[Rogue Trader] Voyage of the Night's Saber: Pt 1, A Simple Plan

[potager]

(Reserved for Game and Character Info)

Lady-Captain Anastasia Lucretia Marzov, Rogue Trader (Lucretia) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11669634&postcount=6)

Khosal Chhaya, Kroot Mercenary (rb780nm) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11674098&postcount=18)

Relas, Explorator (Donan) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11672840&postcount=15)

Francis Holomek, Void Master (Intro) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11669620&postcount=5)

Cornelius Nostromo of the Renegade House Nostromo, Navigator (DrK) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11631020&postcount=64)

Benedict Macharius, Confessor (LeSwordfish) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11672819&postcount=14)

Alan Gorchild, ArchMilitant (canjowolf) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11671030&postcount=12)

The Night's Saber, Ambition Class Cruiser
Speed: 6 Manoeuvrability: +14
Detection: +20 (+5active) Hull Integrity: 63/64
Armour: 17 Turret Rating: 2
Space: 70/75 SP: 75/75
Weapon Capacity: Prow 1, port 2, starboard 2
Power: 67/75 Morale: 96/97
Crew: 101/102 (Competent 30%); -20 Maneuverability until Repaired

Essential:

Engine:Modified Jovian Pattern Class IV (Power 75 Space 10)
Warp: Miloslab G. 616.Hb (Power 10 Space 12)
Geller field: Belcane Pattern90.r (Power 1)
Void Shield (2): Repulsor Shield Array (Power 8 Space 1)
Bridge: Exploration Bridge (Power 4 Space 2 SP 1)
Life Support: Clemency life Sustainers (Power 5, Space 5)
Crew: Voidsmen Quarters (Power 2 Space 4)
Auguer Array: M.201 B Array (Power 5)


Weapons:

Prow: Staravar Laser Batter (Power 4 Space 4 SP 2)(4 Str, 1d10+3, 4 Crit, 12 Range)
Port: Mars Macrocannon Broadsides (Power 4 Space 5 SP 1)(6 Str, 1d10+3, 5 Crit, 6 Range)
Port: Mars Macrocannon Broadsides (Power 4 Space 5 SP 1)(6 Str, 1d10+3, 5 Crit, 6 Range)
Starboard: Mars Macrocannon Broadsides (Power 4 Space 5 SP 1)(6 Str, 1d10+3, 5 Crit, 6 Range)
Starboard: Mars Macrocannon Broadsides (Power 4 Space 5 SP 1)(6 Str, 1d10+3, 5 Crit, 6 Range)


Supplemental:

Teleportarium (Power 1 Space 1 SP 1)
Luxury Quarters (Power 2 Space 1 SP 1)
Cargo Hold & Lighter Bay (Power 1 Space 2 SP 1)
Trophy Room (Power 1 Space 1 SP 1)
Luxury Quarters (Power 2 Space 1 SP 1)
Melodium (Power 1 Space 1 SP 1)
Arboretum (Power 2 Space 3 SP 1)
Munitorium (Power 3 Space 4 SP 2)

Bonuses:

Dreams of Distant Worlds: Bonus near planets
Hastes of Dammed: Half warp travel times, test for phenomena every 3 days
Tainted Field: +10% to navigate warp tests; -20% on Warp Encounter table
Charged Particle Repulsion: No manoeuvre penalties for space dust
Sensetive: +5 Detection when active augury
Class Divide: -3 morale
Teleporter: +20 Hit&Run attacks
Arboretum: Double voyage time
Melodium: +10% to all social skill tests
Resolute: +10% to repair tests
Munitorium: +1 Damage to weapons (already listed), Volatile (blows up if hit, 2d5 Hull Damage, Fire!)
Trade: +200
Criminal: +200
Creed: +100
Exploration: +100
Military: +25

Extra Supplies/Vehicles:

1 Gun-Cutter
12 Lighters

[potager]

In a perfumed boardroom with gilded silver servitors delivering trays of delicate pastries and cheeses, you sit before the collected servants of one Governor Reinhold Stoniard, deposed ruler of the Veingar Planetary System. You have been summoned to speak of a mission for your ship and your crew, a dangerous venture that will take you into the heart of the Koronos Expanse to fight pirates, rebels, heretics, and worst of all, politicians, in a no-holds-barred slugfest that will determine the rule of one of the jewels of the distant Empire.

You are aboard the Shining Beacon, a luxury Orion cutter currently docked at Port Wander at the edge of civilized space. You have been dining for nearly half an hour now on light treats and pleasantly alcoholic beverages as your senior staff and the Governors' made small talk and standard introductions and enjoyed the entertainment of a string band and teams of dancing servants; whatever else you may think of this poor lost soul, Governor Stoniard certainly knows how to properly entertain. The evening is winding down, however, and as the Governor stands and chimes a fork against his crystal goblet, you know it is time to get down to business.

Clearing his throat, the Governor raises his goblet in salute to your Captain and crew, "Brave men and women of the Night's Saber, you honor myself and my companions with your company tonight. News of your successes and exploits grace the tongues of Admirals across the Imperium, and we could not ask for more courteous or gallant guests to share our food and wine. I wish to say that our purpose of inviting you here was a mere social call, but as you have no doubt heard my planet has recently suffered a great tragedy and we must petition you for your aid."

"Some 13 months ago by standard calendar reckoning, a Lieutenant Governor of mine named Phillip Lancing staged a coup against our legitimate and duly appointed government, displacing myself and my family from our rightful posts as Lords of the System. Through deceitful strategies I cannot guess at, he managed to place traitors in all levels of our local military structures to assist with this treason, with enough in critical places to confuse and overwhelm the loyalist soldiers who bravely defended my government to the last. It was through the brave sacrifices of hundreds of these soldiers that I, my family, and many of my ministers fled to the Shining Beacon in time to evacuate the Governor's estate and exit orbit before the platforms and system squadrons could lock on and bring us down. Yes, his control of the military personnel of the system was so far reaching that even the crews of our Orbital Defense Platforms were corrupted. Worse, it would appear he has struck some kind of deal with the Pirate ships that have plagued our planet for generations, as they immediately attacked us upon passing through our asteroid belt to get to the outer system. Only superior speed and piloting from our fine Captain saved us from complete disaster that day, and we managed to abscond to the Warp and flee to this port of call."

"It is with sadness that I regret the Admirals of the Imperial Fleet have declined to heed my calls for assistance since I have arrived here. They feel that the events that have transpired on my world do not warrant the attention of the Imperial Fleet, since the traitorous Phillip Lancing managed to send word ahead of our arrival that included assurances of his continued loyalty to the Empire and his willingness to continue normal trade and relations. I am stuck, I am afraid. Unless you can help me reclaim what is mine, what has been my father's and his father's father for a hundred generations, that dog Lancing will turn treason again before anyone knows and the whole of the sector will suffer. My world feeds the Imperial souls on a dozen worlds, and our ores fuel the fires of a dozen Forgeworlds. I must reclaim my seat to ensure peace and prosperity through the region."

The Governor sits down in his padded chair, leaning forward with steepled fingers, "Now of course I can make this venture worth your while should you agree to help me. My system is a simple one, but we are rich, and we make our friends rich as well. I can assure you, your trust and assistance in my venture will be very, very profitable..."

[Donan]

The pale skinned visage of Relas observes the fallen Governor silently during and for a moment after his speech. The heavily augmented frame and the red robes borne by the man clearly show him to be a tech priest of the Adeptus Mechanius, whether he can truly be called that anymore.

He taps out a few lines on the data slate he carries and offers it across to the Lady Captain, his opinion intended for her eyes only and therefore written in a coded language peculiar to the Sabre.

(Secret tongue: Rogue Trader)

"He can offer far less then the new Governor, but the new Governor is not desperate for aid. Recommedation is that we learn what he can truly offer us, and that we make use of a ratio of gain to expenditure to proceed, with a high gain to a low expenditure.

Secondary recommedation. Ensure the new Governor becomes both desperate, and eager for our assistance. Warning. Risk of Imperial involvement high if tithe threatened."

Such politics were not of great personal interest to Relas, the tech priest believing himself to be applying simple logic to the scenario, but his future was tied to that of the Night's Saber, and a success here would be of great benefit to that vessel.

The logic there was quite simple.

[Lucretia]

Anastasia glanced over the data-slate for a moment before sliding it back to tech-priest. Her attention returned to the ex-Governor Stoniard. "Mr. Stoniard, I am of course pleased that you approached the Saber. The accolades didn't hurt, either!" She gave a pleasant laugh, drawing on years of social etiquette to make sure it wasn't too flirty or too patronizing a noise. "But I'm sure you know how unwise it is to go against the Imperial Fleet. If they won't help, who are we to question them?"

Tasya sat in a beautiful dress, truly a fine example of fashion for the period. A dark red with white trim, not too many ruffles; a not-too-low cut corset; a string of diamonds on a white gold chain -- despite the flagging accounts of her Dynasty, Lady-Captain Marzov dressed to impress. She flashed a dazzlingly white smile at the ex-governor before continuing.

"Of course, you did come to us and provided us with such a lovely meal and such superb entertainment... it would be absolutely rude for us to not conduct some sort of business. I won't insult you by discussing contracts over dinner, I'm sure there will be time afterwards, but I will need you to be discreet about your approaching us. It would be best if we did not enter the system to find the entirety of the System's navy awaiting us. I have no doubt the Saber could handle herself, naturally, but..." Another measured laugh.

"Better safe than sorry. I speak for the entire crew when I say we cannot stand injustice. The denial of help from the Imperial Fleet is absurd. But the Saber would love to help you reclaim your position and reestablish peace and prosperity there. Do you have an idea of how you'd care to proceed? An invasion would damage your no-doubt sterling reputation with the people, but I am afraid armed conflict lies down this road. Shall we target this treacherous Lancing, place his soul before the Emperor for judgment and allow you to return, to remove the corrupt curs from the military and government? Or do you have a list prepared for us?"

[potager]

Governor Stoniard smiles and raises his glass to your Captain, "My faith in your wisdom and sense of justice has not been misplaced, it would seem. No, you are correct that open warfare would not only harm my planet's reputation, but would also jeopardize our business holdings throughout the sector. The very last thing I would wish would be to disrupt our mining or farming operations in the slightest. What I want is for Lancing to be displaced and his chief Lieutenants likewise. My people know their true Leader, and once the impostor is gone they will come back to me like loyal pups. The Pirates, of course, are another matter. If Lancing has struck some deal with them to act as a proxy army, they must be dealt with fatally and finally. In an ideal world, perhaps you could uncover the details of such an agreement and use it as leverage against Lancing. The world may be less than perfect, though, and he may need to be removed otherwise."

The Governor drinks again from his goblet before continuing, "The Pirates have plagued us for as long as I can remember, going back a few hundred years at least. They use salvaged transport ships, perhaps a few frigates and a destroyer or two, nothing terribly threatening to a ship of your great caliber. They're stationed somewhere in the sector, probably one of the dead star systems in a nebula a few dozen light years from my world, but we've never had the time nor resources to properly rout them out. They've attacked shipments, shot up more Transports than I care to count and stolen their cargo to sell somewhere else. Very dreadful. Not only would my world be glad of their absence, but the whole sector would be grateful. I've never heard of them negotiating or speaking with governments before, of course; this treachery with Lancing is something new and frightening."

[Lucretia]

"A few hundred years... could Lancing's forefathers have come from pirate stock, perhaps? It would explain the newfound loyalty... still, I will instruct the boarding crews to search for any incriminating documents as they search the bodies. With any luck we will obtain a date-slate or some missive that documents the misdeeds of your treacherous usurper."

Anastasia frowned apologetically, moving her hand forward to put over the governor's. She sighed and glanced down, eyes staring up through lashes at him. "We will right this wrong, Governor. I swear it." Letting go of his hand and leaning back, she sighed again, tongue working at one of her incisors. "I must admit I am slightly intrigued by the term 'rich' and 'friend,' specifically how it applies to my dynasty. You have ore and farming concerns, correct? Those must be lucrative trade routes...?"

Prior to changing outfits and fussing with her hair and makeup, Tasya sent out twenty young void-borns from the crew, each with instructions to search for specific items, as well as just generally restocking. These void-borns were the quartermasters' apprentices, and this sort of sending was a common occurrence each time the Saber docked.
The items, the Commerce check number and the rolls are included within -- acquisition checks will be made in a different spoiler if any of them succeed in finding the items. Also, B-cms stands for best-craftsmanship, G-cms is good-craftsmanship, et cetera. EDIT: Hellfire and warpspawn, I forgot I have talented (commerce). Each of the commerce checks below should be 10 higher than it is. Grr!
B-cms bionic respiratory system, commerce check 79 or below, [roll0]
B-cms bionic heart, commerce check 79 or below, [roll1]
B-cms cranial armour, commerce check 89 or below, [roll2]
B-cms cybernetic sight, commerce check 79 or below, [roll3]
B-cms cybernetic hearing, commerce check 79 or below, [roll4]
B-cms cybernetic touch, commerce check 79 or below, [roll5]
B-cms cybernetic taste, commerce check 79 or below, [roll6]
B-cms cybernetic smell, commerce check 79 or below, [roll7]
B-cms memorance implant, commerce check 79 or below, [roll8]
B-cms respiratory filter implant, commerce check 79 or below, [roll9]
B-cms voidskin, commerce check 89 or below, [roll10]
B-cms blackbone bracing, commerce check 69 or below, [roll11]
B-cms gastral bionics, commerce check 89 or below, [roll12]
B-cms pain ward, commerce check 79 or below, [roll13]
B-cms vitae supplacement, commerce check 79 or below, [roll14]
C-cms blackbone bracing, commerce check 69 or below, [roll15]
G-cms bionic arm, commerce check, commerce check 89 or below, [roll16]
C-cms cranial armour, commerce check 89 or below, [roll17]
G-cms cybernetic sight, commerce check 79 or below, [roll18]
C-cms subskin armor, commerce check 69 or below, [roll19]

[rb780nm]

From her place near the wall, the kroot mercenary blended seamlessly with a brightly colored rug that had seemingly been placed there for her benefit. She listened to the tale of the former Governer with an internal smile. While she wished her current companions well, discord amongst the children of the imperium would serve the Greater Good, especially the Greater Good of the People of Pech, and most especially the Greater Good of Khosal Chhaya, shaper's apprentice of the Stalker Kindred.

She had trivially avoided the eyes of those not from her ship on the way to this meeting - amongst the bustle of the Night's Saber's senior staff, no-one had noticed her slight weight nor the extra gasses she had exhaled in the shuttle's cabin. No-one who didn't know she was there at least - The Lady-Captain had specifically requested her presence in case of trouble.


Oh yeah. I want to requisition some kroot hounds (and maybe some kroot armsmen), but I don't want to use up a requisition try if Potager is using the increasing difficulty and attention/complications rules from IttS. We should probably have an OOC conversation amongst the players about prioritizing our requisitions


Just skimmed the Port Wander chapter - not clear if there's anywhere to recruit Kroot from there. Also not clear if Khosal could wander freely looking for someone selling Kroot hounds. I'll hold off until we land somewhere with a kroot enclave.

My commerce skills are going to suck when interacting with Imperial salesmen anyway. (2 ranks harder plus another one for getting human stuff that fits a kroot.)

Makes a (rare) common quality Chameleoline cloak -10...

with my untrained commerce skill i'm looking at 39/2 -10 = 9!!

[canjowolf]

Alan's giant armored form stood silently by while his companions discussed matters with this politician. Alan hated politicians, and cowards, and complainers and weaklings too. If this one was incompetent enough to let his empire slip from his finger tips then he deserved nothing more from them then a timely death. Alan was not very bright though, so he left the important decision making to those who were. The only way he knew how to gain wealth was to take it from the still steaming corpses of his fallen enemies.

[Intro]

Francis Holomek

Francis was more than slightly interested by the term 'rich', and rather less in 'friend'. The Sabre was friend enough for him, and he could make the ship dance across the void when he needed - a somewhat smooth and ponderous dance, it was true, the great cruiser not being designed with speed first in mind - but a dance nonetheless. But Anastasia seemed to have any negotiations, and he'd wager on her before this man who couldn't even keep control of his own system. So he just sprawls out on his own chair, concentrating more on the seemingly-endless trays of pastries than the chatter - though he does note the number and classification of enemies they might fight and begins to run through scenarios in his head... until the newest tray comes by, that is...

[Donan]

Relas kept otherwise quiet, watching the interplay between the Captain and the ex-Governor. One thing he'd learnt about such matters from his observation was that no one said what they truly meant or thought, it was disguised and wrapped in words and tones to conceal their true intent and feelings.

The Governor had a flaw there, he had not disguised what he would do, but Relas believed Lady-Captain Anastasia would and therfore her chances of reward to profit were far higher then his.

He pondered the pirates briefly, ruffians without the likely attentions of the tech priests and those who understood machines. Logic stated they could not operate without planetery assistance, but logic did not state they served under or with the man named Lancing. It was a possiblity, but their attack on Stoniard was not enough to prove it, not at this time.

A worrying thought entered his head and he scanned the room, studying faces and people. It was possible there was a spy in this court and he searched for any signs of something out of place.

Relas would very much like to get hold of augmented senses himself, but I agree we should see what everyone wants first.

Making an awareness roll. Target of 35.
[roll0]

[LeSwordfish]

Benedict, a bulky, heavily bearded man, put down the glass of amasec he held in his bionic hand none-too-gently, and strolled over to Relas

"I gotta commend his taste in vintages, sire. Always appreciate a man who know's what to do with his money, even in dire straits."

"You look uneasy. Reckon something's up? Want me to go hobnob and see if i can find out some info from one of the courtiers?"

There's nothing much i specifically want. A powersword would be nice, as would Hallucinogen grenades, a servo-skull, cybernetic eyes, a pony, and a rocketship.

[Donan]

The tech priest twitched, then glanced at Benedict with a nod. "I do not ingest such liquids, the taste of them is uneeded, and they lower efficeny.

You have chosen a wise course however. The former Governor has lost most of what he held, but those here still follow him and not the victor.

It is illogical, there must be another reason as to why they are here. It seems clear that he must offer them something unique or they would not be here. It is of value that we learn what it is."

A smile seemed to touch the Explorator's lips, panicked at finding itself in such a strange place.

"You are a better choice then me to speak to those here. I would give nothing but offense if I spoke."

[DrK]

Cornelius

Cornelius looka round the rom as he stood in the corner sipping from a rystal glass stroking the white beard that he carefully cultivated. His clothes- someting akin to an Imperil uniform (an irony itslef) were immaculate- as was the wine.
Unlike many of the Navis Nobilite he refused to wear a head scarf to disguise his nature. WHy shuld he hide his nature as a superior Homon navisapien as opposed to his homo sapienfellows. His famous ancestor that had cast the Norstromo house into shame hadn't.

As the governer and Captain talked he ambled round the room, his clawed hands disguised with long gloves and unnearthly grace giving him a sinious swaying walk. How these official functions bored him. Reaching Benedict and Relas he looked at his colleagues from the sabre

"When will she order us to ship out? I can feel the call of te Immaterium. I expect battle and then discourse with both sides to determine who th most profitable winner for us would be?

Character Sheet

Cornelius Nostromo of the Renegade House Nostromo, Navigator
Description
http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ffg_content/rogue-trader/Images/Elder%20Navigator-IFS.jpg

Background
to follow

Character Name: Cornelius Nostromo
Origin Path: Battlefleet --> In Service (Born to lead) --> New Horizions (Archeoteolgist) --> Lost Worlds (Rouge planet) --> Exhiliration (thrill of war) --> Navigator --> Long & Glorious (Dark Secret)
Career Path: Navigator
Rank: 2 (7,500 XP)

Characteristics:

Weapon Skill: 30
Ballistic Skill: 43
Strength: 33
Toughness: 41
Agility: 40 (Bonus = 8)
Intelligence: 58
Perception: 45
Willpower: 48
Fellowship: 32

Basic Skills:
Awareness (Per): 45
Barter (Fel): 16
Carouse (T): 20
Charm (Fel): 16
Climb (S): 16
Command (Fel): 32 (+5 on ships)
Concealment (Ag): 20
Contortionist (Ag): 20
Deceive (Fel): 32
Disguise (Fel): 16
Dodge (Ag): 20
Evaluate (Int): 29
Gamble (Int): 29
Inquiry (Fel): 16
Intimidate (S): 33
Logic (Int): 29
Scrutiny (Per): 45
Search (Per): 22
Silent Move (Ag): 20
Swim (S): 15

Advanced Skills:
Lore: Common (Navis Noblite)(Imperial Navy) (Int): 58
Lore: Scholastic (Judgement)(Astromancy)(Imperium Tactica) (Int): 58
Lore: Forbidden (Archeotech)(Navigators)(Warp) (Int): 58
Literacy (Int): 58
Pilot (Space Craft) (Ag): 40 (Multiplier x2)
Speak Language (High Gothic)(Low Gothic)(Battlefleet Cant) (Int): 58
Secret Tongue (Rogue Trader)(Navigator) (Int): 58
Navigation (Stellar)(Warp +10) (Int): 58(68)
Psyniscience (Per): 45
Security (Ag): 40 (Multiplier x2)

Traits:
Officer on Deck (+5 Command when on board ship)
Void Accustomed (no penalty in Zero-gravity)
Ship bound fighter (-2 Initiative in open air and double range penalties)
Dark Secret -1 Profit factor
Heirloom

Navigator Renegade House Nostromo
Fruits of Corrupted Blood: Tracking Stars, Lidless Stare, Stack the Deck
Uncheck Mutations: Tests are challenging (+0)
Mutations: Nails sharp as talons, Disturbing Grace
Renegades: -10 interacting with Imperium Official Bodies
Powers
Lidless Stare - Novice (+10 to Use and -10 to resist)
Stacking the Deck -Novice (+10 to Use and -10 to resist)
Tracks in the Stars -Novice (+10 to Use and -10 to resist)
Immolate the Soul -Novice


Talents:
Weapon Training: Pistol (Universal)
Nerves of Steel (re-roll pinning checks)
Quick Draw (ready as a free action)
Navigator (Navigator abilities)
Navigator Power (Immolate the Soul- novice)
Natural Weapons
Unnatural Agility x2

Experience: 7,000/7,000

Rank 0 (4,500 - 4,999)
Motivation: Exhiliration (thrill of war) 250XP
Lure of the Void: New Horizions (Archaeotchologist) 250XP

Rank 1 (5,000 - 6,999)
Birthright: In service to the Throne (Born to lead) 200XP
Trials and Travails: Lost worlds (Rogue planet) 200XP
Lineage: Long & Glorious History (Dark Secret) 100XP
Awareness
Intimidate
Secret tongue (Navigator)(Rogue Trader)
BS -simple
T - simple
Per - Intermediate
Int - Intermediate
WP - Simple

Rank 2 (7000-7500)
Navigate (Warp)+10
Navigator Power (Stacking the Deck (Immolate the Soul)



Equipment:

Best craftmanship Hellpistol
Best craftmanship metal staff
Best craftmanship Xeno-mesh
Best craftmanship Angevin era Chainsword
Emperor's Tarot Deck
Silk Headscarf
Navis Nobilite Robes
Charm- a navigator's finger bone
Microbead
Conversion Field
Almanac Astrae Divinutus

Corruption & Insanity:
Corruption Points: 3
Insanity Points: 2

Wounds:
Current: 11/11
Critical Damage: 0
Fatigue: 0/4

Fate: 4/4

[potager]

"A few hundred years... could Lancing's forefathers have come from pirate stock, perhaps?
...
I must admit I am slightly intrigued by the term 'rich' and 'friend,' specifically how it applies to my dynasty. You have ore and farming concerns, correct? Those must be lucrative trade routes...?"

The Governor shrugs his decorated shoulders, "One possibility among many. I am afraid the records of family histories was one of the many logs I was unable to collect in my escape, and cannot research to see if this is the case."

At the mention of Trade Routes and riches, the Governor adopts a coy smile, "Lucrative indeed my dear Captain. And my system does so love to do business with its friends who have earned trust and respect." The Governor snaps a finger and a pair of withered crones wearing insignia of classic Seneschal training come forward. Each deposit a data slate on the table, and Governor Stoniard slides one across for your Captain and crew to view. "My aides have worked up some preliminary routes and agreements upon the success of your journey. It is all negotiable, of course, though as you mentioned before that may be best arranged between our two emissaries sometime after our dinner tonight. Speaking of which, I do believe it is time for the main course to begin. My chef has prepared poached Phail stuffed with Rosemary Butter and Scallions, with with creamy onion skins and a light cheese and greens salad covered in riseberry vinegar. Phail is a waterfowl of my world, and a very tasty one at that. I do hope you enjoy it."

As Servitors begin to wheel carts of heavenly-smelling food from an open port, your eyes begin to scan the Dataslate before you to see just what kind of mission you are signing onto...

Dataslate Summary:
You are being offered strong shares in a number of State-owned companies and enterprises on the planet, as well as controlling interests in a half dozen established Warp routes between the planet and a number of nearby systems. All told, the routes and shares would grant you a +3 Profit Factor if you continued to sublet the routes out to subcontractor shipping firms, or a +5 Profit Factor if you served as or provided your own Transport. In addition, there is a standing bounty on the planet subsidized by the Governor's offer for any Pirate vessel destroyed or captured, that would provide an additional +1 Profit Factor per 2 Pirate Ships accounted for, and an additional +1 for locating the Pirate Base and neutralizing it.

These terms are negotiable up to the start of the mission, which would require some Commerce checks.

EDIT: For the record, in case anyone cares :smallwink: , the Business Shares are at 10% and the shipping routes are at 55% with right of first refusal for lane priority.

Acquisition Stuff:
Before y'all launch on the mission, you will each have time for 3 Personal Acquisition Checks, which can be augmented by successful Commerce checks. In addition to this, you all have 3 Ship Acquisition Checks for items pertaining to your ship and crew, which can also be modified. These Acquisition Checks cannot be shared or transferred between players. You can have another character roll Commerce on your behalf to try and give your check a boost, but you must accept the consequences of their roll. If a person is rolling a lot of Commerce checks, be sure to label each roll clearly and properly. To save time for rolling opposed checks, simply give your Commerce skill a -20 penalty to simulate the difficulty of negotiating with these people and keep track of Degrees of Success/Failure.

Rolls can commence at your pleasure, though you should probably talk amongst yourselves about the group Ship Acquisitions.

[LeSwordfish]

"Don't fuss. You and the fly-boys can have your time sooner or later. But now, with fine food, fine amasec, and the chance of a little wealth redistribution this- this- is my time." He took another glass from a passing servitor, and downed it in one. "And our illustrious Ma'am's, of course" He placed the glass back on the tray and moved off into the crowd, using the food as an excuse to approach the guest with the amount of decoration on his clothing second only to the governor.

"Excellent food. I've been living for far too long on shipboard fare." His voice and manner were carefully calculated- two parts Bluff Old Soldier to three parts Noble. "I do apologise. Confessor Benedict Macharius, at your service. I'm afraid I'll need someone to introduce me to you good people. Are you a friend of the Governors?"

[LeSwordfish]

(Sorry for double post, edited it and forgot to roll)


Charm Test, Vs 78 [roll0]
(58 base fellowship, +10 for Charm (+10), -10 for blessed scars, +10 for Ancestral Seal, +10 for Peer (Nobility))

[Lucretia]

Tasya read over the data-slate quickly and nodded. "If you don't mind, Mr. Stoniard, I would love to be present for this meeting of emissaries later. As for the meal, thank you so much! It smells superb -- I look forward to enjoying your phail." As the servitor put her plate before her, Anastasia slid the napkin on her lap and looked at the food for a moment. "You know, this all wasn't necessary, Governor. You didn't need to bribe my men with fancy meals in order for us to understand and sympathize with your plight. And this!" She gestured to the data-pad with the figures on it. "I hope you didn't feel the need to be overly generous!"

She smiled at him and made light conversation through the meal, carefully sipping amasec and trying quite hard to avoid anything too oniony.

The small talk will be represented by a blather check. I imagine he is of Ordinary disposition against us (+10) and listening to my small talk yields no profit or ruin for him, so (+0) for that. Therefore, blather DC set at 79 or below. [roll0]

Captain Marzov is more than happy to roll commerce checks for anyone who'd like her to. Because of how editing and rolling functions on this forum, I will be making the rolls (the first being the commerce check, the second being the acquisition check) and then editing back in to determine the DC based on the commerce check.

EDIT: I'm impressed, my internet suffered an outage directly following my pressing the post button. The timing was incredible. Grrr. Anyways, I'll put in the information. Also, I am so sorry, Donan, I forgot I wasn't making acquisition rolls for you! The one I did forget to roll -- the Omnissiah Axe -- has three degrees of failure, so the PF is 18 for that check.

Donan
Good-craftsmanship meltagun
Commerce Check
69 or below, [roll1]
Acquisition Check
28 or lower, [roll2]
Common-craftsmanship Respiratory Filter
Commerce Check
69 or below, [roll3]
Acquisition Check
24 or lower, [roll4]
Common-craftsmanship Omnissiah Axe
Commerce Check
69 or below, [roll5]

Anastasia
Best-craftsmanship Gastral Bionics
Commerce Check
69 or below, [roll6]
Acquisition Check
34 or below, [roll7]
Best-craftsmanship Memorance Implant
Commerce Check
69 or below, [roll8]
Acquisition Check
30 or below, [roll9]
Best-craftsmanship Respiratory System
Commerce Check
69 or below, [roll10]
Acquisition Check
36 or lower, [roll11]

[Donan]

Relas took a moment to consider this, after studying the information presented on the data slate, stepping back so he could address Cornelius out of general hearing range.

"Initial information suggests a less then 20% of returning the deposed governor to his postion without unacceptable expense. Information further presented indicates that the potential return of the deposed governor will alarm the current goverment and prompt them to accept assistance.

Additonal. Collecting over 50% of shares in the businesses listed will give us overall authority. Finding another method to secure further votes advised."

The Navigator was watched to see if this was the response he'd wanted.

[rb780nm]

Khosal remains still, invisible in the confusing field of the shadows and colored cloth. She looks forward to tasting the new animals of this world they are going to "liberate" - and perhaps the flesh of some of its current owners.

Since her teacher had sent her to travel with these imperial humans, she had tasted a number of new species, cataloging her impressions of the potentials stored in their flesh for later exploitation by her kindred. Soon she would be inducted into the lodge of shapers and then she would be allowed to guide a part of the kindred's evolution. She already had some ideas... big ideas...


Earlier, she had met with the captain. "Lady-Captain Tasya?" The Kroot's mix of formality and familiarity was a peculiarity of her speech that she never seemed able to shake. "I have been looking at things in the ship's library. *Whistle* There are a number of things your clever people make that would be most useful - perhaps you could try to find some of them on this station? I would go out myself, but... *squark*" with a gesture she indicates her Kroot form - the features that would cause her a lot of trouble if she were to stroll around the station.


Requisition wishlist

Cameoline cloak: rare (-10), population(+10) One(+30), Kroot sized (-10): +20
Chainsword: average (+10), population (+10) -10 (kroot) +30 (Single) -30 (Best) = +10
Refractor Field: v.rare (-20), population (+10) one (+30), kroot size/usable (-10): = +10





edit - added population modifiers to acquisition numbers
reedit - added them correctly (I think.)

[LeSwordfish]

OOC: Can i request Commerce checks for
Good-quality cybernetic senses
(+30 for scale, +0 for population, -10 for rarity, -10 for quality, Total PF+10)
Good-quality Powersword
(+30 for scale, -10 for population, -20 for rarity, -10 for quality, Total PF-10)
Recoil Gloves- Grenade launcher in one hand, i'm that kind of missionary.
(+30 for scale, +0 for population, -10 for rarity, +0 for quality, Total PF+20)


EDIT: The Kroot can have my chainsword if i succeed in rolling a powersword.

[Donan]

Roll for Ommisah axe. 18 needed. (Correct me if I'm wrong there.)


Roll didn't work. Trying again.
[roll]1d100

[Donan]

Ignore last post. Bleh.
[roll0]

[Lucretia]

Anastasia continued to eat and make small talk, enjoying the meal and company. It had been too long -- at least a month -- since she'd been to a soiree. The most recent endeavour the Saber had undertaken, a mildly disasterous voyage involving a flicker in the Gellar field, had left the dynasty on shaky financial legs. Even with her business acumen, there was little Tas could do to try and rectify the situation without work -- and an opportunity like this was simply too delicious, metaphorically and physically, to pass up.

The Marzov Warrant's decline in prestige, influence and wealth wasn't entirely her fault, however. Her father, Grigor Marzov, had famously gone insane towards the last decade of his life, spending untold sums on xenostech, heretical manuscripts and poor business propositions. He sank two planets' worth of the Marzov Dynasty's financial power into a planet drilling expedition -- not even bothering to notice that the phoney ledger was for a star, not a planet. Tasya had been 20 when her father began exhibiting such startling and foreboding behavior, and had worked to distance herself from him. Those that dealt with him -- who, Anastasia had never been able to find out -- had removed the taint of her father's legacy from the warrant, but what was left of the dynasty's funding was a paltry sum, unfit for a lesser noble house. Still, the tenacious Anastasia had assumed the role of Rogue Trader, bearing the Marzov warrant and captaining the Night's Saber, intent on returning her name to the peak of prestige.

These thoughts swirled about her brain as she smiled and complimented Stoniard on his chef's masterful combination of rosemary and phail, how the amasec he had chosen was just splendid for the taste and tenderness of the waterfowl, how she simply adored his various decorations, the dismay she felt that anyone would attempt so foul a treachery as to attempt regicide, and other such rather inconsequential topics.

Commerce Checks for Khosal
Cameoline cloak One degree of failure, 22 effective PF
69 or lower, [roll0]
Common-craftsmanship Chainsword 0 Degrees. 24 PF
69 or lower, [roll1]
Refractor Field Three degrees of success. 30 effective PF
69 or lower, [roll2]

Commerce Checks for Benedict
Good-craftsmanship cybernetic senses 0 Degrees. 24 PF
69 or lower, [roll3]
Good-quality Powersword 0 Degrees. 24 PF
69 or lower, [roll4]
Recoil Gloves Six degrees of success. 36 effective PF
69 or lower, [roll5]

Those are to see how much the PF is boosted or lowered during acquisition checks. I won't be making those for anyone but me anymore -- I totally droppe the ball and I'm really very upset about that. So y'all can roll acquisition for it in your next posts. I'll edit this in a moment to see what the degrees of success or failure are.

EDIT: Port Wander doesn't affect acquisition rolls, just the commerce checks to see if they can be found (which it is very likely they can be, and if I understand the Potager Acquisition Rules, aren't really all that necessary at the moment). The things that affect acquisition rolls are: quality of the item, number of copies of the item being bought, availability of the item, degrees of success in a commerce check (degrees of success x 2 + PF = effective PF). But the checks I made for you were to see if I could haggle with the guys who owned the items you wanted, which is a regular commerce check that, according to the PAR, takes a -20 in order to show that the other guy is trying to haggle against me. I hope that makes sense. :smallsmile:

[Donan]

Hold on, does Port Wander's population add +10 to rolls as well? I have two of my items if that's the case.

[rb780nm]

Khosal finger lay upon the activation rune of the refractor field that the captain had given her. She knew that to turn it on would make her visible to all, but its defensive properties would be useful if she was discovered

Khosal remained hidden. If her cover was blown, she would be only protected by her leather armor - it was tough, but not impervious to harm...


Acquisition tests

Chameleoline [roll0] vs 22+10, Fail
Chain Sword [roll1] vs 24+00, Fail
Refractor Field [roll2] vs 30+00, Fail!

[canjowolf]

Alan - A Matter Of Profit

Alan continued to listen quietly to the conversation of the other members of the party as he stood by the Rogue Trader's side. The smells of the arranged meats enticed him, but he knew better then to remove his helmet in the presence of foreigners. Let them think that his horned helmet was simply there to intimidate the enemy.

OOC Aquisitions
I'd like to shoot for a common quality refractor field (ItS p.130), A bionic heart, and subskin armor. I'll let Anastasia go out and find/buy it for me as my Fellowship is subhuman.

Refractor Field - [roll0]
Bionic Heart - [roll1]
Subskin Armor - [roll2]

[potager]

He placed the glass back on the tray and moved off into the crowd, using the food as an excuse to approach the guest with the amount of decoration on his clothing second only to the governor. [COLOR="DarkRed"]"Excellent food. I've been living for far too long on shipboard fare." His voice and manner were carefully calculated- two parts Bluff Old Soldier to three parts Noble. "I do apologise. Confessor Benedict Macharius, at your service. I'm afraid I'll need someone to introduce me to you good people. Are you a friend of the Governors?"

The man approached, a towering and bulky figure wearing fine silks with gold and titanium buttons, turns towards the Confessor and extends a baby-soft hand, "I am good sir. I am Minister Titus Fornian, Minister of Mining operations for the system. I have the pleasure of serving the Governor in his council and have done so for these past five decades, before which my Father served in the same position. I would be more than pleased to introduce you about. We love a man of the Emperor's word on our world. Or if you had any questions of me I would be more than pleased to answer."


Tasya read over the data-slate quickly and nodded. "If you don't mind, Mr. Stoniard, I would love to be present for this meeting of emissaries later. As for the meal, thank you so much! It smells superb -- I look forward to enjoying your phail." As the servitor put her plate before her, Anastasia slid the napkin on her lap and looked at the food for a moment. "You know, this all wasn't necessary, Governor. You didn't need to bribe my men with fancy meals in order for us to understand and sympathize with your plight. And this!" She gestured to the data-pad with the figures on it. "I hope you didn't feel the need to be overly generous!"

The Governor smiles, "It is the duty of all hosts to ensure the comfort and well-being of their guests, and my chef loves to show off anyway. And of course you are welcome to the negotiations. It is the sign of a good Captain that they stay involved in such matters."

OOC: Donan, the +10 from Port Wander is for Commerce checks, not Acquisition checks unfortunately. For the record, I've already lost track of your Acquisitions and who's rolled what for what; it's up to y'all to keep track of your own things and make sure you get your rolls. And what is up with y'all and Refractor Fields :smallwink: ?

Was there any other specific information you wanted to collect from these people prior to the mission?

[Donan]

OOC: I failed all mine anyhow. I agree with Lucretia, we need more PF and fast!

I'm good for information, but Relas isn't one of the social ones. If he talks to anyone our PF goes down, not up. :smallwink: I reckon our best course is to start with checking out the pirates and he'll mention that in the IC downtime.

[rb780nm]

With the population bonus gone, I failed... on the subject of refractor fields, I wanted one, because it was the cheapest field, and I wanted a field (because I can't have good armor (well, I can - but I loose stuff I want...)

[Lucretia]

If I understand correctly, these are acquisitions we will be making, not that we have made yet. As for specific information, I can't think of anything else I'm currently worried about with these people specifically. Just the contract and then some first-hand exploration to see what's what.

Anastasia smiled at her host and nodded. "We will be in Port Wander for about a standard Terran month, perhaps a week more than that. We have to restock the Saber, make sure everything is repaired, and refill the morale of our men. You must know how hard it is to maintain loyalty. I believe one of my officers may have a question for you, though, Governor -- if you would entertain them and their queries?" She set her fork down, having finished perhaps a third of the phail, and sighed contentedly. "I mean no disrespect, but I simply cannot finish this -- there's just so much! And that cheese you had before... it was a delicious meal, certainly."

It will take three weeks for the negotiations for the best-craftsmanship gastral bionic to be obtained, and 2d10 days for recovery, -4 due to my toughness bonus. I'll go ahead and roll the 2d10 and see how long Tasya will be holed up. According to Into the Storm, Port Wander has top notch medicae facilities for those who can pay, so there shouldn't be any need for medicae checks to make sure the biologis magos [or whatever they're called] doesn't accidently slit my arteries or anything. But if you'd like for them to anyways, I won't begrudge it. :smallsmile:

Surgical Rest Time
[roll0]

[canjowolf]

OOC

Well, it looks like Alan has a fancy new refractor field, which is the only field that we really had any chance to acquire at this profit factor. Alan is rather stupid and is almost fellowship-less, but he'll happily squash that pirate captain for you if you can find him, and he can intimidate people into doing what you ask of him.

[DrK]

"Initial information suggests a less then 20% of returning the deposed governor to his postion without unacceptable expense. Information further presented indicates that the potential return of the deposed governor will alarm the current goverment and prompt them to accept assistance.

Additonal. Collecting over 50% of shares in the businesses listed will give us overall authority. Finding another method to secure further votes advised."



Intresting. Well maybe if we can in fact crush, capture and then control the pirate fleet that may swinf things in our favour. Then we can extort more out of whichever goverment we install as well as taking a cut of the piracy booty as well?

After that Cornelius began to circulate the room, his 3rd eye flickering every now and then as he peeked at the swirling chaotic majesty of the immaterium that hung tantalisingly out of reach. It was a like a drug, and one that he could scarce refuse.



Barring my initial bolt pistol and conversion field there is nothing really I need at the moment so I'm all good in terms of kit

[rb780nm]

@dr k
There are a few items that give bonuses to navigation tests - do you have those?

[potager]

@dr k
There are a few items that give bonuses to navigation tests - do you have those?

@DrK
He speaks truth; there's the Almanac Astrae Divinitus and Navis Prima, both of which are handy for Navigators and both of which are in the Core book.

[DrK]

@dr k
There are a few items that give bonuses to navigation tests - do you have those?


@DrK
He speaks truth; there's the Almanac Astrae Divinitus and Navis Prima, both of which are handy for Navigators and both of which are in the Core book.


Ah- I'd overlooken them.
Can I please ditch the Bolt pistoland instead have an Almanac Astrae Divinitus (Extremley rare, but just need 1 so 0%) for +10% on piloting and Navigation checks.

I'll take a decent Navis Prima off a captured ship. Plus thta on is Nvigation(Stellar) rather than Navigation(Warp)

[potager]

Ah- I'd overlooken them.
Can I please ditch the Bolt pistoland instead have an Almanac Astrae Divinitus (Extremley rare, but just need 1 so 0%) for +10% on piloting and Navigation checks.

I'll take a decent Navis Prima off a captured ship. Plus thta on is Nvigation(Stellar) rather than Navigation(Warp)



Of course :) . And you can still go after the Bolt Pistol with some Acquisition rolls if you so choose.

[LeSwordfish]

Benedict shook the outstretched hand gregariously. "Mining, yes? My family has interests in minerals. When this has all blown over i'll see what i can arrange. I'm afraid i had no idea the govenor kept a council, but i suppose he would, a smart man like him. How many others of the council are in here?" Meaning who else in this room has the govenor's ears, of course. "I'd imagine the govenor is well-liked, to have so many loyalists stand by him in these... difficult times."

OOC
Do i have to keep rolling charm tests? [roll0] vs 78 in case.

Acquisitions
[roll1] vs 34 for bionics. Woo. Will roll time to recuperate in next post.
[roll2] vs 24 for powersword. Eh. Always a long shot.
[roll3] vs 56 for recoil gloves. Hells yeah.

So we get this stuff next time we hit the shops?

[potager]

No need to roll more Charm tests, he's pretty friendly right now.

The Minister turns and begins to gesture to several of the other personalities in the room. "Over there, that's our Agriculture Minister, speaking with the Energy Minister in the corner. They're from the same family, you know, very prodigious lot that. We have our Security Minister currently savaging his Phail with fork and knife, our Labor minister having a third helping of the honey pudding, and our Trade Minister on the far end still working through his salad. Those two women you see behind the Governor aides to our Finance Minister who was feeling ill and is below decks right now. Our ranking members of the Ecclesiarchy and Tech Ministorium were not at the capitol during the coup, and were not able to flee the system in time, I am afraid, and are back on our dear lost world may the Emperor keep them safe. The Lieutenant Governor alas was also on the Council, though I think it is safe to say that there will be an opening for a new appointment following your mission."

The Minister allowed himself a small laugh at his own joke, then turned back, "Loyalty is what the Governor has, my new friend, and Loyalty is what he has earned. Each of our families have prospered under his rule, as has the system and sector at large. If your ship does right by him, he shall do right by your ship in return, you can mark my words."

How much longer did you wish the dinner to go on for? We can move onto other things if y'all are done.

[rb780nm]

Spotting a moment when all eyes and lenses are turned away from her, Khosal runs silently through the room, make less disturbance than an errant gust from the life support system. She continues her dash back to the shuttle, where she sits, still camouflaged, awaiting the rest of the party.

Khosal is done, but feel free to continue

[Lucretia]

With a smile, Tasya stood and extended a hand for the Governor to take and kiss. "I believe all that remains is for the emissary to sign the contract. Please, send him to my vessel. I would love to give him a tour of our fine Saber so he can rest easy, knowing precisely what we're capable of." She smiled at him, waiting for him to take the hand.

Anastasia was, now, ready to leave. She had an appointment with one of the medicae vendors and it was going to be a grueling negotiation.

I'm ready to proceed from the dinner party, but I don't want to curtail the fun Benedict is having -- or the information he's gaining!

Also, Le Swordfish, which cybernetic sense did you get? I meant to ask. Taste, sight, hearing, touch or smell?

[Intro]

Francis Holomek

Taking his Lord-Captain's cue, Francis also excuses himself and rises, though not before grabbing a last morsel as he does so. He moves to stand behind Anastasia, to accompany her departure - though as an escort he perhaps leaves something to be desired, his movement somewhat slowed and uneven due to the great quantity of food and other refreshments he had proceeded to consume at the meeting.

The Void Master's Requests, if it suit the Lord-Captain's pleasure:

Motion Predictor (Very Rare, +10)
Inferno Shells (Rare, +20)
Chameleoline Cloak (Rare, +20)

[Donan]

Seeing the Lady Captain was preparing to leave, Retias adjusted his position. somewhat glad to get the chance to escape such an unfamilar enviroment. This was a confusing world to him, despite his efforts to apply logic to the situation.

Relas is ready to go, but I agree that we should give Benedict more time to get hold of information. :)

[LeSwordfish]

Benedict looked up and saw the others gathering to leave. "I'm glad to see the governor commands loyalty, the mark of a true leader, don't you think? Unfortunately, m'lady is leaving now, so i must be gone- it's been clarified to me that i can't have the shuttle sent back over just to stay for the cigars." He laughed at his own joke, and bade the councillor goodbye, before strolling over to join the assembly.

"Ma'am" he said in gothic, before reverting to ship dialect, and an undertone. "Couldn't find much. Govenor commands warpload of loyalty amongst group, turncoats hard to find. Keeps a council of ministers. Two are related- i smell a chance for some pressure there, if we could... relocate one."

Recuperation Roll, 2d10-TB right? [roll0] EDIT: Can't keep me down!

I was going for sight. Since it's good-quality i get a handful of special rules to choose from, right? Ok, i get Heightened Senses (Sight), +20 vs blinding , and if the DM wills, either a built in telescopic scope or Dark Sight, in which case I will take Dark Sight.

[Donan]

Relas paused, considering, then he replied in the same dialect. "I can provide a means if required. It is a custom in such cases to give gifts to others, to celebrate diplomancy?

I can offer items containing hidden teleport homers. It would be the most effective means to extract a target quickly and quietly. As long as we ensure no others are witness to the event, our involvement may remain hidden."

[LeSwordfish]

"Good idea. Those two in the corner are related... and that one there is the security minister. The one with the beard that looks like he's dribbled a triangle.

Is it rude to ask how the warp they got waterfowl if they're exiled in space?"

[DrK]

Watching all the evening pass by Cornelius does keep mostly to himself, his exposed 3rd eye doing it best to scare off as many people as possible. He trusted the Lady Captain to secure the best deal possible, he would just navigate the dammed ship and be there to scoop up the reward. Renegade houe he may be, but they stll needed the cash.

[potager]

The dinner party over, the crew politely excused themselves to return to their vessel and their duties. The Governor and his aides expressed their warmest regards, and arrangements were made for his Minister of Finance to visit the Night's Saber in a few days time to finalize arrangements. And, for the next month, preparations commenced and passed in typical spacer fashion.


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

I'm ready to jump to the Warp when y'all are, when you've made final decisions on what to acquire for the ship and the like. Don't worry too much if we jump out before you've made purchases; we can do retroactive buying for a little bit.

So, as far as I can see, things that should be done before going to the warp are:

Final Ship and PC Acquisitions.
Opposed Commerce Checks for the business contract, if desired.
Investigating and rolling for more information, if desired.
Possibly bugging/tagging some of the Governor's aides?


Also, as an aside, the whole Phail thing wasn't intended as a mystery or red flag; I figured a guy as posh and decadent as the Governor would be sure his personal transport would have a well-provisioned ice room, at least for his elite guests. The crew eats gruel, of course. Just meant to add some flavor text with that :smallsmile: . Now, some of the other mysterious things I've mentioned on the other hand...

[Lucretia]

Anastasia, before leaving, asked the ex-governor to interview others in an attempt to make it seem as though the Saber had not taken the job. She really wanted to make it a surprise when her ship appeared in the system. Since she was most likely not left with her hand extended towards the governor like some sort of creepy horror film character, Tas wasn't too aggravated with Stoniard. On the shuttle ride back to Port Wander proper, she addressed her officers in the secret language of the Saber. Her voice was cold, a stark contrast from the persona she had on during the dinner party.

"Alan, you and I need to visit the Medicae Plaza on Wander. While we're out, I think we'll see about getting you a refractor field, maybe... I think one of my contacts still has one or two, and I might be able to persuade him to part with it. Benedict, it looked like you were making friends with the Governor's aides -- ministers? Viziers? Regardless of their title, I presume we have a plan for swaying one of them into presenting a bit more information about our dear Mr. Stoniard? Feel free to invite him to the Saber. I'd like you present for the contract negotiations, as well. I think you really clicked with them, and they'd respect a man being there. Misogynistic fools.

"Khosal, good work. I don't think any of them noticed you. I have some ideas on how we can best capitalize on your abilities, but we need more information before I divulge it -- they're just nascent ideas right now. But really, great work. If I hadn't been looking for you, I would never have been able to see what little I could. Relas, thank you for listening; I know how boring these functions are for you. I think I heard you and Benedict talking amongst yourselves. If you have a plan, just run it by me first. I doubt I'll object, but still.

"Cornelius, thanks for bearing with me. These functions are important, and I appreciate your willingness to accompany us. The Almanac Astrae Divinitus you were looking at has come in, and has been installed in your Navis Sanctum on the bridge. And Francis, it looked like you were enjoying your meal, so I'm glad someone did. I need you to oversee the macrocannon ammunition resupply, make sure it's the right calibre for our broadsides and the proper amount. Our men are a little shaken since our last excursion through the warp, so I need a clear head to make sure everything's as it is supposed to be.

"We've got five weeks before we head out to Stoniard's System. If you have anything you want to look into, feel free. It may be a while before we're in company that doesn't wish to kill us, undermine us, or subdue us, so take full advantage of this furlough. I'm sure the crew proper will be. Good work tonight, everyone. Oh! Benedict, come with Alan and me to the Medicae Plaza."

Commerce checks for Francis
Motion Predictor
Effective PF 34
69 or below, [roll0]
Inferno Shells
Effective PF 34
69 or below, [roll1]
Chameleoline Cloak
Effective PF 34
69 or below, [roll2]

[canjowolf]

Alan inclined his head and grunted "YES MISTRESS"

[Intro]

Francis Holomek

"Of course, Lord-Captain!" Francis replies valiantly. "I'll make sure that the Sabre's magazines are all topped up and ready to go. And perhaps I'll see if I can come across any old void-dogs that know the op area - could even be some former pirates that used to work those systems and might be persuaded to share something of import," he concludes. Of course, he did not mention that the means of meeting these personages would be to personally review as many as possible of Port Wanders finer and less so establishments, but he would get the work done even so.

The Void Master's Acquisitions:

Motion Predictor (Very Rare, +10), need 44 [roll0]
Inferno Shells (Rare, +20), need 54 [roll1]
Chameleoline Cloak (Rare, +20), need 54 [roll2]

[Lucretia]

"While you're out, see if you can obtain any information concerning a barracks or a munitorium... or a gun-cutter. I've been meaning to fill some of the closed-off space in the Saber for a while, and if there's anyone selling those here, we may as well obtain them now." Anastasia shook her head.

"Actually, Relas, could you look into the gun-cutter? Meanwhile, all of you -- check and see if there's anyone who wants something done on the way or in Stoniard's System. Anything we can do to collect favors, trade routes, anything. Having a controlling interest in the shipping lanes of an ore and food system will come in handy -- I'll check my trade contacts on around here, see if they'd be interested in some investment opportunities."

Commerce Checks on Ship Acquisitions
(These three items can be changed if the group wills it, but these commerce checks will still be for whatever we decide on.) Because I'm using fate points, I won't be editing this post. That being said, I may use my final fate point to add a degree of success to one of these -- or, if they're really bad, to reroll entirely.
Barracks
Using a fate point to increase by 10
79 or below, [roll0]
Munitorium
Using a fate point to increase by 10
79 or below, [roll1]
Gun-cutter
Using a fate point to increase by 10
79 or below, [roll2]

Commerce Check to see if anyone has any interest in the trade routes or has an item they'd like delivered or picked up
Dunno what the DC would be, so I'll just roll a regular test. Potager can secretly modify it as he wishes.
89 or below, [roll3]

[LeSwordfish]

"After my eye's done, you want me to visit the shipyard and start poking about, asking some of them about the pirates?"

Also, as an aside, the whole Phail thing wasn't intended as a mystery or red flag;
I wasn't expecting it to be. Me and Benedict are just smart-alecs.:smallbiggrin:

[Donan]

Relas considered, some of the machines that made up his frame whirring and clunking. "I will seek out a guncutter then, a vessel far grander then many of the landing craft we have so far.

I suggest ores be researched in terms of transport. I also recommend an investigation be carried out to learn more of the targeted system and what it would present to us.

Benedict suggested we abduct a minister of choice to offer possible leverage. I can provide the means to do so if needed, or to plant listening and recording devices on targets of our choice if needed. Giving gifts is a normal part of such ceremony, yes?"

Relas will go for the guncutter, he'll also try researching the Veingar system. I'm not sure what I'd be rolling against, but I have common lore (Koronus Expanse) so I'll roll against intelligence. I'll also have Relas MIU computers and such, if that'd give any bonuses as well.

Guncutter acquistion. Spending a FP to give +10.
32 needed. [roll0]

Research roll. 57 needed (+ any bonuses) [roll1]

[Lucretia]

Commerce Reroll for the Gun-Cutter
79 or below, [roll0]

Anastasia nodded. "That could work, although I think your talents would be better suited to discuss with any nobles who happen to be lounging around Port Wander. Or following up with the ministers you were speaking with while the governor and I chatted. And don't forget, we've entered negotiations to get those recoil gloves for you."

[DrK]

Cornelius

Finding the lord-lady captain Cornelius wrapped a silk headscarf around his thinning white hair. "With your permission, Ill retire back to the Sabre. Once the navigation sensorium is equipped I can begin to plot a more efficient course towards the targets. And hopefully a more efficient course within the sytsem.


Spend a fate point on each one
Navgation(Warp) [roll0] with +25 from gear, FP and warp guide TN 93
Navigation(Stellar) [roll1] with +20 from gear, FP TN 78

The target number (TN) is for a chllenging +0 test. Apparently I've found some awesome shortcuts in the planetary system, but no warp short cut.

[rb780nm]

"*whistle* Lady-captain Tasya, I can seek out this of my people who are on the station. They may have heard something of use *hoot*."
What is he situation on Port wander for a noble Kroot merc? Can I roam around unaccompanied (I'm not sanctioned) to find a kroot enclave?

FL Xenos: [roll0] to know where to find other Kroot

[Intro]

Francis Holomek

Francis' eyes gleam with the thought of increasing the Sabre's firepower yet further - as long as he didn't have to do anything near the magazines in a fight. He'd seen a ship or two go when their munitora did - it was quick, at least.

The Munitorum

FP to bump PF to 42, [roll0]

On a failure, reroll with another FP (I have six!), [roll1]

EDIT: We are now the proud owners of a Munitorum - or will be, once Francis gets around to chatting up the appropriate personages. :smallsmile:

[Donan]

Relas inspects Khoral critically. "Moving alone is not advised. You are an unique resource and your skills are sharp, but limited, making detection likely. I will provide a small cargo crate and the servitors needed to carry it if required, along with a oxygen supply so you remain alive."

[potager]

rb780nm:
Walking around alone is very, very much not advised. You don't recall any potential Xenos hangouts on Port Wander, but there are several less Imperial-stringent stations and ports of call in the Koronos Sector where you could quite easily find Kroot Mercenary outposts.

Donan:
You secure some mineral reports about the system you are headed to, and cross-reference it with some order requests for shipping traffic from Port Wander. If you bring back a belly full of some of these Ores, your ship could profit indeed...

[Donan]

Can I also get a 'map' that shows the shipping lanes and the system's asteroid belt?

[potager]

...Like, an actual map? Or an In Character map? 'Cause a Cartographer, I ain't.

If it's just an IC Map so you can plot your course and look for anything suspicious, of course.

[Donan]

Just an IC map, yes. Don't worry. :smallbiggrin: And thanks!

[DrK]

Cornelius

As rumours of Relas's quests for a map reach the Navis Sanctumn Cornelius goes in search of his Explorator friend. Relas my friend. Come with me; I have much to show you of this system. I have constructed a hololithic map and orbital trajectories within the Astrae Divinitus. We should easily be able to plot the most efficient course within the system. Merely mention which planets we wish to pause at.

Did I see new macrocannon shells and a regiment of troops being loaded by the way? Are we planning to take over several of the mining colonies for ourselves?

OOC

Can I assume that the natural 01 and the ~7 degrees of success will give a bonus to navigating within the system?

Has the ship been updated with Munitorium and Barracks in the opening post- wrt to ship and power capabilities etc...

To further amplify our current +40 to hit and run to an impressive +60 can we look for some murder servitors?

[rb780nm]

"Thank-you Relas * squawk *, I think I will stay on the ship at this port, actually. *hoot* There are none of my people here, that I know of. I will accept your offer at another port if I know of any kroot there," Khosal says.

"Lady-Captian Tasya, Alan *whistle*, If you choose some crew to act at troops for this cruise, I can assist in their training - perhaps I can make suitable forest warriors out of them in the Arboretum."

[Donan]

The shuttle.

"Understood. I will research a more efficent means to allow you to travel freely and without interference."

With Cornelius onboard ship.

The Explorator is only too happy to study the map Cornelius is putting together and holds out a data slate as he follows him through the great vessel, machinery whirring loudly. "Thank you my good friend. I believe I can be of use in your efforts. I researched the most recent updates of the system within the port and gathered much data of use.

I have found the most regular trade routes, sources of ores and minerals that are of great value and the layout of the asteroid belt. It is likely the pirates have eyes within that region to locate potential targets and through correlation of the trade routes and the asteroid belt on your map I am certain we will locate the most likely source of their monitoring, and the best location to subject to deep scanning.

I am uncertain of what the Lady Captain plans, but I am certain much of it is preparation for expected and unexpected conflict. I believe the lanes are ours through means other then conflict, a desirable outcome as it will expend less resources."

[potager]

Cornelius et al:
Nope, haven't updated the Ship's Sheet yet on the first post. I'll do so in a little bit.

Yep, you'll get some nice advantages navigating through the system. With your analysis of their celestial chart, you can actually safely warp pretty far into the system if you so choose and avoid collisions as opposed to jumping into the outskirts and ferrying in for a couple days. You also believe you can jump in into a blind spot, where the planet and traffic lanes wouldn't spot you on approach until you got pretty close.

And I don't believe that Murder Servitors and the Barracks stack for Hit & Run attacks; you're either teleporting over Murder Bots or well-armed soldiers, not both at the same time. They'd probably stack for Boarding Actions, though, and for repelling boarders if you want to use Murder Bots that way.

[Lucretia]

Anastasia nodded, since they had gotten off the shuttle some time ago, I imagine. "I may take you up on that offer, Khosal. We need to see if we can locate a barracks -- I think Francis knows someone from his Imperial days who is willing to equip and supply us with a munitorium. Alan, you're with me -- we're heading to the Medicae Plaza. If anyone sees Benedict, tell him to join us there -- we'll get him equipped with his cybernetic eyes."

So far we've only made the gun-cutter and munitorium acquisition rolls. I need someone who's willing to spend a little fate to make the barracks acquisition -- one point to up the roll DC by 10, and another in reserve to reroll if the first fails. That would make the roll 1d100 v. PF 40. We don't have time to look for the murder servitors at this time, and I'm not sure we should equip our last 'space' space with another hit and run device, when something like a medicae deck or observation dome could do us more good. Still, we'll debate that once we get more acquisition attempts. :smallsmile:

As they continued out to a small craft that would take them through the maze of Port Wander to the Medicae Plaza, Anastasia spoke directly to Alan. "I'm going to be recuperating for about two weeks. Guard me, please -- my entire stomach and intestinal tract is being replaced, and I'll be in a... subdued state of mind for a while. I can't have any visitors see me like that. But I'll be speaking with the biologis magos for a few hours today -- when we get there, feel free to return to the Court of the Dead. Mishra has a field he's willing to sell you. I've put the specifics into effect; you shouldn't have any trouble."

And with that, Anastasia is out for 32 days in-game. Mr. Nigel Percey See, N.P. See, is the first mate for the time being. He'll answer any questions you may have. :smalltongue: But on a serious note, I don't think there're any more roles for me to make. I've commerced everything I can commerce. It's just up to someone to spend a fate-point to try and obtain the barracks -- or not. Y'all can just roll with the PF 30 and see if we can get it that way. I would just prefer to obtain the thing.

[rb780nm]

I'll spend the fate and roll

[roll0] vs 40
[roll1] (reroll if needed)

"You know something?"
"Hmmm?"
"No barracks for you!"
"What?"
"Come back one year. Next!"

[potager]

Sorry; you had a 64% chance of making that, just bad luck there.

Anyway, it looks like we're just about ready to jump into the Warp and head to the system (yay!). I'll need the following roles from our Navigator:

Navigation (Warp) to determine length of voyage (if you wish, or was this the test that was already rolled?).
Awareness+10 to locate the Astral Beacon.
Perception Navigaton (Warp)+10 to chart the course through the Warp.
Navigaton (Warp) to actually steer through the immaterium.
And, finally, a Perception Navigaton (Warp)-20 to make sure you land on target upon exit.


I'll secretly roll Warp Encounters for the journey and allow y'all to handle them in-transit. Also, let me know how you wish to approach your target when you exit the Warp (sneaky, openly, jump in really close, etc).

[rb780nm]

Up to you whether you want to use the errata, but...

http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ffg_content/rogue-trader/support/rogue-trader-errata-1-1.pdf

Warp Navigation (page 184): On page 184, “Stage Three:
Charting the Course” the fi rst paragraph contains a sentence
that reads: “This is another Ordinary (+10) Perception Test,
whose results are kept secret by the GM.” This sentence should
read: “This is accomplished by a Ordinary (+10) Navigation
(Warp) Test, whose results are kept secret by the GM.”

Warp Navigation (page 186): On page 186, “Stage Five:
Leaving the Warp” the fi rst paragraph contains a sentence that
reads: “Once the Navigator’s destination has been reached, he must
make a Hard (–20) Perception Test to determine the accuracy of his
entrance point in real space...” This sentence should read “Once the
Navigator’s destination has been reached, he must make a Hard (–20)
Navigation (Warp) Test to determine the accuracy of his entrance
point in real space...”

[potager]

Oh interesting, they changed everything to just Navigation tests... Yeah, I'm cool with that and it does make sense.

[Lucretia]

Don't forget we're at half the time, get a bonus to navigate (warp) tests, and roll an encounter every three days instead of five while we're in the immaterium. Also, if someone uses Focused Augury, would it alert the augur'd ship to it? And if so, if someone used Focused Augury in a shipyard, would the augur'd ship say "Oh, so and so is auguring us!" or would it be "Someone is auguring us!"? Thanks!

Tas entered the bridge, looking over the fine, aged panels and the polished floor. Lights blinked on the panels, and the various lesser deck officers and crewmen worked diligently to make sure everything aboard the Saber was working at maximum capacity. Despite being unable to obtain a barracks and train soldiers on the way, the Lady-Captain still had Khosal drilling a dozen or so in the arboretum, in an attempt to have some semblance of a proper boarding party. The surgery had gone without a hitch, and her gastral bionics worked splendidly. Still, her stomach was a bit tender and there was a nasty bruise, so she was wearing conservative clothing. This dress, for instance, was black with a spider web motif that extended up into a stylized collar. Her hair, in a bun, looked stern and unforgiving, and the silver earrings with rubies embedded in them did nothing to alleviate the appearance. The dress was form-fitting and sleek.

She looked around the bridge again and moved to the Captain's Throne. A remarkably comfortable affair, with velvet upholstery over xeno-feathers, it was a Gothic design from several millenia ago. Taking her seat, she activated the built-in microbead, selecting a private channel. "Francis, report to the bridge." She began to check her nails as she waited for him to appear. She was prepared to get underway. The gun-cutter had been put in the cargo hold, her crew of nearly 90,000 had been replenished both in lost number and in morale, the munitorium had been installed without issue -- now it was time to allow Cornelius to swim the Saber to her destination and begin the arduous task of compiling information.

And once that was done? A cruel smile appeared on Anastasia's lips. Those pirates wouldn't know what hit them.

[potager]

Lucretia et al:
A Focused Auger is a pretty powerful and obvious sensor 'Ping' from one ship to another; the other ship would have to be fairly asleep at the wheel to not notice, and it wouldn't be terribly difficult for them to subsequently figure out the direction and bearing of the signal and determine which ship sent it at them.

Think 'The Hunt for Red October,' only with Spaceships :smallcool: .

[Intro]

Francis Holomek

"At once, m'lady," Francis replies, as eager as the Lord-Captain - if not more so - to be out into the deep void once more. And so he bounds his way the short distance to the bridge from his quarters - old spacer habit, to place oneself as close to one's duty station, along with salvation pods, as possible - itching to have the fine old ship's controls under his fingers once more.

[LeSwordfish]

Benedict arrived back at the ship mere hours before the due departure time, as was his usual habit. A scent of alcohol attested to self-medication, and one side of his face was shaved and red, with new, thin, surgical scars crossing the old, heavy ones. A new bionic eye filled the dead socket, and held gazes with a disconcerting intensity compared to the other one, which was showing signs of severe intoxication.

Benedict settled himself in someone else's chair on the bridge and massaged his skull. "If i was made nauseous by warp travel, within twenty feet of me would be a bad place today."

[Intro]

Francis Holomek

"Being near to you is no treat even so. Have you smelled yourself, man?" Francis asks rhetorically. Not that he was innocent of similar indulgences himself, but there were certain proprieties to observe, after all.

[Lucretia]

Tas ignored Benedict, immune to his drunken antics by this point in her career. Once Francis appeared, she nodded to him. "Thank you for the prompt appearance, Helmsman Holomek. I seek counsel -- Confessor Macharius, you may be able to provide insight as well. Stoniard's vessel is still harbored at Port Wander. I believe it could be enlightening to perform a focused augury on his ship before we head out for his once-home. I have spoken with Relas on this matter, and he warned me that they could determine it was we who performed the augury if we aren't careful.

"It is to that end that I believe we should move the vessel out to the maximum distance the M.201.b can reach and begin to charge our warp engines. This may give enough of a power signature off that it could mask the attempt. However, another option would be to contact the governor by astropath once we were in the Warp and inform him that the Miloslav engines riled the machine spirit of the Saber, causing the array to begin to scan at random, airlocks to attempt to open and life support to cycle uncontrollably. That would alert him to the fact we performed the scan, but he might be convinced it truly was an accident."

She shrugged and closed her eyes, tapping the arm of her throne to the tune of the melodium. "The reason I want an intricate scan is because I'm not sure I believe his story about escaping the pirates... a raider would be able to easily outrun a luxury vessel like that. Weaponry would explain how they made such a 'miraculous' escape, and I'd like to know if the Governor could actually threaten us in ship to ship combat should the situation arise. But before I give any command, I'd enjoy your counsel. So." She opened her eyes and looked into Holomek's. "Your opinion on the matter, Helmsman?"

[potager]

OOC Thread can be found here: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=212092

[Intro]

Francis Holomek

"An augury certainly seems warranted, Lady Anastasia," Francis replies. "I'd rather try to make so we scan 'em as we shift power to the Miloslav, though," he adds, thoughtfully. "If we apologize for it, he'll know we scanned that lovely Shining Beacon of his - but those Orions can put on a fair bit of speed. Give one a head start and a half-awake captain and I'd put my money on it to get away clean, so I wouldn't discount the idea completely. Either accidentally or intentionally. But if we pull off the timing, might be that he never knows 't all."

Focused Augury (We'll be scanning them either way, so this'll be the check for however we choose to do it.)

Scrutiny 48 + Detection 20 + Exceptional Leader 10 + Aid the Machine Spirit 5 = 83, [roll0]

[Lucretia]

She nodded, considering this. "And do you think we can time it perfectly, so that as we translate into the Warp the augur performs the scan? And I would rather not worry about apologizing if I can help it, but contingency lies are always useful to have ready."

Two degrees of success, so we get their arrays, shields and any combat related components. Yay! Of course it could be a Wolf in Sheep's Clothing, but with any luck it isn't.

[Intro]

Francis Holomek

"I don't know," Francis replies honestly. "But I don't know how much stock the Governor might put in such an apology, begging m'lady's pardon."

[Lucretia]

Anastasia shrugged. "The contracts have been signed, and if he attempts to cheat us, we can easily remove him from power -- after all, we're actively trying to return him to it. But you're right. Performing a Focused Augury might be too much too quickly. Cultivating the facade of loyalty and friendship may be the most strategic move we can make here. Confessor, have you anything to add?"

She stage whispered the next statement. "Did he pass out?"

[LeSwordfish]

Benedict pulled himself together with a visible effort. "He might buy it- I doubt he himself knows much about machine spirits. I warn you though. Just entering the warp may not be enough to hide it, particularly if he checks the records and sees our ship departed just before. If that happens, not only is he suspicious, but we can't contact him to apologise."

"Other ways of checking- bribery, enticing some menial or other, sneaking a look ourselves- are all harder to excuse, see."

[Donan]

Down in engineering Relas checked their location and started his interface with the ancient machine, the other tech priests chanting their own rites as the servitors went around their preprogrammed tasks.

With a soft hum buried in a massive rumbling, the geller field powered up. As always, Relas had activated it far earlier then was truly needed, but as the crew had soon learnt, the paranoid Explorator ensured he had plenty of time to make sure the machine spirit of the invaluable device was content and placated.

He moved to a communications panel, hailing the bridge. "Geller field checks intiated. Preparing to enter the Warp on command, Lady Captain."

[DrK]

Cornelius

After the long weeks in port and many of them spent studying th Astrae Divintus and long hours gaing into the Immaterium trying to assess the storms Cornelius felt ready for the long voyage and the inevitable toll that it would take on his body.

As he settled in the Navis Sacntorium, the doors sealed by his 2 loyal House Nostromo servitor guards he clutched the heavy arm rests of the throne that he chose to guide from. Nostromo to bridge. Prepare your auspex scans we areready to transmit to warp space. Please inform all hands to brace for the transfer.

The transfer was smooth and the minute the hip crashed through reality he opened his 3rd eye. The iridescent light of the immaterium bathing the Navis Sanctumn in a riot of colours, lights and senstions that would shatter a mortal mind. Seeking ut the true spot that was the Astronimicon he felt its stong beacon- a strange current in the warp leaving it burning bright enough to almost dazzle his inner eye. Mentall stretching out his sprit through the realm of pure chaos he searched out the target system and whisperd the co-ordinates into the auspex linking him to the paranoid explorator babysitting their archaic geller field -Who would want to miss out on the opportunity to see what he could see?-and the lady Captain on the bridge- "Set course 38 by 12 by 18 Lady Captain. Take engine to 80% nominal power until further notice.


Sorry; you had a 64% chance of making that, just bad luck there.

Anyway, it looks like we're just about ready to jump into the Warp and head to the system (yay!). I'll need the following roles from our Navigator:

Navigation (Warp) to determine length of voyage (if you wish, or was this the test that was already rolled?).
Awareness+10 to locate the Astral Beacon.
Perception Navigaton (Warp)+10 to chart the course through the Warp.
Navigaton (Warp) to actually steer through the immaterium.
And, finally, a Perception Navigaton (Warp)-20 to make sure you land on target upon exit.


I'll secretly roll Warp Encounters for the journey and allow y'all to handle them in-transit. Also, let me know how you wish to approach your target when you exit the Warp (sneaky, openly, jump in really close, etc).
The length of the voyage [roll0] VS TN 68+10ship+5warp guide 10 gear (+ 10 if our Lady captain gives me her xceptional leader bonus) = 103 -->3 degrees success
Where is that beacon? [roll1] VS TN 45 +10 (1 fate point) +10 Exceptional leader =65 --> 6 degrees success
Chart that course [roll2] VS TN 68+10 test +10ship +5warp guide 10 gear (+ 10 if our Lady captain gives me her xceptional leader bonus) = 113 --> 11 degrees sucess!
Steer those Currents [roll3] VS TN 68+10ship +5warp guide 10 gear (+ 10 if our Lady captain gives me her xceptional leader bonus) = 103 (modified by awareness degrees) --> 2+6 degrees success
The crash landing [roll4] VS TN 68 -20 test+10ship +5warp guide 10 gear (+ 10 if our Lady captain gives me her xceptional leader bonus) +10 last fate point= 93 --> 3 Degrees sccess
-- Great success there! I didn't kill us.

[Lucretia]

Before the translation into the Empyrean, Anastasia shook her head. "Don't perform the augur, there isn't enough to gain to warrant what little risk there is." As the Saber slid into warpspace, she held her breath, waiting for reports of rapid daemonic infestation or wide-spread insanity. After a moment, before the navigator gave her course corrections, Anastasia was happy to note that it appeared to be another successful entrance into Chaos's realm.

"Helmsmen, see to it the Navigator is followed properly. I don't want any issues with the voyage -- as few as we can manage. The screaming maw of the Warp focuses more intently on this ship; she has evaded the grasp of the Empyrean many times, and the Empyrean hates us for it. Resents us. Hounds us and our ship, following the ripples left by our warp engines and our Gellar field. Vigilance, men, will see us through to our destination."

As per protocol, the various sub-heads of sections began to send the all-clear to the various heads, and they to their superiors, until Tasya received a ship-wide signal. It took about ten minutes to achieve, but once she got it, Tas felt better. What she had neglected to mention was that the Empyrean had long ago tried to hold her, and that it hounded her in specific. She ground her teeth together.

She spoke on the Officer vox channel. "Khosal, is everything well with you and the arboretum?"

Yes, she's granting the Navigator the Exceptional Leader bonus. And there's no point in risking the augur. I had forgotten that the ship was an Orion frigate. And I had forgotten how fast those things are! Sheesh! Francis with his technological know-how was able to persuade her from the course of action, so no worries about it -- we won't try and see what the Governor is hiding. Unless he can disguise a cruiser as a star clipper, and then we do have a problem, but not one that can be easily solved through a focused augur.

[rb780nm]

++*Whistle* Just the usual transition effects. Your men are clumsy, but they make progress Lady-Captain Tasya,++ Khosal responds.

[Lucretia]

"Compared to Kroot, most humans are clumsy, Khosal. But thank you for training them -- please, keep up the good work. Helmsman Holomek, when we get back into realspace, I'd like active augurs up at all times. Enginseer Relas will coax the Machine Spirit into providing additional range. If those pirates are waiting for us in silence, I want to know about it before they do. Alan, you're with me. I'm going to my quarters -- if you need me, vox me. Holomek has the bridge."

Standing, Anastasia sashayed towards the hallway directly behind the Captain's Throne, which would lead first into Alan's quarters, and then through a door in the back of that, to Tasya's. Instructing Alan to allow no one through, she entered her room, locked her door, and cracked her neck. Tas went to the mirror and looked at herself, making sure everything was alright.

The mark on her back was irritating her, just like it always did when she was in the Warp. Checking to make sure her dress still covered it fully, she went over to the calculance arrays and began to run numbers on potential trade routes, as well as how much it would cost to establish a small firm with two or three warp-ready freighters.

[LeSwordfish]

Remarkably chipper for a man who could pickle a grox with his stomach contents, Benedict began his usual tour of the ship, wandering through the crew quarters, delivering sermons and speeches to the men, generally raising morale.

[potager]

Alright, starting to post the series of posts to cover the ridiculous amount of successes up there; I'll stop if there's anything that the crew needs to take part in.

Cornelius spends hours plotting over navigation charts, reviewing relevant flight logs, and looking into the etherium to determine the length of the voyage. After much calculation and soul searching, Cornelius reports that with current Warp conditions the trip would be expected to take 60 to 62 days Warp-Time, and 400-430 days Real-Time. Of course, with your powerful engines, the estimate slips closer to 30 Warp days and 200 Real days, of course modified by his personal piloting skill and luck transversing the streams of the immaterium.

Your preparations done and your crew and officers mostly recovered in body and spirit, the Night's Saber unlatches from Port Wander and floats further and further away into cold space before firing your plasma drives and throwing yourselves forward at thousands of kilometers an hour. After several hours, you have cleared all traffic and have reached a safe Warping distance, and your engines begin to churn to life.

As your Drives are powering up and just before they peak in energy to rip open the portal to the other side, you fire a focus scan into the Governor's personal craft to determine its general makeup and weapons loadout. The results are frankly rather underwhelming. Standard shielding, stock scanners, and nothing but Mars-Pattern macrocannons; this ship was clearly not designed for hard combat duties, and likely survives due to speed and maneuverability alone. Before anyone can complain about your invasion of privacy, the Warp opens before you and you are swallowed whole. Ignore Me!

As you plunge headlong into the Warp, Cornelius is pleased to find that they have landed in an unexpected slipstream that he believes he can safely navigate; if he's successful, it should cut the journey's duration down considerably, perhaps by as much as 3/4ths of the journey. If he handles this right, your trip should be down to just 8 or so days; not bad for an initial estimate of closer to two months. Of course, no journey in the Warp is exactly safe or standard, so the whole crew must remain vigilant to avoid catastrophe...

[potager]

By the grace of the Emperor, your journey through the Warp is blessedly calm and uneventful. Even the occasional ghost walking through your hallways are not enough to damper your or the crew's spirits for long, and these wandering souls seem more intent to simply leave people be and go about their own business in silence. You recognize many of the faces, of course; these are the souls of old crew that passed on, usually at the hands of an exploding plasma relay or an emergency venting to stop the spread of deadly fire. The spirits linger near where they died, looking at their old companions and occasional family members with sad eyes as though they know what happened to them and that they'll never return again.

As you get close to your destination, the spirits start to fade away one by one as they go back to rest in whatever world they now occupy. There are a few that linger, though; mostly junior officers or crewmen with families still aboard, and the closer you get to the system their calm facade begins to melt, being replaced by looks of fear and worry. In the nights before your arrival, the last of the spirits vanish, but they leave whispers in your dreams as they go. It's always the same from person to person and night after night. They just keep repeating the words, "Death and Pain... Death and Pain..."

[Lucretia]

Anastasia called her important officers together -- Prime Enginseer Relas, Navigator Cornelius Nostromo, Confessor Benedict Macharius, Chief Helmsman Francis Holomek, Master-of-Arms Alan Gorchild, Explorer Khosal Chhaya, and Astropath Duncan Malcolm Pembrooke-Charles -- to the Meeting Room, directly beneath the bridge. They sat around the varnished wooden table, a holographic display of the Saber slowly rotating in the middle. She glanced around, making eye contact (except with D.M.P-Charles, who had no eyes to make contact with) with her officers. Dressed in the form-fitting black bodysuit that made up the base of her storm trooper carapace armor, but without the ceramite plates, she looked slightly more on edge than normal. Her makeup was comprised of darker tones, from the dark-brown blush to black eyeshadow, and her hair was simply draped over her back without any real thought having been put into it.

"We have reports ship-wide of phantasmal whisperings and sights, and we have reports of nightmares of voices simply stating 'death and pain.' I'd like to know what we're dealing with, and the Immateria is not my area of expertise. However, that's not the only reason I called you all here. Cornelius, we made it through the Warp in an incredibly short amount of time. Can you create a chart of how you did it? A trade route, perhaps -- a quick way to get goods to Port Wander. If you can, House Nostromo and not the Navigator's Guild will possess the charts, in return for House Marzov retaining proprietary ownership of the route itself.

"We're here, men. We need to obtain information about our enemy and determine how best to approach the situation. I know there has been some discussion among you all to the tune of, let's see what Lancing offers. And I agree. It makes sense to play both sides against each other and pick up the pieces. Without a barracks and the facilities required to train our crew to form a worthwhile militia or mercenary band, I'd like to try and keep any fighting to ship-to-ship or ship-to-planet.

"There were few reports during the time we were in the Warp concerning strange occurrences. While I would love to believe that to be true, I need you to be on the lookout for daemons cavorting as humans, Benedict. Inform your men to be on the lookout for anyone who's luck seems particularly bad -- or those around them. But try and keep it quiet, I don't want morale to plunge.

"Relas, I think you had something you wanted to say, or suggest?"

[Donan]

The Explorator nodded with a clacking sound. "Such events are damaging to crew morale, but whispers from the Warp should not be heeded. We cannot affect such things and what cannot be changed should be accepted and not permitted to affect our actions.

The presence of demons is different, yes. I will ensure all engineering staff are monitored closely to ensure any issues are detected and elimnated before they become critical."

His advice on the Warp happenings given the tech priest produced a data slate and interfaced it into the holographic display, the image of the Sabre replaced by that of the Viengar system, though the display was far poorer then it would be in the facilities Cornelius possessed.

"The effective range for standardized sensory machines is 20 VUs. Attempting more then that is not reliable. Therefore, it is logical the pirates in this region have a means of observing the trade lines to identify and mark targets.

Logic also states they will make use of the asteroid belt, both to conceal their location and because the bodies there would be required for any faciltiies they will have constructed.

It is therefore advised to subject the asteroid belt within 20 VUs of trade routes to deep scans. But it is regretted that I lack the expertise of such matters, and it is better for one with such skills to perform this task."

Relas gave Cornelius a meaningful look.

[LeSwordfish]

Benedict scratched his chin. A beard was growing back on the shaved skin, and his bionic fingers clinked against his eye disconcertingly. "I'll ask around. Strings of terrible luck are the sort of thing i can make a joke about, so it shouldnt be hard to track anyone down through rumour. I'm also working with the few other religious types on the crew to sort out some kind of exorcism. If something big is up, that won't do much, but it'll keep morale up."

[potager]

Let me know if you wanted to handle this differently; you can still chat pre-drop and make plans and the like, I just wanted to get this next part out.

After your incredibly brief journey, your ship arrives at an unremarkable spot of churning etherium and Cornelius signals that you have arrived. Engines fire, Gellars flicker, and you are thrown back into reality. Your sensors come alive, and they confirm that you have arrived in the outskirts of the Veingar System.

You are in a nice vacant spot of space, some two million kilometers from the system's outer Asteroid field, a day and a half away from your Veingar Prime, and clear of all regular shipping lanes and major planetary bodies. You managed to land in a likely sensor shadow, where you're concealed from the inner system by the aforementioned belt and from the likely shipping lanes by radiation pockets and gravity wells. Odds are, no one saw you arrive.

You are, however, not as alone as you were expecting.

You are receiving a weak emergency signal, relayed from several hours further out in the system near where the last few gas giant planets are making their century-long solar rotation. It seems like it's being jammed or otherwise scattered, but it's clearly a distress call coming from a transport vessel. Without cleaning up the data you can't tell what's happening with it, but jamming signals and chasing transports sounds a whole lot like Pirate activity...

[Intro]

Francis Holomek

"Well, what do you make of that, my lady?" Francis asks after relaying the results of his preliminary scan. "Victims of a pirate attack... or pirates looking to lure prey far from aid?"

[Lucretia]

"If I were government sponsored pirates -- sorry, 'privateers' -- looking to make sure the recently deposed governor stayed deposed, I think I'd set up a trap to lure people in to the tune of a scattered freighter Hymn of Rescue. It's probably a trap. Even if it isn't, the pirates or the systems navy is probably responsible for the distress. That could work to our advantage, though." Tapping the table to the tune of the melodium, Anastasia nodded thoughtfully.

"If it's pirates looking to lure us out, then they know we were hired by the governor and are trying to kill us. They probably realize that we are inside of a cruiser with a remarkably efficient system for blowing up. If they set a trap, they'd probably set up a minefield. Any raiders would be running silent and preparing torpedoes, I'd imagine. Before I make my decision, does anyone have any firm opinions they'd like to announce? And don't forget, I want active auguries as soon as this meeting is over, and that system is not to go cold unless I give the express order for it. We will not be surprised by some pirate filth."

[canjowolf]

Alan, who had rarely left his mistress's side since the operation in the hospital, and then only to gather crew, supplies, and a refractor field, continued to stand by his captain. Uncharacteristically for him, he had an opinion on the distress call and voiced it "We are strong. Stronger than pirates. If it is a damaged transport we commandeer it. If it is a pirate we shoot it and commandeer it. If it is a pirate attacking a transport we shoot and commandeer the pirate and enslave the transport with paper words".

[rb780nm]

"Yes, let us do that *hoot*. The men of this ship are strong and well lead. We will defeat the pirates, trap or not, and feat upon them..." says Khosal, not noticing the funny looks the rest of the crew are giving her.

[LeSwordfish]

"From the point of view of the emperor, we have a duty to try." Benedict pointed out. "Also, maybe i'm just thinking how they want us to think, but why would they jam their own fake distress signal?"

[Lucretia]

"Because it's means the freighter is under attack immediately, and we may be able to help them -- and thus we'd rush in, not considering the consequences or being paranoid, because we're good citizens of the Imperium and we would never, ever be cruel enough to sit around a table and discuss our options while our ship barely moves in space." Tas smiled at Benedict. "You're correct, though. We do have a duty to see if the distress beacon is real. I agree with Alan and Khosal, though -- not about the feeding upon them, but that we will obtain a vessel or two in this situation. We'll run the augur array on the way, make sure we don't run into any mines, and then focused augur the transport once it is in range to make sure it isn't a dummy ship designed to blow the plasma core whenever someone gets too close. I trust no one has any objections?"

[DrK]

Cornelius

Th navigator ghsts onto the bridge with disturbing grace. A blessedly short passage and smooh Lady Captain. He looks at the screens glancing around the bridge holocreens. Action station already. An interesting assignment already I see. Where would you lik me Lady Captain?



I've got most the skills used in space combat but other people may be better than I so where would the Lady Captain like me to go?

[DrK]

Cornelius

As the chatter of the ship's bridge whirrs around him he finally here's the question that the Explorator asked him. Sorry Engineseer, my mind was wondering. I miss the sweet whispers ofimmaterium .

He wanders ove the augury suite and starts punching in some commands, a flicker from is 3rd eye scaring the poor crewmen away. We have appeared in the perfect spot, I am most pleased if I do say so myself.I shall start with a passive scan, no sense going actibe yet Lady Captain?


Roll scrutiny [roll0]TN 45 +20 (ship) (+10 the lady catain) =75

[potager]

Cleaning up the passive scan data a bit, Cornelius is able to confirm what had been suspected from the beginning: The signal is originating from a Transport, 'The Iron Maiden', and it is reporting that it is being attacked by Pirates and is requesting immediate aid. You are also able to get a relative fix on the signal's point of origin at about 1.2 million kilometers away further out in the system, inside the gravity well of a Gas Giant with a large number of natural satellites. You also determine that the scanning signal is in fact signal"s", two of them, about 300-350,000km behind the Transport. It's difficult to tell on passives at this range, but it looks like the signals are moving, either rotating around the planet or heading in towards the central planets.

A planet like this one, a Gas Giant with numerous satellites, would cause a whole lot of scan interference and have a whole lot of sensor blind spots for ships to hide in. An idea spot for Pirates to lay in wait for months at a time and attack passing transports... Or for Pirates to lure in rescue ships and set up an ambush...

[Donan]

Relas peers at it, then seems to shrug. "A trap. A gas giant is a dangerous enviroment. No transport would enter such a place when transporting materials. It is however, a very logical place for pirates to set ambushes, with the aim of luring in vessels."

He considers the problem, then lets out a metallic chuckle. "Do we have information on the makeup of gases within that planetary body?"

[DrK]

Cornelius

Lady Captain. May I suggest activating engines and engaging silent running. Then we can rapidly advance into range and destroy them with broadsides. I shall plot an intercept course keepig us within the shadow of the asteroid field for as long as possible.

Mayhap we should ready the assault detachment and have them report to the teleportarium?



If knowledge of planetary bodies is Navigtion (Stellar) then [roll0] Vs 68 +/- any bonus from my previous success

Plotting a course for the pilot to take [roll1] VS TN 68 +/- from my previous success

[Lucretia]

Anastasia sighs, irritated. "We'd move quite slowly in silent running, and we'd have to shut down a fair number of systems in order to obtain a rather lackluster benefit. If we do go into silent running mode and the pirates have laid mines, we'll blindly stumble into them -- both alerting the enemies to our position and causing damage and deaths. But, if you believe we can navigate the asteroid field and hide our presence, on top of the silent running, perhaps it will be enough to warrant the peril. What does everything think about Cornelius' plan?

"And I'm not sure if eight days has been enough for the men to really absorb any of Khosal's lessons, but I will lead a group of them myself if we begin hit and run tactics."

Tasya would be giving him the +10 from her leadership thing, don't forget to add that in. And if we're within 5 VUs of a planet, we get a rather substantial boost to maneuvrability.

[Intro]

Francis Holomek

"I agree with you, my lady." Francis says. "In any contest of stealth, we are likely to be the loser. Better to trust in our augers, and approach at speed. If we flush our quarry from around the satellites, then the better for us - the smaller vessels we know the pirates will have the advantage. The Sabre has the advantage in the open void - let us do our best to meet our enemies there."

[Lucretia]

The Lady-Captain nodded. "Perhaps we can use the teleportarium to send Khosal to the transport that is sending the distress call, see if there are actually any survivors or if it is only a trap. If it is, we will wait for them to come to us -- if it is a legitimate attack on an innocent transport, I find myself agreeing with Alan's perception; the Marzov Dynasty will have a new ship, either with or without a crew.

"But my decision is not yet final. Relas? Benedict? How do you believe we should approach the situation?"

[rb780nm]

"While I am not expert in void combat *whistle*, I think this is a time to go in hard and fast *hoot*. Night's Saber is mighty and the crew is brave," says Khosal

[canjowolf]

Alan nods and says "And Khosal would like to eat our dead as much as our dead enemies".

[potager]

So, all ahead full, guns and shields at the ready?

[LeSwordfish]

Benedict nodded. "We should move in. This seems likely a trap, but i think we should still go."

"Also, if you plan to teleport khosal across, i would like to go too. There may be survivors or the dead on that ship that will need my ministrations."

[Lucretia]

"You want me to send our confessor to a potentially hostile ship with a master of stealth so that he can tend to survivors?" Tasya looked at Benedict incredulously. "I only intended Khosal to be in the transport for fifteen minutes, long enough for the teleportarium to recharge and bring her back. There isn't much you could do for any survivors unless you wished to take a chainsword to their necks.

"There will be time enough after the fight to tend to the wounded or dead on a different vessel, Benedict -- I would rather you be on the Saber, to help us in case we sustain any injuries. Relas, what about you? What do you believe we ought to do? Stealth or active augurs?"

[Donan]

Relas gave the Captain a distracted look, having been searching records on the dataslate he held. "Hm.. Captain..? A moment, I may have another option to present."

Common lore: Koronous Expanse check. He's using the information he got on the system back at Port Wander to see if there's any data on the gas giant the pirates are in. Specifically, what gases it's formed of.

Int 57. [roll0]

[Lucretia]

Tas raised an eyebrow, leaning back in her chair and staring at Relas, waiting for him to continue. He was silent a moment too long and so she felt compelled to prompt him. "Yes...?"

[potager]

Relas:
Your preliminary research on the planet would indicate typical Gas Giant atmospheric makeup; Helium and Ammonia, Nitrogen and traces of Hydrogen, some Carbon Dioxide and Dihydrogen Monoxide, and a little bit of Methane. Nothing you wouldn't expect, and fairly inert. Some of its satellites are rather interesting, including one that has been designated as a potential terraforming project to turn it into an agri-world, but no official mining operations have been held here in several hundred years.

[LeSwordfish]

Benedict looked slightly mollified, but shook his head stubbornly. "Teleporting Khosal in wouldn't be hard for them to notice anyway. If they are on the ship, i can hold out for fifteen minutes until you can teleport us back. Hell, i could even draw their attention for Khosal to hide and get more info. But why would they wait on the most visible thing in the area when they could hide on another ship in the debris and wait for us. How do they know we won't just torpedo that ship for safety? And if it IS a genuine ship- it could be a passenger ship and a trap- I will be needed there."

[Donan]

Relas shook his head sadly. "A failure.. Apologies Lady Captain. The planet is not suited to chemical reaction of the sort that would be of benefit to us."

He glanced at Benedict. "I am a better choice to go. I lack Khosal's abilities to conceal herself, but I have other defenses and I will be able to access releveant information from the ship's logs, and perhaps make use it against the pirates.

If it is a true transport, I will attempt to bring it out of the gas giant and to safety."

[LeSwordfish]

Benedict nodded, sensing an ally. "The three of us should be able to hold wherever we teleport to. Hijacking the ship, or even just confirming it's empty could be very useful"

[potager]

It sounds like everyone's in agreement to go full burn towards this thing. If this is not the case, we can rewind a bit, and even if we go forward there's still plenty of time to talk considering it's gonna be a 7hr trip :smallcool: .

The Night's Saber burns its plasma engines to full strength and flies forward at over a hundred thousand kilometers per hour, plotting a straight intercept course for the signals she is receiving. The distress signals and scrambling signals continue the full duration, and only when the Saber reaches the extreme scanning range to the target does the message shift.

After several long hours of tense flight and battle preparations, the general distress signal switches to a direct call out to you, still half lost to static due to continuing jamming: "--n Maid--identified v--Iron Maiden to un-dentifi--der attack b--s, pleas--d. Repeat, we--pirates, please assist and res--nning out of tim--"

The ship sending this signal is still several hundred thousand kilometers and a perhaps two hours distant, and any pursuers behind her are still outside of maximum sensor range though they are closing rapidly. You have cleared the outer gravity well of a satellite of this planet, and shouldn't have any problems seeing what there is to see of your foe and their victim...

[Donan]

No matter what their Captain's decision on how to tackle the issue when they arrive is, Relas works on calming and soothing the fickle machine spirits of the ship, asking it to aid them in seeing what dangers lie ahead.

Aid the machine spirit. 57+10(MIU)
[roll0]

+5 to detection.

[LeSwordfish]

Deprived of his chance to assist, Benedict divides his time between offering quiet benedictions for the souls on the Maiden, and pacing the bridge sharing meaningful looks between Anistasia and the chattering reciever. Every so often he leans on the scanner panels, trying to glean any information he can on the coming raiders.

Awareness test, more in the spirit of hope and character than any expectations of result. [roll0] vs 32

The information is unintelligible to him.

[rb780nm]

Not particularly useful on the bridge, Khosal makes her way to the teleportarium, gathering her small team of slightly trained crewmen and their gear as she goes.

"Soon we will be fighting, now is the time to gather our strength. Rest and eat *Whistle*," she says as she distributes ration packs to the men waiting in the teleportarium space. Out of sight of the crew, she devours a couple of large rats she spotted in the corridor.

[canjowolf]

Alan waits near Captain Anastasia, armed, armored, and ready for danger. He keeps silent on strategies for the time being, as his main strategy is charge and crush the enemy with an adamantium fist.

[Intro]

Francis Holomek (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11669620&postcount=5)

As the Night's Sabre cuts smoothly through the void, the tendrils snaking from the MIU connection beneath Francis' wrists as well as his fingers caressing the runes of the console before him work to display the surroundings on the cogitator screens near to him. Despite that, his eyes are closed more often than not, making use of the MIU connection to feel as though he is the ship and perceiving what she perceives without the interruption of the screens and human eyes.

Active Augury when we approach, Scrutiny 48 + 20 Detection + 5 Active Bonus + 10 Exceptional Leader + 5 Aid the Machine Spirit = 88

[roll0]

EDIT: Wow, those bonuses are handy. :smallsmile:

[Lucretia]

Anastasia had been adamant about no one but Khosal being allowed to teleport over to the transport, this 'Iron Maiden,' on account of Benedict being able to run disinformation through the vox for the crew's sake or, if need be, begin to perform emergency medicae triage; and when Relas had put forth his name, she had simply asked, "I'm sorry, you want me to send our Prime Enginseer, the man I am relying on to repair our vessel in the event we get hit, you want me to send him over to a potentially hostile transport?"

Now she sat in her throne on the bridge, waiting for the battle. Their augurs were active and scanning roughly 250,000 kilometers, preventing any but the truly stealthy from launching a surprise attack. The carapace plates had been fitted onto the armor she had been wearing during the meeting. She was prepared to jump across the void, assault a different vessel, and return before they knew what had happened.

"Helmsman Holomek, anything to report?"

[potager]

Francis caresses the runes of the sensor's control console, sending out an active 'ping' into space and watching the returns on his monitor. You have a stroke of luck; the signal captures the Iron Maiden and her pursuers at the very edge of its range and returns to you with a clearer picture of the nearby void.

The Maiden is indeed a transport, an old Vagabond-Class by her profile. She's running at full engine burn, and at her trajectory will pass somewhere above the Saber at a range of about 30,000km (3VU). She is being chased by three other ships that you can see, a frigate and two destroyers that are slowly gaining ground on the reliable old transport. The lead and center ship, a Frigate, appears to be a Sword, though it could also be a Tempest; their profiles and capabilities are quite similar, and you are still at extreme range for your sensors. The two raiders, on the other hand, are rather interesting little vessels that your systems aren't quite able to match up to any known ship silhouette. They are certainly Imperial in origin, and are similar enough to Iconoclast design specs that you may be looking at a retrofitted and modified design, but if so the modifications are extreme enough that your machine spirit is classifying this as a wholly new class of vessel. Shorter and slighter than Iconoclasts, they are certainly keeping up with the Frigate, and are in fact the two vessels projecting the jamming signal towards the Maiden as they close in on its tail.

As you scan for these ships, the jamming signal completely drops away and you detect the Sword and raiders turning slightly away from the Transport and more on a direct path to intercept you. Soon, you receive a signal from the lead Frigate demanding you immediately power down your vessel and prepare to be boarded. Resistance will be met with extreme violence.

The Maiden is ~120,000k (12VUs) ahead and flying at full speed, and her pursuers are are about 130,000km (13VUs) behind her, 250,000km (25VUs) distant from your prow. Keeping everyone's current courses, you will pass by the Maiden in 45 minutes to an hour (about 1.5-2 rounds), and will pass by the Raiders in an hour and a half (about 3 rounds).

Rough Map:
https://docs.google.com/drawings/pub?id=1jDfZq9tCctI2ftMmWrplX_ewKkISEB8kp2RpfezfjA I&w=2548&h=1682

[Donan]

Relas is safely down in engineering when he experieces laughter, for the first time in a very long time. When he's composed himself he voxes the bridge, chuckling in a metallic and most unusual tone.

"They lack a knowledge of reality and logic, but the raiders are of unknown design, they appear modified and may be of interest. The frigate is of less interest, but is the most powerful craft.

A full salvo is recommended, to destroy it in a single strike and to show the raiders what they truly face. They will surrender or be captured.

Additonal. This may be a distraction to allow the transport to move within range. They are unaware of Khosal however."

[Intro]

Francis Holomek (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11669620&postcount=5)

"Four contacts, my lady," Francis replies, seeing the augur returns inside his mind as he speaks. "One Vagabond freighter, massing nine megatonnes, running before three ships in formation, unknown classifications, all bearing roughly towards us. One frigate and two destroyers."

He smiles as the signal from the lead ship makes it to the Sabre. "We are being ordered to stand down and prepare to be boarded," he adds. "Shall we make a reply? They will be in range of the forward batteries in a few minutes."

[Lucretia]

"Can we change our own course slightly so that they will be within the arcs of our broadside? The staravar forward battery has a maximum distance of two hundred forty thousand kilometers, but accuracy would be pitiful at this range... perhaps we can continue on, fire the forward battery and turn slightly. If what I'm thinking is correct, we can move so that the broadsides can hit as well. They have a maximum effective range of one hundred twenty thousand kilometers. It will take some time, but it is possible.

"The jamming signal is down, is it? Let's try and hail the Iron Maiden, get what information we can, while the men load munitions into the weaponry and prepare for combat. If we do reply to the pirates, perhaps Alan ought to communicate?" Tas looked at her bodyguard. "Don't worry, I will tell you what to say. It is up to you to say it with menace and malice... I believe you'll be perfect at it."

[LeSwordfish]

Benedict strode over to the horn for the interior communications vox. Thumbing the switch, he spoke into the horn as he stared out of the front viewport.

"Good evening, my boys and girls," he began, "Another day, another time to load your weapons, give the engines a kiss for luck, and prepare yourselves for a battle. I don't need to tell you the emperor protects. You all know that. Keep that in mind, my friends, because today we become heroes."

I'm totally up with the idea of doling out "Put your back into it"s from here 'til sunday, but I presume i'm allowed to do it via vox from up here?

EDIT: Rolled in OOC, got 6 degrees of sucess. So help yourself to any of the game effects of that.

[Intro]

Francis Holomek (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11669620&postcount=5)

Francis opens his eyes finally and looks back to the Lord-Captain, slight surprise evidence on his face. "Aye, that'd be easily enough done, my lady," Francis replies. "We can cut to startboard and keep the range open for a while yet, though that would leave the freighter at their mercy if they were to take up the pursuit again. It'd certainly be the Navy tactic... though it might not suit certain of the more... aggressive tendencies of this crew," he adds with a cheerful smile.

We can indeed work to keep them in one broadside, though that'll probably keep us out of teleport range an extra turn or two..

[canjowolf]

Alan nods to the ship captain and takes up a position where he could communicate with the probably pirate vessels. He considers removing the seals on his helmet, but decides that being in the void without a good hat on is too big a risk.

OOC

Can we see people that we are hailing, or is it sound only?

[potager]

Sound only.

[DrK]

Corneilus

Lady Captain, May I suggest we greet their insult with forward laser batteries? If you give me but a moment I will seek my 3rd eye to relay guidance co-ordinates...

Closing is two regalur eyes he opens his warp eye seeking the strands of fate and time within the immaterium to better guide the gun crews. The warp still swirling around himform the rapid exit is too rough. I am sorry Lady Captain, the warp is too rough.


Challenging perception test [roll0] VS 35
If it succeeds then they get 5xInt bonus (so 25%) onto their attack roll.
Good if combined with a lock-on action and the commander's bonus

[DrK]

Cornelius

Lady Captain, I will lead our augury banks in guidance towards the enemy vessels. Crewmen, target scans on the enemy vessels. I shall lock weapons onto the frigate.


3 crew to do focused augury
[roll0] VS 55- frigate
[roll1] VS 55- raider 1
[roll2] VS 55- raider 2

My lock on check [roll3] VS 45+25=70

[Lucretia]

Fire smoldered in Anastasia's eyes as she glared at the Navigator. "Nostromo, when this battle is over we will have to have a discussion concerning the chain of command -- and your place on it. Do not give orders to my crew without my having told you to. Men, do not perform the focused auguries before the Prime Enginseer attempts to aid the machine spirit in that endeavor. Khosal, once Enginseer Relas has performed his ritual, send a focused augury at the Iron Maiden.

"I'm going to hail the Maiden myself. Alan, hail the frigate, and say this: 'Under what authority do you presume to halt, board and search a Warranted vessel?' Be as intimidating as you wish. Helmsman Holomek, prepare the staravar forward battery -- I'm not sure if your target is the frigate or the transport. We will see what Khosal's augury reveals. Furthermore, slow us to half-speed. We won't turn yet to engage the enemy in a broadside -- I want to make sure I know who the enemy is first."

Activating her micro-bead and patching into the external vox system, she hailed the Iron Maiden. "Maiden, this is Captain Anastasia Marzov of the Night's Saber. We have received your Hymn of Distress. How can we be of assistance?"

[Donan]

Relas coaxes more out of the ship's spirit, asking for its aid in scanning all the vessels that Cornelius has focused on.

Aid the machine spirit (Frigate focused augury)
[roll0]
Aid the machine spirit (Raider 1 focused augury)
[roll1]
Aid the machine spirit (Raider 1 focused augury)
[roll2]

67 for aid the machine spirit.. 3 DoS, +10 to detection.

I'm told it's just one check and it affects everything this turn, so hopefully you can ignore the second and third rolls. ^^

[canjowolf]

Alan nods and orders one of the vox operators to open a channel to the frigate. Once the vox line is open Alan bellows "Under what authority do you presume to halt, board and search a Warranted vessel?"

[rb780nm]

Khosal's fingers poke the correct keys, activating the Augur array. The detector beams spear out towards the Iron Maiden. After interrogating the ship, they bounce back towards the Saber and send their information to the arrays cogitator.



[roll0] vs 46/2 + 25+10 (I think I've got the numbers right...)
29/58 - 3DoS

[potager]

A few minutes after Anastasia's hail, a voice responds from the Iron Maiden,"Maiden to Saber, we welcome your assistance! I jumped in system off course and the Pirates jumped me; I'm carrying medical supplies from the Cialtan cluster for trade for raw ores, and am not equipped to handle this ambush. Please occupy the ships while I increase the distance between us, and I'll contact the system's defenses for aid once I'm clear!"

At the same time as you are speaking with the Maiden, your signal reaches the three escort ships and brings a strong immediate reply. From each of the three vessels from two Dorsal weapon batteries, a single shot is fired ineffectually into space as a show of force and bravado. The Frigate fired two Mars-Pattern shells into space, while the two lighter escorts fire energy projectiles that register on your scans like lower-powered Plasma shots. As you are reading these warning shots on your Auspex, you receive a blunt reply from the lead Captain, "THAT is our authority! Heave to or be destroyed with all hands! This is your final warning!"

Your Auger alights and sends out focused pulses towards the four crafts about you. You don't get a clear return on one of the Raiders, but the other three vessels all return clean detailed scans.

The Frigate is indeed a Sword, with standard engines, shields, and a pair of Mars-Pattern mounts. It has a very nice Auspex in a Deep Void Scanner; very fitting for a ship that's designed to hunt down prey through asteroid belts and around planets. The rest of its components are mostly old-fashioned stock items.

The Raider is all the more interesting now that you've scanned it. It is certainly a new design, a very clean modular looking ship that must be a breeze to maintain. It looks slightly more maneuverable than an Iconoclast and also slightly more fragile, but you suppose you won't know for certain until you see it in action. For the most part its systems are all fairly basic on the lower-end of standard, but at the same time look custom fitted for just this craft. Its energy gun mounts are something new, and look like a cross between Plasma Cannons and Sunsear projectors (a scan backed up by the display you just saw in their warning shot), and again these weapons look custom-fitted for just this craft. Single shield, decent-looking gellar, standard sensors, cramped crew quarters, barely any space for storage; fairly basic model, if an interesting one at that.

The Transport scan comes in last, and almost immediately raises your eyebrows. It is armed; a prow Thunderstrike and dorsal Mars. That in and of itself isn't terribly unusual; even transports need some sharper teeth these days, and that loadout is almost a standard for some shipping interests. What isn't standard is the modification to her Main Cargo Hold that has turned it into an attack craft landing bay; that isn't something you see very often, unless you're looking at a Q-Ship. Apart from that, she's a simple Transport like the kind you've seen a thousand of over your careers.

Let me know if there's any other specific things you wanted to know about the ships.

[rb780nm]

"lady Tasya, *whistle*, that one is a knarloc in grox hides. Beware!" says Khosal.

[Donan]

"Agreed! The transport is a decoy! Recommend immediate destruction before it moves close enough to launch fighters!"

Relas liked what he saw of the other three ships, espeically the raider, but survival and the Saber came first and the transport offered nothing but risk.

He also had no idea what a Knarloc or Gnox hides were, but he got the idea.

Luc is away until tomorrow night, but she told me she wanted us to shoot something, so I say we hit the transport first, with everything we've got, if everyone agrees. :smallsmile:

[LeSwordfish]

OOC: My limited knowledge of this stuff suggests that a bunch of attack craft could thorougly mess us up, so i vote that. If it's possible, lets still put it off until our lady captain arrives. IC and OOC, she knows what she's doing.

Benedict looked at the augur screens and cursed inventively, offering a silent prayer of thanks that he wasn't actually teleporting on board, before turning back to the vox-horn and, after a moments gulping hesitation, continued his rhetoric. "Heroes, my friends! For today we... ah... we unravel the sirens call! The web of lies that has led many of our brave fellows to their death, and would continue to do so throughout the ages. Until we arrived! The Night's sabre, and it's brave, skilled men and women, will today save many lives! Every ship that they would have brought down, we will today save! Every brave man of the emperor that would have gone screaming into the void, we will today grasp by the hand, and pull back into His light!"

Benedict sighed, and glanced across at Cornelius conspiratorially. "Pulled that one out of my arse, eh?" he muttered.

When i next give a Put Your Backs Into It order, will I be able to use the excellent but unused roll from last time?

[potager]

When i next give a Put Your Backs Into It order, will I be able to use the excellent but unused roll from last time?

Sure :) ! And it did seem like the Capt'n was fine with y'all killing things before she got back, for what it's worth.

As to Attack Craft, they're certainly capable of harassing you, and honestly would likely be more dangerous than any of the other Transport's guns. If the Escorts combine some fire, that could do some damage to ya also.

[Intro]

Francis Holomek (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11669620&postcount=5)

Francis wiggles his fingers and MIU appendages, then sets to work calculating firing patterns and angles for the macrobatteries as the Sabre begins her ponderous turn. He watches the cogitator displays intently and makes slight refinements as they become necessary, then sits back and jauntily holds his finger over the firing rune as he waits for the final order. That order receives, he depresses the rune oh-so-gently, sending shells and laser energy screaming into the void.

Assuming a Standard Manuvering Action from someone, 3 squares forward, 45 degree turn to starboard;
Map: https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/12Xmxmj4p4_NErWHEltqSHHOfPTZcx-qJadwXNsmJz_4/edit;
Puts us at 10 squares from the freighter, standard range for Staravar, Long Range for Mars-Pattern;
Firing Combined Salvo;
Francis' BS: 55 + 10 (MIU) + 5 (PYBII) = 70, additional +15 to Staravar (Lock On), additional +10 to Mars 1 (Exceptional Leader);

Staravar, BS 85; [roll0]
Mars Pattern, BS 70; [roll1]
Mars Pattern, BS 60; [roll2]

Rerolls Misses, if any of the above miss, use the following:

[roll3]

Will do damage OOC, one I see how many damage rolls I need.

EDIT: That's 66 total damage, and a crit number 4 on the table (plus whatever it's driven to by straight damage).

[potager]

The Night's Saber rocks as the fury of a full broadside lights up the night sky. You can only wonder as to the reaction on the Iron Maiden's bridge as her crew saw the dozens of ordinance shells fly towards her with lethal accuracy, though whatever else their reaction was, you do know one thing for certain: It was brief.

The Maiden's shields and hull buckle under your salvo, and in an instant she is transformed from a Freighter into so much floating debris and a sad venting hulk of metal. Perhaps one day she can be salvaged or at least scrapped, but for now, she is completely and utterly dead in space.

The Pirate ships react differently at the instant destruction of their hidden ally. The Frigate immediately cuts speed, swinging hard rimward and appears to be preparing a swift and speedy flight directly away from you. Her two companions, however, speed up, confirming your analysis of their capabilities and floating to within their extreme weapons range of you. They both turn in an orchestrated ballet, and bring their energy weapons to bear on your position...

Rolls:
The Raiders are combining fire to send two large waves energy bolts on your position; I'll roll any damage in the OOC thread:

Salvo 1 (Target 40): [roll0]
Salvo 2 (Target 40): [roll1]


Combat Map:
https://docs.google.com/drawings/pub?id=12Xmxmj4p4_NErWHEltqSHHOfPTZcx-qJadwXNsmJz_4&w=1417&h=1060

[potager]

The salvos from the pair of Raiders connect to your shields which absorbs them dutifully before collapsing into ozone. A lucky shot from their energy weapons scores a glancing blow against one of your exposed thrusters, puncturing its housing, melting its couplings and overloading its systems in a wash of ionized plasma. Your ship rocks a bit at that, and reports start streaming up of crew casualties and system damage, and immediately the helm reports massively decreased maneuverability.

You take 1 Hull, Population and Morale Damage from the Crit. -20 Maneuverability until repaired.

Your turn for Round 2!

[Donan]

Relas grunts angrily as sirens sound and warnings scroll on the screens around him, the tech priest already diverting his attention from the scanners to studying the damage to the thrusters and assigning servitors and tech priests as needed to staunch the damage.

57-10(difficult)+10(enginseer prime)+10(MIU). 67 needed.
[roll0]

[Donan]

Turns to repair [roll0]

[LeSwordfish]

Triage specifically states "To a minimum of one", so would be useless here, since we only took one damage to crew. Triage and PYBII are all i'm good for, so I'll roll another PYBII, which we can prioritise for whatever needed.

The sharp movement of the ship sways Benedict at his post. He shoots an uneasy look at the flashing readouts and reaches for the vox again.

[roll0] vs 78. Hells yeah, 5 degrees of success. Hopefully that should help the repair or our return salvo.

"You hear that, my friends? You just felt the fire of the gods! Your ship shook! The ground beneath your feet moved, and you held firm! My children. My brave children, you have no fear! The dark gods themselves could bend their will to our destruction, and you would have no fear. You are the crew of the Night's Sabre, and you know no fear!" His tone flowed from oratory to conspiratorial at this point, and he started laughing slightly as he continued. "The Emperor protects. Keep that high in your mind, and he will too. As you work, let your hearts be uplifted, and your arms grow stronger! Do you know what the emperor would say, were he here with us today?" Here he began laughing out loud. "He'd say to PUT YOUR SEKKING BACKS INTO IT!"

[rb780nm]

Khosal hoots and whistles when the Maiden explodes. "Lady Tasya? *Squark* Let us take our blades to these pirates!"

[canjowolf]

For a moment, Alan gives silent respect and prays that the souls aboard the transport would make a safe and swift journey to the Emperor's side, as anyone brave enough and cunning enough to fight a ship such as theirs from the belly of a transport was worthy of joining in the great battle against the dark gods.

Then, Alan commands his new subordinate vox operator to hail the fleeing freighter saying "Go ahead and run cowherd. No place in the universe is beyond the sight of my goddess, and someday, if she permits it, I will tear your cowardly heart from your treacherous chest to add to the pile of my unworthy foes".

Following that transmission he has the vox operator hail ship DD1 and says "Power down and surrender or be destroyed like your transport ally. Fight and die, surrender and live. This is your last warning".

Finally, he orders the vox operator to hail the last enemy ship and says "Your master abandons you at the first sign of danger, leaving you to die in order to cover his retreat. My goddess is a better master. She loves her servants and brings them wealth and glory. If you doubt Her power, look to the fury with which she has blessed this ship. You may join me and thrive in the splendor of the goddess, or you can die as another unremembered obstacle to one of Her favored servants without even a ship to remember your name. Choose wisely".

OOC

I realize that some of these might be beyond his intelligence level, but maybe someone told him what to say or he has rehearsed these lines many times before. Anyway, here are three intimidate tests for the hails in order. I don't know if any of them are applicable, but there's no point not rolling :smallbiggrin:.

Frigate: [roll0]
DD1: [roll1]
DD2: [roll2]

[DrK]

Cornelius

The tall thin white haired navigator rocks slightly under the impact of the laser batteries as the Night Saber shivers slightly, the death screams of some 700 souls a heady call into the warp as beyond the veil in the immaterium foul shadows and spectres devour the souls of the dead crew. Many more cluster around the silently floating wreck of the transport the thousands of dead drawing more spectral warp entities like "Techno-Magii to Archetoech. ".

Drawing a deep breath Cornelious stares out of the massive armour glass windows focusing into deep space seeking to pull apart the skein of mists and shadows within the warp... Deep in the warp he saw flickers and shadows of where the enemy ships would move to. Placing a clawed hand on Francis's mechanical shoulder he whispers the predictive firing co-ordinates to him.


Roll a perception test [roll0] VS TN 45
--> We get +25 to one of our weapon battery firing.

[Lucretia]

Thankful her helmet was on and the bridge crew couldn't see her malevolent, manic grin, Tas couldn't help but let out a hiss of excitement as the transport exploded beneath the stern rebuke of the Night's Saber. She stood up and drew the mono-rapier she kept at her side, pointing it at the blip on the main screen that indicated the raider, marked DD1.

"Move into position to unload a broadside on that vessel. Mr. Holomek, target the frigate. Khosal, see if you can lock on the frigate with our arrays. Enginseer Relas, provoke the machine spirit into another display of its might! Confessor, please continue your sermons over the intravessel vox system."

She turned to look at Alan, once again pleased no one could see her face. "Thank you," she managed to say, struggling to maintain composure and not release a maniacal laugh. "If we get within range of the raider, let me know. I will board them personally should the opportunity arise."

[Donan]

"Acknowledged Captain. Advisement. Raiders have unusual efficenery. Recommend disabling and capturing over destruction."

Aid the machine spirit. Target 67.
[roll0]

[rb780nm]

"*Whistle*, My apologies, lady Tasya. The Saber cannot seem to lock on to the frigate," apologizes Khosal.


Rolled and failed in OOC... even with machine spirit... going to spend my next 200xp on scrutiny.

[Intro]

Francis Holomek (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11669620&postcount=5)

"Just so, my lady," Francis replies, grinning himself as he works on the more difficult problem of firing at two different targets. The ponderous bulk of the Night's Sabre begins another turn, back to her original course, the maneuvering thrusters straining valiantly to press against the void. As the apparently-fleeing frigate slips more fully into the archaeotech forward batteries' more-effective range, he depresses the firing rune, and once more death in the form of macrocannon shells and laser energy launches itself into the blackness of the void...

Assuming a Standard Maneuvering Action from the captain, 6 squares forward, 45 degree turn to port;
Map: https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/12Xmxmj4p4_NErWHEltqSHHOfPTZcx-qJadwXNsmJz_4/edit;
Puts us at 11 squares from the frigate, standard range for Staravar, 7 squares from DD1, Long Range (-10) for Mars-Pattern;
Firing Combined Salvo with Port Broadsides on DD1;
Francis' BS: 55 + 10 (MIU) = 65, additional +25 to Staravar (Psychic Power), additional +10 to Staravar (Exceptional Leader), additional +5 to Staravar + Mars 1 (PYBII);

Staravar (FF), BS 105; [roll0]
Mars Pattern (DD1), BS 60; [roll1], on a miss, reroll [roll2]
Mars Pattern (DD1), BS 55; [roll3], on a miss, reroll [roll4]

Will do damage OOC, one I see how many damage rolls I need.

EDIT:
29 - [Armour] Damage to Frigate, Void Shield Generator set on Fire!
60 - [Armour] Damage to Destroyer 1

[potager]

The people on that destroyer had families, you know.

:smalltongue:

Rolling to see just what shape it's in: [roll0]

EDIT: Meant to do this in the OOC Thread, sorry.

[potager]

As the Macrocannons on your vessel sing into the void once more, another enemy ship is torn to little more than floating scrap metal.

The last two enemy vessels appear to not like this turn of events, though their responses are markedly different from one another. The Frigate cuts speed and turns about, appearing to be setting up a simple orbital path around the nearest satellite. A few minutes after your salvo connected, a scratchy voice comes to you in a tight beam requesting you stop firing on them and saying that they will surrender. The Destroyer, though, continues flying straight at you on an attack vector. It flies straight towards your path then at the last moment flips around to point its prow at your hull. And that is when it fires a single salvo of lethal energy straight at you.

Shot 1, Target 40: [roll0]
Shot 2, Target 40: [roll1]

Damage in OOC. Never mind.

Its intentions had been clear, but its systems couldn't establish a lock and you escaped all but the barest flickers against your Void shields.

Map: https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/12Xmxmj4p4_NErWHEltqSHHOfPTZcx-qJadwXNsmJz_4/edit

[LeSwordfish]

For the next half-hour Benedict marches up and down the bridge, congratulating the crew, and reciting the litanies of true sight.

Sorry for no big speech this time, i'm short on time and wanted to get my turn out of the way.

[roll0] vs 78, So five degrees again.

[Donan]

Relas murmers a sorrowful incantion for the lost raider, cursing those that had bought such a valuable vessel to ruin. He could not allow the other to be destroyed, it would be a failure beyond measure in his duty to the Ommisah, a figure he still followed, no matter what others might say.

He therefore opened a direct channel to the bridge. "The frigate is no threat, the destroyer cannot brush our shields aside. We are within range to board and seize the vessel. Its secrets may be of immerse value Lady Captain, and the capture of its crew will yield information of worth.

The cruiser is in no danger of damage now, my aid will ensure the vessel is seized quickly and with a low cost."

[DrK]

Cornelius

The navigator has a cruel smile about his face he watches another ship burn, roll and disintegrate into the lifeless void. His 3rd eye pulses as he watches and feels the visceral joy of a thousand entities devouring the bereft souls of the dead and dying crew on the second slowly rotating hulk.

"A simple broadside from one of the batteries should cool their ardour" the navigator suggests, opting not to offer to form part of the boarding party. "This will be most profitable for us Captain. You may soon have to contact my house and request more Navigators for your growing fleet!"

After that he concentrates trying to predict the darting movements of the raider and allow the guns to track it.



Stack the deck [roll0] TN 45

[canjowolf]

Alan silently watches the proceedings, but does not voice any opinions at this time, preferring to stand as a silent guardian to the captain.

[Lucretia]

Anatasia sighed, weighing the lives of her crew against the possibility of the destroyer being intensely valuable. "Enginseer Relas, I'm sorry. I will not sacrifice the lives of my crew for some idle fancy. With any luck, the debris will be salvageable. Khosal, perform as detailed a focused augury as you can -- I want as much information on the vessel as we can get before it becomes just another pile of slag. Helmsman Holomek, you may fire when ready."

Activating the micro-bead in her throne, Tas hailed the frigate. "You've made a wise decision, friend. Too many lives have been lost today because of simple hubris. I think it's time we set aside our differences and considered our similarities -- particularly how you and I both enjoy living, being captains, and making money. We are similar in those ways, I presume. If not, I doubt you'd have surrendered!" She laughed and continued on.

"I have no desire to kill you. I have no desire to kill your men. There are many aboard my ship who feel differently, and there's at least one who wishes to actively devour you. But I have no such desires or inclinations. My own incentive in requesting your surrender -- and accepting it now -- is greed. You have a vessel. I find myself in need of crews, ships and captains who can follow orders. I understand you've been a pirate captain for some time now, and following orders or performing legal work would be boring. But considering your alternative is death, I think it's a pretty good deal.

"I intend to set up a trade company in this system. I'm going to need loyal men to join my dynasty and transport my cargo. This is where you come in. Join the Marzov Dynasty. It's an offer you'd have to be crazy to refuse, especially if you realize I'm perfectly capable of deciding to simply butcher you and your entire crew, put a small portion of my own in the vessel you currently inhabit, and have them pilot it for me."

Commerce Check and Charm Check

Commerce Check Potentially 2 Degrees of Success
[roll0] against 69 (Fellowship characteristic) + 10 (Calculance Array) + 10 (Melodium) +10 (Talented (Commerce)) - whatever difficulty potager decides.

Charm Check Potentially 1 Degree of Success
[roll1] against 69 (Fellowship characteristic) + 10 (Melodium) - whatever difficulty potager decides.

Also, I'm giving Khosal by +10 for the Focused Augury check. Sorry, Francis!

[Donan]

There's silence over the vox from Relas, and then a faint click as he switches it to a private channel to the Captain to dicuss it privately.

"Understood. I will boost our augur ability to gain moe detailed scans, and will attempt to identify critical points. It may be possible to cripple the vessel without destroying it and it can be safely stored here for months or years until the crew are elimanted.

Stand by for augur adjustment."

Aid the machine spirit for detection. [roll0]

4 DoS. +15 to detection.

[DrK]

Cornelius

Cornelius glances at the exchange. Still smiling, an almost predatory grin as he watches the hololithic display of the oncoming destroyer almost able to taste its rapidly coming destruction.
With the Frigate Lady Captain.... will you be needing a trusted companion to Captain her?
Question asked he turns back to the displays watching as the targeting runes begin to smother the tiny form of the frigate.

[rb780nm]

Khosal attempts to coerce the augurs into locking on to the destroyer.

[roll0] vs 23+10+15

[potager]

Heads-up: I'm going to a convention all weekend; this may be my last post before Sunday evening.

After Anastasia sends out her message to the Frigate, you receive a response after a several minute delay. It's a new voice, one that's radiating with considerable confidence and that just screams 'Officer' even over the vox. "Captain Anastasia, I am Captain Theresa Montana of the Gladius. Your message has been received loud and clear, and I do believe we can work together wonderfully. I think you'll want to hear my counter-proposal though before you start writing up contracts. I get the feeling you don't quite have all your facts straight about the current business climate of the Expanse, and I must perform my due diligence to educate you about alternate opportunities."

"As a show of good faith, I'd highly recommend destroying the Raider next to you. Our Maus Captains tend to be a little on the fervent side, and I'd hate to have one overload their Plasma drive next to you before we can reach a mutual understanding."

[Intro]

Francis Holomek (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11669620&postcount=5)

Francis looks at the cogitator screens somewhat sadly as he guides the targeting augers into focusing on the remaining destroyer. The battle was already clearly lost for it, and it was sad to see a voidship go to waste. But better the other person's ship than one's own, and so he gives the command to fire once again.

Assuming a Standard Maneuvering Action from the captain, 3 squares forward, 45 degree turn to port;
Map: https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/12Xmxmj4p4_NErWHEltqSHHOfPTZcx-qJadwXNsmJz_4/edit;
Puts us at 5 squares from DD2, Close Range (+10) for Staravar, Standard Range for Mars-Pattern;
Firing Combined Salvo with Port Broadsides and Prow on DD2;
Francis' BS: 55 + 10 (MIU) = 65, additional +10 to Staravar (Exceptional Leader), additional +5 to Staravar + Mars 1 (PYBII);

Staravar (DD2), BS 90; [roll0], on a miss, reroll [roll1]
Mars Pattern (DD2), BS 70; [roll2], on a miss, reroll [roll3]
Mars Pattern (DD2), BS 65; [roll4], on a miss, reroll [roll5]

Will do damage OOC, one I see how many damage rolls I need.

36 damage, and a Thruster Crit

[potager]

The Destroyer belches flame and scrap metal and atmosphere and dead and dying bodies, but by the grace of its manufacturers it survives the salvo from the Saber. It continues on its flight path, and on your sensors you clearly can see its thrusters attempting to fire in a complicated maneuver but through whatever combination of battle damage and poor piloting the Destroyer simply limps along at 150,000kph before making a sloppy looking turn to fly against your trajectory and move in behind you.

As the Destroyer turns, its weapons light up again at closer, much more dangerous range...

2 Weapon Volley, damage rolled in OOC if relevant.
[roll0]
[roll1]

EDIT: That's a no.


...but the craft again fails to inflict damage on your vessel as its shots fly wide, brought off course by the craft's wounded thruster.

With its speed and heading, the Destroyer could well get away from you at this rate...

Map: https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1...wXNsmJz_4/edit

[LeSwordfish]

[roll0] vs 78. Aw, hells yeah. I might have to copy Hamlet or something in to represent that!

"By the emperor's grace, we yet live! They shan't be escaping us once again! take heart, my children, for we are nearly victorious."

He turns sharply to Anistasia. "Are you intending to attack the raider in person? Or should we ask our new allies to do that for us?"

[Lucretia]

"Alan, Khosal and I will use the teleportarium to board their vessel. If we can incapacitate it without reducing it to a space hulk, our prime enginseer will be placated. Speaking off... Relas, see what you can do to aid in the augurs. Cornelius, once he's done that, lock on to the raider. You two," she gestured at her bodyguard and tracker. "Meet me in the teleportarium. Khosal, get the men you were training. Francis, do not fire until I give the command: one, I'd like to not be on that ship when you begin hammering them; and two, I'd like to try and salvage the ship, which is easier when the crew is dead instead of the whole thing being broken in two."

She checked her armor once more before beginning towards the teleportarium. "Holomek has the bridge," she said over her shoulder before taking the lift down.

[Intro]

Francis Holomek (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11669620&postcount=5)

"Good luck, and good hunting, my lady," Francis says, rising to give the captain a not-quite-courtly but still respectful bow. Years in a merchant fleet and in the Navy had given him an entirely different set of courtesies, and he reveled in being free of them at last.

[Donan]

"Understood Lady Captain. Studying ship layout now. More information will be provided once your location is determined."

Relas redoubled his efforts in powering up the augurs and continung to manage the work crews. A wavy image of the raider formed on the screen nearest him, as he studied the scans they'd taken earlier.

Aid the machine spirit. 67 target.
[roll0]

[rb780nm]

Khosal grabs her pulse rifle from where she had leant it against a wall. She nodded at the captain and loped out of the room to gather her elite troops.

"*Whistle* Today is a terrible day to die, humans. Let us endeavor to stay alive while we kill these pirates!"

[LeSwordfish]

Benedict darted across the bridge, and slipped into the elevator as the doors closed.

"A benediction to your shock troops, milady?" he suggested. "Khosal's training cannot be underestimated, but they'll fight all the better if they know the eyes of the throne are on them. And you never know," he added slyly. "It might work. The offer is open to you as well, of course. I suspect if Khosal needs anything like that she'll sort herself out. " he finished pensively.

OOC
I have to use "Today is a terrible day to die." sometime, that made me laugh.

[Lucretia]

Tas smiled at the confessor. If only he knew. Then she realized he couldn't see the smile beneath the helmet, and the smile grew a bit in recognition of her foolishness.

Shaking her head, she leaned against the wall. "I'm fine, Benedict. Thank you. But please, bless the men. They'll do better -- add something about how the raider is a Chaotic creature, and we're doing the Imperium a favor -- or something. You're better at that sort of thing than I am... I guess that's why you're of the clergy, and I'm just a lowly captain." Anastasia sighed.

"Why won't that idiot just surrender? We've destroyed, what, twenty, thirty thousand lives today? They haven't scratched the hull. Now their frigate has given up. Still they fly, still they fire: still they fight. What compels them? Why won't they just see reason?"

[LeSwordfish]

Benedict scratched his beard and shrugged. "Panic, milady? Or, you jest, but a chaos taint could well cause this kind of irrational action." He scowled, and thought for a few seconds of silence. "If you do find any signs of chaos taint, I would very much like to meet the captain and crew of this frigate. And of course we should destroy the tainted ship, though i'm sure Relas would space me if i touched his shiny new rustbucket."

[Lucretia]

The captain laughed. "If Relas attempted to space anyone, he'd suffer quite an amusing death. Watching him be devoured by Alan and Khosal would certainly amuse me, at any rate. I have no desire for any of my officers to be killed, but if anyone attempts to mutiny, to break the chain of command... well. Regardless. If there is a true taint of Chaos, perhaps we will speak to the frigate captain together."

The doors opened and she began to leave for the teleportarium. "Say whatever words you wish, Confessor. I'm sure you'll make a proper decision."

Command test for hit and run, whenever we get to do it:
109+20 if both Alan and Khosal come with me, so:

[roll0] v. 129, opposed check.

[canjowolf]

Alan remained silent, but signaled his shock troops to assemble at the teleportarium for a hit and run assault. He personally flexed his power fist and prepared to unleash such carnage on the enemy vessel that he would pass into the ship's legends as a dark avataur of destruction.

[DrK]

Cornelius

Cornelius salutes in a slightly mocking way as he watches the Lady-Captain leave. Good luck Captain. Have fun re-educating pirates.. That said he turns back to the rotating hololith display of the destroyer and begins to focus the massive auger arrays on the sensetive areas of the destroyer.


Roll lock on [roll0] TN 65

[rb780nm]

Khosal stood on the teleportarium plates, her skin shifting through various colors and patterns. She double and triple checked her weapons and armor while she waited for the transition.

[LeSwordfish]

Benedict quickly passed down the line of soldiers, offering each of them a quick benediction, before standing back and smartly saluting the group.

[potager]

Anastasia, Khosal and Alan all sprint to the Teleportarium, strapping on weapons and demolition charges as they move through the crowded corridors. They arrive at the Teleportarium with a unit of trained fighters pulled from the crew for just such a circumstance and armed with shotguns and small arms. They look apprehensive, but more than willing to follow their Captain on this mission.

Its a terribly odd sensation as your bodies are rent to atoms and flung 50,000 kilometers distant to the enemy Destroyer. When you rematerialize and look about you, you find several extremely alarmed crewmen, but not as many as you would expect. They are quickly dealt with, and your men begin to place charges around the vital machinery of this holy Relic you have targeted for annihilation. The job proceeds remarkably smoothly, with your men handling the stray crewmember with ease and packing their extra explosives along what appears to be a fuel line embedded in the bulkhead.

Though this is neither the time nor place for a proper analysis, several things strike you about this vessel. Firstly, it is far too clean and orderly. A vessel of any proper age would have the detritus of use and time and use coating its surfaces and piled in its corners. There are also far fewer crewmen than you would typically expect, by more than half you would say. Whether that means the Pirates are short on bodies or this ship is more automated than most Destroyers, you cannot say. The crewmembers you have encountered and slain are very atypical of the standard Imperial rating, wearing elaborately colored clothing of similar make and many bearing extensive ceremonial tattooing you don't recognize, but that doesn't immediately strike you as Chaotic; the ratings were also speaking a tongue you didn't recognize at all, that didn't sound like any High or Low Gothic variation you have ever heard. And finally, as far as you can tell, this ship is a mirror image of the other Destroyer you got a deep scan for, down to the corridor layout and component construction; while this doesn't look like a terribly complicated craft, that kind of precision is rare for any shipyard.

Your charges are planted, timers are in place, and soon enough you get the signal to prepare to teleport. Your bodies are ripped through space as your bombs tick down from 45 seconds, and by the time the three of you return to the bridge you find your scanners showing additional flame and atmosphere leakage from the craft as well as a record of a series of powerful internal explosions. This ship is not in a good way...

[Lucretia]

Tasya sat back down in her throne, engaging the ship to ship vox systems. "You're bleeding air, you're on fire, and let's be honest, you can probably tell our weapons are locked on to you right now. I'm offering you a chance at living. Surrender. Now. The offer of working for my dynasty is off the table now, but there's no reason you need to die. Power down your ship and save what crew you've got left."

Charm check
69 or 79 if melodium affects this:
[roll0]

[potager]

The Destroyer does not respond to your Captain's hail with words. Instead, your panels begin to sing to life as a massive power surge in its plasma drives that signal an overload and imminent explosion.

Pilot Check time.

[Intro]

Francis Holomek (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11669620&postcount=5)

Francis sighs as the cogitator screens begin to show the inevitable rise in energy output from the stricken destroyer, and he strives to wrench the mighty Sabre away from the smaller craft - though that is rather figurative language, the great ship being somewhat less possessed of mobility than it is of sheer firepower...

Pilot (Spacecraft): 65 +10 MIU +14 Manuverability -20 Hard = Target 69
[roll0]
EDIT: Six degrees of success. You just need a standard success to avoid debris, so those six degrees all go towards style. :smallsmile:

[rb780nm]

(speak kroot)"A shame for so much meat to go untasted. There may have been something of worth to my kindred..." Khosal mutters, under her breath.

(speak kroot)"I will have to see what I can find among the crew of the surrendered vessel. "

[potager]

The Destroyer detonates in a brilliant flash of energy and plasma. Your ship rocks slightly as the wave washes over you, but through brilliant piloting and attention to detail you manage to avoid damage to your systems and escape completely unscathed.

After several long moments, you receive a curt message from the remaining Frigate. It is the Captain again, sounding equally bemused and tense, "Warned you. I'm maintaining stationary orbit around this moon; come on over if you want to talk. I may need to borrow one of your shuttles; for some mysterious reason, most of mine seem to have suffered serious smoke and fire damage this morning."

[LeSwordfish]

"I like this woman." Benedict grinned. "If they don't get shot, smartarses can go far here."

[Donan]

Relas cursed as the destroyer tore itself apart. What acursed fools had trusted such imbelices with holy tech? When he learnt more answers he vowed they would suffer for their ignorance and blasphermy.

He tuned into the conversation between the frigate captain and the bridge crew, simply listening for now.

[DrK]

Cornelius

The tall graceful navigator looks over towards the pilot. Some excellent flying there Master Holomek. Maybe next time we should shoot first and wait for overloads later?.

Wandering over to the displays he stares at the frigate getting larger and larger in the viewing port before turning to the captain. Lady Tasya, I'm intrigued to meet the captain of this frigate. May I join you and the others when we meet with them?. To punctuate his request he also gives a sinuous short bow.

Seeing Relas's displeasure he smiles sadly. Poor explorator. Opening up a private microbead channel he contacts the poor heretek. If we send out some lighters and cutters we may be able to salvage something from wrecks of the transport or the 1st destroyer?

[Lucretia]

Anastasia ignored Cornelius for the time being. She had found, in the past, that it was an effective method. Pressing the rune to activate the ship-to-ship vox again, she began to speak to the frigate captain.

"Captain Montana, we are setting a course for you now. I would be delighted to receive you aboard the Saber. Of course we will send a shuttle for you -- it was an unfortunate state of affairs that caused your own to be destroyed. I am, however, pleased that you saw reason, unlike your comrades. But while we're en route, I'd love for you to answer a few questions for me.

"You mentioned the business atmosphere of the sector, factors I wasn't aware of. Elaborate on that while we approach. We've got an hour or so before we're in range for the lighters. This will give us something to talk about. Once you've come over, we'll discuss everything else in detail, the things you might consider more sensitive than mere economics."

[potager]

The Captain replies a few minutes later, "That type of discussion should probably wait for some in-person privacy; don't want to have any rumors flying around your bridge crew now. I'm assuming you've heard from Stoniard and are acting on his behalf. In short, he's an idiot, a coward, and would have let this system be destroyed to fill his coffers. I'll elaborate when I'm on your ship. Now if you'll me, I've several thousand funerals to attend to and some munition stores to keep from overloading. Busy busy."

The transmission then cuts off. On your current heading, you'll be within Lighter range within an hour and a half.

Was there anything you wanted to do before you picked up the Pirate Captain?

[LeSwordfish]

Benedict grinned even wider. "I like her a lot. You reckon we can swap her for Francis?"

"Nah, i'm only joking, Francis. You keep flying like that, and we'll arrange a higher price."

[Lucretia]

Anastasia gritted her teeth beneath her helmet, growing angrier at this other captain. But she shoved those thoughts to the back of her mind and began to speak to her crew.

"Enginseer Relas, take two techpriests and report to the guncutter. Khosal, take two guardsmen and do the same. You six will investigate the wreckage of these three ships, with priority on those raiders. If you see anything in the hulks that you think might be rare or worth a great deal of Thrones, mark them, either with a teleport beacon or on a dataslate. Once we have picked up Montana, we'll return to collect the salvage you think is a priority, and we'll see about chartering reclamation crews for the ships themselves once we're back near civilization.

"Before they do that: Helmsman Holomek, perform an active augury of the immediate location. Relas, if you could boost the Machine Spirit once more? I don't want the guncutter out in the void with someone under an Empyrean Mantle, just lying in wait to kill or capture."

[rb780nm]

"As you say, Lady-Captain Tasya *hoot*" Khosal says. She lopes off to grab her two best students.

[Donan]

Relas let himself experience a moment of pride and excitment at what might lay hidden in the wreckage before he clamped down on the emotions and let logic take its rightful place.

"Beginning now, Lady-Captain. I'll take two of the most skilled priests with me."

Relas tapped his console, signalling the rituals to once again strengthen the will of the augur array. With the process begun and managed he gathered up two of his more skilled underlings and made his own way to the launch bay.

[roll0]
2 DoS. +10 to detection

[potager]

There's not much left of the Raider that had a Plasma Overload, but the one that you shot to death with the salvo is still salvageable, as is the Transport.

Doing a full check on the ships would take quite some time; like a month, with a full team and multiple ships combing over them (they are several kilometers long and multiple megatons, after all, and their corridors have been bent and twisted and systems smashed from the macrocannon fire). In the short-term, what specifically are you looking for on each craft? You can certainly get a visual analysis of both ships, as well as landing on them and briefly exploring a component or two.

[Intro]

Francis Holomek (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11669620&postcount=5)

"Petitioning the auspexes now, my lady," Francis responds, letting the ship coast through the void for a few minutes so as to give the auger arrays an unspoilt view of the void around them before beginning to make the turn towards the satellite and the waiting frigate.

Scrutiny: 48 +25 Detection and Sensitive +10 Aid the Machine Spirit = Target 83
[roll0]
EDIT: Five degrees, plenty enough to detect anyone lurking.

[Donan]

I was thinking of downloading any logs and as much information as possible. Either from the bridge or engineering.

If they're still in good enough shape..

[potager]

Your ship scans the nearby area in an attempt to discover any lurking ships. You find none; as far as you can tell, you are alone with the Frigate and relatively safe for the time being. You also manage to track the trajectories of the hulls of the crippled vessels, meaning you can easily locate them for future salvage operations.

The bridge of the Raider is easy enough to find, though it is fairly beat up. It'll take a pretty nice TechUse test to access the Machine Spirit and download useable logs, as well as a BS or WS test from your guardian to ward off any lurking survivors inside the hulk.

[Intro]

Francis Holomek (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11669620&postcount=5)

"Quiet as a grave out there, captain," Francis calls out. "A proper graveyard, mind - not one with Khosal in it. Think she calls that a 'buffet'."

[DrK]

Cornelius

Cornelius glides up to the auspex controls before glancing towards the Lady Captain. With your permission Lady Captain, I would like to contact our EnginseerPrime?

(Assuming she nods) He'll pick up the vox to call the guncutter. Relas, if possible could you track the navigator spire of either vessel. It is possible that they may have detailed warp logs or charts of the area. At the very least I am curious as to which house my unfortunate king belonged to."

[rb780nm]

Khosal and her troopers fan out to guard the techpriests as they go about their assignments.


WS test: [roll0] vs 53

[Donan]

There's silence from Relas for a few seconds, then a metallic voice comes over the vox to answer Cornelius. ++Logs already possessed. They were collected in dry dock.

Focusing on primary information retrieval.++

As Khosal and her forces shield him and the two other tech priests from harm, they go about the business of downloading as much data as possible.

Tech use check.
[roll0]

[potager]

Your Guncutter flies towards the nearby crippled Destroyer, flying through the clouds of metallic shrapnel slowly gravitating back towards the once living vessel. The damage is extensive; holes dozens of meters wide, scorch marks covering half the hull, the whole frame of the vessel bent and twisted at a dizzying angle. It's a grim reminder of the power of your cannons, and of what might happen to your ship if attacked by an equally potent opponent.

The angular bridge of the Destroyer had received a glancing blow during the barrage that sapped out its atmosphere, but your cursory visual inspection makes you think it's largely intact inside. There's no power in the doors and you're forced to cut through with torches. As the bulkhead floats past you into the emptiness of space, you look inside and see a bloody graveyard. A hundred bodies, some wearing void suits, some not. Some burnt or torn, some whole. Large sections of electronics paneling blown out in sprays of glass and metal, and the nearby red streaks on the ground to signify where the nearest crewmen stood. But at its core, there are a series of consoles that may just be salvageable and accessible...

Relas gravitates towards these consoles, extending mechadendrites to grasp at them in the zero gravity environment. Within moments he has their covers off and is connecting to them through tubes and wiring, gently feeding power to the panel to wake its machine spirit and coax it to disgorge its secrets. While this is going on, the rest of the crew take defensive positions about the Tech Priest and take stock of the bridge. Though its an Imperial design crewed by Humans, you can't help but feel you've stepped onto an alien world. The writing and labeling on the paneling is a garbled mess, with perhaps one symbol in 10 looking like some Gothic letter. The few somehow still active shattered displays are configured in patters and showing starcharts in ways you've never seen before but that make a vague if wildly divergent sense. This ship and crew may have been Imperial at one time in history, but for some reason they've drifted far enough away from their roots that they're practically a different species.

The incident happens as Relas is beginning a conversation with the ship's spirit. Khosal is distracted by the his grumbling stomach seeing all the floating meat, and fails to notice the 'corpse' silently drifting towards their position reaching and extending a simple laspistol in front of it. The Kroot's reflexes take hold at the last moment and he sends a knife through the man's chest, but not before he gets a shot off at Relas which strikes the console and shorts it completely. Relas is knocked back in shock and severs his connection with the ship's spirit, having grabbed only a small sampling of odd starcharts and a brief sample of their ship registry and native language. Not nearly as much as you were looking for, but it will have to do for now since the Saber will be drifting out of close range soon and you simply don't have the time to repair this latest damage.

Ready to bring the Captain aboard?

[Donan]

Relas stood in front of the smoking ruins of his console for a good minute without any movement or reaction, then gave Khosal something of a glare before gesturing for the rest of the party to follow him and moving back through the gutted corridors of the ship to the Guncutter.

The agile vessel engaged thrusters and made its way back to the Night Saber's landing bay, settling down and coming to a rest.

++Guncutter docked Lady-Captain, ready to proceed.++

Information in hand Relas sent the two other tech priests back to engineering, letting Khosal decide what he wanted to do with the two soldiers, and began making his way towards the bridge, examining his data as he went.

[rb780nm]

"You should go back to your regular duties *hoot*," Khosal says as she chews *something*

[Lucretia]

"Relas, what did you find? Helmsmen, full speed towards the frigate." Anastasia's mind was clicking with information and thoughts, plans and potentials. It wouldn't be long before Montana was aboard the Night's Saber, and Tas had several strategies and plans for the arrival. Once the Prime Enginseer told her what he had recovered from the raider, she'd have the final important puzzle piece.

"Also, once we've picked up Montana, perhaps we will return for a more in-depth scan of those hulks. I hate the idea that someone else might chance upon the wreckage and take our prizes from us."

[Intro]

Francis Holomek (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11669620&postcount=5)

"Aye, my lady," Francis replies as he plots a gentle curve toward the satellite, happy to give the old voidship a period of more gentle movement, as if in reward for the abrupt maneuvers forced upon her by combat.

"The navigational cogitators have the trajectories stored, so we'll know where to find them," he continues. "It's no easy find to find an unpowered hulk drifting through the open void, so we have the advantage there."

[Lucretia]

Tas smiles and nods at the fact, taking off her helmet and shaking her hair down. She clicks the inter-ship vox system rune. "Captain Montana, I know you're busy with the funerals, but I have a quick question. Does your seneschal also know the details about the economy we were discussing? If so, please send him or her over as well with you. Generally seneschals are better at talking economics than captains."

Letting up from the rune to turn the microphone off, Anastasia smiles at Francis. "Thank you for your expert piloting and gunnery skills, Helmsman Holomek. You performed admirably. Navigator, you also performed quite adroitly."

[LeSwordfish]

Benedict slapped Francis heavily on the back. "Good work, Francis m'boy. Let me buy you a drink next time we land."

He smoothed down his coat-front. "You want me helping out at the negotiations?" he asked Anistasia.

[DrK]

Cornelius

The lithe Navigator ran a hand through the thick white beard and tried to look happy at the faint praise from the Lady Captain. Inwardly he seethed, I bet old Uncle Ember doesn't have to deal with this disrespect.... Outwardly he smiled, "Anything I can do to help Lady Captain. I look forward to meeting this Captain Montana, and assessing the Frigate that you have acquired.. He glances over towards the sensor controls, Why don't we take a little look at her?.

[Lucretia]

Tas either doesn't take notice of the 'you' or ignores his inflection on it. "We performed a focused augury before the unpleasantness began, if you'll recall. You ought to, as you gave the command. If you'd care to try again, of course, in case we missed anything, please feel free. Relas or one of his techpriests can rouse the Machine Spirit for you." And don't think I've forgotten how easily you gave commands, Nostromo, she added mentally.

"However, you do bring up a good point and I thank you for it. Their augur array, a deep void scanner. I believe it is more powerful than our own. If so, we should strip it from them and fit it to the Saber. Or at least put it in one of the holds until we can dock somewhere capable of performing the switch. Confessor, with me please. Holomek has the bridge." Getting up from the throne, Tas moved towards the elevator for the meeting room we had been in before, opening the door and waiting for Benedict to follow.

[LeSwordfish]

Benedict followed, halting at the door to turn back to Cornelius. "Another scan at this point might not be too politic. Doesn't show great things for how much we trust them. I mean, we don't trust them, but the less they know about that the better."

[Lucretia]

Once Benedict got into the elevator, it moved down a few meters to the meeting room. Once there, Tas walked around the table, fingers interlocked and arms outstretched behind her. The sound of her back cracking was audible, muffled by the carapace armor she wore still. The helmet clicked against the ceramite plates, attached to her belt as it was. Making sure all vox channels were off in the room before speaking, Anastasia looked at Macharius.

"Confessor, how adept are you at the arts of medicae?"

[LeSwordfish]

Benedict shrugged. "I picked up some basic field stuff. Worked as a corpsman for a few years. Don't expect miracles, though. Why? You suggesting I head over to the other ship and assist them, as a goodwill thing?"

OOC: Int 40, Medicae+10.

[Lucretia]

Tas shook her head, still trying to stretch out the stress. "No, although I intend to send Relas over with a few techpriests and soldiers, in order to make sure their life support systems are working, Geller field isn't compromised, that sort of thing. Perhaps I will send you over after our meeting with Montana. We'll see. Benedict, what do you feel is our best course of action right now? Concerning Montana, Stoniard and the venture we're on. Naturally you'll want to wait until we have Montana's version of the facts, but what's your gut telling you?"

[DrK]

Cornelius

Just as the Confessor and Captain were heading off the bridged the white haired navigator shouts briefly to hold for a second and then slithers over towards them. Lady Captain, as I'm not required for this meeting may I have your leave to contact the Navis on the frigate. It is possible that he may some more up to date charts of the local warp conditions or even a Navis Prima that we could make use of. At the very least we should acquire a copy of all his navigational details. I'm confident that unless he is some sloppy inner sector nobilite he should keep a private journal of navigation details. Having to ask permission obviously grates on the navigator though this does he at least does remember something approaching a bow after making the request.

[LeSwordfish]

"I'd rather meet both sides and hear both offers first... but i suggest remaining loyal to the govenor-in-exile. Partly due to the fact that i suspect Lancing's legitimate government will be a more useful ally to us than an illegitimate one. If Lancing is restored to power, the situation will likely end. If we ally with Stoniard, we do so against someone who will likely try again to reclaim his power." He shrugged. "You know i trust your political acumen, m'lady."

[canjowolf]

Alan silently follows Tas, watchful for danger, unless she orders otherwise. His surviving shock troops are still armed and ready for battle though. While there was an enemy ship with working guns Alan would not release his troops for R&R.

[Donan]

Relas finally reaches the bridge to join the others, data slate to hand. "Lady Captain. I spent time studying what I was able to collect. The ships may have appeared Imperial but they had a different origin. There is more to the pirates then was known.

However, I gained several star charts. I request the Navigator's aid in studying them and learning what information they provide."

[DrK]

Cornelius

The navigator's austere and normally gloomy face brightens somewhat at the mention of new and interesting charts to study. "Excellent find Master Explorator. He glances at the Captain, "With your permission Lady Captain" and hurries off towards the Navis spire and his precious Astrae Observatorium. Relas I hope you'll join me, I have some particularly fine Malfian Bloodwine if you care for some?...



Not sure what tests you want exactly so I'll provide a selection
Scholastic Lore (Astromancy) [roll0] TN 58
Navigation (Stellar) [roll1] TN 68
Navigation (Warp) [roll2] TN 83
Also a Forbidden Lore (Navigators) [roll3] TN 58 to try and guess the identity of the house that wrote the records.

--> If it comes up I can Speak Battlefleet Cant and Secret Tongue (Navigator)(Rogue Trader)

[rb780nm]

"Lady Captain, do you require my presence *whistle*? I might make more trouble than I prevent..." says Khosal.

[Lucretia]

Tas was with Benedict alone at the moment, and therefore all this other stuff must have been via a microbead. She certainly would not have allowed anyone else to go with her to the meeting room. Therefore it stands that she must have raised a hand to Alan before leaving, although that's a post hoc statement since the player forgot she has a bodyguard. She responded thusly:

"Navigator Nostromo, I already intended to send several techpriests, including Enginseer Relas, to the frigate in order to obtain various information and to oversee the beginnings of a repair effort, should the situation qualify. Relas, be on the lookout for star charts in particular. Cornelius, if you feel it will be fruitful, contact the Navigator on the frigate. Khosal, don't stray too far -- I'll have a task for you shortly after Captain Montana comes to the Night's Saber." With that, she switched off the microphone on her bead, as to continue the conversation with Benedict in private.

To Benedict, she nodded. "I also worry about whether or not Stoniard, once reinstated, will simply be ousted again by Lancing -- or some other would-be tyrant. The man seems incapable of command, or else we wouldn't be necessary in the first place. But you're right. Getting all the information before making even preemptive plans is a wise move. We will speak with Montana and her seneschal, and see what information we can obtain. But now would be the perfect time for an ambush... hmm."

She switched back on the micro-bead and looked at the holographic representation of the Saber floating above the table from the projector nested in the center. "Helmsman Holomek, please fly with active augurs. If the pirates have decided to call in reinforcements, I don't want to find out when the alarms are blaring."

[LeSwordfish]

"Stoniard's inability to command is his own problem. And i'm sure such an adroit financier as yourself is familiar with the concept of planned obsolescence... placing in power a regime that will pay us to save them again is no bad thing." He started fiddling with his new eye, tweaking the zoom for closer scrutiny. If Montana was intending to lie, he planned to know about it. "Loyalty could win us an awful lot here."

[potager]

The Saber cuts through the void, nearing the damaged Frigate and eventually reaching a high and stable orbit around the rocky satellite below in tandem with the second vessel. You scans continue to be clear throughout this whole process, and the Gladius acts perfectly gentlemanly, not altering trajectory or sending out any suspect signals.

Transmissions are sent back and forth, and soon you dispatch a single Lighter craft to pick up Captain Theresa Montana and a man she has designated as her business representative. Your pilot aboard the lighter had verified mission success and is preparing to land in your aft cargo bay. You have all the time in the world to prepare a reception for the Captain and her assistant; as the pressured door in the Lighter swings open, what does she see?

[Lucretia]

Anastasia was standing with her hands behind her back, a black xeno-leather duster on over her carapace armor. Her helmet was off, and the long mess of hair had been pulled up into a bun. Alan stood behind her and Benedict beside her, and twenty armed crewmen stood to either side, a sort of military welcome. Tas smiled and approached Montana. "I trust your ride over was uneventful?" she asked as she got closer, a hand extended for a handshake. However, once within two meters, Anastasia instead quick-drew her snub revolver and fired a shot aimed for the pirate captain's leg, using a bleeder round.

[roll0] v. 92 {42 (Ballistic score) + 10 (red dot laser sight) + 30 (surprise) + 30 (point blank) - 20 (called shot)}
[roll1]

Christ, did I really threaten a righteous fury? I'm not rolling to confirm. I didn't WANT to kill her, just hurt her! Oh well. Comedy + grimdark = accidental deaths.

"If I tell you to talk to me about the business environment of this sector, you do not have an option. You do not get to decide whether or not I'd like the information kept secret. You do not have the position to worry about whether or not the information should only be discussed man to man. If I tell you to talk to me about it, you talk to me about it and you are thankful I spared your miserable little life. Benedict, amputate her leg. See if you can save her. You, business representative." Tas cracked her neck and reholstered her gun.

"You're going to answer some questions. I trust you will be more forthcoming than your prior captain." She turned on her heel and walked towards the elevator, expecting Alan to take the pirate seneschal with them. If the two guests of honor tried anything, the crewmen would make short work of them, even without intense training. Anger seethed within Anastasia. She couldn't stand when traitors attempted to make conditions in an unconditional surrender.

[potager]

After a small contingent of your guardsmen exited the ship, the Captain Theresa Montana piled out wearing clean black and white linens with a tasteful silver trim and her long greying hair in a formal ponytail draping down her back. Next to her, a pale, thin, young looking man with a receding hairline exited, wearing a fancy blue suit that was once quite nice but is currently covered in soot and a few spots of blood. Both look professional but rather annoyed as they are escorted down the gangplank towards your receiving party. Montana has empty sword and pistol holders on her belt; the man has both hands full with a stack of dataslates.

Captain Montana spots Anastasia and walks towards her, her hand stretched out to receive a handshake. Instead, she receives a bleeder round in her thigh, which punches clean through her clothes, flesh, and bone and leaves a dangling red mess of a leg still barely attached to her body. Montana screams at the top of her lungs as she topples over, and the Seneschal also screams while dropping and scattering the dataslates over the deck in a rush to raise his hands in surrender.

Through clenched teeth, Montana begins cursing your Captain and crew in gloriously colorful language and appears to have no intention of stopping, "YOU PSYCHOTIC B***H, YOU F*****G SHOT MY F*****G LEG YOU F***, YOU **** ** * ******* ** *** *** *** ******** ****** AND YOUR MOTHER ******* **** * ******* *********** ***** TOO!!!!"

[potager]

As Montana is carried away towards the Medical Bay, the Seneschal gulps deeply and turns towards Anastasia, her gun, and all you as well, "I-I-I-I-I-I-I really shouldn't talk out of class, but..." he glances down at the fresh bloodstain on the walkway, turns a little green, and glances back up, "So, the Business Climate, yes. What did you want to know? My ship, the-the-the-the-the Gladius, she's a part of the local Privateering enterprise, as you no doubt realized. Specializing in cargo extraction. Occasional ship seizure. Nothing too fancy, if they're too strong we leave if we can, slog fests are bad business. We're working under charter of the Fleet of the 12 Godly Ships, have been for better part of a decade now, new players, incredibly powerful, will take over the sector soon enough, highly recommended you sign your ship up to the fleet to avoid certain death. Working with the System Governor now. Anything else you want to know?"

He glances at the blood again, then back up. "Don't... shoot me?"

[Lucretia]

Anastasia stood in front of the elevator, waiting for the talkative seneschal and her bodyguard to come closer. The words the chatty fellow had uttered already interested her. The Twelve Godly Ships... she began to wrack her brain to try and remember if she'd ever heard of such things. But working with them, as Chatterton had suggested -- that she could get behind. Tas mulled over the information in the back of her mind, focusing more on trying to remember if she'd ever heard of these divine ships.

Common Lore (Rogue Trader)
[roll0] v. 53

Common Lore (Imperium)
[roll1] v. 53

Scholastic Lore (Astromancy)
[roll2] v. 53

Use any and all that are applicable, presuming any of them are successful.

[potager]

Anastasia:
Nothing comes to mind, but that's not terribly surprising for the Koronos Expanse. It's been cut off from the Imperium for so long, it's almost a common occurance for whole fleets to appear from practically nowhere, and there are hundreds if not thousands of vessels that have gone missing around these parts over the millenia. He could be talking about some of these, or perhaps something else entirely. Who knows?

[LeSwordfish]

Benedict watches the three leave, then turns to the writhing Montana and sighs, pulling out his medical kit. "So, maybe smart-mouthing a woman who has already shot at you once today isn't the best of ideas." He drew a injector of anasthetic from the kit. "Mind you, i'm pretty sure that annoying her any more would have lead her to order me to do this without painkiller, so you dodged a bullet there. A metaphorical one, i mean." As always when he was working, he was starting to babble. He punched the injector into her thigh and started working.

Medicae test vs 70-(Int 40, medicae+10, medikit+20) [roll0]

[canjowolf]

Alan reached over to pick up the gibbering Seneschal and carry it while he followed Tas to the elevator. He left the other bleeding woman behind to receive Benedict's tender ministrations. Though he could not smell the scent of blood through his carapace armor, the sight of it had set his own in motion.

Strength roll if you feel that I need it to carry the Seneschal arround: [roll0]
Alan is carrying him in the hand without the power fist. I don't want to turn him to jelly after all.

[rb780nm]

Khosal emerges from the shadows of the hanger deck. "You three *Whistle*," she indicates three armsmen, "with me."

Armed escort in tow, Khosal draws her chainsword and sets the motor idling while she boards the Shuttle. "Everyone out *hoot*!" she yells at the crew and any of Montana's retainers. "You are guests here, and I will feed *squark*.... you."
Assuming everyone complies, she escorts them to the nearest mess hall.

[Intro]

Francis Holomek (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11669620&postcount=5)

Francis lounges on the bridge, his considerable bulk cushioned by the solid chair of the chief helmsman and his feet up on one of the cogitator stacks. But for all his relaxed pose towards the situation on the bridge he remains alert to the signals coming in through his MIU detailing all the happenings in the local avoid, and the machine spirits of the targeting augurs of the Sabre are still active, straining to perform their duty and launch death through the void at the formerly(?)-enemy frigate.

[Lucretia]

The elevator proceeded upwards, and Tas looked at the seneschal. She smiled at him. "Incredibly powerful fleet, hmm? Tell me more about these twelve godly ships. Specifically, what sort of charter you have with them. And don't worry, I won't kill you. If you don't actively defy and irritate me, I might even make your life rather comfortable. I reward people who perform reward-worthy actions. As it so happens, Montana was awarded a bleeder round to her leg with a high-calibre revolver at close range. For you, it may be a nice bottle of amasec and a room with a view. It all depends on how you act.

"And that was a rather impressive display of the Naval Cant. I wonder if Francis is familiar with all the words she used -- I know I wasn't." Tas grinned at the thought and leaned against the wall of the elevator, waiting for it to open on the meeting room level, directly beneath the bridge. It was time to talk business and get the information she could. Clicking her microbead, Anastasia set it for the private line to Relas. She spoke in the Saber's private language. "Have you had an opportunity to review the data from the hulk, Relas? I was considering sending either you or some of your techpriests over to ostensibly help with repairs, and to obtain data to compare to that from the raider's corpse."

She looked back over at the seneschal and smiled again, winking at him.

[potager]

The Seneschal, bouncing up and down on Alan's shoulder as he's carried down the hallway, swallows slightly, "Th-th-th-thank you, Captain. The Fleet, the 12 Godly Ships I mean, I've never seen them, m'lady. Don't think Montana has either, actually; just Sylus MacTannon and his crew. He's the Captain of the Armageddon, our enterprise's Flagship, and he acts as our Commodore. The Godly Ships struck a deal with him a few years ago, and we've been their patrons ever since."

The man takes a deep weary breath and continues, "We bring them ships, and their crews if we can manage it. We lay traps and lure in what ships we can, board them, capture them, and turn them over to the Fleet for processing. We have these operations running in a half dozen systems across the Sector, usually off the trade routes to not upset the standard commerce. The Governors wouldn't like that, and they've all sworn over to the 12. They're feeding them supplies and cooperation in exchange for protection. Anyway, for handing over ships and for working with the 12, we're lent some extra firepower, those Destroyers you... Well, those Destroyers. They work for the 12, from their fleet; crews from their home system, I think. Don't talk to them much. Don't really speak our language, and they're... weird. Like, not... sane, entirely. You saw them fight. We're also given resources and supplies. We're left to our own, for the most part. It's a good deal, all in all."

He glances nervously around, then back to Anastasia, "That's... most of what I know. I-I-I-I may know a bit more, and I can tell you about our organization's base of operations, but the 12... Not even Montana knows much about them. You'll have to find someone who's dealt with them if you want real answers, like Sylus, or the Governor here."

[Donan]

Relas responded, tapping his vox. "Affirmative Lady-Captain. Inforation contains some star charts that Cornlius is studying and some limited information on their native language.

We were interrupted during data retrieval, less was gained then preferred, but I will inform you of what is learnt.

The chance to gain data from the frigate is valuable, but the scans showed it to be of a different origin then the raiders. I believe it is better for me to study the retrieved language and chart data.

I can provide tech priests to travel to the frigate, or do you prefer me to lead them personally?"

[LeSwordfish]

Benedict sighed as he finished removing the leg, and drew the tool to cauterise the wound. "Up to the infirmary with you. You'll lose the leg, but i think we'e learned a valuable lesson. And you know what they say- a little knowledge..." He finishes rather lamely there, and starts to search Montana, checking her for concealed weapons. If he finds any weapons he'll confiscate them and leave them on the boarding ramp of the ship. Anything non-dangerous, she gets to keep. Finally, he stepped away from her, to allow a pair of corpsmen to lift her onto a gurney, keying his Microbead. "Mamzel, our good friend here will be quite all right, minus one leg. She'll need a bit of infirmary care, but i imagine if we wanted to ship her over to her ship to become their problem she'd last the transit. And if we do keep her here, are we restraining her?"

[Lucretia]

Tas listened to the reports and nodded to herself, replying to Relas and Benedict in the secret language. "Restrain Montana and keep her here. We'll speak with her and see if her story matches the seneschal's. If either contradicts the other, I'll let Khosal begin... creative interrogation. Relas, choose some techpriests to send over -- Confessor, if you have any clergymen who'd care to go over as well to try and help the frigate and you'd like to send them over, feel free."

She turned to the seneschal. "What sort of a ship is the Armageddon? Cruiser? And don't think I'm ignoring the fact that you could be trying to pirate us regardless -- feeding us false information to get us captured. I look forward to you sharing all the information you have."

Stepping into the meeting room, Tas took the seat at the far end and sat down, able to watch the seneschal easily. She nodded to Alan and gestured to the seat opposite her, on the far end of the table. "I don't think I've gotten your name, seneschal."

[potager]

"I don't think I've gotten your name, seneschal."

That's because I didn't think he'd live long enough to need one :smallwink: .

The Seneschal blinks and stumbles more for words. "W-W-W-Wesley, my name is Wesley Lourdes, m'lady. And I wouldn't worry about capturing; the 12 like it when Captains come willingly, I've heard." He adjusts himself after Alan drops him in the seat opposite your Captain, "The Armageddon's a Tyrant. Our most powerful ship by far. Otherwise, apart from the Gladius and the... the Maiden, we have another two Swords, a pair of Cobras, a Havoc, and a Firestorm as our battleships. There's also a half dozen Transports we use as bait or for, y'know, transport. Half have had their cargo holds converted to landing bays for our ambushes. Usually we're out operating in two or three teams, laying ambushes like yours." He scratches the back of his neck, looking somewhat awkward. "We do have a respectable light craft presence around our base; Montana used to say that even if we got caught flatfooted and alone we could bloody a picket squadron with our bombers. That's... pretty much it, though."

[LeSwordfish]

"Gotchya. She's woozy right now so not too good to question. The main infirmary's got a few private rooms, i'll have her locked in one of them." Benedict hushed away the two men with the guerney. "Grab Lingk and Freedman*, and head across to the mustering point where the cogboys are crossing to the other ship. Help them with any casualties. If they need the space, vox me and we'll see about treating their casualties here. Don't let them push you about- keep with the group and don't get killed, right? Good men. The emperor protects, and hell, if i were them i'd be more scared about Her in the command deck, right?" He laughed uproariously, and smacked the two corpsmen on the back as he pushed the guerney towards the lift to the infirmary. Once out of the lift he finds a group of spare provosts, and gives them strict orders to take Montana and shackle her to a hospital bed, then guard her there until she wakes up and can be questioned.


*OOC: So i've ordered a few medics and a cleric to head over with them. In case it becomes relevant, Lingk is the cheif medic, and Freedman is the cleric and some kind of subordinate to Benedict.

[canjowolf]

Alan keeps his helmet on, having learned from past experience that revealing that his helmet's horns were not just for show tended to put people off. He silently stands behind the seneschal's chair, and allows his power fist to turn on and fill the meeting room with a gentle hum and the delicious smell of ozone.

He thinks about the foreign woman for a time, wondering if he would get the opportunity to tear out her incompetent heart or not. He still suspected that she was a decoy for the real leader of the enemy ship, sent to scout their defenses, but then again some lords were so arrogant that they thought themselves untouchable.

[Lucretia]

Tas closed her eyes and considered everything for a moment. She touched her microbead and spoke in the ship's private language. "Relas, go to the frigate with your techpriests. Get as much information on the system as you can. Star charts, system maps, history -- everything. Take your time. Cornelius, if you haven't already, speak with the ship's navigator if they have one -- the Gladius may be a strictly intra-system pirate ship, and thus they may not even have warp engines. But if they have one, speak to him and try to obtain the maps legitimately. We can compare them to what Relas finds.

"Benedict, send your men over if you haven't already. I'd like a report from them concerning what the ratings on the Gladius feel about a change in leadership. I'm guessing they don't care so long as they don't get blown up, but if they're incredibly loyal to Montana, we'll have to deal with that. Figure out if Captain Montana was a woman, too -- if we've got a decoy over here, I want that ship slagged.

"Francis, the Gladius has a deep void scanner array for their augurs. Would it be worth the time to take it off the frigate and place it on the Saber? Would it be possible to conduct the switch without going to a space dock? Perhaps that's a question better directed to Relas. Regardless, consider it -- and in the meanwhile, conduct another augur sweep. If there are any other ships out there, I want to know about them."

She took her finger off the rune on the microbead and turned to look at Lourdes. "Alan," she said, still speaking the ship's secret language, "we're going to go see Captain Montana. You're going to ask her a few questions about what the seneschal has told us. I was thinking of having Khosal guard the man -- what do you think about that? Oh! Damn, I forgot to mention that..."

Anastasia pressed the button again to speak to her officers, still speaking in the secret language. "We have the option of staying in this area for a month or two. The stores are still nearly full, and we've provisions enough for a year at void. Anyone expecting us from Wander would bank on us still having another few days in the Warp, which could be who knows how long in realspace. If investigating the raiders could prove useful, I would like that to occur. The weapons they used seemed unique, and could fetch a high price if we knew who to look for. And of course, the interior was bizarre. Too perfect. It reminds me of those stories the Adeptus Mechanicus tells of Standard Template Constructors. What's the opinion of the officers concerning staying here for a few weeks to conduct in depth investigations?"

Finally, the Lady-Captain of the Night's Saber smiled at Lourdes and spoke in simple Low Gothic. "Does the Twelve expect a signal to be sent back from the Gladius, saying 'we succeeded' or 'we failed'? Or was this more an autonomous cell of privateers, who report back only when they succeed?"

[LeSwordfish]

"Well, ma'am, you sure you don't want me to go too? Knowing that someone as relatively important as myself will be there could help." He flicked his icrobead to the medicae channel for a few seconds. "Those i've sent across, i got some extra instructions. Take the tempreture oif the crew, yeah? Find out how loyal they are to Montana. Also, double-check we've got the real captain here, the lady-captain thinks she might be a decoy. Don't go just yet, i'm trying to buy myself a ticket across too."

[canjowolf]

Alan - What You Say?

Alan didn't really understand the gibberish that the other officers used to hide their words, he did understand that Tas was giving him some sort of order. He decided to silently follow her and continue his guard duty until such time as she saw fit to speak to him in a language that he could understand. If she made to leave Alan pointed at the seneschal and asked "Do you want me to bring him along?" in low gothic.