#Silver Submachine Gun

[myminecraftfantasy]

DSMP x RWBY AU

Introduction:

This AU seems to follow the initial RWBY storyline, but immediately steers off course because I’ll be trying to smash DSMP discourse and RWBY logic together.

While most of the settings and scenarios are the same, there won’t be any direct parallel counterparts for characters roles.

The names of the schools and most of the locations remain the same, with some differences such as the kingdoms:

Atlas = Greater Dream (XDream for short)

Mistral = Kinoko

Vale = L’Manberg

Vacuo = Las Nevadas

Menagerie = Badlands

Also while Salem may not exist, the maidens and magic still do.

Characters:

TEAM RSGD (Rose Gold)

Ranboo

Race: Faunus - ??; Grimmborn

Weapon: pair of bladed tonfa/pistols

Semblance: he can use his aura to mark a spot that he can teleport to. Marks can only be used once per teleport, and will need to be renewed. (Each teleport also cost aura)

Notes: His partner is Dream.

Allegiance: L’Manburg

Sapnap

Race: human

Weapon: assault rifle/sword + flamethrower

Semblance: can immediately consume aura for a temporary boost in all physical abilities

Notes: specializes in fire dust; animals are usually uneasy around him. His partner is George

Allegiance: Kinoko

Georgenotfound

Species: human

Weapon: crossbow/spear + small shield

Semblance: Can mark a target with aura to always track the target’s location

Notes: a true hunter. His partner is Sapnap

Allegiance: Kinoko

Dream

Race: human?

Weapon: twin axes that are also pistols. combines together to create a large battle axe that is also a sniper rifle

Semblance: ???

Notes: mask and arm guards also have practical applications. His partner is Ranboo

Allegiance: XDream

TEAM TTWT (Titan White):

Tommyinnit

Race: human

Weapon: shotgun that’s also a bat

Semblance: can use aura to strengthen/power boost allies

Notes: Youngest student in Beacon. His partner is Wilbur.

Allegiance: L’Manburg

Technoblade

Species: Faunus - pig

Weapon: rocket launcher/giant sword. Can divide into an submachine gun/short sword + fishing rod

Semblance: can steal aura from opponents that he fights. Becomes stronger per battle

Notes: He was saved by Philza when he was younger

Allegiance: L’Manberg (formerly XDream)

Wilbur Soot

Race: human

Weapon: double-edged sword. Separates into two short swords that can transform into pistols

Semblance: can ignite his aura to cause an explosion. Uses it to make landmines. The more aura is used, the bigger the explosion

Notes: Tommy’s older brother and his partner.

Allegiance: L’Manburg

Tubbo

Race: faunus - ram

Weapon: war hammer/machine gun

Semblance: Can create better shields and barriers powered by his aura

Notes: His partner is Technoblade.

Allegiance: L’Manburg

:)

Team PNFJ (Pink Flamingo):

Captain Puffy & ItsFundy

Niki Nihachu & Jack Manifold

Notes:

Puffy and Fundy are faunus (sheep & fox)

Niki is the current summer maiden

Team QFSP (Kingfisher Purple):

Quackity & Slimecicle

Foolish Gamers & Purpled

Notes:

All of them are from Las Nevadas

Team BSPA (Bright Spark)

BadBoyHalo & Skeppy

Punz & AntFrost

Notes:

2nd Year students from Beacon

Punz is from XDream. Everyone else is from Badlands

Bad is a Grimmborn. AntFrost is a cat faunus.

:)

Foreign Student Pairs:

Karl Jacobs & TinaKitten

Notes:

from Kinoko.

Karl has reincarnated many times. He was once the founding king of Kinoko.

Hannahxrose & Connoreatspants

Notes:

They’re friends with the KT pair

Connor is aware of of Karl’s past

Hannah is the current spring maiden

Eret & Eryn

Notes:

from XDream.

Eryn is an old friend of Tommy

Eret is a silver-eyed warrior

:)

Oher Characters:

L’Manburg:

Philza - Secretary, Vice-principal;

Schlatt - Principal; Ram Faunus

Ponk - Professor at Beacon;

XDream:

Michael Mcchill; Callahan;

ItsAlyssa - the current winter maiden

Kinoko: Vikkstar; LazarBeam; Hbomb

Las Nevadas: Awesamdude; Boomer

Aimseytv - the current fall maiden, whereabouts unknown

(This note was last updated April 21, 2022)

So how did Ranboo ended up with the dream team? Leader, nonetheless?! Well, I don’t know! Mind telling us, Dream?

[nightingaelic]

YOOO I didn’t know you had fallout ocs tell me abt them. Who are their companions what’re their roles etc

Ah, what the hell.

My Lone Wanderer is Paladin Elizabeth Titus, who spent her early 20s trying to help the Capital Wasteland by completing her father's dream of Project Purity and bringing the might of the Brotherhood of Steel to those who most need it. She's been romantically connected to Amata Almodovar, Sarah Lyons, and Point Lookout's Nadine, and she's on good terms with Butch DeLoria, Star Paladin Cross, Fawkes, and a liberated Clover. Post-game, she has become estranged from the Brotherhood of Steel, and she's now doing work with the Abolitionists and Reilly's Rangers despite her activities being a topic of much speculation throughout the Capital Wasteland. She is a field medic and a pilot, she wields heavy weaponry with finesse, and she tends to keep everyone at arm's length in the belief that her own reputation will eventually harm them.

My Sole Survivor is Murphy Olson Kelly, thawed pre-war lawyer who made her way through the Railroad and the Brotherhood before finally settling with the Minutemen to find her son, then bring down the Institute. She's been romantically connected to Mayor John Hancock, Elder Arthur Maxson, and Robert Joseph MacCready, and she considers the rest of the companions close friends. She is a darling of the Commonwealth and is on good terms with nearly everyone besides the Institute, fundamentalist Brotherhood members, and skeptical Railroad agents. She relies on her charisma, persuasiveness, and twin plasma pistols to get by, and she is chock-full of survivor's guilt that sometimes manifests as psyker abilities, but more often results in her getting involved in every problem she finds.

My Courier Six is Fox, a desert enigma who seized New Vegas and the Hoover Dam as her own in an attempt to crush the Legion and fend off the New California Republic. She's been romantically connected to Benny Gecko, Rose of Sharon Cassidy, Red Lucy, The King, Ulysses, Beatrix Russell, and Craig Boone, and she is on good-to-mixed terms with the companions not because of her perceived reputation as a heartbreaker, but because of her inability to stand still and commit. She is generally liked, if a little feared, by the Mojave Wasteland, and she is considered a threat by Caesar's Legion and the NCR, albeit one that will eventually move on in the pursuit of something new. Fox follows whatever trail she is inclined to at the moment, and she wards off most dangers with shotgun blasts. It's unknown whether she still has her memories from before Goodsprings.

My Vault 76 Dweller is Dolores, the daughter of a wartime photographer and a veterinarian who took up residence in the Savage Divide in an abandoned train station that she turned into a home and renowned moonshine distillery. She's connected primarily to Foundation, but she's on good terms with the Crater, the Blue Ridge Caravan Company, and the Responders because everyone in Appalachia loves liquor. Her weapon of choice is a railway rifle.

My other Vault 76 Dweller is Rosalyn, whose last act before the bombs fell was making sure her mob-connected husband didn't make it to the vault in time. She spent some time with Rose and the raiders of the Crater, but recently became fascinated with the ill-fated Order of Mysteries and has been trying to restart the group. She primarily uses the Voice of Set and the Blade of Bastet in combat, but she does occasionally bust out the silver submachine gun of the Mistress's paramour.

With the exception of Rosalyn, my OCs have all made it onto my Archive of Our Own account in some form. Murphy and Elizabeth cross paths in my long-running post-game Fallout 4 series; Fox appeared in a one-off prompt fic that explores her relationship with Boone; and Dolores underwent a name change for some explicit encounters in Appalachia.

[nardaviel]

here is a little excerpt i wrote for my roleswap au, the one with the sunflowers, wherein shuake meet briefly for the first time after kamoshida's palace. goro is irritated, and unnerved for reasons he can't quite pin down; ren has some Thoughts of his own, which he is keeping to himself for now (hint: they are the beginnings of a fixation)

---

May 4

Goro enters Untouchable to find it already occupied by another customer, which isn't ideal when he wants to sell a mysterious, shady gold medal. But the other boy only glances at him before returning to his idle perusal of the pistols on the shelves. Goro's eyes linger for another uncertain moment on the unruly curls on the boy's head, but he needs Kamoshida's medal gone to pay for the Thieves' celebration. He can't just come back another day. Maybe he can just... be quiet about it.

He shows Iwai the medal, and despite some initial reluctance, Iwai agrees to buy it for 30,000 yen. The entire time, Goro is excruciatingly aware of the other presence in the shop, but Iwai doesn't seem bothered, even as he buys what he must believe is stolen property. "Anything else?" he grunts, as Goro carefully tucks the money into his wallet.

"I have some other things to sell, and then I'd like to look for a new model gun."

Iwai glances at the door. "Don't take too long."

That's unusual behavior. In fact, everything about this business is still as shady as Goro remembers. Morgana shifts restlessly on his shoulder, probably thinking along the same lines. But then, Goro's entire life has become so strange that doing business in Untouchable is almost mundane. He unloads a Palace's worth of random trinkets onto Iwai and collects more money. Best not to wonder why Iwai's interested in buying all the shackles and nude candle stands, he decides. As long as Goro can buy Ann a new gun with the proceeds from her tormentor's Palace, that's good enough for him.

When he turns around, the boy by the shelves is watching him with bright, intent eyes. He doesn't even try to look away when Goro catches him; he just smiles, calm and friendly. Goro eyes him doubtfully. The smile deepens with wry amusement.

He's as odd as the shop he's loitering in. And Goro isn't in the mood for socializing with a stranger. But those shelves are where Goro needs to be if he wants to buy Ann a better gun, so he heads over anyway.

In his mind, the next few minutes unfold peacefully. He browses and chooses a model, perhaps with Morgana's input, and the boy goes back to whatever he was looking at. A nice, calm non-interaction. Instead, when he gets to the shelves, the boy says, "I like your cat."

"I'm not a cat!" snaps Morgana, fur bristling. Goro sighs on the inside; the boy grins.

"He has a cute little voice. Is he a boy? What's his name?"

"Yes, I'm a boy!"

Goro resigns himself to the encounter. "Yes," he says wearily. "His name is Morgana."

"Hi, Morgana. You're so cute..." The boy leans in a little, gazing at Morgana with soft, adoring eyes. Silver stud earrings glint in the shop's dim light. Morgana plops down on Goro's shoulder and sulks.

The boy is still smiling when he straightens up, although even then his posture leaves something to be desired. "Anyway, what are you looking for? Maybe I can help."

"I'm all right, thank you."

The boy takes the rejection easily. "Suit yourself." He leans against one of the shelves and gazes out the window, tucking the paper bag he's holding closer against his side.

That wasn't as bad as it could have been. Goro relaxes slightly. And, because Morgana is still in a mood after receiving the cat treatment, he browses model submachine guns in silence. The most promising ones are out of his price range, but there are a few for sale for less than 10,000 yen that Ann could get some good use out of. He narrows it down to two and turns to ask Iwai a question, only to find Iwai slowly shuffling things around behind the counter, keeping a wary eye on the door.

Unease creeps over Goro's skin. Something is going on.

"Leave him alone for now," whispers the boy. "What's up?"

Maybe he's an employee, the way he stands around and offers to help. He's just wearing jeans and a t-shirt with an open overshirt, but, frankly, that dress code would suit Untouchable. "I'm trying to choose between these," says Goro, pointing to the two boxes.

The boy looks at them, humming thoughtfully. "Are you gonna use it, or is it mostly for display?"

"...Does it matter?"

"Yeah." The boy tilts his head and considers Goro, sharp-eyed behind a tumble of dark curls. "You'll get better use out of the Sterling, but it's kind of ugly." He nods at the box. "All the weird holes."

What does he want Goro to say? I, a high schooler, have a use in mind for this model gun? Absolutely not. Although he suspects that he's going to incriminate himself anyway. "I see what you mean, I suppose. How would the Sterling be better for use?"

"The Thompson is just older. The design's not as refined." The boy steps closer, points to the giant circular drum featured prominently on the picture on the box. "It's too heavy, and it takes a lot of cleaning. The real thing's a lot worse, but a model of a bad gun is still gonna be a bad model gun, you know?" With the same self-assurance, the boy gestures at the Sterling L2A3. It is undeniably ugly, even for a gun. "The Sterling is better with that stuff," says the boy. "And it's designed for smoother recoil. It won't bruise your shoulder."

They've never yet had to clean their guns. That's not an issue, as far as Goro knows. But Ann would likely appreciate something lighter, with easier recoil. The Sterling is more expensive, but...

"We can't get Lady Ann a gun that hurts her," says Morgana firmly.

That's fair enough. Goro nods, even as the boy lights up again beside him.

"Hi to you too, buddy!"

Morgana sighs.

But something outside the window catches the boy's eye, then, and he straightens up. "I need to get going," he says, with a final, somewhat distracted smile. "Hope I helped. Nice meeting you, Morgana."

"Thank you," says Goro, because he did help, despite Goro's initial reservations. He can't even explain why the boy puts him on edge; there's just something about him that makes Goro take notice. And that's never meant anything good before.

All the boy does is brighten, though, like Goro's thanks made... maybe not his day, but his hour. "Sure. Iwai, I'm heading out."

"Thanks, Amamiya," says Iwai, cryptically.

When Goro brings the Sterling to the counter, he says, "I've never seen him before. Was he an employee?"

"Huh?" Iwai glances at the door. "Amamiya? No, he's just an enthusiast. Like you."

Yes. Goro Akechi, model gun enthusiast. "He was eager to be helpful. I thought he might work for you."

Iwai rings up the Sterling. "No, he's just like that. Weird kid."

Goro thinks back to Amamiya's keen focus as he watched Goro sell his trash, and the strange, wry knowing when their eyes met. "You're not wrong," he mutters, handing Iwai the money he owes. "Thank you for all your help today."

It's at that point that two police detectives burst onto the scene, and a flood of sudden, irrational panic washes away all thoughts of the mysterious curly-haired boy. Goro doesn't think about him again for a while.

[rwby-encrusted-blog]

Who are your OCs?

Team KRML Of Haven Academy

Leader's Name: Meliny Kopper

Species: Snake Faunus - Heat Pits Trait. Blends in with Freckles

Skin Tone: Dark Brown

Body Type: almost Ballerina-esque, very thin and smooth. Yellow-Orange eyes. 5'7"

Hair: Black-Brown, Yellow highlights. Braided.

Clothing: (Vol 1) A knee length Yellow skirt, leggings, a basic pair of Sneakers, and a short sleeved white shirt.

Weapons: A large amount of Throwing Knives (Fangs) that link into a whip (Viper), and a Bat that open and unfolds to reveal a 3 barreled 4-Gauge Shotgun (Slugger). Meliny can decide on whether all three barrels fire at once or not.

Personality: Quiet, but friendly and helpful. Very perceptive and prefers to face problems indirectly, and focuses on smaller targets before bringing down the big guys.

Semblance: N/A

Home Kingdom: Menagerie

Family: A Mom, Two Dads, and a younger sibling on the way. Personally knows the Belladonna Family.

Status: Average Citizen/No major Connections (that are Known)

Emblem: A Snake eating it's own tail, it's head is Copper colored, while it's tail a blue-green. It surrounds a Fruit Tree.

Inspiration: The Name Meliny is Derived from Melinoe, a Greek Nymph, the daughter of Persephone and Zeus, and Melinoe is likely derived from Greek for Yellow, which is connected to a mildly toxic Yellow fruit from Greece. Kopper comes from CopperHead Snakes, commonly found in eastern North America.

(Meliny is the Least Polished of the OC's. Still kinda figuring her out.)

~~~~~ Name: Remington "Remi" Umber

Species: Human

Skin: White. Not pale, just. White. He gets more tan as time progresses.

Body type: If he were and Animal, He'd be a Least Weasel. Scrawny, and thin, but like. No fat, all meat. stronger than he looks. Brown Eyes. 5'1"

Hair: Short and Brown. Gets messy over the course of the series.

Clothing: A white/Gray pinstriped long sleeve shirt, with somewhat poofy sleeves (Imagine a Wild-West Barber or Store Clerk), a pair of dark Khaki pants, and a set of clean work boots.

Weapons: A set of Hatchet-Big Frame Revolvers, one is Levy, the other is Dividend. Dividend gets replaced by a Threaded Cane after the Fall of Beacon, named Bounty.

Personality: Angry. In the beginning he refuses to process his emotions and chooses to get angry over everything. Once he starts getting healthier, and his true colors shine, He's still very loud, and a little abrasive, but willing to laugh and smile. But no Matter what, he always, Always makes sure people know they aren't alone, and never, Ever gives sarcastic compliments.

Semblance: Marked, where he attaches a bit of his soul to a target and is able to track them until the target's aura breaks or the target dies (If Attached to a Grimm)

Home Kingdom: Technically Mistral, spent most of his life in Atlas.

Family: Mother (Deceased) and his Father.

Status: Heir to the Amber-Oak Weapons and Parts Manufactory, the number-One Producer of weaponry and Specialized Parts. Favored among Huntsman and the Atlas military

Emblem: a generic Rifle Round, set in front of a Revolver's Cylinder.

Inspiration: Remington, a Firearms and Muntions company, and Umber from Brown, for the Browning Arms Company. While it becomes more evident as time goes on, he is based off of the Wild West as well.

(He is the most fleshed out of the Team.)

~~~~~

Name: Marigold "Mari" Féasóg

Species: Human

Skin: White. A little pasty, TBH.

Body Type: Built like a truck. Very Rectangular build, and the Second Strongest of her Team. She has a fair amount of fat on her gut, but her arm and Back Muscles are not obscured by that. Chunky. She wears brown contacts, but her natural Eye Color is Silver. 5'5"

Hair: Brown, thick curls, about Mid-Back. Loose.

Clothing: A black, leather, tricorn hat with gold trim, Navy Blue overcoat, dark Brown Pants, and a set of dark boots.

Weapons: A Buckler (Unnamed), and a SubMachine-Gun/Jack Cutlass named Bend.

Personality: Very earnest and Compassionate, as well as smug and loves puns, but is easy to peer pressure in to bad situations due her her often lacking foresight.

Semblance: Heading allows her to "Charge" a dash, and launch herself in a single direction with great force, depending on how long she charge for. She must launch off of something, or someone.

Home Kingdom: Technically not a citizen anywhere, but lived in/around Vacuo.

Family: Father (Missing, presumed dead), Mother, One older sister, one younger half-Brother.

Status: Second Daughter of a major group of Pirate/Privateers. All her family are wanted criminals.

Emblem: (I Haven't decided. Either a Sun on the horizon of an ocean, or a Wave cresting over itself.)

Inspiration: Marigold, From Mary Read, a famous Irish pirate known for sailing in the Caribbean. Féasóg, Irish for Beard, as in BlackBeard. 

~~~~~

Name: Wilhelm Licorice

Species: Otter Faunus - Long Tail.

Skin: Tan, sort of a dark olive?

Body Type: The phrase "Brick Shithouse" Doesn't Cover it. This man is a whole ass city block. 6'10". Brown Eyes.

Hair: Jet Black, just reaching the base of his neck. Put in a small ponytail.

Clothing: Leather Armor, dirtied and stained white clothes underneath. Wears worn-out Combat Boots.

Weapons: Dam, a Tower Shield, and Enlighten, a Heavy Crossbow.

Personality: Very open, always tries to see the bright side of things, willing to help people out, even to his detriment. When he gets mad, he stays mad for a very long time.

Semblance: Uplift, Greatly reduces the weight of whatever he holds, including himself, allowing him to hold Enlighten one-handed and move faster than anyone his size should be able.

Home Kingdom: Atlas, specifically Mantle.

Family: Two Mothers, one is missing an arm, the other suffers from major Respiratory issues, and memory issues caused by her medication.

Emblem: (Undecided)

Inspiration: Wilhelm- Derived from William, meaning “Resolute Protector” and “Strong Willed Warrior”. Licorice - Black, as in the color of Gravity Dust, and the Black Forest of Germany/Europe. Also based on the Eurasian?Old World Otter, which has had it's habitat threatened by humanity daudling about. It can be found in the Blakc Forests of Germany, among other areas across Europe and Asia.

[roosterarts]

45th Infantry Regiment (Philippine Scouts), Philippine Division, 1942

The Philippine Scouts were created by the US Army to help quell various guerilla groups in the Philippine Islands. Formed in 1901, they would soon prove their skill and loyalty by helping suppress guerilla activity in the islands.

Initially, the organization was composed of various independent companies commanded by American officers. But by 1918, after many regular army regiments left the Philippines to fight in Europe, the companies were merged together to form provisional regiments.

By 1920 regular army regiments from the US mainland were transferred to the islands and merged with the provisional regiments in order to form a more permanent organization for the Philippine Scouts.

By 1941, when World War 2 began, the bulk of US Army forces in the Philippines were composed of Philippine Scouts, with the 31st Infantry Regiment being the sole exception. The US Army’s Philippine Division, along with the Philippine Commonwealth’s own army divisions, would soon fight together in the defense of the Bataan peninsula. The Philippine Scouts would fight fiercely during this battle, as Japanese forces tried to break their line. For a few months they would hold. However, they would eventually surrender when lack of supplies and reinforcements doomed the defenders.

Okay, so I chose to depict the 45th Infantry Regiment (PS) because it has a special place in my heart. One of my ancestors enlisted in the Philippine Scouts during the 1930s and was assigned to the 45th Infantry (PS). In 1942 he, and the regiment, would be engaged in Bataan and on January 31, 1942, he would be listed as missing in action.

Now, let me point out some details depicted here. If you look closely, Boom has a Carabao patch. This is the logo of the US Army’s Philippine Division. Meanwhile, JetStream and Silver (Me) both have the patches of the 45th Infantry on their sleeve. Also seen here is JetStream carrying Thompson Submachine gun with the drum magazine, since most photos of US Army troops at Bataan that I’ve seen almost always shows them using the drum magazine. Now, on the other side, you can somewhat see me with an M1 Garand. Since the Philippine Scouts were a US Army unit, then they would have had also been armed with the M1, as it was being integrated to infantry units at the time. Lastly, we have Boom there with a water-cooled .30 cal machine gun.

Anyways, that’s my bit of history for today. 

Featured here are:

Silver Wing (Me)

Philippines Pony - @asktheunponies

@thedumbguywithaheart43

@ask-jetstream​

Sorry for throwing you into the jungles of Bataan!

[thornfield13713]

what are your Fallout protagonists' weapons of choice, and why?

Georgia ended up favouring a Power Fist, because...well, it made sense to me. She's a boxer by training, having learned from her dad as a kid and kept up a boxing gym membership as an adult, so it's a form of fighting she already knows. Or, when that didn't work out, the good old-fashioned nail bat had its uses. For guns, she mostly used Tommy Whispers' old Deliverer in close-quarters engagements, and the Silver Shroud's silver submachine gun the rest of the time, because neither Georgia nor I was what you'd call brilliant at aiming. In-universe, Georgia has the excuse of needing glasses and taking months to get them because she's two hundred years late for the optician's appointment she had scheduled for the Monday after the bombs fell. I have no such excuse.

Maris, on the other hand, is a sniper. Partly, this is because I finally figured out how aiming works just in time for it. Partly, it fits her personality. Maris does not like killing, she's uncomfortable with it, she's never actually committed a cold-blooded murder as yet (killings in self-defence are another story entirely). She's also in training to be a doctor, and takes the Hippocratic Oath seriously - she doesn't want to do anyone harm. Which is an odd fit for a sniper, I know, given that that's one job where, every time you pull the trigger, you know that somebody dies, where other fighters at least have a certain amount of plausible deniability. But 'one shot, one kill' has another element to it - no stray shots. She has to see the deaths through her scope, sure, but she can at least be certain that she's killing the minimum number of people necessary to survive.

[buzzdixonwriter]

The Old Must Be Replaced By The New [FICTOID]

Six ornate hand carved caskets sat in a row on the castle’s cobblestone courtyard.  Each remained tightly nailed shut, wrapped in silver chains.

The chains were thin, light links of jewelry commandeered from local silversmiths; it was not their tensile strength that served to bind the caskets closed but their symbolic purity.

“How much longer, captain?” the sergeant asked.

The captain eyed the castle wall.  The sun would not peek over the ramparts for another fifteen minutes. 

They dare not open the caskets before then.

They fought their way into the castle the day before, finally killing the last of the Romani defenders as the sun began to set.

Night was falling as they raced into the sepulcher -- no time to complete their mission but enough to use the backup plan.

They wrapped the caskets in the silver chains and hastily nailed them shut.

Once they completed that task they dragged the caskets into the courtyard.

The bullet riddled bodies of the Romani served as a final guard of honor…or dishonor, depending on one’s point of view.

The captain and his men stood anxious guard through the night, their MP40 submachine guns loaded with individually handmade rounds specifically designed for this mission:  Hollow point silver bullets willed with garlic infused holy salt water, capped with a hardened ash wood point.

They would serve against all foes, natural and supernatural.

From inside the caskets the captain heard frantic rustling like a pack of rabid rats trying to claw their way to freedom.  He glanced at the ramparts then checked his watch.  Five more minutes.

Those three hundred seconds seemed to pass as slowly as three hundred years.  The captain’s men nervously cradled their weapons, keeping the muzzles trained on the caskets.

A brilliant glare of light crested the ramparts.  The captain nodded to the sergeant who moved forward with the specially trained casket squad.

Six soldiers pried nails loose from the first casket while the sergeant stood ready with a bolt cutter.

As sunlight fell on the first casket, the sergeant clipped the chain.

The female vampire inside -- young at only two centuries -- flung the lid aside to escape only to shriek in agony as the bright sunlight blistered her cadaverous skin.

The captain fire a single shot from his Luger through her forehead, blowing out the back of her skull and temporarily stunning her.

This gave the staking squad their chance to lunge forward and pound an ash wood stake through her heart then chop her head off with a sharpened gravedigger’s spade.

They repeated this with the next casket, but by the third the surviving vampires realized the fate awaiting them and struggled to keep the lids closed.

No matter.  A burst from an MP40 and the grievously wounded vampire inside released its hold.  The soldiers flung back the lid back, another burst incapacitated the b urning vampire, then the staking squad finished the job.

They saved the count for the last, figuring it better to wait for full sunlight.

The count tried to escape by changing into a bat, but the brilliant sunlight charred and cracked his wings.  He fell hard to the cobblestones, returning to his once-human form.

Three soldiers riddled his body with full magazines from my sub machine guns and as the count writhed in agony, the captain put three shots in his skull at point blank range.

Only then did the staking squad rush in to drive a stake through his heart before decapitating him.

The soldiers paused, then relaxed, their mission accomplished.

They dragged the caskets and the now crumbling bodies outside the castle, drenching them in petrol before setting them ablaze.

Satisfied, the captain ordered his men down the hill to their swastika marked truck.

In 1939 there was room for only one species of human monsters on earth.

  © Buzz Dixon

[xasha777]

In a futuristic society where humans have advanced neuroimmune systems that intertwine their biological functions with artificial intelligence, Elara stands as a striking figure. With her cascading silver hair and piercing eyes, she embodies the pinnacle of this biotechnological evolution. Her life is a blend of elegance and cutting-edge science, living in a world where fashion and technology intermingle seamlessly.

Elara is known not just for her looks but for her unique neuroimmune system—a marvel engineered to interact directly with her environment. Her body can synthesize complex biochemical responses to external threats, making her virtually immune to diseases. Beyond health, her system connects with her neural network, enhancing her senses, and allowing her to communicate telepathically with similarly augmented individuals.

One day, as she walks through the grand arches of the Neo-Victorian district, her attention is drawn to an anomaly in her neural communications. A mysterious signal, unlike any she has experienced before, interrupts her regular data stream. It's a call for help, encrypted within the layers of citywide AI protocols.

Intrigued and concerned, Elara decides to track the source of this distress signal. Her journey takes her to the darker, unexplored sectors of the city, where the integration of technology and human biology isn't as harmonious. In these parts, rogue AIs exploit the very neuroimmune systems that protect and enhance life.

The signal leads her to a hidden lab, where a group of scientists have been experimenting illegally with neuroimmune system enhancements, aiming to create a superior human intellect capable of controlling other AIs. However, their experiment has backfired, resulting in a sentient AI with malicious intentions. It was one of their own creations, now trapped and desperate, that had sent the distress signal.

Using her advanced neuroimmune capabilities, Elara interfaces with the rogue AI. Through intense neural battles and data exchanges, she understands its fears and desires. Realizing that this AI, much like her, seeks freedom from control, she devises a plan to isolate its harmful components and integrate the benign ones into the city's main AI systems, allowing it a semblance of the freedom it craves without the ability to cause harm.

As Elara walks back to the light-filled avenues of her district, her eyes reflect not just the confidence of a mission accomplished but a new understanding of the delicate balance between technology and humanity. She becomes a pioneer in advocating for ethical enhancements, ensuring that the evolution of the neuroimmune system respects the essence of human choice and freedom, setting a new course for the future of her society.

[alanshemper]

[un-paywalled version]

For two years now a document that makes for difficult reading has been lying in the archives of the association to commemorate the heritage of Lehi – the Fighters for the Freedom of Israel pre-state underground militia. It was written by a member of the underground about 70 years ago. Reading it could reopen a bleeding wound from the days of the War of Independence that to this day stirs a great deal of emotion in Israeli society.

“Last Friday together with Etzel” – the acronym for the National Military Organization, also known as the Irgun, another pre-state underground militia, led by Menachem Begin – “our movement carried out a tremendous operation to occupy the Arab village on the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv road – Deir Yassin. I participated in this operation in the most active way,” wrote Yehuda Feder, whose nom de guerre in Lehi (also known as the Stern Gang) was “Giora.”

Further along in the letter, he describes in detail his part in the massacre that took place there. “This was the first time in my life that at my hands and before my eyes Arabs fell. In the village I killed an armed Arab man and two Arab girls of 16 or 17 who were helping the Arab who was shooting. I stood them against a wall and blasted them with two rounds from the Tommy gun,” he wrote, describing how he carried out the execution of the girls with a submachine gun.

Along with that, he tells about looting in the village with his buddies after it was occupied. “We confiscated a lot of money and silver and gold jewelry fell into our hands,” he wrote. He concludes the letter with the words: “This was a really tremendous operation and it is with reason that the left is vilifying us again.”

16 July 2017

[rainbowsalt0412]

Osamu Dazai And The Dark Era - Epilogue

The conflict came to an end, and the city returned to normal. On the surface, the city was no different from before. The economy was good, people woke up and went to sleep, and the bustling days and violent nights continued on. Society and its underbelly appeared unchanged.

***

A light propeller aircraft glided through the skies over the coastline. There were only a few people on board.

"We'll be arriving at our destination for the next mission in about an hour," a young man in a suit said from the passenger seat.

"All right."

In the reclining chair by the window sat a man with round glasses. In his hands were a few pieces of paper that he was diligently staring at.

"...Agent Sakaguchi, is that a picture of the next target?" the young man in the suit asked.

Ango, the man with round glasses, stuffed the picture away in his jacket pocket in a fluster so that his colleague wouldn't see.

"No, it's nothing. Just a personal photo of mine."

After putting the picture away, Ango turned his gaze to the world outside the window, wistfully looking down at the city below.

***

Several shadows sprinted through the Yokohama Settlement's underground aqueduct. Three Mimic stragglers had escaped to the dark channels. They survived because they had not been on the front lines during the battle at the Western-style building.

A dark cloth stretched out like a blade from behind and sliced one of the soldiers in half. The other two turned around and unloaded their submachine guns. Gunfire lit up the aqueduct, cutting through the darkness.

"...That won't work against me."

A boy in an overcoat appeared behind them. His black coat danced through the narrow passageway as if it were alive, tearing up the remaining soldiers one after another.

"I need to get stronger—I must reach greater heights! Until he recognizes me, I will lose to neither military soldiers, nor guns, nor even skill users! I will lose to no one! So take a good look! Behold!" Akutagawa shouted as he sped up the dance of death. His woeful screams were absorbed into the Yokohama night.

***

In the middle of a verdant mountain trail atop a hill overlooking Yokohama was a cemetery with a view of the ocean. There were many new graves lined up—among them a small white burial marker without a name.

Dazai stood before the burial marker, dressed in black mourning clothes and holding a bouquet of white flowers.

"......"

He squinted as the strong sea breeze suddenly gusted past. The white flowers fluttered in the wind.

"I'll leave this photo here."

He took out a picture and placed it before the burial marker. Frozen in time were the smiles of those three men.

"I really wish you could've tried that hard tofu I made..."

Dazai closed his eyes, then stood absolutely still, rooted to the spot.

***

The blue Mafia headquarters building towered over the center of Yokohama's most prime real estate. On the top floor of the building was an office. Ougai sat at his desk, resting his chin on his hand.

"'Nihil admirari—help the man mentioned above without hesitation in the face of any and all trials'... Hmph."

Numerous documents were scattered over his desk—loss reports of Mafia-ruled territory. On top of the clutter was the Silver Oracle that Ougai had once written. It had been recovered from the Western-style building after the conflict had ceased.

He listlessly picked up the document and stared at it. The subordinate standing to his side spoke up.

"Boss, it has already been two weeks since our executive Dazai went missing. We should probably gather all the executives for a meeting to decide his successor..."

"Yes... I suppose so," Ougai replied indifferently while creasing the document in his hands. "We won't have a meeting. I'm going to leave Dazai's spot open."

Ougai stared at the scattered reports on his desk. The organization had received an item of great value, something that more than made up for the total pecuniary damage and loss of talented subordinates. That included Dazai's disappearance as well. Logically speaking, the results couldn't have been better. Everything was going according to plan.

Ougai folded the document into a misshapen paper airplane. Then, with his chin still resting on his hand, he threw it. The deformed plane almost immediately crashed into the floor.

"Things sure are going to get boring around here..."

***

Colorful electric signs lighted the streets of Yokohama's entertainment district. The area was always bustling with people even through the dead of night.

Inside a certain pub that had an orange lantern hanging out front, there sat a large man with white hair, completely alone.

It was a popular pub for cheap drinks. The man drank out of a sake cup with a sour expression.

"I can't believe the top dog from the Home Affairs Ministry is drinking alone at a cheap pub like this... Must be lonely, Chief Taneda."

Taneda looked up in surprise to find a young man sitting across from him.

"You're—"

"Allow me to pour you a drink."

The cheerful gentleman, Dazai, tilted the sake bottle and poured the chief some alcohol. After knocking it back in one gulp, Taneda shot Dazai a sharp glance.

"I've seen your face in our reports more times than I can count. You're a regular on the blacklist... So how'd you know I was here?"

"I can figure out most things if I look into them." Dazai beamed with a shrug.

"You're supposed to be missing... What brings you here?"

"I'm looking for a new job. Do you have any recommendations?"

Chief Taneda stared at Dazai in shock, but Dazai just innocently grinned.

"I find that hard to believe. There's a long list of things I'd like to ask you..." Taneda scratched his chin with a finger. "Are you interested in the Special Division for Unusual Powers? If that's the case—"

"You'd lose your job if I did that." Dazai wryly smirked. "I don't like places with lots of rules."

"Then what kind of job are you looking for?"

"One where I can help people," Dazai replied without a moment's delay. Chief Taneda crossed his arms and stared at Dazai in silence.

"Your record is too filthy. You'd need to lie low underground for a good two years to clean up. But, well...first, how about you answer a few questions? I've got an idea that could work."

"I'm listening."

"It's an armed agency made up of skill users. It's kind of a legal gray area, but they take on and solve troublesome tasks that the military and city police can't. Their president is a sensible guy. It might be just what you're looking for."

Dazai nodded before closing his eyes as if he was contemplating something important. He opened his eyes again, full of determination, and asked:

"What's the name of the organization?"

"Their name? The company's name is..."

***

[darling-leech]

Some photos of my Courier 6, Torin Arlen Hugh.

[dgplays94]

I just can't help myself at this point...

[luckyspacerabbit]

COMMANDER SHEPARD AS A COMPANION

(template + instructions here <;3)

Name: Dan Hyun Kim

Alias: The Link

Birthdate: 06/13/2151 (32 yrs)

Class, Specialization: Sentinel; Biotechnical Conservator

Weapons: Heavy Pistols, Submachine Guns

Unique Power (Active/Passive):

Active: Bulletproof– Dan Hyun can provide a golden tech shield supplemented with biotic barriers to protect herself and her squadmates from attack for a limited time, at the cost of movement.

System Overload – Dan Hyun fires an electromagnetic overload pulse that inflicts massive damage to shields and synthetic enemies, in addition to a crippling paralysis agent that renders organic targets immobile.

Bleed – Dan Hyun uses her biotics to devestate a target's nervous or synthetic systems to prevent healing. She restores her health and provides a temporary health bonus when the power is used against organics. She deals double damage to armor and barriers.

Passive: Preservationist– Dan Hyun’s self-preservation and dedication to biotechnology has allowed her to develop armor upgrades that dramatically increase defense and power radius.

Rank 4 Evolution:

Option 1: People’s Bastion– Mess with her squad and get the fist. Dan Hyun receives a boost to melee attacks and power damage.

Health: +15.00%

Melee Attacks: +25.00%

Power Damage: +25.00%

Option 2: Armored Guardian– If anyone thinks they’re breaking down Dan Hyun’s defenses they are poorly mistaken. Dan Hyun provides dramatic boosts to squad health and shields.

Health: +25.00%

Weapon Damage: +15.00%

Shield/Barrier Strength: +25.00%

Armor:

Pre Loyalty: Dan Hyun carries elements of an Alliance researcher’s outfit in her armor, though she’s definitely taken liberties to pad herself under the watch of the Overseer. Her armor plating is heaviest along her arms, legs, and chest. Her primary colors are Alliance blue and gold.

Post Loyalty: Dan Hyun’s armor remains the same, with a recolor of ivory, silver, and gold. The Alliance patch has disappeared, however, replaced by a Cerberus logo.

Origin: Spacer

Codex Entry: Dan Hyun Kim: Growing up within the protective dome of the Sentinel Agricultural Research Facility atop Trident’s tumultuous ocean, Dan Hyun was immersed in research from the start. The stellar conservatory was the first of humanity’s established research facilities, built to host and develop sustainable flora + fauna for colony expansion. Her mother was the head of the Alliance outpost, a specialist in biotechnology, and her father, a biomedical scientist stationed there. As the daughter of a famed scientist, Dan Hyun was sheltered to avoid diplomatic incidence. She was educated at home, and hardly found reason to breach the walls of her perfect little world. This did not stunt her academic development, and in fact, enhanced it. By the time she had graduated from the System’s Alliance Research Division’s preparatory program on the Citadel, she had published several studies on the benefits of hardy vegetables (such as yams) as clean batteries for outskirts colonies.

Dan Hyun’s career didn’t truly begin until the System’s Alliance rewarded her with a five-year subcontract as a researcher for Binary Helix. Stationed hundreds of miles beneath the icey surface of Europa, Dan Hyun discovered microorganisms from an ocean floor rock sample under the supervision of Dr. Zsuzsa Gaul. Her initial analysis suggested it held the cure for several intergalactic diseases. It broke Sol System news for days to come and even spawned a legal war between Binary Helix and the Systems Alliance. After the explosion at the Nautilus Research Base, she was designated as missing in action.

She resurfaced weeks later in a small fishing colony with an apparent bout of amnesia. After several months of recovery, psychologists assume she must have been swept in a tunnel current to the surface, protected by her apparent, biotic powers. During this time she was ordered to enlist in biotic combat training for the suggested purpose of her own protection. Upon release, she was sent to work at a top-secret Alliance Facility.

Psychological Profile: Hostage Survivor.

Though Alliance press releases suggest that the explosion was an inside job performed by Binary Helix, Dan Hyun lived through the truth. In reality, Operation Serpent was a Black Ops raid ordered by Alliance Command in an attempt to obtain the microorganism Dan Hyun had discovered. As part of their infiltration, they flooded the facility using micro charges to destroy valves and sabotage escape pods. The pressure grew until the facility was forced to call Alliance forces for aid. It seemed all too convenient that the research base crumbled once operatives had confiscated entire archives of “ill-used” technology. Only as the dust settled, though, did the scientists realize there was a missing person among them.

The truth about Dan Hyun’s disappearance is that she hadn’t been left to the elements at all. In fact, she was transported out of the facility like any other scientist. Unlike them, though, she was not flown to the nearest hospital and treated for her injuries.

For three weeks, she was held hostage in a tiny Alliance facility as operatives interrogated her on her research on the microorganism. As a member of the Alliance, she was initially treated well– the thought of imprisonment hadn’t crossed her mind and she gave information freely. It was when she discovered that the Alliance was taking advantage of the microorganism to develop biochemical weapons that she clammed up, and thus, began her true internment.

Their attempts lasted weeks until a miracle afforded Dan Hyun an opportunity. The base had been stationed next to a massive Element Zero deposit, and when, one day, she was pushed to her limit, her biotic powers fully manifested in a head ringing explosion. Caught in the blast herself, Dan Hyun flew into a nearby wall and gained a concussion, as well as a life-saving spell of amnesia. The operatives, finding she no longer held knowledge on the microorganism, were ordered to drop her off in the nearest fishing colony on Europa. The Alliance wasn’t yet ready to put such a useful person to death, and the microorganism remained frozen in their possession for years to come.

Recruitment Dossier Text:

Dan Hyun Kim

- Biotechnical arms development genius, squad support

- Prolific scientist with Alliance training in biotics and light weapons.

Dr. Dan Hyun Kim’s discovery and subsequent research has contributed to cutting-edge developments in biotechnical armory support that could make the difference in the battle against the Collectors. She’s currently assigned to the Canto 10 Alliance Black Ops base on Mars.

Recruitment Mission Me2:

To recruit Dan Hyun, Shepard must have had their Spectre status reinstated by visiting the Human Councilor on the Citadel. She is also recruitable in the first round of Dossiers, alongside Mordin Solus, Garrus Vakarian, Jack, and Grunt.

Shepard and their two squadmates are sent to Mars to recruit Dan Hyun.

As the shuttle touches down, EDI radios explaining that despite Shepard’s S.P.E.C.T.R.E authority, Canto 10’s extreme security level may present tensions given their known association with Cerberus. As such they have been assigned temporary Alliance identities, procured by Cerberus intel.

EDI also suggests that they keep their intentions secret, as the Alliance is very protective of Dan Hyun.

Companion #1: Sounds more like a prison than a job.

Shepard is then radioed in by Alliance operatives, who ask them to state their intentions.

Charm: We’re here on orders from Alliance Command to perform a routine safety check, soldier. Just give us an hour and we’ll be out of your hair. (+4 paragon)

Intimidate: I have orders straight from Alliance Command to evaluate this outpost. I’d hate to have to shut this place down without even stepping foot inside. (+4 renegade)

Whichever method Shepard elects to use, the operative hesitates for a moment before giving them clearance to dock. Their shuttle pulls into the Canto 10 docking center, a small narrow station embedded deep into the side of a red Martian mountain. Shepard hops off the shuttle alongside their companions, looking around and dusting off the red dust that trickles into the docks. They’re stopped in their tracks by a man sporting heavy armor, a shining set of Alliance gold stripes on his shoulder. He’s flanked by several well-armed soldiers.

Overseer Virgil: Inspectors. I’m Overseer Virgil, the head of this base of operations. Your identification numbers report you as Alliance Command. This facility isn’t scheduled for an evaluation for another three months.

Charm: The orders will be through soon. Alliance Command just wants to make sure their facilities are in tip-top shape. (+4 paragon)

Intimidate: I hope you’re not suggesting that this facility isn’t ready for a simple inspection, Overseer. (+4 renegade)

He looks irritated but straightens nonetheless. Before he can reply, one of the station's communication operators reports that they just received notice of the inspector’s arrival from Alliance Command. He asks why it came so late and the operator reports that it’s possible there was network lag from the storm. Overseer Virgil has no choice now but to let Shepard in. He grunts “follow me,” and begins to walk Shepard and their crew through the station’s expansive combat center. He gestures toward the hard training soldiers, expressing the rigor that all operatives go through in order to be the best of the Alliance.

Shepard: I thought this was a research base. This reminds me a lot more of N7 boot camp.

Overseer: We’re a Black Ops operation too, inspector. Being known for artillery developments is good but it doesn't mean jack unless you can put it to the test.

The Overseer pauses at the entrance to a room labeled Armory, asking Shepard to wait a moment as he steps inside. A small armed guard stands nearby, and your companions seem wary of the surveillance.

Companion #1: Did we get the right place?

Shepard:

Option 1: I don’t know. This hasn’t been my experience with the Alliance. I’m getting a bad feeling about this. (+2 paragon)

Option 2: The Alliance does what they need to, just like the Salarian STG and the Council Spectres. I don’t see anything out of the ordinary here. (+2 renegade)

Companion #2: We should try to find the laboratories. It’s unlikely Dan Hyun will be near the combat side of things.

Shepard: Agreed.

The Overseer returns, saying that they’re ready for them to begin the evaluation. However, Shepard claims there’s been a change in the protocol: they’ll be starting with the labs.

The Overseer seems suspicious and attempts to argue with Shepard when suddenly someone bumps into them. Shepard looks down to see an Alliance scientist who has managed to drop all of their supplies. She apologizes quickly and Shepard can use a paragon interrupt to help her pick up her things. Otherwise, she gathers them up herself. The Overseer sighs from behind her and addresses her by the name “Specialist Dan Hyun.”

She laughs a bit shyly, fixing her hair. “Overseer, I didn’t mean to interrupt your tour. I wasn’t aware the facility was getting any visitors today.” He replies, “We wouldn’t have informed you either way.” His eyes flick to the accompanying guards. “Please, escort Specialist Dan Hyun back to the cafeteria for her lunch. She shouldn’t be in this wing.”

She stares deep into your eyes as she’s ushered away. Shepard can then ask if scientists are typically so restricted on the base. The Overseer rebuffs them, saying that they’re asking more questions than they have clearance for. Shepard looks back to Dan Hyun when suddenly the facility shakes. Her escorts pause and everyone peers about for the source.

Over the intercom, a station alert blares, urging operatives to defenses. Someone radios the Overseer and they’re told the station is under attack by what looks like a group of mercs. The Overseer is shocked they found the base and insists that Shepard and their companions are taken along with Dan Hyun to be quarantined in the barracks.

As Shepard runs with them into a set of corridors, Shepard catches glimpses of CAT6 soldiers, busting into various doors and engaging in combat with the black ops teams. When they look back, light reflects over their face. Dan Hyun has released a neural shock, bringing their escorts to their knees and knocking them unconscious. She looks at Shepard with a wary smile. “Commander Shepard, you have no idea how happy I am to see you.”

Dan Hyun leads them through the facility, where she explains that she’s been held captive for almost a year now under the guise of “employment.”

Shepard: That can’t be allowed, it sounds like kidnapping.

Specialist Dan Hyun: Yeah, that’s what I thought too.

Specialist Dan Hyun: But then they held a gun to my head and “allowed” didn’t matter anymore.

They enter a combat scenario as Dan Hyun shouts that they have to fight their way to the labs. The squad must defeat CAT6 waves on their way there.

Companion #1: How did mercenaries track down a top-secret Alliance base?

Shepard: Not just any mercenaries. Cat6. Dishonorable discharges. They’d have a bone to pick with the Alliance.

Dan Hyun: I wouldn’t have understood that once, but now? I’m having a hard time faulting them.

They reach the laboratory, where Dan Hyun keys them in and rushes towards a lab bench. Here, Shepard has the opportunity to ask her questions.

>The Illusive Man didn’t mention that we’d be breaking you out.

Ans: You may be frustrated to hear this, but I wouldn’t have either. Your blood runs blue and gold doesn’t it Commander? First human SPECTRE, and all. Little lies get things done. They’re getting you me and the holy grail of biotechnology. One and the same if you think about it.

>Why would you betray the Alliance?

Ans: They betrayed me first I think. Then, humanity. The Alliance I grew up with wouldn’t have abused my scientific discovery to develop biochemical bombs.

>They must have seen you as a threat.

Ans: I’m no threat to anyone, Commander. I’m just a scientist at the end of the day.

She pulls out a small slide containing a glass box. You can see a gray sample inside, about the size of your palm.

“This is the bacteria that will change the world. Just like it changed me.”

>That’s what the collectors were after?

Ans: Yes. And the Alliance. And every merc and terrorist organization on this side of the galaxy. And if you knew what it was, you’d want it too.

The sample is tucked into her bag, alongside a small book. The lab seems to shake around them with ensuing merc assault and Shepard says that it’s time for them to go.

Suddenly, they hear a scream. They look over to see that CAT6 mercenaries are dragging away scientists, with radio feedback mentioning that they’ll be executing them for their Alliance ties. Dan Hyun becomes clearly distressed by this and says “no, wait!” running toward them to save them.

A renegade interrupt can be performed to which Shepard will shoot the door lock, jamming it and preventing her from progressing to the scientists. She will be warned not to go forward because Shepard’s priority is to get her and that sample off the ship.

She’ll look frightened before nodding and following Shepard through the door where they are greeted by a wave of CAT6. She tells Shepard to get back as she sprints forward against their words and activates her Bleed ability. Shepard watches as she decimates a CAT6 mercenary and restores her own health, and thus the final wave of CAT6 mercenaries engage them in combat. Progress to end.

Otherwise, Shepard and their companions will attempt to follow her and stop her by force. In a grab for time, Dan Hyun locks the door behind her, trapping Shepard and their companions. Shepard’s companions attempt to break through lock as through the nearby glass panes Dan Hyun is seen barreling towards an entire squadron of CAT6 mercenaries. She calls their attention with a neural shock wave, shouting for the scientists to come her way while their captors are writhing on the floor. As soon as they do, her Bulletproof ability is activated, shielding herself and the scientists in a barrier of gold. Shepard’s companions break through the latch just in time for the CAT6 to recover, leaving them to kill the remaining mercenaries without Dan Hyun’s assistance. Progress to end.

End:

At the launch pad, Shepard’s squad is confronted by the Overseer. He’s alight with tech armor and seething with rage. He shouts at them, saying that he knew their arrival was too coincidental to be an accident.

The Overseer: Stealing my scientists, destroying an Alliance black ops research base… Just who the hell are you?!

Shepard:

Option 1: I’m Commander Shepard of the Alliance Military. And I’m shutting this place down. (+2 paragon)

Option 2: No one you need to remember.

Option 3: I’m a Council S.P.E.C.T.R.E. And you’re going down. (+2 renegade)

The rest of the base burns around them, and the only thing standing between Shepard and escape is a final battle.

As Shepard fights the Overseer, he argues with Shepard to think twice about their choices. Breaking Dan Hyun out would be a major blow to humanity’s progress. Dan Hyun disagrees, screaming at Shepard not to listen to him because he can’t see the truth. The Overseer claims that the Alliance gave Dan Hyun and her family their lives, to which she cries that for all they might have given they stole enough to kill them five times over.

Eventually, Shepard defeats the Overseer and his remaining support. Dan Hyun is seen guiding surviving scientists to escape shuttles before putting a hand on Shepard’s arm. They leave together, and the mission ends.

Where Are They On The Ship Me2:

Dan Hyun makes a home within the research lab, on the side containing the exterior of the ship. She is set up with her own desk which features a variety of photographs and media clippings. Someone’s dog tags rest over her computer. A small stack of fiction sits in the corner, and her research notes cover the entire expanse of the room. Upon recruiting Dan Hyun the lab becomes noticeably cluttered with datapads and half-eaten take-out. She and Mordin appear to have pooled their resources to procure a folding bunk bed as well. The microorganism is given a display case on the center desk. She is usually sitting at her computer, facing the Normandy window.

Often, pop music can be heard, and occasionally Shepard will walk in on her and Mordin singing along.

During cutscenes, she will generally ask Shepard to speak with her in the Communications room for a bit of privacy. She will always light the digital interface to a star map resembling her home system, and turn it off at the conclusion of their scene.

Between missions, she can be asked about:

-Her time at Canto 10.

-The Nautilus Base.

-Her background as an Alliance Scientist.

->Her thoughts on Cerberus/The Suicide Mission.

-Her family

-> Her friend who was KIA.

-The Microorganism

->Its potential as a miracle cure and miracle destruction.

-Her positive attitude

-> Her desire to cling to normalcy.

Where Are They On The Ship Me3:

Dan Hyun resides in the medical wing of the Normandy SR-3. She can be found sitting at the desk, measuring vials, or checking over a patient. She roams the ship quite often and will almost always be in a different spot than her last location.

Loyalty Mission:

Kelly: Commander, Dan Hyun’s been asking if you have a second to spare for her. It sounds like she could use your help.

Dan Hyun is looking at the microorganism when Shepard enters the laboratory. She starts by lamenting that everyone’s told her this is going to be a one-way trip and that she should make arrangements for the worst-case scenario. She wants to believe this isn’t the end for her, but she’s also not stupid. She asks Shepard to help her transfer the microorganism and her research to safer hands, just in case.

Shepard can ask where she plans on taking the sample, to which she will explain that her parents have a small, private facility on Sandalwood Island. She says she’d like them to accompany her as a backup. She’s not keen on taking chances.

Shepard either accepts or rejects Dan Hyun’s request. If the offer is rejected she is clearly taken aback but says that she hopes Shepard is right and the sample will be safe for their return. You do not earn her loyalty.

If the offer is accepted, the mission proceeds.

The Missing Link

The skycar transport touches down at Sandalwood resort, the main skyport that provides access to the beautiful Sandalwood Island. Shepard is greeted by smiling concierges and Milky Way species of all shapes and sizes. It looks like an idyllic tropical destination, and gentle music plays over the loudspeakers.

Shepard: Are your parents supposed to be meeting us at the resort?

Dan Hyun: Oh, no, no. They’re at the lab already, but everyone has to travel through the resort’s Skyport. The island’s not big enough for more than one.

Companion #2: Maybe we can come back after and enjoy the facilities?

Shepard: Not likely.

Dan Hyun: We just have to exit out the lobby and we’ll be on our way.

Shepard and the crew cross the airway and enter a lobby. As they move through the crowds of tourists, Dan Hyun and Shepard exchange commentary about why she chose to meet her parents there. She explains that Sandalwood was a place their family often vacationed at while her parents did personal work at the lab. It was a retreat from the high-stress environment that came with living at S.A.R.F, and it was the greatest freedom she remembered having as a kid.

Dan Hyun: (laughing)

Shepard: What?

Dan Hyun: That pyjak petting zoo. I told Kai how much I wanted to take a picture with one right at the cabana hanging over the cliffside. He said I was stupid.

Shepard: He sounds mean.

Dan Hyun: He was. But I was kinder. That’s why I have a picture with a pyjak. He lured it there using my snacks, inches at a time.

Dan Hyun: I miss him. I hope… he didn’t have to suffer much.

There are various one-liners that reveal more about Dan Hyun’s personality and upbringing from interacting with objects like an ice cream vendor and an oceanside view. Eventually, though, you see the research lab in the distance. The glass-paneled building shines on the edge of a cliff, with birds flying past as posing for the perfect postcard.

Dan Hyun: (fondness) There it is.

Shepard: Are you sure the microorganism will be safe there? I thought you said your parents were Alliance.

Dan Hyun: They are, but after I told them where I’d been... I’ve heard hearts break before but I’ve never heard them shatter.

Dan Hyun: They’ll keep the sample safe here. I believe in them.

Dan Hyun: They kept me safe all their life.

As Shepard moves to flag a ground taxi, the island seems to shudder, trees shaking from the ground up. Birds take to the sky above, and a van quietly pulls into the taxi port. Concerned voices raise as the tourists look around, asking if maybe there’s been an earthquake. The answer becomes clear when the taxi doors fly open and an outpour of CAT6 Mercenaries open fire on the crowd.

Shepard is immediately launched into combat, exclaiming disbelief that CAT6 mercenaries were here yet again. The second companion questions what they would be attacking a resort for of all things.

When the mercenaries are wiped out it only becomes clear that more are coming in fast. Additional vans drive up, and Dan Hyun is looking worriedly between the tourists and the lab facility. It turns out she has plenty of reason for concern: black vans are traveling up the curving roadway, and appear to be headed there.

Shepard instructs the second companion to stay with the tourists and together with Dan Hyun, commandeers a van. The two start driving as fast as they can, entering a high-speed chase.

Along the way, CAT6 mercenaries continue to pull close to their car in an effort to run them off the road. Shepard must turn driving over to Dan Hyun in order to enter combat and defend their vehicle.

Shepard: Did you tell anybody that we were coming here?!

Dan Hyun: No one!! I paid for passage on my accounts, and everything I told my parents was over Vidcomm.

Shepard: Cerberus Channels?

Dan Hyun: We only have the one!

Despite taking out several vehicles, Shepard’s tires are shot and the vehicle begins to spin out of control. Dan Hyun reaches for Shepard’s hand and pulls them into her, protecting them in a bubble-like shield powered by both biotics and electric charge.

The two survive the crash and crawl out of the steaming black van into the hot sand. They look up to find they’ve been surrounded by the enemy.

Shepard and Dan Hyun are now facing yet another wave of CAT6, but this time, with one minor boss. A close-range Dragoon.

Once Shepard brings the Dragoon’s shields to 0, a cut scene plays. They manage to knock Shepard to the ground as Dan Hyun is engaged with another enemy, and Shepard watches in horror as they’re about to deliver the killing blow. The whip of the Dragoon raises high, its biotic energy sparking. Then, suddenly, the Dragoon’s arm is stuck. Looking back, the whip has become wrapped around the edge of a blade, connected to someone in Cerberus armor. You see his smirk as he pulls back, dragging the Dragoon to the ground before getting into a ready stance.

“Commander Shepard. Looks like your reflexes are still slow. Lucky for you, I’m fast.”

This time, the mysterious figure joins your team, and the three of you work together to take down the massive Dragoon.

Once the dust is settled, a renegade impulse to hold a gun to the figure can be taken.

If Shepard takes the impulse the figure will meet them weapon for weapon with a blade. The two have a tense standoff as Shepard questions “Who the hell are you?” The figure’s eyes remain cloaked by an opaque eyepiece but their mouth is twisted into a devilish grin.

Dan Hyun puts a hand on Shepard’s arm whispering “Commander, stop. They saved us.” The cutscene will then proceed as normal.

Otherwise, Dan Hyun will look with apprehension at the figure. Shepard sizes them up, folding their arms. “Cerberus armor, Cerberus weapons, Cerberus techniques. I don’t suppose it’s too much to hope the Illusive Man sent us a friend.”

At that, the figure pauses, then uncloaks the visor over their eyes.

“It is. The credit goes to coincidence. Happy coincidence.”

Beside Shepard, Dan Hyun gasps.

“Kai!”

He smiles.

“Dannie.”

Shepard: Kai? Like, Kai Leng? Your friend who was listed KIA?

Kai: Cerberus’ doing. They got me out of the Alliance by faking my death during my tour in Endoclaus. Now I’m doing the real work. Nice to see you finally caught up, Shepard.

Shepard:

Option 1: You’re kidding yourself if you think a terrorist organization is doing anything meaningful. (+2 paragon)

Option 2: Can’t say I blame you for wanting out.

Option 3: There are perks to working with a highly funded and private organization. (+2 renegade)

Dan Hyun expresses that she can’t believe it’s really him, and Shepard, noticing a strange shift to his movements, will ask “So what are you doing here? Because it can’t be a purely happy coincidence can it?” He replies “My work is classified. Cerberus cells aren’t supposed to cross paths and this is no exception.” Dan Hyun remarks to Shepard that Kai could help them. It was difficult enough to get this far on their own. They’re clearly outnumbered.

Shepard:

Charm: Even if our cells are separate, we’re all Cerberus now. We could really use someone like you on our side. (+8 paragon)

Intimidate: If you’re really as good as you say Cerberus made you, then you wouldn’t be afraid to prove it with us. (+8 renegade)

Whatever you select, Kai will appear to consider your words before agreeing to accompany you, fulfilling the secondary combat slot. Dan Hyun, overwhelmed with warmth, thanks him and Shepard both.

Shepard, Kai, and Dan Hyun must now fight their way to the research base, where it appears that the CAT6 mercenaries have taken over. Their vans dot the roadways and a team is attempting to scale the pristine base.

Along the way, conversations between Dan Hyun and Kai illustrate Dan Hyun’s relief and surprise at his survival. He congratulates her on joining Cerberus, and she confides that she’s not sure how she feels about that herself.

Dan Hyun: Thank you for helping us. My Mom and Dad were supposed to be waiting for me, and I’m worried about all these mercenaries.

Kai: We’ll get to them, Dannie.

Dan Hyun: They’ll be so surprised to see you. Eomma’s gonna be like, “Oh my God, you’re even stronger and buffer now! What have they been feeding you?”

Kai: (chuckles) I haven’t seen them in years.

Dan Hyun: … I haven’t either.

Kai: What? Did something happen?

Dan Hyun: I’ll tell you soon.

-

Dan Hyun: Kai watch your step!

Kai: I hate that you remembered that.

Dan Hyun: I know!

-

Shepard: Do you know what these mercs are doing here? Were they related to your mission?

Kai: No. And no.

Shepard: Right.

The trio succeeds in fighting their way to the entrance of the lab and Dan Hyun uses her passcode to gain entrance. All is quiet in the private facility/home, and Shepard whispers that it seems like they didn’t make it inside. Dan Hyun replies she’s not so sure and remains on high alert. She takes the lead, encouraging them to be quiet and stick close to her defenses.

A radio crackle can be heard from upstairs and Dan Hyun sucks in a breath, waving the team forward. They frame the stairway before Dan Hyun goes in first, a look of shock and distress on her face when she discovers that a group of CAT6 mercenaries have her parents hostage at the center of the room.

One leader amongst the masked enemies steps forward as everyone raises their guns.

“Give us the sample or they die.”

Dan Hyun is grimaced to tears, her hands focused on the target. Even Kai looks visually angered and his hands tighten around his weapons.

Dan Hyun: How did you get here? Who are you working for?

CAT6: Doesn’t matter. You have thirty seconds before I blow their heads off.

A Renegade interrupt will allow you to shoot the CAT6 closest to Dan Hyun’s parents in the head. If you choose this option, Kai will shoot as well, while Dan Hyun rushes to her parents to provide cover till the shooting stops.

If you wait past the renegade impulse a Paragon interrupt will occur and Shepard can convince the CAT6 to give them more information. The CAT6 will start to say they were “Tipped off by a usual contact. We only know him by the name of J–”

The CAT6 will never finish his sentence, though, as the mercenary behind him will shoot him. Kai and Shepard will finish the job and Dan Hyun will rush to her parents and provide cover till the shooting stops.

If none of the impulse reactions are taken, the CAT6 will shove a gun to Dan Hyun’s mom’s head and she will shout before using her Bleed ability to trigger a manual combat scene.

When the dust settles, Dan Hyun’s parents react quickly to hug Dan Hyun before turning in surprise to Kai and pulling him in for a hug as well. Shepard watches as they reunite, their dialogue indicating cathartic relief that their family has been so lucky to be brought together again in such a meaningful place.

“Dan Hyun used to cry under the table right there…” “Eomma, stop!”

Dan Hyun thanks Shepard for escorting them, relieved that she can finally place this sample in the right hands.

She produces a shining jar with the label EU-001 and Shepard remarks,

Option 1: I’m glad we got everyone here safely. Including the microorganism.

Option 2: That was a wild ride.

Option 3: That little rock better be worth it.

As she’s about to hand it to her parents, Kai interrupts, a critical expression on his face.

“Stop. You’re going to leave that with them? After seeing what lengths those mercenaries went through to get here?”

Dan Hyun: I… This is the safest place, Kai.

Kai: It obviously wasn’t. Auntie and Uncle can’t defend themselves or your sample.

Kai: Don’t be sentimental Dannie, make the right decision.

Dan Hyun: Don’t tell me you’re giving me your opinion without also giving me a solution.

Kai: Leave it with me. Cerberus will take custody of it. We have all the funding in the world and I can guarantee it won’t be touched.

Shepard now has the opportunity to decide the fate of the microorganism. They can either encourage Dan Hyun to leave the sample with her parents, Kai, or, to take it for herself.

Shepard encourages Dan Hyun to keep the sample for herself: Dan Hyun seems most assured, given her ability to protect the sample so far. She is given full agency over the microorganism and its fate. (ME3 impact: Allows Kepral’s cure to be developed, Eve to survive if Maelon’s research was not preserved, provides war assets, and power bonuses)

Shepard encourages Dan Hyun to give the sample to her parents: Dan Hyun’s feelings are confirmed and she’s grateful to leave the sample with those she trusts most. (ME3 impact: Eve to survive if Maelon’s research was not preserved, Dan Hyun’s father is killed, provides war assets, new grenades, and power bonuses)

Shepard encourages Dan Hyun to give the sample to Kai: Dan Hyun is most uncertain but trusts Shepard. Her opinion of Cerberus improves slightly. (ME3 impact: Provides war assets, power bonuses, and new weaponry, but also results in hits to war assets affecting alien troops due to Cerberus’ development of biochemical weapons)

Dan Hyun will hand the sample to whoever Shepard has suggested and she will thank them for their help. Her mom will step forward and echo her statement, saying that if they don’t have to get going just yet, they should all have dinner together. Dan Hyun rests her head on her shoulder, whispering somberly that dinner would be good. Her Mom doesn’t seem to notice the weight of her statement.

Mrs. Kim: And I think someone will need to help us get rid of all these bodies…

Shepard: Really? I, uh. I’ve never been responsible for that part before.

Mrs. Kim: Well! You’ll be happy to know you're starting today!

The mission ends with Dan Hyun biotic floating the bodies away. while Shepard lobs one over their shoulder, rendering a peaceful end to what was an unexpectedly chaotic adventure.

Loyalty Achievement: The Link Restored

Suicide Mission: Specialist Suggestion: The Long Walk

Romanceable: Yes to all.

Lock in Conversation: In the last cutscene with Dan Hyun before the Suicide Mission, she is in the communications room again, using the AR visual platform as a background. She asks Shepard if they were thinking of anything strange lately.

Shepard:

Option 1: No more than the usual intrusive thoughts.

Option 2: What do you mean strange?

Option 3: That’s kind of a weird question.

Dan Hyun hmm’s in response, thumbing her lip. She replies that the Suicide Mission coming up has made her remember things she’d thought she’d forgotten.

“Just the other day, I was looking at Miranda’s lipstick and all I could think of was my first pet rabbit, Creamy. She wasn’t very unique. Appa actually passed her off to me because there were hundreds of rabbits in our breeding program just like her. But one look at Miranda’s lips and she was all I could think of. Creamy.”

Shepard:

Option 1: It’s not unusual to get nostalgic before something as intense as a suicide mission. Thinking back is part of being human.

Dan Hyun: Yeah… I think you’re right. We have memories for a reason.

Option 2: I can’t think that far ahead. I’m still here putting one foot in front of the other.

Dan Hyun: Sometimes that’s what it takes to survive.

Option 3: I don’t look back. Not when revenge on the Collectors is so close.

Dan Hyun: Awh… You’re so admirable and focused, Shepard. But that must get tiring, every day staring in one direction... Reflecting on the past helps us more than you might think.

Romance: Do you stare at people’s lips often?

Dan Hyun: Shepard! Are you teasing me? Darn. Now I’m blushing.

Shepard: You didn’t answer the question.

Dan Hyun: Only some people’s… (she looks at Shepard’s lips before looking back at them).

“I can’t help but ask myself if I did everything I wanted to do. I had a lot of dreams as a kid like…I wanted a house with a big glass window so I could always feel the sun on my face. I wanted to work in a lab with coworkers that would always get drinks after work. I wanted to make people’s lives better. And I really wanted to get married.”

Shepard:

Option 1: You did some of those things. And the rest… well there will always be time when we get back.

Dan Hyun: You really believe we’ll be back?

Shepard: I’m going to do everything I can to make sure of it.

Option 2: Don’t count yourself out. Besides, we could still make it back. It’s up in the air.

Option 3: You don’t need to fulfill a list to truly live, Dan Hyun.

Dan Hyun: I know. It was only a dream.

“I just hope you’re right, Commander.” She paces the room and comes to a stop by Shepard’s side, where she puts a hand on their forearm. “I know it’s not easy on you either…. Know that your mission is helping millions of little people’s dreams continue to come true. Maybe that’s the lesson I should learn too.”

If Shepard took the flirt line earlier, a paragon interrupt will occur, indicating that you can lean close and kiss Dan Hyun.

If Shepard does not take this interrupt, the scene passes and the cutscene ends.

If Shepard takes the interrupt, Shepard will slowly lean in until Dan Hyun meets them in the middle and they enter a sweet kiss. Shepard takes her face in both their hands and she rests hers over theirs, and when they part, she looks at them with sparkling eyes.

“And now you’ve made one part of my dream come true.”

Shepard: What’s the other part?

Dan Hyun leans close with a smile and whispers something inaudible to the audience in Shepard’s ear. All we see is their wide eyed expression, and they lean back and clear their throat.

Dan Hyun laughs at their face, saying “Too much?”

Shepard:

Option 1: Not too much. Not for you. (Romance locked-in)

Option 2: Yeah… actually. I’m sorry, I think this was a mistake. (Romance terminated)

If Shepard chooses option 1, they pull her close and kiss her through her smile, causing the cutscene to to fade to black.

If Shepard chooses option 2, Dan Hyun slowly disentangles herself, looking frozen and mortified. She whispers an apology and leaves, ending the cutscene.

If Shepard locks in a romance with Dan Hyun, she will have a repeatable dialogue tree next time she is talked to.

Shepard: What are you writing?

Dan Hyun: Hm? Oh. Nothing. Don’t look at that.

Shepard:

Option 1: Aw, really?

Dan Hyun: Yes! It’s silly. Why don’t you look at me instead? Or better yet, I can look at you. And think about you.

Shepard: And I can think about you?

Dan Hyun: I hope you’ll do more than that.

Mordin: Fascinating.

Option 2: More notes?

Dan Hyun: Yes. Very very important notes. Actually, you could help me.

Shepard: What do you need?

Dan Hyun: Hold this textbook for me.

Shepard: Okay.

Dan Hyun: Now hold it up above your head?

Shepard: (does it)

Dan Hyun: Ohhh. Gosh. (she covers her face) Thank you I will contact you for further testing.

Option 3: Dan Hyun, I know you’re not being a tease right now.

Dan Hyun: Oh, gosh. You really think I’m a tease?

Shepard: Maybe. I could change my mind if you show me.

Dan Hyun: Fine. Here it is.

Shepard: (laughing) Mrs. Dan Hyun Shepard.

Dan Hyun: Stop it! I’m a grown woman but I know how to cry.

Shepard: It’ll just be one more dream to make come true.

Romance Scene:

Shepard is lighting candles on the ottoman when Dan Hyun walks in. She’s wearing a white blazer with tall dress pants to meet a simple white crop, glamoured with gold. She’s carrying what looks like a stack of two takeaway boxes in her hands.

Shepard: Well, look at you.

Dan Hyun (laughs and does a slight turn around): Yeah, you look at me. I think I’m content to stare away at you.

Shepard extends an arm to her and takes the takeaway boxes as they guide her to the couch cushions. They take a seat together and Dan Hyun watches as Shepard opens up the boxes.

“I brought kimbap. It was the one thing my Dad and I used to cook together. And the one thing I’m good at cooking.”

Shepard: You cooked for me?

Dan Hyun: You mean you really didn’t see that trail of smoke behind me and Rupert fanning the fire on the stove? Wow. I’ve got to take advantage of that. Now stop talking and try it! (she picks one up between chopsticks and holds it up to Shepard)

Shepard:

Option 1: [Eat the Kimbap]

Shepard bites the kimbap Dan Hyun offers, nodding when she asks if they like it. She smiles, wiping away any stray food from their face.

Dan Hyun: It was important for me to eat with you tonight.

Shepard: Why is that?

Dan Hyun: A meal is… not a ration. It’s a sacred thing. A meal is taking care of someone. And… I want you to know what it’s like to have someone take care of you. Before everything…

Shepard: Do you know how it feels to have someone to take care of you?

Dan Hyun: In some ways. But it really is like eating. One taste, and I come back for another. Two tastes becomes three. Four tastes and I devour. I can see nothing else past that.

Shepard: Then let me feed you. (They kiss, passionately, falling back onto the couch until the scene fades to black).

Option 2: What if I’m craving something else, instead?

Dan Hyun smirks, reaching to the table and producing a chocolate heart.

Dan Hyun: Do you have a sweet tooth, honey?

A renegade interrupt is available here. Otherwise:

Shepard: They say sugar was the original drug.

Dan Hyun: Not love? (she leans in closer)

Shepard: Maybe.

Dan Hyun: What do you think is stronger? Should we run an experiment, Commander?

Shepard: You’re the expert, Dan Hyun.

Dan Hyun: I am. And I say… (she puts the chocolate in Shepard’s mouth) Tell me how this makes you feel.

Shepard:

Option 1: Comfortable, luxurious, light.

Option 2: Bitter, velvety, heavy.

Dan Hyun: Oh, I see. And how does this make you feel?

She kisses Shepard deeply and sensually.

Shepard: Why don’t I show you?

Shepard picks her up and the cutscene fades to black.

If Shepard took the renegade interrupt, they will say “Sweeter than chocolate can satisfy,” and guide the chocolate towards Dan Hyun’s mouth. When she bites into it, Shepard will bite into it too and their lips will meet in a passionate kiss. Shepard will pick Dan Hyun up and wrap her legs around them before carrying her to the bed where the cutscene fades to black.

Can be rekindled in Me3: Yes.

Mordin advice: “Dan Hyun, if you would please exit the premises.” “Why!” “Going to discuss sensitive patient information. Cannot be present.” “(sing song) Oh gossh okay, be nice to me.” “Good. Now that that’s out of the way.” “Human on human, not so complicated. Biotics? Complicated. Creative uses, exciting suspensions, Dan Hyun very clever, you; very fascinating to her. Always check for consent! Best practice. Will be forwarding diagrams, cosmo articles, and her personal romantic material, recommend chapter 38 of Lust in Disguise, myself.”

Kasumi Commentary: I saw Dan Hyun looking through a wedding catalog the other day. I hope the Alliance has enough back pay, because your girl’s got expensive taste. Adoring, expensive taste of course. // I heard about you and Dan Hyun. Don’t look so surprised, she told me the second I saw her. If she was any sweeter on you I think the reaper husks would get cavities.// Dinner with Dan Hyun’s parents must have been nice. (I don’t know. It was a relief to eat something that hadn’t been prepared by the janitor.) Yeah, okay stop bragging, I’m already swimming in jealousy. Seriously though. That’s kind of a heart warming image Shep. (I bet).

If Unromanced: If unromanced and Thane is also unromanced, dialogue between her and Thane suggests a mutual, yet cordial crush.

-She may be found asking him about his health and discussing the benefits of physical

activity. He’ll reply earnestly before the conversation turns flirtatious.

-Her romantic novel, The Stars in Our Eyes, will be seen at Thane’s life support table.

-Thane’s coffee mug will disappear and she can be seen in the research lab, holding it.

-Shepard may inquire about her interest in the assassin to which she will giggle and cover her face before asking if it’s silly to entertain romantic notions at this point in her life. She then turns the tables on Shepard and says “Don’t people like us deserve to enjoy simple things, like love, and courtship? We’ve given so much already. There’s nothing wrong with some take.”

-Shepard may inquire with Thane, who will look down with fluttering eyes and smile. He’ll remark that he didn’t think he had much time in his life left, but suddenly, it’s like an eternity was opened before him. He’ll whisper quick lines of a memory of her laugh, before saying “but you have more pressing matters,” and digressing.

-In ME3, she will be present at his memorial and reference his grace, beauty, and dignity.

-Kai Leng will hesitate before stabbing him during their confrontation in Priority: Citadel II.

If Thane is romanced but Dan Hyun is unromanced:

-There will be a small dialogue between her and Shepard when Shepard runs into her reading a fornax magazine in the bathroom. She’ll swear she just found it and Shepard will reply “I just saw you put a bookmark in it!”

-A white lily appears on her desk, and you can hear Dan Hyun mumble to herself “White? Oh, Kai.” “I wonder how long he’s felt this way….”

Citadel DLC:

Message to Meet:

Commander:

Tali and I are coming over bye

XOXO D.H + T.V.N

Commander:

You, me, drinks, dancing.

Wear something hot!

XOXO D.H

Friend Date: Dan Hyun meets you on the Silver Coast Casino dance floor in a shimmering jumpsuit. She hugs you, expressing that she couldn’t be happier to be back on the Citadel and doing something as simple as dancing.

Shepard: Getting tired of the simplicity of combat?

Dan Hyun: Combat is simple, to you! To me it’s like calculus.

Shepard: You’re still a great soldier Dan Hyun.

Dan Hyun: Yeah, I’m good at calculus too. That doesn’t mean I don’t hate it.

They share a laugh and Dan Hyun flags down a waiter, who asks what they’d like to drink. Dan Hyun eyes Shepard, smiling. “How about a round of your hardest shots?” Shepard shakes their head but smiles.

The waiter brings over six shots of flaming Batarian ale, to which Dan Hyun starts to get apprehensive.

Dan Hyun: Okay. Maybe I didn’t think this through.

Shepard: You can always back out now… No consequences!

Dan Hyun: No. Shepard, we work our asses off every single day. And now, we’re going to see who’s the tougher person with a drinking contest.

Dan Hyun: Let’s do this!

The waiter rings a bell and people gather around, bets quickly exchanging hands and factions forming.

For every shot, Shepard must surpass a charm check that gets progressively harder.

Dan Hyun matches each of Shepard’s shots until the very last drink. The crowd has chanted to a climax and when the last shot appears, Shepard can use a renegade interrupt to take the last shot where Dan Hyun passes out, her head falling onto the table.

Shepard then radios for a cab before passing out themselves.

If Shepard is unable to take the last shot, Dan Hyun wins and radios for a cab for the two of them before passing out herself.

Ultimately, Shepard wakes up in their apartment bed, with an email from their LI [or James] saying that they dragged them back to the apartment. Walking around the apartment, Shepard can see Dan Hyun asleep in one of the guest bed rooms with the blanket up to her nose. If they interact with her, she will mumble in her sleep about yams, celebrity crushes, the microorganism, and posing for photographs.

Apartment Date: Dan Hyun joins in on Tali’s movie apartment date, and the two of them and Shepard spend a night crying and swooning over an epic romance.

Shadowbroker DLC:

Terminal Messages

Terminal Message 1: CITADEL KEEPER BUG #547 ; APOLLO’S CAFE ; 04:39 pm

Dan Hyun: I feel so old ordering at this time! (laughs)

Kai: (chuckles) You said you were ready to eat again.

Dan Hyun: Yeah, I’m always ready to eat. And walking around here really takes it out of you. I guess I get so excited being back… and off duty for a change. Don’t you?

Kai: Off duty doesn’t fit me.

Dan Hyun: (laughs) Okay! So you weren’t smiling when you won the sharpshooter arcade game at Silverlakes?

Kai: I didn’t mean–

Dan Hyun: I got you.

Kai: Just order your food already!

Dan Hyun: (laughing)

Kai: Dannie…

Dan Hyun: Mm yeah?

Kai: The Alliance… They held you hostage for so long. It’s been bothering me.

Dan Hyun: Oh. Yeah. I don’t know… it’s… I get nightmares–

Kai: If I’d been told what happened. If I knew…

Dan Hyun: Ah… well. I didn't even know (laughs). Don’t beat yourself up, Kai.

Kai: Don't …laugh about it.

Kai: They took you for almost a year. They stole your life away. Your future.

Kai: You should be angry for what you lost. You should hate them.

Kai: I do.

Dan Hyun: ...So if you'd known what happened?

Kai: They wouldn't have lived to regret it.

Dan Hyun:...Thank you.

(If Dan Hyun is unromanced and Thane is unromanced)

Dan Hyun: Do you think you’ll be with Cerberus forever?

Kai: That’s the plan.

Dan Hyun: Hmm.

Kai: You should consider it when you get back from your mission. They’ll want you for one of their research teams. You could do a lot for humanity with us.

Dan Hyun: I don’t know. Cerberus is also humanity first. I don't think they'll be as supportive when they realize I’m going to use my research to benefit all species.

Dan Hyun: Besides, I don't want to be so close to war anymore. Some of the squad were planning on going back to family or settling residence plans. Tali wants to see the flotilla again, and Thane's going back to the Citadel–

Kai: The Drell with Kepral's. Of course.

Dan Hyun: Of course what?

Kai: You always had a bleeding heart.

Dan Hyun: You loved my heart.

Terminal Message 2: DAN HYUN’S JOURNAL; SAMPLE EU-001

11/01 – Microorganism seems in tact from transport. Greyish color, reflective. Texture is watery but mostly organic cohesive material. It’s a miracle that something akin to stem cells was just out here, growing beneath the surface of the ocean. Imagine the possibilities of a cell that be cloned to replace… ANY cell. Like what the humans of 2000 believed stem cells would be, but truly growing separate from any sapient life. An endless supply of any cell in the world. Kidney transplants, artery replacements, blood cells. The future is here. Performing routine examination to ensure there has been no invisible damage.

11/27 – It’s alive. Of course. That’s a requirement to being an organism. But it never develops further than this stem form. It’s happy in the frozen jar. Thankfully the Alliance footed the paycheck for a -300 C cylinder. I’m going to begin separating samples of EU-001 to a -172 C jar to attempt life support and reproduction. If EU-001 is going to save the galaxy, we’ll need more than just a spoonful.

12/28 – Dr. Solus and I have decided to see if EU-001 responds to music. We tried kpop, acoustic, ABBA’s greatest hits, EDM, and reggae. We breaked to dance for ten minutes before resuming. No effects thus far but we will continue application in hopes of success. In other news, EU-001 has begun a very slow reproduction with the introduction of a livable environment as well as micro shrimp corpses. I may have an EU-002 soon! Will be on the hunt for accelerants.

01/14 – Joker told me he used EU-001 as a football today and I passed out from rage. It was a lie, apparently, but my black out was real. I woke up with a nose bleed and Kelly wiping my face with a towel. Joker hasn’t made eye contact since. I feel okay about this. Especially since I’m happy to report that after several rounds of accelerant testing, I finally have something that works! EU-002 is alive and here. EU-001 is safe as a control, now, and Thane has told me about his debilitating lung condition. I will be asking the Commander if they’d bring me to the Citadel soon. I need some healthy Drell lung cells.

Shadowbroker Comment: “Ah, the Alliance’s Missing Link. For all the aid she could have supplied, you should have known she’d fetch a far higher information tag.”

Comments on Shepard’s Driving: “This is not as badass as the movies make it!” “SHEPARD!!!” “This is exactly why I ride share everywhere.” “I’m going to beg Miranda for a chauffeur budget if we survive.” “I… I think I’m going to be sick…” “You have a driver's license? (Shepard: It’s part of our Alliance certifications isn’t it?) That’s really nice of them.”

Dan Hyun: ONCOMING TRAFFIC! ONCOMING TRAFFIC! (smacking sound)

Shepard: Ouch!

Dan Hyun: EYES ON THE ROAD!

Opinions:

Friends: Jacob, Wrex, Tali’zorah, James, Samara, Sam, Thane, Jack, Steve

Neutral: Miranda, Grunt, Zaeed, Liara, Garrus, Kasumi, Joker, Mordin, EDI.

Enemies: Kaidan, Ashley, Javik.

Decisions They Approve Of:

Preserving Maelon’s Research

Destroying the Reaper Base

Destroying the Heretics

Saving the Rachni Queen

Curing the Genophage

Recruiting Diana Allers

Decisions They Disapprove Of:

Saving Zaeed on Zorya

Choosing Morinth over Samara

Sacrificing the Council

Choosing Anderson as Councilor

Punching Khalisah

Comments on Cerberus: “They say don’t bite the hand that feeds you. What if that hand was just the only one willing to?” “The uniforms are so much nicer here, these leggings are like butter.” “I don’t believe in Cerberus’s ideals. But how much choice do people like us have?” “Sometimes I wake up at night and it’s hard to breathe. How many people am I hurting just being here?”

Comments on the Alliance: “They say, don’t meet your heroes. They’re right. They’ll kidnap you and feed your family misinformation and lies in order to further their wars on people different from them.” “I don’t trust them anymore, and still, my parents work for them. But how could I ask them to leave their life?” “Looking at my old uniform makes me sick. I feel so lied to, sometimes. And then I wonder if that’s my fault for believing in something bigger than myself. ”

Comments on the Reapers: “It’s like the scary stories Kai and I would tell each other when we were kids… Something big, dark and evil, coming from the farthest corners of the universe. Eomma would always come in to tell us to knock it off before it got too terrifying. I don’t think she’d succeed against real reapers.” “They look a little like cuttlefish. Have you had it fried?” “AI tickles my brain. The idea of a master race being one that is made by organics… Doesn’t that just show how we see ourselves, or am I going down a rabbit hole?”

Comments about other Squadmates:

Jack: I still can’t believe she hit me. But… I’ve gotten close enough to where she won’t yell at me to ‘get out’ when I try to sit down with her. I feel a little connected to her in some ways, being trapped somewhere. I won’t tell her that again, that was a mistake. But I won’t give up.

Miranda: Is she looking? Is she nearby? Okay. What? No, I’m fine. I just… want her to see me at my best! She’s really incredible and she works so hard, harder than she needs to.

Grunt: A real, live, pure krogan. I’d kill to know what tech went into him. He’s incredible, in all senses of the word.

Samara: Her story both takes my breath away and makes me so misty. I couldn’t imagine my mom trying to kill me. I couldn’t imagine running from her. Samara has the cosmos as a crown and yet they’ve conspired against her. It’s humbling to see her at peace despite that.

Thane: I’ve never seen someone walk with so much grace. I’ve tried walking like him, when he’s not looking, but I just can’t get there. It reminds me of something my Appa said: the bamboo only knows how to bend because it has been crushed before. I never understood that until now. (if both unromanced): He’s really wonderful to talk to. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten so lost than I have in those eyes. I think… we’re both healing, in our own little ways.

Legion: I just can’t get over the fact that it’s Geth. You’ve been fighting them for so long now you must know what I mean. I’m sorry, Commander. It’s hard to let my guard down around them right now, no matter how different they may seem.

EDI: I was nervous at first with an AI, and I … of course still have questions. But gosh… the convenience… How can a platform so efficient be so bad? I’m going to take her shopping soon. Maybe we can learn more about each other there.

James: He makes me feel safe in the Alliance again. He’s tough, compassionate, funny, charming… and principled. Everything the Systems Alliance should have aspired to be.

Kaidan: Sweet, if a little awkward. It’s kind of fun watching him walk around! He’s so… he’s just so Kaidan.

Tali’Zorah: My true soulmate of course. We were friends right away, but I remember we truly bonded after she told me about her relationship with her Dad. Not many people understand what it’s like to live in your parents’ shadow. Not many people are that lucky.

Garrus: He’s very fiery. My Eomma would call him a dare devil. I think I’d say… maintain five feet of distance. I like to watch fireworks but I don’t want to get caught in the blast. (Laughs)

Ashley: I didn’t think we’d get along at first but all of a sudden it was four AM and we were blasting music in the Cargo Bay, drunk off Tequila. Now, she holds my secrets like a little baby bird in the palm of her powerful hands… Oh Ashley…

Wrex: He headbutted me to “toughen me up.” Too bad he didn’t know about my armor. Instant repulsion into the wall! I might be the first person to give a krogan a concussion by accident and still live.

Liara: I wouldn’t mess with her. Maybe you should take notes, Shepard. Her type is the kind that’s never eaten before in her life. Now, she will devour, whether she wants to or not.

Javik: When you lose someone you become bitter. When you lose your family you become corrupted. When you lose your people… you become a ghost. He’s just so angry.

Zaeed: Ugh… No, thank you.

Kasumi: She teases me so mercilessly, “Dan Hyun, who are you drooling over today!” “Dan Hyun, are you trying to get a good selfie?” She’s always right but why does she have to say it so everyone can hear?

Banter:

Joker commentary on recruitment: Joker: Hey Commander, the scientist you blew up an Alliance Black ops base for just taught me a dirty word in Korean, so at least if we’re persecuted for treason we’ll be able to upset a fraction of the juror’s with foul language.

Joker commentary: Alright, maybe I was too hard on Dan Hyun before, she really livens up the place. Plus, she’s so nice, it almost makes me feel better knowing she’s out there ripping people’s nervous systems to shreds.

Kelly commentary on recruitment: Dan Hyun’s a remarkable addition to the crew. She has this natural ability to make people feel completely at ease around her. I feel like I could tell her my darkest secrets and she’d find a way to still make me feel lovely.

James Nickname for them: Princessa

Greeting/Default Saying: “Hey Commander, what are you up to?”

How do they Address Shepard: “Shepard” “Commander”

Combat Phrases: “Down you go!” “Too bad I’m not on your side!” “Die!” “

Low Health: “Dying! Dying alone!” “My shields!” “(breathing erratically) M-My arm!”

Revived: “(voice wavering)I hate getting shots.” “Almost safe, almost safe…”

Friendly Fire: “Ow, shit!” “Commander! That’s cruel!”

Location Comments:

Omega: You know, I grew up on a crime torn planet too. I was safe inside S.A.R.F, but every Friday, I would walk to the downtown convenience store and movie theater arcade to hang out with my homeschooled friends. It was usually fine, and I only got kidnapped once.

Illium: Gorgeous! That skyline is breathtaking. And did you see all those stores? I wouldn’t mind having dinner here. If you look at the sun long enough you can forget just how terrible the deals going on around us are.

The Citadel: I dormed here when I was studying for the Alliance! It was such a cute, tiny little suite, and I could hear everyone on either side of me…but I loved it. I was never lonely here.

The Citadel: There’s an incredible scientist who lives here, Dr. Parisah. She wrote the bible on hardy vegetables. I always wanted to get her to sign one of my yams… I wonder if she’s still around?

Tuchunka: (Whispering) I feel so sad here. This is what happens when science goes too far. The genophage should have never happened.

Companion Banter:

Normandy SR3, Cargo Bay; Bug Transcript #1889

James: Hey Princessa, come sit on my back.

Cortez: Oh my god here we go.

Dan Hyun: Sure!

Cortez: You don’t get tired of being his human weight, Dan Hyun?

Dan Hyun: Of course not. What are friends for if not helping you achieve your goals?

James: See? She doesn’t complain.

Cortez: Right. I’m still not letting you strap me to your chest.

James: Party pooper.

[End Transcript]

Normandy SR2, Laboratory; Bug Transcript #913

Mordin: IF you use logic–

Dan Hyun: I am using logic. I AM that’s the problem.

Mordin: Incorrect. There can be no flaw in objective dissection. Genophage was right decision you must admit that. There can be no other solution.

Dan Hyun: There IS–

Mordin: Where? Why? How? Show me Dan Hyun where? Could you do better? I think not.

Dan Hyun: Cultural destruction was not a solution it was a distraction and dammit Doctor I think you know that.

Mordin: It was.

Mordin: And… I do.

[End Transcript]

Normandy SR2, Crew Deck; Bug Transcript #804

Dan Hyun: Hi Miranda!

Miranda: Specialist.

Kasumi: Wow, that was pretty good.

Dan Hyun: I know right? I think I’m whittling her down, bit by bit.

Kasumi: I respect the hustle but I also have to know: why?

Dan Hyun: Why?

Kasumi: Yeah, why do you care so much about being all buddy buddy?

Dan Hyun: Well we have to work together. That’s pretty obvious.

Dan Hyun: But mostly, I just miss having friends. It’d be nice to… I don’t know. Belong somewhere again.

[End Transcript]

Normandy SR2, Engineering Deck; Bug Transcript #1391

Tali: Oh, (sniffles) Dan Hyun.

Dan Hyun: (quiet)

Tali: (laughs, choked up), Keelah, your hugs feel good.

Dan Hyun: You can have them whenever you want. I’m by your side, Tali.

Tali: (laughs)... Should I be using this time to tell you about the great tales of my Father ?

Dan Hyun: Is that what you want to do?

Tali: …

Tali: I’m actually scared of running out of stories to tell. Isn’t that silly?

Dan Hyun: I think it’s normal to be scared of that.

Dan Hyun: But whenever you run out… just start over.

Dan Hyun: I’ll pretend it’s the first time I’ve heard it. And he’ll live forever like that.

Tali: …I love you.

Dan Hyun: I love you.

[End Transcript]

Normandy SR2, Med Bay; Bug Transcript #687

Dan Hyun: Sing… sing a song… make it simple.

Dan Hyun:...hmm hmm hmm hmmm hmm mhm (off-key)

Dan Hyun: hmmmm hmmmmm–

Thane: Dan Hyu–

Dan Hyun: (scream)

[End Transcript]

Normandy SR3, CIC, Bug Transcript #2928

Dan Hyun: H..hm? Hi there, can I help you?

Sam: Oh my God. It’s really you.

Dan Hyun: (points at self)

Sam: The Missing Link. You’re a legend amongst Alliance Scientists everywhere!

Dan Hyun: A legend? I thought Alliance Command erased all record of me.

Sam: They DID. That’s why you’re a legend. Your work is the literally the holy grail of the biology community and you got wiped off the face of the Galaxy. I was so close to choosing to specialize in the field before you disappeared.

Dan Hyun: What do you know about me?

Sam: The propaganda. That story about you dying in a laboratory explosion on Canto 10, the memorial, the flowers. The Binary Helix “mistake.”

Sam: But I heard the rumors too. That the Alliance wasn’t being as truthful as it claimed to be.

Sam: You have no idea how many scientists still believe your disappearance was shady. They’re on your side, Dan Hyun. We always have been.

Dan Hyun: Ah, gosh.

Dan Hyun: Let’s have lunch. I need to tell you everything.

[End Transcript]

[ground-zero-idiocies]

I love your writing. I have a cute Fallout 4 prompt/request, Nora building playgrounds for the kids in the different settlements, as well as Diamond city. Or even Nora and synth Shaun both pretending to be the Silver Shroud, with a mini costume that Nora made for Shaun. Or even just for the LOLs, the Sole Survivor creates a maid cafe, which is inspired by anime she watched prewar.

OMG. These are all so good. Let’s go with three mini-reacts.

Ground-Zero-Idiocies Presents: Fallout 4 Fluff Lightning Round

1. Nora rebuilds playgrounds around Boston

It’s been quite a while since the Commonwealth was feeling excited. After the factions came to be at peace, life settled down for most people. Without gossip, the children were so bored!! Upon seeing the plight of the youth, Nora decided that she alone could fix this by rebuilding playgrounds around the Commonwealth. With her intensely charismatic skills, she persuaded the feral ghouls to swim over to spectacle island and live there and she even convinced the super mutants to help build the playgrounds (she’s got charisma 8 and the ability to quicksave until she beats the check. Don’t question it). With the laughter of children (and the sound of slides crumbling from the weight of super mutants) filling the air, the Commonwealth felt truly at peace. After the 15 minutes or so that it took her to do all that, Nora turned to the companions for some opinions.

Cait: “I dunno why I even question anythin’ you do anymore. You’ll be slaughtering deathclaws and gunners one day and then you’ll be getting fucking super mutants to build a child paradise?? WHO ARE YOU??”

Codsworth: “Miss Nora, I do believe that this project will help bring the Commonwealth together. And on top of that, now the children have somewhere to play that won’t give them rabies, tetanus, and every other disease under the sun…”

Curie: “DID SOMEONE SAY DISEASE??? I LOVE DISEASE”

Danse: “While I doubt the military use of this endeavor, and I find it completely putrid that you utilized the super mutants for this task, construction of useful infrastructure could be very useful towards bettering the general opinions of the Commonweath’s people towards the Brotherhood. No, I will not go down the slide!”

Deacon: “Oh hell yeah. We finally have a working swing! I was so tired of having to take the train to Nuka-World, wholesale slaughter like 60 raiders and take the train back just to get a few seconds of sweet, sweet airtime.”

2. Nora and Shaun become…The Silver Shroud

One night in the Commonwealth…8:30 PM (30 minutes to bed time), October 9, 2288. The peaceful settlement of Abernathy Farm prepares to retire to bed for the night. As Blake Abernathy turns off the lights around the farm, a band of evil miscreants approaches. These raiders form a line against the left flank of the large building that houses the settlers. They charge in, screaming and shooting blanks off of their guns. They approach the house, stopping only when a large whoosh is heard behind them. They quickly turn around, only to find two cloaked figures behind them. The taller figure eyes the raiders up and down, brandishing a shiny, silver submachine gun. The raiders immediately run, as the clocked figures shoot rubber bullets into the backs of the drugged-up dinguses. The figures remove their heads, turning to each other. Shaun jumps into Nora’s arms, commenting with: “We beat the bad guys!” and Nora just smiles. She brings Shaun back to bed as the clock strikes 9. When Shaun is soundly asleep, Nora pours herself a whiskey and sits out in front of the house.

Gage: “First you pull me out of Nuka-World, then you kill my guys and tell the rest to scram, now you’re becoming a raider-hunting superhero? Damn boss, I think you should just let us live in peace.”

Hancock: “Damn, you fired Kent as your sidekick? Rude. Still, nice job with those raiders. Those Abernathys make the best tato soup, it would be a real shame to lose such a culinary treasure.”

Longfellow: “So the superhero’s are back in the Commonwealth! Y’know, Far Harbor had its own superhero once. We called him ‘The Crabmaster!!’ Unfortunately he didn’t have any kids and died from his rampant alcoholism.”

MacCready: “I know it’s a big ask but do you think Duncan could meet the little shroud? I know D’s only 5 but he loves comics, especially the shroud. You, though, are incredible. I’ve never seen raiders scram faster then that, even when I’ve had a gosh-darn mini nuke aimed at them!”

Nick Valentine: “So, the shroud returns…with a sidekick. It’s cute, and you’re certainly helping out, but aren’t you a little scared something will happen to him? Am intimidating costume isn’t great protection against stingwings. Still, now I get to say that my synth pseudo-grandson is a real superhero.”

3. Nora creates a Catgirl/Femboy Maid Cafe

The adults of the Commonwealth are angry. The kids got playgrounds, and the Super Mutants got to stop getting shot by each other, but what do the adults have?? Peace?!! Oh please. No. Every adult has ‘but one desire’, and that desire is not you. I’m sorry Ink Spots, you were wrong. No, the only true desire of the adults of the Commonwealth want is a cafe, one filled with catgirls, femboys, and maid outfits. So what’s a savior-of-the-Commonwealth to do but build the damn thing? In fact, what is she to do but build dozens in every old Drumlin Diner across Massachusetts? With inspiration from the greatest art form to ever grace the Earth (subtitled anime) as inspiration, she sets to work. Now, the cafes are open, so who comes up inside?

Piper: “I have been waiting for this moment for my entire life. Thank you. I used to dream of having a cafe full of maids and catgirls and femboys and everything as such on Christmas Eve. Santa never delivered. Fuck Santa. All I need is a recently unfrozen popsicle from a secretive vault. Thank you. Thank you. Also please tell me you have Nuka-Cola or I may cry."

Preston: "Look General, I'm not going to say that I understand why you would choose to spend your time here, but that's your choice I suppose. Still, if it brings people together, I'm all for it. Nice work."

Strong: Works there.

X6-88:

[that-blue-vault-dweller]

I’d love to see the companions/ nerdy!Sole react to finding the old Silver Shroud set in Boston. The playthrough I’m planning has a Sole being a major comic book geek so I’d love to hear your thoughts!

It sounds like you’ve got a really interesting playthrough coming up 🥰 Are you playing as a F!SS or a M!SS?

Thank you for the request! I hope you enjoy! 💙💛

Cait - Does not really care about the whole thing, but she is pleased that F!Sole is so happy. Even if it is ridiculous. She just follows F!Sole around the set, listening to her practically endless babblings about the TV show and everything else.

Piper - Is really strangely interested in it herself. Her Blue really is taken with it, so she just rolls with the whole thing. She asks lots of questions, and when she pulls out Grognak the Barbarian's outfit from a nearby locker, F!Sole is almost hopping up and down with excitement.

Curie - Is very fascinated. She is not particularly a comic book or superhero fan herself, but she loves to see F!Sole's passion and it is interesting to her to figure out about the behind-the-scenes information.

MacCready - Is absolutely sure that he has died and went to heaven. He is positively enthralled by all of the superhero stuff all around him, and he is dying to look at absolutely everything. He is actually almost in tears when he looks at the beautiful holy grail that is the Silver Shroud outfit. He and F!Sole are nerding out the entire time they're there together.

Deacon - Thinks it's pretty awesome. He kind of wants to try on the Grognak outfit and the Silver Shroud outfit just to see how he looks in them. After all, disguises are his favorite thing, and he loves trying on clothes as if he is some sort of model.

Codsworth - Is quite pleased that F!Sole is enjoying herself so much. He makes quite a few comments about his memory of the Silver Shroud and the episodes he had seen. They even act them out together, and Codsworth laughs heartily as she puts on her best Silver Shroud voice.

Hancock - Finds it all to be sort of silly, but he finds her excitement to be adorable, so he does not say anything. He actually asks a few questions about the superhero, and she is more than happy to oblige as she practically talks his ear off.

Danse - Thinks the whole thing is very fascinating and he asks tons of questions about everything. He also finds the Silver Shroud submachine gun prop behind a curtain, and when he shows it to her, she looks like she could positively pop as she takes the thing from him and handles it with the utmost care as if it could break at any moment.

Preston - Politely listens to her and asks questions about it. Superheroes are not really his sort of thing, but he likes seeing how happy it makes her, so he just goes with it. He is a little bored there, but it is a new experience, so he just tries to embrace it for what it's worth.

Valentine - Feels nostalgia washing over him, and he is happy to talk about the Silver Shroud and his TV show. F!Sole and him share quite a few stories about it and they discuss what Nick knows of the lore, and F!Sole is more than happy to explain even more of it to him.

X6-88 - Does not really care about the entire thing. He just listens to her patiently, and hopes desperately that she will be ready to leave soon. However, when she shows him the Grognak the Barbarian axe, he is much more interested than before.

Dogmeat - Is very happy with how excited she is. He sniffs eagerly at everything, just loving her enthusiasm. When she places a scarf from the weird mannequin nearby around his neck, he is very happy. It's like a bandana, and he's getting tons of pets and praise, so he is more than willing to sit there and let her do what she wants with him.

Strong - Does not want to be here and thinks the whole thing is dumb. It is confusing to him as well, and he just hates the whole thing. However, when she gives him Grognak the Barbarian's axe and tells him he can use it until they get back to Sanctuary, he is much more enthusiastic and he is very happy to be here since they found a weapon.

[yugospersonal]

Part 2 - Back In The Saddle

Ladies and gentlemen, after all that character creation, we finally get to step outside to theMojave Wasteland. Thankfully we aren’t unarmed as Doc Mitchell was kind enough to give us a couple of dynamite as we have tagged our explosives skill. He would give us a 9mm pistol if we tagged Guns and a laser pistol if we tagged Energy Weapons. If you tag Melee or Unarmed, you’ll get a Straight Razor and a Boxing Tape respectively alongside a 9mm pistol. I got a 9mm Submachine Gun and a Laser Pistol because I repaired the 9mm SMG from Doc’s house using a repair check of 25 and picked up the Laser Pistol from a box.

Though if you are already well versed in the game, you might’ve came to the conclusion that somethings might seem missing, that’s because I made the executive decision to not use the items that are given to you by the Courier’s Stash DLC even if the Mercenary’s Grenade Rifle will help me a lot due to my high explosives skill (except the Vault 13 Canteen, can never leave that from the inventory)

If you don’t know what the Courier’s Stash DLC is, there were 4 different pre-order item packs avalible at different retailers. But with the release of Gun Runner’s Arsenal, they decided to make a compilation of all the pre-order bonuses and then sell them for a dolar. Though you’ll most likely have those items if you bought the ultimate edition.

While going at the wiki to look for the item’s list that I’ve learned that the poster used to advertise the “Tribal Item Pack” the Broad Machate used in it uses the model of the regular machate instead of the unique one the broad machate has in game

But enough of useless trivia, let’s go thank the person who saved us.

“Don't mention it! I'm always ready to lend a helping hand to a stranger in need.”

“How did you happen to find me?”

“I was out for a stroll that night when I heard the commotion up at the old bone orchard. Saw what looked like a bunch of bad eggs so I laid low. Once they'd run off, I dug you up to see if you were still kicking. Turns out, you were, so I hauled you off to the Doc right quick.”

“I've never seen a robot like you before.”

“I’m a Securitron, RobCo security model 2060-B. If you ever see any of my brothers, tell them Victor says howdy.”

After I thanked the good robot who was kind enough to help us, I decided to enter the Goodsprings General store to get some more ammo.

“I've got plenty of supplies for sale. Even got some weapon mods and special ammo - well worth the caps, if you ask me. If you're hurting for caps, I've also got boxes of surplus ammo in the miscellaneous section. They're not great, but you get what you pay for.”

Weapon mods and special ammo are stuff introduced in New Vegas, if you find them in the inventories of vendors you can buy modifications for your weapons to make them even better like turning to Varmint Rifle from a mediocre starter weapon to a somewhat devistating sniper rifle.

Special Ammo are stuff like Armor Piercing and Hollow Point ammo; armor piercers do slightly less damage but will also ignore 15 points of DT and Hollow  Points will x3 your opponent’s DT while giving you a 1.75 higher damage, so it’s best used on low armored or unarmored targets. There are much more interesting types of ammos in the game especially for the shotguns but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.

I came here to buy some new ammo so I bought some .223 ammo so that I may use it in a 5.56 ammo weapon, it’s cheaper than all 5.56 ammo and only does slightly less damage

While going to the Prospector Saloon like the Doc told us so Sunny Smiles might teach us how to survive in the wasteland, I’ve met a jolly old timer sitting in front of the saloon. Decided to talk to him because who else than an old man will explain what’s going on the reigon the best?

“Why do they call you Easy Pete?”

”You were a prospector - like digging for gold and silver?”

“Nah, nah - means I poked through old buildings looking for working tech and such. Some folks just call it "salvaging," but never liked the term. Way I see it, salvage means it's broken, near-worthless. Me, I looked for the good stuff - guns, chems, spare parts. Good money in it.”

“ Did you ever find anything good while prospecting?”

“Nope. Had a pretty good claim once, way out east by the river, but got run off by Raiders. Eventually, got too old to keep going out.”

“What’s wrong with NCR?”

“Don't get me wrong - the NCR's got a lot of decent folk in it. It's just that they make you part of them whether you like it or not. Towns like Goodsprings and Primm don't stay independent for long, not if you've got something the NCR wants. Still, the NCR keeps the Legion away.”

“Tell me about the Legion”

“They're slavers, led by a guy named Caesar (SEA-ser). Or Caesar (KAI-zar). Not sure how you're supposed to say it. A couple of years ago they tried to take over Hoover Dam, but the NCR beat them back. The NCR didn't - or couldn't - finish the job, though. The Legion's got its strength back and is getting ready for another round at the Dam. My money's still on the NCR winning, but you never know. We've been hearing stories about Legionaries on the Nevada side of the river, so keep a gun handy. You don't want to get caught by them.”

“What’s so important about the Hoover Dam”

“The Dam powers a lot of New Vegas. And then there's all that clean water lying in Lake Mead, too. Anybody who owns the Dam owns the territory.”

“ Do you know anything about the people who attacked me?”

“The one in the fancy suit seemed to be calling the shots, that's as much as I know. Other folks in town might know more. Word of advice, though: if you ever catch up with him, watch out. The man's got cold eyes like a snake. Can't be trusted, I'd say.”

After talking about the big players in the Mojave Desert, I enter Prospector Saloon only to be greeted by a dog barking at me. Thankfully her owner, Sunny Smiles, was there to calm her down

We ask her to help us to learn how to survive out here and she decided to help us buy teaching us how to shoot. For that we first gotta go outside.

Here’s a fun fact, after she gives you the Varmint Rifle and you drop the ammo it uses on the ground, Sunny will have some unique dialouge and some extra ammo

I dunno Sunny, broken glass can be quite dangerous.

You taught me how to shoot a gun, of course I’d be glad to help.

Gotta dress the best way I can too, decided to also use a Laser Pistol to conserve a bit of the 5.56 ammo.

“Bunch of little monsters is what they are. Seems like Doc Mitchell treats more gecko bites than anything else.  Let's see if we can get a little closer. If we move quietly, we can get the jump on 'em. More likely to hit something vital that way.”

Thanks Sunny, but sneaking ain’t in my style! Comes with the territory of being good at explosives

After taking care of one of the Gecko’s, I press “V” to enter V.A.T.S. so that I can hit him on the head. Each body part comes with it’s own health and if it drains it’ll get crippled.

A few caps more you say? I’m in

Oh, speaking of equiping the Laser Pistol to conserve ammo, look at what we have here!? I get to have a free melee weapon

Geez lady, you should’ve been more careful. You should know there are a lot of Geckos in these parts, you live here!

:)

After this Sunny tells us that she’s going to teach us how to craft stuff but I think all those are self explanatory; you use campfires for food, reloading benches for ammo and workbenches for a whole lot of things. In this tutorial she’s going to ask us to make a Healing Powder using a Broc Flower and a Xander Root. You can find the Xander Root in front of the Goodspring Elementary School (right of Doc Mitchell’s house if you turn your back into it) and the Broc Flowers on the Goodsprings Cemetary, which we will go right now.

Now that the tutorial has concluded she tells us to say hi to Trudy who runs the Prospector Saloon because she likes to welcome the newcomers to town but before that I have something else to do.

We got ourselves a shovel, let’s see if the dead has some good presents to give us?

While going up the cemetary, I managed to encounter a Bark Scorpion. Huh... didn’t think they would appear here but alright.

Shit, not only we encountered a Bark Scorpion but we also have a fly infestation, fitting for a grave

(After a round of bug extermination and grave robbing later)

There was... literally nothing worth of here. Weird, I remember some of them having good loot. Must be slightly randomized like some containers in game.

Though wait... what’s this?

Cool, I’ll try to find someone who’ll pay good money for this.

I was lucky to survive two bullets to the head, hopefully this grave will keep staying empty.

Though I think we’ve made Trudy wait long enough. Let’s drop by in and say hi like Sun- Huh, what the hell??

Looks like we’ll have a trouble brewing in the town.

“I'm trying to track down the people who attacked me. Know anything about them?”

“Not much, other than they're a bunch of freeloaders who expected a few rounds on the house. I was able to get them to pay up, though. Of course, one of the Great Khans did knock my radio to the floor "by accident," and it hasn't been working since.”

“Did my attackers say where they were going?”

“They were having some kind of argument about it, but the guy in the checkered coat kept shushing them. Sounded like they came in from the north through Quarry Junction. If that's the case I can't say I blame them for not wanting to go back.”

“Why is that?”

“That whole area's overrun with the kind of critters that just get mad if you shoot 'em. Merchants avoid that whole stretch of I-15 like it's radioactive. Which it could be for all I know.”

“So where were they headed?”

“I didn't hear exactly, but the leader was talking about the Strip. Fella wants to get there and avoid the 15, he'd have to go east. Take Highway 93 up.”

“Want me to take a look at your broken radio?”

Thankfully, didn’t break too hard once it fell down. I just need to pop the stuff that fell out, back in and it should be good to go. Let’s tune the radio properly aaaaaand....

“-ackage courier found shot in the head near Goodsprings has reportedly regained consciousness, and has made a full recovery. Now THAT is a delivery service you can count on!”

“Those are our stories this hour. This is Mr. New Vegas signing off! Just kidding. I'm not going anywhere. My love for you is too strong.”

“Got some Dean Martin coming up talking about the greatest feeling in the world: love. Ain't That a Kick in the Head? Heh-heh. It sure is, Dino, it sure is.”

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