>>3840759

> go offensive. You don't got to kill'em, just make

>>3840759
>> go offensive. You don't got to kill'em, just make yourself more prickly than you're wietye

>>3840759
> go offensive. You don't got to kill'em, just make yourself more prickly than you're wietye


nice writing

>>3840780
Thanks, anon!

Calling votes here, can I get some d6s? I'll take the best three out of four

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>3840783

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>3840783

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>3840783

Wow. Dice suck today

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>3840783
rolling the 4th

Rolled 4 (1d6)

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>3840783
Rolling, cause why not. Also, have you made other quests before? I feel i've seen that name somewhere else

"light 'em up," you barked. You goosed the throttles back a little, easing your boat tail first towards the pirates. You kept one eye on the tail warning radar, chasing the ephemeral blips darting about the screen to give Allison the best angle.

Vibrations from recoil pulses through the ship. You heard Allison's chair whirr and his as servos whipped her around in concert with the four gun tail stinger.

From her stifled cursing Allison wasn't getting the hits she desired. You saw blips part and spin on your screen, no doubt dodging bursts of plasma-cased slugs.

"dangnabbin--boss, break!" Allison barked.

You threw your boat into a corkscrew. Thrusters howled as she spiraled into a tight roll. Rivers of brilliant rainbow aurora trailed off the wingletts as the slipstream was churned to froth.

Scarlet bolts crashed overhead like meteorites, perforating the space you'd occupied only seconds before. From the sudden jolt of the yoke you guessed at least a few slugs connected.

"We're hit!" announced Kate with almost maternal fury instead of her usual spaced out calm. Must've been--"engine two!"

That figured. "how bad," you said. You didn't have any caution lights on your Christmas tree, but babysitting four staged flow engines was a full time job. It's why you had Kate along.

"We're, uh... Think we're good for now," said Kate. "Shields took the worst of it, but core temp's on the edge'a green."

"we go on the other seven?" you shifted your hand on the throttles like a pianist on a piano. You eased back on engine two while pushing the rest up to compensate.

"yeah, yeah, go on the other seven." Kate gave her console a pat. "Don't worry, Kenny, momma's here," she muttered.

"Allison, talk to me." you reversed your roll and hauled the nose around. The slipstream banked ahead. Strictly speaking you were bumping the curve by a good twenty percent, but those rules were more like guidelines when smokey weren't around.

"They mad!" whooped your gunner. "they real mad."

"Alli!"

"Just hold 'er steady..."

You did as she asked. Your boat ate another burst to the wing. This time the damage was bad enough to trip your telltales. You got a master caution and the engine two light on your Christmas tree turned amber. Kate growled in inarticulate fury.

Allison mashed the triggers in return. You saw one of the contacts on your tail chase shudder and fall back. Allison's whooping cheer only confirmed that her guns had connected. "They're breaking off!"

"lookin for something less prickly," you said, easing back on all eight engines now.

Kate smacked Allison right on the bicep. "you broke my engine!"

"weren't me pulling that trigger," Allison ran her fingers through her fauxhawk and gathered it back into a ponytail.

"could've shot first," Kate clattered on her keyboard. "boss, recommended you shut down two."

"that bad?" you pulled the throttle all the way to shutdown and boarded up the pod.

"could be," said Kate. "don't wanna stress 'em more'n... Oh come on!"

"what?" you almost jump in you seat.

"we gotta smokey," said Kate.

"'course they show up now," grumbled Allison. "mighty punctual."

You shushed her and squinted at your radar. Cops were cruising towards you a mite faster than leasurely.

"good thing we ditched that contraband," cackled Allison.

"don't joke like that," Kate warned her. "boss, I really don't want to get in a tail chase with a bad engine."

Before you could say anything the radio crackled to life. "Dash 80 freighter, level your wings and heave to."

"Best figure what they want," you said. A moment's fiddling with the radio and you had the talker in your hand. "howdy officers, what seems to be the issue."

"clocked you doing twenty over, Dash 80."

"'cause we had pirates up our butt," mumbled Allison.

> inform the lawmen that you were running for your life. Maybe you'll get lucky and find an officer who cares 'bout more than speeding tickets. You've been told they exist.
> put the hammer down. You still got seven good engines and they wouldn't be signaling you by model number if they had your ID.

>>3840840

> inform the lawmen that you were running for your life. Maybe you'll get lucky and find an officer who cares 'bout more than speeding tickets. You've been told they exist.

Doesn't hurt to try before trying to escape

>>3840819
I ran mermaid aquarium quest. (or hijacked it after the op fucked off.)

>>3840840

> inform the lawmen that you were running for your life. Maybe you'll get lucky and find an officer who cares 'bout more than speeding tickets. You've been told they exist.

Lets see how shitty our dice are

I'll call votes... 20 minutes from now unless there's some juicy discussion or a landslide one way or the other

>>3840840
>inform the lawmen that you were running for your life. Maybe you'll get lucky and find an officer who cares 'bout more than speeding tickets. You've been told they exist.
With any luck, they'll have to believe the camera's recordings of allison's fight with them.

"copy officer." You throttled back and eased your boat off the slipstream. With a flash of electric blue you fell back into the infinite black of normal space.

You made sure the radio was set to receive-only and leaned back in your chair. "I hate cops," you grumbled.

"Ain't your sister married to one?" said Allison.

"Exactly. In-laws," you said. "Hey, you got gun-camera footage?"

"Yeah," Allison tossed a cassette in the air and caught it again. "think it'll help?"

Before you could say anything the police ship dropped off the slipstream beside you and started a great lazy turn towards you. It was small, maybe a tenth the size of your boat and festooned with bright blue lights.

"Approaching topside docking collar," said the officer.

"copy that," you replied. "we'll keep her steady."

You watched the police craft silently drift towards your upper deck. With the offset flight deck you could see every detail as the lawmen cozied up to the hatch. It wasn't what you'd call a pretty landing, but it was decent enough.

"Let's meet our guests," you smashed the quick release on your harness and ducked from the cockpit into the main hull.

Two lawmen were waiting for you in the airlock, one still clambering down the ladder. They were clad in the usual white-on-blue vac suits with neglected looking autoloaders on their hips.

"you know your number two engine is streaming coolant?" the taller, fatter one said. By his tone you'd think you'd murdered his wife. "could write you up for that."

"afraid that ain't my doing," you waved Allison's tape. "we got bounced not thirty minutes ago."

The two cops looked at each other warily. "and that's...?"

"gun camera footage," you tossed the fatter one the tape. "you're welcome to take a look."

He squared his jaw, an impressive feat considering its near total lack of defined shape, and clambered back up the ladder. You assumed to take a look.

"you can keep it," you said. When dealing with video evidence, always best to imply it's not the only copy without looking like you're imply'n.

Meanwhile the other cop stood around, looking at nothing in particular. He'd finally opened his mouth to speak when the first clambered back down with a surly expression.

"we'll let you off with a warning," he tossed the tape more at you than to you. "get that engine fixed."

You gave him a smile, "yes, officer."

The second cop looked sheepishly at you then followed his boss up the ladder. You waved goodbye as they sealed up the hatch and wandered off to bother some other poor soul just minding his business.

"Well..." Allison shrugged. "that went 'bout as well as couldda hoped." she clapped her legs and ducked out to finish the workout the pirates had so rudely interrupted.

It took barely two hours before you were home. You dropped out of the slipstream just as the sun was setting, flying high in the outer fringes of atmo.

You'd flown this entry more times than you could count. Before you knew it you were coasting over choppy waves towards your family airstrip.

"Drake Harrier request permission to land," you said.

"welcome back Harrier, approach one nine, checkers green, hands on."

It was good to be home. You put your boat down without a jostle and taxied her to your usual parking space. You and Kate busied yourself with shutdown while Allison went below to supervise the cargo unloading procedure.

Once everything was quiet the three of you clambered indoors. By your count it was just about dinner time. You'd barely made it inside when your dad caught you on the shoulder.

Ian Drake, father of not just you but the whole shipping business. "good to have you back."

"thanks, Dad," you said.

"heard you had a little adventure?" it was hard to miss the concern in his voice as he wrapped his big arms around....

>Rachel Drake
>David Drake

>this vote will determine (your) gender, which will have... Kinda minimal effects, as this isn't a romance themed quest. But choose wisely.

>>3840895
>>David Drake

>>3840895
>David Drake

>>3840895
>Rachel Drake

>>3840895
>David Drake

>>3840895
>David Drake

That seems pretty definitive. Gonna call it here.

You smiled as your dad gave you a warm hug. "yeah, run in with pirates. Scuffed engine two a bit."

"I'll bet Kate didn't like that," said your dad.

You shook your head. "should've seen her." the two of you settled in line to load up your plates. "actually..." you looked around.

Allison was a few spots ahead of you with a tray almost buckling with chicken and steamed veggies. She was easy to spot, being a head taller than even you. You couldn't see Kate though.

"Hey, Alli, where's Kate?"

"'endin' to 'er kiddos," said Allison through a mouthful of what you assumed were calcium supplements. She munched on those like candy, a habit from growing up in low g you assumed.

"there you go," you said to you dad. "working on the engines."

He nodded and directed the two of you to a secluded table in the big dining room. "third time this week someone jumped one of our boats."

You nodded along. "Valentines?"

You dad nodded. "probably. Been trying to muscle in... And muscle everyone else out."

"you think?"

He shrugged. "think's about all I do. Don't have any solid evidence. Not that it'd do any good. Way I hear it half sector sec's on Valentine's payroll." he scowled darkly then smiled. "I'm glad you're safe, son."

"Thanks, Dad." you said.

> finish eating and check on Kate/your boat.
> visit Allison, you've never really gotten to know her
> eat with your dad, discuss family business matters.

>>3840938
>> visit Allison, you've never really gotten to know her

kate will probably just chew us out

>>3840938
>> eat with your dad, discuss family business matters.

>>3840938

> eat with your dad, discuss family business matters.

Let's see what dad has for us in terms of business, we can chat with the crew after it.

"So, Dad, how we doing?" You asked. "Business wise?"

He thought for a second before answering. "We're... we're holding our own, I think." He scowled and stirred his meal without taking a bite. "Valentine's been levying fees on half our trading partner. Scared some of the rest out of trading with us at all."

"He's underhanded?"

"He's a gangster," said your dad. "And he's used to throwing his weight around until he gets what he wants. And he's got the ships to be one hell of a bully."

"How we gonna deal with it?" you said. You weren't much a fan of bullies. It was one of the many things you'd learned from your old man.

"Half his might is his bark," said your dad. "People stand up... eventually his men'll have no choice."

"Eventually?" you said, worried.

"Man like that's used to getting his way. It's gonna get worse before it gets better," he said. "Been thinking about up-gunning our ships."

"I'd need another gunner," you said. Allison was a good shot, but she only had the one pair of eyes. Couldn't look in two directions, even with remote-controlled turrets she'd only ever be able to cover one.

"And downtime to fit the gear," said your dad. "Hope we don't need it."

You nodded along, finishing your meal with more pleasant small talk. The two of you finished eating and returned your dishes. Dad went back to handling the books while you...

> Checked in on Kate and your boat.
> Went looking for Allison. Somehow you'd lost track of her.
> Something else (write-in)

>>3841102
> Went looking for Allison. Somehow you'd lost track of her.

>>3841102

> Went looking for Allison. Somehow you'd lost track of her.

Come ack here gunner

>>3841102

> Went looking for Allison. Somehow you'd lost track of her.

>>3841143
Valentine better not be aiming for our crew

You had to go hunting for Allison. For a jacked redhead pushing six feet she was remarkably good at making herself scarce. Eventually you found her (where else) in the gym. She was sitting on a bench, her chest heaving in a slow but deliberate rhythm with a set of dumbells by her side.

"ay, boss," she said with a smile, or at least half of one. You'd never seen her emote with more than half her face. Even when she spoke the words came out from one side, giving a marble-mouthed flourish to her already thick accent.

"Allison," you settled onto a bench opposite her.

"'jus' a little cali 'fore I turn in," she said, apparently to excuse the relative lightness of her weights.

"I bothering you?" you asked.

She shrugged. "Ain't no burden."

You crossed your arms and tried not to let any comparison to Allison's sweat-slick pipes wander into your mind. "You know, dad's thinking of up gunning the Harrier."

"could use the firepower," Allison squared her back and started doing curls. "he get eloquent with'tha specifics?"

"Not yet," you said. "just twinkle in the eye right now."

"We'll need 'nother gunner," Allison grunted as she pushed herself through another rep. "I only have the two eyes."

"we're not there yet," you said. "why, you got someone in mind?"

She shrugged. "jus' making conversation." she pushed through her last rep and set the weights down. "Don't usually have company this time'a night."

"I bothering you?" you asked.

She chuckled. "nah, just saying... You want to hit the sack I get ya."

> Allison's right. It's been a long day, might as well get some rack time.
> you're not tired. Ask Allison about her story. You understand she grew up under a dome?
> compliment her on her fitness. Ask she she's so disciplined at working out.
> ask why her face does that thing

>>3841149
Allison isn't actually your gunner. She's nominally your loadmaster. But that job only kicks in while your boat's down. In the air she picks up odd jobs.

>>3842043
>> you're not tired. Ask Allison about her story. You understand she grew up under a dome?

sure, gimme backstory

>>3842043

> you're not tired. Ask Allison about her story. You understand she grew up under a dome?

You grabbed a set of weights from the rack, more to have something to do than anything. "So, I understand you grew up under a dome?"

"Yeah," she grabbed a bar but didn't bother adding weights before settling it accros her back for a few squats. "Sadow colony. Air there's as near vacum as makes no difference."

That tracked. Allison was more comfortable in a vac suit then anyone you've seen. "Sadow's an industrial world, right?"

"Mostly, yeah." Allison watched herself in the mirror as she went up and down. "Weren't my trade though. Parents had a farm not far from town. Nestled in a valley with'a tarp o'er top."

"A farm girl, eh?" you teased. "what was that like."

"boring as all hell," grumbled Allison. "back breakin' n' dull as rocks. Errytime we had a boat come in I'd watch it through the tarp 's long as I could." she racked the bar with a crash of steel on steel. "heard ya'll were hiring and I jumped at the chance."

> how come you're always working out?
> why does your face do that?
> it's late, I should turn in
> it's late, I should check on Kate before bed

>>3842083

> how come you're always working out?
> why does your face do that?

By do that you mean the half smile?

>>3842088
The half smile and why she's only ever using half her face when speaking/emoting

>>3842095
I sense tragedy, so be polite and ask if she doesn't mind us asking

>>3842088
Support

>>3842088
I don't mind talking more but can we check on the engine and engineer before bed?

>>3842131
Sure, I'd like that too.

>>3842131
You can do both.

>>3842083
>> it's late, I should check on Kate before bed
Let's not ask about tragic backstory with our first official conversation

"You know, everytime I see you you're either working out, about to work out, or just finished working out." you said.

"noticed that, did ya?" Allison chuckled and took a swig from her bottle. You could hear a shaker ball rattle inside the plastic. "ya'slo notice how I'm popping supps like candy?"

"Didn't think it was polite to mention," you said. When you'd first met Allison you'd been a little put off by her pill habit, least until you got a look at the bottles and realized she was just taking vitamins and calcium supplements.

"You're a pilot, ya happen to know surface g of Sadow?" she rolled her shoulders and flexed her surprisingly thick neck.

"Not off the top of my head," you said. True, that matter of knowledge was important to flying. That's why you'd reference your kneeboard if you were flying in instead of leaning on memory. "it's low, isn't it?"

"ought-four standard," said Allison. "less'n half what folk're meant to live under."

"explains your height."

She chuckled out the side of her mouth. "Yeah, well... I was lucky. Farmin's hard work. Me? I grew up under load. Bones 'n brawn had cause to develop."

She scowled and shook her head. "I had friends though... Body ain't meant to grow like that. Bones ain't... Just sitting in standard g's torture for'em. Need a chair they gon'go anywhere. Don't ever wanna be like that."

"I'd say you're a fair way off," you said, directing a pointed glance at her well developed tris.

"Gotta maintain it's the real work," she hauled herself to her feet. "'s that all?"

"actually..." you said cautiously. "been wondering why you're always smiling out one side of your face."

She pursed her lips, or at least half of them, and shrugged. "figure it'd come out sooner 'n later," she sighed. "mama had a hard time birthn' me. Doc came but Sadow ain't exactly high society."

"was everything alright?" you asked, worried you'd struck a nerve.

Allison shrugged. "more'r less. Mama got me out after a fashion, but the Doc... Nicked a nerve or summat, I don't rightly know. Point is this..." she waved to the lower left quarter of her face, "quarter of my mug's been paralyzed since birth. 'fore, technically."

"oh," you said. "I'm sorry."

Allison shrugged. "Ain't nothing 'bout it now." she yawned, the involuntary action suddenly interesting now that you knew what to look for. "I'm gonna turn in, you?"

"want to check on my boat first," you said.

Allison flashed a thumbs up and shuffled off for a shower and bunk. Meanwhile you made your way to the hanger where Harrier was being serviced.

Her hull was bathed in floodlights, and her number two engine was stripped of its casing. Kate likewise had stripped down. Her coveralls were knotted around her hips and her tank top was as smeared with grease as the rest of her.

"don't worry, baby," she cooed sweetly into a compressor stage. "mama's gonna make it all better."

She ran her gloved hands lovingly along machined titanium isogridding and gave the engine a good pat.

She glanced over when she heard your boots click against the polished floor. Her grubby face contorted into a pout and she leaned close to the engine. "Don't worry, Kenny. Momma won't let the bad man hurt you."

> ask her if she's tried kissing it to make it better.
> just get a status update. It's too late for her antics.
> discuss your dad's idea to up gun Harrier.

>>3842160

> ask her if she's tried kissing it to make it better.

>>3842160
>> ask her if she's tried kissing it to make it better.
then
>> discuss your dad's idea to up gun Harrier.

>>3842160

> ask her if she's tried kissing it to make it better.

>ask her what ould she recomend we do with the engines to get us more power and speed, aside from not getting shot

>>3842160
>> just get a status update. It's too late for her antics.

Calling votes in ten minutes

"you try kissing it to make it better?" you teased her.

Kate planted her hands on her hips and angrily hikes her coveralls back up. "what a woman and her engines do on her own time is private business!"

"you realize that the engines are your kids in this scenario, yeah?"

She responded by throwing something at you. It looked like a shorted ignitor, but you were more focused on dodging.

"how's my boat?" you asked.

"engines are fine," grunted Kate. "had to do a few parts swaps, replace the intercooler, but we should be good my morning."

She shoved her hands into the front of her coveralls, pulling then down a good deal until they sat nice and low around her hips. "been thinking... I could re-time the injectors. Calibrate my babies for more thrust."

"that'll run 'em harder won't it?" you were surprised she'd even float the idea of abusing her engines like that. You've met actual mothers less protective.

"not as hard as getting shot up," she crossed her arms with a huff.

You shrugged, conceding the point. "wouldn't matter anyway. All the power in the world won't matter if we can't stay in the slipstream and we're pushing the curve as is. Maybe out straight dash'll be quicker, but when's the last time pirates used a straight for their ambush."

Kate pouted. "fine, I guess."

"you know, dad's thinking of up-gunning her." you smiled up at your hulking bird. Her tail stinger was hidden from this angle, but you could see the fairings streamlining her pop-out chin guns.

"is he now," Kate bit her lip. "soppose a few guns couldn't hurt. Who's gonna mount 'em though?"

"you?" you asked.

She shook her head. "think even Allison knows more about fire control than I do. You'll want experts for this."

"think she'll take it though?"

Kate nodded. "oh, for sure. Harrier's got hull strength for days. And my engines can feed anything you stick on her."

> head to bed
> real quick, you wanted to talk to Kate about (write in)

>>3842251
"Good to know, take care of our babies, I'll see you tomorrow"


> head to bed

>>3842251
Tell her tp say goodnight to the kids and head to bed too, we don't know when we are leaving

>>3842251

> head to bed

It seems we are already more familiar with Kate than we are with allison right? Do we know her for long?

>>3842312
Her dad works for yours. You've been sorta around each other for a while before you started flying long hauls.

"good to know. Take care of our babies." you said.

"my babies," said Kate with a smirk.

"just tuck 'em in tight," you waved goodnight.

- - - -

You got an early start the next morning. Kate was finishing up the engine repair while Allison supervised the cargo loading. There was a great deal of marble-mouthed yelling and words that asymptotically approached swearing in that operation.

Meanwhile, you sat in the cockpit reviewing your flight plan. It was a short hop today. Ten hours out to the Murata platform with a load of ship parts in your hold, ten hours back.

"boss, got'tha lo-bal sheet," Allison ducked into the flight deck and tossed a clipboard to you. She might be your gunner in the air, but on the ground she was your loadmaster. Lashing down cargo and filling out load-balance sheets was as much a part of her job as shooting folk.

"great, you start on the push-back checklist?" you busied yourself with inputting Allison's weight data into Harrier's flight computer.

"Doin' it now," said Allison.

It took a little under half an hour to finish all the checklists. Most of that was Kate giving engine two some last minute mothering before sealing up the casing and jogging up to meet you in the flight deck.

With everyone strapped in you taxied out and got Harrier in the air with a minimum of fuss. Getting into the slipstream was easier still. Before long Harrier was surrounded by a comforting rainbow aurora.

"so," Allison punched her harness and stretched her leggy frame in the cramped cabin. "I'm feeling hungry, lunch?"

"Yeah, I could go for grub," you said. You'd never had Allison's cooking before. Knowing her it was probably just slabs of undercooked meat and copious amounts of beer. Still, you had a few snack bars tucked into your pocket and the platform had a killer diner.

"mmm," Kate mumbled in the affirmative while staring at her board.

"we all good back there?" you asked.

Kate nodded. "just making sure we're go on all eight." she sighed and clapped her hands to her middle. "I can spell ya if you want to help Ali. I need the stick time."

> go help Allison cook while Kate flies.
> you can trade off later. Flying feels good.

>>3842388

> go help Allison cook while Kate flies.
Well if she wants to put some fly ours in theres no problem

>>3842388

> you can trade off later. Flying feels good

>>3842388

> go help Allison cook while Kate flies.

Make sure dinner is not whey

"go for it," you slipped out of your seat while Kate settled in beside you. "gotta make sure lunch is more'n steak and whey."

Kate chuckled nervously. "you don't think..."

"you've seen her lift," you said casually. You ducked out of the cockpit and into the crew deck. Harrier's belly was taken up by her sprawling cargo bay. The top deck was small by comparison, but still big enough to be comfortable.

You, Kate, and Allison all had your own rooms, and you could fit a few more without having to double bunk or remodel interior dividers. Of course, there was also a good sized kitchen aft.

Allison had lashed an apron around herself. It was a shocking contrast to ripped-open tank top and visible sports bra. "ay, boss," she waved at you.

"what's on the menu," you asked.

"salad an' some chicken," Allison tilted the mixing bowl she was using to show off. It was indeed full of leafy greens, sliced radishes, and other veggies you couldn't name but that looked appealing.

"huh," you said. "wasn't expecting that."

Allison shrugged. "your mom let me into 'er garden. Seemed a waste non'ta use such fine greenery. 'sides sittin' 'n flyin' don't do much for the appetite."

"color me impressed," you said. "I had no idea you're such a cook."

Allison shrugged. "learned it all from my momma." she cackled. "you thought I'd be more'an Neanderthal 'bout eat'n didn't ya?"

"Well I... Neanderthal?"

She smirked. Or smiled, it was a little hard to tell with her face like that. "I know speak'n."

"Uh... Yeah," you shook your head and reached for taste only for Allison to slap your hand away. "just... You're..."

"built like a fetchin' bulldozer?" Allison laughed. "how you think I build this body with?"

"point." you finished tossing her salad while she took a few pieces of herb crusted chicken from the oven. You were sure Kate could smell it from the flight deck. You were starting to really appreciate having Allison on your boat.

File: Murata-has-less-guns.jpg (232 KB, 1200x626)

232 KB JPG

The three of you enjoyed lunch together, but not much else happened. Seemed the last haul had used up your pirate adventure quota.

You took the controls back from Kate just in time to exit the slipstream and cruise into Murata platform. You docked without delay, platform administration was eager to get at your payload.

Allison went below to yell and point angrily while you and Kate ran your post flight checklists. "how's engine two?" you asked.

"green all the way," said Kate. "I know how to treet my boys right." she gave her console a loving pat.

"deck's clear," Allison's voice cracked over the radio. "yard boss says it'll be" bout two hours 'fore they can start loadin' again."

You frowned. "he say why?"

"'es working with'a skeleton crew, boss. 'alf his boys got run off by Valentine 'n half the rest got bought off."

"backlogged?"

"'bout the shape of it," said Allison. She seemed more resigned than anything. Of course, she more than anyone on the crew knew how pointless it was to rush cargo apes. Let alone how dangerous a rush job could be.

"looks like that's the shape of it," you said. "Kate, you wanna..."

"on it," Kate flipped on her set to call home.

"boss, if we stuck here might'well make use of it," said Allison. "play darts or sommat."


>looks you've got a few hours to kill. Ideas include:
>find a bar. Even if you're not getting drunk bar games are fun.
>you had a light lunch. Maybe a crew dinner is in order, there's a bunch of restaurants on the platform.
> stroll the bazzar. There could be something fun.
> write in. The platform's got a decent set of options.

>>3842509
>find a bar. Even if you're not getting drunk bar games are fun.

Let's see what they are made of

>>3842509
>find a bar. Even if you're not getting drunk bar games are fun.
Bar brawl agains Valentine's dudes!

>>3842509
>>find a bar. Even if you're not getting drunk bar games are fun.
keep an eye out for possible crew?

Gonna call a quick pause here to get food. Hope ya'll are having fun!

>>3842610
Sure do, thanks for running

"There's gotta be a bar somewhere in this platform," you said with a chuckle. "Yeah, we'll meet you down in a sec." You and Kate collected your things and met up with Allison at the foot of the front cargo camp. After locking down Harrier the three of you struck out for the town.

You were barely off the dock-front when you found a promising establishment. It was a slovenly-looking place that resonated with the sound of general revelry and the promise of cheap beers. You took a step inside and were not disappointed. Models hung from the ceiling, mostly ships but a few old airplanes were dotted about. The lights were low, but warm and inviting. A stocky man behind the counter with a bushy beard called out a welcome in an accent even thicker than Allison's.

"I like it here," Allison shoved her hands into her pockets with a huge smile. The towering redhead easily cleaved a path to the bar where the three of you got comfortable. You were debating what to order, and it seemed like Kate was doing the same. Allison was already digging in her pants for her wallet though, from the look on her face she'd already picked out exactly what she wanted.

Before any of you could order, a young girl came up to the bar. She was lanky like Allison, but not half as well built. Her limbs were willowy and thin, and she was leaning on the bar a mite more earnestly than was healthy. "'cuse me, miss. ya'wouldn't happen'ta be Allison Hawker, would'ya?"

Allison's face split into a huge grin. "If I ain't don't know who is."

The girl smiled and clapped her dainty hands. "mind'f I get a vid?"

Allison smiled that lopsided smile of hers and threw her fists up with altogether too much ease. "Happy to oblige."

The girl snapped a quick picture and disappeared back into the crowd.

"Uh..." Kate looked from you to Allison. "We gonna talk about what just happened?"

> Yeah. Alli, what *was* that?
> Don't feed her ego.

>>3842702

> Yeah. Alli, what *was* that?

Is she a space instagran fitness thing?

>>3842702

> Yeah. Alli, what *was* that?

>>3840759
someone been playing Rebel Galaxy, eh?

>>3842942
I've actually never heard of it. And with that... I gotta crash. Leave notes for any world-related questions you might have and I'll answer them during the next run.

>>3842702

> Yeah. Alli, what *was* that?

Yo OP I only stopped by your thread to drop this. I figured you needed it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHOrpFeXUao

>>3842702
>> Yeah. Alli, what *was* that?

Keep going friend

You turned in your stool to eye up your lanky gunner. "yeah, Ali. What was that?"

She shrugged and draped herself casually against the polished wood bar. "T'weren't much for me ta'do on Sadow save farmin' and fightn'. Didn't much go for the former but I was good'nuff at the later?"

You nodded. Now that you thought about it, that girl had much the same lanky, low-g build as Allison. She just hadn't put nearly as much effort into building muscles to go with it ."A fan?"

"Seems the shape of it," said Allison.

"You know, there's always something else to do that starts with f," teased Kate.

Allison shook her head. "Weren't my style. I had enough of plowin' in the fields."

Kate looked at her agag. "you've really never--"

"N' you 'ave?"

Kate relented. "not as often as I'd like."

Allison smirked. Before she could say much your drinks arrived. A beer for you and Kate, and something clear with a grape on a toothpick.

The glass had just kissed your lips when you noticed something odd out the window. A flash of light as a ship painted up in purple and gold fell off the slipstream.

She was a mid-bulk freighter, smaller than Harrier by a good margin. By the looks of her she was carrying at least as many guns.

"hey,"Allison squinted out the window." Ain't that one'a valentine's boats."

"it's his colors," you said. Before you could say more the bar TV flipped over to what was apperently a live feed from platform security. Cameras followed the purple/gold ship with radio chatter playing overtop.

"Murata platform," said the valentine pilot. "This is the victorious. You haven't been paying your dues. Be a shame if someone got the wrong impression."

Allison grunted something unflattering.

"victorious, leave now," said the platform administrator. "security is en-route."

The camera panned to show a gunship that had been lazily orbiting the station. In fact, it panned just in time to see the gunship peel away and ramp into the slipstream.

"what?" Kate glowered at the screen.

"must've been bought off," you said.

"this is victorious," gloated the valentine pilot. "your defenders have deserted you. I suggest you consider your options."

"I'll consider yer face," growled Allison.

You bit your lip, your piloting instincts weighing the numbers.

"what're you thinking boss," asked Kate.

"well," you said carefully. "with nothing in her belly Harrier's got thrust to burn."

"you want to fight?" asked Kate. Allison cracked her knuckles and rolled her neck a little.

"they don't," said Allison. "wouldn't've bought off Plat-sec they come ready'ta brawl."

> Allison's got a point. A quick punch to the nose and he'll go slinking off to harass something less prickly.
> not out fight. Just enjoy your drinks and wait for it all to blow over.

>>3843396
>> Allison's got a point. A quick punch to the nose and he'll go slinking off to harass something less prickly.

we are loosing clients and business to this Valentine dude, if we let them get their hand on Murata there's no way we are getting our pay, our shipment or business here ever again

>>3843408
+1

"he's a bully," you said. "he didn't come here for a fight, he came here to throw his weight around." you threw a few bills on the bar and raced back to your ship.

Thankfully Kate had only put her into hibernation instead of full shutdown. It took less than five minutes run your pre flights and get her back under her own power.

"don't much care for bullies," Allison grunted from the gunner's seat. She adjusted her headset and gripped the controls. Her chair hummed as she slewed the tail gun around.

"can't say I disagree," you said. "Kate, shields?"

"five by," said Kate. "I tapped a little extra off the mains."

You nodded. With the bay empty you wouldn't notice the minor reduction in thrust. You kicked on the reversers and waited for victorious to orbit around the far side of the platform.

As soon as you were out of sight you slammed the throttles to their stops. Harrier pulled back and down off the platform. "gear up," you ordered, concentrating on swinging the nose clear of the station.

"coming up...locked," reported Kate.

You kicked off the reversers and ducked around under the platform. If victorious held course and speed, and there was no reason to think she hadn't, she'd be right... About... There!

You fine-tuned your approach, hovering your gun sight over the smaller freighter and squeezing the trigger. Harrier's cannons barked into vacuum. You felt the big ship shudder with recoil as a fistful of plasma slugs tore through the black.

You rolled your ship, diving underneath victorious. "going under," you grunted through a haze of g-force and focus.

Allison whooped. You heard her chair slew around as she brought the stinger to bare. Cannons barked as she strafed victorious in passing. "he mad!"

You craned your neck to find the freighter again. Harrier was a big girl, but visibility out the flight deck sometimes left something to be desired.

Finally you spotted her, wheeling around to bring guns around. You yanked the yoke, turning inside and cutting accros his axis before he could bring his guns around. "ready," you said, reversing so Allison could take a shot.

"got'em!" Allison cheered.

You pulled around for another pass, but as your guns came around victorious ramped onto the slipstream with a flash. "you better run!" you barked.

Allison whooped again. "okay, now we gotta get drinks."

"Drake Harrier," the platform administrator's voice came over the radio. "thank you for the help, we're very grateful over here."

> all in a day's work, Murata. Harrier out.
> grateful enough to bump our load up? (gets you home quicker)
> grateful enough to buy a round?

>>3843468
> grateful enough to buy a round?
free drinks!

>>3843468

> grateful enough to buy a round?

>>3843468

> grateful enough to buy a round?

>>3843468
>> grateful enough to buy a round?

"You grateful enough to buy a round?" you throttled well back and pulled Harrier around for a landing approach.

"think it'll be a long while before you're buying your own drinks at Murata," said the administrators.

"that's good to hear," you chuckled. You put your boat down for a gentle landing and turned to Kate. "how we lookin?"

"shields kept out the hard stuff," said Kate. "might give the kids some love we get outta the black. But first mamma needs a drink."

Allison chuckled. "we gon' hit up the same place's last time?"

"that's how I figured," you ran through your end of flight checklist. "why?"

"well, now'at were heroes 'n such, figure we could hit up somethin' classy."

"classy?" Kate gave Allison a look like she'd grown a second head.

"Yeah, you know..." Allison shrugged. "upmarket and such. Barkeeps in bow ties."

Kate laughed. "pretty sure classy places have rules 'gainst seating cavemen."

Allison folded her muscular arms with a shrug. "did live inna cave on Sadow..."

"what say you, boss?" asked Kate?

> just go back to the comfy pub. The ambiance was nice and you were sure they had good grub.
> look for something upscale for Allison. Should be worth a laugh if nothing else.

>>3843550
>> look for something upscale for Allison. Should be worth a laugh if nothing else.

hey, they are paying, let's at least check it out, couldn't hurt
>mfw it hurts

>>3843550

> look for something upscale for Allison. Should be worth a laugh if nothing else.

"I say something classy sounds nice," you said. "especially if they're paying."

Allison flashed you a half smile and gussied herself up as best she could on short notice. That mostly involved tucking a few loose strands of copper mohawk back into her ponytail.

After you and Kate got Harrier down and locked the three of you wandered out in search of fancy drinking. The bustle of the platform slowly ebbed as you got further from the docks and into the commercial districts.

You felt very out of place in your flight gear, nearly everyone now was sporting at least a collar. Of course, you weren't wearing a ripped open tank like Allison and she didn't seem to mind the attention.

Finally you strolled accros a cozy looking bar overlooking the docks proper. It was warm and stuffed with leather bound books, old globes, and things of that sort. The kind of place you imagined literary types went to discuss the classics.

"This's it, I think," said Allison with her hands on her hips. The tall redhead stormed in without giving room for discussion.

You chuckled and followed her in. Her face was aglow as she took in the ambiance. At the bar she ordered a glass of champagne with a giggle that was too high pitched for a woman that jacked.

Kate ordered a beer and at the bartender's recommendation you grabbed a glass of the hibiscus mead they made in-system.

"I could get used to this," Kate found a couch and slumped down.

"Yeah, this is..." you hesitated. The mead was smooth but stong as hell. Your whole body felt warm while it was going down. "this is nice."

"thanks, boss." Allison clutched her flute around the stem like a knife and threw back a swig.

"anything for my crew," you said.

> ask Allison about fighting on Sadow.
> ask Kate about her story. You really only know the broad strokes.
> ask someone about something (write on)
> just get pleasantly buzzed. Maybe hit the promenade for shopping later.

>>3843634
>> ask Kate about her story. You really only know the broad strokes.

haven't heard much from her

>>3843634

> ask Kate about her story. You really only know the broad strokes.

Then ask Allisson about all that fighting

>>3843663
+1

"how 'bout you, Kate?" you asked. "haven't heard much of your story."

Allison leaned in, hunkering down with her arms on her knees.

"fraid it's not as wild as Alli's," she said. "never fought for an audience or anything. My dad was a mechanic. Flew a wrecker in the Typhon complex. Short haul flight 'round there don't usually have much in the way of spare parts."

You nodded. It was usually more trouble than it was worth to make a bird self sufficient when she was only schlepping between ports. "I remember flying those kinda routes."

Allison gave you a look.

"you didn't think dad would trust me with a dash 80 right outta the cradle did you?"

Allison shrugged. "fair 'nuff."

"anyway," said Kate. "when mom got... Bored of the whole wife thing dad started bringing me along." you could feel the bitterness in her tone. Even all these years later she was still viciously angry at her mom.

"she just left?" Allison growled out of the corner of her mouth.

Kate shrugged. "I was a bit young at the time, don't remember much," said Kate. "dad did his best, I think. You ever see a three-bill roughneck in a tiara at a tea party?"

Allison giggled. "sounds like a man."

Kate took a long swig. "yeah, thought me everything I know 'bout engines. Ended up working for Drake. Got me a stable home and got David a stable flight engineer, which we all know he needs."

"you think the engines are your babies, not sure you're the stable one," you teased her.

She laughed and playfully swatted at your arm. "do I or don't I run those babies like a virtuoso."

"fine, fine, I concede the point," you held up your hand in defeat.

"whassa vir-choo-oh-so?" asked Allison.

"it's a..." Kate scrunched up her face. "... Uh... Someone who's good at... Something."

"don't know much 'bout engines," said Allison. "but ya'sure're a vitteroso a' speachifn'."

Kate squinted. "Don't mock me, red."

"'m only playin'."

"Allison," you interrupted before this turned into a catfight that Allison would no doubt win. "you said you were a fighter?"

"huh?" she blinked. "oh, yeah. Weren't much ta'do, so we'd fight 'mongst ourselves."

"just fight?" asked Kate. "no rules or anything?"

Allison shrugged. "some rules. Bare-knuckle, nothin' betwixt the legs. We's fighting to blow of steam, it was a friendly sort."

"you win?" asked Kate.

"not always," she admitted with a lopsided smile. "but often 'nuff."

> trawl the promenade for something interesting
> just enjoy the ambiance till takeoff
> ask about that thing you haven't been able to do (write in for whatever you want done before you leave.)

BTW, how do you anons feel about Allison's accent? Is the phonetic rendering too grating?

>>3843745

> trawl the promenade for something interesting
Let's see what's for sale

>>3843745

> trawl the promenade for something interesting

Thank the girls for the chat and the fight before, we are a good team

>>3843748
accent is fine, sometimes is difficult to read but I imagine it would be difficult to understand too

> trawl the promenade for something interesting

You finished your drinks with time to burn and decided to trawl the promenade. After all, your drinks were free so you might as well spend some walking around money on kitschy tourist crap.

The three of you wandered aimlessly about, easily cutting through the crowd with Allison at the head of the pack. Turns out most folk didn't want to mess with a six-something woman in a gun-show of a tank.

Sadly there wasn't much of interest out for sale. Tapes of pulpy novels, branded headwear and duty-free alcohol. You picked up a mildly overpriced embroidered patch with the platform logo on it. You figured adding the emblem of a place you'd saved to your jacket would be classy.

Allison grabbed a screen printed t shirt for presumably the same reason. You'd barely gotten out of the store before she'd torn the sleeves off.

"what," she said. "I work hard for these gains. Gon' show'em when I can."

You chuckled and kept strolling. Nothing else caught your eye, and before long it was time to fly home.

Allison double checked the platform apes stowed your cargo properly (they had, but eventually she found a pallet with dent in it to complain about) while you and Kate prepped Harrier for the hop home.

Thankfully there were no pirates this time, but as you pulled into your final you noticed something odd on deck. "Hey, isn't that hawk?"

Kate turned to squint through the canopy. "looks like."

You smiled. Hawk was your family's other dash 80, Harrier's sister ship.

"Isn't that Erin's boat?"

You nodded. "last I heard," you said.

"who?" grunted Allison.

"my sister," you said. "taught me as much about flying as anyone."

"didn't she get herself hitched to a cop?" said Kate.

"nobody's perfect," you laughed, putting Harrier down and braking to a taxi. You effortlessly pulled her into her berth right beside Hawk. Allison ducked below to unload while you and Kate got Harrier ready for bed.

With that out of the way you...
> went looking for Erin. It's been months since you saw her, you gotta catch up.
> find dad. You told him about the attack and your daring rescue already, but maybe he has questions?

>>3843855
>> went looking for Erin. It's been months since you saw her, you gotta catch up.

>>3843855

> went looking for Erin. It's been months since you saw her, you gotta catch up.

Lets see our sister, we can give dad the bad news later
I hope he will let us choose the gunner since we are the captain, and intall that other gun

>>3843855

> went looking for Erin. It's been months since you saw her, you gotta catch up.

>>3843868
Important: ask Erin for permission to name drop her husband next time we are stopped by th coppers

>>3843855

> went looking for Erin. It's been months since you saw her, you gotta catch up.

You hopped off the ramp and headed for the family house. Your sister moved out more than a year ago, but your mom still kept a room for her in case she stopped by.

You had to jog a little to get away from the hanger complex, but the moment you stepped through the door you knew your big sister was home. You could smell cinnamon tea in the air, her favorite comfort beverage. "Erin!" you hollared, wandering toward her room.

The door was closed, but you saw light spilling from beneath the door and the muffled sound of techno pulses through the air. Yeah, that was Erin alright. "changing!" she said.

You leaned against the wall, waiting for her to finish. It took long enough that you guessed she had to be screwing with you. Finally the door opened and out stepped your big sister.

Your very, very pregnant big sister.

Right. You remember now that she and Matt were trying for a baby. You'd tried to block that memory out because... You know... It was your sister.

"Hey, David," she laced her hands under her middle. "what's up."

> congratulate her
> call her fat
> pretend not to notice, see how long you can keep this going

>>3843910
> call her fat
As a joke and then
> congratulate her

>>3843937
+1>>3843937

>>3843910
first
> pretend not to notice, see how long you can keep this going

then when she calls our bulshit we

"Oh, I didn't say anything because I though it was impolite to comment on how much weight you gained"

then we finally

> congratulate her

"wow," you said with careful feigned surprise. "you got fat."

Erin shrugged, not taking the bait. "well, after I put a ring on it didn't really have to stay my gorgeous self."

"Bold of you to assume you were ever gorgeous."

She smiled like the sun and threw her arms around you. "you lil' shit. Missed you."

"missed you too," you said. "and, uh... Congrats on the kid."

"thanks," she tugged her shirt into place. "she's why I'm here, actually."

"oh?" you cocked an eyebrow.

She nodded. "yeah, gonna take some time off soon. Be a mom, all that. Since you got Harrier dad's gonna have you take over some of my routes."

You smiled at that. It made practical sense, you had the only other dash 80 in the family fleet. But it still felt good that your dad trusted you like that. "you could've just sent me the flight plans."

"could've," admitted Erin. "but some of my clients are a little twitchy. Figured I'd ride along, make some introductions." she shrugged. "besides, your my favorite brother." she tossuled your hair.

"Yeah, yeah," you blushed.

"so, I hear you're a big hero now?" Erin glowed with pride.

> yeah, I was just about to tell dad
> why don't you join my crew for dinner and we'll tell you the full story

>>3843982
>> yeah, I was just about to tell dad

but invite her to dinner later with them anyway

>>3843992
+1

I've got to head off soon and this seems like as good a stopping point as any. Thanks for playing, anons!

>>3844058
thanks for running!

>>3843982

> yeah, I was just about to tell dad

>>3843982
>> yeah, I was just about to tell dad


>>3844058
Good shit my dude

"I mean... I hate to brag," you said with a winning smile. "But yeah, big hero here."

Erin smiled and dove in for a hug. At the last second she switched and grabbed you in a headlock and gave you a furious noogie. "My lil' brother the hero!"

"Hey, no fair!" You tried to squirm out of her grip without hurting her. "You're pregnant, I can't hit you back!"

Erin let you go with a pout. "'s one of the many benefits that makes up for being the size of a whale." She stuck her tongue out at you in a childish show of victory. You really had missed hanging out with her.

"Yeah, yeah." You licked your fingers and tried to get your hair back into a presentable form. It was an exercise in futility though, and you gave up when Erin's masked giggles became unbearable. "I was just about to tell dad if you want to hear the details."

"I'll meet you there," said Erin. "Gotta pee first," she pointed to her middle by means of explanation. You really didn't need to know that.

Dad was in his office when you arrived, and it didn't take much longer for Erin to show up. He already knew the broad strokes of the story, you'd relayed that back as soon as you'd finished the battle. But as you told him in detail you saw his face darken. By the time you finished he was full-out brooding. It took a few minutes before he even spoke.

"Valentine's pushing harder," he growled.

"We scared his goons off though," you said with a bit more pride than was probably warranted.

"This time," said Dad. "This is going to get worse before it gets better."

"Yeah, about that..." you started. "What's the story on up-gunning Harrier?"

"Well..." Dad pulled a yellow notepad filled with scribbles and tables from the mountain of crap on his desk. "I've got some uprated shield generators on order. Should help toughen her hide a little."

"I'll check with Kate about the extra power draw," you leafed over Dad's notes. You might have to juggle some things around to balance the amp-sheet, but you're sure the two of you can work something out. "What about guns?"

"That's the tricky bit," said Dad. "Strapping some iron on the hull's easy enough, but tuning the firing arcs right, linking it to fire-control... hideaways so we don't kill your speed..." He shook his head and itched at his beard. "I'm afraid it's out of my expertise. I'm looking into finding someone we can contract to do it."

"I might be able to help," said Erin. "I got a few friends into that stuff, see what I can shop around."

"You sure?" asked Dad. "Don't want to put you under too much pressure, what with..."

Erin laughed. "Dad, c'mon. I'm pregnant not an invalid. It'll give me something to do." She turned to you with a smile. "Anyway, what kinda fitout did you have in mind, anyways?"

> Focus on tail-chase armament. You're hoping to run from danger.
> Heavy all-aspect weapons. With Valentine getting pushy you might need to punch your way through blockades.

(QM's Note. It'll take Erin time to find someone who can refit your Boat, so these options aren't going to lock you in.)

>>3847607

> Heavy all-aspect weapons. With Valentine getting pushy you might need to punch your way through blockades.

We already have a tail one

>>3847607

> Heavy all-aspect weapons. With Valentine getting pushy you might need to punch your way through blockades.

We can look for someone while she refits

Is there a list to choose from or something? The gunner I mean.

>>3847623
You're still in the planning phase of the refit. Kitting out a ship to fight is complicated, so you'll need to take to an expert.

You'll have a chance to pick up some more gunners soon.

File: Mule_base.png (42 KB, 128x192)

42 KB PNG

>>3847607
> Heavy all-aspect weapons. With Valentine getting pushy you might need to punch your way through blockades.
We shall make the rarest of the rare, a combat freighter that doesn't fall apart at a mere touch.
Pic related is what i'm imagining oir ship to be

"Guns," you said. "Lots of guns covering all angles." You looked from your sister to your dad. "If Valentine's gonna keep pushing. Cutting and running whenever we face trouble is just going to play into his hands."

"I don't like to see you getting into danger," said Dad with a sigh. "But I'm leaning to agree with you. We can't win this by backing down every time."

Erin started chewing on the end of a pen. "It'll be a hell of a refit, not something we can handle in-house." She started scribbling while muttering to herself. "I know a guy. Could at least get the designs started so's we know what to order parts-wise."

"How much's it gonna cost us?" asked Dad.

"Less than a wrecked Dash-80, probably," said Erin. "I might be able to call in some favors, trade around to keep the costs low. You'll need an extra gunner, maybe two..." she paused. "I could loan you Tabby."

"Your gunner?" You said. You'd heard the name bandied about, but you'd never actually met Erin's gunner. Supposedly she was a little... different. Of course, you fly with an engineer who you swear honestly thinks her engines are children.

"Yeah, she's..." Erin checked her watch. "She's probably sleeping by now, but she's good. A little... different, but good."

"Define different?" you said cautiously.

"Imagine a puppy," said Erin. "But murder."

You stared at her in confusion.

"I'll introduce you in the mornin'," Erin leaned back in her chair and planted her hands at the small of her back. "Mama needs some rack-time."

> Head to bed yourself
> Before you go, there's one thing... (write-in for something you think I missed.)

>>3847651
Harrier's already pretty tanky, she's just limited in her ability to hit back.

>>3847664

> Head to bed yourself

>>3847664

> Head to bed yourself

>>3847651
ayy, nice, starsector anon.

>>3847664
> Head to bed yourself

You stifled a yawn. "Big day tomorrow, think I'll head off too."

- - - -

You woke up early the next morning and checked the schedule. Dad was busy in a meeting, from the sounds of it arranging expedited deliver of those souped-up shield coils he'd ordered so your pre-mission briefing was pushed back. You knew it was one of your sister's routes though.

While Dad talked, you wandered into the kitchen to get some breakfast. Allison wasn't around, but she usually went for a run around this time of morning, at least when you were planet-side. A long run in the country was still a novelty to her as you understood it. Kate was missing too, probably fussing over her engines with the new power-draw calcs. You saw Erin happily packing away sandwiches next to a blond girl you didn't recognize.

She waved at you from the table and motioned you over. "dah-vad," she stopped and swallowed. "Sorry, David! Hey, bro!"

"Hey, Erin." You collected your lunch, just some toast with jam and bacon to start with. You settled down across from Erin and a seat away from the blonde girl. She was about your age, maybe a bit younger. Also, her left arm just kinda... wasn't there. It was on the side facing away from you so you couldn't quite tell what was going on, but it was definitely missing. "Tabby, I assume?"

"Huuu?" the blonde looked up, her lips still locked around a wide-bore straw stuffed into a smoothie of some kind.

"This's my brother, Tabs," Erin waved to you. "David, my gunner, Tabby."

"Hey," she flashed a smile that was just a little too toothy to be comfortable and offered you the hand she did seem to have. "Nice'ta meet ya."

"Back at'cha," you settled down for breakfast and...

> Ask Erin how she's doing. Try to get a look at Tabby's missing arm without being too conspicuous
> Ask Tabby about her arm, or lack thereof.
> Ask Erin what she knows about the upcoming flight

>>3847730
>> Ask Tabby about her arm, or lack thereof.

we were direct with allison might as well be with Tabby, maybe a personality trait

>>3847730

> Ask Erin how she's doing. Try to get a look at Tabby's missing arm without being too conspicuous

>>3847730

> Ask Tabby about her arm, or lack thereof.

She knows its coming, better not beat around the bush.

How pretty is the one armed woman?

>>3847764
>How pretty is Tabby
She's pretty darn cute, but just looking at her you can tell there's something whimsical in the brainpan about her.

I'd post images but I'm looking for a good one right now.

>>3847730

> Ask Tabby about her arm, or lack thereof.

"So, uh..." you tried to lean around the table and get a look at Tabby's left side, but you couldn't get an angle. Actually, it seemed like Tabby was intentionally blading herself to make it hard for you to see. She didn't seem self-conscious or anything though. By the impish smile on her face she looked like she was being difficult solely for the enjoying of being an ass. "Tabby. Can't help but notice you're missing a few digits."

"I am?" Tabby turned around, glaring at her left shoulder and gasping. "Oh my GAWD!" She looked from you to Erin in sheer horror. "Erin! Someone stole MAH ARM!"

Erin gave Tabby the flattest look it was possible for a human to give. By the looks of it she'd long grown tired of her gunner's antics. Tabby seemed to be enjoying having new meat to play with though.

"Nah, I'm just kiddin'," she laughed and flashed you another of those canine-baring smiles. "Lost it when I was a kid."

She turned to give you a look. Her shoulder muscles seemed well developed, but instead of an arm her body ended in a polished socket. You could see titanium plates punching through the skin and slinking down to tie into her clavicle and shoulder blades. "I got's a spare. Built it myself actually, but I like to practice doing things with my meat-hook."

"Plus, she thought it'd be funny to screw with you," said Erin. "You better get used to it if you're gonna fly with her."

Tabby smirked and helped herself to a piece of your toast.

> You really built your own arm?
> Ask Erin how she's doing.
> Hey! Return the toast!

>>3847804

> You really built your own arm?

>>3847804
> Hey! Return the toast!
She only got one arm, we can take her!
And

> You really built your own arm?

>>3847804

> You really built your own arm?

"Hey!" You dove for the toast but she was too fast. Almost before you realized it she'd stuffed the whole thing in her mouth and was furiously chomping to get it down. Erin just took a long sip of her tea and sighed before going back to eating.

"That was mine," you said weakly. "Anyway, uh... you really built your own arm?"

Tabby nodded. "I'll show you when I get it on," she shrugged. "I'm pretty handy with just one hand though. Can do a lot of things with my toes or even my teeth if I have to," she bounced her bushy blonde eyebrows at you and smirked. "So yeah, don't have to worry that I'll be crippled if I loose it." She stopped and looked pointedly at her stump. "Or... you know, *more* crippled."

Before you could say more, you saw Kate come trotting in wearing her usual flightsuit knotted low around the hips outfit. She waved at you before collecting her food and heading over. "Hey, Boss, Erin."

"Hi, Kate," Erin waved at your engineer. "How're the kids?"

"Oh, fine, fine." Kate chuckled. "Kenny's not doing so hot. Your brother let'im got torched the other day."

"Did you now?" Erin planted her hands on her hips and scowled at you.

"It was... there were pirates!" You protested. "Besides, shields took the worst of it."

Kate tutted and made a show of looking away. "So, Erin. How's kid?"

"Healthy, thanks for asking." Erin paused long enough to glare at you. Presumably she was upset you hadn't been more inquisitive about her pregnancy.

"Hey, you're my sister," you said defensively. "It's... weird."

"What? Thinking about how Matt creampied me?" Erin smirked.

"Sis!"

"Yeah, it was just sex sex sex sex sex sex sex," she shook her head and whistled. "Every room of the house every hour of the day. Even tried it in free-fall once."

"Oooh, rookie mistake," said Kate.

"I *can't* know this!" you said in horror.

Tabby giggled.

> Just... try and steer the conversation towards the mission
> Introduce Tabby and Kate. You might be able to get them talking 'bout something other than your sister getting laid
> Wait... Kate's banged in free-fall?

>>3847881

> Wait... Kate's banged in free-fall?
We gotta try it once too
Then
> Introduce Tabby and Kate. You might be able to get them talking 'bout something other than your sister getting laid

>>3847885
supporting

"Wait, I'm sorry..." you turned to look at Kate. "You banged in free-fall?"

Kate nodded. "What... you didn't think I was a virgin, did ya?" She chuckled and motioned to her own admittedly... somewhat fetching figure. "You think a girl like this who hangs around rock-hoppers all day couldn't find a way to deflower herself?"

"No," you admitted. "Just... uh..." you sighed and shook your head. Dangit, now you were curious. "You said it's not all it's cracked up to be?"

She nodded. "No way to get good leverage."

"Worth it if you've got a bump though," Erin teased.

"Sis!" Erin and Kate were a dangerous combination. "I... Anyway. Kate, this is Tabby, she'll be joining as an extra gunner for the time being."

"Nice'ta meet ya," Tabby flashed a toothy grin and offered her good hand to Kate. "Don't worry 'bout the arm."

"I was gonna say," Kate squinted at the visible socket mechanisms. "Nice workmanship, you do that yourself?"

Tabby beamed. "Yeah! It was a little tricky with just the one hand."

"Damn impressive work," Kate said with obvious respect.

About then Allison burst into the kitchen. She was wearing tights and running shorts and her torn-open tank was dark with sweat. Her arms were shiny too, and her ponytail was pointier than usual. Must've just gotten in from a run. You knew she loved taking long jogs in the countryside when she had the chance. Apparently being outside without a pressure suit hadn't quite lost its novelty to her. She waved at you and started loading up a plate.

"You sure you got enough there?" You teased her as she wandered over with a heaping plate.

"Got's to fuel the machine," she said, her accent even thicker than usual as she sat down next to you. Her arms gleamed and her delts were unusually well cut under this lighting. "You gon' introduce me'r what?"

"Huh? Oh," you remembered Allison hadn't joined up all that long ago. "Alli, this is my sister Erin."

"And I am pregnant, by the way," said Erin. "Don't let David tell you I'm just fat."

"Oh, uh, 'gradulations," Allison gave a lopsided smile.

"And Tabby'll be joining the crew for the time being. I understand she's a bit of a weapons expert."

Tabby shrugged. "That's underselling me a bit, but I'll take it."

You looked from her to Erin, curious if that was a joke. From the look on Erin's face it wasn't. "She's good as hell."

> Discuss the upcoming mission. It's why you're all here.
> Talk about that thing with that guy (write-in for doing anything you haven't had a vote for)

>>3847946
> Discuss the upcoming mission. It's why you're all here.

let's do it

>>3847946

> Discuss the upcoming mission. It's why you're all here.

>>3847946

> Discuss the upcoming mission. It's why you're all here.

Now we gotta try it in free fall, ex-gf was not adventurous it seems

"Can we talk about something other than my sister and friends getting laid?" you said. "Please? We've got a flight, don't we?"

"Fine, fine," Erin sighed. Enough making fun of her siblings, it was time to get down to business. "Today we're flying out to Sanctuary with a load of supplies."

"Sanctuary?" Allison cocked her head at Erin. "Ain't they's a cult?"

"The very same," Erin shrugged. "Nice folks, if a little trigger-happy with the preachifying."

""m sorry, cult?" Kate gave Erin, then you a worried look. "We're not gonna get... like... sacrificed or anything?"

Erin laughed. "Nah, they're good people. Big on the whole love 'n peace kind'a thing. Hippes, basically." She winced and shifted in her seat. Apparently her daughter was getting antsy and it was causing your sister all kinds of discomfort. You gave her a worried look but she waved it off with a grin. "Just a lil' kick. Anyway... uh, yeah. Hippies. Got driven out as deep into the black as back can get by the feds decades back, almost got wiped out. As you can imagine they're a little twitchy 'round new people. So I'm coming along to make introductions."

"Uh..." Allison squinted, her nose furrowing to the side. "You's saying they's been wiped out?"

"Almost," said Erin. "It was... a different time. People didn't like a group'a pacifists, spread rumors and half-truths blown out of proportion..."

"What kind'a rumors?" Asked Allison.

"Said they were cannibals, child molesters... the whole spectrum," said Erin. "You ask me it's all a lotta' nothing. I mean... they call each other 'brother' and 'sister', but that's bout the worst of it."

"You're sure?" you asked with trepidation.

"Bro," Erin pointed to her middle. "Think I'd be taking my baby over if I thought there was a chance in hell I'd be in danger?"

"Fair point," you said with a shrug. The rest of breakfast passed without much issue. Allison finished her meal and went off to supervise Harrier's loading while you and Kate made up a room for Erin in one of the unused compartments. Tabby was already getting herself squared away, she seemed to live out of a dufflebag that contained little more than her arm and a collection of mostly black clothes.

As you and Kate were tying down pillows in what would be Erin's bed your engineer turned to you with a look. "You sure about this?"

You looked at the bed. "She's pregnant, Kate. She needs back support."

Kate scowled and tossed a pillow at you. "I mean about the flight. Dealing with a cult and all?"

> You heard Erin. She thinks it's safe and she knows these people a hell of a lot better than we do.
> Just... keep your guard up, okay?

>>3848021

> Just... keep your guard up, okay?
Never hurt to be careful Kate

>>3848021

> You heard Erin. She thinks it's safe and she knows these people a hell of a lot better than we do.

>>3848021
>You heard Erin. She thinks it's safe and she knows these people a hell of a lot better than we do.
>But if it makes you feel any better, I don't trust 'em too much either. I'll keep my guard up and you should too.

>>3848047
>>3848042
These

"We watch each other's backs out there, as usual" her back should be nice enough to keep an eye on amyway

I've got to run for a bit. Thanks for popping by on this unusually-scheduled weekend run!

>>3848048
We got her back

"You heard Erin," you said. "She knows these people and she thinks it's safe enough."

Kate planted her hands on her hips with an unconvinced pout. "maybe, but this whole thing feels fishy."

"you really think she'd lead us into danger?" you asked. "hell, she's pregnant. You think she'd bring her kid into danger?"

"not... Intentionally," said Kate.

You scowled and nodded. "yeah... Yeah, good point. "We watch each other's backs out there, same as usual."

Shouldn't be too hard. Kate's back was remarkably easy on the eyes. That and were her back meet her legs. Her thighs too, that whole area was...

"what're you doing," Kate hiked her tied off flightsuit up around her hips.

"preflight," you said. "watching your back."

She rolled her eyes and strapped into her chair for her half of the preflight checklist. After Allison dropped off her payload sheet you punched the balance data into the computer and got Harrier in the air.

"Hey," Kate hit the quick release on her harness and walked over to the usually vacant copilot's seat. "it'll be a long haul. Mind if I spell ya?"

"be my guest," you let go of the yoke as Kate took over flying.

> go check up on Erin
> see what Allison's up to
> talk with tabby, you don't really know her
> stay on the flight deck and talk to Kate about... (write in)

>>3849283

> stay on the flight deck and talk to Kate about... (write in)

"So, getting interested in putting the kids to work instead of just taking care of them? Good for you I say, there's one thing I enjoy is flying them for what they can."

Then we let her practice some more and


> go check up on Erin
See if prego sis settled in alright

>>3849306
+1

"You going to put your kids to work finally?" you teased Kate. She usually rode in the flight engineer's seat, but she was a fully qualified pilot like you.

"I'm not gonna abuse them like you do," Kate leaned towards the throttle quadrant and cooed sweet nothings at the levers. "you gonna play nice for mommy? Yes you are!"

You shook your head. You knew part of her display was just to annoy you, but you weren't sure how much. "it's a good thing you're good with engines."

She rolled her eyes and slouched in the lambskin seat.

You ducked out of the flight deck and headed forwards to Erin's temporary accommodations. She'd left the door open and you could see her sitting on her bunk. She had a pillow wedged behind he back and another under her knees. "Hey, sis."

"Hey," Erin sat the book she was reading down and hauled herself around to look at you.

"how you doing?" you asked.

"well," Erin sighed and cradled her middle. "my feet are swollen, my tits ache, my belly's the size of a dash 80, and I've gotta pee every ten seconds." she shrugged and gingerly slid off the bed onto her feet.

"baby's that rough, huh?" you tried to be supportive without thinking about the implications.

"No more than usual," Erin put her hands on the small of her back and stretched out her spine. "pregnancy's a bitch, but it's worth it."

"there anything I can do?" you asked. "you have enough pillows or..."

Erin waved you off. "nah, I'll be fine. Thanks, bro." she paced around her room, pivoting gracefully for someone who looked like she's swallowed a hippo. "Hey, I gotta ask..."

"hmm?"

"you fly with a crew of girls," said Erin with a smirk. "you wouldn't happen to fancy one of 'em, would you?"

> nah, I don't much care for the romance thing
> maybe. But that's all you're getting out of me!

>>3849387
>> maybe. But that's all you're getting out of me!

you never know, and it get's lonely and cold in the black

>>3849387
> maybe. But that's all you're getting out of me!

>>3849387

> maybe. But that's all you're getting out of me!

Wouldn't say romance since we barely know them (pics op!) but someone to warm the bed wouldn't be turned away.

>>3849425
I'm trying to find pics. But I came up with characters before looking through images so I'm having trouble finding good images.

"maybe," you said with a teasing smirk. "that's all you're getting out of me though."

Erin crossed her arms with a huff. "you're no fun."

"what can I say?" you shrugged. "I learned from the best."

"this is true," Erin admitted. "I am about the best big sister anyone could ask for."

"I weep for your child's future," you held a hand to your heart and feigned manly tears. Erin threw a pillow at you for that.

"ha ha," Erin rolled her eyes. "Hey, for what it's worth tabby's single."

"is she now," you said. Your sister was smiling. That could either mean she was thinking of the happy domestic bliss she could set you up for, or she was laying a trap for you. "she like menfolk?"

Erin giggled.

"I hate you, sis."

"I know."

> check up with Allison, see if she's got thoughts about the cult.
> see how tabby's settling in. Don't bring up love though, your sister is a pernicious sort.

>>3849453
> check up with Allison, see if she's got thoughts about the cult.

>>3849453

> check up with Allison, see if she's got thoughts about the cult.

We can check on tabby last, did sister just implied she is into girls?

>>3849492
Erin sorta implied that, but it's... You know... Erin. There's a good chance she was just screwing with you

"Hey, I'm going to check on the rest of the crew," you said. "you need anything? More pillows? Hot tea? Anything?"

Erin smiled and shook her head. "no, I'm fine as I am. Thanks though."

"you're my sister," you said. You gave her a wave and ducked to the cargo deck. Harrier's belly was once vast compartment two decks high and lined with cargo rollers and tie downs. You almost never used every inch, and Allison had set up a little gym for herself between two bulkheads.

"Ay, boss." she had her legs crossed by her butt as she pulled herself up to, and then over, a very worn pull up bar.

Her arms were bare as usual and her muscles trembled with exertion as she slowly lowered herself back down. You tired not to stare, but there was an artistry in her biomechanics that was hard to look away from.

"you got a minute?" you leaned against a framer.

"got's'all'a time inna'world," Allison flexed her arm and kissed herself right on the sweaty bicep. "what's up?"

"never really got your say about the cult," you said. "what's your read?"

Allison shrugged and swung her arms to loosen up. "Don't much know your sister," she admitted. "But she seems a wise sort. Don't see'er goin'to danger when she's in the family way."

"I guess, but the rumors..."

"Rumors is jus' that," said Allison. "Don't put much weight'n hearsay. But..."

"but?" you gave her a look.

"facts is facts." Allison scowled." Feds drove'm outta th'core, almost wiped'em out till they ran as far as far can get. I ain't the kind to be sympathetic with'a government, but they'd not do sommat like that for no reason."

"Yeah," you grumbled. So much about this felt wrong. You knew you were missing something. "maybe it's like Erin said? Different time, feds didn't like folk that didn't fall in line?"

"most've us don't fall in line," said Allison. "feds don't bother even showin up half the time."

"I know," you said. "keep your guard up, okay?"

"always do," Allison smiled. "good thing I'm a fighting sort."

"and famous too."

She laughed. "Hey, how's your sister?"

"she's... I think it's taking its toll on her, but she seems in good spirits."

Allison nodded. "sounds 'bout right." she rolled her wrist and checked her watch. "gettin' late. Should get working on dinner soon."

"you're going to shower first," you said. "I hope?"

"nah," teased Allison. "yer new-fangled high-Jean's too much for's a dumb farmin girl."

You rolled your eyes and...

> went to check on tabby
> went to see Kate. Take over if she's getting tired.

>>3849569
> went to check on tabby

>>3849569

> went to check on tabby

Hows she settling in
See her arm if she has it
Sister implied you are into girls, don't know if to fuck with me or with you, but if yes who's the hottest in your opinion
Direct as usual

You headed back up to check up on tabby. You'd set her up in a room next to Erin's that hadn't been in use up till now. The door was closed do you knocked on the non-pressure-tight divider. "tabby, you there?"

"uh-huh," came a muffled grunt.

You blinked. "mind if I come in?" you asked.

"shuuh." was the reply.

You slid the door back into the wall and took a cautious step inside. Tabby was sitting cross legged on the floor in a black skull-print tank top and what were either tiny black running shorts or her panties.

She had a flashlight in her mouth, a soldering iron in her hand, and a spool of solder held between her toe of one foot while the other held tension on a wire.

You watched in silent awe while she performed what you assumed was basic maintenance on her arm. It was a beautiful contraption too. All black anodized metal with deep scarlet accents and slender, pointed fingers.

Seemingly content with her work tabby spat out the flashlight and turned to you. "sorry, gotta go to get creative sometimes.

"I'll say," you said. Just watching her clean up her workspace with one arm was something else. Though she did an excellent job of getting everything secured.

"how you settling in?" you asked, trying not to stare as she stood. Yup, those were definitely her panties.

"it's wierd flying with a guy," she fished around in her duffle for a pair of tights. "I'll get used to it."

"good, good," you nodded. Watching her get dressed with one arm was a fascinating display of flexibility. "well, I want you to feel at home here."

"oh, I do," tabby grinned and pulled on a short pleated skirt. You're not used to seeing spacers in skirts, not the most practical of attire. "I like 'em," said tabby in response to your unasked question. "besides I'm wearing tights."

"fair enough," you admitted.

> ask to see her arm
> ask if she's into girls
> ask her opinion on the cult, she's flown out before.
> something else.

>>3849689
>> ask her opinion on the cult, she's flown out before.

then we sneakly get in
> ask if she's into girls

"so flying only with girls before" and we can go on from that

>>3849697
+1

>>3849697
Supportin

>>3849689
> ask if she's into girls
> ask her opinion on the cult, she's flown out

"I understand you've flown to the cult before?" you asked.

Tabby picked her arm up by the synthetic bicep and plugged it into the socket on her stump of a shoulder. You heard a series of loud clicks and caught tabby wince. Then she picked up a pencil and spun it between her talon-like artificial fingers. "yeah, a few times actually."

"and?" you said. For something she'd built herself tabby's arm was pretty agile. "I've heard mixed stories about them."

Tabby shrugged. "they're nice. Kind folk." she squinted at you. "Nobody's that nice. It's mighty disconcerting. All that talk of being one with the path..."

"you don't trust them?" you asked.

"they've never given me a reason to distrust them," said tabby. "that alone makes me on edge."

"you're not a trusting sort, are you?" you said.

Tabby shrugged. "my parents named me Tabitha. I never recovered."

You laughed. "seems as pretty a name as any. Anyways..."

"huh?" tabby bounced onto the edge of her bed.

"Erin tells me you like the girlfolk."

Tabby smirked. "well... Not exclusively..."

Before you could figure out how serious she was being Allison strolled by telling her everyone that dinner was ready. Tabby slipped past you to grab a spot at the head of the line.

You filed on along with your sister to get a spot at the table. You couldn't help but notice one hand never left the bulkhead as she walked, supporting her unbalanced weighr. You gave her a wordless look of concern. She smiled in return. "just a little tired," she said.

> talk with that person about that thing (write in)
> just get dinner and get back to flying. You've got a long haul, it's best you get to it.

>>3849787
help her along the way
> talk with that person about that thing (write in)

comment on Tabbys arm, seems like good table talk, ask what else she can do, maybe she could take a look at our current weapon system and see if there is anything she can do to improve it

Tease Kate about her time alone with the kids, tell her we will be taking over her precious soon

compliment the food too, if it's good

then we take the flying seat, let's see if anyone will come around to bother kek

>>3849795
Supporting

>>3849787
>> just get dinner and get back to flying. You've got a long haul, it's best you get to it.

File: hideaway-turrets.jpg (60 KB, 582x419)

60 KB JPG

You offered your arm. Erin looked at you for a second, then smiled and took the offered support. "you're a good kid, you know? You'll make Allison real happy one day?"

"who says I've got eyes for Alli?"you teased.

Erin pouted that her brilliant plan had been foiled. You helped her into the kitchen and pulled out a chair for her to rest her weary bulk.

Allison had a frilly apron on and was cheerfully ladeling out servings of chicken noodle soup. She'd worked up a big bowl of leafy salad too and was guilting anyone who didn't take enough with focused glares.

"so, tabby," you sat down next to the blonde gunner. "That arm's pretty impressive."

She beamed, flashing a smile that seemed to bare only the pointed tips of her canines. "yeah, made it all myself."

"'s right solid craft," said Allison. "you did it all usin' just th'one hand?"

"and my feet," said tabby. "wasn't no big deal once I got used to it."

"how you driving it?" you asked.

"brushless electric," tabby flexed. "powered by a fuel cell and linked to the nerve stump."

"impressive."Allison sat down to eat, hunching over her bowl to show off her own muscles.

Tabby took the bait with a giggle and slammed her elbow down on the table." wanna go?"

"Tabby, no," Erin muttered half heartedly.

"No, this'll be good," you said.

Allison took tabby's arm and almost immediately trounced her. "ya win with your back, not'cher arm."

Tabby giggled excitedly. Apparently learning something new made up for loosing. "from the back, yeah..."

"Hey, tabby. You got any thoughts on up gunning Harrier?" you asked.

She nodded, her chubby cheeks squishing with murderous glee. "oh, lots. You've actually got juice to burn for weapons. I figure we mount a pair of twin turrets at the back end of the cargo bay--"

"can't," you said. "Don't have the ground clearance. Gotta get the bay nice and low when we're offloading in the bush."

Tabby shook her head. "You do if you fit them in hideaways. Tuck them up 'side the hull in fairings when you're not using them."

"hideaways, huh?" said Allison.

Tabby nodded somehow more enthusiastically. "yeah, won't produce near as much drag in the slipstream. Also won't draw... You know... Cops."

"two twins... So four more guns?" you stroked your chin. It was a habit you'd picked up from your dad. Sadly you didn't have the beard to really pull it off.

"to cover the belly aspect, yeah," said tabby.

"seems a reasonable enough--"

Tabby coughed loudly. "to cover the belly," she repeated. "then two sets of hideaway twins on the top surface plus a quad in the nose in top of the clamshell."

You looked at her while tallying up her proposed refit. "so... Twenty guns total."

She nodded, chewing on her bottom lip inquisitivly. "plus one, maybe two cueing sets and a gunner's chair for me."

"this girl wants'ta make'er boat Inna flying fortress." Allison seemed more shocked than anything.

"what do you think?" asked tabby with the eagerness of a golden puppy.

> I like the way you think
> ain't that a little excessive?

>>3849868
>> I like the way you think
No such thing as too much dakka

>>3849868

> I like the way you think

Fuck Valentine

>>3849868
>> I like the way you think

>>3849868

> I like the way you think

"I like the way you think," you said.

"pat her head," said Erin.

"huh?" you looked back to tabby, who was obligingly offering the top of her head for easy access.

"she likes it when you pat her head," said Erin.

You shrugged and patted the gun-happy blonde's head. "good job, tabby."

She smiled and went back to eating.

"anyway," you slapped your hands to your gut. "Allison, this was excellent. I'm gonna spell Kate so she can get some.

"thanks, boss."

You ducked into the flight deck and slid into your seat. "kids treat you well?"

"they like me," said Kate.

"well scram," you grabbed the yoke and rested your hand on the throttles. "grub's up."

The rest of the flight was as uneventful as could be expected in the mid rim. You kept one ear on the cb, listening to the running commentary from pilots around this part of the slipstream. You detoured around a few pirate ambushes thanks to them, and soon enough you were ramping off the slipstream.

"Hey," Erin inched toward the usually vacant copilot seat. She moved one hand from framer to framer for support while the other never left her bump.

"mornin," you said. "small lil' moon."

"Yeah," Erin collapsed into her chair and fussed with her harness until she'd gotten it adjusted for her belly. "give me a second, I'll load the navigation beacon."

You nodded. "Alli, we secure for entry?"

"we's good down'ere," came the reply over the intercom. "down'n clamped."

"copy," you said just as a new waypoint showed up on your hud. Looks to be at the bottom of a deep valley.

"airs thicker down there," explained Erin. "so's you don't need breathing gear like the plateaus."

"gotta be awful thin still," said Kate.

Erin nodded. "you get used to it." she reached for the radio. "sanctuary, this is Erin Raleigh, how copy?"

"Erin!" an excited young voice crackled over the radio. "it really you?"

"sure as the wind blows," said Erin.

"your ship..." the voice seemed guarded now. Not hostile but definitely on edge.

"my brother's boat," said Erin. "I'm a bit too into the family way to be flying out this far."

"oh," the voice was still gaurded, but less openly so. "Um... Okay."

"don't worry, he's good folk. We good for approch?"

"um..." there was a long pause. "yes. Yes, you're welcome to approch."

At Erin's instruction you eased Harrier into the valley. It was mighty disconcerting to see rocks roar past above you, but she didn't seem to mind. You spotted a few rocket sites hidden under camo netting, but they didn't seem to be tracking you.

Below you, barren scrubland gave way to patchy farmland dotted with small figures toiling under the meager sun. Soon you spotted a short dirt runway with a hodgepodge collection of prefabricated and locally knocked-together buildings beyond.

You set Harrier down on her wheels and rolled maybe a hundred feet. The view outside disappeared into a cloud of dust kicked up by your wheels and thrust reversers.

By the time the dust settled a dozen people had assembled by the bow ramp. They were all dressed in layers of drab robes and cloths, and from the look of it at least a few had weapons.

"well that ain't ominous," muttered Kate.

"they're just ancy around new folks," said Erin. Between the three of you you got the landing checklist done in record time. You had Kate keep the engines warm and the fcs booted though. Best to simplify the pre flight should you have to leave with a quickness.

You joined up with Allison and tabby. Tabby had a rifle slung so it hung by her hip while Allison had her automatics strapped to her thighs.

"gonna want a coat," Erin pulled a sweater over her head and tucked it around her bump. "it's high desert out there. Forty degrees when we landed."

Allison whistled and ducked back to grab a coat. When everyone was finally ready you hit the switch and lowered the nose ramp.

"howdy, fellas!" Erin waved and stomped down the ramp. "this's my little brother."

That seemed to break the tension. The cultists relaxed, letting their weapons fall against slings.

"Allison, get my boat unloaded," you said, trusting her intimidating figure and talent at yelling to keep things in line. Just in case, you ordered tabby to keep watch too.

Allison wasted no time with the pointing and yelling, momentarily stunning the half dozen cultists who'd come up to assist.

"relax, bro." Erin waved you over. "c'mon, let me introduce you."

> sure, if you're doing the introductions whats the harm
> I'd rather stay with my boat 'till we get her unloaded.

>>3849978
>> sure, if you're doing the introductions whats the harm

Let Kate no we are going off board just to be safe

>>3849978

> sure, if you're doing the introductions whats the harm

>>3849978
>> sure, if you're doing the introductions whats the harm

"Sure," you said. "Hey, Alli. Gonna mingle a bit, let Kate know."

Allison flashed a thumbs up while yelling at a cultist half her size who clearly struggled to piece together her thick slurring accent.

Tabby just stood in the corner giggling. She didn't seem as on-edge as you were, which you assumed was a good sign.

You trotted over to where Erin was chatting with an old man bundled in layers like the rest. His hair was the color of steel and worn back in a ponytail while his beard was almost longer still.

"Ah, there he is," Erin turned to you. "father, this is my brother David."

"father?" you have her a look.

"it's a term of respect," said Erin. "this is father Mathias, leader of the sanctuary."

"we are happy to have you with us," he took your hand with a firm shake. He had that old man strength of someone who'd never seen the inside of a gym but worked hard labor all his life.

"I'll admit it's not the warmest welcome," you said.

Mathias smiled. "my people are wary of outsiders. Please accept our humblest apologies."

"No need," you said. "I understand you're sending us home with something?"

"Yes," Mathias nodded. "the mead we make fetches quite a price. I believe you should turn a tidy profit."

Erin narrowed her eyes. "buuuut?"

"I'm afraid we haven't completed packing," said the old man. "you came sooner than usual."

"kinda on a clock here," Erin motioned to her middle.

"I assure you we'll have your cargo readied by tomorrow," said Mathias. "in the mean time you are all welcome to join us for dinner."

"what do you say, bro?" asked Erin.

> why not? Cults have feasts, right?
> you'd rather stay with Harrier, no offense.

>>3850022
>> you'd rather stay with Harrier, no offense.

>>3850022
>> why not? Cults have feasts, right?

buuuuut, at least 2 stay at the ship, and Erin is one of them

>>3850022

> why not? Cults have feasts, right?

Gonna call it for here. See if I can rustle up some images for everyone.

"Sure," you said. "Don't think the whole crew will join though. My engineer's a mite particular 'bout her engines." it was a half truth. Kate did like her engines, but you had no intention of giving her the option to join the festivities.

"of course," said Mathias. "we'll be glad to have whoever among you chooses to visit."

Erin gave you a look but said nothing. She'd seen clear through your deception but wasn't making an issue of it. "is charity around?"

"in the fields to the north," said Mathias. "I'll inform her of your arrival, I'm sure she'll be happy to see you."

"charity?" you asked, your voice low so only Erin could hear.

"one of the cultists," said Erin. "sweet girl. Very kind, very single."

You rolled your eyes. "since when are you my matchmaker?"

Erin shrugged with a smirk. You went back to finish getting Harrier unloaded while Erin hung back to make nice with the father. You still weren't quite at ease in the compound, but you had to admit your sister was.

"so," Allison planted her hands on her hips by the bow ramp. "what'cha make'v'em?"

"those rocket batteries we flew past were something," you said. It felt a little hypocritical to complain when you'd just been talking with tabby about up gunning your boat, but it still bothered you.

"Yeah," Allison scowled. "Don't like it m'self."

"it's for defense," tabby trotted past with a lollipop or something wedged in the pocket of her cheek. "this far out pirates are thicker then spit."

"still don't like it," said Allison.

"same, but tabby has a point. They haven't done anything overtly hostile," you said. "even invited us to dinner."

"we gon' go?" asked Allison.

"I am," you said. "make nice with the clients. I want you and Kate watching the boat... Where is Kate anyway?"

"flight deck," said Allison. "checkin' the engines didn't get banged up from'at touchdown'a yours."

"it was a short, dirt strip, what does she want from me?" you threw up her hands. "tabby."

"huh?" she plucked her lollipop out and spun it between artificial fingers. "what's up?"

"you been to any of these shindigs before?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "good time. Watch the mead though. It's good but it'll knock you on your butt before you know it."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"had to carry Erin back once," tabby giggled. "she got so wasted."

You filed that bit of knowledge away for if you needed to embarrass your sister in the near future. "good to know."

"ay, boss?" Allison gave you a look and handed you an autoloader butt-first. "you'gon bring'n iron to this party?"

> they're clients, and flighty ones at that. Going armed sends the wrong message.
> sure, better to have and not need, right?

>>3851295

> they're clients, and flighty ones at that. Going armed sends the wrong message.

"Just be ready to go if anything happens"

>>3851295
>> they're clients, and flighty ones at that. Going armed sends the wrong message.

>>3851306
+1

You shook your head and handed the pistol back. "they're clients, and flighty ones at that. Going to dinner sends the wrong message."

"but--"

"but you're what... Two fifty?" you made a show of looking up and down Allison's tall, well built phisique. "I'm fair certain you don't need a gun to knock some heads."

"still, fin' that'a good shooter 'as a calming effect on unruly folk." said Allison.

"I like her," said tabby.

With Allison and Kate watching the boat, you and tabby went back to join Erin for dinner. The sun was low in the sky now and valley was bitterly cold. You could understand why all the cultists wore so many layers.

Finding dinner was easy enough, you followed the smell of cooking meat and burning wood to a long structure full of low tables draped with blankets and long fires. Your sister was sitting on her haunches by a mostly empty table. "Hey, bro!"

"Hey, sis," you slipped your legs under the blanket next to her. There must've been a heater under the table, your toes were toasty right off the bat. "this is nice."

"told you," Erin smiled. "they know how to make the best of a bitter world."

Trays were passed up and down the table. Mostly simple stuff, rough handmade bread, salads and small birds roasted in their juices. You were just thinking about eating when Erin swatted the back of your hand."Don't be rude."

Mathias stood and recited a ritual or something. He gave thanks for the he food and the company (by inference you) and rambled on with something deep and philosophical. You were too busy watching the exits to get much.

When it was time to eat you sampled everything carefully, but Erin seemed happy to chow down on whatever was in front of you. The communal eating comforted you, harder to poison a dish when everyone was eating it.

"oh, there she is!" Erin waved at a cultist bowing quickly at one of the doors. She was tall and plain and dressed in drab floor length robes. But her face lit up when she saw Erin.

She made her way over to sir accros from your sister. "Erin," the new girl gave your sister a wide smile. "it's good to see you again. You've gotten so big!"

"'nother three months to grow," said Erin with a feigned sigh. "you wanna?"

The cultist smiled and reached over to feel your sister's belly. "oh! She's a strong one." she looked up, an air of seriousness to her all of a sudden. "she'll be greatly blessed."

"c'mon, you know I don't go for that stuff," Erin said half heartedly.

"doesn't make it not true."

"oh!" Erin snapped her fingers. "this is my little brother, David."

"charity," said the cultist.

"you've met tabby," added Erin.

Charity's eyes narrowed and her voice ran cold. "tabby," she said with a thin vaneer of civility.

Tabby's mouth was too full to do more than hiss in response.

Erin giggled at their interaction.

> ask charity about the cult
> ask charity what she has against tabby.
> tell charity you've been told she's single.

>>3851397
>> ask charity what she has against tabby.

>>3851397
>> ask charity about the cult

>>3851397
>> ask charity what she has against tabby.

stick to our crewmate tho

>>3851397

> ask charity what she has against tabby.

"what do you have against tabby?" you asked.

"beyond... You know... The obvious," said Erin.

Tabby giggled, apperently taking your sister's comment as praise.

"when we first met, she convinced me to spar with her," explained charity. "I didn't know about her arm, so imagine my surprise when my first strike severs it cleanly."

"there was blood everywhere," cackled tabby. "I had it all rigged up with my arm. Just foooosh!" she mimed a fountain erupting from her side.

"it was traumatizing," grunted charity. "and was but the first of many pranks."

Tabby shrugged. "you gotta stand up for yourself, sister."

Charity shook her head. "it's not out way."

Tabby leaned over the table. "One day... One day I'll get you to snap."

Charity leaned in herself. Her voice was calm and serene but utterly unyielding. "should that day come you have my pity."

> ask charity about the cult. They're a ways from anywhere.
> ask charity about sparring. Maybe you could get her and Allison to fight
> it's getting late. You'd rather turn in for the night.

>>3851462
>> ask charity about the cult. They're a ways from anywhere.

better not make allison pummel the cultist to the ground

>>3851462

> ask charity about the cult. They're a ways from anywhere.

>>3851462
>> ask charity about the cult. They're a ways from anywhere.

"so, I understand you're in a cult?" you asked.

Charity nodded. "about as good a term as any considering how few of us there are."

"what, um... What kinda things do you do?" you asked carefully.

"we're not into virgin sacrifice if that's your concern," charity popped a grape into her mouth. "mostly we keep to ourselves, live humbly."

"I can see that," you looked over her drab clothing. "you got run out here didn't you?"

"long before my time," said charity. "during the unification, a bunch of pacifists weren't too popular."

"for pacifists you've got a hell of a lot of rockets," you said.

"we're pacifists, not pushovers." charity shrugged. It was hard to tell with all those layers, but she seemed strong enough. "we might turn the other cheek to a personal slight , but defense of the weak is allowed."

"guess I can get behind that," you said.

> you said you were sparring with tabby? How's that go?
> so, I understand you're single...
> it's getting late, I should be heading back to my boat

>>3851610

> you said you were sparring with tabby? How's that go?

>>3851610
>> you said you were sparring with tabby? How's that go?

>>3851610
>> you said you were sparring with tabby? How's that go?


what's up with the single thing? is she even cure? are they into the free love part of hyppies too?

>>3851652
Erin said it, so it's an option to take the bait. You don't have to ask her if you think your sister's screwing with you.

"You said you were sparring?" you asked her. "no offense but you don't quite look the fighting type."

"oh, none taken," charity smiled a disarmingly cute smile and fussed with her top knot. "we try to live without violence where possible."

"and when it's not possible?" you asked.

She shrugged. "we prefer to win quickly."

You glanced at Erin who nodded in response. "you should see her fight. Bet she could give Allison a run for her money."

You scoffed. "have you seen Alli? She's got a foot on her. And she used to fight for sport."

"really?" Erin laughed.

"No shit. Had fans and everything. One even came up to us on Murata."

Erin smirked. "I'll have to keep that in mind."

The three of you talked for a while more. Tabby was too busy stuffing herself with fruit to say much. You couldn't speak to the rest of the cult, but charity seemed kind enough.

Eventually the hour drew too late. You, Erin, and tabby headed for Harrier. Charity gave your sister a warm hug and muttered what you assumed was a blessing over her unborn baby. You got a respectful bow from the waist and tabby got a less respectful bow.

Allison and Kate were waiting in the cargo bay when you got back, idly picking at mostly clean plates and watching movies. "you kids have fun?" you asked.

"Kate's'a horrible spotter," grumbled Allison.

"you were trying to bench me in plates," Kate put her hands on her thick hips. "what was I supposed to do?"

"not be'a weakling?" Allison teased.

"have you seen me!" Kate pointed to her legs. She was wearing a pair of slightly ripped tights under shorts dark enough to almost hide the grease stains. "all my go is in my thighs."

"girls, girls," you yawned. "you're both beautiful." with that you clambered up to your bunk for the night.

- - - -

You were up bright and early the next morning. The cultists had packed up your payload for the outbound trip. Mostly it was crated bottles of that mead tabby warned you about, but there were a few loads of firearms on the inventory list.

"Hey, Erin," you knocked on the open door to her quarters. "you want to explain this to me?"

She winced, hauling herself off the bed with obvious effort. "wha... Oh, the guns?"

"what's a bunch of monks doing with guns?"

"they're old style," said Erin. "kind made when labor was cheap. Historical replicas, hard to get 'em for a reasonable price anywhere else."

"Okay..." you scratched your chin. "but why do they make them?"

"gotta support themselves somehow," said Erin. "like with the mead. Trust me we'll turn a profit on' em."

"alright," you said. "I'll have Allison get them squared."

You ducked out of her room and promptly ran into Kate. "Hey, boss. Ready to start the preflight?"

> yeah, let's get in the air
> before we go there's this thing I want to do. (write in)

>>3851778
>> yeah, let's get in the air

we didn't ge kidnapped and eaten, that's a good sign

>>3851778

> yeah, let's get in the air

>>3851778
>> yeah, let's get in the air

>>3851778

> yeah, let's get in the air

Probably going to be around an hour before I can get you anons an update. Should have pictures though, hold tight.

>>3851875
Poor qm fell asleep

HAUNTER USE NIGHTMARE!
it's super effective!

File: Kate.png (165 KB, 443x1000)

165 KB PNG

"Yeah, let's get her in the air," you said. While Allison secured the cargo you and Kate went up to get Harrier ready to fly. Since you'd left her warmed-up overnight it only took you a few minutes to finalize your checks and push-back on the dirt strip. As soon as Allison handed you her finished lo-bal sheet you punched in the figures and got Harrier in the air.

Once you were in the slipstream it was a pretty short hop to your next stop. You stayed at the controls the whole time, but Erin waddled up to join you in the co-pilot's seat. She didn't say anything, but you could tell being carted around like a passenger was grating on her. She was as much of a pilot as you were, after all. She wanted a measure of control in her life.

You let her take the yoke for a bit while Tabby dropped by to inspect the weapons systems. Allison joined her a few moments later, clearly protective of her console while trying not to look like Kate. Thankfully, their combined attention wasn't needed as this part of the slipstream was calm. You made it all the way to your destination without so much as a warning on the CB.

As Harrier ramped off the slipstream you fished the talker from its cradle. "Olympus tower, this is--"

Before you could finish your sentence another ship ramped off. She was closing from the opposite bearing, a head-on approach with her gold-purple maw staring you right in the face. You knew that ship, but it couldn't be..

"This is the Victorious," said the same pompous ass you'd sent running from Mutara. "We've a quarrel with the Harrier."

"Ah hell!" you cursed and pulled Harrier into a barrel roll to dance around incoming fire. "Alli! Alli, get on the gun."

"Shields up!" announced Kate.

"Hey, Olympus, little help here?" You could see at least a half dozen police gunships orbiting the colony at low altitude. Enough to swing the tide in your favor.

"Uh, negative, Harrier," droned a new voice. "We's here to keep the peace in the colony, not muddle 'bout outside it."

You glared at the radio. You'd expected as much but it still stung. "We're coming to you then!"

"Can't be having that," said the cop. "Keep your quarrels outside the colony."

You smashed the talker back into its cradle. "I hate cops!"

"Some of them are okay," Erin mumbled.

"Not enough!" Allison growled.

"Victorious, what do you want?" you demanded.

"Your family hasn't been paying their taxes," said the Valentine pilot. "Pay now, or pay with your life."

"You realize I've got a pregnant woman aboard?" You countered, dancing your big beast of a boat around to get out of his firing arc.

"Then it would be a shame if you contained this dance," said the Valentine pilot. "Level your wings and heave to and we can discuss... arrangements."

"Arrangements my ass," snarled Tabby. "Let's show'em who's boss!"

> Come around and show this bully what you think of him.
> Dive for the colony. The cops might be lazy asses, but you don't think they'd actually fire if you made for saftey.

>>3852064
>> Come around and show this bully what you think of him.

fuck him and all he's worth

"Erin, as the captain of the Harrier, get your ass on a lifepod and stay there until I say so, this is not negotiable"

>>3852109
Supporting

Did the cult bit go on too long? I didn't have it plotted out as well as I could've and it felt like it dragged a bit.

>>3852142
it was fine, if they appear later on and they actually have some inpact I wouldn't mind

>>3852109
+1

Roll some d6s. As always I'll take the top 3 of the first four.

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>3852181

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>3852181

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>3852181

it seems when sis is in danger we bring out the big guns