>>1595009
>>‘All right, but YOU’RE going to have to be the one to tell Toecutter that I didn’t have sufficient authorization.’
Let's try this one

>>1595009
>>‘All right, but YOU’RE going to have to be the one to tell Toecutter that I didn’t have sufficient authorization.’

>>1595009
>>‘All right, but YOU’RE going to have to be the one to tell Toecutter that I didn’t have sufficient authorization.’
fuck it, scare him with the threat of superior officer

>>1595009
>>Write-In
"Of course there is procedure to follow. Theres documentation to be submitted. We're just doing it in person."

/Hold up the docket from Takao.

"Get those gates open."

I'm expecting Takao would have filled in the paperwork for the appeal anyways just so. Especially if she was rushing and collecting all the paperwork last night. It's what I'd expect of her.

>>1595009
>>1595143

This.

Also he doesnt have authorisation to view personnel files or the documentation. So he doesnt get to view them.

>>1595009
>‘All right, but YOU’RE going to have to be the one to tell Toecutter that I didn’t have sufficient authorization.’

File: Confidence Dropping.jpg (334 KB, 600x738)

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‘All right,’ you raise your hands in mock defeat, letting out a sigh and reaching for the forms and sheets, which he looks only too glad to hand right back, ‘but you’re going to have to tell Toecutter that I didn’t have sufficient authorization.’

He puts on a grim look, gesturing towards the road behind you without missing a beat.

‘I sure w—’

There it was.

True to your gamble, the mustachioed man turns completely ashen, suddenly losing all manner of fluidity in his movement as he turns back to you, his breath apparently halted by his attempt to process your words. It had been an impulsive rush of idiocy to come here, you admit, but that didn’t mean that you didn’t have a few more fall-backs up your sleeve when just speaking clearly and loudly wouldn’t suffice. There was no way someone that had a nickname like Toecutter with a renown that stretched all the way up to your Admiral wouldn’t have some sort of bearing in the administrative circles … especially not with the strings he was able to pull, however ineffectual they turned out to be.

Your short acquaintanceship with him may have yielded a small boon after all, even if it’s not one you’re particularly proud of doing.

The mustachioed man was practically blubbering, clearly struggling for more than just words.

‘Are you … talking about … oh.’

Now that you knew where you had him … you decide to play it up a little bit more, lifting up the sheets and forms and roughly gesturing to them, as though exasperated.

‘You honestly think that I’d drive for three hours with nothing but a paper on appeals with no set date on impulse?’ you practically snarl—not really, but just enough to emphasize your impatience—before shaking your head and leaning back into your chair. ‘Never mind—you know what, none of us want to get in trouble; you just put in a report to Captain Toecutter that I didn’t have sufficient permission and we can just—’

‘H-Hang on,’ he clears his throat, raising his hand to catch your attention.

It’s not long before you’re given a notepad to fill in with certain details—name, purpose of visit and the like—which you do quickly, before being handed what appeared to be several visitor’s tags. Giving the man back his notepad, you give him a respectful salute and a thankful nod, one that he returns with a distinguished salute.

‘I’m sorry to detain you, Commander,’ he apologizes, bowing profusely, ‘have a good day.’

Offering him a small wave, you enter the Imperial Navy Office Compound. A single-level building that sprawled a space that was at least half that of the Yokosuka Admiralty branch. Finding a parking spot, you and Takao jump out of the jeep, clutching your assortment of files, briefcases and folders.

‘You know … I’m not sure if this is a good idea,’ she declares, fidgeting in place.

You turn to Takao, incredulous.

>>1595471
>'Seriously, after all that, now you get cold feet?' (Annoyed)
>'You never struck me as the type to get jitters before a confrontation.' (Pointed)
>'Don't worry so much. They're just a bunch of old guys at a table and you've stared down worse. I guarantee it.' (Assure)
>'Hey, come on - at least this time you got me as a scapegoat if we screw up.' (Joke)
>Write-In

>>1595488
>>'Don't worry so much. They're just a bunch of old guys at a table and you've stared down worse. I guarantee it.' (Assure)

>>1595471
>'Don't worry so much. They're just a bunch of old guys at a table and you've stared down worse. I guarantee it.' (Assure)

>>1595488
>>'Hey, come on - at least this time you got me as a scapegoat if we screw up.' (Joke)

>>1595488
>>'Don't worry so much. They're just a bunch of old guys at a table and you've stared down worse. I guarantee it.' (Assure)

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Your first instinct is to roll your eyes. After all, with every opportunity that she had to back off and say no, her timing of it happening with her on the very doorstep of the people that denied her around every corner was a little impeccable for your brand of flavor. However … your more rational self—the part of you that actually kept your tongue from saying too many stupid things at once—felt empathy. She had done this time and time again, probably … and this was probably further than she ever managed to step, never mind with someone actually going with her all the way. Takao wasn’t scared—she had been here before, after all.

She just hadn’t been here with so much hope.

‘Don’t worry so much,’ you declare in a low voice, placing your hands on your hips and offering her a reassuring upturn of your lips. ‘They’re a bunch of old guys at a table. You’ve stared down worse—I guarantee it.’

She lets out a small guffaw, covering her mouth to keep the rest from coming out. Her eyes shimmer with something—a sort of thanks, a sort of … determination and grit, all rolled up into one steely look that screamed her conviction to the high heavens. There wasn’t much to say to her—Takao was a big girl, after all, and for the big girls like her, the best thing you could do was say the fewest number of words in the most earnest manner that you could. You didn’t want to turn her on your terms.

You just had to tell her that compared to throwing her life out on seas, this was just some paper and jargon rolled up into useless bureaucracy.

‘We’ll be about an hour or two,’ you inform the driver, before turning to Takao. ‘Shall we?’

She doesn’t need telling twice.

The Navy Office Compound is big, but it’s a testament to its well-planned layout that everything seemed to be in accordance with its own specific state of affairs and didn’t bleed. There was a recruiting administrator’s section, a filing office for all the records that had to pass through, a veteran’s affairs administrative body and several dozen other units and sub-divisions dedicated to everything ranging from scrap to housing affairs. There were busy bodies everywhere, too engrossed in their own stack of papers and deafened by the sound of typewriters to so much as notice you.

‘Is this a Navy Office or a Senate?’ You frown, walking down the checkered hallway, several men and women in uniform maneuvering past you. ‘They could seriously use a receptionist.’

‘This place is more of an organization depository and administrative reference and approval. Most bases have their own affairs, but if it spans a service, this is where it’s going to end up.’

‘I always forget that you dealt with the Navy before,’ you shake your head, bemused, ‘you negotiated for Kure, right?’

She stiffens slightly mid-stride.

‘That is correct.’

>>1595921
>'As far as I know, Maizuru, Ominato and Yokosuka re the only bases. What happened to Kure, then?' (Roll a 1d6 each DC:19)
>'Let's go over what we've got so far...' (Last minute revision)
>'Still nervous?' (Casual conversation)
>'You know what? You should take the lead.' (Concede responsibility of the case to her)
>Write-In

>>1595931
>>'Let's go over what we've got so far...' (Last minute revision)

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>1595931
>>'As far as I know, Maizuru, Ominato and Yokosuka re the only bases. What happened to Kure, then?' (Roll a 1d6 each DC:19)
Bugger me for this

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>1595931
>>'As far as I know, Maizuru, Ominato and Yokosuka re the only bases. What happened to Kure, then?' (Roll a 1d6 each DC:19)

Rolled 5, 4, 2 = 11 (3d6)

>>1595931
>>1595948
>>1595951
rolling the remainder

>>1595948
>>1595951
>>1596101
That's a pass. Congratulations.

>>1596101
nice

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‘As far as I know, there were only three bases operating on full arms before the attack,’ you frown, remembering your visit to Ominato—Yokosuka had missed drawing the short stick by some margin. ‘What happened to Kure?’

‘Aside from the acquisition of the property, I was involved in little else,’ Takao informs you, shaking the head as you maneuver past a man who had his nose buried in a file as thick as a brick, ‘most of my hours handling the negotiations was making sense of the technical aspects of the handover … and since the Court of Admirals said that they’d put a proper place to commemorate Atago’s service, I, well … I just jumped in.’

You remember that particular detail too well.

You’re not sure who was worse: the Court of Admirals playing bait and hook with a KanMusu before washing their hands clean or the Committee of Ceremonies for making Takao jump through so many hoops just for another version of rejection for a piece of acknowledgment not even for herself.

‘I hardly remember what half of the things I covered in there were about … only that the Admiralty wanted a fourth site and they wanted it badly enough that they’d re-open terms with the Navy,’ she sighs heavily as the both you come to a halt. ‘After we KanMusu took over the frontlines … they weren’t exactly welcoming of the prospect of being turned into a non-entity.’

‘Sounds a lot like petty resentment,’ you point out. It’s amazing how people could forget just how close they were teetering on the threshold of extinction at times, truly—even with the Abyssals knocking on the door, they could actually afford the banality.

The human race truly was special where it shouldn’t be counted at times, your swear.

‘Whatever it was about,’ Takao goes on, shaking her head, ‘Kure … well, it didn’t seem to amount to anything. Even the fairies didn’t know what the Admiralty wanted to do with it, but being fairies … they let a lot of things slide under their awareness where you humans are concerned.’

There’s a little bitterness there … and you’re not sure if it’s entirely without merit. One point does catch your attention, however.

‘The fairies don’t know about Kure?’

Takao shakes her head. That was strange. Considering everything KanMusu-related involved the fairies, it was quite puzzling to find that they weren’t in the know on the whereabouts, let alone the purpose, of a whole base.

Placing your hand on a door, you push it open … revealing an old man in a Navy hat at a table, surrounded by mounds upon mounds of paperwork and the stale scent of tobacco assaulting your nose. He looks up from his seat, his look one of annoyance.

‘If you’re not here to pick up these babies, you can get out.’

You flash a familiar envelope, looking straight at him.

‘Sorry to barge in, but I think we're overdue a little talk, sir.’

INTERLUDE END

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>>1596259
>‘The fairies don’t know about Kure?’
>Takao shakes her head. That was strange. Considering everything KanMusu-related involved the fairies, it was quite puzzling to find that they weren’t in the know on the whereabouts, let alone the purpose, of a whole base.
Calling it, Kure is Admiralty's secret research facility

>>1596271
>blackops magicla research
i mean GL made a sodding zombie shipgirl virus or something back in the day
still
god damn it pepole

>>1596271
I could see that

File: You Get Me, Kiddo.jpg (477 KB, 1504x1504)

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It had only been twenty minutes—at most—but the conversation had dragged on so much that you felt that you had been stuck in here for at least eight hours. The man before you was old, perhaps even ancient, but the steel in his eyes and the strength in his form reminded you that he wasn’t a man that you wanted to prod and poke anymore than you already had. In complete contrast to the wording on the letter, he seemed at least reasonable enough to offer both you and Takao a seat and some coffee—even if the seats felt like they were probably pulled out of an ancient Lord’s tomb and the coffee tasted like bitter, boiling muck.

‘Like I said before,’ he speaks a slightly-lowered voice, blowing on his cup, ‘as it is, the processing of your request isn’t a conventional measure done by the administration of the Navy. The Committee of Ceremonies has its hands full with its own brand of cement and wood … and thus far, the subject of your asking isn’t one that we’re able to comply with as things are. A review can be made for a later date, but we cannot promise agreement or rejection without proper consideration from the Committee as a whole; so even if I wanted to do something, I can’t get anything running without everyone’s head on the same page.’

You have a few choice words for that, but you stay in your seat, regarding him silently.

If you botched it now, that whole trip would come to nothing.

‘The consideration is something special—your term of service isn’t even under the anchor and rope,’ he says pointedly, pushing his chair back and getting to his feet, ‘and it’s not like I’ve thoroughly ignored the request, but something like this hasn’t been done without precedent’—he spares Takao a quick glance—‘no offense meant, of course; but it still remains that your need for a military burial under the Navy, can’t be done because you’re just not part of the Navy. You’re a … well, to put in layman’s terms, not one of us.’

You’re not sure if he meant just the Navy or if there was a more malicious intent by those words. Turning to Takao, you see that all she does is nod—the only indication of her feelings on the matter are the line that was in place where her lips once were … and the stiffness in her shoulders as she regarded the man before her.

‘Your case for your sister, isn’t it, for her burial, would in fact,’ he hesitates, making a show of hands, ‘cause an uproar—we’d be seen as giving consideration to someone who we’re barely acquainted with, not to mention that it’d be seen as encroaching on the Admiralty’s jurisdiction and how the perception of the administration would look in the eyes of the soldiers and their families under the waiting list.’

You had an answer for that, too, but you didn’t want to trip over yourself over one question.

‘Do you understand where we’re coming from … Commander?’

>>1598080
>‘So is this how you weave around people or are we just a special case, Mr Yeoman?’ (Dry)
>‘So basically what you’re telling me is that you’re putting in a “no”, am I right?’ (Redirect)
>‘That’s triple and you know it, sir.’ (Upfront)
>‘Is that really how you want to play this? That there’s some kind of big picture?’ (Accusatory)
>‘That’s that, then. Don’t want to stir the hornet’s nest anymore than we have.’ LEAVE
>Write-In

>>1598094
>>‘That’s tripe and you know it, sir.’ (Upfront)

File: Than+what+is+up+with+peop(...).png (55 KB, 224x200)

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>>1598094
>‘That’s triple and you know it, sir.’ (Upfront)

>>1598094
>‘That’s triple and you know it, sir.’ (Upfront)

>>1598080
>‘So basically what you’re telling me is that you’re putting in a “no”, am I right?’ (Redirect)

File: Yeoman.jpg (742 KB, 2060x1236)

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‘Excuse me for being upfront, sir,’ you lean back, the words coming to you as you stare straight at the standing Yeoman, ‘but that’s tripe and you know it.’

He chuckles darkly, regarding you with a look that betrayed his own emotions.

There was contempt there—but not enough for you to back off and hide behind Takao’s skirt.

‘You’re welcome to your opinion,’ he answers coolly, and you find yourself staring down at the emblem on your left breast, ‘Commander’—he stiffens with the title, but otherwise doesn’t show any more visible contempt than usual—‘but that doesn’t change the fact that you are asking for something that there is no obligation to be given, but one that is earned and bestowed to those who are deserving.’

‘I think Atago’s deserving,’ you respond in kind, intertwining your gloved hand with your rough prosthetic’s digits, ‘even if it’s not by you, don’t you think that the fact that she died in the line of duty would be even worth that much consideration from anyone else?’

His shoulder slump, if only briefly, as he takes a packet of cigarettes out of the pocket of his uniform.

‘It certainly isn’t,’ he concedes, before collecting himself, ‘at least not by the standards of your Admiralty, or your associate here wouldn’t have bothered to even come here and take this matter directly—I’m bestowing a boon of my own by allowing this breach of protocol to discuss this unorthodox request of yours, but if you insist on pressing without so much as a consideration of your own for the responsibilities of my station as the de-facto administrator for Committee of Ceremonies, I don’t think that we have much to discuss beyond that, now, do we?’

‘I don’t,’ you reply, shifting your focus to the table, not quite confident at pushing him that much just yet, ‘but I can certainly argue the point that you’re skirting an issue to the side of the populists than actually putting your own weight behind anything you say.’

Or maybe you were—sometimes you just couldn’t stop yourself from saying some things.

‘You might want to watch how direct you go,’ he rakes a warning tone, approaching and staring down at you, ‘Commander.’

You stare at him neutrally, unwilling to back down yourself.

‘This isn’t one of those newfangled … what was it again? Courtroom dramas,’ he growls, sitting on the table, ‘on those damn television sets you kids watch. You’re still in the middle of negotiations … and I still have a say in whether you’re going to get what you came for or not.’

You’re not drawn in.

‘Atago’s memory deserves a forthright answer,’ you return coolly, ‘if you’re going to keep dancing around it, a simple no will suffice.’

Takao stares at you.

‘I’m not saying no,’ the Yeoman replies, confusing you, ‘but there isn’t a case here for me to approve your request, either.’

>>1598304
>'Then what ARE you saying, really?' (Go with his flow)
>'What are the cases for consideration then?' (Aggressive)
>'This is just something you keep on the desk for the sake of expedience or do you really believe what you're spouting?' (Pursue)
>'I don't understand you - I thought you military folks celebrated a man laying their life down for another.' (Pointed)
>'Thank you for your time, then. We're done here.' LEAVE
>Write-In

>>1598327
Be careful. There is only one correct answer here. There's also a write-in you can make that if you address the point, will constitute a pass. But think very carefully.

>>1598338
I also promised I would be as unhelpful as possible, but if you want a hint, go back to your conversation with Toecutter to see what might help you. You can also do a write-in, and if it addresses a certain point, I'll constitute that as a pass.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/1181357/

it helps

>>1598327
>Write-In
"She served as any other man with the badge but she is still denied the proper burial any other soldier would get in her place. The denial of a proper burial would both be dishonoring to Atago's service and to all those who came before her and laid down their lives for us."

>>1598603
supportin

>>1598327
supporting this>>1598603

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‘She served like anyone else who died under your emblem,’ you start, staring straight up at the squint-eyed man, ‘but considering just how you’re considering death, Yeoman, I can tell that that’s not worthy enough to be given a soldier’s burial, is it?’

He stares down at you, a cold light in his eyes.

‘I’d sure like to toss this coffee in your face,’ he says pointedly, ‘but I’m afraid that it’d only make you less ugly.’

‘Denying the deeds of a soldier who laid down her life for the sake of those couldn’t fight at all is the same as denying those that fought and laid down—and those who will lay down their lives for this country—and for humanity,’ you power on, getting to your feet and now staring down back at him. ‘I don’t get what procedure you go through or what … what you think is the right thing to do under those piles of paper, but I know that you’re a soldier, sir. You know this fight—you know the fight better than any of us do; and that it doesn’t matter at the end of the day who lays their life down for their friends and comrades … but that they did. Without hesitation or complaint, Atago did the same, asking for nothing in return. She paid it in full.’

You gesture to Takao, who was looking everywhere but right at you.

‘Atago isn’t asking to be remembered,’ you continue, ‘but Takao hopes that you do—just like everyone else who took a bullet for the man next to them. This isn’t about what’s due, sir—this is about what we always owed the man fighting next to us: remembrance.’

He looks up at you, his expression as stoic as before.

‘I’m not here to force your hand, sir—but if you think Atago’s sacrifice is something worth forgetting, I want you to at least tell the both of us that that’s all it’s worth,’ you finish, a little hesitantly. ‘That’s all I have to say … Officer.’

He takes a sip from his coffee, pushing himself up and approaching Takao.

‘May I?’

He gestures to the files. Takao quizzically hands them over to the Yeoman, who opens one of them and mumbles to himself for a while, going through the sheets of paper slowly, one by one … before closing it and shaking his head.

You expect the worst.

‘I’ll have to fit you in for a special circumstances burial, and you’ll have to pay for a band or something because the Committee’s got all of them book—’

He doesn’t have the opportunity to finish his words. Takao tackles him with such force that you can’t help but yelp for the Yeoman’s safety, his coffee spilling over the floor messily as she lifts him on his feet. The Yeoman, to his credit, however, doesn’t struggle against her hold, rolling his eyes and glaring at you—although it’s not quite as steely as you expected it to be—as he’s held as tightly as a steel pillar.

Finally, she sets him down.

‘THANK YOU!’

He doesn’t smile back … not really

>>1598916
>‘What’s a Special Circumstances Burial?’
>‘What do we have to organize for ourselves?’
>‘What … changed your mind?’
>‘Thank you, Yeoman. We’ll take our leave now.’ LEAVE
>Write-In

>>1598934
>>‘What do we have to organize for ourselves?’

>>1598934
>‘What do we have to organize for ourselves?’

>>1598934
>>‘What do we have to organize for ourselves?’

>>1598934
>‘What … changed your mind?’

>>1598934
>‘What do we have to organize for ourselves?’

>>1598934
>>‘What do we have to organize for ourselves?’

>>1598934
>‘What do we have to organize for ourselves?’

File: APPROVED.jpg (212 KB, 698x1000)

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‘What do we have to organize for ourselves?’

‘A band, if you want one,’ he states, grumbling as he stares at the puddle of coffee—which really looked more like an oil spill, thick as it was, ‘and if you want anything more than a standard 8-man salute, you’re going to have to pull that yourself, too, because that’s all you’re going to get.’

‘Is there a hook or something?’ you cross your arms, hoping that the finer details would be fleshed out a little bit more.

‘No hook,’ he shakes his head, raising his hand earnestly, ‘but even with duty, there’s some protocol to be followed—I’ll slip you into the detail and scrounge up the funeral, but you’ll have to wait for about a week, maybe two, before we’re able to get one properly up to detail.’

You balk, finding it hard to believe that you needed to wait even more for this to reach its conclusion.

‘Two weeks?’

‘Son,’ he begins patiently, crossing his arms, ‘you’d be surprised how many people have to wait two months—if you got some mouth on you, I’d sure like to hear it right now.’

You wisely shut up.

‘All right,’ he declares, rolling his shoulders as he turns from you to Takao, ‘I think that considering that—according to the form, you’re the technical next of kin for the deceased … so if it’s all right with you, I’d like a moment of your time to go through a few things, if you will? Privately?’

You turn to Takao, who gives you an assuring nod—you leave the room, reluctantly, entering the hallway with the checkered floor, closing the door behind you. Letting a breath that you didn’t know you were holding for so long … you fall against the wall, a smile playing on your lips as you slide down into a crouch, elation assaulting you from every corner. It had worked. Against all odds and what you perceived to be the violation of a logical outcome, you had impossibly pulled out an undisputed, utter victory. You had come all the way here expecting an answer—and a declination of every word you could possibly spout.

And yet, here you were, celebrating a win that could have so easily ended up with you being humiliated.

You don’t even notice how much time passes by … or Takao, until she taps you lightly on the top of your head. Getting to your feet, you find yourself face-to-face with a smile; impossibly wide and unfathomably brilliant.

‘That’s that, then,’ she chirps, happily lifting up a familiar-looking form, browned, battered … with brand new green stamp.

APPROVED

>‘You know … I never questioned it before, but why were you so insistent on giving Atago a burial under a Navy Flag?’ (Inquire)
>‘I think that I deserve a little … payment, in return, don’t you think?’ (Flirt)
>‘That went quite well—do you mind if we stop by some place on the road for a bite?’ (Casual)
>Stay Silent
>Write-In

>>1599297
>>‘That went quite well—do you mind if we stop by some place on the road for a bite?’ (Casual)

>>1599297
>>Write-in
Big Hug first

>>‘That went quite well—do you mind if we stop by some place on the road for a bite?’ (Casual)

>>1599297
>>‘You know … I never questioned it before, but why were you so insistent on giving Atago a burial under a Navy Flag?’ (Inquire)

>>1599307
Im going with that, we need some form of celebration.

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You know that it’s entirely appropriate … and really, it shouldn’t have been in this sequence, but your arms are the first to open wide for an embrace, and without so much as a warning for your victim, you wrap them around her. Takao, unsurprisingly surprised by your embrace, squirms briefly as she tries to make sense of your sudden need to hug her. You push her up, your now-considerably more abundant strength deeming it more than enough to hold this woman by the waist, staring up at her with your one good eye, wearing a smile of joy. Takao, panicking—and more importantly, embarrassed—turns her head left and right, as if scared someone would catch the both of you caught in the throes of sheer elation. She places her palms on your shoulders, her cheeks red as you hold her up, your arms coiling up around her thighs and keeping her in place.

‘C-Commander!’

You set her down. Maybe you weren’t as strong as you thought—your left shoulder had grown a little sore from lifting her up as you had.

‘Come on,’ you start, offering a hand for her to take, ‘let’s get going.’

Giggling as she shuffles all the files onto one side, she takes your offer—and then some.

Hooking her arm around yours, Takao takes the lead, walking with a skip to her step that you would have associated more with Samidare, cuddling with your shoulder as the both of you begin making your way down the checkered hallway … it was a lot busier now, with soldiers and officers chatting hastily or going over their work with one another. Out of the corner of your eye, you spy a man chomping down on what looked to be a sandwich, several folders at his feet as a woman next to him went over the clipboard in her hand.

You hadn’t had anything since this morning … and evening was fast approaching.

‘That went quite well,’ you deliberately understate it, prompting Takao to throw a mischievous look your way, ‘do you mind if we stop by some place on the road for a bite?’

‘Do you really need to?’ Takao frowns, staring at you. ‘Nagato told us to watch what you scarfed down…’

You mumble incoherently. Of course Nagato would be the one to tell the others to keep you from the more addictive vices life had to offer.

‘She said that there was … what is it again?’ she adopts a ponderous tone, ‘she said that she didn’t want to risk you coming down with diabetes or heart problems.’

You roll your eyes. Sometimes she could be more of a worrywart than you could care for, really.

‘I’m not even thirty yet,’ you huff, pouting as you look up at her, ‘do I look like I’m at diabetic risk?’

Takao shrugs in response.

‘If I’m going by the human health index since you took your place as the Division Commander, it could be said that you were unnecessarily in possession of excess,’ she pauses, looking upward as you turned down the next hallway, ‘fat.’

>Write-In

>>1599565
>>Write-In
"Am not." (Play argue)

>>1599565
"I'm not fat, just my bones that are too large."

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‘I am not,’ you defend yourself, albeit a little playfully—you could never get too angry with your Division, members, even after the meat grinder that they had put you through during your tenure as Commander … and now was no exception. ‘I mean, look at me right now, I’m the picture of’—Takao adopts an unamused look—‘health.’

That may have been a little further from the truth than anyone would give you rope, but it wasn’t so bad that you weren’t able to at least back it up. Sure, you didn’t have the abdominal contours to argue your point; and of course your forearms was still a little saggy; not to mention the loose skin from your current regime still showed that you needed a little work left before you could get to where you wanted to be; not forgetting, definitely, the embarrassing curve of your chin and jaw where it could be more defined and chiseled…

Maybe you were still a little fat—but it wasn’t so much that you needed someone to keep you at a level where you needed someone to watch what you were eating. With food coming in strict flows, there hadn’t been much time for you to binge anyway … and you did your stretches in the morning and went for high-intensity sessions often enough with the Instructor’s watchful eye on the odd occasion … you certainly had a degree of control of yourself, at least. It wasn’t as if Musashi’s specialty burrito was going to be anything more than an occasional treat … or if you were going to wolf down a huge steak on a roadhouse on the roadhouse to sate your need to chew down on something large and meaty.

‘I’m keeping a strict control over this,’ Takao releases you from her hold … and you realize that your pants had grown a little lighter, as if…

As if you had just been relieved of your lifeline to the outside world: your wallet.

‘If you want to eat, it’s going to be under our eye,’ Takao practically dances in front of you, hands behind her back and mischievously smirking as she maneuvered expertly past the walking yeomen and officers. ‘We just got our Commander, after all, it’d be a shame to see him fall back into his old habits.’

You reach for your wallet—she’s much too fast for you, though.

‘I thought you didn’t mind how I looked!’

Your pleading tone must have been strange—and pathetic enough—to take the attention of the passing men and women, because some of them stop, looking up from their workload to quizzically stare at your pathetically swinging form, eager to get your wallet back.

‘Of course I don’t,’ she says in a sing-song voice, ‘but a good woman always gives what her man needs … and occasionally what he wants.’

You gape, in sheer disbelief. Had Kaga rubbed off on her, too?

A kiss on the nose and she’s off, cackling in amusement, your pudgier self struggling to keep up.

‘Come on, Takao!

INTERLUDE END

File: Admiralty Mobile Office.jpg (40 KB, 633x435)

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There wasn’t much to choose from on your way back.

Most the roadside eateries that you had seen were actually closed up, and in retrospect, you should have actually seen this through—with the fuel rationing as it was and the general somber mood of the country, a lot of the smaller places had upped sticks and gone on. The only thing left had been a hawker selling vegetable-served gohan. After two hours of nothing but closed-down shops, it was something that you settled for; there was a little bit of protest on your part—mostly because the base dish seemed to be soy-seasoned salted asparagus, which was a chore to wolf down without at least a gallon of water on hand. Your driver, of course, had declined at the chance to partake.

Perhaps you had been a little hungrier than you’d previously thought.

The rest of the journey had been uneventful, if a little creepy. The lack of vehicles and the straight road had given a sense of monotony upon your imagination, and Takao and the driver were hardly inclined to follow-up with any topic you could come up with—and your decision to shut up for the final length of the journey ended up having to do more than to not spoil or annoy the driver’s concentration or wear out Takao’s tolerance or like of you than your own tired tongue. You’re thankful by the time to see the usual spotlights of the joint-checkpoint, the bustle of trucks from the Army and the Admiralty, that last bend on the hill informing you that Yokosuka was quite literally around the corner.

You stop at the checkpoint, flashing your tags and documentation as soon as the MP comes up to the vehicle. You’d done this before.

‘Oh, there you are, Commander,’ the MP declares—that was a curious response if you’d ever heard one. ‘The Admiral’s been looking for you.’

‘The Admiral?’ you blurt, bewildered. As far as you knew, there hadn’t been any notice on your stack for a meeting with him. ‘Do you know what for?’

‘Only that he wanted you in his office yesterday,’ he smirks, jabbing his thumb towards the town.

Requesting a detour, you make a beeline for Admiralty HQ. It takes you a little longer than you’re used to—having had the old man being behind the wheel, anything is a little longer—but you get there quickly enough; the driver even turns into the compound, stopping right in front of the trailer. Hopping down and dusting yourself off, you sincerely hope that you hadn’t screwed up a check-up or a form enough that you were due in for a lashing. You let out a breath, still a little hungry, peering around … there didn’t seem to be a whole lot of people on-site.

The base looked to be coming along nicely, however. All it needed was some paint.

‘Sir?’

You turn around to see Takao, both her feet on the ground.

‘Would you like me to come with you?’

>>1603371
>'I could use the support, actually.' (Accept)
>'No, this isn't anything that I can't handle by myself, but thank you.' (Decline)

>>1603383
>>'No, this isn't anything that I can't handle by myself, but thank you.' (Decline)

>>1603383
>>'No, this isn't anything that I can't handle by myself, but thank you.' (Decline)

Did we forget to do something. I can't seem to think of anything right now that might have raised his ire.

Otherwise it might be urgent tasking.

>>1603383
>>'No, this isn't anything that I can't handle by myself, but thank you.' (Decline)

>>1603383
>'No, this isn't anything that I can't handle by myself, but thank you.' (Decline)

>>1603371
>>'No, this isn't anything that I can't handle by myself, but thank you.' (Decline)

File: Admiral 3.jpg (45 KB, 263x225)

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‘No,’ you answer, shaking your head, ‘this isn’t anything I can’t handle by myself, Takao … but thank you.’

You turn on your heel, adjusting your suit and making your way towards the Admiral’s office, eager to get this over and done with without any further delay. If you had somehow drawn his ire, the last thing you wanted was for Takao to share in it right next to you—being the very reason you had dragged yourself out of Yokosuka and ground it out all the way to Ebisu … not that he looked the type to throw his annoyance around without notice, of course, but the last thing you wanted was anything to put a damper on Takao’s mood, especially after she had been waiting for this day for the proverbial eon.

‘I’ll be here waiting for you, then, sir’ she announces, catching your attention. Your prosthesis already raised, you turn, surprised, towards your Heavy Cruiser, her head slightly-dipped.

‘You don’t have to; it might be a while.’

Takao responds by shaking her head.

‘After what you’ve done, sir, believe me … it’s the least that I could do.’

You open your mouth to protest … but find it would be no good—and you didn’t want to argue with her on to go on and head back to the barracks ahead of you right now and pile on another five to ten minutes to the Admiral’s prospective annoyance … so you do the only thing that comes to mind: you agree. Another nod from Takao, and you find yourself face-to-face with the Admiral’s office door … which could have might as well had demonic and foreboding markings all over it instead of the messy finish it had been coated in.

You knock thrice. Two soft thuds and one large thump.

A muffled voice on the other side grants you entry.

Letting out a breath, you turn the knob, heading inside.

The place was as bare as you remembered it … only a lot more well-lit, so there was at least one change.

There was only one other person in the office—its master, rotating around wit the squeak in his chair, his expression unchanging even as he comes to the realization that you were the room’s entrant. You throw up a salute … only to find that he doesn’t return it, instead folding his fingers and setting his elbows on the desk, his gaze barely obscured by his cap’s visor.

‘Commander,’ he begins coolly, the chair creaking in emphasis, ‘just because you have half a whole day that I leave you to do whatever it is you need to do doesn’t mean that I’m happy to let you disappear for close to eight hours. Especially not when you’re one of the only three humans on-site able to defend our position.’

>‘I had to sort out Takao’s affair.’
>‘To be fair, sir, I already put in the slip this morning.’
>‘I apologize, sir. It was … irresponsible of me.’
>‘If that’s all the same to you, sir, I was told that there was something … urgent you needed me for?’
>Write-In

>>1603513
>>‘I apologize, sir. It was … irresponsible of me.’

>>1603513
>‘I apologize, sir. It was … irresponsible of me.’

>>1603513
>‘I apologize, sir. It was … irresponsible of me.’

>>1603513
>>‘I apologize, sir. It was … irresponsible of me.’
"It won't happen again."

>>1603513
>‘I apologize, sir. It was … irresponsible of me.’ We take our lumps like a man

File: TTK Understands.jpg (67 KB, 541x380)

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‘I apologize, sir,’ you bend forwards, bowing deeply. ‘It was irresponsible of me.’

The Admiral gets up from his seat, silent as ever. He walks over to his window, peering outwards, if only briefly, before shaking his head.

‘Commander, I’m not going to hold your hand,’ he finally speaks, turning to face you. ‘In fact, I don’t think any of us have hands free to give. Things may look like they’re getting back on track, but the fact remains that we’re barely at half strength, recruitment is practically non-existent and the public doesn’t want anything to do with us if it doesn’t involve the Abyssals dropping dead in the next five minutes—do you understand just what having this post means right now?’

You fidget in-place. It felt like you were being given a dressing down by a coach for a less than competent performance. You could get what he was getting at—for Takao or no, permission or no, you had put something above your own call to duty. Something that you had—selfless or selfish—foregone for the sake of a task unrelated. You want to protest; that you were doing the right thing … but the Admiral’s point was valid: if a response was required, then your absence would have proven catastrophic.

They needed every man available.

‘I can’t afford to have you off-base unless I’m damned sure that what we have will hold,’ he continues, raising a finger, ‘you know what happened with Hajime. I don’t need to fill you in on how much on edge we are right now, do I, Commander?’

You did.

‘Sir, I… I understand the gravity of my post, sir,’ you stutter slightly, ‘and again, I … apologize.’

‘As of right now, we can’t afford to relieve ourselves from our posts,’ he lectures, hands behind his back. ‘We’ve let two or three successes in a row get us back into our old state of ease—we’re pushing ourselves back into old habits, and that’s what we don’t need right now. We don’t have enough to spare—not with things as they are.’

‘I understand, sir.’

He nods, approaching you. You stiffen significantly, ready for the tirade … before he turns away, his shoulders drooping visibly.

‘The Court of Admirals has decided to form an alliance with the Haszad government,’ he reveals, his voice tight. ‘The ISSF has refused its cooperation thus far, but it’s only going to be a matter of time until they’re strong-armed by the politics into bending over and saying yes … but as of right now, your Carrier’s service has been put on official suspension until further notice.’

He sighs heavily.

‘If you have something to say … well, let’s hear it.’

>‘Kaga and Houshou? Suspended?!’ (Outrage)
>‘It’s always coming down to politics at the end of the day, isn’t it?’ (Jest)
>‘Well, the cracks were already there, weren’t they, sir?’ (Empathize)
>'Orders are orders.' (Resigned)
>Write-In

>>1603837
>>‘It’s always coming down to politics at the end of the day, isn’t it?’ (Jest)

>>1603837
>>‘It’s always coming down to politics at the end of the day, isn’t it?’ (Jest)
>>Write-In
"Whats to happen in the mean time. Will they be required to leave the base or stay put?"

>>1603837
this>>1603845

>>1603845
this

>>1603837
>‘Kaga and Houshou? Suspended?!’ (Outrage)
Honestly, losing carrier support for political bullshit reasons should be grounds for open mutiny.

>>1603837
>>‘Kaga and Houshou? Suspended?!’ (Outrage)

>>1603845
Voting this too

File: I Never Apologized, Commander.png (211 KB, 500x268)

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‘It’s always down to politics at the end of the day, isn’t it?’

‘Unfortunately,’ he grimaces, ‘all actions have ramifications, for better or worse.’

Your shoulders droop as you finally let the implications stew.

‘So Kaga and Houshou are going to be taken off my roster? I can’t say that I’m happy with that.’

‘Unfortunately, the ISSF still holds jurisdiction over their deployment—as it is, the standing request is that all Carrier-based MagiTek operations, deployment and the like is to be suspended until further notice. The Shamans may not have a short fuse, but they’re not playing when they say that they still have a certain degree of dominion,’ the Admiral muses, crossing his arms as he shakes his head, ‘and stoic as they are, they’re not about to let what little steering they left over the course of this war—and our fight—be signed over without a fight. They may be some mystical bastards, but they’re stubborn mystical bastards.’

‘I find it hard to believe that this was the same people that offered us a way out in the first place,’ you say nonchalantly, confusion and disapproval etched into your words. ‘If they wanted to be so uppity about it, they could have just left us to rot.’

To your surprise … The Admiral guffaws. He covers his mouth to hide the rest of his amusement, but the quaking of his shoulders and the doubling-over his form, not to mention that his effort to hide it was so half-hearted enough that you wondered why he even bothered to do so. Straightening his hat, he raises his palm, a gesture to give him a moment to collect himself.

‘The Shamans don’t give a buffalo’s butt about what happens to the rest of humanity, Commander,’ The Admiral corrects you, smirking cruelly. ‘As far as they care about us, we can drown, burn or fall of a cliff. We’re no better than a bunch of baboons to that lot.’

You scrunch your brows in confusion.

‘Then … why?’

‘Because the fairies do,’ The Admiral chuckles, shaking his head as he rights himself. ‘The fairies think that we … as a race, as a species, are worth considering for the future. They think the damn world of us—that we deserve a fighting chance, that we’re … for lack of better word, worthy of their hand in this. I don’t know how they came to that conclusion myself, but…’

He trails off, before letting out a sigh.

‘I never apologized for leaving you to the Court’s mercy, Commander,’ he admits grimly, ‘I know it must’ve been hard to do that alone … considering that I had a hand in pushing you to go after Yamato and Musashi, I should’ve…’

>‘I would’ve gone for them with or without your blessing, sir.’ (Reassure)
>‘I won’t pretend that I felt a little bit abandoned by you, sir.’ (Accusatory)
>‘Well … I’ll accept an apology if you can answer one thing for me…’
>‘Why didn’t you step in?’ (Question)
>Write-In

>>1603873
>‘I would’ve gone for them with or without your blessing, sir.’ (Reassure)

>>1603873
>>‘I would’ve gone for them with or without your blessing, sir.’ (Reassure)

>>1603873
>‘I would’ve gone for them with or without your blessing, sir.’ (Reassure)

>>1603873
>>‘I would’ve gone for them with or without your blessing, sir.’ (Reassure)

"Besides, better a rash junior subordinate on the stand rather than a respected Admiral."

>>1603873
>>‘Why didn’t you step in?’ (Question)

>>1603881
this

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‘I would’ve gone for them, with or without your blessing, sir.’

He snorts.

‘Why do I believe that, Commander?’

The Admiral collects himself soon after, moving back to his place behind his desk and removing his cap, aging years right before your very eyes. There was a strength, a hardy and steadfast quality in his form, but at the same time … you find that this was also a man who had seen too many years of conflict for his own liking—that you think he would be more comfortable with a tool or a weapon in his hands and being at the forefront than he did behind a desk or in the cockpit of a RAY. He reminded you of a chained old tiger, large, powerful … but ultimately shackled. He peers up at you with his aged orbs, wearing a wry smile.

‘Well, have a seat,’ he gestures to the chair on your left, ‘that’s not even going into half of what I need to talk to you about.’

You do as you’re instructed, intertwining your fingers as you waited for his next words.

‘The ISSF is refusing to be cooperative; the Admiralty is cowing itself to the Taiyouga Lords and Haszad’s own government; the Fairies, bless ‘em, aren’t going to so much as wilt at anything the Admiralty wishes to do,’ he pauses, sighing, ‘and we’re stuck in the middle … as always, Commander.’

You frown, wondering what he was getting at.

‘The alliance with Haszad is finalized on all fronts but that last stamp,’ The Admiral begins, sounding a little uncomfortable, ‘but the Admiralty’s still a bunch of hardy asses when they want to be … which is what’s leading them to this.’

The Admiral pulls out a few folders—four of them, of varying thickness and color—from a the pile next to him, grimacing as he pushes them towards you.

‘Sir?’

‘The Admiralty,’ he pauses, albeit briefly, ‘the Court of Admirals thinks that they’re being pushed into a corner too quickly and conveniently for their liking … and as things are, they don’t have any leverage to operate, and by extension, neither do we,’

He spreads the folders, each and every single one of them emblazoned with the same emblem but differently-colored labels.

‘The Admiralty wants to prove that it’s still biting,’ The Admiral reveals, his face hardened, ‘they want to push the defensive line up—and the Court of Admirals wants to do it with emphasis—with or without the approval of the ISSF or any of the prospective coalition members. Four operations—all dedicated to re-establishing dominance.’

>‘Are they insane? The ISSF just put a suspension in and Haszad’s watching! Not to mention the Lords!’ (Outrage)
>‘I don’t agree … but I understand. When you’ve been fighting a war this long, it’s hard to … you know.’ (Resigned)
>‘Sir, I have to protest—they’re asking us to expand forces without a common tactical deployment!’ (Protest)
>‘We’re just cogs in a machine, right?’ (Uncaring)
>Write-In

>>1603912
>‘I don’t agree … but I understand. When you’ve been fighting a war this long, it’s hard to … you know.’ (Resigned)
No point fighting it, no matter how stupid it sounds

>>1603916
>>Write-In
Headdesk. Audibly.
"Sir, I must protest for all the good it would do." (Resigned but the motions still have to be carried out.)

>>1603919
this'll work

>>1603916
>>‘I don’t agree … but I understand. When you’ve been fighting a war this long, it’s hard to … you know.’ (Resigned)

>>1603916
>>‘I don’t agree … but I understand. When you’ve been fighting a war this long, it’s hard to … you know.’ (Resigned)

We would need the GL's support if we wish to object to court's ruling

>>1603916
>‘I don’t agree … but I understand. When you’ve been fighting a war this long, it’s hard to … you know.’ (Resigned)
>operating without carriers
they gone mad, unsurprising really

this is a musashi op
because bet your ass theres gonna be heavy resistance

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‘I don’t agree … but I understand,’ you reluctantly concede, resignation in your voice as you tap one of the folders. ‘When you’re fighting a war this long, it’s hard to … you know.’

The Admiral only sighs in response, as resigned as you were.

‘The Court’s intentions are hardly pure,’ The Admiral comments, looking distant. ‘The only reason they’re following through on this is because of the lack of support from all sides but their own established backers—the ISSF refuses to associate with the Admiralty based on its view that the Admiralty has thus far betrayed their trust in regards to their treatment of KanMusu and the dominion over the magicks and advancements in technology that they have brought by forging this alliance between them and the fairies; the Lords of Taiyouga feels it is time to flex their own waning influence in order to right a ship they feel has gone off course … regardless of the fact if they’re able to read the map or navigate for themselves; our friends in Haszad have their own agenda … and all we know is that they’re willing to let the rest of us drown to have it fulfilled.’

‘Is this about pride, then?’

The Admiral pauses.

‘I think it mostly is, yes,’ he acknowledges, stroking his mustache, ‘but I believe it’s also to return a semblance a control and security over a dominion that they believe to be ours. You know how much we lost in the course of the Assault … that was as close as we’ve ever achieved to anything resembling a proper campaign victory—territories, outposts, early warning lines … all gone in an instant because we refused to account—and forgot—just what the odds were.’

He looks straight at you, his expression stoic, reserved … but otherwise burning.

‘I don’t know if it’s arrogant to think that we can ever measure back up to that … but the Admiralty seems to think that we’re going to need to bring ourselves back up to where we were before if we’re going to have any hope in Hell of pushing through to the end,’ he announces, ‘and they’re willing to do it by pushing it with or without the others.’

‘All this just to prove a point?’

The Admiral laughs, hardly a sliver of humor present.

‘The Court wants to show that they are still the ones that know how best to fight this war … and they’ll break backs and shields to prove it.’

You reach for one of the folders…

MISSION SELECT

>>1603959
>Operation Bronze Warhammer
>Operation Eagle Feather
>Operation Crimson Bull
>Operation Silver Grass

Do we get a chance to see what the missions are?

File: OUTPOST PEGASUS.jpg (53 KB, 650x366)

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OPERATION BRONZE WARHAMMER

Advance Outpost Pegasus was a southern front for the Admiralty’s operations for mission lengths and campaigns beyond that of the typical range. During the invasion by the Abyssals, the Outpost was scoured and all its personnel, numbering at 36, were declared KIA. Scouting reports, however, have discovered that Advance Outpost Pegasus is still in operational/salvageable condition. The establishment of the outpost could prove vital for future expansion operations. The mission is to not re-capture the outpost itself but to eliminate all hostiles that could invade the immediate area and hold it until the outpost is properly established.

Hostile threat within the immediate area is classified as HIGH. Threat levels are known to teeter on the A-rank at most, but no Command Unit appears to be present. However, due to the volatility of the area, there is no guarantee that an A-rank threat would be the only danger present. Exercise extreme caution. Several C-rank threats have been scouted in significant numbers; KanMusu with high piercing capabilities are advised for this mission.

The Advance Outpost must remain intact. Do not engage within a vicinity that could cause potential damage and harm the operational value of the structure.

File: Reeeeee.jpg (10 KB, 240x210)

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OPERATION EAGLE FEATHER

The Admiralty wishes to establish a proper garrison and patrol route in further waters to better prepare itself for any future assault. As it is, the current miracle mile is at its bare minimum—The Admiralty wishes to push it up and supplement potential outposts in order to give a wider berth for response. The coordinates set are rife with Abyssal activity, but no proper offensive force seems to be present. Acquiring this expansion may prove to discourage any designs that they would have on our forces, as well as civilian targets.

There is an A-Rank Command Unit present, but no sign of any other extra forces in the area. The Command Unit seems to have a typical entourage of C-rank units and support units. No known special conditions.

ADDENDUM: The MagiTek Department wishes to research more on the Abyssal Command Unit’s armaments. Disable and retrieve them, if possible.

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OPERATION CRIMSON BULL

A corporation that wishes to remain anonymous has hired several third parties to perform an excavation operation at sea. They have offered handsome money and rewards, as well as pledging manpower, to any endeavor the Admiralty would wish to conduct. Their operation, however, requires a team of KanMusu as an escort, as it is located within the Hot Zone. A continuous defense of the area for an extended duration is required. The assigned team will be the latest in the rotation.

There are no known heavy threats in the area, but due to the fact that the operation takes places in the Hot Zone and that there are human personnel present and on site, it is paramount to ensure that casualties are kept to a minimum.

ADDENDUM: In the event casualties are kept to a minimum or non-existent, it may boost the Admiralty’s bearing with the public. It would be best to use this opportunity to increase our image to the public, but not at the cost of jeopardizing the mission's primary objective.

File: [muffled Rules of Nature (...).jpg (1.44 MB, 1385x725)

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>>1603974
>Several C-rank threats have been scouted in significant numbers; KanMusu with high piercing capabilities are advised for this mission
>piercing capabilities
Does this mean we have to bring melee weapons?

File: FOR BABIES.jpg (133 KB, 500x357)

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OPERATION SILVER GRASS

Some beach goers reported what appears to be several Transport-Type Abyssals near where Hajime used to be. Eliminate them.

>>1604000
It means that a Battleship or Heavy Cruiser is recommended. Or a really, really badass DD/CL

>>1603962
>>Operation Bronze Warhammer

Full speed ahead into the abyss!

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>>1604003
For Eagle Feather, how do we "disable and retrieve" a Command Unit? Rip its limbs off?

>>1604009
You catch on quick.

>>1603959
"Admiral, I'm personally leaning towards either Brone Warhammer or Eagle Feather since I do have Musashi. Whos going to be taking the other one and which are they best suited for."

Just thinking about force allocation. Eg, if the group assigned to the other area has a number of BBs we could do Eagle Feather.

>>1604013
Hypothetically, if we send Musashi to disable a Command Unit, would she obey our order and restrain herself, or are we gonna have to drag her back to sanity before she kills it entirely?

i lean for Re-chan magical brawl
also

from re-chan escort fleet:
The same that the last Command Unit had, maybe.
They usually have 1 or 2 Heavy Cruisers, a LOT of I-Class and some supporting CLs.
Worst case scenario, you get Carriers and BBs.

the outpost:
It served as a secondary non-HQ Outpost.
Basically if a KanMusu needs to recuperate and you're too far out, that's what it was used for.

>>1603962
>>Operation Eagle Feather

>>1604014
It's inconsequential and will end up roll-dependent anyway. You have people doing this just as you are. It's pick-and-choose at this point.

>>1604016
If things get too hectic, you risk losing Musashi altogether from damage. You can tear her tail off but if you're risking too much damage doing it, it's up to you whether to proceed.

>>1604016
I believe dice gods will decide that

>>1603962
>Operation Eagle Feather

>>1603962
>OPERATION EAGLE FEATHER

1 V 1 FIGHT ME FAGGOT

>>1603962
>>Operation Eagle Feather

>>1603962
>Operation Bronze Warhammer

Just an update: No, I will not be introducing "Abyssal Allies". I have made this clear.

>>1605146
What?

File: Teitoku.png (141 KB, 367x259)

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OPERATION EAGLE FEATHER SELECTED

‘Expanding the miracle mile’s something that suits my current speed,’ you decide, dragging the file towards you and going through the notes—it was mostly geographical jargon, but you got the gist of it—it wasn’t any different from the last offensive that you pulled … but hopefully with less interference and unexpected developments. ‘Is this a proper offensive or is this just another scare tactic?’

‘Neither,’ The Admiral declares, leaning back and folding his fingers. ‘As you know, The Court of Admirals wants to use this as a show of force … but in truth, it’s a little more complicated than that: Hajime’s devastation has given the Admiralty real reason to worry in regards to their intercepting capabilities. Half the Court thinks that it’s down to just having our manpower effectively halved … and the other half thinks that the berth—the wiggle room that we have—isn’t enough to compensate that deficiency. They both have good points … which is why they’re pushing for this unorthodox expansion.’

‘You’re saying that a couple more miles and a wider patrol radius could make up a whole defensive maneuver’s effectiveness?’

He stares at you as though you had said the most nonsensical thing on the planet.

‘Of course it does,’ he responds, looking especially confounded, ‘a couple of miles out and one or two early patrols could make the difference between a successful diversion of an enemy force and failure to detect at all—the Abyssals are practically invisible to everything but magic-sensitive RADAR instruments—instruments that, on the whole, have proven unreliable outside of performing supplementary information for the Patrol Forces. We still need eyes out there—and wider berth could be the difference between an Oni making land and a proper barricade.’

‘How often does a breach happen? I mean … not the city-sinking ones, just … normal ones. Like, one or two I-Classes.’

‘Often enough,’ The Admiral reveals, ‘but they’re usually non-factors unless they happen to be mini-Squadrons led by those of B-Rank and above. Patrol Forces are specialized in taking down stray threats using the bare minimum preparation … they don’t see much live, sanctioned combat, but they contribute just as much as any Operations Squadron, and one thing I’ve learned is that along with the Black Ops girls, they’re masters of improv … considering they’re not connected to their Admiral or Vice-Admiral outside of D-Sync.’

>‘The MagiTek guys want a sample or something? How am I supposed to get something like that?’
>‘Is it really smart to disturb the hornet’s nest like this, sir?’
>‘I won’t have my Carriers for this—how am I supposed to hold this when they’re telling me to do it without proper control?’
>‘Any suggestions?’
>HAND IN SQUADRON MAKE-UP/ASSIGNMENT
>Write-In

>>1605310
>>‘The MagiTek guys want a sample or something? How am I supposed to get something like that?’

>>1605310
>'Any suggestions?’

>>1605310
>‘Any suggestions?’

>>1605310
>>‘Any suggestions?’

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‘Any suggestions?’

The Admiral crosses his arms, looking thoughtful.

‘You’re going to need a lot of firepower … and you’re going to need it spread out in case of any unforeseen developments; I can’t gauge any further than what intelligence has brought to the table, but if one thing’s remained constant when it comes to offensive movements, you’re going to need to be able to match strength with strength,’ he explains, before pausing, ‘that being said, however, considering that expedience has been pretty much my motto, having a well-balanced team’s never failed me before … at the end of the day, you’re going have to gauge what you have in front of you against what you think the intel hasn’t been able to cover.’

You’re reminded of Aquarius all over again.

‘You don’t have anything for who I should bring or … any recommendations?’

He regards you with a look of complete incredulity.

‘Commander, I believe that you’ve assembled your Division for more than a month,’ he replies patiently, ‘and if you can’t tell who you think’s going to give you that last hair of effectiveness I’m afraid I’m going to have to wonder how Nagato was ever sane enough to think that you were someone worth following and supporting … not to mention how silly it’d look that I openly endorsed it.’

Your cheeks turn pink as you bow down.

‘Strength for strength, huh?’

>‘The MagiTek guys want a sample or something? How am I supposed to get something like that?’
>‘Is it really smart to disturb the hornet’s nest like this, sir?’
>‘I won’t have my Carriers for this—how am I supposed to hold this when they’re telling me to do it without proper control?’
>HAND IN SQUADRON MAKE-UP/ASSIGNMENT
>Write-In

>>1605361
>>‘The MagiTek guys want a sample or something? How am I supposed to get something like that?’

>>1605361
>‘The MagiTek guys want a sample or something? How am I supposed to get something like that?’

>>1605361
>‘Is it really smart to disturb the hornet’s nest like this, sir?’

>>1605361
>‘The MagiTek guys want a sample or something? How am I supposed to get something like that?

>>1605361
>>‘Is it really smart to disturb the hornet’s nest like this, sir?’

Last time we won big, the abyssals did that counter attack which rekted our asses hard

>>1605361
>>‘The MagiTek guys want a sample or something? How am I supposed to get something like that?’

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You go over the brown slip of paper, a mix of typewriter ink and impersonable scrawl. There happened to be a few photographs attached to the top corner of this particular portion of the document, with several small scribbles—drawings and the like—to emphasize whatever point it was attempting to make. You take another sheet of paper, comparing the files side by side, and finding the gist of it: there was some sort of research project that the MagiTek Department wanted to continue … and that somehow, it involved retrieving an intact (this particular portion was written in bold, visible, blocky letters) Command Unit’s armament. Drawing back, you narrow your good eye, bringing the piece of paper close to your nose to ensure that you hadn’t read the details wrongly.

How in the world were you going to manage to pull this off?

‘So … the MagiTek folks want a sample or something?’ you begin tentatively, ‘How am I supposed to get that?’

‘Usually,’ he begins in a slow, deliberate drawl, ‘it’s something like a mounted weapon’s system. However it looks, however, is dependent on the Command Unit or Elite that’s present—there’s no two ways about it … you’re going to have to disable the target or organize your offense in such a way that the armament in question remains in a functioning, if deactivated, state. In a firefight, however, you’re going to find it close to impossible to synchronize a proper firing solution. The way the Abyssals operate, you’re going to find a hard time getting a clean hit, never mind a specific type of impact.’

‘You’ve done this before?’

‘Of course,’ he chuckles, tipping his visor, ‘you should ask Nagato about it sometime … getting the bitch to stand still long enough to get one clean shot was a damned miracle in itself.’

Considering how fast the average Abyssal and KanMusu could go, you didn’t doubt it for a moment.

‘How do I even know which armament they want? The Abyssals aren’t exactly tidy enough for me to discern just what it is that they mean by armament, sir.’

That was another issue: did they mean the cannons? The claws? Teeth?

Your prosthesis flexes itself almost on reflex at the last thought.

‘You’ll know it when you see it,’ he says enigmatically, ‘Command Units aren’t subtle when it comes to what they’re packing.’

You sigh, nodding.

‘However, don’t forget that the focus of your mission is to push up the miracle mile … that means you’re going to need to scour that zone of any standing threat—the retrieval of the armament’s a secondary objective, so don’t push yourself trying to get it and forgetting what you’re there for.’

‘Of course, sir.’

>‘Is it really smart to disturb the hornet’s nest like this, sir?’
>‘Doing this without my Carriers is going to be a chore.'
>HAND IN SQUADRON MAKE-UP/ASSIGNMENT
>Write-In

>>1605523
>>‘Is it really smart to disturb the hornet’s nest like this, sir?’

>>1605523
>>Write-In
can you fill me in this re-class? have you fougth them?

>>1605523
>HAND IN SQUADRON MAKE-UP/ASSIGNMENT

>>1605533
You don't know that it's a Re-Class. That it's just a Command Unit in the vicinity. I used that picture for posterity.

>>1605555
so could be any oni
fucking A there

>>1605523
>HAND IN SQUADRON MAKE-UP/ASSIGNMENT

>>1605574
Or all the Onis

>>1605577
>>1605547
we bringing the Sushi for this one lads?

>>1605547
>>1605577
If you're going to do that, you're going have to decide your Squadron make-up with that prompt. Discuss with your peers on how you want to approach this mission before anything else: I'll be back in a few.

>>1605585
yep
and nachi for AA/torpedo cover

wish we got clearer intel though

>>1605585
Sushi and Sami?

Sami and Sushi bromance origins?

>>1605589
Re-read the Musashi rules.

>>1605595
a destroyer againts a fucking oni tier or near enemy
and sami at that?
are out your mind or what

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>>1605585
Yep, Musashi. And probably Nachi, because she's the biggest boat we got since Nagato's still out of action

Sushi and nachi seem like a better idea, there really wouldn't be any advantages for taking Sami over nachi

>>1605611
Sushi-Senpai will protect Sami-Kouhai

But speaking seriously Sushi and Nachi is better

Does anyone remember the highest class of shipgirl we can take with Musashi? I just want to remember the exact rules

>>1605639
i remember its a no carriers of any kind rule
witch is not a problem since we cant use carriers

>>1605639
No CVL and CV and only one ship alongside Sushi

File: musashi mechanics.png (2.05 MB, 1745x9140)

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>>1605639
Here was MECH's explanation from the Discord. Don't know if her gameplay rules have been explained in-quest yet.

Would be interesting to see a friendship between Sami and Sushi

she is pretty backed up
its gonna be trouble
and probably dice gods gonna shit on us and game over

>>1605662
True, but I'd rather not risk their lives over it, this is a near mid game level 3 mission after all.

i would go for musashi and nachi, there is no kill like overkill

>>1605972
>talks about overkill
>Doesn't even think of the possibility of duel linking with Musashi and Yamato

>>1606005
Yeah, that's what the purpose of it is, generally.

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>>1606373
hoo lordy

>Admiral: ‘You’re going to need a lot of firepower … and you’re going to need it spread out in case of any unforeseen developments
>you’re going to need it spread out
>"Let's send two ships only"

>>1607661
we are not sending any 2 ships
we are sending a super dread
thats the only thing that can go toe on toe with highter forms of abyssals or onis

>>1607687
>thats the only thing that can go toe on toe with highter forms of abyssals or onis

If that were true, whoever has to do Bronze Warhammer is fucked then, since they don't have a super.

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>>1607700
Less "only one who can do it", more "we're sending in Doomguy". You don't need a lot of people once you send Doomguy in.

>>1607700
>no command unit confirmed
nah
and with the noise we will make we will atract all the reinforcements
they will be fine

>>1607700
Well, if it really only took two superdreads to take down a hime when a dozen normal kanmusu couldn't, then they'd have to be really damn strong.

Guys, can I have a proper confirmation on just who it is you want to bring? There seems to be an agreement for Musashi, but no outright decision on the Squadron deployment.

>>1617263
Musashi and Nachi

>>1617267
Voting for this too

>>1617267
This

>>1617267
this one

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>Page 10

>>1607700
Good God, how many times must I explain this process: as long as the dice wins, I have no problems writing a victory scenario. You bringing some sort of storyline logic makes this out to be some sort of silly linear fanfiction instead of a tabletop game/session. The guy can go in with a damn Destroyer and if you win the Roll Check for mission success, I have no qualms justifying how it happened.

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You know who you want for this mission.

There wouldn’t be much of a secondary defense, so the most you had to do was pull off a successful coup of the immediate area—a stretch of waves some miles long—and sustain control long enough to discourage any sort of immediate counterattack. It didn’t look like it was an assignment with any wrapped riddles … or at least, you hopes it wasn’t. It had been so long since you’d had something that didn’t have invisible fine print attached to it, and as hard and fast as the missions came, you didn’t think that your heart—or your Squadrons—could afford the added pressure, especially not with things as they were.

You don’t need anymore reminders that this was a war that no one on your team was winning.

With a final mark of punctuation, you set the pen down and push the form back towards the Admiral, who lifts the sheet of the surface of his table, giving it a scrutinizing eye before throwing you a nod of acknowledgment. Picking up the folder, you realize that as simple as things were … you had quite a bit of homework to do before the mission, even as direct as the expansion and defense of a potential patrol area was by definition alone.

‘You have 24 hours before you launch, Commander.’

Your lips thinning into a line, you give an understanding nod—lately, a whole day never seemed to be enough to fit everything you needed to do.

‘Adding to that … we finally received the progress reports on the other fronts,’ the Admiral reveals, ‘I’ll send you a copy tomorrow morning.’

‘Thank you, sir.’

He raises his hand … and you open your mouth to say something else, only to find yourself interrupted by the sound of a door slamming open. Not right far behind it is the chilled air of the evening, hitting your bones as like daggers. Stumbling through the doorway, clutching what looked like too many files for one girl—even a KanMusu—to carry was Fusou, her nose scrunching and her brows furrowed as she crab-walked her way through the doorway.

‘I-I’m sorry, sir,’ Fusou bows apologetically, barely able to keep one of her folders from falling, ‘I knocked and no one answered.’

‘That’s quite all right,’ he waves it off, raising a hand before turning back down to you. ‘I’ll be seeing you then, Commander.’

Letting out a sigh, you get to your feet … making your way past Fusou, who doesn’t so much as throw you a salute, busy with her own pile of work. You give one last look to The Admiral, who wears a troubled expression of his own, shaking his head as she drops the files and folders with an audible thud.

‘T-These were the only files Ooyodo was able to procure, sir.’

‘We got our work cut out for us, then.’

You depart from the Admiral’s office, immediately hugging yourself for warmth as the biting cold touches caresses your face.

‘Fancy meeting you here, Commander.’

>Who? (Specify)

>>1626259
>>Who? (Specify)
Sushi

>>1626259
>musashi

>>1626259
>The Major
WILD CARD VOTE

>>1626259
musashi

>>1626259
>>Who? (Specify)
Bismarck

>>1626262

>>1626262
Also for Major

>>1626259
>>1626262
This

>>1626259
Musashi

>>1626260
>>1626958
Doublepost, pointing out just in case

>>1627042
yea, forgot i voted before i fell asleep last night