You stepped into the school building to be greeted by the desk- of course there's a duty desk, you thought as you approached it. What you weren't as ready for was the security here- both of the doors to either side of the entryway are closed and protected by a card lock, and the men on duty here are armed as well. Still they're happy enough to chat some, once they've confirmed your ID and given you the rules- don't leave your escort witch other than to use the head, don't disturb any of the classes, and don't go into any off-limits areas. All basic stuff, really.

"We're slightly early, they won't be out of breakfast for another ten to fifteen minutes." Kyou says, as you walk down the halls. They're mostly empty so far, save for you. "I'd wanted a chance to speak with one of my former instructors, but most likely, she'll be just getting back from her morning run and it would be rude to call on her now. We could go down to the mess and wait, but it may be better to simply wait in the lobby for her to finish eating. Have you given any thought to what you'll do?"

"Do?" You ask, and Kyou nods.

"Did you simply wish to sit and visit?" She asks. "While I cannot question it, I had thought that perhaps your sister would enjoy another opportunity to inspect our aircraft."

[] I hadn't given it any thought, but that's not a terrible plan.
[] I'm not so sure she should, with the yellowstone install going on.

>>4510810
>[X] I hadn't given it any thought, but that's not a terrible plan.

>>4510810
>[x] I'm not so sure she should, with the yellowstone install going on.

>>4510810
>[X] I'm not so sure she should, with the yellowstone install going on.

>>4510810
>[x] I'm not so sure she should, with the yellowstone install going on.

IIRC it's kinda classified?

ok, votes called!

>>4510810
>[] I'm not so sure she should, with the yellowstone install going on.

something something stacks of paperwork to see it

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[x] I'm not so sure she should, with the yellowstone install going on.

You shake your head. "I'm not so sure she should, with the yellowstone install going on."

"They do have provisional clearance into the program." Kyou reminds you. "Though you're probably correct in that our specific aircraft will be largely off limits, owing to our testbed status."

"Which leaves the only other option being remain here." Wendy points out. "Though I'm sure miss Tatyana won't mind, being seen here with her brother is sure to improve her social standing."

You frown- while she was never exactly a shut in- none of your sisters were- Tatyana tends to be more scheming than you're strictly comfortable with, though you can't really see her risking her own slot in the program for the sake of social points, either. In a way, she kind of almost reminds you of Maman- everything done for a reason- but more malicious about it, too.

You shrug. "She's confined to post?" You ask. You weren't when you were in the pipeline- though you weren't allowed to go anywhere outside of 20 miles from any of the bases you found yourself at during training, you weren't confined to them either, at least not on weekends.

Kyou nods. "So far as we're aware, yes." She says. "Though it may be possible for you to get a pass, especially with one of us here as well."

"There is always the midway." Wendy points out. "And, while I've never been, I know the museum offers free admission for active service members, and is supposed to be quite good."

"One of the few with a drake." You respond- it's one of the early models, a war veteran airframe that's been there at least a couple of years. They were one of the first museums outside the Smithsonian to get one, though as you recall theirs is fairly unique, too.

Kyou nods. "That would be an excellent idea, I feel." She responds. "The only other thing I can think of in the area is the Japanese friendship garden, but that's further away, and I'm not sure about our ability to get a pass for it."

"That's over near navhos Balboa, right?" You ask, and she nods. "There's an aviation museum over that way, too."

"It's far less impressive than the Midway." Kyou warns, then smiles. "Though, perhaps, I am biased, as there is no wyvern there."

[] I think I'd like to see the friendship garden, though. Let's grab my sister and see if we can get a pass.
[] Let's just go for the midway, then. I don't want to make this an all day thing anyway.

I am really sorry about that gents, I spent like fifteen minutes fighting with captcha. IDK what's up with this thing, but it really doesn't like me, haha!

>>4510932
>[X] Let's just go for the midway, then. I don't want to make this an all day thing anyway.

>>4510932
>[x] Let's just go for the midway, then. I don't want to make this an all day thing anyway.

>>4510932
>[] Let's just go for the midway, then. I don't want to make this an all day thing anyway.

Japanese friendship garden sounds more like something we should visit with just kyou and wendy instead of imouto

>>4510932
>[x] Let's just go for the midway, then. I don't want to make this an all day thing anyway.

>>4510932
>[] Let's just go for the midway, then. I don't want to make this an all day thing anyway.

>>4510932
>[] Let's just go for the midway, then. I don't want to make this an all day thing anyway.

Spoilt-wolf

Ok, votes called!

Ok, votes called!

Hey, only 2 tries on captcha this time! Improvement!

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[x] Let's just go for the midway, then. I don't want to make this an all day thing anyway.

You shake your head. "Let's just go for the Midway, then." You say. "I don't want to make this an all day thing anyway."

Kyou nods. "That is probably wise." She says, smiling. "I don't believe I'll be able to join you till this afternoon anyway, and we should be returning to Miramar around then." She pauses. "Knowing who all is involved, I wouldn't discount the possibility of our new wingmate already being on the way. Though I must assume they'd have at least warned Merlin had they intended to do so."

You shrug- that's outside anything you'd really know, your only information on imperial high command coming either from Kyou or Maman's limited contact with them.

The three of you wait in one of the lobbies downstairs for the class to finish their morning breakfast and briefing. It gives you a chance to look around at the building, which was designed sort of as an all in one facility for the school- there's a few simulators, a forward fuselage mockup of a wyvern with an aft cockpit setup, and you know there's a couple of the SIO versions of the redhawk trainer at Miramar, as well, for their in flight portions. Those, oddly enough, are one of the few other airframes you're checked out in- the type has three variants, one for Wyvern pilots, another for Wyvern witches, and the last a USAF advanced trainer without most of the advanced systems simulation, or the reduced MIU link.

The class emerges from the mess already breaking up, most of the witches dressed in civilian clothes, like you. Most of them seem familiar with Kyou and Wendy as well, a few walking over to talk, while Tatyana beelines for you, greeting you with a hug and a smile.

"Morgan." She says, letting go. "How's things?"

You shrug. "Not bad." You respond, looking over at Wendy. Kyou's in a conversation, but looks over at Wendy as she moves to join you and Tatyana.

"I'll join you later this afternoon, if that's acceptable." Kyou says, indicating the students. "I'd hoped to discuss some things here with the students about the program and my personal feelings on some issues they'd wished to talk about. I'll meet you back here at thirteen, if that's acceptable."

[] That's fine, we'll see you then.
[] I'd hoped you'd come with, actually.

>>4511022
>[X] That's fine, we'll see you then.

>>4511022
>[] That's fine, we'll see you then.

>>4511022
>[x] That's fine, we'll see you then.

>>4511022
>[] That's fine, we'll see you then.

ok, votes called!

[x] That's fine, we'll see you then.

You nod. "That's fine," You say, "We'll see you then."

Kyou doesn't respond, instead turning back to her conversation with the student witches- most of whom, you note, appear to be trying to sneak glances at you without being too obvious about it to Kyou. Of course, that's a waste of effort- she's going to notice regardless of their efforts, you suspect.

Wondering how Kyou will use that, you, Tatyana and Wendy head back to the duty desk, where you sign out and are read the usual rules- no travel outside city limits, no alcohol, evening chow at 1900 is mandatory, so Tatyana will need to be back before then, that sort of thing. It's a reminder of the first phase controls in the program, where it kind of feels more like a prison sentence than anything else. The feeling fades quickly, of course, and you start to realize why all the rules and regs are there, but still. Early on, you remember second guessing yourself.

"Lady Kyou indicates she thinks you're quite talented." Wendy says to Tatyana as the three of you step out of the building. "How are you finding classes?"

Tatyana hesitates, then shrugs. "Boring." She admits. "We're spending a lot of time on personal things I don't really care about. I mean, we're learning the fighter too, but, like, we're spending a couple hours every day on managing a pilot and making sure he doesn't lead us into trouble and how we're gonna have to override his calls occasionally..."

You smirk. "I wonder what Kyou would think of that?" You ask.

"She hasn't?" Tatyana asks, and you shake your head.

"Not that I'm aware of." You respond. "And you'd think she'd make me aware of it."

"Well, anyway," Tatyana carries on. "We spend time on things like that a lot more than we should, and we've only just got to simulators this last week. And now that you're back, we're not even doing those that much, because we wanted to be able to get actual fleet witches in the class and talking to us about things they're actually encountering."

[] That should help, then. Kyou isn't going to spend much time on domestics.
[] You've gotta trust the program, T. They do all that for a reason.

>>4511093
>[] You've gotta trust the program, T. They do all that for a reason.

>>4511093
>[X] You've gotta trust the program, T. They do all that for a reason.

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This image was supposed to go with the last post, gents. Posting for me has been weird for like the last week or so, and IDK what it is. Recaptcha and images now? Ugh.

Anyway, that's it for the night- sorry about the slow pace here gents. Hopefully it'll be better tomorrow- struggling with posting is kinda a new wrinkle in everything!

I'll be around a little more tonight, but not too much longer, cos of class in the morning, but I'll answer any questions or comments for the next half hour or so! Otherwise gents, till tomorrow, cheers!

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>>4511098
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4511093
>[] You've gotta trust the program, T. They do all that for a reason.

>>4511093
>[X] You've gotta trust the program, T. They do all that for a reason.

You basically end up married to the pilot, after all.

>>4511098
See you next time, boss.

>>4511093
>[] You've gotta trust the program, T. They do all that for a reason.

>>4511093
>[] You've gotta trust the program, T. They do all that for a reason.

Maybe fill in sister dearest about what they tell the pilots?

Hey gents, just woke up from a much needed nap. I'm gonna call votes here, but I'm gonna go get some food and feed the dogs before I get to work on the next post!

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[x] You've gotta trust the program, T. They do all that for a reason.

You shake your head at her. "You've gotta trust the program, T." You say as the three of you walk towards the ferry- you could drive over, but honestly, the ferry will probably be faster, and, like many such government services, it's free for active duty military. "They do all that for a reason."

"I know." Tatyana says with a sigh. "It's just so boring. Like, we should be learning everything we need to know about the fighter and everything, like..." She pauses, then shakes her head. "Like managing the data flow from the sensor package through the AI and on into the crew links."

You smile. "The AI handles that in most ships."

She sighs. "Yeah, but we have to set it up, right? And what about all the in flight duties? I mean, like, it's not just data management, we do all the air to land communication and we handle all the inflight engineering and we have to be able to manage weapon tracks as well. And we're barely learning anything about that and it's all stuff about how we'll probably have to manage our pilot because you can't really predict people like machines and you may run into snags but you can't just get a divorce, so you have to be able to work through it. So we're learning conflict resolution strategies straight out of some touchy-feely BS instead of how to force integrate a missle's seeker with the ship's data input net."

You nod- there's a lot of the same in the pilot's side of the program, though you probably get far less technical instruction past how to 'fight the ship' as the instructor-pilots call it- what the wyvern can and can't do, what aerodynamic stresses it can and can't handle, that sort of thing. For your money, it's probably harder on the domestic end than the witch's program is- they, at least, aren't dealing with a bunch of twenty-something fighter jocks. "But knowing that's no good if you and your pilot don't get along." You point out.

She sighs again. "I mean, the MIU takes care of that, right?" She asks. "That's like, one of the biggest things about it, you can't share a link with someone and not like them. So what's it matter if I know how to resolve conflict or whatever if the MIU's gonna just take care of that anyway?"

You frown as you approach the ferry pier. There's two of them that run this route, both of them fairly small, passenger-only boats that make the one and three quarter mile trip every twenty minutes or so, with less than ten minutes on the water for the passengers. There's one currently there as you walk up, and the crew lets the three of you onboard with a nod- it's not particularly busy this time of day yet, still too early, and it's not very crowded aboard.

[] That's not really the way the link works.
[] Learn it anyway, T. You might need it.

>>4512243
>[X] That's not really the way the link works.

>>4512243
>[x] That's not really the way the link works.

Time to educate the little sister.

>>4512243
>[x] That's not really the way the link works.

>>4512243
>[] That's not really the way the link works.

Silly Seester

>>4512243
>[x] That's not really the way the link works.

Ok, votes called!

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[x] That's not really the way the link works.

You shake your head. "That's not really the way the link works." You say, and Wendy nods in agreement.

"I mean, no, but yes?" Tatyana insists. "Like, ok so maybe it doesn't instantly make it so you never fight and you're all gross and shit like dad and the moms, but I mean, you're never gonna really fight anymore, right? Like, there's never gonna be an argument that big, not really? So Why bother with all this crap when we already know it's gonna be like a forever honeymoon?"

You laugh. "Who told you that?" You ask.

"I mean, I've heard it around..." She says, kind of defensively.

"Right, but have you heard it from an active crew?" You ask.

"Well, have you had a big fight over anything?" She fires back.

You shake your head. "No, but that's not the point." You respond. "Just because we haven't doesn't mean that it's not possible."

"Everybody I've talked to says that, though." Tatyana insists. "Every single witch we've had talk to us has said that exact same thing. It's all so pointless."

You shake your head at your youngest sister's stubbornness. "What happens when your crew pulls a valkyrie slot?" you ask. "And you have to manage three people in a relationship?"

She shakes her head. "That's not gonna be a problem." She responds, smiling a little smugly. "I've already talked to a couple of my classmates and we're all gonna split up and stick together. I already know who I'm gonna be flying with."

You blink at that- rumor travels quick, you know, but that's still incredibly fast reaction time given the nature of the program and the rumors themselves. Something about that bothers you- you almost feel like there's something about the whole mess being hidden from you- but you file that away for later. You look over at your younger sister as the ferry bumps away from the dock.

[] Oh do you?
[] You really think the navy's gonna allow that?

>>4512309
>[X] You really think the navy's gonna allow that?

>>4512309
>[x] You really think the navy's gonna allow that?

Getting a little uppity there princess.

>>4512309
>[x] You really think the navy's gonna allow that?

>>4512309
>[] Oh do you?

>>4512309
>[X] You really think the navy's gonna allow that?

>>4512309
>[x] You really think the navy's gonna allow that?

ok, votes called!

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[x] You really think the navy's gonna allow that?

"You really think the navy's gonna allow that?" You ask, grinning at her. "You've got top gun instructors pushing for valk slots, what makes you think Wyvern witches are gonna get the nod?"

"Because we're already being trained for an MIU?" Tatyana responds, like you're asking a stupid question. "I mean Valkyrie has one of those, right? And we need all this interpersonal communications to work in an MIU link, so they're going to have to require it for all the other witches that go into valkyrie, and we're already being trained and know each other, so it makes sense."

You nod. "Yeah, but you're forgetting that not all of the current valk witches have Wyvern training." You respond. "Spears never went through the program."

Tatyana shrugs. "So?" She says. "She's a marine, they're different."

Wendy smiles. "I rather doubt they can be that much different." She says, stepping into the conversation. "It's still rather early in the program, but I can't imagine them allowing half a class to simply decide to not fly in wyverns, especially with the fleet expansion."

You nod. "More likely they'll pull wyvern trained witches in the fleet before they take your class." You say. "They'll have had striker experience."

"Yeah, but that makes them more valuable to actually go into wyverns." Tatyana counters. "I mean, we've thought of this all already. We're all gonna pair off and then that way all we have to do is find a pilot and we're set."

"And what do you intend to do if the navy expands teams to four, with three valkyrie units?" Wendy asks. "Surely you don't all plan to divide yourselves up for that possibility already?"

Tatyana frowns. "Well, no." She admits. "But that's not very likely, we think?"

You smile. "We think?" You ask. "With your vast experience in the fleet?"

"I've been around it just as much as you have." Your sister bristles- she doesn't like it when she thinks she's being mocked. "And besides, they can't afford to. That's over a hundred witches that they'll be giving up out of squadron service just to fly with drakes. There's not that many witches in the navy that they can do that, even if they allow marines in."

You shrug as the tug passes by the Midway. You can see from here that there's already a few people up on the deck, looking at the fairly impressive aircraft collection aboard- all navy, of course, ranging from the martian war out through the soviet war. It's not the biggest collection on the west coast- or even in California- but it's still impressive and in very good shape overall, the ship benefiting from an excellent location in a tourist friendly city, an active veteran's association, and limited federal funding out of the navy heritage office.

[] If you think so, but I wouldn't bank on it if I were you.
[] There's more than enough for them to expand and you know it.

>>4512405
>[X] There's more than enough for them to expand and you know it.

>>4512405
>[] There's more than enough for them to expand and you know it.

>>4512405
>[] There's more than enough for them to expand and you know it.

>>4512405
>[x] If you think so, but I wouldn't bank on it if I were you.

>>4512405
>[X] There's more than enough for them to expand and you know it.

>>4512405
>[x] There's more than enough for them to expand and you know it.

Imouto thinks she's cleverer than she is

ok, votes called! This'll probably be our last update for the evening!

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[x] There's more than enough for them to expand and you know it.

"There's more than enough for them to expand and you know it." You respond as the ferry slows as it approaches the terminal on this end of the bay. "Especially if they open it to any witch in the department of the navy."

"They'd never start taking ship's witches." Tatyana responds- which is probably true, honestly. A ship's witch is both a tradition older than the navy and one of the very few combat coded witch assignments that rarely- if ever- uses strikers anymore.

You shrug. "Even if they don't, there's a couple thousand witches available through the navy." You point out. "And there's what? about two hundred ship's witches? That's still a lot of potential valkyrie contenders."

"And Merlin has also indicated that the first of the fleet valkyrie witches would most likely be ones with experience flying with wyverns at first." Wendy adds. "I don't doubt that she'll prefer to bring crews on together as much as possible, but for now I imagine she'll prefer the experienced witches for the role."

"Hmph." Tatyana grunts. "Well, whatever. We're ready if the navy decides to actually listen to us for once."

You shrug. "They're gonna do whatever Merlin suggest, most likely." You say as the ferry bumps to a stop against the terminal pier. "But either way, I don't think they're going to let half a class go with the wyvern fleet expanding the way it is."

1/2

"That's the other thing, though." Tatyana says. "The instructors are saying there's another class forming already. It's going to be the first time they've ever had more than one class running concurrently."

"Will they have enough instructors?" Wendy asks, frowning. "I don't recall there being quite enough as it was."

Tatyana shakes her head. "Rumor says they'll extend our program a little longer and we won't get Saturdays off like we have been." She says. "But no one really knows for sure."

"You can bet they're not going to remove anything." You say. "Selection process can only work so fast, expansion or not."

"We've heard a lot about that, too." Tatyana says, frowning. "How the shrinks are ultimately the ones that decide if you fly."

You nod. "Board has to sit on you before they'll approve you for a team, and you're under close monitoring after first link for a while. But you never even make the potential list if they don't think you wouldn't at least be friends with your pilot."

Tatyana nods as you debark the ferry and step onto the pier. The Midway's just a short walk away, which is actually really nice- you wonder how often you'd get here if you'd been based at North Island or Coronado. Honestly, the city isn't too bad, really- it's very much a navy town, but there's more than enough here that it's not just a navy town, like some of the ones you remember on the east coast.

"Yeah, we've heard a lot about that." She says. "The boards are all they really talk about, like, we're not really graduates till the boards clear us."

Wendy nods. "And that scarcely ensures the board will forward you to a pilot during his selection period, and even then there's every possibility you won't be selected to fly with him."

"That's kind of my biggest worry." Tatyana admits. "I mean, I don't really have anything other than Wyvern school, and I don't know what I want to do besides that. I mean," She shrugs. "I hate it, but I'm going to guess my name will mean most of the pilots want to fly with me, but like Wendy said, that doesn't mean I'll end up in a drake any time soon."

[] I wouldn't worry about that. I don't think your class's plan is going to work, but I don't think any of you is going to sit long, either.
[] You haven't thought about it at all? What about Strikers?

>>4512550
>[x] You haven't thought about it at all? What about Strikers?

And that's it for the night!

Registered for spring semester classes- looks like Monday and Wed. Are both going to be fairly long days- from 08 to about 1700, which is going to be interesting as far as running goes. Not sure how we're gonna handle that just yet- we may just start a little late Wed. and run a short while on Friday to make up, not sure. Anyone with any ideas, I'm more than open to suggestion, haha!

Anyway, that's kinda all the news I have. I'll be around a little bit yet to answer any questions or comments, but otherwise gents, till tomorrow, cheers!

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>>4512550
>[X] I wouldn't worry about that. I don't think your class's plan is going to work, but I don't think any of you is going to sit long, either.

>>4512557
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4512550
>[x] I wouldn't worry about that. I don't think your class's plan is going to work, but I don't think any of you is going to sit long, either.

Thanks for the run tonight!

>>4512550
>[x] You haven't thought about it at all? What about Strikers?

>>4512557
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>4512550
>[] I wouldn't worry about that. I don't think your class's plan is going to work, but I don't think any of you is going to sit long, either.

[Smug Catte Noises]

>>4512550
>[] I wouldn't worry about that. I don't think your class's plan is going to work, but I don't think any of you is going to sit long, either.

>>4512550
>[] I wouldn't worry about that. I don't think your class's plan is going to work, but I don't think any of you is going to sit long, either.

>>4512550
>[X] I wouldn't worry about that. I don't think your class's plan is going to work, but I don't think any of you is going to sit long, either.

ok gents, votes called!

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[x] I wouldn't worry about that. I don't think your class's plan is going to work, but I don't think any of you is going to sit long, either.

You shake your head. "I wouldn't worry about that." You say, getting a look from Tatyana that makes you shrug. "I don't think your class's plan is going to work, but I don't think any of you is going to sit long, either."

"Korea?" She asks.

"Among other things." You respond. "The navy and the corps are both increasing the size of their drake fleets, and even if your idea isn't going to work the way you think it will, some of your class might get picked up for valks."

She shrugs. "Maybe." She admits as you approach the ship. The parking lot here is smaller than you'd have expected, but it's about three quarters full. The three of you present your ID at the ticket window and get waived past- though you can see the flash of recognition of the girl behind the counter's face when she sees the name "Bishop" on you and Tatyana's cards, and you're reasonably sure she recognized Wendy as well. Wendy takes one of the tour brochures, though she's the only one of the three of you to do so.

"They've a rather extensive collection." She notes. "And a whole section for their wyvern display. I imagine it's quite popular."

"They're pretty rare." You remind her. "Isn't this one of the blues?"

"Blues?" Wendy asks.

You nod, but Tatyana answers. "The ones the navy was going to replace the tomcats with after the war." She responds.

"Oh, yes." Wendy says, nodding. "Blue three, according to this. It should be interesting to see how it differs from Muninn and the other wyverns we've seen."

"Well, that one's up on the flight deck." Tatyana says. "Should we start up there and work our way down? Or should we start down in the ship and work our way up? It doesn't really matter to me."

"Oh, I'm quite happy however." Wendy responds- leaving the decision to you.

[] Let's start up on deck and work our way down- we all know we're more interested in the birds than the boilers anyway.
[] Let's save the best part for last- we can tour the belowdecks spaces and work our way up.

>>4513441
>[X] Let's save the best part for last- we can tour the belowdecks spaces and work our way up.

>>4513441
>[] Let's save the best part for last- we can tour the belowdecks spaces and work our way up.

>>4513441
>[] Let's save the best part for last- we can tour the belowdecks spaces and work our way up.

Methodical Cat is Methodical

>>4513441
>[] Let's save the best part for last- we can tour the belowdecks spaces and work our way up.

>>4513441
>[X] Let's save the best part for last- we can tour the belowdecks spaces and work our way up.

>>4513441
>[x] Let's start up on deck and work our way down- we all know we're more interested in the birds than the boilers anyway.

Ok, votes called!

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[x] Let's save the best part for last- we can tour the belowdecks spaces and work our way up.

"Let's save the best part for last." You say, indicating the ladderwell headed down into the ship. "We can tour the belowdecks spaces and work our way up."

Tatyana shrugs again, but Wendy nods, and the three of you head down the ladderwell into the ship, following the lines painted on the deck for the self-guided tour. You pass by more than a few other small groups- and one or two, you can tell, recognize you or Wendy, at least, as you pass. A couple of ship's veterans are also aboard, occupying their old spaces as tour guides of sorts- talking about their space aboard the ship and their jobs while at sea. What strikes you is how small everything seems, compared to the carriers you've operated off of. Of course, that's to be expected- the Midway was built at the very end of the martian war, commissioning 8 days before the final surrender of the last hives in Asia.

The most interesting display, by far, you think, is one set up in one of the old squadron ready rooms. Donated by the IJN when the ship was installed as a museum, it marks the history of the cooperation of the USN and IJN- starting, of course, with the mutual aid rendered in the attack on pearl harbor and the death ride of the Arizona. You note a little dryly that it totally ignores why the strike force was near pearl to begin with- a question that's largely been answered by now of course, if never officially recognized by the Japanese.

"I wonder if that's Kyou's grandfather." Wendy says, indicating a picture of an IJN pilot in front of one of their license-built F9F Cougars on the deck of the ship, the IJN meatball visible just barely on the aft fuselage of the aircraft. "He did indicate he was a pilot."

You nod, though it's hard to tell, and there's no caption on the picture- which is a little odd, you think. "Doesn't say." You respond, leaning in. "And the picture isn't good enough to tell. Maybe?"

Tatyana looks over the pictures. "You know, they were saying that the IJN is picking up drakes and valks at the same time." She says. "How are they doing it?"

"Doing what?" You ask.

"Crew." She responds. "Are they doing the same as us, where it's all run by the pilot?"

[] They don't know what they're doing yet.
[] No, they're doing what you and your class were wanting to.

>>4513538
>[X] No, they're doing what you and your class were wanting to.

>>4513538
>[] No, they're doing what you and your class were wanting to.

Politics~

>>4513538
>[] No, they're doing what you and your class were wanting to.

>>4513538
>[x] No, they're doing what you and your class were wanting to.

ok, votes called!

>>4513627
Derp, misread the clock...

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[x] No, they're doing what you and your class were wanting to.

You shake your head and grin. "No, they're doing what you and your class were wanting to." You say.

Tatyana blinks at that. "They are?"

You nod. "Last we heard, a witch will be assigned to a wyvern, then she'll get to bring along another as their valk, and then they'll pick their pilot." You say.

"See?" Tatyana asks. "That's a much better system, since there's not a guy on earth that's gonna turn that down. I mean, think about it. Who's gonna say oh, do I really wanna fly this bleeding edge super awesome jet fighter with two super hot witches or not? What fighter pilot is even gonna hesitate at that?"

You sigh and look over at Wendy, who gives a very slight shrug of her shoulders. Tatyana has a point, of course- you'd be hard pressed at best to find an example- and they never really explain in detail why the navy does it the way they do.

Wendy comes to your aid. "The Imperial military made their decision after looking at our system." She says, "But they also have different cultural norms at play. The Navy operates the way they do to ensure the mission comes first, and that a wyvern team is not and can't be part of coven politics."

"But that's stupid." Tatyana insists. "I'm not suddenly gonna put coven politics first over the mission. I mean, yeah, we're witches, but we're still officers in the navy, and we still swore the same oath as every other officer in the navy."

"It was enough of a concern for the navy to adopt the system they did." Wendy points out. "And while we can argue about it, I rather doubt any of us are in a position to change the system."

Tatyana opens her mouth to continue the argument, then nods. "Yeah, I guess you're right." She responds, though she doesn't sound like she likes that fact much.

You move on through the ship, though most of the displays aren't anything particularly interesting to you- most of it is there to show daily life aboard the ship, places like the laundry or the mess hall, which, while old, don't look too drastically different from what you'd have expected. The quarters are smaller even than those you had aboard USN ships- the ship is smaller, to be fair. Most of the junior officer's quarter's are pretty small- smaller even than the ones aboard the IJN ships you've seen, where class distinctions are pretty important still.

1/2

The three of you step into the hangar deck, with the sea air blowing through the open sides of the ship. Almost all the aircraft here are from the martian war era- a wildcat, corsair, avenger, devastator, and dauntless. Most of them, according to the plaques, are aircraft that flew off the Midway- the corsair being an exception. The other exception is the one of the few more recent aircraft, an O-1 Bird dog liaison and observation bird. It's a barely modified cessna- part of you is dismissive of the little, propeller driven plane, and it certainly seems out of place with the proud warbirds of the martian war era. Of course, the plaque explains it- the small aircraft was used by a Vietnamese major to evacuate his family during the worst parts of the southeast asian intervention, when it looked like the whole thing would be lost.

"They're always incredible to see like this." Wendy says, admiring the corsair. "They're quite popular on the racing circuits, but always so heavily modified. It's rather a shame, really."

Tatyana seems less impressed. "At least that way they survived." She points out. "Like out with Anya, how she's got all those planes at the ranch."

Wendy nods. "Many of those were restored from racing aircraft." She says. "Like your sisters, Anya has quite a talent for that sort of thing."

Tatyana nods. "That's what I meant." She says, then looks out of the side of the ship. "It's like Wyverns, right? None of them really share the same equipment."

[] We all start from the same baseline, but no.
[] It's not really that different between aircraft. We all have the same avionics and engines.

>>4513762
>[X] We all start from the same baseline, but no.

>>4513762
>[x] We all start from the same baseline, but no.

>>4513762
>[] We all start from the same baseline, but no.

>>4513762
>[] We all start from the same baseline, but no.

>>4513762
>[x] We all start from the same baseline, but no.

ok, votes called!

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[x] We all start from the same baseline, but no.

"We all start from the same baseline, but no." You say, as the three of you make your way towards the ladderwell leading up to the flight deck. "Most of our aircraft share a lot of similar components, but we're pretty different."

"See, that's the other problem too." Tatyana says as you emerge onto the flight deck- and immediately find yourself drifting towards the wyvern. "We're not learning anything about how that works at all, and no one will tell us how that works at all."

You laugh. "That's because it's so informal there's nothing to learn." You say. "Your startup manager will say 'hey we've got a system available we can install, here's what it does, here's what you'll have to do."

Tatyana frowns. "Maybe for you." She says. "But there's no way it's like that for everyone."

You shrug. "And if it's different for everyone, then there's no way to teach it." You point out. "The only semistandard equipment are what, the fast packs and the pods and booms."

Tatyana shakes her head again as you stop at the rope that keeps people back from the Wyvern on the deck. Some of the other jets you can get right up to, and if you reached over the rope you could touch the jet sitting there, but it's still separated off.

"Odd." Wendy remarks. "Other than that it's a single place fighter, it doesn't seem much different from Muninn."

You shake your head, your eye having already picked out subtle differences. "The guns are further forward, and it's only got two of them." You say, indicating the gun ports above and inboard of the jet intakes. "And it's still got the A model intakes, so it would have had the old GE powerplants."

1/2

Wendy frowns, but Tatyana nods. "And it's got no VDNI uplink." She points out. "And no AI."

"I remember when they canceled the program." Wendy says, looking at the prototype. "It appears to have worked out, considering everything since then, but I do recall Merlin took it particularly badly. There was a period of some weeks where she was sure the Wyvern wouldn't ever advance beyond her and your father's aircraft." She laughs. "And then the navy announced their purchase of the first six kites."

You're about to respond when Tatyana's phone rings- she hasn't gotten rid of it yet, clearly, and she's allowed to carry it on weekends. She frowns, looking at the screen, and answers it, then sighs, holding it out for you. "It's your witch." She says.

"Kyou." you correct, taking the phone. "Oui?"

"Morgan." Kyou says. "I apologize for interrupting, but the admiral called for us. It seems our wingmate to be is en route now, and she wishes for us to return to Miramar as soon as is possible. I will meet you at the post."

"See you in a few." you say, handing the phone back to Tatyana. "Gotta go." you say, and she frowns.

"Something up?" She asks, and you shake your head.

"Nothing major." you respond.

"Well, you owe me, then." She says with a slight grin. "How about taking me up on a flight in one of the trainers? They said if we can get a ride, they'll allow one a week out over the ocean ranges."

You frown, but shrug. "Maybe." You respond- but, by her smile, she's taking that as a yes. Brat, you think, though not unkindly.

And that's gonna be it for the week! Sorry about the slowdown there, was talking a little bit with the folks about class next semester. As it happens, our restrictions on what we're allowed to machine there is "Nothing illegal" so I'm considering 240$ for the semester a steal in terms of access to the machines and stock, haha!

Anyway, I'll be around all weekend to answer questions and comments if anyone has any here, or I'll be in the discord if anyone prefers to chat that way. Otherwise gents, till next week, cheers!

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>>4513889
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4513887
>"Well, you owe me, then." She says with a slight grin. "How about taking me up on a flight in one of the trainers? They said if we can get a ride, they'll allow one a week out over the ocean ranges."
Apparently her class hasn't learned that Drake pilots are all but barred from flying anything else after being hooked up yet.

>>4513889
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>4513887
Thanks Ghost.
>>4513895
Probably means a trainer Wyvern. They have those right?

>>4513931
IIRC the "Trainers" were VDNI/MIU-equipped Shooting Star variants

At least in Frank's time.

Might be they have newer one snow.

>>4513895
>>4513931

There's two flavors of program trainers- one for pilots that uses a limited MIU up front, and no link in the IP's seat, and then another for witches that's designed specifically so the the IP can get the witch used to operating the systems she's going to be required to- witches skip the basic flight and advanced flight stages and start right where pilots begin the lead-in MIU flights. Both kinds are present at Miramar. Morgan is cleared on four airframes as a result- the T-6B, the T-38, the T-7 and XF-02.

Pilots start on the T-6B for basic flight, graduate on to the T-38 for advanced, then to the T-7 for lead-in to MIU flight and the TF-02, a trainer version of the Wyvern, for final type.

Witches start on the T-7 once they start flying, and once they clear on that they only have to go up on occasional check rides to verify they know what they're about if they get picked.

Miramar maintains a pair of T-38s as chase aircraft or to be used like this. Morgan can fly the T-7, of course, but he's not a rated IP.

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Ok gents- sorry about the late start, had to cook up dinner and then got kinda... sidetracked with election BS with a friend. Trying to avoid that as much as possible- I suspect my personal politics aren't really a secret, but at the same time I just can't care anymore, ya know? Better things to do that agonize over things I have no control over.

Anyway, So bit of news. We'll be running today and tomorrow, and then friday- I got hit with the unwelcome news that I have to drive down to Myrtle beach (Again) to help out with the folks RV. Really not excited for that BS, but it is what it is, I guess.

That's it for news, though!

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

You're kind of confused, as you arrive back at Miramar, why Merlin wanted you back as soon as possible. Even if your new wingmate left Japan before she called you, it's still at least a ten or so hour flight, and that's assuming a fairly fast transport using a direct flight- and while the C-2 the empire uses for long-range strategic lifts is pretty fast for a freight hauler, it's still subsonic, and wartime rules of flight mean it has to travel up to Alaska first, then turn inbound over the inland corridor. All in all, you expect at least fourteen hours before she's on site- if not longer. Still, you're not exactly inclined to ignore orders, either.

Predictably, the base is quiet as the three of you head into ops. It's minimally staffed over the weekend- just people on duty and the unfortunates who have office work to catch up on. That's one aspect of the navy you won't have to deal with much- the wyvern 'squadron' maintains a dedicated section specifically for handling all that, using AI-submitted information. It's part of the navy's efforts to keep the program attractive- it's more than just witches, after all, that have an issue with the MIU and everything it entails.

"This all seems rather soon." Wendy remarks as you head up to Merlin's office. "unless she's flying herself here on a ferry flight?"

Kyou nods. "It's possible, but I suspect she's not." She says. "The guard would prefer to have her arrive with all her equipment, rather than merely what she can get in baggage pods. I suspect she's on the way on a transport aircraft."

"They did move rather fast to have her implants in." Wendy points out. "I'd have thought that would have been somewhat later."

Kyou nods again. "Assuming they are." She points out. "I would imagine they are, if the guard are preferring to fly her here on a transport, since she could easily wait out the worst of the effects while en route, but it's also possible they're not, and she's to have the surgery here."

"You're being awfully quiet, Morgan." Wendy remarks. "What do you think?"

[] No idea. We'll have to ask Merlin, she'll have more information.
[] I can't see them sending us someone not ready to go from the minute she meets us.
[] They're hurrying a little hard to have an IG here with us. She's probably not got the implants yet.

>>4519956
>[X] No idea. We'll have to ask Merlin, she'll have more information.

>>4519956
>[x] I can't see them sending us someone not ready to go from the minute she meets us.

>>4519956
>No idea. We'll have to ask Merlin, she'll have more information.

>>4519956
>[x] They're hurrying a little hard to have an IG here with us. She's probably not got the implants yet.

>>4519956
>[] No idea. We'll have to ask Merlin, she'll have more information.

cant form a proper opinion on zero information non?

ok, votes called!

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[x] No idea. We'll have to ask Merlin, she'll have more information.

You shake your head. "No idea." You say. "We'll have to ask Merlin, she'll have more information."

Kyou smiles slightly. "Not even an opinion?"

You shake your head. "Not enough information."

She looks thoughtful for a second, then nods. "Yes, that is true. All we know is that it's odd we were recalled here so quickly."

You nod, stepping into Merlin's office- the door is standing open, and she's on the phone behind her desk. She frowns and holds up a finger to indicate she needs a second, and nods. "Yes, I understand." She says to whoever's on the other end. "Well, just do what you need to. I'll be available, and in the worst case we can transfer them out."

She pauses for another second as the three of you take seats, with you and Kyou sitting across the desk from Merlin, while Wendy moves to take a spot on the couch along the wall. "Alright. Well, I'll talk to you later then." Merlin says, and hangs up the phone.

"Trouble?" Kyou asks, but the older witch shakes her head.

"Not really." She responds. "But it's not anything about you, so don't worry."

Kyou frowns, shooting a glance at you, but then gives her head a tiny shake. "Our wingmate is on the way from Japan?"

Merlin nods. "Yes, and that's what I wanted to discuss with you." She says. "So there's some interesting challenges here that we're going to have to get through, integrating her with your flight and that sort of thing. First up is matching her with the MIU."

Kyou frowns. "I was under the impression that was to be handled as we did with Wendy." She says.

Merlin shakes her head. "Well, that's the problem. The unit she's equipped with doesn't have a full onboard AI, just a slaved unit for a command ship." She says. "So either Muninn or Tessa will be handling her integration as well."

Kyou's frown deepens. "Not a full AI unit?" She asks, and Merlin shakes her head. "What of multibody psychosis?"

"Not an issue in this case because whichever of your AIs handles her isn't controlling the craft." Merlin points out. "That kind of disorder only develops in cases where an AI has command authority and control over multiple bodies. They can handle data from multiple sources just fine. However," She continues, "It's an issue because it means we won't have a fully dedicated AI to handle her, as we did with Wendy."

You frown. "Will it be like Kyou and I's link, then?" You ask.

"It shouldn't be," Merlin responds. "That's part of what we've been doing, is testing the ability of two AIs to manage multiple links at the same time." She pauses. "Well, Kyou and I have been. Sorry I didn't tell you sooner."

[] You rank me, auntie. You don't really have to tell me anything you don't want to.
[] Wait, you've been in a live MIU with Kyou? what?
[] I'd figured as much anyway. We can talk about it later, if you want.

>>4520030
>[X] I'd figured as much anyway. We can talk about it later, if you want.

>>4520030
>[X] I'd figured as much anyway. We can talk about it later, if you want.

>>4520030
>[x] I'd figured as much anyway. We can talk about it later, if you want.

>>4520030
>[] I'd figured as much anyway. We can talk about it later, if you want.

>>4520030
>[x] I'd figured as much anyway. We can talk about it later, if you want.

ok, votes called!

>>4520030
>[] Wait, you've been in a live MIU with Kyou? what?

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[x] I'd figured as much anyway. We can talk about it later, if you want.

"I'd figured as much anyway." You say, getting a small look of relief from Merlin. "We can talk about it later, if you want."

She shakes her head. "Not unless you think we need to." She responds. "But it does mean we have a little information on how it should work, and Muninn and Tessa can manage it much better now than during your first link, even with four people now."

You nod. "So we're not going to be on observation and grounded? "

Merlin shakes her head. "No, you should be able to remain on flight status the entire time." She says. "Although I don't think that's going to matter much, since we're still in a major installation cycle now and you can't fly for at least another week."

"At least." You say, nodding- you're guessing closer to ten days still.

"However, that does leave us with a problem." She says. "We don't have a trainer fixed for dual MIU controls, the witch trainers don't have it at all. But we're going to want to get you back in the air sooner than Muninn will be checked out and flightworthy."

You nod. "Is there a solution?"

"Possibly. I've been in talks to refit the old VDNI stand in trainer to a dual MIU configuration for this sort of thing, but that would have to be brought out of storage and overhauled, which wouldn't be done until Muninn was flightworthy again."

"So what shall we do in the mean time?" Wendy asks. "I'm still flight worthy, but that does little good for lady Kyou or Morgan."

Merlin nods. "I know, and that's one of the issues. We'll be working on it, but in the mean time, how do you feel about her being in quarters with you?"

Kyou nods. "I feel it will be necessary. Wendy has occupied quarters with us the entire time she's flown with us as well, there is no need to treat this any differently."

"Morgan?" Merlin asks.

[] Kyou's right, but will that be an issue?
[] Do IG close protection elements usually live with their charges?

Wanna apologize about the posting speed this evening gents- a bit sidetracked with all the excitement going on tonight, haha.

Despite my best efforts to ignore it and carry on with the quest!

>>4520103
>[X] Kyou's right, but will that be an issue?

>>4520103
>[x] Kyou's right, but will that be an issue?

>>4520103
>[] Kyou's right, but will that be an issue?

>>4520103
>[X] Kyou's right, but will that be an issue?

>>4520103
>[x] Kyou's right, but will that be an issue?

>>4520103
>[x] Kyou's right, but will that be an issue?

>>4520103
>[] Do IG close protection elements usually sleep with their charges?

oop, sorry. Votes called! Prolly gonna be the last update this evening, gents- I still have class in the morning, barring, ya know. the country blowing open, haha!

I'm kidding, of course. My instructors would still take attendance with a running tank battle going on in the streets.

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[x] Kyou's right, but will that be an issue?

"Kyou's right, but will that be an issue?" You ask. Knowing Kyou the way you do, you know she's not exactly opposed to the idea of yet another witch living in with you, especially one linked via the MIU.

Merlin shakes her head. "No, most likely not. You'll be getting a little crowded here, but if the navy insists on their drake plus three plans, they're going to have to build better housing anyway." She says, shrugging lightly. "It's probably for the better anyway, she's not plugged yet."

You blink, looking over at Kyou. "She's not?"

Merlin shakes her head again. "Not yet." She says. "The Imperial guard insisted she use the same plugs and equipment as Kyou, to remove any possibility of issues arising. So she's going in for her plugs a couple hours after she lands."

"So we'll be minding her while she's under the influence?" Wendy asks.

Merlin shakes her head. "Probably not, I don't expect her to be able to get out of the usual post operation holding period as easily as Kyou was." she says with a slight smile. "But it means you may want to have your quarters prepared for someone else moving into the other room."

Kyou nods- the three of you have largely been using the room just for daytime naps or storage, so clearing it out shouldn't be a problem at all. Wendy had made some noise about setting herself up in there and most of her clothes still occupy the dresser in the room, but Kyou had shot that particular plan down with more than a little glee.

"Was that the reason you asked us to return so soon?" Kyou asks. "We'd not expected to be needed until late this afternoon, if at all today."

Merlin nods. "That's my fault." She says. "I didn't get told she was flying in via a C-2 until after I'd already had you called back here, I thought she was ferrying in aboard her valkyrie."

"I see." Kyou says. "Are we to remain on post, then?"

"I'd prefer if you did, yes." Merlin responds. "I don't see any problems, but I'd like you around, just in case."

"Of course," says Kyou, with a slight smile. "Preferring to keep us to yourself?"

Merlin blinks, then shakes her head. "N-no!" She says, then blinks again. "I mean, no, but it's easier to have you around if I need you."

"I see." Kyou says, her smile getting a touch wider. "Of course, we'll be on post if we're required."

Merlin nods. "That's all I had for you, and I'm sorry again." She says. "Anything for me?"

Kyou shakes her head, and Merlin looks at you. "Morgan?" She prompts.

[] Tatyana wants flights. Who do I talk to about that?
[] So what's this about you and Kyou and the MIU now?
[] Nothing right now. How's the work on Muninn going?

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

Again, I'm really sorry about the slow pace of updates tonight- I'd considered, this weekend, actually not running this week, but figured I'd better not, since doing something is better than worrying about things I can't change, haha! Anyway, it ought to just be temporary- obviously, haha!

Anyway, that's it for tonight, but I'll be up a little bit longer, so if there's any questions or comments, I'll do my best to answer them tonight, either here or in the discord. Otherwise gents, till tomorrow, cheers!

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>>4520142
>[X] Tatyana wants flights. Who do I talk to about that?

>>4520146
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4520142
Torn between Tatanya and pestering her about the MIU. Hmmmmm.

>>4520142
>[] Nothing right now. How's the work on Muninn going?
Thanks for the run, boss.

>>4520142
[X] Tatyana wants flights. Who do I talk to about that?
[X] So what's this about you and Kyou and the MIU now?

Both? Both sounds good.

>>4520142
>[] Tatyana wants flights. Who do I talk to about that?

Thanks for running Ghost

>>4520142
>[x] So what's this about you and Kyou and the MIU now?

>>4520146
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>4520142
>[x] So what's this about you and Kyou and the MIU now?

It is time to tease! But also ask, but also TEASE!

>>4520142

First,

>[] Tatyana wants flights. Who do I talk to about that?

Second,

>[] So what's this about you and Kyou and the MIU now?


Because as much as I loathe picking multiple options, neither of these issues can be skipped on, for a combination of Morgan's hips and sanity.

>>4520142
>>4520148
Yeah after sleeping on it i'm going to cop out and call for "both".

ok gents, votes called- sorry about the late start here, kinda lingered over dinner longer than I usually do.

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[] Tatyana wants flights. Who do I talk to about that?
[] So what's this about you and Kyou and the MIU now?

"Two things." You respond, and Merlin nods.

"First, Tatyana wants flights. Who do I talk to about that?" You ask.

"Well," Merlin starts. "Me, actually." She smiles. "I'm guessing she wants to take advantage of her big brother to get some time in the trainers they have here?"

You nod.

"I'll send it along the chain, then." She says. "all we really have to do is coordinate with the head of the school down at north island, and she and I get along well, so that shouldn't be a problem. There might be some issue if it looks like Tatyana is leaning on being a Bishop to get special treatment, but they're allowed one flight a week if they can convince someone to take them up."

"That's what she said, yeah." You say. "But it is T, this is half for showing off to her classmates." You pause. "Probably more than half."

Merlin blinks. "Her scores so far put her easily in the top percentile of her class." She says, looking over at one of her computer monitors. "They're better than Wendy's and only a hair worse than Kyou's."

You shrug. "You say that like it means she's not doing this to show off."

Merlin shakes her head. "No, but I thought with grades like that she'd be more interested in using the flights to start getting her actual in flight systems work started, instead of just showing off her connections."

"It's worth noting," Kyou says, "That the first does not preclude the second. She may well begin working on in flight systems control, however that in no way means she can't also be advertising her familial connections to Morgan."

Merlin frowns. "I guess so." She says, nodding slowly. "Well, either way, I'll send it up the chain and get some flights out over the ocean ranges worked into the schedule." She says. "Maybe Irwin if we can get the airspace, the mock cities there are good for sensor work."

"Sounds good." You say- you're kind of looking forward to getting into the air again- you've not flown for almost two weeks now.

"The second thing?" Merlin prompts, and you nod.

"What's this about you and Kyou and the MIU, now?" You ask.

Merlin flushes a little, like she's been caught out doing something wrong, but Kyou steps in.

"We felt it was a completely necessary and unavoidable eventuality, owing to our nature as a testbed aircraft." She says, neatly stepping in and covering for the older witch, who nods. "Muninn, despite all his advanced capabilities, is unable to relay some of the more human data to Merlin, regardless of if she uses the external MIU link or not."

"Does that reduce the effect of the MUI?" Wendy asks- which was your next question.

"We are able to deal with it, yes." Kyou responds- not exactly a direct answer, you note.

[] That's not really an answer, you know.
[] Just... keep us informed, I guess?
[] Well, if it's necessary.

>>4520995
>[X] Just... keep us informed, I guess?

>>4520995
>[] Just... keep us informed, I guess?

>>4520995
>[x] Just... keep us informed, I guess?

>>4520995
>[X] That's not really an answer, you know.

>>4520995
>[x] That's not really an answer, you know.
Kyou, dear Awoo, don't avoid the question.

>>4520995
>[] Just... keep us informed, I guess?

"I'm letting this go because I don't want to fight about it right now, not because I'm okay with it."

>>4520995
>That's not really an answer, you know.

>>4520995
>[] That's not really an answer, you know.

>>4520995
>[] That's not really an answer, you know.

>>4520995
>[x] Just... keep us informed, I guess?

ok, votes called!

>>4521054
on a tie, it seems! alright gents, fifteen minute tiebreaker while I go get some pumpkin pie!

>>4520995
>[X] That's not really an answer, you know.

ok, votes called!

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[x] That's not really an answer, you know.

You frown. "That's not really an answer, you know." You say, pressing the issue a little. You're not exactly sure you feel comfortable with the setup- especially knowing Kyou like you do.

"The effects are largely minimal." Merlin says, stepping in. "Because she's already in a separate MIU link with you and Wendy, Kyou and I are able to operate together without it becoming a problem, especially if we keep contact limited."

"Which we are." Kyou says. "We've not used the system at all during our time here, and it's only available during limited maintenance periods otherwise."

"So this won't cause issues?" You ask.

"It's unlikely." Merlin responds, though she doesn't exactly look entirely sure about that- no doubt her projections favor no issues, but not solidly enough for her to state it outright.

"While it's not my place, I must confess some worry about this." Wendy says- you look back at her. "I understand the necessity, but I'm also well aware of the pull of the link. I've no doubt about your abilities to manage that, but it does seem to me to be quite a risk."

Kyou pauses. "It is the most effective method to communicate a great deal of the combat data we accumulate." She points out. "It would still be possible without the MIU, of course, and of course Admiral Wells could easily continue linking with Muninn without one of us present, but this method does result in improved times for development of systems and weapons which may help us maintain our edge."

"So you feel it's necessary?" You ask, and Kyou nods without hesitation.

"I absolutely do." She responds. "Given the threats we've faced thus far, it's only logical that our foes will continue to improve technologically to counter us. While I have little good to say about them, the Chinese do have a four thousand year history, almost as long as that of the empire, and have benefit heavily from the soviet loss in the last war."

"And the potential complications are limited by our link?" Wendy asks.

Merlin hesitantly nods. "Yes." She says, slowly. "Most of my projections say that it should be entirely manageable, so long as it remains limited to Kyou and I."

"And if not?" Wendy asks.

Merlin hesitates. "Well, if not it would be much harder to manage." She responds eventually. "But that's getting into territory we're really not clear on. My computer projections indicate that if we were to add either of you two, it would be much harder to manage, and both of you would mean I'd eventually end up... " She pauses, then blushes a little.

[] I see. Probably better you two stop, then.
[] We'll have to avoid that, then.
[] Would there be any reason for that, though?
[] Sounds like we might as well anyway, then.

>>4521121
>[X] We'll have to avoid that, then.

>>4521121
>[x] We'll have to avoid that, then.
mmmm, I'm not so sure about this but for now, I'll trust Kyou and Merlin. If it all comes tumbling down around us, well that's what the "immediate household" is for right? Hehe.

>>4521121
>[] We'll have to avoid that, then.

>>4521121
>[x] Would there be any reason for that, though?

>>4521121
>[] Would there be any reason for that, though?

I don't want to go full yeehaw balls-deep into our Aunt's repressed attraction, but just poking at the matter seems like a good way to air out some of the awkwardness.

>>4521121
>[X] Sounds like we might as well anyway, then
Lewd the Merlin! She's not the imouto now

>>4521121
>[] We'll have to avoid that, then.

>>4521121
>[] Would there be any reason for that, though?

He said, without a shed of irony

>>4521121
>[X] Would there be any reason for that, though?

Ok, votes called! Let that run a little longer to break a tie, haha!

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[x] Would there be any reason for that, though?

You frown. "Would there be any reason for that, though?"

Kyou nods enthusiastically. "Of course." She says. "We've been avoiding it because of the complications it would bring socially, but in terms of value to both our own capabilities and the military's ability to put new equipment in service, the value is difficult to overstate."

You look at Merlin- who nods a little guiltily, agreeing with Kyou. "S-she's right." She says. "With Kyou I can get an instinctive feel for how systems are working in combat, but adding a pilot and a valkyrie operator..."

"I see." Wendy says, clearly not sold on the whole idea. "And your family?"

"Are only a concern if we intend to do such a thing, which we do not currently." Kyou interjects. "Unless I have significantly misjudged our intent."

"R-regardless, we couldn't do anything right now." Merlin adds. "Not with a new wingmate on the way for your crew."

Kyou nods. "Perhaps it would be best if Wendy and I left to prepare the room for her?" Kyou asks, and Merlin looks at you.

[] Yeah, go on ahead. I wanna talk with Merlin a bit about this.
[] No, I didn't have anything else, I'll come with.

>>4521165
>[X] No, I didn't have anything else, I'll come with.

>>4521165
>[x] Yeah, go on ahead. I wanna talk with Merlin a bit about this.

>>4521165
>[] No, I didn't have anything else, I'll come with.

>>4521165
>[] No, I didn't have anything else, I'll come with.

>>4521165
>[] No, I didn't have anything else, I'll come with.

>>4521165
>[] Yeah, go on ahead. I wanna talk with Merlin a bit about this.

I want to apply some pressure on Merlin in this direction. I don't want shit to come out of nowhere later and explode because we didn't do the groundwork.

>>4521182
In what direction though? Because if its in the direction of pushing towards adding her to our harem, then you can fuck off with that groundwork.

>>4521187
The direction of "the repressed sexual tension between Merlin and Morgan is going to come to a head eventually, forced by the MIU or otherwise, and the more we have things like feelings and other brainymeats shit at least discussed, if not sorted out, then the less catastrophic it'll be when it blows."

Plus it gives us as the players more freedom to safely choose one way or another at later time.

I'm only a *little* salty about the out-of-nowhere 89 haremlock, honest. >.>

ok, votes called!

>>4521165
>[x] Yeah, go on ahead. I wanna talk with Merlin a bit about this.
Don't know how my vote on the previous update was deleted

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[x] No, I didn't have anything else, I'll come with.

You shake your head. "No," you say. "I didn't have anything else, I'll come with."

Merlin nods. "T-that's all I had for all of you." She agrees. "I'll be coming with when your wingmate gets here."

"We will be expecting you this evening again." Kyou says, then smiles. "There's some cake left, and I'm sure you wish to help make sure it doesn't go to waste."

Merlin flicks a glance towards you, but nods. "I'll see if doctor Hayashi wants to come along, if that's alright."

Kyon smiles. "I would welcome it." She says. "I don't believe there are any plans to cook this evening, but there are more than enough leftovers and other things to eat."

"I'd thought I might make scones." Wendy says. "And if Morgan doesn't intend to cook, I may make supper." She smiles when you look back over at her. "Something simple, perhaps?"

You nod.

"We look forward to seeing you then, admiral." Kyou says, and the three of you leave. Your walk out is mostly quiet- it's not till you're in the elevator that Kyou speaks.

"I was worried that our decision to use the MIU to facilitate reporting wouldn't meet your approval." She says to you. "I am also aware of your feelings towards the admiral. I meant you no disrespect by suggesting it to her. My concern was only in making sure our capabilities wouldn't be surpassed easily by Chinese efforts."

"It may have been better to ask, mum." Wendy points out- then pauses. "I'm sorry. It's not my place-"

"You are a valued member of my household." Kyou interrupts. "It is very much your place."

You nod as Kyou turns back to you. "Regardless. I meant no disrespect and had no other motive than maintaining our technological edge."

[] It's fine, but I do wish we'd been approached about it first.
[] You should have asked, regardless of your reasoning.

Ok gents, that's going to be it from me for the day! I have to drive down to Myrtle beach tomorrow, and that's about a five-six hour round trip from here, so I wanna sack out at a fairly decent hour, haha.

Remember, no run tomorrow, we'll be finishing the thread up on Friday!

Anyway, since that's it for the night, I'll be around a little to answer questions or comments, if there are any, and of course I'm in the discord. Otherwise gents, till Friday, cheers!

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>>4521220
>[X] It's fine, but I do wish we'd been approached about it first.

>>4521222
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4521220
>[] It's fine, but I do wish we'd been approached about it first.
thanks for running

>>4521220
>[] It's fine, but I do wish we'd been approached about it first.

>>4521220
>[] It's fine, but I do wish we'd been approached about it first.

>>4521220
>[] It's fine, but I do wish we'd been approached about it first.
>[] You should have asked, regardless of your reasoning.

C'mon Awoo, be fair to your Catte. He'd ask YOU.

>>4521220
>[x] It's fine, but I do wish we'd been approached about it first.

Maybe play hurt for a bit to tease Kyou. Not in a mean way, but a liiiiittle punishment for not telling us is appropriate.

>>4521220
>[X] You should have asked, regardless of your reasoning.

Even if watching the AWOO train chugging like mad I do feel some form of mild words could be useful desu.

>>4521220
changing >>4521227
to
>[] You should have asked, regardless of your reasoning.

>>4521220
[x] You should have asked, regardless of your reasoning.

Because she is doing this with the MUI it aint only her consciousness but also a part of our consciousness.

>>4521220
>[] It's fine, but I do wish we'd been approached about it first.

>>4521220
>[x] You should have asked, regardless of your reasoning.
This is troubling to me really only because Merlin is married and we’ve seen what the MIU does and how quickly it works. “Limited contact” or not this just does not sit well with me. Regardless of my joking about the immediate household last night going after a married woman does not sit well with me. Limited contact or not.

>>4521523
That's been my problem with the Merlin route from day 1. It looks terrible for both sides

>>4521523
>>4522387
So if she's not married anymore, it's fine?

>>4522434
If she divorced and then they hooked up after a reasonable period it would be better. The age gap is still pretty sus, not to mention her practically helping raise Morgan makes it worse, but it would be a big step in the right direction.

>>4521220
>[x] You should have asked, regardless of your reasoning.
Since it dealt with MIU Kyou should have discuss it with Morgan and Wendy beforehand, especially if she was worried we wouldn't have approved. She could have at least tried to sell us on it. That being said I do believe Kyou's motive was efficiently communicating data.

Even with the extra day to think things over I'm still not entirely sure with the vote. Though I do think saying 'It's fine' brushes the issue off to the side and as >>4521371 put it having some mild words might help, it could just be me overthinking things.

>>4521220
>[] It's fine, but I do wish we'd been approached about it first.
Ate my fucking post. Let's try again.

>>4521220
>[X] You should have asked, regardless of your reasoning.

>>4521220
>>4521225
Good points around, swap me to
>[X] You should have asked, regardless of your reasoning.

ok gents, votes called!

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[x] You should have asked, regardless of your reasoning.

You frown- she's not lying, you're sure of that much, if for no other reason than that she knows she effectively can't to you- but it still sits poorly. Regardless of assurances about how 'limited' and 'light' the effect of the MIU is going to be on them, it's still an MIU link- you know just how strong and fast acting they are. "You should have asked, regardless of your reasoning." You say, shaking your head.

Kyou nods- you're not sure if she's doing so just to placate you or because she realizes she's made a mistake. "Would you prefer we cease, then?" She asks. "As my pilot, you have the authority to do that."

Your frown deepens. She's got a point in that it does help you maintain an edge- and the information you're gathering gets passed down to the rest of the wyvern fleet and the wider navy beyond that- data on your weapons and sensors is going to help provide the basis for weapons and systems that'll appear in the next couple years for the tomcats and lightnings of the fleet, and iterative production improvements on wyverns as well. Kyou being able to help push that information along and provide better feedback about it is only going to help streamline and improve that process- but, of course, that comes with the caveat that she's running an MIU with Merlin in it, for all that brings. You're not sure, to be honest- on the one hand, objectively Kyou is absolutely right. The setup she's got benefits the navy and the American military as a whole- on the other hand, of course, it's Merlin.

You shake your head.

[] Yes, I think I'd prefer that. I understand it's going to make reporting more difficult.
[] No, I'm just disappointed I wasn't consulted.
[] I'm not going to be able to make an objective decision. Wendy, what do you think?

>>4523321
>[] No, I'm just disappointed I wasn't consulted.

>>4523321
>[x] I'm not going to be able to make an objective decision. Wendy, what do you think?
I wouldn't necessarily say we'd not be able to make an objective decision on this, however I do want Wendy's take since this might effect her as well.

>>4523321
>[X] No, I'm just disappointed I wasn't consulted.

>>4523321
>[X] I'm not going to be able to make an objective decision. Wendy, what do you think?

>>4523321
>[] No, I'm just disappointed I wasn't consulted.

>>4523321
>[] No, I'm just disappointed I wasn't consulted.

PACK YER BAGS KIDS, WE'RE GOING ON A GUILT TRIP

ok gents, votes called, but I'm going to eat before I get to writing, so there may be a bit of a delay here.

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[x] No, I'm just disappointed I wasn't consulted.

You shake your head. "No, I'm just disappointed I wasn't consulted." you respond. While that's not a tactic you particularly like- playing on guilt rarely is- it's also entirely true here. Had you been consulted, you're sure, you'd have at least had a chance to talk it over a little, even if it had gone ahead regardless.

Kyou nods. "I understand, and regret that I've caused this." She says. "In the future, I'll make certain to approach you, first."She sounds maybe a little hurt, but it's hard to tell- her tone is definitely subdued, but there's no indication that she feels like she's been chastised- she made a mistake, but you're not entirely sure the reason she thinks she made it is the reason you do.

"Better that's sorted then." Wendy says, smiling. "Of course, now I'm obligated to ask if you'd prefer I ask if young Merlin approaches me for a similar arrangement regarding my own test data?"

You look over at her and she shrugs lightly. "She's not, of course, but I don't dare imagine that it's not possible she might."

[] You can ask me if she approaches you, I guess.
[] If she asks, you do what you think is right.
[] I think I'd prefer this goes no further.

>>4523436
>[X] I think I'd prefer this goes no further.

>>4523436
>[] I think I'd prefer this goes no further.

>>4523436
>[x] If she asks, you do what you think is right.

>>4523436
>[X] If she asks, you do what you think is right.

>>4523436
>You can ask me if she approaches you, I guess.

>>4523436
>[] You can ask us if she approaches you, I guess.
Let's not be hypocrites here folks.

>>4523436
>[x] You can ask us if she approaches you, I guess.

>>4523436
>[x] You can ask us if she approaches you, I guess.

>>4523436
>[] You can ask me if she approaches you, I guess.

ok, votes called!

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[x] You can ask me if she approaches you, I guess.

"You can ask me if she approaches you, I guess." You say- you're not entirely happy with the concept, and it's not outside the bounds of possibility that Merlin would ask.

Wendy nods. "I'll be certain to." She says, smiling lightly. You know, of course, she's probably lightly amused by this whole thing- Wendy's never made her actual opinions known, but you're more than willing to bet that she'd be entirely fine with Kyou dragging whoever she wanted into the 'immediate household'.

You do have to admit, Kyou's taste in such things so far isn't bad at all.

You shake the thought out of your head as you step into the parking lot, pulling your cover back on your head and putting your sunglasses back on.

"It will be illuminating, being able to observe our wingmate to be while she's under the effect of the narcotic painkillers used in the implant surgery." Kyou says, smiling lightly. "I recall my own experience with them was... interesting."

Wendy laughs. "I'd have liked to have seen that." She says with a smile. "I can imagine it was quite interesting."

[] She was a bit loopy, for sure.
[] She could have just played it off as excitement, to be honest.

>>4523509
>[X] She was a bit loopy, for sure.

>>4523509
>[x] She was a bit loopy, for sure.

>>4523509
>[x] She was a bit loopy, for sure.

Wanted to apologize again for the slow night gents- We'll get to the stopping point I'd planned for tonight, I'm sure, but sorry for the slow pace of upgrades all night.

Is no problems, do what you can Ghost. Its Friday after all.

ok, votes called!

>>4523509
>[X] She was a bit loopy, for sure.

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[x] She was a bit loopy, for sure.

You smile. "She was a bit loopy, for sure." You say, looking over at Kyou- who likewise smiles.

"I have great difficulty with narcotics." Kyou explains. "Alcohol similarly affects me, though not as severely."

"Is that so?" Wendy asks, a little mischievously. "That sounds like something I'd rather enjoy seeing."

Kyou laughs. "Unfortunately, I doubt you'll have much of an opportunity. I find myself uninterested in drinking currently. Our incoming guard may wish to drink, however, it is considered somewhat of a tradition."

You frown. "For guards to get drunk with their charges?" You ask, and she nods.

"It is thought to build a personal connection, as well as allow the guard to observe their charge while both are intoxicated." She says, then shrugs. "Though it's far more recent than might be suspected, and it's not exactly considered required, by any means." She smiles. "Regardless, I intend to inform her that in all matters regarding my personal safety, she is to consider herself subordinate to Morgan."

You blink. "You do?"

Kyou smiles. "As the only son of the mother of night, the guard lives in terror of my being so close to you to begin with, but of course, given our history, I feel I am perhaps one of the best protected nobles on the planet."

"Most likely." Wendy agrees. "Though I somewhat doubt Morgan would agree."

[] I'm not really a trained bodyguard.
[] Kyou's not wrong, though I'm not sure about putting an IG under me.
[] Maman made sure I'd know what I was doing.

>>4523621
>[x] Kyou's not wrong, though I'm not sure about putting an IG under me.

I *cannot* resist the innuendo here

>>4523621
>[X] Kyou's not wrong, though I'm not sure about putting an IG under me.

>>4523621
>[] Kyou's not wrong, though I'm not sure about putting an IG under me.

>>4523621
>[X] Kyou's not wrong, though I'm not sure about putting an IG under me.

>>4523621
>[x] Kyou's not wrong, though I'm not sure about putting an IG under me.

>>4523621
>[x] Maman made sure I'd know what I was doing.

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

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[x] Kyou's not wrong, though I'm not sure about putting an IG under me.

You shrug. "Kyou's not wrong, though I'm not sure about putting an IG under me." You point out.

Kyou smiles, one of those tight, catty little smiles that she occasionally favors you with. "I would imagine she'll spend some time under you regardless." She says.

You frown as she laughs and even Wendy- Wendy! giggles a bit.

You're sure, somewhere along the line, Maman warned you about this- that this exact sort of thing could very easily happen, and you'd either best be on guard your entire life or learn to enjoy it. Of course, Maman's take on this kind of thing has always been 'do what feels best', so her advice in that regard is somewhat... suspect.

And that's it for the week! Tonight's kinda been slow, I know- that's what I get for running on a Friday, haha! Next week should be much better. Well, presumably. We'll see, haha. I'm doing my best to avoid the usual twitter suspects, and got a pretty good dose of reality, so we're good.

Anyway, that's it for the week, but I'll be around during the weekend to answer questions or comments, and of course I'll be in the discord as well. Otherwise gents, till next week, cheers!

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>>4523697
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4523697
Thanks for the run!

>>4523697
Thanks for the run!

And well played, Awoo, you lured us right into that one.

>>4523697
thanks for running

>>4523697
Thanks for the run Ghost!

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Ok gents! I figured we'd use this thread again, since it's got about five pages left till it falls off, and the last thread is still up too. This has nothing at all to do with both my OP arts (Which are friggin awesome, thanks anon!) being up on the board right now so I can't re-use them. Nothing at all.

The thread's gonna be a little slow tonight, I'm studying for a test tomorrow- and part of that is basic memorization of G and M codes, which is something I've traditionally been garbage at. I'm not real stressed out, but still...

Anyway, that's it- I know the discord link is a little old, so if anyone is interested, let me know and I'll get a new invite code.

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

Miramar's 'dragon line' is almost full- you count easily a dozen wyverns, along with a half dozen valkyrie units, out here, along with easily over a hundred ground crew. The addition of the first Japanese drake, along with it's paired valkyire, only adds to the crowd around here- you can see what you make out to be easily eight to ten IJN and USN staff officers near the aircraft, along with more than one drake crew and a few witches as well- you recognize Captain Carnegie and Commander Prescott among them. You don't think they've seen you yet, and both are dressed to keep themselves separate from the staff- aviators and the brown leather bomber jackets common to instructors. So far as you know there's nothing major going on other than the arrival of the first Japanese drake- no selection boards or anything.

"There's far more of them I'd anticipated." Kyou remarks as you approach the fighter, staying more than far enough back to avoid easy notice to anyone not looking for you. Merlin's gone on ahead, along with the chief, to collect your new wingmate.

You nod, more interested in the heavy yellow gantry crane positioned over top of Muninn, winching out one of your fighter's engines under the guidance of a pair of riggers and the better part of the powerplant crew. You can see they're already working on extending and widening the nacelle blisters on the top side for the newer, larger powerplants they'll be installing- and the massive wooden crates carrying both of them parked nearby.

1/2

All in all, the wyvern line half resembles a construction site- yours isn't the only fighter receiving comprehensive overhaul and improvement, though it looks like Muninn is farthest along in the process. You can't help but note that the Yellowstone cannon still appears to not be installed entirely, though it's now positioned under the fighter on a yellow scaffolding rig, the weapon's muzzle extending just beyond the end of Muninn's nose.

"I wonder if the witches are here?" Wendy asks. "Weren't they to be assigned to the fighter, and then select their pilot?"

Kyou nods. "I cannot see how they can't be." She says, then frowns. "Though with this many general staff, I wonder about how much choice they'll actually have."

You shrug, noting that both the captain and commander have noticed you and detached from the cluster of brass, walking over to your group.

"I see we've been noticed." Kyou says. "Are they the witches you informed us of earlier? What do we need to know of them?"

You nod. "The captain was the one that wanted to talk to me about Korea." You respond. "She'd said she wanted to talk to both of you about it, too."

"I see." Kyou says, watching the two approaching witches- then smiling and shaking her head slightly. "A pity I didn't make time for it earlier." She says.

"One of them is interested in becoming a valkyrie operator?" Wendy asks.

You nod. "Commander Prescott, the one with the longer hair there." You say.

"I wonder if she'd be interested in flying with us on a trial." Kyou muses. "As an instructor, she must be quite capable."

[] I think we'd better wait to see what the navy is doing.
[] One wingmate at a time, please.

>>4528848
>[X] I think we'd better wait to see what the navy is doing.

>>4528848

>[] One wingmate at a time, please.

"Down, girl"

>>4528848
>[x] One wingmate at a time, please.

>>4528848
>[] One wingmate at a time, please.

>>4528848
>[x] I think we'd better wait to see what the navy is doing.

>>4528848
>[x] I think we'd better wait to see what the navy is doing.

>>4528848
>[] One wingmate at a time, please.

ok, votes called!

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[x] One wingmate at a time, please.

You frown. "One wingmate at a time, please." You say as the two witches get close enough for you to have to salute. Kyou laughs and Wendy smiles at the statmenet, though.

"Lieutenant." The captain says, pulling off her aviators and looping one of the earpieces through her collar. "Nice to see you again."

You nod.

"We're already familiar with your teammates, especially Commander Maloney. An honor to meet you, commander." She continues.

Wendy blushes a tiny bit- rapid personal changes or not, she's still not the best in public like this. "T-thank you, ma'am." She says, getting a smile from the captain.

"I should be calling you Ma'am. Call me Remi, please." She says to the older witch, nodding to Kyou. "And that would make you the sho-sa Kyou?"

Kyou nods. "Yes, ma'am."

"I'm captain Remillia Carnegie." the captain says. "I'd talked to your pilot a few days ago about your fight with the flying battleship over Korea. I'd hoped to have a chance to talk with you and miss Maloney, though, about the same fight, get a witch's take on things."

"And I wouldn't mind a chance to talk about valkyrie with commander Maloney." the other witch says. "Commander Skeeter Prescott."

Kyou nods. "I'm sure we can easily arrange such a meeting." She says, looking over at Wendy, who nods tentatively. "However, we are to be meeting our new teammate shortly, and so cannot now."

"Oh, I didn't figure you could." The captain assures her. "We're really just out her to put in appearances- commander Prescott and I have both put in for Valkyrie."

You blink, and she grins. "I got talked into it." She says to you, though her tone is that it was less being convinced of it and more being reminded it was something she'd do regardless- this is just sooner for her.

"If that is the case, perhaps you'd prefer to discuss things informally?" Kyou offers. "The wyvern community is very much a loose affair, and doesn't stand much for rank or formality."

The two aggressor witches look at each other for a second, then the captain shrugs. "Maybe." She says, then looks over at the figure of Merlin, approaching with another witch- one clad in an IJA duty uniform and with a pack slung over her shoulder, and another gripped in her left hand. "But we're not gonna intrude here." She says, then nods. "Thanks for the offer, give us a call and we can work out the details?"

Kyou nods, then watches both of them leave. "Were it that I didn't know better, I'd say the captain is similar to myself." She says.

"It's a long rumor, mum." Wendy supplies. "Designer daughters."

You frown.

[] That's just a rumor though.
[] If it was gonna be true, it'd be from old money like that.

>>4528928
>[] If it was gonna be true, it'd be from old money like that.

>>4528928
>[x] If it was gonna be true, it'd be from old money like that.

>>4528928
>[X] If it was gonna be true, it'd be from old money like that.

>>4528928
>[x] If it was gonna be true, it'd be from old money like that.

>>4528928
>[] If it was gonna be true, it'd be from old money like that.

I smell exposition!

>>4528928
>[] If it was gonna be true, it'd be from old money like that.
De Prince 'o da Bayou be knowin' a ting or two about dis.

>>4528928
>[X] If it was gonna be true, it'd be from old money like that.

ok, votes called!

File: Probably wouldn't have be(...).jpg (126 KB, 850x1203)

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[x] If it was gonna be true, it'd be from old money like that.

After a minute you shrug. "If it was gonna be true, it'd be from old money like that." You say, watching the captain retreat- and doing your absolute best to not simply let your attention be drawn to her impossibly well-toned and shaped backside.

"There have been rumors, but I'm unsure of their meaning." Kyou says, frowning. "Are you saying she is similar to me?"

You shrug. "That's the rumor, anyway." You respond. "According to a few sources, the old money and big money families all hold it as frustrating that they almost never seem to have witches."

"Because they lack the talent to attract them." Kyou states, flatly. "Who would want children with a merchant or politician when one could have a husband that is a warrior or artist?"

You shrug. "Regardless, the rumor is they tapped the old soviet scientists that came west and they had these witches designed for them and then adopted them." You nod at the captain. "She's a good example of why."

Kyou's smile thins a little. "If her looks are why people believe that, then surely they accuse you of being similar. One of the admiral's creations, perhaps?"

Wendy giggles a bit at that, but you're only going to have time for a short response- Merlin's just about close enough that you'll have to salute.

[] You'd think if I was I'd have fewer problems with your plan to drag her into the immediate household.
[] I doubt maman would have gone for that.
[] Anything's possible, I guess.

>>4528994
>[x] I doubt maman would have gone for that.

>>4528994
>[X] I doubt maman would have gone for that.

>>4528994
>[] I doubt maman would have gone for that.

>>4528994
>[X] I doubt maman would have gone for that.

>>4528994
>[x] I doubt maman would have gone for that.

>>4528994
>[] You'd think if I was I'd have fewer problems with your plan to drag her into the immediate household.

SASS

ok, votes called!

>>4528994
>[X] You'd think if I was I'd have fewer problems with your plan to drag her into the immediate household.

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[x] I doubt maman would have gone for that.

You shake your head. "I doubt maman would have gone for that." You say- she probably wouldn't have, you tell yourself, and Frank almost certainly wouldn't have, nor agreed to play the part of your father if he had. And there's almost no possibility Merlin would have gone ahead without them knowing- if for no other reason than that there's no way Maman wouldn't have known. No, so far as you can tell, you're not a designer offspring at all.

You drop the line of thought as Merlin finally closes, and the three of you salute- she smiles as she returns it, while the bodyguard bows low. Kyou's bow is somewhat more shallow, and she straightens up first.

Merlin smile again. "Crew, this is Tai-i Mori Kyoko, forty first imperial Japanese army paratroop battalion, and now of the imperial guard. She'll be serving as Kyou's bodyguard and as your new wingmate for the future."

"It is an honor to serve." The witch says while you try and get a read on her. She's from the southern end of Japan, that much is certain- Okinawan, maybe even- her tanned skin gives that away pretty quickly. It's also impossible not to notice that she looks like she spends plenty of time in the gym, but given her history as a paratrooper, that's hardly surprising. Still, she's very well toned, and even here, at rest, the muscles in her legs are evident, and her short-sleeved uniform jacket does little to hide the similarly cut lines on her arms.

Kyou nods. "It is excellent you are here." She says, then indicates Wendy. "This is Commander Wendy Maloney, our wingmate and household witch." She says. "She is also the most experienced valkyrie operator on the planet, and will be assisting you in adjusting to the craft."

"H-hello." Wendy says, with a light smile.

The witch nods, then looks over at you.

"And this is Lieutenant junior grade Morgan Laroux-Bishop." Kyou says. "our pilot. He has been tasked with my personal safety since we were matched as a flight crew."

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