>>23074847

What else is there to say, really? Her record was peerless. She killed as easily as she breathed. Countless missions with countless kills and pacifications. When your unit received her dossier along with the other candidates, to decide which among them would be added to your ranks, the vote was unanimous. You didn't even look at the other dossiers.

What did you get, now? An awkward, quiet little thing who stumbled on her words and quivered like a little frightened animal whenever anyone else got close to her. She got along fine with Vladislava, but everyone gets along fine with her. There were times, too, when she charged ahead, ignoring your commands, leaving you and the rest of the unit to chase after her, to make sure she didn't kill herself. You found her in the center of a massacre, eyes wide, pupils dilated into dots, her face and striker covered in blood.

You were willing to overlook that. Everyone else was. But your patience with the girl was beginning to wear thin. The most recent incident - which was, of course, this morning - seemed to be the final straw.

The brutal training regimen that saw you and the rest of your squad running, lifting and sparring for three hours straight before the crack of dawn had wrapped up only moments earlier. In a turn of event that surprised absolutely no one, Ekaterina had collapsed, senseless and unconscious, her blade falling to the ground in an undignified clatter before the rest of her came following in a crash. Vladislava had to pull the girl out of her striker while the twins carried her off to the showers to cool down. Anastasia had merely smirked again, although it was different this time.

[1/2]

>>23074865

Liability was a word you did not want to say, or even think of. To do so would be to admit that there was a weak link in the Angels, a failing in the armor. It would also be admitting to yourself that you had made a wrong decision - and as Captain, you always had to be right. The massive IS striker that had been bequeathed to you was proof enough of the Premier's trust in you - and you would not betray that.

A knock on your door breaks you out of your ruminations, and you snap out an irritated query as to who had the temerity of interrupting your drink of pathetic water. The silence that follows afterwards means that it is none other than Vladislava, your senior lieutenant.

[]Let her in.
[]No, not right now. You are not in the mood. Stupid water. Stupid Canada.

>>23074881
>[x]Let her in.
Not going to get anything done by pouting and being petulant.

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[x] Let her in.

>Russian not allowed to drink vodka

Truly these are dark times.

I expected this to be from the view of notKharn. Colour me surprised.

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what manner of sorcery is this

>>23074881
[X]Let her in.

>>23074881
>[]Let her in.

>>23074881
>[]No, not right now. You are not in the mood. Stupid water. Stupid Canada.

>>23074946
>Implying that Vasilika isn't notKharn

[x] Let her in.
[x] Offer water

>>23074881
[X]No, not right now. You are not in the mood. Stupid water. Stupid Canada.

>>23074847
[x] Let her in

Looks like we need to have a talk with the Littlest Valnikov later on

>>23075002
Nope, Ekaterina has the honour of being the Kharn expy.

>>23074881
>[x]Let her in.
When is this?

>>23075002
>Black hair
>Red Eyes
>Loves her huge sword
>The exact same name as Kharn

>>23075149
Copycat characters cross continuities.

>>23075285
We Magical Strike Witch Girl Noir Crimson Quest now.

[]Let her in.

>>23075149
You mean young miss Ekaterina Valnikov? The one who is a LITTLE GIRL?

[x] Let her in

I see nothing's sinking in.

>>23075345
Long ago, in a distant land, Kharn too was a little girl. Hard to believe.

>>23074847
You decide that the Premier of the Soviet onion must be a retard. You also decide that any ruler who fails in providing enough Vodka to his Soldiers is automaticaly unfit to rule and must be purged. You start involving Oskana Anastasia Yuliya and Vladivostock in your plan to overthrow the government. But Vladislava buts in and demands to be part in your plan to overthrow the russian government.

I can't say she's been the best leader so far with her hasty choosing of Ekaterina and her refusal to consider differencing traits and planning around them. I fear Ekaterina's going to end up broken at this rate as while she's getting pushed hard and seemingly pushed into those berserk fits as opposed to finding the root of them and finding a way to rein it in.

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>>23074900 >>23074908 >>23075003

You take another sip of the blasted water before allowing her to enter with a barked word. The door to your quarters is slowly and carefully pushed open, and in steps the diminutive form of Senior Lieutenant Vladislava Sokolov. Shorter than even Ekaterina, she could very well pass off as the runt of the Angels, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Rather, she is the backbone of the unit, the one who holds it all together. You may be the speartip, but it is she who carries the entire unit on her shoulders.

Her skin is slightly tanned, a coffee-like tint, in mild contrast to her almost platinum-blonde hair and striking amber eyes. The tan is from her years hunting bears with her father, always out in the sun, tracking down beasts easily bigger and heavier than her. It's not with any small amount of irony that her familiar is the Caucasian Shepherd, a breed of dog grown to hunt the ursine terrors of your homeland.

A small frown curls the corners of her lips downward as she looks at the mess that is your quarters. You are not the cleanest person in the unit, with your uniform haphazardly lying on the floor along with other garments, your service sword resting on the thin mattress that served as your bed. Unwashed bowls of the magic kraft dinner is piled on top of your dresser, the artificial cheesy substance forming a glue-like crust on the ceramic. It is all too disgraceful, but you could not care less at the moment.

She stays silent about this, however, and you know that the moment you step out of your room, she will quietly steal away and clean the entire place. You've told her countless times not to bother, but your senior lieutenant had never followed that particular command, even though she had always promised to.

Instead of telling you how much of a disgrace you are to the unit, she instead snaps a salute, and you return it after a few moments. Always a stickler for tradition, Vladislava is.

[1/2]

someone explain to me what this is. i love noir so i want to get into this too. all i know is that strike witches is about loli girls that are fighter planes.

>>23075695
This is about slightly older Russian girls in tank legs.

>>23075695
and they kill martians

>>23075506

"Valnikov is conscious," She murmurs, her voice low, respectful, almost monotonic in quality. "Dehydration and striker fatigue. The twins are making sure she's hydrated and well out of the heat."

Hnh. Well, that's good, at least. An Angel dying out of combat would have been a hilarious thing to report back to the Premier.

"I don't think he'll be laughing when he finds out." She murmurs, tilting her head to the side in slight puzzlement. "The Premier does not have that black a sense of humor."

...You were being sarcastic.

"Really? Make sure to tell me in the future." Vladislava replies, stonefaced. "I wish to be sarcastic as well."

Ahh. Such lip. This strange country is having an effect on all of you. Why here, of all places, anyway? You take another sip of the now brackish water. Why not somewhere closer to home, where the fighting would be ferocious? Why this backwater cesspit, where one has to fight in the mud and moose doings?

"You are starting to sound like Anastasia, Captain. High-born talk does not become you." She clears her throat, before speaking again. "Vasilika, you have to stop pushing Ekaterina so hard. She is the youngest of us, and the rawest. You are expecting too much of her too quickly."

How do you respond?

>>23075719
>You may have a point. Any other potential issues to be aware of?

Gotta start somewhere.

>>23075719
"But what of these Demons? Even their youngest can pull their own weight. Why must we not expect the same?"

Need Bong to train her or something.

>>23075695
Summary:
Martians invaded Earth at the height of WW2, right on December 7th, 1942.
Because of their invasion, Hitler was killed, Stalin critically injured, the Imperial Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was aborted, and Yamamoto took this opportunity to demand the resignation of the Imperial Army GHQ and couched his demand in the form of a full Yamato broadside.
WW2 ended, and this is now the Martian War.

Witches put on Strikers that are either planes or tanks. The Angels are Tank Witches, meaning they wear Tank Strikers.

>>23075748
the issue isn't quality of training but how well it suits them. And as far as I can tell about the Demons, they do a great job of taking various abilities into account.

>>23075765
So we need to figure out how to take advantage of Ekaterina's ability... whatever that may be. I imagine something right killy.

>>23075719
"You may have a point. But these Demon girls, one or two of them are as young as Ekaterina, but they seem to have no problem. Perhaps we should talk to their leader about how to handle young soldiers?"

>>23075695
this one has girls fighting with plane legs and girls with tank legs.
For now you can read this thread, as it's spin-off of the main SW Crimson. After that, you can go back and read the from the first thread.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Strike%20Witches%20Crimson

>>23075783
>take advantage of Ekaterina's ability
From what has been seen in the reports, her ability is to kill everything in her path.
It's fine if you're throwing her into a fight to kill everything there, but she's no good when it comes to fighting with a group.

>>23075812
But we don't know her specific ability. Riley is super stronk and Woody is Wolverine. We need to figure out what Ekaterina's special sumthin-sumthin is.

>>23075783
It's more along the lines of taking her speed/stamina/etc into account and not try to lump her in with the others such as the one that lives in siberia.

That and findind a way to control that tendency.

ok im in. after midterms, im going thru all of these

>>23075799
I'm not quite sure if it isn't mention ed in the old threads either way, but don't forget the original writefaggotry:
http://tofusaur.us/res/2960.html

>>23075812
Berserkers have their use.

>>23075843
So how do we test for it?

>>23076268
Either we already have it in a file somewhere or we just ask her. She herself should know.

>>23076304
Well, let's go with the latter.

>>23076304
that's assuming she didn't toss out the files in her haste.

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>>23075748 >>23075783

But what of our Canadian comrades, you ask, trying your best not to reach up and pinch the bridge of your nose in frustration (a tell that Vlad herself had pointed out to you, and to your annoyance, remarked that it was a gesture your own father made when he himself was vexed for some reason). Even their youngest could pull their own weight. Why must you not expect the same? You are only pushing her as hard as you were pushed, as Vladislava was pushed, as the twins were pushed. Anastasia, well, she was a special case, but you've also subjected her to the same amount of exertion. Why should Ekaterina be treated with the velvet glove when all of you have been handled with an iron fist?

Vladislava nods. "I understand that we had been trained differently back then, but that was when we were still in your father's authority. We are no longer a part of an entire company, we are a specialized unit, and each of us have different roles. You cannot expect Ekaterina to carry the same load as Yuliya, in the same way you cannot expect a scalpel to do the job of an axe." She lets out a sigh. "You have to learn to take our differences into account, Vasilika. Otherwise, we are no different than an ordinary tank company, and that would be a grave mistake for you to make."

...Why was it that you were made Captain instead of her, again? She seems to have a better handle of this leading thing than you.

It's then that she pouts. "I am your Senior Lieutenant, and you are my Captain. It is the way things have been decided, and it is not my place to question it." A smile erases the pout. "Besides, you wear the rank better. And Anastasia would have a fit if she found out that a poor girl from the Urals was to be her superior."

[1/2]

>>23076533

That gets a smile from you, finally. Ah, if only Anastasia could somehow lever the stick from her ass, imagining her suffering would not bring you so much pleasure.

"Speaking of the high-born, she wants to talk to you in her quarters as soon as possible." Vladislava murmurs. "She made it clear to me that she requests your presence."

Requests, eh?

"In so many words, yes. She used 'demands' once, I think, but I wasn't listening then." Another smile, this time one you share between the both of you. "I would also suggest that you check up on Valnikov when you have the chance to. She's in the striker shed, along with the twins. Perhaps it would give you insight on how to handle her training and how to properly shape her for her role in the unit."

Ah. That would mean that Remov is there as well, then?

"...Yes, although he's distracted with repairing the paintwork on Valnikov's striker. It should be safe for you to go."

Good. Ah, you could never really stay around the crew chief. His stare gets unnerving, sometimes.

"He is a nice person, Vasilika. A bit too focused sometimes, but he is brilliant with the Strikers. Talk to him sometime. It won't kill you."

...You'll keep it in mind, you reply as you take another sip of the despicable water, draining your glass empty. Is there anything else?

"Nothing right now, Captain." Vladislava shakes her head, and you could see that she's itching to clean your quarters, but holding herself back. "I will make sure you're the first to know if anything else crops up."

Right. You dismiss her with a nod, and she walks out of your quarters, but not after shaking her head as she looks around for the last time.

Ahh. The glamor of command. How excitingly boring.

You might as well get to it. These things will not handle themselves.

[]Go visit Ekaterina.
[]Go visit Anastasia.

>>23076544
>[]Go visit Anastasia.
May as well get the unpalatable stuff done first.

>>23076544
Ekaterina. Anastasia can suck it.

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>>23076544
Ekaterina is kawaiier and thus has more priority.

>>23076544
Throwing in for Ekaterina. We should probably show her some kindness for how hard we push her. Apparently.

[x]Go visit Ekaterina.

It'll never be soon enough for Russian Perrine while the little one could use the news of the change in plans.

Vladislava is a good second in command.

>>23076544
[x] Go visit Anastasia

Ekaterina probably needs a little more rest.

>>23076544
[x]Anastasia
Let's see what the bi- "lady" wants. Maybe we can vent some of our anger at her.

>>23076544
>>[X]Go visit Anastasia.

Pros: Gives Ekaterina more time to recover, can better consider how to approach her.
Cons: Might be in an even worse mood when we get there.

>>23076544
lets go see Ekaterina. Then we can go off on drill tits, if need be.

>>23076544
[x]Anastasia

>>23076621
You know that the PC dislikes Ekaterina because she's weak and a liability, right?

Not to mention, she's still recovering from dehydration and exhaustion that we put her through because she can't keep up with the rest of the squad. She's likely not fully recovered yet.

>>23076760
It's combat-liability moe.

>>23076760
True but that was before the reminder from her second in command that everyone has different abilities, perhaps this is why she's thinking about seeing her: perhaps apologizing for pushing her too far.

She has some of the blame for not looking into Ekaterina's records better and rashly assuming she'd be more like the others.

I get the feeling that if not for Vladislava, the unit would be in real trouble.

>>23076544
>[]Go visit Anastasia.
Get this shit over with.

>>23076800
/a/, please go. We're trying to role-play here, and our character does =not= like moe

>>23076843
No, we apparently like mildly busty red heads who stare at our and.

>>23076875
*Abs

>>23076875
>not liking hot redheads

We'd be gay NOT to!

>>23076980
Your definition of gay is a little weird there.

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>>23077311
I'm not seeing a problem.

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>>23077311
You have been coaxed into a snafu

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Fuck yeah Crimson.

Wait. Decu? What sorcery is this?

>mfw right now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehhitnnB22k

Well, when playing as a moe Russian....

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>>23077426
brb running a MGNQ spin-off set in Canada

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>>23077505
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehhitnnB22k
>Didn't even click link
>Katyusha.mov

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>>23076606 >>23076621 >>23076637 >>23076651

You decide to visit Ekaterina first. You will deal with the unpleasantness that is the high-born later. The well-being of an Angel - and the integrity of the unit that the Premier named himself - is at stake here, and you will not be remiss in your duties. Besides, having another shouting match with Anastasia is not how you want to start off the day.

You pick up your uniform off of the floor from where you left it earlier - a cursory sniff of it reveals that it's clean enough to be worn for today, at least - and you pull it on without caring too much about the wrinkles on it, or how the sleeves aren't rolled up the way they're supposed to. Back then, this would have earned you quite the reprimand, and enough penance to make your body sore the entire week - but you could afford to be lax for a bit, now, seeing as you're Captain. Beholden to no one else except the Premier, and you doubt he'd worry his mustache if you walk around with a wrinkled uniform.

You glance at your service blade resting on your bed, and forgo the customary act of bringing it along. If you're to straighten out things with Ekaterina, then you should make it a point to look like anything but her commanding officer. Perhaps it would make you look a bit more friendly, a bit more approachable, a bit more understanding. Of course, this means that your hands will be empty if Remov looks at you, but...well, you'll cross that bridge when you get to it.

Agh. Remov. The crew chief. Of course, you don't begrudge him of his eccentricities - he has proven himself more than capable in making sure that the strikers are battle-ready and well-maintained. But the man could outstare a skull, and he could do it while playing that ratty accordion of his.

[1/2]

I know the basics of the Strike Witches universe, but what's the backstory divergence with the Martians?

>>23077686

See: >>23075758

WWII continued as normal until the end of 1941.

>>23077714
Also they look like the aliens from metal slug.

>>23077735
>>23077714
Right, but their tech is that of the "War of the Worlds" Martians.
Masers, psi tech, anti-gravity, advanced homing rockets and computer tech.
Oh, and they've got a giant mass driver back on Mars, which they use to send reinforcements to their forces on Earth.

>>23077772
I just love that. "LET'S NOT DEVELOP SPACE TRAVEL. LET'S JUST MAKE A GIANT GUN TO SHOOT OUR DUDES AT EARTH."

Fuckin' martians.

>>23077686
War of the Worlds.

>>23077586

He was also very protective of the strikers themselves - even driving away Scarlet while she simply looked around, and Witches in your country are usually treated by men with an almost craven servitude. But not Remov, oh no. Witch, personnel, animal, it didn't matter.

You suppress a shiver as you finally make your way out of the barracks and into the striker shed. Immediately, you spot Remov at the far corner of the shed itself, whispering to Valnikov's striker as he carefully retouched the scratches on the paintwork with a brush. His free hand carressed the metal, while his lips moved silently, as if cooing the machine to sleep. You suddenly have a vision of him doing the same to Ekaterina herself, and you very nearly stumble from the terror-driven shiver shooting up your spine.

No, keep walking, you remind yourself. Do not show fear. Do not look in his direction. Just keep walking, Vasilika, do not stare into the abyss UNLESS YOU WANT IT STARING BACK--

A couple more steps, and finally you manage to make it out of his range of vision, the huge bulk of the IS Striker blocking you from his view and him from yours. You let out the breath you've been holding, and you manage to walk a bit more steadily towards the other corner of the shed, where Ekaterina is lying on a makeshift cot, swaddled in a blanket. Beside her, Oksana seems to be boiling a pot of soup from a charcoal stove, and Yuliya is...well, lifting. She is always lifting. No one will be ever to ask her that question and receive a negative answer.

"Ah, Captain!" Yuliya is the first to notice you, the irrepressible grin on her face as she drops the massive weight to the ground in a loud, deafening crash, making Ekaterina flinch in her cot. Oksana turns to look at you, the same beatific smile on her face closing her eyes for a brief moment, and then...well, nothing. She always seems to have her eyes closed. She turns back to what she's cooking, clearly focused on it.

[2/3]

>>23077772
I don't remember the aliens from War of the Worlds having psi-tech.

>>23077907

"At ease," You say, although you didn't really need to say it. The twins are almost permanently on ease when off-duty. You wonder if it's a good thing or not. Ekaterina, meanwhile, is looking like she's about to cry, looking at you like someone would an executioner.

"Just finishing my repetitions here, Captain, and then I'll be running laps later." Yuliya volunteers this information, making you feel absolutely wretched. The Komarov twin had boundless energy, and would cheerfully spend the day doing nothing but honing her body into a perfect killing machine. When you asked about this, she said something about improving her aesthetics, or something like that.

"And Ekaterina's doing much better! She's not crying any more about going home!" The more well-built twin continues. This, of course, makes Ekaterina shrink back in absolute fright, burrowing under her blankets. "Oksana's cooking soup for the little one, Vladislava said we should up her sodium intake with some soup. It would hydrate her better, or that is what she said at least."

...Right. Vladislava would say that, indeed. What soup is it, though? It smells strange.

"Ah, well, I went hunting last night, after lights out." Oksana grins. "Slim pickings, but I managed to come upon a creature with big antlers. I am told that it is elk. Oksana is boiling its heart with salt and garlic, very good for the constitution."

Ah. Well. All well and good, then.

Who do you talk to, first? It looks as if you could do with their opinions about this...entire thing. Or you could go talk to Ekaterina directly, and go to the heart of the matter, as it were.

[]Ekaterina
[]Oksana
[]Yuliya

>>23077945
That's how good it was at fucking with your mind.

>>23078028
[x]Oksana

Motherly-type should know best.

>>23078028
>[]Oksana
Should probably ask how things are going on the physical side.

[x]Oksana

>>23078028
[X] Oksana
She may know how to handle the little one best.

>>23078028

Oksana

>>23078028
[x] Oksana
Yuliya is pretty much just LIFTAN,
>Vasilika be 'mirin
and her sister seems to be more knowledgable on the subject at hand.

>>23077586
Some how Fuklaw being Russian is even more horrifying

I'm trying to remember which one has the US boyfriend as if it's Yuliya, I hope he likes lots of muscles.

>>23078291
No, it's Oksana. The motherly one is the one that Vasilika expected to soon become one.

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>>23078277
Fuklaw, mixed with this guy.

I'm terrified.

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Hot diggity! Soviet Tank Witches? In Crimson? More likely than you think.

>>23078028
>[]Oksana
Need some intel on the lay of the land here. The motherly one would likely have some insights.

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>>23077586

>>23077505
Named Ekaterina, no less! She shall have to be teased about having letters from a grey steppe eagle.

Katyusha is a cutesy diminutive of Ekaterina, for those who were unaware and cannot or have not into Google.

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>>23078088 >>23078110 >>23078156

You go for the more sedate of the Komarov twins - namely, Oksana, who is humming a small, cheerful tune as she continues to stir the contents of the boiling pot. Now that you're a bit closer, it does smell rather deliciously of garlic and meat, and makes you remember that you haven't quite had breakfast yet.

"Captain," she greets you as you approach, turning to nod at you once more, her smile warm and welcoming and reminding you of your own mother - an effect that would have disturbed you to no end, because your own mother was not the kindest nor warmest of people, and never took any guff from anyone. She even tried to kill your father once.

But it was an effect the Komarov had on everyone - it was as if she had been fated to be one of nature's mother from birth, and everything about her reminded people of that. She could eke out someone's troubles and secrets with a warm smile and a careful pat of the hand, she could make the pain from any injury disappear with a few soothing words and a towel soaked with warm water, and she could cook a feast from something that Yuliya had grappled into the ground and broken its neck with a choke hold.

You'd asked her a few times if she wanted out of the team, to settle down somewhere and live out her destined role - but she merely smiled and said that her place was in the unit. Besides, the man she wanted to settle down with was somewhere in this part of the world, and she was hoping that they would at least bump into each other once, here.

You have no objections to one of your Angels leaving the unit to get married, but the day when Oksana Komarov abandons the Angels would be a grim day indeed.

[1/2]

>>23078841

"Oksana," you manage to reply after a moment, hoping that you are not at all interrupting a crucial moment in the soup-making process. "How is everything?" You ask after a brief moment of awkward silence, remembering that you should ask this every so often. A good leader always asks this of her unit, Vladislava had said.

"Everything is good, Captain, there is nothing to worry about." Oksana replies, her voice smooth and modulated, her enunciation perfect. "Little Ekaterina is improving - she had stopped throwing up earlier, at least, and can now keep water down. The Senior Lieutenant advised something hearty and salty for her to have, and so I'm making soup, as Yuliya had mentioned earlier. Elk meat is a bit gamey for my tastes, but a bit more time on the boil should make it softer, I think."

Ah. Well. It does smell delicious. ...Does it really have elk heart in it? Or any other strange innards?

Oksana blinks at you. ""Er, no, Captain. Just meat. Although I did chop up some of the offal for the broth."

...Aheh. So it was just Yuliya funning you. Right.

"Just as you say, Captain."

What do you ask her?

[]Ask more about Ekaterina.
[]Ask about how she and Yuliya are shaping up in this strange land.
[]Ask about her opinion of the Canadians.
[]Ask about her man.

>>23078873
>[]Ask about her man.
Hue hue hue

>>23078873
[x]Ask more about Ekaterina.
>she stopped throwing up earlier
Having a subordinate confined to medical bed rest because of training exercises and not combat will look bad on our own record.

>>23078873
[x]Ekaterina

>>23078873
>[]Ask more about Ekaterina
>[]Ask about her man.
Lol, lil toot

>>23078873
>[] All of the above.

[x]Ask more about Ekaterina
[x]Ask about her man.

>>23078873
[x] Ask more about Ekaterina

It's why we're here in the first place.

Then maybe ask how Yuliya and herself are handling Canada

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>>23078873
>[X]Ask about how she and Yuliya are shaping up in this strange land.
>[X]Ask about her opinion of the Canadians.
>[X]Ask about her man.
In that order.

>>23078873
[x]Ask more about Ekaterina.
[x]Ask about her man.

>>23079029

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>>23078930 >>23078942 >>23078969 >>23079029

You ask her to tell you more about Ekaterina's situation. Yes, Vladislava's told you plenty, but you want to hear it from another unimpeachable source of truth. What made Ekaterina collapse during this morning's training? How long until she can function properly, and will this be a recurring issue to contend with in the future?

"..." Oksana is silent for a few moments, before she turns towards Yuliya, bidding the younger, more athletic twin to watch her pot of soup. Yuliya quickly complies, and stirs the pot with the wooden ladle a bit more energetically than she's supposed to - and it's then that Oksana leads you away from that corner of the shed, a bit nearer to the massive hulk of your IS Striker. You note that this also places you a bit out of earshot from Yuliya and Ekaterina herself.

"I assume that the Senior Lieutenant has already told you this, Captain, but I do think that you've been pushing little Ekaterina a bit too hard." Oksana says in hushed tones, although the concern in her voice is clear. "I know that it is in our unit to always strive to push ourselves, but Ekaterina is far too young to be doing the same amount of physical training as the rest of us. She is...different from us, through no fault of her own."

But you've done the same kind of training at her age, even more!

"Yes, of course, but she does not have the Captain's vitality." Oksana says patiently. "She does not have Miss Anastasia's speed, she does not have Yuliya's bullishness, or the Senior Lieutenant's fortitude. Like myself, Ekaterina will always be hard-pressed to keep up with everyone." She places a soft hand on her chest for emphasis. "But we have roles that require something other than strength to be good at."

You are silent as you mull this over. Oksana, as always, had a point - before Ekaterina, it was her who often fell behind during marches, who would often yield during sparring, and would often pass out from fatigue.

[1/2]

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>>23079569

She did manage to catch up after a while, most probably due to her twin's own support - but it was undeniable that Oksana had quite the role in holding the Angels together. If Vladislava was the backbone, then she was the heart of it. It also helped that she was the most accurate marksman in the entire unit, able to pound the enemy with pinpoint accuracy even from long distances. Her ability with a rifle was unmatched, even more with her striker's cannon.

"If we keep at this pace, Captain, I believe Ekaterina will be broken upon the anvil long before she's been hammered into the weapon she was meant to be." Oksana continues. "I make my recommendation, then, along with the support of the Senior Lieutenant, that we come up with a training regimen designed for her and her strengths."

...Well, yes, that makes sense, but...you don't exactly have experience in training someone like her, with her abilities!

"Then perhaps our Canadian comrades would be able to help in that regard." The Komarov twin suggests. "Ask...Miss Scarlet Harrison, was it?...on how to train someone like little Ekaterina. I am sure she will be able to assist in that regard."

Huh. You hadn't thought about that. Yes, you suppose that is something to be pursued. Ekaterina's two friends certainly looked capable enough, from their stance and bearing.

You change tack from here. How is she and Yuliya shaping up here, in such a foreign land?

"Well, you can see Yuliya's tolerating the humidity better than I can, Captain," Oksana smiles, before taking out a handkerchief from her uniform's pocket and blowing her nose delicately into it. "It takes a while to get used to the tropical temperature. But other than that, we have no complaints. Yuliya is also finding the local fauna exciting. She says she nearly found a bear once, lurking behind the shed, but it ran off before she could kick it to death."

[2/3]

>>23079729
>tropical temperature
Ahaha Russians.

>>23079729
So Yuliya must keep the number of bears she's wrastled tallied somewhere in her belongings.

>>23079729
All well and good, then. How about her man? Has he replied to her letters yet?

It's here that Oksana goes a rather interesting shade of crimson. "M-my...he is not my man, Captain. N-not...not yet. But we do have an agreement. A...a mutual understanding, if you will."

You find yourself grinning at her discomfiture. It seems that she's quite enamored with this George person, and no mistake. But does he actually know of what she does? Come to that, does she even know what he looks like?

"N-no, Captain, of course not! I've made sure that no mission-critical details are ever given away in my letters." Oksana shakes her head, her long, thick braids waving from side to side. "The confidentiality of this mission remains intact, please trust me on this!" You nod at her, signifying that you do, and motion for her to continue. "Although, um...we haven't sent each other photographs, but from his own description, he is quite the gentleman. A clerk in his father's flourishing bookprinting shop, and I am told that he will inherit the business for himself someday!" Here, Oksana is flush with pride.

Well, at least she'll have someone when this war is over, then. You tell her that you're happy for her.

"Thank you, Captain. I'm glad that you approve of him, at least. I...I doubt that any other officer would have allowed something like this to happen, under the circumstances."

You wave away her gratitude. Far for you to meddle in the affairs of the heart when your unit is concerned. All you tell her is to be careful - American men are notorious skirtchasers, and she may find her heart broken!

"I hope it doesn't come to that, Captain," Oksana shakes her head, quite flustered. "Yuliya would commit murder if that happens."

Yes. You can easily see the other Komarov doing exactly that.

"Is there anything else, then, Captain? I think the soup is about to burn."

[]Ask something else.
[]No more questions, go to Ekaterina.
[]No more questions, go to Yuliya.

>>23079885
>[]No more questions, go to Yuliya.
Ask her thoughts on Ekaterina, about her conquests of the local wildlife, and Oksana's boy.

>>23079885
>[]No more questions, go to Yuliya.
she seems to be fit. maybe she will know a way we can help train Ekaterina

>>23079729
>Canada
>Tropical

My sides, though compared to the coldest parts of Russia, such a comparison may be easy to make.

[x]No more questions, go to Ekaterina.

We should assure her first as she seems pretty scared at the moment.

>>23079885
[x]No more questions, go to Ekaterina.

Let us go see notKharn.

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>>23079885
Reassure the kid.

>>23079885
[x] No more questions, go to Ekaterina

IS TALK TIME NOW

>>23079885
>[]No more questions, go to Ekaterina.

lets talk to the Russian loli

>>23079885
[x]No more questions, go to Katyusha.

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>>23080021
>afro with a hammer and sickle

what

>>23079885
[x] No more questions, go to Ekaterina.
Apologise for our failing as a leader.
>kwainia column
Captcha thinks we should start a Cute Girls Doing Cute Things magazine. Who's interested?

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>>23080082
QB's an alien, he doesn't know what the fuck he's doing
>planet hatgbod

summoning time?

>>23079885
>[X]No more questions, go to Ekaterina.

Time we finished what we came for.

>>23080348
We need a deculture summoning picture with the Angels.

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>>23080000 >>23080021 >>23080067

No, she is free from your questions. For now. She nods in thanks, and scurries off, hurriedly telling Yuliya to take the pot off of the stove to let it cool. "Please have a bowl after you've talked to Ekaterina, Captain," Oksana had said before parting. "I could hear your stomach growling. You haven't had breakfast yet, have you?"

...No, you hadn't. You'll make sure to have some, then, before leaving.

Letting the twins bicker and fuss over the soup, you approach Ekaterina's cot, where the young woman was still cocooned in her blanket. Staring at you with her wide, crimson eyes just shy of tearing up. It's almost hilarious, the contrast between Ekaterina the child and Ekaterina the Tank Witch - you have a shy, awkward girl on one hand and a cold-blooded murderer on the other. Perhaps she finds herself confident when only in her striker, and not out of it?

"Ekaterina," you call her finally as you settle down on the tall stool beside her cot. She very nearly jumps out of the covers at your voice, and after a few moment's worth of tremulous shivering, she makes something that barely passes for a salute.

"C-Capitan," she stutters. "I...I apologize for...for the disgraceful weakness I've...shamed the entire company with. I am...I am ready to be discharged, h-however you see fit. But...i-if possible, please use my f-father's pistol, s-so he will not be so ashamed of me when he collects my r-remains..."

You stare blankly at the crying, shaking mess that is Ekaterina Valnikov. Where did she get the idea--

Oh. Oh, wait. Anastasia must have been filling her head with all kinds of nonsense. People don't get discharged by way of shooting them in the head, not anymore. This is a more civilized time!

No, you use swords. Much more symbolic.

You hide a smile at that, before shaking your head. No, it won't do to scare the girl more, frightened thing that she is.

How do you proceed?

>>23080462
[x] hug
But not big embarassing hug, one arm sideways hug.

>>23080462
comfort her. but in the a way that is becoming of an officer. gently but not too personal.

>>23080462
I want to say apologize, but that doesn't seem very Vasilika. Maybe just figure out a way to let her know that we'll do our best to find a way to accommodate her. Let her know we'll talk to Scarlet. She seemed to like Scarlet earlier.

>>23080462
Awkward big-sister hug. Explain your situation and hers. Inform her that you aren't really sure how to train her since she's so...specialized.

>>23080462

pat her head.

i want to ask btw, are there any "safe" tank striker? like its all padded but weighs the same?

>>23080462

need to calm her down first and explain that indeed she can not cope with our usual training program, but her collapsing was more our fault than hers. we stuck to old training methods but it might be best to adjust that. New environment, new challenges, new (and improved) training so everyone in the unit can perform their very best.

we're not sure what we'll change in our training yet but when Ekaterina goes over to the demon witches for that sleep over she could get some information out of them, it would be very helpful for the unit!

>>23080462
Am I the only one who thinks she looks like a Chibi Nona?
>>23080840
and I'm thinking head pats followed by the above.

>>23080502 >>23080518 >>23080789 >>23080835

You spend a few moments waiting for the poor girl to stop hyperventilating, before reaching over and...well, giving her a small pat on the head. She flinches at your touch, but seems to calm down after the initial contact, visibly relaxing a fraction. A few more moments of this, and she seems to get into the mood herself, a hesitant smile curling her lips, her pale cheeks flushing crimson.

She is almost cute if she is not being annoying, actually. You turn to say this to the twins, but they're already there, staring at the both of you in rapt attention. Trying their best to hide their grins, cheeky as they were.

YOu try to put them out of your mind as you turn back to Ekaterina, lowering your hand carefully and slowly from her head, so as not to startle her. "Ah, uh...no, it is okay, Valnikov. No one is being discharged today. You have yet to disgrace our unit. I think a particular pair of twins are closer to that than you are," you say the last bit pointedly, and both Komarovs are quick to make themselves look busy, Oksana ladleing soup into bowls and Yuliya vigorously bench-pressing what appears to be a crate full of tank ammunition. "Anyway. Put this morning from your mind. It was my failing that you fell during today's march, not yours."

"B-but...Miss Anastasia said--" Ekaterina tries, and you hold up a hand.

"Do not interrupt your Captain while she is trying to do her job, Valnikov. And no matter what the high-born tells you, we do not discharge people by execution anymore." You sniff, putting on an offended air. "If you are going to die, you will do so in combat. Do you understand?"

Ekaterina nods fearfully, and you wonder if you've gone overboard on that. You sigh, and pat her head again.

[1/2]

>>23081054

Anyway, you are not here by dint of chance alone, or of foolish negligence." It's a good thing Vladislava isn't here, or her silence would have damned you. "You are here with us because you have skills. Skills that I may have overlooked, and may not fit the usual mold of an Angel, but nevertheless still important. As such, the usual training may also not apply to you, so we will have to think about that." You try to work up a smile. "Can you refresh my memory, then, and tell me what you can do? When you are in a Striker, that is."

The raven-haried girl blinks at you. "Is...is it not in my dossier, Capitan?"

You wave your hand, still trying to keep the smile up. "No, I never really deal with paperwork. That goes to Vladislava. So?"

"A-ah. Um. I..." Her face crinkles up slightly. "Pre...precognition, I believe is the word, Capitan. I can see what the enemy is about to do, five or six moves b-beyond. I can...also detect enemies, up to a point..."

Ah. Well. That explains how she can launch herself into the enemy with careless abandon. You think she's not telling you the complete story, however, but you can ask some other time.

You will definitely have to ask Scarlet about how to train her. You have absolutely no idea how her training should go. Her ability is useful, granted, but...it is not simple, like yours, or Yuliya's, or Oksana's.

"C-Capitan? May I speak?" Ekaterina asks again, and you absently permit her to.

"Anastasia tells me that you have been making eyes at the Scarlet woman. She...she bids me to tell you that if you fraternize with her, she will relieve you of command personally." The girl very nearly hides behind her blanket as you blink at her.

"Making...eyes?" You blink again. "What does that mean?"

"That you want to be...m-m-ore than friends with the Scarlet woman."

What. How. You...you don't know where she got this! Damned High-born! Damn her eyes!

How do you respond?

>>23081098
Buh-buh-but that's forbidden love!

>>23081098
"You are to ignore the High-Born's words. She seeks only glory for herself, at the expense of those that should be her comrades.
I will punish her for this slight, and for filling your head with fear of God.
That is Captain's job, yes?"

>>23081098
several points
1) we are the captain, not Anastasia

1.a) if she tells us otherwise we would shove our boot up her ass, but we're not sure it would fit next to the stick

2) we will fraternize with whomever we damn well please

3) make sure that Ekaterina knows we won't bite her head off for being the messenger .

>>23081098

how dare she make Ekaterina tell us this instead of taking it up with us herself.

we'll have to have a chat with her.

>it's not like we're doing it on purpose?
>are we doing it?

>>23081163
Well, Anastasia DID want to tell us something...

>>23081098
"Don't worry about Anastasia and her words, I will set the record straight with her soon."

"You seem to get along with Miss Scarlet's younger charges, maybe I could enquire about their training methods, seeing as you are all similar in age?"

It was a good thing we waited to speak with Miss High Born; how we can drop the hammer on her verbally.

>>23081098
"Oh! I am going to have such words with that girl. Such words. Do not worry yourself about her and her words, Katyusha, but thank you for passing them on none the less."

>>23081098

"those glances are only for both recognition of her skills from the last fight and wonder if she has any more hidden skills(maybe in be-) *ahem* anyways don't let it bother you, also don't believe what Anastasia says right away"

>>23081187
>verbally
Yeah no.
I vote we punch her in the gut as soon as she opens her door.

guys guys, maybe just maybe
Anastasia is jealous?

we should be careful and calm when talking to her later,wouldn't want an angry make-out session there

>>23081235
Maybe, she is the Russian Perrine after all. Remeber how she acted towards Yoshika in the anime? It was all because of her seemingly closeness to Mio.

>>23081235
inb4 everyone has a crush on Scarlet

It's the hair. It just makes the panties slide off.

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>>23081235

heh..

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>>23081256
sharpxfluffy otp

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>>23081316
Erryone be mirin' Scarlet's fluff.

>>23081256
It helps that she isn't lacking in the chest department (being comparable with Lynette BISHOP is no small feat)

>>23081374
Okay, let's not go overboard here. We haven't actually gotten to talk with her yet. Benefit of the doubt, no matter how difficult it may be.

>>23081139 >>23081186 >>23081203

You pat Ekaterina's head again, while blushing yourself. That Anastasia--! If you hadn't promised her father that

she'd get home alive and in one piece, you'd have taken care of her personally! Spreading discord among the unit -

it's something you didn't think the High-born wouldn't stoop to, but there it is, plain as day. You would

definitely have to talk to her about this.

...And besides, what is wrong with admiring someone from afar? It is harmless! Completely harmless!

You tell the stricken Junior Lieutenant, then, to ignore the High-born's words. You are the ranking officer here, and only the Premier himself can relieve you of your command. You will make sure to correct Anastasia personally about this matter. And being the ranking officer, you can...you can fraternize with anyone who you damn well please, thank you very much!

"Ah, the Captain is showing her teeth. Perhaps the Scarlet woman should watch out." Yuliya chimes in.

"Indeed, dear sister. Perhaps now she will be a bit more gentle with our morning exercise." Oksana replies, with the same amount of glee.

You bark at them a bit more loudly than you'd have liked, and both of them immediately quiet down, although with grins on their faces. Oksana approaches with two bowls full of hot soup, and she passes one to you and the other to Ekaterina. The smell of stewed meat with garlic makes your stomach growl again, and both you and Ekaterina take a moment to enjoy another one of Oksana's miraculous meals.

"I...I think the Scarlet woman is nice," Ekaterina murmurs, halfway through her own bowl. "She has beautiful hair, and very kind eyes. I enjoyed her company, as well as that of...Riley and Veronika."

You put down your own empty bowl, having drained it nearly immediately after you received it. You were VERY hungry. "A-ah. Yes. She has very...beautiful eyes." You try to sound as distant as you could, but it's hard with the twins around.

[1/2]

>>23081412

"I think the Captain and the Scarlet woman would be a good pair," The raven-haired girl continues. "But, ah, is it not a problem if...both of you are girls? Mother said it is forbidden love--"

"Oh, yes, our mother said that too." Yuliya pipes up, now bench-pressing the detached barrel of your IS striker. "Did you hear that, Captain? It is forbidden love."

"Mmhmm. Forbidden love, it is not a love to be spoken of." Oksana smiles, covering a giggle with a hand. You shake your head at this. Such insubordination.

You declare that you'll be leaving now, and tell Ekaterina to rest as much as she needs to. You also tell the twins to make sure Ekaterina gets all the sustenance she needs. Both twins give you the perfunctory salute, still grinning, and you shake your head again as you leave - making sure to walk quickly before Remov catches your scent and tries to play his accordion for you.

You're back at the barracks proper, now. Faintly, you can hear Anastasia playing her music again, some sad symphony with a lot of violins.

Right, you should go and confront her. You make your way up the stairs, and stop in front of the door to her quarters.

[]Knock politely and ask to be let in.
[]Kick the door open and demand she stop with this nonsense.

[x]Kick the door open and demand she stop with this nonsense.

I'm tempted to vote "kick the door so it hits her face" but that's just excessive.

>>23081425
[x]Knock politely and ask to be let in.
Can't suckerpunch someone from the other side of the room.

>>23081425
Stay calm. Stay cool. Don't kick anything in. Yet.

>>23081425

[]Knock politely and ask to be let in.

if someone as energetic as Vasilika suddenly becomes very calm, thats scary enough on its own.

>>23081425
As much as I want to vote to kick the door in...I believe we should knock

>>23081425
>[]Knock politely and ask to be let in.

>>23081425
>[]Knock politely and ask to be let in.

be calm, breathe long and slow, just like what the training taught you.
the one where you will get to assassinate an enemy leader

>>23081098

>Precognition
>Good in combat

..Newtype?

>>23081669
Or just a regular witch with precog abilities like Eila.

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>>23081471
>>23081501

I'm liking where this is going. Make sure she KNOWS she fucked up, via being passive aggressive.

>>23081681

My witch lore is pathetic. Disregard my post then.

>>23081669
Dunno about that far as we don't know if she has any particular sense of empathy. Elia does have a similar ability and a pretty good combat record.

>>23081682

it would be more awesome if we talk friendly while holding a serene smile during it.

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>>23081452 >>23081453 >>23081501

You calm yourself as much as you can, owing to the circumstances, before reaching out with a hand and knocking smartly upon the door leading to the High-born's room. You hear the music being stopped, and a faint voice asking your identity. You roll your eyes at this, before saying your name loud and clear, as well as reminding her that you are her Captain and she should open this door this moment.

A brief silence, followed by what appears to be a rather panicked din inside, whispers of cloth sliding upon cloth, of things being pushed here and there, of various knicknacks being picked up and deposited somewhere else. This takes a bit, and when you've finally decided that you were not going to wait any longer, the door is pulled quickly pulled open, revealing the highborn in all her impetuous, haughty glory. Albeit, a bit disheveled and slightly panting.

"C-Captain. I...I thought you weren't going to turn up." She turns her nose up at you. "I've...I've been waiting since this morning."

Anastasia Rokossovsky. You and the others call her high-born, because of her upbringing and the kind of personality borne from such a life. Daughter of a very high-ranking official in Stalin's office, she was destined to become someone's trophy wife until she herself demanded to be put into basic training and then placed into a specialized unit.

You wish that it was mere nepotism, or simply her father pulling the strings, but her being placed in your squad was not merely greased by authority - the high-born proved to be an excellent soldier even under fire, and could out-spar even Vladislava with a sword. Her unique ability with a Striker - Hyperspeed, or what she called it - enabled her to zip in and out of enemy formations, creating havoc by being so fast that the air practically burned around her.

[1/2]

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>>23081682
We're only being passive agressive until we get close enough to be active agressive

>>23081703

Looking at her, however, you wouldn't think she was at home in a battlefield instead of on some rich playboy's lap. She had nearly perfect skin, the sort you would see on Americans. Her long blonde hair was much more blonde than yours, a rich golden yellow, and was strong enough to be able to withstand being styled into multiple curls. She carried the uniform with a very dignified posture as well, and had the figure to match.

It's a pity, then, that for someone so blessed, so...advantaged, she also had a sharp tongue. Certainly not forked, but she'd driven you and Yuliya into anger a few times, and Ekaterina into tears a few times more. As it was, though, she also knew how to speak English perfectly, as well as ten other languages. When you asked about this, she merely smiled and said that if she were to insult the enemy properly, she might as well know how to using their own language.

In any case, she seems to be waiting for you to start this confrontation. A nasty voice in your head pointing out that she does not seem to be guarded.

How do you proceed?

>>23081687
>Witch Lore
>Anon knows the following information with a successful Magic check:
>DC15: Witches use magic.
>DC20: Witches fly with strikers.

>>23081713

Do this:
>>23081471
>>23081501
>>23081682
>>23081699

Passive-aggressive is the best kind of aggressive.

>>23081713
[x] rape

>>23081713
We should probably find out why she wanted to see us, before tearing into her.

Rolled 6

>>23081713

[x] Kiss her

>>23081713
"Other duties demanded my attention."

>>23081713
Butter her up with sweet words, asking her to perhaps be more kind to the younger members of the group, and if she would terribly mind not spreading baseless rumours about the Captain's interests.
Then punch her in the gut.

>>23081713

"we had urgent matters to attend to regarding the well being on one in our unit." don't say anything more about that yet.

"you had something you wanted to discuss with me comrade Rokossovsky?"

>>23081703

We will be exceedingly calm, and hear why she needed to see us. And we shall be polite, and bare nothing but a smile on our face. And when we are finished, we shall leave.

She shall know that she has fucked up somehow, and will be driven to paranoia pandering how we shall get back at her.

'I had duties that demanded the attention of the commanding officer. THE COMMANDING OFFICER. Meaning me. Including treating a member of our unit who was told the most hilarious things. Do you happen to know anything about that, comrade Rokossovsky?'

>>23081762 >>23081772 >>23081852

You tell her that other duties demanded your attention. Other duties that concern the wellbeing of one of the Angels. You give her one of your smiles, the kind of smile that never reaches your eyes, as you apologize for making her wait nearly all day. Being Captain, you had to look after the integrity of the Unit, to make sure that nothing is trying to make it tear itself apart. Such a thing would mean drastic consequences, and failing the Premier.

To her credit, Anastasia takes the veiled threat with a set expression, her eyes clear, and her voice steady. "Of course, Captain. We both know that the Red Angels form the speartip of the Premier. We are the hammer that breaks his foes and destroys those who oppose him. I commend you for your diligence, and my report to the Premier will speak of nothing but praises for you." You see, then, that her hands are shaking a bit. Not enough to be noticed right away, but certainly enough for you to spot.

You thank her with another smile. That's very gracious of her. So, what did she want you for? And isn't she going to invite you in? Does she expect you to stand here in the corridor to talk to her?

It's at this that Anastasia's composure seems to crack, but just the slightest bit. "I...my quarters isn't too...organized at the moment, Captain. It would be a disservice for you to see it. My apologies." She reaches behind her and pulls the door shut. "I merely wanted to talk to you about our Canadian hosts. We should be careful with dealing with them, Captain. Something tells me that the Scarlet woman is not to be trusted.

...Again with the Scarlet woman? This must be why she told Ekaterina those things.

How do you respond?

>>23082014
"Interesting. Do elaborate."

>>23082014
Well? What is this thing that is talking to you? And what is it saying?

>>23082014
Ask why, and insist on coming in.

>>23082014

This. >>23082043

>>23082014

not to be trusted is such a vague way to describe things, care to elaborate?

>>23082014
"Are you perhaps jealous of those that were able to spend time with her? Is this why you filled Valnikov's head with thoughts of summary execution? Why you suggested to her that I had been 'making eyes' at the Demon?
Deliberate attempts to sow discord in the ranks could be seen as treason against Humanity itself."

>>23082111

good enough

>>23082014
"Explain further"

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>>23082265

>>23082043 >>23082047 >>23082063

You rein in your temper long enough for you to ask her to elaborate. What is this thing that is talking to her? Why cannot the Scarlet woman be trusted? She was nice enough to greet the entire unit, as well as introduce little Ekaterina to Witches of her age! She even brought the Angels copious amounts of the Kraft Dinners, which Anastasia herself seemed to like! If she was not to be trusted at all, she should have poisoned the dinners already!

"Captain, please. I realize that this may sound unreasonable, but...it is my nerves telling me that we should keep our hosts at arm's length. I am not trying to alarm you or sow discord among the unit, but as your Senior Lieutenant, I feel that it is my duty to inform and advice you to the best of my ability." Something approaching a pleading expression briefly crosses the high-born's face, but she is much too proud to look craven. "I am only seeking to serve the Angels as best I can."

That's all very well and nice, but is it also her duty to fill the youngest Angel's head with thoughts of summary execution? And her suggesting that you had been 'making eyes' at the demon? You emphasize the quotation marks with your fingers, the smile on your face long since gone, replaced with your usual scowl. Attempting to undermine a commanding officer's authority should be considered treason. It is the seed of betrayal, and how the enemy wins!

"...I simply told her how stragglers and malingerers were dealt with in the old days, as my father had told me," Anastasia's voice takes on a frosty tone. "It is not my fault that she thought it was how we dealt with things now. And I merely described to her my course of action should I find you compromised by the Scarlet woman. It is my duty to the Premier and the Motherland as it is to the unit."

[1/2]

>>23082361

It is then that she sniffs, haughtily. "I was hoping you would see it as proof of my respect for you, Captain. I would not have you suffer the indignity of being thrown into a gulag."

Ahh. That high-born look. That high-born voice. So, so confident. So haughty.

What do you do?

[]Tell her that you will take her warning as it is, but if you hear anything seditious from her again, you will do something you'd regret. Then leave.
[]Punch her in the gut.

>>23082369
[x] Punch her in the gut.
Did she REALLY just threaten us? Threats are tactical errors! Warning the enemy that you're ready to assault them at any time is stupid, unless you're trying to fool them.
And if she's trying to fool us, that's an even greater insult!

[x] Where did I put my service sword. I SWEAR TO GOD.

>>23082369

[]Tell her that you will take her warning as it is.

if we stay any longer we'll do something else we're going to regret, eventually.

if we have magical strength, lets go out and destroy some old building/tank corpse/whatever breaks spectacularly. after we're done here.

>>23082369
[x]Tell her that you will take her warning as it is, but if you hear anything seditious from her again, you will do something you'd regret.

Then, check her room to see what she's trying to hide from you.

>>23082369
"You have spent too much time amongst the politickers of high society, Anasatsia. I think you are jumping at shadows where there are none, but I shall take your concerns to heed, but I do not like this talk. My dedication is to the Motherland above all else, but if you have such concerns again, talk to me first, not last. I would hate to do something /unreasonable/."

>>23082454

The other responses, save the punching ones, sound good, but THIS one should get the point across.

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>>23082369
[x] Surprise room inspection!

Rolled 11

>>23082454

Do it

>>23082454
This one and NO PUNCHING!

>no punching
Can we at least slap her or something? That threat was really not subtle at all.

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>>23082369
[x] give her a hug, she'll freak the fuck out

>>23082580

>why didn't I think of this.

that would take the wind right out of her sails.

>>23082580
Next time she fucks we can do this.

>>23082601
>fucks UP
oh god how did that happen

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>>23082601
>>23082726

have a seat.

>>23082751
Here's hoping everything's okay on the decu-moon.

>>23082769

>that's not a moon, it's a space station!

is there anyone here who can perform the summoning ritual?

>>23082769
>Decu side of the moon
>Decu shade of pale

Whelp, off to listen to some prog rock...

it has been 11 hours from start to this point, i wouldn't be surprised if he fell asleep/passed the fuck out.

>>23082797
>>23082906
I have it on good authority that the delay has been caused by him needing to go home fromw ork.

>>23082914

good to know.

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Is it time for this?

>>23083023

no, we only need patience right now.

>>23082442 >>23082443 >>23082454

You supress the desire to punch the self-satisfied smirk from her face. It would have felt good to dispense discipline the old-fashioned way, but with the youngest recruit still being impressionable, you decide to take the high road.

"You have spent too much time amongst the politickers of high society, Anastasia." You say, your voice low, even, and ripe with unspoken threat. "I think you are jumping at shadows where there are none, but I shall take your concerns to heed, but I do not like this talk. My dedication is to the Motherland above all else, but if you have such concerns again, talk to me first, not last. I would hate to do something unreasonable." You pause to let this sink in. "Do you understand, Senior Lieutenant?"

Anastasia, to be fair, is a couple of inches taller than you, and it's always been a bit difficult to appear intimidating while looking up - but she seems sufficiently cowed, the High-born swallowing once and taking the tiniest step back. She nods after a moment. "I...I understand perfectly, Captain."

You nod at this, before jerking your head back towards her room. "You are confined to your quarters for the rest of the day. Now get out of my sight before I change my mind."

Anastasia does so, but she looks back at you one last time. "Please remember my warning about the Scarlet woman, Captain. Punish me however you wish, but I ask that you remember it."

You let out an aggravated sigh and bark her last name - and she finally disappears back into her room. The music starts up again, a bit louder this time - and it's then that you hear someone crying faintly.

. . .

No. That is just your imagination. You have heard nothing.

. . .

"I hate this place," You grumble to yourself, before stalking off back to your quarters.

>>23083063

And I think that's that! Apologies for the delays and everything, I was posting this during work hours, and the network's a bit iffy when it comes to barely-sanctioned websites.

Thank you for your support and participation. I'll answer questions while I make dinner!

>>23083063

looks like she might indeed have feelings for the captain.

>>23083071

11 hours, how do you do it?

>>23083095

Ahaha, a lot of breaks! And I've been quite slow today, really D:

Are we being too hard on Soviet Perrine? Would knowing that she has the hots for Vasilika and that she feels Scarlet is 'intruding' too meta?

>>23083071
Posting this at work? Must have been a slow day there, then!

How are you going to juggle this and MGNQ?

>>23083118

Well, no. I think it was just right. Punching her would have been too hard, as Vasilika has a really mean right hook.

Hahaha, well, it's probably too meta, though!

>>23083129

Ah, this is a once-in-a-blue moon, thing. Archival is going to be doing most of the questing. I'll basically do these whenever there's a chance to, but Archival will have the bulk of the work of fleshing out the Angels and Demons. I'm just floundering about myself!

>>23083141
You're not going to funnel to him character notes on the Angels?

>>23083170

Oh, he gets a lot of my notes, and the art too!

>>23083141

and doing a pretty good job if you ask me, both of you.

enjoy your dinner and have a pleasant day (what's left of it anyway).

same goes for the other fine anon here (those with trips included).

>>23083183

Thank you for your support! Have a good day too!

>>23083071
Does all the art here mean you're going to start doing more art for Magicl Girl Noir again?

>>23083293

Oh, definitely, yes. This was my attempt at getting back into the drawing grind after so long (laptop dying, work, etc). MGNQ will have more illustrations now!

>>23083325
Yes!

>>23083325
Great to hear!
I'm out for the night, keep up the good work Deculture!