Residental District, Miir, 3rd Floor
Friday, 22nd of 6th, 1173. 11:20AM.

"Can we really be doing this out here?" You squirm lightly in your seat and glance around.

"Why not?" Joran took a deep draft from his paper cup of tea. "Nobody's watching us."

"Yeah, but it's..." You glance over your shoulder.

The two of you were sitting at one of the outdoor tables of a small mom-and-pop cafe, somewhere in the suburbs. It wasn't anywhere near Elan or Taylor's house, so presumably it was near wherever Joran lived. If he even lived in Miir at all- weren't there barracks outside of the city? That was a thing military bases had, right?

"What makes you think you're special enough to be watched?" Joran asked idly, rubbing his wrist. He wasn't in uniform this time, instead wearing a long-sleeved jacket over a plain office shirt. You wondered idly if he was hot in that, considering the warmer weather, but you were still wearing a sweater because it looked nice, so perhaps you couldn't judge. "People aren't going to pay attention to someone who isn't acting suspiciously. The best way to get noticed is to try and conceal what you're doing- act like you belong and you'll do fine."

"Easy for you to say..." You mumble, then glance up at him. "...how are things with the military? Are you still in trouble?"

Joran made a face and shook his head. "They dropped the charges officially a few weeks ago. It was just a formality, and I've got worse things on my record. I'll be fine."

"That's good..."

"We also got your drop." He continued. "I presume you had one of your... robots make that happen, but regardless, you've done a great service for us." He dropped his voice into a quiet hiss. "Maybe this time we can open a hull without them breaking something."

You have to suppress a bit of a snort. "How is the base, by the way?"

"Doing fine." He shrugged and took another draft of his tea. "Problem is with the hull in bits and pieces they're having to change the salvaging operation around. Obviously that incident killed any tourism for the next few... years, really."

You squirm a little guiltily.

"But, either way..." He continued. "Better that than another incident."

>"What happened to that tour group I was with? CATY? They okay?"
>"Do you know if they suspect me of anything?"
>"What's your next move now that you have the data?"
>"I found these two people with... powers, like mine. But they aren't Valkan."
>"I recently broke the back of a cult, do you think you could help me out with it?"
>[Write-In]

I'm still pretty sick, so updates are likely to be pretty slow, but I'm slowly tapping away at them when I feel alright.

>>4567364
>"What's your next move now that you have the data?"
>"I managed to come across what seems to be the hub for a death cult, how might I best pass this on?"
Seems to be a bit more believable than saying we destroyed their power base by ourselves

>>4567364
>"I found these two people with... powers, like mine. But they aren't Valkan."
>"What's your next move now that you have the data?"

Time to explain Hedge mages and why they are a problem, and seeing what is next.

>>4567367
Glad to have you back, Bentus. Hope you get better soon!
>>4567364
>"I found these two people with... powers, like mine. But they aren't Valkan."
>"I recently broke the back of a cult, do you think you could help me out with it?"

>>4567364
>>"What happened to that tour group I was with? CATY? They okay?"

>>4567364
>>"What happened to that tour group I was with? CATY? They okay?"
>>"What's your next move now that you have the data?"

>>4567364
>"I found these two people with... powers, like mine. But they aren't Valkan."
>>"I recently broke the back of a cult, do you think you could help me out with it?"
>"What's your next move now that you have the data?"
Do we even know what got put on the drive?
>"What happened to that tour group I was with? CATY? They okay?"

>>4567364
>>"What's your next move now that you have the data?"
>>"I found these two people with... powers, like mine. But they aren't Valkan."
I'd leave out the cult since mom wanted to finish them herself.

>>4567364
>"What happened to that tour group I was with? CATY? They okay?"
Concern for the nice people. Well some of them seemed nice. Mostly nice. But also pretty... smart. And well dressed.

>>4567364
>"What happened to that tour group I was with? CATY? They okay? Do you know how I might find them?"
>"What's your next move now that you have the data?"

I am missing something, who are these two people with powers? I assume they aren't Elan or Kara.

>>4568290
The two boxers you met in the gym, Angie and Pavel.

>>4568432
Oh right, it's been so long that I have forgotten lol. Adding to my vote
>"I found these two people with... powers, like mine. But they aren't Valkan."

>>4567364
>>"What happened to that tour group I was with? CATY? They okay?"
>>"What's your next move now that you have the data?"
>>"I managed to come across what seems to be the hub for a death cult, how might I best pass this on?"

>"What's your next move now that you have the data?"
>"What happened to that tour group I was with? CATY? They okay?"
Writing. Update tomorrow or the day after.

>>4567889
The exact details of what they asked for were in #6, but essentially they provided a broad overview of Valkan history and culture mocked up to look like normal data, alongside some passages that just so happened to have been translated into Tagaran as well. Crazy coincidence there.

Checking the Bentus dead o'meter™

>>4571745
Bentus lives. Bentus is also still sick and might need another day.

>>4571853
Literally as soon as I was about to post that I was getting over the hump on my illness, I somehow managed to pull every muscle on the right side of my torso.

...mobility is fine, so this doesn't actually affect the update at all, but damn dude.

"So, what's your next move now that you have the data?"

"For now? Nothing. The military doesn't know what they have and I'm not about to tell them." He picked up a small biscuit from the carton he'd purchased inside and bit into it. "It wouldn't surprise me if it took them a while to figure out they had something significant, so my job amounts to military politics for the moment. To ensure that our investment doesn't go to waste."

You give him a bit of a shaky smile and bite into the sandwich he bought for you. Soft, roast meat and cold greens filled your mouth, cool against the summer heat and immersed in a sweet sauce.

Joran watches you with some quiet amusement. "I would ask that you endeavor not to blow up the other most valuable ship we have."

"Isn't-" You swallow. "Isn't the Kharaki in orbit?"

"Presumably you mean Hull XV. Yes, it is. But I wouldn't put it past you to somehow get up there." He sighed, gently knocking the biscuit against the carton to shake some crumbs loose.

You hastily change subjects. "What happened to that tour group I was with? CATY?" You make a slight face at the name. "Kind of a weird name... they okay?"

"Funny you should mention that." Joran coughed, brushing his fingertips clean. He leaned forward and steepled his fingers. "Apparently you told them you were a linguist?"

"Ah... yeah." You nod. "It seemed like the easiest thing for me to fake, since I'm not particularly... great at any of the sciences."

"Linguistics isn't something that normally gets selected for the CATY program, since they have to compete with students who have more..." He searched for a word. "...marketable fields of interest. I honestly expected you to say something vaguely appropriate, like math or physics."

You wince. "Shit, did I fuck it up?"

"In a... manner of speaking." Joran said carefully. "CATY is- well, I'm sure you figured out that it's a competitive program. Not in the sense of a tournament, but students are nominated or fail based on academic achievement that impresses the military. Skills that would be attractive to a military office. Needless to say all of the applicants are usually in the sciences with military applications..."

"I saw the facility." You nod. "Firing ranges, wiring projects, tour leader who is a bumbling chemistry professor."

"Exactly." Joran nodded. "Just being in the program carries the connotation of being highly skilled for your age, so..."

"...so, linguistics stuck out like a sore thumb." You wince and rub the back of your neck.

"Not... sore." Joran reached into his jacket and withdrew a letter from his inner pocket and put it on the table. "You did catch some attention, though."

You raise an eyebrow at the physical mail, then look at Joran. "What do you mean?" You ask carefully.

>>4573223
"How do I put this... the military has recently become very interested in linguistics, as it happens." He slid it across to you. "That's a letter congratulating you on being selected to advance to the next stage of the competition. The division in charge is interested in hearing from you again."

"...you're serious?" You pull the letter across to you and begin to open the flap.

"Completely." Joran said, idly. "Of course, participation is up to you- CATY is only interested in highly motivated students, even if the military at large is the complete opposite. If you sent them a polite refusal they'll just drop you and look elsewhere."

"What would be the benefit?" You look up at Joran.

"Well, don't think of it as a favor to me." Joran gestured. "I already have access to all of the material CATY has access to, I don't need anyone on the inside to help me get at it. The benefit to you would, of course, be a shot at getting into the military. Or at least, a military contractor."

"O-oh." You swallow, then look at your sandwich and slowly set it down. "And is that... good?"

"The military can be quite a demanding taskmaster." Joran shrugged and gave you a look. "CATY isn't really a program that leads to rank- warrant officer, maybe, but not proper command. But it would bring you into contact with more Valkan artifacts and data than you could ask for. Whether that's the life you want to lead or not is up to you."

You nod, slowly. "How long would I have to respond?"

"They'll probably bring the candidates they accept in for a more thorough analysis at the end of the summer. Maybe sooner, depending on budgets and how fast the chain moves."

>"...well, it's not like I was planning on doing anything else with my time."
>"Do you think you could help me fake it?"
>"I'm not sure I can do this..."
>"Honestly, I was hoping to avoid getting tangled up in the military."
>[Write-In]

>>4573226
>>"Do you think you could help me fake it?"
>>"I'm not sure I can do this..."
Oh no Tiiris has to decide her future now. I don't know what to do.

>>4573226
>"Honestly, I was hoping to avoid getting tangled up in the military. Besides, I'm not sure I can do this..."
The longer we're there the more likely it is that somebody realizes we aren't actually a linguist. And being there carries risks of its own besides that as well.

>>4573226
>"Do you think you could help me fake it?"
We may have to think about and talk to some people, first.

>>4573226
>>"Honestly, I was hoping to avoid getting tangled up in the military."
We'll definitely get caught during a regular fitness check

>>4573226
>"I'm not sure I can do this..."
We need to consult our parents and friends first. The military is a nice, stable job and allows us to get the first dibs on classified Valkan artifacts, on the other hand the chances that we get detected increases exponentially.

>>4573226
>"Do you think you could help me fake it?"
I think we could make it work. The podunk job in the tiny book store makes an oddly convincing cover story. They want motivated students. We are highly motivated to learn Valkan, and have... unusual sources to help us along in it. No one expects a high school graduate to be a genius at everything, but when you can do one thing everyone else has trouble with, that's a kind of genius in itself.

The military itself is a no-go, but we already have the eyesight "problem" as an excuse to avoid that. Aim for PMC work, where medical tests are noninvasive and usually half-assed. But where they still get that sweet, sweet firehose of military contract lucre.

If Joran is willing to help a bit. Wouldn't want to try it without a lifeline.

And I kind of want to see literally everybody's faces if we tell them.
>YOU FUCKING DID WHAT.

>"Do you think you could help me fake it?"
Writing.

>>4573302
You don't have to respond right this second, if that helps. This vote is mostly about setting Tiiris' initial position.

Late to vote but we should stay away from the military like a plague. Their incompetence has saved us so far but not everyone there will be incompetent.

>>4574365
I think I think the opposite, I think we are talking about the only logical path that the plot offers us now but we must think that it is not only Tiiris who is affected, We talked about having two half Valkan friends, a Valkan mother who came back from death, a Valkan friend who is taking care of her, a "whatever Netana is to us" part of a cult ... The moment someone decides to follow Tiiris and our drones can't detect it, in what that person learns to add 2 plus 2 we will have problems. I think with the help of Joran and his non-intelligence-agent friend we can get to interesting points. I also remember a girl suspicious of CATY that if she is not part of a cult, she is also Valkan or maybe a reptilian looking for ways to retake the world, and I think there is still lore to exploit.

>>4574930
If we do end up going with this path it has a good chance of potentially giving up a role in the "second" contact team when one of the other fleets turns up, and means that we have a good chance of managing to resolve things peacefully. With either the Carrot or the Stick.

>>4575130
Yikes. Hadn't thought about it but second contact is bound to be a nightmare. Especially if one of the nastier Valkan fleets shows up.

Would be just our luck if the Supremacist fleet arrives, searching for the missing splinter fleet out of Valkan solidarity.

>>4575249
But that's why we could go and find one of the 'less' bad ones and lead them here, Xol would definitely vouch for us Or lead them into prepared trap.

>>4575130
>>4575249
>>4575253
Considering the option of a second contact, should we ask Xol to introduce him to Joran and vice versa? like "if the other fleets are there, they will eventually come." and we already know in advance that they are there. Think about what we can make Xol our "valkan material consultant" and that, together with Joran, we can be his voice. We can generate a second "peaceful" meeting and open the doors to co-existence. Tagara could gain access to Valkan progress and by developing socially move to a new stage, One where the military is not the thought leader. Also with the life expectancy of Tiiris we have time to prepare it. I read your opinions.

"Do you think you could help me fake it?" You ask timidly.

"Unfortunately I don't speak Valkan." Joran smiled light as he finished his cup of tea and set it down on the table. "And there isn't much I can do in a competition meant to judge entrants on their own merits." He drummed his fingers on the table. "I have a degree of influence, obviously. Otherwise I wouldn't have been able to get you an invitation. I could nudge you through if you put in some effort... but is that what you really want? Further scrutiny by the military? These aren't the kinds of things you can easily back out of, you know."

"But you're part of the military as well." You point out. "Why wouldn't you think it was a good idea?"

"Military life isn't for everyone. You give up a lot of your life for the possibility to serve the people and maybe influence how we serve the people. And that's a big 'if', these days. You would be entering on a very limited commission- and that's if you didn't get grant money and had to also go to college on the planetary guard's dime." He leaned forward. "I served during the war, and it cost me three years of my life recovering in a cybertrauma ward." He held up his right hand and flexed it a few times before rubbing the wrist. "And I signed up for that. It wasn't a tangential interest. Make no mistake, if you go this way it's going to entirely shape your worldview going forward."

"R-right..." You nod, feeling almost as if you've said something wrong. Joran's expression was serious, but it wasn't angry. You take a breath. "Is there anything else you could do?"

Joran's expression turned considerate. "I suppose I could always vote against you."

You make a face. "Why would I want to do that? I could just drop out, instead."

"Think about it." Joran gestured slightly. "Promising recruit with a unique skill set who doesn't make it past selection. If they became interested enough - and this is a stretch, you are a student after all - they might follow up with you. See if they can't acquire you skill set another way? Contracting, advisory- the military does employ civilians, after all."

"So, what, like a mercenary?"

"The more academic kind of mercenary. You know, Avel, Ode. Military contractors that do things for the military that doesn't involve combat. To an extent, you're still at the beck and call of the military for rent- especially if you get yourself recruited by an existing company. At the same time, you have a far greater degree of autonomy as a civilian and you aren't under as much scrutiny as in the military itself."

"And the downside?" You ask.

"You aren't in the military. No rank, no privileges, no potential of calling the shots one day- just a decent paycheck and some privacy. And to a lot of people, that's quite reasonably worth it."

"Right..."

Joran's expression softened. "I wouldn't worry too much about it now. Take your time, think it over. You're... what, sixteen? Seventeen?"

>>4575560
>"Seventeen at the end of the summer."
>"Seventeen this fall."
>"Sixteen as of this spring."
>"Sixteen until next year."

>>4575563
>"Sixteen until next year."
I think it's the only option that sounds mature on our part.
And think about it, being a Valkan linguist with military rank we will have the first position as Tagara's spokesperson before a Valkan fleet, and being the only ones of our kind they have no place to compare: They literally have no way to dismiss our cover. Obviously when explaining certain concepts derived from the Abyss we have to feign ignorance since we can see the term But not understand it. And as a cover we can falsify SketchBooks as the first that we find with words in Valkan and Tagaran, and that over the years by association we have been learning. And about where we got the books we have the work in the bookstore as an alibi, along with the fact that the army knows internally that there were valkans in Tagara, But they don't know that we know. With those principles I think it can work.

>>4575566
>I think it's the only option that sounds mature on our part.
Just to be clear, you're voting on what time of year Tiiris was born. In order, summer, fall, spring and winter (the beginning of the next year). Any phrasing is just to keep Tiiris from naming a specific date.

>>4575563
>"Sixteen until next year."
I'm also going to assume that there is some sort of basic training / screening that everyone of a certain age gets at some point, even though Tiiris probably has an exemption she might still have to go through the basic screening and would probably get assigned to back line logistical stuff to free up the more 'able bodied' personnel for other duties, and this puts it off for the longest and allows us the most time to develop a way to hide it if we need to.

>>4575563
>"Sixteen until next year."

>>4575563
>"Sixteen as of this spring."

>>4575563
>>"Seventeen this fall."
Which season is it now Bentus?

>>4575602
Good thing we kept the facade of using thick glasses then

>>4575574
Oh, don't notice that. Changing to:
>"Seventeen this fall."

>>4575563
>>"Seventeen this fall."

>>4575574
>Any phrasing is just to keep Tiiris from naming a specific date.
given that he signed off her documents I don't think Tiiris has thought this through

>>4575563
>"Seventeen this fall."

>>4575563
>"Seventeen this fall"
Can someone remind me how months work on this planet? Do they even have names?

>>4575563
>"Sixteen as of this spring."
>"Sixteen until next year."
Whichever of these is younger. Got to keep building up those feelings of inadequacy when compared to her peers.

>>4575622
It's currently summer.

>>4576120
14 months, each 29 days long for a total year of 406 days. They don't have names, instead being numbered in sequential order. Days and weeks are as on Earth- 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Oh, while we've got him here, we should ask Joran something:
>So if you have a bunch of railguns and soldiers... is putting them in a circle around the thing you're going to shoot a good idea? It didn't look that good to me.

>"Seventeen this fall."
Writing.

"Seventeen this fall." You say, taking a bite out of your sandwich.

"Then you've got plenty of time to decide what you want to do with your life. You shouldn't let anyone pressure you into deciding what you want the next five years of your life to be like." He shrugged and leaned back. "Think a little, travel. Suss out what you want from your life before you get too entrenched in anything."

"You're a terrible recruiter." You drawl.

"Well, nobody's threatening to dock my pay if I don't meet my quotas." Joran smiled. "Seriously, think about it- I mean, do you have anything in mind?"

"I wanted to join the military when I was younger..." You admit. "I had a vision problem, though." You self-consciously push up your glasses, ignoring the slight distortion in your vision as your implants minutely corrected. "That's not really a factor anymore. It's just... knowing what I know now..."

"The adventure has lost some of it's appeal?" Joran offers.

"No." You shake your head. "It's more like what the military used to appeal to me for is... less there. I don't know how to explain it. It's just that my 'position' in the universe is different, now. If you wanted to call it that."

"I take it you haven't known about your heritage long, then?" He asks. "I can imagine learning something like that would shake you."

You nod. "Very recently."

Joran gave you an appraising look. "...do you think your perception of the Valkans has changed? Would you still commit to a fight against them?"

>"Of course I would."
>"It's just... so many of them are just normal people. But at the same time they're Valkans. I'm not sure what to think of them anymore."
>"Not blindly. Things were way more politically complex than we thought."
>"No, I don't think I could."
>[Write-In]

>>4577968
>The Valkan and the Tagaran have a lot in common, but ... a lot happened ... But Tagara is my home. I don't know if it answers your question ...

>>4577968
>"Not blindly. Things were way more politically complex than we thought."

>>4577968
>>"Not blindly. Things were way more politically complex than we thought."

>>4577968
>"Not blindly. Things were way more politically complex than we thought."

>>4577968
>"It's just... so many of them are just normal people. But at the same time they're Valkans. I'm not sure what to think of them anymore."
We met a farmer. And one who was maybe ten years old when the war happened.

>>4577968
>"Of course I would."
tagara #1 kill all chipheads

>"Not blindly. Things were way more politically complex than we thought."
Writing.

Born to hunt
Tagara #1
Kill em all 2581
5000000000000 dead valkans

tagara space empire
kill all valkans superweapon
clean galaxy remove AI

"Not blindly." You murmur. "Things were way more politically complex than we thought."

Joran leaned in with interest. "How so?"

"Well... the Valkans had an internal power struggle over... you know, the war. It seems like less of a civil war and more of a... mutiny? From the way they talk about it?"

Joran nods politely. "A mutiny has been a fairly unpopular theory for the sudden scuttles towards the end."

"There were multiple factions... and it turns out a lot of the Valkans were actually civilians?" You frown. "On top of that, the fleet that attacked us were some kind of religious extremists? I haven't really pushed anyone I met on it yet, so I don't know the exact details. But there are some fleets out there that are apparently pretty chill towards outsiders? Or at least, they don't just immediately attack for no reason?"

Joran nodded. "Makes sense."

"So, uh- no, I'm not sure I would agree a war against any Valkan is justified. If the ones who attacked us were crazy, it's not the rest of them's fault, right? And- I'm descended from them, and I'm not nuts, so it's clearly not a genetic thing."

"That remains to be seen." Joran gave you a little smile, then leaned forward. "If it helps at all- when it comes to a first contact- or rather, second contact scenario... the military's probably going to be the one to make those. If that's something that's important to you."

You purse your lips.

"It's just something to keep in mind, Tiiris."

---

Commercial District, Miir, 2nd Floor
Friday, 22nd of 6th, 1173. 7:00PM.

"And... that should be the last of it." You gleefully shove the cart into the back, letting it bang to a stop against the wall. "For once, the back table it clear."

Sana gave you a little grin before turning away. "Oh, wait." She stopped herself and then held out an envelope to you. "I know it's a little weird getting paid again so soon, but it is Friday. Here's for all your work this week."

You smile a little and take it. "Thanks, Sana."

>Quality upgraded: 'Small Savings (2)' has become 'Savings (3)'
>'Money you've earned from your past-time job working at a bookstore. After recovering from a... mildly irresponsible spending spree, you've got some money again. It's starting to become quite a bit again, enough for a significant purchase- or many small ones.'

Tucking the envelope into your pocket, you think about the hour. It was pretty late, but you still had some time left in the day, so you could...

>Go back and see Mom again. You know. Not to be clingy or anything.
>Check and see if Angie and Pavel were in the gym this late...
>Just go home and eat something warm before crawling in bed.
>[Write-In]

>>4581522
>Check and see if Angie and Pavel were in the gym this late...
Even if they're not, we paid for this shit. Some exercise before dinner.

>>4581522
Totally out of left field: Could we talk to Jess? Not in person, but she left us contact information with Easy or something like that when we met. We kind of left her hanging after that.

But now we have implants so it doesn't seem as weird to talk. Or maybe it's more secure this way? Don't quite know how it works.

>>4581522
>Just go home and eat something warm before crawling in bed.
Go tinker with the cultist stuff as we're lying in bed

>>4581522
>Check and see if Angie and Pavel were in the gym this late...

>>4581543
This, and then
>Check and see for Angie and Pavel, or maybe some exercise.

>>4581539
+1

>>4581543
support, and then head to the gym to get even fitter

Didn't even have time to get started writing today, so we'll let the vote hang another day.

>>4581543
supporting

>>4581539
This. We paid good money for membership, shouldn't let it go to waste.

>Check and see if Angie and Pavel were in the gym this late...
Writing. I'm not actually going anywhere for Christmas, so it shouldn't be too long of a delay compared to the usual, but there's still phone calls and so on to be had, so fair warning.

>>4582934
Merry Christmas Bentus

Can't believe....

>>4585631
I can't BELIEVE...

>>4586081
That BENTUS

>>4586568
Was PLUNGING A TOILET, trying VALIANTLY to stop the Mount St. Helens of piss from overflowing because my house is FLAWLESS and WELL-ENGINEERED when a thought LANCED through my head, bright and clear as DAY.

I FORGOT TO UPDATE THE FUCKING THREAD.

Sector 3A Sports Club, Miir, 3rd Floor
Friday, 22nd of 6th, 1173. 8:00PM.

"Evening." The guy behind the counter raises a hand in greeting as you step in.

"Hey." You reply, pressing your thumb against the cheap reader they had set up on their front counter. "Everything alright?"

"Yeah, slow night." He glanced down at the computer screen in front of him as your face flashed up for a moment before glancing away. "Thanks."

Taking it as your signal that you were good to go, you step past him, shouldering your bag a little self-consciously. It felt a little strange for you to not go into the locker room first, but you were basically already wearing what you needed beneath your sweater. You had, after all, bought some sporty clothes at the mall before. You didn't want to drop off your bag, either- as much you were sure it was probably perfectly safe, you much more trusted Easy to look over your bag than the gym considering what was inside it.

You glance through each of the doors as you pass, looking for the weight room you had been shown before. At the same time, you keep your eyes peeled for any flashes of the Abyss that might clue you in to Angie or Pavel being here. You carefully pull off your sweater as you make your way around the track, leaving you in the yoga pants you'd ended up wearing instead of tights most days. You stuff it into your bag as you turn into the first room you see with proper weights and treadmills before glancing up.

There weren't that many people inside tonight. Probably has to do with it being a Friday- most of the people you could see were doing weights or heavy cardio, not exactly the kind of minimum maintenance work someone who had plans on the weekend would do. And, sure enough, in the back was a pair of familiar figures. They were joined by a few others tonight, though. It didn't look like some kind of class, though. It mostly appeared to be a group of other boxers or whatever kind of martial artists taking turns on the mat. At the very least, Angie and Pavel weren't exactly sharing any words with them.

>Go up and ask if you can join them.
>Keep your distance and observe, you had a different teacher in mind for the Abyss anyway.
>Keep your distance and observe, you still weren't sure what the deal was with these two.
>Just work out- that's legitimately what you're here for. Put your body properly through it's paces.
>[Write-In]

>>4586821
>Keep your distance and observe, you still weren't sure what the deal was with these two.

>>4586821
>Just work out- that's legitimately what you're here for. Put your body properly through it's paces.
A thought: We can sense them. But can they sense us? If we're genuinely pushing ourselves beyond routine exercise.

>>4586821
>>Keep your distance and observe, you still weren't sure what the deal was with these two.

>>4586819
Can't believe that bentus is so silly

>>4586821
>Keep your distance and observe, you still weren't sure what the deal was with these two.

>>4586821
>>Just work out- that's legitimately what you're here for. Put your body properly through it's paces.

>>4586821
>>Keep your distance and observe, you had a different teacher in mind for the Abyss anyway.

>>4586821
>Just work out- that's legitimately what you're here for. Put your body properly through it's paces.

>>4586821
>Just work out- that's legitimately what you're here for. Put your body properly through it's paces.
But do occasionally glance their way in case they do anything odd. They probably won't, but it can't hurt.

>>4586821
>>Just work out- that's legitimately what you're here for. Put your body properly through it's paces.

>Just work out- that's legitimately what you're here for. Put your body properly through it's paces.
Writing.

It had been so long since you had a chance to really exercise- the way you used to, before you had to worry about hiding your capabilities from others. Even though it was in public, this gym, mostly abandoned for the weekend except for the few diehards, would be perfect for your purposes. You claim one of the abandoned treadmills - not like there was anyone else on them - and quietly dial it up almost immediately to full speed.

You hadn't stretched at all before stepping onto the treadmil, and you couldn't help but appreciate the slight popping that ripples through your joints as you abruptly kick up to speed on the treadmill. Your legs pound on the running board, and after a few seconds to get up to speed you begin gradually increasing the treadmill's speed.

Despite your fair amount of athletic prowess before you got your implants, you had never really been able to hit the higher speeds on these machines. At least not for sprinting, but you suppose that was the point. And even with your implants in, you couldn't get through even half of the speed settings before you felt yourself starting to flag. You could feel the Abyss instinctively starting to leech into your limbs, just a little bit as you pushed your limits. The way your blood was beginning to pump happily, and the slight haze of a runner's high made it easy to draw on your powers, just like it had become easier in high-stress situations. Maybe Angie and Pavel were onto something here with this whole boxing thing...

Angie passed by, water bottle in hand as she moved towards the back of the gym. Her eyes met yours for a second, and she smiled briefly, waving her empty bottle at you, but otherwise leaving you to your run. Pavel was busy with an opponent on the mat as well- and even when they weren't, the two of them had their eyes focused elsewhere. You had no idea if the two of them had the ability to perceive the Abyss like you did, but surely a little bit of a draw wouldn't hurt?

Just to really cut loose, of course.

>Push your limits and start drawing on the Abyss.
>Stay within human limits.
>[Write-In]

>>4591519
>>Stay within human limits.

>>4591519
>>Stay within human limits.

>>4591519
>Stay within human limits.
Let's not potentially out ourselves to these two until we know more about them. For all we know, they could be real sinister mofos.

>>4591519
>>Stay within human limits.
Even if they can't detect it someone else might be able to.

Can we try looking for cute boys instead?

>>4591519
>Push your limits and start drawing on the Abyss.
Considering the amount of energy they were putting out that first time we sensed them, I'd bet any cultists trying to strongarm them come down with a severe case of broken face syndrome.
They're more like monks than cultists. To hell with Valkan miracles; directly apply FIST until problem is solved.

>>4591519
>Stay within human limits.

>>4591739
All in good time. It'll probably happen eventually, I just hope it doesn't turn into husbando wars (or waifu wars if the /u/-boats surface) when it does. I'm sure Bentus is just as keen to avoid that.

Do Valkans marry or do they have open relationships

>>4591519
>Stay within human limits.
I remember Pavel or Angie saying "she doesn't have 'it'" last time. They might be able to tell.

>Stay within human limits.
Writing.

The urge to push your limits was tempting- sorely tempting. For a while now, you had been aching to push yourself to your limits. Not as a way to see what you were capable of, exactly. That had been on your mind, but what truly was bothering you was the sense that you never quite got to be yourself in public. Only to an extent, of course, but you rarely got to be anywhere without worrying about who was looking at you and if you were being 'normal' these days.

With a slight sigh, you dial the settings on the treadmill back down to a more manageable level, resuming a rhythm much more familiar to what you used to do. That wasn't to say there hadn't been any improvement over the shape you had been in before. You were fairly certain you could have never gotten this fast or enduring before, and definitely not with the amount of fat required for- er, needless to say it was beyond your wildest dreams of the shape you might be in.

Exertion now seemed to be accompanied by a strange sharpening of your senses. Distances became clearer, details got sharper and things seemed to blur less. Your ears prickled strangely and strange scents you weren't sure you wanted to know the source of wafted up to you. It wasn't as intense as it had gotten in the past, not even close, but you weren't sure why it wouldn't get any sharper than when you were at Netana's cult, or stressed in some other way.

You glance up at a small flash of the Abyss. Pavel was on the mat now, facing off against another man who kept getting caught off-guard by how fast his blows seemed to be, despite his size. He was quick, but for reasons he couldn't tell - although you could - he just couldn't duck out of the way of Pavel's fists. Had that Abyss flash shown up every time you had pulled on your powers? How many people had noticed it if you had? The first time you noticed Pavel and Angie using their powers, you were almost on a different floor of the city from them...

The thought sticks with you more than you'd like as you wander out of the women's locker room, shaking your hair out a little. How did you know that there wasn't someone watching you, like you were watching the two of them? Was it even worth worrying about, or...

---

Outskirts of Taidin
Saturday, 23rd of 6th, 1173. 6:00AM.

Early morning light starts to gently creep across the plains, illuminating the small outcropping of trees that hides the farmhouse from view, and the walker that stands tall in the middle of it. It's turret twitches back and forth with what appears to be agitation, flicking between the various figures that mill at the edge of the trees.

At it's feet, a woman watches her son play with a tired expression, smiling and nodding when he brings back small insects that he found to show her. Her clothes are somewhat disheveled, and she clearly has not been getting enough sleep, with deep circles under each eye.

>>4596170
Closer than any of the other humans, an old man stands, his eyes fixed intently on the boy. In his contemplation, however, he doesn't notice his mother glaring at him with undisguised loathing.

---

Residential District, Miir, 1st Floor
Saturday, 23rd of 6th, 1173. 9:00AM.

"You seem in a more chipper mood than usual." Dad says, raising an eyebrow and munching on dry cereal as you come into the kitchen.

"Just got a lot done yesterday, I guess." You smile a little as you fish something out of the cupboards for breakfast.

Dad just grunts with a good-natured shrug, distracted by something he's looking at on his phone.

You stretch and sit down. Today was a Saturday, which meant that you had the whole day to yourself. Unless Sana somehow managed to get the entire Parliamentary Library in stock for some ludicrous reason.

>Check in on Netana.
>>[Sub-Option] ...and bring Kara along, like she wanted.
>Ask Mom if she's willing to teach you some things out of the grimoire.
>Ask if Tina is feeling up to teaching you some magic still.
>Speak to Mr. Soban.
>>[Sub-Option] Actually, go to Taylor instead.
>[Write-In]

>>4596172
>>Speak to Mr. Soban.
>[Sub-Option] Actually, go to Taylor instead.
speak to them both let them know about the happenings at the Cult, and the weird Chef, without mentioning that we found our mom, we should probably mention the bodies in the basement.

And see if they can provide any help / suggest ways to get to Kana.

>>4596172
>Call Jess and give her some updates

>>4596172
Spend time with Dad.

>>4596172
>>Ask Mom if she's willing to teach you some things out of the grimoire.

>>4596272
support

>>4596272
We haven't spoken to Jess in a while, +1

>Call Jess and give her some updates
Writing.

You sit down at your desk, pulling out your phone and moving to unlock it before remembering you didn't actually have Jess' contact details. You turn in your chair. "Hey, Easy?"

"Yes?" The adjutant turned from where it was folding your laundry.

"You have Jess' contact details, right? She gave them to you or something?"

"Yes, miss. Would you like me to set up a call?"

"Can't you just give the number to me?" You ask, pointing a finger at your phone.

"That device does not support this method of communication, although I can relay the call to it, if you wish."

"Um, sure, that's fine." You frown, holding out your phone a little bit, as if Easy really needed an unobstructed view of the screen to do it's thing. "...why?" You eventually ask.

"It's not a communication standard that's programmed into most devices. It's not Abyssal in nature, simply different. OH may be able to patch the functionality into your phone."

"And my implants don't have the ability to do this?" You ask curiously, ignoring the slight twinge in the back of your mind as your implants confirm that they don't.

"It is my understanding that your implants do not possess strong wireless capabilities of any kind."

"Wait, what?" You raise a hand. "Hold on. I talk to you guys through my implants all the time, though. That-"

"-is a communication method inherently Abyssal in nature." Easy finished for you. "Have you not wondered why you didn't hear any electronic devices as well? Be able to interpret their signals? Even your ability to receive radio communications is purely receptive in nature."

Your phone screen lit up, the phone app opening on it's own, but otherwise remaining blank. "If that's the case, then what's really the point?" You quirk an eyebrow, feeling your implants emit an identical feeling to yourself. "Why stick all this hardware in my head if it's only partially used."

"Security and durability, to my understanding." Easy replied. "A machine heart is designed primarily to attach to external modules while being as durable as possible. If the more complex hardware was inserted directly into your skull, repairing it would require brain surgery. That's part of the function of your lifesuit and it's modules as well." Your phone began dialing something. "If you wish to change it, we could always see if there's a cybersurgeon operating on the planet. Or depart for one of the Fleets."

You think the explanation over, then shrug lightly before raising the phone to your ear. After a few seconds of static, it began ringing with an unfamiliar tone- bursts of low beeps that trembled up and down in short bursts until there was a click.

"Hello?" A slightly tired voice came over the line. "Tiiris?"

"Ah, is that you, Jess?" You ask, pressing the phone slightly harder to your ear.

"Who else would it be?" There was a slight shuffle from the other end. "How are you doing?"

"Alright- uh, is this a bad time?"

>>4599821
"Huh? Oh, just getting an early start to my day. I'm knee-deep in my herbs right now. The prairie grass is just starting to green."

You make a slight face. "You smoke prairie grass?"

"Hey, the stem makes for a really savory seasoning. Don't knock it until you try it."

"I'll try not to." You snicker slightly.

"So, what brings you?"

>"Well, I've got my implants now..."
>[Sub-Option] "...and the story is a bit of a trip."
>"I've met some other Valkans - cool ones, don't worry - and I was wondering if you'd like to meet them?"
>"Just a social call, really. I was wondering how you were doing."
>"I'm looking for a couple of Valkans named Vaar and Karan. An AI in my possession says they were supposed to inherit it."
>[Write-In]

>>4599822
>"Just a social call, really. I was wondering how you were doing

>>4599822
>"I'm looking for a couple of Valkans named Vaar and Karan. An AI in my possession says they were supposed to inherit it."
It would also be worth mentioning that, we found more stuff could probably be repaired, or be useful to her.

>>4599822
>"Well, I've got my implants now..."
Hey look i does Valkan thinkbrain now
>[Sub-Option] "...and the story is a bit of a trip."
but uh, if she wants to be our long term friend, she ought to know the kind of lunacy we get up to on occasion. Maybe a little bit for her own safety.

And a bit of gratitude too I guess. She did help explain a lot to us and loan her books on the Abyss. Doubt we would have gone for the lifeship at all without her explanation of valkan chimerism.

>>4599822
>>"Well, I've got my implants now..."
>>[Sub-Option] "...and the story is a bit of a trip."
>>"I'm looking for a couple of Valkans named Vaar and Karan. An AI in my possession says they were supposed to inherit it."

>>4599822
>"Just a social call, really. I was wondering how you were doing."

>>4599822
>"Well, I've got my implants now..."
>[Sub-Option] "...and the story is a bit of a trip."
>"I was also wondering how you were doing."

No time to start writing tonight, so we'll leave the vote open for now. Looks like either this update or the next will be the last before we drop off.

>>4600658
+1

>"Well, I've got my implants now..."
>[Sub-Option] "...and the story is a bit of a trip."
>"I was also wondering how you were doing."
Writing. Update probably in next thread, will tweet when it's up.

Archived:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/4567363/

Again, will tweet when the new thread goes up.