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>>2520203

"Of course, luck cannot totally account for stupidity. I'm not sure I want to know what made you grab an exposed power-line with your bare hand. Some kind of tough son of a bitch you are though; I can't think of many men capable of touching a main line connected to a full scale fusion reactor and getting away with their life, even with medical support nearby."

He takes a break to puff on a pipe. The smell of burning tobacco fills your burnt nostrils.

"I suppose I should fill you in on what has become of our little operation. I extracted information from our prisoners and summarily executed the crazy bastards. They were a bunch of independent fanatics, liable to kill each-other over petty issues. No overarching scheme. You're some kind of buzzkill though- they didn't have much, but they did have some good beer and a nice Phoenician-made Yugo M84 PKM. Had to leave it all behind though in order to carry your roasted ass." He pauses, feigning lamentation. " Ah, what great losses this life is composed of!"

Sergei appears to be done talking now, instead opting slowly to look about the desert.

LINKS-
New Pastebin giving basic information
https://pastebin.com/xtdt68Ms

Previous thread
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2498006

>Thank him for carrying you back, and Eva for operating on you
>Ask about the status of the reward
>Write in

>>2520206
>>Thank him for carrying you back, and Eva for operating on you

>>2520206
>Ask about the status of the reward

>>2520206
Just got caught up. Good quest, OP.

>Thank him for carrying you back, and Eva for operating on you
>Ask about the status of the reward

Explain that you found the problem with the tower and ask if they have anything non-conductive to facilitate plugging it back in. It's such a quick fix at this point we may as well go back to finish the job and get that YUGO.

>>2520214
>>2520282
>>2520447
>Just do everything
Writing!

You speak to Sergei, now properly hydrated. “Really, thanks for getting me all the way back here.”

He looks pleased that you thanked him.
“It was no great trouble. What kind of man betrays his partner?”

“Speaking of our partnership, what became of the reward?”

He shrugs. “Couldn’t go get it without you. We agreed, eh? Plus, I’ve no way of figuring out where that DJ of yours is without a radio.”

So you still have to go collect the reward... you’ll have to do that soon. Can you even walk? You move to get up, feeling your knotted muscles groan as you stretch and contort your body. As you put weight on your hands to get up, as sharp pain runs through your right forearm, which is still wrapped up. You only use your left to get up next time.

You shamble over to the cart where Eva is busy cleaning up the tools she presumably used on you and putting them up. You notice how she thoroughly touches each of them with her dainty hands, inspecting every side before putting them away. You thank her for doing so, and for fixing you up.

She responds in a measured but delicate tone, not turning to look at you. “You are quite welcome. It’s a great pleasure of mine to be able to help people. I do suggest you don’t go about trying to mortally wound yourself however.”

On some level it’s absurd, being told what to do by a little girl. On the other, you feel thankful you’re alive to even have the opportunity. You ask her about the breadth of your wounds.

She gives a slight giggle. “It’s quite the assortment. Significant burning, although the salves and your own robust body have already gone to work fixing that. Most of the unsalvageable parts have fallen off, or were removed by me. It’s a good thing you were asleep for the procedure. What else...” She pauses to think.

“Yes, there was some micro-fracturing in your right forearm. Not in the metacarpals, more concentrated in the backend of the ulna and radius. Your hand muscles must have contracted rather severely to do so. Because of your implant and my current lack of supplies, I was unable to go in and do anything. You’ll have to tough that one out until it heals or we meet a Hospitalier.”

>>2521361
This concluded, you help Sergei in packing everything back into its cases and bring up how you should go back to get the Yugo he found. He replies that he had fixed the tower As you check for the signals on the BAGU though, you realize the emergency signal is gone. You ask him if he remembers the way, and he reminds you that on the ways up and back you were mired in a rainstorm. He says he couldn’t pick out landmarks even if he wanted to. It seems you won’t be able to recover your well-earned loot- a pity. You notice a new ping on the radio, and figure this must be a beacon to lead you to his home. The carriage back on the road, the three of you get going again.

So, how do you plan to approach negotiations with this guy? Remember that he just said there would be a great reward, nothing concrete.

>Push for whatever you can get
>Be courteous, aim for something reasonable
>You actually figure someone who can afford this kind of setup must be big. Care more about getting on good with him than the reward
>Write in

>>2521364
>Be courteous, aim for something reasonable

>>2521364
Go for these:
>Be courteous, aim for something reasonable
>You actually figure someone who can afford this kind of setup must be big. Care more about getting on good with him than the reward
And:
>Write in
See if you can get access to some basic information about the state of affairs of the world.

In the meantime, tell Sergei and Eva that the electroshock has scrambled your head more than you first realized and ask them to please help you out by telling you about the various factions in the area and the recent history of the world to help jog your memory.

>>2521381
This
Also, what are our current gear and upgrades?

>>2521364
>>Be courteous, aim for something reasonable

>>2521661
Should be in the pastebin. Hmm... I’ll be sure to add evolutionary stuff in there soon. My B.

>>2521368
>>2521381
>>2521661
>>2521689
Pretty basic consensus, + setting info from the brute and the little doc. Writing!

You decide that it's not really worth it to be pushy, especially with someone who seems to have sufficient resources and/or power to construct a radio array in at least the cardinal directions, given what he said in his broadcast. You decide that it's not really worth it to be pushy, especially with someone who seems to have sufficient resources and/or power to construct a radio array in at least the cardinal directions, given what he said in his broadcast. You also remember him mentioning something about giving lectures on history, so maybe it'd be good to try and pull from knowledge from the guy.

Speaking of knowledge, you feign some slight memory loss from the shock and try to get some information on the wider world from Sergei and Eva. Sergei responds to your question first.

"Well, you know you are in the Mojave, a province of the Panzer Clanate. The Panzer Clanate is one of three major powers in the Old American West, along with the Texian Empire and the Cascadian Kingdom. The Clanate rules from their stronghold in New Frankfurt, from which they have control of lands from the middle of Old Oregon down to the Great Free City of Phoenicia. The Grand Canyon and the Crosses of the 35th tribe mark their border with the Texians, and their border with the Cascadians is contentious to say the least. They also have a number of client states in the peaks of the Rockies, which mark their border with the barbarous plains tribes. The borders beyond the Clanate are not really of my concern, as I've never worked beyond them."

He stops, seemingly satisfied, until Eva leans over from her position in the back of the carriage and whispers to him. Afterwards, she returns to her book.

"Oh, the lost zones. I didn't tell you about those, eh?" He scratches the back of his head, seemingly embarrassed for forgetting something so important in front of Eva. "The lost zones are regions scattered across the Old USA, generally in former metropolitan areas. Inside them otherworldly creatures, phenomena, and technologies lay in abundance. These zones are the most dangerous places in the world, and were it not for the mighty efforts of the Sturmtruppen of the Panzer Clanate monstrosities would sweep out into the wastes, as they supposedly did decades ago during the Great War of Expansion between the Texians and the Panzer Clans. The zones in the Panzerlands are the Bay Zone, the epicenter of which is in the old San Francisco, the City of the Angels, the epicenter of which is in old Los Angeles, and Zone 51, the epicenter of which is the Old American military base called 'Area 51'. I worked a job in the last once, and here's a word of advice regarding taking jobs there- don't. Doesn't matter how much they offer you, 90% of scavvers and zoners buy it in those little hells."

Thats the gist of things you suppose.

>Have you further questions, or should I continue a little time forward?

>>2521841
>little time forward

>>2521904
There will be time for more questions later, so I'll write us forward!

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After your questioning of Sergei, you, Eva, and he ride in relative silence. Sergei is lowly singing a tune in that strange language of his, and Eva is buried a different book from earlier. This book is around the size of her head and obscures her face from your vision. You meanwhile for a time observe the passing Mojave. Despite holding your rapt attention, the desert shows no signs of life aside from your little party. The sky is clear once again, not even a shred of cloud cover to indicate the rainstorm of the night prior.

You, without anything else to do, run a scan on your body with the BAGU.

TAKING READINGS....
LOADING....
INTEGUMENTARY INTEGRITY.... LIGHT DAMAGE. REST RECOMMENDED.
CARDIOVASCULAR INTEGRITY..... NOMINAL
RESPIRATORY INTEGRITY... NOMINAL
DIGESTIVE INTEGRITY... NOMINAL
LYMPHATIC INTEGRITY...... NOMINAL
MUSCULAR INTEGRITY... LIGHT DAMAGE. REST RECOMMENDED.
NERVOUS INTEGRITY........ NOMINAL
IMPLANT INTEGRITY.. NOMINAL

OVERALL INTEGRITY: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TAKEN; REST RECOMMENDED, NO NEED FOR FURTHER ACTION

That massive electric shock only caused mild damage? Scintillating.

You also go to the BAGU's radio function. You've already generally ascertained the direction of the DJ's home signal, so you're free to listen to another signal. Do you

>PLAY:TRANSLATABLE CLOSE(R) RANGE (Already listened to)
>PLAY:TRANSLATABLE LONG RANGE
>ATTEMPT SIGNAL DECRYPTION: REQUIRES NEURAL OVERRIDE
>Nah, just relax. You're beat, and would like some peace and quiet.

>>2521987
>>Nah, just relax. You're beat, and would like some peace and quiet.

>>2521987
>>Nah, just relax. You're beat, and would like some peace and quiet.

>>2521987
This is a great time to attempt decryption. We're relatively safe and don't need much brainpower.

>>2522028
BAGU recommends rest. Obey BAGU.
Honestly though, it's okay to chill once in a while. Especially if you take way more damage than you're used to.

>>2522039
We can rest while we decrypt.

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>>2522001
>>2522019
>>2522028
On a two to one margin, resters get it! You'll have another chance to decrypt soon.

Damn, you're beat. An extended bout of hiking, indirect murder, and shock therapy will do that to you. You lay back into your "seat" (more like a spot on the floor of the carriage) and relax. For a moment, you imagine you're back in your simulation world. This place isn't so different from parts of Iberia and Northern Africa you fought in really. Although, now that you've experienced it firsthand, no simulation could have prepared you for the hell that is desert heat. You manage to get some shuteye regardless.

You awake to a light tapping on your shoulder. You look up and around and see Eva.

"Sergei thinks we're nearly at the place. He said he could see something in the distance."

You look up, and sure enough see... hell, did someone build a mansion in the middle of this desert? That's some real shit right there. If nothing else, this affirms your notion that the guy you helped must be loaded. This gives you confidence that your ordeal was worth something.

When you arrive, Sergei ties the horse to a convenient post and sets out some water and hay for it to consume. You disembark from your post, and begin to make your way towards the front door. Sergei stops.

"Eva, come on! Why would you want to stay out in this heat?" The girl is just sitting there, apparently reluctant to leave the carriage. She opens her mouth to reply.

"I can't find my cane!"

"Really? Damn, give me a minute!" Sergei hustles over to the carriage and begins looking around. He finds the cane and gives it to Eva.

The girl, with Sergei's help, gets off the carriage. The cane she wields is thin though, clearly incapable of even supporting the weight of the small girl. You realize that it must not be for support, but for detecting obstacles. Logically, this implies Eva is blind then. Or at least of partial vision. You suppose that explains some things, including your initial detection of something being wrong with her. The three of you, with you in the lead and Sergei bringing up the rear, approach the door.

The door itself, made of a redwood of a kind, is massive. It easily could accommodate a man with a foot on you. You knock, and the door opens. Perhaps unsurprisingly, a man at least a foot taller than you stands before you. He however, unlike you or Sergei, is thin and lanky.

Cont. in next post

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The giant man smiles.

"So you must be the ones who repaired my tower! Come in, come in." He beckons for you all to come in. The inside of the adobe mansion is much cooler than the outside. The room you are in is sparsely decorated. You see fixtures for candles in the walls, a coat rack, and a small table.

The giant moves further inside, and you all follow. You enter what appears to be a dining room, although there are more books and papers than food on the main table. The man pulls out some chairs for you all, and you sit. The chairs are nice and comfy, although clearly designed for a man of much greater stature than yourself.

He sits opposed to you, Sergei, and Eva. You notice off to the left what appears to be a radio setup. So he broadcasts in here.

"Might I ask your names?" He begins.

"I am Sergei, my friend here is Lucius, and the girl is Eva. What is yours?" Sergei answers the question curtly and promptly.

"I am Otto von Junger, and it is a pleasure to meet you." The giant answers cordially.

Sergei appears shocked by the answer. "Otto von Junger? Scion of the von Jungers? First in line for the confederation chair of the von Jungers? Descendant of the first, second, and third Kaisers?"

"The very same." Otto replies, nonplussed by Sergei's reaction.

"So this is where you went off to when you left New Frankfurt."

"This is indeed where I 'went off to', as you put it. I never much cared for politics; in truth, I'm a man of academics and science. I prefer discovering the secrets of the past and keys to the future over the intricacies of power-politics and/or a career in the Heer. I never could fit in a panzer, not even a Tiger II."

"Well then."

"Well then indeed."

Sergei appears to be done talking for the moment, busy digesting the information he just learned.

>Ask Otto about reward options; present the evidence of the deed, namely the notebook of the fanatic leader
>Ask Otto about the history of the region and of the world as a whole
>Ask Otto something else [Write in]
>Write in

>>2522186
First,
>Ask Otto about reward options; present the evidence of the deed, namely the notebook of the fanatic leader

And >write-in
Ask if he needs anything else done in the near future.

Finally,
>Ask Otto about the history of the region and of the world as a whole
More generally, ask if he'd be open to talking about it in future as you're certain it can't be compressed into a single conversation.

>>2522186
>>Ask Otto about reward options; present the evidence of the deed, namely the notebook of the fanatic leader

>>2522209
>>2522233
We'll start with the reward options, but there will be subsequent votes in the order outlined by >>2522209

>>2522267
Cool, thanks.

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En lieu of speaking, wordlessly hand Otto the notebook of the anarcho-primitivist leader. The giant man hands of Otto eclipse the book, and you watch as his bespectacled eyes rapidly flicker across each page as he pores through the book. His visage grows more and more bothered as he gets further in.

"Where did you find this?"

"On the bodies of some armed men occupying your tower"

"I see. This is... concerning to say the least. I presume you've already ridded the world of these gentlemen?"

"That I have. Well, Sergei over there did it, but you know. I fixed the tower."

"Excellent. I further presume you are here to get paid?"

"Amongst other things, yes."

"Well then, let me oblige you. Follow me if you would"

You and Sergei follow Otto to another room of the house. The room is very large, one side being composed of numerous bookshelves and the other consisting of a number of machines and tools.

"Welcome to my combo laboratory-research room. In here, you are witnesses to one of the greatest collections of knowledge in the whole of the world. Because of the security of my home and my relatively safe occupation, I act as a focal point for research teams operating in the Old American Southwest. On Fridays, I broadcast new knowledge sent in by others on my station." He stops and regards you two.

"I am inclined to believe you are of need for things of more utility than knowledge however, so allow me to present some options representative of my gratitude."

>The seal of the von Jungers
Some explanation- that seal of mine is effectively a temporary symbol of your citizenship in the eyes of the Clanate. It will get you through border checkpoints, it will make men disregard petty crimes attributed to you without evidence, etc. In our culture, giving a man your clan's seal is an explicit statement of gratefulness and debt. If for nothing else, you can give it to my father in New Frankfurt for a boon of some sort.

>A guide to learning German/German dictionary
German is the traditional language of military and political conversation. Learning it is basically restricted to clan leaders and officers of the Heer. Knowing German will, if nothing else, enable you to speak on an even field with the highest men in our society. [Has various proficiency levels, reached by intense studying]

Cont. on next page

>>2522317
>An old experimental laser rifle
I worked on a project for the Sicherheitsdienst once where they wanted me to adapt some old-world blueprints into something usable. The result was this; a single fire laser rifle of intense strength but limited durability. I have a manual written up on maintaining it somewhere in here. I've got an alien artifact in there powering it, so be delicate with it. It has no need for power otherwise. The Sicherheitsdienst deemed the weapon too hard to produce and too little of a boost to the Panzergrenadier's firepower to be of use, so I've no real need of it. Some other models of mine for a panzer-sized device were taken however, so I'm sure that's in the works somewhere.

>A bunch of Marks
Quite a sum of money- of worth in every province of the Clanate, redeemable for other things at established exchange rates at established money-changing posts.

>An array of combat stimulants
The Heer once had me look into old-world combat chemicals- I developed some potent serums for them. That one there can increase your strength ten-fold for a period of hours, that one there can render you immune to the effects of nuclear radiation for days. They're yours if you like.

Vote will be closed tomorrow afternoon most likely. I'll be here for any questions, otherwise.... Goodnight!

>>2522317
>>The seal of the von Jungers

>>2522342
This or stimulants

>>2522317
>The seal of the von Jungers

>>2522317
>The seal of the von Jungers

>>2522317
>>The seal of the von Jungers

>>2522342
>>2522358
>>2522425
>>2522531
>>2523304


The choice is fairly simple, in your opinion. Only one of these provides an array of uses in the empire you're in.

"The seal, if you would."

"Of course." Otto walks over to the lab portion of the room, and out of a shelf pulls a small box. He then reaches into another area of the shelf, and pulls out a razor. He makes a small incision in the back of his hand, and lets the blood flow into the box. He finally pulls out a gleaming stamp, and presses it into the material in the box. He presents the box to you.

"The seal of the clan von Junger. It is yours." You take it and thank him.

Otto turns to Sergei. "And you, Sergei?" Sergei considers the options, and then indicates that he would like the rifle. Otto accepts the request, and after a minute of looking through his library finds the manual. You look at it over Sergei's shoulder and notice the clean script, though the various flourishes indicate it being handwritten.

You ask Otto if he has any other work that needs doing. He seems touched by the gesture, but explains that beyond the malfunctioning tower his affairs are all in order. You also ask him if he'd be willing to talk about some local history with you, as it seems to be an area of interest to him. The reaction is not what you expect.

He guides you back to the dining room, where Eva is still waiting patiently. Once you are all seated again, he launches into a spiel that lasts for nearly an hour. During the course of this, Sergei falls asleep. Eva seems interested at least, even if she is gazing at space.

>Paste of Otto's speech s00n

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>>2523388
Oh, here's the seal. Imagine it in blood red wax.

>>2523391
Nice.
>>2523388
Thanks!

Perhaps we can display our intellectual utility to a man of his acumen by drawing parallels to the history of Rome and the classical age, or whatever else we know best. Maybe flex some latin. Not force him to hold up the conversation by himself.

Afterwards, we could ask him if the researchers he's working with are hiring for odd jobs and so forth when we become more capable. Maybe we'll be able to come back and lend a hand, or provide artifacts at some point. Also, if there's a safe place to get cybernetics installed (assuming they're not illegal or something).

Also I'd love to learn some German. Maybe Eva would be willing to teach us on the trip, or he'd be okay to have us back, or something.

>>2523435
>cybernetics
We have enough cybernetics. We should focus on accumulating EVOLUTION points because become indestructible and stronk

>>2523471
>We have enough cybernetics
never.jpg
>We should focus on accumulating EVOLUTION points
I agree and we will, but it'd be good to know a safe place to get surgery done. OP said we would have few opportunities to get it done safely.

>>2523481
I see... yes, I think I agree with needing to know a safe place to get surgery.

https://pastebin.com/7VkLPVJi
Otto's speech. Be warned, it's not short.

Will post a new update soon.

>>2523909
Thanks for saying so, anon

>>2523435
Cybernetics are basically nonexistent, outside of the neural arrays required for tankers. Humanity was only beginning to delve into them before the beginning of the end.

>>2523940
welp. Still, a safe place to get surgery done is a useful question and maybe we'll find some of that advanced alien tech Otto mentioned someday. Who knows!

>>2523944
Maybe that was an overstatement. They are out there, but they're not terribly widely available. Oh yeah, ayy tech will be a possibility if your search leads you into a zone.

You sit, not quite sure how to react to that infodump. You suppose it'd be a good idea to ask Otto about other things.

>Ask about the military of the Panzer Clans
>Ask about the government of the Panzer Clans
>Ask about the military of the Texian Empire
>Ask about the government of the Texian Empire
>Ask if he's ever heard of a SEER
>Actually, you don't feel like asking Otto anything. Time to get gone!
>Write in [Feel free to ask anything. You're literally speaking to one of the New World's foremost scholars]

>>2523962
>>Ask if he's ever heard of a SEER

>>2523962
>>Write in [Feel free to ask anything. You're literally speaking to one of the New World's foremost scholars]
Ask if the Panzer and Texian cultures favor a particular caste, class, or ethnicity over others, and how one can best learn to become accepted in them.

And ask about the third power: the Cascadians.

>>2523967
>>2523978
Both of these

>>2523967
>>2524002
Supportan my fellow anons.

>>2523962
And if there's time, ask these too:

>Ask about the military of the Panzer Clans
>Ask about the government of the Panzer Clans
>Ask about the military of the Texian Empire
>Ask about the government of the Texian Empire

>>2523967
>>2523978
>>2524002
>>2524061
Ok then. Unfortunately, I am done for the night. Update tomorrow, probably later in the day like usual.

>>2524239
Have a good night!

>>2524526
Thanks mate, I appreciate the sentiment ex postfacto. I updated the main pastebin.

You consider your primary issue for the moment, and decide to see if the knowledgeable Otto has ever heard of such a thing.

"Have you ever heard of a SEER?"

He looks at you, seemingly puzzled. "I'm afraid not my friend. Are you looking for such a thing?" You respond in the affirmative. "Then I shall keep an eye out for anything. I'll check my archives too, I do forget about Old American projects every once in a while."

You ask him about the cultures of the Texians and Panzermen, wondering if they or rather how they determine who is on top. He responds that, as a whole the Panzer Clans externally discriminate based on clanhood- that is, those who have been born into or honorarily inducted into a clan are considered true citizens, and all the others mere provincials with nebulous political and cultural standing. There is but one way for non-clansmen to earn any sort of recognition- service in the highly dangerous Sturmtruppen, who (ironically given their name) keep the dangers of the Zones penned in. It is the only branch of the army that non-clansmen can serve in. Internally, they begin to categorize based on military service in the roving panzer battalions that keep the peace and handle provincial issues and/or other meritorious service in the name of the clans. The most meritorious and revered man in the whole of the empire is the Kaiser, who is traditionally elected out of the best of the members of the Bundesrat. As a whole, the qualities valued by the Panzer tribes are honor, discipline, and honesty.

The Texians are more egalitarian than their western neighbors: the benefits of birth are purely material, and service to the empire is the only factor that distinguishes one man from the other in the eyes of the state. However, being related to men with powerful positions certainly is a powerful boon. The path to being recognized is therefore rather simple- move up in the ranks of the bureaucracy. Service traditionally starts with service in a legion, wherein one can move up in the ranks of the officers until one reaches the rank of commander- ranks beyond that are appointed by the Directorate. Being rich or powerful will certainly make you more accepted in the eyes of the Texians, it's just that these qualities can only apply linearly, whereas bureaucratic advancement pays exponentially. Martial prowess, pragmatism, and strength are qualities valued by the Texians.

Cont in next post

>>2526064
When you ask about the Cascadians, Otto scoffs. He says that to mention them in the same breath as the two great powers is absurd, and that they are a second-rate power of the same ilk as the mightier Ghettan or Northern tribes. They are unique insofar as the royal line is derived from a family of zone-dwellers, who as a consequence are physically unique. They have an army of conscripts, and a noble class of fellow zone-dwellers who wield alien technologies in battle. They have pretensions of empire but have failed to push into northern tribal land or into the northern provinces of the Clanate.

Feeling him perhaps to be somewhat biased about the Cascadians, you steer the conversation back towards the two great powers. You ask about their systems of governance and armies.

He says that the government of the Clanate is rather simple- the Kaiser holds absolute power over the Panzer forces and an absolute veto to any legislation of the Bundesrat, but can only propose legislation to the members of the Bundesrat for voting on. The provinces are self-governed, and pay tribute to New Frankfurt in exchange for the continued protections of the roving battalions and the Strumtruppen. Client states also can trade for foodstuffs and other supplies at superior rates to non-integrated states.

The military of the Clanate is split into two branches- the Sturmtruppen and the Panzer forces. The Panzer forces are organized into 33 brigades, plus one full division stationed in New Frankfurt at all times. Each brigade is under the purview of one clan, with the single division being under the jurisdiction of the Jungers. Each brigade consists of roughly 80 panzers, and they normally are specialized for one task. Heavy divisions have large complements of heavy tanks, etc etc. The tanks of a division are accompanied by a fully motorized complement of panzergrenadiers, with the ratio typically being 10 panzergrenadiers per tank. The Sturmtruppen are broken into individual divisions tasked with holding specific areas around Zones.

Finished in next post

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>>2526069
The government of the Texians in turn is a highly bureaucratic institution, with departments set to manage different tasks (transport infrastructure, the grain dole, foreign diplomacy, etc.). Each of these departments has a director, and the directors form the Directorate, which governs the whole empire. In times of panic, they can elect an Autarian, who acts as an impermanent dictator.

The legions of the Texians are volunteer forces dedicated to keeping out the northern plainsmen and the eastern ghettan tribes. They typically number around 1500 strong, and act in concert under the orders of higher command groups. What makes them unique beyond this coordination is their usage of helium zeppelins to travel across the empire and to ferry supplies, affording them mobility only surpassed by the speedy panzer battalions. This came up as a major issue during the war however, as panzer battalions all have dedicated AA contingents (which normally just work as overkill anti-infantry). They work for pay, coming straight from the coffers of the state in Houston.

>Have you any further questions for Otto?

>>2526073
No
Thankes for all this
If you need other things taken care of just play it on the redio and if im close enguh to hear it will give it a look into it for free this time

>>2526073
>ask about the zones. What is in those?

>>2526073
Supporting >>2526487
Ask whether the Texians use Latin, if he hasn't already mentioned it.
Ask whether the manufacture of things from STCs is diffficult - he mentioned the loss of large numbers of tanks as if they were unrecoverable.

>>2526598
>>2526172
>>2526598
More questions! Writing

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"Do the Texians speak Latin?"

"What would lead you to ask that?"

"Nothing, just wondering."

"Well, yes. To an extent. The populace speaks a mixture of Old American English, Old Mexican Spanish, and numerous other languages in between. Rather than try to account for the dozens of dialects throughout Old Texas, the Houstonians simply drew on the knowledge base of the proto-hospitaliers to make Latin the official language of legislation and politics. Of course, unlike in the Clanate, teaching the language isn't restricted to certain individuals so it's much more prevalent in casual use."

"Is the manufacture of things via SCTs (standard conversion templates) difficult? You mentioned the loss of large numbers of tanks earlier as if they were unrecoverable."

"No, not really. It's more like this: an atomic converter takes a base material (usually pressurized atmospheric nitrogen, which is easy to collect for the machine) and breaks that material down to the fundamental particles. Past even protons and neutrons, down to the smallest quantized particles. And then, according to the SCT (which is just a three dimensional model of something down to the atomic level) the converter fabricates whatever the SCT is coded for. This of course means that A- whatever it's building is done in single units and cannot be done piecemeal and B- It all must be housed inside the converter until completion. In all my studies, I have NEVER found an atomic converter larger than the ones in housed in New Frankfurt. The costs of their construction in the old world must have been astronomical. Consequently, there are only five (5) of these machines of sufficient size to produce the tanks according to the SCTs available. Sure, one can produce even a King Tiger in a day, but replacing hundreds of tanks when you can only make five a day at most is rather tough given the time crunches of wartime. Indeed, the numbers of tanks during the Great War of Expansion have never been matched again- there simply has been no need for such an amassing of arms."

Cont. in next

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>>2526753
"I see. Another question if you will: what are in the zones?"

"Many things. Generally, there will be regions in the zones where physics do not work as they should- invisible gravity wells, places of absolute darkness, spots where time moves in eddies rather than linearly, and on and on. There will be, the deeper you go, more and more alien technology just lying about. Of course, much of this technology is hyper-lethal to even handle and so only the most experienced of Zoners loot with relative impunity. Of course, one must also mention the creatures- giant slumbering things that can eviscerate a King Tiger with ease, silent hunters that can track a man for miles, flying things that look like snakes with wings that can break the sound barrier on a dive. There is no complete list of the... I am hesitant to call them animals... in the Zones. This is in part because they are always changing- one generation faces different abominations than the last. This rate of mutation is common to the men who live and scavenge in the Zones- men will begin to change, sprouting new limbs or organs. Some become nearly translucent, others become totally opaque. The only constant is this- anything that is used to living in a Zone cannot survive outside of it for long. Lifetime scavvers die if they leave for too long. That's enough about the Zones, their inconsistencies trouble the scientist in me."

>Anything else you'd like to ask?

>>2526778
>Anything else you'd like to ask?
Nope

>>2526778
Only if he'd be okay with us coming by again sometime so long as it didn't disrupt his work.

>>2526844
So wait, you want to be done so long as Lucius can come back?

>>2526778
Noop

>>2526800
>>2526844
>>2526917
Y'know, I'm gonna go through this thread and the first thread and see how many dubs we've collected. I feel like I've been seeing an abnormal amount, but maybe this is just what it's like as a QM.

Writing!

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"Thank you, that's just about it for my questions."

"No, thank you. It is really quite a pleasure to be able to talk with... or rather at someone about the topics I've been studying for the last six years of my life. It gets lonely out here in the Mojave, where my contact with other human beings is oftentimes limited to couriers contracted to deliver research to me for archival and study."

He invites the three of you to stay the night, and then invites you again after you wake up Sergei. You sequester yourself into one guest room, while Sergei and Eva take another. You note that Sergei goes to sleep on the floor, leaving the bed to Eva.

You sleep dreamlessly, and awake just before dawn. You decide to head downstairs. The dark adobe walls are cool to the touch, and so is the floor. It must be a design feature, in order to make the days more hospitable. You enter the misused dining room and are surprised to find Eva cooking, using the back of her hand to check for heat and her finger for measurements. You go to greet her, but she greets you first. It is disconcerting that she manages to do so without even turning around. You ask the little girl about it, and she replies that your footsteps were too heavy to be Otto's and too loud to be Sergei's. It doesn't surprise you that she manages to compensate for her lack of vision, but it's strange in practice.

>Sit in silence, wait for sustenance
>Talk to Eva [leads to side vote]
>Explore Otto's home
>Write in

>>2526992
>>Talk to Eva [leads to side vote]
Ask her what she thinks of our conversation with the host last night.

Then,
>Explore Otto's home
Let's try not to violate his privacy though.

Alright, ~10 more minutes on this vote. Then I'll end the session for the night!

>>2527041
Tbh I was going to have a host of directions to take the convo in, but since you've already an idea of what that works

>>2526992
>>Sit in silence, wait for sustenance

>>2527041
I'm ok with this

>>2527041
>>2527085
>>2527097
Ok then! Last update of the night, may or may not be an update in the morning but there will be one in the afternoon. Writing!

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>>2527100
Dubs again.....

"What did you think of my chat with Otto last night?"

"I think that you have a genuinely admirable urge to learn about the world. I think Herr Junger is a very smart man, if maybe a little eccentric. All and all though, it was fascinating. Especially those Zones- I simply can't imagine some of the things he was describing."

You think that maybe she couldn't imagine it because she is blind. You make sure not to voice that rude thought. The rest of the manse intrigues you, so you decide to explore it.

Otto's home, you come to find, is expansive and somewhat utilitarian. There are at least three levels, with each room having a defined purpose. Several of the upstairs rooms are full of plants, some exotic, and have clear glass roofs. You find a room with machining equipment (that room has some sort of lining over the adobe, perhaps a sound dampener). You find a room full of chemical equipment, with a fridge presumably full of samples. You decide not to pry.

One room you find is full of paintings of many types, some very abstract and others startlingly accurate depictions of scenes from the desert and from a town of some sort, which you presume to be New Frankfurt. You feel like maybe you are trespassing on sacred ground, and you are sure not to disturb anything as you leave. Before you quit exploring though, you do find one last interesting room- a room full of weapons cases and displays. Reading the labels on some of them, you find that they are ancient relics of his family. Capes, hats, helms, weapons of every shape and size. One weapon that draws your eye is a long-barreled pistol with gold trim, which is quite beautiful. You find yourself admiring it when you hear footsteps.

"Enjoying the view?"

It's Otto. He looks as if he hadn't slept at all. You comment on this.

"I don't sleep well when I am intrigued by something."

You ask him what kept him.

"Your SEER actually. I looked through several different sections of my archives before I found a link."

You excitedly ask him what he found.

"Let's eat first. Your... friend seems more adequate a cook than I ever have been."

So, what are you eating?

>Something Hearty
>Something Light
>Something Foreign
>Something Minimal

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Posting some images from the last scene

>>2527152
>>Something Hearty
>>Something Foreign
Inb4 Eva made a heavy krautbreakfast.

>>2527152
>Something Foreign
I mean anything is going to be foreign

>>2527152
>>Something Hearty

>>2527611
First, nice dubs. Second, would you consider toast and eggs foreign?

>>2528038
Can we get a hearty american breakfast? Eggs, toast, hashbrowns and some sort of meat?

>>2528096
If it’s hearty and not foreign, of course!

>>2528038
Well that depands did we eat that when growing up or wore we just feed on high proten,fat,carb paste?

Rolled 3 (1d3)

>>2528376
He ate "real" food. Of course, this food was common to America.

>>2527181
>>2527611
>>2528015
Rolling a 1d3
1-Hearty
2-Foreign
3-Both

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The array of foods laid out before you is simply amazing. Used to one-man portions, a meal set up in such a manner is anathema to you. Even in the simulations, you were normally stuck with small rations. You stack a plate with meats, cheeses, fruits, boiled eggs, breads, and jams of many types. Eva, you note, is nibbling on nothing but one pretzel with mustard.

Sergei does not participate in the feast along with you and Otto (who has an appetite to match his height), instead eating (drinking?) some sort of sickly green soup. Upon your asking him why, he says that he enjoys the simple soup. You decide to avoid trying it yourself, on account of its hue.

You're sitting at the table, and everyone is eating. Eva and Otto have begun to discuss the cause(s) of zone mutation: Sergei is eating his soup and perusing the manual for the rifle Otto gave him yesterday. What are you doing?

>Enter Otto's and Eva's conversation
>Talk to Sergei
>Enjoy your meal in silence
>Write in

>>2529504
>Enjoy your meal in silence

>>2529553
Scoot up to Otto and Eva and just listen

>>2529504
>>Enjoy your meal in silence

>>2529553
>>2529576
Seconding. Listen to them, mouth is for food nao

>>2529553
>>2529576
>>2529581
>>2529602

Being quiet and just listening is a go! Writing.

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One benefit of inhaling food as compared to chewing is that you don't have the noise of the chewing muffling your hearing.

Otto and Eva are mainly discussing the medical cause of the rapid mutations exhibited by humans in the zones. Otto is contending that it's likely the a combination of an unintended chemical that increases the rate of mutation plus the intensely fast life cycles of the hyper-dangerous zones. Eva says that it surely must be by design, and that active mutative agents must be causing it. Otto notes that her explanation would explain the sudden expiration of specimens outside of the zones; his dubious acquiescence clearly pleases her. This causes Otto to smile.

Their talk slowly moves into more specific regions, with Eva questioning Otto about various expressed genes he's seen in specimens. You get more and more lost as their talk gets more feverish and rapid, and eventually you begin to pay more attention to the exquisite smoked sausage.

Done with his soup, Sergei eventually intercedes and says that they really must be going. He thanks Otto for his hospitality and generosity, but says that they really must get back on the road. He and Eva go to pack up their baggage. You have an opportunity to speak to Otto about one last thing.

>His research on the SEER overnight.
>Try to convince him to join your motley crew
>Just thank him and collect your gear
>Something else [What?]

>>2529701
>His research on the SEER overnight

>>2529701
>>His research on the SEER overnight.

>>2529701
>His research on the SEER overnight.

>>2529701
>>His research on the SEER overnight.

>>2529765
>>2529859
>>2529933
I'm going to update this tomorrow, as something has come up. Thanks for participating today!

>>2530060
Thanks for posting. Catch you later

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>>2530117
Thanks for the thanks!

"Otto."

"Yes Lucius?"

"Could you tell me what you what you found on the SEER last night? This knowledge is extremely important to me."

"Ah, yes." He seems embarrassed that he forgot about your little conversation before that feast masquerading as breakfast.

"So, here's what I found: That SEER of yours seems to be a myth widely held throughout the Sturmtruppen encircling the City of the Angels. Myth has it that some alien artifact deep in the city can provide "unlimited knowledge" like the aliens themselves possessed. Naturally, such a thing is called the Seer of the Angels."

"Wait, so it's a myth?"

"Not quite. More a rumor really, one that is ingrained in the Zoner culture of the area. No evidence to back it up obviously, but such is the way of these things. There is one rather unique element to it though- its longevity. According to memoirs dating all the way back to when the Clanate first subjugated the peoples in the area, there has always been an inkling similar to your SEER."

You thank him for the information, and he shrugs it off. So, there might be something linking the aliens and your "father". Troubling. Very troubling indeed. This weighs on your mind as you, Sergei, and Eva leave the Giant's Lair. You wonder if you'll ever see him again.

You get on the trail, back on the way to New Frankfurt. You've got a ways to go until the next stop, located in a small town later on in the desert.

>Roll 1d100 for encounters on the road. Higher is better, as per usual. Taking the best of the first two.

>>2533569
Trip

Rolled 92 (1d100)

>>2533569

Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>2533569

>>2533756
>>2533760
Goddamn, ain't that some shit. Writing.

>>2533799
Ok, so, I did some thinking and I've got some loot tables prepared. 1d20, first come first serve.

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>2533868

>>2533889
Thank you, actually writing.

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The next couple days pass with little incident, a consistent cycle of eating, sleeping, and traversing the desert. That is, until you spot something in the desert. Sticking out the side of a dune, you see a flash of metal. You and Sergei investigate, and find a blindingly bright metal case. It is halfway buried. You and Sergei dig the box out, and you note the lack of identification. You crack the lock on it, and inside there is nothing but a strange rifle and a number of box magazines. There is also a letter inside, but you can't read it. The script is similar to certain sections of the manual Otto gave to Sergei, so you conclude it must be German. You pocket the letter. Sergei cedes the box's contents to you, as you found it.

>Gained H&K G3- a select fire rifle chambered in 7.62 x 51mm NATO. Comes with ten 30-cartridge box magazines. Has wood furniture.

After finding the mysterious crate, you reach the small town. Sergei tells you it's called Kelso, and only exists as a mostly defunct military outpost. He and Eva, after finding a place to store the carriage, leave. Sergei explains to you that Eva likes to give free medical diagnosis and what care she can, compassionate soul that she is. You are left on your own.

>There is a bar. Where else could you go?
>Root about for someone to read the letter that came with this gun
>There is a small market. You don't really have anything to sell or any currency to buy with, but you can go there
>There is a small church. Maybe you could see what that is all about
>Write in

>>2534071
>>Root about for someone to read the letter that came with this gun

>>2534071

>There is a bar. Where else could you go?

>>2534071
>>Root about for someone to read the letter that came with this gun

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>>2534143
>>2534173
>>2534345
You look around the town, trying to find someone capable of reading German. The combination of the gun slung across your back, the exotic sword on your hip, and your massive frame draws eyes across the town. The tanned, dusty inhabitants view you with a sort of guardedness. Time and time again you are ignored or directed to so and so, who ends up incapable or unwilling to read the letter. Eventually, you wind up in front of the barracks of the panzergrenadiers stationed here. This whole search ends up taking you the better part of two hours. You ask around there, are pointed to the CO. The man introduces himself as Kurt Abel, and asks if he can do anything for you. You ask him if he could translate a letter for you. Initially he refuses, but flashing Otto's seal makes him quickly agree. He skims the letter, and reads it verbatim.

"Hans, here's the finished model the Phoenicians made for us. Do some testing with it against the damned Texians, and if you like it send it back. It will be tough to convince U.L. that it's a worthy investment for the Heer, but I'm convinced the weapon would be a massive step up on our Mausers and what have you. ~A.P."

He also adds that the letter is dated for some 40 years prior, and would have been during the height of the Great War of Expansion.

You bid Abel farewell, and decide to go to...

>There is a bar. Where else could you go?
>There is a small market. You don't really have anything to sell or any currency to buy with, but you can go there
>There is a small church. Maybe you could see what that is all about
>Write in

>>2534710
Church, we can do the market and bar after

>>2534824
Voting church, bars and markets take money

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>>2534824
>>2535264
To the church! Last update of the night, may or may not continue tomorrow.

The church is a tiny adobe building, fitting for the community it services. You enter, and there are a few pews, a lectern, and a set of portraits in the corner. You see a priest in the corner, reading something. He appears undisturbed by your entrance, or perhaps he didn't notice. You notice a young man (perhaps boy, he seems on the cusp) in the back-left pew. He is not praying, but doesn't appear to be asleep.

>Approach the priest
>Approach the young man
>Sit at a pew and pray (about what? to who?)
>Sit at a pew and rest
>Write in

>>2535774
>>Approach the priest

>>2535774
>Approach the priest
Speak old Latin and do the Roman thing for priests

>>2535774
>>Approach the young man

>>2536526
This

>>2536526
>>2536654
>>2538462
>>2537027
Thank you all for voting! Just going to declare an official end to this thread now, will start up next with the priest conversation. As I am embroiled in final exams, next thread will likely be next week. Of course, who knows. I might be stupid and start thread three Thursday.

>>2541526
just finished a final that I didn't study for at all, wouldn't recommend. Study for finals so you can be happy during the summer.

Thanks for running

>>2520203
> Nervous Homo Quest

Fuck now I want a slice of life quest about an insecure fag trying to make his way in life. It'd be more relatable than most of the anime characters /qst/s focus on.

>>2545169
>posts in quest titled "New Human" (in bad latin (but isn't it all nowadays)) about nervous homosexuals
Anon pls no
/qtg/ - quest thread general:
>>2532041

>>2545273
Fuck, it really should have been Homo Novus, right? Bah, I don't study Latin. I'm just a Roman history dilettante. Archived, maybe a little late.

>>2549419
>it really should have been Homo Novus, right?
Yeah I think so
I don't actually know latin, I was just going by what they call the things in metro 2033