Sea of Stars - IC II

[Destro_Yersul]

"Some things never change," the Monk said. "Human nature. Fortunate for us, in some ways. Others, less so. The one bet I can guarantee I'd never take is going in against the Imperium. Not just because I'd lose my charter, it's simply a losing proposition. The Imperium is too large, with too many resources, and too many people like you fine folks who'd love to come shoot down a few successionists."

---

"At very least, I could probably find some who went to the same schools. It shouldn't be that hard to track down a few who'd like a nice cushy position on a resort world."

[Haval]

"Some things never change," the Monk said. "Human nature. Fortunate for us, in some ways. Others, less so. The one bet I can guarantee I'd never take is going in against the Imperium. Not just because I'd lose my charter, it's simply a losing proposition. The Imperium is too large, with too many resources, and too many people like you fine folks who'd love to come shoot down a few successionists."

Anika is amused at the implications, 'So if there was a way of getting to the next galaxy? Anyway, I agree on the general sentiment, although I have yet to shoot down anyone with the Sting. I would prefer to only shoot at people who really deserve it. Secessionists likely have enough people who are upset with them.'

[Blarghy]

Kennoch was decidedly less amused. "It is true it is that the Imperium Imperium Imperium visits dire consequences dire upon traitors traitors, for which I for I am grateful am. But even without even retribution from from the Navy and Inquisition Navy Inquisition, most secessionists find find their lonely path lonely to be to be to be quite the challenge challenge. We recently saw we this for ourselves this for. A world isolated world from the Emperor's grace Emperor's Emperor's Emperor's. Devoid of rightful leadership rightful. Oh, the barbarian warlord barbarian who took power who took seemed satisfied seemed with his scraps with his, but even before even the Lord-Captain Absalom Absalom Absalom showed him true power showed power, their world was dying world dying. Starving starving, as surely as surely a person deprived of food person deprived. So I would argue I would that the worst worst penalty of secession penalty is the choice itself choice. The only freedom only it can offer can is the freedom is the to diminish and die to to diminish in the empty void void void. Far better far, I say say, to maintain rightful allegiance maintain and the many benefits the many it provides it."

[Haval]

'Well I wouldn't recommend putting down roots any where. There's a reason that colonies are so expensive. Plus the fact that there are likely few regions in this galaxy that are isolated enough that you could ever get away with it. Even if the Imperium left you alone it would only be a matter of time until some group of Xenos or another took an interest. I believe the freedom offered by Macharius' warrant is more then enough for now.'

[Destro_Yersul]

"Anywhere I could go, the Imperium could, by definition, also go." The Monk said. "Besides, who's to say you wouldn't reach the other galaxy and find it full of Tyranids? They have to be coming from somewhere." On the motives of successionists themselves he stayed silent, and despite Lorenzo displaying brief and somewhat uncharacteristic interest in the idea of reaching another galaxy, the conversation mostly moved into small talk from there. It was by no means a loss, though - the rest of the meal was excellent, from the palate cleanser (herb and melon sorbet), to the grox filet, to platters of cheese and crackers. Dessert was a rich chocolate cheesecake, and the finale a series of tiny delicate tarts in a variety of citrus flavours. Everyone was entirely too stuffed to do much afterwards, and the assembled guests sat through a handful of speeches (mostly thanking them all for coming, and praising the quality of the meal) in a pleasant food-fuelled stupor. By late evening everyone was much better, and the dancing stretched into the night.

The next morning was the final day of the party, and the official closing. Uniformed servants bustled about for the first few hours of the day, delivering breakfast to the rooms. Macharius recieved a gilded card with his, signed by Calligos Winterscale, and advising him that, should he ever be interested in a little work for his fleet, the House of Winterscale would be happy to provide a temporary contract. A little asking around revealed that these had been distributed selectively, and not everyone had recieved one. Notable among those so snubbed was Captain Quinn. He wasn't present at the official closing ceremony, and it was reported that he had departed in ill temper, his ship breaking orbit earlier that day.

The party favours Calligos had promised, distributed after the closing, turned out to be gift baskets. Each contained a nalwood cutting board, a forged knife, a block of aged cheese, and a bottle of Solace 772 Whiskey from Calligos' distillery.

[Blarghy]

By the end of the party, Echo considered their time here to be an enormous success, for him personally and probably the dynasty as a whole. He wasn't sure what connections and plans the Captain might've made, but for his part, the young Navis was quite pleased. The relatively simple gift basket puzzled him a bit, compared to all the previous vast riches demonstrated here, but Winterscale's parting gift could've been a slap across the face and it still wouldn't overbalance the perks he'd already received. For example, Kennoch made sure to track down the menagerie curator and ask about that Crimson Malverine; he was eager to see his new pet and future familiar. Beyond that, he had a few loose ends to tie up.

Once back aboard the Sting, Kennoch fulfilled his promise to send Lorenzo his notes on the Warp-predators he'd seen on the way to Viatrames. They couldn't be as interesting as the Nostromo memoirs, but, a promise was a promise. More importantly, he sent a copy of that Warp chart to Remalia. A quick, mostly safe route between their colony and the desert world might be useful indeed someday. They might need more heavy equipment, or Macharius could want to supply his latest property; at the very least, it demonstrated Echo's competence to his ally and helped map the surroundings of Port Davis. For such a valuable item, he sent two of his Rings, Kip and Kimmet, to guard and hand-deliver the chart. He assumed Remalia wouldn't meet directly with them, but they were under orders to give it to a member of her personal staff at the entrance to her spire, with all due respect to the Navigator and Captain Jonell's crew.

Speaking of Jonell, Kennoch sent along a lesser present for him too: a collection of Quinn picts. Scowling, sulking, screaming, shocked--over the course of the party, Echo had seen plenty of delightful images that he expected might amuse their ally.

That should conclude his business. Echo took a little time to enjoy the sight of so many powerful and diverse ships in one place, before any more departed. He savored a bit of the cheese and whiskey while sitting in front of the gilded orrery, marveling at its beauty. And of course, he began a slower, more thorough reading of the memoirs in his databank. Otherwise, he awaited the Captain's command to move on, wherever fate and fortune next took them.

[Haval]

Towards the end of the banquet Anika is in enough of a good mood to participate in the dancing. She's extremely out of practice but most of the basic steps were always intended for overfed or drunken nobility anyway and she didn't expect anyone to notice. Before she left she will steal a bottle of wine for Hannabel as a souvenir on the basis that there was more then enough of it here for everyone.

[PotatoGolem]

Macharius joins in the dancing with gusto, his footwork and grace honed from fencing and weapons practice. He makes sure to dance with all the eligible bachelorettes, so as not to invite too much gossip or tip his hand, though he lingers a bit longer with Morwenna.

The next day, Macharius is up bright and very early for services at the cathedral and morning calisthenics, as is his wont. He makes sure to say his goodbyes to the Trade-Admiral at the cathedral after the sermon is over. He passes along Winterscale's note to Anika. Stay in contact with his people. We should definitely take him up on this opportunity sooner rather than later. Once our bit of pirate-hunting sport is over, of course. Quinn's surly exit has put Macharius in a fine mood, and he visits with each of the Traders he's gotten to know before the end of the day. He pays a final visit to Morwenna before he goes, with a fond farewell for now.

Back on the ship, Macharius sits proudly in his command chair. Well then! That was quite the party. Splendid time all around. Shall we hunt some pirates, work off some of that food?

[Leon]

++It was Adequate, some future contacts were made that could bear useful data and some interesting things were acquired++

[Haval]

The next day, Macharius is up bright and very early for services at the cathedral and morning calisthenics, as is his wont. He makes sure to say his goodbyes to the Trade-Admiral at the cathedral after the sermon is over. He passes along Winterscale's note to Anika. Stay in contact with his people. We should definitely take him up on this opportunity sooner rather than later. Once our bit of pirate-hunting sport is over, of course.

'He didn't manage to be more specific about what he wants? With him I feel it could be almost anything.' Now she'd met him Winterscale behaving like that wasn't particularly surprising. 'I imagine the rewards will be worth it at least.'

Back on the Sting's bridge, 'Any party without an assassination attempt is refreshing.'

[Destro_Yersul]

Kennoch's collection of lose ends didn't take too long to tie up. He recieved notes of thanks from Remalia and Jonell upon the return of Kip and Kimmet, and another from Lorenzo delivered by one of the Monk's message staff. Then, at the loading bay when they were preparing to depart, he found the Crimson Malverine waiting in a small cage. It was a mammal, with bright red fur and a mouthful of sharp teeth, and looked a little like a small version of the terrestrial bear. It paced its cage restlessly, launching itself at the bars in a flurry of teeth and claws whenever anything went near it. Kennoch noticed that the regular bay staff gave the cage a wide berth - the only things willing to go near it without concern were servitors.

Anika's efforts to tie up a last few lose ends were, unfortunately, less successful on the whole than Echo's. Sun Lee recieved the copy of the book with some surprise, followed by an expression of dawning comprehension when she understood it wasn't fully intended as a gift. She complimented Anika on her business sense, and took her leave with thanks. In the library, however, Anika was to be stymied - her hunt for information on the Sword of Tabur was only partially successful: she found many of the same details that Echo had encountered, as well as copies of several old shipping manifests, but not the ones for what the ship had been carrying on its fateful final voyage. She did, however, come away with another lead - the ship had been registered out of Sinophia, originally, but had changed to a Scintillan registry alongside the exodus from Sinophia that had occured as part of that world's long period of decline. The Scintillan Administratum would have kept local copies of all of the ship's manifests as part of general practice.

For his part, Macharius came away from his series of social encounters with the impression that, among those he had met, his reception had been largely favourable. Aoife Armengarde was warmer at their parting than she had been at the initial meeting, and Saul was especially pleased to see Macharius at the Cathedral again. The Trade-Admiral promised to correspond regarding any mutually beneficial opportunities he might hear of, and asked only that Macharius do the same, as well as giving a reminder of his interest in the Exchequer, and any sort of pre-Imperial historical documents that might turn up. Morwenna was as friendly as ever, but couldn't resist a final barb at Anika as she left, suggesting that Macharius might like a seneschal who didn't spend all day failing to chase down the cargo manifests of long-dead ships.

At long last, with the auction acquisitions carefully stowed, Macharius' trophies from the hunt delivered, and a sweep made to ensure that no personal belongings had been left behind, the crew of the Manticore's Sting returned to their ship and made ready to break orbit.

---

+++ Episode 7 +++

When the Sting left Solace Encarmine, leaving Calligos Winterscale's fabulous estates behind, the old Shrike wasn't travelling alone. Charlabelle Armelan's Grace of Sopha fell in beside them as they left orbit, her captain opening up communication channels as the two ships travelled towards the warp jump point they'd be using to leave the system.

"Good morning, Lord-Captain," she said, greeting Macharius. "I've sent word ahead finalising the details of the shipping contract I'll be taking on. How many escorts were you thinking of bringing along? We want enough to look like we aren't a trap, but not so many as to actually discourage any pirates from hitting us."

As she was speaking, the Sting's auspexes ran quick scans of her ship, and the crew had to hurry to shut down the targeting systems before those activated as well. Something in the ship remembered its history, and it wasn't hard to see why - the Sopha was a Vagabond-class, a fat little merchant trader known for reliability and little else. She'd carry a few weapons, but nothing really capable of seeing off a determined assault. It would have been somewhat surprising, had Charlabelle not previously offered explanation, to see the Armelan heir - an old and well-respected house - travelling with a vessel like this as her flagship.

[Leon]

++One hopes that someone left a toiletries kit behind somewhere, its not a trip unless one of those gets left in a ablutions chamber++

[Blarghy]

Leaning down for a better look, Kennoch observed the Malverine's behavior for a long moment. "...Oh, it's beautiful oh beautiful oh," he at last decided.

Mr. Wah Dell was plainly more skeptical. The monkey's face scrunched up, and he rested his lowest pair of hands on his hips disapprovingly.

Kennoch laughed. "Don't worry don't. After the operation the, I'm sure it will I'm sure fit right in right."

On the shuttle, when Anika told him of her research, he nodded with a little disappointment, but no surprise. "I did not did really expect really to find a manifest find find on this world on. It stands to reason stands the last port the last of departure departure would have it would. But thank you thank you."

He drummed his fingertips against the cheek of his decorative mask. "Scintilla Scintilla Scintilla Scintilla. Hmmm hmmm hmmm hmmm."

* * *

It was good to be back where he belonged. Kennoch strolled across the bridge while he waited his turn to go to work, dressed again in his custom void-suit (he kept his mask as a bit of a trophy, hanging it on the wall of his spire chambers; if Macharius kept taking them all to parties, maybe Echo would start a collection of the things). He frowned at the Sting's instinctive reaction and gently rested a hand on the nearest wall in a soothing gesture. While Kennoch had already come to respect their ship, he reminded himself where she'd been, and just how relatively little practice she'd had being in the Emperor's light after her long flight through darkness.

The Terminus would have only felt protective toward a weak Transport, I'm sure, he thought to himself. Soon. Soon.

[Haval]

At the party

Anika will tell Sun Lee that she ever had actual reason to ask for a favour she'd try to owe her one in return. People like them should try and stick together.

In the landing bay she will bend down to get a closer look at the Malverine without apparent worry, 'I suppose it's useful to have a guard animal. Do you know how large it's likely to get?'

To Echo on her research, 'I may have wanted to spend a little more time in that library. Still you can never tell what some scribe might have chosen to hang onto. Fenksworld has a surviving docking manifest that mentions repairs made on the flagship of the 9th Legion during the Crusade. How it ended up in Calixis I have no idea.' More relevantly, 'The connection to Sinophia might be nothing but I suppose it's just the sort of place your errant relations might have connections with. Scintilla would at least be easy to dig up new information on, even if I'm obliged to call home.'

To Morwenna, 'So you're saying Macharius should hire me more staff? Thank you I quite agree.'

On the Bridge

To Ravia, 'Sometimes I feel like removing the need to bother with all that might be a useful upgrade. Anyway, I believe we buy all that in bulk.'

Anika will be watching Hannabel pilot the ship in a bid to learn the basics. Auspex duty has been given over to one of the crew. As the targeting systems activate, 'Is it possible to teach it not to do that? Perhaps it needs a reward for good behavior.'

[Leon]

++It would likely require such an overhaul of the Spirit that it would render it nonfunctional as a ship and the course of action in introducing a fresh spirit has its layers of complexity, the least of which is finding one that is not already slated for a ship of its own++

[rax]

Hannabel has kept out of sight since the night of the banquet, retreating to her quarters and not speaking to anyone. She even managed to snag a shuttle ride up to the Manticore's Sting ahead of the other command crew.

Now she glides onto the bridge without a word of explanation. Gone is her typical uniform, replaced with a billowing embroidered kaftan and a bejewelled turban in red arachnisilk. A delicate, gauzy veil covers the lower half of her face, leaving only her blue eyes immediately visible. In her left hand, she carries her sword cane and the main body of her voidsuit can be glimpsed underneath the fine clothes.

Fluttering along beside her is a cherubim servitor, carrying a hookah. She stops to take a puff and surveys the bridge like a monarch inspecting her domain.

”Sa'ab,” she greets Macharius in a dreamy voice, then strides over to the pilot's station with renewed purpose to tap the crewman on the shoulder with her cane. ”My seat, na'avik. Remove yourself!”

[Haval]

”Sa'ab,” she greets Macharius in a dreamy voice, then strides over to the pilot's station with renewed purpose to tap the crewman on the shoulder with her cane. ”My seat, na'avik. Remove yourself!”

Anika is amused, 'Been shopping? I don't think I've seen you wearing that before.'

[Leon]

++A Butterfly seems to have to consumed our Pilot++

[rax]

"Shopping? No, memsa'ab. 'Twas a gift, once upon a time...for services rendered," Hannabel replies with a faint touch of sadness in her voice.

"Yes! You understand, memsa'ab otometan! The cocoon has been discarded, rebirth is afoot!" she answers Ravia before taking another deep puff from the hookah.

[Haval]

Anika will get close enough to the hookah to take a cautious sniff to judge what Hannabel was smoking. 'Rebirth is good. Usually. May I ask what brought this on?'

Spoiler: ooc

Show

I may be asking Rax here

Scrutiny to identify the smoke
vs. Per 43
(1d100)[38]

Int test to identify the dialect
May be Speak Language (Gothic) or Common Lore (Koronus), whatever seems useful
vs. Int 53
(1d100)[3]

[rax]

"The Sainted Shepherds say that life is a journey to learn one's place in the Emperor's great plan, and like all great journeys, there will be many beginnings and endings along the way. I have consulted the tarot, memsa'ab, and as the Manticore's Sting embarks on a new journey, it is right that I too should seek a new beginning," Hannabel answers.

Spoiler: @Haval

Show

The smoke is probably just a scented version of the stuff that gets put in lho-sticks. I.e. scented tobacco.

The dialect is reminiscent of the Tygress system in the Calixis Sector. At one point in the past, Tygress V was visited by Saint Drusus and many pilgrims still go there to pray even though it's a feral world.

[PotatoGolem]

Good morning, captain! Macharius responds cheerfully. I think one other ship would be best. Perhaps a frigate, something that looks nice and solid as an escort to your ship, while the Sting stays dark and lurks out of sight to counter-ambush. One escort for a trading vessel shouldn't arouse too much suspicion. Where are you loading cargo? I shall go collect the escort and meet you there promptly.

He turns to look at Hannabel. He looks confused at first, then nods. Ah, good to see your redoubled enthusiasm for the Emperor's service, Hannabel!

[Haval]

Anika looks suspicious in case there was some agenda here she wasn't seeing, 'I had no idea you were so pious Hannabel. Spending so much time with Macharius may be having an effect. Tell me, were you from the Tygress system the whole time? I was only there briefly myself.'

[rax]

"No, memsa'ab, a brief layover, no more. But I found a measure of wisdom there and I would honour that in my deeds and words," she replies.

[Leon]

++Hmm, yes change...++
++The party had me distracted from it++
++If I am needed page Skul, I will be attending to matters with the aid of my new Servitor++

[Haval]

"No, memsa'ab, a brief layover, no more. But I found a measure of wisdom there and I would honour that in my deeds and words," she replies.

'Then the Church on Tygress is remarkably persuasive to have made such an impression on you.' Anika replies backing away. 'As long as you haven't received a head injury somehow. Does this mean you will be attending Father Demetrius' sermons?'

[rax]

"Oh, I think not, memsa'ab. Father Demetrius means well, but his sermons are so boring!" Hannabel replies, a mischievous smile visible behind the veil.

"The Sainted Shepherds say that true faith in the Emperor can only come from within. No amount of droning from sacred texts or exhortations from the pulpit can do that for you - everyone must find their own path to Him On Earth."

[Haval]

"Oh, I think not, memsa'ab. Father Demetrius means well, but his sermons are so boring!"

'I won't tell him that if you won't.' Anika, who has yet to attend one of those herself, is deadpan. Before leaving Hannabel alone 'If there's anything you need to talk to me about in private you're always welcome to do that. If nothing else I borrowed some of Winterscale's wine for your sake before we departed.'

[Destro_Yersul]

Charlabelle responded affirmatively, and provided meeting coordinates for once Macharius had collected his backup. A quick journey to Port Davis later, Macharius found that work was progressing well. In the time that he had been away at Winterscale's party, both the Talon and the Fury had been fully repaired. The technicians spent a short time putting a last few patches onto the Sting while Macharius reviewed the work reports, and all three ships of the Absalom fleet were shortly ready to go. Work on the station drydocks hadn't been completed yet, but the foreman reported that they should be up and running in just over half a year.

The rest of the crew had plenty to do while they waited, as well. Anika used the time to put out a few calls - none of the Rogue Traders she approached had much to say about the region. Apparently it was somewhat out of the way, and the shipping contracts - though lucrative, were largely below their notice. They all agreed there were certainly pirates out there, but were ignorant on the niceties of fleet disposition. She had better luck with some of her less savoury contacts, including Tobias Hawke. His message was short, but full of useful information.

That's Baldridge's lot, out that way. They've been successful, recently, and have started splitting their forces, from what I hear. Expect a pair of frigates, at the least, but nothing as big as a light cruiser. I was tracking down a bunch of information on them recently, actually, on behalf of your pilot. They took a ship with one of those modified drives she was after, the Fifth Disputation, and I've reason to believe they're still using it.

He had attached a series of references and supplements, including a list of the sorts of ships they might be fielding. It was a decent sized fleet, one they wouldn't want to attack all at once - two squadrons of cobras, a Viper sloop, a Havoc, a Tempest, a Claymore, and the Fifth Disputation, which was a fairly standard Sword-class apart from its engines. He didn't know what the ships were carrying, or which ones they would bring to a fight - even if he had, it was possible the pirates had done a refit. One final note was that, apparently, Baldridge was one of the captains who paid allegiance to Misson.

As they were preparing to ship out with the Fury alongside the Sting, Macharius' valet Williams approached the captain in his quarters and cleared his throat. "Afternoon, sir. I've prepared a list of options for the Talon to pursue whilst we are occupied, now that she's spaceworthy again."

He passed Macharius a dataslate, with a brief list of details on it. "She could stay local, run some patrols, map the surroundings a little. That's the safest option, but won't offer much in immediate returns. If you'd prefer something more profitable, there are two options. You can send her off on a cargo run to the fishman iceball, see how the Inquisition is getting along out there, and gather some goods for trade. Alternatively, you could send her to sell off some of the scrap metal the crews have pulled out of the Terminus, and direct the funding towards the repair effort. What are your orders, sir?"

[rax]

Before leaving Hannabel alone 'If there's anything you need to talk to me about in private you're always welcome to do that. If nothing else I borrowed some of Winterscale's wine for your sake before we departed.'

"My thanks, memsa'ab, I shall keep that in mind. And a good wine shouldn't be allowed to go to waste," Hannabel replies with a respectful bow.