Johnson 2011/04/03(Sun)16:35 No. 293614 ID: 950529
File 130187370920.png - (9.49KB , 800x600 , 002.png )

You're on your way to Checkpoint 31, a captured outpost somewhere outside the contested areas.
It is a quiet post, with no action whatsoever. Perhaps that's why you're being dumped there.
Apparently one of the scouts stationed there had committed suicide a week ago, and you're the replacement.
Alone in the back of the truck, the dustcloud you leave behind is your only company.

Johnson 2011/04/03(Sun)16:37 No. 293616 ID: 950529
File 130187386959.png - (6.94KB , 800x600 , 003.png )

Finally you arrive at your bleak destination. The building seems to blend into the sand like it's melting, or perhaps the constant exposure to sun has just damaged your eyes. Everything looks rather undefined.
You are pulled from thought by the truck's engine.
"Good luck, kid. See you in a week.", the truckdriver calls out just before pulling off.
He will be delivering supplies every week.

Johnson 2011/04/03(Sun)16:39 No. 293618 ID: 950529
File 130187397565.png - (5.83KB , 800x600 , 004.png )

This is it. Checkpoint 31.
How long will you be there? How will you know if the war ends out here? Did it end already while you weren't paying attention?
It doesn't matter.
Survival first, living later.

>Quest starts here

get comfy and be ready for the long haul.

>>293618
Ascertain whether or not anybody else is actually stationed here.

get your crap together, make sure you're ready, and move in.

Make sure your radio works and you have plenty of water?

>>293618
Pretend that the building is the bridge of an Imperial Star Destroyer, since it kinda looks like one.

Johnson 2011/04/03(Sun)18:34 No. 293650 ID: 950529
File 130188085289.png - (12.72KB , 800x600 , 005.png )

You check yourself for food and water.
You have a bottle of water that will last you the day. It's warm.
You also have a pack of dry rations. You will need to add water to it if you want to eat it, or your mouth will be just as dry as the desert.

You turn on your radio. You remember setting it to the frequency checkpoint 31 uses.
You don't hear anything through the static. Just as you are about to stop listening a soft quivering voice crackles through.
"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me...
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see..."

>>293650
There's still someone there? I assume the checkpoint wasn't manned by only one person. If there's not supposed to be anyone there, get your gun out and approach as if there were hostiles occupying the station.

Johnson 2011/04/03(Sun)18:51 No. 293655 ID: 950529
File 130188189629.png - (9.55KB , 800x600 , 006.png )

There should be two scouts and a sergeant. Since one killed himself, there should still be two people inside.
You raise your rifle just in case.

As you enter you find it hard to adjust to the lack of sunlight. Only the dim lightbulb in the hallway shows up clear.
Though you quickly realize you're not missing much. The building is barren.
Not like the other buildings that were stripped once captured. This one looks like not even Hussein's forces cared about enough to settle in.

You now hear the voice twice. Crackling on your radio, and clearly from up the ladder.
"T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace, my fears relieved...
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed..."

Go up ladder.

scoot over to the right hand door and peek in, be read to un-peek if something happens.

Go up the ladder but CHECK YOUR CORNERS GOD DAMMIT JOHNSON. Get up that ladder before you hear the bang.

Well, you can safely assume that the guy on the radio isn't an enemy, since he is speaking english without an accent.

Announce your presence so you don't surprise anyone.

>>293655
Transmit on the radio
"When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav'd a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see."

Just shout something like "Reinforcements reporting in! Are you guys upstairs?!"

>>293655
ITS TIME TO MAN UP AND BLOW THIS FUCKING BUILDING INTO THE SKY. FUCK ANY COMRADES OR CIVILIANS, JUST DO EEET THE AMERICAN WAY.

Get the bucket.

Johnson 2011/04/05(Tue)22:17 No. 294286 ID: 950529
File 130206702428.png - (13.02KB , 800x600 , 007.png )

You hold position and look around to make sure no one is going to ambush you. Everything remains silent except for the singing from up the stairs.
"Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home..."

Relieved, you lower your rifle and make yourself known, stating you're the reinforcements.
The singing stops, and a hoarse masculine voices calls out.
"Up here, buddy."
However, another feminine voice continues singing, softly.
"The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures...
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures..."

As you climb up the ladder you see it's coming from a small radio the soldier is holding.
"Hey, you here to replace Johnson?"

Yep. Ask where the sergeant is.

yes, and ask where the other guy is.

Aren't you Johnson? Why would you be replacing johnson.

>>294289
the other guy was also johnson?

>>294286
Johnson Mark II reporting.

>>294286

Yes.

Then muse about how weird it is that you share the same last name as the last guy.

Become paranoid that some crazy shit is going down and you're somehow replacing yourself.

Johnson 2011/04/05(Tue)23:52 No. 294307 ID: 950529
File 130207277841.png - (13.02KB , 800x600 , 008.png )

Hearing your name confuses you for a moment. You consider asking if the deceased was also called Johnson, but figure it's not that big of a deal.
"Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail.."
You confirm that you're the replacement and ask where the sergeant is.
"If he didn't greet you I'm guessing he's-" He coughs and scrapes his throat for a moment. "He's probably on the pot. He's had the shits for days now."
"And mortal life shall cease.."
He looks you over.
"I sure am glad to see you. When Johnson hung himself me and sarge had to take the shifts, and it didn't make sarge happy."
"I shall possess within the veil.."
"Good to know things can go back to normal. You need anything else? Otherwise you should probably get some sleep before your shift comes up."
"A life of joy and peace..."

tell him you are just a little weirded out because your name is also johnson. may be the higher ups thought it would be funny.

>>294307
...Ask if that's the noose up there.

>>294307
Why's the noose still there? Why is there blood if he hanged himself? What happened to the window?

Johnson 2011/04/06(Wed)00:23 No. 294318 ID: 950529
File 130207463950.png - (12.91KB , 800x600 , 009.png )

You state that your name is Johnson as well, and that it's rather unsettling.
The soldier scoffs, coughing hoarsely right after.
"That really is in bad taste. I mean, I didn't really know the guy but sarge might take it badly. I'm Strasberg by the way."
You nod.
"When we've been here ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun...
We've no less days to sing God's praise,
Than when we've first begun..."

Just then you notice the noose hanging from the ceiling, the blood on the floor and the broken window. You feel horrified that it's still there.
You ask Strasberg if he knows anything about it.
"Oh yeah, they said we can't touch it until they've taken pictures of it. To make sure it wasn't a murder or something, I guess. You get used to it."
You wonder if you should be afraid of ghosts, but you can't remember having any opinion on the supernatural.
You ask why there's blood and why the window is broken if Johnson hung himself.
"Yeah, I was thinking that too. Sarge says he might've gotten second thoughts when he was hanging there. Like he tried to free himself? Sounds like a gruesome way to go."
He scrapes his throat and coughs again.
"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me...
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see."

When the song ends Strasberg fiddles with the radio for a moment and the song comes back on.
"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me...
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see..."

thank him for the info then head down and find your bunk.

>>294318
I guess if he kicked at the window he might've bloodied his foot.

Meh. Ask the dude where everything is. Like, rooms etc.

That's not high enough up off the floor for someone to hang themselves.

Take the rope down if someone hung themselves from it why would you leave it up for the next person. you are the worst position briefers

Wow, this is creepy. Shit. Do what you're supposed to, I guess.

Something weird is happening here. The whole hanging scene makes no sense and why would someone even try to hang themselves in the first place when they have a rifle?

Keep an eye out for anything else that's weird or may give a clue to whats happening

Johnson 2011/04/06(Wed)21:22 No. 294615 ID: 950529
File 130215014415.png - (10.20KB , 800x600 , 010.png )

You consider taking the rope down for a moment, but decide against it. There are obviously some strange things going on and that's probably why they wanted photographs of it.
You thank Strasberg for the information and wish him a good day. He nods.
"You too, buddy, see you during shift change."
You head down the ladder. Once you're out of sight you hear Strasberg start to sing along again.
"T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear,
And Grace, my fears relieved...
How precious did that Grace appear,
The hour I first believed..."

You quickly find your bunk. A simple two mattress bed.
This room feels exceptionally unpleasant, and for some reason... you miss the bright sun.

"Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come..
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far,
and Grace will lead me home..."

are those bullet holes in the walls?

What's that under the bed?

Johnson 2011/04/06(Wed)23:58 No. 294644 ID: 950529
File 130215951834.png - (12.23KB , 800x600 , 011.png )

You notice the bullets holes behind the bed. They resemble all the M-16 bullet holes you've seen so far.
The thought occurs to you that if Hussein's forces had the bed in the same place they were probably perforated in their sleep. You hope that it's a different bed, at least.

Underneath it you find a .50 calibre Desert Eagle handgun. You know this isn't standard issue.
It feels loaded, but the safety is on.

>>294644
Leave it where it was. Best not to piss off the owner. Anything interesting on the desk? If not, may as well get some sleep.

yeah, if it's custom then they probably want to keep it that way. any paper on the desk blank? if so then write a note saying 'new guy' and an arrow point up, then tape it to the be rail. then get some sleep.

Johnson 2011/04/07(Thu)00:55 No. 294652 ID: 950529
File 130216291638.png - (34.45KB , 800x600 , 012.png )

You put the gun back where you found it. It's not your responsibility to go putting away weapons.

You check the desk.
There is no tape, but you could fold a piece of paper over the rail. Though you figure with just three people in such a small space no one needs any help identifying you as the new guy.

still think you should, sarge seems like he is a nervous wreak. and a surprise may drive him over the edge.

Johnson 2011/04/07(Thu)01:15 No. 294656 ID: 950529
File 130216413867.png - (35.24KB , 800x600 , 013.png )

You decide to be safe and keep the sergeant from a surprise. You make your little sign and get ready to sleep.

Johnson 2011/04/07(Thu)04:12 No. 294672 ID: 950529
File 130217475343.png - (1.66KB , 800x600 , 014.png )

That night you dream of the desert and the searing sun.
You have had these dreams for as long as you can remember.

But this time the familiar scene is interrupted by strange sounds and sights.

Johnson 2011/04/07(Thu)04:14 No. 294673 ID: 950529
File 130217484828.png - (3.49KB , 800x600 , 015.png )

As you cross a dune, you find a large wooden cross rising from the sand. A US soldier hangs from it, his M-16 discarded below.

A feminine voice whispers to you.

"Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease...

I shall possess within the veil,

A life of joy and peace..."

Johnson 2011/04/07(Thu)04:17 No. 294674 ID: 950529
File 130217504084.png - (10.48KB , 800x600 , 016.png )

You wake up from Strasberg's radio.
When we've been here ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun...
We've no less days to sing God's praise,
Than when we've first begun."

You are covered in cold sweat, and it takes you a moment to recover. Not wanting to linger in the bed you get up.
You somehow feel more exhausted than when you went to sleep.

Strasberg is sound asleep in the top bunk.

Turn the damned radio OFF.

There seems to be a picture of some sorts on the wall just above your pillow. Looks like a cross with a figure hanging from it.

Johnson 2011/04/07(Thu)15:19 No. 294768 ID: 950529
File 130221476938.png - (9.13KB , 800x600 , 017.png )

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch li-"
You turn off the radio.

You take a closer look at the scratchings above your pillow. You must have been too tired to notice it before.
Someone indeed carved a crude image into the wall.
This might be why you had that unsettling dream.

You hear shuffling and a click above.
"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me...
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see..."

... does that guy play amazing grace 24/7?

>>294768
Tell him to turn that damn music off.

Also, become quietly terrified at the realization that there are very strange things afoot here.

oh and i guess it's your shift now, ask first to make sure.

Johnson 2011/04/07(Thu)15:33 No. 294776 ID: 950529
File 130221562651.png - (10.45KB , 800x600 , 018.png )

You tell Strasberg to turn it off. He responds only with soft snoring.

"T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Gr-"
You turn it off yourself.

You can't help but feel rather shaken by all these little things that just seem off.

see if sarge is top side.

don't think too much about it man. You're gonna lose it if you pay attention to all these little things

Johnson 2011/04/07(Thu)15:49 No. 294783 ID: 950529
File 130221658707.png - (39.33KB , 800x600 , 019.png )

You take a moment to calm down. It's just little things. There's no reason to think there's a larger scheme behind it all.

You consider asking Strasberg if it's your shift, but you decide you'll just ask the sergeant and let the soldier sleep.

You head topside. It's empty, cold and dark.
You realize you can't see anything outside.

turn off the light. it is hard to see into darkness when you are in a light area.

>>294787
The light should be illuminating the ground near the building somewhat, so turning it off may be counterproductive. Instead, look out through the broken window.

>>294787
this and pull up a chair and sit. Enjoy the night sky and that fact that you're not in the sun .

Johnson 2011/04/07(Thu)16:07 No. 294796 ID: 950529
File 130221766897.png - (8.61KB , 800x600 , 020.png )

You try turning off the light for a moment.
You can't see anything inside any more, but the outside landscape is lit up by the stars and moonlight. Sadly, your eyes are too used to the burning sun for it to be much use.

what's that stick in the left corner?

Johnson 2011/04/07(Thu)16:15 No. 294804 ID: 950529
File 130221810434.png - (5.56KB , 800x600 , 021.png )

You pull on the stick in the left corner to find out its a thick cable, going from the floor to the ceiling. It doesn't budge.

You unfold the chair and sit down in front of the broken window. Everything outside looks the same.

You look around to see if you can make out any city lights or other landmarks, but there's nothing. You can't even make out from which direction you travelled here.

so what were you sent here to guard? Sand?

>>294804
Look out the other windows.

Johnson 2011/04/07(Thu)18:09 No. 294848 ID: 950529
File 130222494244.png - (1.64KB , 800x600 , 022.png )

The other windows show much the same.

You have no idea why the army has this outpost. But then you also don't really know why the army is there in the first place. You just do your duty.
Politics, bureaucracy and strategy is for higher up the ladder.

just take your shift, watch the land until someone comes up for their shift.

>>294848
Watch the sand. Listen to the radio. Not amazing grace.

seriously see if -anything- else will play.

Johnson 2011/04/07(Thu)19:29 No. 294869 ID: 950529
File 130222978684.png - (39.67KB , 800x600 , 023.png )

You head back to the bunk and steal the radio from Strasberg's bed, then head up again.
"Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall ce--
-ithin the vei--
--peace--"
You quickly turn the knob before another verse has a chance to complete. Much of it is static.
You finally find a solid signal. It sounds like a talkshow but they are speaking arabian which you don't understand. You ponder wether you should continue looking for signals or stick to this.

You have a twelve hour shift ahead. Since Strasberg was already sleeping, you are pretty sure it started. However, you have no idea what time it is.

You are starting to feel restless.

see if you can speak to sergeant. Maybe he can shed some light on the purpose of this desolate post.

Johnson 2011/04/07(Thu)20:03 No. 294900 ID: 950529
File 130223180908.png - (21.78KB , 800x600 , 024.png )

You head down and into the only room you haven't been in yet to see the sergeant.
He's not here either.

??? Then where the hell..
Also is that 'It's so quiet' written on the blackboard?
This place is a little creepy.
Examine the other bits of paper.

Johnson 2011/04/07(Thu)20:31 No. 294917 ID: 950529
File 130223346110.png - (43.63KB , 800x600 , 025.png )

The blackboard does indeed say 'ITS SO QUIET'. You've seen it before somewhere.

You check the desk. There's two unofficial letters, some personal notes and a small box.

>>294917
And the notes on the side of the locker?

...uh oh. i think maybe we should be VERY careful about the radio. uhhhh. put it back on amazing grace and put it back in the bunk room.

look at the backs of the papers and examine the odd marking on the middle one

Screw this, do crazy shit. Fire your gun at passing shadows, piss on the walls, go nuts, break stuff!

reavz 2011/04/10(Sun)08:30 No. 295444 ID: 950529
File 130244941616.png - (34.24KB , 800x600 , 026.png )

You flip the pages over. One of them has writing on the back.
You put them next to the notepad so you can get a look at the drawing. You've seen this before somewhere.

You tighten your finger on the trigger of your M-16. If this is a prank someone better tell you now, because you're not going to play along any more.

reavz 2011/04/10(Sun)08:43 No. 295445 ID: 950529
File 130245020799.png - (8.73KB , 800x600 , 027.png )

You set the radio back to the Amazing Grace 'channel'. You will put it back when you're back in the bunk.
"--Lo-- --promised good to me.
His word my hope secures...
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures..."

You check the notes on the side of the locker.

>>295445
Guys.

I just realized.

We are the guy who died and we're stuck inside some kind of loop. This is at least the 4th time we've arrived here.

Spoilered because Johnson doesn't need to hear this and we don't have a /questdis/.

I like this quest.

Go check on Strasburg and then head back up to your watch.

>>295445
The place you saw it before was under the long note on the desk next to the bed.

Check in the showers.

... this is freaky man. if you HAD to fight strasberg, could you? just in case man. put the papers back to as close as you remember them being and then go put the radio back. then go back topside and try to sort it out.

>>295483
Maybe the suicide was a setup and Strasberg killed him. That might be why there were signs of a struggle, and the blood.

Suggestion 2011/04/17(Sun)09:54 No. 297388 ID: f5e4b4
File 130305929529.png - (23.63KB , 800x600 , This thing.png )

Just read through the quest, and I really enjoy it.

I've noticed that there was a piece of paper with something written on it on the side of your bed when you woke up. That paper wasn't there when you went to sleep. You should check it out.

>>297388
That was the note drawn in
>>294656

you mean the one that said "new guy here"?

>>297393


Oh yeah, nevermind, then. Didn't think he'd leave it there.