Each take what you originally had minus gifts.

Rokoa's interested in beating us in a fair fight. She knows she could take us in an unfair one, and vice versa. That mean either no one will be wearing bio-armor, or she'll bring a new set.

Planning that far ahead seem kinda silly, anyways. A better argument for keeping it might be that she'd be offended if we tried to leave it with her anyways. I'm just pointing out that it seems more useful to her right now than it does for us.

Other boring gear- each of you should take whatever gun you're must comfortable with, than divy up the rest as convenient (there's only 1 backpack, and whoever doesn't get it can only carry so much). If Rokoa's climbing down to meet her hive, she has more a need for the rope (assuming you still have that). Food, if there's anything left, split in proportion- she needs more.

Maybe poke around for more food after helping her with the knee? There might still be something left- I don't think we ever had the time to properly loot the first salakai's base.

Polo 2012/07/07(Sat)18:03 No. 430043 ID: 44b4ea
File 134170943724.png - (17.00KB , 700x700 , 678.png )

"You know what, Rokoa? Keep the bio armor. I have no attachment. I only used it as a tool. Now that I'm leaving, you can use it more than me. Keep the bomb, too. And rope, I just need a few weapons. Is there any food remaining?"
>"Nope."
"Anything around this upper facility? You must have poked around."
>"Poked around, yep. Either trashed it or didn't find anything of use. No food silos up here."
"Going back down to your hive?"
>"Not yet. I'm going to get some air before going back under."

Complication is lowered; Rokoa is pleased. We head into tunnel. I admit that I'm in more of a rush to get to talk to my hive than I am to bandage Rokoa's knee. This seems good enough to use the communicator.

>"Sealock Hive, who is this?"
>"Polo. Is that you, Kirla?"
>"Polo, yes it is! Good news! The enemy hive does want peace, and free passage. We're going to try to talk to the other hives to get the same truce, and just make sure that they leave the planet, never to come back. Just wait by the evac point, and we'll be there in, well, after the enemy hive does leave. Unless it's an emergency, in which case we should be able to go through without problems, but we take it that you wouldn't mind waiting just a bit longer to try not to complicate things."

Tell them we'll be here, see you soon. After get in contact with Rikae and see how they are doing and to tell them the good news. I think we're almost home free.

Thankfully, monsters don't seem to be boiling up out of the ground to kill you, yet. Reassure them there's no emergency.

...is the war hive running before or after attacking the spire facility? We kinda don't want to be here when that happens. And if the attack's been called off, that's relevant information.

"Well, the good news is the truce seems to have gone through. Bad news is your hive's getting kicked off-world. You'll have a long hike for that rematch."

...the rematch should totally be a baking competition. She'll kick your ass, but it'll be worth it. XD

>>430043
What, Rokoa's hive is okay with telling the other hives about the attack?

Ask if Rokoa plans to use the egg bomb to kill the Salikai. If so, does she have a plan to get the other hive out of the way before it goes off? Come to think of it, using the egg bomb would destroy a good part of the facility, and I expect her hive would love to get the data out of there.

Tell them you're fine with waiting. Don't want to risk "complications," even if it does mean being around Rokoa for longer.

Inform Rokoa about the truce, and that your hive is working out the same deal with the other hives for safe passage of her hive. Get on the local radio and tell Rakae the same, and ask where she is. Then gather up the gear and start heading there. Wonder if that wind beast shell and the bag of gear you nailed to the cliff are still there after four weeks.

En route, ask Rokoa if she has any special plans in mind for that egg bomb before leaving this world.

Polo 2012/07/07(Sat)18:47 No. 430061 ID: 44b4ea
File 134171206124.png - (15.87KB , 700x700 , 679.png )

I tell them I'm fine with waiting, before going to talk to Rakae.

"Rakae! Any problems."
>"Nope! We got everything and everyone, we're at the evac point. You?"
"Doing as well as I can ask. Everything is reported as smooth. I'll talk to you in a few minutes."

So I take off enough of my armor to take off my Rokoa bindings, and use those as bandages. Rokoa is in a mentally laughing mood again. I do tell Rokoa the news as well, before moving on to a question.
"You going to use the egg bomb to take out the salikai?"

>"No way. It's a bluffer, only gonna set it off if there's good reason. Still, a damn good bluffer. Now give me your helmet, too. I want to check something.

>"Rokoa to Tirrik. Yeah, just hang out there, our hive will be there soon. Gotcha. See ya. Hold on, Coffee Cake, one more thing... Rokoa to Hive, Rokoa to Hive. Yeah, hey. Tell the queen I'll be down soon, but I'll be around i - what? ... Yeah, she's with me. Said the peace negotiations went fine. The fuck do you mean, kill her? I know I just said that out loud you dolt, and she hears me. Thought the Queen was going to get peaceable for once. Are you fucking with me, Kir? Put -- I said put the queen on. What the hell do you mean she 'doesn't want to talk to me'? No, I don't understand. Backstabbing the enemy hives after calling a truce - yeah you don't like it either? Neither does anyone, neither does a damn person under the rogue que- yeah I know I what I about to say. I don't care how desperate she is! What? You just say she's blaming me? Said I forced her hand, after giving away sensitive info? Yeah, I'll own up to my action, I'll take the heat for that, but my shit doesn't make for a very good hiding spot for her own shit! I'll take the heat for what I said about the queen, for the actions, and I'll take the heat for ordering your ass up to tell the queen to get off her ass and tal-
>Damnit, they hung up on me. I figure you got the gist of how that went."

I probably have to say something, but I don't want to. Calm words, but she's unbelievably pissed off. And shaken. Can't blame her, given that what I know of Rokoa is horribly out of line with what her queen just did, something that would crush myself in her position. She feels it enough to make me feel pissed and shaken, even without having anything to do with this. Then again, maybe I do have something to do with this, at least indirectly.

Is it just me they want dead or is it my hive?

Well fuck.

Okay, first things first. We need to defuse the emotional crazy girl, or else she might obey those orders.

Polo, you definitely want you link open. Yes, she'll see it if you decide you have to shoot her, but that doesn't matter. You can't win in close quarters anyways. Playing on your weird, fucked up personal relationship is you best bet for survival, and for your hive. Hell, possibly for Rokoa at this point.

I'm not sure how much comfort will work on her- I'd try something like-
"...so is this the point where we walk away, or start trying to kill each other again?"
Don't take an aggressive stance (mentally or physically), or draw a weapon on her. That wouldn't actually help you stop her, and it lowers the odds she'll end this positively. The *unspoken* question should be if they pushed her too far this time. Don't actually say that though- let her come to that decision on her own, if she's going to make it. She'll know you're thinking it, but you giving it voice might jab the wound too deep.

There's a small chance she'll turn (but I don't expect it). There's a chance she'll defy orders, and let you walk away- this time. There's a chance she'll announce the next duel will be happening a little sooner than expected (you fight, but get prepared first). ...and there's the chance she'll give a scream of rage and attack instantly. In which case you're fucked.

Ask Rokoa what she wants to do now. Anything short of killing you or your hivemates, you're game.

>>430061
"She's going to break the truce?
Rokoa, there are two things I can do here.
The first is that I warn the other hives about the strike. They would try to prevent it, and I don't think your hive would survive.
The second is that I only warn my own hive. They'll repel the attack, but your hive will probably survive. I will do this if you agree to ensure your rogue queen dies as soon as possible.

One or two, Rokoa?"

>>430061
We're close enough to Rokoa right now that she could kill us at will.

Also our escape is now blocked. Again. Except... we can fake our death. We can get Rokoa to make it look like we're dead, and we can turn off the link to make others believe it. The only issue is how to get to the evac, and have the evac ships get in and out safely.

Or Rokoa's faking it and didn't actually call her hive. Is it possible to do that? At all? Can you even use that armor's radio like she just did?

Wait a minute, I see what's going on. We know sensitive information. I bet Rokoa's Queen is being pressured by that guy Rokoa wants to kill. Maybe he knew about the facility and was trying to keep the data for himself, and so he has to keep your knowledge about the facility from getting out. You told your hive about it, so they have to die too, and thus the peace treaty is sabotaged. Or the Queen isn't being pressured- whoever Rokoa talked to could be the one in on it.

OOOOOR the armor's radio got intercepted by the Salikai and that transmission is fake.

Keep your link wide open, remain kneeling, look Rokoa in the eyes, and ask "...Will you do it?" You have to let her work this out in her mind. Any prodding, and she'll go up like nitroglycerin. If it's "yes," you're screwed, but if it's "no," then you might have a chance.

Now, it looks like Rokoa's queen is attempting to torpedo the truce. Why, you have no idea. This also means no emergency evac as well, since they'll be ordered to shoot them down as well.

At this point, what you could do is run the clock out. Rokoa's known to offer fair fights, so you start with one, then play cat and mouse with her until her hive has to leave. Then she can claim she just couldn't find you. She won't be able to lie to them, so turn off your link while leading her around to this plan, and hope she doesn't catch on to what you're doing.

>>430061
Well. That went poorly. I supposed we'd better warn home that an attack is imminent, never mind everything we said, launch missiles.

That egg is still a good bluff isn't it? What if I took it, set it to the maximum time and then walked right into your queens chambers with it. Would she listen to me then or is her pride strong enough to get her killed?

>>430063
This is a really good point. If they just want you, and not the hives that's something you can work with.

>>430079
No offense, but you're assuming she decides not to kill us. And that she's willing to commit treason. And you're not handling it delicately at all. That's a great way to get Polo killed. Horse before wagon- we need to defuse Rokoa, then worry about inter-hive situation.

>>430080
I doubt Rokoa faked that. Link, respect, crazy honor system, etc. I don't think the salakai could fake her out so easy either. I do endorse your suspicion of the human instigator though. We might even be able to play that in reasoning with Rokoa? And faking our death is an interesting choice if they only want Polo.

Ask Rokoa if she really thinks her queen is going rogue. And ask if some of this might be the doing of that human. I don't think she's in any state to lie to you.

Also, ask what her queen's next move is going to be. Point out that unless Rokoa confirms that she's "killed" you, the queen may not have much choice but to launch an early surprise attack ASAP in order to avoid you warning your hive that the deal's off. If nothing else, faking your death should buy you both some time.

Ask Rokoa if she has any ideas for dealing with her queen. It sounds like she's lost it, and might need to be deposed, but is there a way to do that without a lot of bloodshed?

Polo 2012/07/08(Sun)00:24 No. 430188 ID: 44b4ea
File 134173227565.png - (7.48KB , 700x700 , 680.png )

It's awhile before I think it's okay to talk. I have little reason to believe she faked the conversation.
"Is it just me, or me and my hive?"
>"I was ordered to kill you. They'll worry about your hive. Probably just the expected conventional strike. Dunno, maybe you stood out."

My link is open, and I sit by her for more time before she continues.

>"I'm not going to kill you. Not even considering it. Not now, not like this."
She doesn't speak about how much she dislikes disobeying her hive, but she doesn't need to.
>"I'm in some deep shit now. My queen's going to know I think of her as rogue. Damn stupid of me to say. Now she's got a grand exceuse to just kill me herself. Not a damn thing has changed for you. Just go on, get out of here. Hide. We probably won't find you. Let your hive know about the betrayal in case they actually let their guard down. Minimize death and all. I won't stop you."

At least, now, she appears more receptive to specific questioning. There isn't any way to word it well, so I simply combine it with our link.
"Your Queen?"
She doesn't answer. She doesn't know how to answer.

Radio in. Tell them that the enemy hive intends to attack anyway. Tell them to warn anyone they can and do whatever they can to defend or attack first.

"Rokoa. If you hive is not going to take you back you can come with us. Wait for things to settle down and take the time to think of what you want to do. Consider it a free ride on the chopper out of this hellhole."

Ask Rokoa this, if your Queen died would your hive honor the truces? You would still have to leave the world but it wouldn't be risking destruction. Think on it Rokoa, if your Queen really is Rogue then she will always be doing things like this.

If she says a defiante no radio this in. Let Rakai know as well. Even if we don't understand her I think we should do something for Rokoa... hell if I know what though. If your relationship was even a little less confrontational I'd say hug her. At the very least tell her we'll see her in a few years when she finally learns to shoots straight. And if she doesn't show maybe we'll see how well her Queen likes a snipers vengeance.

>>430188
I'm not sure her hive's politics concern us at this point. There's just not much we can do that would work out in our favor. Maybe we should just drop it. Radio in to our hive and tell them they shouldn't trust the truce.

Now we need to worry about our buddies at the exit, and the pilots coming to us. It would probably be safer for the pilots to wait until the enemy hive has left before coming in to pick us up, so we need to figure out some way to hide. For you, that's not too hard, but what about the others?

This isn't about Polo at all, or Polo's hive.

Rokoa's queen wants Rokoa out of the picture, but probably can't because she does not have a legitimate enough excuse to off her without backlash from the rest of her hive. What better way to make an excuse than to give her an order that the queen knows Rokoa will not follow?

The rest of Rokoa's hive does not know the details of Rokoa's and Polo's working together, and may not even know about the truce, so in their eyes there is no legitimate reason for Rokoa to let Polo live. The queen could have made up any kind of bullshit story to feed to the rest of her hive about why Polo should not live.

On the plus side, her hive has no idea what Polo looks like or what she sounds like, since Rokoa and her have been using the radio one at a time. Queen is also not asking for any proof of death, so technically Polo may as well be anyone to them.

So flick on the radio, fire a weapon into the ground a few times, give some convincing death throes, and let Rokoa give whatever fabricated report she needs to.

If the queen's going rogue, does that mean someone compatible and strong enough should be able to usurp her? Of course, that possibility is why the queen wants Rokoa gone in the first place, but it's still on the table unless Rokoa really doesn't want to do it.

What about a coup? Rokoa has a very strong force of personality. If her queen is as misaligned with her hive as it sounds like, Rokoa would be more in-tune with the hive as well, but could such a thing be done even under the best of circumstances?

>>430198
Actually, when the conference call was open, Polo had her helmet off. The queen knows what she looks like.

>>430188

Okay, we got the second best possible outcome, relatively painlessly. Well handled Polo- calm, quiet, and completely at her mercy was pretty much the only chance you had of getting out of that.

You cannot outright suggest she turn as some of your impulses / headvoices suggest to you. Honestly, it's it's impressive what you've gotten out of her so far. Don't push her father than she's willing to be pushed. That's a decision she can only reach on her own, and if you try to force that, or do anything to make this harder for her, you'll very likely regret it.

You should accept the return of your radio, and collect your gear. Warn your hive, and warn your fellow evacuees. (This buys you a little more time for Rokoa to make a decision before you go).

When you're ready to go, regard her one last time. Judge her emotional state carefully. If it seems like there's a real hope in hell she's decided to turn (highly unlikely) say something to the effect that you might be willing to help if she's thinking something stupid. If she's not thinking that, or you can't tell? Tell her you're sorry things ended this way. And that she should try not to get herself killed, or too badly maimed. Then leave.

(I do kind of like the idea of offering to fake your death for her- most of her hive don't know about your abilities. But this requires that Kork and Tirrek don't later give the game away, and that Rokoa can actually lie to her hive. I'm not sure the link would let that fly.

Or maybe the deception might work better the other way? You could offer to shoot her up. Rokoa could then honestly say she let her anger get the better of her, you heard what going on, and you disabled her. And she's angry about all that. Which would be true.

...I really just need to stop making this post longer while waiting for an update.)

>>430188
Ask her to come with you. Hell, it's gotta be better than working for someone who just tried to backstab the hive they just spared...

Yeah, sure you're a cuddle hive and stuff, but maybe a break from fighting will be what Rokoa needs. And if not, you guys could certainly use someone who knows how to.

It's not the best solution, but... it doesn't sound like she'll have much choice. You heard it yourself: her queen may try to kill her as it is, even if she doesn't get some insane shit as being the scapegoat.

>>430188
Ask if some of this might be the doing of that human, of if it's all queenie.

Also, ask what her queen's next move is going to be.

And, ask Rokoa if she has any ideas for dealing with her queen. It sounds like the queen's lost it, and might need to be deposed, but is there a way to do that without a lot of bloodshed?

Of course, ask her whether having the queen gone would *actually* allow them to honor the truce.

Request to use the radio now. If Rokoa lets you, tell your hive that Rokoa's queen is nuts, and will probably betray the truce after all. Ask them to go primarily defensive, and to try to hold off attacking until you work out whether or not there's a way to deal with the queen. But to prepare for a counter-strike just in case one is necessary.

Polo 2012/07/08(Sun)09:54 No. 430235 ID: 44b4ea
File 134176645269.png - (17.14KB , 700x700 , 681.png )

First, I take a minute to warn my hive that the truce may not be honored. Thankfully, they were already wary just in case, but now they'll assume the worst.

I'm about to ask about if her queen dies, would the rest of the hive honor the truce. I take a moment to think of more roundabout words.
"Is your queen acting alone in this, or would the rest of the hive decide to honor the truce if left alone?"
>"It's been about a month since I've been with my hive. I don't know anymore if they've changed."
"Would they accept you? If not, uh... I think I would be willing to put in a go-"
>"They'll still accept me, even if I have to force my way back in."
She's trying to smile again.
"You're loyal."
>"I won't harm my family. I want to know what the queen is thinking. Trying to glean a thing of what she's thinking from video chat is pointless, I need to get in front of her."
"Think that human could have had influence?"
>"He's not the direct sort. Sets up scenarios and stipulations, and lets us go about our business. Like I said, it's been about a month. I don't know how much has changed. May not be a point in killing him anymore. Hell, he may have bailed."
"You'll be going back, then?"
>"Yeah. They're probably gonna send in a burrower to get down, equipped with some teleporters. So I'm going to go up there and confront the queen."
"But you wouldn't...?"
>"I work for my hive, not the queen. That may not be one and the same anymore."
"You're prepared to do a coup?"
>"No, because I'm not going to fill her shoes. Don't want to kill her, don't even want to depose her, but if I do either, I wouldn't be queen even if it turns out that way. I just won't see my family get led by someone like that."

She is hard to read again, but I can sense another unspoken question of if I would want to go with her, though it isn't an offer.

It's a risk... but go with her. Take the machine gun.

Hmm. No subterfuge, then.

Okay, I think we need to stop for a minute and determine our objective. You've warned your hive of the threat, you've escaped the monster filled facility, you've gotten crazy face to stop trying to kill you. Hell, you even managed to snag another moton egg. (If you don't decide to go to the evac point, you should really radio one of your friends to come down and grab that). What's your mission? Possible choices-

(1) Escape. You stay here, your goal is to survive till evac, and make sure your friends aren't killed or discovered by the war hive before that happens (we're assuming the war hive *will* be driven off at some point- probably within several hours). You'll use your stealth and guerrilla tactics to keep the evac location safe. Definitely doable, especially since the war hive infantry wants to primarily down towards the facility, not up to your evac point.

(2) Aggressive defense. Make the war hive pay for every inch of territory they try to claim inside the spire. Protect your friends by going on the offense- outright offer alliance to the salakai and organize a much more aggressive guerrilla fight. This is more risky, exposes you to more harm, and only makes sense if you feel the war hive really needs to pay, or you've decided the facility (and those inside it) really don't deserve what's coming. Of course, this places you at risk, and the salakai's got it's own army anyways. Might have long term benefits if the salakai's intentions aren't some crazy world domination scene.

(For the record, I totally think it is some kind of crazy world domination scheme. It's a possible route, but not one I favor. The possible benefits of helping them really aren't solid enough for the risk).

(3) Truth / alliance. If you're going to go with her, you need a reason. Right now, Rokoa wants to know what the hell her Queen is thinking. If you're going with her- it needs to be because you want to know the truth behind this whole damned mess. And because you think Rokoa could use a stealthy ninja to back her up if this goes to shit for her. You need to be motivated by truth and personal loyalty- and you need to express that if you expect her to consider taking you along at all.

Of course, this is suicidally risky. Even if Rokoa manages some kind of peaceful resolution with her Queen, you're sneaking into an enemy base- you could still be caught and killed out of hand. If things do go south, it's going to be a bloody, horrible mess, and you likely won't be able to bluff your way out- you may have to fight to the death or suicide bomb.

Furthermore, you give up control. This is her hive, these are her people. That means it's Rokoa's mission. If you go along, you're following her. Ie, she's the one in charge, not you, unlike the op you just ran. She makes the final life and death decisions. This is, of course, dangerous.

---

Final assessment? Plan (1) is the safest, and your best bet for getting out alive. Plan (3) is the most dangerous, but really, the most interesting (so naturally, this is what we want to do). Polo, if you want to get home, do (1). If Rokoa's earned this much of your respect, and you have to know the truth... go (3). We'll do our best to keep you alive either way.

you're going with, no question about that.

>>430237
What? Why? Does she want our help?

"... Do you need backup?"

If we go with her, we'd be able to find out what's going on too, and maybe fix things. It's really the best option we have to ensure our hive's safety.

Plus, if we can get to the Queen, we can threaten her life in exchange for a REAL truce. I wonder if Rokoa would be okay with that. Maybe if it's a bluff?

Take a moment, then say you'll back her up. It's crazy, and dangerous, and you know that somehow Rokoa will pull it off. This is probably the only way you're going to get answers, and if it also means that this war hive might not be led by a mad queen (who'd probably bring them back some day to attack again,) then you'll do it.

Man, I was totally expecting the vote to swing for plan crazy, but I expected some dissent. I shouldn't even have bothered to outline other courses of action.

If we need further rational for why the hell we're willing do do this (convincing Polo she wants to do this- and Rokoa to let her to- is the tricky bit right now): she just helped us save our hive. Let's see if we can't save hers.

Wonder what Rokoa would do if the rest of her hive got blown up

"Well, she did want to kill me. Least I could do is help return the favour".

Polo 2012/07/08(Sun)14:40 No. 430284 ID: 44b4ea
File 134178361749.png - (10.18KB , 700x700 , 682.png )

Going along with Rokoa's business is probably the stupidest thing that I have ever thought of doing and I am going to do it. Maybe it's ill placed compassion for Rokoa, or returning the help that she's given me. Maybe I want answers, maybe it's because I may be able to save a lot of lives if I can cancel this attack somehow.

"Do you need backup? I figure she wants me dead, so I could help return the favor."
She pulls me in. It's not so much a hug as much as a noogie.
>"You're seriously considering this? No, not backup. Three possibilities. One, Queen is good, two, Queen needs to be beat up, and three, Queen needs to be killed. If I bring you on board, I'm going to shove you in a box or something on the ship. Then I wire myself with something, and you can hear out my confrontation. Not going to lie, if the queen is either 2 or 3, I'm pretty fucked. Depending how it goes, you can decide. But, and listen up, because this is a big one, in case you're going to kill my queen. You should know it already, but do not kill anyone else in the hive. Incapacitation is fine, but if you kill anyone in my hive, I'll hunt you myself. Not a fair fight, either, but I believe I can trust you on that stipulation. And if Queen's all good and this was just one big misunderstanding, you'll get back off the ship. Do we have an understanding? Oh, and I won't think bad of you if you change your mind about me being the one in the bio armor. I bet you'll handle it fine, I'll even carry you onto my ship so that by the time I confront her, you'll be gold."

Sounds good. Heck, we can even wear the conventional armor over it, can't we? Oh, we meant to ask why Rokoa hadn't done that. So let's ask.

"It's official; you've infected me with crazy. Let's do this."

Seems legit, okay go with her.

There is one concern though. While wearing the bio armor, Rokoa's knee is unlikely to bother her much, akin to you being able to run around with that piece of shrapnel in your lung. When she takes it off she'll fully feel the wound. Will she even be able to walk like that? Oh! If we can, we should show that shrapnel to her.

>probably the stupidest thing that I have ever thought of doing
Yes, sorry about that, this situation is our kind of idiot trap.

Okay, Rokoa took that a lot calmer than I expected. And she's outlining rational plans of action! Goodness.

This should go without saying- but you absolutely need to warn the people waiting at the evac that you're not coming, that the truce failed, and to pick up the egg. They should be fine anyways- Rokoa said her hive is drilling right into the complex, and three stripes can disable any infantry that wanders far enough off course to find them.

>>430286
"You must have put some of your crazy in that coffee cake."

On the bio armor- is she going to go back, claiming she killed you? If so, someone might wonder why Rokoa didn't recover the suit. Well, only a problem if Kork or Tirrek shows up I guess, no one else knows the situation. Aside from the matter of the cover story, realistically- if shit goes down bad, the bio armor won't help Rokoa much, outnumbered in the throne room. If it comes to it, it will be a big help to you doing something dangerous and stupid behind enemy lines.

>>430284
Ask Rokoa whether or not her combat abilities will be significantly limited without the biosuit. Or, alternatively, whether or not she expects to be able to DO any fighting at all if #2 or #3 occur, or whether they'll just lock her in the brig or shoot her right there.

In both of these scenarios, the bio-armor isn't that useful for her. If it's not useful, take it.

You've gotta wonder if Rokoa's crazy is contagious, 'cause you should be running for the hills at this prospect. Ah, well. Too late now.

Tell her you're in, and you'll take the bio-armor, but you're wondering how she's going to get you inside the ship to hide you in the first place, since her hive will sense her coming. ...Perhaps hide you in the shell of that moton egg, and wheel it in, with her saying it's going to be her last meal before her execution. It has been a while since you both ate, it's going to be even longer until you eat again, and that's a good excuse to have the egg as a grand, possibly last, meal. Get Rakae and Rikek down here to share if there's too much to eat between the two of you, though it's Rokoa, so there likely won't be leftovers.

Oh hell no. Get the fuck out of there and back to your hive. Holy shit what are you thinking?

>>430284
Okay, we'll need a signal for when its time for you to get out and kick ass
Maybe it should be "Carry On My Wayward Son"
If everything's fine, make the song "Coconut"

1/2 Polo 2012/07/08(Sun)18:27 No. 430371 ID: 44b4ea
File 134179725209.png - (14.89KB , 700x700 , 683.png )

"Things may go bad. Would you be able to fight? Can you even move without the bio armor?"
>"I'm already crawling, it's not going to get much worse. And fight? Let me say it again. I'm not fighting my hive. If I have to fight my queen, I'll have to fight my hive. No go. I'm just going to get shot or undergo some old fashioned physical discipline. Only reason I'd use the bio armor is if I get these bullets pulled out and go down in the research lab to fight."
"I'll use it, then. First off, I have to talk to Rakae."
>"Thought so. You get started on binding to the armor, I'll carry you."

So we take off our armor, she puts me in the bio armor, and she helps me put my original armor back on. It's painful once again, and I don't move much. Still, I'm more physically and mentally attuned to it, so it isn't as bad.
"I was wondering.. w-why don't you wear armor over your bio suit?"
>"Sentimental reasons. Blocky armor never feels like its fit. Feels wrong."

She doesn't intend on explaining more, so she puts me on her back and starts crawling. Another position I will do my best to ignore and forget. We'll leave the egg and get it later. Eat it if we have to, but maybe Rakae has food.

>>430329
I do not know any human music.

Polo 2012/07/08(Sun)18:27 No. 430372 ID: 44b4ea
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I ride Rokoa, giving her directions when I feel like speaking, tugging on her ears when I don't, until I sense Rakae and Rikek. It looks like not much has been disturbed from our camp. Rikek and Rakae are disturbed by Rokoa's presence, but I let them know I'm alright. There's a greeting and a hug somewhere, but I'm dizzy, and barely am aware of myself getting Rakae and Rikek up to speed.

"Where's Three Stripes?"
>"They're at the mushroom farm, getting food. You know, if this place gets peace, is there any reason why Three Stripes and his group can't stick around? I don't know how well we can accomodate a predator, and his hive friend.. they stick out." Rakae says.

Rakae is mentally letting me know that I need not go onto Rokoa's mothership, but acknowledges that I believe there is merit.

Tell Rakae about the Moton egg. We're finishing this mission properly, dammit.

Don't go there you crazy bitch. This is Rokoa's issue. Not yours. Go home and not die.

>>430372
If they can stay here without getting killed, then that actually seems appropriate. The only reason we wanted to get them out of here was so that they didn't get shot by Rokoa's hive when they moved in. Three Stripes isn't really a close friend of Polo's or anything so there's no real need for him to come back to the hive.

Theres no reason they can't stay, however I bet they would like to at least experiance civlized life.

Would it work if Three Stripes headed offworld with Riklek? He didn't even know what an emotion predator was, so his hive probably wouldn't have as much awkwardness as homeworld hives.

Just out of curiosity, how common is red fur among neumono? Aside from the tribal neumono in the caves, Rokoa's Queen is the only one we've seen with fur that color.

>I do not know any human music.

That's fine, but the idea has some merit. Crazy Rokoa humming a tune might be less suspicious than her trying to drop code phrases in her conversation for you. Whatever system you use though, there should be a framework in place for her to signal you if it's 1, 2, 3, unexpected fourth case, or time to gtfo, etc.

Hive friend? Singular? Giant was the only one who came along? Regardless, Rakae makes a good point. We don't have to drag them back to civilization once (if) things are safe here again.

Try to explain yourself to Rakae, and to reassure her if you can. I mean yeah, you know is suicidally stupid, but it's worth doing.

(Rokoa? You probably can't here me from inside Polo's head, but go say hi to three stripes. I'm sure he'll be thrilled to see you again. And I'm sure you'll get on great with Giant. XD )

>>430384
I am also curious of this.

Agree that Three Stripes and company should stay in the spire; It'd be tough on them to stay with your hive. They'll be better off here, where it's reasonably familiar. We know where they are if we want to check on them later. Tell Rakae about the moton egg as well, and joke that you never thought you'd complete that mission objective after all.

...Being next to Rakae, sensing her link, you think of your hive and home, and have second thoughts of going through with this. It's idiotic. It's insane. And yet, you're drawn to it. Maybe a bit of Rokoa did get into your mind, but you feel you have to do this. Wish Rakae and Rikek well, and to have a good life. It's time to go.

>>430388
waht?

Polo 2012/07/08(Sun)19:20 No. 430395 ID: 44b4ea
File 134180042044.png - (214.15KB , 700x700 , 685.png )

>How common is red fur?
Not uncommon, but it is normally somewhat desaturated. Deep or bright red fur is far less common.

>Hive friend

"I don't see him moving as being unnecessary if this place becomes uninhabited again. Rikek, what are the chances of him being taken offworld?"
>"Uh.. I don't think customs would look too hot on that, sorry." says Rikek.
"Think any of them would like civilized life?"
>"We... didn't get that impression." he continues.
"Okay. Remember, there's a moton egg down there. Just grab it, hang tight and an evac will come no matter what. As for me, well, I'm going for the long shot. By the way, by 'hive friend', did you mean everyone?"
>"Yes, there were 10 or so." Rakae explains.
"Then, goodbye, Rikek, Rakae. As ridiculous as it sounds, I think my going up there is worth it."
>"Don't say it like it's forever. Are you even okay? You don't even look like you have your eyes open in there."
"I'm putting on the bio armor. I'll be fine. Better, even."
>"Okay. I expect to see you in a couple of hours!" says Rakae.
>"Right! Good luck!" Rikek says.
"Yeah. See you later."

Despite her discomfort, Rakae is feeling that Rokoa had better bring me back safely. Almost threateningly so, while Rokoa laughs it off.

>"Alright, CC. My hive is going to be in there by the time we get back down. Don't worry about it. I'll get you in. Any last things you gotta do, or shall we?"

>>430372
Who else here is going to be sad if Rokoa and Giant never meet, never wrestle for dominance in a convenient pit of mud or perhaps pudding, and never make out with each other afterwards?

ahem.

Nothing I can think of.

Just gotta close the mental link. STEALTH MODE ENGAGED

Stealth mode activate.

PS, you are a crazy bitch.

Check you can still mask your empathic link, even with all the pain. ...Oh, and tell Rakae about the bag of stuff you nailed to the cliff outside, all those weeks ago. You think Rikek's camera might be in there.

Operation Long Odds is a GO, starting now.

>>430395
Yea, tell Rokoa she'd have been a great mother if you could've been a father :V

Typo fix:
>I don't see him moving as being necessary if this place...

>>430395
Why haven't we called our hive yet to tell them something's up?

>>430407
'Cause there's a risk, however small, that Rokoa's hive is listening in. Polo's hive knowing about this plan wouldn't change much, anyway. Rakae can tell them what happened afterwards, if it goes bad.

Our hive doesn't need sensitive mission details. They know the war hive is hostile, and that they have people waiting for evac. That's all they need to know.

Hug friends goodbye. Disgusting cuddle hive protocol go. Pop the helmet and let them see your eyes to make Rakae feel better. (You can reassure that it's nowhere near as bad as the first time you put it on, anyways).

And you need a parting barb for Rokoa before you go dark and she stuffs the bunny you back in the box. (I've got nothing I think is funny enough though. Anyone got any good ones?).

You can establish communication codewords or whatever en route.

Well I mean, do they know the conventional strike is going to hit anyway? Or are they preparing for that already despite the truce?

I suppose if Rokoa's hive is listening to the radio it would completely fuck up everything for Polo to talk over the radio at all.

1/2 Polo 2012/07/09(Mon)08:58 No. 430545 ID: 44b4ea
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Oh, food! Before I go, Rakae has scrounged up some food. We take enough to get a good meal.

I took a brief period to warn my hive already.
>>430235
It is a risk on account of Rokoa's hive trying to listen in, but I'm losing much of my room to talk about caution.

In any case, I do not know when the conventional strike is to happen.

Hugs are given, and I go silent.

2/2 Polo 2012/07/09(Mon)08:59 No. 430546 ID: 44b4ea
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We start moving down. Three Stripes and that giant are on a walk, crossing our paths while we eat our food. Three Stripes is happy to see me, but I do not like the way that giant is looking at me. Odd bewilderment, as though seeing a snake move down a slope by biting its tail and forming a wheel. More concertingly, its mixed with a desire to run up and kick that snake to see how it reacts. Rokoa dares her. Three Stripes starts saying 'vaota' a lot, broadcasting peace.

>>430546
To her, you are impossible. Many others that lived with your modern technologies and culture (and even one from a hive grown around extinct races reborn) were freaked out by your ability to mask yourself.

She's probably from a tribe that would think that messing with one's link is wrong. Or that she is going, "whhaaaaaat the fuck". Or that she is just Rokoa Classic with a little extra cuddle.

>>430546
Say "Vaota".
Can you use your link to imply that Three Stripes and Giant are lovers?

Say vaota and tell Rokoa to behave, we have a mission to accomplish.
If you are feeling up to it try givin three stripes a hug, this might be the last time we see him.

Given that you're wearing your armor with the link off, it's quite possible she doesn't even know what you are. A Nuomono with no empathic link would be one thing, but you look like a nuomono-shaped metal thing with no empathic link.

...can you tell what's behind her bewilderment? Is it your lack of link, your strange metal shell, or, uh, your mount? If it's just one of those, you could resolve it by opening up, popping your helmet, dismounting, etc. If it's all at once, stopping probably won't work anyways.

But in any event, try to diffuse the situation. Rein in Rokoa (heh), and offer your own voata in response (I'm assuming Giant's picked up what that means by this point?). As amusing as those too picking a fight might be, it's an unnecessary delay.

(Hey, Three stripes! You don't want to let Giant fight Toothy and Silent. That would be very bad. Silent is your friend, and Toothy is dangerous and crazy).

>>430546
Open your link long enough to prove that you have one, say goodbye to 3-strizzle (possibly including hugs), and be on your way.

1/2 Polo 2012/07/09(Mon)10:23 No. 430563 ID: 44b4ea
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"Vaota." I resist the urge to literally rein in Rokoa.

My link is temporarily opened, and a hug is given. The giant one is threatening, but Three Stripes is insisting that I am alright. I do not like how it looks like she can behead me, armor or not. Or how Rokoa is still daring her to do something.

2/2 Polo 2012/07/09(Mon)10:25 No. 430564 ID: 44b4ea
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I get out at the first chance I get before things get more volatile. We head on, stopping by the backpack and egg, this time remembering to get Rokoa to put her shirt on and moving down to the the upper facility. I hear faint gunshots, and what I think are arkots. It looks like the Salikai will make them fight for every inch.

>"There's a box around here with some papers that I can pass off as important. I don't intend on speaking to you again after I put the lid on. Any last words?"

See you on the other side.

"If everything goes fine, let's go into the royal break room and get a royal cup of joe. Wash down that coffee cake. Still got the taste of that in my mouth and it's called 'coffee' cake for a reason."

Giddy up horsey.

You are planning on having a way of signalling me if the situation is a 1, 2, 3, other, get out now, etc? Or am I just supposed to guess depending on if I hear you getting beaten up or shot?

>Any last words?
Sure! Here's several possibles.

"I really must have caught your crazy somehow. I don't know if it was in that jerky, the coffee cake, or if I just spent too long breathing the same air as you. But I'm obviously insane now."

"Try not to get yourself too badly killed or maimed, crazy-face."

"...you owe me one hell of a coffee cake if we someone both make it through this alive."

Oh, how about a code word for "get in here and kill this rogue queen"

>>430564
"Just in case we don't make it out of this, I love you."

Do it. :V

>>430564
"Remember, there can't be a rematch if either one of us ends up dead."

1/3 Polo 2012/07/09(Mon)11:50 No. 430582 ID: 44b4ea
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"You have some way of signaling me if the situation is one, two or three?"
>"I'll make sure you know."
"There won't be a rematch if we don't make it out of this. But if we do make it out,, I will expect more cake. And this time, don't put your crazy into it. Now giddy up."

She takes a few strides forward, oddly amused by that last line. Just when I almost think that maybe I have made her docile, she bucks me off at the box. I get my pistol, machine gun and rifle for weapons. Rope, grappling hook and rations are included.

Rokoa takes the bio armor's communicator, now that it isn't being used. With that, my communicator is turned on and set to let me hear what Rokoa hears.

2/3 Polo 2012/07/09(Mon)11:51 No. 430583 ID: 44b4ea
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I'm put in, and the box starts moving. It's a rocky trip, and the gunshots get louder and more frequent. I begin sensing her war hive, and that familiar sense of fear I had when one of their battleships moved by comes back.

Rokoa gets help to stand up, as some of her hivemates guide her to the teleporter. When asked what's in the box, she answers with papers and a 'tiny-people armor' that may be of interest for engineering.

They have an understanding. They have their orders to go deeper in the facility, and won't bug her. So I feel myself getting teleported up. Rokoa is told by someone that she is to see the Queen. Rokoa acknowledges it, and continues walking. I don't know where I'm going, and I have to trust Rokoa now. She sets me down. She continues walking. I sense war hive above, below and all around me, but Rokoa turns the lights off, implying that I am alone in whatever room this is.

Asteroid Quest - Intermission 1-3 END Polo 2012/07/09(Mon)11:53 No. 430584 ID: 44b4ea
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All I hear for minutes is the sound of Rokoa walking through the halls. Then a door slides open, and the sound comes from what I assume is the main bridge. There is chatter and orders getting flung about. At first, anyway. It quiets down gradually, until I can hear Rokoa's footsteps again.

>"Rokoa. Did you kill that blue one?" It's the queen.
>"No."

There is a long silence. At least a full minute. They are no doubt gauging each other, leaving my bling, before the queen speaks.

>"You've fucked up. Disobeying orders, letting yourself get captured, losing your bio suit, and for what?"
>"For the location of a hell of a discovery." Rokoa replies. "Why did you order me to kill her?"
>"You're not in a place to ask my decisions."
>"I'm in front of you. That is the best place to ask."
>"I do what I must."
>"You're doing what you feel like. You're in your own little box, now. Look around, we all agree."
>"And now you speak out of line to me?! I should have you killed!"
>"You've been trying that for years. Go on, then, just pull the trigger, and be known as the damn queen that kills her own!"

Another several seconds of silence. Then a gunshot. And another. A third, a fourth, and a thud.

>"You aim worse than me, you rogue quee-" Rokoa doesn't sound any worse off. Another couple of gunshots. "I said look around, you're completely alone!"

For what I assume is because it was a six shooter, I hear a few pistol whips.
>"Throw her in the brig, on the hook!"
"If you cared about the hive in the slightest, you'd fall over dead!" Rokoa manages, before the sounds of more battery and getting drug off come through, before the communicator is taken from her and turned off.

Which works fine, because that was all I needed to hear.

Right. Assassin quest time. With mandatory non-lethal conduct. It's like an awesome neumono version of live-a-live. Looking forward to it! This chapter was crazy fun.

First big decision is probably whether we go to break Rokoa out of the brig (trading stealth for backup / firepower) or if want to solo the queen. Or maybe if Kork or Tirrek made it on board, we can try and recruit them? Tirrek might be a tough sell, but Kork's workable, I think.

I'm pretty sure Rokoa brought us right in front of the queen, so we really hasve no choice but to pop up and kill her.

Nah, she dumped us in an empty room somewhere. We heard all that via radio. We've got ourselves a sneaking mission now, not a jack in the box one. :p

She was sending you hints when she was talking to the queen. "You're in your own little box now. Look around" That was directed at you, Polo, as was "I said look around, you're completely alone!"

Remember, this is a sneaking mission.

Hmm your probably right. still Rokoa has made it fairly clear she won't kill her Queen so I doubt freeing her will help us in any case.

Rouge queen and that last line is your go.

look around twice, you are alone so go ahead and leave the box.

you aim worse than me, she's not a good shot at all so you have the advantage.

You have your mission soldier, stealth mode, kill rouge queen and free rokoa!

I agree, assassin time.