>>25445191
A

It was this or sitting at home dealing with politics. Fuck politics.

>>25445191
A. Tell him it's nothing, and he would have done the same for you.

>>25445191

B. While I doubt we'll need to use it, a debt of honor is nonetheless a useful thing to have. B encompasses this feeling best.

>>25445191
>B. Tell him he'll have many chances to even it up.

>>25445191
A. Friends are good to have.

>>25445235
>>A.

"It's nothing," you tell him. "Would have done the same for me."

"Regardless, I'll remember this," he tells you.

You turn to Mickey. "What will you do?"

He begins to answer in Yautja, but Ashen-Blade tells him the vocal translator comes standard on all vision masks.

Mickey clears his throat. "Right. Well, we've just sent out a request for immediate aid over subspace comms, and we'll be ready if they come again. Not many humans know what goes on out here in the colonies, and that gives a lot of unsavory parties the right to do whatever they want. But that's what the Colonial Marines are for. We'll stop them."

You thank him. You are eager to return home and report your findings to the Matriarch.

You bid the humans farewell and board your ships. You set course for home. You will be home in 5 days.

Do you:

A. Spend some time with Burning-Scythe studying the synthetic head.
B. Take some time to rest and give time for your wounds to heal.
C. Spend some time with Sharp-Strike and getting some mutual practice in.

>>25445428
B, but have Burning-Scythe take a look at it. We need to be in top condition.

>>25445428
A) But I'd like sharp strike there as well.

>>25445428
A.

>>25445428
B. We're injured.

Lookslike tie between A and B.

>>25445551
A) but with sharp-strike

>>25445428
B.

>>25445551
B

>>25445574
>>A. Spend some time with Burning-Scythe and Sharp-Strike studying the synthetic head.

You unclip the synthetic head and place it on the workbench in the ship's armory.

You motion Sharp-Strike and Burning-Scythe to join you.

You perform a deep scan of the head and study the results.

Burning-Scythe takes a probe and begin to prod the the antennae implant while Sharp-Strike looks on with interest.

"Interesting," Burning-Scythe mutters, and points to a section of the casing. "Hardened casing against EMP. Can't see what's underneath. We'll need to remove it."

Do you:

A. Agree to carefully remove the casing.
B. Suggest it's better to take it home in one piece.

>>25445714
B. We don't want to ruin a good source of intel because we we're impatient. Better let the specialists handle it.

>>25445551
A)
We've got 5 days to heal, we can do that later.

>>25445714
B) librarian-tan will work on this for us (we never got her name I dont think)

>>25445714
B)
Don't want to fuck anything up before some real experts can have a look.

>>25445714
B
There will be a lot better equipment and personal at home who would be perfect for this.

>>25445785
>>B. Suggest it's better to take it home in one piece.

"Best leave it then. Don't want to risk destroying the evidence," you tell him.

"Agreed." Burning-Scythe says, as he continues probing around the head. He clicks thoughtfully as the probe point runs over a small bundle of wiring next to the synthetics's ear. "What's this?"

He carefully inserts the probe under the bundle and lift it from the plasticine skin. "Looks like there's still power running through it. I can try feeding more power through it, and activate whatever it is it's trying to do."

Do you:

A. Suggest he do that - see what happens.
B. Ask him if he can identify the power source.
C. Suggest you leave it alone.

>>25445922
>B. Ask him if he can identify the power source.

>>25445922
C

yea like to trying to activate the mini nuke it keeps in its head loss prevention

>>25445922
C.
Best to let the boys back home look at this thing. We should request a detailed report once they've examined it so we can understand how to best deal with these in the future.

>>25445922
C

Nothing we could learn now will be immediately useful, and it might be dangerous. We've spent many hours carefully cultivating our relationship with Librarian-tan for this exact reason, lets let her deal with the science bits when we get home.

>>25446000
>>C. Suggest you leave it alone.

"Let's not do anything to tamper with it," you tell him. "We'll let the experts handle it."

Burning-Scythe clicks thoughtfully and puts the probe back into his toolbox. "Good point."

He takes another look at it. "Still.. you ripped its head off. It makes me nervous that it's still somehow powered. I think we should be careful with this."

Do you:

A. Suggest you keep it in a secure, hardened storage bin and make sure it's fully sealed.
B. Suggest you leave it clamped to the work bench and assign one of you to keep watch on it at all times.
C. Tell him it's probably nothing, and put it on the trophy rack.

>>25446085

D space it, the head is more trouble than it is worth

>>25446085
A.

>>25446085
We might need to investigate it for a homing beacon.

>>25446143
This might be smart.

Is the box we put it in EMP resistant?

>>25446085
>A. Suggest you keep it in a secure, hardened storage bin and make sure it's fully sealed.
Also do >>25446143

>>25446085
A. At least if it goes boom, it won't take out our ship.

>>25446177
Yes.

>>25446085
A Put in hardened, radiation-proof storage room.

So it can't track us or anything.

>>25446185
In that case further precautions probably won't be necessary.

You have some vile plan, don't you?

>>25446085
A

>>25446184
>>A. Suggest you keep it in a secure, hardened storage bin and make sure it's fully sealed.

You motion Sharp-Strike to bring you a suitable bin from the storage bay.

"Could it be a homing beacon of some sort?" You ask.

Burning-Scythe taps a few times at the workbench's control panel, and points you to a set of readings. "Nothing is being emitted; at least, not over any significant distance. Doesn't rule out the fact that it may decide to broadcast something later, but it's been quiet since we brought it onto this ship."

Sharp-Strike returns, lugging a heavy metallic vacuum crate. He depresses the two locking buttons on top and the lid hisses open. You carefully place the head inside, and re-seal the lid.

"EMP resistant, radiation proof, and completely secure," you assure Burning-Scythe. "Nothing it can broadcast now or later will leave the box."

"Right."

What will you do for the rest of the trip?

A. Get some well deserved rest and let your wounds heal, so you can be ready for action as soon as you reach home.
B. Spend some time to mentor and train Sharp-Strike.

>>25446289
A

Always be ready to bust some skulls. In Pred society, sudden outbursts of gratuitous violence are always just one half-implied insult away.

>>25446289
>A. Get some well deserved rest and let your wounds heal, so you can be ready for action as soon as you reach home.

We can mentor him when we've succeeded with the mission.

>>25446289
Do we have long range coms? Can we get a message out regarding our cargo, and see if the people back home think it would be a good idea to return with it?

Also, let's go heal up some.
A.

>>25446289
A. Drink steroids and fap to notable warriors from long ago.

>>25446289
A

>>25446289
B

>>25446336
You do have long range comms, but it'll still take two or three days to receive a response back.

>>25446380
>>25446336
Don't think messages are necessary. Could be intercepted.

>>25446380
Alright, go ahead and send an inquery, by the time we're nearly home we'll have confirmation on whether to eject the head or bring it in for examination.

>>25446346
>>A.

You take some time to tend to your wounds and get some well deserved rest. At the end of your journey, you feel refreshed. Your shoulders no longer ache and the broken bones you suffered earlier have mended themselves well, thanks to your ship's comprehensive medical facilities.

You exit foldspace over your home, greet the familiar voices at the orbital station, and head to the surface.

Your three ships touch down at the Cloud-Viper space port, and you exit.

Steel-Arrow and Seeking-Eye begin to speak with the technicians regarding repairs on their ship, and you bid them farewell, for now.

Where do you go next?

A. Head to the clan palace and report to the matriarch.
B. Head to the archives, and offload your specimens.
C. Head over to the training grounds, and seek out your mentor.

>>25446443
A. She gave us the mission.

B. Archives first, gives the librarian more time to make a breakthrough before we inevitably have to leave again.

>>25446443

B

>>25446443
B

>>25446443
B

Science waits for no man! Or Yautja!

>>25446443
B)
That way, when we have to talk to the matriarch, we can have a more detailed report to give.

>>25446443
B) Matriarch can wait, we have found something that hints at disturbing connections with wey-yu

>>25446472
>>B. Head to the archives, and offload your specimens.

You quickly suggest to your teammates to visit the archives first, and they agree.

Together, you bring the hardend crate along with the implant-wearing drone head to the Cloud-Viper archives. You see several technicians and experts hovering about the entrance hall. It seems they are still busy with studying the Pandoran queen.

You spot the librarian among them, and greet her. She responds warmly.

"Ah! Three-Claw! I have much to tell you. We have learned so much..."

You gently interrupt her, and tell her about what you have found. She examines the drone head with curiosity, and peers at the box.

"Ah, Three-Claw, always keeping me busy. I'll take a look at these right away. Thanks. Anything else?"

Do you:

A. Ask her what she has learned about the queen since you've been away.
B. Tell her you're in a bit of a hurry to see the Matriarch, and bid her farewell.

>>25446608
>A. Ask her what she has learned about the queen since you've been away.

Our mission was more or less successful, we can hold off on meeting the matriach for a few mins.

>>25446608
A. Cunning Three-Claw does not turn down valuable knowledge.

>>25446608
A

We just can't resist talking about smart people stuff.

>>25446608
A. Ask her what she has learned about the queen since you've been away.

>>25446659
>>A. Ask her what she has learned about the queen since you've been away.

You motion at a few of the technicians passing by. "Looks like you have been busy. So, tell me, what have you learned?"

"Thought you'd never ask," she chides, and summons a holo-screen filled with data.

"We've done a full genetic mapping of the specimen, Three-Claw, and these are the results." She begins to tap away at the data, and explain to you, in very fine terms, everything they've been doing. You try your best to follow.

"So you see," she summarizes, "something's been going after the black-beasts' genome with a fine scalpel. Someone's been modifying its genetic structure, and purposefully honing it towards specific purposes. And who do you think is doing this?" She asks you.

Do you answer:

A. The humans, most likely.
B. The hard-meat have found a way to speed up evolution?
C. Surely you don't mean the planet itself?
D. The natives? They don't look like much.

>>25446731
C.

>>25446731
A or C seem likely culprits

>>25446731
C

The hive this Queen came from was wild. Wey-Yu didn't know about it until we dropped a nuke on it and stirred them up, so its unlikely they were responsible.

>>25446731
While I'm not certain C seems most likely. The humans had no knowledge of the hive, remember.

I'll go with C.

>>25446731

A, WY could have been modifying that species of Hardmeat before Dad's infiltration; even on Pandora, I don't think natural selection works that fast.

>>25446787
>>C. Surely you don't mean the planet itself?

You ask.

She clicks thoughtfully.

"Something like that. Well, perhaps not the planet itself, but something deep within; something with a deep understanding of primal genetics."

She scrolls the holo-screen and points to some more data. "Something is forcibly disassembling the hard-meat DNA and re-mixing it with samples of the local fauna. And here's the most interesting part - they're doing it with the bio-information network I told you about during your last visit. It's a planet-spanning information network, presumably managed by some intelligence, that's capable of taking apart one of the oldest and most resilient strands of genetics in the galaxy."

She looks at you with excitement.

Do you:

A. Ask if she can tell you the purpose behind this intelligence.
B. Ask her if she can tell you whereabouts this intelligence is located.
C. Ask her what practical applications this knowledge has.

>>25446857
A.

>>25446857

C better trophies?

>>25446857
A) I'm so curious.

>>25446857
A + C

>>25446857
A. Rejecting the stereotypes of Yuatja as unimaginative. We don't want to be shortsighted.

>>25446895
>>A.

You ask if she can tell you the purpose behind this intelligence.

She clicks thoughtfully. "That, we're not certain. It seems to be primal in nature, as everything it has done to this queen has been purposed to adapt it for the planet."

"Adapt it for what?" You ask her.

"Warfare? Survival? Entertainment? Your guess is as good as mine. As I stated before, there exists the potential for organizing each hive to communicate and coordinate with each other with unprecedented reaction time, but from what I've read of your reports, it doesn't seem like they've made use of it, or the humans would have been evicted long ago."

You think about this for a while.

Do you ask:

A. Whether it's possible for a third party, like the humans to tap into this intelligence network.
B. Ask her if she can tell you whereabouts this intelligence is located.
C. Ask her what practical applications this knowledge has.

>>25446857
A


Also guys, the planet... it KNOWS! IT WILL MAKE HARDMEATFIS TO TAUNT US!

>>25446968
A.

>>25446968
A

>>25446968
>A. Whether it's possible for a third party, like the humans to tap into this intelligence network.

>>25446987
>>A.

You ask her whether it's possible for a third party, like the humans to tap into this intelligence network.

She thinks about this for a moment. "It's possible. I doubt they'd learn how to replicate this biological network, nor, from my understanding of their technology level, find a way to purposefully modify the hard-meat's genetics, but by studying the interface and the way drones react to bio-signals, they may be able to replicate and find a way to control certain hard-meat strains."

"It would be an incredibly dangerous thing to try, however, as the controller will be in a constant battle with these beasts' feral instincts. The controller must be capable of processing information at an extremely fast rate, and given what we know about human technology, even their most advanced computers would not be fast enough."

Do you:

A. Ask her if there is any other way to control the beasts aside from a high speed processor.
B. Ask her what practical applications this knowledge has.

>>25447090
A

>>25447090
A.

Now it's almost certain what the synthetic was used for.

>>25447090
Tell her how we found the head, and mention the weird metal devices that were implanted in the hardmeat drones.

>>25447090
A while saying. "It seemed the human synthethic whose head is in that case was transmitting something to those hard-meats with the implants. Could it have fast enough thought-processes for that?"

>>A. Ask her if there is any other way to control the beasts aside from a high speed processor.

You point to the crate lying at your feet ."Inside is a synthetic head and spine. There seems to be an assembly attached to it, and it seems to be capable of controlling hard-meat drones. Could the human synthetics be capable of such processing power?"

The library clicks thoughtfully. "I've studied the previous synthetic head you brought me thoroughly. It doesn't seem capable of the processing power required. Unless the humans have suddenly advanced several hundred years, I don't see how it's possible for one such synthetic to be the controller. A network of, say, ten of them, maybe, and even then, I'd think they'd only be capable of controlling a few drones. Five or six maximum."

She glances at her wrist computer and looks at you apologetically.

"Sorry, Three-Claw, I'm needed in the lab. I'll take a look at these specimens as soon as I can. I'll let you know what I find."

You thank her, and prepare to leave.

Do you:

A. Head to the clan palace and report to the matriarch.
B. Head over to the training grounds, and seek out your mentor.

>>25447227
A.

>>25447227


B see what mentor thinks of all this before we talk to the matriarch

>>25447227
A

We've scratched our science itch, lets get down to business.

>>25447227
A

>>25447227
A

>>25447227
>Unless the humans have suddenly advanced several hundred years

Or were given tech by that faggot night-star

>>25447265
>>A. Head to the clan palace and report to the matriarch.

You make your way to the clan palace. The guards quickly announce your arrival, and you and your team are escorted in. You, along with Burning-Scythe, Sharp-Strike, and Ashen-Blade, stand before the Matriarch.

She greets you, and turns to Ashen-Blade. "Good to see you safe, hunter, though I'm very interested to hear how you ended up in distress."

You give her a detailed account your mission. She listens intently, and clicks thoughtfully, after you finish. She growls harshly when Ashen-Blade gives the account of how he received the false message from Night-Star.

"Night-Star. Again," she mutters. "Well, you're safe, and it seems we've managed to raise some contacts within the human warrior tribes. Admirable work. But this news of an attempted infestation, and worse, Weyland possibly possessing the ability to control the black-beasts, that is worrying."

She turns to you. "But that's for me to worry about. You and your team have done well. Thank you. Things have been moving quickly as of late, and as such, I'm afraid your services are needed, again. Are you up for another mission? There are several tasks I'd like to propose, but I understand if you require some time to rest."

Do you:

A. Tell her you're ready.
B. Tell her you'd like to take some time - not long - before leaving for the next mission.

>>25447391
B. We'd like to visit family and mentor.

>>25447391
B) Unless it's terribly urgent we'd like to do a bit of training with sharp-strike and possibly add another rookie to our team. Opportunities for blooding like this do not come often.

>>25447391
B
consulting our mentor, upgrades, and training would be appreciated.

>>25447391

B.

Can we ask her what's happened here? Anything new with the empire?

>>25447391
B.

We need to go SHOPPING

>>B. Tell her you'd like to take some time - not long - before leaving for the next mission.

You politely tell her you'd like to take a small amount of time to remain ground-side and take some time to visit your mentor and family.

The Matriarch gestures approval. "I thought as much. Take what time you need, and come to me when you are ready. But while you're here, there is another matter, one that you may have an interest in."

You listen carefully, as he continues.

"There has been some changes within the Night-Prowler clan. Rumors say they've received some pressure directly from the Empress. Rather than facing up to it and allow it to spread into something embarrassing, the senior advisors, with the support of the clan elders, have pinned all blame on the Matriarch, and deposed her, putting the clan under martial rule, under a joint coven of female advisors and male elders."

You are surprised by the news.

Do you:

A. Ask if she knows what happened to Quick-Shadow.
B. Ask her what happened to the Matriarch.
C. Ask her if she thinks the blame was deserved.

>>25447391
Let`s take a day or two off, do alittle shopping, maybe get thrown around Librarian-tan`s room again

>>25447565
A. Ask if she knows what happened to Quick-Shadow.

And B.

>>25447565

A. And B while we're on the subject.

>>25447565
A.

>>25447565
>A. Ask if she knows what happened to Quick-Shadow.

He's our bro, and a damn good warrior.

I CAN'T LOSE YOU SEV! NOT AGAIN!

>>25447565
C

>>25447588
>>A. Ask if she knows what happened to Quick-Shadow.

"What happened to Quick-Shadow?" You ask.

"Well, here's where it gets interesting, and why I thought you might take an interest," she continues, "it seems the Matriarch got wind of this coup and escaped the planet in her private ship. Quick-Shadow, as it turns out, is the last person to see her ground-side, and as such, has been put to trial for abetting her escape."

Burning-Scythe clicks thoughtfully. "Did he do it?"

"No idea," the Matriarch replies, "but the elders seems to have already made up their minds. This trial is nothing more than a show, I suspect, as the verdict has long been decided."

"I wouldn't be surprised," she adds, "if at least a few of members of the current ruling council are in on Night-Star's plot, and this is just their way of getting rid of loose ends."

She turns to you.

"Now here's my question to you. I've got half a mind to lend a hand to Quick-Shadow, first because he's a capable hunter, second because he's a witness, and third, well, because you asked. Do you think, given the circumstances, he's worth the effort?"

Do you answer:

A. "Yes, I think so, for the reasons you listed, plus he's a friend."
B. "He's a capable hunter, but I don't know if he's worth the effort of meddling in another clan's politics."

>>25447693
A A A A A A A A AAA AA AAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

>>25447693
A. Like it's even a choice. We won't abandon him like Night-Star did.

File: 1371284555012.jpg-(38 KB, 595x407, knifegun.jpg)

38 KB JPG

>>25447693
A

It is time.

COMMENCING VIRTUOUS MISSION.

>>25447693
A

>>25447693
A

Those motherfuckers we are SO adopting him into our own clan and if that doesn't we make/find a new one for him to join.

>>25447693
A.
FOLLOWED BY
A.
THEN
A.
WITH A SIDE DISH OF
A.

>>25447693
Weeelp, that news changes everything. Stealth and Infiltration are my specialty. I *will* be rescuing my brother quick-shadow, alone if I have to.

>>25447761
I've a feeling this is something we must do ourselves, but regardless, we will save Sev

File: 1371285050501.jpg-(409 KB, 1600x1200, delta squad.jpg)

409 KB JPG

>>25447693
>Introduce a character with strong similarities to Sev
>We get a chance to save him
>even bothering to include a "nah, lets let Sev die" option.

Predquest plz, you already knew what we were going to pick.

A

>>25447761
We going full alpha protocol.

>>25447801
Who is Sev?

>>25447693
A. Harder than in a porn movie.

File: 1371285122084.png-(653 KB, 1580x1554, who's kirk.png)

653 KB PNG

>>25447806
YOU CAN'T FOOL ME RUSEMAN.

I'M ON TO YOU.

>>25447704
>A. "Yes, I think so, for the reasons you listed, plus he's a friend."

"Yes, I thought so." The Matriarch narrows her eyes. "Good. Now, since I can't be seen to meddle in another clan's politics, or stand to break any existing conventions, we'll need to do this by the rules, at least on the surface."

"Since you've been on a hunt with Quick-Shadow, that makes you eligible to testify before the tribunal on his character. I'll use what political clout I have to make this happen. It's not going to change the verdict, since, as I said before, the verdict is pretty much already decided, but it'll give you a presence in court."

"And then?" You ask.

"And then, you'll improvise," she replies.

Do you:

A. Tell her it's a good plan, and you'll proceed with it.
B. Ask her if there's something you can do outside the rules.
C. Suggest it would be simpler to go in and break Quick-Shadow out.

>>25447819
Every time I see that it makes me feel bad.

>>25447827
B but state it must stay within the code we don't want to become a bad blood.

>>25447827
A, but ask for insight into B.

>>25447827
B. Perhaps we can infiltrate.

>>25447803
Whoops sorry, accidentally left that on from earlier.

>>25447827
B.

>>25447827
The more options the better, ask about B

>>25447827
B.

Seeing as the Night-douches are acting like Night-stars pawns that means we can throw the rulebook out

Also, what about contacting that guy the empress sent to get night-star, I reckon he could help out

>>25447827
B I bet she has some pretty crafty ideas.

>>B. Ask her if there's something you can do outside the rules.

"What about outside the rules," you ask her. "surely there must be something we can do to influence the outcome."

She clicks thoughtfully. "As long as the tribunal remains a Night-Prowler affair, the trial is nothing more than a sham. But, on the other hand, if you were to bring me significant evidence that at least one of the tribunal members is somehow tied to Night-Star's conspiracy, or have committed some wrong-doing, then I can push for third parties to stand in on the judging panel. This will make things significantly easier."

Do you:

A. Ask for advice on going about finding this evidence..
B. Tell her you'll go with the original plan.
C. Suggest it would be simpler to go in and break Quick-Shadow out.

>>25447937
A

>>25447937
A. This is our area of expertise.

>>25447937
A)

>>25447937
A
Sleuthing, eh? I`m game.

>>25447937
A

Although C is REAAAAALLY tempting, I already know she'll just shoot the idea down.

Sadly, breaking him out won't work due to politics FUCKING POLITICS, unless we managed a No Alerts No Kills run.

>>25447937
A

>>25447979
>>A.

You ask for advice on going about finding this evidence.

The Matriarch thinks for a moment. "Skulking, comms tapping, data hacking, digging through the entire contents of Night-Star's personal archives which Jackal may or may not have backed up from his flagship before giving it up and putting it all on this data chip," she produces a data chip from her belt and slides it over to you as she says this, "such methods are outside of my expertise. You should consult with Jackal and the executrix. But, if it helps, I am confident of the fact that at least one of those judges are in on Night-Star's plot. Call it political intuition if you want."

You take the data chip and secure it to your belt. You thank her.

__________________________________

End of Episode 32

Thanks for playing all, and join me next time!

>>25448004
With our rolls, that sounds unlikely.

Hmm simple records of communication would do the trick since it would link the judges to a known criminal. Harder evidence would be better of course.

>>25448055
Find out who has recommended/sponsored Night-Star to fleet master position.

>>25448055
Good stuff, as always!

>>25448055
Nice.

Archived here:

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/25445191/

>>25448055
little short, but fun as always, nexxt session SHOPPING tiems?

>>25448344
I think our dear leader might be running a bit short on SHOPPING stuff.

Next thread I'd like to see a quick chat with jackal of carrion for his advice, a chat with our mother in case something goes wrong, and asking any of our allies if they're willing to help us with this.

And sweet jesus I just had the realization that if that wey-yu synth head is stuffed with yaujta tech, we could have the yaujta equivalent of the fucking CIA drop in on our whole archive and confiscate *fucking everything*.

>>25448389
one thing I dont understand is why we didnt get the one energy per minute charger that is offset by the low capacity, when we have the extra battery pack to balance it.