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>>28452644
Here we go!
>"Out of curiosity, can you actually kill me like this?"
>"You're right, I should be figuring out how to kill you."
Fuck this shit us having it literally dooms us at most 10 years of borrowed time.

>"If he's telling the truth, I'm dead either way. The only one who loses is you"

>>28452644
>"Please remove this tentacle from my throat."

>>28452674
Gotta go with this

"Out of curiosity, can you actually kill me like this?"

<I don't know,> it says, its grip tightening just a bit more, <but I don't think either of us would care to find out.>

"Meaning you can't. If you could, you'd use it as a threat."

<That's assuming I would know if I could.>

"Mmm," you hum. "In any case, you're right. I should be doing something. Figuring out how to kill you."

<Richard has had his 'Cambion' longer and knows more, yet he thinks it's impossible.>

"Nothing's impossible."

<You can't survive in a black hole, and you can't kill me.>

"Considering you claim not to know whether or not you can kill me, you're managing an awful lot of certainty on that point."

<This line of discussion is irrelevant. You haven't done anything to advance any goals. I don't want to be killed by some other 'Incubator,' and neither do you; that is true whether or not Richard is a liar. Surely you can see that?>

"If he's telling the truth, I'm dead either way. The only one who loses is you."

<You could have a good few years ahead of you, even if Richard is telling the truth, and you have little time to delay in that case. Why do you hesitate from removing threats?>

>"There hasn't been a good opportunity."
>"I don't have to justify myself to you."
>"Remove this tentacle from my throat, then we can talk."
>"I've been busy."
>"You're talking about killing people."
>Write-in.

>>28452949
>>"You're talking about killing people."

It's only been two days. Going from regular student to possessed serial killer isn't a switch you can turn on and off.

If it makes you feel any better, I have no intention of dying anytime soon.

>>28452949
>"I don't have to justify myself to you."
>"You're talking about killing people."
>"You aren't interested in anything but your own self-preservation, I'm interested in my own as well and having you as a part of me drastically cuts my lifespan as it is. I'm going to find a way to get you out."

>>28452949
>"I don't have to justify myself to you."
>"Remove this tentacle from my throat, then we can talk."
>"Richard's too valuable at this point as a man with experience that doesn't want us dead immidiately. Besides communication with another incubator also prolongs life to some degree"

>>28452949
>Let's focus on Richard for a moment. Based on the information I have currently, I have just as much reason to trust him as I have to trust you. If you want to change that, now is the time to make your case.

>>28453041
seconding this one

also we have a good reason for self preservation we have people we care about

>>28453041
Thirding this one. So Zion died and Eden lived in this 'verse.

>>28453100
Nah, if this was a Wormverse variation, I would've had you pick a trauma and assigned a power based on that.

>>28453124
Darn it now I want to see that method of power generation. Probably even put it midway through first thread and "forget" to mention you'll get powers off of it.

"I don't have to justify myself to you. What you're talking about is killing people. That's serious, you don't just go from student to possessed serial killer."

<People who would kill you. People who are threats. People who would die anyway, if Richard is to be believed.>

"I have as much reason to believe you as Richard. Why should I trust you?"

<I gave you your powers,> it hisses, tentacle coiling around your neck just a little bit tighter. <That is all I am able do for you! I don't know anything more than you, beyond some knowledge of my own nature. Knowledge which you refuse to accept!>

"Remove the tentacle from my throat, then we can continue this conversation."

There's a moment's hesitation, and the tentacle slackens and withdraws.

"Thank you. Regardless of whether he's a liar or not, Richard is valuable as someone with experience who doesn't want us dead right now."

<Doesn't seem to want, you mean.>

"Fine, whatever. He also said that contact with an Incubator lengthens our own lifespan."

<Assuming that wasn't a lie too.>

>"So you can offer no reassurances that you're honest, and have nothing to offer in terms of advice beyond paranoia? What is the point of this conversation?"
>"You're just dissembling, now. You aren't interested in anything other than self-preservation. Well, so am I. And you are going to kill me unless I kill you first."
>"Do you do anything, other than being a voice in my head telling me to kill people?"
>Write-in.

>"So you can offer no reassurances that you're honest, and have nothing to offer in terms of advice beyond paranoia? What is the point of this conversation?"

>>28453278
>"Do you do anything, other than being a voice in my head telling me to kill people?"

why am I starting to believe that superpowers just make you go insane?

>>28453194
It'd be a variation on Weaver Dice, basically.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/17WIAhETdtVGSKzFuDYOT2_6U_MMXmTGyzCziYhCwozo/edit?pli=1#

That system is horribly vague. Has anyone here tried to improve it?

>>28453278
>Now we're just going in circles. I'm doing what I can with what I have, but I have is not mind bullets. The most reliable way to stop Richard from killing me is to wear a bomb the next time I meet him. It's also the most reliable way to get rid of you, if it comes to that.
>Or did you think the chemistry textbooks were just for school?

>>28452644
You should get someone to add you to the Quest Runners' Directory, and/or post in QTG, so it's easier to see you're live.

>>28453278
>"So you can offer no reassurances that you're honest, and have nothing to offer in terms of advice beyond paranoia? What is the point of this conversation?"

>>28453362
Horribly vague systems are the best way to run Quests, imo.
>>28453411
>You should get someone to add you to the Quest Runners' Directory, and/or post in QTG, so it's easier to see you're live.
You're not my Mom. I'll do it after my next post.

"So you can offer no reassurances that you're honest, and have nothing to offer in terms of advice beyond paranoia? What is the point of this conversation?"

<The point,> it says, its tentacles tightening into balls for a moment before splaying out again, <is that you need to get started on things. Going out on dates with Tracy may be nice and all, but you do have to be alive in order to do so.>

"Do you do anything? I mean, besides being a voice in my head telling me to kill people?"

<I give you superpowers. Do you do anything, other than provide me a place to live, and trying and failing to mack on Tracy?>

>"Wait, you were watching my date with Tracy? Ew."
>"It seems like neither of us are getting a whole lot of out of this relationship, then, so why don't you just leave?"
>"Fuck off. I'm waking up now." Wake up.
>Write-in.

>"It seems like neither of us are getting a whole lot of out of this relationship, then, so why don't you just leave?"

>>28453523
>"Wait, you were watching my date with Tracy? Ew."
Not cool, I thought you were a bro Mr. Cambion.

>>28453523
>The power to read books really fast, which is what I've been doing. For a 'scholar' you don't seem to think much of self-education.

>>28453523
>"Well, I'm sorry if I don't devote every moment of my life to planning my survival, but it's pointless to extend my life by one year if I have to spend more time than that to plot and plan and work for it, see? I can't forget to enjoy the life I have left either."

>>28453523
>"Wait, you were watching my date with Tracy? Ew."

then this
>The power to read books really fast, which is what I've been doing. For a 'scholar' you don't seem to think much of self-education.

>>28453523
Inquire about the knowledge it was born with that it keeps alluding to as well as what it would have us be doing other than killing random people based on he says she says.

"Wait, you were watching my date with Tracy? Ew."

<If I could turn it off, I would. Watching you fail so badly was almost painful.>

"Now you're just being mean."

<The point regarding you lack of effort towards protecting yourself and eliminating threats remains.>

"I've been learning, gaining knowledge. For a 'Scholar' you don't seem to think much of self-education."

<You've spent a large portion of your time so far studying for high school and cooking. Your selection of other materials to study has been eclectic at best. You haven't been seeking out others like yourself, you haven't been trying to figure out ways to counter powers, even though you have some awareness of what they can do. How would you kill Richard, for example?>

>"I'd strike a pressure point and/or sever a major artery."
>"I'd blow him up with PE4."
>"Fuck off. I'm waking up now." Wake up.
>Write-in.

>>28453878
>"I'd trade Cambions with him and wait for his suicide. Alright, what kind of studying and general preparation do you think I should do?"

>>28453523
>I give you superpowers
I never asked for this

>>28453878
>>"I'd blow him up with PE4."
A wise man once said "When in doubt, add more C4"

>>28453878
>"I'd blow him up with PE4."

or a glass IED

>>28453878
>2013
>not choosing explosives

>>28453878
>Table salt, sodium chloride, can be converted to sodium chlorate though electrolysis. Sodium chlorate is an oxidizing agent that can be mixed with powdered sugar to produce solid rocket fuel. A metal flashlight body would serve as a rocket tube, while the incandescent bulb can serve as an ignition source. I just need to aim at his head and press the switch.

"I'd blow him up with PE4."

<Do you really think he'll just walk into whatever trap you set? He's as smart as you and he's had a year to learn. You're not going to be able to solve this problem with such a direct, straightforward application of force. Unless, I suppose, you were willing to incur collateral losses. But we've already established you shy away from killing people who are legitimate threats. I'd expect you to avoid involving noncombatants even more.>

"Fine. I'd trade Cambions with him and wait for his suicide."

<How droll.>

"Alright, what kind of studying do you think I should do?"

<I think you should acquire weaponry, then learn to use that weaponry. A firearm. You may have heard of them? A sniper rifle would be best. You could strike from a range, then, before he even has the chance to see or hear you.>

>"Yeah, I'll just waltz into a gun store and buy a sniper rifle. At seventeen."
>"What about when he dodges the bullet? Since apparently having time to prepare is enough to make you invulnerable to explosives."
>"Fuck off. I'm waking up now." Wake up.
>Write-in.

>>28454119
Fucking... dropped my trip. How unprofessional.

>>28454128
lol what a scrub

can we combine the top two options?

>>28454119
>"What about when he dodges the bullet? Since apparently having time to prepare is enough to make you invulnerable to explosives. Or if you prefer something less snarky, what about when I line up the shot and it turns out he's right next t me because he can counter-plan? Sniper rifles aren't too great in close quarters."

>>28454119
>>"Yeah, I'll just waltz into a gun store and buy a sniper rifle. At seventeen."
Where are we? Because if we're in the US, we actually CAN waltz into a gun shop and buy a scoped hunting rifle.

>>28454128
if we're outside of America
>"Yeah, I'll just waltz into a gun store and buy a sniper rifle. At seventeen."

If we're inside of the USA
>"What about when he dodges the bullet? Since apparently having time to prepare is enough to make you invulnerable to explosives."

>>28454119
>Hence the chemistry lesson. I can't buy a firearm, so I'll just have to make one.
then >>28454048

>>28454163
>Where are we?
You are in Vanak City, which is in [unspecified county] of [unspecified state] in the greatest nation in the world (the United States of America) in an alternate history where the US switched to the metric system. I know that's completely implausible, right up there with Operation Sealion, but I hope you'll suspend your disbelief.

> Because if we're in the US, we actually CAN waltz into a gun shop and buy a scoped hunting rifle.
Pretty sure you can't.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/922#b

>>28454256
I think the U.S. officially switched to the metric system decades ago, but lazy fucks never changed anything and just kept using inches/pounds/other dumb shit.

>>28454256
Unless I'm reading that wrong, doesn't that just say you can't buy a handgun? I'm confused.

>>28454297
All I know is I learned quarts and I buy my gas in gallons.

>>28454298
> any firearm or ammunition to any individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is less than eighteen years of age
Can't buy any guns until 18.
>if the firearm, or ammunition is other than a shotgun or rifle, or ammunition for a shotgun or rifle, to any individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is less than twenty-one years of age;
Can't buy things other than shotguns or rifles (i.e. handguns) until 21.

>>28454323
Ok, fair enough. Then we go to the black market then. There's more fun toys there anyways; full autos and such.

This might sound crazy, but I think our pet monster might be telling the truth about Richard, at least as far as he knows. If Richard is telling the truth, working with him would prolong the incubation but not stop it. Meanwhile working with a group increases the chance that we survive long enough to complete the incubation, so the symbiote has a net gain from working with Richard.

"Yeah, I'll just waltz into a gun store and buy a sniper rifle. At seventeen."

<Produce or obtain a fake ID. It's not that difficult, and should be well within your abilities.>

"And what about when he dodges the bullet? Since apparently having time to prepare is enough to make you invulnerable to explosives."

<It isn't, but he is unlikely to be alone and away from his parents much, and it would be very difficult to deceive someone with your powers in order to lure them into a trap.>

>"Yet you claim he's trying to deceive me."
>"This is boring. Is there a point?"
>"Fuck off. I'm waking up now." Wake up.
>Write-in.

>"Yet you claim he's trying to deceive me."

>>28454509
"Right. Well, I'll get started on some of that then. Probably." Wake up.

>>28454509
>what if I mounted the explosives on a small rocket? It only needs to bring down part of the building to kill him

>>28454509
>"Yet you claim he's trying to deceive me."

"Yet you claim he's trying to deceive me."

<I said very difficult, not impossible. If anyone could do it, it would be another Scholar Incubator with substantially more experience.>

"What if I mounted the explosives on a small rocket? It only needs to bring down part of the building to kill him."

<Then there would probably be unnecessary fatalities. If you're willing to incur them, then that would be a fine plan.>

"Right. Well, I'll get started on some of that then. Maybe."

You will yourself awake, and consciousness returns to you. You yawn and stretch. It's 5:43 AM.

>STUDY TIME!

Since studying worked out so poorly in previous threads, let's put together a study plan for this thread! We'll study until something interesting happens or Abby needs to eat or you want to do something else.

Current study plan:
>Psychology and Speaking Skills: begun. Maybe 15% completed.
>Spanish: almost complete, missing some pronunciation
>Electronics+Wiring
>Cyber Security skills (anti-hacking)
>Cyber Security skills (hacking)
>Other computer skills: typical American teenager with their own computer
>Lock-picking
>Wilderness Survival Manuals
>Auto maintenance

You've already learned:
>All school courses save Spanish
>A lot of chemical engineering
>Some cooking
>First Aid
>Anatomy and Pressure Points

Adjust study plan? If so, how? And do you want to do anything in particular today, like call Ned or Richard or Tracy or bother your mom or go buy things?

>>28454787
No changing stuff, but focus on:
>Electronics+Wiring
Useful in many ways.
>Cyber Security skills (anti-hacking)
>Cyber Security skills (hacking)
>Other computer skills: typical American teenager with their own computer
Necessary, if not against other Incubators then against the government.

For today, take a walk and call Richard for some more questions about things, then call up Ned+Tracy to give out cookies (did Tracy get hers yesterday or?) and do something.

>>28454787
Lets placate Cambion a bit
Study chemical engineering with focus on explosives
we're still behind a firewall right?

>>28454787
We need to get in some practical experience on top of the reading. Buy low-sodium salt substitute and a large measuring jug in the grocery store, then experiment with making potassium chlorate via electrolysis.
I spent way too much time making rocket candy when I was at school.

I should note that, at present, the list is in temporally ordered: you clear one to your satisfaction and move on to the next.

>>28454853
You are using a proxy, yes.

You get started on studying.

>Psychology and Speaking Skills: Around 45% done.

8:12 AM. Breakfast. You fetch yourself something to eat, then get back to studying.

>Psychology and Speaking Skills: Around 70% done.

10:19 AM. Richard should be available by now, yes? Yes. Hopefully. He hasn't called you back, so maybe you need to call him.

You grab your prepaid and head out the door, giving your mom a quick "Goodbye" as you do. Once you're a good distance away from home, you call him.

"Sorry about not calling you back sooner," he says. "Stuff happened."

"If we could pick up where we left off, that'd be nice."

"Sure, sure. I've got a question before we go any further, though: do you want to live? It'll be unpleasant to kill people to survive. The process of Cambion 'implantation' is always accompanied by some serious negative emotions and violence, so most Incubators are pretty mean people. We're not talking about killing innocents, to be clear. But it might be beyond your constitution.

"Otherwise, I could see to a peaceful death. If you aren't willing to kill to live, you have about a month before your first Partial Manifestation. I could give you a couple weeks to get your affairs in order, then a quick end. I don't know, you might prefer it."

>"Are you serious?"
>"Have you done this before?"
>"...I definitely don't want to die."
>"If what you're saying is true, then I'll kill to live."
>"How many people have you killed?"
>Write-in.

>>28455151
>"I def don't wanna die"

>>28455151
>Then I guess I'll find out if you're telling the truth in about a month. See you then.

>>28455151
>...let's go back a bit first - what do youknow of the 'implantation' as you call it?

>>28455151
"Killing really mean people so I can live? Think I can handle it. But Richard, don't try and get a free life boost off of me. I'm not just going to lie down and die."

>>28455203
this

>>28455151
>"...I definitely don't want to die."

though asking him for a quick end and then suddenly explosion sounds good as well

"Then I guess I'll find out if you're telling the truth in about a month. See you then."

"Um. How can I put this politely? No you won't. If you aren't in on the killing, or the other option, you're a ticking time bomb. I'm not going to just let you Partially Manifest and kill a bunch of people." He pauses, sighs. "Look, let me put it like this: when it Manifests, your Cambion has access to all your knowledge and abilities. How dangerous are you to other human beings are you right now?"

Your lips become a thin line for a moment.

"That's what I figured," he says, taking your silence for an answer, "there's no undo button on that knowledge. Partial Manifestations, if they aren't stopped by external intervention, can last for the better part of an hour. How many people could you kill in that time? If you aren't willing to do what it takes to delay that, I will do what it takes to stop it. And I want to be clear here, I don't mean I'll kill you. I don't know if I could, Scholars are real tough to corner and I'm alone in the world right now. What I mean is, I'll inform Project Etna that you're an Incubator, and they'll take care of you."

>"I'll tell them you're an Incubator when they come for me."
>"Fine. Fine. I guess I'm in."
>"If you're making this up..."
>"How will you do that when you're dead?"
>Write-in.

>"Fine. Fine. I guess I'm in."
Go to shake his hand. Nerve pinch so he is distracted by lots of pain. Then crush his windpipe so he chokes to death.

This guy just threatened to kill us.

>>28455644
"Interesting. This reminds me of the legend of the werewolf. Perhaps, should we fail to kill the appropriate number of Incubators, we could set up a location to be locked down. Tied up, and left there for the better part of the hour when the transformation takes over. This of course would be an emergency situation, but you have to admit it's better then murder spree.

Regardless, for now I'm in for killing some nasty Incubators. But you should be careful, Richard. My incubator has all my knowledge as well, and that means he could easily reveal you to Project Eterna too."

>>28455644
>I'm seeing a pattern here, Richard. You're very quick to sacrifice others to protect the innocent. Scared to bite the bullet yourself?

>>28455701
Such edge
So dark
>>28455644
>"Fine. Fine. I guess I'm in."
"I guess you're a trustworthy person, if you have such mindset"

>>28455644
>"Why wouldn't they come for you as well?"

I'll go with >>28455845

>>28455716
Half of them could break out of most places pretty easily, the teleporters for example.

>>28455954
I was talking about us, dude.

We can't do shit if they tie us up and lock the door.

Even if Richard is telling the truth, I think the direct threats are enough to move him to the top of the murder list now.
Maybe blow up a gas line underneath his street.

>>28456246
You do realize that, like, other people live on his street, right?

"Why wouldn't they come for you as well?"

"Two reasons. Reason one, Etna is made up of reasonable people, who understand that individuals like myself are assisting them in their job by doing our thing, and will generally turn a blind eye to us as a consequence. Reason two, I'm not stupid enough to contact them in any way they could track back to me."

"It seems like we could just lock each other up when we're on the cusp of Partially Manifesting. Wouldn't that be helpful?"

"Cambions have some measure of control over the timing of Partial Manifestations. That's probably part of why hanging out with other Incubators makes you live longer: they delay, looking for their moment. For things like permanent captivity or long-term proximity to other Incubators, the effects are marginal: the Cambion knows no better opportunity is going to come around. For temporary captivity? Not so much. It'll wait you out."

"You were talking about revealing my status as an Incubator to Etna; my Cambion could reveal you to Project Etna as well."

He laughs at that, a sharp, real laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"Scholar Cambions don't have mouths when they Manifest. They can't talk."

>He threatened you. "I'm in. I'd like to meet face to face." (So you can kill him.)
>"You sure seem very willing to sacrifice others. Too scared to sacrifice yourself?"
>"I guess I'm in."
>Write-in.

>>28456259
Meaning that even if they work out it was deliberate, they won't ask why someone went after him specifically.

>He threatened you. "I'm in. I'd like to meet face to face." (So you can kill him.)

>>28456339
Much edge
So murderhobo
>>28456303
>"I guess I'm in."

>>28456303
>No mouths
Ha, that is pretty funny actually.
Cockhead.

But we need some allies, and he sure as hell is stronger then us.

>>28456303
>I guess I'm in.
Make sure we have that explosive vest ready before we meet him, just in case he's lying.

>>28456303
>He threatened you. "I'm in. I'd like to meet face to face." (So you can kill him.)

I'm trusting neither we need our own line to Etna

>>28456303
>"Hahaha, that's pretty funny actually. Anyway, lacking any real options at the moment, I might as well agree."

>>28456303

"Richard stop being a dick this is serious business so could please stop being so casual about killing me.

I get it you're fucking clever, well done, can we come back to the matter of living now."

Plus what ever decision we make I just wanted to let him know he's being a dickbutt.

Looks like diplomancing wins out over murderhoboing.

>writing

>>28456515
Well, when you pit two of /tg/'s staple courses of action against each-other, generally the friendly one will win.

>>28456515
He needs to threaten our waifu before tg goes full murderhobo.

>>28456539
I just don't think we should throw away potentially our best source of information yet. I absolutely think we should be ready to go murderhobo if he tries anything.

"Haha, that is pretty funny, actually." You sigh audibly. "I guess I'm in."

"Good to hear it," he says, and you can hear the tension disappearing from his voice. There's a moment of silence. "Right then. You want to get back to what we were talking about before we got interrupted on Friday? Kinds of Incubators?"

"Why not?"

"Good to hear. Okay, there's eight of them: Ballista, Chariot, Exile, Healer, Knight, Marshal, Monarch, Scholar.

"Ballistas can lift lots of little things and move them very quickly. It's a sort of shrapnel effect. It's not very useful for manipulation, but it does have its power tricks - they're basically aware of everything within their twenty meter range.

"Chariots can fly. Very fast, very maneuverable, any direction they feel like. Around as fast as a car, and they have some attendant powers; don't need to breathe much, tough skin, can take cold and wind, resistant to g-forces, that sort of thing. Basically everything you need to be a slow-moving airplane.

"Exiles can teleport up to around three meters. No line-of-sight necessary, they can re-orient on demand, and their power won't let them inadvertently teleport into solid objects. If they aren't moving any substantial distance - going from prone to standing, for example - they can do it about once every half-second. Max distance, the cooldown's more like two seconds. That's not too fast, but when you do it in an urban environment, covered in walls? It makes a chase nearly impossible.

>(1/2)

>>28456724
"Healers have the ability to fuck with your biology. It can get real nasty, but they need skin-to-skin contact to manage it. They can do good with it, too, but I've yet to meet one who had a very pleasant disposition. Lesser stuff is nearly instant, serious stuff requires a lot of time.

"Knights are strong, fast, and durable. Like, I dunno, Golden Age Superman mixed with Spider-Man. Don't fall for the clichés of the slow bruiser, they can run at Olympic levels and jump even farther.

"Marshals use their body to produce these little creatures. It's a bit like our power, in that it's more preparatory than action-oriented. They can only make a few a week, but they last indefinitely as long as they're fed. They aren't very smart, but they're smart enough. Around as intelligent as a stupid, autistic child. They have variable effects and abilities - Penelope could make some nasty things.

"Monarchs have the ability to affect nervous systems. Not mind control, but physical control of the body. Mostly, they can make you jerk around, but if they use their power on you long enough, they can get some fantastic control. Not too dangerous so long as you have the presence of mind to stay out of their range, which is around five meters max.

"You and I are Scholars. Pretty straightforward: perception, memory, analysis. We're the only ones that Etna never takes alive. Too difficult to hold.

"Any questions? Been a while since I explained this to anybody."

>Write-in.

>>28456737
>Not only most boring/hardest to write power, but the only one that locks off potentially dealing with Etna as well
Fuck

>"So, how do you deal with Knights if you're not Knight or Monarch yourself? I guess Chariots and Exiles can avoid them, but..."

>>28456737
>Wait what makes us harder to contains than say Monarchs? You keep us behind a locked door with no mechanisms on our side and a slide to pass simple meals through and you should be fine. Am I missing something obvious?

>>28456737
>does yours still talk to you?

>>28456724
>>28456737
>Ballistas
Lift things, huh? Sounds pretty basic. If it's in a space without anything to lift it should easily be handled. Launched into the sky, even better.

>Chariots
Slow airplanes? Probably better to take them down underground then. Subway or something with not much room to move. Tough skin is fine, but you can't stop bullets with that.

>Exiles
Interesting. Limited cool down, but fast at short distances. Explosives might be rather handy with them, wide spread, shrapnel and such. Get them in the middle of an open field and launch rockets at em till they get tired. Or just predict where they'll move.

>Healers
Strange. But keep at a distance and we're cool.

>Knights
Dangerous. Possibly a good idea to dump them in the middle of the ocean. Or maybe just snipe them from far away.

>Marshals
Army makers. Longer they're alive, the more dangerous. But they need food. Depending on what that is, they can be starved out.

>Monarchs
Limited. Easy to keep distance, but also possible army makers. Deal with at range.

>Scholars
Clearly, we're the best ones then. Far smarter then any of the others, and more adept at being at range as well.

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>>28456866
The answer to all of these is a soup can full of homemade semtex traveling at 60 miles per hour.

>>28456866
It'll be interesting to see you try to implement some of these strategies. How are you going to toss a Knight into the middle of the ocean, for example?

"How do you deal with Knights if you're not a Knight or Monarch yourself? I guess Chariots and Exiles can avoid them, but..."

"Armor piercing ammunition, explosives of all kinds, tear gas, nerve gas, and if you're a Ballista or a Marshal - or a well-trained Scholar, I suppose - you can target the eyes or mouth."

"What makes us harder to contain than, say, Monarchs? You keep us behind a locked door with no mechanisms on our side. Am I missing something obvious?"

"What you're missing is that they don't take us captive to hold us in a summer vacation home. They want to do things like experiment on us, which they can't do very well because we don't cooperate. You have to let people in to examine us at some point, open the doors, use mechanisms inside the room to control us, that kind of thing. Too many potential points of attack, when you're dealing with a locksmith/rocket scientist/electrical engineer/chemical engineer. You don't have to get out to piss them off, either."

"Does your Cambion still talk to you?"

"Moriarty? Yeah. Sometimes. You can kind of cut off the line of communication, but it's not something you can do all the time. There's something else I want to move on to. That about it?"

>"Yeah, for now anyway. We can discuss strategies when we have particular targets."
>Write-in.

>>28457204
>"Yeah, for now anyway. We can discuss strategies when we have particular targets."
Sounds good to me. Gotta cool off after all this anyway.

>>28457120
Obviously just invite him on a pleasant helicopter ride.
What? We're a genius, we'll find a way.

>>28457204
>1
Sure Richie, I just wish we got some benefit to killing other Incubators beyond living. Like, absorbing a portion of their power based on ours. Knowledge since we're Scholars.

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Incidentally, if it comes up I vote for naming ours Tyler

"Yeah, that's about it. Just wish we got something more than living a little longer out of it."

"You also get the good feelings of being a person who helps save lives. Isn't that something?"

"Eh. I was thinking more additional powers."

"Well, your powers get a bit better after each Partial Manifestation, if that makes you feel any better."

"It doesn't, really."

"Tough. Anyway, onto more important topics, I'm really glad to have gotten you on-board so easily. I've been working on a couple other possibilities, but it's nice to have somebody just fall into my lap.

"Basically, I've found two other probable Incubators who aren't keeping their heads down well enough and the boys at Etna haven't decided or managed to take down. First is an Exile Incubator. There's been a rash of break-ins nearby, no signs of forced entry, or indeed entry at all. Only known witness got shot and killed. But I've managed to piece together a decent description of the culprit and an idea of where she lives based upon what's available.

"The other one is a Chariot Incubator. Reports of flights, combined with some work on my part, has him pretty well nailed down to a few blocks. Hasn't stuck his head out too far.

"Neither of theme seem to have Manifested their Cambion yet. I've got my own perspective, but I'd like another pair of eyes on the problem. What do you think?"

>Write-in.

>>28457444
>No worries. We look at where the break-ins are happening, work out the pattern, then once we identify the next likely target we use a makeshift fuel-air bomb to wipe out the entire street when he shows up.
>Just kidding about the bomb part, by the way.

>>28457444
Haha, >>28457501 sounds good!

>>28457444
>>28457501
Ha, suppose that'd work. Though, the question remains how do you catch him...

Getting a sniper might be a good idea after all.

>>28457540
>>28457501
Her. The Exile Incubator is a woman.

>>28457562
Close enough.

Ask him if HE ever manifested.

>>28457562
>It's Tracy

>>28457621
N-nooo...

>>28457621
It's our mother

>>28457621
>>28457653
So many great ideas!

"I think we should look at where the break-ins are happening, work out the pattern, then once we identify the next likely target, stake it out and kill her when she shows up."

"Mmm," he hums. "I see the logic. My thinking was that we go door to door with some bullshit petition or whatever in the area the Chariot lives and recruit him when we find him. Do the same thing for the Exile, but follow her and kill her when we get a good opportunity. A Chariot makes for a decent back-up plan, since he can lift her up past her range before the cooldown ends, and the safeties won't let her teleport out."

"The safeties on teleportation prevent that?"

"Oh, fuck, I didn't mention it, did I? Yeah, their power's safeties don't let them teleport without solid footing at the arrival point. It's Sunday morning, so I really don't plan on doing this today either way. I guess I'll let the newbie take the reins. Which one do you want to go with?"

>"My plan." Stake out probable targets for the Exile.
>"Your plan." Do a mass search for them, recruit the Chariot, and kill the Exile when she moves into the open.
>Some kind of weird synthesis (detail)
>Write-in.

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>>28457653
They're both Richard.
We're also Richard.
Richard doesn't know this yet.

>>28457907
The entire plot is the protagonist's dream; she's been in a coma since she was beat up by Jim's thugs.

Is it okay for a QM to participate in silly guessing? I hope so, because I'm going to do it anyway.

>>28457875
>Some kind of weird synthesis (detail)
Recruit Chariot, then proceed with our plan with him as backup if we fail

>>28457875
>Write-in.
"If you know roughly where the Exile lives, we could just level a few blocks with an exploding gas line to kill her. If it prevents her from manifesting, that's still a net positive in terms of lives saved, right?"

>>28457875

>"Your plan." Do a mass search for them, recruit the Chariot, and kill the Exile when she moves into the open.

"I like the idea of recruiting the Chariot first, but I think preparing an ambush is a better idea than seeking out the Exile. She might recognize us as Incubators or something."

You can hear him consider it. "Sure. Sounds like a decent enough plan. See you on Monday."

"I suppose so."

The conversation ends there, and you head home to study some more.

>Psychology and Speaking Skills: Nearly complete! 90% done.

You put together a very nice lunch. There's more than enough for you and your mother.

>Put some in front of your mother's door.
>Make your mother open the door if she wants some. (gonna have to roll Charm, 1d20, +0, best of the first three rolls)
>Try to get your mother to come out to eat in the dining room with you. (gonna have to roll Charm, 1d20, +0, best of the first three rolls)
>Fuck her, just eat her portions.
>Write-in.

Rolled 15

>>28458439
>Try to get your mother to come out to eat in the dining room with you. (gonna have to roll Charm, 1d20, +0, best of the first three rolls)
We gotta practice our charm!

Rolled 7

>>28458439

Rolled 19

>>28458439
>>Make your mother open the door if she wants some.

>>28458470
That's quite high anon...

You knock on the door. "Mom, I made some lunch."

The sound of motion. "Okay. Leave it--"

"Not happening. You can open the door and take it from me, or you can not eat this delicious, delicious food I prepared. Can you smell it from in there? Doesn't it smell good? You don't even have to leave the room. Just open the door."

Your mother unlocks the door and opens it tiny amount, one eye gazing through the crack, darting back and forth as if to ensure you're the only person there. She opens it a bit more, reaching one skinny, long arm towards you. "Give it, then," she demands.

You place it in her hand, releasing once you're sure she's got a good grip, and she withdraws it quickly inwards, opening the door just a bit more to get the plate in.

That done, the door closes, and you hear it lock.

You sigh, and eat your food alone. Then you study some more.

>Psychology and Speaking Skills: 100%!

>You got a point of Charm! (This is the only "free" point you'll ever get, so savor it.)

It's 1:36 PM. Your phone is ringing. You glance at the caller ID; it's Ned.

>Pick up.
>Ignore it to study some more.
>Write-in.

>>28458620
>>Pick up.

>Pick up.

>>28458620
Delicious Charm.
>Pick up.
Rev up them cookies.

>>28458620
>Use super power effectively
>'Free point' to stat.
What.

Also pick up.

You pick up your cell and answer the call.

"Hey, Abby," Ned starts, "um."

"Hey, Ned. Do you have something to say, or did you just call to say hi?"

"You remember asking me about possession on Friday?"

"Yes."

"Well, I was thinking about it. Someone said something at Church earlier today and it reminded me. The Church has been kind of doing some healing for the past couple months. There's a girl who's supposed to be 'possessed,' I think; they just call her 'the vessel.' I've mostly heard bits and pieces, since my family doesn't have anyone who's sick, but people are saying she's the real deal. Apparently some enemies of the Church want to hurt her, which, I don't understand why anyone would, so they have to keep her locked down tight. That's what I've heard, anyway. Is that at all helpful to you?"

THREAD END.

Same deal as always, will be up a while more, comments greatly appreciated, yadda yadda.

Sorry for the quest being a bit shorter than usual (~6 hours instead of the usual ~8), and the updates being slower (unprepped stuff, which a lot of this was basically, every time you have a paranoid episode I have to write everything from scratch) I wanted a good stopping point and this is the closest one, I think.

>>28458794
That's okay, I had fun! Thanks for running.

Also, this sounds interesting...thankfully our ol' buddy Ned's here as the insider we need.

>>28458794
Huh, sounds like it might be an Incubator.

Sounds good though, thanks for running Tartarus.

Oh yeah, and to the guy from last thread who compared your power set to Tattletale's:

Your raw abilities are more Number Man than Tattletale. Your power is strictly sensory/informational and manipulates only information you could ordinarily obtain, whereas Tattletale is probably cheating (paging through alternate universes where she goes through the effort of getting the information).

No cheating. You have to play by the laws of physics.

Tattletale's power is also way, way, more social than yours. Your Perception is not beyond normal human abilities, and this is meaningful. It's also geared much more towards non-social things (e.g. scars, details, text) than social things (facial features, bodily movements).

>>28459057
Hey, OP, have you archived this quest?

>>28463451

yup, its archived http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/28452644/