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Kipeci

Arcane
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
3,027
Location
Vicksburg
would we be big enough idiots to tear it?

if there was a chance of a pet sphere on the other side, I would vote yes
 

treave

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Jul 6, 2008
Messages
11,370
Codex 2012
Promises unkept:
1. Tentacle scene
2. Pet sphere
3. Christmas special

Feel free to list down others.
 

Baltika9

Arcane
Joined
Jun 27, 2012
Messages
9,611
*cough*
Chapter 20: Ean Flips Out and Fights Giant Mechs on Foot.
Offspring of Ean and Sek? Kinda leaving that for something in the future.
Edit: tentacle scene between Ean and Sek.
Edit 2: Christmas special continuation.
I'm not buying that. Sure, if that is our goal. But it seems we've only fractured fault lines on purpose yet. If we see one that seems to fuck up reality, would we be big enough idiots to tear it? :M
Naw, if it will happen, I'm pretty sure it will be momentous and entirely unexpected: here we are performing a strong "fault line" and the next moment "OH SHIT!"
 

a cut of domestic sheep prime

Guest
Enslaving nations with necromancy?
Sek's head in a jar? Well, not really an unkept promise. Just something that must occur. Time travel. All i'm sayn.
 

treave

Arcane
Patron
Joined
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Messages
11,370
Codex 2012
Scenes that were voted against don't count (most people didn't seem to like the idea of having her around, even in a jar), and you guys insisted on playing a goody two shoes, so....
 

a cut of domestic sheep prime

Guest
*Sigh* Guess we'll just have to start our own cult to resurrect Ean & Sek and put the latter's head in a jar. Cult of the Golden Jar. Yeah. :smug:
 

Smashing Axe

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Dec 29, 2011
Messages
2,835
Divinity: Original Sin
I bet if we were originally Shulgi we wouldn't feel compelled to be the Emperor of Mankind. Right guys, right?
 

treave

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Jul 6, 2008
Messages
11,370
Codex 2012
Crossroads

“Is there something wrong with your head that drives you to take insane risks?” asks Kyrie.

“What do you mean?” The zero-g environment means that I can float backwards easily while talking to her, the travelling handles on the walls conducting us around the ship's corridors. Captain Grimrock was in a conference with the captains of the three Pimsin-class cruisers that we had met up with yesterday, and he had told me to meet him after it ended.

“You know what I mean. I don't think any normal person would rush into danger repeatedly without any thought for his own safety.”

“Is that what it seems like?” I frown. “I do think about my own safety, it just so happens that I end up in dangerous circumstances beyond my control. It's like I've been cursed since you guys nabbed me.”

“Don't blame your luck on the ISC. Your recklessness going to get you killed one of these days.” she sighs. “I would hate to lose such a wonderful subordinate.”

“Of course you would. Where else would you find someone willing to put up with your verbal abuse?” I mutter.

“Oh? Someone's grown a pair of balls after flying around like some hotshot pilot, it seems.” Kyrie grins sadistically. “You think I verbally abuse you because I like it? It's just because you are incompetent. Worthless. Less than a dog.”

“Actually, your breathing starts to get a little heavy when you talk down to me like that. Are you sure you aren't feeling tur-” Kyrie kicks out at me, her face turning red. In order to avoid it, I let go of the handles. “You're the one who gets excited when I insult you, you piece of masochist shit.” she retorts. I float backwards, laughing... until I bump into someone. An apology on my lips, I turn around to see who I hit.

It's Naim. He's in pretty poor condition – half his body is swathed in bandages. A scowl darkens his face as he glances first at Kyrie, then at me. Without so much as a word, he continues on his way. He's probably headed to the medical room; the staff say he won't be fit for combat for another week at the least.

“What's with him, Kyrie?” I ask her as she comes up beside me. We round the corner, and she pulls me into an unused room. She doesn't seem to want to talk about him outside. There's a guilty look on her face. “It's probably because of me. Sorry.” I don't plan on pushing her to explain, but she does so, briefly. “Naim's a childhood friend and distant cousin of mine. We grew up together as kids in the palace; his father is a minor royal. I haven't seen him in some years, but we did keep in touch. He was pretty excited about meeting me again.”

“Let me guess – first crush?”

Kyrie blushes. “ He was my only friend my age back in the palace. I mean, we were just kids. ”

“We're still kids.” I remark. She looks at me, a strange expression suddenly surfacing in her eyes. Then, she turns away, her blonde curls hiding her face. “Not for long,” says Kyrie. “It's not going to be the same for long.”

“Why does that sound like you're going to tell me something sudden and shocking?”

She keeps quiet, as if agonizing whether to tell me. With a deep breath, she turns around to face me again, her eyes determined.

“You know my birthday is in one month's time, right?”

“Of course. You'd kill me if I forgot.”

“Papa is going to officially announce my ascension to the throne after my 18th birthday.”

Well, that really is sudden and shocking.

“What is he thinking?” I try to keep it down, but there's no restraining the bewilderment in my voice. “Why would he do this to you when the world's in turmoil?”

“Papa's body isn't recovering. The doctors say it's already a miracle he managed to get back to his feet and survive as long as he did after those wounds.” Her voice is bland and unnaturally cold. “He's in no state to be taking back the reins of government.”

“What about the directors? Aren't they supposed to be ruling the Empire? Why not leave it to them?”

Kyrie snorts. “Them? They are the ones who agreed to help the Higashi with its military research. Now the Empire will be pulled into the war whether it likes it or not. Besides, the directors control the ISC. Although in practice the corporation is synonymous with the Empire, in theory it is still a separate entity. I won't be taking over the presidency of the ISC – my mother will. We would be joint-rulers, in a sense.”

“I don't think I like this. You're going to become an even bigger target for the enemy.” I complain.

She shakes her head softly. “I was supposed to be hidden away safely on Heliopolis when he made the announcement. I haven't been idle these past few months either; I've been making connections. I can follow etiquette and socialize when I need to, you know.”

“Never seen that side of you.” I reply. In the short term, this doesn't matter; we're still a long way from home, with plenty of obstacles standing between us and Earth. “Well, whatever it is, we deal with that when we come to it. For now, let's just focus on getting back to Earth alive.”

“Yeah, we'll do that.” She seems pleased, for some reason, as she repeats the word 'we' in a whisper to herself.

***

When we get to the bridge, the captains' meeting is already over, and we're allowed in without a fuss. The Empress casts a very nasty look at me as she sees me enter. I give her a slight smile in return. She might not like me, but she'll have to live with me for now.

“Ah, Ensign Hoshikawa. Just the person I wanted to see,” grinned Grimrock. He seems excited, for some reason. I give a salute. I'm military now.

“The angle's all wrong, son. Best polish up if you want to be a stickler for proper etiquette.” frowns the captain, returning the salute sloppily. “Anyway, let's get to the point. I need to discuss the fate of the CF Anhur. How do you feel about piloting it?”

I can't say I didn't see this coming. I'm the only person on the ship – possibly the entire Empire – who has actually piloted a mech into real combat and returned alive. There were plenty of idiots since the war started who had tried to go out in construction mechs, though all they achieved was going out in a blaze of glory. But for my luck, I would have met the same fate. Still, survival gives you experience, and I'm getting a bit more confident in my skills. Things can be different... but do I want to take on so much responsibility?

“Right now you're the only qualified person onboard this ship. All the other captains turned down use of the frame. Their pilots might be eager, but they don't want the responsibility of taking care of it.” continued Captain Grimrock. “This also plays a role in determining whether they carry out their operation.”

“I thought the Pimsin cruisers were on patrol, sir.”

“They are. They're scouting out the area in preparation for an attack on UNS Base 43 near Sun L4. Apparently most of the UNS ships in the area are scattered and searching for us, so now is a good time.”

This means that the Empire is already at war. It was inevitable, but I did not think they would be mobilized this quickly. It's almost as if they were ready even before the strike on Neo Heliopolis. I'm not complaining about that, though – it just means the UNS and Indus will find the Empire much harder to defeat, if it's prepared.

“I see that you're about to ask me: why attack Base 43?” asks the captain.

I shake my head. “For the same reason that they attacked Neo Heliopolis, sir. Most of the installations on the further Sun Lagrange points are research bases. What is the UNS developing there?”

Grimrock nods approvingly. “Very good. We have information that they are testing a new form of combat frame at Base 43. Consider this retaliation for Neo Heliopolis. They won't think that we'd head deeper into their territory. The Pimsins will sneak in and attack while everyone is looking for us.”

“Not if I can help it.” The Empress speaks up, glowering at the captain and I. “I have said this just now, Captain Grimrock; the three cruisers will be escorting this ship back to Earth. We do not have time to waste on these foolhardy adventures!”

“Ah, right.” The captain scratches his head. “See, Senya, that's where I figured you come in. The prototype is the most important thing on this ship as far as I'm concerned.” I'm not too sure about that myself, but if he thinks so, I'm not going to argue with him. “The cruiser captains can be convinced to escort us back to ensure the Empress, the Princess and the prototype reaches Earth safely, but they will also be keen to proceed with the operation if it means they are getting CF backup. It's just one CF, but a lot of their crew are young 'uns who are eager to see their own country's first mech in battle.”

“So are we.” One of the Higashi VIPs speaks up calmly, a balding man with a hard look on his face. The Empress turns on him instantly. “What are you saying, Minister Azo? This is reckless!”

“It would be a shame to let the chance to test the frame pass by, Your Majesty.” replied the Higashi minister. “We are confident that the prototype both your nation and mine has created will not lose to anything made by the UNS. Besides...” He glances at me. “I always believe in giving the youth of our country a chance. Should we not hear the pilot out?”

I look at the map of the routes to Earth, trying to ignore the stares from powerful men and women all around the room. If it is left up to me, I would probably...

***

A. Take the ship back to Earth. Given what I've just learnt from Kyrie, this ship has the unenviable honour of at once carrying both the future rulers of the Empire, and the machine that could be vital to winning the war. The Empress is already furious at the delays; I shouldn't provoke her any further. I'm also not confident that I'll be able to pilot Anhur well enough. It's more prudent to convey all three back to Earth safely rather than take unnecessary risks.

B. Attack Base 43, which would cut off any easy routes back to Earth; but from there I can spot at least three more crucial UNS and Indus installations along the possible paths back home. If we strike quickly, it is possible to resupply and wreak havoc from behind the enemy lines while we fight our way back to Earth – this will also distract their frontline forces and influence the war. Pulling off this risky gambit would definitely help secure both my position and Kyrie's, by virtue of association.
 

m4davis

Scholar
Joined
Jan 20, 2012
Messages
557
A as much as I hate the idea of agreeing with the empress we really need to get back
 

Azira

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Nov 3, 2004
Messages
8,518
Location
Copenhagen, Denmark
Codex 2012
C'mon, give us some argumentation for why you vote as you do here. You're better than this Esquilax. :troll:

treave, your description of the Pimsin cruisers tell us that they have a complement of fighters as well. Are they carrying any combat-fit CFs, and if so, how many?
I know the Anhur's a prototype, and the only other mechs we've had access to so far have been retooled construction mechs. Will that continue to hold true with the arrival of the three cruisers?

I imagine this information will have an impact on what people will vote for.
Attacking a research facility, which might be developing other prototype CFs.. In most mech-type games this would also present an opportunity to capture more CFs for our own use... :M
 

treave

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Jul 6, 2008
Messages
11,370
Codex 2012
You won't have any other proper CFs till they get the MP versions of Anhur produced... or if you begin raiding the enemy's inventory. Attacking the base will be just you in Anhur and the fighter complement. And the warships of course. Intel indicates there's probably two UNS warships at Base 43 right now, with 6 Centeotls. Probably not Dunamis though.
 

Baltika9

Arcane
Joined
Jun 27, 2012
Messages
9,611
On the one hand, we can drop off our VIPs in safety on Earth and be done with this affair. It is extremely risky to engage in combat with these two aboard ship and if we lose them, well, fuck.

On the other hand, this is the situation we will be bringing them to: insecure. Kyrie is a young girl, no matter how big she talks, and without something concrete to back up her reputation, she will have trouble keeping a rein on her rule. If we do win here, then she will be rather secure by association with us.
There is also the matter that if we pull this off, it will be a humongous morale-booster for the Shinar-Higashi Alliance and we may be able to steal some prototype mechas from our enemies, maybe even get in contact with the White Fangs and sway them to our side.
Go Earth or go Creed, why must you make this so difficult?
“Is there something wrong with your head that drives you to take insane risks?” asks Kyrie.
Naw, it is hereditary.:smug:Something tells me her and Sek would get along just fine.
By the way, treave, can we, in time, create a giant Ean-like mecha designed for close-combat and equipped with flamethrowers? With a loudspeaker that yells "WHERE ARE YOUR GODS NOW?" and blasts the heaviest metal the world currently has. Think of it as the answer to the Indus making their mechas to honor their gods.
 

Bloodshifter

Educated
Joined
Jul 7, 2012
Messages
542
Location
Somewhere with dead bears
Still not voting but If I did it would be Guerrilla Attack

As it stands we have very little true Combat Data with Anhur and currently out gun the enemy at Base 43 we know that the Current Model would be scrapped due to its Pilots not being Tentacle Creatures. So continuing the use of it to further find faults would be Ideal. Besides that I feel that the Space War is gonna be the easy part of this little gambit once earth bound we are going to really be pulled to do things.

Then again... do Space Warz and we might end up in the Military Permanently they wouldn't want to let go a Super Pilot after all.

As the White Fangs I don't think they would want ANY thing to do with us especially since we sorta kinda almost killed the Big Boss of Dumais. kinda twice now.

Going to Earth worse is meeting with White Fangs. Guerrilla Attacks meeting the entirety of every nations Space Fleet because we gotz Heir. As it stands our masochist Closet Hero would left his Pragmatic Persona with his Brain character would go Ballz to the walls and commit an holy crusade against the Base 43 for teh lolz.
 

Zwist

Learned
Joined
Jun 6, 2012
Messages
236
The question here is what we think is more dangerous: The war, or the dusty old fuckers in the board of directors.
B is ridiculous risky, and the risk far outweighs the gain. But if we pull it of we are going to be in a rather strong position internally with the bonus of damaging the enemy. And collecting data in order to improve the prototype before it goes into production.
We do however delay the production of our Mechs, and as long as we do not have any of them the empire is seriously outgunned. The good thing being that if we don't meet Dynamis, we should wipe the floor with pretty much everything.
A puts Kyrie at the mercy of the board of directors, without that much of a leverage.

All in all B is a rather egoistical move, and as we said that we don't want to be a hero, a rather calculating way of gaining political leverage.
My voting history up to now has been rather timid, but this time I'm voting B.
Let's turn the boy into a political figure, we've done it with Ean, and we've done it with Dio.
But this time it is different. He does neither have Eans pure Balls ore Dios wicked charisma. He does not have a place in politics.
And that makes it fun.

Edit: Or as Bloodshifter puts it "For the l0lz"
 

ScubaV

Prophet
Joined
Feb 20, 2011
Messages
1,022
Unlike Naim or Theseus, Captain Grimrock seems like a bro. I want to help him out and ourselves at the same time. We didn't use the elixir last time so we don't have to be concerned about addiction issues. Let's get high, blow up some shit and steal some mechs.

B
 

a cut of domestic sheep prime

Guest
The board wants Kyrie out - Empress or no. They already tried shipping her off to "bumfuckistan in space" (as Baltika called it). We have to secure her position. Plus, it seems like keeping the Empress from hating us usually results in our horrible death - see the nuking of the colony, had we picked to stay there.

B
 

Zwist

Learned
Joined
Jun 6, 2012
Messages
236
We are really going on a looting-spree with the de-facto ruler and an unique prototype on board?
He really is baby Ean :lol:
 

a cut of domestic sheep prime

Guest
Hold on a minute....
treave, what's the status of Anhur? It got pretty banged up when we let prince wingus fly it, didn't it? Is it fully repaired?
 

Baltika9

Arcane
Joined
Jun 27, 2012
Messages
9,611
He really is baby Ean :lol:
I'm not saying Sek's a whore.
I'm just saying that Ean needs to get a paternity test.
I bet if we were originally Shulgi we wouldn't feel compelled to be the Emperor of Mankind. Right guys, right?
Dream on. Chances are, with Ean wanting to be King Arthur by his own design, we'd probably end up as Merlin. Together they would be the ultimate Bro-Team.
Invasion of Egypt? Sek had siblings, so orgy time!
Pahnrath's invasion? Are you kidding me?
Naram?:lol: Yeah right.
Marduk? Oh please, no match for them.
Zeus? Get the fuck outta here.

Concordiat? That would've been glorious.
 

a cut of domestic sheep prime

Guest
Speaking of the Concordant, I like how part of Ean's legacy is destroying all of China. Not only was he Earth's greatest hero, he was also history's greatest mass-murderer - putting real world villains like Hitler and Stalin to shame. It gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. :)
 

Baltika9

Arcane
Joined
Jun 27, 2012
Messages
9,611
Srbija tried to remove kebab from premises and failed.
Ean tried to remove bok choy from premises and succeeded.
Truly, Ean strongst and grettst!:salute:

Edit: and that's not even counting how many people and gieloth he personally killed in battle and assassinations.
 

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