Mecha Space Pirate Quest 27.5

Welcome back to part 2 of Mecha Space Pirate Quest chapter 27. As always, you are Admiral Roarke Susan Starwind of the Iron Kestrels, nicknamed "Dude McCool" by your late and recently avenged Captain, master of the Starship Rhinehawk, and pilot of the undefeated Knuckle Kaiser.

Previous Threads: suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Mecha Space Pirate Quest, Collective Game, mecha
Master Pastebin: pastebin.com/sSHs0QmF
Upgrade Menu: pastebin.com/QQQzkFZe
List of Moves: pastebin.com/HSdyCe2y
Rogues' Gallery: pastebin.com/E9ZcDLfG

Last time, things were cut short by an abrupt QM existence failure, mea culpa, but at least you had the chance to talk with Samantha Blanchett, who came up with a plan to stay with the Iron Kestrels while still making you look good for ostensibly releasing her. Now, you're on your way to talk to another one of the women you've ensnared with your maximum Cool, one Gretchen Colburn, host of QTPI news.

Right now, she's interviewing SOUL Squad A, who fought fiercely to defend their damaged battleship and your own vessel in battle against the now-extinct Green Skulls.

Other urls found in this thread:

pastebin.com/Ph40t9fn
pastebin.com/fk42ZL1Q
pastebin.com/hbfg4qqs
twitter.com/AnonBabble

Also, I need to make some minor edits to the Knuckle Kaiser's entry because I was wrong about how hands work, free Space Efficiency woohoo!

I'll get to that at some point tonight. Hopefully.

Aw shit, whats the story with hands now?

I thought they were like shields where they take up one space regardless of cost. Apparently they either use Space Efficiency to only take up one space, or they are like handheld weapons in that they're limited by the spaces available in that arm. Either way, once I figure out which it is, you'll get free CP automatically spent on Space Efficiency to make them kosher as a dill pickle.

Welp. Time to go back to weapon mating.

test

"Sooo, what about the rumors I've heard from some of the crew about a steamy squad relationship between you and a certain Miss Heim, currently leading Squad A in kills?" The reporter waggles her eyebrows.

"Y-y-y-yeah u-um w-we're dating." You're momentarily not sure if this is the same kid who threatened to bring you down if you were just using Lieutenant Farragut. Instead of terrifyingly focused and confident, he's shy and blushing and stammering like a complete rookie. You can't help smiling as the pale-haired girl next to him grabs his arm with a big smile.

"That's right!" She crows, "I've got to keep doing my best to protect him so we can retire together. Besides, relationships between teammates aren't against regulations, I even looked it up!"

"The UJCIDF, a place for love? Perhaps a future segment..." Gretchen muses, already thinking three steps ahead when it comes to her ratings, "Anyway, the best of luck to you both! Lieutenant Blanchett, any comment from you on the situation with your sister?"

The burly man with the prominent beard and mohawk nods, leaning in to speak to Gretchen's PC, currently set to record, "I've met with Admiral Starwind. Despite the fact that he's a disreputable pirate, a scoundrel, and a rogue...I have every confidence that he'll do the right thing by my sister. Right, Admiral?" He looks directly at you over Gretchen's shoulder. His smile is friendly, but his gaze is as sharp as one of his mech's beam axes.

Gretchen spots you, stifles a squeal, and pushes you in front of the cameras. She isn't very strong and is mostly reliant on you being cooperative to get you to move anywhere. Lieutenant Blanchett gives you a hearty clap on the back and grins, "As I was saying, right, Admiral?"

[Continued]

>he doesn't already mate every Kill-less system in his mech anyway to conserve spaces

So I've been thinking about that mecha tournament we came up with and heres what I've got

We advertise it on Gretchen's chanel entry fee of 10,000 space bucks where winner fights us to win the pot maybe put up the Kaiser to attract better pilots

Battle royal to start it untill theres 20 mechs left. We offer people who did well but lost a job as our crew

From there a normal tournament with winner facing us

Actually, since you've been put on the spot and this could be a decision with ramifications down the line, how do you want to respond to that?

Isn't that asking for the UJCIDF to set an ambush for the tournament, or at least arrest every competitor we send home as complicit in criminal activities?

Neat. Made it in time. Also, BEHOLD! I have finished the Cardinal! pastebin.com/Ph40t9fn

It's pretty cheap all things considered. Got it under 150 cp, even if I made a 10 cp error somewhere. Probably is a few errors in calculations, but it is still a solid machine for a scout. Could even keep up with a harpy in airplane mode.

Its only got lasers and stretch claws anyway.

Well going to be at a place that is populated entirely by pirates anyway.

>stretch claws

You have a future on Zeon's design team, user

We've treated her right before and we'd continue to do so. She's quite the killer queen after all.

" I promise to make an honest woman out of her"

I fucking hope Wong goes with this despite all the trouble we're going to get in.

It may or may not be somewhat inspired by shamelessly ripped off from a certain aquatic zeonic mobile suit.

Nein. Nyet. Non. No.

>"I would never do wrong by a lady such as your sister, Lieutenant."
>Look at the camera.
>"I'll treat anyone who has the misfortune (or maybe the fortune?) of becoming one of my captives with no less than the highest courtesy."
>Cheeky grin here.
>"Unless they ask me to."

HAHA TIME FOR

PR?

You have my full attention.

Also, a thought about the Cardinal. It has religious themes, and is named after a bird (and a rank in the Catholic Church).

Lunar mecha and ships are typically named after birds, like the Sparrow the Harpy comes from. The Reformed Catholic church also has its pontiff on Luna. I could see the mostly-nonlethal Cardinal being the defense mech of choice for the RCC, even if a few find their way into the hands of peacekeeping organizations or even pirates.

Yup. I was also basing it off the chess piece Bishop since the rook is also a bird. Fun fact actually. While looking up good irish last names, Brannon stood out for a few reasons. One, Bran means Raven in the old tongue and is also a name of a famous sailor. Fitting for a family that maakes something that sails the endless expanses of space.

"We've treated her right and we'll continue to do so." You smile at the camera and thump Pierre on his back even harder than he just whalloped you, "I would never do wrong by a lady such as the lieutenant's sister. All of our captives are treated with the highest courtesy...unless they ask otherwise." You smile like a saint. He's forced to smile too while giving you suspicious sidelong 'what have you done to my big sister you filthy pirate' looks.

Samantha, who's slipped through the crowd like a lithe little shadow, giggles, and the three Squad A members gasp. You can see the hunger for news and human interest stories blazing in Gretchen's eyes, but...some things should be kept private.

"Hey, Gretchen, why don't you cut to commercial for a little bit? I've kept brother and sister apart too long, let's give them a moment." You have the satisfaction of seeing the reporter blush.

"Yeah, that would be the proper thing to do? Only shameless paparazzi would bother them, right?" She turns off the recorder and waves away the cams.

You sling your arm around her. She looks very pleased with herself, especially in front of so many other people, "Gretchen, how would you feel about being embedded with me for a while?"

"Oh gosh~ Admiral~ In public like this~?" She fluffs up her hair, looking smug.

"I mean it seriously." You protest, "Stay around for a while, do a story, get the truth about what we're like. It's good for your career, it's good for our public image..." You pause, as a thought strikes you, "...Unless of course, you need General Fairchild's permission first. You're an independent reporter, right?"

She huffs and sticks her nose up in the air, stung, "Are you saying I'm just some military mouthpiece?!" She pokes you in the chest, "I've won awards, buster! I worked my way up from covering mech model shows...and winning SEVERAL contests, I might add...to being one of the most hard-hitting and respected non-senior reporters for the JNN!"

[Continued]

pastebin.com/fk42ZL1Q
I had it just under 150 CP before I had to mate the weapons and I am certain I could have made it much cheaper and efficient if I didnt want it to have dumb stretch arms with lasers built in.
First time stating something for a tabletop RPG

Also I was wondering, does the melee weapon link cost 7 because its the cost of the melee weapon link plus intraservo weapon link?

It's also faster than an angry nun with a ruler.

I have to wonder if melee weapons with both Handy and Entangling (or Throwing) are capable of manipulating objects at range, or if you need a dedicated Remote Control System to do that.

Thats a tall claim.

Also, I saw people asking about the special environmental protection upgrades last thread.

You know how sometimes an option just makes things more complicated because it seems mandatory? Yeah, this is one of those times. I'm ignoring environmentals as much as possible. If I ever designed, say, a big old construction mech for a volcanic planetary facility, I might work it in, but otherwise I'm not worried about it, it only makes sense that in a space game mecha are built to handle space by default.

Yes.

Ah, right, the Jovian News Network. There are a bunch of networks, but the JNN is the biggest and best-known.

"So that's a yes?" You hazard, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, after all..."

>[Roll Fast Talk & Persuasion, 1d10+13 plus any luck you want to spend, just announce how much you're using]

If you consider the Harpy the naughty boy of the solar system, then even while in plane mode and it's 12 MA, the Cardinal can keep up with it action to action. It's solid ammo burst gun could even be given shotgun ammo.. which with it's equal MV of -2 could likely pelt it's ass like the nun did with her own shotgun when my dad stole rhubarb from the church as a kid.

And of course the picture is missing.

Rolled 5 + 13 (1d10 + 13)

Rolled 6 + 13 (1d10 + 13)

And let's say 3 luck just in case.

Rolled 10 + 13 (1d10 + 13)

let's try one point for this one shouldn't be to hard

Rolled 3 + 13 (1d10 + 13)

2 luck please.

"Wellll...I can't do it permanently, I've got a job to go back to, and I'd need to make a few calls using Auditorium's ansible first and get permission. Just so you know, though, just being good in bed doesn't mean I'll throw softballs at you. I'm determined to be objective and expose the truth even when you're telling the whitest of white lies. Are you sure you want me around?"

>[Say yes politely]
>[Say no politely]

>[Say yes politely]

>>[Say yes politely]

>>[Say yes politely]
Better to be honest with our dickery after all.

>Say yes politely

Do we get an upgrade for sleepibg with her?

>[Say yes politely]
But you don't get to report on crew members' personal lives without permission, and you don't publish any 'shocking exposés' unless you're sure you've got the full story, alright?

You would rather expect that, given that the Cardinal is half again as expensive as the Harpy, and the Harpy itself isn't exactly as optimized as can be.

You get good PR unless she becomes a major love interest like the others.

We make Fairchild even more infuriated than she already is. Does that count?

Fair enough

"I wouldn't want a reporter who takes it easy on me, Gretchen. I picked you for a reason, you know." You turn on the charm with the force of a plasma saber, giving one of her twintails a little tug and looking right into her eyes.

"An...and I may require you to inspire me sometimes. Off camera. I want my quarters close to yours!" This is as close as you've seen her come to stammering.

"That was never in question. Be sure to grill me hard." Your grin could melt Europan ice into a pleasant sauna, and she sighs and nods.

"I have to shoot some more footage and do some more interviews. Do you think you'd mind doing the prisoner exchange on-camera? I'll let you set up the details with Colonel Hatsheput...and you might want to tell her to get off that boy's lap before I start filming. Dignity of the military, and all that." She winks, looking over at where the Colonel is nestled as comfortably as a cat on Mohammed, who is wearing her helmet and looking exuberantly pleased with himself. You wink back, and head over there.

>[What say?]

I'd rather not try to manipulate journalistic integrity it tends to go badly for all those involved.

Perhaps, but optimized or not, it tends to be difficult to keep speed up while increasing size. Legs can only hold so many thrusters along with the chest and going bigger means more thrusters to stay at weight. Likewise, it also eats CP to get the weight down to what it was before.

It's not an amazing mech, but for what it's designed for, I do think I have done a decent job while keep under budget for what I had planned.

>"Hello, Regina. I see you've become well-acquainted with my Second Mate. Mohammed - how are you doing?"

Give Moe the our best Ozark impression

..Wong you have done a amazing job at making the Zabi family adorable. That both scares and impresses me.

Anyways, compliment her and her seat, ask how she is doing and if there are any questions that need to be asked before getting the show on the road.

>it tends to be difficult to keep speed up while increasing size
And that's when you're forced into doing bullshit cheese that forever stains your family name, like Mating your Thruster Systems with a 1 CP Reflector in order to avoid directly paying for Space Efficiency.

I'm tempted to say that mating thrusters with anything is a hard no and that weapons mating is for weapons and shields only. It's supposed to represent things like Zeta's beamsaber bayonet rifle, not be used for blatant wickedness.

See, thats the sort of thing I can see Jesus asking CCC about and he just flat out slaps Jesus across his stupid face for it.

Can you give a long range weapon an accuracy bonus or is it always -2?

It was a joke. No sane person would permit that sort of thing at the table, but for some reason they decided to print it there in the rules.

Weapon Mating should be used for good (or at least hilarity), like Mating a Quick weapon with a Linked duplicate of itself, thus allowing you to punch a guy 8 times with a single action.

8 times in a single turn, I should say.

It's -2 from its standard accuracy. A standard WA +0 weapon fires at -2, but a WA +1 weapon fires at -1, and so on.

"Remember, no reporting on crew members' personal lives without permission, no 'shocking exposés' unless you're sure you have the full story. For everyone's safety." You remind Gretchen before she can escape, and she pouts and mumbles unconvincingly about how she'd never do that anyway.

You make your way over to the Colonel and Mohammed. She's giggling over some joke he told and doesn't look up until you're standing over them. You clear your throat, "Hello, Regina. I see you've become well-acquainted with my Second Mate. Mohammed - how are you doing?"

"Admiral! I..." The boy thrusts his chest out, squares his shoulders, and states proudly, "I am doing quite well, sir!"

"Damned right you are, you rascal. Ozark would be proud if he could see you, I know I am." You grin encouragingly, and Mohammed's face lights up. You can't help but praise him a little. It's not like you're innocent when it comes to military girls, obviously, but a Colonel? That's quite the catch.

"Roarke! Oh, I mean, Admiral Starwind..." She blushes, fidgets, and searches for words. You wait patiently, until she gathers her courage, "He's a good man, Roarke, and he's very dear to me...but he's a warrior, not a soldier. Take good care of him for me, I know we'll see each other again. Oh, and, since I'm letting my captive go...once my ship is repaired which will hopefully take a long time so I can pet this fluffy head of his as much as I want, ohoho~...do you think you could be an absolute champion and further cement my good impression of you by letting your Jovian captives go, hmmm?" She smiles with genuine hope, "It would be so nice if everybody parted peacefully. I know, I know, 'I need to ransom Lady Ahmad to feed my people' and all that, but surely the others aren't worth as much, hmmm? Corporal Blanchett's brother misses her, and the reporter and those pilots surely don't have enough money to be worth the bother, right?"

[Continued]

"Please, Regina, this is a party. Is Auditorium treating you well?" You start things off properly.

"It's like a vacation! Well, aside from everything that happened. By Jove, that was terrifying...but somehow, once I actually saw Captain Galbadie, I just wanted to squash him like a bug." She makes a gesture like she's clapping her hands on a mosquito.

"A lot of people probably felt that way about him." You reply, truthfully.

"It's so very lucky we were able to find the mines around the defensive screen generator before they could detonate. You should have seen his face when the shields lit up and the cannons swiveled towards him!" She looks incredibly pleased with herself.

"Er, yes. It must have been. I actually didn't see that part..." Although now you want to, "...I was fighting his First Mate at the time in our mecha."

"You won, I hear." She replies.

"I doubt I would be here otherwise." You counter in a friendly way.

"In-deed! Anyway, we were lucky with the cannons, too, for some silly reason the mines were set on the impact plating around the beam batteries instead of somewhere more damaging, like inside them or hooked into the fire control systems or something awful like that. Either we're very lucky the saboteur became suddenly incompetent, or they only wanted the guns to look damaged, or maybe they have an accomplice!" She gasps, "I'll have to look into that. We're searching Auditorium for the saboteur, Rebecca Lorde, and another prisoner named Bruce Kelly, but that charming Rosita girl says that it's a big colony and they could have stowed away on a supply barge or something." She sighs, "What a bother."

"A bother indeed." You're having a hard time keeping up with her sheer ability to put words into the air quickly.

"So, Samantha and the S-Betta..." She starts up again, rather unfairly.

[Continued]

Stick to the plan we made last night.

damnit woman! negotiate later, party now!

"Samantha is already free to go wherever she wishes, I never had any intention of holding onto her. She's expressed to me that she plans to retire from the UJCIDF, do you think you could help her with the paperwork?"

"So long as she tells me it's of her own free will and I believe it. Ohohoho, is this the sweet breeze of Forbidden Love?"

"It's...I..." For once, you're the one off balance.

"Don't try to lie to me, I'm an expert on Forbidden Love! I've read dozens of high-level books and reports on it." She nods seriously, crossing her arms.

"I...is that a real field?" You have never felt so baffled except when Yoritomo tries explaining his personal philosophy to you.

"To me it is." She says with utter dignity.

"So is what's going on between you and Mohammed Forbidden Love?" You try to riposte and get her off this subject. It proves to be about as effectual as shooting an arrow at a castle wall.

"Mohammed is cute and sweet and a good man and fluffy and his abs are nice and he cuddles." She says proudly.

"That...that isn't an answer, Regina. That isn't even close to an answer." You try to keep your smile intact.

"You didn't answer me! If there's Forbidden Love, I want to know about it. Also what about the S-Betta?"

"If there was anything between me and the S-Betta, it would definitely be forbidden, I'm strictly the Knuckle Kaiser's pilot and my mechanic would have it no other way." You're a pirate, damn it! You won't lose to her!

She pouts even more, "But it's juiiiicy! You're not being very fair."

>[Yes, it's Forbidden Love]
>[No, just a normal prisoner-captor relationship]
>[Foist answering this off on Samantha!]

ALSO REGARDING THE S-BETTA

>[Insist you're keeping it as spoils and because the cloaking technology can't be 100% unique if the First Mate had it, Regina may try to push you on this]
>[Tell her it's damaged beyond usability and therefore you're keeping it since it's no longer really valuable and you need the spare parts more than the UJCIDF, Gretchen may push you on this since she'll likely see it at some point.]

Picture is not the S-Betta, which is a mech I came up with wholesale, it's just a mech from my mech art folder.

>[Tell her it's damaged beyond usability and therefore you're keeping it since it's no longer really valuable and you need the spare parts more than the UJCIDF, Gretchen may push you on this since she'll likely see it at some point.]

We can easily tell her we built another one if we change its paint job and some other things

>[Tell her it's damaged beyond usability and therefore you're keeping it since it's no longer really valuable and you need the spare parts more than the UJCIDF, Gretchen may push you on this since she'll likely see it at some point.]
>[Foist answering this off on Samantha!]

>[Foist answering this off on Samantha!]
But really.. Yeah, it is forbidden love. Half tempted to just say to Sammy "They know. Get the fancy wine and cheese it!"

As for the Betta? So long as we quickly get the paint job and remodeling done, it should be fine. Say that some systems, such as the cloaking are badly damaged so we are taking the parts from the first mate to refurbish the machine. It's not a lie after all, since we could use some of the scrap to further improve the betta.

>Picture is not the S-Betta, which is a mech I came up with wholesale, it's just a mech from my mech art folder.

Now I'm starting to want the Elemental lords to start showing up.

Mostly because dat Granzon.

>"I'm a pirate, Regina. Being fair is against my personal code. It is my solemn duty to give you as infuriating an answer as I possibly can, if only to keep you up at night. At least that way, I'll be able to remain in your thoughts, eh?"

>[Tell her it's damaged beyond usability and therefore you're keeping it since it's no longer really valuable and you need the spare parts more than the UJCIDF, Gretchen may push you on this since she'll likely see it at some point.]
As I proposed last time, swap its armor paneling with the Warmouth's, and scrap the Warmouth (now disguised as the S-Betta) where Gretchen can see it (but preferably off-camera).

>[Foist answering this off on Samantha!]
to Regina >"I'd rather not confirm or deny anything without Samantha's permission or approval"
to Sam: >"I have no idea what this woman is talking about.Help Me!"
as for the Betta
>[Tell her it's damaged beyond usability and therefore you're keeping it since it's no longer really valuable and you need the spare parts more than the UJCIDF, Gretchen may push you on this since she'll likely see it at some point.]
even if we get caught in a lie, we still have the Mech.

Cybuster gets lost again and ends up on Earth. Also, Granzon would just have a CP cost of yes. It is crazy broken.

"I'm a pirate, Regina. Being fair is unfair to me, it's my solemn duty to give you as obscure and infuriating an answer as I can, out of requisite professional cheekiness." You say, a bit pompously and in jest, before becoming serious again, "In other words, I can't speak for Samantha's feelings, or know what she wants to say. You should ask her, she's a lot more reliable and probably knows more about your...er...field...than I do."

She pouts, then glances over your shoulder and smiles at someone, waving them over. "Alright, I'll accept that, and the S-Betta?"

"Damaged in battle to the point where there wouldn't be any point in giving it back, and I'd feel demeaned by asking for money for scrap like some filthy scavvie. We'll put its parts to good use." You airily reply.

"It has proprietary UJCIDF SOUL technology that could be very dangerous in the wrong hands." She frowns, steepling her fingers on the table and giving you a look you haven't seen since the headmistress at a little working-class school on Io caught a very young Roarke Starwind passing notes to a girl in class. The effect is somewhat spoiled by the fact that she's nestled up to Mohammed.

"You saw for yourself that the Green Skulls already had it. It's too late to put the cat back in the bag, Regina, there are cloaking mecha out there that SOUL doesn't control, and I'm sure you already have its blueprints and the flight data from when it was berthed on the Cincinnatus."

"Well...yes...but...oh hello Corporal! Roarke and I were just talking about you. He told me to ask you what's between you two." Colonel Hatsheput smiles like a predatory cougar.

Samantha looks up at you from where she's been lurking silently behind your shoulder, and grins back, "Oh has he now~?"

>[Flee, her trollmode is engaged]
>[Stay, running won't solve anything and you're a brave space pirate]

>>[Flee, her trollmode is engaged]
the mental image alone is worth this choice

>[Stay, running won't solve anything and you're a brave space pirate]
rule one of cool 10: don't let them see you sweat

pastebin.com/hbfg4qqs
Made another thing. Under 100 CP this time I feel as though I fucked up the maths somewhere though.

>>[Flee, her trollmode is engaged]
Gotta go talk to Karen bye!!

>[Stay, running won't solve anything and you're a brave space pirate]

Roarke isn't afraid of anything

>[Stay. Running will only make it worse.]

>>[Stay, running won't solve anything and you're a brave space pirate]

>[Flee, her trollmode is engaged]
Coolly. If such a thing is even possible.

>>[Stay, running won't solve anything and you're a brave space pirate]

Cool 10 motherfucker

>[Stay, running won't solve anything and you're a brave space pirate]
We must keep our cool in front of Moe. Never show weakness in front of a cougar either.

We are going to get back at her for this right, when would be best for maximum embarrassment anons?

You're torn. Every instinct you have, every little voice in your head that has kept you alive throughout your decade as a criminal and eight full years of piracy, is telling you to run. To make an excuse and run like the wind. In spite of that, there isn't any actual danger, and you're Roarke Starwind, the pirate who has won the initially for-convenience-only title of Admiral fair and square. You can't just turn and flee from cute little Samantha...and you aren't sure it would help either. Besides, your subordinate is watching, you have to set a good example for Mohammed even at the cost of your own dignity.

That hesitation proves deadly.

"I need to..." You start trying to come up with an excuse. At first you're about to say you need to talk to Karen, which is true. Then you see that Samantha has her innocent Jovian princess face on, and you know the cold bite of terror.

"He's a little shy." She wraps her arms firmly around one of yours, hugging it tight and rooting you in place, "You might be surprised from seeing his tough exterior and the way he fights, but he's a very tender and gentle man."

"OH IS HE NOW?" The Colonel leers.

"Why, yes. He didn't make me his prisoner with his strong mech, but with his gentle heart and sweet voice." Samantha has begun an unholy rampage, you can see it happening, "He never tortured me, although the interrogations were...long and very hard." She licks her dark lips subtly.

"So it's forbidden love!?" Colonel Hatsheput gleefully dumps gasoline on the fire you're chained to, although gasoline has been a defunct fuel source for centuries.

"Ohhh...w-well..." That fake stutter. You know that fake stutter! "If you must know...do you promise not to tell anyone?"

"NO ONE BUT MY DIARY!" Cackles the Colonel.

[Continued]

"NO ONE BUT MY DIARY!" Cackles the Colonel.
Hahahaha!

Goddammit Sam.

One a scale of everything to everything else, how much is she going to tell the Colonel?

No regrets

Never pull out, never surrender

someone is getting a very long and very hard interrogation later tonight

Samantha goes up on tiptoes and kisses your cheek, "Yes. Oh yes. He's even taken me out on a date. He said I'm his princess. I never feel as safe as when I'm in his arms. This whole time, he's been my guardian and my lover, my warrior prince of the stars. He even went to rescue the people of Suleiman 1 because I persuaded him to." She looks shyly down at her feet, the very picture of a maiden lost in her own heart, "...Don't even put that part in your diary. He went there for me, to save people I asked him to save. I'm sure there was some excuse about treasure and revenge, but he cares about people. He and one of his top warriors personally came to rescue me when I was in danger, he saved innocent people and...and even though he's a thief and occasionally he bends the truth and he's a little free with women, I love him. I hope he'll make an honest woman of me someday."

You can feel your armor being battered off your frame. You can't actually be angry at her for being honest. Sure, you think treasure and revenge were pretty good reasons to go to Suleiman 1 in general, but she's making you sound good, at least.

"The idea that we might be separated because he cares about my honor was painful." She squeezes your arm tight, like a schoolgirl, and that squeeze gives you a sudden premonition of doom as she continues in a softer, lower voice, "...And it made me...very tense..." She bites her lip, her big, pale green eyes smouldering as she looks up at you, "You were so tense too, weren't you Roarke?" She smiles, the edge of her lower lip vanishing between her teeth.

The Colonel makes a meowing sound, fanning herself with a frond from a palm tree growing next to her table, "So you...and he...and then...DID HE RAVISH YOU A LOT OR WAS IT JUST WISTFUL GLANCES?" She blurts out suddenly, losing her composure. Mohammed can't stay entirely sympathetic, covering his face as he snickers.

[Continued]

...

Roarke Starwind coolest man alive or big cuddly teddy bear find out more tonight at 12

Sorry for the delete and repost, I'd had to shorten some stuff because I accidentally copypasted part of a line somehow and when I realized I wanted to make a few fixes.

"R-Roarke..." The innocent look is back on her face, and she nuzzles your shoulder, "Could you go get me some punch? My throat is a little dry." She releases you, a gleam of pure mischief in her eyes as she gives you the chance to get some distance and breathe.

For a moment, you see freedom, and you've taken the first few steps before you realize the true horror has only just begun. With a ladylike blush staining her cheeks, she's whispering in the Colonel's ear. The Colonel looks absolutely enthralled in her story, staring from you to her and back again.

You manage to make your way through the scattered groups of people, elevated on a terrace over the revel outside. Somewhere, Red Siren is performing. That's what she does after resolving a crisis, through vivid self-expression for catharsis and for the sake of her fans. Her song is far enough from here, though, for a little peace and quiet instead of the mob of pirates and fans. The artificial lighting is cycling into its evening cycle, and even though you know it isn't real, it's still peaceful. Unlike the hell awaiting you. You can swear you heard a "KYAAA!" that didn't come from a bird, and you find yourself shaking your orange mane over your ears to cover the fact that they're burning a little. You adjust your sunglasses, even though they already fit perfectly.

[Continued]

Punchbowls are one of the oldest party relics of humanity as a species. Human beings have been getting together to drink as long as there have been cities, some scholars even claim that getting together to drink is the reason for the formation of settlements and eventually cities in the first place. As you pour the punch, alcoholic but a poor substitute for the beer you grab for yourself out of a dispenser, an idea strikes you. You don't have to go back alone against the frilly terror.

However, you are at the punchbowl at the same time as only two other people. Both, like you, are proud warriors, solid compatriots in this time of deep darkness, and yet both could be absolutely the worst person to talk to at this moment.

Oda Yoritomo, your sworn kouhai and subordinate Captain. Loyal to you and replete with warrior spirit after having the chance to personally avenge his nakama. He is full of energy and seems eager to talk to anyone nearby. However, he

At the other end of the table is Lieutenant Pierre Blanchett. He seems a lot more composed now that he's seen his sister and blooded his new mech against pirates that weren't you. Although Samantha said he had abandoned the idea of vengeance, losing must sting when you're a military ace. He could potentially be a lot of trouble right now. Mostly because you've repeatedly defiled his sister...but there is one key strategic asset he has as a comrade. Samantha won't dare pursue her mischief in front of him. He is a sovereign aegis against her witchcraft.

>[Pierre Blanchett]
>[Oda Yoritomo]
>[Both]
>[Go back alone]

>>[Pierre Blanchett]
"You're her brother. You get to suffer the girl talk with me."

>Oda Yoritomo, your sworn kouhai and subordinate Captain. Loyal to you and replete with warrior spirit after having the chance to personally avenge his nakama. He is full of energy and seems eager to talk to anyone nearby. However, he's Oda Yoritomo

Somehow a section of text got erased when I was breaking that up into posts.

>>[Pierre Blanchett]
Please help your sister is terrifying.

Both!

>[Go back alone]
This is our fight. Also, Pierre will probably just choose to screw us over even more, and Oda will make things worse without even trying.

>[Go back alone]
Roarke doesn't afraid of anything