>>31024328
Mary returns and sits in front of you. With her hair untied and still a little wet, it's the most slovenly you've ever seen her. Still, it's nice to see her relaxed rather than... disinterested. You pour her a cup of coffee and she downs all of it immediately.

"Thank you," she says. "I'm afraid I've lost track of time for the last few weeks. I'm so terribly behind schedule."

"This should help you." You fish the bronze pocketwatch you bought back in London and present it to her. "I had time to do some shopping in between assignments."

"Thank you, Julian." Mary opens the watch to look at it and then places it in her shirt's pocket. "It's beautiful."

You enjoy breakfast in silence, but you both know there are things you must discuss.

"Where would you like me to start," Mary asks.

>"You said your family worked on the Alternative Plans..."
>"Let's start with the bombing of the Yokohama Hive."
>"What did I miss while I was gone?"

>>31024343
>>"You said your family worked on the Alternative Plans..."
Should probably start with the backstory first, then we can get filled in on present-day stuff once we've got the context to make better sense of it.

>>31024343
>>"You said your family worked on the Alternative Plans..."

>>31024343
"You said your family worked on the Alternative Plans..."

"Yes." Mary nods slowly. "My father and grandfather spent most of their lives looking for an alternative to the war, and were or are involved with all five iterations of the project at some point. The first three failed, while the fourth and fifth are being developed concurrently."

Mary takes another sip of tea to compose herself. You wait patiently for a few minutes until she resumes her story.

"The fourth alternative seeks to create a non-organic lifeform to communicate with the BETA," Mary says. "We know they don't consider humans to be alive, but a non-human might be able to communication with them."

"Is that why Britain needed to recover Dodger's lady?"

Mary shakes her head.

"No," she says. "Our work is unrelated to the Alternative plans, but I'll get to that later. In any case, my family is no longer involved with Alternative 4. Last I heard, the UN had handed it over to a Japanese scientist. Alternative 5..."

Again, she pauses, open and closing her mouth a few times before she finds the right words.

"It was tested at the Yokohama Hive, during Operation Lucifer," she says. "The plan is to use bombs derived from G-elements - G-bombs - to destroy the BETA Hives. As a contingency, a hundred thousand people will be... evacuated and sent to colonize another planet."

You frown at that. Faster-than-light travel doesn't sound like something that could be accomplished with the G-elements you're familiar with, but the colony ships might use some form of cryostasis to keep the colonists in suspend animation until they reach their destination. The plan would allow the human race to survive, but the cost...

"The colonization project is an addendum to the original plan," Mary says. "America wanted to simply bomb all the Hives, but there was... resistance."

>(cont.)

>>31024920
"Let me guess," you say. "No one actually knows what G-bombs do."

"That's correct," Mary says. "I believe there are plans to study the fallout of Yokohama, but... as a scientist, I do not believe it will be such a simple matter."

You think back to all the horror stories you've heard about engineers who built contraptions they didn't understand. None of them ended all that well.

>"How do we stop it?"
>"What does that have to do with your work?"

>>31024939
>>"How do we stop it?"

>>31024939
>"I believe there are plans to study the fallout of Yokohama, but... as a scientist, I do not believe it will be such a simple matter."
To do science, you've got to be able to reproduce your results.

This is the sort of thing we'd rather they not end up having to try and reproduce.

>>"How do we stop it?"

Asking about what her research has to do with things, and/or why she doesn't think it's going to be that easy is also worth doing. Those two topics are probably connected somehow, at the very least.

>>31024939
> "How do we stop it?"
> "What does that have to do with your work?"

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>>31024939
>"What does that have to do with your work?"

>>31024939
"How do we stop it?"

Mary tenses for a moment and nervously taps the side of her teacup.

"Strictly speaking, *we* can't," she says. "Alernative 4 must provide a satisfactory result by December 24th, 2001. If it fails, it will be disbanded and Alternative 5 will be activated on the 25th. We aren't part of their considerations. However, this also means Alternative 5 will not consider us an obstacle."

So you're in no position to actually do anything about anything, but since you're powerless, you're also not a threat. You can quietly finish your work until the time is right. However...

"Why would Alternative 5 consider anyone an obstacle."

"Alternative 5 is backed by certain factions that are very... aggressive," Mary says. "I wouldn't mind if they would quietly let the work continue, but they want to be certain their plans will come to fruition."

"And that means making the war seem unwinnable," you say. "Which means they want to undermine the European, African, Asian and Russian fronts."

"That's correct," Mary says. "However, I'm only slightly familiar with them and their plans. Your friend in MI5 would know more about that sort of thing."

"You'll forgive me if I hold off on that," you say. "I'd rather not have to do her another favour after that last one."

"Just keep it in mind," Mary says. "In any case, the European Union has consistently rejected the Alternative plans in favour of further developing the TSF platform to better combat the BETA. That's why I came here. That's why I'm building the Excalibur and Sangreal."

She sets her tea aside and stands up.

"I'm not going to lie, Julian," Mary says. "The TSF platform has never performed up to our needs, but with the BETA technology we recovered, we might be able to succeed. I know this isn't what you signed up for, but if you can help me..."

>(cont.)

>>31025470
>"This is exactly what I signed up for now."
>"I can't commit to anything for the moment, but let's just do what we can."
>"I'm sorry, but this isn't something I can handle."

>>31025494
>>"This is exactly what I signed up for now."
There's more than one way to win a war.

>>31025494
> "This is exactly what I signed up for now."

>>31025494
>>"This is exactly what I signed up for now."

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>>31025494
>"This is exactly what I signed up for now."

>>31025494
You stand and offer Mary your hand.

"This is exactly what I signed up for."

Mary beams and shakes your hand.

"Thank you, Julian," she says. "For... for a lot of things. I need to finish a few things here. If you're interested, we should be able to get some work done this afternoon."

"I'll keep that in mind," you say. "In the meantime, I should check in and drop off my luggage."

You part ways with Mary and drop by the base's main building to let them know you're back. Your special assignment didn't have a timeframe attached to it, so no one notices you waited a while after your arrival before checking back in. You also learn that Elaine and Knight are currently off-duty and you have some gifts to hand out.

You go back to your room to drop off your luggage, but there isn't anyone here. It's right after breakfast, so Elaine might be coming back soon.

>Wait to give Elaine her gift.
>Find Knight to give her her gift.
>Your friends at MI5 left you their contact information. Get in touch with them to learn more about the Alternative plans.

>>31025821
> Your friends at MI5 left you their contact information. Get in touch with them to learn more about the Alternative plans.

>>31025821
>>Your friends at MI5 left you their contact information. Get in touch with them to learn more about the Alternative plans.

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>>31025821
>Find Knight to give her her gift.

>>31025821
>>Your friends at MI5 left you their contact information. Get in touch with them to learn more about the Alternative plans.

can't we give the gift to all of them during their free time?

>>31026035
true, we all sleep in one room.

unless knight moved out we can leave the gifts of their beds with a note.

>>31025821
You set aside your packages for now and decide to make a call. Those gifts don't have a deadline, but the world apparently does. You go back to the main building, where the phones are. Making a covert call to MI5 doesn't qualify as a military emergency, so you're stuck waiting for your turn at the public phones. It takes a while, but at least the air conditioning is working. August isn't the height of summer, but it's still hot.

You dial the phone number given to you and wait.

"This is Crimson Royal Import and Export," a woman. "How may we help you today?"

"I have a product I would like to import," you say. "The file name is Reber."

"Of course, sir. Please wait a moment."

The line goes silent, but only for a few seconds. You hear another woman's voice on the line. It's your usual contact.

"Flying officer Reber, welcome back to England," she says. "I heard your trip abroad was highly successful."

"Quite successful," you say. "But that's not why I'm calling. I'd like to know more about the alternatives being pursued by some political bodies."

"There's no reason for that to interest you, Flying officer Reber," she says. "However, since it interested the European Union far, far less, we can provide some assistance. Where would you like me to start?"

>"What's the European Union doing to hold them off?"
>"Who's involved?"
>"Should we expect any problems on our end?"

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>>31026298
>"What's the European Union doing to hold them off?"

>>31026298
> "Should we expect any problems on our end?"
> "Who's involved?"
> "What's the European Union doing to hold them off?"

>>31026298
>"Should we expect any problems on our end?"

>>31026298
>"Who's involved?"
>"Should we expect any problems on our end?"

>>31026298
>>"Should we expect any problems on our end?"
>>"Who's involved?"

in this order, they are more likely to share info if they can see how it would help us further there aims.

>>31026298
"Let's start with the most pressing," you say. "Should we expect any problems on our end?"

"Indirectly," M says. "I don't believe they'll be able to directly act against the European lines, but they can attack us in other ways and I am ashamed to admit that there are limits to what MI5 can accomplish. After all, you have already seen their work."

"What do you mean?"

"Cranwell. They have recruited or subverted several terrorist organizations. Allegiance is one of them. Their presence in England is quite small, so we were unprepared for an attack of this magnitude."

Your hand clenches into a fist and it feels like the phone you're holding might break. Out of necessity, the RAF is the backbone of the European military. The loss of the college and of its cadets, while actually quite small in terms of numbers, would have been absolutely catastrophic in the long run. At least no one important died. Considering the VIPs and high-ranking personnel nearby, the actual scope of the attack was quite lackluster. Allegiance must really be significantly undermanned.

"Is there anything else," the woman asks.

>"Where can I find these bastards?"
>"What's the European Union doing to stop them?"
>"Who's backing these terrorists?"

>>31026722
> "Who's backing these terrorists?"
> "Where can I find these bastards?"

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>>31026722
>"Who's backing these terrorists?"

>>31026722
"Who's backing these terrorists and where can I find them?"

There is a very, very long pause. You wait as the minutes tick by, but say and do nothing. You don't know if M is looking through her records or pondering whether or not this information should be released or just screwing with you. The only thing you can do is wait for her to speak again.

"The man in charge is called 'The Master'," she says at long last. "He is also a senior case officer working for the CIA. This has made dealing with him difficult."

"I thought the Russians were our main problem."

"The Russians are easily dealt with," M says. "We have no need to worry about our diplomatic ties with the Soviet Union and their resources are so limited that they can do nothing to oppose us. America, on the other hand, is a prominent arms supplier. We've been able to limit the funding to Alternative 5, but there's little else we can do for now."

"What about in the future," you ask.

"Things may change," M says. "If we find a suitable asset."

In other words, MI5 and MI6 want you to do their dirty work for them. You're used to it, but this is different. You've worked for them so far because of bribes and blackmail, but this was your idea. If you agree to it, there won't be any way out for you. Not until it's over.

>"Count me in."
>"Let me get back to you on that."
>"Good luck with that."

>>31027238
> "Count me in."

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>>31027238
>"Count me in."
We still have to give gifts.

>>31027238
>"Let me get back to you on that."

>>31027238
>>"Let me get back to you on that."
This is more a yes than a no, but jumping right into the deep end even before we've done anything less intrusive alongside Wright seems a little premature.

Let them know that we're open to it, though. Even if we don't commit 100% right away, we don't want them to pass up on potential opportunities just because they don't think they have anyone to do the legwork.

>>31027238
>"Let me get back to you on that"

>>31027238
> count me in

>>31027238
>>"Count me in."

the son of a bitch is trying to throw humanity under a bus, that makes him our problem.

>31027238
> "Count me in."

>>31027238
>Let me get back to you on that

We've just committed ourselves to TSF development, no need to spread ourselves too thin straight away

>>31027238
>let me get back to you on that

>>31027238

>"Let me get back to you on that."

we should wait until they have a plan/mission for it, before we agree.

>>31027238
>"Count me in."

>>31027238
Calling it now for "Count me in."

>>31027547
>>31027238
I hate posting on my phone

>>31027238
"Count me in," you say. "I have some pressing business to take care of for now, but I'll keep in touch. Let me know if anything urgent comes up."

"Of course," M says. "You can call us whenever you're ready. We will inform you if our contact protocols change."

"Thank you," you say. "Have a nice day."

You hang up the phone and check the time. It's still early, but if you head for the mess now, it'll be lunch time by the time you get there. You don't have time to do anything else anyway, not if you want to meet with Mary again this afternoon.

As you enter the mess, Elaine spots you and waves you over. She's eating lunch with Knight in one of the corner tables. You give her a nod of acknowledgment and grab a tray of potatoes and... something you'd rather not identify. You take a seat across from Elaine and Knight.

"Hello, ladies," you say. "It's been too long."

"I know," Elaine says. "You should have called."

"I didn't have time." You take a bite of your lunch. It's delightfully tasteless. "Plus, I didn't feel like calling across timezones."

"It couldn't be help if you were busy," Knight says. "Did everything go as planned? I heard about what happened at Cranwell, so..."

You spot the concern in her voice. You weren't able to contact her after the attack, so it's natural she'd be worried. Still, it's not like you can tell her what you were really doing.

"Everything was fine," you say. "I had a look around, saw the new Active Eagle, still couldn't get to pilot a Typhoon. The usual."

>"Did anything happen while I was gone?"
>"Have you heard about Operation Lucifer?"
>"Do we have anything coming up on the schedule?"

>>31027844
> "Did anything happen while I was gone?"
> "Do we have anything coming up on the schedule?"

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>>31027844
>"Did anything happen while I was gone?"

>>31027844
>>"Did anything happen while I was gone?"

>>"Do we have anything coming up on the schedule?"

>>31027844
"Did anything happen while I was gone?"

Knight shakes her head.

"Nothing special," she says. "Cerberus had to do some light clean-up operations, but it's been nothing but patrols and watch duty for us. We estimate the BETA will have recovered from their losses in the next few months, but there isn't much we can do about it."

"It looks like things won't change any time soon, either," Elaine says. "Bedivere's still out and we're still at the bottom of the recruitment list. Supplies aren't a problem, but there's a limit to what we can do if we can't rely on steady reinforcement."

"I'm sure we'll keep busy," you say. "There's always something to do around here."

The three of you make small talk while finishing your meals. By the time you're done, it's like you never left the place.

"That's another hour killed," Elaine says.

"And there's four left until dinner time," Knight says.

>"I'll see you around then."
>"I have some work to do. I could probably use a hand, if you're interested."

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>>31028268
>"I have some work to do. I could probably use a hand, if you're interested."

>>31028268
> "I have some work to do. I could probably use a hand, if you're interested."

>>31028268
>"I have some work to do. I could probably use a hand, if you're interested."

>>31028268
...does this mean we can't have a foursome to kill time?

>>31028268
Did we give them the gifts

>>31028268
"I have some work to do," You say. "I could probably use a hand, if you're interested."

"What kind of work," Elaine asks.

"Just helping Mary out with one of her engineering projects," you say. "It shouldn't be much trouble."

"The last time you helped Mary out with one of her engineering projects, you had to go fish for BETA," Knight says. "I still don't understand how you were able to pull it off."

Elaine shrugs.

"It couldn't have been the first time someone went looking for live BETA samples," she says. "All those urban legends have to come from somewhere."

"Do not mention the one about BETA in the sewers," you say. "I went looking for those once on a drunken bet. It went... poorly."

Elaine and Knight both stare at you without blinking.

"I was very, very drunk."

Without saying anything, Elaine and Knight both leave to drop off their trays. You quickly run after them and lead them back to Mary's private hangar.

The hangar is once again a bastion of order. You don't hear any screaming and nobody gets in your way as you go up to Mary's office. She smiles and greets you as you enter.

"Good afternoon," she says.

"Good afternoon," you say. "I hope you don't mind if I bring some company."

"Not at all," Mary says. "It's been too long since I've gone out to meet people."

"We were starting to get worried about you," Knight says. "There weren't any major issues, but some of the pilots were complaining that maintenance was taking longer than usual."

Mary's smile waver for a bit.

"I had some things on my mind, but they've been dealt with." Mary turns to you. "Where would you like to start?"

>"Let's begin with the remaining BETA reactor components."
>"Let's start with the TSFs."

>>31028716
>>"Let's begin with the remaining BETA reactor components.

>>31028716
> "Let's begin with the remaining BETA reactor components."

>>31028375
not enough points!
>>31028268
>"I have some work to do. I could probably use a hand, if you're interested."

time to give them the gifts!

>>31028716
>"Let's begin with the remaining BETA reactor components."

>>31028716
>>"Let's begin with the remaining BETA reactor components."

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>>31028716
>"Let's begin with the remaining BETA reactor components."

>>31028716
"Let's begin with the remaining BETA reactor components," you say. "We still have two of those, right?"

"Shouldn't you be done with them by now," Elaine asks.

Mary smoothly ignores the question and starts looking through her hard copy files.

"We still need to work on the power plant and the G-element fabricator," she says. "We won't have time to do both today, but we can probably get started on one of them."

>"I'm interested in the power plant."
>"Having a supply of G-elements would be convenient."

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>>31029008
>"I'm interested in the power plant."

>>31029008
>>"I'm interested in the power plant."

>>31029008
> "I'm interested in the power plant."

>>31029008
>"I'm interested in the power plant."

>>31028779
>not enough points!
...how far away are we until we get there?

>>31029185
Win the war, save the Earth, unite mankind behind one banner.

>>31029008
>>"I'm interested in the power plant."
>>31029185
we still need mary to be closer to knight and elaine.

>>31029008
"I'm interested in the power plant."

"It would be nice if we could get something with more lasting power for our TSFs," Elaine says. "Maybe we can get something useful out that thing."

"The power plant it is." Mary hands you all retinal display glasses. "Please, follow me."

The research hangar's special display is much like you remember, but it feels more cluttered now. There are live progress reports on over a dozen experiments, warning alarms for what looks like all of the labs and a complete list of all the personnel and their location. It's not just a glorified computer screen anymore.

Mary leads you to the lab dedicated to the BETA power plant and a report appears on your HUD. It's nothing you didn't already learn in your previous experiments on the thing.

"I don't understand a single word of that," Elaine says.

"Guesswork is half the fun," you say. "At least until something explodes."

>(roll 3d20)

Rolled 2, 9, 12 = 23

>>31029337
Here we go.

Rolled 2, 18, 16 = 36

>>31029337

Rolled 7, 10, 9 = 26

>>31029337

Come on

>>31029337
You and Mary go over the schematics of the power plant. You tried to feed electrical current to the reactor to jumpstart it, but nothing happens. Either you're not using enough power, or it can't be jumpstarted. However...

"From what I gather, the G-element fabricator is supposed to feed the power plant," Mary says. "I have some samples ready. Just let me see..."

Mary feeds a few milligrams of a G-element cocktail to the power plant and it immediately lights up bright blue. The room's temperature starts increasing and according to the sensors, the plant is giving as much power as an F-22's engine and the output stays up for half an hour. With that amount of fuel, that's a very impressive performance.

"Looks like it needs a chemical reaction to get started," Mary says. "If we can figure out how the G-element fabricator... this could significantly increase the flight time of our TSFs."

You finish up the necessary reports and plan another round of experiments, but that's for Mary's staff to handle. Even so, you don't finish until around dinner time.

"Mary, are you coming with us for dinner," Elaine asks. "It won't be much, but we can still call it a celebration."

"Certainly," Mary says. "The company is more important than the food anyway. Coming, Julian."

>Follow them.
>Get their gifts first.

>>31029672
>get the gifts.

>>31029672
>Follow them.
Gifts after dinner for fun times.

>>31029672
> Follow them.
We should give them the gifts in private.

>>31029672
>Follow them.
If not now, then before bed.

>>31029672
>Get their gifts first.
>>31029672

>>31029672
"Sure," you say. You take your glasses off and follow after the ladies.

Elaine and Knight get talking about TSF tactics and you lag slightly behind them alongside Mary.

"I talked to my friends about the alternative," you say. "I let them know I would be available in case anything happened."

"I'm surprised, Julian," Mary says. "I didn't think you liked working with them all that much."

"I don't, but this is the right thing to do."

You both rush slightly to catch back up with Elaine and Knight. They're still talking about tactics, but Mary brings flight ceiling and ammo capacity into the discussion. The general consensus seems to be that 36mm bullets aren't worth firing if you need to confirm your target, but they're very effective when dealing with a carpet of BETA.

Dinner is another meal you would prefer not to identify, but Mary seems quite cheerful, as if she had never been about to shoot herself in the head. The company is definitely doing her some good.

"I'm heading to bed," Mary says after you finish her meal. "We have new TSFs coming in early tomorrow."

The rest of you wave her off and go back to yours and Elaine's room. Knight doesn't seem interested in going back to her own lodgings. And they're still talking about TSF tactics.

"Aren't melee weapons more effective in a Hive anyway?"

"Oh HELL no. Anyone who says that has never been in one of those things. What we need is more explosives..."

As much as you love TSFs and piloting TSFs, there's only so much you can take.

"By the way," you say, "I picked up a few things for you while I was in London."

>(cont.)

>>31030333
Elaine and Knight both look at you like it's Christmas. Which it is, sort of.

"Did you get me frilly underwear," Elaine asks.

"No, too expensive." You open the door to your room and let the ladies in first.

"I know someone who smuggles underwear into the base if you're interested," Knight says. "The shipments are irregular though."

You have absolutely no idea why she - or anyone, for that matter - would possibly know about underwear smuggling, and you sure as hell don't feel like asking.

Before the conversation can get any more unmanly, you take out the packages. You hand Elaine her nightgown and give Knight the Swiss ring you found.

"Very nice," Elaine says. "Although it's a bit odd. I'd say this should go about halfway up my thighs. I thought you preferred breasts over legs."

"I'm sure you can find a way to show off your cleavage, Elaine."

Fortunately for your sanity, Knight has had the presence of mind to put her ring on her index finger instead of her ring finger. Still, her face is bright red and she can't bring herself to look you in the eye.

"Thank you," she says.

"I'm going to take a nap." You quickly strip down to your underwear and slovenly shove your uniform in your closet. "I haven't really slept all that well since before I left Alaska and I'm still dealing with the jetlag. Just wake me up when you're done with the shower."

"Sure," Elaine says. "Good night."

You slip into your bed and fall asleep almost immediately.

>(roll 1d4)

Rolled 2

>>31030360

Rolled 2

>>31030360

>>31030360
MISSION REPORT:
- Richard Hall survived. (1XP)
- Learned about Alternative 4. (1XP)
- Learned about Alternative 5. (1XP)
- Gained classified intelligence on Alternative 5. (1XP)
- Committed to fighting Alternative 5. (1XP)
- Conducted further research on the BETA reactor components. (1XP)
- Analyzed the BETA power plant. (1XP)
- Unlocked independent power technology. (1XP)
- Handed out gifts. (1XP)
- Total: 9XP

NOTES:
- MI5 has decided to take a more aggressive stance against Alternative 5's supporters. Their future operations in England will likely be hampered.
- Research into the BETA power plant has unlocked independent power plants, a projected necessary technology of 4th generation TSFs. While they are not technically independent of outside fuel sources, G-element power plants require significantly less fuel than ordinary fossil fuel power plants.

CHARACTER STATUS:
Julian Reber (Main Character)
Level 6 (54/60XP)
Skills: TSF Piloting, Gunnery, Melee, Engineering, Computers
Resources: Budget 1, Connections 6 (Swiss Government, RAF, Crusaders, MI5, British nobility, Cherno battalion), Gear 3, Personnel 1, Rank 1

>>31030449
And that's it for this evening. Next thread will be Wednesday at 7PM EST. We wake up next to whoever the dice gods have chosen and receive our brand new Typhoon waifu at long last.

'Night folks.

>>31030500
Night, man. Thanks for running and see you next time.

>>31030500
We better get both of them

>>31030500
thank you for running!
>brand new Typhoon waifu
i support making out with her!

>>31030449
I am expecting that one day the Richard Hall survived bonus will disappear.

>>31031160
probably, but hopefully not for a good long time.