your neck. Not ideal, but there's not much choice. You drop the hood, giving even more concealment to the cards.

“You'd better let her do it, Airy, I had a troop's governor short out. He's going to be in so much pain it'll kill him soon.” The haughty voice of one of the young men behind you is deliberately teasing towards the calmer of the Vaux sisters and she frowns lightly.

Her sister, glances back. “Damn it....” she looks up at her sister with a silent plea and the young woman sighs. “Fine. Let her-” A klaxon erupts and all the screens flash red, even those hiding the people on the center line. The twins all look up at the screens, prompting you to look up as well.

A chart of the system is plotted, with a distance of...it's in astronomical units, but you don't know which planets they're working with, so the actual distance is meaningless. A small object is depicted coming in with a curvilinear arc from the far side of the planet, aiming at the space station. The object is depicted striking the station and doing damage to the side of the station facing away from the planet, almost entirely opposite of where you are. You hear several people murmur the word 'Splinter' and two others say, 'incursion'.

Apparently the bodyguard was wrong.

The other Vaux sister, The Cortex, makes a decision. “Help him. We'll stay here. Bea, Val, can you take Sytry and intercept?”

The colorful twins look at one another and a few words of nonsense pass between them. The one with the mono-molecular weapon, who is putting it away already, nods. “We got it. Sytry says its a Bio class, we can cover it.”

“Bart, Ben, you two find the Splinter, there has to be one on the station. Get as many as you can convince them to let go. Better yet, find out if anyone is outside the box, and get them in on the hunt. The Marshals will take too long.” 'Bart' reluctantly agrees, but his other half nods agreeably. “All right....you can come help him. You have fifteen minutes before the station comes under attack. I hope you can hurry.”

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>>45347
You sweep forward and kneel next to him, the aggressive Vaux twin standing behind you, though she's retracted the glowing ball nearly to the hilt. Nearly. The other two soldiers step back, as you kneel, while 'Airy' Vaux kneels across from you. “His governor is malfunctioning. It's a chip embedded in the back of his skull connected to his pain centers.”

“Inside or outside of the skull?” you ask casually, which startles the twin behind you a bit, and makes the two soldiers look at one another.

“Inside.”

“Sounds barbaric,” you comment mildly and you place your hands on either side of his face and take a slow, deep breath. “If you're squeamish, don't watch,” you warn as you liquefy the surfaces your palms and fingers and direct the crimson protoplasmic fluids into the mans head via ear canals, tear ducts, and sinus cavities.

One of the soldiers turns and vomits, but you're too busy to check which one. “Hold him steady,” you demand authoritatively, and unsurprisingly, the captain and Airy both hold the man steady. When he starts to convulse, the other twin drops her weapon and helps as well while you seek the tiny implant through touch alone. “Can you at least give me an idea of where I might find it? The back of the skull is huge at this level of reality.” Sure, you're mincing words, but it's always easier to play up to the things you've said before.

“Here,” says the soldier, reaching around and touching the middle of the back of your skull.

“Fine.” You find it with relative ease, once you have an exact location to look. It's hard to maintain this level of concentration, but you're faced with a rather serious problem now. As long as you don't lose concentration, you're in no danger, but if you do...we'll you'll survive but it'll hurt. He won't lie through it at all.

[] Dismantle the governor.
Warfare Roll, 1d30+2
[] Short it out and leave it.
Psyche Roll, 1d30+5
[] Force a Shapeshift on it and turn it into harmless organic gelatin.
Endurance Roll, 1d30+7
[] Just disconnect it and hope that nullifies it.
No roll, but no guarantee it won't cause more trouble.

Rolled 7 + 5 (1d30 + 5)

>>45366
>[x] Short it out and leave it.
Time for me to sleep, night XS.

Rolled 25 + 7 (1d30 + 7)

>>45366
>[] Force a Shapeshift on it and turn it into harmless organic gelatin.

Rolled 30 + 7 (1d30 + 7)

>>45366
>[] Force a Shapeshift on it and turn it into harmless organic gelatin.

Rolled 2 + 5 (1d30 + 5)

>>45366
>[X] Short it out and leave it.

>>45407
Good night,. It's the second to last post. Thank you for playing.

I really have to keep a better eye on the clock when I'm suffering from insomnia.

In the hope for garnerign a tiebreaking vote....

Protip: The higher the roll request is, the easier the success, the more likely that you leave some kind of evidence behind.

Rolled 11 + 7 (1d30 + 7)

>>45366
[] Force a Shapeshift on it and turn it into harmless organic gelatin.

>>45550
Whoops, change the most recent vote to short it out.

>>45579
Specifically the vote >>45569

>>45579
>>45569
Noted - assuming that's your the since the poster count didn't change from 15.

>>45603
Interesting, poster count must be based on cookies, while ID is (unfortunately) just IP-based.

>>45579
>>45590

I do need a roll. But you may want to look at the other rolls before you finalize your decision.

>>44723
Well, it's not like you need to use it. It just gives you more options or a good place to quest if your thing is unrelated to any other board's topic.
Also, is this a previously existing setting?

>>45624
How are you doing rolling?

>>45631
The metaquest portion is based on Amber by Roger Zelazney and the Amber diceless game. The rest, the characters, and the situations are whole cloth, mixed in with an un-run quest idea.

>>45643
Fixed Difficulty, all rolls taken into account, no criticals in either direction (unless it would harmlessly amusing).

>>45579
>>45590
>>45569
Callign vote in 5 minutes. Roll for psyche or I can take this roll.

Other rolls still accepted as well.

Rolled 6 + 5 (1d30 + 5)

>>45683
Then change my vote to
[] Short it out and leave it. Psyche Roll, 1d30+5

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[X] Short it out and leave it.
12, 7, 7

You concentrate, sending a pulse of Power through your cells to the tiny device torturing this man, igniting every pain center in his brain and paralyzing him in mortal agony. The tiniest pulse of power you can manage.

You feel the device short out....and then the cascade of energy from the battery within it escaping through the electrodes in his grey matter.

“Damn.” Your soft words make Airy turn away and you hear an equally soft curse from her sister. The energy release of the battery into the soft tissue of his brain relieves him of his pain (all pain, to be sure) forever, as it also relieves him of all autonomic control. You pull away, your hands reforming in seconds....only to start chest compressions immediately. A trio of men and a couple of women are already on their way across the body littered court as the captain of the soldiers starts giving the poor bastard rescue breathing.

The left handed Vaux sister stands up, the silver cylinder in her hand lighting up and extending the red sphere a few inches from the handle as you look up at her. “Well, I guess you proved you're an alien. You still have to come with me.”

“And where would that be?” you ask softly.

Her sister answers as she stands up, while you and the angry Vaux sister step away to let the medical team do the job of keeping his body and brain alive. They might be able to fix the problem – in fact, with that technology in existence, it's very probably they'll manage to save his life and his brain.

“To Central Command. To the home of the Binary Stars and the Galactic Defense Forces.” Her voice is tinged with sadness....but it doesn't brook any argument either.

Of course, you haven't really put up an argument yet, either....

>To be Continued....

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Thank you for readign and playing. I'll stay and answer any other questions that may arise for a while.

As a side note, this thread has run 2-3 hours longer than I typically run.

>>45959
Thanks for running.

Out of pure curiosity, are you planning on running Ryukuza here or on tg?

>>45959
When do you plan to do the next part?

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>>45997
/tg/ - largely because it will be a comparison test, and also because I've fucked up Ryukusa quest archives enough to not want to destroy them with further messes.

If my readership remains low, then there isn't much question that it's because I've simply lost readers, which can also happen, or that the readers do not want to be here. And since I can't make them, stay here, that will answer another question or two.

I have enjoyed runnign this quest, and I'm honestly surprised that no one has asked the obvious questions, but more power to them if they want the mystery.

Shadowplayer has accrued more good stuff.

>>46043
I plan on Friday, same time. I may need to go to the doctor, so I'll have to see what they want first.

>>45931
>12, 7, 7
Last roll was actually 11, but I understand what you mean now about the rolls.

>>46119
Thank you for being excellent as always. Be well.

>>46647
You are correct, but he still would have suffered a shock that caused severe brain damage, unfortunately.

On the plus side, you haven't left very much evidence of anything more unusual than your own physiology being alien, and he will live, though he will never be a soldier again.

>>46668
Thank you.

>>45631
As further information, the location this quest is currently running in is the settign for a Twin Mecha Pilot Quest that I write the first episodes for, and have never run, also formed from whole cloth.

>>46698
>Twin Mecha Pilot Quest
I am always in favor of mechs

>>46678
Rather unfortunate, but necessary for the prime directive, and he WOULD probably be dead by now otherwise. Also, if he proves to be important or interesting later, we might be able to help.

>>46698
>Twin Mecha Pilot Quest
You had my attention earlier, XS, but you now have my interest.

>>46719
>>46707
You would have been playing as one of the Vaux sisters reporting to high command why you let an enemy shoot a hole through your mech and nearly boil your sister alive as part of your brilliant plan to destroy the enemy.

>>46810
>You would have been playing as one of the Vaux sisters reporting to high command why you let an enemy shoot a hole through your mech and nearly boil your sister alive as part of your brilliant plan to destroy the enemy.
IT KEEPS GETTING BETTER!

>>46707
There are mechs in this game as well, obviously, and you will have the chance to work with them and their pilots, as well as pilot one yourself. There are also other paths that can be taken, of course.

>>46818
....sometimes I have to wonder if my players are more twisted than I am.

That is NOT a compliment.

>>46835
I like getting out of bad situations in games ok? It's always fun.

Besides her plans seem to be about the same level my group has in my rogue trader campaign

>>46867
That's more reassuring.

I'm keeping that one for a rainy day, it's got a lot of pure fetish fuel in it, though it isn't necessarily smutty at all.

>>46810
But she can still fly, right? Also, she was willing to do this to accomplish the mission!

>>46887
>That's more reassuring.
How twisted did you think I was if me having Stockholm syndrome for horrible situations is reassuring?

>>46905
I did write A Matter of Taste, anon.

>>46904
She would indeed get better.

Her hair was a near total loss though.

>>46980
>A Matter of Taste
Point.

Also that far into the future and no one could save her hair?

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>>47018
Imagine dunking your hair into a vat of liquefied hot glue gun material. Sometimes, it's just got to go. It'll grow back.

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>>47036

>>47036
I think anon was referring to the follicles and the skin. Losing hair and staying in a hospital bed for a while from that kind of injury is still a miracle.

>>47275
A Sufficiently Advanced Technology will assist in much.