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Lighting a cigarillo, you step into the officers’ dining area of the ship. You and your colleagues have been invited to dine with the captain, likely for the sake of getting acquainted, so you made it a point to get here as soon as you could. You, Nakajima, and Sato arrive at the same time, entering the dining room after greeting each other.

“Ah, Gentlemen.” The captain of the SS Great Eastern greets you. Walking over, he shakes you hand. “I take it you are General Stockton?” He speaks with an Irish accent, and has tired-looking eyes.

You nod. “I am.”

The captain, an older gentleman whose demeanor implies a life spent at sea, speaks as he shakes your hand. “I’ve heard much about you. Captain William Thompson, at your service.”

“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Captain.” You step back as Thompson shakes Sato’s, and then Nakajima’s hand.

“Please, take a seat.” The captain gestures to a dining table in the middle of the room. “I’ve given most of my officers shore leave while we’re docked here, so this room has seen little use.”

“Very well, thank you.” You take a seat across from the captain. Your officers sit beside you on either side. Thompson lights up a clay pipe and begins puffing on it as he waits to speak. A crewman brings out four plates of food, sitting them in front of each of you. Additionally, a bottle of wine is brought out and a glass is poured for everyone. The meal in question is steak and eggs, with some fried potatoes and a slice of orange. “Normally the food available at sea isn’t quite so high-quality.” Thompson chuckles. “But on an ocean liner, one can expect to find some luxuries that a regular ship might go without.”

You put your cigarillo out in an ashtray. “The Great Eastern is quite an impressive ship. I don’t think I’ve seen one bigger.”

Captain Thompson nods, eating a portion of potatoes. “Indeed, she’s the largest ship yet constructed.” Pausing, he leans forward, his expression wearily serious. “And General, I would strongly suggest not entering the engineering spaces without prior permission.”

“Beg your pardon?” You raise an eyebrow.

“I was made aware of your trespassing by some of the boilermen.” The Captain speaks casually. “I can understand your curiosity, but for your own safety, please ask me before going anywhere off-limits.”

>”What makes you think it was me?”
>”Understood. My apologies.”
>”I don’t see why any of this ship would be off-limits to the Shogun’s generals.”
>Write-in.

>>3776925
>”Understood. My apologies.”

Hey Zap, Glad to see ya.

>>3776925
>”Understood. My apologies.”

Looking forward to the session Boss!

>>3776925
>>”Understood. My apologies.”

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“Understood, Captain.” You clear your throat, sipping some wine after. “My apologies.”

Thompson nods curtly, taking a sip of his wine. “Thank you, General.” He then turns his attention to your Majors. “Do you gentlemen… Speak English?”

Sato nods. “Indeed we do, Captain Thompson.” He grins slightly. “My name is Major Sato Kaneda. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“Likewise, Major.” Captain Thompson smiles slightly. He then looks over at Nakajima. “And you?”

“Major Nakajima Sakura, sir.” She pauses to take a bite of steak. “Thank you for having us.”

Captain Thompson nods slowly, his eyes widening. “A lady officer… Quite different from what I’m used to.” He looks at you, his expression one of slight surprise. “I was not aware women had such liberties in Japan.”

You shrug. “Major Nakajima’s situation is admittedly unique.” Taking a bite of potatoes, you continue. “She is a highly-competent officer. I wouldn’t have her around otherwise.”

“I see,” Thompson nods once more. “I understand you are American, General?” You nod. “Are you a veteran of their recent civil war, by chance?”

You frown slightly, sipping some wine. “I am.”

Thompson notes the finality of your tone, and seems to back off. You hope you haven’t offended him. “I was actually a military man before captaining this ship. Jointed the Royal Navy when I was nine years old.” He chuckles, puffing on his pipe to keep the embers lit. “About ten years ago, I left to become a captain on the transatlantic lines.” He gestures to the walls around you all. “The last two years, I commanded the Great Eastern while she laid telegraph cables.”

>”What made you leave the Royal Navy? A man with your experience and seniority could have made admiral, I imagine.”
>”Our nation may soon come into conflict with the United Kingdom. Will that cause any interference in your duties as this vessel’s captain?”
>”Do you know how long it would take us to arrive in Europe?”
>”Would it be possible to set up a tour of the vessel’s off-limits spaces? I’m curious about them.”
>Write-in.

>>3777031
>>”What made you leave the Royal Navy? A man with your experience and seniority could have made admiral, I imagine.”
>”Would it be possible to set up a tour of the vessel’s off-limits spaces? I’m curious about them.”

>>3777031
>”What made you leave the Royal Navy? A man with your experience and seniority could have made admiral, I imagine.”
>”Would it be possible to set up a tour of the vessel’s off-limits spaces? I’m curious about them.”

>>3777031
>”What made you leave the Royal Navy? A man with your experience and seniority could have made admiral, I imagine.”
>”Would it be possible to set up a tour of the vessel’s off-limits spaces? I’m curious about them.”

“Why did you leave the Royal Navy?” You raise an eyebrow. “Surely a man of your experience and seniority would have been on the fast-track to a promotion to Admiral.”

Captain Thompson shakes his head, taking another bite of steak. “For a long time, I believed the same thing, General.” He looks at you solemnly. “But the Royal Navy is not a meritocracy.” He leans back, shrugging. “I’m Irish. It’s a miracle I made it to a posting as a captain, really.”

“I see.” You grimace. “My apologies. That must be frustrating to even talk about.”

Thompson puts a hand up. “You needn’t worry about it, General. I made my peace with the way things were long ago, that’s why I left in the first place. Passenger lines tend to be a bit less aristocratic in their decision-making.” He takes a sip of his wine. “May I ask about your military service, General?”

You nod. “I suppose it’s only fair.” You chew on some steak, swallowing it before continuing. “What would you like to know?”

“Well the situation here in Japan intrigues me.” Thompson rubs his chin thoughtfully. “I understand you were on campaign recently?”

You nod. “We had to execute a punitive action against a disloyal subject of the Shogun’s. It lasted about two months, overall.”

Sato speaks next. “Indeed. The General led our forces to a rather flawless victory, despite many setbacks.” He takes a bite of food. “And he often led from the front, no less.”

You chuckle. “Well, I was a colonel during the campaign. It only makes sense I would be commanding from the front.”

“Fascinating.” Thompson nods slowly.

You speak next. “Also, Captain. I find myself intrigued by your vessel. Would it be possible to arrange a tour of the Great Eastern’s off-limits areas?”

Thompson raises an eyebrow. “I’ll run it by my chief engineer.” He then pauses, puffing on his pipe some more. “Is there anything else you are curious about? I may be indisposed for much of the crossing ahead.”

>”How long do you expect it to take for us to arrive in Europe?”
>”Other than the engineering spaces, what areas are off-limits to passengers?”
>”What sort of experiences did you have while in the Royal Navy? Was there a particular posting that you remember fondly?”
>Write-in.

>>3777129
>>”What sort of experiences did you have while in the Royal Navy? Was there a particular posting that you remember fondly?”

>>3777129
>>”What sort of experiences did you have while in the Royal Navy? Was there a particular posting that you remember fondly?”

This guy is working for the Japanese Emperor / government now right? I mean they bought the ship so I must assume so...it would be interesting to see if we can't get him into a position of power as the naval-equivalent of us. Assuming of course that isn't already in the works.

>>3777129

>”Other than the engineering spaces, what areas are off-limits to passengers?”
>”What sort of experiences did you have while in the Royal Navy? Was there a particular posting that you remember fondly?”

>>3777129

>”How long do you expect it to take for us to arrive in Europe?”
>”Other than the engineering spaces, what areas are off-limits to passengers?”
>”What sort of experiences did you have while in the Royal Navy? Was there a particular posting that you remember fondly?”

So he faced some difficulties because of his birth like a major we know

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“What sort of experiences did you have in the Royal Navy? Any particular posting you remember fondly?” You raise an eyebrow.

Captain Thompson’s expression darkens. “For some of my career, I was part of the West Africa Squadron… We intercepted slavers and other smugglers. The US Navy helped us a lot with that as well.” He puffs on his pipe some more. “I only boarded slave ships three times. After that, I left it entirely in the hands of the Marines.” You wonder if it’s your imagination, but you can swear you almost see him shudder at the mention.

“I see.” You grimace. You’ve heard how hellish the conditions were aboard slave ships.

Thompson continues. “That was my first command where I had charge of a ship. After a few years, I was able to get on to the East Asia Squadron. I took part in the Opium Wars. Commanded a second-rate during most of the shore bombardment actions.” He leans forward. “But before I was promoted to captain, I was part of several search parties that looked for Franklin’s Expedition.”

“That was the expedition that went missing in the Arctic, right?” You raise an eyebrow.

Thompson nods. “Two of the best ships for the job, dozens of highly-skilled specialists, three of the best Arctic veterans in the Navy…” He pauses to sip on his wine some more. “Gone without a trace.” He grimaces. “At least until we found graves on Beechey Island.” Shaking his head, Captain Thompson continues. “Which implies they were still in good enough shape to build coffins and bury their dead at that point. Nobody has any idea when or how things deteriorated.”

“What do you think happened?” You lean forward.

Thompson looks down, seeming to consider his words carefully. “The sea is a strange place, General. The further from civilization you go, the stranger it gets.” His expression is hard, stony. “There’s no place further from the light of civilization than the high Arctic. Perhaps they got locked into ice and crushed to atoms? Perhaps they ran out of food and starved, or worse? Perhaps something too horrible to imagine befell them?” He shrugs. “If I spent too much time thinking about it, I would lose sleep.” He takes a bite of steak. “Regardless, that was nearly twenty years ago now. No point in losing sleep over it.” He smiles lightly, but you can tell he’s merely trying to change the subject.

>”What sort of strange things happen at sea?”
>”So since the Shogunate has purchased the Great Eastern, are you employed by the Shogunal Navy now?”
>”Besides the engineering spaces, what areas of the ship are off-limits?”
>Write-in.

>>3777210
>”So since the Shogunate has purchased the Great Eastern, are you employed by the Shogunal Navy now?”

>>3777210
>>”What sort of strange things happen at sea?”
>>”So since the Shogunate has purchased the Great Eastern, are you employed by the Shogunal Navy now?”

>>3777210

>>”So since the Shogunate has purchased the Great Eastern, are you employed by the Shogunal Navy now?”

>>3777210
>>”What sort of strange things happen at sea?”
>>”So since the Shogunate has purchased the Great Eastern, are you employed by the Shogunal Navy now?”

>>3777210
>”So since the Shogunate has purchased the Great Eastern, are you employed by the Shogunal Navy now?”

>>3777210
>”What sort of strange things happen at sea?”

Gonna pause the session here for tonight. We'll run again tomorrow at the same time.

>>3777397
see you there zap

>>3777397
thanks for the run boss

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“So seeing as the Shogunate has purchased the Great Eastern,” you begin. “I take it you’re now under the employ of the Shogunal Navy?”

Thompson nods. “I am. The contract only lasts until the Great Eastern returns from her mission overseas, but I would imagine they plan on retaining my services afterwards.”

You nod as you sip on your wine. “That makes sense. With Japan being an island nation, a powerful, modern navy should come as a high priority.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Thompson replies.

Your mind goes back to the previous conversation topic, however, and you cannot help but find yourself curious about the Captain’s sea stories. “You’d mentioned strange things happening while at sea. Do you have any particular examples?”

“More than I can count,” Thompson confirms. There is a peculiar look in his eyes, they widen just a bit as he stares down at his plate. “The sea is one of those places that men were never really meant to tread. Beyond the warm lights of shore, things become… unnatural.” He looks up at you, puffing on his pipe casually. You can see a darkness in his expression that never quite dissipates, despite the disarming tone of his voice. “Abandoned ships with food on their tables, still warm, with no signs of any struggle or emergency. Strange lights on the horizon, ones that couldn’t be made by any ship. Things moving beneath the water’s surface, far too large and alien to be whales or sharks. Rogue waves that seem to appear from nowhere. Ghastly screams carried on the winds of a storm, sometimes clear enough to make out words.” He pauses to gather some food on his fork, eating it before speaking again. “But we’ll be sticking to well-traveled shipping lanes, so hopefully we’ll have an uneventful voyage.”

“Hopefully so,” you say after swallowing nervously.

The rest of your brunch goes along with relative ease. The conversation topics remain much tamer than those from earlier. Eventually, you finish your meals and wine, then bid adieu to Captain Thompson.

As you and the Majors walk down the hall toward the passenger cabins, Sato speaks. “He seemed quite the interesting character.” Chuckling to himself, he crosses his arms. “Do you have any plans before we depart, sir?”

>”I’d like to explore the passenger areas, maybe find out if there’s a saloon aboard.”
>”I think I’ll check in on Zorn and Beretta, see how our civilian compatriots are settling in.”
>”I’m going up to the top deck for some fresh air.”
>”I think I’m going to head back to my cabin and get all of my things unpacked.” (timeskip to departure)
>Write-in.

>>3779102
>”I’m going up to the top deck for some fresh air.”

let's have a farewell to this new land of opportunity before we head out

>>3779102

>”I think I’ll check in on Zorn and Beretta, see how our civilian compatriots are settling in.”
>”I’m going up to the top deck for some fresh air.”

>>3779102
>”I think I’ll check in on Zorn and Beretta, see how our civilian compatriots are settling in.”

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“I’m going to check in with Zorn and Beretta.” You turn toward the staircase. The civilian members of the overseas missions have been given cabins on the lower decks, as it was deemed more important for the command personnel to have easy access to the deck, and thus the ship’s bridge. You imagine this decision was made in case of an emergency.

When you arrive on the lower passenger deck, you find Zorn and Beretta having a conversation in one of the ship’s drawing rooms. The door has been left open, and you hear them long before you see them. “Indeed, it would revolutionize long-distance travel! Have you applied for a patent, young man?” Zorn looks over a set of design drawings at a table with Beretta, both of the men enjoying some drinks and cigars. Well, Beretta has a cigar, Zorn is smoking a rather fancy pipe.

“Indeed, I have.” Beretta speaks in his usual tone. “But alas, I have not received word regarding my application.”

“Good morning, Gentlemen,” you greet them as you enter.

“Ah, General!” Zorn stands to full height, smiling. He reaches into his coat and produces a cigar. “Care for a smoke?”

“Why thank you,” you reply. Taking the cigar, you light it and puff for a moment to get it burning properly. “I take it you’ve both gotten settled in properly?”

“Indeed,” Zorn replies. “Herr Beretta was just showing me some of his designs. Truly he is a masterful engineer.”

“Ah, thank you Herr Zorn.” Beretta reacts a bit bashfully to the praise.

“What has our fearless leader been up to since we arrived?” Zorn raises an eyebrow.

“Dining with the Captain, as well as getting in a bit of trouble.” You chuckle, puffing on the cigar. “Apparently the ship’s engines are off-limits.”

Zorn shakes his head. “You always do seem to get into places where people would rather you didn’t go, General.” You all sit back down in the couches that occupy the room, Zorn pouring you a glass of brandy. “I was quite surprised to find this ship so well-appointed. Perhaps I should commission an ocean liner at some point…” He chuckles, handing you the brandy.

>”What design were you looking at? You seemed quite impressed with it.”
>”Mr. Beretta, you mentioned being able to modify my revolver once the campaign was finished. Could you do that while we’re at sea?”
>”What sort of things would you suggest we do while in Europe, Herr Zorn?”
>Write-in.

>>3779223
>”What design were you looking at? You seemed quite impressed with it.”

>>3779223
>”Mr. Beretta, you mentioned being able to modify my revolver once the campaign was finished. Could you do that while we’re at sea?”

>>3779223

>”Mr. Beretta, you mentioned being able to modify my revolver once the campaign was finished. Could you do that while we’re at sea?”
>”What sort of things would you suggest we do while in Europe, Herr Zorn?”

>>3779223

>”Mr. Beretta, you mentioned being able to modify my revolver once the campaign was finished. Could you do that while we’re at sea?”

Is no anon interested in what he is trying to patent?

>>3779276
I am, and I'd vote for both. but its not like him and us are going anywhere

>>3779276
I'm I just wanted to adress the other thing more, maybe we can ask after it?>>3779247

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You take a sip of brandy, then set your glass down on a coffee table. “Mr. Beretta, I recall you mentioning you could modify my revolver to use Henry cartridges at some point. Would you be able to make that modification while we’re at sea?”

Beretta rubs his chin thoughtfully. “Well, much of my equipment is in storage, but I can certainly get some of it set up and begin working.” He puffs on his cigar. “Though, it would likely take the better part of two or three weeks.”

You shrug. “It takes nearly two months to cross the Pacific, so that’s not a problem.”

“Very well,” he replies. “Then I shall get to work on it as soon as I am able.”

“Excellent.” You nod.

>” What sort of things would you suggest we do while in Europe, Herr Zorn?”
>”You were both looking over some designs when I arrived. Could I take a look at them?”
>”If I were to fund the construction of a weapons factory in Japan, how would you feel about running it and designing the weapons?”
>”I recently purchased a replacement for my Henry, would you like to take a look at it?” (have Beretta examine your revolving rifle)
>Write-in.

>>3779395
>>”You were both looking over some designs when I arrived. Could I take a look at them?”

>”If I were to fund the construction of a weapons factory in Japan, how would you feel about running it and designing the weapons?”

>>3779419
+1

>>3779395
>”You were both looking over some designs when I arrived. Could I take a look at them?”
>”If I were to fund the construction of a weapons factory in Japan, how would you feel about running it and designing the weapons?”

>>3779395
>”You were both looking over some designs when I arrived. Could I take a look at them?”
>”If I were to fund the construction of a weapons factory in Japan, how would you feel about running it and designing the weapons?”

Continuing the session tomorrow at 6PM.

>>3779542
thanks for running

So I've spent the last six hours working on my friend's car. I'm sweaty, dirty, and covered in oil and gasoline, only to learn that the car was beyond saving. Gonna postpone our session until Thursday. Sorry.

>>3780587
6/10 excuse
would bang

>>3780587
Rip, be safe

>>3780587
>I'm sweaty, dirty, and covered in oil and gasoline

You forgot sexy

>>3780587
Hey OP love your work but do you have any plans on bringing Starcaller threads back? Those made my week and I haven't been able to catch up with this new Boshin war stuff

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>>3783630
I absolutely do plan on bringing Starcaller back sometime in the future, but I need to figure out a way to streamline some things in it first. I had sort of gotten bogged down during the last few threads with how large the setting was, and I still need to figure out how to keep more focus on the main storyline than the million or so B-plots I had going. I also have my notes in about a dozen different places so I need to consolidate everything. Between that, this quest, and the struggle of adapting to a new job, it could take some time. Hopefully I'll have something figured out before the end of this year!

Session in approx. one hour.

>>3784183
dope

>>3784183
Yay.

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“You gentlemen were having a rather spirited conversation about designs when I arrived. Could I take a look at them?” You raise an eyebrow.

Beretta immediately grabs some design drawings and hands them to you. “Most of these are just concepts… I do not believe the necessary technology exists to make them feasible at the moment.”

You look at the first design. It is the steam-driven carriage you remember looking at before. “What technology is unavailable as far as making this work?” You raise an eyebrow.

Enzo shrugs. “Well, to get a steam engine small enough to run a carriage, sacrifices in safety and power would likely be required.”

“I disagree,” Zorn chimes in. “All you would need is to find someone capable of producing a lightweight steam engine, or increase the size of the carriage.” He leans forward, grinning. “Perhaps a land-locomotive?”

Beretta shakes his head. “Locomotives must use steel rails to distribute their weight. Something that heavy would destroy cobblestone streets.” He frowns. “Unless you used wheels that were several feet wide.”

You raise an eyebrow. “What about this?” Looking at the other design, you immediately see that it is a weapon. It looks a bit like a Gatling Gun, but you note that there is a sleeve around the front quarter of the barrels, with a tube and piston leading back to the crank.

“This is a new idea, actually.” He leans forward, pointing at the odd sleeve and piston. “When a gun is fired, the powder produces gas.” He looks at you, miming something moving forward. “That is what propels the bullet out of the barrel.”

You nod. “I see. Go on.”

He continues. “Well steam locomotives use gas to propel their wheels using a piston and a crank. I figured the same could be done for a Gatling Gun. You would only need to fire it once, then it would turn the crank and fire without any manual input whatsoever.”

“Intriguing,” you reply. “How would you stop it, though?”

“There would need to be some way to disengage the crank from the piston,” he relents. “But regardless, gunpowder is likely too dirty to be used in such a manner. The piston would likely foul up rather quickly…”

You shrug. “Maybe. It’s certainly an idea worth pursuing.” Talking about the self-repeating Gatling brings another topic to mind. “Say, if I were to fund the construction of a weapons factory in Japan, would you feel comfortable running it for me?”

Beretta seems taken aback by your question. “I… Absolutely! I would be honored to run a weapons factory.”

Zorn raises an eyebrow. “Weapons, eh? I suppose that is about the best industry to go into right now.” He chuckles. “You would be in a position to monopolize the Japanese arms industry, should you do well.”

You shrug. “Well, the Shogunate will need to begin acquiring domestically-produced weapons if it wants a proper army.”

You decide to sit with them for a while longer, enjoying brandy and fine cigars. The drawing room is quite comfortable and well-appointed, and you are in no hurry to leave. The conversation topics wander, Zorn talks for a while about his family, whom he plans on visiting while on the European Mission, Beretta discusses the supposedly lovely spa and ski resorts in Switzerland and northern Italy, Zorn claims the ones in Austria are better, and you decide that you’ll have to make that decision for yourself, should the free time present itself. As you continue sipping on your brandy and smoking your cigars, you barely notice Zorn refilling your glass whenever it gets low. Soon, however, you feel the giddiness of a strong buzz coming on. You note the sunlight streaming through the nearby porthole is a bit dimmer than it once was, and soon your stomach begins to growl. Glancing down at your pocket watch, you note with alarm that it is nearly evening, and you’ve missed lunch.

>Bid the men farewell and find Nakajima. She must be wondering where you are.
>See if Zorn and Beretta would like to get supper together.
>You may already be thoroughly buzzed, but there’s still brandy to drink!
>Write-in.

>>3784352

>find Nakajima for some hanky-panky

>>3784352

>Bid the men farewell and find Nakajima. She must be wondering where you are.

>>3784352

>Bid the men farewell and find Nakajima. She must be wondering where you are.

If we have a scene a tge front of the ship I'm positive this " biggest ship around" is going to sink

>>3784352
>Bid the men farewell and find Nakajima. She must be wondering where you are.

>>3784352
>Bid the men farewell and find Nakajima. She must be wondering where you are

Sitting down your now-empty glass of brandy, you sigh. “Well, gentlemen.” Standing up, you feel more than a bit wobbly. “I think I’ll need to get going.”

“Of course, General.” Zorn stands up as well, putting a hand on your shoulder. “Beretta and I will likely be heading to the dining hall to get some supper.”

“Very well, until next time.” You step out of the room, puffing on your cigar. You figure you should probably check up on Nakajima, as she’s likely wondering where you’ve gotten off to.

First, you stop by your cabin. She’s not there, unfortunately, so you head to Sato’s cabin to see if he’s seen her. He tells you that she recently headed up to the deck to get some fresh air.

Going up to the top deck, you see that the sun is quite close to setting. There are some people milling about, mostly dignitaries from the various outreach missions. You note the presence of some Westerners, the French artillerist named Brunet stands out, but at least on this length of the deck you see no sign of Nakajima.

Walking further toward the front of the ship, you are forced to cross the large hump of the paddlewheel to continue. As you do, you get a rather excellent view of Yokohama and Edo. The cities almost look small from where you’re standing.

You are about two-thirds of the way to the front of the ship when you see a familiar uniform in the distance. Nakajima stands at the railing, looking out at the city. You toss the nub of your cigar over the side, approaching her.

“Nakajima,” you say.

“Ah, General.” She looks over at you with a smile, then returns her gaze to the city. “I was beginning to wonder where you’d gone.”

You shrug. “I was having a rather interesting conversation with Beretta and Zorn. The time got away from me.”

Nakajima chuckles. “Well, it hardly matters. We’ll be at sea for months, after all. Likely away from Japan for almost a year.”

You nod, looking out at the city as well. “That’s very likely. I imagine it will take us at least two or three months to complete our mission in Europe.” You look over at her again. “Something wrong?”

She shakes her head. “I suppose I’m a bit apprehensive. I’ve never been so far from home as we’re about to be, and never for such a long time…” She laughs sheepishly. “I suppose I’m a bit afraid.”

>”That’s completely normal. I felt the same when I left the United States, and I had no intention of ever coming back.” (comfort)
>”Well with the situations you’ve been through, I’m sure some traveling will be nothing to worry about.” (reassure)
>”Just look at it one step at a time, like you would a mission. Compartmentalize it all and you won’t feel as worried.” (professional)
>”If you’d like to stay behind, I wouldn’t have a problem with it.” (offer to let her stay)
>Write-in.

>>3784424
>>3784424

>confort

posting is really buggy and difficult

>>3784424
>>3784424

>”That’s completely normal. I felt the same when I left the United States, and I had no intention of ever coming back.” (comfort)

Smile to her and say
"I got a pretty nice surprise when I arrived here too, so I say it was a very good journey."

>>3784424

>”That’s completely normal. I felt the same when I left the United States, and I had no intention of ever coming back.” (comfort)

We are putting a baby inside of you on this trip, Accept that you whore.

>>3784424
>”Just look at it one step at a time, like you would a mission. Compartmentalize it all and you won’t feel as worried.” (professional)

>>3784424
>”That’s completely normal. I felt the same when I left the United States, and I had no intention of ever coming back.” (comfort)

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>>3784464

>>3784464
naka is for sweet loving waifu, and babies are for after marriage, or right before at the point of shigeru's sword kek

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>>3784464
>>3784917
Anons no.

Anyway, now that posting is un-fucked, I'll be posting an update to finish the session later today.

>>3784975
A-N-O-N Y-E-S

Also, I wish I knew what the fuck borked this god damn site last night.

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>>3784918

>>3784464
Maybe on the trip back. It would not look good for Naka to have a baby bump while meeting dignitaries.

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“That’s completely normal,” you say. “I felt the same way when I left the US, and I was fully set on never returning.” You chuckle a bit.

“I see,” she replies. There is a long pause as the two of you stare at the city of Yokohama. It looks rather similar to San Francisco, you realize, mostly due to the influx of Western influence in the port. Looking down the coastline to the city of Edo, you are struck by the sheer difference between the cities. Edo still looks the exact picture of traditional Japan. Aside from the occasional steamer gliding along the waters of the bay, you’d be hard-pressed to tell whether it was the nineteenth or sixteenth century. “Do you still have no intentions of returning to America?”

You are admittedly caught off-guard by the question. “Beg your pardon?” You raise an eyebrow.

Nakajima looks at you with a serious, conflicted expression. “When all of this is over, when your services to the Shogun have run their course, when you’ve done everything Japan needs you to do…” She trails off. “Will you be returning to America?”

You let out a long sigh, looking back to Yokohama. “I honestly don’t know.” Pausing, you think of the situation as it stands. “I don’t know if my job will ever be done, for one thing. And I don’t know if I’ll ever want to return to America.” You look at Nakajima again. “There are a lot of things back there that I’d like to forget about, ideally forever.”

Nakajima’s brow furrows, and she pokes your cheek hard. “Now, General. You can’t run from an unpleasant past forever.”

You shake your head, chuckling. “Maybe not, but I can certainly try.”

“It isn’t good for your health,” she persists. “Maybe once the political situation calms down here, I’ll drag you to America myself.” She smiles ever so slightly. “I have always been curious what your homeland is like.”

You sigh, placing your hand atop hers on the railing. “It sounds like there’s no getting out of it, then.” You give her hand a small squeeze, looking out at Yokohama once more. With a slight chuckle, you wonder just what you’ve gotten yourself into.

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And that's it for this session! My apologies for the weirdness with last night's session, but the whole site was acting buggy. Thanks for playing! I'll try to have our next session sometime next week, perhaps on Monday or Tuesday. Until then, please feel free to ask any questions you might have, or just chat in the thread until the next session. I'm always happy to shoot the shit with my players.

>>3785408
Thanks QM. Nice photo by the way. How far are you willing to run this quest for? Is there a certain point you would like to stop at?

>>3785496
I think we could go until August 6, 1945

>>3785408
Thanks for running

>>3785503
>assuming our heirs won't be part of the military hierarchy
>assuming we don't ally with the US and split asia 50/50 forming a fourth faction in the second world war
>assuming shit would stay the same in the first world war
Honestly there is so much shit we could do it makes me almost giddy.

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>>3785496
Well, I'm planning on running THIS quest until around the end of the year 1868 or the middle of 1869 in-quest, putting you firmly in the mid-game right now. That being said, I already have a folder of notes and image references for a sequel set in the late 1880s or early 1890s.

>>3785624
Neat.
Japan world super power by 1910 is a go.

>>3785686
>Japan
>Anything but a struggling nation up until late 1920s
>Instantly fucking itself over with Manchuria and then China
The last part can be avoided, but you literally can't change basic geography and geology.

>>3785686
>>3787105
We can certainly improve the Japanese situation, a few smash and grab hits into South east Asia to secure some of the islands there if we're looking for colonial holdings or playing up our alliance with the Americans / anyone else to piggyback their wars into a position of greater strength by taking colonial holdings that way rather than independently.

If nothing else, we can probably prevent the Japanese going down as shit a path as they did in real life. Even if we have to work very hard to ensure it and if nothing else we can improve their economic development so they can more easily support colonial and imperial interests: if we get the rail network up quicker or we begin production of products on a industrial scale before it occurred in real life, the effect could compound over years to greatly enhance the situation.

>>3787227
>a few smash and grab hits into South east Asia to secure some of the islands there if we're looking for colonial holding
... which is repeating Japanese mistakes. Colonies = expenses. Colonies =/= resources.
>aliance with anyone
Do I really need to remind everyone you represent a non-white nation? A nation that wasn't taken serious until it beat the living shit out of (2nd rate, but still) white nation of Russia? The kind of nation that wasn't treated as anything even remotely to equal until after the WW2 (oh the irony), simply because it wasn't white. Yes, they were given shit about this in the 30s, as a basis on why they can't participate in few important international deals on equal footing. So they didn't at all and we all know how it ended.

tl;dr avoiding Japanese mistakes is the best you can hope for. The country wasn't even industrial in any tangable sense until 1910s, just check basic employment data.

>>3787232

I'd argue that their prestige started increasing in the aftermath of the Boxer Rebellion in China, as their actions and troop quality impressed both the British and Americans deployed there. The British, especially the commanders, thought they were better than the Russians and Italians.

So with that in mind, an alliance with either the US or Britain post Boxer Rebellion would be possible depending on how much we modernize and westernize Japan in the meantime.

And speaking of racism, we must completely and utterly stamp out the racism of the Japanese. Remember, they viewed (and many older generations still view) as non-Japanese as inferior. We gotta nip that in the bud.

>>3787232
>Colonies = expenses. Colonies =/= resources.
True but that doesn't mean we can't find something worth grabbing given time.

>A nation that wasn't taken serious until it beat the living shit out of (2nd rate, but still) white nation of Russia?
If all we need to do is beat a white nation to be taken seriously, then we will do that when we find the opportunity and if we can't then we will just deal with it. Fact is the US already seems to be dealing with us decently even if that is out of self-interest for now, we must merely convince them that a longer term arrangement would be beneficial.

>The country wasn't even industrial in any tangible sense until 1910s, just check basic employment data.
Which is something we can almost certainly remedy given our salary, position in society and potential to create international connections (for example Zorn.) given we've got literal decades to work with here. A fact you seem to be unable or unwilling to consider, that in this timeline we have already made serious deviations from history and the longer we go the less reality will bear out a good prediction of what we shall deal with.

>>3787258
>I'd argue that their prestige started increasing in the aftermath of the Boxer Rebellion in China, as their actions and troop quality impressed both the British and Americans deployed there. The British, especially the commanders, thought they were better than the Russians and Italians.
Oh we'll easily hit that bar if we end up in China with troops like ours: trained to fight in loose order and as marksmen.

>So with that in mind, an alliance with either the US or Britain post Boxer Rebellion would be possible depending on how much we modernise and westernise Japan in the meantime.
Agreed, given we've already got the drill and equipment parts down to pat for the infantry, the next things we need are skilled artillery and officers. I would add cavalry but Custer already took care of that for us. Beyond that general economic, governmental and naval westernisation would be good too.

>And speaking of racism, we must completely and utterly stamp out the racism of the Japanese. Remember, they viewed (and many older generations still view) as non-Japanese as inferior. We gotta nip that in the bud.
True but that makes imperialism much harder, since they start viewing people as their fellow man and shit. Oh well, we'll just use the Emperor to get round that probably.

>>3787258
>And speaking of racism, we must completely and utterly stamp out the racism of the Japanese. Remember, they viewed (and many older generations still view) as non-Japanese as inferior. We gotta nip that in the bud.
No. Racism exists in all races. To hammer that shit down leads to social justice, which ironically leads to more division in a nation. The best course of action for a nation is meritocracy.
>... which is repeating Japanese mistakes. Colonies = expenses. Colonies =/= resources.
Colonies absolutely mean resources. You're also contradicting yourself in your 2 posts. If it bothers you that much, once we get the economy going, we can buy land from other nations. Speaking of, did the U.S. buy Alaska from the ruskies yet?

>>3787261
>True but that doesn't mean we can't find something worth grabbing given time
Which sends us back to my original remark - you are not going to change basic geography and geology.
There is nothing to grab, period.

>Which is something we can almost certainly remedy given our salary, position in society and potential to create international connections (for example Zorn.) given we've got literal decades to work with here
Japanese did their darnest to achieve that. No, really, they concentrated entire nation over this issue and did a gallant job about it.
1910s is what they've got out of it.

>>3787367
>Colonies absolutely mean resources
[Laughs in French, Italian and Japanese]
They bought it in 1867, so I guess they did.

===

I'm defetist about the whole issue, because due to various reasons, I ended up writing both of my thesis on the subject of Japanese modernisation and especially the problematic nature of modernising via militarisation (and how botched it was in execution and implementation, despite best will). I still regret I didn't just write a linguistic one. Wouldn't make me so bitter about yet another historical example of massive squandering of opportunities.

>>3787401
>They bought it in 1867, so I guess they did
Fuck. Any other land we can get? If can get something that has resources we can avoid this whole debate altogether. Think the koreans or chinese might be willing to sell some land for money? Or maybe we can make a deal similar to what the U.S. did with panama?

>>3787401
>There is nothing to grab, period.
Perhaps but that ain't going to stop me looking nor will it stop the Japanese leaders we fight under trying. Unless you can think of a good way to convince them to drop the whole imperial expansion issue, we're going to have to manage their expectations and guide them into "smart" investments of blood and bullets.

>Japanese did their darnest to achieve that. No, really, they concentrated entire nation over this issue and did a gallant job about it.
I know, it's quite possibly one of the most miraculous examples of an industrialisation a country has ever performed and makes Russia seem like a bunch of retards given how slowly they managed it having started out in a far better position. That however doesn't mean we can't do better than they did IRL.

>I'm defetist about the whole issue, because due to various reasons, I ended up writing both of my thesis on the subject of Japanese modernisation and especially the problematic nature of modernising via militarisation (and how botched it was in execution and implementation, despite best will). I still regret I didn't just write a linguistic one. Wouldn't make me so bitter about yet another historical example of massive squandering of opportunities.
Fair enough man, I'll concede that I've not probably got a good enough education on the particulars of the time period (even as I have spent time searching into shit like this because I love knowing) and can't therefore provide a reasonable counter argument.

>>3787459
>Any other land we can get?
We could try the Dutch? Their East Indies holdings are sizeable, issue is they are highly profitable so we'd need a good exchange. Other than that, the Americans don't exactly have any colonial holdings to give away and the British don't seem friendly so our best bets would be the French or the Spanish since they are the remaining colony holders in-region.

I'd bet my money on the Spanish but I'd also bet we would be better off fighting a war against them than actually buying any lands off them. I will admit I've little knowledge of the strength of the Spanish at this time but of all the colonial powers, they are probably the closest to us militarily yet that doesn't change the massive difference in power we're talking about.

>Think the Koreans or Chinese might be willing to sell some land for money?
Korea hates japan but in theory it shouldn't be impossible: just prohibitively expensive; at best we add the threat of a military invasion unless they meet our terms but given they pay tribute to China, that might just get us dragged into a bigger war.

Also China won't sell dick shit to anyone because that'd be giving land to barbarians and shit. Anything we want off them is either going to be done covertly and carefully or full-guns blazing. At the very best, we might manage to get a "gift" off the Chinese emperor of some lands or of suzerainty over somewhere minor but it almost certainly won't be worth it.

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>>3787459
There is a massive, MASSIVE difference between selling a colony you can barely hold to and which is located on the other continent (and hemisphere) and selling integral part of your country.
Ask Mexicans about 1846. They were offered a chance to sell South-West. They refused, being deeply insulted and doubly so because of the price given.
Then they've got war on themselves. And lost the land at even lower price, simply to avoid outright American annexation.
So to answer the question - nobody sane is going to sell a part of their country. And Chinese are literally the last people on this planet that would do that, especially to Japanese. Because as far as Imperial China was concerned, Japan was an unruly tributary and some insignificant barbarian land of weird islanders. Getting bad cards from European colonial powers was bad, but when basically a sub-human (See? Asians can be racist to each other too, just like other anon pointed out) also shows up with demands, that's insult of the highest regard. Not gonna sell. And Koreans were officially vassals of China. Which all eventually lead to the first Sino-Japanese war.

>>3787539
Huh. We actually agree on something.

>That image
Okay don't you dare insult my precious island nation ever again, they did amazingly considering how shit their situation was when us Euros arrived.

>>3787534
How about this:
1) Realise colonies are stupid shit and there is nothing worthwhile to grab
2) Don't bother even trying claiming some tiny islands with nothing but malaria and violent natives on them
3) Spend that saved money on something that will prop your economy further, rather than create a drain
4) ...
5) Profit!
Japan, like pretty much all late-comers, jumped toward colonies under the demented idea from the period that having colonies = being great and respected nations and that the economical costs are meaningless. Aka doing it for prestige. But to gain prestige, you also need huge swats of land, something that is in very short supply. Swats of land that won't generate a single penny for decades, maybe even ever, while create all sort of logistical problems, aside obvious budget hole.
The joke is that Japan gained colonies and nobody cared (since they were insignificant and they were barbaric non-whites, so who gives). Then they've decided to impress everyone with culture and art, but also nobody cared, since, duh, yellow monkey copy-cats. Doubly so after Centennial Exposition, where Japanese were the only people not displaying weapons. So what they did? Militarised, since apparently that's what impresses people.
In the end it's a story of a nation with a serious self-worth issues, bending over to please people who don't care at all and doing progressively more stupid things to gain respect of someone who will never respect them.

>>3787550
I never said anything bad about it. I'm just pointing out it's still free for grabs.

>>3787539
>>3787550
Well, we're going to need resources somewhere to get our industries up and running. Maybe buy a strip of desert going from the coast of china to russia. Then when the tsar hits hard times, buy some land from russia. Feasible, or no good anons?

>>3787554
>In the end it's a story of a nation with a serious self-worth issues, bending over to please people who don't care at all and doing progressively more stupid things to gain respect of someone who will never respect them.
True.

>>3787556
Oh yeah true but the real issue is the giant near-empty ocean in-between us and them. Meaning that it's a damn remote island, even if it does have some utility to hold since it's a lynch pin of trade across the pacific to south america, or will be someday. Admittedly, it shouldn't prove too hard to secure but I'd worry about keeping it a part of our nation since the natives are actually decent soldiers and shit.


I'll be honest with you, I love playing Japan in Vic 2 just because it exists in a weird position in that game of being the gateway to alt-history fun. What you are suggesting is perfectly normal to me: conquer Hawaii; conquer Brunei; conquer Madagascar; conquer the Zulu's; conquer various Indian kingships; maybe grab some of the Arabian peninsula while there. I'll therefore also admit that game is inaccurate as hell as a historical prediction machine and that it is probably throwing off my sense of what is possible for us to achieve especially given we're not the immortal god-king that you are in that game.

If you say we can't do something, I'll accept you probably know better. However I'm still going to bang my head against the wall of facts and realities until it cracks and I find something that they missed in real life. Even if that something is just a single step forward on a miles long journey.


>>3787562
>Well, we're going to need resources somewhere to get our industries up and running.
Depends on the industry, we could just look into getting an explosives factory up and running. Specifically dynamite since that would be useful for mining, demolition and construction and make future efforts easier, like creating a Japan-wide rail network or mining enough high quality iron ore for steel production. Problem is it gets patented next year in 1867 so unless we get lucky (or OP is generous) we will probably just miss the chance to get in on it early.

>>3787554
>So what they did? Militarised, since apparently that's what impresses people.
That's been a fact throughout history anon. You can espouse culture and values all you like but without the strength to back it when challenged it becomes meaningless.

>>3787562
Wait, never mind. We don't need to cut across china to reach russia. There's plenty of resources and land Russia is not using even today. Maybe we could take some if they still go to war with us?

>>3787367

Racism exists, but not to the extent they were doing it, especially in Korea and China.

We curb that shit or we risk being seen as subhuman savages by the people we want as allies.

That means we treat Koreans and Chinese as people, maybe not equals, but as people.

Instead of as slaves and rape-toys.

>>3787646
That I can agree on.

>>3787607
Military requires resources to back it up.
What did Japan lacked, again?

Here, grab a read. Wrong period (1910s-1945), but a big part of it is dealing with consequences of late 19th and early 20th century decisions and I don't have anything else in English right now, unless you're interested in coal mining in 19th century Japan.
https://www13.zippyshare.com/v/pTT8Uccw/file.html

>>3787607
This is precisely what Japanese tried to do after the war, at the peace talks.
>Japanese side
We won the war, beat the shit out of you and sunk two of your navies, obviously you are defeated
>Russian side
Let us show you how peace talks in the civilized world works: you barely scratches us at a borderland, never took anything important, not to mention the capital and we just lost a handful of battles... why are you asking for places where you didn't even send your troops, savage?
>The conclusion
Treaty of Portsmouth leaves Japan disillusioned, with debts and a victory that achieved pretty much nothing. Russians ceded Korean and Chinese land and not a single inch of Russian soil.

>>3787646
>That means we treat Koreans and Chinese as people, maybe not equals, but as people.
This is what Japanese did historically. Basically, the approach is "We are all fellow Asians... but we, Japanese, are better, because we are already bend over toward West, so let us guide you, brothers", with a mixture of genuine concern and smugness in 1:1 proportions.

>>3787607
>>3788640
Also, there is a matter of take-over of German Pacific islands. It was a TERRIBLE idea from any possible angle that served literally one purpose:
Navy could claim increase of budget and push for construction of more ships, even if the country couldn't afford them, overstretching themselves beyond any limits. After all, they had a colonial empire to protect, right? Who cares almost all of it is ocean, with a handful of islands of zero strategic, tactical and economical value, the important bit was about budget increase for Navy.

And as for your claim about meaningless culture in perception of "Other" - do you think we are having this thread because Japan is a military might, or because it has absurd cultural sway for a tiny archipelago? The Japanomania of the late 19th century was based on something similar - oh look, the yellow monkeys have something interesting, let's collectively gush about it, all while they are selling it by a dozen for pocket change to be more Western

>>3788658
>This is what Japanese did historically. Basically, the approach is "We are all fellow Asians... but we, Japanese, are better, because we are already bend over toward West, so let us guide you, brothers", with a mixture of genuine concern and smugness in 1:1 proportions.
To be fair, when the only other Asian nation to have ever really had a chance of resisting the Euros was China and they crumpled like wet paper 99% of the time, it's kinda hard to blame the Japanese for thinking they might be badasses.

>>3788674
Which actually raises a good point, we should have looked into getting some generic Japanese shit and sold it in Europe to collectors of foreign curiosities or given it away as gifts.

>>3788729
I'm not sure if paternalism and blatant imperialism are a good thing (and I'm talking politics, not morality), not to mention sustainable on the long run. Consider the following:
In the 1850s, Japan was handled a set of really bad cards by Westerners. In the 1880s, they've handled the exact same cards to Koreans, basically re-writting the unequal treaties Japan had into making them for Korea.
So this is the kind of "help" and "concern" I'm talking about

>>3788792
True but I meant more so from the Japanese side of things, it's easy to see why they got so cocky. Their treatment of fellow Asians just comes down to the era and people being greedy / nationalistic.

>>3788799
... and Confucian vibes still being at large in the society. It's a hell of a drug, let's not forget about it.

>>3788807
Oh yeah, it's an amazingly different moral base Asia as a whole operated off of. I mean India created stable caste structures, the steppe peoples were a god damn bunch of maniacs and China's sphere was quite possibly the biggest bunch of top-down central-planning people remaining outside of the Incans after the Bronze age collapse.

>>3788866
I more meant the approach to "Other" in Confucianism. As in - subhuman barbarian that deserves to be at the very best patronised like a half-retard. And on average, just raided extensively whenever you feel like it, because barbarian lives don't matter.
Add to that centuries-old isolationism from the "Other" that made core of the native Japanese culture and you end up with a highly concentrated solution of "Drop dead if you aren't Japanese"
Extra irony when they've decided to add to all that Victorian paternalism and thus created the concept of "loyal imperial subject", aka all sort of conquered non-Japanese who obviously were denied citizenship as such, but still were considered part of the empire that should be kept around rather than grinded to the ground with guns and starvation.

>>3789199
>I more meant the approach to "Other" in Confucianism
To be fair, for most of Confucian history it was a fair accurate system for the Chinese to view the world even if it was very reductionist and became inaccurate with the rise of proper SEA kingdoms, a unified Japan and various other things.

>Extra irony when they've decided to add to all that Victorian paternalism and thus created the concept of "loyal imperial subject", aka all sort of conquered non-Japanese who obviously were denied citizenship as such, but still were considered part of the empire that should be kept around rather than grinded to the ground with guns and starvation.
True, at least historically this worked out for the best since it means the cultures they conquered didn't get wiped the fuck out but it would certainly have been interesting if they'd wiped everywhere they took clean or forced inter-marriage to japan-ify places.


Also seeing as we're travelling to Europe, we should really figure out how we want the Japanese army to function in a grander scale: are we going to rely on infantry to eliminate the enemy or are they just to tie them down while artillery eliminates; will we want direct fire or indirect fire guns; do we want to remain with the Needle rifle or attempt to move to a different gun; are we going to try and get slightly alt-history with our gun-making buddy and develop a proper machinegun way earlier than history.

I say this because we are going to have to work out what is critical to our plans for the forces under our command and I'd like to keep this quest moving as fast as possible by getting discussion done before a vote comes up.

>>3789322
All of this ultimately depends on the state's grand strategy.

>>3789327
Yes but if nothing else it would help if we knew what we were going to advise them the army should be built around or focused on.

>>3789331
As I said, this depends on the potential opposition, which depends on the grand strategy. Deciding the army stuff first is working completely backwards.

>>3789332
The grand strategy of the state does not change military realities. If anything, military realities should be among the determining factors of a grand strategy and one of it's greatest limiters. After all, it doesn't matter if the government wants something if we can't physically martial anywhere near the forces to actually achieve it, thus we are the determining factor of any military conflict they might wish to engage in along side political, economic and social limitations.

Even if we accept your premise, we know what the Japanese are reasonably going to be facing in the near future: further insurrectionist efforts backed by foreign investment and military aid; both open traditional warfare and potentially more modern concepts of a insurrectionist war.

The equipment we can expect to be facing will be specifically British but Euro surplus in general given our current understanding of the politics of the war to come. This means we can expect our enemies to have access to a very modern breech-loading rifle assuming the UK is actually invested in this war. If not, they'll still have a vast number of surplus smoothbore and rifled muzzle-loaders that they will happily dump off onto others. In regards to artillery, assuming once again that the British are in any way invested seriously then the enemy will have access to rifled breechloaders that will prove quite effective.

>>3788658

>>This is what Japanese did historically. Basically, the approach is "We are all fellow Asians... but we, Japanese, are better, because we are already bend over toward West, so let us guide you, brothers", with a mixture of genuine concern and smugness in 1:1 proportions.

Yeah...no. Unless genuine concern to you = slavery and mass rape and executions of civilians while treating even Okinawans as second-class citizens at best.

>>3789643
>even Okinawans
Japanese managed to discriminate against other pure Japanese just because their ancestors were leatherworkers or garbage men. They don't need people to be of another race or ethnicity to consider them subhuman.

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Session tomorrow at our usual time.
All this debate over Japanese colonialism is giving me some interesting ideas.

Session in an hour.

>>3792111
checked and fuck ya!

You desperately fight the urge to cough. Breathing as quietly as possible, you flatten yourself against the fancy wallpaper of the plantation house. Someone is in here with you. They clearly haven’t seen the muddy footprints you left when you entered the house, or perhaps they have. You reach over onto a nearby table, grabbing a heavy-looking candelabra. It is solid brass, by your estimation. Your emaciated arm muscles struggle to hold the fixture upright as you prepare to use it as a weapon. Whoever is in here, you absolutely can’t risk them finding you and reporting to the Rebs. You’ll die before you return to that Hell on Earth.

The heaviness in your chest, partly from the mucus filling your lungs and partly from fear, begins to grow as you hear footsteps approaching. You struggle to control your breathing, tightening your grip on the brass candelabra. Your dirty, wound-covered hands shake, but then grow steady as you steel your nerves. It doesn’t matter what you have to do, you’re making it home. The footsteps stop, just on the other side of the doorway next to you. Mustering all the strength you have left, you step out from behind, screaming as you swing the candelabra. It makes contact with something hard, which quickly gives; almost certainly a person’s head. They don’t even have time to let out a scream. Warm liquid sprays onto your face, blood. You look down at the person whom you’ve struck, the dim light of oil lamps illuminating the scene. As your eyes adjust and everything comes into focus, as you look down and see exactly whom you’ve attacked, you are filled with revulsion. As blood begins to pool on the floor, reaching your ruined boots, you vomit.

Awakening with a start, you look around. The light blue of pre-dawn light streams through the portholes of your cabin. You and Nakajima turned in early last night, wanting to be up before the ship set sail. Speaking of Nakajima, your startled jolt must have awakened her. She sits up, putting an arm around you gently. “Something wrong?”

You shake your head. “It’s nothing.” Scooting off to the edge of the bed, you stand up and stretch. Rubbing your eyes and yawning, you look out through the portholes, then down at your pocket watch. “Looks like it’s almost time for them to begin serving breakfast…”

“Shall we go to the dining salon?” Nakajima raises an eyebrow. You see the corners of her mouth turn up in the low light. “Or should we have a waiter deliver the food to our cabin this morning?”

>”Probably best to get acquainted with everyone on the ship. We’ll eat in the dining salon.”
>”Breakfast in the cabin does sound nice.”
>Write-in.

>>3792213

>”Breakfast in the cabin does sound nice.”

Sounds nice after a nightmare, or memory.

>>3792213

>”Probably best to get acquainted with everyone on the ship. We’ll eat in the dining salon.”

>>3792213

>”Breakfast in the cabin does sound nice.”

>>3792213
>”Breakfast in the cabin does sound nice.”

>>3792213
>>”Breakfast in the cabin does sound nice.”

I'll have to take some time and read through all that historical autism the anons posted

Lighting the oil lamp on the table, you put on your shirt and trousers. “Breakfast in the cabin does sound nice.” Not long after, you peek out into the hall and find a member of the ship’s crew wandering. You ask him to bring a tray of breakfast for two, and he heads off toward the dining salon. Maybe ten minutes later, he has returned with your food, and the two of you begin eating.

The breakfast this morning consists of ham, eggs, fried potatoes, orange slices, and a choice of either coffee or hot tea. You choose the coffee, as you typically do when presented with the choice. “This is quite good,” Nakajima remarks between bites of scrambled egg.

You nod. “Likely the best breakfast we’ll have until we make port next. They typically try to use up all the perishables early in the voyage, then save the hard tack for later.” You shudder at the memory of eating hard tack for nearly two months straight.

“Well, the Captain mentioned that food aboard these liners tends to be more luxurious,” Nakajima replies. She takes another bite, this time a spoonful of fried potatoes and ham, before continuing. “Perhaps we will be spared from eating anything as unappetizing as that.”

You shrug. “I sure hope so.” Sipping your coffee, you look out at the morning sky. There are dark clouds materializing on the horizon, to the northwest. “Looks like we might get some rain soon.”

“This time of year?” Nakajima raises an eyebrow. “I suppose it’s not that unusual to get some storms.” She sips some tea. “Was it particularly story when you were at sea?”

You shake your head. “Not once we got to the Pacific.” Grimacing, you recall the journey. “Going around the Horn, though, that was rough.”

“The Horn?” Nakajima leans forward.

You nod. “It’s the southernmost part of South America. The only way to go east by sea.” You pause to eat some food. “Lots of ships sink in the storms down there.”

“I see.” Nakajima frowns. “Well it is good we are in such a large ship, I suppose.”

You nod. “As long as the captain keeps us off of the rocks, that is.”

You both finish your breakfast, talking about various things before the crewman comes to collect your plates. After a few more minutes, you feel the ship’s engines below your feet. They are beginning to speed up. Perhaps the Great Eastern is nearly about to leave port?

>Head up to the top deck and get one last view of Japan as the ship leaves.
>Remain in your cabin. You have some luggage left to unpack.
>Go find Major Sato and see what he’s been up to since coming aboard.
>Write-in.

>>3792323
>>Head up to the top deck and get one last view of Japan as the ship leaves.

>>3792323
>Head up to the top deck and get one last view of Japan as the ship leaves.

>>3792323

>Head up to the top deck and get one last view of Japan as the ship leaves.

File: GreatEasternengraving.jpg (323 KB, 1184x606)

323 KB JPG

You both decide to head up to the top deck and watch the ship leave. As you arrive, you both find a good vantage point atop one of the paddle-wheel housings. You lean on the railing, looking out at the city of Yokohama.

“Well, no turning back now.” You look over at Nakajima.

She nods, looking toward Edo. “Indeed.”

You feel the deck beneath you shudder as the paddlewheel comes to life. Water can be heard being slapped aside far below. The ship begins to move at an almost imperceptibly slow speed. You hear various crewmen shouting to each other near the bow of the ship, struggling to be heard over the sound of a large winch. It is pulling a chain onto the ship, and into a large spool.

Lighting a cigarillo, you sigh and return your attention to Yokohama. Locals have gathered at the docks to watch the Great Eastern leave, and some of them are waving at the ship. The colossal vessel begins to speed up as it gets further away from the dock. A cool breeze blows in from the sea, making your turn your collar up. It is nearly a year to the day since you arrived in Japan. You’d never have believed that you’d be leaving so soon, especially not with the rank of General and the respect of a cadre of officers. Chuckling, you think of how strange your circumstances must seem.

“You seem to be in good spirits, General.” A familiar voice speaks up from beside you. Looking over, you see Captain Thompson standing a few feet away. In his hand is his smoking pipe. His eyes never leave the horizon.

“Ah, Captain.” You nod. “I wasn’t expecting to see you out here.” You frown. “Who’s driving the ship?”

Thompson chuckles. “The captain doesn’t drive the ship, General.” He puffs on his pipe. “I’ve left control of the bridge to my officers. I like to stand watch at the side of the ship any time we leave port, to keep a lookout for anything strange.”

You nod. “That makes sense.”

Thompson gestures to you. “Also, I spoke with my chief engineer. He’s willing to take you on a tour of the engine and boiler rooms.”

“Ah, thank you Captain.” You nod. The ship begins speeding up even more, black smoke billowing from the smokestacks.

“Of course, General.” He gives a small salute, then begins walking away. “I should head back to the bridge now. Good day.”

“Good day, Captain.” You reply as the man steps away. Turning your attention back to the city, you begin to realize just how fast the ship is going. The docks are rapidly getting smaller as you gain distance from them, and the city of Edo is practically a speck on the horizon now. The Great Eastern turns toward the southeast, and Yokohama too begins to fade from your view. Puffing on your cigarillo some more, you look toward the bow of the ship. Ahead lay the open, seemingly endless waters of the Pacific. They are a darker shade of blue than they were when you last sailed them.

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And that's all for tonight! My apologies for the short session, but this felt like the best place to cap off this thread. As for when our next session will be, I'm not completely sure. I'm starting my first day at a new job tomorrow, so I need to get an idea of what my schedule will be like before I can say anything certain. I'll be keeping you guys posted as I find out, though. Until then, feel free to post any questions, comments, or anything else here and I'll try to respond to what I can. Thanks for playing!

>>3792432
Thanks for running, good luck at your new job!

>>3792432
Be safe and good luck boss!

>>3792432
How quickly did Naka master eating with a spoon and fork?

>>3789322
>True, at least historically this worked out for the best since it means the cultures they conquered didn't get wiped the fuck out
Would probably made some angry sounds in Ainu, if anyone was still speaking it

>>3793829
To be fair they started wiping them the hell out before they even had the loan-word colonialism. They could've remained isolated from the rest of the world and they would have still killed them off over time.

>>3793967
I'm not questioning that. I'm just pointing out how in practice worked the Japanese "preservation" of other cultures.
Also, I just love the guy mentioning discrimination against burakumin. That's something that never stops to amaze me, concept-wise. It's like giving shit to garbage man for the fact you are not swimming in garbage nor have cholera thanks to his work.

>>3795697
>It's like giving shit to garbage man for the fact you are not swimming in garbage
Those professions were considered spiritually unclean because they dealt with unclean things, that much can be understood. What's much more amazing is giving shit to a guy whose grand-grand-grandpa was a garbage man back when your grand-grand-grandpa's beliefs were different to yours. It's stupefying.

>>3795697
>>3796840
I think the only country that ever gets close to this shit is India with castes. But at least that's an active, ongoing system in India, while Japan (supposedly) dropped all that shit during Meiji and yet somehow to this fucking day there are laws against discriminating burakumin, 5 fucking generations (and counting) later.

>>3798860
So we can all agree Japan is worst country.

>>3796840
>Those professions were considered spiritually unclean because they dealt with unclean things, that much can be understood
No, it can't, because half of traditional Japanese industry relied on work of burakumin.
But then again, they've almost assassinated the emperor Meiji for the fact vegetarianism was no longer enforced by law...

>>3799114
Maybe not worst (public services are really fucking solid, as in - best of the world), but on societal level it's so fucked up the more you dig into it, the more it starts to dawn on you they've fucked themselves into 99% of all their problems thanks to going for extreme version of top-down system and beating it into everyone's head from the time they can speak how things should be going, even if they aren't working out that well for two generations already.

Quick status update guys: At my new job the schedule is a little screwy, some people are telling me we get every other Saturday off, and others are saying we've worked the last five or six Saturdays in a row. Regardless, I know for certain that I work this Saturday (which I'm just realizing is tomorrow), meaning my only day off will be Sunday. There's a small chance of having a short session Sunday night, so check here for more word on that. Shoveling bacon bits for eight hours is tougher than it looks.

>>3800688
Love what you do boss, looking forward to the next installment.