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************
Welcome to Old Republic Surveyor Quest. You are Krall Sivron, a Nautolan Surveyor working for the Old Republic in the era just prior to the Mandolorian Wars.

As of the last thread, you escaped a terrorist attack in broad daylight, unlike much of the unsuspecting public. While you initially caught the gunmen by surprise, you were injured and forced to retreat into shelter with Daesha, the Twi'lek Jedi Padawan, and your recently found scoundrel of a boss, Zeph Heidonis.

We rejoin our protagonist in the midst of an exit, being confronted by a strange twi'lek man calling out Daesha's name.

Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/Xbtud8qR
QM Twitter: @TheRedL4dy
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A fist to the side of the face puts short work to the twi'lek's acidic attitude and he stumbles back onto the ground, one of his pistols scattering across the ground. Zeph shakes his hand whistling, "Man, you snake-heads wouldn't see trouble coming if it was stomping on your nuts. Let Diamond Zeph, take care of this one." He draws his pistol, finger already on the trigger, and aims at the fearful twi'lek sprawled on the ground.

"No, Stop!"

A gun flashes, but richochets off Dae's open palm and bursts on the front of a nearby earthen house. Dae stands over the young man protectively. Zeph looks dumbfounded at the scene, then back to you with his arms open in exasperation.

Dae looks down, picking apart every detail of the stranger. "...Davot, is that...is that really you?"

Shaking from perhaps fear, anger, or the cold of the rain the Twi'lek on the ground looks upon at the characters standing around him...and slowly nods. "Daes'Havolya...I thought I'd lost you forever all those years ago. Why are you here with...with them? You aren't their s-"

Dae stops him cold, shaking her head. "No, no it's nothing like that. C'mon Krall, tell him."

You weigh your words...

>Dae is helping you with Republic Business here on the Outer Rim
>Dae hired you to help her complete a job
>Yep, Dae is totally your slave. She likes it, too.
>You stopped on Ryloth, but were witness to an attack. Dae helped save you and your boss, and you're trying to find the authorities.
>Write in

>>1234153
>Yep, Dae is totally your slave. She likes it, too.
>You stopped on Ryloth, but were witness to an attack. Dae helped save you and your boss, and you're trying to find the authorities.

>>1234153
>>Dae hired you to help her complete a job
>>You stopped on Ryloth, but were witness to an attack. Dae helped save you and your boss, and you're trying to find the authorities.

>>1234153
>>Dae hired you to help her complete a job
"Who's this git?"

>>1234153
>Dae hired you to help her complete a job
>You stopped on Ryloth, but were witness to an attack. Dae helped save you and your boss, and you're trying to find the authorities.

>>1234341
>>1234217
>>1234212
>>1234172
>>Dae hired you to help her complete a job
>>You're trying to find the authorities.

Writing!

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"Look, I'm just the hired help. Dae, who's this git?"

"He's not a git, okay? This was just a misunderstanding. Krall, Zeph...this is my brother, Davot. He's the one I told you about earlier, Krall."

You look uncomfortably at the Twi'lek man, who returns the expression in kind. He stands up, grabbing his pistols and holstering them in the process. You explain to Davot that Dae and the Jedi needed someone to help them survey some stuff on the Outer Rim, and happened to take a stop here. You were party to the attack in the Octagon, but managed to escape just fine. Davot's lekku visibly twitch and he raises an eyebrow on hearing the word "just fine". You catch him sneaking a few subtle glances at the injured side of your face until Zeph coughs loudly.

Why is everyone staring at your face? It hardly even hurts.


Davos blinks several times before talking to Dae, hopeful. "The...Jedi? Dae, I never thought I'd see you like this, especially not in times like these. Things are going to the pits here on Ryloth, we could really use someone like you right now."

Dae deflates, "The Jedi Council have given me my own assignment to finish, Davot. I...can't stay. After what's happened I'd be much help even if I did; I think I have a lot I still need to learn."

Davot visibly stiffens at this. You notice it immediately and give Zeph a sideways glance, but he doesn't seem to have caught it. Yet, just as quickly Davot seems to relax. "So...the Jedi need you more now, hunh? You said you wanted to talk to the authorities? I can bring you there, just follow me."

Davot, without acknowledging you or Zeph, takes Dae by the hand and begins walking up the street. Dae stumbles a bit at the sudden change of pace, but regains her balance and follows Davot eagerly -asking questions all the while. Zeph shrugs and passes you with an audible yawn, joining right behind them.

>Follow Davot
>No, those two will be fine on their own. Dae has the comlink, anyway. You're going to get the ship.
>You're not sure if you feel comfortable with this. You follow too, but ask Davot some questions as you do (What?)
>Something in your gut doesn't like that guy, brother or not. You're going to look for an opportunity to incapacitate him if given the chance.
>Write in

>>1234725
>You're not sure if you feel comfortable with this. You follow too, but ask Davot some questions as you do (What?)
"So why does everyone keep looking at my face weirdly?"

>>1234725
>Something in your gut doesn't like that guy, brother or not. You're going to look for an opportunity to incapacitate him if given the chance.

>>1234725
>You're not sure if you feel comfortable with this. You follow too, but ask Davot some questions as you do (What?)
Why does everyone keep assuming Dae is a slave?

>>1234792
>>1234756
>>1234750

Writing!

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Well, you hardly have that much of a choice at this point, do you? While you follow Davot with your companions, you keep your eyes peeled. Something is off.

Dae seems entirely unfazed by the circumstances, and is in fact clearly excited on the chance encounter with her brother. She walks hand-in-hand beside him, smiling as she questions him on lost time. Zeph is quiet as he trots a short ways to the side with his hands perched on top his head, elbows flared out. Actually, Zeph has been oddly quiet about this. Your boss is many things...but demure isn't one of them. He's probably being cautious in his own way.

Still, as you continue upwards through winding streets, a question continues to pester you when you think about events up to now.

"Hey, Davot," you call up several feet in front of you, "why does everyone keep assuming Dae is a slave?"

To his credit, Davot answers your question. Though, he only backhandedly glances to you, not looking at you directly as he talks. "Because most of our kind in the presense of aliens are. Twi'lek are nothing if not generous and free-spirited, but you outsiders take advantage of this. Originally, slavery was a means of cultural dissemination for us, as the Republic annexed our own planet before we made ships. We'd work as mechanics, servants, or cooks. While slavery is as an accepted practice as charity to us, only offworlders and The Republic have been so cruel as to turn a blind eye in the subjugation of twi'leks to lives of spice mining, prostituition, and suffering. They've taken our people, our resources, and our wealth from us. You can see how some might see my sister as another victim."

Well, he seemed particularly cheery about that. Dae looks a bit uncomfortable at her brother's remark. As she coaxes more discussion of this out of her brother, you look around the area you're walking.


You haven't been to this part of the city before. It's a bit more disheveled and a bit less populated than the crowded streets from before, though that could be from the sounds of gunfire around the city occasionally ringing. While several civilians bustle past you in a rush, you notice two twi'lek's in particular leaning casually against a nearby house, completely unfazed by the unrest in the city around you. They're dressed identically, in a green-and-tan uniform.

"Now, what are the Feds chewing that's got them so calm, hunh?"

You nearly jump as Zeph's low voice whispers from next to you. His face is squinted, though his demeaner is still just as relaxed as ever. "Something don't smell right here, Krio. This whole city is rodeo-ready...except the cops?"

As if on queue, the sound of disant blaster fire stings the air. The two officers don't even flinch, one even laughing at some joke the other told. One of them glances lazily at your group for a moment before turning away. "Just another Tuesday for those hogs," Zeph hisses quietly, "keep your shutters open, buddy".
(1/2)

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It strikes you that your boss, while a complete goon himself, is certainly more observant that most. Just as your opinion of him begins to rise, Zeph yawns loudly. "Yo hombres, as much as I'm about civic responsibility and that jazz...I'm not about a nature hike around a burning city. I'll catch you back at the spaceport when you're done. Ol' Diamond Zeph is gonna to catch a few Z's where there aren't any blaster bolts being fired at him."

With a pat on the back, Zeph is already waving from down the road...your comlink in his hand. He's gone before either Dae or Davot can object, let alone realize. Dae's brother looks distastefully at the shrinking figure in the distance and simply moves on. Dae looks bit bewildered, but catches your glance. She looks confused for a moment at your concerned, serious expression. Her eyes drift to the injured side of your face for a moment before she turns to talk to her brother again.

"Why is everyone looking at my face weirdly?" You ask out loud, annoyed. The two must not have heard, as neither Dae nor Davot answers. You chalk it up as probably an ugly surface burn and nothing more. Your eye probably just got temporarily blinded from whatever burst of light hit you.

The houses and roads grow more compact as you continue following Dae's brother into the city. Less and less people fill the streets, to the point where only the occasional rough-looking twi'lek passes by. The street underfoot is muddier and trash is seen at the corners of ragged buildings. For a route to the embassy or police station...it is starting to seem awfully lawless.

For a moment though, you notice things are quiet. In fact, you haven't heard the sound of blaster fire for more than a few moments. Nobody else walks along this street, with various overhanging linens on laundry lines, except for your small group of three. Davot is still trotting forward, ignoring you entirely as Dae's chatter provides the only source of noise...

>Now is an opportunity you were waiting for. Something isn't right. Incapacitate Davot.
>Kill Davot while there are no witnesses but Dae.
>Continue to follow. This is likely just circumstancial, and any of your suspiscions are unfounded.
>On second thought...maybe you want to head back with Zeph. Should you leave Dae here, or try to tell her to come with you somehow?
>Write in

>>1235205
>Now is an opportunity you were waiting for. Something isn't right. Incapacitate Davot.

>>1235205
>you wanted to talk to the authorities? I can bring you there, just follow me.
We just passed some cops. This spouted some big xenophobic rants. He was probably one of the terrorists in that square firing on people and is taking us to the local rebellion. He knows were are a diplomat (technically) and will make a fine hostage.

>Now is an opportunity you were waiting for. Something isn't right. Incapacitate Davot.
Suggest to Dea that they can catch up in less fraught circumstances.

>>1235205
>Write in
Make Dae and Davot stop and call him out on his shit. Ask him why he's not leading us to the police or anything. And when he lies about it, point out there would be a closer police station or whatever in the market district where we were, not in the slums.

We need to prove to Dae that he's a bad guy or she may help him.

>>1235271
>>1235257
>>1235249
>Get Dae on board
>Calling out the bullshit
>Incapacitate Davot

Writing!

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Dae spiritedly with her brother as she walks with him for the first time in more than a decade. Joy pulses through her heart with each of his responses. What did he do once she left? Whatever happened to Mom and Dad? When will she meet his girlfriend? How strong has he got since that time he lost to her? Did he ever think about how she was doing? She'd thought about him sometimes, on the nights when training and meditation had passed and she was sure the masters had fallen asleep. She'd flipped through the delicate memories of her home, her family during those lonely, tiresome nights -taking great caution to not be caught in the act of such distracting emotional reveries by her peers or teachers. But now, they were together again...almost like in her dreams. Hand-in-hand through the streets of Ryloth, off to make things right...

Then she hears the distinct, heavy hum of a heavy blaster powering to life behind them. She turns to see the Blue-Green Nautolan, right side of his face charred black and cracked in a painful crater of a scar. "Stop right there," Krall grits his teeth as he aims the massive pistol once more at her brother. "Dae, I suggest you step away from him, now."

Shock. Disbelief. Fear.
Anger.

All of these shoot through her head as she staggers at the sudden aggression, replacing the giddy, childlike happiness that once consumed her. "K-Krall, what the hell? Put that down! What...why are you...?!"

Krall doesn't budge.

Davot's hands are up, unarmed. He looks at Dae, genuine surprise and fear etched in his face. "What's wrong with him, Dae? This is who you brought along to help you?! Look at him, pointing a blaster at us when our backs are turned! He probably was just looking for the first chance to take everything on u-"

"Shut up," Krall spits at her brother. "Dae, I'm not the one taking us for a ride here. He's one of them. There's no police station in these slums, are there? Definitely not an embassy. There were even police back there not long ago...but Davot ignored them. He's taking us to those terrorists, I guarantee it. He was probably just finished shooting up some tourists when we bumped into hi-"

"LIAR!" Davot screams at the alien. "THIEF! Dae, he's the only one who's killed anyone here! After he's done with me, he'll have you right where he wants you -alone in a secluded alleyway! He's just waiting for the moment he can take your body in his own slimy, blood-soaked hands..."

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" Krall bellows back, finger on the trigger.

(1/2)

>>1235493
*spiritedly chatters

>>1235493
Good one dumbass. We already had her right where we wanted her, asleep on our ship with no witnesses.

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You look down the barrell of the blaster, for once appreciating the heavy heat radiating off of it in powerful waves. It shakes ever so slightly in your enraged grip. You're ready to take this backstabbing piece of poodoo down to the ground, but...

Dae slowly shuffles off to the side, her eyes wide and empty as she looks between the two of you. She's shaking her head unconsciously, and you can tell she's been caught completely off-guard by this turn of events. You call to her as she backs away, "Dae, please! Believe me! I'm not trying to do anything like that, I'm trying to keep us alive!"

"Bold choice of words for the alien holding the gun!" Davot shouts back. His arms begin to slowly lower. "Put the gun down, Krall. Dae and I will let you go, okay? We won't tell anyone."

"Keep your hands up, Sleemo!"

He ignores your warning, bringing his hands down ever closer to the blasters on his hip. Mandalorian blasters have no stun setting, as they are weapons only meant for a single purpose: to kill.

>Fire. Now.
>Don't shoot, this can still be sorted out
>Your Hold-Out blaster is still on you. It's a gamble, but if you can draw it first you could stun him
>Write in

>>1235582
>Don't shoot, this can still be sorted out
Tell Dae that she knows us better than that and that she should correct her brother's assumptions before he does something stupid.

>>1235594
Yeah but Dae will be pissed.

>>1235582
>Don't shoot, this can still be sorted out
I'll change to this.

Also point out what the anon earlier said, we had the perfect opportunity to get some when she was asleep and alone on our ship.

>>1235606
>>1235620
Alright, doing these

Writing!

>>1235648
Your pastebin died. I think you might need to take off the time limit.

>>1235725
It's still there for me.

>>1235730
Huh. Maybe I missed a letter when I copied it.
>>1235648
My bad.

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You stare down Davot with the intensity of a fine laser, watching as his hands inch millimeter-by-millimeter closer to his guns. Your finger itches on the trigger of your own hand-cannon, but you restrain yourself. No, no you can't kill him just yet. You can't do that to Dae. You make one last attempt, shouting out to the dazed girl next to her familial terror. "DAE! I know we met only recently; I know we have had our disagreements. But, you know me better than this. If I had any intention to do what he suggested, I would have done it when we first met- you, asleep on my ship with no witnesses. Instead, I took you along. We've watched each other's backs."

Davot's hands inch quicker to the blaster, his eyes wet with bloodlust.

"Please, Dae...stop your brother before he does something stupid! Family is important, but you filled their absence with something even more important! You are a Jedi! Do what you know is right here, if not for me then for your JEDI ORDER!"

Something visibly clicks behind Dae's eyes, and she blinks back into focus. Color returns to her face as she breathes steadily once again. Once more composed, she turns to Davot...and you see the truth slowly dawn in her face about her brother. She takes a deep breath. "Dav, it's me...your sis. Please, just calm down. Nothing's going to happen to me, Krall isn't that kind of person. Just calm down...don't do anything rash."

Davot's hands twitch. He doesn't back down, his own face twisting with rage instead. "They've taken everything from us, from me...now you too, sister? You too? No, no you can't be her. They've already twisted you to their own ways. They took you away, just like mom and dad...just like everything else, and left the rest of us here to drown in what's left. No, NO, I will do a favor to Ryloth starting right here, right now!"
Just as you're holding your breath, Davot's enraged hands grasp at the handles of his blaster pistols and he draws them in a blink.
(1/2)

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Red bolts of blaster fire.
Screams of pain.
Streaks of hizzing blue plasma.

In just a few blinks, it's over. Dae, expressionless, is arched over the sobbing, screaming figure of her brother. Davot -his own severed hand steaming on the ground next to him- futilely pulls the trigger of the red-hot, bisected blaster in his remaining hand, firing off imaginary shots into the air as he lies crumpled on his knees. He babs incoherently to himself as he sobs, clutching his stump of an arm to his chest. "Daesha...Mother...Father..T-Took...everything from me...you m-monsters..."

Dae closes her eyes, sheathing her lightsaber with a dull *shwoosh* of static. She approaches you quietly, her face inexpressive and straight, "We should go before any more show up." She continues past you, her posture statuesque and disciplined. You turn one last time to the muttering, pitiful figure of Davot in the cramped, slum alley as he rocks himself back and forth. You hear shouts and fresh blaster fire not too far away, most likely more of the terrorists attracted by the commotion.

>Put him out of his misery.
>Follow Dae
>Say something to him
>Lay a trap for anyone attempting to follow you
>Write in away

>>1235854
>Put him out of his misery.
I guess?

>>1235854
>Lay a trap using his dead body, and get going with Dae.

>Point out this world is bullshit and needs to be fixed and the order needs to send professionals.

>>1235854
>Say something to him
"You did this."

>>1235854
>Say something to him
u dum
You can't move on if you keep looking back.

Sure he might come back as a recurring villian but he might not. And killing him in cold (well, luukewarm) blood will just serve to estrange us from Dae.

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>>1235873
>>1235886
>>1235890
So uhh...pic related?

>>1235924
Where are we going to find enough twine though?

>>1235924
Do it. He earned it.

>Acting as if this brutal

its almost like you've never genocide entire sub-sectors before just for having a mutant on one world.

>>1235924
I don't want to kill him, so changing my vote to a
>write-in
Make a tripwire, while telling him that if he wants to live to make the universe better or worse, he should run right now. There isn't anything to gain from staying here.

>>1235924
I don't like ties. I'll switch to not killing him then.

>>1235935
>>1235933
>Changing you're vote to not kill the guy who just went to kill us and his sister.

You fucking what?

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>>1235945
I don't want to sit and wait for a 5th voter.

>>1235945
Sometimes being the bigger man, and showing a better way are the greatest revenge.

>>1235935
>>1235933
>>1235896
Writing!

>>1235949
>>1235948
Then back me and trap his body/kill him.

>>1235950
You traitor QM.

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>>1235952
Hey, I would've allowed it. Don't be mad at me

>>1235954
lol.

>>1235945
>Some guy having a bad day getting caught up in a terrorist shootout, barely escapes, finds his long lost sister, wants to get her away from this shady guy who is probably from the cult who stole her away in the first place
>Nah, this guy pointed a gun at me! I was totally in the right to kill him, cut him in half and plant a thermal detonator in his body.
>t. murderhobo
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_attribution_error

>>1235982
>Asks to be lead to proper authority.
>heads down super sketchy slums
>Away from cops and dones't stop to talk to any we see.

Yes, Anon. I'm totally the murder hobo here for wanting to stop this rebel from killing more innocent civilians.

>>1235982
Tbf, turnabout is fair play. It just wasn't really a great option here. Dae could still kill him, though. Send him into the force and stem this growing darkness before it blooms.

>>1235983
He was clearly taking her to his "wah, I miss my sister" shrine in his small but well kept hovel. The only one he could afford. In an attempt to convice her to stay.

>>1235986
>turnabout is fair play
Duder, my whole point was we only had one emotional display to judge him on. Say that he is evil because he let emotians overwhelm him and made a stupid decision is very shortsighted.

>>1236003
I know. That's why I voted against killing him. There are ID's on this board, man.

>>1236003
>Duder, my whole point was we only had one emotional display to judge him on
That, he was clearly not doing what he said he was going to do, and we had reason to not trust him because he was armed around where the Twi'lek terrorists massacred a bunch of civilians.

>>1236003
I can't tell if you're trying to bait me or not, But its pretty fucking clear he made his choice when he went for his gun.

>>1236018
>>1236019
I don't really reconcile the character choices of letting Dae enjoy her walk down memory lane, and being an executioner because one dude snapped and was scared for his families lives.

>>1236029
His entire family is gone, And he went to force her to do something she didn't want and was gonna kill us, Actual innocent people to get his way. This guy was fucking lost and was justifiable to kill. Even moreso on the fact we asked to be taken to cops or whoever ran the area and he took us to slums. He was planning to kill us or trap us in some fashion against our will following that mind-set.

>>1236043
Ptsd can fuck someone up. Who knows what he's actually been through?

>>1236043
Maybe you should read that wiki link that I posted, buddy. I understand how you may have come to that conclusion but he might have just been coming up with a panicky half thought out plan as he went once he saw his sister. He may not have even been planning to kill us, just taking us somewhere (home?) the long way around to try to come up with something. He only went for his guns once we had basically taken all his options away and had him at gunpoint. Just because someone does something stupid once doesn't mean they are some evil being that doesn't deserve to live.

>>1236091
I never said he was evil, I said he forfeited his justification when he chose to instead of helping us like we asked, thing he knew what was best and tried to take us to the slums.

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Dark thoughts pollute your mind. This scum would've happily just killed you and Dae in cold blood. The karmic justice you could dispense on him would be explosive, but...

You look back to Dae.
It's not worth it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkvScx3Po8I

The wire in your pack unwinds with a low, metallic ringing like spare change dropping on concrete. You take your two fragmentation grenade and a spare shock trigger from your survey pack. Detonations are just another day in the business, unlike the rest of your day. The steps of your boots in the squelshing mud underfoot hardly drowns out the pitiful whimpers of the Twi'lek curled up in a ball on the ground.

You spit down in distaste, "You're a dumbass, you know that?"

"You could have supported your sister. You could have moved on, and had her in your life again. Instead, you chose to live in the past. You chose to push away anything that scared you, even if it could have helped you. Now, you have nothing."

The figure below you shakes silently in preparation of death. For one last moment, you consider it.

Instead, you sigh. "Get out- leave, now. You still have legs, so move on. If you want to make the universe any better or worse, I don't care. But, there isn't anything to gain here except a quick death. If that's what you want...fine. Otherwise, start running."

The figure still doesn't move. You shake your head and walk away, leaving him to his fate.

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You catch up with Dae farther up the next alley. Stoic, disciplined, and unblinking...her demeanor strikes you uncomfortably like a fist in the gut. She has her own demons to carry now, but she looks about as calm as the field after a hailstorm. "Come on, Krall. Let's get the ship and leave."

Dae's equally cold voice catches you. Though, both of you immediately jump in surprise when the crackle of static comes from Dae's belt.

"That's gonna be your first of three wishes, chica. Bolt down your asses, Uncle Zeph is coming in hot!"

The roar of engines drowns out everything else as the Plug-6 swerves over the rooftops overheard. It circles around and hovers over the street, billowing clouds of dust gushing out from beneath it in a wide circle. The boarding ramp lowers in midair to reveal your pink-skinned boss nonchalantly laying down, cross-legged on it. He gives a short wave without actually getting up from his improvised bed, "Someone order a ride?" Dae doesn't apparently have the patience to wait for the ship to land. She crouches and jumps nearly fifteen feet into the air and onto the ramp itself, nearly causing a startled Zeph to jump off. The ship descends further, just several feet off the ground for you to board. As you take your first steps onto the metal ramp, you hear the loud blast of an explosion a ways back.

You close your eyes for a moment, then continue forwards without looking back.

"Oh, welcome back. While you were gone, we seemed to have picked up a pink hobo. Perhaps the air samples indicating low levels of gaseous spice in the atmosphere may not have been erring. Either that, or the proportion of spice in this cabin's atmosphere has increased significantly for some undiscernable reason. I have my own predictions.[/b]"

Zeph sneezes a small mist of colored dustlike substance.

Ryloth is some shit that needs fixing.
*****************

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Wow, that formatting fucked up.

Anyways, calling it a night here. Thread probably continues tomorrow 7:30pm EST

Thoughts so far?

>>1236105
He only became unhinged when we attacked him. We proved to him that we were a bad person. We will never know if he meant to actually help us, because we attacked him too quickly, instead of acting carefully.

Do all kicked dogs need to be put down?

>>1236129
>Dog
>something with actual sentience.


He made his choice when he chose to not take us to the nearest police/cops/w.e.

>>1236140
We don't know where that was. He might've been. Rough neighborhoods where people turn a blind eye tend not to have the biggest police presence, despite needing it the most.

>>1236126
Thanks for running. You already hit us with big moral quandaries and hard-hitting action. Enjoying it, and will try to be back.

>>1236150
>We're in the market district
>Takes us to the fucking slums

DO YOU NOT SEE THE ISSUE HERE ANON?

>>1236126
I enjoyed it, anon's don't know how to dish out proper imperial punishment.

>>1236126
Thanks for running! At least we got what we came here for. Now that we are back on our ship and not in hyperspace it would be a great time to contact the jedi who is investigating that bombing we were in and tell them about the mandalorian connection.

>>1236105
>I never said he was evil
That's true but
>I said he forfeited his justification
no you said you were fine with killing him in cold blood and encouraged others to bandwagon.

>>1236159
People find safety in what they know. Terrorists are normally handpicked from poor, disenfranchised neighborhoods.

>imperial punishment
We're green-blooded republicans, though.

>>1236166
>Cold blood
Its not cold if he reached for a weapon anon.

>>1236179
Fair enough but we're also not republicans though, We're uh... Fuck what are we again?

>>1236185
Our sister works in the republic building, and we support what she does. We may be avant-garde in our own politics, but that only strengthens the fact that we definitely aren't imperialist.

And I understand that that was just a throwaway gag and doesn't really matter.

>>1236185
>Its not cold if he reached for a weapon anon.
He had already been disarmed.

>>1236202
>we definitely aren't imperialist.
Maybe not yet, but if crazy shit like this and the bombing continue - we might start to head down that path.

Order and stability are very attractive in a world filled with anarchy.

File: L7R2DEf.jpg (49 KB, 1920x1080)

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I apologize for last night's scattered writing, lackluster grammar, and formatting. I know it isn't an excuse, but QM was multi-tasking on some other work at the time. That said, I’ll be focusing on these posts for the night. Hopefully I can edit them better this time.
Post updates have also taken quite a while, looking back. While part of this issue lies with a scattered voting period, the blame mostly falls onto QM’s longer writing times, distractions, and somewhat random postings.

From here on out, the voting period lasts for 18 minutes after the first response/vote. This should put a dent in the time between posts while also giving a good indication of when anons can expect the next vote.
It’s also worth noting that I do appreciate the fact that potential choices and character actions in the quest raise ethical and moral questions among the voters. Please use the discord for this type of discussion and argument rather than the quest thread itself. Not only is it just technically better suited for your thing (it’s an actual chatroom), but I can respond to any of your questions much quicker.

Discord: https://discord.gg/22TXA6g

On that note, expect an average of 35 minutes between QM posts. Additionally, a separate pastebin of encountered item descriptions and specs will be available within the next thread or two for you guys, once I finish my own cheat sheet. Crafting materials, ores, and crystals pastebin will arrive a little later once I finish scouring the vaults of wookiepedia and KOTOR lists. Any other suggestions are welcome, as always.
Now, continuing with the quest…
**************

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tick…tick…tick tick tick…tick tick
tick…tick…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJfORv7qQ0s

The sequence of the power couplings in the Plug-6 lulls you to sleep as you sit with your back against the Holocom station in the cabin. The sound is comfortable to you right now, for some reason. It’s just…steady. You lean back into the grooved metal, taking a deep breath as you do so.

The action down below was…jarring. Getting on board the ship gave you the first real sense of security you’d had today. Funny what a few sheets of durasteel between you and the crazy, outside world made you consider. You let GLaDOS bring the Plug up into the atmosphere while you took some time to de-stress. Your body has more aches than you thought possible. Not all of them are physical.

“Now entering Ryloth’s lower Mesosphere.”

>Set a cruising vector until we decide what to do next, GLaDOS
>Prepare to jump to Hyperspace. I can’t leave this place quick enough.

>>1238688
>Prepare to jump to Hyperspace. I can’t leave this place quick enough.

>>1238688
>Set a cruising vector until we decide what to do next, GLaDOS

>>1238688
>Prepare to jump to Hyperspace. I can’t leave this place quick enough.
Mandalore Excarga here we come.

>>1238740
>>1238695

Writing!

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“Prepare to jump to Hyperspace, GLaDOS. I can’t leave this place quick enough. “
“Your distaste of Ryloth has been documented and recorded. Should we ever return, I shall remind you of it. Calculating possible hyperspace routes now…”

There’s an audible *ping* moments later, indicating the routes are available on the navicomputer for selection. With a groan, you hoist your protesting body to your feet and make your way to the cockpit. As you take your favorite seat and pull up the available route index, the cockpit’s holoterminal fizzes to life in a cloud of blue static. A vaguely anthropomorphic, blue featureless figure floats in the air above the display.

“Oh, by the way, while you were out dutifully surveying the local bars, I was hard at work here on the ship. All alone. No need to thank me, as I’m more than happy to be technically enslaved to computer prodigy on an underfunded ship in the Outer Rim. It’s not like I had dreams, you know; I’m just another AI, after all.”

“But anyway, you received two separate transmissions while absent from your station. Additionally, I have run several various scans of my own and will make an attempt to explain the results of my findings to you when you so choose.”
The figure dissipates into scattered particles once more, leaving you by yourself in the cockpit. The navicomputer screen flashes with potential hyperspace routes. You haven’t consulted with the rest of the crew…but as the captain, you don’t require their input in deciding a destination. You can probably return to Ryloth to complete that assignment Zeph mentioned later. By then things will have hopefully cooled down.

>Select a destination from the navicomputer
>Play the messages, first
>Ask GLaDOS about whatever she’s observed before anything
>Write in

>>1238880
>Play the messages, first
then
>Write in
Talk to everyone about where we're going next

>>1238880
>Ask GLaDOS about whatever she’s observed before anything
>Play the messages

>>1238880
>Play the messages, first
>Ask GLaDOS about whatever she’s observed before anything

>>1238880
>>Ask GLaDOS about whatever she’s observed before anything
Also find a mirror to see your face.

>>1238923
>>1238899
>>1238894
>Ask GLaDOS about whatever she’s observed >Check messages
>(Mirror?)
Writing

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You activate the holoterminal once more, not quite done with GLaDOS yet. Her translucent avatar shines to life once more, arms crossed.

“Fantastic, you managed to catch that last part. Here I was thinking I’d finally be able to sleep for once. Very well, my report is as follows: The frequency scan came up with an interesting result, when compared to previous stored datasets.”

“Between arriving at and departing from Coruscant, a signal, previously unrecorded by any active or passive scans aboard the Plug-6, was picked up by the ship’s sensors. While double-checking for its presence during the period of absence mentioned earlier, it was no longer present. It was coincidentally on your return to this ship that the sensors detected it again. I believe someone or something aboard this ship is passively transmitting data, possibly our location.”

GLaDOS lists off various other atmospheric and geological anomalies of academic, but not practical significance. Naturally, the only thing to occupy your thoughts during the report was the information regarding the signal. Who was tracking you? Even more important…who, or what, is sending the data?

(1/2)

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrp4cafBL-I

Concerned, but still not yet satisfied, you activate the playback command for the recorded messages on the Holoterminal. Immediately, the first message begins and with a *hiss* of blue static particles, the short, wrinkled miniature figure of an alien appears in front of you.

Master Vandar?

“Captain Sivron,” the holo-message echoes slightly, “it has come to both my and the Jedi Council’s attention that a mistake, there has been made. Indeed, you have left to Excarga without the Council’s appointed guardian to handle this matter. Please respond immediately, if you are not already on a return voyage to Coruscant when this message is being sent.”

The figure fizzles into a blue mist, leaving you dumbfounded. You left without the appointed guardian? Then wha-
Before you can finish the thought, a flash of red materializes from the holoterminal.

[Message Status: Critical]

Without warning, a flash of blue overtakes the warning. A serious-faced human male materializes in the trim, decorative garb of the Republic Military.

“This is Captain Saul Karath of the 4th Fleet, speaking on behalf of the Republic Naval Forces. To all Diplomatic and Merchant Marine personnel en-route to galactic sectors M5 thru P8, divert your vectors immediately. I repeat: To all Diplomatic and Merchant Marine Core personell en-route to galactic sectors M5 thru P8, divert your vectors immediately. Military engagements are currently being reported throughout this region. Cathar, Garos, Serenno, and the Yavin system are confirmed to be under Mandalorian occupation. Divert and desist from travels to these regions until further notice. Captain Karath out.”

(2/3)

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The message ends as abruptly as it began, leaving you in the uncomfortable, looming silence.

>Well, time to plug in a destination.
>You have some questions for Dae. Go find her.
>You need to sit down somewhere else and think for a moment. Maybe splash some water on your face in the refresher
>Zeph needs to know these updates. He’a a scoundrel, sure, but you didn’t imagine his observational insight earlier.
>You contact someone on the holoterminal (to who, where?)
>That signal bothers you. Could it be from your equipment? You don’t want to think it could be from a companion.
>Write in

>>1239342
>>You need to sit down somewhere else and think for a moment. Maybe splash some water on your face in the refresher
>>Zeph needs to know these updates. He’a a scoundrel, sure, but you didn’t imagine his observational insight earlier.
>>That signal bothers you. Could it be from your equipment? You don’t want to think it could be from a companion.

>>1239342
>That signal bothers you. Could it be from your equipment? You don’t want to think it could be from a companion.
Ask GLaDOS about that Mandalorian guy that came and checked out our ship. Ask her if he got close to the ship, and if he did, where.

>>1239342
>You need to sit down somewhere else and think for a moment. Maybe splash some water on your face in the refresher
>Zeph needs to know these updates. He’a a scoundrel, sure, but you didn’t imagine his observational insight earlier.
>That signal bothers you. Could it be from your equipment? You don’t want to think it could be from a companion.

>>1239342
>You need to sit down somewhere else and think for a moment. Maybe splash some water on your face in the refresher
Zeph needs to know these updates. He’a a scoundrel, sure, but you didn’t imagine his observational insight earlier.
That signal bothers you. Could it be from your equipment? You don’t want to think it could be from a companion.
>You have some questions for Dae. Go find her.

>>1239366
>>1239367
>>1239378
>>1239447
3 choices available here, for obvious reasons. 2 only for normal votes though.

>That signal bothers you.
>Zeph needs to know these updates|
>refresher
Writing!

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The signal GLaDOS found bothers you the most right now. Did someone put a tracking device on your ship, or even on your equipment? You step out of the cockpit and trot back into the cabin, snagging your pack from its resting place as you do so. As you unceremoniously dump its contents onto the floor in front of you, you bark a command at your ship’s AI, “GLaDOS,, retrieve all exterior video surveillance records from when we were docked on Coruscant and play those that included the middle-aged human male you described to me.
Whether she received the order is a second priority now as you comb through your recently acquired belongings. The signal was received on departing Coruscant, but disappeared when you left the ship…

You scour your light combat suit, looking for any misshapen lumps or metallic fragments in the material, but find none. You turn the Mandalorian heavy blaster in your hand, unable to find any sort of crease or abnormality in the rough-cast metallic design. You open the medpacs, dissect the energy shield and repair kits, and even peek inside the containers of Juma. Nothing.
Just as you’re running out of objects to search, the holocom station buzzes to life. Projected into the air above is a video, several tabs of recordings depicting various angles of the drab, sparse interior of the Coruscant docking pad you still remember. It begins to quietly play, lacking any audio input. You sit up, cross-legged and eagerly watching the footage.

For the first few moments, none of the cameras show anything. The only action seems to be several, still-smoking spots where laser cannons were shot into the metal floor. However, something in the far-left camera, the one centered on the docking pad entrance, catches your attention. The massive, broad-shouldered man from the scummy weapon store strides into view of the camera, scar and all.

However, as you watch intensely, looking for any sign of him planting some sort of device...nothing happens. The man just stands casually by the bay doors with his arms crossed, staring at your ship. Your heart skips a beat when he begins to take several long strides across the outside of the room into another camera angle, only for it to sink when he simply leans against the wall -relaxing as though he was on nothing more than a pleasure walk. He glances over his shoulder at one of the corners of the room for a few seconds, then back to your ship. His mouth moves as though speaking into the thin air. Then just as abruptly as he arrives he gets up and leaves, a slight limp in his right leg as he exits the bay.

The video cuts, ending what footage there was of the mysterious, scarred man.
(1/2)

>>1239692
Can we by chance know which fequincy the singal was sent on and then bounce it around our ship until it has a 'hit' or response?

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That…can’t be right, right? If he didn’t do anything, then who or what is sending the tracking signal? Frustrated, you scoff as you stand up -kicking your light combat suit out of the way. You need to calm down for a moment, maybe sit down or just use the refresher to splash some water on your face. You head towards the split crew quarters in the back, except you continue straight past the two doors to the cots on either side. Instead, you press a small button on the farthest back of the cabin, and a small alcove opens up to the ship’s refresher.

You sigh as you close the door behind you and proceed to turn on the sink. Closing your eyes, you splash some cool water over your face. However, you don’t feel the water running down the right side of your head for some reason. All you feel is a slight pinching, prickling sensation where your hand meets the right side of your face.

Oh, that’s right. You nearly forgot.
You open your eyes to look into the mounted mirror above the sink…and nearly vomit at the sight from your left eye.

Charred, burned skin like charcoal is crusted sporadically across the right side of your face from your lower brow to lower cheek -revealing bright red and pink between the cracked surface. A rather large, long shining scab glimmers diagonally from your outer jaw, across your eye, and up to where your eyebrow would be. Your eye looks like it’s been cut in half from a couple small fragments of shrapnel, almost visibly leaking into itself.

The grenade…the fragmentation grenade from the Octagon did hit you, and literally head on. This is going to require some serious medical attention in a moment…and will scar. You may need someone’s assistance in removing the metal pieces as well. You resolve to treat further in a minute, after you update Zeph.

>>1239749
You can track the frequency, sure

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Thankfully, Zeph isn’t too difficult to find. On exiting the refresher, you simply follow his pungent stench through the air to the cargo bay, where you find him snoring with a spare blanket over his face. You shake him reluctantly awake. On seeing you, he grimaces.

“Damn, bud, your face is hardly the sweet dream I was hoping to wake up to. Why are you cutting my Z’s?”

You carefully detail everything: the signal, the message from Vandar, and most importantly the announcement from the Republic Navy. Strangely, he doesn’t seem surprised at all. In fact, he just shakes his head and throws of his ratty blanket. “Look, Kirito, when you lived a life like Uncle Zeph you realize two things muy rapido. Firstly, nothing is as bad and blitzed as it’s cut out to be. Second, every gasbag from here to the other end of the galaxy is fighting over something, at some time. In the end, everything tends to go back to tops and it never affects nobody else. Capiche?”

You’re not sure you get it, or agree, but you let him continue nevertheless.

“Now, I’ve got my own ideas on that twin-tailed smoker you let make tracks with us. But, that whole signal business is really no bueno; being tracked is a big no-no in Diamon Zeph’s books, not cool. I can play my hand in that issue, but you’d need to give me access to your ride’s systems…and, uh, I’m not too smooth with your AI gal. She actually tried to pop me before I got on board.”

>Investigate the signal further with Zeph
>What does Zeph mean by the “ideas’ he has about Dae…
>Ask Zeph what he knows about the Mandalorians in his own experience
>You want Zeph to help you in treating your injuries
>Ask/Talk to him about something else(what?)
>Write in

>>1239934

>Investigate the signal further with Zeph
>What does Zeph mean by the “ideas’ he has about Dae…
>Ask Zeph what he knows about the Mandalorians in his own experience

Its not like Zeph is going anywhere.

>>1239934
>Investigate the signal further with Zeph
>What does Zeph mean by the “ideas’ he has about Dae…
Medical assistance should probably be left to people who aren't alcoholic man whores.

>>1239934
>Investigate the signal further with Zeph
And then call up the fucking jedi already!

>>1239952
>>1239967
>Investigate the signal further with Zeph
>What does Zeph mean by the “ideas’ he has about Dae…

writing!

>>1239967
>>1239934
Second. If someone is tracking us, considering what our mission is, then tellin the Jedi is important.

I am a bit nervous about Zeph. He seems like the type that could be paid off to betray us, and call it just business.

>>1240031
you want to
>>1235924
him then?

>>1240044
Stop encouraging this shit! Using violence to solve all of your problems is a sign of a simple mind.

>>1240062
>We could've talked things out with Hitler, and japan the post.

>>1240074
>implying things weren't talked out with Japan after we realized how horrible the violence we wrought was
>>1240044
I think it's an option. A beautiful, beautiful option.

>>1240119
>Implying they weren't forced to talk.

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Warily, you question Zeph on what exactly these ideas of his about Dae are. Zeph smirks at you, “Everyone wants a taste of primo adventure when you’re that age, Kreig. Hell, you’re practically the same age! Difference between the two of you tykes is that one of you ain’t a real WORKING STIFF, AHAHAH!”

Zeph laughs out loud unabashedly as he gets up. You walk over to the cockpit with him, as Zeph continues reminiscing about “that killer summer in ‘887 back on Zeltros” and how “the ladies were so primed and ready to fire that there were daily flood warnings”. At this point, you just ignore Zeph, cutting out his raunchy nostalgia entirely from your attention. As he rambles away you instead issue a short command to GLaDOS to allow the pink bastard access to the system, which your AI reluctantly agrees to unlock.

A few minutes later, and Zeph is surprisingly focused on the task at hand. He pulls up various graphs, accesses several subsystems, and even programs a script outright on the spot. “Bingo! That’s one killer riff right there,” Zeph cries triumphantly on finishing the last line of his program. He kicks back with his feet up on the navigational computer.

“Should you continue to put your feet on me, I will make sure to return the favor next time I’m landing the ship on pickup. Except, rather than a navigational interface, I will be landing on your face.”

“Kinky,” Zeph comments under his breath as he slides his feet off the table. He wipes his brow then, with an exaggerated windup, finally pressed down on the enter key to begin the script. The cockpit begins to whir with noise and Zeph leans back. Apparently, now all you have to do is wait.
(1/2)

>>1240140
Well I never said that. Just that the US could've just destroyed a demoralized people, but instead politely asked for a surrender, financial benefits, and a complete governmental overhaul that worked in the their favor. It can be more beneficial to show restraint in victory, than to be unnecessarily brutal or merciless.

>>1240157
>Demoralized

That's wrong, They didn't believe our warnings and were planning on fighting to the death. We were demonized to the point they threw themselves off cliffs when we showed up.

>>1240185
>>1240157
Take it to /pol/ already, fuckos.

>>1240199
>Talking about historical events belongs solely on /pol/

What the fuck type of a faggot are you? If anything that shit belongs on /his/ You stupid fuck. God damn Newfags being retarded.

>>1240205
>>1240199
>>1240185
>>1240157
discord pls

>>1240211
I'd like to point out, you posted it once 2? I believe threads ago. Really gotta work it into that second post QM. Keep all the ways and import stuff together.

File: 1479445637953.gif (1.16 MB, 480x358)

1.16 MB GIF

>>1240213

>>1238680

>>1240230
I'M RETARDED, but why is it there and not here >>1233959

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As the minutes drag on, your mind wanders back to the Mandalorian. Between the pistol, the bombings, and the attacks on the Outer Rim, it’s fair to say their enigmatic nature absorbs your thoughts. “Zeph,” you begin hesitantly, “you’ve lived quite a life, right? What are your experiences with Mandalorians?”

Zeph answers immediately, eyes still closed. “Real tight-asses, the lot of them. Not the kind of hombres you mess with, either. Got the best looking skirts in the galaxy though, but don’t it fool ya’. Their gals are as deadly as they are smoking hot, and they’ll put you six feet under in a second if you call them beautiful.”

“I was looking for more substantive. Like maybe their culture, leadership, or why they do the things they do you know?”

Zeph takes a uncharacteristically deep breath, “nobody knows why people do things, kid. As for the Mandalorians, they’re some real boots on the ground, military, antisocial types. They’re warriors in every sense of the word. Led by the Mandalore.”

“Who’s the Mandalore.”

“You know, Krall…I don’t really know myself. I’ve heard many things, everyone has. But, nobody really has any firsthand knowledge of that diablo other than he’s a sort of Warrior-King.”

“Well…what have you heard, then?”

“A real top notch buddy at a Cantina once told me his brother saw Him on Dathomir -killing a rancor by stab’n it with its own severed arm. Some Republic soldiers claimed they saw Him, armor and all, wipe out an entire platoon with a spare vibroblade. A backwater doc I met on Dantooine said the Mandalore himself walked in, took his surgical equipment, sowed three of his own fingers back on, and left just like that. A merc preached how the Mandalore tortured his dad for twenty days straight, and would shoot himself to prove a point whenever he complained about the pain. Didn’t even flinch; hell, that monster enjoyed it. He apparently beat a wookie to death with his bare hands too. As far as I know, all those stories might as well be true. Anything else?”

>>1240323
>A real top notch buddy at a Cantina once told me
Nah, I know him. He's full of shit.

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You shake your head no and Zeph nods without saying another word, apparently also done with the topic of discussion. He hardly needs to make it clear though, as the console begins beeping wildly. Zeph springs up, whooping. “Silken Spice, I got that slick riff right where it counts! Now, all I need to do is press this to rip a beacon and-“

Zeph presses the button quickly, but immediately freezes. He turns, confused, to the loud, obnoxious beeping noise coming from the seat next to him. You look in the chair.

The comlink you picked up in the Coruscant hangar sits on it, ringing in clear confirmation.

Zeph taps several buttons on the console, and the comlink stops. He gives you a sideways glance, apparently as perplexed as you are.

>Shoot the comlink on the spot, destroying it
>See if you can’t take it apart, and find out what is transmitting the signal…or where it is transmitting to (Repair)
>Well, you know what is sending the signal now. Thankfully, it’s electronic. Try to see if you can access its…uh, computer thingies and see what it is programmed to do. (Computer Use)
>Space it out the airlock
>Write in

>>1240351
>See if you can’t take it apart, and find out what is transmitting the signal…or where it is transmitting to (Repair)
Something we're not retarded at doing, at least.

>>1240351
>See if you can’t take it apart, and find out what is transmitting the signal…or where it is transmitting to (Repair)

>>1240351
>See if you can’t take it apart, and find out what is transmitting the signal…or where it is transmitting to (Repair)
And what's the range on this thang.

>>1240351
>See if you can’t take it apart, and find out what is transmitting the signal…or where it is transmitting to (Repair)

>>1240424
>>1240388
>>1240364
>>1240362
Roll 1d100+6, first three

DC 75

Rolled 35 + 6 (1d100 + 6)

>>1240434

Rolled + 6 (1d00 + 6)

>>1240434
Roll for playing operation.

Rolled 11 + 6 (1d100 + 6)

>>1240436
*sigh*

Rolled 39 + 6 (1d100 + 6)

>>1240434
Do we have that head thing on yet?

File: ovDfhSb.gif (1.26 MB, 511x288)

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>>1240452
nope, but that wouldn't save
>>1240435
>>1240440
all these rolls.

Writing last point for the night

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You take the comlink in your hands, looking it over carefully. There seems to be a removable back panel on the contraption. Without being prodded further, you grab a spare tool kit embedded under the pilot’s seat Zeph is sitting in and snag the plex-bit driver. “Hey, Kraft,” Zeph starts nervously as he watches you dismantle the comlink, “you sure you know what you’re doing?”

Of course you do.

Within a few seconds the plating is off, leaving a mass of components and circuitry. Inspecting the tech closer for several minutes, you even find the oddity in its construction, a pebble-sized, metallic rectangular box implanted among the various wires. It steadily fades and brightens in waves of blue light, almost as if it is breathing. Success swimming in your skull, you eagerly grasp at the bug between your pinching fingers and pry it off the comlink with a crackle of sparks.

It begins to sharply beep as its blue lights strobe angrily …then it suddenly stops. For a the next minute, nobody inside the room even dares to breathe. Finally, you sigh in relief. “See? I told you I knew what I was doing.”

“Cronau Radiation detected! A starship has exited from hyperspace on our starboard bow, congratulations.”

You practically dive forward to look out the cockpit window.
You see…nothing.

“What the hell?”

Zeph’s voice mutters from next to you, and you turn to look in his direction. Off a bit to the left of the forward cockpit window, you spot a compact cluster of small, bright balls of red in the distance. As you continue to watch them- trying to discern their nature- they steadily grow larger in diameter. They grow larger, and larger…and catch a glimpse of something skulking in their wake, briefly reflecting the bright, glowing, red aura: a bulbous black head, spindly nebulous wings, long protracted spikes. The unknown craft’s multiple laser cannons charge even further, illuminating it fully in red light. Then you realize…

They aren’t growing, it's just flying closer.
***************

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That's all for tonight, thread continues tomorrow or wednesday

>>1240533

Thanks for running, thinking today or tomorrow?

>>1241580
As of right now, most likely tomorrow

>>1241849

Fair enough, thanks for the heads up