Silence 2026/05/18(Mon)14:38 No. 1126969 ID: 6d1406
File 177911511914.png - (225.77KB , 480x416 , Mech457.png )

The hangar opens, and you slowly push yourself out there into the black, you have a good idea of how the mech functions now, but you're still a little worried about putting it out at full power.

Wanna follow the path slowly, or do you wanna try and push the upper limits and find out what this mech does?

Get behind that asteroid to be out of sensor sight, then push the mech.

take it slow, eyes out for an ambush

Alarms must be going off by now. Cheese it!

Silence 2026/05/20(Wed)13:44 No. 1127036 ID: 6d1406
File 177928466864.png - (131.87KB , 465x294 , Mech458.png )

>>1126971
>>1126984
You take it slow at first, pushing just enough to get yourself further away and to the closest asteroid, which is still at least 20,000 klicks out, it takes a bit on low power but you get yourself around behind it, no issue.

"Alright... time to see what this thing can do..."

Silence 2026/05/20(Wed)13:46 No. 1127037 ID: 6d1406
File 177928478355.png - (276.66KB , 724x369 , Mech459.png )

You push it to maximum throttle and feel yourself sink into the cushions of your unit, you can feel the Gees pushing upon you. Whatever this thing is, it is a monster of a mech. High speed mobility is right, and from what the systems are saying about a safety limiter, you could probably push it further if you disabled those.

It's exhilarating, you always dreamed of piloting a machine like this... you could... take a little more time and attempt to dance among the stars with this, if you wanted.

Don't hit a micropebble Don't hit a micropebble Don't hit a micropebble Don't hit a micropebble Don't hit a micropebble Don't hit a micropebble
You hit a micropebble
Boom

>>1127037
Focus on the mission!

welllll maybe just a little

Silence 2026/05/22(Fri)13:09 No. 1127085 ID: 6d1406
File 177945536113.png - (173.47KB , 403x377 , Mech460.png )

>>1127044
You choose to just keep to the mission, professionalism winning out. You hear something in the comms system, and suddenly. "Attention High Mobility Type, cease operation and prepare for collections!"

You spin the thing on its back and look back to see a group of KW Vessels slowly approaching. There's no way you're gonna just give up, they won't be very forgiving of you having stolen their mech from them.

"Attention Mech Pilot, you have stolen Kowalski Wayne Property, cease operation and we will be merciful, continue and we will be forced to intervene."

You're also fairly certain you can outpace them in this thing, those are just merchant ships.

Make for the rendezvous point with the carrier!
But don't forget to keep an evasive flight pattern, in case they have some long-range weapons.

time to kick it into high gear

You should head off in an unrelated direction until you're out of sensor range before looping around to reach the rendezvous point.

>>1127092
good point, don't lead them to the rendezvous

Silence 2026/05/25(Mon)13:40 No. 1127160 ID: 6d1406
File 177971640588.png - (117.76KB , 501x321 , Mech461.png )

>>1127092
>>1127088
>>1127101
You head off on an evasive pattern, you can't draw attention to your employers, this mech should have enough power and propellant to make it work.

Silence 2026/05/25(Mon)13:40 No. 1127161 ID: 6d1406
File 177971644420.png - (200.15KB , 361x349 , Mech462.png )

The ships open up their cargo units, and fighter units begin to pour out.

Silence 2026/05/25(Mon)13:42 No. 1127162 ID: 6d1406
File 177971656638.png - (101.07KB , 208x260 , Mech463.png )

With your systems, you get a picture of one. It's an old Barry unit, one of the first major high mobility units but relies a lot on brute force and has no proper speed. KW worked with Wantanabe Heavy Electronics to get this unit made.

You've technically got the better mech but enough of these little bastards can swarm you.

So don't let them close. Full steam fighting retreat now!

Try not to spread space debris, but if your targeting computer gives you a guaranteed firing solution, thin the attrition!

keep moving, don't let them surround you

Silence 2026/05/27(Wed)13:35 No. 1127246 ID: 6d1406
File 177988892256.png - (741.60KB , 888x683 , Mech464.png )

>>1127178
>>1127181
You get moving, unfortunately this machine has no weapons on hand, so you're gonna have to just rely on outwitting them and outmanuvering. You can feel the gee forces pressing into you, it stings a little bit, you're not meant for this, you have a single neuroport as your only enhancement.

>>1127193
You do so, seeing flashes of light pass by you, the things are outfitted with beam weaponry, they have a solid ranged attack while you're unarmed.

You need to figure out what to do here, maybe you can contact your contractor and get help, or maybe you're on your own and you're better off finding your own solution out here in the rock fields.

>>1127246
Make sure there's all a few asteroids between you and them. It'll give you some cover and help avoid getting shot.

In fact, you can start throwing the asteroids at them if you need to. Even if they blast the asteroids to pieces, enough debris can slow them down or make them hesitant to get closer.

Yeah, how much force can you bring to bear? flinging rocks at them might be your only option

I think optimally what you do is evade them until they can't report back what's happening, and then call for backup... but I suspect there is no such thing as limited range on their comms.

Try calling for help. If your employers refuse, give yourself up.

You don't have weapons. They have weapons. Your best bet is to charge in, preferably from an ambush, and steal their weaponry. The asteroid hiding plan may be your best shot.

Silence 2026/06/01(Mon)13:52 No. 1127440 ID: 6d1406
File 178032196622.png - (495.85KB , 811x554 , Mech465.png )

>>1127260
You tuck back into the nearby field, rocks from the belt pulled close for the station to strip for resources, it works a little bit.

>>1127264
You manage to get a few in the process, while they were the first high mobility types it was through brute force rather than anything actively useful. You managed to pull close to the asteroids and catch a few.

>>1127274
You call for backup, and get nothing, and then you hear it, screaming, gunshots, the sounds of battle. The channel switches and you can hear some bored sounding operator. "Roger that, you are nearing the EZ."

Whatever that was, you're not certain if it's something to worry about, for now, on your sensors, you can see the ITA vessel, you're nearly there... nearly there...

>>1127276
The weapons are built into their arms, even if you could rip one out you'd get at most one shot with them.

You're nearing the vessel, do you want to just land, or do you wanna ask them for a weapon to show off the mech they're about to get?

Your employer didn't ask you to take risks or show off. To the hangar bay it is, coming in hot.

Just get going.

They'd better have some guns on that ship, or be ready to leave as soon as you get on.

Silence 2026/06/03(Wed)13:46 No. 1127589 ID: 6d1406
File 178049440997.png - (97.71KB , 321x249 , Mech466.png )

>>1127441
>>1127466
You opt to just complete the mission, and you see it, it's a low profile freighter, no guns beyond some minor point defense, it's usually with other ships in transit. You get the idea, it's not supposed to look like a threat, be overlooked.

Silence 2026/06/03(Wed)13:48 No. 1127590 ID: 6d1406
File 178049448439.png - (101.66KB , 321x249 , Mech467.png )

A large beam attack however comes from above and strikes the ship, the damage is recoverable but it won't take it forever, you turn to see what hit them.

Silence 2026/06/03(Wed)13:49 No. 1127591 ID: 6d1406
File 178049455958.png - (214.37KB , 349x327 , Mech468.png )

It's another mech, not one of those older ones that was chasing you, this is a single unit. You turn your attention and get a message from the ITA ship.

"Bogey, handle it."

Easy for them to say, you don't have any weapons on hand.

Gonna have to close to melee

>>1127591
Guess we have to request a weapon, then. Your rocks will only work as distractions for now.

Silence 2026/06/08(Mon)14:43 No. 1127794 ID: 6d1406
File 178092983994.png - (95.11KB , 402x198 , Mech469.png )

>>1127593
>>1127605
You request a weapon, they fire from the cargo bay a single one, a pulse blade. Your unit grabs onto it firmly and ignites it, you have a weapon, what's your first move? Your opponent has rage but you have damage.

Calmly aim while retreating to the getaway vehicle. This is not your evil nemesis, this is simply an obstacle that might be sidestepped.

kick rocks at it as a screen while you close distance

>>1127794
Use your speed advantage to close in. Use rocks for cover until you're close enough to just rush through the oncoming fire.

Silence 2026/06/10(Wed)14:55 No. 1127905 ID: faa738
File 178110330737.png - (128.21KB , 238x390 , Mech470.png )

>>1127807
>>1127826
You opt to close the distance, rocketing at full speed to this enemy machine, it seems to hesitate, you have the blade ready. You could end this quickly, but part of you wants to show off to your employers, demonstrate why this machine is worth the investment.

You didn't strike a heroic pose, did you?

You did, didn't you.

cut off its arms so the center can be captured. a show of finesse

>>1127913
Supporting this.

Nah, that's opening up for things to go wrong if your enemy is competent. Show off by doing the job quickly and effectively that you and the machine can work professionally.

Silence 2026/06/12(Fri)17:11 No. 1127996 ID: 6d1406
File 178128428258.png - (70.35KB , 240x259 , Mech471.png )

>>1127913
>>1127958
You rush in, aiming to cut the arms off, when all of a sudden it seems to stop and fire its boosters backing away from the blade, beam casters raised.

What's your next move?

I hope the beam saber can deflect beams

Unless you have some booster left to quickly close the distance, you'd better pivot to be feet-first when he shoots. Less risk of damaging a more valuable part.

Use your feet to kick a weapon or two away, then springboard off the mech and return to your getaway vehicle before it's too late.

Silence 2026/06/15(Mon)15:25 No. 1128103 ID: 6d1406
File 178153710362.png - (193.46KB , 564x274 , Mech472.png )

>>1128026
>>1128027
You push off, kicking away trying to make a tactical retreat, when suddenly errors go up in your mech as the enemy machine fires, catching the machine's left leg. You're now down a leg.

Ugh I didn't mean trying to get away, especially not when one's only weapon is melee! Kome I blame you for this.

Well, I guess the only way left to salvage this is throwing the sword at the guy. Do a feint first so they don't see it coming and dodge, which would leave you defenseless and open.

Incredibly wrong move. Get back in melee range and do not stop slicing until you win.

>>1128120
I don't think this kind of sword can be thrown. Get in there before they can fire again

Silence 2026/06/17(Wed)16:36 No. 1128191 ID: 6d1406
File 178171418906.png - (338.50KB , 736x375 , Mech473.png )

>>1128122
>>1128123
You close in, slicing off the left arm as the enemy suddenly backs away, you've got them on the ropes, you're down a leg sure but you can still win this. What's your next move?

Go for the other arm

Silence 2026/06/19(Fri)13:56 No. 1128271 ID: 6d1406
File 178187736951.png - (261.65KB , 464x405 , Mech474.png )

>>1128193
You charge in, intent on finishing this.

Silence 2026/06/19(Fri)13:56 No. 1128272 ID: 6d1406
File 178187740079.png - (237.97KB , 464x405 , Mech475.png )

When suddenly, you are blasted and the left arm and the pulse blade is severed from your mech, you wheel about to see what struck you.

Silence 2026/06/19(Fri)13:57 No. 1128273 ID: 6d1406
File 178187744983.png - (195.34KB , 418x370 , Mech476.png )

You see the remaining Barries. You had forgotten about them entirely and they took advantage of your distracted state.

You are surrounded on all sides.

Seems like a good time to surrender.

At least grapple with the larger mech so they can't shoot you as easily

>>1128273
Request assistance from the guys that gave you the sword earlier.

Looks like you're out of non-surrender options here.

Silence 2026/06/22(Mon)13:24 No. 1128404 ID: 6d1406
File 178213464924.png - (158.59KB , 423x419 , Mech477.png )

>>1128276
>>1128278
>>1128292
>>1128295
You go to do something, anything but you're blasted for your troubles.

Silence 2026/06/22(Mon)13:24 No. 1128405 ID: 6d1406
File 178213466739.png - (47.89KB , 423x419 , Mech478.png )

Things start to get dark, and fuzzy

Silence 2026/06/22(Mon)13:25 No. 1128406 ID: 6d1406
File 178213474830.png - (31.80KB , 184x247 , Mech479.png )

You wake up, in pain, lying in a bed staring at a sterile white ceiling, bandages clinging to your body, pain shooting through your systems. Depth perception is gone, you can't feel your right eyeball anymore.

How did you get here, what happened?

Can you move your head? Look around.
See if you're restrained, too.

The escape vehicle should have had a better weapon for you. Was this a set up?

You've been had.
This was a three billion credit heist, the fact that your escape vehicle was so ramshackle and underexperienced means one thing: they wanted this heist to fail.

The way KW casually destroyed their own - again, three billion credit - prototype mech indicates that this was all one big insurance fraud scheme. You stole it, they 'destroyed it to keep it from falling into terrorist hands' and now they're going to have a giant orgy celebrating a billion credits of profit while you get handed a life sentence as the scapegoat.

Find the nearest sharp object. Figure out how you want to vent your anger.

Woah, that was some flashback! Wait, weren't you on a different planet, and cybernetically augmented, and a girl?

Silence 2026/06/24(Wed)13:17 No. 1128537 ID: 6d1406
File 178230706630.png - (42.67KB , 344x231 , Mech480.png )

>>1128407
You look around the room, you can feel your arms restrained under the blankets, old leather straps, they don't want you getting out. You look over and see a gorilla looking at you.

"...Silver?" you ask.

"Hello Juniper," he replies. "Please. Call me Hannibal."

>>1128413
"Was this just a setup?" You ask. "The getaway freighter only gave me a pulse blade, I needed something more!"

Sil- Hannibal sighs and says. "It was, but not by who you're thinking."

>>1128415
"We've been had! This was a three billion heist and KW gets a tax write off, we were supposed to-"

Hannibal holds up a hand and says. "It wasn't Kowalski Wayne. They're pissed, that mech was supposed to be an incredible test bed of new technologies and they were forced to destroy it. They want our blood. If it was a tax write off they wouldn't have us here now."

"...Why?" you ask.

"Because if they could write off the loss, they wouldn't want us alive to pay for it."

"Oh."

You're only alive because they need you to make up for it.

"It's not looking great, we got hit, a KW squad hit my hideout and took out most of my people."

"Who sold us out?" You ask.

"The mouse, Ava was her name. She sold us out, not surprising, apparently my bribes don't hold a candle to corporate interests," Hannibal explains. "The ITA isn't happy with us either."

This isn't going to bode well.

"A corporate lawyer is coming in soon, we get 4 questions as a 'courtesy' before they present their offer. We're screwed either way, but this might prolong our life," Hannibal continues. "Best get what we want to ask in order, they no doubt have more information than us. What do we want to know before they offer us the faustian bargain?"

Can Hannibal get out of it? You are definitely getting thrown under the bus today, but it might as well not be both of you. He shouldn't be seen with you! Or is it too late for that?

Why did he think a three billion credit heist could go smoothly without syndicate support and an army? We should have stuck to the multimillion heists, it would have been written off as a rounding point error.

>>1128556
Glass houses man, you thought it would go smoothly too.

Silence 2026/06/26(Fri)14:58 No. 1128608 ID: 6d1406
File 178248593134.png - (45.93KB , 344x309 , Mech481.png )

>>1128554
"Can you get out of it?" You ask.

"Can't, they already found me, I tried to contact you earlier but my radio got cut short. KW Postmen hit our base, they're the ground troop version of Couriers. I got picked up as a result, they want me alive as the "mastermind" of this little stint."

That explains the burst of gunfire you heard over the radio earlier. >>1127440

>>1128556
Why did we think this would work out.

"Because Juniper," Hannibal said. "I had everything ready, I wasn't counting on Ava to betray us for Ouroboros, apparently they had a better deal than the ITA."

What could Ouroboros get from KW having to scrap a billion dollar mech design?

Could they have their own design, and wanted to remove competition?

>>1128609
Seems like a reasonable explanation. That, or they stole the plans for it, and are going to make their own version of the mech first, in a way that they can take credit for the design before KW can copyright it.

Wait, who's Ouroboros? This is the first we've heard of them.

Silence 2026/06/29(Mon)14:41 No. 1128719 ID: 6d1406
File 178274409655.png - (17.39KB , 244x152 , Mech482.png )

>>1128609
>>1128620
"More than likely, Ouroboros has always had a major rivalry with Kowalski Wayne," Hannibal noted.

So you got screwed over because another company wanted to make some more money... wait what about the deal to try and sneak the mech to the ITA?

"They've covered themselves, they've disavowed the group we were working with to get the new mech. We're on our own, and Kowalski Wayne isn't looking to be merciful," Hannibal explained. "We got screwed over and we're likely going to be indentured at best."

Ouroboros likely had a mole in KW too, that either fired without orders, or gave/forged the order to fire.
Because with the force deployed and mission control captured, forcing a surrender should have been child's play.

Indentured is better than dead. Gives you time to plan your friendly reunion with Ava to educate her on the consequences of stabbing your associates in the back.

Silence 2026/07/01(Wed)15:01 No. 1128805 ID: 6d1406
File 178291811179.png - (25.18KB , 210x272 , Mech483.png )

>>1128720
You bring up the idea of a mole in the employee of Kowalski Wayne.

"Another possibility," Hannibal notes. "There's a bunch of corporate espionage these days, some people will do anything to pull one over."

>>1128743
You express your desire to meet with Ava one day and get revenge on her.

"I understand your anger there, I don't think it'd be worth the effort, KW probably won't let us get our chance. If we're gonna end up in their Indentured, we'll probably be under close watch."

"That depends," another voice says, stepping through the doorway is an older man, a dog person of sorts, a tired expression on his face. "We can make a deal."

You stare at him, and he adjusts his tie before saying. "My name is Disco, yes I'm aware it's not a normal name. That's all you need to know, I represent KW and I think there may be a mutually beneficial agreement for all of us, while you work off your debt."

It sounds too good to be true.

You owe them more money than you'll ever see in a thousand lifetimes. There's no working that off, there's only a legal whip allowing them to force you to work for them for free until you die.

>>1128805
"...I deserve this. Just don't fucking enslave my unborn children."

>>1128805
>too good to be true
You haven't even heard the deal yet.

>>1128805

Disco very trustworthy

Silence 2026/07/03(Fri)13:57 No. 1128907 ID: 6d1406
File 178308704436.png - (59.60KB , 515x304 , Mech484.png )

>>1128806
This is more than true, 3 billion credits. You look to Hannibal who gives a shrug and says. "There's at least a chance."

>>1128810
"...I deserve this. Just don't fucking enslave my unborn children."

Disco looks offput. "I don't think you're that bad off. It'll be some work but we can come to a mutual resolution. We saw how you piloted that unit, for somebody who has very few augments such as yourself, it was impressive."

"I have debts with the ITA," you point out.

"We'll clear those, especially with that little fiasco that their "rogue" element caused," Disco says.

>>1128827
>>1128832
You point out you haven't even heard the deal yet.

"You're probably noticing lack of some things, a right eye, some flesh, your tail," Disco begins.

You become aware that your tail is gone, you try not to panic but it's not hard to worry about it.

"We want to make you a Courier, a proper one. We'll cover the augmentation and send you into some of the most dangerous situations," he continues. "Raw talent like yours shouldn't be wasted. Do it right and in 5 years we can have your debt to us wiped out."

Just 5 years?

"5 years, 8 at longest estimates. Our Couriers are high payout options," Disco continued.

Hannibal speaks up. "Really, and what about me?"

"You'll get a job in management, your job will be keeping watch over the Couriers, much like her."

Hannibal looks to you, and you're left to decide for yourself.

"If you have questions, feel free to ask them, you get 4, and then you have to decide," Disco says.

>>1128907
1, you want a clause in your contract that says if a mission is exceptionally lucrative it reduces the length of your service. Proportional to the remaining debt, of course.
2, are they gonna put a bomb in your head or something to make sure you comply?
3, is this a secret deal?

...can't think of a 4th one offhand.

>>1128907

What if you die before paying off your debt?

Silence 2026/07/06(Mon)14:54 No. 1129036 ID: 6d1406
File 178334968334.png - (26.20KB , 238x319 , Mech485.png )

>>1128964
You have 3.

1st you ask for a clause that says if a mission is exceptional it reduces the service proportional to your remaining debt.

"We can do that," Disco replies. "That's a fair enough deal."

2nd you ask if this involves a cranial bomb or something to make you comply.

"Nothing so crude," he says. "We have our methods, and truthfully it's just more complication because if you discover the bomb you're gonna want to turn it off and turn on us. That would go against our vested interests."

3rd you ask if the deal is secret.

"It's not," is the answer. "I have a noterized KW lawyer just outside just waiting for the signature."

"And me," Hannibal replies. "What is my end state in this deal?"

"You'll be given a lot of opportunities for management over the next few years, play your cards right and you may become notable," Disco says. "Hopefully by the end, you two will be part of the KW family."

"I don't think we have much choice, do we Juniper?"

There's no refusing this indeed. Our hands are tied here.

It offers some hope. No real choice in the matter though. Have to accept

Tell Disco you'll always remember him for getting you a sweet deal like this.

Silence 2026/07/08(Wed)11:53 No. 1129115 ID: 6d1406
File 178351160128.png - (35.08KB , 304x196 , Mech486.png )

>>1129046
>>1129042
>>1129047
You have no choice really, it's the best option you have under these circumstances. You limply reach one of your arms up. "I'll take it."

Disco almost seems to smile. "Don't worry Juniper, you won't forget any of this, this is an important day today. The start of your new life."

Silence 2026/07/08(Wed)11:53 No. 1129116 ID: 6d1406
File 178351162396.png - (37.04KB , 304x196 , Mech487.png )

Things start to get fuzzy, you can feel yourself slipping...

Silence 2026/07/08(Wed)12:00 No. 1129117 ID: 6d1406
File 178351203676.png - (33.18KB , 154x223 , Mech488.png )

You awaken, back in the Infirmary at the Old Spaceport, you feel as if it has been no time whatsoever, you're in shock for certain.

Oh good, you're awake, you've been out for under an hour now!

You can hear Nora clearly, and yet she too feels somewhat distant.

Are you okay? Must have been something quite shocking locked up in your memories.

You don't know what to say, what to do, you don't even know what happened. Where do you go from here?

Plan is unchanged, I guess.
Want it or not, we're under contract with KW now, and we'll see this contract through. Anything less would cost us our credibility.

"Don't worry Juniper, you won't forget any of this, this is an important day today. The start of your new life." -Disco

Fuck you Disco.

>>1129117
Ask what could have caused the memory loss. You now know it wasn't from the injuries that took your eye.

Silence 2026/07/10(Fri)14:24 No. 1129179 ID: 6d1406
File 178369346522.png - (51.87KB , 402x276 , Mech489.png )

>>1129118
>>1129123
You decide to buckle down and just move forward, you're still under contract... and supposedly this is your chance out. This job should free you... at least what that's what Hannibal said.

>>1129125
You ask Nora what could have caused the memory loss, since it wasn't related to your head injuries. You watch as she crosses her arms in consideration.

Well see, you didn't lose the memories, they were just locked away. Could have been emotional suppression, you deliberately sealed them off yourself and the implants just reacted to that. Or it could have been intentional by the company during your augmentation, maybe as some control method to keep you focused, they weren't hard to unlock so I don't know if it was intended to be permanent, but the Corps are kinda assholes all around.

If it bothers you, do you have anyone you could ask? Anyone you trust?

>>1129179
...guess we could ask Hannibal. From what we saw from our memories, he's just as much of a victim as we were. At the very least we can ask to check the contract to see if they put in that provision. On the other hand, why is Hannibal not listed as a handler?

Ask if there's any chance these memories are fake.

Those memories didn't seem that traumatic that we would block them. And I'm not sure why the company would want to make you forget that you owe them so much.

Could we have seen something we weren't supposed to see?

>>1129201
If we saw something secret and the memories were blocked for that reason, wouldn't it have been harder to unlock them?
I think either it was accidental, it was self-inflicted, or there's some false information in there and we were meant to unlock them.

Strange, the only thing that they might have wanted to cover up is:

1. The identity of Disco. (Is he in trouble too? He's just a suit!)
2. The identity of Hannibal. (but you didn't have any dirt on him that hadn't already been leaked)
3. You stole a mech (so you won't run off with the latest company mech?)
4. Ava had your memories erased so you wouldn't remember she betrayed you. (AVAAAAAAA)