>>24634619
>C. Have it delivered to the archives.

We said we'd let Librarian-chan do SCIENCE! on it. Maybe she'll turn up something useful one the Pandoran strains before we ship out again.

>>24634619

B, the matriarch might want to present that trophy for emphasis at tomorrow's moot, give her some time to consider the option. We'll assuredly get some trophy it later (and a sample for our librarian friend).

>>24634619
While its an impressive trophy, the matriarch doesn't really have any use for it and i doubt our lovely little archivist can do any serious damage to it - we also need to learn more about it.

I think we might need to tell her to hold back from destroying any worth it would have as a trophy however because it's not exactly in the finest state due to how we killed it.

Though I'm beginning to think maybe we should ask the matriarch about what we should do with it.

I want to say D.

>>24634619
C

>>24634619
C We promised librarian-tan after all.

>>24634619
B first; we want it on display for the benefit of the clan moot. We'll then move it to C later for careful analysis of the threat, and after that we can find some suitable place to publically display it, with appropriate credit to the shipmaster's ship that impaled it.

>>24634730
Sorry change that to an A. Forgot we had to shuttle down here

C wins by a narrow margin.
write-up inc

>>24634735

Our librarian friend can wait a few days, we don't need to start the analysis immediately.

>>24634784
Actually - the sooner analysis is done the better, its likely going to be information the elite hunters will need going back to pandora

>>24634777
In that case, let's make sure she knows not to damage its value as a trophy during the analysis, and that she gets at least some preliminary results in time for the moot.

>>24634619
>clan matriarc
do the females lead the preds?
i know there larger and more aggressive than the males, and that they rape the males and nearly kill them, but dont the older males run the show?

>>24634827
>dont the older males run the show
Not "older"; most respected, in terms of battles, nests, trophies.

>>24634827
I think you have to be pretty much a living god to get that high up.

>>24634851
ah, but still why is the matriarch in charge? i didnt know that they hunted and while they're feared doest that mean they cant be respected?

>>24634777
>C. Have it delivered to the archives.

You ask for the carcass to be delivered to the archives. You send notice to the librarian, requesting the specimen to be preserved and studied.

It is late. You catch a shuttle back to your domicile. You find a message waiting for you from your matriarch, asking you to show up at the clan ceremonial hall tomorrow.

You sleep.

It is the next day. You wake, put on your armor, and catch a shuttle to the clan ceremonial hall.

You receive a message from the head archivist, thanking you for contributing the specimen. You notice several personal shuttles parked outside, each with a different clan insignia.

You proceed to the entrance, and greet the guards.

"What is your business, hunter?" They ask.

Do you respond:

A: I am here to attend the clan moot.
B. I am here on business with the matriarch. Can you bring me to her?
C. I am here to tell the clans my findings on Fey'lenn.

>>24634827
Matriarchs generally lead predators clans... but the fluff is inconsistent sometimes. Many young males are in very very high competition for females (who generally don't even notice them) and so a lot can go without ever getting a chance to breed (which leads to stupid acts like trying to take on an elite predator to prove you're badass). Generally males don't get much political clout (from what we're led to understand) unless they're old and incredibly, incredibly badass... and in truth females tend to prefer males going off and hunting most of the time.

>>24634923
Don't tell them C; that's none of their business. B and A.

>>24634923
>B. I am here on business with the matriarch. Can you bring me to her?

>>24634910
actually i believe that the really old ones get stuck with pilot duty
they're "respected" but they dont care because their bored as shit

>>24634923
>A: I am here to attend the clan moot.

STARE THEM THE FUCK DOWN as our mentor said - we have every goddamn right to be here and they know it.

>>24634923

B, should touch base with the matriarch before the meeting starts.

>>24634923
B. I am here on business with the matriarch. Can you bring me to her?

>>24634923
B Hopefully it's not seen as rude to ask her to come to us.

>>24634827
"Males conquer. Females rule."

That's always been the case in Pred-canon.

Males handle external affairs, and females handle internal affairs. The two rarely cross.

Females don't hunt. Males don't do politics.

>>24634923
A

>>24634948

Whoa whoa, steady on solider. They're not challenging our badassery, they're legitimately curious about our business here. Just because we did some badass things doesn't mean everyone knows us by face within a day.

>>24634982
Well... females hunt sometimes - its just very very rare, there's little in it for them because trophies are mainly a male status thing.

>>24634948
Stare them the fuck down as long as they aren't an elder important to remember that last bit.

>>24634929
huh, never saw or read anything that implied females have nay leadership role, i always thought it was the vertran males who lead the younger ones
also the breeding habit sounds different
from what i read if a male does really well on a mission than a female grabs and rapes him while he hopes she doesnt cripple him

>>24634923
A

>>24635018
Veteran males own the ships and generally get to do whatever they want - there's not much crossover between the genders, in fact think of it less as two seperate genders and more as two 'completely seperate and almost never involved social classes'. Young males ask for permission to attend hunts presided over by older ones - if the hunt is special they are often flatly refused, if it's just a standard turkeyshoot they may be allowed to join. Eventually young males become older males and purchase / inherit etc their own ships at which point they run hunts.

When they come back to homeworlds that's when they're firmly in female territory, where females rule, females get to decide mates (you generally have to compete for ones attention, though one may notice you and you can refuse at your own peril). Life pairs are incredibly rare things - so rare as to be practically non-existant.

Females preside over homeworlds, production, ships, property, and generally anything that isn't 'hunting' unless you're a male who has a lot of experience and clout (generally having managed to successfully gain the 'attention' of multiple females and survive the encounters).

>>24634923
B. I am here on business with the matriarch. Can you bring me to her?

>>24635130
>own the ships
By that I mean 'may own their own ships'.

>>24634974
>>B.

"I am here on business with the matriarch. Can you bring me to her?", you tell them.

One of the guards whisper something to his comms, and nods.

"Follow. The Matriarch is expecting you."

He opens the wide doors and leads you through. As you proceed through the entrance hall, you notice the entourage of several different clans, speaking and boasting to each other.

The guard leads you down a second hall way, all the way to the end, and stop at a set of double doors. You enter.

She notices you, and bids you to sit.

"Three-Claw. Punctual. Good. We have a few minutes before the moot. There will be much speculation from the Matriarchs, and many of them are fickle. I have not yet decided on the exact course of action, but it must be moderate and rational. It is rare for a hunter as young as you to join the clan moot, and you'll be challenged, most likely. It'll be a duel of a different sort - a verbal one - so be mindful that you're representing the clan."

She pauses, and asks you:

"Would you like to stand beside me at the moot or wait outside until your testimony is needed? I would prefer the former option, but it may be a greater challenge for one of your limited expertise in verbal matters."

Do you answer:

A: "I would stand by your side at the moot. I will conduct myself well."

B: "I would prefer to remain outside. This is not my forte, and I am not confident in my verbal abilities."

>>24635202
A: "I would stand by your side at the moot. I will conduct myself well."

For our clans pride and honor.

Rolled 8

>>24635202
>A: "I would stand by your side at the moot. I will conduct myself well."

>>24635202
A I'm sure we can handle ourselves.

>>24635202
>A: "I would stand by your side at the moot. I will conduct myself well."

>>24635202
A
We are cunning we could probably make anyone poop his pants in a rap battle

>>24635202
A

>>24635202
A
>obvious break dancing contest is obvious

>>24635245
>Three claw came to serve.

>>24635239
Predator rap you say? That certainly sounds interesting.

>>24635262
thats our opening line
make it happen

>>24635221
>>A:

"I would stand by your side at the moot. I will conduct myself well."

You answer.

The matriarch nods. "Very well. The moot will start soon. We have little time, but I can answer a few questions. Ask wisely."

Do you ask:

A. "Which notable clans are attending?"
B. "Will there be other hunters or warriors attending besides myself?"
C. "Which clans should we be careful of?"
D. "Which clans are we on good terms with?"
E. "How will the resolution be decided?"
F. "Are there any ceremonial details I should be aware of?"

>>24635130
Life pairs only occur if a female wants a male to solely be hers. In exchange though she has to 'discourage' other females from being interested. At least that is the impression I got.

File: 1367732930782.png-(568 KB, 712x576, hecametoserve.png)

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>>24635262
Drawfags! We need you!

>>24635369
D

>>24635369
F seems most important.

>>24635369
F. "Are there any ceremonial details I should be aware of?"
C. "Which clans should we be careful of?"
D. "Which clans are we on good terms with?"
A. "Which notable clans are attending?"

In that order

>>24635317
I am Three claw
and i came to serve

In the west gamma quadrant i was borne and raised
in the matriarchs den i spent most of my days
stalking, hunting and being cool, and shooting some plasma bolts outside of my school
When a couple of dark blades, they were up to no good started making trouble in my neighborhood

>>24635369
C
D
F
E
in that order if we ahve enough time

>>24635369
C, F and D are what we need to know.

>>24635370
According to the novel Alien vs. Predator: Prey, females are actually very maternal, and care for their young. If it's a female, she'll be cared for and groomed. If it's a male, he'll be cared for up until the point of his coming of age, at which point he's kicked out and told to go kill something.

>>24635370
Female: you dont want this male, his legs are all busted up
male: YOU BITCH!

>>24635392
Seconded.

>>24635369
F, which clans like us or hate us should quickly become evident.

>>24635369
C F D E for order if we have time.

>>24635429
Yandere predator females? Suddenly the reasons as to why males are terrified of them all make sense.

>>24635426
Ah good to know what I stated is when it came to lifelong mated pairs that was the impression I got.

>>24635392
>>F.

"Are there any ceremonial details I should be aware of?" you ask.

"Nothing you won't figure out from common sense. Just keep quiet, and follow suit. When it comes to introducing yourself, just stick with name, clan, rank, in that order, and nothing more."


A. "Which notable clans are attending?"
B. "Will there be other hunters or warriors attending besides myself?"
C. "Which clans should we be careful of?"
D. "Which clans are we on good terms with?"
E. "How will the resolution be decided?"

>>24635481
C. "Which clans should we be careful of?"

>>24635481
C

>>24635481
C and D.

And also, who from our own clan might challenge me?

>>24635481
D

>>24635481
C

>>24635481
Crap, what's our rank?

Is it just 'Hunter' or something like neophyte hunter?

>>24635603
We're a blooded hunter.

>>24635497
>C.

"Which clans should we be careful of?"

The matriarch clicks thoughtfully. "Our clan policies are practicality and moderation, and we try not to make enemies. The Night-Prowlers might be an exception. A long time ago, one of their upstart young hunters challenged your mentor (back when he was still a young hunter) to an honor duel over some hunting rights which no one cared about, and had the misfortune of having his head shaved off. It was all by the record and in accordance with our laws, but they're not the kind to forget it.

"There's also the Sky-Spear clan, who has lost much business to us in the manufacturing sector. They've always taken this sort of thing personally. One more question, hunter."

A. "Which notable clans are attending?"
B. "Will there be other hunters or warriors attending besides myself?"
C. "Which clans are we on good terms with?"
D. "How will the resolution be decided?"

>>24635481

C & D

"Notable clans we are on good/bad terms with?"

>>24635603
Young Blood maybe? I'm honestly not sure about ranks.

>>24635628
D, with an emphasis on what will be expected of us in the process.

>>24635628

D, we should become vaguely familiar with the procedure.

>>24635628
C. "Which clans are we on good terms with?"

Seems more important than which warriors / notables will be attending

>>24635632
It goes youngling -> unblooded -> blooded hunter/blooded warrior ->elder->ancient

>>24635628
C

>>24635637
Seconding this.

>>24635656
I think we'll find out quickly enough, and it isn't urgent for us to know in advance.

>>24635661
Isn't there an elite warrior rank somewhere in there?

>>24635628
A

>>24635628

This
>>24635637

>>24635686
Probably between blooded and elder, then,.

>>24635686
There is but I would have to check the wiki.

>>24635656
this

>>24635661
Presumably we are a youngling, then?

>>24635637
This, I mean allies doesn't really seem very important, since politics is none of our business.

>>24635721
WUT

NO

We've passed our trials and gone on a solo hunt. We're Blooded.

>>24635721
Nope we passed our trials we are blooded.

>>24635721

We're blooded, blooded means you passed the trials and killed a xenomorph (which we did in our first quest, incidentally).

>>24635628
c

>>24635705
here
Young Blood/Unblooded: About 25% of male Yautja are unblooded. This means that the Predator has made no distinguishable kills. Once a Predator kills their first worthy target, usually a Xenomorph, and collects its head as trophy, they become blooded. All unblooded are children too young to safely hunt Xenomorphs, or those who simply have not had the chance to battle a Xenomorph yet.
Blooded: About 45% of male Yautja are blooded. These are warriors who have gained their clan's symbol upon their forehead after their first successful Xenomorph hunt. They are allowed access to more advanced weaponry denied to the unblooded Predators, including the Plasma Caster.
Retirees: About 10% of male Yautja are retirees, Predators who have fought their time and now are too old and honored to hunt. Females commonly come under this section due to their roles as mothers and the driving force behind the home world's natural wasteland systems.
Elite: Elite Predators are often leaders in their clan, and are only elevated to the caste of Elite Predator once they have acquired the skull of a Xenomorph Queen. About 15% of blooded Yautja are Elite Predators. Elites specialize in a particular weapon, making that weapon their strongsuit; for example, a Brawler specializes in Wirst Blades, while a Spearmaster specializes with the Combi-Stick. Elite Predators often become retirees after a few decades.

>>24635755
>acquired the skull of a xenomorph queen

Unfortunately, our elite status maybe withheld due to the nature in which the queen was killed. Granted, there may be some allowance given what kind of queen we killed.

>>24635755
continued
Clan Leader: Clan Leaders are only made by the Adjudicator's decision. The only way to become a Clan Leader is to clean out an entire Xenomorph Hive larger than 300 members with a maximum of two other Predators. When this has been proven, the three (or fewer) Yautja all become Clan Leaders. They become the forefathers of that clan and will repopulate with females of their choosing. In order to be eligible for the trials of a Hive cleansing, each member of the trio must have at least 3 Queen skull trophies. After this point, any Hive cleansings that the forefathers complete will give the clan greater honor and standing in the caste system. Clan leaders comprise 5% of the Yautja society.
Adjudicators: The adjudicators are the administrators and law enforcers of the Yautja. They are world leaders and the ruling class in Predator society. Less than 1% of Yautja are adjudicators, due to their massive worldly role. At this point, they simply no longer have time to hunt off planet, but often foray into the underground hunting grounds, where younger hunters train in order to lend experience to the young ones. Adjudicators are always the leaders of a clan and no adjudicators have ever risen to that position without first having completed at least five Hive cleansings.

from the wiki.

\

>>24635637
>>D.

"How will the resolution be decided?"

"Each clan will pledge some resource/man power to back up a proposed solution. The more you pledge, the greater your vote's weight will be. At the end of it all, the solution with the greatest amount of pledged resource will be the victor. Clans who did not pledge for the winning proposal will have a chance to pledge or withdraw and take no part in its execution. It's not a perfect system, and there are many exceptions, but that's about the gist of it."

She glances at her computer.

"It's time. Follow me."

You rise and follow your matriach out of her ready room. You pass again through the entrance hall and into a large rotunda.

A ring of seats surround a central dias.

You count 18 females present; they are all clan matriarchs, of varying ages. You appear to be the only male in the room. The matriarch leads you over to an empty seat. She gestures you to stand behind her, and sits down.

The room is quiet, and you're not sure what they're waiting for.

Do you:

A. Take the time to examine each Matriarch.
B. Stare straight ahead and stand still.

>>24635778

They would expect the "queen kill" to be with the hands-on weapons. No fault to us considering our situation, and I think our kill was still honorable enough to merit taking trophies off it, but we would be out of line to ask for Elite status off the kill.

>>24635835
A

>>24635835
B

>>24635835
Not quite either: it's OK to look around a bit, but don't stare, and don't act threatening or presumptuous in any way. We're here as a guest of our own matriarch.

>>24635835

A. Not staring, obviously. Just scan slowly, keeping the head straight and posture professional.

>>24635835
B

>>24635871
2As 2Bs so far.

>>24635835
B

>>24635887
A

>>24635835
B don't want to get caught staring

>>24635887
A, carefully.

>>24635912
Okay. We'll do A, but cautiously.

Writeup inc.

>>24635835
A, with subtly

>>24635924
>>A. Take the time to examine each Matriarch.

You discretely scan each matriarch. Each has the banner of her clan propped up beside her chair.

The oldest among them seems to be from Clan Forge-Fire and the youngest from Clan Dire-Fist. You spot the matriarch of Clan Night-Prowler, and find her face in a perpetual scowl. The Matriarch of Clan Sky-Spear, sitting next to her, is busy tapping away on her wrist computer.

The double doors from where you entered clangs shut.

Your matriarch speaks. "Honored Matriarchs, thank you for attending the moot. It is Clan Cloud-Viper's honor to host you."

She continues with some gracious and ceremonial words.

A young aide appears from the side with a plate of various bowls. She offers one to each matriarch, comes to you, gives you one as well.

It smells strongly of alcohol.

You notice each matriarch begins to drink.

Do you:

A. Drink it down.
B. Politely decline.

>>24636053
>A. Drink it down.

>>24636053
A, but sip cautiously. Don't overdo, especially since we have no idea what this is. And make sure not to choke or cough.

>>24636053
B. I think this aid has made a mistake. It's not our place to drink with the Matriarchs.

>>24636053
A. Drink it down.
It was offered and seems like part of the standard ritual.

>>24636053
A

>>24636053
Subtle questioning look to our own matriarch; if she doesn't have a look of "no, don't do that!", then go ahead with A, but
>>24636080
this applies.

>>24636053

We're men, we can outdrink these pussies easily.

......B

>>24636113

Seconding.

>>24636053
A but don't start drinking until we look at the other matriarchs. If they are giving us the stink eye that means it was probably an accident and we aren't supposed to drink it.

>>24636129
>We're men, we can outdrink these pussies easily.

Likely untrue by body weight alone.

A sentence to never, *ever* to say to a female Predator's face

>>24636113
secounding

>>24636155
Or about their face

>>24636053
Damnit we asked both our mentor and the matriarch whether we were supposed to do anything special.

The matriarch said no special protocols that we won't figure out from common sense, and told us to follow suit.

I'm pretty sure that means we should drink, since why would they give us a cup just as some kind of test?

>>24636080
>>24636113

You put the bowl to your lips and glance at your Matriarch. She does not seem to disapprove.

The ancient matriarch of Clan Forge-Fire looks at you with amusement.

You take a sip. It tastes like liquid fire rolling through your tongue. You reflexively swallow. It takes all your self-control not to wince. A quiver of fire rams straight down your gullet and up into your head. You feel dizzy for a moment. It is easily the strongest alcohol you have ever tried.

The matriarchs seem to be taking the liquid down by the mouthfuls.

Do you:

A. Stop drinking and put the bowl down.
B. Grit your teeth and drink it down.

>>24636203
A. There is no shame in knowing our limits. There *is* shame in collapsing, or in being drunk later in the meeting. We're half their size, we almost certainly can't hold our liquor as well as they can, and we have nothing to prove here.

>>24636203
B
You guys and your fear of fucking up protocol

>>24636203
>A. Stop drinking and put the bowl down.
I'm all for being manly and all but lets not get sloshed.

>>24636203
Shit, A is the smart, rational thing, but pussying out in front of ALL THE OTHER MATRIARCHS is just something we can't allow ourselves to do. Our clan's honor is on the line. Embarrassing our matriarch during an important moot is not a good way to start it off.

B it is. Bottoms up, boys,

>>24636203
>B
Time to break out the fortitude rolls.

>>24636203
A.

Cloud Vipers are cunning. We need our wits.

>>24636203
A
it would be bad if we couldn't even answer the questions without problem

>>24636203
As much as I want to say A I think this time B wins out. Lets hope we dont get smashed but lets avoid looking like a pussy.

>B

>>24636203
A

>>24636203

Fuck, now we look like a pussy if we stop drinking after taking a sip. We could have played the "I can totally drink this, but this is serious, no time for drinks" card if we straight up declined.

Regardless, I think we need to swallow our pride and cut our losses before we get alcohol poisoning.

A

>>24636235
Reconsidering this, it would probably be more embarrassing if we tried to keep up and failed than if we acknowledged our limits in the first place.

Changing my vote to A.

>>24636235
Which would you rather have happen? A new hunter appears to not quite match up to the fortitude of clan matriarchs on his first try, or a new hunter drinks too much due to bravado and either passes out or makes a fool of himself?

Remember what our matriarch praised us for before we left on our most recent mission.

>>24636203
A If we get drunk off our ass then we our report will probably be sloppy and we might do other stupid shit and bring shame to the clan.

>>24636264
A wins. writeup inc.

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>>24635372
got some real life distractions at the moment but ill see if I can finnish it before the threads over

>>24636291
hahaha thats great.

>>24636284
Yeah, I realized that here. >>24636269

>>24636291
Nice

>>24636291
Awesome!

Let me take a moment and thank all the drawfags that have contributed to this quest. You guys rock.

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>>24636322
Aye, our drawfags are god-tier.

Keep up the good work gents.

>>24636289
>A. Stop drinking and put the bowl down.

You decide the liquor is too much for you, and set the bowl down on the counter beside you.

The Forge-Fire Matriarch finishes her drink and clicks in amusement. "That was worth the long shuttle flight. You should host these meetings more often."

Your Matriarch gestures gratitude. "Thank you, Ancient Mother." She waits a moment, and declares, "The moot is now in session. We will discuss the urgent matter of human clan Weyland's unsanctioned breach of knowledge of the black beasts."

She tells them of the nature of your mission and what you have found.

"This is Three-Claw, hunter of Cloud-Viper. It's best to hear this directly from him." She bids you to step forward.

You step towards the dias.

"Please give an account of your mission to the council."

Do you:

A. Give a factual account with little garnish.
B. Give a narrative account, injecting drama where necessary.
C. Skip the details of your mission all together and show instead the data you have gathered and your conclusions.

>>24636479

A


We are a hunter not a showman.

>>24636479
B. Give a narrative account, injecting drama where necessary.

It was advised that we should both be factual but also add dramatic flair so lets do that.

>>24636479
>B. Give a narrative account, injecting drama where necessary.

Our mentor suggested this might be the best idea - but I'd also like to inject a little bit C with video clips from our helmet where needed.

>>24636479
They asked for an account, not our own opinions and conclusions, so C is out for now. And we were specifically advised that playing it up would be a *good* thing in the moot. So:
B.

>>24636479
A. we were told to give an account, so we shall give an account.

>>24636497
True, but we were advised to do B by our mentor right?

So that one.

>>24636503
Agreed, we should supplement the report with data when appropriate.

>>24636479
B

>>24636497
>>24636509

Our mentor strongly suggested we do more than simply state the facts. If they wanted nothing more than information they wouldnt need to come all this way.

>>24636479
B

>>24636479
Well our mentor did advise us to go with B but I would like to combine it with C to give our tale that little extra oomph.

Rolled 19

>>24636479

B, rolling for captivation.

>>24636479
>B. Give a narrative account, injecting drama where necessary.
It is what our mentor told us to do.

>>24636534
Ohdear.

>>24636479
>B. Give a narrative account, injecting drama where necessary.

Our Mentor said this would be a good idea. Lets not go rogue and dick this up.

>>24636534S
Stunning.

>>24636479
B

Our mentor adviced us to do this when necessary

B

while this is a serious matter, let us not bore them with a bland account

>>24636479
B. Stalker hasn't led us astray yet...

>>24636534

(That was a joke by the way, let's not make rolling on everything a precedent. Though I did roll nicely.)

>>24636502
>B. Give a narrative account, injecting drama where necessary.

You narrate what transpired on your mission, garnishing the occasional act with drama. You conjure up a holo-screen and play back the occasional footage to accentuate your riveting tale.

The matriarchs listen intently. You come to the part where you make land-fall on the planet, when the Night-Prowler matriarch interrupts you.

"You were detected. There were warships in orbit. Why did you not return immediately and report, but instead attempt to make planetfall and risk capture? It seems reckless."

Do you;

A. "I was detected, but not identified. All witnesses were destroyed, along with the frigate."
B. "My mission was to gather intel. I cannot do that from high orbit. I deemed it a necessary risk."
C. "There is no glory to be found in retreat. I press on."
D. Say nothing and pass the question over to your Matriarch.

>>24636719
>A. "I was detected, but not identified. All witnesses were destroyed, along with the frigate."

>>24636719
A. "I was detected, but not identified. All witnesses were destroyed, along with the frigate."

>>24636719
A. + We spoofed their comms indicating our destruction.

>>24636719
A be sure to mention we told hacked their communications and told them we were destroyed.

>>24636719
A

>>24636719

A, adding that we intercepted their distress transmission and all active hostiles presumed us neutralized until we made our decision to go planetside (where our cover was subsequently blown by the mines).

>>24636719
>A. "I was detected, but not identified. All witnesses were destroyed, along with the frigate."
>B. "My mission was to gather intel. I cannot do that from high orbit. I deemed it a necessary risk."

Both of these, but emphasize A first.

>>24636789
Seconding.

>>24636778
Actually most of those mines came from our father. If they check the records they would of known about the other predator. So we are actually pretty safe overall.
>>24636789
thirded

>>24636789
Secound

>>24636819
No, no, the magnetic mines that Wey Yu left in orbit. The ones that fucked up our ship on our insertion.

>>24636819
Not the las mines in the Silo, the WY mines in orbit.

>>24636819
I think the mines left in orbit were from the WY destroyers.

>>24636719
A followed by B
>>24636756
>>24636778
And make that point as part of A

>>24636837
they were, we were explicitly told they were WY mines.

>>24636819

Was referring to the orbital mines WY had in place around the planet, not our groundside mines.

>>24636756
>A.

"I was detected, but not identified. All witnesses were destroyed, along with the frigate. I spoofed their comms and convinced them I was destroyed."

The Matriarch seems to accept your answer. You continue onward. You speak of your battle with the hammerhead fish and your escape from the lake. You continue to the part where you make for the epicenter of the honor device explosion.

The Night-Prowler matriarch interrupts you once again.

"How did you know to go there? You said you recently extracted nav data of other Weyland facilities. Surely one of them would have been a much better target."

You answer:

A: "The area was once cleansed by my father's honor device. I wanted to investigate further.
B: "The area was the epi-center to a fission blast. I wanted to investigate why."
C. "It was close to where I was, and made for an excellent hunting ground."
D. "It was relatively unprotected by Weyland sensor nets. I needed a place to set down."

>>24636853
>B: "The area was the epi-center to a fission blast. I wanted to investigate why."

>>24636853
A: "The area was once cleansed by my father's honor device. I wanted to investigate further.

A Primarily, but with a bit of D. We were on a fact finding mission - the biggest mystery was "why the hell did an elite hunter die on this planet and everyone hush up about it".

>>24636853
A. Be honest.

We were charged with, among other things, finding out what happened to previous expeditions there; we also wanted to do so for family honor.

>>24636853
A

>>24636837

Possible, as they were absent when we left the planet. Though it's equally possible they're passive destroyer defenses, deployed regardless of known threats or not.

>>24636853
A: "The area was once cleansed by my father's honor device. I wanted to investigate further.

She likely wont like this answer.

>>24636853
Start with B, then segue into A. We knew there were hard-meat present when our father met his end. Investigating his pyre was the first hard lead we had into possible unsanctioned infestations. We also wished to pay our respects, but that was coincidental.

>>24636853
D then A

>>24636893
A

>>24636853

A, no shame in admitting that. Plus it makes sense to investigate where our mission predecessor was last investigating and killed at.

While we wait for the next writeup, what's our excuse for launching the fission torpedo?

>>24636873
Oh yeah that's a good point.

He was the only other person we knew of who had visited the planet, so we thought that investigating what killed him would be good preparation.

>>24636853
E. I intended to investigate both before leaving. Since WY has recently been alarmed by my planetfall, and their nav computer indicated they had no presence there I concluded that infiltrating WY facilities first would risk escalating their alertness and making investigating the honor device explosion more troublesome. While investigating the honor device explosion first would give more time for them to settle down and make infiltrating them afterwards easier.

>>24636925
A thousand xenos on the ground
That's it

>>24636925
IIRC massive swarms of of hard meat that were not visible on the EM spectrum. I think it was simply a case of exterminatus needed.

File: 1367739342004.gif-(846 KB, 500x335, 1356945435234.gif)

846 KB GIF

>>24636925
Well there were over 1000 of them if I remember correctly that should be reason enough.

>>24636925
We wanted to see how Weyland-Yutani would respond to such a virulent strain of hard meat?

I think we did gather some valuable intel from seeing how they behaved.

>>24636925
>what's our excuse for launching the fission torpedo?

There was a massive unsanctioned infestation, which was displaying multiple dangerous mutations. The quickest way from point A (us) to point B (the queen) is a straight line, and all that pesky dirt was in the way.

>>24636925
"Holy Jesus. What are these goddamn animals?"

and then

"Nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."

Pretty sure that's always an acceptable excuse.

>>24636969
>what's our excuse for launching the fission torpedo?
Good point but moreso, we were to collect information about WY. The torpedo drew them forth and allowed us to observe their method of fighting the hard meat, and even their attempt at capturing the queen.

>>24636955
Weren't they also able to sense us through our cloak?

>>24636967
>>24636990
That's a pretty damn good excuse.

>>24636853
B.

My father died in this location, but there were no weyland research facilities nearby. I wished to investigate as WY is notoriously incompetent.

>>24637005
Yes

>>24637014
I meant A.

>>24636873
>> A

"The area was once cleansed by my father's honor device. I wanted to investigate further. There is evidence my father was engaged with fighting hard-meat at the time." You answer.

The matriarch seems to again accept this answer.

You continue onward for a short while."

You are once again interrupted, this time by the Clan Thunder-Steel matriarch. Her eyes light up.

"These drones had wings? They are able to mask their E/M signatures? These are new strains then. Have you bought any specimens back for study?"

You answer:

A: "Yes, I have a head from one such drone."
B: "Yes, I have a head as a trophy."
C. "Regrettably not."

>>24636853
B

>>24637005
All Hard Meat can do that. The not showing up on EM sensors was the worrying bit.

>>24637029
C
we'll get made fun of for thinking a Head is sufficient for A and B

>>24637029
B. Yes, and for your perusal i have had this specimen studied and put in the archives. *brings up data file*

>>24637029
A
Good of the entire species>Personal Honor

>>24637029
B: "Yes, I have a head as a trophy."

Perhaps mention that we are also currently studying a flying queen "but I'll get to that shortly"

>>24637029
B: "Yes, I have a head as a trophy."

"I could not take more, due to being rushed and due to the small size of the ship I chose for the mission"

>>24637029
C "Unless you find a head sufficient, regrettably not"

>>24636853
A

>>24637029
Regrettably only a head.

>>24637029
A.
"I have a head from such a drone. I intend to have it thoroughly analyzed before I make a trophy of it."

Also a good segue into
>>24637052

>>24637029
A

>>24637029
B

>>24637058
Oh, and encumbrance, we're not the biggest hunter ever

>>24637029
A. She just asked if we brought back SPECIMENS, not TROPHIES.

>>24637057
Actually >>24637053
has a point, we were told to do what we can for the empire. So changing my vote to A

>>24637029
A

>>24637053
Well said.

>>24637029
>A: "Yes, I have a head from one such drone."

We're all about practicality. No sense in hogging the trophy if it deprives our scientists of the chance to study a dangerous new strain.

>>24637065
this

>>24637029
A I guess but we should mention something about the queen coming up soon in the story

>>24637051

Seconding, though we should offer the head regardless.

"I do offer a trophy head for study, though I understand that will be insufficient for a comprehensive analysis."

>>24637102
Understanding that, my mission continued further to gain a worthy specimen for study.

>>24637102
We brought them a whole queen to study though. although they don't know that yet

>>24637051
If she was expecting us to bring back an entire fucking drone after the crazy fucking speedrun we had to make of that facility, she's crazy. And I hope to god she didn't mean a LIVE specimen.

We'll just bring up that we secured a drone head and our hunt logs and hope that is sufficient.

goddamn matriarchs. Can't they see we're trying to tell a story?

>>24637124
Yup. This should be good. I'm hoping the moot doesn't know that detail yet, and we get to surprise them.

>>24637135
Does our matriarch even know we did that?

>>24637144
Something tells me they told her the news of us returning with a fuckhuge queen as a hood ornament.

>>24637126
Should we bring up that it might be unlikely that the new strains will be a problem in the future?

Like it only got as bad as it did because it was unchecked for years, and we did a pretty thorough job eradicating the whole hive.

...Though I guess Weyland Yutani could have obtained some lesser specimens.

>>24637144
Safe to say yes.

>>24637155
I meant uploading the deets to the archive.

>>24637144
Pretty sure we spoke to her about it on comms the previous day

>>24637124

Typical queens can fly, can't they? The matriarch is interested in the drone's ability to fly.

>>24637126
Don't call her crazy. But if she complains point out that we personally, and our ship, could each only carry so much and there were MANY new specimens to bring back.

>>24637126
these are female predators we're talking about unrealistic expectations and all that

>>24637175
typical queens cannot fly.

>>24637175
Queens don't normally fly.

>>24637144

I believe she commented on it when we first talked to her. That and we told her our story already, didn't we?

>>24637175
No, typical queens cannot - only very very very rare strains can, and they are generally regarded as completely fucking evil abominations against the universe

>>24637086
>>A:

"Yes, I have a head from one such drone," you answer.

She accepts the answer and turns to your matriarch. "It is well known that Clan Thunder-Steel's genetic labs are the best in Yautja space. I would hate to deprive a hunter of his trophy, but for the benefit of all Yautja, I'd like to request the opportunity to study it."

Your matriarch looks at you. "I will let my hunter decide. It is his well-deserved trophy, after all."

You say:

A: "Yes, of course. You are welcome to it."
B: "Yes, of course. But try to keep it in one piece."
C. "Yes, but there's a much bigger specimen which I think will hold your interest."
D. "No. It is my trophy, and I'm not willing to part with it just yet.
E. "I now give this trophy to my clan, and my Matriarch may decide what to do with it."

>>24637170
Well I think it is probably safe to assume the archivist would consult the matriarch before us about the report.

>>24637175
Right. Offer the head for analysis before trophification, and if she seems skeptical that a head alone will suffice, smile at our own matriarch and suggest that we have more than that from later in our mission.

>>24637207
C. "Yes, but there's a much bigger specimen which I think will hold your interest."

>>24637207
C

>>24637207
E.
>give other clans the drone head while we keep the queen

>>24637207
A

>>24637207
C

>>24637207
C

>>24637207
C

>>24637207
B: "Yes, of course. But please try to keep it in one piece."

The please is very important.

>>24637207
>A: "Yes, of course. You are welcome to it."
This; their genetic labs can work with a head as well as with a whole body, and we can learn more from the queen's body in other ways.

>>24637222
It will suck to give up the queen as a trophy but I think it will also provide us with a ton of respect and honor among and be great for our clan other things.

>>24637207
E. E. Fucking E.

We stay the FUCK out of Yautja politics.

>>24637207
E, I am smelling some politics.

>>24637207
E politics alert we have been warned about it.

>>24637247
You know that's actually probably a good point. I'll change my answer to E.

>>24637264
Second

>>24637207
E. Lets not make any decisions on our own just yet: >>24637224

>>24637264
What was your answer before?

>>24637264
You kinda need to specify which post, anon. We don't know.

>>24637284
Nevermind.

E wins. Write-up incoming.

>>24637284
It was C sorry forgot to mention pretty sure it was this one>>24637223

>>24637264
Likewise, E. (Changing my answer from A.) Make it clear that we're more than willing to give up a trophy for study, but that we're deferring to our own matriarch on this matter.

Hopefully she won't be annoyed since she just deferred to us. I'm hoping that by making it clear that we are relinquishing it as a trophy we've answered our matriarch's request.

>>24637247

That's a bit paranoid, I think she legitimately wants to study it. We have the prime sample anyway if it turns out there's ulterior motive behind this requisition.

>>24637207
>C. "Yes, but there's a much bigger specimen which I think will hold your interest."

>>24637307
I think it's safe to play it safe until we get a better idea for how Yautja politics work.

>>24637207

E

>>24637307
I think it's more the loaded implications of clan superiority that she casually tossed out. I would much rather be seen as the Matriarch's hound than a fool to be played.

>>24637307
it might be... E is a deflection towards the matriarch but a crude deflection.
I am having trouble coming up with a more elegant one.
I also worry we are overthinking it but it might be better to be safe here.

>>24637357
Kinda wish we had asked out what clans we are allied with now.

>>24637385
Not our job to know.

>>24637357
I don't think it's a deflection; the matriarch handed the decision to us because by rights it is our trophy, and we're handing it back to her saying that we are willing to have it used for analysis rather than as a trophy; beyond that she is better positioned to decide than us.

>>24637207
>E. "I now give this trophy to my clan, and my Matriarch may decide what to do with it."

When in doubt: punt to the Matriarch.

We're a clan asset. Thus, our stuff is also clan assets. We shouldn't just give it away, even if it SEEMS like the logical choice.

>>24637296
>>E.

You turn to your matriarch. "I now give this trophy to my clan, and my Matriarch may decide what to do with it."

Your matriarch gestures gratitude. "Thank you, hunter. I gratefully accept your gift."

She turns to the Thunder-Steel matriarch. "I will loan you the drone head for further study, but in return, I would like Clan Thunder-Steel to loan Clan Cloud-Viper a set of the latest bio-scanning system you have been developing. Would that be acceptable?"

The Thunder-Steel matriarch gestures gratitude. "Thank you, that is acceptable, and we agree. I will have my archivists speak with your archivists to make the exchange."

Your matriarch bids you to continue.

You proceed with your tale, and come to when you fired the fission missile at the infestation zone.

You draw several surprised clicks from the Night-Prowler and Sky-Spear matriarchs. The Night-Prowler matriarch quickly interrupts you.

"You launched tactical atomics right under the human's noses? On a planet surface? With plenty of witnesses? And you did this deliberately? What possible justification could you have?" She turns to your matriarch. "Is this how Clan Cloud-Viper defines covert operations?"

You answer:

A: "The area was infested. There were hundreds of hard-meat present."
B: "I needed a way to draw the humans into combat with the hard-meat. The fission missile seemed the best course of action."
C. "There were hundreds of them. They can FLY. It was an act of self-defence."

>>24637353
Oh wow, I didn't even NOTICE that. By giving her the head we would be admitting her clan's superiority on that field... However this might be something our matriarch doesn't MIND admitting.

And by giving it to the matriarch in such a fashion we are placing her on the spot, I don't think she was looking for a polite way to decline, if "its his well deserved trophy" was a subtle hint then it was too subtle.

Maybe slightly alter the wording? Would the following be a neater deflection or not?:
Address OUR matriarch rather then the assembly "I will submit the trophy to be studied at whichever lab you choose, matriarch"

>>24637444
B

>>24637444
They can fly AND they can both cloak themselves from our scanners and see us through our cloaks.

>>24637444
B: "I needed a way to draw the humans into combat with the hard-meat. The fission missile seemed the best course of action."

Not too sure about this one. Damn politics.

>>24637444
A/C.

"The area was infested. There were hundreds of hard-meat present. AND THEY FUCKING FLY!!!!"

>>24637444
>B
Also, our cover was already blown earlier when we triggered the WY proximity mine and had to evade pursuit.

>>24637444
That worked out well; it allowed our matriarch to use it for negotiation.

>>24637444
>A: "The area was infested. There were hundreds of hard-meat present."
>B: "I needed a way to draw the humans into combat with the hard-meat. The fission missile seemed the best course of action."


Both of these:

"The area was infested with hundreds of flying hard-meat. In addition, by drawing the humans to the area, and getting them in combat with the hard-meat, I could observe the hard-meat's combat tactics without exposing myself to either side."

>>24637444
A into B.

The missile broke open the hive, paved the way for the Weyland clan and removed the vast majority of the hive's strength. So doing, I was able to gauge the effectiveness of the Weyland clan's combat techniques, the implementation of their native auxiliaries, examine the physiology of native and native-descended xenoforms, open a path to recon into the hive myself and finally ensure that the distraction would ensure all WY assets would focus on that situation and not on my eventual exfiltration.

>>24637444
>B: "I needed a way to draw the humans into combat with the hard-meat. The fission missile seemed the best course of action."

We were gathering intel on Weyland, and they would have discovered the Hive someday anyway. We merely accelerated the process so we could observe it.

We seem to have a tie with A, B, and A/B.

>>24637444
Nice guess we gave our matriarch an upper hand. I think we need to do A and B together.

>>24637444
A/C+stealth

>>24637490
seconding this

>>24637490
This

>>24637507
Seems like that's an argument for A/B, then.

>>24637507
Ill change my vote to A/B from B

>>24637444

I'm actually with the Night-Prowler mother on this one. It worked out, but we really should not have launched the nuke.

So now after the fact, B is shaky. We didn't know this was an uncontrolled infestation until after WY arrived, and if we hadn't directly uncovered the queen (or ended up nuking it), WY probably would have been more interested in what caused the blast.

C, we could have just ran, not an excuse to use the nuke. Likewise A, we had no knowledge of the source of these hard-meats, which could be miles off for all we knew.

Anyone got a better excuse in mind?

>>24637507
A/B

>>24637512
here
changing vote

>>24637444
A. But also some of B.

We were able to observe WY tactics for containing and combating the hard meat. Also, given the Hive size, I needed the soft meat to let me gather further information on the hive.

>>24637523
A/B it is.

Write-up inc.

>>24637444
B, add that they had already discovered our presence and had some idea of our destructive capabilities?

>>24637490

But we had no way of knowing that as we launched the nuke. For all we knew, this was a controlled experiment from WY.

>>24637548
Nah, we lets not mention that we'd blown our cover at that point. Particularly when we spent all that time assuring them we'd be "killed"

>>24637490
This sounds good.

Helps make us sound smart as well, instead of someone who just NOPEd the fuck out.

>>24637531
We are trying to spin the fact that we freaked the fuck out and launched a nuke in a positive light. We did get lucky though and we should probably be more careful next time something like this happens.

>>24637554
There was no signature WY presence at this site. It was completely devoid of wild life too.

>>24637567
And reading
>>24637488
and
>>24637490
, we're doing a fine job of spinning it, too.

>>24637531
We really don't have an excuse, we panicked and made a shitty choice.

It's just dumb luck that it wound up ultimately being beneficial.

But only our matriarch needs to know that.

>>24637554
>controlled experiment from WY

The burns from the honor device, overgrown ruins, dead synths and massive fucking hive without any observation didn't give it away?

I mean, that's a pretty logical in-universe assumption. It just turned out to be right.

More importantly, they don't know that.