Awkward. I would have framed it as granting him mercy, at least.

>Niam wasn't the worst off as far as clones go.
...not sure if that's meant to be a reference to how fucked up the Rokoa clone came out, your own condition, or the fact that any unescaped science hiver clones are probably being experimented mercilessly on.

>>538822
Pretty sure she's not. She was honestly surprised they'd gotten the tech working, and wasn't sure how to react to Niam, at first. Don't think it would help to ask.

>what do
I'm sorry, Korli.

We can offer what limited comfort and sympathy we can with lifted silence and a hand on her shoulder or a hug (...not that either works great though armor, but it's something).

After that. We still have to get the water out of equipment, and check that the immediate area is safe before conferring with our other allies. Then we need a safe place to rest and hole up a while.

Hug Korli and tell her you are happy that she is alright.
And maybe the salikai made multiple Niam clones and we can still see him meet himself.

And yeah then its time for debriefing and trying to figure out where the hell we are.

1/2 Polo 2013/09/01(Sun)10:41 No. 538840 ID: d38f67
File 137805726712.png - (14.34KB , 700x700 , 567.png )

I give her a hug. She returns one tightly, and does not think I was the type for hugs. I let my empathy go for a moment to show that she is right, it is a hug entirely for her sake. She appreciates it all the same.

>Ask if Korli is a clone
I don't need to know, and under the nil chance she is, I doubt she'd know.

2/2 Polo 2013/09/01(Sun)10:42 No. 538842 ID: d38f67
File 137805736696.png - (29.26KB , 700x700 , 568.png )

She and the others are clean of bugs, excepting Kort and Lucera.

"Did anything other than the obvious happen?" I ask of Marra, who is airing out her MG.
>"No. Niam and Korli got the jammer up while Rokann and I got our faces shot up. On our push out, some cloakers started jumping at us. Was about ready to jump in without you. Not much to say. Your voklit buddy is probably fine. Got hit with a bunch of shit, but obviously nothing fatal. What'd you go and do? You don't look worse for wear."
"I didn't have my back to the wall. I took out the sniper and several other individuals. I also saw the sniper clone. She is about to resist the bugs somewhat."
>"What of it?"
"It means that she's still extremely dangerous, and attempting to take her alive is still a huge risk. But if we do, there is a good chance that she will want to help us fight the salikai."
>"I don't like it. What about your case of the Rokoas?"
"I'll play the sniper Rokoa by ear. I will kill her if alternatives prove meritless. The Rokoa in me has, lately, been content in sitting by and judging me relentlessly." It's not a lie or an exaggeration. She's been studying what I do the entire time with judgements. "We have regenerators. Katzati looks like she might be able to use them."
>"Fuck no, we don't know what they do, and Katzati's barely hanging in there. Give me it, I'll test a dose."

>>538842
Alright, sure. If we're sitting in place for a bit to see what side effects there are, let's take some bullets out of Viln. Oh, and she should probably be unarmed while the drugs work, just in case the side effects include hallucinations or muscle spasms.

If we are going to test them on her make sure she is unarmored and away from any weapons. Might not be a issue but who knows what sort of mental and physical side effects these things have.

Also wait a bit before testing anything. We are still all out in the open and soaking wet. There could be a herd of flesh eating monsters over the next ridge for all we know.

Spend some time scouting the area while everyone dries out and make sure we have not landed in a horrible spot. But stay in sight.

Also would be a good idea to look through the Arkots pack now. On the off hand chance there is something in there traceable we want to find it now not later.

>Give me it, I'll test a dose.
...all right. Watch yourself, though. I wouldn't be surprised if something like this had a temporary increase in aggression or decrease in common sense as a side effect. I'd suggest staying near Rokann, she'd likely be the first to notice a change, and who you'd be most likely to listen to.

>She's been studying what I do the entire time with judgements.
...that might be useful if any of her insight is right.

>take a look through the arkot pack
Did we take that? If so, definitely check what's in there. If we got that taser, that'll be a big help in electrocution debugging Kort and Lucera later.

And yes, we still need to double check the immediate area is secure, and help pull bullets out of Viln.

Polo 2013/09/01(Sun)11:52 No. 538863 ID: d38f67
File 137806152271.png - (19.20KB , 900x700 , 569.png )

>Arkot's pack
That exploded.

"Fine. But keep away from weapons and the like, and there is a better place for this. There may very well be dangerous creatures down here. We'll make sure this area is secure, then I'll scout forward as usual."

We dry off the rest of ourselves and our equipment, and gather a good deal of water. Most of us want to run, or hobble, away from here. Viln claims he is fine, and can wait for bullet extractions. We walk for half an hour. We don't cover much ground in that time, but while the salikai likely know the spots where we could be, they must split their forces around all of those spots. We have a good chance of being fine if we don't stay right by the river exit.

Plus, I find an excellent hiding spot. What looks like a simple rock alcove leading into more cave turns out to be made into a den of a lizard like creature that has made this into its home. It's about as good as we're going to get. Viln should be able to squeeze through the top, and can help pull equipment and people up.

>>538863
That would be a pretty damn good hiding spot. Ask Viln what kind of creature this is first, to see if it's easy to kill. It would be nice to avoid gunshots if possible.

Then again, even if someone hears the gunshot, they might not find the hiding place...

Consult Viln, see if he's familiar with the lizard. (How danger it is, if it's safe to eat, if it spouts acid when it dies, if it's full of carnivorous young, if it's a juvenile waiting for the whole pack to come back, etc). Also scan the caver with alternate vision modes, make sure it doesn't have invisible protectors like the glowworms.

Assuming we don't find anything more dangerous, or Viln doesn't have any reasons not to, we might as well kill the meat and move in.

>>538863
what about a back exit? don't want to be found with no way out.

1/2 Polo 2013/09/01(Sun)13:47 No. 538890 ID: d38f67
File 137806845824.png - (13.80KB , 700x700 , 570.png )

>"Yes. "Viln, do you recognize this?"
"Yes. Is strong bite, but...... gun."

I shoot it. The noise is loud, but the lizard wasn't being quiet either.

2/2 Polo 2013/09/01(Sun)13:47 No. 538891 ID: d38f67
File 137806846804.png - (28.53KB , 700x700 , 571.png )

We move in, throw a rope over, and start assisting things over. There is a hole inside. I am unsure if Viln could squeeze through it, nor where it goes, but even if there was no back exit for an escape route, this is still most likely the best spot we'll find anytime soon, especially while we're moving as a slow group.

"Katzati."
>"P-polo, hello. You're okay. Are we safe?"
"As safe as we can get."
>".... I want to go home. Polo..."
"Yes?"

She looks down.

hug her you fool

>>538891
Give her a hug. This is a good time to sleep and fight Rokoa some more, by the way. Meanwhile your allies can debug Kort and Lucera while seeing how bad the side effects are from the regen boosters.

Oh, and extract the bullets from Viln too.

>looks down
...does she need help getting down? Or is she looking at / preoccupied with her missing arm? (Or is she about to say something about Rokoa?).

Either way, looks like she needs some reassurance and comfort (and/or hugs), here. You'll do what you can to make sure she gets home. She'll recover- you've seen how strong she can be.

Things still to do: finish first aid (Viln), test regeneration accelerators, set up watch rotation, and get some sleep. ...I'm reluctant to sleep with Katzati this time though. She kind of looks like she needs a chance to recover from her own demons, rather than help you with yours.

Ask what are Katzatis home and hive like anyway? Was she raised on the planet or was she a spacer? She is a cartographer so i would assume her hive is from the coast or near some sea anyway.

Talking about her home might help raise her spirits a little.

>>538891
We'll get there. We made some progress, at great loss, but still we're further along.
Even home's not safe Katzati, there's bugs there too.

This is probably the first time she's taken such a big injury; it's probably still a big deal, even if it's going to grow back eventually. Help her down, use the contact to get an empathy read on her. Comfort as appropriate.

I'd be careful about going straight to sleep to deal with Rokoa. You do need to do it, certainly, but remember how it's going to look. All of them are beaten up and Polo looks fresh as a daisy by comparison, after running off and then running back in, and the silent empathy may make her come off as untouchable, make them suspect arrogance, at least unconsciously. Help set up, Polo, and take the chance to give some pats on the shoulder or suchlike so that you can make a little mental rapport again.

>Even home's not safe Katzati, there's bugs there too.
Jeeze. I mean, that's true, but there's no need to depress her.

Yeah we need to drop the silence and cuddle up with everyone for a bit once we set up shop here. You are being a bit to super soldier right now Polo. Walking around being silent and being all business is great in the thick of combat but makes you cold and distant back at camp.

Right now everyone is starting to feel like maybe they wont ever see home again. That they got sucked into a suicide mission or worse. You have to connect with them and give them hope.

>>538910
Well, nobody's gonna notice that she's silent since everyone's in a jammer right now. Only upon physical contact would silence be obvious. That said, it probably would be a good idea to let down the silence whenever we physically touch someone.

1/4 Polo 2013/09/01(Sun)16:49 No. 538927 ID: d38f67
File 137807936389.png - (15.78KB , 700x700 , 572.png )

>hug her you fool
She needs one at least as much as Korli. My height in comparison to hers reminds me why I found Korli far easier to hug, but Katzati doesn't care. She can still hug better than I can with one arm. Feeling her empathy doesn't yield any surprises, it's exactly as traumatized as she looks, but as usual, she responds well to physical contact. I let me empathy out, as well.

"We'll get you home. What's your home like, anyway?"
>"It's... the northern continent on the east coast. We got picked up by our ultrahive, and have made maps for the people who have been trying to map our world for years. I think eventually we plan on going on exploratory teams, since there's a lot of space to see."
"You've never been to space, then."
>"No... you have?"
"Barely. Orbit, for what seemed like a few minutes."

2/4 Polo 2013/09/01(Sun)16:58 No. 538930 ID: d38f67
File 137807992031.png - (20.45KB , 700x700 , 573.png )

I go over to Viln, who lays down so I can pull bullets from him. With my help, Katzati follows me, and half collapses nearby to continue.

>"That's what we plan on, but there's so much ground to cover on our own planet."
"More here than some barren wasteland planet in an uninhabitable wasteland."
>"There's a lot of pirate activity in those places. I don't... my hive was planning on it, but I'm scared now, if there's people like the salikai out there."
"I doubt it. If you make it through this, you'll be able to make it through anything."
>"I don't know if I can... what's it like? Space?"
"... like bad management and hurried bureacracy."
>"Polo, I'm serious."
"Sorry. It was a nice view, but I didn't get to enjoy it much. I was busy hoping my parachute and armor was reliable. In any case, you can go to space these days without having to tangle with pirates."
>"Yes, but my hive is... they want to be on the cutting edge, even if it's dangerous. I thought so too, but this... this is giving me second thoughts. What do you plan on doing, after this?"

3/4 Polo 2013/09/01(Sun)16:59 No. 538931 ID: d38f67
File 137807994178.png - (18.04KB , 700x700 , 574.png )

I pause for a moment. I'm reminded that our situation could have been prevented by a half thought out plan, but the neumono up in orbit are giving me doubts they are capable of their jobs. If there were many precautions in place, then this place should have been swarmed by allied forces days ago.

After Viln, I start setting up a tent. Not like we need to cover ourselves from the environment, but in case we want to boil water, it would be nice to have a makeshift steamcatcher.

"... I don't know. I was training for potential missions for my hive to send me on so that we could live in some semblance of peace. In the same series of events, my training turned towards ending the salikai as soon as possible, and my hive got into an ultrahive. I have not thought about what to do after the salikai are dealt with."
>"What does your hive do?"
"Office labor. Telecommunications especially. We have a few people as military officers as well, as we know a good deal about military theory."
>"Well, you're in it, after all. Oh, geez, I'm not supposed to be here, or Lucera, or Kort. I'm sorry, I'm complaining, when those two are..."
"You don't have it the worst, but that doesn't mean you have it easy."
>"Marra, though! You should have seen her. She took a bullet that blew her... she... just kept going! It's like it didn't happen! I know her hive's reputation, but how do you even do that?!"
"I don't know. I got shot in the head once. It was not a direct hit, and I don't believe it cracked my skull, and it still was difficult to focus. You've taken more than I have, and you saw me when I surfaced at our other hiding spot."
>"... you need to sleep, for Rokoa, right?"
"Eventua-"
I'm starting.
"Yes."

4/4 Polo 2013/09/01(Sun)16:59 No. 538932 ID: d38f67
File 137807995170.png - (14.69KB , 700x700 , 575.png )

>"Okay, I'll help."
"You've been through enough, Katzati."
>"Don't say that. If it's too much, then I can leave at any time, right?" She's trying to get up, but looks more like she's about to roll over.

>>538932
That's true. And in her dreams, she won't be missing an arm anymore. She won't feel the pain of her wounded body. Only the memories of the battle will follow her.

So anyway, get that armor off and prepare for some mega-snuggling.

I am not going to say no if you really want to help. But if you feel uncomfortable at all feel free to leave or stay in happier less violent memories.

Helping me reverse changes Rokoa has made in my earlier years while we were fighting would be a great help. And if Rokoa messes with you again feel free to leave or mess with her right back.

You are stronger than you know Katzati. I am glad to have a friend like you with me.

Make sure everyone knows what you are up to. Tell them if anyone wants to snuggle up to our pile they are free to do so. And that you are sorry you have to keep wasting time with this.

>the neumono up in orbit are giving me doubts they are capable of their jobs. If there were many precautions in place...
One potential career path is proper military paranoia officer and/or advisor. Someone needs to get the ultrahives properly security conscious and with proper fallback plans and planning.

I mean, just think how much better things would have gone if you'd had a say in organizing this. Sensible precautions that could have prevented the salikai from being anywhere near as effective as they have been.

...maybe your fame and/or notoriety will be valuable after all. People might listen.

We can give the command structure some benefits of the doubt, blaming the more obvious failing on being compromised by the salikai. Although we can certainly blame them for having sloppy enough security to be compromised in the first place.

>I'll help.
She's worried if she can face danger in the future, while she's still selflessly willing to face down a monster to try and help you.

...thank you. Rokoa will know her clone injured you. That she's shaken you. She'll probably attempt to use that against you. You'll need to be prepared for that.

>having trouble getting up.
Go to her, don't make her come to you.

Aim for the top Polo. Be the next high general of the ultrahive or whatever the job is called. You can fix the problems and keep everyone safe.

The clone in our head may know that Katzati is rattled but she also has seen just how dangerous Polo is now. She does not have any memories of us after she was cloned. So she did not realize just how capable you are.

Seeing the sniper clone also made her worried. Her counterpart could not take over a science hiver with minimal combat training. Her personality did not come out on top in that one.

Will be interesting to see what happens when she gets to your memories of what happened on her hives ship. How will she react when she realizes that her whole hive would have been dead or experimental subjects for the Salikai if not for you.

1/3 Polo 2013/09/01(Sun)20:16 No. 538958 ID: d38f67
File 137809178558.png - (13.64KB , 700x700 , 576.png )

>Aim to change the ultrahive management
It's an idea. I would have to severely divert my education towards such things, but it is possible. For now, however, I am a soldier down under.

I go to Katzati to help her up.
"You say that you're afraid of danger in the future, yet you're insisting to help me with Rokoa."
>"It's... not really dangerous for me, though, is it?"
"No, but you sounded afraid of getting hurt, and I can almost guarantee that that will happen if you manage to dream with me again. You think you can't handle bad situations, but when they come, you do. You're stronger than you know." The sappiness of the statement makes me hesitate, but I do mean it. "There's a good underside of an alcove over there. Let's go."

2/3 Polo 2013/09/01(Sun)20:17 No. 538959 ID: d38f67
File 137809186793.png - (18.70KB , 700x700 , 577.png )

Katzati doesn't say anything, but she's been put in a good mood.

Rokoa did see my work under favorable circumstances, and that the sniper Rokoa was not a clean victory despite the Rokoa taking over a science hiver. But in typical Rokoa fashion, those pushes and shoves only make her want to push and shove back, and harder. Although we haven't started yet, I believe she is going to rush though my memories as fast as I can in order to get to the memories leading up to and beyond the duel between me and the real Rokoa.

I let the others know Katzati and I have to sleep.
"Are you going to be able to sleep on this surface?" I ask her when we get to a decent spot.
>"Yes, I can sleep about anywhere. Uh... I can't just drop my high arm over you if I get on my side, though, and more surface area is good for this. This.. isn't quite going to work out as well."
"Stay on your side, I'll lean back on... no, I'd roll off at some point. Or you onto me."
>"I'll just lie on my back, get on top."
"That's..."
>"... yeah, with my clothes... uh, Polo, I need to change anyway, would you mind helping me? Just grab a blanket, then you can sleep on me."
".... on you?"
>"You'll be good. It's going to be better than a sleeping back on the rocks, I promise."
"Fine."

Legendary supersoldier Polo carefully takes someone's clothes off.

Polo Quest - Thread 3 END Polo 2013/09/01(Sun)20:18 No. 538960 ID: d38f67
File 137809191665.png - (16.61KB , 700x700 , 578.png )

"...."
>"Well? I won't roll around either."
".... it's fine."
>"I'm sorry if this is awkward for you, but I think this is the best way for you to sleep."
"It's fine." Not even my hive tends to sleep like this with me. Deep seated mental discomfort aside and heavy logistics for a simple act aside, she feels like a heated waterbed. "Remember to remember the details and tell me what changed afterwards."
>"Yes."
"I don't think much has changed. It is a long while until my life is anything but sheltered training, and Rokoa's life is a long ways until it's anything but a bloody travesty to civilized species."

Speaking for your sake, I sure hope she sticks around through our fight. If she's gone, then what are you going to do when I catch up through your memories to present date and make you forget the truths that Katzati's told you?
I'll manage.

"Oh. Katzati."
>"Yes?"
"Thank you."

Choose a character to follow for the beginning of the next thread:
- Polo
- Biles

Biles, it'll be nice to go on the offensive instead of shooting and scooting.

Polo all the way.

I'd add my voices to those pushing you to the command track, Polo. You'd need training, but it's something you're going to need anyway, if there are going to be more missions like this. Maybe some day you can set up a secret service. With spy gadgets and ninjas special agents, and plenty of your own hive to handle the information load and the bureaucracy you'll need. You guys need that sort of thing, and it's going to become a thing anyway, with all this fancy new jammer technology. Might as well do it the right way, and put it in the hands of someone like you, Polo. You're even-handed and open-minded, and you can get it started on the right tracks.

That said, I think we need to visit Biles. He's probably in even worse straits than this lot.

Biles.

Lets go green
Biles

As much as I want to finish the mental battle with Rokoa lets go check on Biles for a bit.

I want to see what Biles is up to. It'd be nice to be in control of someone who isn't jinxed, too.

Polo. We've been putting off the metal battle too long. Be nice to make progress with that instead of hopping perspectives to Biles and doing more guerrilla cave fighting. We just did tons of that.

...although I wouldn't object to seeing both fronts.

>severely divert training
...well, only if you actually went for a management role. Just advising, or encouraging a change in overall mindset doesn't necessarily require that.

Also, it doesn't have to be all done by you, per se. We could see about getting some of those other military theory Sealock people in a position to get the ultrahive to act intelligently.

>Not even my hive tends to sleep like this with me.
As if anyone in your hive is big enough to sleep with you this way.

Lets see things from Biles' perspective.

- Sniper Rokoa

>>538998
...that would be a very interesting and tragic perspective.

>>538999
I agree, if unable though. Biles then.

Stick with Polo. Biles has already shown he's quite capable on his own and I'd rather work to keep as much of Polo's mind intact as possible.

>>538999
It does sound intriguing, but also sounds like we'd be quite limited in our control, what with the mind-bugs and all. Could get frustrating.

>>538927
Missed saying this before, but the next time you hug Katzati lean forward so you're under her bosom and then straighten up. It'll be less awkward and easier on the neck than getting your face mashed against it.

Sniper Rokoa would be interesting, that's for sure.

If that's not an actual option, then Polo I guess.

Fuck yeah Biles!

>>538998
That would be really cool.
I uh, vote for that.
If not that then Biles if only because I'm scared of breaking Polo.

I'm gonna stick with Polo. I don't really do this whole 'gurilla tactics+cave fighting' thingy so well. Granted Mind Battles are tricky as well, but they're a tricky I'm more comfortable with.