The Herald of Oblivion [IC] [Archive] - Giant in the Playground Forums

Toxic Mind

2015-09-21, 11:31 PM

Chapter 1: A Fateful Meeting

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"Have they been assembled?"
"Yes. We used the woman to bring the other. Together they will serve well enough."
"And there is no chance that they will turn aside?"
"No. The prize is far too great. They will serve."
"We cannot risk the alternative. You know what should happen if they fail."
"I do not need reminding, Inquisitor. You forget I watched as Veraxus was consumed."
"Of course. My apologies."
"It is forgotten. See that your servants are at the place we discussed. By whatever means are necessary."
"It will be done."

-------------------------------------------------------------
Port Wander

The Twilight Dancer tears its way free from the Immaterium, trails of red and purple fire burning away on the thin shield of the Gellar Field. Were there sound to be heard in space, the brief moment of the Dancer returning would be heralded by screams and howls of beings beyond comprehension. As it was, the return to Port Wander was silent. The Navigator stumbles from her chambers, looking more drained and exhausted than usual. "Successful translation, Lady-Captain. We have returned to Port Wander." The woman then carries herself with an exhausted air to her quarters and promptly passes out. The journey had been relatively uneventful, though no less exhausting for its relative stability.

As the Dancer powers towards Port Wander, it does not take long for the Docking Authorities to contact the bridge. "Welcome back to Port Wander, Lady Captain Undynne." The familiar and cheerful voice of the Lord Chamberlain of Port Wander comes over the vox. Over the years, the Lord Chamberlain had been a staunch ally, always willing to help Anastasia. Almost all of his 'leads' had served the man in one form or another, but such was the nature of the game in the Koronus Expanse. "Your usual dock is unfortunately unavailable. There was a... mix-up with the paperwork, it seems. You'll have to dock on the leeward side of the station. I apologize for the inconvenience."

---------------------------------------------------------------
Watch Station Iobel

The Watch Captain's summons come as a welcome relief from the tedium. Watching kill-teams come and go with no mission of your own rapidly loses its charm. "Welcome Brother Kayran, Brother Victor." Watch Captain Vahn welcomes you warmly. Unlike the majority of members of his Chapter, Corlis Vahn was a gregarious persona, for a Space Marine, and particularly so for one of the Raptors, so commonly consumed by grief and loss, particularly after so many centuries of war and death. The newly re-energized Iobel features a state-of-the-art mission briefing room, with a marvel of archeotech installed by a senior Engiseer of the Adeptus Mechanicus whose ship was saved from a wing of Hive Fleet Dagon by a kill-team. As you enter the room, the ancient machine glows to life, and upon it slowly rotates a simulacrum of Vespasia. It is green, far more green than almost any planet in the galaxy beyond the pleasure worlds of the Eldar. The Watch Captain gestures to the planet. "Tell me what you know of Vespasia."

Test is Common Lore Imperium (+0)

Jyssika

2015-09-22, 01:59 AM

Victor bowed his helmeted head in a respectful greeting to the Watch Captain
and his fellow Deathwatch Marine. He himself had no knowledge of Vespasia.

I know nothing of this Planet Watch Captain,
He turns his red and black visage towards Brother Kayran.
Perhaps my counter-part can make up for my
lack of knowledge.

As an Angels Sanguine in the Deathwatch Victor did his best to make
the marines he was partnered with feel as comfortable as possible in
his presense, it made it a little easier to gloss over the subject of his
secret.

[roll0] CL Imperium Int 34.

Adamusa

2015-09-22, 02:22 AM

Kayran turned his head slightly as his brother marine spoke to him. Vespasia. He'd spoken to a few people about that particular world before and had read a few treatises regarding the planet. He thought for a moment. His soft, lilting voice carried his reply easily, even though he was partially shrouded in the shadows.

"I know of it. It is an agricultural world, if I remember rightly; it is also rather close to the Hadex Anomaly which I believe has had an adverse effect on the population there," he said. Unfortunately, he also recalled the darker details.

"It is a fallen world, taken by the powers of Chaos. It acts as a supply point for heretics in this region of space. To my knowledge there is some form of campaign in progress to retake the world, though I have not heard of success so far."

[roll0] vs TN 39

Winthrow

2015-09-22, 11:11 AM

As the Twilight Dancer tears herself free of the Immaterium the hard pressed warp engines gradually slow down. Moving from panel to panel like red-cloaked ghosts are the priests of the Machine god, soothing and placating the esoteric machinespirits responsible for its function. As reality reasserts itself outside the hull the Gellar field must also be put to rest, the overstrained nodes repaired or replaced as necessary. Still, the work goes on with mechanical precision. Incense is mixing with ozone in a heady mix as the mighty engines are put to rest, and the plasma drive spins up to handle propulsion in realspace.
Surveying the boards Otho feels a moment of pleasure at the smooth transition, intoning his own rote prayers as the boards light up green. Activating his small comlink he contacts the bridge. Captain, this is the enginarium. Warp engines and Gellar field have been brought to rest and their spirits succesfully placated. We are at your command.

Aneurin

2015-09-22, 04:15 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

Anastasia regards the vox-relay coolly as she lounges on the command throne with her chin cupped in the palm of one hand, and makes a mental note to investigate the mix-up as well as to perhaps enact some trifling token gesture of her displeasure to make sure that such mix-ups do not become too regular an occurence. Then she dismisses it as largely irrelevant to her goal of hunting down the useless fool who had requisitioned her strike force and using them for ablative armour.

"Very well, Lord Chamberlain," she says evenly, with a clipped, precise accent that only comes from elocution lessons practically from birth. She does, however, carefully refain from accepting the Chamberlain until she has had time to actually investigate who is and is not at fault in the incident - then, of course, she will graciously provide a rare vintage of amasec or some other exotic delicacy or trinket to make up for her rudenss. It is an old ritual, and has been enacted many times over the years. "Transmit the details, and we shall hold to them,"

She runs her eyes over the ever-industrious bridge crew and the hussars who are standing at their ritual and traditional posts around the bridge, and smiles thinly as she runs a hand over the ornament of worked gold, rubies and raven feathers that is currently pinning her dark hair up.

"My commendations to the Engineerium and Magos Otho on the trouble-free translation. Alert all hands that we will shortly be docking at Port Wander, have the usual people prepare to lay in supplies and keep the crew on a tight leash for their shore leave. I do not inted to stay here longer than it takes to resupply and find the information I require,"

Toxic Mind

2015-09-23, 10:02 AM

Port Wander

"Of course, Lady Captain. You are most gracious." The chamberlain relays back. Accompanying the message is the coordinates on the far side of Port Wander. As the Dancer approaches the station, the view into the void shows the station, and the likely cause of your being shunted to the far side. It is a ship you've seen before - the Imperator Malleus, a grand cruiser almost as big as a third of the station. Given the rivalry between your houses, the tight leash upon the crew is all the more wise.

The Dancer finally receives docking clearance finally, and as the docking bays open, the usual assortment of traders and miscreants alike crowd the ship. However, given orders, very few crew are let out, and while there are quite a few grumbles and complaints, the crew obeys orders. Soon enough, a messenger arrives, bearing the seal of House Casmirre. He stops at the bay doors. "I am here with a message for the Lady-Captain."

------------------------------------------------------------------
Watch Station Iobel

"True enough, Brother Kayran. Though I am pleased to report that the missionaries sent to reclaim Vespasia from the Ruinous Powers have met with some degree of success. The world approaches a tipping point, and soon enough may return to the Emperor's light." The Watch Captain's face turns dark. "This is not, however, why you have been summoned. The Codiciers of the Deathwatch have divined a fel omen from the stars. The space hulk Herald of Oblivion is returning to realspace. And soon."

Forbidden Lore (Warp, Traitor Legions, Xenos)

Adamusa

2015-09-23, 10:11 AM

The Raven Guard tilted his head slightly as he thought for a moment. Nothing about the name brought anything to mind. Space hulks were a common enough danger in the Imperium, enough so that Astartes were regularly dispatched to handle them.
Anything could live on those monstrous spacecraft, from orks to heretics to pirates... anything, near enough. That one was being thrown from the warp soon was troubling enough, but the emphasis that the Watch Captain placed on the name set alarm bells off in Kayran's mind. He didn't know how, but this one sounded worse than usual.

"I take it then," he said warily, "That we are to be involved with this hulk in some way? I will never turn away from danger, but neither will I charge blindly into it. I know nothing of this hulk, what makes it an omen?"

His voice was somewhat cynical. That was, of course, a façade. Kayran respected the Watch Captain, but Vahn's reaction was important. It would give him an idea of how dangerous this hulk really was.

[roll0] vs TN 39

Aneurin

2015-09-23, 04:27 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

Anastasia is seething in an icily polite sort of way, when the messenger arrives. Losing her customary berth to Casmirre has hardly put her in a warm, charitable frame of mind. The fact that she was just about to leave on her station-side business when the messenger interrupts has only heightened her bad mood.

"Well?" she says, glowering at the messenger. In the time it has taken to dock, she has taken care to change into armour and, with the Imperator in evidence, has taken up power sword, plasma pistol and the Aquilla-shaped rosarius hanging around her neck. For extra style, she has taken care to acquire one of ravens that haunt the Dancer, and for extra muscle a pair of hussars flank her and the rest of the party, chosen for their ability to loom menacingly during a discussion.

Burden King

2015-09-23, 05:25 PM

Manix stood not far from the Lady Captain's side, standing at the ready in his Stealth Battlesuit in full vision of everyone as he had only took the armor do to his preference to it over his normal armor. His armor was colored to match his owners dynasties, with a sanctioned Xenos brand on both of his shoulder, his helmet, and his chest. Any Tau Iconography were replaced with the Dynasties he now served, and he held is battlesuit weapon at the ready.

He watched as the Messenger came up to his Lady, Anastasia, and had been prepared to turn him along with the bulkhead he stood upon into molten slag. However, he had plenty of experience and had quickly realized the mundanity of the person.

Instead, his attentions were set to watch the area around his charge and those who followed her like he did. If there were those on the station still unused to his Xenos presence, he either did not notice them or simply did not care. Either way, he only cared for his mission, to protect the lady captain. The stares of the ignorant were not his concern. He kept silent, as his words weren't likely to be of importance here, especially due to Lady Anastasia's prior meetings with house Casmirre.

Jyssika

2015-09-23, 05:41 PM

Victor said nothing, he simply observed and waited for the Watch Captains
responce. The Raven Guard asked sensible and legitimate questions and
he had nothing to add.

[roll0] vs TN 34

Leon

2015-09-23, 06:11 PM

Having spent the majority of the trip traveling about the ship to tend to the spiritual and occasionally medical needs of the Crew, particularly those in the distant area's from the main core of the ship Ravia returns to report that the well being of the crew is within acceptable levels and there were only minor cases of sickness in the lower reaches of the ship which were dealt with easily.

Toxic Mind

2015-09-23, 08:35 PM

Watch Station Iobel

"Nor would I ask you to do so. Yet the rumors are many, and the facts few." The Watch Captain seems deeply disturbed by this, and though his face shows little, your prior missions with the Raptor make his consternation clear. He gestures to the briefing tech, and the image of Vespasia is replaced with a star chart. It is easy to pick out many of the staple systems of the Jericho Reach. Watch Captain Vahn points to a planet far from the Iron Collar. The tech-image dutifully zooms in. "This is Belisaar." The Watch Captain says with a grave look on his face. He points to an empty area of space near Belisaar. "This is Veraxus." Clearly, the Watch Captain must be mistaken. There is an asteroid field where he gestures, but no star, and certainly no planets.

-----------------------------------
Port Wander

If the messenger is worried by the show of force, he does not show it. And he has little, in truth, to fear. While acts of violence on the station are commonplace, he clearly believes that his master would visit retribution on any that did him harm. And given the visible armaments (to say nothing of those unseen) and the reputation of Undynne Casmirre, he is probably correct. The man nods his head, not apology, but acceptance at least. "My mistress, the Lady Captain Casmirre, wishes to speak with you. She has arranged a meeting at the Tower, though if you would prefer an alternate location, she will consider your request." The Tower was an incredibly exclusive establishment, catering only to the very powerful, or very wealthy. They also had very strict codes about armaments and fighting. As close to neutral ground as one might get on Port Wander.

Jyssika

2015-09-24, 12:43 AM

Victor was no so brazen as to attempt to correct his Watch Master,
silently and motionless he reaches into his Master's mind, a subtle
and inobtrusive attempt to decern the true nature of this meeting.

He feels a slight eddy in his powers, waiting for gravity to alter
or blood to streak from the walls he flinches slightly, ready to
raise his sword should anything malignant be drawn into the
materium. Perhaps this flinch was enough to indicate he had
used his gift but it was better to be vigilant than it was to be
courteous.

Unfettered Reading.
[roll0] 56 + 20 (PRx5) = 76.
[roll1] Phenominominominom if Double
[roll2] Perils if 75+

Power Description: PR4.

PR 1-3
The Psyker gains superficial impressions about the target person. This includes the 3 strongest emotions that the subject is currently experiencing, his race, whether or not he has any psychic powers and a rough idea of his state of mental and physical well-being. Deterimes if Untouchable.

Pr 4-5
As above Plus deeper insight into targets feelings and +10 to Fel tests whilst reading active. Sees wounds + fatigue levels and learns of their Psy Rating.

Adamusa

2015-09-24, 02:22 AM

Kayran's eyes narrowed. If the Watch-Captain was implying what he thought, it was easy to see why this hulk was considered an omen. He was obviously disquieted by the thought of all this and Kayran's pulse quickened slightly as he considered it. If Vahn was uneasy at this, then it was incredibly serious. The Captain was usually unflappable. The Raven Guard stepped forwards slightly, revealing himself properly. He was unarmoured, clad only in jet-black robes displaying the symbol of the Inquisition and the heraldry of his Chapter. A curved blade hung from a plain scabbard on his belt; he never went anywhere without the ancient sword. His eyes scanned over the imagery as he examined it.

"Captain... do you imply that this hulk harbours some form of planet-killing weaponry?" he asked, though he expected the answer. He knew the Tyranid menace could destroy planets, but they left dry, withered husks. This was on a different scale altogether.

Toxic Mind

2015-09-24, 08:48 AM

Watch Station Iobel

Foremost in the Watch Captain's mind is Concern and Worry, seemingly for the mission ahead. Second is anger, though it is not directed at any particular person, though that seems to be changing rapidly as he notes the intrusion. And third, and well hidden, is sadness for something long lost and recently resurfaced.
The Watch Captain's eyes burn as they bore into Victor's helmet, the obstruction on the Librarian's face doing little to dissipate the anger within. Still, he says nothing, perhaps realizing that knowledge was worth gaining, even at such a cost. Or perhaps his punishment would come later.

"I do not hold much to idle speculation and fancy. I prefer hard facts and truths. This is what I know. Almost five centuries ago, the Herald of Oblivion appeared within the Veraxus system. A Deathwatch team was sent to investigate. Within two Terran months, the Veraxus Star ceased existence. Shortly after, Veraxus Prime was torn apart by gravitational forces. The kill-team is still unrecovered, as shortly after devouring the star, the Herald of Oblivion returned to the warp." The Watch Captain looks at the asteroid field sadly. "We still do not know how this was accomplished. We know next to nothing. And now, the Herald of Oblivion returns."

Jyssika

2015-09-24, 09:39 AM

Victor did not turn away from the stare, he had been brought to the Deathwatch
as a Psyker, the Watch Captain knew well enough he had only basic mind reading
capabilities as was documented in his file. Although perhaps the Raptor did not
fully trust the word of an Astartes who refused to show his face...

So, we may well restore contact with this kill team still aboard the
Herald of Oblivion... May I ask composition of their team Captain?

He turns his mind to the Raven Guard, still concentrating his mind on reading the
thoughts of those around him, it would be good to get a better understanding of
this marine if they were to be a two man team.

May I ask why only two of us are here?
If you previously sent a whole team and they still failed...

Toxic Mind

2015-09-24, 10:18 AM

Watch Station Iobel

"A kill-team of five was sent. I suspect that their response was simply too late. As to the kill team sent, I know the name of only one... Jerza Gordian, Apothecary. He was the leader of the kill-team, and a dear friend. If he lives, his kill-team will be with him. There is little hope, however. They have been trapped in that warp-cursed ship for over five hundred years." The Watch Captain sounds profoundly saddened. At the second question, he looks up at Victor. "You are being sent with others; a new approach is deemed necessary. I have been told that the records of the last mission are contained within the vaults below this station. Grab your armor and weapons. We will find them together - some areas of the catacombs, particularly the older ones, are not patrolled regularly."

Common Lore (Deathwatch) [+0] may reveal some of what awaits you in the catacombs.

Adamusa

2015-09-24, 10:30 AM

Kayran nodded in understanding. He knew the pain of losing those you had fought and bled alongside all too well.

"Are we to draw equipment from the armoury for this excursion into the vaults, Captain?" he asked. Whilst he was perfectly capable of killing most things he came across with his bare hands, the former sergeant preferred to be prepared for every eventuality. To Victor, he flashed a quick look. It was a simple look that said "All you will find in my mind is the sorrow of loss". He spoke to the Librarian regardless.

"I prefer to work alone, Brother Helios. The raven hunts best when there is no competition for the prey. That said, I will welcome your powers. No doubt you can see that which I cannot," he said, subtly implying that Victor would not want to get in his way.

Jyssika

2015-09-24, 10:46 AM

Victor released his power, letting the emotions of those around him fade
from his sight, most non-gifted viewed the reading of their minds as an
intrusion... it was a point of view he would never understand fully due to
being capable of reading minds himself.

All he saw in his new partner was Anger and Sorrow... A potentially volitile
combination, it would seem he would need to earn this ones trust.

Victor respectfully bows his head to the Raven.

Sadly I am one of the Weaker Psykers amongst my Chapter,
I shall do my best to not get in your way Brother.

Whilst the other two collect their Armour and Weapons Victor
waits patiently outside the entrance to the Catacombs, he has
no idea what sort of threat might lurk in their depths.

[roll0] vs 44 FL (DW)

Adamusa

2015-09-24, 12:04 PM

Kayran headed back to his cell to retrieve his armour; it was an older variant, the Mark VI Corvus. It was favoured by his Chapter, since it was much lighter than the newer variants such as the Aquila. It took him several minutes to don it, but when it was done he felt complete again. He and his armour were one being, of one mind. It was almost peaceful.

He unsheathed his sword and caressed the blade tenderly. It was an ancient weapon, nearly a relic. The curved edge shimmered in the low lighting and the weapon hummed quietly, the spirits of the blade at rest. He sheathed it after a few moments of contemplation and gathered the rest of his equipment, little as it was. He set off towards the armoury, intending to gather a few pieces of gear that would aid him in the catacombs down below.

Volthawk

2015-09-24, 12:06 PM

Vanthus, for his part, stood behind the captain, busying himself with his dataslate. Port Wander was a place he was still yet to fully get a handle on and work out all the details, and recent misfortunes before joining the crew has meant that some of the older equipment he had are lost. Rectifying that would be good. All the same, he listened to the conversation, letting Anastasia deal with the messenger and make the decisions, as is her remit as captain and Rogue Trader - his role is merely to handle the details, and advise if required. On a more personal levels, his ears pricked up at the mention of the Tower - he'd heard of it, obviously, but despite his previous successes it was always out of reach for him and his means. A chance to go there sounded good to him - this is the kind of thing he was hoping for when he signed up. Outwardly, however, he stays composed, putting out an air of indifference.

Toxic Mind

2015-09-24, 12:33 PM

Watch Station Iobel

"Only what you can grab quickly. We have little time before your transport arrives, and i would not have you enter battle without preparation." The Watch Captain hefts his heavy bolter and makes his way to the entrance of the catacombs, leaving you to collect your weapons and hurry after.

The Catacombs

Most of Iobel that shows upon the surface is anti-ship weapons and a single tower containing a high powered scanner array. The vast majority of the Watch Station remains beneath the rock of the planet. The catacombs lie even below that. Most of the tunnels close to the Watch Station have been cleared and sealed off, but the simple fact was that there were far too many to clear, and many more contained great halls of knowledge and records, and could not be sealed simply because there was no way of knowing which knowledge was worthless, and which was worthwhile.

"It is fortuitous indeed that a copy of the mission logs for the Survey of Herald of Oblivion was kept here. However, it is located in one of the deepest vaults, well past the cordon of security that we maintain. There is little telling what the storms of Iobel may have dredged up in the darkness." The coordinates of the vault are programmed into your armor's HUD and the Watch Captain gestures Kayran down first. Watch Captain or not, the Codex Astartes advised against a devestator marine leading the charge.

Please spoiler the gear you took from the armory, and then roll against awareness [sound]

Aneurin

2015-09-24, 01:05 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

She clicks her tongue irritably at the delay. Really, the dance of etiquette and paranoia is terribly vexing - and she had so many other things to do today. But this should probably be dealt with first - after all, menacing the Navy's liaison isn't urgent, no matter how much she wants to deal with him first.

...Or maybe the invitation should be done second. Third, actually, just to make it clear she isn't some flunkey that Casmirre can order around as she pleases. Yes, that ought to do it.

"Very well," she says firmly, with a vague glance in the direction the Tower lies in despite the many, many bulkheads and baffles between them and it. "Tell your mistress I will grant her request," she purses her lips in thought, then turns to her Vanthus with a faintly questioning look. "As I am here, I should really look into any of the greater Traders who may be in port and take tea with them. It would hardly to to snub them, seeing as I am taking tea with Casmirre. Would you see who is here, and send out the usual pleasantries and invitations when you have a moment?"

Let's play 'spot the subtle insult'! How many can you find in Ana's speech and actions here? :smalltongue:

Adamusa

2015-09-24, 01:33 PM

Kayran arrived in perfect silence, appearing suddenly from the darkness. A cameleoline cloak was wrapped around his shoulders, shifting and changing with every movement. His bolt pistol and sword were at his sides and his hands were empty. Odd, you might think, but the easy stance in which he walked belied a deadly grace. This was a warrior who could go from relaxing to a furious whirlwind in a split-second.

He nodded at the Captain's order, then headed down into the catacombs. He strolled along as though it were a casual walk through the halls of the Watch Station, but every inch of his being was alert, ready to strike.

Awareness: [roll0] vs TN 65. Per 45, +10 Heightened Senses (Sound), +10 Auto-Senses

Gear:
Cameleoline Cloak - 20 Req
Dipole Mag-lock - 5 Req

Toxic Mind

2015-09-24, 02:43 PM

Port Wander

The messenger nods his head. "Tonight then. My Lady will expect you at the Tower."
Would you like to advance to tonight or do you have other things in mind to do?

Jyssika

2015-09-24, 03:20 PM

Victor did not collect anything from the Armoury,
he had everything he required already on his person.
following the Watch Captain as silently has he could
he waited patiently for Kayran to arrive.

I shall take the rearguard, I am sure you two are
lighter on your feet than I.

[roll0] vs 69; 44 + 15 Autosenses + 10 Organs.

Just carrying his Force sword and Bolt Pistol.

Winthrow

2015-09-24, 03:55 PM

With the proper rituals of Docking and Securing the airlocks performed Otho finds himself in Enginarium sub-sector Gamma-5. Reports in binary kept streaming in from the entire ship, forming a collage saying that all was indeed good and stable with the holy machines. The actions of the regular crew and officers remained, as always, erratic. Leaving the station behind he sets out through the corridors and tunnels, the ratings pushing up against the bulkheads as they see him coming, surreptiously making the sign of the Aquila to ward off bad luck as soon as his back is turned. With HuG1n trailing a few meters behind it is not as if he cannot see them, but he accepts their superstitions as another inconsistency of biological life.

Moving into one of the larger thoroughfares he comes across a menial servitor carrying a heavy load. The strain hardly becomes it but its path is meandering and unsure. Interrupting its programming with a query in binary Otho quickly locates the conflicting instructions that were putting a strain on the menials limited capabilities. A new set of instructions quickly replace the old ones and the servitor starts off again, moving at a brisk, steady pace towards its goal.

Knowing from experience that the first thing the Captain would do after securing her berth would be to look in on the local gentry he considered his options. While social gatherings were not his favorite place to be he had learned to play the game to a small extent during his years on Foulstone. The actions and behaviours of humans could be predicted and even manipulated, if one approached the problem in the right manner. And perhaps there might be an opportunity to acquire knowledge about the current events within the Expanse. Cheered by the thought he lengthened his stride, his two black shadows following him towards the bridge.

Aneurin

2015-09-24, 03:58 PM

Volthawk

2015-09-24, 04:50 PM

Vanthus nods, making a note of her instructions. "It shouldn't be too hard to find who's around here. I suppose the next order of business is working out the details to this docking incident?" The finer details of rogue trader politics were still somewhat new to him, but he was picking things up quickly. Politics is politics, it's just a matter of working out the rules and what's accepted or discouraged.

Leon

2015-09-25, 03:46 AM

Ravia responds to to the invitation with an acknowledgement that she would be there. The rest of the day is spent in the Cathedral of the Station or in some of the more high end shops of the trading district

Toxic Mind

2015-09-25, 11:04 AM

Catacombs - Watch Station Iobel
Your armor's display leads you unerringly deeper and deeper into the catacombs, until finally you come to a fork in the tunnels. Your armor tells you that the quickest way is straight ahead.
You can hear off in the distance, deep down one of the tunnels, what sounds like spiders - made of metal. There appear to be a great many of them, and worse, they seem to be gettting closer, though you are the only one to notice the sound. They are coming from the tunnel straight ahead.

Port Wander - The Tower

Their business with the Naval liaison concluded, the command crew heads towards the Tower. The streets of Port Wander are, as usual, awash with all manner of humanity. The crews of Calligos Winterscale and Aspyce Chorda regularly war in the streets, their pride in their houses leading to regular conflict. Tonight, however, it seems the Arbitres are out in full force and the streets are relatively clear. The turbolifts to reach the Tower are well guarded by a small phalanx of elite guardsmen carrying hellguns. The guards take a hard look at you. "You're not on the list. Any of you."

Adamusa

2015-09-25, 12:52 PM

Kayran stopped and cocked his head, listening. His enhanced senses picked out a skittering sound, far along the tunnel in front of him. He waited for a moment more, then headed off down the other tunnel. It would get them there slower, but safer. There was no point in fighting a battle you didn't have to.

He shot a quick message through the vox-net.

<"Brother-Captain, Brother-Librarian, there is some form of creature down the quickest route to our goal. I intend to avoid them. This mission will be easier if we make no waves in our passing,"> he said, the chords in his throat subvocalizing the message. As he continued, he slid into the shadows, concealing himself from all but the most keen eyes and making slightly less noise than a panther.

Concealment: [roll0] vs 100, 70 Ag, +10 Concealment, +20 Cameleoline Cloak
Silent Move: [roll1] vs 90, 70 Ag, +20 Silent Move

Concealment: Success, 7 DoS
Silent Move: Fail, 0 DoF

Toxic Mind

2015-09-25, 01:37 PM

<Creature? Of what manner? I hear nothing.> There I no condemnation or doubt in the Watch Captain's voice, merely questioning.

Adamusa

2015-09-25, 01:49 PM

<"I am unsure of what it is, Brother-Captain. My senses are keen, but not that keen. Whatever it is, it lies down the passage we would have taken and it was heading our way. It made a skittering sound, not unlike metal on stone."> Kayran replied, keeping his eyes and ears strained for anything else.

Burden King

2015-09-25, 02:03 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

She resists the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose as the messenger scurries away. This was not on today's to-do list, but, then, when has that ever mattered really? And, frankly, an evening's fine dining after shouting at some clerks does sound rather appealing.

Anastasia waves over one of the many, many functionaries scurrying around the place.

"Do alert the high officers that I shall be dining with Lady Casmirre this evening at the Tower, and they are welcome to attend should their duties allow. No doubt it shall be a most..." she hesitates, hunting for precisely the right word to describe the inevitable nest of intrigue and razor-edged words that will take up the main part of the evening, and the inevitable battle over who picks up the bill. "...Interesting evening, as I believe she has business to discuss with us. A light escort only, and they will be waiting outside,"

As the flunkey hurries off to deliver her message, Ana turns back to her entourage with a theatrical sigh.

"Now that that is over, ladies and gentlemen, shall we continue with the business of the day?" she asks aloud, as she strides off towards the transporters that will take her to the Naval offices.

Manix nodded "Right behind you Lady Captain." He said, staying close enough to guard but far enough to provide his seal holder with ample personal space. He was unsure of how she felt on him sometimes, but didn't Dwell on it. It was his place to die before she did, and if this was his lot in life to provide for the Greater good, so be it. He kept his eyes and Blacksun Filters active at all times, making sure no assassin or trash of any form affronted his Lady Captain in any way. Of course, he had full trust Anastasia could no doubt kill most everyone within this station with her skills, all it took was a brief instance of unluckiness to spell disaster for a dynasty.

His Tau machinery was primed and ready, and he followed dutifully and without question.

Toxic Mind

2015-09-25, 02:12 PM

<Skittering...> The Watch Captain pauses for a moment, then hefts his heavy bolter, pointing it down the hallway. <Down the right hallway, quickly. It will divert slightly, but I can hold them here. The volume we search for is 3482. It will be in the stasis vault. Be warned, if the necrons have infiltrated this far, there may be more threats along the way. Hurry brothers, I will keep your way back clear.>

Adamusa

2015-09-25, 02:27 PM

<"Already moving, Captain."> Kayran was several metres down the tunnel at this point. He still hadn't drawn his weapons. The Raven Guard picked up his pace slightly at the news. Necrons? That was worrying.

Not once did he look back. He trusted Vahn to be able to handle himself in a fight. It was why he was a Watch-Captain after all and Kayran knew exactly how deadly a Raptor could be with a firearm. They were bred from the best, he thought with a slight smile.

<"Brother Victor, make haste. We have little time.">

Aneurin

2015-09-25, 03:15 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

Well, terrorising some of the Navy's minor functionaries had been wonderful fun, and had left a delightfully warm glow. A warm glow that is rapidly fading in the face of obstinate guards, something which is undoubtedly the handiwork of Casmirre. Anastasia treats the guards to a disdainful look, and waves Vanthus and Ravia forward to deal with the over-officious twit.

As the negotiations begin, Ana puts on a haughty expression and lets her mind wander to affairs in the station - and experiences a brief moment of sheer relief that the Sisyphean task of preventing the crews of four different major Rogue Traders from turning Port Wander in to a war zone. She just hopes that paying the fines and bail money won't put a noticeable dent in the dynasty's finances, since the Navy's relocation of her painstakingly assembled strike force had left her decidedly out of pocket, as well as righteously miffed.

Hmm. Winterscale's in port, so maybe she could work out something with him? After all, he has one of the strongest and largest fleets in the Exapanse, and having the only battleship in the Expanse on side would definitely be a boon in crushing the 'Undred 'Undred Teef...

Jyssika

2015-09-25, 04:19 PM

The Angels Sanguine did not particularly agree with
the Watch Captains decision to break from the group
but if his Chapter knew anything it was that sometimes
it was best to accept the decisions of others without
questioning them.

<"I am right behind you Brother, Sanguinius Protects.">

Victor drew his force word, the blade cast arcane light
down the old corridors as his psychic might ebbed
and flowed into the blade in erratic eddies.

Burden King

2015-09-27, 05:52 PM

Toxic Mind

2015-09-27, 09:03 PM

Catacombs - Watch Station Iobel

You tear down the hallways of the catacombs, the echoing smash of the Watch Captain's heavy bolter ringing behind you, and further away, the muted thump of explosions as they detonate. Onward you run, following the map in your armor's display. Kayran's quick thinking and expertise make the long journey much shorter, and you quickly approach the vault.

As you come near, Victor motions for pause. He can hear something inside the vault, the rythmic thud of metal on stone. Whatever the creature is, it is easily the size of a space marine, if not larger. Its footfalls indicate that it does not mindlessly pace, but rather moves around, as though searching for something.

Jyssika

2015-09-27, 09:41 PM

Victor is wary of condesending the Raven Guard,
knowing his senses are most likely inferior.

<That sounds like a concious effort to search, this
Necron, is perhaps seeking the same thing
we have come here to retrieve.>

Victor begins working himself into a Frenzy, knowing
battle is imminent. The Angels Sanguine knows there
is a delicate balance between harnessing the Thirst
and succombing to it.

<I follow you, take lead Brother.>

Full round action to FREEENZY!

Toxic Mind

2015-09-27, 10:21 PM

Catacombs - Watch Station Iobel

Before you can move, the impossible happens. "++Come out. Warriors should not hide in the shadows.++" The voice is cold, no emotion or inflection. A command, plain and simple, with all the conviction of one whose commands had never been questioned.

A Necron, speaking? And in High Gothic no less. It appears that the element of surprise has been lost. However, you know of no other case where a Necron has attempted communication. This could provide a unique opportunity, but the risks too are very real. It could be an elaborate trap to ensnare the careless, or too curious.

Adamusa

2015-09-27, 11:44 PM

Kayran paused. This WAS unusual. Xenos didn't usually attempt to communicate, certainly not the Necrons. This could be a trap... or it could be something entirely different. I'm not sure I want to find out which one it is, he thought. He motioned to the Librarian and speaks quietly, just enough for the other Astartes to hear.

"I think discretion is the better part of valour here. Head forward and I shall cover you from the shadows. There is too much we don't know about this," he said, before stepping back and blending into the shadows.

Silent Move vs TN 90: [roll0]

Jyssika

2015-09-28, 01:01 AM

The Librarian was hesitant, he had already
allowed himself to slip into the Thirst... His
throat burned with a desire and a strong
iron smell filled all his senses. Within the
Angels Sanguine it would have been seen
as very unwise for any negotiations to be
done in this state, but he was also taught
to never refuse an order when his mind was
clouded in such a way and thus for better
or for worse he stepped forward.

Yes?! Who are you? And why do you think
youself worthy to lecture me on what is or
is not acceptable behavior of a warrior!

Despite his fury his Gothic remains perfect,
but the tone in which it is delivered stings
with irritation and accusation.

Intimidating roll in OOC.

Winthrow

2015-09-28, 04:58 AM

The call from the bridge had come when Otho was almost to the bridge, but rather than wasting time and energy on something as illogical as irritation he simply diverted to the neverending task of maintaining the ship. The esoteric systems of the ancient vessel could always do with extra placating and prayers of functionality. When the evening came around he made his way to the primary airlock, attaching himself to his Captain's honorguard.

Moving through the bustle of the station was no great trial, the hallways were not more crowded than the lower decks of the Dancer and the people still had the good sense to get out of the way as the party moved past. Many stopped and stared with both wonder and hatred at the xenos in his bizarre armor. Still, Otho could not blame them either. Even he did his best not to look at it, no amount of sanctioned sigils were going to change that both the xeno and more importantly his equipment was tech-heresy most foul. Still, as long as his captain accepted it he was constrained from having it purified. If even the everhungry furnaces of a forge world could completely cleanse the metal thus defiled.

At the base of the tower the party finally came to a stop caused by some sort of guardsman on a powertrip. Focusing his bionic eye Otho quickly surveyed the man and his companions, trying to identify their insignia.. ((Probability is guardsmen but the question is from where.)) Seeing both Ravia and Vanthus hesitate before moving forward he took the initiative, Ravia falling in beside him as he stepped closer to the guards leader. 'A good evening to you Colonel. I am surprised to see the Pride of Cadia so far away from the Eye.' ((Promoting the mans rank was logically the best way make him positively inclined, he looked like a captain anyway.)) 'It is my pleasure to introduce to you the Lord-Captain Anastasia Faydra Undynne, Warrantholder of the Undynne Dynasty. In case you have not been keeping up with new arrivals she is the Captain of the Twilight Dancer, the Cruiser recently docked at the station. She is here at the personal invitation of Undynne Casmirre, Warrantholder of the Casmirre Dynasty and in turn captain of the Grand Cruiser Imperator Malleus which has docked on the far side of the station.' He allows the power of the names and dynasties sink in for a moment while watching the officer for any clues.

'Dataslates are notoriously fickle when in the hands of the unordained. Could it not be an error that the names of my Captain and her entourage have been left off? Another possibility is that the Lady Casmirre is trying to inconvenience my Captain, I would not try to speculate in the affairs of nobility. But in either case I would not want to be the one caught between the two.' He makes a bit of a show of looking over his shoulder towards the richly dressed Anastasia. 'So far she has chosen not to take notice of you or your men. Unless you truly believe that whoever handed you that list has not made a mistake, and can shield you from the ire of at least one, possibly two of the most powerful nobles in this sector. I would suggest you and your men step aside and allow us to pass. If you are confident in the integrity of the list and whoever handed it to you I would still suggest that you pass the question of our passage on to someone upstairs.' He tilts his head to one side lowering his voice slightly. 'After all, I doubt they pay you enough for this sort of trouble...'

Toxic Mind

2015-09-28, 06:27 PM

The Tower - Port Wander

The instant Othro mentions Cadia, the man's eyes widen, and you realize that there has been a mistake. This man is no Cadian. "You mistook us for Cadian?" He says incredulously. "We do not have such honor. When we served in the regular, we distinguished ourselves many times, but those who serve on the frontline of the Eye of Terror are to a man heroes. You pay us great compliment, even in error." Each of the men seem to straighten slightly, as if attempting to live up to their mistaken identity. "The list must be in error, of course. Though my men and I do get thirsty some times on a long post. A little refreshment would not go amiss." The man's look is telling. A few bottles of amasec might be a paltry price to pay to ensure that such a debacle never happened again, or perhaps even happened to a rival. The commander holsters his weapon and steps aside, allowing you access to the lifts.

The lift is spacious, quiet, and fast. All good signs for what is to come. You reach the top of the Tower quickly. As the lift door opens you are greeted not by servitor, but rather an honest to Emperor butler. "Lady-Captain Undynne, I presume." He says smoothly, the High Gothic rolling off his tongue with a practiced music. He bows low, and a shorter bow to each of the command crew in turn, excepting Manix, who he taciturnly ignores. He gestures to his left, where a woman stands at what is obviously the weapons check station. She takes each of your weapons in turn, locking them safely away and handing you a check key with a smile. It is easy to note the auspex scanners above you to discourage people from hiding weapons. "The Lady-Captain Casmirre awaits you, if you'll follow me." the servant gestures and turns smoothly, not turning to see if you follow.

As you make your way across the floor of the Tower, it is clear why this place is a nightmare to get into. To describe the furnishings as opulent would do a disservice to the establishment; they were far above that. The trappings along around the windows could purchase a small void craft. The shields around the windows are of incredible design, protecting both the eyes and physical structure while providing an unobstructed view of the surrounding station, as well as the docks. From here, the Dancer is visible, and off in the distance, the Imperator Malleus. Indeed the Grand Cruiser was hard to miss, dominating an entire side of the view with its bulk.

You reach the table, a decadent affair set aside from all others, the better to conduct business uninterrupted. At the table sit your counterparts. The Lady Casmirre stands as your approach - a sign of respect, at least a small one. Her command crew stands with her. Closest to the edge is a man wearing the red robes of the Adeptus Mechanicus. His devotion to the Omnissiah is clear, and there is very little of his body, at least what is visible, that remains flesh any longer. Still, he nods at Othro, and motions to the seat across from him. Next to the Tech-priest stands a man clearly marked by the Emperor Himself. He seems almost bald, though in fact his hair is merely so white as to be almost translucent. His eyes are white and sightless, though this hardly seems to bother him as they play across each of you in turn before his eyebrows raise slightly at the sight of one of the Adeptus Sororitas. He smiles widely at Ravia, and there is genuine pleasure in the gesture. Despite his bond to the Emperor, his form is strong and unbowed. He gestures for Ravia to sit across from him before taking a seat.

Next is the Lady-Captain herself. She wears understated finery, hardly the garish display one would expect, which only seems to serve her better. Still, she does wear a single piece of opulent clothing - a pelt of pure white, white as the driven snow of Fenris. Which made the comparison all the more apt when you realize that the pelt is of a pure white Fenrisian wolf. Given how jealously the Space Wolves guard their recruiting world, the simple fact that she possessed the pelt was a statement on its own. "Glad ye could make it, Lady-Captain. They cleared the table of the first course, shame ye were late." She smiles toothily at that. The games had already begun, it seemed. The Lady-Captain gestures to the seat across from her. It is far more opulent than any other, and despite her taunts, it is fit for a Rogue Trader. Behind the Lady Casmirre stands her own sanctioned xenos, a female Eldar of incredible beauty. She bears the mark of a sanctioned xenos on her forehead, and yet the brand serves only to enhance her form and figure, rather than removing from it. Clearly a very dangerous creature. The Eldar shows little but indifferent disdain for everyone save the Lady Casmirre. The expression across her face when she looks at her liege is little less than adoration. There is no seat for the Eldar woman, just as there is no seat for Manix.

To the Lady-Captain's left sits the one man who has not stood. He clearly does not belong to the lady-captain's crew. Around his neck is a chain, and upon it hangs a symbol recognizable across the entire Imperium - an Inquisitorial Rosette. The man has dark skin, and much of it covered in scars, including a great deal around a bionic eye, indicating some past trauma. The man merely nods at each of you in turn. He is obviously no counterpart to the Seneschal, yet Vanthus has the unique misfortune to be sit across from him.

Catacombs - Watch Station Iobel

++In eons past I was Sheraj, Shield of the Phaeron. Now, I am a sword, leveled at the foes of my Lord. Yet I have little desire to fight you, humans. Allow me to take what I seek, and I shall leave without incident - taking my forces with me.++ If the creature calling itself Sheraj was worried or frightened, it did not show it.

Jyssika

2015-09-28, 11:08 PM

A sensible and clear headed Victor would have moved towards
the data he sought, this Alien could lie but he could not steal
if he held it firmly in is grasp.

[roll0] Vs 24 Int test, Victor is attempting to think rationally and
thus move toward the data file they have come to retrieve.

Frustration and anger clouded clear headed thought,
You will not simply steal into our Fortress and scuttle away
with information that might better aid your repugnant species.

Crackles and sparks of warp energy fizz from his blade
and the air around it mists from the Psy-Frost.
Any other Chapter might warn against their Librarians
falling into such states or rage, but the Blood Angels and
their successors teach them to harness it.
Stand down and explain your business here or I shall have
you destroyed!

Burden King

2015-09-28, 11:17 PM

The Tower - Port Wander

The instant Othro mentions Cadia, the man's eyes widen, and you realize that there has been a mistake. This man is no Cadian. "You mistook us for Cadian?" He says incredulously. "We do not have such honor. When we served in the regular, we distinguished ourselves many times, but those who serve on the frontline of the Eye of Terror are to a man heroes. You pay us great compliment, even in error." Each of the men seem to straighten slightly, as if attempting to live up to their mistaken identity. "The list must be in error, of course. Though my men and I do get thirsty some times on a long post. A little refreshment would not go amiss." The man's look is telling. A few bottles of amasec might be a paltry price to pay to ensure that such a debacle never happened again, or perhaps even happened to a rival. The commander holsters his weapon and steps aside, allowing you access to the lifts.

The lift is spacious, quiet, and fast. All good signs for what is to come. You reach the top of the Tower quickly. As the lift door opens you are greeted not by servitor, but rather an honest to Emperor butler. "Lady-Captain Undynne, I presume." He says smoothly, the High Gothic rolling off his tongue with a practiced music. He bows low, and a shorter bow to each of the command crew in turn, excepting Manix, who he taciturnly ignores. He gestures to his left, where a woman stands at what is obviously the weapons check station. She takes each of your weapons in turn, locking them safely away and handing you a check key with a smile. It is easy to note the auspex scanners above you to discourage people from hiding weapons. "The Lady-Captain Casmirre awaits you, if you'll follow me." the servant gestures and turns smoothly, not turning to see if you follow.

As you make your way across the floor of the Tower, it is clear why this place is a nightmare to get into. To describe the furnishings as opulent would do a disservice to the establishment; they were far above that. The trappings along around the windows could purchase a small void craft. The shields around the windows are of incredible design, protecting both the eyes and physical structure while providing an unobstructed view of the surrounding station, as well as the docks. From here, the Dancer is visible, and off in the distance, the Imperator Malleus. Indeed the Grand Cruiser was hard to miss, dominating an entire side of the view with its bulk.

You reach the table, a decadent affair set aside from all others, the better to conduct business uninterrupted. At the table sit your counterparts. The Lady Casmirre stands as your approach - a sign of respect, at least a small one. Her command crew stands with her. Closest to the edge is a man wearing the red robes of the Adeptus Mechanicus. His devotion to the Omnissiah is clear, and there is very little of his body, at least what is visible, that remains flesh any longer. Still, he nods at Othro, and motions to the seat across from him. Next to the Tech-priest stands a man clearly marked by the Emperor Himself. He seems almost bald, though in fact his hair is merely so white as to be almost translucent. His eyes are white and sightless, though this hardly seems to bother him as they play across each of you in turn before his eyebrows raise slightly at the sight of one of the Adeptus Sororitas. He smiles widely at Ravia, and there is genuine pleasure in the gesture. Despite his bond to the Emperor, his form is strong and unbowed. He gestures for Ravia to sit across from him before taking a seat.

Next is the Lady-Captain herself. She wears understated finery, hardly the garish display one would expect, which only seems to serve her better. Still, she does wear a single piece of opulent clothing - a pelt of pure white, white as the driven snow of Fenris. Which made the comparison all the more apt when you realize that the pelt is of a pure white Fenrisian wolf. Given how jealously the Space Wolves guard their recruiting world, the simple fact that she possessed the pelt was a statement on its own. "Glad ye could make it, Lady-Captain. They cleared the table of the first course, shame ye were late." She smiles toothily at that. The games had already begun, it seemed. The Lady-Captain gestures to the seat across from her. It is far more opulent than any other, and despite her taunts, it is fit for a Rogue Trader. Behind the Lady Casmirre stands her own sanctioned xenos, a female Eldar of incredible beauty. She bears the mark of a sanctioned xenos on her forehead, and yet the brand serves only to enhance her form and figure, rather than removing from it. Clearly a very dangerous creature. The Eldar shows little but indifferent disdain for everyone save the Lady Casmirre. The expression across her face when she looks at her liege is little less than adoration. There is no seat for the Eldar woman, just as there is no seat for Manix.

To the Lady-Captain's left sits the one man who has not stood. He clearly does not belong to the lady-captain's crew. Around his neck is a chain, and upon it hangs a symbol recognizable across the entire Imperium - an Inquisitorial Rosette. The man has dark skin, and much of it covered in scars, including a great deal around a bionic eye, indicating some past trauma. The man merely nods at each of you in turn. He is obviously no counterpart to the Seneschal, yet Vanthus has the unique misfortune to be sit across from him.

When the human butler seemed to ignore the presence of Manix within the group that accompanied the Lady-Captain Anastasia, one would have assumed he would have taken offense. There was none though, for his training had taught him how to maintain pride and respect in his own way, such that the butler's tactful ignoring of Manix was seen with a slight grateful smile. The Small fact the butler took the time to be so tactful on the matter was appreciated by Manix. He would not degrade himself to bow to the butler, but he would be sure to behave within the home of such a close ally and rival of House Undynne. Instead of Handing the weapon off to the Servant girl however, he said "Please Miss, allow me. This weapon is quite heavy." He said in practiced High Gothic, soundly casual and confident in his speaking while maintaining a polite tone for the human woman. Once the entire activity was over, he followed closely behind his Lady Captain, making sure to both show appropriate responses to the opulent setting, yet also showing my reserve and maintaining an air that his master's own house had far more opulent aesthetics and objects.

The standard meeting went underway pretty expectedly, with the Rival Rogue trader's retinue getting their small introductions. However, what caught Manix's eye was the Inquisitorial agent, which made Manix stand straighter and more reserved. He did not, however, try to make himself look bigger then the inquisitor, in order to maintain a peaceful presence. The other thing that caught his eye was the Eldar woman who shared his fate in life, and seemed to be just as devoted as he was to it. Weather he had met this Xenos or not, he felt a bit of warmth in his chest anyways at the thought of other Xenos so calm and happy in their position as he. He didn't speak, and merely stood there in his Battlesuit Pilot attire, as he had left his battlesuit at the weapons check station, seeing as how he would have likely not been allowed to keep the battlesuit in such a event.

He did glance to the Eldar female, not to admire her form but to merely see her, since she shared the fate of blending into the background as greater events took charge before them.

Toxic Mind

2015-09-28, 11:42 PM

Burden King

2015-09-29, 01:12 AM

The Tower- Manix

After a moment, the eldar notices Manix's gaze. She raises a single exquisite eyebrow, yet says nothing, for it is not her place to speak aloud. Suddenly, Manix can feel a pressure in his mind.
You may make a Willpower Test to rebuff the psychic technique - if you choose.

Manix felt the sudden foreign presence of what the humans called psychic power. Since he could only assume it was a friendly, as the Imperium had tight control on Psykers and the only person who would try controlling an unarmed and unarmored Tau to attack a rogue trader would be an idiot. So, he simply let his barriers down, and let the psychic technique do as it wanted. He had no secrets to share either, due to his only being a body guard.

Manix allows the psychic presense to do it's job, as he has determined that if this was with hostile intent, it was a wasted effort.

Adamusa

2015-09-29, 02:00 AM

Kayran kept to the darkness as Victor bellowed angrily at the unseen voice. Perhaps I can flank it whilst Brother Victor keeps the thing's attention, he thought. He drew his sword and stepped carefully through the shadows, inching his way closer to the voice.

Silent Move: [roll0] vs TN 90 : 8 DoS
Sneaky Beakie Re-Roll: [roll1] vs TN 90

Volthawk

2015-09-29, 05:41 AM

Outwardly, Vanthus is perfectly gracious and well-mannered as he takes his seat, waiting for the captains to begin talks proper. Inside, however, the story is much, much different. His mind races, bringing up different scenarios and reactions as they come to mind, each worse than the last. An Inquisitor is here, in person. This cannot in any world be a good thing, the question is just how bad it turns out to be. In one world, he's here because of House politics. That's manageable, Undynne has had practice with such matters. In another, he has a task to "ask" them to perform. Good when it comes to avoiding troubles with the Inquisition, bad because it requires closer dealings with them. In another, his previous activities have come up and he's the target of the Inquisitor (after all he was seated opposite the man). Good for the dynasty, terrible for him. All this kept going for a short while before he made a decision. All this going back and forth was pointless, this was all planned in advance. He had to focus on the here and now, not the future, and just see how things could be worked best as they came up. There is one bright side to this, however - the dynasty he appears to be working with has their own sanctioned Xenos. He can't be too hardline if that's the case, surely. Yes, Vanthus will be fine so long as he just stays calm and acts confidently and decisively. He has to believe that.

Toxic Mind

2015-09-29, 09:00 AM

Jyssika

2015-09-29, 09:31 AM

Victor grinds his teeth inside his helmet,
a horrible habbit he was so unfortunate to
possess, a slight stinging and warm sensation
in his mouth informed him that one had
cracked clean in two... It would takes some
days before a new one grew to replace it.

You cannot even comprehend how little of a
frak I give about your damned age.

He enjoyed the act of mixing low and high
gothic together, he had seen some pretty
fiesty guardsmen face down Inquisitors
and Commisars with their defiant swearing
and perhaps that was the way he too could
deal with this arrogant pile of scrap.

Almost as much drek as I give for your mission
or whatever trinket you search for.
Now don't make me tell you again, Piss off!

Burden King

2015-09-29, 11:11 AM

The Tower
Manix
As the Tau warrior does not fight, the intrusion is not painful. A moment later, Manix can hear a voice in his head - it is soft, almost musical. <Greetings, Shas'Vre Velk'Han Manix. Forgive the intrusion, but this was the only way we could speak. I am Void Dancer Illarie of Craftworld Kaelor. How is it that you have come so far from your people? I have met few enough like us among the mon-keigh, and their stories are often intriguing.>

Manix was a bit surprised as the voice within his mind, the experience so foreign to him that it was almost scary. However, it helped that the voice was musical and he was a trained soldier, so his mind quickly settled from the brief discomfort and he quickly began to get used to it. <Hello Miss Illarie, the intrusion is of no problem. I have always been curious what this experience would be like. I must say, not at all unpleasant once one is used to it. As for my story, it's surely not a very interesting one, especially to such a long lived one such as you.> He replied, his mind quickly settling a sit got into the practice of speaking with only ones thoughts rather then ones words. <I'm sure you've heard of the Tau empire and of the Ethereal caste, the leaders of the 'Greater Good'. Well, I was born away from it, within a rogue collection of Tau septs known as the Farsight enclaves. Away from the Ethereals manipulations and their lies, me along with many of my fellow fire caste were brought up in what we believed the true greater good, where ones actions were what defined them rather then caste.> a brief pause in his thoughts, as he thinks about Farsight and his compatriots and how key they were to the whole idea. <However, with time and experience, I figured that that as well would not lead to the greater good. Farsight was a mortal man, and once he left the living world behind the enclaves would tear each other apart. So I left, with dishonor and a heavy heart as I smuggled all I could with me. I sought out the real greater good, something eternal that would be worth dying for.> He thought of the many worlds he visited, the peoples and employers he worked for in his search for his cause. Then, the symbol of House Undynne appeared in his mind <Then, when I had just about given up, I was met with my Lady-captains house. Her predecessor took interest in me, and after hunting me down plus allowing a peek into Imperial history, he had me Sanctioned and I stayed as his enslaved body guard.>

The images of his old masters hedonism and pleasure seeking flashed briefly, before ending with the memory of watching his shuttle crash into the side of a moon <His own weakness lead to the end of his life, and likely would have lead to my own had I not been inherited by My lady Captain. Until that point, I had merely served out of grim acceptance of my fate, and sadness thinking I had abandoned my home for nothing but empty dreams. Then I saw Lady Anastasia work, I saw the fire within her and her drive. With this I knew, she would be my Greater good, the Ideal my life would be the fuel for. She may be just as mortal as Farsight, but she's proof against what I once believed. That a mortal can be the holder of Greater Good.> His pride seemed to swell, as well as his resolve. OF course, this was quickly replaced with embarrassment and he almost chuckled out loud.

<I apologize Elder one. As a Tau, it's almost second nature to be a bit over dramatic or long winded. > He said, hoping a bit he didn't drive off his peer with his story, and also wondering if he should've tried to be not so eager to share it. One of the downsides with being a sanctioned Xenos, not being prepared to converse with others who share you fate, especially if they don't enjoy it as much as you do.

Adamusa

2015-09-29, 01:23 PM

Kayran paused in the shadows as the giant Necron lumbered around. He was certain he recognised it. A few moments later the knowledge clicked into his head. It was a lychguard. He'd only seen a couple of descriptions, but those were more than enough for him to decide that he didn't want to attack it. Not without a full squad or perhaps several tonnes of explosives. He continued to step quietly through the shadows as he made his way over to the stasis vault where the tome was held. He murmured a vox message to Victor as he did so.

<"Keep it distracted, brother. I almost have our prize."> The marine then opened up another channel to the Watch-Captain, just in case.

<"Brother-Captain, we are in the vault, but there is a Lychguard here. It calls itself Sheraj, Shield of the Phaeron. I intend to avoid it whilst I recover the tome," he subvocalised through his vox.

Silent Move: [roll0] vs TN 90
Sneaky Beakie Reroll: [roll1]

Aneurin

2015-09-29, 02:00 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

Anastasia largely ignores the guards and servants as she sweeps into the Tower, though she makes a point of murmuring to Vanthus to provide the guard captain with some token of her appreciation as soon as they are out of ear-shot of the staff. She also hands over her weapons without complaint; after all, taking offense over such a routine thing would be excessively petty. And, really, both she and her entourage are quite capable of handling themselves even without their armaments. The steward is duly tipped and followed.

"Oh, you know how it is," Anastasia says airily, as she drops into a seat opposite Casmirre. She's considerably less flashily dressed than her counterpart; her only visible display of wealth is the gold-and raven-feathered hair ornament, which is as much a feature of her every day dress as an overt display of the dazzling wealth and power of the Undynne dynasty. The rest of her clothes are simply, if finely made. She is, of course, wearing form-fitting, finely crafted armour with the Undynne raven across the breast, but that is hardly unusual wear."So much important work to be done, so little time to do it. I do hope I haven't kept you waiting too long?" she asks, in the lazy tones of one who has quite precisely timed how long they have kept the other waiting.

"My entourage," Anastasia waves towards the others. "I have no doubt that they will introduce themselves in time," she adds, as she shifts to a more casual, and indolent, lounge. "I trust the day finds you and yours well, Lady Casmirre?"

I'd introduce everyone here, but I'm not entirely sure what order to do so in or what form of adress to give everyone. So I'll let you guys handle it yourselves, especially since you get an in-road into the conversation and a solid excuse to post.

Winthrow

2015-09-29, 03:04 PM

Emotions, they were much of what kept the human servants of the Omnissiah from attaining the clarity and perfection of the holy Machines. Still, they were on occasion useful. While many senior members of the Adeptus Mechanicus chose to upgrade themselves with the Rite of Pure Thought. Purging the irrational urgings from their minds completely. While Otho could appreciate the simplicity of such a path he did feel that it was not for him. While much knowledge could be found by the use of machines alone, tracking down scraps of information in ancient legends and fragments of scrolls required something else. An ability to relate to the ones who had kept the legend alive, understand their emotions and remove that influence from the data. Familiar with the reputation of his brotherhood Otho would often pretend to be less understanding of his surroundings than he actually were, in order to put those he spoke with at ease. The bumbling tech-priest was a character that frequently appeared in adventurevids as well as the writings of certain fictional historians, both of which Otho had studied, for research of course. Yes, emotions did have a place, but at times they were inconvenient. Mistaking the guardsmen for Cadians had proved to be a fortuitous mistake, yet it was a mistake nonetheless and he should not have fallen for it.

Otho is irritated as he steps into the lift, yet the ride upwards proves soothing, the gentle hum of a well maintained machinery together with a silent recital of the maintenance protocol for a Mark IV-29 airflow regulator had him returned to equanamity before the lift doors opened again. First out of the lift are his paired servoskulls sent ahead with a thought impulse to tell their master of what lies ahead. The human butler proved satisfactory, even without the obvious advantages of a servitor and Otho followed the party over to the weaponslocker. While the xeno was making a nuisance of itself with the servant girl Otho instead tilted his head back a little as he had Hu-G1n take a closer look on the auspexes in the ceiling, silently impressed with their quality. When the way finally was clear he calmly handed over his spear to the servant. The only way to remove the abilities of his True Flesh would be to have the augmentations ripped from his body, or the potentiacoil disabled. Neither of which would happen with his permission.

Walking over to the table with its line of notables he pays little attention to the windows. The mechanical splendor of the station had to wait for the importance of humans and, he noticed with a twinge of disgust, yet another xenoform. Gatherings such as this rarely saw a drawn blade or lasgun, yet the repercussions could prove just as deadly in the long run. After evaluating the sturdiness of the chair he settled down opposite of the other techpriest, blurting a low greeting in Techa-Lingua. +++Greetings brother, this one is designated Od3N+++ adding a lower level of data indicating training and responsibilities, thereby completing the most basic of courtesies among the brotherhood. While doing so he narrows the focus of his stronger eye, taking in the details of the others robes and visible augmentations, trying to discern his seniority and improvements.

As his Lord-Captain begins speaking he listens quietly, knowing that he will have plenty of time to introduce himself should his input be required later. Turning his attention to the surroundings instead he sends one skull up high near the ceiling to provide overwatch, while he focuses his attention on the second to search for signs of concealed weapons or listening devices near the table.

[roll0] vs Forbidden Lore AdMech 82 1 DoF
[roll1] vs Trade Technomat 72 6 DoS
[roll2] vs Awareness 43 Failure by 3

Leon

2015-09-30, 03:20 AM

Not expecting to encounter much trouble on the station Ravia had not bought much in the way of extraneous hardwear along on this outing, only her maul on a holster and a simple Laspistol under the formal robes from the visit to the cathedral. The robes themselves were from her original order, brilliant white edge in crimsion adorned with the symbols of Medicae and Soritas.
That it was a formal setting and all was not a concern as she considered herself to be above the trivialities of "society" for the most part.

She took her indicated seat and sat down. Greetings Master Astropath, I am Sister Ravia Del'Thorn, formerly of the Order of Serenity now on detached duty as the Order of Eternal Mercy mission to the Expanse

Adamusa

2015-09-30, 06:59 AM

It seemed the Lychguard was preoccupied by Victor, since it hadn't moved over Kayran's way at all. Good, he thought, now I should be able to retrieve the records. And Victor, by extension. He slipped between the pools of darkness cast by the dim lights in the archives, closing steadily in on his target.

Silent Move: [roll0] vs TN 90 - 9 DoS
Sneaky Beakie Reroll: [roll1] vs TN 90

Toxic Mind

2015-09-30, 02:49 PM

The Catacombs - Watch Station Iobel
Kayran reaches his target without incident, and the Necron Lychguard is left unaware of the Raven Guard retrieving the book. The metal soldier turns to Victor. ++Step aside human. I will not warn you again. My master's will shall not be denied. If I must cut you down to do so, I shall.++ There is an air of finality in the lychguard's tone. Necrons are not known for their skill at dissembling.

<If you can retrieve the volume without engaging the creature, do so. There are melta charges beneath the vault; retreat, and detonate them. Once that is done at that infernal xenos is buried, regroup with me and we shall return to the surface. The activation runes for the bombs are Delta-Sigma-Epsilon-Omega.> The sound of heavy bolter fire is an unceasing backdrop to the Watch Captain's words.

The Tower - Port Wander
Undynne
"'Tch. I have naught to bemoan. I met with that relic Calligos Winterscale. Yew knew how that one es, always on about Chorda this an Chorda that." The Lady-Captain laughs heartily. "That buffoon actually asked me if I'd ally with him agains' her. Nay, his conflict keeps 'im occupied; and out of our 'air. Tha's more important than any reward 'e could offer." She sips the glass of amasec in front of her. "I 'eard about tha' business with yer fleet. Nasty luck, that is."

Otho
The other tech-priest accepts the burst of binary and in an instant reponds with one of his own. Encoded within are the designation: ++Once Alceed, Now A1C-33D, Engiseer Prime of the Imperator Malleus++. Beyond that, his rank within the Adeptus is beyond Otho, his augmentations hiding any true markers of status. From your examination, you note that all of his augmentics, in addition to being high functioning, are self-created and installed, each a singular work of art and craftsmanship. There are no standardized markings among them, nor recognizable features. Furthermore, there is not a single augmentic that suffers in quality. Also contained within the data-burst is a query regarding the Dancer and its machine spirits, and if any repairs or soothing was required before a long journey. A strange question indeed, given that they had just arrived in Port Wander.

Manix
The sound of laughter inside your head is an uncomfortable sensation and an involuntary shiver runs through you. <You need not worry about offending me without intent. We are in your mind - your purposes are as clear to me as the strands of the future to a farseer.> The conversations outside fades as you slip deeper into the communication. Suddenly, you stand on the bridge of the Dancer, its halls arrayed around you in the perfect detail of your own memory. The Eldar woman stands beside you. She looks around and smiles. "You have a prodigious memory. Fear not - inside the waking dream, we might spend hours for mere minutes in the real world. We may talk here freely." Now, despite the fact that you know better, her voice comes not from within your head, but from out of her mouth.

Ravia
"Greetings, Sister." The man says warmly. "I am Marcus Aurelius Caius, First Officer and Choir-Master Telepathica of the Imperator Malleus. I will admit it has been many years since I have seen one of your order outside of the great Fortress-Monasteries. I am glad to see that the Emperor's daughters have not rescinded their healing touch from the far reaches of the galaxy." The Astropath's voice is soft but firm, a man used to being obeyed at the slightest word, having no need to raise voice or tone. His dual position is also interesting, for there are few that hold psykers - even Astropaths, so close to themselves. Still, the man seemed the picture of health, hardly withered or broken like many others of his calling. A truly rare specimen indeed. "How is it that you came to serve your Lady-Captain?"

Aneurin

2015-09-30, 03:50 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

"The fleet is an inconvenience, certainly," Anastasia says, her dark eyes glittering with anger. "Apparently it was redirected to join the Margin Crusade - though no-one knows quite where the Crusade may be these days, which is making it remarkably difficult to retrieve those ships. I have, however, found the name of the official responsible and I intend to pay him and his depot world a visit to... explain matters," she adds, smiling thinly. It really is most vexing that someone stole her strikeforce and, apparently, misplaced an entire Crusade. Really, what is the Imperium coming to?

Then she waves the matter away, quite literally, as she leans back in her seat and begins examining the wine list.

"As for Winterscale and Chorda... As much as they distract one another, I am quite agreed with Winterscale that Chorda is a blight on the Expanse," Anastasia murmurs, as she selects her wine - a good wine, rather than an expensive one - and summons a steward to deliver it. "The Chordas are little more than pirates masquerading as Rogue Traders, and will need to be dealt with. The feud with Winterscale keeps her mostly contained, but who save the Emperor is to say what the future holds?" she asks, in a slight display of Inquisiotrially-inspired piety, folding her hands on the wine menu as she looks directly at Casmirre.

"But it is far too early in the meal for such serious talk. How is Winterscale these days? Does he still throw tables around when he loses at mahjong?" she adds easily, with a disarming smile.

Toxic Mind

2015-09-30, 08:46 PM

The Tower - Port Wander
Undynne

"'e does that." She laughs again at the thought. "I've been tr'in to teach him Regicide, but the poor fello's got no sense fer it. Shame, really; I could use a new opponent." It is a good-natured complaint, with no real malice behind it. At Undynne's comment about the Lady Chorda, Casmirre looks up sharply. "Now don't be goin' on 'bout that. She'll tear ye to pieces, and tha' fool Winterscale will barely make a fuss. Ye doon't want to be a pawn in that game, I assure ya." There is a hard look on the Lady Casmirre's face, and it is easy to remember that a mere century ago, she lost her father, mother, and four brothers before inheriting a dynasty in ruins. Now, she was one of the more feared and respected Rogue Traders in the Expanse, and beyond.

Jyssika

2015-09-30, 08:58 PM

Sounds, Fun!

Victors words are followed by a vicious cracking as
two large molars at the back of his mouth crack.
Eerie energies of the immaterium pour into Victor's
body, and he flexes with the new might pulsing
through his body.

Come at me, ... Brother!

[roll0] Focus test; WP 56, +20 PRx4 +10 Frenzy WP. = 86.
[roll1] Phomominominominom (if double)
[roll2] Perils if 75+

Victor raises his sword, the point held like a spear
towards the necron ready to be thrust, his other
hand is thrust forwards and in a single gesture
he motions for then Necron to come forward.

Ready an action (second half action) to Standard attack if necron comes into range.

Adamusa

2015-10-01, 02:17 AM

Kayran swore under his breath. It sounded like Victor had forgotten the plan and was now intent on actually fighting the Lychguard. This was a problem.

<"Brother Helios, stand down and fall back, Kayran hissed through the vox. <"There are melta charges beneath this vault, we will activate them and blow this thing to slag, but we cannot do that if you insist on duelling it.">

He poked his head around the corner just in time to see Victor aim a swing at the Lychguard. Outwardly, he retained his calm. Inwardly he was cursing the bloodthirsty Librarian with every oath that he knew. There was nothing for it now, he would have to engage. The Raven Guard shook his head, then moved quietly towards the Necron, hoping to decapitate it and disable it long enough for the pair of them to detonate the melta charges.

Silent Move: [roll0] vs TN 90 - 5 DoS
Sneaky Beakie Reroll: [roll1] vs TN 90

Burden King

2015-10-02, 02:29 AM

Manix
The sound of laughter inside your head is an uncomfortable sensation and an involuntary shiver runs through you. <You need not worry about offending me without intent. We are in your mind - your purposes are as clear to me as the strands of the future to a farseer.> The conversations outside fades as you slip deeper into the communication. Suddenly, you stand on the bridge of the Dancer, its halls arrayed around you in the perfect detail of your own memory. The Eldar woman stands beside you. She looks around and smiles. "You have a prodigious memory. Fear not - inside the waking dream, we might spend hours for mere minutes in the real world. We may talk here freely." Now, despite the fact that you know better, her voice comes not from within your head, but from out of her mouth.

Manix looked around the mental scape of the bridge, his body still and alert for his attention being called. He nodded within his head, impressed at the feat he had just witnessed. <To think such creatures as you roam this Galaxy. It is a shame my race is so lacking in this area, though with how humans suffer from it, maybe it is a mixed blessing.> He said, still seeming at ease with this. <If you don't mind my asking Miss, how is it you came to be one of the few Xenos accepted by the imperium? I had never thought an Eldar would be in such a situation.> He said, turning to her so he could talk with her face to face.

Aneurin

2015-10-02, 08:06 AM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

"Ah, I see you forget who you are speaking with," Anastasia says gently, allowing mild reproof to enter into her voice. "No true Rogue Trader allows themselves to become a pawn. We may, on occasion, lower ourselves to take on the role of a Knight for another, should it serve our own interests. I believe several masquerade as Cardinals and Terminators from time to time," she goes on, referring to the pieces that in the mists of pre-history replaced the Bishop and the Rook. "Profitable work, I am given to understand, for those willing to sully themselves in the name of coin," she sniffs disdainfully, then purses her lips as if in thought.

"But I digress. I believe you wished to talk about Chorda, correct?" asks Anastasia who, in point of fact, believes no such thing but is happy to continue any line of conversation that has such a marked effect on her opposite number. "They are an upstart House, as I recall, from the early days of the Maw's opening. While they have done quite well for themselves, they have also made a number of exceedingly powerful enemies - amongst them the Imperial Navy who, I believe, bear them some ill will over some transgression of another. The current Chorda has successfully annoyed both the current Winterscale, and Karrad Vall whom I also wish some harm to befall. They must be in quite a precarious position, these days, especially if others such as ourselves bear them some form of generalised dislike. I feel, at this time, that a resurgence in hostilities between Vall's Wolfpack and the Chordas would be of great benefit to the Imperium at large,"

At some point during this monologue, Anastasia has been speaking less and less to Casmirre and more and more to the wine glass she now holds, and is slowly running one finger around the rim of. The speech is, in particular, not directed towards the Inquisitorial representative. And it is not directed towards him in such a way that anyone who is as involved in the spying business as the Inquisition would most assuredly take an interest, just to heard what it is that is, most definitely, not intended to be said to them.

"But enough of this dull, business talk. It is hardly suitable for polite dinner-time conversation," she says brightly, after enough of a pause for the message to sink in. With any luck Casmirre or her... friend... will decide to take some sort of action based on it, and inconvenience both Chorda and Vall who are long overdue for some checks on their power and expansion. Of course neither is, at present, as much of an immediate threat as the 'Undred 'Undred Teef which is a WAAAGH! waiting to happen, and by necessity is where the bulk of the Undynne's might is focused. While the systematic extermination has produced the occasional suitable colony world, the greenskin infestation tends to prevent them from being truly profitable - though the reduction in ork-originated raids on other Undynne holding and shipping is near enough worth the expense all by itself. "Perhaps you could introduce me to your companion," Anastasia gestures to the man with the Inquisitorial seal. "It is not every day one meets a representative of the Holy Ordos in such... interesting company?" she adds, allowing her eyes to stray to the Eldar with just a flicker of curiousity.

Winthrow

2015-10-02, 02:56 PM

The query is a curious one indeed and has Otho momentarily puzzled. A fellow follower of the Omnissiah might indeed ask about the wellbeing of a venerable machinespirit, but asking about repairs was bordering on rude. Either indicating a mistrust of Otho's skills as Engineseer, or harboring a deeper motive, as in assessing how soon the Dancer could be ready to depart. Aware that A1C-33D ultimately worked for a rival of his own captain, he tempers his answer somewhat. +++Statement: The Dancer is content, the passage thus far has been within the norm. Next step of the journey will be the true test.+++ The answer is polite but the layers of subtext only refer to the unpredictability of the Maw and the vagaries of spacetravel in general. Nothing pertaining the engines or capabilities of the Dancer which might have more clearly answered the question.

Shifting the conversation from his vessel he adds a query of his own. Your True Flesh looks impressive, your own work? The rapid mode of information exchange meaning that the two captains barely have finished with their opening pleasantries.

Toxic Mind

2015-10-04, 09:07 PM

The Tower - Port Wander
"Aye. The name of that Emperor-forsaken heretic should naht be spoken among polite company. We've had our share of run-ins with his 'Pack' and mah crew have sent may of theirs howling to their depraved gods. Ahl not have anythin' to do with Karrad Vall, less its putting a bolt twixt his eyes." There is very real anger in the Lady-Captain's voice, such that the Astropath next to her places a hand upon her shoulder softly. The tension drops and Undynne Casmirre tosses her hair back and smiles. "Where are my manners? Ah have neglected mah crew, and in such august company." she says without a hint of sarcasm, which made it all the more cutting. "This is Alceed, mah Engiseer Prime, and a finer one ah could nah ask for. This is Choirmaster Cauis, mah First Officer. 'E has served mah family since before I was born." Both men nod their greetings at their introductions. "This is Inquistor Roth of the Ordo Xenos. He has accompanied me since Footfall. [And he has plans for us both]." The last is spoken in the secret tongue that only Rogue Traders knew and accomplanied by a sharp stare, before the Lady Captain Casmirre laughs and turns to the Inquisitor. "Forgive me, I sometimes forget that we are in mixed company. I merely mentioned that you are willing to work with Sanctioned Xenos, provided they serve your goals, and that her companion had naught to fear." The Inquisitor waves the apology aside. "Greetings, Lady Captain. The Lady Casmirre has told me much of your exploits. Truly you do the Emperor's work in this lawless Expanse."

Manix
The Eldar woman smiles, like one who is remembering some long-ago humor. "Our stories are not so different. I know your people place little weight in prophecy, and the mon-keigh only in the divinations of their Emperor, but the Eldar have many seers. One such spoke of a doom to befall the galaxy, one that threatens even the Craftworlds. They foresaw that only a human could prevent this doom. I believe that Undynne Casmirre is that human. I serve, so that I might guide her to save my people. I will destroy any who threaten that future, or her. So you see, we are not so dissimilar, you and I." The last two statements carry an undercurrent of threat, though nothing overt. Still, it is easy for Manix to remember that the Eldar woman is, as far as he can tell, a powerful psyker, and that they are in his mind upon her strength.

Otho
++Apology: I did not intend to question your skill. My mistress may have need of your assistance. I merely wished to ascertain if your ship was damaged and in need of repairs that we might assist with. A favor without expectation, if needed.++ Alceed looks up for a moment, and you notice that one of his eyes holds an integrated auspex scanner, which he sweeps across the table before returning to your conversation. Apparently his scans are as clear as yours, because it returns to looking like a normal augmentic. ++Derisive: I have no patience for the clumsy workings of others. My hands will be the only one to improve my flesh.++

The Catacombs - Watch Station Iobel
The Lynchguard has no time for anything else but the combat in front of him. He steps forward, easily batting aside the attack with his sword and smashing it down on Victor's weapon arm. There is no sound or mention of parlay any longer - he fights with the same silent and ruthless efficiency as any necron.
Rolls in OOC
22 Damage Pen 6 to Victor's Sword Arm

Jyssika

2015-10-04, 11:24 PM

<"Collect the target">

Victor matches the Lychguard easily, after all this was his
forte as one of the Angels Sanguine's most successful
duelists and bats the heavy blade asside before returning
with a vicious counter attack. Luckily for his opponant his
instincts are faster than his mind and he is unable to deliver
his deadly talents into the attack. Even un-focussed however
his will still turns the ancient sword into a deadly blade and
a deep cut burns into the necrons chest.

<"I can withdraw on your mark">

His words are laboured, like a man attempting to hold
a great weight as he speaks through clenched muscles
and teeth. A strange slurping inhibits his speech.

-Next round-

Victor does not wait, continuing to force the attack
he hones his lethal mind into the blade and strikes once
again at the Necron's body.

I am Blood! I am Death!

Adamusa

2015-10-05, 07:48 AM

Kayran drew his sword and launched himself from the shadows, striking at the Necron with a flurry of vicious, scything blows. The archeotech power sword sang as the powerfield leapt into life, sheathing the blade in crackling energy.

The Raven Guard bellowed his warcry as he struck.

"VICTORY OR DEATH!"

(Rolls in OOC)

Aneurin

2015-10-05, 09:28 AM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

"A positive delight to meet you, Inquisitor," Anastasia raises her glass in a polite gesture of recognition. "I would be deeply astonished if you did not know the names of all present, but for formality's sake, may I introduce Enginseer Primus Magos Otho Varus, my Seneschal Vanthus and Sister Ravia Del'thorn of the Order of Eternal Mercy? All of whom are being quite peculiarly quiet tonight. Well, except for the good Magos who seems to be clicking away quite happily," she says, gesturing to each member of her retinue in turn.

"The Xenos is a relic of my cousin's tenure as Warrant Holder," she adds, waving generally in the direction of the standing Tau without deigning to look at him. "Despite my best efforts, it still insists on calling itself Manix, rather than a sensible name like Manfred. Still, since we are obliged to continue paying off its purchase I decided to see if it could be integrated into good, honest Imperial society. As I understand it, the Tau are a rather technologically minded race and have a tendency to obey their social superiors in a most becoming fashion - if they could be convinced of the rightness of Imperial rule, it may be that they could be inducted into the Imperium as a servile race - much in the same way the Ogryns and Ratlings are a part of our society, albiet a lower one. The Emperor alone knows how much the Tech-Priests could learn from their blasphemous technology that would be useful to the Imperial cause. I already have this one attending four compulsory cathedral services, and have very nearly persuaded the priests that it shouldn't be killed on sight," she says mildly, as she takes another sip of her wine. "But enough of that. Inquisitor Roth, was it? I don't believe I have heard that name before," she purses her lips in thought for a brief moment, then shrugs. "But, then, I suppose that's hardly likely. May I ask what it is that brings you to this far corner of the Calixis Sector?"

@Burden King - Ana is actually being a great deal nastier about Manix than she normally would be, since failing to show an appropriate attitude towards xenos in front of an Inquisitor is generally not conducive to one's long-term well being :smalltongue:

Toxic Mind

2015-10-05, 03:37 PM

The Tower - Port Wander

"Yes, this area of the Imperium is not my normal sphere of operations. Even someone of your... august-" (Damn the man, he'd clearly read that Slannesh-esque fiction that was going around with that smirk) "-personage would not recognize my name. I am here to offer you a chance to serve the Emperor, and in doing so, reclaim something of great value which has long been lost." The man sits back and steeples his fingers, as if he knows what he is about to say is beyond refutation. "The Indomitable Spirit. Or rather, the item that the Indomitable Spirit carries within the Captain's cabin." Anastasia could feel her blood run cold. The implications of such an offer were terrifying. First, that ship had been lost some time around M.32, and to be found now after so many years was beyond the count of incredible. Secondly, and far more terrifying, was the implication that somehow, this servant of the Inquisition knew the darkest secret of the Undynne dynasty - that all these years, the Warrant that they presented was in fact, a forgery. The original had been lost aboard the Indomitable Spirit, but to preserve their dynasty, the Undynne's had forged a masterful copy. With none to gainsay its authenticity (after all who helped were dead), it had been the most closely guarded secret of the Undynnes. Yet this man, somehow, knew. It was untenable. It was beyond threatening. It was also the opportunity of several lifetimes.

This still did not, however, explain why Casmirre was here. What could be her stake in all this? How could she have any interest in the Indomitable Spirit?

The Catacombs - Watch Station Iobel

Victor's counter attack finds its way past the Lychguard's shield, and bites into its arm. For a moment, Victor is pleased, until he realizes that even as he watches, the damage from his sword blow mends, the Necron's automated systems quickly repairing it. Victor renews the attack, but none of his strikes can make it past that damnable xenos shield.

Kayran strikes from the shadows, unseen and unheard by the lychguard. His sword swings through the air, howling in silent fury. In the moment before it strikes, it wreathes in holy fire, and the blade shines like a miniature sun, the Emperor's own fury made manifest against the xenos before Him. The blow bites deep into the Necron's shoulder, carving through metal and into the arcane mechanics beneath. Green energy arcs out, and alien fluids spray from within the chest cavity. The light fades from the Necron's eyes, and it tumbles to the floor, and does not move.

Jyssika

2015-10-05, 04:10 PM

Victor was frustated, his mouth stung where he had
crushed teeth into gums and his senses were alive
with the smell of fresh blood. He was on the edge of
slaying the Necron warrior, he knew it and he felt
robbed!

I was! ...

He tightens his grip on the Force sword, and lowers
it from a guard position to a relaxed grip. His anger
ebbed away, the psychic energies dissipate from his
muscles and he falls out of his frenzy.

Excuse me brother, a remarkable display of martial
prowess, are we ready to return to aide the Watch
Captain?

He bowed his head slightly, an attempt to appologize
for his outburst.

Adamusa

2015-10-05, 04:58 PM

Kayran nodded, noting his brother's unusual anger. That could prove a hindrance in the future, in the wrong situation.

"Yes, brother. I have the tome," the Raven Guard said as he tapped the ancient dataslate hanging from his belt. "There is something that must be done first, however." He crossed over to panel in the wall, then punched in four codes. Delta. Sigma. Epsilon. Omega. The panel beeped a few times in confirmation. He glanced back at the Librarian.

"I have just armed the melta charges below this vault. Mine was a powerful stroke, but I do not trust that lychguard to remain down. This place will be incinerated, hopefully taking that creature back to the depths of wherever it came from," he said. The Kill-marine turned and broke into a sprint. "Run, brother! There is little time!"

Jyssika

2015-10-05, 05:42 PM

Victor sets off at a brisk pace, his sword raised ahead of him.

<The minions we avoided earlier may be drawn to their
fallen master, let us not run head first into a new foe.>

He re-joins the squad frequency they had used earlier with
the Watch Captain.

<What is your status Watch Captain, we are on route
to your location.>

Leon

2015-10-05, 11:10 PM

"How is it that you came to serve your Lady-Captain?"

I was released from my former service to recover from the stresses of that life and tending to the medical and spiritual needs of the brave Imperials forging out into the wilds of the expanse was a perfect occupation, since that time i have come to be part of the crew more than a attached personage. I used to often wonder if i could have gone back to my old order but these days i am content with how things have turned out. I still think of home however as i have never had the chance to go back to Cadia, despite what it is like it is where i grew up

Volthawk

2015-10-06, 08:05 AM

Vanthus still maintained his somewhat disinterested visage, while internally he felt a whole load of tension just fade. It was to do with the dynasty as a whole, not his own personal actions. Good. His head would be safe for another day. He pricked up his ears and paid closer attention now though, since this sounds big. The name of the ship wasn't quite familiar to him, but it obviously had some link to Undynne. The other trader worried him, though. There were still too many unknowns here.

Aneurin

2015-10-06, 03:00 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

"I believe you are mistaken, sir," she says gently, but with a firm suggestion of steel in there as she quietly vows to have the last copies of that damnable vid destroyed even if it means launching an assault on the Tricorn Palace itself to get the last few copies. At least she can say with some certainty that she found - and burned - all the perpetrators. "From what remains of the family histories of the time Undynne battleship Indomitable Spirit was destroyed some eight thousand years ago, so I fear you must be talking of some other vessel," Anastasia adds as mildly as she can, to deflect the unexpected - and decidedly flustering - statement, and then makes a counter-attack - hopefully before anyone notices.

"Now, while I would be delighted to assist any endeavour for the greater glory and stability of the Imperium and the Emperor - may he reign eternal - I do find myself somewhat short on aid I could reasonably supply to whatever endeavour you may be concocting. At this moment House Undynne are the only check I know of on the 'Undred 'Undred Teef - I trust you know of it?" she adds, mildly, as her composure - briefly shaken - reasserts itself. "That rag-tag empirette the greenskins have built in the Expanse. If left alone too long, it will no doubt errupt into one of their idiotic and nigh-suicidal hordes that will ravage the Expanse before finally blunting its teeth on the Navy at the fringes of the Calixis Sector - something that serves no-one and will certainly hamper efforts to bring the Expanse into Compliance. I would at this moment be scouring the damnable greenskins from the pits they infest were it not for that clot who requisitioned my Navy strikeforce," she adds with a bitter scowl. "I really must settle up with him at my earliest convenience,"

Burden King

2015-10-06, 08:46 PM

Manix
The Eldar woman smiles, like one who is remembering some long-ago humor. "Our stories are not so different. I know your people place little weight in prophecy, and the mon-keigh only in the divinations of their Emperor, but the Eldar have many seers. One such spoke of a doom to befall the galaxy, one that threatens even the Craftworlds. They foresaw that only a human could prevent this doom. I believe that Undynne Casmirre is that human. I serve, so that I might guide her to save my people. I will destroy any who threaten that future, or her. So you see, we are not so dissimilar, you and I." The last two statements carry an undercurrent of threat, though nothing overt. Still, it is easy for Manix to remember that the Eldar woman is, as far as he can tell, a powerful psyker, and that they are in his mind upon her strength.

Manix nodded within the mental scape, seeming to smile at the Eldar's story. <Ah, it is true. You truely are a peer. I hope that our house may neve rhave to meet on the field of battle. I may hold strength in the material world, but if my mind were to be invaded by the likes of you, I would be an instrument of your desire without a doubt.> He said, pushing a bit on the mental scape to change the scenery outside the glass of the bridge a bit, looking over a constructed image of Terra Manix had formed from the storeis and images he had seen <Ah, seems I at least can change a little of the scenery. That's good> he said with a chuckle, his curiosity for the world of the mind piqued.

His body however, bowed at the hip at his introduction, not speaking but bowing all the same to the Lord Inquisitor.

Nah I get it no worries, Manny knows the way things work. XD

Winthrow

2015-10-07, 02:28 PM

+++Acknowledged+++ Otho indicates his acceptance of the apology with a simple word and a slight nod. Techna-Lingua is amazingly adept at translating the intricacies of a fluctuation in an energy reading, yet make no allowances for such verbal frippery as courtesies. Statement: No repairs necessary, departure can be planned as soon as basic supplies have been restocked.

Hearing his name he quickly reviews the recent vocal conversation at the table and rise in time with Anastasias introduction. Limiting the pleasantries to a bare minimum, still he offers the indication of a slight bow. As if anyone else at his side of the table might have been mistaken for the Engineseer Prime.

Sitting down again swiftly causes the chair to creak omniously but he pays it no heed as he returns to his conversation. +++Hypothesis: You are aware of the Inquisitors plans. Inquisitive: What is the interest of the Casmirre enclave? Competing bids for retrieval operations or suggested cooperative effort? +++

Toxic Mind

2015-10-07, 03:29 PM

The Catacombs - Watch Station Iobel

<Whatever you have done has enraged the Necrons. They are massing their scarabs for a counter-push. I am running low on ammunition. Hurry.> Comes the terse reply from the Watch-Captain as you race down the tunnels.

The blast is cataclysmic, and rocks rumble from above as the passage behind you collapses in a hellish conflagration. Vault Simga 12, and much of the surrounding area, is vaporized. You would find out later that, as the chapter serfs sift through the rubble, no trace of Necron metal is left.

You round the corner to find the Watch Captain standing as you left him, facing the hallway. The barrel of his heavy bolter glows almost to incandescence with the heat. "I heard the charges blow. The instant they did, the crypt scarabs fled. I suspect that another hand, perhaps a tomb spyder or a cryptek guided them. I assume you have the tome - let us return to the surface and examine it. I will send a purifier squad down to cleanse the catacombs once more, and seal off as many tunnels as needed." The Watch Captain turns to leave, and makes his way back to the surface.

As you return to the surface, another Deathwatch Librarian - his markings indicating his rank as Codicier - awaits you. Clearly Watch Captain Vahn called ahead. "Brother Codicier - this tome is heavily encrypted, and must be decrypted and examined with all due haste. This has now become your sole priority. You may requisition any standby kill-teams or other resources you may require." The Codicier takes the tome, nods to the Watch-Captain, and leaves quickly. With his departure, Watch Captain Vahn turns his gaze to you. "You have been forged in battle, yet I sense distrust. To succeed, you two must operate as one. Go, resolve your differences, and reach new understanding. I will call upon you when the tome has been decoded."
How you complete this is up to you. Ritual Duel, Introductions, Journey into the Wastes, Psycher Mumbo-Jumbo. Decide how you want to bond, and I'll give you rolls/etc. that you'll need.

The Tower - Port Wander
Ravia
"Cadian born, you say?" The Astropath smiles and nods his head. "I have met and served alongside Cadian regiments in the past. They served with honor and fervor, and those that live I count among friends." The astropath listens to other oconversations for a while, then returns to Ravia. "Are there none left on Cadia that you hold close?"

Vanthus
You notice that for some time, Manix and the Eldar woman have both been staring blankly, even though their bodies still breathe and rustle like normal. Their eyes remain fixed on a single point in the air.

Manix
"These are your memories. What you remember, you can explore in this place. I merely provide the scaffolding upon which to hang the tapestry." The Eldar says softly.

Otho
++Pleased: Your deductions are sound, and you ask the appropriate questions. Sometimes the most effective query is blunt, without hidden meanings. Informative: Lady-Captain Casmirre seeks a ship of her family's dynasty. She, like the Inquisitor, requires aid. More I will not reveal. Our enclave intends yours no harm - we are bound by similar needs.++ This Engiseer must know his worth to so easily speak of his Lady-Captain in such tones. Perhaps a schism among the command crew, or simply a tech-priest who has allowed his indispensability to go to his logic circuits.

Undynne
The Inquisitor raises a single eyebrow and frowns, and the message was as clear as if he had shouted it, at least to Undynne. The man knew he was not mistaken, and the implication that he was ignorant of the weight of his knowledge was, frankly, insulting. "And if I told you that one of the fringe planets of the 'Undred 'Undred Teef contained significant deposits of adamantium, and that if informed, the Mechanicus would almost certainly send a fleet to suppress the Orks while they mined that planet?" As soon as the words left the Inquisitor's mouth, the Lady-Captain Casmirre's eyes narrowed. "Perhaps a visit to the Mechanicus enclave is in order, Alceed. You are dismissed." The Techpriest rises with a quick nod to Otho, and makes his way for the exit. It went without saying that the bearer of such information would gain the gratitude of the Adeptus Mechanicus, hardly a boon to throw away.

Jyssika

2015-10-07, 04:15 PM

Victor takes a deep look at the Raven Guard as
his Watch Captain speaks, despite his shielded
face the Librarian knows that Vahn can read him
easily.

Victor took a moment, he himself believed he
had given his every trust to his new partner;
he had fallen into the Thirst and walked into
a room full of Lychguard at his instruction...

Either the Captain was wrong or the Raven
Guard had issues with working alongside a
Psychotic Witch who refused to remove his
helmet.

I will do my best to alleviate any of Brother
Kayran's concerns Watch Captain.
He bowed his head as a mark of respect.
If he will allow me the honour of opportunity.

Adamusa

2015-10-07, 04:23 PM

Kayran listened silently to Captain Vahn's debrief. He was correct, in a way. Kayran fully trusted Victor as a brother of the Deathwatch, that much should be clear. What the Raven Guard was wary of was the Librarian's rage. If the marine lost control and went for the wrong target, he could wreak untold havoc. Perhaps... it might be a good idea to get an idea of his brother's strength. He'd seen Victor's combat prowess firsthand against the Lychguard, but it would be good to fight the Librarian himself. The best way to defeat a potential threat is to know it, he thought.

He nodded to the Captain and turned to Victor, removing his helmet as he did so.

"Well, Brother Victor, you fought well. I should quite like to pit my own skills against you. Perhaps, if you are agreeable, we should spar," he said. "It is common for brothers of the Ravenspire to lock blades in order to gain an understanding of one another. I would be honoured if you would do this."

Jyssika

2015-10-07, 04:33 PM

The Angels Sanguine did not wish to insult
his new partner by pointing out the obveous
but it was important under the circumstances.

You understand, I would have to remain in
my armour. Otherwise, I would be honoured.

He places an armoured glove on the Raven Guard's
shoulder, his fingers inches from the mans bare
neck and leaned forward as though about to whisper.
He turned his face ever so slightly allowing himself
to see the Watch Captain's reaction.

Try not to down me in a single strike,
like you did to that Lychguard.

It was mildly unpleasant to be so close to a Astartes's
Voxcaster as he spoke, but Victor hoped that boasting
of Kayran's achievements infront of their Chapter Master
would make up for the slight discomfort.

Adamusa

2015-10-07, 04:38 PM

As Victor whispered in his ear, Kayran's eyes crinkled in faint amusement.

"Worry not brother. We are sparring, thus I shall pull my strikes. I shall also remain in my armour; we become less when parted from it, so it is only fair," he replied.

Adamusa

2015-10-07, 05:52 PM

The two marines arrived at one of several training areas in the Watch Station. It was constantly in use, but luckily a sparring ring was available. Kayran stepped in and motioned for Victor to follow. His sword hung from his side as he took up a formal stance across from his opponent.

"Fight well, brother Victor. I don't expect an easy fight from you," he said with a thin smile on his face. The Raven Guard's blade swept from its scabbard and he saluted the Librarian with the blade. As he waited for his opponent to do the same, he sized the Librarian up.

Seems to favour strength of arm rather than speed. Quick blows, dance around the guard. Keep moving, he thought. As the fight began, Kayran flowed into the sword-stances taught in the Ravenspire.

Diving From The Roost sent a swift, arcing strike towards the Librarian's head, but the psyker knocked the blow aside and bulled through, striking a vicious blow across Kayran's chest. The Raven Guard slid backwards and settled into a defensive posture.

Too soon. Rushing in was foolish. I need to take more care.

Jyssika

2015-10-07, 06:25 PM

Victor smiled as the training sword slammed against the
chest of Kayran, it made a lovely sound. His force sword
would have been a dull thud its ancient heavy blade almost
ceramic in its density... The training sword however was
marvelous, its entire length seemed to vibrate and sing.

He knew the Raven would not let the first blow go, he
was very proud of his sword fighting ability. What Victor
did not expect was the sheer weight he would put into
his strike. He raised the training blade once again, trying
to bait out an attack so he could do another counter-strike
but the Raven did not bite. They moved on their feet for a
bit neither acting both waiting and that was when Kayran
saw his chance, a clean and rending Horizontal cut that
Victor only just barely caught with his blade but he was
unable to hold. Kayrans blow rended clean through the
training sabre, cutting it clean in two at about half the
length and continued to catch Victor in the chest.

Victor took a step back, now only holding half a sword.
He spun it in his hands to guage its new weight.
An Astartes was trained to kill with whatever tools he had
in his hands, training such as this was invaluable and he
would not relinquish it. Kayran would now be hungry for
his winning point and Victor knew no matter how much
he tried to fight it the fact Victor only had half a blade
would make him less cautious.

This was now a game of wits.
He stepped forward, his bluntted dagger in one hand
and his second raised in a wrestlers grip infront of him.
He was quick on his feet and moved forward as quickly
as he could into grapple range, what remained of his
sword catching and holding the Ravens weapon as he
wrapped his second hand around the Ravens sword arm.
They wrestled now, each gripping the others sword arm
with their gun hand before the Librarian made his move.

Victor hooked his leg behind the Ravens, pulling it forward
between them before loosening his grip on his sword.
It slipped out of his hands and the blade sung beautifully
as it bounced off Kayrans power armoured leg before
clattering to the floor.

Winning Point Brother.
He was almost laughing as he spoke.
He loosened his grip on Kayran and took a step back.
I am lucky that training sword was between
me and that blow...

Adamusa

2015-10-07, 06:38 PM

Kayran picked himself up from the floor and rolled his neck. Thunder Strikes The Rocks had actually broken Victor's sword; apparently someone needed to have a word with the armourers about the quality of the practice weaponry.

Mentally he reviewed the fight. He'd been overconfident at first. That was a weakness he needed to expunge. Victor on the other hand...

The Raven Guard realised he'd underestimated the Librarian's abilities. He was cunning in a way that belied the rage he could summon. If he could combine the two...

It didn't matter. The Angels Sanguine could control himself in a fight. That was what he had needed to know.

He smiled at Victor; a genuine smile reserved for those he trusted.

"Well fought, Victor. You are very skilled with the blade. I could almost think you were trained by the Shadow Captains," he chuckled. "The victory is yours and you have my respect. I would be proud to fight alongside you again."

Jyssika

2015-10-07, 07:04 PM

For a brief moment he envied Kayran,
he had to show all through words without
having access to facial expressions.

Thank you. In my Chapter I am considered
a weak Psyker but an accomplished Swordsman.
He re attaches the Forcesword to his waist.
Though I rarely get the oppertunity to spar
against those that exceed my skill with a blade.

Aneurin

2015-10-08, 04:27 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

"It would hardly surprise me if there were such a world; a great many of the green worlds have some form of useful material to them - it is, I suspect, what has allowed their empirette to flourish as it has done. On the whole, an explorator or reclamation fleet descending on the 'Undred 'Undred Teef would certainly keep the orks distracted for a time," Anastasia muses aloud, gazing up at the ceiling apparently lost in thought and oblivious to Alceed's abrupt departure. "And a strong Mechanicus presence would align rather well with some of my other interests in the region... Yes. If the Mechanicus are willing to hunt for resource worlds and break some 'Teef'," she pronounces the word as if she'd rather use tongs to touch it. "I think I could absent myself and the Dancer from the pacification campaign for a spell of salvage work. It would be quite delightful to recover such a venerable ship and return it to its mission,"

Anastasia settles back more comfortably in her seat and fixes the Inquisitor with a piercing look.

"Now, since you seem quite determined to recruit my crew to this endeavour you're planning, I for one would appreciate some more details - since I suspect that you have only listed the rewards, rather than the objective. Particularly how it is you have come to identify the Indomitable Spirit - she has, after all, been lost for an exceedingly long time. Even the family records about her are somewhat patchy these centuries. Is she truly the jewel of the Undynne battlefleet, the ship that broke the Tuberogen Line? That stymied the traitor Fifteenth Conquest Fleet's withdrawal through the Euragean Gate? Or is she just some floating hulk that happens to share a name?" Anastasia allows a certain amount of derision to fill her voice. There is, after all, a lamentable tendency of more modern ships to name themselves after their far more prestigious historical counterparts.

Winthrow

2015-10-09, 12:26 PM

The abrupt departure of Alceed interrupted Otho's train of thought, still, he also had experience with jumping at the orders of his Captain. Informing the local enclave about the location of a rich deposit might go a long way towards putting the house Casmirre in good favor with the priesthood of Mars... The scarring on Otho's face makes it difficult to read as he continues the thought to its logical conclusion, it was strange that his own captain had not remarked upon the opportunity. Unless something was missing.

Leaning forward a bit he pitches his voice to break into the easy conversation between Anastasia and the Inquisitor. Pardon my interruption Captain, Lord Inquisitor, I fear my colleague departed without the full brief. Making the Brotherhood send a fleet into that region of space will require somewhat more than a loose rumor, especially if we cannot mention your name when reporting it. He pauses for a moment, trying to foresee all eventualities. Do you by any chance have a dataslate with the relevant planet name and the data of the deposit that I might take down there and reinforce the claim? Or, if that is unavailable, the designation of the planet in question?

Sending Hu-G1n whirring towards the elevators as he gracefully rises to his feet he makes his best not to appear rushed while searching for Alceeds departing figure with his remote eyes. The lift tubes are a natural bottle-neck, perhaps they can be used to his advantage somehow...

Adamusa

2015-10-10, 06:52 AM

Kayran nodded at Victor's words.

"You have certainly proved yourself worthy of that title, brother Victor. I must ask however, why is it that you do not remove your helmet? I am curious, but of course you need not answer if you do not wish to."

Jyssika

2015-10-10, 11:00 AM

Victor is silent for a moment; he had not expected
to be asked. He knew it was a probably a popular
topic of conversation when he was out of earshot,
the secrets of their cousins they serve besides always
seemed to be a particular interest to the marines of
the Deathwatch... But very few asked him to his
face, he was reminded of Logar and smiled
for a brief moment as he enjoyed the memory.

When I was a young boy, if you will excuse
my candor, I was very beautiful. I was proud of my
beauty and took great care to keep myself phsically
fit and well groomed.

He flexes his fingers asthough working off
an itch or discomfort, looking at his hand
for an excuse to remove eye contact. It
would seem despite having his face covered
he still held the human instinct to avoid eye
contact whilst discussing difficult topics.

Then my brothers arrived to collect me and
elevate me beyond anything I had previously imagined.
I was trained and by body sculted and engineered to be
almost perfect. In return for my Chapters gifts I was
told to do the Emperors will, always follow in the
footsteps of Sanguinius and follow the traditions of my
Chapter.

One of those many traditions is that we cover our faces.

Leon

2015-10-11, 08:04 AM

Ravia
"Cadian born, you say?" The Astropath smiles and nods his head. "I have met and served alongside Cadian regiments in the past. They served with honor and fervor, and those that live I count among friends." The astropath listens to other oconversations for a while, then returns to Ravia. "Are there none left on Cadia that you hold close?"

I do not know sadly, i guess there could have been extended family but after i left for the schola i lost any contact i had with relatives and i do not remember any names from then Something was up between the Traders and the Inquisitor was making a point about something but Ravia was lost in thoughts long left hidden. After sometime she speaks again One would suppose the Del'Thorn name would have carried on in some fashion even if they have long forgotten my part of it.

How does one such as yourself end up in the role you have on the Lady Casmirre's ship, must be taxing to handle the needs of a ship and its myriad demands as well as the duties of an Astropath

Toxic Mind

2015-10-12, 05:46 PM

The Sparring Room - Watch Station Iobel
Though the points themselves are wickedly quick, the fight itself takes over an hour of blow and counter blow, each hit sliding off the swords and armor without mark. For like all duels fought between Space Marines, only a hit that would be mortal can count towards victory. For the Emperor's Chosen Sons, no less is acceptable.

As the duel ends and the rush of battle, even simulated, fades, you notice that quite a crowd has gathered. Many serfs of the Chapter, as well as at least two whole Kill-Teams, have come to observe. Both of the Kill-Team leaders, one Veranor of the Imperial Fists, and Severan of the Ultramarines, nod their appreciation and respect before gathering their squads and departing. As the ten Space Marines depart, they reveal the Watch Captain standing behind them. He does not smile, for such an obvious display of emotion is unbecoming of his personage. You can see in his eyes the pride of a warrior and towards his charges. He beckons you over as you return the weapons to their racks.

"The Codicier has done his work well, and with haste. He has asked us to meet him the the briefing room. He claims to have found the mission briefing and decoded it."

The Watch Captain leads you to the waiting Librarian. "Greetings, Brothers." He holds in front of him the tome you recovered. "The logs of the first mission sent to the Herald of Oblivion. What is it you wish to know?"

The Tower - Port Wander
Anastasia
"On the day we discovered word of the Indomitable Spirit, 400 Psykers who had turned their scrying to an area known as the Jericho Reach died. Most died before they could utter a word, and most of the rest driven mad by what they saw, yet the Emperor smiled upon us that day, for one survived. He spoke of a terrible hungering darkness, of a system consumed by the maw of that darkness, yet at the heart of the beast shone two beating lights. The first, a radiant incandescence of a ship, clearly displaying the words Audax at Fidelis, a motto with which I believe you are passingly familiar. He described it as massive, with an ancient and battle hungry heart. The second, twining around the light, a sapphire dragon which whispered the words "perpetuo in aeternum". At this, the Lady Casmirre pulls aside her cloak to reveal, pinned upon her breast, a sapphire dragon twined through the same words. "Forever Unbroken", the Casmirre motto, and one that had been put to the test truly enough in the Lady-Captain's life. "To stop this doom, you will both be needed, else I fear the Reach may be consumed by darkness," the Inquisitor finishes.
Common/Scholastic Lore [Imperium] may reveal more about this region referenced - the Jericho Reach.

Othro
The Inquisitor does not interrupt his story, instead placing a data-slate in front of you. On it are the coordinates for the planet within the 'Undred 'Undred Teef. There also appear to be surface scans showing particularly promising places to mine. The Lady Casmirre looks rather annoyed that the information was not spoken aloud, but you are under no obligation to reveal it. It seems you have an advantage over the other Techpriest, for now.
The enclave is shielded from outside vox traffic save on secure lines that you do not possess access to. To deliver the information, you must travel on foot.

Ravia
The Astropath smiles wryly. "How I came to the position is relatively lacklsuter - I lived long enough. Since the Lady Casmirre began her journey I have been by her side and in time, she grew to trust me enough to award me the 'honor' of First Mate. Its really just more work and less time for studies, though I suspect my daughter enjoys that part immensely." The man says with a hint of humor again.
Common [Adeptus Ars Telepathica] might reveal more about the Astropath

Burden King

2015-10-13, 02:13 AM

Manix
"These are your memories. What you remember, you can explore in this place. I merely provide the scaffolding upon which to hang the tapestry." The Eldar says softly.

Manix nodded, understanding <Glorious. The realm of the mind truley is beyond a soldiers grasp. I would imagien great training would be required to properly navigate this land on my own. The thought that I could drift into memories best left forgotten without you here is a frightening thought.> He said to the Eldar women, just as his mind processed the information being spoken outside his head. He was quiet for a second, before looking at the Eldar <It seems we shall be working closely with one another in the coming days. I hope I will impress upon you the strength of a Tau.> He said, bowing a bit to show respect.

<Though, I wonder. If you see the Lady Casmirre as the savior of your people, what will you do when you have finished this mission? Will you abandon the lady or will you stay with her?> He asked, truly curious to the Eldars plans of the future.

Winthrow

2015-10-13, 02:33 PM

Unwilling to interrupt the Inquisitors tale with further words Otho scoops up the dataslate and secures it inside his robes after a brief glance to see the designation of the planet in question. Turning for the lift tubes he quickly makes his way across the floor, as if trying to catch up with a friend rather than chasing after a rival. His servoskull only just managed to catch a glimpse of Alceed as he stepped into the tubes. Once out of sight from the main table he increases his pace a little further, hoping to shorten the lead.

If there is no line at the weaponcheck he will attempt to reclaim his spear as quickly as is doable. At the slightest indication of delay he will instead make directly for the lift tubes. Once in the tubes he will do his best to recall/get a hold of directions to the shielded enclave, or the nearest high ranking AdMech official that he can speak to in order to get access to a shielded line.

Aneurin

2015-10-13, 02:50 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

"That does, indeed, sound like an Undynne ship," Anastasia conceeds thoughtfully. "Though I could not conculsively say it is any particular one from the information, and we have left any number of ships in varying states of viability scattered across the galaxy over the last ten thousand years..." she trails off, looking into the middle distance as a number of small, but significant wheels begin to turn in her mind.

"Whether it is, in truth, the Spirit or not, I would certainly not object to recovering what I can of my family's heritage. If that means refitting a ship or two, so be it. If all I can do is salvage a thousand-year-old drinks cabinet and a logbook or set of charts, then that is also acceptable. I imagine antique liquors fetch a reasonable price on the open market, and would be near-priceless to the right collector," she muses aloud, before turning her gaze on the pair sat opposite her. "As for the Jericho Reach... I am familiar with the name, but I am curious about the significance of the Reach that it has so much much interest to your good self,"

As Otho collects the data-slate and scurries off, Ana clicks her tongue in irritation and murmurs something about how rude it is to leave in the middle of dinner without so much as excusing yourself. Then, with a slight sigh beforehand, raises her voice to call out to the retreating Magos.

"The Mechanicus may also appreciate some of our more recent charts of the region, and you are at liberty to offer them other concessions as you see fit," then, glancing over at Casmirre, she lowers her voice to say, politely and yet firmly, with just a hint of warning in her voice; "I shall be most upset should something untoward happen to my Magos as he goes about his business. You are, I trust, familiar with my family's attitude towards betrayers and oathbreakers? Death to them and as many of their relatives as is convenient and a plague on them unto the twelfth generation when we are particularly upset?"

Adamusa

2015-10-14, 08:28 AM

"Then I shall not ask you to break from tradition, Brother Victor," Kayran said. As the Watch-Captain approached, the Raven Guard replaced his helmet and sheathed his blade. He nodded at Vahn's words and followed him.

As the Codicier asked his question, Kayran thought. There was plenty they'd need to know. The layout, entry and exit points, potential threats, etc.

"Everything, Brother Codicier. We need to know everything we can about this hulk if we are to strike into it," he replied.

Jyssika

2015-10-14, 10:45 AM

Victor nods firmly.
I concur, and I would appreciate being appraised of this new approach that was mentioned earlier Watch Captain.

Victor's tone was blunt, perhaps bordering slightly on rude, however, he did not appreciate being kept in the dark about their deployment strength.

Toxic Mind

2015-10-14, 11:59 AM

The Tower - Port Wander
Anastasia
"You must travel to the Reach to find your family's ship. In doing so, you will become privy to one of the greatest secrets of the Imperium, a secret that I cannot mention here, in 'mixed' company." The Inquisitor's eyes glance to the two Xenos. "I believe you value your companions, and to reveal that information thusly would mean their execution. Rest assured, we have means of allowing all haste to be made." The man steeples his hands and leans forward. "As for the why - the Spirit is imprisoned within a Space Hulk - Designation Herald of Oblivion. That Hulk is returning to real-space within the Jericho Reach inside this year. You, and the Lady-Captain Casmirre, will be waiting for it. You will escort a team of the Adeptus Astartes aboard the Hulk. I suspect that once abaord you may find that helping them achieve their objectives will be mutually beneficial, for until they complete their mission, you will not be able to use any heavy ordinance on the Hulk. Once they have completed their task, you may be able to free one or more ships from the Hulk, or merely salvage from within. The choice is yours." The Inquisitor's tone is remarkably matter of fact for dropping such a macroshell of information, and the lack of surprise on Casmirre's face indicates that, at the very least, she has heard this part before. Perhaps the rumors were true if she was crazy enough to agree to such a mission, or perhaps the woman had another stake in the venture, one still unnamed.

The Lady Casmirre takes the stunned silence as opportunity to wave her hand dismissively. "Ach. Ya doon't needta worry bout yer cog-boy. Alceed may be hasty, much like yer own, but he'd not harm the lad - least not without mah orders ta do so. And I have no desire to see our partnership off to such a start." She smiles broadly, then clicks her tongue. "Alceed, you will escort the Lady Undynne's Engiseer to the Enclave as though he were myself. Any harm that falls upon him will be upon you." A subdermal vox implant - clearly the message was a performance, as the Lady Casmirre had no need to speak out loud to get a message to her tech-priest. She looks at Anastacia and smiles again, all teeth now. "12 generations? Yer standards are gettin' lax girl, if yer allowing them to continue breedin'."

Manix
"This mission, as you call it, is merely one in a long line along the strands of fate. Who can say if this is indeed to doom from which she is meant to save my people, or simply another calamity to be avoided? Not even the Farseers, with all their vision, know the whole of the future. I know, however, the answer to your question. I will never leave her service. In preventing the doom of my people, my own life will be consumed. There is no avoiding that fact, for it is written clearly upon fate's tapestry." There is no sadness, no fear or doubt, in the Eldar woman's voice. It is a surety of purpose and will that even Manix must acknowledge. Her mouth twists slightly. "It seems our time together is at an end. We should return. Perhaps we shall speak again, Shas'Vre Manix. Perhaps not. May the fates be kind to you and yours." With those words, the visions shatter and fade, and Manix is returned to the Tower.

Otho
You are already into the lift tubes, spear in hand. As it zooms down, you contemplate how to catch the other tech-priest. There may be a senior AdMech official at the docks, but that is no guarantee, and Alceed already has a significant lead on foot...

Unless he doesn't.

As the lift doors open, you see the other Engiseer standing there, waiting for you. ++Questioning: Shall we depart for the Enclave?++

The Briefing Room - Watch Station Iobel

"I shall do my best to relay what information the Tome has provided."

Over the next hour, the Codicier paints a grim picture. 564 Standard Terran Years ago, the Omega Vault opened. It brough forth from its depths two items. The first was a sounding map of a Space Hulk, designated as Herald of Oblivion. This map detailed a path through a variety of ship hulks to the center of the Herald itself, an area marked only with a black emptiness and the most dire warnings of danger. That map, the Codicier plays upon the same device that showed you the Herald of Oblivion before, superimposing the two. The path itself seems remarkably straightforward, traveling from the surface of the hulk, through a dead Eldar cruiser, then through what appeared to be an Imperial Battleship of incredible age, and lastly through a small collection of frigate size ships so rent together as to be unidentifiable. The map itself, the Codicier explained, was of no more use, as the Kill-Team sent had placed homing beacons at the entrance, and been in the process of securing forward staging areas well into the Eldar cruiser when contact had been lost. "While the Space Hulk itself may have warped and shifted, the beacon should be simple to find. From there, the path should be clear, though you may which to avail yourself of some tools for cutting through armor so that your route can be expedited." The Codicier says softly.

The second item was carried by the Kill-Team originally sent, the Librarian explains, and is referred to only as "The Ender's Key", a self contained device that, if activated within the heart of the Herald of Oblivion, would end the apocalyptic threat is possessed, though not the more mundane problems that a space hulk of its size might pose. "This device is, as far as we know, still with the Kill-Team inside the hulk. If you are to be successful, you must retrieve the Key before venturing to the heart of the Herald." The Librarian once again remarks. "It is made clear within the tome that only with the Key can the threat truly be ended. And it is equally clear that whatever fate befell the kill-team who preceded you, they have not succeeded in their mission." The question remains unasked, but the Codicier does not keep you long in suspense. "Those who came before you: a five man kill-team. Their squad leader is Jerza Gordian, Apothecary of the Marines Errant, and Deathwatch Keeper. Devestator: Long Fang Torval Bloodsmith; Assault Marine: Karas Felsword of the Blood Drinkers; Librarian: Casius Aurelius of the Ultramarines; Tech-Marine: Reanor, Black Shield. The ascertaining of their fate, and recovery of their wargear and gene-seed may be among the most sacred and vital of your secondary objectives. If any live, extracting them would bring great honor and glory to both yourself, and your chapter." The Codicier finishes, and there is a hint of sadness in his voice, likely at the loss of the Kill-team, and their chances at recovery.

As the Librarian finishes his briefing, the Watch Captain finally speaks. His voice is heavy with sorrow. "You will be embedded with an alliance of two Rogue Traders. They will see you to the Hulk, and accompany you on your mission. They will have objectives of their own, but yours supersede theirs. A new strategy, as this mission is not about cleansing the Hulk, but merely preventing the annihilation of Vespasia. What they could not accomplish with force, perhaps you can accomplish with stealth. Is there aught that Brother-Codicier Estos might illuminate?"

Aneurin

2015-10-14, 04:07 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

As the Inquisitor talks, Ana lets her face shut down freezing out all reaction until she has had time to consider this very carefully. It certainly is an intriguing, nay, tempting proposition - and sounds as though it is an absolutely excellent deal, and hugely in her favour. Which means this whole affair is either going to be far more dangerous than the good Inquisitor has thus let on, or she should start expecting a knife in the back the second she ceases to be useful.

Oh, well. What's life without risk? And this will certainly be a more interesting proposition than cleansing the orks, and salvaging this hulk seems a much simpler proposition than fighting through the 'Undred 'Undred Teef to get at the greenskins' one. Hopefully it won't take too long. But Astartes...?

"...I really must purchase some larger furniture before we depart," she murmurs into her wine after a few moments. "I suspect what we have is less than suitable for the Astartes, and much will need to be reinforced,"

She trails off and stares thoughtuflly into the middle distance for a moment, before returning her selfself with a slight shake of her head.

"Oh, the generation curse? I believe it was some creation of my great-great-great-great-great grand uncle... or possibly it was an aunt or a cousin. I forget. Times were rather turbulent back then. Anyway, he had some rather special servitors created that would, when provided with a gene sample, ruthlessly and mercilessly hunt their target and anyone who shared their blood down to about twelve generations. Drop one on large station like Port Wander and, sooner or later, the target will stop by and meet a messy end. They were rather impressive, I am given to understand. I think there may still be one or two in storage, somewhere," she adds, a trifle vaguely since she's not entirely certain where they might be and, in any case, would rather keep the other two guessing for the time being. Though Ana does make a mental note to actually find out where they are, should they still exist. With any luck they won't be back in one of the Scarus Sector holdings, or somewhere even less readily accessible.

"Now, I am quite willing to go along on this little jaunt of yours. Space Hulks are seldom good for business, though they can be rather useful when properly exploited. While we shall no doubt have to discuss the terms of salvage at length somewhere down the line, I would suggest that, until we can see the Hulk with our own eyes that we agree that salvage rights for all House Undynne and House Casmirre ships fall to the respective dynasties; anything else... we shall negotiate," Ana goes on in a business-like tone. "Now, are there any charts or accounts of this Hulk and its structure? We shall need to plan this operation carefully, and, while I have no doubts at all that the Astartes shall be presenting us with a masterful plan, I am qually sure it will be a plan that serves their own mission and will not be of use to us in the aftermath as we attempt to disable every active Warp-drive we can find so that the Hulk is both permanently neutralised and safe for salvage work," she rolls her eyes. "Safe, no doubt, being a relative term. Assuming, of course, that the Astartes don't plan to simply destroy the Hulk outright?" she raises a quizzical eyebrow at the Inquisitor.

Winthrow

2015-10-14, 05:48 PM

The second servoskull lingers at the table long enough to respond to Anastasias instructions with a small bob before darting off after its master.

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

A number of less than charitable responses flashes through his mind yet Otho chooses to respond with a diplomacy. After all, the upcoming endeavour is supposed to be a joint effort. +++Of course Brother, lead the way.+++

Falling into stride beside Alceed the two proceed down the corridor. Half a ton of augmented steel and adamantium with occasional pieces of flesh and blood in between. Choosing to speak in Low gothic rather than the more efficient Techna-lingua Otho resumes their conversation. I had worried I would not be able to catch up with you Brother, you left in such a hurry. In any case, you inquired about the state of the Twilight Dancer and I responded. Allow me to return the question to you, is the Imperator Malleus in need of anything for our upcoming journey? Negotiating for supplies with our brethren here on station while we are bringing good news might prove fruitful.

Toxic Mind

2015-10-14, 10:42 PM

The Tower - Port Wander
Anastasia
"That goal may not be feasible. However, I do not expect you and the Lady Casmirre to embark on such a dangerous quest simply out of love for the Imperium alone, and so I have had some of my own adepts draw up a fairly tenable plan." The Inquisitor draws a tube from beneath his robes and, opening it, spreads the contents across the table. On the parchment is a map that appears to detail the space hulk as drawn by an outside observer. The parchment itself is yellowed with age, and in the lower corner a drawing of... good Emperor, is that a cruiser for scale? That would make the Hulk at least the size of Terra's moon. "Understand that this map was drawn over five centuries ago, and is still the most recent we possess. However..." the Inqusitor points to two spots on the side of the hulk. "Here and here, within the structure of the hulk, lie massive rents in the hulls. If charges of sufficient yield could be placed at key points, a large section of the hulk, containing not only the Spirit, but a variety of other ships, including the Spear..." this last was directed to the Lady Casmirre "could be broken free. Isolation would allow you to prevent its return to the warp. The adepts theorize that at least two hulls within might be returned to working order with time, not mentioning salvage and artefacts that may be contained within the others."

At the mention of the plans of the Astartes, the Inquisitor looks up sharply. "I am given to understand that their mission is one of recovery and purgation. Something about lost teams and tainted hulls, and their Captain has told me that combat operations are to be kept at a minimum, the better to complete their mission and keep your crew members out of danger." The Lady Casmirre nods. "Ah have seen the plans - they are riskeh, but sound enough fer our purposes. Mah ship departs on the morrow, with or without ye, tho' I would prefer to have the extra firepower. Hulks be cruel mistresses, even to the most seasoned among us."

Otho
"We have been preparing for this journey for weeks. Our bays are stocked and ready, our weapons prepared. The Malleus awaits only a destination, which the Inquisitor promises after the meeting. We will leave on the morrow, I suspect. As for bargaining with our brothers, there is little they can offer that we do not already possess. Use this information to see to your own ship - I will take what I can in favors. Sometimes, they are the more powerful currency."

Jyssika

2015-10-14, 11:02 PM

Victor sighs, although not broadcast through his helmet his concern is evident in his voice, even through such crude vox circuitory.

I would much rather have even a first tour kill team at our backs...
A look from the Watch Captain ends him mid sentence, clearly this direction of complaint would be fruitless.
I assume the Deathwatch will be Leading this opperation?

Aneurin

2015-10-15, 09:42 AM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

"I dislike the idea of allowing something that large to escape us," she says with a frown as she pores over the diagram and tries not to reflect on the fact that the Astartes can be somewhat indiscriminate when it comes to non-Marine allies and foes. The idea that they have some business of their own which prevents them from blowing strategic chunks of the Hulk to oblivion before entering it is also somewhat irritating. "While the plan sounds eminently sensible, I do plan to do my best to ensure its return to the Warp - should we be unable to prevent it - is in, at least, a greatly reduced condition. Though the detail of such plans will have to wait for more detailed and up to date reconnaissance of the Hulk and what reistance may await us. As for a departure tomorrow..." Anastasia fixes Casmirre with a look of casual superiority. "...Do try not to sleep in too long, hmm? Now if you will excuse me, this little chat has raised a few matters that should be dealt with sooner rather than later,"

With a brief nod to the rest of the table, Ana rises and stalks out into the relative privacy and quiet of the hallway, before calling up Otho's frequency on her microbead.

++We are preparing to depart tomorrow to exploit a Space Hulk. Since you are about to purchase goodwill from the Priests of Mars by the bucketful, I would appreciate it if you would speak to Magos... ah, Van Burgen, I believe his name was, and request two dozen of Allovich's Stalkers, or parts to make them if there are none to be had. If you should happen to see Magos Murgen, inform her I will be stopping by for some power armour adjustments in the morning - if she makes too much fuss about the short notice, tell her 'Faydra is not forgotten'. She will know what it means. Oh, and hire any salvage and wrecker teams that may be around. We shall also need the largest explosive you can procure.

I leave other preparations and concessions to the Mechanicus in your capable mechanderites, but if you could find the time to make a copy of the coordinates on the slate for me I would be most appreciative.++

With the communication to the Magos done, Ana spends a few minutes thumbing through various other crew frequencies to dispense orders and instructions to various underlings, sending them out to various mercenary dives, scrap yards, vehicle lots, that funny little shop that does ogryn sized furniture and cutlery and half a hundred other places to scrounge what is needed for the ship's abrupt departure. There are also roving gangs out hunting down the crew to make sure they are at their posts and relatively sober in the morning. Finally, she requests a squad of armsmen with crowbars and las cutters to meet her outside the Tower in case she encounters of shopowner who erroneously believes they have closed for the night-cycle and needs to be convinced otherwise.

With the officers put to work, Anastasia returns to the table with a warm smile.

"And that, I believe, is that. It is also, I think, time for the second course? she asks casually, raising her wine glass a fraction as she looks past the Inquisitor and Rogue Trader to the kitchens. "Before it slips my mind entirely; would you be greatly upset if I were to have my scribes copy your chart? I would appreciate the opportunity to study it at greater length on our journey,"

Ana is asked Otho to try and purchase some Murder Servitors (-10 total acquisition modifier, since it's a ship component and thus doesn't benefit from scale) - if they don't have any whole ones, we can assemble them from parts on the ship. The thing about Murgen is just some roleplaying ground-work for an acquisition I'll be making presently.

Salvage teams are also mostly just a fluff thing since we're, y'know, going salvaging.

Volthawk

2015-10-15, 09:53 AM

Vanthus had mostly been lurking and listening for this time, making plans for what he might need to rustle up in the very short time period. First off, he has a few thoughts. "A question, if I may. What would we be required to provide the Astartes with? I assume they have their own standard materiel for the job, but are there any other supplies we would need to make available to them. If so, I'd like to know so I can arrange the required purchases. Also, if I may pry, Lady Casmirre, what special supplies and adaptations have you arranged? Purely for the purposes of covering everything that may be needed and preventing excessive redundancy past that which would be wise, naturally."

Toxic Mind

2015-10-15, 02:27 PM

The Briefing Room - Watch Station Iobel

The Codicier steps back at a nod, and allows the Watch Captain to take the stage. "I chose you for this mission because I believe you to be the most capable. Your past experiences and missions place you ideally for working among non-Astartes and still accomplishing your mission. If you believe me in error, Brother Victor, you need only speak, and I shall find another." Despite his harsh words, there is no anger in his voice, only condemnation. And They Shall Know No Fear - words that every Space Marine lived by. It went without saying that shirking one's duty was the height of dishonor and cowardice.

"You have not worked with a Rogue Trader of any standing before. I have, and in fact one of the two you will fight alongside - Lady-Captain Undynne Casmirre, served alongside me in a campaign against a force of Chaos Space Marines who were attempting to turn the already hellish world of Grace into a daemon world. She is an honorable woman. Yet understand this - she, and the other with her, are no more beholden to your commands than they are given to wish, and neither are you bound to obey them farther than you see fit. The arts of rhetoric and niceties will serve you well. Should you win their loyalty and assistance, your mission may go far the better." The Watch Captain shakes his head. "If you demand their service, you will find yourself bereft upon the hull of the hulk with no aid but yourselves."

The Watch Captain walks softly to the corner of the room, where an alcove sits. The contents are hidden from your eyes, and he reaches within to draw out an item which he brings over. "As to your mission. Your Primary objective is to recover the Ender's Key, bring it to the heart of the Herald of Oblivion, and activate the device, preventing the destruction of Vespasia's Star. Should you be able to discover the fate of the previous Kill-Team, it would be a great boon to the Deathwatch and a great credit to yourselves. Furthermore, there is no doubt that the hulk itself will be filled with Xenos filth. Any that you might slay would bring yourselves honor, and likely buy the goodwill of your allies."

The Watch Captain places the item from the alcove in front of you. "This is a breaching augur, an ancient tool. May it serve you well within the hulk to make clear your path. Be warned, however. Its machine spirit is most adverse to combat. Should you use it as a weapon, it will fire but once, and then be silent."
The Breaching Augur does not count against your requisition.
Speaking of which, your Requisition will be 95 for the entirety of the mission, so that you can start picking out what you might want. Be warned, ammunition and repair cement and the like will be closely monitored within the Hulk. :smallwink:

The Tower - Port Wander
Vanthus
The Inquisitor looks to you. "The Astartes will provide their own materials. What assistance beyond transportation you render them is your own."

At the question directed at her, the Lady Casmirre turns to you. "Quiet one, aren't ye? 'S no matter, there'd be new sense in starting out our partnership poorly, and ye'll find oot soon enough. We've spent the last week acquiring the schematics for armor penetrating bombardment shells. Once the melta-explosives cut through the wrecks, they should sheer off the section with ease. They can also be used to deliver explosives deep into the hulk should it become necessary, though our Manufactorum can only produce so many in the time we are given."

Anastasia
Undynne Casmirre meats the gaze easily and shrugs, "It has been such a problem waking up, with such a comfortable berth for mah ship. I shall be sure to set an alarm." She smirks. "No sense in wasting food when someone else is footing the bill, eh?"

The Inquisitor presents the chart so that you can pict-capture it. It is abundantly clear, however, that the scroll will not be leaving his possession any time soon.

Aneurin

2015-10-15, 03:23 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

"Well, it would be rude to leave part way through a meal, now, wouldn't it? The deadline isn't so pressing that I'd breach etiquette," she says with a thin smile, then raises her eyebrows in mock-realisation. "But if it's a matter of the cost, why, of course I would be delighted to pick up the bill on your behalf. It would be quite unseemly of me not to do so,"

So, uh, I don't think any of us have a pict-capture on us - unless we can just assume that there is a hitherto unmentioned one lurking in someone's pocket?

Toxic Mind

2015-10-15, 03:57 PM

The Tower - Port Wander

"As if they would be so vulgar as to give us a bill now. Nay, lass, its all paid for ahead of time." And true to form, the Lady-Casmirre digs into the second course with gusto. Business and pleasure, rolled into one.
I have just now realized that your servo skulls have flown away. Wouldn't ya know it, the iDataslate 6.2 has a pict-capture feature now. Good thing you picked up that upgrade from QMobile the last time you were in Footfall. I mean, really, is anyone important still useing the iDataslate 5?

Jyssika

2015-10-15, 05:28 PM

Victor nods.
Sanguinious teaches that every sacrifice no matter how small can stear the course of history.

don't You mean EMobile;
The Emperor Connects.
*Makes the sign of the Phone-quilla*

Aneurin

2015-10-16, 06:27 AM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

Ana shrugs lightly, conceeding the point as she picks through the excessive amount of cutlery for the meal with the ease born of far, far too many formal dinners.

"So, Inquisitor, a question if you will; why us?" she indicates herself and Casmirre, as she selects the desired implements from the shining legions arrayed around the place settings. "While we certainly have an interest in this Hulk and enough firepower at our command to make the average planetary governor wet themselves in terror, the thought occurs that a detachment of the Imperial Navy would be of more immediate use to you - and surely the Astartes possess their own support vessels. And of course, typically Rogue Traders are quite notoriously self-interested - I am absolutely certain that some of the lower-born Traders of the Expanse would quite happily betray the mission in the name of profit or survival. Which, all in all, leads me to suspect there is a reason you have chosen us,"

Toxic Mind

2015-10-16, 10:38 AM

The Tower - Port Wander
Anastasia
"You have the most to gain, and were the easiest thusly to convince. No more reason is needed. To assemble a fleet would take too much time - you must mobilize quickly to reach your destination before the Herald of Oblivion disrupts warp travel in the area." The Inquisitor now stands, and nods his respect to both Captains. "I will leave you to your preparations. If you have need of me, I shall be aboard my ship on the Imperator Malleus."

Watch Station Iobel
"Truly said, Brother Victor. Make you to the armory - You depart in the morn for the Well of Night, where you will meet your contact."

Winthrow

2015-10-17, 01:22 PM

Proceeding at a pace selected for both efficiency and convenience the metallic pair make quick work of the passages and corridors of the station. While unimproved humans might feel the need to fill such a walk with smalltalk there was no need for those trained in the teachings of Mars. As is his habit Otho has one of his skulls range ahead to look for potential trouble, while the others lingers nearby, keeping a watchful eye on Alceed.

When the Captains instructions reach him he does not betray any emotions outwards, simple making note of the instructions and responding with a simple acknowledgement. Soon after, as they enter a lifttube for the long decent towards the underbelly of the station Otho brings out the two dataslates, one from the Inquisitor, the other his personal one, and quickly makes a copy of the relevant files before securing both back underneath his robes.

Coming up on the shielded enclave their pace slows for the first time and Otho takes the lead in approaching a servitor clearly stationed to direct visitors. He adresses it with a brief databurst. +++Designates Od3N and A1C-33D Engineseers Primaris for Rogue Trader Entities Casmirre and Undynne. Carrying information of great significance and value for transaction. The matter is highly urgent and we require a contact of sufficient seniority for conference.+++

Adamusa

2015-10-17, 03:04 PM

Kayran had been silent through most of the briefing, merely digesting and remembering the information. It would be a hard mission, there was no doubt of that. They had no idea where the last Kill-Team had gotten to, thus finding them would be a problem. They would need to pack some heavy armaments for this. It was equally problematic that they had no Apothecary; retrieving the other team's gene-seed would be difficult. Perhaps the Apothecaries will allow us some stasis tubes to store the gene-seed in, he thought.

He bowed to the Watch-Captain as they were dismissed. "If they still live, we will find them, Captain," the Raven Guard said.

Burden King

2015-10-22, 03:23 PM

Manix

The Tau pilot stood straight behind his mistress, both body and mind within the same plane of consciousness as he merely examined those within the room. His mind was sort of compiling the experience he had had with the Eldar, as such an experience was entirely foreign one to the Xenos. He saw as the Lord Inquisitor stood up and prepared to take his leave. Out of respect, he bowed to the lord Inquisitor as he did, not wanting to be disrespectful.

Toxic Mind

2015-10-23, 07:07 PM

The Mechanicus Enclave

++Accepted. Proceed to Magos Aran's workshop.++ came the chatter of binary from the servitor. The grav-lifts unlock and allow you to enter, speeding you quickly to the workshop, which lies deep in the heart of the enclave. As you emerge, the Magos looks up from his work, which appears to be a purgation-pattern lasgun with some arcane modifications. "Greetings, Brother Alceed, Brother Oden. Your reputations have bought you this meeting, but my time is precious. Speak plainly." The Magos' voice is strangely human, as though his augmentics are designed for that purpose.

The Tower

As the dinner winds down, the Inquisitor is the first to leave, citing other business to attend to on the station, and that he would "be in contact". The man leaves with a rather dramatic whirl of his cape, stopping only to retrieve his weaponry, which is extensive. The man could give a guard battalion a serious run for their gelt with his standard loadout.

Finally, after a requisitely polite amount of time, the Lady Casmirre rises, and motions to her command staff to depart. A few final barbs about the comfort of her crew in their new dock are exchanged before the woman departs, unphased and unrattled. She was, at the very least, a prodigious figure, someone to be respected and feared in equal measure, not the least by those on her bad side.

Each of the Lady Casmirre's companions give their farewells to their dining partners, though the Eldar's farewell is little more than a catching of Manix's eye. As the Tower quiets, you depart, and the journey back to the ship is almost serene, though whether the lack of people is a consequence of the Arbites, Casmirre, or the Inquisitor is impossible to tell.

As always, there is a constant bustle of people around the ship itself, though the guards easily push the rabble aside to make your path unobstructed. One of Vanthus' contacts mentions that the items that could be procured are awaiting each of you in your quarters, and apologizes for his failures, as many others could not be acquired. It seemed that the Imperial Navy had recently cracked down on much of the weapons trade.
If you have any specific NPCs that you'd like to name or interact with, this is your chance to sort of flesh out the ship outside of what I've given you. Otherwise you are free to go a-hunting in the night for supplies before the departure tomorrow. (which will be our next advancement)

Watch Station Iobel

The Watch Captain nods at Kayran's statement. "I chose you for that purpose - your unwavering faith and determination." He directs you to the armory, where the Tech-Marine in charge of the armory has your gear waiting for you, prepared and loaded for you mission. Gathering up your gear, you leave quickly, headed for the docks. Waiting for you is an Astartes Raider - the Watcher of Death. A small ship, relatively speaking, the Watcher was clearly built for speed and stealth rather than combat.

The Captain greets you, an aged veteran of the Marines Errant. Despite the nature of his mission, he seems willing, and perhaps even happy, to ferry you to your destination. "Brother Victor, Brother Kayran" he says, "I have been told that you plan on recovering the gene-seed of Brother-Apothecary Gordian. Our Chapter, and I, will be in your debt should you succeed. You rooms have been prepared, brothers, we leave when you are ready."

Jyssika

2015-10-25, 05:38 PM

Victor hefts the vast Storm bolter in a single hand,
the weapon designed for Terminators to carry
looks almost comical as it hanges by his side,
its thick belted ammunition feed attaching to an
ammunition backpack usually only seen carried by
devestators.

Attacked to various hooks and webbing are a collection
of over a dozen mines and a small arsenal of grenades.
Amonst the Astartes the Librarians are usually known
for their lack of tactical weapons, Victor himself had claimed
to be a swordsman first and foremost so his vast collection
of explosives and ordnance spoke greatly of his temprement.

He bowed his head upon meeting the Marine Errant.
It is a pleasure,

He gestures to Kayran, equally adorned with two Bolters
and a collection of tools.
I would appreciate a visit to my
quarters so I may lighten my load.

The Angels Sanguine do not have a particularly
large fleet and I am always eager to explore
such venerable craft, given the oppertunity.

I am sure we would both be honoured to
recieve a tour.

Aneurin

2015-10-26, 10:51 AM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

The brief return to the Dancer following the meal was exceedingly short, lasting just long enough for Ana to pick up extra reserves of armsmen before the late-night-shopping spree went into full effect.

Port Wander, Earlier That Night-Cycle

It was night time when they came for Morality Ferner, merchant and purveyor of fine cloth. They didn't bother with finesse or subtlety and instead just kicked in the door, and had the unfortunate merchant trussed up and stuffed in a sack almost before the splinters had settled and dragged him out into the night. They did, however, stop after ten minutes or so to gag Ferner.

After an interminable amount of time and blubbering, wailing terror, Ferner was shoved into a chair somewhere, had his hands tied roughly behind him, and had the sack yanked off. He was sat in front of a desk, but that was about all he could make out due to a ring of bright lights surrounding him. Behind the lamps, he could hear people moving around. And there, alone in the light, Morality Ferner knew. He knew what had come for him, and he started to sob piteously.

"I-I'm sorry," he snivelled. "It was a moment of weakness! Forgive me! I-I didn't mean it! I-"

"Shut up!" a shadowy figure leant forward, slamming their hands against the desk. A fist was thrust into the light, clutching something. "What is this?" the voice demanded.

"The seed of my undoing! I knew it was wrong, I just-" Ferner wailed, before the figure backhanded him roughly across the face.

"What is this? What cloth? What colour?"

Ferner hesitated a moment, dumbfounded the unexpected question, and was rewarded with another cuff around the face.

"G-gallurian cotton, in Dark Angels green!" he mumbled dazedly.

"How much?" the next question came whip-fast from the gloom.

"Th-three hundred for the entire stock from Parney's wholsalers," Ferner began to burble again, desperate to throw someone - anyone - else to the wolves if it would buy him a reprieve from these shadowy questioners. "I-I knew he had Kroot employed as guards, but I swear I didn't know they were making the cloth-"

Once again, a blow from the darkness shut him up.

"I don't care what you paid, fool. How much do you charge per yard?" the voice roared, sending Ferner rocking back in his chair.

"F-fifteen thrones per yard, but take it! Take it all! Just don't hurt me!"

"This should cover things nicely, then," the voice said, somehome contriving to make the innocuous statement a threat, as a cloth bag landed on the desk with a clinking sound that suggested it was full of a great deal of money. Another one joined it. "And that is for your trouble, and for the damage to your property,"

In the darkness there was a sound to suggest a number of people were leaving, possibly dragging a number of heavy rolls of cloth with them. When the sounds had receded into the distance, Ferner, who was still bound to the chair in a ring of lamps, plucked up the courage to call out.

"H-hello?"

He was quite relieved when no-one replied.

***

The three security men were having a bad night. It had started with the call-out to a warehouse to check on an alarm just as the recaff was ready. It had gotten worse when they had arrived on the scene and found that there were already a group of liveried soldiers on guard next to . This had given them some pause for thought; after all, they were being paid to provide security services to a number of wealthy merchants, not fight a group of well-armed, well-trained professionals.

Their relief at finding the soldiers to be fairly amicable, had been short lived, since they had refused to explain who had broken into the warehouse or why they were there, now, guarding it. All they'd been willing to provide was a general set of directions to someone who would explain.

In point of fact, the directions actually led to another stricken warhouse and another - surlier - group of guards, who once again directed them elsewhere. It wasn't until their fourth redirection that the security team finally found what they were looking for.

This warehouse had a much larger group of people outside of it, two of whom were using a crowbar and lascutter to force entry while another dozen or so in the same uniform as all the other soldiers were lurking in doorways or generally being menacing. The odd one out this time, was a woman in a long cloak and expensive armour who was watching the break in somewhat impatiently from the middle of the street.

And, as the security team advanced down the road, they became aware of a number of extra guards falling in behind them, and experienced the thoroughly unpleasant frission of fear that comes from being entirely surrounded. They came to a nervous halt a dozen meters away from the woman, who completely ignored them.

After a few moments of silence punctuated only by the hiss of the lascutter and the occasional clunk of the crowbar, the leader of the security team carefully cleared his throat. And, when nothing happened as a result, did so again. He was on his fourth cough, before the woman's head finally snapped around, glared past them at the guards, and commanded, imperiously;

"Give the man a coin and direct him to the apothecary to have something down about his cough,"

"Actually, ma'am, I think he's some sort of enforcer," one of the guards replied, rather carefully. "They seem to have uniforms and civilian arms. I believe they're here to see you,"

The woman regarded the security team speculatively for a few moments, then shrugged as a metallic clatter and a scraping noise indicated that the warehouse door had finally succumbed to the lascutter.

"I suppose they plan to accuse me of stealing, too, hmm?" she glowered at the security team until the cougher, and unfortunate leader of the band, found his voice again.

"...Aren't you?"

"Don't be ridiculous," the woman snapped. "I am a long standing customer, and merely wish to retrieve goods I have ordered. Since I am in a rush, I decided it was more expedient to deal directly without troubling the owners in the middle of the night-cycle. I am leaving payment for both goods and damage, as well as a completed invoice. When we leave, my guards will secure the premises until the owners arrive with rather more efficieny than the local security teams, if your conduct is indicative of the general quality," she glares at the security team again for a moment, before shrugging and continuing in a tone that is more irritated than imperious. "Not, of course, that these warehouses are properly stocked. Nor do they contain all the goods I had ordered. It really is most annoying,"

In the background there's the thumps, bumps and general business of a dozen people ransacking a warehouse as the woman writes out a credit slip with occasional glances at lengthy list on the desk next to her.

The security team's leader found another question in amidst the growing sense of bafflement in his mind.

"Who are you?"

The woman looks up, briefly, as if just now remembering their presence.

"I am Lord-Captain Anastasia Faydra Undynne, Rogue Trader of House Undynne and mistress of the Twilight Dancer," she looks down at the page, and then back up. "And I may have some work for you, now that I think of it,"

Twilight Dancer, This Morning

"I can honestly say this came as a surprise," Ana muses aloud, as she supervises the work at hand. They're in the trophy room, in front of one of the older and infrequently viewed exhibits. The stasis pod - an extremely feeble example of the technology, fit only to prevent the ravages of time - is currently disabled and empty, a sad little box in the rows of dusty artefacts and rare tomes from across both the galaxy and history. The plaque below the exhibit reads 'Replica of Valentyna Tarovna Undynne's Battle Armour', while the exhibit itself is busily being loaded into a padded crate by the curators, under the stony gaze of a very large number of armsmen and -women. There are also three rather miserable looking on-station security workers on guard.

"Interestingly enough, the suit is not actually a replica. Nor is it, as both I and any number of my ancestors have assumed, non-functional," Anastasia continues aloud, apropos of nothing. "Well, it is rather non-functional but is repairable. We had assumed it never worked at all, until I unearthed Druskin's journal... But I think I have wandered off topic," she adds, with a sad shake of her head. "No, the suit is not a replica. Rather it belonged to her... brother, or maybe her son. The records are a little indistinct. It was made by the same master craftsman, and are functionally identical - the only true between them was the motif; Valentyna Tarovna favoured the bear, while this suit has the familiar raven that our House uses today. I believe the suit was ensconced here and labelled such to deter theft, and was put out of use since it needed extensive refits for each and every new user, since even small misfits could result in it breaking the wearer's bones. Then... we simply forgot. It was pure chance my father rather liked the look of the thing, and had it brought with him when he relocated the family to the Koronus Expanse. I hadn't planned to wear it myself since I've never been fond of powered armour, but, really, this Space Hulk jaunt leads me to believe the extra protection may well be worth the inconvenience which is why I'm having it resized and some lingering damage repaired,"

Anastasia pauses for a moment in her monologue to watch the labourers carefully, carefully lower the suit into the waiting crate.

"Quite what happened to Valentyna's suit, I really couldn't say. There may be some clue hidden in the archives, but it would be the work of a lifetime or more to read them all. I suppose it was lost on one shipwreck or another somewhere in our past. A pity, really. I plan to have the Tech-Priests examine everything in here when we have some more leisure time, just in case there are other items of note hidden away as replicas, but I think it rather unlikely," she shrugs slightly, the raises a hand to halt the work as she stalks over and throws back the protective padding to look on the suit.

It's magnificent, it really is. The black lacquer, the ruff of metallic feathers around the neck and the cunningly wrought gauntlets that resemble the talons of a raven. The beaked helmet, the eyes of which will blaze molten silver when the power packs are restored and the delicate tracery of the lumen patterns that will pick out the Undynne raven in all its detail in flowing, pulsing silver. Impressive as it should be, although likely a trifle lacking in stealth - but such is the curse of power armour, really.

Ana flicks the padding back over the top, and waves to the guards. Time to deliver it to Magos Murgen, and have it resized. Hopefully correctly; the Magos is supposed to be a master of the arts of power armour artifice, and if anyone can restore the suit to full functionality it will undoubtedly be her.

Quite like this, but with a full helmet rather than a mask.
http://static-2.nexusmods.com/15/mods/110/images/36497-2-1369745244.jpg

Twilight Dancer Right Now

"...Really, it is most irritating. I placed the orders for new uniforms and weapons weeks ago, and was assured they would be ready next time I was in port and they are not," Anastasia glowers into her drink as she lounges in her customary position on the command throne overseeing the final preparations for departure. "And then those fat merchants have the nerve to complain about my breaking into their properties - the very nerve! After I left such generous payments for the damages, too. They can discount my future patronage of their establishments if that is to be their attitude. It is quite frankly ridiculous that their shops be closed at all; it is not as though there is a sun to measure the hours by, no need to close due to lack of customers given that no two ships keep the same clock time in my experience. It is quite simply ridiculous; and I was kind enough not to wake the owners as I went about my business at that,"

Winthrow

2015-10-27, 12:00 PM

*Completely ooc flag planted in the thread*

Burden King

2015-10-27, 09:27 PM

Twilight Dancer Right Now
"...Really, it is most irritating. I placed the orders for new uniforms and weapons weeks ago, and was assured they would be ready next time I was in port and they are not," Anastasia glowers into her drink as she lounges in her customary position on the command throne overseeing the final preparations for departure. "And then those fat merchants have the nerve to complain about my breaking into their properties - the very nerve! After I left such generous payments for the damages, too. They can discount my future patronage of their establishments if that is to be their attitude. It is quite frankly ridiculous that their shops be closed at all; it is not as though there is a sun to measure the hours by, no need to close due to lack of customers given that no two ships keep the same clock time in my experience. It is quite simply ridiculous; and I was kind enough not to wake the owners as I went about my business at that,"

Manix listened to his mistress as she went on about her frustrations with the local earth cas-merchants, nodding silently as she went on "Indeed Mistress. The Gue'Por...Apologies, the merchants are lucky to have witnessed as much kindness as you had deigned to hand them this night." He said, offering to refill Anastasia drink with subtle leaning forward with the pouring container that held the rest of the drink and presenting it to her by slightly moving it forward.

"Maybe having them close permanently may help them with their sleep cycles, if they care so much for them over the patronage of your glorious house Mistress." He said, more as a weightless suggestion in passing, though he also spoke of it to show he to shared irritation for the audacity of the merchants. "Of course, who am I to say. I apologize if I speak out of turn Mistress." Manix finished, still waiting for a signal to take the jug of drink away from the captain in case she did not desire more, or to poor into her cup if she did.

He briefly thought back to the Enclaves he had once called home, remembering the inane shouting and arguing as Water cast, earth caste, and Air caste argued with one another over prices and fair trades and respect. He took solace in the fact that while humans did that, they at least were better at it.

Aneurin

2015-10-28, 05:01 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

After a brief mental tussle with the idea, Ana's conscience - aided by her pragmatism - wins the day, and she shakes her head.

"I rather think that the authorities in the Port would take issue with that, and we would be blacklisted by every reputable merchant in the Sector, and likely most of the disreputable ones, too. Besides, it is quite inefficient to destroy a potential asset before you are absolutely certain you no longer have a use for it," she adds, as she twitches the her glass away from the proferred refill, though without much sign of irritation or poor humour. Having been on the wrong end of intrafamily politicing over the line of succession has left quite a mark when it comes to trusting other people offering food and drink.

"Oh, and since we are to be travelling with the Astartes, we will have to put a certain number of special measures in place to ensure a smooth trip for all concerned. The first of which is that you, Manix, are to stay as far away from them as humanly..." Anastasia hesitates for the merest fraction of a second, before trying again: "As xenos-ly possible. Am I quite understood? We are still paying for you, and I do not want you killed," she says, with a stern look at the hovering Tau. "Second, the Astartes are to be kept as isolated from the crew as possible. I doubt very much that the Space Marines will appreciate being bothered for stories and autographs, and I do not wish them to disrupt work. We shall have them bedded down in one of the less accessible suites, and post guards to restrict access. I would also like runners in place to alert me whenever they leave their cabins, and their activities are to be monitored full time,"

She frowns for a moment, as she runs over the preparations in her head.

"Armed guards, mind. And have the lawyers stand by. I dislike this situation, greatly. I am quite certain that either the Inquisitor or Casmirre will be attempting to betray us in short order. We have been offered far too much, far too easily. We shall either be facing a backstab or or ridiculously expensive and drawn out legal wrangle to get anything out of this little jaunt, and I have of intention of being caught out when it comes," Ana pauses a moment. There was something else, wasn't there? Oh, yes, that was it. "And for the love of the Emperor keep the Kroot out of their way!"

Burden King

2015-10-30, 04:05 PM

Hahahaha, Aneurin You are so in character is freaking awesome XD

Manix listened carefully to Anastasia and jotted down everything she said in a little list he was keeping in his head, nodding as he took the container away from sight, placing it down on a small tray held by a servitor before turning back to the rogue trader "Understood Mistress, the Astartes will barely know that the Kroot or I exist on this ship. Might I suggest, maybe sending the Kroot down to the ships bowels and have them be occupied by the mutants? I assume they'd enjoy the action, and not only would they be out of the way, but also helping clean up the ship a little." He offered, thinking that the military action would help pump the Kroot up and prepare them for their engagement on the SPace hulk "If not, I'll try my best to simply keep them in their section of the ship." He finished.

As for the armed guards, well he was still unsure where he stood on that. He had the clear experience and ability to command, but it was up to Anastasia if he had any actual power, and also up to the crew if they would listen to him.

So anuerin, could you block out just where Manix falls in terms of duties? I'm cool with him being basically a body guard slash manservant, but he has skills that may prove useful if you want him to do other things

Toxic Mind

2015-10-30, 10:22 PM

Watcher of Death
"Of course, Brother Victor. If you'll follow me to the bridge, we can talk on the way. Watch Captain Vahn made the need for haste abundantly clear to me." The Astartes Captain turns and makes his way back into his ship. As you follow, he explains the history of the Watcher. The ship has served the Deathwatch for centuries, and primarily makes runs among Watch Stations and Erinoch with information deemed too valuable or too dangerous to be sent via astropathic or other channels. She is designed, the Captain states, for speed and stealth alone. As you make your way through the corridors of the ship, you meet few Astartes. The ship is primarily run, it seems, by chapter serfs and servitors. The few other Deathwatch Astartes are also Marines Errant, and they nod their greetings as you pass, most already engrossed in other tasks to make the ship ready.

"This" the Captain says as he leads you into a massive chamber "is the stealth generator. As long as this is online, we cannot be detected by conventional arrays. We are, to describe it best, a shadow on the void, impossible to detect and almost just as hard to notice." Around you the ship begins to shudder as it goes through final launch preparations. "I can lead you to your quarters, if you have no other requests?"

Farewell - Port Wander

After the events of the previous night, the crew are understandably eager to be away, allowing the indignities to fade from memory while the ship is gone. The ratings are gathered, and all holds secured, save for the final docking port, which is kept open until the last possible moment, at which the Magos returns with the requested armor upgrades. The armor is quickly brought aboard, and all is made in readiness.

On the bridge, command crew and station chiefs run back and forth, reporting system readiness. Finally, with all rites and incantations performed, and the necessary bribes and threats delivered to the proper palms and ears, the Twilight Dancer breaks free of the docks. Already waiting some distance from the station is the Imperator Malleus, and Anastasia can almost feel the smug expression on the Lady Casmirre's face. Having finally put in the coordinates for the jump, it becomes patently clear that you are not jumping to some long-forgotten sector, but actually farther into Imperium space within the Calixis Sector. Before you can hail the other Rogue Trader to address this anomaly, the Dancer's augurs report activation of the other ship's warp drive, and reality tears asunder as the Malleus vanishes. All that is left is to follow.

To expedite the warp process, I would like you to roll 1d100 3 times.
-The first roll will indicate time, with 1-25 being early, 26-75 On time, 76-100 Late.
-The second indicates warp complications. 1-25 None 26-75 Minor 76-100 Major.
-The third indicates the actual complication, if any.

Adamusa

2015-10-31, 08:00 PM

Kayran kept quiet during the Captain's conversation, preferring to let Victor do the talking. He had nothing to add, so he kept his thoughts to himself. As the Captain asked if they would like to be shown to their quarters, Kayran nodded.

"That would be most appreciated, Captain. Rest assured we will do all we can to recover Brother Gordian's gene-seed if he is dead. Perhaps the Emperor will smile upon us and he will be alive," he said, though the chances of that seemed incredibly low.

Toxic Mind

2015-10-31, 09:56 PM

"If anyone could have survived, Brother Kayran, it is Brother-Apothecary Gordian. He is a swordsman without equal, and his medical knowledge second to none. Our chapter dimmed with his loss." The captain pauses for a moment in quiet contemplation before shaking his head sadly and continuing on. He leads you to your rooms, both sparse ascetic cells in the style and form of the Deathwatch. A bunk, bolted to the wall, a shrine to the Emperor, and a station in the corner for gear storage and maintenance - a luxury, but one almost a necessity among the Deathwatch, as each Chapter had their own armor and weapon rites to be observed.

"I will be on the Bridge if you have need of me. Obviously, you are free to go anywhere in the ship while we are in transit." With those words, the Captain leaves you and returns to his post. Shortly after, the alarms sound across the ship, warning the crew of eminent translation into the Warp. With a gut-wrenching sensation, the Watcher dives into the Sea of Souls, headed for its destination.

What are you doing during the Warp Transit (it will last about 8 days)

Jyssika

2015-11-02, 07:26 PM

Victor allowed himself a few days rest before
touring the ship in its entireity. He had only
recently gotten back from his last mission
before being summoned once again and he
had not fully had time to fully debrief after
having seen his entire kill team slowly died
one by one.

He sat in his room, his power armour for once
not worn but hung on its stand and a dark
shrowd of black and elegantly soft material
hiding him in deep folds.

Cross legged on the floor of his cell with his
palms flat on his knees he relaxed and cleared
his mind as best he could, he had lost friends
before and he had a special courner of his mind
where he kept their deeds and their memories.

On the second day a serf made an ammenities
call on his door, he politely declined it through
the vox speaker; his voice was much softer
without the harsh barking overtones of an Astartes
helmet vox caster, almost musical infact.

On the third day he polished and replaced his
armour, taking great care with the helmet that
only recently belonged to his former kill-team
member and friend.

Aneurin

2015-11-03, 03:03 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

"Leave the mutants be for now. I'd rather not risk losing any Kroot on them on the outward journey. Besides, I may yet invite the Astartes and Inquisitor to participate in a Twist Hunt with us, and it would be unsporting to thin the herd beforehand," Ana says thoughtfully, then shrugs and shifts her attentions to the matter of getting underway.

"Prepare for translation, and have attendants stand by to sedate and apply psy-blockers to the psykers if there's any trouble. We are sailing into a place that has supposedly killed upwards of four hundred psykers and I do not wish for... accidents," she concludes darkly, as one does when they do not wish to see daemonhosts running loose or have to pay for replaement psykers if the current complement explodes messily. The cleaning staff will probably be quite grateful if they don't explode, or start manifesting blood from the walls, too.

Leon

2015-11-04, 09:40 AM

I shall increase prayer sessions and dispatch orderlies with tranquilizers immediately in preparation.

Toxic Mind

2015-11-04, 09:43 PM

In two places, almost half a galaxy apart, two ships entered the warp, one sleek and trim, like a stiletto knife, the other far more bulky, more akin to a broadsword. Both part reality like blade through flesh, diving into the Sea of Souls.

The Watcher of Death

Your translation and journey is uneventful, at least by Astartes standards. The gellar field holds steady and strong, and though your dreams are troubled with visions of blackness and consuming darkness, these fade with rising, banished like shadows before a lumen torch.

Your return to realspace finds you on the edge of the Well of Night. As you meet him on the bridge, the Captain informs you that this point is your rendezvous, and that venturing further into the Well risks the ship. The strange and eldritch forces of the Warp Gate create vast and terrifyingly quick clouds of micro-meteors, capable of bypassing void shields and tearing through even starship armor. The Imperial Navy ships, he explains, are regularly cycled out for repairs on nearby Spite, as no ship remains long without running afoul of the clouds. Still, it is a necessary sacrifice to keep the existence of the Gate a secret from any xenos, and indeed most humans.

You have arrived early, it seems, and will have roughly a standard terran week to prepare and stave off boredom until your contact arrives. The Captain offers any of his men to spar with you, and even coyly offers himself as a partner, should you wish a true challenge. Should you decline, he does not seem overly disappointed, and leaves you to your choices.

The Twilight Dancer

As you pierce into the Sea of Souls, the gellar field flashes a bubble of reality around the ship, protecting your minds and souls from the horrors of the true Warp. It is a two week passage to the coordinates provided. The first week passes without incident, when suddenly you receive a message from the Navigator. She describes the phenomena as a "calm within the Warp". Worse, she says that it is unavoidable, and that they are almost upon it.

Warp Doldrums.

All sane Captains fear them, for they understand that such a calamity can drive entire crews to madness and mutiny. You gather your command crew quickly. Within the Doldrums, time will pass at almost a quarter of the normal rate. By the calculations of Vanthus, you will run out of food and supplies a week before you leave them. Something must be done, or your crew, human and xenos alike, will either die, or in desperation plot treason in a desperate bid to escape.

How you deal with this is up to you.

There are a variety of different options, including command checks, intimidate, PF, and some less savory ones as well. Let me know what you want to do (preferably through IC discussion), and I will give you your checks. Once we are past the Doldrums, you will meet your intrepid Space Marines :D

Jyssika

2015-11-05, 05:51 AM

Victor stood splendid on the bridge, his armour
bright and brilliant causing the red, blue and silver
markings of his Chapter, the Deathwatch and his
status as a Librarian to shine even in the unnatural
nights of the Bridge.

He carried only his Forcesword and Bolt pistol at
this time, having foregone the arsenal of weapons
for his time on the ship.

Brother Captain, I would be honoured to test myself
against one as well established as yourself.
For a brief moment the Librarian contemplated the idea
of being a permenant captain of a ship, alone amonst
only a handful of Marine for decades at a time... It
seemed almost like a demotion, to be put away on a
shelf and left to dust.

He wondered how many warp problems the Captain had
been forced to deal with, how many incursions onto
his ship with only himself and a few Marines to protect
them from losing a holy relic of the Astartes...
Perhaps I can learn more of Brother Kayran from also
watching him spar.

Adamusa

2015-11-05, 02:52 PM

Kayran smiled thinly below his helmet. Victor was certainly straightforward.

"Perhaps you might, Brother Helios, but I don't think I shall be revealing any more secrets of the Ravenspire to you. Not just yet, anyway," he added with a short chuckle.

"I thank you for your offer Captain, but I must decline. There is much to plan and comparatively little time in which to plan it."

During the warp trip, Kayran was planning, practicing stealth by sneaking up on anyone and everyone and attending to his wargear. Standard Raven Guard stuff.

Aneurin

2015-11-06, 10:07 AM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

The meeting is quite a large one, and is situated in the largest of the Dancer's chambers, what would in happier times be a ballroom. Everyone of consequence has been summoned; the Navis, the Choirmaster, the commander of the house guard and the various captains of both armsmen and hussars. Senior crew officers, too, are in attendance as are dignitaries and representatives of both the Mechanicus and Ecclesiarchy. The only group of note aboard who do not have a representative present are the Kroot and the underdeck mutants.

At the center of things, ensconsced in a grand chair and seething with barely concealed rages is the Captain.

"Well, ladies and gentlemen. I trust that the situation is clear to all?" she says, every syllable tinkling with barely suppressed fury, as the Navis's representative concludes their explanation of just what happened. "I am minded to simply quit the Warp until these doldrums are passed, but if there are suggestions that do not require us to do so I am prepared to take them provided they do not lead to senseless waste of men and resources. We shall also be taking the Navis' excuses later," Anastasia adds with a pointed glare at the Navigator complement.

Toxic Mind

2015-11-06, 11:10 PM

The Twilight Dancer

"Dropping out of the Warp is an option, Lady Captain. However, to escape the doldrums would add another week onto our travel. We would arrive well outside our window." The Navigator says softly, unapologetic. The doldrums are not her fault, and her position puts her well outside the Lady-Captains means to do any real damage beyond insults.

That's real-space week. 7 days outside of the standard warp deviation of when the Lady-Captain Undynne and your other Inquisitorial contacts expect you.

Aneurin

2015-11-07, 10:08 AM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

After giving the Navigator a look that suggests that even if it isn't the Navis' fault, then it is definitely their responsibility, Anastasia responds in a frosty voice;

"An astropathic message should suffice to explain that, upon following Casmirre's trail, we were lead into the doldrums; for all the bluster and rush of our departure, I sincerely doubt that the time scale for this operation is so tight that a handful more days would render it impossible, or even at a significant disadvantage. In any event, I am unwilling to sacrifice thousands of loyal crew to the starvation and disease that would ensue should we remain in these doldrums," she frowns a moment, before continuing; "However, I do dislike the delay as it potentially eats into our salvage time before this Hulk slips back into the Warp and we lose our prizes. I would also rather not listen to Casmirre's self-important blatherings about our lateness, or give the Astartes cause to doubt our efficiency and skill. As such, I am still open to suggestions taht do not lead to the needless sacrifice of those beholden to us. Are there, perhaps, ways to stir the Warp to activity once more?"

I'm... not really sure what else we could do.

Start a massive party to stir the Warp - the realm of souls and emotions - around us? Set the Geller field to flickering to stir up the beasties and, with them, the Empyrean? Make the Geller field start to pulse, stirring up the Sea of Souls itself?

Leon

2015-11-07, 11:35 AM

I agree that it is better to lose some time getting there than to exhaust our supplies and lose manpower while idling here in this accursed place

Winthrow

2015-11-07, 03:06 PM

A brief conference in binary is carried out by the representatives of the Adeptus Mechanicus while the Captain questions the Navigator and listens to the opinions of the Sororitas. Once the room falls silent again Otho steps forward. Captain, we of the Priesthood of Mars disagree with the proposal to drop out of the warp. While we will defer to the knowledge of the Navis when it comes to the warp it is our understanding that we will not know where we will end up when dropping out unplanned, and that we cannot be certain not to find ourselves in the same predicament once we attempt the journey once more. As he mentions the Navis he offers what could be construed as a bow towards the Navigator.

Thanks to the efforts of the Steward we have a fair estimation of how long we will remain in the warp, and how long our supplies will last. Logic would dictate that the our first effort should be to institute immediate rationing, posting reliable guards on the food supplies and giving full rations only to the most critical of positions, such as the officers and security crew.

Furthermore, while these measures will preserve the lives of most of the crew there is a risk that it will cause unrest among the ratings. Informing the crew of the coming hardships and that you have a plan might help to mitigate that. Your leadership and skill is well known to every servant of Omnissiah on the ship.

Turning towards the ships Confessor and the representatives of the Ecclesiarchy he continues, Maintaining the morale will also fall partly within your tasks, as faith is a powerful tool to survive hardships. For a moment he goes quiet, as if lost in introspection. A short burst of binary from one of his assisting priests brings him back to the present.

Ah, my collegue also wishes me to remind you that while the human form requires such things as food and water, we who are blessed by the Omnissiah receive sustenance directly from the plasma core at the heart of the vessel. While there are few who are ready to receive such blessings within our priesthood we can advance the promotions that would have come about soon in any case. In addition to that, converting part of the menial crew into servitors would help stretch the rations further. We are prepared to assist in such an effort although the effect on morale might be... troubling.

He pauses for a moment as if to await questions before returning to his seat.

Aneurin

2015-11-08, 03:16 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

"...an interesting proposal," Anastasia says distantly, after contemplating the far wall in silence for some time. "Before I answer it, I hope you will forgive a slight digression.

"Loyalty. It is what I, as a captain, both expect and demand. No doubt you - all of you gathered here - expect it from those who labour beneath you, as is only proper. Those men and women who toil to make this ship live and breathe, whose sweat fills our coffers and whose devotion makes our House great. They are loyal - to me, to us, to the ship. They give that service faithfully and honestly, and they trust in my - in our - leadership and know that there is a price for breaking their devotions and for questioning us.

"But what ties them to us in turn ties us to them. How can I call on their faith and trust when I would willingly sell them to the night? How could they fail to question my - our - judgement if we were to sacrifice them by the thousand just to gain a paltry few days? Do not misunderstand me, for this is a ship of war and exploration and the risk of death is known to all who sign aboard; but while I may spend their lives for the glory of the Emperor and of our House, it would be a gross breach of the compact between us - between lord and subject - were I to waste their lives thus," as she speaks, her voice ringing out stridently as she paces the ballroom between the lines of officers and attendants, having risen without noticing at some point during her diatribe. As she reaches the ballroom doors, she whirls on her heel her cape flaring out and stalks back to the Magos.

"Enginseer, you propose I lead thousands of our crewmen and women to their deaths while the Mechanicus and senior-most officers stand aloof from the suffering? Well, then, I offer you a challenge! If you believe that this, truly, is the best course of action that is available to us; as the death-toll rises amongst the crew, then the Mechanicus are to be sacrificed along with them in accordance with the numbers lost. If you would condemn others to death, then you must prove yourself willing to accept the same to you and yours. So, too, must you care for the weak and the starving; the famine child who has lost both parents to hungger in the hopes of his suvival shall be yours to care for - and care for as a human, not twisted or augmented to something else. And if that is not enough to make you think twice - then what of the machine spirits? How will they wail and shriek their misery and fury as they are denied the attentions they deserve, and the breath of clean, fresh air and respite from the strains of an endless journey?

"And, finally, I ask you to what end do we press this ship, this crew to the death to achieve? To merely arrive at the designated time, crippled and weakened before returning this way once more to repair, recrew and resupply? For we could not continue without supplies into unknown space for an unknown duration of time in the sorry state we would most surely be in. It would cost more time, more effort and more expense. All of those deaths would have been for nothing. If returning to realspace brings us to grief - which, given the size of space, I am given to understand is rather unlikely - then it is at least a grief that the voidsmen and -women who serve us have accepted from the very beginning; it is a grief that amy be overcome by skill and wit and daring, and no condemnation to a slow, lingering death and suffering for all,"

With that, Anastasia strides back to her chair at the head of the assemblage, every footstep ringing out like a bell on the ancient, polished hardwood floor.

Short version: No. :smalltongue:

Ana could be persuaded to press on and kill the crew, but doesn't really see the point. Nor do I, since I'm reasonably confident we'd lose more time than we could possibly gain. However, Ana's loyalty is very firmly with her ship and crew - I believe she has an Origin Path selection that says as much - so subtlety may be called for on that one, as it will be a dinstinctly hard sell.

Sorry, that got a bit long-winded and decidedly off-topic in places I think!

It would actually have been much, much longer, but the I decided to save the rant about the meaning of the ship's name for some future monologue.

Toxic Mind

2015-11-09, 01:48 PM

The Twilight Dancer

"Well spoken, my lady" The Navigator bows respectfully. "I believe that we can exit the warp safely, and after a brief time in real-space, enter again outside these cursed doldrums. The crew may not enjoy rapid translations, but such is the nature of voyages. What are your orders? Shall I bring us out of the warp?"

The Watcher of Death

The duel is brief and brutal. Both Victor and the Captain are quickly revealed to be expert swordsmen, their blows falling with vicious accuracy and strength. Victor barely turns aside one of the more potent hits, but unlike his previous duel, this one is marked by a glut of hits, few of them striking with enough strength to count as points. The Captain seems to predict the strikes, and they glance frustratingly off his pauldrons and greaves. Its is two strokes to two, and the battle rages fiercely, neither Victor nor the Captain giving an inch. The Marines Errant who watch on are mute, but they lean forward expectantly, and it is clear that no one has ever pressed the Captain quite so much as Victor does now.

Suddenly, he loses his balance, an strangely polished portion of the floor causing him to lose his footing. An opening!
Victor can easily make his final hit, or (standard Ag roll) attempt to catch the Captain's arm, keeping him from falling, or do nothing.
As you watch the duel, it becomes clear that the Captain is drawing out the contest to enjoy himself. While he has difficulty parrying Victor's blows, it is clear to your atchful eyes that he could have easily avoided them. You see the Captain lose his footing and realize that it is an accident, and not intentional maneuvering. To strike such a blow would be the height of dishonor, but there is no time to explain. [You can send a single word over the vox before Victor takes action]

Adamusa

2015-11-09, 03:42 PM

Kayran watched the duel with an analytical eye. It was clear to him that the Captain was the better swordsman, but by such a small margin it was almost unnoticeable. Except to one trained by the Shadow Captains, he thought. As his attention wandered slightly, the Captain's footing gave way and the marine toppled backwards. His eyes snapped back just in time to see him falling, with Victor still poised to strike. It would rob the Librarian of much honour if he took the attack.

I have no wish to see my new comrade dishonoured by such a thing.

<"HOLD!"> Kayran bellowed over the vox, hoping to either distract Victor or warn him of the accident.

Jyssika

2015-11-09, 05:48 PM

Victor was a little frustrated, he could not get a
solid hit on the Captain but some small part of him
knew the Captain was not entirely doing his best.
It irked at him, when he accepted the spar he wished
to be treat as a equal not some squire practicing with
a training blade for the first time. He considered falling
into a rage, using his blood thirst to push his advantage
and perhaps best the Captain through sheer force.

That, however, was shunned during casual sparring
amongst his Chapter... He reminded himself this was
a simple exercise and they were merely entertaining
themselves.

A moment later he saw his strike, a clean cut into a
open section of the Captains guard... the reason for
which instantly became clear as the Captain lost his
footing infront of him.

<"HOLD!">

An Angels Sanguine does not disobey an order whilst
in the thick of combat, an Angels Sanguine who fully
allow themselves to pull their power from the Thirst
is taught to always adhere their Brothers words, least
they are not capable of understanding the entire situation.

And thus Victor held, his sword held in a striking pose, his
feet planted like the Steppes of a giant moutain statue.
<Brother?>

Burden King

2015-11-09, 11:33 PM

Manix stood with a smile on his face, hidden beneath is stealth armor he was accustomed to wear in the ship due to it increasing his stature and adding an imposing mass to his silhouette. As Anastasia spoke to the crew's various commanding elements, Manix seemed to simply inflate with pride of his Mistress. Her words showed her for what she was to him, an example of humanities power to uphold the greater good.

Weather he held any power on the ship, or was just another object under the ownership of the house, Manix cared only that he kept his Mistress contented with his work. "Once again Mistress, you are an inspiration and a vision of your houses superiority to others," He said, his flattery likely blending into the background due to his seemingly unwavering desire to speak such things to his Mistress.

So is manix simply a bodyguard/manservant/expensive object on the shi[ or does he have any power ove rlike the Kroot or such?

Aneurin

2015-11-11, 05:45 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

With a quick look around the crew to check that no-one seemed about to put forth a dissenting opinion, Anastasia nods regally.

"Yes, Lady Navis. Take us out. Choirmaster? If you could convey our apologies to Casmirre and the Inquisitor, I would be most appreciative. Something simple, I think - that we ran into difficulties with the Warp route and are unavoidably delayed along with our projected arrival time," she purses her lips for a moment in thought. "Yes. That should tide them over,"

Rising, she claps her hands to dismiss the - thankfully unneeded - gathering of officers.

"Unless there is any further business to discuss, I believe we are done here. Master Archivus, I shall be visiting with you and your scribes presently as I have some matters to discuss concerning the Hulk we will be visiting," she adds, as she makes her way to the exit.

Burden, I'll talk post about that in the OOC in a moment. I don't know if you saw the last post on the topic I made, but I'll quote it there.

@Toxic - Meant to bring this up sooner, really. Ana's going to take our copy of the Space Hulk map to the Librarium-Trophy Room hybrid, and have them try to identify any interesting wrecks that might be worth reclaiming or, if that's not possible, looting aside from the Indomitable Spirit. Also picking out some potential entry points, insofar as that's possible. Is that possible, and what should I be rolling if it is?

Both I and Ana are well aware that the map is 500 years old and likely out of date (and maybe not all that useful to begin with), but it's all that's available and it's better to have at least some plan ready in case there's no time to stand off and perform detailed scans and reconnaissance once we get there.

Toxic Mind

2015-11-12, 11:36 PM

Twilight Dancer

The Navis bows. "Of course, your Ladyship. I shall make the preparations immediately." She nods at each of the other officers as she passes, leaving a particularly smug smile for Otho. Mere hours later, alarms sound throughout the ship as the Dancer returns to reality. The helmsman, already briefed, sets his course for the location the Navis has provided, powering up the massive plasma engines. Auspex scans reveal no planetary bodies nor worlds of any kind in this sector of space. It is said by void-scholars that in between stars is endless void, where no light but the Astronomicon pierces, but never more is that clear than now.

Meanwhile...
Ravia
One of the lower deck priests approaches you as you return to your quarters. "Sister Del'thorn, if you have a moment..." The man looks clearly uncomfortable. "There is talk among the ratings - you know how superstitious some of these voidmen can be - that the Warp Doldrums are hunting us. That we cannot escape them, and that they will trap us within their grasp until we are all naught but ash." The man bows again, making the sign of the aquila as he does so. "I know I have no right to ask, but if you were to speak a sermon in the Temple-Shrine, I suspect it would do wonders for morale, and remind the men and women of this ship that we are never without His light."

If you accept, the priest bows once more, and thanks you profusely. "I will make all the necessary preparations, sister."

Vanthus
As the good sister leaves you, one of your more trusted spies approaches you. "My Seneschal. I am sure you have heard word of the talk amongst the lower decks. But there is something more. The twistcatchers found 3 mutant psykers - all destroyed, of course - down in the lower decks. Each one reported - seperate reports, you see - that the wytches had obsidian black eyes and heretical symbols carved into their flesh. As if that were not bad enough, each spoke the same thing before their death. 'That which is dead may never die.' Your orders, Seneschal?"

Anastasia
You make your way to the Librarium Vaults. As ordered, the Master Archivus meets you there. He is, appropriately, a bookish man, bent almost double with age and bearing a single augmentic eye that serves as a powerful magnifier. "Lady Captain, it is good to see you here. I understand you have a text for us to examine - a map, you said?" As you produce the pict-capture, he takes it and quickly displays it on one of the large hololithic displays. "Throne on Terra..." he marvels quietly to himself. "This must be at least four centuries old, if not older... it is a shame you could not acquire the original - it is certainly an item beyond measure of worth." The scholar very quickly points out the same structural flaws as the Inquisitor, and notes the location of the Undynne ship. He quickly, however, points out a problem. "Even with this map, there are hundreds if not thousands of heraldric crests to comb through. That is to say nothing of legendary ships, and that's just Imperial vessels. I can see at least two clearly of Eldar origin, another 3 which look to be Orkish, and one near the outskirts that appears to be half a Kroot Warsphere." He looks rather dejected. "It would take years to decode the identity of all these ships, and if the word among the crew is to be believed, we have mere months. My Lady, how would you like to proceed?"
You may prioritize one specific aspect to speed the process. You will test against that skill to determine how successful they are, factoring in any training you may have. You can also add in your RT +10 bonus since you inspire them. If you wish to test a Lore Skill you do not have, the Master Archivist possesses it, but the test takes an automatic -20 on top of any other bonuses or negatives.
I will have your update up tomorrow in another post. Wanted to get this one posted before I went to bed. Sorry about the wait.

Leon

2015-11-13, 10:52 AM

Ravia
One of the lower deck priests approaches you as you return to your quarters. "Sister Del'thorn, if you have a moment..." The man looks clearly uncomfortable. "There is talk among the ratings - you know how superstitious some of these voidmen can be - that the Warp Doldrums are hunting us. That we cannot escape them, and that they will trap us within their grasp until we are all naught but ash." The man bows again, making the sign of the aquila as he does so. "I know I have no right to ask, but if you were to speak a sermon in the Temple-Shrine, I suspect it would do wonders for morale, and remind the men and women of this ship that we are never without His light."

If you accept, the priest bows once more, and thanks you profusely. "I will make all the necessary preparations, sister."

I shall speak to them and help them cast aside their fears, the Immaterium makes all who travel in it uneasy as is natural but we must uplift our crew beyond that state

Toxic Mind

2015-11-13, 04:09 PM

Watcher of Death

Overbalanced, the Captain falls heavily. It takes mere moments for him to regain his footing, but all in attendance know that those moments are a lifetime in battle. After a pause, he lowers his sword. "You have bested me, Brother Victor. The match is yours." As he does so, he thumbs the seals on his helmet, removing it. "It has been many years since I have been so pressed. Your skill is indeed to be commended." There is a brief pause. "As is your honor." It seems your pause in the battle has not gone unnoticed. He reaches under his right pauldron, and you hear a faint thunk of a mag-lock disengaging. As he withdraws the gauntlet, you see that in his hand he cradles a small medallion - a Crusader Medallion. "I would be honored if you would take this." he says, offering it to you. "Any among our brotherhood who see this medallion will know that you are indeed a friend of the Marines Errant, and a warrior of honor."

The Captain turns to the assembled Astartes crew. "Brothers - these marines have proven themselves worthy in my eyes. Let no insult to their honor stand while you draw breath, for they are truly brothers in arms." As he finishes, the other marines nod their heads in respect before filing out of the dueling room.
As the Captain leaves, he leans into his Master at Arms. "I want the serf who last cleaned this room flogged. There is no excuse for such failure aboard my ship."

The weeks pass quickly enough, and particularly so given the vastly improved disposition of the crew. Soon enough, the Captain summons you to the bridge. "Sensor scans report a ship leaving the Warp Gate. It is strange, brothers. I was told there would be two - a cruiser and a grand cruiser - yet it seems only the larger has come. This is your mission - what would you suggest we do? We are all but invisible to them until we make our presence known."

Aneurin

2015-11-14, 11:40 AM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

"I understand," she nods as she looks over the map-copy. "I will do what I can to acquire the original map for your archives, but I feel it unlikely the Inquisitor will part with it easily. In the mean time..."

Anastasia hesitates a moment. There are, after all, so many possible angles to pursue here - most of which are likely highly profitable - and so little time to exploit them. Still, with the presence of the Astartes and an Inquisitor it is best to maintain the proper attitude for a loyal Imperial subject - besides, Ana's own inclinations for investigation lies in much the same direction as well.

"Ignore the xenos for the moment; I have no interest in their works, save to destroy them at my convenience. We would be best served by restoring the hallowed and glorious vessels of the Imperium to service, or at least recovering what we can to honour their sacrifices and loss," she declares, as she takes a seat at the head of the archives - not so much to assist, since the scribes are infinitely better suited to the task - but to supervise, and provide what gems she wishes to from the less publicly accessible family memoirs that exist only in her cabin.

Test Scholastic Lore (Legend) to find information on those legendary ships.
[roll0] vs. 66 (46 Int + 10 Librarium bonus + 10 Inspire bonus)

Adamusa

2015-11-14, 03:22 PM

Kayran studied the readouts shown by the Captain. The news was troubling. There could be a multitude of reasons that the second cruiser had failed to arrive. There could be technical problems, it could have been attacked in the warp… or perhaps the Warp was working against it.

Regardless, the fact remained that the cruiser was not here. They needed to see if the one that was was a friendly ship.

"Captain, how close can we approach without detection? We need to discern who flies this ship before we make contact," the Raven Guard said.

Toxic Mind

2015-11-14, 04:47 PM

Watcher of Death

The Captain grins. "They would need an augur array of unimaginable power or ancient design to detect us. We could land in one of their bays and they'd only notice us when the Void-Master saw our hull."

Adamusa

2015-11-14, 05:02 PM

Kayran smiled thinly under his helmet. "Good, take us in close and let us see if we can identify her. If it is who we are here to meet, then we can speak to them about the missing cruiser."

Toxic Mind

2015-11-18, 08:19 PM

Twilight Dancer
The Librarium
The Chief Archivist nods his agreement and quickly sets about his adepts to scour the shelves. "This may take some time. The legends of the Jericho reach are buried deep within the archives, yet I am confident that we will find some legends of the Hulk before we arrive at our destination. I shall inform you of our discoveries when we know them."

The Temple-Shrine to the God Emperor
The armsmen and women assembled in the chapel even as the Navis prepared to re-enter the warp. All eyes turned towards Sister Ravia. With a short intonation, the Ecclesiarch gave her his place.

Watcher of Death
The Captain's skillful maneuvering brings the ship alongside the massive grand cruiser. After a few minutes, the Captain turns from his post back to you. "It is the Imperator Malleus. This is one of the ships we were meant to rendezvous with, or at least it appears so. We are also detecting a faint inquisitorial signal from within. There may be an Inquisitor aboard. Your orders?"

Adamusa

2015-11-22, 04:07 PM

Kayran considered the situation. If the ship had only just arrived, then it was likely that they had no clue what had happened to the other vessel. If there was an Inquisitor aboard, it would be best to contact him or her and establish a contingency plan.

"Send an encoded vox signal attuned to the Inquisitorial line. Use our ciphers. Ask them if they have any information on the missing ship. If they do not, request further instructions," the Raven Guard said, possibilities whirring through his mind.

Toxic Mind

2015-11-22, 04:28 PM

Watcher of Death
The Captain nods his assent and, inputting the codes, sends a message in Deathwatch ciphers seeking introduction, and information. The reply comes almost immediately.

++ENCRYPTION LEVEL: OMEGA BLACK

This is Inquisitor Roth of the Ordo Xenos. I am here to rendezvous with Space Marines Kayran and Victor of the Deathwatch. The Void Dancer has been delayed due to strange warp phenomena, but should be arriving shortly. The Port Side of the Malleus has been made available for docking.

MESSAGE ENDS++

The message bears all the appropriate seals and codes, and seems legitimate by all accounts. "Shall we dock with the ship?"

Jyssika

2015-11-22, 05:26 PM

Victor nods his confirmation; with the Crusader Medallion now
soundly fixed to his armour he almost seems to be eccelctic
with colours and hereldry. The Deathwatch, the Angles Sanguine,
the Librarianhood and now a Marines Errant ensignia.

Perhaps we should take a Thunderhawk...

He looks at the Captain and brother Kayran for their oppinion.

Sorry for lack of updates, was in Paris and it
was all a bit hectic, but im ok!

Adamusa

2015-11-23, 01:06 PM

The Raven Guard considered Victor's suggestion for a moment. The Inquisitor knew they were here and keeping the two ships close would likely ward off any potential threats. The Librarian had a point.

"Take us in close, Captain, but do not dock. We shall launch in a Thunderhawk once our vessels are close enough to support each other. We must take no chances during this mission," Kayran ordered, mentally reviewing the mission for the umpteenth time.

Leon

2015-11-24, 06:21 AM

The Temple-Shrine to the God Emperor
The armsmen and women assembled in the chapel even as the Navis prepared to re-enter the warp. All eyes turned towards Sister Ravia. With a short intonation, the Ecclesiarch gave her his place.

Crew of the Twilight Dancer,

To fear the Dark is only human, it is something we all are born with and there is no greater dark than the Immaterium. This dark while a fearful and hateful place to those not of it can be defeated with your faith in He on Terra, his light guides us through the night and into the next day. Trust in that faith and the tech-arcna of the gellar field to make this trip the same as the many others you have done.

These doldrums are nothing more than one of the myriad things that the Immaterium may hold, one that we shall cast aside and continue with our holy charged mission to vanquish an old evil and reclaim an ancient birthright. I am an Adepta Sororitas of the Orders Hospitaller, to stand against the Dark is what i yearn to do, what i have trained to do and what we must all do, cast aside your doubts, fears and worries for He shall guide us to the end.

She indicates to the organist to play the chosen hymn, Once it is finished she continues to speak but with regard to more general acts of faith and the providence of Kalendra Asceline before passing the lectern back to the Ecclesiarch.

Toxic Mind

2015-12-03, 08:33 PM

Watcher of Death
The Thunderhawk launches into the void between the ships. As soon as you leave the hanger bay, however, the pilot reports that the weapons of the Imperator Malleus have locked onto the Thunderhawk’s signature.
I ahm not overly fawned of allowing unknown aircraft ahboard mah ship. Identify yerself, or we shall destroy ye.
The voice is distinct, and comes over the vox unencrypted. It is clearly transmitting from the ship, though the voice has not identified itself at all, either.

Twilight Dancer
True to the Navis' word, as you dive back into the Sea of Souls, the Empyrean currents are as calm - or at least as calm as they could ever be considered to be. The deck officers distribute pict recordings and transcripts of Sister Ravia's sermon, and while no groups of ratings grabbed their boarding guns and mounted an expedition to cleanse the under-decks of all mutants, the overall mood of the ship seemed more calm, and the murmurs of doomed ships trapped in the warp died to whispers once more, and were ignored by the vast majority of the crew. A few isolated pockets of doomsayers were forcibly put down, and soon enough, across the ship stations reported the all clear.

Like a rubber band, it seems as though the tension slingshots you back, and soon enough, the Dancer tears its way back into reality. You arrive at the meeting point 5 days late, and it is immediately clear from the augur scans that there is no ship waiting for you. However, after a few moments, there is a ping on the array. It appears to be a life pod. Scans reveal no living presence onboard.

When examined, it reveals a transmission logged within the cogitator core of the pod.

++MESSAGE STARTS++
Lady Captain Anastasia
We have departed through the Warp Gate. We will meet you on the other side – the Inquisitor has informed us that making our Astartes contacts wait is unwise.
Sent your augur to detect the frequency embedded in this message. I would also suggest you re-route all augury feeds to your command throne, unless you wish your bridge staff to receive a visit from the Ordo Hereticus.
++MESSAGE ENDS++

Jyssika

2015-12-04, 04:52 AM

++I am Brother Codicier Victor Helios of the Angels Sanguine
Astartes and Veteran Soldier of the Deathwatch.++

Incase the inquisitive voice does no believe his statement he
issues a tiny data burst from his power armour Vox unit.

++Make preparations for our arrival, we are to be your Astartes
accompanyment for this mission, and, whilst we are making demands
perhaps you can look into why your second ship has gone missing.++

Aneurin

2015-12-05, 07:03 AM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

How like the Inquisition; cryptic and inconvenient. Still, having the Inquisition attempt to purge the bridge officers would be decidedly inconvenient and cause unnecessary tensions with them when their efforts were rebuffed...

Anastasia sighs aloud. Her tolerance for these ham-fisted attempts to assert authority is wearing increasingly thin, the archivists have turned up little of use, and now there's a cryptic message about a Warp Gate - whatever that may be - and a threat to deal with. At least the threat is easily dealt with by ignoring threat itself and acting on the warning, while chalking in another notation in the book of vengeance.

"Auspex feeds are to be restricted to Third Tier bridge officers and above for the interim, and begin full-power scans of the system. The logs are to be placed in a sealed datacrypt until such time as I decree otherwise," she drawls, as she rises from her command throne to stalk over to the helm controls and gently pushes the steerswoman aside, before running her hands over the wheel of her beloved ship. "I shall take the helm for the time being. Non-essential officers may take the rest of the shift off. If any of the Warp shutters have been raised, lower them again. If there's something the Inquisitor would rather not have as common knowledge in this system, it would be only polite to humour him,"

I'm using deliberately vague and nebulous terms here that are entirely unrelated to the ship roles listed in ItS. Third Tier and above covers the PCs and anyone else who would actually need to see the Auspex feeds - like the Master of Etherics, who processes them, and the Helmsman who needs to see what is going on. Probably all of the Navigators, too.

Adamusa

2015-12-07, 02:53 PM

Kayran listened in to Victor's reply with thoughts running through his head at the same time. It was clear that the Trader was trying to put them on edge. The Inquisitor had been informed and a port had been made ready for docking already, so it was logical that the ship did not intend to fire. Still, some Traders were known to be rather enigmatic and perhaps caution was best here. He decided to chip in as well, if only to confirm what Brother Helios was already saying.

+++"I am Brother Kayran, Kill-Marine of the Deathwatch and formerly of the Raven Guard. I believe you are expecting us, so perhaps firing on our Thunderhawk is inadvisable. No doubt Inquisitor Roth will tell you as much, if he has not done so already,"+++ the marine voxed, adding in a short Inquisitorial identification code at the end of the message. Whilst little more than a squawk of data, most cogitators and vox systems should recognise it.

Toxic Mind

2015-12-08, 07:28 PM

Imperator Malleus - Victor and Kayran

"Astartes eh? Figures. Ah will not shoot ye down. The Malleus just danae like others in her space." The voice mutters. Moments after, an encoded data burst directs your pilot to one of the docking bays. The watchful eyes of flak turrets follow you as you go.

The Thunderhawk pilot takes you into the landing bay, and at your signal, lowers the ramp. Despite the words over the vox, the scene that greets you is one befitting your station. The landing bay has been cleared of any visible obstructions or clutter, though you can clearly see that it is well used. The floor underneath your mag-boots has been shined and polished. Lining the route out of your ship are parade lines of Imperial Stormtroopers. Their carapace armor is polished and painted, their weapons show the shine and care of regular and recent maintenance.
While the Stormtroopers are clearly putting on a show for your benefit, it is also clear that their weapons bear the scars of use, as does their armor. In addition, their gear favors function over form, with no visible customization or augmentation. Their weapons are best cared for, but even then show the signs of regular use. Lastly, each stormtrooper wears a heavily modified rebreather over his or her mouth and nose, obscuring their faces. These point irrevocably to the fact that this contingent are veteran stromtroopers from the Death Korps of Krieg. Their presence here indicates that the individual who commands them has quite a great deal of pull in the Administratum and among the Guard.
http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/warhammer40k/images/e/e1/KriegGren.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20120630203907
At the end of this line stands a woman. She is clad in power armor, though it is not as bulky as yours, and bears the same markings and heraldry that adorn the ship and nearby landing craft. She wears across her back a snow white cloak, clearly made of some large animal, and if you had served beside a Space Wolf, you would recognize it as Fenrisian. At her hips are two pistols, obviously ancient, though not as old as her power armor. She nods as you land, but does not move to close the distance. At her side is an older man carrying a staff, though he does not lean upon it. Though you both note that he wears the symbol of the Astra Telepathica, Victor also immediately recognizes the psychic aura around the man. He is a psyker of considerable power. His white eyes stare at you, and though he is clearly blind, he seems to be looking you over all the same.
Though the Astropath obscures much of your sight with his own aura, there is another psyker presence nearby that approaches an Alpha Psyker classification. It is xeno in origin. Forbidden Lore (Xenos) may reveal more information.

Twilight Dancer - Ana and Crew

As the Lady Captain gives her orders, the command deck clears of all non-essential personal. In a moment, the reason for the message becomes clear, and the wisdom of the order becomes apparent. Once set to the proper frequency, the augur array detects a massive structure in space in a crescent moon shape. Further examination reveals warp energy, though in stable waves. A functioning warp gate... the implications were enormous. There were legends, of course, but none verified. And before you stands a fully functioning relic that may have seen the Emperor of Man himself sail through its gate. Never one to foolishly rush ahead, further scans are conducted, of course, but all the signs seem to point inevitably back to the initial conclusion. This gate would take you somewhere near the Eastern Fringe of the Galaxy, far beyond anywhere that your ships had ever ventured before. All that remains is to sail the Dancer into the unknown, and hope that your contacts await you on the other side.

Jyssika

2015-12-08, 07:56 PM

Victor steps gracefully down the ramp, his feet barely
even registering as thuds despite his stature. He found
that the mortals of the Imperium always anticipated an
Astartes to be loud and brash and from his little experience
the very idea that they can be quiet often impressed far
more than a loud fanfare.

His eyes immediately locked onto the Fenrisian pelt, his
former Kill Team member had often wax lyrical on the
subject of their Chapter's herald animal and he hoped dearly
for her sake she had obtained it with their consent.

Once again stacked to the rafters with a great storm bolter
and backpack ammo supply with a collection of explosives
clipped to various webbing Victor appears more of a Devestator
than a Librarian, at the bottom of the ramp he stops and
waits for their introduction knowing only too well that
the human probably wants to either show off their wealth
or assert their authority aboard their ship... it was best to
let them have their moment in the spotlight, its not every
day a moral gets to welcome an Astartes.

Adamusa

2015-12-08, 08:41 PM

Kayran followed Victor down the ramp, swathed in his cameleoline cloak. The combi-melta was firmly secured to the maglock on his right side, whilst the Stalker-pattern bolter was affixed just under his armour's pack at the belt. The ever-present power sword hung from his waist and the marine scanned around as he stepped onto the ship. It seemed a normal welcome for an Astartes, except for the fact that the Rogue Trader seemingly refused to move to greet them. That is not surprising, Kayran thought. On a voidship, the Captain is second only to the Emperor, or so they see it.

The Raven Guard made his way up beside Victor and subvocalised a message over the encrypted channels they used.

+++I would advise that we go to her. Remember the Captain's words; we are not beholden to them, but neither are they to us. I would assume that this one is the one that Captain Vahn spoke of, thus we know that she is held in some regard by the Inquisition. Finally, we are guests on her ship. We must pay the correct courtesies. Being obstinate about it will get us nowhere.+++

The Kill-marine's voice was somewhat distorted by the vox, but he hoped that Victor had caught the tone. Turning from his comrade, Kayran strolled down the corridor of stormtroopers in the smooth, flowing stride of a deadly blademaster, making an unusually small amount of noise for his size. He stopped just in front of the Trader and studied her for a few moments. He supposed she was attractive, as the mortals saw it, but his eyes focused on her armaments. If his appraisal was correct then they were almost as old as his own blade. Perhaps even older. Her power armour seemed to be a custom-fitted suit, often seen in use by Inquisitors. It must have cost her a small fortune.

Kayran now had a small measure of why the Captain had spoken so highly of this woman. She was clearly in command; even without the heraldry decorating her armour, this close he could sense the aura of authority she projected. He smiled thinly, then reached up to remove his helmet. The void sealed suit hissed, then clicked and he removed the pointed helm to reveal his pale skin, bone-white hair and onyx eyes. The Raven Guard tucked the helmet under his arm, then bowed slightly to the Captain. A surprising display of humility from one of the Angels of Death, but Kayran had spent quite some time working nearly alone in the Reach; a bit of politeness and humility could go a long way with the right people.

"Greetings. I am Brother Kayran, formerly of the Raven Guard and more informally known as the Black Talon. I am honoured by such a prestigious welcome aboard your grand vessel. Whilst I am not one to jump to conclusions, may I presume that you are the Lady-Captain Casmirre?" Kayran said, keeping a carefully neutral tone of voice.

Toxic Mind

2015-12-08, 08:58 PM

"You presume correctly, Kayran formerly of the Raven Guard." She does not inquire as to what formerly means, thought it seems obvious that she has noted that particular quirk of the introduction. "Welcome aboard the Imperator Malleus. I am truly sorry that you will not be staying longer. Your arrival was told to me by an old friend - I believe he is now Watch Captain Vahn, yes? I am glad that he has not joined the Emperor quite yet."

She turns her back on Kayran and Victor. A show of force as sure as the Stormtroopers around her, exposing vulnerability to another. Master of her ship, indeed. "If you'll follow me, I will take you to your Inquisitor while we wait for the Twilight Dancer to catch us. They were delayed - Warp Doldrums, I'm lead to believe."
The voice bears an almost identical mark to the voice you heard through the Thunderhawk's vox, yet now there is no trace of an accent.
A re-examination of your conversation reveals the accent to be a falsehood. The voice she now speaks with is her true cadence. In addition, you are sure that the voices from the Thunderhawk and the woman in front of you are one in the same.

Adamusa

2015-12-08, 09:24 PM

Kayran nodded, then gestured to Victor to follow him. As they proceeded, he ran the vox conversation through his head again. Her voice was definitely similar, though it had no hint of an accent. Curious. Either there was a crew member aboard with an almost identical but heavily accented voice, or she was faking one of them. He dismissed the first thought as incredibly improbable.

The marine had no idea which was the Lady-Captain's real voice, but to be quite honest it didn't bother him. Dissembling was all well and good, but such things grew tiresome quickly and usually ended up giving him a headache.

"That is correct. Captain Vahn is the one who assigned this mission to us. He spoke highly of your capabilities. But I digress. There is much to discuss with Inquisitor Roth and little time in which to act. The delay of the Twilight Dancer is unfortunate, but the mission must come first."

Jyssika

2015-12-08, 10:25 PM

++If we must, an Astartes would not force their guests
to parade themselves infront of their Honour guard like
livestock before a feast...++

He allowed Kayran to overtake him and then continued a step
behind but still side by side, stopping next to him but not
removing his helmet.

I am Brother Victor, currently of the Angels Sanguine
and the Deathwatch.

Aneurin

2015-12-09, 05:11 PM

Anasatsia Faydra Undynne

A gaping hole in Imperial defences, a security the risk of quite epic proportions and no-one guarding it? Hardly likely.

Anastasia drums her fingers idly on the ship's wheel as she stares into the dark interstellar gulfs that lie between the glittering lights of Imperial-held systems. It's a grand old thing this Warp Gate, and would be an impressive feat of engineering were she certain it were of human origin. It could still be the work of the Dark Age of Technology, when heathen tech-magicians created marvels and miracles of machinery without the tiniest regard for the sanctity of the machine-spirits.

Well, whether it is some heathen abomination, holy relic or xenos perversion it seems damnably convenient way to get around. Assuming, of course, that it works.

"Augur-Seer, broadcast our identity on a loop and include Inquisitor Roth's name and our heading," Ana calls out as the nudges the wheel a few points towards the correct course and coaxes a trickle of power from the engines. "We will proceed at a middling speed to this... Warp Gate, was it? I'm sure the good Inquisitor left word of our coming with any monitor stations here, since we are yet intact, but I see no reason to take foolhardy risks and startle them into action. and have the Astropath monitors on stand by with sedatives and psy-blockers again," she adds with a frown, once again recalling the alleged grisly fate of the Inquisitorial seers. Then she smiles, and turns to the crew, calling out gaily:

"Well, ladies and gentlemen, are we ready to do cross a galaxy in the blink of an eye?"

Burden King

2015-12-12, 03:39 AM

Manix stood at the ready, once more prepared for to give his life for his Captain and Mistress, equipped with his Tau Stealth battlesuit with his heavy weapon at the ready. The sermon from before he had of course attended, and prayed to the god emperor of mankind as he did multiple times a day, more then normal imperials due to how much he had to prove. He looked upon the great gate before them, and marveled at it. If it was human technology, then it would leave him with little doubt why their empire went beyond that of the great Eldar and how even in their darkest age they were so much more powerful then any other faction alone. Were it of alien design, he may still be impressed but would not show it reverence, for fear of angering both the local Mechanicus and the Emperor himself.

He had been sure to go below, using what authority and respect he had amongst the soldiers and marines to prepare them for battle should the worst occur, and also to relay the commands of the captain to them in regard in how to operate with the Space marines aboard. After that, the Kroot he mad ensure to refine to a far away part of the ship to avoid angering the emperors holy warriors, and did last minute checks and security lock ups on his Riptide, not wanting it to fall into unworthy hands.

Manix looked to his captain, and bowed at the waist, having his hand fold infront of him to show more respect "Ready as I have always been my Mistress." He said, always ready to follow her lead into whatever hellscape called her name.

Toxic Mind

2015-12-13, 12:06 AM

Twilight Dancer - Anastasia and Crew
The Lady-Captain's precautions prove wise and fruitful. As the Dancer approaches the massive structure, the passive augur arrays light up with signals. The area around the gate is fairly littered with micro-turrets. Each no larger than a Lightning voidcraft, on their own they would pose little threat to a ship of the Dancer's size. The passive scans show them numbering in the thousands, and their coordinated firepower would tear almost any ship, Imperial or otherwise, to shreds in moments.

Mercifully, they remain inactive. Finally, you reach the gate itself. It yawns massive even next to your ship. 3 cruisers abreast could travel through, and the enormity of the implication is staggering. This may be the largest warp gate in existence, and its location - nay, its very existence - was kept secret from all within the Segmentum Obscurus and likely beyond.

Stations across the ship show the all-clear, and the command crew assembles on the bridge. With all in readiness, the Dancer's gellar field activates, and enters the Warp Gate. The mood across the ship is still terse, but the crew know that a stable warp route avoids the strange currents of the warp. It is a two day journey to the other side. Quickly enough, the ship sets into a rhythm of life.

Imperator Malleus

The Lady-Captain leads you out of the Hanger bay, and behind you the faint sound of the Imperial Troopers standing down and returning to their barracks can be heard. She leads you down a series of corridors that have no semblance of order or reason to them, many backtracking when a passage could easily been carved between them to speed travel. The interior of the ship was a labyrinthine metal trap, and while you believe you could find your way back unaided to the Thunderhawk, an invading force of non-augmented humans would quickly become hopelessly lost.

Finally, you reach your destination - another Hanger bay. Inside sits an Inquisitorial Corvette, a sleek ship clearly designed, like the Watcher, for stealth and speed rather than firepower. Standing at its base is a man, though he is clearly far from the dregs of a Hive world. He holds himself with the same bearing as the Lady-Captain, the same surety, and around his neck hangs the Inquisitorial Rosette. He wears understated armor and weapons openly, and a long flowing red cape with a high collar. Your sharp eyes can pick out armor among the folds of the cloak. Far more practical than stylish.

"Greetings, Astartes Victor, Astartes Kayran. I am Inquisitor Roth, your contact within the Ordo Xenos. I am glad you have made it unscathed. Come - you must have questions. We will talk aboard my Corvette. He turns without waiting, and enters his ship. The Lady Captain nods, and leaves you.

As you follow the Inquisitor aside, the door seals behind you. Safe from any prying ears. The Inquisitor waits in a briefing room, his hands crossed behind his back. "Speak freely. We are unobserved here."

Jyssika

2015-12-13, 04:02 AM

Victor follows, almost begrudgingly, his massive stature
and heavy armourments not entirely designed for the
nicities of human office space.

"There is a need for secrecy amongst this queer task
force you have manufactured Inquisitor Roth?"

He tilts his head slightly, the angle causing the overhead
lights to play with the shadows on his armoured face
plate.

"Did you leave anything out of the Mission breifing we
were given by Watch Captain Vahn?"

Adamusa

2015-12-13, 09:03 AM

Kayran inclined his head in greeting to the Inquisitor, then followed him aboard.

As Victor spoke, the Raven Guard had to resist rolling his eyes. Had he forgotten the briefing?

"Remember, Brother Victor, that our objective here is not the same as the other members of this task force. I assume that Inquisitor Roth wishes to keep this secret for that reason," he said and turned to the Inquisitor as he did so.

"Am I correct, Inquisitor?"

Toxic Mind

2015-12-15, 12:13 PM

Inquisitor's Corvette - Kayran and Victor

"You are correct. Both of you. There is a matter of great personal importance to the Ordo Xenos aboard the Herald of Oblivion. While it does not take priority to your primary objective, recovery and delivery of the Ender's Key to the heart of the Herald of Oblivion, it may be the greatest of your secondary concerns." The Inquisitor takes a seat, gesturing for you to take yours as well. The seats are obviously reinforced for Astartes, and have seen use before. "Your Watch Captain is misinformed - or rather, he does not possess the complete story. There was a second force aboard the Herald. When it first emerged, Inquisitor Vixen Belfaux of the Ordo Xenos was in system, examining the nearby worlds in an attempt to discover what had cleansed them of life. She mobilized immediately, bringing her retinue on-board the Hulk. The composition of that retinue is unknown, however she was an Inquisitor of some renown. It is not beyond reason to believe that she may have brought with her artifacts of considerable power. Discovering the fate of Inquisitor Belfaux and her retinue would be a personal favor to the Ordo Xenos, as would the recovery of her Rosette, and any artifacts she carried."

The Inquisitor leans forward. "For obvious reasons, this cannot become known to the Rogue Traders or their crew."

Adamusa

2015-12-16, 07:56 AM

Kayran took a seat and listened intently as the Inquisitor briefed them. Artifacts of considerable power... that sounded like it was something the Ordos Xenos didn't want the Rogue Traders to know about, much less gain hold of.

The Raven Guard knew the Inquisition all too well. It was probable that these artifacts were archaeotech or possibly even xeno-tech, as hypocritical as it sounded. Perhaps this Belfaux was one of the radical Inquisitors that dotted the sector. Few in number, but just as dangerous as any other Inquisitor. Perhaps even more so.

"I understand, Inquisitor Roth. We shall do what we can to locate the Inquisitor and return her if she is still alive. If she, regrettably, is not, we will recover her equipment and return it. Of course, the hulk is large and we are but two. I cannot guarantee that we will see any sign of the Inquisitor," Kayran said. His mind had automatically started calculating possible entry routes and objectives and he also noted that the Inquisitor had failed to mention exactly what the artifacts were. Perhaps it was time for a little probing.

"Do you have any other information on the Inquisitor? Where she may have entered from, any communications from inside the hulk, what artifacts she would have been carrying? The more we know, the better chance we stand of discovering what happened," the Kill-Marine asked.

Toxic Mind

2015-12-18, 10:47 AM

The Inquisitor shakes his head. "She went off without warning or report. Her ship and her retinue were never recovered, and it is only once the Ordo Xenos investigated her disappearance that we surmised what had transpired. She would likely have entered near where your predecessors did, as it was the easiest point of ingress. I am truly sorry that I do not have more information."Remember you may roll scrutiny to see if someone is lying if you suspect something.

Twilight Dancer

Soon enough, you emerge from the Warp Gate. Immediately, the Astropathic Choir attempts to locate the Astronomicon, the easiest way to determine one's position in the galaxy, using the light from Holy Terra as a beacon. The Chief Astropath quickly hails Lady-Captain Undynne. "We are well into the eastern fringe of the galaxy, Lady-Captain. We have arrived."

As the Astropath finishes, one of the bridge crew starts. "Contact, Port Side! Meteor Storm!" The passive augurs failed to detect it coming, and now it is well within the acceptable cordon of safety around the ship. Fortunately, The Lady-Captain is near the helm, and her quick hands, or quick thinking may mitigate the damage.

The Test is a Hard (-20) Pilot (Space Craft) + Maneuverability test.
Success means you avoid the strike, though every DoF means the ship takes 1d5+1 Damage (Stacking) not reduced by Void Shields, though it is reduced by armor.

Aneurin

2015-12-18, 03:46 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

"Engines to full power, begin the emergency ignition rites for the void shields!" Anastasia roars as she takes grip of the ancient wheel of her beloved ship and spins it furiously to the background wailing of klaxons and proximity alerts. The whole bridge begins to flash first blue and then red as the alerts for proximity increase in severity."Lower the prow by three degrees and begin executing a roll towards port. Bring the point defenses up to full power and for the love of the Emperor get the Warp drive safely shut down and stowed before we're blown back into the Empyrean!"

Toxic Mind

2015-12-18, 06:04 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

The Twilight Dancer is true to its name, and displays a grace and agility that belies its bulky frame. The meteor-storm passes by, and while a few of the micro-meteors pepper the upper decks, no damage to the ship is done. Almost immediately, the communications adept reports an incoming message from a nearby ship.

"Its the Malleus, Ma'am. They advise us to make for them with all due haste - 15 VUs away, it seems. They also say that until we reach them, the meteors will not stop striking."

In mere instants, the augur officer confirms the message. The area is rife with fast moving micro-meteor storms, each one a deadly threat to a ship.
You are now in combat.
It takes a Challenging (+0) Awareness + Detection Test to spot the micro-meteor storm. [As this is use of the augurs, it takes an action by either a PC or a Crew member (Rating 30)]
If this test is a success, the Pilot + Maneuverability Check becomes Routine (+10), otherwise it is Hard (-10)

You are currently 15VU from safety

The Inquisitor's Shuttle

Victor reaches into the warp, attempting to read the currents of the empyrean playing across the Inquisitor's mind, the same as he had done with the Watch Captain. This time, however, something is terribly, irrevocably wrong. Something in this sector pulls at your mind, and for the barest instant you can feel a vast a deep malevolence pulling your mind from your body. Victor is no ordinary psyker, however, and you fight with all the skill that your chapter's Librarium has drilled into you. Your mind snaps back, but immediately it becomes clear that something else has happened.

Your arms feel so puny and weak, and there is no familiar armor around you. As you look up, you can see yourself. Or rather, you can see your armor and body. "What is the meaning of this?!" the armor says angrily, in a voice not like your own, but rather like Inquisitor Roth, whose body you now realize you inhabit.
Is there anything the inquisitor would notice inside your body? Anything obvious (think Chapter flaw/mutations) that would not require a mirror, and he would just feel by being in your body?
[roll0] rounds (45 seconds)

Jyssika

2015-12-18, 07:42 PM

Victor, or rather, Roth as he now appears puts a hand
to his face... the terrible itching has gone and he no
longer feels himself. He notices at once of course what
has happened, as strange and rare as it might be amongst
other Chapters the Angels Sanguine have such a vast
number of psychers it is practically common place for
occassional warp hiccups to occur.

"Be very careful with your mind Inquisitor, you could
do a lot of damage if you do not keep yourself calm."

He was used to dealing with angry psycher, as forementioned
they possessed alot of them and all of them suffered from the
Red Thirst.

"I was reading the tarrot, it appears we have swapped
host bodies, I believe it should rectify itself shortly but
I must ask you be very careful in how you act whilst
in my body as I will be doing you the same courtousy."

If he is in the body of an Angels Sanguine, and he is distressed
he would be feeling the build up of the Red Thirst, and since he
does not have the centuries of practice controlling it he would be
struggling. Especially since it apparently gets worse the older an
Astartes of the Blood Angels decendants ages. He would also feel
a very strange sensation on his face... obveously Victor would be
doing everything in his power to make sure the Inquisitor remains
in his Helmet.

He would also probably be struggling to control the Reading power
which I presume is still in effect? And is targetted on himself? So...
Victor?

If sooo...
Victors emotions are concern for the inquisitors mind and his body and also fear of him removing his helmet.

Adamusa

2015-12-19, 04:33 PM

Kayran was on the verge of cursing. The damned psyker! If they made enemies out of the Inquisitor this mission would ten times as difficult. He remembered the same thing happening in the briefing room, with the Watch-Captain. He resolved to have a sharp talk with Victor after the briefing was over and they were out of earshot.

"I ask that you remain calm, Inquisitor Roth. We both know that psychic powers can be unpredictable at best and I am sure that this was unintentional. What bothers me however is Inquisitor Belfaux. If she went into the hulk with nought but her own retinue, yet neglected to inform anyone, it casts suspicion on her motives in there. Whilst I am sure that it is not the case, I believe we must be careful. Do you have any further information about the hulk that may aid us?"

Aneurin

2015-12-20, 07:50 AM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

"Damnation!" she swears and thumps the wheel in frustration. "This is exactly the kind of information that should have been shared before we arrived. Someone, man the aetherics station! I need the trajectories of any showers coming our way, size and their relative velocities. I want damage reports from the last strikes, and and runners on stand by in case we lose internal communications. Increase speed to five knots, and angle the void shields for deflection," Anastasia roars as she gives the wheel an expert twist to alter the course once more as an incipient shower begins flashing more proximity alerts on the helm's console.

So, uh, yeah I'm using knots to measure speed rather than VU because VU just sounds odd to me - though as a measure of distance it's fine.

The ship is moving at its full speed of 5 VU this turn. As much as I'd like to pour on the extra speed, I think dodging is more important.

Pilot (Space Craft)+Man.
[roll0] vs. 59/79 (47 Base + 10 Talented + 12 Man. +/- 10 pending an augury roll)

Toxic Mind

2015-12-23, 06:09 PM

Twilight Dancer

The Dancer powers towards the edge of the Well of Night, augur's working overtime to predict the movement of the meteor storms. Despite the lack of warning, it was a rather uneventful trip. The Lady-Captain's sure and steady hands, and Sister Ravia's sharp eyes kept the ship from the worst of harm. Even when they were too slow to entirely avoid a meteor strike, it did only superficial damage, not even denting the armor of the Dancer. And soon enough, they were out of danger.

You pull alongside the Imperator Malleus, and can see through the viewport some pitting along the armor of the ancient ship. It seems that Lady Captain Casmirre did not emerge entirely unscathed from the Well of Night either. Shortly, you are hailed from the other ship. "Glad ye could make it lass. Yew want yer Astartes? Ah can send em over whenever yer ready."

Inquisitor's Corvette

"Interesting." The Inquisitor says from within Victor's body. He seems remarkably calm for his situation, but then again, he likely didn't survive long enough to gain his station by being easy to panic. There is a chime that sounds throughout the ship, and Inquisitor Holt looks up towards the nearest vox speaker. "It seems your other transport has-"

"arrived". The voice now comes from the Inquisitor's appropriate body. "All I know I have told you. What remains is your mission. Good luck, Astartes, and may the Emperor shelter you in his light."

Jyssika

2015-12-24, 12:42 AM

Victor stands, his equipment belt rustling as he did.

It has been a pleasure Inquisitor.
He briefly looks towards the Raven Guard, most likely
would have questions or comments to make once out
of ear shot of the Inquisitor... If the Reading was still
active he would still have access to both of their emotions.

I am sorry for the intrustion but
I am pleased I had this chance to gain
such insight into a man of your position.

He curls a finger and places the tip on the forcehead
of his faceplate.

I hope you had a similar experience,
and also that it remains a personal one.

Aneurin

2015-12-24, 09:34 AM

Burden King

2015-12-26, 12:36 AM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

"We are ready to receive them, Casmirre. I take it you had some difficulties with the... What was it you called it, the 'Well'?" Anastasia inquires politely. The damage has been minimal and the odd punctured crewman an insignificant loss that doesn't even show up on the background of day-to-day injuries. All in all, quite a relief, and a chance to maybe rub Casmirre's face in any damages she in turn may have suffered.

Turning away from the vox-station, Anastasia claps her hands for attention on the bridge.

"Form up a portion House Guard - say the first platoon? - as an escort. Dress uniforms, but with full armour and loaded weapons please. Sister Ravia, if you would be so good as to round up anyone who should meet them and get them to the landing bays? The Kroot leader, too, we might as well get that issue dealt with swiftly. The rest of the Hussars are to lock down the route between the landing bay and both Bridge and the Astartes' quarters. No need to expose the crew to them unduly for the time being..."

This is going to be a less showy than the arrival aboard the Imperator. It's a gesture of respect more than a statement of power - enough respect for the Space Marines' power and reputation that heavily armed elite house soldiers are in attendance, but not so many as to suggest that they could be crushed - but a lot less pomp and formality than there could be.

'Anyone who should meet them' covers the PCs and anyone else Ravia might want to bring along, like senior clergy or the head astropath.

Manix bowed to the lady captain, thinking that now would be the perfect time for him to make his mistress proud. "Shall I accompany you to meet these Astartes Mistress? I do not wish to cause any trouble for you, but I would prefer to be on hand should I be needed." He said to her, of course immediately assuming he was not one of the people the Astartes should meet. A healthy level of Humbleness went a long way when one was a sanctioned Xenos after all. His Stealth Battlesuit held the Sanctified Xenos symbol in many locations, but most predominantly adorned the very fac eof the suit, as to leave no doubt to his loyalty due to how it matched the mark on his own face.

Leon

2015-12-27, 10:26 AM

Ravia rounds up the representatives of the clergy, ambassadors of the Navis and an astropath not on duty. As a side thought bullies the nearest fancy looking Tech Adept into attendance since the lead one has mysteriously vanished after the "incident" and ushers them down to the landing bay and directs them where to stand and what to do.

Xenos, find your lackey and stand apart but obvious for inspection if they so wish

Toxic Mind

2015-12-27, 12:05 PM

Imperator Malleus

"I am an Inquisitor - the secrets I carry could shatter worlds. You are doing me a favor, and that buys you one in turn, should you succeed. Let us call this experience 'added motivation', then." Inquisitor Roth smiles, but there is no happiness in the gesture. The meaning of his words is clear - succeed in recovering Inquisitor Belfaux's artifacts, and the Secrets of the Angels Sanguine will remain just that.

Shortly after, the Inquisitor unseals the ship. Waiting is the Lady Captain Casmirre. "It has been a pleasure having you aboard my ship, Lord Astartes, though that time is now regrettably at an end. When next we meet, it will be aboard the Herald of Oblivion. I will escort you to your Thunderhawk." She motions with her hand for you to follow.

As you walk down the Labyrinthine corridors, she talks, though softly. "As I'm sure Watch Captain Vahn has told you, this ship is very old, and very powerful. Once, it was the last ship in my Dynasty. That has changed, now, and while We are still a shadow of Our former glory, much of Our martial strength is now restored. Still, I am forever distrustful of Inquisitors and their ilk. No one but they could have so quickly laid low my Father's empire. I do not know what he, or my ancestors, did to deserve such a fate, but it remains. Do not trust your Inquisitor 'friend'. And should you need an ally against him, ever, I might know a few people."

As her speech ends, you are back at the cargo bay. The Lady Captain shakes her head slightly. No response is required or wanted. It is a delivery of information, no more, to be used or discarded as needed. "May your blades ever find the hearts of your enemy." she says with a small bow of her head.

The ramp closes, and you launch into the void once more. Before you lies the ship you will take to your destination. It's heraldry proclaims it Twilight Dancer, a cruiser class. Across its prow is a massive statue of an Imperial Saint. As your pilot communes with the ship, you can see its massive armaments and powerful augur arrays. Soon enough, you land in a hanger bay, and the Thunderhawk opens to reveal...

Twilight Dancer

The Thunderhawk is not given clearance until everything is prepared. A squadron of the Dancing Hussars, the House Guard of Undynne, are prepared in full regalia. Sister Ravia stands with a retinue of the ship's notables, resplendent in her Hospitalier armor. And standing to the side, away from the parade line, is Manix and his Kroot Shaper Commander. Displayed prominently are the marks of sanctioning. And at the center of the line is Lady Captain Undynne, wearing her polished and shining power armor.

Finally, the ramp lowers, uniting the two factions for the first time.

Jyssika

2015-12-27, 01:59 PM

Victor makes a mental note to have the Inquisitor added
to the Chapters blacklists upon his return from the mission.
The inquisitor had no proof, nor did he really have any
knowledge other than a itchy face, but it did not bode
well to intimidate an Astartes Chapter... Especially with
their most precious and guarded secret.

As a Codicier he had the privilage of being privvy to just
how many innocents his Chapter had required to
kill in the name of keeping their secret underwraps.
Although only a very few of them were high ranking Inquisitors.

---

Victor steps off of the ramp, becoming tired of humans
more now than ever before. He has hoped this little
soirée would have been interesting and opened his mind
to the Imperium and its citizens, reminding himself why
his part in its protection was so vital and important.
Yet all he had so far seen was audacity, ignorance and
intimidation. The thirst burnt in his throat and he had
an unexplainable urge to empty destroy something.

With clenched teeth he walks towards the next important
human whos speech he must endure, not wanting
to wait at the foot of the ramp like last time he strides
relentlessly towards them, stopping abruptly only a handful
of feet infront of them.

"We are Astartes of the Deathwatch..."

Victor is a little disgruntled

Aneurin

2015-12-27, 05:24 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

Ah, the legendary Astartes, tall, heroic and awe-inspiring. Valiant warriors, and the Emperor's own angels - a mere handful of them protect the Imperium in its entirety, so great are is their skill at arms. They are also rude, self-important and lack a grasp of common courtesy it would seem. Having noticeably less fancy armour than she herself possesses is not doing their god-like image any favours, either.

"I would never have guessed had you not told me that," Anastasia says drily, as she carefully keeps her face blank. She also does not back down an inch as the three-meter-tall angel of death attempts to invade her personal space. She is, after all, second only to the God-Emperor aboard her ship and is also in possession of a platoon of heavily armed armsmen. "Welcome aboard the Twilight Dancer, I am Rogue Trader Anastasia Faydra Undynne, Lord-Captain of the Twilight Dancer, Princess of Bravensia and Ultarra and Protector of Saldenvard. To your right, you will see Mannfred and Shaper Click Click Whistle Click Whistle Whistle Whistle Chirp, which I am given to understand sounds significantly less unwieldy when pronounced by a Kroot. They are xenos, in my employ, and I shall be deeply unamused should you purge them or anyone else who works for me. The rest of those assembled here will no doubt be delighted to introduce themselves to you in their own time, and I shall ensure you are acquainted with the boarding party for the Herald of Oblivion before we arrive," she regards the power armoured beast before her with a bland expression for a moment, before continuing.

"I have not had the distinction of working with the Astartes before, but in order to prevent possible trouble down the line I intend to spell a number of things out quite clearly. You are guests aboard the Twilight Dancer, and will be treated as such. We are not under your authority, nor are we beholden to the Inquisition, the Navy or any other body you might care to invoke. You do not issue instructions to my crew or to myself. You most certainly do not kill those who serve aboard vessel without my express permission, permission which I shall never give you, unless you wish to be confined to the brig. Of course, neither may I issue commands to you. I will respect you as you in turn will respect me. I hope I am perfectly clear, here?"

Quite like this, but with a full helmet rather than a mask. For Ana's face, see her character sheet.
http://static-2.nexusmods.com/15/mods/110/images/36497-2-1369745244.jpg

Adamusa

2015-12-27, 05:41 PM

Kayran followed Victor down the Thunderhawk's ramp, making a mental note to speak to the Watch-Captain about Inquisitor Roth. That one was not trustworthy.

As Victor nearly ran the ship's captain over, Kayran had to resist the urge to bellow at the Librarian. Despite Captain Vahn's explicit orders to work together as brothers, the psyker was making that VERY difficult recently. Kayran stepped up a few metres beside and behind Victor, then removed his helmet, once again revealing his pale countenance. His lip curls in distaste as he spots the Tau battlesuit and the Kroot, but sanctioned xenos were common enough amongst Rogue Traders.

"I apologise for my brother's lack of courtesy, Lady Undynne. He has a rather short temper and it has been somewhat stretched over the past few hours," Kayran explained. Rather like my own has, he thought, but wisely kept that to himself. "If your xenos are sanctioned, then rest assured we shall not instigate any hostilities with them, unless of course they attack first. I trust that will not be an issue?" the lithe Raven Guard asked. As he spoke, his eyes took in the finery of the Trader's power armour. He had to stifle a gasp as he saw the raven insignia. He was not a superstitious man, as Raven Guard went, but if anything were to be an omen, that would be it. He was struck by a sudden urge to trust this woman. It took him a second to force it down; it was too early for such assumptions.

"It occurs to me that I have not introduced myself yet, for which I must apologise. I am Brother Kayran, Kill-Marine in service to the Deathwatch and formerly of the Raven Guard. You may perhaps have heard the nickname some of the Guard regiments in the Reach have given me, though I am loath to refer to it too often. My brother here is Victor Helios, of the Angels Sanguine. I thank you for your welcome aboard your vessel. It should be... interesting to work with you," he said. After a moment's thought, he continued.

"It is of course as you say. This is your ship and thus you have absolute command; never would I think to override that. I and my brother shall keep out of the way of your crew and in turn we shall be left alone for the voyage. I must ask however that the exception to that is that we are given full access to any battle planning sessions that you may hold. We must work together smoothly if we are all to survive the Herald of Oblivion."

Jyssika

2015-12-28, 05:32 AM

"I hope your Xenos do not faulter should we encounter more
of their ilk in our joint mission."

He hefts his bolter, and looks over the assembled troops,
picking out each grenade, bayonette and any support
heavy weapons amongst them.

He attempts to soften his tone, it did his Chapter a dis-
service to alienate and irritate potential allies.

"Excuse my demeanor, it is an honour to be on your vessel."
He bows ever so slightly, an appology but still not
lowering his eye line below her face, a guarded
appology at best.

"I would greatly appreciate going over our entry plan with your
Chiefs of Staff if that is possible? Myself and Brother
Kayran may be able to improve it in some way and
if not we would benefit from learning the extent and
capabilities your element in this Task Force."

Aneurin

2015-12-28, 01:30 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

Somewhat mollified, Anastasia inclines her head politely to the Astartes - not a full bow, and most certainly not an indication of submission, but a polite gesture of respect nontheless.

"Of course, you are both more than welcome at the planning session, and I will happily receive you in the ward room at your earliest convenience to discuss our respective goals on this venture. I am unable to offer specific plans until such time as we see the Herald, unless the good Inquisitor Roth chooses to reveal more current information than a five-century-old map. There are some general strategies in place, pending what we find at our destination, that you will be brought up to speed with, but specifics will have to wait some time yet," Ana says pleasantly, as she turns from the Astartes and begins to walk from the hangar. "The Xenos will be no issue, I assure you, and you will seldom see them aboard. The Tau is aware of what will happen to him should he cross me, and the Kroot are refreshingly honest about their loyalty - so long as I continue paying them, they will continue to serve. If you wish Sister del'Thorn will escort you to your quarters to freshen up, along with Lieutenants Delgado and Virenzia who will act as your liasons aboard ship," she goes on, gesturing to two young lieutenants who salute as they're singled out, and, of course, Sister del'Thorn. "If you do not wish, I shall be in the Ward Room for the next hour or so should you have anything else you desire to discuss further discussion,"

So, the Astartes are not allowed near the Engines, the Warp Drive, Geller Field Projector, crew mess or the crew quarters or anywhere near the xenos. Mostly to reduce contamination of the crew, and prevent the Space Marines killing all the Kroot just yet. They can go anywhere else they choose, though crew-filled areas will require a bit of notice so they can be emptied before hand. It will be politely suggested that the Astartes leave their Power Armour off while wandering the ship, though not insisted upon.

I'm moving the discussion on to the Ward Room (if that's what you guys want to do) because standing around discussing tactics and philosophy in front of the grunts is a bit odd :smallwink:

Also, out of public view things become a bit less Rogue Trader-centric and we lose some of the pomp and formality, so everyone can talk a bit more freely.

Burden King

2015-12-28, 09:16 PM

Manix had been standing near his Mistress when he saw the Astartes Thunderhawk touch down before him, taking not the distinct fact that it sank closer to the ground then would be normal, likely due to the immense size of the Emperors chosen it held within. They may have been fierce warriors, but subtle was not a word he would commonly associate with them. And though their zealotry held it's own unique grace, they lacked elegance and tact when it came to much things. He almost banished such thoughts out of his head, not wishing to be rude, until he saw one such marine seem to charge straight towards his Mistress. Without a single thought, he was already stepping in front of her so that his body would be the first to be damaged instead of hers. However, the sudden stop of the marine and the conversation that took place between he and his mistress made him step back in line, still wary of the marines.

He stayed tall, but once he was introduce he bowed his head to the marines, bowing lower then his mistress had, but not lower then he normally did for her. To both show them his respect and lower rank, while also showing he held his mistress above them in terms of authority. He said nothing to them, as he did not wish to speak out of turn, and merely stood there as they spoke. However, when one of the Marines question his loyalty, he merely looked at the Marine "My 'ilk' are no more then blind and lost children, fumbling in the shadows of greater races." He said, bowing his head to the Astartes "You will see no hesitation from me when it comes time to purge those too arrogant to see the true path of the true Greater Good." He said to the Astartes, his suit partially messing with his voice as he spoke through it's speakers.

Afte rhe spoke his piece, he followed his Mistress to the ward room, deeming it unnecessary to continue speaking to the rather abrasive Marines.

Leon

2015-12-30, 06:41 PM

Waiting for the Captain to leave, Ravia approaches the two marines and stops a respectful distance from them

Welcome my Lords. I am Sister Ravia Del'thorn, Order Hospitaller on detached duties. she indicates the assorted functionaries to approach and be introduced in order of importance (to her at least) and the shoos them away back to a respectful distance and waits to see where the marines wish to go.

Toxic Mind

2015-12-30, 07:25 PM

Lieutenant Delgado. Lord Astartes Helios, I shall be your liason aboard the ship while Sister Del'Thorn is otherwise occupied. The man salutes crisply, and bows, making the sign of the Aquila on his chest. There is no small amount of awe on his face, but the lieutenant is holding his compose rather well, all considered.

Next to Kayran, a similar conversation is taking place as Lieutenant Virenzia introduces himself to Kayran, making the appropriate gestures of respect as well.

"Where would you like to go, my Lord?"

Toxic Mind

2015-12-30, 07:48 PM

The Ward Room - Ana
It is not long before Ana receives the communication from the Malleus. "Are ya ready tah depart? My Navis informs me that she can link arh ships together in tha Warp, so we have nah more unpleasant delays." It is clear from her tone that it is merely a suggestion, though likely a wise one, given the mentioned dangers of warp travel near a space hulk.

Adamusa

2015-12-30, 07:52 PM

Kayran nodded to the lieutenant. He showed no fear at the sign of an Astartes. That was good; these men had steel in them. They would need it aboard the hulk.

"I shall head to the Ward Room. I must speak with the Lady-Captain about our battle plans. But I must insist that you refer to me as Kayran. I am no Lord, that right is reserved for the Emperor," he said softly.

Jyssika

2015-12-31, 06:50 AM

Victor nods his acknowledgement.
Through his helmet it is very difficult to tell if Victor is
making a joke or being deadly serious, a fact he is well
aware of.

"Lord Codicier Astartes Helios, but Lord Helios
is much easier to identify over Bolter fire."

He pauses, Kayran was going straight to the Ward Room
but he had a duty to his Chapter before he could.

"I must inspect my quarters quickly before we proceed to the
Ward Room, are we able to make the journey and back
in an acceptable time without delaying too much our arrival
at the meeting?"

Aneurin

2016-01-01, 07:48 AM

Toxic Mind

2016-01-01, 09:39 PM

Ana
There is no verbal reply, merely a set of charts, encrypted in Navis Nobilite runes and script.

Astartes
"Of course, Astartes Kayran." The Lieutenant says with a bow, "though you may have to remind the other crew members. They are not used to recieving such... austere guests." It was clear from the lieutenant's tone and expression that he, while trying to remain composed, has never received such austere guests either. "I will take you to the Ward Room immediately. If you would follow me."

Next to him, Delgado is having a much easier time. He gives a crisp bow. "If you do not mind taking a few shortcuts, I am sure we can make the Ward Room before much beyond the pleasantries have been exchanged, Lord Helios." The Lieutenant gestures in a different direction and heads off, glancing back only once to make sure Victor, was following.

In no time at all, Victor and his escort arrive at the Ward Room. Inside are a bevy of senior staff, as well as the xenos Manix (Manfred) standing quietly at his mistress' side. Most of the support staff look at the Lady Captain for guidance, unsure if they should stay or leave.

Victor
You arrive at your quarters, a fairly oppulent cell by Astartes standards, it contains furniture designed to accommodate Astartes physique and power armor, and a devotional shrine to the Emperor of Mankind. A quick scan of the room reveals no listening or observation equipment.

Jyssika

2016-01-02, 04:06 AM

Victor briefly checks over the room; making
sure the room has an adequate lock and no
sensory equipment. He disguards his stormbolter
and extra equipment, taking only his forcesword
and bolt pistol before stepping outside.

"Let us head to the ward room."

Burden King

2016-01-03, 02:37 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne - Ward Room

"Very well, we have the Astartes safely aboard. Transmit anything that's necessary, and I will have it sent to our Navis," Anastasia replies, after a brief moment's thought. Without any Warp Charts for the area, or any clear idea of where to go, following the Imperator Malleus seems sensible. Turning from the vox, console she fixes Manix with a look.

"Mannfred, following this meeting I would like you to come up with three scenarios in which we eject the Astartes from this ship should they attempt to cross us, including probable loss of life. Do not speak to anyone other than myself about this project, especially not the good Sister. While I pray we never need enact such counter-measures, the Emperor best helps those who help themselves,"

Manix slightly twitched under his armor at being called by 'Mannfred'. He may have been whole heartedly devoted to his place in life, but the mere though of his name being taken away from him still was one of the few things that had trouble being swayed. However, he steeled through it, and nodded to his Mistress.

"At once Mistress, I shall endeavor to balance casualties with effectiveness. I already have a few idea that I can pursue once I begin my investigations into the matter."

Manix said, standing firm as he felt pride fill him at being assign this very important mission.

"You have my word as your faithful servant, should these Astartes so arrogantly think they can harm your house with impunity, they will never forget the humbling lessons I will have prepared for you to dole out to them."

Aneurin

2016-01-03, 04:12 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

"Thank you," Ana nods briefly to Manix, just before the entry of one of the Astartes. She glances around briefly at the rest of the apprehensive officers, and makes avague gesture of dismissal. "Well, ladies and gentlemen, you have your assignments. See that the data is safely transferred to the Lady Navis,"

As the assorted officers begins to file out, she turns to Kayran and smiles with considerably more warmth than she had exhibited in the initial meeting of .

"Now we are in a more private setting, allow me to welcome you once more to the Twilight Dancer. I hope your quarters are to your liking; I am unfamiliar with the tastes of the Astartes, and was rather pressed for time at our departures so many of the furnishings were originally designed for an ogryn's physique. While they are, of course, the finest available I will understand if this does not please you," Ana says smoothly, as she watches Kayran's reaction closely. "I have received the navigational data from the Imperator Malleus, and expect to be at Warp in the next few hours. Do you wish to begin our discussion of our respective objectives now, or would you rather wait for your comrade to arrive?" she asks, raising a questioning eyebrow.

Standard disclaimer: the dismissal does not apply to any of the PCs who wish to be in attendance, this is just likely to be a smidge confidential and a chance to clear the air as well as a chance to drop any acts put on for the common crew.

Adamusa

2016-01-06, 08:05 AM

Kayran nodded at the Lady-Captain's considerably warmer welcome. Appearances were everything when you were in command, so he understood her earlier disposition perfectly.

"Once again I thank you for your welcome, Captain Undynne," Kayran said with a small smile. "Whilst I am glad to wait for Brother Helios, it should not matter overmuch if we start without him. He is... a rather spontaneous individual. I do not believe he will mind. As to my quarters, I have not inspected them yet as I came straight here, but I am sure they will be sufficient. All I truly require is a darkened cell with an ablutions facility, but your generosity is noted and appreciated," he continued, clasping his hands behind his back as he did so.

"Now, what plans have you made so far for the coming mission? I have examined several possibilities, but I would hear your thoughts first."

Aneurin

2016-01-06, 02:41 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

"If you would like we could reassign your quarters to the bathroom on that deck, but I imagine you'd rather we didn't. Well, put simply I have yet to make any firm plans," Anastasia says as she places the helmet of her armour on the corner of the ward room table. "The only details I have of this Hulk are some five century old diagrams that the Inquisitor was kind enough to show me. Ideally we will stand off the Herald while we conduct some more thorough scans and then make plans accordingly. But before I go too deeply into possible scenarios, I believe it would be prudent to clear the air somewhat," she purses her lips thoughtfully for a moment, as she considers the next few sentences.

"I should make it clear that my agreement with Inquisitor Roth was to provide you with transportation to the Herald of Oblivion, no more and no less. I do not know what your goal is there, and I am not obligated to help you with it. I will, however, offer what assistance I deem appropriate as is my duty as a Peer of the Imperium, and guarantee your transportation to a safe location once your mission is complete. My interest here is in salvage and reclamation and the destruction of the Space Hulk. We will reclaim what we can, and destroy or damage as much as possible - a Space Hulk that large cannot be allowed to roam loose within the Imperium's borders. It is far, far too dangerous for that," Ana says, her eyes flashing fiercely as she leans in towards Kayran. "Whether you have accomplished your mission or not, whether you are aboard or not, if I believe that Space Hulk is about to return to the Warp I will do my best to destroy it. Are we clear?"

Adamusa

2016-01-07, 03:03 AM

Kayran clasped his hands behind his back as the Rogue Trader spoke and studied her with an analytical gaze. Perhaps it was wise to inform her of some details of the mission, the better to help her understand just how large a threat the Herald was to the Imperium. Coupled with that was the fact that a well-informed strike force had a better chance inside than one going in blind. They would need all the assistance they could get and if revealing some information to this Trader was the way to get it then, well, so be it.

"It would seem that our objectives are in synchronisation. My mission is also to disable the hulk. Whilst I cannot reveal too much detail, I can reveal this. By the time Victor and I are finished with the Herald of Oblivion, it will no longer threaten the Imperium, the Raven Guard said quietly. He shifted slightly and continued.

"Further to this... Inquisitor Roth has not told you everything. I suppose that is his prerogative as an Inquisitor but it ill befits the Ordo to send someone into a space hulk with only minimal information. There was a previous kill-team sent in, a squad commanded by one Jerzan Gordian, a Keeper of the Deathwatch and close friend of our Watch-Captain. They planted homing beacons at the entrance they made to the hulk and secured staging areas inside an Eldar cruiser when we lost contact. My secondary mission is to link with any survivors," he explained, leaving out Roth's request. He didn't think the Rogue Trader would care much about a lost inquisitor. From Roth's description, Kayran didn't care much either, but a mission was a mission.

"Finally, this hulk is much more dangerous than Roth has told you, I would think. Space hulks can wreak havoc, but normally it is nothing that a company of Astartes cannot deal with. This one..." he paused. Should this information be revealed? The Trader seemed like she had a spine of steel, but her officers may not share that solidarity. He decided it was too much of a risk not to. Perhaps the officers that remained in the room were an elite few.

"The Herald of Oblivion destroys worlds. It utterly annihilates them. Mine and Victor's task is to prevent this from happening again. There is... an item, that the previous team carried. We are to retrieve it and take it to the very heart of the hulk. More than that I cannot say," he finished, watching carefully for reactions.

Toxic Mind

2016-01-07, 08:26 AM

It is at this moment that Delgado, with Victor right behind, reach the room. The Lieutenant bows quickly to the Lady Captain before stepping aside and allowing Victor to enter.

In addition, the Navigator voxes Anastasia on a private channel and reports that all is in readiness to depart for the Warp, and would she prefer to be on the bridge or continue her meeting?

Aneurin

2016-01-09, 10:43 AM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

Ana looks over at the Space Marines and the remaining officers for a moment as she rests a finger against the 'transmit' button of her micro-bead, ready to answer as soon as she has an answer.

"We are ready to go to Warp. Is there anything anyone requires before we depart? Or has to share that may affect our journey?" she asks, with some semblance of politeness and a certain unspoken suggestion of "if there is and you didn't tell me about it, there's going to be trouble".

Sorry, paused to let other people say something and sorta forgot to actually let people know that we could jump to Warpy things.

Jyssika

2016-01-09, 12:19 PM

If Victor was not an Astartes he would have sighed in
frustration, he had hoped to have a detailed look at the
deploment plan and get a better look at the strength
of the Rogue Traders forces.

If this was not a Deathwatch opperation he knew his
Chapter would deploy several cruisers and most likely
an entire Company to lock down a staging area on the
hulk before proceeding deeper into its bowls.

He was a veteran swordsman but his specialist reading
was in void combat and he had seen all too well what
evil suprises can be found in the dark cold necropoli of
space.

He placed a firm grip on the pommel of his Forcesword,
reasuring himself it was there should anything malevolent
occur during their warp transit.

I must insist we go over our entrance stratergy, once you
have a moment free, Lady Undynne

I am not actually sure where I read it, but I believe it
was in one of the Deathwatch short stories that
alot of Astartes Chapters do not adress the captain
of a ship as Captain, due to confusions with Captain
being a rank within the Astartes... Anyway thats why
hes using funny language. I believe in the book he
adressed them as Ship Master... but obveously, our
RT is a lady. Just gonna use her name instead.

Leon

2016-01-10, 03:22 PM

Coming in to the meeting after warp has been breached

No further issues with the crew beyond normal levels, i have informed the priests to maintain a increased service rota none the less till this mission is done for all jumps

Aneurin

2016-01-12, 05:07 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

She dips her head briefly in acknowledgement to the Sister and Astartes, as she presses the 'call' button on her micro-bead.

++Translate at will. I will be in the Ward Room should my presence become required.++

Message sent, Ana turns her attention back to her guests and officers.

"I shall graciously humour your request, though I would remind you of my earlier remarks regarding our relative authorities and jurisdictions," she says mildly to Victor, before turning her attention to the table and calling up a semi-3d depiction of the Herald generated from the images of the Inquisitor's map. "I was just discussing maters with your Brother here, and had offered what assistance I can spare. Though you should be aware that I consider the completion of your mission to be secondary to the destruction of the Space Hulk. I understand you are seeking a device that can disable the Space Hulk, but I feel destruction will disable it more permanently than any arcane technology you may wield.

"Precise strategy is regrettably fluid until we have more information on the target. This particulate model," she indicates the floating display with a gesture, "is around five centuries old and is unlikely to be particularly accurate any more. When we arrive in system we will begin aggressive scans of the Herald of Oblivion and collate the data to come up with a coherent strategy for conquering the Hulk. The general tactic I plan, however, is to secure a beachhead using the armsmen of both the Dancer and the Malleus. While they hold position there, Kroot-escorted engineers will seek out the Plasma and Warp drives of the more intact and structurally significant vessels and prepare them for detonation, place charges or some such technical nonsense. We shall also be liberating what wrecks we can for return to Imperial service. There should be a significant window for you to retrieve the item you seek,"

Jyssika

2016-01-12, 05:44 PM

Victor nods

"My only concern is that if we are still alive having completed
our mission, your beachhead has not been overrun and thus
our primary means of evacuation compomised."

He pauses a moment, attempting to find a way of broaching the
subject that would not insult or offend the Lady on her ship.

"I trust your troops are well equipped and trained in combat aboard
a Spacehulk? We could be walking into a nest of Genestealers,
a Hareem of Eldar or even a Warptwisted nightmare. They are
well aware of the interlocking geometry of different ships causing
every single sentry point to have uncountable avenues of approach
and are capable of fighting in fluctuating gravity, pitch black darkness
or perhaps even the silence of the void?"

He raises a single finger, she probably wished to defend either
her pride or her troops honour, he didn't really care which but
he did care that she understood him well.

"If this were an Astartes opperation we would dedicate an entire Company
of the Emperor's finest warriors to ensure we had the best chance of
not dying on this floating tomb. It is an incredibly dangerous enviroment
we are about to enter, I would propose every precaution is taken to see
our beachhead is held. I would advocate using democharges to seal non-
vital corridors and minefields in those we cannot seal. But depending
on the nature of the threat, even that might not help us."

Aneurin

2016-01-13, 04:00 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

"Y-es," she says slowly as the looks the hulking Space Marine before her over. Superhuman physique and superhuman ego, it would seem. How... delightful. "Should we acquire a company of Space Marines, I will most assuredly seek your expertise. However, in mundane combats I think I shall fall back on my own expertise in the matter of securing ships and purging daemons, heretics and xenos in the name of the Emperor. This is hardly the first Warp-tainted, poorly constructed wreck I will have seized and subsequently destroyed. The chief difference here is in scale, and on that count it is likely that those restricting, branching corridors will work in our favour. They offer routes for our teams to leave, while reducing the number of bodies our hypothetical enemies can bring to bear," Anastasia pauses a moment to give Victor a frosty look before continuing.

"We do not have a company of Astartes, but I would sooner trust my men at my back than any thousand Space Marines you may care to offer me. They are all veterans of boarding actions and planetary assaults and they are all proven loyal to me, to my House and to the Emperor. They know what they are doing, Space Marine, as do we all. I suggest you concern yourself with surviving your own mission and refraining from getting any of my men and women killed while carrying it out,"

Jyssika

2016-01-17, 07:09 AM

You would do well to remember, that although I wear
the colour of rank and file I am a veteran of centuries
of war. Each and every Astartes carries the genetic code
of the man you falsely worship as a god.

He points at the xeno.

From where I stand it looks like you would rather bed
yourself with xenos than any decendants of Terra.
I hope your grand entrance plan does not also
include attempting to train genestealers to add
to your managerie. Yet from your arrogant and frankly
ignorant views, I fear that might be exactly what
you plan to do.

With that Victor exits the ward room.

Aneurin

2016-01-17, 11:15 AM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

Ana watches with a mask of polite neutrality on her face as the Space Marine rants and raves and blasphemes and bites down hard on the simmering rage that the sheer arrogance of the speech. The day had looked oh-so-pleasant earlier, but now she gets to prevent the priests from murdering a Space Marine - what fun that shall be.

With Victor's departure, she shoots Kayran an questioning look.

"I believe you used the word 'spontaneous' to describe your comrade earlier. I suggest you revise that to 'suicidal' and 'rude' in the future," she says, in a tone that is at least attempting to be both mild and curious, even if it isn't succeeding very well, as she regards the doorway through which Victor had left. "It is exceedingly poor taste to insult ones host so, especially when said host can trace her lineage back to the unification of Terra and the founding of the Imperium, even before the birth of the Primarchs. My ancestors spoke with the Emperor before His ascension to godhood, fought alongside Him and helped write the earliest drafts of the Tactica Imperialis, some of them were the first of your kind. Our Warrant was granted by the Blessed Guilliman commanding us to conquer in the Emperor's name, and there is none save the Emperor Himself capable of revoking it," as she talks Anastasia walks carefully and deliberately up towards Kayran and looks him in the fixed eyes of his helmet as her voice hardens.

"Do be so good as to inform your comrade of that, since I have no intention of meeting with him again. He is, as far as I am concerned, unwelcome aboard my ship and will no longer be treated as a guest. I may be prepared to tolerate certain xenos, but I will not accomodate heretics and blasphemers. Nor will I accept rudeness and insubordination. If, after this day, he is found outside of your landing craft without my express permission he will be treated as a hostile interloper. You may come and go freely, as you see fit and your quarters will remain in tact. I have no quarrel with you, but I suspect your friend would not find a warm welcome with this ship's clergy after his blasphemy here even if I did not banish him, and I advise you to take care in your dealings with them," Anastasia pauses a moment to let this sink in, before adding rather more cheerfully. "Now, do you intend to remain aboard or shall I have your quarters dismantled as well?"

Adamusa

2016-01-17, 12:24 PM

Kayran had to restrain himself from throttling the psyker. Victor was making this harder and harder and now he'd managed to offend the Rogue Trader, probably the worst thing he could have done. He replaced his helmet as Victor ranted and left. To the Lady-Captain's eyes (and ears), the Raven Guard was silent for a few moments. In actuality, he was giving Victor an incredible tongue-lashing over their private vox.

+++The Lady-Captain asks me to inform you that you are not to leave the landing vessel until we arrive,+++ Kayran began, his voice like ice. +++I can see no reason to disagree with her at this moment. Have you been possessed by some manner of warp-daemon or have you simply taken leave of your common sense? Do you not remember Captain Vahn's words to us? "The art of rhetoric and niceties will serve you well," he said. So far, you have managed to mindswap yourself with an Inquisitor AND offend the Rogue Trader we are supposed to be working with! You are making this mission considerably harder and by Corax's bones I will not allow you to jeopardise it any further. You are confined to the Thunderhawk until further notice and I WILL be informing Captain Vahn of this when we return. Such foolishness is unbecoming of a Deathwatch marine and you should know better,+++ he hissed, then cut off the vox before Victor could reply.

With a sigh, he looked back to the Lady-Captain and removed his helmet again. "That... will not be necessary. Having the both of us remain on the landing craft will do no good to facilitate communications and planning. I do apologise for Victor's rude words. Unfortunately he prefers to act rather than speak and it seems that the time we have spent aboard ships recently has soured his mood, not to mention inflamed his temper. Alongside this, he is not used to working with mortals, even ones as prestigious as you. I on the other hand have spent much time with Guardsmen and the like. I am accustomed to the world of politicking, thus perhaps it is better this way," Kayran said, wearily rubbing his temple with his free hand. "I have informed Brother Helios that he is not to leave our Thunderhawk until ordered to do so. He may not know how to restrain his words, but he does know how to follow orders," the marine explained. This would be harder, but it seemed that the Lady-Captain was reasonable. Hopefully none of the clerics had heard Victor's words. The Emperor only knew how they would react.

Jyssika

2016-01-17, 01:10 PM

He takes a moment, thus far he had not allowed anger to
cloud himself, but the biting burning taste of blood was
beginning to test him.

He enters the Thunderhawk, sealing the ramp and locking it
from the inside before deactivating the pilot servitors and turning
off all systems other than lifesupport.

He begins cleaning the passenger compartment of the
thunderhawk and kneels at the centre of it on the floor.

Leon

2016-01-18, 12:29 AM

Looking blank faced at the ranting marine and waiting a small while before speaking once he had left.

The thoughts of one marine shall not shake the foundations of our belief, he is entitled to believe what he think as long as his heresy doesn't spread.

Aneurin

2016-01-18, 01:03 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

She opens her mouth to speak to the inexplicably silent Space Marine before her, and then pauses as Sister Ravia speaks her piece and gives Sister Ravia a most curious look. That was not the fire-and-brimstone smite-them-all-and-let-the-Emepror-sort-it-out response she had expected to such blasphemy from one of the Brides of the Emperor.

"...A novel point of view. Are you feeling quite well, Sister?" Anastasia asks, with a troubled frown. "I had not expected you to be content with mere banishment,"

Then her attention returns to Kayran as he ceases his statue impression and begins once more interacting with the world. Space Marines are, it would seem, rather bemusing beings.

"I accept your apologies, Astartes Kayran, and I apologise in turn for banishing your comrade from this ship, but I will not tolerate naked blasphemy aboard this vessel," Anastasia replies, in as courteous and formal tone as she is able. "I wish also to apologise for any aspersions I may have cast upon the skill and loyalty on the Adeptus Astartes; I have no reason to doubt your skill at arms, valour or loyalty. What I do, however, question is your comrades assumption that he is more knowledgeable than I when it comes to coordinating such a grand venture as this.

"From what I know of the Astartes, I am led to believe that it is very rare that more than a hundred or so Space Marines are ever fielded together in one place. here we shall be coordinating tens of thousands, perhaps, depending on what the Lady Casmirre decides to venture. On top of that, our plans run deeper than simply securing your objective and leaving; both Casmirre and I intend to salvage as much of this wreckage as possible before the Herald is considgned to oblivion, which means a simple strike-and-retrieve operation is not an option. I also feel I must question either your comrade's sanity or judgement if he honestly believes I or my compatriot would be so foolish as to venture anywhere near the most severely tainted areas of the hulk - it is neither good sense nor good judgement to risk our crews so for a pile of irredeemably tainted and warped scrap," Anastasia turns and walks back to the holo projection of the moon-sized space hulk before she speaks again, a trifle more gently and with irritation and exasperation in her voice that had not been there a moment before.

"I am most willing to accept your advice and suggestions on tactical matters, but I ask you understand that I will not tolerate condescion or the assumption that I have never before been in position to board a hostile voidship. I also wish you to remember that not every human out there is as durable as popular mytho holds the Astartes to be; I will not have my people die for another's arrogance any more than you, I suspect, would allow yours to,"

I'm sort of assuming that Leon and Adamusa's posts happen sort of simultaneously in order to make this post flow a little better. I apologise for any confusion this may cause.

Jyssika

2016-01-18, 02:11 PM

Victor contemplated removing his armour for what
he was about to do, if he had the pleasure of his
Chapter's sanguine chamber he would knowing he
would be safe from any external forces and pretected
by the ritual blood of his Brothers and Primarch.

Already he had been haunted by warp spirits every
time he had tapped into the lucid dreams of his
Primarch; he knew it could only get worse if he
was to attempt to veiw such a powerful and tainted
warp object. He imagined very briefly being attacked
and consumed by some powerful deamon or warp
entity alone inside the ship, only to be found by his
Brother Kayran who would probably then
declare him a traitor and his records would be expunged.

He quickly flushed the thought from his mind; he was
a good psyker, braver and stronger than most and
even amonst his chapter he was not reguarded as
a weakling. He drew his force sword, it hummed and
spat energy as he slowly built up a psychic choir of
one.
"What shall we face within the Herald of Oblivion"

[roll0] Focus test; WP 56, +20 PRx4 = 76.
[roll1] Phomominominominom (If double)
[roll2] Perils if 75+

So... thats PR4 on the Augury table; page 192 of DW Core.

Toxic Mind

2016-01-18, 02:30 PM

The Warp is cloudy - that is not to say unreadable, but searching the pathways is like wandering through the dense forests of Baraban when shrouded in mist - the way forward is unclear, and many false turns and signs await. Still, you eventually find your way to the information you seek, and you know it when you see it. It sits in the recesses of your sight like a cancerous tumor upon reality. You have seen the Hadex Anomaly and its presence upon the Warp from afar - this is different, but no less malignant. You venture cautiously closer, shrouding your presence as you have been taught since initiation.

Before you even reach the blight upon the Warp-vision, the first foe reveals itself, though you can sense that this is by far not the most dangerous. A fleet awaits you, a massive armada of ships sworn to the Ruinous Powers. A massive cruiser, larger even than the ship you currently travel on, turns its baleful gaze towards you. With it are a light cruiser, a ship that even from here you can see bears markings - 3 circles and 3 arrows. Even in Warp-Sight it festers with contagion. And with these two terrifying enemies - 3 smaller raiders. There are other ships, but they are sworn to a different foe by Fate. These - these are yours.

You slide past the ships and into the Hulk. Blasphemous symbols assault your senses and make travel difficult - they burn at your mind and claw at your senses, seeking to overwhelm. But you are no amateur psyker, and you press on. Your mind flashes upon images of xenos creatures - genestealers - and many of them, hiding from the forces of Chaos, but slowly waking with the return to realspace.

Beyond even them, a symbol hangs in the air, though the area around it is shrouded. A circle, with two half moons. And hidden behind that - so cleverly that you almost left without seeing it, is a symbol that Victor is all too familiar with - an eight pointed star - Chaos Undivided. As you notice the symbol, something notices you, and you feel a sense of pleasure and anticipation before it throws your mind back into your body.

Leon

2016-01-18, 04:03 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne
"...A novel point of view. Are you feeling quite well, Sister?" Anastasia asks, with a troubled frown. "I had not expected you to be content with mere banishment"

I am feeling as well as one can while in the Empyrean, once i would have had more to say but ive been tempered in the fires of adversity with experiences not wholly favorable before joining your crew that have left me more open to alternate thoughts. I tolerate that Xenos, years ago i'd not have.

Jyssika

2016-01-18, 04:36 PM

Victor steepled his gauntleted hands before him, in his
mind he mentally drew the battle lines using what little
information he knew about his own fleet and the enemy
fleet he had seen.

[roll0] Vs 44 [Tactics Void Combat]

Neeevermind.

In one fluid motion he was on his feet, he flicked the door
activation lever and made his exit towards the far side of
the cargo hold. He made his way back towards the Ward
room at a brisk pace, before entering he would inquire
with a door guard as to whether the Rogue Trader was
still inside.

Aneurin

2016-01-22, 12:45 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

"Remind me to ask you about them in future, Sister. I do not believe I have heard you tell of your past before," a slightly bemused Ana says, before she is interrupted by the chirp of her microbead. She listens for a few moments, then frowns abruptly and turns to Kayran.

"Your compatriot's escort has just alerted me to the fact that he seems to have left both your craft and the hangar and may well be making his way here, though Delgado has been unable to keep pace. Do you have any idea why he might be doing this? If it is some form of Astartes humour then I must say I am not particularly amused," she asks coldly, as she checks who else is in the room and what arms they may be carrying.

Adamusa

2016-01-22, 12:48 PM

"Brother Helios may be irascible and prone to anger, but he is no fool. If he has disobeyed you, then he has a very good reason for doing so. Let us meet him halfway and hear what he has to say. Despite what you may think, he is still an Astartes and I trust him implicitly," Kayran replied, his face smooth as stone. Inwardly he felt a little bad for chewing out Victor so viciously; he was only acting as he thought he should, after all. Perhaps the psyker had seen something out there. It was worth investigating, if only to perhaps get him back into the Lady-Captain's good graces.

Aneurin

2016-01-23, 04:40 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

"Coming to kill me would be a very good reason if you were the Inquisitor's death-squad," Anastasia growls as she retrieves her helmet and dons it once again, causing the silver lines to flare into life. "But if you insist, Astartes, I shall go and meet him once more. After all, he has only insulted and threatened me, on top of putting my entire crew at risk so far. Clearly his brief retreat to your vessel has caused him to entirely rethink his previous conduct, and his haste here is entirely due to his burning desire to apologise and make his peace with me, yes?" she snaps as she strides out of the room with a follow-me gesture to the other occupants, and scooping up several sentries in her wake.

"As a gesture of respect to you, Kayran, and in deference to my standing agreement for your safe conduct I shall meet with him once again. If, however, he persists in maintaining his antagonistic front - if he continues to bluster and threaten - then I shall be ejecting him from my ship the moment we break Warp again, and since I suspect you would rather he be inside that ship of yours when he departs here, I strongly suspect you will be leaving as well. And you do have my apologies on that matter since it is a breach of my previous word to you," Ana continues aloud, and in the same frosty tone of voice, as she strides down the twisting passageways in the direction of Victor's projected route as more armsmen fall in behind her. "I strongly recommend you inform him of this before we meet, or that he use an interpreter," she adds, checking the plasma pistol at her hip. This would be a stupid moment for a betrayal, and Victor the least appropriate tool for an ingratiation-and-kill assassination routine but there is no harm in being prepared. Well, there is no harm for her in preparation - anyone who gives her cause to enact her preparations, on the other hand, is liable to suffer quite considerable harm.

Jyssika

2016-01-23, 04:46 PM

Gonna point out that if Kayran re-activates his Vox.
Victor will immediately interupt transmitting something along the line of.

++Excuse my interuption, I must speak with you and the
Lady Rogue Trader immediately in a secure location.++

Adamusa

2016-01-23, 04:53 PM

Kayran followed the Lady-Captain out of the Ward Room, settling his helmet back on his head. The void-seals hissed as they resealed and the moment that his vox reactivated, he received a message from Victor. He listened to it briefly, then activated his helmet's speakers in order to transmit it to the Lady-Captain.

"Victor informs me that he wishes to deliver this message in a secure location. If he is being secretive about it, it is likely that he does not wish it to leak to the crew. It is possibly a danger we face ahead." the Raven Guard told Anastasia, being careful to keep his speakers turned down so as not to blow her eardrums out.

Aneurin

2016-01-23, 05:07 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

She gives Kayran a look of askance, which admittedly loses something with a full helmet.

"...Really? I point out that you could, in fact, be an assassination team and you are asking me to divest myself of my guards and place myself within a sealed, confined space? Hardly. If I did not trust my crew they would not be serving with me. I also find it decidedly unlikely that your comrade has acquired any additional information from the confines of a landing bay," Anastasia glowers into the confines of her helmet for a moment as a startled raven bursts out of one of the air vents with a surprised cry and a brief shower feathers. It's probably a sign of some kind, but, really, decoding it is going to take rather more time than is reasonably available at the moment. "But if that is the way you wish to do this, we shall meet in the landing bay by your craft. My escort will remain with me,"

Adamusa

2016-01-23, 05:12 PM

"I am sure that will be agreeable to him. I can assure you that we are not assassins; Astartes are rarely used for such things. We're not quite subtle enough for tasks like that," Kayran said with a small grin, though it was lost under his helmet. He opened a vox channel back to Victor.

+++Brother Helios, remain in the landing bay. I and the Lady-Captain are en-route,+++ he voxed. The Kill-Marine switched back to his armour's speakers and spoke to the Captain again.

"You may perhaps think that Victor would be unable to glean any kind of information from our ship, but he is a psyker. It is likely he has consulted the Tarot," Kayran explained.

Jyssika

2016-01-23, 05:18 PM

Victor rocked on his heels as he came to an abrupt stop.

++Very well, has she calmed herself any?++

He pauses a moment, but not long enough to allow him
to answer.

++The news I bear is most unsettling.++

He knew he would have some time to reach the Thunderhawk
bay once again before they arrived, even at a brisk pace he
outpaced a human with ease and so he allowed himself time
to think before they would arrive.

Aneurin

2016-01-23, 05:41 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

"He's a..." Anastasia trails off as she slows, stops and discovers one of the inherent difficulties in pinching the bridge of your nose through a helmet. Which is probably for the best, given the bone-splintering power-assist provided by the armour. "This is another one of those things that needs to feature in briefings. Prominently, even. Possibly with bright colours. And he used his powers aboard ship, while we are in the Warp? Oh, Emperor above, the Choir Master is going to have kittens when he hears about this,"

Gritting her teeth, Ana picks up the pace again. Actually, she increases it slightly. The sooner this is dealt with the better for everyone involved.

"Fine. Fine, Warp-spawned messages and vague predictions of doom. I trust your comrade has been informed that the Hulk we are to visit may have killed four hundred Inquisitorial psykers when they attempted to scry it, because I would rather not have to scrape what is left of him from the walls,"

I know of no reason why using psychic powers aboard a ship in the Warp would cause problems. Well, any more problems than using them on a planet would cause. However, it just sounds like an absolutely awful idea to draw on the Warp when the only thing keeping it at bay is some barely-understood technology.

There's all sorts of reasons psykers may know it's not a problem (and I'm not actually going to bring it up IC); just... just the fundamental idea of summoning the Warp aboard your shielded vessel has got to be one that makes any voidfarer shiver.

Jyssika

2016-01-23, 05:53 PM

I do hate to bring it up, but she wants it to be in bright colours that hes a Psyker?
:p

He is wearing bright blue armour.

Also, I believe it is your duty as ship captain to actually describe arriving
at the Thunderhawk <3

Aneurin

2016-01-25, 09:30 AM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

As Ana strides through the entryway, the armsmen escort fan out behind her to provide a semi-circle of weapons-not-quite-pointing-at-Victor intimidation, and warning. The armed, armoured and thoroughly unamused Rogue Trader comes to a halt at the edge of the semi-circle, and still a healthy distance away from Victor.

"What is so important to you that you felt obligated to invade my home after you were commanded to leave it?" she says coldly, and without a trace of her previous civility, after a moment of two of reflective silence. "I find myself deeply unamused at the prospect of having to speak to you again so soon,"

Jyssika

2016-01-25, 12:11 PM

Please, control yourself, we have no time for such petty
squabbling. I am unsure how familiar you are with the
ability of a Librarian, so please, allow me to say this first.

When I turn my gaze towards what is to come I am able to
simultaniously walk a thousand versions of the same
future, every one is possible and impossible at the same
time. What I have seen may not be what we face, it may
infact simply be one of the many likelyhoods, however,
the closer I stay to the present the less blurry my visions are
and the more likely they are to become manifest.

He could explain the entire argument of cause and causality,
perhaps him telling them what he had seen would change
the outcome, or perhaps by not telling them the outcome
would change... Everything became very difficult when vision
of the future were concerned.

Ours is not the only fleet journing towards
the Herald of Oblivion, its presense in realspace has
attracted a fleet of Chaos Warships; atleast a very
large cruiser and a light cruiser and three raider
crafts. There are more but I cannot see them clearly
in my mind, I believe this is because they are not
destined to fight us but I am unable to see why or
whom.

Although I am concerned what I saw next may
explain the fate of the next ships, aboard the
Herald of Oblivion are genestealer broods, I
am not sure how many or how strong they
are but it is believed that genestealers are
capable of signalling more of their race
over vast distances...

He pauses, unsure if he should share the
last part at all.

The further I walked into the unknown
the more blurred my visions became,
I attempted to venture deeper into
the Herald of Oblivion but all I managed
to gather were strange markings and
overhelming images of the Eight Pointed
star of Chaos Undivided. I was finally
forced to leave, whatever is on that ship
saw me and knows we are coming...
And It is not scared.

Aneurin

2016-01-25, 05:50 PM

Anastasia Faydra Undynne

Ana sighs as she listens. It's... well, it's going rather better than she had expected since no-one has died. Yet. However, the latest incident could have been avoided oh so easily, and yet it was not.

Reaching up, Ana lifts her helmet free once more so that she can look at Victor and allow him to see how full of sympathy, understanding and kindness her expression is. If he can spot all of the insincerity, too, then good for him.

"I could, I think, have a wonderfully lengthy conversation with you on many of the points you have just raised, such as how you have, entirely unprompted and without warning anyone, attempted something that recently killed four hundred Imperial psykers," she says sweetly, with a faintly sad smile. "Or, perhaps, how you have just alerted our enemy to our impending arrival while being apparently unable to garner any form of useful tactical information. Nor shall I focus on how you entirely disregarded my instructions to stay off my ship, and lacked even the sense to ask your liaison for my commcode rather than storm towards the last place you saw me without informing your escort.

"No, Victor. Instead I wish to thank you; your presence over the last hour has definitely been a learning experience, and clearly my expectations of how this trip was to procede were laughably far off the mark. You have helped considerably in both revising my expectations and in helping me determine future transport rates I will charge for transportation. I am clearly being laughably underpaid for the trouble of carrying you, and that will be rectified in future dealings. But, as a toke of my thanks for your kindness in bringing this matter to my attention, I feel I should make you aware of a slight problem sometimes encountered with the turrets and other internal defences in this landing bay; from time to time, they mysteriously misidentify certain targets and attempt to destroy them! It would be terribly disappointing should this occur to you, and I have something of a hunch that this little... issue... will flare up in oh, say, ten minutes time? Just in case it is, by some extreme coincidence, you that is identified by them as a hostile target I recommend you stay away from the windows of your craft unless you truly wish to test the quality and strength of its armour,"

And, with that, Anastasia turns and begins to leave. At the hatch, she pauses for a moment to call back.

"If for any reason you wish to communicate further, or have some more useful information to share, I strongly recommend you do it through your comrade or take it up with another of my officers and do not attempt to contact me directly again. I have no desire to see you again for the remainer of this trip,"

Jyssika

2016-01-25, 06:41 PM

Foolish girl, you are truly naive of the situation.
You believe this is some scrapping and salvage
mission? You believe the reason for our enemies
being here is because I glanced into the warp
to check what we would face?

He folds his arms across his massive chest
in the face of her petty threats, a gesture
very un-Astartes but one he had seen often
employed by Imperial Generals and Navy
Admirals in an attempt to impose others.

Whatever Sorceror leads the force we are facing
is most probably far stronger than I, no doubt
they knew long ago we were destined to meet
them using the same methods me and my kin
have been using since the Librarians were first
instated within the Astartes.

I could quite easily provide invaluable tactical
aid recalling ships sizes, armourment and positioning
yet instead you waste our time with your pathetic
whining.

Perhaps the Ruinic Forces knew you would be
the Rogue Trader Captain Vahn would use to
aid us in this mission. Perhaps you have
been compromised.

Toxic Mind

2016-01-25, 11:41 PM

The twin ships plunge into the warp together, bonded by arcane rituals among the Navigators, held next to one another inseparable so that come what will, they could face it together. They were almost a month in the Warp and most of the journey passed in a sort of terse detente. Constant communication between the two ships relays battle plans.
"Atch. Tha Astartes said thar was a Cruiser? Figures that bloody Inquisitor said nothin' about this. There's nothin' fer it though. We'll have to break their line, one way or another. Ah'll have mah crew at battle stations when we come out of Warp."
As you approach your destination, the Warp becomes very obviously disturbed. The currents buffet the ship like a Valkyrie in a hurricane, and the crew spend rather noticeably more time in the chapels than before. The time in the Warp has been long, but mostly uneventful - a few decks reported seeing the shade of Magos Trentyn walking around and tinkering with ship's systems, but there were no records in the logs, and the shade vanishes when approached.

In the meantime, a new Engiseer is presented by the Techpriests aboard the ship to replace the now-disappeared one. Engiseer Seffie Jones reports directly to the Lady-Captain, and everything checks out on her advancement and potential to make the dynasty great handfuls of money, given her knowledge of artifacts and their uses.

Soon enough, the klaxons sounds across the ship, signalling the end of the Warp journey, upon which the whole crew breathes a collective sigh of relief until the alarms for battle stations sound. There is an absolute flurry of activity as the crew prepares to once again fight for their lives and their home. These are no amateurs to void combat, however, and there is little panic.

Emergence
The two ships rip their way back into realspace trailing fire and warp-stuff that burns off in the cold of space. The Navigator has plotted her course well, and you are far enough away from the Space Hulk that while your emergence was, while not entirely pleasant, also not bad enough to damage the ship. Long range augur scans go out, and as view-ports are raised, you can see the target of your long journey. It sits like a small moon on the view-port, massive beyond the scope of anything you have previously encountered. And dotting the space around it like warrior bees protecting their queen are the promised ships.

It is just as Victor had said. Almost immediately, a cruiser and its escort, a light cruiser and three raiders break off from the rest of the ships to engage. Common Lore (Imperial Navy), Forbidden Lore (Heresy), or some other applicable skill could reveal more about the ships.
"Ah'll take the Capitol Ship. Keep tha others away if ya can. And stay away from that Poxy lookin' one!"
The Imperator Malleus turns its prow towards the approaching ships, and your augurs cannot fail to detect the massive power surge from its prow. A moment later, a glare like a miniature star bursts forth into the Void, screaming across the blackness. The oncoming craft turn from its path as best they can, but one of the smaller raider ships is too slow. The Nova Cannon shell catches it midships on its port side. The impact makes its previous glow seem like a candle before a sun. It fades in a moment, and leaves behind a smoldering wreckage, the ship split almost in half, and clearly it has only moments left alive. Still, despite the damage, its engines and warp drives seem intact, for now.
Any Tech related skill could reveal more about the ship's likeliness to survive/continue combat.

Onboard the Space Hulk - Vivec

"Await your brothers. We will die here Vivec, but perhaps from our shame, you can find Victory"

The words echo in your mind. It seems like only moments ago she spoke them to you, only moments ago at her behest you closed your eyes and did not watch her movements. You trusted her, because she had saved your life, and you hers, a thousand thousand times on countless worlds in the Emperor's name. You know this, and yet her name... how could you have forgotten?
You may make an Intelligence Check (-10) to recall the name.
You open your eyes, your armor responding like a second skin, servos powering up and diagnostics running throughout the ancient wargear. All systems nominal, save for the chrono, broken long ago and never repaired. You scan your surroundings. A small room, one door in and out. It is 6 paces across and 8 long. Inside is a small metal table, remarkably pristine, a cot in the corner, and a single lumen bulb above, darkened. The walls are covered in runic markings that glow with a faint golden light.
Forbidden Lore (Inquisition) may reveal the purpose of the markings.
Everything is fuzzy. Your normally perfect memory seems blank, and you can recall little. You remember your time before, your training as an Apothecary, and receiving an important mission, to shadow and assist a kill-team tasked with... something. You remember a woman, slight and fair, wearing long robes and armor, bearing an Iquisitorial Rosette. Who she is, and where you are? A mystery.