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>>28589730
Finally, the C-130 sets down and taxis off the runway. The cargo ramp lowers and the loadmaster gives you a thumbs up.

"Okay! You guys can get out, stretch your legs, take a piss, whatever. Just be sure to get back here in an hour or we'll be taking off without you!"

"Oh god I really need a break." Red groans as she stretches her legs. "How do you guys get used to riding in those things all day?"

"You don't." You grumble.

"Now now, there could be worse things." Janice smiles.

"Hey, what are those?" Red points over to a long line of C-5s and C-17s.

"Globemasters and Galaxies. What else?"

"No, I mean, what the heck are they unloading?"

"Ah..." You almost don't have the heart to tell her. In addition to being the home of most of the USAF's heavy airlift capability, Dover AFB was also the drop off point for the bodies of personnel killed in action. The base had the largest mortuary run by the DoD. No doubt those C-5s and C-17s had just brought in another wave of fallen soldiers.

>Coffins, Red. The guys who didn't make it.
>Who knows?
>Other

>>28589736
>Coffins, Red. The guys who didn't make it.
"They're in Valhalla now."

>>28589736
>>Coffins, Red. The guys who didn't make it.

Add a little, "At least we can bring most of these guys home, unlike in 'Nam. A couple of my instructors at Superman School were veterans of that war. They hated not being able to find and get all of our guys out."

>>28589736
>>Who knows?

I'd rather not assume

>>28589736
>>Coffins, Red. The guys who didn't make it.

>>28589764
Too bad in some versions, it was the Valkyries who chose who died in battle...

>>28589764
This

>>28589797

>implying the Valkyries didn't choose them so that they could ascend to Valhalla or Folkvangr

>>28589736
>Coffins, Red. The guys who didn't make it.
These are important things to keep in mind.

>>28589736
>>Coffins, Red. The guys who didn't make it.

>>28589824
What I mean is, they caused stray arrows to kill the person they thought was worthy. They would make a weapon hit the only weakspot on a person's armour.

It was also the Norse way of explaining why Good warriors died early, and why Bad ones lived.

>>28589736
>Coffins, Red. The guys who didn't make it.
this is war....

>>28589861
Edit:
>It was also the Norse way of explaining why worthy warriors died early, and why the unworthy ones lived.

>>28589861

Live fast, father lots of kids, fight a good fight, die young. Depending on how you died, you'd either go to Folkvangr, which was Freyja's army-field, with her hall of Sessrumnir in it, or to Valhalla in Asgard high, where Odin held court.

To get to Sessrumnir and Folkvangr, you had to die defending something; family, friend, country, or what you believed in, with weapon in hand.

Valhalla you just had to die with a weapon in hand, or a warrior's death.

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>>28589902
I learned something new today.

>>28589915

Happy to help. In my opinion, I think William'd rather wind up in Sessrumnir and Folkvangr. It'd mean he died doing his job, and hopefully doing it well.

Also, Merc, what do we know about William's family? Other than he has a proud and noble tradition of military service dating back to at least the American Revolution.

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>>28589736
"Coffins, Red. The guys who didn't make it." You sigh and point. "See those bits of red and blue? Those are the flags they use the cover them up. Dover is where they bring in all the KIA for processing."

"Oh..." Red frowns. "That's... that's a lot of them."

"And that's just our dead. I don't want to think about the losses NATO or, god forbid, the Russians are taking."

"I don't like coffins."

"Yeah, well, that's what we're here for, to make sure fewer coffins get shipped here." Besides, don't be sad for the dead. They're in a better place, now."

"Heaven?"

"Of course not." You snort. "Valhalla is where it's at."

"Right." Red cracks a grin.

"Hey, Red, Captain! How about we go find a store and get some things for the trip over the Atlantic?" Janice asks, clapping her hands together. "It certainly would make the trip more comfortable!"

While it did sound a bit enticing to do a bit of shopping to pass the time, you wonder if you couldn't get a few calls out from here. Due to the Russian presence in Alaska, getting calls out of Elmendorf was notoriously difficult, but you're sure Dover wouldn't have as much restrictions on their landlines. You could probably talk to your family and a couple of buddies of yours to catch up on things...

>Sure, a bit of shopping sounds great!
>Actually, you three go on ahead, I've got some stuff to take care of.
>Other

>>28589970
>>Sure, a bit of shopping sounds great!

>>28589902
http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-526

>>28589970
>Sure, a bit of shopping sounds great!
It's nearly mandatory for a SW Quest to go on a shopping trip.

>>28589970
>>Sure, a bit of shopping sounds great!
God, dammit. It's tradition and it's going to happen!

>>28589970
>Sure, a bit of shopping sounds great!

>>28589970
>>Sure, a bit of shopping sounds great!

And then let's see if we have enough time for a call to where most of the family would be.

>>28589984
Haha! Thank you!

>>28589984
best scp ever!

>>28589970
>Sure, a bit of shopping sounds great!
the last port of call before we head into the meat grinder.

>>28589970
>Shopping
TRADITION

>>28589984
I wonder how this will work with pilots and tankers.

>>28590072
Well, they were probably armed with the weapons they died with, so I would assume they would have their vehicles.

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>>28589970
"Sure, a bit of shopping sounds great." You shrug.

"I'll pass." Tarin mutters.

"Oh no, you'll be coming with us too!" Janice smiles as she puts both her hands on Tarin's shoulders. The girl doesn't make any outwards expressions, but you could tell she was going through fight or flight mode right now. It was like she was AFRAID of evoking Janice's wrath or something.

Nah, it was probably your imagination.

"...fine." Tarin acquiesces.

"Wonderful!" Janice claps.

It's a relatively simple matter to arrange transport to the city of Dover itself, though honestly, you hesitate to call it a "city". It was more like a very large town. The driver takes you a downtown area, full of modest little shops and stores.

"You've got about thirty minutes if you want to make your flight." The driver warns you. "I'll give a few honks on the horn to warn you guys."

"Thanks." You nod.

"Oh dear, so little time and so much ground to cover." Janice frowns.

>We should split up. We could cover more ground that way.
>Let's stick together. We don't need that much stuff anyways.
>Other

>>28590255
>Let's stick together. We don't need that much stuff anyways.

Janice is creeping me out for some reason

>>28590255
>>Let's stick together. We don't need that much stuff anyways.

>>28590255
>>Let's stick together. We don't need that much stuff anyways.

We should pick up a novel or three and maybe some Chex Mix, but that's it for us.

>>28590255
>>We should split up. We could cover more ground that way.
>>Other
Time for presents! Commemorative watches engraved with our new unit or something.

>>28590255
>Let's split up.
>Other: No messing around though girls, we really can't miss this flight.

JANICE IS THE WITCHKILLER YUO GUYS

>>28590255
>>Let's stick together. We don't need that much stuff anyways.

Janice has mother powers (some of the mightest powers in the world)

>>28590255
>>Let's stick together. We don't need that much stuff anyways.

>>28590255
>We should split up. We could cover more ground that way.
Lets see if we can get some time with Tarin, maybe get her to open up?

>>28590255
>Let's stick together. We don't need that much stuff anyways.
>>28590273
indeed, if she can keep Tarin in line that IS scary. i got the feeling somehow we didn't read her full file on Janice.

>>28590389
or it was fake

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>>28590411

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>>28590448
>>28590411
we're going to wake up tied to the bed and janice having her way with us, or she is going to start acting like we're already married to her. forged wedding documents and all.

>>28590500
...does this mean we get to play marriage-and-kids chicken?

>>28590255
"We should probably just hit a couple of stores. We don't need that much anyways." You say.

"Understandable." Janice nods. "Let's get some snacks, first. Honestly, MREs just aren't a suitable in-flight meal!"

So, you hit the convenience store first. You grab several bags full of chips, candy bars, juiceboxes, and sodas. You suppose witches were drawn to sugary foods since you assumed their magic ate up a lot calories. It was probably what also kept them looking slim and fit most of the time.

No, you were definitely not slightly jealous.

With your immediate needs taken care of, the four of you venture out of the convenience store and back onto the street. You probably have about twenty minutes left, so you'd probably only have time to hit one more store before having to leave.

"Hmmm, maybe the clothing store?" Janice suggests. "I believe we've only got our uniforms and fatigues packed, so it'd be nice if we could have some civilian wear for a change!"

"Hmmmm, but I sort of want to check out that shop over there." Red points to what looks like a combination of a jewelry store and watchmaker. "I've been meaning to get my uncle a birthday present..."

You turn to Tarin. She doesn't say anything outwardly but you can see her eyes wandering over to a nearby hunting shop.

>Clothes!
>Watches and jewels!
>Hunting gear!
>Other

>>28590500
>>28590448
Stop overexaggerating things, it's likely just her motherly nature, not any super yandereness.

Though did Merc ever post a reference pic of Chris?

>>28590554
>Hunting gear!

>>28590557
Technically, Chris is Hornet's character, so it's up to him to decide what to use as a reference pic for her.

>>28590554
>>Clothes!

>>28590554
>>Clothes!

>>28590554
>>Other
Let them go to their own stores we can wait here or make a call I imagine there'd be pay phones around.

>>28590554
>Hunting gear!

>>28590554
>>Other

Let 'em do their own thing, find a pay phone, call family.

>>28590554
>Other
We need to try and get a hole of some folks.

>>28590557
Think of Best Charlotte, and make her Best-er.

>>28590554
>Hunting gear!
we're going to a war here, not a vaction. we need something that will hold up in the field.

wait.... is that way we have never seen a fat witch ever?

>>28590557
i might be, but i am still getting a scary and weird vibe from her.

>>28590656
good point. changing my vote. let them get what they NEED, cloths and hunting goods. probably leave the jewels and watchs for some other time.

>>28590670
Mothers are fearsome beings with their weapons of guilt, shame, and nag-induced annoyance.

I doubt Tarin's immune to those things.

>>28590662
Basically a stacked redhead like Shirely (not surprised)

>>28590554
>>Hunting gear!

Other

Let them go do their thing

>>28590727
Think more like Charlotte from IS, but betterer. She's also blond, as per yesterday's thread.

>>28590864
Oh I got the charlottes mixed up, derp.

Though if she's basically a busty Char, then I really wished she'd appear more often.

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>>28590554
"Hey Tarin, you're interested in hunting gear?" You say, nodding to the hunting store she was looking.

"Um, yeah." Tarin nods. "My grandfather taught me how, but I'm a bit out of practice. The matrons discouraged me from the hobby."

"Then why don't we check it out?" You suggest.

"No, that's really all right-"

"Nonsense!" You say, pushing Tarin forward. "Might as well indulge your hobby a bit before we leave for Europe!"

Janice and Red look at each other and just grin and follow. They're probably not that much into hunting, but hey, if it means learning a bit more about Tarin, then they were all for it.

Inside the store was exactly what you expected. The interior was modeled to mimic the feel of a rustic hunting lodge, with hardwood floors and walls lined with all sorts of hunting paraphernalia.

"Huh, I know get a lot of military type folk in here, but I hardly ever see witches." The old man at the counter says as you enter. "Feel free to look around, and if you've got any questions I'm right here."

"Thanks." You nod and turn back to the girls. "Well, you see anything that catches your interest?"

"Hmmm, maybe." Janice nods. She then grabs Red's hand and pulls her away. "Come on, Red!"

Tarin of course has already disappeared.

You stand there awkwardly for a few seconds, and that's when you see a phone next to the store owner. If you asked he'd probably let you use it. You're sure it wouldn't hurt to talk to your folks for a few minutes.

>Follow Janice and Red.
>Look for Tarin.
>Make a call.
>Other

>>28591016
>>Make a call.

>>28591016
>Make a call.
this might be the last one we make. make it count. then try to pick up something useful if we can on the way out.

>>28591016
>>Look for Tarin.

>>28591016
>Other
Let's look at pistols

>>28591016
>>Make a call.

And then we need to see if he has any swords.

>>28591016
>Make a call.

>>28591093

at a hunting store?

I doubt it.

>>28591016
>Phone call

Seriously, we're getting sent to Europe, chat with friends and family if we can.

>>28591147

Hey, he might be a military enthusiast. If so, we should definitely pick up either a schiavona or a Mortuary sword.

>>28591016
>>Make a call.

>>28591016
"Hey," You say as you walk up to the store owner. "you think I can borrow the phone for a bit? I just want to make call out to my folks."

"Oh! Feel free!" The owner nods and pushes the phone towards you. "It's the least I can do for a fellow airman!"

"You were Air Force?" You blink.

"Army Air Force, back in the war." The owner grins. "I have two sons in the service as well, piloting the heavy lifters over in Dover AFB. Every time they come home, I hope it's in the cockpit and not in the cargo compartment."

"It's tough on everyone, sir." You nod.

"Well, I'll let you have your privacy then. I need to restock some of the shelves anyways!" The owner nods back and waddles off.

You punch in the number for your house back in California. Despite the three hour time difference, you were pretty sure your folks would be at home. The phone rings several times with no answer, and you're afraid it'll go straight to the machine when you hear a loud CLICK as the phone is picked up.

"This is the Pierce residence." You hear somebody say. It wasn't either of your parents, but you still recognized the voice.

(cont)

>>28591505

"Charlie?"

"WILL!" You briefly pull your head away from the receiver to protect your eardrums. "Yo man, it's been forever since we talked! How's the Air Force been treating you?"

"It's going fine." You laugh. Charlie was one of your best friends since middle school. He was actually studying to be a structural engineer, but he also happened to be a professional ironsmith. He was the same guy who forged that Mjolnir replica. "Though I wasn't expect you to be at my house."

"Aw, no, I'm just keeping an eye on things while your folks went out." Charlie laughs. "The whole war thing has really got their paranoia going into overdrive. With consumer goods getting more expensive because of the war crime is going up."

"Ah, well, how are things going, then?"

"Pretty good. Your folks are managing pretty well. Your mom's got her hands full babysitting military kids and your dad's put his wings back on is and training a bunch of Air National Guard kids.

"I kinda feel sorry for them." You sigh. You recall all those F-4s that got shot down during the battle at Bering Sea.

"Nonsense! We both know your dad is probably the best F-4 driver in this hemisphere!"

"Probably." You grin. Well, that just leaves your older sister. "How about Bree?"

"Well, we haven't gotten much word from Breeana ever since she shipped out, like you. Last we heard she was Germany. Your Mom swears she caught sight of her during a news report..."

"Heh, Bree always did like showing off..." You laugh lightly. Then you remembered Red's desire to get a katana. Well, you're sure Charlie would be up to it. It wouldn't a relic, but you know Charlie's thoroughness would mean it would be completely custom fitted for her, and probably have a bunch of other "improvements" on it as well.

>Hey Charlie, can I ask a favor of you...
>Nah, you shouldn't bother him about it.
>Other

>>28591518
>>Hey Charlie, can I ask a favor of you...

What are friends for? And don't forget a mortuary sword for us. An officer without his sword is an improperly dressed officer, no matter the class of uniform being worn.

>>28591518
>>Hey Charlie, can I ask a favor of you...

>>28591518
>>Hey Charlie, can I ask a favor of you...

>>28591518
>Hey Charlie, can I ask a favor of you...

SWORD

>>28591518
>>Hey Charlie, can I ask a favor of you...

>>28591542
we'd be better served with something short and possibly choppy, like a Seax, also goes with the viking theme

>>28591518
>>Nah, you shouldn't bother him about it

she wants an original

>>28591518

>Hey Charlie, can I ask a favor of you...

we just might need this to save our own butts down the line.

>>28591518
>older sister.
Has the cycle been broken!? Is there an older sister witch instead of a little sister witch!?

>>28591620

Now, see, I can dig it. That said, a big killy sword works well, too. We can use the seax in close if we need it, but also as a utility knife. Multi-purpose blades. Do you dig it?

>>28591664
its a great all round utility blade, and fucking badass, also compact and won't get us caught up on wreckage and shit

>>28591662

Well, Mack has one. Samantha was her name, pretty sure. She even turned up in Crimson.

>>28591518
>>Hey Charlie, can I ask a favor of you...

It shall be the Best Christmas Present Ever.

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>>28591518
"Hey Charlie, I've got a favor to ask of you." You say, turning away as Janice and Red pass by the counter.

"Oh, like what?"

"You still forging stuff?"

"Of course I am! Can't allow myself to get rusty, you know?"

"Okay, so have you ever forged a katana before?"

"Whoa, that's not Norse. That ain't Norse at all! So, either you just went full Japanophile while I wasn't looking or..." You hear a bit of snickering on the other end. "Trying to impress a girl?"

"Charlie. Focus. Can you do it?" You sigh. You seriously don't have time for this.

"Yeah, of course I can! But you know me, Will. I don't do 'traditional', so this sword is going to have some of my own personal touches on it. Is that cool with you?"

"Yeah, shouldn't be a problem. I want it custom fitted, too." You say.

"Oh, you got the measurements, then?"

"Yeah." You quickly recite them. You clearly remember Red's height from her file, and from that it was relatively simple to extrapolate her arm length.

"Okay, I'll see what I can do." Charlie says. "Might take me a couple months or so. How do you want me to get it to you?"

"Just as my folks." You respond. "Between them they should have enough connections to get it wherever I am. If that fails, tell them to find a Colonel Kelsey."

"Got it. And good luck, man, hope she's worth it!" Charlie cackles as he gets in the last shot before hanging up.

"Honestly." You sigh as you set the phone back on its cradle. You then hear a distant horn of a Hummvee honking. It sounded like time was up.

(cont)

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>>28591985
You pay the owner for the things the girls had bought. Tarin silently shuffles out, Red gives a quick salute, and Janice gives the owner a small kiss on the cheek, which nearly causes him to faint. As the three of you walk back to the Hummvee, you turn to the girls.

"So, what did you three get?" You ask.

"These very nice woodland camo jackets for me and Red!" Janice smiles. "It may not be Alaska, but Northern Europe can get rather cold as well."

"And you, Tarin?"

Without speaking, Tarin cracks open the box she's carrying and reveals a very well made compound bow, complete with arrows.

"A bow?" You blink.

"Absolutely silent, makes no flash, and I can recover the ammo." Tarin says simply. "Very practical and efficient."

Dear god you were already feeling sorry for any Russians with the misfortune to cross her path.

The drive back to Dover AFB was just as uneventful as the drive to town. You see Red's eyes fluttering as she starts falling asleep, and you give her a rough nudge.

"You can sleep on the plane, Red." You whisper.

"Y-yeah. Thanks."

>Tell her about the katana.
>Keep it a surprise.
>Other

>>28592000
>>Keep it a surprise.

We can have Tarin sneak it into her quarters.

>>28592000
>>Tell her about the katana.

>>28592000
>>Tell her about the katana.

>>28592000
>Keep it a surprise.
We don't truly know how long it will take. So keep yo mouth shut.

>>28592000
>>Keep it a surprise.

>>28592000
>>Tell her about the katana.

"Merry Christmas. It's early, but I figured you'd want to know, to expect it in a few months."

And then we tell the other two we'll figure something out for them.

And for bitchtits, we need to mail her a PJ mug.

>>28592000
>Keep it a surprise.

>>28592000
>Tell her about the katana.

>>28592000
>Tell her about the katana.

>>28592000
Tarin with a bow.

Awesome.....

>>28592000
>Keep it a surprise.
Surprises are awesome.

>>28592000
>Keep it a surprise
C'mon now, lets not get her hopes up right away.

>>28592000
>>Keep it a surprise.

>>28592000
>Keep it a Surprise.

>>28592096
>>28592099
Better warn her about the modifications.

>Tell her about the katana.

>>28592000
>Tell her about the katana.
we don't want her to keep searching and possibly find one before its finished

>>28592120
We don't even know what those modifications are. Only that it's going to have Charlies personal touch to it.

>>28592134
Considering what she's looking for. I have my doubts. Even then, we're getting one made for her size. Again, doubt she can find one of those.

>>28592154
He said he's used to Norse material. A katana is not he's usually style.

So it won't be a authentic japanese katana. I don't know I just feel telling her might be best.

>>28592192
it might be better though, considering the Katana isn't the end all be all of weapons (unlike what some weeaboos think)

>>28592201
Yeah, that's what Damascus steel is for.

>>28592201
pretty much, actual authentic ones are incredibly fragile and are good for 1 thing only, cutting throw unshielded flesh, something she won't be doing alot as a PJ

>>28592192
Well of course she's going to ask how we got it, and we'll tell her how.

>>28592201

I still say we should find a mortuary sword or something. I get the feeling Pierce is a big guy, big enough to be fuckin' scary coming at you with a big, heavy, butcher's sword.

Assuming we get into combat, of course.

>>28592216
I hope you realise that damascus steel looks the way it is because its weak and contaminated metal, I mean sure, many custom knifemakers make really nice DS knifes, usually with a pattern weld or laser etch process so it won't fall apart in your hand

>>28592201
better tell her now then

>>28592000
You decide not to tell red about the katana. After all, surprises presents were the best ones, right? And if things worked out well enough, hopefully the sword would arrive before her birthday as well, which would make things all the better. The kid deserved to have bit of happiness, consider the line of work you were all in.

Though that's not to say your inner Norse warrior wasn't interested in seeing Red cut a tank in half with a sword like that.

Shortly afterwards, the four of you load back up in the C-130 and take off for the trek across the Atlantic. You sigh, as you simply just can't seem to go back to sleep in order to pass the time. Damn timezones.

>Talk to Red
>Talk to Janice
>Talk to Tarin
>Talk to someone else on the plane.
>Other

>>28592241
>>Talk to Janice

>>28592241
>Talk to someone else on the plane.
let the girls sleep and make CONNECTIONS, so we can smuggle all that illegal booze into warzones

>>28592241
>>Talk to Tarin

I'm interested on how she will use that bow

>>28592241
>>Talk to Tarin

Ask her about her childhood. If she's reticent, give her anecdotes from ours.

>>28592241
>Talk to Janice
Eh, let's see what's up with her.

>>28592241
>Talk to Janice

>>28592241
>>Talk to Tarin

>>28592265
>>28592294
You know what you bring up a good point. Connections. Booze. And other things of illegal nature.

Switching to this.

>>28592241
>>Talk to Janice

>>28592265
I agree.

>>28592241
>Talk to Janice

I admit, as a veteran of VMQ all this single-minded focus on Tarin is really starting to get on my nerves.

>>28592241
>Talk to Janice

We must learn to understand the demon, so we can control it

>>28592241
>>Talk to Janice

motherly, scary and flirtatious are an odd mix

>>28592379
Or we can control it with illegal booze... Just saying.

>>28592335
Single focus?

We only went to the hunting store that she was interested in?

Also VMQ and this is different please don't bring this up.

>>28592411

Providing alcohol to a minor, AND a combat officer in a combat zone to boot, is a dereliction of duty, conduct unbecoming of an officer, gentleman, and warrior of the United States of America, and I highly approve.

>>28592241
>>Talk to someone else on the plane

CONNECTIONS TIME.

Changing from >>28592268

>>28592425
He has a bit of a worry there as Tarin's expy-ness to VMQ's Tarin could be an unfair advantage.

>>28592466
For what? These are different characters and it's a little early for these worries/

>>28592490
Have you read SW89 where Sanya's LEGALLY AGED Grandchild was one of the most popular characters? I doubt she'd be that popular if her grandma was some no-name witch.

Just saying it wouldn't be the first time something like this has happened.

>>28592490
What worries? One of them are going to get shot and then try to rape us in the infirmary when we visit. Dadaboombadabing done.

>>28592533
I read SW89 and am a Katyafag despite not caring at all for Sanya

now enough of this discussion its starting to shit up the place

>>28592565

Konstantina and Fronk will have many glorious babies for the Motherland.

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>>28592241
"So, Janice," You say as you turn to your squadmate. Actually, you think given her rank she'd actually be your XO, though haven't officially finalized things yet. "I was kind of surprised you were able to get Tarin to listen to you like that. I was under the impression she wouldn't listen to anything less than a direct order."

"Oh, that? It was nothing!" Janice sticks her tongue out a bit. "I think she's a nice girl at heart. Just a bit troublesome, but nothing I haven't dealt with before."

"You have experience with that sort of thing?" You blink.

"Oh yes, I'm actually have four younger siblings." Janice responds. "I'm the oldest in my family, you see, and for a while back both of my parents worked full time, so it was usually up to me to keep an eye on them."

Ah, so THAT explained her motherly demeanor. She pretty much had to be one.

"That sounds rough. And I thought having one sibling was bad enough!" You sigh.

"Really? Brother or sister? Older or younger?" Janice asks.

"Older sister." You shrug.

"How nice!" Janice smiles again. "I'd love to hear more about her!"

>Ask about Janice's family.
>Talk about your own family.
>Other

>>28592628
>Other
Talk about your own family as she asked but, ask about her too.

>>28592628
>Talk about your own family.
>Ask about Janice's family.

Talk about ours and ask in return.

>>28592628
>Talk about your own family.
She asked for it after all

>>28592628
>>Talk about your own family.
She asked so why not

>>28592628
>>Talk about your own family.

>>28592628
>talk about your own family

She asked so nicely!

>>28592628
"Ah well," You shrug. "My sister, Breeana, she's a about four years older than me. Never takes anything seriously, either. She was the type that never liked staying still, so she joined the Air Force the moment she graduated from high school."

"I see." Janice nods. "Is she a witch."

"Yeah. Last I heard, she's actually running her own squadron."

"You don't stay in contact with her?" Janice frowns.

"Don't get me wrong, I love her like any brother would, and I don't doubt for a second she feels the same, but..." You sigh. "We've always had a bit of a 'combative' relationship. We got in a lot of arguments and fights, and since she was older AND had magic, she always had the upper hand. Liked pushing me around when she was in a lousy mood."

"Oh dear." Janice puts a hand up to her mouth.

"Yeah, well, it wasn't all bad." You try to reassure her. "Afterwards, she'd come back all weepy eyed and apologize a lot. It's like somebody's in her head flipping a switch. Though I think she mellowed out a lot after she got out of the house."

(cont)

>>28593073

"Were your parents harsh?"

"More like really strict. They're both military, you see." You explain. "My mom ran a small logistics unit and my dad was a fighter pilot. They wanted a disciplined household. Their method stuck with me, but didn't mix so well with Bree. I guess they learned their lesson with Bree and toned dialed it back for me."

"Have your parents ever spoken with your sister?"

"Not really... They all think the other hates their guts or something, so they're afraid to reach out to each other."

"Oh, that's sooooo tragic!" Janice wails and gives you a great big hug, which catches you off guard. You also feel Janice's "assets" pressing against you, too. "Well, if you have any problems Big Sis Janice will be here to help you, okay?"

"Um yeah, thanks." You say, still a bit distracted.

You then let out a great big yawn. Damn, a lot more time must have passed than you thought. You look out the viewport and see that it's already starting to get dark.

>Let's talk to one more person... [specify]
>Get some rest, You'll probably need it.
>Other

>>28593087
>>Get some rest, You'll probably need it.

>>28593087

She just fucking brother-zoned us. Holeeeee shit.

>>Let's talk to one more person.

Pilots. We need dat booze connection, y'know?

>>28593114
Maybe she's a brocon.

>>28593087
>>Let's talk to one more person... [specify]

>Tarin, let's get to know our squadron

>>28593114
>>28593087
This. You know make 'friends' and such.

>Big Sis Janice will be here to help you, okay?
I also laughed at that more than I should have.

>>28593087
>Get some rest, You'll probably need it.

>>28593087
>Let's talk to one more person... [specify]

Pilots....

>>28593087
>Lets talk with Tarin

BONDING IS GOOD. You people and your smuggling ways

>>28593087

Changing my vote from this >>28593214
to this >>28593243

>>28593087
>Get some rest, You'll probably need it.

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>>28593087
You leave Janice to her own devices and you slide over to Tarin, who is busy breaking in her new bow. Thankfully she's not actually putting arrows into it, just testing out the bowstring.

"So I see you get yourself a bow." You say.

"Yeah." Tarin nods.

"Any reason why you got it?" You ask.

"Seems like a nice ranged alternative to a gun." Tarin replies flatly. "Even with suppressors, you can't really completely get rid of the sound and flash, and even then, you have to trade off a lot of firepower. Used properly, a bow has none of those drawbacks."

"I... see." You say. "Your grandfather taught how to use one, I assume?"

"Yeah." Tarin nods. "Taught me a bunch of hunting and survival skills. He was sort of a... what do you call them... survivalist? Didn't like interacting with people much, except for me."

>You know, your file on that portion of your life was pretty sparse. What happened?
>So... is that bow going to be part of your hobby, or are you actually going to use that in combat?
>Other

>>28593344
>>You know, your file on that portion of your life was pretty sparse. What happened?

>>28593344
>You know, your file on that portion of your life was pretty sparse. What happened?

if she doesn't mind talking about it and it's not 'if you knew i would have to kill you' information.

>>28593344

>You know, your file on that portion of your life was pretty sparse. What happened?

Though if she looks uncomfortable about it, switch to talking about the bow.

>>28593344
>>You know, your file on that portion of your life was pretty sparse. What happened?

>>28593344
changing my vote >>28593391 to these
>>28593403
>>28593430

>>28593464

those are all pretty much the same and >>28593391 is my vote,

>>28593344
"You know, your file on that portion of your life is actually pretty sparse." You continue on. "What exactly happened? I mean, you don't need to tell me if you don't want to-"

"A few years after living with my grandfather, he died in his sleep." Tarin says without missing a beat. "At the time, I didn't really know any better, so I just continued on living in the forest, using the lessons he taught me. He didn't keep a lot of contacts with the outside world so nobody ever thought to come look for him."

Well, that was certainly pretty odd. You almost wonder what would have happened if Tarin had never been found.

"So then, how did they find you?"

"Some campers came across me." Tarin shrugged. "I didn't think much of it at the time, though looking back I guess they figured there was something off about seeing a little girl with a rifle and a bearskin coat trudging around in the forest."

"Ah."

"So, the police come in, and at the time I had no concept of what 'police' were, so, well, I sort of shot at them thinking they were rival hunters or something."

"Whoa, wait, you mean you actually killed cops?!" You gasp.

"Of course not. At the time I was taught to hunt animals, not people." Tarin shakes her head. "I was only trying to scare them off. Didn't work. Then they found out I had magical ability and the judge pretty much gave me two choices: go to witch academy or go to an orphanage. I chose the former."

"Well, you now know why her childhood file is sealed. That would be a pretty awkward situation to explain to ANYBODY.

>Ask her if the Witchkiller rumors are true or not.
>Ask what she's been doing in Asia.
>You've probably talked with her enough for today.
>Other

>>28593597
>>Ask what she's been doing in Asia.

>>28593597
>[x]Ask if she plans to use the bow in combat, and if there's any "special ammo" she wants to "acquire"

>>28593597
>Ask about Asia
>Other: Ask how she's adapted to life in the military.

That's some pretty crazy stuff, and a different life from something like military service.

>>28593597
>>Ask what she's been doing in Asia.

>>28593597
>>You've probably talked with her enough for today.

That's enough prying into the past of our "problem-solver", less she decides we're a problem that needs solving.

>>28593644
I like to know about this as well

>>28593597
>Ask what she's been doing in Asia.

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>>28593597
"So, what exactly have you been doing in Asia?" You ask. "That's also a pretty big blank, there."

"Unfortunately, I can't tell you details." Tarin says quickly and curtly. "Classified information."

"But you were forthcoming on your childhood." You frown.

"That was sealed by a family court. I can still discuss those details freely whenever I like. However, I can't go against the DoD."

"I guess you have a point there." You sigh. "Come on, at least anything?"

"I was there to support a lot of recon missions. That's all I can say." Tarin says.

"Okay, I won't ask any more." You assure her. "So then how are you liking the military life? It seems a bit of a jump from what you were doing before."

"Not that big. The survival skills are all there, and killing a person isn't all that much from killing a bear. A lot easier, in fact."

And there you were wondering why people were so afraid of her.

"I see. Well, I guess I shouldn't be taking any more of your time." You say.

Tarin gives you a silent nod before returning to adjusting her bow. You turn to face Janice and Red, and see that they're already fast asleep, with Janice cradling Red's head in her lap. Heh, that was almost too damn cute.

With a great big yawn, you settle back into your seat and close your eyes.

>And that's it for tonight! I'll still be around if you've got any questions. Next thread will most likely be on Saturday, so keep an eye on my twitter!

>>28593846
So, Tarin sure is creepy.

>>28593846
Thanks for the thread merc

>>28593890
Tarin is awesome.

Give her some time in our squadron and she'll mellow a bit. We have a japanese enthusiast, a norse man, and a mother figure. she's normal

>>28593846

Thanks for running.

Red is adorable.
Janice is nice and sort of scary.
Tarin is scary but reliable.

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>>28593890
>So, Tarin sure is creepy.

That's a mean to say! How can she possibly be creepy?

>>28593960
confirmed she is the final boss of this quest

>>28593890
Hornet are we going to see part two of btichtits?

Merc, is it me or is Pierce the only '89 lead not nigh-asexual?

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>>28594060
(hell why not)

Five hours after her chat with Grenadine, Holly MacLeod was becoming reacquainted with just how cold Alaska could get, especially at angels 20. Magic be damned, there was only so much it could do after so long. Fortunately, her two-witch flight's replacement was on its way.

"Halo One-One, BOOMER confirms your sky is clear. Cujo Flight, two F-15E's, are coming on to your station in five mikes. Good work, sparkles."

"Copy that BOOMER," MacLeod frowned at the word 'sparkles'. She felt like the AWACS controller was treating her like a child by saying that.

"Looks like nobody wants to play tonight, Eagle." Her Wingwitch closed their formation, a confident smile on her face. The smile disappeared when she saw her boss' expression. "You look upset."

"Manaburner's getting designated as a mixed unit, Chris." The blonde witch gasped at this seemingly scandalous revelation.

"You're kidding!"

"I'm not."

"We knew she had her girls flying shotgun with those Weasels...you're really busted up about that?"

"Confused, really." She finally looked at her wingwitch. "What if it happened to our wing? What would you think?"

"I think I could get used to it."

"Of course you could," Holly snorted. "You'd be chasing 'em all over our quarters."

"And I'd never get anywhere with any of the cute ones because YOU would swoop in like the Eagle you are and scare 'em off!" Chris started laughing so hard that she doubled over, and lost about a thousand feet of altitude before righting herself. She was almost in tears from laughing when she managed to return to Holly's side. "You'd-you'd be yelling at 'em, ohmigawd, 'GET AWAY FROM MY GIRLS', it'd be h-hilarious!"

"Oh come on!" Eagle shouted. "I would not!"

>>28594142
Chris didn't stop laughing for another ten minutes. Holly prayed the entire time that an AWACS or Elemdorf tower would radio in with some sort of contact report that would get her to shut up.

"Okay..." Chris fanned herself as she struggled to supress another laughing fit. "Okay I'm good, I'm good."

"I would not 'scare' men away," MacLeod fumed. "I'd follow my orders to the best of my ability and I'd make it work. Where do you people get that I'd-"

"Take a joke Holly," Chris snickered. "I still think you'd...heh, 'assert' yourself." The younger witch exploded into another fit of giggling.

"HALO ONE-TWO, COMBAT SPREAD!" She pointed emphatically at the invisible Waypoint Somewhere The Fuck Over There to the east. Even at that separation, Holly could hear her friend's laughter rolling over the clouds between them.

-

Landing back at Elemdorf could not happen soon enough. Between the constant needling from her WingBitch and the growing chill that came as her magic faded close to the end of a patrol, she was hoping for some quality alone time reading something decidedly not military related, possibly about horses, or flowers, or cowboys, or maybe all three. Anything that would get her mind off mixed units and those damned reports she still had to file away.

The technicians didn't say much to her as they helped her out of the strikers: they'd seen that look on the Colonel before, and experience dictated that it was best to leave her to her devices unless she chatted them up first.

'I look pissed off again. Damnit Chris...'

With her boots now comfortably over her feet, she noticed that they were already warm. That hadn't happened before.

"Did you guys...?"

"Uh, yeah." The Tech Sergeant apparently responsible for this surprise coughed awkwardly. "Obviously, we're not Witches, so maybe I'm just presuming this ma'am, but we figured you get cold just like the rest of us."

"Huh." She blinked at the man.

File: 1385890741876.jpg-(1.17 MB, 1920x1080, CHRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS(...).jpg)

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>>28594206
"We pulled some space heaters from storage to warm up you guys' footware. I-it's something we all decided on. A nice thing to come back to, right?" He chuckled nervously at her, not sure how she'd react.

"Thanks." It was the nicest thing to happen to Holly all day. She checked his name tag. "Thanks Wilkins. That's a great idea." She smiled at him before walking off, a bit more bounce in her step.

"Not a problem Colonel!" He saluted stiffly, stopped himself as he remembered he was indoors and without a cover, finished the salute anyway before hustling off to meet the next arriving witch with the rest of his team.

'How did no-one think of this before?' Holly thought to herself, beaming brightly and unconciously hopping with each step forward, even spinning around once. She'd never had a problem with ground crew, maybe they'd felt otherwise, but this was the best olive branch extended her way that she'd never asked for. 'I really oughta think of something to do for them in return. Christmas is around the corner, and these guys bust their asses for us every day. Man...'

Her thoughts were interrupted by obnoxious cooing coming from another nearby striker rack.

Already out of her strikers, Chris had observed the whole exchange and was drawing a heart-shape in the air, laughing that damned laugh. She then sprinted off as MacLeod started briskly walk towards her, hands balled into fists.

"CHRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!"

-

>>28594226
Panting after failing to catch her 'friend', Holly realized she was in a different hangar altogether. "How the hell can she run so goddamned fast after a patrol?!" She shouted at no-one in particular.

It struck Holly just then how the hangar was quiet, other than her echoing voice. Not a single technician was around, the Striker racks standing alone in their respective sections, the lights dimmed. Even the various smells of oil and jet fuel seemed less potent here. It wasn't until she got close enough to one of the striker racks that she realized where she was.

The insignia for Spellcaster squadron was emblazoned on each striker.

'Oh man.' Taking another look around, it struck her just how much like a morgue the hangar now felt. Even with the doors cracked open just enough to allow a witch in strikers through, it was quiet enough to unnerve MacLeod. The cold seemed just that much sharper in here, her boots on the ground sounded just that much louder. She shuddered, and then berated herself for acting like a schoolgirl. 'So it only kinda resembles some horror movies the girls like to watch, grow the hell up, woman!'

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her. A small girl, sitting in a chair by herself, over a black grease spot on the ground. A single light above her made it look as though a shadow covered her face.

It was honestly pretty freaky.

"H-hello?"

The girl didn't move, didn't acknowledge Holly's presence. She sat perfectly still, staring out through the gap in the hangar door. It wasn't until after Holly convinced herself unconsciously to move closer that she recognized exactly who the girl was.

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>>28594256
'That's Frank Bishop's RIO! Samantha Wells, was it?'

Holly wasn't sure what to do now. She could see the look on her face, the dried tears on her cheeks, the arms hanging limply at her sides.

'Is she even still alive?' Holly thought in a panic, seeing what appeared to be a puddle of liquid under her chair. She sprinted forward now, looking for anything sharp on the ground close to the girl. 'No way, no no no, he's not WORTH THAT!'

"Are you okay?! Hey!"

She grabbed the young witch by both shoulders, shaking her. There was no immediate reaction. Then a sob, and she made eye contact with Holly for the first time.

"It's you," she said, accusingly. Venom dripped in her voice. "I heard about you."

"Wha-" Holly was about to snap back at the girl, until she remembered what happened when Bishop had first arrived.

'Keep your mouth shut MacLeod,' she willed herself. 'Just shut up, shut up shut up-'

In that moment, she knew just how much that pilot was worth, at least to the girl sitting in front of her.

"I'm sor-"

"Y-you tried t-to take me away from him," she said, cutting the Colonel off and shaking with another sob. "B-but you c-can't 'c-cause he's already g-" Her eyes widened, as if the events of the previous day suddenly played through her head once more. She leaned back and cried at the hangar roof, shaking with every breath. It was a wonder she didn't fall out of the chair.

Holly stood there for a long moment, watching the broken girl weep, but it soon became too much to bear. Confused and suddenly feeling like she needed to find a place to cry herself, which didn't make ANY sense to the woman, Holly MacLeod sprinted out of the hangar, looking for the safety and privacy of her office.

'It's not my fault, what the hell, what the hell!'

'WHAT IS IT WITH FRANK BISHOP?'

-

>>28594280
We'll stop here for now. Any questions from folks who are still awake, I'll try and answer 'em. Lemme know how I'm doing while you're at it.

>>28594320
Pretty interesting look at things, though I suspect Chris is going to steal the story.

>>28594280

I feel a little sorry for MacLeod.

>>28594320
when is the mug going to star in the story?

>>28594341
The mug is further out from now that it was when I first started outlining and writing this thing up. But we will get to the mug, I can promise that much.

>>28594080
Hmmm, you might have a point when compared to Jake, but I'm not so sure about Frank...

>>28594467
I'm pretty sure Fronk just doesn't have time for that shit.

>>28594467
well I ask as Pierce actually noticed what's pressing against him in a hug (and Chris' "bunker busters") while Frank doesn't seem to have much of a thought along those lines in his head, not even with say the Shark twins

>>28594506
>>28594494
Fronk ain't asexual, he's planesexual

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>>28594080
>nigh-asexual

Anon, just because Jake and Frank don't stare at the girls in their unit/under their command doesn't mean they don't like women. Vote for Jake to visit a tittybar next time Maus runs and I'm pretty sure he'll prove himself properly heterosexual.

>>28594657
Knowing how Maus writes, this is sure to end well!

>>28594657
I never said they had to stare but the fact nothing seems to cross their mind is a bit unusual to say the least.

Pierce didn't start at Chris but just a general look was enough to for him to notice her bombshells.

>>28594703
I think that's just down to writing styles, TBH.

>>28594703
Could it possibly be that they're in the middle of a war? People respond to stress differently, and most of the women available to Frank and Jake are their direct subordinates. That's a minefield of a relationship if I ever saw one.

>>28594280
This is really good, was slightly confused by Sam's reaction though. Kind of felt that she was in a stage of denial or at least that stage in that process. She seemed to shift from grief to anger which we did not notice in ice quest?

>>28594788
To be fair, this is Bitchtits we're talking about. ANYBODY would jump straight to anger around her.

>>28594788
She was setting in grief, and then the one object she could focus her anger at showed up. She could hardly get mad at a Russian in person, but the witch who tried to break up the unit? That would provoke a reaction.

>>28594800
>>28594817
>>28594817
Got ya, bte way why did Mav write big brother? I thought Mav was the older one?

>>28594837
Perception, I guess.

>>28594837
She could have still looked up to Frank as a big brother.

>>28594280
Okay we had seen Slider and now Sam, who do you predict is going to be in Bitchtits' journey of depressed witches

>>28594894
Well, I shouldn't answer this one, seeing as how I'm the one writing it.

>>28594894
Maybe ol Bitchtits will run afoul of Katya in her berserker mood?

>>28594837
Mav is 17, Fronk is ~24.

>>28595520
Oh wow, My head canon is all messed up. we should really hang out with Mav once we get the chance