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"boss?" she shrugged, the jack port on her left shoulder peeking through where she'd cut the sleeve off her jacket.

"sit," you pointed at the usually vacant co pilot's seat beside you.

Tabby obligingly climbed up onto the lambskin but kept her limbs tucked if from the controls. "what's up, boss?"

"I've barely seen hide or hair of you," you stared out the canopy, watching the wispy rainbow contrails of the slipstream dance over your boat's streamlined form. "figure we could keep each other company."

Tabby smiled. It was the kind of wholesome girlish smile that didn't quite sit right on a girl who'd spent hours in the rain with a sniper rifle. You supposed that was just part of her charm. "that sounds fun."

"what happened to your arm?" you asked her. Tabby had a beautiful synthetic to replace her missing appendage. Dark anodized aluminum and cherry red accents, it was a right pretty thing. "rain get into it?"

"nah, " tabby shrugged and glanced at the socket drilled into her bones. "it's hardened against that. I can actually go swimming with it I don't go too deep."

"impressive," you said. Waterproofing kit was no mean feet. "glad to have you with us."

Tabby tucked her feet under her and looked away. She was the only member of your crew who hadn't been flying with you for a few months, and it showed. "thanks."

> assure her she's part of the crew. She'll have more to do once the extra guns get fitted.
> ask her how she's settling in. Maybe there's something you can do to help
> ask her about your destination. You know it's an arms expo, but the little blonde murderball has shown a shockingly in depth knowledge of shooting. She might know more than you.

>>3873303
> ask her how she's settling in. Maybe there's something you can do to help
> ask her about your destination. You know it's an arms expo, but the little blonde murderball has shown a shockingly in depth knowledge of shooting. She might know more than you.
both seem good

>>3873306
+1

"how you settling in?" you asked tabby.

She chewed the corner of her mouth for a moment before answering. "it's... Different. Engine harmonics are off. I can feel it when I'm sleeping, Harrier doesn't sing quite the same song as Hawk."

"don't go telling Kate her engines are off," you said.

Tabby shrugged. "it's not the engines it's... My room's a bit further aft on Hawk so the noise is a little higher..." she shook her head. "I just can't stop feeling that I'm sleeping in someone else's house."

"I know that feel," you said. "but you're on my crew now. Harrier's your home."

Tabby nodded. "I'll get there eventually," she said. "thanks boss."

"No problem for my new gunner," you tousled her hair appreciatively.

Tabby smiled. She's never said it in so many words, but you can tell she feels awfully useless. Without the new guns she's supposed to direct she's got nothing to do on the boat beside announce that dinner is ready.

"how much you know 'bout where were headed?" you asked her.

"oh? Nex Alea?" tabby visibly perked up. "it's the biggest arms expo this sector! I kept begging Erin to take me."

You couldn't help but giggle at her obvious enthusiasm. "you gonna pick up some toys?"

Instantly her face hardened. "guns ain't toys, skip."

"fair point," you held up your hands in mock surrender.

> ask her how she's settling in with the crew
> just fly, you should be landing in a few hours anyhow

>>3873402
>> ask her how she's settling in with the crew

"how you settling in?" you asked tabby.

She chewed the corner of her mouth for a moment before answering. "it's... Different. Engine harmonics are off. I can feel it when I'm sleeping, Harrier doesn't sing quite the same song as Hawk."

"don't go telling Kate her engines are off," you said.

Tabby shrugged. "it's not the engines it's... My room's a bit further aft on Hawk so the noise is a little higher..." she shook her head. "I just can't stop feeling that I'm sleeping in someone else's house."

"I know that feel," you said. "but you're on my crew now. Harrier's your home."

Tabby nodded. "I'll get there eventually," she said. "thanks boss."

"No problem for my new gunner," you tousled her hair appreciatively.

Tabby smiled. She's never said it in so many words, but you can tell she feels awfully useless. Without the new guns she's supposed to direct she's got nothing to do on the boat beside announce that dinner is ready.

"how much you know 'bout where were headed?" you asked her.

"oh? Nex Alea?" tabby visibly perked up. "it's the biggest arms expo this sector! I kept begging Erin to take me."

You couldn't help but giggle at her obvious enthusiasm. "you gonna pick up some toys?"

Instantly her face hardened. "guns ain't toys, skip."

"fair point," you held up your hands in mock surrender.

> ask her how she's settling in with the crew
> just fly, you should be landing in a few hours anyhow

>>3873421
>> ask her how she's settling in with the crew

>>3873421

> ask her how she's settling in with the crew

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"everyone treating you right?" you asked her.

Tabby nodded. "yeah, Kate's been really nice and Allison..." she giggled. "Allison's been kind of an ass hole to me, but I think that means we're friends."

"that's about accurate, yeah," you chuckled.

Before long you were cruising into the Nex Alea arms expo. It was a sprawling complex in the middle of a vast desert that sprung up out of nothing every year.

You flew over row after row of earthwork shooting bays were clients could try out everything from pocket pistols to anti-tank cannons.

Flocks of small craft were parked in haphazard rows on the hard packed desert. Old surplus fighters out for action, the latest in cutting edge hardware angling for lucrative government contracts, ancient warbirds nursed back to life by retirees with free time and passion in droves...

Tabby spent the whole approach worth her face glued to a window all but drooling over everything she saw.

"gon' coord'n'et our loadin'," drawled Allison from her chair. "shouldn't take too long."

You nodded. You were picking up a bulk shipment of cannons for the militia, some of which were earmarked for your retrofit in lieu of payment for the haul. Also, you were picking up a few fighters that didn't have the legs to make it home.

"can we stay a while?" tabby pleased, still staring out the window.

Allison shrugged. "could look'fr a new shootin iron m'self."

"maybe spend a night," Kate tugged at her tights.

> just get your gear and get back in the air. The quicker the refit's done the better.
> might as well paruse a little...

>>3873502
>> might as well paruse a little...

>>3873502
>> might as well paruse a little...

>>3873502
> might as well paruse a little...

I like the idea of getting a gun and spending the night

>>3873502
Why is she crosseyed :'D

>>3873640
is that face paralisys thing dude, its rude to comment kek

>>3873502
>> might as well paruse a little...

If we pick up a crate of something thats rare, we could make a profit selling somewhere that'll pay high for it on our travels.

Buy low, sell high.

Maybe some kind of specialized ammunition or grenades. If not we could go for something like a battle robot, those exist right? And they'd pay top dollar for one on the front lines somewhere else.

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"Sure, might as well look around." you said. Setting Harrier down went easier than you'd expected for such a remote complex. The ad hoc atc really knew his stuff.

You and Kate got Harrier spun down before joining Allison and tabby in the hold. From what you'd gathered your contacts wouldn't even be able to bring your payload over until later in the evening, so you weren't wasting any time.

"never been'ta one'na these 'fore," drawled Allison through the half of her face that wasn't paralyzed.

"don't start a fight," said tabby. "most people here are armed."

You followed tsbbys lead as she meandered towards the compound proper. She seemed to know what she was doing and before long you were in the middle of a vast show hall.

Boothes were packed around tight aisles. Some selling tactical rifles, some selling more classic fare like those craft built reproductions the cult made. (they weren't kidding about the profit, the markup they were going for here was insane.)

Also jerky. It seemed like every other stall was selling jerky. Tabby had already collected a few bags of the stuff. "so," she while shoveling it down. "where you wanna go?"

"are those tanks?" Kate squinted at the far side of the hall. Busty young women in little clothing paraded over what did indeed appear to be tanks.

"oh yeah! The heavy stuff's over at that end." tabby said.

Allison picked up a nickel plated pistol from a display table and sighted at nothing in particular.

"oh, that's a good one," said tabby enthusiastically. "Cobb ten-auto."

"eh," Allison racked the slide. "more've'a wheelgun girl m'self."

"but that holds sixteen rounds," said tabby.

"that'd mean sommat I were plannin' on missing," Allison patted the gun on her hip.

"but... That's not..."

"'sides, don't much care for ten auto." Allison shrugged. "magnum rounds with stopping power'r my fancy."

Tabby grumbled something under her breath and took a huge bite of jerky like it was a pscifier.

> ask tabby to help you find a piece of your own
> go look at the tanks. Tanks are fun.
> see if Kate would be amenable to sneaking off with you.

>>3873740
>> ask tabby to help you find a piece of your own

Come on son.
Its time.

>>3873740
>> ask tabby to help you find a piece of your own

as much as I would like to sneak off with Kate, we can leave that for the night

invite the other girls along, it doesn't hurt to have protection, specially with this business with valentine

>>3873740
> ask tabby to help you find a piece of your own
Since boarding keeps coming up, we should at least look into it.
> go look at the tanks. Tanks are fun.
...since boarding keeps coming up, we can dream about it.

>>3873822
This

>>3874308
>since boarding keeps coming up, we can dream about it
>punching holes in your boat's hull with a tank

>>3873740
> ask tabby to help you find a piece of your own

Also see if she'll share some jerky

>>3874678
That's why it's a dream anon. It's awesome, but tragically impractical.

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"actually, tabby, I'm in the market for a sidearm," you told your excitable gunner. "think you could help me out?"

She beamed and grabbed you around the arm. Before you knew it you were being bodily dragged through the expo halls while tabby exitededly yammered on about the relative merits of one pistol over another.

It was all over your head, one automatic looked much like another to you, but tabby could rattle a list of figures longer than she was at the drop of a hat.

You just settled down and let it happen. Occasionally she'd ask your opinion. Always minor things; how's this one feel in your hand, does this one have too wide a grip, does this trigger fit your hand,etc.

Eventually you picked up a high-capacity automatic. Tabby called it a basic bitch nine, but assured you between bites of jerky that it suited you.

How that girl could put away jerky like that was a mystery you didn't want solved. You were about to go looking for Kate and Allison when you spotted a familiar face in the crowd.

"Hey!" you waved. It was... What's her name. The girl from the cult. She was still dressed in her humble desert robes. "Uh..."

"Captain," she smiled at you, but that smile shifted to a painfully strained shadow of itself when she saw the little blonde by your side. "Tabitha."

Tabby hissed.

"I wasn't expecting to see you here," you said, grabbing the scruff of tabby's hoodie to keep her in check. It worked better than you expected and she went back to scarfing down dried beef.

"nor I you," said the cultists girl with her hands on her hips. "charity," she added with a sly wink. "In case you'd forgotten."

You coughed and itchted the back of your head. "can't say I didn't."

Charity shrugged. "it's to be expected, we only met the one time."

"too... Nice..." tabby glowered.

> ask her what she's doing away from the cult
> invite her to go look at tanks with you
> excuse yourself and go looking for Allison and Kate... And maybe Kate's lap.

>>3874992
>> ask her what she's doing away from the cult

then we

> excuse yourself and go looking for Allison and Kate... And maybe Kate's lap.

>>3874992
> ask her what she's doing away from the cult

>>3874998
+1

>>3874992
>> ask her what she's doing away from the cult

"so, charity... Surprised to see you 'round these parts," you said.

"you mean so far from my cult?" she said with a good natured smile.

"well... I weren't gonna put it so indelicatly," you said, letting tabby go for the time being. She didn't seem interested in actually fighting, just working charity into a froth. "but... Yeah."

"same as you I imagine," charity paced the aisle. Her long skirts made it look like she was gliding over polished glass. And... Well the way her outer layers of cloth and pouches shifted when she moved had implications regarding her hips that were best saved for more private conditions. "buying weapons."

"so much for being peaceful," teased tabby.

Charity paused. You could see her face contort as she fought the urge to lash out and replaced it with a strained smile. "we may be peaceful, but will defend ourselves if need be."

Tabby muttered and kept eating.

"Captain Drake," said charity, abruptly changing the topic. "is your sister doing well? She's very dear to us, as I'm sure you understand."

"Yeah, uh... Last I heard she's doing fine," you said. "she and... The baby." you winced a little. It still felt weird talking about your sister having a kid.

Charity smiled for real this time. "that's good to hear. If you would, tell her we at sanctuary are praying for her."

Tabby muttered something under her breath you didn't catch. From the tone or wasn't polite.

"I'll let her know," you said. Erin might appreciate the thought, she didn't seem to mind the cultists much.

"thank you, captain," she gave you a humble half-bow, but her gaze never quite stopped scanning the room. It was like when Allison was spoiling for a fight.

> part ways and go look at tanks or something
> find Kate. Aquire cuddles and lap sitting
> see if charity wants to you. Maybe you can buy her some jerkey or something to make up for tabby being an ass.

>>3875044
> find Kate. Aquire cuddles and lap sitting
this looks nice, but man i have some catch up to do.

>>3875044
> see if charity wants to you. Maybe you can buy her some jerkey or something to make up for tabby being an ass.

There's gotta be more to this than we're being told

>>3875044
> find Kate. Aquire cuddles and lap sitting

>>3875085
There anything in particular you want to pry about?

>>3875093
Probably ask why she is jumping if she is expecting trouble

But I want to go after Kate and see the shit go down and step in at the climatic moment

"You worried about something?" you asked.

"hmm?" charity gave you a confused look.

"you're looking around like a fight's 'bout to break out," you told her.

"am I?" charity blushed and clasped her hands in front of her. "I hadn't... No, I'm afraid it's nothing so dramatic. I'm not used to being around so many strangers."

"figures," sniped tabby.

Charity tensed then forced a smile back onto her admittedly fetching if very homely features. "yes."

Tabby giggled. Apperently that small flicker in charity's calm religiosity was worth celebrating.

"well, we've got places to be," you said.

"of course," charity drew her skirts tight to make room. "it was a... Pleasure running into you."

Tabby stuck our her tounge and you had to drag her away by the scruff of her neck. "why are you such an ass?" you asked.

"I don't trust her," said the little blonde. "she's too nice."

"you don't trust her 'cause she's nice?"

Tabby nodded. "she's *too* nice. Nobody's that nice, not all the time."

"you ever stop and figure she's just a good pious lass?"

Tabby shook her head. "it creeps me out. If she blew her stack at me I'd least know she was human, you know?"

"and I imagine you're creeped out by running into her this far from the cult?"

Tabby looked at you. "Actually no. I mean... This is the biggest arms expo in the sector. 'course she'd be here she's looking to buy guns."

> tell her to lighten up. She's being an ass for no reason.
> approve of her vigilance. Offer headpats.

>>3875118

> tell her to lighten up. She's being an ass for no reason.

No need to be tense

>>3875118
>tell her to find a middle ground, vigilant but not antagonizing.

>>3875118
> tell her to lighten up. She's being an ass for no reason
>>3875093
Kinda got my answer. Do these two have more history than we've been told? 'Cause these two look like they're ready to scrap

>>3875118
>> tell her to lighten up. She's being an ass for no reason.

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"tabby, she was just being nice--"

"too nice. It's shifty," said tabby.

"tabby, take it down a notch," you said. "you're being an ass for no reason."

Tabby crossed her arms in a pout. "Don't trust her."

"cause she's nice to you? Yeah, I see how that could be a red flag." you shook your head. "seriously, the two of you got history? Looked like you were ready to scrap. Well... You did, her not so much."

Tabby huffed. "I don't trust anyone who's that nice all the time. People who are nice all the time are just trying to lull you into a trap."

"then be vigilant," you said. "but don't be an ass to her."

"but--"

"we're done talking about this," you said in your most captainy voice. You could tell tabby wasn't happy, but at least she stopped talking.

It didn't take you long to find Allison. The towering redhead's voice was thunderous enough to get you close enough to see her ponytail bouncing around above the crowd.

From the sound of it the seller she was talking to was utterly thrown by her marble mouthed accent and she was compensating by yelling more.

"Alli, use your words," you said, clapping her on the lat.

"'m jus' lookin ta take onna'es cutters inta my 'ession," she grumbled.

"she's trying to buy a knife," you translated. Then after a moment of realization you glanced at Kate who was sitting at a bench stifling her giggles. "you couldn have helped."

"could've," said Kate with a shrug.

"the miss wants a knife?" the old man behind the counter spoke with an accent nearly as thick as Allison's but in the opposite direction. "very good. Very old. Folded one million times."

Allison hefted the blade in her hand. The edge curved up and the handle was wrapped in black cord. "now that's a proper cutter."

"that's not--" tabby was sushed by Kate who quietly pulled the obliging gunner onto her lap.

"made by craftsmen from home planet," the seller tapped his chest. "ancient tradition. Passed from father to son for thousand generations."

Allison smiled at her reflection in the mirror polished steel. Steel that was noticeable devoid of the temper lines you'd expect to see in hand folded metal. "wicked."

"for you, special price," said the old man. "five hundred."

> tell Allison it's a piece of tourist crap worth maybe a third that
> Allison really thinks she's holding an ancient mythic blade. Wouldn't hurt to let her enjoy things, right?

>>3875164

> tell Allison it's a piece of tourist crap worth maybe a third that

As much as it would be fun it would be bad if she actually tried to use it in a fight.

Shrug to Kate for ruining her fun and say that we can compensate later

>>3875170
Supporting

>>3875170
+1

"Alli, no." you put your hand on her chunky wrist and lowered it. "that's tourist crap, he's up selling you like three times."

"bu-" Allison looked forlornly at the blade. Her big shoulders slumped and she looked for all the world like a supersized kid who'd just learned Santa wasn't real. "but... 'e said it's craft'n... Such."

"not that one," you said. "just stamped stainless. Folded steel has striations from the alloys."

Allison pouted and all but threw the knife back on the table. "kay then," she glowered. "waste've scrip anyhow."

She stormed off towards the ship. You shot Kate an apologetic shrug for ruining her fun and trotted off to catch up with Allison.

By the time you'd pulled abreast her disappointment had slackened to a more general annoyance. "skip," she muttered.

"didn't want you to waste your money," you said. "or have that thing break on you in a fight."

"jus wanted to have," mumbled Allison. "ya know, decorative. Wouldn't've..." she trailed off. "thanks boss, always lookin out fer me."

"I do what I can," you said.

She smiled and looked around. Tabby and Kate were still a ways off, they were stopping every few stalls to look at wares. "ay, you gotta sec?"

"sure, what's on your mind?"

Allison shoved her hands down the front of her pants, hooking her thumbs over her belt. "jus... With the fightin' an the ticklin' and the eatin'a breakfast off my belly..." she bit her lip. "you, ah... I mean you do like the women folk, yeah?"

> what say?

>>3875234

"Yup, those were all excuses to lay my hands on you, yes....why? did I give you the wrong impression? you are hot and cute when you laugh so I had no choice sorry."

>>3875234
"Yes, that's why I wanted to eat from your belly, because you are hot and we are young and can screw around, why do you ask?"

I really don't know what to say kek

"yup, those were all excuses to lay hands on you," you said, making a point to teasingly leer at her bare belly. "what? Did I give you the wrong impression? You're hot and you're cute when you laugh so I had no choice, sorry."

"dammnit, skip..." Allison scowled. "that's not..."

"relax, Alli. I ate off your abs 'cause you're hot and we're both young enough to fool around." you said. "why do you ask?"

"'cause..." Allison scowled. "jus... I more than someone'ta fool' round with to ya?" she rocked on her heels. "or... Sommat more? 'cause... Hell, I seen how you'n Kate carry on when I'm in the room and I'n only 'magin what's going on when you're alone."

"Allison, where are you going with this?" you asked her.

"I like you," she blurted out. "I think. I mean... Like playin' an... An I like talkin' an drinkin with you. Just... If waited'ta figger out how's I feel all complete might be too late. Wanna... Ya know, let you know I'm interested 'fore it's too late."

> what say?

>>3875288
aaaaa
what now?
we were just headed for a cuddle session and this springs up!
gotta salvage gotta salvage

start by smiling at her
"I can say I like you too Alisson, as for me and Kate, I can't say what we do since she made me promise not to but,
does it botter you?
I haven't figured out things on my end too but if you want to hang out you can just let me know. I won't fool around if you don't want me to anymore, I must admit I'll miss my favorite plate if you decide that."

I don't know how to deal kek

help me other anons, don't leave me now, I'm ready to support almost anything you say kek

>>3875316
You heading to a cuddle session is *why* this happened. Allison's not blind and your actions lit a fire under her ass.

>>3875288
Smile at her, look up and sigh

"So you decided to tell me that before it's to late? What would be too late for us Alli?
You know, I like you too, but what are you afraid of?"


I mean, its the far away future, is there still jealousy around?

"so, you decided to tell me before it's too late?" you took her by the arm and gently tugged her around a corner so the two of you had a bit more privacy.

"more're less," she shrugged. "skip, I don't... Hell, I ain't sure what I'm feeling. I just know I'm feeling it, savvy?"

"Yeah, I think we've all been there," you said. "you know, I like you too, just sos you know. but, ah... What do you mean 'too late'?"

"well..." Allison worried her belt buckle. "you'n Kate've been spending alota t'gether. Figure she's pretty enough..."

"you're worried Kate'll snap me up?" you asked.

She nodded. "I mean... Wouldn't blame you, she's nice enough folk... But if sh'did and I never told ya... What'm telling ya couldn't live with m'self."

Before you could say anything Kate came round the corner with tabby in tow. "oh, good. Thought you two would be eating off each other."

Allison rolled her eyes with more obvious forced bluster than usual. "skip should be so lucky."

"wouldn't mind myself," said tabby.

"tabby, no." chided Kate. "you just ate your weight in jerkey, how are you still hungry?"

Tabby shrugged.

"you want head home, skip?" Kate flashed you a sultry wink. You noticed Allison's neck pulse as she set her jaw. Her hands flinched into fists for a moment.

"Yeah," you said. "might as well."

> offer to tabby sit on the way back. It'll keep you from getting stuck between the two women.
> discuss everyone's purchases.
> write in

>>3875523
>> discuss everyone's purchases.

if we end up in a cuddle session we could talk with Kate, say that Alli was worried she would snatch us away, but I'm not sure if we can talk about, I want both honestly kek

>>3875523
> discuss everyone's purchases.

>>3875523
I think the Captain turned casanova, should let Kate fly us back (she needs stick time) tell everyone we'll be in our office/quarters/ready room going over dockets, manifests, schedules, logs, P A P E R W O R K. We've got ourselves in a fine pickle and have much thinking to do.
How is this going to affect the morale of the crew, the stability of our command and the overall operation of this vessel.
So basically fib and cower in the dark having a "Wat Do?" moment.

ps QM great quest loving it, been lurking thus far. How much Star Citizen is in here? Is the Harrier a Caterpillar?

>>3876019
I'm glad you like it, anon! I hope you'll join us in the fun soon.

There's not a lot of star citizen in this, actually. I just liked the general size and feel of a Drake Caterpillar, but Harrier's actually a good deal sleeker and slightly bigger. Think a Caterpillar crossed with like a C-5. She's got engine pods on her stub wings and ramps on both ends of her cavernous cargo deck.

>>3875523
>not a romance quest

>>3876091
Shaddup, anon.

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>>3876084
Ya, I was excited when I first spied this thread, since it's essentially my planned career in Star Citizen (with some illicit cargo to offset the outrageous docking fees and tariffs.)
Have not been disappoint son.

>>3876019
Kely probably knows what's going on, she saw Alli pull us into an alley and we are probably acting strange, she knows us for some time already, let's see what she has to say when she comes asking

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"so, anyone pick up something fun?" you asked, eager to diffuse the tension. You could tell that Kate noticed something was up, even if you didn't think she had her finger on what.

"was gon' get me a pretty wicked knife," Allison grumbled. "'en boss had'ta ruin it."

"oh, was that why you two were chatting in private," teased Kate. She made a show of looking you over. "do I need to check for bruises?"

"if she was really mad you'd b it dead," opined tabby through a mouthful of still more dried beef.

"tabby!" Kate tore the bag from the little blonde's synthetic hand. "where do you keep getting these!"

Tabby shrugged and buried her hands in her pockets.

"this is... So not good for you," Kate shook her head.

Allison snorted. "girl's jus' gettin'er protein."

Tabby flexed her arm and smiled. Before long the four of you were back at Harrier's berth. Allison made a beline to her weight rack while Kate made her way to the flight deck to run some status checks. Tabby was somehow still hungry and wandered in an aimless but generally kitchen-wardly direction.

You excused yourself to your room. You had paperwork to go over, mail to answer, and things of that sort. You settled into a comfy chair with your feet up on the edge of your bed and started the less fun part of flying a hauler.

You got bored pretty quickly and decided to check your messages.

> from: Erin Raleigh
Hi, bro.

Before you ask, me, Matt, and the baby are all doing well. Just wanted to check in on you. Hope tabby's not giving you too much trouble. I've found a spray bottle helps to keep her in line.

Hope to see you soon! Let me know if you're swinging by, Matt can direct some of the less crooked customs goons your way.

Love and hugs from your best big sister,
-Erin.

P.s. Go get her, bro! I don't know who "her" is, but you know.

- - - -

You smiled and made a note to write her back something nice when you were done.

> from: charity lovegood

Captain Drake,

It was an unexpected pleasure running into you today. My fellow travelers and I will be on-planet for several days yet. We would be happy to host you for what dinner we can provide and discuss further contracting.

You and your crew are all invited, yes even Tabitha. The father thinks it right that I practice humility.

Respectully,
-charity lovegood

- - - -
Before you could start on a reply you heard a knock on the door. Kate stuck her head around with an unreadable expression. "boat's all good for now," she said.

"on your hands I expect nothing less."

She smiled. "mind if I come in?"

> sure, what's on your mind?
> actually, was about to head out. Cultists invited us to a little dinner party.

>>3876493
>> sure, what's on your mind?

>>3876493

> sure, what's on your mind?

Oh boy, no sense in running from it.

Damn, I hope we can avoid a Jenny around here too, I like then

"Sure," you said. "what's on your mind?"

Kate closed the door behind her and jumped up onto your bed. Her boots bounced against the stowage racks underneath as she sat and thought. "not much to be honest," she admitted.

"oh?"

She nodded. "been used to patching up battle damage after a fight." she sighed. "I don't miss it, so don't go getting any ideas, but... You know don't got much to do right now."

You chuckled. "want to help with the paperwork?"

She rolled her eyes. "never in a million years." she chuckled. "yeah... Ah, anyway... Wanted to thank you for the other day."

"for..." you said.

"you know... Holding me," Kate blushed. "feels silly to say but... Yeah, feels nice to get some cuddling. I can see why tabby's such a slut for headpatting."

"least I could do for one of my crew," you said.

"well..." Kate crossed and uncrossed her meaty legs. "think I did good 'nuff today for some cuddlin'?"

> sure. Kate did good so she gets cuddles.
> gently tell her no, but don't specify why.
> tell her no, explain in general terms that you're working a problem of the romantical nature and that's not the best idea right now.
> write in.

>>3876570
>> write in.

sit on the bed with her, not full cuddles but be close

"you did,and I'd like that too, but here's what's going through my mind right now"

explain in general terms that you're working a problem of the romantical nature and that's not the best idea right now

"so it got me thinking, what about you? I may be putting you on the spot here but this was sprung up on me too, how are you feeling regarding all this? does what alli told me bothers you?"


I feel she is a good conversation partner

At least rest our head on her lap while we talk about the stuff

>>3876582
leave the not the best idea right now out, that's a bit rude

Gotta get some food real quick then back to writing!

You set your notebook down and climbed onto your bunk beside her. You weren't quite cuddling, but her lap took up enough space that you were closer then platonic colleuges.

"you did," you said. You could smell her unique aroma, the smell of cheap soap not quite covering the chemical snap of solvents and lubricants that had worked themselves into her skin. "and I'd like that too..."

"buuuut?" she fiddled with the hem of her shorts and idly kicked her feet through the air.

"but I had a bit of a bombshell just now," you admitted.

"Alli?" asked Kate. "she do sommat while you two were alone?"

"that obvious?" you asked.

"a girl you ate dinner off pulled you aside," said Kate. "so yeah."

"she, ah... Look, don't tell her I told you, but she's caught the feelings for me. Maybe."

"maybe?" Kate flopped back onto your mattress. "what'cha meaning by that?"

You shifted so you could rest your head on her plush lap. "Alli's not one to deal with feelings she can't punch, I think."

Kate giggled. "so she don't know what she's feeling... Figures."

"I don't either," you said. "not really, not for certain." you took a deep breath. "how's about you?"

"me?" Kate started idly playing with your hair. "I... Look, you're a great skipper and I'm really learning how touch deprived I've been."

"but...?"

"but I figure I ain't laid claim to you. Don't know if I... If I'm ready for that," Kate scowled. "guess I can't be angry at Alli for seeing the same things in you I do."

> press her. What is she looking for, exactly?
> let it slide. See if she's got an opinion on dinner with charity.
> write in

>>3876675
>> press her. What is she looking for, exactly?

still not a romance quest kek

>>3876683
I mean... There's options if you want the quest to go a different direction.

>>3876675
>"guess I can't be angry at Alli for seeing the same things in you I do."

"Which is my personal charm, good looks and pleasant personality right?"

> press her. What is she looking for, exactly?

Are we just fooling around? Not that I'm against it, but others might be, aaahh damn future still stuck in possessiveness

>>3876689
just playing with you qm, I like it

>>3876675
> press her. What is she looking for, exactly?
Can't figure how to work this out unless we know where we all stand.

"what are you looking for, Kate?" you twisted your neck to look up at her. You ended up with more boob in your field of vision than you'd expected but that wasn't exactly unwelcome. "you just looking to fool a round or..."

"I don't know," said Kate. "I mean... Seeing your sister... I guess a part of me wants that. You know, the family way and all."

"another kid?" you whistled. "aren't my eight engines enough?"

She swatted at you. "you know what I mean. But... I guess also I'm just getting used to being touched on a regular basis."

"you mean..."

"feels nice to cuddle." said Kate.

"so... Basically you're as lost as Alli is?"

Kate huffed. "yeah. Least I'm more articulate than ol' marble mouth." and smiled. "but if you're up for more'n cuddling..."

Before you could say anything you heard tabby's sweet but shockingly loud voice echo through Harrier. "booooooss! I want dinner!"

"how!" Kate yelped in frustration. "she ate like thirty pounds of jerky!" her face went red when her belly let out a sympathetic gurgle. "traitor."

You sighed and picked yourself up off her lap. "put a pin in the romance?"

"don't think we got a choice," sighed Kate.

You opened the door to find tabby pacing the upper hallway with her bushy brows furrowed. "we got a plan for eating?"

> whip something up in the kitchen
> drop by the cult. Free food's free food innit?

>>3876715
>> drop by the cult. Free food's free food innit?
only if everyone is coming

if not

> whip something up in the kitchen

>>3876720
+1

>>3876715
I'll back >>3876720

"well, charity invited everyone over for dinner," you said, curious how tabby would react.

"oh, great!" tabby smiled. "we're going, yeah?"

You squinted at her. "thought you didn't like her."

"oh, no I really hate charity," said tabby. "but she's a really good cook."

"um...sorry, charity?" Kate gave you a look.

"cultist from sanctuary," you said. "nice girl."

"too nice," tabby snarled.

"you'll see," you promised Kate. You swung by the cargo deck to collect Allison. She was in the middle of a set on the bench. You waited until she'd racked her bar before collecting your crew and heading out.

The cultists had set up camp on the periphery of the complex. You didn't see a ship anywhere, but considering there was more than enough room for a runway they might have chartered a flight in.

The sun was starting to set and you could see roaring fires shortly before the smell of cooking meat hit you like a wall. Most of the cultists were sitting around the fire, but you noticed charity standing to the side of the group.

She was doing some kind of... Pose... Exercise... Thing. Moving with grace and ease under her layers of rough spun skirts. It was strangly hypnotic. Beautiful in a rough, unpolished kind of way.

"ah, captain." charity finished her sequence of poses and gave you a respectful bow. "I'm glad you could make it."

"shut up and feed us," snapped tabby.

"tabby!" Kate glared at the little blonde.

Charity took a sharp breath before smiling with obviously forced humility. "of course, you must be hungry."

"can't imagine how," mumbled Kate. "I'm Kate by the way."

"Allison," added your loadmaster.

"it's a pleasure to meet you both," said charity. "this way."

She led you to a low table where the other cultists sat on their haunches. You could take it for about a minute before your ankles started screaming and you shifted to sitting cross legged.

"wassat you'er doin?" asked Allison, flailing her oafish limbs in a poor attempt to replicate charity's elegant movements.

"fighting," yelped tabby. "she's training to fight. Allison, you're a fighter, you should give her a fight!"

Kate grabbed tabby around the waist and pulled her onto her lap. "no."

Charity blushed. "I perfer to avoid conflict where possible," she said.

"so you's sayin yer scared?" teases Allison. "nothin to be ashamed've."

"I'm not interested in fighting," said charity. She glanced down, fighting down a most unserene smirk. "but I acknowledge that it at times is required."

"an sometimes it's jus fun," said Allison through a mouthful of the grilled chicken the cultists were sharing.

Charity looked around and smiled inspite of herself. "there is a certain pleasure in a friendly sparring match," she admitted. "to hone the body and skills one has been given could be an act of worship."

"that mean you'll take me on?" Allison perked up.

"as a friendly exercise," said charity. "if your captain allows it."

> don't let them fight. If Allison pile drives your contact in the cult you'll have a hard time getting more shipping contracts.
> tell Allison to go easy on her.
> let Allison have her fun. Charity looks way too confident for her own good.

>>3876822
> let Allison have her fun. Charity looks way too confident for her own good.

no permanet injuries you two

>>3876822

> let Allison have her fun. Charity looks way too confident for her own good.

I vet the feeling charity is gonna wipe the flor with Allison so she better not hold back

>>3876822
>> let Allison have her fun. Charity looks way too confident for her own good.
Maybe she has an ace up her sleeve. Or just overconfident.

>>3876822
>> let Allison have her fun. Charity looks way too confident for her own good.

Place your bets folks!

"I got no beef with it," you leaned back on your elbow to watch. Allison was her usual boisterous self, but charity had a quite confidence in her that intrigued you. "no permanent injuries, you two."

"don't hurt the preecher lady," Allison bounced on the balls of her feet, bringing her fists up to her nose in a tightly would boxer's stance. She radiated coiled energy ready to explode.

Charity on the other hand planted her in the feet on the sand and settled her hips firmly over the center of her pose. Her whole body was solid and peaceful as she raised her bladed hands in a defensive stance. "whenever you're ready," she said.

Allison smirked. Her foot planted on the ground, the start of a titanic tidal wave of power that built and built as it climbed up her thick leg and into her tight core than exploded in her outstretched fist.

You'd been on the receiving end of one of those freight train punches before. You half expected her to lay charity out with that one punch.

But charity was confident. She'd been training after a fashion when you arrived. Maybe she'd be able to take the blow and stay on her feet.

That wasn't what happened though. Allison's punch never connected. One second her fist was flying towards the cultist like rocket.

The next Allison was belly up in the dirt while charity smartly smoothed her skirts and turned to face the grounded redhead.

"the hell?" Allison was as confused about how she ended up on the ground as you were. She tucked her feet under her and kipped up to her feet.

Charity smiled and waited patiently for Allison to her her wind back. "you're very strong," she said with genuine admiration.

"stronger'n you!" Allison threw another furious blow. This time you were watching close enough to catch what happened.

Charity slide aside like mercury on glass, her long skirts masking the shift on her weight until it was too late. She grabbed Allison's wrist, using the redhead's own momentum to send her sprawling to the ground.

"absolutely," said charity. "but strength is not everything."

> call the fight before Allison embarrasses herself.
> keep watching, this is impressive.

>>3876880
> keep watching, this is impressive.

Can't cuddle Allison out of it, she would ressent us

"Alli, she is quicker, bide your attacks or try to catch her."

>>3876880
>keep watching

"allisson, you need to change tactics, she is way better then I was, you can do this."

Lets cheer her up

>>3876880
>> keep watching, this is impressive.
Tell Allisson she can't win through pure brute forcing this.

Gonna have to call it for here today, anons. You've been a great audience but I've got things to do.

File: Heavy_Metal_Screenshot_1522.jpg (364 KB, 1920x1080)

364 KB JPG

Maybe, if there's enough time afterwards and no wounded pride Allison could learn a thing or two from Charity.
Make her well rounded and such.

>>3877116
This

guys I figured it out
>join cult
>they endorse poligamy
>convincethe girls to convert!
???
profit

>>3878031
supporting

>>3878031
Harem ending best ending, either get all of the girls or none of them. And the ship too while we're at it.
Also, I just caught up with this thread, this is some really good shit right here.

"Allison, you need to change up tactics," you said. As impressive as it was seeing your big oaf of a loadmaster get taken down a peg or two you were slightly invested in seeing her win. "She's quick, try and catch her out."

"Ya think'm doin?" Allison roared and threw another lightning-quick jab. As usual Charity flowed around the blow like Allison was punching smoke. The cultist grabbed Allison by the forearm as she moved, sending Allison sprawling to the ground with her own momentum.

"Your captain's right," Charity planted her feet to steady herself and took a deep breath. As effortless as she was making this look, you could tell that the extremely precise movements were starting to wear her down. "I fight you not with my energy but with yours?"

"Hell's'at mean?" Allison scrambled off the dirt and threw herself at Charity, going for a grapple. Charity again managed to toss her over her leg.

"I don't strike you," said Charity between breaths. You could see her chest start to heave under her layers of robes and skirts. Her hair was starting to get shiny from sweat. "I re-direct your own energy. You defeat yourself."

"'bout th'nly one could 'feat me," boasted Allison.

Tabby snorted. "Okay, that was funny."

The two of them kept sparring for a while before you eventually called it off. Allison was getting too banged-up to be useful, even if her ego was too powerful for her to admit it, and Charity was visibly running out of energy. They probably could've fought to a standstill, but then they would've both passed out and you were in no mood to haul Allison's heavy ass back to Harrier.

"'could'a taken'ya if'n we weren't fightn' under show rules," Allison grumbled, wincing like an octogenarian as she settled her badly battered body onto a seat near the fire.

"Excuse me?" Charity ran her hands through her hair, collecting loose strands back into her ponytail.

"I's pulling my punches," said Allison. "Weren't gon' cave yer face in. Fighting a friendly sort."

"Uh huh," you said, rolling your eyes at her obvious lie. "You could learn something from her, you know."

"Like what? How not'ta fight?" Allison huffed. "Ya'keep me 'round as muscle. Ain't no good if'n I gotta let the other dumb bastard start the fight."

"I would be happy to teach--" Charity stated.

"'m fine!" Allison growled. "Jus... didn't wanna hurt ya's all."

Charity gave you a disbelieving side-eye.

"Maybe later when her ego's not so bruised," you said quietly.

Charity smirked and nodded. "Of course, Captain."

- - - -

The four of you enjoyed a tasty if simple dinner with the cultists. By the time you'd finished and hauled Allison's cranky ass back to Harrier the millita had finally collected and staged all the hardware you were hailing for them. A quartet of fighters would take up most of the forward section of Harrier's deck, while crated cannons (some of which were earmarked for you) would be stacked neatly in the back.

Allison perked up as soon as she realized there were hapless dock workers for her to yell at. She shook off your help like she hadn't been hobbling ever since her brawl with Charity and stormed over to point and bark orders.

"Think we should start the preflight?" Asked Kate.

> Might as well
> Before we go, I wanted to... (write-in)

QM here: Sorry for the unexpected delay. Got sick and wasn't in the mood to write at all. but now I'm back, let's get this on track!

>>3883730
>> Might as well

let's do it Kate....the preflight I meant...not that the other one wouldn't be nic....I better shut up now

>>3883730

> Might as well

>>3883730

> Might as well

"Yeah, might as well," you said. You and Kate climbed past Allison and made your way to the flight deck. There were a lot of checklists to run through for a bird as big as Harrier, especially if you had't been keeping her warmed-up and ready for a quick getaway.

Eventually though, you got Harrier ready to fly. From the sound of marble-mouthed yelling echoing up the hallway Allison was far from finished getting your cargo chained down and ready for flight. At least this sounded like garden-variety yelling. After getting her ego bruised by Charity she was building herself back up by abusing what little authority she had. Better that than serious yelling over improperly-stored cargo.

"Hey, boss?" Kate slouched in her chair. "You thinking all these guns is a good idea?"

"You mean the cargo or...?"

"I mean..." Kate waved generally around Harrier. "Turning our boat into a flying tank. I mean... four in the stinger's fine, but now Tabby wants to add a 'nother twenty?"

"They tried to kill us," you pointed out. "They tried to kill my sister. My pregnant sister at that."

"I know..." Kate bit her lip and huffed. "Jus... if that's the kinda' firepower we need to be out here, maybe we shouldn't be out here at all?"

"And do what?" you said. "Just let Valentine and his goons do whatever they want?"

"No, but.." Kate scowled. "I dunno... just... rubs me the wrong way's all," she shook her head. "We're cargo haulers, not fighters."

"Lookin' like we'll have to be both," you said.

> Check on Allison, see how the cargo loading's doing.
> Check on Tabby. She's your weapons expert, she might have valuable input
> Stay with Kate. She seems stressed, maybe you should keep her company

>>3883789

> Stay with Kate. She seems stressed, maybe you should keep her company

Afraid?

I get her tho, this means we will be fighting instead of fleeing most if the time

Reassure her that we won't be rash, she can trust us.

>>3883789
>> Stay with Kate. She seems stressed, maybe you should keep her company

>>3883789
In case of trouble you can only be sure to count on yourself. Coppers won't help, because they aint here when it counts, and even when they are, they would rather sit back and watch others tear eachother apart and then swoop in for easy grabs or just turn the other way because theyre sitting in someone elses pocket as we seen happen not so long ago.
Its not like we want to fly around armed out of our ass, its that if we want to fly around at all, we NEED to be armed out of our ass. The other option is to hang the googles, sell Harrier to a scrapyard and stay planetside for the rest of our lives.
Yeah, not going to happen.
So we are going to get ourselves some gats, do our job and blast to pieces anyone who tries to get in our way.
You can only run away from your problems so long before they catch up and kill you.

"Trouble's got a way of finding us, Kate," you said. "Better be armed when it does than not."

Kate shrugged. "'Guess... I just--"

"I'm not gonna be rash, don't worry," you said.

Kate chuckled. "You are pretty far from the hero type."

Before either of you could say more Allison shoved her way into the conversation with her usual grace and elegance, which was none. "Ay, Boss. Got's the load-bal for ya."

"Thanks, Ali." you took her payload numbers and punched it into the computer. Behind you, Kate got clearance and departure numbers from ATC and eased her eight engines to life.

You taxied out from among the many parked ships and got Harrier in the air. Departure went well enough all things considering, and before long you were cruising through the slipstream. Around about when you got settled in for a cruise you heard a polite knock at the bulkhead behind you.

"Excuse me, Captain?" A wiry, long-haired militiamen ducked just deep enough inside the flight deck to be noticed.

"Ay," Kate waved at him, earning a polite nod.

"Technical sergeant M'Chayne," he said, introducing while still hovering just outside the flight deck. "Can I come in?"

"Sure, you're that weapons tech Tabby was talking about?"

He nodded. "We can't start cutting into the hull yet, but my team can get started on the refit right now."

"What's that entail, again?" you asked. "Tabby was a mite spare on the specifics."

"Well," M'Chayne settled into a jump seat. "For the upper hideaways it's mostly cutting down most of the interior walls, stripping out insulation and flooring... basically clearing out all the stuff that makes those compartments comfortable so we can get to the power tie-ins and structural members."

"What about the belly turrets?" you asked. "Or the nose gun?"

"The belly guns fit right into the cargo bay," said M'Chayne. "Cutting into the hull is really step one, there's not much prep work. The nose turret's got to be fabricated off-site. We just cut your ship's nose off and replace it with a new module."

"Kate?" you glanced toward her.

"Sounds good to me," she said. "Don't use most of the bow passenger compartments anyhow."

"You heard her," you said. "Get to it."

"We'll start right away," said the militiaman.

Kate watched him leave than turned to you with a wide Cheshire-cat smile. "So... you want to talk 'bout feelings and such?"

> Go check on Tabby
> Go check on Allison
> Talk with Kate about... (write-in)

>>3883846

> Talk with Kate about... (write-in)

It's pretty messy right? Feelings and stuff, good thing you are so nice, makes it easier.
And then we slip out and go talk to

> Go check on Tabby

About the guns stuff.

I guess Harrier will be docked for some days for the refit, that will be some down time with the crew

I was wondering if she ever needs to use our lap too, we have been using hers a lot, its only fair

>>3883891
I don't know man, with how attractive shes looking our lap may be mighty uncomfortable to lay head on.

>>3883846
>> Go check on Tabby

"Nice try, Kate." You smirked, earning a pouting tongue from your flight engineer. "I'm gonna check on Tabby. Make sure she hasn't passed out from being 'round so many weapons. You want to take the stick?"

"Sure," Kate hit her harness release and switched seats with you. You went looking for Tabby. She wasn't anywhere on the upper deck, not in her room or the kitchen or even in the compartments the Militiamen were tearing down to raw structural metal.

You headed down into the cargo deck. Allison was on her bench as usual, pumping weight while a few militiamen looked on with mixed expressions of awe and arousal. Allison, for her part, seemed to be reveling in the attention and made a show of kissing her flexed biceps after each set.

After that sparring match with Charity you supposed she could use the ego boost. You gave her a wave and headed aft in search of Tabby. You found the little blonde cuddling a crate containing one of Harrier's new cannons.

That's exactly how you'd describe it too: cuddling. She was straddling it with her legs and hugging it with all three limbs while she cooed sweet nothings into the hard-shell case.

"Uh... you wanna be alone?" you said. You were only half joking.

"Nah," Tabby sat up astride the case like it was a horse. "Just happy I'll finally have something to do."

"How do you mean?" you asked her.

"I mean..." Tabby sighed. "You've already got a gunner for the stinger... I'm no pilot... until we get these mounted I don't have squat to do for your crew."

"Well, you helped pull this refit together, that's something," you said.

Tabby beamed. "Just wish we could've added some warhead magazines."

"Tabby, no," you said. "We're not turning my boat into a battle wagon. Just don't want to be run outta the sector by Valentine and his goons."

"But warheads~"

"No," you put your foot down. "Even I know those are skirting the edge of what's legal."

"You're no fun," pouted Tabby.

"Comes with bein' a captain," you sighed.

> get back to flying. Shouldn't be long 'fore you hit the refit depot
> Talk to Tabby about that thing that you've been putting off (write-in)

>>3883944
>do some reps ourselves, we have been neglecting it.

>>3883944

> Talk to Tabby about that thing that you've been putting off (write-in)

Ask her for advice on the Allie Katie thing, she dated women she can help us.

>>3883944
>Talk to Tabby about that thing that you've been putting off (write-in)
How good are we with a gun? A trip to a range with her while Harrier gets her plating cut may be in order.

>>3883983
>How good are we with a gun?
You're pretty confident you won't accidentally shoot yourself. That's about the size of it.

>>3883959
I like this, get swole

>>3883989
we may try to work on that with the crew when we have some down time after we dock and put the ship through the arming process

>>3883959
+1
L I F T

"mind if I work in?" you swaggered over to Allison's bench. You weren't the fitness nut she was, but you were far from a weakling. Even with hydraulic boosts manhandling Harrier through the slipstream took a certain degree of raw muscle. Pulling her out of a steep dive sometimes rewuired bracing your boots against the control panel and deadlifting the yoke back.

So yeah, you were confident you wouldn't make a complete fool of yourself. And even if you did... Allison's ego could use the fluffing after her loss to charity.

"sure," Allison smugged at you from the bench. You could tell she was flexing her already pumped muscles. She already had the biggest guns you'd seen on a woman, you didn't understand why she felt the need to show off. "lemme jus' unload this for ya."

"No, that's fine," you settled onto the battered faux leather bench. It reeked of sweaty redhead and conjured images of Allison's glistening muscles that you really didn't need right now.

"I'll spot ya," Allison took up position right by your head. She set her feet wide, her baggy sweats were almost in your face. You could see clear up her crop top, past her glistening abs that she was obviously flexing for your benefit to the bandages binding her breasts in place.

"I'm your captain," you grunted and unracked the bar. You'd underestimated how heavy these plates were, but... No matter. Allison was already flashing that half paralyzed smirk and you weren't going to give her the satisfaction. "shouldn't you have confidence in me?"

"flyin' sure," she said. "anythin' you'an't do on'yer ass...?"

"har... Har," you grunted, lowering the bar and pressing it back up. "that's one."

"No it ain't," said Allison. "bar don't touch your chest."

You glared up at her. "fine."

> you're a grown, semi-muscular man. You can work out with her babysitting you.
> listen to Allison. Maybe trying to show up the gal you hired purely for her muscle isn't a good idea

>>3885331
>> listen to Allison. Maybe trying to show up the gal you hired purely for her muscle isn't a good idea

not gonna work out without a spotter no thanks, besides, it's a nice view

>>3885349
Agreed

"Okay, fine," you admitted forcefully. "show me how it's done."

Allison cackled and started unshipping weight. At least she took the time to chain down each plate in case Kate had to make a sudden swerve. "first'f, you'll never look's good's me," she posed with a smirk.

"Uh huh," you rolled your eyes and just enjoyed the view up her shirt. "just do your thing."

Allison turned out to be a surprisingly good teacher. Once you got past the thick accent, constant bluster, and non-stop tirade of verbal abuse whenever you screwed up your form or didn't finish a set.

You'd never been screamed at like that before. The combination of her yelling and looking up her shirt past her glistening abs to the undercurve of her bound breasts caused all kinds of feelings you could neither explain nor describe. But it kept you going when you really wanted to call it quits.

"there," Allison planted her hands on her hips. "weren't so hard was it?"

"every part of my wants to die," you grumbled.

Allison laughed. "now jus' do that ten hour's'a day erryday an you might've a body like this." she posed with a flourish.

"ha ha," you grumbled. "shouldn't you be making dinner by now?"

"sure, sure." for a towering tomboy musclehead Allison was shockingly comfortable in the domestic way. "you, ah, gonna need'a plate?"

> offer to eat off her abs again, see if she'll blink
> just get a plate, you've played with enough fire for now.

>>3885424
> offer to eat off her abs again, see if she'll blink
Keep up with the teasing, for science.

>>3885424
>> offer to eat off her abs again, see if she'll blink

revenge time for all the abuse at the gym, this is our game now

>>3885424

>> offer to eat off her abs again, see if she'll blink

O-oh m-my....lick the "plate" clean this time

>>3885424
>just get a plate, you've played with enough fire for now.
Literally too tired for this shit. Just give us nomnoms.

gotta feed properly on ab plate before resting on lap pillow
life sure is hard for little drake

"Why dirty dishes when there's a perfectly good tummy right there," you said. You would have gestured at Allison's belly but that would have involved moving your arms which you really weren't capable of right now.

"huh?" Allison faltered for just a moment. "oh, yeah, well..." she blushed and rolled her shoulders self consciously. Not her usual blustery showmanship either, for a moment she looked more like a nervous girl than a thuggish Amazon. "figger ya've earned it. Best shower off 'rst."

"you don't say," you chuckled. "go ahead, save some for me."

"Yeh," she mumbled. "guess you deserve one too. Less..."

"Allison, just go," you waved her off. You had an inkling of what she was leading towards and it's not something you'd rather let her run away with.

While she clambered up the ladder you flopped onto a crate to rest for a minute or two.

Once the two of you had cleaned up you joined Allison and tabby in the kitchen for dinner. Kate was flying for now, but Allison made more than enough to go around. You'd spell her soon enough.

"Hey, boss." Allison had an apron tied around her and a cockeyed smirk on her face. "you feeling hungry?"

> go for it!
> chicken out, maybe figure where you stand with it he girls before eating off bellies.

>>3885555
>> chicken out, maybe figure where you stand with the girls before eating off bellies.

>>3885555
>> go for it!

she's bluffin

>>3885555
>chicken out, maybe figure where you stand with it he girls before eating off bellies.

>>3885568
She was bluffing last time too, but it still happened.

>>3885555

> go for it!

Nomnomnom

"Yeah, not playing with that fire," you said, pulling out of this dive while you still had time. Normally you'd have no problem forging ahead, but the situation was so murky you'd rather not risk it.

"chicken," Allison teased. But it was obvious that through the overblown bluster she was relieved you weren't pressing her too hard. You knew her already bruised ego wouldn't allow her to back off.

"Yeah, what can I say," you said lamely.

Allison smugged. "darn right," she said proudly.

"you two are wierd," grumbled tabby. 'just get a room already."

"like you'd know," Allison snapped, her face turning a shade redder.

"I would, actually," said tabby. "after Erin got herself married off I had to pick up her slack."

Your face screwed up. Yeah, you were intellectually aware that your sister had... Done the deed, given the bump in her belly, but you really didn't have to know how much frequented the dockside boy-barns. " I can't know that!"

Tabby smiled. "fine, skip." she giggled and looked over Allison. "how bout you? Big girl like you's gotta have a body count."

"it's be one more you don' shuddit," snarled Allison.

Tabby giggled. "you realize you're threatening to lay me, right?" she zipped open her hoodie and shrugged it off with her one good arm.

"screw you, blondie," Allison growled with the taut anger of someone backed hopelessly into a corner.

"Yes, that's what you said," tabby hiked her shirt up almost to her bra. "we going or what?"

> rein in tabby. Allison's clearly outmatched.
> Alli got herself into this, she can get herself out.

>>3886560
>> rein in tabby. Allison's clearly outmatched.

help her out , she can't stop losing today

>>3886560
> rein in tabby. Allison's clearly outmatched.
We're gonna need a spray bottle for Tabby at this rate.

>>3886560

> Alli got herself into this, she can get herself out

"tabby, no." you said, idly wishing you had a spray bottle or something. You'd thought Erin was joking when she recommended you get one. "pick on someone your own size."

"fine," tabby smoothed her shirt and fell back into her typically adorable little smile.

"couldda taken'er," mumbled Allison. Her ego was to fragile to admit out loud that she'd needed to be bailed out, but you could read her thuggish face well enough to know how she felt.

Thankfully the rest of the flight was less eventful. After dinner you swapped with Kate so she could eat. Neither of you had time to do much before you ramped off the slipstream.

"would you look at that," you said with carefully suppressed awe. The Borsig Ironworks was by pressurized volume the single biggest structure in the sector. Vast hangers big enough to swallow Harrier whole sprawled off an enormous central keel.

"hot damn," Kate whistled. "look, bulk haulers." she pointed at a flotilla of the big ugly things hauling raw metal in from asteroid foundries. They were too big and blocky to be of much use in the slipstream, but for sheer payload there was nothing better.

You warmed up the radio as a wing of fighters peeled off towards you. "Ironworks tower, this is Drake Harrier, we are expected."

"Standby Harrier," came a clipped reply by a polite, lightly accented voice. "we're verifying your credentials now."

"No problem, friend," you said. The fighters formed up between you and the Ironworks. You appreciated how they'd arranged themselves to shield the vast foundry without limiting your freedom of movement much. If you wanted to leave they were already out of your way.

"Verified," announced the fighter pilot. "apologies for the hold up, Harrier."

"No problem, weren't much of a wait."

"we'll guide you in." the fighters formed up around you. "be advised discharge of weapons outside marked ranges is prohibited on the Ironworks save for pirate attack, in which case accuracy is appreciated."

You chuckled at the pilot's joke. "understood, will comply."

"we're a bit booked at the moment," said the pilot. "you'll be sharing a hanger with another client. Our apologies."

"for the price we're paying it ain't..." your good nature died as you lined up for final approach. Another ship was parked in the right side of the hanger, a lean aggressive wedge with an all to familiar shape.

She was swaddled in scaffolding, but not enough to hide her garish purple on gold colors or bold nameplate. The Victorious.

"Ain't that the boat that took a swipe at us?" grumbled Allison.

"thought I shot him down," you gripped the yoke with white knuckles.

"you did," Kate said. "look at the engines, that's a newer model."

"damn thug got'isself a new toy," Allison growled.

> what do?

>>3886679

ask the pilot if he has another hangar availible, we have a bit of a history with the craft sharing this one.
if they can't put us somewhere else let's establish some rules

no one goes out alone, we don't know what they could do to us, and we stay together wherever we will sleep in.

don't tount the dudes, but don't engage in conversation either

>>3886692
Ok, sure

Speed up that renovation and arming.

Coment with Kate
"I know you are not confortable with the whole arming up thing, but I'll make sure we are not in much danger ok? Let's focus on not having any issue here."

>>3886679
I'll back >>3886692

>>3886692
This.

>>3886692
This

>>3886692
Suppin'

"think you can switch us to another berth?" you asked. You could almost hear the tail chase set screeching in your ear. You tensed, ready to pull Harrier into an evasive turn.

"negative Harrier," said the pilot. "we're booked solid. Why?"

"me and mine got beef with that ship," you said as casually as you could. You wanted to answer the man's question, but you could tell he was on edge already. Best not to inflame things.

"that going to be a problem?" he said. Not asked, but said. It was clear from his tone that he expected you and the valentine ship to play nice.

You sighed. "negative, won't cause none."

"see that you don't," said the higher pilot. He and his broke off back to their patrol orbit while a cluster of chubby worker bees tottered out to you.

The little ships weren't much more than massive engine clusters on trusses. They quickly clamped around Harrier and brought her in for a precise landing alongside Victorious.

You and Kate put Harrier through a full shutdown while Allison stalked angrily up and down the upper hallway. You could hear her grumbling to herself and throwing fists at the air.

When you'd finally gotten Harrier to bed you and the rest of your crew moved to the nose ramp.

A tall, thin girl with polished blonde hair nearly as severe as her milimetriclly precise heels was waiting for her. Her crisp skirt and short tie tucked into her snug fitting vest identified her as an Ironworks employee.

"welcome," she said with precise teutonic diction. "you will not be able to remain in your ship during the refit, but we've arranged accommodations for you and your crew."

She turned, her short pencil skirt snapping with each step. "you're welcome to enjoy the promenade while we complete your refit. Please enjoy yourself responsibly, herr borsig does not tolerate lawlessness on his station."

"noted," you shot Allison a look.

> check out where they're putting you up.
> visit the promenade. Maybe there's drinks.
> ask your greeter about... (write in)

>>3888901
>> ask your greeter about... (write in)

the crew on the ship next to ours, where are they

> visit the promenade. Maybe there's drinks.

>>3888918
Supportin

pls no ded thred

>>3888918
This

>>3888918
+1