One of the soldiers patches Creed up properly; he's still bleeding, but it looks like your timely removal of the bullets and clearing out of his wounds probably saved his life.

You slump down onto the narrow bench, exhaling slowly.
"On the upside," Garfield says. "I guess we're bulletproof."
"Yeah," you say, probing at the fist-sized bruises on your torso. "I wouldn't say -proof exactly."

Inventory(ies)

| Helen Tanner: 1 M4A1 Carbine with Grenade Launcher, 1 9mm Handgun (Artifact - Infinite Ammo), 1 Butterfly Knife, 1 Cowboy Hat (Artifact - Transparency) tied around the neck, 1 Backpack (containing 1 Local Map [Artifact - Local Topography], 1 pair of Nightvision Goggles, 1 Cell Phone, 1 Flashdrive of 54's Arkham Data, 1 Lead Box holding Carcenogenic Sunglasses [Artifact - Ghost Vision], 1 Tuning Fork [Artifact - Absorption?], 1 dose of Panacea [Artifact - Cure-All], a notebook containing 33's notes, and various forms of non-perishable foods), and 1 Lighter (Artifact - Hallucinogenic).
| Devon Brody: 1 M1903 Springfield Bolt-Action Rifle, 1 set of Flash Cards with Pen, 1 Water Bottle (Artifact - Unlimited Water).
| Clara: Carbine 1 M4A1 Carbine, 1 SPAS-12 Combat Shotgun, 1 Nazi-Engraved Letter Opener (Artifact - Hitler-Related Nightmares),
| Cilian Creed: 1 M4A1 Carbine

Bloodquest FUCK YEA!
I guess return to base and check in with them. Inform them of the deaths of the Siren and Gorgon.

>>10033720
>Any stimulating conversation/points of interest to address during the downtime en route?

Bump; I'll wait a little bit for more people to find the thread before jumping forward in case there was anything people wanted to do

>>10033728
Ask if anything major has happened and where 13 is currently. Also, how is the public reacting to this disaster.

There you are, Blood Quest.
I'm just waiting to find out that the Siren/Gorgon was organizing an army against some eldritch menace in Canada. I mean, is psyching up Clevelanders into thinking they live in a place they WANT to defend so bad?
And before we get into "they're using people as meat shields," all we have on that is word of mouth. Besides, aren't WE doing that with our teammates?
I can see how being under complete mind control is a bad thing. But all that happened initially was "Hey, things don't suck so much. Feels good, man."

>>10033797
Yeah, this sounds good.

>>10033728
Also, ask Clara how things went with Brody.

>>10033797
"What's the word on 13? And you know, the worldwide clusterfuck in general." you ask one of the soldiers, a young-looking man with about five days of beard growth.
"13's still in California, but she's moving around; last I heard I think she was up in wine country somewhere."
"In some good news, over in Europe the Inheritor of Thule has promised not to use nuclear arsenals in the event of a full-scale war, which is about the most level-headed thing that's happened this year."
"How's the public responding?"
"Well, everybody on the other side of the blockade is huddled together waiting for the world to end, and everybody on THIS side of the blockade is huddled together waiting for the world to end, only there's a good chance they'll be killed by some kind of horrible monster or super-human sociopath. Everybody's scared, but they're holding on." He smiles. "My wife just had a baby, so, you know, it really puts things in perspective. Things keep happening no matter how much they're falling apart."

>>10033914
>>10033960
Agreed

>>10033960
>Ask clara how things went with Brody
What things? When you guys were separated in Cleveland?

Talk to Clara a bit. She seems to need a motherly-ish figure now that Hiram is gone.

>>10033978
inb4 he dies.

>>10033996
Indeed.

>>10033978
"Congratulations on the baby." Then talk to Clara. After we finish conversing with her we should check on Creed.

I have this bad feeling that guy's dead as fuck. Also are we going to meet Arkham at some point, we need some exposition and an explanation about what he has done to us and the others.

Also, if we have some spare time, we should achieve Eldritch powers capable of bringing Wade back from the dead. He was a cool guy who doesn't afraid of anything.

Hey Stoner, is theere no chance of the quest being rescued from death when the two weeks is up?

>>10034023
>>10034001
>>10033960
You approach Clara, who is sitting hunched over on the bench, her elbows on her knees, staring at the floor. She looks up as you draw near, looking haggard; who designs a robot that can look haggard?
"You doing alright?" you ask.
She shrugs.
"I was, I suppose, in the thick of everything. Even the ride up here, I was talking to those nice soldiers. After that fight though...I could hear the gunshots through your headset, I was so worried that I was losing two more friends. Well," she looks at Creed, before deciding he makes the cut. "Yeah, two friends." she half-smiles.
>>10034071
>It's actually a bit more than two weeks. Really, though, this plot should be wrapped up in a bow by then, it's got a definitive end-point.

>>10034024
We pretty much know what was done to us (Dr. O was pretty clear on that). What we really need to know is what he's going to do to stop 13. And what other resources he has that we can use.

>>10034128
>especially since you're around damn near every night. which is beyond awesome to me.

We definitely need to find out what Arkham is going to do about 13 and see if they have any items that might help us defeat future enemies.

Think back to when we were devouring the siren/gorgon and try to understand what happened with us that didn't affect Garfield. Converse with Garfield if necessary.

>>10034265
I never would have thought of that. BRILLIANT!

>>10034309
Who says it didn't? But our love may be a bit different than that of other people.

Oh my god. Another Bloodquest! Pic related

>>10034265
Agreed.
Ask where they'll be letting us off.

>>10034151
One would think that we might be more than a little valuable to the man. We happen to be the only other survivor of the Key/Gate project aside from 13... and we're the only one he can talk to without his face turning inside out.

"Garfield, back in Cleveland, I sort of lost it for a while...why didn't you?"
"I...I'm not really sure. I was trying to talk to you, but you weren't listening at all, it was like you weren't even there."
You puzzle this fact while the helicopter makes its way to Chicago. You manage to grab a nap for an hour or so, but before you're really rested a soldier is gently nudging you awake.

You are dropped off in the lot of the Arkham facility. Fieldson and Walters are both there, as well as a handful of other agents. You disembark to scattered applause, though people are quick to get Creed to medical. He's sort of out of it, otherwise he would probably protest being brought into an Arkham facility.
"So that's it then?" Fieldson says. "The Siren, the Gorgon, they're both dead?"

>>10034412
"Very, very dead."

>>10034412
"Yep... they were pretty tasty too..." grin

>>10034412
Have Clara go with Creed. We don't want him freaking out at the wrong time.

>>10034455
"Excellent!" Fieldson says; the rest of the crowd begins clapping again.
"Yes, most excellent..." comes another voice from the front door.
Theodore Arkham steps into the breezy dawn, wearing a faded-looking gray suit. He looks tired, but as steely and determined as he did at Blind Falls. He approaches, extending a hand.
"The nation is in your debt, soon hopefully the world; let me be the first to be grateful," he smiles.

>>10034578
Don't know if want...
I'm partial to not shaking his hand because of what was done to us, but at the same time it would be nice to have this dude securely in our debt without pissing him off.

>>10034578
Shake his hand.
"We have quite a bit to discuss"

>>10034658
>>10034648
>1 1/2 in favor of handshake
You take Arkham's hand, giving it a firm shake and locking eyes with him.
"The elusive Mr. Arkham. We have quite a bit to discuss."
He nods slowly, looking around at the gathered employees.
"Well, there is of course always a pile of work to be done. I'm actually going to Europe just this afternoon, if you'd like to accompany me. I can have my jet put you anywhere you'd like. And I think you've earned a few answered questions."

>>10034767
"A few? I'd think I'd earned more than a 'few'! How long did you think you could keep me locked up for? How long was I going to rot in that cell? What is the Key/Gate Project, and why did you stick this god - Garfield - in me?"

>>10034767
"So you've solved the eastern seaboard problem? Because I'd rather not be shot down in a pressurized metal tube from thousands of feet in the air, Mr. Arkham."

>>10034767
"That sounds...acceptable"

>>10034815
Maybe a little too soon for that. We really don't need him thinking that maybe a cell isn't so bad an idea for us.

>>10034890
To be fair we do have a little sway now that we're starting to be seen as a mascot/hero for Arkham. Though I don't believe we should be that forceful about it, especially not in public. We can probably get a least some of those answers in private.

>>10034890
Agreed. We can rage at him in the confines of the plane. Also, we aren't leaving without Creed. He's part of the team whether we like it or not.

>>10034861
>>10034860
"You're sure it's safe? I heard planes were getting shot down over the east coast."
Mr Arkham smiles.
"I believe that problem has been taken care of. An escaped subject with laser vision decided he was going to shoot down planes, vehicles, civilians...he didn't survive a confrontation with the military, and unfortunately neither did a number of American soldiers." He looks at his watch, a Rolex of impeccable quality.
"Is there anything you need to do, anyone you need to speak with?"
"Well, we need to get Creed in stable condition; my team's coming with me."
Arkham starts to shake his head, but you cut him off.
"Arkham...my team's coming with me."
Finally, he nods.
"Alright, alright, fair enough. Your pyromaniacal friend is being looked at right now, I can assure you."

Dammit Stoner! I'm leaving in one week so I'll miss the end of this glorious quest.

On topic, we should talk to Arkham, but I would be cautious about getting into a plane with him just in case a subject got ahold of AAA some how.

>>10035023

Thule society was an arcane group of Nazi Germany. Offer the chancellor the hitler artifact we have, with the promise of more, in exchange for stepping down from power.

>>10035023
Talk to Walters while we wait for Creed. Perhaps love can blossom, even on the battlefield...

"Mr. Arkham, we need you in here," someone says from inside the doorway.
"Ah, yes, yes, work is never done," he says, shrugging. "Gather your effects, take a nap, feed yourself, whatever you require; we'll be departing in a few hours." He leaves you, and the rest of the employees also drift away, leaving only Fieldson and Walters.
"Well, I'll uh...give you two some space," Fieldson says, going back inside hastily.
The two of you are quiet for several moments; the dawn is beginning to brighten into day.
"I'm glad you're still alive," Jacob says. "That seems like a rarity these days."

>>10035109
offer = stab in the head with

>>10035183
"Did you hear from your daughter? Is she safe?"

>>10035199

SUDDENLY, THE CHANCELLORS MIND IS OVERWRITTEN WITH HITLERS

>>10035183
"Is Samantha okay?"

>>10035239
>>10035200
"Have you heard from Samantha? How's she doing?"
He nods. "She's with her grandparents in Michigan, they're safe. It's pretty quiet up there, not too many nightmares running around."

Hug him. Then ask if Samantha is okay...then tell him about the breakdown. Tell him you kind of lost it in Cleveland.

...We need to move the romance with Walters forward.

>>10035282
We're in the middle of Arkham HQ. We don't need them knowing about this stuff. And since when did we need a love interest? I thought Walters was just a friend.
Love doesn't have to bloom, goddamn it.

>>10035280
"Glad to hear it."
"So... how's it going? What have you been up to since the mantis? Sorry about your Sunglasses bro. Though he was kinda a dick."

>>10035280

Skip the smalltalk and pleasantries-lets get Helen what she really needs.

Go attack/molest Walters.

Off topic, but where the fuck is Arkham Archivist?

>>10035330
>>10035282
Oh, damn. I hope this doesn't get stupid like the Mage girl thing over at Doppleganger Damacy.

>>10035311


True, but she just had a slight freakout, and doesn't really have any emotional anchor other than Garfield in the world...maybe it'll help? But we are in an Arkham HQ....Maybe it's a bad idea. Show some affection, at least?

>>10035352
He hasn't made much of a presence lately, as of the last few threads. Maybe sick. I miss AA so.

>>10035282
>>10035311
>>10035330
>Love Walters
>Don't Love Walters
>Rape Walters
>I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU WANT FROM ME
>>10035322
"Glad to hear it. What have you been up to since the mantis? Sorry about your Sunglasses bro. Though he was kinda a dick."
Walters shrugs. "Yeah...I've been doing mostly management and delegation, getting Arkham's affairs in order. It's been good to not be in the field, though I was called in recently when 18 tore down a few buildings in Chicago. He's crafty for such a chubby little shit..."

Bad idea for Walters romance, then?

>>10035280
"Where are you headed to next? Apparently, we're off to Europe..."
Also, get something to eat with Walters.
"What are your thoughts on a traitor in your midst? Too much going against Arkham too quickly to be a coincidence."

>>10035448
"I almost had him once. Tell me, does he have a limp? Cause his smug ass needs to get toasted."

>>10035467
I'd like a Walters romance, yet I'm afraid that he might die because of it.

"Be careful, alright? You mean something to me, and that ugly bastard's nasty....wanna go get a bite to eat, while we both have a minute?"

>>10035533
I vote for this.

You struggle deeply with your confusing emotions, covering your uncertain feelings with hasty conversation.
"Any idea where you're headed next? I guess we're going to Europe with Arkham."
Jacob shrugs. "I guess I'm here, for the moment. Arkham's on another hiring spree, so I'll probably be processing and training new agents."
"Just...be careful, okay?" you say, smiling. He nods.
"You want to get something to eat before I leave?" you ask.
"Sure," he says. "Sounds fun."

Ask if there's somwhere we can talk alone for a bit, have Clara and Brody stay with Creed while we spend alone time with Walters.

See how he responds to us in private. See if he's still wearing his wedding ring.

Arkham's canteen isn't crowded, though there are several agents both male and female eating breakfast. They're serving typical American breakfast fare; eggs, sausage patties, bacon, hash browns, etc.
"Yeah," Garfield says, "I'm going to need like two or three or fifty of those sausage patties."

>>10035715
So... if we eat meat does Garfield gain anything from it? Or does he have to eat independently? On the upside we'll never get heart disease or hardened arteries.

Order a normal breakfast for yourself, and fifty sausage patties. Don't scarf them down at first...I think it's time for a talk with Jacob, to see what he considers us...and then eat them as a warning, to show that you're very clearly not normal people.

>>10035815
The server seems startled when you order the fifty sausage patties, but not so startled that she doesn't give them to you.
"So," you say, speaking in low tones. "What...what about us?"
"What about us?" Walters responds. his face is unreadable.
"Jesus the sausages are just sitting there WHY ARE YOU STILL TALKING?" Garfield says.

>>10035815
I think we should eat them in front of Jacob very subtly, just using a pseudopod to eat them one at a time, and see if he freaks or not. Maybe eat our own food while two pseudopods stick out from our wrists and eat patties. Something clearly not normal for him, but normal for us.

Also... if we fuck Walters and are still a virgin and our hymen rips... does Garfield accidentally the whole thing?

>>10035916
>Put the plate under our ass and let Garfield eat them from there.

Old comedy gigs aside, look at him seriously and ask: "Do you want to fuck, or not?"

>>10035965
Ignore this person.

>>10035965
>I'm...going to allow some time for discussion on this one

>>10035923

Simple. We tear our hymen first, then we wait for it to heal. I mean, we definitely have one right now. We took a panacea pill.

>>10035992

NO! WE DO NOT WANT WALTERS TO BE A ONE NIGHT STAND! WE WANT TO FUCK HIM, BUT WE ALSO WANT A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM! SUBTLE HINTING, AND IF HE RECIPROCATES....... well, then we have to make some decisions.

>>10035965
Don't do this, that is dumb. We want Walters to watch us eat. If he's all grossed out we won't fuck him, because he's disgusted by us.

>>10035916
Let the blood slip from a wrist, snake down into the hand, and help Garfield eat from your palm.
"Well, what's the deal? Am I just someone you work with, or is it something a little more? Honestly, you're the closest thing to an close thing that I can remember... anyone closer is usually dead by now."

>>10035923
I agree with this post. Eat them like a lady with our pseudopods.

>>10036062
I approve of this idea.

brb, computer problems

>>10035923
This is better than most of the other options so I'll third it.

>>10036062

Is good idea

Everyone knows proper ladies eat with their pseudopods. It's gross if you don't.

Also, be polite, but let him know that we're not normal, as much as we can.

>>10036062
That's a lot of "close"
I need to get a thesaurus

Make it clear to Walters that you're interested...but that you understand if it's too soon, and that you don't want to be a rebound. Make it clear that you're afraid of what could happen. Just be honest.

>>10036352
We did just break up with the Siren/Gorgon after we ate them.
Best relationship ever.
We don't want to rush into anything too soon.

Not for us, for him. He just lost his wife, remember?

Oh man, fucking Walters in the bathroom of the diner...

>>10036062
This.

I'm glad StonerDM is anti-fetish quest. Hope his computer problem gets better though.

Bump for StonerDM...

>Computer had mad viruses for a second, what the fuck
>By a second i mean like forever

You let tendrils snake out of your arms, parting the folds of your torn wrist-flesh. You wonder if you'll ever have normal wrists after this is all over. At least they dont seem to get infected.
Your small pseudopods settle on the sausage, slowly burning it away.
"Oh, yessssss," Garfield hisses.
"So," you say, watching Walters' reaction; he's seen you eat before, but he still seems slightly put off. "what's the deal? Am I just someone you work with, or is it something a little more? Honestly, you're the closest thing to an close thing that I can remember..."

Walters remains silent for several moments.
"Listen...Helen..." he begins, sighing. His hand reaches out, as though to touch yours, but stops and retracts. "We don't know each other very well. Either of us could die any day. Now under normal logic, that means we could just shack up, whatever, consequence be damned. But you don't know the full extent of what's been done to you, probably no one does. And I have Samantha to think about."

>Sorry if that post sucks, I'm super frustrated by this computer shit. I apologize heartily if my writing suffers because of it, and for the time lost.

Jacob leans back in his seat.
"So...I guess what I'm trying to say is, you ARE someone I work with, and right now work is a priority. But, maybe, after this is over, and we're not under the constant threat of nullification from three different angles at a given moment, we could...give this the attention it deserves."

>>10037433
It's cool dude, we're just glad you're back.

"I don't expect you to put me before your daughter, I just... thought it would be nice to have something to look forward to when this is all over."

Continue letting Garfield et from one wrist but retract the pseudopod from the other and offer your non-bloody hand with a small smile.

>>10037433
Ouch, rejected. Well fine, we didn't like him much anyways *sniff* finish eating in silence and find a quiet place to crash *try not to cry*

>>10037470
Smile like you just won lottery. Then fall asleep in food from exhaustion.

>>10037470
Never mind. I didn't read that second post. Getting together after this is over is a good idea. Nothing to distract us for now.

Inb4 you kill him off Stoner. I SAID INB4 SO NOW YOU CAN'T DO IT!

>>10037537
>>10037528
>>10037502
You smile despite all attempts to keep your cool. Jacob smiles back. "I, uh...well, yeah," he says, standing up. He brushes his hands off awkwardly on his shirt, then mumbles something about work needing to be done.
You think you feel him touch your shoulder as he passes you.

You wake up three or four hours later, on an office couch; you refused the offer of a detaining cell.

>What do?

Get the rest of the team, find Arkham, get on plane, and KICK ASS. Whose, I will leave to fellow anons. Who we wanna kill guys?

>>10037709
We are gonna have to deal with that Inheritor of Thule guy. Who is controlling most of Europe I believe. So I'm guessing mind-control on a massive scale.

Mr. Arkham is near the front of the facility, talking with Clara, who seems to be gushing about the Archivist. Creed is nearby, explaining something to Brody, most likely where he is. His midsection is heavily bandaged, but he's on his feet.

"Ah, the team is complete," Arkham says as he sees you approach. "Come, the jet is on the road outside."

Arkham's jet is indeed an impressive construction, plush interior, sleek-looking engines and what appears to be a VTOL system. You are directed to the forward cabin, while the rest of your team remains in the rear.
"Well," Arkham says. "You have questions. I suspect I have answers."

>>10037999
We can talk about the whys later. The blood transfusion one is a now. As in what it was supposed to be, the slender man, what is it, and the dice thingy we found at 13's house, why was it there.

>>10038142
Sounds pretty comprehensive. I think you got all the major points. I vote for this.

>>10037999
Show him 33's book.
"He says you know about 13. Something about space? This have anything to do with 96?"

Do we wanna go after Thule? Or save America. Or trust America to save itself, in typical: America, FUCK YEAH fashion?

>>10038142
>Hey readers! Dr. Okuniewicz already explained the details of the Key/Gate project back in issue 9, natch. Um, Excelsior, or something -Ed

"What was I supposed to be?" you say, extending a pseudopod. Arkham pours himself and you cognac.
"You were supposed to be nothing short of perfection. A God made real, that could bring about the age of mankind's salvation. With the infinite power of the cosmic sentience at your disposal you could have eradicated war, disease, poverty, before anyone could even blink an eye."

"What about the...shadow, the slender man? What the hell is that?"
Arkham chuckles, taking a sip of cognac. "He's a trickster, that one. A demon, I suppose you could say. Treacherous and dangerous. I have been unable to determine what "he" is exactly..."

"What about the hedrons? they attract the entities?"
"Yes, we...acquired them from a temple in the Himalayas almost thirty years ago, it took significant scientific advancement before we were able to use them properly..."

>>10038362
I think we should find out how secure the quarantine is. How secure does Arkham think the quarantine is? If we went to Europe to deal with the Thule guy would it hold or fall apart in an instant?

BLOODQUEST FUCK YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Took me long enough to find the damn thread too..................

>>10038437

Mention that we found one in 13's old home. Ask how the hell that got there.

"13...how are we alike? How do we differ? Does the nature of our joint experiment mean I'll have to be the one to kill her or some shit?"

(Also, when you get many conflicting suggestions, then whatever 82 does should be done with twitching and other indications of mental instability as her mind tries to make several different decisions at once.)

>>10038571
This. A BILLION times this.

"I'm almost scared to ask, but...if 13 is this much of a danger, then what is number one?"

(one internet says it's Garfield/whatevers in 13.)

>>10038571
>>10038577

Agreed.

Here's a fun thought.

The Key/gate project worked perfectly. After all, Helen now has the collective intellect of 4chan twitching her puppet-strings. Can you imagine a more eldritch mind that actually exists?

>>10038857 4chan and intellect....

WAT??

>>10038878
OBVIOUSLY i'm using it as a figure of speech.

>>10038437
"So... What is your ability?"

"Don't tell me you started this whole thing on your own. You must have had some motivation."

Ask him if they had any contingency/containment plans that they've not been able to enact.

Ask if there are any more panacea pills, or anything similar.

Ask if there's any immortal women who match up with the description of Brody's lady (the woman he wished-upon-a-star to be able to hold once more). If Arkham already has her, then extract a promise when the worst of this is over that they are reunited and allowed to rest. If he doesn't, extract a promise that when the worst of this is over that they'll devote resources to finding her and reuniting them.

>>10039089
The last part. DEAR GOD the last part.

>>10039119

Second.

>>10039169
You know, it's not really likely that the horrible "be careful what you wish for" shit that Brody has also just happened to also affect his sweetheart just so they can be happy forever. I mean, it'd be nice, sure, but realistically, it's really really unlikely.

>>10039202

Not like asking costs us anything.

>>10039202

I don't think it's be "happily ever after"

I think they'd get one embrace and then turn to dust or whatever. That's usually how these sorts of things work out in stories anyway.

>>10039292

ethically speaking, is an eternity of confusion, taken in discrete one hour chunks that you don't remember worse than death? I mean, he misses his lover, but he probably didn't expect to see her again for at least a few months, and for him it's always that way.

Uh...StonerDM? it's kinda been almost an hour since your last post, you ok man?

>>10039402
Must be computer troubles.

>>10039402
See: >>10037433

His computer has the whaaaaargaaaarble, a little bit.

Wow. This is bad man.......

This just in: My computer is a SHIIIIIIIIIIITBOOOOOOOOOOOX. Things are too choppy and hectic for me to continue tonight; hopefully this actually gets posted. I'll try to clean out all the shit and have it running smoothly by tomorrow. Keep an eye out for the Bloodquest, gents. I'll probably rewind the quest a bit tomorrow and just restart the convo with Arkham. Stay frosty.

Also i'll try to archive this, if it doesn't show up soon someone else do it...

>>10039692
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKK
KKKKKKKKKK@!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

>>10039707
>>10039692

Fuuuuuck! Bloodquest infected by viruses!

SONOFABITCH!

The first time I'm actually around for bloodquest, and StonerDM has to go.