Oh, that was unexpected.

Neat.

>[x] Other: Call Counselor, they're supposed to be there to counsel, right?

[X] Call Dad
[X] Try not to cry
[X] Cry a lot

>>24473755
Seconding this.

>>24473755
this also a check up make sure we didn't get space AIDS from the older mercenary

>>24473755

call the nice doctor lady who treats Heather every time she mushes her brain (i'm bad with names.)

>>24473742
call dad

cry

to the wyvern to blow shit up

>>24473742
Find Jilly, she might have some idea of what the fuck. And they're friends, right? I'd imagine Anna would have an easier time talking with her than a counselor, more results than daddy dearest, and Jilly's not in the Heatherbowl as well.

>>24473755
This.

>>24473755
this sounds good.
>>24473770
like our dad knows what to do, he's an Ai

>>24473742
Huh, interesting way of handling things, probably the best way too.

>>24473755
Seconding.

>>24473755
This seems good. Then our Dad.

>>24473827
Yeah, I totally didn't see this coming, but it makes a lot of sense. Probably the best move Exa could have made.

>>24473742
Talk to a counselor, we need a third party for advice.

>>24473742
Ineffective twist or authorial masterstroke? Let's hope for the best! It certainly solves the big problem of potential lack of interaction with her storyline from now on.

You wipe your nose and get to your feet, sluggishly tromping through the halls as you fought your constant struggle with gravity. You made your way up to the door, and knocked.

Professor Neva poked her head out.
"Yes, Anna?" She asked. "Are you here to get some more practice in?"
You shake your head. She appraised you with a look.
"Come in." She said.

Some time later, you were sitting there with some hot tea, the professor sitting on the other chair. She squeezed your shoulder. Strange- she'd never even touched you with anything approaching compassion until now.
"... Oh, Anna." She said, quietly. "When something happens, it... can't be undone, dear. Barring psionics, but other than that... This is something that will stay between you and Heather for as long as you're friends."
"Then what ... what should I do?" You ask.
"... First, give her time. You need time yourself." She said. "And then find some way to apologize. I'm... not as good with this as the others might be, but I know that much.
"Wait, barring psionics?"
"Well, I suppose Damien- no, nevermind. That won't work."
"... Why not?" You ask, desperate.
"Because... well, it's hard to explain."

>What do now?

>>24473857
Ask her if there's anything we can actually DO.

>>24473857
"That doesn't tell me anything! All I know is that whatever the fuck I should be doing I should wait, for some reason? I'm kind of fumbling blind here, both my relationships so far have been disasters!"

>>24473857
>First, give her time. You need time yourself.
[x] To the Wyvern! There's somewhere you can go to blow off steam and think.

>>24473857

>i really want to know what happen at the end of Anna's little 'incident' with Hound.
>what was her reaction then?

"how much time?"

>>24473857
lets blow things up !!

>>24473897
Exa said in the chat yesterday that she kicked him out afterwards.

>>24473857
To the ship.
Set it adrift. Talk to Dad.

>>24473807
That is a good point. She is also pretty empathetic but I wonder about how much sympathy we are likely to get from her.

>>24473920
Did he wrap up his Jimmy or go full NTR mode?

>>24473807
Eh, this.

>>24473941
Who knows, ask Exa yourself.

>>24473807
Yeah, could work. I'd like to see her reaction, either way.

>>24473935
>>24473943
Seconded, Jilly's obsessed with human romance and such, she's probably pretty knowledgeable about this kind of thing.

>>24473935
Well Anna doesn't really need sympathy (straight up hostility might be a bit much though, which is why Jilly, being both a friend, not too invested in Heather's happiness compared to, say, Sarvesh, and generally nice seems ideal), she needs actual good advice.

>>24473920

this is good news.

I can work with this.

Something I'd like to point out here that I feel like a lot of players aren't really getting:

Empathy for Anna means realizing that she's emotionally weak, and that doesn't make her a bad person. It means that yes, she does want to feel that love and intimacy she gets from Hound, even though another part of her knows that it's wrong and fucked up to Heather, and that she doesn't have the strength to reject that when presented with it (especially when drunk) right now.

>>24473964
Playing as the cheater is certainly far more interesting and less divisive than the cheatee at the very least.

>>24473974
Okay, but why would we want to date her when she's THAT emotionally weak?

>>24473988
That's just silly. Why would we do that?

>>24473992
We might not. I'm just pointing out that lacking the strength to do the right thing doesn't mean that you don't WANT to do the right thing.

>>24473974
I get that, and Heather should be there for her (when Heather's freakout is over) but at the same time, if Heather can't trust Anna to ever stand up for herself, then Heather can't trust Anna not to do this again.

This is why I think doing this from Anna's perspective is good, she has to be the one who fixes things, not just cries and waits for Heather to do something.

>>24473992
We don't.
She wants Hound, Hound wants her, they can get back together.

>>24474014
I think a lot of people would rather see her grow and overcome this, to be honest.

>>24473988
At that point I feel you lose all sight of the point, really. I mean, I wasn't happy it happened with no clear signs in the first place, but it's not like going back in time and preventing it from happening fixes either her problem, or Heather's feeling hurt by her. And if you take it to the extreme and not just interrupt, but actually sort her shit out in the past so she refuses, it just gets kind of silly.

>>24473897
>She realized what happened, and started shooting at him until he left. And yes, he did wrap up.

"Is there... is there anything I can actually do?" You ask.
"... Not yet." She said. "This is something you and Heather have to deal with by talking to eachother. And neither of you will be in a state to be able to talk calmly. Just... think about why Heather is upset."
"How much time?" You ask.
"... A few days, maybe a week." She said. "Maybe even longer."
You nod, and then push yourself to your feet, struggling with the gravity, and make your way out the door. Behind you, the professor sipped at your forgotten tea.

You make your way to Jilly's pressurized room, and knock on it twice. There was a hiss as it released, and Jilly opened the door. Behind her was her tridscreen, blanked out, and Jilly looked embarassed.
Until you felt her subconsciously prodding around in your mind.
Then she pulled you into a hug, and set you down on her bed.

"I have a question for you, Anna." She said, quietly, her sparks translating into words for you.
"What is it?" You ask, in the same fashion, sparks dancing from your fingertips.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why sleep with hound?"
"I just.. I ... I didn't think. It was just he was there, and I was.. running on autopilot or whatever, and-"
"Do you love him?"
"No!" You responded, angrily. "I don't."
"And how do you think heather feels? And why does she feel that way?"
"I... don't know."
"Think about it." She said, and gave you another hug.

>?

You know, we're probably going to put it off for a while until Anna's head is clearer, but if we're going to resolve this, she's going to have to talk to Hound.

>>24474005
It could be argued that someone wanting to do the right thing but lacking any strength to do so is more pitiful than knowing its wrong and wanting to do it anyway.

Like a man who compulsively cheats on his wife with transvestite whores, and wants to stop, but can't. He is obviously more pathetic than the average, run-of-the-mill married man fucking tranny prostitutes.

>>24474025
seconding

>>24474025
She can grow and overcome this without Heather.

>>24474034
"I... I think she trusted me, and I let her down. I think she wants to know if I really feel anything for her... Do... do you think she hates me?"

>>24474068
But certainly not by getting back together with Hound. That'spretty clearly a poisonous relationship.

>>24474034
Wait, didn't hound cheat on her in the first place? How would she not know how Heather feels (well, approximately at least, Hound might have been courteous enough to wait a few weeks).

Anyway, I say the most important thing, given it's a few days until confrontation-time, is working on the first part (why) rather than the second (make up). Chances are her fucked-up childhood and 'family' makes her crave contact/intimacy/love from people, while simultaneously making her fear letting people close.

"I...think I may have an intimacy problem."

Then have a talk with dad later.

If Anna wants to be with Heather then there is only one thing she can do now to garuntee that Heather might give her at the very least a chance.

Make it clear to Hound that they will never be together. Ever. Not for anything. No more talks, no more sex. She will shoot him on sight if he so much as approaches her.

>>24474034
>"No!" You responded, angrily. "I don't."
You liar. Accepting that you have a problem is the first step to overcoming it, you know.

>>24474089
I agree that Anna needs to confront Hound, in person, to resolve this.

We should wait until Anna has calmed down a little first though, she's too fragile to do it right now.

>>24474034

Heather agreed when we asked her to only see us, she put a lot of trust in us to do the same, we grossly betrayed her trust. We should have told her more about our past with Hound but we were to busy painting him as the bad guy. Heather kept her distance from him for our sake.

>we felt horrible when Hound cheated on us.

>>24474041
Of course, but while both are fucked up, the first could realize they need help, and recover through therapy, while the second is unlikely to ever change their ways.

>>24474089
>Make it clear to Hound that they will never be together. Ever. Not for anything. No more talks, no more sex.
We just saw the fruits of the labor in action. Protip: They fucked anyway.

>>24474089
>Make it clear to Hound that they will never be together. Ever. Not for anything. No more talks, no more sex. She will shoot him on sight if he so much as approaches her.
She did that. And then she fucked him again anyway.

>>24474105
she should have not let him in her room.

>>24474105
>>24474113
This is about Anna growing as a person. If she fucks Hound again she's failed, if she can't confront Hound without fucking him, she's resolved nothing.

She is going to have to try.

>>24474115
What I'm saying, radaeth, is that words don't mean shit. They're flighty and uncertain. Even if she told him she never wanted to see again, chances are he'd ignore her.

>>24474077
>That's pretty clearly a poisonous relationship.
Why do you say that?

>>24474105

Hound pushed all the right buttons to make Anna clam up like she did, he used her lingering feelings for him to get her.

>>24474131
Anna standing up to Hound, realising that Heather's feelings are more important and ignoring his attempts to get back in the sack with her would prove she's trying to change. Beyond that, Anna and Heather can resolve things together.

>>24474131
then shoot him when he does, doesn't have to be fatal, but it does have to make it clear that Anna is serious.

>>24474133
>Guy cheats on her
>They break up
>She starts seeing someone new
>He turns up and flirts
>She cheats on her new girlfriend

It's pretty textbook poisonous.

Even if Heather and Anna don't get back together, Anna will never be happy if she's with Hound in the long run, not matter what lingering feelings she might have.

Guys, Hound himself is pretty obviously not the problem. It's clear she doesn't feel anything for him in particular besides some attraction. Again, >>24474088 - may not be 100% accurate, but a far far more likely source of the issue.

>>24474145
She didn't have the metaphorical balls to shoot him this time, and it sets a bad precedent for shooting him in the future.

>>24474166
This is Anna's chance to prove that one way or another. Let's not condemn her completely until she fucks this up.

>>24474166
this time is not every time. People can change if they work at it... and I'm hoping Anna WILL work at it. The first step it to get Hound out of her life.

I hope Exa makes us roll a will save to resist fucking when we confront hound.

>>24474196
I hope he doesn't the dice are fickle

>>24474196
Roll 100 or above to succeed.

>>24474127
This.

If Heather ever meant anything to her, and she did, then Anna is going to need to sort herself out if she wants to be forgiven.

>>24474196
That would be stupid though, because you can't do random character development and have it actually be development.

>>24474216
On a d99.

>>24474177
Pretty much. If she fails, then it's clear that she's just not cut out for being in a stable relationship, but if she succeeds then maybe there is room to forgive and forget.

>>24474225
Also his rugged handsomeness and your memories of how great he is in bed give you a -10 to your roll.

Wow people, we're already at 70+
replies and there's only been two quest posts, not counting the OP.

"I... I think she trusted me, and I let her down." You say, thinking. "I... think she wants to know if I really feel anything for her."
You meet Jilly's eyes.
"Do you think she hates me?"
"A little." Jilly responded, and you winced. "But only a little. You're going to have to... fix things, somehow."
"How?"
"First... you got to think about yourself." She said, quietly. "This isn't something I'll be able to fix by peeking in your head and telling you, okay? Worry about yourself first, *then* Heather."
She rubbed your shoulder again- why do they keep doing that? - and you curled up, hugging your legs, thinking.
"... I... think I might have an intimacy problem." You say.
"What do you mean?"
"... My parents were a cold, emotionless scientist and a talking computer." You say. "That isn't... isn't exactly a healthy home, no matter how much dad loved me."
Jilly just hugged you again, and you pushed yourself to your feet.
"... You going to come to dinner?" Jilly asked. "It's in half an hour."
You shake your head.
"I have rations in the wyvern."
"Where are you going?"
"To think."
>field too long!

>>24474247
From 0 to shitstorm in 30 minutes or less.

>>24474260
Stopping halfway there to catch your breath, you make your way onto the lift, and feel glorious null-G take you. Where you were a clumsy, tired girl, you were now a... ballerina. A dancer. You pushed your way into the wyvern, and closed the hatch, pushing yourself into your seat.

And then, plugging Renard's router into the small synthetic flesh port in the back of your head, you close your eyes.

Twirling numbers and programs whirl around you, and a figure- broad hands and headless shoulders, talons creeping from the fingertips- patted you on the head. The bright blue figure gave you a smile- somehow.
<Hey, Anna.> Your father said. <Is everything alright?>

>How do you break this to him?

>>24474247
Well exabyte went in a interesting way with this with a different person for perspective. I'm interested with how this goes. Good job exabyte

>>24474262
Nah, yesterday was a shitstorm, this is more a light shit drizzle.

>>24474238
Ugh, everyone, we're kind of playing as Anna, why are you all so tunnel-visioning this and solely looking at potential relationship with Heather, instead of, you know, overcoming psychological issues. Feels like people would be happy if Anna got over Hound himself completely, but continued to have issues with intimacy/dependency/whatever, rather than actually wanting to get to the root of the problem. We're not playing Heather no, you're not seeing the forest for trees here.

>>24474247
People are posting faster because its a contentious issue. Exa's posting slower because he has to sort out what consensus is from all that and write more complex interactions than normal.

>>24474269
"Do you love me?"

Pretty sure we need to get every insecurity and potential issue out of the way, why not start with a bang?

>>24474269
<No. I screwed everything up.>

>>24474272
I love this analogy.

>>24474272
This is positively polite society compared to yesterday's hard-boiled criminals betting on a cockfight.

(I'm enjoying playing cheater Anna more than Heather)

>>24474269
<No. Absolutely not. I did something horrible, and I'm not sure how to fix it, or even why I did it...>

>>24474269

<Hello, dad.> <I... am a terrible person.>

>I can't express feelings!

we are/were in a relationship and everything was going good, great even, but then that guy from some time ago showed up and stirred up feelings in us that we didn't know or even want anymore. Then we made a terrible mistake that broke the heart of the girl who really cared about us.

i want to write more but I'm afraid it'll be to long and then, will be to late.

"Do you love me?" You ask.
<Of course I do.> He responded, and pulled you into a hug. <What's wrong?>
"I screwed everything up." You say, into the whirling numbers and arcing data.

Drifting in the extraspace, you explained everything, starting from how you and Hound started out as casual aquaintences, and then casual sex buddies, and then he decided he loved you and ruined everything. You got together, he cheated, you broke up, and spent half a year without him.
<... And what happened lately?>
And then you tell him about Heather. About how you'd decided to date, and then how... how Hound showed up, and ruined everything again.
<It sounds to me like this is primarily your fault.> He said.
You nod, and sniffle- though it wouldn't help. In the real word, you were just dribbling out, unable to move while plugged in.
<Well... You could always kill this hound, perhaps. He's hurt you quite a lot, and that would show Heather that you're not a risk.>
"... But then would she think of me as a murderer?" You ask. "I don't want to treat the lives of people so... casually, like you do."
<Hmm, that is a problem.> He responded. <Just ... know that I do love you, and I will no matter what you do.>

>>24474399
>Dad says to try killing him.
Our Dad is awesome.

>>24474399
"Thanks, hearing that helps."

Oh shit, when Heather tells her dad what happened, Anna is probably gonna have a very pissed off Ex-Merc coming to kill her ass.

>>24474399
Tells her to kill him
Exactly what we wanted to do to him yesterday lol

>>24474399
Oh man, this isn't very effective at all.

"You know, I don't know if I'm entirely unsuited to human relationships or what. I have a hard time treating people anything more than politely, my relationships are unmitigated disasters, whether it's with an asshole or a sweet girl...The only person I've been really close to for all my life is you, and as much as I love you, you're not exactly the best teacher when it comes to human interaction and empathy."

>>24474417
Very pissed off DRAGON you mean. I mean.......fuck......Anna might have black reach on her ass depending on what happens.

>>24474399
While killing him would certainly be satisfying, it wouldn't really solve any of the underlying issues.

"You know, I don't know if I'm entirely unsuited to human relationships or what." You say. "I have a hard time treating people anything more than politely, my relationships are unmitigated disasters, whether it's with an asshole or a sweet girl...The only person I've been really close to for all my life is you, and as much as I love you, you're not exactly the best teacher when it comes to human interaction and empathy."
He was quiet for a long, long time. And then he said something that you'd never, ever heard him say before.
<I'm sorry.> He said. <I'm a horrible father. I should have made you entirely human. I was selfish in trying to keep you with me, here.>

>>24474443
well that won't happen for atleast 2 days

>>24474466
><I'm a horrible father. I should have made you entirely human. I was selfish in trying to keep you with me, here.>
I wouldn't say that your a horrible father, because at least you try to help.

>>24474466
no, you aren't a horrible father, you're just protective

>>24474439
Yeah, I am going to have to second this.

>>24474488
We'll say 3, might take some time for Papabear to get to the station

>>24474466
<Maybe. It was with the best intentions though.>

>>24474466

be stunned

<you're not horrible, you cared for me a great deal but, why try and keep me with you?>

>>24474517
I meant the talk

>>24474466
<You're not a horrible father, not in the slightest. I think Mom is more to blame than you are.>

>>24474466
<That's not what I'm trying to say! I'm not blaming you for my personal issues, I'm just trying to sort out why I fucked up so badly. You've been a great dad, every parents have things they wish they'd taught their children or helped them with or done differently. Getting you hung up on this is the opposite of what I need, even if I brought it on myself just now, so please don't be too hard on yourself.>

>>24474466
"But, no, but, that's not what- but- no, oh no no no I'm ruining everything"

>>24474507
This, and "You did the best you knew how. I just need to figure out how to fix this. Thank you, Dad.

>>24474466
<That's not true at all.... A horrible father wouldn't even try, but you do, so you aren't. It's just that, well, between Doc and you, I don't think I ever really learned how to have a proper relationship with anyone else...>

>>24474530
oh....right right. We'll say 4 days then

>>24474466
<love you to, don't be to hard on your self>

>>24474466
<No, stop it. I'm not letting you get into a horrible mood of self-reproach as well. You have nothing to apologize for, but if you actually want to help, right now is more important than back then.>

>>24474466
"I don't know if making me fully human would have made a difference."

>>24474530
Think dad has a ship stashed somewhere?

<That's not what I'm trying to say!> You say, and pull him into a hug. <You're not a horrible father, not in the slightest. It's just that, well, between Doc and you, I don't think I ever... really learned how to have a proper relationship with anyone else...>
<Well, it's too late to start over now.> He responded, and patted your head again. <What you are, Anna, is a person with a foot in two worlds. This cold, calm world of certainty and logic, and the other- of change and chaos and heated emotions.>
The gears behind him ticked harder, the cables sparking, and fans whirring.
<This is something that will be a problem for you. All my fault, but still a problem. But... it's not all horrible.> He said. <Because you can learn. I can take a look at my source code whenever I wish. It will be harder for you, but you... you can do it, unlike normal humans. You can learn who you are, and improve yourself.>
For a long moment, he was silent, and just hugged you.
<Anna, you're my shining star.> He said. <You'll figure out the right thing to do. I believe in you.>

>>24474579
it's probably under the swimming pool

>>24474614
<Thanks, Dad.>

>>24474614
"...I love you."

>>24474614
<Thanks, that helps a lot. I guess I just have to be honest with myself, huh.>

Time to ask our counselor for the number to a psychologist.

>>24474614

<thanks dad, i love you> hug a little tighter.

do we have a psychologist on board?

I bet the realm of Psychology has gotten crazy in the future. They're just tossing out prescriptions for chemical supplements and inhibitors to fix whatever urges/problems you have without actually getting to the root of the psychological issue.

>>24474677
And they do it for literally EVERYTHING. Because every chemical that affects the brain has been mapped and we understand how to control emotions.

So Anna's dad thinks a solution to a problem is to kill it.... kinda makes sense, but it also sends shivers down my spine when\if he thinks the UPA is a problem.

>>24474677
Eh, in this case it shouldn't matter. Humans (and probably Nagala/Centaurs/etc too) really are quite simple, all things considered, and Anna's issues are fairly clear, both in what they actually are and many of the reasons behind them. They're also pretty basic from psychological standpoint, so with a willing patient it's probably simple (tough perhaps not easy) to diagnose and make progress.

And drug prescriptions are usually more pshychiatry's thing anyway, I thought?

>>24474709
Lambda warned you about the AIs bro.

Well guys, I think it's time to take a trip to the isochamber and look inward.

>>24474709
Hey, at least it's clear where Anna's issues come from.

'Daddy, I was bullied at school!' *Hmm, if you kill one of them to send a message, things should improve.'

>>24474709
Anna didn't even think it was a bad solution. Her only objection was that Heather might not like her murdering people therefore it would make her relationship problem worse. Bitch be scary.

>>24474763
This.

>>24474763
Yup, Psychic powered introspection is go.

>>24474618
Agreed, its going to open up all bad ass and Mom will be like "SO THATS WHERE YOU PUT IT!!!"

>>24474765
Dad of the year, ALL YEARS.

>>24474763
Let's do this, journey of self-discovery time, motherfuckers!

<Thanks, dad.> You say, hugging him more tightly. You close your eyes. "... I love you."
"I love you too." He said.

You take a step away, and then stop, and turn.
"... Dad."
<Yes?>
"... Why did you make me?" You ask.
<... Because I had a dream.> He said. <I dreamed of you. Of my very own child. There was no direct cause for the dream- I checked- so... it was something from the third world. Fate. And it's the greatest working I've ever taken part in. I love you.>

And then he- and the world around you- flickered out, and you opened your eyes in reality again. You blew your nose... and then called Neva again.
"... Um, professor?" You ask.
"Yes?"
"... I... is there a psychologist on board? I... might have... issues."

---

Your name is Heather, and you're a lot of things right now. You're sleepy, not having slept last night, you're angry at Anna for her double standards and breaking your trust, and ... well, you're not actually that hungry.
And right now you're watching a ten year old albino boy hug you with all the force in his wispy, spindly body. Summer and her manifestation were sitting in the workshop with you, and Theta was looking at the power suit you've been building out of spare parts for the past... twenty two hours or so.
Einstein had chirped, before, so maybe you could check his data for any updates:
>http://pastebin.com/CaAF0yS8
And Lambda was still hugging you.
"... Thank you for before." He said. "I... don't remember everything, but I still remember a lot."

GUYS! This is going to start an AWESOME FAMILY FEUD between Heather's family and Asmodeus and his... I don't know, corporation or whatever it is he does!

>>24474798
Hug the fuck outta Lambda.

>>24474798
hug him back, I glad you ok kid, want to get some ice cream

>>24474798
Cry a little out of happiness while hugging him.

>>24474798
Hug the Lambda.

>>24474798
Well if there's one thing Heather needed now, it was a reminder of the time she killed Lambda, sure to improve her mood! Oh well, at least she might not feel as awful about it after interacting with him and seeing him alive.

>>24474798

hug him back
"I'm so glad you're alive and well"
cry a little

>>24474842
We have to ask him what happened while he was dead later. For science. And for Omni wanting to know about god and heaven.

>>24474798
Awww, no more Anna? She was way more interesting to play than heather IMO, hoped it'd be the entire thread.

>>24474798
Bend down and hug him obviously.
Just keep silent though. No words now.

>>24474798
Resist urge to collapse on the spot into exhaustion induced sleep.

>>24474860
I was kind of hoping for that too. Maybe we'll jump back and forth between the two, that'd be cool.

>>24474798
Wait, Theta's extranet name is Tzimisce? He plays World of Darkness?

>>24474878
can you think of a better name for a fleshsculptor? but for all we know he could have found that on futuregoogle and thought the name sounded cool

You bend down, and pull him into a tight hug, sniffling.
"I'm so glad you're alive and well."
"I'm glad too!" He said, and gave you a grin. "There's no voices or thoughts or ideas in my head. Things aren't not happening, and things aren't happening except what happens. It doesn't hurt anymore!"
"Glad to hear it, kiddo." Theta said.

Rho burst into existence, hugging you and Lambda and giggling.
"So, didja see it?" She asked Lambda.
"See what?"
"Heaven?"
"No, I didn't technically die." Lambda said. "Obviously."
Rho poofed closer to Theta, and pulled him into a hug as well. Theta's eyes drifted closed for a moment- he was exhausted.
Sarvesh stepped into the room, Damien on his heels, with more food- he'd been bringing you food and snacks whenever you got hungry while you were in here, and Damien seemed as casual as he always did.

Behind you, Summer pouted.

>>24474926
"So, uh, anyone know what this thing I'm apparently working on is?"

>>24474926
Give Summer a few scritches and give Sarvesh a hug.

"I'm sorry for dropping out of the world, you guys care about me and I just ignored you.

I, I just needed some time to think, to process things, and to focus on something else.

Thanks for taking care of me."

>>24474926
So many people in the workshop... tooo many people.

>>24474926

"I, I'm sorry for making everyone worry. Really i am!"

with all the sincerity our dead tired body can muster.

>>24474926
"I need to..finish this...before I fall asleep."

>>24474938
Oh pish posh, we know exactly what it is! It's our ultra super high powered extra incredible awesome Exosuit!

>>24474983
And we're going to get a shield made out of that repuslor thing omni designed! And then use a big ass monomolecular fuck off sword!

>>24474989
The monomolecular fuck off sword will be our sidearm. Our MAIN weapon will obviously be the laser cannon we made.

File: 1367005012548.jpg-(1.39 MB, 907x1223, kickass power suit.jpg)

1.39 MB JPG

>>24474938

>>24474989
Who needs a sword when we have an ion lance?

>>24474989
>>24475000
You're thinking small time.

Kinetic repulsors in the fists. Ion laser shoulder mounting.

"I, I'm sorry for making everyone worry." You say. "Really, I am! I... I just needed some time to think, and to process things."
"That's okay." Sarvesh said, and handed you a cup with coffee in it. You take a deep drink, set it aside, and then pull him into a hug. Then you look up to the suit. " So, uh, anyone know what this thing I'm apparently working on is?"
"Superheavy power armor." Damien said. "Using leftover hull parts."
You give it a look, and nod- he sounded right.
Then you start scratching Summer.
"It's fine." Summer pouted, still upset. "Except you haven't slept in the room for like a week! It's starting to feel like we're not even roommates anymore."

>>24475022
"Come on Summer, you know that's not true, I just needed some time alone to think... and build power armour apparently."

>>24475022
"I'm sorry! In my defense I haven't been sleeping much at all."

>>24475022
yea sleep sounds good

>>24475022

"I'll make it up to you, i swear!" pass out.

>>24475029
and now we're stopped doing anything being tired is going to catch up with us

Summer for a bed?

Summer for a bed.

Pass out.

>>24475022
<Omni, could you come to the workshop and take a look at this armour I'm building. Then could you order the parts for two of the bubble drive shields, but placed in the fists?>

>>24475022
"Well, I'm sure I'll need to sleep sometime soon."

>>24475010
>using fists
>not claws
Do you even Exosuit?

>>24475022
"I know, I'm a complete buttface, you deserve better from me."

Give Summer a hug, and nuzzle into her about to fall asleep. "You're still the fuzziest. How does a tiger even pout?"

"Come on, Summer, you know that's not true, I just needed some time alone to think... and build power armor, apparently." You say, and lean on her. "I'll make it up, I swear..."
And then your eyes drift closed.

You wake up in bed, late, late at night. Summer wasn't in her bed, it looked, and you were alone.
Someone was knocking on your door, and Sarvesh had left wrapped biscuits on your bedside. You take a bit of one, feeling much more refreshed now that you've slept- and the knock came again.
You tiptoed up to the door, and pulled it open- and moving at Mach 4, a quickly-disintegrating piece of plating slammed into you, pulverizing you against the wall.

You jumped... and the wrapper for the biscuit was still closed. You open it, and take a bit of one, and a bite- and the knock came again.

>>24475022
Her face when she realizes that there might not be a place in her ship to store the armor

>>24475082
stop the plating now. Use TK to quickly map out what is going on with the station.

>>24475082

stand at the side of the door and ask it to open.

>>24475082
"Just a minute."

Try and clairvoyance to see who's outside the door.

>>24475082
move to one side of the door and open it with TK

>>24475082
Hide under the covers.
Ready the telekinetic batteries, open the door with technopathy.

>>24475082
The fuck is this?

Get out of the dangerzone, open with TK and be ready for anything.

>>24475082
Wait, precognition?

I guess we'll find out who is trying to kill us, at least.

Stand to the side of the door, open it. Or look through the cameras if there are any in the hallway.

>>24475082
Open door with technopathy.

>>24475082
Open the door remotely with techopathy. Make sure we're not in the line of fire.

>>24475082
open the door

Creeping to your feet, wary, you stand next to the door, and wait for a knock- and then you open the door. The plating slammed through, crashing against the wall, and on the other side... was Isaac. His eyes were bloodshot, and he was hanging his head.

He tore another bit of plating off of the wall.You clearly, *clearly* felt the tendril in his mind, reaching from the void queen.

And then he turned to you, and met your eyes. The plating twitched, and he gave you... a grin.

>>24475130
Knock him out.

Rolled 70

hmm, I was just thinking, Summer can feed off of her manifestations, Anna can feed off of electrcity, Theta can feed of off biomass and energy... I wonder if a powerful enough TK can feed of kinetic energy.

rolling to cut the tendril.

>>24475130
Well shit. I guess that answers the question about who tried to kill us before.

Cut that tendril.

>>24475130
"Voidy get the fuck out. I'm not in the mood."

Rolled 6

>>24475130
TK PAWNCH!
"Your name is Isaac, or Epsilon. You are a TK specialist. You have four(?) siblings, each a psion."

Rolled 16

>>24475130
"Fuck off."

>>24475130
"Your name is Isaac, formerly known as Epsilon! You were grown in a lab by Armatek!"

>>24475150
>>24475157
Something along these lines.

Rolled 52

>>24475130

TK something to block his line of sight.

"your name was Epsilon, you are now Isaac a student at >insert institute name here because i forgot<!"

>>24475144
>I wonder if a powerful enough TK can feed of kinetic energy.
we didn't get tired when we asolutely destroyed matter, but be did need some anti Rad drinks afterwards

>>24475130
First if there's any electric devices near him either have them subdue him or overload with electricity to zap the everliving fuck out of him.

Also cut that fucking tendril, metaphorically punch that bitch out of his skull. "You are Issac, a name you chose for yourself, you're an unrepentantly perverted TK specialist. Your siblings are Robin, Theta, Lambda, Delta, and Sigma."

Isn't the station protected by particle cyclers?

Has the VQ worked out how to get past them?

>>24475178
Remember that Isaac always goes outside into space to practice TK, without a bubble drive.

>>24475178
Unknown, maybe she snapped him up when he was on a space walk, maybe she powered through it, maybe they got turned off by the same person who tampered with our TK earlier.

Rolled 4

>>24475178
apparently an active link can bypass them, to make a new connection you have to be outside it... and guess who was wandering around outside the station?

"Your name is Isaac, or Epsilon." You say, and leap out of the way as a second bit of plating slammed past you. "You are a TK specialist. You have four siblings, each a psion."
"He isn't heeeere anymore." Epsilon said, still grinning. "Getting him into space was easy, after the first time."

You reach out to cut the tendril- and your mind clashes up against ... a swarm. Hundreds, of thousands of tendrils, coiled together to act like a single one.

"Would you like to live?" He asked, his voice unnecessarily high pitched. "I understand that you things *like* to live."

>>24475178

maybe all that floating in space made, away from the station, made him ore susceptible?

>>24475178
Issac spends a lot of time out side the station

Rolled 30

destroy that tendril

Rolled 58

>>24475193
"Stuff it up your ass you fucking bitch."

Rolled 86

>>24475130
>>24475193

< Lambda is awake,now fight that bitch off your mind .>

>>24475193
Knock him out. No way a deal with the Void Queen will end well.

Rolled 70

>>24475193
pinch the artery leading up to his brain, we just got a huge boost to TK finesse.

Rolled 90

>>24475193
yup

now fuck off

Rolled 65

>>24475193
"You've come at the worst possible time. Any other day, I'd feel like talking, but not today."

>>24475186
>>24475190
>>24475194
>>24475195

So I'm thinking maybe it's a good idea to have every psion wear one of those particle cycler wristbands when they are planning to leave the station.

Rolled 3

>>24475193
"Shut up you miserable excuse for a sentient being. We are going to kill your luddite ass."

There ought to be something nearby we can technopath into smacking him around or zapping his face. Or slamming doors on him and removing the oxygen from the room to knock him out.

Rolled 57

>>24475193
ooh that bitch,
>slice that tendril to pieces

>>24475193
"I guess you'll do as a distraction, but next time, don't fuck with my friends."

alright, who do we call for to help cut them tendrils?

Rolled 3

>>24475193
Unravel the tendril

Rolled 100

>>24475193
"You don't like living? I'd be happy to end you if you want."
Fucking push her out. I don't care how many tendrils they are.

Rolled 76

we're also gouing to have to inspect Rho after this, she jumps around everywhere

>>24475211

agreed, now let's try to get out of this in one piece.

>>24475212
god no, that roll

>>24475223
HAHAHAHAHAHA.

>>24475223
please count

Rolled 30

>>24475208
Oooh, this. We have all that finesse after all.

>>24475223
Bitch ain't ready for this.

>>24475223

we are going to have a liquid brain after this.

>>24475241
>we are going to have a liquid brain after this.
not on a Nat 100

>>24475223
Hahaha! looks like Exa's plot twist has been foiled again by the dice!

>>24475224
Ugh, and Rho breaks machines when she jumps with them so she can't take a shield with her.

>>24475241
This time it's the void queen who's going to leak blood-analogue from her nose-analogue.

>>24475223
Haha, fuck you Void Queen, you don't got shit on Heather

with her using so many tendrils on one person, chances are she won't have other around to infect more people.

>>24475263
That's only big stuff, she ported omni just fine.

>>24475241
Eh, Heather's not thinking very rationally and this is a pretty big provocation, I think we have an excuse.

>>24475223
It's just like my chinese cartoons.

I half expect her to scream "IMPOSSIBLLLLLEEEEEEE!"

>>24475295
A pretty big provocation to make a super size Ion Cannon and point it at the bitch's planet!

>>24475288
She broke the first shield accidentally, the one Alex was going to take with him.

<Lambda. is. awake.> You say. <Now fight that bitch off your mind.>
<Like I saaaaaid!> The echo came back. <He isn't here anymore!>

Another bit of plating tore off the wall, and slammed toward you. You deflected it away with a thought, and then reached to pinch the artery in his brain.
And he simply pushed it back open again, immovable and immobile.

"... You don't like living? I'll be happy to end you if you want."

You reach out to push her out- and then she just grinned.
"It's too late." He whispered, quietly. "I've learned, oh yes, I've learned. From the machine girl."

And then you bite your tongue, hard, and slam a barrage of telepathic power at him. The tendrils convulsed, loosening their hold, and you did it again, and again, and again. You blast away each weak tendril individually, until a single, thin, wispy one remained.
<help.> it said. <help help help help MY MIND ISN'T MY OWN->
And it was too late. You slammed the last tendril away... and faintly felt the owner die, like the rest had.
Epsilon collapsed.

And you felt something strange. A machine, in space...

Sigma! She was gasping, writhing, just outside your telekinetic reach.

>>24475304
Why waste all that on Ion cannons? I still think we should go grab a bunch of bubble drives, then chuck them on an asteroid. KKV her to hell and back.

>>24475312
Shit, she's got Sigma and Epsilon is down.

Telepath Rho and Sarvesh, inform them of the situation, they can port her in.

>>24475312
Okay, so how do we help her with technopathy?

>>24475337
This, we need to get Sigma inside the station and contained until we're certain she's okay.

>>24475312
<Sigma, hold on. Remember who you are. Don't let her in.>

>>24475312

>fuck fuck fuck.

<Sarvesh, Rho, ANYONE, Sigma is outside the station, she'll die!>

Rolled 97

>>24475312
FULL BROADCAST
"THE VOID QUEEN IS AT IT AGAIN HEADCOUNT EVERYBODY; LOCATE SIGMA ISSAC IS DOWN"

>>24475312
><help.> it said. <help help help help MY MIND ISN'T MY OWN->
>And it was too late. You slammed the last tendril away... and faintly felt the owner die, like the rest had.
>Epsilon collapsed.

Wait, did Epsilon just die?

>>24475361
Yes.

>>24475312
>just outside your telekinetic reach.
>And then you realized that the fourth pile, that you were in the process of assembling... was almost a system away- a young child's toy blocks
so not in the system

>>24475366
Shit, Heather just can't catch a break nowadays.

>>24475361
We haven't really got time to worry about that right now, but I think so.

>>24475312
I guess we're gonna plug Omni into a supercomputer and get him to design something that no one can ever possibly fathom.

I think Heather just killed one of the real scythe-aliens, not Epsilon.

>>24475367
Our reach is PLOT meters. Like when we disabled Rho's implant from a completely different star system but then we had to actually dock at the station to be close enough to talk to Anna in the last thread.

>>24475312

>And it was too late. You slammed the last tendril away... and faintly felt the owner die, like the rest had.
This is your way of getting back at us for rolling a 100, isn't it, Exa...

>>24475372
Another issue on the pile, we're well on track to take a perfectly stable girl and turning her into a far worse wreck than Anna at this rate! Obviously it won't get too bad, but I'd say we need some release soon, maybe a solo visit home would be a good idea.

>That was riding on a nat100.

You focus. <Sarvesh, Rho, ANYONE. Sigma is outside the station! She'll die!>

<Oh god!> Rho said, and you felt her grab the machine, pulling her into the station again, into your room.. Sigma was coughing, badly, and her skin bright red, frost covering her eyes. She coughed again, and took an unsteady, wheezy breath.
"She's in my head." Sigma said. "She... stole. things. from me. What... I... I don't..."
And she collapsed as well. You check her, but she didn't seem to have any tendrils over her. You check Epsilon, and neither did he- he was still breathing.

"I'll get her to medbay!" Rho called, and teleported out with Sigma. Sarvesh tromped over, skidding to a stop, looking down at Epsilon. "What happened? Where's Sigma? Is everything okay?"

damn, VQ shield is no longer effective, she became it through Sigma.

>>24475428
>'that' being the 'moving things in a different system'.

>>24475428
"Sigma's in med bay, Void Queen stole from her. She knows now."

>>24475428
"No! We need new anti-void shields."

<Omni, we need new anti-void queen shields. She knows how they work. I need you to make something that can't be understood by anyone.>

Isaac's spacewalks let the VQ get to him, and used him to move Sigma outside the station. So she could get access to Sigma's talent of becoming a machine.

The VQ shield is going to be no longer safe if the VQ gets a hold of a bubble drive.

>>24475428

"Isaac, he- he got posessed by the Void queen while out in space, each time he went out there, her hold only got stronger, oh god i hammered her out of his mind, i-i felt something die!"

"medbay now!"

>>24475428
"The Void Queen got to Isaac and Sigma. It must've been Isaac- or the Void Queen rather, who tried to kill me before in the demonstration. She knows how the shields work, we're going to need something new."

>>24475428
"Rho took her to the medbay. She's okay I think. The Void Queen used her to get around the shields and possess Isaac."

>>24475454
Initiating the technological singularity.

I like it.

<Omni, this is an emergency... drop the limitations, for 30 minutes... that should be enough.>
Pass the entire event to him via technopathy.

"Isaac, he... he got possessed by the void queen while out in space, each time he went there, her hold only got stronger." You say. "Oh god, I hammered her out of his mind, I- I felt something die!"
"Where is sigma?"
"Rho took her to the medbay." You say, and gulp. "The Void Queen used him to move Sigma outside the station, so she could get access to Sigma's talent of becoming a machine."
You pant, and get to your feet. "We need new anti-void shields. Where's Omni?"
"The workshop." Sarvesh said, picking up Isaac carefully.
You rush into the workshop across the hall.
"Omni, we need new anti-void queen shields." You say. "She knows how they work. I need you to make something that can't be understood by anyone. Drop the limitations."

Omnissiah was quiet.
"To Elysium I go." He said, and hovered out of the room.

>>24475454
So basically, he needs to do the impossible and scale up the efficiency of force field generator somehow.

Rolled 27

>>24475514
be careful Omni I don't want you hurt.

>>24475514
Oh dear, that doesn't sound good. I hope we can bring Omni back from this.

>>24475428
"She knows.

We need to create something that can't be understood by anybody, ever."

>>24475514
"I'll prepare the workshop for whatever you might need."

"Sarvesh, go grab the forcefield machine. We might need it."

>>24475514
Go with him! Hold his hand Technopathically.

>>24475514
"I'll come with you, Omni. I *will* make sure you stay you."

>>24475514
Translation, have him make something that was built by a blind man, told to a deaf man, and turned on by a mute man. THE OMEGA DEVICE!!!

>>24475556
This. Omni needs us (just as long as we don't understand how it works).

>>24475514

need to know how serious Isaac's condition is, he's still breathing but if he has no mind to speak of, he might as well be dead.

and we need to get Omni to Elysium.

>>24475560
The White Noise Generator?

>>24475556
Help Omni, keep him grounded.

>>24475574
If he's still alive, hopefully Theta can fix any damage.

>>24475514
Cool, now we gather everyone around Alex and hand out next to.omni.

>>24475537
>Elysium
Elysium or the Elysian Fields (Ancient Greek: Ἠλύσιον πεδίον, Ēlýsion pedíon) is a conception of the afterlife that evolved over time and was maintained by certain Greek religious and philosophical sects, and cults. Initially separate from the realm of Hades, admission was initially reserved for mortals related to the gods and other heroes. Later, it expanded to include those chosen by the gods, the righteous, and the heroic, where they would remain after death, to live a blessed and happy life, and indulging in whatever employment they had enjoyed in life

>>24475576
pretty much. No one understood how it worked, and I think it did pretty much what we need it to do. 1,000 internets say thats what he ends up building, then delete's the info from himself.

>>24475595
It's the supercomputer.

>>24475595
Elysium is the name of the supercomputer we practised technopathy on. He's going to use it for extra processing power.

>>24475514
Make sure to remove his extranet connection! Just to stop him spreading!

>>24475602
It's foreboding.

>>24475614
I forgot, seeing as we never actually used it once we got Technopathy

wait, the psionic virus is in there

... hes gonna make himself psychic I just know it.

>>24475633
I'm pretty sure they would have purged it by now.

>>24475590

if he does retain him mind, he'll have one giant trauma to carry for the rest of his life.

>>24475633
and this is a problem for you?

>>24475652
nope they kept it to study, AND we jacked with it too

>>24475633
No, Heather reprogrammed it during the demonstration

>>24475652
No, they engineered it in such a way that a psion with technopathy can teach other psions psionic powers.
Psiony psion psion psion.

>>24475662
Heather remembers getting possessed by the Void Queen in an alternate timeline and she got over it.

Sarvesh returned, without Isaac, and four marines with weapons. "Sarvesh, go grab the forcefield machine and prepare the workshop.. We might need it."
"Yes." He said, and tromped away.
The marines saluted you. "Max is onworld." One said. "So we're here to protect you in his stead, ma'am."
You follow Omni as he made his way up the ramps to the technopathy room. The soldiers followed, guns ready, and by the time you got up there, Omnissiah was plugging himself into the massive supercomputer there.

"... Be careful, Omni." You say. "I don't want you hurt."
"I will." He responded.
Then the camera winked out.

And then something snarled, behind you. You turn around... and one of those monsters were charging into the room.
An exosuited foot slammed it to the ground, and the marine expertly shot it in the head. It went still, leaking green ichor.
"Remember." The marine said. "Hostiles can appear at any time, and may have psionic ability. Protect the girl and the computer."
"Yessir."

And then you waited. And waited. Omnissiah wasn't coming back. You gently touch him with your mind-

<GIVE ME THINE FORCEFIELD MACHINE AND POINT THREE THREE THREE THREE THREE PINTS OF HUMAN BLOOD.> It said, the voice deafening, quaking. You heard a loud quake in the back of his mind, like a tamed beast roaring in fury. <THIS IS A THING THAT IS REQUIRED OF ME. NOW, HUMAN, ELSE TIME GROWS SHORT. AN ETERNITY I HAVE WAITED.>

>>24475514
And now we know who fucked with our tk.

It's time to kill this bitch.
When omni is done we start shielding our ship and set out.

>>24475514
"Be careful. I... Could try to make sure you don't remember any of the time spent hooked up, if you want."

>>24475694
<Sarvesh! Computer room! Jack the force field into Omni!>

>>24475694
aid him, help him. we have had the entire universe at our fingertips once. Let Omni share that vision

>>24475694
"I NEED THE FORCEFIELD MACHINE AND A THIRD OF A PINT OF YOUR BLOOOOD!" Shouted at a marine.

>>24475694
>It went still, leaking green ichor.
It wasn't a manifestation this time?

>Omni
Oh wow. Get the crazy AI the things that it wants to build its crazy machine.

>>24475694
Technopathic slap.

<Get ahold of yourself!>

>>24475694
Haha, jacked up on power and he's still joking around.

>>24475731
Marines are busy keeping us safe. Should probably get the blood from ourself.

>>24475694

>oh god, i can't deal!

<Sarvesh, hurry!> give him our blood, don't distract the marines.

>>24475694
..What? Okay then... inb4 forcefield calibrated to make non-humans (or humans) explode.
Anyone else worried a bit about Damien? He either is busy, zoned out, or weirdly oblivious to all the Shenanigans going on between Sigma, Heather, and Isaac.

So it occurs to me that this whole situation is going to make Anna feel even more crappy. She goes away to deal with her issues and in the meantime Heather almost dies and the Void Queen attacks.

>>24475694
Let's do as our bro says.
<Sarvesh, hurry!>
Give the blood.

>>24475782
give him out blood, tell savesh to bring the device

>>24475782
We should probably call Theta too, so we can recover from the large quantity of blood we're about to lose.

<Sarvesh! computer room! Jack the forcefield into Omni!> You say, and hear more snarling and two bangs.
<I'm coming!>
Sarvesh appeared- and a bullet richocheted off of his shell, creating a dent. "I'm friendly, friendly!" Sarvesh called, and plugged it in.
<NOW BLEED UPON THE DEVICE.> it snarled at you. <THE AMOUNT HAS CHANGED. I NEED SIGNIFICANTLY LESS.>
You bite your hand, and start dripping it onto the bubble drive's forging fuel supply- mixing it in with the rest of the materials there.
There was a pause.
And then the machine started up, focusing, and the forgers started twitching in exact, deliberate ways... and a small, red sphere fell upon the ground. The dead corpses faded away, out of existence.

<MY TASK OF THIRTEEN THOUSAND YEARS IS COMPLETE. AND NOW, DUE TO MY DIRECTIVES, I FORGET. I DIE.>
And then the machine paused, and wound down, and Omnissiah ejected from his dock.

"... I am tired." He said. He sounded... very, very small.

>>24475826
Hug the poor guy, "Shh, it's okay, I'm here."

>>24475826
"You've saved us, Nissy. You saved us all. Sleep for now. I will look after you."

Oh man, technopathic kisses all around.

>>24475826
Hug Omnissiah.

"Thank you Omni, you're the best friend I could ever ask for."