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“You nearly finished in there, Dot?”

The crew of the Maribelle is up to four as of a week ago. This new development has been... nice. While you considered yourself and Crooks to be private people, and you still aren't one to put immediate trust in strangers, Dot and Krista have proven to be good members of the crew. Not only that, but they've proven to be great company as well.

That's not to say sharing the ship with two new additions is without it's challenges. You and Krista are often awkward around each-other due to a certain kiss shared, and her over-eager personality makes it difficult for you to get a reprieve, some time to calm your raging hormones. The only complaint is more petty... the morning routine is now well over twice as long with four people using the shower.

“Almost finished!” Dot calls out. “Hold your horses!”

“You jumped the queue!” you point out. “I was ready when Krista got out, but you jumped ahead of me!”

“Not my fault you were so distracted by our cook in a towel!” Dot calls out.

You let out a sigh, as Crooks places a hand on your shoulder. “Women, am I right?”

“No. Don't do this...”

Crooks smirks. “Living with them has made me realise I never properly gave you... the talk, Matty.”

“I'd really rather you didn't.”

Crooks chuckles as he wags his finger. “Now Matt, you're a young man. I understand the struggles that comes in living in a small place with a pair of attractive women your age. But as your dad, and your pilot, I should level with you... your crew is like your family. Dot and Krista, you should probably think of them like sisters... also, you shouldn't be attracted to family. I didn't give you that talk either.”

“I didn't think that was a talk you had to give...” you mutter.

Crooks chuckles as he pats you on the back. “I'm just teasin' you, Matty!”

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The doors to Dot and Krista's room slides open as Krista steps out, adjusting her suspenders with a snap. “Oh, is my Matt-Matt being teased?” she smirks as she skips up to the two of you catches you with a hug. Krista's a very... affectionate person. A lot more touchy-feely than you'd ever want to be. The height difference doesn't help matters, as with every hug your face is almost smothered in her accentuated chest. Not a great time.

“Krista can you get off me, I can't breathe!” you complain as you try to pry her away.

“But if I go away I can't also tease my Matt-Matt!” Krista laughs. “Teasing you is what we're all about, that's right! We're a Matt-Matt teasing ship, yep yep!”

Crooks shakes his head. “Okay, you don't need to suffocate my mechanic. Just get started on breakfast.”

“Aye-Aye!” Krista exclaims with a salute as she makes her way to the ships dining area.

“And you,” Crooks points at you. “We both know Dot isn't close to finished in there. There's been some funny noises coming from the engine room. Go check it out.”

You nod and make your way down to the engine room. You let out a yawn, noticing an odd whirring noise, more like a screech coming from the generator. Weird... you take a look to examine anything wrong, and it doesn't take long to see it. Your generator is pretty much completely busted. It's a miracle this thing is still moving. But what's really odd is that it doesn't look like it malfunctioned... certain parts are torn out and slashed up. Like an animal got at it. But... how the hell could an animal get aboard your ship? You certainly didn't visit anywhere were a raccoon would be hanging out at the spaceport... curious.

You head up to the cockpit and report the damage to Crooks.

“The hell?” he raises his eyebrow. “So it's beyond repair?”

“Afraid so,” you mutter. “I've switched to the back-up generator, but we gotta dock in somewhere close fast. Get a proper replacement.”

Crooks lets out a sigh. “Dammit... what a pain. Okay, let's see here... judging by our location we can either dock in on a Camelot ship or an equidistant Shinto ship.”

“Nowhere neutral?” you ask.

“Nope,” Crooks groans. “What do you think, Matty?”

“You're the pilot.”

“And you're the one on the run from bounty hunters,” Crooks retorts. “Where do you feel safer, son?”

>Let's go with the Camelot ship.
>Let's go with the Shinto ship.

>>2427497
>Camelot, the regal and militaristic, rallied behind their Queen Julia Porter.
I say Camelot only because I think they are more likely to abide by rules and regulations if we are recognised, the Shinto might just start firing wildly at us.

>>2427497
>>Let's go with the Shinto ship
Camelot a shit, also yay mechanic things

>>2427497
>Let's go with the Camelot ship.

Calling for
>Let's go with the Camelot ship.

Writing now.

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>Let's go with the Camelot ship.

"Camelot?" Krista's eyes light up. "Yes please! Now there's a ship that knows how to prepare meat! Have you ever had a bratwurst, Matt-Matt?"

"Never heard of it," you explain.

Krista gasps. "Nope! Nope! Need to fix that!"

"Sounds like a date," Crooks teases.

You shake your head. "No way, I'm the one who has to pick out the replacement generator. When it comes to engines, you don't know a gear drive from a crank web."

"What?"

"Exactly," you explain. "I don't have time to stop and see the sights."

Krista pouts. "But Matt-Matt, it'll be fun!"

You shrug. "Look, if you're that excited, why don't you hang out with Crooks? I'm sure he'll be happy to show his crew around."

Crooks looks at you with disdain. "Heh, no offence Matty... but not on your life."

That's right, Crooks doesn't trust the cook like you do. You had to even plead with him to keep her on as a part of the crew. The fact that over the last week he's come to find her upbeat personality annoying and is sick of you defending it probably doesn't help.

"Come on, Crooks..." you sigh. "She's part of the crew now. Crew is family. Can't you at least try to learn more about your new kid?"

"You don't have to play dad with everyone on this ship," Crooks grumbles. "You and Dot are already plenty needy kids. I don't need to babysit the sugar demon as well."

"Sugar demon..." Krista ponders, before puffing out her chest and letting out a small roar to her own amusement. "Heh heh!"

>Fine, you can come with me and Dot will join Krista, okay?
>Come on... for me, okay?

>>2427528
>Come on... for me, okay?

>>2427528
>Fine, you can come with me and Dot will join Krista, okay?

>>2427528
>>Fine, you can come with me and Dot will join Krista, okay?
Father son bonding time

>>2427528
>>Come on... for me, okay?
DO IT FOR ME DADDY

Whoo ties

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>2427529
>>2427534
>Come on... for me, okay?

>>2427530
>>2427532
>Fine, you can come with me and Dot will join Krista, okay?

Rolling to break the tie.

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>Come on... for me, okay?

Crooks lets out a grunt. "You're not going to stop pestering me about this, are you?"

"Not at all," you reply.

Crooks sighs. "Fine... I'll bring your friend to get food. But you owe me one."

"Owe you one?" you smirks. "I'm replacing the generator!"

"You mean it, captain?" Krista smiles, before clapping her hands together. "Friend time, time to make a new friend, yep yep! Oh, you know what we should do?"

"If you say secret handshake-"

"Devise a secret handshake!" Krista smiles. "That's what friends do, right?"

"I can't believe I'm doing this..." Crooks sighs.

Crooks pulls in at the port of a nearby Camelot outpost, as the four of you step off the ship. Immediately, Krista sniffs the air for food and grabs Crooks, dragging him with her as she finds a bite to eat.

"So it's not just candy then," Dot mutters. "She's food obsessed..."

"Yeah," you mutter. "Too bad you can't join them. You're stuck shopping with me."

Dot smiles. "Well, I don't mind that at all, Matt. I wouldn't have wanted you to be by yourself in the first place."

"Look, I'm not afraid of some bounty hunter coming after me, I can take care of-"

"Not that," Dot smiles. "I just wouldn't want you to feel lonely."

Ugh. The sweetness of the comment is enough to make your stomach churn. Not that you don't appreciate it, but it's a little too saccharine for you to digest.

As you and Dot make your way through the ships platform, you notice a lot of folk sitting down, dressed in rags and begging for some credits. "Does Camelot have a poverty problem?" you ask.

"This is probably an outskirts ship," Dot explains. "It's pretty far removed from the main fleet. I'm not surprised people here are hard on their luck. Maybe we should..."

"Dot, I get that you're a saint and want to be charitable," you explain. "But a new generator sets us back a ton. We've only just got about enough to replace the thing, we can't be worrying about other folk right now."

Dot sighs. "I know... space can be a rather cruel place sometimes, can't it? Makes me respect those with good hearts all the more."

You continue on when you see a man in robes standing atop a box in the middle of the ship's deck. Seems to be preaching, a local loon maybe?

"People, the end is near!" the old man exclaims. "It has been seen! The great Shaman Tao has watched it! The Great War will come, and with it countless deaths! No victors! People, if we are to stop this future, we must rise up! The three fleets must fall, as the people rule the expanse! We must rally behind Shaman Tao, the new Messiah! You there!"

Oh great. Of course he'd point at you. "Have you seen it? Have you heard it? Have you felt it? The Great War is coming. Do you know who'll stand on top?"

"No, I'm just some guy," you point out casually. You never saw the point in humouring people spouting off nonsense. "But I have a pretty good idea."

"Oh?"

>Camelot will win.
>Athens will win.
>Shinto will win.
>Nobody wins. We're all screwed.

>>2427568
>>Nobody wins. We're all screwed.
I mean this is pretty much War 101

>>2427568
>Camelot will win.

>>2427568
>>Nobody wins. We're all screwed
Pessimist

>>2427577
ITS NOT PESSIMISM IF YOU ARE RIGHT

>>2427568
>Nobody wins. We're all screwed.
Its war. War isn't really about victors.

>>2427581
I believe it becomes pragmatism at that point

Calling for
>Nobody wins. We're all screwed

Writing now.

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>Nobody wins. We're all screwed

"Then you do see!" the old man exclaims. "You see that the path towards salvation lies with Shaman Tao! The leader of the new world! The people must rise up! The people must revolt!"

"I didn't say that," you point out. "I don't care about any of that."

"Okay you, you've been warned!" A man in armour approaches the preacher with an annoyed grimace. "Get that crazy crap out of here. You freakos are bothering people. If you don't shut up, I'm locking you up!"

"You cannot silence the truth!" the old man warns. "Shaman Tao will-"

"-That's enough," the man mutters as he pulls out his sword.

Dot gasps and throws her hands out towards the Camelot general. "Stop! Don't hurt him!"

The man turns his head and catches a glimpse of Dot before stopping in his tracks. "Wow... you... ahem."

He snaps his fingers as two accompanying soldiers drag the man away. "We've been getting bothered by this weird cultists for weeks now. Yellow Turbans, they've been calling themselves. I'm Percival. I'm one of the fleet's major generals... and I've never seen you around here before."

"You haven't?" Dot asks, keeping up the act of a Camelot citizen.

Percival nods. "Yeah, a pretty face like that? I'd never forget it."

"Oh... thank you," Dot replies casually as you let out a cough.

Percival looks to you. "Oh, sorry little guy. You her little brother or something?"

You glare. "Mechanic. We're merchants with the fleet, but our generator busted. We need to get it replaced."

Percival nods. "Ah, I get it. Not here to stay? Not surprised. A lot of filthy beggars around these parts. I hate having to patrol a mangy ship like this one... but the crime rate here is rather high. Just shows how much faith the Queen has in me, doesn't it? On your way... and don't be a stranger."

Percival winks at Dot who awkwardly steps aside to let him pass. As he does, he turns back to face you. "By the way, if you're a mechanic... this ship has been having some issues with it's pipeline lately. If you want to help out, there'd probably be some spare credits in it for you."

Percival walks off as Dot turns to you. "Well that was... interesting."

>Ugh, I hate guys like that. Walking around like he's a bigshot...
>What, never been hit on before? You looked so confused.

>>2427609
>>What, never been hit on before? You looked so confused.
You worked as a waitress and no one has ever hit on you how

>>2427609
>>What, never been hit on before? You looked so confused.
He seems nice

>>2427609
>What, never been hit on before? You looked so confused.

Calling for
>What, never been hit on before? You looked so confused.

Writing now.

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>What, never been hit on before? You looked so confused.

"Oh, is that what he was doing?" Dot pauses. "I didn't notice."

"Seriously?" you ask. "You were a waitress. How could you be unused to flirting?"

Dot shakes her head. "Of course I know what flirting is! I've been flirted with a lot! Heck, I've been... uh, nevermind."

You raise an eyebrow. "You were even what?"

Dot shakes her head. "No, forget it. I'm not going to mention him."

"Him?"

"It!" Dot corrects. "I'm not going to mention it. Just... forget I said anything, okay Matt?"

"Okay..." you mutter. You're not going to forget it, but you see that it's probably for the best that you drop the subject for the time being. You and Dot make your way to the nearest ship repair store, and pick out a replacement generator. The vendor completes the purchase and states that the generator will be sent to the Maribelle as it sits in the dock.

You exit the store as you and Dot notice some engineers hanging around an open grate in the ship.

"Huh..." you mutter. "This must be what that Percival guy mentioned."

"That generator really did drain our funds..." Dot points out. "Matt, you're a wizard with this sort of thing. If you don't help out and get paid, I imagine Crooks will want to strangle you."

"He might already want to strangle me considering he's spending the day with Krista," you point out. "But I'm not gonna pass up a chance at making money by fixing things."

You approach the group of engineers as speak. "Hey, I'm a mechanic. What's the problem?"

"That's what we're trying to figure out," one of the engineers explains. "The pipeline runs all under the ship, so a group of us are heading down to search for any problems. It's pretty cramped and hot down there, but I don't think you'd mind the cramped part considering your height... that was rude, sorry."

You shake your head. "Get it all the time."

"So, what should I do?" Dot asks. "I don't think I could help much with some busted pipes..."

>Wait up here. I'll only be a minute.
>Head back to Crooks, spare him from being alone with Krista.
>You can come down if you want. You don't need to be an expert to notice a problem.

>>2427634
>>You can come down if you want. You don't need to be an expert to notice a problem.
Extra set of eye's always helps

>>2427634
>You can come down if you want. You don't need to be an expert to notice a problem.

>>2427634
>Head back to Crooks, spare him from being alone with Krista.
Can't lose the generator otherwise we're fucked.

>>2427634
>>You can come down if you want. You don't need to be an expert to notice a problem.
I wonder, was she going to say 'married'?

>>2427634
>Head back to Crooks, spare him from being alone with Krista.
This feels like a bad idea somehow.

>>2427634
>You can come down if you want. You don't need to be an expert to notice a problem.

Calling for
>You can come down if you want. You don't need to be an expert to notice a problem.

Writing now.

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>You can come down if you want. You don't need to be an expert to notice a problem.

"Okay, if you say so..." Dot mutters. "It's a little hard to climb down this thing with what I'm wearing..."

"It'll be fine," you state as you slide under the grate after the engineers and offer to help her down as well. She shimmies in with your help and you take a look around. Under the grate sees tight corridors heading out in both directions, twisting and turning, covering the entire floor of the ship, no doubt. Along the walls are rows of steel pipes, and the air houses a thick layer of steam.

Dot begins to wipe away the sweat already on her brow. "It's like a boiler down here."

"That's because it is," you point out. "Come on, one of these pipes are busted, so we need to keep our eyes peeled. You'll know a busted pipe when you see it."

Dot nods, as the two of you walk along the corridor. It's so cramped, it's hard not to place your hands or body close to the pipes, but you try to avoid it as much as possible. They are very hot. You make your way through the corridors, the only lighting coming from the holes in the grates to the above part of the ship to guide you.

"Hey, this looks pretty busted, right?" Dot states, as she points out a nearby pipe. She's damn right it looks busted, the steam shooting from it is an obvious indication... but... it's more than that. Just like your old generator... it looks like it's been torn apart, slashed open by some sort of living creature. Once is odd. Twice in one day... this is starting to worry you.

"AAAAGH!" a call from nearby. One of the engineers crying out. Probably burned his hand on one of the pipes.

"What was that?" a startled Dot places her hands on your back, shuffling closer to you. "Sounded like trouble..."

>You go check it out. I'm gonna try to find the source of this damage.
>Yeah, let's go check it out. Someone's probably hurt.
>Probably nothing. Don't drift off, we need to see if we can find the source of this damage.

>>2427685
>Probably nothing. Don't drift off, we need to see if we can find the source of this damage.

>>2427685
>>Yeah, let's go check it out. Someone's probably hurt.
Hey could be a steam burn, would help to know where all the breakages are

>>2427685
>You go check it out. I'm gonna try to find the source of this damage

>>2427685
>Yeah, let's go check it out. Someone's probably hurt.
OH GOD ITS SPACE DIRE RATS!

>>2427685
>Probably nothing. Don't drift off, we need to see if we can find the source of this damage.

>>2427685
>Stay close. That plus this cut- cuz this wasn't a break- tells me something's off here.

>>2427686
>>2427694
>Probably nothing. Don't drift off, we need to see if we can find the source of this damage.

>>2427687
>>2427689
>Yeah, let's go check it out. Someone's probably hurt.

I think this >>2427701 is close enough to consider as a vote for the former.

Calling for
>Don't drift off, we need to see if we can find the source of this damage.

Writing now.

>>2427714
RIP secondary objective of rescuing all the random mechanics.

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>Don't drift off, we need to see if we can find the source of this damage.

"Okay..." Dot mutters, sticking close to you as you examine the tearing in the pipe. No doubt about it, this isn't some simple malfunction. This was something done by force. But there don't seem to be any animals on this ship... and there's no way a simple rat or something could have done this...

"Somethings not right..." You mutter. "Dot, we need to-"

Your sentence is interrupted as you feel something rush by... like a gust of wind. Obviously impossible, there would be no wind in here... but that's what it felt like. Immediately afterwards, a pipe to your left bursts open as steam begins to eject from it as well.

"What the..." Dot mutters. "Matt, I feel like I'm in a sauna."

Even the light from above the grate doesn't do much to help your vision when clouded with steam. You need to-

"Matt, look out!"

Dot throws up a forcefield, just as you begin to feel the gust of wind again, bouncing back before you is a face you've seen before, belonging to a small, twitchy man... with long claws stretching from his fingers.

"Wait a minute, he's one of that soda gang..." you mutter. "Krista mentioned his name. Sprite, right? Lemmy Sprite... so, you're behind this?"

"Kekekeke..." he chuckles. "RIP AND TEAR! RIP AND TEAR!"

He must have stowed away on your ship at some point. Needed to separate you from the full crew, so he forced you to make a landing here and then lured you down into this pipeline. He had to have been very sneaky... and you're not surprised. Looking at him, it's no secret what the power of his biochip is...

Name: Lemmy Sprite
Biochip Class: RABID WOLVERINE

Sprite's Biochip grants him incredible speed and reflexes, coupled with large, claw-like fingernails.

POWER: B
SPEED: A
DURABILITY: D
PRECISION: C
RANGE: E
POTENTIAL: E

"Kekeke..." Sprite mutters before zipping off. That gust of air, it was the force of his movement. He's so fast it's difficult to see him, especially in a cramped dark enshrouded area like this.

"Crap..." you mutter as he zips off. "He's got every advantage here. Our one saving grace is that they want me alive... and he's a total loon. He could be trying to play with us... which gives us a chance to fight back."

"I don't like this..." Dot mutters. "Did you see the look on his face? Scary... okay, what do we do?"

>We need to stop him from causing any more damage to the ship. We need to chase him down.
>We have to look for the other engineers. We need to make sure they're safe.
>We need to find a way above ground. Only a few of these grates budge or have a ladder to the upper level, we need to find them.

>>2427763
>We have to look for the other engineers. We need to make sure they're safe.
>We need to find a way above ground. Only a few of these grates budge or have a ladder to the upper level, we need to find them.
Rescue civillians, get em above ground

>>2427763
>We have to look for the other engineers. We need to make sure they're safe.
>We need to find a way above ground. Only a few of these grates budge or have a ladder to the upper level, we need to find them.

>>2427763
>We need to find a way above ground. Only a few of these grates budge or have a ladder to the upper level, we need to find them.

>>2427763
>>We have to look for the other engineers. We need to make sure they're safe.
>>We need to find a way above ground. Only a few of these grates budge or have a ladder to the upper level, we need to find them.
Big Hero Big Runaway

Calling for
>We need to find a way above ground. Only a few of these grates budge or have a ladder to the upper level, we need to find them.

Writing now.

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>We need to find a way above ground. Only a few of these grates budge or have a ladder to the upper level, we need to find them.

Dot nods. "Right, we can't fight someone like that in this place. We need to get out in the open."

Damn... for a twitchy whacko that Sprite guy sure knows how to set a trap. You stay close to Dot as the two of you move throughout the corridors.

"There's a ladder here!" Dot points out. "Looks like that grate opens up, too!"

You nod as you move towards the ladder... only to feel the force of movement as the ladder is torn apart. Crap. "He's onto us trying to escape," you point out. "Dammit... I can't reach the grate from here..."

Dot pauses. "I can give you a boost. Then you can find the others. I'll use my forcefield to protect myself down here."

You shake your head. "Dot, I can't let you-"

"Just do it!" Dot exclaims, as she holds out her hand to give you a boost. You want to argue more, but you know she won't give in, and debating will only waste more time. You place your foot in her hands as she begins to boost you up... before you feel your leg being slashed at by the speedy Sprite, causing you to fall back in the corridor. "Matt!" Dot calls out in fear, as she immediately begins to heal your leg.

"Don't!" you exclaim. "Focus on shields!"

Dot throws up her forcefield once again, stopping Sprite in his tracks yet again. Because of the little space to move in the corridors, Dot's forcefield actually blocks of the entire pathway for the crazed bounty hunter. This is good for you, as it's probably the only thing that slows the vicious imp-sized man down.

"Block my way... you're insulting me! Don't insult me! I'll rip out your guts!" Sprite screams. "I'll rip out your eyes and put them in a jar! I'll rip and tear!"

Sprite tears up the pipes around him, causing steam to fire out, blocking your sight of the corridor ahead. You can block his path, but he can throw up obstacles of his own for the two of you. "Matt, this is bad... how's your leg?"

"I'll be fine, just focus on shields," you insist.

"Okay... but what's the plan?"

>Let's just focus on moving around for now. Getting a proper feel for this maze is our best chance at catching him.
>We could try to set a trap for him. If I just re-position these pipes...
>My vines might be able to pull the grate down. It's our best chance at getting help.

>>2427838
>>We could try to set a trap for him. If I just re-position these pipes...
HIGH SPEED TRIP WIRE

>>2427838
>We could try to set a trap for him. If I just re-position these pipes...
>My vines might be able to pull the grate down. It's our best chance at getting help.
Got to trap him to buy some time, and then get our friends, or at least the authorities!

>>2427838
>We could try to set a trap for him. If I just re-position these pipes...

>>2427838
>We could try to set a trap for him. If I just re-position these pipes...

>>2427838
>We could try to set a trap for him. If I just re-position these pipes...

>>2427838
>>We could try to set a trap for him. If I just re-position these pipes...

Calling for
>We could try to set a trap for him. If I just re-position these pipes...

Roll 1d20, Best of 3.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>2427879

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>2427879

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>2427879

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>2427879
Here comes the trap!

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>24278381
Here's hoping.

>>2427883
>>2427885
>>2427886
Guess he trapped us...

>>2427887
by four seconds...

>>2427883
>>2427885
>>2427886
>>2427887
aaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

>>2427883
>>2427885
>>2427886
yikes

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>3 (DEFINITE FAILURE)

You turn your attention to the pipes, and begin to fiddle with the screws holding them together. "Dot, just stay focused on your shields. I have an idea..."

You loosen the pipes, and sprout a length of vine from your hand. It wraps around the pipe like a lasso as you ready yourself. Dot's blocking off his path to the right, so there's only one way he can come at you. When he does, you pull on the vine and blast him with a face full of hot steam. He's fast, but he's not resistant to heat and pressure. It'll be sure to stop him in his tracks.

You hear the rapid clanging of metal, recognising it as his footsteps. You ready the vine, and when you begin to feel that gust of movement, you pull on the vine and... nothing? What the?

You look to your side... and the vine has already been cut between you and the pipe, preventing you from pulling on it. No... he saw your plan coming? How could he move so quick? Your eyes were ready for him to zoom around the corner... did you not time it right?

No... you realise what cost you. There was something odd about his footsteps, and you realise that now. With his speed and his claws, he was able run along the ceiling of the corridors, along the grates above. No wonder you missed him.

You're so caught up in how he broke through your trap that you don't even notice your hand bleeding. It's only when the pain becomes to much that you have to let out a scream do you notice how badly he slashed it up. "AGGH!"

"Matt!" Dot yells, looking behind. "Are you okay?"

"F-fine..." you mutter. She can't heal you... if she lets down her guard to heal you... Sprite will strike. And now you can't really control a mangled hand. This is bad...

>I've got a new plan... I could use my vines to detect his movement...
>Dot, I'm going to lure him away. It's me he's after, and he'll take me alive. You run for help.

>>2427943
>I've got a new plan... I could use my vines to detect his movement...

>>2427943
>Dot, I'm going to lure him away. It's me he's after, and he'll take me alive. You run for help.

>2427943
>>I've got a new plan... I could use my vines to detect his movement...

>>2427943
>Dot, I'm going to lure him away. It's me he's after, and he'll take me alive. You run for help.

>>2427943
>I've got a new plan... I could use my vines to detect his movement...

>>2427943
>Dot, I'm going to lure him away. It's me he's after, and he'll take me alive. You run for help.

>>2427943
>>Dot, I'm going to lure him away. It's me he's after, and he'll take me alive. You run for help.
If we can get Krista here she could like
Fill the floor with pain

Calling for
>Dot, I'm going to lure him away. It's me he's after, and he'll take me alive. You run for help.

Roll 1d20, BO2

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>2427993

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>2427993

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>2427993

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>2427993

>>2427998
thank fuck

>>2427996
>>2427998
Better. And I didn't let us down this time!

File: Sprite02.jpg (254 KB, 635x600)

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>15 (MODERATE SUCCESS)

"Matt, I can't just leave you behind!" Dot protests.

"Good! Because you're not," you explain. "You're helping both of us. Go on Dot, I'll be fine."

Dot grimaces and hesitates, before ultimately nodding. "Be careful."

You and Dot split off in different directions as you call out to Sprite. "Come and face me, you imp!"

You may not have needed to taunt him, he doesn't seem smart enough to realise that you're luring him away. But it's good to be safe. You run through the corridors at a desperate pace, clutching your bleeding hand. As you run you're caught by a slash to the leg from Sprite, who chuckles maniacally. "KEKEKE!"

You fall to your knees, as Sprite zips behind you, manic as ever. He's enjoying this, treating it like a hunt. A part of you worries... this guy might be so unstable that he'll say screw it to taking you alive, and just gut you here. Either way, as you crawl along the floor, he slows his pace, stalking behind you, like he was the villain in a horror holotape. He encroaches upon you, his cackle getting closer and closer, until...

Snap.

Heh, got him. Sprite lets out a scream of pain as his leg is caught in the fly trap plant you set behind you as you lured him away. You figured the sadistic type like him would get cocky. Now you can stop feigning the extent of your leg injury. You run off down another corridor, with a slight limp. You know that thing won't keep him in place for long, but it does slow him down, and saves enough time for Dot to get away. This means you don't have to defeat this guy on your own... you just need to withstand him long enough. You find yourself in an even tighter corridor than the others, as you hear Sprite break free from the flytrap. Okay... time to think...

>Tear up the pipes to fill the corridor completely with steam. Your vision will be blurred, but so will his.
>Spread out your vines along the ground in order to sense his coming movements.

>>2428051
>Tear up the pipes to fill the corridor completely with steam. Your vision will be blurred, but so will his.

>>2428051
>>Tear up the pipes to fill the corridor completely with steam. Your vision will be blurred, but so will his.
WE CAN READ THE AIR CURRENTS BY THE WAY THE STEAM MOVES

>>2428051
>Spread out your vines along the ground in order to sense his coming movements.

>>2428051
>Tear up the pipes to fill the corridor completely with steam. Your vision will be blurred, but so will his.

>>2428051
>>Tear up the pipes to fill the corridor completely with steam. Your vision will be blurred, but so will his.

>>2428051
>Tear up the pipes to fill the corridor completely with steam. Your vision will be blurred, but so will his.

Calling for
>Tear up the pipes to fill the corridor completely with steam. Your vision will be blurred, but so will his.

Roll 1d20, best of 2.

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>2428073

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>2428073
C;mon baby!

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>2428073

>>2428075
>>2428078
Uggghhhh
coulda been worse but still bad

File: Matt Millar07.png (331 KB, 460x563)

331 KB PNG

>9 (MODERATE FAILURE)

You send out your vines and begin to pull at the pipes, trying to dislodge them and fill the corridor with steam. You pull and pull... but to seemingly no avail. You don't have the strength for it at the moment. Damn... you're in serious trouble if you can't do anything...

Sprite launches into the corridor and slashes across your shoulder. You cry out in pain as you fall back, pulling out your blaster and attempting to fire at him. You should have figured he was too fast to hit, it's why you never tried it before. Still, while your blaster fire doesn't hit the bounty hunter, it manages to pierce one of the pipes, letting out a jet of steam that gets in Sprite's eyes. It's enough to make him fall back for the moment while he readjusts his eyes, allowing you to recover and saving you from disaster. Your plan didn't work, but the outcome could have been a lot worse. You got lucky... but fighting this guy is getting harder by the second.

You take a deep breath, and consider your options. Speed has always been your biochips strength, but your speed is completely outmatched by his. You have to keep playing this smart.

>Set a trap with poison ivy.
>Bring the grate above down on his head when he approaches.

>>2428103
>Bring the grate above down on his head when he approaches.
He's not looking up

>>2428103
>Bring the grate above down on his head when he approaches

>>2428103
>>Bring the grate above down on his head when he approaches.

>>2428103
>>Bring the grate above down on his head when he approaches.
NO ONE LOOKS UP

>>2428103
>Bring the grate above down on his head when he approaches.

>>2428103
>Bring the grate above down on his head when he approaches.

Calling for
>Bring the grate above down on his head when he approaches

Roll 1d20, BO2.

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>2428125

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>2428125

>>2428129
>>2428132
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg7NXRJwYXs

File: Matt Millar08.png (173 KB, 550x924)

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>16 (DEFINITE SUCCESS)

One thing you noticed about Sprite during this battle... he feels at home down here. No doubt, this is the environment the twitchy and erratic bounty hunter finds most comfortable. He's in zone, his element, and it's allowed him to prove such a threat to you so far. But it also means that he's so entrenched in these underground corridors, that he's neglected the floor above. He doesn't acknowledge it. This whole time, he's never once taken his eyes off of you. He's never looked up.

Good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofVwGpugOs0

"Heh, what a bother..." you mutter, as vines begin to sprout from your hand, sneakily crawling up behind the pipes and wrapping around the bars of the grate above. He won't be able to see it.

"YOU THINK YOU COULD BLIND ME?!" Sprite screams as he regains his eyesight. "AN INSULT! AN INSULT! I'LL RIP AND TEAR!"

Sprite charges towards you as you're still lying back on the floor. "THINK YOU CAN BLIND ME?!"

"Nope," you smirk. "You're already blind."

You pull on the grate as it comes unhinged, falling below and landing on Sprite's head, pinning him down.

"GAH! WHY YOU-" he calls out as he readies his claws, but you cut him off as you stand up, stomping on the back of his hands, as his long fingernails pierce and embed themselves into the ground. "AGH! STUCK! THEY'RE STUCK!"

"That's right," you explains as your vines begin to constrict around his hands. "And if you try to move them, you'll just end up breaking your own fingers. So don't bother."

"AAAAGH!" Sprite cries out in frustration. You simply tap your forehead.

"Pretty smart mechanic, aren't I?" You smirk. "No matter who you send my way, I'll take them on."

The others arrive, also accompanied by the ship's authorities after all the noise and the engineers who escape called for them. Seems Sprite took out a couple while he was taking you down... makes you glad that this manic killer is going to rot in a Camelot jail cell.

Arriving above ground, you're mobbed by a hug from Krista.

"Oh, my Matt-Matt is hurt!" She cries in an overdramatic fashion. "Whatever will we do? Oh, this is awful! Tragic! My heart is broken into a million-"

"Dot can heal my wounds," you explain. "I think we forgot to tell you that."

"Oh?" Krista comments. "That's amazing!"

"My wounds weren't that serious to begin with..." you point out, but it's no use. Krista is either incredibly sensitive or just has a flair for the dramatic.

Crooks crosses his arms. "Another bounty hunter down... glad you're safe, son. But we've got another teensy problem," he explains, pointing towards Percival. "A camelot general now knows you have a biochip. Something tells me he's gonna detain and question us on this ship."

That's potentially really bad news. Then again, Percival seems the simple-minded type. He might not be as big an obstacle as he seems.

>We don't have to tell him everything, it's that simple.
>I'm sure he'll let us go if Dot flirts a little...

>>2428192
>I'm sure he'll let us go if Dot flirts a little...

>>2428192
>I'm sure he'll let us go if Dot flirts a little...

>>2428192
>We don't have to tell him everything, it's that simple.
>Besides
>I'm sure he'll let us go if Dot flirts a little...

Metis' face when she learns about this.

>>2428192
>I'm sure he'll let us go if Dot flirts a little...

>>2428209
Who?

>>2428215
Check the archives of the last thread. Booker adds bonus scenes.

Calling for
>I'm sure he'll let us go if Dot flirts a little...

Writing now.

File: Dot13.jpg (70 KB, 600x690)

70 KB JPG

>I'm sure he'll let us go if Dot flirts a little...

You turn your head towards Dot and smirk, as her face starts to go red. "You're kidding, right?" she asks. "Please tell me you're kidding."

"What? You think it wouldn't work?" you tease.

Dot pouts. "No, that's not it at all-"

"Of course it could work!" Krista interrupts. "Look at you, Dot! Cute button nose, beautiful hair, winning smile, a serene aura, clothing that accentuates thighs and cleavage! Always a winner, yep yep!"

Dot sighs. "Thanks, Krista... didn't need to go into detail though. Fine..."

Dot takes a deep breath and saunters up to Percival. She gives a wink and gently places her hand on his shoulder. "Oh, you are amazing. Simply amazing," Dot gushes. "I was so worried about my friends life, but you came swooping in! I can't thank you enough, ser Percival!"

"You really think I did a good job?" he tilts his head.

"Of course!" Dot places her hand to her chest. "A tough strapping general like you... how are you not guarding the Queen personally?"

Percival smirks. "Well, they really do undervalue my talents. But I'm glad some people admire my talents."

"Oh, and I'm sure you have... many more talents than that," Dot smiles. "And I'd love to see them some day."

Percival blushes and lets out a low chuckle. "W-well, maybe you will... you go on back to your ship now, okay? The streets aren't safe."

"I beg to differ, with a man like you patrolling them..." Dot jokes as she walks away, blowing a kiss to the general as the four of you walk towards the Maribelle. As she turns around she lets out an embarrassed sigh. "I feel dirty..."

"I can't believe he bought those cliched lines..." Crooks mutters.

"Wow!" Krista gasps in amazement. "Were you a holotape actress? Or an idol? That was so sultry! Can it be taught? Can I be taught? Can you teach me? Please!"

"You're far too jittery to be sultry," you point out as the four of you board the ship.

File: Dot14.png (188 KB, 700x800)

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"So... that's another of the soda gang down. Only two left, right?"

"Yep yep!" Krista nods enthusiastically. "Phanta and Prosecco! But... I'm sorry Matt-Matt, I don't know their abilities. They never told me anything like that."

"It's okay," you sigh. "We'll find out when we face them. Because something tells me we can't just run away..."

You get settled in within Maribelle, as you begin to tinker with the new generator in the engine room. Dot stands in the doorway, staring at you. "Matt... you were willing to sacrifice yourself to save me."

"Don't mention it..." you mutter. "Seriously, don't mention it. It wasn't a noble sacrifice. It was the most practical option for both of us-"

"I know you like to think logically," Dot points out. "But that doesn't mean that what you did wasn't brave and heroic. Thank you. And... in return, I'm going to tell you a little something about myself. But you can't ask any more questions. I'm going to whisper the information in your ear, I'm going to leave, and you can't ask me about it, agreed?"

"That's ridiculous," you point out. "But sure."

Dot smiles and nods. She leans forward, her face towards your ear and whispers.

"I used to be married. Still am, technically."

... What?! Dammit, why did you agree not to ask questions?! As Dot smiles and leaves the engine room, you bring your fist down on your thigh in frustration. That... that just raises so many more questions! Dammit Dot, she's more of an enigma than ever... still, you shouldn't worry about that right now. You have a bounty on your head. The soda gang are still after you, and after today... you're gonna take the fight right to them.

END OF CHAPTER 4

>>2428281
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=676A6VymGCk

File: Dot02.jpg (158 KB, 850x1190)

158 KB JPG

>Ending Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRcPA7Fzebw

>Archive
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Kingdoms%20in%20the%20Stars

>Twitter
https://twitter.com/bookerman32

>Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/BookerMan

Thanks for playing! Next thread will be coming early next week! Follow the Twitter for any updates!

>Player Question
And so we learn a tiny detail of Dot's past. What are your theories on her story?

>>2428289
Great thread, Book. Definitely was a lot more tense than I was expecting.

I'm going to go with the arranged political marriage thing. Maybe she is married to someone in Camelot, Shinto, Athens.

Does not really explain the bio chip thing yet though.

>>2428289
Thanks for running
As for...
>PQ
...Considering her age she was either sold at some point as a child bride or it was some kind of deal.

Unless there are different laws about marriage.

>>2428289
Thanks for Running Booker

>PQ
Dot is actually one of Don Dong's many many wives

>>2428419
Support this theory, perhaps she is the one who is gonna betray us down the road.

File: Galahad01.jpg (94 KB, 625x750)

94 KB JPG

>Side Story: Camelot

"A plant-based biochip?"

Galahad nods as his friend Gawain leans against the wall. "That's what Percival said," Galahad smiles. "Pretty interesting, don't you think?"

Gawain scoffs. "Percival is incompetent. How he became a general is beyond me. He simply lets the user of such an odd ability go?"

"I think you're missing the point a little..." Galahad comments.

Gawain shakes his head. "I think not. Why should I care about a ridiculous ability moreso than a suspicious individual arriving on one of our ships and leaving just as fast? Once the Queen discovers this, Percival will be drawn and quartered."

Galahad chuckles. "Queen Julia wouldn't do that! She's not some barbaric tyrant!"

"Perhaps not," Gawain states. "But that doesn't change the fact that failure should not be tolerated. This is Camelot. We mustn't allow ourselves to become soft and forgiving. This universe is for the strong. I wouldn't expect you to understand, Galahad."

Galahad pats his fellow general on the shoulder with a smile. "Oh Gawain, you've always been a real downer. Ever since we were kids, you were all sour-faced and-"

"Don't touch me!" Gawain slaps the young general's hand away. "Do not presume that you know me or that I consider you a friend simply because we were raised together. I only respect those you can match the standards of excellence required of a Camelot general. The rigid training, the unbreakable discipline, the fierce loyalty to the crown. Only Lady Janna Von Beck is in my range. You are but a speck on the horizon."

"Sorry..." Galahad mutters. "I didn't mean to upset you."

"I'm not upset," Gawain explains. "I am merely presenting the reality, as you so often fail to grasp it."

File: Gawain01.jpg (66 KB, 564x846)

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Galahad smiles. "Well, if you wish to bring this to Lady Janna and the Queen..."

Gawain glares at his childhood friend. "What? Do you not know how to address an audience with the Queen yourself? You're a general. You have that right."

"I know," Galahad explains. "But I'm sure Queen Julia would appreciate the information... and I thought you'd like to earn some credit with her after what happened on your mission last week..."

"I didn't fail!" Gawain exclaims. "Athens led us into a trap, there was no way to recover. I hold no responsibility for the attempts to capture that ship."

"I-I didn't mean to imply that you failed!" Galahad mumbles, waving his arms in front of his face nervously. "I just thought..."

Gawain huffs. "Bring it to her yourself. I refuse to receive credit for the works and discoveries of others. I will succeed and rise to the top based on my own merits."

"I see... sorry..." Galahad sighs.

Gawain huffs. "Stop apologising for your actions. The sooner you do that, the sooner you'll become a respectable general. Right now you're just a soft, blithering fool."

Gawain storms off, as Galahad stays behind in the corridor. He remembers back to when the pair were children. From the beginning, Galahad looked up to his friend. His strength, his convictions, his ambition... Gawain was born to be a true leader. Galahad simply wanted to follow in his footsteps, to become even a fraction as noble and proud. He struggles to reach those heights every day. While they are both high-ranking generals... Galahad supposes he just doesn't have the heart to be as stern as Gawain, to make the tough decisions that comes of a man in his friend's position. In that ambush, Galahad would have fled, attempting to spare the lives of as many men and women as possible. Gawain... he stayed true to his ideals and ambitions, continued the assault. They've grown into vastly different men. Galahad wonders who's way of leading is truly right for Camelot and its people... but regardless, nothing could remove the respect he has for his best friend.

"A plant-based biochip..." Galahad ponders. "Well... I think it's interesting."

END OF SCENE

>>2442632
Neat! Gawain seems a bit of a shit.