The Ocularian Conspiracy IC

[Henry the 57th]

All around the cell, the firefight rages on despite the punishing accuracy of the Sisters and Stormtroopers. Three men and women from amongst the heretics and hedonists fall for every one of the loyalists that drops, but there many more between the remaining crowd and the maroon-clad guards. In the brief seconds they have to see it, a young nobleman in amethyst raises one hand and a blazing blue flash of electricity leaps out to consume a black-armored Stormtrooper, earning him the immediate attention of several more. Meanwhile the Warp-spawned abomination continues to batter at the Interrogator without success, sparks flying with every parried strike. Bizarrely, Altier herself appears somehow... brighter than she was a few seconds ago. But that's a problem for when other people stop trying to kill them.

On the stage, H3X's Omnissiah-guided aim is true, he is mathematically certain of it, but nonetheless the augmented nobleman jerks abruptly to one side, and the lethal energy pulses he had sent out simply whizz harmlessly by the man. The cybernetic psyker lands a little roughly, but is already in motion again. Already aware his sorcery is useless against the Untouchable assassin, he is forced to resort to more mundane methods of killing. A shining silver plate on his right forearm slides back, revealing a needle-thin barrel integrated just above his wrist. He makes a fist in the mechanical warrior's direction, and a pinprick of silver emerges with the slightest hiss.

Spoiler: H3X

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The psyborg opens up on you with his integrated Galvian Needler: (1d100)[37] vs 60.

If hit: (1d10-1)[1] R damage, Pen 0.

Further, the needles are equipped with custom acidic toxins, delivered on contact even if it fails to penetrate. If hit, make a Toughness test or take (1d5+3)[8] damage, ignoring armor.

Below, Dyveke's second shot rings just as true as her first, striking the Battle Sister's power armor right in the joint between her ankle and foot, the explosive ammunition punching through the weak point to shred skin, muscle and bone. The red-armored holy warrior lets out a bloodcurdling scream of agony, dropping to her hands and knees as sacred blood pours from her shredded foot. Her bolter clatters uselessly to the ground, all but forgotten as her body enters a state of shock.

The noble gossip scarcely has time to congratulate herself on her marksmanship. Like the mythical head of a hydra, the removal of one problem only earns her twice as many. Two of the fallen warrior's sworn sisters hear her cries, and immediately turn their guns away from the death-masked guards they had been engaging to focus on the one who dares to profane the God-Emperor's sworn daughters. They open up on Dyveke with twin barrels blazing.

Spoiler: Dyveke

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The Sororita has been reduced to -5 wounds, and so must test Toughness (1d100)[100] vs 35 or lose her right foot and take (1d5)[2] levels of fatigue. Even on a success, her movement is halved until she receives medical attention and she gains (1d5)[2] levels of fatigue. She's totally out of the fight either way. Congratulations on outdueling her.

Now, two more are looking to take revenge.

Sororita 2 fires a Semi-Auto Burst into Dyveke: (1d100)[13] vs 55.

If hit:

(1d10)[3] +5 X damage, Pen 4 or (1d10)[8] +5 X damage, Pen 4, whichever is higher.
(1d10)[7] +5 X damage, Pen 4 or (1d10)[7] +5 X damage, Pen 4, whichever is higher.

Sororita 3 likewise fires a Semi-Auto Burst into Dyveke: (1d100)[74] vs 55.

If hit:

(1d10)[5] +5 X damage, Pen 4 or (1d10)[1] +5 X damage, Pen 4, whichever is higher.
(1d10)[5] +5 X damage, Pen 4 or (1d10)[6] +5 X damage, Pen 4, whichever is higher.

Above the worst of the brutal firefight, Matthias, blood still seeping from his near-brush with death, is able to scramble behind the display containing the five psychically-active swords, the so-called Malaadrian Quintet. Its thick starship-grade armorglass offers his weary body a seemingly safe space in which to shelter, at least until more people start climbing onto the stage.

Spoiler: Matthias

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Ducking behind the thickest displays you can find give you cover with an armor value of 15, covering your body, arms, and legs. Fortunately, no one seems to be shooting at you now that you're not shooting at them. They have other things to worry about.

As for Soren, his throw proves to be right on target, offering Dyveke an easy catch while he does his best to move towards cover. As with Matthias, he finds no one currently interested in shooting at someone not shooting at them. His dispersed servo-skulls continue their tasks with mixed results - Gaspar and Balthazzar have no difficulty staying close to their respective targets, but Melchior gives an almost mournful-sounding negative beep. It has failed to locate the missing Tyranid.