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“Hmm... Good morning Matt-Matt....”

Usually waking up in bed with a beautiful woman would be a pleasant experience. And sure, as your eyes open and you find yourself pressed against Krista Pepsi in her pyjamas, you let out a deep breath of satisfaction initially... but it's one that quickly crushed by the feeling of another arms throwing itself around you as you're sandwiched between two bodies.

“Morning, guys...” a sleepy yawning Archie adds. You then let out a sigh, as you squeeze yourself out from between your two temporary bedmates, though Krista's cuddling grip is difficult to escape.

You rise out of the bed and let out a yawn... you really need more coffee. How did it come to this?

As you step out of your room and spot a bright and early rising Marco Shao, you remember why. Things have been cramped since you've had some guests onboard with not much space to put them. Hence why Archie loaned his room to the elder Connery, and Krista loaned hers to the married couple of Dot and Marco.

“Ah, good morning cousin,” Marco smiles. “Would you like some coffee?”

“Please,” you reply. “And there's no such thing as a good morning. They really aren't my thing.”

“So I've heard,” Marco replies. “Crooks told me that you usually sleep between 12-14 hours every day yet you're still constantly tired, usually due to brief stints where you would spend entire days without sleeping at all and working. Though it seems the lack of space has really affected your patterns. I apologise for that, but Connery assured me this was the best option. Staying aboard the NOAH leaves me a target for attack by Shaman Tao, and I didn't know who else I could trust to travel with...”

“I'm flattered you trust us,” you reply. “I guess it only makes sense. Your wife is still part of the crew, in our eyes.”

Marco nods. “It must be nice to have your ship's doctor back... as well as your friend.”

“I'd continue this conversation,” you butt in. “But I was promised coffee, and I can't function further without it.”

“Right.” Marco stands up and makes his way to the coffee machine, pouring you out a mug with a smile. “Well, it's been two weeks and still no word on the whereabouts of the Yellow Turban base. I'm expecting word back from Kilroy any moment now. He's had a direct line with that dreadful Kingpin Dong while I've been here.”

“Is that why you're up so early?” you ask.

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Marco shakes his head. “No, I'm always up this early. Why do you ask?”

“No reason,” you reply, as you spot Archie and Krista exiting your room, ready to start their respective morning routines. “If you'll excuse me cousin, I'm gonna get some more sleep.”

A few hours later, you find yourself awake and working away on the ships engine, a boxed meal prepared by Krista at your side that you occasionally will tuck into as Archie approached you with a fresh mug of coffee. “For our busy mechanic!”

“Thanks,” you reply. “Oh, hey! You said 'our'! I guess you're finally part of the crew.”

Archie shrugs his shoulders. “Huh, I guess so! Speaking of, these last few days I noticed some stuff about the ship, some room where we could install some improvements. I drew up some blueprints, but I'm not great at implementing them. I'm not mechanic.”

“Well, then hand them over,” you reply as Archie passes off a few of his notes to you. Your eyes scan over them as a smile forms on your face. “These are pretty great! Hell, if we can find the right parts, I could turn this baby into something that isn't a piece of crap. Don't tell Crooks I said that.”

“I won't,” Archie smiles. “And thanks! Truth is the last two weeks I had a lot of time to myself thinking about the ship. I don't deal with crowds well, and since the ship has been pretty crowded lately, I just threw myself into work.”

“I figured you'd be comfortable since the guests are your childhood friends,” you reply.

A bead of sweat drips from Archie's forehead. “W-well, I guess that would make sense... heh heh...”

>Look, you've been travelling with us for a month now. What's the deal with you, Marco and Dot?
>Oh well, I can understand not wanting to deal with people. I'm the same.
>Well, if it lets us hang out more and talk about ship repairs, I'm all for it.

>>2992052
>>Well, if it lets us hang out more and talk about ship repairs, I'm all for it.
GIVE US MORE ROOMS PLEASE WE ARE DYING

>>2992052
>Look, you've been travelling with us for a month now. What's the deal with you, Marco and Dot?

>>2992052
>Oh well, I can understand not wanting to deal with people. I'm the same.

>>2992052
>Oh well, I can understand not wanting to deal with people. I'm the same.

Calling for
>Oh well, I can understand not wanting to deal with people. I'm the same.

Writing now.

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>Oh well, I can understand not wanting to deal with people. I'm the same.

"You too, huh?" Archie smiles. "I guess even some swashbuckling smugglers can be bad with crowds."

You snort. "Not much swashbuckling about me. I'm irritable and Crooks is cranky."

"Aren't those the same thing?" Archie asks.

"There's tiny differences," you assure him.

"Matt!"

The door to the engine room slides open as a frantic looking Dot enters. "Oh, Archie! You're both here! That's good!"

"Dot?" Archie raises an eyebrow. "What's wrong? You look all-"

"We just received word on the location of the Tao brothers!" she explains. "We're being sent the co-ordinates now!"

You turn to Archie with a shrug. "Well, looks like these upgrades will have to wait until after we've finished this war."

"Guess so."

The three of you make your way to the navigation room where Crooks is sitting in his favourite chair, as Marco intently studies the documents. "I see... we haven't been sent exact co-ordinates, as they aren't currently hiding out on a planet base. They're onboard a fleet ship that drifted away from the greater Athens fleet. Seems they believed it was just pirated by Shinto raiders... in truth it seems the operators of that ship were empathetic to the Tao's plight, and gave them shelter for their cause."

Crooks nods. "Explains why it took Dong so long to report back when he claimed to know where they were. He needed to get a tracker on that ship so we could all follow it first."

"Seems so..." Marco mutters, before bursting from his chair. "Then so be it! Crooks, man the Maribelle! It's time we ended this struggle once and for all, and restored peace to humanity!"

Crooks grunts. "Alright, alright... but first, you ain't the captain. And second, I'm standing right here. No need to be so melodramatic."

"I tell him the same," Connery replies. "He's quite hopeless. In many ways, he is still quite young."

"Apologies..." an embarrassed Marco bows.

Crooks nudges for you to join him in the cockpit, as he takes his rest in his pilot's chair and you in the co-pilot seat. He warms up the engines as he lets out a sigh. "Co-ordinates entered... man will I be glad to be done with this. Our damn rich kid with protagonist syndrome can piss off back to his fancy ship and all we'll have left to worry about is... well, the bounties on our heads. But one day at a time, huh Matty? If we could only convince Dot to stay with us after, we'll have a pretty sweet set-up."

>I doubt that's gonna happen. She's happy aboard the NOAH.
>I mean, it wouldn't hurt to visit my cousin every now and then. The guy's kinda grown on me.
>I miss having Dot around to. Not to mention that we're in desperate need of a ship medic.

>>2992104
>I doubt that's gonna happen. She's happy aboard the NOAH.
Disregard thots, acquire bros and AI's.

>>2992104
>I doubt that's gonna happen. She's happy aboard the NOAH.

>>2992104
>>I doubt that's gonna happen. She's happy aboard the NOAH.

Calling for
>I doubt that's gonna happen. She's happy aboard the NOAH.

Writing now

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>I doubt that's gonna happen. She's happy aboard the NOAH.

Crooks tilts his head. "Yeah, I suppose so. I'm happy for her, she's got a nice little home there. Way better than staying with us low down dirty smugglers. Anyway, let's get this over with. We're about to pick up speed everyone, so buckle in!"

The Maribelle shakes and rattles as Crooks ups the speed on the ship. Damn, this thing really does need some upgrades... regardless before long you're able to reach the same space as the fleet ship in question, as it soon appears in your line of sight.

"That's our target, right?" Crooks asks.

"Indeed it is," Marco replies. "Seems we've made it before the rest of the fleets armies have rallied."

"Well, we did move right away," you point out.

Marco nods. "I suppose this is a good thing. We're not in the midst of battle. In fact, I believe we could easily smuggle aboard their ship and find the Tao brothers for a face to face confrontation. If all goes well... we could end this without any more blood needing to be spilled."

Crooks swings around after placing the ship on autopilot. "Sounds good to me. I wasn't really a fan of being in the middle of a warzone last time. If we could avoid that I'd have no complaints... well, I'll probably still have complaints. But I'll have less."

"So we lay low, split into two groups to avoid suspicion and cover more ground, and keep in direct contact with eachother at all times," you explain. "Crooks, Marco and Connery can be one group, while Dot, Archie and Krista can form the second group."

"You're forgetting yourself," Crooks points out. "Ah shit... I hate it when these jobs have odd numbers... whatever, I'm fine with those groups. Matt, just decide which one you want to follow yourself."

>Sure. I'll go with you, Marco and Connery.
>Sure, I'll go with Dot, Archie and Krista.
>On second thought, maybe we should stick as a single group, even if seven of us moving together could look weird.

>>2992166
>>Sure, I'll go with Dot, Archie and Krista.
Hmmmm
both already have a soild mix of attack, support and weird shit, so really this is just for character stuff, and i wanna see more flustered archie

>>2992166
>Sure, I'll go with Dot, Archie and Krista

>>2992166
>Sure. I'll go with you, Marco and Connery.
Shounds shimply delightful Missh Moneypenny.

>>2992166
>Sure. I'll go with you, Marco and Connery.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>2992169
>>2992171
>Sure, I'll go with Dot, Archie and Krista

>>2992177
>>2992185
>Sure. I'll go with you, Marco and Connery.

Rolling to break the tie.

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>Sure, I'll go with Dot, Archie and Krista

"Wait a minute," Crooks pauses. "You better not be just hanging out with your fellow youths and pawning off the real work on the older guys, Matt!"

"I wouldn't think of it!" you laugh.

Marco pauses to think. "I'd like to assume that I'm considered among the fellow youths. I am only removed from Matt by about two years."

"Yeah, but you're the buzzkill," Crooks points out. "And besides, I'm closer in age to you than I am to your butler... I think. How old are you, Connery?"

"Sixty-Four."

"Yeah, my math checks out," Crooks nods, proud of himself.

Connery grimly looks over to Archie. "Archimedes, I never thought the day would come where I'd prefer to be in your company."

"Aw shucks!" Archie smiles.

"Wasn't a compliment," you mutter. "I have no idea how you could have heard that as a compliment."

Crooks returns to the controls and safely docks the Maribelle aboard the ship. "Okay..." Marco nods. "I've given word to Kilroy about the location of the Tao brothers... but hopefully his involvement will not be necessary."

"Isn't he your bodyguard?" you ask. "The way you talk about him, you sound like you don't trust him."

"I don't," Marco explains. "Not particularly. I trust him to perform his given role and protect me, and I trust his loyalty to my family... but I do not see in him the heart of a man who would choose to do the right thing in any given situation. He's lacking in moral character."

"Harsh," you shrug. "Then again, I really hate that guy."

"Killjoy..." Krista mutters, mispronouncing his name. "He's the black-hole guy, right? With the blonde hair? I'm right, right? Yep, yep..."

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You and the rest of the crew step off of Maribelle and make your way into the main civillian area of the fleet ship. It seems to be business as usual despite this being an errant, rebellious ship. Mostly people going about their day, buying and selling goods. Marco was sure to cover up his expensive clothing and his potentially recognisable face with a hood. The two groups split paths, as you find yourself travelling with Krista, Dot and Archie. Dot leads the pack with Archie walking by her side, the two making casual comfortable small talk. Dot seems to laugh at Archie's lame jokes and puns more than anyone. Low bar, considering she's the only one you've seen laugh at those. It's heartwarming to see such longtime friends with similar senses of humour. You meanwhile, are holding Krista by the arm as she's prone to get distracted by the various food and sweet stalls.

"Don't you have enough candy on you at all times?" you ask. "You're chewing on a candy cane right now?"

"Enough?" Krista ponders. "Nope! Can't ever have enough, Matt-Matt! A variety of foods is the spice of life! Just avoid only having spices, that's not a great variety, yep-yep! Speaking of, can't we stop for a bite to eat? We've still got a lot of time to find those brothers, right?"

"Stopping isn't really in our best interests," you reply. "And we still are on a time restraint."

Dot pauses. "Krista's got a point though. We can both fill our stomachs and scout around for info if we stop in somewhere. Look at that noodle place! It's packed, we might be able to overhear something or just ask around!"

>I suppose you're right... okay, let's stop for some food.
>We don't want to arouse any suspicion. Besides, this ship is allied with the Tao brothers. It can't be hard to find their location.

>>2992246
>>Ok but it has to be something we can eat on the go, I dont want to get stuck inside if someone recognises us

FOOD TRUCK FOOD TRUCK FOOD TRUCK

>>2992246
>I suppose you're right... okay, let's stop for some food

>>2992246
>We don't want to arouse any suspicion. Besides, this ship is allied with the Tao brothers. It can't be hard to find their location.

>>2992254
>>2992253
I will back this instead
Food Tuck Food Truck, Food Truck

>>2992253
Supporting this.

>>2992253
Good idea, anon. Supporting.

>>2992245
Oi don't bully Kilroy he's a gud lad

Calling for
>Ok but it has to be something we can eat on the go, I dont want to get stuck inside if someone recognises us

Writing now.

>>2992280
>Walking Around eating food on a stick while holding Krista's arm so she doesn't wander off
It's almost like it's a date

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>Okay, but it has to be something we can eat on the go, I don't want to get stuck inside if someone recognises us

"Good thinking," Archie points out. "We could go with that burger truck over there. Grab some food and eat it on the go."

A relieved smile appears on Dot's face. "Ah, I haven't had burgers in a looooong time. Let's get some!"

Dot almost drags Archie off his feet as the four of you move to the nearby food truck. You're glad that Marco insisted on paying you for the room and board you provided the last two weeks... and boy did he pay generously. You're able to splash out a little, get some extras on your burger. Hell, two entire pattys! You're living the high life now, Matthew.

While you're waiting for your burger to be prepared, you overhear some voices speaking.

"... I'm really starting to doubt leaving Athens..."

"Come on, have a little more faith. Shaman Tao said-"

"I don't think Shaman Tao is any better than any other crackpot. Look, heart being in the right place doesn't solve problems automatically. I'm starting to feel like we're no better off with him, like we're just a pawn in his game."

"You always do this, can't we have a little hope?"

"I don't know... can we?"

It seems the dissatisfaction of the common people hasn't quelled under Shaman Tao's leadership. You're not surprised. While his cause is noble, The Yellow Turbans have achieved little outside of causing a major disturbance for the larger fleets. They still don't have the resources to really help anyone or improve the quality of life of the poor... and the longer Tao goes unable to fulfil his promises of a brighter tomorrow, the more the people will sour on him.

You grab your food as the four of you begin your move. You still hold onto Krista as you eat your burger, as the food district is rife with distractions. Dot looks back to the two of you with a smile. "So cute... it looks like a date, you know."

Archie laughs nervously. "Haha, that would be funny! O-of course it's not a date, that would be silly! We're just friends, and you're married!"

Dot nods. "Yeah, I was mainly talking about Matt and Krista. I miss teasing those two."

"Then I guess I'll have to take up the mantle of teasing them in your stead!" Archie jokes.

Dot tilts her head. "Oh, Archie... you really aren't the teasing type."

Krista finishes her burger with a satisfied look on her face as she scans the area. "Are we going to ask around or something? Just walking around and hoping to overhear something is booooooring."

"Yes, but we could arouse suspicion if we ask the wrong people the wrong questions," you explain.

Krista shakes her head. "Yeah, but what are the odds we just overhear the info we want? We're not going to get anywhere if we don't risk asking!"

>You're right... I hate to do it, but we'll have to ask around. Subtly.
>One wrong question and we could be toast. Forget your impatience, and let's play it safe for now.

>>2992316
>>One wrong question and we could be toast. Forget your impatience, and let's play it safe for now.
Krista please impatience = firing squad

>>2992316
>One wrong question and we could be toast. Forget your impatience, and let's play it safe for now.

>>2992316
>You're right... I hate to do it, but we'll have to ask around. Subtly.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained, let's do it

>>2992316
>One wrong question and we could be toast. Forget your impatience, and let's play it safe for now.

Calling for
>One wrong question and we could be toast. Forget your impatience, and let's play it safe for now.

Writing now.

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>One wrong question and we could be toast. Forget your impatience, and let's play it safe for now.

Krista lets out a sigh. "Okay... we'll do it the boring way."

Krista twiddles her thumbs as the four of you wander around the market area, attempting to eavesdrop on anyone in your surroundings without being noticed. Conversations about food, washing, the newest music idol who is blowing up big in Camelot... until finally, you strike gold.

"Hey, you heading to the thing in the residential district today?"

"What, the speech? I dunno, I'm considering it. But when you've heard on Shaman Tao speech, you've really heard them all. He's a good orator though..."

Archie ponders. "You hear that?"

"I sure did," you reply.

"Lacey Electronica is coming out with a new album," Archie responds. "And so soon after her first! I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited, but-"

"-We were listening in on completely different conversations," Dot sighs. "It seems Shaman Tao is performing a speech in the residential district. Now we know where he is."

"One problem," you note. "He's giving a public speech, right? That means that the place is going to be crowded with his supporters, which is everyone on this ship... once we get there, we'll need a plan on how to get to him without harming any of the people."

"We'll measure that bridge when we get to it," Archie replies with the mind of an engineer. "Get in touch with the A-team and tell them to meet us there."

"The what team?" Dot asks.

"I figured the teams would need names," Archie shrugs.

"Why are you making your own team the B-Team?!"

Regardless, you get into contact with Crooks and inform him of Tao's location.

"Good thing you picked that up," Crooks crackles over the comm. "We were close to giving up on getting anything. Look, there's a magnet line that'll take you from here to the residential district. You hop on there and we'll meet you onboard."

With your orders received, you and the rest of the b-team make your way onto the magnet line, taking you up to the residential area. You take a seat in your group and pay for your ticket as the controller passes through. The doors slide closed, as your journey begins.

"These things are so smooth..." Archie mutters, admiring the craft of the Athen's famous magnet lines of public transportation. Gliding just above the ground, the magnet lines are the perfect cross section of speed and safety in public transport.

One young man aboard the tram looks up from his book with a smile. "Judging by the wide eyes on you... I'm gonna take a guess that you're not from around here."

"Actually, I lived and worked in Athens for a year," Archie explains.

The man shakes his head. "Well, this isn't Athens anymore, you know? You sure couldn't be tourists. So, what brings you all here?"

>We're just some travellers. We stopped here for fuel and decided to look around. It's a nice ship.
>We heard about this Shaman Tao and wanted to hear him speak. We're interested in his ideas.

>>2992395
>>We're just some travellers. We stopped here for fuel and decided to look around. It's a nice ship.
LIE THROUGH YOUR TEETH
also
>Lacey Electronica
Wife

>>2992395
>We're just some travellers. We stopped here for fuel and decided to look around. It's a nice ship.
How do you do fellow kids?

>>2992395
>We heard about this Shaman Tao and wanted to hear him speak. We're interested in his ideas.

>>2992395
>We're just some travellers. We stopped here for fuel and decided to look around. It's a nice ship.

Calling for
>We're just some travellers. We stopped here for fuel and decided to look around. It's a nice ship.

Writing now.

>>2992395
>We heard about this Shaman Tao and wanted to hear him speak. We're interested in his ideas.

Yeah, uh, randomly decide to just stop for fuel at this one ship purported to be taken by Shinto raiders and probably dangerous? The ship that is out of the way, far from its Athens fleet? Not sure if the story about being just travelers will cut it. At least this one sets us as one of them, searching for freedom from the tyranny of the rich or whatever the fuck they believe.

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>We're just some travellers. We stopped here for fuel and decided to look around. It's a nice ship.

"Some travellers?" the man replies. "Huh... must have gotten lost or something to be seeking fuel out here."

"We're explorers by nature," Dot explains. "We weren't hurting for fuel too badly, but seeing this place out here seemed to be good fortune. A pit stop that would let us move further out before having to turn back to one of the main fleets. Who knows, with that little boost, we might travel far enough to find a new planet!"

Dot gives a small and a nod. You're glad she took up the talking on your behalf. You're not the best at social situations, Archie is an awkward mess and Krista's so loaded up on sugar her head is in the clouds most of the time.

"Wouldn't that be something," the man smiles. "If you do, be sure to name it after me?"

"And what name would that be?" Dot replies.

"Billiam Tanner."

"Planet Tanner has a nice ring to it," Dot looks at him with a casual smile, using her natural charisma to take him off guard. "Consider it a deal!"

"I always wanted something named after me," Billiam nods with pride. "In return I'll give you a word of advice. Keep the fact that you're not from here to yourselves. Most folk on this ship have been a little paranoid of outsiders lately. After all, the guy who runs it has made an enemy of every single fleet in the galaxy if you can believe it. I suppose that's where preaching will get you... Shaman Tao, you lot heard of him?"

"A little," Dot replies. "I tend to keep up to date with the news, but I don't fancy myself a very political person. He certainly seems like an interesting fellow."

"Interesting is one way to put it," Billiam laughs. "I've been on this ship for a while now, you know. Heck, I'm reading Tao's writings right now... he's got a speech just two stops ahead, you see. Well hey, you're tourists! If you want to know about Shaman Tao, just ask! My head's all loaded with trivia on the guy!"

>Okay... have you ever met him in person? What's he like?
>He has brothers, right? What's up with his family?
>You have any idea where he came from? He just seemed to spring up with a following overnight.

>>2992504
>>You have any idea where he came from? He just seemed to spring up with a following overnight.

>>2992504
>He has brothers, right? What's up with his family?
Got to do some recon.

>>2992504
>You have any idea where he came from? He just seemed to spring up with a following overnight.

>>2992504
>He has brothers, right? What's up with his family?
Knowing more about the other brother could be useful.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>2992510
>>2992532
>You have any idea where he came from? He just seemed to spring up with a following overnight.

>>2992528
>>2992539
>He has brothers, right? What's up with his family?

Rolling to break the tie.

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>He has brothers, right? What's up with his family?

"Had brothers," Billiam corrects you. "His youngest brother died in battle two weeks ago. In fact, this is Shaman Tao's first appearance in public since his little brother Liang's death."

"Oh, I see..." you reply. You knew that, of course. You were there when Liang died. But better to pretend that you're learning new thing.

Billiam nods. "Yeah, real sad, that... but his family sure is interesting. According to Tao himself, his parents died when he and his siblings were very young, killed in the crossfire of a Shinto raid on Camelot. Imagine that... ten years old, and you have to raise your two younger brothers on the streets as an urchin. It must have been hell."

"I can imagine..." Dot mutters. "That's so sad..."

"Well, all three Tao's made it to adulthood, miraculously, and went their separate ways. Shaman as he's now know... nobody knows his forename outside of his brothers, only his title, found himself stricken with constant nightmares and visions. He later realised by his own testimony... that he was seeing visions of the future. He began to help the people in his area, going to everyone he had a grizzly vision of and helping their situations before things turned for the worst. He always knew the exact details of their predicament, and he quickly stamped out any suspicions that he might be a charlatan. Over time, he began to grow quite the following... and it all started with his brother... Bao."

"That's the middle brother, right?" Dot asks.

Billiam nods. "Yes. Bao had fallen on hard times, sucked into a gambling ring on the streets of the Camelot fleet. Shaman saved his brother from the pit of despair, and for that Bao was eternally grateful to the brother who raised him and continued to provide for him through adulthood. The same happened to Liang, who was starving and penniless after being mistreated and taken advantage of in his attempts to become a musician. The system wasn't fair... the number of nightmares Tao received was proof of that. He seeked reformation, and freedom for the common people."

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Billiam lets out a yawn as he rises from his chair. "It's fascinating stuff. I'm mostly invested in the story as a tale of three brothers... or rather, two now. I'd like to hope the remaining two don't befall such tragedy. Anyhoo, my stop is up next. I won't keep you from heavily admiring the magnet line."

Archie smiles. "I sure will! I guess you could say I'm... attracted to these magnets! Huh?"

Billiam takes a look at Archie and lets out a laugh. "Ha... heheheh..." his laughter becomes more forceful and uproarious until tears are in his eyes. "Oh, that's good! I've never heard that before! That... that's really funny!"

"Heh, I guess it is..." Archie beams proudly.

"Heh... heh... you know what what... heh... you know what else is side-splittingly funny?" Billiam asks.

"What?" you ask.

"That... o-ho! Ha... that you... you idiots thought I wouldn't recognise the wife of Marco Shao."

Everything goes quiet, as you stare at Billiam in hesitation as his eyes widen and he arches his back, standing up straight and cutting an impressive figure. "I'm even more insulted that you don't even recognise me," he explains. "Especially when you're on the way to my brother's speech."

Shit...

>Draw your blaster and fire, fast.
>Look, we're not here to hurt anyone! Believe us, we just want to talk!
>Guys... let's run.

>>2992632
>>Draw your blaster and fire, fast.
HES A BIG BOY HES SURVIVED WORSE PROBABLY

>>2992632
>>Draw your blaster and fire, fast.
The violence has escalated.

>>2992632
>Draw your blaster and fire, fast.

Calling for
>Draw your blaster and fire, fast.

Writing now.

>>2992632
>Draw your blaster and fire, fast
Pewpew

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>Draw your blaster and fire, fast.

You reach down and immediately pull out your blaster, not time for talking here. Yet... as soon as your hand rises up, you find it uncontrollably flying back, and catching Krista in the face.

"Ow, Matt-Matt!" Krista exclaims. "Why did you-"

"I-I didn't!" you exclaim. "I'm so sorry, I-"

But as you try to explain matters to Krista, you find yourself being pulled towards her yet again. In fact, you can't pull yourself away as your hand locks itself on Krista's cheek while the two of your struggle being stuck together, back-to-back. It's when you can manage to turn your head around that you notice something very odd indeed. "Krista, why are you glowing red?!"

"W-why are you glowing GREEN, Matt-Matt?!" Krista responds. As you look down, you realise she's right. There's a green aura coming off your body, while above your head floats a single number made from that aura... 1. You look, and Krista has the number 3 above her head. What the hell is going on? You both can't move while stuck together like this...

"Matt, Krista!" Dot calls out as she and Archie spring into action... only for a blue aura to appear around the two of them and the number 2 to appear above their heads. Unlike you and Krista, though, they aren't pulled in. Instead they find themselves flying back, repelled from you and from eachother, bouncing to the back of the tram car.

File: Bao Tao05.png (894 KB, 714x1000)

894 KB PNG

"I bet you weren't expecting that!" Bao laughs. "And before you ask, no. I wasn't so vain to read my own brother's teachings on public transport. This is actually my book of poems, I like to write some in my spare time. How about a haiku? Let's see... Four fools all alone. Thought they could beat my brother. Can't even beat me."

"You bastard..." you mutter.

"I like the ring to that one," Bao explains.

"What the hell is this?!" you demand to know. "Your biochip power?"

Bao tilts his head. "A smart one, aren't you? Being able to point out the blatantly obvious like that, you must be the brains of this operation! Well, since it might get a little complicated for you, I'm more than happy to explain this ability..."

Name: Bao Tao
Biochip Class: 1-2-3 KID

Bao's Biochip marks everyone in range of his ability with a number, causing them to glow a certain colour. 1's glow with a green aura. 2's with Blue, 3's with Red. After being marked, each person undergoes a form of magnetism. Any two marked with the same number will repel each-other, and 2's will repel even those of different numbers, while 1's and 3's will be attracted to each-other.

POWER: E
SPEED: E
DURABILITY: A
PRECISION: E
RANGE: B
POTENTIAL: A

"How appropriate that we're on the magnet line, now that I think about it..." Bao smiles. "Anyway, I can switch your numbers at any time I please, like so."

Bao looks to Dot as her number changes from a 2 to a 1, as Bao's own hand glows with a red aura. You notice he stands away from yourself and Krista to avoid letting himself or Dot get sucked into your pile as he pulls her towards him. She flies through the air ready to get caught by the middle Tao brother, when...

"WHITE ANGEL!" Dot exclaims, using her Biochip power to summon a forcefield at the exact right time. The force of the shield is enough to overpower the magnetism as it knocks Bao back and sends Dot flying... into the door of the tram which breaks off its hinges from the force as Dot goes flying to a lower level. She'll easily survive the fall, especially with her shields, but you can't afford to lose her presence in this fight.

>Use your vines to catch Dot before she falls out of reach
>Throw yourself and Krista out the door after Dot.

>>2992750
>>Use your vines to catch Dot before she falls out of reach
We cant bank on archie being able to follow us otherwise, and also falling out of trains hurts probably

>>2992750
>>Use your vines to catch Dot before she falls out of reach

>>2992750
>>Use your vines to catch Dot before she falls out of reach

>>2992750
>Use your vines to catch Dot before she falls out of reach
inb4 we try to stop the tram like a shitty Spider-Man ripoff.

>>2992750
>Throw yourself and Krista out the door after Dot.

Calling for
>Use your vines to catch Dot before she falls out of reach

Roll 1d20, Best of 2, please.

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>2992795

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>2992795

File: Bao Tao04.jpg (145 KB, 1000x1476)

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>12 [MODERATE SUCCESS]

"WONDER OF THE WORLD!" you exclaim as a group of vines quickly grow from your arm. They fly out the door to grab Dot by the arm, and your ship medic quickly grabs hold. Now comes the problem of pulling her up as she swing along hanging out of the door, being pulled along at high speed by the moving magnet line. You notice that she's no longer glowing with any kind of aura... she must be out of the abilities range. Good thing too because otherwise you'd be pulled towards her right out the door. You lie on the floor on your belly with the weight of Krista on your back as you begin to recall the vines, straining to carry Dot up with you. Come on... come on...

Slowly but surely, Dot reaches the top of the vines... and begins to glow Red again. Uh oh...

"Crap! Krista, hold onto something!" you exclaim as you feel yourself being pulled towards Dot before she's back in the tram. Krista grabs hold of a metal bad and clutches it like her life depended on it.

With the leverage benefited by Krista, you begin to pull yourself up to a sturdier base as Dot is pulled in through the door. You look to your side and you see that Archie has managed to keep Bao Tao at bay by using the surrounding metal of the magnet line to create spears, which he is launching at the enemy.

As Dot is pulled into the car, her magnetic attraction causes her to collide with you... and her magnetic force causes Krista to be launched off your back and repelled into the opposite wall of the tram, hitting her head with enough force to seemingly knock her out.

"Krista!" you exclaim, but you can hardly move. The burden of Krista being attached to your back has now been replaced by the burden of Dot attached to your chest. And you thought your bed was cramped...

"Dammit..." you mutter. "How are we supposed to fight him when we can't even move together?"

"Oh yes!" Bao exclaims as he frantically scribbles in his notebook while avoiding Archie's attacks. "You've almost come upon a poetic metaphor... repulsion and separation based on classification, fleeting connections and alliances, all serving to hinder everyone as a whole. Why, it could be a brilliant poetic statement on society, don't you think?"

"Why does everyone we fight have to be so... weird?" Dot asks.

You shake your head. "I'll never know..."

File: Sun Chen02.gif (79 KB, 400x604)

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Just as you speak, the tram begins to shake violently. Did Archie remove a piece he really shouldn't have? No... out of the corner of your eye, you can see the cause of the disturbance. Smaller ships, flying into the fleet ship's territory, and blasting away, as ground troops exit and begin to pour the area. The other fleet armies have arrived. This has turned into a full-on assault. Marco will be heartbroken, but you can't be mad. Considering your situation, you really needed the assistance right now.

"Blast it..." Bao mutters. "I need to get off this thing. Reunite with me brother... I'm sure I'll see you fools again on the battlefield."

Bao runs to the next train car, making a break for it. You can't move at all until you're out of his range, and neither can Archie who is still marked in Blue. If he tries to give chase, he'll send you other three flying to your doom when he passes by.

As the aura fades and Bao escapes, you rise to your feet and let out a sigh. "Dammit... the battle is raging... and we're still moving in this thing?! How the hell are we supposed to get off this damn-"

As you speak, a small ship crashes through the wall of the tram, embedding itself in your car. You leap back in shock, but luckily none of you are hurt in the crash.

"You idiot! You told me you could fly this thing!" a familiar voice from inside the jet yells.

"I thought I could! It's a little different from the simulations!"

Wait, is that?

The cockpit window slides open, as out jumps to familiar faces from Shinto... from the royal family of Shinto, at that.

"See, it's fine!" Sun Chen laughs. "The Engine's still going! I just need to learn how to reverse and... oh!"

He turns around and notices you staring at him in disbelief, as his sister Sun Mao fiddles with the controls of the jet. "Hey Matt, what are the odds of this?!" He smiles. "Need help."

"A lot," you reply.

The battle has officially begun. Now is the time to put an end to the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

END OF CHAPTER 12

>>2992903
fucking wew
also wow thats a hard power to deal with

File: Sun Chen01.jpg (93 KB, 545x800)

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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! Not the longest session today, but we're heading the end stretch of the current arc! Expect the next thread this Wednesday or Thursday, and for the Arc ending thread this coming Monday/Tuesday! Follow the Twitter for any updates!

>Player Question
What are your thoughts on Bao and his power?

>>2992920
Thanks for running Booker.

>PQ
Seems like it'll be tough to beat, we might need to practice repelling each other to give us a speed boost to hit Bao.

>>2992920
This is gonna be fun
>PQ
Magnets, how do they work?