>>2204220
>>...you're not actually sure where she's taking you.

>>2204220
>>...you're not actually sure where she's taking you.

>>2204220
>...you're not actually sure where she's taking you.

>>2204220
>...you're not actually sure where she's taking you.

>>2204220
>>...you're not actually sure where she's taking you.
IT’S TIME FOR DECULTURE!

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>>2204220
>>...you're not actually sure where she's taking you.

Maybe we need an alien pet for Amy? Something like a cute dog/shark.

>>2204220
>>...you're not actually sure where she's taking you.

>>2204220
>...you're not actually sure where she's taking you.

give me my mistery box!

>>2204242
Are alien slug phones a thing in Nabaal though?

>>2204220
>...you're not actually sure where she's taking you.

>2400 Hospital
I suppose that is a possibility Captcha

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>>2204220
That's odd. You frown as you're not actually sure where Dorothea was taking you. It certainly wasn't to her office, or the bar, or even to the briefing room. You had passed all those places long ago. However, during this time, Dorothea doesn't speak a word to you, and you don't have the nerve to speak up either. You could tell, though, that there was a purpose in Dorothea's movements.

Finally, you reach a rather nondescript looking door, though you notice Dorothea's name and rank emblazoned on the front and then it hits you.

These were her personal quarters.

"Is something wrong, Harry?" Dorothea blinks when she turns to face you.

>Nothing at all.
>This seems rather sudden.
>Other

>>2204425
>>Nothing at all.

>>2204425
>Normally, I prefer to be treated to dinner first before being taken to someone’s room

>>2204425
>>Nothing at all.

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>>2204425
>>This seems rather sudden.

>>2204425
>Nothing at all.

>>2204425
>>2204447
Supporting this.

Tease her!

>>2204425
>>Nothing at all.

>>2204425
Supporting >>2204447

>>2204454
Not sure if she's up for lewd dress up yet.

>>2204447
Yesssss. It has my support.

>>2204425
>Nothing at all.

Can add >>2204447

>>2204425
>>Nothing at all.

>>2204425
>Nothing at all.

>>2204447
Supporting

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Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>2204425
"Nothing at all." You chuckle. "Though normally I'd prefer to be treated to dinner first before being taken to someone's room."

>Roll 1d20

>>2204425

Do et >>2204447

>>2204425
>Nothing at all.

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>2204516
Flirt!

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>2204516

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>2204516

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>2204516

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>2204516

>>2204527
Oh well a 17 is fine.

Someone fell for our flirting, Karla and Kara and Julie are next!

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>>2204516
Dorothea pauses to process your words and her cheeks redden.

"O-oh no, it's nothing like that!" She tries to assure you. "It's just that, I feel more comfortable talking about personal subjects here than anywhere else!"

"Uh huh." You nod, completely unconvinced.

"E-either way." Dorothea huffs, trying to regain her composure. "It's considered rude to refuse an invitation from a proper Englishwoman."

"Right, right." You chuckle as you enter the room with you.

And you have to admit, upon your first viewing of her quarters, there was one word to describe it.

Cozy.

Sure, the room was constructed out of the same cold steel that the rest of the ship was built out of, but you could see that Dorothea had gone through great efforts to hide it all. The floor was covered with soft rugs to cushion your feet, elegant yet functional wood furniture was placed all around, and the walls were lined with paintings of people, ships, and battles long past.

In the back, you noticed a door leading to a separate bedroom and bathroom. A luxury reserved for the ship's Admiral, you guess.

And finally, one of the walls was just a massive window looking out from the front of Pacifica's bridge tower, giving a commanding view of the ship and the space in front of it. And it was a real window, too. Not a holographic projection.

"So, how do you like it?" Dorothea asks as she rummages through something behind you. "I, er... don't invite company here very often... or ever..."

>It looks cozy.
>It's got a great view.
>A bit lonely, honestly.
>Other

>>2204571
>>It's got a great view.

Time for a cheesy one liner.

>>2204571
>>It looks cozy.

>>The first man to explore uncharted territory.

>>2204571
>>It looks cozy.

>>2204571
>>It looks cozy.
>>It's got a great view.

>>2204571
>It looks cozy.

>>2204571
>It looks cozy.
>other: try not to think how the window is a pretty high security harzard one space dust and these thing can crack and send her flying out of the ship while she sleeps

>>2204571
>It looks cozy.
>It's got a great view.

>>2204571
>>It looks cozy.

>>2204571
>>It looks cozy.

>>2204571

>It looks cozy.

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>>2204571
"It looks cozy." You nod.

"Thanks. It's about the closest to home that I could make it." Dorothea smiles nostalgically as starts setting up a small table. "Would you like anything to drink?"

You note Dorothea set down a pair of drinking glasses, and a chilled bottle of very old looking rum.

>Whatever you're having.
>...some tea would be nice.
>Other

>>2204692

>...some tea would be nice.

>>2204692
>>Whatever you're having.

>>2204692
>>Whatever you're having.

>>2204692
>Whatever you're having.
We did almost die

>>2204692
>>Whatever you're having.
Nothing with pineapple, please.

>>2204692
>>...some tea would be nice.

Darjeeling, Gunpowder, Chamomile?

>>2204692
>Whatever you're having.

>>2204692
>Whatever you're having.

>>2204692
>>Whatever you're having.

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>>2204692
"Whatever you're having." You say as you sit at the table. Amazing how sitting across from Dorothea on a simple table instead of a desk seemed to make the two of you equals rather than superior and subordinate.

Dorothea nods and pours two glasses of the amber liquid.

"To good health." Dorothea toasts.

"To good health." You return the toast, your glass clinking against hers before taking a sip. You could feel the rum burning its way down your throat straight down to your stomach. But it was a good sensation.

Dorothea takes a drink, too, but instead of taking a sip she empties the whole glass in one go. You get the feeling that this wasn't the first time she's done it.

"So..." Dorothea returns her gaze to you.

"So..." You repeat. What do you even start with...?

>What happened on her end of the battle.
>How to deal with Amy.
>Her struggles with managing the fleet.
>Other

>>2204761
>Her struggles with managing the fleet.
Let's vent her problems first.

>>2204761

>Her struggles with managing the fleet.

>>2204761
>How to deal with Amy.

>>2204761
>>Her struggles with managing the fleet.

>>2204761
>>Her struggles with managing the fleet.

>>2204761
>Her struggles with managing the fleet.

>>2204761
>What happened on her end of the battle.

>>2204761
>Her struggles with managing the fleet.

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>>2204761
"I'm getting the impression that the pressure of running this fleet is getting to you." You note, nodding to Dorothea's empty glass.

"What is there to say?" Dorothea chuckles bitterly. "I've been given an impossible mission with the least amount of resources to carry it out. Not exactly the most rosy of assignments."

You can tell you were starting to hit a nerve. This was clearly something Dorothea didn't like talking about, even in this relaxed atmosphere.

>Get straight to the point. What did she do to warrant this treatment?
>Maybe you should get her to loosen up more.
>Change the subject to Amy.
>Other

>>2204882
>>Get straight to the point. What did she do to warrant this treatment?

Gotta rip it off like a band-aid.

>>2204882
>>Maybe you should get her to loosen up more.

>>2204882
>>Get straight to the point. What did she do to warrant this treatment?

>>2204882
>Get straight to the point. What did she do to warrant this treatment?

>>2204882
>Change the subject to Amy.

>>2204882
>Maybe you should get her to loosen up more.

>>2204882
>>Get straight to the point. What did she do to warrant this treatment?

>>2204882
>Get straight to the point. What did she do to warrant this treatment?

>>2204882
>Change the subject to Amy.

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Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>2204882
...

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>>2204882
"Dorothea...." You pause for a second, looking at your partly full glass. "I've always been meaning to ask you this..."

"Hm?" Dorothea raises an eyebrow.

"What exactly were you doing before you assigned to this fleet?" You ask. "You got up to Admiral pretty fast-"

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>2204935

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>2204935

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>2204935
Rolling

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>>2204935
The reflexes beaten into you from training kick in the nick of time as you reach your hand out and grab Dorothea's wrist stopping her palm from slapping your face by mere millimeters. The sudden, panicked look on her face told you all you needed to know.

"So something DID happen." You say grimly.

"Please..." Dorothea croaks, her panic still evident. "Don't make me talk about it. I... I want to forget."

This was the first time you've seen Dorothea so completely, genuinely scared. In the space of a few seconds she'd gone from a proper British officer to a blubbering wreck. What sort of demon was haunting her so?

>This charade can't keep going on.
>She's obviously not ready for this.
>Other

>>2204965
>This charade can't keep going on.
Damn the torpedoes

>>2204965
>This charade can't keep going on.

We all have to be broken down to be built back up stronger.

>>2204965
>>This charade can't keep going on.

>>2204965
>This charade can't keep going on.

>>2204965
>>This charade can't keep going on.

>>2204965
>This charade can't keep going on.

break her

>>2204965
>She's obviously not ready for this.

>>2204965
>>This charade can't keep going on.

>>2204965
>>This charade can't keep going on.
“Let the past die. Kill it if you have to.”

>>2204965

>This charade can't keep going on.

Seduce her and then spread to the others!

>>2204965
>This charade can't keep going on.

>>2205006
No taking advantage of vulnerable emotional state for dickings!

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>>2204965
"Dorothea." You say resolutely, letting to of her wrist. "You've already opened up so much to me, but you can't just leave the door half open."

"I know, I know." Dorothea collapses back into her chair and covers her face with her hands. "I was so happy to finally meet someone who could understand me... who wouldn't judge me based on my appearance or rank. But... I suppose I was foolish for thinking... no. Hoping you'd never ask about my service record."

"What happened, Dorothea?" You sit back down as well, keeping your gaze on her.

"It all started with a distress call." Dorothea pours herself a new glass, though she had difficulty since her hands were visibly shaking now. "Just a routine patrol to investigate, but it got out of hand so quickly...

>Cont

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>>2205054
"Captain?

"Huh?" You snap to attention, brushing some loose red hair out of your eyes. "Is something the matter, Anna?"

"You told me to let you know when we were about to defold." Anna, your comms officer, pouts.

"S-sorry about that." You sigh.

"Hey, be easy on the Captain, this is her first command, after all!" Your weapons officer, Rachel, laughs.

"W-well this is my first posting, too!" Anna whines.

"Defolding in fifteen seconds." Your navigator, Lida announces.

That's right, you remind yourself as you run your gloved hand along the armrest of your command chair. This really was your first actual command. To great your great surprise, NUNS had seen fit to entrust you with a-

>Destroyer
>Cruiser
>Carrier

>>2205058
>Cruiser
Fitting

>>2205058
>Cruiser

>>2205058
>Cruiser

>>2205058
>>Cruiser

>>2205058
>Destroyer

>>2205058
>Destroyer

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>>2205058
>Destroyer

>>2205058
>Destroyer

>>2205058
>>Cruiser
Heavy cruiser NUNS Dorsetshire.

>>2205058
>Cruiser

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>>2205058
>Cruiser

So is Doro our Betty or Veronica?

>>2205098
Wouldn't really compare her to that. Our choices are either our friendly wingmate, the proper Admiral, or the black void that is Karla.

Awww, we are going into a flashback....

>>2205107
Why not all of the above?

>>2205058
>>Cruiser

>>2205118
Valkyrian mercs 2

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>>2205058
NUNS had seen fit to entrust with command of the heavy cruiser Dorsetshire. A name with a fine history and lineage. It certainly gave you the proper motivation to perform admirably so as not to tarnish that name.

Normally, a NUNS Captain would often be given a frigate or destroyer as a first command. Going straight into a cruiser was fairly rare, though you suppose your high marks in the Academy helped make that decision. Either way, you weren't going to disappoint your superiors.

"Anna, do you still have a lock on that distress signal?"

"Of course!" Anna nods. "Seems like it's coming from a colonization fleet, though, which is odd..."

You frown. That was indeed odd. NUNS colonization fleets were protected by... well.. an entire fleet. Macross Starfield shouldn't be any different. What would cause them to call for help?

However, your question was instantly answered when the first thing you see when your ship defolds is a NUNS destroyer exploding brilliantly in view.

"Motherfucker!" Rachel yelps.

"Anna! Situation report!" You bark, not even missing a beat.

"I-it's a full blown fleet action, Captain!" Anna wails. "There's contacts everywhere! I can't tell them apart!"

"Heading?" Lida asks simply.

"Just keep us clear from the battle. I'll get to the bottom of this." You growl. "Anna, open a comm channel to the Battle Starfield."

"R-right away!" Anna yelps as a holoscreen opens up in front of you.

"Battle Starfield, this is Captain Nelson of the NUNS Dorsetshire." You announce.

"They only sent one ship?" Your contact blinks, shocked.

"The distress signal contained no details, sir." You explain.

"Damnit!" The man seethes. "All right, it'll have to do. I'm Admiral Reese of the Battle Starfield. Our colony ship is currently under attack by some unknown biological organism."

Sure enough, you look at another screen to see the colony ship Macross Starfield. On its stern section, you could see what looked to be an ugly, pulsating, red tumorous growth. All around it, you could see Zentradi and even NUNS ships covered in similar tumorous growths.

"That's a Class Black pathogen." You scowl. "Why haven't you employed the use of reflex of dimensional weaponry to contain the threat?"

"Damnit, I still have people on the core colony block!" Admiral Reese shouts. "I'm not going to destroy it as long as one uninfected person remains!"

You pause for a second. As it just so happens, your ship was carrying a full stock of reflex warheads. More than enough to wipe out the Macross Starfield and the surrounding fleet. Proper protocol dictated the use of any means necessary to contain a Class Black threat. But you were also taught to preserve any and all life possible...

>Assist with the evacuation.
>You have to follow protocol.
>Other

>>2205145
That shit happened because Faylynn was a shit character and should have died when we took control of her.

It didn't help that the vote happened at a ungodly hour....and holy shit I still remember that happening.

>>2205156
>>Assist with the evacuation.

>>2205156
>You have to follow protocol.

>>2205156

>Assist with the evacuation.

>>2205156
>>You have to follow protocol.

>>2205156
>You have to follow protocol.
I have a feeling that there is no hope for any of the colonists

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>>2205156
>>Assist with the evacuation.

>>2205145
On the otherhand, GBF and the Armored Walker quest.

>>2205156
>You have to follow protocol.
Give him one hour to evacuate any uninfected personnel. Only one hour.

>>2205156
>Assist with the evacuation.
Doubtful of a positive outcome, but we should try.

>>2205156
>>You have to follow protocol.

>>2205156
>>You have to follow protocol.

>>2205156
>>You have to follow protocol.
Doro will save no one if she tries to save everyone...

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>>2205156
"I'm sorry, Admiral, but I must follow protocol in response to a Class Black threat." You say grimly. "You have until the time I arm my reflex warheads and get into weapon range to evacuate your men."

"Don't do this, Captain." Reese pleads. "Don't put me in this position."

"If you're not going to take that position, then I will." You say resolutely. "Rachel, arm the reflex warheads."

"Yes ma'am." Rachel nods.

"Lida, gives us a course to get us into an ideal firing position."

"On it." You navigator nods.

"A-Admiral!" Anna yelps. "Two NUNS ships are moving in on an intercept course! They're powering weapons!"

"Reese. Damn him." You seethe.

>Power to weapons. If they stand in your way you'll eliminate them.
>Power to the pinpoint barriers. You're in no mood to kill fellow NUNS if you can help it.
>Other

>>2205198
>>Power to the pinpoint barriers. You're in no mood to kill fellow NUNS if you can help it.

>>2205198
>>Power to the pinpoint barriers. You're in no mood to kill fellow NUNS if you can help it.

>>2205198
>Power to the pinpoint barriers. You're in no mood to kill fellow NUNS if you can help it.

>>2205198
>>Power to the pinpoint barriers. You're in no mood to kill fellow NUNS if you can help it.

>>2205198
>Power to the pinpoint barriers. You're in no mood to kill fellow NUNS if you can help it.

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>>2205198
>>Power to the pinpoint barriers. You're in no mood to kill fellow NUNS if you can help it.
>>Other
Hail them and urge them to stand down

Fire everything if fired on.

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>>2205198
>>Power to the pinpoint barriers. You're in no mood to kill fellow NUNS if you can help it.

We're going to be the one who has to turn the key and press the button, right?

>>2205198
>Power to the pinpoint barriers. You're in no mood to kill fellow NUNS if you can help it.

>>2205198
>Power to weapons. If they stand in your way you'll eliminate them.

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>>2205198
"Full power to the pinpoint barriers." You order. "We'll charge straight past them."

"Barriers charged!" Rachel confirms. "Warheads armed!"

"Full speed ahead." Lida adds.

"Weapons fire! Weapons fire!" Anna warns.

The entire ship shakes and shudders as heavy particle lasers impact the barriers, the protective energy fields glowing bright as they try to absorb the hits. Thankfully concentrating all your reserve power into the barriers seemed to be working. Just a few more seconds and you'd be out of effective range-

"Valkyries incoming!" Anna yelps. "They're firing missiles!"

Damn, that complicated matters. Powering up your point defenses meant diverting some energy away from your barriers. You were reasonably sure Dorsetshire was well armored enough to shrug off some missiles hits. Capital ship grade lasers, on the other hand, were a completely different matter.

>Tank the missile hits.
>Divert power to defensive fire.
>Other

>>2205236
>>Tank the missile hits.

>>2205236
>>Tank the missile hits.

>>2205236
>Tank the missile hits.

>>2205236
>>Tank the missile hits.

>>2205236
>>Tank the missile hits.
Anything that CIWS and armor can’t handle would probably get through the barriers anyway.

We do not want a repeat of the 117th Fleet.

>>2205236
>Tank the missile hits.

>>2205236
>>Tank the missile hits.

>>2205236
>Tank the missile hits.

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>>2205236
"Ignore them. Full speed ahead." You say sternly.

Your bridge crew pauses for a second, but one look at your expression tells them all they need and they go about carrying out their orders.

Once again, Dorsetshire shudders as missiles impact the hull. Steel armor plate is torn and twisted like paper as explosions ripple across the ship.

"Hull breaches on multiple decks!" Anna whimpers. "S-sealing blocks two through four!"

"Multiple reports of casualties, too." Rachel says grimly.

It's all you can do to stay upright in your seat. You first command and your ship was already in pieces. But this what you signed on for. You had to see it through to the end.

Suddenly, though, you see a stream of gun tracers fly past the nose of your ship and straight at the oncoming enemy Valkyries. A single Valkyrie blazes past, gunpods still firing.

"Go on, I'll keep 'em off you!" An unfamiliar voice, presumably the pilot of the rogue Valkyrie, buzzes on the comms.

At this point, some of the "infected" ships begin turning in your direction. Perhaps they were looking to spread the infection onto your ship, or perhaps they sensed what you were about to do. Regardless, two NUNS destroyers and a civilian freighter moved to block your path.

>You need to run the blockade.
>You don't have time for this. Fire a reflex bomb.
>Other

>>2205266
>>You need to run the blockade.

>>2205266
>>You need to run the blockade.

>>2205266
>You need to run the blockade.

Trade paint, ideally. Ram through them if we must.

>>2205266
>You need to run the blockade.

>>2205266
>>You need to run the blockade.

>>2205266
>You need to run the blockade.

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>>2205266
>>You need to run the blockade.

>>2205266
>>You don't have time for this. Fire a reflex bomb.

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>>2205266
"Full speed ahead." You order.

"Aye aye." Lida nods as she throttles up.

Dorsetshire powers forward, finally shaking her NUNS pursuit by diving straight into the maw of the infected fleet. Even with inertial dampeners set to full, you could feel your body shift as Lida puts the Dorsetshire in a tight roll to slip through a narrow gap between the three ships.

However, the gap was a bit too narrow, and the whole ship lurches as Dorsetshire's hull grinds against the hull of one of the infected ships. But you made it past them, and now it was just a straight shot to the colony ship-

"Something's wrong!" Anna yelps again. "I'm... I'm losing contact with blocks 1 and 2!"

"Um, I think we have a problem." Rachel points out of the bridge viewport.

And that's when you see it. A cancerous red tumor was planted on the bow of your ship, pulsating and oozing as thin crimson vines began to snake across the hull. Even such a brief contact with the other ship caused this...?

"L-losing contact with block 3!" Anna cries.

"Seal them off! Seal every block!" You bark.

"I am! There's no effect!" Anna covers her mouth, tears flowing from her eyes. "Oh my god, I can still hear them in there-!"

Rachel immediately leaves her station and yanks Anna's headphones off.

"Admiral, we gotta do something and FAST." She tells you. "At this rate we won't even have a ship left!"

>Put the warheads on timer and abandon ship. We'll use Dorsetshire as the delivery vehicle.
>Purge the infected blocks with reactor coolant. We can't afford to lose the ship now.
>Other

>>2205306
>Put the warheads on timer and abandon ship. We'll use Dorsetshire as the delivery vehicle.
The ship's already lost. Same ultimatum we gave Reese - we have until the warheads go off to evacuate.

>>2205306
>>Put the warheads on timer and abandon ship. We'll use Dorsetshire as the delivery vehicle.

Time to grab a rifle, and a space suit.

>>2205306
>>Purge the infected blocks with reactor coolant. We can't afford to lose the ship now.

>>2205306
>Purge the infected blocks with reactor coolant. We can't afford to lose the ship now.

>>2205306
>Purge the infected blocks with reactor coolant. We can't afford to lose the ship now.

Also grab a gun just in case the infected try to break into the bridge.

>>2205306
>Put the warheads on timer and abandon ship. We'll use Dorsetshire as the delivery vehicle.

>>2205306
>>Put the warheads on timer and abandon ship. We'll use Dorsetshire as the delivery vehicle.

>>2205306
>Put the warheads on timer and abandon ship. We'll use Dorsetshire as the delivery vehicle.

>>2205309
We’re going to have a 10 second scene with no sound, huh?

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>>2205306
"Rachel." You say, trying to stay calm and composed. "Put all the reflex warheads on timer. Five minutes."

Rachel nods. instantly understanding your intention.

"That's gonna be cutting it close, Cap." She frowns. "I don't think that's enough to get to minimum safe distance."

"Our priority is to make sure the payload is delivered." You point out as you key the shipwide intercom.

"This is Captain Nelson." You take a deep breath, mentally preparing yourself for what you have to say next. Something no ship captain wanted to do. "You have all performed admirably, but the ship is lost. All hands are to abandon ship immediately."

You swallow the lump in your throat. It was so much harder to say than you thought.

With that, you key off the intercom as Lida puts in the last commands to the helm before setting it on autopilot, while Rachel helps a still frazzled Anna to her feet.

"Aren't you coming, Cap?" Rachel asks curiously.

>Of course you are.
>You've already lost your first ship on your first mission. It's only proper you go down with it.
>Other

>>2205344
>>You've already lost your first ship on your first mission. It's only proper you go down with it.

>>2205344
>Of course you are.
There's no reason to be a hero on this. We gain nothing.

>>2205344
>Of course you are.

>>2205344
>>Of course you are.
We can do both. We can tag along to ensure as many crewmen make it while holding off any infected.

>>2205344
>Of course you are.

>>2205344
>You've already lost your first ship on your first mission. It's only proper you go down with it.
>Other
Someone has to make sure the ship gets to its final destination.

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>>2205344
"Of course." You nod as you get up from your command chair for the last time.

Your bridge crew quickly piles into the bridge escape pod. However, you pause for a second as you take one last look the bridge. Your first command.

"C'mon, Cap, what's the holdup?"

You're quickly broken out of your reverie by Rachel's question and pile into the escape pod. There's a lurch as the pod ejects out and away from the dying Dorsetshire.

You can't help but look out the narrow viewport as the cruiser continues its final voyage into the heart of Macross Starfield. All the while, dozens of escape pods eject like seedlings.

"Don't look directly at the blast!" Rachel grunts as she yanks you away from the viewport. It's barely a second later that the entire pod is filled with a blinding white light as the reflex warheads detonate all at once. The escape pod then rumbles violently and the temperature begins to spike rapidly.

"Looks like we're not going to make it." Lida sighs, treating the whole situation more as minor inconvenience.

"I'm gonna miss you all!" Anna wails as she hugs you.

"Well shit." Rachel sighs, resigned to your fates.

However, there's another lurch, and the temperature begins to drop. You risk one more glance out of the viewport to see the Valkyrie that had helped you earlier, now in battroid mode and using its superior thrust to push your pod to a safe distance.

"Don't worry, I got you all!" The pilot laughs in relief.

"All right." You cough, adjusting your hat and trying to remain calm. "Anna, what's the count on our crew?"

"Captain..." Anna is on the verge of tears again. "W-w-w-w-"

"We're the only pod that made it out." Rachel finishes.

You quickly whip around to look out the viewport again, and you see... nothing. Just stars and smoldering wreckage where once a colony and its fleet used to be.

"I will personally make sure you burn for this, Captain Nelson." Captain Reese's voice buzzes from the pod radio. "Six hundred thousand people. That's how much blood is on your hands today."

>cont

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>>2205366
"It gets a bit fuzzy after that." Dorothea grunts as she downs her fifth full glass of rum.

You're not sure if it's from the trauma or the alcohol, but you don't dare ask out loud. Honestly, you're still in shock from what Dorothea had revealed to you.

"But considering you're an admiral now, you didn't burn." You point out.

"Not in the traditional way." Dorothea gives a humorless smile. "I was fully expecting to be court martialed the moment I returned to Earth. You know what NUNS High Command did instead? They welcoming me with roaring applause."

"What?" You blink.

"Apparently High Command has some inkling of what destroyed the Starfield fleet." Dorothea explains. "And in their opinion, the sacrifice of one colony ship and 600,000 people was well worth the cost."

"That's-"

"Horrible? Inhumane?" Dorothea laughs bitterly. "Of course it is, but it got the job done, and the results were all they saw."

"So they gave this assignment to you because they were certain that you would make the hard choices when it came to defending the colony." You frown.

"And the worst thing about it is, they're completely right!" Dorothea throws her hands up in the air. "Just this last battle, I fired the Macross Cannon at the Zentradi fleet without confirming the location of our forces inside the nebula. Some of our ships and pilots are still missing in action, and I doubt we'll ever find them."

You're... you're not sure what to say. What can you say?

>You don't have to be that kind of person. Not anymore.
>You're a good person who got put in a bad situation. It's not your fault.
>That's the type of person we need.
>Other

>>2205368
>>You don't have to be that kind of person. Not anymore.
So her reputation is basically like Space Kiritsugu?

>>2205368
>>You don't have to be that kind of person. Not anymore.

>>2205368
>You don't have to be that kind of person. Not anymore.

>>2205368
>>You're a good person who got put in a bad situation. It's not your fault.

>>2205371
She's not that far gone yet thankfully. As long as it's just her rep we can help her.

>>2205368
>That's the type of person we need.
Dorothea Nelson, SPACE MARINE

>>2205368
>>You're a good person who got put in a bad situation. It's not your fault.

As callous as it sounds, spending lives is inevitable. Wasting lives, on the other hand, is unacceptable.

>>2205378
Also, the earlier battle was Reese's fault for letting it get out of hand. He probably made a number of tactical/operational errors.

>>2205368
>That's the type of person we need.

>>2205368
>>You're a good person who got put in a bad situation. It's not your fault.

>>2205368
>>You're a good person who got put in a bad situation. It's not your fault.

>>2205381
Probably didn’t lockdown, quarantine or burn infected ships before they got to the colony ship. Guess that battle before the Dorsetshire got there was some other ships disagreeing with his decision.

>>2205368
>That's the type of person we need.
Hard calls sometimes need to be made, a thousand die to save ten thousand.

>>2205368
>That's the type of person we need.
>But you don't have to be that kind of person. Not all the time.

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>>2205368
"You're a good person who got put in a bad situation." You assure her. "It's not your fault."

"I want to believe that so badly." Dorothea shakes her head and downs her sixth glass. "But I know deep down... I hate losing. I'll do anything to win, even if it means burning down everything I love."

"Then I'll make sure it won't come to that." You reply. "We still have Amy."

"If she's even any use to us after this." Dorothea shakes her head. "After she saw you nearly go down, I have my doubts."

"Anyways..." You try to change the subject. "What happened to Admiral Reese?"

"He was made the scapegoat, of course." Dorothea gives a humorless smile. "The whole thing happened under his watch, after all. I was just there to clean up the mess. Last I heard he chose to retire. Who knows where he is now."

"And I take it that Valkyrie pilot was Kellerman." You continue.

"Correct." Dorothea nods. "Even after all that, I'm still not sure why he follows me."

"Isn't it obvious? You're a good leader, Dorothea. And the fact that you're not happy with how that shitshow turned out proves it."

"Thanks... I think." Dorothea mumbles. "Still, my career has been defined by hard choices so far. How about you?"

"Didn't you already read my record?" You raise an eyebrow.

"I want to hear it from you."

>Of course I've had to make hard calls.
>No, I was just the guy who pulled the trigger for the people calling the shots.
>Other

>>2205398
>>Of course I've had to make hard calls.

>>2205398
>Of course I've had to make hard calls.

>>2205398
>>Of course I've had to make hard calls.

>>2205398
>Of course I've had to make hard calls.

>>2205398
>Of course I've had to make hard calls.

>>2205398
>>Of course I've had to make hard calls.

>>2205398
>>Of course I've had to make hard calls.

>>2205398
>Of course I've had to make hard calls.

>>2205398
>>Of course I've had to make hard calls.

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>>2205398
"Of course I've had to make hard calls." You nod. "Doesn't mean I have to like them."

"No, but we have to live them all the same." Dorothea pours one last glass for you and herself. The bottle was basically empty at this point. "I suppose, if nothing else, we can both be monsters together."

"Not the first thing I'd call ourselves..." You sigh and then blink. "Wait, is that why you thought we'd get along so well?"

Dorothea doesn't answer as she quickly starts downing her last glass of rum.

>Oh what the hell. Might as well drink yourself to oblivion as well.
>Maybe a song would cheer her up...
>You suppose it falls on you to be the responsible adult today.
>Other

>>2205420
>>Oh what the hell. Might as well drink yourself to oblivion as well.

>>2205420
>Maybe a song would cheer her up...
Anything is better than staff duty back on Earth:
https://youtu.be/kJM0fhVcXjE
And an old English classic:
https://youtu.be/7D0JnH_rs5c

>>2205420
>Oh what the hell. Might as well drink yourself to oblivion as well.

>>2205420
>>Maybe a song would cheer her up...
Do we have a guitar lying around or something, or are we both going to do a bunch of drunk singing?

>>2205420
>>You suppose it falls on you to be the responsible adult today.

Sometimes a Person has to compromise their morals to do what is necessary... but respect is also due to those who won’t do this as they make our survival even at cost of questionable deeds worth it. We need both sorts.

>>2205420
>>Oh what the hell. Might as well drink yourself to oblivion as well.

>>2205420
>>Oh what the hell. Might as well drink yourself to oblivion as well.

>>2205420
>Maybe a song would cheer her up...
Let's not be totally hungover when Amy decides to come out of her room.

>>2205420
>Maybe a song would cheer her up...

>>2205420
>>Maybe a song would cheer her up...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlK9nssE1G0

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>>2205420
>Oh what the hell. Might as well drink yourself to oblivion as well.

Don't be surprised if we wake up with her on us.

>>2205420
>>Maybe a song would cheer her up...
Maybe something from Fire Bomber?

>>2205420
>Maybe a song would cheer her up...

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>>2205420
Aw, fuck it, you think, as you down your glass as well. You might as well try to end this night on a more positive note. Thinking about everything you knew about Dorothea, there was one sure fire way to cheer her up. You're not sure if you completely remember the words but you blurt them out all the same.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NXFCDgyanA

"Come, cheer up, my lads, 'tis to glory we steer,
To add something more to this wonderful year;
To honour we call you, as freemen not slaves,
For who are so free as the sons of the waves? "

Dorothea's eyes light up instantly as she recognizes the ancient sailing song. The song of her people. She then takes over the next part.

"Heart of oak are our ships, jolly tars are our men, we always are ready;
Steady, boys, steady!
We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again!"

The two of you then start alternating the lines, up until the point all you can do is hum along as Dorothea finishes the rest of the song by heart, her head bobbing from side to side like a schoolgirl at a musical recital. She was hell of a lot better singer than you, that's for sure.

>Comment that she'd make a good idol.
>Just enjoy the song.
>Other

>>2205459
>>Comment that she'd make a good idol.

>>2205459
>>Comment that she'd make a good idol.

>>2205459
>Just enjoy the song.
Don't ruin the mood.

>>2205459
>>Comment that she'd make a good idol.

>>2205459
>Comment that she'd make a good idol.

>>2205459
>Just enjoy the song.

>>2205459
>Just enjoy the song.

>>2205459
>Just enjoy the song.

>>2205459
>Comment that she'd make a good idol.

>>2205459
>>Just enjoy the song.

>>2205459
>>Comment that she'd make a good idol.

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Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>2205459
Uh oh, looks like we've got a tie vote, so we'll have to roll it off!

1. Idol
2. Enjoy

>>2205459
>Just enjoy the song.

Sometimes, nothing more needs to be said.

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>>2205459
You decide to sit back and enjoy the song as Dorothea continues, getting so into it that she actually stands up on the table as she proudly belts out the final lines of the lyrics.

You'd be lying if you said that she didn't look stunning in that pose and angle, despite her inebriated state.

Or maybe that was your own inebriation playing tricks on your sight.

Either way, you feel that you understand Dorothea a little more than you did previously. Perhaps this could be a first step to a change for the better for her.

Well, that's what you hope at least...

>And that's it for tonight! As always, next thread is next week, and don't forget Frontier Knight on Saturday!

>>2205477
See you next time, boss!

>>2205477
Thanks for running Merc!

Good to know Doro’s backstory, although I still get the feeling she and the Fleet are considered expendable.

See you next DECULTURE!

>>2205477
Thanks for running boss!

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>>2205477
See you next thread!

Maybe we need a private fashion show with idol Doro?

>>2205477
Thanks for running and take it easy.

>>2205485
We should invite her to karaoke if there's ever a chance.

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>>2205485
>>2205491

>private fashion show

I wouldn't mind seeing a maid outfit.

>>2205477
Thanks for running OP!

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>>2205491
We could also bring everyone along if a private karaoke session is out of the question. Might as well own up to our singing.

>>2205492
As long as we take pictures, and hide it from Karla.