[X] Speak with Hircine yourself. You did introduce werewolves to Halkeginia after all, maybe that's worth something to your ancestral god.
 
I'm pretty sure this is REALLY bad news, like Big!Pinky has just introduced the kyubey effect into the worm universe (one which is trying to start a rebellion).

Is it though? The phoenix we used to send Hinata to Louise was seemingly utterly destroyed; presumably teleporting across dimensions burns them out entirely, defeating their rebirth mechanic.

Then again, Fawkes may have survived anyway, possibly due to him being in chick form at the moment and that being of some consequence, him having not teleported recently and thus being better rested, him simply being more powerful than the other phoenix, or perhaps he's a Named Character and thus cannot be destroyed so easily.
 
Is it though? The phoenix we used to send Hinata to Louise was seemingly utterly destroyed; presumably teleporting across dimensions burns them out entirely, defeating their rebirth mechanic.

Then again, Fawkes may have survived anyway, possibly due to him being in chick form at the moment and that being of some consequence, him having not teleported recently and thus being better rested, him simply being more powerful than the other phoenix, or perhaps he's a Named Character and thus cannot be destroyed so easily.
The other one died because it sacrificed itself protecting Hinata from the raw energy of Oblivion. Fawkes doesn't have to worry about keeping any fragile mortal safe since he's just delivering a couple inanimate objects.
 
Unhelpful Hircine? Helpful Hircine? Can You Tell The Difference?
Having distracted yourself with a late dinner long enough for Cattleya to storm off, you make your way back to the corner of the base you'd erected the altar.

Conjuring a hare without bothering to bind it, you grip it by the head and end the thing's struggles with a flick of the wrist. A hard tug later and you are splashing blood on the effigy to summon Hircine back into the world. You don't have to wait long for a wave of magicka to wash over you as a large spectral creature with tusks and a tentacle on it's face springs into being.

"Ah, Tyne, just the mortal I had been meaning to speak with." The Lord of the Hunt says without speaking, his voice reverberating inside your head.

Ignoring the guard on the wall who fainted while trying to peep, you bow low and resist voicing your confusion over his choice in avatar. "Lord Hircine, the pleasure is all mine."

"No, I highly doubt that. Of all my so called followers, I must say you are quite the vexing individual." He replies and you try not to react since, had he wanted you dead, there would be nothing you could do to stop him. Noticing your discomfort, the Prince laughs, "After my gifts to your people, your own bloodline, I would expect a grain of devotion."

"If you recall, I did spread lycanthropy to another world. Surely that is worth something. Besides, my only remaining caregiver into a hagraven is hardly something I would be thankful for!" You argue, perhaps unwisely, but he merely brushes you off with a flap of his ghostly ears.

"You poisoned a woman with werewolf blood in a fit of intoxicated annoyance." He said with a trumpeting sound that you assumed to be a scoff based on context. "Am I now to grant boons for every mortal who drunkenly shoots a deer?"

A fair point, there wasn't really anything you could say to that. "What about this world? Not only did I create an altar in your honor, but also pushed Cattleya toward your trial."

"The pink mortal? Yes, her affinity for nature is commendable, but the woman lacks a killer instinct... If she shows promise in her hunt, then we shall see. As for this realm, not even I find invading another Lord's realm a worthwhile challenge. There is no glory in battle without end."

"So nothing I have done has been significant enough to earn your favor, Lord Hircine?"

"Face it Tyne, you're no more a true hunter than that parasite host your apprentice failed to kill." Hircine says, though you aren't sure what exactly he is referencing. "As she is a lone wolf destined to death and failure, you are no better than a carrion bird... Though I am not above admitting that the vulture plays it's role even while seeking naught but it's own gain. Very well, a word of warning for services rendered: When the bee alights upon the wolf, tread silently and with care for consequences."

Disappointed, but not entirely surprised with the uselessly cryptic message, you sigh, "I was hoping for something a mite more substantial." In response, the Daedric Prince winked and dispersed his avatar. Shaking your head, you head off to bed for the night. "Well, that was less than helpful."


Status: Healthy
Magicka: (650/650)

Choose:

[] Visit with Raymond, he should be working on an aircraft of some sort.

[] Go with Espinoza and Trobror to assault a Brotherhood position.

[] Realign the Oblivion Gate to Louise's location, a messenger can be sent through to determine if it needs to be moved.

[] POV Switch:
-[] Cattleya.
-[] Louise.​

[] Write in.
----------------------------

A/N: Hircine, like all other Daedric Princes, exists outside of time. The Gate can't be opened for more than a few moments until the conflict is over or aerial superiority belongs to X-com.
 
[X] Realign the Oblivion Gate to Louise's location, a messenger can be sent through to determine if it needs to be moved.
Check if it's good enough. Hopefully if it works Louise can begin sending over some of the things she was told to collect.
 
[X] Realign the Oblivion Gate to Louise's location, a messenger can be sent through to determine if it needs to be moved.
 
[X] Realign the Oblivion Gate to Louise's location, a messenger can be sent through to determine if it needs to be moved.
 
Get Rolling
Since Hircine wasn't exactly helpful, you decide to return to more fruitful endeavors such as establishing a more secure supply line than scavenged refuse.

To that end, you spent the morning after talking with the Daedric Lord opening a connection between the world your apprentice is on and your own. With the old gate still being mostly intact, it doesn't take long to align it properly and the sky soon began to burn red. As the portal burst into existence, you look over to Victoria.

"Remember, we do not know where she is or what could be happening on the other side."

The half-arachnid teen shrugs, "Yeah yeah, I'll be careful. It's not like I don't know the dangers of my own planet."

"It most likely is not exactly the same as the world you are familiar with." You warn her, getting a roll of the eyes in response. "This is no jest, you may end up in a place where everyone is identical in appearance, but opposite in personality. Your realm has far too many shadow worlds to know which specific one you came from."

"So the odds of returning home?"

"Minuscule for the moment, but maybe one day." You answer honestly. From what you've seen of her personality, she would only become more rebellious and disrespectful if she suspected you of lying to her, even for her own good.

Victoria sighs despondently and soothingly rubs her lower body between the eyes. "Thanks for killing that hope... I guess I'll keep an eye out for evil doppelgangers or whatever."

"You have twenty-four hours to find Louise and get a proper accounting of the situation on the other side. I will open the portal again at roughly the same time tomorrow." You explain before ushering her forward.

Once she is through, you close the portal and reengage the barrier around the base. If things aren't too horrible in the other realm, you can begin to harvest resources and increase X-com's capabilities back to previous levels without relying on scavengers slowly combing through dangerous ruins on foot. With raw resources in abundance, your... associates can focus on building up and becoming a dominant force in the region.

Status: Healthy
Magicka: (650/650)

Prepare for when the portal reopens:

[] Gather workers and zombies to establish a base on the other side.
-[] Maximum strength; Mirelurk and Deathclaw zombies, skeletons, atronachs, and ninjas.
-[] Try to blend in, ergo no exotic creatures or noticeably undead minions.​

[] Pull Raymond from his work and try to rig up a system to move a large amount of resources.
-[] A rail line.
-[] A horizontal portal for aerial vehicles.
-[] Write in.​

[] Inform the rest of the Command Staff of the situation and get an update on what needs to be addressed.

[] POV Switch:
-[] Cattleya.
-[] Louise.​

[] Write in.
 
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[X] POV Switch:
-[X] half-arachnid!Victoria

- - -

Spider!Vicky coming home and meeting her alt!family sounds fun (esp. with this new and maybe more understanding mother ((she can always have more Teddy!Daughters)).
 
[X] Inform the rest of the Command Staff of the situation and get an update on what needs to be addressed.

[X] POV Switch:
-[X] half-arachnid!Victoria

They probably have much more experience with such things so they would know what would be best... Such as not sending an invasion of fallout zombie monstrosities to gather 'supplies', well without sending notice first...
 
[X] Inform the rest of the Command Staff of the situation and get an update on what needs to be addressed.

[X] POV Switch:
-[X] half-arachnid!Victoria
 
[X] Inform the rest of the Command Staff of the situation and get an update on what needs to be addressed.

[X] POV Switch:
-[X] half-arachnid!Victoria
 
[X] Gather workers and zombies to establish a base on the other side.
-[X] Maximum strength; Mirelurk and Deathclaw zombies, skeletons, atronachs, and ninjas.

[X] Pull Raymond from his work and try to rig up a system to move a large amount of resources.
-[X] A rail line.

[X] Inform the rest of the Command Staff of the situation and get an update on what needs to be addressed.

[X] POV Switch:
-[X] Louise.
 
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Scheming Old Men
After sending Victoria through the portal, you spent the next hour or so informing the key members of X-com of the situation. Having gathered in the Command Center and explained Victoria's mission to join with Louise and establish an acceptable location, you finish by stating, "In less than a day, our resource limitation will not be."

"That's all well and good, but what of the local inhabitants? I highly doubt that child of yours understands the words 'subtle' or 'peaceful negotiations'. Are we prepared to fight a war on two fronts?" Vahlen asks from across the table.

"Now Moira, I think you give the girl too little credit." Raymond interjects before the woman can build up steam. "Miss Valliere is just an awkward teenager who isn't used to socializing, she's polite enough once she figures out her place in a group."

"The brat threatened everyone in the mess hall, considers us second class citizens, and thinks herself above any consequences. She burned down one of our few field tents the other day for no discernible reason!" Bradford shoots back with a laugh. "What a poor, misunderstood kid."

Rapping the table with his knuckles, Commander Flagg catches everyone's attention. "Regardless of your opinions on the girl, this is an opportunity we cannot pass up. With this Brotherhood outnumbering and outmaneuvering us, our scavenging teams' efficiency is hampered. Simply put, we need this other world's resources if we are to restore any semblance of normality."

Running a hand over your beard in the manner of all wise men, you incline your head to the man. "Precisely, thank you. My apprentice has been scouting out a parallel world to the one I summoned Victoria from. It should be similar enough to your own homeworld that your people can blend in to purchase supplies or even emigrate there, should the need arise."

"Excellent, I suggest we find a way to purchase parts from an aeronautics company. If we're lucky, we can jumpstart our fighter development enough to end this conflict before it changes from small skirmishes into all out war. At the very least, I would prefer to keep their helicopters from testing our defenses."

"Retrieving materials from the place was never an issue, the problem is maintaining a permanent or even semi-regular presence there. Somebody will notice, if they haven't already."

"Then we establish a rapport with a group that is willing to enter an alliance of sorts." Shen answers calmly before turning to you. "You can make a portal between two points on the same world, right?"

"Indeed." you answer simply, since it would only be a matter of enchanting matching gateways and moving the them to the desired locations. Much easier than an Oblivion Gate.

"Well then, we just need to rig whatever you make with a thin shell, a digital screen, and a self-destruct mechanism for when some one tries to take it apart. After all, I'm sure a government or two would be willing to trade ore and parts for 'blackboxed portal technology'."

"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you." Vahlen says as she stands to leave. "If you will excuse me, I believe we are close to understanding the computer systems recovered from the alien mothership and I would like to finish before you all inevitably create more work for my team."

Raymond shakes his head as she leaves and sighs, "She's going to stress herself into early aging if she doesn't learn to relax. We're in a whole new world full of fantastic things to see and she hasn't been outside since her lab was set up."

"The doctor's work is important to our survival." Bradford states, causing both you and Shen to share a pitying look for the man's lack of understanding.

"That is no reason not to spend a few moments in the sun." You point out. "Anyway, if there is nothing left to discuss..."

"Actually, there is one thing." The Commander says in answer to the implied question. "One of our recon teams took a Zodiac up toward the remains of the Boston airport to spy on the Brotherhood there. They've begun setting up some sort of scaffolding structure, which is odd, but the more important issue is the periscope they saw in the harbor. We suspect the Brotherhood has found a submarine, possibly of nuclear capability."

Shen leans forward before you can respond and asks intently, "A submarine, you say?"

--------------------------

Stepping through the portal, Vicky felt a jumbled mix of emotions.

Part of her was anxious about how her family would react to her new look, another excited to see everybody again, a third portion wanted to rush straight home and check on Iris after all this time, and a fourth did it's best to brace for the disappointment that was sure to come. The old dude wouldn't stop telling her that she probably wasn't going home, not wanting to get her hopes up.

Aunt Sarah and Taylor are taking care of everyone. Vicky reminded herself for what felt like the millionth time as the world came into focus.

She was in a clearing on a mountain in the middle of nowhere. The whole area was burnt and a wide circle of sharpened logs was surrounding her like some sort of pilgrim era town or something. It had been months since she'd been turned into a spider out of nowhere and now that she finally made it back home, it wasn't really home... but looking out toward the distant ocean, she could see that at least the city wasn't destroyed.

Mostly.

Staring at the tiny black specks floating over distant city she remembered being swallowed by the tentacled abyss that was dating her sister, she had to ask, "What the hell?"

"Ahhh!" A scream came from below her, causing the blonde to look down. Beneath her massive lower body was a familiar head of pink hair, being nuzzled affectionately by the fanged face of her spider head. No wonder she was screaming.

Pulling back enough to force the dimwitted thing out of the paradoxically older girl's face, Vicky laughed, "What on Earth are you wearing?"

For some reason, Louise was in a cheap thrift store princess costume. Cheesy looking lace and frills were everywhere on the outfit and she even had a matching mask and heels too tall to have belonged with the obvious children's costume. Not to mention the dirt and soot staining the entire thing. All in all, it was just too ridiculous not to laugh at and the blonde was beginning to get an idea of what was going on.

"Is this your secret base? Are you pretending to be a cape?!" She asked incredulously as her giggles died out and the pink haired girl puffed up her cheeks. It was like the girl didn't realize how childish that face made her look. "How do you even know about that stu-." She paused in horror at the ways Louise could have learned about cape culture. "Oh God, what insanity have you been up to?"

Choose:
[] Give Vicky a brief summary of current events.

[] Be petulant and refuse to answer. Drag her back to her family's house and let her ask them since she's being rude.

[] POV Change: Louise.

[] Write in.
-----------------------------
A/N: You haven't completely gained Spider!Vicky as a party member, but I'm willing to let you see her POV even though your choices are controlling Louise.
 
[X] Give Vicky a brief summary of current events.

If Vicky hears it from Louise first, then she won't fall for any of the locals "lies and slander"/misunderstandings that will come up from everyone around Louise.
 
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