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>>3217699

Sat in his office on the space station of Anchor 5, Rear Admiral Viktor Haley was reminiscing again as he watched the ships sail past. Dozens of warships of varying types sat in pre-determined staging sectors, where they underwent maintenance and were resupplied with arms and equipment. Dropships, shuttles and light transports hauled cargo from massive bulk haulers to the various ships that needed resupply. Meanwhile, those vessels that had suffered battle damage underwent repairs. Either in their assigned staging sector, or in one of the many space-docks that were set up to repair even the most grievous of damages.

In a way, he envied those ships. With enough time in dock, even the most grievous of damage could be fixed. The human body just wasn't that simple. Hence why he was sat in a wheelchair doing desk work, rather than in command of a warship, where he would be making a difference.

"Sir? You asked for the personnel files for the captaincy promotion?" His personal AI called his attention, pulling him from his wistful thinking.

"Ah, that I did. Thank you, Bertram." The admiral thanked his diligent, if stunted AI. Bertram was a "dumb" AI. Smart enough to accomplish basic tasks and act as a secretary, but not nearly as creative as a rarer "smart" AI.

Positioning himself behind his desk, he allowed Bertram to bring up the first of the recommendations. With so many warships rolling off the production lines, there was always a need for more captains.

>What is the main character's name?
>Outer Colonies survivor or Inner Colonies volunteer?
>Have they worked up from the ranks, or are they being promoted right out of the academy?

>>3217707
Norman Wells
Outer colony survivor
Worked his way up.

>>3217725
This sounds good. Supporting.

>>3217707
>What is the main character's name?
Arnold Wolfe

>Outer Colonies survivor or Inner Colonies volunteer?
Outer

>Have they worked up from the ranks, or are they being promoted right out of the academy?
Worked

Advertise on /qtg/ for more exposure.

>>3217730
I'll keep that in mind for next thread.

>>3217707
Caleb Weaver
Inner colony
Academy

>>3217725
like it. support

>>3217707
Jacob Chamberlain
Inner Colonies volunteer
Recent Academy Graduate
Jacob studied every tactic ever successfully used against the Covenant with a feverish and almost religious fervor. But he's without experience, and experience, as they say, is the most brutal of teachers.

The first dossier on his desk was one Lieutenant Commander Norman Wells. Male, 26 years old, 6’3 and blonde.

Hailing from the outer colony world of Jericho VII, the colony was attacked by the Covenant 10 years ago and was glassed following two days of combat. Children and young people up to the age of 20 were given priority during the evacuation, and he was one of the oldest to be evacuated. His younger sister and mother also managed to escape, along with the youngest members of his extended family. However, almost everyone else including his father, were still on the planet when the Covenant glassed it.

He joined the UNSC Naval Command (NAVCOM) following the attack and graduated from the Reach JNaval Academy as standard. His scores were not anything remarkable, though his teachers noticed that he was one of the more motivated members of his class. He was shuffled around between several small patrol craft and police cutters before finally being assigned to a Gladius class corvette, the Hoel. He worked his way up the ranks until he reached the rank of Lieutenant Commander. During his time aboard the Hoel and preceding police cutters, he took part in a number of security missions. This resulted in him gaining an in-field qualification for security operations, specifically in…

>Marine officer (bonus to boarding / counter boarding and other marine/ODST actions)
>Cryptology specialist (bonus to cyber security and jamming)
>Counter insurgency (bonus to all actions against insurrectionist units)

>>3217820
>Cryptology specialist (bonus to cyber security and jamming)

>>3217820

>Marine officer (bonus to boarding / counter boarding and other marine/ODST actions)

>>3217820
>Marine officer (bonus to boarding / counter boarding and other marine/ODST actions)

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Unlike most other officers, Wells took up a number of missions to take part in VBSS missions while serving on the Hoel and a number of police cutters. Mostly being to enforce the installation of Cole Protocol compliant operating systems into freighters, but also to search for contraband. In spite of the benefit of having an officer versed in UEG naval law on the mission, it was still rare for an officer to join the marines on such a mission. Generally speaking, the marines and the “squids” kept separate from each other. Mostly due to the fact that most officers didn’t want to get into a position where they might be shot, and the marines didn’t want the officers as they didn’t want to babysit them.

On at least five of these missions, contraband was seized. Ranging from illegal narcotics to weapons and restricted materials. His largest find being a dozen Archer missiles, all of them bound for an Insurrectionist cell that was later wiped out by a SPARTAN team. It was also on this mission where he received his first combat injury. Two broken ribs from a gunshot to the chest, thankfully his body armour stopped the bullet, but the force still snapped the ribs.

When he was not taking part in these missions, he acted as a quartermaster and support specialist for the embarked marine units on each ship. This earned him a good understanding of how the marine units function, and how best to deploy them on boarding and counter-boarding actions. Though it didn’t take long for him to be promoted to a bridge position, where he took up the…

>Navigation station (bonus to evasive action, reduced risk from blind jumps)
>Engineering station (bonus to repair skills and top speed)
>Aviation control (Bonus to embarked fighter abilities)

>>3217915
>Navigation station (bonus to evasive action, reduced risk from blind jumps)

I feel like if we are going to be commanding a ship, not getting hit by plasma is going to be crucial.

>>3217915
>Navigation station (bonus to evasive action, reduced risk from blind jumps)

>>3217915
>>Navigation station (bonus to evasive action, reduced risk from blind jumps)

This quest seems pretty cool OP.

Upon being assigned to the bridge of the Hoel, he was assigned to the navigation station. Some of his best grades had been in navigation, but they weren’t high enough for him to be posted directly to the station right out of training. The original navigation officer had been reassigned to another vessel, and someone was needed on short notice. In spite of his rapid assignment to the role, Wells performed the job with surprising proficiency. Which is not something to be underestimated, given the Gladius classes reputation for being a very finicky ship to control.

There was a good example of his navigation skills included in the dossier, specifically relating to the pursuit of a flagged Insurrectionist cargo ship. The cargo ship had positioned a large cluster of asteroids between itself and the Hoel, intending to force the UNSC vessel to take a longer diversion that would allow the vessel to perform a slipspace jump to escape. Under the orders of the captain of the Hoel, Wells had instead flown the vessel through the asteroid field as fast as possible while flying effectively blind, as the armoured shutters on the bridge had to brought down in order to protect from micrometeorite damage. And while several near misses had damaged some sensitive equipment on the outside of the hull, he was able to get the ship into a firing position for its small MAC gun. The resulting shot crippled the cargo ship, but it self-destructed before a boarding action could be launched.

During this time, the UNSC Hoel was assigned to assist ONI during a classified number of assignments. For this, the vessel was temporarily attached to the ONI…

>Field testing branch (option to access experimental weapons and sensors)
>Reconnaissance support branch (additional recon probes and prowler support)
>Offensive acquisitions department (embarked ONI boarding team in 1 hanger slot)

>>3218028
>Reconnaissance support branch (additional recon probes and prowler support)

>ONI
Uh oh

>>3218028
>>Field testing branch (option to access experimental weapons and sensors)

>>3218028
>field testing the stuff

>>3218028
>Offensive acquisitions department

>>3218028
>>Offensive acquisitions department (embarked ONI boarding team in 1 hanger slot)

>>3218028
>>Field testing branch (option to access experimental weapons and sensors)

>>3218028
>>Field testing branch (option to access experimental weapons and sensors)

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The ONI field testing branch, otherwise known as “wonderland” had essentially borrowed the Hoel and those members of its crew that had been vetted and approved by ONI. During it’s tenure with ONI, the ship served as a testbed for a wide variety of weapons, sensors and propulsion systems. This was due to the vessel having a similar output reactor to most ONI prowlers. As such, the ship could test systems for installation on the prowlers without having to recall one of them from their numerous field operations. Although there was no information on what was tested, there was a link to an ONI dossier on the UNSC Hoel’s involvement with ONI.

Admiral Haley sighed to himself as he clicked the link and had to enter his authorisation codes. Just to make sure, a small section of his desk flipped open to reveal a small concave pad with a hole in the very middle. He placed his thumb on the pad and winced as the integrated system took a sample of his blood. Thankfully, this was not for waste, as he was granted access to the ONI dossier.

The Hoel had tested a number of low-signature sensor systems, signature reducing panels and heat sinks, and an upgraded version of the HORNET nuclear mine. However, two new interesting systems had been tested on the vessel. The first being a prototype pulse laser system, derived from the systems used by the covenant as a point-defence weapon. The weapon, labelled the XEV31-Tesla Nonlinear Pulse Cannon, was fitted in a retractable mount in the place of the port-side archer missile battery.

The second was a prototype spaceborne fighter craft, the SABRE. The fighter itself was slated as a replacement for both the long range and ubiqtuous Longsword, and the shorter range Baselard. The craft featured several interesting features, including a high output micro-fusion reactor system, and the first developed example of a human energy shield system. Unlike the [] however, this system was deployed in combat. Specifically, during the Insurrection of Mamore, where a SPARTAN asset flew the craft off the Hoel.

Upon being released from ONI’s service, Wells was reassigned from the Navigation station to the weapons station. A common practice on smaller ships like the Hoel, it allowed the weapons officer to accurately inform the navigations officer next to them about what they needed in order to properly set their weapons on target. During his service in this role, Wells proved to be rather proficient at…

>MAC gunlaying (bonus to MAC gun damage)
>Missile guidance (bonus to hit chances and damage with nukes and archer missiles)
>Anti-fighter defence (bonus to hit chances and damage with Streak missiles and PDCs)

>>3218135
>MAC gunlaying (bonus to MAC gun damage)

>>3218135
>>MAC gunlaying (bonus to MAC gun damage)
Most important on a UNSC ship

>>3218135
>>MAC gunlaying (bonus to MAC gun damage)

>>3218028
>Offensive acquisitions department (embarked ONI boarding team in 1 hanger slot)

>>3218135
>>MAC gunlaying (bonus to MAC gun damage)

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He proved to be proficient at MAC gun laying, though it only proved to be useful in a handful of situations. Mostly relating to firing warning shots across the bows of freighters that refused to stop for VBSS boarding. During simulations with various MAC guns, he was able to reach a 63% hit ratio at standard engagement range. Although not much when compared to the abilities of a “smart” AI, it was better than what most managed, with the average “hand-calculated” hit ratio only coming in at 55%. However, he did assist in writing a paper on alternative MAC gun loads. Which directly lead to the development of the soft-cored “shredder” round, which would be adopted for use on most UNSC vessels due to it’s improved internal damage against Covenant ships.

Following just over half a year of serving at the weapons station, Wells would be promoted to Lieutenant Commander at the behest of the outgoing Captain of the ship. He would get along well enough with the new captain of the ship, but there was a slight amount of tension. Thought there were often was a myriad of reasons that put them at odds with each other, the core issue was one of dogma. Wells was…

>…by the books. (improves crew discipline, decreases overall morale)
>… not by the books. (improved crew morale, decreases crew discipline)

>>3218196
>… not by the books. (improved crew morale, decreases crew discipline)

>>3218196
>>…by the books. (improves crew discipline, decreases overall morale)

>>3218196
>… not by the books. (improved crew morale, decreases crew discipline)

>>3218196
>>… not by the books. (improved crew morale, decreases crew discipline)

Wells is not a “by the books” officer. He will often pick and choose what regulations he wanted to enforce and how harsh he wanted to be, rather than what is mandated by UNSC regulations. This trend of disobeying what he sees as “stupid rules” is believed to have originated from his experiences during the evacuation of Jericho VII, where his father was left behind to die due to the rules in place during the evacuation process. Psychological analysis towards the end of his training at the Reach Naval Academy would identify this trait as something that would not make him an ideal officer. However, and ONI analysis that was taken prior to his involvement with their field-testing branch contradicted the earlier assessment by recommending him for promotion.

His lax following of UNSC regulations -especially regarding alcoholic contraband- started at the Reach Naval Academy, where he got in trouble for smuggling two bottles of alcohol onto academy grounds. He managed to avoid being dismissed or held back a year due to only having brought enough for personal consumption, and the low alcohol content of the alcohol he brought. Though it continued during his service aboard a UNSC flagged police cutter, where he brought a crate of alcohol onto the ship for the embarked marines, after they lost 3 men in a firefight during a VBSS operation aboard a freighter. During his first few months aboard the Hoel, he would act as the investigating officer into a bar fight between a pair of marines assigned to the Hoel, and a pair of civilians. Upon finishing the investigation, Wells presented his findings and recommendations to the captain. Wells informed the captain that both parties were inebriated, and that the civilians had started the fight. As such, he recommended that the marines be given the minimum possible punishment.

The captain did not find out that the marines had been hitting on the girlfriends of the civilians that they had fought, and then provoked them into a fight.

By contrast to Wells, the captain of the Hoel is a very “by the books” officer, having risen through the ranks due to her adherence to, and enforcement of, the UNSC’s regulations and code of conduct. And while there has not been any major issue between the two, the fact that she has recommended him for captaincy of another ship after such a short period of time suggests that they do not get along well, and that she wants him off her ship.

Unfortunately, everyone has their baggage, and Wells is no exception. At the bottom of the personnel file was a section laying out his biggest problem.

>ONI involvement
>Psychological trauma
>Insurrectionist family member
>Vice

>thunderhead running Halo quest
thank god

>Psychological trauma

>>3218417
>Psychological trauma

Take PTSD over spooks any day of the week.

>>3218417
>>Psychological trauma

>>3218417
>>Psychological trauma

>>3218417
>ONI involvement

>>3218417
>ONI involvement
Spooks are cool.

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During the evacuation of Jerico VII, Wells and his father were separated from the rest of their family during the evacuation, and as such they missed their assigned climber up the space elevator to the transport chartered to evacuate civilians off the doomed planet. The next climber was packed, and only had enough room for one more child. Wells was pushed in by his father and held inside by the other survivors as the doors closed. His father kept shouting at him that he would take the next climber up and meet Wells on the transport ship.

This would be the last time that Wells would ever see his father.

Just a few seconds after the climber that Wells was climbing reached the top of the space elevator, the tethers were cut by fire from covenant seraph fighters. This resulting in any and all climbers not attached to the orbital section to either fall back to the planet or be sent flying off into space. However, as his climber was already docked with the orbital, Wells was able to escape onto the transport where he met up with his mother and other siblings. However, the memory would remain with him ever since that day. The ONI psychological report noted that while he had undergone comprehensive counselling for the trauma inflicted by the incident and was able to manage the effects of the trauma, he was not able to fully escape it.

Still, in spite of that issue he was a good candidate for assignment to a warship. Admittedly only frigates, but they were often the ones that needed the new captains the most. He would get the promotion, so now all that was left to do was to…

>Bring up the list of available frigates, better to start him off with the norm.
>Check what other ships are available, frigates are a bit too under gunned for a wolfpack assignment.

>>3218607
>Check what other ships are available, frigates are a bit too under gunned for a wolfpack assignment.

>>3218417
>Insurrectionist family member
Now *this* is the sort of drama magnet I like.

>>3218607
>Bring up the list of available frigates, better to start him off with the norm.

>>3218607
>Bring up the list of available frigates, better to start him off with the norm.

>>3218607
>>Bring up the list of available frigates, better to start him off with the norm.

>>3218607
>>Bring up the list of available frigates, better to start him off with the norm.

>>3218607
>Bring up the list of available frigates, better to start him off with the norm.

>>3218607
>Check what other ships are available, frigates are a bit too under gunned for a wolfpack assignment.
We got any corvettes?

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“Bertram, bring me up a list of available frigates at anchor five.” Admiral Haley ordered as he rolled his shoulders. He hadn’t slept well last night, and it was coming back to make his day a pain.

“There are currently over a dozen frigates without an assigned captain awaiting assignment in the space around anchor five. Would you like me to pull up the whole list sir?” The screen in front of him changed, and displayed a green hexagon on a black background, the avatar of his AI.

“That will not be required, just one randomly selected ship from each class, three in total.” The admiral further specified for his virtual assistant, he didn’t like having to further explain things. Though it was sometimes necessary, especially given how Bertram was a cheaper “dumb” AI. However, it was nothing if not efficient. And within all of three seconds, a list of warships appeared in front of him. A trio of frigate class vessels, one of each class used by the UNSC. All of them had the same rough design and carried a similar weapons compliment, but they were still different to each other. Each one carried a single MAC gun, a trio of Shiva nuclear missiles, and a compliment of both Archer anti-ship missiles and Streak anti-fighter missiles.

The first entry on the list was the smallest vessel, a Stalwart class frigate. The Stalwart class light frigate is a purpose designed, scaled down variant of the Charon class frigate. Primarily designed as an anti-fighter escort and harassing craft, the Stalwart class still carries enough firepower in her MAC and trio of nukes. These vessels are more easily mass produced than the heavier Charon and Paris class vessels but pay the price with their lighter armour and superstructure. Their 60cm of titanium A armour plating across the hull made them strong enough to shrug off fighter-grade weapons, but they could easily become swiss cheese when faced with heavier weapons. However, the trade off to their lower mass is a higher top speed and faster slipspace drive, making them ideal fast response vessels and flanking craft. However, due to the state of the war, these vessels are often used as fast evacuation craft when the covenant finds a colony.

ARMED WITH:
>x1 light MAC gun
>x3 Shiva nuclear missile
>x30 archer anti-ship missile pods (total of 720 missiles)
>x60 Streak anti-fighter missile pods (total of 1440 missiles)
>x4 Point Defence Turrets
>x12 hangar bays (CONFIGURABLE)
>x24 SOEIV drop-pods
>50 marines standard, maximum of 264 marines and 18 vehicles

>CONT

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>>3218805

The next entry on the list was the oldest, but most well rounded class. One of the workhorses of the UNSC fleet, there is no job that the Charon class is not used for. From fleet vanguard to assault transport, from escort carrier to emergency evacuation transport. And these ships also pay the price for it, with dozens being lost in every major engagement. An assignment to one of these ships can vary from being long and tedious, to short and violent. The vessels feature a mix of weapons, armour and cargo capacity that sits in the “middle of the road” when compared to the smaller Stalwart class and the larger Paris class. And their armour plating follows the same trend at a little over a meter thick.
ARMED WITH:
>x1 MAC gun
>x3 Shiva nuclear missiles
>x40 archer anti-ship missile pods (total of 960 missiles)
>x80 Streak anti-fighter missile pods (total of 1920 missiles)
>x6 Point Defence Turrets
>x10 hangar bays (CONFIGURABLE)
>x24 SOEIV drop-pods
>MAXIMUM 400 MARINES AND 36 GROUND VEHICLES EMBARKED

>CONT

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>>3218811

The final entry was the heaviest, and newest frigate class available. Designed and built as a cheaper supliment to the Halberd class destroyer, the Paris class is the heaviest frigate-class vessel available in the UNSC’s arsenal. Unlike the smaller Charon and Stalwart class frigates, the Paris class is is the only frigate class vessel that is designed for direct combat with covenant vessels rather than escort roles. It’s scaled up hull exchanges it’s parent’s troop carrying capabilities for a heavier weapons loadout, said loadout including an enlarged MAC gun, a heavier load of missiles and point defence guns. The vessel also features a reinforced superstructure and a meter and a half of Titanium-A armour plating, much more than the 60cm found on the Charon class that the design evolved from. However, this added weight makes the vessel more sluggish than the two preceding classes.

ARMED WITH:
>x1 MAC
>x3 Shiva nuclear missiles
>x50 archer anti-ship missile pods (total of 1200 missiles)
>x60 Streak anti-fighter missile pods (total of 1440 missiles)
>x10 Point Defence Turrets
>x12 hangar bays (CONFIGURABLE)
>12 SOEIV drop-pods
>50 Marines and 4 warthogs embarked.

After reading through all of the files, Admiral Haley had to wonder just why he had bothered. All of the ships were fresh off the production lines. So he wasn’t going to find anything of interest there. Still, he had a captain that needed a ship, so he had to assign him one.
>Stalwart class light frigate
>Charon class frigate
>Paris class heavy frigate
>Check for other available warships, there might be something else.

>>3218822
>>Paris class heavy frigate

>>3218822
>Charon class frigate

>>3218822
>Charon class frigate

>>3218822
>>Check for other available warships, there might be something else.
Lets atleast see all the choices

>Bring up the list of available frigates, better to start him off with the norm.

>>3218822
>>Check for other available warships, there might be something else.

>>3218822
>Check for other available warships, there might be something else.

>>3218822
>Check for other available warships, there might be something else.

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“Bertram, are there any non-frigate warships at anchor five without a captain?” Admiral Haley asked, and less than a second later, he added. “And order my aid to get me a coffee, he knows the way I like it.”

“Order sent sir. Currently, there are only two dozen other warships that are not assigned captains. This breaks down as eighteen Gladius class corvettes, six Mako class corvettes, a single Halberd class destroyer, and a single Midsummer Night class light frigate.” Bertram reported back a moment later, and emphasized his point by bringing up a profile of each warship on the screen.

“Bring up the files on the Halberd and the Midsummer Night. Corvettes are going to be too light for this assignment.” Haley clarified, and waited for the files to pop up on his screen.

The first file was on the Halberd class destroyer, and unlike all other files, this one had a name. The “right-hook of the fleet”, the Halberd class is a ship purpose built to pack a punch. With 3-ship formations being enough to endanger even large covenant capital ships. In spite of being only a little larger than a frigate, the ship weighs much more and carries far more weaponry. Chief among said weaponry being a pair of MAC guns. On their own, they are a significant threat. But when backed up by close to 1000 archer missiles, they form a deadly punch. However, while the ships are certainly powerful, they lack the speed and multi-role capability of the lighter frigates that they serve alongside.

This particular vessel, the UNSC Barkhorn, was originally a separate pair of Halberd destroyers. The UNSC Barkentine and the UNSC War Horn. Both vessels were involved in a battle with a force of Covenant vessels. During the battle, the Barkantine was cut in half with the stern destroyed while War-horn's bow was totally slagged by enemy fire. The bow of the Barkentine was carried back to UNSC space by an unnamed frigate, while the War Horn returned under her own power. Upon return to UNSC space, the ruined bow was cut off the War Horn and the remains of the Barkentine was attached. And as a result, the UNSC Barkhorn was commissioned. During the rebuild, she was upgraded to flight 38B standard. This has added 3 launch bays in the place of the electromagnetic launch/recovery system under the bow of the standard Halberd, replaced the standard archer missile pods with over-sized versions, and additional Point Defence Turrets.

ARMED WITH FOLLOWING:
>x2 MAC guns
>x3 Shiva nuclear missiles
>x50 over-sized archer anti-ship missile pods (total of 1800 missiles)
>x80 Streak anti-fighter missile pods (total of 2400 missiles)
>x10 Point Defence Turrets
>x3 hangar bays (CONFIGURABLE)
>NO SOEIV drop-pods
>50 Marines maximum, no ground vehicles.

>CONT

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>>3219026
The second folder was on the Midsummer Night class frigate. Derived from the Stalwart class light frigate, and fitted with advanced stealth and sensor systems. The Midsummer Night class frigates eschew the large troop compliment of their parent design in favour of advanced sensors, heat sinks, and baffling systems. The class is designed to function as heavier armed counterparts ONI’s to prowlers, and operate with a “look first, shoot second” mentality. In spite of the small size of the vessels, they are very expensive ships. And with said cost and their limited combat capabilities (with each vessel armed with less than half the missiles of their parent designs) combined, this class of vessel is usually confined to ONI’s toy chest as one of their few and prized warships. However, the ability for them to remain silently scout enemy formations and lay a large network of nuclear mines makes them a brilliant asset to any small force that needs a massive boost of firepower. Like a wolfpack for instance.

ARMED WITH FOLLOWING:
>x1 light MAC gun
>x3 Shiva nuclear missile
x16 archer anti-ship missile pods (total of 384 missiles)
x36 Streak anti-fighter missile pods (total of 1080 missiles)
x72 HORNET nuclear mines.
x4 Point Defence Turrets
x4 hangar bays (CONFIGURABLE)
x12 SOEIV drop-pods
x50 Marines

Frowning to himself, the Admiral took almost 30 seconds to come to a decision. Assigning Wells to a destroyer was certainly a tempting idea, more of them were needed at the front. However, he wasn’t sure if that was the right course of action. And he had questions about just what the hell a stealth frigate was doing in his backyard. And without an ONI vetted captain at it’s helm. But still, he had to assign the man a warship.

>Midsummer Night class light frigate (stealth)
>Stalwart class light frigate
>Charon class frigate
>Paris class heavy frigate
>Halberd class destroyer

>>3219026
Hey! That's the Heart of Midlothian!

>>3219035
>Paris class heavy frigate

>>3219035
>>Halberd class destroyer
We'll be the Demon in the black. As the Covenant talk about the Chief in respect, they'll be forced to admire how we rip apart covenant.

>>3219035
>Midsummer Night class light frigate (stealth)
Or
>Paris class heavy frigate

>>3219035
>Stalwart class light frigate
Let's start small, work our way up. We can upgrade to a more impressive ship later. I really only voted for more available classes because I like reading the descriptions.

I'm gonna pause the thread here and restart it tomorrow when more votes have come through.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave them here and I'll get them answered before we start tomorrow.

>>3219035
>Charon class frigate

>>3219035
>Paris class heavy frigate

>>3219035
>Charon class frigate

>>3219035
>Charon class frigate

Seems good for space and ground missions.

>>3219035
>Charon class frigate

>>3219035
>Paris class heavy frigate
How about we don’t poke the spook button?

>Paris class heavy frigate
These things are the workhorse of the UNSC war fleet late war. It's a solid fighting ship

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I'm not familiar with Halo lore but from quick googling... are we the bad guys? We not only supress outer colony freedom fighters but also fuck up when the colonies get attacked by aliens. Then we jannisary young colonists and make them fight against basically anyone who isn't us.

Anyways, fuck being slow and fuck being forced into a role.
>>3219035
>Stalwart class light frigate

>>3219035
>Halberd class destroyer
Or
>Midsummer Night class light frigate (stealth)

>>3219717
The UNSC is morally...grey. On one hand, you have the boots on the ground who are fighting to save the human race, on the other you have ONI disappearing children to turn into super soldiers.

The insurgents are dicks, the covenant are hinge-jawed dicks, and ONI are covert dicks.

>>3219717
While true, the insurgents were the first to actually nuke a city so fuck them. Ironically we fuck up against Aliens BECAUSE humanity haven't had a war with each other for a few hundred years.
The last point I concede on the moral front since the only difference in this and janissaries is that janissaries took kids from other countries while the ONI took from their own citizens.

>>Halberd class destroyer

>>3219035
>halberd class destoryer

People seem to think you can dodge plasma torps or some shit.

>>3219035
>Charon-class
Seems the most flexible

>>3219026
Halberd Class

>>3219035
>Midsummer Night class light frigate (stealth)

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>>3219717
DESU, the last time the UEG let the colonies pick their own rules, you had Nazis and Commies in the Jovian moons trying to off each other. And since then, railguns and coilguns like the MAC gun have become fairly common.

This is actually terrifying, as your average "light" MAC gun can send a 600-ton slug around 30 kilometers per second. A large "super-heavy" MAC gun can send a 3,000-ton slug at nearly .04c, or around 12,000 kilometers per second. And large surface based mass drivers can fling probes into deep space from the surface of a planet. With that kind of power, an enemy force could wipe out entire cities in a single shot.

And the Insurrectionists are 100% willing to do that in order to gain their "freedom", keeping in mind that they make ample use of terrorist-style attacks on civilians, hijack warships, and other such shit.

That being said, ONI are still a bunch of assholes.

Anyhow, as we currently have a 3-way tie between the Charon, Paris and Halberd, the next vote will take it.

5 paris
5 halberd
5 Charon

>>3220003
Paris

>>3220003
>halberd class destroyer

>>3220003
>Charon-class

>>3220016
>Paris class heavy frigate

Glory or death!

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>>3220016
It has the most utility slo- I mean configurable hangar bays so I think it's the most fair choice from the ships which ended in tie vote.

>>3219736
>>3219772
>>3220003
Thanks for explanation.

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>>3220016
The Paris class takes it. I'm gonna start writing and we'll continue the quest in 1 hour's time.

>>3220035
Bingo.

>>3220035
While waiting warmly for OP, how should we name our brand-new ship? One of the things I loved about Halo was their neat ship names.

>>3220139
I'm actually going to leave the naming up to you guys. Obviously I will step in if a really stupid name gets selected (so no UNSC Pepe, or Shipy Mc'Shipface), but aside from that there will be the option to defer the name to someone else, at which point I will give a few suggestions for you to pick from.

>>3220147
Hey Thunder, our guy used to crack down on smugglers right?

>>3220155
Yep. You helped to catch smugglers, gun runners and do other behind-the-lines jobs that are still essential to the war effort.

>>3220139
>>3220155
How about:
>Parcel of Stardust
>Under Over

>>3220139
>Karukaya
>Oite
>Oboro
>Inazuma
>Suzukaze
>Arare
>Kagero
>Kuroshio
>Kaede
>Nashi
WW2 Imperial Japanese destroyers

>>3220139
Right of Way
Over the Rainbow
Into the Fray
Object in Mirror
Ready to Rumble
Sound of Thunder
Samuel B Roberts, though it does have some negative implications
>>3220168
How many of those survived the war?

The Stalwart and Midsummer Night class vessels were right out off the bat. The Stalwart was too lightly armed and armoured for the role, and it’s anti-fighter weapons were carried by other vessels. And while the Midsummer Night class vessel had the benefit of an advanced stealth suite and HORNET nuclear mines, the vessel was not nearly powerful enough to hold it’s own in a fight.

That left the Charon class, the Paris class, and the Halberd class. Of them, he had to strike out the Halberd class on regulations alone. He didn’t want to, as the young Lieutenant Commander was smart enough to be able to use a MAC effectively, and as such would be a good fit for the vessel. However, he just didn’t have enough of a reason to skip-promote the young man to captain. UNSC regulations prohibited anyone below O-6 from commanding a destroyer. And even with a promotion, Wells would only be able to make Commander, putting him at O-5 level.

However, Admiral Haley was sure that Wells could still make use of the Paris class vessel. It was within his bracket to command and had the most powerful weapons armament of any frigate class vessel. Not to mention that it had more flight-capable hangers than the Charon class. The troop-carrying capacity left a lot to be desired, but it was still enough to deploy a VBSS team and to counter enemy boarding craft. So all in all, it would be a solid enough fit until he made captain.

“Bertram, I need you to write up some messages for me, first recipient being the UNSC Hoel.” The Admiral called for his AI’s attention.

“Understood sir. What would you like the message to contain?” His AI responded a second later, though this time its avatar didn’t pop up on the screen in front of him.

“Inform them that the request for Lieutenant Commander Wells to be promoted has been granted. The vessel is to rendezvous with the police cutter UEG Javert over the colony of Falaknuma. Once they have transferred Wells and his personal effects, they are to resupply and continue with counter-insurgency patrols in the Scorpio constellation.” The admiral instructed his AI, who quickly constructed a message to the Hoel. Included within would be an updated security cypher for the newly promoted Commander. He gave the message a once-over, before hitting the send button.

“I presume that the next message will be to the UEG Javert, informing them of their new cargo?” Bertram asked as a new message began to assemble itself on the Admiral’s console, this time addressed to the cutter.

“Indeed, once they have recovered Wells and resupplied over Falaknuma, they are to bring him here at best possible speed.” The admiral allowed himself to smile a bit to himself, while it was rare, Bertram was capable of predicting what he was going to ask next with some accuracy. This smile remained on his face as the message filled itself out and was sent on its way, and the packet of messages began their journeys.

>CONT

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>>3220178
Two weeks later, a man would step off a ship that had been his home for almost the past three years. And his real fight would begin.

=============================

Entering the Aditi space station, the crown of the Falaknuma space elevator, you tug on the edge of your uniform’s collar. The damn thing had shrunk slightly in the wash, and while it still fits, it is certainly tighter than normal. Still, your mood was bright. A couple of weeks prior, your request for a promotion had been approved. And better yet, you had been assigned to a Paris class. The largest class of vessel that a new commander could possibly be assigned to! There were only two reasons that could happen, either someone up top had seen something in you, or things were really going to hell in a hand basket.

All things considered, while you hoped for the former, the latter was most likely. Still, the Covanant hadn’t found a world for a good month or so for now, so if there was a time to be promoted, now was the best time. At least things would be quiet for your first couple of months of command.

As you walk through the docking-tube that connected the UNSC Hoel to the top of the space elevator, you decided to…

>Check your papers, you should make sure that you are on time.
>Check your bags, you don’t want to have left anything behind on the Hoel.
>Grab some food, there ought to be at least one restaurant up here.
>Send a quick message to your family. It’s been a while since you’ve talked with them.
>Other (write in)

>>3220168
>>3220174
>>3220160
Isn't there an established naming convention in Halo when it comes to ships?

"Frigates are named after lines of famous poems or songs."

>>3220181
>Send a quick message to your family. It’s been a while since you’ve talked with them.

>>3220181
>>Send a quick message to your family. It’s been a while since you’ve talked with them.

>>3220181
>>Send a quick message to your family. It’s been a while since you’ve talked with them.
I think we should stick with Hoel only a few names are as good as that one

>>3220184
There really isn't a dicernable naming convention for UNSC ships. The Halo Fannon does have one established, but there isn't an established Cannon naming system.

As such, pick what you like. If there is already a UNSC ship with that name then I'll pick something else.

>>3220168
Not super keen on Japanese names myself, it doesn't seem thematically coherent with other Halo ship names, which seem to be either famous battles or Greek myth stuff

Some of my suggestions

>Myrmidon
>Salamis
>Gallipoli
>Nelson
>Waterloo
>Dunkirk
>Myeongnyang (had to google that for spelling I admit, probably to annoying a word to actually name our ship)
>Tsushima
>Hanno the Navigator

>>3220184
How about "Light Brigade" then?

>>3220181
>>Send a quick message to your family. It’s been a while since you’ve talked with them.

>>3220174
Not too many I guess. To be honest, I just picked names I liked off wikipedia.

>>3220198
>seem to be either famous battles or Greek myth stuff
>Greek myth stuff
If that's the case
>Velator
>Incursus
>Navitas
>Celestis
>Nemesis
>Ares
>Taranis
>Eris
>Arazu

>>3220194
>>3220208
Just going to post the names of other Paris-class frigates I found on the halo wiki for comparison

UNSC Cascadia
UNSC Commonwealth
UNSC Gettysburg
UNSC Grafton
UNSC Paris [I assume this is the Trojan, not the city Paris?]
UNSC Saratoga
UNSC Savannah
UNSC Virginia Capes

So it doesn't seem to be strictly poems

>>3220194
>Drunk Scotsman
>Vengeful One
>Sucker Punch
>Over and Under
>Primo Victoria
>Say What
>Drop Kick

>>3220199
YES

>>3220194
>Heermann
>Johnston
>Samuel B. Roberts
>White Plains

We could name her after some of the greatest naval underdogs ever

>>3220181
>Send a quick message to your family. It’s been a while since you’ve talked with them.
>>3220199
Sounds too negative, you know with the whole suicidal charge and everything
>>3220208
Exactly. Ships and almost every thing concerning them have superstitious connotations, and considering how we pray to dice it might not be a bad idea to have the same mindset

>>3220234
In that case might as well call it
>UNSC Dice Gods
Might as well ask for their help directly.

>>3220242
UNSC Roll of Dice
UNSC Natural 20

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>>3220253
May as well go full meme mode

>>3220253
>>3220256
I'll support this.

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A nearby map of the station showed you that there was a “terminal bar” a couple of decks below you. Basically a modern equivalent of the late 20’th century to early 21’st century internet café, these bars allowed their patrons to use a terminal to either send messages via the planet’s slipspace comms network, or to browse the planetary info-net. All while sat in a comfortable seat, and while drinking a nice beverage.

You casually made your way through the station to the closest elevator, and you couldn’t help but smile as the various enlisted ranks and lower-ranking officers moved out of your way. You had polished your new rank insignia to a mirror shine, both out of pride and necessity. Your former commanding officer had apparently tried to give you the most scuffed spare insignia that she had lying around, so you had to work hard to make it look as new as possible.

Not that you really cared too much. The fact that you were assigned the bigger ship was something that she just had to stew about.

Aditi station, like the colony below, had been settled by a large contingent of people from the country of India on Earth. And those people had brought the best parts of their culture with them. As you disembarked the elevator two levels below where the Hoel was docked, you could immediately smell the scent of freshly cooked food. Curry, Rogan Josh, Naan bread and many other dishes were being cooked in a variety of nearby restaurants. Many of which were packed with naval personnel who were enjoying their short break, including a number of men and women from the Hoel.

Entering the “terminal bar”, you walked over to one of the vacant terminals by the large ceiling-to-floor window and entered your credentials into the terminal, allowing you to access the UNSC’s priority messaging system. It would allow you to send and receive messages from home, regardless of where you were deployed.

>Write a short message, going over your new command. You might as well get a large meal before your ride arrives.
>Write them a long message, you might as well get as much out as you can. You can probably get something small sent over.
>Leave the message for now, you might as well grab something now.

>>3220242
>>3220253
Have you ever heard of a ship called Please Don't Sink?
Doesn't inspire confidence does it?

>>3220264
>Write a short message, going over your new command. You might as well get a large meal before your ride arrives.

>>3220264
>Write them a long message, you might as well get as much out as you can. You can probably get something small sent over.

>>3220234
It was a suicidal charge yes.
But it also showed extreme loyalty and courage.

>>3220269
How about UNSC Lucky Sevens?

>>3220264
>>Write them a long message, you might as well get as much out as you can. You can probably get something small sent over.
It's our first letter as a commander of our own ship to our family, for Chrissake. We should thank our parents (one posthumously) for their support for us thus far.

Some points our character might include:
- How our siblings are doing
- Minor bullying/teasing of little sister over her infatuation with [setting-appropriate musician], with love
- Questions on Mother's financial status, just to check if they're receiving part of your paycheck correctly
- Heartfelt thanks on her raising us as a single parent (maybe not mentioning Father directly, as his death is our PTSD)
- A reminder directed to our little brother to listen to Mother (coming from a "cool" captain brother might make him listen to you more in his troubled teenage years)
- Photo of you in new uniform and insignia

>>3220264
>Write them a long message, you might as well get as much out as you can. You can probably get something small sent over.

>>3220279
Forgot about the "something small". Maybe a memento? We were on good terms with the Marines in our ships, so they might have given us some kind of parting gift when we left. Spent bullet casing? An ancient brass watch ~~looted~~ appropriated from an Insurgent's corpse, clearly of some value, possibly an heirloom?

>>3220264
>Write them a long message, you might as well get as much out as you can. You can probably get something small sent over.

>>3220279 >>3220289 support but let's not forget our baggage >>3218607 (psychological trauma)
>Minor bullying/teasing of little sister over her infatuation with [setting-appropriate musician], with love
We actually send message only to our little sister cause (we think) our mum and/or siblings/extended family blame us for what happened that fateful day.

>>3220273
>also showed extreme loyalty and courage.
Agreed, but you can show that without the needless loss of life.
>>3220277
Eh, sound like a race horse, but that might not be a bad theme to follow
>Sunday Silence
>Whirlaway
>Cannonade

>>3220324
Well, this is unexpected >>>/mlp/

>>3220264
OP, is this gonna be like Pilot quest complete with harem and named character not dying, ever, no matter what choice gets picked?

>>3220331
Oh you cheeky fuck

>>3220302
>We actually send message only to our little sister cause (we think) our mum and/or siblings/extended family blame us for what happened that fateful day.

Eh too much drama imo. Let's just go with he blames himself and hasn't let it go.

So we're all decided on UNSC My Little Frigate right?

>>3220343
That's an interesting way of misspelling «Light Brigade»

>>3219717
>fuck up when the colonies get attacked by aliens
Since when is failing to save people when you're completely outclassed by the enemy an evil thing?

>>3220264
>Write them a long message, you might as well get as much out as you can. You can probably get something small sent over.


>Jericho Revenge

>>3220347
I dunno man, Light Brigade is bad mojo. They're famous because of their eulogic poem.

>>3220356
There's always some armchair asshole criticizing people who actually do shit.

>>3220358
I agree Anon, there’s a reason that nobody likes recycling unlucky units.

>>3220343
So long as we paint it bright pink so the Covenant can kill us first
>>3220358
Thank you

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>>3220373

>>3220343
I support this

UNSC The Frigate That Could
UNSC I Cast Fist
UNSC Further Beyond
UNSC Final Word
UNSC Last Laugh
UNSC Little Help Here
UNSC Wonderful Life
UNSC Laconic Reply

>>3220416
Nice

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Bringing up a small, ordering screen, you put in an order for a couple of snacks and a beer to be sent to your terminal. You would be here for a while, so you might as well get something sent over.

You decided to send the message to your sister, rather than anyone else. Ever since Jericho VII, you and your mother hadn’t seen eye to eye. A part of you wondered if she blamed you for your father’s demise, it wasn’t entirely out of the question, but you didn’t know for sure as you had never bothered to ask. Your last face-to-face conversation with her had been a few days before you had gone to the academy on Reach. She was vehemently against you leaving for the navy, and there had been a major argument between the two of you.

You… you may have said some things that cut a bit too deep. You did regret some of the things you had said, but you hadn’t had the chance to set things right. You had invited your mother to attend your graduation, and you had spotted her in the crowd. But she had before you had a chance to talk with her.

As such, your sister was the only real point of contact between you and the rest of your family, and usually the one who passed out the contents of your messages to their respective recipients. And as such, you addressed the message to her. You just had just started when a waitress in a traditional Indian outfit served you your beer. A low alcohol content one, as you didn’t want to get wasted on route to your new command. And with beer in hand, you started the message in the same way you usually did, by calling your sister a twerp.

Not like you meant to insult her. It was just the way you said hello to each other, with light-hearted and jesting insults. You were both very used to it, and you were pretty sure you were the only person who could call her by her nickname without getting decked for it. You made sure to ask her about how things were going back with her and the rest of the family on Tribute, you had been paying some attention to the refugee status on the planet, and things seemed to be going well. Or at the very least, the situation there was better than on Falaknuma. You couldn’t help but tease her a little bit about her idolisation of the lead singer of the band “Stardust”, after all you had paid for her tickets to one of their recent concerts.

You made sure to include a couple of questions for other members of your family. You included a message to your youngest brother, asking him about his studies and what he wanted to do after he finished high school. You asked your mother about how both of your siblings were getting along socially, and if she was receiving her cut of your pay check. A lieutenant commander’s pay rate was surprisingly good after all, and you just couldn’t keep it to yourself.

>CONT

>>3220428
You added a quick thanks to your mother for helping you get this far. Even though the both of you were a bit distant right now, she had been very caring following the loss of your father and had provided a shoulder for you to lean on when you couldn’t keep up the “tough older brother” act.

As you were finishing off the message, you noticed a growing commotion outside the bar. People were getting rowdy, and a lot of people were shouting insults back and forth.

>Add something else to your message (write in)
>Check up on the news, at least the UNSC news network isn’t as censored as the civilian net.
>Finish up and grab something to eat. What’s happening outside is not your problem.
>Finish up and check out what is happening, you might need to reign some folks in.
>Other (write in)

>>3220432
>>Finish up and check out what is happening, you might need to reign some folks in.

>>3220432
>>Finish up and check out what is happening, you might need to reign some folks in.
Hellooo plot hook

>>3220432
>Finish up and check out what is happening, you might need to reign some folks in.
Such is life as a officer...fucking jarheads.

>>3220432
>Finish up and check out what is happening, you might need to reign some folks in.

UNSC Thunder Child?

>>3220428
So is our little sis listening to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOngRDVtEQI&index=3 ?

>>3220432
>Finish up and check out what is happening
but something tells me we are not the disciplinarian type

>>3220420
>>3220416
>>3220392
>>3220381
>>3220343
See OP, this is what happens when you take too long with posts

Also, thread theme anyone?

>>3220432
>>Finish up and check out what is happening, you might need to reign some folks in.
Our time spent with the Marines might help browbeat the fight to submission.

Sighing to yourself, you tied up the message with the usual ending. You bid your sister and the rest of the family to be safe and reminding your younger brother that he really ought to listen to his mother. And with everything finished up, you hit the send button and waited a few seconds for the message to be encoded and sent off to the comms station.

As you waited, you turned in your seat and looked outside of the bar, trying to get a look at just what was going on. And although you couldn’t actually see anything, you could certainly hear the various insults being yelled back and forth.

And given the great usage of words like “squid” and “jarhead” you could reasonably assume that some personnel had taken their drinking a bit too far and had gotten rowdy.

This was going to be a difficult situation. Usually, marines and navy personnel tend to sit down and shut up when an officer from either branch comes around. But when copious amounts of alcohol were included in the mix-up, things like “respect for superior officers” and “inter-service comradery” tended to be forgotten.

>Head out and start breaking things up. You don’t have this rank just for you to sit on your ass.
>Head out and observe, if you can see what the problem is, you’ll probably have a better idea about how to straighten things out.
>On second thoughts, just head to the bar and see if you can strike up a conversation. None of this is your concern anymore.
>Other (write in)

>>3220494
>>On second thoughts, just head to the bar and see if you can strike up a conversation. None of this is your concern anymore.

>>3220494
>Head out and observe, if you can see what the problem is, you’ll probably have a better idea about how to straighten things out.

>>3220494
>>Head out and observe, if you can see what the problem is, you’ll probably have a better idea about how to straighten things out.

>>3220494
>>Head out and observe, if you can see what the problem is, you’ll probably have a better idea about how to straighten things out.

>>3220494
>Head out and start breaking things up. You don’t have this rank just for you to sit on your ass.
We're familiar with both marine and navy terminologies, since we're an officer in the Navy but worked closely with the Marines before we received our own command. I think we can handle this pretty well given our best-of-both-worlds experience.

>>3220494
>Head out and observe, if you can see what the problem is, you’ll probably have a better idea about how to straighten things out.

>>3220494
>>Head out and observe, if you can see what the problem is, you’ll probably have a better idea about how to straighten things out.

Once the message was sent, you disconnected from the terminal and made your way out of the bar, intent of figuring out just what was going on. As you left, you walked up to the bar and tapped the top of your hand against a black circle inlaid into the bar itself. A few seconds later, the bartender thanked you for your patronage, and allowed you to leave.

You’d have to check your outgoing payments later. Some bars with that kind of system loved to tack on an extra charge in the place of a tip. And that could get hideously expensive.

Outside, you didn’t have to look far in order to find the source of the commotion. A good number of civilians, enlisted personnel, and even the odd officer was standing in the hall observing the argument from a safe distance. A couple were even cheering their respective side on but weren’t too interested in getting involved. Though this played to your favour, as so many people were busy watching what was happening that they didn’t spot you sneaking into the crowd.

A couple of people did though, and they promptly left. Being caught egging on a fight by a commander is not good.

In the centre of the main corridor, roughly three meters away from the crowd, a good twenty to thirty people were yelling insults at each other. One side of them dressed in OD green fatigues, and the others dressed in navy blue. You couldn’t tell much from where you were standing, but given the spilled food and drink, you could guess that things escalated from someone not looking where they were going.

Unfortunately, you could recognise a couple of men and women from the Hoel in the two groups. This was a problem, as they knew that you were leaving, and would be the ones most likely to not listen to you.

**Roll 1d20 in order to determine success, the mean of the first 3 rolls determines success or failure**
>Get their attention DI style. You need to shut this down instantly.
>Try and calm them down diplomatically, you don’t want to escalate things.
>Other (write in)

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>3220570
>Get their attention DI style. You need to shut this down instantly.

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Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>3220570
>Get their attention DI style. You need to shut this down instantly.
Here. We. Go.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>3220570
>>Get their attention DI style. You need to shut this down instantly.

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>3220570
>Try and calm them down diplomatically, you don’t want to escalate things.

>>3220579
Thank the prophets you’re late, Anon.

>>3220570
>>Get their attention DI style. You need to shut this down instantly.

>>3220570
>>Get their attention DI style. You need to shut this down instantly.

>>3220576
Sixteen should be good enough...right?

What does DI stand for in this case?

>>3220609
>the mean of the first 3 rolls determines success or failure
Never mind, the other two rolls have fucked us.

>>3220613
Drill Instructor?

>>3220615
Better now than later when facing Covenant
>something something gambler's fallacy

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Mean Roll: 8.33
Success threshold: 7
Result: Success (minor)

It didn’t take a genius to realise that this was going to get violent. Alcohol and inter-service rivalry always tended to result in bloody noses and fractures. You needed to head this off instantly. But you couldn’t do that while still carrying all of your bags. If it looked like you were leaving, then you would never be able to get them under control.

As such, you decided to get yourself a volunteer, and tapped an ensign in front of you on the shoulder. He turned around and almost instantly went pale as he recognised the rank insignia on your chest.

“Stay here and hold my bags ensign.” You ordered as you shoved your bags into the man’s hands. He clutched the bags and tried to speak, but all that came out was a rushed stutter as you barged past him.

“WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?” You yelled as you stepped out of the crowd. You adopted the tone of voice that you remembered well from the DI’s at the Reach Acadamy, and the marine officers that you so often liaised with.

The effects were almost instant. The crowd stopped cheering, and the two groups of angry marines and navy personnel straightened up and went silent. The almost pavlovian response to that commanding tone bringing them back towards sobriety. However, nobody answered.

“WELL? I’M WAITING.” You asked again as you approached the group, though you noticed that at least a couple of them were still swaying on their feet.

“They started it. Dave bumped into one of them and the damn squids couldn’t take an apology.” One of the marines answered, gesturing at another marine who was glaring over at an ensign.

“Dumb fucking jarhead tried to bowl me over on purpose. And wouldn’t apologise for ruining my damn uniform.” An ensign countered the marine’s claim, this same one being covered in curry sauce.

“Well may be if-.” The glaring marine tried to speak, but you shut him down.

“CAN IT TROOPER, I DON’T WANT TO HEAR SHIT FROM YOU.” You instantly shut down the marine as he tried to speak, only for an ensign to smirk

“IS THIS FUNNY TO YOU ENSIGN? IS THERE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS THAT IS ENTERTAINING TO YOU? WIPE THAT DAMN SMILE OFF YOUR FACE!” You instantly rounded to the smirking ensign, who promptly stood up straighter and dropped the smirk.

>Dismiss the crowd and order the warring groups back to their ships, they’ve forfeited their shore leave.
>Keep everyone in place until another officer arrives so you can pass it off onto him.

>>3220613
Drill Instructor.

So we are a massive dick? Eh, why not.

>>3220698
>>Dismiss the crowd and order the warring groups back to their ships, they’ve forfeited their shore leave.

>>3220698
>Make the two idiots apologize.... or else. Then dismiss everyone and send them out of the hall in two different direction. if we EVEN HEAR of any more shit going on in this station until our ship leaves? ALL their asses are grass.

>>3220711
This. We need to make sure they understand military hierarchy. What are they, fresh recruits? Also make sure they address us by rank. They can damn well see our rank badges. It's not "They started it", it's "They started it, [our rank]".

>>3220711
>>3220734
This

>>3220711
>>3220734

support

>>3220708
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDAsABdkWSc
I know we're the "chill" CO, smuggling alcoholic drinks to our marines when they lose members of their unit, but we also need to be stern at times as well.

>>3220708
Ya'll did vote for the DI option, which generally a dickish option. Plus, as >>3220748 says, Wells may be a chill officer, but there are still times where a foot must be put down.

>>3220698
this >>3220711

>>3220711
>>3220734
Very nice, I like this

UNSC One for my Baby

>>3220788
UNSC Auld Lang Syne
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPnhaGWBnys

After taking a second to act like you were trying to calm yourself down, you spoke again. This time lowering your voice, but keeping the sharp tone. “Alright, you idiots are blowing this out of proportion. Stop acting like children.”

The ensign with the curry on his shirt tried to speak up, but you instead cut him off.

“I don’t want to hear it! Now, this is how this is going to go down. You…” You gestured to the ensign with curry on him. “And you.” You gestured to the marine that had barged into him. “Are going to apologise and shake hands like adults. Or I swear you are going in the brig for as long as it takes for you to grow up.”

The two were silent for a couple of seconds, before the marine broke the silence and extended his hand to the ensign. “Sorry for barging into you like that, I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

The ensign paused for a second, before he shook his hand and returned with a half-hearted apology. “It’s fine, I didn’t handle that well.”

You didn’t think that he really was sorry, and you weren’t going to let that sorry excuse for an apology slide. So you ordered the ensign to do it again. “Do that again, but as if you actually mean it.”

“Fine… I’m sorry dude. I shouldn’t have fired off on you like that.” The ensign finally relented, admitting that he had been in the wrong for escalating it.

“Good. Now, You two and your groups are going to head off in opposite directions, and not start shit with each other again.” You turned your attention to the groups at large, gesturing for the ensigns to head back the way you came from, and the marines to go the other way. “I’m being kind to you here, so don’t make me regret this.”

The two groups exchanged one last glare, before heading off on their ways. Thankfully, the crowd had already started to disperse the moment you raised your voice, so the groups were able to leave unmolested. Eventually leaving you standing in the middle of the corridor, along with the ensign that was holding your bags.

>Head to the bar, your throat is a bit sore after all of that yelling.
>Grab some food, you ought to grab something to go before your transport arrives.
>Head to the docking bay and wait for your transport to arrive. You might as well be in place for when the ship arrives.
>Other (write in)

>>3220892
>>Grab some food, you ought to grab something to go before your transport arrives.
That went pretty okay. Let's get some grub since all we had was a beer

>>3220892
>Head to the docking bay and wait for your transport to arrive. You might as well be in place for when the ship arrives.

>>3220892
>Head to the bar, your throat is a bit sore after all of that yelling
and >>3220903 order some food at the bar (they serve food in this bar, c-correct?)
Surprised no one went for vice in >>3218417

>>3220892
>>Grab some food, you ought to grab something to go before your transport arrives.

while waiting for the food, check for the military news.

>>3220892
>>>Grab some food, you ought to grab something to go before your transport arrives.
Might be the last time in a long while to get restaurant-tier fresh food. Who knows what kind of slop our ship will serve? Hey, you reckon we could invite the ensign to eat with us as thanks for holding onto our bags?

>>3220943
Only if its she and looks like she is into us. Remember, we just spent 3 years on a ship on duty. I reckon we want a taste of civilian life during these few hours we got.

>>3220943
If more than one person supports your decision, then sure. Just keep in mind that the ensign is a he, and probably isn't getting reassigned to your ship.

>>3220964
Oh yeah, I knew he was a he. No dark motive, just to reassert our more relaxed attitude once more. Not very often ensigns get to eat officer-grade food, yeah?

>>3220943
I'll support this. I was gonna say something like this anyway

>>3220943
>>3220964
yeah i'll back this, random acts of humanity in between being a hardass is a great character trait

>>3220964
I support it

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You sighed to yourself as the two groups moved out of sight. You didn’t like having to shout at those lower down the ladder to you. After all, it’s all well and good for an officer to bark out orders, but some poor fucker is going to have to make it a reality. And if those men and women under you don’t trust you, then you’ve pretty much failed as an officer right out of the bat. Afterall, almost all of the greatest officers in history had only gotten to where they were because the people under them trusted their judgement. And if you wanted to get your own vengeance, then you would need their support.

You were brought back to your senses by a small, plate-sized cleaning robot knocking into your boot. Apparently you had stepped in the curry, but not slipped onto your ass.

Well, at least there was a little victory there. It’s pretty hard to command respect if you slip and fall onto your own ass.

Stepping off, you made your way over to the ensign who was diligently standing by with your bags. He stood by the wall in order not to obstruct people going past, but still stood to attention. You were pretty sure that he was a new recruit.

“Thanks for holding my gear.” You thanked the ensign as you took the bags off him. He seemed relieved to no longer be holding onto them, though if only so he could salute you.

“It’s fine sir.” He quickly replied as you returned the salute, though the rushed answer and salute told you that things were anything but fine with him. He seemed a bit nervous.

“Anyways kiddo, you want to grab a bite to eat? My treat to you for being helpful.” You offered the ensign in an attempt to try and calm him down. Though if the slight pause and rapid nod was anything to go by, you failed that completely.

A few minutes later, the two of you were sitting at the bar in a nearby, American style diner. The both of you enjoying some burgers. You did have to push the ensign to actually order something that wasn’t the cheapest option available, and he was wolfing down his food. If you had to guess, he was trying to head off as quickly as possible.

>Ask the ensign what really happened between the marines and other ensigns. It can’t have been something so stupid as a curry getting knocked. (ROLL)
>Ask the ensign if something is wrong, he seems wound up like a spring.
>Ask the ensign about himself, you ought to break the ice.
>Let the ensign go and watch the news.
>Other (write in)

>>3220985
>>3221014
>>3220976
>>3220973
pentuple supported.

>>3221043
>>Ask the ensign if something is wrong, he seems wound up like a spring.
No sense being wound up, especially with life as short as it sometimes is.

>>3221051
>>Ask the ensign if something is wrong, he seems wound up like a spring.
>>3221051
Use the advice from this anon, telling him to relax, maybe even ask about how life in the military has been so far with the kind of camaraderie only officers who worked up from the lower rungs of the military can express, and then
>Ask the ensign what really happened between the marines and other ensigns. It can’t have been something so stupid as a curry getting knocked. (ROLL)
We build up to asking about what actually happened AFTER we get him to feel safe around us.

>>3221043
>Ask the ensign what really happened between the marines and other ensigns. It can’t have been something so stupid as a curry getting knocked. (ROLL)

>>3221043
this >>3221079

>>3221043
>Ask the ensign what really happened between the marines and other ensigns. It can’t have been something so stupid as a curry getting knocked

>>3221043
>Ask the ensign if something is wrong, he seems wound up like a spring.

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Deciding to break the awkward silence, you spoke to the ensign. “Something wrong kiddo?”

As if to answer your question for you, the ensign jumped in his seat. Apparently he thought that you were just going to stay silent and let him slip off. “Ah, I’m fine sir. I… I’m not sure why you ask.”

“Kid, when I spoke you jumped so hard some of the filling came out of your burger. Your definitely wound up tighter than you should.” You pointed out, gesturing to the ensign’s leg. Where a mixture of cheese and other assorted fillings was currently sat after it’s short flight from his food.

The ensign just stared at his let for a couple of seconds, before letting out a tired sigh as he gave up. “I’m sorry sir. It’s just… It’s just that I’m worried that’s all it is.”

“Worried about what kid?” You asked as you ordered a pair of beers. You didn’t think that the kid had drank a beer before, but it was never too early to get him started.

“The very real possibility that I’m gonna die in the near future?” The ensign replied sharply, before realising his mistake. “Ah… I’m sorry for snapping sir.”

“No need to apoligise kid. Just tell me what’s wrong, and I’ll see if I can give you some advice.” You said as the beers arrived, the kid didn’t seem to notice as the waiter put a bottle of beer in front of him. Hell, you doubted that he was even old enough to drink beer on whatever home planet he came from. Generally speaking, the inner colonies had a higher drinking age than colonies like Jericho VII. Though that was only if people followed the rules.

“It’s just the waiting sir. I’m constantly cooped up on a ship that has the thinnest armour in the fleet, and I work around a drive system that can put a thousand tons of warship into another dimension for FTL travel. And if anything goes wrong with that drive, the first sign is almost always when people like me disappear! Most of the time I’m in small access tunnels that are almost impossible to quickly navigate. And if we ever get hit, our armour is going to be as effective as wet tissue paper. If I don’t get vaporised by the plasma or the reactor going critical, then I’ll get sucked out into space and die of either exposure of flash-freezing. And even if I get into an escape pod, we still don’t know if the covenant actually takes prisoners, so I’ll probably also die there too!” The ensign began to rant, finally letting out his pent-up stress, and all his worries. Though if you had to comment on them, you’d call them worst case scenarios.

>CONT

>>3221286

>”Kid, the covenant hasn’t been spotted in this area, ever. Chances are that your ship will be assigned to trade protection for the foreseeable future anyways. So you probably won’t ever see them.”
>”Kid, I’ve served on police cutters and corvettes throughout my entire career. If there is one thing I can tell you with any certainty, it’s that any captain with a brain will avoid combat with a passion.”
>”Statistically speaking, a corvette or police cutter is probably the best place to be right now. We’re pumping out frigates and destroyers at a rate of close to fifty hulls every one and a half years. Only a handful of corvettes have been built in that time. What does that tell you about their respective losses?”
>Other (write in)

>>3221290
>”Kid, I’ve served on police cutters and corvettes throughout my entire career. If there is one thing I can tell you with any certainty, it’s that any captain with a brain will avoid combat with a passion.”

>>3221290
>>”Kid, I’ve served on police cutters and corvettes throughout my entire career. If there is one thing I can tell you with any certainty, it’s that any captain with a brain will avoid combat with a passion.”
And the ones that don't, usually have a good reason.

This war has killed billions, and I don't know what the outcome will be, but I guarantee you that we'll make the Covies pay for every planet they take. Have a beer, try to get laid, and enjoy the little things.

>>3221290
>”Statistically speaking, a corvette or police cutter is probably the best place to be right now. We’re pumping out frigates and destroyers at a rate of close to fifty hulls every one and a half years. Only a handful of corvettes have been built in that time. What does that tell you about their respective losses?”

Does anyone else want to tempt fate?

>>3221286
>>”Statistically speaking, a corvette or police cutter is probably the best place to be right now. We’re pumping out frigates and destroyers at a rate of close to fifty hulls every one and a half years. Only a handful of corvettes have been built in that time. What does that tell you about their respective losses?”
+ write-in

I'm not going to sugarcoat it to you. It's hard - very hard, even with all that training and simulations and book-learning you go through in the academies. Real combat is nothing like what they teach you. The first tense moment of contact, the feel of your ship shaking from enemy torpedoes. [You glance at his uniform - an ensign, not a Marine.] The realisation that what you do doesn't really matter. Not really. The battle at hand is controlled by your captain, who will call the shots, the firing officers, who -makes- those shots, and the blessed engineers and eggheads who built the ship you are standing on. Everything, from the integrity of the hull to the direction your ship is going - they're all out of your hands.

No, I'm not saying you should enter some zen warrior state. It is perfectly normal, hell, even a good thing to be fearful. Shows you have some kind of desire for life and aren't suicidal. You will never get used to the fear. Some people go numb, others go... crazy. I've seen Bible-thumping navy officers all prim and proper from the most backward regions of our beloved Earth turn into nymphomaniacs after their first battle. Then there was the alcoholic ensign who wouldn't shut up about how many women he bagged back on the ground - until the first missile hit. Switched to drinks entirely, wouldn't do it with women since. We all deal with it in different, broken ways. We make do. Facing the fear isn't the hard part.

It's letting go.

Your worries. After all, if you can't control the factors in play... why twist your panties about it? Even the boldest marine can turn into a simpering neurotic if he keeps worrying about whether his dropship is going to make it in one piece, if his combat suit is vac-sealed.

There is no point worrying about the captain, or the gunnery crew, or the strength of your ship's hull. As long as you do your little part in your ship, you will have done all you can in keeping yourself alive. And that's how people survive from junior posts to taking his own command as a captain of a frigate. Doing his part.

Just like the simulations.

>>3221290
>>”Kid, I’ve served on police cutters and corvettes throughout my entire career. If there is one thing I can tell you with any certainty, it’s that any captain with a brain will avoid combat with a passion.”
>>”Statistically speaking, a corvette or police cutter is probably the best place to be right now. We’re pumping out frigates and destroyers at a rate of close to fifty hulls every one and a half years. Only a handful of corvettes have been built in that time. What does that tell you about their respective losses?”

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>>3221386
Can't believe I forgot to post the one reason I wrote all that up

>>3221290
>”Kid, I’ve served on police cutters and corvettes throughout my entire career. If there is one thing I can tell you with any certainty, it’s that any captain with a brain will avoid combat with a passion.”

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”Statistically speaking, a corvette or police cutter is probably the best place to be right now. We’re pumping out frigates and destroyers at a rate of close to fifty hulls every one and a half years. Only a handful of corvettes have been built in that time. What does that tell you about their respective losses?” You pointed out to the ensign, though he didn’t seem to be taking it in. You sighed to yourself, before putting your burger down and taking a long sip from your beer.

You were going to need it.

“Kid, I’ve served on police cutters and corvettes throughout my entire career. If there is one thing I can tell you with any certainty, it’s that any captain with a brain will avoid combat with a passion. But I'm not going to sugarcoat it to you. It's hard - very hard, even with all that training and simulations and book-learning you go through in the academies. Real combat is nothing like what they teach you. The alarms going off as the captain orders everyone to their stations, the first tense moment of contact, the feel of your ship shaking from enemy torpedoes…” You trailed off as you looked over at the ensign’s uniform. And sure enough, there was the markings of an E-4, Petty Officer Third Class (PO3). Yeah, he wasn’t a marine or an officer, so his training didn’t include the same lessons to kill fear before it killed you.

“There is the realisation that what you do doesn't really matter. Not really. The battle at hand is controlled by your captain, who will call the shots, the firing officers, who -makes- those shots, and the blessed engineers and eggheads who built the ship you are standing on. Everything, from the integrity of the hull to the direction your ship is going - they're all out of your hands. And there isn’t shit you can do to change that.” You took another swig from your beer as you ensign turned to look at you, now actually listening to what you were saying.

>CONT

>>3221524

“I'm not saying you should enter some zen warrior state, I’m pretty damn sure that’s impossible anyways. It is perfectly normal to be scared, hell, it’s even a good thing to be fearful. It shows that you have some kind of desire for life and aren't suicidal. And if you are lucky, you will never get used to the fear. But some people do, some people go numb, others go... crazy.” You sigh to yourself as the memory of the aftermath of combat came back to you. And the sheer number of psyche cases that came as a result of it. “I've seen Bible-thumping navy officers, all prim and proper from the most backward regions of our beloved Earth turn into nymphomaniacs after their first battle. And the inverse, the most debased and playful ensigns turn into celibate nuns overnight. Then there was the alcoholic ensign who wouldn't shut up about how many women he bagged back on the ground - until the first missile hit. Switched to drinks entirely, wouldn't do it with women since. We all deal with it in different, broken ways. We make do.”

You looked the ensign straight in the eye and spoke to him as bluntly as possible. “Facing the fear isn't the hard part. It's letting go of the worries that you feel along with it. After all, if you can't control the factors in play... why twist your panties about it? Even the boldest marine can turn into a simpering neurotic if he keeps worrying about whether his dropship is going to make it in one piece, if his combat suit is vac-sealed. To the point where even the most petite rookie can look like a spartan in comparison. Hell, I’ve seen it before with my own two eyes. So there is no point worrying about the captain, or the gunnery crew, or the strength of your ship's hull. As long as you do your little part in your ship, you will have done all you can in keeping yourself alive. And that's how people survive from the junior posts up to taking up command of their own warship, where they can make the decisions that everyone worries about.”

The ensign was silent as he mulled over what you had just said, in the meantime you simply finished your beer. You were about to order a second one when the ensign spoke up. And for the first time, he didn’t sound as if he was going to stumble over his own tongue.

“What did you face sir? What was your first battle?”

>A standard VBSS mission that went to shit.
>A chance encounter that went south.
>Other (write in)

>>3221527
>>A chance encounter that went south.

>>3221527
>a chance encounter that went south

>>3221527
>A chance encounter that went south.
Seems fitting

>>3221527
>A chance encounter that went south.

>>3221527
>A chance encounter that went south.

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“It was a while back. I was still a security officer, liaising with my vessel’s marine squad. My ship, the Hoel, was temporarily redeployed to the Bhaakto system. We had to cover for a corvette that was damaged when an Innie cargo ship blew itself up during a VBSS mission. Hence why we were there covering their patrol while they were in dock.” You gave the backstory to the engagement to the ensign as you made to get another drink. Water this time, it wouldn’t do to get wasted after just telling off a group of drunks.

“We were in the middle of a VBSS mission when a Covenant raider dropped out of slipspace nearby. My team was recalled back to the Hoel while the freighter got ready to jump out. Just as our pelican was leaving the hold of the freighter, the raider launched a pair of Seraph fighters. Probably intending to cripple the freighter for capture after they dealt with us. We tried to get back onboard the freighter, but they jumped out before we could reach them.” You continued as your water arrived, cold and bottled. Not the recycled piss that most warships had to offer.

“The dash back to the Hoel was definitely one of the tensest moments of my life. Our most macho marines devolved into the most nervous wreaks I had ever seen, one of them kept checking the seals on his suit while the other kept repeating that he didn’t want to die in a tin can.” You explained, only pausing to take another drink. “When we got back to the ship, it was just a case of heading to our stations and waiting to see if we got boarded. Thankfully our ship didn’t receive much in the way of damage, but we did take a couple of hard licks. A good couple of decks still got vented into the void, and the poor bastards on those decks didn’t come back.”

“What happened to the raider?” The ensign asked, his curiosity piqued.

“It slipspaced out after a good couple of hits. Something must have been wrong with it’s targeting systems, as it just couldn’t seem to get a meaningful hit on us. It should have been a victory, but it just didn’t pan out like that.” You sighed as you remembered what happened less than a month later. First, a few freighters went missing, and then without warning an entire covenant fleet dropped out of slipspace right above the colony of Alluvion. At first, the UNSC had been able to keep the Covenant at bay while the evacuation took place. But planet fell quickly once the UNSC’s supply lines were cut by the covenant.

The entire planet was glassed. And everyone planet side died as a result.

>Ask the ensign what really happened between the marines and other ensigns. It can’t have been something so stupid as a curry getting knocked. (ROLL)
>Ask the ensign about himself.
>Let the ensign go and watch the news.
>Other (write in)

>>3221753

>Ask the ensign what really happened between the marines and other ensigns. It can’t have been something so stupid as a curry getting knocked. (ROLL)

>>3221753
>>Ask the ensign what really happened between the marines and other ensigns. It can’t have been something so stupid as a curry getting knocked. (ROLL)

>>3221753
>Ask the ensign what really happened between the marines and other ensigns. It can’t have been something so stupid as a curry getting knocked. (ROLL)

“So!” You began, deciding to change the subject. “Do you know what happened between the marines and the ensigns earlier?”

“I don’t think that I’m the best person to ask sir. I wasn’t able to get a good idea of what happened.” The ensign replied, though it did seem as if he was trying to hide something.

“Ensign, are you trying to hide something from me?” You asked him, trying to get the truth out of him.

**Roll 1d20 in order to determine success, the mean of the first 3 rolls determines success or failure**
**Due to the earlier pep-talk, you gain a +2 to the mean result**

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>3221855

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>3221855

>>3221856
Not even gonna roll
Good job Anon

>>3221862
I think that one of us has to roll for the mean to round out.

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>3221867
Oh yeah forgot that's the system

>>3221856
>>3221861
>>3221869
18+15+9= 42
42/3 =14
14+2 = 16

>>3221876
breddy gud

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>>3221856
>>3221861
>Second roll of the quest
>Two crits

WELP

Mean Roll: 14, +2 bonus for a total of 16
Success threshold: 8
Result: Success (CRIT)

The ensign was quiet for a good few seconds as he came to a decision about if he should spill the beans or not. But after a good few seconds, he finally began to talk.

“Look sir, this all goes back a bit. Those two guys, Blake and Rekker, have a history. They’ve been at each other’s throats even before I was assigned to the ship. Though from what I know, the marine -Rekker- had a girlfriend outside of the corps on some planet that we would often take shore leave at. But his girlfriend left him for Blake.” The ensign explained the story, starting slowly and with a bit of background.

“Are you kidding me? All this shit is over a girl?” You sighed, you thought that most people had left that whole get into a fight over a girl mentality behind when they went to basic. But apparently not.

“No sir, I’m just saying that those two hate each other’s guts. They have hated each other ever since they first met. Rumour has it that Blake specifically tried to seduce Rekker’s girlfriend just to piss Rekker off. They have been at each other’s throats ever since then, and it’s started to spread through their respective groups of friends. Hence why neither of them or their buddies tried to de-escalate the situation. Hell, Rekker went out of his way to barge into Blake and spill his food onto him. The argument began due to the bump, but that certainly wasn’t where their tensions started.” The ensign clarified, giving you a far greater picture of what had happened. And you soon began to feel sorry for the marine, Rekker. From the sounds of it he had been minding his own business until Blake showed up.

“Hasn’t your captain got involved? Maybe try to shuffle one of them off to another vessel?” You asked, trying to get more information on just what the captain of the vessel was doing. Afterall, this was a morale breach, and it really couldn’t be allowed to go without a response from the captain.

“He’s tried sir, but he’s not a very inspiring leader. And thus-far his requests for either of them to be transferred off ship have gone unanswered.” The ensign explained, but his tone of voice told you

You were about to ask something else, when you were cut off by the station-wide announcer stopped you in your tracks.

“Attention! Attention! All passengers for the UEG cutter Intervenor, please head for docking collar K-eleven. All passengers for the UEG cutter Intervenor, please head for docking collar K-eleven. Thank you.”

>Thank the ensign for his time, and head off to the bay
>Stay for a bit longer and ask the ensign something else (Write in)

>>3221963
>>Thank the ensign for his time, and head off to the bay
Good luck kid, remember what I told you

>>3221963
>Thank the ensign for his time, and head off to the bay

>>3221963
>Thank the ensign for his time, and head off to the bay

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“Well, I’m afraid that’s my call. Good luck on your ship ensign.” You bid the ensign goodbye as you got up to leave, only for the waiter to walk over with a scowl.

Ah, payment. You forgot.

“Thank you sir, and good luck on your ship sir!” The ensign returned the goodbye as you tapped you card against the waiter’s wrist mounted display. Paying for both yourself and the ensign’s food with but a touch.

“Keep my recommendations in mind, they’ll come in handy.” You instructed the ensign as you grabbed your bags, and picked up the remains of your burger.

“That I will sir, good luck out there!” The ensign assured you as he saluted, forcing you to put one of your bags onto your recently vacated seat in order to return the salute. And with the salute returned, you left with as much haste as you could without looking like you were rushing out. As much as you wanted to get onto the ship, you knew that there wasn’t anything to be gained from running like a child.

You had to head down another five levels in order to reach docking collar K-11, though the nearby elevator made that much easier than simply taking the stairs. And soon enough, you were stood in the waiting area just outside of the entrance to the docking collar. Where your ride out to Anchor 5 was waiting. The silver vessel hung in the void like a jewl, it’s RCS thrusters occasionally flaring in order to keep the vessel perfectly aligned as it slowly approached the station. The clock above the collar hatch read out that you still had a good 5 minutes to wait until the ship was fully docked and you were allowed to board.

You considered taking a seat to wait, but almost all of the seats in the small waiting area had been taken. The only one left being next to a blonde man wearing a pair of sunglasses and reading off a data-pad. He seemed to have picked the seat primarily due to it being away from everyone else. And those close by seemed to be ignoring him.

>Sit next to the man and wait, you might as well take the weight off your feet.
>Remain standing, your going to be the first one on in order to get a good bunk.
>Take a look through the crowd to see if there is someone you can talk to (ROLL 1d20)
>Other (write in)

>>3222091
Shit, we never even got his name
>inb4 we meet him again somewhere down the line in command of his own ship
also, choice
>Sit next to the man and wait, you might as well take the weight off your feet.
If you didn't want us to take the bait, don't make it so obvious, OP.

>>3222091
>>Sit next to the man and wait, you might as well take the weight off your feet.

>>3222091
>Take a look through the crowd to see if there is someone you can talk to (ROLL 1d20)

>>3222091
>>Sit next to the man and wait, you might as well take the weight off your feet.

>>3222091
>we are getting the best bunk

>>3222091
>Sit next to the man and wait, you might as well take the weight off your feet.
Gee, I wonder who this is?

>>3222091
>Remain standing, your going to be the first one on in order to get a good bunk.
GOOD BUNK

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Ah, screw it. You might as well take your weight off your feet. As such, you decided to sit next to the guy. Best case scenario, he was just some random guy catching up on some reading. Worst case scenario, he was a spook. Either way, he didn’t have any reason to talk to you. At least, that’s what you assumed.

And as if the gods of fate were listening in right then and there, the moment you sat down, the man looked over to you and began talking.

“Excuse me, but are you Commander Norman Wells, assigned to take command of a Paris class vessel at anchor five?” The man asked almost the second your ass touched the plastic seat. His accent being an odd mix of German and English.

“That I am, and you are?” You answered as you offered your hand to the mystery man out of politeness.

“My apologies, I am Lieutenant Arick Wespe, MD. I’ve been assigned as your chief medical officer. I had hoped to meet you as you disembarked your vessel, but I’m afraid that I was held up.” The man, Wespe, smiled as he shook your hand. Though you did find it just a bit disconcerting, generally you prefer to be able to look someone in the eye when they are shaking your hand.

“Well doctor Wespe, I’m glad to finally meet a member of my crew. Even if this is a bit unplanned.” You smiled back, trying to keep your discomfort under wraps. And if Wespe noticed it, he didn’t comment or react to it.

Yeah, having people directly under you care was going to take some getting used to.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All right, I’m gonna call the thread here. It’s good to be back, though I must admit that I am a bit sloppy on trying to guess what option you guys are going to take (case and point being that last choice, where I had hoped that you would avoid the possible spook option). In any case, the next thread will be the anchor 5 arrival, you getting on your ship, and naming it.

If you have any questions, then feel free to ask. I’m open to answer any questions before the thread falls off the board.

>>3222199
Hey Thunder, the threads not going to fall off the board for a while...
Also
>Expecting the Spook option to not get picked

>>3221920
I thought only 20 on d20 is a critical success...?

>>3222096
>Shit, we never even got his name
>inb4 we meet him again somewhere down the line in command of his own ship
Nah, his ship will get blown up a few weeks later. That's because we haven't got his name.

>>3222199
Thank you much, OP. This is really the first well written Halo quest I've come across, and I really hope you continue to run instead of just leaving us hanging here.

>>3222199
Hey Thunder, when will the next thread be up? Also, how many Paris-MACs can a CAS take?

File: CAS Carrier and CCS Battl(...).jpg (117 KB, 1536x876)

117 KB JPG

>>3222286
>Expecting the Spook option to not get picked
Well you dodged all the other ones, so I expected that trend to stay!

>>3222421
>I thought only 20 on d20 is a critical success...?
I'm going to be using a system where in low-threshold (below 10) rolls can be critted if you get double the threshold. Though as of right now it's just a trial, so I might drop it if it doesn't prove to be worthwhile.
>>3222509
>when will the next thread be up?
Probably later today. I was originally planing to break for the 1st of Feb as AC-7 comes out. But my preorder hasn't shipped yet, so I won't be playing it today, hence why I'm here.

>Also, how many Paris-MACs can a CAS take?
The CAS class is a massive assault carrier over 5 kilometers long that is typically used as a flagship (and is so overpowered that you won't ever see one unless you get command of a heavy cruiser, and even that is some long odds). A single Paris-MAC won't be able inflict enough damage to take down the shields before they recharge. But just like the humble lasgun from 40k, if you get enough of them to shoot as something, then eventually that something will die.

>>3222811
I bet >>3220494
>On second thoughts, just head to the bar and see if you can strike up a conversation. None of this is your concern anymore.
was the spook option.

I also liked how you described in >>3221043 what a fail in >>3220570 would be like.

Should we continue shitposting about ship name or you got enough input to present a choice when the time comes?

>>3222849
There was also a fair number of them in the character creation and ship selection part. And you dodged all of the ones that I didn't force onto you. For instance, selecting the Midsummer Night class stealth frigate would have basically handed you to ONI on a silver platter. Which would have been good for me as I could have put you into a huge number of black-ops missions and other fun things.

In regards to ship names, that will be handled next thread. It will be handled in a two-stage system, with anons suggesting a single name each and rolling a dice. Then the 3-5 highest rolled suggestions will be selected for a final vote, where anons will be able to vote on the final name. So for instance, if Anon-1 suggests a name and rolls a 15, then his name will be shortlisted over Anon-2, who rolled a 2.

Anon-3, who rolled a 20 but suggested a dumb name (like the "My Little Frigate" or "Pepe" or "Shipy Mc'Shipface") will have that suggestion disreguarded, and will be allowed to re-roll with a new suggestion.