[Black Crusade] IC

[Dark Chiun]

OOC: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=13826386

The lower decks, they are dark, dingy, and full of many hidden spaces. While the emperors children are known for their opulence and grandeur, this part of the ship is obviously not of much importance to them.
You see groups of between 3 to 6 hulking brutes wearing what looks like some form of carapace armour painted in the livery of the emperors children. What they are you do not know as they do not look like astartes yet they are certainly more than normal man. Their distorted faces leave you with a sense of unease whenever you look at them.
At various points of interest on the ship you can find heavy servitors guarding passages, chokepoints, stairways and other important areas of the ship. These servitors are well known for their very loose threat protocols and are generally avoided so as not to trigger them.
The dank musty atmosphere of the lower decks is not a pleasant place to be where murder, robbery, rape, and abduction are a common occurance. On these decks it is generally you can get away with pretty much anything and it is up to the person who is wronged, or their families, to right any wrongs to get their own form of justice.

[watupwithdat]

Feeling somewhat disgusted moving through the ship's lower decks, Setesh expected as much when he first boarded the vessel, and was now curiously looking around as he felt something interesting in the air of the ship - but what that was he did not know, he just knew it could be worth it to find out, whatever it was.

"Hrm.. Strange looking men around here, I'm surprised they don't have claws considering." Setesh mumbles to himself just above his breath.

[Supreme Evil]

Disgusting, thinks Ethras as he looks around. Fit only for the pathetic degenerates who serve the vile Dark Prince. No ship of the Blood God would tolerate such laxity. This could be used for training, for fighting, for dueling, for sacrifice, for forging new weapons and armor.

Nonetheless, Ethras takes great care to look around and study his immediate surroundings.

Perception check:

[roll0] vs 37

[Dark Chiun]

Ethras failed to notice the angry kroot coming up behind him How I do not knowhe seems to have offended it. With an angry screech it swings its rifle at him.


[roll0]Initiative for later
[roll1] Vs. 98 needed(suprise+all-out-attack)
[roll2]+3 = 13 I assume that doesn't get through armour so you will take 1 damage to your leg due to zealous hatred.

[Dark Chiun]

Setesh noticed that at a corridor junction that one of the 2 heavy servitors appeared to be malfunctioning and drawing a bead on him. It looks to be equiped with a heavy bolter.

Roll initiative.
[roll0]

[Supreme Evil]

Ethras hears a screech feels a slight thunk on his leg. He whirls around, drawing his power axe with practiced ease.

"Bad idea, xenos scum."

Standard Attack

(1d100)[32] vs 64

Damage, if needed: (1d10+8)[16]

Pen 8, if it matters.

Edit:16 + 10(SB) = 26 Damage

[Halae]

Wandering the halls is an individual looking a bit odd. He's an androgynous young man, perhaps in his early twenties, wearing a combat mesh cloak. His brown hair hands shaggily about his head as he looks at at the world with Hazel eyes. From the sides of his head are a pair of magnificent looking ram horns glowing a soft purple along their ridges in the dim light. A perceptive onlooker will note a pair of magboots on his feet, currently off so as not to limit his movement.

However, everywhere he goes, in a short distance around him there is an eerie echo, which some will identify a sure sign this mutant is a psyker.

At the moment he's not really looking for anything in particular, except maybe a quiet place to keep to himself. He's just... wandering, and getting a sense for his surroundings.

[Dark Chiun]

Kastin happens across a very dark side alley. From it he hears several faint voices coming.
An awareness test to see if you can make out what they are saying

[Supreme Evil]

Ethras watches as the Kroot tumbles to the ground, drawing his chainsword and flicking it on even as he does so.

"Pathetic." mutters Ethras as he looks around.

Free Action: Draw and activate Chainsword.

Awareness: (1d100)[5] vs. 37

Edit: Didn't show that he was dead earilier, switching roll to Perception.

[Halae]

Awareness:
[roll0]/18

Nope!

despite not hearing what's going on, Kastin goes to investigate, wondering what's going on.

[watupwithdat]

Noticing the servitor's strange behaviour, Setesh utters a short "Hmm..." as his experience comes to show and he instinctely draws his Force Sword and with an eerie calmness charges the servitor without a second thought.


Initiative: [roll0]

Free action to draw weapon.
Swift Attack as part of charge (Full action):
[roll1] vs 74

Damage rolls, with 6 pen:
[roll2] for 1 DoS
and [roll3] ifor 3 DoS

If atleast one attack hit he will channel killing will into his weapon on that first attack.
Fettered Opposed Willpower Focus Power test: [roll6] vs 85 (6 DoS)
Damage: 1d10 E per DoS on test.
Edit: (3d10)[7][10][7](24) energy damage, ignoring AP and TB.

[Dark Chiun]

Upon moving closer kastin hears the unmistakable sound of a blade sliding into flesh, accompanied by a pained shriek. And 3 people talking the first with a high-pitched whiney tone, the second raspy and slow, and the third sounds like a woman.

Voice1:"Stick em good var, don't wanna kill the F***er by mistake. Make it nice and slow after what he did to the boss."
Voice2:"I know how to stick somebody bill, there's a reason I'm the one doing the sticking not you. You can't stick nobody if your life depended on it."
Voice3:"Shut up you two idiots before you draw the attention of the ghast patrols.... don't want them getting involved. You know how dangerous they are..."

[roll0]Vs. Per 31

[Halae]

Kastin will stop, and start focusing on his psychic abilities. He'll do his best to create a telekinetic shield around himself, and the second action is based on whether he can see the source of these voices. If he can, a force bolt will rocket towards the source of voice two, this "Var". If he can't see them, he'll walk to a point where he can

"Ghast patrols aren't the only people you should worry about if you're gonna hurt someone."

Focus Test for Telekinetic Shield, Unfettered
[roll]1d100[/roll0]/115 Got a 43
This will give me Armor 7 everywhere if it works

Focus Power Test for Force Bolt, Unfettered
[roll0]/115 + Range bonuses, if applicable

Force Bolt Damage, if applicable
[roll1], Pen 0
If I get four or more degrees of success on force bolt, it'll hit hard enough to send the target 1d5 meters and be knocked prone.

[Dark Chiun]

Ethras watched the kroot slam into the ground from the force of his hit catching on fire as it is doing so. The kroot is unmistakably dead.

[Dark Chiun]

Kastin watches a hooded and cloaked man fly backwards off of a bleeding body wearing what appears to be a ship officers uniform. He watches as a stream of blood flies out from the darkness of the hood. He feels rather confident that the man is dead.
Voice1:"What the f***, you're gonna pay for that."As he swings his stub auto at you.
Voice3:"You lil f*** do you even know who we are. You shouldn't have done that." As she... it... whatever aims what remarkably looks like a bolt pistol at you, that there would be one of them down here on the lower decks is rather amazing.

[Halae]

Kastin glares at the woman-thing with the bolt pistol - Probably a mutant - and another force bolt gets leveled at her. For now, Kastin is confident that he can take a shot from a stubber while his barrier is up.

Focus Power for the Force Bolt
[roll0]/115

Damage
[roll1]

[Dark Chiun]

Setesh watches the servitor crumple to the ground unfortunately he seems to have triggered the security protocols on the other one. And it begins to open fire on him.


[roll0] Vs 50(40+10 short range+10half action aim-10full auto)
[roll1] OOC Tearing 16 pen 5
[roll2] Pen 5
[roll3] OOC Tearing 13 pen 5
[roll4] Pen 5
[roll5]
[roll6]

[Dark Chiun]

Kastin is astonished the "woman" is not only still alive but "she" is still standing having not been knocked off of her feet. She takes a trio of shots with her bolt pistol the other guy with his stub auto.

woman [roll0]vs. 51 (41+10red dot+0 semi auto)
[roll1] 13(ooc tearing) pen 4
[roll2] pen 4
[roll3]
man [roll4]vs. 31 (31+0 semi auto)
[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll7]

[watupwithdat]

With the destroyed servitor crumbling down at his feet and the second servitor opening fire at him, Setesh reacts, still with that eerie calmness, by moving up to it while all the projectiles fired at him are absorbed by some invisible force.

Having reached the recently alerted servitor, "Tss. Faulty protocols." leaves Setesh's lips as he swings his weapon to end the servitor's existence.


Reaction, Evasion test: Fettered Precognitive Dodge, -10 Perception Focus Power test: [roll0] vs 56 : failed

Field test to negate damage, potential 4 attacks:
[roll1] vs 50
[roll2] vs 50
[roll3] vs 50
[roll4] vs 50

Swift Attack:
[roll5] vs 54

Damage rolls, with 6 pen:
[roll6] for 1 DoS
and [roll7] for 3 DoS
and [roll8] for 5 DoS
and [roll9] for 7 DoS

Killing will in OOC.

[Dark Chiun]

Ethras notices a small device attached to the kroots neck(now in ruins due to the fire) and recognizes it as a tracker collar. He also realizes that this is generally used as a hunting tactic for bandits and mercenaries trying to find loot as the enraged kroot will lead them to potential prey, and when somebody kills the kroot or any other species for that matter they can then claim they slew said person in retaliation for destroying their "property".
He also happens to feel the vibrations of heavy boots running on the metal corridor.

[Supreme Evil]

"So, more are coming, eh? Ethras chuckles. "Excellent. Time for some killing."

Ethras puts away his chainsword, but leaves his power axe in his hand. With his other hand, he draws his plasma pistol. He then turns in the direction the boots are coming from and raises his pistol, his finger on the trigger.

Ethras readies an action. First idiot around the corner gets shot with the plasma pistol.

[Dark Chiun]

Setesh sees the servitor go down and realizes it would be best if he was not around when they investigate the loss of the servitors. He he can also hear the sound of men running down one of the side passages.

[Halae]

The explosions of the bolts hits Kastin's shield hard, as Bolts are wont to do, and scorch his chest through his armor. The stubs, on the other hand, simple bounce off.

Another blue colored bolt of force rockets for the woman.

Focus Power Check:
[roll0]/115

Force Bolt Damage
[roll1] pen 0

[Dark Chiun]

Ethras see's the bulk of a group of 3 astartes turn the corner. The middle one is weilding what appears to be a power sword and the other 2 are weilding massive 2 handed chainswords.

[watupwithdat]

Fastening the Force Sword to his armour, Setesh swiftly move in the opposite direction of where the incoming sound is coming from, as to avoid detection.

In the distance he could feel a warp disturbance, as someone using several psychic powers without any calms about being detected. Hmm, that power signature feels strangely familiar. I wonder where I've come across it before. he thinks as he moves out of the area. He feels inclined to move in the direction of where the psychic signature originated.

[Supreme Evil]

"Die."

Ethras unleashes a flurry of plasma at the power sword wielder.


Half Action: Aim

Full Auto Attack:

(1d100)[23] vs 67 (+10 aim, +10 point blank)

Damage:

(1d10+10)[11]

(1d10+10)[16]

(1d10+10)[13]

(1d10+10)[14]

(1d10+10)[15]

(1d10+10)[12]

(1d10+10)[13]

(1d10+10)[11]

Edit: Rolled for Maximal on other thread. 23 damage. Pen 10

[Dark Chiun]

Ethras:
Ethras see's the enemy astartes twist away from the plasma bolts hurling at him [roll0]Vs. 40.Well that sucks for you :(Seeing the plasma bolts come at him the astartes did a spectacular twisting manouever that ended with him doing a spectacular foreward roll and just keep on sprinting foreward.

Setesh:
Setesh got the impression that the footfalls were moving away from him and that also happened to be the same direction that the psyker he felt was. He also notices a couple flashes of light coming from the direction of the footsteps.

[Supreme Evil]

Damn it all. thinks Ethras. He jams his pistol back into his belt, while grabbing his chainsword and flicking it on. It whirs into life.

Ethras indicates the power sword wielder. "You and me. Single combat."

[watupwithdat]

Feeling he was sure that he had avoided detection being involved in the destruction of the two servitors, Setesh moves towards the flashes of light to investigate. I wonder if the originator of the psychic effects I felt might be there, he thinks to himself, It seems I might not be the only one who's been having less than friendly company.

[Dark Chiun]

The astartes stops and looks as ethras. Astartes1:If you wish though you do not stand a chance and even if you defeat me, my... comrades will be surely finish you off.
He charges draws his sword into a guard stance.Astartes1:"Come then and show me if you are even worthy to meet me in single combat."

[Lucretia]

The brass and gold inlay of the Margrave's armor shone despite the low, grimy light of the Underlevels. Where once there had been the order of the Imperium, where once the Angevin Crusaders had taken up residence, now there was debauchery, torment, a swirl of pain and hedonism mixed with chaotic vileness. And the lighting, Victor thought to himself as he moved through the halls and corridors, seems to have become neglected. The long cape he wore, a thick velvet that cinched beneath his helmet, swished behind him as he strode through the area.

Xantam was fastened securely to van der Strausson's belt, a small mechanical skull that communicated almost exclusively through the vox. "Oh my, Margrave, these streets truly have gone to the scum, haven't they!" The voice was completely confined to the power armor helmet around Victor's face, the air-tight seal preventing the outside world from hearing the judgmental skull's words. Victor smiled and continued down the halls.

"You may yet be correct, Xantam," he commented softly, eyes moving across the vid-screen within the helmet, viewing whatever dangers might be nearing at this intersection of corridors and hallways.

[Dark Chiun]

Kastin noticed that she certainly felt the hit as she rocked with the impact tho she remained standing yet again. Woman:Bill go, get back-up and tell "them"..."
She then proceeds to line up a shot at him
[roll0]Vs. 61(41+10aim+10standard attack)
[roll1] Tearing [roll2] Pen 4
[roll3] Tearing [roll4] Pen 4 Err I got confused there

[Supreme Evil]

Even as the other Astartes speaks, Ethras taps into the bottomless pit of rage bestowed by Lord Khorne. As the enemy advances, Ethras smiles under his helmet.

"My pleasure."

Activate Frenzy (+10 on WS, S, T, W)

Full action: charge

Standar attack: power axe

(1d100)[10] vs. 64

Damage:

(1d10+8)[15] + 11

Pen 8

Standard attack: chainsword

(1d100)[58] vs. 64

Damage:

(1d10+3)[7] + 11

Rending reroll (keep highest):

(1d10+3)[8] + 11

Pen 3

[Dark Chiun]

The astartes attempts to dodge away from the power axe even as he moves to parry the chainsword.Yes he has step aside [roll0]Vs. 40
[roll1]vs. 65(45+10 (+10 parry) +10 balanced)
While the astartes successfully got out of the way of the power axe the chainsword slipped through his block and struck true.

[Dark Chiun]

Seeing the enraged state that ethras is in the astartes brings his power sword down in a quick precisely aimed strike

Aim+Standard attack [roll0]Vs. 65 (45+10 aim+10 Standard attack)

Obviously still a bit offbalance from the strike to the leg the attack went wide.

[Supreme Evil]

"Ha! Is that all you've got?"

Standard attack (power axe): (1d100)[48] vs. 64

Damage: (1d10+8)[18] + 11

Standard attack (chainsword): (1d100)[88] vs. 64

Damage: (1d10+3)[6] + 11

Tearing reroll: (1d10+3)[8] + 11

Edit: Mixed results I think.

[Lucretia]

The sound of bolt shells met his ears. Removing his pistol from its holster, Victor moved towards the noise, an eyebrow raised. He had no desire to simply engage in a fire fight if the situation didn't warrant it, but any sort of fight needed to be investigated -- anyone on the prowl might target him with his back turned, so it was better to try and shoot them in theirs first.

Turning the corner, the elderly gentleman surveyed the situation, attempting to determine what was happening. And, of course, whether it was something he should intervene in, or if there wasn't any chance for the fight to impact his livelihood.

[Dark Chiun]

Victor can hear the sounds of bolt shells exploading coming from up ahead of him, even see the flashes of the discharge brightening the dismal lighting of the low decks. He also sees a group of hooded individuals turning a side passage and running in front of him, one of them he recognizes as the former captain of the guard of the ship's defensive crew. A man that victor had a less than friendly relationship with.
Captain:"this way this way, bill reported that there was a troublemaker that was even troublin the mut, good thing we was right nearby otherwise the mut wouldn't be round much longer."
They failed to notice victor as they passed.

[Dark Chiun]

Seeing the axe coming in the astartes quickly moves to bring his sword to parry.Astartes:"You are more skilled than you look, not quite the barbarian you first appeared to be, though you are still a fool and do not stand a chance against my might."

[roll0]Vs. 65

Though he got the sword up in time the power behind the axe was too great to stop the blow and it still struck.

[Halae]

The deposed margrave will likely see the blue telekinetic shield around kastin shimmer, the mesh of his combat cloak looking singed, and it's obvious who got hit by the bolt shell, a single cloaked figure fighting him.

As a matter of fact, he recognize the ram horns on the psyker's head, including the signature soft purple glow they seem to be emitting, even if he shows up behind Kastin.

For now though, another purplish blue bolt rockets towards the mutant with the bolt gun
Focus Power!
[roll0]/115

Damage for the Force Bolt
[roll1]

[Dark Chiun]

Setesh turns the corner just in time to see an astartes get struck a mighty blow to the leg. Strangely enough he recognizes the voice of the one dealing the blow. The 2 astartes with the massive chainswords seem to be readying up to step in and assist their master.

[Supreme Evil]

"Famous last words, little man."

Ethras brings his axe down hard on the man's right leg.

I rolled a 9. He loses the right leg and gets to make a Challanging (+0) Toughness test or die from shock.

Khorne is with me this unholy night. :smallcool:

[Dark Chiun]

Kastir sees the mutants head pop like a melon and "her" body crumple to the ground. The other man seems to have fled at some point and kastir didn't notice.

[Lucretia]

The treacherous guard-captain so very close, Victor weighed his options. On the one hand, taking care of this particular individual would be delicious and enjoyable -- on the other, getting into a fight alone probably wouldn't bode well. His helmet still sealed and the rune-glyph that would activate the external voxes still off, Victor spoke to Xantam.

"Ready your field, Xantam."

"As you say, Margrave!"

Raising his inferno pistol, Victor took aim and fired off a shot at the traitor, attempting to take him by surprise!

A crimson beam moved through the air at the speed of light, the terrible sound of water molecules evaporating at incredible speed following afterwards with an imperceptible lag. Most likely obliterating whatever armor was in between the guard-captain's skin and the air, the melta beam hit him squarely in between the shoulder blades -- presuming the man didn't perform a miraculous dodge!

[Dark Chiun]

The astartes reels as the axe strikes the astartes leg the energy field burning and melting the armour bouncing down then solidly striking his foot. [roll0]VS. 45

[Halae]

Kastin will walk up to the corpses, moving his arm against the pain the bolt had caused, and keeping the shield up in case someone decided they wanted to ambush him. He checks the man the thugs had attacked first, to see for sure if he's dead or alive. if he is, maybe Kastin could save him if he isn't... well, at least his station probably left him with some good equipment.

Once that's been dealt with, Kastin will examine the corpse of the mutant he'd just slain, first trying to determine the extent of the mutations she had had, and to see what sort of equipment the psyker could scrounge off her.

[Supreme Evil]

"The Eternal War ends for you this day!"

Standard attack (power axe): (1d100)[33] vs. 74

Damage: (1d10+8)[14] + 11 Pen 8

Standard attack (chainsword): (1d100)[65] vs. 74

Damage: (1d10+3)[8] + 11 Pen 3

Tearing reroll: (1d10+3)[5] + 11 Pen 3

[Dark Chiun]

The treacherous captain curses out and spins around concealing the smoking crater in his back, with the cloak he was wearing out of the way it is now apparent that he is wearing a set of power armour.
Captain:"You... I would have thought that the low decks would have devoured you by now... well prepare to die by my hands" He says as he levels a inferno pistol at you, taking off a shot.
[roll0]vs. 67(47+10 for aim+10 for close range(under half range of weapon))

[watupwithdat]

In front of him Setesh sees four Astartes, two of whom are engaged in combat. The one whose voice he seemed to recognize seems to be in a battle frenzy, which prompts him to cautiously approach the group. It seems strange these two Astartes would let their captain die to this frenzied warrior. I'm sure I've met him before, I just can't place it at this time. It'd be prudent if he didn't die, so I could sate my curiousity later. he thinks while calculating looks at what seems like a duel.

"Need a hand? You seem outnumbered, and I do believe we've met before.", Setesh almost snarkily remarks, not expecting a reply from the frenzied warrior.

[Supreme Evil]

"Witch." snarls Ethras through the vox, even as he moves in for the final blow. "I have this fool dealt with. Simply watch those two and ensure that they do not interfere."

[Dark Chiun]

There is a blinding flash of light as his shot slams into the conversion field. All of the men that are with the captain drop to their knees clutching their eyes, the captain drops aswell.

[Lucretia]

The other melta beam hurtled towards Victor, colliding with his shield and creating an incredible burst of light, which the guard-captain would need to shield his eyes from if his power armor didn't automatically do it for him! Ordinary +10 Agility Test. If he fails, he is blind for one round per DoF.

Taking aim again, Victor fired off another shot at the treacherous captain.[roll0] v. 102
Presuming damage
[roll1] + [roll2] + 10 damage

"I'm surprised you survived the first shot, Reginald. Do not presume to survive this battle!"

[Dark Chiun]

The astartes seems to be very focused on the task at hand now, not deeming to speak, he snakes out his sword after carefully considering his openings.

[roll0]Vs. 55(45+10 aim+10 standard attack -10 fatigue)
[roll1]+17 Pen 6

[watupwithdat]

"Ha! If you believe so, brute." chuckles Setesh, slightly amused. "You two, play nice. Or come at me. You choice. What is your business here anyway?"

[Dark Chiun]

Knowing that their master would likely kill them himself if they interfered they instead chose to rush the new arrival.
[roll0]Init

[Supreme Evil]

"Your pathetic skills are no match for the power of the Blood God!"

Standard attack (power axe): (1d100)[46] vs. 74

Damage: (1d10+8)[17] + 11 Pen 8

Standard attack (chainsword): (1d100)[23] vs. 74

Damage: (1d10+3)[13] + 11 Pen 3

Tearing reroll: (1d10+3)[7] + 11 Pen 3

[watupwithdat]

"Seems you have made your choice. You'll come to regret it." Setesh remarks as he draws his Force Sword and himself starts to charge the Astartes.


Initiative: [roll0]

[Dark Chiun]

There is a blinding flash of light that when it dissapears victor can see that the treacherous captain and his goons have dissapeared.

[Dark Chiun]

Seeing the attacks coming that will surely end his life the astartes attempts to move to the side of the chainsword, moving out of the way of the more dangerous weapon and pulling his sword up to parry away the less dangerous blade.

[roll0]VS. 30 dodge
[roll1]VS. 55 parry

Failing to both dodge and parry first the axe cleaves down mid thigh on his right leg cleaving right through all the way to the ground, in the process the whole leg completely catches fire, the chainsword then plunges through the chest of the astartes plunging out the back of his power pack. Blood and gore are everywhere and the pool of blood is rapidly expanding.

[Lucretia]

Victor's eyes narrowed underneath the helmet. Normally the teleportarium was unpowered, to add more energy to the conversion matrix. It was what allowed the Golgotha to propel itself at such startling speed for a grand cruiser -- it was what had allowed him to escape not only the orks, but the slightly-more-aligned-to-the-Imperium vessels that hadn't been willing to flee all those years ago.

And now that imbecile was gone. That was a solid shot, too -- Victor was rather proud of that one. Reginald would most likely be dead, or at the very least in intense pain. That leg would probably be gone. The effects of melta weaponry on tissue was certainly something worth studying more in depth, but the terrible sound of sizzling flesh and rapidly-expanding hyper-evaporated water... perhaps that pain would be enough to shock Reginald to death. Victor could only pray to the Gods that the treacherous guard-captain had met his end. It was incredibly aggravating that he had managed to slip through the cracks. Again.

Moving ahead, observing the small indicator on the inside of his helmet that indicated his pistol was nearly empty, the Margrave decided it was about time to figure out who had been fired at with bolt weaponry -- especially since that little exchange had only lasted roughly ten seconds! Surely the sound of a melta gun would have scared off any miscreants who weren't worth Victor's time -- and those who remained might have ammunition he could utilize.

[Supreme Evil]

"Blood for the Blood God! Skulls for the Skull Throne! shrieks Ethras in triumph as he plants his foot on top of the corpse. Even as he does so he flicks off his chainsword and holsters it, opting instead to grab the power sword from the late fool's corpse. He flicks it on and gestures to the two remaining Astartes.

"You," he manages through barely-contained battle rage. "One chance. One choice. Join me, or join him."

Intimidate:(1d100)[16] vs. 44

[watupwithdat]

"You've had your fun brute, now let me have mine. They chose to charge me of their own accord. Now let them regret it, also." Setesh hastily tell the brute who just felled the captain, who seemed to want to sate his bloodlust on the Sorcerer's prey also.

[Supreme Evil]

"Not a chance, witch. These are my men now, if they know what's good for them."

[Dark Chiun]

Both the astartes charged at setesh, swinging their swords as they come.

Astartes1: [roll0]Vs.100(50+20 charge, +10 outnumbering, +20 Double team)
Damage: [roll1]Pen 3
Astartes2: [roll2]Vs.100(50+20 charge, +10 outnumbering, +20 Double team)
Damage: [roll3]Pen 3


This attack is resolving at the same time as their master is being felled

[watupwithdat]

Intercepting the two charging Astartes and attacking the one to the right, as the right is his chosen sword-arm, with his Force Sword while at the same time dodging incoming attacks as though he knew where they were going to land before they were even thought of, Setesh notices the Astartes captain is felled in the background.


Reaction, Evasion, on the first attack:
Fettered, Precognitive Dodge, -10 Perception Focus Power test: [roll0] vs 56 (3 DoS)

Field test to negate damage, 2 attacks, as needed:
[roll1] vs 50
[roll2] vs 50

Swift Attack:
[roll3] vs 54

Damage rolls, with 6 pen:
[roll4] for 1 DoS
and [roll5] for 3 DoS
and [roll6] for 5 DoS
and [roll7] for 7 DoS
and [roll8] for 9 DoS

Killing will in OOC.

[Dark Chiun]

Seeing the attack come in the astartes quickly moves to dodge the attack.
[roll0]Vs. 40

Seeing the attack coming aided him somewhat as he managed to get out of the way of the first attack, though the second one struck true.
The first Dos gives you an extra attack then it is every 2 so swift and lightning like semi and full always give you atleast 2 hits if they hit at all.

[Dark Chiun]

one of the astartes crumples to the ground without life. The other appears to be enraged at the fact his comrade has fallen.
Setesh onlyYou note that the 2 with chainswords have the iconography of the world eaters and even happen to note that their master happened to be wearing armour that bore iconography of the black legion though it had been attempted to be covered over
The other astartes that is still alive appears to be more enraged than intimidated by ethras's attempts and immidietly flys into a furious assault on setesh

[roll0]Vs. 90(50+30 all-out-attack+10frenzy)
[roll1] Dmg
[roll2]Vs. 90(50+30 all-out-attack+10frenzy)Furious assault
[roll3] Dmg

[Lucretia]

Turning the corner, Victor was greeted with the sight of a horned individual among a small group of corpses attempting... something. Some sort of action was being performed, perhaps a torture method of one of the Lord of Blood's many derivative cults? But no, those horns were familiar... such magnificent horns, he'd recognize them anywhere. Xantam gave a little sigh of irritation while Victor said aloud:

"It can't be -- Kastin?"

[watupwithdat]

Even though suffering an injury from the oversized weapon, Setesh feels thrilled with his sorcerous might as he had just killed a man with his strong willpower. This time the one who dealt a blow on him is the target of his blade, as he skillfully swings out to strike, while his field absorbs the incoming swings.

"I did say you'd regret it."


Reaction, Evasion:
Fettered, Precognitive Dodge, -10 Perception Focus Power test: [roll0] vs 56

Field test to negate damage, 2 attacks:
[roll1] vs 50
[roll2] vs 50

Swift Attack:
[roll3] vs 54

Damage rolls, with 6 pen:
[roll4] for 1 DoS
and [roll5] for 3 DoS
and [roll6] for 5 DoS (this one too? I didn't really get the amount of hits and DoS, must be because I'm not used to BC)
and [roll7] for 7 DoS
and [roll8] for 9 DoS

Killing will in OOC.

[Supreme Evil]

Ethras's eyes narrow beneath his helmet. "Bad idea."

Charge.

Standard attack (power axe): (1d100)[77] vs. 84

Damage: (1d10+8)[17 + 11 Pen 7

Standard attack (power sword) (1d100)[45] vs. 84

Damage: (1d10+6)[9] + 11 Pen 6

[Halae]

Kastin looks up from what he'd been doing, "Victor? I haven't see you in ages." he pockets the bolt pistol from the mutant he'd killed. Might have a use for it later after all.

It should be noted that Kastin is only about 24 years old. Victor likely met him only a couple years ago, which was after the psyker got his horns.

[Lucretia]

"I'm pleased you can remember me. Although that's still Lord Victor, I haven't lost so much prestige with this recent coup d'etat as to have lost my lineage!" The deep bass laughter bubbled from the various external vox-projectors. "I was wondering what all this noise was about. It would seem you've been reduced to robbery, hmm? I do hope you don't intend to shake me down, I've only just caught my breath after a run-in with that traitorous Reginald. Speaking of whom... one moment, now that I know it is you, I'd like to go investigate something. Be a lad and stay nearby, won't you? We've so much catching up to do!"

Victor turned to investigate the location where the treacherous guard-captain and his retinue had been moments ago.

[Dark Chiun]

The astartes crumpled to the ground obviously dead. Due to the numerous bleeding holes in him....

[Supreme Evil]

Even as the corpse of the last Astartes crumpled to the ground, Ethras felt the anger of Khorne fading.

WP test: 1d100[12]

Ethras quickly resumed normal thought patterns. He eyed the witch warily, his enhanced memory taking mere nanoseconds to identify the witch standing before him.

"Setesh."

[Halae]

"I'm done here anyways," Kastin says, "But you know me; chaos or not, I try to be a good guy. The officer there - he'd been killed by the other two corpses you saw, though the third one got away before I could cave his head in. Taking what they don't have a use for anymore? Now that's just pragmatism. The dead don't have need of a bolt pistol, and an extra weapon is always handy."

Kastin walks with Victor towards the site of his own fight, "Those were melta shots, weren't they? I've heard them once before."

[Dark Chiun]

Going back victor noted the numerous pistols and swords laying on the ground, including the traitors inferno pistol and a rather poor quality hand flamer. The other weapons are not of any worth, being nothing but stub autos and stub revolvers of poor quality.

[watupwithdat]

"Ah, there. Now, if you would be so kind to calm down, and you obviously know who I am, remind me of who you are?" Setesh asks the obviously khornite warrior, fully knowing who he was already, sighing as he inspects his injury with his internal bio-monitor, and secures his weapon to his side.

[Supreme Evil]

"Ah, there. Now, if you would be so kind to calm down, remind me of who you are?" Setesh asks the obviously khornite warrior with a slight sigh at the end, as he inspects his injury with his internal bio-monitor, and secures his weapon to his side.

"Ethras, called the Butcher. And you, as I recall, are Setesh of the Thousand Sons."

Ethras sheathes his power axe, and begins examining the corpses of the two slain minions for anything of value.

[Lucretia]

Victor obtained the inferno pistol and flamer, attaching them to his belt. "I do recall your rather peculiar belief that wanton murder isn't to be condoned, yes. I had at first believed your attempts at... resuscitation, if that is the proper word, to be some variation of torture. But alas, your horns gave you away, old friend. I am pleased to have encountered you! With Reginald afoot, and all of these damned Astartes, the Golgotha is no longer safe."

Making sure to remain at least a half meter away from Kastin at all times, Victor adjusted his cape. "How did you manage to come aboard the Golgotha? I haven't been privy to the docking manifest since the.. change in management."

[Halae]

"You know me, Victor, ever the wanderer and stowaway," Kasdtin shrugs, "You'd be surprised how easy it is to hide yourself, even with horns as magnificent as mine." Victor will know from past experience that Kastin isn't being pompous; in fact, he's fairly humble, even if he's rather confident in his psychic power, so this is probably just a joke, "Reggy was the one you were fighting then? Damn, hope you blew his head off."

[watupwithdat]

"Oh? Now why would you suspect such a thing, as me being part of the legendary legion of Sorcerers and automatons?", the reply being slightly amused, as he wouldn't openly admit being a part of the 15th legion considering his current whereabouts - never knowing who might be listening. "But yes, I remember you. You seem to still be able to handle yourself in single combat, why you'd do something so honourable I fail to understand.", never failing to try to make someone lose their cool, as that makes people easier to manipulate as he discovered long ago.

[Lucretia]

Victor raised an eyebrow beneath the helmet. "You were familiar with Reginald?"

[Halae]

"Of course not," Kastin smiles in return, "But I'm not going to choose someone I've never met over the great Margrave Victor! why, to do such would be idiocy!" He almost says this with a straight face, but the twitching of his lips shows Kastin is hamming it up on purpose.

[Dark Chiun]

Ethras would note that the only items of interest would be the chain greatswords as their power armour is in too poor of shape to be any use without repairs being made(the obvious holes all over) and they had chain daggers fitted to astartes size instead of the usual legion combat knives(treat these as a human chainsword for damage and they follow usual legion weaponry rules)
At this point everybody will notice a servo skull zoom towards them that has a scroll stuck in their mouths. This is for every party member including the as yet absent neroth

[Lucretia]

Xantam said something in a snarky tone, but it didn't transmit over the external voxes. Victor nodded sagely, although the effect was somewhat lost through the helmet. "Truly. I had anticipated his guards to surrender, but the coward managed to activate a teleportarium beacon before I could finish him off. I shall have my revenge, however... the Gods will not smile upon Reginald for much longer.

"But other than stowing away and picking pockets, attempting surgery in the streets after a twinge of conscience, how have you been? It must have been... hmm, at least a year and at most twenty since last we saw each other. With the Warp and time dilation, one cannot be sure of the time between meetings... so please do refresh my memory. And we may wish to ambulate towards some other location -- should Reginald be watching, a squad of Astartes may yet be on their way to deal with me, and by virtue, you. I don't particularly care for that mental image."

Super stealthy edit

As the servo-skull came forward, Victor raised his inferno pistol towards it.

"Stop, automaton," he commanded simply. There was one shot left -- he might as well use it on a potential assassin. Although he didn't remember stocking murder servitors... perhaps the Emperor's Children had brought some along?

[Supreme Evil]

"Several reasons, including the fact that your color scheme is barely changed, your force sword carries several runes known to be associated with them, your fighting style matches closely that preferred by the Athanaens of that Legion, and the fact that you told me so yourself in our last encounter. Before attempting to leave me to die, as I recall." says Ethras as he picks his way through the minions, taking a chain greatsword for himself.

Ethras walks over to the slain champion. "That rather depends on the opponent, doesn't it? If they are willing to duel honorably, than so am I. If they are not, I will not. I would never do it with you, naturally." He says as he inspects the champion's body for further useful objects.

"Oh, and there is a pair of servo skulls headed our way."

[Halae]

Kastin will use psychic power to gently pluck the note from the skull's mouth, making it float towards Victor and he
Focus Power for Precision Telekinesis:
[roll0]/115And blinks as the fickle warp eludes his grasp. sighing, he instead simply grabs the note.

Sneaky Edit!

"It's been about two years for me is all."

[watupwithdat]

"Leaving you to die? That's not how I remember it. I was just going somewhere else and you happened to not be very... healthy." he said, able to sound rather composed. "And whoever it was that told you about the Athanaens must have been greatly misinformed. Oops, guess I shouldn't know that myself, now should I? Oh well, you got me! Just because it's you. And I must say, that's a rather big chainsword, isn't it? I suppose it's fitting you. Big and loud with a bite." rather overtly mocking the blood stained warrior. "And I wouldn't expect you to, either, of course. But if you're willing to duel someone who wants my head, I would perhaps object", expecting such a statement to spur Ethras into actually wanting to do it, to try to spite the Sorcerer.

"Yes, I noticed them a while ago."

[Dark Chiun]

Victor see's the servo skull eject the scroll out of its mouth, then promptly turn around sounding Servo-skull:"THREAT DETECTED: PROTOCOL FLEE, THREAT DETECTED: PROTOCOL FLEE, THREAT DETECTED: PROTOCOL FLEE"


Ethras see's that the body is a smoking ruin and everything thing of use was destroyed by his weaponry or the fire as it spread up the astartes webbing and cloth covering that stowed his gear.

[Lucretia]

Victor watched the thing run away as the boy-psyker grabbed the message. "Only two years? Interesting. Such a callow youth -- but then, you were trying to save someone's life, I suppose. Ah, well. What does the delightful little scroll say?"

[Supreme Evil]

"But you always remember what you find most helpful to your current situation, don't you Setesh? Very convenient, wouldn't your agree?" Ethras nods. "Yes, quite the bite." He looks pointedly at Setesh's injury. "Apparenlty you are under the impression that I am stupid. Allow me to correct that. If someone wanted your head, I would assess how valuable letting him have it would be compared to your continued existence. And I must say: he seems to be winning at the moment."

"Perhaps we ought to see what the fuss is about." Ethras calmly walks over towards the servo skulls, keeping his new power sword in hand and stowing his new greatsword around a strap to his back.

[watupwithdat]

"I assure you I remember more than that.", not really making any effort to disagree, "If you only knew. Like I do." seemingly gazing at something for a moment.

"On that we agree, then. I'm intruiged as to what kind of message it must be, considering the timing and what has happened just before."

[Dark Chiun]

The scroll reads."You are formally requested to make your way down to the stowage chambers listed below. [SPOILER]it has a small rough map of the current area you are in and how to get to where it lists this is several decks below your current position.Those that choose to attend this meeting will find that the rewards will be very, accomodating, to their desires with the great possibility of reward."

[Halae]

"Wow," Kastin looks at the note incredulously, before handing it to Victor, "Hmm. Storage area, secluded, with someone we don't know anything about right after we've been attacked. Seems totally legit, wanna go check it out?"

[Supreme Evil]

"I have little interest in your reminiscing, witch. Honestly, your legion is as pathetic and whiny as your primarch."

"Almost certainly a message from someone who has been observing us for a period, offering us some great reward if we do something for him. This was probably a test."

Ethras strides up and takes the message from the servo-skull. He opens and reads it.

"As I suspected. We're invited to attend a meeting in the stowage chambers, and promised "great rewards". I would give it perhaps a 50% chance that this is a trap, and 50% that they mean it, but it will be much harder than they will let on."

[watupwithdat]

"It would seem like so to you, wouldn't it yes?" Setesh says, not at all fazed by his petty provocation. Direct insults have always been the weak-willed's insult, instead paying more attention to the scroll.

"Assumably, yes. A bad one at that. I wonder who would throw away Astartes, weak as they may have been, like that."

""Great rewards" you say? I do wonder what kind of rewards they might be offering for me to consider them "great".", thinking it's petty monetary rewards or some such. "But I'm curious. I'll go. If it's a trap it shouldn't be anything for such a mighty warrior as yourself to handle, right?", he says, not convinced the brute might actually misregard it as a compliment.

[Supreme Evil]

Ethras shrugs. "Simple. Someone who thinks they can afford to do so. Therefore we may conclude that they are powerful, or rather insane. The better question is: what do they hope to gain from all of this?" He sheathes his power sword.

"If it's a trap, my dear Setesh, we shall take it from there." With that, Ethras turns and begins walking towards the assigned location.

[watupwithdat]

"While I do admit it was a while since my blade last tasted Astartes blood, it still seems like a waste of manpower. I'd be happy to have used them as sacrifices for some ritual, instead. I'd be curious enough to go with just the scroll." not convinced Ethras would have been unless he had been able to kill something beforehand. "As to what they'd gain, I'd like to know myself." the thought of what was worth it tickling his mind.

Seems the Weaver of Fate might have had a part in this also, considering who I happen to be speaking with now. What a coincidence I'd run into him just before recieving such a message. he thinks somewhat amused, his helmet hiding a small grin, as he also heads towards the destination.

[Supreme Evil]

"As am I. This is rather intriguing. And knowing who the potential competition are is never a bad idea. And of course, I must thank them for their gift." Ethras gestures at the corpses. "A fine feast of blood and loot." His voice sounds noticeably more enthusiastic when he says that.

"Oh, and I almost forgot." Ethras strides over to the burning corpse of the champion and pulls out his axe. He avoids turning it on, lest he burn up his trophy. Ethras beheads the corpse in one swing.

"Always important to send a message." says Ethras as he affixes the helmet and the head in it to the chains on his belt. He looks directly at Setesh."That I am not to be trifled with."

[Hazzardevil]

Neroth gets up when he receives the scroll, having been enjoying his back massage he received when he forced a heretic to give him it at gun point.
He then arrives in the room with the other people, remaining silent so that he can begin to understand what is being talked about.

[Lucretia]

"Ah, the stowage chambers. I had never invested heavily in any sort of trade for the Golgotha, but the Imperium owned the ship before. They had many crevices and bays open for their tanks, their materiel, it was too great a bother to try and get rid of everything. Perhaps the new masters of this vessel have seen fit to simply restock it... or they raided all of the stores of vehicles for their own nefarious needs. But now we are being summoned. There is a rarefied gas chamber on the way, if you wouldn't mind stopping by. I'd like to refill my canisters of ammunition. One never knows when it might come in handy, hmm?"

As he began to make his way forward, Victor holstered his pistol and contemplated who was watching. The Emperor's Children wouldn't rely on petty deception, not when they were in a position of overwhelming superiority. If they truly wished to kill him, they might simply vent this part of the Golgotha and send in a few to double check the kill. His armor would protect him from such trifles, of course, but did his enemies know that? A valid query.

Whoever was interested in meeting them was peculiar, as well. The sensorium, melodium, hell the arboretum or observation room, any of those would have been superior meeting places to the stowage halls. You got a different class of heretic in the underlevels, not compared to the high society of the aforementioned locations. Victor had been pleased, after installing those areas, to observe the pleasure cults and heretical sects that had taken to each. The Stargazers, the Slaaneshi Noise cults, the Experiencers, Children of the Trees -- so many diverse sorts. Most likely dead now, or scared off into the underlevels. Perhaps he'd encounter them in the stowage halls? The thought made Victor laugh.

Deactivating the external vox sigil, Victor spoke to Xantam.

"As always, keep your eyes open Xantam. And continue to produce the field. As long as we stay an arm's length from Kastin, he shouldn't notice -- and moving in the company of psykers always invites the tempestuous attention of the Warp. It is better to be prepared than caught off-guard."

"As you say, Margrave, I shall do so!"

Activating the external vox sigil again, Victor looked over at Kastin -- presuming the psyker was following! "So now that we've a moment to ourselves, regale me with the stories of your two years since last we met, Mr. Kastin! What new and exciting tales have you obtained?"

[Supreme Evil]

After claiming his new trophy, Ethras starts to turn away again, but suddenly his head jerks back around. "Of course. Why didn't I think of it before... Ethras rushes to the sides of the two dead Astartes and pulls off their helmets. Using his combat knife, he carves into their skulls before consuming their delicate grey matter.

This should tell me a bit more about who these fools were. Ethras thinks to himself.

[watupwithdat]

Seeing Ethras consume the grey matter of recently felled foes at the hands of himself, Setesh was less than amoused. How barbaric., thinking such a practice was distasteful, instead prefering to rip any information he'd want from their minds rather than having to put flesh in his own mouth. Of course, that's not very reliable when the foes are dead.

[Supreme Evil]

Ethras turns to face Setesh again. "You have a curious definition of barbaric, witch. You had no issues with killing them, nor with ripping information from their living minds, potentially doing horrible damage in the process. You have no issues with abandoning your own associates to die whenever it suits you. Yet when I loot their minds as I have already looted their corpses, you call it barbaric. Most curious."

[Dark Chiun]

Ethras gets only vague familiar thoughts, perhaps it is the blood rage they seemed to be inflicted with He gets the impression that they are world eaters and they only have the basic skills all space marines have so there is nothing to be gained skillwise unfortunately, he also get's the impression that they were not planning this ambush for any particular target and it was only chance that ethras happened to be the one that walked into it.

Neroth is the first to arrive down in the stowage bay as he is the closest and the first to immediately head out.

Everybody who reaches the bayHe see's a makeshift bar supprisingly crowded for the large space it fills, he notes that one of the walls is covered with a large window, likely the landing bay from which they stored and unloaded the stowage bay that has been converted to offer a view out to space, unfortunately the shutters are closed at the moment so the view is blocked. The bay is truly a vast space easily 20 meters high in ceiling and extending for an unknown distanceA perception test will give the exact specificationsand there are large doors covering the wall opposite the window, likely the actual storage areas where this was more of a loading and unloading point.

[Supreme Evil]

World Eaters. Ethras thinks. And they didn't know that they were going to ambush us. Curious. Very curious. Worth remembering. Ethras begins to walk towards the indicated bay.

"Come, witch. It's time we meet our mystery benefactor." Ethras walks down the halls at a brisk pace, not particularly caring if Setesh is following. When he arrives at the bar, he takes a careful look around.

Perception test: [roll0] vs. 37

[Dark Chiun]

Ethras apparently find's the shutters or some other nonimportant feature facinating and fails to notice any real details of the place.

[Halae]

"Ah, the stowage chambers. I had never invested heavily in any sort of trade for the Golgotha, but the Imperium owned the ship before. They had many crevices and bays open for their tanks, their materiel, it was too great a bother to try and get rid of everything. Perhaps the new masters of this vessel have seen fit to simply restock it... or they raided all of the stores of vehicles for their own nefarious needs. But now we are being summoned. There is a rarefied gas chamber on the way, if you wouldn't mind stopping by. I'd like to refill my canisters of ammunition. One never knows when it might come in handy, hmm?"

As he began to make his way forward, Victor holstered his pistol and contemplated who was watching. The Emperor's Children wouldn't rely on petty deception, not when they were in a position of overwhelming superiority. If they truly wished to kill him, they might simply vent this part of the Golgotha and send in a few to double check the kill. His armor would protect him from such trifles, of course, but did his enemies know that? A valid query.

Whoever was interested in meeting them was peculiar, as well. The sensorium, melodium, hell the arboretum or observation room, any of those would have been superior meeting places to the stowage halls. You got a different class of heretic in the underlevels, not compared to the high society of the aforementioned locations. Victor had been pleased, after installing those areas, to observe the pleasure cults and heretical sects that had taken to each. The Stargazers, the Slaaneshi Noise cults, the Experiencers, Children of the Trees -- so many diverse sorts. Most likely dead now, or scared off into the underlevels. Perhaps he'd encounter them in the stowage halls? The thought made Victor laugh.

Deactivating the external vox sigil, Victor spoke to Xantam.

"As always, keep your eyes open Xantam. And continue to produce the field. As long as we stay an arm's length from Kastin, he shouldn't notice -- and moving in the company of psykers always invites the tempestuous attention of the Warp. It is better to be prepared than caught off-guard."

"As you say, Margrave, I shall do so!"

Activating the external vox sigil again, Victor looked over at Kastin -- presuming the psyker was following! "So now that we've a moment to ourselves, regale me with the stories of your two years since last we met, Mr. Kastin! What new and exciting tales have you obtained?""Nothing so Exciting that you'd need to- wait, there was that one time. Ah yes, a daemon had whispered in my ear of an opportunity." Kastin says, following Victor, "The ship I'd jumped onto had a gellar field fluctuation, so We had a few daemons on board. Tzeentchian, so I enjoyed their company. They told me about the planet that we were going to be docking at next, and the fact that the planetary governor's daughter had taken a small interest in psychic powers. When I arrived, I sent my thoughts to her, asking her to meet me at the place where I was staying." He chuckles, "As it turns out, she wasn't just interested in psykers, but attracted to them. It wasn't hard to seduce her to the side of chaos. Within a year, her father had died of "Mysterious causes" and pleasure cults began springing up all over the planet." He shrugs, "But so far that's been the only truly interesting thing that's happened since we last met. And what about you? Any shocking tales to tell from your own travels?"

[Lucretia]

Victor laughed bitterly. "While you were off seducing women, I had my ship stolen from me by the Emperor's Children. The Lord of Pleasure has an amusing sense of humor. Here we are!" A small door, apparently unused. Typing in some command code from who knows when, the Margrave opened the rarefied gases room and obtained additional ammunition for the inferno pistols. Closing the door again, he continued back on the route to the stowage room.

"The powers of psykers and daemons have always interested me," van der Strausson mentioned off-handedly. "Although I never had even the slightest talent in it, there are quite a few texts worth investigating on the subject. Regardless! We shall be there shortly. Do you wish to spruce yourself up a bit? There's some blood on you from all that 'trying to save someone' business from before."

[Halae]

"Thanks but no," Kastin says, wiping his hands on the inside of his cloak. It doesn't get all the blood, however, "If they can see blood on my hands, a pskyer's hands at that, they may think twice about attacking us. Who knows what a psyker that strangles people is capable of?" He grins

[Lucretia]

Another laugh, although without the edge to it. "It has been far too long since we rubbed elbows, so to speak. Come, here we are. Welcome to the stowage halls." Looking inside, Victor attempted to recall the precise specifications from the blueprints for a ship of this size.

Total Recall: attempting to remember specifics. If it requires a memory test, [roll0] v. 36 + whatever modifiers might be applicable.

If that fails, or in conjunction, I'll make a perception test. [roll1] v. 42.

Xantam's perception check: [roll2] v. 45.

[Supreme Evil]

Spying an Astartes fighting ring in a distant corner, Ethras opts to approach, trying to gauge the number and type of Astartes there, as well as their present activity.

[Dark Chiun]

Victor recalls that the bay is approximately 20m High by 200m long by 50m wide. He also recalls that this was just a temporary holding bay and that connected to the room were several deep storage rooms for more secure holdings that is very compartmentalized.

[Lucretia]

"Strange, that there would be so many crowded in here. I can't see very well, do you have an approximate count of how many there are here? Or perhaps how many of the Traitor Legions there might be?" Victor spoke lowly, hoping only Kastin would hear him. Inquiring about the currently rulers of the ship would attract unnecessary attention.

[Dark Chiun]

Ethras moves towards the fighting ring and sees that the astartes are not the ones fighting they seem to be watching the fights instead, and there are only 2 of them. As he moves closer he can see that one of the fighters is a massive human that could possibly be the size of a smaller astartes, though his features are obviously human as the fighters are wearing combat pants and are not wearing any shirts. This massive human seems to be completely dominating his opponent.

[Halae]

"Give me a moment," Kastin says, opening his mind slightly to look at those around him.
Rolling Psyniscience to determine how many people are in the area, and if there are any daemons or the like around.
[roll0]/39"Sorry, the warp eludes me for the moment. It can be a bit fickle."

[Lucretia]

"Come now, you've a pair of eyes, haven't you? Actually, turn this way a bit, do you still only have the one pair? You can never be too certain with psykers..."

[Dark Chiun]

Kastin cannot get a feel for how many people are nearby just getting a very general blur of presences.

[Supreme Evil]

Ethras moves towards the two Astartes. "Greetings, brothers."

[Halae]

Kastin chuckles, "I was trying to get an exact number, my friend. All I know is that there's a lot of them, which any fool with eyes can see." Kastin Obliges Victor, laughing under his breath as the deposed Margrave will find a distinct lack of extra eyes.

[Lucretia]

Van der Strausson nodded to himself as he observed the two eyes only. "Excellent, yes. Well, the note was somewhat sparse on detail. I almost wonder whether a little bar fight might be entertaining to stir up, although instilling these vermin with self-hatred might be counterproductive to staying hidden from our darling stewards. Especially if Reginald is on the look-out. Shall we venture to the bar? I'm not particularly thirsty, but if I recall, you had a taste for... the honeyed amasec, didn't you? Or... no, that was that juvenile, with the greasy green hair, what was his name, Villaius something or other..."

[Halae]

Kastin chuckles, "I was the one addicted to Recaf, if you recall," Kastin says, moving over to the bar, where he orders a cup of the caffeinated beverage.

[Dark Chiun]

The astartes look at ethras,
Astartes1: "greetings brother, this human, what do you make of him. My comrade here reckons that this human might be skilled enough to take a neophite, I doubt it, though he is quite skilled. What is your opinion on this matter."
Astartest2: "Hah, while he may not be as gifted as a neophite I doubt they could overcome the experience that this one demonstrates. I think he would thrash them through skill rather than sheer force. Though he has plenty of the later..." The astartes finished as the massive man forcefully picked up his opponent and threw him against a wall.

[Lucretia]

"But you didn't drink recaf with a slice of that fanciful fruit, did you? I would have sworn that was a female..." Victor followed close behind, his cape billowing despite the crowd. It was an eminently swishable cape, after all.

"Now, why did those servo-skulls seek us out, if not to lure us here... in an area that was densely packed and various enough to prevent easy observation...?" the Margrave mused, glancing about the area to see whether any humans were particularly close.

[watupwithdat]

Moving a bit behind Ethras, staying in earshot distance, Setesh studies the area, looking for anything suspicious or perculiar which might pique his mind, as well as actively searching for that psychic signature from before - and any other which might be in the area.


Awareness: [roll0] vs 51 (included +10 from sight)
Psyniscience: [roll1] vs 41

[Supreme Evil]

Ethras observes the victor for a few moments as he revels in his victory. "I believe he could probably take on a neophyte, if they were to engage without weapons or armor. With them, I would place my bets on the neophyte. Who is he anyway?"

[Halae]

Kastin coughs a bit, "I've been mistaken for a woman before," a light blush creeps across Kastin's face. It's true, he's quite androgynous, even in his voice, "I think it was no coincidence the skull came to us when we were together."

[Dark Chiun]

Setesh apparently was very fixated by that shutter aswell as ethras, though he does actively pick up the psyker and that there are easily a thousand people in this bay. Though the background noise does cloud his view so other than the familiar presence he doesn't pick up anything particular but he does realize that there could be something hidden in the noise.

[Dark Chiun]

The astartes looked to ethras, Astartes1:"Not sure he was here watching with everybody else but then announced that he was bored waiting for some people so decided to have a bit of 'fun', I certainly see why he was confident. Though I am not sure on that assessment on armament he is remarkably well armed for a human."He jestures over to a corner where there is a set of power armour and a power axe of obvious quality sitting.

[Supreme Evil]

Ethras glances towards the corner. "So he is. Do you know if he serves Lord Khorne, by any chance? His armament and his behavior certainly fit the image."

[Dark Chiun]

The second astartes spoke up Astartes2:"If he does then he made no mention of it, though with the way he fights it wouldn't surprise me. He has quite the ferocity about him in combat."

[Supreme Evil]

Ethras nods. "It would certainly fit what I see. Would you excuse me for a moment, brothers? I wish to have a little chat with our victor up there."

[Dark Chiun]

The victor jumped down and noticed ethras immediately. He speaks in a gravely voice with a very rough accent. Man:"Yes... you are one that I was hired to meet. I am supposed to be a, middle man so to speak to get you together to meet somebody, as he cannot easily appear here without attracting undue attention. We need to go meet the... others... give me time to get my armour back on and my gear attached. You should go to them, I am sure you will recognize them." With that he had a couple of slaves that worked the pits begin helping him put his armour on.
He is still capable of talking btw.

[Supreme Evil]

"Do you serve Lord Khorne, warrior?"

[watupwithdat]

His psychic awareness proving more reliable than his sight, Setesh was able to pinpoint that familiar psychic signature from before, remembering it as Kastin, a fledgling psyker he came across a while ago during his travels at a point when he wasn't a part of a warband. Now I'm sure this must be the Weaver of Fate's finger pushing at events. Feeling no animosity towards the fledgling psyker, he reaches out with his mind and considerable telepathic power to contact the familiar mind: "Oh, hello Kastin.", his telepathic message long enough to be of interest.


Fettered, Thought Sending, +40 Willpower Focus Power test: [roll0] vs 100+ (success on <91)
Edit: changed message.

[Halae]

Hmm, a slightly interesting tone, a certain level of power, a sound that brings to mind the color blue. Could it be? Set, I haven't seen you in quite a while! Kastin responds telepathically, "Setesh."

Focus Power for thought sending
[roll0]/155

[watupwithdat]

"I see you are still alive. Been busy? I sensed quite a lot of your psychic signature a while ago." refering to what he was assuming was fighting, probably something alike to what he himself had gone through.



Fettered, Thought Sending, +40 Willpower Focus Power test: [roll0] vs 100+ (success on <91)

[Halae]

I fought a group of thieves into the ground, Kastin responds, even the particularly heavy armored can't stand up to a concentrated barrage of force, especially from... what did they call me? A gamma psyker? Setesh should remember that Kastin is capable of quite a bit of psychic power when he wants to, and is rather good at finding unconventional uses for common powers. He also has a strong taste for recaf, and occasionally views the sorcerer as something of a mentor figure; certainly Kastin hadn't been capable of any form of telepathy before meeting Setesh.

Fettered focus power for thought sending
[roll0]/100

[Dark Chiun]

The warrior replies Warrior:"The lord of skulls has blessed me with his favour, yes. Though the only way one truly serves the lord of skulls is of course to give him more skulls"
It is also apparent now that he has a set of very magnificent horns that come out above his ears and curve upwards. He had an obviously modified helmet to be able to accomidate them you notice as he puts his helmet on last.

[Supreme Evil]

Ethras nods. "I do my part." He pats the head of the champion securely fastened to his belt. "It is good to see a fellow warrior of the Lord of Skulls from time to time, especially amongst all this Slaaneshi filth." Ethras raises his axe in salute. "May Khorne deliver to you many slaughters."

With that, Ethras turns and walks back a ways.

[watupwithdat]

Oh? Now, what do you possess, other than your mind, worth stealing? Setesh replies, with a slightly condescending tone Kastin should be used to by now knowing full well how many millennia of experience separating the two, while still considering his psychic potential rather great - which is the reason he in the past had helped develop his telepathy. It seems there's something going on around here.


Free Action, Fettered, Thought Sending, +40 Willpower Focus Power test: [roll0] vs 100+ (success on <91)

[Lucretia]

The helmet of Victor's power armor moved to look at Kastin. "Is the recaf that terrible?"

[Halae]

A mesh cloak and a laspistol for one, but those are mostly backup. Nothing beats telekinesis for good defensive power in a fight. Besides, you know me. Always need to step in and help someone if I can. But, anyways, you're right; My friend Victor and I both receivesd a servo-skull with directions to this area. I imagine you got much the same invitation?

Kastin blinks, and turns to Victor, "Ah, no, I'm just speaking to an old teacher," Kastin points towards Setesh, and it should be obvious to Victor they're talking telepathically

Fettered Thought Sending
[roll0]/100

[Supreme Evil]

Ethras opens the vox link to Setesh. "Setesh, do you read?"

[watupwithdat]

Haven't I told you before that the best defense is not getting hit at all? refering to his own proficiency in seeing the warp and anticipating attacks. Yes, the same. A brute who was with me at the time is presently speaking to whoever it was we're to meet., looking at the group of brutes infront of him.

"Yes, I do read, Ethras. Frequently."

[Lucretia]

Victor moved the skull on his belt up so that it was in the middle of his chest, suspended by a thin gilded chain. "The Whisper, hmm? It has been some time since we crossed paths... do say hello for me, won't you?"

[Supreme Evil]

"Ha ha. However poor your humor may be, I know you are good at ferreting out secrets and useful tidbits of information from an area. It is quite logical to assume that this is the case here as well. If we are to work together again, a degree of cooperation is necessary. So kindly tell me what you've found here while I found our contact."

[Dark Chiun]

The 2 storm wardens looked at each other Warden1:"unfortunately brother we have other business to conduct, perhaps some other time after we are finished with our current task." Warden2:"Yes.. we have other tasks but I should warn you now that these members of the emperors children legion, they are more like their reputation from before the war than during if you understand my meaning."

[Supreme Evil]

Ethras nods even as he moves towards his sorcerer "friend". "Very well, brothers. Good hunting."

Ethras strides closer to Setesh, who really isn't hard to find.

[watupwithdat]

"How heartwarming to hear you say nice things about me. As a matter of fact, I've found out we're not the only ones having gotten the scroll containing the message. I know of two others.", for now not mentioning the fact that the Astartes slain by Ethras before might have had ties to the Black Legion. "What about you?" hiding the fact that he's overheard most of his conversations.

[Halae]

Haven't I told you before that the best defense is not getting hit at all? refering to his own proficiency in seeing the warp and anticipating attacks. Yes, the same. A brute who was with me at the time is presently speaking to whoever it was we're to meet., looking at the group of brutes infront of him.

"Yes, I do read, Ethras. Frequently."

You have, but I've never been as good of a seer as you. Several millenia of experience tends to leave one a bit more experienced than his student, hmm?

Fettered Thought Sending
[roll0]/100

[Supreme Evil]

"Unsurprising. Larger groups are usually necessary for major operations, and this has the smell of one. And, I suspect, the hand of the Gods. I doubt it is coincidence that we meet again after all this time, only to be invited to the same gathering. Who are the other two that have been invited?"

[watupwithdat]

That is true. But with your considerable talent, more study could prove useful. feeling the fledgling psyker's raw talent is even more potential than last they met. I assume you've seen me by now. Are you bringing your companion?

"No, there are no coincidences. This is the work of the Weaver of Fate. We have something important to do." feeling his devotion to the Master of Sorcery having something great in store for him. "You shall soon find out, I've called them to us."

[Supreme Evil]

"Their names, Setesh. Their names. I have a creeping suspicion..."

[Dark Chiun]

The warrior walks up to the ethras and setesh Warrior:"Come we are going to meet my... employer.He then looks right at setesh.Warrior:" oh I was told to tell you to inform your 'companions', that they are to follow"
The warrior then walks away towards one of compartmentalized storage containers towards the back.

[Supreme Evil]

"Setesh, grab our new friends and have them follow me. Our employer awaits."

Ethras turns and follows the warrior.

[Halae]

He's his own man, and if he chooses to come with me, I won't say no, Kastin says noncommittally.

"Come on, we should be among friends in a place like this," Kastin drinks the last of his recaf and places the mug down on the counter before heading in the direction of Setesh.

[Lucretia]

Victor placed a hand on Kastin's shoulder, not violently but clearly in an attempt to slow or halt his departure. "You've an interesting definition of friend, Kastin. This entire situation smells foul, even within this metal skin. Servo-skulls delivering messages to meet in locations primed for ambush? Glimpses of potential allies from the past? What guarantee have we that any of this is true?"

[watupwithdat]

"The names don't matter as long as they bleed, yes? They are following me now, I'd assume."

Either way, It seems it's time to meet this mysterious part. Follow if you're coming too. having no troubles with telepathy as he's talking at the same time, keeping a bit slower pace to let the psyker with companion be able to catch up, while not letting Ethras out of sight.

[Supreme Evil]

"Names matter a great deal, whether for allies or enemies. And these are likely to be allies, if this is not some trap. So give me their names."

[Halae]

Kastin looks at Victor with mirth in his eyes, "And exactly what reason did you have to trust me? The man who had just killed what appeared to be three men and was then rifling through their equipment? It's precisely that this might be an ambush that I want to move next to my old mentor and his khornate buddy." Kastin will then move towards the pair of Chaos marines calmly. He knows how dangerous this could be, and is making sure to be among powerful people who have a stake in watching his back.

[Dark Chiun]

Walking into, the storage room behind the warrior ethras, and soon after setesh, look upon a large astartes wearing finely crafted terminator armour that was obviously made for him specifically and was of the more uncommon type produced that allows the wearer greater mobility.
Astartes1:"greeting... though your companions seem to be lagging behing, I can certainly understand their reluctance. Mortals tend to be more frightened of dangers than the mighty astartes."

[Lucretia]

Victor turned off the external vox and spoke to Xantam. "Keep my mind clear, Xantam," he said as he followed after Kastin. "The boy I trust, his mentor I do not. There has never been a reason to think Kastin might turn against me, not in any true or lasting way, but Setesh... slippery. And a Khornate? That can only end well."

"As you say, Margrave! I shall protect you to the best of my abilities."

"Thank you, Xantam," the elderly fellow said before reactivating the external vox, glancing about as the pair ostensibly neared the compartment.

[watupwithdat]

"If you so insist. A human called Kastin and his companion Victor, whom I do not know who is yet. Do you feel more at ease now?" not expecting that little to have any meaning for the brute, whose intellect he feels should be rather small.

[Supreme Evil]

Ethras nods. "Yes, those lacking in such advantages are typically more timid about these things, though not always." Ethras watches the door as the three companions file in.

"Setesh, naturally... Kastin, it's been a while... Victor, good to see you again." Ethras speaks noticeably more warmly to the last to the three. Lord Yvres and his band, while they had still been alive, had come into contact with the gentlemen several times when seeking to sell off loot, and something of an equitable partnership had been established.

[Lucretia]

Victor raised an eyebrow beneath the helmet. "It cannot be -- Ethras? Am I so recognizable in this old skin? How have you been! When Kastin mentioned a Khornate I was expected someone who eschewed power armor for the glory of sensation, the desire for blood to meet flesh. How perfectly marvelous! And Setesh, of course, hello there, it has been some time, hasn't it? I'm afraid I'm unacquainted with either of these other gentlemen -- perhaps you'd be so kind as to introduce us, Butcher? Or have we just arrived prior to introductions?"

[Halae]

Kastin frowns, and looks at Setesh, I assume the changer of ways had a hand in the fact that everybody here knows each other?

Fettered Thought Sending
[roll0]/100

[Supreme Evil]

"You've arrived before introductions, Victor. I have no more idea who these gentlemen are than you do."

[watupwithdat]

"Ah, of course we're all familiar with eachother since before.", Setesh already confident that the Weaver of Fate is orchestrating this meeting, "Hello, Victor. I wasn't aware it was you whom Kastin was speaking of." still thinking he was a petty lord too reliable on monetary funds and charisma, than real power.

Of course. he replies in response to Kastin's telepathic message.

[Lucretia]

"Ah, excellent, then I shall be the first. Good evening, gentlemen. I am Lord Victor van der Strausson, Margrave of the Aventine March. Although I once called this lovely vessel my home, it is now, I'm afraid, my prison. If I may, to whom have I the pleasure of addressing?"

[Supreme Evil]

"Yes... I sense the hand of the divine in this. And Kastin, you're looking a bit worse for the wear. Had a run-in with another daemon?"

[Halae]

Kastin rolls his eyes, "You know as well as I do that that daemonette was dead sexy. But no, I took a few bolts to the arm before coming here. Speaking of which," Kastin digs the bolt pistol out of his pocket, "does anybody want this? I'm much better with las weapons or just using psychic power."

[Lucretia]

"If you've no use for it, there's never a waste in the Underlevels. To bother an Astartes with a common man's weapon would be an insult. I could use it in a bargain, if you had need of some transaction after this meeting," Victor offered, hoping not to interrupt or insult the individuals he had addressed.

[watupwithdat]

"I hope you're not expecting me to use such a small thing."

[Supreme Evil]

Ethras shakes his head. "It's far too small for Astartes hands. I have no use for it." Ethras reaches down to his belt and withdraws his bolt pistol. "And I have one anyway." He replaces the pistol in its holster.

[Halae]

Kastin rolls his hazel eyes, "I don't expect you to use it," he says, handing it to Victor, "But people always have uses for such things. For example, if I could get my hands on a lascannon, I wouldn't be able to use it, but certainly I know a way to make use of it. It's a similar idea."

[Supreme Evil]

Ethras turns his attention back to the Terminator-clad Astartes. "Greetings, I am Ethras, called the Butcher. Whom, may I ask, do I address?"

[Dark Chiun]

Terminator:"If you have not already been able to deduce my name, then I think it would be best if we were to skip that part of this conversation. It is as much for your, sanity, than my secrecy. Though I suppose we should discuss things on, equal, terms"
He says as he removes his helmet. You can see that he has an obvious amused smile on his face.

[Lucretia]

Victor closed his eyes, thankful a solid sheet of metal prevented the outside world from seeing his expressions. "As you say. Is there a particular title or nom de plume you'd prefer we utilize as we address you?"

[Supreme Evil]

"Very well." Ethras removes his own helmet in return, displaying his tanned features and short black hair. His face is actually somewhat handsome. His expression remains stoic and blank. "If you will not tell me your name, then what shall I call you?"

[watupwithdat]

Feeling a familiarity from the Astartes talking to Ethras, he too follows the example of removing his helmet, fastening it on his side. But not being able to quite place who this warrior was, he felt a bit annoyed. Fearing for our sanity he says? Maybe the Weaver of Fate is preventing me from remembering, to protect my mind. Not having shown his face to any other in his company before, he didn't think anyone would think his natural short grey hair would seem too strange to anyone among them.

[Dark Chiun]

Terminator:"What you choose to address me by is of no concern, I however have a task that needs to be completed and I cannot accomplish this myself upon the chance that I may be, recognized. What I need, is for you to accomplish a number of things for me. I desire to know the number of threats on this ship with very detailed numbers, where the defensive points are the, emperors children, have set up, what the destination of this ship currently is, what their objective is upon reaching this destination, and mostly why it is that they deemed it necessary to take on so many.. passengers. You may have noticed that they have many holds such as this packed with people they are giving 'transportation' to."

[Lucretia]

Victor surreptitiously turned off the external vox sigil. Xantam spoke to his master.

"There is a striking similarity between the man in terminator armor and the Khornate known as Ethras the Butcher, Margrave."

Victor glanced at the two. It was uncanny -- bizarre that he hadn't noticed himself. "Thank you, Xantam." He returned the sigil back, but remained silent -- there was nothing to be said. Someone was making demands, and intended for the passive 'I've got the biggest armor in the room, so if you say no, I'll crush you' effect to cow them into submission. Victor wasn't entirely sold on the notion of actually doing anything for this fellow, especially if the man in Terminator Armor wasn't keen on being found out. With Reginald out and about, it wouldn't be difficult to lead the Emperor's Children here. They could deal with this man however they wished.

He waited for someone else to respond. Astartes tended to like to talk to Astartes -- and while Victor knew how best to speak to the Traitor Legions, it might be best to wait and see what happened between Ethras, Setesh and the mystery man.

[watupwithdat]

"So it's reconnaissance you're after?" Setesh asks, assuming the same question would never leave the khornites lips. The way he phrased the part about passangers made Setesh's mind linger towards various rituals involving many sacrifices. I wonder if something like that could be a reason for all the passangers.

[Halae]

"What's in it for us?" Kastin asks. He very much doubts this chaos lord is going to be running a charity, and their group certainly isn't, though everybody may not like him being so blunt.

[Supreme Evil]

Ethras stares at the face before him for several seconds, trying to comb through his memory to place it. Suddenly, and with unnatural quickness, the face falls into place in his mind. He suddenly feels a massive mental urge to cower, to run, to give in to madness, to worship this being. No! Khorne...grant me... your rage... As if setting off a mental tidal wave, rage and hatred pour into his mind, scouring him of such pathetic, base urges. No. No. I am Ethras, Chosen of Khorne. Slaughterer and Murderer. Butcher. I do not fear, I am feared! I do not cower, others cower before me!. Rage and hatred sweep through his psyche, cleansing him of such lesser things as fear and insanity. Ethras looks at the being before him. I know who you are.

Ethras smiles.

"And why do you wish that... Alpharius?"

[Dark Chiun]

Terminator:"It could be put that way yes, there will be rewards for those that accept this task.(pause) Ah I see that one of you has recognized me, and now you understand why my presence cannot be known"
He finishes with a smile

[Lucretia]

Alpharius? The name was familiar. Hmm... years of study hadn't taught him a great deal about the Astartes, nothing more than the most common lore of them. Victor was versed in psykers, not space marines. Still the Margrave remained silent. There wasn't anything to be gained speaking yet.

[Supreme Evil]

Ethras throws a quick smirk at Setesh.

"So tell me, Alpharius. Why do you require our services when you have the might of the entire Alpha Legion at your disposal? Surely they are more suited for this task than we are?"

[watupwithdat]

Alpharius? Now I understand why the dark god of sorcery would hide this fact from me. To think he'd still be about. Oh Tzeentch, I will follow your strands of fate you're so masterfully weaving. As Setesh's mind was calming down from the revelation of whom was standing in front of him was, he had trouble hiding a miniscule grin, as he was amused over how Fate had led him into this situation - being tasked by a Primarch didn't happen every day. But why that was, he was curious about.

[Lucretia]

"I must agree with the Butcher, I'm afraid -- scores of Astartes with experience and training could take the Golgotha. The Emperor's Children proved that already. Why subterfuge?"

[Dark Chiun]

Alpharius:"Unfortunately the might of the alpha legion is, indisposed right now. I have not enough of my astartes with me to mount such an operation and make suitable backgrounds in time to conduct the operation that needs to be done, you on the other hand do not have that problem. Your pasts are relatively well known so you can slip through their attempts to catch such attempts at gathering intel on them."

[Supreme Evil]

"Subterfuge is the way of the Alpha Legion, Victor. That is why this is most puzzling - hiring outsiders to do something that your legion already specializes in? A most curious decision." Ethras turns towards Alpharius. "Perhaps you would care to elaborate somewhat?"

[Lucretia]

"You'll have to forgive me, my expertise doesn't extend into the realm of the Traitor Legions. But the point remains that this vessel was taken once before. I have the plans in my head -- it would be easy enough, given time, to provide a complete schemata of the Golgotha, at least before the Children performed any modifications."

[Halae]

"Someone's going to move against him," Kastin says simply, "working with outsiders avoids direct involvment, which he doesn't want because it would force that person's hand."

[Supreme Evil]

"So we are ideal because... we have no background at this sort of thing?" Ethras mulls it over. "I find this highly intriguing. But perhaps you might be a bit more specific on the rewards being offered, that we might know what we are "signing up for", so to speak."

[Dark Chiun]

Alpharius:"As I said before, my astartes I have with me do not have time to establish backgrounds and get secure. We usually take more time to get ourselves established. And I do not have the manpower to simply take over the vessel by force without knowing this intel. If I commit any of my astartes to gathering the intel and they are caught, then I will not have the manpower to act if it is necessary. This is the best course of action for me. And I would be pleased to see if my geneseed is naturally adept at such things."

[Lucretia]

"Then truly the only question that remains is Ethras' and Kastin's, regarding the reward and specifics therein." The list of goals was firmly in Victor's mind -- the question, of course, was what to do with them.

[Supreme Evil]

Ethras raises an eyebrow. "Just how much security do the Emperor's Children have on this ship? Because in my experience the vile degenerates are undisciplined in the extreme. Their patrols are erratic at best, and they tend to be far more interested in looking for something to violate and kill than actual reconnaissance. And I have repeatedly witnessed Slaaneshi guards abandon their posts at random moments to go and indulge themselves in whatever twisted urges they feel at the moment. How much trouble can they possibly pose? And like I asked before, would you kindly go into some specifics on the promised rewards?"

[Dark Chiun]

Alpharius:"And keep in mind that I cannot move openly at this point as I only have suspicion and rumor as to what I suspect. And with the possibility of my moving starting a war between my legion and the emperors children a possibility I have to be cautious."
"As to the rewards, you can choose one of these. You can partake in a share of my goal for your own benefit. You can have a suitable selection out of my legions wargear.You can select any Extremely rare weapon and it be of Good qualityThen there is always the simple reward of knowledge. Of course there is always the choice of having me owe you a favor. Margrave I assume that you would be suitably impressed with having your ship returned to you.

[Supreme Evil]

"And what would you say if, instead of weaponry, I asked you for that rarest of relics - Terminator Armor?"

[Lucretia]

"Not all worshipers of the Lord of Pleasure are simply degenerate fiends, Ethras. And the Golgotha itself has many fascinating and ultimately useful defenses built in, from the reinforced internal bulkheads to the field bracing. These walls, unless the Emperor's Children have rerouted power for whatever idiotic reason, are strong enough to withstand my inferno pistols indefinitely. It would take a concerted effort from a lance battery, or an enormous salvo, to break these walls or pierce the hull." There's no small amount of pride in his voice -- Victor was fond of the Golgotha, especially since a fair amount of the upgrades had been after his confiscation of the vessel.

"As for return of the Golgotha... of course that would be adequate." Victor was unconvinced, however. "But you must understand that promising to return a grand cruiser to someone is... quite the statement. How many times throughout history has a prize been offered, only to be stolen back with the claim 'if you had been stronger, you wouldn't've needed my support at all?' What guarantee is there that the Golgotha will return to me, and that I will not need to fear the Alpha Legion's immediate usurping of the Lord-Captain throne?"

[Halae]

Kastin just laughs, "Who says we need all that information anyways? We can just get their attention and lay an ambush. And yeah, I do mean all of them." he hooks a thumb at Victor, "The good Margrave knows the ship best. We set up proper points of ambush here he believes they'd be positioned best and quietly take the bridge while all the defenders of the ship are trying to figure out why a psychic warning that a bunch of daemons are invading the lower levels. After that, hidden astartes start moving up, killing as quietly as possible and before we know it, the ship's ours."

[Dark Chiun]

Alpharius:"That would certainly be possible young psyker, if not for the fact the one element of their force that I know about is that they have a captain aboard. And he is not some degenerate. He follows the form of their legion before the fall. He is an utmost perfectionist and an excellent strategist. And the chances of him not spotting such a ploy is highly unlikely."

[Halae]

"And he knows we know that, doesn't he? So he knows we know he's knows of us. So we do something completely insane, because there's no way he'd expect it. I mean, you just dismissed it out of hand, even if it's a good idea! Why in the world would he believe we're going to do something so crazy?" Kastin says, a grin on his face.

[Supreme Evil]

"And how do you respond to my request: instead of weaponry, I ask a suit of Terminator Armor for a reward?"

[Lucretia]

"Because this vessel can hold a crew of over one hundred twenty thousand. There is no area that we could funnel the Emperor's Children into that would ultimately result in a total victory immediately. With the teleportarium active, intelligence can be gathered with precision and haste. The Golgotha will not be reclaimed by some 'so insane it just might work' plan, Kastin. Especially not against someone savvy, as our armored friend seems to believe the captain of the vessel must be."

[Supreme Evil]

"Then perhaps this captain could be... eliminated."

[Halae]

"I think you're both missing my point here. They're confident in their captain's abilities, or Alphy here wouldn't be so intent on being cautious. We get him to believe he's doing the right thing, and by extension they know what they're doing, then we can blindside them. There's such a thing as too confident, after all."

[Dark Chiun]

Alpharius:"A strategist you are not young psyker. The simple idea of letting in daemons on the ship itself is full of holes. It is impossible for one to control which daemons would be let in and if only the chance that any daemons of slaanesh were to come through then the whole plan would backfire and result in death. And that is before even considering the difficulty of such rituals. And even if that part succeeds then there could be as many as several company's worth of emperors children on board the ship and against such numbers no ambush could succeed. This is why intel is needed. So I know what I am coming up against and know how best to plan an assault."

"Macgrave, what use does my legion have for a grand cruiser. It is an inappropriate vessel for how my legion operate. We prefer to act as small cells and use stealth, so what use would we have of a large easily detected vessel like this."

"Ethras, you should well know that my legion does not deploy the tactical dreadnought armour. I am the one amongst my legion that has such a set and it I only use it when I go into situations where I have no support, and only because my officers insist upon it for my safety."

[Lucretia]

Victor turned and looked at Kastin. "Explain your plan more clearly, if you wouldn't mind, Kastin. I'm having trouble following. So first you feign a distress signal, eschewing technological means for psychic, and claim Greater Daemons are flooding the lower levels. Then the captain presumes it is a ruse and treats it as such. And then we... suddenly can defeat the entirety of the Emperor's Children crew?"

[Halae]

"Ye of little faith," Kastin says simply, "I'm not going to summon a daemon of any sort, and we need not defeat them all anyways. Get your head off of a direct confrontation for a moment and realize that the autromated defenses for most ships are controlled from the bridge, but if there's a daemon in the lower levels, how many people are going to be defending the upper levels? Margrave, if you have a map of any sort, I can explain things in more detail."

[Lucretia]

"Only in my head. I am still lost on the details of your proposal, although Alpharius raises legitimate issues with one interpretation of your plan. Why would they rely on any sort of automated defenses when they can send a single man anywhere in the ship instantaneously, and then withdraw him just as swiftly?"

[Supreme Evil]

"I have heard numerous tales of your legion, Alpharius, many that are contradictory. However, one tale I have heard many times is your wearing loyalist armor to infiltrate enemy lines. Including, it is said, Terminator Armor." Ethras thinks for a moment. "And if this captain is as good as you say, how exactly do you expect us to succeed?"

[Dark Chiun]

Alpharius:"You believe that such a ruse could fool a captain level emperors children. That is a foolish assumption that will result in many being killed. Such a thing would be investigated before any large force would be deployed to deal with it. And a master strategist should easily realize that such a thing was a ploy and reinforce vital areas of the ship against any attempted assault and such a thing would surely make any future attempt most difficult. It seems to me that you are being the lazy and instead of doing the proper intel committing to a reckless ruse that has a small chance of victory. And even that assumption hinges on you being able to take this captain in combat.

[Lucretia]

"Committing? No one has committed to anything -- not hearing out a plan, however extravagant it may sound, would be folly. However, I believe Ethras has asked another interesting question -- how do you expect success?"

[Dark Chiun]

Alpharius:"Ethras what I require of you is not to have to deal with this captain or any of his astartes. It is something that is accomplished through either confrontation or stealth. If you are successful then this captain need never know you are present. Even if you have to resort to combat to find this information it is easy enough to conceal."

[Supreme Evil]

Ethras raises an eyebrow again. "No one has committed to anything. We are allowing a comrade to speak his piece, and then we discuss it. No more, no less."

[Halae]

"I have to admit, The Butcher raises a good point. You half sound like you've given up already. Is that something the Alpha Legion would want? It seems to me all you are is a nuisance in big armor to this man, if he frightens you so."

[Lucretia]

"Kastin, that's hardly polite," the Margrave chastised. Tact was always overlooked. "Alpharius is offering a rebuttal to a plan. And he has suggested a course of action -- one involving stealth, which ultimately doesn't resolve with the death of the Emperor's Children captain. Presumably the Alpha Legion would take care of such trifles once we had acquired the information."

[Supreme Evil]

"Very well. Please go into detail - exactly what information do you require, when do you require it by, and how are we to deliver it?"

[Lucretia]

"We have been asked to obtain accurate numbers of how many of the Emperor's Children there are aboard the vessel, where they are fortified the most, where the Golgotha is currently headed, and for what reason so much chattel has been collected." Listing this off, Victor turned his attention back to Alpharius. "I believe that is what has been requested of us? Although as to the when, I cannot fathom. Presumably time isn't of the essence. Collecting information on the exact number of a great many, and to do it without alert, would require at least a few weeks. And determining the defensive locations would be even more difficult... not impossible, but definitely something we'll need to approach with a different mindset than we might traditionally attempt."

[Halae]

Kastin just shrugs, and listens to the information. He doesn't care about having been polite.

[Dark Chiun]

Alpharius:"I could slay this captain with ease, yet why would I assault potentially hundreds of astartes not to mention multitudes of guards, and automated defenses without know exactly what I was up against with but a squad of my astartes. That is a reckless mission even for one such as me, and do you think I take such reckless risks?"

[Dark Chiun]

Alpahrius:"There is also the matter of the ships objective upon arriving at their destination. Though other than that the macgrave has it correct. You will be accompanied by hathdor here, and when the information is collected he will relay it to me. Now if that is all I wish to conclude this as I have things to see to to prepare for the assault when it comes."

[Supreme Evil]

"Risk is unavoidable if one wishes to get anywhere. Sometimes risks pay off, and sometimes they do not. Just ask poor Horus on risks really not paying off. But I understand your position. I vote in favor of accepting this job and doing it by stealth, as Alpharius suggests. And in payment..." Ethras looks at Alpharius, "I want a Frozen Shard."

[Hazzardevil]

So... Space Marine, once we do as you say, what is stopping you from just slitting our thoughts and taking all of our stuff the bribe the next lot of outside help you need.
He stares at the helmet, trying to find the eyes and cursing that he can't see the face of the Chaos Marine.

[Lucretia]

"There are a few areas of the Golgotha that would be wisely protected. The munitorium, the enginarium, the teleportarium and the bridge. Assaulting the teleportarium and using it to infiltrate the enginarium, so that power cannot be diverted at will, would be a swift way to obtain control of the ship. The bridge may control the heading and issue commands, but the enginarium is where you can find the life support systems, the gellar field, the void shields, the energistic conversion matrix, the heart of the ship in every way. Without the Enginarium, no one can be said to control this ship.

"Collecting data, however, without actually striking... to perform it with stealth, as it were, that would be more difficult. I am familiar with the layout of the ship, but so too would the bridge readouts. The fire suppression system throughout the ship provides the bridge with at the very least the most basic of information, so attempting to sleuth about will be tough. If only we had a magos! Accessing the ship through the cogitator interlink would be so useful!"

And suddenly, Hazzardevil was here!

Hazzardevil, Alpharius (the CSM) has his helmet off. So...

[Dark Chiun]

Alpharius:"A frozen shard, eh, that sounds suitable. I will have my agents locate one."

[watupwithdat]

Silent and listening to the others trying to come up with a reasonable plan to this ploy, Setesh couldn't help but fear what Alpharius might do if they'd fail their given task.

"Being a primarch, I assume you'd have sufficient knowledge of things "forbidden", to part with as a reward? Simple weapons offers little to me. However, I feel as your arcane knowledge might be lacking - I doubt your interest in such things would hold any candle to that of your fellow primarch, Magnus?", as he wondered what kind of knowledge he had to offer, a weapon seeming like a rather awful reward from one of the primarchs.

[Dark Chiun]

Alpharius:"Yes I can reward you with knowledge setesh, and as to your question neroth, if that was my intention you would be dead already. Not one of you has what it takes to even slow me down."

[Supreme Evil]

"I do not think that was Neroth's question. Alpharius. He is not asking you why you do not kill us now, but rather what prevents you from simply deciding that you could save reasources and tie up potential loose ends by simply killing us once we have done what you want. You would hardly be the first servant of the Gods to do that."

[Dark Chiun]

Alpharius:"I can easily cover the resources expended, and it is always useful to have agents that can be relied upon to successfully complete a job for the right price. I would have more to gain out of this by allowing you to live would I not?"

[Supreme Evil]

"A wise answer. Not that I expected anything less from a Primarch. Perhaps you might help me answer a personal question." Ethras lifts the scorched helmet up, adjusting the chains a bit so the head and helmet can be temporarily separated. He shows Alpharius the head. "Might you identify this man? He attempted to rob and kill me in the halls immediately prior to your servo skulls' arrival. While he will not do so again, he has proven most difficult to identify, despite all my efforts. And his behavior was unusual enough to rouse my suspicions."

[Dark Chiun]

Alpharius:"I cannot tell from the helmet as it is very generic though I would suggest that he is either of horus's stock or my own judging by his facial features.

[Supreme Evil]

"Very well. My thanks. What is our time frame for this operation? How soon do you need it done?"

[Dark Chiun]

Alpharius:"Before they reach their destination would be the obvious answer would it not? And as I do not know their destination then that means that you shall know when you find out that piece of information. However the closest possible destination would be at most 1 week standard time away. Though the time and travel speed in this place can be.... Fickle."

[Supreme Evil]

"If they intend to stop as soon as possible, this will be a very difficult operation. I doubt it can be planned and carried out in a week's time. But we shall try. Another question: how do you propose we interrogate members of the Emperor's Children? We will almost certainly need to capture and interrogate at least one, probably more, to get all this intel. In my experience the degenerates seems almost aroused by almost any form of torture. The one thing I have seen to decisively work was a threat to cut off the Astartes' limbs, entomb it in a Dreadnought chassis, and eject it out into the void between galaxies, thus causing trillions of years in a metal box with no sensation. But we lack a Dreadnought chassis, do we not? How do your legion go about extracting information from these degenerates?"

[Dark Chiun]

Alpharius:"My suggestion?, while it is indeed difficult to get information guarded by astartes, astartes tend to disregard and not even notice any..'mortal' presence in the room, feeling that they are less. Perhaps it is here that it is best to look."

[Supreme Evil]

"A foolish mistake to make, but one all too common among our kind. But I was not referring to obtaining information they guard, but rather capturing one alive and getting him to tell us what we want to know. I know the Alpha Legion and Emperor's Children have clashed in the past, and surely you have taken prisoners. What methods do you use to force them to reveal their secrets?"

[watupwithdat]

Finding Ethras's mention of torture a round-about way of finding out what you want, Setesh had to interupt their exchange, "If it's information you want, torture is hardly needed if I'm around and the Lord of Sorcery is not blindfolding me. I can find out something in mere seconds what would take you several hours or days, if you're even successful in the first place. As you said, they might enjoy the torture, correct?", knowing his telepathic talents would be very helpful in this case.

[Dark Chiun]

Alpharius:"As is proper astartes are nearly impossible to get information out of unwillingly. We found that the only method that bears even meager results are to employ psykers. But even that is less than fullproof as they have ingrained defenses against their minds being penetrated."

[Supreme Evil]

"Yes, they would be highly likely to enjoy it, from my experiences with Slaaneshi marines. And please stop your boasting. You failed to recognize a Primarch when he stood right in front of you. Forgive me if I doubt your abilities."

[watupwithdat]

"Do not worry, every mind can break, given enough pressure. You just have to put that pressure on the correct points. And as you yourself mentioned Primarch, there's mortals with information also."

Setesh continues to respond to Ethras's attempt at an insult, "As to me failing to recognize a Primarch, considering my reaction when you mentioned who it was, I'm sure it was the will of the Architect of Fate - not my own.", knowing full well it's not boasting if you can back your claims.

[Supreme Evil]

"In my experience, Slaaneshi are highly suseptable to credible threats to deny them sensation over long periods."

[watupwithdat]

"But we don't have "long periods" to spare, if it's as urgent as it seems to be."

[Supreme Evil]

"True. But they don't need to know that. And, as I said, the threat of leaving them immobilized and aware while dumping them in deep space is effective at getting them to talk." Ethras smiles at Setesh's retort. "So you're essentially arguing that your god has to protect you from your own weak mind?"

[watupwithdat]

"It's easier to just rip whatever we need to know from their minds, after they're immobilized." Setesh replies, almost sounding ecstatic when mentioning the action of ripping information from a individual's mind, thinking it's a waste of time even discussing such a simple issue. "You misunderstand. My faith in the Architect of Fate is firm. It had nothing to do with my own will." convinced his memory lacked for a moment by design.

[Supreme Evil]

"And how sure about the accuracy of this information can you be? Your own god is apt to deceive you whenever he desires. There are many famous sorcerers who have been deceived by Tzeencth and who paid the price with their lives. And, as I recall, poor Ahirman certainly was deceived about his Rubric." Ethras smirks."Your sad attempt to rationalize your own failures is pathetic."

[watupwithdat]

"What I do isn't some attempt to read the ebb and flow of the fickle warp to catch glimpses of the future, which was Ahriman's domain. The whole human psyche and its content is at my fingertips - such information does not lie."

Starting to feel rather bored with the khornite's blantant attempts to belittle his psychic might, Setesh instead turn his attention once again to the Primarch. "Anything else of importance you haven't already told us?"