You nod. "Problem?" You ask.

She frowns. "I'm not sure." She admits. "She's connected to the Tokugawa clan. Most of them are loyal to the imperial family, but the clan has also given a great deal of support to the nationalist movement and some of them are prominent members. She's not, of course, and is in imperial general headquarters as one of the witches on staff there."

"She's a staff officer?" You ask- if she is, that, to you, is almost an immediate reason to disregard her.

"Of a sort." Mori explains. "The position is more... how would you describe it." She pauses, frowning. "Troubleshooter? She operates similar to us, except she's available to be assigned to trouble spots with command authority over any imperial witches there. Her role would be to stiffen a unit that's under performing, or to lend assistance to one that's hard pressed. When she's not assigned out like that, she'd be operating as the witch assistant of a more junior staff officer at headquarters."

"And now she wants on the team?" You ask. Mori nods.

"She's demanded the right to an interview, and it's one general headquarters is happy to give her. Her record is sitting in our inbox, including the classified elements."

"And?" You ask.

Mori shrugs. "She's very much like the princess, in many ways." She says. "But she's far less humble about her station. I thought to bring it to you first, as she and the princess were in many ways rivals during their academy time."

[] We'll talk to her, but it sounds like it's going to be a waste of time.
[] Is there any way to skip having to talk with her? She already sounds like a bad fit.

>>4920365
>[X] We'll talk to her, but it sounds like it's going to be a waste of time.

>>4920365
>[x] We'll talk to her, but it sounds like it's going to be a waste of time.

>>4920365
>[x] We'll talk to her, but it sounds like it's going to be a waste of time.
Kinda have to atleast talk with her politics wise, even if she sounds like a hard no.

>>4920365
> [] We'll talk to her, but it sounds like it's going to be a waste of time.

>>4920365
>[x] We'll talk to her, but it sounds like it's going to be a waste of time.

Ok, votes called!

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[x] We'll talk to her, but it sounds like it's going to be a waste of time.

You frown. By the sounds of it, this is another political consideration above a practical one- it's going to be a waste of time. "We'll talk to her, but it sounds like it's going to be a waste of time." you say.

Mori shrugs. "I'm surprised she wanted onboard this team, as opposed to an IJN team of her own." She admits. "So there's something else at play here. Either way, the guard will be looking into her."

"What about the other one?" You ask. "Tosa?"

Mori nods. "She's been pulled from the front to talk with us and wait for a decision from the team."

"They're going to hold her back the entire time we're deciding?" You ask.

Mori shrugs. "Sounds like it. The Americans are doing the same thing, so it makes sense."

You frown, looking over as Merlin heads upstairs with Wendy. Kyou has taken up residence on the couch, and is idly flipping through TV channels. She'll be over shortly, you're sure. "Wasteful."

Mori shakes her head. "Pragmatic." She says. "All of the imperial picks we're getting are favorites of some group or other. It's in their interest to make sure their witch is available as soon as we make a decision."

You nod- she's not wrong, though it still does seem odd. "Just for us?" You ask.

"Of course." She responds with a laugh. "They're willing to work with the American navy, and some witches have expressed interest in other teams, but..." She shrugs. "This is the princess' team. There's much more interest here at the higher levels."

"Like this new witch?"

"Satsuki." Mori provides, and nods. "And exactly. I'm sure if we pass her up, she'll get an IJN team of her own. I'm surprised she didn't get the first team, to be honest."

"Politics?" You ask, but Mori shakes her head.

"Unlikely." She says. "I know enough about her to know that while she doesn't readily mix with the lower classes like the princess will, she's considered an excellent combat witch and a good leader of troops, if a somewhat harsh disciplinarian. However, she's well liked, according to rumor, and has a good record. Politics alone couldn't have gotten her position at her age."

1/2

"Another flawed gem?" You ask.

"In our case, I think so." Mori says. "I don't doubt she'd make a good addition to the team, perhaps even serving to help round out the princess' more... aggressive impulses, it does sound as if she'd be less seamless than we'd like."

"Of the three, who do you think will work out best?" You ask.

"Between Satsuki, Yuki and Rockafeller?" Mori asks, and you nod.

"I'm not sure." She says. "From what we know now, I'd go with Yuki, but we know next to nothing."

"her?" You ask.

Mori nods. "I know her best." She says. "Of the three, she's probably going to be the best fit, assuming rockafeller is like her sister. Yuki is incredibly intense, but she's dedicated to whatever it is she's doing. She'd be a good fit here."

[] Well, we'll talk with her next then.
[] Not Satuski? It sounded like you thought pretty highly of her.

>>4920513
>[x] Not Satuski? It sounded like you thought pretty highly of her.

>>4920513
>[X] Not Satuski? It sounded like you thought pretty highly of her.

>>4920513
>[x] Well, we'll talk with her next then.

>>4920513
>[x] Well, we'll talk with her next then.

>>4920513
>[] Well, we'll talk with her next then.

>>4920513
>[] Not Satuski? It sounded like you thought pretty highly of her.

>>4920513
[] Not Satuski? It sounded like you thought pretty highly of her.

>>4920513
>[] Well, we'll talk with her next then.

>>4920513
>[] Not Satuski? It sounded like you thought pretty highly of her.

ok, votes called! I'm thinking we'll run a couple hours saturday too, just because I've got to get back in the swing of one or two day runs, so my speed is really going to have to improve, haha!

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[x] Not Satuski? It sounded like you thought pretty highly of her.

"Not Satuski?" You ask, a little surprised. "It sounded like you thought pretty highly of her."

Mori nods. "I do." She says. "But I also think she may have problems being subordinate to you. Both because you're an American and because you're a commoner."

"He's not." Kyou says, from her seat on the couch. "He's the prince-consort, and as such a member of the imperial family."

Mori looks over at her and nods. "Of course." She says. "But he's not noble born."

"It hardly matters." Kyou responds. "He's adopted into the imperial family. And if his mother is to be believed, there are ties to French nobility. As well, Frank Bishop was knighted."

"And you think a witch of the Tokugawa clan would make such distinctions?" Mori asks, a little pointedly. "He's not imperial nobility."

"True." Kyou says. "But it would be her problem to overcome."

"And ours, if she decided to be pigheaded about it." Mori says. "Which is why right now I'd pick Yuki. She's intense in all her duties, but that's no reason to think she wouldn't be loyal to the household."

"Not that loyalty is a particular issue once they share the MIU." Kyou points out. "However, I do agree. Power struggles with another high born witch wouldn't be productive. And it's unlikely that the MIU alone would prevent them from occurring. As I recall her grandfather was not a particular supporter of my family."

"And her father and yours were both battalion commanders with the paratroops in the last war." Mori points out. "It's impossible to judge, but I agree that from what I know of her, her place with us would be difficult to adjust to for her."

"Though it is worth noting that if the rumors are to be believed, she is an incredibly competent leader and combatant in her own right." Kyou points out. "Enough so that tolerating some friction may prove to be well worth it."

[] Disagree- you'd rather have seamless teamwork than an outstanding teammate with integration issues.
[] Agree- for one teammate, it may be worth dealing with some interpersonal issues like that.

And I'm going to call it there for the night!

We'll do a short Saturday run to help make up for things, but I do think going forward we'll be running mon and wed, with Friday being the make-up day should we need it.

I want to apologize again for missing the weeks I did, apparently my understanding of a 'light part time gig' was wrong, and what they thought I meant was 35+ hours a week, haha! Of course, that's nothing in a full time- but I'd also be making about twice as much an hour in any fulltime as I am here, so...

Also, the new captcha is beyond awful. No clue why they changed it, but good god is it bad, haha.

Anyway. We'll run some tomorrow, but otherwise, till then gents, cheers!

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>>4920653
>[X] Disagree- you'd rather have seamless teamwork than an outstanding teammate with integration issues.

>>4920656
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4920653
>[X] Disagree- you'd rather have seamless teamwork than an outstanding teammate with integration issues.

>>4920653
>[x] Disagree- you'd rather have seamless teamwork than an outstanding teammate with integration issues.

>>4920656
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>4920653
>[] Disagree- you'd rather have seamless teamwork than an outstanding teammate with integration issues.

>>4920653
>[] Disagree- you'd rather have seamless teamwork than an outstanding teammate with integration issues.

>>4920653
>[x] Disagree- you'd rather have seamless teamwork than an outstanding teammate with integration issues.
Definitely not. Everyone else up to this point has been added on the basis that they can get along. The MIU might help but I’m not doing power struggle dynamics within the WCT.

>>4920653
>>[] Disagree- you'd rather have seamless teamwork than an outstanding teammate with integration issues.

>>4920653
>[X] Disagree- you'd rather have seamless teamwork than an outstanding teammate with integration issues.

Ok, votes called! Just a little short run this evening to get the thread to a good stop point, we should be back to full length joints next week though!

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[x] Disagree- you'd rather have seamless teamwork than an outstanding teammate with integration issues.

You frown, shaking your head. "I don't agree." You state. "We're better off with seamless teamwork than an outstanding teammate with integration issues."

"We are fortunate in that our combat team thus far can count so many skilled and talented individuals already." Kyou says, nodding thoughtfully. "And she is far from the only option we should find so talented."

Mori nods, agreeing. "Yuki has a sterling record, and from what I've seen, both of the Rockafeller daughters are highly thought of as well." She says. "

"It does raise the question of why a witch of that clan would request a position with this team." Kyou says, turning off the TV and standing, walking over to join you and Mori in the kitchen. Well, mostly- Kyou takes a seat at the bartop instead of actually stepping inside the kitchen. "While her talent and skill would be welcome, it also seems a waste to have her here instead of leading her own team."

"What do you know about her?" Mori asks.

Kyou shakes her head. "Only what I was able to observe. She was in the class directly ahead of mine, and often seemed to be holding herself in competition with me."

"I can't imagine that worked out in her favor." Mori notes with a slight grin.

Kyou shakes her head. "She is talented and driven, but hardly a match for myself, at least in terms of talent or power." She says. "However, she is also very much a witch from an old samurai clan, and carries herself as such. She is skilled with any weapon put before her, and always behaves as if the honor of her family rested on her shoulders alone."

"How would she fit in with us now?" You ask.

Kyou frowns. "I am not sure." She admits, carefully. "I believe she would find Merlin and Wendy's behaviors somewhat... open, for her tastes, even in private. She would, no doubt, see you as little better than a necessary foreigner foist upon me by the nature of a wyvern team, and Mori little more than a body guard. It is unlikely she would view any here, save myself, as her equal, let alone superior, though I very much doubt we would have issues in combat with her refusing orders."

"Or even arguing them?" Mori prompts, and Kyou nods again.

"Most probably." She says. "Again, she is from a very old, very powerful clan. I doubt she would in any way behave in a manner that could bring any sort of dishonor upon them."

[] So would you pick her, right now?
[] I still think I agree with Mori so far.

>>4921728
>[x] So would you pick her, right now?

>>4921728
>[] I still think I agree with Mori so far.

>>4921728
>[X] So would you pick her, right now?

>>4921728
>[x] So would you pick her, right now?

ok, votes called!

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[x] So would you pick her, right now?

"So would you pick her, right now?" You ask.

Kyou frowns, then shakes her head. "Given what we know, no." She admits. "I feel she'd be a far more..." She pauses, looking for the right word. "Active?" member of the household, but it would be countered by any friction we would have involving her place relative to the rest of us."

"You think Yuki wouldn't be active?" Mori asks, smirking slightly.

"Not in the same manner." Kyou responds. "If stories are to be believed, she would be entirely dedicated to the household, but less.." She frowns, trailing off. "I doubt she would have any question or misunderstanding about her place within it."

"So another Wendy." Mori prompts.

Kyou shrugs lightly. "I doubt she'd be as subservient." She says, smiling. "I will, however, note that no one has complained about Wendy's behavior, either, and perhaps another wouldn't be such a problem."

Mori shrugs. "Not exactly the issue." She points out.

Kyou nods. "True. It's difficult to say, honestly. Tosa is known to be incredibly intense, but her talents are somewhat less powerful than Satsuki's. Similarly, we know Satsuki to be powerful and talented, but potentially a much larger issue in integration."

"And then there's Rockafeller." Mori points out.

Kyou nods. "But we know next to nothing of her, short of her reputation." She says.

You're about to respond when you hear Merlin and Wendy heading down the stairs, talking to each other. Both have changed into 'household' clothes- which isn't much at all in either case, though neither seems to notice it at all.

Kyou turns to look, then turns back to you, smiling. "It is good to see that this arrangement has been good for Samantha." She says, quietly enough that you can make out that it's meant for you. "I cannot help but wonder how much more she will improve when-"

She cuts herself off with a laugh at the look on your face.

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

I know it was short, I'm honestly kinda trying to refigure all the stuff from the older three day runs to a two day... it's not exactly perfect, but I think it'll work. Anyway, my notes still work for where we are, so that's good.

Not much more to add here. My schedule isn't exactly set or anything, but it does look like the BS isn't going to be an issue going forward. Ideally, at least. They seem to think I'm cool with being called in outside schedule hours, but joke's on them.

Anyway, that's about it, haha! I'll be around in discord and here to answer questions or comments, but otherwise, till next week- probably Monday- gents, cheers!

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>>4921840
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4921840
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>4921840
oh hey this is running again, thanks for running

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After what amounted to a fairly uneventful rest of the day- and, to this point, an uneventful morning after- You're stuck in the office, waiting for a witch. It seems like that's been a lot of your military career, to this point. To be honest, it's a little disheartening- you were told Wyvern teams were constantly in demand, yet you've flown relatively few combat missions.

You push the thought aside as a blonde bombshell knocks on your door. You look up as Mori tells her to come in. This would be the other Rockafeller daughter, then. You keep the frown you're feeling from your face- She's clearly a little older than her sister, and, like Captain Carnegie, is almost impossibly good-looking. She's also confident in herself, judging by how she walks, and there's a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"Good morning, Lieutenant, Tai-i." She says, taking a seat at Mori's gestured instruction. "Sorry it took so long, I had to deal with a few things before they'd clear me to detach off into the hopeful pool."

Mori nods. "So we've heard." She responds, moving her chair closer to your own. "We'd be interested in hearing a little about why you think you'd make a good match for our team."

The witch smiles and nods. "Sell myself to you, huh?" She asks, then laughs. "Well, I'm sure you've seen my service records." She pauses. "Well, the unclassified parts, anyway."

"We've seen all of them." You respond- as part of the deal, unless it's classified TS/SCI, you've got access to all parts of a hopeful's service record- while heavily redacted, it's usually plenty to get a good idea of who you're dealing with in a witch. In this case, while certain parts of her record were mostly black bars from the censor's office, You did recognize some of the units she worked with- mostly through your own family connections. It speaks to her ability that she's worked with them- DEVGRU rarely works with witches outside the notoriously clannish NAVSPECWAR ones, and usually a witch doesn't get in that community without being a direct apprentice to another.

That, though, seems to surprise her. "All of them?" She asks.

You nod, and Mori smiles. "Our team lead being the son of the witch called Nyx does help in some regards." She says.

1/2

Rockafeller blinks- then laughs. "I guess so!" She responds. "Well, It's kind of hard for me to sell myself to you based on what I can bring to the team, way I hear it there's not much the team needs. You've got an imperial super witch, one of the more decorated members of VF-3 from the soviet war, and an intel talent." She pauses. "From what I understand, that means you can pull from the experience of Wendy Maloney and also utilize the awareness of a command talent seamlessly through the MIU. Not much anyone can add to that, not through talent or anything."

You nod, at least slightly impressed by her realistic assessment of the situation. "So you don't think your talents would add anything?" You prompt.

She shakes her head. "I didn't say that, just that I'm not going to be able to add in the same way." She says. "I mean, you said you've seen my record, so you know I know what I'm doing. But it's not like I'm going to really bring anything to the table you can use in the same way. Unless you'd consider volleyball to be a soft spot in your skill set."

You smile. "Volleyball?"

She nods. "Invited, twice, for the witch's team at the summer Olympics." She says. "Last time and this one, in Rio. I've declined both times."

[] You declined? Why?
[] Well, teams would be uneven right now, so that's a little helpful.

>>4929812
>[X] You declined? Why?

>>4929812
>[x] You declined? Why?

>>4929812
>[x] You declined? Why?

>>4929820
supporting

ok, votes called!

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[x] You declined? Why?

"You declined?" You ask, and she nods. "Why?"

She shrug. "I mean, it's witch league stuff." She says. "So it's not like it's a big deal either way. And in 2012 I'd have had to take time out of academy for it, and I didn't want to interrupt anything and get further behind, and this year... " She shrugs again. "I mean, how would that have gone over? Rich girl goes on leave to play volleyball while there's a war on. Not exactly the best look, ya know?"

"When you say further behind," Mori asks. "Do you mean in classes?"

The other witch nods. "I slacked off a little bit much early on, but I got lucky and one of my flight instructors sat down with me and helped me straighten myself out." She says. "After that I cleaned up my act enough to graduate in the upper half of my class."

You nod- You'd seen as much in her records. "And since then you've been bounced around fleet squadrons?"

"Yeah." She says. It's not unusual for a witch to spend time all over the fleet- especially one that never quite fits in with any given squadron. So far, that's the read you're getting off the blonde witch across the desk from you, too- she's a misfit. Not one that's bad enough about it to stick out, but one that never quite meshes with any unit. "I requested transfer to the pacific fleet about three months ago, just before Korea popped off. It's been such a nonstop mess since then that I just got cleared, technically, into PACFLT right before I got dropped to the wyvern pool."

You nod again. "The navy has been moving very quickly with the new teams."

She laughs. "Yeah, you can say that again!" She says. "I'd been under the impression that teams were locked in at a fighter and a superstriker. Then they up the game to two superstrikers, then three?" She shakes her head. "all of a sudden every single drake team in fleet is under strength and the navy's only allowing us to put our names in the hat after two weeks of psych evals and workups."

"You understand the purpose of those evaluations?" Mori asks.

The blonde frowns. "I think so." She says. "They were pretty clear that we had to work with our team for the rest of our lives, and it was a lot like marriage, only much more deep and intense. I've gathered that once you're part of a net, you can't ever back out, so they've got to do their best to get rid of anyone who can't hack it, and limit where you can put your name forward to."

Mori looks over at you.

[] That's pretty accurate, yes.
[] That's good enough for now, anyway. You'd be ok with that?

>>4929910
>[X] That's good enough for now, anyway. You'd be ok with that?

>>4929910
>[s] That's pretty accurate, yes.

>>4929910
>[x] That's pretty accurate, yes.

ok, votes called!

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[x] That's pretty accurate, yes.

You nod. "That's pretty accurate, yes." You respond. "There's other things about it, but I want to get back to what you'd bring to the team."

She smiles. "Well, besides my good looks?" She asks.

Mori's smile is somewhat thinner. "While it's an advantage, I'm sure you've done your own work on any team you expect to join?"

The blonde laughs. "I have, and I'm aware." She says. "I mean, in terms of team wide ability, I don't know what I'd be bringing besides my own experience, and that seems like it's going to be pretty small compared to Wendy Maloney. I'm pretty good with tinkering, I tune all my own equipment, but rumor is you guys are... uh. involved? With Merlin Wells- and there's no one on earth that could compete with that." She shrugs. "I mean, I'd like to think my record speaks well enough. I'd be bringing myself, and I'm good with anything you give me, I learn fast and I can think on my feet."

"All of which are required for this team." Mori points out. "They're minimums for entry, not particular selling points."

"I'd guessed as much." The other witch says, nodding. "My talent isn't anything to write home about, I'm a healwitch. I'm good enough at it that I'm on the secret service's go-list if there's trouble, but it's not really that special in terms of a combat unit."

1/2

You frown- there's more to her than you're finding out, here. She's a heal witch- on the secret service's notoriously picky 'go-list'- the list of healwitches rated to work on the president if there's significant trouble, and ones that are considered on call for just that purpose- and she's flown missions for DEVGRU- but she bounces around and was only middle of her academy class? She might not be NAVSPECWAR, but she's certainly involved in some special operations force of some kind- and if she is NAVSPECWAR, it's with one of the ends of it even you don't know much about.

"A healwitch is something we do lack, however." Mori points out. "I've got a minor talent in it, but not enough to deal with much more than broken bones and flesh wounds."

"Huh." The blonde nods. "So I would be bringing something to the team?"

"Seems that way." Mori responds- her face still flat. "And you'd be comfortable moving to a valkyrie unit?"

The other witch nods again. "I'm not really attached to my strikers or anything." She says. "But I'd like to bring my rifle with me."

"Of course." Mori says. "And they've provided hosing for you here?"

The witch shakes her head. "Joint base Yokosuka." She says. "It's not a big deal, since they said this is basically it."

"So far as we know." Mori says, nodding. "We're not being given much to work with either."

Rockafeller smiles. "Yeah, typical navy." She says, sympathetically. "Well, if it's any consolation, we're making the same leap of faith on this end."

You nod, and Mori looks over at you. "I'm done with her," She says in Japanese- a language the records indicate Rockafeller doesn't speak. "You have anything?"

[] I think we're done. Thanks for your time, commander.
[] (Any questions for her? Write in!)

>>4930032
>[] I think we're done. Thanks for your time, commander.

>>4930032
May as well pose the same two points asked to her sister from last time
>Are you aware that there are no secrets between those connected in an MIU net?
>We are very likely to be based here in Japan after the war to assist with their Wyvern program. Would that be a problem?

>>4930032
This >>4930042
While she seems to have a better understanding of things then her sister did, better to ask anyway.

Ok, votes called!

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[x] (>Are you aware that there are no secrets between those connected in an MIU net?
>We are very likely to be based here in Japan after the war to assist with their Wyvern program. Would that be a problem? )

You nod, turning back to the hopeful. "You seem to be well informed about the MIU. You are aware there are no secretes between those in one?" You ask.

She nods. "I've heard rumors to that effect, yes." She says, then shrugs. "It doesn't really bother me at all, honestly it's kind of a turn-on."

You blink. "A turn-on?" You ask, and she nods.

"To have a group of people around you that you know you can completely trust with anything, at all times?" She responds. "I mean, it's really some fairy tale stuff, if you get down to it."

Mori smiles. "Especially so, in our case, then." She says.

"Well, right!" The other witch says, laughing. "Having a princess and all."

"My other question is, we're most likely going to based here in Japan after the war, and potentially for the remainder of our career." You say. "Would that be a problem?"

The witch laughs again. "Home is where the navy sends me." She says, smiling, then shakes her head. "Not really. I haven't been back to the family home in a few years, and it's not like they're expecting me to move back to Manhattan at the earliest possible chance." She frowns. "Well, unless they're planning another arranged boyfriend."

"Arranged boyfriend?" You prompt, and she shrugs.

"You know how it goes." She says. "Old money witch family seeks to cement dynastic whatever by finding a suitable husband for their girls. It gets real old, real fast. And then you get every little shitbag-" she frowns, but continues. "Sorry. Every little worthless turd that thinks he's gonna be the one to get in your bed and get part of that inheritance or whatever. I'm sure you can imagine the types. And that's in addition to the usual witch chasers and that kind of crap."

1/2

"I see." Mori says, nodding. "Well, I imagine that particular problem would end, should you get selected for a wyvern team."

The other witch laughs. "Yeah, I'd hope so." She says. "Though some of them might take it as an invitation to just try harder. Anyway, it's an irritant, but not the reason I bucked for the job."

Mori nods. "You don't foresee your family becoming an issue, should you be selected?"

Rockafeller frowns. "Probably not." She says, thinking a bit. "If anything, given the make up of the team here, they'd probably be sickeningly friendly. Like, look, I love my family, I do, but they've got a bad habit of treating my sister and I like assets. Cherished assets, sure, loved even, but assets all the same. My sister buys into that a lot more than I do, which is probably why they get along with her better."

"And you believe they'd attempt to use your position to get a closer relationship with members of the household?" Mori prompts.

"Not overtly." The other witch says. "There's a lot of potential money to be made as the emperor's close friends, but they're not stupid. I expect the most they'd do is invite us to use some of the vacation properties more, or make sure my bank account was a little more full than it's been in the past. Expensive Christmas gifts, maybe, that kind of thing."

Mori nods, looking over at you briefly. "I think that's it, commander." She says. "Thank you."

The other witch nods and stands up, heading out of the office and down the stairs. "Not what I expected." Mori says to you after you hear the stairwell door close behind her. "I'd expected a repeat of her sister."

[] She's got a good head on her shoulders, seemed realistic about things. But there's something going on with her service record. We're not being told the truth.
[] She's putting on a show. Someone coached her.

>>4930184
>[X] She's got a good head on her shoulders, seemed realistic about things. But there's something going on with her service record. We're not being told the truth.

>>4930184
>[x] She's got a good head on her shoulders, seemed realistic about things. But there's something going on with her service record. We're not being told the truth.

>>4930184
>[x] She's got a good head on her shoulders, seemed realistic about things. But there's something going on with her service record. We're not being told the truth.

>>4930184
>[] She's got a good head on her shoulders, seemed realistic about things. But there's something going on with her service record. We're not being told the truth.

>>4930184
>>[] She's putting on a show. Someone coached her.

>>4930184
>[x] She's got a good head on her shoulders, seemed realistic about things. But there's something going on with her service record. We're not being told the truth.

Ok, votes called!

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[x] She's got a good head on her shoulders, seemed realistic about things. But there's something going on with her service record. We're not being told the truth.

You frown. "She's got a good head on her shoulders, seemed realistic about things." You say, and Mori nods. "But there's something going on with her service record. We're not being told the truth."

"You think she's lying?" Mori asks.

"I'm not sure if it's her or if she's been instructed to not say anything." You say, explaining. "Middle of her class, but she's on the Secret Service's go list for healwitches, and she's done classified work with DEVGRU?" You shake your head again. "There's a few possibilities, but I doubt it's anything to do with politics. She caught someone's eye because of her ability if she's working with the special operations guys."

"As a healwitch?" Mori asks.

You nod. "That's what makes it strange." You say. "I'd be willing to bet she's got a bunch of minor talents as well that make her more attractive to them."

"Or perhaps she's that skilled."

You nod. "Also possible." You agree. "She seems like she's more grounded than her sister was."

Mori nods again. "I think so too. It will make the choice difficult."

"So long as Kyou doesn't let her eyes get the better of her." You say, grinning.

Mori laughs. "I'm sure the princess will appreciate her looks." She says, simply.

You're sure too. You're so sure, in fact, that you're already considering having Kyou talk to her after the rest of them- just to make sure she bothers to listen to the other two.

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

So part of the hang up this week is we had a coworker quit- not suddenly, but apparently he neglected to tell the managers, haha. I'm covering a shift for him, but this should be a rarity- I do expect my schedule being 19-??? Tuesday Thursday Sunday for the most part, at least till I get a call back from a decent fulltime or nut up and start my own business, haha!

I am planning to run next week as well, ideally wed-fri again. We'll see how that turns out, considering everything, but so far that is the plan going forward, is wed-fri runs, maybe with a thursday update or two before work (but probably not)

Anyway gents, that's it for the week! As usual, I'll be here and in the discord to chat or field questions, but otherwise gents, till next time, cheers!

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>>4930296
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4930296
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>4930296
thanks for the run!

>>4930296
Thanks for running

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With the entire day set aside for your two initial interviews- which will be followed for the witches tomorrow with interviews with Kyou and Wendy- there's not much that you can do but sit in your office and catch up on news, such as it is. The cycle coming out of the US is dominated by the election, which is proving contentious- neither candidate is particularly popular overall, but both draw strong support from their respective bases. They're heading into the home stretch now- the election is in just a couple of months- and at this point, the news is all but declaring the winner. Honestly, you're more interested in the news coverage of the war.

Bizarrely, it barely seems to matter to the big outlets back home, where it seems to have barely registered as a major shooting war with a major world power. There's an article- copied from the Japanese national press, no less- about the PLA's abandonment of everything south of Kaechon/Hamhung line, with the remainder of their main combat elements withdrawing further north, leaving that defensive line held mostly by turncoat KDF troops and the handful of "Korean People's Army" units they'd managed to raise, train, and equip. Japanese outlets have more articles, but scarcely more information, only noting that everything in the southern half of the peninsula, now, is back in Japanese hands, and while the damage is severe to catastrophic in some areas, Korea should recover fairly quickly- especially with Japanese 'assistance and guidance'.

That last part probably won't be real popular among the Koreans, you're sure, who've been dealing with a state of half-independence now for almost twenty years.

You're interrupted in your thoughts by Mori greeting your second interview of the day- Satsuki. You've taken the time to go over her service record- and her coven records, helpfully provided as well- and on paper she's by far the most impressive of the three your team has an interest in. She's rated master in effectively every weapon system operated by the imperial military, though her talent- perhaps predictably- is based around her sword skills. It's not uncommon, especially among the noble families in the empire, but it will prove interesting in a valkyrie unit- it's possible to use a sword, you'd guess, but probably more difficult.

She carries herself professionally, though her noble roots are screamingly obvious- the slight tilt to her head, so it's as if she's looking down at everyone, the look in her eye, all of it. You can tell she's not got a problem with self-esteem, that's for certain. She's clad in a standard IJN Witch-officer's uniform, though she's bareleg. Hardly surprising, you think- She seems the type to not miss a chance to announce her status.

1/2

Mori stands and bows- she's a commoner, despite her lofty position. To your surprise, though, Satsuki returns it before sitting. The severe look never leaves her face, but she at least returns courtesy, you think.

"Thank you for coming, Chu-sa." Mori says. "We're sorry for requiring your time like this." She sounds sincere enough, but you know enough about her to know it's her being polite- she doesn't actually care too much about making demands on the other witch's time.

"Of course." The other witch says, nodding slightly. "I expect you've found a chance to review my records?"

Mori nods. "Yes." She says. "Allow me to introduce-"

"That won't be necessary." The other witch says, interrupting. "I've also had a chance to review the files available on you and lieutenant junior grade Laroux-Bishop." She turns to look at you, appraising you. There's a challenge in her look- one you've seen before, occasionally, on witches that want to test your family's reputation through you.

"I see." Mori responds, diplomatically. "As he is our team lead, the lieutenant will be asking many of the questions during this phase of the process." She says, getting a nod in return.

[] Ask her about her interest in this team- she could have easily had her own, afterall.
[] See what she knows about being in a WCT.

>>4957199
>[X] Ask her about her interest in this team- she could have easily had her own, afterall.

>>4957199
>[x] Ask her about her interest in this team- she could have easily had her own, afterall.

>>4957199
>[] Ask her about her interest in this team- she could have easily had her own, afterall.

>>4957199
>[X] Ask her about her interest in this team- she could have easily had her own, afterall.

>>4957199
>[] Ask her about her interest in this team- she could have easily had her own, afterall.

Alright, might as well start out with the boring stuff

>>4957199
>>[X] Ask her about her interest in this team- she could have easily had her own, afterall.

ok, votes called!

>>4957251
you forgot your trip code

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[x] Ask her about her interest in this team- she could have easily had her own, afterall.

"Why your interest in this WCT?" You ask. "From what we've seen, you could have easily had the first Imperial wyvern team."

She nods. "I was approached about it. I declined the offer." She says, and smiles at the confused look on Mori's face- and yours, you suppose. "

She nods again. "While I'm certain I could easily lead such a team and create every bit as capable element as the one here, I feel I am of better service to the emperor by joining a unit of similar capability to myself, that I don't have to hold back." She says. "As well, given your position as a force in being, I can ensure that our edge never dulls from inaction with my experience in training and my contacts with the training establishment."

"Similar capability?" Mori prompts, and the witch nods.

"Yes." She says. "Many in the empire are not so fortunate as I to be blessed with such strength of talent. The princess is one of the few, and it is known she has surrounded herself with those similarly blessed, even if some are westerners. Similarly it is well known that the princess is forming a household that will be incredibly powerful in it's future political standings, regardless of if that is her intent or not."

"And that interests you?" Mori asks.

There's a faint look of distaste on the other witch. "Not politics, but the princess may wish an advisor with more experience in those matters than she currently possesses, which I would happily act as." She says.

"Regardless, that's a question for the far future, if at all." you point out. "So you're interested in joining the team because you think we'd be the best fit in combat."

"I can see no others that could even begin to approach the limits of my abilities, let alone challenge them." She responds. "Here I am able to do best service by not being forced to hold myself back for the sake of less capable teammates."

[] And you're aware of the commitment involved? If selected, membership is permanent.
[] Being under the command of a Westerner isn't a concern to you?

>>4957283

So I did! Sorry about that, I just noticed. Glad this board has IDs, haha!

>>4957442
>[X] And you're aware of the commitment involved? If selected, membership is permanent.

>>4957442
>[] And you're aware of the commitment involved? If selected, membership is permanent.

>>4957442
>[x] Being under the command of a Westerner isn't a concern to you?
Changed vote, previous should be deleted

>>4957442
>[x] Being under the command of a Westerner isn't a concern to you?

Might as well rip off the bandaid right now.

>>4957442
>[x] Being under the command of a Westerner isn't a concern to you?

>>4957442
>[] And you're aware of the commitment involved? If selected, membership is permanent.

>>4957442
>[X] Being under the command of a Westerner isn't a concern to you?

ok, votes called!

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[x] Being under the command of a Westerner isn't a concern to you?

"Being under the command of a westerner isn't a concern to you?" You ask.

There's a look that crosses her face- she's not thrilled with the concept, clearly. "If it is the price I pay to serve the emperor, then I accept it." She says, probably more diplomatically than she feels. "I have served in joint commands previously, and some of them were commanded by Americans."

Mori smiles very slightly. "Were you directly commanded by one?" She asks.

"No." The other witch responds, bluntly. "But what does it matter? I will follow orders given to me by officers placed above me, and I will not hesitate because they may not be from the empire. It is my duty, as it is for all officers of his majesty's military forces."

Mori nods. "It isn't as bad later on." She says. "I think I've heard enough though, unless the lieutenant has further questions?"

[] You've gotten what you'd wanted, yes.
[] I have a couple more questions (Write in!)

>>4957543
May as well ask her if she understands what being in a MIU net entails.

>>4957543
This >>4957559
>Are you aware of how the MIU net works? It'd be a permanent assignment, with no secrets between those in it.

Just wanna be sure she understands how the MIU works, since Tosa and Kurita didn't have a good picture given to them by their command at first...

>>4957543
Let's roll: >>4957559

>>4957561
>>4957559
supporting

>>4957543
>[] I have a couple more questions (Write in!)

"Did they skip briefing you on what an MIU network was like, too?"

>>4957543
>>4957561
+1

Ok, votes called!

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[x] I have a couple more questions (Write in!)

"We've noticed," you say, as a response to Mori just as much as it's a question to Satsuki, "That many Imperial witches have an... incomplete picture of what being in an MIU team involves."

Satsuki looks at you, directly. "It means a connection deeper than mere marriage could ever give someone." She responds. "It means being bound to those in the connection forever in such a way that personal secrets are impossible to keep."

Mori blinks, and you nod.

"Close enough." you respond, and she gives a very thin smile.

"It seems you've dealt with those unable or unwilling to do any research on the subject." She supplies. "The information is available."

"Thank you, Chu-sa." Mori says. "Lieutenant?"

[] Thank you for your time, Chu-sa.
[] More questions! (Write in!)

>>4957633
>[] Thank you for your time, Chu-sa.

>>4957633
>[x] Thank you for your time, Chu-sa.

>>4957633
>[] Thank you for your time, Chu-sa.

>>4957633
>[X] Thank you for your time, Chu-sa.

ok gents, votes called!

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[x] Thank you for your time, Chu-sa.

"Thank you for your time, Chu-sa." You say.

She stands with a nod. "I will expect contact soon." She says, before pivoting on her heel and leaving- you can't describe it as a walk, it's more of a prowl, really.

Mori waits a second before switching to English. "That went better than I expected." She says.

You nod. "She was a lot more reasonable than I'd expected from what I'd heard."

Mori smiles lightly. "My fault." She says, then shrugs. "She's got a reputation."

"I can see why." You respond. "But it sounded like she knew what she was talking about, and had at least given it some thought."

"Would have been strange if she hadn't." Mori responds. "You don't get to the post she's got by being impulsive or poorly informed."

"So what's your opinion now?" You ask.

Mori frowns. "Rockafeller, then Satsuki." She says.

"Big change." You point out, and she nods.

"I know Yuki, but having talked to them? Rockafeller is into it." She says. "She wants a team and everything that goes with it, she's got experience with your special warfare units, and she's a heal witch, which we lack. And we both know Kyou's going to like her."

You nod- from the impression you got, Kyou will wildly approve of the blonde. "And Satsuki as your second pick?"

"She's stronger than Yuki by a few steps, she's exactly the kind of iron willed sort that's going to help keep Kyou on a leash, as you like to say, and as much as you don't want to admit it, she's right about her political ability helping later on."

You frown. "And her relationship with Kyou?"

Mori laughs. "Oh, they'll be the best friends, are you joking?" She says. "It may take a little bit, but she's exactly what Kyou's going to like. A friend that's her almost-clone. They're going to be dangerous for you once they work themselves out though."

You shrug. "Maybe we should go with Rockafeller." You say, and Mori laughs again.

"You think she'd be much better?" She says. "Body like that, she's going to want to use it once the MIU starts getting in her head."

"Maybe we should pick up Yuki." You say.

"She'd be worse." Mori says, smiling and shaking her head. "Hers is a traditional family. Hope you want many strong sons, cos that's what she'd start angling for."

You shake your head and sit back down at your computer, the monitor waking up to show you a pair of new e-mails. One is from Merlin, probably about the engines- she'd said she'd wanted to get a look at them, and another from the imperial general headquarters.

[] Read Merlin's first, it's the most immediately important.
[] See what IGHQ wanted.

>>4957704
>[X] Read Merlin's first, it's the most immediately important.

>>4957704
>[] See what IGHQ wanted.

As long as we're here...

>>4957704
>[x] Read Merlin's first, it's the most immediately important.

>>4957704
>[x] See what IGHQ wanted.

>>4957704
>[] Read Merlin's first, it's the most immediately important.

>>4957704
>>[] Read Merlin's first, it's the most immediately important.

>>4957704
>[x] Read Merlin's first, it's the most immediately important.
Solid choice either way between Satsuki and the second Rockafeller.

ok, votes called! This'll probably be the last update for the evening, it's getting pretty late. I'll do a fast news post at the end of the thread!

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[x] Read Merlin's first, it's the most immediately important.

You pull up your E-mail program, having to wait only a half-second as either Muninn or Tessa- you're never sure which it is- handles your log-on credentials and handshakes with the secure server on post before accessing your.mil account. Technically, the AIs can access your emails themselves, but they tend to not, viewing it as largely distasteful. Privately, you're glad for that, considering the things that sometimes get sent to your accounts.

In this case, though, it's just a preliminary report on the excessive wear on the engine components. It's entirely informal- hardly more than a note that a lot of the wear could be explained by the age of the powerplants and the relative strain being put on them by an overpowered witch. Like most things, they weren't designed to handle a superwitch going all out- and it shows. She's confident they'll continue to be serviceable for the immediate future, but she's going to have a new set built and flown in, which will take a little while- she's not going to have the other set refurbished, unless she absolutely has to.

There's also a bit of a run-on sentence about her having the vought plant crew go pull the 4 place drake out of the 'cold' storage hangar there at the factory and giving it a check over, to see if it's still structurally sound. If it is, she's working on something she thinks 'you and Kyou' would like quite a bit- and wants to talk about it as soon as possible, sometime this evening, preferably.

That last part is the part that worries you, you think.

So, news!

As everyone knows by now, I picked up a 'little BS part time' gig at the grocery store I used to work at while I look for something more permanent and, ya know, livable. This was never supposed to exceed, say, 18 hours a week, 20 at the outside. The hiring manager agreed that, since all I wanted was a lightweight part time gig, and could drop in with no training or anything, that was cool- I'd work trucks and that was it.

Yeah, that didn't happen.

The past month I've been either pulling 8-10 hour shifts on the trucks because we're now down 3 bodies from when I started, or pulling 5-6 days a week on schedule. For a 'part time' job, that's a hellacious amount of time on clock. And certainly not what I was after.

That's the bad news. the good news is things *should* be normalizing as we get hires back onboard. This coming week, I should be only scheduled the three truck days- Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. I am, therefore, planning to run again Wednesday. We'll see how that pans out.

Anyway, this was not at all to complain or anything- I've worked many more hours at much more difficult jobs- just to explain what's been going on. I do hope that the schedule normalizes out and I can get back to a thread a week, we'll see what happens though- seems like every time things settle, some more drama pops off.

However, that's all the news I've got, haha! I'll be around, both here and in the discord, to answer questions or comments. Otherwise gents, till next time, cheers!

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>>4957801
Thanks for the run boss.

>>4957801
Thanks for the run Ghost!

>>4957801
thanks for running