A Wander in the Grim Dark IC

[DrK]

A Wander in the Grim Dark

http://i.imgur.com/NU6lN.jpg


Port wander stretches all around you, a seething disc of humans and metal some 8km in diamater. The magnificent Grand Mal lies nestled in the main void docks between the glittering gilt hulled 5km long cruiser The Lost City and the smaller more nimble shark like Chorda dynasty falchion class frigate the Sword of Damolcles.

Its been a long 4 weeks as the ship was refitted and new crew and supplies taken on. Hundreds of tons of fungal protein supplements and starch rations for the crew and crates of finest liqueurs and fresh meat and exotic vegatation for the senior and officers mess, several kilotonnes of towering 20m diamater macrocannon shells and along with a fresh squadron of newly forged fury interceptors, a squadron of which flit about the spires of the cruiser practicing close support and air interception drills.

The crew has not been idle as they've sat in port. The Master of Whispers has sent his tendrils out amongst the station, both high and low to bring back titbits of information and possible sources of revenue and employment, or options for more direct profiteering. As the senior crew hold a meeting the data slate with the Master of Whsper's are passed around from hand to hand.

The green glow of the data slate illuminates the centre of the librarium. The vast arched cavern a testament to the ship builders art. The huge armourglass dome giving a view of deep space and the constant movement of small vessels darting around the port, mssive bookshelves lining the walls around the massive conference table that the senior crew sit around, plseasure servitors, beautiful in their perfection yet near mindless paraded around balancing the trays on their arms as they serve amsec and Calixis delicacies to those of the senior crew that actually consume food.

The Master of WHispers looks up at the twin Rogue Traders, "Lords Captains. The ship has reported 96% readieness and the Enginseers he inclines his head towards the two senior red robed members of the mechanicus "have reported that the plasma and warp drives stand ready, the machine spirits straining to be on the way. What are your orders?"






OOC Thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240886)

[Hemnon]

''My lord captains, according to protocol A145.506/82, i am inclined to meantion that all prior tests have been successful, but a clean test-run have yet to be done. However, the transit to the expanse could be an exellent trial run, which i am confident will go without incident.''
Magnus, one of the red-robed explorators says this with more emotion than most tech-priests show.

[Whiskeyjack]

Captain Alizon Ravenna-Mallister peers at the holo report. So similar to the needs of a mixed armor/infantry regiment...and yet so different, she muses, one hand lowering to tap an inquisitive sequence into the cogitator.

"First, my thanks and the Emperor's blessing to Captain Aurielus for his excellent foresight in preparing Grand Mal here in port, and for assisting our command transition.

"Sincere thanks as well to the skills of the Mechanicus, led by Explorators Trias, Magnus; as you well know, both the Ravenna-Mallister Dynasty and its homeworld of Vostroya have pledged ties of alliance and fealty to the Priests of Mars for millennia, and I fully intend to honor the compacts between my family and the Omnissiah.

"Navigator Primaris Arcturus of the...notable House Kalybok, I have heard tell of your skill and daring in blazing new Warp routes and your strong sense of honor.

"Commander Cade, you are to be commended for training Fury and Starhawk pilots in so short a time, and your reports indicate that the nuggets should be fully prepared to screen Grand Mal in the combat air patrol and in actual conflict with the alien or the traitor.

"And to the rest of Grand Mal's officer corps, a toast. I see my distant uncle ran his ship as a military man would and should, and due to your skill and professionalism this ship will push the fortunes of the Dynasty to heights unseen in centuries."

She pauses a moment, lifting her glass of rich, ancient brandy and taking a sip, watching the reactions of her staff as they presumably do the same.

"Now, praise aside, on to business. Grand Mal has taken on provisions for both peace and war, and in my time, ahem, waiting for her on Port Wander, I was contacted by several loyal Imperial parties seeking the sort of aid that only a Warrant of Trade can provide. And I have been informed that other parties contacted the ship directly once she exited the Warp near the Port.

"After consulting with senior staff on the first endeavor of the Dynasty's newest chapter, it is my intent to sail full steam for the region of wild space known as Kain's Abyss in search of the Imperial Navy's Dauntless-class cruiser Obelisk, missing with all hands. Let it not be said that the Guard gives no succour to its brothers in the Navy, doing the God-Emperor's work in the wine-dark void.

"As soon as all provisions are stocked and all pre-Warp reports properly filed, we shall cast off from Port Wander and sail for Footfall, gather our bearings and information briefly, then make for Kain's Abyss."

[Goodwin]

Cade cants his head to the side and offers a slim-toothed grin. Tilting his glass first towards the female captain and then polishing off the ancient liquid.

"Not a problem. Nice not ta be on the receivin' end of the drillin' if ya know what I mean. They're a pretty good lot and should serve well, 'll keep at 'em though."

His eyes flick across the table at the other occupants as his greedy fingers encircle another glass from a passing servitor. Again he tilts his glass towards the pair of captains and nods with a pleased smile.

"A real pleasure to be here, mam. Er, lord. Captain. Lord-Captains. A real pleasure."

He shifts uncompfortably after his slip ups. Not being used to being under the command of a woman, and considerably out of his element at the senior officers table. When something else draws the attention of the staff he beckons the pleasure servitor towards himself again.

[kobywan]

Arcturus looks up from his data-slate at the mention of his name and nods to the Captain. It is a pleasure to be aboard this fine vessel Ma'am and under your capable command. I have been reviewing the routes to get us to Kain's Abyss and it seems as though the Warp is very turbulent in that area. I will personally be handling our translation into and out of the warp for this trip and can assure you it shall go smoothly. Once you and the crew are ready please notify me and we can begin the voyage.

Going back to his slate he punches in a few more calculations before taking a sip of his amsec.

[DrK]

The Master of Whipsers mutters a few words into the vox-mike that he carries around with him, stitched to the inside of his high coat collar. As the Lady Captain finishes her toast he coughs nervously and awaits to be called on.

"My Lady Captain. We are fully provisioned. The stores are full and the weapons batteries report 102% ammunition capacity. The remaining readieness to account for is merely involved in internal storage disposition and staff training and internal posting at the warrant and below level. If you wish Lady Captain we can leave whenever you wish.

Port Wander has already cleared us for departure vector 550 for the next 72 hours until we can reach the warp transit site." At the final words he motions upwards with one hand before supersticiously rubbing his emblem of St Drusus. Above you all, through the metres of armour glass you can faintly make out the Maw the narrow passage between the horrific and nightmarish warp storms of the maelstrom and the screaming vortex.

For Arcturus the sight is a vivid one as with his Navis eye he cmake out the warp shadow of the vast millenia old stable storms. The narrow passage through the storms mapped out painstakingly by the explorers of old, a few small islands in the storm where a ship may transit back to real space. Beyond that he knew, far beyond sight from hee was the open wild space of the expanse with its wild and unexplored warp where a canny and clever Navis could make his name carving out a stable warp route.

The view from the dome was momentarily obscured by a pair of looping furies, a pair of cocky pilots making a name as they dumped some raw plasma fuel into their engine vents leaving a vast swirl of glowing red plasma in their wake as they hotdogged above the senior crew.

The crew were ready and in good spirits and the 5km long vessel was as ready as it could ever be...

[Vizzi]

"The Machine Spirits are willing Lord-Captains." he says displaying discomfort, something that rarely is shown by tech-priests upon his new position as the Co-Enginseer Prime along with Magnus and as the Omnissianic Congregator. He longs for the cold comfort of his Armour and for the continuation of his experiments.

[Destro_Yersul]

Captain Aurielus, not nearly so titled or refined as his co-captain, had declined the brandy in favoure of retaining all his faculties. Old habits die hard, after all, and he had spent far too much time worrying about which shadows needed jumping at to develop much taste for alcohol. It could be said that he had inherited Demetrius' paranoid streak along with the warrant.

Ah, the warrant. A fine point of contention that was. He'd been quite surprised to find the Lady Captain at Port Wander, laying claim to it. She'd been more reasonable than a lot of the nobles he had known, though. Probably something to do with her time in the guard. His smile twisted by an old scar, the Lord Captain tapped his forehead in salute to the toast.

"The Lady's said everything I could say. This time. We're on agreement that the Abyss is our best option right now. If it goes well enough that we have time to chase down something else, there's rumour someone's seen a Star Galleon in Winterscale's Realm, and I think I'd like a piece of that. Few other things might be worth looking at too."

He left his opinions on the Hospitallers unspoken. Quintos hadn't survived as long as he did by traipsing into plague centers. He'd put up quite a spirited counter-argument whan that was proposed by the Lady Alizon, but it wouldn't do to air such things in front of the crew.

[Hemnon]

''My Lord and Lady captains, I'll beg my leave and return to the enginarium, The omnissiah be praised that the ship is alive once more. will you be acompanying me, Enginseer Trias, or are you needed here? ''
Magnus is wearing his Dragonscale armour for this honourable meeting, but a rustic Augmetic Engine-Plate is awaiting him on the way tp the enginarium.

[Vizzi]

He looks towards Magnus with a nod before saying "It would be best to use my time at the ship, making sure the Machine Spirits are willing and ready for travel." his head nods towards the Lord-Captains as he follows his fellow Enginseer towards the ship, his staff smacking loudly on the floor as he moved.

[DrK]

A short while later the dull roar of the engines brings the ship to life.The twin Magos Tech Priests vanishing into the mysterious bowels of the huge and ancient plasmam drive and beseeching the most mighty of machine spirits into life.

As the colossal plasma drives fire a dozen maneuvring thursters fire. Flames and fragments of space ice cracking and falling free from 5km long vessel home to almost 100'000 souls. The boarding collars retract as the Grand Mal slowly backs away from Port Wander. From the prow viewing ports the crewmen lucky enough to be stationed there can see the thousands of Port Wander locals cramming into the viewing galleries to watch in the wonder at the mighty vessel leaving to unknown worlds.

65 hours later as the Grand Mal burns away from the Port on Vector 055 the buzzing furies land in the port and starboard launch bays, the crew batten down the hatches and in the red tinged smoke filled depths of the mechanicus sections the archaic Geller field and almost mystical warp drives begin to power up with strange, terrible and near unknownable energies...


SO assuming you're leaving port :smallsmile:

Feel free to RP the long drive out to the Warp Transit zone

For the navigator are you planning a single fairly long and unknown jump to the Abyss or just through to the other side of the maw and Footfall?

[kobywan]

Finishing his circuit of the Navis chamber checks for the third time Arcturus settles into his plush chair and sets his sight upon The Maw. He clears his thoughts and settles into a meditative trance, allowing the worries of his past to melt away. Once he is calm he keys the vox-link to contact Captain Alizon. Ma'am with your permission I would like to take us to Kain's Abyss in one trip. Open up the warp drives and see what this girl can do. It will also save the crew from suffering through two warp trips back to back.

The Navigators Estimate
Navigation [Warp] 70 (40 base +10 Almanac Astrae Divinatus +20 ship)

[roll0]

Location of the Astronomican
Ordinary Awareness 70 (60 base +10)

[roll1]

Charting the Course
Ordinary Perception 90 (60 base +10 +20 ship)

[roll2]

[kobywan]

Navigation checks continued.

Steering the Vessel
Navigation [Warp] 100 (40 base +10 Almanac Astrae Divinatus +20 ship +30 3 degrees of success LotA)

[roll0]

Leaving the Warp
Hard Perception 60 (60 base +20 ship -20)

[roll1]

[Whiskeyjack]

Alizon takes one of the command thrones--noting how one has hastily been added and plugged into all the ship systems. Truly this was a strange bit of luck, but no matter. She peered at the ship round her...not so much different from the inside of a Leman Russ, just bigger, she decided. The main viewports and vid-feeds were all on...soon the ship would be cut off from external stimuli by its Gellar Field, the shutters drawn across any viewing screens and the camera connections temporarily severed to protect the crew of sights from the Warp.

She turns to listen at the Navigator's suggestion before turning to the other captain, speaking only to him after having her yeoman send a polite message to wait to the Navigator. "Quintus, I thought we might stop at Footfall...get our bearings on the other side of the Maw, dredge up Dynastic contacts if possible, see what goods and information there is to buy and sell. Our Navigator is bold and wants to test himself and the ship, but in this circumstance caution is warranted."

[Goodwin]

It was just like handling a large woman. All the bits and pieces were in the same general area, but there was a lot more to work with. Things were more dangerous here. A slip up could have something crushed and more then once he winced from a close call. This behemoth was nothing like his guncutter or fury; those vessels he could maneuvor with ease, bend or twist them in ways that gave him access to space's nether regions. But this brute was slow and overbearing as he guided it out from the port.

Cade cracked his nuckles and rolled his neck; giving a sigh of relief as he cleared Port Wander. Content that he didn't manage to crush anything he let his hands wander over the terminals and took a small shot of amasec to soothe his nerves.

"Well, there we are."

[Destro_Yersul]

"Caution, yes..." Quintos leaned forwards in his own command throne. Luck, nothing. He'd had the second installed so he'd still have a place to sit if Alizon insisted on using the original. Lowering his voice under the clamour of the engines, he pitched it so only his co-captain would hear. "Our funds, however, are a little lacking, at the moment. I'm not sure how much we'd be able to buy. This is a good ship. It'll get us where we're going faster than you might expect. The engines can be... fiddly, but they're sound, and I'd like to be at the Abyss as soon as possible."

Tapping a few commands on the throne's arm, he brought up a holodisplay, centered in front of him. But it was not of the abyss. A regicide board, with some of the pieces already moved, took Quintos' attention. With pleasure, he noted that the Master of Whispers had taken his turn since he'd last checked the board.

"You see, if we've heard of it, I'd bet the warrant that others have too. A Dauntless class cruiser? Fine find any way you look at it. Either you've got a new ship, or the Navy owes you a favour, or you've won a useful ally." Tapping another few keys on the throne, the Rogue Trader watched a piece move across the board to capture an enemy Ecclesiarch.

"This isn't my first tour in the Expanse. If you hesitate out here, you'll miss more opportunities than you hit, especially when the degree of planning that could reasonably be involved is between slim and none."

With a smile, he punched a last command. The board shimmered, and went out.

[Whiskeyjack]

Alizon purses her lips, clearly unused to having to command by majority rule. "So be it, I...defer to your experience in this matter. And I'm reminded, as my Commissar-Captain used to say, 'Fortune and the favor of the God-Emperor are with the bold.' However we should return to Footfall before sallying forth on any other pursuit, save perhaps investigating that galleon. There may well be good and profitable ventures in the Expanse such that we need not risk the Maw unnecessarily speaking with those on Port Wander."

She presses a button on one of the throne arms, opening a vox link to Arcturus. "Navigator Primaris, you may proceed to Kain's Abyss with a single jump. XO, set condition one throughout the ship and prepare for transition into Warp Drive."

[Destro_Yersul]

"There, I agree. Time is inconstant. It might be some of those rumours have been dealt with by others by the time we're done here." Leaning back in his throne, Quintos regarded the bridge displays. "I do so hate chasing shadows."

[kobywan]

Understood Ma'am, the Warp is in prime condition to begin our transition. I estimate it will take us 17-21 days to reach Kain's Abyss but with the warp as turbulent as it is I might be off. I will be manning the first leg of the journey and have instructions with my subordinates to summon me for any problems that may arise. Arcturus out.

Closing his black eyes the navigator reclines his chair. He rests a moment before opening his third eye. A haunting golden orange glow illuminates the now dark chamber and Arcturus is able to see his version of the warp.

Massive oddly angled aqueducts carry a blue foam along in numerous and impossible directions. These structures reach as far as the eye can see and their base has no end, dis-appearing into the mist of the imaterium. It is through these aqueducts that he will guide the Grand-Mal and its crew. Finding the the correct duct takes some time due to this course being uncharted and Arcturus takes meticulous notes.

Once set the navigator keys the open vox. All hands prepare for Warp transition in T minus two minutes. He spends the next few moments making minute changes to the ships location before speaking into the vox again. Warp transition in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. He thumbs the key to the engage the warp drive with a smile.


OOC Let me know what rolls you need for the warp storm.

[DrK]

Navis Chamber
The ship hurtles safely through the immatrerium for 5 long days. The Geller fields flickering gently and twitching as strange entities and eddies of energy brush up against them. The long twisting fingers of the maelstrom and the screaming vortex don't even graze the ship so expertly does Acturus navigate the ship, the occasional flickered command to the bridge to adjust course and speed.

Even as the five long days begin to meld into one, the chair pumping Acturus with wakefulness drugs and nutrients to keep him going on the gruelling journey, the immaterium a vast network of flickering aqueducts that diminish and size and increase in number as they leave known space.

As the end of the journey approaches suddenly calm turns to worry as Acturus can see the aqueducts breaking apart, some ending in vast drops into nothingness as the warp storm surrounding Kain's Abyss seeks to reach out and tear the ship apart!

The Bridge

THe bridge is quiet for 5 long days. Status read outs and engine performance checks given hourly to one of the two Captains. Weapons drills in the below decks keeping the crew busy as the Commisariat report only 3 cases of 2 crew loaders and a scribe giving into madness and receieving the sweet embrace of the Emperor's Justice. Low for such a long and trying voyage. The warp engines straining away gliding through the warp faster than one would expect.

As you near the end of the journey the geller field spikes, the warp engines begin to falter as rip tides and resistance to the Grand Mal increases. Warning lights begin to flicker as geller field localised stresses approach 87% capacity on 3 points. Hull stress coordinates indicate a 22% jump in shear stress, its a storm and a big one...


Surviving a storm

Well there are several parts to this
Navigating it:- Requires some form of Navigate (Warp)
Navigating it:- Also requires some piloting

Geller Field:- Redirecting power to Geller field
STructural integrity:- Boosting integrity or repairing minor damage before it becomes major

Commanding the Crew:- Organising the situation
Preserve Morale:- Stop any point incursions spreading insanity!

SO between the 6 of you you must make tests to address these themes. The number of successes/failures will give an overall result. If you can think of a more suitable alternative to one of the above tests then that's fine, just let me know. As long as 6 tests are taken

[kobywan]

All hands we are heading into a Class 6 Warp storm, take all emergency precautions. Is all Arcturus can say over the vox before the sheer size and intensity of the storm takes all of his focus. The sight of the aqueducts crumbling before the ship shakes the young Navigator to his core and for a brief second he is unable to think. His training and quick reflexes kick in and he begins plotting a course through the broken aqueducts.

Warp Navigation roll 80 (Base 40, +10 almanac, +20 Ship, +10 Link with the Captain)

[roll0]

[Goodwin]

"That doesn't sound..."

The pilot stumbles against one of the many crewmen as the ship jutters from the force of its exertions.

"Gah! What the hell is he... Move!"

Rushing foreward he unceremoniously kicks at the cadet he had been training, and piles into the seat. Spinning it from one console to another Cade tries to regain some sembelance of control of the vessel as the warp begins ripping it one way and then the other.

"Come on, come on. Don't be a grox' lover now."

His fingers glide over the rune-filled console and then he leaps from his seat, grabbing hard on the ancient wheel to try and right the course.


Base 62 + 3 Maneuv from Ship
[roll0]

[Destro_Yersul]

Quintos had spent the five days largely in the Librarium, the vaulted ceiling overhead hidden behind heavy blast shutters. It wouldn't do anyone any good if the dome were to be fractured, especially in warp transit. He had sent Alizon an invitation to discuss plans, and was awaiting her response, when the storm hit. At the sound of the warning, he was already heading back to the bridge.

By the time the shaking started, the Rogue Trader was striding purposefully down the middle of the bridge, issuing commands to the officers.

"All hands, step to it! I want security teams standing by to repel any incursions. It's time to test those protocols we added to their training."

Taking a seat, he spun the throne around to face the crew. "Helm, Navigator. Status reports. You..." he said, pointing at the comms officer. "Raise the engine room, find out if there's anything we can do from here. I'm not having a repeat incident on this ship."

Command test, vs.. 55, I believe. [roll0]

[Whiskeyjack]

"Set bridge to lockdown mode. Master of the Vox, shipwide priority override broadcast of the Turbulence Alert followed by the Litany Against the Warp, preferably a Calixian version, and record the following message for all vox-only and holo workstations."

Alizon arranges her exotic fur pelts, the hat marking her as a member of the Firstborn, and all her campaign medals. She adopts the posture of a potentate upon her throne, deactivated power sword laying across her legs.

"Begin recording." She waits for the green rune to indicate she should proceed.

"Crew of Grand Mal, this is Alizon Hesperia Ravenna-Mallister, your Lord-Captain. In our struggles, be ever resolute. Keep the God-Emperor in your hearts and prayers to Him on your lips. There is no storm which cannot be weathered with faith and loyal devotion to duty. Give not into your fear. Give not into those who would try to make you fear.

"Grand Mal has weathered worse storms in the past and she shall weather worse yet. Fear not these pathetic squalls, give yourselves completely over to your duty, your fealty, and your loyalty to this ship and to Him-on-Terra. Remember that heresy grows from idleness. The Astronomicon burns brightly in our sight, and though the Warp has seen fit to throw chop at us, its waves shall dash themselves impotently against us. Our armor is contempt."


She gives the salute of the Imperial Guard and cuts the feed.

"Now broadcast it, twice per bell until we break through. And page the Ship's Confessor to the bridge."

Hold Fast! action vs TN 41 (Base 31 +10 Lord-Captain role bonus): [roll0]

EDIT: Painful. Fated a reroll in the OOC.

[DrK]

Alarms wail throughout the vessel as the lights begin to flicker. Dark Red emergency lighting dousing the corridors in an ominous blood red appearance as the emergency bulkheads begin to slam down all over the hundreds of miles of corridors on the vast living city.

On the Bridge the calm reassuring voices of the Captains begin to solicit order from chaos. The bridge crew spin around rapidly following the orders of Lord Quintos as guardsmen and arbite grab weapons from arms lockers and the priests begin to sing pealing choirs to promote the Emperor's faith and transmit it over the vox system.

The stoic figure of Lady Captain Alizon Hesperia Ravenna-Mallister flickers on holo-screens. Her uniformed figure appearing on every deck in every mahor crew centre as her message spreads courage and iron will over the ship.

The courage and Iron will are needed as the ship swings and twists as the strong will of Acturus slips for a fraction and the Grand Mal hurtles into the thickest and most deadly part of the warp storm. The vast eddies of immaterial energy twist and grab the ship even as Cade spins the 8 millenia old wheel- an antique from one of the last water born ships on Holy Terra. The thrusters fire desperately as the huge vessel battles the twisting currents and but the pilot with his natural skill is able to keep the ship from spinning out of control.

The ship is twisted and torn by the farbrics of unreality struts and deck plates howling and hundred foot long curtains of sparks exploding from the massively challenged Geller field as pin-prick incursions begin to occur as the ships plunges deeper into the heart of the storm...

Even as the sirens wail and a fate worse than mere mortal death awaits the crew they stand ready to sell their lives dearly, hearts and minds filled with the prayers of faith.


Things are looking challenging... Can the Enginseer's support the ship so that it can pass through the Eye of the Storm

Just a filler post till at one of the ENginseer's makes a test. I know Hemmnon is away so will skip his roll and see how Vizzi goes to determine the final results. No pressure :smallwink:

[Vizzi]

When the Alarms starting wailing he was focused on striping a machine of parts, but Trias quickly moved beyond all haste towards the Geller fields. He tried to contact his fellow Enginseer, but upon not being able he feared the worst, but for now there was no time for such worries.

He ran as if his life depended on it, his servitor and servo skull barely keeping up, occasionally crew members had to dive out of the way as to not be crushed by his bulk.

Upon arriving at the Geller Field he started ordering the lesser Tech-Priest to accomplish what rituals they knew while he himself approached the engine and with a string of Techna-lingua "01010111 01101111 01110010 01101011 00101100 00100000 01101111 01110010 00100000 01101001 00100000 01110011 01101000 01100001 01101100 01101100 00100000 01110011 01110100 01110010 01101001 01110000 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 00100000 01101111 01100110 00100000 01110000 01100001 01110010 01110100 01110011 00100001" he uses his MIU to transfer what available power there was to the Geller Fields.

After doing what he could, and hoping it was enough, he quickly organized work crews and almost to exhaustion he went from one place to another repairing what he could.


I assume they are tech-use rolls.

Geller Field:- Tech-Use 78 [roll0] (From Using the MIU)
STructural integrity:- Tech-Use 68 [roll1]

[DrK]

THrusters blazing and grav plate creaking the ships spins and twists in the brutal warp eddies. The crew's training shows alongside the red cloaked Magos that seem everywhere with welding torches and holy ungents sealing cracks and erecting emergency forcefields as micro fractures puncture the hull of the mighty vessel.

The piloting skills reduce some of the pressure as the Enginseer's efforts save even more, the solid image of Lady Mallister adding a solem formal feel to the chaos below decks.

The only thing to mar the problem as the ship plunged through the storm was the flicker of the Geller field as a myriad of red warning runes light up on the port flight pod and warning klaxons sound as a minute geller field incursion occurs. Steel and ceramite beginning to warp and twist like molten butter as the winds of the warp howl in whispering secrets, deceit and corruption into the hearts and minds of the crew in that compartment. Weapons fire rings out over the comms as the security team in the adjacent compartment lay down a hail of fire, shot rounds and promethium flames burning away the crew that are literally boiling masses of mutation as the raw stuff of the warp touches flesh. Minutes later it over as the Geller field flickers once more before renengaging as Trias restores power and order to the ship and the twisted remnants of dead men and strange demonic creatures are left behind.

With an enormous shuddering tearing the warp engines tear a hole from the immaterium into real space. The entire vessel slamming to a near shuddering halt as the physical rules of the galaxy reassert themselves, Cade rapidly getting the ship onto an even and still keel. Down in the vaulted chamber surrounding the archaic warp drive steam erupts from fractured valves and a dozen servitors twist and dissolve as bizzare and uknown radiations spring forth from the stressed drives.

On the bridge the auger arrays show crackling static, the systems slowly taking time to power up as the sensorium blindness necessary for warp travel slowly begins to lift and the massive arrays of IR, UV and deep space telemetry probes begin to assamilate what lies around them...


http://i.techrepublic.com.com/gallery/6194898-620-606.jpg

The first impression of Kain's Abyss that of twinned massive spires of galactic storms, the colossal light year wide dust and radiation storms obscuring several systems. THe massive warp storm surrounding the area clearly reflecting the physical nature of the sector...


You are in real space near Kain's Abyss- time to test out those bad boy sensors...

The ship suffers [roll0] morale damage
The ship suffers [roll1] population damage
The ship suffers [roll2] structural damage

Well done on surving the storm so nicely :smallsmile:

[Destro_Yersul]

"Damage reports." Quintos leaned back in his throne, relieved at how well the ship had held up. That could have been a lot worse than it was, and undoubtedly would have been without some of those precautions. Still, they were here, faster than he would have imagined. The storm must have spat them out in just the right direction.

"I told you this ship was fast," he grinned at Alizon. "Halfway across the expanse in less than a week. Remind me to commend the Navigator."

[Whiskeyjack]

Alizon doesn't smile quite yet, swallowing thickly. New appreciation for those Navy idiots. I'd rather have my feet on the ground...or on the command throne of a Baneblade. Making a career out of being a foreign body in the Warp is insanity...

She takes a moment, a sip of a flask of fine whiskey, and speaks."Bring the Castellans online and launch the combat air patrol. Master of the Vox, broadcast the Hymn of Praise for Deliverance at half-bell intervals for the next twelve bells. Have the Twistcatcher begin a level-4 investigation of areas subject to the intrusion. And Commander Cade...well done."

Alizon finally leans back and allows herself a small smile. "Praise is owed to both the Navigator and the pilot...and to our tireless Enginseers," she agrees with Quintos. "Though let's not get too excited before we find our prize. And I'm concerned that the fields flickered at all, even if our tech-priests were able to reactivate them so swiftly. I thought the hull had Warpsbane runes...perhaps they need to be re-consecrated."

She looks around the bridge. "Well, let's be about it then. Augury, report?"

[Vizzi]

An image of Enginseer Trias appears, surprisingly he looks tired but refreshed at the same time, his faced smudged with various products and with a slight smile, he speaks with a tone of satisfaction "One compartment lost due to a flicker of the Geller Field before i restored power." he pauses slightly looks slightly to the side as if he is reading something "Slight Damage to the Warp Drive, easily fixed. Structural Integrity of the ship has been maintained." his Mechadendrite swayed slightly and he finishes "Crew worked beyond expected parameters." he pauses and while he says "Lord-Captains." he nods and returns to his repairs.

[Goodwin]

"Don't break anything." Cade says to the cadet, letting the young man take his position at the helm again after a few last tweaks to their heading.

He salutes when he's complimented by Alizon.
"Lord-Captain, would it suit ya to have me out with the patrol or to stay at the helm? As long as no one drives into one of those big fellas, we should be okay for now?" He nods to the screen showing the large storms and then awaits his orders.

[DrK]

As the vast banks of sensorium light up, the massive glow of EM emissions radiating away from the Grand Mal as the ship began to interrogate the nearby storms and systems.

The 2nd Lieutenant heading up the augury crew watches the read outs with a serious face as the data from the 40 different augury stations is processed and directed to large cogitator bank on the bridge. Slowly the display begins to form and a vast holo-disply grows on the bridge as everything within 300'000km is ruthlessly interrogated for threat and composition. Luckily nothing registers save for dust and small rocky debris. The shadow of a pair of much larger cometary objects lurking just beyond sensor range some 330000km away...

Longer range augurs plot the systems and begin to relay storm information as the sensor crew zoom out, the holo-display highlighting suggested routes and red warning dangers around the vast solar storms as they reported high radiation counts and massive particle density.

"My Lord and Lady Captain," the sensor pit Lieutenant begins. "Initial sensor scans detect a high level of storm activity within the local area. We should avoid them if at all possible as they are registering very high levels of thermal radiation as well as particle counts and asteroids".

Pointing at the screen he nominates a few points. "Systems have detected 2 habitable systems at the edge of sensor range. We appear to have arrived between the heliopspheres of two systems my Lord. The twin storms.. he motions the two massive streamers of dust and debris.. "Are caused by the interference of the twin solar winds. Both systems register as having several planetary bodies although at this range we cannot be sure without further analysis."
Another point at the holo-display. "For both systems we are approximately 4 days travel time at full solar plasma burn from the Oort clouds."

[DrK]

damned invisible posts

[Whiskeyjack]

"You're free to take a patrol out, Commander, but we'll pull the small craft back in once the rad levels start to escalate as we head in-system. I'll want you at the conn when we get closer to those larger objects outside the augur range. Dismissed." Alizon gives him a salute and immediately turns to the augur station. "Lieutenant, what is the transit time between systems, from one to the other?"

[Destro_Yersul]

"Around five and a half in a straight line, I should think." Quintos answered the question for the lieutenant. "And no sign of the Obelisk just yet. Which, then, do you suppose we should check first?"

With the void shields online, and no threats in the nearby area that they could see, the rogue trader was feeling significantly more confident. "I'd say the one on the right, myself. We'll have to check them both eventually, of course, and we can't go right down the middle. Not with those storms there."

[Whiskeyjack]

"Unless one system is known to have some kind of resource that the other does not, I can't see a reason to prefer one over the other. Though I would prefer if our Astropath performs a divination over the Emperor's Tarot on the matter. As you said, wasted time means wasted effort, and utilizing all our resources means less chance of wasted time."

[Goodwin]

Cade hustles his way through the decks towards the launch bays. He draws a flask from his vest and takes two quick shots before sealing the lid and securing it once again.

When he arrives the launch bay is a cluster of ships and bodies. Some having been jarred loose of their bindings, are being reset and repaired in a rush. At the same time, the first wing is being assembled.

"Let's get movin' people. Free ride's over le's show our charming hosts why they bothered pickin' yall up."

Cade slips into his command fighter and after a few flicks of the controls and final checks, the wing takes off into the stars.

[DrK]

Deep Space

With a faint shudder the maglev coils fired and the Lightning accelerated out of the launch tube as the plasma engines kicked in and the interceptor swung left, retro thrusters firing rapidly as the rest of the 20 strong flight formed up on Cade's wing weaving casually between the hundreds or metre tall spires and over the colossal gun batteries of the Grand Mal.

With Cade at command the 4 members of the crew mutter quietly over the on-board vox. Though happy to see Cade at the command. "Systems 5 by 5, guns charged and missiles racked Commander" the crew chief Big Red mutters over the vox. The crew chief, born on the Grand Mal and pretty much raised in the hangars of the ship kept the Fury in tip top shape. The 3 gunners were also the best that the squadron could offer.

As the 20 fighters split up slowly into two wings of 10 spiralling out into the void the massive ship gradually diminishing to a cometary like shape in the blackness. Thankfully a more or less empty blackness...

The Bridge

As the Lord and Lady Captain debate between which of the systems to investigate they can see the fury squadron setting up the CVP. The bridge juddering slightly as the fighters buzz the command centre.

The sensor crew are still hard at work firming up contacts tentatively raise a hand to catch the attention of the Captains. A small pin prick of flashing blue on one of the comets still hurtling on a vector that will bring it within some 80000km of the Grand Mal in about 1 hour. "Captains. The analsyis of frequency variations on the spectral display suggest some non-native metals on the comet. designnated Unknown alpha-8. We think its some sort of refined metal."

As the news comes in a spooky voice crackles in on the private throne links on the Captain's chairs. The astropath transcendants voice a whisper in their ear. "My Captains. I thought a voice in your idea would be preferred to a thought in your mind. I have consulted the Emperor's Tarot. Blood and death, the agony of souls lost and the bringers of woe. She who was lost can be found again though sacrifice and hardship and the Knight of death will stalk our path". He pauses to let the signifigance of his words sink in. "The shadows lengthen on the finger of the God Emperor and only in his shadow can the world grow". The cryptic words from the strange blind psyker seming suggesting the system to port that lies in the long shadow of the storm may be the best course of action.


Also edited my numbers in my other post as was out by a factor of 10. So should have been a 300000km radius sphere.

[kobywan]

Arcturus enters the Bridge and makes his way to the Dual command thrones. His Navigator eye has been covered and his face is weary from the exertions of Warp navigation. He wait for a break in the conversation of the Captains before giving a quick salute. Ma'am, Sir I am here to offer my post flight report before retiring to my room for some rest.

He rubs his temples for a moment before continuing. I would like to apologize for the Warp storm it should have been avoided. On a better note we blazed a trail through the Warp that I think with some slight changes could become a stable route to and from Kain's Abyss. I will report back to you when I have more information regarding this.

Giving a short bow he wait for any reply before leaving to his room. Once there he promptly dives into his grav-bed and begins sleeping.

During the transit to the chosen location he will attempt to plot out the course taken from Wander to Kain's Abyss.

Rolls to plot the course. I do have the Almanac and a Star Chart collection.

Forbidden Lore [Warp] 40
[roll0]

Navigate [warp] 70 [40 base +10 almanac +20 ship]
[roll1]

Scholastic Lore [Astromancy] 40
[roll2]

[Destro_Yersul]

"Arcturus. Storm or not, you've got us here in one piece, ahead of schedule. Job well done, by my book. Now then..." The vox message had interrupted Quintos' thoughts. The system in the shadow of the storm, then? Perhaps his initial estimate had been off. Bloody psykers.

"Helm, take us in. Port system. Leiutenant, keep an eye on the augurs. Anything else shows up, or you're able to get a better reading on that comet, I want to hear about it before it hears about us."

[Whiskeyjack]

An unpleasant feeling crawls up Alizon's spine as the Astropath speaks, and she clicks off the vox without a word. "Bloody psykers," she mutters. "Keep the patrol craft cycling until they can no longer block the radiation, then pull them back in. And keep the Starhawks and one squadron of escort interceptors on combat standby once we get further in-system. Status report on the prow battery and broadsides?"

[DrK]

Deep Space

The patrol had been an uneventful one as the Fury's had whipped through the void practicing the occasional air combat maneuvre. On the return leg the flight could easily see the massive comet, maybe a rough heavily cratered ball of rock some 15km in diameter.

As the comet passes some 80'000km from the cruiser Cade hears a faint "What's that?" from the forward gunner who doubles as a senor operator. "Got a heat source on the dark side of the asteroid. Orders sir? The Mal may be blind to it."

Looking you can't see anything but sensors have shown something, a sudden heat plume that surely can't be natural.

On the Bridge.

The Master of Ordinance looks up form the firing pit. A mass of targeting vectors and vox's linking to the individual batteries. "Lances and batteries all ready My Lords. We are ready for anything." Both Captain's could hear the keeness in his voice to unleash a broadside.

The sensor officer shouts suddenly- at the same time as Cade's sensor operator begins grumbling. "Contact. Unknown contact." the surprise obvious in his voice as a red dot appears on the holodisplay on the nearby comet. "Heat plume and passive EM source, contact likley a ship. Its on the dark side of the comet- just got a faint reading with the Ultimo's terrain mapping. What are your orders?"

[Whiskeyjack]

"Can the squadrons proceed safely or will the radiation be too intense?" Alizon asks one of her advisors more expert in the nuance of small craft combat as she peers at the holo-map.

"Nothing ventured nothing gained...Helm, take us in at full speed. Augurs, inform me as soon as you get a closer reading of that energy source. Gunnery, I want a firing solution calculated as soon as it's viable. Flight Ops, Starhawks standing by the catapults with a squadron of Furies ready to support. Master of the Vox, sound Action Stations."

[Goodwin]

"Patch the readings on tha bridge and request orders. Everyone, keep a distance until we hear back. I don't want no one blowed up on my account, yet.

With the orders set he brings the command fury back around, towards the new contact. "Wing Primas, stay on me. I want us the second between our new friends and the rest. Wing Four, take the lead and hold until we know what we're dealing with. Keep your hands busy and don't go shootin' off anything at anyone just yet."

The commander takes a pull from his flask. "Well, what did they say? Come on, get that damned message through I don't got all day!"

[DrK]

On the Grand Mal

The Air operations Captain looks at Lady Arizon's question. "All intercepors should be safe Milady. The asteroid has no real radiation siginature as long as they stay out of the solar storms. They can't withstan.... her voice tails off as the flurry of activity associated with the beat to general quarters begins.

All over the ship crew race about, marines are handed their autoguns, enforcer teams collect mauls and shield and the slave loaders begin sweating and pulling on the great chains that level the 20 ton shells up and down to begin loading.

Deep within the ship the turrets and massive gun batteries begins to move, servoes rotating the barrels as the maglev acceleration coils charge for action. In the stern of the ship in a rubber tiled room the shield controls buzz and crackle with static discharge as the multiple kayers of void shields begin to rise up around the cruiser giving massive shield of protection before even counting the sheets of armour.

Firing in on full engines, augur systems blazing and honing in on the targets the massive cruiser readies for action...

Deep void

Targetting arrays light up on the HUD of the intercaptor as the missiles begin pinging as the guidance controls start seeking targets. The first half of the flight forms up close on Cade as the second half falls back slightly, all interceptors banking towards the asteroid. As the massive hunk of rock slowly rotates the hidden base at the bottom of the crater hoves into view. A stream of strange unknown attack craft rippling out in a dark cloud as a pair of destroyer size vessels fire up their engines and emerge from the shadowed recesses, point defence lasers and tracking systems ramping up to full power....

http://www.ditl.org/gpaf/GArchiNausicaanBase.jpg


Enter starship combat...

Asteroid is 8VU directly ahead of the Grand Mal
Within ~6 VU of the returning patrol (that have 2 combat rounds of fuel left)

2 Destroyer size vessels are coming out bearing directly at you.
4 squadrons of attack craft likewise - 2 towards the Grand mal, 2 towards Cade's wing

Enemy Initiative [roll0]
Your roll is 1d10+3 (detection bonus) but I'll let you roll.

[Whiskeyjack]

At the word of hostile contacts, Alizon snaps into action, punching commands into her throne but frowning at the holo-map. "Two destroyers against a cruiser-sized carrier...what are they thinking?" she muses quietly for a moment before turning to the bridge crew.

"Augurs, check their IFF and emissions. If you get positive xenos emissions, run it through the analysis cogitator. I want to know if we're against Orks or Eldar or something else.

"Helm, adjust bearing, get those ships lined up to take both the lance and the grav-cannons.

"Flight Ops, launch one squadron Starhawks, one squadron Furies to escort the Starhawks in attack formation. Attack squadrons will engage the starboard destroyer, supported with the grav-cannons once they're in range.

"Broadcast message to Commander Cade and the patrol squadrons: test engagement against enemy fighters if possible; otherwise, return for refuel. Do not engage the destroyers. Repeat, Commander Cade, do not engage the destroyers.

"Gunnery, lock onto the port destroyer with the Sunhammer battery. Fire at will. Target the incoming fighters with the grav-cannon broadside. Brig anti-air turrets into active mode.

"Master of the Vox, shipwide broadcast the Litany of Abhorrence and the Mark of the Xenos."

Alizon leans back on the command throne, crossing her legs and waiting for reports. "Quintus, your thoughts?"

Initiative: [roll0]

[Goodwin]

Cade flicks the rune to initiate a wing-only message a grin coming to his lips when the tension picks up. "Alright, boys, I never worked under a Lady-Captain before but I heard stories and from what I know they are all always VERY excited after a battle and will grab the first thing with the most kills and mount him like a tech-priest on a cogitator. I plan to be on that ride but if any of you other chumps mean to be there with me then lets see some damned action."

Cade makes a beeline for the enemy craft, with the rest of the wing picking up around him. "Evasive maneavours for Drusus' sake, you want a stray shot to ruin my damned date? Evade!"

Just before the fighters get within range, combat preparation is complete and the pilot is more then happy to be in the thick of it. "Alright, boys, let's see what these girls are made of and try to keep some alive for our back up. Disengage at my mark when the next wave comes and we'll fill 'er up and come again."

To his own Fury's crew he spins around. "Lord-Captain wants us to avoid the two hunks of scrap out there but I want to be the first to say hello. Accidents happen and all I want one damn stray shot to hit one of those cans of crud, so I got a story to tell your wife, Wendel. Figure out a good damn time to give it a pinprick and I'll even let you watch."

The commander turns back to the fore and smiles. Now THIS was flying!

[kobywan]

Arcturus is torn from his slumber as the klaxon alarms begin to blare. He rubs his face feeling the slight stubble forming there. Ugh, going to have to shave again. He thinks to himself.

Staggering to the cogitor in his room he brings up the reports of what has been happening and listens to the chatter. With a sigh he removes the bandanna from his forehead and lets his third eye open. With his chamber bathed in the familar golden orange glow he looks out the small porthole in his room. Images of the upcoming battle flit through his minds eye but he is unable to concentrate. The fatigue of the warp flight and the constraints of his room press down on him.

Thumbing the switch on his personal vox he contacts the Captains. With you're permission I would like to come to the bridge during the conflict to better assess the battle and our surroundings.

If permission is given Arcturus hastily dons his carapace armor and hellpistol and makes for the bridge.

Stacking the Deck
Difficult Perception 50 (60-10)
[roll0]
Failed luckly no negatives for failure at this level.

[Destro_Yersul]

"I think we should send them a message. Hold fire for the moment. Communications, I want a transmission to both of those ships. Tell them we order them to stand down in the name of the Imperium. If there's no answer, I want the lances to punch a hole through the portside destroyer, as Lord Captain Alizon suggested. If they start shooting, blow them out of the sky." Quintos smiled his most predatory smile. "Inform the gunnery crews that the first battery to score a clean hit on the grox-frakkers is entitled to extra alcohol rations."

Standing up from his throne, Quintos headed towards fire control. "I'll be overseeing aiming the guns myself."

[Whiskeyjack]

"Permission granted, Navigator," Alizon voxes to Arcturus. She merely nods as Quintus heads for the Gunnery station, poring over the refined sensor data holographically projected in front of her.

I thought the AdMech was shooting because he had the best BS?

[Vizzi]

While conducting minor repairs upon the Warp Drive he hears general quarters sound, with a multitude of obscene insults directed to the halfwits that continue to interrupt his work.

He stands up and with great purpose moves towards a junction in the Ships Systems, his combat servitor following and occasionally to make sure the crew moves out of the way its weapon systems cycle in warning. Upon reaching his destination Trias interfaces with the ship using his MIU.

First clearing the multitude of defences with codes and prayer, he first he beckons forth from the Sensors Machine Spirit the information about the current threat, then he controls and commands the Gunnery and the Castellan Shields with small prayers and promises of special treatment if they would follow the will of the Omnissiah.

After doing so and controling both he contacts the bridge and says "I have assumed direct control of the Ships Weapons, as i have some experience in directing such weapons. And furthermore the Castellan Shields are in working order and prepared under my control." he pauses slightly "What are the targets for the ships wrath?" he pauses slightly as if remembering something and he does before continuing "With your permission Lord-Captains?".


Will roll the BS tests on the OOC thread. One question.

The BS test is rolled one for each separate Weapon fired right?

[Whiskeyjack]

"Explorator Trias, once the ship comes to a new heading, lances on the port side destroyer and grav-culverin broadside into the incoming interceptor squadron. Hold fire until my mark. Coordinate fire with Captain Quintus's local targeting team.

"Master of the Vox, project the following message, wide frequency unencrypted, to all unknown ships.

"Message begins: 'Unidentified vessels: I am Captain Alizon Ravenna-Mallister, bearer of the Demetrius-Ravenna Warrant of Trade. You have initiated a hostile action against my ship. I will give you one opportunity to heave-to, power down your main drives and weapons systems, and recall your interceptors, that we may talk as civilized people do. Failure to comply immediately will be viewed as evidence of hostile intent and will result in your destruction. You have one chance to comply.' End message. Send it."

Alizon sits back on the command throne. "Let's see if they respond."

[DrK]

The vox message crackles out across the void blaring on all frequencies. The transmissions covering the mass of activity on the ship as gun barrels open their huge shutters and chaos reigns on the flight decks as bombs are loaded, crates of shells loaded and fuel lines primed with pilots tumbling into the cockpits in haste.

As the bridge crew show more restrained chaos the vox crackles loudly as a return broadcast is received. In halting Low Gothic, broken as if unsure of the words "Enter you, Kazan space. Turn away or explode..." The message short and to the point as array warning receivers blare as they begin to receive hits form targeting systems on the two destroyers and from concealed weapon batteries around the base...

[Whiskeyjack]

"That answers that. Give them the Emperor's Mercy. Helm, forward one half, execute turn; Gunnery, fire at will; Flight Ops, execute combat launch; Damage Control, prepare to receive fire from the surface base. Execute."

Alizon turns back to re augury screens, to he ships and base which are about to receive a righteous barrage from her ship. "Hmm, Low Gothic, but attacking an Imperial ship. Perhaps they'll remember ther manners once their ships are smoking ruins," she muses.

Everyone rolling note our bonuses from the ship on page 1 of the OOC. We have some bonuses to BS and flight operations - Command and small craft ratings.

[Vizzi]

As the Captain gives the order he feels anticipation and joy to see, to feel such machinery at work. He inputs the targeting solution and with his voice heard where it is needed he tells the crew on what they must do. Before he shots he opens a link towards the Lord-Captains and says "The Machine Spirits are ready and they long for battle."

With a surge of power the Grav-Culverin Broadside shots a multitude of warheads towards the fighters and at almost the same time the Lance fires a bolt of pure power. But he soon realizes his mistake, the multitude of shots diverted the Lance slightly, most likely due to the faulty compensation of a Machine Spirit, he curses slightly.

[kobywan]

Making it to the bridge Arcturus watches the scurry of battle orders being carries out. Not wanting to intrude he makes his way over to an augur port and brings up the targeting array and begins to see if he can help with a better firing solution. His knowledge of such things is limited and he is unable to help improve any of the current calculations.


Lock on Target
Scrutiny+detection 68 (untrained basic 30+38 ship)
[roll0]

[Whiskeyjack]

"Recalibrate that lance array!" Alizon barks. "Consider that a free warning shot. Such a generous gift! They'll not get another, clear? Sitrep on the incoming fighters? Did any survive the broadside?"

Alizon watches as one screen shows the catapults of Grand Mal's launch bays furiously cycle, flinging massive Starhawk bombers and nimble Fury interceptors into the void. Note to self: buy more planes, she thinks.

"Helm, keep the lances pointed at the enemy. Vox, inform Commander Cade to locally direct the outbound squadrons subject to my attack orders. Gunnery, pound that port destroyer with the lances and turn the macrobatteries against the base. Focus on targeting arrays and static weapon systems. AA turret status? What I wouldn't give for a Hydra flak tank..."

[Destro_Yersul]

"Damnation. You heard the Lady Captain, don't miss again. Arcturus!" The Navigator's appearance caused Quintos to look up from the gunnery readouts. "Can you do anything to help us out here?"

[DrK]

The massive cruiser, 5 miles of ceramite and plasteel lumbered forward. THe massive thrusters firing as the ship slowly turned to starboard bringing the massive gun batteries studding her flank into range of the enemy even as the huge lance batteries rotated around to bring the targetting arrays onto the enemy vessels.

Even as the sensors slipped and crackled, static thrown up by the enemy throwing off the sensors and leaving the sensor Lieutenant harried and panicked under the iron gaze of the Captains.

With a vast rolling thunder that lists the 29 million ton vessle a degree or two hundreds of massive shells are accelerated towards the oncoming fighters. ABout half of the enemy fighters exploding and shattering into fragments. The second half come through boring down upon the old cruiser before the multi-las turrets and megabolter turrets leapt into action as the flak suppression field and wiping them form the void leaving nothing but puffs of black smoke and burning fragments.

The lances fire next. THe terrajoules of energy missing narrowly. The bridge can almost hear the lone bolt round as the Commisar on the gun deck bestows the Emperor's Mercy upon the warrant technician as the diagnostics reveal the man had miscalibrated a key sensor by 2 microns that threw the shots off some 18 miles. THe punishment fitting the serious crime of dereliction of duty.

As the Grand Mal moves slowly forward the nimble desroyers streak forward, their barrel shaped structures distinctly related to the massed vessel of the Battlefleets as macrobatteries launch ten tons explosive shells and lances flare at the cruiser. Trias communing with the ship coaxes more power into the void shields and crew near viewing port can see the massed fireworks and crackling flares as the void shields absorb all that the two cruisers can throw at her.


http://www.automopedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/tigerclaw.jpg

Even as the destroyers pass below and above the Mal crackles of flaring energy fields as ships pass within 100km or so of each other before the base has a clear field of fire. Concealed plasma batteries rise up from the craters on the surface and open fire as plasma rain explodes around the vessel. In the Castellan chambers the massive pulse generators spark and smoke as electrical feedack shocks cause a dozen minor fires and the first casualties start arriving in the medicae bays.

Worse is yet to come as massive plasma torpdoes, each 150m long missile topped with a colossal plasma warhead streak through space. Guided towards the glowing beacon of the Ultimo array one narrowly misses passing within mere km before 3 more slam into the flank of the cruiser. THe first two slam into the armoured hull sending huge cracks splintering across her surface as plasma fire and explosive decompressions suck burn tens and suck hundreds more into the cold embrace of the void. The 3rd torpedo is the worst as it pierces the weakened hull sectrion before tearing the heart out of the starboard gun batteries. Burning plasma, exploding macrobaatteries and torn bulkheads are scattered everywhere as a vast plume of burning smoke and debris pours from the great hole in the Grand Mal.

On the bridge damage warning lights light up down the flank of the ship as the medical crew are overwhelmed in seconds by the thousands of dead and dying. Many thousand burned to cinders by the sun blossoming in the vessels heart...


17 Hull damage/ Population/ morale
- Starboard Macrobattery damaged

[Whiskeyjack]

"Helm, all ahead full, get us out of the base's firing solution!

"Gunnery, target lock confirmed! Light those bastards up!

"Flight Ops, patch me through to Lt.Commander Halifax, his squadrons just launched. Lt. Commander, focus your bombing run on the other destroyer, the other squadrons will be right behind you. Show these fools the wrath of the righteous!"

Alizon watches with glee as both lances and macrobatteries find their mark, Grand Mal sinking her teeth into the enemies that just savaged her.

[Destro_Yersul]

Quintos cursed loudly, slamming his fist down on the gunnery station. "Augury! Lieutenant, scan that damn rock for me. Find out if they have any other surprises for us." Running through a few mental calculations, he corrected for new imbalances introduced by the torpedo hits. "Get this firing solution to Explorator Trias, tell him good work with the shields, and find where our OTHER Explorator is hiding. I want those guns back up and running two minutes ago."

"Come on, old girl," Leaving the Gunnery station, Quintos headed for one of the flight command consoles. Newer than most of the Grand Mal's hardware, each console was fitted with a direct vox link to the hangar bays and attack craft. "Don't let a few torpedoes stop you..."

One MORE thing. Doing a detailed scan on the asteroid base, with our poor embattled lieutenant taking charge of it. [roll0] vs 68, I believe.

[Vizzi]

He felt his own body shake when the torpedos hit the ship, he felt deep anger at them for damaging an Instrument of the Omnissiah. He quickly sent a Message towards Magnus for him to start repairing the ship.

He left the Coms to the bridge open as to hear the orders from the Lord-Captains, he felt fleeting organic pleasure as he stole the sensory data that they so kindly procured for him.

He rechecked the targeting solutions and aimed towards the ship, he briefly thought to aim towards the weapons, but he knew it was unlikely to hit him. With a prayer and with a comment towards the Lord-Captains "The Machine Spirits grow angry at their offensive conduct towards the Omnissiah.".

With that bolts of pure power and a multitude of warheads are sent towards the Destroyers, this time the calculations proved true and the Machine Spirits spoke their anger and hate towards the Xenos.


Turn 2 Actions:
Shooting. Rolls in the OOC Thread.

[kobywan]

Arcturus leans back from the Augur screen with sweat beading in his brow. The last twenty minutes or so had been spent in a fury of calculations and communications with the firing officers. In the end he had help to set up an almost perfect firing solution on the enemy vessel. Watching the munitions arc off towards the enemy the Navigator lets out a sigh of relief. Thumbing the vox switch he sends a message to the firing crews. Well done men we will meet out the vengeance of the God Emperor upon the enemy of Mankind.

Turn 2 Actions:
Failed Stacking the Deck
Lock on Target passed with 6 DoS (+20% to hit with microbatteries)

[DrK]

On the bridge its hushed chaos. THe quiet wailing of sirens and glimmering red warning lights that illuminate the port side of the vessel as fire crews and DC parties try to restore systems and rescue the many thousands of dead.

As the damage assesments come in the Tech Priest heads down into the mass at the head of a veritable army of a red robed techno mages and servitors as he begins sealing the deck, dousing flames and rerouting power conduits...


2 turns you said for the fixing?


On the bridge the poor Lieutenat feels completey overwhelmed. Both the Lord Captain and the Navis Scion standing over him as they direct him towards the targetting arrays. With surgical presicion both of the officers lead to the lance batteries and towering macrobatteries homing in one of the destroyers as they mark it for destruction.

As she looks down the targetting arrays and on the monitors the Lady Captain is struck by how human the destroyers look. THe combination of macrobatteries and plasma torpedoes reminscent of early human vessels from the Dark Age of mankind. Worryingly it may be that these are mere humans who have held to the long forgotten technologies without the benefit of the Emperor's guiding light.

Even as the poor Lt. is focused on by the senior staff the hapless officer puts his mind to studying the base lest another vast impact of plasma fire and torpedo shots slam into the Grand Mal. "Lord Captain, he speaks quietly "The base is registerig as posessing a torpedo battery, 3 heavy plasma turrets and a powerful void shield generator. They do have some propulsion engines within the rock and food supply and a sensetive auger arrays."


A gryphonne style torpedoe battery
A pair of Lathe style launch bays
3 Plasma macrobatteries

An Arboretum
A deep space telemetry auger array
A cruiser sized void shield array


Even as he reels off the list the Mal rocks sideways as the massive gun batteries fire. The electromagnetic enghanced coils sending the 30ton shells searing across the void slamming into the armoured hull of the destroyer.

Even as the vast battary of shells slammed into the void shields ripping through them they then slammed into the delicateley balanced hull as fire, debris and bodies tumbled into the void.

Into the maelstrom the lance batteries fired. Flickering lights of terrajoule death turning the hull of the destroyer into a vast vista of death and destruction. Even as the destroyer twists desperately to avoid the brutal raking fire the dorsal batteries are torn to shreds as massive holes leave the gun decks a void filled enclosure with only the dead as crew. Even as the fire continues the vessle quivers under the impact of the fire leaving it a barely functioning crippled wreck, its augers arrays torn adrift by the weight of fire...


Destroyer 2
- Macrobattery 1 hit absorbed by void shield; armour 14; 15 damage + holed gun deck
- Lance 16 damage and holed gun deck

- Ship is crippled and sensors are damaged.



Even as the first destroyer is savaged the other has its own worries as the twin flights of starhawk bombers close in on the alien vessel...

[Whiskeyjack]

Alizon's mouth gapes. "Human...those ships are human! I knew they looked familiar, those vessels look like Archeotech engravings on the walls of the oldest copper mines on Vostroya! All stations: aim to cripple their weapons and engines! Those ship hulls alone are worth a fortune, leaving aside the worth of their components! And the crews...if untainted by mutation they can be brought back to the Emperor's light...once they're properly subdued of course."

Her head snaps around. "Master-at-Arms, assemble boarding parties and lists for prize crews! Vox, give me a visual feed to the Starhawk squadrons!"

[Destro_Yersul]

"If it's boarding parties, I'll lead one while you command the Mal. It's been two long since I got to shoot someone myself." Quintos stood hunched over the combat displays, tracking the progress of the bombers. "That base is going to be a tough nut to crack. Good work, lieutenant. Once the second destroyer is out of the fight, I think we should try hailing them again. That first one isn't about to escape any time soon. Mark its location and we'll worry about it later."

Not for the first time, Quintos wished the Grand Mal was fitted with salvage clamps. Once they were in a position to acquire another ship, he'd have to see about getting one with some nice big cargo bays.

[Whiskeyjack]

Once the recorder is set to live-broadcast to the Starhawks, Alizon has a standard-bearer retrieve and reveal an ancient mon writ in marble and copper: interlocking sigils of white bear and black raven, each grasping a stylized and obviously ancient design of chainsword beneath intricate High Gothic lettering of the words Nemo me impune lacessit and above similar letting of the words Faber est suae quisque fortunae. The entire scene is against the backdrop of the words Vostroya == RAVENNA == Rayyah-Umbreij. The device is cog-shaped, the teeth lined in verdigrised bronze, the words themselves polished obsidian set in crystal. After allowing the squadrons to look on it for a moment, she speaks.

"Squadrons. We stand at a turning point. Though struck, we are not broken. We shall not break. See as our lances rend, our macrobatteries pummel. Our teeth and fists thirst for the blood of foes.

"One enemy bears a mortal wound, the other is untouched, surely soon to realize that the lone wolf cannot stand against the bear. You are our claws, lancing out against the void. You have been born again in our forge, from your past life into the warriors of this ship, this family.

"And thus I decree: strike once for the Dynasty. And twice for the Emperor."


Tandem strike - 2 squadron Bombing Run vs TN 101: [roll0]

2 squadrons of Furies are screening the Starhawks.

[DrK]

Even as one of the destroyers spins semi-out of control wth holed gun decks and massive damage the starhawks zoom in towards the other escorted by Furies.

Gunfire and void missiles launnch as the Fury's lead the way winding down the superstructure of the strange xeno destroyer engaging point defense systems with acurate las fire punching a hole in the flak screen. The starhawks are there second later, the unwieldy bombers looking tiny beside the 1400m enemy vessel.

The two squadrons strreak down the flank of the destroyer and followed by a vast rain of plasma fire as the heavy ordinance ruptures bulkheads and tears the heart from the enemy destroyer. Amongst the catastrtophic damage one of the thrusters is torn adrift, the massive plasma thrust unit exploding like a minature sun that rocks the wings of the retretaing Starhawk flight.

Argh its left with exactly 0 hull points.

The two crippled destroyers immediatly break from the combat. The holed turning away from the Grand Mal and limping further into deep space.
The airstruck one limping slowly towards the base as it mioves into the rear arc of the Grand mal releasing a handful of shells from its damage gun batteries. The shells are accurate slamming into the shields but with half of the gun decks taken out by the bomber strike they cannot pnch through the hull. The lance strikes is more accurate but even with the aid of the enemy sensors the beam narrowly misses leaving some of the crew in the port spire breathing a sigh of relief as they can watch massive lance flare from their view ports.


Destroyer 2. Holed and crippled.
Come to a new heading [roll0] TN 46 (inc. crippled penalty)
-if successful turns 90 degrees south and limps 6 squares away (putting it ~10 squares away from you)

Destroyer 1. Thruster damaged and crippled
Moves 4 squares into the rear arc of the Grand Mal makes a 90 turn to get the Mal into its front arc at ~range 8

Lock on [roll1] TN 36
Macrobattery fire [roll2] TN 30
-[roll3]
-[roll4]
Lance fire [roll5] TN 30
-[roll6]



Even as the twin destroyers begin to limp away a second strike wave of enemy figher bombers comes streaking like banshee's out of the cratered cometary surface.

A vast wave of plasma fire vectoring in to strike the Mal. The ship trembling and shields crackling under the impact of the weight of plasma bombardment. The shields literally collapse under the vast impact of the plasma fire as strikes begin to punch and melt their way through the hull leaving death and burnt and decompressed bodies in their wake.


Reload Ordinance [roll7] TN 35
- if successful I'll resolve the torpedo strike in the OOC

Lock on target [roll8] TN 52

Battery 1 - [roll9] TN50
damage [roll10]
damage [roll11]
damage [roll12]
damage [roll13]

Battery 2 - [roll14] TN50
damage [roll15]
damage [roll16]
damage [roll17]
damage [roll18]

Battery 3 - [roll19] TN50
damage [roll20]
damage [roll21]
damage [roll22]
damage [roll23]

Attack Wing strike (2 bomber and 1 fighter)
Turrets- [roll24] TN 45-10 (fighter hit first if hit)
Bombing Run [roll25] TN 41
damage [roll26]
damage [roll27]
damage [roll28]
damage [roll29]

Lock on give battery 1 a +15 to hit - still misses
Battery 2 gets 0 hits
Battery 3 gets 2 hits and absorbed by void shield.

40 Damage!! From the airstrike- so that's 20 to you after your armour.
Total Damage taken 37 Hull, 37 crew and 31 morale!

With crew and morale damage you are looking at -5 on command tests and +1d5 travel time



The airstrike is just as brutal as yours had been, the fighters finding a weak spot in your flak defences and mercillesly exploiting it with long las fire tearing apart the 3 multi-laser turrets as the bombers swoop in on tail of plasma munitions....

The explosions are collossal as 4 entire deck sections aft of the flight deck are literally immolated. The strike shaking the vessel as consinging some 15000 souls to the loving embrace of the Emperor. Alarms crackle and raor on the bridge as the power dips and red emergency lighting casts everything in a dim light.

[kobywan]

As this ship is rocked by the attacks Arcturus grips his seat and rides the attack out. With the worst of the shaking over he closes his eyes and lets his third eye look into the ever changing tide of the warp.

His vision is instantly filled with the racing enemy bombers, they pull a tight turn and line up the underside of the Grand-Mal. The bombers once again unleash their payload, waves of fire roll across the ship filling the navigators vision.

Captain we need to focus the fire of our batteries on the bombers the damage the could do on the next pass is unthinkable. Arcturus' hands fly over the augur before him. I have locked in a decent firing solution that should see them wiped from our presence.


Actions
Stacking the Deck +20% to fire batteries
Lock on target +10% to fire batteries

[Destro_Yersul]

"Engineseer Trias, you heard the Navigator. Macrocannon barrage, take out those damn bombers. Helm, bring us about so the Engineseer can lance the destroyer." Quintos' fingers flew across the keypad of the flight console he was at, calculating firing solutions and turret coverage from the base. "Beta wing, form up. I want that base to stop spitting bombers at us. Gamma squadron, run them some interference. Let's hit these bastards where it hurts."

Command Test! [roll0] 55 base + 7 craft rating +10 from Alizon.

[Whiskeyjack]

"Vox, put me through to Flight Ops. Commander Cade, if your squadron is done refueling, execute a combat launch and bring down the rest of those bombers!

"Switch to long-range vox, connect with Delta Wing. Message begins: Delta Wing and escort fighters, follow Gamma in there. Shut down those torpedo tubes!"

Alizon slams her hand down on the broadcast vox, dialing around to the intraship network. "Aft Damage Control, status update!"


Bombing Run - Command vs TN 96: [roll0]

[Vizzi]

His anger threatened to boil over at the desecration that the foul enemy were doing to this vessel of the Omnissiah. He barely listened to the Captains speaking only focusing on stealing the targeting date and punishing the unworthy.

He inputs the targeting solutions, taking special care to target the destroyers already damaged thrusters and their Macrobatteries with the Lance Battery. He worked at a feverish place, making sure the Broadside scoured the nimble bombers. In one instant all the firepower was released, the lance strikes flying true and the broadside reaping a toll on the bombers.


Turn 3 Actions:
Shooting. Rolls in the OOC Thread.

[Goodwin]

"About damn time! Come on boys, give 'em what we came for!"

Cade shouts with grim glee as the squadrons meet in the center of space. The fury's guns unloading on their targets then swirving to avoid return fire. "Keep on 'em! Where the hell's my stray shot? I told you I wanted to hit that destroyer first!"



Command 40 + Craft Rating 12 + Bridge 5 + Command Colours ? = 57~
[roll0]



The ships continued their deadly melee as torpedoes and shells flew through space from the cruiser and destroy's deadly dance. Cade spinning his ship wide to avoid an explosion of ordenance and then coming up behind an enemy craft to vaporize it.
"Clear this damn squadron, I want those bombers taken down before they rip up our damned ship! Make it fast, damn it, we gotta refuel!"


Command 40 + Craft Rating 12 + Bridge 5 + Command Colours ? = 57~
[roll1]


"Reinforcements almost here! Form up on me, lets get the hell out of here quick-fast. Launch Bay Alpha, I want that team ready for refuel. If I'm outa this fight for more then I think is necessary its your asses!"
With as much done as he can, Cade leads the squadorn back towards the Grand Mal.

[Goodwin]

Cade rips into the launch bay with his squadron and leaps out. Grabbing the fuel hose himself and rushing to his ship.
"Let's go! Emperor damn you there's a damned war out there get moving!"


Fate used for Turn 1: [roll0] Need 57~
Fate used for Turn 2: [roll1] Need 57~
Turn 3 Refueling

[DrK]

In Deep Space

With a faint waggle of the wings and a tally ho the wing of furies dives into the double layered squadron of the enemy fighters. The salvoes of imperial void missiles impact on the enemy as a many are blotted out into silent puffs of dying wreckage then the ranges closes.

Lascannons, multilasers and autocannon rounds streak through the void as in the chaos Cade pulls the Fury around, his wing gunners sending two enemy vessels back to xeno hell. Wheeling round in a half-Immelman he streaks up and round to take out the last of the enemy before doing a vox check in. With the blessing of the Emperor and inspired by Cade's flying only 2 report damage from autocannon rounds but nearly all report bingo fuel and weapons as they streak back to the Mal only to see the impact of enemy bombers strafing their home before fleeing....

As they slam home on combat landings the bay doors above open unleashing the plasma laden bomber squadrons and the lifts take the fighers up into hangars taht are literally a scene of hell with fires, dead and wounded strewn about even as the technicians struggle to refuel and re-arm...

Deep Space

Still reeling from the devastating bomber strike the Grand Mal accelerates away slowly turning to leave its rear to the Base and bring the dorsal guns to bear on one of the cripple destroyers. The landing bays unleash two massive bombing strikes that streak towards the enemy cometary base even as the sensors guided by the 3rd eye of the Navis steer the macrobatteries into a massive flak suppresion strke that blots the enemy bombers from the sky in a vast swathe of destruction covering some 300 cubic miles.

The lance, Vizzi's mind linked with the huge turret weapons locks onto one of the destroyers and the massive light beams tear into the destroyer. The thrusters tearing away as the massive las battery plunges deep into the vessel eviscerating it...

Even as the destroyers are targeted by withering fire the bombers swoop into the base. The lead squadron suddenly vanishing in a hail of flak as concealed turrets pop up along the craters leaving only a handful of a planes flying back to the belagured Grand Mal...

The second squadron hugs the craters going for the blindspots revealed by their comrades demise. As they soar into the void they leave a trail of plasma flmaes behind them as the torpedos tubes burn with superheated flame killing thousands of the enemy inside the base.

And to the relied of the Captain's on the bridge Trias reponds from the carnage, the flames and the depressurisations to report that the starboard guns have had their power couplngs restored....

[DrK]

My turn...

The hull breached destroyer spins slowly in space. Vast plasma plumes leaking fuel, people and other debris into space. It drifts forwards slowly spiralling slightly on its Z- and Y- axes. Inside one can only imagine the bloody carnage caused by the eviscerating power of the lances that immolated some 20000 people in seconds... or the crushing loss of morale!

The second destroyer continues to flee limping another 50000km away as it slowly reaches 150000km limit as it gets towards the edge of your effective range, still travelling as fast as the Mal top speed.

With two complete wings anhillated along side multiple fighter squadrons the base doesn't launch any more fighters. Inside fire fighters move to suppress the flames, the danger of exploding ordinance terrifying the crew of the base.
On the surface the plasma batteries seek out the Mal, long range fire diminishing the effectiveness, alongside the heavy damage from the airstrike...

The massed heavy fire slamming into the void shields of the cruiser, only a few partial strikes slamming into her armoured hull but not penetrating the metres of adamantine plating.

3 Batteries of Plasma Cannon
Lock on [roll0] TN 52
Firefighting [roll1] TN 35

Battery 1 To hit [roll2] TN 35 (range and morale issues)
-- Damage [roll3]
-- Damage [roll4]
-- Damage [roll5]
-- Damage [roll6]

Battery 2 To hit [roll7] TN 35 (range and morale issues)
-- Damage [roll8]
-- Damage [roll9]
-- Damage [roll10]
-- Damage [roll11]

Battery 3 To hit [roll12] TN 35 (range and morale issues)
-- Damage [roll13]
-- Damage [roll14]
-- Damage [roll15]
-- Damage [roll16]

[Destro_Yersul]

"Beta, Gamma, good job out there. Back to base for refuel and rearm." Leaving the flight command console for now, Quintos stalked across the bridge. "Lieutenant. Scan the damaged destroyer. I want to know how many pieces it's in."

Stopping by the communications console, Quintos took a moment to adjust his jacket. "Transmit a message to the base, and to the fleeing destroyer," he said. Thankfully, he had grown up speaking low gothic. That might make this easier for these people to understand.

"Attention, Kazan. This is the warship Grand Mal. Your forces are in disarray, your base is on fire, and you have accomplished little in your attempts to make us 'explode.' Surrender your ships and your base, and we will be merciful. You will not be unduly harmed. If you persist, we will show you what happens to those who defy us. Your ships will burn, the wings of bombers that stand ready in our bays will lay waste to your base, and our weapons will erase you from the galaxy. You have five minutes to answer, before I make the choice for you."

OOC:
for the augur lieutenant: [roll0] vs 68. Straight success.

and an intimidate test: [roll1] vs 47 base, +10 (Whiskey's RT bonus), possibly another +10 for having the 'bigger gun,' so to speak.

Success, and degrees of success dependant on modifiers.

[kobywan]

With his third eye showing him only fuzzy images of the battle he closes it an focuses on the augur before him. Between communications with the firing crews and calculations to bring the guns to bear on the base he feels confidant with the firing solution he is able to come up with.


Actions:
Stacking the Deck = failed
Lock on target 5 DoS (+15% to hit with the batteries)

[Whiskeyjack]

"Beta Wing has been torn apart by those flak turrets...but they delivered the hammer before these foul things claimed their lives. I wonder if those turrets are compatible with our own...Flight Ops, Damage Control, stage Recovery and Salvage Ops teams. Gunnery, give Captain Quintus's broadcast some...effective punctuation. Knock out their remaining weapons systems, and give the Master-at-Arms the order to load the Sharks with boarding parties. I'll go personally once we're sure the fight has been knocked out of these...things in space."

Alizon surveys the damage done to the base. "We're hurting, but they're worse off by far. With luck and the Emperor's favor we can recover some of our planes, 'acquire' replacements from their launch bays, and if those Kazan are even somewhat human, press-gang ourselves some replacement crew. Not to mention load up a frigate with torpedo tubes and tow it back to Footfall for repairs..."

[Whiskeyjack]

Alizon dials a combination into the vox built in to her command throne, her voice doubtlessly startling some rating manning the vox down in Flight Ops. "Launch Bay, this is the Captain. Tell Commander Cade he is required on the Bridge immediately. Repeat, Commander Cade to the Bridge immediately. Over." She silently disconnects as soon as she hears that the message is received.

[Goodwin]

"What? No! Damn it, I'm not done out there!"
Cade slaps a hand on his fury in irritation before storming off towards the bridge. "Get Logan in the drivers seat and be on stand by for when they need you out there!" With a final shout he passes through the threshold to the launch bay and begins his trek to the deck.


Once he arrives he salutes mechanically and heads to the seat of this oversized beast. How he hated flying something this BIG. "I'm back, you didn't break anything, good, out of the way." He takes his place back at the ancient wheel flicking a few levers and activiating a few runes to perfect their performance. Lord-Captian. Cade here, what'll it be?"

[Whiskeyjack]

"Commander, well done against the enemy fighters. Now that they're properly broken, take us back between the comet an the fleeing destroyer. Get our starboard broadside close range against that base and our port and prow solutions against that fleeing minnow. Once the space battle is definitely over you can either join me with the boarding teams or resume the CVP, at your leisure."

[DrK]

Like a vast lumbering leviathon the Grand Mal slowly rolls and turns in the void resetting its course back towards the fleeing cometary base. Smoke and fire streaming out the vast hulls in her flanks as the vessel repsonds sluggishly, reload times are slowed and refuelling the attack wings is hampered by the thousands of dead, dying and missing that have been lost in the devastating torpedo and bomber strikes.

Even as the Lord Quintus begins to demand the surrender the navis scion feeds targetting data down to Trias in the firing control room. Unleashing the fury of the Omnissah the massive lance reaches out and punches into the heart of the plasma drives of the fleeing destroyer. The damage is catastrophic. Fragments of the gradeful ship spreading outwards in a massive silent ballet of unimaginable destruction as a once proud warp capable ship is reduced to mere smoking debris.

The other destroyer, hull breaches open to the void, warp engines disabled and thrusters destroyed begins to heave to. The ship losing control as mutineers cause chaos inside. Others flee to the life pods and the ship slowly drifts along as chaos reigns within...

THe base unseen begins repairs within as its engines struggle to increase momentumn of its vast bulk...



I know that Hemmnon and Cade still have to do their actions this round before you begin

You are currently 12VU away from the base and catching it at 2VU/turn.
The destroyer is stationary and about the same distance away.

[Whiskeyjack]

Alizon winces as the destroyer explodes. "Such a pity. Ah, such is life and the lives of heathen fools.

"Gunnery, lock the lances and batteries on the base. Hold fire until my mark. Damage Control, prepare to take fire from the base again. Flight Ops, get our bombers reloaded and keep the Sharks primed on catapults.

"Captain Quintus, why don't you ask them to stand down again? And be quite clear to the savages: if they don't acknowledge your demand, I'll make sure they taste all the Emperor's fury we can throw at them." She taps a finger impatiently on the arm of the throne.

[Goodwin]

Nidas guides the ship foreward under the direction of Alizon. He winces when he sees the ship explode. He looks around to see the reaction of anyone whom saw it on the screen. "That's... tha's a lot of dead folks in there. Just tell me where, Lord-Cap'n."


Adjust Speed - Craft 3 + Pilot (Spacecraft +10) 62 TN 65


Er, scratch that.

[roll]1d100

...Sigh. Round that to 10?

[Destro_Yersul]

"Warning shot!" Quintos cursed. "I wanted a warning shot." There was nothing for it now, though, and the base was running away. "We'll need to get a message to that first destroyer. Not like they can go anywhere, so they're basically waiting around for us until we finish chasing the base. Which, really, is fine by me."

With a quick glance behind him to make sure no fires had sprung up in view of the pictcorder, Quintos smiled. "Helm, take us in as close as you can get us. I want boarding parties standing by for when we catch that thing. Now, open the channel." the Captain cleared his throat, composing himself. "Kazan base," he began. "You may have noticed that one of your ships is now an expanding cloud of gas, while we have refrained from launching any further attacks on the second. The second has surrendered. The first was too slow. If you do not cease your course, and allow us to dock peacefully in order that we may send over a party to begin discussing terms of your surrender, we will chase you, we will catch you, and we will burn your structures from the surface of that asteroid. Your comrades in the destroyer made the right choice, and we will recieve them well. I will not offer you another chance." Waving his hand, Quintos signalled to the officer to cut the link.

"Now," he said, "we wait."

do you want another intimidate test? If so: [roll0]

[Whiskeyjack]

"Gunnery, harden firing solution. Master-at-Arms, prepare for contested boarding actions."

Alizon looks to the flashing damage lights, the expanding cloud of gas that was a destroyer. "Somehow I don't think they'll just roll over. It's a shame, these savages could get Archeotech to work and function on that level, without proper Tech-Priests. If they are human they would make excellent crew conscripts."

[Whiskeyjack]

Alizon notices that while the destroyer has obviously shown signs of submission--cutting drives and powering down weapons, life-boats streaming from it--the base has neither slowed nor have its emissions radically changed to indicate subdued weapons.

Time passes nevertheless, but eventually Alizon sighs. "That's enough of a wait. They'll have a new firing solution soon and doubtless have addressed those fires in their torpedo tubes. To the bitter end then. Gunnery, light them up."

She stands to address Cade. "Helm, initiate Boarding Approach Beta-Four. Once the guns go quiet, we put our boot on their neck and claim that blighted rock in the name of Him-on-Terra!"

[Goodwin]

Cade stands at the ancient wooden wheel. A control console flickering next to him causes him to tap a few runes. The ship's thrusters had been burning strong and the vessel creaked from the immense amount of power the helmsmen was running through its engines.
"Lord-Captain, I've got this baby going at top speed righ' now, if you can get some of them wire-heads to patch us in some more power I can get us there quicker.

Boarding Approach Beta-Four it is. Taking us in closer yet. What are you boarding with? The 'cutter's not as fast but I can give you controlled air support if we've taken out their air defenses. A good scan should tell us if air'll be safe or not. Furies can keep any more of their fighters busy.

Boarding craft may get you there faster, but they ain't equipped like my 'cutter is for a nice stay. Can stay up here too if you want, keep an eye out.

Waitin' your orders, anyway"

[Whiskeyjack]

"We'll loosen them up a little more with the guns first, then slam that base the next chance we get. Just keep us out of their firing solution, we can't take any more torpedoes. I'll send the Master-at-Arms and the Houseguard over in Sharks once the antiair is pacified, and I'll lead the boarding party personally from your cutter. It's been too long since I had a proper urban cleansing. We'll move to that point in the operation once Grand Mal has found an anchorage."

She pauses a moment to let that sink in. "Yes, that's right, anchor Grand Mal right on, let her turrets tear in at point-blank. It will be easier to salvage the goods and the conscripts as well. Bridge to Drivemaster's Station. Authorized: Override Genetorium Governor Limit. Boost the engines up to flank speed."

Whoever pushes us to flank speed, take my bonus and use your Omnitool!

[Goodwin]

Cade blinks and does a double take of the captain. "You...want me to anchor on that base? That's gonna be a bit to do. We'll have to get those boys in dockin' to get the links ready. I'm gettin' us there quick but slowin' down again'll be a bit of a somethin'. If we wheel around 'em, if we get them links to strike home, we could use them to help slow us down. It might send 'em spiraling along with us and yank 'em outa orbit.

He rubs his chin in thought and seems geniunely too excited. Grinning back at Alizon. "Sounds bloody crazy. I think we could do it.

He flicks the vox to the hangar holding his personal guncutter. "I need the 'cutter ready yesterday. Take anything that's not necessary for shootin' or holdin' men out. I don't think anyone'll be sleepin' on the way over.

[Whiskeyjack]

"Nothing ventured nothing gained, Commander. I've seen a Chimera driving at full throttle pull a hard 180 and slide backwards into the hold of a hovering Vulture. I'd think the Navy could try to match that, but you know...the Guard is what it is," she smirks.

[Destro_Yersul]

"I think you'll find, Alizon, that this isn't the Navy." His message delivered, Quintos had returned to gunnery for now. "Commander Cade is a damn sight better pilot than they've got."

[Hemnon]

Down at in the depths of the ship, Magnus is roaming about, trying to keep the stress on the ship's machine spirit on the minimal side. He'd just finished emergency repairs, and now they're ordering for more power and stress on the plasma drive.

with a sigh, Magnus hurries over and starts to gently coax the ship's plasma drive into allowing more energy to be send to the engines.

''oh ancient and venerable machine spirit, in this hour of need we asks for your cooporation so that we may advance towards those who treat their superiors without respect. (said in Techna-lingua)''


Turn 4 action.
Flanking Speed:
Int 50+10(combi-tools)+10(RT given bonus)= 70 vs. [roll0]

[kobywan]

With the commotion of the bridge buzzing around him Arcturus takes another moment to view the battle with his third eye. At first all he gets are more fuzzy images and sweat begins to bead on his brow from the exertion. With an audible snap the images before him merge into sharp focus.

The running asteroid races onward with the Mal closing in like a stalking wolf. With a flash, numerous demolition charges on the rocks surface explode sending chunks of rock and debris into its wake. The jettisoned rock is but chaff to the mighty Grand Mal but the sudden appearance of so many targets causes havoc with the targeting augurs.

Gunnery Sergeant, I want that hard lock the Captain requested and I want it now. Prepare for multiple small targets and plan accordingly.

Stacking the Deck +20% to one shooting roll

[Vizzi]

In the depths of the ship, in a hidden corner Trias sat, his Combat Servitor watching over him as his mind was focused solely on the connection to the ship itself.

His flesh body weakening from using the Logis Implant to supplement and enhance his targeting skills, he prepared himself for one final use, one final stab in the dark for maximum effect as he stole again the data from those who were working in the bridge.

With one final breath and a small twitch in his eye, his mind sends the order and a barrage of light from the Lances hits upon the closest Macrobatterie damaging it heavily. "Blessed the Omnissiah" he murmurs.

[DrK]

As the Grand Mal inexorably closes in on the cometary base there is commotion on the lower decks as the fighter wings and one of the bomber wings returns. One still shattered and floating in the void.

With the engines supercharged by Cade and Magnus the old vessle hurtles forward on a vast plume of plasma many miles long. Even as the ship hurtles forward Trias still at one- his mind communing with the machine spirits of the lance batteries is guided by a strange force as he listens to the Navis.

The lance spits out fire once more. The vast beams of laser energy finding a weak point in the comets void shields and there is a vast explosions as crater walls collapses inwards on one of the enemy plasma batteries.

Even as the clumsy vessel continues to roll away itrs thrusters fail to turn its ponderous bulk enough to get a firing solution on the Grand Mal and the lack of fighter waves paints a sorry picture of what has befallen the fighter wings within.

A crackle of static emanates on the vox before the augury Lt apologises to the captain. "Apologies MyLord Captain. I have cut through their transmission they will still be able to hear you."


From your perspective it moves 2VU away and fails to jam your transmissions

[Destro_Yersul]

"Thank you, Lieutenant. I will speak no further to them myself. Transmit a recorded message, once every ten minutes. Tell them that we are disappointed they have spurned our generous offer. Tell them we will show no mercy. Commander Cade," Quintos leaned forwards in his throne. "Take us in."

Pushing himself up out of the throne, he headed for the exit from the bridge. "I'm going to the launch bays. Gunnery, if we can't get close enough, keep up with the lance. Priority targets are the void shields and macrobatteries." Pausing near the door, Quintos turned back for a moment. "Lady Alizon. Will you be joining us on the front lines?"

[Whiskeyjack]

Alizon shrugs. "A Shark is no Baneblade but it shall have to do. Commander Cade, once we're anchored, join us in the Launch Bay. Lieutenant Commander, you have the conn."

She looks at Quintos. "Let's show these fools the folly of defying the Dynasty and the Emperor. We'll cut them to pieces from the inside."

Don't really have an action yet. If we can board, I'll do the Command. If not, I guess I'll send in some bombers.

[Goodwin]

"Lord-Captains." Nidas says with a nod of acknowledgment at both of their statements. "I'll try to get us in their on this swoop. If the engines keep this up we should be there in no time. Let's see here..."

With a twist of two levers and a battering of several flashing runes the pilot tries to keep the ship going at pace.

"Le's go, keep it up now."


Adjust Speed TN 65 [roll0]
(See OOC thread for Fate reroll)


Warning lights begin to flash and alarms swirl around the ancient wheel as the ship is pushed past its limits. The entire vessel jutters and rocks as the thrusters begin to fire and stop, and fire again. Momentarily the ship is adrift. "Come on!" Cade wrenches on an old lever that has given up to stubbornness the engines spitting in disgust until the pilot gives the steel a hard kick and the contraption moves forward with a satisfying lurch.

The engines rip back to life and the entire vessel leaps forward and begins pounding through space again. "Yeah. Yeah! That's right, let's do this!"

Cade pats the handle of the wooden wheel with a smirk. "Bah, maybe you ain't so bad after all, aren't ya?" His curious look at the beaming co-pilot makes it obvious he was speaking to the ship, and not the pilot, which makes the pilot certainly sad.

[Goodwin]

It isn't long before the ship begins to gain on the floating fortress. Cade keeps a steady hand on the helms' wheel and watches the screens to indicate their progress. His gloved fingers tighten around the wheel's spokes when they draw near.

"Patch me through to docking, launch bay, the armsmen and Captains." He waits for the notification he's through. "This is Cade. We'll be nearing the base momentarily. I'm going to assume everythings in damn order to board this hunk a dung so finish up any last minute fixes. My 'cutter crew, you've got Lord-Captain Alizon on the way, so make sure she's got a nice seat at the front. I'll be down once this mess is over with. Cade out."

When the vessel finally closes the distance with the base, the pilot cracks his knuckles and grabs the helm. "Alright now, le's just leap on this rock like this and... Marty, did I ever tell you about my homeworld? There's this little bird, lazy as all hell. It spends days watching grox until just the right moment where it'll fly straight at the things' face, scare the hell out of it, and when the grox is running and grunting and rutting; the damn bird latches onto it and just sits there. It don't even do anything, it just damn well sits there and doesn't like moving much on its- Saints' ass, hang on we're ontop of it!


Boarding Action Hard Test -20, +10 from Alizon TN 55 - [roll0]
Fate if it fails [roll1]


"Yes. Yes...come on... Oh yeah! We're on damn it. Landing Parties - we've latched on to that son of a witch. Captain Alizon, 'cutter crew - I'm en route! Ready up!"

Cade makes a last minute adjustment to the wheel and points to the co-pilot. "You're on, boy, don't mess it up!" Without a look back, Cade runs for the launch bays.

[Destro_Yersul]

Standing in the launch bays, Quintos braced himself instinctively for the bump. When it came, the Grand Mal linking up with the rock, the Rogue Trader grinned and loosened his pistol in its holster. "Always liked this part," he told Alizon, climbing into the guncutter and settling into one of the forward seats. "I've always held an appreciation for tactics on a smaller scale. Man to man. Just seems more personal, doing it this way."

My action, if allowed, is to assist Alizon on the command test, which makes it one step easier and applies an extra degree of success if she passes. Also, she can have Quintos' +10 bonus to the command test.

[Vizzi]

As the ship blasts at incredible speed and approaches the Base, Trias sends a simple message towards the bridge "Weapons control released, will be joining Boarding Party, in case a Tech-Priest is needed." as soon as he finishes speaking he heads towards his quarters, he dons his Power Armour and prepares his Lascannon and with that him and his Combat Servitor head towards the ships launch bay's.

[kobywan]

With the Captains permission I would like to accompany you on this venture. This rock reminds me of the base I was born on and I would much like to see it from its interior.

If permission is given Arcturus checks that his armour and weapons a secure and makes way towards the launch bays.

[Whiskeyjack]

"Granted, Arcturus. But hurry, we are preparing the boarding party deployment."

[Whiskeyjack]

Alizon and her senior staff stand alongside a squad of Dynastic Houseguard clad in flak armor and armed with menacing bolters. As the Shark engines whine higher as their preflight checklists near completion, Alizon issues a series of orders.

"Move! Move! Move! Form up boys, don't act like you've never done this before!" Alizon barks to the boarding parties loading into nearby Shark Assault Boats, her power sword in one hand as the ship shakes with the proximity of the passing and the firing of assault anchors. Alizon knows that right now, exterior las-burners are anchoring and searing hole in the comet-base's armor plate and into the chambers beyond for the tube-insertion teams. "Breathers on, where's the bloody Mech-Deacon, we need positive pressure and atmo checks before we head in there?! Yeoman, bring up my standard!"

A red-faced rating appears from the forward compartment, carrying affixed to a long, polished shaft an ancient mon: interlocking sigils of white marble bear and black marble raven, each grasping a stylized and obviously ancient design of chainsword (set in burnished copper) beneath intricate High Gothic lettering of the words Nemo me impune lacessit and above similar letting of the words Faber est suae quisque fortunae. The entire scene is against the backdrop of the words Vostroya == RAVENNA == Rayyah-Umbreij. The device is cog-shaped, the teeth lined in verdigrised bronze, the words of the House themselves polished obsidian set in crystal.

The sweating standard bearer awkwardly holds the device in both hands as Alizon sighs and motions him behind two members of the Dynasty Guard, whom she offers a warning glare conveying If the standard falls, your lives are forfeit.

Alizon addresses the troop commanders thusly: "Severus, take a team and secure the torpedo launchers. Franklin, you do the same with the macrobatteries. Yui, shut down those anti-air turrets then hold the small craft bays. Quintos and the rest of you with me, we're striking for whatever hovel this thing calls a CIC. I want sitrep updates every ten standard. And recall: only in death does duty end." She punctuates this comment by audibly priming her plasma pistol. "If you're going over on the Sharks, load up now and launch. Good hunting."

Cade's cutter and the Sharks loaded with Houseguard prepare to launch and land in the base's guts. Within minutes, the small craft launch to assail the base, and as the cutter and Sharks dodge turret fire and burst through into the pressurized landing bay, the rapid, low thudding of Grand Mal's anti-air turrets peppering the surface of the base with Vulcan Mega-Bolter rounds becomes audible even through the hull and over the roar of the engines.

The cutter hits the deck hard, bounces, and comes to a rest, its compartment opening wide as defensive frag charges fire to "dissuade" any lurking defenders from heavily contesting the area. As the exit ramp slams into place, Alizon shouts, "That's our cue! Firstborn, First In! Tallyho!" She flicks her power sword to active and waves it in a coruscating azure arc before dashing down the tube at the front of the charge. "For Vostroya! For the God-Emperor! Ad maiorem Omnissiah gloriam!"


Command vs TN 148 (base 88 [78 + difficulty decreased by 1 step] + 10 Peer + 10 standard + 10 Quintos's bonus + 30 Grand Mal turret rating): [roll0]

+1 DoS from Quintos if I pass. Total DoS = 15 :smalleek:

This modified TN does not account for relative Crew Population size or Hull Integrity.

[DrK]

With a horrifying thunder of megatonnes of steel and ceramite rubbing against the rock of the crater the Grand Mal slides into the launch bays. The armoured prow tearing a deep gash into the launch hangars as the cutters and the sharks launch forward at point blank range.

Mega bolters and multi-laser turrets shed death at point blank range as fragments of the base and the Mal splinter and flow. Even as the Lord/Lady Captains lead the bayonet charges into the heart of the base more troops literally jump down from escape hatches in their void suits as they grav chute into the shattered landing bay. Hellguns blazing adding to the weight of the fire from the massed turret guns.

On the Cutter the flight lasts literally a minute before the doors open and a wall of small arms lacerates the hull of the cutter. The two guardsman beside Lady Captain Alizon are blown off their feet. Fragments of gore and bone splattering onto her armour as she leads the charge out. Dull grey flak suits with fullf ace helmets masking the appearance of the clearly human opponents. "They bleed good!" the guard beside the Lady Captain roars as he joins her in the charge, his boltgun blowing down three of the opponents as he cuts loose with a massive full auto burst...

In the landing bays the sharks crash onto the deck and a swarm of mechanoid killers burst out. The landing bay auto defences open fire taking a terrible toll as Trias follows after, the massive man portable tank busting lascannon blowing through walls and bulkheads alike... minutes f carnage later as servitors purge the bay with flame, bolt and whirring chain blade and the beach head is secure...

The Lady and Lord Captain can hear the reports pouring in as the radio man follows them down the narrow cramped corridors. The corridors lined with bodies of enemy humans and brave men of the Mal alike as bolt propellant and human blood fills the air with a vile stench. "Beach heads secured Captains. Teams alpha through delta report heavy resitance but still making progress...


I'll wait till we see the results of the damage before continuing...

[DrK]

The battle rages on for some 20 minutes. Blood and combat smoke filling the corridors but the brave crew of the Mal make good progress. Losing some might say miraculously few troops as they surge deep into the base,

The landing bays now filled with combat troops and marines from the Mal as heavy weapons are set up to fortify the beachhead. On the port side the Explorator and his servitor bodyguard continue to chop, saw and blast their way through defences and on the starboard the Lady Capatin begins to meet heavy resistance and gets bogged down by the dogged defence on the main gantry way to the bridge...


You did some damage but they held.

[kobywan]

Arcturus breaks out into a cold sweat as the cutter makes its final approach and begins to breech the base. As the final preparations are made he moves to the aft of the vessel and readies himself for action. With his hellpistol in one hand he reaches up and removes his head sash with the other.

When the breech doors are opened Arcturus is there, his third eye flaring with orange/gold baleful light. Anywhere he turns his foes are blasted with golden energy.

He stays close to the Captains and their elite guard but is careful to keep his gaze directed at the enemy.

[Goodwin]

When the last of the troops have cleared the ramps, Cade punches the thrusters and the guncutters roars out over head.

"Keep an eye out for AA turrets. I want anyone even thinking of throwing a rock up here taken down immediatly.

Captains - This is Cade. I'll stay in the area and shoot down or through whatever I can. If you find an target lemme know and we can try to blast through from this end. We'll keep up the pressure on the outside to keep 'em guessin'. On standby for pick up too. Cade out."

Autogun fire bursts erupt from the guncutter whenever a target rears its head. The 'cutter crew walking a line between watching for anti-air defense and for suitable targets to chew up with their weaponry.

[Destro_Yersul]

They're persistent, I'll give them that." Quintos was sheltering behind a large crate nearby to Alizon, reloading his massive pistol. The ripper was a deadly weapon, brought out when the captain was expecting heavy resistance and plenty of straight-up fighting. "But we'll put the fear of the Emperor in them yet!" Leaning out from his cover, he put a round through the armour of the closest opponent. "Severus, watch the crossfire. They're trying to flank us on the left side."

Always one to mind the tactics of a situations, Quintos didn't want to walk out of this rock with a handful of dead heroes. He preferred his men live, and these Kazan were fighting back too well to leave it all to chance. While Alizon formed an impressive sight, with her standard flying behind the advance, he was more used to cloak and dagger. Keeping an eye on the bigger picture was difficult when you had to worry about fighting for your life as well, but he was finding he enjoyed the challenge. "Second Squad, hold position and fortify. Third, do the same. I want choke points on every door you can find. The Mal is our ride out of here, keep it defended."

He was trying to match his own orders with Alizon's, be complimentary rather than contradictory. It was bad enough having two captains, the men didn't need two captains arguing over what was what. And besides... "Caius, take a squad with flamers and hit the stores. Demoralise them. I need these people surrendering two hours ago." It was a nice change of pace, having some competent help.

[Vizzi]

Trias stands as symbol of the divine might of the Omnissiah, his Power Armour withstanding without fault against the massed enemy fire, his weapon spitting out great bolts of pure power that crossed bullheads as they were not there. His old companion, his servitor unleashing further hell and guarding his back.

His Vox system blasting out his own Hymn of Battle (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOTh8u3250g) as his powerful voice intoned his personal prayer "Having settled on many worlds... They have commited themselves... To retrieve lost wisdom... To create arms and equipment for the Empire... Their role is essential... Adepts of the Machine God... Their quest for knowledge is without limits... Mysterious... Powerful... Tenacious... Masters of Technology... They are the Guardians of Wisdom... These men are... The Adeptus Mechanicus! The Priesthood of Mars!" in turn with the music, a frightening and almost inhuman figure striding upon the feeble masses of his opponents.

[Whiskeyjack]

"Well done Quintos, this is quite like a bunker storming I did on Threx VII. You set up the anvil, and I will be the hammer driving the enemy against it into destruction."

Alizon turns to address the attack squads even as others fan out to secure positions. "Onward! Onward! They shall kneel or break!" Alizon is streaked with blood, her hair matted with sweat and power sword sizzling, an empty plasma flask hanging from her hip even as her pistol's vents steam with discharged heat. She takes a moment to radio in with the other attacking forces before giving a terse set of commands, including the order for the Mechanicus to hack the cogitator system and disable the turrets, and to provide a map of this installation. With the reprieve over, Alizon again leads the charge further into the base, seeking its heart and its defeat.

Command vs TN 148 (base 88 [78 + difficulty decreased by 1 step] + 10 Peer + 10 standard + 10 Quintos's bonus + 30 Grand Mal turret rating): [roll0]

DoS: 14 base DoS + 1 free DoS from Quintos = 15 DoS :smallamused:

This modified TN does not account for relative Crew Population size or Hull Integrity.

[DrK]

The twin Captains cut a bloody path into the heart of the installation. As the battle grows hotter all can hear the faint boom of main battery weapons as a salvo of Lathe Culverin shells tear into the docking ring at point blank range as the vox caster crackles, "Attack on docking ring repelled Lady Captain" form the bridge.

Similar calls come in from Cade and the rest of the Guncutter wing as they hover above the vast docking complex lascannons and void missiles lacerating defences as the counter attack withers and dies in a vast cloud of explosive debris.

Inside there is nothig but dust, death and the wailing of the wounded and the dying. A steady stream of wounded heading back towards the cruiser even as they trample over the piles of enemy dead that literally block the corridors in places.

The forces of the Grand Mal race forward as tey cut through the elite storm troopers of the base. The enemy changing to press crewmen, short humans with wiry hair and strange purple or orange eyes but armed with little more than stub revolvers that are swept away like chaff before the advancing elite armsmen of the Lord and Lady Captains.

The battle for the command centre is the most fierce. Even as the main party becomes bogged down Trias and the servitors make their way to the cogitator core. The servitors easily slaying the defenders and Trias's lascannon zipping through the head of the enemy enginseer, a strange looking man with mechandrite like wires protruding from his spine. Tapping into the base cogitator Trias subdues the enemy machine spirits. The spirits like old friends. Long lost cousins. The technology clearly an ancient derivative of the pure technology of the Omnissah.

With a single thought Trias commands the lights and power off. The sudden shift in balance palpable as the elite troops with the banner of Vostroya flying burst into the command deck. Bursts of bolt fire tearing apart the few guards before the enemy commander. Harried, blood stained and grey haired looks up at Quintin and Alizon with hard steely eyes. "I will order a stand down if you spare my men. If you will not we will destroy this base and you with us". The words hollow in defeat but iron in their faith...

[Whiskeyjack]

"What do you think about all this?" she asks Quintos in Hogh Gothic before turning to the commander of the base.

"I am not in the habit of killing humans for sport," Alizon says tersely. "Nor will I abandon your ship crews to the mercies of the void, so long as they swear to behave aboard our ship and execute their duties rightly, properly, and loyally."

Alizon looks about the command center for any iconography similar to that of the Imperial faith or trappings of the Omnissiah.

"You fight with a conviction of those believing their cause divinely righteous. Do you...or did you ever...serve the God-Emperor of Mankind?"

[kobywan]

Keeping to the back of the group Arcturus stays alert for any hidden threats. His eyes shift throughout the busy command center, the blackened orbs taking in every detail easily able to pierce the shadows.




Awareness 60
[roll0]
3 DoS

[Destro_Yersul]

"As the lady said," Quintos agreed. "You fought well, and our ship needs replacement crew. We also intend to repair the ship you lost, and it will need crew as well. If you serve us well, you'll be rewarded for your efforts. If you betray us..." The Rogue Trader swept his arm around the command center, indicating the general chaos on the station. I'll leave it to your imagination."

Quintos himself was not so concerned about whether the Kazan knew of the Emperor or not. If they didn't, they could always be taught. He was more concerned about the potential influence of outside forces. Xenos or Chaos, it mattered not which. To Alizon, he spoke in High Gothic. "They're good men, it seems. Strong and well trained. We could use people like this."

[Whiskeyjack]

"Good men? They fought comparably well to Imperial Guard Storm Troopers, for His sake! They could certainly teach our rank-and file something," Alizon responds in High Gothic, clearing the sticky hair from her forehead and accepting a celebratory goblet filled with a chilled, crisp beer from one of her yeomen. She offers one to Quintos, as well as one to the bemused-looking Kazan leader.

"And to maintain and even crew a base like this, along with two archeotech destroyers and a handful of fighter squadrons, all without proper Tech-Priests, Administratum or Forge World support, Battlefleet oversight, tithed crewmembers...it's quite amazing! And I want to find out exactly how they did it. You're right, barring some kind of deep-rooted infestation by the Ruinous Powers or some sort of xenos, I think they'll make damn fine crew."

She turns to their vox-man. "Radio Grand Mal to begin salvage and rescue operations. The ship is to recover all possible life-pods from those destroyers, and send a prize crew in Sharks over to the one that heaved-to."

[DrK]

The enemy commander seems to relax slightly as he withdraws from the table and who-knows what sort of doomsday self-destruct option. He nods and the mood in the command centre seems to relax slightly, even with the colossal amount of battle damage scattered around the room and the stench of human dead behind the men are happy to not be summarily executed.

At mention of the Gods the officers nod. "If you will give me but a minute." A moment later the vox casters all over the station boom out in their strange foreign language. Before they statements switch to gutter common Gothic. "No more fight. We stop fight now."

After that a strange silence falls as the microbeads no longer chirp with the sounds of gunfire and the sounds of impacts from external guns fade away to eeries silence as the vox bleets with request from the Commanders seeking advice on whether to prosecute the attack further.

The navigator staring around see's nothing particulalry dangerous save the stares of men who have tasted the bitter pill of defeat at the hands of Arcturus. Both the navigator and the Lady Captain can see the imagery of the draconic serpent on some of the surfaces that may hint to some of religion. The enemy Captain nods agreeably, "We serve the 6 Dragons of Flame and War. Who are you strangers? Have you come for your fellows? They are long fallen.".


What are you guys planning on doing? Restocking crew? Looting? Taking over the place?

[Whiskeyjack]

"Captain Alizon to Grand Mal. Hostilities have ended. Remain at action stations, begin salvage ops as I said. Deploy a CVP of Furies. And...that should be it for now. Oh, send over the rest of the landing craft, the Ship's Confessor, and a squad of Medicae."

"Our fellows? Bother." Alizon pulls a face as she turns back to the Kazan leader. "By way of introductions, I am Alizon Ravenna-Mallister, a Captain of the Imperial Dictator-class carrier Grand Mal and bearer of a sacred Warrant of Trade, giving me free license to conduct commercial business with those dwelling in the Outer Darkness beyond the light of the God-Emperor of Mankind, for the benefit of Him-on-Terra and His Imperium."

She pauses a moment; this is all supposed to be so much grander, but with neo-barbarians who don't even know of the Emperor, not much can be expected.

"Though I don't suppose you quite understand what that means, do you?" she sighs. "Yes, all right, well first, who might you be? What is your name?

"We indeed came looking for others...others like us. Really like you as well. These others would have had a ship that looked quite like ours; smaller but shaped similarly. Trias, could you create a holo-mockup of a Dauntless-class light cruiser? The ship was called Obelisk, captained by Elizabeth Hope of the Imperial Navy. I, ah, doubt she would have given you leave to surrender, but given your capabilities, I have my suspicions on what might have happened if she encountered you. But please, do go on. Did you see any such ship? Fight it? Destroy it or drive it away?"

She pauses to look around the room. "I have a number of other questions, but all that can wait while we begin our salvage operation and transfer you and your men to the ships to be examined and trained. It would make things quite a bit easier if you were to remain the headman of your people, yes? Right now aside from the questions I asked you about the other ship, I would like to know how long you have been on this comet, and how you know how to operate these ancient machines."

Goals. Replenish crew. Deploy a CVP of Furies. Start to salvage the torpedo tubes and cannons and anything else of value. Send a prize crew to gain control of that destroyer. Start dragging in life pods and start conducting limited repairs on Grand Mal with the facilities present on the comet. Treat these people relatively well, they were a worthy foe.

Also get answers to the questions. :smallwink:

[Destro_Yersul]

"And I'm Captain Quintos, of the same." THe rogue trader smiled to himself. No fancy titles for him, and for some reason that seemed amusing. "I'd be interested to hear about those six dragons of yours, but I think that may have to wait. Are there any more of you nearby? On one of the planets, perhaps?"

Now that hostilities had ceased, Quintos was more relaxed. If you looked, you could still see the tension beneath the surface, ready to spring back into action defending himself and his crew, but it was hiding. While he spoke, the captain spent his time looking around the command center, picking out familiar systems and filing away information for later use.

[DrK]

The Commmander looks back at them. "I am Commander Naisus of the Kazan Empire". Looking at the status boards flashing red ver vast areas of the comet. 3 entire habitation blocks deprussised and exposed to vacuum plus the colossal battle damage.

"It will take some time to get the fires under control and manage the damage. An hour if you would. You can leave monitors here and we will withdraw from all combat sensetive areas."

An hour later

The Grand Mal lies at rest, More traditional boarding collars strung across to the cometary base. Retro-thrusters firing keeping the large asteroid at relative rest in the void while repairs are conducted.

The faint plume of engine flares streaks past as the furies continue to circle lest anyone try anything foolish and a series of guncutters perform towing operations on the crippled destroyer. As it docks and heavily armed teams from the Mal head on board there is chaos. The damage is staggering and the crew are in a sorry state but are placid. Most of them joiing the shocked and battle scarred survivors in the one of the 3 large hab domes once atmosphere has been restored. Only minimal skeleton crews attending to the most pressing of repair issues until negotiations with the Gand Mal are complete.

The stateroom lies at the lip of one of the craters. The entire port side of the room coated in armoured glass giving an unparalleled view of the pitted meteor surface and the vast solar storms beyond. The table in the centre of the room is liberally covered in fresh fruit and bottles of slightly fizzing spirits and a pair of stewards, both the a second set of arms to allow them to carry 4 trays at a time walk slowly amongst the senior staff and the visitors from the Grand Mal.

The mutants are not the only ones. Both Alizon and Quintus have heard the reports from the damage control teams policing up the bodies and the medicae teams. Mutation rates are staggering - up to 67% amongst the lowest ranking enemy crew in the torpedo bays and fusion reactor spaces and still 32% across the rest of the crew. Even here the Master of Ordinance boasts a 3rd eye on a small stalk form his forehead and as Commander Naisus looks across at you blinking you notice for the first time his second set of eyelides as he blinks twice.

Further reports have poured in about the similarity of the technology to STC design standards. Albeit ancient and long forgotten ones. Clearly these people are advanced but are still very much humans long cut off from the Emperor's Divine will.

As the enemy command staff take their seats Naisus looks at the two Lord Captains. "We need to discuss the disposition of my surviving men and the Raptor class destroyer".

"We are the outersystem defence station for the Kazan Empire. The Empire spreads over the entire Kazan system with 2 habitable planets, 6 lunar colonies and 3 hab stations."

"We have encountered your kind before. The other ship engaged us, but withdrew into the storms. We do not know what has become of her although we do have some prisoners aboard."


will add more later. Sorry, daughter has woken up.

[Whiskeyjack]

Alizon's face briefly twisted when she noticed the rampant mutation, and she has sampled the food gingerly, only after her personal Medicae yeoman tested it for purity. Her new standard-bearer--the old one relocated ti Grand Mal for some kind of repeated-stress injury--stands ramrod-straight behind her seat, holding the House Seal next to him.

"I will require that you bring the most senior-ranked among the captives before me at this time. Have your gaoler take two of my armsmen with him to retrieve that person; the survivors of the Obelisk must be told of the arrival of another ship of the Holy Fleet as well."

Alizon purses her lips, casting a glance at Quintos and thinking. A system full or Archeotech, of humans, of mutation. And yet they must still find the Obelisk. And of course the Navy will want bloody revenge against these Kazan, and governmental revenge is often so bad for business...

"This could go very well or very badly for us," she says to Quintos in High Gothic.

[Hemnon]

In the comforting place of the enginarium, Magnus is doing maintenance check on all systems as well as looking over all damage reports.

Reminding himself, Magnus sends a call to the captains via the ship vox. ++My captains, please forgive me if im interupting, but i'd like to request access to our new cargo... the ancient destroyer. I wish to oversee everything it contains and i must also check for any mechanical corruption as well.++

[Destro_Yersul]

"Assume very badly, plan accordingly." Quintos response to Alizon matched his philosophy. If you were always prepared for the worst, it would never surprise you when it happened.

"Commander Naisus. Have any of your people ever gone into those storms, and returned? I'd like something positive to tell the prisoners, once they can be fetched." Seated at the table, facing the window and looking out at the void, Quintos had been picking at the food. He wasn't really hungry, but it seemed polite to eat something.

"In the meantime, I have other questions. You mentioned no other defence stations. Does that mean you have none? If that is indeed the case, I fear we may have left your people in a bad position. What sort of infrastructure do you have on your planets? Your colonies? I should make it clear that I have no wish to further fight your people. My desire is for understanding." The mutations didn't really bother him. There had been plenty of that amongst the pirates of Solomon, not to mention the other dregs he'd dealt with in the past. Twists were just as hard working as other folk, sometimes even moreso, long as you kept a close eye on them. He waited for answers, and then continued.

"Now, to business. What did you have in mind for the destroyer? Obviously, it will need to be repaired, and the Imperium's facilities may be better equipped to do that than yours. We'll also need some men to replace the crew we lost in the battle. Oh, and one of my engineseers will be going aboard the destroyer, just to have a look around. It is an older design, and such things interest him. Speaking of, I'm curious about where you found the designs for your equipment and buildings. Unless your people came up with them on their own?"

That last thing reminded him. The fighters, both theirs and those belonging to the base. Switching on his vox, he spoke. "Cade, organise a salvage operation for the damaged small craft. I want everything you can find and haul back." The orders were given in low gothic, so Naisus could understand. To him, Quintos offered an explanation. "The Grand Mal has a repair deck for single-man ships."

[DrK]

The commander looks at his subordinate, a powerful looking women who for the most part appears to be mutation free. "Lt Commander Yesteri shall take your men to the brig immediatly"

As he speaks the women salutes with a hand to the chest before leaving smartly with two of the Lady Captain's personal guard on her tail. As they leave the commander looks back up. "You have killed tens of thousands of my men and destroyed one of my fine vessels, the other lying crippled alongside us.

He looks with pride at them. "Even if you defeated us we shall still destroy you. The Empire of Kazan shall not bow before you and when the fleet gathers you shall be swept aside. No matter what you do with us."


What sort of stuff are you wanting to do?
Looting?
Equipment?
Logs?
Whats the plan?

[Whiskeyjack]

"Truly, are their small craft 1-seaters? Our Fury interceptors have a crew of five or six, Starhawk bombers double that. This 'Empire' poses a problem. A great opportunity in trade or plunder for us. But by rights, these Kazan are human and shoul be returned to the Imperial fold, the Administratum will want tithes and the Mechanicus the opportunity to inspect--and seize--the technology. If we're lucky, the Dynasty will gain exclusive contractual rights and governorship over the system, but out here in the Expanse, the Thulean Mechanicus are likely to contest or simply take by force. All that without addressing the mutant problem and these are not stable mutants like orgyn..." Alizon muses at length in High Gothic.

"In any case, the destroyer and this facility are our prize, and I want those launchers pulled out and loaded up. We might have just acquired ourselves a torpedo gunship escort when all is said and done."

[kobywan]

Arcturus is not used to sitting through deliberations for terms of surrender and soon excuses himself taking a guard with him. Making his way to the bridge he investigates what passes as the bases Navis chamber and attempts to learn how the Kazan travel the warp. With the number of mutants around he uncovers his third eye knowing the foreign crew will not look down on him for it. He will also attempt to see if there are true Navigators within the crew and if the belong to a long lost house.

[Destro_Yersul]

Quintos just smiled. "That's a foolish attitude to take, commander. No trade, no opening of borders? It's a bigger galaxy than you know, and where we're from? There are a lot more ships than you have, if all you've got is two planets. You've seen the Mal. What would you say if I told you there are hundreds of thousands more ships like her? Enough to blot out the stars of your system, enough to make you and your people a footnote in a single book hidden away in the back corners of a dusty old archive ten thousand light years away." Shaking his head, the rogue trader raised a hand to forestall any objections. "I'm not here to threaten, Commander, and may I remind you that you attacked us. But you should answer my questions. I don't want the Kazan to bow. I want them to help me, and in return, I'll help them."

Returning his gaze to the view beyond the window, Quintos spoke to Alizon. High Gothic, he mused, might not always be the best choice for this sort of thing. They'd need to work out their own language, or code. "Nothing wrong with mutants, Alizon. Not beyond the outwardly visible, anyways. They'll work as hard as any other man, when it comes down to it. If they don't co-operate, we'll tell the Mechanicus and the Navy, see if we can't barter some help. If they do? We'll make it a more gradual process."

Then, as a though occured to him, he looked back at Commander Naisus. The double eyelids wouldn't be immediately noticable. Outwardly, the commander appeared perfectly human. That, in its own way, presented an opportunity. "Would you like to see the galaxy, Commander?"

Objectives!
1: See how much we can get fixed, on our ship and the damaged destroyer.
2: Pull out the base's torpedo tubes and get them loaded onto the destroyer for later installation.
3: Recruit some new crew members from the remaining crew of the station, for the destroyer and the Grand Mal
4: Pull every piece of information we can get about the Kazan out of the station's systems.
5: Restock our food and fuel supplies.

[DrK]

The Conference Room

The Commander looks up at the Lady Captain and Quintus. "We shall see what comes to pass. The 6 Dragons have seen the galaxy and have warned us of the deceit and evil that dwells out in the great expanse. You shall not best them- they are Gods."

At mention of press-ganging crew and supplies. He reddens slightly with anger. before nodding and pointing to two more members of the senior team. "My Lt. Commanders will see that you can replenish your supplies and will assist in any repair actions that you need."

"The Destroyer, if salvageable can be taken as a spoil of war." THe words dragged out of him finally after hours of negoatiations...

"My Empire will prevail. You cannot win."

As the talks continue and the food and drink begin to run low the vox caster chirps once more "Lord Quintus, I have received the prisoners from the Obeslisk. There are 6 of them, 1 junior officer and 5 ratings."

The Bridge

As Arcturus potters about the ship, a heavy escort of armsmen to protect hi from any trouble from the sullen and angry enemy crew he finds no mention of any warp systems on the base bar some augury systems that appear to be abel to catch a hint of disturbance in the warp.

As he researchs more he realises that the ir is no mention of the Navis or the navigator houses. Even the destroyer only houses a small proto-warp drive capabale of making the smallest of warp jumps through careful calculations. Although there are detailed maps of the warp systems within the eye of the Abyss.

[Destro_Yersul]

"Tell me about the six dragons. I asked earlier, but things were too busy at the moment." The Commander's insistence that they could not win struck him as irrational... but then, Quintos had seen the scope of the Imperium. The Kazan had not. The Imperium ground slowly, but implacably. If they wouldn't co-operate, they would yield, and Quintos would see the Grand Mal at the head, or preferably somewhere in the middle and still eligible for all the credit, of that fleet.

The vox stirred him out of his musings. "Excellent. Bring them to the Library on the Mal. I'll recieve them there." Quintos had decided that it might not be best to have them in the same room as Commander Naisus, at least for now. Too much bad blood. Rising from his seat, he bowed slightly. "With your leave then, Commander, I'll be returning to my ship to oversee repairs and speak with the former prisoners. Should you need to discuss anything further with me, the Armsmen will be able to facilitate contact."

OOC:
That last bit assumes he's had his answer about the dragons by then, and the negotiations are largely finished. If there's anything else to discuss, can we assume it took place in the several hours of said negotiations?

[Vizzi]

Once the battle ended Trias simply rested, his continued use of his Logis Implant heavily fatigued him, and while the battle was easy it was still a straining affair on top of everything.

As the Negotiations ended and he stood refreshed and he threw himself into his work, quickly organizing basic repairs in the Destroyer lending a helping hand in the most important sections before jumping back to the base and integrating again with the Machine Spirits where he made him sing and tell of everything that they had stored, then even more work as he compiled information about everything in the ship and striped the Torpedoes from the base to the Destroyer.

It was times like these that he was glad he did not have much need for sleep, but it was satisfying work. Even as he talking about his findings to Magnus and discussing the troublesome repairs on the Grand Mal.

[Whiskeyjack]

"You know, with enough support, we could annex this system and appoint governors to tithe - of course, we'd make a killing with administration and access rights," she ponders in Trader's Cant to Quintos as they return to the carrier. "It will be a good idea to see what their 'navy' consists of. Two destroyers and a base weren't quite a match for Grand Mal, but we surely took a pounding. It should be safe to conduct repairs here...at least until their system expects a routine report, doesn't get it, and sends something looking.

"And it's not the twisting itself so much that bothers me, it's how rampant it is. That's not normal. I'm Guard, and while Vostroya doesn't have much mutation, my army has served alongside those that do, and it's not like we don't use ogryn or ratlings. Throne, ever been in the field with a Calixian regiment from Fenksworld? Hive Magnagorsk must look like an exotic reptile house below its midhive level! But those mutations are still stable, generational...to be scorned, surely, but it's not like they're so...mutable. There's something wrong with this place, perhaps. Especially if the entire system population is like this."

[DrK]

Aboard the Grand Mal

The Lord and Lady Captain retire back to their ship as repairs are begun on the massive damage that she sustained. Thousands of crew missing and dead, hundreds of vital servitors destroyed and 3 whole decks unusable. A heavy toll indeed.

As the senior officers gather a rating enters with a small report drawn up by the Master of Whispers summarising much of what he has learned from both the records aboard the base and the interrogations of prisoners taken in the boarding action...

A brief history on the Kazan Empire and the 6 Dragons.

The Kazan Empire has grown and thrived within the safe shell of the warpstorms that surround the twin system and the huge solar storms that arise when the solar winds from the two closely linked systems interefere with one another.
(looking like a figure of 8 really with the storms in the middle where the warp storms are weakest)

Organisation
The largest system is the Drakonus system with the capital planet Drakonus that has a population of some 13 billion people on its massively industrialised surface. Drakonus being the 1st planet with the vast fleet headquarters and defence line in orbit above it. THe fleet headquarters also possess the shipyards.
On the 3rd planet of the system there are two Moons partially undergoing terraforming and the 4th and 5th planets (completeing the system) also each have a lunar base.

The second system is smaller- a small central star with a pair gas giant orbiting it and a small furnace like world close to the star- Infernus - that houses a smaller population of 2 billion but is devoted to a vast outflux of minerals and materials. THese are then shipped to the 2 moons surrounding the first gas giant where there are sizeable colonies. The second large hab station (another cometary style one) is in a looping orbita round the 2 gas giants where it acts as a system defence.

The base you are currently on is the 3rd one that orbits the storm zone between the two systems and is the outer marker and first line of defense for the twin systems.

A Brief History
The people of the twinned systems have dwelt within the protective cradle of the warp storms for many millenia sincethe vast diasporia that scattered humanity across the known galaxy.

They dwelt on Drakonus and on the two habitable moons of the 3rd world for generations slowly evolving into large proto-space faring cultures and somewhere several thousand years ago they began to develop large non-warp capable ships and the the Empire started to be born...

As this occured the central core of the 1st system became unified. There were wars or course but as the name and the titles changed the Empire become more of a mono-culture with a whole host of strange gods that descended from the creatures that lived in the spirit realm. THe veil beyond that ensared the Kazon "galaxy". Soon it appeared that 6 of these beings, the warp made manifest Imperial Scholars would assume began to appear, at first in dreams but then in corporeal form. With the these strange beings brought forth knowledge of new technologies and powers and the Empire expanded into the second system and the first semi-warp capable ships were created, although none would dare the terrifying storms that surrounded the Abyss. The rise of these 6 undying spirit masters/warp entities that are now the ruling council has been the case for the past 3000 years although over that time the spread of mutation has been rampant.

The yoke of the 6 dragons has not been peaceful and the history files about with rebellions, civil wars and even small attempts to seceed. Mainly from the smaller second system trying to gain a degree of independnace from the primary system as the 6 immortal dragons all "live" on the main planet.

Contact with other Xenos

The monitor station you've just taken has seen much action over the centuries one has been stationed here (this one is the 3rd to do so). They have encountered the Dark Eldar, the ravaging Rak-Ghol and the strange Styrxis in their time, but all have been turned back or destroyed should they try to enter either of the systems.

300 Years ago was the first recorded contact with the Imperium, the Rogue Trader vessel "The Gilt Eagle" entered through the storm with the renowned Jericho Kain aboard that have given the Abyss its name.
He was greeted warily by the monitor station there but allowed access into the heart of the Empire although then records cease bar a small reference to him insulting one of the 6 dragons and earning his fate...

The Obelisk entered into the Abyss ~1 year ago. She encountered the station and had a brief if brutal firefight with the station and the monitor destroyers before she pulled back after sustaining heavy damage. The last recorded heading and direction that of straight into the huge asteroid filled debris clouds that trailed the solar storm regions. Wild regions where pirates, smugglers and outcasts from the Empire also lived and has since been presumed destroyed.

The Kazan Military Might

Its fairly extensive. In terms of technological advancement they are about the same as your typical Imperial Hive world with early model power armour, las and SP weapons, and mobile armour similar to a standard Imperial guard regiment.

Their Navy is similar. An eerie parrallel development has seen fusion powered ships with similar capabailties to the more modest Imperial designs. According to the most recent estimates aboard the Base the navy has 6 large grand cruisers - one per Dragon, a dozen or so larger cruisers spread out as orbital defence and prevention of civil inssurection from the heavy yoke of Drakonus rule and many smaller frigates and destroyers like you've enountered.

Communications

WIth the storms the systems are seperated by ~2 light months and unless they use the proto-warp systems down well travelled routes its months to move to and from the systems, weeks for intersystem travel.


OOCPlease feel free to ask any questions you want. You have access to most of their records and cogitator files.


The negotiations had been long and tiring but it did seem that the enemy command staff had accepted the loss of their power and that many of their crew and supplied would be looted by Alizon and Quintus. Security was still on a massively high alert lest they try anything foolish.

The interrogations of the Obelisk crew had not been the most useful. The 5 ratings were crew dogs, serving the massive pyros melta cannons and piling shells. All had been lucky enough to reach a "prayer pod" when their section was damaged and then were picked up by the Kazan after the Obelisk withdrew from battle.

The officer was little better. He had neither seen or ever spoken with Captain Hope, and was a warrant officer on one megabolter turrets and had been found barely alive within a depressurising section of the point defence section after the Kazan air strike had blown it clear of the Obelisk. He at least knew that Captain Hope had been investigating this area of space after her astropath had felt a powerful shadow in the void and warned her.

The Destroyer

The ruin of the detroyer was near complete. With thrusters, macrocannons and warp engine all damaged heavily. Not to mention the heavy damage across the entire ship from the lance strikes and starhawk launched plasma munitions.

Still Trias was at least beginning to make headway and the damage at least allowed the lance batteries to be removed and the torpedo systems beginning to be installed in their place...

[Destro_Yersul]

Having gone over the reports, Quintos was inclined to agree with Alizon. It seemed the six dragons, rather than being mere superstition, were actual entities. Warp entities meant daemons, which explained the rampant mutation, and also guaranteed they'd have whatever support they needed from the Ecclesiarchy and, perhaps, even the Inquisition, when they went to reclaim these systems.

"...and from the looks of things, we'll need it, too." The rogue trader was saying, seated in the security of the Grand Mal's library. Repairs were going slower than he would have liked, but with the time it would evidently take to rally the Kazan fleet, he wasn't unduly worried just yet. "Six grand cruisers, Alizon. Six. We've got a good ship, but I don't think she'd last too long against even one of those. Look at the pounding she took fighting off two destroyers! Speaking of, the reports from Trias are coming in. They've been working on getting the torpedoes installed. We're going to keep the lance and sell it, see if we can't get a laboratorium installed, like he's always going on about. I've got something else in mind, too... but that's a worry for later. Right now?" Gesturing at the dome high over his head, thankfully undamaged during the battle, he continued.

"I think we should fix what we can, and head for those asteroid fields. Do a few quick deep augur scans of the whole place, see if we can pick out something big enough to be the Obelisk. If we can, we move in and get it. If we can't, we get the frak out of this system, and come back later with a few friends."

[Whiskeyjack]

"Six beings that appear in dreams then in bodies, undying for millennia? And they run their government? That sounds like per se Warp corruption to me! Evidenced by the rampant mutation! And with a navy of that size...we cannot take it ourselves, certainly, but this Empire must be put down. If a fleet like that set sail for Footfall and the Maw, it could threaten the entire Calaixis Sector. The only thing stopping it is the lack of long-range Warp technology, and if its Warp patrons deigned to, surely they could allow them to spread all that way. The Warp is a cancer, Quintos, it will not stay here forever. Regardless, these...people...are all heretics, worshiping false and fell agents of the Ruinous Powers. If the Orks or Rak'Gol come knocking with this defense station out of commission, I'm glad to let them slug it out a bit."

She frowns, studying the Master of Whispers's report more closely. "Frankly I'd like to take a closer look. They may have grand cruisers, but they don't have Navigators or Warp engines. We can pick off a destroyer picket if it gets too close, and grand Mal can still outrun a grand cruiser. I'd like to see what we're up against, gather intel...run the numbers for when we scourge this place with His Own Light. But you are right, our priorities are to get that destroyer properly outfitted to make a safe Warp jump, find evidence of the Obelisk or at least her remains, and alert Footfall. I wouldn't even mind giving effectively a Hive World with spacedocks over to the Thuleans if we got salvage rights to some of the cruisers, mineral interests, and a degree of governorship after the purges. As to the destroyer...I was thinking Purification Through Conflagration might be a fitting name, if a bit wordy. Hm, if they're replacing the lance with the torpedo tubes, can we swap their macrobatteries for the lance? Prudent?

"At the least, to take these systems...we'll need assistance from the Mechanicus, who are likely to give it for access to the archeotech; the Inquisition, to purge the unclean; the Ecclesiarchy, to spread the Faith; Guard regiments and Navy squadrons likely drawn from Calixis; perhaps even Adeptus Astartes support in the end--not even a Grand Cruiser is equipped to deny an Astartes boarding party or go to-to-toe with a Battle Barge. This would require a minor Crusade...and we must be at the forefront. It may be best to put it off until we can amass significant capital for whatever Lord Militant we approach to take us seriously."

[Destro_Yersul]

"We've got some numbers, and unless we get close enough to be shot at, we're not going to get much better. Personally, I'd like to avoid being shot at right now. We're not in any shape for another slugfest." Quintos tapped his fingers on the desk, thinking on possible courses of action. "I agree, it won't stay here forever, but I also think it's not going to expand any time soon. If it was going to, it would have already. We aren't the first contact they've had with the Imperium. Still, we'll have to deal with it fast. We may be the first contact they've had smart enough to do something about them."

Standing from his chair, Quintos began pacing the Library, looking up at the books arrayed on the shelves. Many of them he had purchased himself, adding to the Mal's collected store of knowledge a little at a time. "Synford II," he said. "The Forge World we originally got the Grand Mal from. I bet you they'd jump at the chance to get their hands on some of this stuff. The Lathes would have more firepower, though. What do you think are the chances we can sell it to both of them? The Guard and the Navy... do you have any contacts? I've got a few friends on Footfall, but they won't be worth much in a fight. The Ecclesiarchy and the Inquisition will come along as soon as we shout 'Heretics' and point the finger."

Stopping for a moment, he smiled. "As for the destroyer, that name is a little wordy for my taste. I prefer things a little simpler. I think we should keep the macrobatteries on it, more utility than a lance. It's only got enough space for two weapons, we shouldn't turn it into a one-trick grox. We can call it Kazan's Folly, or the Piecemaker. I'd like to save Piecemaker for something bigger, though."

[Whiskeyjack]

"Kazan's Folly only if you don't think people will start wondering 'who or what is Kazan, and where did that Dynasty find that destroyer.' I think there are Navigators out there tied to stronger Dynasties who could backchart our Warp trail and beat us to the punch." Alison replies with a smirk. "Of course I have Guard contacts, and while the Guard and the Navy may not entirely get along all the time...we know we have to work together. Can't take a world without the Navy, can't hold it without the Guard, after all. More Navy than Guard out here, but I think I can swing some meetings. I'd like to bring some Storm Troopers aboard as well.

As to which Mechanicus...I'd try to sell it to Vostroya, but that's my personal feeling. I have good ties with my homeworld's Mechanicus, but they're not so close to here. The Lathes have the edge on location and possibly resources...three planets worth of Skitarrii, three Forge Worlds devoted solely to warmaking, plenty of Adeptus Mechanicus Secutors and those Divine Light of Sollex crusaders, and all that within four Warp jumps of Kazan. But if you think Synford is likely to give us a better deal because of its history with the Grand Mal, then that might be a better option. Of course we could play them against each other. And there are also the Thulean Explorator Fleets out here in the Expanse. I daresay our Enginseer or Omnissianic Congregator have connections, or could make them when we return to Footfall." She gives a shrug and pours herself a glass of wine. "You might be surprised that I know so much about the Mechanicus, but it's inevitable being from Vostroya, it's a Mechanicus world in all but name. And you might not know this, but I'm a bit of an archeotech buff, all started when I inherited the family banner over there. I make it a point to learn about the Mechanicus as my fellow archeotech scholars...and now, my primary competition for archeotech goods acquisition."

Alizon takes a long drink. "Ugh, I need a bath. And don't write off your contacts so quickly. I don't have any connections with intelligence, whereas I think your associates could slip in and gather more information or conduct sabotage for us, if only we had a vector to get them there..."

[Goodwin]

Cade stood behind the crew of his guncutter as they went through the motions of dragging any salvage and life pods back to the Mal. His mood had deteriorated as soon as hostilities had finished and he found little joy in the tasks set out before him, even if he was saving lives damned to float in darkness.

He made a few vox communications to the crews of the other ships on pick-up duty. A radio in one hand and a thick lho in another.

He leaned on the back of the co-pilots chair. Smoke billowing from the hefty lho-stick and circling the rooms occupants. "Whach you think they're talkin' 'bout up there?"

He listened to the response but had lost interest in it by then. He watched the space station's large window, wondering if anyone could see him, picking up the mess.

"I think we scooped up all the dung left over from the assault, widen the search. Liara, Fisco, Bret, how many pods have we picked up? Make damn sure you get our guys up before you spend any time or space on those other bastards."

[Destro_Yersul]

"So we obfusticate the trail a little. Warp trails don't stay around for very long. It's the nature of the warp to change. In any case, we'll need a proper ceremony to name it, and we can't have that until the Kazan Empire has been inducted into the Imperium. By then, we'll hopefully have another ship or two to name." Quintos was getting into the planning now, thinking out loud as much as he was talking to Alizon. "We should try and take their shipyards intact, for easy access to repairs. This is going to be a messy fight, and we'll likely want to patch up afterwards. If you can get stormtroopers and a few platoons of guard, that'd help. We'll have to find an Inquisitor..."

"Bloody Inquisitors." Quintos bit his lip. "They're a pain to find when you want one, but as soon as you try something there are liable to be five just lurking about. Your knowledge about Archeotech, that's good. We can play that to the Mechanicus. Vostroya's too far away to chance it, but Synford and the Lathes are close enough. We'll get both of them in on it, let them fight over the biggest ships. I have a feeling the Mal's leash-holders would be upset if we kept them out of the loop on this, but the Lathes have too many resources to pass up. The Thulians... Maybe, if we can find some, but they're a bit aggressive for my taste."

After a short pause, with nothing from the rogue trader but silent thought, he continued. "Okay, here's what we do. Once we're back at Footfall, we'll dock the ships and see about getting a proper warp drive installed on the destroyer. You talk to your people, I'll see about finding mine. One of them might know where to find an Inquisitor, and we should put priority on talking to them and the Ecclesiarchy. With those two backing us up, it'll be easier to get backing from other lines. Once we have the Mechanicus on board as well, it'll be even easier. If we want my people to come along..."

With a shrug, Quintos finished off the point. "Best vector for them is money. How do we make it financially worth their while? I think I have an idea, but I'll have to run it by them first."

[Hemnon]

over the vox, aboard the Grand Mal, Magnus hails the lord captains.

++My lords, I have a proposal, which i hope you'll indulge me on this. As you may know, i have an... 'interest' in researching the human genom, decipher the DNA, searching the cromosomes for evolutional answers.

Because of this, I would like to be given permission to experiment on some of these Kazan humans. learning about their gene-coding might aid in finding out what mutations occur generally, why they appear and if they are in any way reversable. live subjects would be preferable.++ This he asks while he makes a few checks on the warp drive.

[DrK]

A second week passed as more repairs were performed on the massive cruiser. Entire sheets of admantine and ferro-steel being torn from the now depopulated base and affixed to the wounded flanks of the Grand Mal.

As the week drew to an end, the hold bays of the Mal now packed with new Kazan Hammer heads and the task of training and learning the new fighter bombers falling squarely on Cade's shoulders the sky around the venerable cruiser was continually filled with flickering motion of space capable fighters.

Soon however the repairs were completed as best they could be and the Kazan crew were beaten down- a few thousand of the crew of the Mal also being chosen to serve aboard the still heavily damaged destroyer surrounded by thousands of seemingly docile Kazan who seemed happy to follow any commands as long as they were left to gamble on their strange and alien holo-card games and worship at any number of small shrines to the 6 dragons that pop up continually no matter how many are destroyed.

Deep in the Engineerum Trias and Magnus slowly began to light up the fusion engines even as guncutters under Cade's careful eye attached vast towing cables to stern plating as they readied for towing and prepared to head further into hostile space.

Nasius watching Quintos and Alizon as they were readying to leave. A stern look of satisfaction on his face as you made ready to leave...


SO before you go...
1. Are you towing the destroyer? - ITs at morale 60 - so check the penalties
2. Are you destroying the base now? Even with the 27000 or so onboard?

[Destro_Yersul]

Quintos kept an eye on the commander during their preparations to leave. Naisus was likely to call for help as soon as they'd undocked. He had been compliant, but had also assured them of their own destruction. He would have to be taught a lesson, eventually, but the time wasn't right. Not yet.

"Commander," said the Rogue Trader, approaching Naisus. "I wanted to thank you for your hospitality while we were here. I have the feeling we didn't get off on the best of terms, but you could have showed a lot less courtesy than you did." Pausing to let the words sink in, Quintos continued. "I would like to extend an invitation. You are welcome to join us on our ship, for a time, that we might return the favour. There's a lot to see, outside your system, and since we'll be leaving as soon as we've learned the fate of the Obelisk, I felt it only fair that you be offered the chance to gain a measure of understanding about the wider Imperium."

[DrK]

As the Cruiser begins its pre-flight checks, the plasma drives slowly ramping up to full power and gun cutter flying and fussing around the massive 5 mile long towing chains to the still brutalised destroyer. Teams of engineers and ratings still working with welding torch and nail guns to fix the damage wrought by lance and plasma bomb.

Aboard the shattered and heavily depopulated base the Commander and his command staff, all in their very best scarlet and black dress uniforms stand ready to pipe Quintus and Alizon aboard their gun cutter. He shakes his head sadly, "You are honourable foes. While I can never forgive you for the thousands of deaths you have caused I do not find you personally offesnive. Sadly my duty remains here. Safeguarding my people and my Empire from any vile Xeno that would threaten us.
Safe trials in the travels as you seek you comrades...

They all salute as the guncutter blasts out of the fractured and battle scarred landing bay streaking across the void into the hold of the Grand Mal as the enormous many megatonne cruiser begins to slowly move away from the base...

As the twinned Captains join the rest of the command crew on the bridge the view screens activate allowing them a beautiful view of the asteroid as it begins to fade away into the blackness. Alizon checking an antique and ancient fob watch has time for the briefest of smiles before it happens...

The fusion reactions on the base pulse and wane as raw He and H are smashed together in the living plasma ball that will provide power for generations.

Unseen by any, hidden from the prying eyes of technicians and the inexperienced survivors no-one notices the small and subtle charges left by Trias and Magnus. Melta-bombs quietly explode in the hidden chambers of the base, coolant lines twist and melt. The fusion reactor slowly rising in temperature and pressure. The void shielding and adamantine core bulging and buckling before the raw power of a sun is released....


On board the Mal the flash is enormous as the base reactor goes critical and erupts into a supernova as the trillion tonne rock is reduced to ionic gases sweeping across the expanse, the shockwave rattling the destroyer as it sweeps around the powerful void shields of the cruiser. A few of the bridge crew cheer and clap. Others, wiser, keep silent offering nothing but quick salutes to their Captains. All noting the flight screens were none of the new ex-Kazan crew squadrons were in position to see the demise of their comrades....

4 days later
Feel free to RP anything you wish

THe cruiser with its tow along companion begins to approach the edge of the Kuiper Belt, the particle density increasing quickly and the auguer arrays rapidly lighting up as they scan and map each of the small tumbling rocky formations that tumble and spin in uncontrolled manners...


Begin the exploration challenge using skills that you feel are suitable

[Destro_Yersul]

"Seems a shame," Quintos remarked to Alizon, shielding his eyes from the flare produced by the asteroid's reactor going critical. "Heretics they may have been, but they fought well and honourably. Those macrobatteries were probably worth something, too." Shrugging slightly, he raised a hand in salute of the fallen Kazan base. "May the Emperor judge you justly, Commander Naisus. You should have taken my offer."

1

Quintos kept himself busy during the four days to the asteroid field reading, or continuing his regicide games with the Master of Whispers. Once, he extended an invitation to Alizon to join him for a game and a glass of amasec in the library.

1

Pirates had been mentioned to hide in the asteroids, and Quintos wasn't in the mood for another fight. He stayed by the augur station, watching as the reports came in about the size and shape of each piece of debris. Let Alizon worry about command for the time, he was more interested in picking out which places looked like they'd make good hiding spots. It didn't translate exactly from ground to space, but years working with pirates would still give you an eye for this sort of thing.

[roll0] Forbidden Lore (Pirates), if you think that would work. If not, I'll pick a different skill. Awareness, maybe?

Though that's a fail either way, so it's not like it matters.

[Whiskeyjack]

In the two weeks of repair time, Alizon has herself and Quintos record a number of vox-only and vox-and-pict messages to the crew, describable only with the term "propaganda." The messages focus on the need for the Kazan to assimilate into the needa and beliefs of the crew, the importance of all humans to embrace the Imperial Creed, and for the old crew to not scorn the mutant quite so harshly in the case of the Kazan, whom have proven themselves honorable foes and gracious, hard-working people willing to submit to the Emperor.

However, strict orders are for non-twist crews to remove any altars to the Six Dragons, for any Kazan found assembling or praying to such an altar to be taken for "private sessions" with the Chief Confessor and his Scourges, and for all Kazan to attend two shifts worth of Imperial liturgy in their Divisional Temple until further notice.

* * *

As the timer clicks down to Zero and then T-Plus time, Alizon looks at the expanding ball of plasma that once was an asteroid base with nearly fifty thousand "human" lives on it, then turns back to her Damage Control report, swirling a snifter of ancient brandy.

"Well, at least when we come back there will be one less thing shooting at us. Flight Ops, once we're clear of the radiation burst and any debris shell, launch the CVP, Furies only. I don't even want any Kazan on the launch decks or in the pilot ready room for a couple local solar days. Master of the Vox, keep broadcasting the Hymn of Unity and Submission on all channels at regular intervals. Set Condition Two until we're clear of the asteroid field. Yeoman, I'll take dinner in the Librarium with the survivors of the Obelisk. Make it something Calixian, find out from where the officer hails and tell my chefs to prepare whatever local specialties with a Vostroyan twist."

* * *

As Grand Mal approaches the asteroid field, Alizon announces, "Pull the CVP back in but keep one Starhawk and one Fury squadron primed on the pads. Master of the Vox, broadcast Action Stations. Set Condition One throughout the ship."

She sits back, checking the screens. "Tell Commander Breetai to keep the destroyer close in our wake and put Imperials at the weapon consoles. Double lockdown the torpedo bays. Spin up all guns in case we have to blast a path, and set turrets to autofire if any piece of rock crosses the minimum acceptable range."

She looks at Quintos. "Anything out there yet?"

[Vizzi]

After leaving his 'gift' at the base he waited in the core of the ship, his MIU connecting him fully to the sensors and the view ports, enabling him to have a complete view of the explosion. He is pleased as the Holy Light of the Omnissiah purges the Mutants, his hate not dwindling in the least, even with the thousand more mutants that died by his hands in this last act.

As the ship travels across the void to the asteroid bay's he guides the ships tech-priests and crew in techoarcane rituals, in the maintenance rites and algorithmic prayers that would appease the spirits of the ship. He connects himself directly to the Machine Spirits, his presence already a welcome one by them, and he commune with them aiding it in its calculations.


+20 to Manoeuvrability or Detection.

[kobywan]

Sitting in his chambers Arcturus is not around to view the destruction of the asteroid base. He feels a ripple in the warp as the destruction causes havoc in real space and the emotions bleed over into the imaterium.

As the ship draws closer to the belt Arcturus helps to man the Augers. He also attempts to reach out into the warp and sense anything unusual.



Awareness/Auger Scan
Perception 60
[roll0]
2 DoS

Psysciense
Perception 60
[roll1]
2 DoS

[DrK]

The Grand Mal slowly noses into the the asteroid field weapons loaded and powered up fully, void shield crackling and crew ready for action.

As the massive scanners seek out signs of anything non-natural in the constatntly shifting debris field. Quintos considers the vast field of moving rock and ice - his years of hunting down pirates and seeking out riches sadly not helping this time.

Deep in the bowels of the ship Trias plunges into the heart of the machine spirits, reaching out with the auger arrays of the ship. The sensations near overwhelming as he can feel the and track the solar wind, the thermal radiation of stars and the x-ray emissions of distant pulsars and the slow red shifting movement of the galaxy itself. It is intoxicating and Trias deep within himself can almost understand how some tech magos become lost. Become ghosts in the machines. Reaching out he aids the machine spirits boosting their power massively as the auger beams scour everything for any signs of life.

On the bridge at his Navis station Acturus suddenly see's a huge boost in the auger sensetivity and power levels as he searches out fo anything that may be of man-made origin. His third eye flickering open sees a faint eddy in the warp. The reflection of tens of thousand souls gliding past in realspace. Steering the vasy arrays he interogates everything down that vector until he catches sight of something... On one of the smaller rocks he finds what he wants. The mass spectrophotometer returning a signal of Imperial Plasteel as he spies what appears to small hab dome on the edge of a large crater....

[kobywan]

Captains I have a positive return from our main Augur. Looks to be a Hab dome made of Imperial plasteel. I am locking in the coordinates now. Arcturus' fingers fly over the cogitor before him as he finalizes the dome's location. When done he steps over to the command chairs to talk in private with Alizon and Quintos. Captains the souls of the dead are being attracted to this area almost as if they are being drawn here. We should proceed with caution.

The Navigator will continue to monitor the augurs as the ship draws closer to their target.

Focused Augur scan of the Hab
Scrutiny+Detection 68 (30 base untrained skill +38 detection)
[roll0]
3 DoS

[Destro_Yersul]

"Imperial..." Quintos brought the scan details up on screen, peering closely at them. "Could be pirates, but where would they get Imperial habdomes out here? Comms? Try hailing them. Tight band frequency. I don't want anyone else noticing this conversation, if they even have a way to answer."

Crossing the distance to the vox station, the rogue trader adjusted his jacket and leaned in over the cogitator console. "Unidentified station. What is your status?"

Not sure if I need a test for this.

[DrK]

As the Auger scans the hab dome it registers as a heavily modified lathe pattern auto-temple. THough the temple still bears some shell damaged imperial facades the thermal readings suggest heavy algae blooms within of a food processing plant.

At the crackle of the vox caster there is a pause of maybe 2 minutes before you hear a panicked and relived voice. "Are you Imperials. Emperor be praised. We thought we were lost and left for dead." Please help us in the name of the God Emperor."

[Whiskeyjack]

"Reduce speed to one-half and calculate our approach in. Keep sweeping in case it's a trap."

Alizon looks to Quintos and says in Trader's Cant: "Throne, rescuing Imperials is going to be dicey business with all these mutants aboard. Survivors of the Obelisk might even recognize them as Kazan. Are they with the Navy? Or some other unlucky Rogue Trader or pilgrim vessel fired upon by that asteroid..."

[Destro_Yersul]

Before answering the vox, Quintos chose to answer Alizon. "Most of the Kazan are in the lower levels. If we keep them to the more travelled areas of the ship, they should be fine. Even if they do recognise Kazan, what are they going to do about it? Threaten to stay here? We press-ganged some crew from a defeated base. That's all."

His piece on that said, Quintos leaned in, keying the vox. "This is the Rogue Trader vessel Grand Mal. I am Lord Captain Quintos Aurielus. I will have shuttles sent down for you. How many of you are there? How did you come to be here?"

[Whiskeyjack]

"I'll go down in a cutter to meet them. Send a Fury CVP in with us," Alizon says, belting on her sword and throwing Quintos a glance as she heads for the lifts to the launch decks.

[Hemnon]

hearing the commotion, magnus heads to the bridge, to speak with the lord captains.

''May i request permission to travel to the planet as well? if they have any servants of the omnissiah, then a fellow tech-priest would be a more wellcome sight than just regular imperial grunts. maybe we could bring that auto-temple along with us as well... it IS a marvelous piece of technology after all.''

[Whiskeyjack]

"By all means. Send in some Sharks with us as well. They can double as shuttles if need be. And keep any guests out of the parts of the hangars with our new craft."

Alizon is at the lift, just waiting for her personal armsmen and the banner to accompany her.

[kobywan]

Captain I would like to come down to provide my "extra" perception. While they seem legitimately in distress I would like to make sure they don't have any surprises waiting in the warp.

Not wanting to alarm the Imperials Arcturus wears his mesh armor under a suit of worn comfortable leathers. He carries his laspistol and sword at his hip.


Awareness
Perception 60
[roll0]

Psyniscience
Perception 60
[roll1]

[DrK]

Over the course of the 2 weeks of repairs and the week or so gliding through the depths of the void towards the Belt the constant message hypo-indoctrination, preaching and sheer exhasution from being worked hard begins to make its toll.

Rumours creep up the chain of command of Kazan beginning to mix with the Imperial ratings and gun deck dregs. Kazan joining in on the underdeck fighting rings and some of the Kazan gambling games transiting across to the regular ratings....

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


Back in the belt the launch bays thunder as with faint puffs of atmopshere and on plumes of flame a fury squadron streak out moving into position to cover the heavy shark assault boats and the command guncutter.

It is a short flight down towards the crater wall and soon the plasteel walls of the auto-temple can be seen. A small collection of mega bolter turrets scattered around the base of the temple and a small roughly made landing pad glittering with a couple of strobe lights; and a pair of men wearing heavy void suits similar to those hanging in the aft cabin of the guncutter.

[Destro_Yersul]

"I will stay aboard the Mal, and remain in command up here. If this IS a trap, it wouldn't do to have all the senior command staff absent from the bridge."

While Alizon and the rest took flight in the guncutter, the waves of furies and assault boats following behind them, Quintos stayed by the vox, waiting for answers to the questions he'd asked of the temple's occupants.

[DrK]

Sorry, my daugher woke up crying hence the post tailing off...

As the guncutter lands neatly in the centre of the landing pad a small utility chimera drags out a mobile tented docking collar. With a soft hiss the pressure equalises and the air lock opens with a dull thunk.

Striding down the semi-opaque boarding collar Alizon is accompanied by a dozen of her elite guards and several of her bridge crew including the Navis. The hard plasteel bulkhead door stands open and within is a honour guard. Thankfully all wearing Imperial dress uniforms, aquilla's gleaming and bayonets affixed on lasguns. Standing ready a grim faced man, one eye replaced with a crude bionic. He salutes smartly; "Lady Captain on deck." as the rest of the men also salute. "Welcome aboard Lady Captain. I am Lt. Commander Steele of the Imperial Cruiser "Obeslisk". Under the terms of your warrant and your links with the Imperial Navy we request transport back to Imperial Space."

He motions back towards the rest of the auto-temple. "Please enter and we can explain how we came to be on the Temple."

[Whiskeyjack]

"Thank the Throne, but stay on your guard," Alizon mutters, the banner trailing behind her, Arcturus, Magnus, and her guard as she approaches the man.

"Lieutenant-Commander Steele, I am Alizon Ravenna-Mallister of the Grand Mal, bearer of the Demetrius-Ravenna Warrant of Trade. With me are my Navigator Primaris and Enginseer-Prime. Yes, I have a number of questions and would greatly like to speak with Captain Hope if she still lives. But where is the Obelisk herself?"

[kobywan]

Arcturus simply inclines his head at the mention of his title. He stays in the background constantly aware of the area. His sense extends both into the real world and warp space.

Awareness
Perception 60
[roll0]

Psyniscience
Perception 60
[roll1]

[DrK]

On the Auto-Temple
The Lt. Commander has a momentary pang of sufferance at mention of Captain Hope before inviting you inwars into the hastily converted auto-temple. "Please Lady Captain, come this way, easier for us to talk in my office".

As they walk in you can see that the auto-temple is in a dreadful state. The walls patched in places where it looks like las or shrapnel rounds have punctured it and the vast vaulted chamber converted into a crude living space tucked in between crude beds of phytoplankton stacked upon boxes of starch rations.

Tired and weary looking naval crewmen stumble about and a crew is formed up beside a water cycling plant where they each get a half cup a day of their daily ration. The commander looks back to you as his men begin to cluster towards Alizon, Magnus and Acturus. The hope of rescue in their eyes. "I apologise for the conditions Milady. We have been abandoned here for 48 days- there were 212 of us but now sickness and an attack has reduced that figure to 128." He galnces at the red robed and bionic Enginseer. "Magos, would it be possibe for you to have a look at our air recycling system. It has been sorely stretch and may not be functioning at peak efficiency."

To Arcturus's third eye the spirits and demons of death and misery gather in the warp, hovering like vultures waiting patiently for the power to fail or a leak to develop and the Imperials to die. Aside from the horrors in the warp - fairly normal in fact- the men appear what they are. Stranded and depressed Imperial Navy personnel who had expected to die.

Getting to the Commander's office he offers you a seat. "I am sorry I cannot offer refreshments. We are on strict rationing. Now... he pauses and looks worried. "I do no know where the Obelisk or Captain Hope is I'm afraid. When we entered the system we began stellar cartography mapping as we entered the belt before we came under concerted attack by torpedoes and attack craft. We took evasive action and returned fire but received heavy damage to the Obelisk. We engaged one destroyer and drove it back with fire from the melta cannons but the enemy base began to strafe us. He pauses reliving the hectic space battle in his mind. The smoke and fire still fresh to him as the light cruiser was hammered by enemy bombers and torpedoes before the plasma fire and destroyer lances piere his ship leaving her crippled with tens of thousands dead and wounded.

"The Captain was injured but she remeained on the command deck and retreated into the asteroid field. It took us 7 long hours before we finally lost the second destroyer. The damage was severe and our long range scans had detected 2 more enemy vessels entering the region. She dropped us off here to act as a beacon for any rescue ships before heaidng deeper into the field seeking somewhere to hide. Our Enginseer's quickly making the temple air sealed and self sufficient. That was 48 days ago. She had planned on 4 weeks of repairs so is now 20 days overdue. I fear the worst. We also encountered an attack by local pirates but maged to drive them away. For now at least.".

On the Bridge

Quintus is the first to hear the reports of the safe landing of his colleagues as the Furies duck and weave around the local asteroids. The dull thud of a micro rock scraping along the Mal's hull or bouncing off the destroyer of no concern to him.

The auger arrays contine to scrutinise the surrounding field watching for danger, the harried Lt. in charge of the sensorium watching the display like a hawk..


Sensor check [roll0] 68


He looks across at the Lord Captain. "My Lord Captain. I'm getting a hit on the long range scanners. Unknown contact, 380'000km distant. Its hard get a firm reading at that range My lord. Especially with the debris field between us."

Other officers look at the Lord Captain, the Air Group leader looking expectantly. "Orders my Lord?"

[Hemnon]

''Before i go check on the life-support, i'd like to know how many tech-priests you have here and if they are in any condition to assist me? They are all more knowledgeable of this temple than i am after all.''

Magnus then proceeds to pull out an auspex from within his robes and starts scanning the air.


Tech-use test to use auspex

Int 50+10(combi-tool)=60 vs. [roll0]

[Whiskeyjack]

"I see," Alizon begins. "Let me preface by telling you why we are out here; it is not random chance. The Navy brass at Port Wander was concerned about the absence of the Obelisk and contracted with my Dynasty to investigate your disappearance and, if possible, bring you back to the fleet base there.

"When Grand Mal moved in to investigate the systems here in search of Obelisk, she came under attack from the same asteroid with its torpedoes and attack craft, and two destroyers. We were not driven off here; at great cost to our own ship, we were able to vaporize one enemy destroyer, hull the other, and pounded the asteroid into submission. The Emperor saw fit to send us as His vengeance against the violence done to you and yours. However, you mentioned that two new ships began to pursue you? What size were they? Destroyers? Or bigger?

"We have not encountered any pirates in the field but have only recently entered it, and a Dictator-class cruiser makes for far more dangerous prey than a few small hab-stations. What can you tell us of the capabilities of these pirates?

"My Dynasty has agreed to search for Captain Hope. And we will offer you fire and water and passage back to Footfall. But we will need to venture deeper into the field, to either recover Obelisk and her crew, or confirm the loss. I presume you don't have an astropath on-station or you would have send a distress call to Footfall with astrotelepathy. Do you happen to know if any of Obelisk's astropaths survived the battle and were aboard when she pushed deeper into the belt? The easiest attempts at contacting your cruiser will be through that vector.

"And exactly how many people are here? We took losses during the battle so we do have more free space than I would like, but logistically we need to know if we can fit everyone aboard without overly straining our life-sustainers."

[Destro_Yersul]

"Hold position until the Lady Captain and the others are back on baord. I'm not leaving them here while we run off investigating. If you can get a squadron of furies close enough to have a look, though, by all means get one launched."

Keying the vox, Quintos directly contacted his co-captain. "Alizon. Augury has picked up an unknown contact at extreme range. No telling what it is, not from here. Sooner you can get our Imperial friends off that rock the better."

[Goodwin]

Cade had landed the guncutter and flicked the vox to Alizon "Lor' Captain, Cade here. 'cutter's set down and waitin' your orders. I'll keep an ear on the flight ops and an eye on the sky. Anything gets heavy down there and lemme know I'll park this baby right up that Liuetenant's -." Some static hit and a grumble from Cade set it right. "We'll be waitin'."

The pilot rose and stretched himself up, giving the order to set the vox back to the Mal. "Cade here. We're docked. Heard a chirping from flight that they've seen something. We know what's what yet? You want me up there, Lord-Captain Quintos? I'd rather be ready to yank the boss out of trouble, but if you want something done right I can head up. Lemme know. Cade out."

Cade rubbed his days old stubble. He hadn't quite slept right after hearing of the asteroid's explosion. Something about it didn't sit right and he couldn't decide whether to be repulsed or offended that he didn't play a bigger part in its destruction. Something in him was craving excitement, whatever its source. "Keep those channels wide open, I wanna know if there's something coming that needs to get blown up. Emperor, its the waiting that'll kill you. Damn."

[Whiskeyjack]

Alizon presses a finger to her ear and the vox-bead implanted therein. "Acknowledged, Grand Mal. We'll put Obelisk's evacuees in the quarantine hold aft of the Starboard Launch Bay. I'll touch base on the situation when we're en route, but keep me updated if anything big happens. Put out an enhanced CVP, just in case. Captain Alizon out."

She looks over at the Commander and motions for him to stand. "You can walk and talk with us. Grand Mal has picked up a ship at the edges of our augur range. I want to get your people in the process of packing up and falling back to the carrier. If there's another skirmish to be had, I want to be on my bridge when it hits, not down here."

[DrK]

Aboard the auto-Temple Magnus is brought into the heart of the structure to the thrumming life sustainer and minature fission plant that provides the heat and electricity. As the red robed magos begins his work the highest surviving technical crew rating approaches. "Apologies Magos. All of your kin were killed when the pirates attacked. We are not sure what is wrong with it. The CO2 scrubbers are starting to fail".

The solution is simple to Magnus, an easy fix as he pulls the filters and begins the necessary adjustments to preserve the atmosphere within the packed temple. It was lucky that they had arrived; another 3 days he judges and CO2 levels would have risen and required the culling of 34% of the current crew to remain sustainable.

Above the power core in the offices Commander Steele and the others speak quietly about the fate of Captain Hope and the Obelisk. "The ships that pursued us were both destroyer class I would say Lady Captain. Ordinarily we would have turned and fought but the Torpedoes had left our weapon systems inoperable and the Obelisk was holed and had lost several sections to decompression. One of the sections was the astropathican choir chamber. So sadly we had lost all ability to report our status with faster than light methods."

He motions you to look out of the viewing port at the dim grey dust beyond the station. You can see amidst the dust and ruins and rubbish from the station a crude scraped out mass grave filled with mostly naked human bodies. "We would surmise they do not have a sizeable capital ship but we didn't see anything. When they came it was by assault boats and a direct boarding action. They sem human although our apothecarian insists they are a corrupted strain of Homo Sapiens with a much higher mutation rate. When we examined the bodies at least half appeared worthy of purging by fire."

As the message from the Quintus reaches Alizon Commander Steele looks up. "Can you give us an hour Lady Captain before we are ready to leave? 8 if you wish us to ready the Auto-Temple to go with your vessel?"- no matter the asnwer he is quickly on what was formerly the vox casters for the missionaries as his voice echoes around the sweaty cloisters of the auto-Temple. "Assemble for evacuation. Hussle up all supplies and make ready to disembark." With an hour to ready Alizon still thinks that with only 1 boarding collar it will still take a further 2 hours to land and load each of the 6 assault boats needed to shift all of these men.

Deep Space

At Quintus's words a flight of furies streaks out heading towards the source of the auger readings as the Lt. continues to monitor the blip on the screen. "The enemy vessel is getting closer milord. Fury squadron launched, starhawks standing ready in port launch bay."

As things ready you can see the blip getting closer as it cuts through the edge of the field closing at some 20VU/hour.... You estimate you've got perhaps an hour before it begins to enter theoretical weapons range.

[Destro_Yersul]

"Keep monitoring them, Lieutenant. Soon as they get close enough I want more direct readings on who, what, and how many guns we're looking at." Without any more information, it was impossible to form a direct plan. Although... "Once they hit vox range, hail them. I'll have a word with their captain. Wouldn't want to go shooting down the Obelisk, would we?"

[Whiskeyjack]

Alizon voxes Quintos and begins speaking in Trader's Cant. "Quintos, the survivors will be ready to depart in an hour. But leaving one bay clear for Fury and Starhawk ops is going to push full evac to 3 hours. 8 if we take the Auto-Temple which I believe we should unless whatever ship or ships are closing will be enough to destroy us. I'll leave a senior yeoman in charge and return to the bridge.

"The commander down here says they were chased by destroyers only and the Kazan came at this place with assault boats. Best assume Kazan pirates out here. Is there any chance those torpedo tubes are online yet?"

[kobywan]

Arcturus follows Alizon back to the shuttle and readies himself for the trip back. Once on the shuttle the Navis finds an available cogitor and looks up the information about the incoming ship. Ma'am if we attempt a quick offload of the refugees that will put the shuttles in space as the approaching vessel gets within weapons range. Perhaps we should allow them to tear down the auto-temple while we deal with the enemy.

[DrK]

As some 26 minutes roll by and launch bays are readied, gun turrets come online and targetting systems are activated as armsmen race to set condition 1 throughout the ship. The chaos mirrored on the small rock as the abandoned crew of the Obelisk race about disconnecting systems, slaving important data to the pict recorders and readying to leave.

THe Lt. looks back at Quintus as he continues to scan the enemy vessels. A note of panic in his voice starting to filter through. "My Lord Quintus, she's not friendly. Cruiser sized with a destroyer escort, heading in on an attack vector!" She's broadcasting Kazan signals. Shall I assign emergency translation and patch it directly to you...
http://01.files.flatrock.org.nz/X2_Pix/D_Sulaco1.jpg

On the auger array the approaching vessel closing rapidly to 320000km (6VU/round) is a big one. 4.8km long, 0.4km square and menacing in her appearance. The smooth lithe destroyer- a mirror of the one that you have on the two cables floating alongside like a minnow beside a shark.

[Goodwin]

Cade was pacing back and forth in the cockpit of the docked guncutter. When his crew were able to hail Alizon he lept into his seat.

"Lord Captain Alizon, Cade here. I'm getting a bad feeling from up top. Where the warp are you? We should get up top quick before we end up stuck down here. Point me at a window and I'll make you an exit."

[Whiskeyjack]

"En route, Commander. Is there new information about the incoming ship?"

Alizon and her retinue enter the landing area amid a bedlam of Imperial refugees packing up shop. Alizon wastes no time in boarding the guncutter and strapping in. "Clear to go, Commander. I've been informed we have some company. But we need to take the refugees in without compromising our flight operations. Get us back to the Grand Mal posthaste so I can see what we're dealing with."

[Goodwin]

When one of his crew pointed out Alizon and her entourage making their way towards the guncutter the pilot lept from his seat and hurried to the rear doors. He shouted as he exited the cockpit, yelling "Le's go, le's go. She's here, get this thing ready to move peopl!"

He slapped a fist on the console and as the lord-captain made her approach the guncutter doors opened for their arrival. Turbines began to whine and the thruster's stoked their flames. Cade stood at the entrance and stepped back when the captain and the others made their way up. His hair was tosseled by the movement but his eyes held a light in them that had dulled since the fighting on the asteroid.

He saluted when the front of the party arrived, and perhaps hit the console a little quickly for some of the rearguard's taste. The ramp began retracting as the last of the group were still on it. With a flick of his microbead Cade cants his head to his shoulder and speaks to the crew "Up! Now, damn it!"

[Whiskeyjack]

"Quintos, I'm headed back. Has something changed. Cade seems excited. Well, more than usual," she adds in Trader's Cant. "As I said, three hours to evacuate, eight to take the auto-temple with us. We could move it faster, but we'd be compromising the use of both launch bays to do so. Thoughts?"

[Destro_Yersul]

OOC:
God Emperor, that image is huge. Could you put images in spoilertags from now on? They have a tendency to stretch my screen something fierce.

"I see. How the warp did they notice us at that range? Well, it doesn't matter now. Tell them we aren't here. Helm, I want silent running until they've frakked off. I'm not fighting another one of those bastards right now, not with the Mal in the shape she's in." Quintos sent one last message to Alizon, and then waited while nonessential systems were powered down. "Kazan cruiser, plus escort. No idea how they noticed us amongst all this debris, not from that range. Tell them to leave the auto-temple. We've got no time. I'm going to try and evade, hope they lose us in the asteroids."

[DrK]

Up in the Void

The signals emissions and the augers aboard the Grand Mal go dark as active scanning and power levels are dropped to minimum as the order for silent running echoes through the ship. THe plasma drive lowering itself to a mere 8% nominal power.


Silent running:-
All skills increase difficulty by one
Half speed (remember -2 speed and -20% maneuvre for towing)
Ordinary Pilot check to do anything (or correct one if more difficult)
Active Augury/weapon fire gives you away instantly


THe process of reducing power takes some 18 minutes. Even as the different sections report comms and emission silence the tired signals Lieutenant runs across to Quintus a scroll in hand. Lord Captain. The scribes have completed their work. Message reads "ALIEN VESSEL HEAVE TO AND PREPARE TO BE BOARDED. YOU HAVE COMMITED AN ACT OF WAR AGAINST THE KAZAN EMPIRE. HEAVE TO IMMEDIATELY OR BE DESTROYED".

The young man looks up, sweating slightly. "Could they suspect that we destroyed the base? Did it send a distress call before it was destroyed?"

The hololithic tank can see the faint plume from the enemy cruiser as it accelerates slightly, pushing its engines hard, the destroyer racing ahead as it seeks to close with the Grand Mal.


The cruiser closes to 250000km (25VU), the destroyer; much faster closes to 210000km (21VU)

Thats where we stand at the beginning of combat.
Enemy vessls average initiative [roll0]
Grand Mal initiative [roll1]

Disposition of vessels:-
Assault boat squadron - on the asteroid
Fury 1- covering the auto temple
Fury 2- 12VU away heading towards the closing cruiser/destroyer

Starhawk 1- ready in the tubes
all others... Standing by.

You've gone silent and they were closing in


On the Rock
Even as the sip goes signal black the first of the sharks lands gently, the massive barge shaped vessel thudding to a halt outside the air lock, engines cooling as the crew of the Obelisk begin loading themselves onto the cramped assualt boat.

The fancier guncutter blasts upwards corkscrewing rapidly under Cade's delicate touch. His eyes watching the Fury patrol coveirng the auto-temple, scanners monitoring the second fury squadron heading deeper into the field as they move to intercept the xeno ships.

The docking aboard the Grand Mal is a quick one as he flips the cutter down hard onto the deck with a dull thud. The elevator smoothly dropping into a hangar bay thronging with activity.

[Whiskeyjack]

Alizon is first off the ramp, sending a message to the bridge. "Master of the Vox, Priority One transmission to the habcenter: evacuate now, leave the auto-temple. Repeat, evac now, hostiles incoming.

Alizon bursts onto the bridge with a patina of sweat from her rush up from the landing bay. She takes one command throne and looks at Quintos. "Any word on the capabilities of that cruiser? And status of the torpedoes on our new destroyer?"

[Goodwin]

"Fuel it. Get it ready for another run and wait for orders. I might be coming back or you might be heading back to that damned rock to pick some more of 'em up." Cade shouts to his crew as he hops off the ramp and jogs alongside Alizon.

"Cap'n', where you want me? Should I take a Fury out or wha'? I don't want them squeezin' off bombs on us again. Lemme know and I'm at it."

In anticipation Cade lights up his vox and calls to the shuttle crews "Make damn sure my fury is ready and keep the crew in their damn seats."

[Whiskeyjack]

"Sorry to cut your fun short Commander, but take a look around. We're on silent running. You'll be needed at the helm. Captain Quintos obviously doesn't think a slugging match is wise or we wouldn't be at silent stations. Our priority right now is to evacuate the refugees and not sustain more damage."

[Goodwin]

Cade shrinks back "Ah, right, right...."

He vox back to the crew, lessening some of orders he bellowed at them. Deflated, he follows Alizon to the bridge.

[Destro_Yersul]

"Nothing on the cruiser. Destroyer is probably the same as the two we fought already, but I can't be sure." Quintos was leaning over one of the few displays that remained active, watching the projected blips on the augur screens coming towards them. "Base might have alerted them during negotiations with us, or right after we left, but they can't have got a message off before that explosion."

Shaking his head, he looked up. "Torpedoes should be ready, but that destroyer's in no shape to fight. We only just got it running as it is. Tell the furies we have on the outside to hide in the asteroids, and come around to the other side of the Mal to dock. I want them to think we've gone for good." Then, the captain sighed. "If they attack the temple, we'll drop the silent running and give them all we've got. Engage them at close range and hope the shields hold."

[Hemnon]

Down at the enginarium, magnus re-joins Trias.

''Brother Trias, we should await orders and for now work together until we are needed two places at the same time, Do you agree?''

[Vizzi]

Trias sits tinkering with a few miscellaneous items at the Enginarium, he sits ready to again plug himself to the welcoming embrace of the Machine Spirits.

"Brother Magnus, agreed. Although if the fighting starts i will join with the Machine Spirits to direct their anger and holy fire towards the Enemy. And possibly directing the Void Shields machine spirits in boosting their protection." he pauses slightly to say a small prayer as he reconstructs one of the items. "As such your help will be needed in the Physical World."

[DrK]

Even as the ship drops into silent running mode and the first of the wave of crew from auto-temple arrive the first fire blossoms deep in the warp. Macrocannon batteries aboard the destroyer setting up a massive flak dispersion field seeking to obliterate the furies even as the fighter aircraft turn to flee...

Even as the vast guns attempt to blot the fighters form the void the augury sensors on the prow of the small destroyer hammers out a vast bank of all spectrum sound as it attempts to track down the elusive Grand Mal


25VU away (13 from Furies)
Closes to 14VU from the Grand Mal 1VU from the Furies
Fires both macro cannon batteries at the Fury squadron
- [roll0] TN 35
- [roll1] TN 35

Active Augury [roll2] TN 58


The cruiser, a vast behemoth of destruction continues to cruise forward at a more sedate pace. It systems powered up but not radiating a massive amount of emissions. As it glides forward squadrons of hammerhead interceptors stream out its keel landing bay taking up defensive positions around the large vessel.

A faint series of atmospheric puffs along the prow mark the launch of a wide salvo of torpedoes that stream out beginning to fan out in a vast web surrounding the last noted position of the Mal. The plasma flares of their exhausts a terrible sight for the sensorium crew and small turret gunners, especially those in the turrets that were freshly fixed from the last encounter.


Closes from 320000km (32VU) to 250000km (25VU) launches a 2 Fighter CVP to surround it.

Launches a wide torpedo salvo - torpedoes close from 25VU to 13VU - will reach you next turn unless you move >6
(remembering you have half speed from Silent, -2 speed from towing)

[kobywan]

Arcturus rushes to the bridge and attempts to seek guidance for the ship among the eddies of the warp. His haste in the rush aboard the ship clouds his mind and all he sees is fuzzy static and the slosh of water.





Stacking the Deck
Difficult (–10) Perception Test 50
[roll0]

[Destro_Yersul]

"Damn the torpedoes." Quintos muttered, looking at the bridge. Even firing blind, the weapons were dangerous, but they weren't as likely to hit with a wide spread like that, and if they ran into something that wasn't a ship first, they were harmless. "Helm, find us a nice big rock to hide behind. I've changed my mind. We're not risking this ship over a handful of men. We'll save who we can, and get out."

When Arcturus reached the bridge, the captain relaxed slightly. An odd reaction to a navigator, but there was something he needed to know. "Arcturus, how possible is it for us to jump to warp from here? Just a short jump, get us away from that cruiser."

[Whiskeyjack]

"They will be wiped out if they're discovered by those ships," Alizon says darkly. "But you are correct. Commander Cade, tell your Shark pilots to bring surviving senior officers aboard as a priority over the voidsmen ratings. Turrets on standby, and scatter our Fury CVP, the mutants won't be able to keep track of them in all this mess. They seem to be keeping their fighter-bombers in close as a CVP as well...all the better, but once they can't find us with augurs, they'll send the the guppies looking for us."

Alizon will give her RT bonus to Cade for piloting purposes.

[Goodwin]

Cade activitates his shoulder vox, calling into it "Shark Teams, start from the top of the command chain and work your way down. No questions, get them in the damn shuttles if you have to throw them in."

He nods when his orders are given out and looks back to the captain "I could take the guncutter down and scoop up a handful. It'll be dangerous, but we may save a few more..." He was starting to feel too eager at the prospect of flying from the frying pan to the fire. Why couldn't he find a hobby?

[kobywan]

Arcturus nods to Quintos. On it Captain. Turning to the cogitor before him he brings up his charts and notes, he also finds the information on warp jumps dreged up from the Kazan files.


Navigation Warp (to find a safe short hop)
Intelligence 90 (40 base, +30 ship, +10 Almanac, +10 Starcharts)
[roll0]
1 Dos

[Destro_Yersul]

"Denied, Commander. You're the best pilot we have. I need you at the helm." Leaning over the display, Quintos tried to pick out something, anything, to put between them and the torpedoes. "Much as I want to save the people on that rock, you're worth more up here."

[Whiskeyjack]

Alizon rubs her chin "We cannot outrun the destroyer...and with our own guppy in tow, we won't even be able to fully evade those torpedoes..."

She looks over at Quintos as a small smile forms. (Trader's Cant)"Quintos, a thought. Our new destroyer has all systems online, it just bears damage. Cut the tow cables and have it run and draw the attention of our foes. Maybe even throw torpedoes their way on the way out. When it clears the asteroid field it can execute a short-range jump to a predetermined point guided by that jump-cogitator. Meanwhile Grand Mal waits and watches, finishes evac ops, and the pulls out in another direction while the Kazan are still chasing the destroyer. And jump to the rendezvous point. As we pull out, our Astropath will try to send to the Obelisk in case they do have a surviving Astropath aboard. Thoughts?"

[Destro_Yersul]

"Best plan I've heard so far. Alright." Quintos hunched his shoulders, peering at the torpedoes on the tactical display. "Get a message to our destroyer. They're to detach and run for it. Torpedoes are out, I don't want them pointed anywhere near the enemy ships. We've got range right now, let's use that to our advantage."

Pulling away from the display, Quintos walked purposefully towards his command throne, sinking into the seat with a look of worried concentration on his face. "Commander Cade, evasive action. Keep it quiet, if you can. Get us behind some of these rocks, and let's see if they can't take a few torpedoes for us. Arcturus, find the Astronomicon. I want us out of here as soon as possible, and a warp jump's the fastest way to do it."

[kobywan]

I will do as you command sir, I feel it is my duty to inform you of the dangers of a jump such as.... Arcturus is cut off with a stern look from Quintos. On it. Is all he says before heading to the Navis Chamber.

He flies into the chamber, quickly thumbing the systems to active before opening his third eye in search of the glorious light of the emperor.


Locating the Astronomicon:
Awareness 60 (60base +30 ship - 30 gravimteric interference)
[roll0]
Well so much for help from the Emperor

[Vizzi]

As the ship travels across the asteroid field, fleeing quietly from the attacking ships, he seethes, for to his very hate urges him to try and purge the mutant, but he knowns it is not possible, so he guides the ships tech-priests and crew in techoarcane rituals, in the maintenance rites and algorithmic prayers that would appease the spirits of the ship. He connects himself directly to the Machine Spirits, his presence already a welcome one by them, and he commune with them aiding it in its calculations. Such is the work of the Omnissianic Congregator.


Roll in OOC Thread.

[Whiskeyjack]

"Cut the docking lines. Arcturus, when you have a trajectory, send it to the destroyer as well. We'll jump to the system edge. Tell them to sneak out on silent but be ready to crank it to full burn to draw attention for us. Vox, broadcast Warp Stations: Condition Red, the Hymn of Contempt as Armor, and the Litany of Saint Gellar."

Alizon looks to the helm. "Commander Cade, put us behind a nice big chunk of lead-based rock. Get our damned small craft back and prepare to take evasive action!"

[kobywan]

Arcturus sit in his chair in the Navis chamber watching the warp for the best time to enter. He sees the familiar aqueducts to travel in but they are filled with debris from the asteroid field. As sweat beads on his brow the Navigator sees his opening. Not far down in the flow an opening appears, it will be tight but the Mal should just fit. He transmits the coordinates in a coded message to the now unlinked destroyer and thumbs the button to warn the crew of an imminent warp jump.

[Goodwin]

Cade jogs into the room at Alizon's orders. "Move, move move!" He calls out to the co-pilot who scrambles out of the way to avoid being tossed.

The helmsman starts activating runes and checking between the screens and viewing window for places to hide. Once he locates one, he shifts the ship to ease it behind. "Come on...come on..."


Pilot Spacecraft 62 - 10 + 3 +10 TN 65 [roll0]
Fate Roll if Necessary [roll1]


Cade sweeps the ship in behind a massive hunk of debris and turns off the boosters to try and keep position. "Try 'n' wait it out here. Hold on to yer hats when those torpedoes start ta blow."

[Hemnon]

As the ship runs silently, Magnus attempts to Jam communication of the incoming Destroyer. his fingers rush of the key-runes, patching in coordinates and broadband frequencies.


Action: Jam Communications (enemy destroyer)

Int 50+10(Combitool)-10(Difficulty)+/-N(Other GM chosen bonus/penalties)= 50+ vs. [roll0]

[DrK]

The scene is chaotic aboard the "Grand Mal" as the sharks crash down hard in the landing bay sending up showers of sparks as they thump down hard. The survivors both parts panicked and relieved glad to be aboard the safety of the battle scarred cruiser. Trying not to think about the 43 lower ranking crew men that the sharks were clearly not being sent back for.

The fury squadron, a sister to that of the one now lying frgamented and burning in the cold of the void comes crashing down minutes after the sharks. Pale faced pilots supressing their rage and anger at the fate of comrades and friends.

Even as that happens the huge cruiser slowly pulses forwards, still on minimal signals as Cade bursts the plasma drive slowly and carefully to spin the great vessel behind the bulk of a nearby asteroid. The vast vessel responding adroitly, far more than normal as Trias merges with the colossal machine spirits lending their aid to the pilot.

The torpedoes slam into rocks and asteroids all around the Grand Mal even as the smaller captured destroyer vanishes like a black hole into the void, the thin traces of its fast burning plasma drives hidden in the vast network of massive explosions. The turret gunners on the Mal effortlessly breaking down any stray debris that may damage her hull.

Most alarming of all to the crew are the Geller sirens that sound large and dangerously in every corner of the ship. Thousands of crewmen finding safe spots to crouch down and hug the bulkheads as they all begin to chant their catechisms of safety. The whine of the geller fields slowly spinning up almost welcome to the susperstitious soliders aboard.

Down in the engine bay its all hands to stations, valves and steam leaking from the ancient warp engines distract Magnus and send him racing away from the comms station, jamming attempts abandoned as he seeks to correct the fuel imbalalnces in the engines about to tear a hole in reality. The engines power up slowly as the warp rift appears around the Grand Mal asteroids and comets shifting and exploding as the force of the gravimetric shift twists reality around the vessel. The few survivors aboard the auto-temple have little time to fear their fate as the fragile structure is torn asunder by the massive forces involved... the luck ones dying in the void, the unlucky hurled naked and screaming into the warp. The tiny squeals as their souls are consumed beyond redemption by the demons of the warp only the smallest of distraction to Acturous as he attempts to steer through the raging warp currents.

With a flash the Mal plunges into the Immaterium, the geller field howling and warp engine smoking and valves and pipes rupturing venting plasma and coolant under the strain. Deep in his navigation chamber the Navis opened his eye fully as he threw the vessle down the tiny narrow streams of warp energy. The Mal twisting and turning with Cade instantly inputting the commands of the Navis into the system. Mere minutes later, a jump of less than 10 light minutes the huge vessel crashes into real space, smoke, steam and empyreal matter glistening on her flanks...


You have escaped.... for now.

[Whiskeyjack]

Alizon's hands clench as the torpedoes explode, as damage reports filter in from the launch bays scrambling to recover small craft, as the Litany of Saint Gellar rises in volume and tempo and shields slide cross any viewing panel to shield the denizens of the ship from views of the Warp. Suddenly there is a greasy tugging at her innards as the ship translates, and prayers repeat loud and strong from her own mouth. It seems like mere moments before her guts twist again as the carrier drops back into real space. The prayers continue for a minute as the ship begins to come down from the fever of the violent Warp transition.

And then she exhales the breath she didn't realize she was holding, opens the vox to the Navigorum and begins to clap, looking around the bridge and expecting the officers to do the same. She stands, clearly grinning, as the bridge bursts into applause.

"Masterfully executed, Commander, Navigator Primaris," she says, stepping down off the throne. "But as always our work is not done. Arcturus, start calculating the jump to Footfall. I want to depart as soon as our destroyer gets here. Cade, put us on silent running and find us some cover. Quarantine the Obelisk survivors; once try are checked out, install them in the guest quarters. I want initial damage control reports from every bureau in ten. Start making critical repairs immediately. Let's be about it people, we are still quite out-gunned in this system. I don't want to be outmaneuvered again."

[Destro_Yersul]

"Doubt there's going to be a lot of cover out here, Alizon." Quintos' expression belied his words. He was grinning widely, his hands white-knuckled as he released the armrests of the command throne. "I wouldn't want to go jumping near debris again. It worked as well as could be hoped, this time. I don't like to test the old girl's luck, though."

"Too often," he amended, checking his personal display for the status updates from the rest of the ship and chuckling. "Maddest thing I've done all week. Alright, let's keep as silent as we can. I doubt they can guess where we went, but I want the long range sensors on full alert just in case. So much as a comet comes within a hundred thousand clicks of us, I want to hear about it. We'll give the destroyer a few days to show up, and then get out of here."

Standing at last, the Rogue trader made for the high arched doors that led off from the bridge. "I'm heading to the launch bays. I'd like to have a personal word with our rescued crew."

[Whiskeyjack]

"Vox, have the Astropathic Choir send some messages towards the belt or likely places Obelisk could have gone. It's worth a shot. Nothing too sensitive, just that we recovered their crew and are heading for Footfall. If the Kazan have a way to intercept Astrotelepathy, that won't give them much useful information." Alizon settles back into the command throne.

She nods at Quintos. (Trader's Cant)"I'll tell you what I learned from them later. I think another senior staff dinner with us and the survivors is in order. And if our destroyer actually shows up, we'll have the Mechanicus do a full sweep for tracking bugs. I have a bad feeling about that. Unless the Kazan fleet was looking for Captain Hope, there's no way they could know we were in the asteroid field without a bug, unless the defense base transmitted a message before we took it. But why would they think to go there aside from an assumption on ship design and is looking for our fellows? I suppose it doesn't matter but I'd not like to let them track us to the doorstep of Calixis. Oh, best keep the Kazan conscripts out of sight of the survivors too.

[DrK]

The edge of the System

THe cruiser begins to stand down in a safe manner. Damage control parties checking the hull and systems. The kaunch bays refuelling and re-arming. The crews looking at the gaping space where beta-squadron had been- the loss of the 20 furies and the ~100 or so crew a blow to the morale of the flight crews. Even more so that they had not been avenged.

Down in the landing area a security cordon loosely formed up around the surviving 80 or so survivors. They crew of the still missing Obelisk looking around the vessel with cheerfulness as medicae staff bring ration packs, water and much needed chits for vibro showers to the filthy and hungry surivors.

Lt. Commander Steele stands resolute with his two fellow officers watching his crew relax. A slight frown crossing his face as the final tally of 44 crew left behind is handed to him by a young ensign. The young women still pale as she had been squeezed onto the last shark to leave narrowly missing a fate that was literally worse than death.

As Quintos enters the cago bay- a phalanx of guards all around him - the Commander straightens up. "Lord Captain. Commander Steele of the Obelisk. We thank you for your timely intervention."

In the Belt

The destroyer is silent as a tomb. The Kazan crew uncertain of who to follow or or who to obey. The grim faced and heavily armed men fomerly of the Grand Mal issuing terse orders. The hatchet faced Major Annete Korvin - formerly a seniro watch officer on Quintos's bridge the temporary Captain watching the sensors carefully.

The bridge crew breathe a sigh of relief as the torpedoes all pass astern, the destroyer was still in a sorry state with vast gaping holes in her flank and 30% of the ship still depressurised and sealed off behind bulkheads. The violent displacement and rift as the Mal goes to warp twisting and tugging at the destroyer as it runs on minimal emissions and minimal power She still smiles a thin smile - at least the Grand Mal was safe no matter what fate befell her.

The enemy destroyer is first on the scene, cutting through the field its augery systems pinging heavily, but Korvin was not concerned, her enemy number had already overshot and she had placed 3 large asteroids between her and it.

The sudden threat warning took her surprise as Lt Cairnes warned her Approaching detection threshold Major. They have us!" the worry in his voice apparent as the massively powerful augers of the cruiser pick up the weak returns from the curved hull of the destroyer. "Full power to Void shields Mister Jones" she mouths, more out of rote than any hope of surivial in the near crippled vessel. Seconds later the powerful pulsed las blasts hammer into the destroyer at the base of the command tower.

The vessel trembles and shakes under the impact. "We've got breaches on decks 12 through 16. Port engine damaged and venting plasma with fires in the control room.... screams echo over the ship's vox net. "We've lost shields Major. They knew right where to strike at us. Power failure aft of the mid deck. We're crippled Major. Orders?

The Major looked about at her fellow officers, flicking off the vox net aboard the vessel to drown out the screaming before hitting ship wide transmission. "Engines are power systems are damaged. Weapon systems are operating at less than 50% effectiveness and the enemy cruiser has us locked on. It has been an honour serving with you all. Emperor's blessing upon all of us and long live Captains Quintos and Alizon and the fine old "Grand Mal". Message broadcast she disengages the vox and looks about her bridge. "Options? Anyone?"


Way I see it you can select one of 4 choices for the hapless Major?
1- silent running and try and run and hide
2- incredible dangerous warp jump
3- go down in a blaze of glory as you fight it out
4- Ram/ self desruct type affair.

[Destro_Yersul]

"Commander." Quintos looked around at the mayhem in the launch bay. "You're welcome. I'm sorry I couldn't get all of your people out. I suppose you saw the enemy cruiser on your way in?"

Waving his guards aside, for the moment, the captain stepped forwards. He liked having the extra firepower around, but it wasn't like he was incapable of taking care of himself. His pistol and sword had seen plenty of use, back before he got made captain, and being in a higher position was all the more reason to keep in practice. "I wanted to come down and apologise myself."

[DrK]

In the asteroids

After her announcement Major Korvin looks around and seeing the faces of her fellow ex-Naval officers quickly issues the orders. "Stand by. Ready to be boarded. Give me a direct link to the enemy destroyer. They bridge crew move about efficiently making her proud at least of their last hours.

Reaching for the vox she contacts the enemy vessel. "Kazan vessel. We are of the Ravensta dynasty of the Emperor of man. We are heave to and crippled. Consider what you would do next. You do not want to make an enemy of the Emperor..
The reply is curt. "Power down weapons and ready to be boarded. If you resist you will be destroyed."

Korvin acknowledges the signal and powers down the damages weapon components and slowly reaches for bother bolt pistol to check that its loaded and the vox. "Enginseer. You know what to do." The binary 01 reponse reassuring her.

Over the next 90 minutes the destroyer approaches and holds itself 20000km off the bow until the cruiser arrives- its massive hulking form pausing at 50000km. A flight of assault boats streaking towards your destroyer.

"Now". Is all she utters. Deep in the bowels of the vessel the enginseer activates the warp drive with no plot, no route and no safeties. Warning shouts over the vox from the enemy vessel, a macrocannon shell from the enemy destroyer slamming in amidships but Korvin and the bridge crew do not care. She waits until she hears the screams from the engineroom and notices the crackling warp discharge around the destroyer before raising the pistol. It been an honour" - BANG.

OUtside the vessel the rift tears into being as the destroyer is torn to shreds- the super structure burning bright greens and blues in the raw fire of immaterium. With a hungry maw the warp reaches out in a vast flare.
[roll0]VU

The enemy cruiser activates retro-thrusters, the warp rift ebbing away just before the huge vessel. The sharks are consumed- bodies and souls devoured by the entities beyond and then the wave reaches the enemy destroyer. The gravity and warp fire streaking and tearing at the exterior of the sleek vessel before with the death screams of all aboard the rift vanishes dragging the destroyer with it...

Aboard the Grand Mal

5 light minutes away.... "Lady Captain. Message received from the destroyer. It reads.... oh." The vox officer pauses paling slightly. "It reads we shall do what must be done. It has been an honour. Emperors blessing upon us".

Down in his navis chamber Acturus can feel it. THe last hints of the warp shockwave. A vessel's warp reactor going and a vast warp eruption impacting upon real space. A few calculations on the navigational hololith in his chambers suggests it comes from the asteroid belt....

Down in the Landing bay. Commander Steele looks to Lord Quintus. "There are no apologies necessary. I understand the sacrifices necessary of command." He looks at the Lord Captain.

"We saw some of the damage on your vessel Lord Captain. These Kazan must be made to pay. What are your plans now? My men and I will assist you as best we can until we can be rejoined with the Navy".

[Destro_Yersul]

Quintos nodded, glancing over at the empty bays where beta squadron should have been. "Thank you, commander. I mean to organise a small crusade, of sorts, and I'm sure your help with that will be invaluable." Pausing, the captain considered what Alizon had said previously, about a staff dinner. It was a good plan, and probably a better setting to explain what they wanted from Steele.

"I'd also like to extend an invitation for dinner tonight. How many surviving officers from the Obelisk do we have on board?"

[Whiskeyjack]

Alizon's hands clench and though she wants to scream, she maintains her cool and commanding facade. "I see," she says simply. "Maintain the long range scans and inform me if you find evidence of battle being joined."

[DrK]

Commander Steele looks at the young Lord Captain in front of him nodding gratefully. "Thank you for the kind offer. It has been some time since anything other than starch rations has crossed my table."

He looks about the cavernous landing bay; "I am the only seniro surviving officer. My senior Lt stayed behind to go out on the last boat but...

Aside from that we have some junior tech priests, some young warrant officers and senior crew dogs. None worthy of your table Lord Captain."

On the bridge as the minutes tick by but no more communications are received. A few auger streams suggesting massive thermal pulses and other strange immaterium associated radiation tweaks but nothing more....


What;s your plan now?
All PC's may enjoy the benefits of 800XP

[Whiskeyjack]

Alizon impatiently thumbs the vox to the Navis Chambers. "Arcturus, begin calculating the route to Footfall. I don't tend to stay here any longer than necessary. Do you see anything of our destroyer? Has it escaped into the Warp as well?"

[Destro_Yersul]

"Just yourself for dinner, then. I'll have one of my men take down the names of those you lost, for the record. I'd also like our medicae staff to do checkups on all the crew we did save, make sure everyone is fine. Once that's taken care of, you and your crew will be installed in some of the guest quarters for the duration of your stay with us." The captain would have smiled, but the empty bays were irking him. It was his command that had sent those pilots to their deaths. His fault. Normally that wouldn't have mattered, but it hadn't been necessary. Well, at the least, it would help galvanize the crew.

"See you at dinner, Commander."

[kobywan]

With a shaky hand Arcturus thumbs his private vox with Captain Alizon. Ma'am I dont believe the destroyer will be rendezvousing with us. May the Emperor guard their souls. I sensed a shockwave in the warp from the area we just left. I've only felt the likes of it twice before. Both those times it was due to a warp engine explosion. He pauses for a moment to let the gravity of the moment sink in. I will begin preparations for the jump to Freefall immediately.

Arcturus takes his time to consult his charts and books before entering the coordinates into the navis cogitor. His rush to escape the Kazan in the midst of an asteroid field is finally starting to wear off. As the adrenelin wears of he realizes just how tired he is, punching a button he takes a hit of a stim to help keep him awake just a while longer to get the ship ready.

[DrK]

THe dinner in the Captain's private chambers is a grand affair as Commander Steele, the Lady Alizon and Lord Quintos swap stories old and long winded about the glorious old days in the Imperial Forces and the things they have seen in the expanse.

The more that they hear about the young, bold and strict Captain Hope they more she sounds impressive and bold. Leading from the front and pitting the Obelisk up agains many strange and powerful xenos even with large disparities in relative power. The general tone Commander Steele is that of man on the verge of worship of his commanding officer. It also gives you hope that somewhere in the field or other wild spaces of the Kazan Empire the noble Lady may yet be alive.

The meal takes place against the delicate and attractive backdrop of the immaterium at peace. The Lord Navigator finding near perfect conditions leaving a kaledescope of spinning colours, sensations and images enfolding the geller fields. The journey however is amazingly swift- a deep current of calm warp space propelling the Mal along at a swift rate. A mere 36 hours later - swifter than then 12 days outward bound the ripple of warp-real interface bellows in fornt of the vessel and it tears a hole into real space.

Sensors slowly come online, the stars aligning to where they are supposed to be as you can faintly sense the beacons of Footfall at the edge of your range some 4 days away on conventional plama drive. Within moments of entering real space the pilots in the ready rooms are readying to launch the CVP and the Enginseers begin to douse the warp generator with tens of kiloitres of liquid nitrogen and liquid helium to cool the machine spirits wreathing the warp genatorium in thick white wispy fog.

The plasma drives come online, thrusters firing slowly to swing round the bow before the heavu cruiser moves slowly towards the floating collection of space piers and rocky asteroids that is the articifial base/way station of Footfall. Hundreds of free floating rocky plinths tethered by chains, pillars and bridges that thrive and hum with (illegal) activity and space borne antics....

http://cdn.obsidianportal.com/assets/94484/footfall.jpg

Far from the roiling star Furibundis, the Port of Footfall heralds the beginning of the Koronus Expase proper. Built into dozens of immense asteroids, Footfall itself is roughly the size of a small nation. Millions of permanent inhabitants jostle with the innumerable traders, pirates, Warrant holders, and aliens who come here to seek profit.

Footfall is the largest port in the entire Expanse, and there is very little which could not be bartered for here. Each asteroid is tethered to another by a series of cables, and stone tunnels and bridges link one to the other. The centre-piece of Footfall is a gargantuan statue of the God-Emperor, larger than any conventional star ship.

Originally founded by stone workers, the population has now been flooded by almost every type of scum available. No central authority exists, and whichever powerful Rogue Trader happens to be in port can sometimes set themselves up as kings. Many Rogue Traders keep holdings here, and conduct permanent business amongst themselves.

Against every tenet of Imperial Faith, the vile xenos can be found here (usually at the restricted Xenophilium). Species such as the Stryxis come here to trade with humans, and rare and forbidden commodities can be found. Rumours abound that the Inquisition has a number of clandestine operations here, and assassinations of those who flaunt the dictates of the Imperium are not unknown.

The augers of the Grand Mal flicker and haze as the mass of rock and metal interefere slightly as you struggle to recognise the half dozen vessels docked in port. The heavy space docks and wreckers yard on the spinwards side of the conglomeration are quick to vox the vessel. "Unkown vessel. These are the breaker yards of Rust-Fall. What are your intentions. We are armed and prepared to defend ourselves if need be.


Hope you all remembered to spend your 800xp

[Whiskeyjack]

"So that is Furibundus. I was hoping to be outfitting another ship here by its raging light," Alizon mutters irritably, back on the command throne, and she sighs as the ship is hailed. "Open the vox," she states, clearing her throat and sitting up in an imperious stance on the throne.

"All glory to the reach of Man, the grasping hand of the God-Emperor. Rust-Fall Void Traffic Control, you are speaking with Alizon Ravenna-Mallister, bearer of the Mallister-Demetrious Warrant of Trade and Captain of the Grand Mal. We seek business opportunities, not hostilities."

[Destro_Yersul]

"They say fortune favours the bold. We should have brought it with us when we jumped." Quintos shrugged, letting Alizon handle the pleasantries with footfall's docking authorities. "Hindsight."

The dinner with Commander Steele had gone well, he felt. Part of the point was to get the officer on their side, so he could help them sweet talk the navy. Nothing like a little comraderie for that sort of thing. "We're going to need some extra capital if we want to take down their empire, but we have time. Given the size of their navy, I'd wager we're the first ones to escape intact, with a full working knowledge of all their defenses. And only then thanks to Arcturus." With a smile, the Rogue Trader called up the regicide board. He and the master had only had time for a few games on the trip back. Quintos had been meaning to challenge Alizon at some point, but had yet to get around to it.

"I had a few ideas since we first spoke of it, though. I'm going to need to see about digging up a few old contacts."

[Goodwin]

Cade slumped himself into the nearest seat once their situation looked stable. A junior pilot took over the menial task of bringing the massive ship to port. Cade was uninterested in such pursuits.

He ran a hand through his lengthened hair and looked to the floor. He had clearly been rather bitter since word that a squadron had been vaporized and left behind, and hearing that the entirety of the destroyer and its crew were left to their fates also kept him in a poor mood. He half heartedly flagged over one of the younger crewmen "Get me something to drink."

[kobywan]

Arcturus excuses himself from the bridge as he prepairs to leave he sees Cade slumped in his chair and stops by. Mind if I share a drink with you? I could use something to help me fall asleep. The Navis settles into a chair and sips his drink slowly. We both had to make decisions that were unwanted in the last few days. If you ever need to talk let me know. When he is done talking with Cade he retires to his room. Once there he falls into his grav-bed and much needed sleep.

[DrK]

Like a lumbering behemoth the cruiser drifts slowly on minimal thrusters into the floating collective that is Footfall until it finally reaches the space docks of the breaker's yards. One of the massive shield shrines- huge weapon and shield laden emplacementw ith the skull of Mars on it hovering nearby lest visiting ships provide problems.

As the piers and collars are moved into place by small freight tugs and maintentce void units the plasma drives slowly begin their 3 hour cool down and drop to their station keeping power levels.

"The Black Brotherhood welcomes you Lady Captain Alizon. We can see that you were unsucessful in your search for Lady Hope and the Obelisk. So sorry.

Do you wish to enter our spire and speak of the cost of repairing your fine vessel?"
"

Even while the ship parks the vessel is filled with excited dregs and crew- some of whom may even be allowed out watch through viewing slits at the well known sites of Footfall. The bone-yard - a cloud of waste and refuse cubic miles in size with rag pickers and dregs in home made suits. The 2 miles tall Spire of toxications where the narco gangs exert their power from and at the centre of the "port" the Macrostatue of God Emperor with 20 miles long chain bridges linking to other islands and thringing with pigrim ships in the void around it and crawling within its honeycombed walls.


What are you wanting to do and where are you wanting to go?

[Whiskeyjack]

"Yes, we will put in for repair and restock. Please send over a list of the senior Imperial Navy personnel on-station. And any Guard officers as well," Alizon adds, not hinting at the purpose; best keep it close to her chest for now.

When the vox is closed, she turns to the Master of Augurs and Master of the Vox. "Pull up a listing of posted service contracts. Perhaps there will be something worth seeking out. And find out if any of those jobs from Port Wander are still open. Senior staff is granted full shore leave. Skeleton officer staff on standard shifts. Non-senior officers and voidsmen may have a standard double-watch off per week in port but I want them primarily working. No Kazan are permitted to leave the ship. Commander, you have the conn. I'm going ashore." she adds to the Executive Officer.

"Commander Cade, I trust you'll be inspecting any smallcraft up for purchase and pilots seeking to make their fortune? And I think it's time to start cycling the Kazan Hammerheads into our CVP...once we're away from Imperial augurs of course."

[Goodwin]

A Drink
Nidas looked rather surprised when the Navis greeted him. He had barely engaged in even looking at some of the vast crew, and Arcturus was easily one of them. The pilot saw himself as far below such a station to converse with one of his power, but then he did little to express himself to most on board. Except in fits of zeal or anger at those under his tutelage or command.

"I...Yeah, sure." At first he looked around him to confirm that Arcturus was actually speaking with him. Seeing the number of officers both important and not though, he rose from his perch. "Maybe better take it outside. One's like bad enough, two might get us hung." With a nod of his head towards the door, Cade led the Navis out on a brief walk. A drink in each hand.

Cade kept the conversation from the dead pilots or the lost crew and did his best to keep a strained or perhaps awkward conversation alight; he didn't think he had much in common with the Navis but did seem to warm to him. Instead, he kept the conversation to lighter things around the vessel, and that he was going to see if the Tech-Twins, the two tech-priests he had heard much about, would be likely to teach him a thing or two about minor repairs on things like his 'cutter.

He finishes his drink and watches Arcturus leave for the spire. He avoids mentioning a need to talk, and soon heads off on his own again.

Back to Work
Cade was underneath a Fury struggling with an unhappy and flailing cord when one of the other workers had managed to get through to the Captain, claiming the pilot had needed her. A foreboding hiss comes from the vessel as Cade speaks into the vox held at his head before finding out whether he was speaking to Alizon or Quitnos. "Cade here. You think these rock-squatters have a descent stock of fighters in them mounds of theirs? I might go take a look if that's okay with you once we get hooked up, might be worth checkin'. Been tinkerin' too with this busted up half-a-skimmer I hauled onboard while you weren't lookin' and I think I could manage one of 'em. Might be real fancy like, you comin' in on a speeder or some such like a saint on a slave's back. I donno what they got out here but might be worth a look. You there?

[DrK]

The Bridge

It takes a further slow 90 minutes as the great vessel brakes slowly to a relative rest and the boarding collars are slowly guided out by small void suited shapes.

The vox hisses back and forth constantly giving tiny helm instructions before finally the air lock seals go from red to green as contact is made. The flight deck is sealed shut and the massive gun batteries are put into safe mode.

As the ship is readied for port watch the vox once again crackles. "Lord; Lady Captain I am Calcus Calinnicus. I look forward to meeting you when you are ready to disembark and we can negotiate the costs of repairs to your vessel."

Moments later the vox buzzes again with a loud hiss before a fanfare of trumpets and musical instruments hails a crackling husky metallic voice. Greetings noble trader. I am Tanthus Moross the grand Liege of Footfall and would bid you welcome. I am hosting a masked ball this rotation in 7 standard hours for the nobility and elite who dwell in this benighted place and would be delighted to have your presence of yourselves and some senior staff."... Once an answer is recieved the vox hisses silently and goes quiet. Though both of the Lord Captain's are aware that the Liege of Footfall is merely a holder of the court and administrator of the day to day runnings of the station but the real power lies with the Brotherhood, the Tech Priests and various criminal elements and slavers.

The master of Aethyrics at mention of his name looks up at the twinned command thrones. At once my Lords. I shall begin the communications to Port Wander through the maw. I have also scanned the frequencies here - there are currently no naval vessels here, though that will come as no great surprise. I shall endavour to find out what other fellow bearers of Warrants are present at the moment." He pauss for a second consulting a string of fligues flickering across the cogitator screen. "At the very least the Ordained Destiny with Lord Captain Blitz is here" then man says as he points out of the viewing port at the edifice docked some 6 miles below you.

http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ffg_content/rogue-trader/news/prepare_your_ships/37-Ordained-Destiny-final-revised.png

The heavily modified lunar class cruiser a colossal edifice to bourgeois bad taste with towering statues in precious metals and near every inch of the outer hull gilded in gold or silver leaf. The Destiny was famous throughout the expanse.

Ready to go aboard the message from Cade about the possibility of a skimmer was welcome. The criminals and scum of Footfall were not above attacking their social betters and more than one bearer of a Warrant had dies in a shoot out in a some grimy sewage filled metal cave of Footfall. The thronging caverns and crosswalks always bustling- much better to flit abover their heads easily...


The Genatorium

As Trias and Magnus move through the rituals to send the great spirits of the plasma drive to a fitful sleep the vessel is slowly docked and morroed into the drifting spires of footfall.

As they work both notice an insistent flickering on a frequency at the edge of normal vox range. The message with its peculiar flutter sounds very like a visualised version of binary chatter. Replaying the message it reads as... "Fellow servants of the Omnissah. We of the Red Schola are suffering some technical problems. As venerated servants of the Omnissah we would seek to trade for your expertise."

[Whiskeyjack]

Alizon leaves the response to Cade up to Quintos.

Not entirely please by this pull back into station, she summons up her armsmen and banner, touching one ear to her vox-bead. (Trader's Cant) "Quintos, I'm going ashore. Shall I handle this mess with the repair costs? Regardless, after that I am to the Xenophilium. My service from the Imperial Probate Court included a specific advance in the form of a Writ of Announcement to the Styrixis, some commerical xenos race operating out here. Despite my profound distaste for the xenophilious, I feel as though I need to move beyond it in order to execute my duties to the Imperium as a Rogue Trader and to this Dynasty in making all attempts to improve the condition of our ledgers. Anything xenos-related you'd be interested in?"

She pauses a moment, checking her chrono, and adds, "I'll be at that ball, I think you should be to. Repairs are going to take weeks, plenty of time to run down new mercantile endeavors and start drumming up support for our little Crusade. No better place to start than with the Koronus 'elite.'"

[Destro_Yersul]

"Use your discretion, Cade. The skimmer might be an idea for the ball we got invited to, though."

For his own part, the Lord Captain was going to go looking for a few specific individuals. He wasn't concerned with the Stryxis, or the repair crews, or the garden variety scum lurking in every corner. No, Quintos wanted people with connections. Before he left the ship, he doublechecked his pistol to be sure everything was working properly, then headed for the docking tubes, voxing Alizon as he went.

(Secret Tongue)"I'd prefer to avoid getting other traders involved in this, if at all possible. We don't want someone else beating us to it and taking all the credit. We might be able to pick up a few rumours, though. Small things, where there's money but not enough to interest the big fish. You take care of repairs, I'm going to see what I can find floating around. Bound to be something worth chasing. As for the xenos..." Quintos himself had never much cared one way or the other on that whole issue. The Imperium said they were the enemy, it was true, but certain sorts could also be quite helpful. "See if they have a pulse rifle, like the Kroot sometimes carry. Been wanting to get my hands on one of those."

[DrK]

Footfall

Lady Captain Alizon waits at the airlock with a few of her fellows before with a faint hiss and a squeal of pistons the massive heavy armour plated door opens. The stench of footfall flows in like a dark miasma. The stench of several tens of thousands of humans packed into a cramped rock and metal enclosure with recycled air and barely functioning life sustainers. The smells of strange xeno food coupled refuse, sweat and humanity thick enough to chew on.

The dockside is packed with hundreds of heavy set and roughly dressed dregs that watch the new arrivals with hungry eyes. Guns and blades are heavily in evidence as from the profusion of tatoos and heavy scar patterns denote a large number different gangs and factions.

Waiting for the Lady Captain amidst the mass of dock workers is a massive balding man with a face covered in a spiderweb of black and red tatooing and scarring and huge crudley augmented vat grown muscles grown into his arms legs and chest giving him a strange almost abhuman appearance. A crude fizzing cybernetic occupies his right arm and his dark black leather clothes have a variety of skulls and fetishes hanging from it. "I am Calcus. You are the big cruiser so you must be paying me a lot I think if you want the holes fixed." His gang of black clad scarred thugs alos watch you carefully, gum toothed bloodshot eyes filled with an implicit threat should you not have money.


Sorry- daughter waking up. Will update Qunitos's information and any rumours after work.

[Hemnon]

The Genatorium

As Trias and Magnus move through the rituals to send the great spirits of the plasma drive to a fitful sleep the vessel is slowly docked and morroed into the drifting spires of footfall.

As they work both notice an insistent flickering on a frequency at the edge of normal vox range. The message with its peculiar flutter sounds very like a visualised version of binary chatter. Replaying the message it reads as... "Fellow servants of the Omnissah. We of the Red Schola are suffering some technical problems. As venerated servants of the Omnissah we would seek to trade for your expertise."

''Hmm, sounds urgent... what do you think brother Trias, shall we help them out for a generous fee?'' Magnus asked Trias, with the hint of boredom in his voice.

[Vizzi]

"We likely should Brother Magnus. Although the nature of the message does lend it self to some precautions i believe." he says as he knocks on his Power Armour and motions to his ever present Guardian.

[Hemnon]

''I do agree, protection will be the logical idea.'' Saying this, Magnus headed to his quarters, changing into his prized dragonscale power armor. Then he returned to Trias, prepared for whatever was required.

[Whiskeyjack]

"I am Captain Alizon Ravenna-Mallister," Alizon replies with a somewhat bored tone to her voice, standing in front of a small square of well-armed armsmen as well as her House standard. The whole station would know if a Dictator-class put in within a few days; may as well make the entrance something to remember. "I will be making you a good and fair deal for port-time and supplies. And whatever else my ship requires. I don't want to deal with endless vendors; my time is better spent. You, however, seem perfectly suited to the task. Interested in serving as a broker for the duration of my stay? It's potentially a tidier profit than just renting a slip and selling some spare armorplast." She glances at his guard for but a second. "Well, regardless, I prefer not to conduct my business in public, Master Calcus. We can retire somewhaere more comfortable--my Librarium or your...office, I suppose--but I won't be dickering terms with you in the middle of the docks for everything from Throne to twists to watch like some common Chartist."

[DrK]

On the Bridge

THe master of whipsers busies about as Quintos oversees the docking and settling down of the vessel and draws up the port watch rosters and the other necessary of dull duties of command.

Eventually the cowled Master of Whispers approaches the towering command throne. "My Lord Quintos..." he speaks, his voice a thin whisper. "There is no official Imperial presence here I am afraid. But there is however the Carrack Class Transport "Sword of Damocles". It has been in dock for 6 days after apparently suffering some warp storm damage. She is not trading and rumours suggest she has Naval personell aboard and has been reconfugured as a multiple regiment transport."

He looks back down at his well used and battered data slate... "With respect to our previous possible business endavours. Lord Captain Bastille is here recruiting troops to relieve the Damaris system and Lord Wose has signed a compact with Lady Sun-Lee to investigate mining rights on Lucin's breath.

I am sure there is more business here My Lord but mayhaps you will find out more when you attend the ball tonight.

I other news we have already apprehended 3 crewmen and 7 kazan seeking to access the docking collars. Execution or punishment detail Lord Captain?

Tech Priests

With a faint electrostatic buzz the pair of techpriests pass down the heart of the massive power and plasma conduits that connect the Mal to the floating spires.

The instructions had been explicit and well detailed. Even if they involved a strange egress from the vessel. However strange it was very secretive as it was unlikley that any of the more human crew were even aware of the presence of the crawlways within the massive power cables.

Leaving they enter the massive industrial chambers that support Footfall. Crackling arc lightning and smoking power genearators with servitors and brain tasked slaves toiling away fill the area and the dim light gives a strange hellish glow to the banks of coolant glow as they glow with deep reds and yellows.

The area is filled with the noise and vibration and scuttling shadows leaving both Tech Priests grateful for the presence of the hulking Praetorian Battle Servitor striding along behind them, heavily armoured and festooned with weapons.

Eventually the pair reach a pitch black chamber. An unused fuel chamber- the valves long since corroded to junk. The massive cylindrical chamber has a series of catwalks and the pair can see several cowled and hooded figures standing on the them ~40m above you. As you enter there is a dull crackle of binary as you are both voxed on a private tight beam transimission.
"Learned Sons of the Great Omnisahh. So good of you to come. We have several problems that only great men of your leanings may be able to help us with. All in the greatest of the secrecy I assure you".


The binary message would have requested you leave by the secretive route and tell no-one of your leaving. Its up to you if you did that or not.


The Dock of Footfall

The hulking vat muscled covered Calcus looks at the Lady Captain with a hard gaze. Unaccostomed to being challenged in any way, shape or form. He stares hard at her before giving a shake of his head indicating a ramshakle collection of offices that dominateclimb up the walls of the dock to the assembly of cranes and munitoriom stores and defensive turrets that hang from the ceiling.
"As you say Captain. Come then."

he leads you into what are clearly offices. A vast piled mess of industrial parts, left over weapons and bottles of various coloured alchohols.
"Very well Lady. What you got and how much you gonna pay"


Begin the horse trading :smallbiggrin:

[Goodwin]

Cade had finished up work on the fury and got himself cleaned up. He wanted to get out to the warehouses and stores of both fighter craft parts and the craft themselves. He was also keen on seeing what, if any, skimmer vehicles this hunk or rock stocked itself with. He was eager to see himself in the possession of something new to drive, and the thought of taking something that felt like he was in the air and throwing it on the ground, made skulking on plants not such a bad idea.

He was about ready to go off by himself and then reconsidered. He sent on of the men he knew better, but still commanded as he needed, to check in on the Navigator. He was used to going alone, but Arcturus had made him feel funny and so he sent to see if the Navis wanted to go shopping.

[Destro_Yersul]

"The Sword of Damocles. Interesting." Quintos considered the information, running it over in his mind. "See if you can find out more about who's onboard. Ask the dockmaster overseeing their repairs, maybe. I'd like to know who I'm dealing with before I march right up. Oh, and see if you can find anything about the Righteous Path. If anyone has found it, I can't say I'd mind knowing where."

Poised on the edge of leaving, the Lord Captain paused just long enough to make a decision on the crew. "Punishment detail, and find out why they were trying to leave. Let me know their reasoning when I get back."

With that he made his way off the ship, seeking the shadiest looking dive bar he could find. For this trip, Quintos had abandoned his Captain's Finery. It didn't do to advertise wealth too much, in places like this. For security, he had selected a single unit, from the house guard. Just as backup, he told himself.

But you never know.

[Whiskeyjack]

Alizon folds her arms as she looks around, obviously unimpressed. "If the quality of your repair-goods is the same as what I see around here...I'll give you five thousand Thrones per local week in the slip, and twenty thousand Thrones for the bulk of supplies we need. And a bonus of ten thousand for coordinating whatever vendors my ship might require for the stay. Assuming the goods and services are up to my Enginseer-Primes' standards, of course. The Mallister-Demetrius Dynasty has no use for items of low quality, or subpar services, and will treat such contracts as a legal nullity."

Alizon is low-balling hard. Commerce vs TN 78 (58 base + 10 Renowned Warrant + 10 Imperial Seal): [roll0]

[Vizzi]

Before he leaves the ship Trias gives one of the more loyal underlings a data-slate with a timed message, for him to give it to the Captain in a few day's time. It consisted of the the message they received, and the willingness of both to spend some time uncovering such a mystery.

The journey with Brother Magnus was interesting for him, for it was not often he had seen such interesting sights these day's. His loyal guardian, did its job admirably by intimidating the lesser rabble away.

As they reach what he assumes is the meeting place he is slightly surprised at the private tight beam transmission, but it quickly passes and he answers "What exactly are the several problems, that you would need two Sons of the Great Omnisahh? And what would you trade for perhaps solving them?"

[DrK]

The Industrial sectors

The hooded and colwed figures nod to the two tech priests in the heart of the genatorium. Two of the them dropping lithely down ladders, the third floating down gently down accompanied by the faint thrum of a grav unit.

The floating figure in a heavy black cowl slowly lands down in front of you. Fleshmelded arms attached to the spinal carapace and crackling power tools, razor blades and utility tools on its hands...


http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111020223721/warhammer40k/images/0/0d/Heretek.jpg

The creature smiles at you. "Brothers. I am Magos Noctus. We have needs of your skills. I grow tired and the knowledge slips away like sand through a filter."


If you have lore skills related to the Mechanicus thensee if you recognise the name.


It gestures to two of its allies. Massive hulking figures coated in vat grown muscle and sub-skin armour plating. Metallic growths on their face controlling behavioural inhibition units and cyber augmented senses.
"I nned more allies to assist in the creation of my Astartes. Astartes Omnisaah I shall call them."

The Bridge

THe Master of WHispers nods at Quintos before darting off to continue his research. And hopefully the reason for the arrival and subsequent silence of the Sword of Damocles.

With the fleeing crew safely in the brig with experienced interrogators finding out why they tried to flee everything was ready for a departure.

10 minutes later garbed in dingy clothes more fitting for the basest crew dog he and a selection of security crew (and possibly Cade/Acturus?) head into the depths of the station.

Heading to the ill reputed Spire of Intoxicants its a longs trudge through the mass of humanity. THe dirty tunnels and steel caves filled with roasting food from vendors and the desperate and the worthless. Preachers cry of the doom approaching whilst other radical preachers shout of their own strange and worrying deviations from the true faith.

As you cross the long space bridge into the Spire the mood changs noticeably. Flickering and guttering lights, strong cloying drug smoke and the heavy beat of industrial filters and strange wild music. The Narco tribes line the streets with as many sellers as near zombified addicts comatose in the vents and corners stewing in their own filth. The nearest bar looks foul. Dim neon lights, the roar of a fighting ring where cyber-gladiators do battle to the death and a smoke shrouded atmosphere near the bar lined with a dozen massive bubbling vats of some sort of industrial liquor...

Its hard to imagine a rougher place...

The Docks

Its a hard slog for Lady Alizon as she negotiates with the tatooed thug. An individual that she wouldn't normally even want near the proud vessel. He drives a hard bargain though driving her up and up in price with a savage glee...


He wins by 2 DoS so its a EFfective PF-4 for your tests

Its an acquisition (-10) test for every 5 points of hull damage you want fixed

[Destro_Yersul]

"Well now," Quintos said, regarding the bar with a predatory air. The guards and crew he'd brought with him had been similarly clothed, their garb designed to draw no undue attention. "This looks like my kind of party. What do you say, boys?"

Pausing here to see if Arcturus and Cade care to be along for the ride. Quintos likely met them at the docking tubes.

[Goodwin]

"On yer way out, Cap'n'? I was headin' to go shopping with your good name ta restock the fury squadrons and get me one of 'em skimmers. Navis' taken his sweet time, else no one found 'em yet. Guess he knows how to vox us if he cares ta come."

He gave a shrug and turned to walk in step with Quintos. "You need company? Where you off to? You look some different."

[Destro_Yersul]

"That I do, commander. We're slumming it, at the moment. You're welcome to come along, but skimmers and ships will have to wait for a bit if you do. Be glad to have you at my back, though."

Outside the bar, Quintos stepped out of the shadows, and up to the door. "Keep your iron handy. Don't want trouble we can't solve," he whispered to Cade as he stepped inside.

Scanning the patrons to see if there was anyone that looked familiar, the Rogue Trader headed for the bar itself. In his experience, bartenders noticed things, and he wanted to have a short talk with the man if he could find a moment for it.

[DrK]

The Spire of Intoxicants
As you enter the smoke filled den you can feel the heavy drug laden smoke infiltrating your thoughts and making you feel both giddy, high and weak. The heavy industrial music thrumming and pulsing at a volume that would make even the lowliest enginseer plasma genatorium dreg wince.

Please make an Easy (+20) Carouse test

Pushing through the mass of sweating half naked tatooed narco-tribesmen each festooned with blades and guns in webbing over thier nets of bizzare tatooes Quintos, Cade and the few guards still attract strange looks.

The man behind the bar. Left hand ending in what can best be described as a bionic claw looks up at you. His other hand resting on the handle of what appears to be a naval shotcannon that lurks underneath the half dozen battered bulkheads that have been upended to form the crude bar. Shouting over the pounding music his accent is harsh, a crude mix of trader's cant with the salty slang of the battlefleet within it Trader. You're a long way from the port. Best be seeking safer places to sling you. He slides a pair of lurid purple fizzing drinks towards Quintos and Cade. The smell of av gas a distinct twang from the glass. "Which old lady did you get off?"

[Hemnon]

The Industrial sectors

The hooded and colwed figures nod to the two tech priests in the heart of the genatorium. Two of the them dropping lithely down ladders, the third floating down gently down accompanied by the faint thrum of a grav unit.

The floating figure in a heavy black cowl slowly lands down in front of you. Fleshmelded arms attached to the spinal carapace and crackling power tools, razor blades and utility tools on its hands...


http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111020223721/warhammer40k/images/0/0d/Heretek.jpg

The creature smiles at you. "Brothers. I am Magos Noctus. We have needs of your skills. I grow tired and the knowledge slips away like sand through a filter."


If you have lore skills related to the Mechanicus thensee if you recognise the name.


It gestures to two of its allies. Massive hulking figures coated in vat grown muscle and sub-skin armour plating. Metallic growths on their face controlling behavioural inhibition units and cyber augmented senses.
"I need more allies to assist in the creation of my Astartes. Astartes Omnisaah I shall call them."


''I will say this now Magos, What you are saying goes against the teachings of the Omnissiah, thus it is heresy. The great Adeptus Astartes are not being which we should try to replicate, since the almighty omnissiah created the first ones. By attempting to do this you've labled yourself a heretek and i will not participate in this. Thus i will take my leave now.'' magnus said with contempt.

''My fellow tech-priest, Trias, will you stay and help this heretek or will you follow the sacred teachings of the omnissiah and leave this place with me?'' He asked, Trias with a piercing look.

[Goodwin]

As the glass slide towards Cade his hand swept it up and he shot it down. "Gah, what the Throne was that?"


Carouse Trained, 29 + Easy 20 = TN 49 [roll0]
(Also have Decadence so need to fail TBx2 to pass out, if that matters)

[Destro_Yersul]

Quintos took the glass, sighing inwardly. Was it really so obvious? Of course. most of the strangers who came to Footfall were traders, so it could just be an assumption.

"Not in the market for safer, friend," he said, knocking back the drink with an involuntary wince. It had been a long time since he'd had to deal with cheap alcohol. "Been hunting for a few old acquintances, though I have't seen anyone I know yet. Maybe I should find some new ones, eh?"

[DrK]

''I will say this now Magos, What you are saying goes against the teachings of the Omnissiah, thus it is heresy. The great Adeptus Astartes are not being which we should try to replicate, since the almighty omnissiah created the first ones. By attempting to do this you've labled yourself a heretek and i will not participate in this. Thus i will take my leave now.'' magnus said with contempt.

''My fellow tech-priest, Trias, will you stay and help this heretek or will you follow the sacred teachings of the omnissiah and leave this place with me?'' He asked, Trias with a piercing look.

At the first words of heretek the magos bridles and his two freakish cloned troopers look wary. Hold but a moment Magus. You speak of Heresy. How can recreating the great works of the God Emperor be heresy. Technology that he himself first created.

I seek the glory of the Cult of Mars and to bring strength to the Omnissah. You would turn away from the chance to bring forth a second great crusade. One that could spread outwards all the way to the halo stars.

A more dangerous note enters the other magos's voice. "You treat with forbidden lore aboard your vessel. Even now you harbour mutants, forbidden technology and the dark stain of the mtant."

[Whiskeyjack]

During a break in negotiations, Alizon voxes Quintos. (Trader's Cant) "This 'harbormaster' is an obnoxiously good negotiator. We won't be able to afford repairs without some concessions. Given everything that's happened and everything likely to happen with our friends out there I'm planning to sell him some of the Kazan. He's made a fair offer for flesh that should bring Grand Mal back to full fighting strength and overflow our accounts a bit to boot. After that I'm to the Xenophilium. I strongly suggest we pursue an endeavor that's going to put money in our accounts, not souls in the Emperor's coffers. Let me know your thoughts and keep an eye out for voidsmen looking for work who look appropriately pious. Alizon out."

[DrK]

The Space Docks

Handshakes are exchanged and Alizon can't help but feel a shower or extended bath is in order as Camlus orders the work crews start to assess the damage, liase with the Mal's damage crews and begin the work.

The huge gaping torpedo strikes and breaches caused by the enemy bombers will take at least 4 weeks to repair and the cost is large. Even as she prepares to leave the orders are going out on the Mal and a series of large slave barges fire up their plasma drives to dock with the Mal and receive the new captives. The slave markets in the Redt Tower will be busy for the next few weeks as ~5000 former Kazan crew are consigned to, in some cases, a fate worse than death becoming semi-lobotimised pleaseure or pit fighting servitors. Most merely fodder for void mines or crew dregs aboard other vessels.


Business done she and her guards leave heading for the Xenosphillium. A rented lander the fastest way to fly through the floating rock filled space to the home of the xeno's on the strange space station. Arriving at the Xenosphillium airlocks you can see a faint green glow and the dockside packed with various religious demagouges. Some screaming that The end is nigh. All who deal with the alien must be purged" others worshipping the xenos or obsessed with seeing what the Creed insists is the epitome of all that is wrong.

Signs indicate within the Xenos quarters which or the races currently aboard are present and any atmospheric precautions that need to be taken... Eldar, Kroot, Styrix - the common ones. The Flash Gitz clan of green skins less so and other races that you've never heard of.



You lose 5 crew
You repair 25 Hull integrity
You lose 10 morale (not permanent)
Repairs will take 4 weeks!

Which xeno race you looking for?


The Spire

Both Cade and Quintos reel slightly from the fumes and distilled jet fuel hitting their throats but its a good feeling and most welcome one. Watching the antics going on in the bar he doesn't recognise anyone immediatly.

The crewman of the Black Witch - vessel of the Xanthus dynsaty though seem amiss. As you watch you nudge Cade and bring your guards up closer as you occasionally see some of the parchments they appear to be trading with a heavily hooded figure. The slow writing of tentacles under the ragged brown cloak and a furred hand that bends backwards suggests a possibel Stryix. THe parchments are more troubling - they appear to be from the heretical texts of the Black Preachers of the 12th Great Crusade - the holy texts that drove Abaddon's forces onwards and corrupted entire regiments during the 12th crusade that set Cadia alight.

Aside from the chance enoucnter upon Heresy the bar is mostly filled with space waif, drunks and narco-addicts feeding their habits. A couple more drinks from the bar leave you both feeling particulaly mellowed.

Cade's chat with barman have been focused on the art of space combat. The eternal debate on the splt-S versus the Immelman and autocannons verus lasblasters as the primary turret mounts. Both Cade and the barman could be thre for hours is Quintos's thought...
"Dominator you say" he laughs at Cade... "Well ole' Blitz be driving his Lunar and I always says more guns is more power. When he be after that 'ole legend the Righteous Path you wouldn't want to be getting in his way." The barman winks outrageously at Quintos. "That Blitz got a link in with Lady Ash, one 'em ladies at the Lieges Court. She knows some things does she."

At eth question of other vessels he sucks in his mouth. "Well Cap'n its been a while since I seen void space... I could be doing with leaving this bar and this station if you get might drift?"...


To clarify. He has more information but wants a good place amongst your crew as a reward as he doesn't like living on Footfall.

[Destro_Yersul]

"After the Righteous Path, is he? How long has he been at that?" Quintos laughed, his mind working behind the drinks, wondering at the best way to steal the ship out fro under Blitz's nose, if it could even be found. The trader had already made a note to steer clear of dealing with the crew of the Black Witch. At this rate, his list of people who liked him was going to be getting vanishingly smaller.

"Tell you what," he said, picking his glass up. It had been too long since he'd had proper swill like this. "If you don't mind bartending somewhere else, I think I could use a man who knows how to mix drinks."

[Whiskeyjack]

Alizon is in quite the foul mood as she leaves the 'harbormaster's' office and makes her way through the station to the Xenophilium. She spares not a glance for either the xeno-worshipping burnouts or the overly zealous wannabe-priests.

"To the main Stryxis bazaar first," she says to the driver, shifting a weighty bronze scroll-case hanging shoulder-to-hip and containing her precious Stryxian Compact, written in some kind of yellowish luminscent blood on a blue-tinged skin traced with black and grey veins. Currently the Compact is wrapped in the pressurized tube; soon Alizon will brandish it as a weapon of commerce.

[DrK]

"After the Righteous Path, is he? How long has he been at that?" Quintos laughed.

"Tell you what," he said, picking his glass up. It had been too long since he'd had proper swill like this. "If you don't mind bartending somewhere else, I think I could use a man who knows how to mix drinks."

THe barman looks at you. A wide smile slowly spreading over his face. "ex-Chief Smith at your service my Lord Captain. Be it on the command deck or in the mess I'll be your man."

His voice lowers as he proffers another round across the tired metal bulkhead that forms the bar. "Well me Lord. I tells you now that the Lady Ash has a court of her own. She likes to host them Emperor's tarot cards and maybe she could be helping you if you can find her away from Blitz's notice. That or you can be heading to Winterscale's Realm. Blitz has been talking to the Red Scholars and buying up some slaves from that area..

He pauses pounding a shot of his own concotions. "The sword is a strange vessel. It been buying some supplies and a half. A hold full of guardsman and pretty few tanks but no-one knowing where they best be going? They must be going somewhere but if you're looking for troops you could be doing with striking a deal?"

"Aside from that well there be trade here. Though maybe nots to your liking. The Red Scholars be making some strange servitor mutants that they want to be selling. And the Cold Trade is pretty lively round these here parts. Or maybe you could be turning to some privateering? I knows of some more dubious traders. Not like you Milord. They are nasty traders they are carryiing some rotten things. Straight from up spire. No-one be missing them."

He smiles some more. Nodding casually at the crew of the Black Witch, as he speaks of dubious ships of nasty repute.


Alizon is in quite the foul mood as she leaves the 'harbormaster's' office and makes her way through the station to the Xenophilium. She spares not a glance for either the xeno-worshipping burnouts or the overly zealous wannabe-priests.

"To the main Stryxis bazaar first," she says to the driver, shifting a weighty bronze scroll-case hanging shoulder-to-hip and containing her precious Stryxian Compact, written in some kind of yellowish luminscent blood on a blue-tinged skin traced with black and grey veins. Currently the Compact is wrapped in the pressurized tube; soon Alizon will brandish it as a weapon of commerce.

Pushing through the heavy and strangely lit, scented and atmospheric xenophillium she can feel the alien eyes watching him. Some she recognises like the foul green scaled Galg, the beaked and heavily set Kroot and even a massive hulking muscled Viskeon, some she doesn't. All most vile and all deserving of the Emperor's justice.

Slowly she reached the quarters of the Stryxis. The corridors jammed with rusting metal, trinkets and strange fetishes. A thick musty smell like month old rotting fabric in the air leaving a foul taste in her mouth.

As she moved slowly into the jumbled quarters human"ish" slaves. Modifed Styxis meat parted and moved around the shadows all cloaked in heavy shadows. Some bearing arms, some merely servants. Eventually one of the xenos comes forward...

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/mediawiki/images/1/1f/StryxisMerchantVictorCorbella.jpg

It is disgusting. Long clawed purplish hands, a strange bulldog like face with multiple sets of empty eyes and a large thick heavy filthy cowl that smells of rot deacy and filth. "The compact. It is old Captain of the Meat ship. We recognise the old. We shall trade with you."

It waves a hand with strange motion. Strange until Alizon realises that its because the joints bend the wrong way. "Come. Come. it whispers. "Trade for trinkets. Trade for caravan. trade for mear?"


What are you wanting from them?