>>3497948

>Updates: https://twitter.com/MolochQM
>Previous threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=NERV%20Second%20Daughter

You waited until the time was right, until the adults had gone, before breaking out the wine. It's more fun this way, according to Claudia, and disagreeing with her seemed like too much damn effort. As she gathers up a mismatched selection of glasses from the kitchen – anything that's clean, essentially – Vic fusses about you with the borrowed camera. With a keen, almost businesslike eye, he snaps dozens of photographs of you all.

“Better to get this done early,” he tells you with a wink, “Just in case things get a little messy once the wine comes out. I'll make sure the camera is somewhere safe. We wouldn't want it to get broken, would we?”

“Sure,” you mutter, half lost in your own thoughts. You just learned that the blood of some ancient alien god is running through your veins, so it's a little hard to get worked up about a camera. Glancing away, you watch as Karina pinches at Kaori's new shirt.

“Cutie Sniper!” the pale girl cries out, laughing to herself, “I love that show!”

“I didn't realise it... was a show,” Kaori replies awkwardly, trying to push the girl away without being too obvious about it. You're not sure if she thinks Karina might be contagious – although you're pretty sure that you can't catch “wheelchair” - or if she's afraid of hurting the sickly girl.

“Ah, it's so great! I have all six seasons, we can watch them together!” Karina persists, “It's about a girl who has to balance her normal life as a pop star with her secret identity as an international assassin!”

That might just be the dumbest thing that you've ever heard.

“Wine!” Claudia announces, setting down a tray that rattles with all manner of glasses, “Get it while it's... room temperature, I suppose? I'm not really sure how you're supposed to serve this, but I dare say that it won't matter much either way. None of us has what I would really consider “refined” tastes, after all. Just drink up, have fun, and try not to ruin the carpet!”

“Uh, thanks for the advice,” Kaori replies slowly, taking one of the glasses of wine and peering cautiously at it, “Should we say a toast of some kind? I think we're supposed to drink to something.”

Blank faces stare back at her.

>We'll drink to you, Kaori. It's your birthday, after all!
>Let's drink to our mission, I think we could use the luck
>Screw it, let's drink to getting trashed on cheap wine
>I don't know about you guys, but I'm raising a glass to SEELE
>Other

>>3497950
>>We'll drink to you, Kaori. It's your birthday, after all!

>>3497950
>We'll drink to you, Kaori. It's your birthday, after all!

>>3497948
So Holly's mom was hit by Capgras delusion.

>>3497968
Might also give weight to the 'Holly is a clone' theory.

>>3497950
>Other
>Drink in silence

Jeez, these guys are hopeless – the answer to this one is obvious!

“We'll drink to you, Kaori!” you call out, raising your glass with a cheerful smile, “It's your birthday, after all!”

“Ah, no, that's... that's too much!” Kaori protests, flushing a deep red as you all raise your glasses and call out her name. Tentatively, she raises her own glass and shrugs silently. “It's not even really my birthday today. It's not for a week or so yet,” she adds, fiddling with the glass of wine, “But this was the only time off that my father could get, so he wanted-”

Cutting this off is a pained cry, and you all look around to Nate. “Oh, this is awful!” she cries out, pushing away the glass of wine and sticking her tongue out, “It tastes so bad!”

“You've just got too much of a sweet tooth,” you tell her, taking a drink of your own wine. It's... not great. Compared with the wine that Coraline bought you, it has a thinner taste in your mouth and it leaves a chemical-like residue in the back of your throat. Monroe certainly didn't break the bank when she got this. Judging by the sour faces that gaze back around at you as you look about, you're not the only one who isn't impressed. “Well, I guess it's still drinkable,” you hazard, hoping that you're not mistaken. Considering how stained the label was, could the wine inside have been spoiled too?

“Oh, it's not like wine is supposed to taste good anyway,” Claudia sighs, bracing herself before taking a gulp, “It's just something for boring people to talk about, in place of having an actual personality.”

Harsh. As you all drink for a moment – save for Nate, who refuses to touch her wine after that first tentative sup – you examine the other gifts Kaori received. Yulia gave her a clockwork toy, an antique soldier that marches – wobbles, really – when the key in the back is turned. Salvage, you assume, but painstakingly repaired and restored. Claudia got her a gift as well, which surprises you. More of an ornament than anything else, but still nice – half a dozen tiny flowers, pressed and preserved between two thin slices of glass. Something to put on a desk and occasionally dust, but at least it's pretty.

“My mother drinks red wine sometimes. At least, she did when I last saw her,” Kaori announces suddenly, “She comes home from work, frustrated at the people she has to deal with, and then she has a glass to calm down. Except, it always seemed to make her angrier. She was like a fairy tale dragon, that's how she seemed when I was young – I was never scared of her, though.” She drinks wine, glances shyly about, then smiles when nobody laughs at her story. “But enough about me,” she adds, “Why don't we talk about... um. Something else?”

[1/2]

>>3497998

As parties usually do, you quickly split up into smaller groups. Nate chats with Karina – it's strange how well those two get along, but perhaps Nate is the only one insensitive enough to not find Karina's condition to be distracting – while Yulia endures a lecture from Claudia. Fashion, from what you could overhear, what not to wear. For your part, you back off a little and join Kaori in the kitchen.

“Maybe this is a trick,” you think aloud, swirling the wine in your glass, “Like, Monroe is trying to put us off drinking for life. I dunno though, I'm not sure if I'd take drinking advice from her...”

“Mm,” Kaori replies vaguely, her face turned away from you. She's watching Karina carefully, studying the girl with an unreadable expression. It's a little surprising that she was allowed to stay with you, considering her condition, but you have no doubt that a medical team would arrive in a matter of seconds if there was any trouble. “I wonder about her,” Kaori adds, nodding slightly in Karina's direction.

“Berlin, right?” you guess, “She was there.”

“Apparently so,” Kaori agrees, “But I never met her. In fact, I specifically asked if there were any other girls my age in Berlin, and I was told that there wasn't. Things don't quite add up.” Sighing, she takes an unenthusiastic sip of wine. “I can't even ask her, either,” she continues, “Because she doesn't remember anything. I suppose I could try asking Commander Monroe, but she probably doesn't know anything either – anything she'd be willing to admit, at least. She NEVER talks about Karina to me. I asked her a few questions while you were away, but she avoided every one of them.”

Were it not for the wine, you suspect that Kaori would have kept all this to herself. “She might not know anything. Doesn't want to admit it,” you suggest, “I mean, it's gotta be humiliating – she's supposed to be in charge here, but hardly anyone takes that seriously. Bergmann has her own thing going on, and Fletcher handles the rest. The orders come from head office, so where does that leave Monroe?”

“Drinking alone in her office, probably,” Claire remarks, her unexpected voice causing you to let out a stifled scream. Heads turn your way, surprised expressions quickly turning to confusion. Just as she's turning away, returning to her conversation, you spot Claudia mouthing something to Yulia – you catch the word “weird”, but nothing else. “Hey!” Claire protests, dragging you over to the pair, “You can't call me weird! Tell them, Holly!”

“Claire isn't weird!” you try and scold, only for a laugh to bubble up from your gut and ruin the attempt at being serious. “Well, she IS weird, but you can't call her that,” you add, “That's OUR word.”

“Are you...” Yulia begins, blinking in slow confusion. Then, thinking better of it, she shakes her head and mumbles an apology.

[2/3]

>>3498051
It's getting really tough to believe Claire's real. :(

>>3498077
Nate also can see her so she's real so at least there is someone else who could back us up if need be.

>>3498089
On the flip side Nate might have the most insight that she isn't real. For instance 'her Claire' might be a separate hallucination so she's still seeing Holly talk to herself and 'drag herself' to Claudia

>>3498051

Despite the fact that nobody likes it, the bottle of wine quickly empties. Everyone, you suspect, is secretly enjoying the “adult” feeling of drinking like this. Claire refuses a glass of wine with the same excuse that Nate used – a sweet tooth – but you suspect otherwise. She wants to enjoy watching you acting foolish. Claudia has already cursed mightily after bashing her shin on a chair, and Yulia treated you to an impromptu Russian song. Her singing voice could use some work, but Karina treated her to a massive round of applause regardless.

“You're all going to regret this in the morning,” Hester points out, breaking her silence at last. Until now, she's been content to sit back and watch the festivities with a knowing smile. She might only be a few years older than the rest of you, but those were important years – even setting aside her place as Claudia's maid, her servant, she's not really one of you. Recognising this, Hester accepted it with the same kind of grace with which she accepts everything. Maybe that's something they taught her in maid school.

“It's FINE,” Claudia insists, “Come now, Hester, you shouldn't be a bore. If you wanted to join in, you should have said something sooner!”

“I prefer white wine,” the maid replies gently, “Now sit down, miss. You've already got one bruised shin. We wouldn't want you to have a matching pair, would we?”

Pouting, Claudia sits down and turns on the television, cranking up the volume and skipping to a random channel. A foreign voice blurts out as a map appears on screen, several spots on the coastline circled in red. “That's Russian, isn't it?” the heiress remarks, waving a hand at the angular Cyrillic characters scrolling across the bottom of the news report, “Yulia, translate!”

“I come to NERV to fight, and I end up as a translator,” Yulia sighs, squinting at the news report, “They say that several towns and villages in Finland have been abandoned, found deserted. Not just Finland. Norway, Russia, the entire region... No explanation yet.”

“I didn't even know they had towns in Finland,” Nate adds, butting in to your conversation, “I thought they just sat in the snow all day and drank.”

“Well-” Yulia begins, only to be cut off as a door bangs open. Vic peers out, a frown on his normally calm face.

“Could you keep it down?” he asks, “I'm trying to sleep!”

Having delivered this warning, he vanishes back into his room. “Oh, he's never any fun!” Nate sulks, “We should drag him out here and MAKE him have fun!”

>Absolutely – Operation Brother Drag is go!
>No way, this is a girls party. He is NOT invited
>Maybe you should go bother him for a bit. He's awake anyway, so...
>Other

>>3498093
It would also be interesting to see her reaction if she is/had been briefed on 'Claire' or if she has hidden her interactions with Claire from the Staff.

>>3498097
>>Absolutely – Operation Brother Drag is go!

>>3498097
>>Other
We should get her take Claire when she go's and bothers Vic.

>>3498097
>>Absolutely – Operation Brother Drag is go!


>Holly calling it brother drag.
Nate influence is a go

Also no explanation for disappearances when aliens exist(Lilum) sort of near a NERV(Berlin) base hopefully Moore is somewhere nearby because otherwise that's about a 13 hour flight (maybe we should send someone to Monroe to ask about it just in case)

>>3498097
>Absolutely. Let's drag my bro out. I mean your bro out.

“Absolutely!” you shout, striking a heroic pose, “Operation Brother Drag is GO!”

Nate laughs at this, laughing until her face is flushed red. “Jeez... Holly, come on!” she gasps, forcing the words out between laughs, “What kind of name is THAT? He's not even your brother!”

“No, well, I mean...” you reply quickly, fumbling for an answer, “It was your idea in the first place, so you get to... I mean... Fine! So much for gratitude!” Frowning enormously, you turn on your heel and march towards Vic's door. “C'mon Claire!” you add, waving her other, “We've got some “male friend” dragging to do!”

“Miss me with that shit,” Claire shoots back, “Fooling around with guys like this is how a girl gets in trouble. But hey, I'm not abandoning you completely – I'll stick around and watch.”

She just had to go and make this awkward, didn't she?

-

“Victor!” you shout, barging through the young man's door, “Your time has come!”

Looking up from the school papers scattered across his desk, Vic gives you a weary look. “I suppose it can't be helped,” he sighs, “But can it come quietly, at least?”

“No!” you reply firmly, marching across to drag him up. As you reach down, your eyes fall on the papers he was looking at and you freeze. That's your handwriting staring back up at you, scrawled all across a mock test that you have no memory of taking. “What the hell is this?” you snap, grabbing the papers and taking a closer look, “This is my...”

“I gave Nate some mock exams to practice on,” Vic explains, taken aback by the anger, “It's not cheating or anything like that, if that's what you're worried about. I watched her fill these in – god knows, I can't forget it. She was really struggling with some parts, and I've never seen her get so angry about school work.” Gently taking the exam paper from you, he places it back down and smooths it out. “So,” the young man continues, “Why don't you explain what the trouble is?”

Blinking slowly, you take a closer look at the paper. It's not a perfect copy of your handwriting, as you first thought, but you can definitely see the resemblance. The way you write a Y low, almost drooping off the line. The way your capital A's are so narrow that they almost look like straight lines...

“Hey, all this test stuff is boring,” Claire calls out, “I came here to see some dragging, and I'm not leaving until-”

“Okay, fine, knock it off!” you snap to her, grabbing Vic by the arm, “Now, you. Are you going to come quietly?”

“If there's one thing that I've learned from coming here,” Vic sighs, “It's that things are never quiet.”

Dragging it is, then. Tightening your grip on Vic's arm, you throw all your might into yanking him back. He resists, although he underestimates your strength. Pulling him upright, you immediately lose your balance and tumble backwards. You hit the floor hard, and Vic hits you just as hard.

[1/2]

>>3498146
Oh yeah, it's the Romcom Moment!

>>3498146
Onii chan noooo.

Also did Nates handwriting become more like ours, or did our mental image of our own handwriting shift to match Nates?

>>3498178
*Thump*
Onii-chan, what are we going to do on the floor?

>>3498178
The latter is a scary thought

>>3498146

With how small these rooms are, it's a wonder that you don't fall back and crack your head on a table edge or something equally solid. Your heart pounds in your chest as you realise that the weight pressing down on you is Vic's body, but he's in no mood to appreciate the situation. As soon as he has his wits about you, Vic pulls back and blurts out an apology. “I didn't mean to knock you over!” he insists, “You... you shouldn't fool around like this if you've been drinking!”

“Ah, c'mon, it's just a little wrestling. No big deal,” you tell him, lying back as he stands, dusting himself off before offering you a hand up. Taking it, you allow him to pull you up to your feet. “I'm still dragging you out of here though,” you add, taking Vic by the hand and pulling him back into the main room. This time, he doesn't resist. When you return, the others are engaged in a heated discussion about the news report. A little bit of channel hopping has uncovered an English language channel covering the story, albeit in a more... sensational way.

“It HAS to be aliens,” Claudia declares, “Abducting people. Doing all manner of horrible things to them.”

“Norway...” Karina muses, massaging her temples with her fingertips, “That place feels so nostalgic. Ah, I think Doctor Bergmann showed me some photographs once, but... no, that's not it. How can you feel nostalgic for a place that you've never seen with your own eyes?”

Vic watches the news for a moment before reaching a different conclusion. “Those were probably fishing villages once,” he begins, “But fishing has been hard since Second Impact, the ecosystem just can't support it. I'd guess that the people in those villages all left, looking for a better life in the city. These places can be isolated, and the weather is both dangerous and unpredictable. They left for the city, but they never arrived.”

“One or two villages, maybe,” Kaori points out, “But I counted seven confirmed cases on the news. That's stretching it.”

Groaning aloud, Nate punches her brother lightly on the arm. “You're being boring!” she complains, “You're all being boring! We're supposed to be having fun, you're like... you're watching the news!”

“Watching the news can be fun!” Kaori protests, “It's not boring! It's... Holly, help me out here. What do YOU think about all this?”

>I'm not saying that it was aliens, but it was aliens
>Vic has a point. We should be rational about this
>I don't know, ask me a less boring question instead
>I think it's... (Write in)
>Other

>>3498178
>Just to clarify, Nate's handwriting picked up a few of Holly's quirks. Although, I won't totally rule out the latter part either!

>>3498219
>I'm not saying that it was aliens, but it was aliens

>>3498219
>>I'm not saying that it was aliens, but it was aliens
Do Lilium count as Aliens?

>>3498219
>Definitely aliens.

Sweep our hair back before we say this though.

Triumphantly sweeping your hair back, you reach your conclusion. “I'm not saying that it was aliens,” you decide, “But it was definitely aliens.”

“Yes! Exactly!” Claudia agrees, laughing victoriously, “Nefarious invaders, here to slay our men and steal our women!” Hopping to her feet – and nearly falling flat on her face – the heiress turns off the television with a sudden stab of her finger. “Do we think that the UN has some kind of organisation intended to fight aliens?” she asks, “We might have some long lost sibling organisation somewhere, huddling around a big glowing globe and looking for any sign of alien life! Isn't that exciting?”

“It's been years since I've heard you talk about all this,” Hester remarks, smiling at the fond memory, “Master Rainer had a large book about paranormal encounters, and Miss Rainer often read it – that is to say, she looked at the pictures – as a young girl. I seem to recall one particular drawing of an alien that would always give her the most terrible nightmares...”

“Hester!” Claudia cries out, horrified that the maid would let such a thing slip, “It happened once! Once!”

“Yes yes, I know,” the maid murmurs, patting her mistress gently on the hand, “There's no need to get upset.”

That bottle of wine was totally worth it.

-

“I guess you had fun tonight, huh?” Claire sighs, leaning back in your bed, “Relaxing, talking with your new friends... sometimes, I feel like you're going to forget all about me!”

“Hey, c'mon, that's not going to happen,” you promise her, sitting down beside her, “We've been through a lot, you and I. I'm not about to throw all that away now. Yeah, I get it, we don't have much time to see each other these days – it seems like I'm always travelling, or too tired to go out and do anything fun – but... if I didn't have you here, always waiting for me, I don't know what I'd do. You just... you need to mix with the others a bit, y'know? Hiding away whenever I'm not around, that's not good for you.”

Pouting, Claire rolls over onto her side. “It's not that easy though, is it?” she mumbles to herself, the words muffled by the pillow. “And then there's Coraline. Cora. UN Tiddies, whatever you want to call her,” she continues, “She just creeps me out!”

“I know, I need to be careful about her. She might be...” you pause, unwilling to finish that thought. “But even so, I feel like she understands,” you finish, “Understands me, what we're going through, what it's like having head office screwing with us... I can talk about that stuff with her.”

“You CAN...” Claire agrees, “But that doesn't mean you should.”

You start to reply, only to realise that you have no real counter to that. No matter how nice she might seem, you shouldn't let your guard down around her. Around anyone, really.

What a miserable way to live.

[1/2]

>>3498299

Strange dreams that night. You dream of drifting through HQ's corridors as a bodiless spirit, rushing about with no sense of ever actually moving. Whenever you pass by someone, you hear/feel a snippet of their thoughts, something plucked from the very surface of their mind. Commander Monroe, you find dozing on a couch in the staff quarters. She dreams of a bed she hardly ever sleeps in, a home she so rarely finds the time to go back to. Fletcher is found in a washroom nearby, methodically shaving away stubble that will regrow by morning. His mind is filled with ruined cities, a single room in an old apartment block that is not quite abandoned.

Fleeing from this, you descend to find Doctor Bergmann typing away at a computer. Her mind is a blank, her thoughts a room sealed against any entrance. Twitching, she looks up, looks around. Looks straight at you.

You wake early, with a stale taste in your dry mouth. Leaning over, you see that your alarm has ten minutes until it goes off. Silencing it before it ever has a chance to cry out, you start to fumble on some clothes. Drink some water, you tell yourself, then get some breakfast. You're not ill enough to go and see Doctor Wils-

...You still forget sometimes, especially when you're not quite paying attention. Rubbing your eyes, you wander through to the main room and look around to see if there are any other signs of life. There's nobody else about, although a pad of paper is waiting for you on the table. Scrawled in large, childish letters – Karina's handwriting, you think – is a simple message. “I had so much fun today!” the note reads, “I only wish that I could remember my own birthday, so we could celebrate then as well!”

A soft laugh builds in your throat, dying as you notice the ragged edge running across the pad of paper. Something else was written here, the page torn hastily out. No matter how much you look, you can't find any scraps of paper in the dorm – but, when you expand your search a little further, you find a crumbled ball of paper lying by the elevators. Smoothing it out, you read what Karina originally wrote for you. This set of handwriting is even more sloppy, as if the writer had scrawled it out in their sleep.

“Human evolution is nothing to be afraid of, no matter how it may seem, but you must be warned,” the scrawled note reads, “Be cautious of those who would use it for their own ends, and be sure that you remain human.”

“First cryptic bullshit of the day,” you rasp, scowling down at the note, “Haven't even had breakfast yet. Shit...”

>I think I'm going to pause things here. Hopefully, I should be able to continue this tomorrow
>Sorry for the delays today, I'm a little worn out. Tomorrow should go a little better!

>>3498364
>“I only wish that I could remember my own birthday, so we could celebrate then as well!”

Maybe we should give her one. Her pick of any day of the year.

>“First cryptic bullshit of the day,” you rasp, scowling down at the note, “Haven't even had breakfast yet. Shit...”
Hah

Thanks for running Moloch

>>3498364
Thanks for running!

Did dream us see if Bergmann was wearing Magneto's helmet?

Ngl I thought the last post was from Karina's perspective for a bit.

>>3498385
Remember. It's not the helmet you wear that matters, it's the helmet that's inside you!
>>3498376
Well, I suppose Karina would be an easy person to buy gifts for - just get another wall scroll or some anime DVDs, and she's sorted!

File: DianeM.png (227 KB, 900x700)

227 KB PNG

You don't normally take breakfast in the canteen like this, with all the noise and crowding, but the dorm is just... too quiet right now. You didn't want to be alone, and waking someone up would be a good way of making yourself unpopular, so the canteen was your best choice. Sitting at a quiet table near the edge of the room, you spot Commander Monroe stirring sugar into a cup of coffee. Her eyes are red, dark shadows hanging low under them. Grabbing a tray of food more or less at random, you cross over to join her.

“You look tired, chief,” you begin, forcing a smile as you sit opposite her, “In fact, you look seriously rough.”

“Careful. I could have you thrown in the brig for saying that,” Monroe replies, “The brig? I don't know if we actually call it that, but I always liked the name. Anyway, I was up late last night and going home seemed pointless. I'd just have to come back to work in a few hours anyway. On the other hand, I'd be totally useless today if I didn't get any rest at all. So, I had to grab a nap on the staff room sofa, and now my back is killing me!”

Somehow, you manage to maintain a neutral expression. How much of a coincidence would it be for you to dream of her sleeping in that exact same way? “Do you live nearby?” you ask, barely hearing your own words, “I mean, I guess most people here...”

“NERV owns a few buildings off-site. Staff lodgings, essentially. I have an apartment in one of the blocks. It's nothing fancy, but I suppose it doesn't need to be,” the commander explains, “I'm hardly ever there, after all! I really ought to give the place a good clean at some point, but it's just so much effort...”

If she was expecting you to immediately volunteer, she'll be sorely disappointed. “What do we do now?” you ask vaguely, allowing the commander to reach her own conclusions about what exactly you mean.

“The same thing we always do. We wait for trouble. Currently, we're on a heightened state of alert – Karina... I can't explain exactly how, but she has the ability to sense Lilim. Between her intuitive abilities and the Trimurti computer system, we should have the ability to track Lilim activity, but...” Monroe pauses, forcing herself not to say too much – not to say anything that sounds defeatist. “In either case, Karina got a bad feeling fairly recently, so we're keeping alert, but she hasn't reported anything else since,” she concludes, “So we're all scratching our heads until something changes.”

“Y'know, if we're supposed to be staying alert and all...” you venture, “Maybe giving us a bottle of wine was a bad idea?”

Monroe grins, leaning forwards so she can whisper to you. “There's the thing,” she murmurs, wickedness in her voice, “It was non-alcoholic.”

“But that's...” you splutter.

“Amazing, isn't it?” Monroe laughs, “What a little imagination can do, I mean.”

[1/2]

>>3499782

Leaving the sulking for later, you start to pick at your breakfast. It's certainly not as good as Hester's cooking, with blackened bacon and rubbery scrambled eggs, but it fills a hole in your stomach. It's certainly more filling than Monroe's choice of just coffee. That's a recipe for a stomach ulcer right there. “So,” you begin after a pause, pushing your breakfast tray aside, “You seen the news about that Norway stuff? Those villages...”

“It's not just Norway, but yes,” Monroe nods slowly, “It's strange. I tried looking into it, but apparently it's not our area – I was told off for wasting official time and resources on someone else's investigation. Nobody seems to know whose investigation it is, though. The UN probably, but... who knows.”

“Seriously?” you ask, raising an eyebrow, “Do you think it's the Lilim?”

Monroe shrugs, taking a deep swallow of her coffee. “My gut says yes,” she admits, “But... there's no real proof. From what little we know of the Lilim, this doesn't match their behaviour. Sneaking around and emptying out isolated little fishing villages? I can't see the point in it. Even so, even with all that, my gut is telling me that the Lilim are behind this.” Sighing, she stirs a little extra sugar into her coffee. Just from the look on her face, you can see how aimless, how powerless, she feels.

You feel the same way. Lost in the dark and barely able to see the path ahead of you, let alone where it leads. “What's the plan for today?” you announce, hoping to lighten the mood, “I'm real eager to get something done.”

“I'm obliged to tell you to stay calm and await further orders, but that won't really satisfy you, will it?” the commander remarks, a wry smile on her face, “Anyway, don't you have school to keep you busy?”

“They're closed for the moment. Construction work, something about expanding their emergency bunkers,” you answer, “I think we're heading back tomorrow, or maybe the day after that. Should probably check that at some point...”

Monroe clicks in tongue in amusement. “You kids are lucky. I hardly got any time off school when I was your age,” she recalls, jolting back as you smile, “H-hey, don't give me that look! I'm still young!”

That's real professionalism right there. Maybe you should get out of here before she has a breakdown or something. Time to see where that path of yours is going to lead you next.

>Head back to the dorm and go over what you've learned with Claire. A recap will do you good
>Speak with Fletcher about your “talk” with head office
>Call up Coraline. Maybe she can explain what the UN is up to
>Find Karina, see if she can explain that note she left
>Other

>>3499784
>>Call up Coraline. Maybe she can explain what the UN is up to

>>3499784
>>Speak with Fletcher about your “talk” with head office
We may also want to let him know about what happened with both Coraline apparently having access to our file and her reasoning about going through our phone and what Bergmann told us when we were at her house.

>>3499784
>>Call up Coraline. Maybe she can explain what the UN is up to
Ask after the Scandinavia village disappearences

>>3499782
okay, Monroe gets +10 points on the best-o-meter for that

>>3499784
>Speak with Fletcher about your “talk” with head office

>>3499784
>Call UN Tiddies

Aw shit, Monroe punked us with that wine. We got boom shakalakad.

“I'm out,” you tell Monroe, rising to leave, “Gotta enjoy my freedom while it lasts, y'know?”

“Don't go too far,” she cautions, “We're still on a heightened alert, remember? You can leave the base just fine, of course, but just... don't hop on a plane or anything, okay?”

“Got it, chief,” you assure her, taking out your phone as you stroll away. Scrolling down, you pick out Coraline's number and hit the call button. She won't answer, you tell yourself as you listen to the ringing tone, not this early. So, when her brisk greeting sounds, you nearly drop the phone in surprise. “Coraline, hey, it's Holly,” you announce, recovering quick, “Can we meet up today? I wanted to ask you a few things.”

Paper rustles, and you can just picture her flipping through an old fashioned diary. “I've got time, just not straight away. Can you give me... say, an hour?” Coraline answers, “I can meet you at your base, if that works. Just give me a bit, and I'll call you when I'm on my way.” She pauses, laughing softly. “Should I wear something nice?” she asks coyly, “I wouldn't want to spoil our second date, would I?”

“What? No, it's not...” you reply hastily, flustered, “I just wanted to talk, okay? Don't make this weird.”

Sighing regretfully, Coraline ends the call.

-

An hour or so to kill. Keeping your phone close to hand, you go to visit Fletcher's office. When you see that he's shaved recently, you feel uneasy but unsurprised. Oblivious to your restless thoughts, Fletcher gestures for you to sit and talk. “I'm going out to meet up with Coraline later, okay?” you begin, waiting for Fletcher to nod before continuing, “She's mentioned a few things before. Does she have like, access to my file? And my phone?”

“She would have access to a redacted version of your file, yes. I imagine some personal details would have been blacked out, but most of the official information would be intact. Don't take it personally – they probably have a file on all of us, even me,” the mercenary explains, “Your phone... that's more dubious. There are ways to work around security, but she shouldn't be using them without a good reason. Did she say why she had access to your phone?”

“Her boss wanted to make sure that I hadn't recorded our first conversation, just in case she said anything sensitive,” you explain, “Sounded like bullshit to me, honestly.”

“Maybe so,” Fletcher runs a hand across his cheek as he thinks, “But she's in much the same position as you are. If she doesn't follow her orders, she might find her privileges becoming seriously restricted. To be blunt, we're ALL in that position.”

“Head office, huh?” you sigh, slumping back in your chair, “Those fuckers.”

A surprised laugh forces its way from Fletcher's lips. “That's one word for them,” he remarks, “Maybe not the one I'd use, but...”

[1/2]

>>3499849

“Now I'm curious,” you continue, craning your neck forwards, “What would YOU call them?”

“Head office,” Fletcher answers, straight faced, “I'm supposed to be a professional, remember?” Leaning back in his chair, the mercenary taps a finger against his desk. “You learn to deal with them. At least, I did. I gave them names, just to help me think,” he continues, “01 and 02 are Peter and Paul. They're the core of SEELE, hardly ever disagreeing with each other. Very conservative, very reluctant to change their ways. 03, the man you spoke with, is more of a Doubting Thomas. I wager that he only spoke with you because he's not happy with how Peter and Paul are running things.”

“That leaves 04, right?” you prompt, “I don't think we've spoken much.”

“No. 04, John, is a mystery to me too. They rarely put their own opinions forwards, instead supporting whoever they want,” Fletcher sighs, “And then you've got 05.”

“Judas?” you guess, raising an eyebrow, “Do you know why they split off?”

“Nothing specific, just that there were disagreements. Serious disagreements, I'd guess, but I don't know enough to say for sure. I don't even know exactly when 05 split off,” he shakes his head, drumming his fingers on the table, “So that's all I really know about them. They're all old, maybe VERY old, and probably all men. 04 might be the exception to that, but I don't have a good read on them. They're not afraid to take drastic action, if pushed to it.”

You recall Bergmann's warnings, urging Monroe to back off lest she get burned. “Would they have someone killed if they got in their way?” you ask slowly, “Even someone like the commander?”

Fletcher takes a moment to answer that. Eventually, he nods cautiously. “It would be a last resort. Easier just to demote someone or move them to a different office, get them out of the picture that way. But, ultimately, they wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger if that was deemed necessary. Even Doubting Thomas, and I trust him more than any of the others, would do it,” he explains, the words quick and clipped, “But for all their sins, they want what all of us want – to defeat the Lilim and protect mankind.”

“Are you sure about that?” you ask quietly.

“What SEELE want is a nice, stable world that dances to their tune. The Lilim are getting in the way of that,” Fletcher answers, “Once you look past the esoteric veneer, SEELE's goals are quite uncomplicated.”

You're not so sure about that. Nothing these people do is “uncomplicated”. Grimacing, you glance down to check your phone – no messages from Coraline, but it's early yet.

“Don't let me keep you if you need to be somewhere,” Fletcher remarks, noticing your impatient look, “Or was there something else?”

>No, there was nothing else. I'm out of here
>There was something... (Write in)
>Other

>>3499944
>There was something... (Write in)
How much do we know about NIHIL?

>>3499944
>>There was something... (Write in)
)03 wanted to talk to me, apparently 05 started a group called NIHIL what do you know?
We did warn her yeah?

>>3499944
>>There was something... (Write in)
We should briefly( provide as little detail on as much as we can) go over the contents of our Phone that we haven't discussed yet with Fletcher
That Coraline may now know about just to be sure that we don't accidentally off side him somehow.

“This group that 05 formed, NIHIL, what do we know about them?” you ask, “How worried should I be?”

“Well. NIHIL proves my theory that Wormwood was being manipulated by a larger group,” Fletcher announces, a faint note of satisfaction creeping into his voice, “Every member of SEELE has access to a great deal of resources, and 05 is no exception. He can afford to hire all kinds of scum – mercenaries, criminal elements, rogue scientists... But for NIHIL itself, I can't tell you much. The group keeps itself well hidden. It probably has loyalists in the UN, maybe even within NERV itself. Look at Doctor Wilson.”

Shuddering, you accept the point with a faint nod. “And they oppose us,” you murmur, “What do they really want?”

“I don't know. That's not what you want to hear, I get that, but I can't give you information that I don't have. From what little I've been able to uncover, 05 keeps his own motives largely hidden. He finds people he can use, then he plays to their desires,” the mercenary explains, “For Wormwood, as an example, he encouraged their apocalyptic desires. I doubt that 05 believes anything close to that kind of thing. There's one thing that does concern me, though.”

“Just one thing?” you ask, offering him a humourless smile.

“I think SEELE knows more about 05 than they're willing to tell me. That's making my job harder than it needs to be,” Fletcher complains, “For some reason, perhaps a sense of misplaced loyalty, they're still protecting him.”

-

As time ticks slowly away, you show Fletcher a few things on your phone – quick snapshots of potential evidence, things that Coraline might have seen. He notes most of it without comment, but then he reaches the Cyrillic note and pauses, carefully reading it. “The commander of the Garden was selling information,” he muses, “This alias here – no thing, depending on how you translate it – could stand for NIHIL.”

“Shit,” you mutter, “So that's who he was-” Your phone rings, cutting that thought short. Taking it back from Fletcher, you check the message – it's from Coraline, just letting you know that she's nearby. “Sorry about that,” you tell Fletcher, “Are you...”

“I'm done here. Go ahead,” he replies, gesturing towards the door, “I would like a favour, though. Ask Coraline if she knows what the Garden's commander was selling. She probably won't be able to help you, but you never know.”

Nodding your goodbye, you leave Fletcher to brood and head to the surface. Waiting outside of HQ, you spot Coraline resting against the hood of a bright red convertible. Waving a greeting, you stroll over to join her. “Nice car,” you begin, “You're really trying to impress me, aren't you?”

“Oh, someone thinks highly of herself,” Coraline teases, “I'll have you know, I drive this old thing everywhere.”

This old thing, she calls it.

[1/2]

Empty fishing villages in the North?
It's definitely Chryssalids.

>>3500144
Let's keep our eyes open for any whales.

>>3500072

The wind whistles through your hair as Coraline throws the convertible around corner after corner, racing through the city streets and leaving a trail of irate drivers in her wake. Every time you hear a peal of honking horns, you laugh aloud. Eventually, though, the journey comes to an end and Coraline pulls up at a small cafe on the city outskirts. “You know, I'm supposed to be staying close to the base today,” you scold her, even though you're still smiling from the frenzied drive, “Just in case there's a...”

You stop yourself before you say anything more. You can't let yourself get carried away. “Just in case there's a team meeting,” you finish lamely, “Or a training exercise. Boring stuff, y'know?”

“But isn't this more fun?” Coraline jokes, sitting at one of the outside tables. A waitress arrives, takes your order, leaves again. “I never thought that I'd enjoy driving like that, after what happened to Reed,” the former pilot muses, “But there's something liberating about it. When you're driving that fast, all your worries and fears just can't keep up. One day, I'm sure that I'll wrap myself around a tree or plunge off a cliff, but... so be it.”

“Just don't do it while I'm sitting in the passenger seat,” you urge.

“Oh?” Coraline asks, her eyebrow arching, “Does that mean you want to go driving with me again?”

She's making this weird again... but it's not an offer you'd refuse out of hand, either. The waitress returns a moment later with a tall pitcher of iced lemonade and two glasses, quickly hurrying away. “I wanted to talk about something serious. At least, I think it's serious,” you tell her, pouring a drink. It's still early, but the sun is beating down hard and your throat feels dusty after the drive. “Norway, Finland, wherever else. Those fishing villages,” you continue, “You know what I'm talking about, right?”

“I DO watch the news,” she replies, nodding as she pours a drink of her own, “It's strange, isn't it? Let me see if I can recall the official position... it's being investigated, and the matter will be passed to NERV if there is any suggestion of abnormal activity. That's our term for Lilim business, just in case you couldn't guess.”

“So that's the official position,” you prompt, “What about the unofficial one?”

“What we're looking at is a separation of powers. The UN and NERV have a very delicate relationship, a very careful balance of powers. Don't give me that look, I need to explain the context first,” Coraline sticks her tongue out at you, “NERV needs the freedom to quickly and appropriately respond to emergencies, but if it had too much freedom then it might go rogue, and nobody wants that. So the UN provides what NERV needs, but it can pull the plug at any time – cut off funding, infrastructure, information, all of that. Did you know that the ADM Units are technically UN property?”

You do now.

[2/3]

>>3500175
>Did you know that the ADM Units are technically UN property?”
Reeeeee
Fucking bluehats

>>3500236
NERV was only set up so if something goes wrong they can shitcan us then go back to acting like the problem was dealt with wile fixing nothing.

>>3500248
What could possibly go wrong :)

>>3500257
why did i say if, I meant when.

>>3500175

“Anyway, the point is, these disappearances could very well be Lilim activity. But, until we have definitive proof of that, some spineless bureaucrat is going to jealously hold onto the whole matter. After all, it's not like a few hundred people have mysteriously vanished or anything, right?” Coraline sighs with a smile that does not reach her eyes, “Sometimes, I wish I could just turn back time. Just me and Reed with our ADM Units. It was bad, sure, but it was simple. We believed in what we were doing.”

“And now you don't?” you ask. Stupid question really, but it has to be asked.

“Sometimes, I wonder what girls like you are really fighting for,” Coraline muses, “A world where cowards hide in an office and toy with the lives of countless people, just so they can cling onto that tiny scrap of power? Nobody seems to care, either – my colleagues don't understand at all. All they're concerned about is making sure their own jobs are nice and safe. I'm in Risk Assessment, you know. That stuff is serious.”

Ice clinks as you pour a fresh glass of lemonade. You just came here to ask about the disappearances, not hear about... this. “Risk Assessment, huh?” you repeat. Mark that down as your second stupid question of the day.

“Right. You know why I'm in Avalon right now? It's not JUST to spy on you, you know,” Coraline says with a wink, tapping her painted nails against her glass as she talks, “It's to examine your safety precautions. Bunkers, evacuations routes, all that sort of thing. I need to look at it and decide how much damage an ADM Unit could do. Quite a lot, as it turns out. You could cause a lot of trouble if you really wanted to.”

“Why are you... taking precautions against ADM Units?” you ask, afraid of the answer you might get, “Because of that thing with Claudia?”

Coraline considers this. “That might be a part of it,” she replies carefully, “But really, an ADM Unit serves as a benchmark. Lilim are unpredictable, and you can never perfectly prepare for something you can't predict. The next Lilim that comes along could be anything – an oversized bug, a cloud of sentient acid, even a floating diamond! How do you prepare for something like that?”

“A big... hammer? I dunno,” you offer, shrugging helplessly, “I think we're getting off track here.”

“The disappearances, yes,” Coraline sighs, leaning back in her chair, “Officially, I can't really help you. I can stress the importance of sharing information, but that's just going to fall on deaf ears. Unofficially... sometimes, documents can get sent to the wrong office. You guys have a fax machine, right?”

“What the fuck is a fax machine?” you ask. That aside, you're not sure how to feel about this...

>Grateful. You're glad that someone is being helpful around here
>Suspicious. What does she expect in return?
>Reluctant. Better for everyone if this is done through official channels
>Other

>>3500287
>>Grateful. You're glad that someone is being helpful around here
"But is there a catch?"

>>3500287
>Grateful. You're glad that someone is being helpful around here
at least she is trying.
We could always ask Monroe?
And if we did wouldn't she know already? she is a spy after all, because that seems like something that she should know because info like that would be on a business card.

>>3500287
>Suspicious. What does she expect in return?

Regular faxes on our situation and team maybe.

>>3500287
>>Suspicious. What does she expect in return?

>>3500287
>Suspicious. What does she expect in return?
She is not to be trusted.

>>3500287
>Suspicious. What does she expect in return?

“A fax machine is sort of like e-mail, except you print the message out automatically. Also, it makes an awful noise,” Coraline answers patiently, “It's not exactly the most modern way to communicate, I know, but it's surprisingly secure. Not much chance of messages getting intercepted, or-”

“Look,” you interrupt, cutting Coraline's rambling thought off and silencing her. You weren't actually expecting her to stop talking, and now you need to fumble for the right words. “I appreciate the help and all, don't get me wrong, but I have to ask if there's a catch,” you continue, “What are you expecting in return? Am I going to have to fax machine back reports on what we're really getting up to?”

Coraline opens her mouth to reply, then closes it again. She drinks the last of her lemonade, then pushes the glass aside. “I suppose that's a sensible question to ask,” she sighs, “I should know. Some of the people I work with, everything they do is a business transaction. We're not all like that, though.”

That's nice and all, but she's avoiding the question. You don't reply to this straight away, leaving Coraline to make the next move.

“I just want you to remember this, that's all,” she states eventually, reaching across to place a hand on your shoulder, “If you're ever in a tight spot, remember that you're not alone. Your world is larger than just NERV, and you've got other places to turn.”

Shrugging slightly, you brush her hand away. Behind the flowery language, there's a more direct message – don't forget, you owe me one. Whether this was an attempt at winning your loyalty, or just winning you over, you're not going to just swallow the bait without a second thought. Fletcher's warning lingers in the back of your mind – NIHIL might have people still within the UN. It's a cold world, where you have to think like this, but you can't just freely trust people now. Maybe you never could.

“I'll drive you back to base,” Coraline concludes, placing some money underneath a delicate ashtray, “Anywhere you want to stop off at first?”

“I think it's best if we just head back,” you tell her. With a sad smile on her face, Coraline nods.

-

She might be saddened – be it saddened that you don't fully trust her, or saddened that her plan failed – but Coraline's driving doesn't change. If anything, she hurls the little red convertible forwards faster than ever before. Taking the direct route this time, you arrive back at HQ in no time at all. “I'll send those documents along when I have the chance. I'll need to be careful about it,” Coraline announces as you're getting out of the car, “And... call me, won't you? It doesn't have to be for work, you know.”

“Right,” you reply vaguely, weakly, “I'll... see you around.”

Maybe.

[1/2]

>>3500384
Honestly cannot tell if she was trying to connect with another pilot or if she was being sneaky

>>3500405
Why can't it be both simultaneously?

File: Research.png (120 KB, 550x1045)

120 KB PNG

>>3500384

Commander Monroe is lurking in the upper levels of HQ when you arrive, although she wasn't waiting for you. Instead, she's busy walking a crew of surly workmen as the nearby transport truck idles. She's stalling for time, you realise, watching with unease as a team of security guards arrive to escort the workmen down. It's only once they're safely descending on the main cargo elevator that Monroe lets out a sigh of relief and waves you over.

“More of Fletcher's security precautions,” she explains vaguely, “He's having one of his paranoid episodes, I suppose. How was your trip out?”

“It was...” you pause, shaking your head before changing the subject, “Do we have like, a fax machine anywhere?”

“That bad, huh? I think Doctor Bergmann has one in her lab. Actually, she was looking for you,” the commander answers, “So everyone wins, huh?”

Sighing, you trudge over to the elevators and wait for one to arrive.

-

A strange smell hangs in Bergmann's laboratory when you arrive. Something strong and malty, like beer, but with a floral note as well. “Karl's cologne,” Bergmann explains, glancing around to you, “He tends to wear too much. Just one more reason to avoid the infirmary as much as possible. He's starting today, by the way. Showed up to work almost an hour late.”

“Karl?” you repeat, glancing around for the fax machine, “Oh right, the doctor. Right. Was that what you wanted to talk to me about?” No sign of the machine, although what does a fax machine even look like? A big boxy thing like a washing machine, or is it more like something you can stick on a desk?

“Forget about him. This is more important,” Bergmann answers, shaking her head, “We're ready to pursue another research project. Claudia gathered some of this data, but she told me to leave the next steps with you. Now, we can refine your ADM Unit's combat capabilities a little more – it's good to have well-rounded abilities - or I can bring a new AT Ability online. Something defensive this time. What do you say?”

The next research project...

>Close Combat Training 2: Increase close attack bonus by +10 (Current bonus: +15)
>Ranged Combat Training 1: Increase ranged attack bonus by +10 (Current bonus: 0)
>AT Bunker: Reduce incoming Integrity damage by 50%. Cost: Ego equal to damage reduced

>>3500462
>Ranged Combat Training 1: Increase ranged attack bonus by +10 (Current bonus: 0)

>>3500462
>Close Combat Training 2: Increase close attack bonus by +10 (Current bonus: +15)

MASSIVE SPECIALIZATION

>>3500462
>>Ranged Combat Training 1: Increase ranged attack bonus by +10 (Current bonus: 0)
we should sure up our roll's because we don't know the situation that we may come up against and, if we need a bigger melee modifier we can always bring Claudia along as our second.

also shouldn't it be 15 not 10?

>>3500462
>Ranged Combat Training 1: Increase ranged attack bonus by +10
Overspecialization cripples.

File: 500px-Crimson_Slaughter_C(...).jpg (59 KB, 500x626)

59 KB JPG

>>3500462
>>Close Combat Training 2: Increase close attack bonus by +10 (Current bonus: +15)
We are wrath!
We are Ruin!
We are The Warhound!

>>3500462
>>Ranged Combat Training 1: Increase ranged attack bonus by +10 (Current bonus: 0)

Just want to make sure we can make that shot if we need to if we have to fight a Ramiel equivalent down the line where melee isn't an option. Then we can go back to melee focus.

>Closing this vote here, looks like we're going with ranged training

>>3500478
>Attack bonuses increase in blocks of 10, but we started with a +5 in close combat - because Holly is, well, Holly.

>>3500516
We should remember to thank Claudia for letting us chose what to do with the research, as she did the work for this one.
Also does that mean that the support modifiers for the other pilots modifiers get better as we do more research.
My mistake, as that makes sense i guess i got confused because we never saw our stats sheet before we got the first research completed.

File: 1st sheet.png (218 KB, 1600x1200)

218 KB PNG

>>3500596
>we never saw our stats sheet before we got the first research completed.

We did during the first fight.

>>3500608
Goddammit.

>>3500608
I fear for any Lilim that faces us and Claudia in CQ at the same time. Especially given the buff she gives us.

>>3500622
That happened to Eligor and the poor bastard got crushed in two rounds.

>Ranged Combat Training 1 obtained!
>Ranged attack bonus increased to +10!

“Ranged training,” you decide, nodding to yourself, “I guess you're right, I should probably be ready for whatever comes my way.”

“I'll send the work order down,” Bergmann agrees, tapping a few keys on her keyboard, “And why, if I might ask, do you keep looking around like that? Am I making you uncomfortable?”

“No more than normal,” you reply, causing the doctor to let out a low laugh. She lets the matter rest, concentrating on her computer. After a long pause, the silence becomes too much to bear. “Did you just have a quiet night last night?” you ask vaguely, “We had a little bit of a party. Kaori's birthday. Well, it won't be her birthday for a while yet, but... anyway, I guess you were busy down here.”

Without looking up from her computer, Bergmann nods. “I was working late,” she murmurs to herself, “But I felt rather distracted. An annoying draft, perhaps.”

Is she trying to tell you something? Before you can offer some reply, an alarm screams out. Bergmann is on her feet in an instant, opening her desk drawer and taking out a case, checking the contents. Just before she snaps the case closed, you spot a pair of syringes inside. “That's Zero's alarm,” Bergmann snaps, pushing past you, “Damn it! That useless oaf isn't ready for this yet, and that nurse isn't much better...”

“Karina?” you yelp, a new panic stabbing into your chest, “Is she-”

Bergmann silences you with a gesture, sweeping out of the laboratory. With little else to do, you chase after her. The alarm continues to wail as you both race down the corridor, striding through the open door to Karina's quarters. There, you see the girl herself – she lies on the floor, a terrible convulsion causing her to shudder and jump. Cam leans over her, doing her best to keep Karina from hurting herself too much. It looks less like a convulsion and more like some outside force is throwing her about. Lifting her, dropping her, shoving her about... all Cam can do is hold her down, clinging on for dear life.

“It's a big one!” the security guard hisses, “It happened so quickly, I've not had a chance to give her any-”

“Quiet!” Bergmann snaps, taking out one of the syringes and checking the contents. Before she can use it, the pale girl cries out – her voice deep, wavering.

“I see a beast with twin fangs!” she bellows, the sound causing all of you – even Bergmann – to recoil a little, “A beast with twin fangs, striking like lightning and the crashing waves! Cutting, cutting, CUTTING!”

“Doctor!” Cam snaps, her voice fearful, “She's going to hurt herself!”

A desperate snarl fixed on her face, Bergmann ruthlessly plunges the syringe into Karina's neck.

[1/2]

>>3500650

Slowly, Karina's convulsions subside. Bergmann takes the second syringe and carefully injects Karina again. As she watches over the sickly girl, Cam draws back and paces restlessly back and forth. Every so often, you catch a snippet of her angry whispers. “I can't take this,” she hisses under her breath, “I can't deal with this any more. I can't...”

“Quiet,” Bergmann repeats, giving Cam a dirty look, “She might say something else. This is important. Cam – did she say anything else? Before the seizure, was she doing anything out of the ordinary? Take a deep breath, concentrate, and answer me.”

“No!” Cam shoots back, “She was just walking along... she was so glad to be out of that damn wheelchair... and then she just fell. I've hardly ever seen her this bad. If this happens again, I don't think she's-”

A knock echoes out, the sound of knuckles rapping against metal. Turning, you stare at the pudgy man standing in the open doorway. He's short, a little overweight, with tiny spectacles perched on his nose and a luxuriously thick crown of wavy hair at the top of his head. A NERV ID hands around his neck, and his hands – surprisingly dainty – constantly fiddle with it. “Excuse me,” he calls out, a strange accent – vaguely European, but nothing you recognise – lending his voice a fussy tone, “Does anyone need a doctor here?”

“Holly, this is Karl,” Bergmann sighs, rolling her eye at you, “Doctor Weick, this is Holly Reynolds – our star pilot.”

Despite everything, and despite your feelings towards Bergmann herself, you feel a faint flush of pride at her words. The doctor waddles over, his pace unhurried now that the emergency has passed, and you catch a taste of his terrible cologne. “This girl looks very unwell,” Weick mumbles to himself, peering down at Karina, “I think she should be in bed!”

Cam snaps to attention, moving over and stooping to help Karina up. The girl has lapsed into a deep sleep now, stirring and shivering a little. “I'll need to observe her for a little while,” Bergmann sighs, frustration darkening her features, “Karl, I can show you what to do. Next time, you might need to act quickly and without hesitation. Holly, you-”

“She should stay,” Cam interrupts, “Karina could do with a friendly face when she wakes up.”

“That's what you're here for, isn't it?” Bergmann counters, “Holly, I think you should head back to your dorm. I'm sorry that you had to see this.”

>Bergmann's right. You should head back and rest up
>You should stay here with Karina. You need to be here for her
>Head back to the lab while Bergmann is distracted, take a look around
>Other

>>3500731
>You should stay here with Karina. You need to be here for her

As a side note we might also get more information on the next Lilim when she wakes up.

>>3500731
>Head back to the lab while Bergmann is distracted, take a look around

why can't our astral projection read your mind borgman

>>3500731
>>You should stay here with Karina. You need to be here for her
We can also ask her about the scrapped note she left for us.

>>3500731
>You should stay here with Karina. You need to be here for her

“I'm staying here,” you answer, moving forwards to help Cam carry Karina into bed, “I want... I need to be here for her.”

Bergmann clicks her tongue in irritation. “This is neither the time nor the place to get sentimental,” she scolds, “I'll need you to stand aside immediately if her condition deteriorates. Even the slightest delay could harm her.”

“That's what I told you,” Cam mutters, “Didn't make much difference...”

“I'll follow orders,” you insist, “And if you're showing Weick... if you're showing Doctor Weick the ropes, it might help if I know what to do as well. If she has an attack, and I'm the only one around...” Your voice trails off here, a look from Cam silencing you. Don't push it, her expression seems to say. Instead, you focus on getting the sickly girl into bed. As Cam busies herself with attaching various electrodes to Karina's bare flesh, you start to neaten up her clothes. Her top has ridden up a little, revealing a delicate stomach. As you reach for her clothes, you pause as something catches your eye. While everyone else is looking elsewhere, you carefully raise her top a little more. Her stomach is smooth and flat, without any kind of markings on it – no belly button, even.

“Reynolds!” Bergmann snaps, and you hurriedly pull Karina's shirt back down into place. Turning, you see the doctor holding out both syringes. “If Zero has an attack, she needs both of these. One red, one blue. Always use the red syringe first,” she explains, “Don't worry about dosage. Either the syringe is already loaded, in which case you should just use it, or it'll be empty, in which case you should wait for help. Hold her still, and wait for one of us to arrive.”

No word about what you should do if they don't arrive. Best not to think about such things.

“Now, Karl, listen closely,” Bergmann continues, “This should be easy for you, but I don't want any mistakes...”

-

Bergmann lingers around for a short while, repeatedly lecturing Doctor Weick about various aspects of Karina's treatment. Most of the details fly right over your head, and you're barely listening to them anyway. Sitting by her bedside, you listen instead to the soft beep of the monitors. You've seen enough hospital dramas to know what to be afraid of – for that regular tone to become a single, long drone.

Cam sits opposite you, unable to look at Karina for long before her flighty gaze leaps away. She's uncomfortable here. Because of Bergmann's lingering presence, or because of Karina herself?

“I can keep an eye on her,” you tell Cam, “Go and get a coffee or something, you look like you need the break.”

“Thank you,” Cam whispers, flashing you a grateful smile before getting to her feet and scurrying away.

[1/2]

>>3500866

Sitting by Karina's bedside, you risk a glance back around at Bergmann and Weick. The two doctors are busy examining a piece of medical equipment in the main part of the room, their attention directed away from you. Quickly, feeling absurdly guilty, you lean down and sniff Karina's skin. She smells of sweat and medicine, a sharp whiff of rubbing alcohol, but beneath it all... the unmistakable scent of LCL.

“What are you?” you whisper, gazing down at Karina. When she stirs, you wince. Holding your tongue, you listen as Karina mumbles a few words to herself – more than just foreign, they sound alien. “Human evolution,” you continue, chancing a few more words, “You almost left me that note, remember? But you tore it out, threw it away. What does that mean?”

“The AT Field...” Karina breathes, this time speaking in a language that you can understand, “Mankind... is yet... to inherit it. But... you will.”

“We will?” you repeat, feeling foolish.

“Don't be afraid,” the pale girl adds, her lips trembling with the effort of speech. Then, slowly, one eye cracks open to stare up at you. At first there is no recognition in that eye, no comprehension, but then it slowly seeps back in. “Ah...” she rasps, her other eye – this one bloodshot – sluggishly opening, “Holly? It happened... again, didn't it?”

Swallowing down your unease, you gesture towards an empty glass and a pitcher of water. Karina just shakes her head, one trembling hand brushing against your arm. “You gotta stop worrying people,” you scold, “You need any help? I can get Doc Bergmann for you. Hell, I can get both doctors – take your pick. Just let me know if-”

“Fine now,” she murmurs, “Just want to...”

Her thought ends there, a soft snore finishing off the orphaned sentence.

>I think I'm going to pause this here. NERV: Second Daughter will continue tomorrow!
>Thank you for your contributions today!

>>3500952
Thanks for running Moloch!

>>3500952
Thanks for running!

So Karina is a vat grown LCL baby. Is she going to get jealous when she finds out we're developing mind reading powers? It's kinda muscling in on her turf.

>>3501039
Well, maybe yes and maybe no. But then, what's she gonna do about it? If Karina gets moody, just flip her wheelchair over, EZ
Don't actually do this. No bully

>>3501202
But that's what Holly needs to do to improve the mind reading, flip her wheelchair and beat her up. That's how it works in megaman, right?

File: IngridB.png (369 KB, 900x700)

369 KB PNG

“I see a beast with twin fangs, striking like lightning and the crashing waves,” Doctor Bergmann reads aloud, taking a sip of coffee as she studies the slip of paper before her, “I believe that is a description of the next Lilim. Furthermore, the Trimurti system is reporting disturbances in the local field physics. Nothing strong enough for humans to notice, of course, but you can't fool a computer. At this point, I can confidently state that yes, a new enemy is approaching.”

“Do the disturbances have a focal point?” Monroe asks. She's all business now, determined to appear professional in front of Bergmann. Anything to avoid giving the doctor any more ammunition.

“Here,” Bergmann states simply, “More specifically, about one hundred meters above ground level. Empty sky.”

“So the Lilim is what, flying?” you ask, “It's not a giant floating cube or something, is it?”

Claudia laughs quietly, turning the noise into a cough. With so many people in Bergmann's laboratory, you're pretty much rubbing shoulders with each other. If you really wanted to, you could reach over and slap Claudia around the head. Sometimes, you really DO want to. “Impossible to say for certain,” Bergmann continues, ignoring the muffled laugh, “But nothing in Zero's description specifically stated that-”

“Karina,” Monroe interrupts, “She has a name, Ingrid.”

A tense silence falls. Then, mercifully breaking it, you hear an awful grinding noise as the fax machine clanks into life. The first page of Coraline's report emerges, and you lunge to grab it. Nothing interesting on page one, but the good stuff is always further in. “It's some info on those disappearances,” you explain, grinning at the others, “I hit up some of my confidential sources, and... well, you know how it is. Looks like we've got a list of village names here. God, how do you even pronounce some of these?”

“Just pick one that you CAN pronounce,” Claudia urges, “Come now, hurry up!”

“Uh..” you scan down the list, “Most of these have some pretty weird letters, but this one might be... New Dyrnes? I don't know if there was an old-”

A harsh clatter interrupts this, Bergmann's coffee cup falling and shattering on the laboratory floor. The doctor herself is frozen, her single eye wide and disbelieving. Slowly recovering, she kneels down and starts to pick up broken pieces of porcelain. “I get so clumsy when I haven't slept,” she announces to nobody in particular, “I'll have to clean this up. Can you all... go? I just need a few moments. We can finish this briefing in the corridor, so just... go.”

“Ingrid?” Mornoe asks, her voice tentative, “Are you okay?”

Bergmann takes a moment, drawing in a deep breath to steady herself. “Yes, I think I am,” she decides after a pause, “This changes nothing. Nothing at all. We still have a job to do, don't we?”

[1/2]

File: HollySheet.png (358 KB, 1600x1200)

358 KB PNG

>>3502898

You take the rest of the report – what little there is – from the fax machine and pass it to Monroe as you're leaving. She's probably better at understanding this official stuff than you are, and she can pass the results along later. As you wait for Bergmann to emerge from her quarters, you try to find something, anything, to talk about.

“So...” Kaori begins, “A beast with twin fangs? That sounds like something you'd want to stay away from. Hang back, shoot it down from a distance.”

“But if it is fast, like lightning, it may not let you keep a distance,” Yulia points out, “It will be quick. Perhaps you will get one shot off, but not more than that. If I can get a harpoon in the beast, though, I can immobilise it. It will be easier to fight it on your terms.”

“If you want to be boring, maybe,” Claudia drawls, “Get close and rip out those twin fangs it has. Show it what a real beast can do, that's what I say!”

Commander Monroe clears her throat. “I think we should all calm down a little. Holly, everything we've seen suggests that this is going to be a conventional combat encounter. So, with that in mind, I'm assigning you as the lead pilot on this operation. You have the most experience now,” she declares, “Does anyone have any serious objections to that? I'm including you, Holly. If you don't feel like you can do this, just say the word.”

You glance back, waiting to see if the other pilots are going to protest. Kaori shakes her head, while Claudia gives you an overly gracious bow. Yulia frowns, one finger tapping against her arm as she thinks, but she says nothing either.

“Okay then,” the commander continues, nodding to herself, “So, Holly, we're going to get the ADM Units prepared now – pick your partner and equipment, so I can send the orders down to engineering. Now remember, I can only deploy you in pairs, so whoever you pick as a partner is going to be your only backup out there. Don't blame me, blame the regulations!”

Your partner, and your equipment. A Lilim that is quick, hits hard at close range...

>Assign Claudia as your partner
>Assign Kaori as your partner
>Assign Yulia as your partner

>Equip standard issue gear
>Equip close assault gear
>Equip heavy weapons gear

>Other

>>3502900
>>Assign Yulia as your partner
I think Yulia has the right of it. Striking like lightning implies serious speed.

>Equip standard issue gear

>>3502900
>>Assign Claudia as your partner
>Equip Close Combat gear
Yulia is way too slow and clunky to handle a speedy opponent. Sure that harpoon will slow it down if it hits, but what If she cant hit it? That clanker of hers is gonna be a sitting duck.

>>3502900
>Assign Kaori as your partner
>Equip heavy weapons gear
Kaori's the only one who provides a damage bonus.

>>3502900
I guess shall support >>3502909
the only thing that may be a problem may be that what Karina said was literal as they are in the Air so they could be a cloud or able to fly.

Also if we are only allowed to deploy 2 ADM units at a time, why were we allowed to deploy with Claudia and Karina last time.
>>3502911
If we are to deploy with Claudia we should deploy with Standard gear as Claudia doesn't have a ranged weapon.

>>3502911
I don't think Co pilots have a 'To Hit' as it were. I think just she passively prevents regeneration and evasion. Moloch would have to confirm though

>>3502900
>Assign Yulia
Gib AOE, retreat prevention

>Close Assault
This isn’t a fight where we’ll avoid CQC proper methinks.

>>3502925
?
She has to have some way to hit or miss. So far all our allies have been involved in the fights. My point is that the harpoon is basically a fire, rewind, fire weapon. You dont go cheetah hunting with a fire and forget weapon.

>>3502900
>Assign Claudia as your partner
>Equip close assault gear
Remember the basics of CQC Raynor

>>3502929
What he was taking about is that they don't mechanically roll separately to do damage, only we do.

>>3502931
It's a flying enemy and that may strike like lightning. Going full CQC is just going to be Holly yelling at clouds and only able to attack when she gets hit.

>>3502944
Oh well I missed the one about it flying:/
But I still wouldn't use Yulia. If she can ground it that would be nice, but her getting pulled into the air...

>>3502963
Her ADM is specialized in using it's AT field to anchor herself and hold remember?

Bringing this thing to the ground is going to be very important I feel. Then any strategy works, ranged or melee.

>>3502944
Shit fair enough, forgot it was an ariborne fucker
changing my bote (>>3502931)
to >Assign Kaori as your partner
>Equip heavy weapons gear

>>3502900
>>Assign Kaori as your partner
>Equip heavy weapons gear

>Okay, I'm sorry this is taking so long. Next time, I'm going to make sure to divide the vote up into two separate parts. For now, I think I'm going to average things out to Kaori/Heavy weapons gear
>Again, I apologise for this delay. My fault

>>3502900
>Yulia as Partner
>Standard Gear

“Heavy weapons gear, that means big guns, right?” you ask Monroe, who nods as you look around to Kaori, “So I'll go with that. Kaori, I want you to run support for me.”

“Hell of a birthday present,” she murmurs to herself, although she doesn't shirk from the task. As Monroe radios down the work order and Kaori starts to head off and prepare, the laboratory door opens. Doctor Bergmann looms in the doorway, her expression set in a snarl. “Doctor?” Kaori asks uneasily, hesitating and trying, failing, to meet the doctor's eye, “Are you...”

“The readings are getting stronger. We need to hurry and issue the evacuation order,” the doctor orders, sparing Monroe a fleeting glance, “I want Zero awake and in Partial 05 as soon as possible. If a Lilim does come through, I want her to analyse it – we can learn something here today. What are you waiting for? Go and-”

Monroe steps forwards, grabbing the doctor by the arm. “Karina is not ready to enter a combat zone,” the commander stresses, “I won't allow it. If you're not happy with that, file a formal complaint. Let head office deal with it.”

With exaggerated care, Bergmann grabs Monroe's wrist – you see her hand tightening around the commander's arm – and pulls it away from her. Monroe's eyes narrow a little, but she shows no hint of pain. “Holly,” Doctor Bergmann announces, deliberate patience in her voice, “Without Zero... without Karina, you'll be operating with far less information and support. You don't want that, do you? So go and wake her – tell her to prepare herself.”

“But... we can't bring her up, can we?” you ask, searching for some way to defuse the situation, “If we're only allowed to send two ADM Units up, Karina would make it-”

“Partial 05 doesn't count. Karina provides a supporting role, facilitating communications and gathering information. Regulations apply to combat units only,” the doctor answers, her burning gaze daring Commander Monroe to argue, “I could quote you the exact regulation, if you like, or the commander could do it. I'm sure that she knows exactly which rule I'm talking about. Isn't that right... Diane?”

You'd rather fight the Lilim with your bare hands than get caught between these two. “Look, I'll go and check on her,” you offer, “But if she's like, in a coma or something...”

“Just go,” Bergmann hisses, “Lying in bed isn't going to do her any good – if anything, LCL immersion should help her condition. Now go!”

Scowling at Bergmann, you turn and hurry down to the sickly girl's room. When you arrive, Karina is already struggling out of bed and into the waiting wheelchair. “Hey, slow down,” you call out, hurrying over to her, “You shouldn't-”

“I have to,” Karina interrupts, “You heard the alarms, yes? This is my purpose. I have to do this.”

Cam, waiting by the wheelchair, just gives you a helpless shrug.

[1/2]

>>3503026

Floating in the LCL, you hear the rattle and clank of machinery filling the hangar outside. Partial 05, that boring steel drum of a machine, is being loaded onto a wide elevator, ready to deploy with you and Kaori. With a little luck, you won't forget she's there and trip over her. “We're picking up increasing instability in the estimated arrival zone,” Commander Monroe announces over the radio, “It's actually visible now. Look!”

An image appears on the wall of your entry plug – a section of the city sky, a warping band of hazy light twisting and coiling in the air. Quite the sight. You can only hope that nobody stopped to marvel at it. The massive rifle that weighs you down is hardly a precision instrument, despite the name, and you can only imagine what how much damage it could cause with even a discarded shell casing. Looking away from the image of the sky, you check the countdown and brace yourself for launch.

The elevator fires with a jolt, sending your ADM Unit hurtling up towards the surface. Through all the shaking and shuddering, you see the portal warp and stretch wider. It's almost here – you don't need any science to tell you that, you can just listen to your gut. More words scroll across your view, a stream of data that flies past.

>Integrity: 50/50
>Ego: 88/100
>Target designated as the Lilim Ose
>Target vitality: 30/30

“I can feel it already,” Karina breathes into your mind, “The beast... oh!”

This last word, she cries out in fear. Sliced apart like old cloth, the portal splits open and a dark shape bursts free as the elevator slams to a halt on the surface. Pulling up the heavy rifle, you take aim as the Lilim plunges down towards you. It hasn't even been in this world for a full minute, and it's already swooping in to attack. With no time to discern individual features, you prepare to fire.

>Calling for a dice roll, 1D100 against a DC of 60. The target is still at long range, so we'll be at a total of +20 for this roll. Due to Kaori's support ability, I'll be taking the first FOUR rolls for this – scoring a full four passes will yield extra damage.

>>3503079

Rolled 15 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>3503079

Rolled 4 (1d100)

>>3503079

Rolled 77 (1d100)

>>3503079
trying again

Rolled 8 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>3503079

Man that's pretty unlucky

Rolled 45, 36, 39 = 120 (3d100)

>Okay, so that's a clash. We hit for half damage, Ose hits for half their damage. Additionally, rolling an attack for Ose itself.
>Rolling 3D100, aiming for a DC of 40

>>3503105
Quick question. Does Kaori's range damage bonus kick in for a Clash?

also i looked up Ose this is what i found:
Ose (also Osé, Oze, Oso, Voso) is a Great President of Hell, ruling three legions of demons. He makes men wise in all liberal sciences and gives true answers concerning divine and secret things; he also brings insanity to any person the conjurer wishes, making him/her believe that he/she is the creature or thing the magician desired, or makes that person think he is a king and wearing a crown, or a pope. Ose is depicted as a leopard that after a while changes into a man. His name seems to derive from Latin "os", mouth, language, or "osor", that who abhors.

>>3503109
>It does, yes. I work out damage bonuses using our base values, so the hit works out to 8 damage in total.

I would've doubled down on the CQC bonus and grab Yulia. +25 and a harpoon in the gut sounds wild.

Let's see what the big guns will do

>Clash!
>Ose clashes!

Holding down the trigger, you direct a stream of shells up into the descending Lilim as Kaori adds her own gunfire to the assault. It twists as it streaks down at you, wings like a black sail spreading out as it spins around the worst of your attack. When your shells make contact with those ephemeral wings, they pass clean through leaving no damage - only a ripple on the surface. Just as it seems like your attack is going to end in failure, someone lands a hit on the creature's main body. The elegant dive is spoiled, reduced to a clumsy tumble.

A tumble that slams right into you nonetheless. Driven down to the ground by the Lilim, you feel blades scrape against your flesh – the flesh of your ADM Unit. As much as you try to distance yourself from it, you can't fully block out the feeling of blades cutting into you. Screaming out in pain, you wrestle with the wounded Lilim before getting leverage against it, kicking it away from you. You both came out of that with a few new scars.

>Integrity damage: 6
>Ego damage: 6

>Total damage inflicted: 12

You have a chance, a fleeting moment, to study the Lilim Ose. It looks almost like an ADM Unit – the same size, the same proportions – if not for the smokey cape that flutters out behind it. Two mask-like heads peer out at you. One bears a serene, stoic expression while the other snarls and drools like a starving beast. Growing out from the Lilim's wrists are two long blades, notched from slashing at your ADM Unit. Even as you watch, the blades repair themselves and gleam with a renewed sharpness.

It barely holds back for a second, pulling back before springing forwards in a murderous lunge. Kaori fires at it, her shots ripping through the concrete underfoot and causing the Lilim to leap back. Flapping out like a curtain, the smokey wings spread and bear the Lilim aloft. As you track it with your rifle, a crown of blazing light forms above the Lilim's twin heads.

“Ah! It's gathering power!” Karina yelps, “Get away! Hide!”

Hide? But there's nothing here to hide behind... save for the tallest buildings. There was the evacuation alert, of course, but...

“Holly!” Kaori snaps, desperate for orders.

>Hide, get to cover before the Lilim attacks!
>Fire again, maybe you can knock it from the skies!
>Other

>>3503169
It's stationary while charging yeah?

>>3503169
>Fire again, maybe you can knock it from the skies!
We are absolutely not going to use the buildings as cover, there might still be people in it.

Try to aim at the crown of blazing light, it might be vulnerable in this charging period.

>>3503169
>Fire again, maybe you can knock it from the skies!
bring out dem AT overdrives

>>3503169
>Fire again, maybe you can knock it from the skies!
Even if we screw up we still have significant reserves of both Health and Ego that we can burn to avoid casualties if need be.

>>3503169
>>Hide, get to cover before the Lilim attacks!

>>3503185
>That's correct, yes. So, it looks like we're taking the shot.
>Calling for another dice check, 1D100+20, still aiming to beat 60 and still using the first four results. 3 successes or more will interrupt the Lilim's attack

Rolled 64 (1d100)

>>3503205

Rolled 89 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>3503205

Rolled 66 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>3503205

>>3503207
>>3503208
>>3503209
YOOOOO

>>3503211
Didn't even need to use Overdrive

Still need one more roll though

Rolled 63 + 20 (1d100 + 20)

>>3503205

File: stone.png (84 KB, 356x356)

84 KB PNG

>>3503226
>>3503209
>>3503208
>>3503207

>>3503207
the dc was what, 50?

>>3503278

>>3503205
>60

>>3503278
60.

>>3503205
>3 successes or more will interrupt the Lilim's attack

3 successes also outright kills it.

18/30 HP

We do 8 base + 4 from critical success = 12

12 + 6 from Kaori's 50% ranged damage up = 18

>>3503292
That's 5 Lilim. Ace Pilot Holly confirmed.

>>3503293
4. Claudia got one of em

Rolled 59 (1d100)

>Complete success!

“We are NOT hiding!” you snap, bringing your rifle up again, “I don't care what that thing does to us. Fire! Kaori, with me!”

“Understood!” she barks, already setting her sights over the Lilim and opening fire. Together, you both pour streams of gunfire into the Lilim. Shell after shell punches into the Lilim, chewing it open and causing the floating creature to shudder in place. Recoil pushes your rifle higher, the trail of fire climbing up the length of the Lilim's body and cracking the stoic mask. Higher still, and a stray shot strikes that glowing crown. It shatters like glass, blowing out a wide curtain of fire and light that washes over you. Your hair stands on end as the energy washes over you but, with the attack disrupted before it reached completion, an electric tingle against your skin is the worst you suffer.

>Total damage inflicted: 20

The Lilim is not so lucky. Blown back by its own attack, the Lilim crashes to the ground and falls still. “Target down,” you report, checking the data scrolling across your monitors, “I... think we're fine?”

“No damage sustained, except for the road. Someone's going to need to patch that up,” Kaori adds, keeping her rifle at the ready as she approaches the fallen Lilim, “Karina, is it still alive?”

“Oh, you poor thing...” Karina whispers, and then you feel a hot flush of panic in her thoughts, “Ah! I mean... ah, I can still sense it. It's weak, though, so very weak... I don't know if it can fight back.”

>Integrity: 44/50
>Ego: 82/100
>Target vitality: 0/30

Is that disappointment you feel? Swallowing down a reply, you approach the fallen Lilim and prod it with the long barrel of your rifle. The monster's long body has split open where you fired upon it, revealing the core inside. It still glows with a fading, failing inner light, but you can tell that it won't last for much longer. Peeling back some of the Lilim's flesh, you tap the core with your rifle and wince as a discordant tone echoes through your head. It blocks out everything, that ringing, swelling louder and louder until-

Until the core splits apart, ruptured from within, and the ringing finally stops.

“No signs of life detected,” Karina whispers, “That... that's good. Well done, everyone. I think we-”

“Mission accomplished!” Monroe interrupts, her voice loud and relieved, “I knew you two could do it! We're sending out the recovery teams now, and I'll make sure to have a nice meal ready for you when you get back. I thought you might be a little hungry, you know?”

“I'm starving,” Kaori agrees, “What about you, Holly?”

You murmur a vague reply, closing your eyes as you wait for a moment. This all seems too easy, somehow. Far too easy.

[1/2]

>>3503330

“Well, look at you two!” Commander Monroe announces, marching across the hangar to join you, “The dream team!”

“That's not really...” Kaori begins, glancing across to you and smiling awkwardly. “I didn't really do much,” she adds, “When the Lilim prepared that attack, I didn't know what to do. I would have frozen up completely if I'd been out there on my own. That just goes to show, I'm really not cut out for a leadership position.”

Laughing, Monroe passes a pair of towels across to you. As Kaori starts to wipe LCL out of her hair, the commander gently leads you a short distance away. “That was good work out there. I really do mean that,” she assures you, “I needed something like this. Something to just... work out. No disasters, no painful decisions, nothing of the sort. We had a job to do, and we did it. YOU did it.”

“Yeah,” you murmur, glancing back at your waiting ADM Unit. What Karina said back there...

“Something wrong?” Monroe asks, noticing your uneasy tone, “You're not still spoiling for a fight, are you?”

>No, of course not. I'm glad we brought it down so quickly
>Maybe, I guess. I was looking forwards to a good fight, not this
>I'm just tired. And hungry. What about that meal you promised?
>It's not that, it's... (Write in)
>Other

>>3503359
>It's not that, it's... (Write in)
"This feels too easy. Are we sure it's over?"

>>3503359
>It's not that, it's... (Write in)
"Karina mentioned that after Claudia went through the portal the Lilim 'know us now' and that things are getting to get tougher. Maybe we just got lucky, but this seemed too easy for an enemy that was supposed to start adapting. Just have a bad vibe.

Also I am hungry. Where's that meal?"

>>3503359
>>Maybe, I guess. I was looking forwards to a good fight, not this.
With everything else that Holly is having to deal with it sort of feels anti-climatic to have it be over so quickly.

“It's not that, it's just... this feels too easy, doesn't it? Like, I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop,” you shrug, struggling to put your thoughts into words, “Karina said that the Lilim know us now, ever since Claudia went through that portal. She said that things would get harder from here on out. Maybe we just got lucky, but... are we sure that it's really over?”

“Karina reported that all signs of life were extinguished,” Monroe points out, “But I understand how you feel. Why don't we go and see what Doctor Bergmann has to say? She was monitoring the battle, so if there was anything out of the ordinary...”

“Is there any way to make sure that DOESN'T involve talking with her?” you ask, suppressing a groan of dismay, “I am kinda hungry, so maybe we could just grab some food and-”

“Sorry kid,” the commander sighs, shaking her head, “But you've got me curious now too. Come on, it'll only take a moment.”

-

Still dripping with LCL, you accompany Monroe to the laboratory. Inside, Doctor Bergmann is sitting at her computer and restlessly tapping a finger against her desk. At the sound of your arrival, she jerks her head around to glare at you. “You killed it too quickly,” she declares, “I barely got any data from the battle.”

Her tone causes you to bristle. “Well SORRY,” you snap back at her, “I'll let it destroy half the city next time, will I? Anyway-”

“Anyway,” Commander Monroe interrupts, placing a hand on your shoulder to silence you, “We're just here to confirm the kill. What kind of readings are we looking at?”

“Some residual disturbances in the local physics. Nothing unexpected – it takes some time for things to return to normal after a Lilim is destroyed. Look,” turning back to her computer, Bergmann taps a few keys. On the main monitor, you see a pair of recordings – one from your ADM, one from Kaori's. Both of them show the same thing, the Lilim's core darkening as it dies. The footage is hazy with static, but there's no mistaking it. “See?” Bergmann grunts, “A routine kill. You can write up the mission reports, Diane. I'm going home.”

Bergmann rises to leave, but Commander Monroe gestures for her to remain. “What's wrong with you today, Ingrid?” she asks, exasperated at the doctor, “If you need help with something, anything-”

“I'm just tired,” the doctor states bluntly, trying very hard to keep a level tone. Then, ignoring Monroe's further attempts to keep her, Bergmann pushes past and strides from the laboratory. Monroe watches her leave, clicking her tongue in irritation.

“Fine then,” she murmurs to herself, “Be that way.”

[1/2]

Well we kind of did ask for something to kill them faster and I guess we got what we asked for at some point.
Also isn't the fact that Bergmann is complaining about us killing it too quickly, a massive red flag as NERV's stated goal is the Destruction of the Lilium?

File: 8939881D-201C-42DA-9494-4(...).gif (2.5 MB, 640x480)

2.5 MB GIF

>>3503427
>Bergmann’s village got fucked

>>3503443
I think she's just irritated about the New Dyrnes situation

>>3503443
She is just kind of angry because her village got destroyed, so she is lashing out. Don't look at this too hard.

>>3503427

Another party. First Kaori's birthday, now a victory party. No wine this time, although Monroe has a glass of bourbon with the meal. Probably not her first glass of the day, judging by how quickly her cheeks flush red. There's nothing fancy about the meal, but it's been too long since you had a good pizza. Even so, there's only so much comfort you can find in greasy food and soda. The others might be celebrating, but you're still struggling to relax.

“I must say, I'm rather glad you took Kaori along on your little day out today,” Claudia murmurs to you, “I had such an awful headache when I woke up today. It must have been that cheap wine Monroe got for us. Red wine is just terrible to overindulge on.”

You don't have the heart to tell her the truth, murmuring an acknowledgement instead. “Oh yeah,” you add, “Bergmann said that you let me pick the last upgrade, so... thanks for that.”

“Oh, I assumed that you'd have a better idea of what to pick,” the heiress replies, waving away your thanks with a breezy gesture. Sighing inwardly, you look away from her. Karina sits a short distance away from everyone else, watching the party with an uncertain gaze. Grabbing a plate of food, you cross over to join her and offer it out. She stares at the pizza as if it was a form of alien life, slowly shaking her head.

“Ah, I... I don't really eat,” she explains, “Heavy food like that, I mean. My stomach is, ah, very delicate.”

“Suit yourself,” you reply, taking a bite out of the pizza, “You felt sorry for that thing, didn't you? That “poor thing”, you called it.”

The accusation, even carefully worded, causes her to flinch. “It's not... that's not quite...” Karina swallows, “Nobody seems to understand the Lilim as well as I do. I wish I knew how I understood them, but... I just don't remember.” Shaking her head, she thinks carefully for a moment. “They had a single mind to unite them once,” she continues, “But right now, they're like rabid animals. They're dangerous, and they need to be put down before they...”

“Before they what?” you prompt.

“Before they learn about us,” Karina whispers, “Before they remember how to think.”

Letting out a slow breath, you shake your head in disbelief. “I think I understand,” you lie, studying the strange, perhaps human girl, “But man, feeling sorry for them?”

“Don't be mad!” Karina pleads, “And don't... you won't tell anyone, will you?”

>I have to. If you're unreliable, the commander needs to know
>Don't worry, I wouldn't do that to a friend
>I won't tell, but... I don't know if I can trust you after this
>I... (Write in)
>Other

>>3503499
>Don't worry, I wouldn't do that to a friend
"But promise me you'll talk to me about it
more sometime."

>>3503499
>>Don't worry, I wouldn't do that to a friend.

>>3503499
>>Don't worry, I wouldn't do that to a friend

>>3503499
>Don't worry, I wouldn't do that to a friend
With the implicatio nthat as soon as Karina takes the Lilim's side she stops being a friend.

“Don't worry, I wouldn't do that to a friend,” you assure her, your words causing Karina's eyes to widen, “But promise me one thing, okay? Tell me some more about it later, okay? For now, let's just try to enjoy this party.”

“Ah, I... yes, I think I can do that,” Karina mumbles, her slender fingers flexing in her lap as she avoids your gaze, “It might not make much sense to you, though. Words are... difficult for me sometimes. It's hard to explain.” Looking up, she nudges her wheelchair a little closer to the rest of the group and watches as Monroe “discretely” pours herself a shot of bourbon from a small flask. Hurriedly pushing the flask back into her pocket, the commander drinks. “She's having fun, isn't she?” Karina thinks aloud, “I hope she doesn't overdo it...”

“I'll keep an eye on her,” you promise, approaching Monroe and tapping her on the arm, “Hey, boss, have you had a chance to read that report?”

“Not really. Well, I skimmed it,” Monroe answers, giving you a relaxed smile, “Reading this official crap is always so boring! I can't tell you how much boring paperwork I have to slog through in this job, but... ah, well, the report. Yes.” Clearing her throat, she takes a drink of her spiked soda. “At least they're taking it seriously. The UN sent people out to investigate the various sites. A proper forensic investigation, no half measures here,” he continues, “If they found anything, anything at all, it should be in here. Who gave this to you, again?”

You shrug. “Confidential sources, y'know?” you joke, “It's this chick in the UN. I think she's sweet on me.”

Giggling, Monroe takes another long swallow of her drink. It's strong stuff - you can smell it from here.

-

Maybe Monroe did overdo it today. By the time the meal is over, you and Kaori need to help guide her back to her office. The few staff members you pass in the corridors all avert their eyes when you approach, pretending not to notice anything out of the ordinary. Oblivious to them, Monroe rambles away to herself. “I TRIED to be nice to her, you know? But I guess some people just don't care about being liked,” she mumbles, “And Ingrid, dear Ingrid, has friends in high places. She doesn't need to worry about official complaints.”

“There there, I know,” Kaori murmurs back, awkwardly helping Monroe down into her office chair, “Is there anything we can... um... get for you?”

“You know,” Monroe decides, her numb hands fumbling at her desk, “I could really use a drink...”

“I don't think that's such a good idea,” you blurt out, hastily pushing her hands back above the desk before she can produce another bottle of something. Kaori nods her agreement, carefully moving a glass away from Monroe's grasp.

“You're both so serious,” the commander sighs, her eyes drifting shut, “I feel... feel so bad about what we did to you. You kids never deserved that...”

[1/2]

>>3503569
Now it's Kaori and Holly's turn to drink after that last line.

>>3503581
At least we signed up for whatever they did, unlike Karina.

>>3503569

You try to prompt Monroe to elaborate on that, but she's already long gone. Passed out, snoring in her chair, she leaves you even more uneasy than before. “I presume she's talking about making us pilots,” Kaori offers, her own doubt plain in her voice, “Although nobody ever forced ME. All they did was... I'm heading back to the dorm. Are you coming too?”

“Yeah, I guess, I just...” you pause, shaking your head, “I'm feeling restless. I need to take a walk or something. I'll meet you back there, okay?”

“Sure,” Kaori agrees, “Thanks for today. You're a good leader.”

Accepting her thanks with a nod and a smile, you leave Monroe's office. On a whim, you check Fletcher's office but the door is sealed and nobody answers your knock. He must be out on some errand... or visiting Doctor Bergmann at her apartment. You kinda hope it's not the latter – that would just be TOO weird. Thinking of Doctor Bergmann, though... you soon find yourself heading in the direction of the elevators, and the laboratory.

-

There's something strange about being in the laboratory without Doctor Bergmann. It feels like a completely different place without her. Sitting down at the computer, you idly check the drawers. All locked, of course, but that was what you expected. Sighing, you nudge the mouse and call up the videos Bergmann showed you. Again and again, you watch the Lilim die. There's something you're missing – something you've all been missing. Monroe was riding high on the relief of an easy win, while Bergmann was... being Bergmann. They looked at the footage, but neither of them were really seeing it.

The Lilim falls. The cape of shadow spreads out like water, thinning out and fading away. Then, the core dims out and dies. You must have watched this a dozen times by now, but you rewind the footage to see it again. There was that noise in your head, that droning whine. It didn't last long, but it was terrible while it lasted... terrible enough that you were totally distracted. With a new energy, you replay the footage again. Slower this time, each click of the mouse advancing the footage one frame at a time. That's when you see it.

Just before the core cracks, the pool of darkness changes. Like a strange mirror, it reflects back an inverted image of the city. Tall buildings plunge down into the upside down sky, while the Lilim's leans back against a copy of itself. Clicking to the next frame, you see the inverted Lilim shift – one bladed arm lifting towards the impossible sky. The next frame, and the original Lilim is dead.

“It's still alive,” you whisper. You reach out to the computer again, but the shriek of a siren stops you. One after another, warnings flash up and fill the computer screen. “Oh no,” you hiss, flinching back, “Oh no no no...”

You KNEW this was coming.

[2/3]

I guess the question is now how did Bergmann, Monroe and Karina all miss this.

>>3503678
Bergmann is distracted, Monroe was just happy to win.

Karina might have sensed something but didn't get the full picture

>>3503683
Karina kind of has an excuse for missing this but Monroe and Bergmann screwing this up to this extent is kind of bad especially when their job is to stop the world from ending. Also depending on how badly this goes Monroe may end up getting replaced if we can't pin this on Bergmann not doing a proper analysis of the footage.

>>3503698
Not really, considering everything that has happened recently, they have a very good excuse to not be at their 100% and to have let this slip. I really doubt anyone is getting replaced after this.

>>3503698
Dude it's not Monroe's job to analyze every single frame of video. The numbers said it was dead. Something going into the inverted realm is unprecedented. If anything it's Bergmann's fault but even then it's unprecedented.

>>3503703
>>3503702
Do you really think that SEELE is going to care why, As they have already given Monroe a warning about cleaning up her act, and Bergmann is going to have to explain why she was bothered witch is going to reveal that she has access to info she shouldn't know about, after all she said that no is irreplaceable.

>>3503709
I think you're overreacting.

>>3503709
You're not reading the situation properly. Monroe was given a warning about her putting her nose where it didn't belong and Bergmann, with everything that has been going on, has a completely legit excuse.

You're extremely overreacting here, this is an unprecedented situation. Nobody is getting fired over this.

>>3503653

The chair clatters as it falls, knocked aside as you sprint out of the laboratory. Running at full pelt, you skid at the first corner and slam into the wall. Hardly slowing, you lunge down towards the elevators and slam the call button. Again and again, you hit the button until an elevator finally arrives. Slipping inside, you jab at the button for the upper level. Tortuously slow, the elevator ascends. The doors barely have a chance to open when it arrives before you squeeze through, running for Monroe's office.

Even with the sirens blaring, the commander is still asleep when you arrive. Grabbing her, shaking her hard, you finally manage to rouse her. “Holly?” she slurs, “What is... why is noise?”

“That's the alarm!” you snap, shaking her a little harder, “The emergency alarm! What do we do?”

“Dunno...” Monroe mumbles, rubbing her eyes, “Damn, I was having the nicest dream...”

“WHAT DO WE DO?” you scream, almost slapping her across the face. It's only the thought of the brig that stays your hand.

The urgency in your tone causes Monroe to blink, finally focusing a little. “Head to the bridge. Command centre. Whatever,” she mutters, “Should have an idea what to do once I get there. See if I can remember the way...”

Jesus Christ you're all going to die.

-

Leading Monroe by the hand, you drag her to the bridge. A crisis greets you, with the bridge crew crying out for orders as the main screen displays a haze of light rising up from the city. The ground where the dead Lilim lay, where its shadowy wings spread out, is glowing. Brighter and brighter, the light relentlessly grows. “Commander!” someone calls out, “What do we do?”

“Huh? What about shooting it?” Monroe suggests, slumping into her chair and squinting at the main screen, “That usually works, right?”

“Do we know where Fletcher is?” you ask, looking around at the bridge crew, “Doctor Bergmann? Anyone?”

No answer comes. Then, a blinding light fills up the main screen. Crying out, you shield your eyes until the light has faded enough for you to see again. When you look up at the screen again, you can't believe what you're looking at. A black hole, like the portal from Nevada, yawns wide in the city streets, the buildings slowly sinking down into the abyss. Apartments, tower blocks, smaller buildings... they all sink down into the blackness. “Please...” you whisper, “Please tell me those were evacuated.”

No answer comes.

>I'm going to have to pause this a little early today. NERV: Second Daughter should continue next Friday, at the new usual time
>Sorry for the delays today. I've been super distracted with IRL stuff lately

>>3503722
Thanks for running!

>>3503722
Looks like we are going portal diving again boys. To the inverted realm!

Thanks for running.

also what i am referring to is from thread 4 post >>3474105

A nice little start to the day – a performance report from head office, and they're not happy. Wilson's death, that ludicrous mess Rainer caused down in Nevada... those were bad, but they're just part of what head office calls “a larger pattern”. Rumours of security breaches, and talk of staff disobeying orders... I've been given a formal warning, and instructions to sort things out. Get your house in order, or we'll replace you with someone who can.

It's so unfair! I'm told to make sure everyone follows orders, but Bergmann is placed outside the chain of command. They're setting me up to fail, I'm sure of it. Part of me is tempted to walk away, to let them handle this whole mess, but... I can't do it. The girls might not respect me, they might not even like me, but I have a duty to protect them. As far as head office is concerned, they're assets – tools, hardly any different to the ADM Units themselves.

Additionally Monroe is now on duty while intoxicated so this probably wont be overlooked no matter the outcome.

>>3503752
There is no such thing as off-duty @ NERV.

>>3503722
Twin Fangs. A second life.

>>3502929
I get that theoretically our allies could either hit or miss. Their passives seem to automatically apply though, so I guess they never miss, huh?

>>3504933
How the hell can you be hit or miss, but never miss???????

>>3504937
Sounds like they're just that great that they won't miss

>>3504937
He's referencing a meme.

File: Interlude5.png (793 KB, 900x700)

793 KB PNG

Progress Report – Internal Use Only

It's still a long road until Paradise, but we walk it willingly for our reward will be eternal.

Gentlemen, to business. I understand that some of you are having doubts about the ADM Project, and I wanted to clarify two points. First – this is not the first time that we've faced adversity. A little more than two thousand years ago, a man sought to bring mankind together in unity. He failed, but we continue to pursue that goal. Second – a few momentary lapses in faith are no excuse for unauthorised communications. You know who you are. In hope of putting your minds at ease, I want to present my current notes.

Saitou, K: For the first time since the Berlin incident, Saitou has been actively pursuing her own interests and personal goals. While my observations suggest that she is happier, even healthier, she is also less likely to be compliant. I'm disappointed – I had high hopes for Saitou once. She remains a capable soldier, and removing her from Avalon base would create more problems than it would solve.

Rainer, C: If Saitou has proved disappointing, then Rainer has exceeded my expectations. Not only was she able to rouse Unit 03, but she was also able to bring the unit under some measure of control. Currently, I am investigating how she was able to achieve this. Several things have become clear to me over the course of our conversations. Rainer is clearly suspicious of me, yet she is highly receptive to flattery and praise. With the proper guidance, I feel confident that she can be a useful tool.

Kuznetsova, Y: I would so dearly love to know what goes on inside Kuznetsova's head. She has an intuitive understanding of the AT Field that would prove invaluable to our researchers, but not even Kuznetsova herself can explain it. In particular, our metrics suggest that she has an unnatural resilience to intrusion attempts. In future, I suggest that she is encouraged to work in closer contact with the research team. If we can reproduce this resilience, it would be a useful tool.

Zero: There have been some questions about Zero's health. Allow me to dispel your fears – Zero will continue to serve her purpose until she no longer HAS a purpose. Additionally, I would like to remind you all to use her proper title in all formal communications.

Reynolds, H: I've found it very interesting to track Reynolds' progress. Her capabilities have exceeded my expectations, but she remains fundamentally unstable. If she fails at a crucial moment, it would prove disastrous for us all. Overall, we can learn one thing from Reynolds – the Circle Eleven trials were a waste of both time and valuable resources.

[1/2]

>>3507399

Bergmann, I: The subject of Doctor Bergmann's research has been raised multiple times. Yes, according to internal audits, Doctor Bergmann has been allocating significant portions of her research budget to personal projects. However, I will continue to advocate for her. Provide her with whatever she desires, and she'll produce results. When she does, we need to have a plan to obtain her research.

BLUE EYE: Mixed results. I'm prepared to advance BLUE EYE to the next stage – field trials – but significant issues remain. In particular, the personality engrams show a disturbing tendency to break down under prolonged periods of stress. A single moment of intense trauma may also pose potential risks. Taking these issues into account, I would suggest that BLUE EYE should only be deployed on an emergency basis.

Finally, a note on 05. I regret to say that he has ignored all of my attempts at communication. He may have gone into hiding, or he simply has no desire to talk with us. It saddens me, but if he cannot be convinced to return to SEELE then I see no alternative – he must be destroyed.

For the glory of mankind!

>This concludes today's interlude episode. Regular updates should continue on Friday – potentially normal times, although I'm not certain
>Regardless, thank you for reading along today!

>>3507399
>Several things have become clear to me over the course of our conversations.

Was this written by that 'therapist'? Comes off as one of the SEELE members. Maybe they are one in the same.

>BLUE EYE:
Feels like they are talking about Natasha but it may be an unmet character

>>3507418
Blue Eye are the artificial pilots

>>3507402
Blue Eye is the Cyber Pilot project yes?

>>3507402
>the personality engrams show a disturbing tendency to break down under prolonged periods of stress
wait what. But Nate says that she only slips into Holly mode when IN stressful situations.

.....well shit, I guess that means she's in Holly mode every minute she ISN'T in Holly's presence.

>>3508142
There is still at least two other pilots that are unaccounted for that have been mentioned, Fisher (who was confirmed by Monroe to only able to Pilot unit 2)and Moore (Moore would have to be the 6th active pilot because she has been mentioned and yet we haven't seen her) so they may be involved with Blue Eye also the reason Nate may not have been mentioned could be that she is helping Bergmann with her research.
On another Note pretty much all of the changed that were noted in the report could have been caused or exacerbated because of interaction with Holly.

>>3508165
Progress Report?
A few momentary lapses in faith are no excuse for unauthorised communications. You know who you are. In hope of putting your minds at ease, I want to present my current notes.
> To me this feels like the author ( Matheson? ) is referring to the conversation with 03 that Holly had during Kaori's party.
Saitou, K: For the first time since the Berlin incident, Saitou has been actively pursuing her own interests and personal goals. While my observations suggest that she is happier, even healthier, she is also less likely to be compliant. I'm disappointed ?
> Kaori decided to take these actions after the talk she had with Holly at the parking garage after she found Wilson's body.
I had high hopes for Saitou once. She remains a capable soldier, and removing her from Avalon base would create more problems than it would solve.
> The author's ability to recommend that Kaori be moved tells me that they are higher up the chain of command then expected at least as they are also read on and are able to contact 05.

Rainer, C: If Saitou has proved disappointing, then Rainer has exceeded my expectations. Not only was she able to rouse Unit 03, but she was also able to bring the unit under some measure of control. Currently, I am investigating how she was able to achieve this.
> Yet again Holly was present for the awakening of Unit 03 however the author is missing these links to Holly means that they need to increase the scope of their investigation and so unless they do for whatever reason they do, Holly's involvement is safe.
Several things have become clear to me over the course of our conversations. Rainer is clearly suspicious of me, yet she is highly receptive to flattery and praise. With the proper guidance, I feel confident that she can be a useful tool.
> This proves that Claudia is able to be motivated to take certain actions when provided with a stimulus, if she starts acting up again, Holly should break her Nose again and if that fails to work something more serious should be attempted.

1/3

>>3508472
Kuznetsova, Y: I would so dearly love to know what goes on inside Kuznetsova's head. She has an intuitive understanding of the AT Field that would prove invaluable to our researchers, but not even Kuznetsova herself can explain it.
> If we ever come up against a second psychoactive hazard similar to the event's that occurred in the garden or if we need an alternative to Claudia we should bring her if possible as to give us the best chance of overcoming it.
In particular, our metrics suggest that she has an unnatural resilience to intrusion attempts. In future, I suggest that she is encouraged to work in closer contact with the research team. If we can reproduce this resilience, it would be a useful tool.
> if only the author had finished the statement as it could have provided insight into their motivations.

Zero: There have been some questions about Zero's health. Allow me to dispel your fears ? Zero will continue to serve her purpose until she no longer HAS a purpose. Additionally, I would like to remind you all to use her proper title in all formal communications.
> This is a good sign as to whomever this report was sent to the author needed to remind them that Karina is a tool not a person and so they would be less willing to treat her as a tool to be used to accomplish their goals witch appears to be in opposition to whatever the author wants for her to do.

Reynolds, H: I've found it very interesting to track Reynolds' progress.
> The author isn't doing a very good job at all of this at all, as if they were they would have noticed where Holly is, interacting with / directing the other pilots, and causing / encouraging them to take some of the actions, that have been highlighted in this report.
Her capabilities have exceeded my expectations, but she remains fundamentally unstable.
> The minimisation of Holly's interactions with the other pilots almost feels deliberate.
If she fails at a crucial moment, it would prove disastrous for us all. Overall, we can learn one thing from Reynolds ?
> Is this not true of the other pilots as well, this report feels like it was crafted specifically to further some narrative that the author is pushing to promote some other course of action.
the Circle Eleven trials were a waste of both time and valuable resources.
> Other than the obvious statement that Bergmann was lying when she told Holly that the Circle Eleven trials were just routine trials of a medical, resources that are limited in number ( Pilot candidates ? ) were expended , also whatever effect they were intended to cause has not materialized, yet.

2/3

>>3508473
Bergmann, I: The subject of Doctor Bergmann's research has been raised multiple times. Yes, according to internal audits, Doctor Bergmann has been allocating significant portions of her research budget to personal projects.
> This doesn't really make any sense because if Bergmann truly knew what SEELE's goals are why is she expending effort on 'personal projects' that won't be useful when ever SEELE's plans are put into motion.
However, I will continue to advocate for her. Provide her with whatever she desires, and she'll produce results. When she does, we need to have a plan to obtain her research.
> Regardless whatever she is doing must be of extreme importance if both NHIL and SEELE know of it but don't have access to it.
BLUE EYE: Mixed results. I'm prepared to advance BLUE EYE to the next stage ? field trials ? but significant issues remain. In particular, the personality engrams show a disturbing tendency to break down under prolonged periods of stress.
> I guess we will know what it is soon as the only place that has pilots that are repelling the current sequence of Lilum incursions is Avalon so it will likely be moved there.
A single moment of intense trauma may also pose potential risks. Taking these issues into account, I would suggest that BLUE EYE should only be deployed on an emergency basis.
> I am going to assume that this isn't referring to Nate. as we have not seen anything referring to Blue Eye at Avalon, the only documentation that we have seen on it was from the Garden. It is probably being worked on at Temple and the missing 6th pilot (Moore) is probably there working on it there.
Finally, a note on 05. I regret to say that he has ignored all of my attempts at communication. He may have gone into hiding, or he simply has no desire to talk with us. It saddens me, but if he cannot be convinced to return to SEELE then I see no alternative ? he must be destroyed.
This is the line that the breaks consistency that would lead me to believe that Matheson is the author of this report.
As without more information about her I find it unlikely that she would have both such a wide knowledge of NERV and SEELE's activities wile being a psychologist seems far above he station, as well as being able to make recommendations regarding 05.
although she may be in a similar situation regarding her autonomy to Bergmann as we know that she does receive her orders separately to Monroe and Fletcher.
Also as a reminder the next time Holly speaks to Coraline she needs to ask her if she knows what the Garden's commander was selling. as Fletcher asked us to do so and report back a favor and we forgot to ask.

3/3

>>3508475
On the topic of the Circe Eleven trials I feel that they are in some way related to Project Metatron as Enoch's story at very least parallels Holly and Claire's relationship too well as it ties Claire and Holly together.
"Enoch was but a man when God took him into Heaven and made him into an angel, granting unto him the name of Metatron". see Thread 2 post>>3415407
and so I went and looked for more information about the event's that are referenced in the quote
Among the pseudepigrapha 1 Enoch: Book of Parables presents two figures: the son of man and Enoch. At first, these two characters seem to be separate entities. Enoch views the son of man enthroned in Heaven. Later, however, they prove to be one and the same.
I went and looked for how his death and ascension into heaven is said to have occurred the passage reads that Enoch "walked with God: and he was no more; for God took him" (Gen 5:21?24), which some Christians interpret as Enoch's entering Heaven alive.

Quotes can be found here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metatron
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enoch_(ancestor_of_Noah)

>>3508473
>> Is this not true of the other pilots as well
Could be that with Holly's mental situation Ego loss would be somehow more catastrophic than the other pilots losing it.

>>3510874
Neat catch, though I have do wonder if there is a significance in the names or if Moloch is pulling a Anno and just doing them cause the Goetia and SMT is cool.

>>3511061
On the topic of Ego
I noticed that Holly isn't regaining Ego when she should have recently ( post fight ) so something is going on there.
the trait that governs how Holly loses and gains ego ( outside of combat ) is:
Hot-Blooded : Emerging victoriously from a fight or argument restores Ego, but facing defeat or backing down from a fight damages Ego.
and yet compare the following to one another:
Thread 4 >>3486206
At least it's closed, you sigh, One less thing to worry about.
Until the next one opens up, Coraline laments, flashing you a weary smile, But when it does, I'll feel safer knowing that you'll be ready to protect mankind. Thank you, Holly, for doing what I was never able to do.
Opening your mouth to reply, you quickly close it again and give her a nod of gratitude. It's not much, but hearing that... it feels good.
>Ego increased by 5
>Current Ego: 88/100
Based on this we know that if we get praised with sufficient enough sincerity it counts and yet we didn't get anything from any of the following:
>>3503330
No signs of life detected, Karina whispers, That... that's good. Well done, everyone. I think we-
Mission accomplished! Monroe interrupts, her voice loud and relieved, I knew you two could do it! We're sending out the recovery teams now, and I'll make sure to have a nice meal ready for you when you get back. I thought you might be a little hungry, you know?
I'm starving, Kaori agrees, What about you, Holly?
You murmur a vague reply, closing your eyes as you wait for a moment. This all seems too easy, somehow. Far too easy.

1/2

>>3511827
This gets followed immediately by this
Well, look at you two! Commander Monroe announces, marching across the hangar to join you, The dream team!
That's not really... Kaori begins, glancing across to you and smiling awkwardly. I didn't really do much, she adds, When the Lilim prepared that attack, I didn't know what to do. I would have frozen up completely if I'd been out there on my own. That just goes to show, I'm really not cut out for a leadership position.
Laughing, Monroe passes a pair of towels across to you. As Kaori starts to wipe LCL out of her hair, the commander gently leads you a short distance away. That was good work out there. I really do mean that, she assures you, I needed something like this. Something to just... work out. No disasters, no painful decisions, nothing of the sort. We had a job to do, and we did it. YOU did it.
And yet we get nothing from the exchange and yet this feels more significant than yet less sincere than what Coraline said, although it may be similar based on Monroe's situation and personality.
>>3503427
Still dripping with LCL, you accompany Monroe to the laboratory. Inside, Doctor Bergmann is sitting at her computer and restlessly tapping a finger against her desk. At the sound of your arrival, she jerks her head around to glare at you. You killed it too quickly, she declares, I barely got any data from the battle.
Her tone causes you to bristle. Well SORRY, you snap back at her, I'll let it destroy half the city next time, will I? Anyway-
Again Holly doesn't get anything from this even though this is about as close as Bergman will ever come to a complement.
On this though it could be useful in the future to gauge to some degree if we are in still in combat or not

2/2

>>3511827
I think we didn't get Ego last fight because at her core Holly felt something was off though this is just me speculating

>>3511843
There are other instances of gaining ego just after a fight though: From Thread 3 >>3427609

“Slow down, now,” he warns, holding up a hand to keep you from getting carried away, “Just sit back and relax for now. Take a moment to appreciate your victory.”

>Ego increased by 10
>Ego: 88/100

“I suppose you're right,” you sigh, still smiling to yourself, “So, what's next on the schedule?”

File: NERVop5.5.png (795 KB, 900x700)

795 KB PNG

You can't bring yourself to look away. Watching the main screen, you watch as the buildings slowly sink into the blackness below. There's no easy way to describe your thoughts, your feelings, as you watch. Horror, disbelief, despair, and a dull ache of anger that stirs beneath it all. In time that dull edge will sharpen and draw blood, but for now you can barely focus on anything but the footage unfolding before you. How could this have happened? Things had been going well... hadn't they?

You built a house of cards, and now it's time for the collapse.

Slumped down beside you, Monroe gazes up at the main screen in drunken confusion. A minor aide has forced a cup of strong coffee into her hand, but that hasn't helped much yet. No luck in contacting Fletcher or Bergmann. No word from head office or the UN. No help at all yet – you're on your own. Kaori said that you made for a good leader, but that just seems like a sick joke now. All you can do is stand and stare.

“You're better than that,” Claire whispers, her voice close to your ear, “The Holly Reynolds that I know wouldn't give up at the first sign of trouble. She'd jump up and kick trouble's ass.”

“Yeah...” you murmur, blinking away the shock, “Yeah! We need to... Claire?” Looking back, you scan the bridge for any sign of her. She should be easy to find, with that shock of pink hair, but she's nowhere to be seen. Instead, you see NERV staff – some faces familiar, their names unknown – gazing back at you. Expectant eyes. “Get me a report on that portal!” you shout out, the sound of your own voice startling you, “Is it... stable?”

A flurry of voices argue this point. “It seems to be expanding, although at a gradual pace,” one man offers, “At this current rate, it should expand to engulf the next set of buildings within an hour. We're evacuating them, of course.”

That's something, at least. “What about ADM Unit 02?” you ask, “Give me a status report!”

“We haven't had time to begin any repairs, or to swap out any equipment,” another voice answers, “Minor damage, but... you're not thinking of going IN there, are you?”

“One thing at a time,” you mutter to yourself, running a hand through your hair as you try to think. Claudia went into a portal and came back alive, so it CAN be done, but... there was time to prepare, then. Now, every second that you sit here and wait means that more of the city is eaten up by that thing.

“Can't believe I drank so much...” Monroe mumbles, her voice crestfallen, “Really fucked up this time, didn't I?”

“Yep,” you agree grimly, “You really did.”

She groans, the chirp of your phone cutting her off. Fumbling it out of your pocket, you check the street. Coraline, of course. Who else would it be at a time like this?

[1/2]

>>3513325

“No time for small talk today,” Coraline begins, speaking as soon as you answer her call, “We're in crisis mode over here, and I think you know why. You didn't hear this from me, but the UN is bringing in one of their own people. You know what I mean, don't you?”

“A pilot?” you blurt out, “An ADM Unit?”

“When she arrives, we're going to take command. I'm sorry, but that's just the way it is. It might just be a temporary arrangement while an investigation is carried out, or it might turn into something more permanent. It all depends on what the situation is like when we arrive. It'll take us about twelve hours to get our pilot ready and on-site,” she pauses, “Do you understand what I'm telling you, Holly?”

Twelve hours to try and sort this mess out, she means. “I get it,” you mutter, glancing around as Claudia and Kaori finally arrive on the bridge. Both of them look horrified and confused in equal measure, the terrible scene on the main screen only drives the point home. “Is that it?” you add, “Is there anything else you can...”

“We haven't received an official request for assistance yet. Do that now, and we can send someone over to take command. They can be there within the hour. I know, that's probably the last thing you want, but they know what they're doing. We've been getting unofficial reports from some of your people, and it sounds like you need a leader right now,” Coraline offers, “I can pass the word along if you need assistance. Don't be afraid of us – we just want to help.”

Of course she does. Ending the call there, you hurry over to the newly arrived pilots. “I don't know if I can explain. It's all gone to shit here, and Monroe is still dead drunk. Ose is still alive, in some... fucked up mirror world or something, I don't know. It's inside a portal. Claudia?” you give her an imploring look, “Could you go in there?”

“I... yes, I'm sure that I could. No illusions this time, I presume?” the heiress replies, forcing a sneer onto her face, “Shall we go and hunt this thing down for good?”

“Wait. We shouldn't commit too much of our strength. If we all enter that portal and the Lilim somehow evades us, the city will be unprotected,” Karina points out, “We could field two teams of two – one to attack, the other to defend. Karina can provide communication support. It's just... it's just like any other mission.”

She sounds so desperate to believe that.

>Call Coraline up and bring in the UN. They can call the shots here
>Send Claudia into the Lilim portal. She has experience, and you're needed here
>Select a partner and invade the Lilim portal
>There's something else... (Write in)
>Other

>>3513328
>Select a partner and invade the Lilim portal
Yulia

My reason is while Claudia does have the most experience we still have to kill a flying enemy once we get into the portal so Yulia restraining it for us would be better than just a melee buff if we can't reach. Yulia is also pretty good at AT related stuff as well which could help inside the portal.

>>3513339
>>3513328
Also ask Claudia for portal advice.

>>3513339
The thing with not sending Claudia, is that only Unit 3 has the reinforced cable mount cable. it may be worth it to see if we can retrofit other units if we need to.

>>3513328
>Other
Get Monroe focused on finding Bergman and Fletcher we find them we have more people that may have ideas to throw around.
as we have 12 hours till the other pilot gets here.

>>3513346
Doesn't sound like we are using the cables. The attacking pair are both going in so even if Claudia was chosen her partner wouldn't have the mount.

>>3513328
>Select a partner and invade the Lilim portal
I'll go with Yulia as well.

>>3513346
>12 hours
We are losing the city every hour

>>3513328
>Select a partner and invade the Lilim portal
Claudia, because we don't have time to swap weaponry. We have enough ranged damage on our own, so Claudia will back us up in melee.

>>3513347
Unit 3 could always drag the other unit back with it if need be because the last thing we want is for someone to run out of charge while they are over there and in combat.

Also if we do return Coraline's call is ask her why they didn't do this after Berlin, because as far as we can tell similar numbers of people may have just died.

>>3513357
I think you're misinterpreting her ability. She buffs *our* melee using AT manipulation. That doesn't mean she is a melee powerhouse. In fact I'm pretty sure Moloch said the copilots don't actually do damage in the mechanics.

So if what you're saying is right (which I think there is time to change weapons if the ADMs are stored, hell they are probably equipped now) you'd be buffing bare fists.

>>3513365
Yulia wouldn't buff even that.

>>3513328
>Enter the portal with Yulia

We don't want this thing escaping in whatever weird dimension it's in.

>>3513367
Then vote for Kaori if you think we can only take the high powered rifle.

My vote assumes we can change weapons (and even if we can't Yulia can stop it's evasion potentially dropping the DC), that the opponent learned from dying in the real world against a heavy ranged build, and that Yulia can help out with the portal shenanigans with her AT expertise.

>Sorry for the delay. Closing the vote here, writing for entering the portal with Yulia. Have you chosen poorly or wisely? Stay tuned to find out!

“How is this happening? We did everything we could, we did everything right, but this...”

“The world is often cruel, often arbitrary. It doesn't care about you. Why should you care about it?”

-

Dimly, you become aware of voices swirling around you. Requests are flooding in now – local police units and emergency teams crying out for orders, demands for information. Still struggling to hold herself together, Monroe slurs out sloppy – and often contradictory – replies. The bridge crew are feverishly busy for the most part, but occasionally you catch a glimpse of them staring Monroe's way. You see disbelief in those eyes, as well as pity, anger, disgust...

“I'm going in!” you snap, causing all of those judgemental eyes to snap around to you, “Get my ADM ready. As ready as you can. Kaori, where's Yulia?”

“She went to the hangars. Wanted to see if she could help with the ADM Units in any way,” Kaori answers sharply, “I don't even know if they're going to let her in, but...” Shaking her head, the older girl starts to hurry away. “I'll get her up here,” she adds, “This is no time for her to be-”

“No! Tell her to suit up and get ready,” you order, “I'll be down to join her as soon as I can. I just need to sort a few things here...” Leaving the other pilots to their preparations, you march back over to Monroe and grab her by the arm. Only by shaking her firmly can you get her eyes to focus on you. “Hey, commander, this is no time to be sitting about,” you scold, holding back your temper for now, “But if you ARE gonna be stuck here, you might as well make yourself useful. Get on the phone, or the radio, or whatever, and find Bergmann. Fletcher too, anyone who can help us figure this out.”

Monroe groans. “Oh, Fletch...” you mutters to herself, “He's going to think that I'm the lowest kind of scum there is...”

“Come on, you're not that bad. You're not a lawyer, are you?” you joke, patting her roughly on the shoulder, “Now just get it done. No pressure or anything, but just... Get. It. Done.”

Slowly, Monroe reaches into her pocket and fishes out a cellphone.

-

“Claudia. The Lilim portal,” you ask as you hurry down to the hangars, “What should I be expecting?”

“A Lilim. Probably one that isn't very happy with you,” Claudia answers smugly, “But really, I'm not sure that I could tell you. I encountered illusions, but you might not. This Lilim can defend itself, it doesn't need to play tricks on you. You might feel strange moving about, as if you were underwater, but you'll adjust quickly. I have every confidence in you.”

Even with the rush, you pause. “Seriously?” you remark, “You mean that?”

“I wouldn't have said it if I didn't,” the heiress answers, “Now close your mouth before you swallow a fly. Come on!”

[1/2]

>>3513394

When you arrive in the hangar, you find Yulia already and waiting for you. Her flowery dress lies in a crumpled, discarded heap in one corner, a slate grey plugsuit just barely hiding her nudity from you. Partial 05 is still being prepared, and you spot Cam pushing Karina's wheelchair into the hangar from an opposing door. Twice in one day, you think grimly to yourself, this isn't going to be good for the sickly girl. It's not going to be good for any of you.

“Hey Yulia!” you call you, “You ever nail a bird with that harpoon of yours?”

“No,” she answers, turning to give you a curious look, “Why?”

“You're about to get your chance. Come on!” you tell her, gesturing towards the waiting ADM Units with a jerk of your head.

-

Helicopters and unmanned drones buzz around your head as you march towards the portal, a few police vehicles mixed in with the flock of news reporters. You almost swat one of the helicopters from the air in a fit of pique before sense and rationality return. They're just getting in the way here, and for what? A front row seat to the sight of their own city being devoured? Scowling at one of them – that's going to look great on the evening news – you advance to the brim of the Lilim portal. It ripples like a puddle of water, swallowing up all light that falls upon it.

“I'm scared,” you whisper, realisation dawning. You're scared of what you might find in there, of what happens if you don't go in, of what the days ahead have in store for you...

“Stop crying and dive in. If you need someone to pull you out, I'll be right here,” Claudia jeers, the sting in her voice galvanising you to action. Reaching across with one ponderous hand, you bash Yulia on the arm and nearly knock her sprawling. She hasn't anchored herself yet, and the oversized fuel tank on one shoulder is spoiling her balance. Feeling a little better for the sight, you take one more step forwards and plunge into the Lilim portal.

It's like sinking into deep water, as Claudia suggested, but it's also like soaring into the open air all at the same time. A sense of weight, a sense of lightness, and then you're tumbling end over end. Holding onto the heavy rifle like a lifeline, you close your eyes and wait for the impossible descent to end. Yet, it seems never to end. Untethered from your body, your mind begins to wander. You find yourself thinking about Monroe, and her collapse. Her feud with Bergmann, her doubts and fears... had they really been so bad as to drive her to oblivion?

“She hurts because her heart is unarmoured,” a sexless, bodiless voice remarks in a calm, conversational tone, “Because she yearns for something that she will never have.”

Something that she will never have...

>Respect?
>Power?
>A husband?
>Something else? (Write in)
>Other

>>3513457
>Respect?

>>3513457
>>Something else? (Write in)
Success.

>>3513457
>Respect
>literally all her issues stem from a lack of it.

>>3513457
I think she just wants to not feel guilty about this mess. She knows it's all wrong, but yet she still participates in this, because it's necessary. She blames herself and wants someone else to say that she did everything right.

>>3513480
Additionally, at least she was there when it reappeared. Who knows where Fletcher and Bergman are or what they are doing at the moment.

>>3513487
I meant, in general. The whole nerv/child soldiers business. This is just icing on the shit cake she keeps serving herself.

>>3513491
There may be other reasons behind for her motivation for the energy she puts in and if she was incapable of fulfilling this role She never would have been appointed be SEELE as there are others that can replace her if needed.

>>3513457
>>Respect?

“Respect?” you whisper, unsure if you're speaking to yourself or to the other, “She... nobody respects her. We didn't, either. Is it our fault, then?”

“Is it?” the voice asks back. No mocking or accusations, just simple curiosity. “If I blamed you, would you accept responsibility?” it continues, “If I absolved you of your guilt, would you accept that?”

Riddles and suggestions, implications and half-truths, that's all you ever seem to get from this world. Wherever you go, there's someone waiting to toy with you. “Guilt, then?” you attempt, throwing the words out into the void, “She knows what she's doing is wrong, but there's no other way. She can't handle it, she wants a way out, she...” Silence greets these words, and you feel a shameful desperation bubbling up within your heart. You don't want to be left alone, you don't want to be left alone, you don't want to be-

Like ripping through a skin of rotting cloth, you pull yourself back to reality – no, to the twisted mirror of reality. Crumbling buildings jut up at a sky the colour of sour milk, while your first stumbling step forwards causes some liquid to splash beneath your feet. Pale orange water bleeds from the buildings, seeping from hollow windows and doorways to pool in the streets. Black figures drift listlessly through the alien city, their misty bodies allowing threads of the pallid light to shine through. They're everywhere here, floating aimlessly down the broken streets.

Silent alarms flash up around you, overlaid upon your view of the world. Intrusion warnings, flickering with static. Looking down at your hands – Holly Reynold's hands – you see faint wisps of red floating away from the flesh. No pain, or even fear, but just a creeping sense of sick fascination. This slow dissolution has a kind of siren song about it, a terrible temptation. Let go. Be at peace. You're almost free.

>Intrusion!
>Ego decreased by 2
>Current Ego: 80/100

“Holly?” Yulia calls out, her voice reaching you through Karina's uncanny link, “Where are you?”

“I don't know,” you murmur, Holly Reynolds clutching her head as you do the same. No, wait. The ADM Unit clutching its head as you do the same. Did you just get those two mixed up? Blundering forwards a few steps, you reach out a hand to brace yourself against one of the buildings. As soon as you put even the slightest weight on it, the tower block collapses into rubble and you spill down to the ground. Lying sprawled out in the water that is not water, you stare up at the sky and hear yourself giggle.

“Contact!” someone cries. It's probably Yulia, but that's not important right now, is it?

[1/2]

>>3513522
I think our ADM is starting to rouse like Claudia's.

>>3513533
Either that or we are being converted into LCL.
also i guess we found the people that got taken.

Looking back it may have been best to delegate this task to Claudia because of its similarly to when we went to Nevada and send Yulia with her, as they both are somewhat resistant to whatever is going on.

>>3513542
I wonder if the portals are more like customized picket dimensions for each lilim

>>3513550
The ADM unit probably have a black box or something similar we could attempt to brief the other pilots based on the footage because if this trend keeps up this may become part of a standard operation. Also it would appear that NERV's knows about whatever is happening to us because otherwise they wouldn't have a reason to put Claudia in charge of the Nevada operation. we could ask Karina if something similar happened to Claudia as well.

>>3513522
>“Contact!” someone cries. It's probably Yulia, but that's not important right now, is it?

It's very important Holly. Get your shit together.

Rolled 64, 78, 8 = 150 (3d100)

>>3513522

“You snap out of that right this instant!” Karina yells suddenly, her shrill edge of fear cutting through your haze. Have you ever heard Karina shout like that before? Maybe, maybe not, but there's no time to dwell on that now. Dragged back to reality, you claw yourself to your feet and take stock of your situation. Looking back down at your hands, you see no ribbons of blood peeling away from your skin – in fact, you see nothing more than the dull grey of your plugsuit. An illusion, then... unless it was a hint towards the true reality. Around you, intrusion alarms still blare away.

Then you don't have any time to read warning labels – a blazing figure lunges at you, flames trailing in its wake. Ose, the Lilim's body coated in burning fuel, hurls itself towards you with both blades raised. Traces of the terrible wounds you dealt it remain, the unnatural flesh trying and failing to knit itself together. Before the Lilim can reach you, the gleaming tip of Yulia's harpoon bursts through its chest and knocks it aside. The chain snaps taut as Yulia holds the Lilim back, only for the monster to jump away and take to the air. Even shedding droplets of fire, those ink-black wings bear it up into the skies.

Only for Yulia to pivot, twisting around and yanking the Lilim from the skies. Ripped from the air by her powerful AT Field, Ose crashes down through the fragile buildings and throws up a thick cloud of dust.

“Holly!” Karina instructs, her voice a little calmer now, “He... the target is wounded. We were able to catch it before it regenerated completely. Just keep it at a distance, and-”

“I can hold it,” Yulia interrupts, her voice flat with exertion. Outside, her ADM circles around behind Ose, ready to pull the monster back at a moment's notice. All the while, those black shapes continue their mindless roaming. You might as well not exist for all they've noticed you. Leaping up through the settling dust, Ose starts to lunge for you only for Yulia's line to snap taut and hold it fast. Jumping back, you bring up your rifle and prepare to fire as the blank eyes of Ose's mask flash white.

>Target vitality: 20/30
>Integrity: 44/50
>Current Ego: 80/100

>Calling for an attack roll. We're at medium range, so it'll be 1d100+10, aiming to beat 60. I'll take the first three rolls
>Additionally, rolling an attack for Ose – 3d100, aiming to beat a DC of 40

Rolled 51 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>3513605
This is going to hurt.

Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>3513605

>>3513605

Rolled 88 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>3513605

Regular Success.

I say we Overdrive it. We need to end this fast

>That works out to a regular success, yes. So, burn 5 Ego to upgrade that to a potent success for the extra 50% damage?

>Use AT Overdrive
>Stick with a regular success

>>3513637
>>Use AT Overdrive

>>3513625
if we do we are going to take 17 or 19 ego damage depending on how the intrusion damage stacks assuming we take it this turn leaving us on 60 or so
>>3513637
>Use AT Overdrive

>>3513637
>Stick with regular

I don't see the hurry. Yulia has it tethered, we probably aren't gonna do 20 in one turn, and our ego is getting awful low.

>>3513645
Overdrive will make it 12 damage and then we just need 1 more regular success

>>3513645
If we don't assuming that Ose rolls well and we roll poorly we may end up running out of ego before we can kill it. It also means that we can end this next turn

>>3513637
>>Use AT Overdrive

>Okay, going with AT Overdrive. Sorry for the delay, I'm lagging behind a little today. Your patience is appreciated!

>>3513654
Unless dropping to 75 ego from this has a cascading effect.

>>3513673
Including the hit we are about to take we are going down to around 70

>Regular success from Ose!
>Regular success - upgraded to Potent Success!

“Die!” you yell, firing a stream of shots at the Lilim. Some of the shots hit home, peeling off strips of flesh, while others are deflected by a glinting screen of light. Here, in its home domain, the Lilim's AT Field has a monstrous power. Ignoring the worst of your shots, Ose spreads its hands wide and unleashes a ripple of force. At first, nothing happens – the wave of force runs through you without harm.

Then the ground beneath you ruptures, splitting open as a forest of golden swords stab up around you. The attack is, perhaps, tamer than feeling the edge of Ose's swords up close, but blood still sprays as they slice across your exposed legs. Falling back, you hit the water with a grotesque splash and wince at the screen of static that plays across your monitors. Again, you feel a strange sense of duality – you're here, clad in an embarrassing rubber suit and still fighting, but you're also here, peeling apart into a mist of watery blood.

>Damage inflicted: 4
>Ego damage inflicted: 4
>Intrusion!
>Ego decreased by 2

Rejecting the confusion, you dig deep into yourself and find a new strength – a strength that comes from outside of you. There is danger there, of course, but you eagerly cling to the promise of power. Snarling, you open up with a second burst of gunfire. The shells burn through the air, glowing as they shear clean through the Lilim's AT field and smash great chunks from its flesh. That's more like it.

>AT Overdrive activated!
>Ego decreased by 5
>Damage inflicted: 12

Knocked back by the gunfire, Ose leaps up and tries to take to the air once more. Again, Yulia brings it crashing down to solid ground with a sweep of her harpoon. “Relocating!” she snaps, moving around behind Ose once more, “You are okay?”

“I can still fight, I just...” you hiss, kicking aside one of the golden swords as you rise. Blood seeps through the rents in your armour plate, but you shut out the pain. “Karina, get this damn thing out of my head,” you add, smacking the heel of your hand – you or the ADM? – into the side of the head as you try to shake the mental attack, “Get this thing out of my fucking head!”

“I can't!” she protests, “Just finish this, please!”

She makes it sound so easy. Again, Ose rises and spreads their arms wide. Where before it had unleashed a tide of smaller blades, this time the Lilim begins to pull in great pieces of rubble and shape them into one single spear that floats before it. Drawing back one arm, the Lilim prepares to hurl the massive weapon. You jink to the left, but the tip of the spear unerringly follows your every move.

So it's like that, is it?

>Calling for an attack roll. We're still at medium range, but we've taken damage so it'll be 1d100+5, aiming to beat 60. I'll take the first three rolls!

>Target vitality: 8/30
>Integrity: 40/50
>Current Ego: 69/100

Rolled 84 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>3513712

Rolled 44 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>3513712

Rolled 52 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>3513712

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>3513712

Not enough. We are going to need at least one more Clash now.

>Clash!

>Total damage inflicted: 4

Firing again and again, you see your shots glancing off the Lilim's body and deflected completely by its AT Field. You can see the thing's core now, glistening with malice within its ruptured body, but you just can't land a hit on it. As Ose begins to throw the oversized spear, you drop your rifle and run, weaving between the crooked buildings as you try to shake the unerring aim. No matter where you go, the weapon follows. Then, growing tired of this game, Ose releases the spear. It hurtles towards you, and-

-

The shooting star leaves a burning trail as it soars across the sky. Leaning back against the heavy sack of seed, you watch as the shooting star vanishes. The night is warm, and the countryside is quiet. Not silent, though. From a short distance away, you can hear the sound of happy voices. Another boring dinner party, courtesy of your loving parents. Making connections is just a part of business – that's what mom always says, at least. She's as sharp as a razor, with a keen mind for both business and people, and you're starting to take after her. Every now and then, you can see the pride in her eyes.

But that's for later. For now, you're happy to sit back and let your parents work their magic. You're not alone out here, after all.

“Hey,” Claire whispers, nudging you as the last of the shooting star's trail fades out, “Didja make a wish?”

“You're not supposed to say, you dork,” you tease back, shoving her playfully, “If you say what it is, it won't EVER come true!”

“Oh, so that's how it works,” Claire muses, looking about at the idyllic farm, “So I guess this is what you wished for, huh?”

You blink in confusion, and then she's gone. The happy chatter drifting off from home vanishes with her, replaced by the distant cacophony of an argument. It's a bad one this time, with all the usual accusations and a sound of shattering glass. You're alone again, huddling up outside as you try to shut out the rest of the world, and some treasonous part of your mind whispers to you – this is how it's always been, and everything else was just a desperate fantasy.

[1/2]