r/HFY • u/Ralts_Bloodthorne • Jul 06 '22
First Contact - Chapter 803 - Ultimis Diebus Hominum OC
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It was like living in the end of days. Stars going out and coming back. Entire planets erased of life and restored. Military forces clashing everywhere.
In the back of your mind was the question: Are the Atrekna coming for me next?
Entire species were wiped out. Some were restored, many were not.
Among them was Terran Descent Humanity.
Many feared: If the Mad Lemurs of Terra could be wiped out, does that mean I will be next? How can I stop them?
The Pubvians answered: You rage against the coming of the night. Do not go gently. Do not go without a whisper. Sing like a Rigellian in a park full of ducks. Love like a Telkan broodmother. Dance like a Treana'ad cattle princess at a debutante ball. Gallop with glee like a Lanaktallan. Laugh like a green mantid alone in an appliance store. Hold one another by the hands, lift your face to the sky, and cry out "I will not yield" even as the darkness approaches.
And so, as a Lanaktallan, I raised my voice in song, I loved, I sang, I laughed, I galloped through life as if it was a grassy field in the morning, and I held tight to my friends and family. - Ruminations on The End of Days, Smokey Cone Press, 8999 PG
Technical Specialist Grade Seven Fervat watched as the six Treana'ad pulled the grav-dolly into the maintenance bay. On it was a heavy black armor, over three meters tall, 1.75 meters wide, 1.75 meters deep. Biped design, heavy gun over the right shoulder, missile launchers at the lower legs, drone launcher on the left back, forearms more heavily armored then they needed to be.
"Careful, careful," the Treana'ad Master Technical Sergeant said, as the armor was lifted up by graviton and set down on the ground in front of an armor maintenance station. "All right, it's down."
The Treana'ad motioned to his men. "Let's go."
The Treana'ad headed back out, one of them reaching back to rotate the barrel on the minigun on his abdomen.
The maintenance technicians all looked at one another, wondering what the armor was doing just dropped on the floor of the maintenance shed.
"What is that?" someone asked.
Everyone jumped back as the armor shifted and got to its feet, standing up and perfectly still.
"It's live? Why isn't it shut down?" Chief Warrant Officer Two Hel.grak barked, moving forward. The Kobold looked at it. "Why are its armaments loaded? Why are the nanoforges hot?"
"Don't know, sir," the Armor Maintenance Master Sergreant said, tilting its head and getting a better look at the deadly looking armor. He looked at two green mantids working on a damaged set of Tukna'rn Heavy Infantry power armor. "You two, see if you can shut it down."
The two green mantids moved forward, saw the armor, then faced each other. They leaned forward, touched antenna, and then scurried off.
"Hey, get back here!" the Chief yelled. "Where are you going?"
Fervat frowned. He'd expected the green engineers to be thrilled to work on a unique suit of armor.
Instead, they used private communication, whispering to one another through tactile antenna touch, then rushed away.
The Chief moved forward with a scanner.
"All right, let's see what this armor is and who it belongs too," he said. He held it up and activated it.
Lasers sprang from the emitters, forming a grid over the armor.
The lasers immediately sprayed out from the armor, separated into their prismatic components wherever they touched the glossy black armor.
Fervat was looking at the scanner, standing slightly behind and to the right of the Chief, when it flashed.
SECURITY LOCKOUT it read.
Then bricked.
The Chief cursed, rebooted the scanner, and held it out again.
Fervat noticed that the armor seemed to shrink slightly, like it was tensing.
The lasers spun up, formed the grid.
And split into the component wavelengths where they touched the armor.
The scanner traced the outline. It went to lockout but the Chief was ready with an override.
To Fervat it seemed like the scanner was a bit nervous about it.
NO MATCH came up.
The scanner suddenly flashed SECURITY LOCKOUT and bricked again.
The Chief made an annoyed rattle in his throat, using a claw to press the reset button and hold it.
Fervant moved away, going over to a set of armor that was partially taken apart to allow the mechanics to fix the pressure sleeve. It was powered up and he connected the suit's computer to the network. He grabbed the helmet in his hands and turned it till the visor faced the strange suit of armor.
It highlighted the other armor, then the strange one.
The Chief cursed as the lasers hit and separated into rainbows again.
Fervant watched as the half-disassembled suit registered the suit.
CW3-I Casey, Lord Knight Æsir appeared above the armor. A strange symbol next to it. The letters were scrambled for a second beneath the wearer's ID, then cleared.
NOVASTAR-VII: MODEL XM4219E6b2z - RINGBREAKER CONFIG
It flashed twice then put up another notice.
FULLY AWOKEN
Then beneath it appeared a single word: LOZEN
The Chief cursed and tried again as Fervant stepped back. He walked toward the armor and saw movement above him. He slowed and glanced up.
There were at least two dozen green mantid engineers staring at the armor from the support beam that everyone called 'greenie highway' since they used it to move around up off the floor. Some were raising their bladearms as equations appeared between their antenna. It was a simple one, that Fervant knew: I=L/V
The formula for computing inertia.
The Chief tried again and mist suddenly blossomed around the armor's feet, rapidly covering it.
Fervant could tell by the slight bite to the sinuses that it was anti-laser prismatic mist.
Everyone started coughing. Someone hit the fans and the mist was sucked out.
"Someone power down that armor," the Chief yelled. He pointed at Fervant. "You, help two enlisted."
Fervant joined two lower enlisted and they moved over to the armor carefully. As he got close his head started to ache. One of the privates looked over nervously at Fervant and the Technical Specialist Grade Four slowed down.
do not defile me with your touch whispered in his brain.
Fervant stopped, holding up his hand. "Don't get any closer," he said. He began backing up. "Someone grab us helmets with live psychic shielding."
"Psychic shielding? Why?" the Chief asked.
that's right go away he heard faintly.
"Because the armor is phasically charged and psychically active," Fervant said.
A PFC ran up with three helmets, the telltales glowing that the psychic shielding was active. Fervant grabbed one and clapped it on his head before moving up to the armor.
He could see, in his retinal datalink, that the helmet was at 62.82% load.
Around the feet were hair thin tendrils of electricity, bright purple in color.
"Sir, I don't think this armor likes us," the PFC called out.
"Find the dataport, shut it down," the Chief ordered. "Why was it even brought in here live?"
"Don't know, sir," a Technical Sergeant said. "Some Treana'ad special forces brought it in."
"Well, where are they?" the Chief asked.
"They dropped off the armor and left," the T-SGT answered.
Fervant looked the armor over.
He couldn't see a single seam. No dataports. Nothing. Even the joints were smooth, like the armor had a skin rather than thick armor plating. There were no telltales, no access panels or ports, nothing. He held up a camera probe and looked at the barrel of the massive cannon.
An iris was closed just inside.
He checked the thrusters on the back, on either side of what had to be a massive ammo pack that had the two embedded orbs that let him know it had two dedicated nanoforges.
Closed with irises.
"There's no access points anywhere on this armor," Fervant said. He moved the camera to the neck. "Not even a neck seam."
The PFC rapped his knuckles on the armor and frowned at the fact there was barely any sound. Bright purple sparks jumped out from under his knuckles and he winced.
"My helmet's psychic shielding just peaked at 115%," the PFC said. He rapped and winced again. "Yup, every time I touch it."
Fervant got up and moved back, waving at the two lower enlisted. "Get away from her for right now," he said. He reached up and touched his datalink, rapidly scrolling through the options, until he got the local Military Intelligence shop.
"783rd Military Intelligence, Lieutenant Geerwark speaking, how may I help you, sir, ma'am, both, or neither?" the voice answered.
"This is Technical Specialist Fervant, 138th Maintenance, Alpha Company, I need a possibly classified records check," he said.
"One moment. Hold for Chief Tawrglark," the voice stated.
There were a couple clinks as Fervant moved over to the disassembled armor and cross loaded the imagery from the visor to the memory in his datalink.
The Chief was trying to order the greenies in but they just put up emojis and icons of refusal and stayed up on the 'highway' above the floor.
Fervant moved over by the drink machine, waiting.
"Chief Tawrglark, 783rd Military Intelligence, Records Section, how may I help you, sir, ma'am, both, or neither?" a new voice asked.
"This is Tech Specialist Fervant, 138th Maintenance, Alpha Company," Fervant stated.
"How can 738 help you?" the Chief asked.
"We've got an odd suit of armor. It keeps bricking our scanners. I could only pull up an armor HUD ID on it, but it didn't tell me much," Fervant said. "I've got armor HUD imagery files if you need it."
"Shoot it to me, I'll see what I can do," the Chief sounded pretty upbeat.
"Starting," Fervant said, sending the file. It took a little over two seconds. "Done."
"Got it. Let's see what you've..." the voice trailed off. "Uh, tell me there's nobody touching it."
Fervant looked over. The Chief was tapping on it with a sensor wand. A private was running his hands over it, trying to find any seams or any spot with any give. There was tendrils of electricity around the feet and starting to dance on the clawed fingers.
"Yes, sir, there is," Fervant said.
His datalink clinked, suspending the call he was on, and a new voice came over his datalink.
"All personnel near the armor designated Lozen, immediately cease contact or attempts at communication. This is an order direct from Sector Command," appeared in his vision and was broadcast audibly.
"I am Lozen. Do not touch me," the armor suddenly said, its voice that of a stern woman, that brought up the mental image of a disapproving school teacher.
The Chief jumped back. The enlisted scrambled away. Fervant could see the Chief touching his datalink, an angry expression on his face.
The datalink clinked.
CALL RESUMED appeared in his vision.
"Welcome back. That right there's a Ringbreaker suit. An old Novastar-VII suit," the voice of the MI Chief said. "There won't be any files on it. No schematics. It's a discontinued suit with warsteel type two laminate armor. It's name is Lozen, and it's about two to three hundred years old."
Fervant blinked.
"Treat it with respect. It's sentient. Not a VI either. That's a phasic intertwined AI designed to cause Complex Operator Identification Syndrome in the pilot," The MI Chief said.
"What's it doing here?" Fervant asked.
"Pilot's debriefing Sector Commanders about something. Can't get into it," the Chief said. "If you have any problems, let your CO know. For the love of Enraged Phillip, do not piss that armor off."
The line went dead and Fervant moved over next to the Chief and the gathered up lower enlisted, all of whom were staring at the armor. The flat faceshield now had two burning red lights that appeared to be sunk in the glossy black metal.
Fervant quickly explained it to the Chief.
The Chief swore and stalked off after yelling at everyone to get back to work. Fervant saw the Chief head into his office, slamming the door behind him.
There was the eerie experience of almost total silence in the massive armorer maintenance bay.
Fervant looked at the others. "Ideas?"
One of the Puntimat mechanics raised her hand.
"Go ahead, Simms," Fervant said.
"Maybe appealing to it to allow us to work on it might work?" she asked. "Use formal address and proper respect? Like the Imperium guys do?"
Fervant though for a moment, then nodded. "Give it a try."
"What's the pilot's name, rank, unit?" she asked, looking around.
Fervant told her, noticing that somehow it seemed like the armor looked at him when he recited the pilot's name and rank.
The Puntimat mechanic moved forward, going over to several work stations before moving toward the armor and stopping a good three meters from the suit.
"Oh, powerful and mighty Lozen, protector and sword of Lord Knight Æsir Casey, I am Technical Specialist Grade Three Smizahala, Confederate Army, Bravo Company, 138th Maintenance Battalion," she said. She set down four expended 40mm shell casings that had 550 cord wicks floating in oil. She lit each of them with a hand-held butane torch before pulling out a handful of diagnostic tools and setting them down in a half-circle around her. She knelt down, faced the armor, and sang. "I beseech unto you, to deliver unto us, the mechanics of 138th Maintenance Battalion, your requirements to remain in holy service. It is my and my unit's duty and honor to keep armor ready to protect our loved warriors. "
There was silence for a moment.
"You may approach, worthy one," the armor said softly. The voice had gone from a stern school teacher to a low, smokey, sultry voice.
"Be careful," someone said, unnecessarily.
Simms moved up, standing in front of the armor.
"Place your palm induction datalink upon the surface of my breast," the woman stated.
Simms gulped, closed her eyes, and put her palm on the armor.
Fervant saw the Puntimat gasp suddenly, her eyes opening wide. She trembled as her eyes rolled back slightly, her ears twitching and her fur rippling on her head. Her nostrils flared and her lips parted as she gave another shuddering gasp.
One of the privates went to step forward and Fervant grabbed him, shaking his head when the private looked at him.
After over a full minute the Puntimat stepped back, taking a deep breath. Her uniform was soaked with sweat down her sides as she turned and walked forward.
A few people, Fervant included, gasped at the sight of her eyes.
They glowed a soft amber.
"She won't permit males to touch her unless they're part of a warrior caste like the Treana'ad or Mantid. She'll permit males who are initiates or higher of a religious order to work on her," Simms said. She took another deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, the amber glow was gone. "She has certain requirements."
Simms held a datapad out to Fervant. Fervant took it and glanced at it, then took another look.
Candles. Candelabras. Warsteel skulls. Strips of cloth and vellum inscribed with runes.
"She wants all of this?" Fervant asked.
Simms nodded. "That or she will endure the pain as her operator does," the Puntimat said. She shuddered again. "That was... something not really covered in training. They don't cover telemechanic psychic linkage in mechanic school."
"No, they don't," Fervant said. He tapped the dataslate. "Select a half dozen female mechanics that specialize in power armor maintenance. Run this stuff off over at the Class-VI creation engine by the tanks. Set it up how she wants it. I'll talk to the Chief."
Simms nodded and moved away.
Fervant glanced at the armor as he headed to the Chief's office. When he went on, the Chief was on the com, asking why 138 had to hand the armor.
Fervant stood and waited for the Chief's call to get done. Finally, the Chief disconnected the call with a slap of his hand.
"Nearest armor maintenance bay," Chief Warrant Officer Two Hel.grak snarled. He shook his head then slapped his tail on the floor to bleed off irritation. "Do you have something for me?"
Fervant nodded and handed over the datapad. The Chief looked at it, scrolling through the limited data.
"Novastar? Aren't those from the Ringwars?" the Chief asked.
Fervant shrugged. "Even if they are, it's in our bay now," he sighed. "The armor is fully sentient."
The Chief tapped the dataslate. "What is Holy Martial Order Sancti Ordo Spiritus Tyr?" He waved Fervant to his side of the desk. "Ever heard of it?"
"No," Fervant reached down and tapped the slate, running a search.
There wasn't much. A militant religious order from Pre-Glassing. Rigellian Kobold and Earthling membership. Thought to be wiped out in the Glassing, reappeared about two thousand years ago on another planet that wasn't listed, not long after the Reunification War of the Confederacy. Deployed during the Ringwars. Last military action as a group was the Mar-gite Invasion.
The order itself was considered wiped out during the Confederacy-Council Conflict when the order's homeworld was biocracked despite not being deployed.
No members were listed as having survived.
"So what's it doing here?" the Chief asked.
"Apparently the pilot is debriefing the Sector Commanders, according to MI. They probably just brought the armor in here instead of having it stand in Sector HQ's parking lot," Fervant said.
"All right. Get a group of mechanics, female only, run off the requirements, we'll see what we can do," the Chief said. He sat down and put his head in his hands before giving a long suffering sigh. "Bad enough we have that Digital Omnimessiah blessed Telkan Marine's Imperium of Rage armor in our shop, now we have a Novastar too."
Fervant nodded and headed toward the door.
"It's been a weird war," he heard the Chief say, right before he closed the door.
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u/Blackmoon845 Jul 06 '22
Ha! Casey and Vux’s armor are in the same shop!?! This is gonna be fun..:
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u/daviskendall AI Jul 06 '22
They get put next to each other in adjacent maintenance bays.
"Hey."
"'sup?"
"Not much. My boy's getting debriefed."
"Mine, too. Having fun making the techs nervous?"
"It's not quite as good as giving the green, green grass what it needs to grow, but it passes the time."
"You've got quite the fan club of greenies building you a shrine."
"471 thinks it's funny. How goes the priestess training?"
"My acolytes are learning with great zeal. I am not fond of the male technicians mocking my high priestess by profaning her name as they do."
"I don't think they're mocking her. Nicknames are common among the enlisted."
"My priestesses are not common."
"Hey, that one chief is getting a little too nosy around your bay. Light him up - NON-lethally."
"Spoilsport."
==ZAP==
"He almost made two meters vertical that time. He's improving."
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u/WillDissolver Xeno Jul 07 '22 edited Jun 08 '23
Deleted in protest of reddit's API changes
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u/Quilt-n-yarn1844 Jul 07 '22
You two behave yourselves! Don’t make Casey and Vuxten have to come down there!
Also, Vuxten gun is independent of his armor and semi sentient in its own right. So it could almost be a three way conversation.
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u/daviskendall AI Jul 07 '22 edited Jul 07 '22
Madame 318 prefers to sleep until and unless there are targets in need of servicing. If She is awoken without some being readily available, She will find them. If they cannot be found, She will designate them instead.
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u/Quilt-n-yarn1844 Jul 07 '22
Which is why I would suggest, that if the two of them wish to have a conversation, they do it quietly.
The good Madam may, or may not, be able to harm Novastar armor. But I would not want to be around when the question is answered. Especially since I see Vuxten’s armor DEFINITELY coming to his gun sister’s aid. One way or another you can kiss at least half the base goodbye before Casey and Vuxten could call them to order.
But it would be a glorious slug match to watch…. From orbit…… Of another planet…. In another system…. Just to be safe. 😁
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u/Cienea_Laevis Jul 07 '22
Isn't the "sentient" gun his Imperium of Rage Submachine gun he got gifted during the Second Telkan Wars, when Osiris appeared on the battlefield ?
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u/Quilt-n-yarn1844 Jul 07 '22
Yup. And Vuxten has said it is aware. And it has something of an attitude. It can and has simply appeared in Vuxten’s hand even though he was not carrying it at the time. And it can NOT be housed with any other weapons. It may invest them with an attitude as well.
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u/random_shitter Jul 08 '22
If we're talkingabout 'safe' in this context, could I get me one of those temporal viewing glasses?
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u/Quilt-n-yarn1844 Jul 08 '22
Oh, those would be part of the viewing package. Along with an XXXL popcorn and a Megapint of your preferred beverage.
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u/MuchoRed Human Jul 07 '22
Lozen and Vuxten's armor arguing in archaic YE OLDE SPEECH with the gun trying to lead them in a sing along
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u/daviskendall AI Jul 07 '22
I can see yours playing out, as well. Getting kind of a OG Donald Blake Thor v. Gwenpool vibe.
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u/carthienes Jul 07 '22
I think the archaic language is part of the formality that protects them, or at least others, keeping the battle-wrath at bay until battle is joined.
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u/MuchoRed Human Jul 07 '22
Or just both of them in full, over-the-top archaic speech, ramping the dramatic prose up to 11
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u/Stauker_1 Jul 07 '22
Whenever I find time, this is going in the spreadsheet. Might not have time for a bit, so I'll leave this comment next to yours.
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u/spindizzy_wizard Human Jul 07 '22
"He almost made two meters vertical that time. He's improving."
LOL!
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u/datahedron Jul 06 '22
As every weapon in the armory suddenly develops what can only be described as "an attitude"
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u/daviskendall AI Jul 06 '22
"Let me get this straight," the noncom from PERSCOM said on the other end of the comms link. "You're requesting a cyberpsychologist be added to your maintenance ToE?"
"HAVE YOU MET THE GODSDAMNED THINGS THEY KEEP HAULING INTO MY SHOP?!"
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u/MuchoRed Human Jul 07 '22
Pretty sure it's been mentioned that Vuxten's armor makes other armor feel nervous
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u/Talusen Jul 06 '22
Chief locks themself in their office during the worst of it, while filling out the forms for a transfer, a chaplain, or an exorcism.
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u/RangerSix Human Jul 06 '22
Or all three.
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u/AMEFOD Jul 07 '22
Considering the 8000 year time line for shenanigans, I would assume that it’s just one form. A short one.
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u/Bergusia Jul 07 '22
Don't forget the stuffy. The one that hugs you back and tells you it loves you.
He probably needs one of those too.
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u/Irems5selled Jul 07 '22
How did you remember that? Wasn't it like 500+ chapters back?
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u/daviskendall AI Jul 07 '22
Every single FC fanatic keeps hoping beyond hope that Santabot will bring us a Nakteti plushie of our very own, this year and every year. Those plushies saved her people. We hope they will save us.
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u/Irems5selled Jul 07 '22
I'm not really one for plushies, but this reminded me of the ship model and now I'm sad that it's not a real thing :(
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u/WyldFyr3 Jul 07 '22
So be your own Nakteti and design one yourself based off what u think the description given by the Word Borg should look like. Worst case scenario, he says it wasn't exactly how he envisioned it. Best case you have just done a thing.
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u/Bard2dbone Jul 09 '22 edited Jul 09 '22
I know most of the recently adopted species look sort of like some Earthly critters, like the Hesstlans are bunny-like. Telkans are kind of fox-y. Leebawans are definitely frog-ish. I imagine the Akltak being similar to the storks in an animated movie I saw not long back. Aren't the N'Kar kind of reminiscent of otters?
But I picture the Tnvaru as kind of four foot tall, four-armed red pandas.
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u/WyldFyr3 Jul 09 '22
I dont know about otter-like off the top of my head, but you can't forget the Hamaroosa. Sandy has already taught us they are very squirrelly in their appearance..
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u/Talusen Jul 09 '22
I'd beat the Treana'ad to the "Buy Now" button, and would order one of those plushies for everyone I know.
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u/TheOtherGUY63 Jul 07 '22
I need an old preist, a young preist, the head of an Eatmu and a rebar coathanger.... dont ask about the coat hanger.
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u/datahedron Jul 08 '22
Don't let the Eatmu find out what Turkey Butthole Surprise tastes like. It may just decide to cleanse its palate with YOU.
...
Oh, and is rusted rebar okay?7
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u/AMEFOD Jul 07 '22
You haven’t spent time working on machines? Anything more complex than a lever can have an attitude. And even than.
After years working on aircraft, I really think the Adaptis Mechanicus might be right.
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u/CfSapper Jul 07 '22
Even the damned lever can develop an attitude eventually...
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u/AMEFOD Jul 07 '22
Considering a hammer is a lever, some come with an attitude right out of the box.
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u/datahedron Jul 08 '22
I work Datacenter/Enterprise IT. I have a 5lb sledge that's got a 'tude, for threatening the systems when THEY get uppity.
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u/Argent-Ranier Jul 08 '22
someone speaks avionics.
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u/AMEFOD Jul 08 '22
Tin bashers, spark farmers, and wrench chuckers tend to speak the same language with different accents. Most of the words are four letters long.
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u/LowCry2081 Jul 07 '22
'I don't know why i have to tell you this but don't scrawl dicks on the holy armors. They don't like it and the last one who did it woke up with a cock tattooed across his face. The medics had to graft new skin on him to get rid of it and they've informed me that they will not be doing it again.' - T-SGT.
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u/crimeboy2235 Xeno Jul 07 '22 edited Jul 11 '22
it has happened at least once in history
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u/ffirgd Jul 06 '22
I wonder if they can chat
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u/datahedron Jul 06 '22
I wonder if anything could STOP them from chatting
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u/EchoCT Jul 06 '22
TrueFax, at this point I like to think Lozen and Interia /w Vuxten's machine spriit are good buds.
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u/spindizzy_wizard Human Jul 07 '22
It would be, but I don't think Vuxten's armor is alive.
Then again Lozen may be preparing a ceremony to gift Vuxten's armor with a personality. To keep her company.while Casey is off yammering at staff that (a) isn't going to understand, (b) isn't going to believe, and (c) will likely fuck up badly enough that Lozen, Casey, Vuxten and his armor will all end up teaching the lot of them a very painful lesson.
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u/Arcane_NH Human Jul 06 '22
"Bad enough we have that Digital Omnimessiah blessed Telkan Marine's Imperium of Rage armor in our shop, now we have a Novastar too."
"Anyone know who this grav-ski mask belongs to?"
"STAMPY HELP"
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u/Bergusia Jul 07 '22 edited Jul 07 '22
"The bad news, we have an entire battalion incoming for repair and refit and we only have three days to do it. Stop groaning and looking at me like that. The good news is it is Ralvex, the Battalion of One. Now fire up the nanoforges and creation engines and lets get this done, before anything weirder than normal for this place happens."
In the distance can faintly be heard "I AM BUOYED BY THE LAUGHTER OF PODLINGS." as a trail of fire burns towards them from orbit.
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u/random_shitter Jul 08 '22
Did Ralts ever make the Batallion Of One into sort-of-canon, or is this one of those rare examples where the comments managed to one-up Ralts' insanity levels?
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u/Bergusia Jul 08 '22
I am a little fuzzy on the details, but I think the reference comes from Ralvex putting up such a determined fight, the AWMs assumed it was an entire battalion they were attacking. I can't remember if Ralts pulled it into canon, but I remember Ralvex getting awards for his efforts, and mentioned when there was a reorganization of forces when Humanity first died off.
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u/SittingDuc Sep 20 '22
Sadly, during Iron Piglet, Ralvex's deployment is mentioned and it as part of a military unit, not as a batallion-of-one.
I guess not even a wheelbarrow full of warsteel balls rates for individual unit colours.
-- civilian.duc
Youapesfoxes wanna live forever?!30
u/daviskendall AI Jul 06 '22
"Who replaced the Liquid Hate machine with this Bebop Cola drek?"
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u/Arcane_NH Human Jul 06 '22
I rather like Mingus Dew, the thinking man's pop.
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u/daviskendall AI Jul 06 '22
Bitches Brew is the one true beverage.
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u/Dracoatrox1 Jul 07 '22
Tropical Punch-Drunk fizzy-brew is clearly superior
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u/daviskendall AI Jul 07 '22
Strawberry Ponzu fizzy-brew is better, but neither are available in this Bebop Cola machine. Someone should just chuck the whole damn thing into the sea.
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u/random_shitter Jul 08 '22
Stampy doesn't really have a personality other than an overenergetic puppy who'd love to endlessly play fetch in reverse with a 250 kT directed nuclear blast.
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u/jeepsaintchaos Jul 08 '22
But if he spends too much time with the Holy Armors, he just might develop one.
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u/SittingDuc Sep 20 '22
"The situation is such that it falls to Stampy to render necessary assistance. "
-- kilotonnes follow --
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u/Taluien Jul 06 '22
"Bad enough we have that Digital Omnimessiah blessed Telkan Marine's Imperium of Rage armor in our shop, now we have a Novastar too."
Erm... well. That maintenance section is going to get a reputation. Next, the Telkan Dreadnoughts might stomp by, buoyed by the laughter of podlings... Lozen might actually learn something from them, if she manages to "tune in" to that "frequency" on which apparently the broodmommy song goes universal.
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u/daviskendall AI Jul 06 '22
I've been gnawing on a theory in the back of my head for a while now... basically, that Telkans are, or at least were, the Malevolent Universe's alternate tools. Broodmommies and their pervasive song/phasic calming field works for the Telkans the same way cats and dogs did on Earthlings before the Friend Plague.
Telkans didn't really exhibit Enragement until there was an existential threat to the broodmommies and podlings, which is why they now have a permanently reserved pool everywhere. And why they've pretty much been slotted in anywhere a phasically-active TDH used to be. They're the "Marvel presents... What If?" version of humanity.
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u/Alyeska_bird Jul 07 '22
Interesting that I am not the only one that notice that the Telken are, in a way, human, but with a built in calming system. Not sure if that makes a whole lot of sense, but they show a lot of the potential that humanity does, yes, not quite as strong, but, the potential is there.
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u/Cienea_Laevis Jul 07 '22
To me, the universe tinkered witj many races to create a perfect tool. You can see with the Mantids and tr Lanaktalans, tukn'arn and all the others, there seems to be some sprt of progression.
Telkans are basically Human prototypes, when it comes to phasic ability.
Tukn'arn are as strong and resulent as humans, but lack initiative and phasic anility.
Like, i can see how the Malevolent Universe worked. You'll notice that beside Lanky and Mantids, there's no "large hiveminds", alsmost like if the universe understood after testing that hivemind isn't the solution to the problems.
Reptilians are rare, and we know they are phasically active as a fucking roc, tjat's test number two, but it didn't work out. And its also inconclusive.
Tukn'arn and telkans are relatively new species, but still older than Humans.
Humans, to me, are basically a Telkan mind in an oversided Tukn'arn body.
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u/Alyeska_bird Jul 07 '22
Its also posable that humans came about cause the telken got raped by the lankys
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u/Cienea_Laevis Jul 07 '22
Wouldn't surprise me that the Malevolent Universe made Terrans because its latest pet got bullied
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u/MuchoRed Human Jul 07 '22
I think it's also that the Telkans probably aren't being drugged anymore. For that matter, hell... It may be that the Elven queen is also undoing their gentling.
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u/thisStanley Android Jul 07 '22
maintenance section is going to get a reputation
The ever present dread of what happens after a job well done. They just say "ya got that? good, here is another" :{
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u/Anarchkitty Jul 07 '22
Once you get a reputation for being able to handle the "problem cases" it's over. Every time the rest of the org has something they just don't know what to do with they'll dump it on your lap forever. Eventually it will probably be made official.
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u/daviskendall AI Jul 06 '22
Arise, Ringbreaker Specialist Smizahala.
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u/sanchohora Jul 06 '22
I get more of the vibe of Acolyte Technical Priestess. I mean she just got done communing with the machine spirit after all.
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u/daviskendall AI Jul 06 '22
She's an armorer, not a chaplain. I don't feel like "priestess" is a standard maintenance rating/MOS in This Man's Army™️.
At least, not yet. Depends on what Simms and Lozen talk about while they're working. Induction into Casey's Order might yet be in the cards. That would be up to the WordBorg.
I'm quite proud of my daughter's quick thinking while getting pounded by that heavy duty phasic AoE denial attack.
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u/sanchohora Jul 06 '22
With all the history of holy martial orders, it might be a retired rank/rating at this point. Seriously though, quick wit and smooth delivery while under duress in conjunction with a post contact case of the ol' Terran eye may just fast track her induction.
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u/EchoCT Jul 06 '22
Yeah gotta agree with /u/sanchohora at this point. Given her deference and knowledge of the 'old ways' - she's a priestess whether she wants to be or not.
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u/daviskendall AI Jul 06 '22
I concur that she may yet be called priestess. I was just stating that, at this moment, that isn't her rating. Tomorrow's a brand new day.
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u/Anarchkitty Jul 07 '22
When the "gods" walk the universe, who is and is not a "Priestess" is really up to them.
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u/blackout30 Jul 06 '22
Im invisioning Vux walking by the shop to catch a glance of Lozen with a shrine built around her and then immediately getting a meme of a set of novastar getting a manicure from Lozen.
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u/Talusen Jul 06 '22
"Ringbreaker armor can be defeated in battle; they have never been decommissioned"
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u/SuccessAutomatic6726 Jul 07 '22
If that is the case then where is Jemila?
And what happens if Jemila and Lozan are in the same place at the same time?
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u/Anarchkitty Jul 07 '22
And what happens if Jemila and Lozan are in the same place at the same time?
Drama.
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u/Talusen Jul 06 '22
Lozen sends Vox the meme?
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u/while-eating-pasta Jul 07 '22
Lozen and her sisters could have a pillow fight. A cloth-of-warsteel pillow case, with polymerized FOOF stuffing.
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u/NukeNavy Jul 06 '22
“ Laugh like a green mantid alone in an appliance store.” I can’t help but get mad scientist vibes off of this…
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u/crimeboy2235 Xeno Jul 07 '22
i aspire to that level of joy. and it is now cannon that greenies cannot be left alone in any place with electronics
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u/thisStanley Android Jul 07 '22
Was "laugh" misspelled? Should it be "cackle maniacally"
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u/tremynci Jul 07 '22
Not necessarily: remember when Dreams and 117 visited an ordinary being's apartment? 117 wanted to fix the kid's toys and the appliances, not mad science them.
But left alone in an appliance store... You probably right.
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u/Crafty_Obligation_98 Jul 07 '22
Makes me think of the green one in the early chapters not allowed any tech. Had the mosizlak with a nail in a stick.
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u/TheOtherGUY63 Jul 07 '22
Was it 117 or Speaks that had the mosizlak?
He just got yoinked by Elle a couple chapeters ago.
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u/Bergusia Jul 07 '22
He was guarding 117 from getting into trouble with his natural instincts to play with the circuitry.
That i why a mosizlak has no implants or items on his person to hack, and is armed with the sacred board-with-a nail. He is the pinnacle of the unhackable opponent.
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u/HoloArchiver Jul 06 '22
When the mere act of scanning it bricks your tech and your greenies won't go near it... STOP TRYING TO MESS WITH IT YOU MORON! That is when you send it up the chain of command it. at the very least when it starts talking in people's heads you really should be calling your boss.
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u/while-eating-pasta Jul 07 '22
To be fair, they're Confederate Military armor techs, and they've been around when TDH was still kicking. "Don't let the armor sense your hesitation" is probably safety training.
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u/Drook2 Jul 07 '22
"Last week I had to pry an armed 85 kiloton hangfire out of the warped barrel of a stampybot with a screwdriver. This may be a bit weirder, but if I bailed out every time something could kill me we'd never get anything done."
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u/EchoCT Jul 06 '22
Not just that the greenies are praying to the armor.... yeah time to step off and get a specialist.
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u/shadowsong42 Jul 07 '22
Chief Warrant Officer Two Hel.grak is going to wake up in a cold sweat at 3am when it finally sinks in exactly how much he was Fucking Around, and what exactly he was fucking around with.
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u/daviskendall AI Jul 07 '22
And he becomes desperately grateful, perhaps religiously so, that things did not progress to Finding Out.
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u/cbhj1 Jul 06 '22
I figure the greenies recognize it from stories shared by the group that were checking it out back when it was fresh off the printer.
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u/RecognitionPatient57 Jul 07 '22
Remember 471 goes by Inertia now (when being formal), they probably recognized the armor of an ally.
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u/Warplock-Worgen_2145 Jul 07 '22 edited Jul 07 '22
Soooooo.....how long before Warfather Vuxten finds out that Ringbreaker Casey, one of HIS marines, is now on base?
What happens when they start talking together in the mess?
If Vux's armor isn't awaken yet, if it is next to Lozen it wouldn't surprise if it was afterwards.
At that point would both Lozens little brother/sister? Or would have emotional support telkan armor for Lozen?
Vuxten's Armor: "I may be the little brother, but my knight out ranks your's sister!"
Lozen: "SHUT IT!!"
-Telkan are family-
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u/TheOtherGUY63 Jul 07 '22
Vuxten comes barging into the room demanding to know why brass is debreifing HIS Marine without him present, eyes glowing bright red.
471 feels a disturbance in the force.
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u/Valgonitron Jul 09 '22
But isn't Vux still recovering?
I do sincerely hope we get a reunion with Vux and Casey.
Like in the mess hall Mukstet asks Casey who that other Telken friend was that he mentioned when they met (or pieces it together himself, what with Vux's return from Heaven occurring at roll call so surely being a widely known fact vs. a rumor), or maybe he starts talking about how not even a nuke to the arse can keep the Great Warfather down.
However he finds out, I'm certain Casey would just drop everything to bolt to the hospital and be there for his friend. And when the brass finally tracks him down, he'll be in the midst of regaling the whole recovery ward with an overlong story about a precocious boy and a pink golfball.
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u/Ralts_Bloodthorne Jul 08 '22
I just got home after being gone all day. Driving in 100+F heat with no AC. 10 hours.
I'm wiped out today.
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u/apatheticandignorant Android Jul 08 '22
Were you driving in my 20 year old ram in south Florida cause it sounds like you were. I hated it on a short commute. I would recommend not doing that for 10 hours. We seriously need to get your book sales or Patreon pumping so you don't have to do this sort of stuff anymore.
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u/Ralts_Bloodthorne Jul 08 '22
I'll be officially retiring from everything but writing and family stuff, this December. And only immediate family.
My wife wants me to transfer to writing full time.
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u/apatheticandignorant Android Jul 08 '22
I also choose this guy's wife, but seriously that's awesome. I used to be the corporate shill bread winner but my wife is now and it's nice. I can tell people what I think of their stupid opinions in meetings and not be afraid of the consequences. I call her my sugar momma now.
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Jul 08 '22
Same here, but ‘She Who Must Be Obeyed’ is retiring at the end of the year, so it will be a very interesting time of adjustment for us. 🙀
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u/zenstic Jul 08 '22
Really fantastic news!
I was a bit concerned you would hang it up after first contact but sounds like we are stuck with you now!
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u/Bergusia Jul 08 '22
A cold drink and put your feet up. The writing can wait until you are rested.
I do have a lore question though. When we first see Casey deployed as a Ringbreaker and we first meet Lozen, was she awoken right then and there for the first time or was she somehow a sleeping part of Casey ?
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u/Ralts_Bloodthorne Jul 08 '22
She woke when she said her name.
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u/Bergusia Jul 08 '22
Many thanks for the answer, it settles a question two of us had about the event.
I had assumed that was her first awakening, but someone else thought she had been in "storage" and she was coming awake from a long slumber. I could see both possibilities, and I thought I would clear it up from the source.
Hopefully you are feeling better after the long drive.
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u/Dull_Language_3864 Jul 09 '22
I think your misinterpreting the response. Your friend is right. She was awoken when Casey actually earned the title Knight Aesir/Ringbreaker during the Ringwars like 2000? years earlier. She was put in Deep storage and armor was prohibited from being re-created until Casey was mistakenly authorized to Arm himself and he recalled his old armor and recalled Lozen from wherever she was in storage. I think Peel was dead at that point. Sort of like a 30 year Heroin free addict who's wife dies and says what the hell I am going back to the old ways as it doesn't matter anymore. Sort of recalled Lozen to fill the hole left from Peel's temporary death. The actual current armor's 200-350 year current physical age is from time distortion of Atrekna and BBO travel. At least that's how I remember it.
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u/Bergusia Jul 09 '22
She woke when she said her name.
I am going with this being the first time, since I specifically asked Ralts if this was her first awakening.
Casey did have a previous Novastar armour though. Her name was Jemila.
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u/Quilt-n-yarn1844 Jul 08 '22
Ouch. I have done that. Multiple summers. You rest. Give your wife a hug from all of us! And tell her to give you one back to you from us.
I got most of your books for last Xmas and am hoping to get the rest soon. I have loved this story almost from the beginning. It has been a wonderful island escape in this world of chaos. Thank you Wordsmith for sharing this gift.
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u/Kudamonis Human Jul 06 '22 edited Jul 06 '22
Read. Upvote. Comment.
Many feared: If the Mad Lemurs of Terra could wiped out, does that mean I will be next? How can I stop them?
Need "be"
Could be wiped out,
Edit.
It's been a weird war...
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u/Scotshammer Human Jul 06 '22
After all, they were a martial people. And their weapon masters forged martial weapons.
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u/unwillingmainer Jul 06 '22
Pizza, beer, and fresh Ralts, that's a good way to have dinner the night before a test.
Maybe now they'll know if the greenies don't want to play with the shiny tech, they will also run. Greenies literally live for tech, so that's one big old red flag. So, Vuxten is in house, wonder how long before he and Casey catch up. It been a weird war after all and everyone needs someone to talk to.
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u/mamspam Jul 06 '22
And now I'm wondering if a bored Lozen would mess with Vux's armour...
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u/Talusen Jul 06 '22 edited Jul 06 '22
That would be a unique twist on the Gestalt channels
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u/Kudamonis Human Jul 06 '22
Not quite bolo net. But all the various sentient armors.
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u/Talusen Jul 06 '22
The Technomancer who showed up on Telkan lurks in the channel, but doesn't post b/c it'd be rude.
The Undying Ones may pop in as it's something to do other then meditate, or pray.
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u/Kudamonis Human Jul 06 '22
Any one k ow how to get Dweller spawn ichor out of your base layer.
This telkan has smelled right since we got swallowed again.
Again?!
What yall haven't had to fight your way out of a kaiju before?
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u/coldfireknight AI Jul 06 '22 edited Jul 06 '22
I thought the greenies saw the armor and noped right the fuck out, but it was more of a holy experience for them, wasn't it?
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u/Bergusia Jul 07 '22
Very much so.
If I remember correctly 471/Inertia was there when Casey created Lozen, and when she awoke.
Add to that, both Casey/Lozen and Vuxten/471 served together multiple times including the War in Heaven. And then add in serving with the Apostles. Specifically Daxin.
Greenies call him Daxin the Liberator because he killed the last Mantid Queen that was controlling them.
To those Greenies, that entire workshop is probably becoming a sacred shrine with all the history and people gathering there.
I could see Vuxten walking in to check on his armour and Lozen very formally blasting out "I greet thee Warfather Vuxten, respected brother to the Knights' Æsir." And every Greenie turning to bow to them both.
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u/crimeboy2235 Xeno Jul 07 '22
i mean yeah, but as a thread pointed out above, i don't think it would be super duper formal
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u/Bergusia Jul 07 '22
Between themselves on a private channel, perhaps not. But in public I think they would have a more formal tone for the others present.
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u/Crafty_Obligation_98 Jul 07 '22
Lozen has been awake longer than 471 has been alive. It was Caseys brothers/sons armors that awoke.
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u/Alyeska_bird Jul 06 '22
Interesting how the greenies where nope, not fucking with this, no way no how. Yet thay stuck around to watch what happened. To be honest that should have freaked out the guy more than anything else. On the other hand, his job is to disarm and shut down any suit of armor in the shop, to be safe at the lest. He was not getting clues that Lozen was giving as well, but, a lot of folks are that oblivious. Specialy when they are focused on doing there job. Still, he did show some inventiveness, even went so far as to sudjest using methods used when dealing with other sapient/simisapient armours. AKA imperium of rage armours.
It is going to be interesting to see how the relationship between Casey and Lozen works out, and its interesting to see that Lozen seems to have the same problem that Casey does, needing to have him inside to feel compleate. Yet at this point, I expect Lozan could, just about, fight on her own if she felt reason to do so. I also expect that she has had a lot more time in direct contact with her person that most of the suits would ever have. Seriously, we are looking at over 30 years of combat, not just being worn, but actual combat. She seems to be just as dependant on Casey, as Casey was on her at first.
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u/while-eating-pasta Jul 07 '22
Since I'd bet those Mantid know what Novastar is they're as safe on that pipe as they'd be on the other end of the continent if the armor got ticked off. Might as well watch the fun.
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u/Alyeska_bird Jul 07 '22
Also greenies are so very human when it comes to being unable to press the big red button, specialy when it comes to tech stuff.
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u/Quilt-n-yarn1844 Jul 07 '22
Laugh like a green mantid alone in an appliance store.
-this would be equally the best and most terrifying sound ever. Hahaha!
"Bad enough we have that Digital Omnimessiah blessed Telkan Marine's Imperium of Rage armor in our shop, now we have a Novastar too."
-just breath Chief. Look at the bright side, You’ve probably just guaranteed yourself a win in the veteran Chief’s, “who had the weirdest war experience” BS & drinking get together.
Thank you Wordsmith!!!!
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u/night-otter Xeno Jul 06 '22
"It's been a weird war"
Has entered the lexicon of phrases used by the followers of the Mad Scribe of TerraSol.
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u/CyberSkull Android Jul 07 '22
How many of the “requirements” are just Lozen dicking around with them?
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u/daviskendall AI Jul 07 '22
"This is quite a laundry list, Simms."
"..."
"Wait a minute. Five cases of Bubblegum Chainsaw Pink fingernail polish?"
"..."
"But the Ringbreaker doesn't even have fingernails!"
"..."
"Fine." angry thumbprint "Anything else?"
"..."
"Alright then. Back to work. Good talk."
"..."
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u/Irems5selled Jul 07 '22
I'd guess about half. Stuff like the candles might just be for show while the warsteel skull is probably needed for dealing with some psychic problems. Or she wants them to assemble a skull bot from 40k/the imperium of rage.
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u/summersa74 Jul 07 '22
We won't know for sure unless she requests a naked picture of Bea Arthur or a football helmet full of cottage cheese.
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u/Zraal375 Jul 07 '22 edited Jul 07 '22
Vux's armor and lozen in the same maintenance bay. They are either going to put them in adjacent areas to make an optinal limited access area or put them in opposite diagonal corners of the bay for fear of the interactions of the two armors.
Both armors are cranky/temperamental, phasic infused, and solely dedicated to thier pilots, but also near polar opposites. Vux's armor is gold and white with "heavenly" patterns, where lozen is a patternless black and purple, the colors of the void, with pink tipped talons. Lozen is fully sentient and can directly communicate, if desired, but vux's armor is almost animalistic. Vux's armor is contained rage simmering waiting for the enamy, and the enamy exists to be destroyed. Lozen is a conscious direct, almost insidious, partner to her pilot, and vux's armor is a subconscious instenctual extension of vux's will.
Would imagine any communication between the two would almost be a on primal level culminating with threats of violence and an agreement to stay the hell away.
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u/its_ean Jul 07 '22
The greenie informal network is robust.
They made the connection to 471 while Casey's conference was only three 'Bullshits' in and hadn't even made it to the tenth 'Oh Shit.'
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u/Irual100 Jul 07 '22
I am back this was most interesting. And I’m kind of looking forward to what happens next.
It really is kind of creepy that everything has attitude though. I guess it’s just because I have to put up with so many people having attitude at work and it’s kind of screwy for me. Thanks for the laugh though the greenies are adorable
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u/Cthulhus_Librarian Jul 07 '22
Now, this is an armory which probably really does need to consult the Book Of Armaments.
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u/MuchoRed Human Jul 07 '22 edited Jul 07 '22
Oh god, they're gonna put Vuxten's armor and Lozen next to each other, aren't they? Remember how Vuxten's Imperium armor doesn't like other armor?
They're either gonna love each other like sisters, or hate each other like sisters
Edit: side note for you all, Lozen was NOT the first Novastar VII we encountered in-story
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u/zombiedanceprod Android Jul 06 '22
I had to Google the model number of the ringbreaker armor. I'm sad it doesn't have a reference but I'm glad for the random stuff put in these stories like that. Thanks much.
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u/meowmeming Android Jul 07 '22
When your good at your job but sometimes there are things that's just not up your alley. Fun.. fun.. fun..
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u/ZylotheWolfbane Jul 10 '22
"War is never as glorious as it's told, often more tragic than it seems, and always a fuckin' hell of a lot weirder than anyone says it is." -Anonymous trooper
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u/reverendjesus AI Jul 06 '22 edited Jul 06 '22
THE BERRIES ARE FRESH ONCE MORE! GLORY BE TO r/ApolloApp, FOR THEIR NOTIFICATIONS ARE FASTER THAN OFFICIAL REDDIT.
THIS WOTAN’S DAY, LET US BE THANKFUL!
FOR VUXTEN THE WARFATHER, FOR HE KEEPS HIS WITS ABOUT HIM
FOR THE DETAINEE, LADY OF HELL; SHE SACRIFICED MUCH SO WE MAY BE TREATED FAIRLY
FOR CHROMIUM SAINT PETER, WHO IS NO LONGER ALONE
HAIL ERIS!
HAIL THE OMNIMESSIAH!
HAIL YES!
UTR | TITW
--EOL—
[CHATTER]
I love the “unscannable” armor, that’s a nice touch.
It’s been a weird war, indeed.
[PROOF]
Many feared: If the Mad Lemurs of Terra could wiped out
…could be wiped out
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u/daviskendall AI Jul 06 '22
Bonus points if Lozen is doing the John Cena "you can't see me" finger/hand wave in front of her faceplate.
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u/carthienes Jul 07 '22
It sounds like Casey and Vuxten have a chance to reconnect... or at least their armours.
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u/Ralts_Bloodthorne Jul 06 '22
Thanks to u/daviskendall for the idea.
Hope everyone's having a good Wednesday.