>>967206
>Deal. So long as it doesn't jeopardize anyone's lives.
>You also explain your what you're paranoid about after the mission if you are right.

>>967206
>Deal. So long as it doesn't jeopardize anyone's lives.
>You also explain your what you're paranoid about after the mission if you are right.

>>967206

Deal

>>967206

>Deal.

>>967206
What >>967239 said.

>>967206
"Deal." You nod, and Stone smiles. "But you're going to explain what you're paranoid about after the mission if you are right."

Stone nods, smiling. "Fair enough." He then raises a hand. "It'll be a pleasure working for you, Captain Morgan."

"I hope so." You take his hand to shake it, even while old his grip is strong. "Let's hope this'll be nothing *but* paranoia, aye?"

You nod in agreement, but you feel like you shouldn't hold your breath.

"You said you'll give your answer to Briggs in a day, or two, right?"

"Yes."

"Good. That gives me enough time to pack my things and pay the rent. Uh... Pilots have personal rooms, right?"

"We do."

Stone just smiles. "Wonderful."

>William Stone has joined your Mercenary Company! If you can name a conflict that has happened within fifty years, it's incredibly likely that Stone was in them. An experienced Veteran and Pilot he excels with his rifle and provides a little bit of everything in the fight.

"With that said and done." Stone sighs, walking back into the kitchen. You hear the fridge open, followed by the clinking of bottles. When he returns you see that he has a pair of beer bottles in his hand. The good stuff. "How bout a drink? To solidify our partnership."

>Drink.
>Decline for later. You still have to scout three more possible mercs.
>Decline.
>Write in.

>>967440
>Decline for later. You still have to scout three more possible mercs.
"So between a deserter walking around in their Ares uniform, a cyborg with an AI installed in her head, and a Bounty Hunter, which would you pick?"

>>967440
>Drink.

>>967440
>Drink.
We gotta hear him out, especially after he's agreed to tell us what's on his mind.

>>967440
>Drink.
Also, whats his call sign?

>>967440
>Drink.
"Tell me this isn't that weak 4 to 6 proof shit."
Plus ask opinion like anon says:
>>967459

>>967498
Stone.

And he's added in the pastebin.

>>967440
>>Drink.

>>967459
Supportan

>Cranky old mentor figure acquired!

>>967440
"Sure, I'll have a drink. This isn't that weak 4 to 6 proof shit, is it?"

Stone laughs. "Hell to the fuck no, boy!" He tosses you a bottle and you read the label... shit this *is* really the good stuff. Like... you're going to have to pay an arm to get even a cup of this! "Now, let's drink!"

~

You slam the bottle down on the table, feeling a slight buzz in the back of your mind. As you drank with Stone you shared war stories and situations that you never believed you could possibly get out of, but somehow did. There was also talk about strategies and techniques. Honestly, despite the buzz, you felt like you learned a few things you never realized you could do before.

>Pilot Skill increases by 1 point.
Or
>Titan Skill increases by 1 point.

>Stone's approval raised by 1 point!

"So tell me, Stone." You slur a little bit. "Between a deserter walking around in their Ares uniform, a cyborg with an AI installed in her head, and a Bounty Hunter, which would you pick?"

Stone sighs, laying his back against the couch. "Ares, a cyborg, and a Bounty Hunter huh?" You nod, and Stone begins to think. "They all sound good. The deserter may be trouble but I bet she knows a thing or two about tech, and the IMC that no one else knows about. Of course, you better grab her quick or you'll probably never see her again. The cyborg, and you tell me she has an AI crammed into her head?"

You nod. He whistles.

"Damn son... I bet her, and that AI could probably be pretty useful. Nothing, and I mean *nothing* can out-hack an AI unless it's another AI. And trust me, if you ever have the poor luck of running against an AI in security, or manning planetary defense, you're in a world of hurt if you don't got one of your own. And the Bounty Hunter?" He laughs. "They're loyal to money and nothing more. Unless he's from Native-Core. Those fuckers love a good hunt and as long as you can promise them that, they'll follow you around like puppies."

...Huh.

>Go find that Ares woman then.
>Go find the Cyborg girl then.
>Go find the Bounty Hunter then.
>Anything else to say?

>>967613
>>Go find the Cyborg girl then.

>>967613
>Pilot Skill increases by 1 point.

>Go find that Ares woman then.
Eh, we don't have a Heavy Weapon's specialist and Eagle's already pretty good at hacking so long as the dice don't screw her over. And having a combat specialist is pretty moot with Hong already on our team.

>>967613
>>967626
Alright I may be dyslexic or something. I could have sworn I chose Titan.

>Titan Skill increases by 1 point.

>>967613
>>Go find that Ares woman then.
>Titan Skill increases by 1 point.

>>967613
>>Go find the Cyborg girl then.
>Titan Skill increases by 1 point.

>>967613
> Titan skill

> Ares pilot

HAHA TIME FOR DEVO

File: 16de723f1dad8f14b9bcb.jpg (30 KB, 836x387)

30 KB JPG

>>967613
Wait wait wait. Wait. Important question OP. Most important question that will be asked for the entire quest.

Is she an Devotion/A-Wall camping ass-sucker? Because there's no way I'm ever going to want one of THOSE on the team.

>>967656
>Not wanting an A wall

It's like you don't want to 1 hit people

>>967613
>Titan Skill increases by 1 point
>Go find the Bounty Hunter then.
Jaeger is a cool call sign, and another ninja wallrunner type is never a bad option.

>>967613
>Titan Skill increases by 1 point.
>Go find that Ares woman then.

>>967613
>Pilot Skill increase by 1 point
>Go find that Ares woman then.

File: Ares Pilot.jpg (398 KB, 621x877)

398 KB JPG

>>967613
>7 for Titan Skill
>1 for Pilot Skill

>5 for Ares
>1 for Cyborg
>1 for Bounty Hunter

You bring your fist up to burp. "Well... I think I'll be heading out now. To find that Ares girl." You nod to yourself, satisfied with your answer.

"You do that, son." Stone nods with you, getting up from his couch. I'll get packing. I assume a room will be set for me when I get aboard?"

"Yes. I'll notify Eagle of you and you'll have your own space and everything aboard the Star Burner. Once you get their, you'll be granted aboard."

Stone says nothing at first, just grinning like a schoolboy on his first day of school. "I have to say, son. I'm going to love it being back in the field."

You smile. Honestly, you're actually a bit happy for the man. He seemed to be a bit dour when you first met him, but now he's actually looking pretty happy.

"Well then!" With a grunt you rise from your seat. "I'll leave you to it." And make for the door.

"Hey." Stone calls out just before you close the door, leaving it slightly ajar. "Thanks for giving me the chance."

"...No problem." You say. "Glad to have you on the team, Stone."

The door is shut, and with a slight buzz you sally out, intent on finding the Pilot from Ares. Outside you find that the lights of Liberty Station have dimmed somewhat to help simulate near-nightime hours. Instinctively you yawn as you push past a growing crowd of individuals who're heading home from work. Some give you odd looks while others give you a wide berth. You hear them whisper your name under their breaths. It seems that some of them watched Holiday's preview of you.

You're getting a bit famous it seems.

It was an easy enough affair to get the answers you wanted on where the Ares Woman was hiding, so to speak. If the person that didn't know, the one besides him or her did. Making it quite easy to track her down in the docks, close to the Star Burner.

Where she was promptly getting harassed by three Pilots and a hoard of grunts.

Oh boy.

"I'll ask again, you're Ares, right?" One of the Pilots surrounding her demands.

"What if I am?" The woman of Ares glares back at the Pilot from her sitting position. From what you can see she was in the middle of weapon maintenance before she found herself surrounded from all sides, her back to the wall. The frame of the Devotion sitting on her lap with all of its pieces on a blanket that surrounds her. Damn... you forgot how many parts there were in such an obscene weapon. You heard it regularly suffers from overheating barrels due to its sheer rate of fire.

"That means you work for fucking Marder, right?" The pilot continues, it's voice distinctly feminine. "That psychopathic asshole sent you here, didn't he?"

"I have nothing to say on that subject." She answers completely stone faced. "I have nothing else to say." And goes back to cleaning her gun.

For someone who is surrounded by three pilots and two fireteams worth of grunts, she is.. remarkably calm despite the situation.

1/2

>>968640
>Interfere.
>Watch and see what Happens.
>Write in.

>>968642
Watch and see what happens but be ready to shoot the ceiling.

>>968657
seconded

>>968657
Agreed

>>968657
thirding

>>968642
>Watch and see what Happens.
Let's not shoot a gun indoors ina space station. That'll probably get us kicked out.

>>968640
>Watch and see what happens but be ready to shoot the ceiling.

>>968640

Call out to them
Say one said my name?

>>968657
This

>>968642

>Watch
>We should give Stone the callsign "Pops".

>>968640
You cross your arms and watch as the debacle grows to attract more attention than possibly necessary. Dock workers turn off their machinery and tools to watch and passing-by grunts heading to their designated ships stop their conversations to observe. You notice that some of your grunts who just came back from some much needed R&R notice you watching the scene and promptly sally behind you. One the men, a Sergeant you believe, comes besides you and respectfully nods.

"Captain?" He asks, reaching for his holster. You stop him with a curt shake of the head.

"No. Not yet. I want to see what happens."

He nods and goes back to watching the scene, which has grown noticeably tenser. The three Pilots are trying their damndest to goad a reaction from the surrounded women, and it seems to be working as you notice a subtle eye-twitch from her stoic demeanor. Nerves of steel that one.

It's only when one of the Pilots kicks the Devotion frame off her lap that things begin to explode into action.

The Ares woman rockets up with a closed fist and smashes it into the helmet of the one who kicked her gunframe. Too everyone's shock you see that her fist actually broke through the helmet, meeting skin and cracking bone. The man screams in agony as she pulls out, her fist bloodied with penetrating shards glass, steel, and plastic. However she doesn't even seem to be bothered by it in the slightest.

The second fist meets the gut of the female Pilot, still taken aback by the sheer brutality of the Ares' strike.

"G-Get her!" The third pilot screams at the grunts, and all hell breaks loose.

>Shoot the ground, or someone.
>Keep watching.
>Join the melee.
>Write in.

>>969855
Fuck it, let's shoot the ground. Anybody wants to bitch at us we can just point out that those dumb fucks would have started shooting at some point anyways.

>>969855
>Shoot the ground.
I'll have no violence on a civilian station. You got a problem, you talk it out like civilized people. You still got a problem, you talk to me.

>>969855
>Shoot the sky/ground/not a person
Try to calm everyone down by thanking them for assisting with this special job interview. Lovely working with them, yadda yadda yadda, creds will be in your account by sundown.

>>969855
>Shoot the ground

>>969855
>>Shoot the ground, or someone.

>>969868
seconding

>>969871
Seconding.

>>969855
>>Shoot the ground, or someone.

For the record, are Arc Grenades considered non-lethal in universe?

>>969855
Before the melee can even begin, you draw your pistol, and fire into the floor. Making sure the angle of the shot won't send the bullet ricocheting and flying everywhere. There's no need to add more fuel to the fire.

The melee comes to an abrupt halt. Everyone stopping, and turning to look at you and you're assembled entourage. Your men haven't drawn their weapons, but they are in such a position that they could draw them at a moments notice.

"Everyone!" You shout, waving your gun-free hand. "Some of you may know who I am, other's may not. Either is fine. However, this is a *civilian* station, and last thing any of us want is a full blown firefight, right?"

You look at each of the Pilots, sans the one screaming on the floor, and the grunts. The Ares slowly puts her fists down, watching the entire scene unfold with a confused, yet... intrigued expression.

One of the Pilots, the one that got gut punched attempts to speak before she dry heaves. "And... who the hell made you the boss?"

"You mother," You reply nonchalantly, getting a few "Oooohs" from the crowd. "Since you seem to be a shit child who looks for nothing but trouble and biting off more than you can chew. Didn't you three get your asses kicked by Stone recently."

Awkward silence. Wonderful.

You smile. "Then I rest my case. And as for you." You point to the Ares once more, the group surrounding her parting like a grand wave so that you can look her eye to eye. "How much to hire you?"

Everyone is... shocked to say the least. But you see a thin smile on the Ares lips.

"What are the benefits?" Her voice is deep, but with a feminine edge to it.

"Free room and board. Training hall to test both physical and mental skill. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Large messhall. Operations in a variety of planets and vistas. Constant Travel. No shitty Pilots to harass you, and more!"

You feel the death glares coming from the Militia Pilots and Grunts, but you don't give a fuck, you're enjoying this too much.

"One-thousand." She states. "And I'll be part of your company."

A thousand? Wow... that's dirt cheap to be completely honest. A little bit too cheap for someone who just punched through a Pilot's helmet.

Hmm...

>Deal.
>No Deal.
>"A deal this good *has* to come with baggage, miss..."
>Write in some more questions.

>>970013
>Deal

>>970013
>Deal.
"And anyone else who wants to try their hand at joining the Falling Stars, good luck to ya."

>>970013
>>Deal.
You can tell me what ever baggage comes with you when not in open since I doubt that you want it to be spread around.
>>"A deal this good *has* to come with baggage, miss...

>>970013
>>Deal.

>>970013
>Deal.
>Find the baggage out somewhere more private.

>>970013
>Deal

Maybe we can tell the Militia to buzz off before they get their asses handed to them again

Or call them embarassments to the uniform, of a being a Pilot that is

>>970013
>Discuss more in private.

>>970013
>Deal.

>>970013
>Deal.

>>970013
Actually I'll change from >>970179 to >>970027

>>970027
Second

>>970027
supportin

>>970013
There's baggage. There has to be, but the deal is too big to give up.

"Deal." You throw your thumb to your men. "These fine gentlemen will escort you aboard. We can talk more later."

There was emphasis to the last bit. One that she picks up immediately. She only nods.

"My name is Laya Chernov. I hope we will have a profitable partnership."

You nod back as well. "I hope so as well, Miss, Chernov."

>Laya Chernov has joined your company! She is a Heavy Weapon's specialist who is also skilled with small ordnance as well. A heavy-hitter for when the cards go down.

>Go talk to Laya now.
>Go find the Cyborg.
>Go find the Bounty Hunter.

>>970281
>>Go talk to Laya now.

>>970281
>Go find the Cyborg.
Might as well try since Stone and Laya were so cheap to hire.

>>970281
>>Go talk to Laya now.

>>970281
>get cyborg

Lets a new friend/rival for eagle

>>970281
>Go talk to Laya now.
Get current business squared away before we start acquiring new business with the inexperienced cyborg girl.

>>970281
>>Go find the Cyborg.

>>970281
>Go find the Cyborg.

>Go find the Bounty Hunter

>>970281
>Go find the Cyborg.

>>970281
>Go find the Cyborg.
come one, we need more cheap deals, we might be missing out an opportunity like this if we don't check it out.

>>970281
>>Go find the Cyborg.
I will say this right now. We will not get the bounty hunter. I would rather we didnt have to worry about him stabbing us in the back if we cannot pay him enough. And since we are running a mercenary company that is starting up I am pretty sure that will be a problem

>>970281
>Talk to Laya

>>970281
>Go find the Cyborg.

File: __original_drawn_by_goril(...).jpg (171 KB, 850x612)

171 KB JPG

Right, forgot something.
>You have 3000$ left!

>>970281
You aim to find the Cyborg first, then talk to Laya about the baggage she'll bring aboard. It can't be worse than Eva's whom you have to keep a secret from more than 90% of the crew.

You hope.

Well... as long as revealing her name doesn't get Marder's personal fleet on your ass, then things'll be good.

You hope.

Right! Enough with this dourness! You need to find a cyborg. And hopefully soon, it's starting to become late.

You leave the hangar bay with you watching Laya being escorted to the Star Burner while you have death glares burning your back. Ignoring the latter you march off back into the city, it's street lights dimmed almost wholly down to simulate the arriving evening. Men and women are still on the streets, walking to or from work, or to do some late night shopping. You're not sure how long the shops stay open, but you've seen some station shops go full 24-hours for the sake of customer service.

You traverse these walkways with a wary eye, looking for anyone that matches the description of who you're looking for, and you find her.

A young girl, possibly very early twenties, with silver-esq hair and silver earplugs stands with her back to the wall. Her eyes attached to the glowing screen of her mini-datapad. And on her shoulder you spot a holographic image peering into the screen with curious interest.

How do you approach?
>Professionally
>Casually
>Write in.

>>971329
Oh and Merry Christmas.

>>971329
>>Professionally

>>971329
>be professional

Merry christmast to you too seamen

>>971329
>>Professionally

>>971329
>Professionally

>>971329
>professionaly

>>971329
>Professionally

>>971329

Professionally

>>971329
>Professionally

>>971329
You approach the apparent disinterested girl with a confident gate. Only when you're next to her does she actually take the effort to raise her head at you with an indifferent expression. The hologram mimics her actions as well, but she's curious.

"Captain Morgan I presume?"

"Yes." You keep up the stride. "Indeed I am. Do you know why I'm here?"

"To hire me?" You nod to confirm. "I thought as much. Five thousand."

A hard bargain. Shame you don't have the money for that.

>Haggle.
>Ask for her experience first.
>Offer something else to lower the price (what?)
>Leave.

>>972882
>Ask for her experience first.

>>972882
>Ask for her experience first.

>>972882
>Leave.

>>972882
>Ask for her experience first.

>>972882
>Ask for her experience first.

>>972886
Specifically:
>Where did you get full Pilot certification? Who sponsored you?
>Have you been on any active operations I may have heard of?
>How'd you get the AI? What's their name?
Among any others.

>>972882
I want to say offer her 2k now and another 4 after the next job or two. No clue how much money we have right now. Plus cant think of anything we can haggle/offer with her

>>972985
I'm not sure how much of a hotshot she thinks she is that she'll accept a down payment.

>>972985
We have about 3k I think.
Also I agree with the Downpayment idea since she's a bit too "new" to ask for that much up front.

>>972882
>Haggle.
there's no way we're just hiring with that price. unless we come up with a compromise. maybe something like downpayment like the other anons said?
oh and also
>Ask for her experience first.
we need to know what she can do, aside from what we know already. if she's driving us a hard bargain then we will check if she's worth it well.

>>973398
>we need to know what she can do, aside from what we know already.
Initial impressions are that she has next-to-no practical experience as a Pilot, and her only real selling point is her pocket AI.

>>972882

Agreeing with >973410
We aren't willing to shell put 4k for an unknown

>>972882
"Five thousand?" You resist the urge to scoff."That's a high price. I'll need to know what you can do first, and ask some questions." She nods in understanding, readying herself for whatever you are going to throw her way.

"Where did you get full Pilot certification? Who sponsored you?"

"I got my Pilot certification when I was nineteen on my homeworld, Harmony. The Serenity Core were the ones who sponsored me, however."

You nod. You've heard of the Serenity Core. Very technologically advanced compared to the other Cores, but always seem to be lacking in personnel. You heard they have something of a bitter rivalry between the M-Core, Hammond Robotics, and Vinson Dynamics. Did they train this girl at such a young age to spite Briggs?

Ah that's right, you need a name.

"And you are..." you leave that last bit to be filled.

"Hana. My name is Hana Boro, and I'm twenty-two years old."

So she's had at least three years worth of experience. But none of the scars... maybe that's why she's a Cyborg... like you...

"Moving on." You raise a finger, then two. "Have you been on any active operations I may have heard of? And How'd you get that AI? What's their name?"

"Operations?" Hana shuffles a bit awkwardly. "Umm... that's... classified."

Wow... if that's anything to go by, she may be closer to you than expected. Your own record has so many black lines in it that it's more of a barcode than anything else.

"Right..." you sigh. "And the AI?"

"Ah!" She lights up at the mention of the strange blue creature sitting on her shoulder. Gently she picks up the thing and puts it in the palm of her hand. "This is Ai! And it's a she. I made her myself!" She puffs her (meager) chest with pride. Obviously proud of what she had created. "She helps me with various things including logistics, hacking, and searching the datastreams. With her, and me included, we can hack just about anything!"

You raise an eyebrow, both Ai and Hana are smiling beatifically. "And what can you two not hack?"

That drops their smiles. "Uh... S-Core documents?"

Makes sense. Pretty sure they have failsafes jammed into her headspace that stops her from doing so.

>Down payment of 3000$ The rest later if she does well.
>Down payment of 2000$ The rest later if she does well.
>Write in.

>>973551
>Downpayment of 2000, with the rest later if she does well.
Also we should sell hard on the benefits, maybe even let slip that we too, are a cyborg like her -if she's unaware of that fact, of course. If anything shill the whole birds of a feather spiel.

Also, Merry Christmas OP.

File: 1482536432281.jpg (840 KB, 1371x1000)

840 KB JPG

>>973551
A black-box career record? Why am I not surprised?
And she made a pocket AI herself? That's...relatively impressive, actually.
>Down payment of 2000$ The rest later if she does well.

>>973551
>>Down payment of 3000$ The rest later if she does well.

Merry Bah Humbug!

>>973551
>Down payment of 2000$ The rest later if she does well.

>>973551
>2k
Three drinks for files full of black lines

>>973551
>>973577
Second

Consider this as a trial period. You still will get food and board for free and able to use the facilities on ship.

>>973551
You think about it for a long moment. No way in hell you can pay for her current price. And if you take the job Brigg's wants you to do, then there's less of a chance that she'll stick around. No one with a personal pocket AI goes independent for long. That, or the Serenity Core will scoop her up again.

"Tell you what." You begin. "I'll give you a down payment of two grand." You raise a finger to stop Hana from speaking. "Let me finish. Aboard the Star Burner you'll have everything you need from food and personal board, training hall, sim rooms, and workshops that can basically do whatever you want. We also have a Titan factory that can build your personal Titan, if you have the schematics."

Hono opens her mouth, then closes it again. The AI floats back on her shoulder and whispers in her ear. Though you assume that's all for show. "And the rest of the payment?"

"I will pay you full *if* you do well. Mind you, you have a black list that I cannot, and most likely never will, get it declassified. The only thing I can trust is word of mouth, and talk is cheap."

"But not mine!" Hono nearly shouts. "I assure you that I'm the real deal!" The AI nods her head vigorously in agreement.

You can't help but raise an eyebrow at that.

"Listen. I get that you can't reveal a thing you did while being with the S-Core. I'm the same as you, I worked with VD for nearly my entire young adult life and it's only recently that I got out. And like you, I'm a cyborg. Bio-Tech."

You hear Hono gasp at that. "P-Prove it."

You smile thinly, pulling back the left cuff of your coat to reveal your wrist. With a simple prompt the wrist pops open, revealing whiring machinery intricately connected to synthetic veins and nerves. With another prompt the hatch closes, revealing nothing but your skin.

"We have special medical bays to deal with people like us. My two best friends is a Simulacrum and a Cyborg respectively, but the latter is more machine than natural."

Hono is quiet for a long moment, looking downcast with the Ai following soon after. "I... I see. How did that happen?"

>"Mission went south. You?"
>"That's classified." Cheeky grin optional.
>"I played hero, and payed dearly."
>Write in.

>>973701
>>"That's classified." Cheeky grin optional.

>>973701
>>"That's classified." Cheeky grin optional.

>>973701
> Classified
> I won't tell you that a mission went bad, I also won't tell you about it if you sign up

>>973701
> "That's classified." With a cheeky grin.
> I won't tell you that a mission went bad, I also won't tell you about it if you sign up

>>973701

>"That's classified." Cheeky grin optional

>>973701
>>"That's classified." Cheeky grin optional.

>>973733
Agreed.

>>973701
>Classified (with a side of cheecky grin)
>But it's part of the reason I quit working for VD

>>973701
"That's classified." You reply with your cheekiest grin. The girl looks absolutely shocked at you while her AI blows you a raspberry. "And I won't tell you that a mission went bad," you wink. "I also won't tell you about it if you sign up."

Of course she gets the hint easily. She smiles, putting on her most confident pose. "Where do I sign up?"

>Hana Boro has joined the Company! An experienced, Black Box operative for the Serenity Core she is skilled with all things tech related. A (hopefully friendly) rivalry between Eagle and Hono is almost assured.

>+1 approval with Hono!

>You have 2000$ left! And you possibly owe Hono 3000$ more!

>Go find that Bounty Hunter
>Head back to ship, get some rest, and meet Graves in the morning. Hopefully.
>Head back to the ship and have that conversation with Laya.

>>973866
>>Head back to the ship and have that conversation with Laya.

>>973866
>Head back to the ship and have that conversation with Laya.

>>973866
>Head back and converse with Laya.

>>973866
>>Head back to the ship and have that conversation with Laya.

>>973866
>>Head back to the ship and have that conversation with Laya.

>>973866
>Head back to the ship and have that conversation with Laya.

>>973866
You decide to head back to the Star Burner with Hana in tow. As the two of you walked together she quizzed you on various aspects of the ship, and your company. She was rather happy to learn about your "No killing noncoms," policy. Of course that makes anyone who doesn't like killing civilians happy.

Once you arrive you part ways, having your men do the rest of the escort job to Hana's personal quarters. Much like Laya she carried everything on her person in a personal backpack. Except smaller.

With Hana being escorted away you ask another men where Laya's quarters are and head that way.

Unlike Eva, who is kept in a more isolated section of the ship, you find Laya's room to be in the more public area. A room that is incredibly close to the training hall and is in fact only a five minute walk to reach. She would have gotten closer but it seems William beat her to the punch and reserved the room that was only three minutes away. Damn that old man works fast.

You knock on Laya's room door and hear a curt, "Come in!" Opening it you find that the female mercenary's room is understandably spartan. Her survival backpack lays next to the bed, unpacked except for the parts of her devotion that are strewn across a blanket that sits on top of the bed. Sitting cross-legged across from it is Laya who is intensely focused on making sure her weapon is without discrepancy.

The woman had discarded most of her clothing and instead has gone with a black tank top, shoulder holster, and thick cargo pants.

"Captain." She looks up to you, devotion frame in hand, and nods respectfully before returning to work. "I assume you're here to talk?"

>Get straight to the point.
>Ask how she's settling in. Point out the still unpacked backpack.
>Ask how the gunframe is doing. It took a hard hit.
>Write in.

>>973937
>Ask how the gun frame is doing.
Kicking over a disassembled weapon like that was uncalled for. You must respect a person's gear.

>>973945
Addendum: You're awfully proud of that LMG, else you wouldn't open-carry it like you were on the station.

>>973937
>how' the gunframe?

>>973937
Ask how her gunframe's doing
Is your gun your waifu too?

>>973958
Eugh, forgot the quote. I hate mobile

>>973937
>Ask how she's settling in. Point out the still unpacked backpack.

>>973945
>Ask how the gunframe is doing. It took a hard hit.

>>973937
>Ask jow the gunframe is doing.

As a sniper, if someone kicked our gunframe, I'm pretty sure we'd go rip an' tear.

>>973945
>>973946
Ask how her hand is, too.

>>973937
>Ask how the gunframe is doing. It took a hard hit.
>Tell her to call us first if she ever spars with our resident sadist, we want to watch.

>>973937
>>Ask how she's settling in. Point out the still unpacked backpack.
>>Ask how the gunframe is doing. It took a hard hit.

>>973937
>Ask how the gunframe is doing. It took a hard hit.

>>973937
"Yes." You admit. "But I also wanted to see how you were settling in." You point out the blatantly unpacked backpack. "You still haven't unpacked."

Laya looks to her backpack, and cringes slightly. "I was... getting on that. I just needed to make sure that the frame was okay."

You were gone for at least an hour...

"That's... devoted." You cringe a little at that chosen word, but it derives a quiet chuckle and a small smile for Laya.

"Yeah... I guess I am..." She is quiet for a second. "The frame is good. A bit banged up, but it won't affect any of the inner workings. Though I think I'll need to get a new barrel. The current one will probably hold for another thousand rounds, but we both know that the devotion can easily clear that amount in about five minutes, tops."

"Yeah." You nod. "Their RPM is insane, but I heard it comes with a slew of mechanical issues."

"Yes." She nods in agreement. "From barrels to firing mechanisms the Devotion always has something going against it. The concept and theory was great on the table, and it works incredibly well on the field, but the cons... honestly I wonder why I still use this weapon..."

>"Have you considered the Spitfire?"
>"Sounds like you're a fan."
>"Have you considered the L-Star?"
>Write in.

You smile. "You have your reasons I presume."

"Yes." She smiles thinly. "Yes I do." She then sighs sadly, putting the frame to the side. She looks up to you, palms on her knees. "I'm a deserter."

>"Why?"
>Let her continue at her own pace.
>"Not the worst I've heard."
>Write in.

>>974844
>"Sounds like you're a fan."
>"Ever tried the Spitfire or L-Star? Did you just like the Devotion more?"

>Let her continue at her own pace.
Honestly in a world were you can turn a person's entire body to paste with a giant robot's fist and throw around adhesive thermite ninja stars like Santa throwing around candy, deserting doesn't seem all that bad.

>>974844
>"Sounds like you're a fan."
>"Have you considered the Spitfire?"
Hard to go wrong with old faithful as LMGs go.

>"Why?"
Was it Marder? I always figured he was kind of a kook.

>>974864
seconding

>>974844
>"Sounds like you're a fan. Mind you if war teaches any lesson its that strategic and tactical benefits are two different things. The tactical benefit of performance via sophistication is often overshadowed by the strategic implications of reliability and logistics. "
>"Ever tried the Spitfire or L-Star? Did you just like the Devotion more?"

>Let her continue at her own pace.

>>974908
No need to lecture her on the importance of tactics.

>>974844
>"Sounds like you're a fan"

>"Her own pace"

>>974908
I think that those points are trumped by just how plain broken the Devo is when it works

>>974908
>>974921
>>974962
I concede and instead support: >>974864

>>974844
You cross your arms, leaning against the wall, patiently waiting for her to continue.

"It wasn't just Marder... the whole division was... insane. Sure I fought for the IMC for the most part of the war, but after Typhon... honestly. I did not know who was the right side anymore. I've seen what both sides do to each during the war, and I can honestly say... neither are right."

"And so you just left?"

"Disappeared more likely. Left my formal resignation on the Captain's desk for him to find. Told him everything on that little piece of paper." She chuckles bitterly. "I bet that dumb bastard is looking for me right now."

"That's why you came to Liberty Station? I must admit that for someone who's trying so hard to disappear..." You nod your head at the Ares Suit laying on the chair, freshly cleaned, and now wearing your Company's patch.

Huh... so it does look like she's settling in after all...

"Well... I wanted to be found. I knew that Liberty Station hosted a lot of neutral mercenary companies. I just needed to be as flamboyant as possible to grab someone's attention."

"And you nearly got yourself killed for it."

"I could have handled them." She chuckles, cracking her knuckles. "Not my first outnumbered brawl."

You smile. You think you're going to like this Mercenary.

"Back on the topic of the Devotion: Despite all the drawbacks you still keep 'er around. Fan?"

Laya chuckles again, her hand gently rubbing the frame of her weapon of choice. "Yeah... I guess you're right. Nothing, and I truly mean nothing, beats the feel of sending hundreds of bullets downrange in the span of a few seconds. It's a nice bonus as nothing I've seen that isn't in a Titan or Armored Vehicle can survive it. It's bullet hose god of guns. Not to mention her recoil compensation after the first five shots is better than most other guns or particle weapons. I say that she is-"

She shut her mouth too late. So absorbed was she that she had forgot her now commanding officer was in the room with her, and she was gushing about her weapon being above and beyond anyone else's.

"U-Uh..." she stutters, shakily saluting. "It's a good LMG is all, sir."

You only laugh. "At ease, soldier. I just wanted to hear your opinion, and I got a good amount of it. Nothing wrong with loving a good gun. Treat her well, and they'll treat you well, right?" She nods again, desperately trying to revert back to her stoic demeanor. "Then I see nothing wrong with that. Have you considered other LMG's? Spitfire? L-Star?"

"T-The Spitfire is a reliable LMG no doubt about it. There's a reason why a lot of pilots call 'im 'old faithful'. The L-Star I tested extensively but the venting system forces short bursts or else you'll be changing out the melted components and battery every few minutes. And you can only carry so many spare parts before it becomes useless. Honestly it's more of an SMG or rifle than anything else."

[1/?]

>>975170
That makes sense. The L-Star has a notorious reputation for lengthy field repairs due to many parts needing to be replaced after an accidental overheating. It's why they're aren't issued to trigger happy grunts.

"Regardless." You continue. "I think this was a great way to break the ice and-"

"Captain Morgan?" You're called from the intercom. "Please report to the receiving ramp, there is a very, very pissed off Platoon Sergeant and two equally pissed of pair of Pilots with him. Oh, and they have some grunts as well."

...Really?

"Want me to help?" Laya asks, rising from the bad, cracking her knuckles.

>"There's a time and place for violence. Now is not the time."
>"Stay here. I can handle this."
>"I'll need all the help I can get for this."
>Write in.

>>975251
>"There's a time and place for violence. Now is not the time."
You're welcome to watch, though.

>>975251
>"Stay here. I can handle this."
Oh and ask if she went to the medbay since she had glass shards stuck in her hand the last time we saw her.

File: __otsukai_original_drawn_(...).jpg (246 KB, 652x922)

246 KB JPG

>>975265
She cracked a Pilot helmet entirely with that punch. I wouldn't be surprised she at least wrapped it up a little.

>>975251
>"Stay here. I can handle this."
>"If its who I suspect bringing you along would be a provocation. While tempting... I suppose a commander must be responsible at times, and this is one of them. Feel free to watch from the bridge monitors though, it could be entertaining."
>Call Hong to join us, he would be sad if there was potential violence and he were not involved.

>>975251
>>975334
I'll support these choices

>>975265
supporting

>>975251
>>975334

>>975334
Seconding

>>975251
>>975334
second. Maybe grab our veteran. Or at least call him for the fireworks

>>975251

Basically this >>975334 but bring Stone as well

File: 187eb16d972cd9dcc27cba19f(...).jpg (372 KB, 700x945)

372 KB JPG

>>975251
"There's a time and place for violence. Now is not the time." You state, then you realize something. "How's your hand by the way?"

It was then at that moment that you find out Laya was hiding said wounded hand in her lap. She was wearing a black glove to cover it. You didn't need to demand her to remove it, she does it herself. The hand is covered with poorly bandaged lacerations and you can spot a few spots she missed.

"I can take it..."

"Medbay. Now." You order. "You can watch the rest of the ordeal from the monitor."

Laya sulks, but nonetheless gets up, puts on some socks, shoes and grabs a thin red coat to wear over top her tank top.

You're both out the door in a minute, parting ways to go to each destination.

"Hong, Stone?" You tap your commlink, pinging each man twice.

"I'm on my way." Hong states. "Meet you at the ramp."

You nod. "Stone?"

"I'm here, I'm here!" You hear something clatter on the ground, followed by more swearing. You think you caught him while unpacking. "What is it?"

"There are some ornery Militia Pilots with their platoon sergeant skulking around the ramp. Looks like they got a little bit pissed off about Laya? Did you meet her already?"

"Big girl. Tons of muscle. Stoic. Had a X-55 Devotion strapped on her back?"

"That's her. She's the Ares."

"Ah." Stone is quiet for a second. "Then I can say that I *saw* her, but not actually *talked* with her. She's bringing in the extra baggage already?"

"Before I recruited her she was getting ganged up by some Pilots and Grunts in the middle of gun cleanup. One of the Pilots kicked her gun frame and she punched him through his helmet."

There's a whistle. "Damn. I would have payed to see that! Want me to help you talk the soldiers down?"

"Please. You experience with the Militia would be most helpful."

"I'll be down there in a minute. Hopefully that Simmy boy won't beat me..."

Simmy? Oh, he must mean Hong. "He's already heading there now."

"What?!" There is some more noise in the background, possibly Stone grabbing a shirt, or something. "That bucket of bolts ain't beating me today boy!"

After that the commlink becomes nothing but the swearing of an old man and him rushing out the door. Huh, looks like Stone and Hong have a bit of a relationship going on already. That's... good? At least you hope it's good.

You arrive at the ramp with your closest friend and your newly hired elderly mercenary on your flanks. The ramp has been mostly cleared of fresh supplies now and it just has a few grunts meandering about, but you can feel the tension in the room. They're all eyeing the three Pilots and a dozen grunts behind them. Many of your men are 'casually' showing their rifles to the infuriated newcomers.

"You there!" A blonde-haired, blue eyed individual wearing a skintight pilot suit calls you over with her helmet tucked underneath her armpit. You easily spot her SFC insignia on her breast and shoulders. "We need to talk!"

[1/?]

>>976167
You sigh, making your way closer to her. "Is there a problem, First Sergeant?"

"There damn well is!" She growls, the two of you only ten meters from the other. "I heard you're carry two persons of interest for the Militia! One of them who punched one of *MY* men before you abruptly ended the fight and hired her on the spot!"

There are two? Are they talking about Hana?

"And the other?"

"Hana Boro. She is not supposed to be working for Mercenaries."

Ah. "And what do you want from them?"

"I want them both to be escorted here. On this ramp. Now." she stamps her foot. "The Ares will be interrogated while Boro will be brought back to the S-Core."

You don't need to know that the Pilots behind are grinning like the smug fuckers they are from beneath their helmets.

Fuckers.

>"Under who's orders?"
>"No."
>"How about you listen to me: Get the fuck off my ship." [1d20+5 Athletics check to intimidate]
>Write in.

>>976172
>"No"

Thi would be a good time for Marcus to dramatically show up

>>976172
Oh shit I forgot one more option.
>Let William handle this.

>>976172
>No can do ma'am. Those two are now members of the honorable Falling Star mercenary company and as such they fall under my jurisdiction and protection. You pick a fight with them you pick a fight with us. *motion to all the present grunts*

Changing my vote from >>976173 to >>976184

Also is Hong around to wreck people?

>>976186
He's with at this very moment.

>>976172
>"No."
what makes her think she can just demand at us? what a mess.

Is there anyway we could have recorded the encounter?
We could use the footage while commenting that her shithead pilot didn't have the Militia interest when he started sperging out and it would have resulted in something much worse than getting one's face punched in.

And seriously, are they the only guys she could dispatch to bring people for interrogation? We had the time to meet 2 people and stop a massacre before meeting Boro.

There's talking shit and shittalking First Sergeant one is okay to a certain point and the other must be met with extreme prejudice. Right now you're talkin' shit, don't cross over for everyone's sake.

Rolled 13 + 5 (1d20 + 5)

>>976172
>"How about you listen to me: Get the fuck off my ship." [1d20+5 Athletics check to intimidate]

Rolled 15 + 5 (1d20 + 5)

>>976172
>No can do ma'am. Those two are now members of the honorable Falling Star mercenary company and as such they fall under my jurisdiction and protection. You pick a fight with them you pick a fight with us. *motion to all the present grunts*
>"How about you listen to me: Get the fuck off my ship." [1d20+5 Athletics check to intimidate]

>>976172
>Write in.
What those two did before they were hired is not my business. However, they work for me now, so anything they do from this point forward will be my business. I will not be turning over my mercenaries just because the Militia is pitching a hissy fit about anything they did in the past.

>>976259
Don't you dare ma'am her, she's a NCO, no sir or ma'am and we're a captain outside her chain of command. Her rank gets no respect from us.

>>976302
She's just following order and those three probably spinned the story. The least we can do is offer her a professional courtesy

Rolled 8 + 5 (1d20 + 5)

>>976172
>>"How about you listen to me: Get the fuck off my ship." [1d20+5 Athletics check to intimidate]

>>976329
No we can't, she is not offering us that, and she is the intruding party on this. This may be different to people who haven't spent a fair amountt of time in combat with NCOs and officers, but NCOs earn respect, officers are granted respect of rank, we owe this SFC nothing and she's stirring shit in some one else's house, among NCOs that gets you in the shit real fast.

>>976172
>"No."

Rolled 20 + 5 (1d20 + 5)

>>976172

"How about you listen to me: Get the fuck off my ship." [1d20+5 Athletics check to intimidate

Rolled 18 + 5 (1d20 + 5)

>>976172
>>"No."
>>"How about you listen to me: Get the fuck off my ship." [1d20+5 Athletics check to intimidate]

>>976172
First: No. Second: Fuck no. Third: the only person who decides who I can have aboard MY ship is ME. Speaking of which:

>Get the fuck off my ship." [1d20+5 Athletics check to intimidate]

>>976329
Professional courtesy is a two-way street. She isn't giving it so she sure as shit isn't getting it.

>>976566

Nooo. That nat 20. Hope seamen can use it

>>976839
I still think we should be the bigger man.

>>977084
This sentence has multiple possible interpretations.
>Revs Chainsaw

>>976566
Well fuck me. I just came back to work and I see this.

>>977223
hopefully a nat 20 in this scenario has us pulling out a bunch of facts that tell them to fuck off permanently

File: Spoiler Image (201 KB, 1040x1470)

201 KB PNG

>>977223
Morgan must have the most intimidating expression (pic related). It must be why Hong (besides everything else) follows us around.

>>976172
"Listen here, Ma'am." You begin with some professional courtesy. "What those two did before they were hired is not my business. However, they work for me now, so anything they do from this point forward will be my business. I will not be turning over my mercenaries just because the Militia is pitching a hissy fit about anything they did in the past."

The NCO's lip curls. "This isn't just a 'hissy' fit, Captain. This is a matter of security. You are carrying not one, but two persons of extreme interest for the Militia."

"That is not my concern." You take a dangerous step closer. "As I had previously stated: what they were before doesn't matter. They work for me now, and what they do now I will accept as my responsibility. Your lack of action caused me to gain two very respectable mercenaries."

William coughs loudly behind you.

"Three, actually."

"Thankyousir." Stone coughs into his fist again.

Her lip curls more, the situation growing tenser by the second. "I have my orders."

"You do, and this is a private ship. Not part of your jurisdiction by any means whatsoever. Those two are now a part of my private organization ma'am."

"Do you think you can walk away from this scot free you bas-"

In a second you're standing in front of her, face to face with noses nearly touching. "I made my statement, ma'am." You growl. "Now heed this new advice: Get the fuck off my ship, or I'll make you get off."

>Nat 20 Intimidate!

The entire room falls silent. The Militia reach for their rifles and sidearms, with your men following. Guns pointed at both sides, but you, Hong, William, and the NCO haven't drawn theirs. Hong just chuckles at the sight, while William looks incredibly amused. You, however, aren't amused at all. You just hold your death glare at the woman.

And she blinks first. Taking a sudden step back.

And you grin like a madman. "Wonderful." You begin. "Not get the hell out."

The NCO is flabbergasted. Looking ready to scream or yell at you for the slight you pulled on her, but some other force compels her to stop, and she takes another step back.

Your men "Ooooh," at her and her men as they begin to leave the ramp. Once they're off you order the ramp to be closed.

"This isn't over!" She screams.

"It was over when you took a step back!" You taunt back with a laugh. "It was never a pleasure!"

The ramp closes as more profanities are screamed from the other side, but by then you're grinning like an idiot while your men laugh at what happened. Hong pats you on the shoulder while Stone lights up a fresh cigar.

"Nice job, kiddo." Stone grins. "Never seen someone off my daughter like that before."

Wait what?
>"Wait what?"
>"Sorry?"
>"Well she was kind of a bitch."
>Write in.

>>977472
>"Wait what?"

>>977472
>"Wait what?"
whoa what

>>977472
>"Wait what?"

>>977472
>>"Wait what?"

>>977488
Watch him try to get us to marry into the family now.

>>977496
wait what

>>977472
>"Wait what?"

File: Sheeeeeittt.jpg (38 KB, 500x406)

38 KB JPG

>>977472

>>977472
>Please don't kick my ass

>>977472
>>"Wait what?"
>>"sorry, and she was kind of a bitch"

>>977611
Something else that i thought to tell him

"If she lost her job to this we will higher her."

>>977472
>"Huh."
>"How many kids do you have?"

>>977472
>>"Wait what?"

>>977472
"Wait what?"

Stone howls with laughter. "What? Don't see the resemblance? Had her when I was in my late-thirties. Young gal her mother was." He sighs, as if remembering a pleasant memory. "Took to me a bit too much despite inheriting most of her mother's looks. Became a soldier, then a Pilot. Now look at 'er! Sure she's a noncom, but she has been fighting for... hell... nearly as long as I had when I started at her age."

"There's a resemblance." You grouse, now thinking back to her. You begin to pair Stone's face to hers and you're beginning to pick up the subtle familiarity. "What's her name?"

"Nessie Stone, or simply Ness for short. Just don't say the latter to her face. It's a secret between her and Papa." He winks. "But anyways. Good luck with dealing with her in the future as you're now on her shit list. At least she'll be cautious of you. I've never seen her back down from a fight like that before." He eyes you up and down before he bumps his fist against your chest. "Good work~, boy. Looks like there's a bit of man in you with all that tech after all."

You sigh. "Yes, but... wait... how many kids do you have, Stone?"

"A lot." He shrugs at your dumbfounded expression. "What? I toured a lot during all the wars. Of course there are a few damsels you save and some get a little bit too attracted to you and... you get the idea."

You nod. You've had *some* experience with those sort of situations. "I get it, Stone. You have a lot of bastards around."

"Yeah... yeah I do." He scratches the back of his neck, chuckling all the while. "Just Nessie is the one who damn well tries to be like her father."

"And the rest?"

"Comfortable lives on safe planets far away from the war. Or they try to play hero and die like fools." There's a bitter smile at the end, but it fades away quickly. "Either way, Nessie is one of the 'good ones' if I have to say."

"She's kind of a bitch." You state, and Stone laughs.

"She sure is! Has enough fire in her to burn this entire station!" He laughs. "Also she's single right now."

Of fucking course she is.

You sigh again as he winks at you. "I highly doubt we'll be amiable for a while, Stone."

He just shrugs. "If there's one thing I learned about women, boy, it's that women are more random than a bloody hail-mary grenade. One day they hate you, the next day they love you. Give 'er some time. You're the first man who has had enough balls to get up in her face like that in a long, long time."

You really don't like where this is going.
>"Either way I think we're done here. And we all need sleep for tomorrow. Especially me."
>"Do you think she'd be willing to be hired if I told you that you were aboard?"
>"Do you think she'd want to go Merc at one point?"
>Write in.

>>977837
>"Either way I think we're done here. And we all need sleep for tomorrow. Especially me."

>>977837
"Anyone else have anything they want to run by me before I retire to my quarters? Last call for bullshit and happenings."

>>977860
Let's find out why the Militia is so vigorously interested in bringing Hana back to S-Core. Did she desert like Laya did?

>>977837
>"Either way I think we're done here Pops. And we all need sleep for tomorrow. Especially me."

>>977837
supporting >>977860
if there is nothing then
>"Either way I think we're done here. And we all need sleep for tomorrow. Especially me."

>>977869
I'm interested at this as well.

>>977837
>"Do you think she'd be willing to be hired if I told you that you were aboard?"

Also when can we hang with Hong?

>>977837
>"Either way I think we're done here. And we all need sleep for tomorrow. Especially me."
Plus:>>977860
Gotta say lotta waifu potential so far for a few characters, but I think we're forgetting we have to see how our platonic significant other, Bri- I mean Hong, feels about them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgSwD4j8v1c

>>977837
>>"Do you think she'd be willing to be hired if I told you that you were aboard?"

>>977869
This. Maybe she had an exclusive contract like our old one?

>>977915
Its possible, but the reason could be as simple as her being a valuable AI assisted asset.

>>977837
"Right, first things first." You turn around, facing your gathered men. "Anyone else have anything they want to run by me before I retire to my quarters? Last call for bullshit and happenings."

Silence. Wonderful silence.

"Thank you." You give a thankful sigh. "Now I'm off to my quarters. Unless we're getting attacked, or Nessie brings an army, then please don't wake me. It's going to be a long day tomorrow."

Hong gives you a thumbs up. "If you need it to disappear, don't be afraid to be call me."

You chuckle. "Sadly this isn't a problem that can simply disappear, Hong." Yawning you begin to march away. "See you all tomorrow."

"Good night, Captain." Stone salutes with a grin. "Pleasant dreams."

You roll your eyes. "Good night." You grouse.

In your quarters your finally find respite. All in all it was a good day. You got yourself three new (and highly effective mercs), and told an NCO to fuck the right off for interfering with your business.

All in all, a good day.

Then Marcus had to bump into it. In truth, it was inevitable. Being a mercenary means working with and for plenty of colorful people. Even with people you once called a close friend...

Even though you're... less than amiable with him now. A part of you... hopes that he's safe. A life of clandestine missions has left a sour taste in your mouth, and now you can't help that it's now all coming to bite you in the ass. Fun.

You shut away those thoughts with a blink, snuggling up to your pillow. Falling to sleep. You dream of smoke and shattered mirrors. Unfamiliar faces and screaming.

It was not a peaceful rest.

>Skip straight to meeting Marcus.
>Talk with Hana about what happened yesterday.
>Talk with someone else (who?).
>Write in.

>>978357
>>Talk with Hana about what happened yesterday.
>Also Get our senior staff (Hong E-GL and the ship captain, read in because we have bullshit coming)

>>978357
>Talk with Hana about what happened yesterday.

>>978357
>>978392
I'll vote for this.

>>978392
seconding.

>>978392
Seconding

>>978392
This

>>978392
Ayyup.

>>978392
second

>>978392
this needs to be noted, yes.

File: New Record.png (1.78 MB, 1914x1048)

1.78 MB PNG

Got this last night before going to bed.

>>978357
You rise at 8am sharp. Earlier than usual, but by God did you need that. The meeting with Marcus will begin at around noon so you have more than enough time to shower, get dressed, and prep your uniform, brushing away any wrinkles on your coat. You smile at that; it has been too long since you wore this thing.

But first thing's first, Hana. The curt 'conversation' you had with Nessie revealed much about Hana's old employers. It seems that, somewhat like Laya, she left when they didn't want her to leave.

More baggage for the train, you guess.

You knock on the door that leads into Hana's room. You hear some muffled groaning on the other side before it opens. You see Hana standing before you, wearing a thick and heavy orange sweater that covers her completely down to her knees. Ai, the AI, still sits on her shoulder, blowing a raspberry at you. You ignore it.

"I assume you already know why I'm here?" You begin.

Hana somberly nods, rubbing her eyes before covering the lower half of her face in the neck of that thick sweater.

"May I come in?"

She allows it, turning her back to you and entering her room with you following. Much like Laya's her room is very spartan, but you see that the desk has been taken by a laptop and several other tech-y devices. It doesn't bother you since Eagle is the one who monitors incoming and outgoing feeds and messages. She would know if Hana would try to pull something.

Hana sits on her messy bed, (also covered with thick blankets, does she not like the cold?) looking at you with a downcast expression. "They wanted me back, didn't they?"

"Yes they did. And I refused."

Hana's eyes nearly bulge, nearly jumping from her chair. "You did what?!"

"I told them to fuck off." You shrug. "You're now a part of my mercenary company, Hana. That means you're part of this team, not the S-Core, not the Militia, or anyone else's. You're my responsibility. And I take care of who's under my command."

"I..." Hana looked ready to say something, but she cuts herself off. Raising her legs so that she can wrap her arms around them. "Thank you, sir."

You smile.

>+1 Approval from Hana!

>+"Call me Morgan."
>"Do you know why they want you back? I don't need anything specific, keep it vague if you want to."
>"Care to explain why they want you back?" [1d20+6 (+2 from skill, +1 from recent approval, +3 from being her captain) Charisma Check]
>"Tell me more about yourself. Before you joined the S-Core."
>Write in.

Rolled 18 + 6 (1d20 + 6)

>>979074
>"Care to explain why they want you back?" [1d20+6 (+2 from skill, +1 from recent approval, +3 from being her captain) Charisma Check]

Rolled 5 + 6 (1d20 + 6)

>>979074

>"Care to explain why they want you back?" [1d20+6 (+2 from skill, +1 from recent approval, +3 from being her captain) Charisma Check]

>>979074
>+"Call me Morgan."
>"Care to explain why they want you back?" [1d20+6 (+2 from skill, +1 from recent approval, +3 from being her captain) Charisma Check]

Rolled 12 + 6 (1d20 + 6)

>>979074
start off with
>+"Call me Morgan."
>"Tell me more about yourself. Before you joined the S-Core."
and then
>"Care to explain why they want you back?" [1d20+6 (+2 from skill, +1 from recent approval, +3 from being her captain) Charisma Check]
should give us a good rundown on her past and stuff.

>>979074
>>+"Call me Morgan."
>>"Do you know why they want you back? I don't need anything specific, keep it vague if you want to."

>>979074
>How about this, a story for a story

Rolled 10 + 6 (1d20 + 6)

>>979074
start off with
>+"Call me Morgan."
>"Tell me more about yourself. Before you joined the S-Core."
and then
>"Care to explain why they want you back?" [1d20+6 (+2 from skill, +1 from recent approval, +3 from being her captain) Charisma Check]
should give us a good rundown on her past and stuff.

>>979074
"Call me Morgan, private." You add, still holding your smile. Hana only nods, tucking herself in a bit more.

"Thank you, Morgan..."

Is she... blushing?

"Tell me more about yourself. Before you joined the S-Core."

Hana shuffles a bit more, seeking comfort in her sweater. "I... I was an orphan. For a long, long time. I learned to survive on my own. 'Trust no one but yourself.' That was a motto that I lived by. Until I met him..." she pauses, her grip tightening around the cuffs of her sweater. "He... brought me into the S-Core. Showed what I could do with the group. It was really nice at first. Everyone was close knit. Felt like I had a family. Something to live and strive for. But after I became a Pilot... things went dark."

You walk forward, grabbing the desk chair and sitting in it. This feels like it will take a long time.

"I... did things, Morgan." She whimpers. "Things that I will regret for the rest of my life. I... made Ai to help with thought management. Help keep the bad thoughts away."

"And that's part of the reason why they want you back, isn't it?" You speak softly, like a caring father. "Because Ai has some things locked up in you that could... compromise them."

It takes a second for Hana to realize what she just said. Gasping in shock before stuttering out, "I-It's not like that! I swear. It was with good intentions and-"

"Hana." You speak in a soft, but firm tone. Cutting her off like a knife cutting through a ribbon. "Why do you think they want you back. Whatever you say... will never leave this room. You can trust me. From one clandestine operator to another."

>Rolled 24 - Passed!

Hana is quiet again for a long moment. "A-A..." She swallows, her mouth dry. "A story for a story, Morgan. Did you... did you ever do something that you'd regret?"

>"Once."
>"No. It's all just a job to me."
>"Several times, but there was one that stood out..."
>Write in.

>>981092
>>"Several times, but there was one that stood out..."

>>981092
>"No. It's all just a job to me."

>>981092
>We all have regrets in our life a soldier more so than others but it something we still have to live with in hopes of finding absolution.

>>981112
Seconding

>>981092
>"Several times, but there was one that stood out..."

>"Several times, but there was one that stood out..."

>>981092
And what was the one which stood out?

>You had to kill a CEO's daughter so that he would comply to VD's demands. Two days after her eleventh birthday.
>You were forced to watch an entire pro-IMC settlement get slaughtered by the Militia. It was to "gather notes."
>Your family never gave up on you. So you had to make them, specifically your father, to disappear.
>Write in.

>>981092
>"Several times, but there was one that stood out..."

>>981328
>>You had to kill a CEO's daughter so that he would comply to VD's demands. Two days after her eleventh birthday.
>Only shot you ever botched, she has to drink all her meals through a straw still.

>>981328
>Your family never gave up on you. So you had to make them, specifically your father, to disappear.

>>981328
>Your family never gave up on you. So you had to make them, specifically your father, to disappear.

It still hurts

>>981345
Voting for this

>>981394
Voting for this

>>981353
>>981394
>>981404
Why are you going for the edgy may-may option that pretty much makes us a lair, given that we so freely turned on our blood.

>>981328
>>You were forced to watch an entire pro-IMC settlement get slaughtered by the Militia. It was to "gather notes."

It's part of why we're so angry with Marcus.

>>981328
>You were forced to watch an entire pro-IMC settlement get slaughtered by the Militia. It was to "gather notes."
It seems like the other things would have made Morgan leave sooner than he did.

>>981328
>You were forced to watch an entire pro-IMC settlement get slaughtered by the Militia. It was to "gather notes."
Changing to this, seems to be the one that will win.

>>981328
>You had to kill a CEO's daughter so that he would comply to VD's demands. Two days after her eleventh birthday.

>>981522
You should probably link which one you were changing.

>>981422
The option never said we did it willingly, I'm assuming that this was after our conversion and they probably had something like a kill switch over our heads

>>981577
Then they'd still have a killswitch in us.

>>981591
Which is why I said probably and not definitely, there other ways of forcing a cyborg to do something

>>981345
>>981536
>>981395
3 for Ceo's daughter

>>981353
>>981394
>>981404
3 for patricide

>>981433
>>981454
>>981522
3 for the abattoir.

We need a tiebreaker. Shall I roll?

>>981714

It's 4 cow slaughter, 2 patricide. >>981353 switched to >>981522

>>981722
No, just a roll for CEO or abattoir.
My first post, >>981353 is now void.

File: New Memes.gif (1.09 MB, 260x146)

1.09 MB GIF

>>981737
Oh yeah I'm a tard

>>981714
settlement

>>981722
Oh now I see! So then the abattoir won then. Writing.

>>981773
No no no Salad I'm retarded.

>>981754
Guess it won anyway though.

uh.

File: Captain Johio.jpg (146 KB, 741x1079)

146 KB JPG

>>981092
You sigh, leaning back in your seat. "Before Demeter had fallen I was assigned to a covert ops division that worked with Ares. At the time we were station on a planet that just bordered Militia territory. Understandably that settlement was attacked and conquered as it held no real value to the IMC. Hell... the IMC told the settlers it'd be better for them to surrender! Sadly the bastards fought. And they fought hard."

"W-what did you do in all of this?"

And that's where you sadly smile. "I watched. And did nothing."

Hana blinks. "W-what?"

"You see..." You continue. "The Militia forces were just deploying some new spectre, gorilla tank, and Titan Tech. The SRS Vanguard Titan to be specific. The covert division was not sent to rescue, but study. We took damn notes while the entire settlement was utterly decimated. But that's not even the worse of it. There was a man who commanded them, Captain Johio. And that man... that man was evil."

You begin to recall the memories of that man. Half-burnt face, big, missing hair across his head. An absolute bastard. You can't tell how many times you watched that man give orders to burn unarmed settlers out of their homes, or how he enjoyed raping them in front of his band of howling drunkards. Then sharing them around like a dirty dishrag.

Your grip tightens on the arm of the chair. "He was in my scope so many times. I could have simply pull the trigger, and killed him right where he stood. I could have saved so many innocent lives if I did..."

You shut your eyes, envisioning Johio's head exploding in a shower of gore from a kraber round. A wave of satisfaction comes over you, and you feel better. Slightly better.

"What happened to him?"

"The Militia found out. Had him and his men jailed and court martialed. Never heard from again. But knowing that bastard he could me anywhere."

Hana is quiet, leaving you to your thoughts for a long moment. "I... I did something terrible. Really terrible. One time I had to get close to a VIP, and... and I befriended his daughter. But... but... in the end I had to kidnap her. Orders and all, and hold her ransom. The VIP refused to pay, so we sent him a live recording. She was unharmed. At first, but then we began to... break her. Right in front of him, and everything. He still refused to budge. Even after she was screaming for him to save her. In the end, she was useless to us. So they gave me the gun..." She makes a finger gun, pointing it to her temple. "And had me pull the trigger." Her hand begins to shake, and she buries her head in her head. "Even though... even though I was wearing a mask and everything. That haunted look... she knew who I was, from beginning to end. She was begging me to save her, and I didn't. My only friend..."

The AI appears on her shoulder, and begins to pat her neck in an act to comfort her. You stare at the AI, and then stare back at Hana.

No...

>Vote next post.

>>983317
>"Hana... is the AI... her?"
>Hug the poor girl.
>"It's not your fault, Hana. You did what you were ordered to do."
>"I remember doing that once, but he was some fifty year old pervert, and a pedophile."
>Write in.

>>983319
>It's not your fault, Hana. You did what you were ordered to do."
>Hug

I think we can infer that Ai is baed on the friend

>>983317
>"Hana... is the AI... her?"