[IC] Rogue Trader: Legacy of the Void Redux

[Rising Chaos]

The transit through the warp has been difficult and taxing to the crew of the Terra's Fist, but after just over a week of travel the massive cruiser breaks the veil between the Immaterium and Real space and slides out of the warp. Throughout the ship a series of ragged cheers go up from armsmen, overseers and workers alike. For some it is simply the knowledge that the horrors of the warp are behind them for now, or that the luxury of a break is on the horizon. For others, particularly the senior officers, the cheer signifies the beginning of a new day, the Koronous Expanse lies before them, the first stepping stone to fortune and prestige beyond compare.

Before you, hanging in the dark void of space is the 'majesty' of Port Wander, built many millenia ago it represents the Imperium's only solid foothold into the Expanse and the last bastion of Imperial law. Once this was a mighty, pristine Ramillies-class space station. Now, though still a powerful space station, one could almost mistake it for a space hulk. Dozens and dozens of additions to the Port have sprung up over the centuries, encircling the station like some great, metal kraken. Ancient asteroids, both large and small slowly orbit the station and circling around it's borders are the patrol ships of Battlefleet Koronous, two frigates, three raiders and a light cruiser make up the Imperium's final line of defense in these parts.

After a quick chat with the Battlefleet Koronous liaisons the Fist is allowed to 'dock' in orbit around Port Wander, hanging in the void in close proximity to the station. Within the first few minutes of docking the Master of Etherics, Nathin Yorke, has filtered over a dozen incoming vox-hails to lesser officers or the Command Throne of Rogue Trader Velator. Only one immediately catches the attention of the Lady Captain. It is from the In'Bellator dynasty, welcoming Lady Velator to the Koronous and inviting her to inspect her families holdings on the station.

Aside from that the possibilities are endless, the Expanse is on the verge of becoming your oyster. How do you proceed?

[Col.Straken]

Katyriana closed her third eye as the ship escaped the Warp and she leant back in her navigators chair and removed the headset she used to keep in contact with the bridge during transit. Leaving her multitude of screens on for a moment she took in Port Wander, it was a place she had never seen before and from having seen the Imperium be born, she relished every new sight she laid eyes upon. Rubbing her eyes she flicked the screens on and was about to return to her Cryo chamber but hesitated, she had been reluctant to return to its cold embrace after being released by the "Captain" of Terras Fist. While never really being close to the ships crew Katyaina found herself missing them and didn't want to experience such extreme loss again so soon.

[Entelechy]

Josy holds his breath for a long moment as the ship reenters the materium. He lets it out with a sob of relief.

"Thank the Emperor," he says, then suddenly looks stricken. He looks quickly to the navigator.

"Not that I doubted you would get us here, I'm sure you're very good at your job, and there was no real reason to worry, except for all the stuff you always have to worry about in in the Warp, and thank you for getting us through it," Josy says quickly, anxiety rising in his voice. "Not to put too much pressure on you or anything, I know that sometimes ships just do bump into things into the warp, and when that happens, I won't be mad at you or anything. But I'm sure it will almost never happen because you are very good or maybe even never at all."

[OOPWER]

Carver (that being the name he gave to humans) paced back and forth in a large room. To a human, he might have been jogging suicides, but for him this was pacing. The kroot's mind rushed with the possibility of facing a Warp beast:

Strong yes, good strength? Shaper would know, shaper would know. Shaper gone, clan gone. Am I shaper?

Hearing the all clear on the intercom, Carver went to his rifle and made sure the blade was sharp. It was smart to have a sharp blade.

[Sir Dancealot]

Vestra sighed with pleasure as they exited the warp. It was good to be out. She never particularly enjoyed that part. "Josy, you're talking to the Navigator's door again. I'm pretty sure she took her headset off."

The next few hours flew by quickly as the ship reached the 'docking' point. She shuffles through her inquiries and immediately notices the Dynasties message. Might as well start with that. The next step was of course to acquire more weaponry for the ship. Her 'bead hooking into the ships vox, she contacted their 'Enginseer Prime' Torian Thale. "Torian, how is the ship doing? And do we require any parts? And have you looked through the storage data as I asked?" without waiting for a reply, she she tapped into Colonel Klute's 'bead as well, locking in to all of the upper command as she did so, "Colonel, ready a ground squad. We'll be headed groundside, well, portside I suppose, soon. We're going to check on my families holding. Will anyone else be joining us?

[dupersudi]

Colonel Klute stands at attention behind Lady Straken's Command Throne.
At least we're out of the throne damned warp, even if we are cursed have a Xenos aboard. At least it's one who has some semblance of honor and probably wouldn't stab them in the back for absolutely no reason. And we might even be able to get more troops on the station.
Hearing the Rogue Trader speak, he responds quickly."Yes my lady, I will arrange for an armed escort immediately. Might I also have your permission to send men to the station to recruit more troops for the Parati Ad Bellum?"

[Entelechy]

"Do you plan on flying down, Lady-Captain, or are you going to use the teleportarium? I mean, I would be happy to fly you there, Lady Captain, if you would like. But if you want me to stay behind its okay, I mean, you are the Lady-Captain, so of course I'll do what you think is best," Josy said. While normally he is more at ease with the captain, talking into the dead mic, again, still has him feeling particularly self-conscious.

[Col.Straken]

Katyaina considered what to do, she was never the best with people, especially these new Emperor Botherers, that said she did miss interaction. Tying her deep blue headscarf around her third eye and bald head with her old family symbol placed carefully where her eye sits beneath, she sighed and made her way out.

As she stepped onto the bridge Katyaina looked around before head over to the "Captain" "I hope we arrived as quickly as you anticipated? The journey was difficult, but I pushed as hard as I dared to satisfy your needs."

[Sir Dancealot]

The captain nodded her head at the Navigator as the other woman entered the Bridge."We actually arrived earlier than expected Lady Navigator. I'm always pessimistic about warp travel. Might end up there a year after you left, or a year before. Would you care to join us in viewing my familial estates out here? It's been decades since I've last been here."

"I would actually prefer to fly down Josy, and leave the Teleportarium for emergencies. Never know when someone might be shot and need a quick extraction. Would you mind voxing down and making sure the 'cutter is ready?" She asked Josy, while he was always nervous and seemed to take her requests as orders, she would never order him around. He was afterall her oldest friend.

She turned to Colonel Klute, nodding in agreement, "Of course Colonel, we could always use more men and women. Just make sure none of them will stab us in the back yes?" She smiled brightly at the last bit, obviously joking. Probably.

[Rising Chaos]

From Dolf's side his second in command Ishmael nods. "Sir, with your permission I'll get the Parati up and ready for landfall within the next ten minutes" he says with a curt nod and a fist pump salute.

As Elizabeth decides what to do and gives her orders a small flicker from the command throne catches her attention. Etherics Master Yorke has run a passive scan on all the ships currently docked at Port Wander and has relayed the information back to the Lady Captain. Three Rogue Trader vessels are currently docked around the Port.

- The Dictator-Class Cruiser Scion of Perysia under the command of Lord Captain Marcharian Aestaban
- The Defiant-Class Light Cruiser Maiden of Ice under the command of Lady Captain Winter Cathmire
- The Firestorm-Class Frigate Fel Hand under the command of Lord Captain Hadrak Fel

As the Lady Captain finishes scrolling through the list Master Yorke turns to her with a nod "No response from any of the other Captains milady, though I cannot confirm if they are aboard their vessels or not. Shall I send requests or missives to any of them?"

[dupersudi]

Turning towards his Lieutenant. "Two teams if you please Lieutenant Gallun. One you will have the pleasure of leading, one for myself. Take your team and look for recruits, quality over quantity, standard signing package, and remember not to recruit anyone obviously intoxicated, it seldom ends well. Have my team wait in the shuttle bay for the Lady Captain and I."

[Col.Straken]

Katyaina snorted at the Captains remark, "Warp travel is only dangerous for the untrained. While only the unskilled would fall out of time as far as that. You have possibly the most experienced Navigator in the Imperium at your command."

That was very possibly an exaggeration, but she was definitely the oldest around. Though lack of using her talents in such a time had lessened her abilities, it was a bit of a thrill to learn again.

[Sir Dancealot]

She nodded to Master Yorke, "Hmmm. Yes. I believe that might be a good idea Master Yorke. Would you mind giving them the electronic version of a polite head nod? What information do we have about these Rogue Traders?"

"Of course my Lady Navigator. I shall not doubt your prowess again." She nods her head politely at the woman, smiling a beatific smile. "Are you sure you won't join us in the port? Perhaps we could find something about what happened to your family throughout the years."

[Entelechy]

Josy nods quickly to the captain pressed a button on the console.

"Ho-Holly, could you please prep Leaf on the Wind for launch, if you have time? Actually, I need to know if you can because the Captain needs it, so I sorry to be prying-- you do have time? Oh, good. Thank you" Josy releases the comm button and audibly sighs with relief. "The guncutter is being prepared, Lady Captain."

[ArcturusV]

A man needed his rest. As the ship pulled up to Port Wander, that's what Torian was doing. The micro-bead on his nightstand in his chamber was blaring at him, something, some voice calling out. He tossed over on his bunk, letting out a frankly pathetic sounding whine as he tried to block out the sound. He curled up a bit, the words just barely flirting on the edge of his consciousness as he struggled to catch up to his dream.

... a dream that wouldn't come back. Sleep mocked him and refused to come no matter how hard he tried. He groaned in frustration and flopped over onto his back, staring up at the ceiling, letting out a long, exhausted, frustrated sigh to the heavens. The words echoed in his head as he slowly started to come around from dead asleep to at some mild semblance of his mind working. Slapping at the nightstand several times, he grabbed up the microbead, putting it up to his ear and hitting transmit to answer the Lady-Captain, "Ug... we're short on everything. Food, spare parts, trained hands... the list of what we actually have is shorter than what we need. Room we have, so many decks are just sitting empty, though planning for proper cataloging, storage, and expansion has been finished. If you get it, I'll know what to do with it."

With a groan he sat up, bare feet on the cold deck plating doing a bit to bring him even further towards wakefulness, "Perhaps most crippling at the moment is our lack of proper tools, even more than parts or trained manpower. Given time I can train the men properly, and we may scavenge what we need over time, we can make it work for a while. But without proper tools? It's almost impossible."

Report given as such he released the transmit button to let out a long yawn, standing up and stretching his back. He slowly padded over towards his small chest, "The lack of additional auxiliary systems are still troubling," he continued to report, "I do suggest that we add proper facilities if you get the chance to secure the proper components and dock time here, proper lab facilities, cargo facilities, expanded launch bays. As it stands your ship is badly crippled for general duties, and even the simple distractions of an Arboreum or Temple might do wonders to improve the crew's performance. Most are aware that we are basically a floating crate, with no option but to dive into battle and very fragile if we do. It's not a problem yet... but it might become one." He shrugged, no longer transmitting as he pulled on a shirt, while he was doing Tech-Duty, he was still technically a "seneshal", and it was his duty to report on the status of the crew.

[Rising Chaos]

Command Bridge
Nathin nods, shouting at a few of the bridge staff to begin introductions protocols to the other Rogue Traders, then switching to his micro-bead to fill the Captain in.
"Aye milady. Marcharian Aestaban is in all accounts a new force as a Rogue Trader. No records of his dynasty until twenty years ago when he received his status as an award for his efforts in the Battle for Perysia. He's known for his sizeable ground force but no records of any ships other than the Scion of Perysia.

The Cathmire dynasty is much more renowned, they barely proceed your own legacy and were founded in the 33rd Millenium. Not much is known of their endeavors of late, the last recorded actions were when Lady Cathmire's father and predecessor Darrius Cathmire sent an expedition into the farthest reaches of the Expanse. Most of their other listed ships are frigate and transport class.

Hadarak Fel has held his dynasties mantle for the last eighty years or so. He has a reputation for being a bit of a fop, but his dynasty has been doing well in all accounts... Surprisingly the Fel Hand is his command ship but the registry I pulled shows a Battlecruiser under his dynasties assets."

He pauses for a moment before continuing.
"That's all I can find at a quick glance my Lady. If you require any additional information please inform me and I'll send word to out savants"

Dolf
Ishmael nods curtly, "Of course sir, I'll let you know as soon as we've found some suitable recruits". He turns and starts to walk off, but stops as he reaches the Navigator.
"I heard you were planning to head down with the Captain mis- I mean maam. Do you require a bodyguard or any retainers travel with you? I'm not sure, I mean I know a Navigator is our ships most vital resource and...". He trails off with the look of someone who greatly regrets starting a conversation...

Josy
Holly's voice sounds a bit exasperated, but there's concern in her tone as well. "Don't worry Josy, we'll be prepped by the time the Captain's down here. Have I ever let you down?"

Torian's Room
As Torian finishes his report there is a knock at the door and a muffled voice, slightly bemused, calls through it.
"Uh... sir? Message for you, marked urgent and your eyes only"

[ArcturusV]

(( I take it I don't recognize this voice? ))

Torian padded over towards the door, he had pants on, and a shirt, but nothing else, bare feet on the deck plating, enjoying the cold shock of the metal. Better than Recaf, any day of the week. "Yes, yes!" he called out as he cross to the door, in no great particular hurry. When he finally opened the door he looked... well... exactly like what he was. Someone who was tired, just rolled out of bed, hair sticking up on his left side where he slept on his side, stifling a yawn, his clothing just thrown on rather than tucked and trim, in loose comfortable sleep pants rather than normal wear. He was leaning towards the door, right hand braced against the wall as he was still in the process of coming out of his sleep.

[Col.Straken]

She had ignored the Captains comment of finding out what had happened to her family, she thought it better not to dig too deep. It would avoid questions directed at her, and finding the horrid truth of what happens to most Navis Nobilite families.

When Ishmael speaks to her, Katyaina looks to him and smiles, his awkwardness amused her, made him seem more genuine as well. "Yes, I think I will travel down. I am curious to see how such a magnificent space station has devolved into such Chaos. Your company would be appreciated, we can improve on your conversational skills."

[OOPWER]

Carver made his way down to the hangar where he saw Leaf on the Wind being prepped for launch, rifle slung across his back, and settled in to observe.

Find Shaper?

[Sir Dancealot]

"Get what you can about the Rogue Traders. Colonel, let us head down." She Popped on her microbead to all senior crewmen, "I shall be heading down to the base shortly, if anyone else desires to go, meet us on the guncutter."

[Rising Chaos]

Command Bridge
Ishmael starts for a moment "Ah, of course Lady Navigator. I- would still have other duties to attend to about the station, but I'm sure... I could find time to escort you. If you'll excuse me I-"
He trails off for a moment before making an awkward bow and departing the room, followed by two other Parati members who are visibly trying to suppress smirks.

Nathin nods at the Captains orders "It will be done my Lady, safe travels aboard Port Wander, and may the Emperor smile on your endeavors"

Torian
If the messenger thinks your appearance strange he says nothing, he simply deposits a dataslate into your waiting hand and nods. "That's all sir, sorry for disturbing you" and then hurries off.

The dataslate activates easily, and the message inscribed on it is short and simple, it reads.
"Dear sirs.
It has come to my attention that we share similar interests and grievances. We believe that you have the means to make both our lives easier and more profitable. If you could meet with us at the restaurant Voyager of Spice in the Gilt Processional we would be very interested in discussing such opportunities. Ask for Pietro.


((I'm just going to fast forward to Port Wander))


About half an hour later the Guncutter sails into Shuttle Bay AVII// Gamma. The landing area is located on the outskirts of the Gilt Processional, walled off from the merchants area by huge, imposing ferrocrete walls. As the shuttle touches down the area around the Leaf on the Wind is swarming with activity. Beyond the standard mechanics and workers that are running forward to refit and refuel the shuttle there is a small crowd of merchants, dignitaries and officials bustling around the entrance ramp.

As the ramp swings down and the Captains crew and retinue begin to exit the shuttle the swarm of dignitaries and the like begin to call out welcomes and praises to Captain Vestra In'Bellator, welcoming her to the station and calling out their wares, or promises of friendship and power. All quite standard to any Captain visiting Port Wander but disarming all the same.

At the edge of the shuttle bay two huge blast doors lay open and show you the majesty of the station. Even from the shuttle you can see throngs of people bustling through the Gilt Processional, the noise and stench of so many people, foods, objects and wares makes it all but impossible to discern what is what. The station serves as a launching point into the unknown, and there are many opportunities that lie in store here.

How do you wish to proceed?

[dupersudi]

Colonel Klute activates his micro-bead and tunes it to the Parati frequency. "Alright lads form a moving cordon, no one gets through to approach the Lady Captain. Lets keep her clear of the filth. Non-violent unless the situation deteriorates. The God Emperor protects." He then turns the micro-bead to Ishmael's frequency. "
Get started on recruiting, once you have the station set up, if you wish to escort the Lady Navigator after you set it up I will allow it, just make sure your comrades the station is manned and your comrades know what to do. And by the throne make sure the Navigator remains safe." Turning towards the Lady Captain, Colonel Klute asks. "Where are we headed Captain?"

[Sir Dancealot]

"My families estate it should be..." She patted her fine clothing for a moment, then frowned. "Ah. I seem to have misplaced my mapslate. That is most unfortunate. Do you happen to have one of the station on you Colonel?"

[dupersudi]

"I'm afraid not Lady Captain, should I vox the ship for directions?"

[Col.Straken]

Katyaina couldn't quite stifle the snort as the Colonel spoke of the 'God-Emperor' but did manage to catch the reply before it left her lips. She looked around in slight amazement, it had been a long time since she had left the ship, and that was before she was left for thousands of years. Pulling her hood a little lower to hide the bandanna covering her third eye she smiled at Ishmael. "I am content to watch you perform your duties, I am just happy to get off that ship and away from our 'Lady Captain'." the last part was said with quite obvious sarcasm, she even rolled her eyes.

[ArcturusV]

He could have gotten a bite to eat before leaving. But well, the rumble of his stomach, quiet loud as he had missed breaking the fast after waking up, just helped him as he looked towards the Lady-Captain, "Ah, my apologies my Lord, but I do seem to be quite a bit famished. If you don't need me..." he paused, looking around at the crowd gathered, the adoring public, of a sort, all the other figures the Lady-Captain had brought with her, "I had heard of quite a good establishment here, I have been looking forward to it." His stomach complained once more, and Torian gave her a sheepish smile, as he could hardly be expected to control such a thing. "By your leave, Lady Captain?"

[Sir Dancealot]

"That would be wonderful. Thank you colonel." she turned to the Death Worlder, nodding her head, "Of course. As you will. I would like you to go over my families holdings while we're here. See if there is anything of use for us.

[dupersudi]

The good Colonel voxes the ship. "Colonel Klute to Terra's Fist, requesting directions to Lady Straken's family residence." He then switches channels and checks in with Ishmael. "Status report Mr. Ishmael." His tone is calm and relaxed, though his body language is tense. He really doesn't like crowds of random people.

[Rising Chaos]

Shuttle Bay
The response from the Fist is quick and crisp, "Aye my lord, Vox-inloading the coordinates to the In'Bellator estate to the shore party now"

A few seconds later the groups dataslates click once and the screens flare to life briefly, confirming that the coordinates have been sent from the ship. The estate is located on the second level of the Civilian Quarters, at a glance this tells you that the In'Bellator estate must be large and command respect, as only the wealthy (most commonly Rogue Traders) inhabit the upper levels of the Port.

It only takes around 10 minutes and a half dozen of the "finest" grav-taxi's you could find to reach the In'Bellator estate. As your vehicles pass by the hundreds of smaller, grey hab structures below and the towering gestures of wealth and power other nobles and Rogue Traders refer to as estates you spot your own estate in the distance.

The first clue that this is the "your" estate is the huge, 20ft tall symbol of the In'Bellator crest carved from a brass relief. It stands like a standard from the very top of the mansion, which in itself looks to be a 5 floor, light beige neo-victorian style marvel of architecture. Aside from the size and width of the building the gates surrounding the estate bristle with a dozen turret slits through which heavy stubbers protrude.
From inside the gate you note that the mansion grounds contain a large grove of hedges (which seem to be in various states of wilting and death), and a large, ornate fountain, consisting of a figure you don't recognize standing atop a huge, dragonlike creature.

As the grav-cars touch down and you reach the gate a servitor plated in bronze and jade trundles forward and blurts out a monotone greeting.
'Greetings and welcome to the prosperous In'Bellator estate. Please state your name and business'

Katarina
Ishmael nods, he seems more controlled than he was on the bridge, no longer stammering (as badly) or refusing to meet your gaze. "Aye milady. Don't worry, the Parati will place the utmost priority on your protection".
He gestured to the surrounding mercenaries and the group heads off. A few minutes later pulling up to a nearby bar, a slightly decrepit pit called the Voidsmens's Dream.

As you enter you note that decrepit pit is a fairly accurate way to describe the Dream. The bar is a small, densely packed cube no larger than 15x15 meters. The floors and walls are streaked with dirt and grease, and the tables are in similar disarray. The only light source in the bar comes from two dim, flickering rectangular lights and they barely illuminate the crowded, stained bar.
All manner of civilian, naval and ship personnel are situated in the bar, drinking, chatting and in causing a ruckus in general that makes it hard to hear anything above a yell.
Ishmael lifts a finger to his micro-bead in response to Dolf "Everything's clear at the moment Colonel, we're preparing to commence our search, over"
He then looks back to Katarina and around the bar, perhaps noting how incredibly far down the social ladder they've just progressed. "I-ah, I'll see about finding you a table and maybe something better to drink than whatever piss they probably serve to the locals here" he says with a slight grin.

Torian
Finding the Voyager of Spice is almost as difficult as reaching the restaurant. It is located on the upper levels of the Processional, a large red and gold building overlooking the markets below. The stature and reputation the restaurant tries to show is obvious, from the large bronze reliefs of Overlord-class Battlecruiser guarding each side of the steps leading to the front door.
Entering the restaurant you find yourself entering a similarly red/gold styled interior. Every inch of the floor is covered in a thick red velvet and the walls are lined with white granite columns, each depicting a major event that took place on Port Wander.

Dropping Pietro's name causes the waiter to lead you to an enclosed booth at the back of the Voyager, where a man in an expensive looking waistcoat of blue white is sitting. He has grey, slicked back hair and piercing yellow eyes that seem to examine you thoroughly as you enter.
"Greeting Seneschal, so glad to see you could make it" the man says with a grin.
"Take a seat, please. We have much to discuss and much I believe you would be interested in"

[Col.Straken]

Katyaina followed Ishmael and his gang to their 'recruitment ground' and at first sight of the grimy bar they entered her lips lifted in a slight sneer. Looking around for an empty table she dreaded having to sit and wait in such a place, but this is what she had asked to be part of. "This is where you plan to find new recruits?" she asks before Ishmaels heads off to get drinks, "Do you not have a vetting system, most of the... People here are little better than the filth they are drinking." she makes her disdain obvious and doesn't even bother lowering her voice.

[Sir Dancealot]

"I am Lady Captain Vestra In'Bellator here to examine my families estates. Those following me are my retainers. Stand aside Servitor." Vestra says smoothly and quickly, barely waiting for the Servitor to finish it's greeting.