The SSRS Kostroma lies idle in the southeastern bay of Mended Horn Island. Only the front portion, the two forward masts and the front of the superstructure that sits in the center of the freighter's hull, is illuminated by a pair of dim lights that glow orange-red, a sure sign that the boilers of the Kostroma are dying, and the lights will soon go off. The remainder of the ship's funnel, and the mast behind the superstructure are visible only in silhouette. The gibbous moon and starry night that would have provided a clear backdrop to the black hulk of the Kostroma have been smothered by the overcast skies and light rain.
A sound comes, not from the Kostroma, and indeed, not from anywhere at all. A low, vaguely tinnitus-like sound that drains out the sound of silence. It calls to you. It calls to everyone.
"Come to the Kostroma, good soldier. Join us here. Come."
/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal
1370 replies and 58 files omitted.
>>193226
Oh yeah, he makes sure the griffon is properly bound. Can't be too careful with guns lying around everywhere.
Oh yeah, he makes sure the griffon is properly bound. Can't be too careful with guns lying around everywhere.
>>193230
He'll have to remember to ask if there is any on the boat. It should be everywhere on ships.
He'll have to remember to ask if there is any on the boat. It should be everywhere on ships.
>>193228
Almost. But he does feel the difference, and it does give him the confidence to lead this boarding party. He also remembers to let the others know before he disappears under, "Make sure you give Steppe Eagle one of those potions!"
Almost. But he does feel the difference, and it does give him the confidence to lead this boarding party. He also remembers to let the others know before he disappears under, "Make sure you give Steppe Eagle one of those potions!"
>>193232
A nod.
Opening the door to the bridge and going inside, he can see blood on the floor.
There is of course a wheel, a compass, and a partly folded map. There's a bullet hole in the windshield.
Blackheel remarks to Mala,
"You have some blood on your mouth."
>>193231
When the ponies are gone, the griffin speaks
"How much did they pay you?"
A nod.
Opening the door to the bridge and going inside, he can see blood on the floor.
There is of course a wheel, a compass, and a partly folded map. There's a bullet hole in the windshield.
Blackheel remarks to Mala,
"You have some blood on your mouth."
>>193231
When the ponies are gone, the griffin speaks
"How much did they pay you?"
>>193236
"I'm okay, though I was wounded earlier... I did make sure he was no longer dangerous." Mala says. There is some blood on the fur below the lips. He turns his head away and wipes it off, then looks down. His fur is generally moist, presumably from the rain."
"I'm okay, though I was wounded earlier... I did make sure he was no longer dangerous." Mala says. There is some blood on the fur below the lips. He turns his head away and wipes it off, then looks down. His fur is generally moist, presumably from the rain."
>>193237
Silver gives Mala some headpats, then turns to acknowledge the oddities about the bridge. "Blood, but no body..." Moving over to the map, Silver checks it for any notes or routes.
Silver gives Mala some headpats, then turns to acknowledge the oddities about the bridge. "Blood, but no body..." Moving over to the map, Silver checks it for any notes or routes.
>>193235
He shrugs. "I'm here for a specific reason. How long had you been tailing this vessel?" He points to the ship behind himself. Pulling out two cigars, he offers one to the griffon.
He shrugs. "I'm here for a specific reason. How long had you been tailing this vessel?" He points to the ship behind himself. Pulling out two cigars, he offers one to the griffon.
>>193238
Oh yes, yes there is. A line going from the straights down to Sirius, then from Sirius to Ravenskoye. And a line from World's End to the Nova Griffonian Coast, with some kind of interception in the Rocky Sea with a third line. Then there are still more lines going from approximately Weter to Ravenskoye or Petershoof.
>>193240
He looks at the cigar. Then he takes it.
"Do you have a light?"
Oh yes, yes there is. A line going from the straights down to Sirius, then from Sirius to Ravenskoye. And a line from World's End to the Nova Griffonian Coast, with some kind of interception in the Rocky Sea with a third line. Then there are still more lines going from approximately Weter to Ravenskoye or Petershoof.
>>193240
He looks at the cigar. Then he takes it.
"Do you have a light?"
>>193241
Silver motions Black Heel over to look at this map. "They have been tracking ship paths through strait, including yours. Did your mission briefing include anything about these creatures?"
Silver motions Black Heel over to look at this map. "They have been tracking ship paths through strait, including yours. Did your mission briefing include anything about these creatures?"
>>193241
Cavaliere always comes prepared. He even helps put it in the bound griffon's beak. "You had to have known about this ship for a while."
Cavaliere always comes prepared. He even helps put it in the bound griffon's beak. "You had to have known about this ship for a while."
>>193242
"These ones specifically? No. But we know they are active here. We've long known they are active."
"These ones specifically? No. But we know they are active here. We've long known they are active."
>>193243
He responds,
"Of course. It was spotted when it left. These mission ships... Ships the Socialists send to help out their allies... They carry machinery, mostly, on the way out. Or guns... Things that are heavy. But on the way back? Heh, these Socialists always expect payment from their fraternal brothers. Their comrades. Well, sometimes its timber or Ore. But sometimes? Sometimes its gold, or diamonds."
>>193245
"Yes. They are pirates. Probably not from the head griffin himself. He would have sent a bigger ship. More ships. It's probably a single pirate who got an old Imperial Torpedo boat.
He responds,
"Of course. It was spotted when it left. These mission ships... Ships the Socialists send to help out their allies... They carry machinery, mostly, on the way out. Or guns... Things that are heavy. But on the way back? Heh, these Socialists always expect payment from their fraternal brothers. Their comrades. Well, sometimes its timber or Ore. But sometimes? Sometimes its gold, or diamonds."
>>193245
"Yes. They are pirates. Probably not from the head griffin himself. He would have sent a bigger ship. More ships. It's probably a single pirate who got an old Imperial Torpedo boat.
>>193246
He nods. "And that's what you were after, and what you hoped to find inside. Did any go in?"
He nods. "And that's what you were after, and what you hoped to find inside. Did any go in?"
>>193246
Silver has a sudden realization as he's talking with Black Heel. "And they likely just sent large armed boarding party to raid your ship thinking you were returning from Skynavia with payment, and they ran into Traveler without knowing about it. So, now there are number of armed Petrushkas on Kostroma..."
Silver has a sudden realization as he's talking with Black Heel. "And they likely just sent large armed boarding party to raid your ship thinking you were returning from Skynavia with payment, and they ran into Traveler without knowing about it. So, now there are number of armed Petrushkas on Kostroma..."
>>193249
"Let us hope they left plenty of supplies on this ship, and that they did not clean your ship out before they found Traveler. Come on, let us go below decks and see what they have."
"Let us hope they left plenty of supplies on this ship, and that they did not clean your ship out before they found Traveler. Come on, let us go below decks and see what they have."
>>193249
"You're one of the lucky ones. They were never coming back on their own. Maybe some can be brought back alive, but as of right now they are better off dead."
"You're one of the lucky ones. They were never coming back on their own. Maybe some can be brought back alive, but as of right now they are better off dead."
>>193250
He nods. Mala actually goes ahead of them. There is a black set of metal stairs that has blood on it going down. This leads to a hallway that has massive tanks to either side. The hallway goes in both directions: towards the stern of the ship, and also the bow.
>>193251
His eyes go wide
"Why? Are you sure?" He tries to sit up
"We heard the explosions. What is going on?"
He nods. Mala actually goes ahead of them. There is a black set of metal stairs that has blood on it going down. This leads to a hallway that has massive tanks to either side. The hallway goes in both directions: towards the stern of the ship, and also the bow.
>>193251
His eyes go wide
"Why? Are you sure?" He tries to sit up
"We heard the explosions. What is going on?"
>>193252
"It appears our pirate captain was shot through window and made his way down these stairs. We should be prepared for contact. Let us check bow, first."
"It appears our pirate captain was shot through window and made his way down these stairs. We should be prepared for contact. Let us check bow, first."
>>193253
Passing through the first bulkhead, there are rooms on each side.
The first room is... empty. It's a cabin with a decent amount of... Stuff, in it. Like a sword, a portrait, and other items. on the right side is a room with a couple seats and radio equipment.
Passing through the first bulkhead, there are rooms on each side.
The first room is... empty. It's a cabin with a decent amount of... Stuff, in it. Like a sword, a portrait, and other items. on the right side is a room with a couple seats and radio equipment.
>>193252
"Why do you think a well-maintained Stalliongrad vessel with an experienced crew would run aground along a well-used sea route? There is something aboard that has killed dozens of creatures. Possibly hundreds. Reinforcements have come to this island to contain it, and they're why you have been hearing all those explosions."
"Why do you think a well-maintained Stalliongrad vessel with an experienced crew would run aground along a well-used sea route? There is something aboard that has killed dozens of creatures. Possibly hundreds. Reinforcements have come to this island to contain it, and they're why you have been hearing all those explosions."
>>193255
"There could be a thousand reasons. A drunken captain, they got into it with the Colonists. Actually the Colonials was my top theory. Wait. Hundreds? What?"
"There could be a thousand reasons. A drunken captain, they got into it with the Colonists. Actually the Colonials was my top theory. Wait. Hundreds? What?"
>>193256
Cavaliere shows the bizarre photo of the bodies he retrieved from the Kostroma. "This isn't your typical Stalliongrad atrocity. We don't know what exactly this thing is, but it dominates and controls whatever comes too close to it. Once it has used up the creatures under its control, it will throw them away. There is no way to stop its influence."
Cavaliere shows the bizarre photo of the bodies he retrieved from the Kostroma. "This isn't your typical Stalliongrad atrocity. We don't know what exactly this thing is, but it dominates and controls whatever comes too close to it. Once it has used up the creatures under its control, it will throw them away. There is no way to stop its influence."
>>193260
"Maybe we will find out. Maybe we shouldn't. Regardless, it has killed and will kill again, and we have to destroy it. We can't leave until we accomplish that."
"Maybe we will find out. Maybe we shouldn't. Regardless, it has killed and will kill again, and we have to destroy it. We can't leave until we accomplish that."
>>193258
Silver halts, and looks back at Black Heel. Feeling a bit like an idiot, he nods, takes his rifle, and carefully checks the rooms to make sure they're clear of hostiles, first.
Silver halts, and looks back at Black Heel. Feeling a bit like an idiot, he nods, takes his rifle, and carefully checks the rooms to make sure they're clear of hostiles, first.
>>193222
>that ghoul
Rude!
.
Posey eventually makes her way onto the ship, with shaky legs, looking rather pale (lol).
"...Wh-what did I miss..?" she says, some suspiciously off-color drool dripping from the corner of her mouth.
>that ghoul
Rude!
.
Posey eventually makes her way onto the ship, with shaky legs, looking rather pale (lol).
"...Wh-what did I miss..?" she says, some suspiciously off-color drool dripping from the corner of her mouth.
>>193261
Posey speaks up
"... If... If this boat is seaworthy, we very well may be able to leave. I want the Intruder d-d-destroyed first though..."
>>193258
>>193257
"The rest of you are wounded. I am in g-good shape.. I will clear the area." Posey offers, her legs shaking
She seems thinner than before, emaciated even. Her mane isn't the usual vibrant healthy scarlet, looking grayed and frayed at the ends. Her normally pristine white coat looks rough and blotchy. Her supernaturally elegant gait has decayed into a pathetic shamble as she haphazardly attempts to balance herself on the deck.
>>193252
Does the ship have any major damage that would prevent us from sailing on it?
Posey speaks up
"... If... If this boat is seaworthy, we very well may be able to leave. I want the Intruder d-d-destroyed first though..."
>>193258
>>193257
"The rest of you are wounded. I am in g-good shape.. I will clear the area." Posey offers, her legs shaking
She seems thinner than before, emaciated even. Her mane isn't the usual vibrant healthy scarlet, looking grayed and frayed at the ends. Her normally pristine white coat looks rough and blotchy. Her supernaturally elegant gait has decayed into a pathetic shamble as she haphazardly attempts to balance herself on the deck.
>>193252
Does the ship have any major damage that would prevent us from sailing on it?
>>193261
He takes a moment to take this in, with a couple breathes, and then a draw on the cigar
"Who are you, and why are you here?"
>>193263
Assuming Silver remains in this "section." The sections are demarcated by bulkheads, though the doors between the bulkheads do not seem to be closed, or indeed, easily closable.
The actual cabin is clear. It has a bed with storage beneath it to check, a desk, and a very small closet. It does not have its own bathroom. It's a small area, but still obviously meant for the captain. He must really like clothing...
On the other side is a small room with a seat and radio equipment. This area is clear.
>>193265
Cavaliere is the only party member on the deck of the ship. Possibly Rustling Pine or Primed Well is on the deck as well. Silver, Mala, Blackheel, and the Green Unicorn Airpony are downstairs
He takes a moment to take this in, with a couple breathes, and then a draw on the cigar
"Who are you, and why are you here?"
>>193263
Assuming Silver remains in this "section." The sections are demarcated by bulkheads, though the doors between the bulkheads do not seem to be closed, or indeed, easily closable.
The actual cabin is clear. It has a bed with storage beneath it to check, a desk, and a very small closet. It does not have its own bathroom. It's a small area, but still obviously meant for the captain. He must really like clothing...
On the other side is a small room with a seat and radio equipment. This area is clear.
>>193265
Cavaliere is the only party member on the deck of the ship. Possibly Rustling Pine or Primed Well is on the deck as well. Silver, Mala, Blackheel, and the Green Unicorn Airpony are downstairs
>>193267
Posey slowly makes her way below deck.
Her condition seems to acutely improve as the sea leaves her vision, evidently more psychological than physical.
Posey slowly makes her way below deck.
Her condition seems to acutely improve as the sea leaves her vision, evidently more psychological than physical.
>>193266
The ponies stare at her, but she's probably used to that. Well, Primed Well does. A couple don't even notice.
If you're talking about the fast attack craft, the only obvious damage is a couple externally mounted fuel tanks at the rear of the vessel having been penetrated by machine gun fire. These tanks are pretty obviously not a part of the original construction and have been riveted on. There is no obvious source of damage below the waterline.
If you mean the Kostroma, well, there's no list that is visible. Then again, the Titanic had no more than a 4% list until 2/3 of it was underwater.
>>193268
Into the deckhouse, there is the bridge, with its wheel, map, and compass, with blood on the floor. Then going down the stairs, Posey enters a room with a narrow hallway that has fuel tanks to either side. The hallway continues towards the bow and towards the stern. Based on noise, Posey can surmise that Silver and the others are towards the bow.
The ponies stare at her, but she's probably used to that. Well, Primed Well does. A couple don't even notice.
If you're talking about the fast attack craft, the only obvious damage is a couple externally mounted fuel tanks at the rear of the vessel having been penetrated by machine gun fire. These tanks are pretty obviously not a part of the original construction and have been riveted on. There is no obvious source of damage below the waterline.
If you mean the Kostroma, well, there's no list that is visible. Then again, the Titanic had no more than a 4% list until 2/3 of it was underwater.
>>193268
Into the deckhouse, there is the bridge, with its wheel, map, and compass, with blood on the floor. Then going down the stairs, Posey enters a room with a narrow hallway that has fuel tanks to either side. The hallway continues towards the bow and towards the stern. Based on noise, Posey can surmise that Silver and the others are towards the bow.
>>193269
"The tanks should be patched as soon as possible. I am no expert with mechanics, but leaking oil is always a hazard." Posey comments, sizing up the ship as she turns into the room with Silver's voice
"The tanks should be patched as soon as possible. I am no expert with mechanics, but leaking oil is always a hazard." Posey comments, sizing up the ship as she turns into the room with Silver's voice
>>193267
Cavaliere mulls this over for a moment, which is easier to do with a cigar. "I suppose you could describe us as competitors. Don't give me that look; there was no way you could have survived being moored out here. As it turns out, live creatures are much more valuable than most treasure. Even so, riches will take you only so far. Uncovering and destroying a baleful Stalliongrad secret? That is the type of glory that comes only once in a lifetime."
Cavaliere mulls this over for a moment, which is easier to do with a cigar. "I suppose you could describe us as competitors. Don't give me that look; there was no way you could have survived being moored out here. As it turns out, live creatures are much more valuable than most treasure. Even so, riches will take you only so far. Uncovering and destroying a baleful Stalliongrad secret? That is the type of glory that comes only once in a lifetime."
>>193270
Does Posey have a sense of smell? If so, she smells diesel fuel. It smells like Baltimare harbor. Or the whaling station.
>>193271
None spotted so far
>>193281
>>193271
Posey goes past one bulkhead to see Silver inside of a room to the side that must be a cabin, with a single bed and a desk. There are a number of items of clothing. Silver is holding a new sword.
Silver sees an emaciated, clearly sickly white unicorn mare enter, who looks as if she is undergoing chemotherapy
>>193281
It's a saber. Rather long and thin. Definitely for ceremonial naval purposes. It is nice and shinny, shinnier even then normal chrome steel. The handle is ivory and has gold leafed engravings on it of what seem to be dreadnaught style ships.
There are coats that... well hopefully they didn't come from Hoebuck. They are suspiciously colorful. A couple fancy hats and jackets. There is a narwhal tusk hanging from the walls, and also a taxidermied Pudgwucky.
There is a safe behind the portrait.
>>193280
"Well, you can have the glory. We'll take the gold. And our ship back. And our crew. Those of them still alive, anyways."
Does Posey have a sense of smell? If so, she smells diesel fuel. It smells like Baltimare harbor. Or the whaling station.
>>193271
None spotted so far
>>193281
>>193271
Posey goes past one bulkhead to see Silver inside of a room to the side that must be a cabin, with a single bed and a desk. There are a number of items of clothing. Silver is holding a new sword.
Silver sees an emaciated, clearly sickly white unicorn mare enter, who looks as if she is undergoing chemotherapy
>>193281
It's a saber. Rather long and thin. Definitely for ceremonial naval purposes. It is nice and shinny, shinnier even then normal chrome steel. The handle is ivory and has gold leafed engravings on it of what seem to be dreadnaught style ships.
There are coats that... well hopefully they didn't come from Hoebuck. They are suspiciously colorful. A couple fancy hats and jackets. There is a narwhal tusk hanging from the walls, and also a taxidermied Pudgwucky.
There is a safe behind the portrait.
>>193280
"Well, you can have the glory. We'll take the gold. And our ship back. And our crew. Those of them still alive, anyways."
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