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>>106793
An extra guard was sent to replace the one that nearly died, and the other two are following behind you with him, while the Vaux sister walk before you. The guards are about seven feet back, and one has his hand on a sidearm, but the other two are calm and unconcerned. The twins are about five feet away, but that monofilament weapon is likely designed to extend as little or as much as necessary. The edge of your cloak is diamond and can block it, but you're not sure who has the faster reactions.

The fact that they might be a threat is in itself intriguing – this deep in the Shadows, you're used to being the most powerful being in the area.

Still, they're politely escorting you, they haven't searched you, and they seem to be mostly worried about the incoming projectile or object (which they referred to as an Intrusion, which hints that it is probably extra-galactic in origin if they're a Galactic Defense Force) and the associated Splinter somewhere on the station. The group of you have moved off the main concourse, and are entering the deeper part of the station. You're still in sections available to the public, and have memorized the maps of them, but you are approaching the Stellar Defense Force section, and the associated Hub. Within that is the unknown Stellar Defense Force headquarters – Central Command.

You're fairly certain it will be much harder to leave once they get you there.

[] Engage the twins in conversation concerning the “Splinter” or “Incursion”.
[] Ask about these Governors that the guards are implanted with.
[] Inquire about these Daemons they've been referring to.
[] Ask about the nature of the Binary Stars.

>You may chose up to two options, and they will be integrated as best as possible. Write-ins are always accepted and given priority, within reason. Conflicting options will be worked with as best as possible. Complicated write-ins and choices will increase writing time appropriately.

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Playing in the Shadows Quest

Twitter: @XsQuestmistress

Previous Thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/40951/

Character Sheet Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/xfFSQhv5
Previous Episode Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/ehb99F1c

Tags: Collective Game, Amber Diceless, pattern, logrus, shadow, OP MC, science fiction, space fantasy, shape shifter, shapeshifter

Shadowplayer Basic Sheet

Endurance: Rank 1
Psyche: Rank 3
Strength: Amber
Warfare: Amber

Pattern: Potential.
Logrus: Potential.
Trump: Basic.
Shapeshifting: Advanced.

Conjuration: Yes.
Artifacts: Yes.
Mage: No.
Words of Power: No.

Stuff: A Tiny Amount of Good.

>Stat Rankings are from 1>2>3>4>5>Amber>Chaos>Human.
>Power levels are Basic, Advanced, and Mastery, increasing in complexity and potential by orders of magnitude.

>>106804
>[] Engage the twins in conversation concerning the “Splinter” or “Incursion”.
>[] Inquire about these Daemons they've been referring to.

>>106804
>[] Engage the twins in conversation concerning the “Splinter” or “Incursion”.
>[] Inquire about these Daemons they've been referring to.

>>106804
>[x] Engage the twins in conversation concerning the “Splinter” or “Incursion”.
>[x] Inquire about these Daemons they've been referring to.

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[X] Engage the twins in conversation concerning the “Splinter” or “Incursion”.
[X] Inquire about these Daemons they've been referring to.

“If you do not mind me asking, Ladies Vaux,” which nets you a simultaneous look back from both of them (the sight of which is unnerving because rather than turning opposite one another, they both turn their heads to the left to look over their shoulders), “I would like to know something more about these 'Incursions' or these 'Splinters' I keep hearing about.” The look back seems to have been prompted by your use of the word 'ladies', as they are only a few years older than your current look is.

The antagonistic sister snorts softly. “Haven't you been reading up on the culture and the situation here at all?”

You shrug mildly, though she can't see it. “I have been here less than six hours in total, and most of that has just been acclimatizing myself to your environments.” Not entirely accurate, but good enough. “The results of me attempting to learn more have been less than adequate, as you can see for yourself.” You gesture at the guards and the twins themselves.

“Mmm, there is that,” she agrees, before speaking in the bizarre tongue she shares with her sister. The gist of it seems to be how much they can discuss safely without permission. 'Airy' seems relatively uninterested, but says something that mollifies her sister. The other twin turns and walks backwards, looking at you. You blink your large blue eyes at her calmly. “Basically, anything that lives inside a galaxy needs to travel to planets for a while. No matter what kind of habitats we create, after a while, people just get sick of being in space. Usually it takes a few years, sometimes even a decade, but not going planet-side does something to the minds of all terrestrial life.”

Sounds like something endemic to this Shadow in particular; nothing you need to be concerned about directly.

“Eventually, galaxies break apart and planets fall into the space between galaxies. By this time, most races have mastered true technological advances – gravity manipulation, control of the nuclear forces, biotechnology, and other useful stuff.” Airy mutters “Stuff?” under her breath. “Anyways, planets become uninhabitable when that happens, but the species of the galaxy have usually managed to build non-planetary habitats – ring-worlds, star-shells, massive artificial habitats that cluster together.”

The 'incursion' aspect is starting to make sense.

She shrugs and turns around, though she still addresses you. “They go insane as a species. Every intelligent species in the decayed galaxy becomes utterly mad. Sentient, but no longer sapient. They act as a viral entity, wandering the emptiness between galaxies. When a galactic race or group of races achieves truly useful technology....”

“A sufficiently advanced technology,” you muse.

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>>106993
“Yeah. Anyways, when they reach that, they attract the attention of these outsiders, and they start probing for weakness, trying to escape back to planets they can survive on. Except they're usually so far gone they can't actually survive on planets. Those probes are called-”

“Splinter.”

The aggressive Vaux sister gives Airy a hard look. “Yeah, Splinters.”

Airy Vaux points.

Standing in the hallway in the midst of a morass of gore, armor, and hull-metal, is what looks like a robot. You can see and hear it breathing, because the thin bands of armor flex constantly. Between those bands of armor seethes reddish substance, phosphorescence that reminds you of lava or forge-fire. You're not certain that it's entirely solid. It is almost featureless otherwise, a vague femininity to its shape the only indicator of any sexual nature at all, and otherwise only just humanoid. The talons it sports on feet and hands are elongated digits that would be fine for tools or tearing things apart. The tail lashes slowly as it works at prying a bulkhead open.

Physical appearance aside, it is something clearly adapted to microgravity and for minimal nutritional requirements. If it has any that make sense – the armor isn't something it wears, it is part and parcel of the creature's body. You'd have to get a lot closer to learn more about its body. The twins have pulled out those wicked weapons of theirs; the guards have fallen back a bit, and are pulling their sidearms.

The creature ignores the soft conversation the twins have in their shared language; their disagreement seems to be predicated on how safe it would be for the aggressive twin to get to the other side of the creature while Airy holds its attention on this side. The creature is definitely alien in every way that matters – it is much more like a true demon from your homelands than any sort of alien life form. Which technically is what demons are, but that's semantics.

[] Offer to get to the other side and box it in yourself.
[] Watch the twins deal with it, learn more.
[] Ask if they would like it alive or dead – you can deliver it in either condition.
[] Suggest that they contact their fellow Binary Stars first.

>>106994
>[x] Offer to get to the other side and box it in yourself.

>>106994
[] Ask if they would like it alive or dead – you can deliver it in either condition.
>[] Is there anything obvious about the creature that can be sensed or is obviously visible to us? Just how dangerous is this thing?

>>107042
>Everything obvious has been stated. If you wish to use unusual senses, add that in as a write in - I will point out that Shadowplayer isn't stupid or foolhardy, and if something appears so dangerous as to be a threat to life and limb or beyond the ordinary, it will be stated quite obviously. This doesn't preclude other things being sneaky, but this thing is being quite blatant about it's strengths, as evidenced by the dead bodies, torn hull metal, and claws.

>>106994
>[] Ask if they would like it alive or dead – you can deliver it in either condition.

>>106994
>>107042
Changing my post's write-in to:
>[] Use our True senses to gauge this demon. Try to make sure those around us don't notice.

>>107073
>Noted.

>>106806
Man, I should probably get a Twitter.
Lucky I got here quickly this time, though.

>>107103
Just bookmark XS's and check it every morning.

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[X] Ask if they would like it alive or dead – you can deliver it in either condition.
[+] Use ESP to determine more, preferably in secret.

In far off, relatively primitive Shadows, it was called extra-sensory perception, or psychic abilities. The latter is more correct, but there are other factors involved as well. Mostly, it's experience – what are relatively decades worth of experiences, crammed into fast-time shadows and forced learning experience at the hands of sadistically inclined mentors and tutors. You brush its mind and see what it is that Miss Vaux was trying to describe. There is a sort of intelligence there, but it is entirely feral in nature, subsumed into a sludgy idea of bringing the main mass here to eliminate the antibodies of the planets. Even that is a gross overstatement of the coherence of its though process.

More importantly, you get a clearer idea of what the thing is capable of or likely to do. It's flexible and will use all four limbs as weapons, the feet as capable of grasping and clawing as the hands. It has a definite front and back, but the thing's body is flexible enough that you may as well consider it able to attack in 360°. On the other hand it isn't well protected though it does heal quickly; the newer marks on the armor show were the energy and projectile weapons of the better armed soldiers it tore to pieces struck home, often. That seems to be why it is trying to get into the hull itself – hiding before coming out for another assault.

The weapon you carry will do the job quite easily, and most likely without any of that regeneration nonsense interfering.

“Would you rather it be alive or dead?” you ask the twins mildly, interrupting their strange chatter. Airy looks at you with confusion. “It would be easier to kill than to bring it in alive, bit I can do either. It doesn't look like it would recover from having its limbs removed.”

“That's-” the aggressive twin stops at a mild glance from her sister. “Are you saying you can bring it down by yourself without help?”

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>>107196
“More or less. It would probably be safer if you didn't try to help me, your weapons seem a little indiscriminate for close quarters fighting. Also, it seems to have noticed us.” That prompts the twins to look at the creature, which is slowly making its way towards you via the wall, and then the ceiling, circling over as it uses all for sets of claws to punch holds in the metal plating.

“Dead. It might disrupt the signal it is sending to its mother,” says the young woman, watching the creature slowly scuttle closer. Her sister frowns, her teeth grinding slightly, which makes Airy wince.

[] Take it in Demon form.
Roll 1d30+7 (Warfare+Adv. Shapeshift+2 for Good Stuff) – Damage done will be Fatal.
[] Go in swift and with your weapon active.
Roll 1d30+4 (Warfare+2 Shapeshift bonus+2 for Good Stuff) – Damage done will be Lethal.
[] Take it easy; learn and hide your true strength.
Roll 1d30+2 (Warefare+2 for Good Stuff) – Damage done will be Moderate plus you will gain info.
[] Walk up to it while using Trump Defense.
[I] No damage, but you will be invulnerable; you may learn information.

Rolled 15 + 2 (1d30 + 2)

>>107207
[] Take it easy; learn and hide your true strength.
Roll 1d30+2 (Warefare+2 for Good Stuff) – Damage done will be Moderate plus you will gain info

Rolled 20 + 4 (1d30 + 4)

>>107207
>[] Go in swift and with your weapon active.
>Roll 1d30+4 (Warfare+2 Shapeshift bonus+2 for Good Stuff) – Damage done will be Lethal.

Rolled 12 + 2 (1d30 + 2)

>>107207
>>[] Take it easy; learn and hide your true strength.
>Roll 1d30+2 (Warefare+2 for Good Stuff) – Damage done will be Moderate plus you will gain info.

Rolled 9 + 2 (1d30 + 2)

>>107207
>[] Take it easy; learn and hide your true strength.

I suppose getting smacked around counts as taking it easy..

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[X] Take it easy; learn and hide your true strength.
Roll 1d30+2 (Warfare+2 for Good Stuff) – Damage done will be Moderate plus you will gain info.
17, 14, 11

You take off your cloak and set it on the ground off to one side. While it can be a weapon, it's more of a tool, and you really don't want to advertise its capabilities any more than you have to. You shouldn't need anything more than the increased musculature and density that your current use of shapeshifting ability has given you, unless it breathes fire or something ridiculous like that, which is unlikely.

Stepping past the Vaux sisters, you note that they both have their wands trained on the creature which is still advancing somewhat slowly. It seems that the damage it has already sustained isn't healing as quickly as the superficial external damage is. That just means you have to hit it hard enough to injure it internally. Airy starts to say something but you're already moving, jobbing, then running towards the creature. It must not have been terribly important because she doesn't yell or call out.

You reach the creature as it drops to the floor, attempting to land on all fours; you step inside its arms' reach and drive your fingers into it's shoulder at the neck, splintering the metal and tearing into what feels like a non-Newtonian liquid, which reacts like paste or thick clay. There are layers upon layers of tissue there, membranes layered one over the other with some gelatinous fluid between them. Pulling you blow, you slam your knee into what seems to be a chin, shattering more metal plates along the back of it's neck and it's facial area which causes ripples in the semi-fluid of its insides.

This does the double duty of further injuring it and flipping the thing over and it's arms away from you. You're well aware that its legs are equally dangerous, so you sweep both arms out and away from yourself preventing it from grabbing you. The talons slide off your clothing, the femtoweave impenetrable to the cutting edges of the claws. A stab might be an issue, but the ceramic nanoweave will help against that. Lifting both arms in an effort that would have sprained the shoulders and arms of anyone with a normal musculature, you hurl the creature into the ceiling, denting the hell and causing more spastic movements under the armor.

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>>107426
Though technically you're using the martial arts you've been taught and your pure strength to deal out this punishment, it is with a clinical eye you study the creature's responses, reactions, and how it takes the damage you dish out. Certainly, you've revealed the fact you're fantastically strong to the people watching, they're unlikely to be surprised since you've already demonstrated an inhuman physiology. But compared to you, this creature isn't even a creature – its an aggregate of creatures, piece-mealed together or grown in layers and collectively acting on the desires of the 'mother'.

The alien physiology isn't the only oddity either. The metal gives off faint magnetic pulses as you shatter and break it or inflict damage on it. Every impact sends out tiny magnetic ripples, a fact you only noticed because of how your weapon keeps twitching and jumping with each set of injuries you inflict. If you had to hazard a guess, thats how the 'mother' tracks the Splinter. Then more these people fight it, the more accurate the location.

[] Try to kill it at once without revealing more.
Roll 1d30+4 (Strength+2 Shapeshift bonus+2 Good stuff)
[] You might learn a little more by prolonging the fight.
Roll 1d30+4 (Warfare+2 Shapeshift bonus+2 Good Stuff)
[] Get into its head a bit.
Roll 1d30+5 (Psyche+2 Good Stuff)
[] Outright kill the thing using your weapon.
Roll 1d30+8 (Warfare+2 Shapeshift Bonus+4 Powered Artifact+2 Good stuff).

Rolled 3 + 5 (1d30 + 5)

>>107439
>>[] Get into its head a bit.
>Roll 1d30+5 (Psyche+2 Good Stuff)
What's the worst that can happen?

Rolled 7 + 5 (1d30 + 5)

>>107439
>[] Get into its head a bit.

Rolled 26 + 5 (1d30 + 5)

>>107439
>[] Get into its head a bit.
>Roll 1d30+5 (Psyche+2 Good Stuff)

Rolled 13 + 5 (1d30 + 5)

>>107439
>[] Get into its head a bit.
>Roll 1d30+5 (Psyche+2 Good Stuff)

>>107439
[] Try to kill it at once without revealing more.
Roll 1d30+4 (Strength+2 Shapeshift bonus+2 Good stuff)

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[X] Get into its head a bit.
Roll 1d30+5 (Psyche+2 Good Stuff)
8, 12, 31, 18

Even as the creature twists, trying to right itself before it falls against the floor, you brush its mind – or what passes for one – lightly, using the same technique as you had with the Vaux sisters. Like the Vaux sisters (well, one of them), it is aware of your mild intrusion. Also like the Vaux sister, there is another awareness that impinges upon the Splinter's mind.

Unlike the Vaux sister's Daemon, the thing inside this creature's head is utterly and completely insane.

The aggregate consciousness of the Splinter is like a tiny piece of a fractal consciousness that expands to connect to a very similar aggregate consciousness that seeks to abolish this station and all the daemons and their servants alike. And that is simply a smaller piece of ANOTHER even larger fractal image of a group mind, each one consisting of variations on the same theme, from smaller to larger to immense. The creature's landing is distracting enough to it that you slips free of the overwhelmingly alien influence of the sentiences that make up the intruders from beyond the galactic edge. There is no sapience there, only infinite desperate desires and mindless overwhelming urges that drive the Splinter and the fragment of horror it comes from to destroy everyone and everything standing in its way.

It leaps at you, all four limbs twisting in an effort to grapple you and bring it's full body weight to bear. It weighs on the order of three to four hundred pounds, nothing that you can't cope with, but if it starts head-butting you that will be painful and unpleasant. Or if it tries to rip you limb from limb, you're liable to lose a lot of skin and blood as it flenses you inside the nearly indestructible clothing you're wearing.

[] Gain distance, let the twins take care of it.
Roll 1d30+4 (Strength+2 Shapeshift bonus+2 Good stuff)
[] Grapple and wreck it.
Roll 1d30+4 (Strength+2 Shapeshift bonus+2 Good stuff)
[] Fuck this shit.
Roll 1d30+8 (Warfare+2 Shapeshift Bonus+4 Powered Artifact+2 Good stuff)
[] PANIC
Roll 1d30+11 (Endurance+4 Adv. Shapeshift+2 Good Stuff)

Rolled 26 + 4 (1d30 + 4)

>>107591
>>[] Grapple and wreck it.
>Roll 1d30+4 (Strength+2 Shapeshift bonus+2 Good stuff)

>>107591
>[] Fuck this shit.
>Roll 1d30+8 (Warfare+2 Shapeshift Bonus+4 Powered Artifact+2 Good stuff)
Freak out the twins, too.
Let's flex.

Rolled 28 + 8 (1d30 + 8)

>>107608
Wait. Damn.

>>107591
[] Grapple and wreck it.
Roll 1d30+4 (Strength+2 Shapeshift bonus+2 Good stuff)

XS, using abilities in this in-turn gives us xp towards abilities used, I take it?

Rolled 12 + 4 (1d30 + 4)

>>107618
Arg

Rolled 1 + 4 (1d30 + 4)

>>107591
>[x] Grapple and wreck it.

>>107618
>The only measure of XP you get is "Stuff" which you then spend on items, powers, abilities, allies, locations, or other useful/fun/interesting things. Stuff is never codified for the players, only for the QM. When you overspend, you sink into 'Bad Stuff' which acts as negative modifiers for the rolls, but also increases the potential trouble, action, and drama that can occur.

>It is worth noting that Good/Bad stuff acts as a sort of 'buffer' for your successes, meaning Bad stuff, while it modifies your rolls negatively, does not actually cause things to be more difficult - i.e. the DCs never change, the margins of success become wider the more stuff you have total, Good or Bad.

>While you have Good Stuff luck is on your side in all non-roll situations, while if you have Bad Stuff you instead suffer more drama rather than bad luck.

>>107631
Well, something sure got wrecked.

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[X] Grapple and wreck it.
Roll 1d30+4 (Strength+2 Shapeshift bonus+2 Good stuff)
30, 16, 5

Rather than retreat you lower your body and dart in, grabbing the creature over one shoulder and under the 'groin' area. These things have no sex, no gender. They barely register as biological – they're more like an overgrown colonial organism with bionic and organic parts alike. Its claws and talons slide off your clothing, which, while painful, isn't actually injurious....which is a lot less than could be said for when you squeeze.

The thing explodes like an overripe fruit, releasing a burst of pink gore and magnetic anomalies.

You drop it to the ground, where it twitches spasmodically, too many of its component parts destroyed or dead for it to function. It will die, albeit somewhat slowly, but it is entirely harmless. You turn to the Vaux sisters, and are a little alarmed to see the aggressive one's expression is absolutely starstruck. “Airy's” expression is stunned as well, but it is a far more normal sort of look. The security guards are in awe, and not a little afraid; those sidearms of theirs are aimed at you.

Walking back, you wipe gore from your clothing, though you really need to wash up thoroughly. “It's harmless, but not quite dead....” You try and fight the blush that rises to your cheeks from the aggressive Vaux sister's rapt attention.

[] You should incinerate it immediately.
[] Eject it towards the sun as highest possible speed.
[] If you have stasis fields or electromagnetic bubbles, those will isolate it.
[] You people have no idea how badly you need my help.

>>107710
[] You should incinerate it immediately

>>107710
>[] If you have stasis fields or electromagnetic bubbles, those will isolate it.

>>107710
[] You people have no idea how badly you need my help.
>[] Don't break the prime directive, or don't appear to break it if there isn't actually one.
[] If you have stasis fields or electromagnetic bubbles, those will isolate it.

>>107710
>[] If you have stasis fields or electromagnetic bubbles, those will isolate it.
>[] You people have no idea how badly you need my help.

>>107710
>[] You should incinerate it immediately.
Fangirl acquired?

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[X] If you have stasis fields or electromagnetic bubbles, those will isolate it.
[X] You people have no idea how badly you need my help.

“....stasis fields or electromagnetic bubbles will keep it from sending further signals to the Incursion vehicle. Though, calling it a vehicle is kind of a stretch. It might be a living ship, or a very large space-habitant life form. Its a little hard to tell.” Your claim causes the sisters to look at one another. “Well, you were not being terribly forthcoming, so I did a little digging of my own. You really need my help much more than I had thought at first.” Their expressions are carefully neutral, though that fascinated glimmer hasn't really left the aggressive Vaux' eyes yet.

“You're implying that you touched the Splinter's mind and you're still sane?” 'Airy' asks softly.

“I am not implying anything. I am stating it as a fact. If the source of the Splinter had been closer that might be different, but your explanation was wrong. What you said the Incursions were is only the merest fragment of the scope of the situation.” You sigh and fling more goop from your hand as you scrap off another handful from your jacket. It would be so much easier to put your cloak over it and have the cloak clean you, but that would be a dead giveaway. “I would say that you have been incredibly lucky so far. If they commit this galaxy is theirs without question, sufficiently advanced technologies notwithstanding.”

As you collect your cloak, folding it gingerly with your clean hand into a very compact little bundle, Airy turns to the security guards. “Organize a cleanup detail. Have a science team collect the Splinter and take it into a force field. We'll escort....her to Central Command.” You can't help but flush at the use of the pronoun. You do have that sort of appearance; you probably should have given them a name. The Cortex Vaux takes the lead position, while her sister falls in step beside you, though they're both closer than before.

[] Is there somewhere I can clean up, please?
[] About that pronoun....you can call me “Plaire.” Or “Tsade.”
[] Do you mind giving me your names? This is awkward.
[] Once away, ask if they have had their own suspicions.

>>107837
>[] Is there somewhere I can clean up, please?
>[] Once away, ask if they have had their own suspicions.

>>107837
[] Do you mind giving me your names? This is awkward.
[] Once away, ask if they have had their own suspicions.
>[] Silently check to make sure the cloak wasn't disturbed during our examination of this Shadow's element of logrus.

>>107837
>[X] About that pronoun....you can call me “Plaire.” Or “Tsade.”
>[X] Do you mind giving me your names? This is awkward.

>>107837
>[x] Is there somewhere I can clean up, please?
>[x] Once away, ask if they have had their own suspicions.

>>107837
>[] Is there somewhere I can clean up, please?
>[] About that pronoun....you can call me “Plaire.” Or “Tsade.”

Classes are done and I missed most of this thread haven;t I XS?

>all of the above

>>107980
>Most, but not all.

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[XX] Once away, ask if they have had their own suspicions.
[XX] Is there somewhere I can clean up, please?
[X] Do you mind giving me your names? This is awkward.
[X] About that pronoun....you can call me “Plaire.” Or “Tsade.”
[+] Check the cloak for tampering.

When you have left the earshot of the guards, the twins take you down a side passage, one that doesn't exactly lead directly....well, no, that's inaccurate. It definitely leads to a section of the Hub, but not to the military area that is there. “I take it you have suspicions that you haven't exactly shared with the high command, if you have such a thing.” It's reasonable to assume they do. A defense force must operate on at least some military basis, even if their security guards are mind controlled into obedience.

“Not exactly correct. We have explained to them, but they can't understand,” Airy says. She starts to say more but you interrupt.

“I'm sorry, but would you mind telling me your names? I can tell you apart obviously but I have no idea what to call you except Cortex Vaux and her sister.” You clance at your clothing. “Cleaning up might also be nice.”

She seems a bit taken aback by the request, while her sister smirks. “I'm Uriel – and yes, I know it's a male nomenclature – and she's Ariel. She's the Cortex, and I'm the Driver.” You make note of the titles; eventually you'll have context for them. “And we're already taking you to get cleaned up before taking you to Central Command.”

“I also want to see how Demogorgon reacts,” claims Ariel.

“The daemon you mentioned. The one that was in your head.”

She nods shortly as you accompany them down the narrower, less well-lighted hall. “They're communication implants tuned to his communication web. They're based on the same technology as he is, so they're more powerful and more closely linked than mosty other daemon networking is.” Ariel seems awfully casual about something that could be considered classified.

The reason is obvious enough. “I take it that it is impossible to completely duplicate Demogorgon's technology, unlike that of the other daemons.” Her hesitation is only momentary, but she nods. “So these daemons are more like weapon systems than computer daemons, I take it? Each one linked to a pair of mirrored twins who share a secret language?” As you reason it out you carefully examine your folded cloak. You can't do an in-depth diagnostic, but the hologlass and the ring are still there, and there isn't a tamper warning from the cloak so it's a safe bet they were too busy watching you fight a monster to do anything.

Uriel definitely was too distracted.

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>>108069
“Ideoglossia,” supplies Uriel. “Yeah, we taught Demogorgon, and the others teach their Daemons their versions. The technologies are absolutely intertwined. Even if you had the technology, you'd still need a mirror twin and they would have to have ideoglossia.”

Of course, in Shadow you could certainly find such a person. They would be a Shadow of you, but they would qualify in every way. That's assuming you couldn't adapt the technology in other ways, which you could probably manage given enough time and the proper tools. “Cortex to mediate between the Driver and the Daemon.” They both look startled and you smile faintly. “It's not rocket science, you know.”

Ariel stops a and keys in a code. A door opens into a small apartment cubicle. You follow Ariel in and Uriel closes and locks the door after. There's a living room area contiguous with the kitchen and a small refresher room, two chairs and a hologlass, but precious little else. The chairs probably move or change into a sleeping pallet. “This is our private room. It's under a different name and serves as a getaway when we need to be by ourselves.”

Her tone makes you look up at her as she settles into one of the seats, while her sister brings her a glass of what looks like tea and smells vaguely fruity. Not quite jealousy, but perhaps a mild warning. Uriel, on the other hand settles in the other chair. You move to the refresher only to realize there is no privacy screen.

Blood and Dark. You reverted when you switched back to your own D.N.A.

“As for my name....I doubt you would understand it. You can call me Plaire. Or Tsade.” you take a deep breath. Fucking pronouns.

[] Alter the cloak into a makeshift privacy screen.
[] ….just get it over with and hope they don't ask.
[] Make up a reason to have them avoid looking.
[] Follow up with your supposed alien heritage as explanation.

>>108074
>[] Follow up with your supposed alien heritage as explanation.

>>108074
>[X] Alter the cloak into a makeshift privacy screen.

>>108074
>>[] Alter the cloak into a makeshift privacy screen.

>>108074
>[] Alter the cloak into a makeshift privacy screen.
>[] Follow up with your supposed alien heritage as explanation.

>>108074
>[x] Alter the cloak into a makeshift privacy screen.

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[XX] Alter the cloak into a makeshift privacy screen.
[X] Follow up with your supposed alien heritage as explanation.

You wash your hands and wrists, and then double check your cloak. Better not to risk an alien infection from bionic-organic weirdtech. Sure, the nanotool can protect itself up to an extent, but your getting into some Logrus level weirdness here. Hopefully not in a literal sense. That would be very inconvenient.

“Also, there is one aspect of my species that is very much unlike yours,” you continue while lifting up the nanotool cloak and tracing the commands onto it's inner surface. “Our facial features approximate your females, so I'm not surprised you presumed me female, but I'm not.”

“You're not male....?” asks Uriel in a disappointed tone.

If only.

“No, we're not sexually dimorphic. We're naturally hermaphroditic.” Which is technically correct. YOU'RE naturally hermaphroditic. It was part of the reason you studied shapeshifting in depth. You may not be naturally functional, but you can be entirely functional in every way if you need to be. Or want to be for that matter. You haven't informed your father yet – partly because he'd immediately start trying to plan alliances and marriage based on things that were politically useful as opposed to taking your preferences – or lack thereof – into account.

Another reason for this sabbatical. You've never really had the opportunity to explore anything like preferences, much less desires. Dark and Blood, you have to make sure your brain doesn't short circuit from the hormones you've never dealt with before.

“Oh.” You feel your cheeks color as you finish getting undressed and place your clothing into the proper cleansing unit. She did not have to sound curious. The rush of faint indignity from Ariel was also pretty telling. Well, it's not like your THAT provincial. Happens all the time on the Courts of Chaos after all. You run the refresher through the whole cycle, and then decide if you're going to drop a few other bomb....er, disguises.

[] Take your own form; chances of anyone recognizing you are near zero.
[] Maintain this one, though it's a little more feminine that you're used to.
[] Take full female form – it will let you keep tabs on the sisters.
[] Alter this form to one less associated with Melanie, since the higher ups know you look like her.

>>108251
>[] Alter this form to one less associated with Melanie, since the higher ups know you look like her.

>>108251
>[] Take full female form – it will let you keep tabs on the sisters.

>>108251
>[] Alter this form to one less associated with Melanie, since the higher ups know you look like her.

>>108251
>[X] Alter this form to one less associated with Melanie, since the higher ups know you look like her.

>>108251
>[] Alter this form to one less associated with Melanie, since the higher ups know you look like her.
kek for all of that

>>108251
>“You're not male....?”

>Uriel was hoping she wasn't male for her species. I forget how things sometimes sound when spoken aloud, since I can't do that.

>>108367
>wasn't male
I was wondering if you meant
>“You're not *female....?”

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[X] Alter this form to one less associated with Melanie, since the higher ups know you look like her.

Darkening the blue eyes, thinning the hair and making it actually black rather than simply brunette, you adjust Melanie's form in a number of subtle but overall ways that make it impossible for the holocrystals to associate you with Melanie again. Bone structure denser and slightly sharper, a little more height, more compact muscles with a touch of real definition. Smaller breasts, slightly narrower hips. And admittedly, the result is a touch more tomboyish, but now your curious about Uriel's interest. You would have figured she would be more interested in demure types, especially with the way her sister acts, but she seemed fascinated by how you fought. You don't bother altering your genders; it lends that much more credence.

And this body is now MUCH more conducive to effective combat.

Taking your clothes out of the cleanser, you adjust them as well. Not quite as loose, though not skin tight. You have them create a holster for the weapon, as well as a pocket for the bag of Trump Cards, though both processes take a little extra effort. You also become aware of an overwhelming amount of near silence in the main room on the other side of your makeshift partition.

It isn't an entirely unfamiliar near silence, though it's definitely not one you've been an accomplice to since you were a small child.

[] Break the silence with pertinent question.
[] ….a little peek won't hurt, just to be sure.
[] Query about the social aspect of that peculiar type of relationship, if they're in one.
[] Ask if they can arrange an identity set that can be altered to match, well, whatever.

>>108450
>[] ….a little peek won't hurt, just to be sure.

>>108450
>[] Query about the social aspect of that peculiar type of relationship, if they're in one.
>[] Ask if they can arrange an identity set that can be altered to match, well, whatever.

>>108450
Seconding >>108488.

>>108450
>[] Query about the social aspect of that peculiar type of relationship, if they're in one.

>>108450
>[X] Query about the social aspect of that peculiar type of relationship, if they're in one.

>>108450
>>108488
Thirding

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[XX] Query about the social aspect of that peculiar type of relationship, if they're in one.
[X] Ask if they can arrange an identity set that can be altered to match, well, whatever.

You hesitate for just a second, and then ask di sotto voce, “While I am certain that the technology here is advanced enough that population control isn't a particular issue, I think I should ask if there are social constraints on the type of behavior I suspect you two are engaging in privately.” Yes, that peculiar giggle was Uriel, and it definitely on the side of the room Ariel had chosen to sit on.

Collapsing the nanotool into a cloak once more while leaving the diamond edge intact, you are treated to the sight of Uriel straightening out her uniform while standing. Ariel looks unphased and is sipping the drink Uriel brought her. You smile faintly. “My senses are mostly human-like, but a great deal sharper; your lips are all swollen slightly as well. I am asking, because I do not want to accidentally commit any sort of indignity or trouble for you – or myself.” This last you direct at Uriel, who flashes a slightly guilty sort of smile. Though her eyes wander over your transformed body a bit, curiosity and interest warring with politeness.

Ariel sighs and sets the drink on the arm of her chair. “It is not technically illegal or immoral, only frowned upon publicly. Binary Stars can get away with a great deal more than their military or civilian counterparts.” She runs her finger on the edge of the glass, which remains silent.

“Our home-world doesn't approve, is what she means,” Uriel says with a touch of edge in her voice. “The easy solution is to expand past monogamy, but she's a prude.” You tilt your head and give Uriel a bemused look. “Well, for given values of prudery.”

“Uriel....” Ariel warns softly.

That nets you another guilty flash-smile. “Sorry,” she directs at her sister as she takes the glass and places it in the recycler. “Just so you know, there is a lot of rivalry in the Binary stars, and a lot of cliques. It might not be especially political, but it is just as vicious.” Uriel glances at you. Val and Bea are close friends of ours, and we cover for each other. They tend to be small time criminals, rather than what we are.”

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>>108672
You smile faintly. “Nothing I am not used to,” you admit quietly. “Though that brings up a salient point. I would like to get one of your identity devices made....but one that I can program with anything I might need. D.N.A. changes, body description changes. Preferably based on simple biometric input. I know it would be complex, but I can definitely pay for whatever is required.”

Ariel's expression looks half worried, and half curious. “Exactly how far can you change your body?” She too gives you a slow study.

“I'm afraid I can't answer that question,” you reply softly, kindly.

“The Prime Directive?” Uriel snarks, earning her another glare from Ariel, which she again looks guilty over. In private they are a much more relaxed and emotive pair. It reminds you of yourself, sadly.

You shake your head, the joke from a distant Shadow not the reason at all. “Not the Prime Directive, no. It is both simpler and more complex.” You shrug mildly, looking between the two. “I'm afraid you don't have any frame of reference to put the answers into.” You look at Uriel calmly. “At all.” This being said while aware of their level of technology only cements in their mind exactly how alien you are; you can see the realization in their eyes, in their expression.

They both stare at you for a very long moment, as you gaze back calmly.

>To Be Continued....

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>>108682
Thanks for running XS

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Thank you for reading and playing.

Next session there will be an opportunity to spend Stuff. I will also remain here for a bit while I prepare dinner, to answer any questions or points of curiosity.

Yes, you can purchase the twins as allies, minions, or even lovers, sperately or together. The cost is an unknown. Likewise you can purchase the aforementioned identy device. You can purchase increases to stats, powers, and abilities as well.

HOWEVER - you will not know how much any given item is worth. I* will simply ask whether or not you wish to descend into bad stuff or not.

I will have detailed instructions next episode.

>>108709
Thanks for running.

>>108682
Thank you for running for us, XS. I assume this is the final bit of experimentation you'll be doing with /qst/?

Care to share any thoughts?

>>108709
Man, I can't wait to fuck the twins.
Thanks for running, I'll be here when you run again.

>>108720
Not the final, but close. The functionality of the board is good now, but the player base is still hard to muster. Whether it's an aspect of this particular quest or not is impossible to say, which is where the third and final test comes in, as it will not be under my usual tripcode or name.

>>108778
So this quest is the first, and you haven't started the third yet, so what about the second?

>>108815
...that is an excellent question.

The first was actually when I was runnign the quest and how long it took to fall off the board, which was the first episode of this quest. The second and third episodes have been part two. The third part will be an unnamed quest based on total pandering and no QM familiarity.

>>108850
>To catch XS's quest, I will now have to check every /qst/ thread several times a day
My body is ready.

>>109708
My body is fearful yet excited

>>109708
>>109718
Well, you won't have to check for it until the weekend - I tell you this out of then kindness of my hateful little heart. Specifically, any time from Sunday to Wednesday is when it will be posted. That's as much help as you'll get, sorry.

>>110793
Thank you so much, XS! Have an excellent night!