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>>26667057
You shake the thought out of your mind. Katya's defection had only made things harder for you and your fellow witches. The Kremlin and the KGB kept a very close eye on your movements and tried to restrict access to strikers or to the outside world in general. The only reason why you were here was because the American witch presence in Alaska was much larger than anticipated, so they needed extra bodies to make up for the shortfall. You weren't wanted here, and everybody here constantly felt like they had to make that fact clear.

You sigh and lie back on your bunk, wondering what to do now.

>Find your SAF liaison and try to find out what's going on.
>Work up the courage to talk to one of the other witches on board.
>See if you can call home.
>See if you can sneak into the hanger to inspect your Striker units.
>Other

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>>26667057
Good to have you back.

>>26667061
>>See if you can call home.

Hi Merc. I promise to be good so please talk about VMQ2 later!

>>26667061

>Work up the courage to talk to one of the other witches on board.

Meeeeerc

Where the heck is mooooouse?

>>26667061
>Find your SAF liaison and try to find out what's going on.
Obtain information! And possibly vodka!

>>26667061
>Find your SAF liaison and try to find out what's going on.

Those striker units are going to be watched like hawks and calling home... That might not end well. Let's just do our job and hopefully not die by 'friendly' fire.

>>26667057
[x] Find your SAF liaison and try to find out what's going on.

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>>26667061
>Work up the courage to talk to one of the other witches on board.
Well Merc Com, good to see ya and at the same time hate the fact that I'm on the east coast and need sleep for tomorrow. Everyone be good little quest-ers so he talks about VMQ2!

[X] Locate Vodka

>>26667061
>>See if you can call home.

>>26667061
>See if you can call home.

Great to have you back Merc, hopefully we'll see that VMQ2 sneak peek you've promised us.

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>>26667061
>>See if you can call home.

>>26667057
>oneshot

>>26667057
>A deeper, more insidious part of you wished you had followed Katya's example and defected.

So we knew Katya?

>>26667061
>See if you can call home.

Best thing to do in a hostile unfamiliar place is to call your family.

>>26667289
We probably heard of her, witches are a conspiratorial bunch

>>26667061
>Find SAF Liason

>>26667061
>See if you can call home.

>>26667061
>See if you can call home.

>>26667061
>Find your SAF liaison and try to find out what's going on.
we don't have much freedom here do we?

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>>26667061
>>26667061
You decide to try and see if you can get a call back to the castle, as you've got a bad feeling about what's going to happen soon. You've noticed that the crew of the Poltova was starting to gear up for a mission. There were more armed guards posted around the ship's vital areas, especially the entrance to the lower decks. The crew involved in noncombat operations were starting to wear their survival gear as well. The rumors you've been able to glean from the crew was that a big strike against the Americans was planned.

You couldn't shake the distinct feeling that this would be a mission you wouldn't be coming back from.

Well, it's decided. You stand up, remembering to slip on a regulation issue skirt before leaving your quarters. The general hostility against you on this ship made you uncomfortable enough. You really didn't want to worry about them ogling you in your underwear as well.

The moment you exit your quarters, you're acutely aware of the two Spetsnaz commandos not-so-subtly tailing you. That was deliberate on their part. They WANTED you to know you were being watched. Doing your best to ignore them, you make your way to the Poltova's communications room. There was an old, magic-powered radio that had a direct connection to Russia's main witch sanctuary. Only witches could use it, and messages sent through it could only be intercepted by other witches skilled in that sort of thing, if they happened to be nearby. Unfortunately, you see a pair of naval infantry keep a close eye on the door.

>Try to get past them on your own.
>Go find your liaison. He could probably help get you through.
>Maybe you should do something else...

>>26667379
We're Russian.
We have bears and vodka.

>>26667414
>Go find your liaison. He could probably help get you through.

>>26667414
>>Go find your liaison. He could probably help get you through.

We're not losing a pair of fucking Spetsnaz.

>>26667414
[x] Try to get past them on your own.

>>26667414
try to get a call though, but i got the feeling it won't (and it's sure to be lissiened in on) then
>Go find your liaison. He could probably help get you through.

>>26667414
>Go find your liaison. He could probably help get you through.

>>26667416
We also have badass GRU Werewolves, but Nikolai's existence is all kinds of secret.
>>26667414
>Try to get past them on your own.

>>26667414
>Go find your liaison. He could probably help get you through.

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>>26667414
Taking one look at the pair of guards, and you were pretty sure that they weren't going to let you pass. Sure, you could use your magic to clear a path, but you had those two Spetsnaz to worry about, as well. They weren't here to protect you, they were here to keep you from causing trouble.

So, pretending that you really weren't going to stopping here at all, you stride past the two guards without so much as a glance in their direction. The two guards shift nervously as you approach and instinctively shuffle back as you pass, only to be met by the withering glares of your two Spetsnaz escorts for their implied cowardice.

Fortunately, your liaison's office wasn't far from the comm room. You stop in front of his door and knock politely.

"Come in." An old, aged voice calls out from the other side.

You quickly step in, taking a moment of satisfaction as you slam the door in the Spetsnaz guards' faces to keep them from peeping.

"Ah, Lieutenant Raskova, what brings you here today?" Captain Victor Voychek asks.

Captain Voychek was probably the only person on the Poltova who didn't treat you like garbage. Unlike the rest of the crew, Voychek was one of the old guard. Old enough to remember the contributions and sacrifices Soviet witches made to protect the Motherland during the Martian War. He was also crafty enough to have dodged the numerous purges aimed to remove officers who showed positive sentiment towards witches.

"I'm sorry to bother you, Captain, but I need you help." You say quietly.

"Come now, Lieutenant, you don't have to be so meek and formal about it!" Voychek gives a sly smile. "It's a liaison's job to be bothered."

>Ask him to help get you into the comm room.
>Ask him about any upcoming missions.
>Just make some small talk.
>Other

>>26667716
>Ask him to help get you into the comm room.

>>26667716
>Just make some small talk
Then
>Ask him to help get you into the comm room

>>26667716
>Ask him to help get you into the comm room.

>>26667716
>Ask him to help get you into the comm room.

And here's to hoping that he survives the downing of the Poltova.

>>26667762
That's a pretty tall order, especially considering the circumstances

>>26667716
On another note, will you be needing characters for VMQII?

>>26667801
Maybe? VMQ2 characters are mostly going to be pregenned this time around but if you have any suggestions, feel free to email them to me or something.

>>26667716

>Ask him to help get you into the comm room.
>Ask him about any upcoming missions.
ask about the upcoming mission first.
also ask if he can get you to inspect your striker and plan a payload (if you can do that)

>>26667815

...The ideas, THEY'RE COMING BACK!

It just doesn't stop. ;_;[/spoilers]

>>26667855

Dude, our "payload" is going to be an assault rifle and maybe some MANPADS, witches have a lot less to worry about stuff like that than steelwings.

>>26667716
>Ask him to help get you into the comm room.
>Ask him about any upcoming missions.
Make it clear that you came to speak to him about both of the above.

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>>26667815
Sent it your way.
And with that...

>>26667875
>assault rifle
>not taking to the sky with a Mosin-Nagant and purging enemies with precision fire
Do you even "URAAAA!", comrade?
>witches have a lot less to worry about stuff like that than steelwings.
Rockets or fuel?

>>26667900
>Rockets or fuel?

Get out.

>>26667900
I'm not sure if it'd matter if this is THE mission.

>>26667900

Pretty sure she was lugging around an assault rifle during the big fight.

>>26667900
So.

Where do witches mount their gun cameras?

>>26667875
>>26667900
i thought that strikers in this age can sport missiles as well. (as for fuel, it's vodka. we can do both)

>>26668030

Our "missiles" are basically modified MANPADS, they don't have the same capabilities as one mounted on a steelwing.

>>26668058
sorry, what is MANPADS anyway?

>>26668329

Man portable anti-defense systems.

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>>26667716
"Well," You shift nervously. "I just need to use the witch radio. Just for a few minutes."

"Lieutenant, you know that personal use of the ship's communications gear is against regulation." Voychek frowns.

"Please, Captain!" You plead. "I haven't been able to speak to the Matron or my friends in months, and yo know how reliable mail delivery is whenever the KGB gets involved! I just... want to talk to somebody again..."

Voychek just looks at you before sighing and picking up his cane. "Come along, then."

Ah, you remember now. Voychek used to be a fighter pilot, but suffered a crippling leg injury in an accident a few years ago. He had been limited to noncombat duties ever since. However, you don't say anything as Voychek opens the door to his office and limps out, ignoring your two biggest fans.

You arrive at the comm room, where the same two guards are standing at attention. However, they start getting visibly nervous when Voychek approaches them.

"We just need to use the communications room for a few minutes. Official business." Voychek says simply.

"O-orders are not to let anybody through!" One of the guards says a bit too quickly, as if he had been coached to say that line.

"And who exactly gave you that order, Private Nevsky?" Voychek asks simply.

"S-sergeant Grigorin!"

"As you can see, I'm a CAPTAIN, PRIVATE Nevsky. I am of higher rank than Sergeant Girgorin. Now need I remind you that disobeying a superior officer is still punishable by death?"

Nevsky gulps and steps aside, as if physically incapable of disobeying Voychek. Sometimes that Soviet discipline really was helpful. Voychek then quickly ushers you in before closing the door behind you, no doubt to keep the Spetsnaz from getting in to spy on you.

(cont)

>>26668329
Man Portable Air Defense System.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man-portable_air-defense_systems
Since it's '89 and we're playing a Russian, we'd probably be packing a Grouse if we have one.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SA-18_Grouse

>>26668381
Sitting in the middle of the room was a dusty, barely used WWII-era radio set, with a few magical runes floating around it. Sitting in the chair, you take a deep breath and focus your magic, just as if you were powering a Striker. The radio suddenly hums to life, the crackle of static and white noise filling the air.

"H-hello?" You say quietly through the microphone. "This is Cyril. Is anybody there?"

"CYRIL!? IS THAT YOU?!?!" You hear a high pitched voice squawk through the radio. "What's uuuuuuup!?!"

"Polina!" You grin. It's hard to believe that you actually MISSED hearing Polina's voice. But now it felt like the sweetest music in the world."

"Hey, did you guys reach America yet?" Polina asks. "If you are, you think you can get me a Peacemaker?!? Please please please?!"

"Sorry, but I haven't even left the carrier yet." You laugh weakly.

"Awww, that's a shame. The villagers around here say you've already taken Alaska, Hawaii, and California!"

>The villagers say a lot of things, Polina.
>Well of course, nothing can stop the mighty Soviet army, after all.
>A Peacemaker?
>Other

>>26668530
>The villagers say a lot of things, Polina.

>>26668530
[x] "The villagers say a lot of things, Polina."

>>26668530
>A Peacemaker?

We only have a few minutes guys, let's use it for something other than shooting down Polina's dreams.

>>26668562

Changing to >>26668607

>>26668530
>The villagers say a lot of things, Polina.
silly peasants

>>26668530
>The villagers say a lot of things, Polina.
we're still slugging it out in Alaska. this place is huge!
and this
>A Peacemaker? what is that by the way?
this is optional.
>other
can you get Mother on the phone?

where the fuck are my tanks
top needs hugs
dare you deny me my witch hugs, mouse?
dare you?

>>26668530
>The villagers say a lot of things, Polina.

>>26668530
>A Peacemaker?

>>26668649

Oh shit, meant the Peacemake, don't know how I fucked that up.

>>26668530
>>A Peacemaker?

>>26668530
>A Peacemaker?

Because it is one truly sexy gun.

>>26668530
>A Peacemaker?
The girl wants us to score her an antique firearm?

>>26668530
>A Peacemaker?

So is Polina another gun nut like Ice?

>>26668530
>A Peacemaker?

Rolled 19

>>26668530
>A Peacemaker?

>>26668530
>The villagers say a lot of things, Polina.
>But of course they know that nothing can stop the mighty Soviet army.
>A Peacemaker?
ALL THE OPTIONS.

>>26668530
"A Peacemaker?" You blink, not totally familiar with the term.

"The Colt Single Action Army! THE DEADLIEST GUN IN THE WEST!" Polina explains proudly. "I'd preferably like two, but just one would be fine too! I know they're pretty rare!"

Ah, that explains it. Ever since a well wisher smuggled a number of American movies into the monastery, Polina had gotten addicted to American Westerns and subsequently picked up a fascination for revolvers. They were now her weapon of choice, despite being horrifically impractical for Striker combat.

"Um, I'll keep an eye out for one, then." You reassure her. "Anyways, how are things in the monastery?"

"Ah, boring as always." Polina sighs. "The government still won't issue us new strikers, so we're stuck practicing with the old Yak and MiG-15 Strikers. There's just not enough of the newer models to go around. I'm so jealous you get to the pilot a Su-33!"

"It's nothing, really." You laugh. "It just goes a bit faster. That's all."

You hear the door open behind you and you turn to see Voychek motioning for you to come out.

>Say goodbye to Polina and see what's up.
>Just five more minutes!
>Other

>>26668908
>Say goodbye to Polina and see what's up.

He's literally risking his life for us doing this, don't repay his kindness by killing him.

>>26668908
>Say goodbye to Polina and see what's up.

>>26668908
[x] "I gotta go tell everyone I miss them see you sooooon!"

>>26668908
>Other
(to Voychek) be there in a bit! (to Polina) um.. how is my family holding up? (That part if she really has any family left around, if not QM, ignore this part). Other than that pistol, want any other trophy that i can haul back?

>>26668908
>Say goodbye to Polina and see what's up.

We can land ourselves and Voychek into some SERIOUS shit if we screw this up, don't.

>>26668908
>>Say goodbye to Polina and see what's up.
>> Give a nod of thanks to Voychek

>>26668908
>Say goodbye to Polina and see what's up.

>>26668908
YAY! Strike Witchesd Quest!

Also, say goodbye to Polly. See what's up. Do not piss in Captain's Wheaties.

>>26668908
"I'm really sorry, Polina, but I have to go now. I'll try to call again soon, okay? Bye!" You say quickly.

"Bye Cyril! We all really miss you!" Polina replies before you cut the connection. Regaining your composure, you wipe your grin off your face and take on the typical Russian stoic expression. No reason to make the crew even more suspicious of you.

"Captain, what's this about?" You ask as you step out of the door.

"The Captain has ordered all aircraft to sortie." Voychek whispers as he marches you toward the hangar deck. "Apparently we have intelligence on on the possible position of an American carrier battlegroup. The Poltova is moving to intercept."

Indeed, you can feel the subtle shift in momentum as the massive aerial carrier begins to make turn toward a new heading.

Because of the sortie order and Voychek's presence, you're let into the hangar without any protest or harassment. Already, the ship's complement of fighters is beginning preparation to launch. The witches, however, are still being fitted into their Strikers.

"The Poltova and its escorts will accelerate to combat speed to intercept and hopefully surprise the American fleet, where it will engage them directly, so we don't have much time." Voychek explains further.

>He's right, start getting fitted for your Striker.
>Wait, you mean the Poltova is going into the battle directly?
>Other

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>>26669345
>Wait, you mean the Poltova is going into the battle directly?
Comrade what?

>>26669345
[x] Wait, you mean the Poltova is going into the battle directly?
HA HA TIME FOR STUPID

>>26669345
>>He's right, start getting fitted for your Striker.

>>26669345
>Wait, you mean the Poltova is going into the battle directly?
Why are our superiors sending their base of operations into battle?

>>26669345
Start getting Strikers on, cause when this carrier goes into combat directly, it is going to get its ass kicked, and we do not want to be onboard when that happens. Then smirk at Spetznaz knowing they will soon be swimming.

>>26669345
>>Wait, you mean the Poltova is going into the battle directly?

lulwut.

>>26669345
>Other, use both.
"Let's get going- wait! the Poltova is going right into the battle directly? Really?!?

>>26669345
(in full Meta knowalge) i guess after the russians get stomped, we run eastward and defect!

>>26669487
You don't remember what'll likely happen to this witch?

Hint: peg leg.

>>26669345
>Wait, you mean the Poltova is going into the battle directly?

>>26669516
no, i don't know if that one was the same witch as this one is.

>>26669516

Personally, I always thought she'd go for a cheetah leg. Maybe one of the first ones of those?

>>26669575
one of the sherktwans has one of those

>>26669345
"Wait, you mean the Poltova is going into battle directly? That's crazy!" You blink.

"According to our dear Captain, Soviet carriers are expected to fight on the front as hard as any other surface ship. Though, in my personal opinion, I think he just wants the glory of being the first to sink an American supercarrier."

Idiots. Everybody on ship was idiots. Except for Voychek, of course. Idiots!

Scowling, you march over to where your Striker is being kept. The flight crew is at least professional enough to put aside their unease and help you into it. You feel the Striker units lock onto your legs, and you begin trickling magical power into them to spool them up. Voycheck hands you your trusty AK-74 and a bandolier with extra magazines. You know other witches who would have preferred more exotic weapons like WWI-era Mosin Nagants, but you were trying to be pragmatic here. The ability to fire a gun on full automatic could make all the difference when engaging targets going twice the speed of sound.

Meanwhile, the other witches are just a few meters away from you, tending to their own equipment.

>Try and engage them in some sort of conversation before you launch.
>Just leave them alone.
>Other

>>26669614
>>Just leave them alone.

They're creepy. We don't want to catch it.

>>26669614
>Try and engage them in some sort of conversation before you launch.

Maybe Svetlana is one of them.

>>26669614
>Other
(if there are any non brain washed witches here. try to talk to them. other wise, ask for some more ammo to take with us. I'm going to need every bullet i can carry in the fight)

>>26669614
>>Try and engage them in some sort of conversation before you launch.

>>26669614
>Try and engage them in some sort of conversation before you launch.

>>26669662
Agree with this Anon. They are creepy, it might be contagious. Best to leave them alone.

>>26669614
>> Just leave them alone.
>> Say goodbye to Voychek before you go.

>>26669614
Ask what the orders/plan is.

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>>26669614
Well hell, this might be your last day alive, so you might as well give talking to them a try. You slowly and cautiously edge forward, as if the other witches were made of some volatile material that could explode at any second.

"Um.... excuse me..."

Then, the other four witches turn all at once in synchronized fashion, staring at you with those freaky eyes of theirs.

"Is there something you require, Lieutenant Raskova?" The lead witch asks. Just like her eyes, her voice was dull and lifeless. Just what the hell did they do in that academy?

>Sorryitsnothingbye!
>I was just wondering what your feelings are about this mission.
>Um, I was just checking out your equipment. Yeah, let's go with that.
>Other

>>26669862
>Um, I was just checking out your equipment. Yeah, let's go with that.

>>26669862
>>Sorryitsnothingbye!

NOPE the fuck back to our own business.

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>>26669862
>Sorryitsnothingbye!

>>26669862
>Sorryitsnothingbye!

How the fuck did we get stuck in this madhouse anyway?

>>26669862
>>Um, I was just checking out your equipment. Yeah, let's go with that.

>>26669862
>I wanted to double-check the plan for the mission.
>Any gut feelings about how it might go?
First we have to open with business, then move slowly towards their zombieness.

>>26669862
>Um, I was just checking out your equipment. Yeah, let's go with that. (tell them to carry ammo, we'll need them)
[meta time! i think they put in cyber mars head ware to make those poor witches to act in unison]

>>26669948

Nah. it's just heavy indoctrination- no implants.

Konstantina is a special case. In soviet union, we don't ask about glorious people's witch.

>>26669862
"Um, I was just checking out your equipment, that's all." You laugh weakly, trying to find some way to escape those empty stares. "I see you've got some new gear. D-do you mind telling me about it?"

Well, you actually weren't lying about that. They were wearing Striker units so new they were still gleaming in the light from the finishing polish. In fact, on closer examination, they looked like heavily modified versions of the Su-27 units. You thought your Su-33 unit was top of the line, but obviously there was always going to be bigger fish.

>Ask them about their strikers.
>You've wasted enough time here.
>Other

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>>26670226
Forgot pic.

>>26670226
>Ask them about their strikers.

>>26669862
>>Yes, what do? (Get orders)
>>Whats your rank?

>>26670226
>>Ask them about their everything (strikers, weapons, training).

>>26670226
>Ask them about their strikers.
Shiny new Strikers? Give us the details, ladies!

>>26670226
>Ask them about their strikers.

>>26670226
>Ask them about their strikers.
SPAGHETTI TRAIN HAS NO BRAKES

>>26670226
>You've wasted enough time here.

Please vote for this, guys. Every second these machines of flesh made from shattering the souls of young innocent witches are on screen(?) is a second of me nearly putting a hole in my wall.

>>26670226
>>You've wasted enough time here.

>>26670364
Just repeat to yourself "It's just a Quest, I should really just relax."

>>26670226

>>26670226
>Ask them about their strikers.

>>26670226
>Ask them about their strikers.

We must get away from the crazy.

I'm gonna start a Strike Witches quest now, since that seems to fucking guarantee attention.

>>26670449
Not really. China quest is doing shitty and this one's only good cause it's merc and a 1 maybe 2 shot if we're good enough to keep him awake.

>>26670486

Really? China quest seemed to be doing fine to me, though it admittedly had a slow start yesterday.

>>26670499
Compared to the others? Not so much I'd say. Though I missed yesterdays.

>>26670226
>You've wasted enough time here

>>26670486
Oh, I see. Tripfag worship, along with strike witches shit.

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>>26670226
You're starting to visible sweat under the intense stares of your "colleagues". You're not sure how much more of this inhuman scrutiny you can take before your nerve cracks. However, you work up the courage to press on the issue.

"You can't tell me anything about it? Not even a little?"

The lead witch looks to her fellows, and they stare at each other for a few uncomfortably long seconds before one of them gives an almost imperceptible nod.

The Sukhoi Su-35 is a next generation fighter that is specifically designed to be superior to all other existing aircraft. The airframe and the Strikers adapted from it are still highly experimental, therefore disclosing any more information would be unauthorized release of classified information. Recommended course of action is to halt this line of questioning."

Well, at least she was polite about it, even if it was in the form of a dull, monotone voice.

Finally, a warning klaxon rings signalling for all aircraft to begin launching. Of course, you're last in the queue, so Voychek takes advantage of the extra time to give you a bit of an extra briefing. Reconnaissance planes have confirmed that the Poltova is en route to intercept the American carrier Kitty Hawk and her accompanying battlegroup. The basic plan was to have the planes and witches hold off the Kitty Hawk's planes while the Poltova and the escort Dreadnoughts moved in to engage the fleet directly. Even modern ship armor couldn't withstand a direct maser hit.

However, you were being relegated to providing close protection for the Poltova. One the one hand, that means you're relatively safe, since the Poltova was a much larger target than you were. On the other hand, some part of you was stung that you were being sidelined like this, like you were an afterthought rather than an asset.

(cont)

>>26670486
Did not know about China quest - is it archived?

>>26670393
I know, it's just that its not fair. I know life isn't fair but these girls had their whole life ahead of them, only to have it ripped from them. Nothing of the original girl remains. Eyes that used to be filled with joy and happiness are now dull, the eyes of a machine with a shattered soul...

>>26670587
They're not real, dude.

>>26670580

Yup, but for some reason the GM shitarchives it. I think that's the main reason why it's garnered so little attention in comparison. You can find it under 'Shitty China Waifu Quest'.

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>>26670613

What's a quest without a little immersion. Besides, what happened to them is pretty monstrous.

>>26670579
>On the other hand, some part of you was stung that you were being sidelined like this, like you were an afterthought rather than an asset.
Duh, 'cause the captain's a glory-hogging idiot.

>>26670613
I get easily immersed in a story.

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>>26670579
By the time you launch, the battle is already under way. The Poltova's fighters and witches are already engaging the Kitty Hawk's own fighters and witches, with engine and missile contrails twisting and flowing through the air. You can see flashes of tracers and cannon fire in the mix as well.

However, as you look on, you see a flight of two F-18s slip past the Poltova's defensive fighter screen, each carrying loads of harpoon missiles. A pair of Su-33s are already peeling off to try and pursue, but you're not sure if they can catch up to them in time.

Meanwhile, the American fleet wasn't being idle, either. The ships were beginning to maneuver wildly to avoid getting hid by maser fire, all while their vertical launch systems began spitting out missiles of all kinds. While the majority were aiming for the Soviet fighters and the dreadnoughts, you notice more than a few headed towards the Poltova. Already, the Poltova's CIWS systems began powering up in response.

As large as the Poltova may be, she actually wasn't very heavily armored like the Dreadnoughts were. Even salvaged Martian technology had its limits, after all.

>Intercept the fighters.
>Intercept the missiles.
>Other

>>26670674
>Intercept the missiles.

>>26670674
>>Intercept the missiles

>>26670674
>Intercept the missiles.

>>26670674
>>Intercept the missiles.

>>26670674
>Intercept the missiles.

>>26670674
>>Intercept the fighters.
The CIWS will deal with the vertical launched stuff better than the number of extra attack vectors that the harpoons will represent.

>>26670674
>Intercept the missiles.

May I remind you people that the only person who gives a shit about us in this whole damn fleet is aboard the Poltova?

>>26670674
Intercept the fighters, let the captain's proud ship defend itself from the missiles he so stupidly put it in the way of.

>>26670674
>>Intercept the missiles.
Trust in our comrades. Help stop the missile swarm!

>>26670674
>>Intercept the missiles.

>>26670674
>>Intercept the fighters.

>>26670747

Yeah, and let the only person who gives a shit about us get blown up in the process.

>>26670674
>Intercept the missiles.

I get the feeling we're fucked either way here.

>>26670803
Well, Meta we know our leg gets blown off, or at least I'm pretty sure we do so there is that.

>>26670674
Trusting the other fighters to handle the F-18s, you speed off to intercept the missiles. If there was one thing the Soviets learned from the US Navy, it was that witches excelled in missile interception. You notice two the academy witches also swooping in, responding to their training. Between the three of you and the Poltova's CIWS, not a single missile makes it through the net.

However, explosions ripple across the Poltova as one of the F-18s launches its load of harpoons and breaks off. Its partner is nowhere to be seen, presumably shot down. The Poltova begins belching smoke from several hull breaches, but otherwise the damage looks rather minor.

>Stick close to the Poltova. It's going to need all the protection it can get.
>Screw orders. You'll do more good getting involved in the fight!
>Other

>>26670817

And then we get picked up by Alaskan fisherman.

Hoping personally we get picked up by the Northwestern.

>>26670842
>Stick close to the Poltova. It's going to need all the protection it can get.

>>26670842
>>Stick close to the Poltova. It's going to need all the protection it can get.

Let's NOT give the others any possible reason to try and have us 're-educated' or the like.

>>26670842
>>Screw orders. You'll do more good getting involved in the fight!

>>26670842
>Stick close to the Poltova.

>>26670842
>>Stick close to the Poltova. It's going to need all the protection it can get.

>>26670842
>Stick close to the Poltova. It's going to need all the protection it can get.

A) The only person we could possibly call 'friend' is aboard that ship.

B) Getting brainwashed isn't exactly on my to-do list.

>>26670842
>>Stick close to the Poltova. It's going to need all the protection it can get.

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>>26670842
As tempted you are the join the fight, you decide to stick close to the Poltava. At the very least, Voychek was still on that ship, and you couldn't let the only man in this fleet who cared about you to go down with the ship. So you're just going to have to suck it up and follow orders.

"Raskova! Enemy fighters incoming from above!" You hear Voychek's voice yell through the radio.

Looking up, you see an entirely new force of American fighters diving down, and what suddenly looked like an evenly matched fight now seemed to turn sour in favor of the Americans. Fortunately, you see the majority of the incoming fighters are F-4 Phantoms. Absolutely ancient aircraft. However, in these numbers, they could still pose a threat to the fleet. You see several friendly fighters breaking off from the main fight to intercept the newcomers.

Meanwhile, you notice two of the Phantoms diving straight at you.

>Engage the Phantoms on your own. You can take them.
>Lure them closer to the Poltova and let friendly forces help take them out.
>Other

>>26671145
>>Engage the Phantoms on your own. You can take them.

>>26671145
>>Engage the Phantoms on your own. You can take them.
The CIWS are going to be stretched to the limit as it is. Lets try and hold off these bastards.

>>26671145
>>Engage the Phantoms on your own. You can take them.

>>26671145
>Engage the Phantoms on your own. You can take them.

It's just Phantoms. We are a witch with the second best Striker available to the USSR. They are deadmeat.

>>26671145
[x] Engage the Phantoms on your own. You can take them.

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>>26671145
Well, they're ONLY Phantoms. You are very confident you can take them on. Plus, the Americans wouldn't put their best pilots in such ancient planes, so you're sure you were going against inexperienced pilots as well.

>Hit them head on! You got shields, they don't.
>You're more maneuverable than they are. Try to get behind them!
>Other

>>26671341
[x] Hit them head on! You got shields, they don't.

>>26671341
>>You're more maneuverable than they are. Try to get behind them!
No sense in blowing our load early. This might drag on for a while.

>>26671341
>>Hit them head on! You got shields, they don't.

Other option is BOUNCE!

>>26671341
>You're more maneuverable than they are. Try to get behind them!

Using shields drains a witches energy. Should try to conserve it as much as possible

>>26671341
>You're more maneuverable than they are. Try to get behind them!
The Phabulous Phantom's big weakness was turning. They weren't very good at it.

>>26671341
>You're more maneuverable than they are. Try to get behind them!

>>26671341
>You're more maneuverable than they are. Try to get behind them!

They still have missiles. We don't. Let's not eat missiles to the face.

>>26671341
>You're more maneuverable than they are. Try to get behind them!

Merc, I swear if you're using that 3 dice system from VMQ I'm going to gut you.

>>26671388

Which makes sense, since they were designed from the ground up as missile trucks.

>>26671341
>>You're more maneuverable than they are. Try to get behind them!

>>26671411
Of course a good pilot COULD make them dogfight pretty decently (there's a reason improved training and actually putting a gun on the damn thing turned it into the world's leading distributor of MiG parts), they just weren't designed for it, and that gives a Witch one hell of an edge if she can get in the saddle.

>>26671341
While you COULD hit them head on if you wanted to, you figure that it would just be a big waste of shield energy, considering you could dance circles around Phantoms. Instead, you accelerate and shoot past the Phantoms, too fast for them to get a gun or missile lock. The Phantoms make the mistake of trying to turn to reengage you. Grinning, you a quick snap of your legs and you're already inside their turn. You unload a short burst from your AK-74, and the flurry of magically enhanced bullets shears the right wing of one of the Phantoms off. The plane spins out of control, but you see an ejection seat fire out as it plummets.

Meanwhile, the second Phantom pilot gets some sense and starts a power climb. If the Phantom had any strengths it was the sheer brute force of its engines. You could follow it up, but you know that the higher a witch goes, the less efficient her combat ability is. Plus, you're starting to get rather far from the Poltova.

>Follow the Phantom. You're not leaving till one of you is shot down.
>Break off and return to the Poltova.
>Other

>>26671575
>Break off and return to the Poltova.

We scared off the tango, NOW GET BACK TO THE FUCKING SHIP.

>>26671575
[x] Break off and return to the Poltova.

>>26671575
>Break off and return to the Poltova.
Do not pursue Lu Bu.

>>26671575
>Break off and return to the Poltova.

I kinda hope we'll live through this.

>>26671575
>>Break off and return to the Poltova.

Chasing them off can be just as good as killing sometimes. Let's not glory hound.

>>26671575

>Break off and return to the Poltova.

>>26671624

Depends on the definition.

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>>26671575
Realizing you're being drawn out of the battle, you decide to let the fleeing Phantom go and quickly turn around. Even if he does try to pursue you, by the time he manages to turn to get angle, you'll be long gone.

Putting as much power into your Strikers as you can, you can see that in your absence, the Poltova taken a few hits. With the arrival of American reinforcements, its defensive fighter screen was being stretched to the limit. You can't even see the academy witches anywhere any more.

Suddenly, you catch a glimpse of a black blur trying to go on an attack run against the Poltova. It doesn't resemble anything you've seen on the aircraft visual ID chart you were trained to memorize. However, all you were concerned with was that it was making a run on the Poltova. Settling in behind it, you fire a short burst at the mystery plane, causing it to break off and increase speed.

In order to keep up, you make the fateful decision to divert shield power to your Strikers in order to keep up. Your adrenaline begins to pump through your veins as you realize both the plane and its pilot were really very good. The plane makes several maneuvers to try and shake you, but you manage stubbornly stay behind its tail.

(cont)

>>26671624
we do, well 3/4's of us does

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>>26671781
Finally, you see the chance you've been waiting for, as the mystery plane tries to make a climb, losing precious speed and putting it square in your sights. You're about to pull the trigger when suddenly, you feel a sharp pain in your left leg. The next thing you know, you're spiraling uncontrollably through the air, and you realize that you're falling.

You try to reactivate your Strikers, but only the right one seems to be responding. At this speed and height, and water impact will be instantly fatal unless you can either reestablish your shield or try to regain control of your Striker. You don't have a lot of time or magic left, so you need to make a decision fast.

>Put everything you have into shield power to protect yourself from impact.
>Put everything you have into your Striker in order to slow your fall.
>Other

>>26671789
>>Put everything you have into shield power to protect yourself from impact.

>>26671789
>>Put everything you have into shield power to protect yourself from impact.

Safety First!

>>26671789

>Put everything you have into shield power to protect yourself from impact.

>>26671789
>Put everything you have into shield power to protect yourself from impact.

One Striker isn't going to be enough to arrest our fall enough.

>>26671789
>Put everything you have into shield power to protect yourself from impact.

oh god.

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>>26671789
>Put everything you have into shield power to protect yourself from impact.

I just realised the irony of Katya of all people being the one to shoot us down.

Of all the witches that had to chase Frank it had to be the sane one of the bunch.

>>26671842

Oh yeah, and Cyril only did it to protect a friend too.

War is shitty.

>>26671789
>Put everything you have into shield power to protect yourself from impact.
Surface tension will make that water like fuckin' concrete, we need a cushion not a slower impact.

>>26671842
At least she survives, yeah? Between the Poltova, the Kitty Hawk, the dreadnaughts, and the air battle the sea rescue efforts must have been an absolute clusterfuck

>>26671970
Considering the title, we're probably gonna get picked up by a kindly fisherman. Possibly with two bullets in our back.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOuPqeHXMzQ

>>26671789
You do what is instinctive to all witches when put in danger. You start pouring all of your remaining magical energy into your shield. Your arctic fox ears twitch and spark from all the effort as your shield reforms.

However, even with all of the magical protection, the impact still hurts like hell. It was enough to keep you alive and most of your organs intact, but it still felt like getting hit by a truck. You're dazed for a few seconds before you come to the horrible realization that you're sinking. Your Striker, now nothing but a big, leg-shaped hunk of steel and aluminum, was literally weighing you down. In a panic, you hit the emergency release on your right Striker and it breaks apart, freeing your leg. You then instinctively reach to hit the release on your left Striker when you see it.

It was gone.

No, not just the Striker, you ENTIRE LEG WAS GONE.

You try to scream, but remember that you're still underwater. You furiously claw at the water as you try to get back to the surface, an act that's much harder considering your MISSING ONE OF YOUR LEGS.

Finally, you head breaks the surface of the water, where you proceed to start screaming in both a combination of pain and horror. Thankfully, the ice cold water of the Bering Sea caused your blood vessels to instinctively constrict, which is why you haven't bled out yet. However, that doesn't change the fact that you're stuck in the ocean, with ONE LEG, little to no magic, and no way to communicate with friendlies, as your radio was trashed in the impact.

So, you resign yourself to either drowning, bleeding to death, getting eaten by sharks, or a sick combination of all three, when you feel something grab you from behind.

>PANIC!
>Fuck it. You're screwed anyways.

>>26672029
>Fuck it. You're screwed anyways.

>>26672029
>PANIC!

We lost our entire fucking leg, shot down and isolated from our allies, and going mad with the pain.

Of course we're going to fucking panic when some random dude grabs us.

>>26672029
>>Fuck it. You're screwed anyways.

>>26672029
>Fuck it. You're screwed anyways.

>>26672029
>Fuck it. You're screwed anyways.

a moment of absolute acceptance, goodbye cruel world.

>>26672029
>PANIC!

KILL KILL KILL

We're not a damsel in distress WE ARE A GOD DAMN MOTHERFUCKING WITCH.

>>26672029
>>PANIC!

>>26672029
>Fuck it. You're screwed anyway.
Panic will come later. When we see the Poltava go down.

>>26672029
>>PANIC!

Holy shit people, going zen is a lot less likely than going absolutely nuts from our cirsumstances.

Any reasonable person would feel fear in this situation.

>>26672029
>>PANIC!

>>26672029
What a pointless fucking choice.

>>26672075
Technically, we've probably got hypothermia like a motherfucker, and one of the symptoms is lethargy.

>>26672029
>FIGHT!

We will not go quietly into the night!

>>26672029
>PANIC!

I'd love it if /tg/ for once, votes for the natural result of losing a leg then having some random grabbing you from the middle of nowhere instead of going HARD WOMAN PAIN DOESN'T BOTHER ME.

>>26672029
>Fuck it. You're screwed anyway.
We're either dead or saved.

>>26672029
>PANIC!

Shark, do not want.

>>26672029
>getting eaten by sharks

Have to admit, that sounds pretty freaky.

>>26672029
>PANIC!

>>26672029
>PANIC!
oh god there's going to be so many sharks in the water I'm going to throw up

>>26672099
So what you're saying is that a tug like that in the ocean is pretty... fishy?

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>>26672029
>PANIC!

Stuck in an ocean all by yourself, cut off from your allies, MISSING A LEG and possibly being eaten by sharks.

>>26672123

Ha ha ha.

You die first.

>>26672099
be thankful its not FIS

>>26672140
Oh, anon, don't be silly.
I've been dead the whole time. Have to be, to join up with Ghost after all.

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>>26672123

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>>26672159

That somehow managed to be even WORSE than the first one.

>>26672029
>PANIC!

Now I feel bad...

>>26672029
Well, despite the situation you were in, you feel that dying alone in this god forsaken ocean would be a really shitty way to die. Thinking you were getting grabbed by some kind of shark, you start flailing wildly to break free, until your hand smacks a decidedly very human-like and not very sharky face.

"Hey! Quit it! I'm trying to help you here!" You hear a voice yell.

In English.

Well shit, this was very awkward.

However, the moment of shock is all the stranger needs and with one great tug he pulls you into the little life raft he was sitting in.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" The American asks. You're too dazed and weak to answer effectively, but he sees your missing leg and immediately goes to work. He takes off his belt and ties it tightly around your tight as a makeshift tourniquet.

"Hey, hey, Miss!" The American starts talking to you again, you guess in an effort to keep you conscious. "What's your name? What ship are you from?"

You blink and turn your head weakly. From what you can tell from his burnt and tattered clothes, he's a American Marine. No doubt from one of the American warships. Without your Strikers, it seems that he hasn't realized that you're a witch, much less Soviet. The Matron made sure to teach you how to speak English fluently, so communication wouldn't be that much of a problem.

However, the problem was deciding whether to trust telling the truth to this Marine or not. Soviet propaganda always claimed that Americans would do nasty things to captured witches, but you're not sure if the stories were true or not, and it wasn't something you were keen on finding out.

>Tell him the truth. You're a Soviet witch.
>Lie. Try to bluff that you're an American sailor.
>Use the amnesia defense.
>Other

>>26672205

It was either her or us, war is absolutely shitty all around.

>>26672233
Kill! KILL!

>>26672233
He'll figure out our Russian accent fast. Find a weapon, kill him before he does unspeakably lewd things to us.

>>26672233
[x] Tell him the truth. You're a Soviet witch.
He'll pick the accent pretty quick.

>>26672233
This is war. Bad things happen in war.

Stay quiet as long as possible, while trying to look for any kind of advantage.

>>26672233
>Use the amnesia defense.

Considering the trauma we've suffered, it isn't really implausible, though I'm surprised he didn't recognise her as a witch despite being female.

Also, WHERE THE FUCK IS MAH ALASKAN FISHERMEN MERC?!

>>26672233
>>Tell him the truth. You're a Soviet witch.

They'd learn the truth once they checked the manifest anyways.

>>26672233
>Use the anemia defense.
THIS CANNOT POSSIBLY GO WRONG

>>26672233

>Other

Draw service pistol, tell him shakily to stay back and not to attempt rape (Soviet Propaganda)!

>>26672233
>Use the amnesia defense.

Even is he does identify us as soviet, being amnesiac would probably identify us as non-hostile at least.

>>26672233
>Tell him the truth. You're a Soviet witch.
It shall set ye free. Right into a POW camp that shares a pool with housing for American pilots and witches in California. ...I mean, what?

>>26672233
Don't let the Americans win! Kill him immediately.

>>26672233
Don't do or say much of anything. Act like your in shock.

>>26672233
>Use the amnesia defense.

>>26672274
Dammit man, I'm trying to play this in character!

>>26672257
He'll pick the both of us up.

>>26672255
I like this idea.

Let's be realistic here.

>>26672233
>>Use the amnesia defense.

>>26672233
>Tell him the truth. You're a Soviet witch.

>>26672233
>Tell him the truth. You're a Soviet witch.
And absolutely NOTHING ELSE.

>>26672233
>Use the amnesia defense.

We suffered some extreme trauma, I'd be surprised if it didn't work, at least for the moment.

>>26672295
Name, rank, serial number, that sort of thing?

>>26672233
>Tell him the truth. You're a Soviet witch.

with a bit of this >>26672266

>>26672233
>Tell him the truth. You're a Soviet witch.
The grunts stick together.
"You're with the American Navy? I'm a Soviet Witch. Our superiors are not on the best of terms, eh? But I say, screw that, uh? screw that. The grunts stick together, davai?"
>>26672241
>>26672245
We have ONE LEG. We're probably hypothermic. And we're in the middle of the ocean. All killing him will do is cause us to die out here alone.

>>26672233
>>Tell him the truth. You're a Soviet witch.

>>26672233
>Act shocked.

Keep your mouth shut and your eyes open. Don't trust him further than we can throw him, which isn't very far without magic.

>>26672233
>Use the amnesia defense.

Yes, let's flat out admit to him to being a soviet despite EVERYTHING we've been taught pointing to the opposite.

At least amnesia carries a chance of being marked non-hostile.

>>26672300
Precisely.

>>26672309
Good! Let us at least die with dignity instead of ravished at American hands. Let us die with the motherland in our heart, pure of the taint of wretched capitalist denigration. Let us die as we lived, a patriot!

>>26672309
witches are not exactly grunts

>>26672233
>Use the amnesia defense.

>>26672233
>Tell him the truth. You're a Soviet witch.
If it worked for Katya...

>>26672233
>>Use the amnesia defense.

Ahahahaha

No.

>>26672233
>>Tell him the truth. You're a Soviet witch.

>>26672320
And now you're talking like those creepy Academy girls. Besides, there's a chance we'll get picked up by a Soviet boat. We don't know HOW the battle went.

>>26672332

Katya defected before this war, though.

>>26672233
Die standing.

Let's not be a limp wristed waifu.

>>26672332

Katya ACTIVELY defected moron.

We have rather different circumstances here.

>>26672332
A very good point

ITT retards.
>>26672345
Katya's defection CAUSE the war. Sort of.

>>26672233
Other:

I surrender! Don't rape me!

>>26672233
>>Use the amnesia defense.

Good grief, all these people doing exactly what we were told not to do.

>>26672349
>>26672345
She was still taken in by americans and not horribly raped so far as we know

>>26672233
>[x]Tell him the truth. You're a Soviet witch.
>then curl up in ball in corner of boat farthest from him, and start to cry. We've had a shitty day, I think we've earned it.

>>26672233
>Use the amnesia defense.

On a completely different note I hope Voychek survived.

Yes I know it's unlikely, I'd like to hope all the same.

>>26672361
WE don't know that.

We've only gotten the information from our superiors.

>>26672325
Neither are sailors.
If your MOS doesn't start with "03" (if you're Marine Corps) or "11" (if you're Army), you aren't a grunt.

>>26672340
Well it's more interesting than being a sniveling broken dove.

>>26672361

And how exactly are we supposed to know that?

>>26672369
And the gossip from our fellow witches.

>>26672233
Fight.

>>26672233
>Use the amnesia defense.

>>26672233
>>Use the amnesia defense.

>>26672233
>Other
I think we've earned the right to just fucking pass out right about now

>>26672374
>implying we can't proudly state that we are a Soviet Witch, and dare him to try anything
If he decides to rape us, we shall lie completely still while singing the Soviet National Anthem, not give him any pleasure in it. He'll get his when a Soviet vessel picks us up.
From a practical standpoint we're in no position to physically overpower him, so we have to be clever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U06jlgpMtQs

>>26672233
You decide to try and buy some time for yourself. You're not sure how he'd react to a Soviet witch, and you're reasonably sure you wouldn't be able to convincingly pass yourself off as a fellow American.

"I... I don't remember." You mumble quietly.

The Marine nods, not quite convinced, but knowing he wasn't going to get much else.

"Well, Private Thomas Hendricks, at your service." The Marine gives a lighthearted grin and shakes you hand. "Guess we're both stuck in a shitty situation, huh?"

You take the opportunity to examine Thomas a bit closer. Judging from the damage on his clothes, and the fact that was in a life raft, it was reasonable to assume he'd just survived his ship getting sunk. You are also acutely aware of his holstered M1911.

You instinctively reach where you'd normally keep your sidearm, only to be disheartened when you feel nothing there. It seems you've lost the majority of your gear during that crash. Fortunately, you've still got your witch power to fall back on. Apparently, your arctic fox familiar granted you the ability to directly convert magic energy into heat. It was amazingly useful during the cold winter months, and with enough concentration, you could even generate fire with it. It made for a nice desperation weapon, sort of like this one.

"The bleeding isn't stopping." Thomas frowns as he checks the stump that used to be your left leg. Already, you could see blood pooling at the bottom of the raft. "Hey, you're a witch, aren't you? I saw you go down with that Striker and everything. Can't you use magic to fix this?"

Uh oh.

>Full denial. You're totally not a witch.
>Concede you're a witch, but nothing more.
>Tell him the truth.
>Try to restrain him.
>Other

>>26672233
>Use the amnesia defense.

Extreme trauma = useful excuse not to talk

>>26672426
>Concede you're a witch, but nothing more.

Try saving our life.

>>26672426
>Concede you're a witch, but nothing more.

can we actually perform healing?
that would be a BIG help.

>>26672426
Cook the magazine of his pistol.

>>26672426
Concede you're a witch, but nothing more

>>26672426
>Other
"I... I don't really know. But I guess I can try?"
Get his sympathy, he'll be easier to manipulate if we need to.

>>26672426
>>Concede you're a witch, but nothing more.

Full denial is impossible, though not having the ability to heal isn't exactly top-secret information.