You nod. It's not like there's much for you to do otherwise, you know- one of the downsides of flying with an AI like Muninn is most of the paperwork you would do is already handled, with anything you need to know made available to you via the MIU link.

"The marines have extended the privilege of first target selection to you." Merlin continues. "Though that really just means that they're going to have a backup wyvern available if you can't get it done. Before you start, that's standard practice."

"I would far rather they allow us freedom than holding us back." Kyou says, frowning.

"I've got three targets in the first list." Merlin says, pulling up the map projection as though she didn't hear the interruption. "First is a missile battery at Sondok airfield. We're sure they're PLA missiles, and intelligence indicates they're most likely a YJ-18 battery and it's associated command and launch equipment. If that's the case, they're probably being withheld for a launch as the MEF moves towards the landing, as we're operating right on the edge of a YJ-18's range from there."

"Number two," She says, hitting a button on her remote and moving the map to a different area of the peninsula, "is Anbyon depot. Satellite and reconnaissance images indicate there's a buildup of armor and mechanized infantry assets in the area. We're not sure yet if this is a newly arrived unit or one being shifted north after fighting, but that's more armor than the marines are comfortable leaving near any of their proposed landing beaches."
"Lastly," She says, pulling the map back, "Is a bit of a change. The marines want a comprehensive look at the air defense network near Wonsan- so they're tasking a wyvern to go in before the other strike packages to sit in the airspace and see what comes up to take a shot at them. There's no set target for this one, but you'd need to remain in the airspace for at least ten minutes to get an accurate enough picture of their air defenses, most likely. More if they decline to engage in strength."

By the way Kyou's eyes light up, you know which she's interested in- of course, that doesn't mean that's a good target for you- especially given your current lack of ECM gear. While Lovelace's intrusion ability would mean you'll probably be able to build a much better picture of Chinese air defenses in the region than any other wyvern team can, you'd be much more vulnerable to attack than most of them, too.

[] Tell us about the Sondok target.
[] Tell us about Anbyon depot.
[] Tell us about the Wonsan area mission.

>>4290667
>[X] Tell us about the Wonsan area mission.

>>4290667
>[x] Tell us about the Sondok target.

I thought you quit questing, and why on /qst/?

>>4290715
That was the Greek faggot. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

>>4290667
>[X] Tell us about the Wonsan area mission.

>>4290667
>[x] Tell us about the Sondok target.

>>4290715
I was in a pretty bad mind space during the run of OG 16, and I feel it shows in the quality of that quest, so when I announced dropping it there I probably didn't make it clear I always planned to come back to questing, once I'd kinda gotten straightened out again.

As for why here... well, we're not allowed to use /tg anymore!

Also I'd call votes but looks like a tie to me, haha! I'll let it run another ten minutes or so and call it there. Like I said, sorry for the slow pace tonight gents, I'm spending a lot of the in between time outside at the fire pit just... listening. Paranoia, I'm sure.

>>4290667
[] Tell us about the Wonsan area mission.

>>4290667
>[] Tell us about Anbyon depot.

ok, votes called! I'm sorry about the slow pace tonight gents. I guess, for anyone new, let it serve as a kinda intro to how the 4th of july is gonna be, as well, haha!

>>4290723
No need to talk shit about someone who isn't in here.

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[x] Tell us about the Wonsan area mission.

"Tell us more about the Wonsan area mission." You say, getting a nod out of Merlin. She leaves the map where it is- you can see the suspected and confirmed hostile contact markers in the area. Some of those, you know, were from your last flight in that region, what seems like weeks ago.

"Wonsan is one of the potential landing beaches for the MEF." Merlin says- news that's hardly a surprise. The city has a lot of things that make it an attractive target- large, modern airport, reasonably good port facilities, and easy access to the transportation network of Korea. "It's also heavily defended, with at least a partial former KDF unit still operating out of the airbase there, and multiple SAM positions around the city. In addition," She says, pulling the imaging down on the outlying islands, "We've seen signs of activity on Ruy-do and Sin-do, as well as the Hodo peninsula. Before the marines can plan a landing, they're going to need better intelligence, but before we can do that, we need a more complete look at the air defenses in the area."

"So the objective is merely to look?" Kyou asks, confused.

"The primary objective is to get a good look at the air defenses in the area." Merlin confirms. "Any damage you're able to do will be a bonus on this trip. The follow-up will probably be done by a dedicated SEAD team, if one's available."

"Why not simply send in SEAD alongisde the wyvern?" Kyou asks, frowning.

"We're not sure what air-to-air threats exist in the region." Merlin responds. "The two witches you helped rescue indicated that they saw fandances arriving in the area when they were evading capture. If that's true, then they've been withheld from operations at least to this point."

"Which would be odd." Kyou remarks. "Considering the damage we've dealt to them in the mean time."

"Chinese strategy is unclear." Merlin admits. "But regardless, we need to know if those fandances are there before we risk SEAD assets."

"And if they refuse to engage us?" Kyou asks. "If they have been withheld to this point it seems very optimistic to assume they'll meet us over a simple probe."

"If you can't confirm them now, then most likely either you'll handle the SEAD mission as well, or be tasked to cover the SEAD aircraft." Merlin responds. "Though with Lovelace onboard, you should be able to confirm or deny their presence fairly easily."

[] We'll take that mission, then.
[] Maybe not that one- what about Sondok?
[] That doesn't sound like a good use of our time. How about Anbyon?

>>4290932
>[X] We'll take that mission, then.

>>4290932
>[x] Maybe not that one- what about Sondok?

>>4290932
>[X] Maybe not that one- what about Sondok?

>>4290932
>[X] We'll take that mission, then.

>>4290932
[] We'll take that mission, then.

Looks like another tie, gents!

I'm really sorry about this week, it's been pretty strange, I know. I'm hoping to get in at least one decent run before school starts again!

I'm going to call it here for the evening- I know, two updates is hardly anything- but i'll leave the vote up overnight while I try to sleep. Probably won't sleep real well, but it is what it is.

So till tomorrow gents, cheers! Stay safe!

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>>4291022
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4290932
>[x] We'll take that mission, then.

>>4291022
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>4290665
Can private citizens buy rubber bullets ?

>>4290932
>[] We'll take that mission, then.

The Awoo has been good, give her a treat

Ok, votes called! Sorry about the late start. Nothing happened last night, for anyone wondering, but there wasn't any kind of timeframe indicated, either. We'll see, I'm thinking the city curfew is keeping things calm here.

>>4292288
Hallo?

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[x] We'll take that mission, then.

You think about it some- while the other missions are no doubt as important, with the Antiship missiles at Sondok probably being a more immediate concern to yourself, given that they'll limit where the Kaga and her group can operate- Wonsan is clearly the one that's the most time sensitive. It's also almost uniquely suited to you, you know- misgivings about your ECM lack aside, Lovelace provides you with a chance to not only get a fix on the defenses in the area, but the command and control networks as well, and even if they hold assets back, you'll have a good chance of finding them.

"We'll take that then." You say.

Merlin nods. "I suspected you might." She says with a smile. "You'll need to sort out your load before twenty-one today, that's in about nine hours. Remember that we're not counting on you destroying anything, we just want you to go poke the hornet's nest and see what comes out. The airbase at Wonsan is strictly off limits- we want it intact. Anything else is acceptable targets, though the marines would prefer if the docks were left alone as well."

"But other than the airbase, any target is a target of opportunity?" Kyou asks.

Merlin hesitates before nodding. "Yes, but your primary mission is only to perform a reconnaissance of hostile assets. It's more important we know as much as possible before we start building strike missions." She says. "We'd like to minimize the number of defenses that are still online when the marines go to land. We're expecting the area to be heavily defended with layered SAM and triple-A, and we know Wonsan airbase was playing host to at least three squadrons of fighters in the last week. We expect that, despite the damage you did to them, they'll still be there, possibly reinforced now."

You nod- you do remember knocking down more than a few fighters out of Wonsan, but you also know that they know the city is one of a few that's a prime spot for a landing- and it's no doubt going to be defended as such.

"Any additional information we get will be uploaded to Muninn before you launch, but do you have any questions right now?" Merlin says.

[] Write in!
[] No questions.

>>4292476
sorry about that. Still kinda paranoid about, ya know, events, so I'm a little more jumpy about vehicles passing the house and all, especially when they're particularly loud or obnoxious.

>>4292490
>[x] No questions.

>>4292490
>[X] No questions.

>>4292490
>[] No questions.
>>4292491
Totally understandable.

Ok, votes called!

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[x] No questions.

You shake your head. "No questions." You say, looking over at Kyou and Wendy, neither of whom move.

Merlin nods. "Well, if you don't have questions, then that's all here. I'll be on the hangar deck again, I've got a few more checks I want to run before they need to start getting weapons and ammunition loaded."

"I'll be coming down myself." Kyou says. "I wished to discuss the equipment Sho-sa Tosa and Dai-i Kurita are utilizing." She looks over at the two witches. "It would also be good if you accompanied us."

They both nod. "Wendy, would you take Morgan back to our quarters? The two of you can begin planning our mission from there, and we'll join you."

Wendy looks over at you. "You don't want to be there?" She asks Kyou, who shakes her head.

"My presence isn't necessary." She says. "And I feel I should be spending more time learning technical details from Admiral Wells, as I am her published apprentice."

"Maybe we should wait regardless." You say. "If the crew needs help."

Merlin shakes her head. "Most of the heavy lifting is done, this is just software work." She says. "It'll be good to have Kyou along, since she can interface instead of me, but unless you're ok with just staying out of the way I don't have anything for you to do."

You frown slightly. That's not entirely unusual- if she doesn't have anything new to show off, and there's nothing particularly interesting for you to do, Merlin usually assumes you'll just get bored. You suspect that's be cause she does- and when she gets bored her mind starts to wander and she tends to make embarrassing slips of the tongue- which you're sure she'd rather avoid in front of witnesses.

For a fleeting instant, you consider insisting in coming along anyway- Merlin making a Freudian slip in front of Kyou would be like throwing a piece of raw meat into a shark tank, you know. You dismiss the thought with a blink- you have enough on your plate right now, and Kyou chasing after both Wendy and Merlin at the same time is a little more than you're comfortable handling, you think.

[] Yeah, we'll get started on that, then. I'd rather get it done.
[] We'll wait to start planning till you're back. We have some time.

>>4292704
>[X] Yeah, we'll get started on that, then. I'd rather get it done.

>>4292704
>[] Yeah, we'll get started on that, then. I'd rather get it done.

>>4292704
>[x] Yeah, we'll get started on that, then. I'd rather get it done.

>>4292704
>[] Yeah, we'll get started on that, then. I'd rather get it done.
[] Yeah, we'll get started on that, then. I'd rather get it done.

>>4292704
>[] Yeah, we'll get started on that, then. I'd rather get it done.

Ok, votes called! This'll be the last update of the evening, but I'm thinking we'll probably extend into Friday to make up for the really slow pace these last couple days. The nation being on fire is a major drag, haha!

>>4292704
>[x] Yeah, we'll get started on that, then. I'd rather get it done.

>>4292776
Everything alright over there?

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[x] Yeah, we'll get started on that, then. I'd rather get it done.

You nod. "Yeah, we'll get started on that then." You say, standing up. Part of this, you know, is social posturing by Kyou- while the military chain of command is very clear, the social standing of everyone isn't- and she doesn't want to be seen as the subordinate member socially at all. It doesn't bother you much- if she wants to be out front for the people, let her be, you figure.

"Excellent." Kyou responds- not standing just yet. The message there is clear- at least for the other Japanese witches- that you're dismissed. You step into the corridor with Wendy following you, leaving the door open as you do so.

Wendy follows you quietly for a minute. "This is an unusual mission." She says. "It makes me wonder if perhaps we should look at additional electronic warfare equipment for it."

"Possibly." You say, thinking out loud. "I'm wondering how far out we are from the marines wanting to land. They're not going to want to advertise they're on the way too soon."

"It's rather unlikely their presence isn't already noted." She says. "It being somewhat difficult to hide a fleet that large in today's environment."

"But when and where they'll land isn't going to be known, not exactly." You respond. "And they'll have to move ground forces to oppose any landing, they can't do that nearly that fast."

"No, but most Chinese antiship missiles have quite a lot of range." Wendy responds. "and while a single battery isn't as threatening as it might be, multiple batteries are rather dangerous, even with a skilled crew and witches on point defense. We found that out the hard way during the Falklands conflict."

You shrug- you're concerned mostly with the air defense network at this point. Considering you've been in the area more than a few times already, the Chinese will have either massively reinforced the bases in the region- or all but abandoned them. Even for an air force as numerous as the PLAAF, keeping fighters in a hostile Wyvern's haunt isn't likely to achieve much more than lengthening the casualty rolls.

The imperial apartments aren't locked- they don't need to be, you know- and you and Wendy walk in, hitting the lights as you do so. "Would you like tea?" She asks- you check your watch, surprised by how close to noon it is already.

"Sounds good." You respond.

1/2

"I'll make some after I've changed, then." She says with a smile. "Miss Kyou has made it quite clear I'm to wear clothes I find comfortable while in the apartments."

"I'm sure." You say, frowning. "You know you don't have to do everything she tells you, right?"

Wendy smiles. "Of course not. You've said as much frequently."

You shrug. "Just making sure."

"Your concern is rather flattering." She says, still smiling. "But I'm quite happy with things. I've never felt quite so..." She pauses. "Wanted."

"Wanted?" You ask, curious. Her history isn't any great secret, of course- but it's odd to hear that from her, considering the absolute hell you heard Tabitha raised on an RAF base over Wendy.

She nods again. "Yes, I think so. " She says, after a minute. "Miss Kyou has made it quite clear that regardless of other developments, I am to be part of her household. It's rather reassuring."

"So long as you're happy with things." You say.

She nods. "Even if her interest in... certain... things is rather embarrassing." she says, blushing lightly.

"I can talk to her about that if you want." You offer.

Wendy shakes her head. "I'd rather you not." She responds. "Shall I fetch the maps before I change?"

You shake your head. "Go ahead, I'll just pull up Muninn or Tessa."

Tessa's tank flashes on as you finish saying her name, the maid looking at you briefly before patting down the front of her dress. "Good morning." She says, her voice quiet. "I heard my name?"

[] Can you pull up maps of the Wonsan area, along with information on known Chinese forces?
[] How much do you two hear from those tanks?

>>4292955
>[x] Can you pull up maps of the Wonsan area, along with information on known Chinese forces?

I'm glad Wendy's getting more comfortable.

It sounds paradoxical but it makes sense that she's more independent in her decisions now that she's certain of her position.

>>4292955
>[] How much do you two hear from those tanks?
>[] Can you pull up maps of the Wonsan area, along with information on known Chinese forces?

whynotboth.jpg

That's it for the night! Sorry about that long delay there- I won't lie and pretend I'm not about as paranoid as an alley cat right now, and I heard some suspicious noises, so I spent a bit outside just listening to what was goin on. Honestly? Probably wasted effort- didn't hear anything really out of the ordinary. Less than usual, in fact- the curfew is really cutting traffic back, and even Bragg's fairly quiet right now.

>>4292939
Yeah, thanks for asking. I'm reasonably sure the threat to 'take it to the rich white folks' was either hollow or misleading- not that this neighborhood should have been on that list anyway, considering it's all retirees like my folks or military. Honestly, I'm probably just way too high-strung about the whole thing.

Anyway, Like I said, we'll probably do a Friday run too to help make up for the really slow pace of updates today and yesterday. I expect we'll be back to normal... whenever riot fatigue really kicks in, whenever that is, and till then guys I'm sorry for the pacing. Everything should turn out alright, I know, but that doesn't mean I'm not a bit jumpy anyway.

But that's it for the evening here, gents, and I'm going to try and grab some sleep here, so I won't be answering questions or anything tonight, but I'll get them tomorrow for sure. Till then, gents, cheers!

>>4292968
thanks for running, stay safe

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>>4292955
>[X] Can you pull up maps of the Wonsan area, along with information on known Chinese forces?

>>4292968
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4292968
It is pretty over blown but even still better safe then sorry. Even still though, try not to get too wound up that you break a spring or something.

>>4292955
>[X] Can you pull up maps of the Wonsan area, along with information on known Chinese forces?

Thanks for the run!

>>4292955
>[x] Can you pull up maps of the Wonsan area, along with information on known Chinese forces?

>>4292968
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>4292955
>[] Can you pull up maps of the Wonsan area, along with information on known Chinese forces?

ok gents, votes called!

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[x] Can you pull up maps of the Wonsan area, along with information on known Chinese forces?

"Can you pull maps of the Wonsan area with information on known Chinese forces overlaid?" You ask- she nods once.

"Where shall I send it?" She asks. "There's the display table Merlin had installed this morning, or I can have it sent to your pads."

"A display table?" You ask, turning to look at where she indicates- there's a flat, glass-topped table in front of the seating area now. You nod. "Send it there, then."

"Will that be all, or would you prefer I remain present?" She says.

You shrug, looking over your shoulder as Wendy steps back out of her room, clad in little more than a thin undershirt. You blink as she blushes slightly. "That's comfortable?" You ask.

She nods. "Y-yes." She says, somewhat hesitantly. "And miss Kyou insisted that I wear what I found comfortable."

"I'm sure." You respond. You're going to have to talk to Kyou, you realize- agreement or not, she's pushing this way too far with Wendy.

"To be quite honest, this wasn't something she required of me." Wendy continues. "I do think it's rather comfortable and-" She pauses. "I sleep in somewhat less."

"I see." You say- not entirely convinced. "And if we get a scramble or the ship goes to general quarters?"

"It shant be much different than were I asleep." Wendy points out. "Were it to come to it, I could respond like this, I'm sure, though the lack of a flight suit would somewhat impede my ability to operate my aircraft. To be rather blunt about it, I've only worn this much because of you. Miss Kyou is quite permissive. I think she's out to spoil me, to be honest."

You shake your head, declining to comment, as Wendy crosses the room and sets a kettle on the small, two element stove top provided for you. She gets out a pair of cups for you both, setting them on the counter, then joins you as you take a seat- sitting, you can't help but notice- somewhat closer than you'd have expected.

She frowns as she looks at the map. "There's not much information to work with, is there?" She comments, leaning in. "It appears most of this is information we gathered ourselves, along with prewar basing information about the KDF."

You nod.

"That does somewhat complicate things in regards to our loading." She says.

[] I'm thinking we'll load mostly air to air.
[] We'll have to account for everything, then. Mixed load.
[] We'll load mostly air to ground. You'll have to handle any fighters.

>>4294173
>[x] We'll have to account for everything, then. Mixed load.

>>4294173
>[X] We'll have to account for everything, then. Mixed load.

>>4294173
>[x] I'm thinking we'll load mostly air to air.
>[x] We'll have to account for everything, then. Mixed load.

*mostly* air-to-air but throw on a couple of anti-radiation missiles. Anything else we can strafe.

>She pauses. "I sleep in somewhat less."
>Miss Kyou is quite permissive.
Oh myyyyyy~

>>4294173
This >>4294203

>>4294203
>>4294173

+1

>>4294173
This>>4294203

This feels more and more like the biggest problem is going to be having *enough*, like quantity wise.

The Chinese have been paying attention. Prepare for saturation tactics.

>>4294203
This.

Ok, votes called!

>>4294203
I'm not wild about getting into strafing range of modern SPAAGs, MANPADs, etc if I can help it even if we can drop anything long range. Low level is too much of a shooting gallery to chance in a billion dollar airplane.

>>4294173
[] I'm thinking we'll load mostly air to air.

I'm with

>>4294262

on this one, the ground defenses are a known quantity and Lovelace should be able to blunt them. I have visions of a squadron level response of Fandances or worse while we're hauling air to mud and it worries me.

>>4294317
I'm not implying we should strafe MANPADS or AA gun positions or whatever, just that if there's any of Kyou's "Targets of opportunity" we don't need to sling ordnance to have a go at them. Could be fuel tanks,could be a motor park, whatever. Thre's a *lot* we can have a poke at with the 40mms, or the realgun.

The HARMS are asked for just in case there's, like, an S-400 or something in the area and we need it gone pronto.

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[x] I'm thinking we'll load mostly air to air.

You frown, looking at the map again. "We'll load mostly air to air, I think. Couple of ARM, but otherwise it's gonna be air to air weapons."

Wendy nods. "I'd imagine, should they attempt to drive us out of their airspace, we'll need the ammunition." She says, pointing at the table. "We know they're operating fighters out of wonsan, but we'd be foolish to think they haven't also got aircraft at tother bases nearby. Kang Da Ri, for example-" She points at a base less than seven miles from Wonsan- "Was a proposed EDF post and is largely under the mountain."

You frown, looking at it- it looks like the runway disappears under the mountain, then emerges on the other side. "Place looks like a fortress." You say.

Wendy nods. "It largely is." She says. "It was built in the latter part of the nineteen fifties for the EDF, primarily by the soviet union. They were considered the best in the world at the time for that kind of construction."

You frown again. "EDF contract?"

She nods. "Very much so, and only grudgingly accepted by the Japanese. The entire area was cordoned and the soviet workers complained of unfair treatment in the host country."

You shake your head. "You know a lot about this sort of thing."

She smiles. "I did rather a lot of study on the subject of soviet in mountain and subterranean bases after the war, as you might imagine. There's quite a few they constructed, perhaps most famously Yamantau, though that facility lacks a built-in airbase. There were several constructed for Stalin's dead man's hand programs."

"The ones with the captive witches." You say. She nods.

"Yes, exactly." She says. "Of course, many of them were lost postwar, and may still be on standby."

"Creepy." You admit. She smiles.

"It's odd to hear you say that." She says. "I'd have thought that very little bothered you in that regard."

[] It doesn't bother me. It's just creepy. Zombie aircraft is a weird thought.
[] I did my final paper on those things. It's hard to not be bothered by them.

>>4294386
>[X] I did my final paper on those things. It's hard to not be bothered by them.

>>4294378
I figured that, the problem is often times there's no way to detect them until they go loud.

So we could think we're getting a tank farm and instead get a face full of Stinger missile equivalents or 57mm cannon fire from multiple directions.

>>4294386
>[x] I did my final paper on those things. It's hard to not be bothered by them.

>>4294386
>[] I did my final paper on those things. It's hard to not be bothered by them.

>>4294386
[] I did my final paper on those things. It's hard to not be bothered by them.

Color me curious. Were they some kind of vengeance weapon or what?

>>4294386
>[x] I did my final paper on those things. It's hard to not be bothered by them.

ok, votes called!

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[x] I did my final paper on those things. It's hard to not be bothered by them.

"I did my final paper on those things." You say, thinking back- it was really a much better paper than you should have had to write, and you're reasonably sure it's gone on to some limited circulation- if only because Merlin says a copy of it, folded in with other, similar research, crossed her desk, shortly after you'd graduated. While you doubt it was for any serious purpose- other than maybe to see how well you'd done your research- it was still kind of intimidating to hear that Merlin, of all people, was looking at your research.

"I see." Wendy says. "That must have been quite a challenge, given how little information there is, even now. I know the wreckage of the megalith aircraft didn't provide much, and the soviet archives didn't offer much either."

You nod. "There wasn't much." You admit. "You and Dad's declassified combat report from Megalith, declassified wreckage analysis, the little bit of surviving soviet archive documentation, and a whole lot of theory and conjecture." You frown. "Which didn't fly well with my instructor"

Wendy smiles. "I imagine not." She says. "But you still received a good mark, as I recall."

You nod. "He dinged me a letter grade for including theory as much as I did, but he was one of the ones that saw my last name and held me to a much higher standard." You shrug. "Still passed his class well enough to keep my place in the overall graduation ranking."

"And clearly your mark for the wyvern program." Wendy points out.

You shrug. "I don't think there's much I could have done short of go to the special warfare side of the house that would have kept me out of wyverns." You say.

Wendy laughs at that. "I imagine not." She says

You turn and blink- Tessa, clearly listening in, has helpfully brought up the schematic- or at least, the closest thing there is to one- of Stalin's zombie dreadnoughts, along with a map overlay of suspected bases. You note there's a couple on Kamchatka- Ichinsky volcano and one further north at Ledyakaya. The closest to you is in the Bureinskiy range, a little over nine hundred miles distant- and deep enough within the soviet union that you doubt you'll get to look for yourself anytime soon.

1/2

"All oddity aside, they're marvels of engineering for their time." Wendy says, looking at the display. "Their weaponry alone was several generations more advanced than one would expect, given their age, and their automatic systems are incredibly capable for the era."

"Almost fully self-aware AI, if reports are to be believed." Tessa says, her image popping up on the table. "Primitive by my standard, but able to execute Stalin's dead man's hand mission with or without a human operator. And in fact the only one to fly in anger did so without a human at the controls."

"Only three witches slaved to it's systems." You say, frowning. "Which is creepy in and of itself."

"That technology provided the necessary data to improve the wyvern to it's current standard." Tessa points out. "Without these," She waves a hand at the schematic- "We would still be much closer to the first generation of Wyverns in terms of technology."

"It would be rather interesting to see if any other intact ones remain." Wendy says. "Though the question of where, exactly, the technology came from is still, as I understand it, a question no one has answered."

You shake your head. "Most sources think it was martians living in the USSR postwar." You say. "Kind of like the technology center at Roswell and area fifty-one."

"If you'd like, I can prepare a profile on what's known of them." Tessa offers. "Muninn will probably help- or sulk, if his boyfriend insists on becoming involved."

[] We'll worry about that later. Let's get back on task.
[] That could be pretty interesting, if you can do it without it getting in the way of your other jobs.

>>4294628
>[X] That could be pretty interesting, if you can do it without it getting in the way of your other jobs.

>>4294628
>[x] That could be pretty interesting, if you can do it without it getting in the way of your other jobs.

>>4294628
>[] That could be pretty interesting, if you can do it without it getting in the way of your other jobs.

Professional curiosity.

Though at the moment i'm much more curious as to whether Wendy's wearing underwear or not.

>>4294628
>[] That could be pretty interesting, if you can do it without it getting in the way of your other jobs.

>>4294628
>[] That could be pretty interesting, if you can do it without it getting in the way of your other jobs.

>>4294628
>[x] We'll worry about that later. Let's get back on task.

>>4294605
>[] That could be pretty interesting, if you can do it without it getting in the way of your other jobs.

ok, gents, votes called! This'll be our last update for the night, but we'll be running tomorrow too to partly make up for the slow pace this week. Hopefully things have calmed down by next week!

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[x] That could be pretty interesting, if you can do it without it getting in the way of your other jobs.

"That could be pretty interesting." You say, "If you can do it without it getting in the way of your other jobs."

Tessa smiles. "Of course I can." She says. "Frankly, with the information the way it is, it shouldn't take long to compile a report at all. I may ask for help from Lovelace, I'm sure he'd absolutely be over the moon at getting to do a personal project for people."

"Thank you, Tessa." Wendy says, and you nod.

"Of course." The AI responds. "Now, perhaps if you're done being distracted? Or perhaps you two should prefer some privacy."

Wendy blushes- almost a Merlin tier color- and you shake your head. "Not now." You respond.

"If you're quite sure." Tessa says, making it sound like she thinks you're making a mistake. "I'd say, however, judging from her- "

"Tessa, that's quite enough, thank you." Wendy manages to get out.

Tessa pauses, then smiles again and bows slightly. "Of course." She says. "Is there anything I can do to assist in the planning while I'm here?"

[] Is there any additional information about chinese air power in the region?
[] Do you know anything about additional bases in the area?
[] No, thank you. I think we have a handle on it.

>>4294774
>[] Is there any additional information about chinese air power in the region?
>[] Do you know anything about additional bases in the area?

>>4294774
>[x] Is there any additional information about chinese air power in the region?
>[x] Do you know anything about additional bases in the area?
Questions!

And that's gonna be it for the night from me! I'm hoping, once things have calmed down some, we'll be able to get a good thread back in- I feel like I've been pretty lousy the last couple weeks, and I'd like to fix that.

I probably won't be on too much longer this evening to answer questions or concerns, but I'll check the thread at least once before I sack out. If I miss a question tonight, I'll get it in the morning!

Anyway gents, that's it for tonight, so till tomorrow, cheers!

>>4294774
This >>4294775

>>4294774
>[x] Do you know anything about additional bases in the area?

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>>4294774
>[X] Is there any additional information about chinese air power in the region?
>[X] Do you know anything about additional bases in the area?

>>4294778
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4294774
>[x] Is there any additional information about chinese air power in the region?

>>4294778
Thanks for the run Ghost!

Ahem.
KITTY HAWK REEEEEEEEEEE!
That is all.

>>4294774 #
>[] Do you know anything about additional bases in the area?

>"Not now." You respond.

Not now... but maybe later? Oh Morgan, naughty boy.

Ok gents, votes called!

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[x] Is there any additional information about chinese air power in the region?
[x] Do you know anything about additional bases in the area?

"What additional information can you find about Chinese air power and bases in the area?" You ask.

Tessa blinks, then updates the display- not much, if anything, changes. "Very little." She says. "Mum's assessment of Kang Da Ri is probably correct. It was declined as an EDF post after construction finished as it was too small for the element they wanted to put there. It can house about thirty aircraft, plus their associated support apparatus. We believe it's being used to house Fandances moved to the region after our destruction of the early warning and control aircraft with the deputy director onboard."

"How many?" You ask.

"Unclear at this time." She says. "Reports between eight and sixteen aircraft, though PLAAF doctrine operates them in squadrons of twelve. However, PLAAF doctrine also operates them in mixed units of between six and eight aircraft and a similar number of witches."

"That could be somewhat of a problem." Wendy says, frowning. "I can't imagine them simply sending in a mixed unit like that, if not for us."

Tessa nods. "That would be my assessment, as well." She says. "However, it should be noted that there's still evidence of Soviet witches serving with Chinese units. Most of them are surrendering as soon as they're able."

"Most of them?" you ask. "What's going on?"

"Rather hard to say." Tessa responds. "There are some rumors it, as might be expected, involves the soviet matron-general's fixation on your father."

You frown. "But he's not here."

"But you are." Tessa points out. "Regardless of your own feelings on the matter."

"My feelings don't enter into it." You point out. "There's no way the guard would let a soviet who was fighting for the Chinese anywhere near Kyou."

Tessa shrugs. "It's merely speculation." She says. "The witch who surrendered at Chuncheon has been released to the custody of the Japanese coven, and is doing quite well settling in. She's asked to meet you in person, but they're waiting to approve it."

"Has she provided any information?" Wendy asks.

"No." Tessa responds. "Nothing useful to us, at least. She indicated there were additional soviet witches serving with the Chinese military, as part of treaty obligations, but most were either being recalled to the soviet union or had opinions similar to hers."

"Has Putin said anything?" You ask.

"He's declared the matter one between Japan and China and is urging everyone else to stay out of it and allow for a brokered peace." Tessa says, frowning. "He's called American involvement reckless escelationism, but hasn't done anything other than warning units along the Chinese border."

1/2

You nod. While the war in 1989 gutted the soviet military- some postwar estimates say they lost upwards of 50% of their prewar strength- they've been rebuilding, if not quite at the breakneck pace the Chinese did. Their involvement is almost certainly going to be limited- if they get involved at all- simply because they don't have the military force necessary anymore. The pacific fleet was shattered by the IJN during the war, and very little of their pacific military forces fared any better.

"It's worth pointing out that your sister has been asked to talk to her." Tessa says.

You blink. "Nat?" You ask, and the AI nods.

"Quite. It's supposed to be a secret, if not classified, but you know how these sorts of things can be."

"That's unusual." Wendy says. "I thought she elected to remain a civilian?"

"It's complicated." You respond, frowning. "Nat's coming to Japan?"

"Potentially for the duration." Tessa confirms.

"Do you anticipate that being a problem?" Wendy asks. "I'll happily give up my rooms in the palace, should it be needed. I'm sure there's other places I can find that would be just as comfortable."

[] No, I don't think it'll be a problem. Just a surprise.
[] It might be. Nat's a little suspicious of Kyou.

>>4295808
>[] No, I don't think it'll be a problem. Just a surprise.

>>4295808
>[X] No, I don't think it'll be a problem. Just a surprise.

>>4295808
>[x] No, I don't think it'll be a problem. Just a surprise.
>Might have to watch Kyou, though.

>>4295808
>[] It might be. Nat's a little suspicious of Kyou.

But said in the lightest fashion possible. Silly ninja big sisters being paranoid

>>4295808
>[x] No, I don't think it'll be a problem. Just a surprise.

Ok, votes called!

>>4295808
>[] No, I don't think it'll be a problem. Just a surprise

>I'll happily give up my rooms in the palace,

>inb4 moving into kyou and morgan's bed

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[x] No, I don't think it'll be a problem. Just a surprise.

You shake your head. Natalya, you know, won't really be an issue- at least, not for Kyou or Wendy. For you it's a different story- your adopted older sister never really did see anything unusual with the Bishop household, and seems to have assumed you'd want a similar arrangement. "No, I don't think it'll be a problem. Just a surprise." You say.

Wendy nods. "I imagine it would be rather difficult to find someone better suited for a chat with a disaffected soviet witch, though." She says with a light smile. "Save for perhaps your father or Katya."

You shake your head. "Natalya's not a great people person." You point out. "So unless they're thinking the soviet witch is like she is-"

"Currently, the guard believes she is." Tessa interrupts. "She shares quite a few of the tell-tale physical markers, eye color, for example."

"Eye color isn't much to go on." You say, frowning.

"No, but it's also the Japanese matron's assessment." Tessa says. "Which is why your sister was approached."

"Directly?" You ask, actually surprised as the AI nods.

"That is unusual." You admit. "When is she due to arrive in Japan."

Tessa smiles. "She indicated she'd be there in perhaps a week from now, perhaps a little longer."

"Timing it to arrive when we do?" Wendy asks. You nod.

"No doubt." You say- knowing that Nat's gonna ask about Wendy, now, too.

Wendy looks poised to say something else, but the kettle elects that moment to finally come to a boil, steam emerging from the spout. She stands up quickly, crossing between you and the table on her way over to the stove. "Sugar?" She asks.

You shake your head, turning to look over the back of the couch as she makes the tea with a long practiced hand and comes back, handing you the cup. "I'd thought Kyou and miss Wells should have returned by now." She says, sitting down again.

"They're busily running weapons integration software updates." Tessa says. "I can contact them easily, both are linked to Muninn's MIU."

"Both of them?" You ask, looking over at Wendy, who blinks.

Tessa nods. "Yes." She says. "Total uptime of five minutes, thirty eight seconds. Kyou has been linked for sixteen minutes, forty six seconds."

You shake your head- that's going to be a problem, you're sure, in the future.

"Perhaps we should finish our planning entirely, then." Wendy suggests. "We appear to have some time to do so."

[] I'd rather not get too involved right now, Kyou's going to want to have input too.
[] I guess so, yeah.

>>4295957
>[X] I guess so, yeah.

>>4295957
>[x] I'd rather not get too involved right now, Kyou's going to want to have input too.

>>4295957
>[] I guess so, yeah

>>4295957
>[] I guess so, yeah.

ok, votes called!

>>4295957
>[] I guess so, yeah.

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[x] I guess so, yeah.

You nod. "I guess so, yeah." You say, looking back at the table.

"My assessment is you'll probably face significant air threats, far less significant SAM and AA threats." Tessa says. "They've kept their long range, strategic SAM systems mostly out of Korea, and the ones in China haven't engaged aircraft in Korea at all. There's a battery reportedly going into Pyongyang, but all systems so far encountered have been shorter-range missiles."

Wendy frowns. "That's very odd." She says, leaning in closer to the table and frowning. "Are they trying to keep the conflict limited to Korea?"

Tessa shrugs. "It would be the best reason for it." She admits. "That could be because they lack the ability to attack the Japanese home islands, and don't wish to invite the Japanese to begin attacking targets in China. However, it's difficult to say."

You shrug- you've gotten more than sidetracked enough already, and, despite your statements to Kyou, you know how shockingly easy it would be to get sidetracked again. Not for the first time are you thankful for maman, who taught you that patience, more than anything else, would pay off in life.

"The problem is we have to wait and see what comes up after us." You say, frowning. "That rules out a lot of AMRAAMs or AAM-4s."

Wendy nods. "Yes, and I imagine that the numbers involved will also mean you'll need all the room you can get for missiles." She says. "Unless you intend to carry the railgun again."

You frown. "That's only got ten rounds on the internal capacitor." You point out. "And if we use the nacelles that's another ten. But that's both centerline bays and the nacelles."

"Which is significantly more ammunition than the missiles you could carry in the same space." She points out. "At least, if you intended to mount antiradiation missiles there."

You do the math- assuming you only carry two cells of medium range air to air missiles- which is still eight of them, you have to remind yourself- using the rest of the VLS cells to quad pack dogfighting missiles would give you sixteen- with your FAST packs providing mounts for a further eight sidewinders or Agiles each.

You shake your head. "I'm not sure." You admit, after a minute.

"Well, remember you're taking me as well." Wendy says, then pauses and laughs nervously as Tessa raises a digital eyebrow. "I'll be able to handle some of the targets as necessary, even without a change in my weaponry."

"True." You admit, nodding. "I'm thinking EML or ARMs on the centerline, plus two cells of AAM-4s and everything else as sidewinders or agiles or pythons- whatever we can get. If we get the ARMs on the centerline, that's another eight pythons in the nacelle bays."

"And perhaps six antiradiation missiles in the centerline bay?" Wendy asks- you nod.

"That seems reasonable to me." She says, leaning back again. "Which do you think you prefer, though? the EML will give you more ammunition and greater flexibility against hardened targets, but the antiradiation missiles should have a longer range and have the advantage of being fire and forget."

[] Yeah, I think we'll go with antiradiation missiles. (load will be 8x AAM-4, 40x Python, 6x AGM-88E)
[] We'll use the EML again, that worked out well last time. (Load will be 8x AAM-4, 32x Python, 20x EML)

>>4296195
>[] We'll use the EML again, that worked out well last time. (Load will be 8x AAM-4, 32x Python, 20x EML)

>>4296195
>Yeah, I think we'll go with antiradiation missiles. (load will be 8x AAM-4, 40x Python, 6x AGM-88E)

>>4296195
>[] We'll use the EML again, that worked out well last time. (Load will be 8x AAM-4, 32x Python, 20x EML)

>>4296195
>[X] We'll use the EML again, that worked out well last time. (Load will be 8x AAM-4, 32x Python, 20x EML)

>>4296195
>[] Yeah, I think we'll go with antiradiation missiles. (load will be 8x AAM-4, 40x Python, 6x AGM-88E)

>>4296195
>Tessa raises a digital eyebrow.

Good Girl

>>4296195
>[] We'll use the EML again, that worked out well last time. (Load will be 8x AAM-4, 32x Python, 20x EML)

>>4296195
>[] We'll use the EML again, that worked out well last time. (Load will be 8x AAM-4, 32x Python, 20x EML)

The raw hitting power will help with Fandances and Witches

>>4296195
>[X] We'll use the EML again, that worked out well last time. (Load will be 8x AAM-4, 32x Python, 20x EML)

>>4296195
>[x] Yeah, I think we'll go with antiradiation missiles. (load will be 8x AAM-4, 40x Python, 6x AGM-88E)

ok, votes called! this should be the last update for the week.

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[x] We'll use the EML again, that worked out well last time. (Load will be 8x AAM-4, 32x Python, 20x EML)

"We'll use the EML again." You say, nodding as you decide. "That worked out well last time"

Wendy nods. "It was rather impressive." She says, agreeing. "And that should leave you plenty of ammunition for a longer engagement, as well."

"And I don't see Kyou complaining about it." You state. "She likes the EML, and that should be enough firepower that she doesn't have a problem with us skipping the pylons."

Wendy smiles. "She is rather vocal about that sort of thing, isn't she?" She says. "I can't help but wonder if somehow that's Jessica's influence."

You shake your head. "I doubt it. Aunt Jess isn't that much of a brat about things."

Wendy laughs. "I think perhaps brat is somewhat harsh, but she does occasionally seem spoiled." She says. "And is rather insistent on things she's taken an interest in. I must say, however, I don't think I've much room to complain. Her interest in me has proven quite beneficial in my opinion."

"Not a little embarrassing?" You ask- it's more than clear, by this point, that Kyou's decided where, exactly, Wendy fits in to her future- and yours, for that matter.

She hesitates, then smiles again. "Perhaps somewhat. I'd never have dreamed of dressing like this around any of VF-3s members, for example. It's... rather nice, frankly."

You shrug- she preempts your response with a smile "So long as your happy?" She asks.

You nod. "Getting predictable." You state, only a touch annoyed at yourself for it.

She laughs again. "Somewhat." She confirms. "I'm touched by the concern. I'll be sure to notify you if I feel taken advantage of."

"What if it's me doing it?" You ask.

She shakes her head. "I rather doubt there's anything you could ask me to do that would I would consider being taken advantage of." She says. "Miss Kyou has instructed me that I am to behave as if I am a member of her family, to include things such as this-" She indicates how she's dressed. "and several other topics. It's no bother, and if I'm being perfectly honest I rather look forward to anything else she meant."

You blink as she seems to realize just what she said. "I- oh dear." She says, blushing again. "I've rather embarrassed myself."

And that's it for the week! sorry that update took so long, I kinda got caught up watching a trainhopping video. Looks like fun, but not really my scene, honestly. The adventure looks neat, but I can do without a lot of the being a hobo aspects, haha!

Anyway, that's it for the week. I'll be around through the weekend to answer questions or comments, but otherwise, till next week, cheers gents!

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>>4296367
Thanks for the run boss.

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>>4296363
>It's no bother, and if I'm being perfectly honest I rather look forward to anything else she meant.

>>4296367
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>4296367
thanks for running

>>4296367
Thanks for the run boss!

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>>4296367
Oof I missed it, thanks for running Ghost and stay safe!

I am liking the way Wendy is being written. I was worried that she was being sexploited, but I'm glad she's having fun and perhaps coming of age.

Btw, what is the age gap between Wendy and Morgan?

>>4295807
>the soviet matron-general's fixation on your father
Oh shit oh fuck

>>4296631
Well, if that is what she wants... She DOES get saddled with some lewd info anyway through the MIU link.

>>4294317
>Low level is too much of a shooting gallery to chance in a billion dollar airplane.
How do Kyou's shields do against a missile ?

>>4296803
IIRC, her shields stopped an EML round without much trouble. A single missile probably wouldn’t do much.

>>4297097

True, unless its something big and nasty like a S-400.

>>4297097
>>4298509
IIRC, it was an EML enhanced by several witches onboard the B-1 Lancer it was hooked up to. The question is, how does the EML with that much Enhancement stack up against an S-400? Is Kinetic energy more damaging to shields than Explosive energy?

>>4298534

Depends on the missile, if its one of the 400-kilometer range monsters. Even a dud will LOLpen Kyou's shields considering the mass of the thing. But we also don't know the velocity of the B-1W's slug.

That said, any idea on our true hauling capacity? I don't got much other than LOTS. We seriously need a graphic so we can plan out our loads.

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>>4298591

I have this one, from the 89 run- it's not accurate for Muninn, but it's something! One of the anons back then made it, and if they're still around, thank you!

>>4298689

God, the difference between the Bravo Model and the Delta Model Wyvern is so drastic its not even funny anymore. We haven't even used the AIM-152s I don't think.

>>4298871

Well, all the weapon stations are still there- more or less- but yeah. You've got an additional six optional stations in your pylons, and of course the VLS replacing the formal dorsal bays- stations 4 and 2- is vastly different from them.

The changes are more or less iterative, but in terms of actual difference it's almost a generational change- a war-era wyvern is probably about even up with a king raptor- and completely out of it's depth against a modern drake.

>>4299054

How different is a King Raptor (F-22B I am assuming?) compared to an F-22?

>>4299447

Reasonably. King raptors are a late aughts upgrade package to the raptor fleet. They were re-engined with nonmagical variants of the Wyvern's engines, upgunned with the GAU-22/A, and fit with a version of the avionics and sensor package on the F-35- most noticeably the EOTS blister. It also got a comprehensive weapons package software update that allowed it to utilize most weapons in the US and allied arsenal, similar to the Wyvern.

>>4299477

*Whistles* Impressive, I take it the engines are a Variable Cycle design and that the centerline bay has a rotary launcher?

I will admit, I actually would have figured that the F-22 Raptor would have entered service sooner because of the '89 War.

>>4296631
>Btw, what is the age gap between Wendy and Morgan?

About nineteen years.

>>4300411
And how does Wendy feel about Kids?

Ok gents, sorry about the delayed start today! Kinda lost track of time- and my notes were pretty bad for the OP, so I had to go back through a couple older threads to get them squared away! that was my fault. Usually I try to take bullet point notes after every thread for the important stuff we'll see again, and then get them listed for the OP and thread on Sunday/Monday. For some bizzare reason I couldn't find them though today when I sat down to get the OP written- I know I did it, I just don't know where it got to.

Anyway. Sorry about that! Remember next week we'll be taking a break so I can get back into a school routine. I'm not actually sure when my classes are gonna fall- there's apparently a morning block and an afternoon block now, and IDK which I'm in. I'll be trying to sort that out tomorrow, but till I know I can't say when the threads are going to be- so keep an eye on twitter.

Speaking of, Twitter's gonna get a lot quieter from here on in, and be focused almost entirely on the quest here and announcements for it. I got into a bad habit of using it for personal reasons between 89 and now, and one I need to get out of, considering I feel the site is brain poison at best. No promises it'll get nicer overnight, but I'll be making the attempt!

I think that's all for news, now that I've managed to use up almost the entire character limit!

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Merlin and Kyou didn't rejoin you and Wendy in the imperial cabins for several hours- you're pretty sure they had to have taken their afternoon chow either there in the hangar, or in the mess a deck below. It could easily have been either- the ship's air maintenance company is served in the hangar deck, with the IJN prioritizing availability of their aircraft above just about anything else, and crew considerations are pretty low down the list.

Kyou only nodded when she saw you and Wendy, retreating to your room without a word, while Merlin closed the door behind herself and walked over to the couch, taking a seat next to you as Wendy stood up to get something for her to drink.

"Thanks." Merlin says as Wendy hands her a bottle of water and sits back down. "Well, both your aircraft are as ready to go as I can make them, and we got your witches sort-of linked in with the MIU."

"Sort of?" You ask. Merlin takes a sip of tea- Wendy simply warmed up the first pot again- and nods.

"We've got their MFD and HUD monocles talking to Muninn and Tessa freely, now, which is about as good as we can get it." She says. "Without them being plugged there's some harsh limits on how much we can involve them with your datasharing network."

"Which is rather unfortunate." Wendy says. "I found myself quite worried about my wingmate in our last sortie, simply because I wasn't able to be aware of her surroundings as easily or readily as I am of Morgan and Kyou's."

Merlin frowns. "That shouldn't be happening because of the MIU net." She says.

Wendy shakes her head. "I suspect not, I recall being similarly bothered during the war." She says. "Only much moreso then, for fear something I missed would result in one of the unit being hurt or killed. It's not something I've been as concerned about flying as I am now, because it seems to be much easier to constantly watch out for threats to my lead."

"I see." Merlin says, frowning a little. "Either way, that may be a good reason to tell the Japanese that after the landings, you'll be unable to continue with their selection program. I'm not very happy with it right now anyway."

"You're not?" You ask- she'd agreed to help with the selection process earlier without complaint.

1/2

She shakes her head. "IGHQ is already making me think the whole thing is exactly what Kyou said it was. Just an excuse to get a witch in close with all of us." She says. "They were sneaky enough, neither of these two has any real connection to anyone politically besides their families, so there's nothing overt."

"But it's that obvious." You say, and she nods.

"They've already given their liscense production contract to Mitsubishi, but their response so far has been they're fine with making a selection as soon as possible and using my fourth unit, but they'll be leaving the selection with you until Mitsubishi can get a production line running for Wyverns and Valkyries."

"Which would be months, at least." Wendy says.

"Years." Merlin responds. "At least. Long enough that if she's flying with you the entire time, she'll be impossible to remove by the time it's available and running."

"What about the wyverns they're building stateside?" You ask. "Aren't they getting some of those?"

"Two." Merlin says. "And even then, unless they plan to allow her to pick the entire rest of the crew, there's no way either one of them could be folded in with the first two wyverns without amazing luck."

"I had wondered about that." Wendy says. "It seems that they intend for things to be done differently?"

"The Japanese are convinced they can allow their witches to select their pilots." She says. "And that a valkyrie can simply be assigned freely. We've already had to change how we thought of them though, and now the navy and coven is looking at them as an expansion of the wyvern program. It's why we're letting existing crews ask witches they've worked with before if they want to come onboard, rather than putting out a blanket call for volunteers."

"But you think this is the IGHQ trying to get their girl into Kyou's immediate household." You say.

Merlin nods. "I'm sure of it." She says. "I'm here, you're here, Kyou's here. IGHQ and the Japanese coven have always been much closer than the covens in the US were with any branch. They want someone in Kyou's immediate household, and this is their first try at it."

[] So what can we do?
[] I don't see that we have any options, though, do you?
[] First try? You think they've got something else?

>>4300834
>[x] First try? You think they've got something else?

>>4300834
>[x] First try? You think they've got something else?

>>4300834
>[X] First try? You think they've got something else?

>>4300834
Remember to update twitter Ghost

>>4300834
>[] First try? You think they've got something else?

>>4300864
Shoot, sorry! I knew there was something I forgot!

Votes called!

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[x] First try? You think they've got something else?

"First try?" You ask. "You think they've got something else?"

Merlin nods. "I know they do." She says. "They've already started moving on it, too. We'll be getting a Mitsubishi tech rep on the next supply flight."

"A tech rep?" Wendy asks. "That seems rather... unusual."

"It is and it isn't." Merlin responds. "They want to have someone who's going to be able to function as their primary startup tech, like I do for Vought, and because of the way the imperial military is folded in with everything else, they can send a comissioned officer. I'm not sure who it'll be yet, but my guess is someone around Kyou and Morgan's age, very well-placed and attractive. Normally you'd expect someone older and highly-placed in the company with at least a master's degree." She looks over at you. "Female, no doubt. That's unusual too, corporate Japan's higher echelons are male-dominated."

"Wouldn't that be glaringly obvious?" Wendy asks. "As to their intentions."

"Mostly. It helps a lot to have a witch on hand for startups, so much the better if she's well-versed in the wyverns." Merlin says. "And most corporate witches in Japan are just advisors or coven liaisons. Cushy, do-nothing jobs that go to old noble houses."

"I see." Wendy says.

Merlin shrugs. "It might not be so bad, but it bothers me." She says. She looks over as Kyou steps out of your room- dressed almost identically to Wendy, though the shirt- one of yours- is short enough that she's definitely wearing something underneath.

"I didn't mean to interrupt." She says, crossing the small room to sit directly next to you, wedging herself in close.

Merlin shakes her head. "that was all." She says. "We were talking about the Mitsubishi rep."

"I see." Kyou responds. "I certainly don't intend to allow her close access to us, such as you have."

Merlin shakes her head again. "She probably won't know she's being used as an in." She says. "Let me go change, though."

Kyou nods. Once Merlin's door is closed, she shakes her head. "Had I caught on to it earlier, I'd have asked grandfather to step in." She says.

[] It's bothering her that much?
[] Better that you didn't.
[] Nothing says we can't turn the tech rep to our side anyway.

>>4300918
>[] Nothing says we can't turn the tech rep to our side anyway.

Special Forces Catte goes "Nyaa~" suggestively

>>4300918
>[x] It's bothering her that much?

I'm *really* leery of option 3 because of how much this whole... *thing* seems to be bothering Merlin, especailly given her history here.

Plus, it smacks of a seduction route and we already have enough girls.

>>4300918
>[x] It's bothering her that much?

>>4300918
>[x] It's bothering her that much?

>>4300918
[] It's bothering her that much?

>>4300918
>[X] Better that you didn't.
>[X] It's bothering her that much?
Be considered a sign of weakness if we went straight to Emps anyways

>>4300918
>[] It's bothering her that much?

Ok, votes called!

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[x] It's bothering her that much?

"It's bothering her that much?" You ask. You know Merlin has history with Mitsubishi- she had been offered a very impressive contract by the company, before everything had happened. When it did, they withdrew the offer in the early, confused aftermath, along with a fairly scathing statement. They retracted it quickly- and rumor has it that their public relations director took his own life, though that's really only just a myth, and the man resigned- but by then the damage was done. Still, so far as you know, she doesn't really have any major grudge against them- you're fairly sure she's worked with them more than once since then on joint projects with Vought.

Kyou frowns. "It's difficult to say." She says. "I think her concern is less for the presence of a representative of the company and more that this all reminds her of the political maneuvering that went on around herself and your father, during their war."

"I don't recall that being quite so overt." Wendy supplies. "There was some pressure put on Tabitha to release miss Wells to return to the naval witch academy at Annapolis, especially after Tanana and Berlin, but very little direct pressure, especially after Sir Frank's actions at Annapolis."

Kyou winces at the mention of that. "He did make a name for himself." She says. "It didn't help that Matron Longstreet was as well connected and influential as she was."

"Of course, he does seem to have gotten away with it, so to speak." Wendy offers. "Guardian of witches is a very powerful title."

Kyou nods. "Yes. Still, I believe her concerns are for the political, and how that may in turn be twisted to involve her. She has said to me numerous times she doesn't wish to be involved in politics."

You shrug- that's not inaccurate. It might be even more accurate to say- as maman does- that Merlin doesn't want to be involved in anything that isn't involved with bleeding edge aerospace technology with the occasional bit of downtime to play video games and drink wine. Of course, Maman also was also of the opinion that Merlin never really grew past being a sheltered wizkid, and needed a man that could handle- well, everything. She meant you, of course, most of the time.

"The trouble is, I'm uncertain how to reassure her." Kyou says, frowning. "Ordinarily I would offer to extend a position to her from my imperial household, perhaps allowing her to take a set of rooms in the palace to place her off limits, as I've attempted to do her. However, that may not work, as it may simply make others attempt to use her as a way to me."

"Not to mention the logistics of such a household." You point out.

Kyou laughs. "Worried?" She asks, then shakes her head. "Regardless, I'm not sure that's the best way forward, either for her or us."

[] What do you think, Wendy?
[] Have you asked her yet?

>>4300976
>[X] What do you think, Wendy?

>>4300976
>[x] What do you think, Wendy?

Wendy *has* known her longer than either kyou or morgan have been alive

>>4300976
>[x] What do you think, Wendy?

>>4300976
Also
>and needed a man that could handle- well, everything. She meant you, of course, most of the time.

Maman *plz*

>>4300976
>[] What do you think, Wendy?

>>4300976
>[x] Have you asked her yet?

>>4300976
[] What do you think, Wendy?

>>4300976
>[X] What do you think, Wendy?

Ok, votes called! This'll be our last update for the night.

>>4300989
Maman is like a Cougar MILF who keeps trying to hook up her son with her Cougar Friends

>>4301030
More like the spirit of everyone from SW'89 who wanted Merlin or Wendy ships and missed out

>>4301024
Hallo?

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[x] What do you think, Wendy?

"What do you think, Wendy?" You ask. She's know Merlin longer than either you or Kyou- though she's not as close with her as you are.

Wendy looks confused for a second- then shakes her head. "I'm not sure, quite frankly." She says. "I'd rather imagine her having a place in your household would entail some rather sticky issues with her family?"

Kyou nods. "Of a sort." She admits. "That is a great deal of the reason why I haven't suggested it to now."

"How sticky?" You ask.

Kyou shakes her head. "It's rather complex. The simple answer is, as it stands, it is impossible for her to be brought into my household. The most that could be done would be adopting her into nobility, but such a thing would be outrageous, even now. Were she to be single, then it would be less troublesome, simply because her daughters would be adopted directly into the imperial family."

"So they'd be princesses?" You ask.

Kyou shakes her head. "No, that title only applies to direct descendants of members of the family who can claim the throne. In her case, her children would be considered part of the royal family until they were wed, at which point they would revert to lesser nobility with a non-hereditary title."

"Similar to myself?" Wendy says.

Kyou shakes her head. "Officially you are not nobility at all." She says. "Nor is Morgan, who will be a prince consort when we are wed, similar to Aunt Jessica's status. He is a member of the family and is made such so that his children with an imperial family member will also be. Your status is for the remainder of your lifetime, but conveys lesser nobility upon your children." She says. "They'd be barons, as opposed to royalty."

1/2

Kyou pauses, then smiles. "Of course, should it come to pass that Morgan really is nobility, with a legitimate claim to the Merovingian line, then it would get even more complicated." She says.

"Not that any of this does any good for the issue of politics." You point out.

"Quite right." Wendy says, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, I got us off topic. For Miss Wells, frankly, I'm not sure. Ideally I'm sure she'd adore being allowed to simply live with us." She smiles. "It's a topic that was discussed occasionally at the Styles' house. The common opinion is, she would most likley be happiest in an arrangement where she had no domestic duties, and was rather treated something like a child."

Kyou frowns. "That seems demeaning." She says.

Wendy nods. "An older child, to be sure, but one with no responsibilities, that she'd be free to spend her days tinkering and inventing as she pleased." She says. "Of course, the trouble is, she's married and has children of her own. Quite lovely girls, I've met both of them. Just completing their first year at academy, if I'm not mistaken?"

You nod- both girls opted for the 'old' program, as maman called it- entering the academy at 12, instead of waiting to the more common 16. It means they'll have a full eight year education in the academy- which means they'll have the equivalent of a doctorate's degree by the age of 20. It also means that, as maman notes, they'll be gone except for a few weeks in the winter for Christmas, a week in the spring, and ten weeks in the summer.

Kyou blinks, then turns to the door as Merlin steps out of her room, dressed more or less the same as Kyou and Wendy. She smiles at you as she walks back over, taking a seat next to Kyou. "That's better." She says, then wrinkles her nose. "Though now I'm going to have to wash this shirt. I should have showered first."

Kyou smiles. "I think that's true of all of us." She says. "Though I notice my pilot yet again holds himself aloof from the witches by remaining in uniform."

You shrug. "Perfectly comfortable like this." You say- the reality is, it's easier to not change, especially since someone's going to have to run to the mess to bring up your evening meal. Or, at the very least, be able to get it from one of the imperial landing troops at the door.

Kyou laughs. "Better that you not change, lest I have to battle with Wendy and Samantha over who gets you first." She says- both of the older witches blush at the comment.

You just shake your head.

[] Have you looked at the proposed mission plan for tomorrow?
[] Auntie Merlin, we were talking, if this thing with the tech rep bothers you, maybe we can help?

And that's it for the evening! sorry that last update ran a bit long- my fault, there.

I have a couple things to do tomorrow- shouldn't affect the run at all, but we may end up starting later than usual. Not sure yet, and I hope not either way, but it's a possibility. If so, we'll probably extend into friday to make up for lost time.

Anyway gents, as always, I'll be around a bit to answer questions, and if there's any asked that I've missed I'll get them in the morning. Otherwise, till tomorrow, gents, cheers!

>>4301103
I'm honestly tempted to go business first, but... merlin is too adorbs to leave alone.

>[x] Auntie Merlin, we were talking, if this thing with the tech rep bothers you, maybe we can help?

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>>4301103
>[X] Have you looked at the proposed mission plan for tomorrow?

>>4301106
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4301103
>[x] Auntie Merlin, we were talking, if this thing with the tech rep bothers you, maybe we can help?

>you wouldn't call her a DOOM nerd, but you know she was active in the mod community for a while
What was she making, I wonder.

>>4301103
[] Auntie Merlin, we were talking, if this thing with the tech rep bothers you, maybe we can help?

>>4301103
>[] Have you looked at the proposed mission plan for tomorrow?

>>4301103
>Kyou blinks,
She's plotting something, I can sense it.

Also having Merlin as some kind of live-in teenager NEET is more amusing mental image than I was prepared for.

>>4301109

Maps, mostly. She tried her hand at a total conversion, but didn't really like how it played and went back to maps.

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>>4300411
>nineteen years
Gosh, I sure wish we had art of older Wendy and Merlin in the time period of this quest.
Have you considered doing so Ghost? I for one would be willing to co-pay if you do and I'm sure I'm not the only one

>>4301103
>[] Auntie Merlin, we were talking, if this thing with the tech rep bothers you, maybe we can help?
I want to find out more about how we can be helpful to her.

Also, I forgot that Merlin was married
How's the husband like?

>>4301103
>[] Auntie Merlin, we were talking, if this thing with the tech rep bothers you, maybe we can help?

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>>4301239
Not Ken.

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>>4301264
Wasn't Ken "disappeared"? Pic related

I do feel a little sorry for her husband now because she's thirsting for Morgan so badly

>>4301103
>[X] Auntie Merlin, we were talking, if this thing with the tech rep bothers you, maybe we can help?

>>4301239

Remarkably similar to Merlin, actually. The guy is a brilliant aerospace engineer, but socially awkward at best. Their marriage was a case of them working together a lot- and coworkers often saying they were 'cute' together. It eventually turned into a kind-of-sort-of relationship, and from there they got married- because that's what people do when they've been together this long, right? Same for their daughters- married people have kids, right?

The tragedy is Merlin and her husband are Merlin's parents all over again, minus her dad's propensity for terrible Hawaiian shirts and khaki shorts at the office.

Ok gents, votes called! Bit of a storm rolling through, so if there's any big delays that's why, haha!

>>4301616
Oof

Yeah that's not a healthy relationship for sure.

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[x] Auntie Merlin, we were talking, if this thing with the tech rep bothers you, maybe we can help?

"Auntie Merlin," You say, shifting the topic back on track- you hope- "We were talking, if this thing with the tech rep bothers you, maybe we can help?"

She smiles. "That would be nice, but how? They have to have at least one witch they can use for startup, and all their arguments for her are sound." She shakes her head.

"Perhaps, but that in no way allows them to engage in political games." Kyou responds. "It's common enough, especially for the largest corporations, to try to get one of their people next to family members, but I don't find any attempt to do so through you to be acceptable."

"Of course, they'll just argue they're not." You point out. "If this rep is legit."

"Which may work with my more politically minded siblings." Kyou says, smiling. "However, it is not for nothing I am known as the wolf princess."

Merlin shakes her head. "I don't think you'll need to do that." She says. "It'll be alright."

"Not if it's bothering you." Kyou says. "I- we- cannot afford to allow you to be sidetracked by petty politics that shouldn't involve you."

"Perhaps this will all be unnecessary." Wendy says. "I mean, maybe she'll be easy for us to get along with? What if we end up liking her?"

Kyou shrugs. "Morgan, what do you think?"

[] Let's just wait to see what happens, Wendy has a point.
[] We'll do what Merlin says.
[] I don't think it's worth the risk to our combat team.

>>4301859
>[] I don't think it's worth the risk to our combat team.

>>4301859
>[X] Let's just wait to see what happens, Wendy has a point.

>>4301859
>[X] Let's just wait to see what happens, Wendy has a point.

>>4301859
>[] Let's just wait to see what happens, Wendy has a point.

Sensible Doggo is sensible

>>4301859
>[x] Let's just wait to see what happens, Wendy has a point.

If it doesn't prove to be an issue then there's no need to do anything, but if there's genuinely a problem we'll come down on it like the fist of an angry god.

Ok, votes called!

>>4301859
>[x] I don't think it's worth the risk to our combat team.

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[x] Let's just wait to see what happens, Wendy has a point.

You nod. "Wendy has a point." You say. "Let's just wait to see what happens."

Kyou frowns, but nods. "Very well." She says. "As long as Merlin is comfortable with that."

The older witch nods after slight hesitation. "Maybe we'll get along." She says, kind of hopefully.

"And if you don't remember that you're among family." Kyou says. "She is not."

That gets a smile out of Merlin. "I guess that is pretty reassuring." She says, blinking suddenly. "I just really don't like politics."

Kyou smiles. "Fortunately for you, you won't have to deal with them, at least not from anyone or anything in the empire." She states. "As long as you are near me, you're untouchable."

That gets another smile out of Merlin.
"Regardless, I feel as if we're being rather hasty in preparing to hate this representative." Wendy points out. "Having contacts with heavy industry in our host country could be beneficial."

"Maybe." Merlin admits, though it sounds like she doesn't want to. "Mitsubishi's aerospace division is almost as good as vought."

"And, I'm sure if I were to make it known I would consider their support of you a personal favor..." Kyou says with a grin.

"I'm not even sure that's necessary." Merlin says, sighing. "I don't like to talk about it, but they were very quick to retract their statement and issue a private apology to me." She says. "If I wanted to work with them they'd probably bend over backwards to accommodate it."

"And they're listed as potential partners." You say. "So it's not like technology sharing is off the table."

"That has to be cleared by congress, though." Merlin says. "And I'd still feel better using my team and my shop back in Texas."

"True, but this at t he very least could reduce down time." Kyou points out. "And while I know it's not a good topic, our coven has traditionally had much closer ties with industry than in America, not to mention the old smithing traditions that have been passed down."

"I still think she could be a nice girl." Wendy says. "Perhaps she'll fit right in with us."

"Perhaps." Kyou says. "If so, it would be a welcome change from most political maneuvering."

There's a couple moments of silence before Kyou speaks again. "Is this to be the last of our sorties before the landings?" She asks Merlin, who shakes her head.

"No, I expect at least one, maybe up to three more." She says. "Probably not as close together as they were during the opening moves, but like that. I can pull up one of the AIs, if you want."

"Morgan?" Kyou asks.

[] I wouldn't mind knowing the game plan.
[] Not right now, I think. Hard to focus on shop talk.

>>4301963
>[X] I wouldn't mind knowing the game plan.

>>4301963
>[] I wouldn't mind knowing the game plan.

Business Cat plays with the figures. Also the laser pointer.

>>4301963
>[x] I wouldn't mind knowing the game plan.

Now for business

>>4301963
>[x] I wouldn't mind knowing the game plan.

>>4301963
>[] I wouldn't mind knowing the game plan.

ok, votes called!

>>4301963
>Wasn't above using 'personal favors to the throne' as a way of getting gundam models, back in the day..
Hah, maybe a Gaia or a Lagowe would do nicely for her as a gift.

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[x] I wouldn't mind knowing the game plan.

You nod. "I wouldn't mind knowing the game plan." You say.

Merlin nods, and opens her mouth to summon an AI when Kyou interrupts her. "Though, I must ask that you use one of our AIs, and not the intelligence one." She says. "I would not put it past that thing to file away pictures of the three of us dressed like this for later use."

Wendy blinks as Merlin giggles. "Well, I'd planned to ask him, but I'm sure Muninn will do fine." She says. "Muninn?"

Muninn's AI tank flashes on- the AI having elected to present as a male again, this time you're pretty sure one of the Draculas from the castlevania series. "You called?" He says, affecting an aristocratic, vaguely European accent.

"Yes." Merlin says, smiling. "Pull up a display of the pre-landing targets, along with their alternates, please."

"Of course." He says, putting the display of Korea on the tabletop, but staying in his tank. "There's multiple targets in both phase one and two, plus landing day targets the marines want either destroyed or occupied while they go ashore."

There's at least a dozen target markers noted, you see- most corresponding to known air bases or rail depots. The farthest north is a marker near Pukchong- probably another antiship missile battery- and the furthest south are targets around Kosong. There's targets in Pyongyang too- especially around the airport, there, and again the rail depot on the east side of the city.

"That's a lot of targets" Kyou notes.

"It's actually very few, considering the numbers of wyverns in the area." Merlin corrects her. "We're not showing any of the specialist targets- Danielle and her team are in the area as well, and are dismantling most of the air defense network in the region."

"Are they to be quite busy?" Wendy asks. Merlin nods.

"The Chinese have been moving an extensive, if patchwork, air defense network into the region." She says, with Muninn shifting the display- there's a lot of SAM sites and known AAA emplacements in the Wonsan area, a worrying number of them, so close to where you'll be. "They've focused some defensive efforts around Wonsan, because they know we're interested, but they're mostly focused on trying to maintain the cordon around the southern cities."

1/2

Kyou frowns. "It almost appears as if they're holding back." She says. "There's almost none of their longest ranged and most capable systems, and very few, if any, of these are a threat to a wyvern team."

"There's only one base with fandances that we're pretty sure of." Merlin says. "And that's here, at Kang Da Ri. Old EDF post, I think."

"Proposed." You correct, and she looks over at you. You shrug. "Wendy and I were discussing it, earlier."

"Oh, I see." She says, nodding. "Well, we're pretty sure there's at least one fandance squadron there, but we're not sure if it's a composite squadron with witches, or a pure steelwing squadron."

"Which is more dangerous?" Kyou asks.

"For the landing? A pure steelwing unit." Merlin answers. "Witches are dangerous and all, but twelve to sixteen fandances can do a lot of damage to surface targets. "Part of your mission tomorrow is to confirm their presence."

"If we do, will we then be tasked with eliminating them?" Kyou asks.

Merlin nods. "Possibly." She says. "The air force has also pushed a flight of four Whiskey Lancers forward to joint base Misawa, to join the squadrons of king Raptors already there. If it's a standard squadron, they may be tasked with the job."

"Four of them?" You ask- Merlin nods.

" They're also moving a full squadron of B-1Rs into the base as well." She says. "To assist the marine squadrons in the battlegroup with air superiority."

"That's a lot of firepower." Kyou remarks. "Enough that even I would be nervous about facing it all at once."

"The real issue," Merlin says, "Is the rumors of the Chinese operating a unit of the soviet antiaircraft mobile EML systems. If that's true, that's going to be a major issue for anyone in the airspace they interdict."

[] I thought those weren't online yet?
[] If we run into them, are they considered priority targets?

>>4302101
>[X] If we run into them, are they considered priority targets?

>>4302101
>[x] If we run into them, are they considered priority targets?

>>4302101
>[X] If we run into them, are they considered priority targets?

>>4302101
>[] I thought those weren't online yet?

Tricksy Hobbitses

>>4302101
>[x] I thought those weren't online yet?

>>4302101
>[] I thought those weren't online yet?

>>4302101
>[] If we run into them, are they considered priority targets?

>>4302101
>[] If we run into them, are they considered priority targets?

ok, votes called! This'll probably be our last update for the night, then I'll get the questions I've missed through the thread before I rack out!

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[x] If we run into them, are they considered priority targets?

"If we run into them, are they considered priority targets?" You ask.

Merlin shakes her head. "If you do, you're to avoid them if at all possible." She says. "We'll task them to a dedicated SEAD or low obesrvability team if they are present in the region. Assuming projections about them are true, they're too dangerous to engage otherwise."

Kyou frowns. "Surely they're not that dangerous." She states. "I could easily defeat them, I'm sure."

Merlin nods. "Probably, but my boss isn't willing to risk a two billion dollar aircraft and the crew in it on that." She says. "If they're present, and we're not sure they are, then a team that specializes in killing air defenses will tackle them."

Kyou's frown deepens, but she just shakes her head at whatever she was going to say- the argument isn't one she can win, and she knows it. Instead she scoots marginally closer to you on the couch- which, if nothing else, indicates her discomfort at being told no. She'll argue the point with you in private, you know- but will eventually back down when she realizes you'll do what you're supposed to and leave them to the specialists.

"Such a unit would have to be fairly small, wouldn't it?" Wendy asks. "I was under the impression those weapons were only just beginning to leave the testing phase, if soviet propaganda is to be believed."

"No more than six systems." Merlin says, nodding. "Along with their associated support vehicles and antisaturation defenses. They may be present here, but we're thinking they're more likely headed south to help defend the cordon. Once that's broken we're not sure what they'll do.

"Probably begin seeking a cease fire." Kyou says, dismissively. "They never did have the stomach for a fight."

"It's hard to say." Muninn remarks, the first he's really spoken up. "Though for what it's worth, most of the analysts in the west agree that once the imperial military really spins up, the Chinese will start looking for a cease fire. Possibly with an eye to splitting the peninsula up and keeping their puppet in power in the north."

"Which will never be accepted." Kyou states. "We didn't let the Koreans leave the empire merely so they could be divided by greedy neighbors with an eye towards domination." She says. "Grandfather would never allow it."

Muninn shrugs. "I'm only repeating what I've heard." He says.

"The marines may force the issue as well." Wendy notes. "I recall their presence in Iceland was a large part of the reason Stalin enacted his plans to sever the USSR from all land connections with Europe."

1/2

"Possibly." Merlin says. "But this is the plan for now. Once you're back tomorrow and we've had a chance to go over the data, we'll adjust. Which reminds me, the air force has offered the services of a B-1W or B-1R to you, they'll have it loiter in support range."

"What's the difference?" Kyou asks.

"A B-1R can carry upwards of sixty AMRAAM-Cs or similar weapons systems." Merlin says. "All of which are slaved entirely to your fire control system once they're networked to you. They could also carry JASSMs, though if you wanted that kind of support the air force may prefer to use an existing B-1B out of Guam or Alaska."

"And a B-1W we've met." You say.

Merlin nods. "Yes. A B-1W only carries one weapon- a four centimeter EML that's about eight times more powerful than the one we can mount to a wyvern. They were originally designed and built as dreadnought killers, but that's not a problem anymore so they're used for air superority now. Their weapon range is almost a hundred fifty miles with almost pinpoint accuracy."

"Witch killers." Kyou notes- getting a hesitant nod from Merlin.

"Largely." She says. "Most witches simply can't produce a shield that can defeat a shot from one of those weapons."

"Unnecessary, for us, I think." Kyou says, sniffing. "If we were to accept such support, I'd prefer to have a much larger battery of missiles to call upon, should we need it."

"You don't have to take the offer, either." Merlin points out. "Leaving them available means another Wyvern crew can use the help, if they feel like they'll need it."

"What do you think, Morgan?" Kyou asks. "I imagine we won't need any help, our magazines are more than sufficient to deal with any threat we're likely to run into."

[] Tell the air force thanks for the offer, but we won't need the help.
[] We'd like to have a whiskey lancer standing by.
[] I won't lie, having an R lancer loitering nearby would be reassuring.

>>4302197
>[] Tell the air force thanks for the offer, but we won't need the help.

"That's a target point that would need defending, I don't think it'll be necessary."

>>4302197
>[X] Tell the air force thanks for the offer, but we won't need the help.

And that's going to be it for the evening! We'll be extending a day to make up for the slow update pace- was getting sidetracked tonight, so it's entirely my bad. I know you gents prefer more consistent update times, and I'm slippin on that front again. Anyway, I said I'd hit any questions I missed, and I didn't see replies to these two, so here's some answers!

>>4300827
She tends to vacillate between wanting them and being convinced she's not mother material. As she's gotten older she's kind of put them off as a case of "It would be wonderful, but it's something I'll never have"

>>4301237
I've considered it, but with my income right now being effectively 0, I can't afford it. Once I get a gig here in town, I'll approach a couple artists I know and really like about it though!

I'll be on a little bit longer, maybe an hour or so, so if there's any other questions or comments I'll answer them then- and if I don't, I'll see them in the morning and answer them then, haha!

But that's about it, I need to grab a shower, so till tomorrow gents, cheers!

>>4302197
>[x] Tell the air force thanks for the offer, but we won't need the help.

At the risk of being hubristic, that kind of firepower is probably better served helping crews who aren't quite as, well, absolutely bullshit as we are.

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>>4302197
>[X] Tell the air force thanks for the offer, but we won't need the help.

>>4302203
Thanks for the run boss.
So did the tensions between India and Pakistan cause a war when China began their invasion? Asking cause it's in the weird place of (if the Martian war didn't have any changes) China backing Pakistan and India being backed by the Soviets, unless both sides are hands off in that matter.

>>4302203
What's Kyou's favorite Gundam series?

>>4302197
>[] I won't lie, having an R lancer loitering nearby would be reassuring.

>>4302215
Classic, but basically anything with Char in it is ok in her book.

>>4302203
>"It would be wonderful, but it's something I'll never have"

That is a problem that can easily be solved after the war.

Wendy's probably going to be nursemaiding all of Kyou's kids *anyway*, so why not give them a few extra siblings via Wendy too?

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>>4302218
I guess she doesn't like Zeta much? Char isn't there.
Does any Char work or as long as it's a masked guy? Does giving her a wolf mask make her happy?

>>4302210
Not yet- but it well may. Keep in mind that neither is a nuclear power- and India's military has, by far, the manpower and equipment advantage over Pakistan's.

>>4302230
She likes most of them ok- though G-savior is right out- but her favorites are the ones where Char or a similar mysterious masked man is present- so, like, Wing.

>>4302197
>[x] Tell the air force thanks for the offer, but we won't need the help.
I trust in the power of Awoo

>>4302197
>[x] I won't lie, having an R lancer loitering nearby would be reassuring.
If only to have the R lancer pilot feel useful

>>4302197
>[] I won't lie, having an R lancer loitering nearby would be reassuring.
60+ extra missiles would be nice, even if we end up not needing them.

>>4302197
[X] Tell the air force thanks for the offer, but we won't need the help.

>>4302197
>[] Tell the air force thanks for the offer, but we won't need the help.

Ok gents, votes called!

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[x] Tell the air force thanks for the offer, but we won't need the help.

You shake your head. "Tell the air force thanks for the offer, but we won't need the help." You respond. "Kyou's right, we have plenty of ammo."

Merlin and Kyou both nod. "I'll let them know." Merlin says, then smiles. "You know, if I'd have known how much paperwork was involved in this job, I may have asked to come back as an active duty backseater." She says.

"I think it would be rather crowded in a wyvern cockpit, no?" Kyou asks, and Merlin laughs.

"Well, a D, yes." She says. "But we've got a proposal for a four place drake. It was supposed to be a dedicated EWAR/SEAD aircraft, but never got past the prototype phase. We've still got the hull at the vought plant, but it hasn't flown in about six years."

"And by now it's probably obsolescent." Kyou says, and Merlin nods.

"Almost entirely." She says. "It was designed with a very specific crew compliment in mind, too, with at least one witch needing to be a signals talent to work. Given the requirements of the MIU, that wasn't likely to work out."

"So why keep it?" Kyou asks. "It seems as if that's a poor use of equipment."

Merlin shrugs. "I have a lot of one-off prototypes and that sort of thing in my part of the plant." She says. "I come back to projects, sometimes, or reevaluate them as a result of changing needs."

"But a four place wyvern?" Kyou asks, and Merlin nods.

"It may be useful for orbital work, for example." She says. "Or as a navy version of what the air force does with the Whiskey Lancers." She shrugs. "It's not like we keep everything, either. That prototype has had most of it's high value equipment removed, and it never had an AI core."

"I see." Kyou says with a shrug. "Perhaps it's only an indicator of how much there is in the US, that the navy can afford to leave a wyvern hull unusued."

"Multiple hulls." Merlin corrects. "There's almost a dozen decommissioned drakes in museums. Early model ones, pre-MIU and AI integration, but they're there."

"If I may, what happens to a wyvern after the crew leaves active service?" Wendy asks. "I'm sure you've told me before, but I'm afraid I can't recall."

"Well, typically after their last flight, we'll begin spinning down their drake." Merlin says. "We'll return it to the plant, where we'll do a structural overhaul and remove critical and sensitive components. We haven't had an AI-equipped drake decommissioned yet, but we've got plans in place for that."

1/2

"I haven't heard of anything like that," Muninn says, and Merlin smiles.

"That's because AIs are notoriously chatty." she responds. "We'd planned to release the AI processing unit as something that could be put in a home, but with the remote tanks it's more likely we'll house them at a central location and allow for remote presence, like you have here." She says, then shrugs. "We'll see what happens, but the navy is adamant that AIs won't be separated from their crews at their end of service."

"That's good." Kyou says. "Though it may be more relaxing to not have to deal with them for some time."

Merlin laughs. "You'd be surprised how often I've heard that." She says, then shrugs. "Either way, it's all just planning right now, we won't see retirement of the first AI equipped wyvern for another couple years yet."

"Once the components are removed, what happens?" Wendy asks.

"It's left up to the crew." Merlin responds. "Wyverns are very popular museum pieces, as may be imagined, so that's where most of them end up. There's three in parks in towns across the US, since those crews elected to donate the hull to their hometown or the town they retired to."

Kyou nods. "Of course Muninn and Tessa will go on display in the public courtyard of the palace or the Imperial war museum, as is only proper."

[] I don't know, I'd kind of thought they'd look good in a park back home.
[] Is that normal, to preserve imperial aircraft?

>>4302855
>[X] Is that normal, to preserve imperial aircraft?

>>4302855
>[x] Is that normal, to preserve imperial aircraft?

>>4302855
>[] Is that normal, to preserve imperial aircraft?

>>4302855
>[x] Is that normal, to preserve imperial aircraft?

>>4302855
>[] Is that normal, to preserve imperial aircraft?

Also, lmao what. How fucking big is that 4 body Drake, that thing must be ginormous

Ok, votes called!

So they were planning to have Frank and Wives to be in a single Drake just in case Merlin wasn't around?

>>4302881
Given the things that the MIU is doing to everyone's brains, a 4-seater Wyvern would be a straight-up nonstop orgymobile.

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[x] Is that normal, to preserve imperial aircraft?

"Is that normal, to preserve imperial aircraft?" You ask.

Kyou nods. "Typically the wargear of the imperial family is kept if it's particularly noteworthy." She says. "Grandfather's fighter is in the imperial war museum, for example. However, I assume it will be better to keep our fighters in a place where the sun can still shine upon them, even if their AIs will be inhabiting the eastern palace, along with us."

"Assuming the Smithsonian doesn't activate their deal with the navy for them." Merlin says, shrugging.

"What deal?" Kyou asks.

"Well, after the war, they wanted Frank and my fighter." Merlin responds. "Vought offered them a factory replica, but they wanted the real deal. Since Vought kept it on for our in-house test platform, they've got a pre-production prototype of a drake there, but they've got a deal with the navy and the company that they can get any wyvern they want for their display once it retires."

"I see." Kyou says. "And you think they may activate that for Muninn?"

"It's possible," Merlin says with a nod. "Technically Muninn and Tessa are the first teamed unit in the navy, so there's historical value there if the program really takes off the way we think it will. But I think they're still going to want my fighter when the company finally releases it."

"Do you believe that will be soon?" Wendy asks.

Merlin nods. "I submitted my withdrawal from flight status three days ago." She says.

You blink.

[] Just for the company though, right?
[] You did? does that mean dad's hanging up his wings too?

>>4302948
>[x] You did? does that mean dad's hanging up his wings too?

>>4302948
>[x] You did? does that mean dad's hanging up his wings too?

>>4302948
>[X] You did? does that mean dad's hanging up his wings too?

>>4302948
>[] You did? does that mean dad's hanging up his wings too?

THE END OF AN ERA

>>4302948
>[x] Just for the company though, right?

Ok, votes called!

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[x] You did? does that mean dad's hanging up his wings too?

"You did?" You ask, surprised. "Does that mean dad's hanging up his wings, too?"

She nods, then frowns. "Well, kind of. I'm withdrawing from test flight status at vought, and I'm dropping myself to provisional here with the navy. I'll keep my qualifications, but I'll only fly if it's necessary for one reason or another."

"If, for example, we have to do a trials flight with a new system installed." Kyou offers, and Merlin hesitates.

"Maybe." She says. "Though I'd still rather leave that sort of thing to the crew. I don't want to make you feel like you can't handle something."

Kyou laughs. "I would consider it an honor if you did fly with my pilot." She says. "And I am well aware of the nature of the aircraft we fly. I would be surprised if it wasn't occasionally necessary."

Merlin pauses for a second, and then nods. "Well, if it is, I'll say something." She says. "But right now I don't see it being an issue. Nothing really difficult to integrate is even close to field testing."

Kyou nods. "I was only making sure you knew." She says. "I don't consider it a problem at all."

Merlin nods, and you think she wants to say something else- but she decides against it.

"So what about Sir Frank?" Wendy asks, and Merlin shrugs.

"I don't know." She admits. "When I talked to him about it, he seemed to think it was just for the duration of the war. Maybe it is, I'm not sure."

"But he's not flying without you, right?" You ask, and she shakes her head.

"Not the fast jets, at least." She says. "He doesn't like single-seat fighters, remember he worked with the XFA-27 program when it was running. I think he'll probably keep flying private planes, but no more modern fighters."

"That almost seems sad." Wendy says. "How much of old spellcaster is still flying?"

"Just you, I think." Merlin responds. "Maybe Goose?"

You nod. "Aunt B is special warfare. She studied under maman for a couple of years." you say. "She's still flying."

Kyou sniffs again. "Well, I certainly understand not letting your pilot fly without you too much." She says. "And I'll be happy to loan the services of mine anytime you should need to use them."

[] I'm assuming I don't get a vote in this.
[] It might be interesting, but let's save it for when we're not at the front, at least.

>>4303032
>[X] I'm assuming I don't get a vote in this.

>>4303032
>[] I'm assuming I don't get a vote in this.

>>4303032
>[] I'm assuming I don't get a vote in this.

SASS ME HARDER, CAT-DADDY