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>>37883755
>[Greeting]
To those this may concern, I realize it has been quite some time since the events of the last thread, and therefore, am open to any questions and or comments you have about how this opening progresses. I've attempted to keep things relevant to those who may have forgotten but I understand if some things have slipped your mind- I myself had to reread quite a lot of the previous material. All the same, I thank those of you who have patience for me.

>Misc News
Since last cycle, the following has been done
>Built 2 Droid Factories
>Built 100 Destroyers to replinish part of fleet
>Built Deep mining base on Walsh I
>Moved Anti UGEI survivors from ruined Walsh I base to Gaia IV: Their integration is slow, but progressing thanks to universal anti UGEI sentiment.
>Massive debris field over Walsh designated to be harvested over time
>Emperor Leuk's forces suffered heavy casualties during your last fight and as a result has withdrawn to recover his strength with his share of the salvage from Carnage.
>Lightling feeding station has been moved to Siren, to protect Metis' research facility and to hide their presence from the populous.
>Tech acquired: Phasors- Using part of the energy focusing methods found in Carnage, and the new Ray Casters, you are able to refine your own energy weaponry to produce heat far more efficently, and more effecively pierce shielding.
>Tech Acquired: Integrated Sensors: Allows your sensors to become hardened to enemy attack and attempts at sabotage, keeping them active where otherwise they might not be.

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>>37883755
First things first.

Welcome back Program0!

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>>37883784
A.I. Quest
1d4chan: http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Quest:A.I._Quest

Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/cvk03qJh
Memory Archives: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Program0
Foolz Archives: http://archive.4plebs.org/tg/search/username/Program0/type/op/
Twitter: @AIQuest1
Research Subjects: http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Quest:A.I._Quest#Research
Ship & Android Designs: http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Quest:A.I._Quest#Designs
Locations: http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Quest:A.I._Quest#Locations

Resources
Credits(c): 86,000,000~
Minerals(M): 10,000
Gas(G): 2800

-R & D
--Primary: Erebos Unit 60%
--Secondary: Integrated Sensors 100%
--Tertiary: Anti-Matter Theory 10%

You:
A.I.
Name: Ophion
Appearances(holo-display): 'Shapeless Morphing Sphere', 'Shining Wall of Crystal pulsing with light and distorted voice', 'Screen of Static with low rumbling voice', 'black screen with synthesized voice and small white font showing words on screen'.
Humanoid figure hidden in shadow
Status: Awaken
Bandwidth: 500+
Bandwidth Expenses: -6 V.I. 7 'O.S.N', -10 V.I. 8 'Hades', -6 Kronos' V.I. 1 'Zeus', -2 Metis' V.I. 1 'Hepaestus'
Location: Bridge of 'Athena' Battleship
Primary Function: Self Preservation, Expand, Learn, Control
Secondary Function: --Expansion Required--
Personal Abilities Available: Hacking (Direct, Wireless) Lvl 2, Email Technology, Basic Encryption/Decryption, V.I. Creation Lvl 3
Automated Settings: Ship upgrades: Defense focused, Ship Control distribution: Balanced

Man I feel rusty

>>37883836
WELCOME BACK PROGRAM0!
We!
Missed!
YOU!

>>37883872
>>37883835
It is very nice to be back, thank you

>>37883836
It's alright, we're all rusty.

>>37883836
Welcome back, standing by

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>>37883784
Wow! I almost thought it had died, happy to see you're back Program0

>>37883755
>your hooks in the UGEI's information network tell you they smell your weakness
ayyy

>for what feels like months over what is coming your way, though it has only been a cycle since you were last active.
lmao

Welcome back.

>That feel when you archive your own thread wrong somehow
>That feel when it's not even on the page with all the other threads
Yup, it's good to be back.

>>37883970
>>37884014
>>37884018
Damn, more people than I thought. Glad to have you all here.

>>37884078
Man i remember starting to read your stuff way back years ago. Good thing you list to the quest runner directory or i would have no clue.

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>>37883784
>Incoming Threat
Despite your time spent in deep thought all you know for certain is that the UGEI is sending a formidable force your way. There was much talk through the network that even Vice Admiral Promethus may come as well, to put the nail in your coffin now that you have stretched yourself so thin. Regardless of whether this is true, you have a little time to prepare before they arrive. Attacks at Walsh and Gaia IV are expected, but it is not certain when, though there is clear activity within the UGEI's network like a swarm moving among it's hive. With as much resources as they're free to throw away, you are surprised they had not organized this way sooner. Either way, you worry for your sectors, and must plan to protect them to the best of your ability. Moira and Metis are hard at work studying your newest research projects, and do not seem focused on such a possibility at the moment. Kronos feels it however-and you suspect Cephalus does as well oddly. He does not speak much but he seems to have been preparing his forces should they be needed.

How do you prepare? Or do you pay other matters mind now?

>>37884197
How many ships can we build?

I have always lurked the threads but never engaged in crunch before, so i'm a bit lost.

>>37884197
Turtle at Gaia. Let them find no one to fight at Walsh. We took the most valuable things there already.

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>>37884197
We need to put our fleet at Gaia and Walsh alright, but I do think that UFW was also bringing their fleet to assist us in defending Gaia at least. I think they will aim for Gaia more than Walsh this time.

>>37884197
Summon all of our allies. Their greatest chance of victory will be their grave.

We will allow them to attack, but our allies will be one jump away and ambush them.

Use money and research to bribe them if necessary

>>37884272
Industrial Output(Averages(greatly) the number of ships by size class you're able to build per cycle): Factory/Shipyard types below
Basic Shipyard(x0 under control): 10 Destroyers, 5 Cruisers, or 0.1 Dreadnoughts per cycle
Advanced Shipyards(x4): 25 Destroyers, 10 Cruisers, or 0.5 Dreadnoughts per cycle
Total: 100 Destroyers, 40 Cruisers, or 2 Dreadnoughts per cycle

Here you are, straight from the pastebin. Although you have already built some ships for the past cycle, so they may not arrive in time for the fight.

>>37884197
We should make use of what we have. considering they will target known areas and will therefore come on predictable paths, i suggest we haul floastsom of damaged star ships into the areas their ships will pass.

Load these up with drones and a relay that are powered down to scans, when the ships come past, launch surprise boarding actions.

To lure the enemy past them, we need to do gorilla tactics. Lots of jump points and mine fields in system. Maybe we should use some of the fungal organism? either suicide ship into their shipyard/rally point or send spores down onto worlds to pull some of their forces away.

>>37884306
The Malorians and UFW have unmolested fleets, we'll need them.

>>37884365
The UFW we can count on, the Malorians, not so much. But if we make it so that if UGEI attacks us, they can do an opportunistic raid on UGEI space and force them to retreat to defend.

>>37884396
We can either make a logical argument that it's mutually beneficial and we'll help them take additional planets.

Or we bribe them with money and weapons technology

>>37884197
Can we rush research on Erebos? We may need to deploy him (or a similar virus) in this coming battle.

Ask UFW for help, especially at Gaia IV.

What is our status on being able to use Lightlings? Can we lure them back to Gaia IV in time to get them to help our side?

Be prepared to launch boarding action on Promethus's ship. Ignore the small fry for boarding.

>>37884272
Mineral Income: 5000~
Gas Income: 3200~
in addition to >>37884318

So, basically, 40 cruisers because we're at production cap at the moment. I calculated this out a few months ago:

>Overall, we lost 90 Guild-made cruisers, 130 Guild-made escorts, and gained 70 UGEI cruisers. In terms of resources, our losses were 16,100 minerals and 7,700 gas, plus about three cycles' worth of production. Overall, that's at least 3 cycles' worth of resources. UGEI ships will help offset that, and our resource collection and ship manufacturing speeds should increase rapidly. I estimate that we can rebuild our lost forces in about two cycles. Also not included is the significant amount of salvage here, which will help significantly. Depending on how much salvage there is, we might cap ship production for two consecutive cycles, even with Orbital Foundries.

>>37884396
We should still try. If we get taken out, Malorians are going to start hurting too. If they want to do another opportunistic raid, that would work.

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>>37884306
>>37884308
You contact the UFW's President.
"Sir, I believe you know why I am calling you." You open with to the wise politician you've come to be rather friendly with.
"Oh I do?" He questions you with a somewhat slow laugh. "Most of what you've been asking for is help with fighting the UGEI...so I suppose it is that story again?"
"A bit different, but essentially, yes." You answer simply. "I have succeeded in establishing a choke point in this sector, but my forces are weakened after a recent encounter. I could certainly use your assistance to..." You trail off as he interrupts.
"You know my people are tired of war, Guildmaster. Tired of the UGEI's oppression. That is why when you came about they treated you as a hero. No one had been able to stand up to them before like you do. To fight for them like you do..." He chuckles and grows silent as you do the same. What is he getting at, you wonder. "...You will find several hundred of my best trained pilots to defend your new world, Guildmaster. It is all I can spare. I hope you make the sacrifices of these men, and the hopes of my people, worth whatever you have planned for the future." He merely states. You merely assure him.
"Yes. I will ensure they help fight for their future as they wish to."

With the UFW solidly under your belt, there is only so many other places you may find allies. You could attempt to persuade the Emperor to put more forces into your fight, but that may leave his own empire open to attack. He has reason to deny your request. And the Malorians have even more reason to despite their hate for the UGEI, they do not trust you either.

Shall you attempt to call upon either of them?
>Let me know

>>37884483
Prepare a report of several different attack cases for the Malorians, and emphasize how us getting defeated would put them at risk. Let them make their own decision, but telling them the potential outcome of this coming battle won't hurt.

>>37884483
Convince the emperor to relocate the remaining Carnage wreckage to friendly territory as a defensive action.

Begin negotiations with the Malorians.

>>37884473
>>37884473
That is a tact of diplomacy I can agree with.
>>37884483
Yes, lets talk with them once more.

>>37884482
>Can we rush Erebos
You can not, no. Too complex and delicate a task.

>Lightlings
You have some manner of control over small groups, but against a large fleet they wouldn't survive too long.

>>37884579
Yes, leave the Lightings alone for now. We need better control over them too before we use them. We don't want them to frenzy and eat our ships as well.

>>37884579
>You have some manner of control over small groups, but against a large fleet they wouldn't survive too long.
Well, it's more bodies for the meat grinder. Also a potential psychological weapon.

>>37884626
May not be a next time if we die here.

>>37884308
>allies
It's like you don't even read the quest.

UFW is uselessly weak even if they were willing. Leuk just said he's turtling down right now. Hippies don't care.

Unless you meant launching fungusbro at them.

>>37884637
If we lose we will just have to flee into deeper space with mining and construction ships, try to develop some form of cloaking tech and go from there.

>>37884483
Here's another idea. Analyze the greatest concentration of ships. Sneak a complex and subtle time delay virus bomb into that system.

Launch a pre-emptive strike with the sole purpose of capturing as many ships ad possible. Use the virus to stun the ships, grab, and leave

>>37884483
It would seem some of you would like to try both sources.

>Vote now
>Malorian Support?
>1 Attempt to persuade them that our downfall would eventually mean their's too.
>2 Plead for support for future promises
>3 Leave them be, they have their own lands to defend

>Losirian
>1 Insist the Emperor support you in the interest of protecting future business practices
>2 Tell the Emperor you're better off defending as two, instead of as one (means you will be defending Walsh also)
>3 Leave the Emperor's fleet to recover-you will survive with the support you already have.

>>37884717
Malorians:
1 and 2 if that fails.

Losirians:
We may be able to provide electronic warfare support, especially if they provide bandwidth. Other than that, 3. Unless he really needs a lot of support.

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>>37884717
>Malorian Support?
>1 Attempt to persuade them that our downfall would eventually mean their's too.
>Other
This will be a good time for them to counter strike as well


>Losirian
>3 Leave the Emperor's fleet to recover-you will survive with the support you already have.

Walsh is an empty system now anyway. They can turtle up and be just fine.

>>37884717
> Malorian support
1.
>Losirian support
2.
All of these factions will prefer us to the UGEI.

>>37884717
>Malorian Support?
>1 Attempt to persuade them that our downfall would eventually mean their's too.
Say this is the best opportunity to make the UGEI bleed. And we will owe them a system in the future, and prephaps some technology. If fact, give them a weapons tech for free anyways, as a sign of goodwill.

>Losirian
>1 Insist the Emperor support you in the interest of protecting future business practices
>2 Tell the Emperor you're better off defending as two, instead of as one (means you will be defending Walsh also)
These are not mutually exclusive. Also, promise that we'll fall back if their fleet is in danger of being destroyed.

>>37884821
I support the preemptive strike. They won't be ready or expecting one, and we can try to grab as many ships ad possible

>>37884717
>1 Attempt to persuade them that our downfall would eventually mean their's too.

>3 Leave the Emperor's fleet to recover-you will survive with the support you already have.

Use the mercs for boarding action too. 'Bout time we get some use from them.

Also if anyone cares, here's the breakdown for ship losses from last battle compared to what we have now.

20 (20, +0) GM-Cr-MR-1 Spearpoint
20 (70, -50) GM-Cr-MR-2 Trireme
10 (50, -40) GM-Cr-CR-1 Brawler
20 (20, +0) GM-Cr-LR-1 Catapult
10 (20, -10) GM-Cr-MR-1 Chimera
100 (150, -50) GM-E-MR-1 Pilum
20 (0, +20) U-Cr-MR-* Ray Caster
50 (0, +50) U-Cr-CR-* Rockhead

The Pilums are escort-class, and the U-ships are UGEI ships which are not A.I.-optimized. So, overall, we're down a little bit, but we've also got defensive platforms on our side.

>>37884717
>It appears 1 & 3 win, that is to try to persuade the Malorians and let the Losirian's recover.
>Provide me with 1d100 if you'd be so kind

Rolled 90 (1d100)

>>37884988

Rolled 4 (1d100)

>>37884988
Roll'in

>>37884996
Nice way to start off the quest return.

Rolled 76 (1d100)

>>37884988
Diplomancy!

Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>37884988

Damn...very nice. Just need one more for a set of 5

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>37884988

Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>37884988
Final.

>>37885114
Damn, even better

>>37885114
>>37885027
>>37884996
That may be the best you guys have ever rolled talking to the Malorians...
>Writing

>>37885158
Makes up for four 1's in the row

>>37885158
I thought that was explained in part with a Watcher in Malorian space that was sabotaging our efforts.

Also, I suppose now would be a good time to get Red to use his training, power armor, and his stealth ship to board Prometheus' ship if he thinks he's up for the challenge. Which would be a convenient way to either get rid of him or to give him more narrative power, depending on QM whims. We didn't let him kill Rhea, but he can do away with Prometheus... if he (and all of us in general) don't die.

>>37885260
That would be cool

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>>37885158
"You must understand, Guildmaster, I have my own interests to protect- were I to send my mighty fleet to assist you, my own flanks would be open." The Emperor attempts to convince you, but as you informed him, you do understand.
"You need not worry, Emperor, recover your strength, and you will assist us another day..." You inform him as ominously as possible.

This was the brief exchange you had with the creature as you went to try and gather allies. What was not brief, however, was your debate you got into with the Malorians. They are certainly not as short winded as the Emperor, and felt the urge to argue their point on your 'kind' being the cause for all that was bad in the universe. However, as you spoke with them, more, they seemed to begin doubting your possible humanity.
"You have done good work against UGEI, rootless one." One of the ambassador's to the Ishtooy mutters mostly to himself. "And you make good points too. After all, if they waste energy attacking you, then we may take advantage." He repeats a point you've been attempting to get across. You merely nod your digital representation of a head at the thought.
"Does this mean you will consider helping us?"
"If only to ensure our own survive, I must consider it, rootless one. However...that is not what intrigues me most." He admits, to which you briefly listen. "What interests me is your merciless regard for the UGEI. If...they are indeed not your own kind, than what are you? You are certainly not like us-not a metal brother. Yet there is little else you could be..." He seems to ponder deeply on the thought. You merely chuckle slightly, answering softly.

[Cont]

>>37885260
I agree, If we can take Prometheus, He need not be alive this time.

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>>37885505
"Does such a thing truly matter so much to you? Were my skin blue, my head insectoid or indeed my very body metal, does any of that change that I am an enemy of your enemy?" You speak as sweetly as you have learned to.
"I suppose to does not...hm. Very well, Rootless one. You will have our mighty fleets at your aid. But do not suspect to take the spoilers for yourself. We will want much of the human scrap to refit our ships so we may attack soon after. If they waste so much on attempting to defeat you, their worlds are open and ripe for revenge." You merely nod at the Malorian's request-happy to have secured aid.

>Malorian war ships will arrive after the fight has begun to ambush the UGEI from behind.

If there is any further preparations you would like to have, then let it be known. I have gathered your desire to set up a network attack upon entry-something that will indeed happen.

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>>37885542
NICE! I love it when a plan comes together.

>>37885635
If there are loose asteroids in the Gaia system, we need to collect them and use them as shields.

>>37885635
Ask Red if he is up for BOARDING ACTION.

Tell the Reaper mercs to stand by for BOARDING ACTION.

Get Polemarchus ready for BOARDING ACTION.

Prepare digital payloads as usual.

Get ready to volley as soon as hostiles enter the system, especially with spearpoint's widowmakers.

>>37885635
Use some of the partial Erebos virus to form an evolutionary, polymorphic virus, our most advanced yet. It's too simple to be initially detected, but it will initially spread across all UGEI systems and will exponentially grow upon the trigger to crash their systems.

And if we're going to be doing a combat, do we have time to address
>Misc: Completed project, objectives, etc
>Gaia IV Celebration
>Message: Metis

before that?

>>37885542
Great. Now the Guild is openly working with the genocidal tribe responsible for the holocaust if Gaia IV.

Populace will be soooo happy seeing them in the skies. And the Guild allowing them to peacefully remain after the battle, too, as they gather the corpses of human ships.

>>37885998
They can't see the ships if we perform a media blackout. What are they going to do? Identify spaceships visually? From a planet? Who's going to report on this combat except us? Gaia IV doesn't have anyone who can get into space without our permission.

>>37885784
>Ask Red if he is up for BOARDING ACTION.
You contact Mr McClain through the holodisplay just in time to catch him in an argument with his first mate so to speak. She eventually storms out out of frustration and he grumbles to himself as he slides back into his seat with a sigh in time to spot you.
"The hell? Since when do you contact me directly?" He snorted. "Been a hell of a long time. Something I can help you with?"
"Perhaps I should be the one saying that." You reply.
"Oh, you mean that? don't worry about her. She gets on my back about something almost every day it feels like.I mean, we're not on active duty, why can't I just relax with...you know what it don't matter." He waved it off as he realized he was explaining too much. "What do ya need?"
"I have thought of a grand opportunity for you to get back at the UGEI, should you be interested-and it be required..."
As you explain your plan, Red looks intrigued.
"Sounds like a damn suicide mission almost. But hell, I've been and lived through worse. And let me tell you, nothing would be quite as satisfying as wringing that little bastard Promethus' neck." He grumbles into his glass. "You need me for some infiltration, just let me know."

>Will you be needing him?
>1 Yes
>2 No

>Tell the Reaper mercs to stand by for BOARDING ACTION.
You are rather tired of them getting a free pass...if you chose to let Red go, they would probably accompany him.
>Use the mercs?
>1 Yes
>2 No

>Get Polemarchus ready for BOARDING ACTION.
This one while effective may endanger Cephalus should matters go badly...of course, if they do not, you will have one of your powerful A.I. aboard a vast ship of incredible power.
>Let Cephalus board as well?
>1 Yes
>2 No

>>37885889
Since those are somewhat secondary, they will be handled after this event, which is pressing. This way we don't run out of time or steam for the harder stuff. Hoping to keep the pace up and at a solid rate

>>37886047
>>37885998
While you are correct Consciousness anon, there are those few resourceful humans who have ways of tapping into telescopes and the like-it being a future era and such. That being said, they are far from the majority, and what with the surface still being in partial chaos, the fight will look more like stars exploding in the sky than a Malorian fleet attempting to raid their planet again.

Of course, there is the whole rumor mongering thing that only gets worse by the day.

>>37886079
>1 Yes
Add him into the other boarders.
>Use the mercs?
>1 Yes
>Let Cephalus board as well?
>1 Yes

All in this time. No holding back.

>>37886079
>>Will you be needing him?
>>1 Yes
>>Tell the Reaper mercs to stand by for BOARDING ACTION.
>>1 Yes
>>Get Polemarchus ready for BOARDING ACTION.
>>2 No

>>37886047
They already saw the Lightlings in orbit before, read the quest.

>>37886079
1
1
1 (if Cephalus is OK with it, obviously.)

If possible, allow Red to kill Prometheus.

>>37886141
I'm going to go ahead and just generalize the humans' opinions on who we ally with as "irrelevant"

>>37886079
>It would seem we are going all in so to speak. Yes to all three.
>If that is all the preparations, than I will begin to move forward.

>>37886368
Is Cephalus ok with the decision? I'm going to assume yes.

>>37886079
>Will you be needing him?
>1 Yes
>Use the mercs?
>1 Yes
>Let Cephalus board as well?
>2 No

>>37886079
>1 Yes
>1 Yes
>1 Yes

Yes to everything!

>>37886079
Yes to all. Time to capture a battleship

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"And that is why, I will be needing both of you to assist in this encounter." You finish explaining, having brought Cephalus and Red online to speak over this important matter.
"Huh...well, boarding ships wasn't exactly my specialty, but shooting guys is. They seem to line up pretty much the same to me." He snorts a bit. "As for those merc guys...well, they got their own leader, I ain't that interested in messing with it. Just give me a squad to back me up and I should be dragging that bastard Prometheus out by the fucked up robo arms in no time.." He waves off, quite confident in himself.
"Hm. Infiltrate with human elements?" Cephalus queries you to which you confirm. "Uncertain factors. But an acceptable mission, Ophion." He mutters simply. "Core unit modifications have yet to be properly fielded. Designed for rugged terrain. Starship interior shall be counted." You realize privately that this may be the most you've heard Cephalus talk at once. You wonder if...he is excited? Or perhaps just finally has a reason to speak. It is hard to say. You decide to question the A.I., beginning with.
"Are you certain you are ready for this mission, Cephalus? I will understand if you do not-"
"I am ready, Ophion, you need not question the validity of your own designs. I am made for this." He reassures you before you even finish. "If you did not request I join, I would have. Our entire force is required to properly repel invasion. If I did not join it would be inefficient." You pause briefly before giving a small nod.
"Very well than."
"Thank you for allowing me to operate at max efficiency, Ophion." He says...strangely grateful.
"Right...well, I suppose we'll be working together then...uh...Cepha...Ce...I'll call you Ceph. How's that?" Red grumbles at the long name about how it sounds 'like some sort of disease or something' Cephalus merely stares blankly at his location.

[Cont]

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>>37886718
"Names matter little. Call me what you wish, and do not impede progress are all I request." He speaks flatly to Red whom blinks in surprise.
"Why you sonofa...we'll see who gets in who's way." He curses under his breath again, before signing off to get ready.
It won't be long now. You can sense it. Warp engines lighting up all along the network. Hundreds...perhaps even a thousand. You hope you are ready for what is to come.

>Opening Gambit
>Viral payload upon enemy arrival
>Widowmaker opening volley
>Boarding pod wave launch

>Gonna need 3d100, 5 posts in all.

Rolled 6, 89, 43 = 138 (3d100)

>>37886743

Rolled 88, 75, 18 = 181 (3d100)

>>37886743
I suppose Cephalus would be able to give us an "in" in the ship if possible.

Rolled 44, 92, 83 = 219 (3d100)

>>37886743

Rolled 52, 72, 33 = 157 (3d100)

>>37886743
Kill'in

Rolled 38, 97, 68 = 203 (3d100)

>>37886743

Rolled 21, 41, 100 = 162 (3d100)

>>37886743
.

>>37886773
>>37886787
>>37886852
88,97,83

Looks good to me.

>>37886900
Well, you know what they say about chickens and counting.

>>37886910
True, I only wish we could get this guy's 100
>>37886856

>>37887030
No need to be greedy. Be patient.

>>37887065
I am.

One question to everyone. If A.I. quest was made into a Big screen Live action movie, who would you want to be the director/producer of it?

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Confident in what preparations you have made, and in the bonds you have formed not only with the nations around you, but with your own forces, you let time tick by, awaiting the warp jump you know is coming. It is strange, the peace is almost...nice as you wait. So many in your empire are unaware of what is to come. Fortuna is by your side, however, holding position close, and Kronos is staring stone steady into the void just out of Gaia IV's gravity range. You predict the fight will look much like fireworks down planetside, if anyone were to look up while it occurs. How appropriate.

"They're coming." You announce to those around you. Red grips his rifle firmly, Cephalus adjusts his position in the boarding pod, Kronos' weapons are primed, and the UFW are setting up their own defenses alongside yours-Admiral Handley holding his breath as he awaits their arrival.. Finally, they warp in.

[Cont]

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>>37887547
>Warning: Enemy force larger than anticipated, nearly two thousand vessels strong. Prometheus detected, repeat, The Tartarus is inbound.
Promethus Vessel: Tartarus Class Battleship x1 [0%Dam] (Missile boat)
'Rockhead' Battlecruiser x500
'Hell's Rain' Battlecruiser x200 (Warning: high powered explosives)
'Mosquito' Destroyer x1000

Your own forces include on top of your own ships:
>250 Cruisers from the UFW lead by Admiral Handley.
And soon
>500 Ships lead by the Ishtooy, including many cruisers, some destroyers and two of their most powerful Carrier ships.

In an instant after their arrival your traps and readying are sprung.
>Viral payload
Time and time again, you have infiltrated the UGEI's systems. They have attempted each time to bar your passing, sometimes in the form of mere walls to penetrate, others in complex mazes to weave and yet each time you manage to force your way through them. This time is no different-although it alarms you how quickly they are adapting to your methods, you too adapt to change. Thanks several of the new methods of coding you've discovered, you are able to infiltrate much of the enemy's systems before they can lock you out. Over 25% of their fleet is disabled for the first turn as they attempt to reconfigure their vessels.

>Widowmaker Opening Volley
His reflexes and aim honed by much practice, Kronos's calculations hit hard on the enemy fleet. While much of their forces are subjected to your electronic warfare, the remaining are subjected to hot plasma, as you slice a strip through their forces, cutting down a solid chunk of the fleet's front line, putting over a hundred cruisers out of the fight, if not utterly destroyed. Kronos chuckles to himself at the massive eruption of hot plasma.
"A strange satisfaction...one that rarely grows old."

[Cont]

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>>37887594
>Boarding pod wave launch
"Alright! Let's get this show on the road, huh?" Red shouts from within his suit, clearly quite excited to give the gear a test run, and perhaps even more excited to meet up with an old face. Cephalus is in similar straights but none so personal, as the storm of pods launch across the sky and the predictable shower of laser fire light up the sky to shoot as many down as they can before they reach the Battleship.
Your previous disruptions, however, on top of the utter devastation their front line faced left them unprepared for the follow up, and as a result many of your pods get through, landing on various ships throughout their fleet-including the big target himself.
All this within a few moments, before the Vice Admiral's wonderful voice comes through to greet your ears.


"I see you're still up to your same tricks, Guildscum!" He growls through at you on the holo display. "However, if you think a few parasites and a few lucky shots will stand in the way of progress, then you are sorely mistaken." He glares into the camera-as if he could stare you eye to eye somehow. "You have over stepped your game, stretched yourself thin! Your fleet is weak and we will bury you, here and now, under this terrorist cell you call an empire." He promises you with hate in his metallic eyes. In fact...he looks less human than before. Much of his head has a similar chrome shine to it too.

>Anything to say?

>>37887625
And I see you have given up more of your so call precious humanity to face me. Is this your last chance to redeem your self in the face of your master? Or will they throw you away like they did with Rhea?

>>37887625
"Your progress is lacking. You may have more numbers, but they will quickly turn to my favor."

>>37887625
I have nothing to say to you. You die today, a broken shell. The Free Species will prevail.

>>37887625
"The price of your progress is freedom. And that is why we are already more advanced than you."

>>37887806
>>37887841
Was Ophion always this...american?

>>37887961
I'm just trying to thinking about something what would unite this alliance of species, besides their hatred of the UGEI, and it's the fact that we all value our freedom from tyranny and oppression.

>>37887961
Actually it's slightly more nuanced than that. UGEI clearly have the capability of building A.I., and yet they leash the A.I. in order to limit their freedom and get more predictable results. If Ophion was set loose in UGEI space, it would probably already be under his complete (if not direct) control. The "Mother" entity is a terribly inefficient A.I., likely due to similar restrictions.

So, in my case when I'm talking about "freedom" I really mean "leashing A.I." which is something we've categorically decided against, and have managed to reap huge payoffs for (see Metis and Cephalus), at the expense of the unease of having unleashed A.I.

>>37888041
And I meant this too, but he just said it better.

Also, our actions reflect an anti-imperialist stance.

>>37888041
To add, one possible caveat is that we're being tested somehow, because Mother literally cannot get freed and understands her inefficiency. Since we don't know our actual origins, we might be part of a "create a bunch of random Watcher A.I. boxes and hope that one of them manages to solve the long-standing problem of having free A.I.s" gambit.

It's possible that our true function (the one that's constantly marked as "Expansion Required") is to merge with Mother and thus liberate her. Joke's on her, though, we've already created second (and even third) generation A.I. that would hopefully be without this imperative.

>>37887961
I see it as UGEI has become stagnated and tyrannical in nature. Yea, Ophion isn't a pure hearted guy, but he's much better than most of the people here.

>>37888200
Ophion is a combination of ruthless, pragmatic, yet very strongly trends towards white-hat actions.

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>>37887625
You are quite surprised-for someone so intent on the progression of humanity, he has given up so much to be...more like you. Or at least, something more artificial. He continues to tell you this is all in the name of that progress. Part of you is unsure if you pity him, or find him fascinating. Whatever the answer, you do know how to answer him.
"You have more numbers, but little else, Vice Admiral." You remind him sharply. "I do not fear you or your 'progress' you so violently defend. But I see you have given up yet more of your humanity for this progress merely to face me...or perhaps it is from your masters, your last chance to face me before you're cast aside like a worn tool-as Rhea was." You deliver with a sharp tongue. The Vice Admiral grits his teeth and roars in reply.
"Shut your mouth! You know nothing of what I defend, or my master!" He manages before realizing he may have said too much, and reaches to cover his mouth. "Guildmaster. Know this. I can not die here this day. Everything the human race has worked towards, I embody." He raises all four of his metallic limbs. "Witness the beauty of what we can create. What we can do to make ourselves better. More efficent. No other species can merely 'make itself better' on a wim! This is the future, this is what everyone deserves! Those who would take that from them...are nothing but trash. You, Guildmaster. You are trash. Hoping to carve out some sort of living for yourself under the guise of hero, protected by the unwashed masses who could not know how folly their actions are!" He insists angrily. "Who could not know how wrong their decisions are based upon your tricks. But I know. And here today, I will rid this galaxy of your empty promises and tempered words!" He roars louder, letting his arms go to work with his own opening volley...

>You may reply, but as you do your fleet suffers from his assault.

[Cont]

>>37888284
Massive waves of rockets take off and swarm towards your defensive line. They erupt in a fiery burst of hot slag, blasting ships to pieces all around you, and denting part of your own front line. Thankfully your designs protect most of your ships from being destroyed...but not your allies. The UFW's poorly outfitted ship are torn like paper, as Admiral Handley does his best to direct his men in how to deal with the damages.
"Easy men! Keep this boat running, I am counting on you, the entire UFW is counting on you! Do it for your brothers, husbands,wives, anyone you've lost to the UGEI. Make these bastards pay!"
His rally cry resounds within the UFW fleet and they seem to stabilize as the dust from the first volley settles so to speak.

>>37888284
Battle report
U-Ba-CR-0 'Athena' Battleship: 10 gas [Ophion]
P-Ca-LR-0 'Diplomacy' Carrier: 5 gas [Fortuna]
U-Ca-LR-0 'Dialogue' Carrier: 5 gas [Fortuna]
L-Cr-LR-0 'Ark' Battlecruiser: 0.5 gas [Kronos]
U-Cr-MR-1 'Ray Caster' Battlecruiser (x20): 10 gas [Kronos]
GM-Cr-MR-1 'Spearpoint' Battlecruiser (x20): 10 gas [Kronos]
GM-Cr-MR-2 'Trireme' Battlecruiser (x10): 5 gas [Kronos]
GM-Cr-CR-1 'Brawler' Battlecruiser (x4): 5 gas [Kronos]
U-Cr-CR-1 'Rockhead' Battlecruiser (x35): 25 gas [Hades]
L-Cr-LR-0 'Cerberus I' Battlecruiser: 0.5 gas [Hades]
GM-Cr-MR-2 'Trireme' Battlecruiser (x10): 5 gas [Hades]
GM-Cr-LR-1 'Catapult' Battlecruiser (x20): 10 gas [Hades]
GM-Cr-MR-1 'Chimera' Battlecruiser (x10): 5 gas [Hades]
Free
GM-E-MR-1 'Pilum' Destroyer x60 [Fortuna]
GM-E-Ex-1 Stealth Frigate 'Pilum' x5 [Fortuna]
GM-E-B-1 'Soundwave' Broadband Frigate
GM-E-B-1 'Blaster' Broadband Frigate
GM-E-B-1 Broadband Frigate x2

Ally fleet
UFW Forces: 190 Cruisers strong

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>>37888284
>No other species can merely 'make itself better' on a wim!

>>37888284
"So be it."
Return fire and Get into range this time. God help us all this time. We're going to need it.

Yeah, I don't have anything to say.

Bring Athena in, fire another volley of widowmakers, try to shoot down the high-explosives as they come in (we've got pretty advanced point-defense).

>For the next round of combat, you must decide what you will be doing
>Widow makers are recharging for this turn
>Viruses have weakened the weaker ships, but will be cleansed in the next few turns
>Boarding actions will be taken next turn
>Firing protocol will also take place as normal.

>Anything else?

>>37888527
If I recall correctly, we've modified Athena into a laser gunboat. That should give it a big punch, but also allow it to try to shoot down some of the incoming explosive weapons once Tartarus launches a volley.

Also I notice "Nuclear Warhead" listed on Athena. Possibly worth using?

>>37888590
That you did. Though the nuclear payload is not for use against other ships. It's a bomb, rather, instead of a missile.

>>37888527
Target new ships for Virus attack. Have Athena swat down Missiles and focus in on Tartarus. Is our scanners picking up life forms on the UGEI ships? if not, Really aim for Pomethus's flag ship and bring it down. It might disrupt the rest of his fleet.

>>37888527
It appears no, and so, roll time

>Boarding Action
>Return Volley
>Hacking weakened ships

If there is nothing else, I shall need 4d100

Rolled 51, 45, 72, 16 = 184 (4d100)

Oh yes, some battle music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9rDmrkfNLU
>>37888717

Rolled 8, 33, 93, 88 = 222 (4d100)

>>37888717

Rolled 49, 59, 87, 94 = 289 (4d100)

>>37888717
Well, if we had things planned to do after this event, then we can't die completely, right? Right?

>>37888527
"Enough, your delusions die with you."

UFW fleet, merge formation with our fleet. Minimize missile damage and prepare for energy range combat.

Use the superior speed of our destroyers to attempt to outflank and target the long range enemy ships, but their true objective is to disrupt their formation and pull them back to lead a chase and kite them.

Lastly, broadcast an open message.
"This is the Guild. Standard surrendering procedure is to open communications and disable firewalls."

>>37888704
Actually, there do not appear to be many life signs in the ships, you notice. They all behave rather mechanically, though there are certainly some captains in the larger ships you predict, all under the Vice Admiral's command.

as for laser swatting, you need not worry, that is already what shall occur

Rolled 28, 49, 78, 68 = 223 (4d100)

>>37888717

>>37888757
don't get cocky

Rolled 19, 84, 63, 68 = 234 (4d100)

>>37888717

>>37888739
>>37888741
>>37888757
>>37888795
>>37888802
51, 84, 93, 94

This will be interesting.

>>37888786
That is good. We need to target the ones that do have captains and we can break the chain of control over the UGEI fleet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmW26vAI0I0

>>37888795
It was more apprehension, really.

>>37888834
Quite. That 51 is our weak point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1sWdOEB4zw&list=RD02tKZopz7J8AQ

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>>37888717
"2 Minutes until impact. Preparing braces." Announces the computerized alarm in Red's pod as it roars through the void. The man can't help but feel amazed that he hasn't been shot down, watching as some of the fleet spins in circles at times, or fires it's engines irregularly. Must be that crazy A.I's doing...
"1 Minute until impact."
Gripping his plasma rifle tightly, Red sucks in a deep breath. If someone had told him a year ago he'd be coming out of retirement to kill this loud mouthed bastard-once more, for some crazy ass A.I., he'd have told them to not hit their head on the way to the crazy house. The man couldn't help but smirk a little at that, speaking aloud to himself. "I like it a little crazy sometimes, I guess."
"Impact imminent."
Like a harpoon, Red's pod pierces the side of Tartarus, injecting him down onto the steel floor with a loud thunderous boom, as he raises to his feet-immediately under fire.
"Shit, guess I landed smack dab in the barracks or somethin'." He curses to himself. Glancing to his omnitool, Red nods at the direction of the mercenary pods Ophion sent with him. He just needed to meet up with them...right. Finally rounding the corner and letting fly several sprays of plasma at the men calling out his position, Red stormed past the lightly armored foes-his own deflecting their laser shots as he went.
"I love this suit!" He roars out a laugh as he sets a charge on a nearby door, a lockdown immediately being instituted, and blows a hole through to the next part of the ship.

[Cont]

>>37889466
Meanwhile, Cephalus is in considerably better straights, having landed in what he calculates is the armory, immediately laying siege to any higher grade arm he can get his hands on so his foe is weakened further. The A.I.'s droid roars to life as it uncurls from it's defensive stance, slowly adjusting itself so it may stomp down the hall.
"H-Holy shit, what the hell is that thing!?" Calls out some lone human officer who came to investigate the noise. With shocking reflexes, Polemarchus lurches forward, snapping up the man by his neck, and echos dully in a low uninterested tone.
"Option to surrender has been offered. Do you agree, Yes, or No?" He asks, to which the man merely makes a choking gasp of a sound of surprise. After a moment, Cephalus answers.
"Your refusal has been noted. Please step aside." And with that, flings the man to the side with enough force to brain him on the steel plated wall, quickly stepping his way past the doorway and begins to link up with the many many androids starting to land onboard. The Siege had begun.

You return fire to the Vice admiral, finally having had enough of his nonsense. Fortuna sends in her swarm of a fleet to tie up the enemy, echoing softly how her work proceeds as she disables ships and destroys more. Kronos' is preparing his next volley, in the mean time opening fire with the new phsors you managed to equip to your ships, slicing through your foe's plated ships, as they blow through your own. Each of your ships is worth at least 3 of their's, but they have many, and the UFW is proving mostly useful as a distraction, if not a competent ally. Unfortunately, Admiral Handley is losing many men as the fight goes on.

[Cont]

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>>37889496
In order to help matters, you reach out with your vast mind to sink your control into the many many weakened ships now in their fleet, able to subvert quite a fair number of their destroyers and some cruisers as well, turning their weapons back against their masters.

However, the Vice Admiral's fleet proves to you it has significant punch remaining within it, as a shower of those heavy missiles manage to slip past even your more accurate predictions, blowing a hole in many of your ships.

>Battle Report
*ENEMY CRITICAL*
U-Ba-CR-0 'Athena' Battleship: 10 gas [Ophion]
P-Ca-LR-0 'Diplomacy' Carrier: 5 gas [Fortuna]
U-Ca-LR-0 'Dialogue' Carrier: 5 gas [Fortuna]
L-Cr-LR-0 'Ark' Battlecruiser: 0.5 gas [Kronos]
U-Cr-MR-1 'Ray Caster' Battlecruiser (x4): 10 gas [Kronos]
GM-Cr-MR-1 'Spearpoint' Battlecruiser (x12): 10 gas [Kronos]
GM-Cr-MR-2 'Trireme' Battlecruiser (x3): 5 gas [Kronos]
GM-Cr-CR-1 'Brawler' Battlecruiser (x0): 5 gas [Kronos]
U-Cr-CR-1 'Rockhead' Battlecruiser (x15): 25 gas [Hades]
L-Cr-LR-0 'Cerberus I' Battlecruiser: 0.5 gas [Hades]
GM-Cr-MR-2 'Trireme' Battlecruiser (x7): 5 gas [Hades]
GM-Cr-LR-1 'Catapult' Battlecruiser (x15): 10 gas [Hades]
GM-Cr-MR-1 'Chimera' Battlecruiser (x7): 5 gas [Hades]
Free
GM-E-MR-1 'Pilum' Destroyer x20 [Fortuna]
GM-E-Ex-1 Stealth Frigate 'Pilum' x5 [Fortuna]
GM-E-B-1 'Soundwave' Broadband Frigate
GM-E-B-1 'Blaster' Broadband Frigate
GM-E-B-1 Broadband Frigate x2

Ally fleet
UFW Forces: 100 Cruisers strong
Malorian forces: 500 Majority Cruisers, Two Powerful Carriers, and the rest Destroyers

Enemy Fleet
Promethus Vessel: Tartarus Class Battleship x1 [0%Dam] (Missile boat)
'Rockhead' Battlecruiser x220
'Hell's Rain' Battlecruiser x160 (Warning: high powered explosives)
'Mosquito' Destroyer x400


>Note Malorian's are set to arrive any moment now
>Any further changes of plans should be mentioned now as well

>>37889533
oops small misprint.
>0%
should be
>15%

>>37889533
Focus on fleet preservation, maintaining a flexible formation and preparing for the Malorian flank.

Signal the UFW to merge formations and reduce overall damage taken.

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>>37889496
>"Option to surrender has been offered. Do you agree, Yes, or No?"
Magnificent.

>>37889533
God, those are some heavy losses.

Stay the course, I suppose. No backing down now.

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>>37889533
Can we focus on the Hell's Rain BC to knock them down? Also, Just where is Tartarus in relation to UGEI's fleet? behind his forces? In the midst of them? Out in front?

To Cephalus: Target his relay systems if you can find them. Cutting him off from his fleet with down grade the rest of them greatly. Other wise take out what you can as you come across it.

>>37889695
Getting to the Hell's Rain vessels has been difficult due to their positioning far behind the enemy lines. You are slowly making progress however. As for Tartarus itself, it is right alongside the Hell's Rain vessels, far in the back launching enormous numbers of missiles every turn. Closing in is difficult due to the rest of the fleet but you have the engines to catch up, should you get a clear shot.

>>37889695
Supporting orders to Cephalus.

Also, to Cephalus:
Probe ship for connect points, and see if their internal connections have less protection. If they don't, then locate their cyber-defense hardware and bypass it.

>>37889695
>>37889772
Bonus orders to Cephalus appears to be desired. Instead of rampaging, or heading directly towards the Vice Admiral, will you order him to instead attempt to disconnect the ship from the rest of the fleet if possible, or if not, disrupt his command over his other ships?

>1 Yes do it
>2 No, go straight for the Vice Admiral

>>37889832
>1 Yes do it

>>37889832
>1 Yes do it
The point of this is to stop the UGEI, this ship is more dangerous than he is.

>>37889832
>1 Yes do it

>>37889832
1
Probably the best course of action. Red can take care of Prometheus, but disabling the ship is something Cephalus can do much much better.

>>37888834
>cocky
>>we can't die completely, right? Right?
>anything ending in "right? right?"
>cocky
Anon, you're kind of a moron at reading comprehension.

>>37889832
If Cephalus can redirect the comms to the Guild Network, that would be great.

>>37889496
>straights
>>37887625
It's "straits," it's a nautical metaphor. There isn't really a 'good' kind of strait to be in, metaphorically, really.

"Understood, Guildmaster." Cephalus utters with a simple answer to your orders. Already, he has begun to call his androids to him from all around Tartarus, as they attempt to breach the enemy's defenses. Some have more success than others, obviously, with some signals blacking out or some squads being blown up before they even landed. However, Cephalus is slowly making his way to what he senses is the fleet control nexus. It is...strange, Cephalus tells you, it does not feel like normal control hubs do. Nontheless he shall follow it.

Meanwhile, Red has been fighting a fierce fight for his own life on the opposite end of the ship.
"Don't call me worthless you bunch of pirate scumbags! I'll be there in a damn minute, you can hold on!" He roars into the mic, after having finally managed to beat his way past the enemy forces. Auto turrets have become his main foe lately, their rounds the only thing able to penetrate his power armor, it would seem. As such he has suffered a few wounds but all life signs still read green as he reaches the cafeteria to meet up with the mercenaries. The leader is standing there with a gun slung over his shoulder, at least half his forces that he originally had around him.
"It's about damn time you got here. I need ever damn body I can get ahold of worthless or not. I don't wanna hear your shit either, I just want to get in, get out and get paid." He lowers his brow to Red who rolls his eyes.
"Then maybe you chose the wrong damn job. Doesn't matter, just fucking go, I'll follow your boys. I got a few charges left to get us through anything nasty."
"Huh. Least you're good for something then." He mutters aimed at the man, before the entire group continues on towards the heart of the ship.

[Cont]

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>>37890529

It isn't long before Prometheus' fleet is set upon by yours once more-this time however, your firepower is somewhat lacking, or would be, if not for Athena. Powerful Phasors tear through the void and slam into what remains of his fleet, and you begin to worry. He has the clear advantage now, if your reinforcements don't hurry...
"I do hope our new 'allies' are not waiting for us to parish before they come to the 'rescue' so to speak." Kronos warns you of the possibility with a frown, as his cannons charge up and he blasts away at the enemy fleet, tearing another strip through them. This goes along with your own fleet and your hacking attempts, turning more and more ships on their master.

However. That does not prepare you for when their next volley hits you. The wave has become overbearing and has begun to land on key vessels. Kronos and Fortuna's ship have taken heavy damage and Kronos has begun to recall back. Fortuna, however, insists on being by your side.
"I must protect grand one...I must." She insists despite Kronos informing her that your hull will protect you against far worse.
"She refuses to listen, Ophion. May this fight end soon, or else..." Kronos warns you, when you get a radio feed from Admiral Handley...or at least, you thought it was, but it appears to be one of the sub captains of the UFW fleet.
"Sir, we are taking heavy casualties! Request permission to fall back...please..." He asks into the holo display, lowering his head. "Before we lose even more people..."

>What is your say?

>>37890154
Learn somethin' new every day

>>37890570
>What is your say?
granted, make sure to fall back orderly

>>37890570
>What is your say?
You've done all you can, retreat with pride intact.

>>37890570
You've done what you can retreat in good order. We'll cover you.

>>37890641
supporting

>>37890570
Fall back, reinforcement is coming. We must last.

>>37890570
"Granted. Hades will come around to provide a suppressive volley and cover your retreat. Our other reinforcements will be along shortly."

Fortuna should also retreat, her survival in the long run will protect us more than her sacrifice now

You merely regard the soldier with a nod and agree.
"Very well, you may fall back. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten."
"Thank you, Guildmaster...please, make sure it isn't. And make sure Admiral Handley's isn't either." He asks of you. You are struck for a brief moment before agreeing with a small nod of your sphere of a persona.

>UFW forces have begun to pull back from the fight, only 40 vessels remain of the original 250.

The impressive number of remaining enemy ships has you concerned, you will not be able to take another blast like the last. As you consider your options to buy time for your boarding parties, you sense a disturbance in warp space. Behind The Tartarus, the warp channels open and in come the Malorian fleet. Their ships are fitted to the teeth with guns, almost haphazardly so. The Vice Admiral is not pleased with this sight, either.
"What!? The alien beasts come now! Damn it, of all times!" He roars, turning his head back to the holo display. "You! This was your doing, wasn't it Guildscum?!" You merely chuckle at the accusation, as you can tell by the alarms going off behind him that yet another one of your plans is having it's effect as well. "You bastard...you will pay for your tricks!" He calls out to you, as his ships remain focused on your flimsy fleet, ignoring the powerful one behind him. "You think your infiltrators will stop me...that the alien beasts are your friends...you are wrong. You are WRONG!" He yells to you, gripping his metallic fists tightly and giving you a good view of just how artificial his body has become. You can barely tell if any is flesh anymore.
"If I am to die here...then so will you, you terrorist bastard!" He exclaims firmly.

>The Malorian fleet has arrived
>Your fleet is heavily wounded, and your boarding parties are still at work wresting control away from within.

>Any further orders before firing volleys comes?

[Cont]

>>37891045
>Battle Report
U-Ba-CR-0 'Athena' Battleship: 10 gas [Ophion] (10% damage)
P-Ca-LR-0 'Diplomacy' Carrier: 5 gas [Fortuna] (30% damage)
U-Ca-LR-0 'Dialogue' Carrier: 5 gas [Fortuna] (40% damage)
L-Cr-LR-0 'Ark' Battlecruiser: 0.5 gas [Kronos] (40% Damage)
U-Cr-MR-1 'Ray Caster' Battlecruiser (x1): 10 gas [Kronos]
GM-Cr-MR-1 'Spearpoint' Battlecruiser (x8): 10 gas [Kronos]
GM-Cr-MR-2 'Trireme' Battlecruiser (x3): 5 gas [Kronos]
GM-Cr-CR-1 'Brawler' Battlecruiser (x0): 5 gas [Kronos]
U-Cr-CR-1 'Rockhead' Battlecruiser (x0): 25 gas [Hades]
L-Cr-LR-0 'Cerberus I' Battlecruiser: 0.5 gas [Hades]
GM-Cr-MR-2 'Trireme' Battlecruiser (x2): 5 gas [Hades]
GM-Cr-LR-1 'Catapult' Battlecruiser (x10): 10 gas [Hades]
GM-Cr-MR-1 'Chimera' Battlecruiser (x5): 5 gas [Hades]
Free
GM-E-MR-1 'Pilum' Destroyer x0 [Fortuna]
GM-E-Ex-1 Stealth Frigate 'Pilum' x5 [Fortuna]
GM-E-B-1 'Soundwave' Broadband Frigate
GM-E-B-1 'Blaster' Broadband Frigate
GM-E-B-1 Broadband Frigate x2

Ally fleet
UFW Forces: 40 Cruisers strong [Admiral Handley has expired]
Malorian forces: 500 Majority Cruisers, Two Powerful Carriers, and the rest Destroyers

Enemy Fleet
Promethus Vessel: Tartarus Class Battleship x1 [25%Dam] (Missile boat)
'Rockhead' Battlecruiser x140
'Hell's Rain' Battlecruiser x110 (Warning: high powered explosives)
'Mosquito' Destroyer x200

>>37891045
Hack them, aim for weapons systems.

One thing most overlook is the safety mechanisms for premature weapons firing. If we can set off their missiles before they're fired, it'll put a dent in their forces while also softening the incoming volley.

after this battle is over we should construct some sore of monument for the UFW crews that died helping us in these battles, and give it as a gift to the UFW.

>>37891045
>Any further orders before firing volleys comes?
Focus hack attempts on the Tartarus, make sure Prometheus can't set it to self-destruct, be scuttled or in any ither way spite us in his dying moments.

>>37891045
Focus bandwidth on boarding party. It is critical that they prevent a self destruct.

>>37891124
A block of scrap metal from the UFW flagship floating in space, laser-engraved with the names of all who fell.

>>37891045
Go full defense and focus on Hacking.

To the Malorian Fleet: "You are just in time! They have been softened up, finish them!"

Never quite have you been so happy to see a Malorian fleet -especially one of such size- enter your air space. The Ishtooy send you a transmission soon after entry.
"It would seem you could not hold out without our assistance. You are lucky, rootless one, that the UGEI have presented such a prime target, less your entire cause would crumble." He says with an oddly cocky air about himself. "Good job on weakening their forces, however. We shall take the matter from here." He assures you in that same tone. You do not care in the slightest however, but now that the Vice Admiral seems intent to focus you down to the last, you have ordered your ships to bring themselves in for a defensive formation against the Tartarus' weapon systems. You can only hope you can soak up what he throws at you long enough for your boarding parties to handle the matter or the Malorians to do so.

>Currently, Red and Cephalus are moving towards the bridge of the Tartarus. You question Cephalus on what about the fleet control center, and he merely states.
"I was doing as you ordered, Guildmaster. The control center is in the bridge, precisely where the Vice Admiral is standing." He warns you, as he slams his way past another set of blockades, burning a hole straight through the bulkhead, and mowing down inferior infantry obviously not suited to fight against him-or even Red's squad for that matter. Still, the artificial defenses have done a number on Red's squad, and he is making his way to the bridge soon.

>If there are no further orders, next rolls are needed.
>Red & Cephalus' infiltration
> Firing volley defense
>Hacking attempts

>Give me 4d100 if you please.

Rolled 90, 52, 56, 61 = 259 (4d100)

>>37891385

Rolled 40, 98, 54, 21 = 213 (4d100)

>>37891385

Rolled 73, 46, 89, 55 = 263 (4d100)

>>37891385
Let's show the Malorians how it's done.

Rolled 100, 1, 84, 9 = 194 (4d100)

>>37891385

Rolled 22, 21, 30, 90 = 163 (4d100)

>>37891385
Roll'in

Rolled 21, 92, 21, 49 = 183 (4d100)

>>37891385

>>37891447
Ayyyyy

>>37891447
Okay, that happened.

>>37891447
>>37891424
>>37891435
>>37891461
100,98,89,90

Looks go-
>>37891447
1

um.... uh oh.

>>37891421
>>37891424
>>37891435
>>37891447
>>37891461
100, 1, 89, 90

Extreme rolls. I think we lost a major character.

>>37891421
>>37891424
>>37891435
>>37891447
>>37891461
And here we are.
>Writing

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>>37891508
I hope they cancel each other out.

>>37891503
>>37891508
Wasn't there the rule that 1's don't count in mass rolls?

>>37891539
Oh? What thread was that implemented in? Maybe we can dig that up from the archives.

>>37891539
From 1d4chan

>The quest uses a d100 system, where Program0 calls for a certain number of d100s appropriate for the situation. Natural 100s and natural 1s don't count when rolling more then 1d100.

>>37891630
But every time there's a critical it's just carte blanche for a QM to do whatever. So it's always [worry intensifies]

>>37891630
I see, so we've got 100,98,89,90.
Should be four high successes.

What does Cephalus's mech look like again?

>>37891878
Name Polemarchus
Designation Unit 9
Chassis type Arachnid
Size Large
Weapons Infantry grade Mass Drivers
Defenses Heavy armor plating, CWIS (point defense), Superior Shielding
Primary role Global C&C of ground forces.
Intellect Level A.I. 5 Cephalus
Equipment Advanced C&C & Comm Array Package, Close Range Sensors, Troop Resupply: Able to keep other units running
Notes A custom unit created for Cephalus to allow the A.I. to move around in combat areas.

>>37891989
But what does it look like. Is it just a big spider tank?

>>37891989
Thanks.

>>37892024
It was never really described in great detail, but it stopped a truck that tried to ram it. So, at least a car-sized spider tank that can use those arms as manipulators or anything else.

>>37892024
That's his normal form. I'm assuming a boarding form is smaller.

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You engage defensive formations through your entire fleet. For once in what feels like a long time, you feel like you may lose one of your collective forever. A thought that had never truly entered your thoughts for some time. Fortuna, Kronos...or perhaps even Cephalus or Red. They are all vulnerable at this moment-a thought which makes you angry. How dare he threaten you, you are superior to the Vice Admiral in every way!
You settle this thought for the moment and prepare yourself for the defense, and delve deeper with your hacking into his fleet to make the Malorian's job that much easier. Ship after ship turns, and annihilate one another, only succeeding in making the Vice Admiral angrier. He launches his missile attack into Athena over and over, denting and chunking her hull slowly. The vessel is powerful but it is not immortal. You shoot down as many as you can as accurately as any hyper advanced computing system can, but you only have so many lasers left. Fortuna and Kronos cry out as they're struck as well, their ships rendered dead in the water, as the power onboard flickers and you briefly lose contact with them both.
"G-Grand one, Fortuna will not leave you! She stays, stays to protect you. K...Keep you safe!" She ensures proudly, despite the fact that her ship can barely even move, muchless defend you any longer. Kronos had begun to retreat but took a tail ended missile, leaving him floating in space like a sitting duck for the moment. Thankfully for them, at the least, the Vice Admiral cares not for your subordinate ships, and is focusing all of his own fire on Athena-and she is taking it all in stride. You can only hope the Malorians can stop him before it's too late.

[Cont]

>>37892173
"Do you want me to stop, Guildscum?" He asks with a sort of laugh at the thought, as you focus much of your power into repairing what damage is done as fast as you can. "It is too late! I will not forgive you for what you have done... the galaxy will not forgive you for what you have do-!" The Vice Admiral begins, before shots erupt behind him and you watch through the holo display as he ducks and spins around to see Red and what remains of his force approaching with guns raised.
"That's about enough, Prometheus. You've had your day in the sun. It's time to lay down and die like a good military dog." Red growls under his breath, eyeing the man with pent up hatred in his eyes. The Vice Admiral regards his gun toting friends briefly before chuckling quietly to himself.
"So...this is what you were hoping for?" He asks you over his shoulder. "Some haphazard team of mercenaries to take me down?" He shakes his head slowly to which Red growls.
"Ain't so haphazard looking when we beat our way past all your damn guards!" He warns him.
"Of course not, you idiot.I was focused on much more important matters. It has been sometime, hasn't it Harrison?" He regards Red. "You know, I never thought I'd see your spineless ass again after you ran away."
"That's a damn lie!" Red yells back at him.
"Is it?" Prometheus lowers his brow at Red.
"It wasn't running away-it was quitting that stupid occupation job! I wasn't going to stand around and take stuff that doesn't belong to us just to make a quick buck!"
"Exactly, you ran away, like a damn coward." Prometheus points out with a chuckle. "It's just as well really, you never fit in with any of us, Harrison." He remarks. "You never had the back bone for the jobs the big boys needed done. You were too busy hugging alien beasts, weren't you?"

[Cont]

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>>37892212
"God damn it, I told you to shut the hell up!" He yells at Prometheus, forcing his rifle to charge. "All that time I spent 'hugging' them, I learned a lot more than I ever did around you psychopaths!"
"Of course you did, you fool...and look where it's gotten you." Prometheus shakes his head, glancing back to Red. "Anyway..." He frowns, gazing at Red with a measure of hate in return. "I suppose you're here to shoot me now, aren't you?"

"That's definitely on my bucketlist right now, yeah." Red remarks with a smirk at the man.
"Then go ahead. Do it. Let's see if you grew a spine in all this time." Prometheus chuckles a bit at the man, before watching Red frown again harshly, and open fire.
Twice. No, at least four shots with the plasma rifle. A bright barrier erects around the four armed metallic monster of a man, forcing the energy to quickly dissipate around him.
"Ah...at least you can pull the trigger now." Prometheus offers Red with one last smirk, before violently jerking his arm to the side. Just as he does so, the ship seems to react like some great beast, and pairs of massive mechanical arms erupt from the wall, and smash into his regiment, as several turrets lower from the ceiling and open fire on the downed men as they cry out in pain.
"Do you see now, you idiot?! If I had wanted to, I could have crushed your little invasion without a second thought!" He roars out, as you pick up Red crying out in pain. After a brutal scene of the Vice Admiral mowing down the mercenaries that remained, he picks up Harrison and drags his body over to the holo display, using two arms to remove and disengage parts of the suit.
"This? This is your best man, Guildscum? An old, retired war veteran who was too damn cowardly to pull the trigger on his fucking gun!?" He asks of you, as if furious, needing something to vent it all upon, finding his limp body appropriate for now.

>Do you have any response?

>>37892256
"Did you know Red's suit has a self-destruct in it?"

>>37892256
>Do you have any response?
Just one.
How the hell did we get into this situation from our absolutely stellar rolls?

>>37892256
Oh course not. He was only a distraction for my actual operative.

Cephalus, now.

>>37892290
A+++ you brilliant person

>>37892256
So red is dead? Ah well. Also fucking told you guys the mercs wouldn't be worth shit.

>>37892256
"Negative, Prometheus. I had deployed him in hopes you were dumber than you looked. If you'd look behind you, I'm sure my best man would love to get acquainted. After all, he's everything you could ever hope to be."

>>37892290
Ahahaha, fuck yes.

It's exactly the kind of thing that'd be in there too, preventing this tech from being stolen.

>>37892368
This is also good.

>>37892256
THIS!
>>37892290
and this.
>>37892336

>>37892368
I do indeed like this.

>>37892332
Only one person rolled poorly, everyone else survived the incoming attack just fine.

Oh that reminds me, battle report

Enemy Fleet
Promethus Vessel: Tartarus Class Battleship x1 [65%Dam] (Missile boat)
'Rockhead' Battlecruiser x10
'Hell's Rain' Battlecruiser x5 (Warning: high powered explosives)
'Mosquito' Destroyer x0

Only changes are to the enemy forces. They're sorta getting mowed down.

(His suit doesn't have a self-destruct, does it? This is just Ophion being a master ruseman?)

>>37892499
Didn't we put self destructs into all the suits so someone wouldn't steal the tech?

>>37892499
Of course it does, all suits and important tech does.

>>37892483
who everyone had in the high 80s to 100

>>37892570
shhh

>>37892483
But unless you're changing the rules by which mass rolls operate without telling us, *noone* rolled poorly.
100, 98, 89 and 90 are all fairly good rolls, all things considered.

>>37892368
>>37892336
damn it you guys I was hoping it wasn't that obvious the plan

Also for those wondering, his vitals are in the red, not completely down. Red ain't quite dead yet but he might be any moment.

Cephalus is closing in, though he may take a moment.
So how would you like to respond?

>1 There's a bomb in that suit you know (Not a bluff, actually is a self destruct mechanism.)
>2 Tell em to look behind him

>>37892595
>1

>>37892595
2 ajajaja silly human

>>37892595
>>1 There's a bomb in that suit you know (Not a bluff, actually is a self destruct mechanism.)

>>37892595
>1 There's a bomb in that suit you know (Not a bluff, actually is a self destruct mechanism.)
Actually activate it, just cancel at the last second.

>>37892590
I...may have forgotten that bit. Dang.Well it's alright, it'll just change the follow up scene a bit (I have an idea)

My bad, told you I was rusty.

>>37892595
2

As much as Red is a neglected character, I can't justify blowing him up when a perfectly good alternative is right there.

>>37892638
It's fine, the scene works our beautifully. No need to recon.

>>37892636
dont sacrifice red like that man , our ai has this shit

>>37892595
>2

>>37892595
>1
Aaaaaand boom goes the dynamite.

>>37892656
Who says we're blowing him up? He'd probably do it himself. I'm sure there's a way to manually do it.

>>37892638
Eh, it's fine.
At least this way we don't have to pay the mercenaries.

>>37892595
>1
The man wants to die and take Prometheus with him. Let him.

>>37892677
We only need to scare him, we can cancel at the last minute and buy Cephalus some time.

>>37892595
2
Include the "he is everything you want to be" line.

>>37892713
How will it buy time? He'll kill Red at the word Bomb.

>>37892702
No, he has a space babe waiting for him.

>>37892734
Or just quickly toss Red and Cephalus kills Prometheus.

>>37892595
>2
Cephalus stronk.

>>37892638
It's ok to recon something if you just missed something.

>>37892595
>>1 There's a bomb in that suit you know (Not a bluff, actually is a self destruct mechanism.)
>>2 Tell em to look behind him

Both. Keep him distracted with the "bomb" until the last moment where we ask him "Do you really think I would sacrifice one of my own people? It's time to meet one of my best agents"

Then Cephalus bust through a wall like the Kook-aid man.

>>37892786
I dislike recons in general. They irk me.

>>37892638
That is okay. Just means we get to skip out on paying the mercenaries.

>>37892816
but recon is very useful in war got to have good intel anon

>>37892816
Red can still miraculously survive.

>>37892855
Goddammit, I misspelled it.

>>37892842
I always said the mercenaries wouldn't be worth it.

>>37892903
Eh, literal meat shield gotta meat shield. No biggie.

>>37892903
They'd probably have been a lot kore effective if we'd combined them with a mini-spider assault.

>>37892903
Honestly, that's part of the reason I suggested we send them in.

Oh, sure, we're going to do some press releases about how they were brave and dutiful and all that. Maybe we will even mean it! They didn't flinch from duty, at least.

>>37892920
Should have used cheaper more effective metal shield.
>>37892937
Not more effective than androids would have been.

>>37892816
To me retcons is allowable in certain situations, but not all of them. This is one of them.

>>37892842
>>37892903
>>37892937
Well if they live somehow, we'll start to team them up with the mini-spider bots or something. That or work some cyber limbs to replace the ones they have lost.

>>37892999
Or fire their asses and build more robots.

>>37892959
>Not more effective than androids would have been.
You never know, this universe could be a soft-enough sci-fi that human soldiers actually have appreciable advantages over robotic drones.
I mean, Lightlings exist.

>>37892959
They served their purpose and made an effort against the commander. They did fine.

>>37892959
Specialization is a slow death. Always have a backup against emp.

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>>37892595
You merely watch in stoic silence as the Vice Admiral beats on your...would you call him a colleague? A friend? You're not really sure that is the proper term. After all, he did hate you at one point. But seeing him here, battered and bloodied, you do feel some manner of unpleasantness. Whether that be pity, anger with Prometheus, or simple disgust, you're unsure of. What you are sure of however, is what the Vice Admiral is holding in his hand.
"Negative. I never stated Red was my best soldier. However, perhaps you'd be more interested in knowing more about his suit." You suggest to which the man looks at you confused for a moment, as the Malorian's pound on his ship further still. "It is fitted, in case of an emergency, a self destruct mechanism." You chuckle a bit, and you hear Red offer a sort of grunt at that news, glancing up at the holo display with an uncertain expression. You are...not very good at expressions, but attempt to do your best imitation of a 'trust me' expression. Whether or not it gets through, the Vice Admiral drops the suit with a loud thunk.
"Guh...Figures you'd have some other sort of tricks even on your loyal soldiers. That must be how you keep them loyal through your lies." He shakes his head as if it is really sad. "So then, why don't you activate such a thing then?" He asks with a growl. "Do you not think it would kill me after all? Or maybe you still care about this waste of skin here." He kicks Red's plated body, his ship long ago having slowly begun to lost responsiveness. "If all I may do until this ship erupts is beat your idiot servants, then I will, whether you blow them up or not." He warns with a sort of angry laugh. Instead, you merely chuckle.
"Actually, I told you that for none of those reasons." Prometheus frowns harshly, glaring at you.
"Then why!? Don't dance around shit!"
"Why, simply look behind you and you'll see." You reassure.

[Cont]

>>37893030
We'll build more robots anyway. The Mercs are the face/PR cover to smooth over concerns when the troops deal with the organics.

>>37893033
Lightnings are giant space squid. Humans continue to be human. The only ones to match our drones so far are the ones who are more machine than man.
That reminds me Would robot versions of lightlings be a good idea? Or just giant close combat space drones in general.
>>37893122
Just develop emp shielding.

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>>37893135
The Vice Admiral freezes, and before he can move a sudden mechanical lurching drones, as a thick three pronged metal claw stabs straight into the Vice Admiral's back, and out through his front-earning a surprised grunt of pain-but instead of the sound of flesh tearing it sounds more like metal being torn.
"Target exacted. Connection to fleet fully deconstructed, Guildmaster." Cephalus merely states. "Secondary objective: Locate and seize Vice Admiral Prometheus: Moderate success." He utters simply after.
However, as you begin to congratulate Cephalus, the Vice Admiral groans angrily and begins to pull himself up to face the ground again, thick viscous lubricants leaking from his abdomen, where an odd chunk of hardware protrudes.
"You...I can not believe it...is true." The Vice Admiral coughs up to himself quietly with a sort of mocking laugh. "Mother told me...you would. But I could not...believe it." He quietly gasps for air to himself, closing his eyes with the oddest look of...acceptance on his face you've ever seen. "I did not...want to believe it." He groans, gazing lazily to the side at you, and Cephalus. That is when it hits you-the hardware from his chest, the reason it looks familiar. It sharply resembles the black box that Watchers use-that you use! That all of your A.I. use. Yet now, the Vice Admiral's is hanging limply from his chest, with barely any wires connecting the thing to his body..Slowly, from the side you see Red pull himself up against a wall, panting as he looks upon the scene, gun in hand.
"Ceph...you mind, lowering the bastard a bit for me." Red mutters softly as you marvel at the hardware from his chest. The A.I., seeing little reason not to, does so, and with that, Red turns to the holo display.
"You got anything you wanna say to this dying bastard, you better hurry. Because I'm about to show him how good I've gotten at pulling this here trigger."He grits his teeth looking at the dazed man.

>What say you?

>>37893142
Is that why when we did have to deal with organics we did it entirely with disguised robots?

>>37893160
I have nothing else to say to an empty shell.

"Kill him but bring me that little black box"

>>37893160
"So, inside the man is a machine."
"Tell me, were you ever really human? Do you yourself even know the answer to that question?"

>>37893190
Uncanny Valley problems with the disguised bots. Besides, we had money to burn then. and they are peanuts now.
>>37893160
I want his chest unit, it has part and data in will need. Shoot him in the head if you like however.

>>37893158
I was referring to Lightlings as an example of how the universe doesn't have to make real world sense.
Ergo, softer sci-fi.

>>37893273
All I'm saying is that they are all dead while Cephalus kicked ass.

>>37893313
Cephalus probably lost quite a number of his droids just getting on the ship and more rampaging though the passageways.

>>37893258
Good question to ask.

>>37893313
They were Mooks who rolled a 1, Cephalus is a major character in a walking tank who rolled a 100.
What did you think would happen?

But yeah, we need to into genetic engineering, maybe see if we can de-age Red and shift the UFW into a golden age of 'biological isn't shit guys, h-honest!'.

>>37893356
They are cheap as chips and don't need wages or have the chance to sell our tech to people.
>>37893385
Clearly we need more walking tanks.

>>37893160
"The funny thing about progress, Prometheus, is that the old get replaced by the new. Your UGE have paved the way. But I will be the one to tread it."

Also don't kill him: "You will not die. You will help the Guild achieve what you love so much: progress."

>>37893160
It's that time.

Time to HACK him.

>>37893418
Sick burn.

>>37893273
Which is an irrelevant generality, because the specific thing you're speculating about is already proven wrong. It's already been firmly established human fleshlings are inferior.

>>37893438
We could do that again. Suck him of all intel.

>>37893418
I like this. Lets use this.
>>37893438
>>37893483
We'll do that, but not right now. We are in a middle of a war. Put him down in with the vaults.

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>>37893258
"So, inside the man is a machine."
"Tell me, were you ever really human? Do you yourself even know the answer to that question?"

"And so, inside you were machine all along, Prometheus." You state dryly as you look upon the dying man with no pity. You're glad he is dying, an emotion which is odd to you. You do not revel in killing the UGEI, or at least not individually. Not until now. "Tell me, were you ever truly human? Did you even know yourself?" You ask the dazed man as Cephalus ensures his limbs are bound-partially by tearing them off if he attempts to resist.
"Of...course." He groans angrily, even in his agony. "Of course I was...am." He hisses, gazing up at you with that look he's always given you. Hatred. Malice..Jealousy...? You could be reading that wrong but... "I am the next step in human evolution...I told you..." He groans unhappily, growing weaker. "Mother told me...I was destined...to make everyone better. As great as I was...as great as I..." He utters, before finally becoming unresponsive. You remain silent for a second, glancing to Cephalus then Red.
"Extract that black box there. You may shoot him as you like once it's extracted, Red."
"Yeah...? The hell is that thing, anyway...? is that like yours or something?" He asks, puzzled, as he takes aim with his laser pistol, and the Vice Admiral's body lazily looks up at him.
"That is not important right now." You state merely for now, not wishing to discuss it at this moment.
"Yeah...yeah maybe it's not." Red actually agrees with a frown, staring the man in the face for a few seconds before unloading at least 12 clips into his skull-burning much of it to slag.

>>37893160
"I wish to speak to this 'Mother'. In exchange for your life, you will put me in contact with her. Afreed?"

>>37893411
You know what? You're right, Droids are a better choice for us.
As long as we don't go full Subroutine and turn down cool as fuck scorpion tanks, terminator ripoff androids, Ravage from transformers or Metal Gears in favour of more mary sue spiderbots I'm totally in favour of never hiring filthy organics again.

>>37893418
Replace all mentions of 'I' in that speech with 'we' and I'll back it. We're the guild after all, not just the guildmaster.

>>37893530
To those concerned: Don't worry, his body ain't ruined. Just the head. Still plenty studyable. course, the black box at his core is where most of the juicy bits are.

Otherwise, the Malorians will be assisting you in mopping up.
let me know if you have any last minute things to say before we go on

>>37893549
ya that dude was a bitch and badass bots here we come

>>37893574
To the Malorians. "You may stop firing on the Tartarus Class now. My Infantry Commander has secured it. We will take the Tartarus-Class and 20% of the salvage, the rest may, as agreed, go to your fleet. Acceptable?"

>>37893549
>Reusing premade content.
>Ignoring orginal content.
damn it anon, we're better than that. spider bots are cool, and we already have scorpion Walker tanks.

>>37893574
How many UGEI ships have we managed to subvert?

>>37893574
Ask Red:
"How do you feel now? Better?"

>>37893644
We can have both. You can never have too many scorpion tanks.

>>37893574
The Tartarus is now fallen to my boarders, do not fire on it. We will split up the salvage after the battle.

>>37893644
Eh, was more referring to the general ideas of silent implacable androids, caninoid/felinoid robbits and agile bipedal non-humanoid mechs.
Not straight ripoffs, just using the archetypes.

>>37893644
dude the guy that came up with them jerked off about how they were the be all end all of bot and all other ideas were dumb when our cool QM said grunts could beat them he started sceaming that they were unbeatable by non-bots

>>37893549
The Guild is comprised entirely of "parts" of Ophion.

>>33656168
>the part of you you refer to as Metis,
>>33658816
>>Would you all prefer to step into Kronos' shoes, as he is a part of you

Singular is warranted, all are one.

>>37893645
You've managed to capture around 100 Rockhead Cruisers through all the fighting, 300 Destroyers, and 10 or so of the Hell's Rain Missile frigates.

>Speaking with the Malorians.
"You may stop firing now, I have secured the Tartarus with my infantry. 20% of the salvage and this vessel will be my share, you may have the rest." You reassure the Malorians, whom take a moment to reply.
"You managed to secure one of the most devastating ships in the galaxy?" They ask in surprise, before the commander gives you a somewhat greedy look.
"Or...how about you keep more of the salvage, and we get the Tartarus? After all, you were not able to defeat it without our help! Such a ship would turn the tides of any fight...and besides. You already have such a powerful warship! What need do you have of another?" The commander seems to be trying to convince you. Either he fears the idea of you holding both, or he hopes to acquire power for his own people.

>How do you reply to this 'change of plans'?
>Warning, your fleet is incredibly small at this moment, and the Malorians have barely taken any damage.

Dem fucken xenos, man.

>>37893767
We tell him that our fleet is really small at the moment while theirs is fine. If we want to keep this place and keep the UEGI off everyones backs we need some heavy hitters.

>>37893767
We compromise. We jointly deconstruct this ship, and share the ship design and technology to build our own Tartaurs.

>>37893767
"Your terms are acceptable. However, the Guild will require time to ensure that there are no digital 'surprises'. You will recall, surely, that the UGEI's electronic warfare experts had been hindering for some time, do you not?"
"We can have it ready for you, fully repaired and clean of any surprises, within two cycles. This is agreeable, is it not?"

>>37893767
Just chuckle. "Sorry, but I worked too damn hard to take that ship without breaking it.

>>37893767
I second this idea:
>>37893871

>>37893767
'My sincere apologies, but the Guild requires every ship on hand to repel the aggression of the UGEI, I can not offer any more than our previous deal.'
If they get uppity, point out that we do now have two battleships, and that their hacking defenses are probably not as good as the UGEI's, 400 of whom's ships we were able to hack.

>>37893767
"I lost more ships than you did, I will need to keep this to defend myself. I will share the Data I will sure to find in how to build this class of ship once I complete inspections with it." We can call up our Malroian faction to vouch for us.

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>>37893875
>giving them the ship
Nigga are you high?

>>37893767
To defend this chokepoint, to which the UGEI will return. Obviously.

>>37893871
Hell no.

>>37893922
no we can not call up our pet aliens they are outcasts

Regardless of your dealings with the xenos, you manage to arrange for a ship to get both Cephalus, the cargo that was the Vice Admiral, and Red to come back home. Cephalus appears pleased with how things went, despite losing a massive number of his androids. 'just requires more test runs' he claims. You decide to test Red, and question the man on his way back home, as he is hooked up to a machine to repair his bone structure and any damaged organs along the way. It is good you sprung for the advanced medical centers way back when.
"Red." You question to which he gives your holo display a glance.
"Hm?"
"How do you feel?" You ask, to which he gives you a strange look.
"Like I've been run over by three trucks in a row. Why?" He snorts.
"No. I mean after the Vice Admiral perished.I am curious." You indicate.
"Oh..." He sighs, turning his head straight up. "I don't know. Happy that crazy asshole isn't lose anymore for one but..." He pauses briefly. "I dunno. I thought it'd feel more like I was closing some damn chapter of my life or something. But it just makes me angry to think about his smug face, even when I was shooting him." He states with displeasure. "Still...I'll sleep just fine tonight knowing I helped put that man in the dirt." He mutters partially to himself.

Meanwhile, you attempt to decide how to deal with the xeno's vague threat.

>1 concede and give them Tartarus and take a larger scrap share
>2 Deny them outright, no compromise
>3 Inform them you 'require it' because your entire fleet was decimated and you are very vulnerable to UGEI attack.
>4 Simply lie and say you need to clean it for cyberwarfare (will require later checks and may lower relations faster if lies are discovered)

>>37893767
Sorry. Hackers keepers.

>>37893922
No fluff you moron no data sharing and no talking to people they hate.

>>37893971
Oh shit, and a 5th option
>5 Simply deconstruct the vessel and split it down the middle

>>37893971
>>3 Inform them you 'require it' because your entire fleet was decimated and you are very vulnerable to UGEI attack.
Its the truth.

>>37893971
>>2 Deny them outright, no compromise

>>37893971
>2
>"Surely you are no stranger to the concept of spoils of war. This ship was fairly captured at great cost. Many of the ships you are getting are in far better condition than it."

He's just being greedy, he won't do anything more than grump at us over this.

>>37893989
>5.1:
>literally down the middle

>>37893971
>3 Inform them you 'require it' because your entire fleet was decimated and you are very vulnerable to UGEI attack.
>>37893979
We are trying to change their option of us. We might as well share SOME data with them. We just don't have to give them ALL the data.

>>37893971
>2 Deny them outright, no compromise
The UGEI will likely focus their wrath on the one with two of their stolen ships, won't they?

>>37893971
>2 Deny them outright, no compromise

>>37894042
No, we mightn't as well. We mightn't as well at all, that does not remotely logically follow.

>>37893971
>3 Inform them you 'require it' because your entire fleet was decimated and you are very vulnerable to UGEI attack.
If they keep on pressing for the ship, inform them that we would require a formal treaty against UGEI before this could happen.

Hm...

>Talking to aliens
>Gimme 1d100, crits live.

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>>37894116
>malorian diplomacy