Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/03/31(Wed)17:26 No. 156410 ID: aa5284
File 12700816161.jpg - (179.19KB , 777x777 , 06-49.jpg )

Guess I'll wait around for Haywood, then.

I put back on this ugly bedspread I call a disguise. I've got a bit of blood on me, but nothing too noticeable.

"All clear, Mister Haywood."

He darts out from behind the news van and runs up to the fight, apparently having wondered about all the horrible screaming and twisting metal, and you know... things of that nature.

"Son of SHIT, woman!
"The hell did you do to them!?"

"So, about that passage off the continent?"

"I take back what I said, earlier. Ruby's got nothing on you.
"You sure you can't do a few more jobs?"

"Afraid not, Mister Haywood."

He wipes some beads of sweat from his forehead and sighs. Then he sighs again.

"Damn.

Okay...

Looks like we've struck gold here. We have passage off of the continent. Not just passage to the Port Cities, but outright passage to anywhere in the world we want to go.

So, what do we need to get done here?

Tannon knows where to go from here.

Burns is probably still in a firefight, across the pier. I can still hear gunfire.

I'll probably need to talk to Haywood about that news tape, and disposing the evidence of what happened here. I'm not sure if he'll want that, since that was the whole point of setting this up. Although, these weren't the people he hired, so...

Anything else I'm forgetting?

>>156410
Tell him to make sure nothing about what you did comes out. Go over to the camera man and get the tape, ask if there are any copies. Once that's done go find Burns. He's not as good at this as you so he might need a little bit of help. Atleast if what's going on over there is a real firefight and not the planned mock thing.

Let him now that you appreciate this exchange and may be willing to perform more favors in the future if around and having the luxury of security. Strengthen future contacts with a powerful man.

We don't need to destroy the tapes. We can just record over them. I figure now may be a good time to figure out whats up with Burns.

Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/03/31(Wed)17:55 No. 156439 ID: aa5284
File 127008330969.jpg - (153.87KB , 777x777 , 06-50.jpg )

"I know the whole point of this was to garner evidence to use against the Coalition. But I'm sure you can understand, we want to maintain a low profile. Having any video evidence, or material evidence like... you know, torn up bodies and destroyed vehicles could raise a lot of questions.

"I understand," he sighs. "I ensured people in the know were isolated, so the other "assassinations" probably came off without a hitch. This was the only one most of my subordinates knew about."

"I can't stress the importance of destroying that evidence."

"I'll handle it. It would be foolish to upset a lady like yourself.

I wonder if he saw me "exposed" while I was fighting. I suppose it doesn't matter. I get the sense that I can trust him, in business sense of the word.

"Can I find you at where we first met?"

"I'll be there. If I'm not, I'll make it easy enough to get a hold of me. It's hard to lose track of a man like myself in this city.

All right. We're set. I need to get Burns, and head back to Tannon with Haywood's people to get it moved in secret, then get an idea of where we're meant to go. Then we'll be on our way to... wherever.

"Thank you. I need to find my partner, who's likely involved in that shootout we're hearing across the pier."

"My men will be joining you, shortly.

"I doubt they'll make it in time," I say, turning. "I'm pleased with how this turned out. Perhaps we can have future dealings, when the opportunity arises."

"I agree," he says, pleasantly. There's a trace of humor in his voice, likely from the knowledge of how much the deal I just made with him is going to cost. It must seem to him like it was worth it.

We exchange goodbyes, and I'm on my way to where I hope Burns is.

>>156419

Apparently, you've never taken a Digital Forensics class before.

Rendezvous with Burns. And see if you can't snag yourself a decent T-shirt along the way. I'm surprised you didn't fall out of your outfit during combat.

>>156439
Good work all around. Observe what situation Burns is in before getting involved though.

Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/01(Thu)14:52 No. 157244 ID: f11584
File 127015873126.jpg - (190.91KB , 777x777 , 06-51.jpg )

I get to the docks and find a mess. All of the people Haywood hired are dead, except for Burns and Ruby.

Ruby looks to be hurt, and is prostrate behind a truck. Burns seems to be favoring one of his shoulders.

There are a lot more assassins here than there were attacking Haywood. There were only about fifteen or so taking on me and Haywood's men. Looks like there were nearly thirty of them here. Most of the are dead, along with the hired foreigners.

I guess Ruby and Burns did most of the damage. They're both pinned down. The assassins who've been left alive - about six or seven, are advancing pretty quickly. They seem better trained than the ones that fought me.

I'd better be more careful this time.

Can you flank them from where Burns is? If you can get at them from an angle where they can't take cover from you and him at the same time, that might be the best approach.

Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/01(Thu)15:44 No. 157303 ID: 12084d
File 127016185834.jpg - (148.08KB , 777x777 , 06-52.jpg )

>flanking

Not... so much.

Looks like they drove out onto a newly extended portion of the docks. I guess they're going to build some new facility or warehouses here, because it's isolated and sealed off from the rest of the port - a great place to plan a fake assassination, or get ambushed yourself.

It seems like the only cover over there are the vehicles. And I didn't bring my sniper gear with me. The only weapon I have on hand is one of my pistols, and another I lifted off one of Haywood's assassins. Neither has the range to hit from here.

>>157303

This is a sneaking mission.

Dive into the water and swim around to one of the cars. Use that for cover.

>>157303
I'm guessing you're also a fairly good swimmer. Get into the water, circle around the pier so you come up on the opposite end of where you are now. Then flank those assassins.

While a prisoner to interogate might be useful I don't think there should be any witnesses left here. They might have seen things that they shoulnd't have.

Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/01(Thu)19:49 No. 157648 ID: a7c3fb
File 127017655045.jpg - (158.50KB , 777x777 , 06-53.jpg )

This plan is dumb. I'm swimming over to THEIR vehicles, which they are standing behind.

I'm probably going to get shot first thing.

This water smells. And it's full of THINGS.

Ew.

Okay how about a better plan. There are cars out there... can you throw them? Or maybe take control of that truck somehow.

I wonder what's in the truck?

>>157648

See, that's the thing. They won't expect someone to swim over behind them. We have the element of surprise.

Besides, you'd rather run up to them and risk getting shot several times before you can even get close to them?

>>157659
Well the thing is since they're hiding behind the cars, they will be facing out. Towards the water. Where Kitty will be climbing out of.

>>157662

Wait, are you serious?

If that's true then... dammit.

Fine. Abort sneaking mission. Head back to your previous location and like... push a dumpster for cover or something.

Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/01(Thu)20:09 No. 157681 ID: a7c3fb
File 127017776582.jpg - (191.60KB , 777x777 , 06-54.jpg )

This is a conversation best held two minutes ago.

I am already on the opposite side of the docks, on their right flank.

I am going to get out of this water.

I am going to smell like dead fish.

And I am going to kill something.

I am enormously pleased to not be a possible option for that.

>>157681

In my defense, if I had known the assassins were FACING the WATER, I never would have suggested such a plan.

You need a shower anyways.

Look around; is there anything that vaguely resembles movable cover?

Scout your immediate surroundings. I'm sure Burns is smart enough to take advantage of the situation if you draw their attention. Will your weapons still fire even though they've been submerged in water? it might be better to fight sort of like a normal person, just in case some of them decide to retreat or something.

[animated] Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/01(Thu)22:28 No. 157779 ID: ebea88
File 127018608948.gif - (1.32MB , 777x777 , 06-56.gif )

Why do they want this guy, anyway?

>Dunno, Jer. The Coalition's paying big money for him. That's all I know.

>All I need to know, too. I've had my fill of the bastard. And whoever this other guy is.

I need the money. My kid's got Cystic Fibrosis. I've been reduced to this, just to make ends meet.

>We've all got our reasons, Jer. I'm trying to pay my way out of a debt to the Coalition's funding administration, for a load I took out thirty years ago to buy my best friend's life back from the mob.

>I'm from Gadava. When that earthquake hit us a year ago, it killed thousands, upon thousands. Like most people, I burned all of my life savings on the restoration project. Now I'm just trying to save up to buy a wedding ring for my childhood love, you know? Ain't got no other way, man.
>So just hang in there, Jer.
>...Jer?

URR NURR JERR

>>157779
[god dammit plague, no making us feel sorry for the bad guys.]

Hurr. Take a functional gun over your potentially nonfunctional wet pistol and shoot some people. I mean, who gives a shit about these guys, really? Everybody you've ever killed has some kind of story. It doesn't matter.

Everyone has an acceptable death except maybe the guy with a sick child. End them Kitty.

GEEZ WAS THE WHOLE SWIMMING THING REALLY WORTH YOUR IRE?!

Also, that is one tragic assassin.

>>157779
Kill them all, no witnesses. Their tragic backstories or reasons for their actions doesn't matter. Death is the consequence for the path they choose, if they didn't understand that such a thing could happen when they picked the job then that's their fault.

The swimming thing worked out fine. You got in close among them before they noticed you and one is already dead and the others looks like they could panic any second and start running around like headless chickens.

>>157819
Don't be a bastard.

Kitty, disarm them and they'll scatter. They're just looking for a paycheck, so their morale is shit.
Don't worry about witnesses, since they're too flipped out to give an account anyway.

Let them live.

>>157846
We know they work for the coalition. They were sent specifically after someone in that group. So Burns or Ruby. If we let them run then they're going to talk. Coaltion agents will know which men they hired and they will want a debriefing on what went wrong.

That will not only endanger us but also endanger Haywood. I don't specifically care about him, but he is for a strong independant Poilen, that would make things more difficult for the Coalition and that I do care about.

They made the wrong choice, the consequence is death. Their reasons for their actions doesn't change what they did. If they weren't prepared for an outcome like this when they signed up for the job then they were fools. And the fate of the families of fools are hardly our concern.

Wipe time.

Did you people forget the part where the spirit told us outright that bad things would happen if we keep killing people?

It wasn't THAT long ago; are you actively trying to make things difficult?

>>157919
He was talking to Burns. We are currently working outside of Burns' influence. None of this blood is on his hands, or on the soldier that's inside him.

So, we can kill with no problems. HOWEVER we need to interrogate one of these guys to see who they're trying to capture over here.

>>157929
You obviously misread it. They said the blood was on OUR hands. OURS.
Besides that, KITTY has already suffered SEVERE humanity loss and needs rehabilitation. Killing more people is going to be COUNTER-productive.

These people are doing a job because they need the money for good reasons, which is basically the universe's way of saying "KILLING THESE PEOPLE IS A BAD THING".

Uh, no. You misread it. The guy wanted to come back for Burns later, and told him to not have blood on his hands, even if they're not his own. Because Piaculum has trouble processing sin. "not his own" was referring to his excuse of being a soldier. WE are irrelevant.

>>157954
... and then we turned red.

>>157919
That spirit is a guy who thinks everyone being devoured by an extradimensional monster is a good thing. He promises perfection and eternal bliss. Perfection has no room for improvement, there can be no change, no advances nothing will ever change then. With nothing but eternal bliss you get no drive to achieve things, why would you? It's already perfect. Either of those remove what it is to be human.

How about we don't instantly trust him just because he promised that everything was just fine?

>>157953
They attacked us with the intention of killing us. They have already killed several people who were as desperate for cash as they are, people armed with nothing but blank shoots.

They made the choice to accept the job and the risks that came with it. This is the consequence of their choice. That's life, all choices have consequences. It's never fair, never good or bad, it just is.

To ensure our saftey and getaway they all need to die. We could interogate one first but they still all have to die. We can't allow the Coalition to learn what has happened here and what their enemies are truly capable of. Any promise one of them gives to keep silent isn't worth shit, you can get anyone to crack if you just keep at it long enough.

>>157779
Personally I stand on the side of mercy... but then part of me knows it 'is' more expedient to kill them... but then good is rarely expedient.

A lot of this depends on the fact that Kitty is suffering from humanity loss.

Kitty isn't human.

She can't lose her humanity; she doesn't have it.

Nyareans or whatever the hell she is might have a completely different set of moral values and beliefs that would dictate that simply killing these people is morally right and therefore standard practice. You can't really use the human perspective for something that isn't human.

In any case, it looks like Kitty just wants to kill them all. Might as well let her. She still has a measure of responsibility for her own actions, and quite frankly she has no reason to listen to us. I'm sure she is aware of the same conversation we are, and is capable of factoring it into her decision on her own.

Besides, Burns is our main concern anyway.

>>158101
No, she had humanity, it's just been gone for countless years by this point. She knows full well how far she's gone and doesn't want Burns to end up the same way. That fact alone means that there is a chance, albeit a razor-thin one, of reversing it.

So yeah, I doubt highly we can stop her from going the killemall route at this very moment, but we've gotta find some alternative methods next time.

Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/03(Sat)14:12 No. 159019 ID: 12084d
File 127032915271.jpg - (131.68KB , 777x777 , 06-57.jpg )

>Dear lord his head!

>What is that thing!?

>Kill it, kill it, kill it!

Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/03(Sat)14:13 No. 159020 ID: 12084d
File 127032919793.jpg - (131.65KB , 777x777 , 06-58.jpg )

>No, she has my arm! She's trying to TEAR it off of my body!

>For the love of all that is holy!

>ARGH! SHE IS BEATING ME WITH MY OWN ARM! I AM LOSING A LOT OF BLOOD!

>Stan, no!
>NO! NOW SHE IS BEATING ME WITH IT AS WELL!

>SHE IS BEATING BOTH OF US WITH MY ARM! I AM DYING!

>WHY IS NO ONE HELPING US!?

Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/03(Sat)14:16 No. 159022 ID: 12084d
File 127032939686.jpg - (176.17KB , 777x777 , 06-59.jpg )

>What the hell is going on over he-
>OH. MY. GAWD.
>BILL, GET THE AUTOMATIC

Uh oh.

Kitty! What the hell are you doing!?

"Me!? What the hell are YOU doing!?
"Can't you handle these seven guys!?"

There were like thirty before! And I got shot!

"You got SHOT? You're not supposed to get SHOT! You're amortal!
"Oh, jeez.
"I never told you how to take a bullet, did I"

"NO, YOU NEGLECTED THAT PARTICULAR PART."

>>159022
Nice work Kitty. I assume they're all very dead.

Tell him he did good, even if he could have done better. Train him some when you get the time. Explain how to take a bullet, see if he is doing it right, the final test being to shot him and see if he takes it right.

Anyway that's for later. For now check up on Ruby. The more favors you can make Haywood owe you before you leave the better. If he is still around later it could be very useful to have him like you.

>>159022
That sounded messy, and kind of fucked up.

Anyhow yes, we are going to have to train Burns in the arts of outsmarting bullet. >>159026 I agree with him, it's always useful to have favors racked up.

>>159037

I've yet to meet one who can outsmart boolet.

Anyways. How many are left? With the chaos Kitty made, the remaining assassins are surely easy pickin's.

Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/03(Sat)14:56 No. 159040 ID: 12084d
File 127033177627.jpg - (206.28KB , 777x777 , 06-60.jpg )

"Well, for future reference, it's a lot like taking a punch. Either you're prepared for it, or you'll get a scrape or two, and an assload of pain."

>they're all dead

No, they are not. I just got out of there as soon as I saw them pull out a fully automatic weapon. It doesn't matter how experienced I am; I'm not going to take that many bullets head on.

There's two of them left. One with an automatic, and the other one with a semi-automatic. I can't take that head on.

They're already emptying clips into the truck, hoping to hit something.

>Ruby

She's near prostrate near us, behind the truck. She doesn't seem to be acting injured, so much as... exhausted? Slow? It's weird.

"What's with the bodyguard?"

"He took out -

"She."

"She? Whatever. She took out a few when they jumped us. I think they were after her. They used some sort of weird grenade, or something, on her. It released this gas, and she's been like that, ever since.
"She hasn't said a word, but she doesn't seem to want to leave that hauling truck she drove here. Must be something important inside."

The two assassins slow down their fire. They seem to have calmed down, and are being a little more careful about what they're doing. They're still behind the same vehicle, though.

"She see you... you know?"

"Yeah. I tried to be careful, but I kind of tore a guy's hand off. She noticed.
"It's hard to control."

"Yeah... yeah, it is, Burns."

We need to get rid of these last two, but we can't get out from behind this truck. They're both in the same spot, behind one of their cars.

Can we get in the truck and drive it toward them, Ducked down low under the dash, while the other runs alongside. We can throw robotits in the seat or something. Just run the damn thing into them, or at least get it close enough to FAST them apart. Also, a better angle to return fire.

Perhaps with your's and burn's combined strength, you could push the car along the ground, towards their car? Mobile cover if you can, basically.

>>159040
It sounds like some sort of anti-amortal weapon. None of that gas got around you Burns? You're feeling ok right?

Hand Burns your non-favorite pistol. Tell him to blindfire from the right side of your cover. You get your gun out and take aim at the car. When Burns reloads they might peek out to take some shots. Shoot one as quickly as you can and then take cover again.


If you wait it out backup should be there in a few minutes. I'm sure they would be pleased to capture someone. Maybe he will surrender after his buddy gets nailed. If not, kill him too or let the backup take care of it.

[animated] Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/03(Sat)16:09 No. 159102 ID: 12084d
File 127033614947.gif - (503.54KB , 777x777 , 06-61.gif )

Oh, fuck this.

"Burns, help me with this truck."

>>159102

Well...

...that's ONE way of doing it.

Okay then! Let's check the back of robotit's truck, it's not like she can stop us.

We need to find out if there was an evac point or something and just drive there instead of waiting around for whatever the fuck to happen. Everything apparently all went to shit. We also need to make damn sure that our ticket out got to safety. Oh, and tell Burns what we've learned.

Go and check on Ruby, see if you can wake her. If not, carry her to the meet with Haywood. Regardless of how you go about it, you should probably leave before someone with authority or more assassins show up.

>>159102
Sweet, couldn't have given better advice myself.

Ok, see if you can't get Ruby up. If not then load her into the truck she's sitting by and then drive it over to Haywood. Tell him that these people were hired by the coalition and they had a weapon that took Ruby out of the fight almost immediatly.

Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/05(Mon)22:56 No. 160271 ID: aa5284
File 12705333869.jpg - (190.50KB , 777x777 , 06-62.jpg )

"Phew."

"Yeah.
"...You know, you smell like - "

"Don't."

Okay... Burns apparently needs some hands-on lessons in how to handle being shot.

Haywood's people should be here soon. It's easy to make out the sound of their engines, a mile or so off. They can take care of this, I suppose.

"InSIde."

That... was Ruby? She's grappling at the bumper of her truck. And her voice sounds... peculiar.

"BEfore THEY come. INside!"

Her inflection is all messed up. You can tell there's a feminine voice there. But it's cloudy... breathy and heaving.

Why would she want us to help her when Haywood's people are about to show up? She doesn't even know us.

I can tell Burns about everything once we head back to fetch Tannon and the SPT. Before then, we need to decide what to do about Ruby.

The Coalition is apparently after her. I wonder if this has something to do with what Tannon mentioned, when we first met? Something about the war spilling over into other countries because the Coalition was after one person?

I look to Burns for answers. He has none.

"Did whatever hit her get you, at all?"

"A little. Felt... sharp? Like I was being stabbed, all over. Then, nothing."

Hm.

What now?

Go inside. Also if you can help the lady out.

>>160271

Go with Ruby. Help Ruby.

Find Tom.

[animated] Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/05(Mon)23:53 No. 160278 ID: aa5284
File 127053679495.gif - (709.70KB , 777x777 , 06-63.gif )

I take hold of the truck's back gate. It's very cold to the touch. I hear a soft click as I tug on the latch.

The shutter flies free.

Huh...

You don't see that everyday.

>>160278

"Uh, Ruby? What the hell is that?!"

>>160278
Well that's interesting. Looks like a headless torso with it's skin pulled back to expose the ribs and guts. On a table with restraints on it.

Ask Ruby what it is.

>>160291
Don't be surprised if it's an amortal.

Physically put her in the back of the truck. Support her so she can point at what she wants to do in there. Maybe she can heal or something?

>>160278
OH FUCK! THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED TO TOM!...

but honestly... what is that corpse... thing...

Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/08(Thu)00:33 No. 161189 ID: 212869
File 127071201876.jpg - (247.27KB , 777x777 , 06-64.jpg )

We help her into the truck, to where she silently directs us. She motions for us to stay out.

Awkwardly, she takes a vial, or a syringe or some manner of device, and places it to the back of her neck. There's a quick thumping sound, followed by the fading hiss of something being evacuated into her body. Or out of it, perhaps.

I don't recognize what she's doing. Or much of anything in this vehicle. Liquid nitrogen... a headless corpse... surgical equipment... basic tools for vehicle repair. It looks like all of this stuff is made to be moved around, quickly and easily.

"Ruby, what is all this?"

She reacts to her name, as she seems to sway as whatever she's done takes affect. She must be surprised we know so much about her... amongst other things. It takes her a moment.

"SeCRETs."

Her peculiar inflection remains.

"Whose corpse?" Burns asks, beating me to the punch.

"No ONE'S busIness BUT my own.
"You see MY seCRET. I SEE yours, aMORTals.
"YOU know the VALue of SEcrets. HayWOOD, perHAPS not. You keep MINE, I KEEP yours.
"We are DONE. For now. They COME. LEAVE me."

She rises rather quickly, and slams the truck door down our faces. The welcome mat was not offered long.

>>161189

I guess that's that.

Wait for Haywood to show up, I guess.

>>161189
I think we found another one who doesn't belong to this world.

Wonder if that body is another amortal. Maybe Muerto Jack relly was one, or it's someone else. Seems important to her anyway. Lets keep the secret for now.

Time to ask Haywood to set up transportation and ask him where to bring your ride.

Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/08(Thu)01:25 No. 161196 ID: 212869
File 127071514656.jpg - (208.37KB , 777x777 , 06-65.jpg )

Things hurry on, quickly.

Later the next day, we finalize a formal agreement with Haywood.

We share a rather lengthy conversation, as Haywood enjoys our company a little too much. Burns wasn't kidding when he said the Poilenese hated one another but loved foreigners. "Free Exchange."

Burns is happy to get a contract in his hands. It must feel like we're finally making some real headway. I'm happy for him, I think.

It turned out that things had gone according to plan, aside from the assassination attempt on Haywood. The way he had organized things, it was easy to track back who had access to the right information. It's been dealt with.

One of Haywood's subordinates had taken the information on the fake assassination attempt to the Coalition, in exchange for political favor, down the road. According to Haywood, the person responsible didn't stop to wonder why the Coalition would waste their time on such a minor "crime lord." Small minds making big deals.

The operation was entirely successful, otherwise. The death of the reporter, while unfortunate, ended up being an even stronger trigger piece for television audiences.

North Poilen has basically been sent to a standstill, under the impression that the Coalition just staged a massive coup attempt. The military is already being mobilized across the nation's borders.

Although this is all a lie, it has served to unite the people as a nation for the first time that Haywood can recall.

Why the Coalition is after Ruby, he doesn't know. I have an idea it has something to do with that body she's carrying around, although we promised to say nothing about it.

As for Ruby herself, she apparently is already on her way out of the country, to parts unknown.

As for us, we have a similar trip lined up. All we have to do now is return to Tannon and the SPT with Haywood's men.

Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/08(Thu)01:30 No. 161197 ID: 212869
File 127071542020.jpg - (140.37KB , 777x777 , 06-66.jpg )

Tannon greets us as warmly as we might expect.

"Welcome back, animals."

Somehow, I missed that.

"We love you, too, Tannon."

It's been several days since we've been gone. What's he been doing all this time?

"What have you been doing this whole time?"

"Sleeping. Eating ham. Making plans."

"I bet you're great at parties, Tannon."

"If I need to be."

Wow.

We head back into the SPT and follow Haywood's men, through secluded areas, and into sectioned areas of the city. On the way, we explain to Tannon all that's transpired.

He almost seems impressed.

We need to ask him where to go next. Is there anything else we should find out from him?

It might be fruitful to bring up Ruby just to see if he knows what she is. We should keep the information as vauge as possible. Tannon seems to know an awful lot, and it could be important.

>>161197
Ask him if he knows of any other Amortals on this world.

Ask him if the ham was any good. Then ask him if its possible to surgically replace amortal parts and organs with a normal's body for similar benefits.

Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/08(Thu)15:16 No. 161392 ID: 17e2b5
File 127076497037.jpg - (211.51KB , 777x777 , 06-67.jpg )

Questions, questions. Haywood's men continue leading us, as Tannon drives on.

>Ruby

Earlier, when we explained what had happened, he didn't seem to think anything of it, although you can never be too sure.

Burns seems pretty anxious to get on with things, and has been hanging off the front paneling for the past twenty minutes.

"What do you think of this Ruby person, Tannon?"

"Inconsequential. As of now, little else factors into our plans, other than what is most obvious.
"If it will sate your animal curiosity, she may be one of any number of species, artificial lifeforms or cultural artifacts. There are quite literally thousands upon thousands of creatures cataloged in Acruen science that might fit the description you have given me.

He's such a joy to be around.

>Ask him if he knows of any other Amortals on this world.

"Do you know of any others like us? Or any kind of off-worlders?"

"No."

I almost wonder if he's lying, but knowing him, he's probably just being blunt.

"I lived here my entire life, obviously," Burns speaks up, "and I've seen more weird shit in the past week than the rest put together. I take it this doesn't happen much? Things like this?"

"A vague question. No, if I understand your beastly parlance, correctly. To have even one off-world influence is a rare historical item, barring common culling events by the Vomiciles, or the Acruen eugenic worlds.
"For so many aliens to be operating within one world - especially such a small and unimportant one as this - is unusual, if not altogether insulting. Obviously, something greater has been at work throughout your history to provoke this culmination of events."

"Culmination" doesn't sound so great. I wonder if this has anything to do with the Tear? Still, this is all speculation.

>Then ask him if its possible to surgically replace amortal parts and organs with a normal's body for similar benefits.

You think this is what Ruby was doing? Harvesting amortal body parts for herself?

"Random question, Tannon... what would happen if an organ was transplanted from an amortal to a normal person?"

"[i]You believe this involves the bodyguard you encountered."

Clever little bastard.

"It does not. Amortals, digens and those of that line have long been scrutinized by the Acruen, with little success. They do not operate under conventional physical law. Despite millenia of research, we are no closer to understanding the science behind such things as we ever were. Much of Nahala, itself, is similar. If it were exposed to the reality of itself for even a fraction of a second, the chain of events that would unfold across all of the infinite worlds would be cataclysmic.
"In the case of your question, when limbs or organs are removed from the main body of an amortal, they operate as they normally would. It makes analyzing amortal bodies very difficult."

I sort of wonder what would happen to someone who was walking around with an amortal organ in their body, if the amortal's body was destroyed, and the best thing to regenerate from was that donated part. Maybe nothing at all. Creepy to think about.

Well, on to business. We need to figure out where to head to, now that we can get off the continent, and Tannon's the man to ask.

Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/08(Thu)15:45 No. 161406 ID: 17e2b5
File 127076674936.jpg - (241.02KB , 777x777 , 06-68.jpg )

"All right, Tannon. We've got you off the continent, essentially. But we need to know where to go."

"Retrieve your human map."

Burns wearily gets the ragged old map he's been drawing on, since day one. Tannon is unimpressed.

The good doctor darts a finger into South Taesen.

"This is our next stop."

"Is that where the Unopened Vault is?" Burns asks.

"It is our next stop," Tannon repeats. He's not going to completely reveal our final destination until he's certain we're not going to betray him. Just as much as we're still certain he won't betray us. This was expected, though.

"Where is it?"

"Right in the heart of the damned Empire," Burns answers, taking a closer look at the map. "The least habitated part, granted... but for a good reason."

"Which is?"

"It's the coldest place in the world: the center of the Listless Range, the world's longest mountain range. No one lives there. No one can live there. Except us, I suppose."

"Or anyone with the proper knowledge of how to traverse it," Tannon interrupts. "The area is exposed to the Center's Ocean, near Empire's Channel. It will take us very close to the Empire's capitol, but not close enough to present a Poilen vessel to any danger. A merchant vessel to the capital will serve as enough cover for us to use a life boat to move on to the coast. This way, we can avoid detection of any kind. Once on the shore, I will call for transport."

"A fine idea," I say, "but not your decision to make.
"We can do it that way, and separate from the ship early. Or, we can avoid freezing to death if our boat capsizes and just take our chances entering the capitol."

"We could also just commandeer the whole ship and ram it into the shoreline," Burns adds. I assume he's kidding.

"Yes, Burns, we could kill even more people!" I give him a thumbs up and a dumb grin. He doesn't seem to appreciate it.

What say you, witless voices from beyond?

>witless voices from beyond

Yeah. Thanks. Just keep insulting the voices who just want to help. Ass.

Anyways, let's go with Tannon's idea; it's at least solid in theory.

As long as Tannon's idea of calling for transport doesn't include genocide, I suppose it's worth playing along. As he's said, he won't betray us until he has no further use for us. It might be worth going over whatever he provides, though, given his tendency towards excess.

>>161413
Oh, grow up, both of you. Witless or no, we've still managed to at least carry our own slight weight.

Haha, get it?

Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/08(Thu)23:06 No. 161729 ID: 65a023
File 127079319211.jpg - (129.52KB , 777x777 , 06-69.jpg )

We go with Tannon's original idea. We always to be careful about placing control into his hands, but it sounds like this is a contingency plan he's always had in mind. There's no reason to overly complicate it. At least, not for the time being. He has no reason to betray us, yet. It would only disservice him.

The SPT is loaded on board a large cargo freighter during early morning. Haywood is there to bid us farewell. The trade went through. All of the Coalition gear we picked up, in addition to the service we provided to him over the past couple of days. He seems to have taken an especial liking to us.

"Be careful out there," he says, as we shake hands.

"Something worrying you?"

"Just some unsettling reports. An official statement of hostile intolerance is supposed to be released to the press, later today. North Poilen will go to war with the Coalition, if they step out of line.
"But that may come sooner than I expected."

"How so?"

"The reports I've been getting seem to suggest the Coalition began attacking trading lanes, yesterday. They're hijacking ships, and seizing planes out of Poilen, once they land."

"That could complicate things."

"It's not too late to change things. We could find you another means of travel, if it concerns you that much."

"Thank you, but we can't delay. With the Coalition spreading like it is, it's best that we move, quickly, and take our chances."

"Yes... I agree, I suppose.
"Once again, thank you for your help. I don't believe I ever got your name? Isn't that strange?"

"Name's aren't as important as identities, Haywood."

"Call me Alex."

I nod.

"...Cynthia."

We part ways. Our travel, the Lady Gray, departs later that day.

If the Coalition is attacking ships escaping Poilen, they're probably looking for Ruby, for whatever reason they have. They know she'll try to escape the country, quickly. Once again, we're caught in the crossfire.

We'll be on the open ocean for a few days. Is there anything you'd like to have done before then?

Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/09(Fri)00:17 No. 161753 ID: 65a023
File 127079742514.jpg - (167.34KB , 777x777 , 06-70.jpg )

Voices, I don't know if you're there, but I could use another set of eyes. You've been out like a light for the past couple of days.

The closer we got to the Coalition-Empire border, the more of these Coalition patrol vessels we've run into. We've managed to evade them, for the most part, but it looks like we're finally going to have a fight on our hands.

Got any ordinance that could sink a vessel like that?

swim under their ship and punch a few holes in the hull.

>>161753
It looks like they'll be more interested in that other smaller boat.

Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/09(Fri)00:44 No. 161771 ID: 65a023
File 127079905952.jpg - (210.32KB , 777x777 , 06-71.jpg )

There's no way I could take out a ship like that on my own. But maybe with Burns' help, we can repel the attackers long enough to make into into the Empire's borders.

We've been skirting the borders of the two nations for the past few hours, trying to evade ships. We're almost through. We made some bad decisions, earlier, as far as where to go, and how to evade these ships. For whatever reason, I couldn't seem to reach you.

We just need to buy a little more time.

>>161753
Amortals can hold their breath for an hour and you still have your demo charges right?

Tell Burns to stay on this ship, he is to deal with the boarding party. You get to swim again, please don't kill us for that part. Swim underwater over to their ship. Attach one set of explosives near the rudder/propulsion. When you have set the explosives then climb up onto the ship and plant some explosives at their communications, make sure they can't radio for help. Time the explosives so they go off at the same time. Then make sure they can't use their main armament, just go over to it, kill anyone there and then keep them from it. When the explosions go off Burns and Tannon is to take care of the boarding part. Tannon provides long range sniper support while Burns gets into the water and joins you on their ship. Clean it out and make sure it sinks. Then be on your merry way.

>>161771
Oh shit, scratch the old plan. The TAV is right on top of you. Shit is about to go bad real quick. Prepare to repel airborne boarders.

>>161771

Does the Empire likely have any forces in the area? If so, you might be able to lead the Coalition patrol toward them and then slip away.

Is that the TAV? Or a storm?

At any rate look at that giant shadow in the sky and get a better idea of what it is. If it's a storm, then driving into it could maybe let you get away. Dunno.

Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/09(Fri)00:57 No. 161782 ID: 65a023
File 127079983233.jpg - (209.32KB , 777x777 , 06-73.jpg )

All right, I think we can -

"KITTY!"

ohhhhh, fuck. it's the TAV. unless burns can throw you up to it i don't think you can fight it at all.

>>161782

Oh DAMMIT.

Perhaps we can re-hijack that ship?

I don't suppose you'd survive the forces involved in being shot out of an artillery cannon would you? Not sure if that would even get you high enough though, or if you could even board it. Whatever kind of energy keeps it aloft might also wind up destroying your body.

Wait, are there even guns like that on this ship?

At any rate, it's a pretty crazy and stupid plan but I thought I'd mention it anyway. Because at this point, all plans start looking good.

[animated] Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/09(Fri)01:25 No. 161792 ID: 23ba2a
File 127080155450.gif - (1.06MB , 777x777 , 06-74.gif )

I... I can't think of a way out of this. If they board, then maybe we can... but then -

"Kitty!"

"Burns?"

"Kitty, swallow the Tear!"

I don't have time to question it. For once, his head is on straighter than my own.

The last thing I see is the flash of one of the TAV's weapons, and the deafening crack of the ship, being torn in two.

It all goes white. It all -

>>161792
Hello?

>>161792
Ouch, that looks like it fucking hurt. Or well not the getting shot part, that should be over pretty quick. Getting slowly rebuilt is the part that might fucking hurt.

See you on the other side Kitty.

ARGH KITTY WHAT DID YOU EAT IT SMELLS LIKE BAD HAM IN HERE.

What happened to Kitty and Burns? Will they wake up together in the far future? Is the Tear at the bottom of the ocean? Will Tannon ever get his groove back?

Find out next time on TALES OF THE TEAR!

Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/09(Fri)02:07 No. 161802 ID: 65a023
File 127080403439.jpg - (51.70KB , 777x777 , 06-75.jpg )

"No, ma'am. These are the only bodies we recovered. The only ones that were intact in the least, I mean."

"Hmm? Ohh. It's too bad. This one was so handsome, before he passed, yes."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Do you like handsome men, Sam?"

"No, Exarch, ma'am."

"So rare. So rare, hmm."

"Some escaped when the Sunrisen vessels arrived, and we were forced to -

"Don't depress me today, Sammy."

"No, ma'am."

"Hmm. A shame, a shame."

"Should... should we pursue the survivors to -

"No, Sammy. The King is so fussy in his old age. I won't bother the poor dear in the dark winter of his long years. If Miss Ruby was with them, I can wait a little longer.
"Did they pick up the poor dears?"

"No, ma'am. It was peculiar. They avoided the Empire's ships and headed for the coast on the short haulers, with some covered equipment on board."

"To the mountains, hmm. I hate the cold, my Sammy."

"Yes, ma'am."

>>161802
Keep playing dead. Don't go up and get moving until you're sure that you're alone.

[end of chapter 6] Plague!!NkAwOzZ2H0 2010/04/09(Fri)02:16 No. 161804 ID: 65a023
File 127080456218.jpg - (172.03KB , 777x777 , 06-76.jpg )

"Send these back to their friends, Sammy."

"Ma'am?"

"Dump the corpses into the sea, Sam. We have no use for them, now."

"Very good, ma'am. We should be on our way to the next freighter, Exarch, ma'am."

"You treat me so respectfully, Sammy."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Such a shame about this one. Such a handsome man. Such a handsome man."

"The girl is beautiful, as well."

"Nobody asked for your damned opinion, Sam."

"No, ma'am."

"It's no matter. They say those who die in war, bloodied themselves by their own hands. He was likely a naughty boy."

"And a naughty girl?"

"I'm the only naughty girl here, Sammy.
"And unless we find Miss Ruby, I may have to bloody my own hands. And that would be a naughty shame, Sammy."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Such a shame. Bloody hands never come clean, my Sammy."

"No, ma'am."

...

>>161804
Kill the fuckers when they try to dump you into the sea. Atleast if you can do that.