"By helping her issue, Rae."

Rae cocks her head. "What, you think we can cure her incompetency just like that?" she asks, snapping her fingers.

You shake your head. "I don't think it's incompetency. Look at what just happened."

"What, with that crazy explosion? What'd she do, dump water into the engine?"

"No," you answer, "she didn't do a damned thing."

"Are you trying to say Substrikers blow up on their own? Don't you think we'd have figured that out by now?"

You shrug. "Alice took a look at it. She called it a bizarre blowback or something. The Substriker's completely fine, no damage or anything. Shouldn't have done that at all."

Rae takes a seat. "Then what?"

[ ] I think she's cursed.
[ ] It's probably her magic.
[ ] Sabotage.
[ ] Other.

>>20910252

[x] It's probably her magic. Or rather, her magic twisting itself into a curse.

>>20910252
>[ ] It's probably her magic.
She thinks she's cursed, says it runs in the family.

[x] I'm not saying it's magic, but... it's magic.

[ ] Aliens.
[x] It's probably her magic.

File: 1348878706506.png-(245 KB, 1000x700, too-lewd-for-SuWQ.png)

One thought far outweighs the others. "I think it's her magic, Rae."

Rae raises an eyebrow. "Her magic?"

"Yeah. She said this 'curse' of hers runs in the family. Apparently her family was even exiled to the old penal colony back in the day, even though they were a witch line."

Rae leans back. "So you think this is an innate part of her? Her family's magical ability is to suck at everything?"

You bite your lip. "I don't know. I've never heard of anything like this, to be honest with you." You shrug, sighing. "Rae, you went to an academy, right?"

Rae raises her hands, palms out. "Hey, hey, hey. Remember back on the Harbinger? Just because I went doesn't mean I really remember much. I, uh...wasn't the best student."

"I'm not asking for your report card, Rae. If you haven't heard of anything like this, then maybe someone you met from the academy has."

Rae thinks about it for a second. "Maybe, but I can't really guarantee they would. And I'd have to turn over the lesson to you for a day. They haven't even really met me yet, either. Still..." Rae looks directly at you. "If you really need me to, I can go check. Victor and the boys shouldn't care too much about where I am, so long as it's a request from you."

Getting Rae to go check for you would mean teaching some weapon preparation and basic combat maneuvering. You're not entirely confident in your abilities in those regards.

"Hmm. Think Miranda could do it instead?" you ask.

"Let me think...she's definitely academy trained, probably paid better attention than I did...but I'm fairly certain she didn't attend here in Australia. She might have a harder time."

Then again, as a radio witch you could easily cover for her class...

[ ] Send Rae
[ ] Send Miranda
[ ] Take care of it yourself
[ ] Other

>>20910504

[x] Send Rae

We can handle it, and this is the kind of thing that we really OUGHT to know about. And soon.

>>20910504
>[ ] Send Rae, also ask Miranda if it rings any bells
Rae's got the local connections.

>>20910504
[ ] Send Rae

"In that case, then, I'd appreciate it if you would check things out for me."

Rae nods. "Sure thing. Want me to get started right away?"

"When do you have a proper session with the witches scheduled?"

"Um... Tomorrow afternoon."

You think about postponing until the new witches have at least had a chance to meet Rae properly, but you only have about two weeks with them. Odessa will have less if you don't figure this out. "Yeah, as soon as you can. We don't have time to dilly-dally here."

"Got it," she says, exiting the office.

Well, with that taken care of, you've some time to use as you see fit. Miranda should be taking over with after Yetta's session with the witches, but for the moment she might be available to talk to. The last time you saw Socks, he was working in that workshop, trying to figure out some of the nuances of that connection between you two (and probably trying to simulate some of those tastes you two shared). Alice...should be working on those engines, though she might just be watching the witches as they train.

[ ] Talk with Miranda
[ ] Seek out Socks
[ ] Hang out with Alice
[ ] Other

>>20910871

[x] Hang out with Alice

If she's watching the witches, we can engage in humorous commentary.

>>20910871
[x] Hang out with Alice.
She needs more attention.

>>20910871
>[ ] Hang out with Alice

>>20910871
>[ ] Talk with Miranda
I think we've spent the least amount of time with her

>>20911066

Yeah, but like Alice more than her.

>>20911129
>nobody likes Miranda

She's gonna become the Perrine of Subwitches ;_;

You need a moment to relax. Besides, you can get information about the Substriker malfunction from Alice. You head out of your office, back out into the pool room. Rae's nowhere to be found, probably getting ready to leave. Miranda...is sitting back, going over some papers with her instruction notes. Alice is by the poolside, watching the group of witches as they move about in the pool. Next to her is Odessa, staying rather quiet as she watches from afar. Understandable, you suppose; she's had quite an experience.

As you walk to Alice and Odessa, several of the witches pause to watch you. You're not sure which, but for some reason it feels like one is staring daggers at you. A shiver runs down your spine.

"Oh, hey, Cleona," Alice greets as you approach, finishing a scribble on her clipboard.

"Hey, Alice," you reply. "Got a chance to talk?" You gesture off to the side, away from Odessa.

"Sure," she says, putting down her pen. "What's up?"

[ ] Got anything else on the Substriker?
[ ] How's Odessa doing?
[ ] Make much progress on the Martian Engine?
[ ] Other.

>>20911275
[x] How's Odessa doing?

Also,

[x] Make much progress on the Martian Engines?

>>20911317

Actually, as an addendum with higher priority than item 2,

[x] Other.

How are you doing? You seemed a bit off earlier.

>>20911369
Seconding the original post and this addendum.

>>20911275
[x] Other
"You're not moping, are you? I'll have to yell at you if you start moping."
>You're not sure which, but for some reason it feels like one is staring daggers at you.
Heh.

"Seaman Rothrock was rather shaken by the whole ordeal," you begin, gesturing in Odessa's direction. "You've been sitting next to her for a bit; how's she doing?"

"She's real quiet. She wasn't crying or anything, but...I don't think she's doing well." She checks her clipboard. "She was watching the others in the water for awhile, sighed a few times."

You nod. "She said her whole life's been like this. Constant misfortune."

"...Must be tough."

"Yeah. Speaking of which, Alice, how are you feeling?"

"W-what?"

"That thing earlier, you watching the witches. You alright?" You can only imagine what it must be like to have something you desire hung in front of you, knowing you can never have it. If Alice is hung up on not being able to use the Substrikers...

"Oh, you think...oh, no no no no no! I'm not depressed, Cleona! Come on, it's me! Could you really imagine me being sad?" she says with a laugh.

You immediately recall her morose expression back at the bar.

[ ] Actually...
[ ] You're right.
[ ] Other.

>>20911725
[x] Other.
"Lies, damned lies.
Okay, new project for you to work on in your spare time: passenger Substriker. Command would probably love to be able to deploy non-witch forces with something as small as a Striker."

>>20911725

[x] Actually...

Well. If you need to talk.

>>20911725
[x] Actually...
Let's talk it out.

>>20911725
>[x] Actually...

Reminder that these trainees are going to be sent to almost certain death in about two weeks because y'all couldn't stand up to MacArthur even though he's an incompetent fuck.

"I...I don't have to," you answer truthfully. "At the bar you seemed pretty disappointed."

"W-what? No, I...uh...examining the drinks! I was interested in the drinks. I'm not an alcohol drinker—got to keep the mind clear, you know—so it was a new experience for me." Her nervous expression betrays her.

"Come on, Alice. I'm already in counseling mode. May as well take advantage of it."

"There's nothing to counsel, though!"

"Then let me see your notes on the alcohol," you say, holding out your hand.

"W-what?"

"You make notes about mundane things, Alice. Surely you took notes about these very interesting drinks?"

"I-I..."

You keep your hand out, ready to receive the clipboard. Alice pulls it close to her chest, away from you. After several seconds of silence, she cracks.

"Alright," she confesses, "I wasn't thinking about the drinks."

"Then what's up?"

"I...I was brooding. About my...um, relationships."

You don't say anything, prompting her to continue.

"I recently met someone. Someone...nice. Who I can't, well...help but feel excited around. Happy. I want to interact with them whenever I can, make them happy. But I don't know...if they enjoy my presence too. I don't even know if they've noticed."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. And...I couldn't even attract anyone at the bar. If I couldn't do that, then...isn't it reasonable to think that they might not even know how I feel..."

[ ] "Is this person..." - Guess
[ ] Did you try telling them?
[ ] Other.

>>20911725
>[ ] Actually...

>>20912191
[ ] "Is this person..." - Guess

>>20912203

You've got to pick someone, unless you want Kotters to pick for you.

>>20912216
This

>>20912191
[x] Did you try telling them?

50/50 it's us.

>>20912229

[x] "Is this person..." - Guess

Have fuuuun Kotters~

>>20912252
I hate you

>>20912191
[x] "Is this person..." - MacArthur
[x] "Is this person..." - Socks

[x] Did you try telling them?

>>20912264

<3

>>20912264
[x] "Is this person... Me?"

That better?

>>20912191
[x] Did you try telling them?
alt
[ ] Is this person me?

>>20912191
[x] Didyoutrytellingthem

Goddamnit people aren't mindreaders. people need to COMMUNICATE these things clearly.

>>20912274
Do you want me to count all no-guess votes as this?

>>20912191
[x] Is this person me?

Part of me hopes not because Socks X Cookie is the purest form of love.

>>20912376
How do you know none of the witches are mindreaders?

>>20912382

Noooo. I want to be SURPRISED.

>>20912382
Why not?
This ought to be fun

>>20912382
No, you tosser.

>>20912418
You want to make a decision, and have your decision be a surprise?

I don't think that's how that works.

>>20912416
Okay. None of the witches involved in this conversation are mindreaders.

This also applies generally, i.e with everyone ever who isn't sparkly.

>>20912440
ignore the guess votes without a guess goddamn do you even run quests?

>>20912440
Then ignore him and make some shit up.

"Me" doesn't sound like something cookie'd say anyway.

>>20912454
How do you know the person she's interested in isn't a mindreading witch? You don't even know who it is.

>>20912472
Who else have we ever seen Alice talk to that she met 'recently'?

>>20912472

That's true. I don't think Cookie would automatically jump to assuming it was her without further evidence.

>>20912191
>[x] Did you try telling them?

>>20912492
Given the potential spectrum of witch abilities, I'm going to play the odds that are in my favour and say it's unlikely she's a mindreader.

Also given that Alice is not a witch, and is therefore presumably immune to the ambient Lesbianism field affecting witches. Therefore, it is more than probable her crush has a dick and balls, and therefore has no witchery at all.

So yeah.

File: 1348889722669.jpg-(17 KB, 128x215, wowza.jpg)

>3 guess ourselves
>2 guess with no guess
>1 guess with Socks and MacArthur
>3 did you try telling them?

"Well, did you try telling them yourself?" you ask.

Alice blinks. "Uh, what?"

"You like them, right? Why not just tell them?"

Alice looks horrified. "But what if they don't reciprocate? What if it gets...awkward, and interferes with what we're doing? I don't think I could handle that very well..."

A sudden thought flashes through your head. Someone she's recently met...whom she's excited to be around...who hasn't noticed her infatuation with them...and she hasn't told?

...Technically, couldn't you fulfill that description?

"Um, Alice, this is going to be a bit awkward no matter how I ask it, so..."

"Yes, Cleona?"

"You're not talking about me, are you?"

Alice's eyes go wide as she nearly drops her clipboard, bringing it up towards her mouth in surprise.

File: 1348889755780.jpg-(46 KB, 640x480, bros.jpg)

>>20912717
"N-no, of course not! I...I mean, if you..."

You react similarly. "Oh, no no no no! I'm not saying that I...um, unless..."

"I don't."

"Neither do I."

You both look at each other, unsure what to do...and then a witch makes a particularly loud splash in the pool, breaking the silence. You both turn to look, finding Clare Harton having freshly fallen into the pool. Grumbling, she lifts herself back out over the edge. The moment sufficiently broken, you both laugh.

"Yeah, sorry about that. Just...you know, I could fit that vague description," you explain.

"No, it's fine. I was being too general, torn a bit between talking about it and not wanting to say too much..."

"Friends?"

"Friends. Good friends," Alice says, tapping her clipboard, "but just friends."

[ ] So, who is it?
[ ] Just get out there and tell them.
[ ] Other.

>>20912727

[x] Other

SOOOOOO.... changing the subject changing the subject... ohgod... SO HOW ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THOSE SUBSTRIKERS.

>>20912727
>[ X] So, who is it?
>[X ] Just get out there and tell them.

>>20912727
>[x] So, who is it? Just get out there and tell them.

>>20912727
[X] So, who is it?
[X] Just get out there and fuck them.

>>20912727
Spaghetti errywhere

Tell her to get out there and make it happen.

>>20912727
>[ ] So, who is it?
>[ ] Just get out there and tell them.
Clench that spaghetti and get on with it

That part of the discussion thoroughly finished, you move on.

"So, who is it, then?" You're kind of eager to know what kind of person caught Alice's fancy.

"Oh, um...I guess you haven't actually met him, yet...Um, don't tell anyone, but..." Alice leans in a bit closer. "It's Noah Wells, one of the techs that helps me out a lot."

"Oh? Why do you like him?"

Alice blushes a bit. "I, uh...I guess I'm not sure. He's always...willing to help me out. He even helps without asking. He's got great understanding of the machines we build and test, and he's helped me with some of the more unruly workers...."

You're confused. "Alright, then what's the issue? Sounds like a great guy who would, at the least, be able to turn you down gently in the worst case."

"Well...I don't know how he feels at all. He's always professional. A gentleman. He doesn't even flirt or follow me with his eyes, you know?"

>>20913117


"Alice, if you don't try, you'll never know how he feels. Look. See that Substriker? The one Odessa had issues with?" You point to your office. "Go over it along with him. Whatever you find, just remember to tell him after you've finished up. It'd be a perfect setting, familiar to you both."

"...I guess you're right," Alice admits.

"Oh, and do me one favor," you add.

"Hmm?"

"Introduce him to me sometime. I'd like to know what man managed to capture the attention of Dr. Alice Wackett for more than a few minutes."

Alice smiles. "Will do." She heads over to grab the Substriker.

Feeling pleased with yourself, you begin to turn and talk with Odessa when you get that feeling again. A shiver down your spine. Someone's watching you from afar.

[ ] Talk to Odessa.
[ ] Who the hell is doing that?
[ ] Other.

>>20913127
[x] Talk to Odessa.

>>20913127

[x] Talk to Odessa about [x] Who the hell is doing that?

Maybe she's noticed one of the other substriker trainees has had some issues.

>>20913127
[x] Which witch watches?

>>20913127
[X] Talk to Odessa.
Ask her who's staring.

Please post with a name or thread title so those of us who don't enjoy quest threads can easily filter it. Its a small gesture you can kindly make so that the more reasonable amongst us stop bitching about quest threads.

Odessa doesn't sit up or face you as you approach, intent on watching the others in and around the pool.

"Hey, Odessa. Feeling a little better?" you ask.

"Oh, yes, a little..." she answers.

There it is again, the feeling of someone watching you. You shiver visibly.

"Are you alright, Co-Chief Kuykendall?" Odessa asks, concerned.

"Oh, yeah, it's nothing. Just feel like someone's trying to stare right into my soul or something," you say as you scan the group of witches for the perpetrator. "You wouldn't happen to know who's doing that, would you?"

Odessa points immediately at a witch with red hair. "It's Ensign Elizabeth Bosen." You follow her finger and just manage to catch Bosen watching you before she turns away. "She's been doing it since you got out of the office..."

You frown. "Any idea why?"

Odessa shrugs. "She's not the friendliest person...I have a feeling she and I won't be getting along," she says sadly.

Elizabeth Bosen...the name is familiar, but you can't seem to recall anything in particular about her.

[ ] Try to talk to her
[ ] Whatever, it's just looking
[ ] Other

>>20913453
[x] Whatever, it's just looking

She's just trying to fuck with us and it isn't like she's going to be alive in three weeks anyway.

>>20913453

[x] Other,

Check on her file... I don't remember anything about THIS one. Maybe there's clues.

But perhaps we should talk to her if there's no clues there.

>>20913453
[x] Other, Check her dossier. get all possible intel on the situation before proceeding to a direct engagement.

Thank you based mods. Moving on.

>>20913476

gonna second this option

>>20913453
Investigate.
If we accidentally killed her father/mother/brother/significant other, or were nearby when someone else killed them, this might be awkward.

Lesbian stalker crush might even be *more* awkward.

>>20913453
She's not related to the drunk-ass guy we beat up in the bar, is she?

Didn't we meet noah in the lab, when the two of them were scurrying to meet deadlines before mcarthur?

You don't want to hop into battle unprepared. Thanking Odessa, you head back into your office for the umpteenth time today, again going through your profiles.

Elizabeth Boser, it reads. Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, the only such specimen in the group. She seems to have been floated around several ships and commands before ending up in this backwater. Overall no notable actions, negative or otherwise. Her photo shows her with long, light hair that has since been cut. Her expression is one of either annoyance or boredom, you can't really tell.

Your friendly margin fairy has left a gift here as well: gets worked up easily, overly focused on issues that don't exist.

Hmm. Well, that meshes with the whole floating between commands part. You wonder why she gets so worked up, and what you've done to trigger it. You haven't done anything to her...

Your eyes are drawn back to the margin note. Overly focused on issues that don't exist.

Great.

[ ] Try to clear up the issue that doesn't exist
[ ] Ignore her for now
[ ] Other

>>20913453
[x] Other
Stare back. Gauge reaction.

>>20913921
I hope this starts a staring contest.

>>20913908

[x] Try to clear up the issue that doesn't exist.

Hopefully the margin fairy has not lied to us. I'd feel bad if she was abused in a previous command, and through political bullshit has been floating from command to command, every new CO poisoned against her.

I always liked those movies where a ragtag group of misfits comes together as a team to accomplish a goal.

Except In this case I feel that even if we make some great and inspiring speech, we're still a bunch of cast off fuck ups who are more likely to kill eachother, intentionally or otherwise, than any martian.

Cept maybe socks, cause ya know, incompetence to the point of absurdity.

>>20913921
I fucking refreshed and there was NO new posts. Fucking captcha.
But you know what?
>>20913908
[x] Other
Stare back. Gauge reaction.
>>20913946
That's the plan. Or we get a pet tsundere.

Kotters.

You probably don't remember me, but I remember you.

I thought about what you told me, and I realized that you were right, and it's better to effect change from the inside, rather than criticizing from the outside.

May I participate in your quest?

>>20913921

Initiate staring contest?

>>20913985
...Um, sure. I have only one requirement for participants in my quest:

You must be able to tolerate my flawed writing.

Think you can handle that?

>>20914011

>implying your writing is more flawed than mine.

ok, taking off the trip now. just needed to needle ya a bit.

sage cos off topic. sorry!

also:
[ x] Try to clear up the issue that doesn't exist

>>20914011

Kotter.

You have shown yourself to be an internet entity of honor.

However, flawed writing killed my parents.

To tolerate yours would be most disronorabu.

Perhaps you could simply write in a non-flawed manner? And then I would be free to suggest that we
[X] Try to clear up the issue that doesn't exist
And everyone's honor would be satisfied.

>>20914108
I am always attempting to fix my flawed writing. Progress is continually made, but the challenge is immense. I must ask you to tolerate these flaws for the time being, until their vast multitudes might be vanquished.

You glance out the window, trying to get a glimpse of Elizabeth Boser. You don't have any luck; they've either left for lunch or Miranda's taken them elsewhere for her lesson. You glance back down at the profile, the margin fairy's words searing themselves into your mind.

Gets worked up easily, overly focused on issues that don't exist.

Trying to defuse a situation would be rather difficult when a situation simply doesn't exist to be defused...but doing nothing might let that issue fester and grow. If this Elizabeth Boser lets this get in the way of her training, she'll be a dead witch in no time...and you don't want that on your conscience.

You decide that the next time you see her, you'll try to pull her aside and deal with this.

And you'll try not to stare back at her the next time you feel a chill down your spine. Maybe.

NEXT TIME ON SUBMERSIBLE WITCHES: TRAINING STILL SUCKS, REMEMBERING TRIPCODES IS IMPORTANT

Wednesday, 8 PM EST.

>I'd like to apologize for getting sidetracked several times tonight, resulting in long pauses between updates. I would also like to apologize for being distracted by other posters. I will try not to have this happen again. Thanks, and good night!

And if anyone has any idea why I might have thought an aircraft carrier traveled up the Mississippi before being made into a museum ship or similar, please feel free to speak up.

>>20914235
Clearly you are insane.

Hornet only drew about 30ft of water fully loaded. It'd be doable with tugs, not sure why you'd want to.

>>20914235
Sounds like something that would have happened in a Clive Cussler novel.

>>20914235
Well, they've done similar things with a bunch of old Battleships, IIRC. Maybe you were thinking of that.

>>20914587
That's what I'm thinking, but I can't find any records of a battleship on the Mississippi.

>>20914608
The USS Mississippi did in 1909.

>>20914641
The problem with that is that I believe it was much more recent, some time after WWII.

>>20914641
New Orleans doesn't count.

File: 1348899389994.jpg-(148 KB, 1024x726, 020438.jpg)

>>20914650
Ah, found it. The USS Ranger (CV-4) made a short trip up there in 1945. That's probably it.

>>20914765
I still feel like that's not right, but I do appreciate the effort.

>>20914777
Well, other than that, I've found records of someone sailing an LST all the way up to Indiana.

There's also mention of a Nuclear Sub fucking around in the Mississippi/Missouri as far as Omaha and Nebraska in '74, if that counts.

>>20914891
Well, maybe not Nuclear. Not sure. All I've found is that the crew were yakking with local HAM radio operators, and the Navy confirmed it as being the farthest Inland a Sub's ever been. Iunno why it was there, but yeah.

>>20914891
>>20914924
That's actually pretty cool. Do you know which sub it was?

>>20914891
>>20914924

Ah, you're talking about the Marlin. It was a T-1 class diesel-electric sub. It's a Museum piece in Freedom Park in Omaha, Nebraska now. That's why it was sailing so far up the river back then.

>>20914765
That was still just to New Orleans.

>>20914965
Oh, neat. I might go visit it, then.