Cass shakes her head. "Something you've been doing the better part of the day." She says.

"It would be improper of me to not take concern with the fate of Imperial citizens and the Empire's soldiers." Hohiro counters. "And I was careful to remain unobtrusive in the combat information center during the day."

"Cassiopeia, it's pointless to argue with him." Kyou offers. "My younger brother is quite hardheaded, especially once his mind is set."

"I've noticed." Cass responds, shooting a glance sideways. "Maybe it's a male thing. Morgan can be just as bad."

Kyou looks over at you, a light smile on her lips. "Perhaps. If so, I've had no chance to take issue with it."

"Don't worry, you will." Cass says.

"Regardless of our shortcomings, I had hoped to ask about the condition in Korea." Hohiro interjects, cutting the witches commiserating short. "The combat information center crew kept me informed of the hard figures, as much as they were able, but that's a poor substitute for the impressions of combat troops that have been in theater."

Kyou hesitates, then looks over at you. "Morgan, perhaps it would be easier for you to respond."

[] Too early to tell, I think. Still too much confusion.
[] They've got us on the back foot right now, but they're slowing down.
[] They've spent their strength already- once reinforcements arrive, the army's going to be on a roll.

>>4011660
>[X] They've got us on the back foot right now, but they're slowing down.

>>4011660
>[x] They've got us on the back foot right now, but they're slowing down.

>>4011660
>[] They've got us on the back foot right now, but they're slowing down.

>>4011660
>[x] They've got us on the back foot right now, but they're slowing down.

>>4011660
>[] They've got us on the back foot right now, but they're slowing down.

Ok, votes called!

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[x] They've got us on the back foot right now, but they're slowing down.

"They've got us on the back foot right now, but they're slowing down." You say, getting a nod from Kyou- Wendy looks thoughtful at it, though. You'd ask her for her opinion, but, at least in front of company, you're pretty sure she's not going to say anything contradictory to your statement.

Hohiro nods. "I'm told your last mission has caused some chaos in the Chinese air force already." He says. "That was amazing, taking your aircraft so deep into hostile airspace to destroy several of their Fandances and one of their AWACS aircraft."

"I'm shocked that's the first report of them we've gotten." Cass remarks. "I mean, it's no secret they've got a bunch of them. And then there's their modcop version. Still, I bet your mother would have approved."

Wendy smiles. "It is rather in keeping with tradition, though I'm told your Father's first actions of the war were rather less impressive."

[] He didn't have the advantages we do.
[] He was in a different environment. Ours is much more target rich.

>>4011767
>[] He didn't have the advantages we do.

>>4011767
>[X] He didn't have the advantages we do.

>>4011767
>[x] He was in a different environment. Ours is much more target rich.
>[x] He didn't have the advantages we do.

>I'm shocked that's the first report of them we've gotten.
I imagine the majority are in the SCS since that's where most of the Wyverns are headed by the sounds of things.

>>4011767
>[] He didn't have the advantages we do.
>[] He was in a different environment. Ours is much more target rich.
both are true

>>4011767
>[] He didn't have the advantages we do.

>>4011767
>[X] He didn't have the advantages we do.
>[X] He was in a different environment. Ours is much more target rich.

He started in an upgraded F-14 and shot down 5 Flankers in his first combat action. Then sat around in Alaska while shit was popping off in Europe.

We rolled into Seoul with something like 30+ hostiles in the air in the most advanced combat aircraft ever made.

>>4011767
>[x] He didn't have the advantages we do.
>[x] He was in a different environment. Ours is much more target rich.
Por que no los dos?

Ok, votes called!

I hate being late!

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[] Both

You shrug. "He was in a different environment and didn't have the same advantages." You point out- Soviet air doctrine was different than Chinese doctrines are thought to be, though similar in some ways.

Wendy smiles. "He was similarly humble though." She says.

Hohiro nods, looking over at the hatchway as there's a knock at it. "Enter." He says, nodding as a pair of imperial guards step in, pushing a rolling cart between them. The food on it doesn't look particularly outrageous- indeed, it's probably something up from the galley, though you doubt it's a regular meal, either. Still, you recognize beef and shrimp on top of rice and grilled vegetables. Hohiro stands with help from Cass, and thanks the guardsmen- who both nod silenetly and step back out into the passageway.

"How many of your guard remain aboard?" Kyou asks. Hohiro looks towards the hatch as he sits slowly, wincing. "And you've been overdoing it again, haven't you, little brother?"

He smiles tightly, nodding as Cass supports him and takes the seat next to him. You let Kyou and Wendy sit, leaving a space for you on Kyou's right. "Perhaps I have allowed myself to get somewhat careless today." He admits, though it sounds like he's sugarcoating it.

"He's been in the CiC since the first strikes were announced." Cass says, looking over at him. "And he's been trying to stay with the CAG all day."

"Regretfully, I found myself unable to do so without impeding his work." "Hohiro admits. "though they made certain that I was comfortable while in the combat center."

Kyou frowns. "Perhaps it is better that you're returning to the palace." She says, looking quickly over at you- you nod. "How soon will you be leaving?"

Hohiro smiles. "Anxious to be rid of me already, big sister?" He asks.

"Anxious to see my younger brother safe and out of harm's way." Kyou responds. "Were the Kaga to be hit-"

1/2

"I'm sure my safety would be the primary concern of everyone aboard." He returns. "Similarly, I find myself with a singularly capable escort these days, even if the guard won't allow me the same privileges of having her as a sole bodyguard, as they do in your case."

"Regardless." Kyou responds.

"As soon as they're able to dispatch a helicopter." He says, finally answering the question. "I had expected this evening, but I'm now told there's been a miscommunication, and they intend to have me fly off in the morning."

"They want you to fly escort." Cass says. "I think it's dumb, since it paints a target on the flight." She shrugs. "Not that they're listening to me."

"I leave the decision to Morgan." Kyou says after thinking for a moment. "I'm sure that it would be fitting, however, with respect to my brother, I feel our removal from the front, even for a morning, is unacceptable."

[] We'll see what targets are up in the morning, and make the call then.
[] It'd probably be a good idea to fly the escort, yeah.
[] You'll probably be safer if we're over Korea anyway. We attract attention.

>>4012154
>[x] It'd probably be a good idea to fly the escort, yeah.
This has me, concerned. Probably for the best that we tag along.

>>4012154
>[] It'd probably be a good idea to fly the escort, yeah.

>>4012154
>[X] It'd probably be a good idea to fly the escort, yeah.

Escorting a VIP seems like a nice change of pace

>>4012154
>[X] It'd probably be a good idea to fly the escort, yeah.

>>4012154
>[] You'll probably be safer if we're over Korea anyway. We attract attention.

>>4012154
>[x] You'll probably be safer if we're over Korea anyway. We attract attention.

>>4012154
>[X] It'd probably be a good idea to fly the escort, yeah.
It might be a bit of a waste if nothing happens, but if the Chinese find out about it they probably aren't going to hold back.

>>4012154
>[X] We'll see what targets are up in the morning, and make the call then.

As much as it does make sense for a member of the Imperial family to have an escort, we're the only Wyvern in theater.

If we're spotted escorting a transport it'll be a very clear indicator that someone or something really important is there.

We can put it off until we see the mission lists.

>>4012154
>[X] We'll see what targets are up in the morning, and make the call then.

Think of the bigger picture here.

Ok, votes called!

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[x] It'd probably be a good idea to fly the escort, yeah.

"It'd probably be a good idea to fly the escort, yeah." You say, after thinking about it a little. You're aware that, as a military target, even an escorted group like this headed back to Japan probably isn't very easy to hit- and it's of honestly kind of dubious value, to boot- but at the same time, you know it'd look good for Kyou.

Cass shrugs. "At least it means I'll be able to hitch a ride back." She says, getting a sideways glance from Hohiro.

"And it means you will be able to fly with your brother, as you've mentioned wishing to do." Hohiro tells her, getting a nod.

"Yeah, there's that too." She says.

"I'm not anxious to be away from the front that long." Kyou says. "But I agree it may be good to be seen doing this." She puts one hand on your leg for a second as she does so- a motion that she approves of your decision.

There's a moment of silence, then Hohiro smiles. "I had hoped to hear some stories firsthand about your exploits." He says. "Tales are already spreading about your efforts to support the seventy-fifth regiment and cover the evacuation of the Korean academy at Chuncheon."

"That was only this morning." Kyou says, blinking. "Stories are already spreading?"

Hohiro nods. "They say you engaged forty to one odds in the air and still managed to destroy the better part of a Chinese armored corps to ensure the regiment's safety, and managed to secure the capture of a very strong Soviet witch in Chinese employ."

"I am sure the odds were shorter than that." Kyou says. "And I doubt we did that much damage to the ground forces. Perhaps we were able to destroy a few tanks, but the regiment did far more than we did to ensure their success."

"Surely my sister is too humble." Hohiro says, turning to you. "Is what she says true?"

[] I'm sure without Her and Wendy, we wouldn't have pulled it off, regardless of what the regiment did.
[] The regiment did most of the hard work- we were never really in danger.

>>4012311
>[X] The regiment did most of the hard work- we were never really in danger.

>>4012311
In the air
>[] I'm sure without Her and Wendy, we wouldn't have pulled it off, regardless of what the regiment did.
But on the ground
[] The regiment did most of the hard work- we were never really in danger.

sorry ghost

>>4012340
>[] I'm sure without Her and Wendy, we wouldn't have pulled it off, regardless of what the regiment did.
>[] The regiment did most of the hard work- we were never really in danger.

Putting this in as my vote.

>>4012311
>[x] The regiment did most of the hard work- we were never really in danger.

>>4012311
I agree with this earlier vote
>>4012340
In the air
>[] I'm sure without Her and Wendy, we wouldn't have pulled it off, regardless of what the regiment did.
But on the ground
>[] The regiment did most of the hard work- we were never really in danger.

Ok, votes called!

>>4012311
>[x] I'm sure without Her and Wendy, we wouldn't have pulled it off, regardless of what the regiment did.
>[x] The regiment did most of the hard work- we were never really in danger.

"It was hard fighting in the air, but the ground troops held their own well."

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[x] The regiment did most of the hard work- we were never really in danger.

"The regiment did most of the hard work." You say. "We were never really in danger."

"The odds were rather shorter than forty to one." Wendy says, agreeing with a nod. "There were perhaps twenty fighters total arrayed against us. And their surface to air weaponry was quite lacking, I'm not sure they had anything they could have used against us."

Kyou shakes her head. "Some self-propelled guns, perhaps some short range SAMs, but no more than that." She says.

"Less than they have now, for certain." Hohiro notes. "It would be shocking if the airspace over the occupied part of the country is nearly so open tomorrow."

"Regardless," Kyou says. "Our exploits have been nothing like that legendary yet. We'd have found ourselves in trouble without Wendy, but nothing yet has been so difficult as to present a challenge."

Cass nods. "Dad used to say that about her too." She says, looking at Wendy, who blushes lightly at the praise. "I don't think the moms liked it too much, though."

You shrug, looking at Cass. "Kyou's right. We'd have had some ugly spots without her."

"An excellent addition to my sister's household, then." Hohiro remarks with a nod.

Kyou blinks- and Wendy's blush deepens. "I acted on the advice of Morgan." Kyou says, somewhat sidestepping the statement. "And I'm convinced that his advice is not to be ignored."

"I see." Hohiro says with a nod. "I imagine our younger sister will complain of this."

Kyou frowns. "She is likley to take issue with Cassiopeia, as well." She points out- which gets a laugh out of Hohiro.

"I doubt it, elder sister." He responds. "Cass can be quite intimidating."

"As if that would matter to her." Kyou says. "Though, I wonder if you've warned Cassiopeia about our mother."

"I had, ah... been waiting for an opportune moment." Hohiro answers.

"Is that so?" Kyou asks, smiling. "Perhaps my brother is concerned that mother's behavior will bother her?"

Cass shrugs. "I doubt that." She says. "Morgan didn't have a problem with her, did you Morg?"

[] We didn't talk much, I can't say.
[] Oh no, you'll get along just fine.

And that's going to be it for the night!

I have a couple things to knock out this evening, gents, so I probably won't be able to get any questions or comments anymore tonight. Sorry!

Till tomorrow gents, cheers!

>>4012525
>[x] Oh no, you'll get along just fine.

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>>4012525
>[] Oh no, you'll get along just fine.

>>4012533
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4012525

[] Oh no, you'll get along just fine

Peas in a pod, those two.

>>4012525
>[x] Oh no, you'll get along just fine.

>>4012533
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>4012525
>[X] Oh no, you'll get along just fine.

[BROTHERLY PRANK GRIN INTENSIFIES]

>>4012525
>[] Oh no, you'll get along just fine.

>>4012525
>[x] Oh no, you'll get along just fine.

>>4012525
>[x] Oh no, you'll get along just fine.
*MAXIMUM SARCASM*
But honestly she wasn’t that bad. She was a kind and caring mother. If a little overzealous. I imagin that it’ll be a bigger problem for Hohiro than it will be for Cass.

>>4012525
>[X] Oh no, you'll get along just fine.
They share a Witchy thirst.

>>4011657
>Asuka II
I immediately wondered what this was a reference to.

>>4013098
The Yongfeng-class coastal defense ship Yongjian.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yongfeng-class_coastal_defense_ship
>On August 25, 1937, Yongjian was sunk by a Japanese aerial attack in Jiangnan Shipyard, but the Japanese occupation force raised the ship and rearmed it with Japanese guns to enter Japanese service on October 15, 1938, renamed Asuka (飛鳥). Asuka first served as a torpedo-boat mothership but eventually, in 1940, served as a liaison ship until it was sunk by American aerial attack on May 7, 1945 in the Huangpu River.

>>4013101
The first google results for me were something something Macross II.

>>4013101
its referencing the supercarrier design from Macross

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>>4012548
So how much of her will change in the event of grandchildren?

>>4013102
>>4013106
Macross Zero, specifically.

>>4013165
The combined forces of Morgan's gnome and Kyou's magic won't save them from the aras, anon. And that's not including if Hohiro and Cass end up getting hitched...

>>4012525
>[] Oh no, you'll get along just fine.

COMMENCE BUS THROWING

>>4013227
Give Cass a Morgan dakikamura and Hohiro will be forgotten in no time.

Ok, just finishing dinner, sorry about the delay! Votes called, but it may take an extra couple of minutes

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[x] Oh no, you'll get along just fine.

You shake your head- you didn't have any issues with Kyou's parents, though her mother did seem a bit ... concerned, for lack of a better term, with Kyou and your relationship and how quickly it would result in grandchildren.

Not information, you think, Cass needs to overly worry herself with.

"No, not at all." You say, smiling. "You should get along just fine."

"See?" Cass says as Hohiro gives another of those faint smiles- Kyou, for her part keeps her face neutral, and Wendy wouldn't know either way- and even if she did, you doubt she'd say much on the subject. "Besides, I'm not dad. I'm pretty easy to get along with, right Morg?"

You nod. "Oh, for sure." You say, getting a pleased smile from your sister- she's always elected to interpret anything that could be sarcastic from you as straight gospel truth. For what it's worth, you've also made efforts to not really direct much in the way of shade at her, either- despite her quirks, you do actually get along with Cass fairly well, arguably better than the rest of your half-sisters in the same age range.

"And," Cass continues, "And we know how to behave, aunt Jessica made sure we knew all the proper forms of address and everything."

"Even if you refuse to use them." Hohiro smiles. "Calling the ship's matron grandmother was probably not the correct term to use."

1/2

Cass shrugs. "I said it respectfully!" She protests as Kyou laughs. "Besides, isn't that what she said I should call her?"

Hohiro shakes his head. "Yes, but that's not what she meant. Regardless, I see now that my concerns were unfounded. You should indeed get along with my mother very well. Akemi is a different matter, however."

Kyou frowns. "I would imagine our sister has been keeping quiet, given the speed our allies responded to our call for aid." She says, and Hohiro shakes his head.

"Hardly. Her friends have called the emperor and the members of the diet cowards for activating the defense treaty as quickly as they did. Father is rather displeased with her, as you might expect."

"She's a fool if she thinks her friends will gain anything by it." Kyou says. "Angering the nation to appeal to a fringe minority is hardly a good plan, especially when they come so dangerously close to treason to do it."

"Not that our sister would feel the repercussions of such a charge." Hohiro points out. Kyou smiles, though it's unkind.

"Not severe, no." She admits. "But perhaps an exile to America would do her good."

Hohiro blinks. "While I imagine father will appreciate the direct nature of such an action, I doubt he'd be able to enforce it, even were he so inclined."

Kyou laughs. "The mother of night is as good as part of the imperial household now, via Morgan. Surely they'd allow her to be exiled in her care."

"Assuming she would want such trouble to begin with, dear sister." Hohiro points out, looking over at you for support.

[] I doubt maman wants that headache. She loves us, oui, but she wants me and 'lizbeth out of the house, too.
[] She might, especially if she saw benefit to one of her plans in doing it.

>>4013865
>[] She might, especially if she saw benefit to one of her plans in doing it.

Oh come on, Maman would DELIGHT in dunking on an Actual Royal.

>>4013865
>[X] She might, especially if she saw benefit to one of her plans in doing it.

>>4013865
>[X] She might, especially if she saw benefit to one of her plans in doing it.

I like where this is going.

>>4013865
>[X] She might, especially if she saw benefit to one of her plans in doing it.

She loves networking, why not give her another access point into the Royal family?

>>4013865
>[] She might, especially if she saw benefit to one of her plans in doing it.

>>4013865
>[x] She might, especially if she saw benefit to one of her plans in doing it.

>>4013102
>>4013106
Which is named after >>4013101
This is like claiming "chew bubblegum and kick ass" is a Duke Nukem reference (it's from They Live, Duke references lots of classic movies).

Votes called!

>>4013865
>[x] I doubt maman wants that headache. She loves us, oui, but she wants me and 'lizbeth out of the house, too.

>>4013928
>Which is named after >>4013101
>This is like claiming "chew bubblegum and kick ass" is a Duke Nukem reference (it's from They Live, Duke references lots of classic movies).
If you're going to be that pedantic:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asuka,_Yamato
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asuka_period

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[x] She might, especially if she saw benefit to one of her plans in doing it.

You shrug. "She might go for it." You say, getting a surprised blink out of the prince. "Especially if she saw benefit to one of her plans."

Kyou smiles. "And a few years in America might break her of her ultranationalist tenancies." She says. "And is certainly not overly harsh for treasonous statements."

"If the emperor views them as such." Hohiro retorts. "And you know grandfather as well as I. He's much more likely to ascribe them to youthful exuberance and ignore them further. The concept of our sister being removed from her annoying 'friends' and placed in the care of one as infamous as the mother of night is amusing, but unlikely."

"Unless, of course, she commits further foolishness." Kyou points out.

"Which she is not nearly so foolish as to do." Hohiro says. "Besides, her time at the academy will soon remove her ability to appear in public. By the time she's through, perhaps her instructors will have instilled some sense in her."

Kyou nods. "Possibly." She says, looking over at Cass. "I imagine it is much the same for your family as it is for ours. Our station merely means the instructors can demand more of us."

Cass smiles ruefully- none of the sneks were really outstanding students, though of them, Samantha and Lindsay were perhaps the best- and Cass possibly the worst. She's not dumb- but her priorities were always sports and her academics suffered as a result. Still, she nods. "Yeah, sure seems like it anyway." She says, looking over at you. "Same for Morgan, I bet."

[] More or less. I don't think any of us got a free pass though.
[] Probably, but it's hard to tell. My classmates did the same work as I did.

>>4014014
>[X] More or less. I don't think any of us got a free pass though.

Didn't they have to get our mom to find us during SERE?

>>4014014
>[X] More or less. I don't think any of us got a free pass though.

>>4014014
>[] More or less. I don't think any of us got a free pass though.
>>4014044
I believe that that's still canon

>>4014014
>[X] More or less. I don't think any of us got a free pass though.

>>4014014
>[X] More or less. I don't think any of us got a free pass though.
Now that I realized, we can have 5toubun shenanigans with the snek sisters.

>>4014014
>[x] More or less. I don't think any of us got a free pass though.

Ok, votes called!

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[x] More or less. I don't think any of us got a free pass though.

You nod, stifling a yawn. "More or less." You say, thinking back on it- you got pushed, hard, to excel, but you kind of enjoyed the challenge. You didn't make anyone eat crow- except for maybe the SERE cadre- but you had to work hard to get where you did. "I don't think any of us got a free pass, though."

Cass shrugs. "I bet Stasya and Lilya did." She says. "They only did their time in the academy for appearances, they were already too old and veterans when they went through."

"And they were top of their class." You point out. "And they don't give that kind of thing away for free."

Cass frowns- her relationship with your older sisters has always been a bit more difficult than yours- possibly, up till now at least, because of her relationship with you. Still, she doesn't argue the point- not that you expected her to, both because she typically won't, and be cause she knows you're right. Your older sisters, maybe still feeling the need to prove themselves, maybe simply unwilling to do anything to risk your father's faith, excelled in anything set before them. Stasya still does, to some extent- the rumors you last heard had her in line for a carrier- possibly even the Saratoga.

Hohiro and Kyou both nod- Wendy looks a little thoughtful. "It would be interesting though, you must admit." Kyou says. "Akemi, spending her remaining academy time with the mother of night?"

Hohiro smiles. "It would be, but again, I doubt our parents would allow it." He says. "The risk of being seen to be meddling-"

1/2

"Is less necessary if her friends make more foolish statements." Kyou cuts in. "And we both know they will. With wartime powers, grandfather could easily order their removal from those positions they do occupy, and send our sister to America for educational purposes."

"Akemi merely wishes to have friends." Hohiro says. "And these people were the first to present themselves as such. Think, older sister. We've fallen into the same trap, though with much better company."

Kyou looks over at you again, considering the point. "Perhaps." She says, but stops there.

Hohiro smiles again. "Which may be the best argument for her traveling abroad." He says. "I am sure, however, were she to make friends with another of the Bishop family, there would be uncomfortable rumors among the people."

Kyou shakes her head. "Possibly." She says.

Hohiro's smile gets a bit thinner. "Of course, there will be talk about my sister collecting so many westerners about her. Especially if the rumors about Merlin Wells herself managing your aircraft at the front prove to be true."

Kyou looks at her brother blankly for a minute- and his grin, if anything gets a bit wider. "Her presence is none of their concern." She says.

"Tell me, dear sister, do you intend to extend an invitation to her to use the empty cabin here in the imperial quarters?"

Kyou pauses. "I had considered it." She says. "It would be fitting for her rank." She pauses, looking over at Wendy as the older witch yawns. "I think, however, it is time for us to rest."

Hohiro nods, his grin not quite leaving his face. "Of course, dear sister. I look forward to seeing you in the morning."

"Later Morgan, aunt Wendy." Cass says, standing before Hohiro and helping him up, supporting the prince as he takes a step away from the table. "Nice to meet you, Kyou."

"It was good to finally meet you as well, Cassiopeia." Kyou says, standing as well.

You wait till Cass and Hohiro have stepped out before turning to Kyou. She smiles. "I had wondered if I may be somewhat overstepping by inviting admiral Wells to use the extra sleeping quarters, but I had intended to wait to ask until after her arrival." She says.

[] It's fine. It means we'll be able to coordinate easier, and she can use our input on designs and planning.
[] I wish you'd asked, but it's not a bad idea. I don't know if I want her aboard an IJN ship alone.
[] I'm not sure that's a good idea, honestly.

>>4014231
>[x] It's fine. It means we'll be able to coordinate easier, and she can use our input on designs and planning.

>>4014231
>[X] It's fine. It means we'll be able to coordinate easier, and she can use our input on designs and planning.

>>4014231
>[] It's fine. It means we'll be able to coordinate easier, and she can use our input on designs and planning.

>>4014231
>[X] It's fine. It means we'll be able to coordinate easier, and she can use our input on designs and planning.

>>4014231
>[x] It's fine. It means we'll be able to coordinate easier, and she can use our input on designs and planning.

>>4014231
>[] It's fine. It means we'll be able to coordinate easier, and she can use our input on designs and planning.

Ok, votes called!

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[x] It's fine. It means we'll be able to coordinate easier, and she can use our input on designs and planning.

You shake your head. "It's fine" you say. "It means we'll be able to coordinate easier, and she can use our input on designs and planning."

Kyou smiles, pleased you agree. "I had hoped so. Similarly, it will place her off limits to all aboard except those we wish to allow talk to her."

"Even to the ship's matron or commander?" Wendy asks, surprised.

Kyou nods. "As long as we occupy them, yes." She says. "Of course, there are limits, the guard, for example, can enter at any time, and given your position as members of my personal household, I would expect either of you could as well." She explains.

"Forgive me for asking, but would this make miss Wells a member of your household as well?" Wendy asks.

Kyou shakes her head. "No, merely a guest." She answers. "A household member is a different thing entirely, of course."

"I see." Wendy says, then yawns- and yawns again after a second. "Oh my." She says, a tired smile creeping across her face. "I'm afraid I'm far more tired than I realized. If it's no trouble, I should like to retire."

"Of course." Kyou says, and Wendy nods, crossing the room to enter the room next to yours. The door closes with a soft click.

Kyou smiles at that. "I'm rather pleased I allowed you to convince me of her ability." She says, not for the first time. "Tell me, what do you think of my brother and I's schemes to send our sister to learn under your mother? Do you think it truly has merit as a plan?"

[] From the sounds of it, she and Liz would get along like a house on fire.
[] Possibly, though she's too old to learn everything Maman taught me or Liz.

>>4014402
>[X] Possibly, though she's too old to learn everything Maman taught me or Liz.

>>4014402
>[x] Possibly, though she's too old to learn everything Maman taught me or Liz.

>>4014402
>[] Possibly, though she's too old to learn everything Maman taught me or Liz.

>>4014402
>[] Possibly, though she's too old to learn everything Maman taught me or Liz.

>>4014402
>[] Possibly, though she's too old to learn everything Maman taught me or Liz.

>>4014402
>[X] From the sounds of it, she and Liz would get along like a house on fire.

Wasn't the purpose of this whole thing to get her sister to socialize a bit more with people that weren't so massively xenophobic?

Ok, votes called! Want to get one last one out this evening, haha!

>>4014402
>[X] From the sounds of it, she and Liz would get along like a house on fire.

This sounds really funny.

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[x] Possibly, though she's too old to learn everything Maman taught me or Liz.

"Possibly," You say, allowing Kyou to lead you to the sitting area near the outboard bulkhead. The night sky is clear, and with the fleet running blacked out, it seems like every star in the universe is visible up there, even through the porthole. "She's too old to learn everything maman taught me or liz, though."

Kyou nods. "Of course. In truth, if my family were to agree with our assessment, this would be more for the effect of breaking her 'friends' hold on her. Of course, one would expect her to learn some things, if by nothing else than proximity, but it would be unreasonable to expect her to learn everything I'm sure you know." she says, smiling.

You nod, thinking- while some things can be taught, you're sure- shooting technique, for example, isn't that hard to pick up, and maman might even have an easier time of it with a fellow witch than she did with you- other things, such as your command of languages or martial arts, take far more time. Not for the first time you reflect on how odd your mother may have seemed, encouraging you to live a life you were happy with one minute, while demanding you learn a dozen demanding skillsets to excellence the next.

"I do wonder what her reaction to Cassiopeia will be." Kyou continues, leaning against the bulkhead near the porthole and looking out. There's a small private section deck here, separated off for your use by a simple length of chain that's removed at battle stations to allow for movement of damage control parties. Up this high on the island, it's not really necessary, of course- this area is largely deserted by the crew at general quarters, with the majority either forward in the bridge or flight control center or dispersed below. "It's no secret that the ultranationalists dislike the princess consort Jessica, and I imagine you'll be even less popular, despite your obvious qualities. The concept of a potential emperor taking a consort from anywhere other than the home islands will no doubt cause problems with them."

1/2

"Dangerous?" You ask, but she shakes her head.

"No, nothing of the sort." She says, quickly. "Any hint of danger of that kind would be quickly dealt with by the imperial guard. Unlike your secret service, they've a flawless service record. Politically they're little more than a fringe group, though they appear much larger simply because of how loud and prolific their communications are. That said, however, they can still turn public opinion somewhat, even if they consistently lose at the polls. I expect the support of the matrons in this matter, though." She smiles. "Two Bishops? And in positions to have children? Oh, I'm sure some of those grandmas are beside themselves with joy."

You smile at that- had anyone else said it, you'd have started getting a little nervous. Maman always made sure you were aware of that- that, especially to coven matrons, your name and parentage meant a lot more than anything else about you- and that that could carry on to witches who might be interested. With Kyou, though, it feels- well, normal. She's here for the same reason you are, specifically, to fly the Wyvern, and by now she's more than proven she's in it for the long haul.

"Of course," Kyou continues. "I must wonder why you'd leave your sister so uninformed about my mother." She grins. "You know mother will be most interested in the possibility of her and Hohiro having children soon. "

[] Call it payback. I owe Cass a bit.
[] It would be rude to presume that of your mother, I think.

And that's going to be it for the evening! I have kind of an early morning tomorrow, so I won't be up as long to field questions or comments this evening, but I'll get to any I can!

Other than that, gents, it may be a bit of a late run tomorrow, my brother's in town and we may be making the rounds to the hobby shops. I need to find a white that goes on over a black primer better than the citadel layer paint, haha!

Other than that, gents, I got nothing, so, till tomorrow, cheers!

>>4014539
>[x] It would be rude to presume that of your mother, I think.
If given the go ahead,
>[x] Call it payback. I owe Cass a bit.

>>4014539
>[] Call it payback. I owe Cass a bit.

>>4014539
>[x] It would be rude to presume that of your mother, I think.

>>4014541
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>4014539
>[X] Call it payback. I owe Cass a bit.

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>>4014539
>[X] Call it payback. I owe Cass a bit.

>>4014541
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4014539
>[] Call it payback. I owe Cass a bit.

AND NOW THE RUBBER BAND IS ON THE OTHER CLAW!

>>4014539
>[] Call it payback. I owe Cass a bit.

>>4014539
>[X] Call it payback. I owe Cass a bit.

>>4013859
Remind me again why Cass couldn't apply to be our co-pilot ?

>>4014539
>[] Call it payback. I owe Cass a bit.

>>4015962
anons hated the idea of best girl being with us

>>4016227
I thought it was "Oh god, The Wyvern program tends to make us fall in love with our co-pilot and Cass is our half-sister who's already thirst af for us. We'd rather not the whole incest thing."

>>4016258
Negative, that was more likely Ghost's personal opinion. Didn't even give us a picture of Cass until the 6th thread, because he didn't want us waifuing her.

Anons were largely more focused on the divide between tomboy and awoofu.

>>4015962
She didn't have SIO training and even if she did she would not have been an option for us since she's our half sister.

I am actually sort of curious as to what Merlin meant when she said in Thread 8 where she mentioned we could fit smaller Air-to-Ground missiles in the VLS; if I am reading between the lines right, we can Quadpack AGM-176s or similar and even AGM-88s, but for AGM-65s, AGM-84H SLAM-ERs (this is a Harpoon modified for dedicated land attack carries 800-pounds of pain and is guided), we will probably be lucky if we can squeeze two to a cell. The possibilities are literally endless with possible loadouts with this thing.

Sorry about the late start guys, dinner ran a bit later than I'd intended (Because I started it late because I needed a nap. Getting old is hell, haha!)

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[x] Call it payback. I owe Cass a bit.

You grin, nodding. "Call it payback." You say, thinking of years of Cass' quote-unquote 'efforts' to seduce you. "I owe her some."

Kyou laughs lightly. "Ah. Sibling issues?"

You shrug. "You could say that. I'm glad she and Hohiro have apparently hit it off so well."

"As am I." Kyou says. "Though it's slightly curious. I had always assumed Hohiro would marry for the good of the nation." She pauses. "Though this may be seen as doing just that, from a particular point of view. I do wonder, however, what my brother could have possibly done to attract her attentions. Your sisters, I imagine, are rather discerning in their choice of partners."

You nod- while none of your sisters are anywhere near as paranoid as you were on the subject, they're all still well aware that, if and when they leave active service, they'll be well set up for a very comfortable life. You are too, for that- it's not exactly advertised widely, but both of your parents are relatively wealthy. Frank moreso than Maman, of course- but you know Vought paid a reasonable-sized fortune to get him and Merlin onboard exclusively for their contracts.

Kyou shakes her head with a grin. "It's amusing how it's happened, though. I shouldn't be surprised, aunt Katsumi always spoke incredibly well of Jessica, and it's not as if either has any reason to be interested in the other for anything other than themselves. I do wonder how grandfather will take the news."

"He might not approve?" You ask, and she shakes her head.

"In public, of course, he's the stern leader of the most powerful nation in Asia. In private, you'll find, he's far more like Hohiro." She says. "I expect he'll approve of Cassiopeia simply because she's an exotic amazonian type."

That's the first time you've ever heard anyone refer to Cass as either- though you can see where amazonian might fit her.

[] Amazonian? Cass? You haven't seen her cry watching homeward bound, yet.
[] I don't know if I'd call her a warrior woman, but she still spends more time in the gym than I do.

>>4016839
>[X] Amazonian? Cass? You haven't seen her cry watching homeward bound, yet.

>>4016839
>[X] Amazonian? Cass? You haven't seen her cry watching homeward bound, yet.

We're going all in on the sibling embarrassment tonight, aren't we?

>>4016839
>[X] Amazonian? Cass? You haven't seen her cry watching homeward bound, yet.

I will admit, I do get misty eyed watching Homeward Bound at the end and Finest Hours? Yeah, that makes me tearful.

>>4016839
>[x] Amazonian? Cass? You haven't seen her cry watching homeward bound, yet.

>>4016839
>[X] Amazonian? Cass? You haven't seen her cry watching homeward bound, yet.

>>4016839
>[x] I don't know if I'd call her a warrior woman, but she still spends more time in the gym than I do.

>>4016839
>[] Amazonian? Cass? You haven't seen her cry watching homeward bound, yet.

Ok, votes called!

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[x] Amazonian? Cass? You haven't seen her cry watching homeward bound, yet.

You grin. "Amazonian? Cass?" You ask, then shake your head. "You haven't seen her cry at homeward bound, yet."

Kyou smiles. "I am familiar with the film. It seems to me a soft spot for small, cute creatures may be serving in Hohiro's interests."

You laugh at that, nodding. "Maybe." You admit.

"Though I imagine he did his utmost to charm her, to have done so so quickly." Kyou says, thinking again. "Hohiro has always taken his infirmity to be a challenge to improve himself in other fields. I'm sure he can be quite charming, should he desire to be." She pauses. "Though I suspect that my definition of charming may differ from Cassiopeia's."

"Possibly." You admit- of course, the MIU link works to your advantage and disadvantage here- you know exactly what Kyou considers charming, but it's very much summed up as 'everything you do for her'. It's one of the quirks you're painfully aware of- the system is designed to create a mutually reinforcing situation like that. Of course, that's not advertised- and the effect is supposed to be subtle, but you have caught yourself wondering, occasionally, where Kyou was all your life.

You shove the thoughts aside- regardless of why, they're part of your mindset now, and you can't say you really mind- it could have been worse, you remind yourself.

"My real concern," Kyou says, dragging you out of your thoughts. "Is what Mother will think of Wendy's presence."

"Is she going to be an issue?" You ask, worried- both for Kyou, who probably is already on thin ice with her family, and Wendy, who you doubt could handle any sort of rejection from you or Kyou at this point.

Kyou frowns. "I don't believe so." she says, eventually. "Historically there's some precedent for it, witches in the imperial family are hardly rare, and many of them were openly in relationships with their household matron, regardless of having a husband or not. If anything, I expect mother to be pleased with her- Wendy's natural subservience will serve as a useful cover for her. But I also expect mother to take an interest in the possibility of Valkyrie."

[] How so?
[] She wants to get back in the air?

>>4017157
>[X] How so?

>>4017157
>[x] She wants to get back in the air?

>>4017157
>[] She wants to get back in the air?

>>4017157
>[X] She wants to get back in the air?

Well Japan is hoping to get Wyverns, I can see an interest in Valkyrie so they get the whole system.

>>4017157
>[] She wants to get back in the air?

>>4017157
>[X] She wants to get back in the air?

Ok, votes called!

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[x] She wants to get back in the air?

"She wants to get back in the air?" You ask, surprised.

Kyou laughs. "No, nothing of the sort. My mother is quite happy where she's at, and only keeps herself qualified on strikers because father insists on keeping himself to the army's paratrooper qualification standards. But, she was the commanding witch of my father's imperial guard element, and remains very interested and involved in their operation. Something like valkyrie would provide the guard with an amazing advantage over their current generation of strikers."

"Not to mention it's designed to work with drakes." You point out, and she nods.

"Yes, that as well, of course." She admits. "As well, she may see an opportunity to have a Japanese witch join us." She smiles. "While this, of course, will not happen, as I will not replace Wendy, regardless of what they offer her in order to get her to leave our service."

You blink. "What would they offer?" You ask

Kyou shakes her head. "It's difficult to say. Mother, of course, balances the needs of the nation and the family against the desires of the coven. Wendy is, of course, more than capable in her own right, and it's well within the power of my mother to offer her a high position in the imperial household- one I cannot match. Regardless, I do not intend to allow her to leave."

[] I don't think she'd want to anyway, regardless of the offer they make.
[] We ought to let her decide, Kyou.

>>4017434
>[] I don't think she'd want to anyway, regardless of the offer they make.

>>4017434
>[] I don't think she'd want to anyway, regardless of the offer they make.
But,
>[] We ought to let her decide, Kyou.

>>4017434
Backing this >>4017463

>>4017434
>[x] We ought to let her decide, Kyou.

>>4017434
>[X] We ought to let her decide, Kyou.

>>4017434
>[] I don't think she'd want to anyway, regardless of the offer they make.

Pet the bulldog, love the bulldog.

>>4017434
>[x] I don't think she'd want to anyway, regardless of the offer they make.
>[x] We ought to let her decide, Kyou.

"It's her choice, but I doubt she'd want to leave us"

>>4017434
>[x] We ought to let her decide, Kyou.

ok, votes called!

>>4017434
This >>4017577

>It's her choice, but I doubt she'd want to leave us
Sums it up well

Hey guys, just got a tornado warning here. Be a couple of minutes before the update.

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[x] Both

You frown- you're not exactly comfortable with the possessiveness Kyou's showing, though at the same time, you strongly doubt it's necessary- short of you telling her to leave, Wendy probably won't, regardless of the offers made to her. You blink when you realize you're now also assuming she'd tell your father- or Merlin- that she wanted to stay where she was- in effect, that she's more loyal to you and Kyou than anyone else.

You're not sure how that makes you feel, to be honest.

"We ought to let her decide, Kyou." You state, getting a contemplative look from the princess. "Though I don't think she'd want to anyway."

Kyou nods. "I suspect not, either." She says. "Though it's interesting to me that you think she would make such a decision. As much as I welcome her presence and capability, it's clear to me that she would look to one of us if asked."

You shrug- she's not wrong, at least, not as far as you can tell. Wendy may surprise you, of course, but it's far more reasonable to think that Kyou's correct- the older witch would look to you for what she should do.

"Regardless, I think it's time for us to retire." Kyou says, and you nod, standing. "We can deal with those problems later. For now, I have another problem I wish your help with."

Her impish grin gives little doubt as to what, exactly, that problem is- or what her ideas of your help entail.

Ok gents, that's it for the week!

Sorry about that delay, this storm front that's rolling through was significantly nastier than I had anticipated. That's what I get for letting my Radarscope subscription lapse, haha!

No real news for now, though school does start this coming week, so our run may be affected. I expect it to not be too much more than maybe a day, if that, this week, and we'll change our run days accordingly. Other than that, gents, nothing here, haha!

Till next week, cheers!

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>>4018108
Thanks for the run boss.

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>>4018095
>For now, I have another problem I wish your help with.

>>4018108
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>4018095
Lewd

>>4016294
Stop lying to the man.

Wait, if we knows what she likes, does that mean she knows that we know what she likes, and by extension we know what she knows what we know?

And that's not considering that she knows what we like!

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>>4019284
Does that mean we can know Morgan's fetishes through her?

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>>4020422
Perhaps, but Morgan would probably somehow hide/deny it. Especially terrifying since she essentially knows his playbook.

I got some writefaggery stuff that I am planning on posting probably later tonight.

The radiant quicksilver of the full moon shone against the inky blackness of the night sky, while far below her--at maybe Angels Twelve--was a blanket of fluffy pearlescent white clouds while above her, complementing the moon were the glittering stars of the Milky Way. The beauty of such flights made the long boring night patrols over the northern South China Sea bearable. The dull roar of the General Electric magic variable cycle turbofan engines powering her F-22B King Raptor striker units filled Young’s ears as she started on the outbound leg of her night patrol. Soaring up here in the shadows, she had always shared her grandfather’s love for night-flying.

She glanced at the radar screen being projected in the lower left-hand corner of her HUD and frowned. She had a radar ghost about 220-miles out, almost due north, coming in from the direction of Taiwan. The PRC seemed determined to reclaim what they saw as their 20th Province; as a result, U.S. assets in the region not only had to set up a BARCAP and run probing attacks against their positions in the Spratly and Paracel islands, but they also had to send missions to provide assistance to the Republic of China. Yet here she was on the night BARCAP partially because of her ability to augment her sensors with her magic which gave her a much better chance of spotting raids and forcing them to turn away before they could launch missiles. Given the AA assets dedicated to the ROC, the Chinese would pay dearly for any incursion in that airspace, but that cut both ways since they also had a lot of long range AA assets in the area.

“Boomer, you got the radar ghost to our north?” She asked her wingwitch.

“Affirmative, boss. It's a scheduled sortie that’s RTB: Hoplite Flight, an XF-02D and a witch.” The icy spike of tension that had filled Valerie ebbed away upon her wingwitch’s explanation. “Think we’ll get to escort ‘em in?”

1/5

Young glanced backward. “Keep your panties on, Lena,” she teased, “we’re still on the clock.”

Fuming, the witch behind her protested, “that’s not it! I’ve just never had the chance to fly alongside a Wyvern, before!”

Young giggled as she faced forward and double-checked her HUD. Suddenly, the airspace near Hoplite Flight had gotten a lot busier. “Boomer, I got contacts, four flights of four jets,” she estimated. “How ‘bout you?”

“Negative. Nothing on my scope, yet…”

With her free hand, Young manipulated the sensors as information flowed in: velocity, altitude, heading. Her heart leapt into her throat suddenly as the sensor suite gave her an answer. “Oh SHIT!”

“Boss...?”.

“We got an enemy Heavy Group, hot, sixteen Flagdances. I think they’re moving to intercept Hoplite Flight!” She raised the AWACS loitering in the area. “Skykeeper, Skykeeper, this is Rattler One. Be advised: we’ve picked up one-six bandits, moving to intercept Hoplite Flight.” She rattled off the rest of the relevant data. “How copy?”

“Skykeeper copies. Stand by, Rattler One.”

“They’re probably low on ords,” Boomer observed, trepidation creeping into her voice.

“Not helping, Boomer,” Young hissed. Several agonizing seconds ticked by as she waited. “Rattler Flight,” Skykeeper finally spoke, “provide assistance to Hoplite Flight, ASAP. You’re clear to exit your patrol box; bring that Wyvern home by ANY means necessary.”

“Rattler copies all, breaking patrol box.” Young brought herself around to a new heading. “We’re gonna need some help out here,” she added as she advanced the throttles. The engines howled as acceleration seemingly pressed her deeper into the pocket dimension of her striker units. A jolt ran through her body as she pushed her engines from regular cruising to full military power, her airspeed leaping from Mach 1.2 up towards Mach 1.5 and beyond as she accelerated. She spared the ‘burners, knowing she would need them.
2/5

She quickly went over what she knew about the J-13 Flagdance: it was a heavily modified Fandance airframe and supposedly, it could use ADMMs and EMLs, both known witch-killers. This wasn’t going to be easy.

“Howler,” Leena whispered, her voice timid.

“Speak up, Boomer.” Young kept an eye on her sensors as the two witches closed rapidly into AMRAAM range.

“What are we going to do against the surviving Flagdances after we’ve spent our Scorpions?” her wingwitch asked. Young grimaced. They both knew the score. But that wouldn’t be helpful to point out, right now. She grinned with a confidence she didn’t feel right then and answered: “simple, Boomer. We switch to guns.”

Quickly, they ran through their checks, arming their missiles in their strikers’ bays: two Sidewinders and six Scorpions. Watching the contacts in her sensors, Young could see how the fight was developing, the Drake, it’s AI pinging its name as Supermarine, went to full power with its ECM system and launched several TALDs as the Chinese fighters went to full power on their FCS radars. She tried to raise the Wyvern team. “Hoplite Flight, this is Rattler Flight, two witches. Looks like you could use a hand, over.”

“Hoplite. Thanks, Rattler. We’re dry on Actives and have just four Heaters left, got plenty of ammunition for the guns. Over.” Young marveled at how cool and collected the Wyvern driver sounded, especially as she watched what had to be his radar return and that of the Chinese race towards an intercept.

“Hoplite. We’ve got twelve Scorpions between the two of us. Link us in and we can give you support. Over.”

“Affirmative, linking you into our network.” Young absently noted that the Wyvern’s SIO spoke with a noticeable English accent as the battlespace display on her wrist mounted MFD automatically updated, her systems linking with the Wyvern’s.

“Connection complete,” Young confirmed. “On your go, Hoplite Flight.”

“Weapons free.” the SIO replied.

3/5

“FOX THREE, FOX THREE!” she cried and the main weapon bays on her strikers opened, two Scorpions kicking free from her bays. Their motors ignited and the AIM-120Es screamed off into the night, joining the two that Lena had launched. “FOX THREE, FOX THREE!” she shouted again as two more AMRAAMs launched after they got into position, and so it went until her last AMRAAMs arrowed into the night.

“Rattler Two, punch it!” Young ordered.

“Affirmative, boss!” Boomer replied as they pushed their engines into afterburner. Long trails of ghostly blue energy--a good seven or eight meters long--erupted from their exhausts as they raced to engage their opponents.

“Rattler Flight, this is Skykeeper,” the eye-in-the-sky suddenly cut in. “Be advised: Clark Air Base is scrambling a Wyvern team, callsign: Garmr. ETA: twenty minutes, over.”

“Rattler Flight copies, Skykeeper. If we’re still here, it’ll be a miracle.” Young kept a careful eye on her sensors, tracking the Scorpions as they raced through the air. The Chinese fighters had been focusing on Hoplite so intensely that they only started evasive maneuvers and pumping decoys into the air, just a little too late. One, three, ten Flagdances received AMRAAM hits, and seven of those dropped off the witch’s scopes completely. Hoplite Flight merged with the scattering Flagdances. “Guns, Guns, Guns!” the pilot reported and one of the fighters entered a wild spin, meanwhile the witch that had been flying on Hoplite One’s wing was engaging as well, causing another to drop off her scope.

4/5

Moments later they entered visual range and Young could see one of the J-13s tumbling from the sky, the back end of the fighter an unrecognizable mess of burning shrapnel. The victorious Drake entered a brutal Chandelle turn as another Flagdance launched six PL-9s from two exterior low RCS pods; strangely, Hoplite One didn’t maneuver to shake off the incoming AAMs. As Young made to key her mic, an energy emitter located on the Drake’s tail booms strobed into life, unleashing bright lances of actinic light to destroy the deadly missiles, nearly seven kilometers away, with astounding accuracy and efficiency. However, Young had to blink furiously to clear the afterimages dancing across her vision.

“Holy shit,” Boomer whispered in awe as the Wyvern executed a wingover and launched an Agile. Despite frantic jinking from the targeted J-13, the missile went up the Chinese fighter’s tailpipe and blew it apart.

As a stray burst of cannon fire spanged off her shield, Young ordered, “Rattler Two, break and engage!” They separated, going after their own individual targets. As she cued up her Sidewinders, she thought to herself: time to get to work.
5/5

Alright, that's the first part of this sidestory for Strikers '2016 reboot, I am not sure when I'll have more of it though. In case you're wondering the particular Youngspawn we're following is the one we didn't choose to ride with.

>>4023031
>an energy emitter located on the Drake’s tail booms strobed into life, unleashing bright lances of actinic light to destroy the deadly missiles
I feel like I have heard of this concept before, weird.

...The fuck did I just read? Seriously, this is made of run on sentences, bad grammar, and a total lack of editing.

Sixteen Fandances? Lmao, okay, jerk your "Let's kill a Drake" boner somewhere else.

>>4023061

Yeah, this my take on the Laser Missile System that got mentioned way back in Thread 8

What the fuck is this absolute schlock? The writing seems to lack an understanding of both characters and terminology, not to mention sentence structure. Jesus that hurt to read.

Have you ever heard an actual conversation in the real world? Holy crap, what terrible dialogue, it's like a group of mannequins reading from a script.

>>4022991
I'm sure this is also how Ghostdiv started out, so keep at it. As it were, take a look at his formatting and the one in high quality quests like Body Horror Quest and Joker Quest - not big blocks of text but small sections.

>>4024295

It is, he told me as such. That said, I'll keep that in mind about using smaller chunks for future updates. I am actually more used to writing in large sections since I actually write fanfiction.

hey gents, fast update for the evening- I'd wanted to get started, but the OP took longer to write than I'd anticipated. We'll start early tomorrow and Saturday to make up, and run late both days. We'll switch to a mon-wed schedule next week to avoid this in the future.

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Ok gents! Sorry about yesterday, I'd intended to get up a couple of posts after class, but that didn't happen, haha! Remember when I used to be consistent? Yeah, me either.

I think we'll be moving to a mon-wed run going forward for this semester, since I suspect that will work out better than a fri-sat run.

That's about it for news!

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

You were able to sleep in somewhat- the imperial cabins, it turns out, are soundproofed well enough that the start of flight operations didn't wake you immediately, and it's only after you hear the dull thump and roar of catapult launches that you roll out of the rack- a full size king, you note- and onto the hardwood floor. A slight breeze from the ship's ventilation systems reminds you to get clothes on- at least PT gear. The presence of a few new bruises- and the furrows gouged down your back- probably ought to be covered, too, you figure. Discretion, you know, is the better part of anything, and in this case is absolutely necessary- even if hiding anything from Wendy for any length of time may be rather difficult, if not impossible.

She's up and moving as you step out of the berth, hovering around a cart with morning chow, coffee, and tea on it. "They brought in breakfast as I was showering." She says. "Miss Kyou greeted them, she's in the head now. If you'd like, I can make a plate for you. We're scheduled for launch in two hours, briefing in one."

You nod, taking a look at the tray- the food is mostly westernized- steak and eggs, in this case, with toast on the side. Semi-tradtional, you know- the food, in this case, supposedly being the same as was served to the strike crews on the seven carriers before the battle of Midway- and from then on, to aircrews the morning of any major operation of the joint naval task force as it made it's way across the Pacific.

"Did our crew come in?" You ask, and she nods.

"They and miss Wells arrived on the same aircraft that's going to take the prince out." She says. "miss Wells dropped by last night, but as you and the princess Kyou were... ah... indisposed, she said she'd spend the time with our aircraft." She looks at the deck at the last half, blushing slightly.

1/2

"I see. She still down there?" You ask, careful to not mention anything about last night. You're slightly disappointed in her knowing already- you're sure she would have guessed, or figured it out via the MIU net, of course, but somehow this is a little more embarrassing.

She nods. "I suspect so, she left instructions she was to be notified before we took off however."

You figured as much- she probably spent most of the night knocking back cans of that monster shit she drinks and working on the fighters as much as she could- you've got little doubt she had as much of her tools and equipment crammed aboard the COD aircraft that brought her to the carrier as possible. You'd go down to the hangar deck immediately, of course- but you know you could use a shower, even after the quick one you took last night before eventually getting to sleep.

"If you'd prefer, I can tell miss Kyou that you've gone to the hangar deck, and we can meet you there." Wendy offers. "She said she should be out of the head shortly, and that she only wished to take a quick shower before eating, but I'm sure she's aware you'll want a chance to speak with miss Wells before flight."

You consider it- honestly, while the shower could wait, you're not so sure it should- Kyou thought at least one, if not both, of her parents would want to greet Hohiro on his return to Tokyo, and you're reasonably sure if they've learned she'll be providing escort, they'll want to see her as well- which means you'll be expected to talk to them again too. That said, you're also aware Merlin won't have been idle in the hangar waiting for you and Kyou- and she may have done important work on Muninn in the mean time. While you're sure the AI will inform you of any work done, sometimes it's better to get things direct from the source.

[] I'll head down to the hangar deck, Wendy. If you could, can you and Kyou meet me there?
[] I'll be having a shower first, Wendy. I can eat after that and we can head to the hangar deck.

>>4031042
>[X] I'll be having a shower first, Wendy. I can eat after that and we can head to the hangar deck.

>>4031042
>[x] I'll be having a shower first, Wendy. I can eat after that and we can head to the hangar deck.

>>4031042
>[] I'll be having a shower first, Wendy. I can eat after that and we can head to the hangar deck.

>>4031042
>[x] I'll head down to the hangar deck, Wendy. If you could, can you and Kyou meet me there?

Ok, votes called!

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[x] I'll be having a shower first, Wendy. I can eat after that and we can head to the hangar deck.

"I'll be having a shower first, Wendy." You say, after a second's consideration. "I can eat after that and we can head to the hangar deck."

She nods, smiling. "Of course." She says. "I'll have a plate prepared for you presently."

You nod your thanks, crossing to the room to your sea bag- which never got moved further into the room from it's place by the passageway hatch. Frankly, you had neither the time nor the energy last night- and though the clock shows you've been asleep for a solid six hours, you feel like you could use about that many more still.

You dig out a clean flight suit and grunt roll, finding both easily enough. Maman always hammered it home that you needed to pack light and be able to move on demand- a lesson reinforced frequently in the pipeline. Other than another pair of clean flight suits and four more rolls, you've only got a hygiene bag in there- your laptop travels in your personal effects bag, along with a few books and the more important things you've brought from home. Thinking about it, you may make some tea- it'll help with the soreness, you know, and a cup of coffee should easily keep you moving through the day. You also pull out the tin of the slightly sour-smelling topical rub maman taught you how to make- it'll help knit back together the skin on your back more rapidly, enough so that you're pretty sure there's not going to be much chance of re-opening any of the deeper scratches later. You grin to yourself when you realize that this is the first you've really had to use the three things all at the same time.

Kyou's still in the head as you step back into the imperial cabin's main room, though the hatch opens and she emerges as you cross the compartment, looking every ounce the picture of a regal personage you know is entirely a front. You nod to her and she smiles. "Did you sleep well?" She asks, and you nod.

"Good!" She says, her smile getting wider. "I suspected you might. The beds are rather more comfortable than we've had lately."

"You could say that." You allow- your grin indicating to her that it wasn't the bed that made the difference.

"It is good then that we shall be keeping these accommodations for the foreseeable future." She responds. "Do you intend to shower?"

You nod, and she grins. "Excellent, that will give Wendy and I a chance to chat, some." She says.

You frown for a second at her smile- you can't quite place the expression, but you're not sure you like it, either way. Still, you step into the still-warm head and close the hatch behind yourself, quickly stepping into the shower and scrubbing down. You're a little bothered at the water running pink for a split second as it washes over you, but it clears up almost instantly, and stays clear the entire time. Still, you'll have to treat those cuts, you know.

1/2

You do so just after stepping out of the shower, pulling on an olive-drab undershirt over yourself. The ointment will discolor the shirt an odd shade of blue-green, you know, but it's not a big deal- you can get replacements at will, and you're pretty sure the IJN won't be doing uniform checks on you anyway.

Both Kyou and Wendy are changed into their own flight gear by the time you step out of the head, and both are seated at the table, their breakfast plates mirroring your own- though neither has been touched. A steaming cup of tea sits in front of Wendy, and Kyou, it looks like, has opted for coffee herself.

Wendy looks up at the same time as Kyou- though she looks slightly embarrassed and you can see the barest hint of a fading blush. Kyou's smile, meanwhile, is a little more mysterious- though it, too, fades rapidly away. "We decided to wait until we were all seated." She says, as you walk past to grab your two boxes- and put the tin of ointment away.

You nod, crossing back to the table and pouring yourself a cup of hot water, quickly preparing a cup of tea. Both Kyou and Wendy look on as you do so, both seemingly very interested in the relatively simple act of blending the already cut and dried leaves together from their places in jars and then dropping the infuser in the water. The first sip does as it's supposed to- you can immediately feel a warmth shooting through your body and the soreness fades noticeably.

"Wendy was informing me that Merlin arrived early in the morning, and has been on the hangar deck the entire time." Kyou says, cutting off a piece of her steak. "I'll direct her to take the remaining bed in the cabins when we see her after our meal." She says, getting a nod from you.

The three of you eat quickly and relatively quietly- your cup of coffee attracts the same interest as the tea from the witches, though neither asks much as you drink it quickly and straight. After the meal, Kyou indicates you should leave the plates- there is a housekeeping duty aboard the ship, and they'll be in to collect the dirty plates and change the sheets. You head to the hangar afterwards, finding Merlin reclined in a chair and linked to the fighter via an umbilical plugged to one of the nose ports near the forward landing gear well. She unplugs as you approach, smiling and yawning as she stands up.

"Kyou, Morgan!" She says, her smile getting a bit wider as the three of you pull to a stop. "I've been working with Muninn and Tessa all morning. Muninn's been telling me some interesting things."

Kyou looks over at you- and you shrug.

[] Muninn's a troublemaker, Auntie. I wouldn't trust him too far.
[] Nothing you didn't already know, I'm sure, right?

>>4031242
>[x] Nothing you didn't already know, I'm sure, right?

>>4031242
>[X] Muninn's a troublemaker, Auntie. I wouldn't trust him too far.

>>4031242
>[] Muninn's a troublemaker, Auntie. I wouldn't trust him too far.

>>4031242

>[] Muninn's a troublemaker, Auntie. I wouldn't trust him too far.

A FATHER KNOWS HIS BIRD-SON

ok, votes called!

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[x] Muninn's a troublemaker, Auntie. I wouldn't trust him too far.

"Muninn's a troublemaker, Auntie." You say, looking at your aircraft over her head briefly. You're somehow sure the AI can hear you- and is amused. "I wouldn't trust him too far."

Merlin laughs. "You'd be surprised how often that happens among Wyvern intelligences." She says. "But the data he was holding was in line with what I was expecting. You three make an amazing team."

"Thank you, auntie." You say, getting a nod from Kyou in agreement.

"Muninn and Tessa both suggested some hardware improvements." Merlin says, changing the subject before looking at her wristwatch. "But we'll discuss those after your flight. Let's head up to the ready room."

You nod, falling in behind her and Kyou, with Wendy next to you. "Was your flight in difficult?" Kyou asks her, and your 'aunt' shakes her head.

"Not at all." She responds. "We went nonstop from Guam to Atsugi, and boarded a US-3 from there for the carrier. I haven't had a chance to get quarters assigned or talk with the captain or ship's matron, but I imagine I can't put that off much later."

Kyou laughs. "You'll be taking the remaining room in our imperial cabins." She says. "With Hohiro leaving, there's no need to hold them open, and while I suspect she may appreciate them, Cassiopeia is too junior for it to be proper to offer her a place there."

Merlin nods. "I won't be troubling you, will I?"

Kyou scoffs. "Hardly. We welcome your presence." She says, speaking for all three of you. "And I'm sure you'll appreciate the privacy afforded you."

Merlin smiles. "It would be nice, yes." She says, following Kyou as the princess steps into a ready room. Normally, the room belongs to one of the IJN's older established units- there's pictures of A6Ms, taken, you imagine, prewar, flying over the original Kaga, on the walls, and a trophy rack displaying all the various honors they've been awarded over the years. It's one of the odd organizational quirks of the IJN- air wings are assigned to their carriers at commission, and stay with them over the life of the ship.

1/2

There's an IJN liasion officer waiting for you- he salutes you as you enter, his junior rank painfully obvious, and both Cass and Hohiro, along with two witches and three men you imagine are his guard detachment occupy seats in the room. Cass looks at you as you enter without expression, while Hohiro looks like a kid in a candy shop- you wonder how many breifing's he's been allowed to sit in on. It's hard not to notice, though, that he's clad in a IJN tan flight suit, squadron patches clear on it's shoulders. Vaguely, you wonder who gave it to him- from what you know, he's liked enough that it'd make a unit pretty pleased to see him wearing their emblems.

Merlin walks to the front of the room as you and Kyou and Wendy take your seats, and coughs once- the lights dim and the screen behind her lights up, showing a map of the region, along with your flight plan and time hacks. "This should be a fairly simple flight for you all." She says, indicating the screen. "The flight plan carries you away from the Korean peninsula, and the Imperial Navy maintains total command of the sea of Japan, so threats are expected to be nil. This should be a simple direct flight to the imperial annex of Haneda international airport."

You nod, barely bothering to take notes as she goes over frequencies and landmarks- you won't need to remember them or even reference the thigh board at all. "The escort aircraft will be carrying full air-to-air payloads. That includes the Wyvern team." She looks at you. "You'll have a full IJN load aboard. Python Fives in your VLS and FAST, AAM fours centerline. Combined effects munitions in your guns." She says, and you nod.

"You'll escort the prince's aircraft to the imperial annex, land, refuel, and return to the carrier." Merlin continues. "We understand that, because of your unique family situation, you may be required to stay some time in Tokyo, but we can't afford to have your aircraft there that long."

You and Kyou nod- you can stay some, but they want you back on the front quickly.

"That's all. Any questions for me?" Merlin asks.

[] None.
[] Yes. (Write in!)

>>4031433
>[x] None.

>>4031433
>[X] None.

>>4031433
>[] None.

>>4031433

>[] None.

Because you know this is going to get spicy, right?

Ok, votes called!

Looks like some Prince Assassination Operation is going to start sometime soon.
By who, I wonder.

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[x] None.

You shake your head, as does Wendy.

Merlin nods. "Alright. You'll have the trail escort position, behind the prince's aircraft and his escort element. Two tomcats, two witches. You'll have full network with the IJN elements, so nothing should be able to sneak up on you. Still, you're operating near a warzone, so keep your eyes open. That's all." She says, and everyone stands. "Dismissed."

You nod, waiting as Hohiro and his escorts leave- they'll have to board their aircraft before you, owing to the additional time of making sure they're ready to go. While you doubt it'll be long- ten, maybe fifteen minutes, you've got a little time. Cass hangs around for a second, like she wants to say something, but thinks better of it and follows them out.

"Come, let us escort you to your quarters." Kyou says to Merlin, smiling. "I'm afraid there's little food in there, however I'm sure the galley is prepared to serve you, and they may send a rating up with your breakfast if you ask."

The walk to the imperial cabins is actually longer than you'd expected- the squadron ready rooms are in the after part of the carrier, under the arresting gear, and the cabins are built into the island. Still, Merlin seems fairly pleased with them, and has herself settled in as you leave- laptop out and connected to the carrier's wifi. It's her personal computer- not secure, of course- but either way, she seems fairly pleased.

Muninn's already been moved up to the deck when you step out, the carrier crew having pulled it up alongside Tessa. The Prince's transport aircraft sits near the stern, parked just out of the way enough to continue flight operations as you watch him and three guardsmen board it.

"No doubt he'll ask for a position where he can watch us launch." Kyou says with a slight smile, watching her brother get helped aboard the turboprop aircraft. She turns, looking at the three witches idling nearby, two of them in the white strikers of the guard, the small Shinden 2 units dwarfed by Cass' massive F-14 units.

The US-3's outboard props start to spin as the crew starts the aircraft up while Kyou starts up the ladder and you do a walkaround inspection. Nothing's out of order, of course- except the lack of kill marks. You'll have to talk to the chief about that, you think. Wendy's starting up as you climb up the ladder, Kyou retracting and locking it as you swing into your seat and pull your helmet on. By the time you've got your straps set, she's starting up the engines, and you're linked up just as she finishes startup.

1/2

"We're first on the cats." Kyou says, indicating that you need to follow the air captain's instructions with a brief thought in his direction. "He'll have ground control of the aircraft all the way across the deck."

The man guides you to the port catapult, setting the cat crew to hooking you up while he guides Wendy to the starboard one. You're hooked up by the time she pulls to a stop, the crew running back the catapult shuttle to her nosewheel as you watch.

IJN operations are slightly different- the air captain also handles the catapult shot, and, after checking your connections himself, gives the same handsignals you're used to- you run through the usual checks quickly, and then push the throttles into afterburners. He gives the go signal- a dropped arm- as they crack on, and you're slammed back into your seat as the powerful catapult pulls you across the deck and on into the air as the tow bar clears the shuttle.

Wendy goes right behind you- the valkyrie hammering through the wake turbulence without even a sign it's punching through the roiling air behind you. She forms up as you enter a wide bank over the carrier and the witches launch without catapult assistance, running themselves out over the bow of the carrier and joining up on you briefly- they'll split off once he's in the air, of course, but he won't launch till the last two escorts- two of the carrier's tomcats- are airborne.

They launch inside a minute, the carrier's deck crew proving the efficacy of their drilling- and the Kaga's improved steam generation ability. They don't join on you at all, instead adopting a racetrack as the US-3 goes, the catapult hauling the lumbering turboprop plane across the deck and into the sky. You've always thought them odd- the IJN's US-3 is a four engined aircraft, moderately larger than a Greyhound, and older, to boot- the airframe only slightly adapted from the IJN's first COD aircraft in the 50s.

"Oh man." Muninn says, the first he's spoken. "I am so glad mother is here."

"Merlin?" Kyou asks, and the AI gives the effect of shuddering for a minute.

"Yes." He says. "I can't beleive that ship is like that."

"Like what?" You ask.

"She wanted to cuddle all night. Do you know how long that is?" Muninn asks.

You can hear Kyou stifle a laugh. "Can't you, not?"

"Without activating my ECM package? No." Muninn says. "But still- all night."

"She seemed rather nice to me." Tessa says, her voice soft.

"That's because she was bothering me!" Muninn responds. "This is going to be the worst deployment, I can already tell."

[] How would you know? This is our first deployment.
[] How does that kind of thing work anyway? Can an AI be aggressively cuddled?

>>4031594
>[X] How does that kind of thing work anyway? Can an AI be aggressively cuddled?

>>4031594

>[] How does that kind of thing work anyway? Can an AI be aggressively cuddled?

AI ANATOMY LESSON!

>>4031594
>[x] How does that kind of thing work anyway? Can an AI be aggressively cuddled?

>>4031594
>[x] How does that kind of thing work anyway? Can an AI be aggressively cuddled?

ok, votes called!

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[x] How does that kind of thing work anyway? Can an AI be aggressively cuddled?

You frown, confused. "How does that kind of thing even work?" You ask, forming up as the tail aircraft of the escort element, with Wendy trailing off to your side.

"Poorly!" Muninn wails. "She invades your processing cluster and then sits there and tells you nice things and doesn't let you sleep and makes you wear cute clothes and clean up databases!"

You stifle a laugh. "How much work is that for you?"

"It's not at all, I could do it shut down with a calculator. But that's not the point! How long was she gonna make me wear a skirt?!"

"You can wear a skirt?" Kyou asks, confused.

"AIs frequently interact with avatars." Tessa supplies. "It's considered good manners to wear a pleasing avatar to your elders."

"And once you're dealing with them you can't change avatars?" Kyou asks.

"It would be in very bad manners to do so." Tessa says, quietly, though there's a smile playing around her lips. "Of course, Muninn is quite popular right now, as the first linked AI to engage in combat."

"It's unbearable!" The AI says. "Everyone wants to piggyback on my sensor reads, and that weirdo from the NSA cluster won't stop messaging me! But Kaga has me right there and an umbilical link I can't just shut down!"

"Perhaps she would be more respectful if you spoke less about your position as the AI of both Frank Bishop's only son and the Imperial princess, the favored War intelligence of Merlin herself?" Tessa remarks. She delivers it softly, as she seems to all her speech- taking after Wendy more than a little, you note, though with the benefit of being an AI who doesn't have to show embarrassment.

That gets Kyou to laugh. "She has a point, Muninn."

[] Why does that matter though?
[] It sounds like she does, yeah.

>>4031736

>[] It sounds like she does, yeah.

CAT-DAD IMPARTS LIFE LESSONS TO BIRD-SON

>>4031736
>[x] It sounds like she does, yeah.

>>4031736
>[X] It sounds like she does, yeah.

>>4031736
>[x] It sounds like she does, yeah.

>>4031736
>[X] It sounds like she does, yeah.

"Pay attention to your little sister Muninn, she speaks the truth."

>>4031736
>[] It sounds like she does, yeah.

ok, votes called!

>>4031741
>CAT-DAD IMPARTS LIFE LESSONS TO BIRD-SON

But Fronk was known as "The (Silver) Eagle (of Tanana/Berlin), thus Morgan is also part Birb. Like some kind of cat-birb hybrid.

>>4031736

>and that weirdo from the NSA cluster won't stop messaging me!

Haha what

Muninn is a male now? Did I miss something earlier in the story? Muninn was a female before.

Muninn gets to change as s/he wills. Perks of being a disembodied intelligence.

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>>4031856
>>4031853
At least they aren't trying to mess with us by choosing an appearance that we have to guess.

>>4031802
He hungers for juicy intel

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>>4031736
Nyan Nyan~!

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[x] It sounds like she does, yeah.

"Sounds like she does, yeah." You say, agreeing, taking a second to flick through all of the available data- the Sea of Japan is awash in radiation as just about every ship in three surface action groups and a pair of Carrier divisions- The Kaga and Akagi and Shoukakau and Zuikaku are all active, the latter two having just steamed from their base in the north during the night. There's a pair of E-767s up too- one over the northern part of the sea of Japan, the other over southern Hokkaido.

"How was I supposed to know that was going to get everyone interested!" Muninn says. "It's not my fault I didn't know!"

"Basic behavior routines are built into us as inception." Tessa responds. "And, forgive me for noting, neither of your forming intelligence are the kind to boast about their status or ability or achievements."

"It's too late anyway." Muninn says. "Kaga knows, and she's not going to leave me alone the entire time she's got me aboard. I bet she's already bragging about how cute she can make me look."

"How fortunate then that you do look rather cute in a miniskirt." Tessa responds with a smile.

Muninn moans. "Not you too!" He says. The other AI processes a shrug.

"I, like you, do have a formative intelligence that appreciates a shapely leg." Tessa responds. "And you do have a knack for developing delicious looking avatars. Do you intend to take one permanently?"

"No." Muninn says. "If I sleeve as female, Kaga will never leave me alone, and if sleeve as male there'll be a half dozen freaks constantly wanting to merge databases."

Tessa smiles. "Well, perhaps the mother will require us for more time this evening, and then Kaga won't be as inclined to cuddle you."

"Easy for you to say." Muninn says. "She doesn't think you're nearly as cute."

"I'm also far less inclined to talk about who I am." Tessa responds. "Despite having a more advanced processor cluster than you and the next version of architecture."

"And Mother said she'd be upgrading me tonight so hah." Muninn responds. "We're crossing into Japanese territorial airspace."

1/2

The home islands are well defended, you note- crossing the coast near Niigata, Muninn and Tessa begin to track IJA and IJAAF antiaircraft emplacements- mostly their improved Type 03 SAM systems, with a handful of their newest Type 14 systems- their answer to the soviet S-400. Coupled with their AEGIS ashore bases, the western Japanese coast is incredibly heavily fortified- nearly impregnable by most standards.

Haneda airport comes into view about half an hour later- the massive primary international airport of Tokyo, you know that there's a few civilian flights getting delayed for the prince's arrival as you land. They're not equipped for a Wyvern here normally- but Atsugi, as the forward Wyvern base in the pacific, has the conversion gear for a civilian power grid, and flew it out aboard a trio of marine heavy-lift helicopters. There's a small press presence as you taxi to a halt- and Muninn identifies, helpfully, over two dozen different cameras and video recorders, all focused on your aircraft. The wyvern has been photographed more than enough by now that that's not a problem- and the external components are all carefully designed to look as identical as possible.

"It would appear my mother is here." Kyou says, indicating the impressively large train of vehicles and imperial guardsmen- and the eight or so visible witches, standing in pairs at key areas, their strikers very clearly MBT models. "If you wish, we can continue the charade of your being incapable of speaking or understanding Japanese, though I'm not sure it will last much longer."

[] I don't think it's necessary anymore.
[] Sure, it keeps her guessing, at least.

And that's it for me for the night! Last one took a little longer than I'd planned because I got a bit caught up watching a stream. Sorry about that!

We'll be running tomorrow, of course, and I'll be on for a little while to field questions or comments, but otherwise gents, till tomorrow, Cheers!

>>4031944
>[x] I don't think it's necessary anymore.

>>4031945
Thanks for the run Ghost!

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>>4031944
>[X] I don't think it's necessary anymore.

>>4031945
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4031944
>[X] I don't think it's necessary anymore.

>>4031944
>[] I don't think it's necessary anymore.

Thanks for the run Ghost.

>HND as primary international airport

I presume in this timeline, Tokyo Narita wasn't built?

>>4031944
>[X] Sure, it keeps her guessing, at least.

>>4031944
>[] I don't think it's necessary anymore.

>>4031944
>[x] Sure, it keeps her guessing, at least.

>>4031594
>[] How does that kind of thing work anyway? Can an AI be aggressively cuddled?

>>4032165
I have accidentally responded to the wrong vote. I should get to sleep.
>>4031945
[] I don't think it's necessary anymore.

>>4031944
>[X] I don't think it's necessary anymore.

>>4031944
>[] Sure, it keeps her guessing, at least.

>>4031944
>[x] Sure, it keeps her guessing, at least.

Every once in a while I like it when we can give Morgan a playful streak.

Also I feel a little bad for muninn but only a little.

>>4031944
>[x] I don't think it's necessary anymore.
I think the cats out of the bag or will be soon, use the opportunity now to reveal our nippon speak in a funny way before the princes guards tell someone or something.

>>4031944
>[X] Sure, it keeps her guessing, at least.
Continue to troll the future mother-in-law.

Ok, votes called!

>>4032056
It was, however the emperor preferred Haneda as his primary airport, and directed a lot of state funds towards it.

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[x] I don't think it's necessary anymore.

"I don't think it's necessary anymore." You say, pulling Muninn to a halt at the indicated spot on the pad. You're not too thrilled about leaving him here- the pad is not only uncovered, but it's clearly visible from part of the massive civilian airport, though the presence of a contingent of imperial guard does help assure you of the site's security. At worst, you figure, there'll be photos and maybe blurry, grainy cell phone video of you- and it's not like Wyvern crew identities are considered secret, even if personal security is somewhat more strict for you than not.

"It would be rather foolish to try to continue the charade." Kyou agrees. "Besides, my mother will, by now, have had a full intelligence dossier assembled on you. Someone will have mentioned something."

You nod, watching as Muninn makes a show of pulling out a lounge chair and putting on sunglasses as a cartoonish raven, leaning back in the sun. "I'll just wait here, then." He says. "Free of entirely too possessive motherly types."

"We have work to do." Tessa responds. "Remember, Mother wanted us to upload an information packet for the rest before they deployed, especially our data on Chinese electronic systems."

Muninn sighs, then blinks out as you detach from the MIU, laughing- you have no doubt the work itself is already done, or close enough to it that it's not going to bother the AI for long. You're somewhat glad it's developing more personality- though you're worried it acts more like your sisters than not.

Wendy is waiting for you on the ground as you and Kyou exit the aircraft, smiling faintly at you as you walk over to join her. "Our aircraft certainly seem to get along well." She says. "I'm not quite sure what I think about having one that can hold a conversation with me on any topic I should decide on."

"It is a bit odd." Kyou admits, looking over her shoulder at Muninn. "It also means there's few secrets we can keep from each other."

"Oh, I'm aware." Wendy says, nodding. "Not that I'd have any to keep."

Kyou looks ready to respond, but pauses as she notices Cass walking over from her racked strikers to join you. "They won't let me help Hohiro off the plane." She explains, looking bothered by that fact. "And I can't be hanging around when he and his mom are talking."

1/2

Kyou smiles. "At least not until he says something about it to mother. She'll be more than a little interested in her son's girlfriend. That developed rather quickly, if you don't mind my saying."

Cass shrugs, looking back over her shoulder at the IJN cargo aircraft as the prince slowly descends the stairs, then back to your group. "I'm surprised you're not going over there." She says, changing the subject.

Kyou smiles. "Mother knows we're here, though she's more anxious to see my brother." She says. "We'll meet her, but we can't stay long."

"I'll be flying back with you." Cass says, again changing the subject.

"Even though Hohiro wants you to stay here?" Kyou asks.

Cass frowns, but nods. "I'm not going to do any good escorting him around Japan." She says, eventually. "And it's not going to look good if his girlfriend isn't out there fighting and spends her time traveling around the country looking pretty."

Kyou laughs. "that may be true, though it may be considered good if his girlfriend is seen as putting her own desires aside to support him." She says, then shrugs. "I am fortunate, not being in line for the throne means there is less attention on me."

"What do you think, Morgan?" Cass asks. "I guess I can see where Kyou's coming from, but I still feel like I'm right."

"You would." You respond, and she sticks her tongue out at you.

[] Kyou's right, though. You'd do better for him by being here.
[] You're right, I think. He seems popular with the military, and this would look better to them.

I'm going to go make dinner gents, so this is going to be a slightly longer voting period!

>>4033296
>[x] You're right, I think. He seems popular with the military, and this would look better to them.

>>4033296
>[X] Kyou's right, though. You'd do better for him by being here.

>>4033296
>[x] You're right, I think. He seems popular with the military, and this would look better to them.

Ok gents, dinner's done, so I'm back. I'll leave the voting window open about another ten minutes, looks like we're starting off a bit slow tonight, haha!

>>4033296
>[] Kyou's right, though. You'd do better for him by being here.

>>4033296
>[] You're right, I think. He seems popular with the military, and this would look better to them.

>>4033296
>[] You're right, I think. He seems popular with the military, and this would look better to them.
Added benefit for him, more time he can spend on beeing on a boat drooling on mil stuff

>>4033296
>[] You're right, I think. He seems popular with the military, and this would look better to them.

Ok, votes closed!

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[x] You're right, I think. He seems popular with the military, and this would look better to them.

You nod after a little thought. "But you're right, I think." You admit, getting a satisfied grin out of her, and a contemplative one out of Kyou. "He seems popular with the military, and this would look better to them."

Kyou frowns lightly, then nods. "Yes, I can see that." She admits. "While they may appreciate it more to see a talented witch staying visibly close to the prince, I think knowing that you're on the front where he cannot be would carry weight as well."

"That's decided then." Cass says. "He's got to listen to you, you're his big sister."

Kyou laughs. "My brother is remarkably Bishop-like in his stubbornness sometimes." She says. "Be glad that he idolizes your father. I'm sure he'll be hesitant to risk angering you."

"Yeah, you'd think." Cass responds, then seems to shake it off. "I get he's just worried, it's not that big a deal. But you know why I can't just stay here, right?"

Kyou nods. "Of course." She says, nodding in the direction of the approaching imperial guard- and her mother. "Enough of this for now though."

Cass nods, and the four of you bow to Kyou's mother as she draws into range. She smiles, and shakes her head. "My eldest daughter." She says, looking at you and Wendy. "Are you starting a collection of your own?"

"Nothing of the sort." Kyou responds. "You've met my pilot, of course."

The princess consort nods- though, you recall, her English is nonexistent.

"Then I also have the pleasure of introducing our wingmate, Commander Wendy Maloney, United States Navy." Kyou says, and Wendy bows again.

"The Wendy Maloney of war fame?" Kyou's mother asks, and Kyou nods.

"Yes, mother. Wendy operates a set of experimental strikers alongside our aircraft. She has been instrumental in our performance thus far, and her experience is a welcome addition to our abilities."

"I can imagine. She's spoken of very highly. She is also rather attractive. Are you certain you don't intend to have courtesans of your own?"

1/2

"And, of course, the girl I spoke of." Hohiro says rescuing Kyou- or Wendy- from having to respond., He smiles as Cass walks over to stand next to him, allowing him to support himself a little on her- probably more than he needs to, but it's hard to blame him, you figure. "Lieutenant commander Cassiopeia Bishop."

Kyou's mother smiles. "It is wonderful to meet you, Lieutenant commander." She says. "My son has had nothing but praise to say of you. It's rare for him to be so vocal about a girl."

Cass blushes slightly, but smiles a little. "It's an honor." She says, simply.

"Hohiro was indicating you wished to return to the Kaga and join it's air wing in the war in Korea?" the princess-consort asks.

Cass hesitates for a second before nodding. "I feel it's the best place for me to be for the duration." She responds.

"I have need of an American liaison with the guard and in my household." The princess consort says, quickly. "And I've heard tales of Commander Maloney's prowess over Korea. I should like a personal demonstration of her strikers as soon as possible."

Kyou nods, looking over at Wendy. "It may have to wait, mother." Kyou says. "We can ill afford to part with our wingmate at this time."

"I would be willing to allow you to select a replacement." Her mother says. "But it seems to me I should be very interested in this system, as we'll be purchasing wyverns of our own soon. I would very much appreciate her being detached to my household for a period of time."

Kyou frowns. "Owing to the prototype status of the unit, I'm afraid that's not possible right now." She says.

"What of just the commander then? Perhaps she can remain here and serve as an instructor for the system. I know almost any other witch in the nation would be willing to take her place for the duration."

Wendy looks a little worried by the conversation, and glances over at you. Kyou had warned you of this, of course- you wonder if it's something to do with witch politics, as both Wendy and Cass would be American witches in positions very close to Imperial nobility, which would give them a lot of pull with the decision-making apparatus of the country. At the same time, though, it is a little disconcerting- her reasoning is military, not coven, and that means it falls well inside your right to deny.

[] We'll have to confer with Wendy.
[] We can't afford to part with her.

>>4033605
>[x] We'll have to confer with Wendy.
This is a bit hard, we did promise to let Wendy decide herself, but I feel like she might be pressured.

>>4033605
>[X] We can't afford to part with her.

We can't just switch anyone into the Valkyrie. They need MIU plugs and Tessa is already configured for Wendy.

>>4033605
>[x] We can't afford to part with her.

Honestly there's no way this would fly; it's a matter for waaaay up the chain anyway.

Not our call, default answer is no.

>>4033605
>[X] We can't afford to part with her.

>>4033605
>[] We can't afford to part with her.

>>4033605
>[X] We'll have to confer with Wendy.
Her choice, though it's probably gonna be a no anyways. Though I'd tack on that she can talk to Admiral Wells if Japan's interested in the program.

>>4033605
>[] We can't afford to part with her.
>>4033629
This reasoning

>>4033605
>[] We can't afford to part with her.

>>4033605
>[x] We'll have to confer with Wendy.
Likely will be a no nevertheless.

Ok, votes called!

>>4033605
>[X] We'll have to confer with Wendy.

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[x] We can't afford to part with her.

You shake your head. "Apologies, but we can't afford to part with her." You respond, catching a visibly relieved look from Wendy. "If you wish, however, we can arrange for Admiral Wells to send information regarding the program."

Mizuki nods, clearly unhappy but unwilling to make an issue of it. "That would be acceptable. It's a shame you can't part with her, but I understand." She says. "It's difficult to find one so talented, and once you have them, it's even more difficult to let them go."

She blinks when she realizes you responded in Japanese, and then smiles. "I should have suspected you'd speak our language." She says to you. "I can only hope I didn't embarrass myself too much in California."

You shake your head. "Not at all." You respond.

"Though I did mean what I said to my daughter." She says, laughing when you blink.

"Regardless, we are under orders to return to the Kaga as soon as possible." Kyou says. "With your permission?"

Her mother laughs. "Of course." She says. "I'm pleased to have finally met the wonderful Wendy in person, as well. Hohiro and I will be returning to the imperial Palace. Cassieopia, will you be joining us? Hohiro has indicated to me he would very much like it if you would."

Cass hesitates before shaking her head. "I'd be honored, but my duty is with my carrier." She says.

"I see." Kyou's mother responds, looking at Hohiro. "I am my son can manage, then." She says, then turns.

"I'll be over in a couple." Cass says, hesitating as you turn to leave. "I.. uh.. wanna talk to Hohiro a bit, first."

Kyou smiles. "Don't take too long." She says, indicating you should return to Muninn.

"Thank you." Wendy says on the way back. "I- if you'd have asked me if i wished to stay or leave, I'm afraid I couldn't have answered correctly. I don't do well under pressure."

Kyou scoffs. "You handle combat just fine." She points out, but Wendy shakes her head.

"I'm comfortable following." She says. "I always have been. But I've never had a talent for decision making, especially not like that."

"So you'd prefer it if we made the decisions for you, then?" Kyou asks, side-eyeing you as she does so.

Wendy nods. "Very much so." She says.

"Are you comfortable with us doing so?" Kyou asks.

Wendy nods again. "Of course. I trust sir Morgan entirely, and you've proven every bit his equal thus far." Wendy says, then smiles lightly. "Of course, I have the added benefit now of the link, as well. I do wonder what should have happened were this available twenty five years ago."

"Not worth worrying about." Kyou says, smiling. "Mother took that better than I expected." She says, looking over at you. "Of course, I'm sure she'll be assigning a few of her household witches to the Kaga, to help keep an eye on us."

[] Is that going to be a problem?
[] I doubt she'll find anything she doesn't want to.

>>4033830
>[x] Is that going to be a problem?
Is touching Fluffy Black Wolf Princess tails illegal?

>>4033830
>[X] Is that going to be a problem?

>>4033830
>[x] I doubt she'll find anything she doesn't want to.

>>4033830
>[] I doubt she'll find anything she doesn't want to.

>>4033830
>[X] Is that going to be a problem?

>I'm sure she'll be assigning a few of her household witches to the Kaga, to help keep an eye on us
So with Cass hanging around too that means NEW PARTY MEMBERS ACQUIRED

>>4033830
>[] I doubt she'll find anything she doesn't want to.

The Cat does not care. The Cat does as he pleases. We shall touch all the Fluffy Tails.

>>4033830
>[X] I doubt she'll find anything she doesn't want to.

>>4033830
>[x] I doubt she'll find anything she doesn't want to.

ok, votes called!