>>2469358
>> Read it here and now, you can tell the others about it later
we can't really brief them if we haven't even begun to read the papers. Bring in them in will only make the room noisy and we would be hearing their complaints.

>>2469358
> Read it here and now, you can tell the others about it later
> "Do you have any personal experience with these families, Archmage?"

>>2469358
>Read it here and now, you can tell the others about it later
We'll let the others read through the dossiers when we have a proper briefing.
As team leader, it's important that we look well-informed before the others.

>>2469358
>> Read it here and now, you can tell the others about it later

>>2469373

Archmage is already gone.

>>2469368
>>2469373
>>2469374
>>2469405

Here and now it is.

Writin'

>>2469358
>It would fit, but the connection won't work between the material plane and the pocket dimension.
maybe we can work around this?

>>2469358
>Read it here and now, you can tell the others about it later

>>2469424
maybe you could use a cable instead of a wireless connection. because information goes in and out without problem (we managed to have a conversation with prima while she was inside the bag)

Finnaly a new thread!

Character Sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lvqwQrtQ_YFvsVdcKJbSEAgpyZi9QrfJfnh_UDzvPKw/edit?usp=sharing

Previous Threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=StorytellerQM

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Storyteller_QM
Discord: https://discord.gg/WA5wRv3

>>2469358

Well, you are the leader here; it’s kind of your job to process all the intel first then distribute that information down to your subordinates after you’ve got the full picture.

So, kicking the door closed again, you set down the papers at the small wooden desk within your cabin and begin reading through the papers.

Bonanno: Paramilitary Security Group
> Primarily a mercenary group, ranging from entirely legitimate contracts and positions as guards, instructors, and advisors to any kind of assassination, espionage, subterfuge, and sabotage they can find.
> Members mainly outfitted with martial and clockwork weaponry, operating in squads.
> Minimal level of mages, specialists to fill the gaps in their assigned teams
> No truly stand-out members, aside from their social and political faces

Colombo: Magical and Alchemical Research and Development Corporation
> Primarily a mage and alchemist based corporation, taking the lion’s share of the Burn Contracts in the North Western region.
> Members are mages of every school, though their Combat and Destruction Mages are of particular note
> Team will likely be entirely composed of experienced mages
> Additionally, you can expect one of their Dogs to be heading the group (High-Level Mage)

Lucchese: Steel and Magitech Industries
> Primarily a construction and steelwork industrial company, focusing on large scale production of military hardware for their own usage.
> Members outside of their factories are loyal and hardened soldiers and mercenaries that they’ve included into their fold over the years.
> Team will likely be outfitted with heavy assault armor and gear, even their mages
> Several of their Elites have dropped off our own informants’ radar, so expect them to arrive en force

[1/2]

>>2469496

[2/2]

Placing the papers down onto the desk, you just lean back and process things. Well, Archmage certainly followed through with his promise, even if the information isn’t as precise as you’d like. They’ve all got their niche, it seems- unsurprising. But it does mean that you’ll have to be just that much more creative in regards to how to go about defense…

Now, the question is how exactly you’re going to handle these threats; and that means you’re going to need to start considering possibilities...

> Anything else?
> You need to mull on this… (timeskip to near arrival)

>>2469499
lets brief everyone on the most likely groups. Ask gladiator and dutch on their experience with those groups; tactics and whatnot.
We are gonna have the home advantage, so lets use that to our benefit. Izumi gets on sniper/scout duty meanwhile owlia and cylica prepare the last line defenses and see if they can help the natives with the airship(if not, they come with us to help). Miranda and company should be the main defense line... If that fails, we should use the NEBULA BUSTER.
Sounds easy.

>>2469499
We need to learn what the land around the hangar is like.

Then we need to know if creating a deadzone around the site is possible. With the mana reactors and mana condensers, Miranda should be able to fire off enough Nebula Busters to do a good impression of the Belkan Gray Men.

>>2469543
>Belkan Gray Men.
the who?

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>>2469552

> pic related

>>2469499
I think we need to scout the area for likely landing zones and set up mine fields in their ingress paths. Alternate between Light Traps and Moleworm mines. From there, we have a vanguard team set up a defensive point in front of the ruin entrance, and an exploration team making sure that nothing comes up from the ruin at our backs. Once the position is stable enough, we can regroup and figure out our next move.

Hm. So it seems like generally we're skipping to later?

>>2469499
> You need to mull on this… (timeskip to near arrival)

>>2469572
Does Archmage have a map of the area around the site?
Can John provide an idea of the sophistication level of the Lucchese weapons, with Izumi providing samples of her guns for comparison?
Can Archmage demonstrate for us the firepower level of the spells that the Colombo mages will bring to bear, and the adaptability of this world's magic compared to Miranda and Izumi?

Stuff I'd like to know before we're about to land.

>>2469572
we should brief the team with the information we gathered.

>>2469535
>>2469543
>>2469571
>>2469579
>>2469583

Looks like the general consensus is to talk to the girls about the dossiers, talk to the guys about any previous experience with the groups, and then John to see if he knows anything about the tech they might be utilizing.

Writin' from the top

>>2469609
Despite what you’ve learned, the smart thing to start off with is to gather your team and brief them on it. Later, you can ask Gladiator and John if they know anything about the groups and what kind of technology they’ll be bringing to bear.

Gathering the papers together, you exit your cabin and start walking down the hall. Thanks to your sharp hearing, you easily pick up the sound of groaning coming from within Mono’s room. She’s been having roughest time on this trip, a bit surprising considering her disposition towards traveling, but this is important enough to drag her out of bed.

Knocking your knuckles against her wooden door, you wait a few seconds while the gal stumbles over, opening the door and looking at you with a pale face that screams of the effects of motion sickness, “Bah, ‘Randa, ‘sup…?”

“ESSIE.” you strain under your breath, trying to not look too angry. “Lemme in.”

“R-right, right, sorry…” you’re just glad no one was around. “I’m just...ugh. I’m not used to boat stuff. This sucks…” you can tell. In fact, you can smell it. Egh. “Whadd-oof. Whaddya need, boss?”

“Just need you to bear with me for a bit. I've read over the dossier on what we should be expecting, opposition-wise. So, I want the entire team together for this.” You give her another once-over; she’s clearly unwell, but she at least doesn’t seem to be throwing up at the moment. “Think you can walk?”

In response, she takes a deep breath, and shakes her head to try and clear the cobwebs. When she looks at you, it's with one of conviction. “Yeah, yeah, sure thing. Lead the way.”

You’re quick to retrieve the techs- Owlia’s just coming back from a tiny snack, and Cylica was fetched on the way. Izumi was meditating on the bow of the boat. Ideally, this won't take too long, as you ferry them into your room...

cont.

>>2469736
“...So that’s what we're pretty much looking at,” you end. The lot of them were appreciably silent as you went through the info. “Any questions, comments?”

“We’re going to have to make sure we're on constant watch,” Izumi chimes in. “I don’t like the idea of the Botannos. I’d recommend having at least two individuals constantly on watch. And preferably in the site of a third party.”

“Agreed. Those Columbos sound rather nasty as well,” Cylica chimes in. “If we had Operation X4, I’d have little fear, but perhaps we can work around those destruction mages…”

“They all sound scary,” Owlia admits, her face serious for once. “The Lucchese are gonna be a hassle, too- depends on how we approach ‘em.”

“In short,” you conclude, “We’ve all got an idea on how they operate. now we just need until on the operation site itself. that's going to determine how we want to try and build up our defensive net.”

“Well, if nothing else, I know now I should be spending the rest of my time in meditation,” Cylica grouses. “I’ll need the focus for such a brawl upcoming.” She gives a slight apologetic smile to Owlia. “Sorry, dear.”

“Nah, nah, not a problem. I need to think up strategies. I wonder if I might be able to field-scavenge anything…” Owlia murmurs.

“I should probably go through a few exercises myself, then,” Mono mutters. “Basic stuff at the least. Not gonna wanna miss a note ‘ere, huh?”

“Nope,” you answer plainly. “Everyone’s going to need to be at the top of their game.”

“Is there any past experience we can go off of in terms of strategy?” Izumi asks. “Prior encounters and the sort? Information on their MOs and available tech would be useful…”

“I’ll ask,” you offer. “I’ll have an answer for you all by the time we make landfall, probably sooner.”

>aaaaand we'll continue tomorrow since, well. We both needed to get to bed. Night!

>>2469742
Thanks for the run handler

If we arrive with sufficient head start, maybe we’ll be able to get the ruins’ own security measures on our side. Also maybe that will be the case for bypassing traps rather than disarming them.

Also the deal was primarily to secure the boat, right? Maybe we’ll be able to fix it up and lift off!

What would our secondary and tertiary objectives be?

>>2470052
For SES? Looting. We need to pay dues when we get back so the more motes the better.

>>2470052
Loot fucking everything and turn in all artifacts that we don't specifically want for our shit for more motes and shit.
Riders right now is try not to get our group killed and don't set off the fucking blight, cause thats really really god damn bad.

I believe that I found Mono's ultimate attack

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gXzMD065HEk

>>2470026

I'm worried about the Bonanno infiltrating ahead of time.

The Colombo sound like a good target to alpha strike at the high-level mage leading them. Miranda and Izumi could hit them hard and then fall back. Or Izumi could scout them out early and Miranda could nebula buster them. Best to use that outside the ruins as much as possible.

It would be nice if we could get Mono to warp the other two groups into each others path as well. Not like they're working together.

Owlia can help John with either reactivating any defenses left there, or setting traps like a madwoman.

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>magical girls in artificer quest now

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>>2470644
>magic girls in artificer quest who dont want to kill us yet

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Handler and I are back now.

Writin'

>>2470644

I know it's a bit jarring to have this crossover come out of no where, but just think of these as a special event. Once it's over, AQ will be back to it's version of normal, so if you're really not a fan you don't have to worry about my quest drastically being effected by this.

>>2470657

> Yet

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>>2469742

“For now, get your gear in order and yourselves prepared,” Turning to Mono, you nod to her in concession. “Like I said, we’ll talk more at some point today, but I want everyone to be at 100% the second we’re off this ship. We’re going to be the most vulnerable at that point, and for the amount of money we’re being paid, getting ambushed by a bunch of city scrubs is not how this mission should be starting. Dismissed.”

All four members of your team acknowledge your words with a nod, aside from Mono who’s still looking a bit shaky, and filter out of your cabin. You give yourself a moment to think before you decide to leave.

Of the ‘natives’ along with you for this trip, Gladiator and John stand out as individuals that may have previous experience with these groups. The question of which one to talk to first is answered for you when the swordsman nearly runs into you.

“Good timing; got a few minutes to talk?” Taking a step back to create some space, you look over the man, “Just got information on our enemies from Archmage, and I wanted to go over it with you”.

He simply nods, “Sure, just gimme a sec”.

After a quick minute, you’re allowed into the guy’s barebones room.

Gladiator himself is sitting down on his room’s wooden chair, “Alright, what’s the deal?”

Your response?
> Ask about the Bonanno; he’ll probably know something about them
> Ask about his previous experience and skill set
> Ask if he knows anything about the area of operations
> Other

>>2471066
>Ask about the Bonanno; he’ll probably know something about them
> Ask if he knows anything about the area of operations

>>2471066
Are you single?

>>2471066
>> Ask if he knows anything about the area of operations

>>2471066
> Ask about the Bonanno; he’ll probably know something about them

> Ask if he knows anything about the area of operations

>>2471066
> Ask about the Bonanno; he’ll probably know something about them
> Ask if he knows anything about the area of operations

>>2471066
>Ask about the Bonanno; he’ll probably know something about them

>>2471066
>> Ask about the Bonanno; he’ll probably know something about them
>> Ask about his previous experience and skill set

Rolled 83, 17, 82 = 182 (3d100)

>>2471077
>>2471082
>>2471085
>>2471086
>>2471094

Ask about the Bonanno then about the area of operations.

Writin'

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>>2471111
I'm sure those rolls mean nothing, right?

>>2470657
>>2471040
>Next crossover John has to evade them at all costs.

>>2471128
Maybe Bonanno and Lucchese are near or already at the site. Colombo is too slow.
Better get ready to blast these fucks.

>>2471128
>inb4 pirates

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>>2471149
Shit fucked up the picture

>>2471136
>>2471149
time to go full vietnam on their asses then.
>Fortunate son begins to play in the background.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV4Q-RSQCq0

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>>2471066

“The Bonanno sound like they’d be a group that you’d know something about,” Walking into the room, you lean against a nearby wall, “Anything that you’d be able to add?”

Gladiator doesn’t respond at first, just looking straight ahead in clear thought. Eventually, though, he seems to think of something, “I’ve… dealt with the Bonanno in the past. They’re a bit hard of a bunch to nail down, with their members spread out pretty far and wide, but they’re also not particularly standouts in any field. Any one of us could easily take any one of them, though it’s likely due to this that they won’t be fighting fair; don’t expect them to strike from the front”.

“Roughly what you wrote, right,” Sighing to yourself slightly, you think of what else to ask, “Any idea on the area of operations?”

“The initial scouting team reported that while they weren’t able to investigate the Ruin to any real extent aside from the area containing the Airship, they did confirm that there were no automated defenses at that level. Aside from that, the immediate area outside of the Ruin is mostly composed of rolling hills. No forests, though there is a mountain range further inland”.

So little natural cover or defense topside. So much for forcing chokepoints... “Any old buildings, structures like that?”

He shakes his head, “Above ground? No; what’s left of the Ruin that has been shielded from erosion is entirely underground. Should make defending it easier”.

“But we don't know a lot about that area, do we?” You question. “If not, we’ll have to spend that much more time scouting.”

“And that’s why there’s nine of us on this dive. If we need to, we can divide ourselves into whatever organization that we need to accomplish the mission,” The swordsman shrugs, drawing a straight knife from a chest holster before looking it over idly.

“Then we’re on the same page.” Hopefully, what your gut’s telling you about these Bonanno proves accurate. “We'll keep together until we reach the objective, and then we'll figure out how best to split our numbers. Don't want anyone getting picked off or lost.”

“Fair point, we’re going to be days away from any civilization, so we’re on our own out there,” Stowing the knife away again, Gladiator just looks back up at you, “Anything else you’d like to ask?”

> Ask Gladiator something else (what?)
> Go find John
> Other

>>2471155

That was a great arc, even if it was part of the reason for the eternal boat ride.

>>2471136

Let the Shadowruns begin!

>>2471128

I wonder...

>>2471156

Afix Bayonets men!

>>2471170
>Go find John

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>>2471156

>>2471170
>> Go find John

>>2471170
> Ask Gladiator something else (what?)
ask him how he usually proceeds with dives like this one or if he has attacked a team on a dive.

>>2471170
> Go find John

I really can't thing of anything.

>>2471170
>> Go find John

>>2471218
>>2471204
>>2471202
>>2471193
>>2471182

One for the road and then we're gone.

Writin'

>>2471170

“One last question, two really: how do you normally go about these dives and have you encountered a situation like this one before?”

Gladiator stands up with a bit of a sigh, “I’m not usually the guy that gets sent out on dives when they come up in our direct sphere of influence; the last one was done by Archmage, Dutch, and John. As for the other, well I think I’ve already answered that, but in general stuff like this doesn’t usually happen. Ruins rarely contain the kind of caches of technology to make fighting over one like this worth it. The ones that are are already underneath the thumb of those who found it, or anything of value has been stripped out. Most commonly, from the reports I’ve read, you get a few remains of some long dead civilization that haven’t been fully taken by the elements with some rusting metal trinkets around. Dives like these… We’re lucky to be the first to fully explore these Ruins”.

“Thanks for your time,” Pushing yourself off the wall, you turn to leave.

Now, to find that Artificer…

Since you’re nearby, you start by checking his room which, after knocking and waiting without response, you note that he’s not there. Next choice is the cargo hold, which is where you find him. Did he ever move?

“So, still here, then.” you note. “Just as well. Finished going over the details of who might end up against us. Had a question or two for you.”

“Hmm?” Looking up from where he’s checking over that EXO suit of his, John nods at your question before looking down again, “Sure, Essie, go right ahead”.

> Ask him if he knows anything about the Lucchese, they sound right up his alley
> Ask him if he can be trusted to handle himself in a fight
> Ask him if he’s got any recommendations for team composition if you do split up
> Ask him something else (what?)

>>2471253
>Ask him if he knows anything about the Lucchese, they sound right up his alley

>>2471253
>> Ask him if he’s got any recommendations for team composition if you do split up

>>2471253
>> Ask him if he knows anything about the Lucchese, they sound right up his alley

>>2471253
> Ask him if he can be trusted to handle himself in a fight

Rolled 32, 64, 13 = 109 (3d100)

>>2471255
>>2471269

Ask about the Lucchese it is.

Writin'

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>>2471253

“One of the enemy teams, from the Lucchese mafia, sound like they primarily use advanced tech for their teams. Would you have any previous experience with them?”

John stops his work, standing up full to regard you, “The Lucchese… Mmm, no not much. They’re a rather secretive bunch, especially when it comes to the stuff they field. Occasionally they’d come poking around Airgrid, but if memory serves me right they weren’t all that heavily involved there; they work out of one of the other major Western Cities further out.”

That’s not exactly what you were hoping for… “You sure? I’ve got some information, but I was hoping for a bit more…”

“Like I said, they keep their equipment close to the chest. I would know, since I used to work on second-hand gear, some of it occasionally theirs, for the Genovese. The stuff they sell is either mundane crap or what they’d consider crap; anything really good they keep for themselves,” He shrugs, motioning towards his armor, “My best guess? Assume they’ve got gear at the same level or better than what we’ve got”.

Well. Something, at the very least. “Alright. That’s really about all I wanted to ask. I’ll leave you to it, then. We’ll be making landfall...well, hopefully sooner than later”.

John gives you a slightly lazy wave as he turns back to his work, “Later then”.

Turning about to leave, you pause for a moment at the doorway.

> Ask John about his magic, you haven’t seen anyone else around here that does something similar
> Ask John about how he got into Artificing.
> Ask John something else.
> Use Danger Scent on John, just to see.
> Say nothing, leave (timeskip)

>>2471353
>> Use Danger Scent on John, just to see.
> Ask John about his magic, you haven’t seen anyone else around here that does something similar
> Ask John about how he got into Artificing.

>>2471353
>Ask John about his magic, you haven’t seen anyone else around here that does something similar
>Use Danger Scent on John, just to see.
No need to ask how someone holds up if we can just sniff how stong they are.

>>2471353
>> Ask John about his magic, you haven’t seen anyone else around here that does something similar

>>2471382
>>2471365
>>2471364

Magic, then Danger Scent.

Writin'

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>>2471353

You’re about to leave when the scene of John inscribing a sigil onto the sword he made for Izumi in half a minute plays through your mind, mainly the way in which he did it. From what you’ve seen so far, the magic in this world is pretty tame, so what’s his deal?

Grumbling to yourself at letting your curiosity get to you, you speak up, “John, do you mind if I ask another question?” He motions in a very ‘get on with it’ way without looking up, “Your magic… can’t say I’m familiar with it; where’d you learn it?”

That gets him to pause, clearly thinking of how to answer that question, “...Naturally, I suppose. Never did any kind of proper magical training, I doubt I have the reserves for any kind of structured spell, and I didn’t manifest what I’ve got until recently. There’s two sources I believe have some kind of clout: one being that it is related to my Artificing, and the other being that because I never had any kind of proper training my innate potential was never ‘moulded’ into the structured schools. So, now I’ve got something more instinctual and chaotic than what would be safe, but considering I’ve got next to no mana reserves, I’m happy with having a few tricks that work”.

Huh. “So you’re something of a natural. Interesting to note.” He probably had SOME kind of teaching, you figure, but all things considered...hmmm.

Out of sheer curiosity, you decide he might be worth a little sniff. What ends up meeting your nose is… curious. Incense, the kind used at shrines as part of offerings to the dead, tickles at your nostrils and is the primary thing you pick up on, though underneath you detect the smells of oil and ozone creeping below the surface. It’s a strangely pleasant smell, all things considered, and you don’t feel your stomach churn in the slightest, but if he truly wasn’t a threat he’d be smelling like daisies.

Curious indeed...

And then, a shout from the deck, the gunslinger’s loud voice managing to reach the vast majority of the ship.

“LAAAAAAAND HOOOOOOO!”

Well, then. It’s just about time.

>And we’ll be making landfall Saturday! See you then!

>>2471472
Thanks for the run QM

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>>2471472
>And we’ll be making landfall Saturday! See you then!

>>2471472
Man it's the boat arc all over again.

>the ship sinks

>Last time on rtificer Quest Thread #21 MGFH Crossover: The anime...

>Oh no, they are on the boat!
>Gosh that john guy sure smells weird.
>I wanna see what kind of cool shit they find in the ruin. What if they can bring online the whole airship?

And we're back.

Writin'

>>2475422
>>2475626
>>2476275

Hey now, there's still 1 1/2 hrs left for us to fulfill our promise.

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>>2471472

“Is there a reason that we didn’t just, you know, use the boat to get there?”

The slow progress of your current vessel grates on your nerves to the point where you speak up. After all the things you’ve seen in this world the last thing you expected was to make beach fall via rowboat.

“No reason to risk grounding out the boat, especially at night” Gladiator is the one to reply to you, scanning the incoming shoreline right alongside you, “Plus, with this, we won’t be attracting nearly as much attention”. Hm. Alright, fair enough. Still a bit of a surprise, though.

The area ahead looks rather tame, especially in comparison to the so described wastelands that are supposed to fill the areas between civilizations, starting off with a sloped beachhead, which despite the darkness of the night the only visible issue on which is a smattering of rocks, that works its way up to a grassy outcropping. You can’t see any farther than that, as the crest of the hill is above your ability to see currently, but from the rest of the landscape you can’t imagine it to be much different. “You know how far inland the scene is or nah?”

Archmage is the one who answers you this time, even from the other rowboat, “It’ll be a few hours hike from when we make landfall”.

Cylica just huffs at the pronouncement. You’d hoped for something a big closer as well, but...it makes sense. You’ll do, and so will they, like it or not.

The two rowboats approach close enough to warrant dismounting, yourself the first person off your boat and into the light surf to help pull the wooden craft ashore. On the other side, John and Dutch are pulling their vessel up.

“So, we leavin’ these things out in the open or what?” Mono bluntly asks, motioning towards the two craft.

“Pull ‘em to the side,” The gunslinger responds, already moving to where a large cluster of rocks is, “Don’t wanna have to worry about ‘em for now”.

It’s not long before the boats are stowed away, and the lot of you gather. “Alright, eyes open, ladies. I’ll take point. Yuna, keep rear watch- you’ve got the fastest reflexes of us five. Everyone else, eyes to the skies and the sides.” As the girls get into formation, you find yourself hoping, as always, that the journey will be quick. Usually isn’t, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still hope…

> Roll me three 1d100’s please

Rolled 31 (1d100)

>>2476639

Rolled 61 (1d100)

>>2476639

Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>2476639

>>2471472
I forgot John was a blonde bishi

>>2476676
How do you think he managed to fluster a elf? Only a bishi can do that.

>>2476676
Really? that is john? i thought he was >>2471040
pic's.

>>2476702

Nah, that's the StoryTeller.

>>2476702

>>2471353 is how John looks currently, >>2471472 is what he looked like as a kid.

>>2476663

That's a 61, let's see how you do.

Writin'

>>2476747
The bishiest artificer

That moment you realize the joke about dutch and blondes has a certain implication.

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>>2476639

The next few hours are, thankfully, not quite a slog. Sure, the hike is a long one, but at least you’re walking on solid ground through the empty grasslands. Yourself, along with your team, quietly fan out into your ordered positions, spreading out to allow for some room to move in case of an ambush. A quick peek behind your team shows the mafia team in a similar formation, John in his EXO suit out in front with Dutch and Gladiator on his flanks, and Archmage taking the rear.

With the vague assurance that they can handle themselves, you focus entirely on watching your surroundings. There’s not much to look at, though that also means that you’ve got clear lines of sight, but every once and a while there’s the occasional tree to break things up along with the odd ridge or two. You do note that the area around you continues to grow more pitched during the last hour, gradually leading you to a set of rolling hills before you come to the stop of the largest one.

Down below is a slightly overgrown area, trees scattered around a rocky hill showing evidence of a recent landslide, with some space between the foliage showing off a relatively flat surface.

“We’re here,” Archmage reports as the four guys catch up, his usual crimson robes held back by a set of medium armor, “The entrance to the Ruin is located within the rubble over there. Recon team didn’t report another way in or out, but we can’t be entirely sure with them”.

“Alright…” Turning to everyone gathered before you, you consider how to do this, “Here’s how this’ll go…”

> Keep everyone together
> Split up into two teams
> Split up into three teams
> Other

Brief Primer/Reminder:
> Miranda (Essie): Hand to Hand/Magic Specialist (Swords)
> Izumi (Yuna): Weapons Master (Many)
> Mono (Emma) Reality Warping Songstress (Katana)
> Cylica (Froste): Crystal Mage, Mentalist (Has Mage Staff)
> Owlia (Hidia): Crystal Technician/Engineer (Has Power Suit and Staff)

> John: Combat Engineer, Heavy Pistol, EXO Suit
> Dutch: Gunslinger, Dual Revolvers, .50 Cal rifle
> Gladiator: Swordsman/Bruiser, All Swords, Knives
> Archmage: Trickster Mage: Invisibility, Silence

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>>2476833

> pic related

>>2476850
I fully expect a dying love confession if bad things™ happen to dutch.

File: 129865.jpg (231 KB, 850x1099)

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>>2476846
>Send izumi and mono as Scouts. Tell izumi to find some nice sniper position and bunk down.
>Everyone else follow the arch mage and begin helping out with the fortifications or its equivalent.

>>2476846
>Split up into two teams
Set up a base and patrol to secure the area and evaluate approaches.

>>2476846
> Split up into two teams
Team 1: Miranda, Gladiator, Mono, Dutch, Cylica
This group sets up defensive positions, lays traps, scouts for baddies.

Team 2: John, Archmage, Izumi, Owlia
This group sets up a base camp, and does early recon on the ruin.

>>2476846
>> Split up into two teams
> Miranda (Essie): Hand to Hand/Magic Specialist (Swords)
> Izumi (Yuna): Weapons Master (Many)
> Mono (Emma) Reality Warping Songstress (Katana)
> Owlia (Hidia): Crystal Technician/Engineer (Has Power Suit and Staff)

> John: Combat Engineer, Heavy Pistol, EXO Suit
> Dutch: Gunslinger, Dual Revolvers, .50 Cal rifle
> Gladiator: Swordsman/Bruiser, All Swords, Knives
> Archmage: Trickster Mage: Invisibility, Silence
> Cylica (Froste): Crystal Mage, Mentalist (Has Mage Staff)

SES and mafia teams round each other out pretty well. We need to scout the entirety of the ruins before we set up shop anywhere. Suggest each team have a lead scouting element (Izumi & Archmage), a primary combatant group, and a rearguard (Mono & Cylica?) sneaking behind to catch anyone trying to tail the main groups.

>>2476921
>>2476885
>>2476880
>>2476871

Alright, looks like we've got a few good options here. One more vote to decide it then.

> Izumi and Mono as Scouts, everyone else behind Archmage
> Miranda, Gladiator, Mono, Dutch, Cylica on one, John, Archmage, Izumi, Owlia on the other
> Miranda, Izumi, Mono, and Owlia on one, John, Dutch, Gladiator, Archmage, and Cylica on the other

>>2476846
>> Split up into three teams

>Team Base Camp
>Dutch: Can take out distant threats with his rifle
>Mono: Can alter terrain for defense
Cylica: Controls the turret

>Team Ruin Recon
>Archmage: Ninja mage
>Miranda: ???
>Izumi: ???

Team Middle Guys: Will follow and backup Recon team, and Base Camp team if they need it.
>John: Responds well to surprises (unless it's a train)
Gladiator: Chop chop dead
>Owilia: ???

>>2476946
>> Miranda, Izumi, Mono, and Owlia on one, John, Dutch, Gladiator, Archmage, and Cylica on the other

>>2476946
>> Miranda, Izumi, Mono, and Owlia on one, John, Dutch, Gladiator, Archmage, and Cylica on the other.

>>2476946
>> Izumi and Mono as Scouts, everyone else behind Archmage

>>2476946
>> Miranda, Izumi, Mono, and Owlia on one, John, Dutch, Gladiator, Archmage, and Cylica on the other

>>2476984
>>2476961
>>2476950

Alright, looks like Cylica is joining the guys.

Writin'

>>2476846

The decision isn’t an easy one to make, but after a few seconds you turn to Cylica, “Froste, stick with the guys. I’m sure they can handle themselves, but unless there’s a problem,” None of the guys in question appear to be objecting, “then they’ll be glad to have you. Regardless, just shore up any weaknesses and if something does happen I’m counting on you to get in contact with me about it”.

The elf in question merely tilts her head in understanding. “As you like. I’ll be sure to reach out at the first sign of distress. Until later, Hidia, dear.” She gives a little wave as she steps towards the men of the group. “Very well, gentlemen; shall we be off? I’m curious to see just what secrets this place may hold...”

“Let’s go,” Is all you hear from behind John’s helmet before he starts walking down the hill, the rest of ‘his team’ falling in step. Without anything else to do, you head down as well.

The incline levels off to where the overgrowth begins, the plants themselves having grown right out of whatever exposed rock is here until it broke the surface, leading you right for where the hill that, now that you’ve got a better angle on it, has a clear opening between broken stone.

Despite all your fears, no ambush is sprung on approach, and the nine of you make it to the entrance unaccosted. The Artificer, heavy pistol at the ready, pushes open the door before Dutch rushes in, announcing the all clear without firing a shot.

Entering within, you find yourself in a relatively large hallway, metal floors and walls on all sides. Experience tells you that this is some kind of service tunnel, a guess that is only reinforced when the hall ends with a set of stairs that goes down.

And goes down…

Yeah, that’s a ways.

Well, you never did get anywhere without being a bit bold. Time to earn your pay.

> Roll me four 1d100+30’s please

Rolled 6 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>2477086

Rolled 30 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>2477086

Rolled 8 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>2477086

Rolled 87 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>2477086

>>2477092

117, let's see what you see.

Writin'

>>2477092
Well at least we won’t be falling directly on our face. Yet.

>>2477097
>117
i wanna make a stupid halo joke, but nothing comes to mind.

>>2477107
John's already leading a team in full armor, no need.

>>2477113
...well, yeah, but that's low hanging fruit.

>>2477086

After ensuring that everyone is in a vague formation, you and John lead the way down, yourself and Cylica providing a light source as you enter within the pitch black via a carefully controlled magi-blast and a glowing crystal.

You’ve gone down a fair ways, at least two hundred meters below the surface before the first sight of something changing occurs, in this case being a simple line of fading paint denoting this area as SL-025. You’re not left waiting now, as the stairs suddenly exit out of the vertical column they were contained within and come out into an absolutely massive room. It has to be at least a kilometer in one direction and one and a half in the other, the ceiling alone being fifty meters tall.

But that’s not what catches your attention, no. It’s not the various crates in plain view, their contents obviously ruined with the passage of time, either nor is it the great catwalks your stairway drops you off on.

No, you’re simply stuck staring at the form of a damn spaceship; frigate-class, if you had to guess based on your previous experience. Turning to John, who’s standing beside you on the catwalk looking over the sight with what you can only guess is abject confusion, you speak up, “So, that’s the ‘airship’ yeah?”

“That’s some airship…” Mono says in awe. That’s right, she’s still new to it all. Cylica and Owlia seem impressed, but not overawed, while Izumi looks on in surprise- you don’t blame her. As you? This was… “Not quite what I was expecting,” you find yourself admitting out loud.

“Well…” The blonde Artificer seems to have snapped out of whatever funk he was just in, “It’s certainly no zeppelin. But… How is that… thing supposed to fly? It looks like a giant metal rectangle prism; nothing even vaguely resembling aerodynamics…”

“To be fair,” Cylica starts, “with enough power, aerodynamics become less of a rule and more a...suggestion. And this thing, I’m rather sure, has quite a bit of power.”

“So when are we gonna reverse-engineer it?!” Owlia asks out of the blue.

“When we’re not in danger of being killed,” Gladiator interrupts, though he visibly pauses at the sight he walks down to, “...If you do figure out how to, though…”

“We’ll get it done,” Holstering his pistol, John turns to the swordsman briefly before looking back at you, “Now, I say we get to work”.

“Let’s,” you agree, and the lot of you begin to disperse into the large room proper.

> And that's where we're leaving things tonight. We'll be around tomorrow to run, so see you all then.
> In other news, thanks to everyone who voted on suptg for the first crossover thread for getting it to Epic status.

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>>2477155
>Searches for frigate.
>Pic related is the first result.
WELL, This is how the spaceship looks in my mind until further specified.

AIN'T SHE A BEAUTY

Thanks for running!

>>2477155
>search for an airship
>get a full on FTL spaceship
well shit, not what i was expecting.

>>2477155
Holy shit, it was a spaceship?! I can only guess it was either the work of a previous civilization on this planet, which is unlikely given that the history of this world indicted nothing like this, or it's a spaceship from another dimension that crash landed here.

I don't remember the details, but now I'm wondering if the Blight might've been brought here from alien sources like this thing.

>>2477198
and now the full implications of this place being a post apocalyptic world means, it could have been humanity may very well had at one point hit full on science then got utterly rekt by the blight, which fits that whole john will keep going up tech ages shit that was talked about earlier.

>>2477192
I don't think it has FTL capabilities, but it surely is capable of reaching orbit under its own power, otherwise it would be a much of corrugated metal.

>>2477203
This gives it more credibility to the "the blight is the Flood" Idea from before.

>>2477209
who knows, we should fiddle with it when we get the change later, after we secure the everything from potential blight shenanigans and the like.

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>>2477209
blight confirmed flood

File: airship2.jpg (317 KB, 1920x1080)

317 KB JPG

>>2477214
well, depending from the size of the ship, things might get more complicated. Since its not something like pic related, some flimsy superstructure with open spaces and big corridors, it might take more time than expected to check the insides and secure a decent perimeter. I'm even thinking that it might be more beneficial for us to defend from the inside of the ship, since its, you know, a spaceship.

>>2477230
If blight is flood how in the actual fuck is everything on this planet not dead yet?

>>2477249
you know how a cat toys with its food before eating it? Or how a warrior that has already won refuses to give the killing blow to see what else the enemy can do? might be that something like that happens.

>>2477254
I kind of assume there's a lot of dead land that it starves over before it can cross

>>2477249
Maybe it’s specifically attracted to or triggered by large magitech concentrations. And simpler communities can avoid tripping it for a time. Even hold the low density patches at bay.

>>2477155
Well, this is a surprise.

After scouting out the rest of this place, things we should check on the ship:
Power systems
fuel amount/type
propulsion systems
weapons amount/type/ammo
intelligent systems (AI, VI, internal security, etc.)
hangar access (this thing got in here somehow)

Can we get a rough idea of the ship's dimensions?

>SL-025
This suggests there could easily be several other hangars like this within this old civilization's borders.

>>2477107
>>2477113
If he starts the ship up again he could be called a reclaimer.

>>2477155
A spaceship? That was unexpected.

If it’s a spaceship it has computers.
We can interface our FarSight with the computers to suck down anything useful, like starcharts, Jump coordinates, and diagnostics. Information that the Dealmakers can turn around and sell to any other civilizations that live within this galaxy or Local Group.

Why did you dinguses not set up a watch at the entrance? Even if you don't want to leave the sentry turret or a person up there Miranda can at the very least place down a Zone Scanner.

We should mine the entrance too, we've got a good amount of them and a few well placed ones will make this much simpler.

>>2477155
FUCKIN ALIUMS REEEE

>>2477595
Well, hope you're there tonight when the run starts again.

>>2477781
It's Sunday so unless we're looking at an early start I won't be around.

You think they'll accept votes in advance?

>>2477595
We can still send izumi back. we would be one people short on one team, but it doesn't matter.

>>2477843
Well if you put forward some plans then maybe anons that will be playing will bring them up at suitable point.

>>2477891
Send Miranda back to place a couple of mines and Zone Scanners at the entrance and chokepoints.

>>2477853
I'd rather put Dutch on sentry duty. Give him a murmur stone and one of Owlia's shield shards just to be safe.

Izumi and Miranda have Hearing Boost and Power Sense, those two should make two pairs with Owlia and Gladiator and head further in to scout. Find killzones, places to set ambushes, safe rooms and anything that can be interesting.

John gets to work on the spaceship, Archmage... does whatever he does. Cylica and Mono set up camp in the hangar and secure the room and make sure that all entrances exits are found. Lay mines in the air ducts.

Once this is taken care of, Izumi can switch with Dutch and we toss Miranda into every single crawlspace connected to the main hangar and trap or seal off everything that isn't vital.

Next crossover should be Dark Gate Academy. Miranda and Izumi get hired to teach a special 'How not to be dumbasses when fighting demons' class. Cause damn what just happened.

With Act helping.

>>2478007
i think it would be highly entertaining if the crossover is with one of the jojo quests. Miranda jojoposing (against her own will) would be funny as hell.

>>2478020
I've never read any of them but yes, that sounds perfect

>>2478034
neither have i but the fact that its based on the jojo world makes me believe that it would be great.

>>2478007
pls no more crossovers

>>2478086
considering that handler can post once every weekend, i prefer crossovers more right now than the alternative.

>>2478086
Didn't get the memo, didja?

Might be best to take a break from the quest for a few months if you don't like crossovers- Handler's arranging a few of them to cover for the fact that it'll be a while before he can run regularly by himself again.

>>2478100
>>2478101
screaming intensifies

>>2478104
I mean, most QMs would just be like 'I'm taking a hiatus bye' and then a few months before you see them again if ever. I'm kind of glad that he's dedicated enough to set something up while he's unavailable.

>>2478104
hey, at least this crossover its good. Storyteller gets the hang of Miranda and izumi, while cylica, owlia and mono are basically blanche cartes that he can flesh out in a way we like. His writing style is also very similar to Handler's and that --in my opinion-- the biggest problem of the last crossover.

I just wish Mr.Wong could come back to have a crossover with mecha space pirate quest. that would be awesome.

>>2478112
yeah
that is pretty neat that he decided to collab instead of going radio silence for months

>>2478020
> Miranda Jojoposing

But she secretly loves doing that.

>>2478646
but do you think she will allow herself to let go for a little while? For whatever reason she doesn't like to acknowledge her magical girl past, so i think not.

>>2478774
If she’s playing a character, then she probably will slide back into some of those tendencies. Her normal ‘operator’ persona is wildly different from the saccharine sadist from the last job, and that didn’t even have a narrative rider.

>>2478802
Miranda is a closet chunni remember? She gets more into character than she cares to admit.

>>2478858
what is a chunni

>>2478875
Someone who tries to act cool, mysterious or edgy, but winds up looking like a middle schooler instead. In Miranda’s case, she was implied to have a tendency to act out her anime Magical Girl fantasies with her powers, doing things like poses and calling out her attack names. She’s largely grown out of it by this point, but every now and then...

We're back now; let the writin' resume.

>>2478117

The way this is working is that Handler and I are on a google doc writing the posts out. Usually I write out the scene while he handles the girls' dialog, so I can't exactly take credit for that.

>>2479159

Actually, scratch that. This is a good point for some votes, though we'll do this one at a time:

Decide on a task for each team to undertake (teams found here: >>2476921):
> Investigate the 'airship'
> Investigate the Ruin
> Head back topside and begin entrenching

>>2479178
SES
>> Investigate the Ruin

Mafia
> Investigate the 'airship'

>>2479178
SES
>>Head back topside
Mafia
>>Investigate the ruin
Probably best to start immediate defensive preparations. Given that the ruin is effectively a hangar, we should assume the strong likelihood of another ingress point.

>>2479187
i like this, also how long until we thought people will show up again? cause if soon we might want to start entrenching instead, cause we can always explore and shit later.

>>2479178
>SES
>Head back topside
>Mafia
>Investigate the ruin

>>2479178
Supporting >>2477949, if that's possible

>>2479207
We were expecting a few days I think, but that was tentative at best. I'm more worried about figuring out how big this place is, where chokepoints and alterate entrances are, etc. There's not much point in fortifying the entrance we came in if there's another 3 elsewhere.

>>2479178
> Investigate the 'airship'
SES

> Investigate the Ruin
Mafia

Because as much as we need to be afraid of the approaching enemy, this entire place has the potential to have hostile biologicals and security systems, and I'd rather not have hostiles coming up behind us while we're fighting.
Not to mention, we came through a maintenance side-entrance. Where the fuck's the main entrance? That should be secured so we don't end up defending the wrong entrance.

>>2479178
SES
> Investigate the 'airship'

Mafia
>> Investigate the Ruin

Mafia is more experienced with Ruins, while SES seems to have someone who can recognize what the 'Airship' really is, so both should go where they would do best.

>>2479228
>>2479219
>>2479214
>>2479212
>>2479207
>>2479202
>>2479187

Alright, so we're pretty set on the Mafia + Cylcia heading into the Ruin further.

Let's have a run off for what the girls are doing:
> Airship
> Topside

>>2479280
Airship

>>2479280
>> Airship

>>2479280
>Airship

>>2479280
>> Airship

>>2479280
>Topside

>>2479280
How are you going to balance a fuckhuge space frigate if we manage to get it running?

>>2479280
>> Topside

>>2479317
Because the Genovese are bringing in a team of experts to get it running in a week, so we probably aren't the ones capable of getting it to work?

>>2479317

Do you really want an answer to that?

>>2479303
>>2479289
>>2479286
>>2479285

Airship it is.

One last vote:
> Stick with Miranda
> Switch to John

>>2479331
>> Stick with Miranda

>>2479331
> Stick with Miranda

>>2479331
>Stick with Miranda

>>2479317
Who says it'll allow itself to be slaved to a bunch of technological primitives?

>>2479331
>> Stick with Miranda

>>2479317
Fuel
Ammo
Understanding of Nav
Intelligent systems not playing nice
Unrepairable systems acting up
Some more ideas: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/35407266/

>>2479363
>>2479341
>>2479338
>>2479334

Stick with the chunni it is.

Writin'

>>2479331
>inb4 Storyteller blows it up

>>2479368
go more simple. This is fuckhuge machinery that has been unused for god knows how long. It will be a miracle if its serviceable, let alone capable of flying

>>2479424
It doesn't need a brain, just parts that haven't been serviced so long that a stray bump collapses a room on the other side of the vessel

>>2477155

You watch as Cylcia walks off with the mafia guys, heading down another set of stairs heading for the floor of the hangar bay. Meanwhile, you turn towards where the catwalks lead further towards the frigate.

“Ooooohhhh!” Owlia, suddenly, practically squeals out in delight as you journey over to the ship, “This is sooo cool! I’ve seen some flagships in my day, but this thing is a whole different beast, just from the looks of it! I wonder what the engine room’s like…”

“I wonder how this was even made…” Izumi wonders. “I hadn’t seen anything even REMOTELY on this technological level so far. Perhaps a lost civilization?” she muses as you all get closer. “But then that raises the question of how’d it get here…”

“If this thing’s as advanced as it looks, we might be able to find out if there’s data logs or any kind of recordings,” you respond back. The thing is...you’d seen clockwork weaponry, simple iron and gears and whatnot. You weren’t expecting tightly welded metal, layers of blast plating, or massive engines. The sheer scale of it alone suggests a space-faring civilization, which, if this is what has survived, calls into serious question what heights other civilizations made in this destroyed world.

And what heights they fell from…

Arriving at some kind of steel scaffolding bridge, you give it a quick test to make sure it won’t drop out under you before walking over to the top of the ship, about in the middle of it. A bit further along the line appears to be a massive set of metal doors that probably leads to a loading dock, and back where you came is a set of more human-sized doors that’s probably where the crew entered, another pair of them on the other side of the loading bay that has a bridge of its own to it.

“I’m going to take a look around up here,” After thinking about it, you call back to where the rest of your girls are looking around, “See if you can get inside and check out the state of the interior, or you can take the long walk around to see what the engines look like”.

“I’m hitting the engines!” Owlia yells before anyone else can stop her.

“...Right. Shall we investigate the interior, then?” Izumi asks to your wolfish friend.

Mono nods eagerly. “Lead the way. THIS is gonna be somethin’, I hope.”

> Roll me three 4d100’s please

>>2479415
If that happens, I hope he waits until SES has completed their contract.

>>2479430
If it's that frail, it'll never fly again anyway; lighting the engines would turn it into scrap metal.

Rolled 5, 16, 74, 69 = 164 (4d100)

>>2479448

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>>2479415

Truly, who can say what'll happen...

>>2479424
>>2479430

I'm hearing a lot of doubt about the craftsmanship of individuals who'd put John, Owlia, and Cylcia to shame during their time.

Rolled 67, 86, 26, 26 = 205 (4d100)

>>2479448

Rolled 44, 20, 57, 72 = 193 (4d100)

>>2479448

>>2479453
>>2479456
>>2479463
>67, 86, 74, 72
Not too shabby.

Rolled 22, 56, 14, 28 = 120 (4d100)

>>2479448

>>2479463
>>2479456
>>2479453

That's a 67 for Miranda, 86 for Owlia, 74 for Izumi, and 72 for Mono.

Writin'

>>2479454
Truly, it's a sad day when the individuals of an age long past were better than a team of savants

>>2479500
Well, aside from Miranda and Izumi, none of them have even been to a spacefaring tech society, let alone work with that kind of tech.

>>2479448

[DAY 4 BEGIN]

With your orders, that are more suggestions than commands, issued, you turn around and start a walk around of the top of the ship. Once again, you’re picking up on the implications of what sort of people would be capable of building a ship such as this, never mind the sheer amount of industry that would be required to build, maintain, and supply one. The armor plating at your feet is practically flawless, even with the amount of time it’s been sitting in this ruin just collecting dust, with the seams between cleanly welded together to such a degree of smoothness that you have some trouble distinguishing them.

Making sure to keep your footing sure, you check around the edge of the superstructure; falling off here would just be plain embarrassing. There’s not too much to note here, aside from points at which there’s clearly the been some kind of point defense system that’s retracted below the armor.

Walking to the very front of the ship and peaking over, you note that the bow of the ship has thicker, angled armor, clearly designed to deflect incoming damage away from a set of three covered tubes. You’ve seen something like this during your times on interstellar assignments, so odds are good that these are torpedo tubes. Whether the payload of said torpedoes was kinetic or explosive, the implications are clear here. Seriously, a people that could make something like this and they aren’t around anymore? Your first instinct is this Blight stuff, but even with that...hm.

At this point, your murmur stone begins buzzing away in your pocket, so you pause your thoughts to pick it up, “Yes?”

“‘Randa, I’m looking over the engines for this baby and ho-ly crraaap,” Owlia, awe clear in her voice, reports in a kind of absent-minded tone, “The ship itself looks like it runs off a combination of electric turbines and some kind of combustion engines, not sure what the fuel is. though”.

“Probably specialized for operating in atmosphere then. I’ve got evidence of a point defense system and some kind of torpedo tubes over here, but not much else,” It’s at this point that your murmur stone buzzes briefly again, “Yes?”

Izumi’s voice joins in after a second, “This is Yuna here, Essie. Emma and I found the crew quarters, but right now we’re in the ship’s CIC. There’s a lot of consoles in here, none of which are damaged, though everything’s locked behind a password. If we want to get anything off it, I figure we’ll need your Futuresight to get to the data directly”.

Now what?
> Tell everyone to head to the engine room
> Tell everyone to head to the CIC
> Tell everyone to join you outside
> Other

>>2479576
>> Tell everyone to head to the CIC

>>2479576
>> Tell everyone to head to the CIC
We might be able to get the CIWS online for anti-personnel use if we're really lucky.

>>2479576
>Tell everyone to head to the CIC

>>2479576
>> Tell everyone to head to the CIC

>>2479576
>> Tell everyone to head to the CIC

>electric turbines and some kind of combustion engines
Betting on methalox

>>2479576
Here's hoping the girls don't strip loot the ship and run

>>2479576
>runs off a combination of electric turbines and some kind of combustion engines
That sounds suspiciously like a submarine, though I dunno how useful being quiet would be for aircraft.

Actually, this is really weird. Turbines and ICEs suggest atmosphere use, but the sheer size and crew complement is reminiscent of traditional spaceships. There's no point in making a plane the size of a ship when you can make a smaller one and offload crew quarters and such onto the base it's stationed at.

Maybe there's another propulsion system for spaceflight, and it's a long range scout or something?

>>2479595
we won't. probably. maybe after the contract is done though.

>>2479613
There's probably a separate system for spaceflight, cuz a spaceship can't be made for air only.

>>2479579
>>2479584
>>2479585
>>2479586
>>2479591

CIC it is.

Writin'

>>2479640
Can we switch to John?

>>2479576

Well, you’re not going to say no to a possibility like that. “Alright, stay there. I’ll be coming your way and bringing Hidia along with. I’ll call you back for directions in a second.”

“Roger.” You make a quick call to relay orders to Hidia to regroup with you, and you’re quickly on your way. The two of you fortunately manage to find the CIC without any trouble thanks to Izumi’s peerless directions- you find that the frigate’s insides, although just as impressive in terms of craftsmanship, clearly have seen better days. While the hull and metals are in impeccable shape, on the inside it’s clear some of the other materials don't seem to have stood the test of time quite so well. Various smaller pieces of the ship, such as cloths and smaller, less important accoutrements on the ship have signs of wear and tear, more than likely due to time, and everything is yet covered in fine layers of dust and even some webbing. Still, the fact that it looks less ‘derelict’ and more ‘mothballed’ is more than impressive.

The path to the CIC leads you through the aforementioned crew quarters, which are in a similar condition to what you’ve seen thus far, though they do show the signs of people living within them. Oddly enough, there’s not much of a mess that would suggest a last second mad-scramble before they were all horrifically killed. Instead, it looks like everyone just… got up and left one day, leaving behind the warship they served under and vanished in the worn and torn pages of history.

You finally reach a door near the center of the ship; and to your surprise it opens automatically as you approach. Izumi’s leaning over a console, screen gently glowing, and Mono is just besides it, looking at it was a combination of curiosity and suspicion. “Greetings, captain,” Izumi says with only a bit of cheek. “As you can see, I’ve managed to get some power turned on- but judging by what the console here said, it's only backup power, and only to this specific area. I suspect that we’ll need authorization to get anything further. That, or force our way into the systems.”

[1/2]

>>2479676

“Or we could try and force start something down in the engine room,” Owlia says in thought. “Not like, trying to start the engines themselves, but the power breakers and all that should be down in the engine room as well, I think. I saw a few things there that might correspond, but this...this is NEW. I’d have no real clue what I’m doing!” There’s a strange light in her eyes and grin on her face as she says it- clearly eager to at least try to understand what she’s up against.

Momo, meanwhile, seems to just be looking about in clear interest, despite not understanding a thing.

Turning back to the two other ladies, you resist a sigh at the looks they’re giving you. The joys of being a leader…regardless of what route you go, you’re going to have to take your FutureSight to the console sooner than later. You’re just worried what might happen after, if this thing has internal security...

> Look into the CIC consoles utilizing your Futuresight, and nothing else.
> Tell Owlia to get what she can done, and stay up here to try and get into the system yourself.
> Give Izumi your Futuresight, head down to the engine room with Owlia to help her out.
> Other

And that's where I've gotta run for tonight. See you tomorrow night when we'll continue things.

>>2479663

That'll be coming up shortly.

>>2479686
Thanks for running, Storyteller.

>>2479684
>Look into the CIC consoles utilizing your Futuresight, and nothing else.
Have the FutureSight scan the consoles first before connecting it directly to the consoles.

>>2479684
>> Look into the CIC consoles utilizing your Futuresight, and nothing else.

>>2479684
>> Look into the CIC consoles utilizing your Futuresight, and nothing else.
CIC should have a good overview of the ship status, though we should look for the bridge for more detailed reports and controls.

>>2479625
We're only assuming it's a spaceship due to its similarity to other spaceships we've seen. If there's no other propulsion, it would be strictly an in atmosphere ship; turbines need something to push against. Bow-mounted missile/torpedo tubes say it's not a mobile base. It might function as a water ship, though you'd need actual torpedos to use the tubes.

>>2479692
Did you a line?

>>2479707
oops.
>>2479684
> Look into the CIC consoles utilizing your Futuresight, and nothing else.

>>2479684
>> Look into the CIC consoles utilizing your Futuresight, and nothing else.
no turning on main power until we know more about what we're dealing with. Too many horror movies started out that way.

>>2479707
Supporting

>>2479684
>other
Where is John? Maybe we should get him to look at some of this stuff.

>>2479806
He's with the other team sweeping the rest of the ruins for chokepoints, alternate entrances, and other noteworthy stuff. After they finish their sweep, he'll be back, and likely wind up spending most of his time working with the ship; he's not missing out.

>>2479684
> Tell Owlia to get what she can done, and stay up here to try and get into the system yourself.

> Get John on those point defense guns. If we can't hack them through the computer, maybe we can literally hack them out and make a heavy weapons emplacement. Or trick the opponents into thinking we have them working.

It would be nice if we can just fly this back home.

>>2479684
>> Look into the CIC consoles utilizing your Futuresight, and nothing else.

We are not doing a very good job of looking out for baddies.

>>2480294
No kidding.

I hoped more than one person would want to give my plan a go. I wonder if people are just getting antsy and think that securing the location is filler and won't move the story forward or something. I mean there was a whole lot of whining about not coughing up shekels for space medicine against the blight, but when we actually have the chance to prep and do things that actually WILL keep us safe, we don't.

>>2480294
>>2480614
There was a fairly slim chance of someone beating us here, and there's an even slimmer chance they'll show up in the couple of hours it'll take us to sweep the place with the whole team. It's better to get the sweep done first, so we know what places are worth defending.

>>2480712
>there's an even slimmer chance
Citation needed.
>so we know what places are worth defending
We already know, it was in the job description

>>2480712
It's not about them beating us here. It's about us beating them here and setting traps and making sure that we own all strategic positions and destroy those we can't.

Well, the mafia team went to scout out alternate entrances, and if the ship’s systems can be used to secure itself, that would be a boon. Although it would also turn the booty into target for hostile action...

>>2480761
My opinion is that messing around inside the ship right now is a waste of our time and that we gain more by making sure that our enemies won't reach us and let us have advance warning. Keeping them well away is more beneficial to us than getting a 30 minute head start finding circuit breakers.

I could agree to what we're doing now if we had sent Miranda out to scout instead. Now instead of setting up scanners asap, we have to wait until John's group comes back and give her directions or a guide. It's inefficient

>>2480773
John has his Pip-Boy, hopefully he can use it to share directions.

>>2479700
>>2479701
>>2479707
>>2479709
>>2479743
>>2479743
>>2479802
>>2480245

See what the CIC has in store for you.

Writin'

>>2479684

Well, although part of you is interested in just what the engine room has to offer, you don't want to take any risks right now- not with so many unknowns around you. “Let’s not touch anything we don’t have to for right now,” you say, causing Owlia to just pout. “Keep on standby and lemme see if we can’t crack this thing open.”

Approaching the console Izumi was working on before, you pull out your Futuresight in its tablet form and scan the system first. The results are… lacking. The fact that your Futuresight really only covers common knowledge works against you here, giving you barely anything on how old the machine is, who made it, or what group this warship was part of, but it does give you a quick overview of the software, apparently that’s not so foreign, and from what you’re reading there’s not much of a risk of a serious malware trap.

It’s not a guarantee, of course, but you feel a bit more confident with committing here. Sighing to yourself, you start looking for an access point, wireless or not. You can already guess this is gonna take some time to break through, as you pull up a little (really never) used program cheekily called ‘B&E.exe’; you thumbed through the basic digital manual, but you really need to just sit down and figure out all the nooks and crannies of this thing one day- ah, here we go. Now you just need to remember how to work this program...

> Roll me three 1d100+10’s please

Rolled 58 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>2480921

Rolled 92 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>2480921
Here goes!

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>2480921
rollin

Rolled 84 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>2480921

File: Phos.gif (1.35 MB, 500x650)

1.35 MB GIF

>>2480934

>>2480934

That's a 102, Success.

Writin'

>>2480921

You are John Hoelscher, and you’re currently within the massive holding room to an ‘airship’ that you’re suspecting is a bit more than what was anticipated for this Ruin Dive. Currently, the all-girl merc team sans the haughty elf beside you are checking the ship out while you take stock of the room itself.

Not much to find here, however, as aside from several old crates filled with components and ammunition ruined by the passing of time the floor is practically spotless. What does catch your notice, however, are the series of turbines built into the bottom of the ‘airship’, clearly responsible for the majority of the downwards thrust that would be required to get the box of metal and bolts into the air.

Now, though, you find yourself looking at one of the room’s walls which houses a floor to ceiling sized bulkhead, the barely visible lines coming down the middle the only hint that this is likely some kind of door. Probably leads further into this section of the Ruin, but you don’t know for certain.

The fact that the metal didn’t so much as scratch when you took your Multitool to it means that you’re not going to be able to do this the easy way.

“Whaddya think?” Turning to Froste after putting your beloved tool away, you motion towards the bulkhead, “Any idea how to crack this?”

She looks at the door with a squint, clearly wondering something similar herself as her gaze trails upwards. “Perhaps if there were some way to locate and trace the mechanism that opens these doors,” she says softy. “Something this big and with a clear lack of visible parts would need a power source, I’d say. Whether electronic or magic…but I don’t see anything on this end, do you?” Her expression goes flat with a bit of annoyance. “I’m afraid that while I’m not the frailest creature, my strength is lacking in terms of being able to just force it open.”

“I sincerely doubt anyone could just rip the doors apart, even an Orc,” Thinking about it, there’s really only one way in that comes to mind, “If we could get the base’s main power back up and running, that should get us inside barring any damage to the mechanism; from the looks of it, the door itself is fine”.

“Would be just our luck if…” but before she finishes the thought, she stops herself. “Nevermind. I suppose that’s our next course of action, then, hm? Or perhaps leave it be for now...what with those supposed OTHER rogues that would be showing up, I don’t like the idea of potentially giving them an escape route- or wastes forbid, another entrance.”

You snort lightly at her words, “Got a history of shitty luck, huh? Well, can’t say I disagree with you; this is really a problem for later on”.

[1/2]

>>2481132

Further conversation is cut off by the sound of Dutch’s voice calling you from where he’s been scouting about, “JOHN! YOU’RE GOING TO WANT TO SEE THIS!”

Looking at Froste with a shrug, you walk to where the gunslinger is standing beside another door, this one more meant for mortal men. It’s a rather nondescript one, practically melding into the rest of the wall, so it’s likely service access.

“Alright, Dutch, what’s the deal?” The neutral look on his face is a bit worrying; normally he’d be like a child in a bakery at the prospect of finding something, “Another service access?”

“It’d probably be for the best if you just saw for yourself”.

With that bare-level of explanation, your old friend pushes the door open to let you enter first. Your guess looks like it’s spot on, as the hallway it leads to is clearly more rundown than the major parts of the base, but whatever lead this path would contain ends right with a serious cave-in. You’re about to ask just what he’s getting at here, when you notice another staircase that goes down.

Peeking over the edge, the descent goes to darkness, even with the aid of Froste’s staff.

“That’s…” There’s a few words that flicker through your mind in this situation, though you push them back when your gauntlet starts beeping; Hidia’s trying to contact you. Tapping the screen once, you open up the comm-link between the two of you, “John speaking, what’s the problem Hidia?”

“Hey, John, we’re in the… main computer room for the warship and Essie’s working on getting access to some of the systems,” What, “Just figured I’d check up on how you all are doi- We’ve got access!”

“That’s… wait, how are you even in their systems? And how are you working with a coding language that’s in a dead language?” It’s just one surprise after the other with these fuckin’ chicks…

“You’ll have to ask Essie that one!” Of course, “Anyways, we’ve got access to… fire controls and sensors! Not full access, mind you, but we should be able to get some things up and running shortly!”

Now what?
> Head back to the ‘airship’, you need to make sure they don’t start firing ship-based weapons in here
> Investigate the depths of the Ruin, you need to make sure there’s not any alternate entrances
> Split up the teams, there’s too much to do currently to stick to these long groups
> Other

>>2481134
>> Investigate the depths of the Ruin, you need to make sure there’s not any alternate entrances

>>2481134
> Investigate the depths of the Ruin, you need to make sure there’s not any alternate entrances

>>2481134
>> Split up the teams, there’s too much to do currently to stick to these long groups
now that the ship is opened up, security is important to keep what we got. But more splitting is needed if we need to cover more area. One team for top, one for bottom, and a couple to stay and figure out the ship.
Or just keep current teams and go for Ruin, that works too.

>>2481134
>> Investigate the depths of the Ruin, you need to make sure there’s not any alternate entrances

>>2481134
> Investigate the depths of the Ruin, you need to make sure there’s not any alternate entrances
Hey if the things still has operable turrets then that might be a boon.

>>2481134
>2481134
> Split up the teams, there’s too much to do currently to stick to these long groups

>>2481143
>>2481147
>>2481152
>>2481164
>>2481174
>>2481194

Alright, so we're definitely heading down. The choice now is who to bring along with John. Choose any, all, or none.
> Dutch
> Gladiator
> Archmage
> Cylcia
> Ask one of the girls in the ship
> None

>>2481209
>> Dutch
> Ask one of the girls in the ship

Ask if any of them have detection skills.

>>2481219
Pretty much this plus someone who can produce magical light.

>>2481209
>> Dutch
> Archmage

>>2481209
>>Dutch
>>One of the girls (Izumi)
Covers our bases nicely.

>>2481275
You know Dutch and John both have flashlights, right?

>>2481331
I know, but I've just got a feeling that there's going to be a moment where someone's going to get their flashlight broken through some contrived coincidence and then it's the whole, "Light flickers on and off, and then turns back on, revealing the horrible monster behind the character" moment that usually happens.

>>2481346
Fair enough.

>>2481364
>>2481346
>>2481331

Dutch has a lamp set into his armor, a la Aliens Colonial Marines. John I'll say has a flashlight on him.

>>2481219
>>2481275
>>2481309
>>2481310

The Westmire Boys and Izumi it is.

Writin'

Rolled 76, 21, 30, 27, 85, 6 + 15 = 260 (6d100 + 15)

>>2481375

Ignore this roll.

>>2481380
Someone rolled hilariously bad.

>>2481134

“Look… Ah, whatever,” You have a feeling that trying to get anything out of them at this point is worthless, “We’ve found another set of stairs and they’re at least as long as the ones we took down to here. Gonna do a bit of exploring down there, maybe see about getting the base’s main power back online. I’m thinking of taking Dutch along with me and leaving everyone else here; anyone you’d be willing to spare?”

There’s silence on the line for several seconds, the girls probably discussing among themselves before you get a response from Hidia, “Think you can handle the tech stuff on your own?”

“You’ve seen what I can make; power sources are something I can manage”.

Silence again. “Yuna’s on her way over now. Tell everyone else to join us on the ship; we’ve gotta plan on how to defend this place”.

“Roger,” Cutting the connection, you relay things to the others, saying goodbye to Froste for now.

“I hope things won’t get too dicey down there,” Froste says as she takes her leave. “It wouldn’t do for such trouble to already be present before...well, even MORE trouble comes.”

“We’re already here; it’s a bit too late to worry about additional trouble,” You reply in a slightly deadpan tone. She just smirks and tilts her head in acquiescence, and before long she’s out of sight.

Without her staff to supply light, Dutch flips on his armor’s lamp, lighting up the area directly around you. It’s a small miracle that the contraption you wired together so long ago still works, but you’re not going to start complaining now.

Yuna doesn’t keep the two of you long, practically materializing out of the darkness after several minutes with a slightly dramatic sweep of her longcoat.

Drawing your heavy pistol from its place, you motion for your old friend and the merc to follow you, “C’mon, we’ve got quite the descent to make here”.

[1/2]

>>2481448

You are Miranda Styles, and you’ve just managed to restore the fire control and sensor array systems of a millennia old frigate. Considering the energetic girl next to you, who is practically drooling at the glimpse of this ship’s interior, you made sure to flick the safeties of all weapons ‘on’, even if the ship doesn’t have the power to utilize them.

Still, the atmosphere in the CIC is quiet and just a bit tense. You sent Izumi off to help John and Dutch explore further into this Ruin which, while you’re sure will result in the two boys not getting horrifically killed down the line, does remove a key combatant from the field for the time being. Now you, Mono, and Owlia are all waiting for the rest of the mafia team to join you on board, so you can finally nail down a defensive strategy.

It’s when you hear a tapping noise that you finally shake off your funk, turning to Mono; she’s got to look up clear discomfort on her face, and the tapping is coming from her own foot. When she sees you looking at her, she has the grace to stop, although the worried frown doesn't leave her face. “Sorry, boss. Just nervous.”

“Good,” you admit. “That makes two of us. But you're going to have to get used to it.”

She nods reluctantly. “Yeah, yeah, I know...just hope they get here sooner than later.”

“Apologies for the wait,” Cylica, clearly enamoured with the technology on display here, announces her entrance into the room, immediately followed up by Gladiator and Archmage, “My… These people certainly spared no expense…”

“Now, I imagine, you understand why there’s such a conflict over this vessel,” The older mage looks you over neutrally, nodding slightly after a moment, “There’s much we can learn from this… artifact. We only need to hold it without our grasp”.

“Well, that’s the trick, isn’t it?” you claim. “By all current info, there’s some people who’ll be trying to take it OUT of your hands soon. So I think it’s well past time to set up shop.”

> Focus on defending the frigate from within the hangar
> Focus on defending the frigate from within it
> Focus on holding the topside entrance to the Ruin
> Split up the group (how?)
> Other

>>2481505
>> Focus on holding the topside entrance to the Ruin

>>2481505
> Focus on holding the topside entrance to the Ruin
It’s the path least likely to end with us in a ruin cave-in or a damaged ship. We want this thing intact for the client.

>>2481505
>> Focus on holding the topside entrance to the Ruin