Putting the 'role' back in role-playing games since 2002.
Donate to Codex
Good Old Games
  • Welcome to rpgcodex.net, a site dedicated to discussing computer based role-playing games in a free and open fashion. We're less strict than other forums, but please refer to the rules.

    "This message is awaiting moderator approval": All new users must pass through our moderation queue before they will be able to post normally. Until your account has "passed" your posts will only be visible to yourself (and moderators) until they are approved. Give us a week to get around to approving / deleting / ignoring your mundane opinion on crap before hassling us about it. Once you have passed the moderation period (think of it as a test), you will be able to post normally, just like all the other retards.

[LP CYOA] Epic

Baltika9

Arcane
Joined
Jun 27, 2012
Messages
9,611
treave, how likely is it that Senya will actually be able to assist Sek in her research and efforts to restore Ean. I'm assuming that since we have additional insighr from the merger, we could speed up the process. On the other hand, she spent a millenium in that higher plane, so I'm not sure.

Going with C for now, for reasons stated. Our forces (and the new officers) will need a strong leader for the wars ahead, might as well start building up the rep now.
 

a cut of domestic sheep prime

Guest
Going with C for now, for reasons stated. Our forces (and the new officers) will need a strong leader for the wars ahead, might as well start building up the rep now.
I guess building a rep is an option... After all, people are convinced Marduk is going to devour the planet. He's practically a super villian. They know Julia and the rest can't stand against him, so if we start manifesting god-like powers of our own, perhaps the people will flock to our banner as the one anti-hero who can save them... It would also instill some fear in our new allies...
 

Tigranes

Arcane
Joined
Jan 8, 2009
Messages
10,350
Stupid question: does C entail the commanders all bringing their troops with them, or just themselves? I mean, they didn't bring men under them to the meeting, right? Although lifting several of their mid-level lieutenants and a semi-war hero is still significant, I wonder if it's too little...
 

treave

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Jul 6, 2008
Messages
11,370
Codex 2012
Senya won't be able to help with the restoration. His presence will not speed up the process whatsoever.

As for C, the officers will split up right after escaping the colony. They'll have already contacted their respective subordinates and will rejoin them at a safe place to lead them to safety. You might expect some losses at this stage since some of the men may have to fight their way out.
 

Baltika9

Arcane
Joined
Jun 27, 2012
Messages
9,611
Not so much scared, I think, as flabbergasted. As in, "What the fu- Who is this guy?" May even boost their confidence in the new leader. It should ve pretty EPIC.

Of course, this will provoke a counter-attack almost immediately, I'm sure. Steal the best men and attack the garrison so brazenly.

They'll have to retaliate, otherwise losing popular support and having even more defections.
 

ScubaV

Prophet
Joined
Feb 20, 2011
Messages
1,022
If we're talking about image and heroics I wonder if being captured and supposedly at the mercy of Julia, only to escape and/or kill her, might not be even more impressive than a brazen escape. It may also set off a chaotic, mad scramble as the politicians and political generals all try to enact their power-grubbing schemes at once. If so, the rest of the military should either be fractured and chaotic as there is no commander-in-chief, or they say fuck those guys and join Senya as the only reasonable option for defending Earth.

That's a lot of ifs and it relies on the Codex not fucking up. And is it better than us potentially being able to improve our CF further? I don't know. Still, we picked reuniting Earthlings over hiding in deep space to perfect our creation, so let's see this through.

A
 

Baltika9

Arcane
Joined
Jun 27, 2012
Messages
9,611
Senya won't be able to help with the restoration. His presence will not speed up the process whatsoever.

As for C, the officers will split up right after escaping the colony. They'll have already contacted their respective subordinates and will rejoin them at a safe place to lead them to safety. You might expect some losses at this stage since some of the men may have to fight their way out.
This settles it: Sek doesn't need us to awaken Ean, we're likely risking the lives of soldiers and their officers and (I'm sure) provoking a counter-attack. I'm down with ScubaV's plan
It may also set off a chaotic, mad scramble as the politicians and political generals all try to enact their power-grubbing schemes at once. If so, the rest of the military should either be fractured and chaotic as there is no commander-in-chief, or they say fuck those guys and join Senya as the only reasonable option for defending Earth.

Flopping to A.
Besides, if Ean really is coming back, I'd hate for Senya to steal his spotlight, in case it just so happens that our actions will, completely unintentionally, cause the whole planet to want Ean as their God-Emprah.
 

TOME

Cuckmaster General
Joined
May 25, 2012
Messages
1,820
We should be perfecting our CF, not recruiting a handful of men against millions. But we came here so, A. Let's hope we don't lose too much time. If only Senya still had his tentacles and the ability to hack brains.
 

treave

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

Captain Antiokyes is shaken awake roughly. As he crawls to a sitting position, he glances at the person that has woken him up. It’s a Federation soldier, one of many currently marching about the room looking slightly confused. With a start, he remembers where he is and what he was doing, and jumps to his feet, grabbing the soldier by the collar. “Where is he? Where’s Hoshikawa?” The soldier jerks a thumb over Antiokyes’s shoulder, pointing out the kneeling man with his hands on the back of his head, guarded by half a dozen security personnel. Before he can do anything else, Lieutenant Colonel Torwick comes to him, a strange grin on his face.

Antiokyes snaps his heels together and gives him a quick salute.

"At ease, captain. How are you feeling?"

"To be honest, lieutenant colonel, not too well. My head hurts.” Is it his impression, or did the lieutenant colonel’s grin grow even wider?

"Ah, that. Sorry business, that was. Hoshikawa panicked and assaulted you after he found out that you were a true patriot of the highest order. He hit you on the head, hard. It took all we had to pin him down until the security forces came.”

"Is that… so?” Antiokyes touches the bump on his head tenderly. He does remember Hoshikawa asking him something, but everything after that is a blank. “Good thing we got the bastard, lieutenant colonel. I can yet pay him back for hitting me.”

"And I’d do it again!” jeered said bastard. Antiokyes narrows his eyes and strides forward to punish the prisoner for his insolence, but Torwick holds him back. “He’s not worth it, captain. You, on the other hand, will certainly be up for a medal for your conduct in this operation.”

The word ‘medal’ manages to attract Antiokyes’s attention – all of it – and he turns away…

***

I look around the cell. It’s a high-security containment unit, meant for the most violent and dangerous of convicts and lawbreakers. I had a rather more comfortable cell before this, but the President had requested that I be moved to this unit before her visit; it didn’t even take a week before she took time off from her busy schedule to come gloat at me. A thick pane of hardened, transparent plastic is set into the wall, allowing visitors to observe and communicate with the inmate. The electrified door is inch-thick steel, with the finest biometric security measures. A camera on the wall constantly tracks all my movements – it is linked to a nearby sentry gun that will fire upon me if I do anything they disapprove of. Only encrypted, certified transmissions can enter or leave the place to minimize the risk of remote hacking. To add to all that, my hands and feet have been bound, shackled together by plastic cuffs.

At least they gave me a chair.

Soon enough, the President walks in, escorted by Naim and Camna. She looks very pleased to have got one over me, while there is an uneasy look on Naim’s face.

The first words out of my mouth are “I told you we would meet again soon, Madam President,” and it almost wipes the smirk off her face, her expression becoming slightly unsure. To her credit, she recovers almost instantly. “Still bluffing?” she sneers. “You won’t be fooling me this time. You were stupid enough to fall for my trap, meeting with my loyal men.”

“This time? Have I fooled you before? When was it? I can’t remember.” I say. Her made-up face freezes, the last vestiges of her nasty grin vanishing entirely. “This will end today. I will enjoy making you suffer, Hoshikawa Senya. You have been a thorn in my side for too long.”

“Once an Empress, always an Empress,” I mutter.

“What is wrong with that?” Julia is smiling again, but this time there is anger in her eyes. “Unlike hereditary kings, the people elected me to rule. Certainly, I am a better ruler than the old dotard who you are using as your puppet.”

“I’m sure you didn’t come all the way out here to debate politics with me, Madam President.” I return her smile, baring my teeth. “Did you come here just to laugh at me?”

“Oh, no. Of course not. I just needed to savour my ultimate moment of victory for a while. It’s not like you will be around for much longer.”

“Your ultimate moment of victory should only come after you deal with the Mushuszu Empire,” I say. “Not before.”

“That is a simple matter. I have launched three fleets towards your silly little asteroid base. The television ships are already there to capture the fleets’ glorious victory. One hundred ships against five of yours? It’s a foregone conclusion. We will storm your home, capture the little alien, and gift her to the Emperor.”

“The Emperor wants Earth too.” I point out.

“He can have it,” she shrugs. “My voter base lies in space. It’s just good politics, Hoshikawa. You’d realize that if you had studied more. Well, your time is up. You are too dangerous to be left alive.”

“Don’t I get a trial, Madam President?” I ask. “Wouldn’t you want to parade me in front of everyone to show them that you’ve won?”

Julia just sneers at me again. “There’s no need. You would just try to drag out the proceedings so that you can carry out another of your useless plots. You might even escape. I will just save myself the trouble and make sure you die today. I can parade your corpse in public. Colonel Naim, shoot him in the head until you are sure that he is dead.”

Naim stares at her with a conflicted look on his face. “Look, I’m not sure-“

“This is an order, colonel,” she says firmly. “Execute the traitor to the Federation for treason. He is still a Federation citizen and we are at war.” After a while, he nods his head slowly.

“Madam President, this is highly irregular,” interrupts Camna. “We cannot execute a prisoner without due justice.”

“Justice is making this man pay for his crimes, Colonel Camna,” she rebuts. “Now open that door and let Colonel Naim in.” Camna turns to look at me. After a few seconds, he opens the door for Naim. “Thank you for your cooperation, colonel. I will put in a good word for you with your superiors.” says Julia. “Remember, not a word about what happened here must leak to the outside.”

Camna nods silently, agreeing with her.

As Naim comes into the room, he unholsters his gun. The cell is too small for him to stand more than arm’s length away from me. “I’m sorry, Hoshikawa,” he says. “You’re always sorry,” I reply with a mocking grin. He furrows his brows and raises the gun, pointing its barrel right between my eyes. At this distance I wouldn’t be able to dodge. I wouldn’t need to.

“Put the gun down, Colonel Naim,” says Camna. He has his gun held to Julia’s head. Naim’s eyes widen in surprise.

“What is going on? Have you actually turned traitor, Camna? Has that man gotten to you with his poisoned words?” croaks Julia in a panic.

“His words were not poison, Madam President. Your actions were. You do the Federation a disservice by your behaviour.” The second condition for gaining Vic Camna’s loyalty has been cleared. Having him witness an attempt at an extra-legal execution was sure to appeal to his sense of justice. I stand up and take Naim’s gun from him while he’s stunned at the sight of the Federation’s most loyal soldier holding its elected head of state hostage. The shackles on my limbs fall into pieces at my feet.

“Finally, decryption complete! Master, Commodore Pershing’s three fleets have successfully joined with our forces near the Gate. After a bit of refuelling they will be ready for action.” Yua gives me her report right on time. I thank her, then walk out of the cell, leaving Naim staring blankly at my back. “Colonel Camna,” I say, “Good news. The commodore’s fleets have reached the Gate of Ean without encountering any difficulties. He’ll be ready to join us soon.”

He gives me a curt nod, and I get the pleasure of seeing Julia’s face grow deathly pale. “Pershing?” She mouths the commodore’s name almost silently.

“Colonel Kowaki’s husband, yes. That Pershing.” I grin.

“What are you plotting now?” she snaps. “Are you planning on taking me hostage? That will never work. The rest of my forces will come down upon your head to rescue me. You’re only signing your own death warrant.”

“I’m afraid not, Madam President,” I sigh. “What will happen next is that I expect your Vice-President will give a statement where he bravely states his reluctance to become the acting head of – oh, hold on a minute. It’s time. Colonel, could you kindly get that button?”

He does so. A picture of the Vice-President of the Federation appears on-screen. He appears to be fiddling with the microphone, preparing for a speech. Camna looks back at me in puzzlement. “I could’ve sworn this button was for something else.”

“I have control over the electronics of the entire base, colonel. You did lend a computer to me on the day I arrived so that I could send out that mail.”

Camna glances over at the sentry gun inside the cell. “So…”

“I’ve disabled it. I’m suicidal, not stupid.”

“So I see.” There is a slight twitching of his lips underneath his luxurious moustache, a rare smile for Colonel Camna.

Finally, the Vice-President starts talking.

“My friends and countrymen, by now all of you must have heard about the rumour that a quarter of our forces have defected to the rebels. Yes, it is true. It is not a rumour, I am sad to say. I believe that this changes everything. I have not been able to get into contact with President Julia during this time of emergency, and as such I have been reluctantly forced into this position as acting head of state-“

“You fucking liar!” screams Julia in a sudden rage, her face red.

“Now now, Madam President, no need for that kind of language. It’s true that he could not contact you. We’re in the high-security cell, remember?” I wag my finger at her, before turning back to the screen.

“-as such, I will be convening a critical conference with the Cabinet as well as the chiefs of staff of the Federation armed forces in order to discuss how to deal with this crisis. In a token of goodwill, we are offering the rebel forces an opportunity to sit in on this conference. In the face of a possible invasion in two months' time, we must no longer stay divided over petty rivalries-“

“Has Iannes gotten the invitation, Yua?” I ask.

“I’m checking with him right now. Hold on for a while, Master.” After a few seconds she confirms that he has.

“Excellent.” It’s time for the next phase of my plan. The well-publicized defection and Julia’s sudden ‘disappearance’ at this critical juncture has left the Federation scrambling to cobble together a solution. I will have to thank Sekhenun for the little tip on ensuring TV crews were on-site to cover Federation officers and my men waving at the cameras hand-in-hand. That was a nice touch. The defectors constitute a rather significant percentage of the Federation fleet – 20%, to be exact – not to mention being some of the best they have to offer, and this has left the generals and admirals worried something like this may happen again. They would be more willing to come to the table. The politicians are probably already salivating and preparing long speeches right now. I consider the possibilities and how they would play out… after this, the Federation will no longer stand in the way of what I want to accomplish.

***

A. I will attend the conference, together with Iannes. There, we will bribe and coerce and wheedle our way into ensuring that Iannes gets more political influence and I gain more control over the military, though I expect the political elite of the Federation will still remain entrenched in the system. This is no longer the time to struggle with clearing them out; I need to spend more time on preparing for the Empire now.

B. I attend the conference and work towards having fresh presidential elections, which hopefully Iannes will win. It is time to let the people of Earth decide. Of course, this is not an election that I will need to micro-manage; there should be plenty of people knowing which way the wind is blowing that will happily aid me in this matter. I have plenty of juicy details to share with them. This should take two weeks to complete.

C. I will arrive at the peace conference bearing weapons. I don't want to kill them if I can help it, but leaving them to their own resources will not solve any of the Federation's endemic problems. I will use force to ensure the entire ruling body of the Federation steps down and are replaced with people that I can trust to work for the greater good.

D. I tell Iannes to stay away. I’ll blow up the conference and end the corrupt system once and for all. It’s nice of them to gather in one convenient spot, I couldn’t have set it up better myself… or perhaps I did. I cannot afford to leave any of these powerful movers and shakers alive. They'll just have to die.

***

A. I kill Julia and Naim while they are at my mercy. I might not get a chance like this again. It’s not about vengeance… I think.

B. I keep Julia and Naim locked up on the base, where they can probably do no harm. I will come back to deal with them later.

C. I free them. Julia will be certain to rush to the conference, where her paranoia and bad temper – no thanks to me - will complicate things even further.
 

Smashing Axe

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Dec 29, 2011
Messages
2,835
Divinity: Original Sin
I really want to go CC, just for the absurdity of it all, but completely destroying the leadership of the federation sounds like it'd require too much administration in order to prepare in time for Marduk's arrival. I don't want to kill Julia and Naim in the presence of Camna (Even though I think he's really doing a Dio with his reputation for honesty. NEVER trust a Camna)

Let's not worry about the future leadership of the Federation/Earth. I'm voting for what I think will let us prepare best for the coming invasion, all else is secondary.

AB
 

Anabanana

Augur
Joined
Jul 31, 2012
Messages
1,061
Going for AB. Though the kill 'em all DA option would be hilariously awful.

EDIT: Heh, I'm convinced. Flopping to BC.
 

Baltika9

Arcane
Joined
Jun 27, 2012
Messages
9,611
As far as I'm concerned, the goal here should be to not lose the support of the BROS that brought us here by betraying our promise to them and ourselves.

BC, modified: let Julia go and make a ranting lunatic Morsi of herself (which she will), posting all the compromising information we can about her. Naim, on the other hand, stays with us, whereupon he will be guilt-tripped and mind-fucked by Senya into giving us back our well-earned MEGA GLORY.

This will immediately shake any accusations Julia levels against us, prop our rep up in the Federation military's view and make us a much more inspiring symbol for the upcoming crusade.

Going for 1A is plain dumb and un-BRO: we gave them our promise that the people of Terra will choose. Playing a greedy politico will undermine their confidence in Senya which will affect the Crusade.

By the way, I hate you assholes so much for not picking the BHG fleet.
 

TOME

Cuckmaster General
Joined
May 25, 2012
Messages
1,820
As far as I'm concerned, the goal here should be to not lose the support of the BROS that brought us here by betraying our promise to them and ourselves.

What did we promise to them? Wasn't it just better leadership?

It's not time for democracy yet. There is still crusade to beat. BB. Also, why there isn't an option to let Julia go while keeping Naim?
 

Baltika9

Arcane
Joined
Jun 27, 2012
Messages
9,611
What did we promise to them? Wasn't it just better leadership?

It's not time for democracy yet. There is still crusade to beat.
All of this
“It’s a right mess.” agrees Laresse with a sigh. “And here we are talking to the enemy.”

“Ah, but he doesn’t have to be the enemy,” says Miller. “This is why we are here.”

“We want to find out what you want for the future of Earth,” says Kowaki.

I look at the assembled officers and fold my hands together on the table. “I want to find out what the people of Earth want. Then, we shall see.”

Kowaki gives a slight nod. “A legitimate viewpoint. I do think the president has been acting too rashly.
We should have conducted a referendum on how to deal with the Empire.”

“The sackings have gotten worse too. A lot of my acquaintances are out of their jobs and on the streets.She’s always been paranoid, but even more so lately. We can’t trust the Fed anymore.” grumbles Miller.

“Wait a minute here, how is he any more trustworthy than the Federation?” blurts out Antiokyes, unable to hold his tongue. “The both of them are just as bad as each other, I reckon. Don’t forget that this guy was behind the events of Ankida. Better the devil you know, I say.”

“Antiokyes raises a valid question,” says Torwick. “How do we know you can be trusted to uphold the interests of humanity any more than the Federation has?”
“His words were not poison, Madam President. Your actions were. You do the Federation a disservice by your behaviour.” The second condition for gaining Vic Camna’s loyalty has been cleared. Having him witness an attempt at an extra-legal execution was sure to appeal to his sense of justice.
gives me reason to believe that, should we go back on our promises, even if they were implied, we will lose the trust and support of the officers that helped us achieve this victory. If we backstab them, it may very well damage our war effort against the Empire.
Our CF can't be everywhere all the time, we need their support and the popular support we can gain from associating with them, playing up our achievements and regaining our stolen MEGA GLORY.
 

treave

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Jul 6, 2008
Messages
11,370
Codex 2012
Huh, sorry, I actually thought you guys wanted to get back to preparing for the fight against the Empire instead of wasting time on doing petty things like forcing Naim to admit publicly that you're the badass. No one else really cares about the personal slights and stolen credit. You're not the only person they did it to. Bringing it up at this point and trying to make it important makes you look like a petulant child and gloryhound. So, no. That'd be rather counterproductive.

You don't need to be rallying the troops, that's not your job, nor would you be the best figure to inspire people. Your job is just to get in there and kick as much ass as possible. Preferably all the asses.

You don't get to pick who gets locked up, freed or killed because it really doesn't make any difference for this particular choice. What's important is what you choose to do.
 

Baltika9

Arcane
Joined
Jun 27, 2012
Messages
9,611
Oh, nevermind then, regular BC. Let Julia make an ass of herself and the voters will flock to Iannes.

I just thought that we'll have to cover every topic on all fronts again, but it's good to know that our bros will let us focus on our task and take care of the rest.
 

treave

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Jul 6, 2008
Messages
11,370
Codex 2012
If they still can't wipe their asses without you popping in every minute and checking if they need more toilet paper, then this verse's humanity deserves everything coming to them.

:rpgcodex:
 

As an Amazon Associate, rpgcodex.net earns from qualifying purchases.
Back
Top Bottom