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“What the hell is this?”

As you unload another crate and watch as the spice buyer fills up your datapad with more credits, Crooks stares up in disbelief at a banner. “Galactic cook-off?”

You turn around to face Crooks and tilt your head. “You're really surprised? This ship's the Ambrosia. It's Athens' biggest food supplier. You're shocked that a gathering of the galaxy's best foods and chefs would have a cooking competition?”

Crooks scoffs. “Well sorry, Mr. Know-it-all. I'm not used to all these... legitimate business ships.”

“You say legitimate business like it's a dirty word,” you laugh. “Look, we have to get by while keeping a low cover, that means staying out of the Kingpin's usual channels. Even working on an Athens ship is a risk... we don't know if people are after this biochip.”

Crooks sighs. “I'm a smuggler, not a delivery boy.”

“Well...” Dot points out, as she approaches the two of you with a hamhock in her hand. You always expected Dot to be a more... graceful eater. “As long as we visit more places like this, I'm happy. Have you tried this? It's amazing! I think it's glazed in... honey, or something. Pretty rare.”

“Not here,” you point out. “Athens more than any fleet has ensured to keep animals from the old world alive and breeding... an so, Ambrosia's got plenty of otherwise rare meats.”

Dot's eyes are caught by the presence of the banner above your heads. “Oh hey, Galactic cook-off! We have to stay for that, it sounds fun!”

Crooks shakes his head. “What? No way? We're not sticking around any longer than we need to.”

Dot gives a playful pout. “Pleeeeease? Besides, you said we could start looking for a ship cook aboard Maribelle. What better place to look than a gathering of the galaxy's finest chefs? It's like the universe just dropped this into our laps! Isn't that right, Matt?”

“I guess,” you admit. “More than anything, I'm tempted to try more of the food around here. Turns out legitimate business pays pretty well. I could start living on a delivery salary-”

“Don't even joke about that,” Crooks points his finger at you before letting out a sigh, “Fine... we'll stick around for this cook-off. But this isn't for the purposes of pleasure, okay kids? We're strictly attending to recruit.”

“Yes!” Dot smiles warmly. “It'll be good to have another hand around the ship. I'm shocked you two were able to operate it alone for so long. But a ship cook... what do you want out of them, Matt?”

>I just want someone good at their job. I want a good meal on that rustbucket for once.
>Someone we can get along with. A new friend aboard the ship.
>Hopefully someone cute. The ship could use a little more eye-candy...

>>2406155
>I just want someone good at their job. I want a good meal on that rustbucket for once.
>Someone we can get along with.

I won't necessarily say friend. But we do need someone who is both skilled AND agreeable. Especially considering our...line of work

>>2406155
>I just want someone good at their job. I want a good meal on that rustbucket for once.

>>2406155
>>I just want someone good at their job. I want a good meal on that rustbucket for once.
Good food yo

>>2406155
>>I just want someone good at their job. I want a good meal on that rustbucket for once.

>>2406155
>>I just want someone good at their job. I want a good meal on that rustbucket for once.

>>2406155
>I just want someone good at their job. I want a good meal on that rustbucket for once.

>>2406155
>>I just want someone good at their job. I want a good meal on that rustbucket for once.

Calling for
>I just want someone good at their job. I want a good meal on that rustbucket for once.

Writing now.

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>I just want someone good at their job. I want a good meal on that rustbucket for once.

Dot lets out a small giggle. "Agreed. Having to settle for instant ramen whenever travelling between ships is hard to handle."

"Please, you've been on Maribelle for two weeks," you point out. "I've been dealing with the ramen horde for eighteen years now."

"And I can see where that lack of protein got you," Dot teases with a smug laugh, as you let out a low grumble. She turns towards offering you some of the ham. "Go on, try it."

You take a bite out of the honey glazed ham, and instantly you realise what you've been missing. "My god... it's beautiful."

Dot excitedly grabs you by the wrist, stars shining bright in her eyes. "Now Matt, just imagine... a time where we could eat something like this every day... prepared by an expert culinary professional! That's the future I want to live in!"

As the two of you talk, you're pushed aside by two figures making their through the aisleway. One a tall man with dark skin, carrying a bag over his shoulder, the other a short and thin man with what appears to be a twitch and a nervous tick.

"Oh, sorry-" Dot begins, the ever caring woman prepared to apologise to the pair that bumped into her while she was standing still.

"Move it lovebirds," the tall man mutters as he pushes past.

"Kekekeke..." the twitchy one mutters in turn.

The two walk off into the distance as you let out a cough. "Lot of weird folk around here."

"Yeah, and awful rude too!" Dot points out. "I'm gonna give them a piece of my mi-"

You grab Dot by the shoulder and hold her back as she goes to move. "Let's not. Can't be making trouble, least of all on an Athens ship."

"Right... sorry," Dot mumbles.

"You apologise too much," you reply.

"Oh... sorry."

"Don't apoligise for that."

"Sorry."

"Stop it!" you rub your temples, annoyed, as something clinks against your foot. You look down to see a beverage can roll against your foot, as a woman chases after it. She picks it up and immediately begins to drink from it once more, and you get a good look at her features. Dark purple hair with a band atop it cut into some unkempt bangs, a skirt-suspender combo, and wild blue eyes with rings around the iris, hypnotic in nature. Something about the woman just draws in your attention. You're not sure if it's her natural beauty or the fact that her beauty is offset by her... unusual body language. Erratic movements, her foot tapping like she's on an extreme sugar high, and her unusual eyes being as wide open as possible.

"Precious carbonation..." she mumbles as she finished the last drops of the drink, before turning to you. "Ah! Person! You are a person! You helped catch my runaway friend here! Thank you!"

>I didn't do much, but no problem. And you are...?
>Whatever. Be less careless next time.
>Whatever, weirdo. Let's go, Dot.
>Wow... you're... uhh... hi, I'm Matt.

>>2406201
>I didn't do much, but no problem. And you are...?

Lot of strange folks in Athens, huh?

>>2406201
>Wow... you're... uhh... hi, I'm Matt.

>>2406201
>>Whatever. Be less careless next time.

>>2406201
>>Wow... you're... uhh... hi, I'm Matt.

>>2406201
>I didn't do much, but no problem. And you are...?

>>2406201
>>Wow... you're... uhh... hi, I'm Matt.
weird girl

>>2406201
>>Whatever. Be less careless next time.

Calling for
>Wow... you're... uhh... hi, I'm Matt.

Writing now.

>>2406222
We need to hide our spaghetti better. Hotaru will eat it all.

>>2406226
It's okay, it's not candy spaghetti

>>2406229
Drop all the candy floss

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>Wow... you're... uhh... hi, I'm Matt.

What? Why was that so hard for you to say? Come on Matt, you're more confident than this! Don't lose your cool because of some entrancing eyes, and devilish hips and that amazing pair of... focus! You're a cool smuggler!

"Oh, we're at names now?" the girl smiles. "I love it when I reach names! A person isn't really a person until you know their name, you know?"

"Uhh... I guess, yeah... sure," you mutter, as Dot tries to contain her laughter in the background. "So, uhh... what's your name?"

The girl tilts her head, as she reaches into her pocket and pulls out some gummy bears that she begins munching away on. "Oh, you want me to be a person? Interesting, very interesting... I don't know if I should... should I?"

"Uhh-"

"No, I shouldn't!" she decides, speaking too fast for you to catch up. Just how loaded up on sugar is she? Not to mention how much her head must be in the clouds for all this person talk. "But I will!"

The woman places out her hand in a dramatic regal pose, prompting you to kiss the ring... the large candy ring around her finger, that is. "Krista," she annnounces. "Krista Pepsi."

"What a... unique name," you reply, as you second guess actually kissing her hand. You don't have the courage to do something like that. "What are you doing in a place like this, huh? Business or pleasure?"

"Ah, that's the thing! My business is pleasure!" she explains. You blush, but you're certain she didn't mean it... that way. Mostly certain. "I'm here for the cook-off, and I'm going to win! Yep yep!"

You raise an eyebrow. "Oh, so you're a cook, huh?"

"Yep yep!" Krista repeats, before her face lights up, like an idea just sparked in her head. "Oh... assistant needed, needed to cook with... you? You want to help me, Matt-Matt?"

"Uhh..." you mutter. Assistant? And did she just call you Matt-Matt? "I, umm..."

"Thinking it over?" Krista laughs. "Well, think it over! Take your time... you've got all the time in the world! That's a lie, a bold faced lie, actually! You have about twenty minutes! Otherwise we'll miss registration! I'll be waiting!"

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Krista skips off down the aisleway, as you let out an awkward cough. Like a Vulture, Dot swoops in with a smug grin on her face. "Somebody's got a cruuuuuuuush~!" she teases in a sing-song voice.

"No way!" you deny. "Her attitude just caught me off-guard. I'm not an awkward mess around attractive women, okay?"

"I just saw some evidence to the contrary..." Dot shrugs with a permanent grin.

"I was never awkward around you!"

"You're right, how rude of you!" Dot smirks. Damn, you just can't win here. Better just take the embarrassment like a man. "But what an odd girl that was..."

"What are you two hens blabbing about now?" Crooks asks as he approaches.

Dot laughs. "Matt has a girlfriend."

"No I don't!"

"She even asked him to assist in this cooking contest," Dot explains.

Crooks pauses. "Well, the girl's a cook, huh? Are you going to help her out? Do you think she'd be interested in joining the crew?"

"She's an odd one," you explain. "Then again, that might mean she'll fit right in with us..."

Dot clasps her hands together and begins to make kissing motions with the air. "Oh, Matt! You don't want to disappoint your new girlfriend!"

>Cut it out! I'm not interested in taking part in any kind of contest!
>Well... it would be good for recruiting a ship chef. Even if she's no good, I could probably engage with others in the cook-off that way.
>Of course! N-not because of her, though... because of... umm...

>>2406247
>Well... it would be good for recruiting a ship chef. Even if she's no good, I could probably engage with others in the cook-off that way.

>>2406247
>Well... it would be good for recruiting a ship chef. Even if she's no good, I could probably engage with others in the cook-off that way.

>>2406247
>Well... it would be good for recruiting a ship chef. Even if she's no good, I could probably engage with others in the cook-off that way.

>Fucking Crystal Pepsi

Kek

>>2406247
>Well... it would be good for recruiting a ship chef. Even if she's no good, I could probably engage with others in the cook-off that way.

With a name like that, I'm scared that Krista ain't long for this world.

Also, Dot is an amazing big sister.

Calling for
>Well... it would be good for recruiting a ship chef. Even if she's no good, I could probably engage with others in the cook-off that way.

Writing now.

>>2406247
>Well... it would be good for recruiting a ship chef. Even if she's no good, I could probably engage with others in the cook-off that way.
Manlets, when will they learn?

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>Well... it would be good for recruiting a ship chef. Even if she's no good, I could probably engage with others in the cook-off that way.

"Good point," Crooks nods. "Looks like Matty here just became the Maribelle's very own talent scout!"

You sigh. "That's a lot more pressure than I really want. I'm happy to be the lowly mechanic."

"Too bad!" Dot points out. "You volunteered! Now, go out there, and don't be intimidated by her. You've got to be cool and suave, like I know you can be!"

Crooks scoffs. "Matty's embarrassed, huh? How hot could one girl be?"

"You'll see..." you mutter.

You make your way past all of the market aisles and meat stalls towards the registration area for the big cook-off. As you arrive, Krista seems to be speaking to those two men who bumped into you earlier. Interesting coincidence... she doesn't seem to be talking much, and is in fact simply tapping her foot as the taller man tells her off about... something.

"Listen here freak," he mutters. "The Soda group are trusting you to get this right. Don't screw it up... you know what'll happen if you do."

"Right, right!" Krista exclaims, motioning her hand to shoo them off.

"That hand would look so pretty hung on my mantle... kekeke...." the strange short one mutters.

Well, that comment's enough for you to impulsively step in. Could be a huge mistake, but your body just moves on its own. "Hey, is there a problem here?"

"Kekeke-" the smaller one begins, before the larger steps in front. "No problem. Just catching up with an acquaintance. Come on Sprite, let's go."

As the two men wander off, you turn your head to Krista. "You know those guys?"

Krista puffs out her cheeks and crosses her arms, like a huffing child. "Not important! They don't matter! Come on, let's sign up Matt-Matt!"

She grabs you by the hand and drags you towards the sign-up sheet, but you find yourself pulling your hand away. Krista turns her head and looks at you with concern. "Problem, Matt-Matt? Did you change your mind? Are you going? You're leaving me by myself, aren't you?"

>I will if you don't tell me who those guys were.
>Why do you want me to be your assistant? We just met.
>It's... nothing. Let's do this. And don't be so over-dramatic!

>>2406276
>It's... nothing. Let's do this. And don't be so over-dramatic!

>>2406276
>It's... nothing. Let's do this. And don't be so over-dramatic!

>>2406276
>Why do you want me to be your assistant? We just met.
>It's... nothing. Let's do this. And don't be so over-dramatic!

Oh no, it's the Soda Pop gang.

>>2406276
>It's... nothing. Let's do this. And don't be so over-dramatic!
I sense some abandonment issues.

Calling for
>It's... nothing. Let's do this. And don't be so over-dramatic!

Writing now.

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>It's... nothing. Let's do this. And don't be so over-dramatic!

"Dramatic?!" Krista gasps as she swoons with shock.

"That's exactly what I mean!" you point out.

Krista stares at you with a smirk before sticking out her tongue. She turns back to the registration form and jots her name down. You follow her, listing yourself as her assistant.

"You're in tent C," the organiser states as he points you towards the tent where you'll be cooking. "You didn't bring your own food?"

Krista opens up a bag of cheesy cornmeal that she tucks into, looking at the organiser expectantly.

"No, that doesn't count..." he sighs. "No matter, there's plenty food in the tent itself that you make with, but you'll probably be more limited than those who brought their own stuff."

"A challenge?" Krista beams. "You hear that Matt-Matt! A challenge! I love a good challenge, don't you?"

You shrug. "Honestly, I prefer to take things pretty easy..."

"That's no way to live!" Krista gasps. "You can't live life without taking a few detours, taking the hard path every now and then! Just like now! Matt-Matt... you and I are about to live life together!"

"Oh...kay?" you mutter, very confused as she takes your hand and drags you to the tent. "So... I have to warn you, I'm no good as a cook, so I don't know how I can assist..."

"You have two hands, don't you?" she asks.

"Yeah..."

"Then that's all I need!" Krista exclaims. "Besides you have the look of a handyman! I just need you to hand me ingredients as I call for them!"

Well, this sounds like an easy job. As long as Krista does all the real work, you're fine. Krista immediately sets the stoves in the tent as she commands you to hand her the pans. She doesn't even check to see what ingredients are available, just throwing out names on the fly and adjusting accordingly. She's... improvising the meal. Interesting... is she really a professional?

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That question gets put to rest when she finally gets to cooking proper, readying the meats and vegetables. She moves like a pro, entering into a trance as prepares the meal with picture perfect precision. She may be an odd duck, but she more than knows what she's doing. You seem to have lucked out by running into this one. She's talented, graceful, and you just have to sit back and watch her... form, as she cooks. From behind. That wonderful... form.

As Krista seems to start finishing off the meal, you take a quick whiff that almost overpowers the senses. "Wow... that smells absolutely amazing, Krista..."

You reach your hand out to take a small taste test, a reward for your assistance, but Krista simply swats your hand away. "Ow!"

"Don't eat it!" she exclaims. "It's not finished! No... no... it needs thyme, thyme will fix it..."

"It seems fine to me-"

"It's not!" Krista explains. "Is there any thyme here?"

You search the counters for the herb in question, but come up short. "I don't see any... Krista?"

You turn around to see Krista staring over the meal, her body shaking. "Not good... it's not good enough... I ruined it..."

Wow, she seems so distraught over such a minor ingredient. She must be one hell of a perfectionist. Thinking about it, you could create some thyme with the power of your biochip... but how would you go about explaining that?

>Just do it. It's not like she knows about your biochip.
>Be sneaky. Place it in a bowl, and pretend you found it.
>Don't bother. Just reassure her that the roast she made is fine.

>>2406423
>Be sneaky. Place it in a bowl, and pretend you found it.

>>2406423
>Be sneaky. Place it in a bowl, and pretend you found it.

>>2406423
>Be sneaky. Place it in a bowl, and pretend you found it
Hopefully we don’t have to roll for subtlety and end up showing everyone the stiles super prototype.

>>2406423
>Be sneaky. Place it in a bowl, and pretend you found it.

>>2406423
>Don't bother. Just reassure her that the roast she made is fine.
Reassure her... with our wood?

>>2406423
>Be sneaky. Place it in a bowl, and pretend you found it.

>>2406435
Expect it man, its coming...

>>2406423
>Be sneaky. Place it in a bowl, and pretend you found it.

Calling for
>Be sneaky. Place it in a bowl, and pretend you found it.

ROLL 1D20, BO2 please.

Rolled 18 (1d100)

>>2406476
Subtlety

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>2406476

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>2406476
here we go sneaky man

>>2406477
Thyme stopped so that we could place in there.

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>2406477
ups the good news is that that didnt count
>>2406479
Now this is a good one

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>15 (MODERATE SUCCESS)

While Krista is busy fretting over her meal, you grab a bowl and begin to produce some thyme from your hands. Over the last two weeks you've been practising, and you've noted that while Wonder of the World is a mostly average Biochip, it's speed seems to be pretty impressive. With more practice, you could fire out vines like whips, you're certain. As the bowl fills up with thyme, you notice Krista's head spinning around to face you, forcing you to throw your hand behind your back to conceal it.

"Is that...?" Krista mutters.

"Yeah, I just found it," you lie. "Was sitting in one of the cupboards towards the back. It's what you wanted, right?"

Krista's face lights up as a waterfall of tears stream from her eyes. Wow, she was really over-emotional about this cook-off...

"Thank you! Thank you, Matt-Matt!"

You're starting to notice that Krista repeats stuff a lot.

"No problem," you smile. "It's nothing, really..."

"You saved me! This isn't nothing! You're a hero!" Krista gushes... before leaning in and excitedly kissing you on the cheek to say thanks. You didn't even have time to prepare, as your face turns bright red. Not only that, but the spot where she kissed you feels all hot and ticklish... very ticklish... oh boy, you're nervous.

Krista snrks and wipes her thumbs across your cheek, where she kissed. "Sorry Matt-Matt! Got carried away! Thank you!"

She grabs the bowl and adds the finishing touches to her meal, placing her hands on her hips as she stands over it proudly. "Ta-daaaa~!"

"It looks delicious," you smile, as Krista nods.

"And everyone's going to have some!" she smiles with pride, taking the meal to the contest presenters.

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You don't know why you did that... it was just a herb. You didn't need to use your secret biochip just to help out a stranger. Maybe you're a sucker for a pretty face, maybe you were just too intrigued by her personality to let her down... maybe Dot's relentless good will and empathy is starting to rub off on you. Either way, you can't wait to try out what Krista prepared. You head out to the tasting area, where everyone who attends the cook-off will get to taste a portion of each entrants meal. Every member of the crowd then casts their vote on who the best chef was. Fairly standard, and you note Dot and Crooks already sitting ready at a bench.

"Took you long enough!" Crooks yells.

"How was your date?" Dot teases.

You shrug. "She knows what she's doing... I think she could make a great cook for the ship."

"Excellent!" Dot exclaims.

Crooks shakes his head. "Hang on, is she really a good fit for Maribelle? Or are you just blinded by a nice pair of legs?"

Dot gasps. "Crooks, don't be rude!"

"Hey, I know Matt better than anyone!" Crooks protests.

Krista skips towards your group and sits down beside you. "They're serving mine next! I'm so excited!"

A waiter comes by and sets portions of the large roast Krista prepared onto the table by your bench. Dot and Crooks grab some and dig in.

"Holy crap, this is amazing!" Crooks exclaims, visibly shocked by the taste.

Dot's eyes light up. "You made this? This... this is the greatest thing I've had in my life!"

Okay, now you definitely need to try some. You grab a small plate of the roast, and are about to dig in... when Krista grabs your rest. "Don't eat it."

"Huh?" You raise an eyebrow. But it's ready now, right?"

Krista stares directly into your eyes as she speaks. "Don't eat it."

>Eat it.
>Do as Krista says.

>>2406579
>Do as Krista says.

>>2406579
>Do as Krista says.
>Why?

>>2406579
>Do as Krista says.

>>2406579
>>Do as Krista says.
Uh-oh

>>2406579
>Do as Krista says.

Calling for
>Do as Krista says.

Writing now.

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>Do as Krista says.

You don't know why, but for some reason you find yourself wanting to trust Krista. Her eyes are serious and her expression stern as you rest your hand, not taking a bite of the meal. It's then that you notice Dot and Crooks' expressions as they eat.

Crooks lets out a yawn as he speak. "Wow, this roast is... just... perfect..." he mutters, his eyelids getting heavier as he begins to lean forward.

"Yeah... well... done..." Dot yawns, doing the exact same. Soon, the two are drifting off to a deep sleep, as you notice the same fate befalling everyone in the tasting area, judges and organisers who took a bite included. You spring up from your chair in a panicked state, before turning to face Krista.

"W-what is this?" you demand to know. "What did you do to them? Did you drug them? No... you couldn't have... I was watching you the entire time. How could you have..."

"It was my biochip ability!" Krista cheerfully explains.

"Your... what?!"

Krista beams with delight.

Name: Krista Pepsi
Biochip Class: SWEET N' SOUR

Krista's Biochip allows her to imbue items with a physical or emotional sensation, transferring that sensation onto whoever interacts with that item. For example, imbuing a meal with the sensation of laughter will cause the eater of said meal to laugh uncontrollably.

POWER: C
SPEED: B
DURABILITY: C
PRECISION: B
RANGE: C
POTENTIAL: C


"I... I get it," you mutter. "You used your biochip to impue a sleeping effect on the food, then served it to everyone... except me? Actually, I'm confused."

You don't have much time to think, and Krista doesn't have much time to explain, as the tall man slinks from the shadows. "Well done, Krista. I didn't think you could..."

His eyes catch you, and he pauses, looking back to Krista. "Why isn't he asleep? He's the one person you were supposed to make sure ate the food!"

"I changed my mind," Krista states. "I like him, he helps me out a lot. And he's much nicer than you!"

Krista sticks her tongue out at the tall man, who is frozen in confusion. "You... changed your mind? You... can't just do that, you freak."

>Sure she can, isn't that right Krista?
>Okay... can someone explain what the hell is going on? Who are you people?

>>2406649
>Okay... can someone explain what the hell is going on? Who are you people?

>>2406649
>Sure she can, isn't that right Krista?

>>2406649
>Sure she can, isn't that right Krista?

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>>2406649
>Krista Pepsi

>Sure she can, isn't that right Krista?

>>2406649
>>Sure she can, isn't that right Krista?
Who knew Dot was right and being nice pays off

>>2406649
>Okay... can someone explain what the hell is going on? Who are you people?
Want to say both, but will happily balance scales to get there.

Also
>dem stats
Krista your chip is cool but come on...

>>2406649
>Sure she can, isn't that right Krista?

Calling for
>Sure she can, isn't that right Krista?

Writing now.

>>2406649
>Biochip Class: SWEET N' SOUR
I can't believe Sweet N' Sour doesn't let the user make everything saucy
Not having the ability to never have a dry sandwich or bbq again

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>>2406723
>TFW you can never have dry ribs again...

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>Sure she can, isn't that right Krista?

Krista pumps her fist in a show of solidarity. "That's right!"

"You're... joking, right?" the tall man mutters.

"Nope!" Krista smugly grins. "I'm done being bossed around by you and the boss! Not one of you complimented my cooking! So... I've decided I'm rebelling! Down with the system!"

The tall figure lets out a frustrated sigh. "Prosecco told me you were a complete air-head, but I didn't think I'd have to remind you of what little choice you have. You've decided you're just going to go against the boss? Sure, that's fine... as long as you never want to see your mother again."

Krista's smug grin and victorious gestures stop, as she stares straight ahead, horrified. "My..."

"What, did you forget about that?" the man utters. "What you're getting out of this deal? Well, there's a friendly reminder. Are you going to choose your mother, or some shrimp you just met? Seems to me, the choice is clear."

The tall man turns to walk away as you call out to him. "Hey, where are you going?"

The tall man scoffs. "I've decided that Krista should be able to handle this one on her own, like she was supposed to. Consider it punishment for insubordination. I'm sure Prosecco will understand if Krista's rebellious nature gets her killed."

"Hey, wait!" you call out, but it's too late, as the man disappears into the crowds beyond the tasting area. You turn your head towards Krista, who is looking sadly towards you. "Krista, what did he mean when he mentioned your mother?"

"I'm so sorry Matt-Matt..." Krista cries... before lunging towards you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTmJ1ztMa68

You leap back out of the way, only for Krist to roll forward, grabbing a plate and tossing it towards you. You're lucky enough to catch it... but then the palm of your hand starts to feel like it's... burning. A horrible burning sensation in your hand... this is the power of Sweet N' Sour. Anything she touches... this is going to be a problem.

>Break out the plants and try to restrain Krista
>Run and try to formulate a plan to combat her ability

>>2406786
>Break out the plants and try to restrain Krista
Keep her at distance! Keep her at distance!

>>2406786
>Break out the plants and try to restrain Krista
More Rosemary

>>2406786
>>Run and try to formulate a plan to combat her ability
What part of everything she touches you didn't get Matt.

>>2406786
>Run and try to formulate a plan to combat her ability

NO TOUCHY

>>2406786
>Run and try to formulate a plan to combat her ability

>>2406786
>Run and try to formulate a plan to combat her ability

Calling for
>Run and try to formulate a plan to combat her ability

ROLL 1D20, BO2

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>2406830

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>2406830
Wellll...

File: Victory is mine.gif (55 KB, 555x555)

55 KB GIF

>>2406786
>>Run and try to formulate a plan to combat her ability

>>2406786
>Run and try to formulate a plan to combat her ability

File: Krista11.jpg (36 KB, 743x703)

36 KB JPG

>17 (DEFINITE SUCCESS)

Krista's ability is an interesting one... and a very dangerous one if you aren't more careful. As it stands, there's only one option for you right now... run away.

You sprint out of the tasting area and into the main streets of the Ambrosia ship. Most aren't yet aware of the events at the cook-off, so you can get lost in the crowd. Krista is after you, and she's going to hunt you down alone. She's not going to harm any civilian to get to you... you hope. Right now, you just have to think. You need to know the limitations of her power. How long do the sensations last? How long will your hand feel like it's burning? And how powerful can these sensations be? Wait, sensations... that's right... your hand only feels like it's burning. It's not actually burning. Her ability simply is tricking the pain receptors in your body, she can't actually deal any lasting damage to you. Not that that's much of a comfort... you've already seen that some sensations can still incapacitate you, put you to sleep... but it's a good thing to have in mind.

You spot Krista in the sea of people, and her eyes catch yours from a distance. She can't get through everyone... but she has other ideas in mind. Crumpling up a piece of paper and folding it into a small airplane, she launches it through the crowd, as it seems to be targeted for you. She's got good aim, and the paper airplane is no doubt imbued with another sensation. Time to do some more testing.

Your vines reach out and grab a small pin from a nearby desk, pulling them into your hand. You pin down the airplane as it comes towards you. You pull out the pin and in the name of research, lightly prick the arm of a passerby. They lightly wince from being pricked, but carry on about their day as normal. This is good... Sweet N' Sour can imbue objects Krista touches with a sensation, but that sensation isn't carried over in a chain reaction. As long as there's an added degree of separation between yourself and what Krista touches, you'll be okay.

Good thing you came to this conclusion, as Krista gets closer to you, pushing through the crowd. She grabs a handful of grains from a nearby kiosk, imbuing them with her ability. Looks like she's planning to launch them into the air, more small imbued object to deal with at once.

>Make a wall of vines to protect yourself
>Trip up Krista with your vines before she launches the grains.

>>2406912
>Trip up Krista with your vines before she launches the grains.

>>2406912
>Trip up Krista with your vines before she launches the grains.

>That first option
>Revealing the stolen Athens biochip in one of the biggest Athens' ship
Matt a smrt.

>>2406912
>Trip up Krista with your vines before she launches the grains.
Is this the part where she throws it at herself and goes ZZZ...? Guess we get to experiment.

>>2406912
>Trip up Krista with your vines before she launches the grains.

Calling for
>Trip up Krista with your vines before she launches the grains.

ROLL 1D20, BO2

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>2406958
GO, TRIPPING ROOT!

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>2406958

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>2406958

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>2406958

File: Krista08.jpg (141 KB, 850x1048)

141 KB JPG

>14 (MODERATE SUCCESS)

As Krista prepares to throw the grain into the air, you allow a vine to slide along the ground, wrapping around her ankle and tripping her up. She falls back, tossing the grains behind her as she does, scattering them onto a group of people who begin to violently, uncontrollably sneeze.

"Sneezing? What a cheap trick!" you groan. Good thing she didn't catch you with that one, that would have been bad.

You notice a man attending to Krista, worried for her safety. "Are you okay, madam?" he asks, taking her by the hand and pulling her back to her feet.

"Y-yes..." Krista sniffles. "But my friend over there, he's... having one of his episodes!"

Krista breaks out into a sob as the man looks to you. Damn, she's even more devious than she looks. The man begins to strafe towards you. "Sir? Sir?" he calls out to you as Krista stick out her tongue from behind his back. She's playing a game right now, isn't she?

The man motions towards you, reaching out his hand, and... gloves. The man is wearing gloves... meaning that she could imbue a sensation to the outer layer of those gloves when he took her by the hand... meaning that the man wouldn't notice anything, and his touch could transfer it to you...

"Don't touch me!" you call out. "Stay back!"

The man tuts. "She's right, you seem clearly distressed. Don't worry, I'm here to help you."

Damn, you can't cause a scene! Not in a place like this!

>Shove the man back before he touches you.
>Run away, you need to rethink things.

>>2407036
>Shove the man back before he touches you.

>>2407036
>Shove the man back before he touches you.
Here's hoping he slaps Krista mid fall.

>>2407036
>Run away, you need to rethink things.

>>2407036
>Run away, you need to rethink things.
This is a really unique little boss fight we have here.

>>2407036
>>Shove the man back before he touches you.
I have a phobia of gloves!

>>2407036
>>Run away, you need to rethink things.
Lets not make a scene.

>>2407036
>Run away, you need to rethink things.

Calling for
>Run away, you need to rethink things.

ROLL 1D20, BO2

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>2407079

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>2407079

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>2407079

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>2407079
USE BRAIN! USE FEET!

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>2407079
I hope I don't fuck this up.

>>2407086
Thankfully, someone rolled higher

File: Krista09.jpg (229 KB, 850x1202)

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>16 (DEFINITE SUCCESS)

You move to make a run for it, before feeling a tug on the vine still attached to your arm. Crap, Krista has grabbed hold of it... meaning that Sweet N' Sour's abilities are being transferred up the vine. Not good, but luckily you have a scapegoat in gloves by your side. You remove the vine and toss it in the direction of the man, who catches it with his other gloves hand, giving you a confused look. "What the heck?" he mutters as you run off. Krista gives chase, but not before the man reaches out and brushes his gloved hand across Krista's shoulder. "Hey madam, what-"

"Don't touch... ah... atchoo!" Krista sneezes. Then sneezes again as she continues to chase you down.

So... the sensations still affect her... likely for a shorter period, but they still affect her as long as she in involuntarily touched by whatever she imbues the sensation into. You think you've gathered all you need to know about Krista and her biochip. With this, you formulate the perfect plan to take care of her.

That plan being to get caught.

You run back into the tasting tent, where Krista pursues you. You grab a plate of the roast she made... only to get pounced on and pinned down by the biochip user. She places her finger to your lips and lets out a "Shhh..." before turning her head to sneeze again.

All of a sudden, you start to feel... drowzy. Like you could just drift off any second... but that doesn't make sense. You didn't touch anything she imbued with... unless...

"Work it out yet?" Krista gloats. "Sweet N' Sour can inflict the sensation onto a person directly! Yep Yep!"

Dammit... you should have figured. That kiss to the cheek earlier made your cheek feel itchy, you should have put the pieces together... but something doesn't add up. If she could hit you with the ability directly without having to transfer it between items, why bother with the food plan? No, there has to be an obvious, huge disadvantage to her using the ability this way... wait, you've got it!

Understanding what you know about how Krista transfers the ability of Sweet N' Sour, and understanding your current situation, you...

>Use your vines to restrain her with you.
>Kiss her.
>Throw the roast into her face like a pie.
>Plead with her to help you.
>Spit in her face.

>>2407173
>Spit in her face.
My guess is we're "storing" the feeling like the objects so we can still transfer it between us.

Definitely don't just want to spit in her face.

>>2407173
>Kiss her.
More effective than spitting in her face.

>>2407173
>>Use your vines to restrain her with you.

>>2407173
>Kiss her.

>>2407173
>Use your vines to restrain her with you.
>Kiss her.

>>2407173
>Kiss her.

>>2407197
Actually, switching to >Kiss her.

>>2407173
>Kiss her.

>>2407173
>Kiss her

Calling for
>Kiss her

Writing now.

Rolled 8 (1d100)

>>2407209
Rolling for Kissu

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>2407216
D20, remember? That roll don't count

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>2407219
That's arguably barely better friend

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>2407209

>>2407221
Well, I say it worked.

>>2407221
Did...did Krista just came?

>>2407221
Well it's not rape if her pupils turn into hearts right?
That's how anime works yeah

>>2407226
She didn't infuse that feeling yet...But she could

>>2407221
I think we just got her pregnant

>>2407221
We kissed her into a coma.

>>2407231
Nah, we just planted our seed in her.

>>2407237
Right. Much more plausible

File: Krista16.jpg (126 KB, 850x1416)

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>Kiss her

Of course, it's so obvious. Applying the sensation directly is a bad idea, because with the way Sweet N' Sour works... you've become the item that transfers the sensation, as there was no mid-point between Krista and yourself... you're now the mid-point between Sweet N' Sour and the actual target of the ability. And if Krista can still be affected by her own power, then that means you can just... transfer the sensation back her way. And if she touched your lips, then what you should do is...

Krista is chuckling victoriously to herself when you spring up and lock lips with her. Her already wide eyes somehow seem even wider with shock, as you transfer her ability back to her. You can feel the call of sleep draining from you, as Krista herself becomes more and more drowzy, before finally clocking out. She falls back as you rise to your feet, carrying her over to the bench. You release some vines to wrap her wrist to the bench in case she tries to get aggressive upon waking... though something tells you that's unlikely. Better to be on the safe side.

Dot, Crooks and the others in the tent suddenly wake up, all very confused. Most in the area theorise that they were rendered unconscious by a gas leak from one of the stoves, but you know better. Through whispers, you fill Dot and Crooks in on Krista and her ability.

"So... she's a bounty hunter?" Crooks mutters. "Shit, why aren't we dumping her out into space and making a run for it now?"

You shake your head. "No, we can talk to her."

"Don't be blinded by the legs, Matt..." Crooks mutters, eyeing up Krista. "But I must say... good choice. I raised you well."

"You can be a real pig, you know that?" Dot replies.

Krista slowly comes to, her eyes opening wide once more as she sees you. "Ah... good morning, Matt-Matt. I guess you beat me. This is the part where you kill me right? This is usually the part where that kinda thing happens-"

"Krista, tell me about your mother," you say. "You're doing this for her. Tell me."

File: Krista14.jpg (168 KB, 1000x1550)

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Krista pauses. "Okay... my mother is a lovely, lovely lady who also took care of me and gave me sweets whenever I wanted them... but, I can't see her anymore. Not since I was... 11? 12?"

"Why not?" you ask.

Krista looks off into the distance, recalling events. "Kingpin Dong... nasty, nasty fatso. He claimed my mother, took her in as part of his personal... well... you know..."

"Harem," Crooks finishes.

"He has a what?!" Dot exclaims. "Oh... that's disgusting!"

"We never had much money so we had to rely on Fatso to survive," Krista explains. "I was still allowed to visit mom, but when I got old enough, Fatso slapped a biochip in me and had me work as a bounty hunter. I was working under the Soda gang. You saw them. The twitchy one is Lemmy Sprite, the big guy is Phanta Orang, and the leader is Prosecco. He wasn't too bad... but working with them was so boring! But I had to, or else they wouldn't let me see my mother again! But now... I've failed. I'm not gonna see her again... and now there's not even a place for me to go back to."

>Sorry to hear that, Krista.
>The Soda gang have been after me on behalf of Dong, huh? We need to prepare for the rest of them.
>Nowhere to go back to? I wouldn't be so sure, Krista...

>>2407280
>Nowhere to go back to? I wouldn't be so sure, Krista...

>>2407280
>Nowhere to go back to? I wouldn't be so sure, Krista...

>>2407280
>The Soda gang have been after me on behalf of Dong, huh? We need to prepare for the rest of them.
>Nowhere to go back to? I wouldn't be so sure, Krista...
Welcome to the ship where everyone is wanted by the kingpin. Its great.

>>2407280
>Nowhere to go back to? I wouldn't be so sure, Krista...
Someone with that relationship to Dong would be a good asset.

>>2407280
>The Soda gang have been after me on behalf of Dong, huh? We need to prepare for the rest of them.

>>2407280
>Nowhere to go back to? I wouldn't be so sure, Krista...

>>2407280
>Nowhere to go back to? I wouldn't be so sure, Krista...

>>2407296
Runaway blackmailed bounty hunter? Surprised Dong made her a field agent instead of keeping her for some Oyakodon play with her mother.

Calling for
>Nowhere to go back to? I wouldn't be so sure, Krista...

Writing now.

>>2407346
>Maribelle Crew:+1

File: Krista21.jpg (892 KB, 890x809)

892 KB JPG

>Nowhere to go back to? I wouldn't be so sure, Krista...

Krista looks up to you as you recall the vine around her wrist and look towards Crooks and Dot. "I mean... we were hoping for a cook..."

"Are you kidding?" Crooks protests. "I ain't bringing some sneaky bounty hunter aboard Maribelle."

"She's not loyal to the Kingpin," you debate. "She had betrayed them the moment I helped her out. She was only forced into this situation... and it's on us to help her out. We have the same goals, and we're all enemies of Kingpin Dong here."

Crooks lets out an annoyed cough. "Matty... my hearing must not be so good. What was that part about helping her?"

"You'll help me save my mom?" Krista beams. "You mean it?"

"Of course we will!" the ever compassionate Dot chimes in. "We can't just let you go through that... can we?"

"We'll try to help," you note, curbing expectations. "You're going to help us, after all. You scratch our back and all that..."

"Oh, thank you! Thank you, Matt-Matt!" Krista smiles.

Crooks grumbles. "Hey now, I said no! And as captain-"

"That roast was the greatest thing you've ever tasted," you point out.

Crooks pauses. "I... well... welcome aboard, Krista! You're Maribelle's new cook!"

Krista gasps with delight. "You mean it! Oh, that's wonderful... who's Maribelle? She sounds lovely!"

"She's our ship," you explain. "And she's... something."

A new crew member added. This family's getting bigger all the time. The four of you return to Maribelle, as Crooks hops into the pilots chair. "Okay, there's three other guys in this bounty group. They're probably still on our tails. There's no outrunning them, but there is leading them to a port that works in our advantage."

"Got an idea?" you ask.

"Nope!" Crooks exclaims. "Not one! But I'm sure I can pull something out of my ass."

Dot places a finger to her chin, before turning to you and Krista. "Matt, I'm still confused about something. You said you transferred her power back to her... how did you do that, exactly? I'm curious."

"W-well, ah... you see..." you stammer out while blushing, and Krista is just as red in the face as you are.

"T-there are good questions and bad questions!" Krista yells. "A-and you just asked a bad question! Okay? So let's all ignore it!"

"Whatever," Dot smirks. "Come on Krista, until we make more space you'll be sharing a room with me on this ship. I'll give you the tour, then you can make dinner later."

"Yes! Excellent!"

The two girls wander off as you hop into the passenger seat beside Crooks. The oldest of the crew lets out a simple sigh. "I thought you'd be blinded by the legs, and I was blinded by the chicken legs. The things I do for you kids and also food."

"Nervous?"

"We have a cook I don't trust and we're being pursued by three elite bounty hunters. Nervous? Nah. Why would I be nervous?" Crooks replies.

You lean back in your chair with a smirk. "Yeah... we're probably fine."

"You're killin' me, Matty."

"I know."

END OF CHAPTER 3

File: Krista23.jpg (878 KB, 1000x1300)

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>Ending Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRcPA7Fzebw

>Archive
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Kingdoms%20in%20the%20Stars

>Twitter
https://twitter.com/bookerman32

>Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/BookerMan

Thanks for playing! Next thread will be coming around the weekend! Follow the Twitter for any updates!

>Player Question
The Soda Gang are after our heroes, but who are they? Predict their abilities, and which one will come next. Also, thoughts on the newest member of the crew?

>>2407440
>"You're killin' me, Matty."

Bad Crooks! No deathflags for you!

>>2407468
Thanks for running Booker, pretty good episode
>>Player Question
Next one is probably Rip and Tear Sprite guy perhaps a speed biochip or something like that.
Krista seems like a ton of fun, but she can gets serious and smart, also loved how creative she is with her powers.

>>2407468
Thanks for Running Booker
>PQ
Time to stir the Soda Gang until they go flat
Can Krista use her BioChip to in fuse her cooking with positive feelings of confidence and power to provide Temp Buffs to the rest of the crew?

>Can Krista use her BioChip to in fuse her cooking with positive feelings of confidence and power to provide Temp Buffs to the rest of the crew?

She can indeed provide people with confidence and put them in a good mood with her cooking, I'm not sure if being in a good mood would necessarily reflect as a buff though. Because even imbuing them with a lot of confidence isn't necessarily a wholly positive thing. More confidence = more likely to make a rash decision.

>>2407468
Great thread book, fun little combat, and a unique crew member has joined us!

>PQ
Krista should be a bunch of fun and like the Matt and Dot relationship, should have a really fun dynamic with everyone else. Matt growing plants will just make her very happy.

Giggles Mcgee strikes me as the type of character who's mania is also tipping us off to their power. I could see the power of sharp spikes/spines or some other rather violent power.

The other two we will need to see what they do.

>>2407494
I am highly suspect about her range being only C. I have several ideas that could work and at least give her B rank. The fact that we can throw stuff that we touch at people to cause effects are definitely angles I want to explore.

>>2407509
There is those ideas too!

>>2407468
>PQ

Hard to really guess what their powers may be, but maybe they'll be in some way related to flavors or food like Krista's was?

I really liked Krista, as many have mentioned already her use of her ability is very creative. She has the kind of odd, outside the box personality that is always fun to interact with.

I was wondering, she shouted about Matt having an 'episode' when trying to chase us, but it seems like she might be the one with some sort of mental disorder if that thing with the thyme is any indication. Also, while she is an amazing cook, I'm guessing her diet coyld be even worse than the crew's endless tide of ramen if all's she eats is sugar and candy.

File: Metis02.jpg (138 KB, 990x1029)

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>Side Story: Athens

"And you're certain of that?"

"What, you doubt me?" Xiahou Ren, respected and tenured Athens general chuckles. "I may be missing an eye, but I still have two good ears. We've had reports of a recent scuffle aboard the Ambrosia. Seems one of those involved was using what looks like a plant based Biochip. From what I know, there's only one of those."

Metis, the head researcher, tactician, and general of the Athens fleet crosses her arms and nods. Calm, calculating, logically minded, and fiercely loyal. These traits have always been associated with the prodigy Metis, making her the perfect second to none other than President Apollo himself. Her advancements in technology, both communal and military, particularly her innovations in the field of Biochips, has brought great prosperity to the Athens fleet over the last few years. "I see. Thank you for gathering this. Your assistance of the Athens fleet is much appreciated, Ren."

Ren leans his back against the wall casually and clicks his tongue. "So, uhh... you gonna bring this to the bossman?"

Metis shakes her head. "No. President Apollo has much more important matters to handle. It would be untoward of me to bother him with such a minor matter... let alone a matter of my own failures."

"Don't want to tell the head honcho you screwed up, huh?" Xiahou Ren smirks.

"T-that's not it at all!" Metis protests.

"Always have to look perfect for Mr. President," Ren laughs. "Sometimes I think your undying loyalty to his reign might be a little something else-"

"I wouldn't a former pirate to understand loyalty," Metis snaps back.

Ren shrugs. "Whatever you say. It's up to you if we pass this on to the great and powerful leader."

Ren strides out of the lab, as Metis lets out a sigh of frustration. How did it come to this? A break in to her own lab? Such a thing she thought impossible, even by the most skilled of thieves. But perhaps that was hubris... no, it certainly was that. That hubris is something she must learn from, and attempt to avoid in the future.

Metis' heels clack along the hallway floor within the corridor of the Olympus. She stops by the always locked door to the office of President Apollo, the brave, charismatic, compassionate leader of the Athens fleet, the most beloved ruler in the fleets history. Young, confident, kind beyond words... Apollo is a man the fleet has sworn their allegiance to, a man who fights for the people, who sees a brighter future ahead. A greater, more civilised future for humanity, living peacefully on a planet of their own. It is for that reason, Metis pledged everything to that man. Her intelligence, her strength, her loyalty, her...

File: Metis04.png (1.49 MB, 850x1200)

1.49 MB PNG

Few have access to the oval office of President Apollo. Metis is one of them. She lingers by the door, considering to give him the news. Wonder of the World... what was stolen was a mere prototype, only capable of a fraction of what the finished version would have been... it's only a minor issue. Still... if the thief was able to use it to develop an evolved version... or the chip were to evolve on its own... it would be much more than a minor issue.

"Someone out there?" The president's voice calls out from behind the door. "Metis, is that you? I can recognise that nervous hum anywhere. I something wrong?"

Metis pauses, taking a deep breath to calm herself. "No, nothing is wrong, Mr. President."

"Very well," Apollo speaks. "Then would you like to join me for some tea?"

"N-no!" Metis states. "Busy day ahead, Mr. President, I don't have the time. Sorry."

"Just be sure you take good care of yourself," Apollo calls out. "I can't have my head strategist working herself ragged in my name, can I?"

"Okay... thank you, Mr. President..." Metis mutters as she walks off. Apollo... even with so much else on his plate, his main concern is on the wellbeing of his people. Some would see that as a weakness, but Metis sees it for the true strength of character that it is.

No need to bother the President. Metis will deal with this little issue herself. She won't allow the problem to grow any further.

END OF SCENE