You step off the shuttle, and back into Terminal A-03 of the Brick. It’s an unusual sensation, more often than not you’re still suppressing the worst of your cryosickness when you get back on the station. The lack of the familiar nausea almost makes you feel nauseous. Sometimes you really hate yourself.

You march through the station, heading back to your quarters first to get changed. Something about the recycled air of shuttles really makes you feel dirty. A shower from the one uncorrupted spigot in the entire facility seems to be in order. After cleaning yourself up, you check your e-glasses for any incoming messages. There are only a few of note. one from Svenja, another from Elda.

>SENDER: Elda Acerbi (EAcerbi@StrikeOut.corp)
>SUBJECT: Returns on investment
>>Respond with a time/location to discuss your share.

>SENDER: Svenja Weiss (SWeiss@StrikeOut.corp)
>SUBJECT: Meeting!
>>Hey Ivan,
>>First off, great to have you back from planetside! You think to get me a souvenir? (kek) Second, business. I just received the report and payment of your time down on Atlas. Unfortunately, they also wanted me to “discipline” you for some irresponsible action taken during the training, so be just be ready for that. Sorry in advance
>>Sven

Welp, seems like you’ve got two not so pressing appointments to make. Which one do you address first?

>Elda, best not to have her wait for too long
>Svenja, best to see a friendly face first thing
>Neither, fuck dese biiiiiitches and write in something else to do

>>34962852
>>Elda, best not to have her wait for too long
Lets start with the good news.

>>34962852
>Elda, best not to have her wait for too long

>>34962852
Elda, we can get to HR later.

>>34962852
>Elda, best not to have her wait for too long
set up a meeting with Svenja for after

Rolled 1, 8, 7 = 16 (3d10)

>>34962852
Else. Obviously. We can see Svenja later. Just make sure to message her that you've got a bit o' business to take care of first.

>>34962852
>Elda
Let's get paid before we get yelled at.

File: PUNISH.jpg (149 KB, 2046x570)

149 KB JPG

>>34963017
Come on, you know that is not how Svenja would punish Ivan.

Rolled 2, 7, 1 = 10 (3d10)

>>34963085
she would fuck the punishment RIGHT into him.

Seems Elda-fear is a strong motivator for you people. Writing.

While I write, what question would you guys like me to ask you?

>>34962852
>>Elda, best not to have her wait for too long

>>34963263
I would like you to ask us what question we would like you to ask us.

That or make us sperg on which skills we should train on improving.

>>34963263
>While I write, what question would you guys like me to ask you?
no fucking idea

>>34963263
Ask me about my day

>>34963353
>>34963263
No ask about MY day!

>>34963379
>>34963353
>>34963263
No, MY DAY!

>>34963353
>>34963379
How were BOTH of your days anon?

>>34963263
>Ivan, you have entered the bonezone with your HR and threatened to do so with a rookie of commendable bust. All while chasing after my affections. Explain.

>>34963379
>>34963353
>>34963401
How wa-was... How was your day a a anons?

>>34963408
"It's simple Elda, I like you romantically and want to have something deep and meaningful with you, but also uncomplicated sex with my rookie and my HR rep."

>>34963444
nice

>>34963444
>a deep and meaningful with you

Ivan pls

>>34963404
It was okay. Small fight with the girlfriend, but that got sorted out. Now DAQ is running, so it's a shit ton better. How about YOUR day, Fall Guy?

>>34963263
Are you tired of getting really weird questions on ask.fm?

>>34963408
"Ah, but it is simple, my fine Italian flower! As a man of impeccable breeding and estate, I, Lord John Churchill, am entitled to spread my glory to all willing female recipients! Truly those children will grow strong in this universe knowing the pedigree from which they have been born!"

You decide that while it would be quite nice to see Svenja’s sunny, startled smile first thing Elda takes priority. After all, she’s the gatekeeper for your earnings from your little side job, best to stay in her graces. You quickly hammer out a message and send it her way.

>Hey Elda. Just back from Atlas. You wanted to meet?

After a few minute of waiting, Elda pings you back.

>Yes. I’m free right now, actually. We can meet in my quarters, or I can come to yours?

You glance around your quarters. Although not dirty by… some definitions… you imagine that the cramped space with the inevitable lethal clutter a merc gathers would make for a sub-optimal meeting place. You quickly ping back:

>Your quarters are probably better. Aren’t they pretty large?

>...Yes I suppose. Feel free to come over.

You glance down at your body armor. You didn’t really think that you needed it on Atlas either… You shake the thought away, no point antagonizing the perpetually antagonized. You leave behind any implements of self defense and cast yourself into the hand of fate. You hurry over to the upper tier of Brick housing, following your nav until it stops in front of Elda’s door.

>Do you knock?
>Or just ping her to let her know you’re here like any modern human would?

>>34963113
>>34963085
Are you sure we're talking about the same person? This is the timid one who is somewhat scared of us.

>>34963628
>Or just ping her to let her know you’re here like any modern human would?

>>34963579
Classes over by 12:30 due to my brilliant ability as a scheduler. Made some dinner, eating while I quest, can't complain.

>>34963608
nah, that's half the fun.

>>34963628
>ping her to let her know you’re here like any modern human would?

>>34963632
Only makes it kinkier.

>>34963628
>Do you knock?
Yes

>>34963628
KNOCK

IT'S OUR THING

CHARMINGLY OLD TIMEY

>>34963628
>Ping

Really we should have done that the second our e-glasses said we were within 50ft or her door.

>>34963690
>>34963669
Well, we could knock using something other than our hand...

>>34963658
That's pretty nice. I'm normally done by 1, but I had night class tonight.

Now get back to writing my favorite quest, you slacker

>>34963628
>you knock?

>>34963719
As Niels is walking by...

'Ivan, why are you headbutting that door? Just ping her. Weirdo."

>>34963767
Not that head...

>>34963784
Lewd

>>34963628
Okay, pingers. Roll a 3d10 to see if you can resist the urge to knock like some senile fossil.

Rolled 9, 4, 4 = 17 (3d10)

>>34963855

Rolling for senile fossil knocking.

Rolled 7, 1, 1 = 9 (3d10)

>>34963855
1,1,1 get

>>34963891
lol

Rolled 7, 6, 8 = 21 (3d10)

>>34963855
Ok. Gritmode for tech use!

>>34963404
Very relaxing, I have work soon but at least I get to enjoy some DAQ first

Rolled 7, 8, 5 = 20 (3d10)

>>34963855
GRIT MODO!!!

Rolled 9, 15, 10 = 34 (3d20)

>>34963855
>mustnotping.jpg

>>34964066

This guy.

File: 13298915361895.jpg (49 KB, 630x351)

49 KB JPG

Part of your mind screams to just use the ping function. It’s the goddamn 2280s for Vishnu’s sake. People have stopped knocking on doors for like at least a century. If it weren’t for your borderline fetishistic obsession with ancient cinema, the very thought of knocking of a door wouldn’t even cross your mind. Hell, the first time you ever saw it in one of your old earthies a girl in your lecture asked why the character was punching the door.

Your hand is rising.

“No!” your denial bursts forth involuntarily.

The fingers are wrapping shut. Your jaw clamps shut as you focus with the full force and fury of your brain, desperate to stop it’s ascent.

Your hand flops back a bit on your wrist as you wind up. Your eyes are watering with tears of frustration.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

For all of your effort to stop it, you could not. It has already begun. You could have stopped it. Why didn’t you listen?

The sound of your defeat echoes along the hallway. Tears of shame course down your cheeks in the face of your miserable failure. The air vents seem to be laughing at you, rejoicing in your ruination.

“Why on earth don’t you just ping like a normal person, schemo?”

Elda is looking up at you, a strange smile-frown of fond irritation on her face.

>Compose yourself in the face of your miserable pathetic defeat and greet the Elda!

Rolled 2, 7, 3 = 12 (3d10)

>>34964271
>>Compose yourself in the face of your miserable pathetic defeat and greet the Elda!

Hello Elda, aren't you pretty today?

>>34964271
>(shrug) "How else would you know it's really me?"

>>34964271
"That implies I am a normal person Elda, we both know thats not true, and I'm not one to lie."

>>34964271
'I try. I really do.'

>>34962852
>You think to get me a souvenir? (kek)
hey, uhh, did Ivan buy a pack of freshly baked donuts?

>>34964325
This. followed by this >>34964314

You shrug, swallowing your shame. “I try, I really do.”

“Mhm,” answers Elda, entirely unconvinced. “Whatever you say, Omicron.”

“Oh so you heard about the payrank boost,” you ask idly as you follow Elda into her suite. Goddamn, you really need to get some digs like these. Especially now that you're out of debt that study area could easily be converted into a walk in armory. Maybe you could even squeeze that BART in here… The thought of your new favorite piece of gear, tomahawk-tan excepted of course, standing in your quarters like a suit of medieval armor practically makes you cream your pants.

“Yes I did. I have to admit, I’m a little shocked to see that you’ve been leading our class in the ranks.”

You immediately refocus on Elda. You’ve experienced a wide range of emotion from the woman, ranging from scorn to contempt, and all other shades of derision in between. But not once have you heard her sound… envious? That’s certainly new.

>Tease Elda about your new position as her superior officer
>Attempt to downplay it
>Get straight to business
>Write ins welcome

>>34965029
>>Attempt to downplay it

>>34965029
>Attempt to downplay it

If it makes you feel any better, at least you haven't lost an arm.

>Get straight to business

>>34965029
>>Get straight to business

>>34965029
>Attempt to downplay it

Rolled 9, 5, 6 = 20 (3d10)

>>34965029
>>Get straight to business
Look, we have no way to not upset her if we start on that topic so lets just avoid it.

>>34965029
"Shocked? I'm hurt"

>>34965029
>>Attempt to downplay it
>>Get straight to business

I guess things change when you leave the academy, I found my place in the world for now and seem to be better at it then anyone expected. Who knew right?

>>34965029
>Attempt to downplay it
"I've been told more than once that my LACK of spending has been a bit worrying."

>>34965029
>Attempt to downplay it
Yeah well I did get my arm shot off before

>>34965029
>>Get straight to business

>>34965029
>Goddamn, you really need to get some digs like these. Especially now that you're out of debt that study area could easily be converted into a walk in armory. Maybe you could even squeeze that BART in here… The thought of your new favorite piece of gear, tomahawk-tan excepted of course, standing in your quarters like a suit of medieval armor practically makes you cream your pants.

Actually, that's something for us to work towards. Consensus on getting new digs?

>>34965240
Absolutely, and the walk in armory is a great idea either

>>34965280
as well*

>>34965240
yep, we need a bigger apartment

>>34965240
I agree with this. Nicest digs we can afford. Who do we need to talk to about this? Svenja?

>>34965478
>Nicest digs we can afford
we might not want to splurge, we still want dosh for mods and stuff

>>34965478

Probably Svenja. Let's put it in our list of things to discuss with her.

“Yeah well, I did get my arm shot off. Maybe command felt bad for me?”

Elda snorts and rolls her eyes. “Perhaps. You are a pitiable figure.”

“I’ll teach you the trick to good doe eyes,” you reply, collapsing onto the couch, “once we finish this business about the… side job. How did the quarter go?”

Elda glances around the room suspiciously before sitting cross legged on a recliner. She rests her elbows on her knees and leans forwards, fingers intertwined. “The quarter… it went well. Quite well. Here,” she pulls out an envelope. “It’s a chit with your share. 12,000 for now.”

You take the envelope and pocket it, thrilled to have yet more dosh. Once you’ve deposited this you’ll have [An amount of credits. Unfortunately I never got around to updating the pastebin for the last mission, so figuring out the exact figure might take a bit]. “What did you mean by, “for now”?”

Elda grimaces a little. “This is all about keeping up appearances. Break out success in the market will only draw suspicion. This is a reasonable amount for a new trading entity to earn in the first quarter. We can slowly increase our earnings over time.”

“Hey, I wasn’t complaining,” you shrug, grinning slightly at the thought of all the nifty shit you can get now. “But knowing we’ve got growth potential is nice too.”

Elda nods, uncrossing her legs and standing upright. She walks away from you. “Ivan. There’s an issue I’d like to discuss with you.”

>What?
>Maybe later, you Italian psycho

>>34965701
>What?

See
>>34963408

>>34965701
>What?

This should be interesting

Archived.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/34962834/

>>34965701
"Is it my undeniably good looks?"

>>34965701
>What?
go on

File: Rainbow Assblast.jpg (120 KB, 520x638)

120 KB JPG

>>34965737
>people archiving for you

I-I feel like a real QM now...

>>34965747
Second

>>34965701
>What?

Sphess Mafia time.

>>34965771

i heart u fg-senpai

>>34965701
>>What?

Rolled 3, 9, 4 = 16 (3d10)

>>34965701
>what?
>I tell you, it wasn't me, I swear. I am the one who shot that video of you in the shower then it on showertubes

>>34965922
The Showerhead of Evil did it?

Rolled 2, 7, 1 = 10 (3d10)

>>34965957
Of course, it all make sense now

>>34965771

Haha, I was waiting for 46 at suptg, then decided to go check here.

>>34965701
>>What?
Tell me! Tell me already!

You suppress the urge to groan. “What is it?”

Somehow you imagine this won’t a fun little discussion on the constellations.

Elda shifts around a bit nervously. “There’s a new job out. It’s locked to omicron payranks and above.”

“Well I’m not stupid. You obviously want me to request you for the drop. The real question is which mission and why?”

Elda pauses and looks away to the door. You can see her bite her lip in thought.

“C’mon,” you groan. “At least answer the first one. That I actually DO need to know.”

“Yes. Right. You do. I’m not sure what the mission is called, I only heard about it in passing. But there’s a drop scheduled against LLS.”

“There are always drops scheduled against LLS. Being the front for unified crime around Human Space tends to get you on a lot of people’s shit lists. You’ve got to know more about the drop.”

“Alright. Fine. There’s a drop scheduled against the Valachi family.”

You wait for more information to come forth. It doesn’t.

>You ask Elda anything?

>>34966330

"...And?"

>>34966330
"Is there anything else I need to know? Or should know?

File: 1359983893239.gif (922 KB, 400x225)

922 KB GIF

>>34966330

>>34966330
"Not yet. I JUST reached Omnicron: I don't have the gear associated with that level."

>>34966330
"Is that a rival mob family or something?"

Rolled 7, 10, 7 = 24 (3d10)

>>34966330
Look Elda, if you want me to request your help for the drop, you will have to be honest here. I am not going to risk our asses if your presence could bring a conflict of interests.

>>34966330
"Imagine i'm a stupid person for a moment, and explain it to me like I've never heard of that name before, because I am."

>>34966330
"Elda, I'm happy to help out, but you gotta tell me why, I don't want to get you an invite for the drop not knowing what I'm getting us into and end up getting you hurt or worse, so level with me here, whats going on?"

>>34966477

This.

>>34966477
Seconded.

>>34966330
>>34966415
I like that, but maybe add something like. "I don't want to endanger our lives if I don't know the stakes. I want to help."

>>34966477
I like it.

>>34966330
>>34966527
Me again. I also like this
>>34966502

>>34966477
This seems very Ivan.

>>34966477
I agree with this

>>34966477
Entirely this.

Call me egotistical, but I sometimes relate to Ivan. All the shit he says and they way he acts. It's just he's much more out-going than I am. As in able to keep it up almost immediately whereas I dont.

>>34966761

FG-senpai, this is why your quest is good.

YOUR CHARACTERS ARE RELATABLE!

>>34966838
Yeah. I could definitely imagine having a fun conversation with him. Even relate with the rage bit too.

FG are you awake?

Hi! I'm currently catching up wih this quest in the archives, and I'm about to begin reading thread 5. I just wanted to say, that the fight scene with Valkyrie was one of the most arousing things I can recall ever readig. Thank you for that.

You rub your temples, attempting to defuse a building tide of irritation. “Elda. Imagine I'm a stupid person for a moment, and explain it to me like I've never heard of that name before, because I am.”

“Th-the Valachi Family!” Elda cries. You look up at her. She seems genuinely surprised you haven’t heard the name before.

“Yeah. The Valachi Family. What about them.”

“They’re only one of the Seven Grand Families of Earth!”

Now THAT, that does ring a bell. But a bell that’s been filled with lint and wrapped in pillows. “Uh. Okay. That is familiar. The Mafia Families from Earth right? I thought they pretty much kept their activities limited to the Sol system.”

A pause. “You’re not about to tell me StrikeOut’s doing a drop in Sol are you?!”

“Of course not Cretino,” snaps back Elda, clearly distressed. “No one would ever be that stupid. Not even the Tau Cetans. The Valachi have been digging into Reyumbi affairs, plotting against Steadfast alongside the corp.”

You let the rude language pass over you. Elda only get’s snappy like this if you’re pushing the right buttons. Well, right or wrong really depends on your definition of the word. Steadfast… that was the contractor for Capital Shock. They were the ones who had been subverted by an unknown group in the LLS, nearly tricked into giving away their assets for free to the criminal organization. “So why are we tangling with the Valachi Family?”

“I… I don’t know. I just overheard at the Drunk Constructionbot that StrikeOut had received a contract for a drop against Valachi, nothing more, nothing less.”

>”Why the Valachi though? Why this drop in particular?”
>Let the issue drop
>Let the issue drop… for now.
>Write In
>3d10 Perception Roll Unlock Option; DC- 20 (This can also be written in if a player gets it independently)

Rolled 7, 7, 10 = 24 (3d10)

>>34967223
>write in:
And why are you interested in that?

Rolled 10, 3, 7 = 20 (3d10)

>>34967223
Uh....Imma gonna for it.

Rolled 4, 4, 9 = 17 (3d10)

>>34967223
>”Why the Valachi though? Why this drop in particular?”
>Write In
>>34966502
>"Elda, I'm happy to help out, but you gotta tell me why, I don't want to get you an invite for the drop not knowing what I'm getting us into and end up getting you hurt or worse, so level with me here, whats going on?"

>3d10 Perception Roll Unlock Option; DC- 20 (This can also be written in if a player gets it independently)
GRIT MODO!

Rolled 1, 8, 5 = 14 (3d10)

>>34967223
>Perception Check

Because I clearly don't remember Capital Shock well enough to put two and two together right now...

>>34967270
>>34967276

Perception Roll Special Response GET:
>”How did you know that the Valachi were conspiring with Reyumbi, if all you heard in the bar was that the drop was on?”

Rolled 7, 8, 6 = 21 (3d10)

>>34967359
>>”How did you know that the Valachi were conspiring with Reyumbi, if all you heard in the bar was that the drop was on?”
Switch to this option

>>34967359
>>”How did you know that the Valachi were conspiring with Reyumbi, if all you heard in the bar was that the drop was on?”
I vote for this. Logic ahoy!

>>34967359
>”How did you know that the Valachi were conspiring with Reyumbi, if all you heard in the bar was that the drop was on?”

>>34967359
>>”How did you know that the Valachi were conspiring with Reyumbi, if all you heard in the bar was that the drop was on?”

Bam. Surprise her with our brain.

Rolled 2, 6, 8 = 16 (3d10)

>>34967359
add that in to >>34967283

>"Elda, I'm happy to help out, but you gotta tell me why, I don't want to get you an invite for the drop not knowing what I'm getting us into and end up getting you hurt or worse, so level with me here, whats going on. How did you know that the Valachi were conspiring with Reyumbi, if all you heard in the bar was that the drop was on?”

>>34967223
>>34967359
I'll second >>34967390

>>34967383
Guess we're not THAT stupid HUH?

Alright folks, let's pretend that Ivan has rumbled Elda's mafia connections. And let's pretend she super shocked and kinda sad and very scared. How does Ivan react?

Asking so that the update isn't like two lines long.

Rolled 1, 6, 1 = 8 (3d10)

>>34967606
Well Ivan already figured out. Maybe feign some kind of surprise? Or just tell Elda that she's really bad at deception. Like really really really bad. She's about as subtle as a clown in a porcelain shop.

>>34967606
I'd say he'd be willing to help, but so long as she's not asking him to directly compromise the drop.

He'd also certainly give her shit about it

>>34967606
understanding
maybe throw in a joke asking if her fathers spends all day eating deli meat and yelling at everyone in italian?
i dont fucking know, I'm not good at this shit

>>34967606
I imagine he'd try to comfort her if it really bothered her. Like hey it's no big thing. We aren't gonna tell anyone, and it's not like he'd think any different about her. Tell her she doesn't need to be scared. Maybe once she calms down ask why it's such a big secret for her.

Rolled 4, 5, 8 = 17 (3d10)

>>34967606
Well....you don't really pick your family do you? I mean, I sure as hell wouldn't if I had to pick mine. I get that you wanted to do your own thing and I totally respect that. I mean, we've got that in common pretty much.

And...uh, other stuff I guess? Charisma is my dump stat.

>>34967606
understanding and comforting, its not like we're a paladin of virtue here, Ivan should understand the sensitive nature of it and piece it together

and provide a shoulder for her to lean on, and hugs if she wants them

>>34967606
Personally, I'd sit there for a minute or so just kind of thinking. I'd then tell her, not verbatim or in this order, that That's cool as fuck. Why the fuck didn't you tell me before, That explains one hellova lot. That explains one HELLOVA lot, after all that, tell her you don't plan on telling anyone unless she's okay with it, and as long as she doesn't somehow call down hell on you both just because she said something I'm not really worried.

Lastly, ask her what she knows, and why she wants in on the mission.

>>34967606

Avoid the jokes this time. That's going to piss her right the fuck off.

Get down to business. Be direct.

Say "What do you need me to do?"

>>34967725
Avoid the jokes yes, we don't need to comfort her either, beyond saying I really doesn't bother me, or change anything, and I have no plans to tell anyone without you saying okay.

after that, yeah right to fuckin' bidness.

>>34967606
>And let's pretend she super shocked and kinda sad and very scared. How does Ivan react?

Respond to her in italian! We're not ~ totally ~ daft, and have picked up a few words here and there.

Call her a cute fool, tell her we figured she was involved with some shady trouble all along - but get.... the story a little wrong.

Say we figured it was the reason she ran away from home, and is really pushy-pulley when it comes to people.

Ask if this is the kinda thing we should get the liqour out before talking about.

And just... be supportive of HER and her choices; listening, accomodating, but... at the same time, let her know we'd be doing it a big favor - and ask if "is this one big enough it could get me killed? Because it's sure looking like it. Dying for a pretty lady's not so bad, But I need somethin to put my ass out on the line, right?"

Oh. Wow. That makes a lot of sense. Ok.

>what are you talking about?

Look, I got a strong feeling the reason you know any of this is because you have connections in the Family. Maybe even family connections in the Family. That's alright.

>She starts getting mad

No. Listen. I'm not judging you, far from it. I understand as best I can where you are coming from and I will not speak a word to anyone about this conversation. Unless you want me to.

But you need to give me a damn good reason for coming on this drop, family or no. Because if it's as dangerous as you are implying AND you have an emotional attachment to the target I don't want you there. It'll just make things worse and we'll all be fucked over.

Oooooooooooh! Now it’s your turn to be a smart motherfucker. You suppress the urge to smile. “So Elda… riddle me this: How did you know that the Valachi were conspiring with Reyumbi, if all you heard in the bar was that the drop was on?”

Elda spins around sharply, eyes bulging with fear. “I-I-I-I-I-”

“Dear lord Elda,” you say, “Like it wasn’t fuckin’ obvious, right? So who’s in the family?”

Elda gasps, hands over her mouth. “N-n-no. If an idiota like you could figure me out…” The merc collapses onto the floor, face in hands.

You sigh a little internally. “Listen Elda. Contrary to popular opinion I’m not a drooling retard. This is only something I figured out over the course of several months.”

You squat down next to her and rest your hand on her shoulder. “And I’ll be honest, until literally just now, I was half sure I had just watched too many mafia movies.”

Elda lifts her head out of her hands and looks up at you. You’re quite frankly shocked to see that her brown eyes, usually narrowed in suspicion, could become quite that large. She sniffs really loudly. It sounds a bit like fabric ripping. You laugh involuntarily.

“Sh-shut up scemo,” Elda mumbles.

“Sorry but it’s kinda funny. I imagine this is the reason why you’ve been so... bipolar.”

“Ivan! They can’t find me out! I just wanted to leave all that behind me… Keep everyone from finding out. They could hand me back to them...”

You grimace a little in sympathy. You’ve wanted to distance from your own family but that was mostly because mom and dad were unashamed product testers instead of trying to be contributing members of society. Not quite the same as Uncle Bruno whacking people’s kneecaps with a baseball bat. “Trust me, the Millenium Man probably knew about these connections from Day One. But guess what? You’re not in the hands of the mafiosi, so
I imagine your secret is safe.”

“I knew the Millenium Man knew,” Elda replies slowly, “But now you know…”

>”So what if I know? You think I’d rat you out?”
>”Elda, I would never tell a soul of your dark and secret past!” [tips fedora]
>Write In

>>34968240
>”Elda, I would never tell a soul of your dark and secret past!” [tips fedora]

>>34968240
So...you DON'T want me to take you to that mission? I mean, are you asking me to take it so that you're sure it's actually taken?

If you don't want them to find you, joining me isn't going to help.

>>34968240
Elda. Elda, listen. It's all right. I never said anything to anyone when we talked at the observation room did I? I won't say anything now.

>>34968240
>>”So what if I know? You think I’d rat you out?”

We're too cool for fedoras.

>>34968240
>”So what if I know? You think I’d rat you out?”

>>34968240
>”So what if I know? You think I’d rat you out?”
HUGS

>>34968315
Dis.

>>34968240
>>”So what if I know? You think I’d rat you out?
Come'on. Come'on...Come-on.

>>34968240
seconding >>34968315
>HUGS

DISPENSE HUGS

You bonk Elda gently on the back of her head with your open hand. You smile gently as she looks at you, standing up. “So what if I know? You think I’d rat you out Elda?”

Elda pauses for a second before shaking her head. “No. You’re not really the sort for that are you?”

“Not at all,” you say, grinning a little stupidly. “Now, can you finally freaking tell me why you want on this drop so badly?”

Elda swallows. “Well, my father is the one leading the office that the mission is targetting…”

You put up a hand. “Hold the damn phone. You’re not asking me to frag your dad right? Cause that’s sorta fucked.”

Elda stomps her foot a little. “Of course not, testa di cazzo! No, I want to come on this drop to prevent precisely that. My father is a lieutenant in the house, by my family’s standing in the Valachi is… tenuous at best. This office is my father’s last chance to prove his worth. Another screw up and…”

“... He cuts off his pinky?”

Elda rolls her eyes. “That’s the yakuza scemo. No, they kick him, everyone in his immediate family, out of Valachi. Suddenly I’m no longer a valuable target. Just another person in Human Space.”

“Ah, that does make sense.”

“Yes.”

The two of you eye each other a little awkwardly

>Continue asking about mafia shit (Write ins)
>”I better see my HR rep. Get everything squared away.”

>>34968602
>>”I better see my HR rep. Get everything squared away.”

NEED NEW HOUSE

>>34968602
>”I better see my HR rep. Get everything squared away.”

so if I understand her, she wants to come along and make sure her dad doesn't get wacked, but also trash the office and get him and the rest of her relatives kicked out of the mafia so they be normal peeps?

>>34968602
>>”I better see my HR rep. Get everything squared away.”
"Got to get everything on the books. Tell you when it's done."

>>34968631
pretty much the gist of it

>>34968726
cool, where'd all the other anons go?

>>34968741
buggered if I know.

>>34968748
careful with that language, blowjob anon might take you up on it

>>34968754
Naw I will ;)

And I think all the primetimers have fallen asleep.

>>34968602
>”I better see my HR rep. Get everything squared away.”

File: Shock and Horror.gif (1.61 MB, 450x253)

1.61 MB GIF

>>34968754

To everyone else ITT, I'm also writing, not just shooting shit with anon.

>>34968602
>>”I better see my HR rep. Get everything squared away.”

>>34968602
>>Continue asking about mafia shit (Write ins)

"Alright, so just to be clear our objectives here.... you want your dad to fail, and get booted?"

>>34968602
>”I better see my HR rep. Get everything squared away
This is going to be...complicated

You cough slightly into a fist. “Well then. I better see my HR rep. Get everything squared away for the drop.”

Elda doesn’t say anything for a few seconds, then she shakes her head. “Yeah. Yes.”

You turn around and are about to leave her apartment when Elda calls out to you. “And Ivan! Grazie di tutto.”

You grin a little. “Hey, didn’t think you knew anything other than profanity in that language.”

Elda rolls her eyes and shoos you away. You step into the hallway and close the door. After shooting a quick ping to Svenja you make your way to the HR offices. The trip, as per usual, is uneventful except for the quick detour you make to your quarters. You pull the box of doughnut out of the cabinet, having been unwilling to place them in the fridge. You scarf down one, and upon confirming that it hasn’t gone bad or anything you reseal the box and make your way to HR.

After a few minutes of walking you find yourself standing outside of Svenja’s office door. You shift the box of doughnuts around and knock stiffly. You hear the usual eeping sound. You stand back from the door as Svenja opens it, looking somewhat flustered. That flusteration fades rapidly once she notices the box of doughnuts. She eyes them, and then you, rather hungrily. After a few moments she appears to remember herself, and her face turns a touch pink.

“Ivan! How good of you to come and visit!”

“Well, you said you needed to see me chief.”

“That I did, that I did,” replies Svenja as she leads you into her office, taking a seat behind her desk.

“So do you want the good news or the bad news first?”

>Which one comes first?

>>34969115
Bad news, get it out of the way

Rolled 9, 2, 4 = 15 (3d10)

>>34969115
Bad News first I guess.

Fair warning, this is a school night and I've passed out for the last hour waiting for updates. Probably will collapse in a bit again.

>>34969115
bad news first, and help it go down with donuts

>>34969115
>Good news
>For her
donuts, fresh from planetside

>>34969115
Bad news

>>34969115
Bad news, hit me chief.

You sigh. “Bad I suppose. But keep in mind I brought doughnuts.”

Svenja beams at you. “You sure did! So I’m going to keep this as short as possible.” Svenja lifts up a piece of paper and coughs slightly. She then puts the paper down. “The gist of this email Ivan, is that taking the rookies along to the hostage situation in Myrmekion was irresponsible in the extreme, especially right after StrikeOut had sunk the money into augmenting them. There are some serious questions among upper management… okay HR about the wisdom of letting you rise through the payranks so quickly.”

You cross your arms sourly. “I know this one isn’t on you Svenja, but I’d like to point out that none of my rookies were injured during the operation. Not a scratch- okay maybe a few scratches- on them. I provided them with a valuable combat experience!”

Svenja sighs and shakes her head. “Ivan, you can’t just go off and take risks like these. This sort of thing involves a whole lot of paperwork and preparatory work to ensure everything is kosher. There’s a reason why there’s one HR rep per mercenary in StrikeOut.”

You resist rolling your eyes. “Alright then. So what punishment did the great gods of HR deem me deserving of?”

“Well… nothing yet,” replies Svenja smiling weakly. “But they will be making sure you don’t do anything stupid that will put a fellow merc in too great a risk situation. You know, a two strike system.”

>”Well then you’re probably not going to like my request…”
>”Good news then?”

>>34969372
>”Good news then?”

Flow wit' the vibes mang. Establish roots, then build from the flow naturally.

>>34969372
>”Good news then?”
come back to the Elda thing later after we've fattened her up with cream filling

>>34969372
>"Good news then?"
Let's crack open these donuts.

>DAQ is back
>FG is awesome as ever
>The fanbase still looks like a group I'd gladly share a beer with

I missed this

“Let’s get going to the good news,” you reply, trying to find a bright spot in all of this talk of demotion. That’d be a bitter pill to swallow.

Svenja smiles and nods. “Yes, let’s. I’ve got your payment in for serving as an instructor as well as additional overtime checks from NeoLogos and StrikeOut for your work in Ismene Tower.”

“Oh really? That’s a pleasant surprise. After that last conversation I was worried they’d withhold payment.”

“I wouldn’t let them even if they tried,” says Svenja with a proud smile. You notice a bit of boston cream on her cheek. You chuckle internally.

“So, how much am I due?”

“25,000 all told. As well as the 20% Omicron pay boost, which translates to 30,000 credits for the entire time you were stuck planetside.”

You are practically erect at the thought of all of those credits. Such easy money. “Okay. Hard to stay mad about that.”

“Right?” replies Svenja, who has now managed to acquire a new dot of raspberry jelly on her other cheek. Woman is voracious. “Now was there anything else you wanted to ask me?”

>Request Valachi mission and Elda
>Do something that isn’t that

Next update will be last update for tonight. Great running for you guys.

I'm tired.

>>34969727
>Request Valachi mission and Elda

>>34969727
Ask about the Valachi missions, and tentatively probe bringing in lower ranked mercs.

>>34969738
thanks for running FG, no probs if you want to fall asleep here and use the vote for the next thread or hold the vote then

>>34969762
>>34969755
>>34969752
Yeah I think maybe people will want a little more detail about the mission than I'm really willing to provide right now.

Thread might be sooner than Tuesday, but don't hold out too much hope for an early one, my weekend is looking pretty stuffed.

Good time running tonight. See you all when I see you.

>>34969794
no problem FG. good run.

yeeessss, moneysss

>>34969794
Have fun sleeping FG.

I'll be here still writing my paper.
>mfw it's 3:30 am
>have to be to class in six hours
>still nowhere near done

>>34969794
thanks for hte run FG, g'night

Does DAQ have a relatively small playerbase? That's what I gathered from the fact that this thread died after less than 200 posts. Guess it's actually worth it to catch up for once.

>>34974106
Really late start time really. Its usually at least 4 or so hours earlier