File: Stardust Afterlife.jpg (8 KB, 312x210)

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Whoever said death meant an end to pain was a lying crock of shit.

You feel yourself floating through an endless void, your body feeling the damage from the last battle. You are also full of regrets. You think about your broken promises. To Hailey, to Grey, your oaths to both Empire and Clan.

Time lost its meaning upon you. You've tried counting the seconds to get a frame of reference. It doesn't help. And then you see a figure ahead. As you approached closer, you see Summer, the AI of your ship. She's saying something to you, but the distance is far enough that you still can't hear her.

Your body speeds up the closer you get to Summer. You tried to slow down, but your body won't listen to you. Just as you are about to hit her, you hear her speak. "Admiral. Wake up."

Bright light overwhelms your vision

[Continued]

Your body drops onto the floor from 10 meters high. It hurts, your first feeling in what feels like forever. As your vision adjusts, you turn around to see yourself at what you think is the reactor core of your ship. You think, because you are pretty sure that your reactor is usually covered in an titanium alloy, not organic metal, and definitely not pulsing like a heart of a void whale.

Sounds behind you attracts your attention. Eight insectoid beings are approaching a corner, their backs facing you. You don't recognize them, but you know an intruder when you see one. A woman's scream rings out from the corner.

What do you do?
>Destroy the intruders
>Save the woman
>Write-in

File: Mana Core.jpg (183 KB, 992x685)

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>>1388988
Forgot pic

>>1388988
>Save the woman

back to you, they are retreating.

>>1388988
>>Save the woman

>>1388988
>>Save the woman

>>1388990
>>1388993
>>1388996
Writan

File: Infernal Asura.jpg (76 KB, 960x678)

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You react instinctively. Above all else, you need more information to go on and the woman seems a more likely cooperative source than insects.

You gather your energy. Using your clan's art...
>Focus!
>Ignite the Source!
>Control the Flames!
>Direct to Limbs!

The basics of Baruch Style: Flame Arts, of which earned you the Title "Dragon". Using the flames, you direct them towards your feet. The force blows you straight between the insects and the women.

You strike out once. A massive fireball expels from your fists, blue in color and more massive than you previously remembered. It hits the intruders and turns them to ash. What you also didn't expect was the explosion afterwards. Quickly, you shield the woman with your body as the shockwave rolls over you both.

[Continued]

File: Lady.jpg (56 KB, 600x600)

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>>1389010
As the dust settles, both of you see a small crater where the intruders once stood. Her eyes widened and she starts to stammer.

You start to stand up and offer her your hand. She doesn't notice but starts talking gibberish, with a sprinkling of what sounds to you like English. You take a look at her. The woman appears to be in her early 20s. Her hair could be a lustrous black and her skin fair if she was not covered head to toe in ash. You ask her,

"Who are you? What are those intruders and what are you doing on your ship?"

She starts shaking and tears formed in her eyes. She yells "Friend! Friend! Friend!"

You think you broke her.

What do you do?
>Find a way out
>Check her head for any concussion
>Write-In

>>1389018
*my ship
FML again

>>1389010
>Ignite the Source!
>>1389018
>Take a look around while she is speaking gibberish.

>>1389018
>Check her head for any concussion

>>1389018
>>Write-In
Pat her on the head soothingly like, offer her some indeterminate age space rations.

>>1389021
>>1389030
>>1389033
Writan

File: Hallway.jpg (552 KB, 1400x811)

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You reach out, trying to see if she concussed herself from the explosion. She flinches, before allowing you to touch her head. As you check her head, her face slowly turns red and she covers her face. You noticed and looked down. You then realized you are naked since falling down from whatever afterlife you think you've come from.

You turned red yourself and quickly check her injuries. Aside from a few light scraps she seems perfectly fine. You pat her head before quickly turning away. As you take a closer look around, you see the blast doors leading out from the reactor to the rest of the ship.

What do you do?
>Go to the armory. Being in your birthday suit isn't comfortable and you might need access to the ship's internal security systems to clear out those insectoids.
>Go to the bridge. Connecting to the Domain is more important. New threads can wait later and besides, commando is way more comfortable.
>Write-in

>>1389058
>>Go to the bridge. Connecting to the Domain is more important. New threads can wait later and besides, commando is way more comfortable.
She's already seen it and I doubt the bugs care.

>>1389058
>Go to the armory. Being in your birthday suit isn't comfortable and you might need access to the ship's internal security systems to clear out those insectoids.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>1389063
1
>>1389067
2

>>1389058
>Go to the bridge. Connecting to the Domain is more important. New threads can wait later and besides, commando is way more comfortable.

>>1389074
>>1389063
>>1389067
Writan

File: gnotnr.jpg (377 KB, 595x595)

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After a moment, you've decided to head towards the Bridge. Connecting to the Domain is more important and besides, going commando is liberating, in a way.

Just as you're about to leave, you feel a tap on your right shoulder. You turn around, almost hitting the woman. She blushes again. But this time she stares directly at your face. She points to herself and says,

"Bring. Me. I. Help."

Well, do you?
>Yes
>No
>Write-In

>>1389085
>>No

>>1389085
>>Yes

>>1389085
>Maybe

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>1389107
1
>>1389110
2

>>1389107
>>1389110
>>1389112
>>1389116
Writan

File: Hallway 2.jpg (4.7 MB, 3840x2160)

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You agonize over the decision. She's a burden that you don't need but leaving her alone doesn't sit well with you either. However, she makes the decision for you by holding on you to your arm tightly. You admire her courage. If you were in her shoes, you might not even contemplate sticking next to a nudist who just annihilated 8 enemies with a single blow.

You toss her into a fireman carry, ignoring her surprised gasp. As you gather your energy again, you sprint forward towards the bridge.

[Continued]

[Interlude]

15 minutes later

A squad of eight insectoid warriors pass by a hallway in patrol. What they see stuns them. Instead of the garrison troops they expect in place to secure the hallway, barriers and blast doors have melted holes in them. The troops themselves were either smeared across the ceiling, or had their shadows burned in the walls. As the patrol starts vomiting their last meals out, the commander of the patrol radios it in.

[Interlude ends]

Sprinting several kilometers in 1 minutes and carrying a person at the same time would tax the old you. Now? Not only you don't feel fatigued, you notice you're recovering at the same time even as you mowed down more of those insectoid intruders at the same time. The woman you're carrying stopped vomiting after the first 2 checkpoints. And now she's hitting your back yelling, "Stop!"

You gently let her down. She leans back on the wall, trying to catch her breath while you peek around the corner. In front of the bridge sealed blast door, you see the hallway littered with more insectoids and a few people behind a metal barrier.

What do you do?
>Get the woman to help. She did volunteered.
>Could be another group of intruders. Blast them.
>Write-in

File: Bug Soldier.jpg (132 KB, 792x1008)

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>>1389156
Forgot pic

>>1389156
>>Write-in
Point at the bugs and the people behind the barrier in succession, then ask the girl "Friend?" for each one

>>1389166
This. Let's confirm whose on what side.

>>1389166
>>1389177
Writan

File: Bridge Blast Doors.jpg (552 KB, 1920x1200)

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You motion to the woman next to you to be quiet. She peeks along with you as you point out each group while asking her, "Friend?" She shakes her head when you pointed at the insectoids but nods at the people behind the barrier.

The insectoids start to get busy. At the forefront, you see that there are insectoid corpses in front of the barriers. One lone insectoid, you assume to be the leader, judging by how shiny his armor seems to be, starts speaking loudly at the people behind the barrier. What he got in reply was a harsh gibberish and a few laughs. The leader tightens his fists and starts yelling at his minions, obviously ordering an assault.

What do you do?
>Blast the insectoid group
>Give out a warning before blasting bugs
>Write-In

>>1389193
Forgot, are we armed with anything?
Fuck it, glass them.

>>1389198
Wuxia quest remember? We are the weapon.

>>1389193
>Give out a warning before blasting bugs

>>1389199
Then fuck yeah blast away.

>>1389193
>>Write-In

Perform flying kick at insectoid leader's head.

>>1389198
>>1389203
>>1389207
Writan

>>1389193
>>Write-In
Do we have any special secret techniques that can be used naked without our hands?? Like the Swirling Flame Whip, or Thrusting Inferno Lance?

File: vEdJmes.png (4.21 MB, 1764x1358)

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Insectoids trying to commandeer your ship doesn't sit well with you more than normal humans speaking unknown languages. You grab onto the woman next to you, point towards her friends behind the barrier and say one word, "Hide."

Her eyes widen. Before she can open her mouth, you begin to...
>Focus!
>Ignite the Source!
>Control the Flames!
>Direct to Limbs!

Your whole body again heats up and you perform the second technique of Baruch Style: Flame Arts, FIRE ASCENSION! Flames gather beneath your feet and explodes, propelling you forward and your unwitting passenger over the head of the insectoids and right in between no-man's land. You throw her into the group behind the barrier, with enough force not to concuss her but fast enough to get out of the danger zone.

Surprised, thirty plus insectoids were shocked. It's not everyday they see a nude human flying without a jetpack and getting ready to fight them. Their leader sneers at the fool who is blocking his path, noticing he does not have any weapons or armor. That was his last mistake.

You take a step back. Stabilizing yourself. You feel the heat rising. Your body's completely different since that day. The energy inside began to rise rapidly. You remembered the day you've mastered the Baruch Style: Flame Arts' 3rd Technique. Trying to hold off the Hive as civilians evacuate from an outpost. You open your eyes.

"Nova"

>Roll 2d100 pls

Rolled 46, 9 = 55 (2d100)

>>1389234
Big bucks no whammies!

Rolled 12, 70 = 82 (2d100)

>>1389234

Orah!!!

Rolled 39, 16 = 55 (2d100)

>>1389234
Thrusting Inferno Lance is better

>>1389241
>>1389242
>>1389250
Writan

>>1389250

In my view, Thrusting Inferno Lance sound like a very bizarre move that involved with pelvic thrust...

>>1389259
Well yeah, it's one of the best moves to use while naked.

File: Bridge.jpg (622 KB, 1920x1080)

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The explosion rocks the entire ship. Thankfully, the hull's made of sterner stuff and no breach was to be had. The hallway in front of you however is a different story. No trace of the Insectoids are to be seen and the entire hall burnt clean. The barrier behind you fared better as most of the blast was directed forward. As the group stayed dazed at the annihilation of an entire platoon, you walked towards the door to your bridge.

"Admiral Arturus Baruch. Authorization, 'Morning Star' "

The doors slide open. Stale air millennia old flows out in a hiss. The sight of the bridge feels familiar and wholly unfamiliar at the same time, like meeting an old friend you lost contact with long ago. You sit yourself in the Captain's seat.

"Reconnect Domain. Activate Endless Summer."

"Acknowledged, Captain. Standby"

[Continue]

File: maxresdefault.jpg (152 KB, 1920x1080)

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"Contender-class Ancilla 'Endless Summer' online. How may I assist you, Admiral?"

Summer looks different. Her hair is styled into a short bob haircut. Her dress swapped for an armored body suit.

"You look different, Summer."

"Well Admiral, it's been 15480000000 seconds since we've last met, sir. I thought to try something different."

What say?
>500 years?! The Empire? Does it still exist?
>What's the status of the ship? Warp drives? Weapons?
>Write-in
>

>>1389272
>>500 years?! The Empire? Does it still exist?
>>What's the status of the ship? Warp drives? Weapons?
>>Write-in
"I feel naked. Bring me my Admiral Hat."

>>1389272
>500 years?! The Empire? Does it still exist?
>What happened and how am I alive?
>What's the status of the ship? Warp drives? Weapons?
>Do you have any translation software?

>>1389272
Info needed.
So much info needed.
Also >>1389275 a hat is fine too.

>>1389272

This >>1389275 >>1389276

>>1389275
>>1389276
>>1389284
>>1389286
Writan

Just for keks. Plz post Admiral Hats.

File: 1643251-henry_j._gloval_05.png (92 KB, 320x240)

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>>1389287
Can't go wrong with a Gloval. We'd need a pipe too, though.

File: AdmiralFurHat.jpg (62 KB, 500x346)

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>>1389287
Be sure to keep warm, comrade. Is cold in space!

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>>1389287

File: 1eca94cde8c8be372d5db6a46(...).jpg (63 KB, 900x675)

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>>1389287
Or something like this.

File: Bicorn.jpg (16 KB, 400x300)

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>>1389287
I like the classics.

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Shock. Disbelief. Despair. Anger.

You learned to process these emotions while stuck in the void. By tossing them in a mental box and then the whole damned box into a mental corner where you might forget it. If you're lucky.

"500 years?! The Empire?! Does it still exist?"

Summer shakes her head, "I'm sorry, Admiral. I'm unable to connect to any major military command or Senate Command. More importantly Admiral... According to the Domain, you are the highest authority left."

"What happened and how am I still alive?"

"I'm...unsure, Admiral. Project:Ragnarok was our last ditch effort to kill the Hive. Not even the scientists at the Strategic Naval Research Institute knew what they were doing."

Fucking eggheads, you thought. Then you decide to cut them some slack, seeing as you killed the Hive with their help. Then, a horrifying thought crept in.

"The Hive? Did we managed to kill it"

"99.99% dead, sir. Without their Queen, the Hive Fleet disintegrated in the final moments we were able to capture sir."

You frown for a moment.

"How about the status of the ship? Warp Drives? Weapons?"

"Hull is 67% repaired. Only the critical rooms of the ship are functional. Warp drives are uncharged. 50% of our weapons, including Longinus remain in operation. Also, I detect a large number of unknown sentients in the prison cells and in the cargo bay, sir."

You began rummaging around the Captain's console. Hailey did like to put weird stuff in the emergency compartments.

"How's the translation going?"

Summer appears onto the holo-table, "Translation completed, Admiral. Domain started recording since the humans first arrived on this ship before your re-activation, sir."

You found a spare set. Another of Hailey's weird pranks. A modified admiral clothes based on a children's cartoon. Apparently quite popular before the War.

[Continued]

>>1389334
>Pants
NOOOO~! My worst fear has come to pass!

File: Tera.jpg (29 KB, 656x369)

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As you put on your pants, you hear your trespassers, the ones you saved, walking into the bridge. The one who you heard replying to the insectoid leader, removed her helmet, and revealed an angry blonde arguing with your companion from the reactor.

"Anna, you aren't safe here. We need to get you out of here. Outpost Morga is lost. We need to send word to the Federation."

"What about the rest of the crew, Tera? I'm not leaving without them. Are you going to abandon them?"

"If it ensures your saf..."

"He can help!"

"The PERV?! HE ALMOST KILLED US!"

As the perv in question, what do you do?
>Interrupt. You are the captain.
>Keep silent. It's a lose-lose situation if you go in.
>Write-in.

>>1389377
>>Interrupt. You are the captain.
Find out why all these weirdos are on our ship.

>>1389377
>Keep silent. It's a lose-lose situation if you go in.

>>1389377
>Write-in.
Disregard them for the while and continue getting a status update from Summer.

>>1389390
I'd be fine with that.

Rolled 1 (1d3)

>>1389387
>>1389388
>>1389390
Dammit I like all these options.

I'll back whichever number I roll of these three...

>>1389377
>Interrupt. You are the captain.

>>1389377
>Interrupt. You are the captain.

File: MMfROK5szfy.gif (394 KB, 300x200)

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>>1389387
>>1389397
Interrupt
>>1389388
>>1389390
>>1389390
Disregard

Writan
ITT: QM making it work. Somehow.

>>1389377
"If I wished to kill you, you would not be standing here complaining about your rescue. Now be silent and allow me to receive my intel brief."

>>1389425
"Consider yourself lucky I am wearing pants."

>>1389440
I imagine wearing clothes is unironically a limiter on our power, because we would incinerate them if we went all out.

>>1389461
So in emergencies when we need to use our full power, we have to incinerate our clothes?

That should totally be canon.

"If I wished to kill you, you would not be standing here complaining about your rescue. Now shut up. Sit tight. And allow me to receive my intel brief. Summer, continue."

Your voice carries across the bridge. All eyes turned towards you. Silence thick enough to cut through permeates the bridge.

Summer waves across the table and a projection of a planet springs out.

"The ship is encased in what seems to be a natural satellite. Most of our sensors can't penetrate the crust but seismic sensors show that the ship is connected to a surface outpost."

What do you do?
>Ask Summer. "What of the ship security? The Spartoi company?"
>Now interrogate Anna and Tera. Time to find out what the fuck is going on.
>Write-in

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>>1389492
As per usual, FORGET THE FOOKIN' PIC

>>1389492
>>Ask Summer. "What of the ship security? The Spartoi company?"
>>Write-in
Were any unusual modifications made to the ship? Is there a current population?

>>1389492
>Ask Summer. "What of the ship security? The Spartoi company?"

It may be 500 years later, but who knows?

>>1389492
>Ask Summer. "What of the ship security? The Spartoi company?"
>Also ask how we survived for 500 years
>And what did Summer see/hear in that time
>Now interrogate Anna and Tera. Time to find out what the fuck is going on.

>>1389492
>Ask Summer. "What of the ship security? The Spartoi company?"
Everything she knows.

Also ask her some questions to make sure she hasn't herself been compromised.

Giving 30 mins to ask all the questions. QM's taking a quick break.

>Welcome back Anons to Stardust Wuxia Quest
>Previously on Stardust Wuxia...
Is there something before this? If so could I get a link to it?

>>1389492
>>Ask Summer. "What of the ship security? The Spartoi company? How have you fared in my absence?"

>>1389515
>>1371157

>>1389499
>>1389500
>>1389503
>>1389505
>>1389515
Writan

>>1389525
The standard procedure is to link to last thread and to what ever method one uses to inform their players in the first post, as well as to the archives of the quest should they exist.

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"What of the ship security? The Spartoi company?"

Summer replies, "45% of ship security are still damaged. As of the moment, 300 Spartoi-series drones are still combat-ready."

Good. Not Imperial Marine good, but reinforcements of any kind at the moment is still good. Again you're reminded about the 500 years you have been under, but now's not the time to ask.

"Summer, monitor all non-humans within the confines of the ship. Lockdown all hallways to the bridge and armory. Be ready to deploy the Spartoi."

"Aye, aye, sir." says Summer as she disappears into the ship's network.

You turn towards Anna and Tera. Their blank looks still not disappating.

"Ladies, now what the fuck are you doing on my ship and what the fuck is going on?"

Anna's the first to recover, "H...ho..How did you activate the ship?"

You glared at her. She gasps and quickly glances down. You sigh, "I am Admiral Arturus Baruch, Captain of USIS Morning Star, Dragon of the Gates of Solomon. You are intruders upon my ship. Now answer my question."

Tera quietly and quickly stands between you and Anna. She defiantly says, "I'm Captain Tera en Chasteaux of the ISFC Avenger. She is Anna Tse from Beatrice Tech," as she gestures to the woman behind her. "This is Outpost Morga, a covert Federation research facility. I was stationed here recently to help shore up the security on this place. Anna was part of the research team on the delir...I mean your ship."

"And the insectoids?"

"Bugs. They're the Gigan. Nasty buggers created during the Internecine...Or you might know it as after the fall of the USE."

Inside, turmulent feelings arise as you hear the words 'fall of the USE.' "And they're here because?"

Terra replies, her fist tightens slightly, "They're Outer Ring Syndics. Which means in 24 hours, an Inner Ring Syndic Fleet arrives here, slaughter or enslave us, and then dissect you for whatever research you're worth."

You gesture to the rest of Tera's team,"Only survivors."

"No, most of the facility personnel managed to evac over here. But the bugs managed to break through the passageway from the surface outpost to here. Now everyone except present company is held prisoner."

What do you do?
>Rescue the prisoners
>Ask Summer about the Skipdrive
>Write in

>>1389598
Got it. Will remember next time.
>>1389628
*Only survivors?

>>1389628
>Ask Summer about the Skipdrive
>Ask Summer to pull up any sensor or video feeds of the rest of the ship that still remain functional
>Ask Tera about enemy numbers and composition
Information and shit.

>>1389628
>>Write in
Ask if these bugs are related to the Hive that the USE fought.

>>1389628
>Rescue the prisoners

File: Spoiler Image (1.48 MB, 1920x1080)

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>>1389651
>>1389653
>>1389662
Writan

>MFW asking Summer

>>1389686
This quest seems intrieguing. Is the previous one archIves?

>>1389525
>>1389735
Link there

>>1389741
Ah. I understood there was a full-blown previous quest. Prologue is good as well.

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>>1389628
"What of the...Gigan numbers? Troop composition?"

"These bugs are from a small corps, mostly level 1 Adepts," replies Terra.

"Define small."

"600 plus foot mobiles."

"Good gods, woman. You call that small??"

"A typical Gigan Corp has about 1,200 to 6,000 Adepts level 1s and 2s. We're fortunate it's just a small scavenger branch," replies Tera tersely.

Your head starts to ache from this. If this was still the Empire, not even 10,000 Level 2 Adepts can give you a sweat. But having a dubious ally at best and only 300 Spartoi drones to fight off these bugs is going to be tough going. You hail Summer.

"Summer, do you have feed for the rest of the ship?"

Summer reappears onto the holo-table. "Negative, admiral. Without access to the Digisec or Armory, I have limited view of the ship."

"What about the cargo bays and holding cells?"

"Fortunately sir, sensors are still up."

"Put in on screen"

The holo-table immediately lights up, showing the current state of the holding cells and cargo bay. Most of the humans are packed into the cells, their guards occasionally stabbing them with stun pikes. In the cargo bay, you see more and more Gigans coming in through trams. Most likely reinforcements from the surface outpost. A plan slowly surface in your thoughts.

Tera looks to you, her face twitch as you silently stare at the footage. "Look, stare all you want. Even you do manage to rescue the prisoners and killed all of the Gigans, we're still stuck down here. You can't possibly fly this ship out of the core of the plan..."

She stops as a grin slowly carves itself on your face. You turn towards the AI on the table, "Summer, is the Skipdrive operational?"

"Yes sir. The Skip drive is full operational."

Anna speaks up, "What's a skip drive?" You reply, "A trump card."

You turn your gaze towards Tera, "Here's the deal, cooperate with me on rescuing your prisoners, follow my commands, and I won't throw you and everyone else out the airlock when I leave with my ship."

Tera trembles, whether out of rage or terror you do not know, "How do I know you won't throw us out anyways?"

"You don't."

She closes her eyes, hesitating. "Fine. I want..."

"No bargaining. It's a simple 'yes' or 'no'."

Before Tera speaks, Anna grabs your hand, "Yes, by my ancestors, Tera and I will swear by your service until by your words or death do you release us." Eyes widen at the oath Anna gave. And so do yours, since even during your time, such oaths were only given between vassals and the Emperor.

"Alright," says you as you stand up and bring up a holo-projection of the Morning Star. "Here's what I need you to do..."

[To Be Continued]

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[Epilogue]

On board the Hashmal bridge, a man in white uniform holds a cup of tea. He doesn't drink from it, but watches the bridge screen instead. Fire from a hundred ships cross the void and pummels the shields of a smaller fleet. The targets stayed in place, as though frozen as deer caught by headlights. An aide rushes across the hall, almost tripping as he passes a datapad to the man in white. The man's mismatched eyes scanned the datapad once before putting it down. He issues an order to cease fire and gives out a series of coordinates. His XO raises an eyebrow and asks, "Why, Admiral?"

"Because Tyr Morga has been found."

[Epilogue End]

Thanks again Anons for joining in on Stardust Wuxia Quest. Next thread should be up in 8 hours while I get some sleep and plan out the next chapter.

Any updates will be posted on twitter at https://twitter.com/VirgilDuck

All criticism are welcome, including about wearing hats, not wearing pants, and terrible grammar.

>>1389949
Super good quest. Really exited to participate to the next session!

>>1389949
It's a bit strange we used threats to make the strangers cooperate on rescuing their own prisoners. You'd think they would be willing to do it.

>>1389949
Don't make a new thread, you can use this one. Threads on /qst/ last forever.

Also, we need less pants and more hat.

>>1390052
>Threads on /qst/ last forever.
Yea, for a quest like this the 750posts/3days limit will last nicely.

>>1390082
Shouldn't we post more smaller threads to make the dead quests fall off?

File: Captain Quarters.jpg (185 KB, 1280x720)

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[Chapter I: New Beginnings Part 2]

You are Admiral Arturus Baruch, captain of the USIS Morning Star and currently changing into new threads in the Captain Quarters. 8 hours have past since you gave the order to lockdown the ship. You have a group of people who call themselves the Federation, bugs in the holding cells, and more bugs in the cargo bays. Right now though, you're looking at yourself in the mirror.

[Continued]

File: Baruch.jpg (10 KB, 236x227)

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You don't recognize yourself in the mirror. You appear to be in your mid-20s even though you were 45 during the last battle. Your hair is no longer black with widow's streaks. Instead it appears golden. Your eyes though, instead of the aqua tinge, it is colored blood red.

You have an hour before the operation to rescue to rest of the Federation personnel taken prisoner.

What do you do?
>Talk to Summer. She still hasn't answered how did we survived the final battle and for the past 500 years.
>Check with the Domain. Your body's completely different and you need to find out more before proceeding.
>Write-in

>>1392746
>Check with the Domain. Your body's completely different and you need to find out more before proceeding.
Catching up on things which are not as relevant to the current circumstances comes later. We're on a time limit.

>>1392746
>>Check with the Domain. Your body's completely different and you need to find out more before proceeding.

>>1392750
>>1392769
Writan

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The Domain. The Empire's greatest repository of knowledge and one of its greatest weapon. As you interface with the Domain, it returns to you the results of the scans.

Martial Arts will usually be used for ground combat or 1v1 duels and are based on two types: Internal and External Arts. Internal Arts are based on your cultivation level and can be used to defy the laws of physics. External Arts are usually martial arts and affect what weapons to use. Currently, Baruch can only remember two styles.

>Admiral Arturus Baruch

>Level 3 Adept
>Cultivation Level: C+(???)

BARUCH STYLE: FLAME ARTS
Type: Internal
Mastery: C+
>One of Baruch Clan fundamental arts. It ignites the source of your energy and allows one to manipulate fire. At higher mastery levels, can turn one into a flame elemental for short periods of time.
>Techniques:
>>THOUGHTS OF FLAME (The most basic of techniques; once mastered, it is as easy and natural as exhalation. Internal power is gathered and ignited as yang-based flames.)
>>FIRE ASCENSION (Using THOUGHTS OF FLAME, you direct the flames through your limbs and creating impromptu thrusters. Massively increases your speed, although at your current level is exhausting if used over longer periods of time)
>>NOVA (One of Baruch's Secret Techniques. Ignites your dantian. Without training to expel the resulting energy, can cause self-immolation/explosion. At your current level, you can only use this twice)

BARUCH STYLE: DIVINE DRAGON ARTS
Type: External/Internal
Mastery: C+
>Baruch Clan's secret art. It combines both your martial art and cultivation at a core level. It is your strongest art. However, without a corresponding internal art, it loses part of its power and higher level techniques are barred to you.
>Techniques:
>>Dragon Stance (It is said that the dragon reveals itself only to vanish. Like all of existence itself, it can be sensed but never grasped. Both sides are reflected in a specialized stance. When the dragon is in the sky it can create storms and its glory is plain for all to see. When it hides in dark water it is completely concealed from mortal eyes – but still present.)
>>You can choose in between two stances: DRAGON IN HEAVEN or DRAGON IN OCEAN at the start of every round. However, because of the peculiar condition of your body and having the Flame Arts at the moment, you can only use DRAGON IN HEAVEN STANCE
>>Dragon Impenetrable Scales (Like the Dragon, your arts cover you in an aura akin to Dragon Scales. In DiH stance, your defense increases. In DiO, your dodge increases)

[Continued]

>>1392850
>*only having the Flame Arts

>As the story progress, Baruch can learn new styles or remember his own forgotten ones based on your choices. The potency of styles can be increased by improving your cultivation.
>Theoretically, Cultivation levels go from F- to A based on the accumulated research of the Empire. However, since the Fall of the Empire, no one has ever officially pass B+ cultivation levels.
>The Domain was a tool used by the Adepts of the Empire to improve their own cultivation. Once again will it assist Baruch to recover what he had lost.

As you review the results, numerous peculiarities arise. The Domain notes that though your cultivation levels are on par for a Level 4 Adept, the potency of your energy exceeds that and will require more time to process it.

You still have a few more minutes.

What do you do?
>Hail Summer to begin the Operation
>Check on Anna, Tera, and their people.
>Write-in

>>1392864
>Ask summer what the hell happened to our body
>Check on Anna, Tera, and their people.

>>1392864
I'll second
>>1392868

>>1392868
>>1392881
Writan
Also, Baruch is a level 4 Adept. Forgot to edit it into >>1392850

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You hit the hail button, "Summer, I have questions."

Slowly, Summer appears on your study desk. Her head hungs low, avoiding your gaze. She replies, "Of course, admiral. I'll answer truthfully to best of my abilities."

"What happened?!" Your voice slowly rises.

"Project:Lazarus."

The words stun you. "Impossible... Project Lazarus was a pipe dream concocted by a madman."

"No, sir. It was not a pipe dream. You're living proof of it, sir," she replies, her voice almost a whisper. She raises her head and looks at you.

"Project Lazarus is a deconstruction and reconstruction of the body using a mana core. The process was to remove impurities and improve the quality of their dantian."

"And that's why I said it was dreamt by a madman! All attempts created monsters that had to be put down!", you shouted. Project: Lazarus was a taboo subject among the highest military echelon. You saw the post-briefings and the aftermath of Lazarus. The nightmares haunt your dreams for quite some time.

"Not true, sir. They simply did not use a pure enough energy source."

You slammed the table, "There's no such purity! Such a thing doesn't exis..." A thought bursts into your mind. "Ragnarok... You used the 2nd Ragnarok as the catalyst."

Summer turns her head away, unable to meet your gaze. "Yes sir. And with the core of Hive, I replace the Morning Star reactor and placed your body in it."

"Did they know? Was all our sacrifice simply test subjects for the Senate??!" You yelled as your fists tightens, blood flowing from your palms.

"No sir. Y...You were dying sir. I...I couldn't let it happen."

What do you do?
>Forgive Summer. She gave you a second chance.
>Put it aside for now. You don't have time and you need to check on the others.
>Write in.

>>1392908
>Forgive Summer. She gave you a second chance.
I forgot to ask but how does the cultivation part work in this setting?

>>1392912
>I forgot to ask but how does the cultivation part work in this setting?

In the original Stardust CYOA, mana is present and can be used as an energy source or as a weapon, albeit rarely. However, in Stardust Wuxia, the USE discovered mana early on. Cultivation is the process of utilizing mana to use as powers or abilities. Adept Levels aren't necessarily an indicator of cultivation levels, but merely their combat capabilities. A Level 1 Adept would usually be a regular soldier who can light up a dark tunnel or cook without breaking out a campfire. A Level 7 Adept are true one man armies that can annihilate entire divisions of Level 1 Adepts.

>>1392908
>Forgive Summer. She gave you a second chance.

I didn't understand the part with the Hive core.

>>1392912
>>1392921
Writan

"And about the Hive Core? What did that monstrosity have to do with me being alive?"

Summer replies, "The Hive reactor core fused with the ship...And without it, there wasn't anything else that could reform your body, sir. I'm sorry...Sir. I knew that what happened to Project Lazarus."

You kept silent. Intense fear, repulsion, and self-loathing courses through your mind as you remembered what a Lazaran Nightmare could do and have done so. But at the moment, Summer gave you a second chance. None among your friends who have died could say the same.

"Summer..."

"Yes, Admiral."

"What you did was insanely foolish and short-sighted. You could have unleashed a horror upon the galaxy and countless lives would have been lost. But, you saved my life. I forgive you. And thank you."

Digital tears fall from her cheeks. Does not make it any real. She slightly shudders with relief and stands up straighter.

"Thank you, Admiral."

"Don't call me Admiral. 7th Fleet doesn't exist anymore. Call me, Captain."

"Aye, Ad..Captain."

"Now let's check on our guests."

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>>1392945
Forgot the bloody pic

Also [Continued]

>>1392945
>Grumble at her that she didn't have to make us a snot-nosed prettyboy.

>>1392955
Seconding. We're a real man, rugged and experienced.

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>>1392947

The Federation, Beatrice.. This is sort of based in the Stardust CYOA universe, right?

>>1392973
I bet we look ridiculous in our Admiral hat.

>>1392982
It is.

>>1392179
So cover the catalog with more threads of the same quest? Doesn't sound like a good alternative.

>>1392992
The /qst/ catalog? The one were dead threads stay for a week before falling off the board? You're ridiculous if you are worried about /qst/ being cluttered. Just add a filter rule for "stardust".

>>1392997
>The one were dead threads stay for a week before falling off the board?
So making new threads for the same quest won't make all the previous threads a dead thread by default? That sort of defeats the purpose of adding new threads if you're doing it for that sake.

>>1393001
As far as I know, this is a new quest in the stardust universe. The prologue thread is on page 8. While it would be possible to continue there, that's already quite near the end. At least this is not another "you awake somewhere. age/sex/race/gender/soul race/name/favorite food/other irrelevant stuff? there is a note in front of you. wat do?"

>>1393007
>The prologue thread is on page 8. While it would be possible to continue there, that's already quite near the end.
Making a new thread because the previous one is about to be bumped off is fine. Making threads or quests purely for the sake of bumping the next one off is just asking to repeat the folly of making another dead thread or quest.

>>1393007
>As far as I know, this is a new quest in the stardust universe.
It is, QM stated he just started last week.

>>1393007
>At least this is not another "you awake somewhere. age/sex/race/gender/soul race/name/favorite food/other irrelevant stuff? there is a note in front of you. wat do?"
Indeed, it shows promise. It's one of the few I've seen made around a CYOA too.

>>1392955
>>1392973
Writan

2 Hr break. Something's come up

>>1393055
>>1392947
>Also [Continued]
Oh. The last update was a prompt? I thought it was going to be continued in another post and the other anons were making preliminary commands.

>>1393059
Wanted to write a follow up. Fell asleep on the comp. Wasn't a prompt and still kinda groggy atm.

>>1393063
Coffee Virgil, coffee.

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I'm back. Work-related emergency took longer than expected.

After what seem like ages grumbling to Summer about how being a snot-nosed, baby-faced, pretty fuckboi won't win her any brownie points, she looks almost relieved when the turbolift opens to the bridge.

Anna, Tera, and her people are just checking their gear. Anna herself wears a spare uniform from the emergency compartments while Tera cleans her rifle. You clear your throat, "Anna, Tera."

Heads turned towards you, their hands stop mid-motion and settling down.

"Are your people ready?"

Anna's the first to reply, "Yes, Admi..."

"Don't address me as Admiral. I'm...no longer in command of a fleet. But I'm still Captain of the Morning Star."

Tera glares at you, "Of course, Captain... We're ready."

"Then, let's move out."

[Continued]

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[Interlude]

Qua-Invrae is a very, very unhappy Gigan. First, what seems to be the easiest and biggest payday of its lifespan is now in jeopardy. The advanced scouting parties to secure the ship are not responding to the radios. Second, the last scout party he sent before going missing reported that all of the inner checkpoints were blown apart and their guards dead. Third, 8 hours ago, the blast doors sealed the cargo bays and holding cells from the rest of ship. The day was getting worse and worse by the hour.

Invrae was not looking forward to explain losing this payday to its nestmates.

The radio comms crackles alive. It's from the demolition team. "Boss, the blast doors just opened. One of them humies is approaching the bay."

"Detain him! I want know what in Qua's name is going on!"

[Interlude end]

These bugs start skittling towards you. You still aren't used to seeing 6 feet tall insectoids wielding assault rifles and have their barrels aimed at you. An even larger one approaches from the back of the guards. You presume its their leader judging by how ornate its carapace armor seems to be. It chitters, "HALT HUMIE! IDENTIFY YOURSELF! YOU HAVE TEN SECONDS TO COMPLY OR I WILL FEED YOUR DEAD BODY TO THE JUVIES!"

What do you do?
>Play along. The longer you delay, the better for the rest.
>Signal for Hammer and Anvil
>Write In

>>1393249
>Play along. Then, when they surround us, fuck them up.

>>1393249
>>Play along. The longer you delay, the better for the rest.
I am the laft-handed Righthand man to the upside downers. Please do not shoot or I may continue living.

In the most dead pan serious way, for mass confusion.

>>1393266
>>1393267
Writan

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You raise both hands. Tera and her team aren't in place yet.

"I am the laft-handed Righthand man to the upside downers. Please do not shoot or I may continue living."

The bug leader left its jaws open as do the rest of its troops. You begin walking towards the leader.

"Well go on. Are you going to shoot me or not? I have not got all night."

The leader's the first to recover. "NO STOP! DON"T TAKE ONE STEP FURTHER."

More and more bugs surround you. Guns trained on you. This should be enough.

>Roll 2d100 pls.

Rolled 4, 86 = 90 (2d100)

>>1393323

Rolled 99, 54 = 153 (2d100)

>>1393323

Rolled 90, 60 = 150 (2d100)

>>1393323

>>1393249
>Play along. The longer you delay, the better for the rest.

>>1393327
>>1393330
>>1393336
Writan

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Time slows down for you. You can see a spittle form on the lower mandible of the bug leader.

You take a step back. Stabilizing yourself.
>Focus!
>Ignite the Source!
>Control the Flames!
>Direct to Limbs!

Your entire body heats up. Flames start to form around your fists. Qua-Invrae, the bug leader, sense something's terrible wrong and dives for cover. You say one word.

"Nova"

And the world burns.

[Continued]

>>1393393
They might be crispy after this.

You wake up among the ashes of the dead. Your clothes burnt away in the ensuing inferno. Most the bugs are dead, those were the lucky ones. The survivors fared not much better, half burnt and not long for this world either.

You see movement from where the leader took cover. The ornaments on his carapace melted, leaving horrific scars and open wounds. His eyes open in horror when he sees you. "WHAT ARE YOU? STAY AWAY! STAY AWAY!"

He tries to crawl away. You step on his arm as you lean closer, "Are you Hive?"

He eyes widen in confusion, "DEMON. DEMON. DEMON. DE..."

Well, you're not getting anymore answers out of him.

Your DNI comm hails you.

What do you do?
>Answer
>Loot body. Something must have survived
>Write in

>>1393412
>>Answer
Were we knocked out because of an unbalanced roll or is that just how that ability works? How do you count rolls? Best of three in each category or single best combination?

>>1393412
>>Answer
>>Loot body. Something must have survived
answer while looting

>>1393412
>Answer
Sup

>>1393412
>Answer
>Loot body. Something must have survived

>>1393412
>>Answer

>>1393413
Best of three. Roll 1 decides the magnitude of the action. Roll 2 determines the aftereffects. Generally speaking, the higher the roll,the better for you and your allies. Crits occur for >95 rolls. In this case, 99 on roll 1 was the strongest Nova possible at your current level. A low roll on roll 2 would've cause an internal injury or worse.

>>1393413
>>1393414
>>1393419
>>1393421
>>1393423
Writan

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You search the body while answering the hail. A few trinkets and what looks like a datapad, slightly crispy and sauteed with bug innards. Probably something important.

"This is the Captain. Speak."

Anna speaks in return, "This is Anna, we've managed to secure the holding cells. No casualties, thanks to your Spartoi drones."

You stand up. "Good, get your people to the infirmary and get you and Tera back to the bridge. Summer, lead them away."

"Aye, aye. Captain," both Summer and Anna reply.

[Continued]

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[30 minutes later]
Changing clothes twice now seems going to be a habit. Not one you'd like to have.

When you returned to the bridge, both Anna and Tera stand at attention at the holo-table. Summer appears on it.

Tera stands defiantly, "What now, Captain? You might have killed all of the bugs. But you've also collapsed the tram tunnels to the surface. How are we getting to the surface you idiot."

"That's 'how are we getting to the surface you idiot, sir' to you."

She glares balefully at you, if looks could kill, you'd be dead already.

"Captain, the Skipdrive's fully charge and ready," interjects Summer.

"Excellent. Ladies and gents, you might want to hold onto to something."

Before both woman could say something, a hum vibrates through the ship.

The view on the bridge screen switches from a wall of earth and stone to stars and the planet.

It would be more mesmerizing too, if it weren't for everyone except you vomiting and on all fours.

[Continued]

Some time later

Anna and Tera's complexion look much better. You remember your own first time Skipping.

As per usual, Tera's the first to speak, "What. The. Hell. Was. THAT! Sir."

Nonchalantly, you reply. "Skip-drive. Classified USE tech. Enables a ship to instantly 'skip' anywhere within a system. Eggheads still working out the vertigo side-effects though."

"And how aren't you affected, sir?" she says reluctantly.

"You get used to it after a couple. But that's not the point now."

>SHIP ABILITIES
>U.S.E. SKIPDRIVE - CLASSIFIED PROTOTYPE BUILT DURING THE WAR AGAINST HIVE. ENABLES THE SHIP TO TELEPORT INSTANTLY ANYWHERE WITHIN A SYSTEM. 12 HRS COOLDOWN.

You gesture to the holo-projection of the system your ship is in. The system consist of a twin-star, with only a few gas planets and a single planet.

"The Gigan's ship is missing, and so is your Outpost. We can't stay here."

Anna speaks up, "Umm... We're in no man's space. The closest civilization is Station Knowhere in the Forge System."

"And how far is that?" you ask.

"Seven days by warp."

You frown in thought. As you try to formulate a plan, Tera interrupts, "We need to find my ship. There is no wreckage of it and I know my crew wouldn't abandon us without cause."

What do you do?
>Set a course of Knowhere.
>Look for ISFC Avenger.
>Write-in

>>1393527
>Look for ISFC Avenger.

So if we got another ship under our belt would we be a Commodore?

>>1393527
>Look for ISFC Avenger.
Better get them on our good side. We'll still need a crew.

>>1393527
>>Look for ISFC Avenger.
>>Dismiss Anna and summer from the bridge for a moment and ask Summer about what effects the Hive reactor cores fusion with the ship might have

>>1393527
>>Look for ISFC Avenger.

>>1393543
derp, *Dismiss Anna and Tera

>>1393537
>>1393541
>>1393543
>>1393545
Writan

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You'll need a crew. You still aren't sure what to do yourself and what goals you have. For now, getting on the Federation good side and a ship as well to assist seems a good idea as any.

"Summer, track down the ISFC Avenger. Anna, Tera. See to your people. We'll leave within the hour."

"Aye, aye, sir."

As both Anna and Tera leave the bridge, you ask Summer.

"What of the Hive Reactor Core? How will it affect our ship?"

"I'm...not too sure Captain. For now, status show that the power levels are currently 200% higher."

Feeling shocked, you ask, "Any adverse effects?"

"Negative. The ship can run indefinitely and our shields performance level increased by 10.23%"

>SHIP REACTOR SUBSYSTEMS
>>HIVE CORE - THE REACTOR CORE FROM THE HIVE. POWER LEVELS ARE TWICE THAT OF A REGULAR MANA CORE. SHIELDS HAVE A 10% BOOST.

"Not bad. Not bad at all, Summer. Now, find the Avenger and spool the warpdrives."

"Aye, Captain."

Your old war has already been long past. You are stuck in an unfamiliar time. But new beginnings may bring you to a better future.

[To be continued]

[Epilogue]

The USIS Morning Star once again sails the void. It briefly orbits the ruins of Outpost Morga and the planet itself, as if hesitant to leave where it had lain and rested for half a millennia. Then, it turns to a heading and warps out.

Once again, the twin star system lays in silent. The conflict wrought a mere passing moment that spans since the dawn of the universe.

[Epilogue End]

Next threads on 8.00am Sat CST, and thank you anons for participating in my quest.

Updates will be on twitter at https://twitter.com/VirgilDuck

Any and all criticism are welcomed. Space ducks are not allowed. Period.

>>1393659
Thank you for running. Will we get more exposition on the empire fall at some point?

>>1393664
Baruch will definitely learn of it, a version of how the Empire fell.

>>1393659
Thanks for running

>>1393659
Thanks for running. Very interesting quest. Hope you keep on going.

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Interesting quest so far
I'd appreciate a pastebin of setting information and character stats for future quests so those just finding it can keep up to speed

Also if this Baruch is like the other Baruch I know this is gonna end up turning into Stardust Xianxia quest

>>1414595
New Thread.