The morning routine is as it usually is- you take a fast shower, look for a couple of cans of monster in the fridge- and then remember, of course, that you are a newly re-commissioned officer in the navy, and showing up to work in a twenty year old MIT T-shirt probably wouldn’t work out well, even with your reputation and standing. Then again, there’s an equal chance anyone who ranked you would happily overlook it. People tend to, even when you kinda wish they wouldn’t.

You check your planner on the way back upstairs. Your new test witch- Spears, you remember- is due to report in today, having arrived on post last night after hours. It’s just as well- paperwork seems more difficult than you remembered it being, and far more pervasive, even with the computers in your office. There’s more than a little in the way of ‘subtle’ hinting that you ought to relocate to China lake- or even dreamland- but for the moment Miramar is fine. With carnival going on you’ve got a front-row seat to scoop up any talent you want.

It doesn’t take very long to change- the only things you forego today are your usual navy and white thighhighs- opting instead for the light gray ones with the spellcaster insignia on them, and your old leather bomber jacket. In theory it’s Franks, or was, anyway, but it’s been ‘yours’ since the end of the war, which makes it yours if by nothing other than squatter’s rights.

Downstairs, your protection detail and driver are at their spots on the driveway- two witches, neither of whom you know, but both of whom you know come with Brigitte Laroux’s explicit recommendation, flanking an otherwise nondescript gray government sedan, it’s marine driver in a utility uniform with his pistol buckled to a drop-leg speed holster. The witches, for their part, are mounted in modified M1128 MGS units- the dark gray coloration giving them away as NAVSPECWAR.

2/3 (oops)

If nothing else, you think, Birgtte’s concern for Morgan’s happiness at least makes sure you’re very well protected. You can’t be sure it’s all her doing of course- but she’s got almost as much pull as you do in certain circles- and probably more in the secretive and often opaque special warfare community. That and usually even one witch on close protection like this is reserved for four star officers… in combat areas. Not a lowly one star in a stateside post.

“Morning, ma’am.” Your driver greets with a salute- you return it smartly. It’s one of the surprises you’re able to pull off on people- they tend to forget you were active duty and decorated multiple times for valor to boot. That you mostly rode along with Frank and it was all his doing doesn’t seem to matter much to anyone. “Straight to the office today?”

[] No, you’re headed to the flight line first- Sorensen has finished his workup period, and you want to go over his jet one more time before his first officially crewed flight.
[] Yes- Spears is due in and you’re expecting to meet another witch yet today for the program as well, and you’d rather not keep them waiting.

>>3768912
>[X] Yes- Spears is due in and you’re expecting to meet another witch yet today for the program as well, and you’d rather not keep them waiting.

>>3768912
>[X] Yes- Spears is due in and you’re expecting to meet another witch yet today for the program as well, and you’d rather not keep them waiting.

>>3768912
>[X] Yes- Spears is due in and you’re expecting to meet another witch yet today for the program as well, and you’d rather not keep them waiting.

>>3768912
>[] Yes- Spears is due in and you’re expecting to meet another witch yet today for the program as well, and you’d rather not keep them waiting.
[x] Yes- Spears is due in and you’re expecting to meet another witch yet today for the program as well, and you’d rather not keep them waiting.
Much as I admire the little cogs that keep the Navy running, a simple "yes" would have been ok.

>>3768912
>[x] Yes- Spears is due in and you’re expecting to meet another witch yet today for the program as well, and you’d rather not keep them waiting.

>>3768904
If I end up finding the missing images or someone else posts them I'll try to remember to update dropbox with them

Ok, votes called!

Sorry about that, suddenly everyone in the house needed something done RIGHT NOW, haha.

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[x] Yes- Spears is due in and you’re expecting to meet another witch yet today for the program as well, and you’d rather not keep them waiting.

You nod. “Yes, please.” You respond, while climbing into the car- some officers you know like to act like the enlisted staff assigned to them are little more than military servants, but you’ve always found that a simple please- even when you’re effectively ordering someone to do something- goes a long way in building personal loyalty.

The ride to your new office is fairly quick- of course, traffic is picking up a little as most people go in, and the ground crew shift changes. Other than the wyverns here, everything is maintained by a single ‘crew’- only a chief follows a particular aircraft. Your own crew- such as it is- has probably already been in a few hours. They’re on their own schedule, mostly- you try to allow them as much freedom as you can, a practice you adopted at vought. It’s paid off fairly well, everything considered- your crews get things done when they need to be and there’s a minimum of turnover.

Your office is already starting to feel like home- you’ve got a wonderful one in the vought plant that you spend too much time in, probably- and of course, now, you’ll have to move most of your things out of there to here. Or to China Lake or dreamland- you’re not sure. You’d prefer china lake, of course- just for the simple fact that getting on and off post isn’t such a hassle- but you’re reasonably sure where you’ll end up if the alphabet soup agencies have their way.

There’s a few new E-mails in your inbox- two from Muninn, one from Morgan and Kyou, another couple from the vought staff and board, one from lockmart- they’re fairly irritated your program ‘poached’ Lotus, though that’s not really your fault- and a few more from the usual suspects. The Matrons are doing their usual, the Japanese coven has sent yet another apology- not surprising, given that congress is planning to vote on the sale of wyverns to the IJN and IJAAF this week. There’s also one from Danielle- her feedback from her latest test flight. According to range control, you expect she’s fairly pleased. You sure were.

1/2

Other than that, of course, there’s the transfer paperwork for Spears, moving her from her squadron to your test unit, and the invoice for the other three valkyrie systems. While they’re still vought property, the navy ‘owns’ them for the time being- in effect, it’s a free lease, at least so long as they don’t get broken. With all four on post, of course, and undergoing demanding test cycles, the chances of one getting broken are fairly good, sadly- even with the talent pool you have.

You’re interrupted in your thoughts by a knock at the door- looking up, there’s a witch standing there, her tan marine duty uniform shirt contrasting only a little with the OD green thigh-high socks she’s wearing- for some reason, the corps insists that it’s witches wear uniform clothing that’s ‘reasonably similar’ to it’s non-witch personnel. Normally you’d allow her the same freedom allowed Navy witches- at least she could pick her own legwear- but after working with marine witches over the years you know they see it as a point of pride and solidarity.

“Come in.” You say, noting that she looks like she’s been through the wringer- a few scars, a bright, livid red contrast with skin that’s a bit too pale with older, faded ones quite evident on her arms and legs. Still, she moves without any hints of injury- not surprising, given her talent, but it is unusual that she’d elect to keep the scars themselves. The few witches you’ve known who have similar regenerative skills tend to maintain their appearance religiously- there’s no ugly witches, so goes the saying, but those that master self-healing tend towards the upper end of the scale.

She steps in, stopping in front of your desk and snapping to attention. “Ma’am, First Lieutenant Summer Spears, reporting as ordered.”

You nod, indicating one of the chairs on the other side of the desk. She sits without expression.

[] Ask her if she knows what this is about- she’s sure she wants to do this. She looks like she appreciates honesty and directness.
[] Make small talk- put her at ease before getting into the more weighty stuff.

>>3769093
>[X] Ask her if she knows what this is about- she’s sure she wants to do this. She looks like she appreciates honesty and directness.

>>3769093
>[x] Make small talk- put her at ease before getting into the more weighty stuff.

>>3769093
>[X] Ask her if she knows what this is about- she’s sure she wants to do this. She looks like she appreciates honesty and directness.

Somehow I just don't see Merlin being able to hold a conversation (not related to military hardware) without stuttering.

>>3769093
>[] Ask her if she knows what this is about- she’s sure she wants to do this. She looks like she appreciates honesty and directness.

MAD SCIENCE GO

ok, votes called!

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[x] Ask her if she knows what this is about- she’s sure she wants to do this. She looks like she appreciates honesty and directness.

You sit for a second, pulling up her record on one of the three monitors on your desk, shooting a glance over at it to speed-read it again.

“You know what this is all about?” You ask.

She nods. “Yes, ma’am. They briefed me in last night.”

You smile- the inbreif is the standard security clearance read-on, and doesn’t really go into anything, other than asking if the witch in question is comfortable with an MIU jack ‘if necessary’. Of course it’s very much necessary- the Valkyrie, like the wyvern, uses a fully formed sentient AI to assist the operator. Of course, it’s also a whole other world from strikers- there’s a lot of it that’s so wildly different you’re worried the four you have are the only four the navy will ever fund.

“I’m sure they mentioned the MIU links?” You ask. She nods again.

“Yes ma’am. They said if I wasn’t comfortable with them I probably wouldn’t be here long.”

“That’s correct. Valkyrie requires an MIU link.” You say. “It’s also entirely different from any other striker you’ve operated before. Once you’re in, that’s it. You won’t be moving around anymore.”

Spears seems to think about it for a minute. “I’m fine with that, ma’am.”

You nod- you’d figured she would be after what Morgan told you about her. “I expect Valkyrie witches to be in high demand, Lieutenant. You’ll be flying paired up with Wyverns exclusively. The system is designed to network with them as an integral member of a complete weapon system.”

“So is it like being crew for one?” Spears asks. “All that shi- er, stuff about how they all end up involved?”

It’s a legitimate question- and one you’re not sure about. On paper, at least, the network shouldn’t cause that same sort of crew bonding- it’s something you’ve done your absolute best to prevent, honestly. You idolized Frank for the longest- hero worshiped, to be perfectly blunt- but you never quite squared the whole thing in your head. You can understand, of course, but fostering that same kind of thing, even like this, is a bit much for you.

In practice, of course, it remains to be seen. While Valkyrie operators should be completely free from any kind of mutual psychological bonding like you see with Wyvern crews, you’re not entirely sure that’s going to be the case. The simple fact of the matter is, without any kind of testing, you just don’t know.

[] I’m not sure, Lieutenant. We think so, but we have no data.
[] Most likely, yes.

>>3769295
>[x] I’m not sure, Lieutenant. We think so, but we have no data.

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>>3769295
>[X] I’m not sure, Lieutenant. We think so, but we have no data.

>>3769295
>[X] I’m not sure, Lieutenant. We think so, but we have no data.

If we don't know, then we don't know. At least be upfront about it.

>>3769295
>[] I’m not sure, Lieutenant. We think so, but we have no data.

>>3769295
>[] I’m not sure, Lieutenant. We think so, but we have no data.

>>3769295
>[X] I’m not sure, Lieutenant. We think so, but we have no data.

>>3769295
>[x] I’m not sure, Lieutenant. We think so, but we have no data.

Ok, votes called!

>>3769295

>[] I’m not sure, Lieutenant. We think so, but we have no data.

"Is that a deal-breaker?"

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[x] I’m not sure, Lieutenant. We think so, but we have no data.

“I’m not sure, Lieutenant.” You respond. “We think so, but we have no data.”

She nods, as if she expected an answer along those lines.

“Is that a deal-breaker?” You ask, after she’s sat and thought about it for a few minutes. “If it is, we understand entirely and it won’t reflect on you at all.”

She shakes her head. “Nah. Permission to speak freely, ma’am?”

“Granted.” You say, interested to hear what her take on it’s going to be.

“All due respect, and I know you’re close and all, and the thing the Bishop family has going isn’t normal at all, but, way I figure it, it just means you never gotta sleep alone if you don’t want to.” She says, a lopsided grin appearing on her face as she does so. “I’ve seen enough to know life’s too short to give a shit. Ma’am.”

“So the potential for you to be involuntarily reliant on another person is ok with you?” You ask.

She shrugs. “It’s not any different from being in the armor, ma’am. You get to know your ‘toon better than you know family. It’s a little different in wing, but I think you know what I mean. All this would mean is instead of wasting time with stupid pick up lines at dives I let a computer do the bullshit part of the work for me.”

You smile at that- while it’s a different way of phrasing things than you’d have used, she isn’t necessarily wrong, either. The system does kind of remove any uncertainty or, indeed, work, from the equation. It’s something you’ve thought about more than once- initially, the decision to not attempt to remove that particular quirk of the AI’s processing had bothered you. These days it doesn’t as much- it still feels vaguely wrong, of course, but it’s known well enough by now that everyone involved is aware of it when they sign papers.

“And you’re aware that, should valkyrie move into second phase testing, and should you continue with the program to that point, there’s no guarantee you’ll be flying alongside any specific wyvern crew?” You ask. “Ideally we intend to allow wing pairs to form organically, but you may be assigned a wingmate before that occurs, especially if you’re needed.”

Spears nods. “As long as I’m flying on someone’s wing and they’re not asking me to call the signals, I’m fine.” She says.

1/2

That about covers it, as far as you’re concerned. Your impression of the witch so far isn’t much- she seems fairly unconcerned about any personal issues, and strikes you as far more worried about getting back in combat, or at least to a combat posting, as quickly as possible. Still, she’s honest enough to speak her mind without candy-coating it, and she’s respectful enough to at least ask permission- some witches wouldn’t have, regardless of rank.

Another knock at the door interrupts your thought process- though you smile when you see the witch standing there. Spears looks over her shoulder, but she doesn’t look like she recognizes the other woman- which, as far as you’re concerned, is a shame.

“Oh, I apologize for interrupting.” Wendy says, blinking at the presence of the younger witch. “I can return later.”

[] We were just finishing up, Wendy. Lieutenant, welcome aboard. My adjutant outside will get you squared away.
[] Give us another couple minutes, Wendy, sorry.

>>3769438
>[X] We were just finishing up, Wendy. Lieutenant, welcome aboard. My adjutant outside will get you squared away.

>>3769438
>[] We were just finishing up, Wendy. Lieutenant, welcome aboard. My adjutant outside will get you squared away.


AAAAAAAH IT'S WENDY!

>>3769438
>[X] We were just finishing up, Wendy. Lieutenant, welcome aboard. My adjutant outside will get you squared away.

>>3769438
>[X] We were just finishing up, Wendy. Lieutenant, welcome aboard. My adjutant outside will get you squared away.

>>3769438
>[] We were just finishing up, Wendy. Lieutenant, welcome aboard. My adjutant outside will get you squared away.

>>3769438
>[x] We were just finishing up, Wendy. Lieutenant, welcome aboard. My adjutant outside will get you squared away.

WENDY
A
I
F
U

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

How are you guys liking the side quest so far? This'll probably be a one and done kinda deal, I should have everything squared away again by next week.

>>3769474
Merlinquest was something I was excited for since og '89. So I'm pretty happy.

>>3769474

I wouldn't say it was exciting in the same way as Morgan and Kyou's adventures in the desert, but it is pretty interesting to see how things are progressing back Stateside.

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[x] We were just finishing up, Wendy. Lieutenant, welcome aboard. My adjutant outside will get you squared away.

“We were just finishing up, Wendy.” You say, momentarily suppressing the smile you feel as you turn back to Spears. “Lieutenant, welcome aboard. My adjutant outside will get you squared away.”

Spears stands, nodding. “Thank you, ma’am.” She says, stepping out of your office and letting Wendy slide past.

“Shall I close the door?” Wendy asks, hesitating before sitting down.

“Please.” You say, letting her do so before smiling. “Please, sit, Wendy. Do you need anything?”

She shakes her head with a smile of her own. “No, thank you.” She responds. “I was quite well treated in first class, though I’m surprised the navy allowed me such travel accommodations. I only recall once during the war we traveled so well, and that at the behest of the matron London.”

“With Frank?” You ask, and she nods.

“Yes.” She laughs a little. “I suspect, had they known who with and what for, I wouldn’t have been told to go.”

“Their mistake, our gain.” You say. “What have they told you about my program here?”

Wendy shakes her head. “Not much, I’m afraid. To be frank I’m rather surprised you called me. Certainly there are others better suited?”

“I doubt it.” You respond. “You flew the first one over Russia.”

Wendy blinks. “Ah- I had heard rumors, but I wasn’t sure. You’ve worked out the flaws?”

“Most of them.” You say. “But there’s a catch. It requires plugs.”

“Ah.” Wendy says. “Is that all?”

You nod. “Mostly.”

She smiles at the answer. “Mostly?” She says. “I did forward my name for the wyvern program, knowing what that entailed. This cannot be any worse, can it?”

You shake your head. “I doubt it, we’re not even sure what the effects will be though.”

“If I may, I have felt rather out of place as a race pilot.” Wendy admits. “I would have remained in the navy, but following Tabitha would have been rather difficult once she began to take larger commands, and I don’t feel comfortable without any of them.” She pauses. “Or you, if I may.”

“So you’ll come back so long as you’re under my command?” You ask, and she nods.

1/2

“Or anyone you trust.” She admits. “It’s not that I don’t want to, but-” She looks distinctly uncomfortable for a minute. It’s not hard to understand why, of course- Wendy had a very rough early career, and it’s effects are evident, even now.

“You’d be under my command here, but in the next phase we plan to assign Valkyrie to Wyverns on a one to one basis.” you say.

“I see.” She responds. “Aren’t you worried about my age? I’m not as young as I once was, and my reactions are slowing, though perhaps not so badly that I’m not confident in my ability to fly in combat.”

You shake your head. “There’s a full AI in a valkyrie frame.” You explain. “You reaction times should be comparable to any other witch or Wyvern crew’s.”

“I see.” Wendy says, looking contemplative. “Though it still begs the question, if I may, why me?”

[] You flew Frank and I’s wing over Megalith. You’re one of the best there is, Wendy.
[] You’ve got the exact kind of experience and talent I’m after.

and that's going to be it for the night, gents!

It's good to get back in the saddle here- I'll admit, I was pretty broken up over the possibility of letting you guys down (more than I already do, haha!) when the PC died.

As far as it goes, School shouldn't(*) be too much of a problem where the run is concerned. I'm out around 1600 local, which still leaves me time to eat and take care of things wed, and I have Thursday and Friday off. Well, kind of- I have one class Friday at 10 local. That's basically a day off.

Anyway, I'll be around to handle questions or comments, but otherwise, till tomorrow guys, cheers!

>>3769529
>[] You’ve got the exact kind of experience and talent I’m after.

PET THE DOG

>>3769529
>[X] You’ve got the exact kind of experience and talent I’m after.

>>3769529
>[] You’ve got the exact kind of experience and talent I’m after.

>>3769529
>[X] You’ve got the exact kind of experience and talent I’m after.

>>3769529
>[] You flew Frank and I’s wing over Megalith. You’re one of the best there is, Wendy.
>[] You’ve got the exact kind of experience and talent I’m after.
These are both true.

>>3769529
>[] You’ve got the exact kind of experience and talent I’m after.

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>>3769529
>[X] You’ve got the exact kind of experience and talent I’m after.

>>3769534
Thanks for the run boss.

Since some anons were asking about the Konnie-spawn last thread, what's the Soviet stance on the situation in the Pacific? And how is their relationship with China anyways?

>>3769529
>[x] You’ve got the exact kind of experience and talent I’m after.

>>3769534
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>3768904
Forgot to press F for your desktop.
F.

>>3769529
>[] You flew Frank and I’s wing over Megalith. You’re one of the best there is, Wendy.
>[] You’ve got the exact kind of experience and talent I’m after.

>>3769607
Officially, the Soviets side with the Chinese on all territorial claims, though they're among many voices calling for a 'calm, negotiated settlement'. On the world stage, the two (nominally) communist nations also form a front that, if not entirely united, is pretty tightly connected.

Of course, they've also got a bunch of disagreements over who owes whom what. Post war, the Chinese military was battered, if not as badly as the soviets, but they hadn't suffered the loss of the vast majority of their ability to trade with the wider world- while some coastal cities and ports did see fighting, it was nothing compared to Stalin's wall. In practical terms, this meant Chinese industry was able to recover far more completely and quickly- which meant that Chinese industry also helped rebuild a lot of the Soviet union, putting the USSR into deep debt to the CCP.

This debt is where their disagreements lie. The Chinese are pushing the Soviet Union to repay via land- particularly, Primorsky, Khabarosk, and the Jewish Autonomous states. Needless to say, neither the Russians nor the Japanese are super thrilled about this idea, with the soviets preferring to repay via currency and resources- oil and metals, mostly- and the Japanese not really caring so long as it doesn't involve China suddenly getting a couple hundred miles closer.

Ok, votes called!

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[x] You’ve got the exact kind of experience and talent I’m after.

“You’ve got the exact kind of experience and talent I’m after, Wendy.” You say with a smile. “I keep telling you that every time I offer you a spot as a test pilot with us at vought.”

She blinks. “I couldn’t possibly-” She says, before cutting herself off. “I’m not that good, I’m quite sure. I know my aircraft, of course, but I spend so much time with her that I couldn’t possibly not.”

You nod. “Of course. But you also don’t have adaptation sickness, and you’re one of the most experienced witch aviators in the country.”

“As an air racer.” Wendy points out. “It’s hardly the same as combat flight.”

You smile- you’ve been to a few of the unlimited class races Wendy competes in, and it’s really not entirely different. The speeds and height they fly at leave little room for error, either personal or mechanical, and the courses may not look demanding compared to a multi ship furball, but it takes a talented- and skilled- pilot to make the times they do around the courses.

As usual, Wendy is selling herself short in your opinion. You’ve always considered her one of the- if not the- best among all the witches of Spellcaster, bar almost none. Certainly the best striker witch in the unit by far, at least to your reckoning.

[] So are you saying you don’t want to work with me again?
[] We really do need you Wendy. Why don’t we go take a look at the units and you can think about it some?

>>3770677
>[] We really do need you Wendy. Why don’t we go take a look at the units and you can think about it some?

>>3770677
>[X] We really do need you Wendy. Why don’t we go take a look at the units and you can think about it some?

>>3770677
>[] We really do need you Wendy. Why don’t we go take a look at the units and you can think about it some?

>>3770677
>[x] We really do need you Wendy. Why don’t we go take a look at the units and you can think about it some?

>>3770677
>[] We really do need you Wendy. Why don’t we go take a look at the units and you can think about it some?

ok, votes called!

>>3770677
>[] We really do need you Wendy. Why don’t we go take a look at the units and you can think about it some?

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[x] We really do need you Wendy. Why don’t we go take a look at the units and you can think about it some?

She’s not refusing- she rarely does, in most instances. This is borderline normal for her- or has been, anyway. Alyssa and Clarissa tend to take care of Wendy very well, but they let her let them make the decisions far too often- far more so than Frank would have, you’re sure. Still, she’s had no complaints- honestly, no reasonable person would, given her situation. She has money when she wants it, an amazing apartment that you’ve only occasionally felt jealous of, and she lives close to trusted friends.

Put like that, what you’re asking is almost wrong- to give that up to go back to active service is pretty harsh, even for a witch like Wendy. Confidence issues aside, she’s known throughout the navy as the girl who flew your wing over Megalith- she’ll be well treated in the fleet, too. And, of course, here- well, it’ll be nice to have some company in the house, you think.

That she’s an excellent cook in no way at all influences that decision, you tell yourself.

“We really do need you, Wendy.” You say. “Why don’t we go take a look at the units and you can think about it some.”

She hesitates a little. “If you’re quite sure...” She says, and you nod again.

“I’m very sure.” You say with a smile. “C’mon.”

She follows you out of the office- your adjutant barely looks up from his desk as the two of you pass. He’s under standing orders not to salute you- he’s got plenty to do without interrupting himself whenever you walk by.

“I had heard young Morgan had completed his flight training.” Wendy says as you exit ops and step onto the pad. With Carnival ongoing, it’s almost packed here, with USAF, USMC, USN, and even a few army aircraft represented. The army aircraft- a pair of OV-10Y Superbroncos- seem tiny and out of place among the bleeding-edge fighters of the other three branches. There’s also nearly forty striker racks out here- and about as many witches on post right now, between both the graduating class, instructors, and the various ‘aggressors’ that have come in for the event. There’s enough activity here that even you and Wendy are almost able to pass without a second glance by the crews.

Almost.

At the far end of the line, near the wyvern hangar- there’s six drakes here now, counting Sorensen’s- the smaller Striker hangar sits, it’s closed doors a contrast to the rest of the pad. Wendy, for her part, doesn’t seem as awestruck as you’ve seen some people be- of course, she wouldn’t be, most of her professional life to this point has involved airshows, including Paris and even a trip to the Moscow air show in the 90s.

1/2

Inside the hangar are the four Valkyrie units, squatting on the concrete like the miniature fighters they really are, angular and lethal, with their ground umbilicals attached looking more like leashes than anything else.

Wendy pauses, looking at them. “I remember these being more like a conventional striker unit” she says, after a moment. “Not… they look almost evil.”

You nod- you’ve heard it before, especially when the crew compartment is opened. “We made quite a few changes to them over the years.” You say. “But I can assure you they’re not evil.”

Wendy nods. “No, I suppose they wouldn’t be. May I look at one closer?”

[] Of course. The one on the end of the line, number one, that’s yours.
[] Are you feeling better about flying them now?

>>3770787
>[x] Of course. The one on the end of the line, number one, that’s yours.

>>3770787
>[X] Of course. The one on the end of the line, number one, that’s yours.

>>3770787
>[] Of course. The one on the end of the line, number one, that’s yours.

>>3770787
>[] Of course. The one on the end of the line, number one, that’s yours.

>>3770787
>[X] Of course. The one on the end of the line, number one, that’s yours.

>>3770787
>[x] Of course. The one on the end of the line, number one, that’s yours.

>>3770787
>[X] Of course. The one on the end of the line, number one, that’s yours.

Ok, votes called!

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[x] Of course. The one on the end of the line, number one, that’s yours.

You smile- she’s already hooked. “Of course.” you say, walking next to her as she approaches the line. “The one on the end of the line, number one, that’s yours.”

“N-number one?” She says, eyes wide suddenly. “I-I couldn’t- I mean, I’m not leadership- “

She stops when you laugh. “It’s the number one because it’s serial number one.” you say, nodding towards the small aircraft. “That’s the one you flew over Megalith. Well, kind of.”

She’s not paying attention as she walks slowly around the Valkyrie, looking over it at the changes. There’s more than a few- with more than twenty years separating her last flight from the current model, you’re sure her memory isn’t in line at all with the craft. Still, you resist the urge to begin explaining all the changes to her- Wendy’s got enough time around aircraft to see the most obvious differences between the valkyrie she knew and the modern unit.

“These engines aren’t the same.” She says, looking into the jet exhaust, past it’s thrust vectoring nozzles.

You shake your head. “No. We took what we were doing with the wyvern and scaled it down. The power plants started life as J eighty five twenty ones, but we rebuild them almost entirely in the shop, adding foci and support for the power control system.”
“They’re conventional jets?” Wendy asks.

“Mostly. They burn fuel from two pressurized cells, but like the jets in the Wyvern, can operate on energy supplied by you. They’ve also got the same afterburner regime, so there’s a war emergency setting that is both after burning and powered.”

“I see.” Wendy says, blinking. “I imagine they can go quite fast?”

You smile. “My one test pilot has pushed past mach three in a clean configuration in level flight.” You say. “I think with a speed talent we could get hypersonic.”

“And these are designed to work with Wyverns?” She asks, rounding the back corner. “They seem rather advanced.”

You nod. “They’re designed from the ground up for the job.” You say. “In the fleet we’ve been noticing that most wyvern crews have one or two preferred wingmates, even though they don’t really have official ones. They’ll ask for specific witches more often than not.”

“I see.“ Wendy says. “That must be wonderful, like how we flew during the war.”

You nod again. “Most witches seem to enjoy the position.” you say, agreeing. “So the valkyrie is designed to put the witch on par with the wyvern. Similar sensor package, dedicated AI, networking systems that allow the two craft to function as one element in the air.”

Wendy nods, bending over to look at the access hatch. “This seems rather difficult to enter.” She says- the downward-facing hatch is closed at the moment.

[] Our test pilot says it’s not too bad.
[] Do you want to try for yourself?

>>3770992

This sounds quite terrifying, something that can go Hypersonic with all the maneuverability and firepower of a witch.

>>3770992
>[X] Do you want to try for yourself?

>>3770992
>[] Do you want to try for yourself?

>>3770992
>[x] Do you want to try for yourself?

>>3770992
>[X] Do you want to try for yourself?

>>3770992
>[] Do you want to try for yourself?

ok guys! votes called here. Sorry, this'll be the last for the night.

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[x] Do you want to try for yourself?

Smiling, you walk over and flip the cover off the exterior hatch toggle, manually opening it. “Would you like to try for yourself?” You ask- knowing full well she’s going to want to.

She hunches over, looking at the low entry- it is one of the flaws you haven’t been able to work out, sadly- and then up at you. “Are you certain?” She asks. “I’ve not been made part of the program yet, I don’t want to be trouble.”

“I don’t think there’s going to be a problem.” You respond. “Danielle, our test pilot, says it’s easiest to kinda kneel there at the halfway point and get your head and shoulders and upper body in, then swing your legs up.”

“Ah, yes.” Wendy says, moving as you explain how to enter the Valkyrie. “I see now. Still, I cannot imagine this would be easy to do in a hurry.” She pauses. “And it’s rather tight.”

“Not much space in there.” You say. “It’s not as bad in the other modes.”

“The controls are different as well.” Wendy notes, her voice distorted now that she’s entirely in the cockpit of the unit- suspended against gravity mostly with her upper arms and thighs. Of course, with the proper flight suit, she’d be strapped in and able to relax a bit more, but you can’t get her squared away till she agrees to fly- which you’re hoping she’ll do.

She climbs out a minute later. “I can see why it would be attractive.” She says, after a moment. “Would I be eligible to fly with a wyvern team if I were to fly for you?”

“Probably.” you say. “With only four units, I imagine competition for a Valkyrie witch will be fierce initially. You’d likely have your pick of crews.” You pause. “Though if the program gets funded by the navy and they start low rate production, I may want to keep you available as our test pilot.”

Wendy smiles. “I believe that would be acceptable to me.” She says. “I shouldn’t mind a posting with a combat team again, of course, but I’ll do whatever you think is best.”

You nod. “so you’re ok with plugs?”

She hesitates before nodding. “I believe so, yes.” She says, after a moment. “To be honest, I find myself thinking that if you accept them so easily, then I have little reason not to.” She says, then smiles, and snaps to attention. “Leftenant Maloney, reporting, ma’am!” She says.

[] Welcome back, Wendy.
[] Wendy, please. Nothing like that, please.

and that's it for the night from me, gents! haha. Sorry about the slowdown there, it wasn't really anything usual- I was trying to get some images to use, and couldn't find them, and got a bit carried away looking, haha!

Anyway, I've got class in the morning, then some things to do here, so IDK if I'll get to any questions, but I'll try. Otherwise, till tomorrow gents, cheers!

>>3771158
>[x] Welcome back, Wendy.

>>3771158
>[] Welcome back, Wendy.

>>3771158
>[X] Welcome back, Wendy.

>>3771164
Thanks for the run boss.

>>3771158
>[] Welcome back, Wendy.

>>3771158
>[x] Welcome back, Wendy.

>>3771164
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>3771158
>[] Welcome back, Wendy.

>>3771158
>Welcome back, Wendy.

>>3771158
>[X] Wendy, please. Nothing like that, please.

Ok gents, votes called!

So, that was a lie.

>>3772504
nyan nyan

>>3772504
Ded post lewds

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[x] Welcome back, Wendy.

You smile at her- you were relatively sure she’d come around, of course, but there’s always a doubt. Even with Morgan- there was a period there, right after high school, when he seemed dead set on a special warfare commission. Of course, that changed course fairly quickly, as you’d assumed it would. That boy was practically born for what he’s doing.

“I suppose I should go draw equipment and begin the process of re-activating myself with the navy?” Wendy asks. “I’m afraid I haven’t any uniforms anymore, other than my wartime ones.”

You nod. “I’ll have my adjutant help you with that.” You say. “It’s only a couple hours. Have you arranged housing yet?”

She shakes her head. “I had assumed I would be assigned to a dormitory here.” She says. “Though I suppose if no space is available, I can bring a cot into a hangar again. I’ve done that a few times at air shows.”

“That won’t be necessary, you can stay with me.” You say- normally, of course, a subordinate staying with their superior office wouldn’t fly, but for witches it’s hardly unusual, and in Wendy’s case you’re reasonably sure you can make the argument that it’s a better arrangement all around.

She nods- Wendy’s kind of always preferred this kind of setup anyway, you think. She tends to naturally place herself in a servant role- perhaps why Frank and Tabby never offered to let her stay on with them once they’d gotten out. Well, you amend, that and the rest of the women might not have approved. Well, Katya would have.

Probably just as well nothing happened you think to yourself.

The two of you step back out into the sunlight- pausing as a pair of the drakes start taxiing out to the runway- going up with the first morning flights. Wendy watches them as they roll past- you recognize them, of course, the American flags painted on the tails of the lead ship marking it as the Haskins- a married couple, now, and one of the oldest crews still active. The other ship is one of the newer crews, you think- they have a pretty good artist available too, with a hooded archangel decorating their tails. Johnston and Black, then, you think.

“They are rather impressive, still.” Wendy says. “Though, if you’ll excuse me for saying, I still feel as if you and Sir Bishop had better art.”

You nod. “Me too.” You say with a smile.

“Still,” She says, looking at the parked line of aircraft. “I think I’d have rather liked to fly in one.”

[] Don’t worry, Wendy. Once you’re flying again, you’ll forget all about it.
[] I understand what you mean. I’d have liked to fly strikers.

>>3772735
>>3772738
>>3772749

Sorry about that, gents. I'll be helping my folks move my brother tomorrow, and they wanted to eat up an hour 'planning'- IE, reiterating stuff I either have no control over or already know (having moved once or twice myself).

>>3772752
>[] I understand what you mean. I’d have liked to fly strikers.
ey strikas

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>>3772752
>[X] Don’t worry, Wendy. Once you’re flying again, you’ll forget all about it.

>Only a few crews opt for camouflage - most prefer to advertise their presence

>>3772752
>[X] I understand what you mean. I’d have liked to fly strikers.

>>3772752
>[x] I understand what you mean. I’d have liked to fly strikers.

>>3772752
>[] I understand what you mean. I’d have liked to fly strikers.

>>3772752
>[] I understand what you mean. I’d have liked to fly strikers.

>>3772752
>[X] I understand what you mean. I’d have liked to fly strikers.

>>3772752
>[] I understand what you mean. I’d have liked to fly strikers.

Ok, votes called!

Just as a heads up, this will probably be a short run tonight. I have to be up kind of early tomorrow morning!

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[x] I understand what you mean. I’d have liked to fly strikers.

You nod. “I know what you mean.” You say, loud enough to be heard over the aircraft, but only just. “I’d have liked to fly strikers.”

“Oh.” Wendy looks over at you, her eyes wide, as if she’s just made a massive mistake. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think before I spoke.”

You shrug- it’s long since stopped bothering you. “I don’t think a striker could compare anymore anyway.” You say, then smile up at her- she’s still, to your annoyance, a little taller than you are, though that’s more that you stopped growing at about four and a half feet tall, and it seems like everyone you know is at least a foot taller than you. “I think you’ll feel the same after your first flight.”

“I will admit to some nervousness about this. How soon do you intent to have me under the knife?” She asks.

“As soon as I can. Probably tomorrow.” You say, quickly going back over your rough schedule in your head- if Wendy and Spears both go in for plugs in the morning, that means you should have them both flying by the day after- which means you’ll have almost a week and a half with them before Morgan and Kyou get come back through the airbase. You’re already assuming you’ll be spending most of your time with them while they’re here- you’ve already gotten the preliminary information regarding their ISIS opponents, though all the captured fighters are on their way out of the country. You don’t know any details beyond that, of course, but you’re fairly high up the list for any further information.

1/2

But with Wendy and Spears cycling up starting day after tomorrow, and Danielle still actively flying her set as your sole test pilot, you’re still a witch short- which is something else you’ll have to solve. Part of you wants to send Morgan another Email- but that’s really not as good a solution as you wish it was. Regardless of your personal thoughts on the man, he’s still too new to trust with this kind of thing- Spears was a lucky break, as far as you’re concerned.

You shove other thoughts involving Morgan and luck out of the way, thankful he’s not actually around- you don’t need to start blushing this early in the morning for no reason and it’s much harder to not do so when he is- and turn your attention back to Wendy. “If that works for you”

“oh, absolutely.” Wendy says, nodding. “I had assumed you had planned to have them perform the procedure today.”

You shake your head at that. “They’ve got Spears lined up to come in this evening, you’ll go in at the same time, but they won’t actually do the implant until tomorrow.” You say.

“I shall look forward to it, then.” Wendy says. “Once I’m done in processing, shall I come find you? I can still make tea.”

You nod. “That would be nice, yes.” You say with a smile- noting that she, too, seems to light up at that. “I’m glad you’re back.”

“I am too.” She says, after a second- almost looking like she’s going to tear up. “I am too.”

And that's it for the week! Like I said, kind of a short run tonight- I have to be up pretty early tomorrow, and don't know when I'll actually be home, either. Hopefully by early evening, but I'm not counting on it.

How did everyone like the sidequest? I've played with the idea of running a Merlin oneshot or using her as a recurring sidequest character like Ice was in 89 before, but I never really went for it- always seemed there'd be something more interesting elsewhere, or a better perspective to tell the story from. Hopefully you guys liked it!

I think that's about it for me, though. I'd normally have closing notes here, but I really don't this week. We'll run next week in this thread, like normal- so until then I'll be around to answer questions or comments if there are any. Otherwise, gents, till next week, cheers!

>>3773027
Merlinquest is nice. Also, more Wendy.

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>>3773020
>You shove other thoughts involving Morgan and luck out of the way, thankful he’s not actually around- you don’t need to start blushing this early in the morning for no reason and it’s much harder to not do so when he is-
Dammit, Ghost.

>>3773028

Yep, it certainly is.

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>>3773027
Thanks for the run boss.
Yeah, the side-quests are always fun.

>still a witch short
Should be easy with Carnival going on, or just going through the witches available for new Wyverns. Wonder if Merlin's gonna live up to the Tesla comparison from last thread though, what with his favorite test pilot...
GET IN THE FUCKING ROBOT YOUNG-SPAWN

Also I fear shenanigans upon our return. Morgan's sisters probably will phrase his deployment as skipping town to get out of introducing Kyou...

>>3773027
Thanks for the run Ghost! Merlinquest was enjoyable, wouldn't mind seeing it again every once in awhile.

>>3773042
Haha! I was advised that having her spill sphagetti everywhere might be a bit much, but i figured a little wouldnt be too awful!

>>3773027
>How did everyone like the sidequest?
Uhh I know it helps writers to do something else once in a while, so it's a good thing anyway. Also nice to see Danielle back.

At this point it almost feels weird that she never mentions or thinks of her husband but is often thinking on someone else

At this point it’s a little weird she never mentions or thinks of her husband and only someone else

>>3784672
>>3784674
Maybe he doesn't actually exist and she got pregnant through different means entirely, who knows.

Crappy double from phone posting he was confirmed to exist unless the epilogue is non-cannon now?

>>3784674
Morgan mentioned that if he didn't know any better that Merlin and her husband seemed at best like roommates. Though Ghost later added that that it is due to them being quite similar in regards to intimacy.

>>3784678
>http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/3540632/#p3564146

>They were more lewds done because that's something married people do, right?

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Ok guys! Some news!

So, as you know, I'm back in school. again. for like the third or fifth time, I honestly can't remember. This is only really noteworthy because Wednesday is kind of long- I have classes from 08-1600 local, plus trying to squeeze in lab time in the welding shop or the machining shop. I'm.. a lot more rusty on a lot of that than I'd like to admit, and knocking the rust off is gonna take time. What that means for us is, for now, anyway, we'll be switching to running Thursday-Saturday, with Sunday as our backup day. I didn't think we'd have to, but with me needing every bit of time i can get on a machine or with a torch, I don't really see any way around it, and I'm sorry. Next semester should be better- I'll probably only be taking one class then, so even with all the practice time I want, we should be good.

Now, that's contingent on me getting work, still- if I get picked up somewhere, expect the schedule to change to reflect that. Right now I'm just looking for some part time bullshit work, haha, but you never know what's gonna happen, I've found. We'll see.

Lastly, I'm still working on getting the archive back to a usable state and getting notes recovered/re-written. If stuff doesn't jive with your memory for the next couple runs, don't stress it too much- I probably will screw up a detail here and there. I'm sorry in advance.

Anyway, that's quite enough out of me! Hahaha!

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

Two hundred miles south of Reykjavik, the USS George H. W. Bush rolls in what would be, anywhere else, a fairly notable storm. Here on the north Atlantic, it’s notable only in that it’s out of season- but even then, not too surprising to anyone.

To be fair, you knew about it before leaving the Truman, and even had it gotten as bad as you’ve heard they can get up this way, it would have been well within the wyvern’s safe operating atmospheres- in theory, the aircraft can- and has- conducted operations in sea state 8 before, though normal peacetime rules of flight limit you to sea state 5. The storm here is generating at least that- probably on the high side of six, honestly- but your landing is still almost perfect- between Muninn and yourself, it’s an acceptable 2-wire.

1/2

You’re towed to the forward elevator by a pair of aircraft tugs almost as soon as you’ve idled your throttles and manually set your wings to full sweep. While the threat of going overboard is limited, they appear to be taking no chances- which is fair enough, rogue waves being what they are. The deck itself is fairly empty- while there are some tied down Hornets up here, and a pair of lightnings, it seems the majority of the carrier’s air wing is tucked below, in the hangar deck.

You’re directed to dismount after the elevator trip down- normally, of course, regulations prohibit crews from remaining in aircraft during movements like this, but in this case, Kyou has to remain onboard to keep Muninn powered before the umbilical is hooked up- and, of course, you’re not about to dismount the aircraft till she’s able to as well.

Still, you climb down the ladder in the hangar only a few minutes after you land, Kyou following you down, accepting a hand off the last rung of the ladder as you’re approached by a taller man you make to be the CAG- judging by his rank pins- and a witch that looks every bit as tall.

“Welcome aboard, Lieutenant.” The CAG says. “Don’t salute, I try to keep things easy around here. Follow me. Don’t worry about your gear, you can come collect it once we’re done.”

Kyou looks over at you briefly, and you shrug- your personal effects are in a locked cargo pod in your centerline aft bay, and you’re carrying everything else.

“Rumor around the fleet is you saw some combat in the middle east already, is that right?” He asks, leading you back towards, you assume, his office.

“Yes, sir.” You respond.

“Against Witches?”

“Yes, sir.” You say again, wondering where he’s going with the line of questioning- this is already more or less a matter of public record- and if it wasn’t, the three snapped broomsticks decorating the fuselage just below the canopy of Muninn would be.

“any concern that’s going to cause problems with the rest of the fleet?” He asks.

There it is, you think. While the stigma about ‘witchkillers’- any pilot that downs a witch, especially one that, like you, has a confirmed kill against them- is much more limited among the fleet post-war, it’s still a thing with some crews. Of course, it’s not new to your family- at least, not to your mother’s side. Frank stuck his neck out more than once to try and save a witch, your mother, not as much. Not for nothing is she as feared and respected as she is.

[] No, sir. Drake crews can’t afford to.
[] A little, sir. The crews on the Truman didn’t seem to care though.

Starting a bit early today to make up for not being able to run last night- not sure when posting came back up, but it was still throwing connection errors as of about 2200 EST, which is about when I stopped trying to post.

I have tomorrow off, so we may start early again, but we'll see how it all goes!

>>3785399
>[X] No, sir. Drake crews can’t afford to.

>>3785399
>[x] No, sir. Drake crews can’t afford to.

>>3785399
>No, sir. Drake crews can’t afford to.

ok, votes called!

Soorry guys, family dinner.

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Ok, sorry about that guys! Dinner took FAR longer than I anticipated- family wanted to go out to eat, then maus wanted to go hit up the book store. haha! Looks like we'll be running sunday.
==================================

[] No, sir. Drake crews can’t afford to.

“No, sir.” You say. “Drake crews can’t afford to.”

He nods. “Straight outta the pipeline. Do you believe that?”

It takes a second before you nod. “Yes, sir, I do. They didn’t try to pull punches with our wingmate.”

He nods again, but doesn’t comment as he walks.

The CAG’s office is in the same place here as it was on the Truman, of course- the decorations are different, and there’s a dark lacquered wood model of a tomcat on his desk- hinting at his history, at least a little.

He enters first, leaving the hatch open behind himself. “Welcome aboard, again, Lieutenant.” he says, taking a seat behind his desk. “I’m not going to make this boring or long, don’t worry.” He says. “We won’t be keeping you here that long, just a few days. There’s no combat ops up here, so we’ll just be rotating you on interceptions and escorts.”

“Interceptions?” Kyou asks.

The CAG nods. “The Russians like flying their bears up this way to remind us they exist from time to time. Sometimes they’ll have a witch or two with them, but it’s nothing. Go up, intercept them, escort them away from fleet airspace and Iceland’s ADIZ, come home.”

“It’s not all that bad, really.” The witch says- the first she’s spoken. “Usually if they are carrying riders, they won’t even deploy.”

“So this is a safe area.” Kyou states.

The CAG grins. “I wouldn’t say that. It’s not storm season now, but if we get a bad enough squall, you’ll be headed for Keflavik. In the mean time, you’ll pick up the long patrol legs, with tow bars it means some of the witches aboard can get time on the north end of Iceland without having to spend a night at Husavik.”

He pauses. “Any questions for me?” He asks.

[] No, sir.
[] Write in!

>>3786015
>[x] No, sir.

>>3786015
>[X] No, sir.

>>3786015
>No, sir.

>>3786015
>[X] No, sir.

>>3786015
>[] No, sir.

ok, votes called!

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[x] No, sir.

“No, sir.” You say.

“Good. Like I said, we probably won’t keep you here very long, just a few days. I’ll let the commander here show you to where you’ll be racking.” He says, dismissing you and the witch.

You step out of the office behind both her and Kyou, following them back towards the hangar deck.

“I hear you flew with Summer Spears?” the witch says, conversationally.

“She was a competent wingmate.” Kyou confirms.

“So I hear.” She says. “And sorry, I haven’t introduced myself. Commander Olimpia Kirkwood.” She says.

“Sho-sa Kyou.” Kyou responds. “And this is my pilot, Lieutenant Junior grade Morgan Laroux-Bishop.” Kyou’s getting pretty decent- she gets the pronunciation of your mother’s side right.

The commander nods. “Kinda sucks you had to miss carnival for your tour.” She says, smiling. “I was on the list a couple years back, did the whole date flight thing, but didn’t make the cut. Got talked off it when a command position came up with VF-10.”

Kyou nods. “Had I not been selected, I believe I would have withdrawn my name as well.” She says.

“Either way.” The other witch says. “Don’t let the old man fool you, by the way. He flew Tomcats in the war, southern Europe and the med. Multiple ace, all that. He’ll downplay the weather here, but they’ll cease ops in state five, like regs say, and start evacuating birds to Keflavik if we’re looking at a bad squall. He’s fairly laid back for a CAG, but he’s a demanding bastard when it comes down to it.”

“The weather here seems rather difficult.” Kyou admits. “I had my concerns about our landing.”

Olimpia nods. “Yeah. It’s not so bad right now, but this storm is probably gonna get worse.” She pauses and frowns, looking up. “Well, most likely. I’m a weather witch, but I’m used to storms in Nebraska, not this mess.”

“Nebraska?” Kyou asks.

1/2

The other witch nods again. “Yep. Grew up on a farm out there, joined the navy to see the world.” She smiles a bit sardonically. “If I’d have known then what I know now, I might have skipped it, but eh.” She shrugs. “Too late to go back now. Besides, I’d rather not go back to fixing tractors and playing healwitch for prized cattle.”

“That does sound like a chore.” Kyou says, sympathetically. “I imagine a witch is valuable on a farm?”

“You could say that.” Olimpia responds as you enter the hangar bay- you note that most of the aircraft within look like they’re being prepared for flight, lending her earlier words about the storm truth. “It’s not just your farm, it’s everyone else’s, too. After I turned fourteen I didn’t spend but a couple days a week at home during summer, everyone always needs something, and it’s not like the folks are going to give you an option.” She smiles and shrugs. “It’s not too bad, though. They feed you and usually have a comfortable bed for ya, and usually you get a bit of spending money too.”

“That sounds similar to Morgan’s mother’s work.” Kyou says, looking over at you. “Isn’t she a form of village elder as well?”

While you inwardly cringe to hear her referred to as such- you’re pretty sure Maman wouldn’t appreciate being called an ‘elder’- reverently or otherwise- it’s not entirely wrong, either. Witches back home tend towards similar things as this witch from Nebraska describes- even your half-sister on that side has spent a summer traveling around as necessary, helping out. Maman, though… not so much. She’s too old and respected to really be called out to fix a troublesome motor or cure a stubborn case of the flu or stitch back together a bone. Not that she wouldn’t, but it’s good practice for younger girls to do that kind of thing, and leave the Mamans to weightier matters.

[] Kind of, though Maman doesn’t do that much anymore.
[] Not really, she’s more everyone’s respected aunt.

I'm gonna call it here for the night gents- I know the pace was pretty bad, I really wasn't expecting to go out this evening, otherwise I'd have started earlier. We'll run Sunday to make up for it- no school monday, so I don't have to be awake in the morning! Hahaha.

Sorry again. Till tomorrow, I'll be around at least a little bit to field questions or comments, if there are any, otherwise gents, cheers!

>>3786233
>[x] Kind of, though Maman doesn’t do that much anymore.

>>3786237
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>3786233


[] Kind of, though Maman doesn’t do that much anymore

Seems accurate enough. Goodnight Ghost!

>>3786233
>[] Not really, she’s more everyone’s respected aunt.

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>>3786233
>[X] Kind of, though Maman doesn’t do that much anymore.

>>3786237
Thanks for the run boss.

>>3786233
>[x] Kind of, though Maman doesn’t do that much anymore.

>>3786233
>[] Not really, she’s more everyone’s respected aunt.

>>3786233
>[X] Not really, she’s more everyone’s respected aunt.

>>3786233
>[x] Not really, she’s more everyone’s respected aunt.

Can you imagine asking a world renowned killer to poke your persistent cough with magic?

>>3786233
>[] Not really, she’s more everyone’s respected aunt.

>>3786233
>[X] Not really, she’s more everyone’s respected aunt

Just had a thought. I'm sure it's been answered somewhere in the 89 threads but I honestly can't be fucked trawling through all that just to find a paragraph or two of info.

What do witches who don't enter the armed forces of their respective nations end up doing? Surely they've been around for long enough throughout Strikerverse history that there are civilian careers available and perhaps even built around witch talents, and despite the fact that most witch abilities have military application in some form or other, that doesn't mean EVERY witch is suited to service.

I'd say, it depends on the Talents?
A few engage in politics, coven or real world. For Heal Witches that manage to evade conscripton the real world occupation is rather obvious, depending on the scope and strength of their Talent.
For everyone else, it depends on what you can imagine someone with super strength, extra Speed, foresight, natural radear, magic eyes etc. could do in the normal economy...

>>3787197
Ghost said it varies with talent and strength, but it tends to be pretty variable, though a lot of doors are harder without any service, and it makes the coven unhappy.

Hey guys fast update Maus and I are out, but we'll resume as soon as I get home, hahaha!

Ok gents, Home! haha. votes called.

Short run today, I think, I do have to be up in the morning, though god only knows if i have to work, haha!

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[x] Not really, she’s more everyone’s respected aunt.

You shake your head. “Not really.” You say. “She’s more… everyone’s respected aunt.”

“But she would have, before she became a matron, yes?” Kyou says.

“Probably.” You admit with a shrug. “But maman was in before the reforms, she joined up really early. Fifteen or sixteen, I think she said.”

Olimpia frowns, and shakes her head. “that was a damn crime.” She says. “Letting girls that young in.”

You shrug- Maman has never complained about it, and was in for better than twenty years. She still draws a pretty hefty paycheck from the government too- consulting work and a retirement pays really well, more than enough to keep up the family house and about a hundred acres around it. Still, it’s hard to not agree- Your aunt is a pretty good example of how it could mess a person up, at least, according to Maman.

“Well, either way. It’s good to hear the US navy no longer allows in witches at that age.” Kyou says, looking over at you- you nod, vaguely thinking of Kelsey’s name on the selection papers- clearly the ‘rule’ isn’t immune to exceptions.

You collect both your and Kyou’s seabags out of the cargo pod- slinging yours over your shoulder and carrying hers for her- it’s fairly light, consisting, you know, of a few changes of clothes, two uniforms, and a week’s worth of undergarments, along with her hygiene kit and some personal effects- books, mostly.

1/2

Olimpia isn’t too talkative as you walk back to your cabins, located in about the same place they were aboard the Truman. They’re the same size and layout- two bunks, two desks, a shelf above the bunks for your things, a tiny, attached head with a shower, and a pair of small closets. Olimpia pauses in the corridor outside as you let Kyou step in first. “I’ll be your point of contact for flight ops.” She says. “But if they start a fly-off, they’ll announce it on the PA. If they do, I’ll have someone come get you.”

“How soon will you know?” Kyou asks, looking past you.

“Not sure, depends on what the weatherguys are saying. I’m going to head down there, but my advice? don’t stay up too late.”

Kyou nods, and Olimpia turns to leave, heading back down the otherwise empty corridor with a fairly long stride- she seems to be mostly leg, you noticed. Of course, you tried to not notice too terribly hard.

Kyou sighs, sitting down on the edge of her rack long enough to slip her feet out of her slippers, then pivoting on top of the bedding and laying down with another sigh, closing her eyes for a minute. “I am not sure we should even bother changing to sleep.” She says, only half joking. “It sounds as if we may be leaving again soon.”

“Temporarily.” You point out, sliding her bag onto the shelf above her rack before turning to do the same with yours.

“All the same. Shall I clean up before we go eat, or would it be better to just stay ready for flight? I leave the decision to you.” She says.

[] You’re asking me what to wear?
[] Just stay ready to go. If they want to fly everyone off, we can go quicker that way.
[] Yeah, get in an off duty outfit. Don’t you have that PT gear?

>>3788104
>[x] You’re asking me what to wear?

>>3788104
>[] You’re asking me what to wear?

>>3788104
>[] You’re asking me what to wear?

>>3788104
>[X] You’re asking me what to wear?

>>3788104
>[x] Just stay ready to go. If they want to fly everyone off, we can go quicker that way.

ok, votes called!

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[x] You’re asking me what to wear?

“You’re asking me what to wear?” You ask, shoving your own bag on the shelf above the rack and turning around again- Kyou’s levered herself up and turned, but she hasn’t actually stood up off her rack, either. She doesn’t look too tired, you think- certainly no more than you are, and you’re more hungry than tired.

She nods. “Consider it me being interested in your priorities.” She says.

“Like You don’t know them already?” You say- at this point, both of you are more than aware what ‘accelerated personal acclimatization’ really means- it feels like you’ve been dating for years.

She smiles. “I prefer to have these sorts of things confirmed. Will my pilot prioritize my comfort now, or will he focus on our duty?” She asks.

[] Let’s just go eat.
[] Go ahead and change, I guess. We’ll go eat when you’re done.

>>3788282
>[x] Let’s just go eat.

>>3788282
>[X] Go ahead and change, I guess. We’ll go eat when you’re done.

>>3788282
>[] Let’s just go eat.

>>3788282
>[] Go ahead and change, I guess. We’ll go eat when you’re done.

>>3788282
>[X] Go ahead and change, I guess. We’ll go eat when you’re done.

>>3788282
>[x] Let’s just go eat.

I was gonna put in one more, but it looks like it's a tie, haha! So I'm going to leave off here, but we'll pick up tomorrow (and, by the looks of it, maybe monday).

Till then, gents, cheers!

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>>3788368
Thanks for the run boss.

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>>3788368
See you next time.

>>3788368
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>3788282
>[] Go ahead and change, I guess. We’ll go eat when you’re done.

>>3788282
>[] Go ahead and change, I guess. We’ll go eat when you’re done.

>>3788282
[] Go ahead and change, I guess. We’ll go eat when you’re done.

Let's not turn down a chance to look at her in casual wear again.

She's probably been wearing that flight suit for awhile, guess that's why she was making hints.

>>3788282
>[X] Go ahead and change, I guess. We’ll go eat when you’re done.

>>3788282
>[] Go ahead and change, I guess. We’ll go eat when you’re done.

Hey guys. Just finished eating, I need to grab a shower and then we can do a run till I fall over tonight, hahaha! Votes closed here!

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[x] Go ahead and change, I guess. We’ll go eat when you’re done.

“Go ahead and change, I guess.” You say, being rewarded with a small- and very fleeting- look of surprise from Kyou. “We’ll go eat when you’re done.”

“Ah.” She says, standing long enough to grab her seabag down off the shelf and open it, rapidly pulling out her IJN-issued PT gear and her hygiene bag. She frowns for a second, holding the PT gear- little more than a one-peice swim suit with short sleeves- it does an awful lot to show off the entirety of her well-toned legs. “I think,” she says, “You are going to have to acquire for me an American physical fitness uniform.”

“Jealous of the shorts?” You ask.

She nods. “Among other things. Your shirts are more comfortable, as well. I would have already taken several for myself, but I felt it better to ask.”

You shrug. “I can always get more.”

“It would be rather cliché of me to begin to take your clothes, would it not?” She says, standing up. “Regardless, I may, since you’ve made the offer.” She flashes a brief smile. “After all, I am a princess. I am occasionally allowed to indulge in cliché behavior.”

You nod once, agreeing, before she turns and steps into the small head attached to your cabin. You check your email in the mean time- Kyou showers fairly fast, and you don’t have much time to do anything else. Even then, your inbox is fairly empty- the usual junk, of course, an email with attachments from Maman, and another- personal, not professional- from Aunt Merlin.

[] Read what Maman had to send first- if it’s an Email, it’s nothing critical, you’re sure.
[] See what Aunt Merlin sent- this is your personal address, not your military one, so it’s not business.

>>3790494
>[x] Read what Maman had to send first- if it’s an Email, it’s nothing critical, you’re sure.

>>3790494
>[x] Read what Maman had to send first- if it’s an Email, it’s nothing critical, you’re sure.

>>3790494
>[X] Read what Maman had to send first- if it’s an Email, it’s nothing critical, you’re sure.

>>3790494
>[] Read what Maman had to send first- if it’s an Email, it’s nothing critical, you’re sure.
False, it is critical specifically BECAUSE it's from Maman

>>3790494
[] Read what Maman had to send first- if it’s an Email, it’s nothing critical, you’re sure.

>>3790494
>[X] Read what Maman had to send first- if it’s an Email, it’s nothing critical, you’re sure

Ok, votes called!

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[x] Read what Maman had to send first- if it’s an Email, it’s nothing critical, you’re sure.

You open up Maman’s email first- it’s really nothing major, just catching up with the goings-on at home. The attached images are a few different things- your sister Elizabeth in her dress uniform at Annapolis, a serious look on her face as she stands next to Maman. That goes along with the news that she’s officially passed the ‘worst’ part of school- her first year after transferring. Since most witches enter academies at about fourteen, the majority accepted to the major military institutions- USNA, West Point, the air force academy and the citadel- will do their first two years at their academy of choice before transferring. Of course, some witches- like Kelsey- enter academies early, for various reasons.

There’s a paragraph in there about another of the bayou’s maman’s new grandchildren- along with pictures. You know the smiling parents vaguely, having met them at the coven gatherings. Maman would know them through the other witch, of course- but the reason she’d even say anything is a not even thinly veiled hint. That, of course, you expected, and were more than prepared to ignore- maman can wait a while yet, so far as you’re concerned. She won’t push the subject beyond ‘hints’- though the hints she does drop will be about as unsubtle as this. Compared to Kyou’s mother, though, you figure you have it easy.

Kyou steps out of the head as you close the email. “Maman,” You say, in response to her questioning look as she pulls her hair back and ties it off

“I see.” She says. “Did she have any news for us?”

You shake your head. “Not really. One of the other mamans in the parish became a grandma just recently.”

Kyou smiles. “I imagine she expressed jealousy?”

“Not directly.” You say. “But the hint was pretty blatant.

“As are my mothers’s.” Kyou responds. “Fortunately, I don’t think she plans to progress beyond her idea of hints for some time yet. Besides, it would cause my father to have a fit.”

1/2

You nod, closing your laptop and standing up, opening the door back out into the corridor and pausing to close it when Kyou follows you out. The two of you walk to the mess hall in silence- neither of you really needs to say anything, and neither of you is interested in wasting words. You enjoy her company, no doubt- mostly because, unlike most of the girls you’ve met, save, maybe, Cassie and your aunt, she doesn’t seem to feel the need to fill silence with talking.

The first class mess isn’t busy- it’s almost deserted, this time of night- but there’s still food out, of course- mostly due to the nature of flight operations, you suspect. Most ships in the fleet operate 24-hour mess halls, of course- owing to the way watches are spaced, it’s impossible- and unwise- to have large portions of the ship’s crew eating at any given block of time.

You and Kyou help yourselves to trays of food, for the most part a couple of sandwiches and something that you suspect is supposed to be coleslaw. She, somewhat predictably, has loaded her tray- and will probably go back for another round.

“Has your aunt said anything of Spears?” She asks, after practically inhaling one sandwich whole. “I find myself eager to hear about her.”

[] Nothing yet- she sent me an Email, but it’s personal, not work.
[] No, and she probably won’t unless we ask. You liked her that much?

>>3790768
>[X] Nothing yet- she sent me an Email, but it’s personal, not work.

>>3790768
>[] Nothing yet- she sent me an Email, but it’s personal, not work.

>>3790768
>[] Nothing yet- she sent me an Email, but it’s personal, not work.

>>3790768
>[x] Nothing yet- she sent me an Email, but it’s personal, not work.

>>3790768
>[] Nothing yet- she sent me an Email, but it’s personal, not work.

Ok, votes called!

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[x] Nothing yet- she sent me an Email, but it’s personal, not work.

“Nothing yet.” You say, taking a bite of yours- bologna and cheese and not much else. It’s not good- and fairly dry- but at this point you’re hungry enough to not really care. “She sent me an email, but it’s personal, not work.”

“I see.” Kyou responds. “Although it’s possible she will have mentioned Spears there?”

You shrug. “I guess. We’ll see her when we’re back at Miramar anyway.”

Kyou nods. “I did like her.” She says. “She reminds me of some of my guards witches. Simple, quiet, direct.” She smiles. “A samurai, in a way.”

“Just don’t tell a marine that.” You say with a smile. “You’ll never hear the end of it.”

“Ah, yes.” She says. “The famed love affair between the USMC and Japan.”

You nod. “Anyway, I’m sure we’ll probably meet all of Merlin’s test pilots at Miramar.”

“I wonder if she intends for us to do the remainder of our tour with one.” Kyou muses. “It does seem likley.”

You shake your head. “I doubt it. they’ll only have had a few weeks of testing time by the time we get back, no way they’ll be ready for field tests. Especially not in the pacific.”

“Even with your aunt driving the program?” Kyou points out.

You shrug- it’s a good enough point, and Merlin has pushed prototype equipment into field tests after less than a month before.

Kyou smiles, happy she’s ‘won’ that point. “Though I must wonder what the process will be like.” She says. “With only four test units, I can only imagine that there will be significant competition for a wingmate.”

1/2

You shrug. “Maybe, but it wouldn’t shock me if there wasn’t. If the other crews already have favorites, Merlin’s test pilots aren’t going to have the same chemistry with them. We have Spears, but that’s it.”

She nods. “True. Perhaps she only intends for one or two to leave on field trials?”

“Makes the most sense.” You admit.

“I look forward to it.” Kyou says with a smile. “I also look forward to returning to that excellent steak house we dined at during our trial period.”

She’s already demolished her tray, you notice- how she managed to while holding a conversation will have to be a question for the ages, you guess. Surprisingly, she doesn’t get up for another tray, instead patiently waiting for you to finish your tray before getting up and following you out, heading back to your small shared room.

Once inside, Kyou yawns, grabbing a change of clothes again before stepping into the head to change- just into a T-shirt and a pair of loose shorts, her usual sleeping clothes. You step in behind her, taking a short shower of your own, stepping back out to dimmed lighting- just the floor lights that give you just enough to crawl into your own rack.

It’s warm and surprisingly comfortable once you’ve rolled over and closed your eyes. Not even Kyou’s very, very faint snoring bothers you once your head hits the pillow.

And that's gonna be it for the week from me! Kinda slow and all over the place- the late starts in particular were pretty bad, I know. That I'll explain as just it being an unusual weekend, with Maus down here since Friday, and me actually having to work this weekend. Can't say it won't happen again, but I don't think it will.

Remember, we'll be switching to a Thursday-Saturday run this week, just to compensate for school. That'll be till at least December, though next semester I should only have one class.

Anyway, gents, that's it for the week! I'll be around till the thread falls off to field questions or comments if there are any, otherwise, till Thursday gents, Cheers!

>>3791026
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>3791026
Thanks for running.

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>>3791026
Thanks for the run boss.

>>3791026
Thanks for running as always!

>>3791026
Thanks for the run!

A little late but the Archive is up.

>>3787197
It depends heavily on the witch in question, her strength and talents. As >>3787428 said, Heal witches are very much in demand in trauma centers around the world- of course, for those that prefer large piles of money (as some do!) Witch-aided cosmetic surgery can command tremendous sums of money from those that can afford it. There are some witches that work with automotive interests- famously, Roush Racing's lead engine builder was a witch for a few years before she moved on. Many witches who either do a minimum term of service end up in technical or skilled fields- like Lotus, who wound up as one of Lockmart's premier test pilots.

>>3786015
>maus
who ? some other qm ?

>>3795603
Lurker here. Maus is the fellow behind the old, unfinished Tank Witches 1989 quest.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=TW89

Ask Maus if Top won the Jakebowl.

>>3795699

He's also my brother, haha!