>>694088
>> Singing

>>694088
>> Singing

>>694088
> Singing

>>694088
>> Singing

> Singing

“Nakagawa, I do believe that singing is the important part of being an Idol. Wouldn't you say?”

Naka thumps her chest. “I agree!” She grabs Rosalie's arms, surprising her. “Rosalie-san! You and me are gonna go far!” She points out into the air, as if pointing to some far off paradise in the distance. “This time today, you'll be singing like Shannon Shujumi without the need for an autotuner!”

Stacy blinks. “Wait, why not just use an autotuner then?”

“It can only do so much,” Naka says quickly, petting Rosalie's head. “Now. Rosalie-san, why don't you give us a demonstration of your singing?” Rosalie blushes a bit, adjusting her glasses a little. Olga and Stacy smile at her, trying to comfort her. “Come on, Rosalie-san! You're among friends! Don't worry, we'll guide you through!”

Rosalie looks at you, and you nod in approval. Go on, you survived MI training, you can survive a bit of harsh criticism. Rosalie looks ahead, determined. She takes a deep breath and opens her mouth. “OH CITI-”

The next few minutes are spent on the floor, covering your ears. Burkett has rolled out of sleep, groaning in pain. Azuma and Saki have left the room for their own safety. Olga and Stacy desperately cover their ears. The only one still sitting is Mills, who simply stares ahead.

And the only one not affected is Naka. She slaps her hand over Rosalie's mouth mid-song. “... you have some serious work to do.” Rosalie frowns terribly, saddened. “Listen, Rosalie-san. Are you confident?” Rosalie blinks. “In order to sing loud and proud, you have to be confident in yourself! Be assured that you are the best darn singer there is in this galaxy! Can you be confident for me?”

Rosalie nods. “Yes, yes, I can!”

“Good! We'll start with simple breathing exercises first. Olga-san, Stacy-san.” Olga and Stacy recover. “First, we'll learn to breath from our diaphragm, so we can sing longer and louder and prouder! Deep breath, suck in the gut, fuuuuuuuuuu...” They take a deep breath, in and out.

Burkett stands up, squeaking a finger in his ear. “The fuck was that?”

> “The sound of progress.”
> “My girl.”
> “Better than anything you could sing, Burkett.”
> Other

>>694184
>> “The sound of progress.”

>>694184
> “The sound of progress.”

>>694184
>> “Better than anything you could sing, Burkett.”

>>694184
> “The sound of progress.”
> "It's also probably what we might wake up to the next time we get shitfaced, so, word of warning for next time, aight?"

>>694184
>> “Better than anything you could sing, Burkett.”
>> Other
try singing too?

> “The sound of progress.”

“The sound of progress, Sergeant.” He huffs. You say, “That's the business of Idol production. So if you don't like it, you can shove off you tosser.”

He rolls his eyes. “Of course, Lieutenant.” He sits back down.

Azuma pokes his head in. “Lieutenant.” He cracks the door open a bit further, revealing an Admiral from the Federal Fleet. “It's Admiral Villeneuve. He wants to talk to you.” Oh? What does some fleet want with a ground pounder? You nod, stepping outside into the hallway with him. Azuma and Saki quickly leave the two of you alone. Admiral Villeneuve salutes you, and you in turn salute him back.

Admiral Villeneuve is a pretty short man, but the wrinkles on his face and the grey moustache above his lips betray his age. He smirks a bit at you. “Lieutenant. The Prime Minister speaks highly of you. She says she expects much from the Idols in terms of recruitment and money.” You nod, folding your arms. “I won't mince words, there are few who believe her but I happen to see the potential in this idea of Idol production.”

“Right.” You nod. “Where's this going then?”

“The Prime Minister feels your Idols would be best suited to recruiting troopers, Mobile Infantrymen and women,” he says. “I feel differently. We are winning the battle in space against the Arachnids, their Fleet can't match ours man for man. We have them outgunned on every front they can muster.” And yet somehow they still manage to raid and invade worlds in the colonies, very diligent the Federal Fleet. “I believe that this war is not won with the infantry nor the power suit or the firearm anymore. It is won by the strength of ships and the men and women who fly them.”

“You want me to favor recruiting for Fleet instead of just the Federal Service as a whole,” you ask.

“Precisely,” he says. “And in turn, we look after those who look after us. We can have a new ship ready for you, one that isn't such a sauna, much more advanced. In turn, you direct the vast majority of eager recruits to Fleet instead of the Mobile Infantry. What do you say?”

> “Sure, why not?”
> “Blow it out your ass.”
> “I'll consider it.”
> Other

>>694256
> "With all due respect, I can't do that sir."
The war's won with boots on the ground, not in space. What's the point of taking ground if you can't hold it?

>>694256
>> “I'll consider it.”
>>"Other"
"I think both arm of service equally important. I will try to see if if i can help Fleet too. Heck, maybe second Idol unit? Who know?"

>>694256
> “I'll consider it.”
Why not both?

>>694256
> “I'll consider it, but I'll need more information then just an advanced ship Admiral. You never bet without seeing the full hand”

> “I'll consider it.”

“I'll consider it.”

Admiral Villeneuva nods, giving you a very polite smile. “We hope that you do. Fleet is looking for a mutual relationship with something that will obviously give it an advantage over the Arachnids. We do happen to be the superior service.” Oh, as if. “Unlike the Mobile Infantry, we get results. Now if you excuse me...” He rolls back his sleeve, checking his watch. “I've got some golf to attend to. Mars has some fine golf courses, you should come with me one of these days, Lieutenant, I can treat you.”

“No thanks.” He nods, stepping past you.

Hmph, who does he think he is?

Just because Fleet happens to be the one that actually does any kind of good against the Arachnids doesn't mean they're the ones who are special. Sitting in their big ships, sipping tea while they bomb the heck out of planets. Impersonal you say, impersonal! Fleet does the flying, MI does the dying. And in any war, there has to be dying. You shake your head, this is making you angry.

Mills steps out of the room. “Ma'am.”

“Mills.”

“How'd that go?” he asks. “Well?”

“Let's just say I have something to consider,” you say. “How are the girls doing on singing?”

“The Petty Officer is having a fine time teaching them how to sing.” Oh, really? That's fine. That's honestly really great news. “Will you be joining them?”

> Hit the bar.
> Join them in singing practice. Show them how to sing.
> “I'm gonna take a walk around.”
> Other

>>694348
> Join them in singing practice. Show them how to sing.
Our drunken singing abilities should land us in good stead, right?

>>694348
>> Join them in singing practice. Show them how to sing.
maybe bring some good drink too.

>>694348
> Hit the bar.
We may be cute, but we can't sing worth a shite.

>>694352
Oops, still have my name on, guess I haven't posted on this laptop since the weekend.

>>694348
>> Join them in singing practice. Show them how to sing.

>>694348
>> Join them in singing practice. Show them how to sing.

>>694348
>> Join them in singing practice. Show them how to sing.

>>694348
>>694348
>> Join them in singing practice. Show them how to sing.

Any recommendations?

>>694348
So is the Admiral just talking out his ass? They are 'winning' in space but somehow unable to stop the raids?


> Join them in singing practice. Show them how to sing.

>>694383
He seems like an armchair admiral, expounds on the greatness of the Fleet while ignoring its faults and uselessness at winning the war

>>694383
From what I remember of GS's comments on it in a previous thread, they smash the bugs every time they can drag them into a decisive engagement, so the bugs just don't fight decisive engagements anymore if they can avoid it. Instead they split up and go for raids and whatnot, which means fleet just can't deal with all of them before they reach Federation planets.

>>694382
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPRonG87eKw

>>694383
Nah. Probably when they do actually corner the bugs and force them to decisive battle, they would shreck em.

Problem is the bugs probably aren't dumb enough to be cornered and they rely on terror attacks and raiding parties from how german schteel describes them

>>694398
>>694388
>>694395

Honestly it seems like we should focus on the MI then, the Navy should go into Patrol stuff instead.

>>694408
It does seem we're going that way, just saying we'll "consider it" to keep the admiral from being an enemy

> Join them in singing practice. Show them how to sing.

You bust through the door, surprising everyone. “Alright, everyone!” You thump your chest, walking up to your four girls. “I am going to teach you a thing or two about singing!”

Naka and Olga gasp. “You know how to sing!?” they both ask with immense praise in their voice. Judging by the bemused expression on Rosalie and the skeptical one on Stacy, they're not convinced. Why, you have to sing cadence whenever you march. Obviously, that translates into good singing ability!

You smirk, placing your hand on your chest with smug pride. “You happen to be looking at the honorary member of the Color Guard of the 92nd MI Regiment, the Highlanders! I happen to have lungs that could make a bagpipe burst.”

Burkett snickers. “Would love to see that.” Quiet you.

“Now listen!” You snap your finger. You take a deep breath, and warm up with a quick, “Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do!” You take another deep breath. “Oh Citizen Soldier! When will we see your like again? That fought and died for, your boy and gal and wife and stood against them! The 'rachnid-”

Naka stops you. “Say no more, Lieutenant.” Eh? “I can see you too need singing lessons as well.”

“You what?” You squint at Naka. “I can sing perfectly well.”

Burkett says, “You sing like Arachnids fuck.” WELL WHO FUCKING ASKED YOU, YOU SON OF A BITCH! YOU'LL FUCKING BASH HIS FACE IN!

Naka smiles. “No, no, Lieutenant, it's perfectly alright!” She smiles. “Join us, and together even you can sing like an Idol like myself!”

> “Ah, fuck you. Forget this.”
> “Fiiiine.”
> Other

>>694470
>> “Fiiiine.”

>>694470
>> “Fiiiine.”

>>694470
> “Fiiiine.”

>>694470
>> “Fiiiine.”
>> Other
Bash his face in for good measure.

>>694470
> “Fiiiine.”

>>694470
> “Fiiiine.”

> “Fiiiine.”

You sigh. “Alright. But you're wrong.” You point at Naka angrily. “I can sing better than you think I can.”

Naka smiles at you. “Let's just improve on perfection then!” There, that's how you'd word it. “Now, everyone.” You stand with three girls, with Naka in front of you. “Hands out, breath from the chest. Heave-ho!” You suck in your gut, breathing in. “Heave-ho!” You breath out. “Good, good.” Naka whistles a bit. “Now, let's try basic notes. Stacy, why don't you lead us?”

-

-

The next few hours are spent learning how to sing from Naka. To her credit, she actually sings incredibly well, and she can dance on top of it as well. If the budget would allow it, you'd definitely take her on. Alas. Stacy takes a deep drink of water, chugging it down. Rosalie just splashes it on the back of her neck as she sits down on the hard floor, while Olga continues to sing to herself. “La-la-la-laaaa!”

Naka rubs her hands. “You all did excellent today! Worth of the title of Idol! When the Lieutenant next allows it, we'll go over dancing! Remember, everyone, smile!” She takes her fingers and pulls the ends of her mouth up in a smile. “Smile!” Everyone smiles at her, except Stacy who has to force one on her face. “Yay! Alright!” Her stomach growls. “Oooh, the mess hall is calling! Tell you what, I'll bring you girls some lunch from the hotel dining room, okay? We'll eat like queens! Lieutenant, you want anything?”

You shake your head. “I'm fine.” Besides, Naka wouldn't be able to carry everything you'd like to eat anyway. With that, Naka leaves.

Olga walks over to Stacy. “For what it's worth, Stacy, you have a beautiful voice!” Stacy blushes a little, looking away. “It's true! Why, the Lieutenant would agree too, right?” You shrug. “See? Shrug means she agrees!”

“Well, everyone has a better voice than me, that's for sure,” Rosalie says quietly.

“Oh, don't beat yourself up, Rosie!” Olga pumps her fist. “We'll carry you in our singing if we have to!”

You look over at the door to see Burkett again asleep. Saki meanwhile sketches something in her notebook. Azuma walks over to you, shoving his hands in his pockets. “For what its worth, Admiral. You do sing pretty well.”

“Oh, thanks, sweetheart,” you say. Aw, Azuma thinks you sing well! Wait, he doesn't think, he -knows-, that's better! Hehe. Yeah, you sing like a Siren in the Greek Mythologies. “How's Saki doing?”

“She's been busying herself sketching costumes and the like,” he says. “Keeps her from the Idol stuff I suppose and wanting to enlist.” Right, right. “I'm gonna grab a drink, you wanna come with? I'll treat you as long as you drink reasonably.”

> “Sure.”
> “No thanks.”
> “Sure, let's wake Burkett then.”
> Other

>>694591
> “Sure.”

>>694591
> “Sure.”

>>694591
>> “Sure.”

>>694591
>Sure

Don't worry about Burkett, not getting drinks is his punishment for sleeping on the job.

(As well as insulting our singing, but there's no need to get into that.)

>>694591

> “Sure.”

>>694591
> “Sure.”

> “Sure.”

-

-

You left your girls and pretty much everyone else to go to the Hotel Bar with Azuma. The bar itself was lit warmly, being connected to the rest of the Dining Hall as well. It was barely populated, owing it to be only around the afternoon. You ordered yourself a very reasonable batch of about five whiskey bottles while Azuma sticks to a simple glass of Guiness. Hmph, lightweight. “So. You chose Burkett over Dune?”

“I need someone with combat experience to train and lead the girls in combat,” you say. “And while Dune is the preferable option...” You take a sip of whiskey. “I can't let him sit around on his ass babysitting the Idols. It wouldn't be right. The frontline is where he belongs. Burkett though, I guess is a... a choice of necessity.”

“Right.” Azuma leans back. “Well, you know, I just want to warn you. He seems a bit uh... odd.” Odd? “There's something about him that strikes me as odd at least. It's like he's hiding something, trying to bury it.” Oh, so Azuma is suddenly a shrink now, that's great. “Actually kind of reminds me of you, Lieutenant.” You what.

“Hey now.” You take another sip of whiskey.

“Look. Just- I want you to be careful around him.” He folds his arms, giving you a very concerned look. “I know he's MI like us, but, there always reports of problem cases going on rampages or shooting places up, as if the war somehow never ended for them.” Oh yes, those cases. News very rarely reports on them unless the total loss is catastrophic. “Even the best shrinks in the Federation can't help them.”

“You think he's going to...” You mime a banging of a gun with your hand. “Like that? To me? I'm far too beautiful for that!”

He snickers. “As if.”

“What do you think he's hiding?” you ask.

Azuma shrugs. “I dunno. He just strikes me as dishonest. Someone who'd take advantage of someone. You know? He might even get drunk and try uh...” Oh, oh! You see now. “Idols might need watching too.”

“We have Mills for that,” you say. “Unless-”

Wait.

…

OOOOHHHHH.

“Are you jealous, Azuma?” you ask.

“What?” He quirks his brow.

You grin. “You're jealous. He's like me, we have similar taste in hobby.” You shake your drink a bit. “We're war heroes too- You're fucking jealous you little manky sod!”

Azuma gives you a look of disgust. “... no?”

> “Oh. Okay.”
> “Hey, everyone! Azuma's jealous! Laugh at him!”
> “It's okay, Azuma, there's a special place for you in my heart.”
> Other

>>694743
> “Oh. Okay.”

>>694743
> “It's okay, Azuma, there's a special place for you in my heart.”

>>694743
> “It's okay, Azuma, there's a special place for you in my heart.”

>>694743
> “It's okay, Azuma, there's a special place for you in my heart.”

>>694743
> “It's okay, Azuma, there's a special place for you in my heart.”

> “It's okay, Azuma, there's a special place for you in my heart.”

“It's alright, Azuma.” You gently pinch his cheek, and he slaps your hand away, huffing and puffing and about to blow a house down it seems. “There's a special place for you in my heart. Honest!”

He sighs. “I'm going for a walk. I'll be back.” You roll your eyes, giggling to yourself as Azuma storms away. He loves you, he loves you so much. Might as well be a tease to him. Maybe you'll “accidentally” let your skirt be blown up by the wind right in front of him and let him see your tighty whities. You take another sip of whiskey, and sigh in bliss. Ah, you're going to miss Mars. The green and red, the city, the people, everything about it. It's a shining example of what Man can do when they conquer the Galaxy.

Of course, the Bugs are still in the way of that, but still. Someone sits down next to you. “Hi there,” she says.

“Hey-” You look over.

…

Sitting next to you is the #1 Idol in the Federation and her colonies, Shannon Shujumi. You see a few camera drones here and there, taking pictures of you and her. Paparazzi, ugh. Still, at first glance, she doesn't look like it, she has simple curly brown hair (not pink), and her makeup clearly isn't done but she's still a very cute little girl. Little wonder how she became an Idol if she has natural singing talent too. “Um. Hi,” you say. She wears naught but a pink mini dress, capped off with a black leather jacket and a red scarf, along with a shady sunhat and some sunglasses to cover her eyes. But you recognize her, up close at least you do.

“You must be the Lieutenant I hear so much about,” she says.

“Yeah,” you say. “You must be Shannon Shujumi.”

She nods. “My disguise needs some work. It's so hard to do anything in private when you're the #1 Idol in the business.” She sighs, leaning on the bar. “Bartender~!” she calls in a singsong manner. “Glass of milk please!” You quirk your brow. “Milk helps the chest grow.” She pats her chest a bit, grinning, slightly above average in that department. The bartender pours her a glass of milk, which she immediately chugs.

“So, what's up?” you ask. Clearly she wants something. Why else would she bother talking to you?”

“I hear you're producing for a Federation-sponsored Idol Group, the Starship Idols?” You nod. “Congratulations to you, from Terran Cross winner to Idol Producer. It seems the Federation takes care of its veterans pretty well.” Ah, you well, you know. We wouldn't be the Federation if we didn't. “I just wanted to introduce myself to a... potential friendly rival I guess.” She smiles at you. “Are your girls here?”

“Yeah, yeah,” you say. “They are.”

Shannon smiles a little. “I'd love to meet them one day but...”

> “You can meet them now, no worries.”
> “Yeah, might be a bit too early.”
> Other

>>694958
> “Yeah, might be a bit too early.”
Idol business is cutthroat, just tell her the girls need their rest and she can meet them next time we cross paths.

>>694958
> “Yeah, might be a bit too early.”

>>694958
>> “Yeah, might be a bit too early.”
Shove off m8, fore I burst ye.

>>694958
> “Yeah, might be a bit too early.”

>>694958
>> “Yeah, might be a bit too early.”

> “Yeah, might be a bit too early.”

“Yeah, it might be a bit too early,” you say. “Though, I'm guessing you'll be coming around for the press conference later?”

“Maybe.” She winks at you. “But we'll see. I'm a busy girl.” She places her empty glass down on the bar. “I look forward to seeing how your girls perform. The Idol business is no different from a war I think.” Oh, really. “It's a grind. Tests the mind and the body. But don't worry, I'll happily guide them as far as I can when I meet them face to face.”

“Right. Well, it's an honor meeting one of the most famous Idols in the business,” you say.

“And it's an honor meeting a Terran Cross winner,” she says. “You should be a guest at one of my concerts. We'll sort out the details of that later though I think.” She steps off her stool, smiling politely at you. “Well, Lieutenant. I look forward to seeing and hearing from your girls in the near future. I'm sure they'll be amazing on stage and on the battlefield.”

You smile back at Shannon a little. The kid's got charisma, that's for sure. “They will be. Hope you support the war effort.”

“I support the Federation,” she says. “We'll see each other again soon~!” She blows you a kiss goodbye, then happily skips away. You lean back in your seat, watching her go. Hmph, she didn't even offer to give you an autograph. You take an immediate chug of your whiskey bottle.

Right...

> Wait for Azuma to come back then tease him more.
> Go see how your girls are doing.
> Take a walk around the hotel, see what you can see.
> Other

>>695100
>> Wait for Azuma to come back then tease him more.
This train can't stop now.

>>695100
> Go see how your girls are doing.

The Loli sounds sketchy as shit.

>>695100
>> Wait for Azuma to come back then tease him more.

>>695100
>> Go see how your girls are doing.

>>695100
>> Go see how your girls are doing.

>>695100
> Go see how your girls are doing.

> Go see how your girls are doing.

-

-

You decide to let Azuma stew and brew on his own, and go back to the training room to check in on your girls. You find Burkett in his chair still asleep, with Mills reading a book, paying close attention on supervising them. And there on the floor, the girls all lay back, relax, and do some talking. “So, Stacy.” Olga crawls closer to Stacy as she eats her fried noodles. “I hear you're a delinquent.”

Stacy quirks her brow. “So what?”

“So what's it like?” asks Olga. “Do you get to smoke cigarettes and er... er... skip school and just do anything you want?” Olga actually seems genuinely curious, something that Stacy appears to notice as well.

And to Stacy's credit, she says, “Um. Yeah, basically, if you want to risk getting lashed I suppose.”

“Have you been lashed?” asks Rosalie.

“Once, but only for one lash. They don't do it as often as they used to according to a cousin of mine,” says Stacy. “Still... I guess I could use a fag. I haven't had one in so long.” She leans back, grimacing a bit. “Sometimes I really miss home. Even though life back there was total shit.”

Rosalie nods. “I know what you mean.” Stacy looks over at her, confused. “I mean- well... I mean back, home I didn't have a lot of friends. And my Mom wasn't exactly- well, she loved me, that's for sure but-... she was really embarrassing and not that in endearingly doting kind of way. I get the feeling that my Mom only really likes me taking Federal Service because it means she'll have more money in the bank.”

Olga, Stacy, and Naka glance at each other. “Yeah,” says Olga. “That's... surprising.” Yep, they knew the minute they saw Miss O'Connor.

“Well, you're doing it now,” says Stacy. “And um... I guess we're really taking responsibility now. That's how the Lieutenant says it should be, right?” They all nod. “Naka. Why did you take the Federal Service?”

Naka sticks her tongue out, grinning. “I wanted to be famous!”

“Is that it?” asks Rosalie.

“What?” Naka pouts a bit. “Well- I wanted to be a fighter pilot, but I didn't qualify. But! I figure, if I win a lot of medals, and get my name in the papers, you could see as the Fleet Idol!” She gets stars in her eyes just thinking about it. “Think of it! Can you think of it!? I can! It's lovely!”

Olga smiles as well. “Oh, jeez. The thought of being famous! Having people cater to your every whim!” Naka and Olga sigh in bliss at the fantasy. They both giggle at the thought of it, and even Rosalie and Stacy go back to all smiles and sunshine as they eat.

You check your watch.

Oooh. The press conference is in an hour.

File: Olga.jpg (152 KB, 579x818)

152 KB JPG

>>695271
That's it for tonight's Starship Idols. We'll return tomorrow at the same Idol time, same Idol channel. Though if you got questions, dump them and I'll try and get to them when I can, yeah?

Follow at: https://twitter.com/GermanSchteel
Ask at: http://germanschteel.tumblr.com/
Book Tumbles: http://germanschteelbookblog.tumblr.com/

See you next time.

>>695284
Thanks for runing Schteel!

>>695284
See you next time!

>>695284
Thanks for running.

>>695284

Damm missed it
Always good

>>695284
Thanks for the fun, boss.

Had to play late catch up.

The lecture hall in the Hotel is taken up by journalists from all over the galaxy, mostly Fednet and its many respective branches. But many reputable Colonial news sources along with some tabloid jouranlists have entered the fray as well, being shunted to the back by all the Fednet journalists. As it should be really, nothing that good came out of the Colonies anyway. You stand to the side, out of view of most of the cameras with your girls as everything gets prepared. Some journalists recalibrate their camera drones, others quickly find info on some of the girls as best they can, some just chat about the various going ons of the Galaxy. “You hear that the Prime Minister wants to lower the legal age of enlistment from 16 to 14?” asks one journalist to another.

“Never gonna pass the Council,” says the other. “I mean, a kid doesn't know what a fucking vote is, why do we gotta give them that right?”

“I know,” says the first one. “Ridiculous, right?”

“Absolutely,” says the second one. “Almost as ridiculous as the CDF.” The two of them chuckle at that. “Can't believe the Prime Minister spent five and some odd years trying to convince people that some colonial slut sitting his ass on some backwater deserves citizenship in the same way a trooper or a fleetie does. They don't even go on offensives with the MI, can you believe that? Complete joke.”

“I'm telling you, come the Election, she's out of it.”

Doesn't concern you right now. Right now though, what concerns you is your girls. They wear the MI dress uniforms, carefully dusting each other off, adjusting their ties, making sure they look nice and presentable to the journalists. “Alright, everyone,” you say. “It's time for your first impressions with the press. Now, they can be quite the bloodsuckers, you give them an inch they take a mile. Got that?” The three of them nod. “Just relax, be confident.”

Stacy rubs her neck a bit, looking at all of them. “There are so many though...”

“I can't wait to see my face on Fednet!” says Olga. Of course it's Olga that actually likes the idea of this. “Ooooh, if Naka could see this now- Oh, Naka!” Olga waves to Naka, who sits in the crowd. Naka grins, waving back and bouncing in her seat. “Naka, hi!”

Rosalie looks to you. “Lieutenant, we're not exactly experienced. Wh-... what should we say to them?”

> “Just smile and wave.”
> “Be honest.”
> “Just tell them you love the Federation, you're glad to be a part of it, yadda yadda yadda, I still got my flash cards if you want them.”
> Other

>>696958
>> “Just smile and wave.”

>>696958
>> “Just smile and wave.”

>>696958
>“Just smile and wave.”

>>696958
> “Just tell them you love the Federation, you're glad to be a part of it, yadda yadda yadda, I still got my flash cards if you want them.”

> “Just smile and wave.”

“Just smile and wave,” you say. “They're gonna ask you a lot of questions about everything. Best you can do is smile and wave.”

Rosalie blinks. “Um. Okay.”

Olga rubs her hands together, grinning. “Well, let's do this then!” You check your watch. It is about time for the Press Conference to start. So you lead them up to the table where they'll sit on stage and take questions.

Mills introduces everyone. “Now introducing Lieutenant-” A mic screech blocks out your name. Damn it, they need to fix that. “-and the Starship Idols! Rosalie O'Connor, Olga Schwarber, and Stacy Elson!” Everyone stands up and applauds politely. You take your seat quickly on the far left end, with Rosalie next to you, then Olga, then Stacy. Mills is beside you at the podium, ready to end the conference or help spin a question the way you need to on your watch. Azuma, Burkett, Saki, and Naka watch from the crowd. “Right, the girls will be taking questions for thirty minutes. We'll start with the gentleman up front.”

The journalist stands up, holding up a recorder and backed up by a camera drone which snaps multitudes of pictures of the girls. “Right. Can you girls give us an idea of how tough Mobile Infantry training was? Seeing as how you graduated, you must have been tested quite a bit.”

The three girls are silent, then Olga and Stacy look over to Rosalie. Rosalie clears her throat. “W- well...” Rosalie blushes a bit, twiddling her fingers. “It was an honor to be part of the training process and start our road to citizenship! We uh... we uh... maybe a little different from your average trooper but that- uh... that doesn't make us any uh...” Oh for fucks sake. “That doesn't make us any less citizens,” she finishes quietly.

Olga grins, immediately saying, “Training was difficult, yeah, but ultimately I think we all gained a lot of it. Brotherhood and sisterhood, responsibility, and courage to do our part for the war effort!”

Another journalist stands up. “Now, you girls have been called 'warmongers' and 'brainwashers' by anti-war media in the Colonies. What do you say to that?”

Stacy says, “Well as part of the Federation, they have their right to disagree. But we also have our right to tell them their opinion is wrong.” She smiles happily, forcibly. “I don't consider us warmongers. We just want to support the war.”

Olga nods. “And if supporting the war means joining up and becoming Idols, then by golly let's do it!”

One journalist raises his hand. “You girls have already been called 'some of the cutest that the MI has to offer'.” What? You huff a bit. As if. “Tell us, has your appearance, your attractiveness already attracted some loyal fans? Maybe a boyfriend?”

Stacy and Olga look at Rosalie. Rosalie twiddles her thumbs a bit. She leans over to you.

> Push her away and let her answer.
> “Say no. You're more approachable that way.”
> “Be honest.”
> Other

>>697027
>> “Be honest.”

>>697027
>> “Say no. You're more approachable that way.”

>>697027
> “Say no. You're more approachable that way.”

> “Say no. You're more approachable that way.”

Rosalie nods at that, a bit nervous. “Well... no.” She goes back to the mic. “I mean, we were pretty popular with the boys in training, hehe...” The crowd laughs quietly at that, which surprises Rosalie a bit. “But no, no boyfriend. That's the truth.” Better be. “Erm, I believe Olga is in the market for one though.”

Olga smirks. “I am! Boyfriend or girlfriend, it makes no difference to me, hehe!”

Stacy shrugs. “I never really had friends to begin with.” Oh for fucks sake.

Another journalist stands up. “Girls. Your first concert will be the opening act leading for the Galaxy Gals back on Earth. Have you met the Galaxy Gals, and if so, what's your opinion on the usage of artificial intelligence as Idols? I believe there is some considerable debate as to whether it's ethical to use AI, holographic imagery, and clever lighting to essentially create Idols rather than have natural born humans play the part.”

“We have never personally met the Galaxy Gals, but we are glad they are giving us the opportunity to lead them into a show,” says Olga. “And I hope we get to meet them and that they'll be the loveliest people! Whether or not they're real makes no difference to me!” Olga grins. “Next question?”

One last journalist in the back from the colonies. “This is for the Lieutenant.” Huh? What? You look over at him. “There are opponents of the Federation's foray into the Idol business regarding the usage of Idols as a recruitment tool, many claim that its a waste of money, others say its a dishonest way of recruiting kids into becoming soldiers. What would you say to that?”

> “I'd tell them to go fuck themselves.”
> “They can politely take their opinion and shove it.”
> “Their opinion is noted.”
> Other

>>697105
>> “Their opinion is noted.”

>>697105
>> “Their opinion is noted.”

>>697105
>"I expect that, if they feel that way, they should also feel the need to voluntarily enlist, so we don't have to dishonestly waste money recruiting kids."

>>697105
Voting this >>697147

> “Their opinion is noted.”
> Other

“Their opinion is noted. As this is a free Federation, we are open to many ideas, regardless of whether they agree with what we want to do or not. It's what separates us from the bugs after all. I expect that if they feel that way, they should also feel the need to voluntarily enlist as well so we don't have to dishonestly waste money recruiting kids.”

Several journalists immediately stand up, along with many more to try and get their questions in. “Lieutenant! What do you mean by dishonest? Are you implying that this plan may involve embezzlement from other branches of the Federation!?” Oh shit.

“Lieutenant! What is your opinion on the Hesperus Operation, what do you think could have been done to prevent that disaster!?”

“Lieutenant, do you think that Veterans should shoulder the burden of the war by paying increased taxes as well!?”

“Do you think the Mobile Infantry's training should be eased up so we can get more troopers onto the frontline!?”

“What is your opinion on the Colonial Defense Force, are they an important asset or are they a waste of money and resources better spent on the Federal Service!?”

Oh fuck. What have you done. All your Idols look at you, distressed. “Right, no further questions,” says Mills. He quickly walks over and begins to herd you and the girls out to one of the dressing rooms connected to the lecture hall. Security quickly starts to push back the journalists as they try to mob and swarm the girls with more. Olga, to her credit, poses and smiles for each and every photograph.

Once you're inside the dressing room, you quickly crack open a beer and take a quick chug. Uuuugh, that's better.

Mills walks up to you. “Could've handled that better.”

“How was I supposed to know they'd jump me?” you ask.

Olga giggles as she sits in a chair in front of one of the mirrors. “Ooooh! They got so many pictures of me! I can't wait to see myself on Fednet!”

You sigh. The next Fednet report will be on tonight. That will definitely have the girls. So...

> Take a walk around the hotel.
> Guide your girls back to their rooms and order some room service.
> “Right, back to training you lot.”
> Other

>>697251
>> Take a walk around the hotel.

>>697251
> “Right, back to training you lot.”

>>697251
>> “Right, back to training you lot.”

>>697251
> “Right, back to training you lot.”

>>697251
> “Right, back to training you lot.”
No rest for the adorable.

> “Right, back to training you lot.”

-

-

“Alright, everyone!” Naka again leads your Idols, this time in dance instruction. “Are we all limbered up!?” They nod. “Good, then let's take some laps around the gym!”

“Eh?” Olga blinks. “I thought we were going to learn to dance!”

Naka wags her finger. “Ah, ah, ah. Dancing isn't just the flashhy moves, Olga-san. It also involves endurance! What would you look like if you went on stage, danced, then got exhausted and collapsed partway through the set?” Olga realizes this, nodding. “Good! Now, let's go! Stacy, take point!” Stacy nods, leading on. Their shoes squeak against the floor as they run, with Rosalie unfortunately falling behind. “Pick up the pace, Rosalie-san!”

The girls take a run around the gym, while you, Burkett, Azuma, and Mills watch on.

Azuma says, “You know, I'm optimistic.” You look at him. “I think they'll be ready for the stage.”

They run right around. “Thank you, Azuma!” says Olga.

“They better be,” you say. “Funding's dependent on how good they are, their first time on stage. And if we do well, I think we'll have enough to put on more Idols, get some new staff on board, even book ourselves some new venues. Burkett.” He looks over. “What do you think?”

“I think they're fucked,” says Burkett. The girls pass by, not responding to that. “Look, I don't really care about this Idol stuff. That doesn't involve me. But they won't last five minutes on a real battlefield against the Bugs. They'll be slaughtered.”

You fold your arms. “What makes you say that?”

“Lot of things. First one, Rosalie... surprised she made it through,” he says. “She'll be a load for sure. I haven't seen any evidence that they can coordinate either. And I know for a fact that even if you yourself were to lead them, sheer incompetence will trump your leadership.” The girls stop, looking at Burkett, obviously distressed by what he's saying. “That's just my opinion.”

…

> “Can we talk, Burkett, outside?”
> “Your opinion's noted.”
> “Yeah, girls, keep going.”
> Other

>>697424
> “Can we talk, Burkett, outside?”

>>697424
> “Can we talk, Burkett, outside?”

>>697424
>> “Can we talk, Burkett, outside?”
Give some constructive criticism, Burkett

>>697424
> “Your opinion's noted.”

> “Can we talk, Burkett, outside?”

You drag Burkett outside where you can talk in relative private. There, you push him on the chest, glaring at him. “The fuck is your problem? These are little girls trying their best to be citizens and you're running a damper on their parade!”

“I'm stating facts,” he says. “And the fact of the matter is, they're not trained enough to survive their first combat drop.” He folds his arms. “You should know that as well as I do.”

“I know,” you say. “That's why you're here. You meant to train them, you're meant to lead them.”

“I can only do so much,” he says simply. He places his hands on his hips, looking you in the eye. “You're telling me I have to lead three girls with very little prior training, with only the most rudimentary experience in wearing suits... that is a very tall order and I think you know that too.” It is a tall order. But the MI takes nothing but tall orders. That is what being a citizen is about after all, doing what the ordinary can't, and in turn leading the ordinary. “Now don't give me that bullshit about how they want to be citizens either, patriotism only gets one so far.”

“... you're one of those anti-war people, aren't you?” you ask. You should've guessed.

“I'm not anti-war,” he says. “I'm against needless death.”

“If they die, it's not just your responsibility, it's mine as well.” You jab him in the chest. “I want you to go in there, apologize, and be a big brother to them. You're a Sergeant! That's your job! Hell, you're a war hero same as me.”

He's quiet for a few seconds, then sighs. “I'm no hero.” He blinks, then shakes his head. “Look. I don't want to lie to the girls. Why lie about war?”

“So we can fight it,” you say. “Alright?”

He sighs. “... I need a drink.”

> “So do I. Apologize and we'll go get one.”
> “You can have one after you apologize.”
> “Well sod off, if I'm dry, so are you.”
> Other

>>697573
> “Well sod off, if I'm dry, so are you.”

>>697573
> “Well sod off, if I'm dry, so are you.”

>>697573
>> “Well sod off, if I'm dry, so are you.”

>>697573
>“Well sod off, if I'm dry, so are you.”

Share the misery of sobriety with us

> “Well sod off, if I’m dry, so are you.”

“Well sod off you little pussy.” You gently smack him on the chest. “If I’m dry, so are you.” He looks positively crushed to hear that news. You better not tell him you were drinking earlier. But hey, if you can be sober, then the girls can become MI troopers, real ones, not fakes they advertise on the Fednet. “Now listen, go back in and apologize, yeah?”

“Alright.” He opens the door, and there you see your girls standing around, waiting a bit. They look a bit worried, concerned as Burkett awkwardly stands around. “Right, girls, uh…” He holds up a hand, defensively. “Just wanted to say, sorry for being a bit harsh. I know you girls try hard.”

Rosalie says, “We know.”

You fold your arms. “Burkett means well.” You nudge him a bit, and he goes back to sit down. “He is right, you don’t have a lot of experience. I’m hoping after your first concert, there’ll be time to get you some training and a bit more time in the suits. Survivability is key here.”

Olga smiles at Burkett. “It’s okay, Uncle Burkett. We forgive you.”

“Please don’t call me Uncle,” he asks.

“Right.” You smile at Naka. “Naka, were you going to teach them some dance moves today?”

“Ah, not today,” she says. “Today I wanted to focus on building some flexibility, help the girls get into the mold of an Idol who can dance and sing, jump and run, all that! You’re not an Idol if you can’t do a full split! As I will now demonstrate!” She holds up her arms. “Lalalalaaaaa!” She slowly descends down, her front leg going forward and her back leg going back. Olga and Rosalie gasp in surprise as Naka simply descends down, pulling a split without even thinking. “And that is how you do a split! Stacy?”

Stacy in the confusion has also done a split. “It’s not that hard,” she says.

“HOW!?” yells Olga. “That’s amazing!”

“Teach us!” says Rosalie. It seems Burkett’s outburst is already forgiven. Great, great.

Olga looks at you. “Lieutenant, can you do a split!?”

> “Of course I can!”
> “I’m not gonna try.”
> “Well, maybe when I was younger.”
> Other

>>697815

> “Of course I can! But you need to be the center of training here. Not me.”

>>697815
>> “Well, maybe when I was younger.”

>>697815
> “Well, maybe when I was younger.”

>>697815
>"I don't know. Maybe? I haven't had to do one since I was in active service."
You get up to some shit when you're in the army.

File: Axe-Kick.jpg (2.5 MB, 1762x2468)

2.5 MB JPG

>>697815
> Do a Lieutenant-style split with an axe-kick.

> “Well, maybe when I was younger.”

“Well, maybe when I was younger.” There was that one time you did a split when you were bored on patrol. A couple of your fellow Officer Cadets were flirting with you, claiming you couldn’t do one. And you did! Ha ha! Of course, probably can’t do one now, at least not without practice. “I mean, I’m pretty old.”

“Aren’t you like 23?” asks Azuma. Are you? Huh. Well.

“Well, I bet you can!” says Olga.

“Anyway, girls!” Naka claps her hands, getting everyone’s attention. “Let’s get back to work! Splits! Right, let’s limber those legs up first!” Naka raises her left leg up about belt high, touching it with her fingers. “One!” She raises the other leg as well next. “Two!” Rosalie and Olga start to repeat her motions. “Ichi, ni!”

“San, shi!” repeat Rosalie and Olga.

“Ichi, ni!” Naka raises her legs even higher and higher as they go.

“San, shi!” Rosalie repeat again as they raise their legs even higher. Rosalie however, trips and almost falls over.

-

-

“Owowowowowowow…” Naka kneels down, carefully helping Rosalie down into her split. Olga lies back on the floor with Stacy, watching as Rosalie is the last one to do her split. Rosalie cringes and grimaces in stretching pains as her legs are forced front and back. “Owowowow…”

“Almost there,” says Naka as she holds Rosalie’s hips, ready to pull her up but also gently lowering her down. “You’re good, you’re good.”

“Owowowowowowo…” Rosalie finally touches her butt on the floor. “Oh! I did it!” You all applaud her as she raises her arms in triumph. “Yaaay!... I can’t get up.” Naka carefully helps Rosalie up.

Right, what now?

> Back to the rooms, time for room service!
> Take a walk around as the girls cool down.
> Talk with your staff a bit, see how they’re doing.
> Other

>>697964
>> Talk with your staff a bit, see how they’re doing.

>>697964
> Talk with your staff a bit, see how they’re doing.

>>697964
> Talk with your staff a bit, see how they’re doing.

>>697964
> Talk with your staff a bit, see how they’re doing.

Naka's got things under control here. Best find out what's going wrong behind the scenes.

> Talk with your staff a bit, see how they’re doing.

You sit down with Azuma, Burkett, and Mills. “Hey, Azuma, where’s your sister?”

“In our room,” he says. “She’s busy watching the Fednet news, doing work for her next Youth Corps badge, making spare costumes in case the new ones get trashed somehow.” Ah, right, right. “I was actually talking to the guys who are doing the stage down in the American territories where we’re performing, it’ll be a decently sized stage, around 10, 20,000 people?” You blink. 10 or 20,000 people? What? “Most of them are there though to see the Galaxy Gals, we’ll most likely only see a few thousand at first, everyone else will file in after our performance.”

“Right, right. Did you need anything in the special effects side?” you ask.

“I’m calling in a lot of favors,” he explains. “Trying to get things cheap. I couldn’t get us fog machines, those are a premium, or hologram projectors, those are way more premium. But, I was at least able to get some spotlights and a few stagehands to help us with our show.”

You nod. “Alright, alright.”

“You don’t know what I’m talking about, do you?”

“I do!” You stomp your foot. “Goodness.” You fold your arms. “I bet you fucking think I’m a simple kind of hoor or something. I know what you’re talking about. Yeah, we’re on a tight budget but we’ll make it work. Right now we just gotta survive the first concert, then we can think about the MI stuff.” You sigh, leaning back in your seat. “Can we just like uh… talk about the good stuff?”

“Well. We have costumes and make up thanks to my sister,” says Azuma.

…

“Is that it?” you ask.

“Yeah, basically,” he says.

You sigh, rubbing your temples. “Well, shit. Well, Naka’s got things under control. So they’ll at least be dancing and singing. Mills?”

Mills shrugs. “I’m always doing fantastic, ma’am.”

“Great. Burkett?” you ask.

“Drinks.”

You roll your eyes. Your staff’s fine you suppose. Azuma stands up. “I should head to my room though. You going to retire for today too, Lieutenant?”

> “Yeah, we’re done here.”
> “Nah.”
> Other

>>698093

> “Yeah, we’re done here.”

>>698093
>> “Yeah, we’re done here.”

>>698093
> “Yeah, we’re done here.”

>>698093
>“Yeah, we’re done here.”

And thanks, Azuma.

File: 7aebd7d4-5407-4165-b742-8(...).jpg (54 KB, 520x390)

54 KB JPG

>>698093
>“Drinks.”

> “Yeah, we’re done here.”

> “Yeah, we're done here.”

You stand up, sighing. “Yeah, we're done here. Azuma, thanks for your hard work, really, I appreciate it.” He nods, folding his arms. “Hopefully you'll get some kind of payraise later after the concert or something. I'd love that.”

“Well, it'd be nice,” he says. “But hey, anything for you, Lieutenant.”

Burkett stands up, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Well, if you excuse me, I'm headed to the bar-” You grab his collar. “Or not.”

“You're staying sober until the concert,” you say. “Then we can talk drinks.”

“You're torturing me,” he says. “That's against the Laws and Customs of War you know, you can't torture people.”

“Enlisted don't count as people,” you say back. “No offense, Azuma.” He shakes his head.

“Anyway...” You let Burkett go, smirking. “I shall retire for the night. Alone. To my bedroom with my big bed.” You quirk your brow, looking at Azuma and Burkett. They stare at you, then glance at each other. “Would be nice to have some company.” You look over at Mills, who folds his arms. “... come on, guys.”

“I gotta make sure Saki's in bed at a reasonable time,” says Azuma he walks to the door. “But hey, maybe another time, LT.” Aw, dang it. You look at Burkett, who simply turns around and leaves. Fucks sake. And with that, Mills.

Mills says, “Did you want to watch a movie or something, Lieutenant? I could cook you some popcorn.”

…

You sigh. “Yeah, let's just watch a movie, Mills.”

“Of course, Lieutenant.”

THEY'RE BLOWING IT, BLOWING IT IT'S ALL SHIT, IT'S SHIT, FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK

Follow at: https://twitter.com/GermanSchteel
Ask at: http://germanschteel.tumblr.com/
Book Tumbles: http://germanschteelbookblog.tumblr.com/

See you next time.

KILL ME NOW

>>698242
Thanks for running Schteel

Baseball again?

>>698246
I'M GONNA BE UP ALL NIGHT FOR THIS OH GOD

>>698242
Thanks for running Schteel, later.

>>698242
Thanks for the fun, boss

Oh God your fucking HEAD. You didn't even drink last night! What the hell!? You groan, slowly opening your eyes up to the warm Martian morning. Great, great, just what you needed. You slowly rise up, rubbing your eyes as you feel around your blanket. Soft, soft, hard-

Wait.

You force your eyes open to see a metal tray laid out on your lap. You now see a full course breakfast laid out for you. Fifteen pancakes, a tub of syrup, six slices of toast, a patty of hashbrowns, eight sunny side up eggs, and a jug of orange juice. Huh. Who could've made this for you? You look at a sticky note left on the side of the tray. Huh.

“Lieutenant, made breakfast for you. Eat up! It's delicious!”

Mills

Aw, Mills. He made breakfast for you. What a total sweetie. No boyfriend of yours ever made breakfast in bed for you! You blush a little, then immediately start digging into it. Oh, this is a bit of a light breakfast if you're honest, but you'll take it! Anything to kill this apparently phantom hangover. Goddamn it, goddamn it. Oh, it's delicious, every bite of it! Oh, Mills! Why are you so good!? Awww...

You see another note.

“Also, we're taking the girls out around the town. Wanted to wake you but you were sleeping like the dead. You can meet us at the Fednet Center around mid day or you can take the day off. I know you work hard.”

Mills

Aw, Mills! He's letting you take the day off!

You gasp. That means you can drink in private!

> DRINK ALL THE ALCOHOL
> Nah, just get ready, shower, make yourself presentable, then grab a drink.
> Turn on the Fednet news, strip down to your undies, and fucking PIG OUT.
> Other

>>700574
>> Nah, just get ready, shower, make yourself presentable, then grab a drink.

>>700574
>> Nah, just get ready, shower, make yourself presentable, then grab a drink.

>>700574
>> Nah, just get ready, shower, make yourself presentable, then grab a drink.

>>700574
> Nah, just get ready, shower, make yourself presentable, then grab a drink.

File: 1475555739833.png (115 KB, 326x226)

115 KB PNG

>>700574
>Oh, this is a bit of a light breakfast if you're honest
>light breakfast

>>700574
> Nah, just get ready, shower, make yourself presentable, then grab a drink.

>>700603
A trooper's gotta eat if they're gonna keep strong.

>>700620
But she's not burning a billion calories a day anymore.

It's like when dudes get out of the Rangers but keep eating like Rangers and are surprised that they get fat.

It's still very sweet that Mills made her a nice breakfast.

>>700574
>> Nah, just get ready, shower, make yourself presentable, then grab a drink.

> Nah, just get ready, shower, make yourself presentable, then grab a drink.

-

-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jlHz0wF0Ig

You pop out of the bathroom, hot steam pouring out as you wear only a towel on your body. “Aaaahhh!” This day is already going nicely. You tiptoe over to the kitchen. The radio blasts some music which you sway your hips to as you scout out for a drink. Anything really, scotch, whiskey, even the lightest beer will do to start your day. The fridge opens up for you and peek inside. Soda, water, OJ, milk... Aha! Beer! It'll do. You snap the can open and take a deep swig of it.

Oh. It's already done. You toss the can aside then grab another one. You snap that open and take a lighter sip as well. You walk back into your bedroom, and marvel at the view outside of your hotel room. Goodness gracious, that's a view.

This is taking you back to when you first graduated from the MI. Views like this, under the stars, with your new squaddies. You smile a little, taking another sip.

You sigh, it's a beautiful day out. And you finally have some time to yourself as well. Azuma, Burkett, and Mills presumably are taking the girls out a nice day out to rest and relax. That just left you some time to reflect on your life!

…

Hm.

Yeah. You don't want to reflect right now, but...

> You could visit your parents, maybe.
> Go catch up to them.
> Laze around the hotel.
> Other

>>700669
>> Go catch up to them.

>>700669
>> Go catch up to them.

>>700669
> Go catch up to them.

> Go catch up to them.

You decide to put on your utility greys, then grab a few drinks of beer as well. Once you're done with your beers, you pop in a breath mint or twenty to make sure no one figures out that you've been drinking. Right then, you're cute, you're young, and you're ready to take on the world! It's time to go catch up with your girls!

-

-

After hailing a taxi into New Aberdeen, you arrive at the Fednet Center in the city, a bit more of a hustling bustling hub of information and news than the one back in Aberdeen on Earth. You step out of the taxi, give the driver a quick tip, then look around. The huge building is arrayed with many relays, one of the largest. The Fednet Center not only doubles as a news headquarters, but also the Galaxy's largest galactic relay, allowing Fednet to reach out to the middle systems. The Outer Colonies are a different story, but from the attitude people have regarding them, nobody really cares enough to expand it anyway.

You step inside, gently pushing past a few people here and there. The main lobby of the Fednet Center is a gigantic circular room, with a central station for desks for secretaries to guide people around, take calls, the works. Above them was a massive viewing hub showing the latest in Federal news, from news on the war, to market stocks, to news about a puppy helping a kid out of a well in Russia. It's got it all.

There, you find Burkett and Azuma talking with each other by the desk. “Azuma, Burkett!” you call. They look over, surprised. “My, my, what are you two talking to each other, about?”

“Nothing,” says Azuma.

Burkett says, “He was telling me he'd kick my ass if I ever touched you.”

“You fucking rat!” Azuma stomps his foot, grabbing Burkett's collar. Aw, you gently push Azuma away. No fighting, boys. “Goddamn it, what's wrong with you?”

“Gotta be honest with the LT,” he says. “If you're wondering LT, Mills took the girls upstairs to see how a real Federal broadcast is done. We were just waiting for you down here in case you came by and wanted to meet us.”

> “Let's have some lunch, let them finish their little tour by themselves.”
> “Let's go see how they're doing.”
> “Aw, Azuma, were you worried I'd be taken advantage of? You little sweetie.”
> Other

>>700669

Other
Work out
Then posses and flex in the showers ( you still got it baby)

>>700878

Aw, Azuma, were you worried I'd be taken advantage of? You little sweetie.
Then we wisper i his ear that he better pick his gane ip couse mills just made you breakfast in bed then kiss him on the cheek and ass slap as we walk away
(I still want us to work out at some point got stay fit and sexy
Men love those strong legs

>>700878
>> “Let's go see how they're doing.”

>>700878
>> “Let's go see how they're doing.”

>>700878
> “Aw, Azuma, were you worried I'd be taken advantage of? You little sweetie.”

>>700889

I mean we can do this and then go see how they are going
As we walk swinging dem hips ( that dont lie)

>>700878
I may be a little late but
>other
Try to get Azuma and Burkett to have a smooth working relationship

>>701024

I readed that as smooch working relationship
At frist.

Ok mills is best boy ( made us food)
Azuma is the azuma cutest
Burkett is drinking drinking comrade

File: azunyan.gif (1.48 MB, 320x240)

1.48 MB GIF

>>701058
> Azuma is the azuma cutest
Azum-nyan?

>>701079
He'd deck the LT if she ever tried to put cat ears on him

> “Let's go see how they're doing.”

“Let's go see how they're doing.” You do admit to wanting to tease Azuma a bit. He was worried for you! The poor little sweetie. Maybe you'll talk to him later about it though. For now though, your girls take top priority. So you motion the two of them to follow you. “Where did you say they were going?”

“Upstairs,” says Azuma.

Oooh, upstairs.

-

-

The three of you quietly walk around set as news anchors, reporters, and their assistants pass around papers to each other. They reherase lines, get water down their gullets, have their makeup done before the Fednet news goes live for the afternoon. You find Olga and Rosalie ooing and awing at all that goes on, while Mills keeps Stacy, Naka, and Saki relatively close so they don't wander off from boredom. It's all organized chaos here. And at the center of it, news anchors Matt Harvey and Elouise Gonzalez. “Quiet on set!” yells a techie. “Go to Camera One! Three, two, one, you're live!”

Matt Harvey, a very firm man with a square jaw and a nice suit with matching haircut thumps his papers on the desk. “Good afternoon, Federation. I'm Matt Harvey.”

The very attractive brown-skinned woman next to him grins. “And I'm Elouise Gonzalez.”

“Welcome to Fednet News today. The news this week, there's talk of a new Recruitment drive from the Prime Minister, a very unconventional one. She means to use Idols as a means of connecting the youth to the Federal Service, and in that way boost recruitment figures.”

“Yes,” says Elouise. “In the face of a war going almost into its twenty-first year, the attrition is being felt across all corners of the Federation. The Prime Minister has stated that she believes that in order to win this war, we must trust our youth to carry the Federation.”

“In Colonial News, Colonial Defense Force recruitment has sunk to an all-time low. Officials in the outer Colonies cite low pay, no pathway to the franchise, and very hazardous conditions as being why people aren't joining the CDF in great numbers as they once did.”

You lean over next to Rosalie and Olga, grinning at them. They smile, watching as the two handsome and beautiful anchors read off the news.

“And now a word of Why We Fight,” says Elouise. “In tribute to our brave fighting men and women. Please join us for a couple of minutes of a public service announcement: Why We Fight. Thank you.” The lights go dim, and immediately the chaos ensues again.

Rosalie says, “I never knew a news place was so chaotic.”

“Yeah,” says Olga. “And I've seen their reports too. There's a lot of censorship as well. What's up with that?” she asks.

> “Safety reasons.”
> Shrug. You don't know.
> “We try not to broadcast sensitive information to the public.”
> Other

>>701090
>implying Burkett doesn't wanna be a cute cat gril

>>701106
>"Because most people prefer a comfortable lie to the hard truth."

>>701106
>> Shrug. You don't know. (But you do.)

>>701079

Totaly we got sneak some cat ears or tail on him somewhere and how.
Get the girls to do it for us
>>701090

>>701106

“We try not to broadcast sensitive information to the public
Alao what are we going to paint the meach suits

> Other

“Because most people prefer a comfortable lie to the hard truth,” you say. Olga and Rosalie nod slowly, apparently in understated awe of that statement. It's actually quite true. It's something that they teach you quite a bit in History and Moral Philosophy classes. People don't like being told that they're wrong, or that something is wrong with them, or something around them is wrong. One of the great failures of Democracy in the old ages was not being able to counter that. Nowadays, it's still kind of a problem, but at least you balance it out with the Federal Service and free speech laws Voting is not a right, free speech is. God gave us a mouth after all.

Rosalie nudges you. “They're starting the film!”

> WHY WE FIGHT <

A film reel shows the Galaxy at large. An announcer narrates throughout the film. “The Citizens' Systems Federation has been at War with the evil Arachnid Empire for twenty years. Some question why a war is so necessary, and to that, Prime Minister Thach has this to say.”

It cuts to Prime Minister Thach at her desk, addressing the audience directly. “We fight the Arachnid menace, not because of land, not because of pride, religion, money, or any other petty reason. We fight because it is -right-. The average Arachnid does not know fear, nor ego, nor death, and it will stop at nothing to see that you and your family and the Federation burns to a fiery crisp beneath its legs. They are a species that knows only dictatorship, brutal oppression of its own kind, fascist ideology, -socialism-, the very anti-thesis of our proud Federation. That is why we need you today, to fight for the people of tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Prime Minister,” says the narrator.

The film cuts to the ruins of a former colony in the Outer Rim. Buildings lay burnt, damaged, and razed to the ground. “The Arachnids do not bother with mercy. They do not negotiate. They have no word for -surrender- and they will not stop at anything to kill you.”

It cuts to a rather graphic and brutal scene of civilians lying dead in the streets. “These are the people who made the mistake of thinking the Arachnids can be reasoned with. Do not make that mistake.”

The film now cuts to an image of an Arachnid Warrior. “The average Arachnid warrior is stronger than your average human being. It possesses rudimentary intelligence. It thinks only in terms of what betters the Colony. And it will gladly sacrifice itself if it will kill a human.” The image suddenly animates, screeching at the viewer, intending to scare them. “But what can we do against such wretched hate?”

“Why? You can join the Federal Service!”

Stacy nudges you. “Uh... how much of that is accurate?” You shrug. A lot of it is actually accurate. The Federation has no need to lie about the dangers of the Arachnids. Olga looks pale, still apparently shocked at the sight of actual corpses.

> “Don't worry, bugs aren't that smart.”
> “It's true. All of it.”
> “Just keep watching.”
> Other

>>701383
>> “Just keep watching.”

>>701383
> “Just keep watching.”

>>701383
>> “Just keep watching.”

>>701383

“Just keep watching
Would you like to know more?
Also should we get tolhem used to watching horror movies and things so they dont freak b out from the dead bodies that happenes with fighting?

>>701542
Horror movies don't really come close to actual dead people

File: I cry everytime.gif (1.3 MB, 479x241)

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>>701542
I think we should have them watch the Iron Giant.

I bet the LT would be the first to start crying.

>>701542
>>701557
*Unless you're watching Cannibal Holocaust or 120 Days of Sodom or something

>>701563

But y i didnt come here for fells!!!
Well i guse just have them learn the hard way works as well.
But real war is going to fuck them up for the singing

> “Just keep watching.”

“Just keep watching,” you say.

The film cuts to a line of eager men and women in line at a Federal Service Recruitment station. “Every day, the Federation receives new recruits ready and willing to fight for the future. At the frontline of that initiative is the Mobile Infantry and the Federal Fleet.”

A man of average height and build is shown on screen. “As said before in the film, your average human has no chance against an Arachnid Warrior. But with Mobile Infantry training...” He suddenly gains two inches in height, as well as becomes much more musclebound and handsome. He winks, a twinkle to his smile. “Well, the odds start to even out. And the odds will stack in his favor with the new PALADIN SUIT.”

A blueprint of a Paladin suit appears on screen, followed by a 3D Image of a Paladin. “The Paladin Armored Infantry Suit is the difference between a dead trooper and a dead bug. It possesses thick armor, functional life support, powerful onboard weaponry, and advanced boosters to allow your trooper to fly – a little -. With this suit...”

The film now cuts to a pair of Paladin equipped troopers roasting out a Bug Hole with flamethrowers. Several Arachnids quickly vacate, burning alive as they roll around trying to put themselves out. The Paladins simply mercifully stomp on their nerve cases, killing them quickly. “Your trooper is now capable of killing over a hundred bugs in a single battle!”

They both give thumbs up, grinning beneath their visors. “We're doing our part! Are you!?”

“So sign up today! There's a long war ahead! And we need you! Service guarantees citizenship!” The film cuts to the Federal Flag waving in the breeze.

> WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE?

“Excuse me people!” A techie starts to shoo all of you off of the set. “No visitors please, off the set, off the set! Come on!” Oh come on! You're a war hero! “I don't care about your MI credentials, we can't have ambient sound leaking into our films! Go on, shoo, shoo!”

-

-

All of you take lunch in the Federal Service building. A nice light meal of three pork sandwiches, a salad with ranch dressing, two apples, five chicken tenders, a basket of chips, and a tall carton of milk on your agenda today as you all dig in.

[1/2]

>>701694
[2/2]

Except for Stacy. You look at her as she eats, or rather doesn't. “Stacy, you not hungry?” you ask.

Stacy is a little pale. “Er, not really, no.”

“Don't tell me that film scared you,” says Burkett. “Don't be such a pussy, people die in war all the time. The ones they show you in that film, those are the ones intact enough to show.” You roll your eyes. “Why, when I was on patrol on Dantana, we found a survey team that ran afoul of the Bugs. Whoowee.” He shakes his head. Even Olga, Rosalie, even Naka appears squeamish now. “Let's just say the Bugs really like to play with their food.”

Stacy dry heaves. “I need to... use the bathroom.” She quickly stands up and runs to the bathroom.

“Nice going,” says Azuma. Burkett shrugs.

> Go after her.
> She'll be fine. Keep eating.
> “Come on, Burkett, don't scare the girls like that.”
> Other

>>701698
>> “Come on, Burkett, don't scare the girls like that.”
Seriously, have some fucking tact

>>701698
>> “Come on, Burkett, don't scare the girls like that.”
He's right that war is ugly. But there are much better ways to put it.

>>701698

Go after her
His not wrong and his telling them the truth about what happens and what they will be getting into
They need to understand this
But he can do it a bit better
War isnt pretty or clean

> “Come on, Burkett, don't scare the girls like that.”

“Come on, Burkett. Don't scare the girls like that. Have some fucking tact why don't you?” He shrugs. “For fucks sake, man. They've never been in combat before, well, real combat. What happened on Mars didn't count. The Arachnids caught you all by surprise.”

“Well, I mean...” Rosalie sighs. “I'm not expecting the war to be all sunshine and rainbows.”

“Yeah, yeah, but... it's not like we're going to die, right?” says Olga. You look at Burkett, who zips up his lips and goes back to sipping on his soda. “You'll protect us, right, Lieutenant?”

“To the best of my ability,” you proclaim. “Sergeant Burkett here as well will be your bodyguard of sorts, and your superior. He'll teach you everything that needs to be taught that hasn't been taught yet to you from the training. And I expect that he will do it without scarring you all for life.”

Burkett raises a hand. “In my defense, war is not pretty. I don't mince words.”

“That much is obvious,” says Azuma.

Rosalie stands up. “I'll go get Stacy.” You nod, and allow Rosalie to quickly jog to the bathrooms. Hopefully the two of them can settle it. Honestly, you'd prefer taking a hands off approach to your Idols. Getting too attached to them is going to really kill you if one of them ever gets hurt. But at the same time, you can't help but at least try and be their big sister. That much is true.

-

-

You check your watch. “Alright, girls. It's about time we get our things packed, then head back to the ship.” All the girls are quiet, a bit concerned, worried looking even. “Don't worry, we'll be back to New Aberdeen soon enough. We'll only be in the sweatbox for half a day then it'll be a nice lavish hotel in America, and then it'll be our first concert, okay?”

Olga smiles a bit. “Yeah! We can do it!”

“Right, right.” Azuma hails down a taxi, allowing everyone to get in to get back to the hotel.

“Oh, Mills.” He looks back. “I don't think I thanked you for breakfast today. That was really sweet of you.”

He smiles a bit. “Hey, you slept soundly last night without drinking. I felt like I should reward that, ma'am.” Aw. He starts to get into the taxi as well, the last one in. “Ma'am, you coming?”

“Huh, oh. Uh...”

> “There's something I should take care of, first.”
> “Yeah, let's go.”
> Other

>>701982
> “Yeah, let's go.”
Don't think there's anything we really want to take care of.

>>701982
>> “Yeah, let's go.”

>>702014
Forgot to drop my trip.

>>701982
>> “Yeah, let's go.”

> “Yeah, let's go.”

You nod. “Yeah.” You shove your hands in your pockets. “Let's go.” You step into the taxi.

-

-

With the ship docked in orbit, you all move through the terminals to the gate that'll take you into the Jimmy Stewart. “Lieutenant.” Captain Ozgen salutes you, backed up by a few of his fleeties. They help take up the bags for the Idols. Rosalie however keeps her bags for herself, insisting that she carry her own stuff for herself now. “It's good to see you again. Back to Earth for now?”

“Yeah,” you say. “Have you heard from Sergeant Dune?”

“I have,” he says. “He sends his regards, hopes that you and the Idols have great success on the homefront. He's looking forward to meeting you all again soon on the front perhaps.” Well, that's good. Dune would be a welcome friendly face, well, somewhat friendly face you suppose. Your Idols pass you by, with Azuma and Saki carrying their own stuff, then Burkett. Burkett looks over at Ozgen, his eyes widening a bit, before quickly moving on. “Was that Sergeant Stratton Burkett?”

You blink. “Huh? Yeah. Do you know him?”

Ozgen very uncharacteristically frowns. “I do. He was assigned to my former command aboard the Edward Sheean.” He folds his arms, squinting at you. After Burkett is clearly out of earshot. “The man's a coward, Lieutenant.”

“What?” Well, I mean- it would make sense. “What are you talking about? I mean, yeah, he does talk very poorly of the war in general but he speaks so bluntly... he can't be spineless.”

“He's a coward and a cheat,” says Ozgen. “You remember his 'heroic' defense of Hill 606?” Ozgen shakes his head. “Complete horseshit. He didn't defend that hill for an entire night against the Bugs. The Bugs completely wiped out the garrison on that hill except for him. He hid in a crater the entire night.” That is a seriously bold accusation.

“Do you have proof?” you ask quietly.

“He told me when he was drunk after the medal ceremony,” he says. “Maybe get him drunk, he'll admit it to you too.”

…

“Why be silent about this?” you ask. “Why haven't you told Fednet or anybody else?”

“You think Fednet would expose a war hero as a coward and a cheat in the middle of a war when we need people inspired?” Ozgen shakes his head. “I may be lazy and I may not be the smartest Fleet Captain. But we need people like Burkett, if not necessarily him on the inside than the out. I'm just warning you, Lieutenant. He may not have your best intentions in mind.” With that, Captain Ozgen turns and walks into the ship with his fellow fleet crewman.

God. Damn it.

What have you done.

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Unfortunately, I'm out of steam and I'm still sad from NLDS Game 5. So we'll stop for tonight. Tomorrow should be free for LGA2 so be hype for that, yeah?

Follow at: https://twitter.com/GermanSchteel
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See you next time.

Go ahead and ask questions and what not if you got them. I'll be around for a bit.

>>702229
Thanks for running Schteel

I am absolutely full of regret for taking on Burkett now

>>702229
Thanks for running Schteel.

>>702229
Thanks for running, chief.

>>702229
At least they weren't the worst team this year (fucking Twins...)

>>702229
i miss Dune already