Spoiler: Hannabel and Anika
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The call went out, and pretty soon Anika had rounded up a couple crewmembers who knew their way around an explosive device. They examined the transmitters Hannabel had found, and verified that they were definitely set to blow if messed with, probably with about the force of a small frag grenade. Unfortunately, messing with them seemed to include opening the case - there didn't seem to be an easy way to do it once the device inside was armed, not without setting it off.


Echo

Sargon was in his tank when Echo entered, drifting gently up and down in the liquid within. He regarded the younger Navis with curiosity.

"I cannot help but notice, Young Castermire, that I am still here. I assume you have other plans for me, then. Business first, of course."

He examined the augur, such as he could from within his tank. "Forge Polix, yes. One of the great Hell-forges of the Dark Mechanicus. I can see why that might make your friends here a little nervous - they are right to be cautious, though I think in this case it is unwarranted. This is a relatively simple device... found discarded, if the wear on the case is anything to go by. I doubt your fallen kin would be so casual as to leave a truly valuable and blasphemous thing just lying about. Have your Magos examine it, if you are concerned."

He pushed off the glass, floating backwards and chuckling. "You are right though, it could still prove useful. People leave psychic impressions on objects all the time. Usually just strong emotions, but any information is valuable. An Astropath skilled in Psychometry would be able to use that augur to tell you things you might otherwise never learn."

Everyone

Once everyone had wrapped up their tasks in port, hands had been shaken, agreements made, guests entertained and supplies restored, it was time to move on - the dockworkers of Footfall hadn't been keen to offer a discount, no matter how much Macharius was nominally in charge, and so the repairs to the Fifth would have to wait. The two escorts loaded the parts Macharius had purchased and broke orbit, preparing to make a few jumps to obscure their destination, and then return to Port Davis with their load of supplies.

For the crew of the Manticore's Sting, however, the journey led in another direction. The Maw beckoned, and beyond it the Calixis Sector. The passage would be dangerous, and a true test of Echo's skills, both on the way out, and the way back later on.