[LP CYOA] Epic

[ScubaV]

378 pages... One day I will read this. One day.

With all due respect to thebarbarian's efforts, it's easily the biggest and best CYOA. Maximum to treave's endurance and writing skill.

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

Flopping to D.

 

[Kattze]

Someday I'll began reading again from where I left off.

 

[treave]

D - 7
E - 4
B - 1

***

Joining the Fleet

"Don't worry, I'll hold off Julia," Iannes assures me. "Enjoy your vacation out there."

"I doubt I have such luck," I reply. Turning to Emiri, I ask her, "Has Tomas begun establishing the Order branches in our allied cities?"

"Yeah, it's all done. He'll be organizing the knowledge repositories and setting up the aid offices soon. It's quite easy when you have so many people to help out."

"Good. Chinatsu's already in the shuttle, so you should go on ahead and load up your luggage."

"Already done, m'lord."

I hold my tongue back from giving her a lecture on being too impressionable. With things being as hectic as they were lately, I just didn't have enough time to manage my personnel correctly. I'm not saying it's entirely my fault that she took up bodice-ripping romance novels as a hobby, but I'm not saying I'm entirely guilt-free either.

"Kaito," I say. "Keep an eye on the Red Octopus for me."

"You got it, boss. I'll work together with the old man to keep them on the straight and narrow. We're going to have to smash the gangs in the other cities, so there's plenty of work ahead of us."

"Good." I've left local operations in Ankida to Rina. Though she is quiet and unassuming, as a founding member of the Order and experienced babysitter she should be able to keep things running smoothly. Iannes's good reputation should take care of the rest. Emiri had requested to go along with me, and as I needed an operator I could trust and someone to keep my sister company, I agreed. Besides, her enthusiastic evangelism for me and the Order would be useful. Probably.

Twintails, on the other hand, had vanished suddenly, leaving behind only the message that she had rejoined Tarliss's command, and, more familiarly, that I was a worthless dog who would probably die alone in space.

"Hoshikawa, are you coming or not?" shouts a gruff man, interrupting my thoughts.

"Yeah, I'm on my way," I call back.

I make my way to the shuttle - a old, clunky Star League affair that has been remodelled to serve on Federation vessels. It belongs to the Autonomous Fleet. It's clear, from the crew, that my father had collected the rejects, the misfits, and the roughriders of the Federation armed forces. These were the ones that were too unruly to serve under Star League command. Even so, the Star League could not afford to dismiss them - in their war against the Empire, they needed every body they could draft. Tapping into the grapevine, I heard that it was rumoured the Star League would have created a Broken Battalion out of these trouble-making Earthlings, where they use a combination of drugs and mental imprinting to create living automatons that would obey every command. There are a few of these in the Star League military, mostly consisting of convicts and other desperados, meant for hard assaults on fortified Imperial positions. Apparently my father managed to pull some strings and convinced his higher-ups that an autonomous fleet would be a more efficient use of these rejects. Of course, he would have to provide results.

I know little of the war in space - my network stretches as far as a couple of major colonies, but no further - but he's always been a brilliant organizer - he was Employee of the Year for his contribution to organization at his previous corporation for almost every year I could remember. I'm just not so sure that translates perfectly to warfare.
Well, I'll see if there's anything I can help with when I'm there. The main body of the Fleet is currently located at the Gate of Ean, preparing for a slipspace jump. I don't know their coordinates yet; neither does the crew of the shuttle, but this is apparently their first official engagement as a unit. I wonder why my father thought we'd be safer going into war compared to being on Earth, but I've made my choice.

The shuttle accelerates rapidly, gaining the velocity required to escape the Earth's gravitational pull. I glance over at Chinatsu and Emiri, who have their eyes tightly shut. It's not the first time they've ventured into space, but the shuttle is old and rattles alarmingly on its ascent. I feel my stomach falling away from me as we rise up, departing the atmosphere. The blue darkens, shading away to a deep black as the twinkle of the stars begins to reach my sight. This is the first time I've been in space in five years... the sensation is comfortingly familiar. This is also the first time I am looking at the twin moons of the Earth. One is the familiar sphere that I have always seen... well, almost familiar. Dark furrows scour its surface, entire plains blasted away by deadly fire. Those were where the Inanna flowers had once been growing and were then destroyed by Indus forces. Another is a slightly smaller sphere; smooth, white and featureless. It reminds me of the other dimension that I briefly visited during my time as an investigator, and it unnerves me.

The shuttle banks away from the moons - that is not where we are headed. The cruiser Fogarty awaits our arrival in near Earth orbit, about sixty kilometres away. From there, we would rendezvous with the Fleet at the Gate -

A bright yellow particle beam streaks across our path, forcing the shuttle pilot to bring the vessel to a halt. Expanding my senses, I can sense its point of origin... it is probably a battlecruiser, judging from its size and number of its personnel. The shuttle's crew seem slightly confused, though some of them are already rushing to man the meagre point defense guns. There are a couple of old Onuris frames stored in the back, along with my power-suit, but none of the crew expect to go out in a fight. The intercom rings with a clear tone, indicating an incoming call. The pilot lets it through, muttering curses under his breath.

A familiar face pops up on the screen. I'd know that smooth, well-groomed mug anywhere.

"This is Colonel Naim of the Gantry. By orders from the President's Office, we are to escort your shuttle to a meeting with President Julia herself. Stand down and prepare to be boarded as insurance."

Damn it. I thought you said this was going to be fine, Dad?

-CHAPTER END-

 

[Azira]

Should've flopped to E and gone into hiding, suckers.

Though, having to humiliate Naim in an Onuris frame does sound like a good time.

 

[ScubaV]

Should've flopped to E and gone into hiding, suckers.

This.

Also:

Apparently my father managed to pull some strings...I thought you said this was going to be fine, Dad?

Perhaps dear old dad is more devious than we thought?

 

[Kipeci]

E is looking pretty good in retrospect.

 

[Rex Feral]

Nah, it's ok. Now we can do some dumbfuckery like assassinating the empress.

 

[Tigranes]

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

1. Pet Sphere
2. Regardless of what he'll say or how he'll act, Naim (Theseus) probably hates us for gruesomely murdering his ex-girlfriend. We should kill him now before he predictably betrays us. Again.

 

[treave]

Interlude: The League and the Empire

The Star League:

The Star League was founded 2000 years ago, a coalition of nine planets from the same star system. The immortals from those planets eventually became known as the Inner Council of Nine, the rulers of the League - with one immortal on the Council elected from each of those planets. The League now boasts a membership of more than 115 star systems. The Inner Council is usually unconcerned with the day-to-day governing of the League; those duties are performed by a President elected from the League members and a Senate comprising of the same. Besides the nine immortals at the top of the hierarchy, there are a hundred more minor immortals that have been assigned to various posts in the bureaucracy of the League. They serve the function of high-ranking officers in important ministries such as research, finance, and the military, but they are not eligible to be considered as candidates for minister.

The military is answerable to the President in theory, but in practice, it is dominated by immortals that report directly to the Inner Council. Fleets and regiments tend to be segregated according to their place of origin. While each member state is allowed to maintain its own standing forces, they are required to contribute upwards of 90% of their total military strength to the centralized Star League military.

Culturally, most of the League seems to be a rather decadent and laid-back people. However, this does not mean that they are to be underestimated - the immortals of the League have had their cunning honed by the system they operate in, and despite the appearance of a democracy, true power ultimately lies in the hands of the Council.

The Mushuszu Empire:

The Empire came into being less than a thousand years ago, on the other side of the galaxy from the Star League. Though an upstart compared to the more established power, under the rule of its Emperor it brandished a ferocity that allowed it to rival the Star League and conquer more than 80 systems. The leader of the Empire is the undying Dragon-Emperor of the Mushuszu. Worshipped as a god by his people, the Emperor is served by a pantheon of eight lesser Deities and sixty-six minor Spirits. These are immortals of varying power, similar to those that are present in the Star League. The pantheon appears to be patterned after a portfolio system, with different Deities allocated the responsibility of governing different aspects of Imperial life. Spirits serve as their aides and messengers to the mortals, who are divided into castes.

The nobles are the administrators and governors, and also tend to be the leaders of religious worship. Next are the warrior caste, followed by the nurturers who grow the sustenance to keep the Imperial war machine fed. It is taboo for Imperial subjects to be merchants or engage in trade - whatever trade occurring in the Empire comes from independent worlds or protectorates. As such, most of the Empire leads a spartan life, focused on only one thing.

War is the primary pursuit of the Empire, above all else, and they seek to dominate all their opponents by force. Their armed forces are strict, highly-disciplined, and almost unbreakable in combat, united by their faith in the Dragon-Emperor.

 

[treave]

The Gate of Ean

"We're sorry, dear Hero of the Federation," says the pilot mockingly. "We cannot comply."

Naim's face turns red. It looks like he's not used to having people ignore his requests.

"What do you mean by that? This is a direct order from-"

"It means that we are not under your chain of command, Colonel, and you have other things you should be attending to." A cold, authoritative voice cuts in, interrupting Naim. "This is the captain of the cruiser Fogarty. We are currently approaching your position to retrieve our shuttle. Gantry, be warned that any attempt to approach our shuttle will be treated as a hostile act. If you want to explain to the Star League why Federation forces have engaged in a fire-fight with the Autonomous Terran Fleet, be my guest."

The captain of the Fogarty is a bespectacled, middle-aged man who looks too gaunt to be in the military. An obvious comb-over does nothing to hide his balding pate, and he looks every bit the mild-mannered office worker that he used to be. It looks like five years has not changed my father much.

"Captain," Naim speaks, his visage displaying every bit of annoyance that he is feeling. "I am afraid the Federation still has jurisdiction over this space. You may report directly to the Star League, but within the Earth Sphere our forces are in command. You will obey our rules while you are here. Do not test my patience."

"Do you know what's aboard the shuttle?" asks my father.

"No, but my orders were clear."

"I can assure you that it is very unimportant compared to what you should be busying yourself with, Colonel. Don't waste your time here."

"I-"

"The prototype." says my father coldly. "If you engage us now I assure you that you will not make it back in time, if at all, to participate in the testing of the new frame. Given that several very important people will be in attendance, your absence will be much remarked upon for years to come. Certainly, some of them do have memories that can span centuries..."

"How did you know about the test?" scowls Naim, his teeth clenched. I can see that the tables have turned - all of a sudden he is strongly considering leaving.

"The Autonomous Fleet has its ways." smiles my father thinly.

"I don't like you, captain. You remind me of someone," Naim mutters. "Very well. The shuttle is yours. Get out of the area as quickly as you can."

As the Gantry shuts off communications, so does the Fogarty. Our shuttle approaches it, preparing to dock so that we can finally leave for the Gate of Ean.

***

To be honest, the asteroid looks more like a sword than a gate, with a long body that tapers down to a point and a flat, wide top that looks almost like a handguard. It is massive, almost 80 kilometres long - there are multiple ports cut into the rock allowing entry to the base within. The rocky surface of the asteroid is littered with point-defense guns. Though once an important military facility, it was mothballed once the Federation became a member of the League. It looks like my father managed to requisition it as the base for the Autonomous Terran Fleet.

"You don't seem very surprised, Senya." smiles my father. Hoshikawa Kazuo, a former logistics officer in the Federation military turned salaryman. He's known for his organizing skills, though he has not made a name for himself in command. It looks like he is attempting to change that.

"It's not like I don't know your background, dad." He's much more relaxed now compared to when we were on the ship, where he was curt and cold. I point that out to him.

"The rigours of command. I never liked being in charge. I can put on a good act but it gives me stomach ulcers by the end of the day."

"Why did you create this Fleet, then?"

"Oh, is that what Chinatsu told you?"

I pause and look at him. "Who was the one with the bright idea to put this together, then?"

"Your mother."

"Well, I should've known." I sigh. "Let me guess... what she really wanted was the asteroid."

"That's right. We had to promise the League's immortals to handle the rogue, wayward Earthlings in order to get this, but I think it's worth it," grins my father. "You and Chinatsu and your girlfriend-" Emiri lets out a tiny squeal upon hearing that. I'll have to correct the statement later. "-can stay here safely. At least, it's as safe as any place in this galaxy. Probably more so, considering that we are almost untouchable, politically, and no one in their right mind would assault the Gate."

"I suppose so," I reply, casting my eyes around the hangar as Chinatsu and Emiri head off to their rooms with their luggage, chatting excitedly. The base inside the massive asteroid is certainly well-equipped. It could house the entire Fleet, consisting of fifteen vessels, and hundreds of combat frames. The weaponry seem to be a bit more dated than the usual Star League-level equipment that the Federation now uses, but it's still an improvement over what Earth had five years ago. Looking at a few CFs being carted around, I suddenly remember something my father said.

"By the way, what were you saying about a prototype frame when you picked us up?" I ask.

"They're prepping a testbed for the first 7th generation frame. The Anhur Mk II, I believe it's called. The tests are going to be run at Londinium, and several high ranking immortals are going to be there."

"Why would you know about that, though?"

"We received a tip-off that the White Fang pirates might try to steal the prototype. Passed it up to the people in charge so that they might take the proper precautions, but they don't seem to believe me."

"Wait... did you just say White Fang pirates?" Down on Earth, my sources of space news were limited to only a couple of the colonies nearest to Earth. This certainly escaped my attention.

"Ah, yes, you might have run into them once or twice back when you were piloting for the Shinari. After the Gray Death, the Dunamis were exposed as collaborators of Shulgi and persecuted. The League wants them all dead, but they've been hard to catch. They turned to piracy, hiding out in deep space. It seems like the White Fangs have stepped up their attacks on the government installations lately, though the Federation is doing a good job of covering it up and playing them off as regular pirates." explains my father.

"Anyway," he continues, "I need to begin preparing for the fleet's first mission."

"What's that all about, then?"

"We're to raid a moderately-defended Imperial outpost in contested space. It's not a hard mission - seems more of a test than anything."

"Do you need my help?"

"I think I've got it covered, son." he smiles. "Remember who taught you chess."

"Hey, I taught myself. You were busy growing roots in the office."

"Bullshit. You just don't remember, that's all." laughs my father. He reaches up to muzzle my hair - I'm somewhat taller than him now. "It'll be fine. War should be conducted like a machine. Clinically, methodically and cautiously. I'll have the fleet prepared to slip out at the first sign of things going wrong. None of us here are willing to sacrifice their lives for the 'glorious' League."

"If you insist..."

"Your mother and I insist that you stay here. You have to take care of Chinatsu and your girlfriend too."

"She's not my girlfriend." I reply quickly, setting the record straight while I can.

"Well, you need one to take care of you." he quips. "I heard what happened. Between you and the princess, I mean."

"Dad." I warn him. I am in no mood to talk about Kyrie at the moment.

"Fine, fine. Let's drop the matter." With a sigh, he straightens himself, giving himself a military bearing again. Before he walks off, he turns and says to me, "Your mother will be running the asteroid while I'm off with the Fleet. You should go find her - she'll be at the administrative offices."

***

A. I need to investigate the White Fang and their rumoured plans to hijack the prototype in Londinium. Erika should be with them; failing that, I should at least get some hints as to her whereabouts. Shulgi's message told me that my other aspect - the aspect wielding the bulk of my power and knowledge - has been locked away, and Erika has the key. Even if I am not about to attempt unlocking it now, it would be wise to track her down as soon as possible now that I have a lead. I will sneak away from the asteroid after leaving a message and head to Londinium in secret.

B. I should begin my plan to build up my connections with the fleet starting now - I insist on joining the fleet on their first sortie. It will be a good bonding exercise, as well as a proper test of my abilities in warfare. This will be the best and quickest way to make myself known, should I perform well on the mission... and I am confident that I will be able to do so, no matter if I am commanding a warship or piloting a combat frame.

C. I stay at the asteroid, not out of any desire for safety, but because this asteroid is untapped potential waiting to be realized. If I just put some gigantic colony-grade engines, add more weapons... perhaps even install a gigantic black hole engine as a power source, or remodel the base so that it can transform... I can turn the Gate of Ean into the Sword of Ean, a massive mobile base that can strike fear into the hearts of my enemies. The possibilities are endless!

 

[Anabanana]

C seems to synergize really well with our tech choice earlier, but really, is anyone going to pick anything other than ErikA here.

 

[Storyfag]

B for me, please. We didn't come up here to sit idly. And we'll get a glimpse of the Empire too.

 

[Kipeci]

C for Conquest

 

[ScubaV]

C

An 80km long space-sword that generates black holes? Duh, yes please! Especially since it will be called Ean's Sword and wreak vengeance upon those who would fuck with Earth.

Erika is important yes, but I have a feeling we will run across her eventually. Let's not pass this up.

 

[treave]

Not to get carried away too quickly but it's the sort of project that takes time to complete. This is pretty much another shot at E, but in space.

 

[Tigranes]

not eligible to be considered as candidates for minister.

You see, to be a minister, you must be a candidate for minister, but to be a candidate you must be considered for candidacy, and to be considered you must be eligible for consideration for candidacy for minister, and since you're not eligible for consideration, you can't be considered for candidacy and so you can't be a candidate for the minister, which is a pity because if you were eligible you might be able to be considred for candidacy for minister.

C = Death Star, then?

 

[ScubaV]

Not to get carried away too quickly but it's the sort of project that takes time to complete. This is pretty much another shot at E, but in space.

Of course, but like I said 80km black hole space-sword. How can you not get carried away?

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

A - Not taking care of our other aspect early on boned us last time and got Kyrie killed. Besides, who's to say that once we build this thing 50 immortals won't board it and fuck with us. We're up against an army of Shulgi's now. We need more personal power.

Also, going after Erika means we'll probably get the chance to steal the new Anhur right out from under Naim. Again.

 

[Azira]

I agree with Lambchop19, we need more personal power. A

 

[m4davis]

A

 

[Rex Feral]

A for me.

I can't really resist when you bring old characters.

 

[Jester]

hmm would be nice to get black frame once more, but i expect that we wont be able to keep it. Giant space fortress is tempting still would be nice if people manning it would be loyal to us or have forces to occupy the base.

i vote B
lets show Senya as great leader to soldiers, after we build black hole battle cruisers we will need some experienced crew to show ropes to rookies and i expect that we will be able to meet Fangs in line of our duty.

 

[Stygian Lurker]

I vote A