File: AWAKEN.jpg (98 KB, 1280x720)

98 KB JPG

>>2270688
AWAKEN MY KESTRELS!

>inb4 this becomes FaceOff

>>2270722
Could be worse, they could make us watch FaceOff

>>2270730
It wasn't that bad.

>>2270688
Hi Wong, how are ya?

>>2270730
See I thought the movie was stupid. But that's what made it fun. It was a super HAMMY movie filled with over the top action and overacting. If you went into it expecting a good action flick then sure I can see the disappointment but to act like the sheer nonsensicality of the film isn't amusing is unfair.

File: sad loli.jpg (26 KB, 700x394)

26 KB JPG

>>2270688
Woooong-samaaaaaaaa~! I waited for so long! What happened!? Wasn't the thread going to be yesterday?Is everything alright?

>>2270736
I can see why people would enjoy it on that level, but you would have to be someone who loves that type of film.

>>2270753
I'm not usually a fan of dumb films but FaceOff is so absurd that it works for me.

I greatly dislike gag anime as well, but I didn't hate Excel Saga, it's the same concept.

>>2270777
I can get it, FaceOff just seems almost too absurd to the point where I can't even laugh at it. Nice trips by the way.

File: CxjTaDqUcAEk00d[1].jpg (46 KB, 692x389)

46 KB JPG

You wake up from a surprisingly restful sleep to an agony of sore muscles. You're suspended by your wrists from an inverted T-shaped rack dangling from the ceiling with your feet just barely off the ground, with a piece of paper dangling from a string in front of your face. Someone has written on it, in what looks like red lipstick...

BREAKING YOUR MANACLES BREAKS A CIRCUIT <3
BREAKING THE CIRCUIT ACTIVATES A CUTE LITTLE BOMB ATTACHED TO YOUR WIVES <3
WANT TO FIND OUT IF THEY'RE EXPLOSION-PROOF? DO THE TRICK YOU DID ON MERIDIAN, PLEEEASE~! <3

Underneath the text is a surprisingly well-drawn but minimalistic cartoon of Marian Nemo making a pouty face with her hands clasped together under her chin. Glancing left and right, you see Clemmy and Samantha dangling from similar racks.

Speaking of Marian, you also hear her voice, sounding outraged, from the other side of the paper blocking your view, “Why not!?”

“For starters, because you gassed me, too!” The other voice has a whispery, growly tinge to it, it sounds damaged and strained.

“I had to! Gas grenades don't discriminate!” You hear the sound of a foot stomping against the floor, “Harlan, you're being a bad sport! I know you have a way to contact Grandfather, I want to talk to him, and I want to talk to him now!”

You hear a clink of manacles and the sound of the whispery male voice swearing, “I told you, no! For the last time, you're out, and you're not getting back in with this little stunt!”

“Stunt!? Me!? Ugh, you're treating me like a kid in front of Roarke Starwind, I can't stand you, Harlan!” You hear a hissing sound and a muted growl of pain, and smell the foul yet savory reek of burned flesh. “I swear I'll poke you with the welding torch again if you even think of spouting that stupid 'violent tendencies' line! Nobody cared when Meridian did it! In fact, none of you even cared about him at all! Poor old Merry...he lived so fully and with such beautiful enjoyment of life even with all his metal gubbins and you all just shrugged and said pompous things about how he was the least important Captain when Starwind tore him apart. The point is, I did what nobody else COULD do, even King or his First Mate. I beat Roarke Starwind, I captured him, I did what nobody else was SMART enough to do and you just...you just...YOU JUST SIT THERE GLARING AT ME!” You hear successive hisses, and a sound like a man trying his hardest not to scream.

>[Feign continued unconsciousness and examine your surroundings]
>[Interject and try to somehow take advantage of your enemies not being on the same side, details appreciated]

>>2270825
>[Feign continued unconsciousness and examine your surroundings]

>>2270825
>[Feign continued unconsciousness and examine your surroundings]

>>2270825
>[Interject and try to somehow take advantage of your enemies not being on the same side, details appreciated]
>I've been told I'm well hung before but this is ridiculous.
It seems that only breaking our shackles breaks the circuit so if we can somehow distract them maybe Sam can break out of theirs and get their bombs off leaving us free to do whatever.

>>2270825
If the manacles are what hold the circuit couldn't Roarke just flip upside down and kick the post so the manacles are intact but he can drop from the ceiling? I mean, if you can kick people apart he doesn't exactly need hands.

Or is the circuit running through the entire T-post? Seems kind of silly to do that in case there is a power outage or something. I dunno, maybe I just put too much stock into battery power.

>>2270849
I feel like they would have put it in the post considering it wouldn't be far fetched to assume Roarke could just tear the manacles off the thing.

>>2270825
>>[Feign continued unconsciousness and examine your surroundings]

We should try and get some info from them of how much the Gentleman told them about Void style. Maybe they don't know the full scope of it and planned for what we might have instead of what we do have.

>>2270825
Did we not set up that distress signal beacon?

As a matter of fact if we're going to pretend to be unconscious can we make a tech roll to see if we can figure out anything about the circuit or where it's located?

>>2270825
I can't imagine they're happy about her selling out the 5MB's plan.

>>2270909
Hey Thunder, did we get approval for the new mixtape?

The fact that she's torturing her presumable brother is on some level infuriating. Honestly feel bad for the guy since even though he was going to be a problem for us and probably was the main thing influencing the hextarchy here he hadn't done anything directly dickish to us.

>>2270936
Not that I remember, but we still have plenty of songs we haven't used yet so were doing fine for now.
>>2270939
He's still got to go though, no one threatens to blow up our wives.

>>2270943
I don't think he's a part of this. I doubt someone wouuld describe a plan they decided to go along with as a "little stunt."

>>2270947
I think he was referring to her using the gas grenade and leading us too him, not the idea of capturing us.

>>2270943
>He's still got to go though, no one threatens to blow up our wives.

He didn't, though. She did. I'm all for tearing her spinal column out but I can't set my heart on brutally murdering him yet.

>>2270955
>I can't set my heart on brutally murdering him yet
This is why we're losing to the Terrans, spacers can't even hate right any more.

>>2270958
But anon. We are the terrans.

>and then anon was a tree

>>2270953
He's talking in a broader context of getting back in the Five Man Band though. If he was talking about just the grenade, he would've said something about her needing to polish her execution, not that the plan won't get her back into the Band.

>>2270955
I still say we kill him because we know he's connected to the five man band, we can decide how bad to make it depending on how involved in this he is though.

>>2270965
Slow your roll there. We should try to get some info out of him and see if we can't get him out of the 5MB, not with us, just out of their business. If not then sure, give him a fatal injection or something. But so far all he's done is been in his own building probably just feeding messages too the hextarchy and back to the 5MB but not really doing anything. We kind of lack evidence to really justify turning him into a vaguely man-shaped blood splatter.

>>2270971
Let's just beat him to death, it took us way too long to take out Fairchild.

>>2270971
>We kind of lack evidence to really justify turning him into a vaguely man-shaped blood splatter
He's working for the 5MB who we are at war with. That's plenty of reason to pop him like a balloon. If you want to get info out of him first fine but he can't just walk away from this.

>>2270971
He works for them, is grandson of some higher up, and probably won't change sides or keep himself out of our way... the most merciful we could reasonable be is to arrest him.

Killing him wouldn't be far off possibility.

>>2270986
He could literally be a messenger boy. And you want to slaughter him. I don't mind killing him if he is important, I do mind killing someone who isn't an idealist fanatic who may just be working with them because he doesn't want to die. All of the captains of the 5MB? Need to die. Every single one of the grunts they employ? Not necessary. You can't just kill everyone. That's why I want to find out what he actually does before settling on what I personally want to happen to him. I know we are more than likely going to have to kill him just because of his position and relations, but I'd rather be sure first.

>>2271002
I can see where your coming from, but also think about the mental state Roarke is most likely in now. He must be pissed considering they used his brother to get to him and now have two of his wives held hostage threatening to kill them, and he's been betrayed again. I don't think it's that far fetched he would just kill the both of them out of anger.

>>2271010
That's fair. But I'd rather vote contrary just to try to get Roarke to be cooler headed in the future. I'm still going to vote to punch Marian so hard she actually sublimates.

I do think Roarke should be more resigned over being lured with his brother than pissed about it, he already knew his brother was dead. Or at least he was made to believe that already.

File: latest[1].jpg (23 KB, 195x195)

23 KB JPG

You look surreptitiously around, using the paper as a shield. In this crucified position, there's no way to be comfortable, but you're tough enough to handle it. Firstly, you can tell that the racks you're hanging from are meant to hold targets, from the armor plating on the walls behind and to the sides of you it's clear you're in a rather homemade shooting gallery. These racks can apparently move if a set of controls at the part of the gallery where the shooter would stand are manipulated, but that might be useless information since even though it's in front of you beyond the note and you can't see it there's a fifteen-yard marker right under your feet. Secondly, you see delicate wire interwoven with the chains of your manacles. It's stretched rather tight, even without Void Fist you could break the wire...but you also notice the wiring stretches up the rack, and across to your wives, where an apple-sized ball of blast putty is dangling over each of their heads, a little detonator embedded in each flashing a tiny green light once every second or so. The wires also stretch towards a battery pack just over your head, but you'd hazard that if the detonators are rigged to spark if the current is cut off that kicking the battery pack might be as bad of an idea as breaking your manacles. Both Clemmy and Samantha appear to be unconscious.

“How did Starwind find out about our ambush, Mary?” Harlan's voice is choked with pain and grimly enraged.

“He wouldn't have fallen into my web if he didn't trust me, I needed enough influence to overrule that Martian bitch.” Marian sounds unrepentant.

“We lost two of the most expensive assassins money can buy...after myself, naturally. Nobody will even think of trying to do a hit on him after surviving that, and both of them had to do rush jobs thanks to your meddling.”

“After surviving what? He's here now, he's Band property now...or rather, my property, my gift for renewed membership in this little circle. I want Meridian's spot. I want Captaincy. Is that why you're holding out? You think that spot belongs to you? Think again, your assassins and your sad excuse for a fleet weren't good enough and they never have been. Now put me in touch with Grandfather or I'll draw a smiley face on your chest with the torch.”

“Considering I was picked to be First Mate of the Marx forces and left in charge of Meridian's own people, what few he had, what few are still left after you made sure Starwind killed most of them, I can't do that. I swore oaths of loyalty to the Band, and Harlan the Hanged Man never backs out on an oath.” His voice is admirably stoic, “A few more scars won't make much difference.”

“I don't get you, Harlan, so what if we lost some space dregs, or even a lot of space dregs? That's ROARKE STARWIND right there! I could just shoot him, and you'd have Jupiter and Mars fighting each other over his territory before the end of the year!”

[Continued]

>>2271022
Welp, sorry Harlan, but now you have to have your intestines exploded as well.

>>2271020
>But I'd rather vote contrary just to try to get Roarke to be cooler headed in the future
The thing is you have to look at this situation from a narrative point of view. Up until now Roarke has rushed in headfirst to rescue his family members against terrible odds but it worked every time. Now that this happened it's good impetus for him to make the change. But Roarke would need time to reflect on what happened and come to the realization that he should change not just immediately make the decision while still pissed.

>>2271022
Ah, she's self-serving. Makes a bit more sense now.

>>2271029
You make a great point and I would normally agree but right now he's in a situation in which he is forced to think rather than simply act. Now is a perfect time for him to by necessity change his behavior expressly for the sake of his family.

>>2271035
Thing is killing both of these people is in the interest of his family considering they are part of an organization trying to kill both of us. Once we take care of them and get back to the Rhinehawk then we can think about what happened and grow as a character.

>>2271038
I just want to slow down right now specifically until we and the wives are safe then paste these two. Afterwards he can reflect. But right now Roarke can't act brash because Marian is a psychopath. Honestly if we could get out and kill her Harlan would probably just let Roarke, Clemmy and Sam just walk right out of here. But the point is we can't just go full rip and tear right now, it won't work.

I'm not arguing with taking out time to get out of the chains without killing Sam or Clemmy just that we have to past both of them once we do. I wonder if we could break the links that the wire is woven into subtly one by one until we could just drop down without disturbing the wire or detonator.

>>2271048
>just that we have to past both of them once we do.

I agree. That's what I've been saying. Get out first, secure the waifus first, then disintegrate the siblings second. Have to stay calm for the first steps.

>until we could just drop down without disturbing the wire or detonator.

It said the wire was already stretched pretty tight, I'd imagine dropping down from here would probably snap something and cut the circuit. But I might just be misinterpreting.

>>2270780

Do you mean Face/Off?

>>2271022
Maybe we could try offering her a Captaincy. Like damn, it's not as if we DON'T have a habit of working with nominal enemies.

And we're smart enough to recognize when someone got one over on us, that it means they deserve our respect.

Worst comes to worst, she didn't get ALL our wives and we can wait for rescue.

File: tegaki.png (6 KB, 400x400)

6 KB PNG

>>2271055
The idea would be that if we break the links the wire is woven through we would fall down without disturbing the wire. Or we could find a way to make the connection stable even if we broke the wire connected through our chain. Maybe if we had something conductive on us we could use it to connect both wires before the point us breaking out would cut them like pic related with the xs being where the wire would snap.

>>2271061
>Give someone who has betrayed us and threatened to kill our wives a captaincy
No way would that fly or make sense.

>>2271064
Or if we can reach it, just drag the explosives far enough away from Sam and Clemmy that the explosion won't hurt them. Bonus points if we get the collat by throwing it at Crazy Bitch and Gay Cowboy.

>>2271064
Meh.

I mean, WE don't have to keep our word about it. We can just lie you know.

>>2271064
> Silly MacGuyver Idea Time

Just how much product exactly is in our hair, and could it work as a conductive surface?

>>2271066
Problem is it looks like an apple of c4 so the blast range is probably pretty large, along with the fact if we move it too much and the wire snaps their fucked.

>>2271067
I thought you were being sincere, sure lets lie too her.

File: z6uanjqnrryxcmjnwmsd[1].jpg (30 KB, 800x450)

30 KB JPG

“It's not about capturing Roarke Starwind, or even killing him, although personally I'm for getting rid of him even if King did express an offhand interest to Grandfather in meeting him if possible. It's about ideals, Marian. That's what you never understood, what you never could understand, because you don't have any yourself. Meridian was insane, but on some level, he understood what we were trying to do and wanted to be part of it, to somehow make a galaxy where entities like Bucephalus Heavy Industries couldn't just act without oversight. Starwind represents one possible outcome of King's ideals, and you would just end his story early without even taking the opportunity to give him a death that inspires new heroes to rise up. You stupid woman.”

There's another hiss, and a snarl of pain from Harlan, before Marian sighs with disgust. You hear the sound of approaching footsteps, and she jerks the note away from your face, smiling as you apparently don't do quite a good enough job of looking unconscious and keeping your eyes shut. She has a welding torch in one hand, and pats your cheek with the other, “Wakey wakey.” She jumps quickly back out of range as your eyes open, then giggles, “Ooh, you are smart. I expected you to grab me with your legs. Kinda hoping for it, really~ I've killed every man I've slept with, so I've gotten kind of a taste for pretty, doomed slabs of beef. Like a butcher.” She sighs sadly, looking over at Clemmy.

“It was really disappointing meeting her, I thought she'd be more...fun. I looked up to her, really I did. It's just like they say, never meet your heroes if you can help it, you'll always be disappointed. Just like I am with you. The heroic Roarke Starwind, dangling on a hook like a dying fish. Grabbing me wouldn't have helped, in case you're feeling bad. All I could do from here is break the circuit and kill your women, and if you broke my spine or something with your legs...” Marian almost unconsciously rubs her thighs together as she says that, “...You and my dear cousin would simply starve to death here. I set the groundcar to autopilot on a pre-planned course throughout the district in case Little Miss Maid there left a locator beacon or something in it. Ah-ah-ah!” She waggles a finger with a grin as you start to tense your legs,

[Continued]

Part of me thinks she doesn't want to be a captain for Roarke, but for the 5MB specifically. But I don't know what their actual power structure is so I don't know if we could actually offer her more.

But she isn't completely stupid, after the shit she pulled I doubt she'd think she has a chance of living in the same solar system as an unchained Roarke without getting obliterated.

File: 242479[1].jpg (61 KB, 225x350)

61 KB JPG

“The wire! It's pretty tight! Squirm too much and it will break, and although I BET you want to just kick me so hard my guts explode out through my ribs doing that might just kill your poor, sweet darlings.” She chuckles, walking over to Samantha and kissing her cheek in passing, leisurely walking around the range with her arms out and her head tilted back, a radiant smile on her face, “This feels amazing. I just want to bask in it for a while. I finally understand why simflick villains like to gloat so much, you know? There's nothing like just...mmmmm...rubbing someone's face in it. Fuck, keep glaring at me like that, Starwind, that's going right into my fantasies for tonight.” She takes out her PC and snaps a picture, “This is just great. Really great. See this, Harlan?” She turns to the man who had been occupying this compound, handcuffed to a chair and with his shirt displaying burn holes in a handful of places, rather nasty burns on display on the skin beneath, “This is winning, it's something the cripples, mental defectives, and old men in the Band just don't understand yet. All of Grandfather's talk of sacrificing oneself for the future...it's bullshit. It's bullshit, right Starwind?” She gives you a companionable smile, “I know you agree, I know YOU like winning. It's better to be the generation of heroes that rules and polices the galaxy than the one that gets buried by it, and I know under MY hand this galaxy is going to be a LOT of fun.” She laughs suddenly, “Oh, but I just had a really good idea! You'll love this, both of you, really you will! You want to test which of us is the better hero for your stupid drama? Allow me to test him~!”

Oh there is no way this is good at all.

[Continued]

>>2271070
>>2271067
>>2271064
>>2271061
She doesn't just want A captaincy you fools, she wants to join the 5MB specifically, its not abound just power, this is looks to be personal to her.

>>2271077
>You and my dear cousin would simply starve to death here.

Cousin?

Also >>2271070 Let's remember who got us into this situation, and that people can actually die here if we fuck this up. So let's be willing to do whatever it takes.

>>2271082
Well, I'm off to work. Have fun figuring out how to manipulate her crazy.

>>2271092
I feel like Seduction might be a good idea to play on with her, I'm just not sure how to specifically get her.

>>2271082
I hate hostage situations. They make no sense. Her life is forfeit the moment the girls die. If she kills them, she dies. If she kills one but lets the other go, she dies. Every outcome results in her death. Even if she kills Roarke, AND the wives, AND Harlan, the rest of the 5MB will probably kill her. King probably would for sure. It's just so ugh. She's so stupid. There is no positive outcome from this. She isn't going to fly off into the sunset ojou-laughing about how great she is. Why do psychotics have to be so idiotic. It's frustrating.

>>2271096
>>2271097
>>2271082

Well, first of all the dumb bitch should have put a bomb on US.

If she threatens to kill one wife, we can just tell her that we'll break our chains and kill them both and then kill her. She can't get away from us if we do that. Being in command means making shitty decisions like that.

It's like how you never go somewhere with a kidnapper, because wherever they make you go is so that it's easier for THEM.

Also, we can call her an uninspired hack.

>>2271097

Don't be so sure about how the Five Man Band would react to someone being able to kill Roarke Starwind. A flawed candidate is better than no candidate.

>>2271097
>>2271096

Offering her a Captaincy. I mean, it's not like we're particularly ambitious even, most of our career has been driven by our enemies.

She hasn't even really done anything to us besides embarrass us, so far.

Ideally we would stall her until either our side or this hanged dudes side can come help us out, but I get the feeling she would know we were stalling.

This is what we deserve for picking the stupidest fucking possible options.

>>2271104
How tightly woven is the wire into the cuffs? Would we be able to break the links it runs through without breaking the wire?

>>2271105
I'm not sure if thats is even going to work to stall her.

It's strange how little people we have right now considering how important of a situation we're in. Some fresh eyes looking at this would be really helpful.

>>2271104
Anyone is able to kill Roarke Starwind. You don't even need to be capable to kill someone. You don't even need to be lucky half of the time. I'd rather have an -intelligent- candidate. She's too far up her own ass and psychotic. They'd be better off making Amos their candidate than having Marian around. At least Meridian could follow orders. Don't tell me the 5MB is so short-sighted they'd just pick Marian just because of one thing, no matter how significant it seems. You don't get a firecracker to create a light you use a flare. And she lacks sustainability.

Then again I'm probably just incredibly pissed off and want to headbutt her skull off of her shoulders. So personal prejudice to take into account.

>>2271110

Definitely not in your current position. Your legs are dangling so you have no footing. On top of that, if you broke the links but not the wire, that doesn't give you a ton of extra slack. You might be able to get over to one girl, but if you did it would draw the wire to the other one tight well before you arrived, and snap it if you kept trying to reach the one bomb. Does that make sense?

>>2271125
Yeah, I was hoping we could break the links we would fall off the rig since nothing would be holding us to it.

>>2271123

I'm not confirming or denying anything, but I do think you have some personal prejudice here. Don't be one of those people who starts ranting about how anyone you hate is an idiot, it's a bad look no matter who does it, and she managed to successfully double-cross two very dangerous people. Roarke sure as hell doesn't follow orders, and Amos is tied into the UJCIDF command structure which is probably a bigger flaw than psychosis at least in Marx's view of King's ideals.

>>2271133

Ah, yes, I'll clarify that the wires attach to the cuff too.

>>2271077
>I set the groundcar to autopilot on a pre-planned course throughout the district in case Little Miss Maid there left a locator beacon or something in it.

>implying Sam hasn't been dropping beacons ever since she got out of the car

>>2271135
But Roarke thus far has been predictable. Just as good as someone who will follow orders. She's still an idiot. She's gloating in front of someone who could literally kick her top half off into paste if he wanted to. That's like sticking your hand into a gator's mouth. Sure, if you have the gator trained it's safer, but the gator could still decide it just wants to chomp down on your arm and drag you into the water you know? Sure, she has Roarke by the balls but that doesn't stop him from having a fit of rage and lashing out anything. If she were standing a safe distance with a gun pointed at him too I wouldn't be so harsh but don't get in the face of a superhuman killing machine and talk shit no matter what kind of advantage you have. You know what I'm getting at, right?

Our best bet might be just killing her and then waiting for Sam to wake up. I'm sure she keep something on her to lockpick in any situation.

You know what? I'm really sick of getting into these kinds of situations.

>>2271149
Well were in this situation now, all we can do is try and get out of this.

>>2271149
I'm sure Wong is too just because the reactions from us anons is always the same.

>varying degrees of reee

Or Wong is a sadist. But I'd like to think he doesn't get any pleasure over stale hate and predictable reactions.

It's exhausting because I'm just not good at this stuff. So then I get heated and that makes it even harder to think of good solutions.

>>2271147
Honestly, this is the safest bet, but we need to buy her time, and thats the main problem.

>>2271149
Then remember this, and whenever someone tries to choose something as stupid as what placed us in this situation, show them this thread.

>>2271146
>Roarke could kick her top half into paste if he wanted to

That's the exact kind of thinking that got you here. You're restrained, with your wives' lives as collateral, and she has all of Harlan's weapons at her disposal and possibly more of those sleep grenades. The idea that Roarke would lash out if it meant he got Samantha or Clemmy killed as a result is one she thinks is unlikely, can you convince the rest of the Anons to prove her wrong? If not, her strategy is working.

>>2271156
Wong isn't a sadist. We were just stupid enough to fall for the most simple trick in the universe.

>>2271149
Same, but this one is mostly our fault. I knew from the beginning that Marian was too good to be true.

>>2271158
I think all we can do is just keep playing her games and try to find a way to take as much time as possible doing them to give her the window of opportunity.

>>2271147

I should also clarify that she got inside your reach and then quickly got back out of it and has been standing outside it for a while.

>She jumps quickly back out of range as your eyes open, then giggles,

>>2271166
I would say to use seduction to try and get her to move in close but I have no idea how to phrase it in a way to get her to want to come fuck us. I mean we know she's turned on by this and loves fucking men who are doomed to die.

>>2271165
Yeah. Also thinking of her as "clemmy that we didn't seduce" could help. Right now they save a very similar vibe.

>>2271171
Problem is she doesn't have the Clemmy aspect of wanting to have a fight. Maybe pissing her off would work.

>>2271159
I understand that. But there is ALWAYS the option things don't go as planned. And if you disregard that just because you think you have things in your favor then you're a fool. Somewhere there is a reality where I do convince the anons to just kill her and the wives by extension. Like, if you had someone in an equivalent situation would you take unnecessary risks? No, because you aren't stupid. I have no respect for anyone who thinks that just because they hold all the cards doesn't mean the other player can't flip the table. Meridian thought he had all the cards, now he's dead.

I know what I'm saying is pointless because anons are predictable and this was a foregone conclusion but I still feel I need to say it.

Also I have that silly image of Bullseye spitting his own tooth through a dude's head to kill him and how great it'd be if Roarke could spit a tooth that hard. Course that isn't something we can do with the Void Fist. Especially not with any accuracy even if it was possible. Pretty sure it was Bullseye anyway.

>>2271167
We could convince her of it if our wives were awake, then she may want to fuck Roarke in front of them just for giggles or something.
Assuming she is a sadistic psychopath, what she is.

>>2271166
Can Roark detect any unorthodox mean of getting free of his limitations through his technological knowledge?

>>2271173
We have 10 fingernails to try.

I assume we're not wearing our glasses Wong?

Alright anons I have a really crazy idea that might save all of us. We break our hands so we slide out of the cuffs when her back is turned and then choke the life out of her. Either that or wait till Sam wakes us hope she gets out of her cuffs and then break the links holding the cuffs while she saves Clemmy.

>>2271186
As expected from you: a high-risk plan with some considerable costs.

She would have to in range and there is also the problem that if we miss we won't have how to defend ourself or even to get away...

Also, you don't need to break your hands if, just to dislocate your wrists.

>>2271186
This isn't actually that crazy of an idea.

You're looking for us to dislocate our thumbs however.

If they're still too big, though, we could Void Fist/kick off one of our hands and quickly release our wives before having to do first aid.

A real pirate has a hook hand anyways.

>>2271186
hmmm, the only problem with that is that i doubt we are capable of breaking our hands. We have destroyed mechas like if they were paper, i doubt our hands are weak. BUT, metal is flexible; we could try to extrude it until our hands can pass.

>>2271194
Worse comes to worse Karen has to make us a pair of robot hands.

File: latest[1].png (5.94 MB, 1920x1080)

5.94 MB PNG

“You see, Harlan...oh, don't pretend you're listening if you don't REALLY care, I'm not all THAT worried, teehee, in fact, you're almost certainly going to die here. Grandfather might be a bit upset that his favorite grandchild is dead, but that's okay, I can be the new favorite instead! This is more practice for the speech I'm going to give the others.” She clears her throat, “I am the natural evolution of the Band, of King's ideals. I am the hero they're looking for. Brute strength doesn't matter in this day and age, it's all about cunning and willingness to go lower than anyone else. Look, I realized something early on, and made a promise to myself. Well, a few promises, really. First, beating Roarke Starwind, but that's pretty standard so I'll spare you that part. Second, I vowed I would never EVER fight him in a mech. Or hand-to-hand. Cheating is the essence of heroism, it's like...hmm...what was his name? Ah yes, Perseus. Didn't have a chance against Medusa, even with flying shoes and a helmet of invisibility, because she could just look him in the eye and get a new statue...or in this case, punch me in the face and get a pile of very cute bloody mush...so what did he do? He cheated!” She strikes a pose, “Or Odysseus with the wooden horse! Or Jesus and the cross! Or King's precious First Mate and her drone mecha! That's Starwind's problem, he doesn't cheat hard enough, and he's not willing to go low, to do something unsavory...like watch his women die.” She grins, and walks off.

For several minutes, she's out of view, and you give Harlan a look, “You realize I'm going to kill both of you, right?”

He shrugs, “I survived two shots to the chest when I tried to assassinate the President of Texas, lived through my own lynching, any life left to me is borrowed from fate.”

“That attitude might be why Hammerhead Marx left you in charge.” You remark.

He shrugs again, “Maybe. Marian was always promising, but her personality problems...” He winces.

You raise an eyebrow, “Personality problems can keep you out of the Band? Since when?”

He shrugs, “Meridian was controllable, I know Grandfather wanted my cousin out, and the others complied...but if she pulls this off, and manages to impress Farij, the Gentleman, and especially King, it won't matter what Grandfather wants. I suspect he's next on her list anyway, she's not really shy about killing allies.”

“Boys, boys! No talking about me behind my back!” Marian chuckles, holding the remote to an autolifter that floats passively behind her on a cushion of air. On top of it is a chest covered with warning labels and a few sacks of something lumpy and metallic.

[Continued]

>>2271197
I just shudder at the tought of karen creating something that we can use with the void fist technique.

Biggest problem with the robot hands is that the wives would probably hate it unless she can make one that feels like a normal. Hell they might just get her to clone us up a hand.

File: c87[1].gif (938 KB, 540x302)

938 KB GIF

Harlan doesn't go pale, he doesn't seem like the type, but the lines of his face become just a little bit deeper, “Mary, did you empty that out?”

“Nope! It's all of your remaining blasting putty! Lovely, multipurpose blasting putty...and this, this right here, this is a timed detonator!” She picks up a little flat console with metal prongs on it, throws open the chest, slapping it into the pinkish-reddish clay-like material inside with a meaty thwock, “This would be dangerous if this stuff responded to heat...” She remarks as she begins using her plasma torch to cut through the corners and bottom edges of the chest, removing its sides and top from the man-sized, irregular block of putty. Then she slices open the sacks, and begins dumping out the nails, screws, and bolts inside, packing them in around the block while whistling. “Heroes make hard choices, right? It's part of being a hero, making the merciless calls. Think of Jason and the Argonauts, remember him? He made a lot of merciless calls...but when the time came, he fucked up on making the hardest call of all.” She winks at you, “He should have slit poor little Medea's throat when he didn't need her anymore, and he would have had it all. Even witches bleed. I'm setting the timer for twenty minutes. Now, I was careful in the distance I set your wives away from you, if their bombs go off, you'll be fine. A little singed and obviously kinda lonely, but fine. You CAN save yourself...oh, and Harlan if you want...by tearing free and hitting this little red button here on the timer. You'll be down two wives, but there's a big galaxy full of women out there to distract you. Or you can be sentimental, fail to display sufficient heroism, and die all together. Maybe in twenty minutes someone else will find you, but if that happens...well, heroic luck is heroic luck, can't argue with that.” She shrugs, then winks, pulling a grenade launcher off the other side of the autolifter and hefting it over her shoulder, “Sorry Harlan, this is mine now, I always was jealous of your armory. If you're smart, Starwind, you'd break your manacles right now, and if I don't peg you with one of the thermal 'nades in this baby...” She pats her new weapon lovingly, “...You'll kill me horribly and avenge your fallen brides. If not, I'm leaving.”

>[Break your bonds, dooming Samantha and Clemmy to death but giving you a chance to horribly murder Marian]
>[Watch her leave]

>>2271205
>[Watch her leave]

>>2271205
>>[Watch her leave]

"Truce until we kill her horribly? I'll let you go back after that but then the next time we meet, we'll fight no holds barred."

>>2271205
>Soon as she turns her back, break your hand (or dislocate your thumbs) and charge her.

>>2271205
>[Watch her leave]

She overestimates how much of a threat she is.

>>2271205
>>[Watch her leave]

>>2271211
>>2271205
Actually, can we spend luck to voidfist both our hands off and then kick Mary to death?

>>2271205
>[Watch her leave]

>“...You'll kill me horribly and avenge your fallen brides. If not, I'm leaving.”
Kill our wives to be able to kill her for killing our wives. Sounds like a great idea. What are you guys saying she's psychotic for? She's obviously a 12th level intellect beyond our puny mortal minds.

>>2271205
>>[Watch her leave]
Guys, i just realized. we don't need to break the manacles, we just need to break what's holding the manacles. That way the circuit is still intact and we can move.

well, at least that's what i understood from wong's description.

>>2271205
>[Watch her leave]
Hey gues what have I............

>>2271217
Problem is that the wires are woven around the manacles so even if we did we're still tethered to the poll by the wire.

>>2271205
I don't get why this is even a choice. There is actually no tangible benefit to the first option unless it's a trick and she wants Roarke to break out. And if you did that I would honestly consider finding where you live and slapping you because that's actually retarded and I know you aren't dumb.

It's not even an enticing option. "A chance". Don't take this personally, I just fucking despise things like this in media. Like the only ways these situations ever get resolved is asspull or something trivial which just makes the entirety of the tension into a joke. Like Thunder and the get out of cuffs free card with the thumbs. It's completely anticlimactic. I mean I'd still love him for it if it worked and he saved the waifus but that doesn't make it any less of an anticlimax.

Ah whatever. I know I'm getting way too fumed over this. I'll leave and stop shitting up the thread. Sorry everyone, see you after this is all resolved.

>>2271221
We could try to hang ourselves from the inverted rack, pry it open and keep doing so until we reach the main detonator, or our wives. You know, like ripping copper cables from the wall, but instead of pulling them, we are breaking open the path.

>>2271214

I'll answer this properly. Currently, your command of Void Fist is extremely basic. You do a full-fledged Kill of damage per point of Luck, no more, no less, and it affects an area. Think of it like firing a 1K mech-scale beam rifle at your target, currently, it's not incredibly precise. Eventually you will be able to put a needle-sized hole through a mountain with a jab of your fingertip, but right now...you'd just leave a crater. You also can't use it on yourself yet. You DO have enough finesse as a result of using Void Fist in combat a few times to do something another Anon suggested that I'll mention below.

>>2271217

Yes. This would put you in a situation (say by flipping up and Void Fist kicking the rack...which would splinter it and maybe drop some debris on you but not break the wires) where you have your feet on the ground, your hands are still in the manacles and not capable of their full range of movement, but you'd be on the ground and off the rack and able to save at least one girl and depending on other factors that might be all you need to save.

>>2271232
Well let's do >>2271217 after she leaves then.

>>2271232
Another question wong. Are the wires connected directly to the bombs, or are they just on the manacles and the signal is wireless or something similar?

By the way, for those curious, there WERE offscreen rolls to detect Marian getting out the grenade. Roarke took a penalty for having his back to her and being distracted by the possibility of Cassius, Samantha rolled a 3 on the dice, and Clemmy rolled a 1. One entirely possible outcome was Marian getting ganked by the girls before her smoke took effect or Harlan getting everyone with a needle rifle.

>>2271221

It gives you enough slack that you could get almost to one girl with the wire on one side very loose and the wire on the other side very tight. You'd have to break the tight wire to reach the grenade on the side you're going for, though.

>>2271236

There's a direct connection via wires, yes. Circuit breaks, a capacitor in the detonator releases its energy and the grenade goes off right above the girl's head.

...Or something like that, I'm not an engineer.

>>2271239
oooh. now i get it. Say, how close are we to harlan, or can we get a detailed description of the room we are in?

I'm sorry for so many questions. Its just that i unexpectedly got really invested into this situation

>>2271239
Well then we wake up Sam and hope she can lockpick her way out and then save Clemmy. Burst the dude's head and then get the fuck out of their.

>>2271244
we cant do that, because there is just enough movement room to reach one of them without breaking the connection with the other. But we can try to see if we can pull them either with the broken metal rack or similar, so we can get more wiggle room.

>>2271248
We don't have to touch Sam to wake her up. Just start yelling in her direction until she gets up.

>>2271252
Likely not enough time.

>>2271253
We have 20 minutes total to wake her up, have her pick the lock, grab Clemmy and then we can disarm the bomb. Killing the Hanged man and getting out can be done afterwards. I mean unless the stop button is a trap to make the bomb explode.

>>2271252
What about yelling AND poking her with the rack. Like >>2271253 said, we are on a
literaltight leash

>>2271254
Considering how sadistic she presented herself, it is likely.

>>2271252
If we've broken the beam, theres gonna be small bits and pieces of wood. We can kick small things at her till she gets up.

>>2271257
If we can do it without breaking the wire sure.

>>2271243

Think of an indoor shooting range, a sort of metal box of a room, with you and the girls about fifteen yards into it. There's plenty of room behind you to, say, throw one of the grenades if you grabbed it. Harlan is outside the range, in the main bunker, with his hands handcuffed to a chair behind his back. The only way to get to him would involve breaking both wires, he's much further away than either girl. He could MAYBE hobble slowly over or somehow knee-crawl with the chair on his back, but unlike you he can't free the girls from their manacles with just his teeth.

There IS another factor in this equation, though, as you'll find out next post.

>>2271260
the idea of the rack is to avoid breaking the wire. maybe we could even use our pants and shoes to make a makeshift flail to have more reach and smack sam into conciousness(altough i hope we don't reach that point)

>>2271232
Can we put our feet in the ground without detonating a bomb?

>>2271258
Then lets just ignore the bomb. Get the girls, make the guy's head into sausa, and book it.

>>2271264
Hey, just one more thing Thunder, if possible we should carry him with us, he can still be useful.

>>2271262
Or just take off the shoe, grip with toes and use the extra length to smack someone in the face till they get up.

>>2271267
Too much of a chance for him to slip out of our grip, slow us down, or just slip a knife in our back once we turn around. Kill him and be done with him we learned a lot already lets be happy with what we got.

>>2271268
yeah, that too. I haven't slept quite well these last days and i'm just giving the first raw workable idea that pops into my brain.

File: 1460256897013.gif (100 KB, 252x189)

100 KB GIF

“You overestimate your threat level.” You manage to say, keeping your cool. You may still be wearing some of your old man disguise and not have your glasses on, but you're still Roarke Starwind, “Killing you here and now while you're braced for it isn't enough. You've threatened my wives. You'll die afraid and cornered for that.”

She giggles, but there's just a hint of hollowness to that, “Now those are some fitting last words. Bye bye, so-called Pirate King.” She pauses, then taps a button on the autolifter with the huge nailbomb, causing it to elevate slightly above your head height. You could easily jump up to it, although the edges are slippery metal you're strong enough to get up there, you think, so it's a bit mystifying until she explains, “I saw that little boy with the Pleco trying to sneak towards this building while I was in the supply room getting the nails together. I want to keep this out of the little brat's reach if he makes it this far.” She considers momentarily, then lifts the bomb a little higher with the remote, about seven feet off the ground. Then she tosses the remote for the autolifter up there with it and saunters away, whistling.

>[Try to wake up the girls, at least one of whom might be enraged to the point of irrationality]
>[Talk to Harlan]
>[Concentrate on...Nothing]

>>2271263

Yes, by flipping up and kicking the rack with Void Fist as has already been mentioned.

>>2271264
The key factor to getting both girls out alive may actually be over with Harlan. Harlan is near the range controls and we need slack to save both girls. If he can move them closer to us we might get the slack we need.

>>2271271
>[Concentrate on...Nothing]

>>2271271
>>[Concentrate on...Nothing]
Even if it takes us some minutes, if we can be calm for the next moments, it will assure our survival.

>>2271271
>>[Try to wake up the girls, at least one of whom might be enraged to the point of irrationality]
>Just Sam, we don't need Clemmy getting all riled up.

>>2271271
>>[Try to wake up the girls, at least one of whom might be enraged to the point of irrationality]

>> Mock Harlan by pointing out that the 5B's fuckups so far have been more dangerous to you than any of their plans. They're seriously not qualified for what they're attempting to do here.

>>2271271
>[Talk to Harlan]
See if he has anything usefull to say in this situation, promise that we will give him a head
>>[Try to wake up the girls, at least one of whom might be enraged to the point of irrationality]
Break the rack with the void power, and awaken Sam up.

>>2271279
>Promise that we will give him a headstart if he can help us.*

CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP

>>2271274
>>2271275

Just to be clear, concentrating on Nothing is different from snapping the rack with a Void kick. You're snapping the rack regardless. Does that change your vote?

>>2271282
Nope.

>>2271271
>>[Concentrate on...Nothing]

Focus. calm.

>>2271282
Nope.

>>2271282
Okay... I vote on getting calm first too... but then lets do >>2271279
>>2271281

>>2271282
Sir I want to know if this means snapping the wires.

Please be very explicit if this choice is "Kill Your Wives".

>>2271271
>[Concentrate on...Nothing]

>>2271271
>[Try to wake up the girls, at least one of whom might be enraged to the point of irrationality]

Let's do this first before making any unalterable decisions.

>>2271289

I would absolutely be very clear if it was. No, it will NOT snap the wires.

>>2271296
Then sure let's relax and open our awareness.

File: meditation[1].jpg (42 KB, 711x500)

42 KB JPG

“You didn't even think of begging? That's cold, even for me.” Harlan remarks.

“It wouldn't have worked on her.” You reply, grabbing hold of the chains of your manacles and tensing your muscles. Not much added strain on the wires, they're already dealing with your weight just fine, and you're coming up with a strategy already to get your feet back on the floor.

He nods, “It's a shame, I looked forward to killing you myself.”

“Really? What a coincidence, I'm still looking forward to killing you.” You remark, “Even if she came out ahead, you were clearly involved in Meridian trying to kidnap Karen.” You notice him nod openly at that, “And you launched a hostile takeover of MY hometown that got some of MY people killed.”

He shrugs, “War is war.”

“As you said, you've been living on borrowed fate.” You remark, then stop trying to talk to him, you have more important things to do.

You take a deep breath, then pull sharply on your manacles, swinging your body upwards...and lightly brush your toe along the long axle the rack is hanging from, the motion ending on the rack itself. With a sharp crack, it splinters down its length, and wrenches apart, dropping you onto your feet. You work your shoulders to try and get the soreness out of them. That's the first step, you're back on the ground, on your feet, with the manacles and wires hanging loose around your wrists. Your whole being is taut with anger, and right now, that is very much a problem that needs to be dealt with. You kneel down, brushing away the shattered bits of the rack from around you, shiny shards of steel that reflect distorted bits of your image, and you close your eyes. You breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth, letting your heartrate slow. Your emotions are a problem right now, you didn't trust Marian deep down, but just the CHANCE of seeing your brother again or even something connected to him made you take this terrible, fateful risk. You have to think more clearly, and so...you let your emotions flow away, draining out of you, all of the fear and anger and passion. Hard, sharp feelings like bits of battle debris, drifting away into the Void of space. Becoming as Nothing.

>[Roll 1d10]

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>2271302
Can we add luck? If we can, add 2.

Rolled 1 + 3 (1d10 + 3)

>>2271302
Spending three luck

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>2271302

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>2271302

File: Anti-Will.jpg (12 KB, 300x133)

12 KB JPG

>>2271306
>>2271307
>>2271308
>>2271309

>>2271310
Roarke is too angry to be nothing

>>2271310
...a 4(or6) is acceptable. seems oddly fit with the situation.

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>2271302
Have a late roll

Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>2271302

>>2271328
Equally useless
Roarke is too mad for his own good

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>2271302
> All these people trusting dice.

+3 luck

>>2271329
Alright everyone, we need to come up with a plan on how to win since Rorke is capped at rolling 4s.

>>2271335
> Wake up Sam

This is her specialty. Like. Why do people keep wanting to act like we're the MC of a shitty Isekai harem novel.

>>2271335
Get as close as possible to sam and wake her up trough any means.

>>2271336
WE AREN'T!?
>>2271339
>>2271335
>>2271334
>>2271332
>>2271316
>>2271313

GUYS! WE'RE ON THE WRONG QUEST AGAIN!

>>2271341
Life was easier when were acquiring Waifus and Mecha

>>2271342
Learning responsibility and how to be a leader is Roarke's character arc in the quest. Sure it was easier when he was just a pirate but now he's a king of a nation.

File: 0280ba30eef1a51abe312bb8c(...).jpg (27 KB, 366x360)

27 KB JPG

...And those emotions flow somewhere else, and briefly you can feel them, reflected.

You feel cold, sturdy metal beneath you, the gentle restraint of metallic claws on joints holding your legs, your arms, supporting your head. A steel cradle. You hear a song, someone is singing, motherly and affectionate. You hear a yelp interrupt the song, and hear as if from a great difference, “What in Tartarus!?”

Abruptly, you're yourself again. You have no idea what just happened or what that was, but you're not sure if you accomplished anything with it. Which is unfortunate. You're awake again, and while you have your emotions under control, they're still there. “Hey, Samantha.”

“Nnnn...” Clemmy shifts in her bonds, “Roarkey, you're so strong...~”

“Samantha!” You hiss. You're not sure Clemmy waking up and thrashing around in a rage would be a good thing right now.

The dark-haired girl yawns, then winces, “Owww...my arms...”

“If you hold me up like this I'll definitely get pregnant, Rooaaaarke...” Clemmy coos to herself, “It's such a shame Samantha got eaten by the tiger, but I'll comfort you.”

“Even asleep she's terrible!” Samantha hisses, “Roarke, I...” She looks up at the bomb over her head, then at you, then at the broken rack, then at Harlan, then at the giant nailbomb on the autolifter, “Did you talk her into some sort of simflick-esque deathtrap instead of just shooting us? Impressive.”

“I think she talked herself into it, she's trying to prove a point. Me dying isn't enough, she wants Meridian's spot in the Band. Can you pick the lock on your manacles?” You ask.

Samantha tenses her slender arms and pulls herself up a little, straining for a look at them, “Yes. But not like this. If someone was lifting me up, or I had my feet on something so I could get my wrists at the right angle to reach the pick hidden in my hairtie or the collar of this coat...”

You make your way over towards her, but the wire on Clemmy's side draws tight just before you're within Samantha-lifting distance, “Damn it.”

You hear a snort of laughter, and turn your head. Somehow, you aren't remotely surprised to see the kid from before, shaking his head contemptuously. He's got a pair of goggles perched on his forehead, and patched coveralls that have clearly seen some hard use, “Is this some kind of creepy pirate grown-up thing?” He asks, you'd guess he's around twelve if he's tall for his age, fourteen if he's short. He glares at Harlan, “...Damn, you're not him. Hey, you.” He points at you, “I'm looking for a blonde-haired mechanical genius, he's got mechanical legs and he's the coolest guy in the galaxy. Tell me how to find him, and tell me how to help, and I'll do both...or my name isn't Alexander Asimov Amadeus Starwind.”

[Continued]

>>2271347
....................

File: Tenrynooo.png (88 KB, 443x230)

88 KB PNG

>>2271347
>Alexander Asimov Amadeus Starwind
Is it possible for things to get better and worse at the exact same time?

>>2271347
>CCC's bastard found us before any of ours did
Fate sure is weird.

File: iVugdnr.png (302 KB, 500x373)

302 KB PNG

>>2271347
....NANI

WHAT THE FUCK

>>2271347
>“It's such a shame Samantha got eaten by the tiger, but I'll comfort you.”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
>“Did you talk her into some sort of simflick-esque deathtrap instead of just shooting us? Impressive.”
I'M DYING.
>Alexander Asimov Amadeus Starwind.
>Triple A
>EA Games flashbacks.
All my psychological trauma has been trigerred by this.

>>2271350
At least we don't have any Mordred out there with father issues.

>>2271347
>Well then kid give your aunt a boost.

>>2271347
> Deal

Let's not tip our hand until we know how he feels about Starwind in particular.

>>2271370

Hm. Actually, I had a response all typed up but this is valid.

Do you want to tell him who you are or not?

>>2271371
Sure, the fact that the kid knows who Triple C is along with the fact he knows that Triple C is a Starwind is enough to convince me. And even if he hates us its still our duty to make sure he's looked after as our nephew.

>>2271371
Stall him from info and try to be indirect about it.
But admits to be Starwind at the end.

>>2271373
We teste his DNA after this, I personnaly think that this is an ruse, and that even if it isn't he may be infiltrated agent for someone, maybe even made in laboratory with stolen DNA.

Its not paranoia if they are out there to get you.

>>2271371
Save the Stareind reveal until we are free
Then we can do it while ripping off the rest of our oldman disguise while doing it

>>2271353
You ARE psychological trauma.

>>2271371
No reveal yet. Mention Cassius name though so he knows we're legit.

>>2271379
Can you prove that anon? I bet you can't even proof that this isn't all something that only exist in your head.

One more thing to vote on, asking now so when it gets to that point it can just...be done.

>[Spare Harlan]
>[Kill Harlan]

>>2271393
>>[Kill Harlan]
As much as I want to pump him for info on the location of the 5mb headquarters I doubt whatever he tells us will be accurate

>>2271393
>>[Spare Harlan]
If he isn't a threat to our survival carry him with us.

>>2271393
>[Kill Harlan]
He planned the kidnapping of Karen, was behind the two assassination attempts before Marian which almost killed Oda, works for our enemy and has no reason to betray them, and we could use the opportunity to work off some steam.

>>2271393
>[Kill Harlan]
No point leaving this problem for later. He'll have to die eventually.

>>2271393
>>[Kill Harlan]

>>2271393
Also... I'm sorry to be asking this... but will you post again anytime soon? I'm too sleepy but also very worried about what may happen today... It would be too tiring to be here waiting for an update that isn't going to come in a few hours.

>>2271393
>>[Spare Harlan]

We'll kill him the next time we meet.

>>2271402
And give him the chance to fuck things up for us again? Why even let him live?

>>2271393
>[Kill Harlan]

>>2271393
>[Kill Harlan]

>>2271398

While many of these are reasonable, it would give no emotional relief to Roarke to kill a helpless individual who has not earned such a visceral response. Void Fist is not for "working off steam".

>>2271401

Yes, I have two posts written up, in fact.

>>2271409
Offer Harlan an honourable death, including if he wants anyone notified / his body sent to.

As well, if he wants to leave anything behind to let the 5Man band know that Mary was responsible for all this, we would be willing to do that.

File: ROCKIT.jpg (38 KB, 400x305)

38 KB JPG

>>2271409

File: 70141847147b02bc19da4a3e7(...).jpg (270 KB, 1020x1764)

270 KB JPG

You feel a rush of things you weren't prepared for. A warm tightness in your chest, and your eyes suddenly, unaccountably blurry.

“Hello? Hey, old guy with the good hair, I don't know who you are but...what? Why are you looking at me like that?” The kid asks, crossing his arms and giving Samantha a look, “What's wrong with him? I know he popped Burke and chased off those assholes who made me repair and drive that Pleco for them, but...is he senile or something?”

Oh, right, your disguise. Luckily you aren't wearing your good jacket, you rub the makeup and fake stubble off on your sleeve, and discard the hat, “You really don't know who I am?”

“Some pirate asshole? I'm just trying to find my dad, he's with the UJCIDF and he was supposed to come see my mom for shore leave and...he never showed up. That's not like him, he's not the kind of guy who'd run away, not from anyone.” The kid's hands tighten into fists as if daring you to say otherwise.

“No, he isn't.” You agree.

The kid's eyes light up, “You know him?”

“There is a timer on that bomb, you know.” Harlan interjects.

The kid kicks him in the kneecap, “Unless it's down to a couple of minutes, I'll take the risk!”

“Cassius Cosimo Cavalier Starwind, right? Yes, I know him.” This is going to be hard, “We can talk when we're out of here. For now...can you boost her up?” You jerk your head towards Samantha. “Or find something for her to stand on.”

The kid's mouth splits into a lecherous grin, “Oh sure, I'll help lift her up.”

“I need something stable to stand on. A box or something.” Samantha interjects hastily, noticing the kid's gaze is clearly ogling her thighs.

“Right.” The kid nods, dashing off and returning after a few minutes with a big artillery can of ammo, empty judging from how easily he drags it. He pulls it underneath Samantha's feet, takes an unsubtle peek at her legs...and steps back, grinning, “So I know a kiss is the traditional reward, but I think dinner is in order for a conquering hero like me, right?”

“Hey, kid, take it easy flirting with my wife.” You protest.

Samantha looks equal parts mortified and amused, “This definitely runs in the family, doesn't it?”

The kid blinks, “Dad asked you out too?”

“No.” She sighs, looks at you in your old man disguise, and shakes her head, “I'll explain later.”

“This is the problem with old guys marrying young women, it's creepy and other guys will take advantge.” The kid nods seriously. You resist the urge to give him a cuff on the ear. Meanwhile, Samantha manages to get a hand into her hair, pull out a small silver rod of some memory-alloy similar to Clemmy's sword, and begins jimmying her manacles with it.

[Continued]

File: 7bOHKwl.jpg (169 KB, 1440x810)

169 KB JPG

Clemmy's eyes snap open, “WHERE IS SHE!? I'LL TEAR HER FACE OFF!” She bellows like a wounded bullock, thrashing in her restraints.

“Clemmy, calm down. We're going to be fine if you just...” You're drowned out.

“I'M GOING TO BREAK HER LIMBS AND FOLD HER INTO A BEAUTIFUL ORIGAMI FLOWER!”

“Clemmy, please...”

“I'LL SKIN HER ALIVE AND MAKE A RUG! IT WON'T EVEN BE A NICE RUG! LET ME GO, THESE STUPID THINGS CAN'T HOLD ME!” She tries to bite at the manacle like a rabid wolverine.

“Bomb! Look up! Don't break the wire!” You snap.

“Eh?” She looks up and frowns, “What a stupid, cowardly way to do things. Stupid AND cowardly.”

“...There we go.” Samantha's manacles come off, and she hops down. “Come on, little boy.” She grabs Alex by the hand and pulls him away from the grenade, getting as far from it as possible.

You snap the wire leading to Samantha's manacles as you grab the grenade over Clemmy's head, ripping it free and throwing it downrange in a blur of motion. Two explosions rock the room, but neither are close enough to do more than ruffle your hair. Then you snap her manacles, then yours, then nearly fall down as she jumps on you and gives you a kiss.

“Alright, old man. Props for being cool with the ladies and all, but...” Alex looks up at the remaining bomb overhead.

“One moment.” You walk past Alex, putting a hand on his shoulder, “Turn your eyes away, and cover your ears. There is something I have to do.”

“What?” Alex looks at you in confusion.

Clemmy nods in understanding, as does Samantha, who speaks softly, “Something you may not be old enough to understand.”

“It will be quick.” You promise, as Clemmy covers Alex's ears and keeps his head turned away while you walk over to Harlan.

The rope-scarred man smiles, “You're not soft after all, Starwind. You've convinced me of your worth, at least. I couldn't respect a man unwilling to do what he must to an enemy. Letting me live would be foolish.”

“You engineered an attempt to kidnap my wife and conquer California Station.” You agree, “And you're dangerous.”

He nods, “Incredibly. After this, and with my death, no professional hitter in this part of the galaxy will dare come after you. Most people who can command fanatics would probably hesitate, too, seeing how many resources were thrown away trying to end your life here.” He tilts his head back, looking into your eyes.

“Is there anyone you want notified? Or anywhere I should send your body?” You ask.

He shakes his head, “Grandfather will know when I don't return, this is a life I chose, and I'm content to stay where I fall.”

Your hands grip and wrench, Harlan's neck snaps like a twig.

[Continued]

>>2271414
Well I'm convinced the kid is related to us now.

>>2271418
same

>>2271418
Luckily the Rhinehawk doesn't have any teen girls on board. But imagine the awkwardness if he went for Gretchen.

File: Rocket_Fist_400x400[1].jpg (14 KB, 400x400)

14 KB JPG

You jump up and grab the edge of the autolifter, hauling yourself up onto it and hitting the red button on the timer. There are a little under seven minutes left, and as you hit the button it freezes...and the time display fades out, displaying a semicolon and parenthesis.

;)

The parenthesis becomes an o.

;o

The o becomes a 3.

;3

...And the timer reappears, this time at one minute. You swear violently, jump down, grab the girls and Alex, and start running for the nearest cover you can see. You know you aren't going to make it.

Something blots out the sun, you hear a crash from the skylight above...and the pressure wave of something huge passing by overhead nearly knocks you sprawling. Blue-green thrusters roar overhead as huge, steely fingers close around the bomb and the enormous fist drone goes sailing down the shooting range. You hear the muffled explosion and the thrusters flicker momentarily, but the Knuckle Kaiser's fists were built to tear apart SOUL mecha and Paladins, a piddly explosion and a bunch of nails doesn't even really damage it. Overhead, you see the Anseis hovering above the skylight. Loriette has rebuilt it with a serene, humanlike face, giving it almost the appearance of a rescuing angel.

“Who are you?” Alex looks at you in awe, then scoffs self-consciously, “Not like it matters, my dad would beat you with one hand tied behind his back.”

“He used to, back when I was your age.” You sigh, “Starwind isn't exactly a common name, Alex. You're named for your grandfather, right?”

“Yeah, so what?” He crosses his arms, so much like a tiny you it hurts.

“Your grandfather, my dad. Cassius' dad too. Your father is my big brother. I'm your uncle.”

“You...wait, you're really my uncle? But...”

You nod, glad you're not wearing your own, good jacket as you rub the makeup and fake stubble off your face with your sleeve, and toss away your battered hat, “My name is Roarke Starwind, and technically, I'm the Pirate King of the asteroid belt and all the colonies in it.

His expression splits into a delighted grin, “That's AWESOME! So, you'll help me find dad, right?”

>[Break the news to him]

>>2271421
I'm sure there is plenty of them, we just don't take notice of everyone.

>>2271423
>Kneel down and put a hand on his shoulder while giving him a somber look
He'll understand what we're saying.

>>2271423
>Sorry, he's been dead for a while. I only found out a couple (days, weeks? Can't remember how long it took us to see the video of him getting knifed) after he died.

>>2271423
>There isn't really a way to easy this for you... But maybe at least its better to you that its me who tell you this... Cassius is dead, he died as a hero, fighting for what he believed, betrayed by those who should be his allies... I guess there is only the two of us now, I'm sorry.

>>2271423
>[Break the news to him]
Fuuuuuuuuck
God Roarke was around his age when his parents dies wasn't he...

>>2271423
>Hug him
>I'm sorry, kid.

Keep it short.

>>2271427
I wanna say it was a few days since we spent the day after the trip with Rosie and Clemmy.

>>2271423
Fuck no. What is wrong with you people.

We take him home and us and Clemmy talk to his Mom and him together like a goddamn family.

Jesus Christ. How do people here manage to maintain relationships in their lives.

>>2271432
True we should definitely bring him home before we break the news

>>2271423
Like. Break the need to him now y/n or how to break the news?

>>2271426
>>2271423
Just this for now. Kids have excellent bullshit detectors.

Can we show him the video of us killing (who we think is) his killer?

>>2271423
Changing my vote to >>2271432

I'm sorry anon, its 7:26 AM here and didn't sleep.

File: Admiral Roarke Starwind.png (104 KB, 220x279)

104 KB PNG

You lean down and put a hand on his shoulder. You don't know what to say, for once. Just thinking about it tears the calluses off your pirate heart and leaves it raw again. You can see your big brother's smile so clearly.

“Uncle Roarke? You know where Dad is, right?” His voice is suddenly unsure.

You nod, and hug him, “I'm sorry, Alex. I am so sorry.”

He's a young man, this one. He understands almost immediately, perhaps he suspected for a while now. He cries, but so did you when you lost your parents, and not with as much restraint as he showed. You feel the tears against your shoulder, and pat his back until he's done, waving away Samantha, Clemmy, even Loriette. Samantha takes Lori aside and explains to her in a whisper who the kid is, but both of the Jovian women don't seem interested in explaining to her everything else that happened.

Eventually, Alex stops crying, “Was it an accident, or did someone do it?”

“Someone did it.” You respond, grimly.

“Who?” He demands to know.

“Someone who I killed. Painfully.” You tell him.

His expression becomes determined, “Good.”

You nod. Forgiveness be damned, Cabot earned her fate.

“Uncle Roarke, I want to come with you and be a space pirate. I want to work for you. Dad taught me a lot about mecha, I'm a better mechanic than most grown-ups are. Mom's health is a little fragile, but I think she'd be happier on...on California Station or Auditorium than on Jupiter. Someone has to take care of her.”

You nod, considering it, “What do you know about guns?”

He shakes his head, “Just how they work. I don't really care about them, this piece here was just for show.” He indicates his oversized magnum revolver.

You nod again, “What about swords? Missiles?”

He shakes his head again and again.

“Show me your fist.” You instruct.

He curls his fingers into a proper fist, which you inspect, “As I thought, Cassius taught you how to throw a punch, didn't he?”

Alex nods.

You smile, and stand up, offering him your hand, “Welcome to the Iron Kestrels. Your training starts tomorrow."

>>2271423
Yeah let's actually take him home first.

>>2271437
Me, I'm just ignoring work for this.

>>2271438
Of course it's too late.

Oh well. Seems to have gone okay.

Good place to stop for the night too.

OR WE COULD KEEP GOING!

It's Muslim tradition that we marry our Brother's Wives and Goats when he dies, right?

>>2271438
Time for montages and training from hell.
>>2271443
No you marry the women and keep the goats out back for when the wives are gone.

>>2271445
Hey, meet your other uncle!

> It's the Tiger wossisname

File: 8c3.jpg (43 KB, 640x496)

43 KB JPG

>>2271446
>Forgetting Senior Brother Domon

File: Senior Brother Domon.jpg (48 KB, 400x218)

48 KB JPG

>>2271452
Well if he's so important why haven't we gotten him a Mech to fight in with us yet?

>>2271453
Because we need at least 4 more felines to pilot the limbs and we have yet to find viable candidates.

>>2271469
Voltron isn't a real mecha show.

>>2271474
GoLion instead?

>>2271469
We already have minibear and the goldfish. they sure arent felines, but close enough.

>>2271453
This isn't a half bad idea.

>>2271173
>there is ALWAYS the option things don't go as planned. And if you disregard that just because you think you have things in your favor then you're a fool
Isn't that exactly what led Roarke here? And what motivated everyone to vote for this and other risky options? Because they see Roarke as basically untouchable and thus see no real risk in any course of action they pursue?

>>2271767
Yes. And anons never learn. No matter how much people argue with them or tell them there are smarter ways to do things. They chant the chorus of "it's what Roarke's character is like" and do it anyway. Even after this once they say "Oh yeah, we'll be smarter" they won't. They've said it after every assassination attempt thus far. The only reason we won't run into a billion assassins now is because Wong is dialing it back super fucking hard. And thank fuck for that or we'd have to do this shit another dozen times before the quest ended.

I want to let this clear.
We are trusting someone we don't know AGAIN
We should not assume that the boy isn't working for the enemy, I know that it may seem paranoid, but after that last episode I don't want to risk things in this way anymore.
Lets have his DNA scanned, check his backstory, even call UJCIDF personnel if needed, and have him watched 24h while he is inside of the Rhinehawk.

Seriously, this sound too good to be true, our nephew just stumble into us while we were in a death-trap because he "just happens to be looking for his dad"? This sounds incredibly suspicious.

>>2271782
I sincerely think that we deserve a dozen more assassin... We just keep doing the same mistakes.

>>2271783
I was also thinking this. We need to confirm the story, AND amp up our security/surveillance.

>>2271783
Do we have a sample of Cassius' DNA? Because comparing Roarke and Alex won't tell us much.

>>2271793
We better have, because the UJCIDF DNA banks can't be trusted. Not for real at least.
>>2271789
Man, this is literally Marian 2.0 "It looks like you're in a pinch, let me help you! Of course you can trust me because I have info about family shenanigans!"

How did he even followed us here? Why would he even do that? Did that thread on GYchan even existed?

And even if he ends up being Triple C son's, how can we be sure that Marian or the 5MB didn't promised to heal his mother or something? He could even be working for the terrans, they could pull that on us.

But we shouldn't just throw him into space, no, we should play the long game, and outcon them by making him think that we trust him.

>>2271782
I know we've all been through this dance many times, but I felt it might have been worth pointing out again given the tone of that specific post, which was being extremely pissy about how arrogant Marian was being and how stupid it was for her to act that way.

And she was, but glass houses, you know? I was seeing more than one post up there wanting to pulverise her with void fist because baby didn't get his bottle this one time.

>>2271796
I agree with all of this. We should even dedicate one thread, or the rest of this one to avoid getting fucked up like this again.

>>2271804
You'll forgive me if I'm sick of something and just want it to stop despite my best efforts when I can to try to avert stupid shit like this. And killing her in this situation is absolutely the right thing to do and is something everyone agreed on. Just because you want to paint my anger as something else doesn't make it what you want it to be. But whatever. I'm not having this debate. I just want to move on to things that are actually entertaining.

>>2271818
Killing her is totally fine and sensible. Wanting to, as Thunderbird put it, 'work off steam' by *over*killing her just seems tantamount to throwing a tantrum, which is somewhat unbecoming of a head of state.

I say this not to call you out on anything or pick and argument with you, but because more generally it's exactly that kind of explosive knee-jerk reaction to a threat to Roarke's (and by extension their) pride that characterises more than a few anons' decision making at times, and is thus something everyone ought to be wary of lest they let their temper get the better of them and do something even dumber.

Heck, I don't even think Roarke himself takes setbacks quite so poorly. The guy is characterised as headstrong and impulsive and even he has a better handle on his temper than half the people playing his quest.

>>2271796
>How did he even followed us here?
Knowledge of the area and access to a streetsweeper mecha.

>Why would he even do that?
Roarke looked interesting after he punched out the idiots at the blockade. May have overheard the line about punching out a Harpy and put 2 and 2 together.

So Darling in the Franxx is pretty good so far.

>>2271809
I was putting some thought into it and had a few ideas.

>We could play "have our friends close and your enemies even closer" by keeping the boy on the Rhinehawk. But another option would be assigning him to another ship to maintain him more distant from a position in where he could be dangerous, in this case the Yamato would be the best candidate.

>He fights with fists, so if we're going to give him a mecha we should give him a H2H model... We only have two types of officer mech that could fit that, Walkures and Dutchs, but a better way of giving him a sense of being trusted could be giving him a KK MP(140CP sheet of Roarke's first mech in this quest, remodeled to look like the Kaiser).

>If we put him in another ship it could be easier to hide the fact that he is our nephew, and also could let us send him to another system "for experience" while we deal with the 5MB here. Having him into the outer-systems has its own risks, but its also less probable that he would have any motive to sabotage us there as it could be as lethal to himself.

>Lets send his mother to a very guarded place, maybe Psyche-16 or Rosita's palace.

>Get a spy to be his friend and put other informants in places around him, I think that it should be easier to gain his trust if we use someone of his age, maybe a girl. My ideal plan is to have some boy pose as a rookie and befriend him, them get a romantic interest of around their same age who will just happen to get their attention, them arrange things to give her a reason to pass time with him(assign them in the same squad or something).

Everyone can play the "coincidence" game.

>>2271846
1- We would have seen a fucking mech following our car. Then Marian ditched the car. are we even the same building?

2-He was far always at that time and we were inside the car,how could he have heard that? Also, following some dude who just punched a entire gang to death because he seems "interesting" seems like a dangerous idea.

So, when's the next session?

Hate that I ended up missing this session on account fo completely spacing it, but at least this whole shitshow wasn't a complete waste.

>>2271783
Avalonians make clones and shit.

>>2271767
Hey I voted to leave things alone. I figured if CC WAS alive he had a reason for not finding us. It isn't like we aren't a massively public figure after all.

I don't even know why we felt we had to go in there right away even.

Game resumes Tuesday

File: Manly Tears.png (74 KB, 224x351)

74 KB PNG

>>2272977
>>2272977
>One session per week
Why must we suffer so much?

>>2272883
Look at it this way, if we hadn't gone at that moment, chances are we wouldn't have run into our nephew.

>>2272981
Most of us have lives.

Just saying.

>>2273139
>Most

>>2273139
>>2273177
Stop lying to yourself anons, we all know that this is the afterlife.

>>2271453
......why haven't we done this?

>>2274089
we´ve been busy trying to not get murdered.

>>2274111
There was talk about a big mecha vehicle for the Knuckle Kaiser, like a throne or a bike, kind of like a mech for a mech, or at least an add on. What if it was a domon piloted Mecha tiger instead?

File: Daigurren.gif (66 KB, 510x420)

66 KB GIF

>>2274136
but that would be more fitting for the undefeated, since he is the one who owns domon.
We might want something like the Dai gurren; A spaceship that basically are two fists that allow us to punch other ships into submission.

>>2276602
Mechs for mechs are always fun

>>2276602
This

> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwe2E2K2vk8

But imagine the top twin rails of the main gun are also fists.

And doesn't have a silly crotch knife.

Protoculture > Spiral.

>>2283555
>silly crotch knife
Dicklet detected.

>>2276602
But really, a downsized Arc-Gurren would be better.

What do you guys think are the chances Wong will be able to run today?

>>2287831
Pretty good I'd say.

>>2287994
What time did he say?

>>2288715
Usually around Tuesday 9-10pm ish CST

>>2288715
I would assume normal time, so about 10 est.

New thread btw
>>2289028