>>44470406

The food court that Luca has led you in is still slightly active, even this late in the afternoon. He patiently shows you how to order your own food and where to pick it up. After you get over your extreme bewilderment of the free of charge system, the two of you find seats to enjoy your meal.

“Non-human anatomy and physiology?!” You repeat his words after barely swallowing a large mouthful of food.

“That’s my focus.” He answers, eating much more politely than you are.

What the hell is he doing on the squad?

“You wondering why I was chosen to be on the squad, right?” He smiles deviously.

Crap. You nod slightly, pretending to be busy chewing.

Luca stares off to the side. “I wonder that myself…” He waves to a small group of people passing by, who seem to be interested in who you are. Luca seems to waiting until they are out of earshot.

You ignore the stares and stop eating for a moment. “You mean, they haven’t explained it to you yet?”

He slowly shakes his head. “I arrived here with a note to meet the Vice Admiral. I went to his office and was told that I was being placed on one of his squads because of exam results.”

…

[2/3]

>>44470453

He sighs and continues. “He went on to say that everything I needed would be provided for me free of charge.” He pokes at his food, absentmindedly. “I didn’t question it at the time, and a few days later, happily began going on missions. All of them were scouting remote locations: high cliffs, deep caves, and underwater.” He pauses for a moment. “You think they would’ve scouted the whole planet by now, or if not, why train someone like me to do so?”

By now you’ve almost entirely forgotten about your food.

“Sounds familiar?” He asks, reading your expression.

“Yeah…” You lean back in your seat.

“After wondering, 'Why me?' for a while, I tried several times to ask what the purpose is, but I was always ignored.” He pauses. “This most recent time…I was told not to bring it up anymore, especially in front of you.”

What in the hell…

He hastily waves, apologetically.“I’m really sorry if I’m dumping a lot on you.” He leans forward. “But I wanted to know what you thought.”

You rub the back of your head. Isn’t that kind of a standard thing, to not let the lower guys in on all the details? It all sounds strange like this, but there must be an explanation for why they need non-soldiers in the squad, right?

>"I don't think we should worry about things like that. We're just students."

>"I'm not sure what I think anymore."

>Write in.

>>44470536
>>"I'm not sure what I think anymore."
Keep our eyes open is all I can say. Something is fishy.

>>44470536
>"I think that's fuckin weird, dude."

>>44470536
>"I'm not sure what I think anymore."

>>44470536
>"I'm not sure what I think anymore."

>>44470536
>"I'm not sure what I think anymore."
>"Surely there is a sound reason for us being here."

>>44470536
>Our job is probably going to become very important. Maybe soon, maybe not.
>So let's get GOOD at our job before worrying about this.

Hello and welcome to the end of the year thread, everyone! I hope you're all managing to stay warm. (Or cool.)

>>44470569
>>44470606
>>44470643
>>44470646

There's something afoot here.

>Writing

>>44470720

There has to be a sound reason for you being there, but, what is it? Why a Surveyor and a Non-Human Biologist on a team of professionally trained soldiers?

“I’m not sure what I think anymore.” You shake your head slowly.

“That’s fine!” Luca is quick to assure you. “I just wanted to know that I wasn’t the only one who thought it was odd, the others…” He waves the thought away. “Never mind. Let’s get back to normal stuff.”

Your stomach aches for you to return to your meal, which you promptly do. This whole day has been fucking weird.

“Have you heard the news about the negotiations with the Ahnlogistians?” Luca asks, swiftly regaining his pep.

That’s a term you haven’t heard in a while. Most people on Peugue refer to non-humans in derogatory terms.

“I’ve heard they’re moving forward, but I’ve been hearing that since I was a kid.” You remark, nearly done with your food.

“You know that they have a different concept of time from us right?” Luca asks eagerly. “It’s theorized it’s because of a longer lifespan and a radically different metabolism from us humans. Of course, there are other theories that hold that it’s because of their technology that their lifestyles and their bodies themselves have changed.” He continues his flurry of words. “But they’ve actually allowed us to send an envoy to them.” He suddenly begins to pout. “Of course it’s a diplomatic envoy...”

“Is there any other kind?” You sarcastically ask, finishing off your food.

“There should be in this case!” He immediately responds, even going as far as standing from his seat. He murmurs an apology and sits back down.

Wow, he really likes talking about this. It’s kind of entertaining in a way.

“That was the last I heard about it was at the beginning of the rotation, but I check for updates every day.” He shows you a news page on his Assistant.

[1/2]

File: pri1.jpg (495 KB, 1330x1030)

495 KB JPG

>>44471584

“That’s pretty cool.” You pull away from his screen. “But don’t forget about your food.”

Luca looks down at his barely half-eaten food. “Oh, I’m full.” He explains.

Impossible. You’re still hungry yourself, and you’ve eaten more than twice that. Although, he is a lot smaller than you are.

“You still hungry?” He asks with a knowing grin, slowly sliding his tray forward.

“I could eat…” You reply, honestly.

~

As the afternoon begins to fade into evening, Luca finishes leading you to the room of your last class, and then the two of you make for the rail that will take you to your dorms.

“Those are some rough sounding classes.” Luca remarks as he leads you to the nearest rail stop.

“Really?” You ask, taking in the academy at night. “I thought they were pretty fun sounding…”

Something bizarre in distance catches your eye. A young woman in a sheer white Priestess outfit unhurriedly walks along an empty path.

The person isn’t what’s odd, it’s how your whole mind seems to be pulled in by her presence, it’s how you can clearly see her as if she were walking in the daylight, it’s how she seems to know you’re there, even if she’s not looking at you. Actually, it is her who's odd.

A dizzying wave of nausea runs through you, and it’s all you can do to keep from collapsing face-first. You do fall back on your ass, however, and breathe through the sensation, as you had done earlier today.

When you finally open your eyes, you’re taken aback to see the Priestess right in front of you, only, it’s someone else. She wears a much darker color robe, her eyes both aloofly watching you like an animal, but also full of compassion.

“Are you alright?” Her soft voice seems further away than it should as she extends a hand to help you up.

You begin to reach for it, but a violent jerk of pain courses through your body.

She continues to watch you, hand outstretched.

>Take her hand.

>Get up on your own.

>Write in.

>>44471642
>>Get up on your own.

>>44471642
>Get up on your own.

Who or what are you?

>>44471642
>Take her hand.
No reason to be rude.

>>44471642

>Take her hand.

Waiting a couple minutes for another vote before doing a tie-breaker roll.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>44471860

1=Getting up on your own.
2=Taking her hand.

>Writing the winner.

>>44471938

You shake off the pain and take her hand. She helps hoist you to your feet, the journey of which seems to take much longer than it should, but eventually you’re up on your feet.

She’s a Priestess alright, but it’s kind of rare to see one outside of a temple or festival.

You dust yourself off to look a bit more presentable. “Thanks. You are?”

“Your gratitude is unnecessary. I was just passing by.” Her word are short, but not unkind. “Until we meet again. Don’t lose yourself in the Distance…” She heads off at normal pace, unlike what you saw earlier.

As you watch her leave, Luca frantically taps at your arm. “Oren, that was one Priestesses of Saredo.”

“Yeah, I know.” You turn back to him.

He continues, annoyed. “One of the TWO Priestesses of Saredo. The ones who decide who leads each of the festivals.”

“Two?” You ask incredulously.

There were dozens all around Peugue, you expected hundreds here.

“Yes. They’re assigned here directly by The Island. You’re pretty lucky to get to touch someone that important, Oren.” He nudges your arm.

She didn’t seem very special, just a bit odd. However, the other one that you saw...

“It’s my lucky day, I guess.” You remark, and the two of you head off again.

“Anyway…” Luca starts up again. “What was that about earlier? You looked like you were about to pass out.”

You cover a long yawn, you’re a bit too tired to even begin explaining it all. “Still getting over my stasis.”

“Hmm..” Luca remarks quietly.

~

[1/2]

>>44473229

The short rail trip to the dorms was basically a fight to keep from nodding off. More than once, you felt your head droop down and jerk back up. All the while you listen to Luca discuss the intricacies of the Priestess' outfit.

He gives you a shake when you arrive, and you take a short walk to the housing district. Multiple blocks of nearly organized buildings line up with one another, and are interspersed with small roads and greenery. Block A, the nearest one is where Luca leads as he takes another look at your papers.

The two of you stop in front of Room 07.

“Welcome home, Oren.” Luca announces as he punches something in the terminal next to your door. He suddenly motions for you to speak.

“Glad to be here.” You state, noting that the halls are fairly quiet.

The console beeps after you speak, and Luca backs away from it. “Just press the lowest pad and speak whenever you want to get it in. Also, guess what.” He continues backing away until he’s several yards away from you. “I live right here!” He points to Room 05, and then hurriedly approaches Room 06. “Hey, Ridley!” Luca calls out happily. “We have a new neighbor, open up.”

No response, but you think you can hear small noises from within.

Luca waves it off. “You’ll see him eventually. For now, I think you ought to get some rest.”

Walking did help wake you up a little, but you still feel ready to knock out where you’re standing.

“I’ll do just that.” Your hand reaches for the door. “Thanks for helping me out today, Luca.” You stifle a yawn at the end of your sentence.

“Absolutely no problem!” He replies, genuinely. “See you tomorrow.” He waves.

“Right.” You enter your room.

[2/3]

File: room1.jpg (63 KB, 992x579)

63 KB JPG

>>44473281

Only, it’s far more than that. The wide and clean space holds an area for food preparation, a properly sized bed, a comfortable area for studying, and full bathroom. A large pile of packaged clothing, toiletries, food, and general supplies lie next to your ratty belongings.

“Holy shit…” You remark as you look around.

You enter the bathroom that’s actually larger than the room you had on Peugue.

A shower would be good right now, and you don’t even have to pump your own water. Only, what to do after that.

>Go straight to sleep, you've got a full day tomorrow.

>Go through some more of Meiya's messages, and tell her about your day.

>Write in.

>>44473337
>Go through some more of Meiya's messages, and tell her about your day.

>>44473337
>Go through some more of Meiya's messages, and tell her about your day.
Not too many though.

>>44473337
>Go straight to sleep, you've got a full day tomorrow.

>>44473398
>>44473494
Going through just a few.

>Writing

>>44473337
>>Go through some more of Meiya's messages, and tell her about your day.

>>44473337
>Go through some more of Meiya's messages, and tell her about your day.
A couple, or until we fall asleep

>>44473545

Going through a couple won’t hurt, plus she might get angry if she sees that you didn’t think to message her on your first day here.

You rid your clothes and step into the shower. The complicated control panel takes you several frustrating minutes to figure out, at one point you consider getting Luca to explain it to you, but you eventually sort it out.

The hot water is a foreign blessing after your day. On Peugue the most you could’ve ever hoped for in a timely manner was room-temperature.

After a pleasant shower, you dry off, and open one of packages of sleeping wear that the school provided for you. You get dressed and take a look at your Assistant.

A message from Ivan telling you to go to the Main Research Center first thing in the morning and test out your frame, and another from Luca explaining how to use room temperature control, stovetop, and shower system.

“That one would’ve helped.” Ena states, surprising you.

You begin to set your bed to your liking. “You didn’t know how to use it?”

“Why would I know how to use it?” It asks moodily. “It’s not like I take baths.” Ena pauses for a second. “Hey, plug me into that terminal.”

You step toward the temperature control terminal next to you. “This one?”

“Yeah, yeah!” It replies quickly.

You don’t understand its meaning, but you plug the module into the wall anyway.

After several seconds of silence, Ena speaks up again. “Alright. Now I know how to use it, as well as everything else in here.”

“Impressive.” You unplug the module from the terminal, and return to making your bed.

“Not really. You would know the same if you went through the manuals.” It answers.

“Too tired.” You yawn and look around.

“There’s pillows in the third cabinet there.” Ena says after you look around for a while.

It’s right.

[1/3]

>>44474617

You take one and toss it on your bed, and you plop down right after it. You go through your Assistant to find where you left off on Meiya’s messages.

“Who’s that?” Ena asks as you begin to listen to one.

You thought it was just an audio jack that that clerk placed in you.

“My little sister, Meiya.” You explain.

“She’s very cute.” It remarks a few second later. “Where is she?”

“Peugue.” You answer, focused on the message.

“Where?” Ena asks teasingly.

“I’m done talking with you.” You answer.

“No, but really, I don’t know where it is. Tell me.” Ena demands.

What a strange Analyst.

"Hey, tell me already!" Ena continues to little effect.

You’re having trouble staying awake, so you give a reply to the message you just watched, give a summary of your day, making sure to leave out certain details, and then finally allow yourself to sleep.

~

[2/3]

>>44474650

As early in the night that you fell asleep, you still feel a bit tired now as you walk into the Main Research Center. However, the sleep deprived researchers going through the building make you appreciate that you were able to go to sleep at all.

The empty floor that holds the stock room seems even emptier without the clerk sitting behind the glass. You hear noises coming the workshop behind the glass, so you call out.

The noises stop, and a few moments later, Diana steps out, wearing the exact same thing as yesterday. “Yes, what is i-“ She finally actually looks at who it is. A whole slew of emotions go through her face, but she finally settles on unaffected. “Oh, y-you’re here to pick up your frame, right?” Her voice doesn’t match her face at all.

“Yeah, I was tol-“ You try to reply.

“Listen I didn’t know about, I mean, that’s not to say that I don’t know A LOT of things, and I mean I know A LOT of things. But that…” Her dirty hands fidget around for quite some time. “Do you like frames?” She eventually asks, as if the last minute didn’t happen at all. “I do. The small intricacies of each part, and each part working together. Not even mentioning the multitudes of possibilities with weapons or other modifcations…” She looks back to you. “Do you like frames?”

Why are so many people here so fucking weird? You never really thought about frames other than use for Surveying, but maybe you should.

>”Not more than anyone else, I’d say.”

>”Yeah, I guess I do like them."

>Write in.

>>44474686
>"Yes. Can I pick mine up?"

>>44474686
>”Yeah, I guess I do like them."
they keep me alive after all

>>44474686
>”Yeah, I guess I do like them."
explore the great unknowns, and stuff.

>>44474686
>"Yeah, I guess I do like them."

>>44474766
>>44474820
>>44474839
They're pretty helpful.

>Writing

File: frame3.jpg (46 KB, 589x900)

46 KB JPG

>>44474871

You rub your chin in thought. “Yeah, I guess I do like them. They make it possible to explore dangerous unknown locations and make it back alive.”

“That’s only a part of what they can do.” She walks over to the door near the counter and holds it open. “Come on, you’re here for your frame, right?”

You follow her inside the workshop, hearing the heaving door slam shut behind you, echoing throughout the huge space. Frame parts, of both original creation and mass manufacturing, line the walls, the floors, and most available surfaces. Wherever there isn’t a part, there’s a machine, all of varying sizes and intricacies.

Diana leads you down a narrow passage of clear floor which snakes to meet the various machining devices, the smell of mechanical lubricant heavy on the air. “The specifications said not to go beyond the basics because you’re new blood, but that’s no fun at all.” She stops before dark glass container, and flips a switch, illuminating the contents inside.

A burly dark-grey frame stands opposite of you at the exact right height. Each individual part appears crafted to match your muscular frame and the overall build quality is far superior to the one that they gave to you for you examination.

Diana eyes the frame lovingly. “I took advantage of your size and selected heftier parts. The overall effect on your agility will be negligible, but it will allow for easier modification in the future. The amphibious design is standard for all of the squads, so you won’t be limited by the landscape.”

She clicks on the panel, on the frame begins to slide back into room behind it. “Let’s give it a shot.”

[1/2]

>>44475933

She hardly waits for you to follow her into a heavily reinforced testing room, with even a sizable diving tank.

You approach the frame carefully, and carefully begin equipping the pieces.

“You’re right to treat it well.” She remarks as she begins helping you put the thing on. “You’ll have to pay me for any damages.”

You finish with one of the lower half. “That’s provided for me, I’m sure.”

“To pay for the replacement, but not any emotional damages.” She answers, focused on the frame.

“This wouldn’t have something to do with that bet?” You look down at her as she makes sure you properly fastened the legs.

“Not at all…” She makes sure not to look at you.

A few moments later, and the entire frame is in place. You link Ena’s module into it, and the entire thing clasps shut from the outside environment as it starts up.

“Give it a go.” Diana proudly remarks, taking a few steps back.

You check to make sure all the systems are operational and then trot to the end of the shooting hall in hardly a few seconds. You run the distance far quicker than any human would unassisted, and you weren’t even going all out.

Alright, now that you’ve got a feel for it, let’s see what this thing can do.

You sprint back to Diana with full force, hearing the shocks whir as you stampede toward her.

She shrieks and covers her head in panic as you easily stop several feet away from her.

You and Ena both laugh as she realizes that she hasn’t been trampled yet.

Diana clears her throat angrily. “So, it travels fine on land. We’ll test how it holds up underwater and…”

[2/3]

>>44475959

“And?” You hear your voice through the frame’s speaker.

“Well, the specifications listed that you weren’t to have any serious weapons on your first mission, but I think I can sneak something extra onto your frame without anyone noticing.” She explains gleefully.

“You can do that?” Your surprise clear through the speaker.

“I can.” She holds a hand to her chest and walks off to the back of the testing room. She opens a large weapon crate. “Let’s see…The only thing that would be small enough would be the micro-railgun, or the ultralight gas gun.” She ponders for a moment. “Both are good, but they’re really situational. On land and underwater respectively.” She excitedly calls back to you. “How about it?"

Maybe you're getting a little ahead of yourself. Are you even going to have the chance to use either one? But...it would be pretty cool to have it around.

>Go without.

>Ask for the micro-railgun.

>Ask for the ultralight gas gun.

>Write in.

>>44476038
Can we get my something less situational like maybe something CQC based?

>>44476038
Do we know anything about which would be better for our mission?

>>44476069
The frame comes with CQC weapon in it, fortunately.

>>44476109
You don't know the details yet, as your role is mainly to observe.

>>44476038
>>44476137
>Ask for the micro-railgun.
seems like an above ground mission.

>>44476038
What about a flaregun or something similar? Useful as a last resort, but mainly a communication tool.

>>44476038
>>Ask for the ultralight gas gun

>>44476038
>Ask for the micro-railgun.

>>44476190
You could ask for a flaregun without any issue. Don't worry about that too much.

>>44476038
>>44476240
>Ask for a chaff/emp grenade

>>44476179
>>44476198
The land weapon it is!

>Writing

>>44476334

More than likely, you’re going to be above water on this mission, at least from what little you heard. So you think you know which one to pick.

“Bring the micro-railgun.” You shout back, already eyeing the targets.

“Now we’re talking.” She practically jogs back to you with the weapon in her hands. The size of it is about the same as your own arm, but a decent portion of it locks into your frame if not in use. “I doubt it, but if anyone asks, it’s a flashlight.” She jokes as sets everything in place.

You carefully observe how she does it, for future reference.

“All set!” She pushes your arm toward you and steps a safe distance behind you. “Remember, don’t point it at yourself or friendlies.”

For someone as smart as she says she is, you’d think she’d be able to give better advice.

Suddenly, three targeting dummies ascend into the end of the firing range.

You signal for your frame to lock in on them, and you raise your arm to the appropriate height.

“Lower.” Ena says, flatly.

“But the frame indicator-“ You start to argue back.

“Lower.” She firmly repeats herself.

Who the hell does this thing think it is?

“Go!” Diana shouts to you, impatiently.

Fuck it. You lower your arm a few inches and squeeze the thin trigger. Immediately your entire arm is jerked backward as a bright torrent of sheer heat is released in a controlled burst from the side.

You hardly get to do more than hear the impact, but the results are clear in the form of flaming stump where the dummy you targeted once stood.

“Nice shot!” Diana calls out as you laugh to yourself.

[1/2]

>>44477166

"Guess you were right about that.” You quietly say as you line up for the next shot.

“Of course I was. Higher.” Ena says before you can fire off another. “This time you’re expecting it.”

Sure enough, your muscles respond in anticipation, and the immediate recoil from the shot is lessened. You easily take out the last one with this knowledge.

“We need more targets.” Diana says hungrily as she drags a fuel canister to the end of the firing range.

“Won’t that cause an explosion?” You voice your concerns as she walks back.

“That’s the point.” She remarks as she stands behind a blast shield.

“Good enough for me.” You grin as you take aim.

~

Hours pass as the two of you excitedly scour for new a better things to fire upon. Eventually, you give your arm a break with underwater test of the frame, which came out all clear.

“Phew.” You feel your slightly sweat-matted hair cling to the helmet as you remove it. “This thing’s great.”

“The whole frame is great.” Diana stands up from where she was seated on the floor, and begins helping you remove the thing. “We’ll have it transported to your departure point.”

In the fun of it all, you had forgotten that this thing is actually for a purpose other than wanton destruction.

Your eyes wander to a reinforced clock on the wall.

“Huh…” You remark aloud as you’re finally able to step out of the frame. “You pull out the folded papers from your pocket and take a look at your class schedule.

Oh, only one short class for today, which starts…seventeen minutes ago.

“Fucking hell.” You curse aloud.

Good first impression, Oren.

“What?” Diana asks, concerned.

“I’m late for the class I worked my entire life to get into.” You sigh.

“Yikes.” Diana crosses her arms in thought. “Want to blow more things up?” She finally suggests.

~

Okay, that's where I'm going to end it for tonight. As always, I want to thank everyone that played tonight. A good amount got done, and we're all pretty much set for the mission.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post them in the thread, and I will do my best to respond to them.

If not, then I wish you a good day/night, a very Happy New Year, and I hope to see you again next time. Take care!

>(Twitter)
https://twitter.com/QM_Auri

>>44477259
Thanks for running!

>>44477336
You're very welcome, anon!

>>44477259
thx 4 runin budi gud thred

What is the Distance?
What's the deal with the priestesses?

>>44477450
You're also very welcome!

Ah, here we are, first step into the rabbit hole.

Distance (capital), is the fundamental trial of life that one tries to overcome in Mariner Worship. Distance, both literal and figurative, is the cause of being Lost. Being Lost is the worst state a human can be in, in the eyes of Mariner Worship.

The Priestesses uphold the tenets of Mariner Worship, and decide who best represent each of the those said tenet, and designate them to be the avatar of each key figure in Mariner Worship (each of which correspond to the months in a rotation. Which is centrally based upon the rotation of The Island.)

>>44477581
So are all priestesses assigned by the island? Kind of like we were?

>>44477652
Only the Priestesses on The Island itself, and Saredo are assigned by The Island. Although, that is a very interesting comparison.

>>44477581
How does one become Lost? When someone is Lost, is it an objective state or one determined by the priestesses? Can someone recover from it? How many real life effects are caused by this Mariner Worship?

>>44477701

One becomes Lost when they come to represent the opposite of the teaching of Mariner Worship. The tenets are uniform pretty much wherever they exist, so it's almost an objective state. But, the word of Priestess, especially one highly regarded, would go far to convince others. It is a recoverable state.

Your last question is a tricky one. It affects the way that Trillions of people behave, but if it has any physical effects in of itself...that remains to be seen.

Alright, I'll be stepping out for the night. Once again, I hope you all have a safe and happy New Years. Until next time!

>>44478004
Thanks for running