STARCRAFT: Chau Sara Chapter 1 (restart)

>>1793368
anons tend to get stuck if they aren't offered some basic options if you want to encourage them to come up with something more open ended then include >Other. Which is basically a write in option for whatever.

It makes a big difference. Don't know why but anons tend to be a lot more unsure on what do do if basic options aren't given. Even if they do tend to ignore them a lot in favor for the >write in option.

Its a weird thing but makes a vast difference if your a QM. Especially on a super slow board like /qst/. Its a real struggle to survive here as a QM even if you did well on /tg/. I learned this the hard way.

Anyway salute the officer in return. As a Ghost officers are the one thing you aren't allowed to piss off.

>>1793599
This, having some options are cool to have

I'm gonna salute the man, fix the bastard his coffee, and ask him what his visit I'd about.

>>1793368
GM Note: Thanks for the feedback. We shall revert back to options.

Draven nods his head without saying anything, turns, and walks towards the instant coffee pot sitting on the breakfast counter. He places a nearby mug into the dispenser, depresses the center button on the contraption, and patiently waits the 6.3 seconds that it takes to fill the vessel. He then hands the heated cup to the Colonel with a half smile. The Colonel grasps the mug and takes a sip without testing the temperature first. His eyes quench as the steaming liquid flows down his throat. The Colonel takes another sip, seemingly undeterred by the scalding temperature of the darkened fluid and preoccupied with other matters on his mind. Draven looks at the two marines standing by the door. "You two want a cup?"

The marines shake their heads, almost in unison. "No, sir," says one of them in a strangely obsequious manner. "But thanks."

A) Inquire into the identity of the Colonel before he gets himself comfortable
B) Further engage with the marines to explore their odd demeanor
C) Stop wasting time, offer the Colonel a seat, and get down to business
D) Investigate why the Colonel came into your domicile and not schedule a proper mission briefing
E) other

"Please, have a seat, if you'd like. Pardon me, sir, but I haven't seen you before. This visit is rather unusual. May I ask your name, and Is there something you require from me?"

>>1793690
>Other
Poke around in their head real quick while we talk with the officer. It shouldn't take much to figure out whats funny about them even if we aren't very good at telepathy.

Figure out why the officer came to us personally. Normally they use intermediaries because ghosts give people the creeps. Don't try to peer inside his head unless we are actually good at telepathy. He likely will be harder to but not as good to resist it as a proper handler.

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Draven shuffles back into his small kitchen area and conducts a telepathic surface probe of the overtly polite marine while he obtains a chalice of orange juice from his refrigerator. He senses multiple cognitive blocks within the man’s mind, followed by a series of conceptual formations that seem unnatural and somewhat coerced—tale signs of a brainpan. Draven cracks open his fridge for the first time in many days, reaches inside, and withdraws a sealed container of OJ. He peels back the top tab, pours himself a glass, and chugs down a gulp of the citrus fluid without first inspecting the expiration date on the container. Draven struggles to conceal any facial indications of the putrid taste that he just ingested. He makes a mental note to have the ship’s porter restock his sustenance supplies before he returns from his next op.
The Colonel raises an eyebrow to Draven’s momentary lapse of decorum and Draven quickly notices.
“Please, have a seat if you’d like,” Draven offers to officer, as he extends his hand to the kitchen nook where two small chairs and situated on both sides of a small table.
The Colonel pulls out a chair and sits down. He then places the coffee mug on the table surface and removes the officer cap from his balding head. A troubled look creeps across his face.
“Pardon me, sir, but I haven’t seen you before. This visit is rather unusual. May I ask your name?”
An awkward few seconds pass before the Colonel replies. He appears deep in thought. The man then quickly looks up to Draven. “Yes. Yes, of course.” The Colonel pulls up the sleeve of his left arm and reveals a sophisticated comm unit. He activates the device and a holographic image projects a few inches above his wrist. A three dimensional wire frame of the officer’s head capsule appears in pulsating blue light. His MOS, deployment history, and rank are detailed in a running scroll log beneath the image. Draven leans a bit forward to read the fine text and then sits back again.
“Colonel Marcus Smiley of the Confederate Delta Squadron,” Draven says. “Nice to meet you, sir.”
“Likewise, Specialist Draven,” the Colonel replies. “I realize that this visit is highly irregular but I have a special matter that needs careful handling. Command has reviewed your accolades and have deemed you fit to carry out the next phase of our ongoing operation on Chau Sara. You are not the only operative taking part in this mission and you will have your own fire team to accompany you. It’s more of a milk run, really, but I would like you to take part just in case things don’t go smoothly.”

A) Inquire as to why you were contacted individually, at home
B) Ask how a "milk run" could go wrong
C) Investigate details about your assigned fire team
D) Accept the Colonel's wisdom, maintain your confidence, and agree to the mission
E) Other

"Excuse me, sir, but you seem rather worried. I don't think that you're telling me everything you know in regards to this mission. Do you anticipate some kind of trouble in the coming operation? And, perhaps more importantly, why are you briefing me here in my quarters instead of with the rest of the fire team?"

“Excuse me, sir, but you seem rather worried. I don’t think that you’re telling me everything you know in regards to this mission. Do you anticipate some kind of trouble in the coming operation? And, perhaps more importantly, why are you briefing me here in my quarters instead of with the rest of the fire team?”
The Colonel sharpens his gaze upon Draven. “You’ll meet your fire team down in docking, Specialist Draven. You are the Team Leader so I’m coming to you first. You’re going to be given a package. You must make absolutely certain that the package is delivered to the exact coordinates that are given to you. It must not fall into civilian hands. This is strictly a military operation, Specialist Draven. Do you understand? All other instructions will be given to you upon arrival at ground zero. I shall see to it that you will have the proper commendations offered upon your success. As I said before, this is a milk run. The operation is crucial.... but nevertheless, a milk run. So, unless there is anything else, Specialist Draven, you should prepare yourself immediately and arrive at docking within the hour.”
Draven takes another hard swallow of his bitter orange juice and then briefly contemplates why he is even consuming the foul liquid as he glances back inside the glass and observes some floating material atop the orange fluid. He nods to himself and then looks back to the Colonel. “I'm a little unsure how to prepare for this... 'milk run'... sir. Any suggestions as to what I can anticipate encountering?”
Colonel Smiley takes a final swig of his coffee and then places the mug down on the table as he stands. “Take the usual precautions,” he says solemnly.
Draven looks hard at the Colonel, being somewhat confused over the need for heavy armament for a supposed cake walk mission. “I understand, Colonel. The package will be safe with me.”
“Very well, then,” the Colonel responds. He then looks over Draven in a manner that seems almost forlorn. “Good luck, son.” The older gentleman turns to leave as the marines stiffen their stance. Draven salutes the Colonel as he departs. The metal door slides back into the wall and the Colonel exits the living quarters, stopping briefly to offer one last final glance at Draven.

[The Colonel and his detail are about to depart your quarters, you have time for one action only]
A) Shout your refusal to accept the mission without further explanation of detail
B) Smile, salute, remain silent and allow the Colonel to leave
C) Make one last brain scan on previous marine
D) Do a quick telepathy probe on the opposite marine
E) Clean off the table, i.e. take the coffee mug and orange juice to the sink to dump
F) other action

>>1794937
D) Do a quick telepathy probe on the opposite marine

>GM Note: We had some delays and technical mishaps with the start of the first campaign. We're back in action now and going to jump right in with a re-start. I would like to keep the role play open-ended, as opposed to multiple choice/options based. I will try to incorporate most actions if several are suggested with equal agreement. Let's do this!]

If I recall you stopped running. We were at the edge of a city trying to contact them after the dropship was a no show.

>>1797972
[This is correct. I was involved in starting up a live Shadowrun game and the continuance of a StarCraft Roll20 game so /qst/ took a back seat. But I plan to maintain consistency this time thru, even though we may have to go over some scenes again to catch everyone up to speed. Who knows, maybe the dropship will show this time! *grin*]

GM Note: we're going to need a roll against Draven's WILL for the suggested action. Alternity system is d20 based with "1" being Amazing and "20" being marginal/failure. Our character, Draven, has a WILL of 16. Roll 1d20 to determine level of success.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>1798710
>1d20
k

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Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>1798692
You made us drink bad oj, I never drink bad oj and you made us drink it twice! It gives you aids.

Draven follows the marine detail with his eyes and pays particular close attention to the individual opposite the first brain-panned grunt. He detects a sense of jealousy mixed with malice. The marine evidently feels that he is more seasoned than Draven and that he should be selected for the operation himself but is content with staying in orbit, as he believes that the milk run will not likely see much action.

As the door slides closed behind the marine detail, Draven begins to prepare for the mission. He starts by taking a hot shower and getting dressed in his familiar dark purple fatigues. Draven then lays out all of his gear and equipment on his desk. He selects a freshly cleaned gauss pistol from his handgun drawer and removes the Torrent SR-8 Shotgun and Mark VII Rifle from out of his closet rack. Draven affixes a strap to his shotgun and secures his Mark VII and pistol into their respective back and leg holsters. He then heads to the designated docking bay, located just outside the academy living quarters.

Before you leave your quarters do you:
A) send an encrypted message to yourself, documenting your conversation with Colonel Smiley
B) contact the ship's porter to restock your wares
C) reconsider taking so much hardware with you and leave a weapon or two behind
D) pinch out a loaf to clean your bowels before embarking on a planet drop to avoid any potential rectal mishaps
E) other action

>>1798787
A) send an encrypted message to yourself, documenting your conversation with Colonel Smiley
B) contact the ship's porter to restock your wares
D) pinch out a loaf to clean your bowels before embarking on a planet drop to avoid any potential rectal mishaps
E) other action get remote controlled explosives.

Also if we are a ghost, which you never really detail before hand, we oughtto be specialist rank or at least corporal.

>>1799960
If you follow the previous dialogue, you will find references to the rank in question:
“Likewise, Specialist Draven,” the Colonel replies.
“You’ll meet your fire team down in docking, Specialist Draven."
"This is strictly a military operation, Specialist Draven."
"So, unless there is anything else, Specialist Draven, you should prepare yourself immediately and arrive at docking within the hour.”

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Draven affixes a strap to his shotgun and secures his Mark VII and pistol into their respective back and leg holsters. He then sits himself down upon his porcelain throne and begins to relieve himself to avoid any potential issues that may occur with his colon during the inevitable G-forces from the planetary drop. Not one to waste time, Draven multitasks while he sits on the toilet and activates his wrist-mounted comm unit. He sends an encrypted message to himself to document his conversation with Colonel Smiley and a second message to the ship’s porter to restock his wares. Draven then depresses a button on the bathroom console pad near his seated position and enjoys a brief but much needed spray of water from below, saturating his buttocks. He gathers his weaponry once more and heads to the designated docking bay, located just outside the academy living quarters.

Five dropships are seen with their turbine engines steaming in the docking bay. Draven notices several marines standing about in addition to special operative ghosts boarding individual dropships. One pair of marines is seen carrying a large metal box between the two of them, accompanied by a pilot and another ghost. He sees two marines walking toward him carrying a similar-looking box.

Draven studies the activities happening around him and takes special note of the boxes being carried by the marines, especially the two headed towards him. As the two marines approach Draven...

A) nods at them and asks, “I was told I'd be given further instructions upon arrival here...”
B) remains silent and continues to observe the ongoings
C) confronts the marines for not saluting him appropriately
D) walks away for search of a commanding officer
E) ignores the underlings and turns to find a fellow ghost

>>1801757
>A) nods at them and asks, “I was told I'd be given further instructions upon arrival here...”

Greet the marines first, if they have no further instructions look for another known operative or an officer.

>>1793368
>I would like to keep the role play open-ended, as opposed to multiple choice/options based

Doomed quest.

Draven studies the activities happening around him and takes special note of the boxes being carried by the marines, especially the two headed towards him. As the two marines approach Draven, he nods at them and asks, “I was told I’d be given further instructions upon arrival here...”

The marines grunt unintelligibly and seem to strain somewhat with the weight of the metal box, despite the servos of their powered armor. One of them raises the visor in his helmet and looks around the dropship platforms as he replies. “Well, all command told us was that we’re supposed to protect you from getting all shot up while you do your thing with the package.”

“Yeah,” the other marine adds as his visor rises. “You ghosties can sneak alright... but when it comes to the mixin it up, you have to call on us regulars!” He chuckles heartily. “What good is all of that training gonna do you when you got one of them Xenomorphs up your ass?”
“The only training I need is how to reload faster!” the other marine chimes.
“I got your load right here.” his comrade says, grabbing his metal-encased crotch with his spare hand.
“You took my load last night... right in your mouth.”
“What you talkin about? That was ghostie here. He slipped in and out like a breeze and nobody saw nothin.”
The two men heartily laugh at their own dry humor.
“Anyways, man,” the first marine says to Draven. “We’re told that we hit the drop point, escort you to the locale and then you do your thing. I guess you’re the only one who can operate this damn thing—whatever it is.”
“Yeah, it needs a ghost to get it going. That cuts me out. I fight like a real man—face to face.” He chuckles again.

A) Draven chuckles sarcastically along with the two marines then chimes in, “Yeah, you’re right, I was slippin in and out last night.... with your Mom.”
C) Draven stares back at the marines, unimpressed. "You do realize who you're speaking to, right?"
B) Draven suddenly losses his smile. “Alright, girls, let’s get the hell out of here and get this job done. I hope you two shoot as well as you drizzle.”
D) Draven boards the nearby dropship, paying the commentary of the marines no mind.

>>1801741
>"Good morning, Private
That was confusing at the start.

>>1803065
B) Draven suddenly losses his smile. “Alright, girls, let’s get the hell out of here and get this job done. I hope you two shoot as well as you drizzle.”

>>1803118
Goddammit. You are correct. Most confusing. My most humble apologies.

Draven suddenly losses his smile and stops laughing. “Alright, girls, let’s get the hell out of here and get this job done. I hope you two shoot as well as you drizzle.”
Draven turns and walks towards his designated dropship. He catches glimpse of another pair of marines carrying an identical metal crate, three vessels down the row of primed aircraft. Trailing behind the two hardskins is another ghost. Draven averts course and jogs over to his fellow covert specialist. The man looks up at him as he nears. “Specialist Dravin,” the other ghost says as he halts his gait.
Draven recognizes the man immediately. “Specialist Daniels,” he says.
The two men experience an awkward moment of alpha male assessment of each other.
“I thought you were on… assignment,” Daniels states.
“I was,” Draven replies. “Now I’m here.”
“Is that right? You never struck me as the volunteering type.”
“I didn’t volunteer,” Draven says. “I was asked to be part of this.”
Daniels raises an eyebrow. “Is that right?”
“That’s right.”
“So. I can see that you’re definitely prepared for this little delivery service.” Daniels utters as he looks over Draven’s apparent presentation of being over-equipped for the simplicity of the mission. “You’re prepared for the worst as usual.”
“Never hurts to be prepared.”
“Guns slow you down, Draven. I thought they taught you that in the academy by now.”

Draven responds:
A) "I don't like to be caught with my pants down. I'll notify your parents of your demise when I get back."
B) “Look, we can compare tactics later. We aren’t in a sparing session right now. We’re on the same team. This time. So if you have any intel on the current op I would appreciate you sharing what you know.”
C) "Looks like the brass were running low on competent team leaders if they selected you to come along."
D) "It never hurts to be too careful. Have you met your marine teammates yet? Mine are a couple of dolts."
E) Other action

>>1803460
A) "I don't like to be caught with my pants down. I'll notify your parents of your demise when I get back."

You need to set a time for when you run a quest and let players know if anything changes to that. Otherwise it will end like the first time you ran.

>>1803540
... that would be ideal but I don't have the type of schedule that can incorporate a set time for play, thus play-by-post, i.e. whenever is convenient to anyone involved. The dissolving of the first attempt was entirely my doing, as I had too many other gaming endeavors taking place at once. It's all squared away now, though so there shouldn't be any issues this time thru.

“I don’t like to be caught with my pants down. I’ll notify your parents of your demise when I get back.”
Daniels laughs. “Ah, I see. They asked you to join up for a mission and didn’t brief you. You don’t know what to expect so, naturally, you expect the worst.”
“Something like that.”
~They didn’t tell us much either, Daniels transmits telepathically. But I happen to know someone who knows someone.~
~And?~ Draven transmits back.
~The eggheads over at bioweapons think they figured out a way to keep the xenomorphs out of our perimeter.~
~I thought those things had been contained weeks ago.~ Draven returns.
~They have but they’re just taking precautions apparently.~
~So why call in special ops to do a science experiment?~ Draven asks.
Daniels looks around to make sure no one is privy to their conversation, albeit shrouded in telepathy. ~Because we both know this really has nothing to do with keeping xenomorphs out of the perimeter. And you can be damn sure that there’s psi-ops at play here. That’s why they need us. The marines are just a little extra muscle.~
“I see,” Draven says out loud.

Your action:
A) Draven extends his hand, "Stay safe out there. We should get a cold one together at the Catina when we get back."
B) Transmit back: ~What do you think of Colonel Smiley?~
C) Transmit back: ~Any idea what's in those metal crates?~
D) "Good luck to you, Specialist Daniels. You'll need it with your shitty aim."
E) Other action

>>1803568
A) Draven extends his hand, "Stay safe out there. We should get a cold one together at the Catina when we get back."
B) Transmit back: ~What do you think of Colonel Smiley?~

Thread is in autosage mod.

>>1805503
In risk of being exposed as a 4Chan noob, what exactly is "autosage" and how/why is that a problem?

>>1805555
Stupid rule made on /qst/ after 3 days the thread autosages, meaning bumps/new posts do not bring the thread to the top or front page. With how slow /qst/ is, this is really pointless and stupid as most quests end up staying on the board for weeks, and new ones need to be made to allow it to be bumped to the top.

So right now odds are everyone who saw this quest earlier thinks its dead and ignores it since its further down. You will have to make a new thread to attract more players I suppose.

I recommend we do that after we get to the point we last left previously.

>>1805623
Last left off before the previous incarnation of the quest died.

>>1805623
.... thanks. I was wondering what that nonsense was all about. I agree with your suggestion in starting a new thread once everything is caught up. However, the /qst/ boards seem to archive any thread after 2 weeks so it will probably have to be renewed with a new thread before too long anyway, if it is to stay on the main page. I'll just have to stay on top of it.

“I see,” Draven says out loud.
Draven extends his hand. “Stay safe out there. We should get a cold one together at the catina when we get back.”
Specialist Daniels grips Draven’s hand firmly and pulls his knuckled in tight. “You got it,” he says. “And you’re buying.” The two men stare at each other with glares of analytical comprison. “I best join up with my charges,” Daniels states, nodding his head toward his dropship. “I got stuck with a couple greenhorns who have yet to be brain-panned. I’m not sure if they’re going to make a run for it the first chance they get. I may have to put a few rounds in them to keep them still.”
“I feel your pain—same here,” Draven says.
The two ghosts brake away from each other and begin to walk back to their respective drop ships. ~What do you think of Colonel Smiley?~ Draven thinks toward Daniels.
~I don’t know any Smiley,~ Daniels returns.
~He’s the officer in charge of this op. He came directly to my quarters.~
A brief pause occurs. Then, after several seconds of silence, Daniels thinks back, ~That’s highly irregular and I’ve never seen a Colonel Smiley on any correspondence with Command. We’ll have to look into this once we get back.~
Draven stops just short of his dropship plank and turns to look across the bay at Daniels who is seen slapping the shoulders of one of his marine charges and ordering him onboard their vessel. ~Copy that.~ Draven transmits back to Daniels.
Boarding the dropship, Draven notices that the pilot is going through a standard systems check. “All aboard, boys,” the pilot says without turning around to greet his passengers. “Strap yourselves in.”

A) Draven stows his weapons and situates himself in his seat.
B) Draven remains standing and waits for the marines to sit first.
C) Draven further engages the marines in conversation as they load the metal box by asking: _______
D) Draven strikes up a conversation with the pilot by saying: _______
E) other action

>>1806146
D) Draven strikes up a conversation with the pilot by saying: _______

When we reach our destination are you staying on the ground for us or circling around the area?

Boarding the dropship, Draven notices that the pilot is going through a standard systems check. “All aboard, boys,” the pilot says without turning around to greet his passengers. “Strap yourselves in.”
Draven nears the cockpit of the dropship to speak to the pilot. “When we reach our destination, are you staying on the ground for us or circling around the area?”
“We got orders for an immediate dust-off once ground pounders are deployed,” the pilot replies while concentrating on his systems check without turning around to face Draven. “Don’t worry, Specialist, we won’t forget about you.”
The marines strut up the gangplank and place the metal box on the floor between them. They stow their rifles next to their seat harnesses, sit down, and strap themselves into the chairs. “Hey, man, you think we’ll be back before lunch time?” one of them yells up to the cockpit. “I’m hungry as hell.”
“No problem,” the pilot responds. “You just do your job and I’ll do mine.”
“I guess that means he’ll be busy masturbating while we’re out saving the world,” the second marine grinds out.

Your action:
A) Continue dialogue with the pilot by stating: ______
B) Find your seat in the transport area and prepare for drop.
C) Ask the marines what they know about the contents of the metal crate.
D) Get to know the marines better by asking: ______
E) other action

>>1807039
C) Ask the marines what they know about the contents of the metal crate.

Looking towards the two marines, Draven asks, “Hey, do you guys know what’s in the case? I haven’t been briefed on it.”
“I got no idea, sir,” the larger marine says with a snarl. “You know Vanishe?”
“Nope. They didn’t tell me nothin.”
Dropping to one knee in front of the metal case, Draven snaps open the six locking snaps and looks inside. He observes a collection of electronic components coupled between an intricate array of wires and microprocessing units. The entire box resembles the guts of a mainframe computer condensed into an area the size of a footlocker. Sitting atop the electrical cluster, a neural crown is found. Draven nods to himself and then closes the hatch on the case.
“So what’s in there?” the larger marine asks Draven.
“Don’t worry,” Draven replies as he finds the nearby bench within the dropship. “It’s not a bomb.” He begins to strap himself in.
The two marines look at each other with dumbfounded expressions. The larger marine then turns back to Draven and pats his shoulder piece, indicating a small mechanical device protruding from his leather bandolier. “I have the coordinates right here. We’re supposed to check in once we’re on point and get further instructions.”

Your move:
A) engage in conversation with the larger marine/get to know him better
B) engage in conversation with the shorter marine/get to know him better
C) sit back, shut up, and enjoy the drop
D) tell the marines your thoughts on the crate contents: ______
E) other action

>>1808874
B) engage in conversation with the shorter marine/get to know him better

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“What’s your story, private?” Draven asks the shorter of the two marines.
The marine looks at Draven with a half-smirk. “Private Gabriel Vanishe, sir. I joined up about three years ago. I don’t have any criminal record, though. I went in looking for my brother, Denis. He’s lost somewhere out here. Somewhere on Chau Sara I reckon.”
Draven wonders to himself how such a short marine such as Vanishe would have be recruited. The man is just shy of six feet tall, even with his powered armor suit. Draven realizes that any standard issue suits adds a good foot to its bearer’s height. He looks over Vanishe and as respectfully as possible remarks, “You… seem a little small for a marine.”
“—not just your height neither,” Wiker interjects with a chuckle.
“Sure, yeah, I took my fair share of getting bullied and hazed—they called it ‘policing’ when I first got in. But I mostly stayed under the radar. We had a Drill Sergeant, Sergeant Kejora, who took an interest in me. He thought that the Marine Corp could benefit from better recruits than brainpanned washouts and hardcore pyschopaths. I guess he figured I was his chance to prove it.”
“That was a disappointment,” the other marine chimes in.
“I eventually got the respect from the other recruits, despite being… smaller.”
“If you say so,” Wiker says.
The gangplank suddenly closes, sealing the men inside the cargo hold of the dropship. With a loud whine, the dropship is released from the docking bay platform. The pressure doors are heard drawing back from the hull of the battlecruiser. The pilot’s voice comes from the cockpit in a steady cadence as he communicates with the onboard control tower. “Release on my mark: 5, 4, 3....”
Vanishe scratches his rugged cheek and quickly pulls down his helmet visor over his long beard and mustache. “In an out just like a robbery, Wiker. In an out.”
“Roger that,” Wiker replies, drawing down his visor as well.
“... 2, 1. Mark.”
Support clamps press away from the dropship as an incredible force sucks the armored troop transport down into the atmosphere of the green planet below. The pressurized hull of the dropship shields its passengers from the gravitational pull. Although the air inside remains still, the walls of the dropship quickly warm. Draven feels his backside begin to sweat, despite the insulation and temperature controls of his powered armor suit. He looks across at the two marines braced firmly in their seats. The gravitational force downward suddenly breaks, just as the primary thrusters kick in. Lurching forward, the dropship begins a 45-degree dive into the clouded surface of Chau Sara.
“We’re in the pipe, 5 by 5,” the pilot announces. “Prepare for some chop.”
The dropship rocks back and forth. Draven watches as the heads of the marines bob to and fro in unison, bouncing to the rhythm of the turbulence.

“All right, gentleman,” the pilot announces. “We’re reaching the drop point. We’ll have a green light in 10 seconds.”
Vanishe and Wiker quickly unstrap themselves and brace their stance as they stand in the aisle. Vanishe grabs his gauss rifle from the weapons stow and throws a mini-missile tube over his shoulder. Draven watches as Wiker acquires his own rifle and grasps hold of one of the handles of the metal box. Vanishe takes up the other side. “You coming with us, Ghostie?” Wiker asks with a sneer.

A) Stand from seated position and gear up with your weapons
B) Address Private Wiker's clear lack of respect for your rank by stating: ______
C) Order the marines to step aside-- you're going in first.
D) Issue commands to disembark the dropship in a specific manner once it lands: ______
E) other action

>>1809026
C) Order the marines to step aside-- you're going in first.

The dropship levels out and suddenly stops, landing upon the ground. The gangplank begins to lower in the rear.
Draven unstraps himself from his chair, throws his auto-shotgun around his shoulders and grabs the rest of his gear. “After me,” he says to the two marines. “You’re on my six.” Just as the gangplank touches the ground, Draven heads out the rear of the dropship. He runs a sufficient distance from the ship so as to not get blasted by the heat of the engines as it takes off. Draven drops to one knee, brings the butt of his Mark VII up to his shoulder, and surveys the surroundings. Wiker and Vanishe follow after him.
“Go, go, go!” Wiker calls out.
“We’re on the move!” Vanishe chimes in. “Let’s make it happen!”
A small cloud of dust kicks up around the three men as the dropship lifts off the ground. Orange curtails of flame follow the ship as it quickly soars off into orbit. Draven motions for the marines to near his location. They carry the metal case between them and hustle forward. As the marines approach, Draven activates the comm unit inside his helmet and says, “Alright, boys, let’s find out what our further orders are. Wiker?”
“Roger that,” Wiker returns. He sets that metal case down and retrieves the communication relay from his shoulder pouch and begins to search for a signal.
Draven scours the landscape and assesses his location. He sees dense forest all around him, the drop zone being located in a small clearing, apparently created after a behemoth tree was struck by lightning and crashed a hole through the upper canopy. Through the thick wall of trees, Draven is able to make out a skyline of a distant city, nearly two miles away.

“This is Private Wiker at drop zone outer third, northeast. Request delivery location of package, over.”
~Copy that, outer third northeast squad. Proceed to designated locale and await further orders, over. ~
The communication relay beeps in Wiker’s armored glove. “We got a mailing address, boys. Let’s make the delivery. It looks to be 3,000 feet west... probably at the base of them rocks over there.”
“Hey, isn’t that the power line heading into the city,” Vanishe points up through the leaves, indicating a series of large metal towers concealed within the trees.
The men look up and notice a conglomeration of suspended cable running across a series of metal towers, lined in a row toward the heart of the nearby city. Based in a heap of rocks near the location that Wiker indicated, is one of the main support towers, climbing nearly 250 feet in the air.
“They want us to drop this case at the base of that tower?” Vanishe asks.
“I reckon so,” Wiker replies. “We aren’t paid to think. We’re paid to take orders. Let’s get a move on.”
Draven stands up and takes point as they head into the trees. He makes his way to the drop off point with the two marines in tow, all the while keeping a lookout for any hostiles in the area. Draven’s hostile environment suit allows for easy travel over the uneven ground. Within a few minutes, the three men reach the rock bed.
“Yup, this is it,” Wiker announces, looking at the communication relay in his palm. “This is the delivery point.”
“Why the fuck would the brass want this thing out here?” Vanishe asks.
“Like I said before, son, we’re not paid to think.”
The two marines stow the metal case at the base of the large tower. “It’s now on you, boss,” Wiker says to Draven, handing him the communications relay. “We’ve done our part. Now do yours and let’s go home.”

Your move:
A) survey your surroundings and set up a perimeter watch for a few minutes before acting
B) take the communicator from Wiker and obtain instructions from Command
C) take the communicator from Wiker and advise Command that a civilian sector is nearby
D) try to hail the dropship to coordinate a quick evac
E) other action

>>1813197
B) take the communicator from Wiker and obtain instructions from Command
+
part of C) advise Command that a civilian sector is nearby

Draven surveys his surroundings as he reaches out and takes the communications relay from Wiker. Draven activates the device and speaks into the receiver. “This is Draven, Command. Be advised that delivery location is 3 klicks out from civvie center, over.”
The relay crackles with a low voice emanating from its small speaker. ~We’re aware of you location, Specialist. Open the metal case and locate the neural crown inside. Place the crown on your head and activate the response toggle. Maintain for 30 seconds and disengage. Leave response toggle on and secure the perimeter. Do you copy? ~
“Copy that,” Draven responds to the voice emanating from the device in his hand. He turns to look at the metal case now laying at the base of the metal tower. Then Draven looks at Wiker and Vanishe in turn.

A) follow instructions as ordered
B) talk over the operation for a brief moment with the marines
C) refuse to follow orders and close the crate
D) continue communicating with Command for clarification by asking: _____
E) other action

>>1813625
D) continue communicating with Command for clarification by asking: _____

Command, be advise that a civilian sector is nearby.

Then follow this action.
B) talk over the operation for a brief moment with the marines

“Command, be advised that a civilian sector is nearby,” Draven repeats into the transmitter.
~That’s a good copy, Specialist. Proceed as directed~ the transmitter chirps back.
“Don’t you guys think this is a little odd?” Draven asks his marine detail. “It looks like were about to destroy one of the main power lines into that city.” Draven points in the direction of the city off in the distance that the cables are running towards. “Or are you still getting paid not to think?”
“Well, how do we know it’s a bomb?” Vanishe snorts.
“Yeah, I never heard of any bomb that needs a ghost to activate it,” Wiker chimes in. “It’s gotta be something else.”
“If it was just some damn bomb, what’s with all the special ops?” Vanishe asks.
Vanishe peers inside the case. “That don’t look like a bomb to me, boss.”

A) follow instructions as ordered
B) try to hail another fire team... or Specialist Daniels
C) refuse to follow orders and close the crate
D) continue communicating with Command for clarification by asking: _____
E) other action

>>1814302
A) follow instructions as ordered

The other options are to meta for me.

I think you should make a new thread.

>>1814333
That's a good copy... coming right up.

>>1814464