>>1336925
IT BEGINS.

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We in here now.

For those that missed it: how the first rounds went

https://pastebin.com/tfFsAAn0

Also, one more day until MSPQ turns a year old!

Also congrats on whoever caught me accidentally changing Roarke's dad's name last thread. We'll say Gregor was his middle name, that was before I had it settled that he used Andersen as a portrait.

>>1336925
Huzzah!

>>1336925
WE'RE BACK

I've missed this

>>1336974
Well being a catholic orphan I imagine he was a real Gregorian sorta fellow. Bad pun?

>>1336925
Question: What are you using for the hex maps? Want to try making some for when my brothers and I want to run a Mekton Zeta game.

So I finally finished Berserk and the fact that Casca is going to be healed within the next three chapters is too much to deal with

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>>1336992

I literally googled "hex map" and edited it in Paint.

Here's the next round's. The blue squares are 100m deep trenches. The yellow squares are still 50m elevated.

>>1337020
>Trench warfare
God no

>>1337020
Should have finished up making that Garron Head artillery gun.

>>1337020
Aww shit son. Would not like to be someone range heavy right now.

>>1337020

And I just realized how I fucked this map up. Time to do some editing!

>>1337015
>finished

You mean caught up.

Now you have time to watch the 1999 Anime though. It's pretty fucking amazing. Especially the dub. Berserk's dubbed outtakes are the actual predecessor to Abridgements.

>>1337020
King of the Hill?

>>1337033
I saw the anime before I started reading it

>>1337039
Good man.

Have you seen the outtakes?

>>1337020
Ah, okay.

Oh man, those trenches. Gotta go deep...or rush to the hill.

>>1337047
Of course

>>1337057
Back attacks won't be easy, but indirect fire could work.

>>1337070
Has anyone got indirect fire?

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For once, the sim-helmet isn't on your head. Everyone's watching the tournament, including you...although the holoscreen on one wall is dark and the 3-D map it was projecting is gone since there's a break between rounds until tomorrow. Thus, finding decent pickups for Bluegill Joe is a lot harder than usual, and even if you could find someone to play with you're not sure your heart would be in it. Last time, you started out floating in the dark devoid of any emotion but obnoxious teenage angst and missing your girlfriend, but this time things are different. This time you are ignited by a singular, dire purpose.

Miles, despite having a personality that reminds you of a honey badger with a drug problem, is a smart woman in a deviously cunning sort of way. She put a Roarke Starwind poster over your room's viewport, so that you couldn't see the Avalonian battleship floating peacefully in space, almost within range of the Rhinehawk's guns. Richard found out your weakness for collectibles and she assumed that you wouldn't damage it in order to get worked up with manly wroth at the sight of your vile nemesis yonder. She was correct, even though you have an autographed poster that Naomi procured for you the first time you came to Auditorium which is even more swagtastic. You keep it close, you swear you can still smell her perfume on it...and plus, it's an awesome poster. Miles being correct, though, doesn't make her infallible. You've managed to carefully remove the poster without ripping it, and are now staring at the ivory lance of the Avalonian warship now that you don't have the Pumpkinseed Jager dueling the Rosamine to distract you.

She's there.

That's the ship that took her.

You can SEE it.

Somewhere close by is that bastard Green Man worshipping devil who pilots the giant golden mech that brought you and everyone with you down. He's within your reach, and as that battle proved even an ace like him can bleed. You saw Miles damage his mech. Now, if only you could hit him...but to do that, you have to swing at him. Which you can't do from in here.

It would be really nice if you could leave, but unfortunately, Admiral Starwind is a bit too clever for that and has instructed his Bosun and First Mate to keep you here under guard until the Avalonians are gone.

You can hear the sound of someone approaching, though, and judging from the chronometer on your PC they're probably bringing you food.

>[Behave and stay put]
>[Misbehave and go get your Jovedamned girlfriend back]

>>1337070
Hopefully my grenades count as indirect.

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FIXED version!

>>1337075

Offhand I know Dutchman and Libra do.

>>1337076
God dammit wong

>>[Misbehave and go get your Jovedamned girlfriend back]

>>1337076
>[Misbehave and go get your Jovedamned girlfriend back]
Going for the interesting option

>>1337076
>[Misbehave and go get your Jovedamned girlfriend back]

Since when being a pirate means we respect authority figures?

>>1337082
Oh joy, more situations for Lightning Kusanagi to shine.

>>1337076
>>[Misbehave and go get your Jovedamned girlfriend back]
No other choice really

>>1337103
aye. Hope someone comes by and tackles his ass into the brig.

>>1337082
Hmm, I'm guessing it's gonna take some of your movement allowance to get out of the trenches. This could be a problem.

>>1337076
>[Misbehave and go get your Jovedamned girlfriend back]

Well, time to do something stupid

>>1337110
That's not tragic enough though, he'll probably make it to Naomi only to be dragged away as she asks who he is.

>>1337120
Remember what wong said about there being a totally IC chain of actions that would lead to him defecting to avalon?

If she asks him to stay, he might.

>>1337114
More opportunity to use the cover rules though.

>>1337081
Blast weapons in general do. Airburst above them, then hide in your own trench. With your roll, you can safely fire inderectly from 4 hexes.

>>1337114

They are 100m deep, or effectively two hexes downward movement. It doesn't count as turning, but it does count as movement.

You should also consider what they do to LoS.

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>>1337147
>Wanting to pull out Beam Magnum for Lightning
>Sees 100m trenches.
>MFW

It would be very helpful if someone could repost Caesar's most recent stats if they find them before I do, I need to check something in the rules.

That should give you a little time to COME UP WITH A PLAN to misbehave, or at least input suggestions that may make this challenge easier. It only sounds like one person's coming, but you're sure there are more outside.

By the way, it is entirely possible for this escape to fail due to bad rolls and such.

>>1337147
The wraith would be a nightmare if it got this far.

>>1337167

That thing has a lot of range, and aside from the trenches themselves and the hill there's not a lot of cover, it could still be useful. There's going to be a bit less "duck right into the pillars and turn my back" this time, I suspect.

>>1337169
There is one way that works for all people and places. The need to use the bathroom.

>>1337169
We'll were going to need a disguise and an alibi to get on to the Avalonian ship. Maybe use the disguise as a delivery boy sending something like a gift from Victor to the Sunboy as a gift for an honorable fight?

>>1337185
we got in the room though

>>1337200
*one in

>>1337200
Clog it.

>>1337177
One thing to consider too is that you can use the trenches, as they are unbroken lines (WW1 trenches cry at such a lack of consideration for shrapnel and overpressure waves), as a firing lane if your opponent tries to flank, as long as you move towards the opposite end of the stretch your in from them. Then their other option is going over the top where you can shoot them anyway. Although if they go over the top of a directly parallel trench you only have a short window.

>>1337200
We need to get this person into our room and then knock them out. Maybe tell the guy our toilets busted or we accidentally flushed something and we need a hand getting it out.

>>1337205
Do we have a Space TacoBell nearby to use?

>>1337147
Great, home internet crapped out.

Anyway, cutting LOS, huh? Well, we could be bombarded or ambushed from the top of the trenches.

Also, I think most of the contestants remaining, if not all, technically fly according to the rules. So the trenches could be more trouble.

>>1337082
Well this bodes poorly for the Blitz.

>>1337208
Cant they also poke out of cover and take shots at each other?

>>1337082
>>1337220
Actually, where do contestants even start?

You know we should probably be more worried about planning how we're going to save Naomi and not get captured before we worry about the Tourney.

>>1337232
Probably after Caesar's Vignette since Round 1 of the Tourney.

>>1337234

This is probably a very good idea.

>>1337234
Could always start a fire and slip away while people try to sort in out.

>>1337234
I'll leave that up to people who aren't getting buttfucked my Midir are good at stuff like that.

>>1337236
Not WHEN they start, WHERE they start.

>>1337241
In our room or on the Avalonian ship?

>>1337234
>>1337238
CAESAR TOTALLY MASTERFUL AND KEIKAKU PLAN:
1. Sneak out of the Rhinehawk
2. Sneak onto the Avalon battleship via shuttle of the Avalon ambassadors
3. Find Naomi onboard the most secure section of the ship
4. ???
5. Profit.

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>>1337238
I'm just waiting until one of the sneakies (like sam) pops out and stops everything, but who knows, let's help Cesar reach his goal as best were able! Through the power of love will we find the motivation to prevail!

>>1337243
Why would we consent to that for an Irish deity?

I rather participate in an orgy with the three Morrígna

It'd be great if there was ketchup with that meal...maybe Caesar needs to do some acting?

>>1337256
But how are we going to sneak out of our room?

>>1337234
Well, think of things that would require to leave the room; Toilet jammed, somethings broken, something is on fire, bored, ect. Rationally we should be playing smart and have roarke assist, but this is a teen in love and full of angst.

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>>1337262
I think we're talking about two very different Midirs.

>>1337266

open the door, get the guy to come in, slam door on fellow pirate to knock him out.

>>1337244
In our room for starters. Maybe go buddy up the avalonian who doesnt work on kiritos ship and see if we can convince him to let us on the ship. Talk about mech lances and shit, I dont know. Maybe just walk straight into it saying the head mechanic sent us looking for knight parts to fix up the contestants mechs fast or something.

>>1337076
Ask yourself one thing, What Would Starwind Do?
>[Misbehave and go get your Jovedamned girlfriend back]

>>1337274
Roarke is the one who posted Miles and Richard to stop us so I doubt we can count on his help. Realistically we would have better luck getting Amos and his gang than any of the Kestrels.

>>1337076
>[Misbehave and go get your Jovedamned girlfriend back]

Aim to Misbehave motherfuckers.

>>1337277
gonna fight him when my friend gets back from vacation.

>>1337266
No silly. That's what plebs are for.

Seriously though, pretend to choke or pass out. When guard is distracted, knock him out and head to the shuttle bay.

>>1337299
Protips.
He's a pattern boss, get under his head and he'll only do combos ended by AOEs. Run to his tail and hit that.

>>1337305
How are we going to sneak onto the shuttle? We are the son of a very well known pilot and I believe that the Avalonians know who we are.

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You know what? You made a choice. You became a pirate. You're not in the military anymore...at least, by your own consideration, the Admiral said something about there being a cover-up where you're on a secret mission but you are NOT going to end up in Fairchild's hands if you can help it...and therefore you're under no obligation to follow orders from anybody.

You grab your Iron Kestrels jacket and shades, and put them on, along with your collapsible monospear/shortsword hidden inside the jacket. Then, whistling, you head into the lavatory and swiftly begin stuffing paper into it, flushing repeatedly until it beeps irritatedly and flashes a warning message to let you know it's clogged. You snap the handle of the plunger off right at the cup, too. Fortunately, the person bringing you food is conversing with your guards, which is nice, it lets you know that there's just one person inside and one outside.

It's one of the new recruits. Not exactly the most martial, but notably carrying a stun baton on his hip. He looks like one of the engineering staff or miscellaneous personnel, not a pilot or one of the guards. “Hey bud, got you some food from the buffet.” He calls out as he enters. You sit on the floor, clutching your stomach, doing your best to look owlishly miserable, “Buddy, you okay?” He asks.

“N-no. Stomach...I need to go but the toilet's clogged...” You shake your head.

“Eesh, let me just...” He puts the food down and walks into the bathroom, “Aw heck, the plunger's broken! Right, I'll take you to the one off the bar, but only because you're one of us. The Admiral's orders are not to let you off the ship.” The crewman sighs, and gestures for you to follow him, “...But if you try to run or anything the First Mate said I can poke you with this.” He pats the butt of his shiny new collapsible stun baton, “Maybe I should call her first.” This is probably the only time this guy has been important ever in his life.

“Do you want me to go on the FLOOR?” You groan.

He holds his hands up, “Okay, okay! You win! C'mon buddy, I'll show you the way.” He waves off the guard at the door, who looks a lot more grizzled and has an autogun, insisting, “No, no, it's FINE, he just needs to go to the bathroom. Besides, he's just a kid, what harm can he do?”

You smile while still pretending your stomach hurts, and follow him to the nearest lavatory. It's a public one, with multiple toilets. “Okay, buddy.” He insists, “I'll stay right out here outside the stall, and you just...handle your business, okay?”

For a brief moment, he turns his back.

>[roll 1d10+14, you're taking -3 for going for the knockout, add Luck if you like]

Rolled 6 + 14 (1d10 + 14)

>>1337317

Rolled 10 + 14 (1d10 + 14)

>>1337317
Add 2 luck

>>1337320
>>1337322
Jove damnit. Let Thunder roll the dice. Bloodlust and Hedonism are his specialty.

Rolled 2 + 14 (1d10 + 14)

>>1337317
You're all right, unkempt pirate dude.

>>1337316
Put on a hat, roll up your sleeves and put on sunglasses.

>>1337322
god damn Thunder, you magnificent bastard!

GO CAESAR! LET LOVE GUIDE YOU!

>>1337322
fucking thunder. Don't gib the new recruit.

Rolled 4 + 12 (1d10 + 12)

>>1337320

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>1337378

Rolled 3 + 12 (1d10 + 12)

>>1337385

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>1337388

>>1337378
>>1337385
>>1337388
Colid Caesar time?

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>1337396
>Not Solid Spear time
Come on anon

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>1337402

>>1337408
Uh-oh, this might be a scuffle now.

>>1337402
>>1337408

Ignore these, I forgot knockouts only do a single point of damage.

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Rolled 9 + 12 (1d10 + 12)

...Unfortunately, you fumble getting out your shortsword, and he's turning towards you as you smack him upside the temple with the butt of your shortsword, breaking his sunglasses. It turns out it's a lot harder knocking people unconscious in a single blow than Roarke Starwind makes it look, despite Clemmy extensively reviewing the technique with you.

“Hey! Ow! Buddy, stop that!” He tries to cover his head as you hit him again.

“I'm sorry! I'm really sorry, but I have to save Naomi!” You reply.

“Who?” He goes reeling, but stays on his feet, “Sorry buddy, I can't just let you go. Things are about to get dangerous!” He draws his stun baton, extends it with a flourish, and attacks.

>[feed me 1d10+17s, I'll apply the knockout penalties individually]

Maybe shaving off our hair quickly will be a good disguise

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Rolled 4 + 17 (1d10 + 17)

>>1337436
Ah. Also, the guard makes me think of pic related.

>I hope we're not getting our asses kicked right now

>>1337440
Welp, rolling

Rolled 7 + 17 (1d10 + 17)

>>1337440
We need to get this done quickly add 1 luck

Rolled 5 + 12 (1d10 + 12)

>>1337448

Versus 21 with penalties.

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>1337460

And the stun/shock roll...

>>1337460
That's a crit isn't it?

Rolled 6 + 17 (1d10 + 17)

>>1337440
Dude he is such a nice guy. I feel bad.

Rolled 7 + 17 (1d10 + 17)

>>1337460
Rolling more

Keep rolling. This fucking guy.

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Rolled 5 + 17 (1d10 + 17)

>>1337440
>the toughest guy in the Kestrels other than Roarke is Scruffy Door Guard

Rolled 4 + 12 (1d10 + 12)

>>1337467

Rolled 6 + 17 (1d10 + 17)

>>1337475
Oh boy, he's MGS4 Sasaki. Fug.

>>1337482
That's probably why he's on guard duty.

Rolled 4 + 17 (1d10 + 17)

>>1337440
go to sleep dave

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>1337486

File: b49.gif (1.09 MB, 828x828)

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Also
>Using a Rothschild as a member of the Kestrels
RRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Rolled 9 + 17 (1d10 + 17)

>>1337495
More rolls? Okay.

>>1337504
Everything they do is theft. Same deal.

Rolled 3 + 12 (1d10 + 12)

>>1337468

He can't hit you with this roll.

>>1337482

Or this one.

>>1337491

Rollan!

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>1337504

I needed someone scruffy who I wouldn't feel guilty about beating to a pulp. I didn't expect him to have meme resilience. It's like smacking a pile of million-dollar bills!

Rolled 8 + 17 (1d10 + 17)

>>1337524
Hmm, could Caesar finally get back the basics of CQC?

Rolling more.

Rolled 8 + 12 (1d10 + 12)

>>1337492

Stop it buddy!

>>1337529
I suppose we learned our lesson. Everything that can go meme, will go meme.

Who's the guy that came up with the "all internet arguments eventually involve Nazis" theory?

Rolled 8 + 17 (1d10 + 17)

>>1337540
Godwin's Law.

And since I dunno if Wong's talking to me, I'll roll just to be sure.

Rolled 6 + 17 (1d10 + 17)

>>1337535
>>1337440
no.

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Well this is a great start to this mission get ready for Caesar to be captured by Avalon and brainwashed.

Rolled 5 + 12 (1d10 + 12)

>>1337535
>a motherfucking successful dodge

>>1337514
>>1337532

He can't hit you, buddy! Keep rolling!

>>1337545

Aw buddy why?

>>1337529
Who is he? Other than Rothschild memery. Wikipedia just gives me his environmental work.

Rolled 2 + 17 (1d10 + 17)

>>1337565
Oh, you want me to roll more? Okay.

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>1337565

>>1337567

For that performance he's a C-class combatant with Body 10.

>>1337573
Is he finally down?

>>1337573
I guess that's that, since I assume that both of them has less than 10 for their stun/shock roll.

>>1337573
Dear gods, this guy has some hardy defense for a mook. Feels like were bullying him.

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“C'mon buddy, I don't want to do this.” He complains. Despite clearly being a rookie it's a damned good lucky swing that nearly clips you, but you duck just under it and smack him across the head again with the butt of your shortsword.

“Buddy c'mon, you'll get in trouble!” He protests, wiping blood away from a busted lip and making puppy dog eyes at you. You relentlessly whack him again, but he keeps his feet. It's like smacking a fucking bear. He tries to swing back at you, but it's clear he's watched two many simflicks, his moves are all telegraphed, and after training with Clemmy it's trivial to dodge them. Normally, the crackle of a stun baton does a number on people's nerves, but training with Clemmy builds up a resistance to being terrified too.

“Look, buddy, I know that she's important, whoever she is...” THWACK, you smack him, “But...” This time he jumps up onto the sink, your attack swinging wide, “But we're your friends, buddy. Boss Longshadow said you'd go try to fight all the Avalonians and me, well, I may just be 'Dave from Engineering', but...you matter to me, buddy! C'mon, can't we just...” He swings wildly at you, “Can't we just not fight?”

You dance back out of his reach and reverse your shortsword, as if to sheathe it, “Yeah, Dave...we can.”

He smiles. It's a relaxed, happy smile, and he looks away as he goes to put his baton back in its sling too, “Thanks pal, I knew you'd see reaso-”

You twist the handle of your shortsword just so, and it springs out into spear mode, the butt conking him on the temple and sending him sprawling. You relieve him of his stun baton carefully, so as to avoid hurting him, and make sure he won't drown in the sink. “Sorry Dave. You're a good guy, buddy, but Naomi's the best girl.” Fortunately, his long hair gives him a bit of padding. He should be fine.

You feel something in your pocket, and go to examine it. It's a small tube of fast-drying glue you use for modeling.

>[Cut off his hair with your monospear, construct a false beard]
>[Leave Dave with his dignity]

>>1337596
Again, probably the reason why he got assigned to guard duty.

But that fight has certainly wasted time that we needed to sneak.

>>1337606
>>[Leave Dave with his dignity]

>>1337606
>[Leave Dave with his dignity]

Again, we're wasting time doing that. Plus it leaves stuff behind, and that glue could be a bitch to take off. And probably itchy, too.

>>1337606
>Cut of your hair, with it you stick out like a sore thumb.
Do it for Naomi

>>1337606
>[Leave Dave with his dignity]

>>1337606
>[Leave Dave with his dignity]
Who knew Dave from Engineering would be the best bro of the quest?
Along with being a literal brick wall.

>>1337606
>>[Cut off his hair with your monospear, construct a false beard]

If we succeed, everything can be forgiven. If we're captured, he has greater things to worry about.

>>1337606
>>[Leave Dave with his dignity]
Poor dude. Hopefully no one has footage of this since it's in a bathroom. They might think Caesar is incompetent since no one expects Dave from Engineering to be a brick shithouse.

>>1337606
>>[Leave Dave with his dignity]
The man earned his locks. Don't take it from him.

>>1337606
>>[Leave Dave with his dignity]

Alright now how are we going to get onto the Avalonian ship without being spotted by the Kestrels or stopped by the Jovians/Avalonians?

>>1337673
Stow away on an avalonian lighter.

This is incredibly annoying, I still can't find any semi-recent Caesar stats.

>>1337673
Smuggle in on a Avalon shuttle?

>>1337686
because hes not been recent.

>>1337690
>>1337685
But how are we going to get to the shuttle? I mean Roakre has a lot of security for this event and made sure that people know Caesar isn't supposed to be out of his room. The Jovians know exactly what we look like and who we are. And the Avalonians aren't going to let anyone on their ships for fear of saboteurs or assassins.

>>1337701

I'm seriously not very sure. Already im wondering if its possible to hijack some stealth MP soul mech for this since.

>>1337701
Dye our hair blonde, wear a red pilot suit, and call ourself the Crimson Meteor?

>>1337701
ask a friendly Avalonian who feels that love is more important than his duty?

>>1337719
Honestly isn't that bad of an idea, as long as we don't look like Caesar we have a better chance of this all working out.

>>1337718
Way to many chances for something to go tits up with stealing a mecha from Jove.

>>1337729
Sure plenty of Avalonians must be down for stealing the clone of their god for a bunch of pirates.

>>1337729
So.... drag in akai and that knight?

Burning Exploding love?

>>1337737
i'm sure that Victor doesn't know who she is. Considering the amount of secrecy and the fact that it wasn't the countess who took her.

>>1337760
Victor knows what the lady looks like, the minute he sees what Naomi looks like he not going to want to give her to a bunch of pirates.

>>1337764
But maybe he can come clean with akai and she and him hoodwink victor to bring him aboard the vessel?

>>1337764
how would he know what the lady looks like? almost no one has met with her. If Victor has seen her it was only in pictures. and there's alot of people out there, maybe she just looks similar.

>>1337769
Why would Akai side with Victor over her new boyfriend and on top of that disobey her boss?

>>1337774
There's two people look similar, and then there's two people look the exact same.

>>1337782
>Caesar not Victor

Honestly our best bet would be to go and get Amos and his gang and try and convince them to join in in saving her from the Avalonians to help weaken the war effort for them. But even that is a super ballsy idea that can easily blow up in our face.

HERE IA AM!
And it just happened that Akai is the one with more experience of boarding Avalonian ships other than Roarke and some mechanics... Don't you guys remember the fanfics about going to visit Victor?

Also... Its that time of the year again, you loved BR anon is typing this from Texas! Having a great time here.

So... Do you guys want to SNEAK in? Or just to GET in?

>>1337782
why would anyone, besides a paladin, realize that she's exactly the same? not every avalonian has memorized everything about her so that they would recognize her right away

>>1337808
Do you remember what Jesus looks like?

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You have the idea of constructing a false beard, but...

...but you can't do that to Dave. He earned his luxurious locks. Jove damn, he was trying to protect you, and he was just following orders. If anyone in this galaxy is an innocent, it's Dave from Engineering. He's not even a proper guard! Besides, he took those hits like a champ. You remove his jacket and pillow it under his head quickly. Unlike in the movies, you know you only have a few minutes before he wakes up, you didn't hit him hard enough to cause brain damage.

With his collapsible stun baton in hand and your more dangerous monospear safely stowed, you sneak out of the bathroom and down the hall.

You're spotted more than once, unfortunately, but...nobody seems to notice. After all, there are a lot of new people here and the Admiral hasn't exactly given everyone a copy of your picture. Clad in Kestrel black, with the requisite jacket, shades, the the common but not mandatory blue pants Admiral Starwind favors, you don't stick out.

Someone does, though. You see her eating alone at the bar as you try to navigate your way to an exit. Pale-skinned, blonde, and deadly as a stiletto...but right now, she looks a little sad, like something unpleasant is on her mind. Your teacher, Alice Clementine Farragut, sighs into her salad.

>[Talk to her, maybe you could enlist her in the cause of love]
>[Avoid her, she's just too goddamn dangerous]

>>1337529
Not gonna lie, I feel bad about hitting this guy.

He's just a recruit man. He was super nice about taking Caesar to the bathroom.

>>1337833
>>[Talk to her, maybe you could enlist her in the cause of love]

>>1337814
long hair and a beard? i see a dozen people like that everyday

>>1337833
>>[Avoid her, she's just too goddamn dangerous]
We can't risk her trying to stop us or anyone else around her seeing us

>>1337833
>>[Talk to her, maybe you could enlist her in the cause of love]

>>1337843
Your being pedantic, there is no reason why an Avalonian wouldn't know what their living God looks like.

>>1337833
Ooh, this is difficult. We could ask for Clemmy's help, but it'd be better not to be spotted.

On the other hand, she probably could find us quickly.

>>1337833
>[Avoid her, she's just too goddamn dangerous]

Do not approach the Clemmy!

>>1337782
Victor never saw the Lady personally and I don't even knows if he knows about the kidnapping or Ceasar, as Lori can't even recognize Ceasar...

And Akai isn't a greenman worshipper per se, and would pressure Victor into helping... Or doing it behind his back to not involve him with the mess anyway... Or at least is this is how I see it, Wong my disagree.

But the "Burningu Rabu!" theory could work in theory.

>>1337833
>>[Avoid her, she's just too goddamn dangerous]

>>1337850
Remember Clemmy knows why we're not supposed to leave our room and what we would plan on doing. She will probably try to talk us out of it because even though she knows we love her we can't risk losing him and having Avalon think its Roarke trying to pull something shady. The more Kestrels we get involved with this the worse its going to look for Roarke.

>>1337833
>>[Avoid her, she's just too goddamn dangerous]
She is probably going to side with Roarke, don't risk it.

>>1337863
I was thinking it would probably be really difficult to sneak past her.

But at her current state, it could be possible.

>>1337814
Which version?

>>1337833
>[Avoid her, she's just too goddamn dangerous]

>>1337858
>Victor never saw the Lady personally
They have statues of her. Remember, that's how Roarke recognized Naomi.

>>1337846
dude, every church i've been in has a different looking Jesus, one had him shown as like 6.5 feet tall and weighting 250 pounds. he looked like he could do squats with his cross and he carried it. who's to say that the Avalonians have a singular depiction of a reclusive goddess.

>>1337875
For this comparison any of them since they would have dozens of accurate pictures/paintings of her considering she is alive.

>>1337881
Because she's living and has been seen by people in recent history.

>>1337846
I don't know, Wong mentioned about how mysterious and far from the public eye she usually is.
Also, he won't know she is the Lady clone until he sees her anyway, and we don't need to carry Victor all the way through the mission.

But to be fair... Would this idea even cross Ceasar's mind? Why would he trust a guy who he only saw in TV? And would he even know about the sugary romance going on?

>>1337833
>>[Talk to her, maybe you could enlist her in the cause of love]
At the very least, be a good pupil.

>>1337888
No he wouldn't he wouldn't know any of that or think to trust anyone apart of Avalon considering they stole her away.

>>1337833
>[Talk to her, maybe you could enlist her in the cause of love]
"sensei, help me fuck over the avalonians in the name of love!"

>>1337833
>[Talk to her, maybe you could enlist her in the cause of love]
Risky, but frankly we aren't pulling this thing off without help.

This is an important decision, so...taking an hour to get my dinner. At 12:30 I'll collect the votes, and ask another equally important question.

>>1337918
Why not try and get help from someone who isn't a Kestrel then? The more Kestrels get involved the more likely Avalon is going to see this as a plot by Roarke. Besides I doubt Clemmy is going to betray her husbands trust like that as much as she might want to help.

>>1337924
I'll go ahead and ask a series of questions then. Feel free to leave them until after the thread.

Is the arena the tournament's being held in now under gravity? And if it is, how does the Blitz get across the trenches?

>>1337833
Go big or go home

>[Talk to her, maybe you could enlist her in the cause of love]

>>1337898
the thing is, we have very few allies and getting in by ourselves will end badly. With Clemmy we may fail, but we have a life line and someone we can tell the others in the worst case. Like it or lump it, she does trust us and we trust her.

>>1337944
I agree. there should be lots of independents around to watch the tourney. or even recruiting some trustworthy jovians,

>>1337950

Yes. The Blitz in its current configuration can roll straight up vertical surfaces.

>>1336925
Woooo!

>>1337950
with GUTS and sick areal manuvers

>>1337944
Well, assuming Wong don't decide that you're wrong the Burning Love plan...

What about just hijacking the K-Swordfish and going to duel the Duke?

Or if we can't get a tern anyway(and why would the Avalonians let us board?) why not steal the Ulfberth from under Karen's nose? She seems to already have repaired a lot of the tourney mechs... So maybe its ready for flight at least, then we go there and pretend that our comm systems are damage and board the hangar.

From there on, however, this will be a crazy gold rush with a 140CP mech or maybe on feet...

>>1337969
Am I the only contestant bending the rules like this? I feel kinda bad about it.

>>1337958
You can trust somebody and then not think its a good idea to ask for their help. I mean how do you think its going to look if not only a Kestrel but one of Roarke's wives are trying to steal someone from under Avalon's nose. And how do you think Roarke will react when he hears that Clemmy disobeyed him and caused political issues with Avalon? In character its very likely Caesar would know how bad this will reflect on the Kestrels if he gets caught and would want to distance himself from them.

>>1337969

Actually, let me think about this a little. I did say the hovertank used electromagnetic repulsors, after all.

>>1337986
Except this situation could go badly either way and can be spun a matter of ways. Going in without anyone knowing is a bad idea because it means we cannot react properly or assist. Getting her in the end will cause a political incident anyways. Saying before or after won't change much once we succeed.

>>1337986
If you want to go full hotblooded, we can always fly with a spacesuit and a jetpack to the ship and invade it under the Oliver's nose.

All or nothing style, he would need to roll to grab us with penalties anyway if he tried to stop us(using his weapons would be even harder), and could overlook something as small as a person in middle of space anyway depending on the angle we use.

But this is Akai's levels of space madness.

File: 1491260857538.jpg (87 KB, 1280x720)

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>Our course of action so far

>>1338022
Dutch... The Avalonians stole her first... And she already was a Kestrel at that time...
The political incident already happened, we aren't fighting over it just for diplomatic reasons, but we wouldn't be the bad guys for trying it.

And Ceasar working alone? Even the Duke would see it for what it is: A boy trying to rescure the girl he loves.

But you know what? I think I already knows what will happen.... Naomi is going to convince him to go to Avalon with her, and then things will get REAL CRAZY.

But they will need to survive the three-way betrayal battle royale that is going to happen anyway before it comes to happen.

>>1338022
Yes it will, sending her a text before we head out saying "On an Avalonian ship to save Naomi" is a different thing then going up and asking her to be a part of this plan. Its the difference between Aiding and Abetting and being an Accomplice to a crime.

>>1338039
>inb4 hurting your hands on the plastic edges by trying straighten them out to have a more perfect look on the points the they connect to parts.
Don't be those guys who failed to steal the flag, please use scissors.

>>1338024
You know... I think this could work... We could go full char on episode one of zeta with it and explode a whole to get in, we just need the explosives and lucky enough to sneak by the oliver or dodge him until we get a change of getting in.

He rolls at -4 or -5 to grab someone? It would leave kirito at +15, no? Could work.

Seriously... Do anyone else have a plann beyond this? where are we even going? Do you guys want to get help from our bros and risk the consequences of having a fight between two Paladins and Soul C plus K-Swordfish?

>it's a tie

Damn it, you guys. As a compromise, you'll text her about it when you're off the ship but not approach her now.

NEXT QUESTION!

>[Go to the Rhinehawk's mechbay...and note, tourney mecha are on Auditorium itself, but the K-Swordfish is on the Rhinehawk]
>[Go to Auditorium. Your mech isn't here, but you might find other allies there and a way onto the ship that doesn't involve assaulting it with the Swordfish]
>[

>>1338133
>>[
Clearly the best option, using the power of the void to guide us through.

>>1338133
>>[Go to Auditorium. Your mech isn't here, but you might find other allies there and a way onto the ship that doesn't involve assaulting it with the Swordfish]
Almost certain taking the Swordfish will tip off everyone and Roarke will be called to stop us and that will just buy time for Avalon to mobilize.

>>1338133
>[Go to Auditorium. Your mech isn't here, but you might find other allies there and a way onto the ship that doesn't involve assaulting it with the Swordfish]

As tempting as the Swordfish would be, that would be screaming what Caesar is going to do.

>>1338136
Okay, got me to giggle a bit.

>>1338133
>>[Go to Auditorium. Your mech isn't here, but you might find other allies there and a way onto the ship that doesn't involve assaulting it with the Swordfish]

>>1338133
>[Go to Auditorium. Your mech isn't here, but you might find other allies there and a way onto the ship that doesn't involve assaulting it with the Swordfish]

>>1338133
>[Go to Auditorium. Your mech isn't here, but you might find other allies there and a way onto the ship that doesn't involve assaulting it with the Swordfish]

We aren't assaulting an Avalonian warship with a single Mech. We need to be as subtle as a surgical knife, not alerting the Avalonians.

>>1338133
>>[Go to Auditorium. Your mech isn't here, but you might find other allies there and a way onto the ship that doesn't involve assaulting it with the Swordfish]
That was a hard choice, dueling Oliver could be very cool.

>>1338133
>>[Go to Auditorium. Your mech isn't here, but you might find other allies there and a way onto the ship that doesn't involve assaulting it with the Swordfish]

>>1338153
we would have to wait a while. The Ubermenchkin is at the tourney eating his body weight in mint chocolate ice cream

File: Shrug.jpg (80 KB, 1300x863)

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>>1338131
Isolate and disable a non-important Avalonian with a helmet hope they aren't made of solid rock like Dave from Engineering and go from there?

>>1338133
>[Go to Auditorium. Your mech isn't here, but you might find other allies there and a way onto the ship that doesn't involve assaulting it with the Swordfish]
Dunno who could and would help though.

Let's list out or options.

Victor and Not!Solaire with the complicated name I didn't bother remembering to spell are out, being branwashed Greenman cucks. They're out.
Skunk would just torch Naomi. Out.
Katherine would just go with whatever Rosita wanted. Out.
The mercs might help if they knew if wouldn't get them kicked out of the Kestrels. So almost certainly out.
Walter might help if Caesar has a secret Eurobeat stash. Maybe.
Finn would probably bisect her, if he got past doing a lone, on foot charge at the Avalonian ship. Out, but unmatched style points.
Inari and Marciana might just do the "helpful old lady thing. Maybe.
Akai would probably help if Caesar promised some candy and/or weeb merch. If she can keep it from Cuck #1. I mean Victor.
Maybe Mai would help if Caesar called her cute or something? Probably?

Anyone I'm missing?

>>1338160
>>1338153
>>1338150
>>1338148
>>1338144
>>1338143
>>1338141
Okay... Auditorium seem to be the final choice...

I'm going to vanish for a bit, meanwhile, who should we go after.

I really want to see Ceasar reunited with Soul C... But this could end even worse if we attack with UJCIDF mechs, and we don't know how they would react to all the "I'm dating the Lady's clone" thing...

Using the tourney's losers mechs could work too, or even getting some of them on our side, as they are independent agents (or at least would be more probably seem as such), but we don't have much reason to trust them, even if using their mechs would probably be more easier than hijacking a tern.

>>1338164
Nope, he is out there, again, check Wong's post about the ship floating in space with the "Golden bastard" guarding it.

>>1338193
Aaaaaand? The average avalonian can't just go boarding around shuttles without permission, and the only with mechs in Auditorium at the moment are Magnarus and Victor.

>>1338193
Too bad the Wraith's trashed. A stealth suit would have been helpful.

>>1338193
Zemiwit Stern, Amos Wedge, Simon Biggs, Gerret Luxol,

>>1338206
It'll work better than walking up and asking to be let on.
I don't see you coming up with anything sneaky.

Oh wait, what about Metal Gear Moe? I forgot about him.

>>1338222
Maybe Soul C but god no for Stern, he would definitely cause way to much trouble by helpings, and would probably want Naomi to come back with him.

>>1338230
Too busy fighting a cougar and losing

>>1338222
>>1338230
Hmm, forgot about Moe, but he seems like someone who would tell Roarke anyway.

SOUL C seems like it.

>>1338236
How are you so good at this, Thunder?

I should mention that Victor and Magnarus can't just go hopping onto the Duke's ship. They're hostages, which means they're honor-bound to stay where they are until ransomed back to Avalon. It's a sign of trust that Roarke is letting them participate at all.

>>1338251
Part of being an actor is understanding a character to point of being able to be them, its a good skill to learn.

>>1338253
they might be able to arrange some transport over

And now I'm feeling viciously unwell. Game resumes tomorrow, probably a half-hour late but it might be at the usual time depending on what's going on.

>>1338284

I think it's something I ate, I'm not sick or anything, I just can't stay off the toilet.

>>1338284
Health comers first. Take care, Wong.

>>1338253
Cutting the easy options off, huh

Well, what now?

>>1338284
Alright then, hope you feel better.

>>1338193
The Avalonians could indirectly help by letting Cesar use their mechs and acess codes and pretending that he just stole them, because of "muh honor" of letting the boy rescue his girlfriend(If he manages to not tell them about who his girlfriend is.)
Walter is a mercenary like the rest... Would it really risk their positions in the kestrels? they aren't kestrels yet anyway.
The old ladies could be nice... But they also have no reason to get involved and marciana is a Noble who could get caught up in problems depeding on what we do with her mech.

Akai would do it for fun... But she would charge Ceasar anyway.
I doubt Mai would do it for any reason.

>>1338244
I really want to see SOUL C complete in action again... But imagine what could happen if they just hijacked a tern Black Ops style like last time? And more, why would the Avalonians let them in anyway even if they did?
Well... Maybe Garret could come up with something using his authority...
Wait, this could be a nice idea.

What about asking Garret to visit the ship with them as his personal guard? And Meanwhile he is talking to the countess or whatever, Cesar breaks apart from the group and sneaks around!

What go wrong!?

>>1338284
I hope you get better soon Wong... Thanks for running man, it was a honor to be able of being a part of this again.

>>1338293
Steal an Avalonian uniform and sneak onto the ship, or have soul c cause a distraction and have people deal with that while Caesar sneaks onto the ship.

I can still discuss stuff and maybe slowly write a plot post or two, but I don't consider it "running" unless I'm sitting, at my desk, at my laptop, being responsive and active. Sorry, guys. I blame the Chinese.

GUYS

What do you think about using Garret's name and money to fake an audience with the Duke?

Then we could get in and save Naomi by pretending to go to a bathroom, again!

I mean... Didn't the Duchess want to talk to him anyway? They probably can't kidnap him at this point anyway, could they? What could go wrong?

>>1338321
How well know is Caesar's face by the people on the Duke's ship?

>>1338306
>>1338315
Well, flying there on a non standard Avalonian mech would be very visible and be suicide, so we have to sneak in on an Avalonian craft of some kind.

That could be helped with a distraction from anyone willing to do it, but that depends on how well the Avalonians check their cargo and whatnot.

>>1338326
Or we might be able to do this. But if we get found out, they're in some deep shit.

>>1338330
I'm not Wong, but the Duke didn't get to see his face during that battle, only heard him through the comms.
So unless he got intel on him from Hastur or Naomi, he probably wob't recognize him.

Also... How would we even be able of knowing how far he knows?

>>1338330

None of them have ever seen him. For that matter, none of them know what his dad looks like, either, although a mech with a giant lance and monohorn might raise some red flags among the older ones...or it might not, because Avalonian mecha love their lances and some copy the monohorn design just because it looks badass.

>>1338336
We could shadow the entrance to the ship and wait till we see someone come shore side and then knock them out and steal their uniform and then go on the transport.

Just out of curiosity, and I'm not saying that I have anything planned for this, but which of Roarke's waifus do you think would actually be willing to help?

>>1338344
Maybe Karen, she was a love sick girl who would do anything for the man she loves for most of her teens and she isn't as politically savvy to know how bad of an idea this is politically unlike the rest of the waifus.

>>1338344
Sam and Clemmy would be on board
Fatima wouldn't
Karen might, but she has mechs to fix.

>>1338336
I call this plan: "G: The money of SOUL and Avalonian control."
>Garret talks to Magnarus about how he heard that his countess is the apprentice of the Duchess(Ceasar overheard this if I'm not mistaken, in one of Lori's scenes) and how the Duchess wanted to talk to him before she got captured and him wanting to talk to the Avalonians because of this special situation and etc...
>Blue Knight and his "personal guard"(Simon and Ceasar) go with him "just fo formality".
>Cesar fakes having a belly ache, again.
>Following Cesar's suggestion(from whatever Cesar knows about the time Roarke met the Duke) Garret gets the Duke talking about ancient avalonian history.
>The Duke just won't shut up about it as the huge history nerd he is.
>Meanwhile, Cesar is duking it out with another Rothchild... I mean... Sneaking around.
>Find and save Naomi.
>"Oh no, how could I know that the new guy was the son of Rudolph Merrow himself with a revenge to take on the avalonians? I never could have know that as I was in Space Vietnyan this whole time!"
>RUN CEASAR, RUN!
>????
>Profit.

Bonus point if he manages to discover the avalonians secret plan while doing that.

>>1338376
No way would Sam help, she doesn't like Avalon at all and is friends with Naomi but she would realize that now wasn't the time for it.

>>1338344
I was also thinking Karen. Maybe Clemmy..

Also, I would be okay with Walter helping Caesar if it comes down to it, especially if Caesar told Walter it's for his girlfriend. Want to see some shenanigans.

>>1338344
In order of likelyhood...
Sam, to hurt the Avalonian's morale.
Karen. I just have a feeling she would want to.
Rosita because it would be a great heist.
Clemmy because she's a nice, good girl.
Then there's Lori and Fatima, who almost certainly won't help. Lori because spores, Fatima because she'll want to kill Naomi herself.

>>1338344
Fatima. Parallels between Roarke rescuing her and us rescuing Naomi. Point out that she was only okay because she wasn't mind controlled for long and Naomi might not have much time left if any.

>>1338344
Sam, because she risks everything for love.
Karen... Because she could just do it indirectly and knows very well what is like to have great obstacles in the way of your love.
Maybe Clemmy, depending on how right or wrong Oda was about the yandere thing.
Rosita wouldn't risk everything because this is the worst time to do it(and would potentially ruin her wedding and fun).
I don't know about how Lori would react, bit I bet she wouldn't help as Naomi is a soldier and knew the risks of getting involved in this war(And she doesn't know and potentially doesn't believe in the brainwash thing).
Fatima wouldn't risk everything that is going on at this point just to save the Lady's clone, that she probably would rather kill.

>>1338382
Does anyone have an opinion about this plan? Even a simple "No, don't do this." could help us getting forward with this.

Hey Wong, what have Duncan and Cornelius been up to lately? Its been a while since we've seen either of them? And how is Master Asia dealing with all these people on the colony when he needs to go get liquor?

>>1338382
Hmm, it's something, although if we end up fighting Dayve the Avalonian Engineer, that could be horrible.

>>1338382
He would send a guard or two with us to the bathroom and if we somehow got away from them and ran into anyone else we would immediately be detained for trespassing.

>>1338438
will Caesar stumble upon Colonel Sturn having a spirited game of checkers with a Tiger?

>>1338344
Worse idea - Fairchild. Screw over Avalon, and drive a wedge between them and Roarke, and piss Roarke off. She might go for it.

Also just thinking about our blackmail regarding 16-psych it might be worth using that as negotiation leverage with Fairchild to keep Lori and Naomi instead. Despite being the worst human ever, she has been shown to be capable of working with us like in the battle where we lost Naomi even though she a crazy bitch.

Cloning is crazy tabo, and we have evidence of her being involved with the clones of psych-16. Or forced bred genestock from women like the ones the green skulls which is still super fucking bad. They themselves are the evidence, and are too notable to be disappeared especially the ones in the military.

By offering to help her keep it secret though, we aren't protecting her but those girls who were used and now are in the goddamn JCIDF. Might strike her in an unexpected place.

>>1338468
I would rather keep it as an ace in the hole to stop a plan of hers rather than a bargaining chip. Like save it for if she decides to declare war or invade us.

>>1338446
>" sorry mon ami, I can't let you seeThe Lady, thing are about to get dangerous!"

>>1338413

A point about Loriette. You don't HAVE to frame it as "I want to re-kidnap Naomi." You could also frame it as "I want to see Naomi." We know that Caesar is a massive threat

>>1338438

Those two specifically are getting 16-Psyche up and running again. I remember someone calculated how many tourney mecha could be produced from there each day, but I forget the specifics.

>>1338516

Er, we know Caesar is a massive threat, the Avalonians don't. If you'll recall, the Duke actually likes Caesar quite a lot and thinks he's a spirited kid who's unfortunately on the wrong side and can't help being Rudolph Merrow's son.

>>1338516
If that's the case, Lori can actually be quite the asset.

>>1338539
If we go that route than Avalon knows we're meeting up with Naomi and stealing her away will be next to impossible.

>>1338344
Clem would in a heartbeat.
Karen is a maybe if she isn't busy helping out with the tourney.
Fatima wouldn't because the act would be detrimental to the negotiations after Space Jam
Sam's heart says go, but she'll try to stop Caesar if he goes in without a concrete plan.
Siren is a maybe because she's a romantic but this cuts into her limelight with Roarke
Lori is a flat no.

>>1338344
Hear me out - Bruce. Kelly. Tell him they called him Friend.

>>1338605
I wonder did Harlock take Pommade back to Bruce for some good old revenge? We still need to go convince him to come join our crew, maybe offer to split some loot if he comes on a mission or two with us as an independent contractor?

>>1338612
"How would you like to violate Fairchild?"

>>1338618
Would be easier to just offer him all the Vegemite he can eat.

Feeling better, can run a while longer if people are still here. Maybe an hour or so.

>>1338624
that requires us to have vegemite. Aussies know when we have it or not.

>>1338629
Do it

>>1338631
It can't be that hard to make, put Karen on the job.

>>1338629
Yay!

Still here. Lets see how badly this kidnapping operation goes.

>>1338574

Lori might be pliable if we lie to her that we just want to see her.

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You make your way out of the Rhinehawk, your heart beating so fast you're amazed it doesn't tear your skin. You're having a little trouble keeping calm. You didn't stop to talk to Clemmy, who you suspect would bundle you right back into your room and guard you personally, both because of Roarke's orders and because of the danger you're undoubtedly throwing yourself into. You're lucky there's such a crowd, but as you make your way onto the colony and out of its spaceport, that thins out a little.

You've had enough time to explore Auditorium, you know it fairly well, but...you're not sure where to go or what to do. Somewhere, there have to be Knights that accompanied this battleship here, and where they are, you know there has to be some way to steal a uniform and infiltrate the battleship itself. It's the parts of this plan in between here and there that elude you as you skulk along with your hands in your pockets. You don't know Avalonian SOP, or how they identify themselves, there are a million things you could do wrong.

On the other hand, Mohammed got away with it. On a Jovian vessel. Under your very nose. Despite having thought it was hilarious later, that makes you feel just a little bit competitive. You don't like losing. No, you don't like it at all. You adjust your shades the way you've seen Roarke Starwind do, feeling bad about Dave and breaking his sunglasses. It feels more and more like you did something you'll need to pay him back for later. You resolve to do so. It's the right thing to do. You pause, leaning on the rail overlooking the lake, and gaze out at the waters glittering in the artificial light. There are definite signs that Auditorium has a lot more people around than usual, but the roads are pretty clear. People are eating, talking, celebrating with their friends...and with a pang, you wonder where yours are. Mohammed is probably on Kestrel business. Clemmy...you sigh realizing that you were wrong, she probably would have helped you because it's the way she is. Getting her in trouble with Roarke wouldn't have been the right thing to do, though. You stand by your decision on that. Hurting one person who didn't deserve it was enough.

The breeze off the lake feels good. It goes where it wants, unbound by anything but the walls of the colony, beholden to no one and nothing. It carries a strange, rhythmic clacking to your ears, and glancing around, you notice a small lakeside shop. Nothing fancy, it has fuel, groceries, liquor, and a small wharf overlooking the lake with a cover overhanging some tables where people can eat lunch. Two older men are sitting at one of these tables, playing a board game of some kind. One has his back to you, and is wearing a broad straw hat. He has an umbrella with a cane-like handle leaning against the table. His posture is oddly familiar. The other has a small, neat mustache and a long braid.

From here, it looks like they're playing checkers.

>[Approach]
>[Leave them be]

>>1338643
>>[Approach]
Old man checkers can surely help.

>>1338643
>>[Approach]
Man if anyone would help save a loved one from being mind controlled it would be Master Asia.

>>1338643
>[Approach]

They seem friendly enough. Probably have some wise things to say.

While we're waiting, what's been your favor fight so far anons? For me I think the fight with Lori since it had a lot of back and forth and felt like a real battle.

>>1338693

The lori fight was our closest fight to date.

Unless you count the near reactor explosion caused by that martian.

>>1338693
Gonna have to agree with you there, I was re-reading it a few days ago and it's still as thrilling as it was when it was first posted.

>>1338693
I have to say the fight against Oda is my favorite because that was the first fight where someone actually was a challenge.

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You start making your way down the steps towards them, slowly and unhurriedly.

The man with the long braid and mustache glances up at you with disinterest, then back down at the checkerboard.

“Who is it, teacher?” The one in the straw hat asks.

“I never taught you anything, Joseph. You learned it all on your own, somehow. Ours is a debate that will never be solved, whether a weapon can truly be an extension of one's body or not.” The man with the mustache sighs, “Not until you face my newest pupil. It's one of his boys approaching us now to talk to you.”

A lot of things abruptly come into focus. You handle what would be a world-shattering revelation for some a lot better than most. You recognize that voice, for one thing, and the name puts you in mind of something. You'd seen the Colonel draw his sword before, and something about the movement, how precisely he did it, flowing smoothly into a strike without any thought or calculation so that when he didn't instantly attack it was a conscious act of holding back, had always been strangely familiar to you. You can't even begin to count how many times you'd seen it before, to tell the truth, simulated and on a mecha scale. Every time you played Bluegill Joe, you saw that same flash of steel. The only reason you didn't realize it sooner was because, to your mind, it was the proper way to draw.

The other reason it's so easy for you to deal with the knowledge of who you're looking at is a much more simple one. You've seen what overwhelming martial fame can do to a man. You've grown up with it, in the shadow of someone even more famous than Muragi. It holds no awe for you. You've seen a legend bad-tempered and cranky in the morning, with a stiff back and fuzzy slippers on. You've seen him burn his breakfast oatmeal and eat it anyway out of pure stubbornness. You've heard him nag you for not being friendly enough to wealthy, well-born girls who would have made a good match. In a way, as someone who should be Bluegill Joe's biggest fan, you react to meeting him less than anyone else would. After all, you already admired him profoundly as Colonel Stern.

[Continued]