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Dragon Ball: After the End

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Random thought about Dandeer: she currently has a Kakara body ready to use, but it kind of lacks a soul/mind to move it, and sealing magic doesn't really seem the most suited to move a soulless mindless body.

After all, her usual trick is to seal away initiative/free will/any reason not to obey her.

but.. I was thinking... what if she sealed HERSELF Into kakara's body?

that would give her a body that's acclimated to FPSSJ. she'd still have to learn to use that power, Ginyu-style... but it would likely be much easier than unlocking fpssj on her own, and then there's the nice "I'm using my worst enemy's body to further my plan" thing...


Of course, then there's the problem of her not really being able to live her perfect family life that way... but maybe she could seal only part of herself in it?


Or seal a follower in it, possibly.
 
Pittauro said:
Random thought about Dandeer: she currently has a Kakara body ready to use, but it kind of lacks a soul/mind to move it, and sealing magic doesn't really seem the most suited to move a soulless mindless body.

After all, her usual trick is to seal away initiative/free will/any reason not to obey her.

but.. I was thinking... what if she sealed HERSELF Into kakara's body?

that would give her a body that's acclimated to FPSSJ. she'd still have to learn to use that power, Ginyu-style... but it would likely be much easier than unlocking fpssj on her own, and then there's the nice "I'm using my worst enemy's body to further my plan" thing...


Of course, then there's the problem of her not really being able to live her perfect family life that way... but maybe she could seal only part of herself in it?


Or seal a follower in it, possibly.
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Alternately, use a variant of the Namekian fusion spell, to make herself marginally stronger than FPSS (and in a body that's mostly her own).
This seems likely to me.
 
HoratioVonBecker said:
Alternately, use a variant of the Namekian fusion spell, to make herself marginally stronger than FPSS (and in a body that's mostly her own).
This seems likely to me.
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Mh.. sealing, Say, Yammar in her, kinda like we could have sealed Dazarel in us and possibly gained dragon powers...

Not out of the question really. We just don't know the limits of her magic
 
HoratioVonBecker said:
Yammar can be mind-controlled. Kakara's body, less so. On the other hand, fusing with it is much less likely to go wrong...
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Then again, Dandeer is a control freak. If she can get direct control of the power of the other ssj (as in, adding their strength to her own directly), she'd probably want to do it. She could get some inspiration from Spirit Saiyan, except she'd force it...


Of course it's hard to say if she's able to do this or not, but I suppose that's what we have our seer powers for!

Well, we're looking home this turn, so we'll at least get an idea of what she's done.
 
So, here's the remaining bonuses we have, if that plays into any of the plans at all:


Greater Bonuses

SSJ2 "Control the Transformation" check.
Breaking out of a bad system.
Making sure the next major social development with Maya goes smoothly.
Sizing up an opponent.
Introspection.
Avoiding bad endings.
Mental combat.
Resisting genre blindness.
Willpower checks.
Style formation.
Distant interactions with home.
Jaron managing to [???]


Lesser Bonuses

Utter bullshit.
Developing subliminal messaging.
Mental health checks forced by the use of lethal force.
Supporting magical allies.
Dealing with Vegeta.
Dealing with the Legendary Super Saiyan.
Healing checks.
Time travel.
Interacting with other timelines.
Dealing with advanced technology.
Multiverse interactions.
Searching for Earth relics.
Dealing with out-of-context threats.
Deceit checks.
Recovery from an unexpected recovery.
SSJ2 "Control the Transformation" check.
Training actions in Heaven.
Jokes.
Interactions with Dazarel.
Training the namekians.
 
Deathbybunnies said:
It occurs to me that All Is One might have some very interesting synergies with being inside someone else's head.

[X] Plan: All Is One in Bassoon's Head
-[X] The Sight (2 AP)
--[X] Continue Your Training (1 AP)
--[X] Looking Home (1 AP)
-[X] Training (3+2 AP)
--[X] Style Training (1 AP) [Tenshinhan]
--[X] To Go Beyond (1 AP) [Perfect Multiform]
--[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [Dodonpa]
--[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [Crowd Fighting]
--[X] To Go Beyond (1 AP) [Ki Sense - All Is One]
-[X] Social (2+2 AP)
--[X] Talk To Dazarel (1 AP)
--[X] Strengthen Host Bond (1 AP)
--[X] General Training (2 AP)
-[X] The Outside World (0+1 AP)
--[X] Historical Insights (1 AP)
-[X] A Cause (1 AP)
--[X] Ki Refinement (1 AP)

On the other hand, given that Kakara is currently cut off from all the support (and records) of Garenhuld, this is probably the ideal time to invent new tricks. The Thunder Shock surprise would benefit from Garenhuld, but you know what wouldn't? The old idea of flickering USSJ at the moment of contact, for extra power and durability but without hindering movement or stamina.

[X] Plan: Flickering USSJ
-[X] The Sight (2 AP)
--[X] Continue Your Training (1 AP)
--[X] Looking Home (1 AP)
-[X] Training (3+2 AP)
--[X] Style Training (1 AP) [Tenshinhan
--[X] To Go Beyond (1 AP) [Perfect Multiform]
--[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [Dodonpa]
--[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [Crowd Fighting]
--[X] Research Project (1 AP) [Flickering USSJ]
-[X] Social (2+2 AP)
--[X] Talk To Dazarel (1 AP)
--[X] Strengthen Host Bond (1 AP)
--[X] General Training (2 AP)
-[X] The Outside World (0+1 AP)
--[X] Historical Insights (1 AP)
-[X] A Cause (1 AP)
--[X] Ki Refinement (1 AP)
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Can I ask why we're training Dodonpa?

(Also, sorry for the double post.)
 
Cariyaga said:
Can I ask why we're training Dodonpa?

(Also, sorry for the double post.)
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it's a decent beam that can be used non-lethally relatively easily, is not as associated to the legendary Goku as the kamehameha, doesn't require life energy like the kikoho, and is part of the Tien Style we're already training, so it gets style bonuses if we use it with the other techniques of the style while in battle

Also our great talent with all things ki means that a relatively simple technique like the Dodonpa will level up pretty quickly.
 
Cariyaga said:
Can I ask why we're training Dodonpa?

(Also, sorry for the double post.)
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We need a ranged ki attack of some kind. Right now, Kakara knows 2 ki attacks (aside from generic ki blasts that aren't real moves): the Kikoho and the Kamehameha. The former is limited in how often we can use it because it uses life force, and the latter is an infohazard we shouldn't be using in front of anyone off of Garenhuld.

I chose the Dodonpa because it's the main ki attack of Tien Style, that isn't limited in use like the Kikoho and Shin Kikoho are. It sucks a little to be training it without a tutor, but we're potentially going to be away from Garenhuld for quite a while. It being part of Tien Style matters because we're training in that Style, meaning it receives Style bonuses (or will, when we hit Journeyman.)

Also, some people have been wanting to go in harder on learning the Tien Style stuff for a while, so I figured I'd argue for Dodonpa instead of another Research Project etc. that doesn't benefit from being on Garenhuld, and the other stuff in Tien Style looks.. riskier, without a tutor. Dodonpa we at least have at unlearned, so we know the basic theory even if we haven't got it down - the Shin Kikoho and the Four Witches Technique look like they might go badly, given the lifeforce usage and bodily transformation. (Also, I don't think they're even going to be possible without using visions.)
 
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Deathbybunnies said:
We need a ranged ki attack of some kind. Right now, Kakara knows 2 ki attacks (aside from generic ki blasts that aren't real moves): the Kikoho and the Kamehameha. The former is limited in how often we can use it because it uses life force, and the latter is an infohazard we shouldn't be using in front of anyone off of Garenhuld.

I chose the Dodonpa because it's the main ki attack of Tien Style, that isn't limited in use like the Kikoho and Shin Kikoho are. It sucks a little to be training it without a tutor, but we're potentially going to be away from Garenhuld for quite a while. It being part of Tien Style matters because we're training in that Style, meaning it receives Style bonuses (or will, when we hit Journeyman.)

Also, some people have been wanting to go in harder on learning the Tien Style stuff for a while, so I figured I'd argue for Dodonpa instead of another Research Project etc. that doesn't benefit from being on Garenhuld, and the other stuff in Tien Style looks.. riskier, without a tutor. Dodonpa we at least have at unlearned, so we know the basic theory even if we haven't got it down - the Shin Kikoho and the Four Witches Technique look like they might go badly, given the lifeforce usage and bodily transformation. (Also, I don't think they're even going to be possible without using visions.)
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I'm just concerned with how lethal it is, but that makes sense.
 
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Vote Closed!

Vote Tally : Dragon Ball: After the End Sci-Fi | Page 1528 | Sufficient Velocity [Posts: 38181-38246]
##### NetTally 2.2.4

[X] Plan: All Is One in Bassoon's Head
-[X] The Sight (2 AP)
--[X] Continue Your Training (1 AP)
--[X] Looking Home (1 AP)
-[X] Training (3+2 AP)
--[X] Style Training (1 AP) [Tenshinhan]
--[X] To Go Beyond (1 AP) [Perfect Multiform]
--[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [Dodonpa]
--[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [Crowd Fighting]
--[X] To Go Beyond (1 AP) [Ki Sense - All Is One]
-[X] Social (2+2 AP)
--[X] Talk To Dazarel (1 AP)
--[X] Strengthen Host Bond (1 AP)
--[X] General Training (2 AP)
-[X] The Outside World (0+1 AP)
--[X] Historical Insights (1 AP)
-[X] A Cause (1 AP)
--[X] Ki Refinement (1 AP)
No. of Votes: 8
[◈] Plan: All Is One in Bassoon's Head
[X] Adnate
[X] Axel Fones
[X] Cariyaga
[X] DarknessSmiles
[X] Deathbybunnies
[X] Pittauro
[X] QTesseract
[X] Wiadi

[X] Plan Namekian Batman 2.8 Dream Dive Distance
-[X] Sight
--[X] Continue Your Training (2 AP): You've come to a new plateau in your abilities and mapped the new edges of your gift. Now seems like a fine time to push the boundaries, or pick up some new tricks. Follow Dazarel's training regime.
-[X] Looking Abroad (1 AP) [Tien Style]: Utilize our Sight to view Tien himself and/or historical Masters of Tien Style, to supplement our own Style Training (1 Free AP)
-[X] Training
--[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [Dodonpa]
--[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [Ki Refinement]
--[X] Style Training (2 AP) [Tien Style] (1 Free AP)
--[X] New Skill (1 AP) [Four Witches Technique] (1 Free AP)
--[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [Kikoho] (1 Free AP)
-[X] Social
--[X] Strengthen Host Bond (2 AP) (1 Free AP)
--[X] Talk to Dazarel (1 AP)
-[X] A Cause
--[X] Looking Home (1 AP)
No. of Votes: 4
[◈] Plan: Namekian Batman 2.8 Dream Dive Distance
[X] exerty
[X] Jirachi47
[X] KnightDisciple
[X] Terrabrand

[X] Plan Thunder
-[X] Sight (2+0)
--[X] Continue Your Training (1 AP)
--[X] Looking Abroad (1 AP) [Roshi's Thunder Shock Surprise]
-[X] Social (2+0)
--[X] Talk to Dazarel (1 AP)
--[X] Strengthen Host Bond (1 AP)
-[X] Training: (3+4)
--[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [Kikoho]
--[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [Ki Refinement]
--[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [Ki Overdrive]
--[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [Solar Flare]
--[X] To Go Beyond (1 AP) [Perfect Multiform]
--[X] Research Project (1 AP) [Thunder Shock Surprise]
--[X] Style Training (1 AP) [Tien Style]
-[X] The Outside World (0+1 AP)
--[X] Historical Insights (1 AP)
-[X] A Cause
--[X] Looking Home (1 AP)
No. of Votes: 2
[◈] Plan: Thunder
[X] googlyeyesultra
[X] Pittauro

[X] Plan [Nothing To See Here]
-[X] Continue Your Training (2 Psychic AP): You're going to double down on psychic training this month. To get strong enough to save everyone, you'll have to work for it.
-[X] Invent A Style (5 Free AP): Tenshinhan is a good foundation, but it was never the final goal. You need to shift focus. Stealth and nonlethal; your specialties.
No. of Votes: 1
[◈] Plan: [Nothing To See Here]
[X] HoratioVonBecker

[X] Plan Go Beyond Tenshinhan Style!
-[X] Sight (2 AP)
--[X] Continue Your Training (1 AP): Follow Dazarel's training regime.
--[X] Looking Home (1 AP): Devote a substantial amount of time and effort to using your Sight to keep up to date on the current events on Garenhuld.
-[X] Training (3 AP + 2 Free AP)
--[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) Dodonpa: Please note that you can no longer directly train super-skills like Hand-to-Hand or Ki Manipulation.
--[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) Genki Dama: Please note that you can no longer directly train super-skills like Hand-to-Hand or Ki Manipulation.
--[X] New Skills (1 AP) Four Witches Technique: Acquire any skill of which Kakara knows, at an appropriate starting level. The skill's theory and practice must be things to which Kakara has access.
--[X] To Go Beyond (1 AP) Ki Sense: Select either Ki Sense or Multiform and begin training it to Elite+ levels.
--[X] To Go Beyond (1 AP) Multiform: Select either Ki Sense or Multiform and begin training it to Elite+ levels.
-[X] Social (2 AP + 2 Free AP)
--[X] Strengthen Host Bond (1 AP): Deepen the metaphysical connection you have with Bassoon by running experiments with him and exploring his mindscape.
--[X] Talk to Dazarel (1 AP): Spend significant time and focused effort trying to connect with Dazarel. Train him in the use of ki in order to give him a path forward that does not involve murder.
--[X] General Training (2 AP): You've made a start on establishing your teammates' foundations in the arts of ki; now you intend to continue. Continue imparting knowledge and power onto your teammates for this mission.
-[X] The Outside World (0 AP + 1 Free AP)
--[X] Instruction (1 AP): Bassoon makes a concerted effort to train his power level and abilities this month, and you directly assist him.
-[X] A Cause (1 AP)
--[X] Style Training (1 AP) Tenshinhan Style: Make training rolls towards leveling up one of your combat styles.
No. of Votes: 1
[◈] Plan: Go Beyond Tenshinhan Style!
[X] buli-buli

[X] Plan Just Train
-[X] Continue Your Training (2 Psychic AP): You're going to double down on psychic training this month. To get strong enough to save everyone, you'll have to work for it.
-[X] Style Training (5 Free AP) [Tenshinhan Style]: Same deal with Tenshinhan. You have the theory, and you need the practice now.
-[X] Research Project (2 Training AP) [Stat Shifting]: Perhaps you're looking at this wrong. Full-Power Multiform is basically another super mode, but multiform hacking is itself a skill you've gotten good at. Figuring out how to trade durability for speed for stamina for power, shuffling your strengths and weaknesses as tactically appropriate, would be a really useful skill in itself.
-[X] To Go Beyond (1 Cause AP) [Multiform]: Hopefully you can finish this month. Matching the enemy's numbers is a first step to being able to win when you return.
-[X] Strengthen Host Bond (1 AP): Your current nature is still kind of a mystery to you. Figuring it out is going to be critical to... everything.
-[X] Talk to Dazarel (1 AP): The dragon needs to repent. His teacher needs to be stopped. And frankly? A philosophical win would be really nice. Keep working on him.
No. of Votes: 1
[◈] Plan: Just Train
[X] HoratioVonBecker

[X] Plan: Flickering USSJ
-[X] The Sight (2 AP)
--[X] Continue Your Training (1 AP)
--[X] Looking Home (1 AP)
-[X] Training (3+2 AP)
--[X] Style Training (1 AP) [Tenshinhan
--[X] To Go Beyond (1 AP) [Perfect Multiform]
--[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [Dodonpa]
--[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [Crowd Fighting]
--[X] Research Project (1 AP) [Flickering USSJ]
-[X] Social (2+2 AP)
--[X] Talk To Dazarel (1 AP)
--[X] Strengthen Host Bond (1 AP)
--[X] General Training (2 AP)
-[X] The Outside World (0+1 AP)
--[X] Historical Insights (1 AP)
-[X] A Cause (1 AP)
--[X] Ki Refinement (1 AP)
No. of Votes: 1
[◈] Plan: Flickering USSJ
[X] Deathbybunnies


——————————————————————————————————————————————
Task: TASK

[X][TASK] -heading out and locating the fleet itself. This sort of thing -- sneaking around massive fleets -- is almost exactly Bassoon's specialty. All that would need to change to be any more perfect would be if he was trying to reach a planet they were blockading.
No. of Votes: 4
[X] googlyeyesultra
[X] exerty
[x] KnightDisciple
[X] Terrabrand


Total No. of Voters: 15

Your winners:

[X][TASK] -heading out and locating the fleet itself. This sort of thing -- sneaking around massive fleets -- is almost exactly Bassoon's specialty. All that would need to change to be any more perfect would be if he was trying to reach a planet they were blockading.
[X] Plan: All Is One in Bassoon's Head
-[X] The Sight (2 AP)
--[X] Continue Your Training (1 AP)
--[X] Looking Home (1 AP)
-[X] Training (3+2 AP)
--[X] Style Training (1 AP) [Tenshinhan]
--[X] To Go Beyond (1 AP) [Perfect Multiform]
--[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [Dodonpa]
--[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [Crowd Fighting]
--[X] To Go Beyond (1 AP) [Ki Sense - All Is One]
-[X] Social (2+2 AP)
--[X] Talk To Dazarel (1 AP)
--[X] Strengthen Host Bond (1 AP)
--[X] General Training (2 AP)
-[X] The Outside World (0+1 AP)
--[X] Historical Insights (1 AP)
-[X] A Cause (1 AP)
--[X] Ki Refinement (1 AP)

All right, then, let's get on with this! :D
 
Light In the Shadows
  • Threadmarks
    • [X][TASK] -heading out and locating the fleet itself. This sort of thing -- sneaking around massive fleets -- is almost exactly Bassoon's specialty. All that would need to change to be any more perfect would be if he was trying to reach a planet they were blockading.
    [X] Plan: All Is One in Bassoon's Head
    -[X] The Sight (2 AP)
    --[X] Continue Your Training (1 AP)
    --[X] Looking Home (1 AP)
    -[X] Training (3+2 AP)
    --[X] Style Training (1 AP) [Tenshinhan]
    --[X] To Go Beyond (1 AP) [Perfect Multiform]
    --[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [Dodonpa]
    --[X] Improve a Skill (1 AP) [Crowd Fighting]
    --[X] To Go Beyond (1 AP) [Ki Sense - All Is One]
    -[X] Social (2+2 AP)
    --[X] Talk To Dazarel (1 AP)
    --[X] Strengthen Host Bond (1 AP)
    --[X] General Training (2 AP)
    -[X] The Outside World (0+1 AP)
    --[X] Historical Insights (1 AP)
    -[X] A Cause (1 AP)
    --[X] Ki Refinement (1 AP)

    Light In the Shadows
    ​
    You and Bassoon say your farewells to the others and set out on a scouting trip to locate the imperial war fleet. It's a good idea for several reasons. It plays to Bassoon's specialty. It gets your ship out of system, eliminating the risk that somebody will stumble across it. It gives the two of you some much-needed time away from the cramped press of living in close quarters with the rest of your team.

    What you don't mention to the others, though, is that first and foremost it gives you time to do something you've put off for far too long.

    You've been avoiding using your Sight to look back to Garenhuld for a while. You haven't really wanted to see what's going on back there. But...it's been several months. You can't put it off any longer and pretend that it's anything but fear. Fear of what you'll see, of how bad it'll be. Fear of what Dandeer has done to your friends and you family.

    You won't let that rule you. You need to know what's going on back home. You're going to need to return at some point, and unless the Senzus and company pull off a miracle, that return will be opposed. You need to know what's happening; you need to know the context of what's happening. You need good information, at a regular pace.

    You need to look back.

    And so, as the ship launches past the speed of light, on a course to start searching for the war fleet, you close your eyes and cast out your senses for home, trying to find a perspective that can tell you what's been going on.

    * * *

    Gone.

    * * *
    ​
    You slump down against the castle wall, breathing harshly and rolling your shoulder, trying to get the ache out. Gemma sits down beside you. "It wasn't that bad-" she starts to say.

    "Shut up," you snap, glaring. "I sucked."

    Gemma sighed. "We're really new at this, Jenny."

    "I know!" you say, turning to scowl at her. "I...I know." The rush of temper fades quickly, and you look aside, ashamed. "I just...I wish Karen-"

    "Kakara," inserts Gemma.

    "Whatever!" you say. "I wish she could have told us, like she told Maya." Your stomach twists. Of course Maya got to learn before anybody else. Maya loves Kakara more than she loves herself. "I guess the rest of us just weren't close enough," you mutter.

    Gemma sighs. "That's not what it was about, Jenny."

    "Feels like it," you grumble, turning back to the training yard.

    Sophie and Maya circle, back-to-back, trying to keep the various saiyans circling them in view. The leader, Raditz, calls down, "You must keep your opponents' position in mind at all times! We will never be able to guarantee taking a fight with the advantage of numbers. We must be prepared to fight while surrounded, outnumbered...and grossly overpowered."

    tsew

    The circling warriors blur in to attack. Sophie and Maya respond a bare second later. It's immediately clear that Sophie is lagging, badly, behind the other fighters.

    After all, you can actually see her moving.

    It only takes a few seconds before Maya can't cover for Sophie any longer and a saiyan phases into visibility, kicking Sophie away in a blur of trailing red hair. Maya lasts a few moments longer -- already monstrously strong, and stronger by the day -- but outnumbered as she is, she can't keep it up for long. Eventually, a pair of Senzu warriors bracket her and manage to wrestle her to the ground.

    Raditz sighs and descends, facing the Misfits. "Girls. I know that this transition has been hard for you. I know that we're having to ask a lot of you. But we need you to move faster than this. Dandeer controls every super saiyan alive, right now, and more importantly, she rules over nearly all of the Exiles. We need as many people as we can, and they need to be as powerful as possible. We need you to get stronger."

    You grit your teeth, pulling yourself to your feet. "We're trying, okay?! We're training as hard as we can, and Maya's the only one who it's working for!"

    One of the warriors -- a grown man built like the castle walls -- snorts, and you round on him. "Got something to say?!"

    "Enough!" snaps Raditz, his aura flashing for a moment. He sighs, taking a moment to breathe as he pinches at the bridge of his nose. "...Ruta, get out of here if you can't keep yourself under control."

    The warrior looks stunned for a moment before a mutinous expression crosses his face. Still, he bows. "Yes, Head Raditz." He then turns and takes off without another word.

    Raditz shakes his head, eyes closed. "This isn't how I pictured this going," he mutters. Then he takes a deep breath, opening his eyes. "All right. Girls, we're done for the day, in any case. Go ahead and catch your breath." He turns. "Bra! I need you to check in on Prince Mato! Leeka, run a message to my brother..."

    You deflate as he walks away, stewing in your anger. After a moment, you feel Sophie stepping up to you.

    That was something you were still getting used to; that sixth sense in the back of your brain telling you where people around you were and how powerful they were. It was strange. It made things about Kare- Kakara make both more and less sense, in hindsight. More, because of course this was why it was so impossible to surprise her. Less, because she never let on that there was anything unusual about it. You sure couldn't have helped responding to things you shouldn't have been able to see.

    Sophie puts her hand on your shoulder. "We really shouldn't be picking fights, Jenny," she says.

    You shrug her off. "And they shouldn't be making fun at us just because they got a head start."

    "Head Raditz is nice," she says.

    "Makes one of them," you mutter. You then stalk off, trying to vent some of the fury simmering in your chest.

    You wind up aimlessly wandering around the castle courtyard, stalking from training ring. Your frustration deepens with every spar you pass.

    There is not a single fight here that you can follow. In the units the saiyans use, your power level is well over a hundred thousand, now, but the least of these fights has people well into the millions. There's nothing to learn by watching. There's no place to escape it, either. Now that you know how to sense energy, there's nowhere in the castle you can go without being able to feel this. It's galling.

    Eventually, you wind up flying up to the top of the keep, looking down into the yard and just gazing. Eventually, your eyes fall on one of the only figures not moving soon fast you can't track them.

    It's that Tabe kid; one of the saiyans Kar- Kakara ordered to the Hall when she told the Misfits to. As usual, he's practicing his ki trick.

    You can hear him screaming from here as he vents waves of ki in every direction, blotting out his training yard. It still feels like any of the other capped fighters here, but you've seen him fight when doing that thing. It's no contest at all. You grimace, staring down at him. He invented a technique so valuable that everybody wants it, just because he ran out of room to grow. You can't even keep up with the kids in this stupid castle.

    You turn away, grumbling, and go off in search of something to distract yourself with    .

    * * *
    ​
    You stand atop one of the towers set into the castle walls, screaming in exertion as your aura flares around you. You push as hard as you can, eking out as much power as you can find in your body. And you try, try to push hard enough that it spills over into something greater-

    "You're doing it wrong."

    Your scream trails off in a yelp as you spin, eyes wide, to look into Tabe Stauber's eyes. He peers at you, leaning against the wall with arms folded and expression flat.

    You glare. "W- what do you mean?"

    "You're trying to do my trick," he says. "That's not how it works."

    You huff, looking away as your cheeks burn with embarrassment. "I know! I'm not done yet."

    "You're not even going the right way," he says, pushing off the wall and walking towards you.

    You bristle at his tone. "Yeah, well...shut up." You turn away, clamping your mouth shut.

    Tabe steps around into your line of sight again. "I mean, I was gonna show you what you were doing wrong, but if you'd rather..." He turns again, preparing to walk away.

    You scrunch your eyes shut. "...sorry. Stay, please?"

    He stops. "All right." You open your eyes to look at him. He nods to you. "So, what you're trying to do feels more like a willpower push. And yeah, that works out fine, depending on what you're doing, but it isn't my trick. You're trying to force out more power than you have; that's not how it works. It's more about..." He hums, thinking. "...I like to talk about it like it's a garden hose. The hose isn't any bigger, you're just putting more water through it at once."

    "Oh, so it's like projecting," you say, straightening up.

    He tilts his head, frowning at you. "Projecting?"

    You nod, take a deep breath, and push the next words from your diaphragm. "Yeah. Like this."

    He blinks, rearing back a bit.

    You smirk. "My mouth isn't any bigger. I just use more air than I do normally. If you wanna do any theater stuff, you have to know about it." The smile disappears. "You run out of breath faster, though."

    Tabe stares for a moment before nodding. "...yeah. Yeah, that's definitely a problem. Willpower pushes and my trick...they'll both drain you a lot faster. But if you need to be stronger..." He shakes his head. "No choice."

    Your mood sours. "...yeah, I guess so."

    Tabe blinks, looking chagrined. "You're improving through training! You'll get there. Just...well, slower."

    Your lips twist and your eyebrow twitches. "Yeah. Slower. Thanks." You turn away and start walking.

    "I didn't mean it like...that..." he says, not following you.

    You ignore him, stepping into the tower and heading back for your quarters    .

    * * *
    ​
    You push yourself harder, trying to eke out just a little more ki, to punch at your target just a little faster.

    "Stubborn little thing," you hear one of the trainers say, not even bothering to keep her voice down.

    "It's not enough," says her partner, folding his arms.

    You grit your teeth and kick, so fast and hard that you phase, shattering the target. You move onto the next one.

    "No, it isn't," says your trainer. "She's only human, and she's no mutant like that Maya girl. She's just going to lag."

    "And she's doing better than the others," snorts the man. "At least she pushes herself properly."

    You snarl, blinking quickly as you keep forcing yourself through your forms. They all look down on us, you think. We try so hard, but they all think of us as weak, and they're giving up before we even start. None of them are any different-

    * * *
    ​
    "Jenny?"

    You blink, shaking away the memories as Sophie says your name. "Yeah?"

    She peers at you with a worried expression. "You okay?"

    You sigh. "Yeah."

    She gives you a slightly strained smile. "Okay. C'mon, now! The announcement is happening soon!" She turns and jogs off.

    You sigh, falling in behind her.

    Months of training have blurred together in your head. You, Sophie, Maya, and Gemma have clumped up as best as you can, but you all still feel isolated, surrounded by Saiyans as you are. Everybody is completely focused on the war you've found yourself swallowed up by, and nobody has time for the humans, struggling to just keep up.

    You have seen the unknown, now, and it's terrifying, and cares almost nothing for you. Head Raditz is decent, but even he never really has any time for you.

    But he is in charge -- so when he says that it's all-hands-on-deck for a big announcement, all hands get on deck.

    The two of you meet up with Maya and Gemma in the courtyard and find a place to stand. The House members and their guests are milling around; off in the distance you can see Kakara's siblings standing in a clump, with her friends watching them. The air is filled with the sounds of speculation. The four of you look around, uncertain as to what's about to happen.

    You don't have to wait long. After a few moments, Raditz steps out onto a balcony overlooking the courtyard and flares his ki. Conversation halts, and everybody turns to look at him.

    He takes a moment to look across the gathered crowd; you swear that you see his eyes pass over you in particular. Then he clears his throat and begins to speak. "It's been a long few months since the ritual," he says. "I know we've all been feeling pent-up. The Unsealing was supposed to be our escape from this. We were supposed to be able to be free. I want to thank you all for keeping it together." He straightens slightly, taking a deep breath. "I've had a lot of people ask me, lately, when it'll be time to strike back. I haven't been able to answer you before now. Dandeer controls all of the super saiyans. The risk has been too great. But, soon, we're going to have an opportunity...and I've decided that we can't pass it up."

    An excited murmur runs through the crowd. You feel your eyes widen, your attention fixed squarely on Raditz.

    He continues, "This morning, Dandeer left the Training Hall with only her husband and Lord Berra, of all the super saiyans. She brought an entourage with her, but none of them are super saiyans. Her daughter is in attendance -- but, again, she is not a super saiyan. We have a chance, if we strike hard, fast, and smart."

    The saiyans practically lurch, cheers going up and a chant briefly starting. Raditz raises a hand, though, and they subside.

    He seems to almost pause for a moment; from one second to the next, it seems like he shifts a bit in a way you can't quite track. Then he says, "That said, there are still two Lords out there."

    Silence. Almost superstitious terror. People go so still you'd believe it if somebody told you they were frozen.

    Raditz nods. "This mission is volunteer-only. I will not force anybody to take this risk. But we are going to be launching a strike. And..." His eyes flicker for a moment. Again, you almost swear that they pass over you. "...I know that we are desperate, now. Dandeer hasn't killed anybody she's captured, as far as we've been able to tell, and she's only captured people. It sits ill with me, but...I'll take the risk." He takes a breath. "We're accepting any volunteers. If you're underage, with your parents' permission. If your parents aren't here...then we'll trust your judgement. Assignments to roles on the mission will be given based on strength and skill alone." For a moment, he looks ancient, his shoulders bowing. But then, he straightens. "Report to your dormitory leader for possible assignments."

    You instantly turn and start walking. You then jar to a halt as Gemma grabs your arm. "Jenny, wait."

    "I'm going," you say, jerking your arm free.

    "We're not strong enough, we'll just get ourselves killed!" she hisses.

    You round on her. "I'm not just going to sit here!" you snap. "He said it, they're not killing people. I'll take the risk. But I'm done sitting here and waiting for things to happen."

    She looks around, steps in close, and whispers, "This plan doesn't make any sense. You've seen how badly the saiyans trash us. The super saiyans are supposed to be as far above them as they are above us. Even one of them would make this hopeless. Two? Raditz isn't saying something. He's fought super saiyans before, he can't think he has a chance! I don't trust this."

    You step back. "I don't care. He's done it before. He'll have a plan. But I'm not going to just sit back and let this happen without me." You turn away and stalk off, fuming. You feel about with your senses for the signature of the woman in charge of the section of rooms you're staying in and run up to her. "I want to fight," you say.

    The woman -- Tara -- looks down at you, lifting an eyebrow. "...Head Raditz expected as much," she says, sounding skeptical. "I have some jobs for you."

    Before you can bristle at her tone, you hear somebody saying, behind you, "We're coming too."

    Turning, you see the rest of the Misfits standing there. Sophie looks determined, Maya focused, and Gemma reluctant -- but they're all there. You grin at them, feeling warmth blooming in your chest. Knew they'd have my back.

    Tara sighs. "Of course. Well, we have things for you all to do, and you don't have parents here. Come along, children." She turns and walks away, and the four of you fall into line behind her.


    You are, for the moment, Jennifer Birch. You and the Misfits have volunteered for the resistance's first strike against Dandeer's rule. They're not giving you any jobs that really put you all at the tip of the spear, but they do have things for you all to do. The plan is to ambush Dandeer and her party over your old home town of Horus Bay, where they can't make best use of their big blasts without causing collateral damage that they aren't willing to risk. Plus, it'll tie down Dandeer in the aftermath covering it up. You've been offered three possibilities. Which one do you choose?

    [ ] Flying high overhead, amidst the cloud layer, and watching the overall pulse of things to relay to the fighters below. This is fairly low-risk while still being high-impact, but you'd find it deeply unsatisfying. Still, you do want to do something useful...
    [ ] Dandeer is going to be busy covering up this attack in the aftermath; while the bulk of your fighters are going to be busy engaging Dandeer's entourage, some will be directed to tear up roads and deface buildings in order to make her job harder. Instructions are very clear: no killing, no assaults. Doesn't trouble you. And hey, getting to wreck stuff sounds like a good time.
    [ ] Sorcerer Dandelor has a special assignment for this. He's going to be going to Kakara's and Jaron's houses while the fighting is going on, and ransacking them for things he can use for his magic. He's going there because you expect magical traps. You'd be best suited for this because you actually know the buildings and can let him know where to look for things. It would be an impact only you could have, since everybody else who could is assigned elsewhere.

    MANUAL MORATORIUM. APPROVAL VOTING. NO WRITE-INS.

    I've been waiting on y'all to pick this one. :D

    Welcome back to Garenhuld, folks! We have a quick interlude to handle while we have a look at the state of things. Kakara will review what she picked up from this sequence of events at the end of things, but in the meantime, feel free to speculate on what you can derive from what you see here! Enjoy the update!
     
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    • PoptartProdigy said:
    [ ] Flying high overhead, amidst the cloud layer, and watching the overall pulse of things to relay to the fighters below. This is fairly low-risk while still being high-impact, but you'd find it deeply unsatisfying. Still, you do want to d[o] something useful...
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    This seems... honestly like what would be a trap option in a quest that I trust less? We've had "Jennifer has a power level that is too low to follow the action" hammered into us again and again throughout this update, and it seems like that would be a huge limitation on her ability to do be productive in this role.
    [ ] Dandeer is going to be busy covering up this attack in the aftermath; while the bulk of your fighters are going to be busy engaging Dandeer's entourage, some will be directed to tear up roads and deface buildings in order to make her job harder. Instructions are very clear: no killing, no assaults. Doesn't trouble you. And hey, getting to wreck stuff sounds like a good time.
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    It seems like this a job that she could do fine, because anyone could do it. Passable but well...
    [ ] Sorcerer Dandelor has a special assignment for this. He's going to be going to Kakara's and Jaron's houses while the fighting is going on, and ransacking them for things he can use for his magic. He's going there because you expect magical traps. You'd be best suited for this because you actually know the buildings and can let him know where to look for things. It would be an impact only you could have, since everybody else who could is assigned elsewhere.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    This seems like an obviously good option, conditional only on what Dandelor would do anyways - I think that this is being written such that Dandelor is doing this either way? I wonder how practical it would be to have this be done remotely, or at least at a small distance - don't recall if Dandelor knows ki telepathy but it's probably relatively easy for him to do some sort of sealed-together thoughts based communication method - considering that he was able to guide / teach Jaffur to the magic to do something much more significant then that in the same area...
    So yeah my vote would be for this option.
     
    Going with Dandelor seems good to me. It's the only one that won't have a dozen other people better suited to it wanting the job (because we know stuff that most don't), and we get to hang out with Dandelor rather than desperately try to follow a battle against Super Saiyans and hope nothing goes wrong.
     
    Have the Misfits been tested for sorcerous potential? Unlikely as it is, it would give them something to contribute that is both useful and rare.
     
    [X] Sorcerer Dandelor has a special assignment for this. He's going to be going to Kakara's and Jaron's houses while the fighting is going on, and ransacking them for things he can use for his magic. He's going there because you expect magical traps. You'd be best suited for this because you actually know the buildings and can let him know where to look for things. It would be an impact only you could have, since everybody else who could is assigned elsewhere.

    It's totally a trap, but hey, more motivation for the survivors! And I also would support checking to see if any of them have sorcery but eh, sticking close to Dandelor will have to do.
     
    [X] Sorcerer Dandelor has a special assignment for this. He's going to be going to Kakara's and Jaron's houses while the fighting is going on, and ransacking them for things he can use for his magic. He's going there because you expect magical traps. You'd be best suited for this because you actually know the buildings and can let him know where to look for things. It would be an impact only you could have, since everybody else who could is assigned elsewhere.
     
    [X] Sorcerer Dandelor has a special assignment for this. He's going to be going to Kakara's and Jaron's houses while the fighting is going on, and ransacking them for things he can use for his magic. He's going there because you expect magical traps. You'd be best suited for this because you actually know the buildings and can let him know where to look for things. It would be an impact only you could have, since everybody else who could is assigned elsewhere.

    Secret magic infiltration sounds like fun.
     
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