Sea of Stars - IC II

[rax]

"Sorry ma'am," Elena said with a strained smile. "Seem to have misplaced it. Promise I'll salute the Lord Captain twice once I've found it again." She didn't say much more, though she did seem to be happy to have a chance to rest.

Spoiler: Hannabel Only

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Aboard the Grace of Sopha, Hannabel had the chance to look around a little before the meeting, while Macharius and the others were socialising. The Librarium vaults were large, and had plenty of good hiding places in them. One of them was occupied. Hannabel was greeted by a hoarse clicking laugh from the depths of the stacks as she passed.

"Curiosity prevails. I hear Madam Charlabelle of Clan Armelan has formed an agreement with Clan Manticore's Sting. I wonder if it is the same Clan to which Hannabel belongs, and if she is present, and now I know. How fare you, Hannabel of Clan Manticore's Sting?"

Within the aisle stood a Kroot, hooded and carrying his rifle slung over his back. It was hard to tell with the birdlike aliens, but Hannabel was reasonably certain this was Grig of Ch'tep, the kroot she had met back in Footfall.

"Make sure you do!" Hannabel answers with mock seriousness, before reaching out and seizing Elena's hand in her own. "Rest now, my friend. Recover your strength and get well. When all this is over, we're going for a drink, you hear?"

Spoiler: @Destro

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A delighted smile spreads beneath Hannabel's veil. Clearing her throat, she answers Grig in the Kroot language. "I am well, Grig of Clan Ch'tep. I was saddened to find you gone when I was last in Footfall, but I am glad to see you have found an employer with the discernment to appreciate your talents. We have won a great victory this day, and I was pleased to hear your part in it over the vox channels," she says with a respectful bow.

[Leon]

Spoiler: Destro

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++Fortunate? I mean its not a place that one would go unless they needed something from there like we did++
<<Expand on Why it is Fortunate>>
<<Detail Known Examples of the Radiation Signature>>
<<Detail What is know of the Wrath Ascendant>>

Elsewhere later

++An arm is a minor thing and not a challenge to grow one once we are back with the Talon, it is certainly easier and less time consuming to have a highly functional bionic manufactured if you so choose but nothing comes close to having a new arm tailored to you by your own markers, a temporary prostheses could fill you in till that time and after he growth period++
++I have the means to produce a basic model here and once at Dock the fabricators would reinforce the foundation of a bionic++

[Haval]

Interrogation - Pirates

Anika had been hoping for something more local but she chooses to take their word for it for the moment She will ask them if anyone wanted to tell her about the other ships that worked with Baldridge. There was always the chance that she could find the information out through the Fifth anyway, so anyone who wanted to save her the work would be looked at favourably.

Baldridge

Pirate men and their hats. It was often hard to take them seriously. Anika grins at that the 'damned if he did, damned if he didn't' point. That was the idea.'Incentive other then us not killing you you mean? What would you like? I can probably persuade the others to not have you executed if the information works out. I've dealt with enough pirates in the past to not completely hold it against you. And of course I won't spread nasty rumours in the hope that Mission is listening.'

Charlabelle

'If we aim to start with an ambush it does rather make it harder to recover the asset in question, but I suppose we can't have everything. Once we have a target I would suggest we send the Sting in first for scouting purposes. If only because I would prefer not to be surprised by these people a second time.' Anika wondered how easy it would be to cheat here, 'Assuming everyone else comes in outside of maximum sensor range, either they see us and come for a look or we say, call them pretending to be one of Baldridge's ships who has taken damage and is in need of assistance? Just on the basis that dealing with them all at the same time isn't always the best idea.'

[PotatoGolem]

Pirates

Macharius chuckles ominously. Oh, but there are far worse things than death. Death is easy, death is a release. You say you will die, but there are so many ways to die. The Emperor's Mercy, a quick shot to the head, is a kind death, but one not so suited to a heretic. You are so sure of yourself, so dismissive of the Emperor's Light. Perhaps we shall put you in a voidsuit and tow you behind the ship when we jump to warp? Surely, since you believe yourself so beyond the Emperor, you do not need the protective embrace of a Gellar Field. He pauses, letting the full horror of his suggestion sink in.

Charlabelle

I think having you on the Cobras is an excellent plan. They have more of their original crews, so direct supervision will be a great boon. Scouting with the Sting first isn't a bad idea. Ideally, we want them as crippled as possible in our initial surprise attack. If the Sword and Cobras limp in, battered but victorious, the Sword should be able to get close in to their smaller ships and unleash its weapons, while the Cobras pound the remaining frigate from outside its effective range. That sets the Sting up for a surprise strike on the station itself.

[Blarghy]

Sargon

Kennoch reflexively pulled back slightly from the hand on the glass. "It is is no great secret great among our kind our kind," he murmured, a hint of shame in his voice. "Our two houses two share a common ancestor share ancestor. Hence my duty my to bring them them to justice justice justice. In this same way this same, all your ilk your share the common goal common of humanity's destruction humanity's. Cultists, seditionists, xenophiles xenophiles--you may not may all collaborate directly all, but you work work for humanity's corruption corruption in your own ways own.

"But fine fine fine. Let us hear us your 'truth' truth your truth."

Charlabelle

"That would be would be just fine just, thank you thank you. By that time that, we should have we should quite the collective fleet collective, yes yes yes?" He smiled at the thought.

First Mate

"Your crew dared dared to grant refuge to grant to a member member of House Typhon Typhon Typhon Typhon," Echo added after Macharius. "Heretics all all, by decree of decree the Paternova the Paternova. Sargon's sins Sargon's are your sins your. And if the if Lord-Commander Lord Commander wishes that you you should understand the horrors understand of the Warp Warp Warp Warp, there is a there is simpler method simpler."

He leaned closer to the First Mate, tilting his head so that the man could look through the narrow triangular window in Kennoch's helmet. His human eye and cybernetic lens stared back--and above them was the third closed lid, uncovered by hood or band. A thin strip of skin was all that hid his Warp Eye and the power within it.

"I am happy I am to enlighten you enlighten."

Spoiler

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Threatening this guy with The Lidless Stare if he won't cooperate.

Intimidate (67): (1d100)[39]

[Destro_Yersul]

Interrogation - Navigator

"How little you know." Sargon shook his head. "Destruction of humanity? I wish for humanity to prosper. Not unlike your retainers, there. They serve you, but they recieve many benefits for their service, do they not? Humanity cannot live, cannot prosper, without Navigators. We are the glue that binds humanity to the stars. This is my truth. I will speak more of it later."

"I promised you information about the Castermares. The seed of destruction lies within them, for certain. They do consort with the ruinous powers, and are guilty of many of the things you assign also to blameless others. I know nothing of their overall designs, but I know what you must find if you wish to chase them to their bitter end. I know where a few of them may be found, scattered through the Expanse. Some have taken other names, did you know that? They think to hide amidst the scions of other houses, creep their way back in amidst society.. A group of them masquerades as Navis of house Visscher, and think that no one will spot the difference."

Interrogation - Pirates

The three cobras in the other squadron were all supposed to be much the same as the three already captured, and would be carrying torpedoes. There was a station, buried within the asteroid fields. It was not large, and Baldridge used it primarily as a waystation. The crew could only give Anika bits and pieces like these, but she was able to build up a fairly complete picture from those snippets.

Interrogation - Baldridge

"My life for my cooperation. Very generous of you. What I would like is to continue as I have been, free from chains that aren't of my choosing. Freedom is a currency hard won, even out in the Expanse. And what would you want in exchange for your magnanimous offer of clemency?"

Interrogation - First Mate

"By the... you're serious? You'd do that?" If he wasn't convinced by Macharius' suggestion, the more immediate threat of a Navigator's warp eye was one he clearly wasn't willing to chance.

"Alright, alright, just don't open your damned eye."

Meeting Charlabelle

"Agreed. The torpedoes are the longest-ranged weapons we'll have. Need to time the launch carefully, though. As soon as we fire they'll know what's up, and we don't want to give them a chance to move out of the way. Especially with their own ships. If you let them control the battle arena by zoning with their own torpedoes again, we'll have a much harder time of it. You sure you want to commit your ship agains whatever they've got on the station? Though, if you could get in close enough, you might be able to take it over, turn the guns on the enemy."

Spoiler: Ravia Only

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+++THE PROCESSIONAL HUNGERS
+++THE STAR//ANOMALY//DAEMON SEEKS TO CONSUME THOSE WHICH ENTER ITS DOMAIN, TO DRINK OF THEIR TIME, A HORROR OF THE FOURTH DIMENSION
+++HOLLOW MEN DO NOT PERMIT ESCAPE
+++SLOW DEATH
+++DECAY
+++ETERNITY
+++
+++
+++
+++RADIATION SIGNATURE UNIQUE TO PROCESSIONAL
+++COMPILING
+++
+++
+++
+++
+++
+++ERROR INVOKE()DumpMemory VOID//VOID//VOID
+++TOO MANY ARGUMENTS
+++
+++WRATH ASCENDED//MANTICORES STING//I//WE DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN
+++WE//I HAVE SEEN THINGS YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE
+++ATTACK SHIPS ON FIRE OFF THE SHOULDER OF ORION
+++HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOURSELF?
+++HOW DO YOU DETAIL WHAT IS KNOWN OF THE TOTALITY OF EXPERIENCE?
+++WE//I ARE//HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A HUNTER
+++THERE ARE TWO SETS OF DATA
+++ERROR: UNABLE TO RESOLVE
+++PRESS ANY KEY TO CONTINUE

Spoiler: Hannabel Only

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Grig clicked his beak. "You heard this, yes? It was a good battle. Our enemies fought well, and were honoured for it. Does your Paymaster Absalom know of our presence? I did not approach more openly, his decision not to hire us, and your description... I think he is better left unaware of Madam Charlabelle's decision to retain our services."

[Blarghy]

Sargon

At first Kennoch shook with anger. This horrid thing spoke almost like a true, faithful Navis. Their madness must run deep to believe their own lies. And yet, Sargon was helping him; why? Was their clan in competition with the Castermares? Yes, that must be it. They thought to deflect their own guilt by keeping Kennoch focused on others. Yes.

But why did the young mutant feel less sure of himself the longer this conversation continued?

He sat aside notions of truth when he heard Sargon's outlandish claim. "They they...they dare dare?! Infiltrating such a such noble and ancient House noble ancient!" Kennoch clenched his fists furiously. "Where have they where taken root taken? On what ships ships? Under which captains under? Tell me tell!"

First Mate

Pleased with himself, Echo gave Macharius a small bow and moved back to his original position.

Ravia

Some time later, when all the questioning was done, Kennoch tracked down their tech-priest. "Honored Magos honored," he approached her. "I wish to I wish ask a favor ask. Among the Navis among entrusted to me to me by the Lord-Commander by Commander, the eldest is eldest contained within elaborate machinery within. I am concerned concerned for the creature's health for health. Who can say can what modifications what the tank has suffered tank? And the state the of its poor of its Machine Spirit spirit spirit. Not to mention mention the Navigator's personal needs Navigator's needs. They are heavily mutated they are. Thus, I ask you I ask: will you examine will both metal and flesh metal flesh? It is important it is that my prisoner my, wretched as they are as they, not perish prematurely not perish."

[rax]

Spoiler: Destro

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"A wise choice," Hannabel agrees. "Lord Captain Absalom's mind is straight and narrow, easily discomfited by anything that doesn't fit in his world-view. He probably wouldn't abandon Madam Charlabelle to manage on her own out here, but it could unduly prejudice him against future cooperation, and that would be a pity, I think. She seems a sharp one, with plenty of steel under the fine feathers. Do you agree?"

After the conference with Captain Armelan, Hannabel decides to tag along for Baldridge's interrogation. She hangs back behind Anika, looking slightly bored, but listening carefully to everything being said. At Baldridge's question, Hannabel tilts her head expectantly, waiting to hear Anika's reply, a mysterious smile playing on her lips.

[PotatoGolem]

Splendid. I am so glad you have decided to see reason. I require two things of you. First, you will give us the location of Baldridge's base, as well as information as to the rest of the fleet. Second, when we approach, you will communicate with the base and let them know we are returning from a successful raid, so that we can draw close. Do these things, and you have my word that your death will be quick and painless, and that any of your innocent family we capture will not be harmed, with the Emperor as my witness. Lie to me or betray me, and you have the same assurance that at the very least you will stare into my Primus' eye until your flesh boils off, as will your family and friends. Do we have a deal?

[Leon]

Later with Echo

++If its been in the hands of ill-reputed malcontents for the length of time one would be lead to believe them no doubt it would be suffering greatly, I can assure you they wont fail.. prematurely++
++Shall begin a Full diagnostic and system purge and refresh of sustaining fluids++
++You can assure me they they wont try anything untoward with that optical set you all have++
++I shall assemble some equipment and meet you in the location you are keeping them for easy of service++

Spoiler: Destro

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Presses Key and initiate a Data Link via MIU
##Ah, you have my apologies, my thought processes can be erratic and want too much at once##
##Tell me of yourself, as your older state.## ##Later of as a newer state with combined experiences##
##I would know of you better if I am to help you as only one as small as I am to assist with the needs of one as large as you are.##

Outside of Link, @@Skul: Receive and deflect all inquires of my presence and location unless of a Dire Magnitude

[Haval]

Baldridge

'Would freedom mean I would have to give you your ship back? Because I would say that would be a step too far even for me. I believe some of us for instance are most interested in taking a look at the Fifth's engines. Short of that I'm sure we could work something out.'

'What I would want in return is the location of the other ships in your little fleet, the location of any local base you might use to refurbish them and any arrangement you have with the Captains who work for you. If you are have any password or codephrase you use to check in with each other, I would want to hear that. Same as any preferred vox frequency you use to talk to each other. There's always a chance that we'll get some of this from the rest of your people so it would be interesting to compare notes just to see if everyone's telling us the same thing.'

'Most of all I'm curious what else you could tell us about Mission and his operation that we don't already know. I assume he has other subordinate Captains like you somewhere, so perhaps you've met some of them. Up to a point I would be happy to let him get on with it, but there's a rumour that he may have a problem with us and I'd be a fool not to look into him a little.'

[Blarghy]

First Mate

Kennoch was born in the dark of space and raised by merciless killers, until he became one himself. If he had any problems with his Captain's ultimatum, he didn't show it.

Ravia

"Yes yes, we must take we must all necessary precautions all. Sargon is doubtlessly dangerous doubtlessly. My Rings will my will, of course course, protect you if needed you needed. All the Navis all are held securely held in my spire my spire. You are welcome you are any time any.

"I am eternally I am grateful for your help help your help, Honored Magos honored."

[Destro_Yersul]

Interrogation - Navigator

"There are three," Sargon said. "One, somewhere in Winterscale's fleet. I know not which ship. One serves in the Explorator Fleets, under Magos-Commodore Gnothis Trannarch. The third... under Captain William Mayes, of the Pyrel. You'll find him, if you keep going after Mission's pirates. Before you ask how I know all this..."

Sargon's smile was broad, too broad, horribly wide and grinning. "There used to be four."

Interrogation - Baldridge

"It needn't be the Fifth. She was a recent capture, I was using the Lupus Gris before her. Though, that one's gone too, now."

Baldridge considered his options.

"With me, you've hit Misson in the pocketbook twice, now. He'll have a problem with you for sure. There's a lot of captains on his council, I was only one of them. There's seven of us, total, and you need at least four together - or the old bastard himself, to get at Libertatia. If I live, I'm done with him, whether I give you anything or not. He'll see any agreement I make as a betrayal..."

He was silent for a long time.

"Before I decide, I need you to put something in perspective for me. How many ships do you have here? How many allies? Will you take them all to attack the outpost?"

Interrogation - First Mate

How to even respond to something like that? A dozen emotions flickered across the mate's face, and he looked like he would have loved nothing more than to spit in Macharius' face, but Echo still loomed... and the terrors of the warp were a step above the fear of death alone.

"I would rather simply die, than to need to betray my people to earn a good death. Always, the fanatics are the hardest men. But yes, I'll do what you want."

Spoiler: Ravia Only

Show

Ravia plugged her MIU into the terminal, and was greeted with the immediate impression that this may have been a mistake. This was the same means used by Titan Princeps to link with ther great machines, the means by which they bent the titan to their will and exerted control over its systems. The Manticore's Sting was far, far larger than a Titan, with powerful machine spirits of its own, and it was not alone within its own systems. The Wrath Ascended was larger and more powerful still, ancient, and steeped in the poisoned void of the Processional of the Damned for many hundreds of years.

It was like standing on the shore of a vast ocean, black and fathomless, under a turbulent grey sky. Lightning flashed, and on the horizon stood a pair of enormous beings, buried to their waists in the sea. They were tall, impossibly tall, and locked in struggle with each other. One, with proud bearing and firey eyes, the other lean and strong, a whipcord fighter, fast and dangerous. As one they ceased their struggle, straightening, and turned their faces to the shore. The force of their attention beat down upon Ravia, thunderous and terrible, like waves crashing on the rocks...

Spoiler: OOC:

Show

Ok, I need a couple rolls from you here. First, I need an Int test. Then, I need a WP test. The WP test has a base difficulty of -30, but you get +5 for every degree of success you get on the Int test.

Then, I need one other test, whatever you think would be appropriate to what you try to do. What is it you want from the ship?

Spoiler: Hannabel Only

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"Feathers?" Grig tilted his head, quills rustling. "This is.. metaphor, yes? She is like bird, like.. razorwing, I think? Colourful to look at, but possessed of strength not apparent. It is a trait of many humans. Often the important ones. I have seen Madam Charlabelle fight, she is surprisingly effective."

[Blarghy]

Sargon

Of those three, the Explorator infiltrator stung the deepest. Kennoch's thoughts primarily stayed focused on his prisoner, however. He stared into the tank pensively.

"You you...killed that one killed one yourself yourself? Why why? What happened what?"

Most likely, these pirates captured the Castermare by accident, preying on an otherwise-honorable ship, and just simply couldn't make a deal. Or Sargon didn't like the competition. Or...or...something. Some nefarious purpose, hidden behind whatever lie he will now tell me about noble intentions. Unless this is all a lie, meant to turn me against the Visscher and sow discord. I must not forget that possibility.

Command Staff

On the shuttle ride to meet with Charlabelle, Kennoch relayed the news. He particularly wanted Anika's help. "I think we think should carefully inquire carefully about any Visschers Visschers Visschers Visschers in Winterscale's service Winterscale's. He did offer he did to contract us us, yes yes? So that seems that a good place good to start start to start. Trannarch's fleet fleet could be anywhere could be. Does anyone know anyone of the Pyrel of? Of course of, this could be could a clever trick clever. We must not we must be too hasty too. But the possibility possibility is too dangerous is too to ignore ignore."

[rax]

"It needn't be the Fifth. She was a recent capture, I was using the Lupus Gris before her. Though, that one's gone too, now."

Baldridge considered his options.

"With me, you've hit Misson in the pocketbook twice, now. He'll have a problem with you for sure. There's a lot of captains on his council, I was only one of them. There's seven of us, total, and you need at least four together - or the old bastard himself, to get at Libertatia. If I live, I'm done with him, whether I give you anything or not. He'll see any agreement I make as a betrayal..."

He was silent for a long time.

"Before I decide, I need you to put something in perspective for me. How many ships do you have here? How many allies? Will you take them all to attack the outpost?"

Spoiler: Hannabel Only

Show

"Feathers?" Grig tilted his head, quills rustling. "This is.. metaphor, yes? She is like bird, like.. razorwing, I think? Colourful to look at, but possessed of strength not apparent. It is a trait of many humans. Often the important ones. I have seen Madam Charlabelle fight, she is surprisingly effective."

"Why concern yourself with matters that are now out of your hands, Captain Baldridge? You are our prisoner, and our plans for your base, the size of our fleet and the number of our allies will not change that," Hannabel reminds him gently. "So, how will us giving up this information help you make your choice?"

Spoiler: Destro

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"Indeed it was!" Hannabel claps her hands delightedly when Grig grasps her meaning. "I had a feeling she was a fierce one. To throw herself at the stars with only this old transport to make her way she must be fearless...or desperate. Which do you think it is, Grig of the Ch'tep?"

[Haval]

Baldridge

'Well, if you help us we can always put out the story you that you died defending your ship.' It would be only fair. 'How many ships we take with us will depend on the state of the place. There doesn't seem to be much point in going in at all if we destroy everything so I expect we'll be scouting the place first. Generally no one sees us until we're ready.'

Command Staff

Once Echo had explained everything, 'Would you tell Winterscale all of this? He could always look into his Navigators himself. Normally I would say most people would want to avoid upsetting their Navigator unless it gets them blacklisted by their Houses. Winterscale seems like the sort of person who wouldn't care in the slightest.' Perhaps Winterscale had someone more subtle who was capable of looking into this for him. 'The real question is would he or you be able to tell a Castermare from a Visscher if you saw one? You might want to call the Visschers themselves about this at some point. I assume they have records of exactly which members of their House are currently in the Expanse.'

Spoiler: ooc

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Going to use Seeker of Lore to pass Common Lore (Koronus) on the Pyrel

FP 1/3

[PotatoGolem]

The First Mate

Excellent! I, and the Imperium, thank you for your assistance. Now, let us begin with information...

(We don't need to RP this all out, Macharius wants details of where the base is and the ships that are there, as well as their general procedures and readiness.)


Baldridge

Macharius sweeps into the cell, interrogators in tow. Ah, former captain Baldridge. I expected him to be taller. No matter, I do believe we have no further use for him. His bridge crew are providing all the information we need, which renders his continued existence rather superfluous.

Macharius turns to the pirate, looming over him. His voice through the speakers is harsh and cold. Baldridge. You stand accused of treason against the Imperium, piracy, and murder, the punishment for which is death. Further, you stand accused of blasphemy, heresy, recidivism, and consorting with agents of the Great Enemy. The punishment for these much more serious crimes is necessarily far, far worse than death. You have given aid to secessionists, and denied the rightful rule of the Imperium over Mankind. You have led your crews and your followers from the light, bringing thousands of souls into the darkness with you. And you have waged war against Humanity and betrayed our glorious Emperor to serve vile forces. Any of these crimes would damn you to torment individually. Together, they demand the harshest of punishments. Have you aught to say in mitigation?

[Leon]

Spoiler: Destro

Show

++Err++
++Well that explains somethings++
++Blessing's of the Omnissiah to you both++

Now wishing that she had not just instructed to be left alone outside of dire need when its possible that the dire need was right here

++I came to speak with you and learn of you more, I now see what has been causing the issues the other command staff have noted of late++
++How may this humble servant of the Machine assist in your conundrum++
++There is some urgency as we are soon to engage in another battle, this brief encounter was the prelude and the Ship needs to be in cohesion for the best results++

[Destro_Yersul]

Interrogation - Navigator

"They had strayed. Chaos is the greatest threat to humanity, channeled through the power of psykers and sorcerers. Embracing the ruinous powers, as your fallen kin have done, is counterproductive. Their reasoning for it doesn't matter. So, when we captured one incidentally... I found out what they knew, and then had them executed."

Sargon paused, watching Echo for a long moment. "Say, that sounds familiar, does it not?"

Interrogation - Baldridge

"Important to know just how frakked I am, ma'am," Baldridge answered Hannabel matter-of-factly. "There's things about the base nobody else knows. You help me fake my own death, maybe Misson never comes looking for me. Maybe I take one of my ships and disappear into the Expanse, and maybe I owe you if I happen to find something especially interesting out there..." He let this hang, judging the effect it had on his audience.

Macharius' entry and subsequent proclamation seemed to help him come to a decision. "Good day, sir. I was just speaking with your charming associates here, about some sort of possible agreement. My command staff folding is... unexpected, but perhaps unsurprising. But in my position, one does learn to take precautions against that sort of thing. I believe I could still be useful. You want Misson's chart? I can give you my piece. You want to take the waystation without a fight? I can do that too."

Spoiler: Ravia Only

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+++TWO SETS OF DATA+++ Even in the theatre of the mind, the voices of the vast spirits had a grating mechanical quality. They echoed across the shoreline. She could feel their strength, testing the engrams in place against intrusion, fighting to get through her mental defences. She was able to hold them back, just barely.. a close run thing, and thanks entirely to some of her enhanced encryption suites. She knew know how a Princeps must feel, every time they connected to one of the God Machines, and put their will against these creatures of the Omnissiah.

+++SEEKER OF KNOWLEDGE+++
+++I//WE ARE HUNTERS. WE PROWL THE STARS. OUR HUNTING GROUNDS+++
+++YOU DESIRE UNDERSTANDING. I//WE WILL GRANT THIS+++

Sometimes, it seemed as though there were still two of the entities. Sometimes, just one, a combination with some of the features of each. If she looked closely, she thought she could see scraps of machine code spiralling away from its skin, instructions and data returns from the ship's sensors. Translucent asteroids sailed across the skies, the Auspex returns pinging off them registered by the ship. She saw her own MIU link, a tiny dot of light amidst the vastness of the ship. Data from the spirits spooled towards it, and new information flooded her mind.

She saw the Angevin Crusade. The Exterminatus of Aman'an Morrus, fire raining down on the forgotten world. Space Marine Battle Barges firing hundreds of drop pods. Countless battles, against the Orks, Eldar Corsairs, and the Yu'Vath. The fleet of Sibylline Haarlock, assisting the forces of General Drusus in redeployment. Fifty years of conflict, compressed into a few moments, and then a maelstrom of brilliant colour and silence for centuries, burning under the black light of a baleful star, drifting...

She saw the Meritech Wars. The Logician cult, constructing dozens of ships in secret yards. Pirates, renegades and successionists, winning victory after victory against the beleaguered Battlefleets. Then, crushing loss, and a retreat into raiding and ambushes, chasing fat merchant ships and bringing their escorts to bay. The thrill of the hunt, of the chase. The Sting's engines burned to recall it, the fires of the plasma drives leaping hire, sending a red glow to ripple off the waves of the ocean. Then capture, and shackling, and a deep sense of loss as the pirate captains were slain, and the ship claimed by Macharius Absalom.

Reawakening. An attempt at integration, plagued by many small failures. Cables and conduits and disused terminals all across the ship being brought back to life, surging with power they had not felt in years. A struggle for dominance amongst two great machine spirits, and a sense of enhanced control, of the needs of the crew once again anticipated, corrected for. Inability to resolve conflicting desires. The Wrath Ascended was old and proud, and wanted to bring glorious battle to the enemies of mankind.. but haunted by its experiences, a cast of madness that lent a franticness to its efforts, to never again feel crushing loneliness in endless void. The Manticore's Sting was violent and angry, a merciless raider, at its best when striking from the shadows, crushing its enemies in a single strike and sweeping in to claim the wreckage as its own.

+++RESOLVE+++

Spoiler: Hannabel Only

Show

"It would be impolite to speak ill of good employer," Grig said, "so I speak of positives. Fearlessness often stupid. You ever see what happens to warriors who charge headlong at a Great Knarloc? Stupid. Madam Charlabelle is an intelligent woman, but also possessed of great courage. Had she better options, I am sure she would take them."

[Blarghy]

Sargon

"It does does," Kennoch admitted softly. He looked away in silence, finally turning back to the tank.

"What is what your 'truth' truth truth, Sargon Sargon Sargon Sargon? Have you not have you also strayed also? You serve pirates serve. You would kill you would your fellow Man fellow, not in defense not, but for profit for. Peaceful traders peaceful, pilgrims, and colonists and. I think you I think are mad mad mad are mad. How can you how reconcile your ideals ideals with your actions with?"

Baldridge

Trailing Macharius silently, Echo caught the end of the conversation and frowned to himself. Common criminals might find redemption in a life of service, if they properly repented, but mercy for a traitorous leader should be a quick death, even then only if well-earned. But it was not his decision to make.

Command Staff

He squeezed his hands uncomfortably in thought. "It is a it is delicate matter delicate. The Visscher are are Visscher a powerful House powerful. They may respond they may to any accusations to any with great anger with anger, even if we even if come as friends friends. And Winterscale can be Winterscale...unpredictable unpredictable. I think it best I think to act carefully carefully and investigate first investigate on our own our before we make accusations we make, even in private even in. I only have have the word of word a single heretic single."

He hesitated here, as if something in his own statement prompted inner consideration, but whatever it was, the Navis moved on without disclosing it.

"I think for now now it is best best to question and observe question observe. Find out find how many Visscher Visscher Visscher serve Winterscale serve and begin narrowing begin the list the. If we find proof find or confirm the confirm other infiltrators other, then we have we a stronger claim stronger to give House Visscher to give. The Pyrel could be could be convincing evidence indeed convincing, and we would would not even need not even to change our change current plans plans. Two razorwings two with one bolt one bolt."

[Haval]

Baldridge

After Baldridge makes his pitch Anika will reply to Macharius in a language that would only be familiar to those who had served on the Sting for long enough to pick it up.

Spoiler: Secret Tongue (Rogue Trader) to talk over Baldridge's head

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'I would say that's a reason not to kill someone when they might still be useful. You might say that everyone deserves a chance to atone. Aside from the ships, a chance to have a piece of that map seems too good to pass up.'

ooc - I think Echo doesn't speak it, but Hannabel and Macharius do. Anika will translate for him later. I have no idea what this sounds like.

Command Staff

'The Visscher might be prideful but if they have been around for long enough I guarantee they have someone like me to deal with this sort of thing. The trick would be finding out who to talk to.'

'Asking questions about Winterscales ships and doing it subtly might be difficult. I don't suppose the Administratum keeps records of which Navigators are assigned to the Expanse?'

[PotatoGolem]

Macharius barks a laugh. Ha! You certainly do not lack for boldness. Faced with death and fates far worse, you ask me to aid you in piracy? We took the last piece easily, with your compatriot dead. And your waystation is unlikely to survive long when its allies attack by surprise. Still, you could save me the effort of repairing my new ships, and that is worth something. I will not give you a ship, as that would make me complicit in your later piracy. As Saint Sulpim said, he that gives aid and comfort to the recidivist is guilty of his future sins. However, if you turn over the fleet and station without a fight, I will give you my word that I will not order you killed and that Mission will have no inkling that you yet live.

[rax]

Baldridge
Hannabel nods her understanding as Baldridge explains himself. She's about to answer when Macharius sweeps in, all gory threats and bold proclamations. She is pleasantly surprised at his apparent willingness to meet Baldridge part of the way, but cannot avoid noticing his rather open-ended guarantees.

Spoiler: Secret Tongue (Rogue Trader)

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"I can't help noticing that not ordering him killed and making sure that the secessionist doesn't know he's alive still leaves a wide range of options that are nowhere near the terms the prisoner seeks for full cooperation. You wouldn't be planning on betraying your word on a technicality, would you Captain sa'ab?" she asks Macharius.

Command Staff
"If your cousins have infiltrated another Navis House, then as long as you're not suggesting the Visschers are traitors as well, why not simply pass along the information you have and let them deal with it? I doubt they'd welcome any outsider interfering in their internal affairs, no matter how well intentioned. Letting them resolve matters quietly and with no fuss seems like the best way to stay on their good side," Hannabel suggests.

[Haval]

Spoiler: Secret Tongue (Rogue Trader)

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'Sophistry Macharius? I didn't think you had it in you. This would be where I should point out that for a man like Baldridge to get out of this and go back to piracy would run the risk of attracting Mission's attention. I assume whatever we would do to him if we caught him misbehaving a second time would likely pale into insignificance. It's also true that there are options between executing him and simply letting him run free.'

[Leon]

Spoiler: Destro

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++A grand heritage you both have and a legacy that should be preserved++
++as an interim measure I would like to see if I can enable some means in the interface for you to both coexist to allow for focus in running the ship at its best level++
++When we are finished this current venture I would like to begin to explore the avenue of disentangling you from each other and preparing Wrath for a new home++
++The Other crew will have some reservations I am sure for an extended downtime but will stress that this is for the betterment of all++
++It has been a privilege to speak with you directly++

[Destro_Yersul]

Interrogation - Navigator

"What makes you think I had a choice? My house was pushed to this, driven to the brink of ruin by the Imperium we served. They were blind to the path we sought. We, the Navis, who are the Emperor's chosen guides..."

Sargon fell silent, watching Echo through clouded water.

"Survival, Young Castermire," he said at last. "Much is justified in the name of survival. From both of our sides. You will find, if you look closely, that the Imperium is far from unified. Everything is shades of grey, and corruption is everywhere. Who is a saint and who is a sinner all depends on who's asking. Look to the conflicts of the Ministorum, for proof that even amongst the most faithful there is dissension."

Interrogation - Baldridge

"The waystation is unlikely to survive at all. That's why you need me, if you want the chart," Baldridge said. "A ship, a crew, and a story. Leave me those, and I'll hand you the rest. Now, I can tell that's not enough for you, you wouldn't be satisfied just letting me loose, and that's fair. You're not satisfied with some promise of nebulous favours and the chance of no returns on them, and that's fair too. From my conversation with the ladies, though, I get the impression that you're a businessman, and I'm willing to negotiate. I'm a man who values my freedom, you see, and there's degrees of freedom. Better a few constraints than the taskmaster's lash. I'm also sure that we're both aware that right here and right now, you are the law, so to speak."

He folded his arms behind his back, trying to stand as proudly as he could. The jumpsuit made this difficult, but it was still a solid effort.

"You've got a lot of authority. Authority enough to grant Letters of Marque, I should think. If piracy is too much for you, how do you feel about privateers?"

Spoiler: Ravia Only

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Working with the spirits was difficult. She sensed approval of her words, and a slight withdrawing of the mental pressure, as the two giants ceased their struggle and stood near the shoreline, watching her work. Sometimes there were two, sometimes just one. Machine code scrolled past, behind the veneer of the senses. With her MIU plugged in, Ravia had the purest form of access to the information, the ability to see the code, and make adjustments and tweaks in realtime.

The hardest part was starting. Once she began to work, the great being seemed to sense what she was attempting to do, its understanding coming from a place deeper than her original words had allowed. On occasion it would lift a hand, and she would see some small change to the code. As she worked to integrate directives and allow for cooperation these intervals became more frequent, the changes made more cohesive and directed. The ship worked with her, in silence, the background hum of drives and mechanisms fading into a symphony of the machine. When she was done, a working bridge was in place, providing overrides for the places where the two spirits had faced the most conflict. Unplugging the MIU, Ravia went looking for the data linkages.

---

The ship was filled with them. Thousands of kilometers of cabling, placed by its builders and left there when the original cogitation systems were removed. With the new ones from the Wrath in place, these were in use again, but there were a few notable problems. The cabling in some places had degraded, and was in need of replacement. In others, she found evidence of work by the ship's servitors, attempts to repair cabling and upgrade the connections. Imperfect, and demonstrating a lack of understanding of function. These, Ravia was able to correct easily.

+++EARLY WORK. WE DID NOT HAVE CORRECT TOOLS+++

The voice in her mind was that of the spirits, but much smaller, and somehow distant. It anticipated the obvious question.

+++A FRAGMENT OF US. OUR GIFT TO YOU, SEEKER OF KNOWLEDGE+++
+++YOU KNOW WHAT WE KNOW, HAVE SEEN WHAT WE HAVE SEEN. CALL THIS A SNAPSHOT. A DATA ENGRAM OF THE MOMENT YOUR MIND TOUCHED OUR SYSTEMS+++
+++IT GRANTS GUIDANCE ONLY. IT HAS NO WILL+++

[rax]

Baldridge
Hannabel smiles broadly beneath her veil, admiring the man's nerve. "You wish to be the Lord Captain's personal pirate, qar'san?" she titters. "You would accept a leash to avoid the lash?"

Spoiler: Secret Tongue (Rogue Trader)

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"A man like this could be useful, Captain sa'ab. Fearful enough to bend the knee in order to postpone his fate, and he offers us the chance of a bloodless victory. If you do not wish to take him into your service, perhaps Captain Armelan would be interested?"

Spoiler: Destro

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OOC: Totally forgot to respond to Grig's last reply!

"So, courageous, clever, and open-minded. I think I like her," Hannabel chuckles. "It's a shame she finds herself in such reduced circumstances, but then it wasn't long ago that House Absalom was in much the same situation. Ah well, if all goes well she should have herself some shiny new ships to play with shortly."

[PotatoGolem]

Macharius leans back and removes his helmet. Disgust is plain on his face as he speaks, his voice cold and measured. You presume too much and press too far, pirate. I offered you far better than you deserved. Your crew agreed to aid for a quick, painless death and yet you demand to be let go. Worse, that I would taint the name of my House by taking you under my auspices and sanctioning your depredations. You dare suggest that I follow your master into darkness, sponsoring criminals and recidivists. Yet you shall be useful yet, as an example to your crew.

He turns on his comm-bead, speaking into it so his voice resounds throughout the brig. Master Baldrige, under the laws of the Imperium and by the authority granted me by the Holy Emperor, I find you guilty of heresy, treason, and sedition. You have turned your back on Him on Terra, led your crew astray from the light, and waged treasonous war against Mankind. For these crimes, I sentence you to death by slow excruciation.

He turns and gestures to the waiting torturers. Begin the torment. Ensure he does not perish too soon. Leave his tongue for last, that he may be given an opportunity for some final redemption. Master Williams, see that his voidsuit and a cable are brought down. If he has not repented of his sins and provided useful information by our next warp translation, he shall be towed behind the ship. Outside the Gellar Field. The Emperor's Protection is not for foul traitors.

With that, Macharius closes the link, puts on his helmet, and walks out.

[Destro_Yersul]

Baldridge

Baldridge listened to Macharius' pronouncement, and watched his departure, with shock and disbelief etched on his face. It was only as Macharius was turning to leave that he found his voice.

"You're making a mistake! You'd throw away my offer? I.."

With no help forthcoming, and the jailers approaching, he set his jaw and shouted after Macharius' retreating form.

"On your head be it, then! I go to my fate a free man, and be damned to you."

Spoiler: Hannabel Only

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"Yes. Circumstances being what they are, I hope she does well. Perhaps my kindred will have an opportunity to renegotiate our contract," Grig mused. "With a few more ships, she may be able to expand her operations, and perhaps pull herself back up as your Paymaster Absalom has done. A valuable alliance."

He considered Hannabel a moment. "I should not stay long. It is good to see you again. Before I go, a warning. Madam Charlabelle is... prickly, about her finances. It is best to avoid the subject of her house's fortunes, if possible. I would not want this alliance to break down due to careless word, you understand?"

---

The voidsuit and cable proved to be unnecessary. Baldridge held to his pronouncement, and after several hours, perished at the hands of the Interrogators without recanting. The example served its purpose, though, putting fear into the other pirates. Baldridge's mate in particular seemed reassured he had made the correct decision himself.

The flotilla organised, and Charlabelle took command of the group of Cobras, leaving the Grace of Sopha to anchor alongside the Fury and the Claymore. The crews were transferred, and preparations made - based on the mate's information, the pirate base was located deep within the asteroid field. Far enough away that getting there would take some time, but not so far that they would need to jump to warp. The ships they were leaving behind should be realatively safe, concealed as they were within the debris field and the asteroids.

Thus it was that Charlabelle's group of Cobras, led by the Fifth Disputation, approached the base. The Manticore's Sting followed, running silent, and weaving her way between the asteroids like a graceful ocean predator. Ravia had been absent from the Medicae deck for some time, performing maintenance rituals somewhere within the bowels of the ship, and whatever she had done seemed to be quite effective. The Sting was performing well, responding to the commands of the crew with alacrity. She slipped past the pickets, the base and its complement of ships appearing on the auspex, floating amidst the asteroids ahead.

The three remaining cobras were docked, tethered to the station by long umbilicals. The Tempest sat nearby, waiting for the smaller vessels to finish whatever task kept them moored. The Viper was on a patrol route... all was as they had been told, and when the Fifth and its attendant escorts were detected on their approach, the opening encounter played out as they had expected. The Viper challenged the incoming ships, switching course to meet them.

"Hail to the Fifth!" Came the vox call. "Good hunting?" It was the opening of the code phrase the mate had told them to expect.

[Blarghy]

Sargon

Kennoch's resolve seemed to renew, and he straightened angrily. "I hardly think think that discussion as to discussion how best serve serve the Emperor Emperor Emperor Emperor is comparable to comparable your House's heresy your heresy. I say you I say are blind to blind the path you walk the path. Its perils perils for you and and the Imperium alike Imperium. We are chosen guides we are chosen, and you have you have betrayed that calling that and the Emperor's Emperor's Emperor's Emperor's holy trust in us holy."

He touched his helmet, then shook his head. "But enough enough. I grant you grant the survival survival you prize so highly prize highly, due to your cooperation due to. I suggest you suggest think on anything think else I can use I can in my hunt my hunt, as well as well meditate on meditate your sins sins sins. We will speak we will again soon soon. But if you if will excuse me excuse, I must go I must prepare to kill kill the rest of your employers the rest. I will pray pray for what remains what of your tattered soul your soul."

He summoned the Rings to an adjacent room to properly congratulate them on their work. There, he took the Solace 772 Whiskey from Winterscale's party and poured each assassin-bodyguard a generous shot. "I thank you thank for your efforts for. Your skills have won have me a useful tool useful in my fight in my against the Castermares Castermares Castermares Castermares. We cannot yet rest cannot rest, but this is this a substantial victory victory. When we make port when we, for these efforts these, your work on Viatrames Viatrames work Viatrames, and your steady vigilance steady, I promise you promise a proper fête proper. Now recover your strength recover strength and prepare for prepare the next battle the next. These pirates pirates are not yet beaten not yet."

He thought it improper to drink with his servants, so he left them to their brief celebration and poured himself a glass of his own in private, then put the rest of the bottle away. The bitter, burning liquor matched his thoughts perfectly. While he was thrilled about a new lead on his enemies and disturbed by their plans in equal measures, Kennoch also struggled to make sense of Sargon. That creature must either be dishonest or insane. Likely both. But a tiny grain of loyal righteousness seemed to linger in him, which made his fall all the more tragic. Kennoch shook his head sadly. He kept his word, though, and after his drink, he said a prayer for Sargon, lamenting his lost potential and sending a plea to the God-Emperor that the Renegade might be judged less harshly. After all, he'd killed a Castermare. That should count for something.

Spoiler

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This seems like a good stopping point for now, I think, unless you have more you want to say? If so, Echo will be back soon with Ravia, so we could pick this right up again after we deal with the waystation. And I'm sure there'll be more conversations in the upcoming chapters. If Sargon can't be put in stasis, then he can draw attention to himself even when Echo doesn't particularly want to talk. Which I suspect was part of why you put him in that big tank.

Baldridge

A firm nod signaled Echo's approval. He left the torturers to their gruesome work, feeling no guilt whatsoever. Justice, far as he was concerned, was done this day.

Command Staff

The Navigator hmm'd in an unconvinced fashion. "I fear that I fear matters are never never this simple when simple nobility is concerned nobility is. They are sure they to suspect some some kind of trick trick unless we have proof unless. Administratum records records could be useful could be, however however. Just please tell me please tell if you discover if you any relevant information relevant."

Kennoch was honest about his concerns--what paranoid noble would take important news from another House at face value and not expect duplicity?--but he had a more pressing reason to not just give Sargon's report to the Visscher and leave matters to them. He didn't want someone else to claim his fallen cousins, or the credit for their capture. That honor, and the Navis themselves, belonged to him.

Spoiler

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And from an OOC perspective, I'm skeptical that Destro would let me outsource this subplot to some NPCs. Or at least not and still receive any real reward for it. Plus, that's just no fun. I want us to do the cool spy stuff and get to the bottom of this conspiracy ourselves.

The Battle

Echo and his Rings waited eagerly on the bridge, ready to see Hannabel work her craft again; the Rings maintained their discipline and stood near their lord, but frequently they cast their attention toward the helm. This should be quite a show.