File: 1394153362401.jpg-(37 KB, 741x741, coffee with a punch.jpg)

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Lying in your own bed, you stare up at the ceiling, pondering Elda’s sudden outburst. Some part of you is pretty pissed about the whole situation, although mostly you’re just confused and a little hurt.

Turning onto your side you drift off into a thankfully dreamless sleep.

And wake up from said dreamless sleep quite well rested, although slightly put off. Although your subconscious decided to grace you with a peaceful night’s rest, clearly it was chewing over the Elda issue. At least, you assume so, as its the only reasonable explanation why you experienced such a rush of exasperation and irritation upon awakening. Rolling over in your bed, you grab your e-glasses off to check the time. The number 934 glows a gentle shade of blue back at you. Good. Didn’t sleep in too late. You yawn and go through your morning rituals, which help clear the fog of irritation that you awoke in.

Taking a sip from your mug, you slide your e-glasses back on, and open up your messaging client. There’s a few pings waiting for you, three to be exact. One is a profuse apology from Markos for spoiling your chances with Simge last night, another is a crowing message from Niels about how he seized the initiative, and the final one is a terse application approval from the Armorer.

You take another draw from your mug, wondering what you should do this fine day.

>Go and see how Markos is holding up Maybe see if you can’t grab an airhorn from somewhere along the way.
>See just how much of the initiative Niels was able to seize last night.
>Contact the Armorer and figure out just what exactly you’ll be doing for her.
>Write In

>>30680294
>Contact the Armorer and figure out just what exactly you’ll be doing for her.

>>30680294
>Go and see how Markos is holding up Maybe see if you can’t grab an airhorn from somewhere along the way.

>>30680294
>Write-in: send an apology ping to Elda, just something simple ("I'm sorry about last night")

And then

>See just how much of the initiative Niels was able to seize last night

>>30680294

Greets, Fall Guy.

>Contact the Armorer and figure out just what exactly you’ll be doing for her

>>30680294
>>See just how much of the initiative Niels was able to seize last night.
Bros first.
>Contact the Armorer and figure out just what exactly you’ll be doing for her.
Money second.

>>30680294
>send Niels your congratulations, but don't open a channel to him
>Contact the Armorer and figure out just what exactly you'll be doing for her.

>>30680343
Too soon for Elda.

>>30680294


>>30680343
We should wait a bit before we talk to Elda, I think.
>See just how much of the initiative Niels was able to seize last night.
>Contact the Armorer and figure out just what exactly you’ll be doing for her.

>>30680294
>talk to Armorer about job
>congratulate Niel for getting his man card
Then go see Marcos

Alright, it seems like finding out how Niels fared last night and contacting the armorer are both pretty popular. I'm thinking Ivan can ping/comm one while he's making his way to the other.

Which one will Ivan meet face to face, and which will he ping/comm?

>Meet Armorer, ping/comm Niels
>Meet Niels, ping/comm Armorer

>>30680294
>>See just how much of the initiative Niels was able to seize last night.
>>Contact the Armorer and figure out just what exactly you’ll be doing for her.

>>30680424
>>Meet Armorer, ping/comm Niels

>>30680424
>Meet Armorer, ping/comm Niels.

>>30680424
>Meet Armorer, ping/comm Niels

Right! A housekeeping post! I was recently reminded of a certain battery in the IRC that Ivan prototyped for Markos and Niels. Here's what's happening with that.

The battery will serve as a free upgrade to any equipment or augments that use battery power. For example, Melville's Shortcut, that harpoon/grappling hook device, has 10 charges. The battery will raise that amount to 15 at no cost to you. The battery allows for +5 max charges on equipment and augments, not a 50% boost

>>30680424
>Meet Niel, comm Armorer
>then go see Marcos
bros before dough.

>>30680424
>Meet Armorer, ping/comm Niels

>>30680424
>>Meet Armorer, ping/comm Niels

Writing

>>30680491
so everything we got using batteries have +5 capacity? Neat.

>>30680491
Did we make any money from the battery can we propose a deal with the Armorer to sell it and shit.

>>30680537
Battery is the property of Niels and Markos. Ivan does not have the rights to sell it. They're giving you free access to the battery for personal use, but if they choose to sell it, they are not obligated to pay you anything.

>>30680537
the strike out head honchos probably pays more than Armorer for the schematics
[s]or we are not paid at all[/s]

>>30680371
...welp. Just goes to show how bad I am with women.

File: 1394155441931.jpg-(213 KB, 1400x472, The Armory.jpg)

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You decide to pay a visit to your no longer future-employer. It’s probably for the best if you hammer out important details like whether or not you’ll be a salaried employee or a wage-slave and what sort of work you’ll be doing exactly, face to face. As you make for the Tram station you ping Niels, curious to see what “seizing the initiative” means to your meek friend.

>Hey Niels. Glad to hear you nutted up. Although now I’ve got to know, you didn’t go so far as pulling a Markos right?

A few seconds later, Niels responds.

>Oh absolutely not. All I did was walk her back to her suite and ask if she’d like to meet up for coffee or something later.

You take a seat on the Tram and shrug to yourself. Honestly, that’s better then you expected from Niels. That kid has the hardest time spitting things out sometimes. Although to be fair, you’re no Casanova either, as the events of last night confirmed. Satisfied with Niels’ boldness you sit back and relax, mulling over what sort of work you’ll be doing for the Armorer.

You get off the Tram and walk into the Armory. The Armorer looks up from a dilapidated old book and nods an acknowledgment to you. You walk up to her counter and she hurriedly shuts the book, sliding it underneath the countertop. You manage to make out part of the title, the gold coloring peeling off of the lettering. Something about dragons. Shrugging internally, you take another sip from your mug of coffee.

>What shall Ivan do?
>Greet the Armorer formally, get down to business
>Greet the Armorer informally
>Wait for the Armorer to address you
>Write In

>>30680887
>Greet the Armorer formally, get down to business

I know she's the rough and tumble type--given that we beat her up and that only made her laugh--but I figure when it's time for work we should stop being a total ass.

>>30680887
>>Greet the Armorer formally, get down to business
How do russian greet people anyway? A brawl and vodka?

>>30680887
>Greet the Armorer informally
"Good morning boss."
>Get down to business.
Just go over your responsibilities and see if we can get a tour of our work area, or set a time too if she isn't willing to close the shop for 15-30 minutes.

>>30680887
>Greet informally

>>30680887
>>Greet the Armorer formally, get down to business

>>30680887
>greet the armorer informally, get down to business

>>30680887
>Greet the Armorer formally, get down to business.

>>30680887
>Greet the Armorer informally

"Morning boss. What needs to get done?"

>>30680887
>Something about Dragons
BPQ reference?

writing

>>30680887
>>30680995
>>30680965
I'd like something like those posts.
>Greet the Armorer informally

You incline your head towards the Armorer. “Ready for duty Ma’am.”

The Armorer nods back at you. “Good to see you can be respectful when the need arises.”

You wait for her to say more. She doesn’t. After a few seconds of silence you decide to take the initiative. “So anyway… I was wondering what exactly working in Armory will entail. Since I don’t think I actually applied for any position in particular.”

The Armorer nods again, and the windows at the front of the store go dark. To someone standing outside of the shop, the glass panels would be completely opaque. “Don’t want anyone barging in while I give you the tour,” the Armorer answers to your unspoken question. “C’mon, follow me.”

You follow her behind the desk, and through a heavy metal door. Your jaw drops. Rows upon rows of shelves, loaded with all sorts of military gadgetry and toys. Lines of M-24s, thousands of ammo cans loaded with exotic rounds, Phoenix powered armor… You feel like a kid in a candy store. The Armorer gives you a satisfied smirk. “Nice, isn’t it?”

You nod dumbly, still in awe. The Armorer sighs and tugs you along by the ear, leading you away from the cornucopia of lethal implements. The Armorer directs your attention to a large work station, a huge array of machinery and tools spread out before you. “So, this is where you’ll be working. I- we now- do equipment repairs and alterations here. Considering how reliant they are on tech, most mercs aren’t all that great at maintenence. Probably cause they’re never in the heat longer than a few days at most.”

You decide to shrug diplomatically, despite the implicit insult directed towards you and your fellow rookies. The Armorer continues, “But from what I’ve seen of your application, you’re not quite so hopeless. So here’s what you’ll do. I’ll save any odd jobs that I can’t be assed to do, and you’ll do them. Simple enough.”

>Anything to say about this?
>Ask about hours and wage
>Ask about any employee benefits
>Ask about the Armorer herself
>Write In

>>30681385
>>Ask about hours and wage

We'll need to schedule around our missions.

>>30681367
Fuck wage, lets hear about employee discount.

>>30681385
>Ask about hours and wage

>>30681385
Ask if there are any scrapped equipment that she comes across, that we might be able to repair/buy for ourselves.

>>30681385
>ask about hours and wages
Make sure our part time schedule is flexible enough to work around our deployments.

>employee benefits
We already know we're getting some kind of a discount, see if she'd be willing to have us as a second hand/apprentice on any of the more interesting projects that come through.

>>30681385
>>Ask about hours and wage
>>Ask about any employee benefits
>>Ask about the Armorer herself
We'd be silly to not get all the information we can. We are training for a new job afterall.

Writing.

>>30681533
Say, going back to the battery, is there any way we can improve it? You mentioned that it only had about ninety percent of the capacity then the plans had indicated. Is there any way to increase the storage, output, or flexibility?

>>30681618
Not really. Or at least, not in any way that would make a meaningful difference in terms of game mechanics.

The ninety percent thing was my way of telling you guys that your success on tech rolls like those scale based on how well you rolled. So while you didn't make a perfect replica of the battery in the schematics, you came close enough to get the same amount of performance out of it for all intents and purposes.

“So I guess the elephant in the room,” you say, scratching your ear, “excepting the Elephant XV-SRV powered armor you have in the corner over there, is how much am I gonna get paid for doing this?”

The Armorer nods, rubbing her chin. “Yes, that’s a good question. I’m thinking about 150 credits an hour, at least to start with. Considering your technical skills I don’t think I’ll be able to reserve anything more than about ten to fifteen hours of work for you between missions. Maybe once you get better I can leave you with some more complex tasks.”

You smile and nod, glad that the Armorer has actual work in mind for you. “Alright then. So aside from the pay, I think I heard something about an employee discount?”

The Armorer snorts and rolls her eyes. “I suppose I should, since I’m not giving you dental or anything like that. Here, five percent to start with. More if you can prove you’re worth it. And you can use the facilities here any time you please, so long as I’m not. How’s that sound?”

“Pretty damned good,” you say, careful not to salivate all over the place at the thought of almost unrestricted access to the extensive work station. Then, a thought occurs to you. “Hey,” you say, speaking carefully, “what are the odds that I can claim anything brought in here as scrap?”

The Armorer barks with laughter. “You’re an opportunistic bastard aren’t you? That’ll do you good in this line of work. I usually try to strip whatever I can from scrapped equipment, but if someone brings something in while you’re on duty, I’ll let you claim salvage rights.”

You make an involuntary fist pump, which draws a dull smile from the armorer. “Alright then,” you say, beaming at the Armorer and extending your hand, “Seems like we have an agreement.”

The Armorer takes your proffered hand, shaking it firmly. “Good. Now I won’t have any work for you. Most mercs are too busy sleeping off their hangovers to come in today. I may have something for you day after tomorrow though.”

You nod in agreement. Markos was living proof of her words. Waving good bye, you walk out of the Armory. As you stand in the hallway outside of the store, the windows go clear once more. Taking a draw on your now cool coffee you contemplate what you’ll do with yourself for the rest of the day.

>Well, what do you do with yourself?
>Get some actually hot coffee. Head off to the cafeteria for a refill
>See if Markos has improved any from this morning.
>Head down to the range and practice your shooting
>Write In a location, person, or activity

>>30682002
>>Head down to the range and practice your shooting

Let's bring our AK and test it out.

>>30682002
>>See if Markos has improved any from this morning.

Might as well do some male bonding shit. Invite him to the gym.

Then send him into the erotishower when we inevitably find it

>>30682002
>Head to the gym for a short morning workout, then shower off
>See if Markos' liver has stopped beating on him.

>>30682002
>See if Markos has improved any from this morning.

Probably best to make sure he's alive.

>>30682002
Learn some Hacking 101 from Niels.

...or talk to him about his romantic escapades.

>>30682002
Go to the gym and then cheack on Markos

>>30682002
>>Head down to the range and practice your shooting

Alright, it seems we want to invite Markos down the gym and build up a sweat.

You guys better just roll high when it comes time to shower off.

>>30682182
...this I why I voted for seeing Markos /after/ gym time, not during...

>>30682182
Why not make him shower first in said erotishower by telling him that the one we chose is hotter then the others?

>>30682182
What, what if Markos finds the homoerotic shower of doom and gender identity self questioning?

>>30682228
Or, y'know, going home and getting a shower there?

>>30682255
Really? You want to ride the tram, a small hermetically sealed capsule with recycled air, covered in post workout sweet and smell? Not cool bro.

>>30680294
>Lying in your own bed, you stare up at the ceiling, pondering Elda’s sudden outburst. Some part of you is pretty pissed about the whole situation, although mostly you’re just confused and a little hurt.

Hello frontpage, what a pleasant surprise!


i've thought about the Elda situation, and I think what happened is roughly like this:
The last person she was with either hurt her pretty bad - it wasn't a clean break. Something complex - cheating, substance abuse, breaking off an engagement - something big.
And the reason she's so hung up and still grieving now is because she feels guilty because she never had a chance to make things right - i'm guessing a death in the family. -which explains why she has the push-pull approach.
And whatever it is, its wrapped up in the reasons she became a merc - its half to get away from that baggage, and ivan keeps dragging it up, making it doubly painful.

Anyway, just my thoughts.

>>30682002
>The Armorer barks with laughter. “You’re an opportunistic bastard aren’t you? That’ll do you good in this line of work. I usually try to strip whatever I can from scrapped equipment, but if someone brings something in while you’re on duty, I’ll let you claim salvage rights.”

"Look, i'm pretty in debt, and the senior partners wanted me to be more productive. Find something to do while the arms recovering. Can't drop, can't get out of debt. This'll help stave off the interest, at least, so.... thanks. Its not not opportunity knocking, its a healthy dose of self-preservation. "

>>30682062

Hacking 101. If we're gonna get techin in the armory, we gotta learn to hack the gear we work on to do what the mercs want

>>30682392
Well, I agree with the part about it being involved with her choice of becoming a merc and her having been hurt in the past, I don't think we should try to read too much into it yet. What we know is she was interested and enjoying herself, and that suddenly transitioned to distrust followed by a need to leave (possibly shame but certainly fear). There are dozens of scenarios that could explain that.

So we take it with patience and stay her friend first, re establish trust and let her open up at her own pace until we know what we're dealing with. Ok?

You decide that now is a good time to see how Markos is doing. Hopefully he’s had enough time to take something for his hangover. Still, only one way to find out for sure, and that is in the prism, of the furnace, through the looking glass, of the crucible of athletics. You send a ping you know Markos can’t refuse, and return to your apartment to get changed. You hurry back down to the gym and take your place near the racks of weights in the Merc section of the gym.

A few minutes pass and Markos appears, looking incensed and still somewhat hungover. He points in your direction as he strides up to you, snarling, “-and I’ll have you know that even if I do look like an epileptic chimpanzee on PCP on the dance floor at least I don’t need to beat bitches into submission like a fucking caveman to get any action.”

You chuckle. Seems like you struck a nerve. Turning away from your friend’s largely feigned vitriol, you contemplate the variety of exercise machines before you. Markos halts the tide of profanities and steps next to you. “Well,” he says glancing up at you, “What will it be?”

>What shall be the chosen site of your duel?
>Do holy battle upon the treadmill, where a man must outrun his weakness.
>Upon the bench press, where the hotblooded do battle with gravity itself.
>Squats. For a true man masters his fundamentals first.
>Write In
>Let Markos choose
>Also, roll a 3d10

>>30682182
Should we just per-roll for dealing with /the shower/?

Just to keep things moving?

Rolled 1, 1, 7 = 9

>>30682602
>Upon the bench press, where the hotblooded do battle with gravity itself.

Rolled 8, 10, 5 = 23

>>30682602
>Squats. For a true man masters his fundamentals first.

SQUATS AND OATS AND SQUATS AND OATS.

Rolled 3, 10, 1 = 14

>>30682602
>Squats. For a true man masters his fundamentals first.

Don't forget your legs, they're important.

File: 1394162013819.gif-(1.21 MB, 480x270, russiandancing.gif)

1.21 MB GIF

>>30682602
>“-and I’ll have you know that even if I do look like an epileptic chimpanzee on PCP on the dance floor at least I don’t need to beat bitches into submission like a fucking caveman to get any action.

hah!

Rolled 2, 5, 2 = 9

>>30682602
>Write in
Three event challenge!
>First the treadmill race! First to ten miles!
>Second competitive bench pressing! Reps and weight!
>Finally Squats! Because it was listed!

Rolled 2, 4, 4 = 10

>>30682602
>>Upon the bench press, where the hotblooded do battle with gravity itself.

We shall have an ass that the entire base will be jealous of!

Rolled 10, 3, 10 = 23

>>30682602
>>Upon the bench press, where the hotblooded do battle with gravity itself.

>>30682655
Good save.

Rolled 4, 7, 10 = 21

>>30682602
Bench press

>>30682636
>>30682674
Whelp, we're getting crushed...i wonder if our hand'll get fucked up?

>>30682693
We got 23 man we're fine

Rolled 6, 7, 5 = 18

>>30682602

Alright, Writing

Rolled 1, 5, 8 = 14

>>30682602
>“-and I’ll have you know that even if I do look like an epileptic chimpanzee on PCP on the dance floor at least I don’t need to beat bitches into submission like a fucking caveman to get any action.”


Ooha oohah, markos. Seems to be working out alright so far, but.... yeah, I could probably tone it down.
Or UP. With squats!

Although today is your leg day, you feel like squats might be unsporting to Markos. He tends to go for more aesthetics than anything else, and as a result his legs are somewhat underworked compared to his pecs. You nod once. “Alright, it’s a battle of the bench presses. You first, then me.”

Markos nods, and after some debate over the weights, he’s in position. You wait a few seconds and he starts lifting. Normally, you’d do some sort of rep set deal, but a proper hotblooded battle gives no thought to correct exercise procedures. After about 30 or so lifts from your friend he slams the barbell into the cradle, face red and panting.

Without even waiting for him to wipe off the workout equipment, you take Markos’ place and begin your own exertions. Markos’ satisfied smirk slides off of his face once you reach 25. It transforms into a look of despair as you pass 30 without any obvious signs of flagging. You continue lifting until number 43, where you give in to the screaming entreaties of your muscles and put the barbell back down into the cradle.

You stand up and grin at Markos. “Whatever,” he replies, “you spend more time down here than is healthy anyway.”

The two of you troop off to the showers. As you step into the restroom your breathing quickens. Blood rushes away from your skin, flooding into your muscles. Markos slows down to a crawl, his voice stretching and deepening until it’s no longer audible.

All you can hear is the drip drip drip.

The Ron Paul in your pocket begins to tremble.

>OH GAWD IS HABBENING. What will Ivan do?
>Allow Markos to go first, see if the homo-shower accepts the sacrifice
>Go first. Stay vigilant.
>Roll a 3d10 regardless.

Rolled 2, 1, 4 = 7

>>30683313
>>Allow Markos to go first, see if the homo-shower accepts the sacrifice

Rolled 5, 6, 6 = 17

>>30683313
>Allow Markos to go first, see if the homo-shower accepts the sacrifice

Rolled 1, 4, 6 = 11

>>30683313
Homo shower please except our friends sacrifice

Rolled 8, 3, 3 = 14

>>30683313
>Allow Markos to go first, see if the homo-shower accepts the sacrifice

oh dear sweet god

Rolled 4, 9, 8 = 21

>>30683313
>Allow Markos to go first, see if the homo-shower accepts the sacrifice

Rest in peace, you magnificent bastard.

>>30683340
>>30683354
Homo-shower LAUGHES at your pathetic dice!

Rolled 3, 3, 9 = 15

>>30683313
>>Allow Markos to go first, see if the homo-shower accepts the sacrifice

Protect us, Ron!

Rolled 10, 5, 4 = 19

>>30683313
>>Allow Markos to go first, see if the homo-shower accepts the sacrifice
God Speed!

Rolled 2, 7, 6 = 15

>>30683313
>Go first. Stay vigilant.

Rolling for Grit Mode

>>30683369
Hey, Ronny shakes whenever we're in over our head, right? Why don't we use him as a homo-shower detecting sensor for each shower?

>>30683426
The homo-shower's maleficence has permeated the entire restroom. Ronnie would shake just as hard at any shower head.

Rolled 1, 1, 5 = 7

>>30683438
If we step into a shower with Ronnie, will he respond after we've already become ensnared?

>>30683438
There is no "homo-shower", it has grown into a gestalt entity encorpoating all the showers in the gym! Soon it will spread its tendril through the entire station and the Brick will be subjected to its iron fist gently caressing- oh god it's already begun!

>>30683496
... Do you really want to see what would happen if you stepped into the homo-shower with a vibrating coin?

>>30683530
It would fall out of our hand and we'd have to bend over to pick it up?

File: 1394166138671.jpg-(Spoiler Image, 134 KB, 1001x1001)

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You’ve already figured out that the homo-shower can’t be outsmarted. But maybe, just maybe, it can be appeased. You restrain yourself from saying a word as Markos steps into one of the shower stalls. You wait a few moments before stepping into one of your own. You don’t start the water quite yet. Instead you do some preliminary reconnaissance, trying to determine if the homo-shower took your offering. You press your ear against the wall dividing the two shower stalls and listen carefully. You listen to the sounds of Markos showering. The sound of water splashing against the tiled floor. The sound of the washcloth running against his turgid pecs. The sound of drops splattering themselves against his taut back. You listen to the sound of him whistling.

Whistling. A man seized by the fondling tendrils of the homo-shower would not whistle so joyfully. No, no man would whistle like that if he were in the clutches of the homo-shower, sweet and lilting like a flock of sparrows returning from the winter, bringing the lightness of spring…


You eyes go wide and you turn around. The spray of water hits you straight in the face. Your tears of misery and fury mingle with the water as the homo-shower stares down upon you, lording it’s victory over you.

The splash of water, the hiss of steam, they sound almost like words. “Are you ready Ivan,” the shower gurgles maliciously, “Are you ready for more homo-erotic subtext than all thirty seven seasons of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure?”

You clutch your face and attempt to scream. Water flows into your mouth, stifling your voice. You collapse to your knees, firm ass resting on your heels…

>Quickly! You must escape!
>Roll a 3d10 grit check to pull yourself free of it’s grasp!
>No grit mode this time.

Rolled 8, 4, 9 = 21

>>30683715

Rolled 1, 6, 7 = 14

>>30683715
Shite

Rolled 4, 1, 9 = 14

>>30683715
MOTHERFUCKER

Rolled 6, 8, 6 = 20

>>30683715
>>Roll a 3d10 grit check to pull yourself free of it’s grasp!

no. Its Dance Mode time. BY THE POWER OF GAYSKUUULLLLLLLLLL

Rolled 1, 10, 3 = 14

>>30683715

>>30683715
JoJo got 37 seasons in the DeniableAssetsVerse?

Worth whatever comes of this. And yes, I half expect us to rape Markos now.

Rolled 4, 6, 8 = 18

>>30683715
Come on Critfail!

>>30683786
It sure did.

It took me until the Pillar Man Arc to figure it out.

You grit your teeth and look up at the infernal showerhead. “I may never escape you,” you snarl, face contorted with defiant rage, “But you will never defeat me!”

You lift your arm up, struggling against the jet of water directed at it, trying to push it back down. “Don’t think you can escape me so easily, boy,” the shower burbles.

You concentrate all of your hotblooded energy into that single arm, straining to raise it against the the spray. Just when it seems all hope is lost, just when you’re about to despair and resign yourself to a sweaty makeout session with Markos, your hand finds purchase on something.

A handle.

You grin and twist.

“NOOOOOOooooooo…..” the shower screams, it’s aquatic voice petering out as you turn the handle off.

Panting in the pool of water, you get to your feet and towel off. You’ll just have to wait for a less hostile venue before you use soap. Quickly getting dressed, you step out into the restroom to see Markos who nods at you, completely ignorant of the foe you just defeated once more.

Perhaps best he didn’t know.

>Alright guys, one final scene as it were before I wrap the thread up.
>This is strictly a write in. One thing you want to get done or one person you want to see before the end of the day.

Rolled 8, 2, 6 = 16

>>30683968
>>This is strictly a write in. One thing you want to get done or one person you want to see before the end of the day.

Niels, Hackin tips
"Shit, man, I've got a job at the armory. now I hHAVE to learn t customize all this software shit"
Or
Get That Brain Aug if we haven't already. Gonna need it.

>>30683968
Tear off the handle and seal the evil menace forever!

Rolled 78

>>30683968
Hit up Niels for our next hacking lesson.

>>30684007
OH GOD THIS.

Then Brain Aug.

>>30683968
Time skip to brain Aug time?

Rolled 7, 9, 3 = 19

>>30683968
>>This is strictly a write in. One thing you want to get done or one person you want to see before the end of the day.

Get into the plumbing. Figure out who would rig such an evil device. Use our tech skills, and.... monitor whomever maintains this shit.

>>30684035
>>30684032
>>30683984
Next thread will start with you voting on what Ivan does during the course of the timeskip to the brain aug, doctor's approval to drop, and mission selection.

File: 1394167642612.gif-(16 KB, 320x288, 1385964001586.gif)

16 KB GIF

>>30684007

>>30683968
I do like the sound of getting that Brain Aug.

>>30683984
>>30683968
Niels and Hackin' sounds good.

>>30683968
Somewhere between 5-7pm station time send Elda a text reading "I'm sorry. I overstepped my bounds last night and that was wrong. It won't happen again."

Right now go see Niels for some hacking help?

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>>30684007
It's time to end this, ancient foe. YOU SHALL NOT RETURN TO THIS REALM! EXEUNT!

>>30684058
Ah, okay. In that case I wouldn't mind hitting up Niels for the basics and informing him of our new position.

>>30684068
>>30684018
>>30683984

Navy Hacker time.

OR

Follow up with Val - she asked us to see if if we needed any personal physical therapy lessons.

She *invited us*. That's almost never a thing with her.

It seems like a natural progression of the elda situation, to go see the valkyrie - she seemed to respect us a bit more after the hand-2-hand session(as more than just a fuck), and getting in our bosses good graces(and pants) is never bad

>>30684094
It's not the one shower. It's all that showers. They just don't always choose to unleash their evil.

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>>30684007
Yes.

>>30684121
Schedule Val for tomorrow. Scratch that, schedule a therapy session for tonight and a training session for tomorrow morning

>>30683968
Serious vote for what to do after Hacking lessons with Niels.

>>30684137
>It's all that showers

OH GOD, WE'RE NOT EVEN SAFE IN OUR OWN SHOWER! WE'RE NOT EVEN SAFE IN THE RAIN!! IT COMES, IT COMES FOR OUR ANAL VIRGINITY!!

>>30684080
I'll back this, on the condition that we sound less apologetic. I'm still of the opinion that Elda was in the wrong here, or at least that we did nothing to deserve that outburst.

perhaps something like: "I'm sorry last night turned out how it did. Are you okay?"

Okay, purge the shower, see Niels to talk for a bit and get some more hacking practice in.

I'll let you guys vote on whether or not you want a FTB with Valkyrie to end the thread. Respond to this post with your preference.

>>30684199
not

>>30684199
>I'll let you guys vote on whether or not you want a FTB with Valkyrie to end the thread. Respond to this post with your preference.

Yes.

It seems like we were heading interesting directions as 'more than just fuckbuddies with val' , it'd be nice to pick up that thread, and make it not JUST about the fade to black.

That's my preference, at least.

>>30684199
I'd rather not.

>>30684199
Yes to Valk.

>>30684199
Not.

I don't want to seek solace in the arms of another woman.

>>30684226 23:58
>>30684238 23:59

Niiiiiiiiiiice.

>>30684235
I agree with this reasonings. Yes to val, maybe not just about sex. Can't lose that arm AGAIN, after all.

>>30684199
Yes to valk

>>30684199
Yes to Val

>>30684199
I'd rather we didn't.

>>30684199
nah we good

>>30684199
I wouldn't mind

>>30684199
>>30684199
I vote yes.

>>30684235
Yes to Val

>>30684199
If you feel it fits.

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>>30684255
Just sayin'.

>>30684252
>I don't want to seek solace in the arms of another woman.

Which woman are you talking about? Val laid her claim first.

Think beyond waifus. Someone last thread or two had a good point - Val probably isn't exclusive. She does what,and who, she wants.

If you want to figure out if elda is even emotionally available TO get, I don't see why we can't be friends with val while figuring her shit out.

No need to vote no just cuz YOU have a preference, when they're not mutually exlusive.

I vote Pro- Val Visit, btw.

>>30684255
No don't worry anon. 4chan x tells me that it probably wasn't samefagged. First one is at 23:58:26, second 23:59:24.

>>30684199
Yes

>>30684252
You don't want to seek solace for a failed hookup in the arms of a woman you have an active sexual relationship with and a complicated budding friendship?

Or you just don't like Val?

>>30684314
>No need to vote no just cuz YOU have a preference

Because that would defeat the entire purpose of voting. Far be it from me to express my opinion through a mechanism designed for that very purpose.

>>30684353
>You don't want to seek solace for a failed hookup in the arms of a woman you have an active sexual relationship with and a complicated budding friendship?
>Or you just don't like Val?

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

Ivan's been pretty into val

I don't want to feel railroaded into one woman, but I can't ignore the character precedent - ivan's the craziest son of a bitch to go back to her willingly, a SECOND time.
Much less a third.

The way I see it, val's kind of our default option until she gets bored and moves along, or we find something better/more interesting - and elda has FIRMLY shut us down with drama.

ivan just isn't that stupid to go after a lady who's said no, vs one's that said yes. Niels is, maybe - if we're gonne be the social-ist of our friends, gotta act like it.

>>30684199
Okay, here's my decision on the seeing Val/FTB issue.

Clearly a large number of you want to have a more substantive interaction with Valkyrie that may or may not lead to a FTB. Another large number of you just want to avoid the thing entirely.

I don't have the energy to do a long scene with Val tonight, so we'll postpone it until next thread after Ivan gets the aug, doctor's bill of health, and chooses his mission.

Writing.

>>30684404
I can't help but feel like everyone here is missing the point of Val-conscious free booty call.

>>30684404

Thats why I was advocating a short scene with her, that didn't involve sex.

>>30684404
I'm pro-val if there's no FtB, if that helps.

>>30684428

Its emotionally draining on a GM to write what is, essentially, romance-fic.

This kind of thing.... should be kind of like a reward for being badass(since thats what she gets girlboners for).
Not like an everyday thing that everyone demands and clamors for.

Don't wear out fallguy.

>>30684437
Trust me, it'd end up running long.

>>30684395
>railroaded into one woman
Nigga we could have not gone with the first time & afterwards I'm like 95% sure we initiated. There's no railroading on that front.

>>30684404
I'm sorry, Fall Guy. The quick flings have been fun, but I feel like I want something more substantial in our love life.
Whether it's with Val, Elda, our HR rep, or NTRing Niels, "just sex" isn't doing it for me anymore.

>>30684404
Yeah, I don't see why we have to pick and chose. Val pretty obviously decoupled her sex life from her personal relationships a long time ago, so I don't see the problem with us having commitment free fun with her, and separately start getting to know her better.

>>30684480
>NTRing Niels

>Wake up the next morning with an empty bank account and millions of credits of debt

>>30684480
Remember: it's not NTR until they're in an exclusive relationship, it's just being a huge chucklefuck to a buddy.

>>30684511
And then Niels was the dead. I mean, really, there's pretty much no other response that would really make sense coming from Ivan.

>>30684395
>Val's the default option
Yeah, I don't see it that way. At this point Val is our default hook up, but she's specifically not looking for exclusivity or commitment. Heck, she's only interested in developing our friendship because we impressed her in CQC and BED, so I really don't think she's the default for any kind of emotional relationship.

>>30684480
Not seeing why those things are mutually exclusive, or those choices. It's not like we're planning to have kinds in the next couple of decades.

>>30684480
>I'm sorry, Fall Guy. The quick flings have been fun, but I feel like I want something more substantial in our love life.
>Whether it's with Val, Elda, our HR rep, or NTRing Niels, "just sex" isn't doing it for me anymore.

That isn't a reason to no-vote people who like val, and as >>30684487 said >y decoupled her sex life from her personal relationships a long time ago

ESPECIALLY when everyone else is considerate in letting you make a play for elda.

Return The Favor, anon

>>30684604
I didn't vote "no," I voted for a bigger scene that a quick FTB.

My apology was for
>I don't have the energy to do a long scene with Val tonight,

>>30684604
Just to let it be known.
I pursued Elda, but voted yes for Val booty.

Because I like fun.

You wait for Markos to leave the restroom before returning to the stall you just exited. You stare at the showerhead, which drips innocently onto the floor. You place a hand on the handle, looking up at the shower.

“I know this won’t kill you,” you mutter, glowering up at the showerhead, “But I also know it’ll hurt you.”

You yank back hard on the handle, pulling it out of the wall. Dropping it onto the ground you take your leave of the restroom, smirking at your revenge. You wander over to the cafeteria and grab a large bite to eat before pinging Niels and asking if he has time to give you some more programming lessons. He responds as you’re in the middle of your third heaping plate of protein slop, happily inviting you up to his place. Apparently he’s doing some homemade pizza dough.

Regretting your gluttony, you dump the rest of the slop and make for Niels’ suite. A knock on the door and it slides open, the aroma of baking pizza wafting into the hallway. You openly drool as you step into the apartment suite. Niels turns around from the oven and grins at you. “Should be done pretty soon now.”

“Awesome,” you reply, taking a seat at the table. Niels sits down across from you, grinning merrily. One guess why he’s so happy.

>Talk to Niels. Discussion will happen while training your hacking skill
>Write

>>30684604
Good man.

Let us not form waifu factions. We must keep such devisive things from taking root in our DAQ.

Ivan shall never say no to any woman so long as I have say!

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>mfw, I finally figured out what FTB means

>>30684650
>Shy skinny Merc boy in an apron making homemade pizza
If only Ivan were bisexual

>>30684677
Who says he isn't?

>>30684650
"Since there's a pizza in your oven is there a bun in hers?"

>>30684711
I don't think that the Val/Elda bloc is going to extend their consideration to the homo bloc.
I shall continue to suffer quietly.

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>>30684717
Welp. That's definitely in the next update

>>30684650
>Talk to Niels about the hacking training
>congratulate him for taking the initiative and offer general encouragement

>>30684677
Niels clearly is!

>>30684717
No. If we were joking with Markos, sure. But Niels isn't going to take the joke right without a fair amount of booze in his system.

>>30684711
I do.

>>30684671
What does it mean?

>>30684805
Fade to black, right?

Alright, writing.

Probably the last update of the night. Will lurk to answer questions.

Yes, I'll field waifu questions. To the best of my ability.

>>30684819
Yes. Also, urbandictionary is great for Internet abbreviations in case there are others you haven't deciphered yet.

>>30684837
>spoiler
I wouldn't worry about it. People worry too much, on both sides of the fence.

>>30684837
Well, given that we are in a highly dangerous work environment, what are the chances of any one we waifu dying off screen on a mission?

>>30684837
>Yes, I'll field waifu questions. To the best of my ability.

Please keep doing what you're doing, and not pandering.

>>30684666
said it best.

My question is: Who do you have the most fun writing? Not just the girls - characters in general?

>>30684881
Any character I feel the players have bonded with are safe from off screen shenanigans.

I mean no promises of course, but as of right now I can't see any compelling plot reason for ticking my players off like that.

>>30684892
Hmmmm... I generally enjoy writing assholes and crass people. I like writing Markos, if only because he's slightly appalling. Ivan is also a lot of fun for me to write for similar reasons. He's obviously not as bad as Markos, but he has a shit eating streak to him too.

>>30684951
>Any character I feel the players have bonded with are safe from off screen shenanigans.
>I mean no promises of course, but as of right now I can't see any compelling plot reason for ticking my players off like that.

I was going to write something to this effect and you beat me to it.

U da man, fallguy.

>>30684837
>Probably the last update of the night. Will lurk to answer questions.

How did you EXPECT the last mission to go?
It seemed like you had a pretty good idea, theme, plotpieces and pdas/prewriting - and then the dice fucked everything sideways.
Bitter prophet, right?
I'm certainly bitter

>>30684951
So, Tran wouldn't have died if we weren't on the mission with him.

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You nail Niels with your best shit-eating grin. “So Niels. Since there’s a pizza in your oven, is there a bun in hers?”

There’s a few seconds pause as Niels attempts to comprehend your words. Eventually he blushes a furious red, staring determinedly at the table top. “Of course not. Don’t be ridiculous.”

You chuckle and cross your arms, leaning back in the chair. “But seriously, how goes it with Tsukino? What’s you ask her to do?”

“Well,” replies Niels as he stands up to retrieve the pizza from the oven, “I was thinking maybe a movie, since it’d eliminate the possibility of conversational disaster.”

You are about to say what a bad idea that is, but Niels cuts you off. “But I know what you and Markos told me about that, so I decided to keep it casual and invite her for some sushi next time there’s a shuttle to Atlas.”

You nod. That’s actually a pretty good plan. There are frequent shuttles between the Brick and the local inhabited world, Atlas, wholly owned by Neologos, StrikeOut’s primary patrons. And most importantly, they’re free for mercs. You should really get around to visiting Atlas at some point in the future. “Well shit Niels, you seem to have handled things pretty well.”

Niels grins as he carries the pizza over to the table, cutting it into sixths. “You think so?”

“Yeah,” you replay around a mouthful of hot pizza.

The two of you eat in silence, more focussed on enjoying Niels excellent quality cooking than conversation. You clean up the dishes and the two of you take a seat before the terminal, where Niels continues your instruction in Mocha.

As you fumble around with the language, Niels bothers you for more date ideas. You don’t think of any, only managing to suggest that Niels drop with Tsukino, get paid and spend time with her bonding together in the inferno of live combat. Niels doesn’t seem blown away by that idea.

After a few hours of work, Niels yawns pointedly. You decide to stop imposing upon your friend, and take your leave, thanking him for the pizza.

You doze off, happy and full.

Alright, that's all for tonight folks. I have midterms next week, so no Tuesday thread. I will try to run one this weekend though.

Thanks for participating. Hopefully we'll be back in the action by Thursday.

I see I have some questions waiting. Will answer them in my next post.

>>30685248
Did we learn anything useful via our hacking buddy?
Not that pizza parties aren't good but..

Oh also, can we send a message to Elda? Something non-antagonistic. Just like "Looks like Niel's is doing pretty well for himself" Or something unrelated.

Break the ice, and such.

>>30685126
If you had not dropped with him, you would not have known who Tran was, and by extension he would not receive plot armor by proxy. For example, Valkyrie currently benefits from plot armor, but Choi "Take Out" Lei does not.

>>30685090
Well, I freely admit Bitter Prophet was supposed to be a horror mission. And honestly, Tran was pretty badly fucked. The format of the mission basically meant he would die first, since Clayton is relatively well liked and Marlena ties into Mars, which I feel is an object of interest for some of you.

You could have still succeeded at finding proof as to who was responsible for the entire situation, but the crit fail really put a damper on things. Although it might've still been possible while you were in control of Clayton, it would have still been a risky proposition. You made the safer choice by retreating from that one.

As for the non-lethal situation. The best option for a non-lethal run would have been a shotgun armed with tranq shots and flashbangs.

>>30685284
Yes, you are now Tier 1 in hacking. You can now use script kiddie programs without fucking yourself over, as well as do some basic trouble shooting.

Messaging Elda is always an option. It just need to be voted for.

>>30685248
Thanks for the thread & good luck on your midterms. Don't forget the archive.

>>30685348
>Tier 1
Woo. That's probably all we need, I think. For now anyway. we need to up our specialty for now.

Also
>Needs to be voted for
Aw. Well I guess we wait for next thread then?

>>30685390
Yeah, next thread. Speaking frankly, messaging Elda will either hurt your relationship with her, or will do a lot to help. It all depends on how you guys word it.

>>30685417
Ha, I figured. TOO BAD WE AND IVAN IC ARE BAD AT TALKING TO GIRLS

Not really sure what we could say, honestly. But...not getting angry is probably the main thing.

>>30685417
>Yeah, next thread. Speaking frankly, messaging Elda will either hurt your relationship with her, or will do a lot to help. It all depends on how you guys word it.

So, don't do it unless the wordfags are around.

Can you give us a hint? Some people up top had good guesses as to what may be her problem

>>30685555
That's no way to look at it, anon. We can't just keep putting it off. That's not gonna solve anything.

>>30685555
I wouldn't normally, but quads aren't to be ignored.

For reasons relating to her own background and SPOILERS Elda has trouble trusting people, and to a certain extent her somewhat icy exterior is protective. What Ivan needs to do is prove tat his interest in her, platonic or otherwise, is genuine.

>>30685644
Figured.

>>30685644
That should help...thanks

>>30685644
Ok, can we all agree that whether we want a romantic or platonic relationship with her, re-establishing and cementing trust with her takes precedence over figuring out why she has such highly developed defense mechanisms?

>>30685740
>cementing trust with her
I can dig it. We can worry about whether she likes us, or Ivan likes her like that later.

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>>30685644
>I wouldn't normally, but quads aren't to be ignored.

Oh Lulz i didn't even notice i did that.

>>30684199
only just woke up, but YES YES YES to FTB with Valk, we gotta show off our tattoo and get some 'personal physical therapy' with her to ensure our reattached arm is functioning properly