"I see." Kyou says, looking over at you.

"Yeah. It's unofficial cos officially a witch can't really hang with a drake the way they need to. There's the tow bars and shit, but Swett ain't wrong, those are just supposed to be an oh shit thing, not a way to extend your range out to match a drake."

"It seems odd Cassiopeia never mentioned it, however." Kyou says, and you nod at her when she looks back. "It seems that that would be the exact sort of thing she'd want to do."

Spears shrugs. "Cass is an odd sort." She says. "I mean, yeah, she talked about you like you were the best thing since sliced bread and the ice cream machine in the chow hall. But I think she'd have been embarrassed."

[] Embarrassed?
[] Yeah, makes sense.

>>3690496
>[] Embarrassed?

>>3690496
>[] Embarrassed?

>>3690496
>[X] Embarrassed?

>>3690496
>[] Embarrassed?

>>3690496
>[x] Yeah, makes sense.

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>>3690496
>[x] Embarrassed?

>>3690496

>[] Embarrassed?

Hidden Snek Depths!

Ok, votes called!

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[x] Embarrassed?

"Embarrassed?" You ask.

Spears looks back at you, then give another of her lopsided grins and nods.

"Yeah." Spears says. "Like, ya gotta understand, she talked about you constantly. Like, to the point it got a little damn weird. Like, fair enough, maybe she just really idolized her big brother. But damn, man, ya know? Like, look, incest ain't exactly well thought of by anyone but the Egyptians and they gave up the practice a couple hundred years ago."

You nod.

"I think her thing was she didn't want to fuck up in front of you, ya know?" Spears says. "She didn't mention it cos there's no way she'd be able to get over anything, especially not if you got fucked cos of it."

"I believe I understand. And that is a very uncomfortable position to be in." Kyou says. "Having that sort of attention means that inevitably you will make mistakes."

Spears nods. "Like I said, I kinda get where she's at. But damn, ya know? But yeah. That's why she prolly never brought it up. Fuck knows she's good enough to rate, That girls' a fucking shotgun savant like I've never seen. Taught me a lot of shit. Smart enough to be dangerous, too, and I think she got her limits."

Kyou nods. "That was the impression I got of her too, in our limited meetings." She says.

Spears shrugs. "Well, either way, it don't matter. Isn't she doing a bid as a liaison witch?"

"Aboard the Kaga, yes." Kyou states. "It is a highly prestigious position."

"Oh, no doubt. Prolly looks great on a service jacket." Spears responds. "Not my kinda gig though. If I was gonna go for anything that took me out of the fleet it'd be with a test and eval unit, and even then it's damn iffy, ya know?"

"Combat duty is preferable to liaison work?" Kyou asks, and Spears nods.

"Damn right." She says, without offering anything further, pausing as you turn down the passageway to the CAG's office. The hatch is closed, and, as you approach, on the other side you can hear talking. Spears knocks, and it pauses for a minute, before the CAG tells you to enter.

1/2

Inside he's sitting at his desk, a mug of coffee sitting atop paperwork that seems, for now at least, largely forgotten. "Spears. Laroux." He says. "Good. Spears, you said you talked with Laroux about this headhunting plan of yours."

The marine witch shakes her head. "No sir, nothing other than we should run it by you."

"Well that's fine." he says, then points at the marine witch. "As of right now I'm attaching you to VFX-one as Laroux's winglead. That's provisional till either we get another drake team in that specializes in this kind of work or you handle the problem. Clear?"

Spears nods. "Yes, sir!" She says- the enthusiasm is clear in her voice.

"Good. Laroux, Spears is your new boss till I say otherwise. Till someone deals with this problem, I'm leaving it to you to sort it out." He pauses. "Until otherwise directed, I want you handling this yourself. Spears, do not fuck this up."

The marine nods.

"Good. Get out of here. I want to know your plan as soon as you come up with one, and what you're gonna need to pull it off that we've got on hand. If you can't get it done I'm going to request they bring in one of the fleet drakes." the CAG says. "That's it. Dismissed."

You leave the office pretty quickly. Spears waits in the passageway, grinning. "You two go grab chow, get me something to go, and meet me in the ready room in the aft." She says. "I'm going to grab as much shit from the intel shop as I can and go over that shit."

Kyou looks eager herself- she looks over at you. "I believe we can wait to eat until we have a plan." She says, looking over at you.

[] I'll go get chow, you two start planning this out. You've got more experience.
[] Let's get chow first. Don't think straight on an empty stomach.

>>3690848
>[] I'll go get chow, you two start planning this out. You've got more experience.

>>3690848
>[] Let's get chow first. Don't think straight on an empty stomach.
Eat when you can, never know when a surprise might pop up.

>>3690848
>[X] Let's get chow first. Don't think straight on an empty stomach.

>>3690848
>[] Let's get chow first. Don't think straight on an empty stomach.

>>3690848
>[x] I'll go get chow, you two start planning this out. You've got more experience.

>>3690848
[] Let's get chow first. Don't think straight on an empty stomach.

ok, votes called!

>TFW you were going to vote but got distracted for half an hour and by the time you remember this tab it's already votes called.

>>3690848
>[x] Let's get chow first. Don't think straight on an empty stomach.

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[x] Let's get chow first. Don't think straight on an empty stomach.

You shake your head, getting a very slight frown that flickers across Kyou's face. "Let's get chow first," You say. "Don't think straight on an empty stomach."

"Besides, all I'm doin is grabbin maps and whatever the intel shop can give me about when badger got bounced." Spears says. "I want to wait for you two before I start to plan a damn thing. I don't know half of what you can do, and if I'm right, Mama Merlin's favorite is gonna have some real star trek shit."

Kyou nods, a little mollified by Spear's statement, and she turns to follow you to the mess. They're just starting to serve morning chow, though there's still a line. It's a mixed bag- some deck crew, some of the ship's company, some air wing, though you and Kyou look to be the only air crew currently- no one shoots you a second glance as you take your place at the back of the line. The cooks don't even seem too bothered when you request a boxed meal, stuffed in a Styrofoam container- normally you'd go back through the line to get Spear's meal, it looks like it's going to only get busier.

You take a seat in the far end of the mess- while you and Kyou could both go to the officer's mess, this is closer, and unofficially that's reserved for the ranking officers aboard- squadron leaders, the division commanders aboard ship, the captain and CAG, along with a ship's witches- and a junior grade would be out of place.

"It is interesting to learn about the possibility of a wingmate." Kyou says as you sit. "I was under the impression Wyverns always operated alone."

You shrug. "Makes sense though. Find a complimentary witch. Like Aunt Wendy with Dad and Merlin."

Kyou nods. "I do wonder if that's the driving force behind aunt's superstrikers. It would be hard to imagine her not making them at least able to match a wyvern in performance."

[] That would make sense. Aunt Merlin always did say she felt bad for Aunt Wendy.
[] I'm not sure. Aunt Merlin's developed a lot of strange strikers over the years.

>>3691090
[] I'm not sure. Aunt Merlin's developed a lot of strange strikers over the years.

Variable strikers come to mind

>>3691090
>[] I'm not sure. Aunt Merlin's developed a lot of strange strikers over the years.

>>3691090
>[X] I'm not sure. Aunt Merlin's developed a lot of strange strikers over the years.

>>3691090
>[x] That would make sense. Aunt Merlin always did say she felt bad for Aunt Wendy.

>>3691090
>[x] I'm not sure. Aunt Merlin's developed a lot of strange strikers over the years.

Deploy the Boghammar witches.

>>3691090
>[] I'm not sure. Aunt Merlin's developed a lot of strange strikers over the years.

>>3691090
>[X] That would make sense. Aunt Merlin always did say she felt bad for Aunt Wendy.

>>3691090
>[] That would make sense. Aunt Merlin always did say she felt bad for Aunt Wendy.

>>3691090
>[X] That would make sense. Aunt Merlin always did say she felt bad for Aunt Wendy.

>>3691090
>[] That would make sense. Aunt Merlin always did say she felt bad for Aunt Wendy.

>>3691090
>[x] I'm not sure. Aunt Merlin's developed a lot of strange strikers over the years.

>>3691090
>[] That would make sense. Aunt Merlin always did say she felt bad for Aunt Wendy.

oop, sorry. Votes called!

>>3691090
Looks like a tie so votin'
>[×] That would make sense. Aunt Merlin always did say she felt bad for Aunt Wendy.

Or not. Tie vote! I'll give it ten minutes for a tiebreaker, then we'll do the last update for the night.

>>3691206
>>3691215
Looks like someone already beat you to it Ghost.

>>3691223
so they did. So they did.

Votes closed again! haha. This late i think most of our lurkers have voted too, so I think we're pretty good.

On an unrelated note, I wonder what exactly the hell AMARC looks like in this timeline.

Considering that IRL they still had HH-3s in inventory until literally this year it's food for thought.

Addendum: Apparently had quite a few F-4s leftover until 2018, also A-6s A-7s, and a fucking Fishbed of all things.

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[x] That would make sense. Aunt Merlin always did say she felt bad for Aunt Wendy.

You nod. "That would make sense. Aunt Merlin always did say she felt bad for Aunt Wendy."

"Wendy Maloney?" Kyou asks, and you nod. "I am not certain why. Did she not receive the same honors as your father and aunt at the end of the war?"

You shrug. "She did, but she wasn't as well known. She got passed over a couple times as a striker test pilot for a couple companies."

Kyou frowns. "I wonder why?" She says. "From what I've read of her, she was quite capable, and her adaptability would have been a great boon as a test operator."

You nod. "Yeah, but aunt Wendy has always been unlucky like that." You say. "But when she catches a lucky break, it's always amazingly lucky, things like running into Dad when she did, or impressing Alyssa and Clarissa so much."

"Or, it seems, gaining the sympathies of Merlin." Kyou points out.

You nod. "Or that. And she was on the list as a potential backseater for me."

Kyou blinks at that. "She was? she seems old for the position. Though I suppose if she was on the list, then the navy wasn't concerned about her age."

You shrug. "Doesn't matter, either way."

She smiles. "I suppose not, at least not now. Though it occurs to me that if she was on the list, and Samantha has a soft spot for her, and she is a capable pilot in her own right, she may be an excellent fit for the Valkyrie program."

You shrug again. "If she is, I'm sure aunt Merlin has already contacted her."

"Which begs the question, what about Spears?" Kyou asks. "I am of the impression she wishes to be one of our favorites, as it were. Though I do wonder of her motivations. It is not everyday one has the chance to get in the good graces of an imperial princess and Frank Bishop's only son."

[] Could be. Wouldn't be the first time.
[] I'm not sure. Seems like she's just a combat junkie.

And that's gonna be it for the night! I'm trying to work back up to about one post cycle an hour- I know I wasn't anywhere close to that, but I feel like it's a reasonable target to aim for. Hopefully you guys see improvement as the week rolls.

I'll be around as usual to field questions or comments, if there are any. However, that's it for now, gents! Till tomorrow, cheers!

>>3691340
>[x] I'm not sure. Seems like she's just a combat junkie.
That's at least the vibe I'm getting from her. Could be more then that but we've only known her for a day so it's a bit earlier to tell.

>>3691348
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>3691340
>[] I'm not sure. Seems like she's just a combat junkie.

>>3691340
>[X] I'm not sure. Seems like she's just a combat junkie.

>>3691348
Thanks for the run boss.

>>3691340
>[] I'm not sure. Seems like she's just a combat junkie.

>>3691340
>[x] I'm not sure. Seems like she's just a combat junkie.

>>3691340
>[x] I'm not sure. Seems like she's just a combat junkie.

>>3691362
Exactly how much Soviet crap did AMARC end up with after the war? I presume a not insubstantial amount of their air assets in Alaska got left behind while down for maintenance.

>>3691340
>[X] I'm not sure. Seems like she's just a combat junkie.

>>3691340
>[] I'm not sure. Seems like she's just a combat junkie.

>>3691340
>[] I'm not sure. Seems like she's just a combat junkie.

>>3691390

How much? God knows, but probably equal to at least a battalion in terms of Soviet stuff.

>>3691340
>[x] I'm not sure. Seems like she's just a combat junkie.
Pretty sure she doest care much about Kyou.

>>3691340
>[x] I'm not sure. Seems like she's just a combat junkie
Additionally, who is Ghost using as Spears representative? I don’t recognize that character.

Is Mattis as much of a god to the military community in the Strikers timeline as in ours?

>>3691340
>[x] Could be. Wouldn't be the first time.

What I wanna know is if Witches are banned from using magic during Airsoft games.

What? It's a perfectly legitimate worldbuilding question.

>>3691390
A lot of the abandoned equipment ended up going through various evaluation programs, then was either demilled and sold to private collectors post-war or stuffed in AMARC and scrapped over time. There was a proposal to take many of the captured Migs, 'westernize' them with better engines and electronics, and sell them on, but it didn't attract any interest.

>>3692936
He's very well thought of by basically everyone, though, as the election cycle is going on, isn't quite as well known.

>>3692966
I'd have to imagine so- especially in a sport that equates to a very expensive way of yelling "bang bang I got you" hahaha!

>>3693038
There's probably a houserule used by some airsoft fields that any usage of shields is allowed ONLY if you use it to cover multiple players (so no hiding behind your shield alone, you gotta cover your teammates too).

>>3693189
I'd be more worried about a mean spirited Witch putting some sparkly behind her shots to make sure they hurt like a right bastard.

>>3692900
Mac-10 from Girl's Frontline.

Ok gents, votes called!

Wendy waifu?

And isn’t Merlin married?

>>3693269
Yes

Which is another reason all the rumors are squicky to some.

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[x] I'm not sure. Seems like she's just a combat junkie.

Kyou isnt' wrong, of course- you've run into that exact thing on more than a few occasions. At the same time, however, while Spears does have some of the usual identifiers for it, you don't really think it's the case this time, so you shake your head.

"I'm not sure." You say, finishing your tray. "Seems like she's just a combat junkie."

Kyou thinks on that for a minute, then nods. "Yes, I can see that as well. If so, of course, it would make sense to attempt to ingratiate herself with us. As a wyvern crew we can expect to be in trouble spots regularly."

You nod. "And we can expect to always get the toughest jobs."

"However, that does make her request for us to forward her name to Merlin more suspect." Kyou points out. "Test and evaluation seldom means combat posting."

You shrug. "Sure, unless it's Merlin." You say. "Her test and evaluation equipment and crews go everywhere. I'm sure Danielle would be here right now with us if Valkyrie had the sign off for full functionality. And if we're right and it's being developed to let a witch match a Wyvern?"

Kyou nods. "Yes, I see. If it is designed for witches to fly as wingmates to wyverns, it would be a safe assumption that it's also going to rapidly be fielded with wyverns in places like this, and early adopters would be the first deployed- thus ensuring more combat time to gather more data. I wonder when she will approach us about it?"

You shake your head. "No idea. Probably as soon as she has a witch and a test unit signed off."

"It will be an interesting next step in the selection process." Kyou muses. "Though I imagine socially it will be somewhat more complex."

"Not like aunt Merlin ever thinks about social issues when she does things." You point out. "She never has."

Kyou smiles. "I have noticed that." She says. "It's almost admirable. At the same time, it does open her up to unfortunate criticism. It's a shame that the witches of my country have such a poor relationship with her. It would be a simple matter to protect her from such things for us there."

[] Maybe, but that's long since done and gone.
[] The navy and chance do a good enough job with it.

>>3693461
>[x] The navy and chance do a good enough job with it.

>>3693461
>[X] The navy and chance do a good enough job with it.

>>3693461
>[X] The navy and chance do a good enough job with it.

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>>3693461
>[x] The navy and chance do a good enough job with it.

>>3693461
>[] The navy and chance do a good enough job with it.

>>3693461
>[] The navy and chance do a good enough job with it.

ok, votes called!

>>3693461
>[x] Maybe, but that's long since done and gone.
They played their hand and lost.

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[x] The navy and chance do a good enough job with it.

You shake your head. "The Navy and chance do a good enough job with it." You say. "Neither of them want to see her leave the professional life and disappear because of people like that."

"I must admit, however, that I can understand the argument." She says. "It is somewhat disconcerting to know that the law of averages indicates that you will end up wed to your crewmate. There are several disturbing implications of what they could do, should they so wish."

You shrug. "I'd argue the fact that they haven't so far is proof enough they're not interested in that." You know what she means, of course- but, to you, the proof that they're not is in your own family. None of your sisters have ever entered the wyvern program, and you're reasonably sure your own choice of crewmate wouldn't have been the navy's pick, had they been so inclined.

Kyou nods. "Still, it is unfortunate that is must be considered."

You nod, standing up- Kyou, who's also finished her food, mirrors the movement, grabbing the styrofoam container holding Spear's breakfast. You drop your trays at the return, stepping back out into the corridor and heading to the rear of the ship. Above you, you can hear the roar of engines as flight operations commence for the day- even with northern Iraqi airspace closed, there's other targets in eastern Syria, as well as the usual combat air patrols and the fleet's BARCAP flights.

By the time you get back to the squadron ready room, Spears has a map of northern Iraq pinned to the wall board, with pins denoting the two known contact points for the stealth witches- both of them extremely close together, near Kirkuk. She looks over at you as you enter, taking the tray from Kyou.

"Thanks." She says, popping it open and fishing out the plastic fork. "We don't have much to work on." She says, using the fork to stir the contents of the tray into one homogeneous mass, then forking it onto one of the pieces of toast and biting into it. She chews it quickly and swallows before speaking again. "Kirkuk has been ISIS turf for about two months now, and since they lost Mosul to the kurds, they've been fighting like hell to hold it. My guess is they're going to still be there. If they can't keep us out of that airspace, they're gonna loose that city too."

1/2

Kyou nods, then looks at the map- there's little else on it, though it looks brand new. "What is the extent of their holdings in Iraq?" She asks

"Kirkuk south to Samarra, more or less, then west into Syria." Spears responds. "Syria's such a damn mess it's hard to say what they control for sure."

Kyou nods, turning back to the map. "It is difficult to imagine they could be drawn up by just us, however."

Spears nods. "Yeah, I thought of that. I figure if we start running the strikes, we'll bait them up. Either they come up to tangle with us or they lose the city anyway. But the way they came after you I don't think we're gonna have to bait too hard anyway."

Kyou frowns. "I cannot imagine they'd be so foolish as to engage a wyvern and a witch without significant reason to."

Spears snorts. "You think? Sister, every girl wants to be a dragon slayer. And if we're guessing right and they're trying to shut down our strikes, then what better way than killing a drake? All we should have to do is go in, hit the airport, maybe get those fighters they supposedly have, and then the witches should come up, easy."

Kyou frowns again. "I believe we would be better suited by striking the refinery. They are attempting to sell oil to outside nations, it is a target they can ill afford to let us destroy."

"The refinery's also been hit a couple times before, and they haven't come up." Spears says. "Badger was supposed to hit the airport. And you're going to have to carry more shit to hit the refinery, two-thousand pound JDAMs at minimum. That's gonna mean either external stores or you're gonna be giving up your centerline bays." She looks over at you. "Laroux? what's your take?"

[] You're right. If they're willing to come up, the airport is the best target.
[] I agree with Kyou- even if they don't show, the refinery is a target they can't afford to let us hit.

>>3693829
>[x] You're right. If they're willing to come up, the airport is the best target.

>>3693829
>[X] You're right. If they're willing to come up, the airport is the best target.

I'd rather not have to dedicate carry weight to the really heavy ATG ordinance if we're just going to dump them as dead weight during a dogfight.

Besides, I think our Iraqi friends would prefer it if we don't blow up their post-war sources of income.

>>3693829
>[X] You're right. If they're willing to come up, the airport is the best target.

>>3693829
>[X] You're right. If they're willing to come up, the airport is the best target.
Air based units need homes to go back to. No home means shit out of luck.

>>3693829
>[] You're right. If they're willing to come up, the airport is the best target.

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>>3693829
>[x] You're right. If they're willing to come up, the airport is the best target.

>>3693829
>[x] I agree with Kyou- even if they don't show, the refinery is a target they can't afford to let us hit.

Giving up our centerline bays isn't too much of an issue for us and once they realize a Drake is wrecking their shit they'll show up.

ok, votes called!

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[x] You're right. If they're willing to come up, the airport is the best target.

You nod. "You're right. If they're willing to come up, the airport is the best target."

"The odds of us actually destroying anything of value there are limited." Kyou points out.

Spears nods. "Yeah, probably. They'd have to be fucking retarded to keep those fighters they have there, but no one's accused them of being smart, either. But that's where most of their heavy AA has been spotted, so it's worth bombing." She says with a shrug.

Kyou frowns, but nods. "It does seem rather pointless to defend a large target like that if it has no value." She admits.

Spears nods. "Yeah. I mean, you're right, their fighters are probably long gone from there, ya know?" She says, finishing her food and closing up the box, dropping her fork in it and standing up. She walks across the room to join Kyou by the map. "See, they're probably withdrawing that kind of shit west, they might still get use out of it in Syria."

Kyou nods. "Still, the airport does seem to be an important target is that's where they've concentrated most of their defenses."

"At least most of the heavy shit." Spears corrects. "You saw that there was plenty of shit in the city too, but most of their SAM batteries and heavy AA is in the airport."

"It is unfortunate they disperse their assets around the city." Kyou muses. "Being able to destroy a motor pool or tank park would hurt them badly."

1/2

Spears smirks. "Not like they've got a hell of a lot past their technicals anyway. And those uparmored VBIEDs they employ. Kurds are fuckin masters with the TOW system, just about any armor the fuckers get they lose as soon as they try to deploy it." She says. "So we're gonna hit the airport. I think if you use a centerline bay for rockeyes, that should be more than enough, but I'm not gonna complain if you want to fit racks on your pylons, I'm not gonna say anything, ya know? But, I mean, we're going up to hunt witches, so keep that shit in mind."

Kyou nods. "I agree. I feel if we carry AMRAAMs it will be a waste of space, and we should only carry a few to engage anyone attempting to escape, and should otherwise focus on short range weapons. In fact, other than the pylons and our forward centerline bay, we shouldn't have to worry about re-arming, as we didn't engage during our last flight."

"So just swap in some AMRAAMs into your forward bay, and you're good?" Spears asks. Kyou nods.

"I believe so." She says. "That will give us six, total, which should be enough to engage any witch attempting to escape."

"Of course, you could just run them down, too." Spears points out. "And that's that many more clusters or sidewinders."

Kyou nods. "I'll submit to the wisdom of my pilot in this matter." She says with a slight smile.

[] Kyou's right- we'll swap forward bay to AMRAAMS and otherwise keep it as-is
[] Spears has a point- let's swap the forward bay to Sidewinders.
[] We'll swap the forward bay to more cluster bombs. Let's make sure they pay attention to us.

>>3694126
>[] Kyou's right- we'll swap forward bay to AMRAAMS and otherwise keep it as-is

>>3694126
>[X] Kyou's right- we'll swap forward bay to AMRAAMS and otherwise keep it as-is

>>3694126
>[x] Kyou's right- we'll swap forward bay to AMRAAMS and otherwise keep it as-is
Trust in the backseater.

>>3694126
>[] Kyou's right- we'll swap forward bay to AMRAAMS and otherwise keep it as-is

It's always nice to be able to reach out and touch someone, and chasing a runner could take some time.

>>3694126
>[x] Kyou's right - we'll swap forward bay to AMRAAMS and otherwise keep it as-is

If hostile witches show up, we're gonna want options. We have plenty of pain for the airport as-is.

Also, who the fuck are these witches flying for? The way ISIS acts, any witch they recruit should be fleeing as fast as they can after a few days.

>>3694126
>[x] We'll swap the forward bay to more cluster bombs. Let's make sure they pay attention to us.

>>3694126
>[x] Kyou's right- we'll swap forward bay to AMRAAMS and otherwise keep it as-is

>>3694165
They might be mercs all things considered.

>>3694126
>[x] Kyou's right- we'll swap forward bay to AMRAAMS and otherwise keep it as-is

Gotta make de chili for Kyou after we down the witches. First kill and all that.

>>3694126
>[X] Kyou's right- we'll swap forward bay to AMRAAMS and otherwise keep it as-is

>>3694126
>[] Kyou's right- we'll swap forward bay to AMRAAMS and otherwise keep it as-is

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>>3694228
>Making De Chili
>In the middle of the Med on a carrier
>No access to fresh or organic ingredients
Son you what.

Ok, votes called! This will probably be our last update for the night!

>>3694242
When able, obviously. I imagine we might start to be shuffled around a lot soon enough.

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[x] Kyou's right- we'll swap forward bay to AMRAAMS and otherwise keep it as-is

You think for a moment, then nod. "Kyou's right. We'll swap the forward bay to AMRAAMS and otherwise fly as-is." You say, earning a pleased nod from your backseater.

Spears nods. "That's fine." She says. "Our job is gonna be to pop witches, not bust ground targets, so all you need is enough to get their attention. Some rockeyes should be plenty to do that."

"Do we have any provisions to capture them alive?" Kyou asks.

Spears nods. "Yeah, CAG already came after me about that. We're gonna coordinate this with the army, they're putting a SF team in nearby. Our goal is to eliminate the threat, but if we can force one down where they can snatch her, so much the better." She says. "I'm not too up on trying out semper fu midair though, so it's gonna be incidental if it happens. No hero shit, yeah?" That crooked grin pops back up on her face. "Even if you are the fuckin imperial princess and the only son of Frank fuckin bishop and Brigitte Laroux."

You and Kyou both nod- it's delivered lightly enough that it's not meant to be a dig at your parentage, but it an order regardless.

"Alright." Spears says with a nod. "We've got a plan; now we're fucking dangerous. I'll head back up and tell the old man what we're planning to do, You two go get squared away for flight."

You nod as she leaves, the hatch swinging closed behind her. Kyou watches her go, then stands for a moment. "I am not sure what to make of her." She says, after a moment. "She appears eager, but I wonder at why."

"Something to ask later, maybe." You supply, making for the door- up here, above the waterline, the 'hatch' is little more than a lightweight wooden door.

Kyou nods, following you and stepping out as you hold the door for her, then pull it closed. "I believe I will, especially if we begin to have her on our wing more often." She says. "There is something about her that bothers me, but I cannot place it."

"Like what?" You ask.

Kyou shakes her head. "I'm not sure." She says. "Though I do wonder if her professed transfer from ground into flight strikers and her issues with her current squadron have to do with it."

[] Could be. We shouldn't worry about it now though.
[] I'd be surprised if it didn't. Something to keep in mind with her.

And that's going to be it for the night! Didn't quite get to an hour per update cycle, but I think it was a bit faster than it's been in the past, haha! I'll keep working at it, at least as much as I'm able.

I'll be around some to field questions or comments, if there are any, otherwise, though, till tomorrow gents, cheers!

>>3694388
>[x] I'd be surprised if it didn't. Something to keep in mind with her.

>>3694388
>[x] I'd be surprised if it didn't. Something to keep in mind with her.

>>3694392
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>3694388
>[X] I'd be surprised if it didn't. Something to keep in mind with her.

>>3694388
>[X] I'd be surprised if it didn't. Something to keep in mind with her.

>>3694392
Thanks for the run boss.

>>3694388
>[] Could be. We shouldn't worry about it now though.

>>3694388
>[] I'd be surprised if it didn't. Something to keep in mind with her.

>>3694388
>[X] I'd be surprised if it didn't. Something to keep in mind with her.

>>3694388
>[] I'd be surprised if it didn't. Something to keep in mind with her.

>>3694388
>[x] I'd be surprised if it didn't. Something to keep in mind with her.

>>3694388
[x] I'd be surprised if it didn't. Something to keep in mind with her.

Ok, votes called!

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[x] I'd be surprised if it didn't. Something to keep in mind with her.

"I'd be surprised if it didn't." You say. "Something to keep in mind with her."

Privately, it's something you've been wondering about too. Dual-trained witches are a fairly rare breed, especially outside of the special operations community, and elements of Spears' story don't quite add up. Transfers aren't exactly rare, but for a combat experienced witch to be passed over for command is unusual enough to be notable- even with her having transferred into flight after a term in tanks.

You brush the thoughts aside as you walk through the carrier, heading to the life support shop. Whatever happened, it's clearly not that major- there's no way the CAG would put her in command of your ad-hoc element otherwise.

Kyou nods. "It does seem unusual that she's subordinate to a less experienced junior." She says. "Of course, I cannot speak for the American Navy, but in the Japanese navy, that would be an indicator that while she is an excellent fighter, she is viewed as a poor commander."

You shrug. "Maybe. Could also be she's passed it up herself." You say.

"But why would she?" Kyou asks. "That seems counterproductive."

"Unless she really is a combat junkie." You point out. "If she wants combat before anything else, a command position would mean she can't just get into it."

Kyou nods. "But surely she would still lead from the front?"

You shrug. "Some witches do, some don't." You say- your mother, of course, always did- when she operated with a team at all, which was relatively infrequently. Ice, you're pretty sure, did as well, though, by the time you were old enough to understand that kind of thing, she'd left squadron command and had been a CAG for a while already. Stasya and Lilya don't really factor- both having transferred away from witch and composite units and into conventional squadrons during the navy's reforms in the 90s. Stasya is a CAG now, and Lilya got out of the military a few years ago.

"I see." Kyou says. "I suppose it isn't known for one in my position to lead a unit?"

You shrug. "As far as I know, you'd be the first." You say.

"A pity." Kyou remarks. "Though it does make some sort of sense. If we only ever operate with a single witch on our wing, even the advantages a wyvern could provide to a commander are somewhat wasted. Still, with a pilot to focus on flying and fighting, and a the full data link possible, it seems such a pity."

[] I think the navy prefers to keep wyverns unattached for faster strategic response, but you're right.
[] I don't know if it makes sense given how specialized we end up being.

>>3696168
>[] I think the navy prefers to keep wyverns unattached for faster strategic response, but you're right.

>>3696168
God Minna in a Wyvern would have been absolutely scary.

>>3696168
>[x] I think the navy prefers to keep wyverns unattached for faster strategic response, but you're right.

>>3696168
>[x] I think the navy prefers to keep wyverns unattached for faster strategic response, but you're right.

>>3696168
>[X] I think the navy prefers to keep wyverns unattached for faster strategic response, but you're right.

ok, votes called!

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[x] I think the navy prefers to keep wyverns unattached for faster strategic response, but you're right.

"I think it's because the navy prefers to keep wyverns unattached." You point out. "For faster strategic response. But you're right."

"It does make me wonder, then, about the tactical organization of wyverns if we begin to gain consistent wing mates in the form of aunt's Valkyries." Kyou says as you turn into the life support shop. The rating on duty, seeing you coming, heads back into the cage to pull your controlled gear out of it's storage spaces. "Though I suspect that we will be on the cutting edge of that particular advancement."

You nod, pulling your helmet over and checking over it- it's unlikely you'll catch anything, of course, and the testing computer is in the cage, but you still have to check it, pulling the oxygen mask off the front and looking over the seal as Kyou does the same with her flight suit, running a hand down the collar to check the connection points under the hardened plates with her hand. She nods after a second, disappearing into the small room to the side that's reserved for females that need to change- aircrew and witches alike. You, meanwhile, only have to pull on your G-suit and shrug on your survival vest. You find yourself briefly wishing for a silk scarf like the one your dad has- both to prevent chafing from the collar of your flight suit and to help cover your neck.

Kyou emerges from the changing room a second later, her familiar already out, the massive triangular ears already up and forward. She smiles at you when you blink at that. "They are rather difficult to keep under a helmet." She says after a second the the unspoken question. "I have considered inquiring about a modified one, but that's a concern for later, I think. Perhaps after our tour."

"We can do the work here, ma'am." The rating says, causing her to look over at the enlisted sailor. He shrugs. "If you get the down time, it'll take a day or two because we've got to move a couple boards, but we've done it before.

"That would be excellent." Kyou says, nodding. "I am glad the same is not required for the flight suit."

He grins. "That one's pretty rare." He admits. "We had one girl through a couple years back, she had some kind of shark familiar, we had to modify her suit for her. That was tricky as hell."

"I imagine so." Kyou says. "Thank you for the offer, seaman. As soon as an opportunity arises, I'm sure we'll make use of it."

He nods as you head out of the shop. Normally from here you'd head to meteorology and get updated weather reports for the region, but that's not really necessary anymore- Muninn will be as up to date on that as possible via the umbilical link with the ship. Similarly, he'll have up to date intel on the target area- and as soon as the flight plan is filed, he'll be aware of it.

1/2

Spears meets you again on the way up to the hangar deck. "One minute." she says, beckoning you to follow her to an out of the way side of the hangar deck near the open sides. Off in the distance you can see one of the escort ships sailing- though you can't tell from here which one it is.

"We got the go ahead from the old man, but we've got two days, tops." She says, looking a little frustrated. "If we can't get it done, the navy's sending in Headhunter to take care of it."

"Headhunter?" Kyou asks.

"Yeah, a navy drake crew. He'll be bringing a witch along with too." Spears explains. "So, no pressure or anything, but if we can't get it done it's going to be at least two days ISIS has clear skies. I'd rather avoid that."

"So what do you propose?" Kyou asks again.

Spears pauses. "I've got a friend who's with force recon." She says. "They think they know where these witches are staying, but they're not sure. She's offered to pull her team in and keep watch on it while we make this hit, but they'll need till nightfall to set up." She pauses. "That means doing this thing at night. I'm not a night witch."

"Nor am I." Kyou points out. "Though with a wyvern that hardly matters."

"It does for me." Spears responds. "I'll go either way, but I think we ought to wait till they can get emplaced. That way if we can't get these bitches in the air we can drop a JDAM in their lap with a follow-up strike."

"That would greatly increase the danger to yourself, though." Kyou points out. "And there is little to suggest we won't be able to deal with them in flight."

Spears shrugs. "I like having a backup." She says. "And it also increases the chance that we can snatch a survivor. Unless we haul blockbusters, if we hit their quarters when they're there it means recon can go in and grab some POWs." She pauses. "Hell, if that's how we wanted to do it, we wouldn't even have to hit their quarters. We just hit close enough to let force recon go in and do their thing."

Kyou frowns. "This all seems very poorly planned."

Spears gives one of those unpleasant smiles. "Get used to it, sister." She says. "The navy and DoD expect you to be troubleshooters, shit like this is gonna be your bread and butter. So call it. Do we go for the daylight hit now, or do we coordinate this with force recon?"

[] We're already geared up and it's less risky to hit them with daylight, let's do this now.
[] We're better served with the potential intel. We'll wait.

>>3696485
>[x] We're already geared up and it's less risky to hit them with daylight, let's do this now.

>>3696485
>[] We're better served with the potential intel. We'll wait.
Maman would wait.

>>3696485
>[X] We're already geared up and it's less risky to hit them with daylight, let's do this now.

>>3696485
>[x] We're better served with the potential intel. We'll wait.

>>3696485
>[x] We're better served with the potential intel. We'll wait.
Let's get this done right.

>>3696485
>[x] We're better served with the potential intel. We'll wait.

>>3696485
>[x] We're better served with the potential intel. We'll wait.
The entire 'sparklies working for the crazy islamists' thing is odd from the get go, either they're deluded westerners who think Daesh is a good thing.
Or they're mercs.

Either way, we need to figure out who the fuck these people are.

>>3696485
>[] We're better served with the potential intel. We'll wait.
Stealth witches. At night. Sounds shitty... but it should draw them out. I like it.

>>3696543
Considering they are either baby makers or flying in hijabs, sound sfishy

>>3696485
>[] We're better served with the potential intel. We'll wait.

Ok, votes called!

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[x] We're better served with the potential intel. We'll wait.

"We're better served with the potential intel." You say, thinking. There's a lot of questions here- who these witches are, how ISIS got hold of them, how long they've been operating, for starters- and your odds of answering those questions are much better with a prisoner than not. "We'll wait."

Spears nods. "Yeah, that's probably the best call." She says. "It gives us a chance to let the crews get the aircraft squared away, but they'll leave it up on the deck."

"It also gives us an opportunity to contact Samantha." Kyou points out. "She is going to want to know about this."

"Assuming she doesn't already." You respond. "Muninn will have already sent the combat data back to her via the satellite communications link."

"She may also have insight about our opponents." Kyou says. "Surely she faced something similar during the war, perhaps she'll have a method to counter it."

Spears shakes her head with a grin. "Man, it's easy to forget that everyone's favorite absent minded professor is a combat vet." She says. "I mean, I always just kinda thought of her as a technonerd, but I forgot she rode backseat to Frank Bishop the whole damn war."

"It is very easy to forget, even when she is around often. Perhaps especially then." Kyou says with a smile. "She very much does not seem like a combat veteran."

You'd chime in that, even for you, who grew up around her, it's easy to forget- especially when she makes a slip or two- but you've no desire to feed the rumors Spears has told you about. Maman always warned you that there'd be that kind of thing, especially with the arrangement the Bishop side of your family has, but that doesn't mean you like dealing with it- or, indeed, want to.

"Well, either way. May as well stick together for now." Spears says, indicating with a jerk of her head that you should get out of the hangar and back into the crew spaces below. "We'll drop by the old man's office and update him on the situation, but keep your gear with you. They said tonight, but sometimes their predictions can be off." She shrugs. "Force recon is strange like that."

Spears leads you down past the CAG's office- though you stand outside as she talks with the man. "I am not sure I like this." Kyou says. "I had imagined there would be more structure to our operations."

She frowns. "At the same time, I find the prospect of being allowed the freedom to determine how to best employ ourselves exhilarating. I have also begun to think about witches we should put forward as potential wingmates, should our guesses about aunt's Valkyrie program be correct."

[] If we're going to have this kind of freedom, we really need to work out what we're good at.
[] I think worrying about potential wingmates is a bit premature right now.

>>3696874
>[X] If we're going to have this kind of freedom, we really need to work out what we're good at.

>>3696874
>[x] If we're going to have this kind of freedom, we really need to work out what we're good at.

>>3696874
>[X] If we're going to have this kind of freedom, we really need to work out what we're good at.

>>3696874
>[x] If we're going to have this kind of freedom, we really need to work out what we're good at.

>>3696874
>[x] If we're going to have this kind of freedom, we really need to work out what we're good at.

>>3696874
>[x] If we're going to have this kind of freedom, we really need to work out what we're good at.

>>3696874
>[x] I think worrying about potential wingmates is a bit premature right now.
especially when we already know it's going to be Wendy.

>>3696874
>[x] If we're going to have this kind of freedom, we really need to work out what we're good at.

>>3696874
>[] If we're going to have this kind of freedom, we really need to work out what we're good at.

ok, votes called! Little bit of news too, but this will probably be our last update for the night.

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[x] If we're going to have this kind of freedom, we really need to work out what we're good at.

You nod. "If we're going to have this kind of freedom, we really need to work out what we're good at." You say, reflecting that the trouble with the princess is, unlike Danielle or Lotus, she doesn't really suggest any single role for herself- other than, perhaps, jumping into the biggest pile of hostiles possible and burning them out of the sky.

"I believe it would be prudent to make sure that, if the opportunity exists after our deck tour finishes, we seek additional training time wherever possible." She says, agreeing with you in a way. "I know my own limits, of course, but I feel as if attempting to talk about them would merely sound boastful." She smiles. "One of the downsides of my situation."

You grin back at her. "Worried I won't believe you?" You ask.

She laughs lightly. "Hardly. But, despite knowing that, I'm reluctant to merely tell you. I'd far rather show you, as I did over Fort Irwin."

You nod as Spears steps out. "Ok, the old man is good with it. We relayed to Candy, her team is already moving. We're taking off in about eight hours, which should be the time they need to work into position."

"Eight hours? That is a rather long time to wear this flight suit around the ship." Kyou says.

Spears shrugs. "Sorry princess. Eight hours is an estimate, but CAG wants us to be ready to go if anything changes."

Kyou nods. "I understand." She says. "Though I think I'd rather spend the time in our cabin."

"Squadron ready room." Spears responds. "We'll keep the door closed." She grins. "Assuming you don't mind being in the same room as me for that long."

Kyou shrugs. "I am sure I've had worse company." She points out.

Spears nods. "We'll also have a call coming through. CAG said Wells had already called the skipper about yesterday and wanted to discuss things with you directly."

You follow her down to the ready room, taking a seat as she closes the door. "I'm kinda interested to meet her, if ya don't mind." She says. "I mean, not like I can go anywhere anyway, but you know what I mean."

Kyou nods. "Of course. Be warned, however, she is... " She pauses.

"Eccentric." You supply.

Spears grins. "I figured as much. Look, no offense to her, cos I know even if the rumors ain't true, you're probably pretty close, but anyone willing to ignore them as long as she has either is totally unaware or just strange like that. And I get the feeling with her it's probably a bit of both, ya know?"

You nod- you know all too well that it's very much both.

>>3697344
Thanks for the run!

Ok, that's it for the week! So, for that news. I start at the field tomorrow. Now, that doesn't really matter for this week, but it's something to keep in mind for the coming weeks- if we need to do a make-up day, then it's gonna have to start later, I think. We may end up breaking up make up days into Saturday/Sunday runs, at least for now.

That said, now, I am continuing to look for a solid full time job, but that's a very slow process. Ideally I'd find one out of NC, or maybe down at the beach, but eh. We'll see how it goes, I guess.

Other than that, gents, We're done for now, haha. We'll be back next week of course, but till then, I'll be around a little for questions, if there are any, or comments. Otherwise, till next time, cheers guys!

Have we never given Kyou a massage?

>>3697371
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>3697375
Nope. At least, not that I'm aware of to this point.

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>>3697371
Thanks for the run boss.

>>3697389
A travesty that should be remedied as soon, and as frequently, as possible.

>>3697389
We need to fix that.
>>3697461
indeed

>>3697389
We did have

>>3697461
>A travesty that should be remedied as soon, and as frequently, as possible.
I'd say Merlin needs a massage more.

>>3694228
>Gotta make de chili for Kyou after we down the witches. First kill and all that.
Pointless and hasty attempt on Morgan's part. A first kill is not a occasion special enough.

>>3697990
Then what would be? Becoming ace?

>>3698037
>>3697990
Well, I think "finalizing crew selection" was a special occasion, for that only happens once, so, perhaps we owe her de chili?

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>>3697983

>>3697990
A first kill was totally special enough what are you talking about.

>>3698160
How many arms do you think Morgan has?

>>3699549
Witness the power of Shiva!!

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>>3699549
Body to body massage. Make a Morgan sandwich. All of the problems will be solved.

To be honest, after Spears has been introduced, this has been coming to mind every time there's a new update

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXR-s4EKRTg

>>3699549
Merlin on one table, Kyou on the other.

He starts with Merlin first. Applying the cool lotion to her skin causes her to yelp and shiver slightly, the wriggling underneath Morgan's hands drawing a giggle from Kyou who watches from her side. It's not long before all that stress and anxiety in the notoriously overworked and sleepless witch starts to melt away under the touch of the master. She begins to moan softly, unable to hold in her relief. Morgan deftly plies her body like putty, sculpting feelings of pleasure within her that turns her skin flush and breath heavy.

She starts to unconsciously press back into Morgan's hands, desperate for him to press harder and more firmly. Morgan simply places a strong, but gentle hand at the base of her neck. He holds her down to the table as the other hand continues the assault on her epidermis, the hot moans of Merlin now steady, broken only by her gasps for air. Morgan realizes she's having trouble breathing and starts to lift his hand.

"N-N-No..." Merlin whimpers, a brief tang of longing punctuating the pitiful cry. Morgan presses back down, though this time making sure to be a little off-center, just enough for her to let her breath. He proceeds as such, shifting his weight between her shoulder blades, and intricately working down around her spine in a swirly pattern that seems to methodically draw and release every ounce of tension in her. At last, Morgan reaches her tailbone, the towel covering Merlin's lower half having shifted just enough to see the slight curve of her bare hips moving so slightly with each breath. He reaches down, grabbing the towel.

A moment passes as he lingers, before sliding it back into place. He pats Merlin's back as he finishes, the witch thoroughly spread on the table. It's only then he notices she's long slipped from consciousness, the sweet relief of sleep having washed up from within her and taken her to a place of incredible comfortableness and peace. The expression her face is the picture of serenity, the nirvana in her dreams surely of the highest order of contentment and pleasure.

Morgan looks up from his oiled up, sleeping aunt and over to Kyou who stares dumbly over, mouth ajar and tongue hanging out enough to be clearly seen. Morgan winks and that seems to wake her from her stasis,quickly collecting her tongue back in her mouth and laying down on her belly.

"My turn," she tries to say coolly, but the slight tremble in her voice is impossible to hide. Morgan grabs the lotion and walks slowly to his partner's side.

"Your turn," he says, running a hand down her long, dark hair, moving it neatly to the side and revealing her pale, flawless back. Its soft features are broken only by the slightest of rises from her shoulder blades and ribs, her frame and all its nuances laid bare. Morgan rubs the lotion between his hands. Kyou's head is turned away, but he sense she's blushing furiously. Her tension seeming to be of anticipation...

>>3702481
Lewd.

>>3698118
>perhaps we owe her de chili?
We owe her nothing, and especially not if she can't keep her bloodlust in check and respect the chain of command.

>>3702481
Excellent writing, anon. Hopefully this will inspire Ghost,

>>3702481
Awoo.

>>3702837
Man, shut up. You're being THAT GUY. Nobody likes THAT GUY.

>>3702481
Sensual.

>>3702837
If we're going to get technical, she actually ranks the marines and expressed valid concerns up in the air. She fell in line when we made out call. This is a bit of an unreasonable generalization considering how respectful she has been about our position.
>>3702481
Oh my.

>>3702951
Nobody likes weak ad hominems in place of a actual argument, nor do all caps add to it.

>>3704615
A reasonably put argument and thus one I'm willing to concede to.

>>3704449
ghost sama noticed me!

>>3705125
>>3705132
Man shut the fuck up. You've being an edgyass faggot since the original flight with Kyou.

"Huurrrrr we need to be a hardass towards our partner",

"hurrr we need to establish dominance."

"Hurr we need to be a gigantic cocksucking asshole".

That's just causing completely unnecessary strife and friction between the two characters. Shut the fuck up, nobody agrees with you, and if you could stop being an unbelievable edgelord faggot for 3 fucking seconds, you'd realize that.

Is that an elaborate enough argument for you? That what you're attempting to encourage the thread to do will cause massive amounts of unnecessary discord in our flight, make our lives much more difficult, and is just generally a complete unnecessary hard ass dickbag move and you're a completely and utter edgy ass faggot for continuing to suggest it, or do I need to break out the crayons and kindergarten level language?

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>>3706857
u mad bro

>>3706943
He pretty mad. He also not wrong though.

>>3707052
True. What does the other guy think we are?

A marine?

>>3706857
>break out the crayons and kindergarten level language?
You already did, with your tantrum. Now, you notice that all the other anons are keeping it kinda polite, and to borrow your bandwagon fallacy, you're the only one screaming insults and the like, convincing no one unlike >>3704615

>>3707844
You do get that we all agree with him right?

>>3707844
Like I can't speak for >>3707418
but while I'm not screaming it, to borrow >>3706857's words I also think you're an edgy faggot who needs to shut up.

>>3708214
While he had points, I certainly don't agree with the way he put it, he could certainly have said all that without being *that guy* himself.

>>3708298
Well obviously, but his point about edgeposter continually being an edgy boi for no raisin stands.

>>3708298
Man, it's been the same shit with this guy in pretty much every thread since the start, and I'm fucking sick of it. I've tried being polite and it doesn't get anywhere. It's the same thing, almost every thread.

Edgeboi posts stupid edgy bullshit.
People call edgeboi out on his bullshit.
Edgeboi ignores/insults them until it becomes clear the rest of the thread doesn't agree with him and then goes all "I was just pretending to be retarded".
Rinse repeat next thread.

Same thing. Almost every thread. It's stupid, and I'm fucking fed up with it.

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>>3708460
the salt is real

>>3710031
https://youtu.be/we6JGbjxrZA
Yes, it is.

Hey guys, sorry for the late notice here. Got a brutal migraine earlier in the day, tried to take a nap to kill it. Didn't work. I'mma postpone today for a Thursday start and go lay down. Sorry about this, it's kinda kicking my ass. Normally I'd try to push through, but it's just not happening.

>>3712628
No worries Ghost

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OK. sorry about the delay and postponement here, I got working on the OP a little later than I'd have liked, then had a really gnarly little popup storm blow in. Cool to watch, not dangerous, but really active, a lot of cloud to ground in it. Fun stuff.

As far as a makeup day, I'm not sure how that's gonna shake out just yet. Ideally we could do a little bit of a late Saturday start if we need one, but I'm not going to commit just yet. as it happens, I got out very late Sunday, and didn't get home till about 2000 or so local that day. We'll see how far we get in the run this week, though we'll know for sure if we need an additional couple days by tomorrow, I'm sure.

Anyway, that's about it for news, such as it is, haha!

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

The sun hasn't been down very long by the time you and Kyou finally make your way topside again, accompanied by Spears. Flight operations are still ongoing, of course- a pair of lightnings are on the catapults now, their lights illuminating the deck crew in reds and greens as they spool up their engines.

"We're going in blacked out." Spears reiterates as she walks across the deck with you on the way to her striker rack, parked next to your wyvern. "No lights, NODs only."

"We don't have night vision devices." Kyou points out.

"You know what I mean, though." Spears says. "Keep your afterburner and WEP use limited as much as you can, and we're going into the target point subsonic. We're gonna be hitting Tikrit East, so keep in mind we're going to have to overfly the city and we'll be in hard ISIS country the entire way."

You nod- she's just restating what you've gone over a dozen or more times by now.

"Candy's team is going to hit them as soon as we've hit our targets." She says. "We shouldn't have to deal with many targets, if it goes to plan, but I'm willing to bet it won't. nothing ever does when you're dealing with witches, and if they're dispersed at all, we'll have at least some of them to handle. We've got to hold that airspace for at least ten minutes, plus their extraction time."

Kyou nods. "But any targets in the air are ours to destroy?"

Spears smiles. "Other than the exfil choppers." She says.

"Excellent." Kyou responds with a feral smile.

"I'll be using the tow bars at least till we go feet dry. Recover here, alternate is Doha." Spears says. "Alright." She stops in front of her striker rack, pausing as the two lightnings take their catapult launches, their afterburner plumes burning into the night. "Any last questions before we mount up?"

[] No. Let's do this.
[] Yeah. (Write in)

>>3715333
>[x] No. Let's do this.

>>3715333
>[X] No. Let's do this.

>>3715333
>[x] No. Let's do this.
I going to ask if we were cleared to follow them into Syria if they tried to run but Tikrit East is smack bang in the middle of the country so no problems there.

>>3715333
>[x] No. Let's do this.

>>3715333
>[x] No. Let's do this.

Ok, votes called!

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[x] No. Let's do this.

"No." You say, shaking your head. "Let's do this."

Spears nods. "Standard spread once we're in Iraq, you cover me. Engage bandits at your discretion, but don't bust Iranian airspace if you can at all avoid it. If you can't, just don't kill anything they send up and get back into Iraqi airspace. Our mission is to eliminate these witches as a threat to operations. We'd like at least one prisoner, but if we can't get any, we're not worried about that. Clear?"

You nod.

"Alright. That's it then." Spears says, turning to climb up ladder of her striker rack and pull off her boots and socks, putting them in the bench- you catch a brief flash of red lace as she sits down to do so.
Kyou turns and mounts the ladder up the side of the Wyvern first, climbing up as you wait- her familiar's tail is almost long enough to reach from the middle of the ladder down to your head. Spears, you note, is professional, pulling her shotgun from it's weapon locker on the striker rack and checking it with a fluidity you recognize as born of long experience. You start up the ladder before she slips her legs in her strikers, and by the time you're up, she's gliding past you, buckling her wrist-mounted MFD in place.

Muninn has apparently been watching TV- cartoons- as it elects to use a character from an older kid's show as it's avatar this time. You make no comment as she starts talking as soon as you're plugged in. "I've been reviewing the combat data." She says while you go over your pre-start checks. "I think those witches had dazzle camouflage."

1/2

"Dazzle camo?" Kyou asks from behind you. "Active optical camouflage, you mean?"

"Not just optical. Thermal as well." Muninn says. "They don't appear on any sensors other than as a tiny discrepancy on laser detection and rangefinding at closer ranges."

"That would be quite the advantage." Kyou muses. "Not quite full invisibility, but their ability to do it in a group indicates it's not a talent."

Muninn's avatar crosses her arms and shrugs. "I don't know." She says. "I think I can get the agiles to work off targeting data provided by the LIDAR only, which should let us attack them while they're cloaked with any missiles modified, but the missiles would behave like old beam riders, and I don't think they could be used in any other mode."

"Those are our best dogfighting weapons." Kyou says. "Losing them would make our mission more difficult during a conventional fight."

"That's why I waited to do it." Muninn says. "We've got them loaded in the VLS cells now, but everything else is either sidewinders or AMRAAMS. Well, and the rockeyes. I can modify any number of cells from the VLS pack to fire on LIDAR data."

"I'm not sure." Kyou says. "It would be a useful surprise to them, but it occurs to me to be unnecessary. My shields and our craft should be sufficient, and they cannot engage with their camouflage active."

[] Have Muninn convert all the VLS cells- there's nothing more dangerous than a blown ambush for the attacher
[] Have Muninn convert two cells- just enough to make sure they can't bug out.
[] Don't have any cells converted- you can use guns to run them down if you have to.

>>3715723
>[x] Have Muninn convert two cells- just enough to make sure they can't bug out.

>>3715723
>[X] Have Muninn convert two cells- just enough to make sure they can't bug out.

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>>3715723
>[x] Have Muninn convert two cells- just enough to make sure they can't bug out.
I rode into town on a pale horse.

That horse told me to tell you to fuck off.

>>3715723
>[X] Have Muninn convert two cells- just enough to make sure they can't bug out.
8 Agiles should be enough to force them to drop camo and run or die. I doubt the witches can keep their active camo up during combat maneuvers. Too much change too fast for the system to keep a good cloak over. I hope...

>>3715723
>[x] Have Muninn convert two cells- just enough to make sure they can't bug out.

>>3715723
>[x] Have Muninn convert two cells- just enough to make sure they can't bug out.

>>3715723
>[] Have Muninn convert all the VLS cells- there's nothing more dangerous than a blown ambush for the attacher

BIGGER GUNS NEARBY

>>3715723
>[] Have Muninn convert all the VLS cells- there's nothing more dangerous than a blown ambush for the attacher

ok, votes called!

>>3715909
nyan nyan

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[x] Have Muninn convert two cells- just enough to make sure they can't bug out.

"Convert two cells" You order- it's enough to make sure they can't get away by cloaking, but leaves you enough firepower to deal with a dogfight and then some- while the Sidewinders in the FAST packs aren't going to be that useful- even the X models you have loaded struggle against witches- the sixteen agiles should be more than enough to engage a handful of witches.

Muninn's avatar nods, then blinks out as the AI turns to it's task, spinning off a custom-written piece of targeting software and flashing it to the missiles in two of the VLS bays.

You roll forward to the number 2 catapult, lining up on the direction of the aircraft handler. You finish running up the systems as the catapult crew hooks your fighter up to the catapult shuttle and raise the blast deflectors, and Kyou calls your final system checks as green. A second after she does, you look over, saluting your shooter and giving him a quick thumbs-up. He salutes back, and you turn back in your ejection seat, as he leans forward with two fingers pointing out over the bow, a ghostly figure lit by the light panels on your fuselage and wingtips.

The catapult kick matches the roar of your massive engines as you crack them into the afterburner range, thundering off the deck with what feels like ease. There's none of the brief drop towards the ocean you remember from your training cruises- the Wyvern, even fully loaded, has more than enough power to climb away smoothly. You retract the gear as you pull away, banking to the east and linking up with Spears, who had launched under her own power from the waist of the carrier.

"Alright, Laroux." She says over the squadron net. "I'm going to let you make the call. We don't want to alert them that we're coming till Candy's team has had a chance to hit them, but we've got to be in position to deal with any of them in the air. If we go in high we'll be easier to spot if they have any air search radars, but if we go in low any ground watchers they have are gonna hear us for damn sure. Whatever you pick, call it before we get past the coastal corridor."

[] Go in high- ISIS didn't have that many modern air-search sets.
[] Go in low- it'll keep us below any radars they have.

and I'm going to call it there for the night, gents. I know we didn't get very far tonight, and I'm sorry for that- I really kinda got hung up a couple times before we started there. That storm alone was about an hour- lightning was a bit close for comfort. Friday's run should be better, though!.

As usual, I'll be around for some time to field questions or comments if there are any. otherwise, gents, cheers!

>>3716388
>[X] Go in low- it'll keep us below any radars they have.

>>3716388
>[x] Go in low- it'll keep us below any radars they have.

>>3716388
>[x] Go in low- it'll keep us below any radars they have.
They supposedly don't have that many modern air-search assets.

But they also supposedly didn't have any air assets either, and then a bunch of witches bounced two Echocats and shot down one of them.

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>>3716388
>[X] Go in high- ISIS didn't have that many modern air-search sets.

>>3716393
Thanks for the run boss.

>>3716388
>[] Go in low- it'll keep us below any radars they have.
>>3716422
indeed. Those witches also bounced us, although they didn't score any kills this time.

>>3716388
>[X] Go in low- it'll keep us below any radars they have.
They've got what seems to be tech-based active camo, what's to say they don't have a modern radar array sitting around somewhere...

>>3716388
>[X] Go in high- ISIS didn't have that many modern air-search sets.

>>3716388
>[x] Go in low- it'll keep us below any radars they have.

>>3716388
>[x] Go in high- ISIS didn't have that many modern air-search sets.
They're going to have ground watchers so I'd rather risk them having radar than almost certainly be heard.

>>3716388
[] Go in high- ISIS didn't have that many modern air-search sets.

>>3716388
>[x] Go in high- ISIS didn't have that many modern air-search sets.
Remember we're gonna have to go damn near subsonic at the last bit so if we go low that's gonna give them plenty of time to hear our screaming engines.

>>3716760

They won't hear our engines if we are supersonic, since we will be traveling faster than the speed of sound.

>>3716857
That's not how that works. At all.

>>3716857
That is the opposite of physics.

>>3716857
Yeaaaah, that's not how it works at all. They'll still hear our engines, just after our airframe has passed them by. Which will still be plenty of time for them to call out a warning.

>>3716388
[x] Go in high- ISIS didn't have that many modern air-search sets.

>>3716388
[x] Go in high- ISIS didn't have that many modern air-search sets.

Ok guys, votes called! sorry about the delay.

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[x] Go in high- ISIS didn't have that many modern air-search sets.

"We're going to stay high." You call, after thinking about it- while ISIS has a few 'modern' air defense systems, mostly seized from the Syrian army or the Iraqis, they're pretty few and far between- and even then, they're not often used, as they constitute a priority target for American and Russian air power when they are.

"Solid enough." Spears says. "There's enough air traffic in that area that they're gonna hear us, but it'll be impossible to tell where we're going. Wyverns sound different than anything else, but there's good odds they've never heard one, either."

"Are we the first in this area?" Kyou asks.

"First in a long ass time, yeah." Spears says. "They had a couple during the initial invasion, and one or two a year that would rotate through till about four or five years ago, then it dropped off. You're the first in the AO in about six-eight months."

"Feet dry." You call as you cross the coast. "Search radar to the north of us, about a hundred miles out."

"I see it." Kyou responds. "I don't think they have the power to detect us at this distance, even at this altitude. It also appears as if it is in the Aleppo area."

"Syrian government, then." Spears says. "Call it in if it goes to track, but ignore it if it stays in search."

"Understood." Kyou says.

It doesn't take long to cross out of the coastal region and on into the Syrian desert- largely empty, even during peacetime, now all that's out here is the wrecked remains of a few airbases and oft fought over towns. Most of the region belongs to ISIS, currently, though their 'heartland' runs to the north by about a hundred miles.

Spears detaches from the tow bar near the remains of the airbase about 45 miles southwest of Al Mayadin, rolling over before pushing out in front of you, up to your right. "We're on time." She says, tugging her shotgun down so it's riding on it's sling across her chest, in easy reach. "About two hundred miles to target, Candy's team will be starting their hit in fifteen minutes."

"We're supposed to hit simultaneously?" Kyou asks.

"Yeah. They're entering from the south west, so we're running northwest-southeast. One pass only with the rockeyes, after that it's guns only for you on ground targets."

You nod, noting that Kyou's disengaging the safety locks on your weapons. "Your trigger is hot." She calls forward. "Do you feel comfortable allowing me some control over the VLS system again?"

[] Done.
[] I'll be keeping them for now.

>>3718686
>[X] Done.

>>3718686
>[x] Done.

>>3718686
>[] Done.

>>3718686
>[X] Done.

>>3718686
>[x] Done.

>>3718686
>[] Done.

>>3718686
>[] Done.

>>3718686
[X] Done.

votes called!

Ghost be dead.

>>3719058
Well he is a ghost. He's not ZombieDivision.

>>3719058
>>3719090

Not dead, though I kinda wish I was, haha! Something I ate is not agreeing with me. That's ok, this week is kinda a wash anyway, but it sets us up good for next week.

>>3719193
Eh, shit happens. Then you flush.

Question, what's Katya's kid like?

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[] Done.

"Done." You call back- giving her control over the VLS systems have paid off every other time you've done it, though you're glad she continues to ask- and that Muninn hasn't yet decided to merely leave the weapon system in her control.

Spears pushes up to just subsonic speed and starts a gradual, gentle descent as you close in on the target area. "One run." She re-states. "I'll cover you. Set up northwest-southeast."

"Two." You respond as you level out, just below her.

The tension builds as you close in on your roll-in point from the north, still subsonic but only just. Spears drops back behind you as you dive for your release height- just a few thousand feet, enough space to give the cluster bombs time to deploy properly. Your target is the pair of already-bombed hardened shelters at the airbase. Hit during the initial invasion with 2000lb bunker busters, they were, until fairly recently, full of nothing but scrap. Recent images had indicated some repair work, and, with the base solidly in ISIS control, it's a sure bet they're being used to house some of their ill-gotten military hardware.

Your cluster bombs, of course, are poor weapons to attack the hardened shelters- even with a perfect release, there's no chance of getting enough submunitions in there to destroy anything, but the goal isn't the equipment, but the witches- which are, you hope, not going to be your concern. You think the mixed metal penetrator round loaded in two of your four ammunition bins could potentially punch through the shelters, especially with Kyou's help, but you don't intend to find out.

"Roll in." Spears orders, breaking away and climbing away from you- she's going to adopt a high trailing position as you deploy your ordinance.

You release the bombs at the same time Muninn highlights a group of fast moving ground targets- with friendly IFF tags- breaking through the southeastern perimeter of the airbase. You roll out a second later as Spears calls her warning. "Witches!"

You haul the wyvern around into a max-rate break as you can feel the first Agiles rocket from the VLS. "Yes!" Kyou yells, excitedly. "Now we will have a challenge!"

And that's going to be it for the week! I know it was pretty sparse this week, and I'm sorry about that. Wednesday was pretty bad, I won't lie.

Normally I'd say we'd run make up days this weekend, but this is actually a fairly good stopping point- not quite where I'd hoped we'd get to, but that's really my fault, and I can kinda shuffle how I have things planned out in the future if I need to.

Anyway gents, that's going to be all from me. I'll be around to answer questions or comments if there are any, but otherwise, till next week guys, cheers!

>>3719573

Quiet and scheming. She's usually the reason for (and brains behind) the sneks' bigger shenanigans, but she's always careful to distance herself just enough to not get in trouble when they invariably do.

>>3719603
Thanks for the run Ghost

>>3719603
Thanks for the run boss.

>>3719603
thank for running!

Archive up.

>>3718686
What Is the tow bar ? It isn't on the Wyvern, is it ?

>>3720432
Yeah it is. It's literally just a bar that the witch can hold on to in order to reduce Magic consumption on long flights.

>>3720442
How is oxygen explained ? Do witches have a magic field that shields them from the air whipping by, and all the other things that would make it a very unfun ride for a normal human ?

>>3720944
Oxygen is WITCHES MANG like it's always been.
Slipstream was avoided by a specific kind of witch shield that they're taught to make but Ghost implied it was not a fun ride and was generally avoided because it sucked.

>though Spears does avail herself of one of the tow bars, located on the top side of the fuselage, near the center of the wing root. Designed to let witches extend their range by 'riding' a wyvern, they're rarely used- the simple fact is, it's not easy to hold on to a tow bar, even with aerodynamic shields, at speed, for hundreds of miles.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/3646135/#p3678934

>>3720944
Did you even read OG '89 or are you new to this run? Because it's pretty much always been "M A G I C".
And it doesn't even really need to be anything else.

>>3720962
No, and I don't memorize very last word of a quest either. Thought it was no offense to bump like this until Ghost is back (especially when I have a feeling the tow bar system can be improved.

>>3720979
Nah, shooting the shit after the thread until either the new one is up or it falls off the board is pretty standard.

But yes, the answer to your question is "It's magic, I don't have to explain shit." And it's been that way since the first thread of OG 89 (If you haven't read it, go back and do so. It's pretty good and gives a lot of context for this run).

Oxygen at altitude? Magic.
Slipsteam avoidance? Magic.
Rapid direction changes that bend the laws of physics and what the human body is capable of enduring? Magic.
Got nearly burned to death and need to get back to the front? Magic.

It really doesn't need to be anything more than that, frankly. You get too tied up in trying to explain things mechanically, you end up losing sight of what makes the quest enjoyable.

>>3720944
Yep, exactly that! Technology has improved some in that regard since 1989- high altitude isn't the sole playground of a handful of specialist witches the way it used to be- but most combat-arms witches prefer lower altitude bands all the same.

>>3720994
Some people enjoy Mary Sues with unlimited magic and asspulls, see certain anime and comics. Other enjoy smart heroes whose magic has a limit, and they have to work with what they have. Its the reason I prefer paladins to clerics.and Eldritch Knights to full mages.

>>3723377
This quest might not be for you then if it bothers you so much.

>>3723707
It might not be for you if you cant handle people with a different opinion.

>>3723715
Yeah I've been here since the beginning of the original run so you can get fucked.

>>3723718
Using gibberish as a argument doesn't work. Actually reply to my argument and ondt come up with something completely unrelated. How does you being in another quest at one moment give you seniority over me ?

>>3723750
You have no argument. You don't like the quest so you were told that you should look for something you'll enjoy instead. Stop stirring shit for no reason.

>>3723715
>>3723750
>>3723377
So lemme get this straight. You come in here, don't actually read the thread or even the quest, act like a total edgelord That Guy, just generally shit everything up, completely deride the way Ghost has decided to world build, and now that someone's called you out on your shit you're acting like you're not one being a shit here.

Yeah, nah, it ain't for you. Get out.

>>3723750
Seriously, what is your goddamn problem. If you don't like the quest, stop shitting it up for everyone else and leave.

>>3723750
Also
>How does you being in another quest at one moment give you seniority over me ?

Because this quest is a sequel to that one? So anyone who was actually in OG '89 has, at bare minimum, 5 years of seniority over you.

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>>3723769
>>3723768
>>3723715

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>>3723835
Inorite?

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>all this rage

>>3725241
Yes, can we focus on the important things?

Like getting our harem of family and friends already

What I wonder is, will we capture any of the enemy sparkles? I'm mighty curious to find out how isis of all groups, managed to get some witchies to fight for them.

>>3725373

But what if you don't want that?

>>3726916
Stop being a tease. This is your fault.

>>3725373
Personally I still like the idea of Morgan being almost pathologically monogamous, due to the awkward circumstances of his childhood. I mean at some point, little shota-Morgan must have wondered why his mom wasn't part of the Bishop harem, despite him being the oldest. Must have thought "Was mom not good enough? Was she just a one night stand?"
Obviously he understands why by now, but that kind of thing can leave an impact all the same.

>>3727574
I can definitely see that. Could also see that being part of the reason why there's a bit of distance between him and Frank.

>>3727574
Funnily enough, I've always felt Maman probably would have downplayed and deflected most of that onto herself- fact of the matter was (and is, to a large extent) she's always really just wanted Morgan to be happy as he makes his way through life. This would have been important in how she'd teach him to approach relationships- her fling with Frank is very much a "It seemed like a fine idea at the moment and I regret nothing of it, but marrying him? Child no"- very much painting it as entirely her choice (She didn't think she'd get along all that well with the other witches long-term anyway)

That said, of course, maman likes to have fun, and that could have easily formed a reason why Morgan would be extremely monogamous- the stability and relative normalcy would probably seem pretty attractive.

>>3729077
Do we still have a half-sister in this run? Or was that retconned?